Holiday 2014

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THE HAWKEYE Holiday 2014

inside: the holiday gift guide • this season’s newest albums • the perfect staycation destinations • and more!

THE EDITORS’ DESK Dear Editors,

Dear Editors,

Dear Editors,

I could not relate more to Tess Garcia’s article “Experiencing a Twitter identity crisis” I read in the print edition December 2014 issue of The Hawkeye. Everyone seems to have an alter-ego when it comes to the internet. As Tess describes her identity crisis I can feel exactly what she’s going through.

Often, it’s easy to become someone else when you’re sitting behind a computer. Everyone dreams of an escape from reality, Twitter, along with other social networks, seems to be that escape. There’s nothing wrong with a little alter-ego but it’s important to always remember who we truly are when we’re away from the internet, hanging out with our friends and family, being the person we genuinely are. Sometimes you need a break from the internet, your followers, all the hashtags so you don’t lose your mind. Tess’s quote “Frankly, our online people-persons say a lot about who we are, or aren’t” isn’t completely accurate. We all have the person who we would like to be deep down in ourselves we just have to learn how to take the bandage off and let the actual us show.

After reading the article “Junior brings a “fresh perspective” in fall musical” I have some opinions I would like to share.

First off, I love this article. I’ve known Elizabeth Holmes since I was in elementary school. I have always admired the way she does exactly what makes her happy regardless of other around her. She turns her disability into an ability. It seems that the majority of the time I see Elizabeth, she is having the time of her life dancing. I think that it’s really great that she was part of the musical and able to show her talent to entire audience. The fact that you this article was written is great. I feel like everything in it needed to be said.

Also, the article is written impeccably. The quotes from Mrs. Greenlee and Mark Holmes add a needed element to the article which it needed.

After reading “It’s okay to go back to the basics” in the print edition of the December 2014 issue of the Hawkeye, I completely agree with your opinion. I love the way you sarcastically explain that its okay to be basic. For example “No she didn’t just tell me that I have a pH level of 14.” I love the message you are trying to send, which is that no one should ever be judged by something as silly as buying Starbucks or what type of clothes you wear. I’m pretty sure that everybody has been judged at least once in their life.

Some people would do anything to fit in but they shouldn’t have to try. In my opinion I strongly dislike when people are stereotypical. Why should people try to be perfectly the same? We are all special in a different way and we should learn to embrace it. I thought it was a great, inspiring article keep up the good work.

~Gaby Cassar

~John Maguire

~Naiel Aslam

humans of bloomfield Inspired by the breathtaking Humans of New York, the Humans of Bloomfield photoblog showcases the diverse staff and students of BHHS

“The hands are friendship, the crown is loyalty, and the heart is love. I have two sisters, and my mom gave one to all of us. She had ‘you’re my favorite’ engraved on the inside of all three of them, so that way we can always argue over who mom’s favorite really was.” ~Kelly Wester (11)

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“When it’s too complicated, just give them something simple. Don’t tell the barista that your name is Amith, tell them your name is Scott.” ~Amith Lohitsa, (11)

“Here, let me put my hair down. When it’s up, my head looks like an egg.” ~Jenny Ruan, (11)

Want to see more?

Check out Humans of Bloomfield at thehawkeyenews.com/humansofbloomfield

THE HAWKEYE 2014-2015 STAFF Editors-In-Chief Maitreyi Anantharaman Sarah Kovan Executive Editors Narmeen Rehman Courtney Zhu Section Editors Aidan Menchacha [News] Nisa Khan [Op/Ed] Michelle Phillips [Op/Ed] Alison Jaksen [Feature] Merrick Weingarten [Sports] Jake Freed [Sports] Jonah Newman [Production]

letters from the editors Dear Readers,

But that’s only half of it. The holiday season holds meaning for When we started planning our everyone. Whether they bring holiday issue, we started, natural- memories of family members ly, with stuff. We brainstormed [“Remembering the Ghosts of the best gift ideas for our holiday Christmas Cookies”, Tess Garcia, gift guide [“Gift Guide”, pg. 30], pg. 25], mark a new beginning we raided Target for holiday-fla- [“Exercising the mind”, Maitreyi vored snacks [“Holiday Taste Anantharaman, pg. 24] or introTest”, pg. 26] and we set out duce a new adventure [“Foreign to find the perfect shade of red Exchange Students Experience [“How to Rock the Ugly Christ- First Michigan Winter”, Jake mas Sweater”, pg. 34].

Freed, pg. 15], the holidays are The stuff is fun, of course. so much more than the “stuff”.

That’s the message of this month’s editorial. Instead of worrying about one-upping each other with gifts, maybe we all need to remember the true meaning of the holidays.

Have a wonderful winter break and make sure to spend time with your loved ones.

Best Wishes, The Editorial Board [Maitreyi Anantharaman, Sarah Kovan, Narmeen Rehman and Courtney Zhu]

Staff Writers Daniel Bordener Evie Chodock Madeline Mackie Tess Garcia Andie McKendrick Foster Stubbs Uzair Bandagi

December contributor

GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF WRITER- Jack Silberman

Colin Barnes Thomas Paul Jack Silberman Jason Moonka Hannah Stein Mallory Weiner Katherine Prina Julia Eisenshtadt Giancarlo Tucci-Berube Phillip Shamsuddoha

contact us

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Eating ice cream, eating soup, and playing fantasy football Q: What is your favorite thing to watch on TV? A: The Big Bang Theory, but I also like Modern Family.

Q: Why did you join the newspaper staff?

A: I joined because my friends who were on the staff in previous years told me that I would like it, so I made sure to fit it into my schedule.

Q: What are some fun facts about you?

A: I used to have 300 snails, and I have eaten a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast everyday since I was about two years old.

Letters to the editors are encouraged and can be sent to us at bloomfieldhawkeye@gmail.com. Signed letters will be accepted with no prior administrative review, as space is available. The Hawkeye reserves the right to edit any

Want more?

Check out our staff page at thehawkeyenews.com/staff

submissions. Send any letters, questions, comments or suggestions to bloomfieldhawkeye@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE 3

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october 8

holiday contents 6

News+Briefs Police brutality, Syrian refugees, #BlackLivesMatter + more

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News+Briefs The year in review: midterm elections, Ferguson + more

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News+Briefs By the numbers: iPads, forensics, collage concert + more

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News Senior accepted to prestigious New York orchestra seminar

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News Construction on new school will continue despite cold weather

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News E.L. Johnson Nature Center adopts orphan deer

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News Bowers students organize panel on hunting and wildlife

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News Jills and Chamber choirs continue caroling tradition

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Feature Foreign exchange students experience their first winters

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Sports Academics should be first priority for student-athletes

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Sports Three Black Hawks to keep an eye on this season

Photo Essay Building a gingerbread house

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Opinion Time with family is the most important gift this season

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Centerspread ‘Tis the season for shopping: the commercialization of holidays

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Pro+Con Should religous holidays be acknowledged in schools?

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Opinion On: reading, storytelling and New Years’ Resolutions.

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Opinion On: dealing with divorce and sending siblings off to college

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Opinion On: Barbies and making Christmas cookies

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Holiday Our staff reviews limited edition holiday flavors

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Holiday The Hawkeye’s 2014 Gift Guide

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Holiday Restaurants open on Christmas + a review of Alex and Ani

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Holiday A roundup of this season’s best holiday albums

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Holiday Road Trip: The Hawkeye’s best staycation destinations

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Holiday Dressing up the ugly Christmas sweater

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Holiday Infographic: Navigating the roads in inclement weather

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Q&A 31 things you didn’t know about Santa Claus

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Calendar Your guide to the holiday’s best movies

for more content and daily updates, visit us on the web at thehawkeyenews.com

NEWS

what in the world

Discover news from all around the world and how it affects the community AMERICA

INTERNATIONAL

Child Soldiers

Human Rights Watch says that there are currently over 14 nations that have child soldiers in their armed forces.

The ages of these children range from 11 to 17 years old, even six years old in some countries.

SOUTH SUDAN

photos: MCT Campus

South Sudanese government has pledged to end its use of child soldiers, but they continue to recruit them.

DARFUR UNICEF says that there are currently 6,000 children soldiers in Darfur.

Protesters demand that #BlackLivesMatter

INDIA Rebel groups have reportedly recruited children as young as 6 years old to their forces.

Protesters have taken to the streets following the no-indictment ruling by the courts regarding the Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Eric Garner cases.

•MIICHAEL BROWN: November 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, white police officier Darren Wilson went without indicitment in the Michael Brown case. In August the officer shot and killed the unarmed teenage black man.

•ERIC GARNER: On July 17, 2014, white NYPD officer Justin Damico accussed black Eric Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. When Garner expressed that he felt harrassed, the police officer held him in a chokehold—banned by the state of New York nearly 30 years ago—for 19 seconds, killing him.

Damico wasn’t indicted.

•TAMIR RICE: November 2014, 12 year-old black boy Tamir Rice was shot and killed by white Cleveland officer Timothy Loehman. Rice was holding a toy gun that the officer thought to be real and fatally shot the boy. Loehman has since been put on paid administrative leave.

SYRIAN REFUGEES

Syrian Refugees Struggling

Since the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011, there have been over 3 million refugees dispersed throughout Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.

For the past few years, the United Nations has been generously providing the refugees with food, education for the children, and warm tents. This year, the U.N.is undergoing a shortage of money and has cut all the aid, leaving Syrian refugees stranded with no means of food and warmth facing the winter months.

Source: The New York Times YOUR TURN

What do you think about the acquittal of the police officers currently making the headlines?

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“[The police officers] did something wrong, and it’s happened more than once. It’s become obvious that this is about race.”

“[The officers] are basically getting away with murder. I believe things would be different if the victims weren’t black.

“We only look at only for the side [of the story] of the story that stirs up controversy. I’m in no place to make a judgement.”

-SHAY ALTAII, 11

-ALISE PATTON, 12

-GILLIAN TERLECKY, 12

a year in review It’s been an eventful year: in politics, sports, entertainment and culture. Here are some of the biggest events and people that defined 2014.

IN ENTERTAINMENT

On November 24, demonstrators in Ferguson, Missouri protest that there will be no indictment for Police Officer Darren Wilson. Wilson, who shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, resigned days later from the Ferguson Missouri Police Department.

THE SNAPSHOT

Comedians Robin Williams (bottom left) and Joan Rivers (top left) passed away this year.

They will both be remembered for their humor both on and off screen.

George Clooney (right) married Amal Alamuddin in September. This is Clooney’s second marriage, the first ending in 1993.

$17,997,912,502,715.74 “I am reaching out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality—and to do that we need everyone to be involved.”

Spoken by Emma Watson, the United Nation’s Women Goodwill Ambassador at HeForShe campaign, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20 September 2014.

OVERHEARD

BY THE NUMBERS The U.S. Current National Public Debt, according to treasurydirect.gov.

2014’S TOP NEWSMAKERS

sources

Mitch McConnell, the Malala Yousafzai, 17-yearVladimir Putin, Republic Minority leader, old Nobel Peace Prize Leader of Russia, likely to be Majority leader.

Winner for Women’s Rights during Crimea inva-

New York Times US Treasury UN Women BBC CNN Fox News Photo Source: MCT Campus

HOLIDAY 2014 The Hawkeye 7

NEWS+BRIEFS news by the numbers: everything you need to know before break

60+

20 mins

418

The average wait time for Santa at the Santa House in Birmingham.

Children may give him their list and have their picture taken with him. Any donations go toward the Birmingham Lions Club and Leader Dogs for the Blind.

students from band, orchestra, and choirs, who participated in the Collage Concert. Choral Boosters are also selling Black Hawk Bears as a fundraising initiative.

january 13 is when Dr. Jay Marks of Oakland Schools will speak at the Doyle Center on “Cultural Competence: A Concept for Pursuing Diversity, Academic Equity and Race Relations in Our Schools and Community.”

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coats, towels, gloves, bathing suits, shirts, shoes, blankets and pants donated to the MSA coat drive.

6th-8th graders at West Hills, East Hills and Bloomfield Hills Middle Schools who received iPad Airs as part of the district’s new One to World program.

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sources

Middle School offices bloomfield.org MSA Leadership Somerset Collection BHHS Counseling Office

students are members of the Varsity Forensics Team this year, making it the largest forensics team in Bloomfield Hills history.

The team will travel around Michigan to a series of invitational tournaments during the months of January, February and March.

News

WINTER CONSTRUCTION:

BHHS Photo Credit: Bloomfield.org

Building BHHS: Winter 2014-15 Construction of the new high school will continue despite inclement winter weather JACK SILBERMAN Staff Writer They are still on track.

“Barton Malow spends a great deal of time analyzing weather forecasts to ensure continuous productivity,” said Bloomfield Hills School District Physical Plant Services Director Brian Goby about the construction company who is responsible for the new high school.

“Several strategies are always available to quickly shift crews and areas of production when the weather takes an unexpected turn.”

According to Barton Malow Project Head Representative Steven Lorenzo, in order to ensure that the building will be ready for the 2015-16 school year, his crews will temporarily cover the open portions of the building’s exterior, allowing the workers to make progress on the interior.

This will allow workers to work on features such as the classrooms and learning communities without being snowed on, or hit with below freezing temperatures.

“The construction of the entire facility will continue to progress throughout the winter,” said Lorenzo. “Areas of the facility are at different points in the construction process so finish trades such as painting, ceilings and flooring will be ongoing in the learning communities and existing building while masonry, structural steel and building enclosure will continue on the north end of the site.”

Lorenzo said that the installation of the heating system and temporary walls will be vital in allowing construction to continue throughout immense amounts of snow and frigid temperatures.

“For construction to progress on schedule, appropriate temperatures are needed to allow for finish materials to be completed in the existing building and common areas,” said Lorenzo. “We are utilizing multiple methods in areas to maintain the building at these appropriate temperatures including

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permanent building heating systems, existing heating systems and temporary heaters and fans. In addition to heating systems, temporary enclosures are being constructed in areas where the permanent walls, windows and doors are not scheduled to be installed until later this winter or spring.”

District School Board Vice President Mark Bank said, “The workers from Barton Malow are true professionals. They plan for all kinds of different contingencies.

They are well aware of the timetable, they are well aware of all the weather forecasts, and they try to stay as far ahead of things as possible. Every indication that we have is that the school will open on time.”

Bank believes that the amount of preparation that has gone into this project will prevent the harsh weather from affecting progress.

“You can’t control the weather, you can only plan for it, and take remedial action. You can’t change the forecast from snow to drought.”

• During the winter, a temporary walls used to cover the exterior of the building to allow workers to make progress on the interior • Construction on the learning communities will continue • Propane tanks and temporary heating systems are used to keep the interior warm during construction • Set to be opened for classes in Fall of 2015 • Set to be entirely completed in the Summer of 2016 source: Barton Malow

NEWS

Q&A Tracy Magiera former caretaker of the deer Q: What did you do when you first found the deer?

A: I started to call the [Department of Natural recources] and other rescue and rehabilitation places who are licensed to take care of the deer.

The fawn, Baby (left), has been at the Nature Center since 24 November 2014

Orphan deer finds a new home at the E.L Johnson Nature Center The fawn from Pleasant Ridge will be safer now, said manager Dan Badgley.

JULIA EISENSHTADT Staff Writer An orphan deer from Pleasant Ridge, Michigan has found a new home at the E.L Johnson Nature Center.

“One night everyone was writing on Facebook that the mother [of the deer] had gotten hit on Woodward and that they had seen the baby,” said Tracy Magiera, a resident of Pleasant Ridge, who fed and took care of the deer throughout the summer. “So I got worried and I went out there. I looked for her but didn’t find her, but when I started to walk away she followed me out of the bushes. I couldn’t just let her stay there.”

The deer, called Baby, was living in Pleasant Ridge Michigan, a high-traffic area where Nature Center manager Dan Badgley believed the young deer wouldn’t be safe.

On November 24, deer was sedated and carefully transferred to the Nature Center.

“I had read an article about a deer that needed a home. It had said that the people were having trouble finding a place to take the deer,” said Nature Center teacher Blanche Wicke, who brought the issue to attention of

the Nature Center. “So I sent the article to Dan [Badgley], our manager, but in the meantime the people themselves had actually called us.”

Badgley said he believed the Nature Center is a perfect place for the fawn, as she will live among other deer and have plenty of visitors.

“We have a fenced in enclosure here where she is safe from traffic, safe from dogs, and from any other predators,” said Badgley. “They [the deer] get a lot of attention. There are wild deer around the nature center that walk right up to the fence. The deer in the enclosure are visited by wild deer often. People also come to visit them often and they feed them.”

Badgley said that it is crucial that the deer has a safe place to live.

“The reason that she [Magiera] contacted the media in the first place was that she was trying to find a safe place to take this deer.

She [the deer] became so used to people that all the people around Pleasant Ridge felt that she might be hit by a car or have a problem with a dog or something, because she had lost most of her fear of people,” said Badgley.

According to Magiera, the timing of the situation could not have been better considering the fact that a previous deer at the Nature Center recently passed away, so they were in need of another.

“We were all ecstatic [when finding out the deer would be living st the Nature Center]. It was such a great situation because they have another deer there and it had lost its partner this past summer and it was lonely,” said Magiera.

“Now apparently they [are getting along great.”

Sophomore Lia Forman, who worked at the nature center over the summer, was sad when the previous deer passed away, but she believes that the Nature Center is a good home for the fawn.

“I was really shocked when the old deer died because It was so unexpected. I think it’s really good that there is a new deer because now all of the kids [that visit the Nature Center] will be happier,” said Forman. “There are a lot of great workers at the nature center and it’s just a great environment so the new deer is definitely going to have a great place to live.”

Q: What did you do to take care of the deer?

A: I would sit with her for sometimes hours at a time as she was growing but she only got close enough to sniff my hand. She would sit with me but I never had the courage to reach out to her.

Q: Did you have any prior experience with animals A: Not really. I’ve had a horse before and I love animals, and I have dogs and cats but never with a wild animal like a deer.

Q: How did you know how to take care of the fawn?

A: I got a lot of advice from the Howell Nature Center and a few other deer rehabilitators that told me what to feed her and how to deal with her.

HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE 11

NEWS

Seniors Stuart Baum and Garrett Wartell (middle) participate in a panel discussion. Photo: Shira Good

Bowers’ students research hunting A panel discussion focused on wildlife and hunting policy in Michigan AIDAN MENCHACA Section Editor Students at Bowers Academy organized a two person panel discussion for students and teachers that focused on hunting and wildlife policy in Michigan.

“I think it’s important for students to learn about local politics and the issue that affect them. Just in the recent midterm election there was a ballot proposal about wolf hunting and lots of people didn’t know much about wolf hunting but it was the responsibility of [the electorate] to decide the fate of it,” said Bowers Academy student Stuart Baum who helped to organize the project. “I think it’s important for people to be educated on topics like [wildlife policy]. I also think it’s a topic that would be interesting to learn about for lots of students to be able to see the subject of biology being applied to their own neighborhood.”

According to Baum the project was meant to inform students and appease the new project

12 Holiday 2014 The Hawkeye

based learning policies at Bowers Academy.

“I personally never knew people who hunted; no one in my family hunted. I was very out of touch with the whole world of hunting. I was inspired to start [the project] because I had to take biology class,” he said. “The way that Bowers is addressing the biology course is through project based learning where we incorporate basically the parts of the syllabus for a course into a project where we find these things out for ourselves and direct it to our own interests. When I was given the freedom to develop this I became very interested in it and went along with the process and it was really enjoyable; I learned a lot this way than through just listening to a lecture or reading a textbook which are both important and supplemental aspects of learning the material. I really like being able to take charge of my own project.”

Garrett Wartell, who worked with

Baum and Bowers student, Jaylen Stringer, said that the project taught him about the cultural traits of hunting. “[We talked] about how hunting is different from giant, massive farms [with] people killing animals [hunting is more like] ‘hey, I’m going out hunting and the meat that I kill is going to be for my family and my friends.

I’m actually going to eat it. I’m not just going to shoot it and throw it up on my wall.

People need to understand that in places like Alaska you need to get your own food.

There’s not a store that you can go by deer at.”

Baum said that E.L. Johnson Nature Center manager Dan Badgley and Michigan Conservation officer Jason Becker added insight into the forum.

“Dan Badgley was present along with Officer Jason Becker, he was a conservation officer in Oakland county and they make sure that every

hunter is obeying the laws and regulations and acting properly as hunters,” he said. “He has a big job covering such a large piece of land [as Macomb County].

He was a very good [provider of research]. So the point of the forum was really to see the perspectives of these two professionals. I wanted to learn their points of view on the [hunting and wildlife patterns in Michigan]. Though [these biological trends] are based on science—I read through a lot of statistics taken over years about the patterns of [Michigan] animals—it’s still up to debate about what is the right way to handle issues of overpopulation and regulating hunting. I wanted to hear the opinion of these two professional after they were informed on the background knowledge.”

Badgley added that he agreed with Becker in the forum.

“Officer Becker and I really didn’t have very much in the way of differing opinions. I think that hunting is one of several management techniques for wildlife. If human beings didn’t occupy so much of the planet we wouldn’t have to worry about managing wildlife but we do because there’s so many of us and in some populations theirs more wildlife than if we weren’t around. Officer Becker didn’t disagree with that. His role is to enforce the hunting regulation and make sure that hunters follow the right rules but we didn’t really disagree on that.”

In light of new developments in Bloomfield Hills Schools’ educational philosophy, Bowers Principal Bill Boyle said that the project was a shining example of project based learning.

“The students had a lot of choice over what [their project] looked like and how they did their project and content of the project. They were able to pick the idea of conservation and hunting as their theme in our broad understanding of [project based learning]. It had a purpose in the real world. This is not just about school this is an issue that’s actually going on in the world that we have an impact on. They probably made thirty phone calls before they were able to settle on these two people who were willing to come in. In that they had to do all of the real-life skills that we want them to be able to do. Finally they had to ask the experts, Mr. Badgley and conservation officer [Becker], who both are incredibly knowledgeable about these things so [the group] learned a lot about them. [The group] also needed to make sure they had their own questions for each of the two, set up the venue and the format. I’d say there were a lot of real world skills that were developed in addition to the content around that theme [of hunting].”

Overall Badgley said it is important for students to take learning outside the classroom like the members of this project.

“I think that its a really good experience for students. When you find a good, current topic and you can get [professionals] to come in and comment about it the more the better.”

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humans of bloomfield

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OCTOBER Holiday 2014 THE HAWKEYE 13

NEWS Our favorite

CHristmas Carols The Jills and Chamber Choirs carol in front of the Ford Motor Company building on opening night of Greenfield Village’s Holiday Nights photo courtesy of Jessica Riley

“I’ll Be home for Christmas”

by Michael Buble Maddy mackie Staff writer

“Happy xmas (War is Over)”

by John Lennon GianCarlo Tucci-Berube Guest Writer

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Jills and Chamber choirs carol at Greenfield Village Choirs improve choral skills and step out of comfort zone ALLY JAKSEN Section Editor She smiled as she walked up and down the streets of Greenfield Village, taking in the holiday spirit.

“Caroling at Greenfield Village never gets old for me,” said Senior Jill Shelbi Jouni.

“I look forward to it every year and I will miss it a lot when I graduate. Being able to perform and put a smile on people’s faces is an unbelievable feeling. It’s as if you are taken back in time and everywhere you look you’re surrounded by holiday cheer.”

Greenfield Village’s event, Holiday Nights, features a look into the holiday season’s past and gives visitors the chance to experience the holiday spirit from a different time period. The BHHS Jills and Chambers Choirs have performed holiday carols for four years as part of the event. This year, they caroled on opening night on Friday, December 5.

“This is something that started a few years ago,” said choir director and teacher Jessica Riley. “One of my student teachers had to come up with a project as a community outreach project to fulfill her student teacher requirements. Then we got a letter from Greenfield Village saying they were looking for carolers, and she said, ‘I’ll do this

and it will be my outreach’. The kids loved it so much that we’ve gone every year since.”

“It’s the ‘Holiday Nights’ so it’s non-denominational however they ask for caroling so we do some of the standard Christmas carols but I always try to throw something else in that’s not necessarily Christmas related,” said Riley. “A few years ago we did a number called Winter’s Night and it was just about winter and snow falling. Or for the Carol of the Bells, we brought in the jazzy version because it’s a little different.

I don’t try to do everything traditional.”

Junior Chamber Choir member Jordyn Singer adds that the caroling offered an opportunity to work on the group’s performance skills. Singer also said that the caroling experience also provided a chance for the two choirs to bond and work together at this event.

“Caroling at Greenfield Village made me feel closer to the group of kids that I’m in choir with,” said Singer. “We got to work together as the Chamber Choir and the Jills as one united group and it made us come together as a family and it made me happy to see the people we touched while singing.

We had to step outside our comfort zone be-

cause we were in a public setting and there were people walking up to us at all times but we had the opportunity to share our music.”

Riley agreed that the caroling experience gives her students an educational opportunity to improve their choral skills.

“I think any experience to go and perform is beneficial, just getting used to being out there together and being in different settings,” said Riley. “Last year when we went, it was ten degrees, it was freezing. So that was a challenge to sing and not rush and stay warm.”

Junior Jill Erin Behe said the opportunity offered the Jills a new experience.

“A lot of us have never gone caroling before and I think this was an opportunity to do more diverse things,” she said. “And I think the Bloomfield Hills School District offers us a lot of these opportunities that we might not have been able to do in other places. My favorite part about the holiday season is being with family and I think music has a lot to do with that, so I think it’s really cool that we get to sing Christmas carols in school.”

Greenfield Village’s Holiday Nights will take place every weekend Friday through Sunday from 6:30pm to 10:00pm until December 27th.

NEWS

Senior Haeji Kim plays at Carnegie Hall in 2012, during her first time participating in the NYSOS. Photo courtsey of Haeji Kim.

Senior accepted to prestigious orchestra seminar After switching to the viola last spring, Haeji Kim has been invited to perform concerts at Carnegie Hall MADDY MACKIE Staff Writer She’s stringing up for success… for the second time.

“I was with my dad when I found out, and my mom was in the kitchen. We all started jumping around, and my dog started jumping around too,” said senior Haeji Kim, one of the 60 musically talented applicants selected to participate in the 2014 New York String Orchestra Seminar (NYSOS).

Kim, along with other the NYOS invitees, will travel to New York to attend the seminar during December 19th through 28th to perform concerts at Carnegie Hall. According to Kim, the invitees will practice from 9am to 10 pm each day, except December 25th, and will stay in housing provided by the Seminar.

“This was my second time auditioning and getting in. I did this two years ago with the violin. I had been playing the violin, since I was 6 years old. Last spring, I switched to the viola, so I’ve been playing the viola for about 7

months,” said Kim. “I had felt like I had fallen into a slump. I would ask myself ‘Do I really want to play music still?’ and I still did. I remembered, during sophomore year in orchestra, I had played the viola, and I loved to play it because it had a really great sound. I thought ‘Hey, maybe I should switch to the viola’.”

After submitting an initial ten minute recorded audition, Kim said she waited about two weeks to hear whether she would be invited to the second, live audition. In November, she received an email informing she passed the preliminary round and traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, one of the many NYSOS audition sites, to play in front of 4 judges.

Although she had been practicing for roughly three hours per day since switching from the violin to the viola, Kim wasn’t confident she had passed the first round. “It is a blessing [that I was selected] because I have been having a hard time with music, especially because I had just

switched to the viola this past spring. I had very little time to prepare [for the audition], so passing the preliminary recorded round was a miracle,” said Kim. “It is a very big honor [to have Haeji accepted].

[It was important] even a couple years ago when she was invited as a violinist. Haeji is one of only three high school aged kids attending [the seminar], the other two are from London and Toronto,” said Haeji’s father Jae Kim. “Haeji changed from the violin to the viola in May, so she only had a few months to prepare [for the audition].

It is amazing [to be accepted], we never expected to even pass the preliminary audio audition round.”

For the past three months, Kim has been a private student of Professor Caroline Coade, after switching from violin to viola.“I am thrilled [for her]. [NYSOS] involves an elite group of musicians, and Haeji is definitely an elite musician, even at her young age,” said Coade, who is the

Acting Assistant Principal Viola of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and is also a Lecturer of Music at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. “It really validates her level of success. It says ‘I am not only good in Michigan, but I am part of the most elite string players in the country’.”

“Something feels more deeper and connecting this time, because this time I am going with a true purpose, as opposed to two years ago when I was just trying it out,” said Kim. “Since my dreams have changed from wanting to be a soloist to being in an orchestra, I know that I will be more alert during the program.”

Like Kim, Coade is a two-time alumna of the NYSOS. “To have a student win a position with NYSOS makes me unbelievably proud. It is a great program, and now I can share the legacy of the program with her. Being a part of NYSOS foreshadows the really wonderful things that are to come for Haeji and her career,” Coade said.

HOLIDAY 2014 HAWKEYE 9

Foreign exchange students experience first winter Despite freezing temperatures and mass snowfall, students from Chile and Denmark are looking forward to celebrating the holidays in a different way.

JAKE FREED Section Editor Standing in the cold, he experienced something he had never experienced before.

“It was weird to see the difference between the fall and winter [weather] in Michigan because the seasons are not as distinct in Chile,” said sophomore Ignacio Mayta, who is a foreign exchange student from Chile. “It was cool to see all the leaves falling at first and the fact that now there aren’t any leaves on the trees as it gets colder,” Mayta and other foreign exchange students from warmer climates are experiencing their first Michigan winters.

“I was pretty shocked when I looked outside my window and saw snow,” said sophomore Naomi Sas, another foreign exchange student from Chile. “Where I’m from, it still gets cold in the winter but snow is pretty rare. [In order] to see snow, you have to travel to the mountains, so it was pretty crazy seeing snow right at my home in Michigan.”

Sas and Mayta agreed that, unlike many Michiganders, they

have found some extra enjoyment from the winter weather.

“I think [winter] is kind of fun,” she said. “I have already gone skiing a couple of times this winter in Michigan, which has been really great. People ski in Chile as well, but it is not as common because there isn’t nearly as much snow. There aren’t really any ski racing teams either like in Michigan. I have also had fun building snowmen, going sledding, and having snowball fights.”

“I had only seen snow twice before coming to Michigan and I honestly think it’s really awesome,” said Mayta. “The closest to snow that we get in Chile is some ice and even that is rare, so seeing so much snow at one time was awesome. Once it snows some more, my brothers and I are going to play ice-hockey on the canal near our house, which I’m really excited for.”

Sophomore Mathies Damm-Henichsen, who is from Denmark, said that despite Michigan and Denmark’s similar climates, he has noticed several differences.

“In Denmark, it gets just about as cold as it does in Michigan, but we only get half of the amount of snow that Michigan gets,” said Damm-Henichsen. “The snow in Michigan looks beautiful, [while] the snow in Denmark is looks horrible. I’m also hoping for some snow days this year because back home, they are really uncommon. I had a few snow days in fifth grade, but that was the first time in twenty years.”

Aside from weather, Damm-Henichsen noticed that the winter holidays are celebrated slightly differently in Denmark than in Michigan.

“Unlike here, in Denmark we celebrate Christmas on December 24th,” he said. “Also, there’s a lot more holiday spirit in the U.S. than in Denmark, [where] people don’t put much work and preparation into the holiday.” “[Overall], the winter here is pretty different,” concluded Mayta. “It has been a great time so far and I have no complaints.”

the hawkeye’S CHECKLIST FOR A

Dress in several layers of clothing along with a hat, gloves and waterproof, insulated boots.

snowstorm

Prepare your car with a full tank of gas and a supply kit in case of an emergency on the icy roads.

Snow storms in Michigan can be very dangerous. Both foreign exchange students experiencing their first winter in Michigan, and native Michganders should take precaution in winter storms.

Insulate your home and update heating equipment and chimneys.

source: The American Red Cross

Have essential materials ready, such as food, water, and a shovel.

Holiday 2014 THE HAWKEYE 15

SPORTS Student-athletes get visits from NBA players UZAIR BANDAGI Staff Writer It’s not every day that a professional athlete visits your school.

“Both of them were very good speakers,” said BHHS Athletic Director, Avis Najor.

“To have them here to share their experiences was incredible and very inspiring.”

Recently, Bloomfield Hills High School hosted visits from NBA all-star, Chris Paul and retired NFL player and Heisman trophy winner, Desmond Howard.

At both of these events, student-athletes got the chance to hear two professional athletes share their personal stories of success.

Both Paul and Howard spoke about the importance of hard work and dedication.

Najor hopes that these events

THE STATS

have an impact on the athletes.

“I think [students] gained a realistic perspective of how success is actually earned and how rare it is to be able to get to the position that these individuals have attained,” he said. “We’re here doing a job of educational athletics and education really comes first, and that is what the individuals reinforced; that working hard is really important and that’s how they got to where they are.”

According to Junior Varsity basketball player Jamil Rathur, unlike Desmond Howard’s visit which was pre-planned, Chris Paul’s visit was very spontaneous and unexpected.

“We weren’t told that Chris Paul would be coming to our practice,” he said. “It was a complete surprise. When I walked into the fieldhouse I was

really shocked to see him and I got very excited.”

According to Rathur, Paul spoke about trying to be the best that you can be and even played a little basketball with some of the players.

“I learned to always keep working to improve my basketball game and that education comes first always. I learned a few moves that he showed us personally. It was really cool to see moves that he uses in his game shown to us.”

Najor hopes that the student-athletes better their mindsets and become more realistic about their goals after these events.

“We want students to be very realistic about their expectations especially when it comes to athletics,” he said. “I hope that it will have some kind of influence that will promote

leadership and hard work and work ethic” Athletic Director R.J. Guizzetti hopes to be able to have more visits like this in the future for BHHS athletes.

“Getting successful people to come to our school to speak to the athletes about the importance of work ethic and hard work is really important. It shows them that it’s not just about talent. We don’t have anything planned right now, but there are a lot of people in Bloomfield Hills who have connections and are willing to help bring people like them in,” said Guizzetti.

“It was an amazing experience. [Chris Paul] was a really nice guy and he gave very helpful advice for how to excel on and off the court,” said Rathur.

“I hope more events like this happen at BHHS.”

Valuing touchdowns over test scores FOSTER STUBBS Staff Writer

51% Graduation rate of football players at the University of Oklahoma this past year 227 POINTS The average disparity in SAT scores between incoming basketball players and their peersat American universities

Sources: ESPN, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

16 Holiday 2014 The Hawkeye

51%. What does this number represent?

The chance that we will have a snow day next Tuesday? A ratio of iced tea to lemonade in an Arnold Palmer? The charge on your phone right now?

No, 51% is the graduation rate of the football players for the University of Oklahoma from this past year. 51%. That means that nearly half of these players are leaving college without a degree. Why is this happening?

At both the college and high school level it seems academics has taken a backseat to athletics as the word “athlete” trumps “student” in the term student-athlete.

Sometimes it seems as though we put more emphasis on athletic ability rather than intellectual fortitude. For instance, there are banners hanging from the rafters for athletic achievements and none for academic achievements; students go to football games instead of the library. It’s not just

Blackhawk country but our entire culture that values athletes more than scholars or intellectuals. Outside of our bubble, athletes are raking in millions of dollars while teachers are often not given the compensation they deserve.

Athletics over academics have even become a top priority for those being admitted at many colleges. For instance, the academic standards for athletic scholarships at most American universities are considerably lower than those who apply to those universities solely for academics.

Student-athletes who are not prepared for the rigors of a higher education are gaining admission to selective universities over those students who boast considerably stronger academic records.

According to a 2008 study by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, college football players average an SAT score that is about 220 points lower than that of their classmates and basketball players average scores that are 227 points below the overall average at their school. Those two sports generate the highest shares of the revenue that athletic departments generate. Coincidence? The admission decisions are motivated by the almighty dollar. Regardless of their academic record,

having better players means having a better team and good teams generate a lot of money.

Not only that but by admitting ill-prepared students so they can participate on their athletic teams, prestigious colleges are setting those student-athletes up to fail. This can be illustrated perfectly by the academic scandal at the University of North Carolina. During this scandal, athletes were placed into fake classes as well as given passing grades so they could retain their athletic eligibility. While it is great that athletic scholarships provide an opportunity for a college education to many athletes of a wide variety of backgrounds, they take away opportunities from serious students who apply to the school for academics alone.

We need to rethink our priorities. The stats that are most important nowadays are completion percentage, rebounds per game, etc. rather than GPA, ACT scores, and I.Q. What if you had a 36 on the ACT and a 4.0 GPA but you were denied admission to your dream school because they needed a spot for the basketball player? After all, the first priority of school is (or should be) to educate. Schools are institutions of learning and intellectual development; they are not merely vehicles for the advancement of one’s athletic career. Until we realize that, 51% will continue to be the norm.

SPORTS

best in the nest

Three black hawks to keep an eye on this school year “I started participating in Winter Guard as a freshman. The season lasts from January to March, and we usually perform about three times a month. It is different than Color Guard because we perform inside rather than outside and without the band. While I really enjoy all of the hype of performing outside during football games for Color Guard, I like that Winter Guard is more specialized. We use weapons and sabers along with the flags that we use during for Color Guard to compete against teams from other schools.” .

“Some of my friends were on the Robotics team, so I decided to join too. As a team, we build a robot in six weeks and program it to do certain tasks. After the six-week building period, we participate in competitions against other teams. I love being on the team because I am learning but having fun and making new friends at the same time. This year, I want to build a successful robot and learn a lot so that I can keep the team going in future years.”

Leo Sabin (9) Robotics

Paige Tornow (12) Ski Team

Doni Graham (11) Winter Guard

BHHS

Detroit Tigers

NFL

The BHHS Boys Varisty Hockey team faces West Bloomfield High School, Thursday December 18th. The team, led by captain John Artemenko, currently holds a 3-3-1 record on the year.

On December 12th, the Detroit Tigers officially announced that they traded starting pitcher Rick Porcello for the Boston Red Sox outfielder, Yoenis Cespedes and prospects. Cespehave has one year left on his rookie contract.

On December 21st, the Detroit lions will face the Chicago Bears at Solider Fielder for a chance to clinch a playoff birth. The Detroit lions hold a 10-4 record for the year under new head coach Jim Caldwell.

Sources: bhhs.bloomfield.org, freep.com, nfl.com

“When I joined Ski Team as a freshman, I didn’t have a lot of friends on the team because not many people in my grade did it. However, the team eventually becomes like a little family because we all get so close.

Practice lasts from the end of school to about 7:00 or 7:30, so we get to spend a lot of time together both on the bus to Pine Knob and on the hill. When Lahser and Andover combined, I met even more great friends, so it has been really fun. Also, we have good snacks, which always helps.”

the game plan: holiday DECEMBER 2014 THE HAWKEYE 17

how to:gingerbread house ANDIE McKENDRICK Staff Writer

1

2 step one

Mix the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the honey, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

Once all mixed together, add dry ingredients.

4

3 step two

Roll out dough until about a half inch thick. then cut with a sharp knife according to printable templates at thehawkeyenews.com And bake for ten minutes at 400 degrees.

5 step four

Add icing details on the roof such as shingles and then cover in decoration of your choice. Add candy and sprinkles if you choose.

18 HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE

step three

Mix together icing sugar and two C. water. Place into a sealable plastic bag then cut a two mm hole in the bottom corner. Add detail work on walls.

6 step five

Cover shredded coconut in green food coloring to create grass. Cover the base for your house in icing, and then cover in coconut.

step six

Add finishing touches and enjoy!

Visit thehawkeyenews.com for the ingredient list and templates for cutting your gingerbread house.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? STAFF EDITORIAL

“Appreciation is the most important gift”

“We focus way too much on what our friends and families give us, rather than the thought they put in. We need to change our perspective during the holiday season-- being thought of as a gift in itself.”

-TESS GARCIA, Staff Writer

It’s time to go back to the way things were before: back to a time when we appreciated all that we had.

Remember how it felt waking up on snow filled mornings in a house full of loved ones? Remember the excitement we felt when extended family came to visit during the holidays? Remember how we felt on those nights we would sit around the fireplace with steaming mugs of hot chocolate laughing with our siblings?

Now, instead of enjoying those blissful moments, we rush through them.

We overlook what could be a final moment with our loved ones.

This year many of us had to say goodbye to those we love: brothers, sisters, and parents. Even our own community suffered a tragic loss after the passing of beloved Eastover teacher, friend, and mother, Shelley Lazarus. In spite of this, the light Mrs. Lazarus brought to the entire community can never be put out. She exuded happiness that can never be forgotten.

This holiday season should be a time to remember and appreciate the happiness and light all of our loved ones bring.

Technology and toys tarnish and tear, but family is forever. It never goes out of style, it never disappoints, it never gets ripped away. Before you know it that shiny new toy you waited in line for hours for is ancient history. And all that will be left is family.

We rush past those snow filled mornings, we forget the ex-

citement we once felt when family came to visit, we force the laughs and time spent with siblings. And that is not okay.

We get so caught up in finding the perfect gift, that we forget why we give. We give to show our loved ones how much we care.

We give to bring joy. We give to keep the holiday spirit alive.

But at some point we stopped giving for these reasons.

It’s gone too far.

It’s time we get back to the true purpose of the holiday season: family.

When the day is done, family is what we continue to go back to. Family is everything. Family is the laughs, the memories, the ups and the downs. When we lose someone we love those laughs, the memories, the ups and downs stay with us. The impact that our loved ones have on our lives and the impact Mrs. Lazarus had on the entire community is everlasting.

There is nothing greater than the gift of love. So, this holiday season, let your family and friends know how much you care for them and how much you appreciate them. Cherish the little moments because at the end of the day those moments are what truly matters, not the latest trends. You never know if those moments will happen again. Don’t regret not saying those last “I love you”’s or not giving those final hugs. Celebrate the blessing of family because family is all we really have.

“We should be grateful for what we do have because there are people out there who aren’t getting any presents for the holidays or don’t have money to buy presents and then there are people who don’t have anyone to spend the holidays with.”

-SARAH GRIFFIN, 11

HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE 19

of annual sales are concentrated in the last 60 days of the year

40%

Most expensive orders

WEST

Greatest mobile shopping usage

SOUTHWEST

Among the top three for online shopping search and mobile usage

NORTHEAST

Highest online shopping search usage

SOUTHEAST

Most online shoppers Least expensive orders

MIDWEST

regional trends

of consumers said they are planning on holiday shopping earlier in the year

49%

of consumers begin their holiday shopping before Halloween

35%

With numbers like this,

THE EARLIEST SEASON SO FAR

Each year, national retailers advertise and stock up as early as Black Friday to rake in the big bucks. This upcoming December, the numbers are at a record-breaking high. Join the Hawkeye in unwrapping the truth about the commercialization of the holiday season

�� � ��� ���

h t tis

e s e

e b ot ping p o sh

n o as

Sources

50% of online sales will be influenced by online browsing

consumers in the US will make purchases with their mobile devices

4 food 5 apparel

5%

Average spent on decorations

$53.68

$26.23

Average spent on co-workers

Average spent on gifts for friends

$80.00

Average spent on gifts for family

$459.87

Amount the average consumer celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah will spend this season

$804.42

Holiday season sales for retail

$863,000,000,000

2014 spending

National Retail Foundation: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/gift-givers-plan-splurge-friends-family-this-holiday-season https://advertising.yahoo.com/Blog/HOLIDAY-SHOPPING-STATS.html http://time.com/money/3422663/holiday-shopping-season-trends/

$

According to the National Retail Foundation, the overall amount of holiday sales compared to 2013 is projected to increase

800,000

As a result of the influx of seasonal shopping, employment in 2014 is projected to grow

1 gift cards 2 electronics 3 toys

The most popular holiday gifts last year were:

of marketers saying they’re planning to hike spending on social media

two-thirds

THE BREAKDOWN

neverending spending

since media dominates many aspects of our lives, retailers are finding ways to get more involved online

101.7 million

it’s no wonder that

PRO/CON

versus

Should schools celebrate religious holidays?

Celebration leads to awareness NISA KHAN Section Editor When I was seven, a girl was highly offended when I declined her friendship offering in the form of a ham sandwich.

Considering that I was the only Muslim kid in the class, she was completely mystified by the idea that I couldn’t eat any bacon or ham. She even went as far as to try to shove it in my mouth.

While I don’t have any animosity towards this girl—she was only seven—the incident could have been easily avoided if schools didn’t tiptoe around religion like it was an incredibly deadly viper.

The Washington Post reports that Montgomery Public Schools, the county of my old high school, have stricken all holiday names from their calendars. This could be the start of a new trend. The action is part of the bigger ideal that schools wish to be quiet when it comes to religion. It is a lost of an opportunity to teach children about religions and cultures that they are not familiar with.

It teaches tolerance.

And a lack of educating kids about religions can lead to ignorance and outright religious discrimination. According to the Washington Post, the Council on American-Islamic Relations wants disciplinary

“A lack of educating kids about religions can lead to ignorance. “ actions taken against a school teacher who was reported to have said that all Muslims are terrorists and dangerous. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against a Louisiana school board due to the discrimination a Buddhist student was consistently facing, once having his religion being called “stupid” by a teacher. These incredibly ignorant remarks are

in schools, the beacon of education, the foundation where children’s knowledge of the world and character is being modeled.

Where are kids going to learn about other religions and cultures if not in school, which is perhaps the first place they are force to collaborate with different types of people?

TV? Christmas specials rule that world.

While students and staff definitely should not impose their beliefs on anyone, early exposure, recognition, and celebration can allow students to just be a little bit more aware about the world and other people they might meet when they travel out of their towns.

So, while I’m sure that the Man upstairs will forgive seven-year-old Nisa for swallowing sixteenth of a ham sandwich, my childhood memory shows that religion is clearly not talked enough about. Little kids should not be in shock and awe at the idea of another faith because their teacher should have already talked about it.

Celebration leads to exclusion

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

“Celebrating holidays in school is cool but we should consider mentioning more than just Christmas, Halloween, and Easter.

-IMANI SMITH, 12

COLIN BARNES Staff Writer Just last month, Western Journalism reported that a group of Muslim parents from a Maryland school were able to get their school to remove the acknowledgement of any religious holidays after protesting the school’s refusal to recognize any Muslim holidays. According to Americans United, in 2012 an atheist student from Tennessee protested her schools support for Christian prayers and other religious displays by writing about it in her school newspaper.

What does this mean when it comes to celebrating religious holidays in school?

It means that no matter which holidays

22 HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE

are recognized by the school this recognition will not pertain to some of their students and these holidays should not

“It is much easier and better for the school and the students of these holidays are not mentioned in school whatsoever.” be recognized at all in public schools.

These students’ dislike for religion in school means that the only prac-

tical way to deal with this issue it to not celebrate religion in school at all.

Because of the makeup of the U.S. there is not anywhere in the country where everyone is the same. This also goes for religion in schools, not everyone is the same meaning it is impossible to appease every student by celebrating religious holidays.

When thought about practically schools that support any kind of holiday will have to expect many issues to come with it and it is much easier and better for the school and the students of these holidays are not mentioned in school whatsoever.

“I think that schools should allow us to celebrate more holidays in school because it would allow us to learn more about religions.”

-ANNA ELTER, 10

our turn: from the hawkeye Turning the page to a new year MAITREYI ANANTHARAMAN Editor-in-Chief I was a freshman when I stopped reading. important mysteries to focus on, like Of course I read my summer reading how Ted Mosby met The Mother?

Why did middle school Maitreyi disnovels, a bestseller here and there, the assigned chapters in English classes, the appear like this? It seems as if I’ve been daily newspaper, the occasional Buzzfeed using the demands of high school to articles and so forth. But middle school justify the fact that I’m not challengMaitreyi, who could down books in sin- ing myself anymore. After a long day of gle sittings, who begged her parents to school, it’s become too easy for me to take her to the library (and to stay “just punch in the Netflix password and relax. another hour”), has slowly faded away.

In 2015, it’s all going to change. AfInstead, high school Maitreyi has re- ter lots of soul-searching, I’ve decided placed her. So even though Edith Whar- that it’s time for me to put down the ton’s The House of Mirth has been sit- laptop for a bit and pick up some of the ting on my nightstand untouched, I’ve books on my lengthy “To-Read” list.

I’m quite proud of my New Year’s had no problem getting through House of Cards. Death of a Salesman? The Resolution: to read one book a week— only salesmen I care about anymore 52 in total— for the entire year. It’s goare Jim and Dwight. And who needs ing to be a challenge, no doubt. But if Agatha Christie when there are more I can finish seven seasons of Gilmore

Girls in two months, can’t I do anything?

We live in a society where the Huffington Post found that over a quarter of adults haven’t read a full book in the past year, and where a School Library Journal survey showed that less than a quarter of 15-17 year olds are daily readers. Maybe instead of tweets, texts or “A Definitive Ranking of Corgi Hybrids”, we all need to read something a little more meaningful. And if a book a week is too much, make it a book every month, a bit of an audiobook during the drive to school or even just a few pages a day. Every bit counts.

It’s a new year, new me, and this year, “new me” is going to exercise my mind a little bit. I’d like to think middle school Maitreyi would be proud.

Serial revives love for sleuthing and storytelling COURTNEY ZHU Executive Editor I often underestimate the power of nostalgia.

In fifth grade, I went on daily excursions with Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew. We were, clearly, a force to be reckoned with.

But now a senior in high school, it wouldn’t be right for me to ditch F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Beautiful and Damned for Nancy Drew’s The Case of the Sneaky Snowman. Imagine the looks I’d get from those librarians.

Instead, I’ve opted for something a little more sophisticated, a little more high-tech, and a lot more real.

Serial. A sensational podcast based on a true story, it is an enthralling murder mystery surrounding the death of Baltimore high school student, Hae Min Lee. For those who don’t quite understand what a podcast is, it is an episode series of audio and digital radio. That’s right. No screen, no actors, just voice.

The podcast revives the 1999 investigation of Lee’s murder, nearly fifteen years after Adnan Syed was convicted for killing his ex-girlfriend. Hosted by Sarah Koenig, Serial suspensefully unravels an extensive series of evidence and suspects, releasing a new ep-

isode every week with more shocking details.

Listeners avidly follow along and become amateur sleuths, so it’s no wonder my young Nancy-Drew-wannabe-self jumped at the opportunity to solve this hard-hitting crime.

Now, being stuck in traffic is no longer a burden. It’s a blessing. The longer the delay, the more I get to listen.

Serial averages nearly 1.26 million downloads per episode, according to the Wall Street Journal. It further stated that English teachers across the nation have tossed out Pride and Prejudice in favor of Serial, integrating this radio podcast in the curriculum.

Looks like I’m not alone in this newfound obsession.

However, what I find most fascinating about Serial is why it is so popular.

Prior to Serial, the podcast industry has been pretty neglected in the past. Why listen when you can watch?

With the advent of Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and more, too often, I find myself trapped in the screen of popular television sitcoms, shows, and movies. From ruling the upper east side with Blair Waldorf to drinking cappuccinos with my friends–Ross, Chandler, Monica,

Rachel, Phoebe, and Joey–at Central Perk, I’ve been engrossed in season after season of show after show for far too long. My ophthalmologist is not happy, to say the least.

But the low-profile podcast industry became “the talk” this year when Serial hit the iTunes top charts, one country after another.

The popularity of this audio show is a true testament to the power of storytelling.

Yes, TV dramas like Grey’s Anatomy and House of Cards are captivating in their own ways–attractive cast, endless plot twists, and in-your-face action.

But everyone loves a good story.

Serial reminds me of when my dad used to tell bedtime stories and when my friends used to share ghost stories in the dark at sleepovers. It reminds me of a time when I found entertainment in places other than a TV screen, a time when I revelled in my own imagination.

Although the heyday of storytelling has passed, the popularity of Serial proves that the tradition of storytelling itself is not long gone.

Thanks Nancy Drew for preparing me; I’m now ready to take on this case, one podcast at a time.

Stepping in a new direction NARMEEN REHMAN Executive Editor

Five...four…three...two…and one more year of the same cycle.

Without fail, every January 1st is a so-called “new chapter” for me. With a feeling of overwhelming enthusiasm and invigorating motivation, I wake up. This is it, this is going to be the year when I get my life together. New year, new me!

So, I find myself at the gym swapping my slippers for sneakers, wincing in the grocery aisle as I trade my delectable chocolate for distasteful celery, and burying myself in boring book verses instead of nestled under the covers with Netflix.

But, of all 365 days in the year, why do I always spend my January 1st making extreme life changes? Why is it that the gym and produce aisle reach their all-time peak in attendance the first week of the New Year? And most importantly, why does the trendy motto ‘new year, new me’ escape my vocabulary by the beginning of February?

It all comes down to the ambitious list pieced together on December 31st titled ‘My New Years Resolutions.’ However, a study conducted by the University of Scranton suggests that only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s goals. Think about it, if we all stuck to our resolutions, the world would be rid of obesity and out of debt. Yet, as usual, come the next December, many of us, myself included, will find ourselves hit with the truth: New Years resolutions are a lie and they hurt more than they help.

This year, I have decided to crumple up my list.

I’ve decided it’s time to get up and face the truth. Just because I write down a goal, doesn’t mean I am going to achieve it. I am not Cinderella and` when the clock strikes midnight, I am not going to change into a completely new person. Sure, setting goals is great, but that’s only possible by action. All it takes is starting off with a small step and with time and patience, turning those small steps into confident strides.

When I first learned to walk, I didn’t back out on the first fall. Every trip, stumble, and crash was a part of learning, and before I knew it, I was sprinting. To truly change oneself, it’s important to follow in your mini footsteps. That’s what I plan to do.

This year, I’m going to challenge myself and I challenge you to do the same. We may trip, stumble, and crash, but that’s what happens along the way to reaching anything worthwhile. And it’s not just about the first day of a new year. It’s about everyday.

HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE 23

Adjusting to life without siblings at home

MALLORY WEINER Staff Writer At age 12, my peaceful utopia was erupted.

Growing up with an older sister and brother I always had someone to play with, someone to laugh with, someone to take the blame. Now, I was alone.

Dropping my sister off in her college dorm

room was heartbreaking. My life wouldn’t be the same without her. Sitting watching her unpack all of her stuff, I lost it. Trying to hold in my tears was hard. We would no longer have sleep overs and get sushi.

She was leaving me. I couldn’t handle it.

Then, it happened again. Faced with the task of saying goodbye to another sibling, two years later my heart broke once more.

Dropping my brother off in his college dorm room was heartbreaking but not as devastating because I had been through it all before. But it still wasn’t easy. We would no longer watch Youtube videos on how to Tango and then slow dance down the hallway in our house. But now the music stopped and he was leaving me too.

This time I was going to be all alone.

I was now the only child at home.

Now, everything revolved around me.

My parents gave me all of their attention.

We watched movies I wanted to watch.

We ate food I wanted to eat. We bought what I wanted. There was no one there to say no. No one to argue against me. No one to take the attention away.

But, there was no one to take the attention away. No one to take the blame.

If there was a cup of water left out- I was the one who left it. If food was missing-I was the one who ate it. If the TV was left on-I was the one who forgot to turn it off. I couldn’t make up excuses anymore.

Then, the holidays came around. My

sister came back home. My brother came back home. Suddenly it wasn’t all about me.

Everything was all about them.

We watched movies that they wanted to watch. We ate food that they wanted to eat.

We bought things that they wanted to have. I didn’t get why when my brother and sister came home the atmosphere in the house changed.

Now, as I get ready to leave for college in a year, I get that time is limited. I have only a short amount of time left with my parents before I get dropped off in my college dorm room.

My family won’t always be by my side to catch me when I fall, so at the rare moments when my family is all under one roof I know to cherish those moments because they won’t always be there forever.

Divorce changes everything especially Christmas

ANDIE McKENDRICK Staff Writer Like most kids did, I used to think that there was a Santa Claus. As I grew up, that faith drifted away. Just like the faith I had in my parents to stay together.

24 HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE

When I was thirteen, Christmas changed.

The table full of life became a little more empty. The living room filled with Christmas tunes now silent. For me, the holidays are not joyful anymore. It has been this way ever since my parents divorced.

Instead of being embraced by our parent’s love during this season of joy, my sisters and I are manipulated like pawns in our parent’s “aftermath of divorce” chess game. One move after the other, until everybody loses, over and over again.

Instead of talking rationally and working everything out, lawyers decide who I’m spending my time with, and what I’ll be doing. My parents’ girlfriends and boy-

friends sit at the dinner table acting like they’re permanent players even though the seat is filled with someone new every year.

I’m tired of being a piece in their game.

I’m tired of the empty Christmas tunes.

I’m tired of sitting at meals in silence. I want to just go back to the everyday problems of dealing with my parent’s divorce.

Going between houses, dealing with lawyers, mediating my parent’s issues. I’ve come to deal my new reality; however, during the holidays I just can’t do it.

Sadly, my story isn’t a unique one.

Sadly, I’m not the only one. According to the American Psychological Association, 50% of parents now get

divorced. While some can be unexpected or like my parent’s, it can be overdue.

No matter what, it still hurts. Everyday.

Every holiday. And I’m not alone. Dealing with divorce is felt every day but is harder at the holidays. So, what can you do? While everyone deals with the game of divorce differently support is the simplest and most sincere solution. Showing support, just being there is the greatest gift.

I grew up thinking that there was a Santa Claus, like most kids did. When I grew up, all my faith drifted away that my family situation could ever get better. Now, all I can hope is that the games will stop, that someday it really will get better.

Remembering the ghosts of cookies

TESS GARCIA Page Editor Two and a half cups flour, one cup sugar, and one month’s worth of happiness.

Every December, my grandma baked nine different kinds of Christmas cookies. Sugar Santas, pine tree spritz, peanut butter mice-you name it. Her cookie tins had more diversity than a United Nations conference.

Then, last year, my grandma’s stage four lung cancer got the best of her. It

embarrasses me to say this, but when my mom told me of her passing, my first thought was of how different our cookies would taste that Christmas.

There was more to her recipes than a few simple ingredients. I know it’s terribly cheesy, but there was love in every egg my grandmother beat, every Santa Claus beard she frosted. With every bite, memories of days spent watching her slave over sugar snowmen came flooding back. Without my grandma around, even the lemon shortbreads would surely lose their luster.

Yesterday, my family went to work making a few of Gram’s favorites. I couldn’t bring myself to join them. Those were her recipes-- half the reason they were so special was because she made them.

Sometime in the evening, though, the

smells from the kitchen got the best of me. I wandered in, half expecting to see my grandma stacking cookies into a tin, clad in a red sweater from Chico’s.

I was greeted, instead, by a warm hug from my 6-year old cousin and, the sound of Christmas music enveloping my eardrums. A rush of relief hit me like tasting a chocolate chip in what I thought would be an oatmeal raisin cookie; the atmosphere felt surprisingly comfortable. My grandma wasn’t around, but it felt as though she’d never left. My family was making do with what we had, and they were doing a pretty good job.

And maybe it was time grow from the old, while starting new traditions, ones filled with newfound strength, new laughs, and as much frosting as I could eat.

Making a case for Barbie dolls

SARAH KOVAN Editor-in-Chief When I was a little girl, Barbie always, without fail, found her way to the top of my Hanukkah list.

It’s not like there was ever a shortage of Barbie paraphernalia in my house that prompted me to ask for the same thing again and again. I have four sisters, so tiny plastic shoes were always scattered across the basement floor, and Barbie Fashion Designer and Barbie Magic Hair Styler sat by the computer next to the CD books.

Barbie even came to my sixth birthday party. But I just couldn’t get enough.

Now, just over a decade later, it seems as though Barbie’s shiny

blonde hair is losing its luster.

According to the National Federation of retail, for the first time in 11 years, Barbie dolls are not the year’s number one gift for girls. The news follows reports that Barbie’s third quarter sales were down 21%, a drop that may or may not have been caused by the growing sentiment that the iconic doll promotes unrealistic beauty ideals.

However, I spent a ridiculous amount of my childhood playing with Barbie dolls, and not once have I felt pressured to look like a leggy blonde rather than a five-foot brunette. In fact, I credit Barbie (and of course my wonderful family) for making me such a well-adjusted teenager.

When I played with my Barbie dolls, I was never fixated on their tiny waists or perfect noses. I was too engrossed in my play to even notice.

I didn’t play an instrument and anybody who knows me can probably guess that I wasn’t a soccer star either.

Instead, I would sit there for hours on

end conjuring storylines so dramatic they could be mistaken for soap operas.

In that way, playing with Barbies was a very formative phase of my life because, unlike playing video or iPad games like so many kids do today, it allowed me to become a creative thinker and sparked my love for storytelling.

Barbie’s influence on my adolescence does not stop there.

When I look at the remains of that period of my life, I see a tiny pink stethoscope, a “Barbie for President” campaign sign, and a miniature racing helmet. With doctor, president, racecar driver, and over 130 other careers on her resume, it is clear that Barbie has broken the plastic ceiling. She inspired me to set high goals for myself from a young age, because if she could be whatever she wanted to be, then so could I. Barbie is more than just a pretty face, she’s an inspiration.

So, this holiday season, I am proud to be a Barbie girl. Even in a Barbie-less world.

top holiday twitter handles Regina Dimaggio, 12

Rejingle Bells @reginadimaggio Maggie Ramonat, 10

Frosty the SnowMag @maggiearamonat Siddharth Ramanathan, 12

Diwali is #1 @RealBuddha97 Anna Kileen, 12

Sanna Claus @alkileen Andy Lee, 10

cANDY cane @AndyLee64 Alesha Kotian, 12

hot choc(alesh) @alesh_kotian Nicole Vessells, 12

Saint Nic @Nic_Vessells Taylor Shea, 12

12 TAYS of Christmas @_taylorshea Trea Harris, 12

A Christmas Trea @Trea_Harris Nick Bellinson, 10

Saint Nicholas @NickBellinson Yousef Kobeissi, 9

Yousef SNOWbeissi @Ykobes16

Holiday 2014 The Hawkeye 25

Looking for something special for a friend, or for a last-minute addition to your list?

The Hawkeye’s gift guide has you covered with gifts for any person on any budget.

NETFLIX $7.99/1-month subscription; netflix.com

HERSCHEL $39.99 MacBook Pro 15’’ Anchor Sleeve herschelsupply.com

ESSIE $8.50 ‘Back in the Limo’ Target or essie.com

NATIVE UNION $40 Clic Wooden iPhone 6 Case Urban Outfitters or urbanoutfitters.com

KATE SPADE $28 ‘Yours Sincerely Pen and Notecard Set katespade.com

28 HOLIDAY 2014 The Hawkeye

MOLESKINE $12.95 Classic Notebook moleskine.com

BOOKS $10.95 and 17.98 Brown Girl Dreaming and Unbroken Barnes and Noble

CHIPOTLE Any amount Assorted Gift Cards Chipotle or chipotle.com

GARRETT POPCORN $49.95 Frosty’s Favorites Bundle Twelve Oaks Mall or garrettpopcorn.com

FOREVER21 $14.80 Cable Knit Scarf Forever 21 stores or forever21.com THE ADVENTURE PARK AT WEST BLOOMFIELD $44 One-Day Pass westbloomfieldadventurepark.org

HOLIDAY 2014 The Hawkeye 29

OPINION

hungry this holiday?

All of these restaurants are open on Christmas Day.

Hot Topping Burgers 15539 Schoolcraft St, Detroit, MI 48227 UZAIR BANDAGI Staff Writer

Wood Fired Bigalora Cucina 29110 Franklin Road Southfield, MI 48034 MADDY MACKIE Staff Writer

Leo’s Coney Island 154 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009 GIANCARLO TUCCI Staff Writer

30 HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE

If you’re looking to eat a great burger during this holiday season, check out Hot Toppings, the hottest new burger place in Detroit. The restaurant turned heads when it opened early this fall. As I took my first step through the door, I could smell the grease of the burgers cooking on the stovetop and hear the sizzle of potatoes being dropped in the deep fryer. I noticed the interior of the restaurant which is fabulously decorated and has a classic burger joint look: red vinyl chairs, classic red and white walls, and burgers presented on timeless red trays. The music selection was great and created a nice, friendly environment.

Before I even took my second step, I knew I was in for a treat. The staff was amazing and nice. They were willing to do anything I wanted to satisfy me with a great meal. Want extra cheese or pickles? They’ve got you covered. They’re always up for a challenge. With their constant humor and smiles, they made my trip so much more than just a meal. The amount of variety on the menu is mindblowing and amazing.

After mulling over the menu and finally deciding on a burger, I rushed up to the counter to place my order. I had finally decided on a regular Classic burger for $5.59 and asked for extra cheese and turkey bacon and fries in my burger, for no extra cost. And as I expected, it was absolutely delicious. I loved how with the help of the staff, I was able to create my own perfectly customized burger.

It’s affordable and great after a long day. Hot Toppings’ is open daily from 11:00am to 10:00pm.

If you are in the mood for good service and even better burgers, Hot Toppings is definitely worth the 30 minute drive from Bloomfield Hills to 15539 Schoolcraft Street in Detroit.

Biga got a makeover and it is better than ever.

Walking into the Southfield location, off of Franklin and Northwestern Highway, Bigalora, previously known as Pizzeria Biga, I wondered: aside from the new name, what else would be different? Would the September name-change be life-altering? Was my favorite Italian restaurant from the distant 2013 gone forever?

I was relieved to find that the welcoming staff, warm atmosphere, and wonderful food were still the same.

Whether it’s salads that can be upgraded with salmon, bacco sausage, branzino, or salmon, pizzas, soup, or a customizable entrée, Bigalora offers delicious appetizers and entrées to fit every Italian craving.

To start off your meal, try one of their 14 tasty appetizers-- I would recommend the savory wood fired heirloom carrots ($7.00), with a rich peanut sauce that started my meal off with a bang.

When moving on to the main dish, it may be hard to choose just one. Having tasted the wood fired salmon ($10.50), the bacco sausage pizza ($13.50), and minestrone soup ($5.00) I can truthfully say, whatever entrée you choose, you can not go wrong. The servings are small but the food is delicious, so remember to order a lot!

Don’t forget to save room for an entrée from their dessert menu. Choices ranged from a cannoli ($4.00), to a slice of tiramisu ($5.00).

After tasting a few desserts, my favorite by far was a scoop of the espresso gelato ($3.50).

Although the name is different, the food is still as delicious as before. Stop by one of their three locations in Royal Oak, Ann Arbor, and Southfield over winter break.

Although my friends and I frequently dine at Leo’s, off of Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham, I’m always surprised at how Leo’s becomes a hub for holiday spirit and cheer during the holiday season Leo’s is fast, easy, and enjoyable. I love Leo’s because I know, even on my modest budget, I can stuff my face, and, now, get into the holiday mood while I’m doing it. The employees decorate the restaurant with colorful Christmas lights, a Christmas tree and stockings on each booth. They also have the best holiday tunes playing and the servers add a personal touch by writing their names on the stockings. Leo’s may just get a visit from Santa this year with all their decorations.

The menu at Leo’s is a classic Coney Island setup with burgers ($3.89) and of course the Coney dog ($2.29), topped with chili, mustard, and crisp onions all in a fresh steamed bun. In addition Leo’s Greek salad ($4.99) and its dressing are exclusive to Leo’s, and are not offered at any other Coney Island.

While Leo’s classic Coney dishes are impressive, their breakfast, offered 24/7, is the real reason I dine with them. I always get the chocolate chip pancakes ($4.99), which rival those of the Original House of Pancakes. The fluffy buttermilk flapjacks melt in your mouth and are jampacked with chocolate chips. The menu also includes an array of desserts such as cherry and apple pie (2.49).

The Birmingham Leo’s is open 24/7, and on all holidays. The drive out to Birmingham is only a fifteen minute trip, and there’s a great meal waiting at the end.

If you do not want to wait, Leo’s has a carry out system, allowing you to call ahead (numbers for each location available online) for no extra cost and pick up your food.

Leo’s will always be a classic diner that just we Michiganders get to enjoy. If it were up to me, I would spend my Christmas at Leo’s because I know the food will be great, the people will be jolly, and after all, they do have a Christmas tree.

OPINION

Alex and Ani makes a sparkling debut This November, it’s out with Pandora and in with Birmingham’s newest jeweler, Alex and Ani. TESS GARCIA Staff Writer Pandora, your time has passed.

In November, Alex and Ani, a Rhode Island-based jewelry company founded by a mom named Carolyn Rafaelian, opened a flagship store on Maple Road in Birmingham. Only a few doors down from my favorite Panera, I knew I was bound to stop in.

Here, let me put it this way: Alex and Ani is your friend’s mom; the one who does everything she can to make you feel comfortable in her home. Pandora is a middle-aged woman who enjoys brunch at the club and doesn’t care for children. Though both brands are known for their bracelets, I never felt pressured to buy anything at Alex and Ani, unlike at Pandora.

Although I’d walked into Alex and Ani expecting to buy a single wire bracelet, I soon realized that there’s much more to the brand than a bracelet. Cases displayed everything from delicate earrings ($28) to tasteful woven scarves ($98) to earth-tone leather products ($28 to $368).

One shelf in the back even boasted a collection of lemon-scented lotions and soaps, as well as candles of various sizes ($14 to $24). Alex and Ani provides me means to look stylish, stay moistur-

ized, and maintain a well-scented home, all without breaking my bank account.

All other knick-knacks aside, the company’s selection of minimalist jewelry was what had me rewriting my Christmas list.

Bracelets and necklaces feature a variety of charms including zodiac signs, birthstones, engravings of popular destinations, and more. Their sleek designs manage to pull all this sentimentality off without looking like articles of your grandma’s mothball-infested jewelry box. With bracelet prices ranging from $28 to $188, they’re a much thriftier find than their Pandora counterparts, whose prices range from $45 to upwards of $1,000, charms not included.

I left the store with a $7 bottle of essential oil lotion, a $28 pair of birthstone earrings for my sister, and a desire to tell everyone I knew about Alex and Ani, clad in armfuls of those jingly little mom magnets.

I’d say it’s about time Pandora packed up its things and left. There’s a new sheriff` in town; one that’s smarter, more tailored toward teens, and far less likely to decapitate your wallet.

You can find Alex and Ani at 150 West Maple Road. Hours are from 10am to 8pm Monday through Saturday, and from 12 to 7pm on Sundays.

the gift guide October Birthstone Charm Bangle $28.00

Evil Eye Bar Ring Pull Chain Braclet $78.00

PATH OF LIFE Charm Bangle $28.00

LOTUS PEACE PETALS Pull Chain Bracelet $68.00

HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE 31

ROAD TRIP Stuck at home over break? No worries, the Hawkeye’s editorial board has you covered with our favorite staycation destinations.

32 HOLIDAY 2014 THE HAWKEYE

wild lights

campus martius

wicked

lightfest

Experience the magic of the Detroit Zoo in winter as you take in the lights and the sights and enjoy holiday entertainment and activities for guests of all ages. More than five million LED lights will illuminate trees, buildings and more than 100 animal sculptures throughout the front of the Zoo. Wild Lights will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

December 18-23 and 26-31 Live entertainment, arts and crafts, and ice carving will add to the festivities.

Campus Martius Park is transformed into a family-friendly winter wonderland, complete with an outdoor ice rink, modeled after the one at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Twirl and zip (or just shuffle along the walls) around on ice skates while surrounded by the tall, beautiful buildings in downtown Detroit. In front of the rink during the holidays, marvel at the 60-foot Christmas tree, decked out for the season on the Woodward Fountain.

The award-winning show Wicked returns to Detroit, Dec. 10, 2014-Jan. 4, 2015, to give theatergoers a glimpse at the events that took place before Dorothy and Toto landed in Oz. Head to the Detroit Opera House to witness the story of two young witches who meet and start an unlikely friendship.

See for yourself why Wicked has been named the best musical of the decade.

Tickets are $55-$195.

head to Hines Park in Westland to experience the Wayne County Lightfest, a local holiday favorite, running Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2014.

With more than 55 holiday light displays – that’s north of 1 million lights – families are sure to feel that Christmas cheer. Drive through the Merriman Hollow area of Hines Park while warm and snug in your car. Pop on some holiday tunes to make it an experience to remember. The entry cost is $5/car.

Make sure to read next issue’s Road Trip, which takes the Hawkeye’s editorial board to Ferndale

entertainment

we wish you a merry chris-mixtape Holiday For Swing!

Jubilant, overjoyed and enthusiastic: all feelings I had when listening to Seth MacFarlane’s new christmas album, “Holiday for Swing!”

With candy canes, snowmen and holiday lights at every corner, now is the perfect moment to open your iTunes libraries and download catchy holiday carols and jingles. Start out with, “Holiday for Swing”, this jazzy and joyful album is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

For MacFarlane’s first holiday-themed album, he jingles through a variety of styles in 13 different songs. In a Frank Sinatra esque voice, MacFarlane sings many holiday classics like “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!,” “Baby It’s Cold outside,” and “Moonlight in Vermont.” Every lyric is belted with eloquence and a unique style.

As a fan of MacFarlane’s comical greats like the hit TV show Family Guy and the hilarious movie Ted, I didn’t expect much when listening to the the album for the first time. But, with his comedic chops and credentials, it only made the music more full of excitement as every song was an amazingly scripted rendition of a holiday great.

MacFarlane moves from soothing songs to a very high tempo version of “Let it Snow.” “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow” which had a great beat and lyrics performed to perfection. He also performs a beautiful duet with Norah Jones in the song Little Jack Frost Get Lost that has harmonics which made me explode with excitement. He finishes off with a bang by having Sara Bareilles show off her dynamic pipes and huge lyrical range to “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

Released on September 30th of this year, and priced cheaply at $7.99, “Holiday for Swing!” is definitely a must have for you and your family, especially when you are a Family Guy (or girl). If you are looking to just sit back one night in your old holiday sweater and listen to renditions of old holiday classics, there’s no reason not to purchase “Holiday For Swing!”, an album created to impress.

- Merrick Weingarten Section Editor

34 holiday 2014 THE HAWKEYE

Home For The Holidays

I’ll Be Home For Christmas Closing my eyes and thinking about the holidays, I see: toasty soft blankets, hot cocoa, seasonal scented candles, the warmth of family and friends, the sight of snow speckled trees, and the aroma of

Darius Rucker’s new Christmas album Home for the Holidays, would be an awful stocking stuffer for the biggest country or Christmas music fans. The album, which debuted October 27, is like a mish- mashed mess from start to finish.

It is mostly comprised of country renditions of classic Christmas songs, like “Winter Wonderland” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” His attempt to “revive” these songs with the addition of guitar riffs and his scratchy southern twangy voice was far from successful. I would have rather listened to an hour and a half of nails on a chalkboard than this destruction of my favorite holiday tunes.

The two original tracks featured on the album were not any better.

“Candy Cane Christmas” and “What God Wants for Christmas were my least favorite songs on the album. Their tempo is just too slow making them almost unbearable to listen to. The only thing slower than these songs is an senior citizen crossing the road who’s following a snail.

Not only is this album mediocre at best, it’s priced far too high. The digital album costs $11.99 on iTunes, $11.49 on Google Play, and $6.99 on Amazon but there is no way that anyone could make me buy this album for twelve dollars.

- Phillip Shamsuddoha Staff Writer

home-cooked meals.

But one thing seems to be missing: the soundtrack to my winter days, the background music to the cold winter nights — I’ll be Home for Christmas.

I’ll be Home for Christmas, an Epic Records album, comprised of songs from various hit artists, released on November 24th. According to CNBC, producer L.A. Reid organized all the songs and artists for the album, which is now available at Walmart for $7.00 and iTunes for $6.99.

Though it may only have seven songs, the album speaks for itself with its short and sweet sensation. There is a perfect balance of both upbeat and mellow tunes. The festive tunes shine a light on traditional Christmas favorites, with a modern twist.

Meghan Trainor known for her hit song “All About That Bass,” played on the radio non-stop this fall, now makes a winter début with her more emotional song- “I’ll be Home.”

Trainor really surprised me with such a unique song, compared to all her others.

Rated the most popular song of the album on iTunes, “I’ll be Home” is also one of my personal favorites because of its heartfelt lyrics and originality, setting it apart from your average holiday melody.

Another one of my favorites is Fifth Harmony’s rendition to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Fifth Harmony, first seen on the X Factor, have blown me away once again, with their lively voices and festive spirit. Carey would be quite pleased with this cover. Fifth Harmony also added to the album “Noche De Paz,” a Latin spin on classic “Silent Night.”

Other artists showcased in the album include Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson, who paired up to perform their soothing original Winter Song. Additional songs consist of the classic “Frosty the Snowman” sung by Fiona Apple, the upbeat and modernized “Sleigh Ride” performed by Tamar Braxton, and A Great Big World’s playful interpretation to “I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

From the recording studios to your home, these artists allow all ages to believe in the Christmas spirit this holiday season.

- Hannah Stein Staff Writer

...and a rockin’ new year That’s Christmas To Me From YouTube hits to the studio, acapella group Pentatonix gives us some Christmas cheer to fill our homes during the holidays.

In the past few years, harmonical five-person group Pentatonix flooded the Internet with their videos and renditions of popular songs using nothing but their vocals to create the beats - reaching nearly 7 million subscribers to their YouTube channel. Now, they present us with their second holiday album - That’s Christmas To Me, released on October 17th, 2014.

Opening with “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, the group gives the feel of a choir caroling through the snowy, decoratively-lit streets of the winter nights leading up to Christmas day.

Adding to the caroling vibe, this album features classic holiday tunes that we all recognize from some part of our childhood. The group puts their own original spin on holiday favorites, like “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and “Silent Night”. These classics are still recognizable, and made even more enjoyable with Pentatonix’s unique accapella style.

Going along with the group’s special twist on classic songs, “Winter Wonderland / Don’t Worry Be Happy” is my favorite off the album. Featuring singer/songwriter Tori Kelly who takes the lead vocals on this mixed track, the upbeat tune is one that can put even the Grinchiest of Scrouges into the Christmas spirit. Kelly’s own vocal talent complemented by Pentatonix’s collaboratory rhythms makes the song truly one of a kind.

To vouch for the group’s reputation of making incredible music with nothing but their vocal beats, Pentatonix recorded “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”. This lyricless track puts a new lens on the familiar festive spark that comes with The Nutcracker ballet, making it a heartwarming song that could be playing in the background as you bake a batch of your family’s traditional Christmas cookies.

Didn’t think it could get any better? Get this: That’s Christmas To Me also includes a rendition of the new but adored “Let It Go” from the Frozen soundtrack. Obviously, this song completely won me over. What can I say - I’m a sucker for Frozen.

That’s Christmas To Me is a perfect familial holiday album and is one that would be put on loop in Christmas playlists for years to come.

- Amal Rass Staff Writer

The Only Holiday Album You’ll Ever Need This holiday season, comedy talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres makes the transition from the television screen to your iTunes library with her new holiday album: The Only Holiday Album You’ll Ever Need Volume 1.

The album was released November 4th, 2014 on the WaterTower Music label. It includes an exciting edge to the Christmas musical genre with artists such as Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, and Kelly Clarkson. This unique blend of Christmas hits gives the listener something new to listen to rather than the constant replaying of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” that you would hear on the radio. Out of the fourteen songs, there is a variety of music ranging from past generations to today’s hits.

One song featured is Lady Gaga’s “Christmas Tree” which has an uplifting beat that shows off her iconic pop style .

Lady Gaga created her own original mix by taking lyrics and beats from classics like “Deck the Halls” and “Little Drummer Boy” and incorporating them into her own holiday hit.

To contrast Lady Gaga’s avant garde style, Coldplay’s Christmas hit from 2010, “Christmas Lights” is also featured on Ellen’s mix. This festive single stands out with its seasonal aura, carried by delicate guitar strings and piano keys. The song emphasizes the true meaning behind the holidays.

Out of the mixed variety of the songs, my favorite is definitely Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree”. I knew Clarkson was good but in this album she stands alone as one of the best. She is a whirlwind of energy and this upbeat song is enjoyable year round, even past the holiday season. I enjoyed listening to her and can see this song has the potential to be the next classic hit.

If you are a devoted Ellen fan, or if you just love the holiday season, this album is perfect for you. With this album in mind on a snowy winter night, it is bound to leave you in a “generes” mood.

The album is available at target and iTunes for $11.99.

Holiday Wishes Now, that we all know who Idina Menzel is (thank you Frozen), it was only fitting that the Broadway star-turned-Hollywood star release a holiday album this year.

Before pressing play on “Holiday Wishes,” I felt a little on edge about the voice of Elsa trying to win me over with a pop album, but win me over she did.

I was thoroughly impressed with how Menzel utilized her broadway-esque vocals in this soundtrack. Her rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” had this Jew playing a Christmas song on repeat.

Menzel’s duet with Michael Bublé for their cover of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” hit just the right balance of sultry and fun.

Their voices meshed perfectly together, and if you have the time, look up the music video starring two adorable little children lip syncing the song. It will make your heart melt. The song itself is a classic, and Bublé and Menzel most definitely did it justice.

Menzel’s cover of “Silent Night” gave me chills. Her voice was showcased spectacularly in this song and I couldn’t help but smile. The song itself is beautiful and Menzel added an extra depth to the vocals with her rich voice.

“Holiday Wishes” will warm you heart, ironically, by the Disney ice queen herself.

If you and your family are looking for new and improved versions of some of your favorite holiday classics, look no further than “Holiday Wishes.” I promise it will get everyone listening into the holiday spirit.

Released on October 10 of this year, and priced cheaply for 12 songs at $7.99, you can find this delightful album on iTunes or at a CD a retailer near you.

- Evie Chodock Staff Writer

- Katherine Prina Staff Writer

holiday 2014 THE HAWKEYE 35

how to Ladies The Sweater: Statement Necklaces:

Red Lips:

Stackable Bracelets:

To add a little charm {literally} to your look, look no further than these adorable stackable bracelets.

Here We Come A-Wandering Sweater $44.99 Modcloth.com

Feather Charm Bangles $28 Alex and Ani

Looking for the perfect pop for your outfit? Pucker up with red lips to match your sweater

Neff Daily Heather Beanie $18

Slip ons:

If the shoe fits, check out these sneakers to get that extra kick in your step

Green Thumbelina Bib $32 Baublebar.com

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Siren in Scarlet $7.49

Gents

Beanie:

The santa hat may not fit, but this beanie is just right for you

Dazzle your friends by adding sparkle to your outfit with this season’s must have accessory

The Sweater:

Socks:

As the weather cools down, keep your feet warm with these cozy socks Chup™ Ganado Socks J.Crew $25.00

Vans C&L Era 59 $55.00

Jack & Jones Fairisle & Reindeer Holidays Knitted Sweater $75 Asos.com

Safe Winter Driving

6

WINTER

Crashes are times more likely to occur in the winter than any other season SPRING SUMMER

The most common times for teenage car accidents are betweeen 3-6 P.M. The odds of a crash increase even further during the winter, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings.

Safe Driving TIPS

avoid swerving

39% 53%

FALL

of crashes occur due to poor road conditions as a result of winter weather. of the 1.5 million winter crashes per year in the United States, 800,000 result in injury

Increase your following distance

wipe your mirrrors often SOURCES http://northernnomad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/car-covered-in-snow.gif (http://www.tyreblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Continentalinfoicywindscreen.jpg) http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fclipart16172.html&h=0&w=0&tbnid=qSgQKawNm5SPmM&zoom=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=349&docid=1mdk drKoHv8fRM&tbm=isch&ei=oUt6VOmhAtT9oQTq5YHoAw&ved=0CAQQsCUoAA http://www.girlsguidetomotoring.co.uk/a/img/winter-infographic-1-narrow-1.png http://icyroadsafety.com/fatalitystats.shtml (http://mnsafedriving.com/just-the-facts/teen-statistics-and-facts.html) http://www.glatfelterreligiouspractice.com/free-infographic-winter-weather-driving.asp http://www.teensdrivesmart.com/teens/winter-driving-tips/ http://www.thecarconnection.com/tips-article/1089853_winter-driving-safety-tips-for-teens

HOLIDAY ISSUE 2014 THE HAWKEYE 37

PARENTS AND STUDENTS Do You Know a Staff Member or Group who Goes Above and Beyond?

Nominate them for the Staff Appreciation Newsletter!

On a daily basis, we have staff members who go above and beyond what they are asked to do and demonstrate exemplary work within the school community.

In addition to outstanding staff members, we also have incredibly innovative and hard-working groups of staff members committed to improving the climate and culture of our school. These groups are rethinking teaching, learning, student relationships and collaboration to bring innovation to our school community.

June 2nd, 2014

HIGH BLOOMFIELD HILLS

SCHOOL

Newsletter

ING TAffND OUTSSta Members

MIKE BARRY

and hard being a dedicated In addition to and beyond Mike goes above working teacher, students to out to help our year in and year the classroom. of e outsid grow as individuals l get the SOS Club off schoo He helped our he has been early days and the ground in it’s leadership BCLC student the leader of our has also been 15 years. Mike over for t retrea many years, Anime Club for the oring l just to spons a Friday after schoo have a giving up many often for students who provide a place He does this in with others. keep the hard time fitting to just ion, compensat without financial having to g the burden of students from havin some from which might keep pay to participate, y. Among the rtunit oppo accessing this great Mike has done over the s that many other thing class alive our Man-in-Nature years, he has kept our students provides many of and well, which experiences most awesome the of one with s Mike, for l career. Thank of their high schoo l stands out as of why our schoo being a big part one of the best.

ASHLEY SHELDON

variety of teering for a Aside from volun ittees, Ashley opment and comm professional devel op authentic, the initiative to devel sments and has really taken asses and s lesson student empowered and all of her d her knowledge has willingly share . It makes me whole department my job as a work with the re-energized about really excited and teacher! world language

BLOOMF

IELDNICHOLE VIS ILLTRA S HIGH

l educator. Not an amazing specia Nicole Travis is d to work with above and beyon also does a only does she go students but she June 2n her special needs tment. The world d, 2014 leading the depar phenomenal job ing and so are chang tion is ever of special educa the competitive of ts emen requir the demands and Travis always makes Ms. live. we world in which as possible by ts are prepared studen ies her that strateg sure and teaching them mically. giving them 110% be successful acade that will help them how to advocate on teaching them She is also big some autonomy so that they have the same for themselves Travis also does Ms. ation. upon gradu And finally, the l education staff. organizing with the specia med by identifying, job that she perfor of the timing codes for MME ng all and implementi Angel, the main office. than anyone can It is more work d in Michell She is a role to be misse was remarkable. s ssly. e, togeth alway flawle an it is Carol is going d Tessa does er and the subs, the field and imagine and she well with shis are once a to quick r and a leader in She works very theirtolov create d thel as weShe Doaodteache need anything. ekthing a e of drmode le andwith l education. in the every friendly when you Chall aw specia share ingsion enge to Doodle profes sts and does andof ie and them wi bring lik respond to reque activitie Chall upswith Charl th one to build a se en e-mi that can put ge. lik ns ves e takdeser smile. Anyone sctho years nine ing stu They continu another; Ange e of commun nded, creati for ol budge co his ve stude mm ority e to str ity. They l, Mich Margaretdents to dealing with r Scott un engthe nts r stude elle, Neithe create !! ou nts! We . Angel, Mich the DIA and n jobs theTe9GC. at d to be recognized down an dent/ ssgo ell an en juggle cre manystu a also drawings truly ap s so make it that long! teachen ating particip Colled Tess preciat e, think they could er will a blkind. relation og toColle l and e you! alway ate helpfu is tha sa, nk yo ship sh and the She ers are teach the forthe help uout drawing s through shar ing yo the extra mile to s ng. with the ur pass the buildi ion staff members in

SCHOOL

Newslette

r

INNOVATIV

EG

ROUPS MICHELLE THE DOODLE and Con CH YORK, TE CAROL CAMPBELL cepts SSA BASIRALLENGE ICO, ANG EL ESSHA KI COLLEEN THOMAS

E anTOd NOMINABTE! Alisa OBBI HES CLICK HER teacher Bobbi have SA

In order to recognize their efforts and contributions, we send out a Staff Appreciation Newsletter which celebrates their hard work.

ND ALISA

for art with

been so s Govern at the Main crucial Ca ment, to Jewelr mpus. They this year su center pportin for have su y, to Ch g each an the Special pp Educati emistry. Addi orted many the Directed d ever Studi on stude regard y time. tionally students ing all , Th in a va es students ey the IEP also he nts, implemen they organiz of the stu an riety of paperw e and lp the ting the dents. class fro d su Di ork. Th m ey do all rected Studi students’ spec pervise the testing es ific acco this wi teacher th a sm mmod s with ile ation and a ge a va A messa nuine co riety of tas s ge from the Cli ks On a da mpassio mate an ily basis n for they are d all , we hav Cultu

ABBO

re Comm e staff commun asked to do ittee and de members wh monstrat incred ity. In addit o go ab ibl ion to e to impro y innovative outstand exemplary ove and beyon an wo thinking ving the clima d hard-worki ing staff me rk within the d what ng gro schoo ups of mbers, we innova teaching, lea te and cultur staff also hav l rni tio e e contribu n to our schoo ng, student rel of our schoo members co l. These mmitte tions, we ation l co d will ce groups are im mmunity. In ord ships and co lebrate are repleme llabo er their ha rdwork nting a Staff to recognize ration to bring Bloomfield . the Ap ir effort preciatio Hills Hig Laurine s and h School n News c, Andre let Clim ter wh a Carrie ich Fines, An McCoy, Rachel ate and Culture

Margaret Commit Ma gel Ess haki, Am tz, Krista Lal tee: Schultz iberte, Sar Frank anda Kro ah likowsk i, Shayna Lyon, Klein,

CLICK HER

E TO NOM

INATE!

HOW TO NOMINATE

Use your smart phone to scan the applicable QR code below.

STUDENT

NOMINATION

PARENT

NOMINATION

STAFF

NOMINATION

S SANTA CLAU

w o n K t n’ o D u o Y s g in h T 5 2 About Me

personal St. Nicholas gets

1.

My favorite type of cookie that children leave out for me is definitely oatmeal raisin.

9

2.

I drink skim milk with the cookies-not because I’m fat. I could drink whole if I wanted....

7. I love Rudolph, but my favorite reindeer is Dasher.

8. Yes, Justin Bieber is on my naughty list.

9. No, I don’t think Kylie Jenner’s lips are real.

10. I am jealous of Dumbledore’s beard.

11. Every time I visit the Somerset Collection, I make a stop at Mrs. Field’s.

12.

I never actually kissed Michael Jackson’s mom. I am extremely loyal to Mrs. Claus.

13. We’re planning on listening to Serial during this year’s sleigh ride.

14. I have 365 red hats.

15.. Mrs. Claus and I vacation on the South Pole every year after Christmas.

16. I get stuck in most chimneys.

17. I would want Chris Pratt to play

3. , I

1

me in a movie about my life.

actually lose weight on Christmas because it’s such a workout lugging all those toys down chimneys.

18. I just participated in No-Shave

November...again...

19.

I have been listening to Taylor Swift while writing my naughty and nice lists...”I’ve got a blank space, baby. And I’ll write your name.”

4.

However, I dont really carry “toys” anymore. It’s mostly iPhones, iPads, and Xboxes.

5.

You wouldn’t believe how many pairs of leggings I brought to Bloomfield Hills last year.

6. Favorite elf? Will Ferrell

10

20.

I might join Twitter.

21.

One year, I was sick, so Chuck Norris delivered gifts for me.

22.

I still haven’t mastered building a gingerbread house.

19

23. I’ll check out page 18 for tips.

24. You all keep me young.

25. I love my job.

Holiday 2014 The Hawkeye 39

*

holiday movie schedule ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas sunday

monday

tuesday

wednesday

12/1

12/2

12/3

8 pm Elf 10 pm The Santa

1 am Jack Frost 10 pm The Santa

5 pm Prancer 9 pm The Polar

thursday

12/4 7 pm The Polar Express 9 pm Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Clause

Clause 3

Express

12/7

12/8

12/9

12/10

9 am The Little

8 pm The Fosters* 9 pm Switched at

8 pm Pretty Little 7 am Baby Daddy* 7 pm National Liars* 1:30 pm Melissa & Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 9 pm Chasing Life* Joey* *Holiday Episode *Holiday Episode 9 pm Scrooged

Drummer Boy

1:30 pm Jack Frost Birth*

*Holiday Episode

12/14

12/15

11:30 am Jack

8 pm The Year

Without Santa Claus 1:30 pm Fred Claus 9 pm The Polar Express Frost

12/21

12/22

11 am Richie Rich’s 1 pm Snowglobe Christmas Wish 5 pm Frosty’s Winter 2 pm Rudolph’s Shiny New Year

Wonderland

12/28

12/29

12/16

12/17

12/11

12/18

12 am Santa Baby 3 pm Mickey’s Twice 7 am Christmas 8:30pm Home Alone Upon a Christmas Cupid 5:30 pm Santa 8:30 pm Fred Claus is Comin’ to Town Claus

12/23

12/24

2:30 pm Holiday in 11 am Snow Handcuffs 7 pm National 6:30 pm Toy Story Lapoon’s Christmas that Time Forgot

Vacation

12/30

12/31

12/25

8:30 am ‘Twas the

NIght Before Christmas 9 pm Home alone

For the full schedule, check http://abcfamily.go.com/25-days-christmas

friday

saturday

12/5

12/6

Stole Christmas 11:30 pm Fred Claus

the Menace Christmas 9 pm Arthur Christmas

12/12

12/13

8 pm How the Grinch 9 am A Dennis

12 am The Mistle-Tones

11 am Home Alone 3 11 pm Mickey’s

9:30 pm Miracle Christmas Carol on 34th Street

12/19

6 pm Home Alone 8 pm Elf

12/20

9 am Santa Buddies: The

Legend of Santa Paws

8 pm How the Grinch Stole Christmas

12/26

12/27