February 2014

Volume I

Issue IV February 2014 Bloomfield Hills, MI

HAWKEYE

BHHS Counselors, Seniors and Parents react to Deferrals Ryan Moonka

Bloomfield Hills students enrolling in higher level classes Jake Freed

Staff Writer

Sitting at his desk, he is surrounded by upperclassmen.

“I have been taking advanced math classes since seventh grade,” explains sophomore Matthew Fealk. “After doing extremely well in sixth grade, I took and passed a test that allowed me to take advanced courses.”

Other students like Fealk are also currently enrolled in classes intended for older students.

According to counselor, Jim Fogle, students can get involved in higher academics from the start.

“The nature of taking advanced classes can start when students are young,” says Fogle.

“Most of the time, students are placed in advanced classes in middle school, or sometimes even elementary schools.

“I started taking advanced classes at the Walled Lake

School District,” says freshman Helena Gregg. “They really encouraged accelerated math programs, so during fourth and fifth grade, I used an online program to get ahead in math, allowing me to currently be in AP Calculus BC. My main motivation to get ahead was so I could earn more credits for classes, and so that I can take as many AP classes as possible.”

According to Gregg, times are not always easy while taking advanced classes.

“Occasionally I look at my work load compared to my peer’s and I wish I had more time to relax and participate in activities that I like and am interested in. It’s also very hard to prepare for the amount of homework I will receive in the advanced classes that I take.”

Fogle agrees, “These classes are not for everyone. Students who

succeed in these classes must have a good mixture of intelligence, maturity, flexibility and time management skills. If students that are not entirely ready to take advanced classes take them, it could actually hurt you in the long run. While colleges greatly appreciate rigor in a student’s schedule, it won’t matter much if they are not succeeding in those rigorous classes.”

However, Gregg sees many positives to taking advanced classes. “I wasn’t as nervous as many other students were to enter high school because I already had experience with tons of homework, final exams, and the pressure that comes with high school classes,” she explains.

“Also, I knew quite a few upperclassmen already from being in classes with them while I was still in middle school. Aside from this, taking these classes

Editor-In-Chief

Impatiently refreshing his e-mail every few seconds, he knew that his future could be decided in the next few moments.

“I was with three of my best friends, and we all knew we would hear back that day,” explains senior Danny Bota, who applied early action to the University of Michigan. “Prior to my e-mail, one of my friends got in, which got us all excited - we thought it was a good sign. I got the e-mail; my heart started beating faster as I realized my future was potentially sitting in this e-mail. I was hoping for a ‘Congratulations!’ but regrettably, it was a deferral.”

The month of December meant college acceptances for many Bloomfield Hills High School students and deferrals for many others. As described by BHHS counselor Melanie Brooks, “receiving a notice of deferral means that a student’s early application is moved to a college’s regular decision pool.”

“I know that it can be discouraging for a student that has been deferred by their top choice school,” says Brooks. “But we remind them I got the that it is not a dee-mail; my nial. We remind heart started them to stay posibeating faster tive, even though it is unfortunate that as I realized they didn’t receive my future was a decision as soon potentially as possible. And sitting in this because it is just a deferment, it means e-mail. that a positive deciDANNY BOTA sion is still definiteSenior ly possible. What is crucial at this point is that students have a Plan B list of colleges that they are applying to or have been accepted to. Of course it’s awesome for students to have a reach schoola school where they may or may not have the minimal requirements to get into- but the safety schools are still very important.”

For senior Adam Rosenfeld, who was asked by Michigan State University to send his seventh semester grades for review after his application was deferred, his Plan B of safety schools has already panned out.

“I got into Wayne State University, Oakland University, and Arizona State University,” Rosenfeld mentions. “I’m still really hoping to be attending MSU. I’m assuming I get in, but with the competition nowadays who knows where I’ll be a year from now. If I’m rejected, I’ll strongly consider a school in state such as Oakland University or Wayne State University defer on A3 where I got a scholarship.”

will allow me to get more credits in school and I will have more time to take AP classes, which is something I want to do.”

According to Fealk, another benefit of taking advanced classes is that it increases the chances of getting into an elite, highly selective college.

“Succeeding in advanced classes definitely boosts my confidence in my other classes,” he shares “It also makes me feel more accomplished, that I am doing more than what I am supposed to do at my age.”

“Overall, taking advanced classes can either help you or hurt you, depending on how successful you are in them,” concludes Fogle. “The important thing is finding the balance between rigor, and success in those rigorous classes no matter what they are.”

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Bloomfield Hills High School

Level Up

HOW TO DEAL WITH A DEFERRAL

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Table of Contents Section A News/Opinion A1-A8

Section B Lifestyle B1-B8

Section C Entertainment C1-C24

In Section A A2 The World A4

The Campus

A5

The Campus

A6

The Word

A7

The Word

A8

The Backpage

Editorial Policy The Bloomfield Hills Hawkeye is a student publication distributed free of charge to 1600 students, faculty, local community members, and businesses. We strive to inform, to entertain, and to continue a tradition of journalistic excellence. We take our integrity seriously and strive to report the news as accurately as possible.

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BEHIND THE SNOWDAY: SAFETY COMES FIRST

Superintendent explains the reasoning behind January snowdays Mayssa Masri Staff Writer

Laying in his bed, he continues to enjoy yet another day of relaxation.

“I found it kind of nice because I have a pretty rigorous schedule,” explains senior Shwan Al-Howrami who often tweets Glass regarding snow days. “The snow days were a nice way of easing back into the mentality of school after break.”

According to superintendent Rob Glass, whose role is to decide if a snow day is necessary, strongly believes that, “safety is the most important thing in determining a

snow day. We want to keep studized the safety of students and dents safe whether they’re drivbuses coming to and from school ing, riding a bus, or riding with if we had school on those days.” their parents. The roads Keeping in have been slippery, so it mind that schools was a good call for the are required We would have to be open for snow days we’ve had.”

Agreeing with Glass, jeopardized the 1,098 hours each Al-Howrami also beyear, Glass says safety of stulieves that the snow he pays attendents and buses tion to weather days we’ve had were well coming to and needed. “I absolutely reports and has from school if believe the snow days conference calls have been necessary. It with other suwe had school was the right amount of perintendents. on those days. snow days, no more, no “We discuss CHARLIE less. During the winter, what other disHOLLERITH my car has been sliding tricts are planPrincipal around, and it can be ning to do and a danger to drive school.” what the road conditions are.

Principal Charlie Hollerith We make decisions no later adds, “We would have jeoparthan 4:45 or 5:00am. Then,

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According to Rob Glass, schools must be open for 1,098 hours each year: that’s 170 days

I make the final decision on whether we’re going to close or stay open,” Glass explains.

Although some students and administration may think the days off were needed, AP Psychology teacher Donna Learmont passionately believes the three days off were detrimental to her classes. “As much as I love staying at home in my jammies, [the snow days] killed my schedule and threw off my lesson plans. AP students can’t afford any days off.”

“I personally don’t like canceling school, because [learning] is what students are here to do.

We’re here to educate and school is important. On the other hand, I also have to look out for students safety,” concludes Glass.

Last year alone

225.75 inches of snow fell

t

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Shwan Al-Howrami tweeted at Rob Glass... @glasr333 My Liege, all paths to Castle Bloomfield are in ruins. You must cancel the coming day of labor or risk darkness falling on us all. ...and Rob Glass replied @CottonShwab feareth not, for thou shalt have no occasion to braveth the ruinous streets of mashed potatoes:)

ART OVER ARSON: HEIDELBERG PROJECT FIGHTS ON

"D thehawkeyenews.com

Heidelberg persists after multiple arson attempts

f facebook.com/

Tess Garcia Staff Writer

bhshawkeye

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@thehawkeyenews

Above: The “House of Soul” standing in the Summer 2013 before being burnt down on November 12th.

Its flame refuses to die out.

“Heidelberg Street is a twoblock, outdoor art environment.

We’re also an art nonprofit, and provide art education to local kids,” explains Katie Hearn, Heidelberg’s marketing coordinator.

According to Hearn, a total of eight suspected arson fires took place on Heidelberg Street during 2013, destroying five of the art structures.

“We experienced our first fire at a house called Obstruction of Justice, or OJ,” says Hearn. “When I heard about it, I was absolutely shocked. It was completely unprecedented. Heidelberg has faced its fair share of opposition, but the arson really was shocking. I

kept thinking about who would do something like that and why.”

Says sophomore Emily Henderson, who volunteered at Heidelberg Street before the first fire, “It’s really a shame that people would do such a horrible thing to a wonderful organization like Heidelberg. After helping out a few summers ago, it shocks me that people would go out of their way to ruin the artwork in Detroit. Heidelberg has changed lives and helped so many people.

It’s just hard to comprehend.”

Although the arsonists have yet to be identified, Milana Duthie, the former manager of Heidelberg’s educational program, thinks that the fires might have been part of an even larger plot.

“I think that, in general, there have been suspicious fires at noteworthy buildings in Detroit recently,” Duthie explains. “I don’t know

if this is some kind of conspiracy or group effort. It’s strange. The art on Heidelberg Street makes you think about your own relationship with your neighborhood and surroundings. If people really took the time to think about the art, they’d understand it. There are ways that its messages apply to everyone.

“Though this has all been kind of unnerving, the positivity has always prevailed. That’s the outlook the people of this region need: How can we stay positive, and change our perspective on what we have?

How can we find a way to do something differently? Heidelberg is a great example of a struggling community that is redefining itself.”

Despite setbacks, members of the art community have dreams of moving forward.

“We are going to do it again,” explains artist Tyree Guyton, cre-

B2 Learn more about the Boys Basketball game for hope

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ator of the Heidelberg Street. “The first house we’re going to recreate is the House of Soul--that’s the one that had all the records on it. I’m really excited about it because, this time around, we’re going to create it in such a way that the public can go inside of it. I think it’s important that you go deep inside of people’s souls.

Guyton continues, “The Heidelberg Project is a medicine. It’s a medicine for the mind. Change is constant, and change is something you can’t get around. You have take change and make the best of it. With the fires at Heidelberg, I could go and say to myself ‘I give up.’ I can’t do that. This is a great challenge, it’s a great opportunity, and you have to see beyond what we see as bad. You have to extract the good out of bad and make it better than before.”

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FACTS

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Mark

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WORLD

News

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February

BHS alumnus directs musical

WHAT

Former Bloomfield Hills student’s high school activities inspire aspiring director

IN THE

WORLD

Yusra Niazi Associate Editor

Standing in front of the stage overlooking her cast and crew, she knew she made the right decisions.

“Ever since high school, I knew I wanted to do something with directing musicals in my future, and years later, here I am head directing a college production,” explains BHS class of ‘10 alum, Marlee Rich, a is Northwestern University’s communication senior and director of the 2014 winter musical. “The theater was really important to me in my high school years, and it’s where I learned that it is somewhere I love to be.”

On January 24th to February 1st, Rich premiered the 72nd edition of the Dolphin Show, the nation’s largest student-run musical featuring Shrek The Musical, to hundreds in which she had been directing for the last four months. With a cast of 32, Rich directed while another BHS class of ‘11 alum, Alyssa Gianetti, was featured as one of the The theater three was really blind important mice. to me in my “Marlee has high school been abyears, and solutely it’s where I amazing learned that as a diit is somerector,” s a y s where i love Rich. to be “ S h e Marlee Rich knows BHS alum e x actly what kind of energy we need as a cast each day and is able to be herself as well. She knows exactly what she wants and what’s best for the musical.”

“As the director, all of the choices and envisions of the production stem from what I want to do with it. I plan the staging, which means I decide who does what, who goes where, and how they do it,” explains Rich.

“Everything I have done has influenced me in some way and given me something to make me love directing, but my interest in directing started right from the beginning of high school. I was a part of a bunch of musicals and directed a couple of forensics pieces at Andover. However, I definitely think I learned the most about music from Mr. Snyder, who was my choir director for all four years of high school. He taught me how to read music and the basic fundamentals of singing.”

“Of the students I’ve had in previous years, I think Marlee is the perfect person to go into performing arts as a career,” describes former BHS musical advisor, Bruce Snyder. “She has such a good range of skills.

So with all of those skill sets combined, I think it really prepared her to where she is today.”

Gianetti agrees, “Ever since high school, when [Marlee and I] performed Rent and Children of Eden together, I knew she would end up somewhere in the theater business. Now that I see her at Northwestern as a director with a theater major, I know that anything is possible for her. She’s so strong and talented, and I know she can accomplish anything.”

According to Rich, the opportunity of directing musicals has given her the skills that no other experience could have given her.

“After directing this musical, I realized that learning to be a good leader is definitely the biggest thing that I’ve gotten out of this opportunity. I’ve learned more about directing and how things work, how to work with actors, the designers, and the choreographers. It’s much more than just learning organizational skills.

The hardest part is to gain respect from your peers but still be a friend to them at the same time. However, I’-d say all that hard work and all of those headaches are worth it at the end of each showing because it’s something to be proud of.”

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

canada

central africa

Quebec: Fire raged through an apartment complex for the elderly.

At least three were killed and over 30 are still missing.

America: A campus shooting at Purdue University put the school on lockdown. The suspect is now in custody. One person died in this tragedy.

Ukraine: Violent protests have spread beyond the capital, Kiev, ahead of a crisis meeting between the country’s president and three key opposition leaders.

Central African Republic: At least 15 people were killed in intercommunal violence in Bangui just after the country swore in a new leader. Catherine Samba Panza is the first woman leader of the country.

america

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kenya

ukraine

THINK

Shaun Masih Sophomore

Bianca Gould

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“ I think it could help to

Discover news from around the world and how it affects the Bloomfield Hills community

to know this

week

Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach on charges of driving under the influence

1.

1.1 million customer credit and debit cards were hacked at Neimen Marcus

The Food and Drug Administration Edward Snowden speaks out for The Pentagon has relaxed its policy will revise nutrition labels to make the first time after disclosing top on religious accommodations, alloweasier to read secret NSA documents ing beards and head covers

The 2014 Winter Olympics are being held in Sochi, Russia.

Where were the 2010 Winter Olympics held?

What movie did Philip Seymour Hoffman win an Oscar for Best Actor?

A. The Master B. Capote C. Doubt D. Moneyball

2.

test YOUR

knowledge

What was the final score for Super Bowl XLVIII? A. 48 - 3 B. 38 - 4 C. 34 - 8 D. 43 - 8

environment, they don’t need to take as many security measures.

guards and put locks on all the dorms and only give students the key.

everyone on campus has some form of student or guest identification.

5 things

“ If they create a positive

“ They can have security

“ It’d be good to make sure

have parent volunteers to help keep schools secure.

Shahid Ahmad Senior

Marianna Cassar Senior

Sophomore

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DO YOU

How can schools and universities secure their campuses to prevent threatening situations?

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WHAT

Sources: CNN, Global Post, BBC

3.

Answers

Jimmy Fallon is taking over The Tonight Show from which famous talk-show host?

A. Seth Meyers B. Jay Leno C. Jimmy Kimmel D. Conan O’Brien

4.

A. Vancouver, Canada B. Salt Lake City, USA C. Turin, Italy 4. Oslo, Norway

1. (B) Capote 2. (A) Vancouver, Canada 3. (D) 43-8 4. (B) Jay Leno

News

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February

Journalism opens to freshmen as elective Experiencing types of journalism at the 9th Grade Campus

for this class, will be out if this is the area that they published in February. want to pursue in high school.”

Agreeing with Thav, According to pubI thought that freshman lications teacher, Cooper Terri Thav who is this would be Myers says, “I took the best way it because I want to on a maternity leave, Introduction to Pub- to get better at be on newspaper lications opened writing articles when I am a sophoup as a new elecmore, and I thought Cooper Myers tive for the 2013that this would Freshman 2014 school year be the best way to in the ninth grade campus. get better in writing articles and [graphic] designing.” “[The new publication class] is a great opportunity for ninth Principal Charlie Hollerith graders to explore the different believes that this was the rearoutes of journalism,” explains son why the class was offered, Thav. “It gives them an opportu“those willing to take Newsnity to work on both newspaper paper and Journalism would have an opportunity to experiand the yearbook, and to figure

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Minhal Asim Staff Writer

Rushing to her class, she starts working on her first publication.

“At first, it was difficult and I was nervous about interviewing different people, but then it became easy and interesting throughout the semester,” explains freshman Bradley Silverman about the Introduction to Publications’ final semester product which according to Kaitlin Edgerton, the substitute

ence it before they come to the main campus. There has been a lot of interest in yearbook and newspaper, and this was an opportunity to start building interest for younger students who have an interest in writing.”

Thav says that students are taught different parts of journalism in the class such as, “interviewing skills, newspaper writing, feature, news sports, InDesign (the software used for newspaper), then once they have a decent grip on the different sections of the newspaper, they can apply to elite communications classes such as Newspaper or Journalism.”

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elective

Freshman Ryan Epps agrees, “Other than just writing an article, we get to do different things such as designing a newspaper page and interviewing different people.”

Despite all the hard work, freshman Nuha Raziuddin enjoys this class. “All the students are working together and it looks really good right now.”

“The plan is to have this class for the next year too, if enough students enroll in this class,” says Hollerith, “The good news is that Bloomfield Hills High School continues to have a lot of choices, especially for the ninth graders.”

1.

>>

Fact or Fiction

Journalism is the activity or profession of writing for newspapers or magazines or of broadcasting news on radio or television.

Fact Fiction

2. The school administration does not have power to censor what the journalism class publishes.

Fact Fiction

3. The ninth grade publication class includes yearbook and newspaper.

Fact Fiction Answers: 1. Fact 2. Fiction 3. Fact

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CAMPUS

DEFERRAL from A1: As Rosenfeld mentioned, the chances grow slimmer with each passing year as competition rises for admittance into universities across the nation.

Brooks has noticed the trend of rising competition of receiving acceptances as well.

“There are definitely trends of increasing numbers of deferrals, especially with in-state schools,” states Brooks. “It seems each year that these schools are receiving more and more out of state applications.”

She continues, “This shows that students are concerned about their futures. It shows that students have prepared themselves and gotten themselves on track to get into highly regarded universities.

Students aren’t afraid to step out and apply. And a lot of the time, students can actually fare better in the regular decision pool because they are ahead of the game. They’ve already had their application reviewed, and often those students have better credentials anyways.”

Yet students such as Rosenfeld, who personally bear the heartbreak of a deferral, fail to see this advantage. “My deferral came in and I was devastated. I understand where they were coming from because, while my GPA has tremendously improved, I didn’t have the successful start freshman year that I needed.”

Parents of deferred students such as Wayne Bota, father of Danny, have also had strong reactions.

“We were disappointed but not surprised, knowing how difficult it is to get into the University of Michigan,” remarked Wayne. “We realized that the application process can be very subjective so you never know what you’ll get.”

Ultimately Rosenfeld agrees that the whole process has been a learning experience. “I think it’s absolutely crazy how hard it is to get into schools nowadays,” he reflects. “My dad got into state with lackluster grades; I got deferred with a varsity sport on my resume, AP’s and solid GPA growth, and plenty of extracurriculars. The key to getting in nowadays is academic commitment starting the first day of high school.”

Adapting

to America Mastering a new language: Chinese exchange student Hedy Hou writes an essay in English for her ESL class.

Photo credit: Sadhna Ramanathan

Foreign students adapt to American lifestyle

Foreign exchange students describe differences in cultures Anshu Chen

Co-Editor-in-Chief

They all travelled at least six thousand miles to come to the United States.

“I can interact with Americans a lot better than before, even if I’m not fluent in English yet, and I won’t feel as uncomfortable,” says sophomore Heddy Hou, a Chinese exchange student.

Hou, Cozmo Uze, and Mina Juma all moved to the United States from another country. Juma has been in the US since 2010, whereas Hou and Uze are exchange students who came to the US six months ago.

“School was overwhelming because there was so many people, and classes were pretty hard for me--I spoke English before I got here, but taking classes in English was a new thing,” says Uze. Hou agrees. “There was a bit of culture shock. Sometimes I felt isolated because of it, but now I’ve adjusted pretty well.

I still have trouble speaking English, though. Sometimes I won’t understand my

classmates, and I don’t want to ask them to repeat themselves too many times.”

Meghan Jansen, Hou’s host mother, has hosted five exchange students already. She says that it is normal for exchange students to have an adjustment period. “If we don’t think Heddy has understood something, we just say it a different way until we know that she knows what we’re talking about,” Jansen says. “She’s been very good, and so have our other exchange students.”

Juma says that she had no problems with English, but her Arabic skills have begun eroding. “English words come to me first before Arabic, especially when I’m trying to speak Arabic to my relatives who don’t speak English. I have to pause and think about the Arabic translation,” she says. “I’m trying to speak Arabic with my parents more often now; I’ll ask them when I don’t know a word. I don’t want to forget the language because it’s part of my culture.”

“It’s difficult to make friends, because the language [we speak] is different [from English],” says Hou. “We also have different daily habits. Espe-

cially coming to a new school, where everyone’s in their friend circles already. There’s lots of cultural differences—in China class is dismissed late, so we don’t do much after school. Here, everyone joins sports and activities.”

“I joined the diving team, which is something I can’t do back in Japan,” Uze says.

He also comments on the more laid-back school system: “[In Japan] you have to start studying [for college] from your junior year, and don’t do anything except for studying in your senior year. It’s just a crazy competition to get into these colleges. That was one of my reasons I came here. I want to go to an American college.”

Unlike Hou, Uze says that he has not had trouble befriending American classmates. “The Japanese and American people, they both have positive and negative aspects. I think people [in America] are more open. There’s more communication with each other. There’s more energy. You go to a bar when a football game’s on, [and] it’s crazy and fun. That’s one of the aspects I’ll miss back in Japan, the energy and the spirit.”

Hou says that she was able to experience this spirit during the holidays with her host family. “I never had turkey when I was in China, so Thanksgiving was the first time I tasted it. It’s also very rare for us to say toasts in China. But when I came here, we all said toasts at Thanksgiving about what we were thankful for. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in China, but we do have the Mid-Autumn Festival where the whole family gets together.”

Both students express their optimism for the rest of the year.

Unlike Hou and Uze, Juma says that she is unlikely to return to her home country.

“I left Iraq when I was seven [to move to Jordan]. I moved to [the US] when I was twelve. I miss my friends and family, and I would love to go back to Iraq to see how everything is, but I wouldn’t want to stay there. It’s not the safest place.”

Juma says that the adjustment has been fairly smooth for her. “When you live abroad, America seems like this foreign land--what surprised me was that everything was so normal.

Americans are just normal people.“

Variety of new furniture tested out for future BHHS building

Briefly Speaking

Senior Yante Maten was recently Nominated for 2014 McDonald’s All-American Basketball Game. The first All-American Basketball Game was held in Washington, D.C. This year, the game will be held on April 2nd at the Chicago United Center in Chicago, IL.

says cost of the new furniture is not the biggest part the decision. “[In the past] the furniture was purchased by the purchasing department without dialogue or thoughts to what is [appropriate],” says Kim. “So as the need for the furniture design changes, there’s certainly better models out there.

It’s not really a dollar related decision, we’re trying to change the culture from that to address what is the most effective environment for the students and how the furniture can be part of that equation.”

Even though cost is not the biggest issue, Kim says aesthetics are important.

“I think that one of the reasons why [SHW] is the architect for

Join BHHS on Friday, February 21 at 7:30pm for Theatre Celebrates Life: A Broadway Review Benefiting Stand Up to Melanoma. All proceeds will be donated to melanoma research. Ticket donations are $10 and can be purchased on www. etix.com. All proceeds will be donated to melanoma research.

the building but also the interior designer [is because of aesthetics].

We had a team of architecture and design and those same people are working with the furniture. We’re testing out some new furniture styles, doing research to draw some data and to pick out the appropriate furniture for the new building.

We’re doing these tests to make sure it’s the right fit. The culture in general has changed, a lot of students like to hang out at Starbucks and study, rather than go to a library. What’s drawing them there?

There’s not only the comfort of the furniture, but the different variety of choices for students to select.”

Some students, likewise, come with positive and negative reviews

campus news:

Sitting in his desk, he smiles because at least in this class he is comfortable.

“For teachers, I feel it is a good tool because it allows them to organize the classroom better for activities,” says sophomore John Maguire regarding the new furniture.

“But at the same time it doesn’t benefit the students as much as it should. Some are more comfortable than normal furniture.

It’s a step in the right direction.”

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campus news:

Staff Writer

campus news:

Aidan Menchaca

New furniture, like the desk As well as offering a new seat for used by Maguire, is being tested students, Hollerith says that the in the 400 wing for innovative furniture will open up use in the second new opportunities in later years. edition of Bloom“The new building is defield Hills High School. For teach- signed in what you would “Some of our desks in ers, I feel it call learning communities. this building are a mix is a good Part of that is to give teachof former Andover and er the flexibility in terms of tool.

Lahser furniture,” says John Maguire their ability to do different Bloomfield Hills High Sophomore things [and] deliver differSchool Principal Charlie ent curriculum in a variety Hollerith. “Some of that is over of ways in a classroom. With this 20 years old. One of the things I school design, we looked at differcan tell you is that the new fur- ent classrooms saying ‘instead of niture, if nothing else is more 30 desks all facing center’ [we can ergonomical for students—you have new learning opportunities].” talk about kids sitting all day, While cost was important in you want to make sure they’re in the past, interior designer for comfortable chair with flexibility.” SHW architecture, Alexis Kim

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Students and staff share benefits and effects of new furniture

about the different furniture.

“I’m a fan of some,” says sophomore Trevor Woods. “I’m not a fan of the rolling chairs [because] I bump into things a lot and they move too freely. However, it is cool how modern and how unconventional they are though.”

However, Kim believes the new furniture is appealing to most students.

“I think for the most part students are excited with the furniture provided and the most important feedback I’ve gotten was that the students care and that they are seeing that there is a difference in how they can actually learn and learn better in an environment including [new] furniture.”

Democracy Days will take place February 20-21 at BHHS. Democracy Days was created by Senior and Student Leadership Co-President, Daniel Baum, who started this as his MYP project. It is a chance for members of the BHHS community to directly interact with their respective elected officials.

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WORD

Opinion

The selfie era

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February

Dangerous Indifference

What do YOU th i n k about starti n g sch oo l later?

Expressing frustrations toward apathetic students

Embracing the narcissistic selfie culture Lizzie Nagel

Ryan Moonka

Co-Editor-in-Chief

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Brittany Andrews

Junior

While sleeping in is good, it’s better to have more time for homework and sports.

See what

Senior

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I’d rather start late because it gives me more time to sleep in through the morning.

the

HAWKEYE staff thinks

Michelle Phillips

Sophomore

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Our take

To snooze or not to snooze?

Most of the Hawkeye staff believes that our school schedule should be changed from 7:25 am – 2:30 pm to 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The naysayers seem to share the same sentiment. Change is hard.

Sure, starting school a full hour and thirty-five minutes later or even thirty minutes later would be an adjustment, but isn’t all change an adjustment? And haven’t we already been adjusting ever since the Barons and Knights were taken over by Blackhawks?

As a Lighthouse District, we are the trailblazers of education.

We light the way to innovation. MYP was a change. So, was incorporating the IB programme. We’ve even made changes with our classroom furniture, successfully merged two high schools, and dissolved the traditional departmental organizational approach. Has this been easy? Not at all. But it has made us better.

All of these changes have been made to benefit us, the student body. So, why not keep the ball rolling?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, student’s biological sleep clocks shift toward later times during adolescence.

In other words, it is difficult for us to fall asleep before 11:00 p.m. This makes it impossible for us to sleep for the recommended eight and a half hours while still getting to class on time.

Further research proves that when we do not get enough sleep, the blood flow to our brains slows impairing our cognitive performance making it difficult to focus in class and retain information. We go to school to learn; starting school later would allow us to do that.

With any change, there are roadblocks.

Some would argue that ending school later than 2:30 pm would disrupt the athletic schedule. However, none of our teams play games before 4:00 pm, and many don’t start until around 7:00 pm. This leaves players with more than enough time to get ready. Since, sleep deprivation impairs coordination and motor skills necessary for physical activity, starting the school day later would only improve our athletic performance. And what about practices?

By starting later some teams could practice before school and some after giving almost all athletes time in the gym.

Another argument against changing the start time is that it would interfere with transportation. This could be solved by flipping the start times of the elementary and high school schedules. Bus drivers would follow the exact same routes, just at opposite times.

Finally, skeptics say we could only change our start time if every other high school in the area did. But doesn’t someone need to take the first step? As we set to become the school of the future for 21st Century learning, shouldn’t we adjust to the needs of the 21st century student? Why not be leaders of the pack?

Change is hard. But as architects of our future, we need to stop being afraid of the unknown and make the changes worth changing. Starting school later is on the top of that list.

I wouldn’t mind starting late and ending late but it might be inconvenient for others.

Maggie Favier

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I prefer to start earlier and end earlier so I have more time to do things after school.

Maria D’Angelo

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Junior

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I’d rather start the way we do now because it leaves more time to do things after school.

HAWKEYE

the

See what

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Cooper Bellinson

Sophomore

Sophomore

I’d rather go to school earlier and end earlier so that I can go to bed earlier.

student body thinks

Khalid Tufail Jaat

Senior

If we start at nine we’ll have extra two hours of sleep, and it will help us focus better.

“

Daniel Bordener

“

We believe that school should start later and end later

Censorship is alive and well in Bloomfield Hills High School. But not the traditional form of censorship. No, this is self-imposed censorship.

I have banned myself from writing about topics such as politics, not because of personal beliefs, but because I have deemed that no one would read my articles-which is true. The vast majority of high school students don’t care enough about the world’s problems to pick up a newspaper or watch the news.

The unfortunate reality is that most high school students would rather brainlessly scroll through Twitter for hours than follow news stories that are shaping our world.

To those of you who are interested in political or national news, I thank you.

I once wrote a story on Michigan legislation regarding school districts.

One student app ro a c h e d me and engaged me in a

conversaThere is tion about no easy the legislasolution tion, even to this indiscussing aspects of difference the legislatowards tion that the news.

I had not covered.

He was an informed student, and I am sure his knowledge on issues will help him in life.

But to those of you who choose not to be informedthose of you who prevent me from writing what I love to write about- time is running out. College means being one step closer to the real world, where political and global problems such as Congressional gridlock and global warming have real implications. Those who choose to be informed are the same people who will be leading efforts to solve these problems in the future.

And it is not that social media is to blame for indifference. If anything, social media- when used correctly- can alert people of breaking news or recent findings quicker than traditional news outlets.

There is no easy solution to this indifference towards the news. Perhaps it is generational; hopefully college provides a spark for many students.

But history has shown that a world with people that are not informed is indeed a dangerous world.

“

d hawkeye editorial

Cartoon drawn by Jordan Wooten

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“

“

Noah Cicurel

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“‘Selfie’ has been added to the dictionary. Meanwhile, ‘future’ and ‘optimism’ have been removed.”

Jokes like these cover social media sites, claiming that the selfie is ruining our society. But why?

Selfie is just a new way of saying “self portrait,” and those have been around since the dawn of time. However, they have only recently become easily accessible which is actually a really nice thing. When you think about it, self portraits and selfies are a way of capturing who you are. Selfies now give you a chance to define yourself, as opposed to having other people define you.

And not only do they give you a chance to define yourself, they give you a chance to represent yourThe selfie gives self. When you a chance to we live in say,‘You know a society what. I am beau- where beauty standards tiful, and I am are unatgoing to share it tainable by with the world. 99.9% of the population, it’s easy to feel like you’ll never be beautiful. But with the selfie, people of all different shapes and sizes and races and gender are being seen. And they are being seen as beautiful.

Seeing all of these different types of people be perceived as beautiful can help people see themselves as beautiful, which is something this society is in desperate need of.

We live in a world where being insecure about yourself is far more acceptable than being proud of who you are. The selfie gives everyone a chance to say, “You know what. I am beautiful, and I am going to share it with the world.”

Not only does it help people express beauty, it gives them a chance to express themselves. People can show when they’re feeling happy or sad or angry in a really fun and new way. This allows people to humanize others instead of just reading text on a screen from a status update or a tweet.

And you don’t have to take selfies when you’re feeling pretty. It doesn’t matter how you look. It’s ok to not look and feel pretty all the time because looking and feeling pretty isn’t the most important thing about you.

Bottom line, the selfie is a wonderful invention. For once, people are gaining self-confidence. For once, people don’t feel the need to buy an overly expensive product to feel good about themselves. And in the end, feeling good doesn’t have anything to do with how you look. But for the record, you look great.

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Junior

“

To be honest, it would be great if we could start even later, like ten o’clock.

College pressures sophomore a few years early Tess Garcia Staff Writer

Dear Harvard, Yale, and every other “big name” university, Stop following me. You loom over me through everything I do, big or small.

You’re there when I’m sleeping, you’re there when I’m awake. You’re worse than Santa.

I’m only 15 years old, yet I feel you pressuring me all of the time. Don’t you have better things to do than make a little high school sophomore scared for her future?

HAWKEYE

2013-2014

S TA F F Editor-in-Chief Anshu Chen Ryan Moonka Lizzie Nagel

What kind of person gets into your oh-so- desperately trying to groom us into the ideal colcoveted Ivy Leagues? How do I get to lege applicants. You’re pushing them be a part of such an exclusive club? to push me, and neither of us like it. ...and, more importantly, is getting into I’m following the proper steps to create You’ve made your “good” school worth all the stress? a good future for myself. If there was an everyone love You push me through day after day of adult-written manual on how to do high you, desire school work, tutoring sessions, and exschool “right,” I’d probably be on the covyou, covet tracurriculars. Every night, I er. But let me tell it to you straight, Mr. do my homework like a good you, even; but College: I do all of this, and I’m unhappy. girl, take my anxiety medicaDo you understand what you do not you create so tion, and try to sort out my only to me, but to every teenager? We much pain agenda for the chaotic day have enough to worry about at this point for those of in our lives: family problems, emotional to come. I’m tired of spending every day trying to please you. us who try to problems, hair growing in places we didn’t You loom over my teachers, too. Teachknow hair could grow. You’re fueling that please you. ers spend all of their time squeezing stufire of self-doubt, you know. You’re fueling dents like me into the mold of the “perfect kid”, that fire just to keep your status, and to make money.

Advisor Christina Hammitt

Managing Editors Section A: Narmeen Rehman Section B: Annie Reed Section C: Sarah Kovan Web: Matthew Webster

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Sharing thoughts on the stress colleges want

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Associate Editors Section A: Julia Lee Yusra Niazi

Section C: Brendan Eathorne Maddy Pazner

Section B: Maitreyi Anantharaman Courtney Zhu

Web: Noah Cicurel Jonah Newman

Page Editors Brittany Andrews Hannah Bradley Jake Freed Shelbi Jouni Jasmine Sharma

Cartoonists Maggie Smith Jordan Wooten

You’re just a big bully. Your standards are unattainable. You’ve made everyone love you, desire you, covet you, even; but you create so much pain for those of us who try to please you. You have students eating out of the palm of your hand just so they have the slightest chance at getting in. You’re not just a school, you’re a brand, an expectation, and a lifestyle.

So, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth--all you pretentious little bullies of colleges--what do you want from me? Will enduring this kind of torture put an acceptance letter in my mailbox?

Sincerely, Tess Garcia (PS, Harvard-- What kind of mascot is a pilgrim?)

Writers Minhal Asim Daniel Bordener Tess Garcia Liza Hsu Josh Inwald Ally Jaksen Nisa Khan Zoe Lis Mayssa Masri

Aidan Menchaca Paul Pal Michelle Phillips Sadhna Ramanathan Steve Yoo Merrick Weingarten

the

COMMUNITY News

A3

February

Guest Writer

have been involved in many other political issues. For my senior experience, I am going to be Ryan’s student outreach organizer, which is to make sure that Ryan is in touch with young people. I also will be his briefer to make sure he knows what’s going on in the world.”

Johnston shares, “I’m so proud of what Ryan is trying to accomplish, and I am happy to see that he is also reaching out to students and getting them involved.”

Ryan Fishman has been interested in politics since his freshman year of high school and graduated in

Vivian Johnston spoke for Fishman’s announcement ceremony.

One term as a state senator is

4 years

$

in

$

COLLEGE Food

New! Don’t buy new books at the college bookstore.

Buy used books instead.

This is a healthier and cheaper alternative than going out to eat.

On Sale

sell your books back once the semester ends.

When asked what they do most often for food:

go out to eat.

eat at dining halls.

You’ll make back some of your money.

49%

19%

order takeout.

college students 20%

10% buy groceries.

check for e-book versions.

Amazon and Chegg offer textbook and e-book rentals.

Sources: forbes.com, cnn.com, collegeboard.org

Costs of college continue to rise causing student debt Professionals share how and why colleges are raising tuition prices over the years Josh Inwald

Over the past 35 years, the costs of attending four-year undergraduate research universities have increased by roughly 550%, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although a variety of factors including increased enrollment are likely to blame, the end result is clear: higher college costs are impacting students’ choice of college.

“The costs of colleges are rising because as more kids attend college, schools need to add more teachers and more housing. So in addition to increasing costs of living, more students means higher tuition overall,” discusses Sherrie English, director of Bloomfield Hills High School’s College Resource Center. “It’s a supply and demand situation, and I don’t think prices are going to stop rising.”

As English elaborates, students are becoming more careful in picking colleges that align with their ability to pay because costs have escalated so rapidly.

“Higher costs are having an impact on where kids are attending college. For example, some students are studying at private,

Freshman wins auto show contest Student wins 3rd place in the North American Auto Show Poster Contest

She was speechless.

“When I submitted my poster, I never expected getting third place,” admits freshman Claire Beresford.

“I really knew nothing about this [graphic design] class and never thought I would win, so this showed me if you really work hard you can accomplish anything.”

Beresford’s poster, one of the 989 entries, won third place in the annual Auto Show poster contest. Beresford says along with $100 of prize money and the two tickets to the Auto Show she received, her poster will be displayed from January 18-26 at the show for the public to view.

“The entire class was required to create an event poster for the Auto Show contest,” says graphic design teacher Angel Esshaki. “The contest has certain I always tell guidelines that all the the class students that eighty must adpercent of here to, a project is like the size of the planning. poster and Angel Esshaki including Graphic Design the date. teacher H o w ever, as far as design and creativity goes it was completely up to the students to do as they pleased.”

Beresford describes the different steps she took in creating her poster in her graphic design class.

“First I had to come up with the idea of my poster which took me a while. Then I had to get all the pictures, which I mostly took, which also took a couple weeks,” explains Beresford. “I then had to sketch out everything and how I wanted it to look. After that, putting everything together on the poster didn’t take that long.”

“I always tell the class that eighty percent of a project is planning and twenty is actually doing. Claire really took that advice and followed it,” explains Esshaki. “She has a drive to want to learn and did something different and out of the box. I’m not surprised she won.”

Claire’s father, Chris Beresford, explains his daughter’s interest in art and how winning this contest could be a starting point for a future career.

“She is very passionate about what she does and enjoys the creative and design side of the graphic design class. She has always liked art but this was pretty much the first year she took the class,” says Chris. “She loves what she does and was very excited to win. I definitely think she has a calling there.”

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buy groceries and make meals for groups.

out-of-state schools only if they get a certain amount of scholarship money. In-state schools are tough to turn away because they are significantly cheaper, and unless there’s a specific major that can’t be found at a Michigan college, our universities have a lot to offer in terms of undergraduate studies.”

In an effort to partially offset ever-increasing costs and compete with cheaper public schools, top private colleges such as Northwestern University are adopting more general financial aid programs.

“Although we cannot speak for other colleges, Northwestern has a long-standing commitment to meet a student’s full demonstrated financial need,” says a representative from Northwestern’s Financial Aid Committee.

“This means that after the family contribution has been assessed, the student will receive a financial aid award consisting of scholarship, loans and work to cover the remaining costs. Northwestern also has a robust noloan program for its highest need population and a cumulative debt-cap of $23,500.”

However, private out-of-state schools are not the only ones whose costs are soaring. Public schools and their enrollees are also feeling the fiscal squeeze, only their monetary troubles stem from reduced state and federal funding, according to Catherine Rampell of the New York Times.

senators in Michigan

Page Editor

cook large meals and eat leftovers over the week.

Tuition isn’t the only cost college students incur.

To avoid struggling with future debt, follow these money saving tips.

38 state

Jasmine Sharma

textbooks

This could save you hundreds of dollars in a month.

*

There are

facts

$

SAVE MONEY

$

$

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> HOW to <

$

On November 20th 2013, Bloomfield Hills High School alum Ryan Fishman (class of ‘07) announced he will be running for Michigan state senator in the 2014 election as a Democrat.

“I felt very privileged when Ryan asked me to be his keynote speaker at his announcement party,” says AP Econom-

I’m a great candidate for it.” cal change, Fishman also wants However, according to to engage high school students like senior Johnston, Fishman’s Daniel Baum. interest in politics “I think it’s started at an early age.

I’m so proud of “Ryan was always what Ryan is try- never too early to start in invery interested in politics, but he was ing to accomplish, tercity politics,” always pretty quiet in and I’m happy to says Baum. “For class,” says Johnston. see that he’s also students who are “I never thought that reaching out to interested in politics, Ryan is very he would run for state students. open [to] finding senator, at least not a way for them this early in his life. Vivian Johnston to get involved.

Perhaps I saw it some AP Economics I have worked on time down the road.”

Along with statewide politi- a few different campaigns and

the

Jordan Wooten

ics teacher Vivian Johnston, who taught Fishman. “I actually was quite taken aback that I meant so much to him that he would ask me to speak for him.”

Fishman explains what drove him to make the decision to run.

“While attending Syracuse University, I was reporting for the Clear Channel radio station. That was when I got to know many politicians and realized change was needed.

Lansing is broke, and we need people who are going to be accountable for the decisions they make, and I think

“

Showing interest in politics as a child, BHS graduate pursues his dream

2007 07

BHS Alum runs for Michigan state senate in upcoming election

“As governments continue to take money away from public schools like Michigan and Michigan State, it makes it a little bit harder for kids to attend even these in-state schools,” describes English. “Thousands of high school graduates are now going to community colleges for their first and second years, getting their required credits out of the way, and then transferring to another school to finish their bachelor’s degree, solely for the purpose of saving money.”

Multiple Bloomfield Hills High School seniors have been affected by the trend of rising higher education costs, both at undergraduate and graduate levels.

“Pricing did not affect where I applied to school, but it will definitely affect which college I choose,” predicts senior Rohan Sinha.

“I have an offer to go to school in cheaper Ann Arbor, so I need to compare whether it’s worth it to go out-of-state where I’d be paying $65,000 a year, plus travel costs. But, at the end of the day, I don’t want to make a decision I might regret. I’ve never heard anyone say ‘I regret going to the more expensive school,’ but I have heard the opposite.”

“It is especially important to consider the cost of graduate schools, because those costs are high no matter where you go,” believes senior Shivam Patel. “If you want to study at higher level institutions for eight years,

you will be placing a heavy financial burden on whomever supports you. The type of financial aid I receive will be hugely important in deciding what school I go to.”

As a hopeful college athlete, senior Maddie Ford offers a unique perspective on the college financing equation.

“I’m going to play soccer for Loyola University in Chicago, but it’s expensive because Loyola is in the middle of the city. Higher college costs are giving students like me a lot of anxiety, so I have to be realistic and understand that I need to apply for other scholarships in order to make it to Loyola. In this respect, I believe that higher costs are bad for society overall because they are limiting potential students’ choices.”

As a final word of advice to upperclassmen, English recommends adopting an optimistic yet realistic frame of mind.

“For juniors, I say stay focused on what you honestly want, not a grandiose idea of going someplace fun like the University of Colorado. Boulder is always popular given its skiing, but there’s no getting around out-of-state tuition. And for seniors, everyone should fill out the information required for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because even if you’re not applying for need-based aid, many university scholarships want that information. Sometimes you can get money even if you didn’t think you would qualify.”

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the

CAMPUS News

A5

February

Class rings coming back Balfour representatives reintroduce old traditions Liza Hsu

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

! "

#

Hannah Bradley Page Editor

After leaving school for the day, she has more work to do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My schedule is hectic. During the week, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get home until 11 p.m. most of the time, but sometimes I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t finish until 1 a.m.,â&#x20AC;? shares senior Farah Fadel, who works multiple nannying jobs and as a barista at Biggby Coffee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyday I work at Biggby, then I go to nanny a baby and lastly I nanny two boys.â&#x20AC;?

Many students face the challenge of balancing a job and school work. A few students, like Fadel, work multiple jobs.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen evidence that kids awake for the rest of the day.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become more rewho have jobs actually manage their time better. When teachers sponsible because I get my work give time in class to study, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done faster now if I know I have going to take advantage of that,â&#x20AC;? to go to work,â&#x20AC;? describes senior explains AP Economics teacher Alex Donnelly, who works at The Somerset Vivian Johnston. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Collection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It think the biggest danger helps is if they have a job that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen evidence definitely me to manage my makes them work late that kids who time better. I try and they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t study for a have jobs actu- not to work too test the next day or they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sleep adequately.â&#x20AC;? ally manage their much during the week, but when Fadel concurs, saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;I time better.

I do, I either try to use advisory to try Vivian Johnston to get most of my work AP Economics teacher have to get my homework done done. I also pay attention a lot in class so that way I before I go to work or work donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to try to relearn the hard to finish it quickly after.â&#x20AC;?

Fadel describes the challenges lessons on my own. I only need to sleep about three or four hours sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faced in having multiple jobs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll admit that working three and thankfully Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m completely

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Students share how they handle working a part time job and school

jobs has really impacted my social life. The only times I can really hang out with people is on Sunday afternoons,â&#x20AC;? shares Fadel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only other activity I do is Spanish club, but it does take up a lot of time because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the president of the club.â&#x20AC;?

According to Fadel, while there are obstacles she encounters, there are also many benefits to having a job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do feel more independent having jobs. I bought my own car and I pay for my own gas, insurance, and my clothes,â&#x20AC;? explains Fadel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve definitely become more conscious on my purchases. I see a value to my money because I had to work to earn it.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having a job teaches kids responsibility and importance

$ %

of being somewhere on time.

They also have a boss they have to learn to take direction from without arguing or making excuses and learn to take criticism politely,â&#x20AC;? explains Johnston. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A boss or a customer isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to care about sensitivity so they have to learn how to handle adversity and directness.â&#x20AC;?

Fadel says that having a job in high school will definitely benefit her in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become more charitable through working a job because I meet a lot of people and see what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going through.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned how to treat people as well, knowing the importance of good manners and kindness. By having a job, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve definitely changed as a person.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

PICTURE

If you liked it, then you can put a ring on it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think that [class rings] have a lot of sentimental and traditional values,â&#x20AC;? says sophomore Caitlin Emerson, who is considering purchasing one in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, I think theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become less popular because people have yearbooks and social media sites to look back on their high school experience.â&#x20AC;?

During the 2014 and 2015 class meeting on the subject of graduation, information regarding a new class ring for Bloomfield Hills High School emerged.

According to Balfour representative Sharon Glow, class ring prices have been relatively stable for the last ten years and popularity depends on the amount of school spirit present in the high school.

Prices for class rings range from $150 to $300 depending on extra add-ons and setting styles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expensive, but it represents your [graduatI do think class ing] class rings have and shows become more that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to popular in be a gradsports rather uate from than just the the school student body. you attended,â&#x20AC;?

Sam James explains Senior senior Sam James. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I do think class rings have become more popular in sports rather than just the regular student body, due to sports teams getting them when they win championships.â&#x20AC;?

Choir teacher Jessica Riley, who still has her graduating class ring says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This graduation memorabilia is timeless and will always be there to remind you of the good times and the bad times experienced during high school.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yearbooks can break and tear, people move on from social media, but class rings can be passed down from generation to generation,â&#x20AC;? remarks Riley, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wear mine occasionally, and each time I wear it I am reminded of my high school and especially my experience in the choir program there.â&#x20AC;?

Going green BHHS is continuing the tradition of being a green school

Classes at BLOOMFIELD HILLS HIGH SCHOOL 3456 Lahser Rd. Room 214 Segment One Classes: $295.00

Feb 24,25,26,27, Mar 3,5,6,7,10,11,12,13, 2014 (3 weeks) 3-5 pm

Segment Two Classes: $60.00 Feb 19,20,21, 2014 W, Th, F 3-5 pm

Classes at 6785 Telegraph Rd Suite 213

Segment One Classes: $295.00

Feb 1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23, Mar 1,2,8,9, 2014 (6 weeks) 9-11 am or 6:30-8:30 pm

Segment Two Classes: $60.00 Mar 15,16,29, 2014 Sat, Sun, Sat 11:45 am-1:45 pm

APPLE driving school

Sadhna Ramanathan

Rubble, rubble, toil and trouble: a newer, greener structure arises from the burial ground of the old school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are different aspects of being â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;green schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or environmentally efficient institutions. In previous years Andover and Lahser have achieved the accolade of being a green school with certain programs that helped them reach that status,â&#x20AC;? Hollerith says.â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a district, we have been granted the wonderful opportunity of a fresh start, where our new building can be made incredibly efficient and reduce our environmental footprint.â&#x20AC;?

While the administration expresses a commitment to the green school, some say that cost-efficiency may outweigh the potential benefits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From a construction standpoint weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using a lot of recycled building materials,â&#x20AC;? Hollerith describes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The components for the building are going to be a lot more energy efficient and greener in terms of their emissions.â&#x20AC;?

However, according to Superintendent Rob Glass, they will not be harvesting the new schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full green potential. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes, it just costs more than itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth,â&#x20AC;? Glass discloses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it comes to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;going greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, there is something called L.E.E.D. - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.â&#x20AC;?

He says that higher levels of L.E.E.D. incur higher costs, outweighing benefits.

Assistant Principal Margaret Schultz says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be going as green as we can, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re definitely making a lot of progress. Be it with the construction of the new school, or making do with the old Lahser building, we are definitely functioning efficiently.â&#x20AC;?

Glass adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will not pursue platinum L.E.E.D. because it would add to the cost of the construction.

However, we are meeting many of the L.E.E.D. standards in the design of the building anyway, because we think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the right thing to do.â&#x20AC;?

the

WORD

Just a year older Maddy Pazner

Courtney Zhu • Chinese parents do not pick up an item for the newborn from a pool of conventional given names. In stead, they create a new given name for the baby.

Want to share your voice?

Do you have an opinion? Do you want to tell others what you think? If you answered yes to any of these questions, write a letter to the editor, sharing your opinion on a story from this issue.

Letters to the editor may be dropped off in Miss Hammitt’s room 107 during 6th hour, or emailed to bloomfieldhawkeye@gmail.com.

They may be edited for content and/or space.

• Chinese given names carry semantic values. They are meaningful in the language. The meanings are usually associated with desirable social or physical features.

•When a person changes his name, and picks up a new one, the people around will soon get used to it. The situation is quite similar to that women change their last names when getting married.

•Changing Asian names when coming to America has become more common over the years.

facts

the

Associate Editor

Stumbling upon a name such as Xinlei, she is left perplexed and disoriented.

Before she tries to pronounce it, I chime in with my infamous line.

“Hi, my name is Xinlei, but you can call me Courtney.”

This is routinely followed by a roomful of baffled expressions.

The teacher asks, “Where did you get Courtney from Xinlei?”

Some girl in a green shirt inquires “So did you just like… pick your name?”

Let’s not ignore the million dollar question, “Why don’t you go

by Xinlei?”

Long story short, I changed my name because of phonetics, because it is difficult to pronounce. The X-sound is not part of the American language, making my native name nearly impossible to pronounce for the average Joes.

While phonetics seem like a weak reason to change a name, it means much more than just a mispronunciation.

I wanted to change my name at a young age, a time when “fitting in” was all-important. I’m not ashamed to admit that I was that girl who bought Heelys as soon as I witnessed two other classmates glide to class.

I was that girl who begged my parents to buy me a Webkinz when I saw the plush pets pop up around every corner of school. I wanted to fit it; it’s as simple as that.

Fitting in, however, had a different meaning for me.

I was born in China. I had moved to Germany and back to China all within the first five years of my life. I did not have the stability that many kids enjoyed in their childhood. I never said the phrase “I want to go home” as a kid because I didn’t know where “home” was.

The journey didn’t stop. When I moved from China to the United States in third grade, I was not only struggling to learn a new language but also assimilate to a foreign world.

{ Beliefs Battle OF

the

“

“

The slums

Changing names symbolizes the journey taken

Associate Editor

Are you one? Are you two?

Are you three?

By the time the counting gets to 18 it seems a little unnecessary. The “transition to adulthood” could not be more of a let down. It’s not that I did not celebrate or enjoy my birthday because I did. However, that is not what I am talking about.

No matter how big a party or how many presents there is no possible way that on 11:59 before turning 18 I was a “child” and a minute later I was mature enough to be an adult. The false hype that is produced when getting to The ‘transition the 18th of to adulthood’ year life is ulcould not be timately more of a let d i s a p down. pointing.

The reason 18 is so unknowingly bland is because people think that becoming an adult opens so many doors.

In reality, this is far from true. According to the law we can be tried as adults at the age of 17, so technically we have been at the level of “adult” for an entire year before thinking we were. Not to mention the fact that the things adults are actually allowed to do at 18 are either limited or negative. I can honestly say being able to sign a contract, change my name, or be legally cut off from my parents if they choose to do so are hardly worth the celebration.

The only truly exciting part is that I get to vote, but I will not even get the chance until 2016. I guess for some the chance to legally get pierced or tattooed can be exciting, but for those of us who choose not to have tongues and bellybuttons that can’t make it through airport security there really is no change.

I have heard that 17 is the least significant birthday, but at least you know to prepare for the nothingness. I guess I will just have to wait until 21 for the real fun to start.

February

Looking beyond the beauty

Nonetheless, this foreign world provided me with the sense of stability and comfort I had yearned for my entire childhood.

It was then that I decided to go by Courtney.

Adopting an American name made me feel a sense of belonging, like I had found my home. As a child, that was all that mattered to me.

Evidently, my priorities have changed since my pink-loving, barbie-collecting days. But even ten years later, I’ve never regretted changing my name.

With ambitious goals and high expectations, I am now a collegebound junior; my future and my success mean everything to me.

Had I not changed my name, I may have encountered obstacles to my future.

According to human brain analyst Robin Paggi, name pronounceability is linked to job success. Easily pronounced names receive likability in the workplace. It’s purely human nature.

When we process a piece of information more easily, when something is easier to understand, we come to like it more.

Nowadays, “survival of the fittest” exists in any competitive job market. I didn’t want anything–not even my name–to hinder my path.

Some may wonder, “Aren’t you turning your back on your past?”

I value my dreams and aspirations just as much as my heritage. The adoption of an American name is symbolic of many things, but the abandonment of my cultural roots is certainly not one of them.

My name is 朱鑫磊. My name is Courtney Zhu. Neither name defines who I am; I define who I am.

Changing my name is not taking away from my cultural identity. Rather, changing my name is symbolic of the journey I took and the person I am.

But everyone’s story is different. If you’re someone like me–who feels that changing your name doesn’t change who you are–by all means, you should change it to fit you.

CHANGING CHINESE NAMES

Mayssa Masri

Driving by the trashed allies in the slums of Colon, I caught a glimpse of some Panamanian children kicking around a plastic water bottle. Surrounding each other, the kids cheered in a frenzy each time a teammate made a goal into a trash can.

Their dusty, oversized, raggedy clothes looked as though they had been passed down for many generations.

They all seemed so… happy.

I felt touched and saddened all at once.

Seeing abandoned homes and torn down schools, I noticed lawns covered in waste with grass in need of trimming, like a person in desperate need of a haircut.

Being blessed with the opportunity to attend a prominent high school Looking at all and live the opportuni- a financially ties in my life, stable life, I realize not shouldn’t everyone’s as t h e s e fortunate as I children deserve am. the same?

W h a t sets me apart from them?

Thinking of the luxurious life given to me and how it patiently waited for me back in Michigan, I wondered: What did I do to deserve any of it? I was simply born into a different family at a different time.

Looking at all the opportunities in my life, I realize not everyone‘s as fortunate as I am.

Seeing the families on the streets with eyes lit with excitement, I begin to wonder what their lives were like and what struggles they’ve overcome. I wonder if I would ever be strong enough to live through such poverty and still manage to have a smile. I wonder if my friends back home would care about the column I was going to write.

Am I the only one who goes through life without giving much thought to those suffering from poverty and famine?

Reflecting on my experiences, I ultimately feel a rush of guilt for not being as thankful for my life as I should be, when I know how much worse others have it.

My eyes have opened to a new reality that I’ve been sheltered from my entire life. I begin to question myself: is it possible to make a difference?

If so, aren’t we obligated to do whatever we can in order to give others the opportunities that we were born with?

“

}

One name is just enough Anshu Chen Co-Editor-in-Chief

“What’s your name?”

“Anshu.”

“No, your American name.”

Said my kindergarten teacher. The moment I came to the United States, I was smothered in the politely implicit suggestion that my name was invalid. If only I had a regular name like Jennifer or Anne! There was always a little pause when teachers saw my name on the attendance sheet. After a while, I stopped correcting their pronunciations. I resigned myself to abnormality.

I never did make the switch to an American name. A mouse doesn’t ask to be called a lion.

Still, sometimes I longed to be normal.

What would it be like to say “Hi, I’m (Susan, Mary, Caroline)” and receive a simple nod? I asked myself this question after an encounter with an older gentleman at MSU last year. When he heard my name, he smiled with guileless patronization.

“That’s Oriental, isn’t it?”

Oh, sorry, let me just go put on my qipao and stick a pair of chopsticks into my hair.

(I didn’t say anything like that. I stammered something indistinct and left.)

But that incident made me think. Would peo-

ple like me more if I had a normal name? Did my name reduce me to a stereotype? Wasn’t this an opportunity to remake my own identity?

I turned my name over in my head, examining it like a childhood toy about to be discarded. My name is 陈安纾. My parents had picked it out of the dictionary. Chinese names are inherently unique. Each name needs to be formed anew from combining existing words. 安纾 is the “Anshu” part. 安 means peaceful, and 纾 means comfort. My name is formed out of my parents’ love and hope. Why should I change it to please other people? If they couldn’t pronounce or understand it, that was their problem.

After some thought, I also realized that my name really isn’t a problem for anyone. It’s no longer the 19th century, when Polish-Americans had to change their last names to avoid stigma (and Chinese-Americans were stigmatized regardless). Most people I’ve met are perfectly fine with calling me Anshu.

I’m certainly not criticizing anyone who changes their name—everyone finds their identity differently—but I am comfortable with staying Anshu. The name has been my anchor growing up, and no doubt it will continue to be so. I don’t know much about the woman I will be in twenty years, but I know her name. That’s enough.

•All minors must receive parental consent before changing their names.

If the child is 12 or older, their consent is required as well.

•Naturalization applications contain a box designated for name change requests.

•About a century ago, many immigrants’ names were simplified by shipping agents before they departed for America.

•Experts have witnessed a decline in name changing over the past few decades.

facts

the

Turning 18 does not live up to the hype

A6

“

Opinion

Letters to th e Ed ito r

Impressed by non-biased article

The text can wait

Relating to others through diets

Colin Beresford

Niketh Chopra

Lizzy DeSellier

Sophomore

Sophomore

Sophomore

Dear Editor, In the October issue of The Hawkeye, something caught my eye.

The article Taking the Pledge, by Anshu Chen, on page A1, covers a very controversial topic in an exemplary way. The use of different sources, such as knowledgeable AP government teachers, as well as a variety of students, shows both sides of the argument on the

pledge of allegiance during school. I was very impressed with the different opinions used in this article, as well as the way they were strung together to give the audience a non-biased article on the topic.

{YOUR AD HERE}

Dear Editor, While reading The Hawkeye, I completely agreed with Hannah Bradley in her article about texting and driving. Driving itself is a task that requires a lot of attention and by texting while you’re driving, you are taking away attention from driving and putting it into the text conversation. By moving your attention,

the lives of the driver as well as other people are at risk. So why do people still do it? I believe that drivers have a feeling that it couldn’t happen to them until it’s too late. So in order to prevent the driver from being in this situation he or she should just wait until they’re done driving. After all no text is worth a person’s life.

D e a r E d i t o r, As I was reading the November issue of The Hawkeye, I stumbled upon an ar ticle about Megan Wester written by Maddy Pazner.

I think it’s really cool that Megan went without eating meat or animal products for that matter. I went through the same thing when I was in seventh grade and my dad was in the

intensive care unit for hear t problems. It’s like a big slap in the face that you need to watch your health.

But, like any previous meat lover, I fell back into my old ways and ate meat again. That’s why it’s so cool that Megan stuck with it, so proud!

30% DISCOUNT RATE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF

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the

BACKPAGE News

A8

February

SLEEPLESS IN SCHOOLS

what you are missing out on

The Benefits of Sleep better memory

Psychology Today reports that sleep protects new memories from disruption & it consolidates memories according to their relative importance and the learner's expectations for remembering.

Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

increased stamina

The American Medical Association reported that 85 percent of teens don’t have enough sleep. Learn more how all those late nights add up and how BHHS is considering making a change.

By catching enough shut-eye, you can catch the touchdown. Stanford University conducted a study and it revealed that those who sleep more experience less daytime fatigue and have more stamina.

Sle

ep

decreased inflammation Inflammation is a known cause of heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes.

Studies reveal that those who get more sleep are less prone to inflammation.

Merrick Weingarten :[HMM >YP[LY

Sitting in bed, he wished for just a few more hours of sleep.

“I wake up every morning tired and exhausted; all I want to do is go back to bed,” explains sophomore Matthew Fealk. “I press the snooze button one time, but I then realize I need to get ready for school. I barely ever eat breakfast because I do not wake up early enough.”

According to the Bloomfield Hills School District superintendent, Rob Glass, the idea of high school starting later has been discussed multiple times at the board’s biannual six month meetings.

“Right now there aren’t any plans to necessarily change anything, but we always try to keep an open mind and see if there would be any reason to change the schedule,” says Glass. “It’s not something we’re considering in a big way right now, [we’re] just listening to people share their opinions.”

“I think school starting later would be a good idea,” agrees Fealk.

“There are many studies that show that schools who have already made this change [have] students [who] are less likely to fall asleep in class, causing them to score higher on their exams because they are able to pay attention better.”

According to the Sleep for Science Program, teenagers need an average of nine hours of sleep per night for proper brain development. However, teens average fewer than seven hours per school night by the end of high school. Since teens need at least eight to nine hours of sleep, waking up at five or six a.m. can result in a pattern of sleep deprivation. This ends up creating a higher risk of depression or car accidents.

Bloomfield Hills School Board President Ingrid Day supports the research saying that, “It seems like a majority of kids, when they hit thirteen or fourteen, do better when they can get up a little later--the young kids have a tendency to wake up earlier.”

Support for changing school schedules extends beyond Bloomfield. A national petition has been created stating that school cannot start before eight in the morning. This petition has been signed by over 50,000 people nationwide, and could be on its way to legislation soon.

However, as Glass explains starting school later would create multiple issues.

“High school students and their sleep cycles would favor coming to school later. But there are a lot of factors that really aren’t things that we can control. People need that late afternoon time to get everything done,” explains Glass.

Another problem Glass says is coordinating athletics. “It would be hard to coordinate sports schedules. It is something that we would have to coordinate with other districts. Let’s say that we were going to switch; we would not be able to match up with other districts [with schedules], so you need to have the whole county do it.”

Many athletes oppose the idea of school starting later because of how late sports practices would end. “I think that if sports practices were later it would put more stress on students to get their homework done since we would not have as much time,” states sophomore Robert Olesnaich who plays soccer and runs track.

The final problem, Glass says if the start time does change the school district would also have transportation issues.

“We would still keep the bus route going how they are. You kind of need to because most students and parents seem to like having a separate bus route for elementary, middle and high school.” explains Glass. “So, if you’re going to keep the bus routes the same, you would have to flip-flop elementary and high school [bus routes].

“I am open to trying it. If there is a demand, that tells me that I need to start trying to help make it happen. [But] bringing change is tough.”

what are some consequences of sleep deprivation

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation F

73%

55%

THERE GOES THAT GPA! Students who tend to get all A’s & B’s tend to get half an hour of sleep more than C and D students. If you’re looking to get better grades then look no further than your sleeping schedule. The average GPA of those who stay up later is a 2.65 as compared to a 3.05 for students who wake up early.

Suffering with ACNE? Sleep deprivation is likely to be one of the many culprits for your preposterous pimples!

of teens who report feeling unhappy/depressed also report not getting enough sleep at night. of drowsy driving fatalities occur under the age of twenty-five

37.9% during the day at least once in the last month

of people reported unintentionally falling asleep

31%

of high school students get an average of 8+ hours of sleep

INFANTS 14-15 hours

CHILDREN 10-11 hours

TEENAGERS 8-9 hours

ADULTS 7-9 hours

So, how much sleep do we

need?

Tips for a good nights rest TURN OFF THAT CELL PHONE Studies show that sleeping with your phone decrease the quality of your sleep because of the distractions

DON’T NAP FOR MORE THAN 15-20 MINUTES If you spend too long napping in the day, you’ll have a much harder time falling asleep at night

GRAB A CUP OF TEA Next time you’re parched before bed, substitute coffee with chamomile tea.

Chamomile is known for it’s calming effects.

CRACK OPEN A GOOD BOOK Don’t think about turning on the TV or checking your e-mails until you fall asleep. Mentally prepare yourself for bedtime by reading a book

DO NOT EXERCISE Put down the Barbell, if you exercise before going to bed you’ll be too alert to go to sleep. If you work out earlier in the day, it will help you sleep more easily in the evening

CREATE A SOOTHING SLEEPING ENVIORNMENTPut Dim the lights, quietly play calming music, and breathe. If you have a calming sleeping enviornment, you’ll be likely to fall asleep earlier.

Now that you see the impact that a lack of sleep can have on your body, it’s important to take steps to make sure you’re getting good sleep!

Sweet Dreams!

Lifestyle

B1 February

LIFESTYLE

SCIENCE TEACHER ESCAPED COMMUNISM AT YOUNG AGE

table of contents

Annie Reed

According to Vasile, her parents were labeled as such because her father and his band attempted to play western music like the Beatles. “They Science teacher Margie could not allow the child of rebels to do well.”

Vasile shares how she came Continuing through middle school, she came to an important discovery in 8th grade: to America from Romania a discovery that was a key to her escape.

She didn’t always believe in the phi“I was setting the ball in volleyball and we losophy of “what’s meant to be, will be,” noticed that I would turn my entire body when but defecting from the communist resetting to middle. As it turned out, I was comgime in Romania altered her perspective. pletely blind in my left eye. My family was “The population did whatever they were told to then able to get a letter from an American ophdo, no questions ever asked,” remarks anatomy thalmologist explaining that I needed to come and biology teacher Margie Vasile, who spent to the United States for an eye procedure.” the first fourteen years of her life under com“I did not come until I had been accepted munism in Sibiu, Romania. “Kids were esinto the top class of the prestigious Biologysentially little robots. If we did not stand and Chemistry High School [in salute the teacher when they Romania.]” Vasile said. “I walked in, at the same time and “I was so young remember answering the with the same salutation, there and so excited phone call [that allowed would be serious repercussions.” us to come to the United about what my Vasile grew up in an identiStates]. I handed the phone cal learning environment to that life would be over to my mother and that’s of all students in the country. when I arrived” when we got the news that I “Regardless of your school, would be allowed to leave.”

Margie Vasile the same lessons specified by Vasile explains that she the government were given on Teacher and her mother were althe same exact day,” says Vasile. lowed to go to America, “I guess one plus was that evbut were to return after the ery student in the country was “surgery;” however, her father and younger learning the same curriculum across the board.” sister had to stay in Romania as insurance.

Vasile says she was an excellent stu“I knew that we were not coming back. My dent, but her last name posed a probmother and father knew that we were not comlem for her after elementary school. ing back. We were separated for four years,” she “I had phenomenal grades until middle school. recalls. “I was so young and so excited about It was not that I became a bad student, but that what my life would be when I arrived in the my parents were named as rebels,” she explains.

Managing Editor

United States. It was all a dream. However, I did not know what to dream. We’d watch television for two hours and majority of it would be propaganda. There was a dream, but of what?

I didn’t really know. I trusted my parents.”

Vasile says that she and her mother made it safely to America and stayed with her aunt and uncle in Bloomfield Hills. That year, a timid Margie Vasile, who spoke no English, stepped onto the campus of Lahser High School to start her freshman year.

“I was extremely shy, but I felt that Lahser was one of the most welcoming environments I could have walked into.”

“In order to keep up with my classes, I would tape record all of my lectures. I went home, attempted to translate every single word of the lecture, and then try to figure out how to do my homework.”

With much support from the LHS staff, Vasile felt completely integrated and was out of all of her English as a Second Language (ESL) classes by her sophomore year.

“Throughout high school I kept telling myself, ‘I will do my best and whatever happens, happens.”

The communist government fell in December of 1989. Her father and sister made it out in May of 1990. They finally made their tear filled reunion on Lahser’s Honors Night, where Vasile was receiving recognition.

“They arrived on honors night at LHS when I found out that I was awarded a scholarship from English teacher Mrs. Maggie Zidar for writing an essay about someone that has influenced my life (I wrote about my dad). It was amazing, I was reunited with my family and found out I was go- Vasile on B4 ing to college on the same day.”

Romanian Fast Facts The Socialist Republic of Romania existed from 19471989 In December of 1989, riots spread and led to the overthrow of the president, ending the Socialist Republic of Romania The anti-communist riot in Brasov on November 15, 1987 was the main riot that brought down the Communist Party Romania joined NATO (The North American Treaty Organization) in 2004

[section B]

B2: the memories

Nisa Kahn

Staff Writer

B3: the game

Danielle Okezie’s passion for math has opened many doors

B4: the people B5: the people B6: the hawkstars B7: the life B8: the scoop

out of context “I didn’t have to go through all the Common App stuff like everyone else.”

“Kids are pigeonholed into thinking that they have to do a project.”

eaded to arvard

“I didn’t know what to expect.

How are they going to interact with the kids?”

the

FACTS

1/4

of each ketchup bottle is entirely made of sugar

1.6

million children, out of the 65 million in the U.S. are adopted

36%

of women’s lacrosse recruits commit to colleges early

As her family got ready for a wedding, little did she know that when she checked her email, her day would get even wilder.

“I was so excited,” says Danielle Okezie.

“My sister and I were jumping up and down and making so much noise. We probably awakened some people with our celebration.”

Danielle Okezie has been accepted into Harvard University’s Class of 2018.

Throughout her academic career, Okezie says she has been driven by a need to succeed.“For as long as I can remember, I have had a keen interest in math and science and how they are used to solve everyday problems,” she explains, “Every summer since 5th grade, I have attended a university engineering program. I started taking high school math in elementary school and was finished with AP Calculus BC in middle school and thereafter took advanced math classes through Stanford University.”

However, Okezie believes that there is much more to an application than grades, “Although high test scores are important, I think having a passion for something and devoting a lot of time to develop[ing] that passion is also important.”

Okezie believes her passion for volunteering began when she was in the middle and was tutoring others in math.

“It was very intimidating at first, especially when I was in the sixth grade and helping high school juniors and seniors. Everybody looked like giants, but they were nice. It helped me overcome my shyness.” Okezie remembers. “When I first came here in 6th grade, I was extremely nervous, but my teachers all helped me feel more comfortable. Helping other students is a small way of giving back.”

Bloomfield Hills High School Learning Support teacher Tamala Valentine has known Okezie through the school’s tutoring program.

“We worked closely together, four days a week for three years,” she explains, “Danielle is an excellent role model for Okezie on other students. One thing I apB7 preciate about her is that she always wanted to give back to the community.”

BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVOR SHARES ONGOING RECOVERY STRUGGLE

Michelle Phillips Staff Writer

The Rottenberk family battles an acoustic neuroma She couldn’t open her eyes or lift her head off the pillow. Something was wrong.

“My heart dropped out of my chest. I started to cry, and I thought that maybe it was over for her,” describes senior Marcus Rottenberk upon hearing the news. “It was the summer going into my freshman year, and moms are the [people] that usually help you through that transition, but she wasn’t there.”

Over two years ago, Marcus’s mother Karen Rottenberk was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a slow growing tumor that develops on the nerve connecting the ear to the

B2

brain. This left Karen with only twenty percent of her hearing, and she had to relearn to walk.

“The doctor came in and told us that I had a brain tumor, and that it was rather large. It needed to come out right away because that’s what was causing the dizziness and my other health problems,” says Karen. “In that moment, I just felt like my whole world was falling away, and everything seems a little surreal. My husband and I looked at each other and grabbed and held on to each other. When we left the office, we just fell apart.”

Before having time to fully process the news, Karen had to undergo an immediate surgery.

“My first reaction was to turn around and look behind me because I couldn’t believe that the doctor was telling me that I had a brain tumor,” reacts Karen.

“Once I realized that he was talking to me it was shocking and

scary and the future seemed so uncertain. I was very worried.”

“I started crying because it was awful thinking about how she was going to have to go through a surgery that could either save her life or end it,” explains Max Rottenberk, Marcus’s 15 year old brother. “I was worried that this would be it.”

Karen was also concerned about how her illness would affect her family.

“I was very worried about who was going to take care of the boys, who was going to do the cooking, cleaning, and taking care of my family. That was my biggest concern,” elaborates Karen. “I wanted to be there for them the way I always have been and the way every mom wants to be for their kids.”

“We were very fortunate to be a part of the St. Hugo [church] community. They took care of all of those things for my fam-

B3

ily; all I had to do was ask.”

“It was definitely a challenge, but we all had to be there and support my mom,” says Marcus. “The whole community was helping out and pitching in so that my mom’s recovery was smooth.”

Although Karen’s family issues were taken care of, she had challenges to face on her own.

“Once I got passed the initial recovery, I had to learn to walk again because the doctors severed the balance nerves when they took out the tumor,” shares Karen. “They also severed the hearing nerve on the left side, and I was already hearing impaired on the right. That would be my biggest challenge.”

“Since she is 80 percent deaf now, it taught me that there are worse things that can happen. You can get mad about stupid little things, but there are big things that you take

B4

for granted,” says Marcus.

“As of now, my family has just learned to be a little more patient when talking to my mom because she has to read our lips.

She was not born deaf, so she can talk. But if she can’t see your mouth, she cannot understand you. It is still a challenge for her.”

Karen’s illness has impacted her son’s faith along with her personal life.

“Ever since her illness, it has made me have more faith in God. [My mom] prayed a lot at that time, so it helped me get closer to God and believe more,” explains Max. “It also made me think about never quitting. She never quit and never gave up.”

“I am hearing impaired and I have trouble communicating sometimes now because of [my tumor],” concludes Karen. “ But I feel so blessed to be alive, and I am thankful for my family. I am glad that it is all behind me.”

Fast Facts 1 out of 100,000 people develop an acoustic nueroma each year.

It occurs in about 8% of all tumors in the skull.

the

MEMORIES Lifestyle

hoops for hope

The January 28th home game, doubling as a fundraiser for cancer research, was a historic win for the Black Hawk Boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Varsity Basketball Team as they defeated Clarkston Photos taken by Courtney Zhu 74-62.

1) Senior Khalil Gracey shoots a layup while Yante Maten prepares to catch the rebound. 2) Seniors Nathan Goldbaum and Matt Murphy cheer along with the rest of the student section as the Black Hawks score their first point in the game.

3) Senior Armand Cartwright and Yante Maten prepare to receive a pass during the first quarter.

4) Senior Nathan Graham and opponent from Clarkston watch as Maten makes a free throw.

5) Seniors Dylan Deitch and Logan McDonald high five Cartwright after the first quarter ends. 6) Gracey gets ready to receive a pass while the student section cheers him on. 7) Superintendent Rob Glass introduces the families involved in the Hoops for Hope fundraiser.

B2 February

the

GAME

Lifestyle

B3 February

SPORTING SUPERSTITION Ally Jaksen Staff Writer

Do athletes’ silly pre-game rituals actually work?

“It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.”

There’s a delicate balance when it comes to superstition and luck in sports. I’m not saying that knocking on wood is a sin. I do it every once in a while.

But when an athlete insists on wearing the same, unwashed jockstrap every game because it “makes them play better”, they might need to check themselves.

I’ve been playing soccer since I could walk, and in constantly keeping up with my favorite teams, I’ve experienced a good amount of peculiar practices. A hundred Hail Marys before stepping on the field. Bubblegum before going to bat. I can assure you that superstitions like these have nothing to do with success.

Sometimes, I wear my hair in a bun during a game. Sometimes I wear it in a ponytail.

But my performance is not a result of which style I choose.

I would also bet that Roger Federer doesn’t blame his losses on the color of the sweatband he wore for any given match. The the ones who put in countless hours on the field, court, and ice. They perform well week after week because of their dedication, passion, and hard work.

Then there’s always the topic of luck.

There’s a big misunderstanding when it comes to luck and superstition. We think we can influence our luck by being superstitious, but if the definition of luck is to stand for anything, then all of the bizarre behavior and mumbo jumbo really has nothing to do with how the universe unfolds.

LeBron might break his leg in the championship game.

Meteors fall from the sky every once in a while. There’s nothing to be done about those kinds of things. No amount of special sports bras or shoelaces can prevent them from happening. So stop trying.

That being said, luck can be a scary thing. It’s frightening not knowing if something bad might happen. So of course, the first defense mechanism of the common human is to hold onto his rabbit’s foot for dear life.

But the plain fact of the matter is that superstition is all in your head. And it’s your choice if you want it to be there or not.

So wear those week old socks. Organize your TV remotes according to size. Rub your bald friend’s head. Get the good juju flowing. If it makes you feel better, go for it. But be warned, it’s weird.

OVERHEARD on superstition

“You’re putting faith in something that may have nothing to do with your actual performance.”

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

After initial deliberation, Men’s Varsity Basketball home games to remain in the Black Hawk gymnasium.

Noah Cicurel Associate Editor

fraction of the entire student body, Home is where the heart is.

Najor shares that, knowing that a “Our home is Bloomfield Hills and that’s large crowd could be expected at the where we should play,” shares Junior Cameron games, plans were made to go to Troy.

Dalton, shooting guard for the Bloomfield “Troy was close and had the availability Black Hawks Varsity Basketball team. “Playto host on the dates we potentially needing our home games at Troy would be like ed,” Najor said. “We playing an away game.” did have an alternate According to Athplan to use their gym in letic Director Avis Najor, “Knowing that there the event that we ended with a limited amount are fans in the crowd up turning too many of space in the Black who want me to people away, from getHawk gym, plans were succeed makes me a ting in to see the games. made to have home basbetter player.”

We didn’t want to kick ketball games played people out of the gym.” at Troy High School, Cameron Dalton Najor shares that due as well as having more Bloomfield Hills High School Junior to players and parents away games than home being upset about the games on the schedule. move, the team decided “The circumstances have to deal with the smaller gym and play at shown us that the number of people that we Bloomfield. However, the argument still can have fit comfortably in the gym for this remains for whether the move would type of event is between 600-650,” shares have been helpful or harmful to the team.

Najor on the original reason for the decision.

“Knowing that there are fans in the Because the gym is only able to hold a

crowd who want me to succeed makes me a better player. I’m very proud of my school and the cheering coming from the bleachers. When you go to an away game it’s just not the same. You feel the pressure and you feel that the people in the stands don’t like you. With the new high school, I feel as though we want to show off our team and our team spirit,” explains Dalton.

While players like Dalton were not happy with the change others felt that playing at Troy may actually be beneficial to the team can be debated.

“I actually think it helps the team. Traveling and getting on the bus really just brings the team closer together,” says Freshman Basketball Coach Nick Stration. “By knowing that they have the support of their teammates, and their coaches, their parents, and their friends, cheering is a big part of having success in any sport.”

Currently the Men’s Varsity Basketball team is playing its home games in the Black Hawks gym with five total home games for the season.

Dr. Keith Kaufman

catch up with

the team jan. 28

win (73-51)

jan. 31

loss (87-85)

FEB. 6

win (68-52) photos: Susan Adams Photography

Sports Psychologist

“I sleep in the game shorts of the opposing team the night before a game.

I’ve got buddies on almost every team, so I’ve collected all the shorts.”

Jason Terry NBA Shooting Guard Brooklyn Nets

“I have only one superstition: touch all the bases when I hit a home run.”

Babe Ruth

Former MLB Outfielder and Pitcher

Jump from B1: OKEZIE

“As a tutor, one of my goals is to make math less intimidating by making it more fun through interactive games,” Okezie explains, “I get the best feeling when a student understands a math problem and is able to solve it. I help students with questions from basic math/pre-algebra to Multivariable Differential Calculus, for college students.”

Through tutoring, Okezie has earned 1400 community service hours and became the primary math tutor at the Bloomfield Township Public

Library. She also works after school in the Student Academic Acceleration Program.

“Two summers ago, my sister, Christina, and I developed and presented a 10-hour seminar for district students called Peer-to-Peer Tutoring to recruit more student tutors.”

Okezie adds, “The interactive seminar was spread over five days at the Bloomfield Township Public Library and covered useful tips and resources for students interested in volunteer homework coaching.”

Along with tutoring, Okezie has continued her leadership by bringing Girls Who Code (GWC), a national organiza-

tion that strives to get more women interested in the technology and engineering field, to Bloomfield Hills High School.

“I only discovered coding this past summer. I was introduced to it through an intense immersion camp by Girls Who Code. Twenty girls were selected from metro Detroit area and we met for eight weeks at the GE headquarters in Van Buren Township.” She says, “I learned so much about coding and by the end of the eight weeks developed an application called SUMS (Sisters Understanding Math and Science) to encourage elementary school girls to explore math and science. I also

presented my app to GE corporate executives and partners and received encouraging feedback.”

Okezie’s sister, Christina says, “She [Danielle] knows how scary math can be for some people and so she developed a mobile app to make it more fun. She follows her passion and has fun finding solutions to problems.”

“Danielle has a great personality. She is very helpful and very smart,” says Martin Kohl, a GWC sponsor. “She is willing and determined to see the program through success. She has been a great help to me in the past couple of months.”

“I have seen her deal with

some difficult situations and she is tough and just keeps pushing forward.” Christina says, “She showed me that hard work and sustained commitment always pays off but giving back to the community is the best honor of all. “ “Danielle is the epitome of standing out. She is always happy and upbeat. And she wants something for the school to remember her by.

If we’d had other kids mimic what she does, we’d have a perfect world,” Valentine jokes.

To learn more about Girls Who Code, go to http://www.girlswhocode.com/. GWC meets every Monday after school to 4:30.

the

PEOPLE

Lifestyle

DIRECTING A MUSICAL Shelbi Jouni

Staff Writer

Sophomore Claudia Cooper is set to direct her own version of a classic for her MYP Project A small idea became a big life on stage.

“Claudia is sort of stepping outside the box,” says acting teacher Tina Greenlee. “I think that it is a good thing because some kids are pigeonholed into thinking that they have to do a project instead of a performance or something creative. Beyond the fact that she is just doing it as an MYP project, she is also doing it to help benefit [others]. I think that is very admirable too.”

Sophomore Claudia Cooper is directing a school wide production of one of her favorite musicals, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” for her MYP personal project.

“Last year at Andover, I participated in one act productions, which were 15 minute long student directed shows that raised money for charity,” explains Cooper. “I really liked the [experience] and I was looking for an idea for my personal project, so it kind of fit together.”

Bloomfield Hills High School Middle Years Program Coordinator Carrie James shares her excitement over Cooper’s project.

“I think that when students choose to do something uncommon and come up with an idea that is different shows everyone how personal the project can be,” says James.

Cooper adds “[My supervisors] seemed very supportive, but they were very cautious.

They knew how much work it was going to be and wanted to make sure I knew exactly what I would be doing for this project.”

“I was really impressed by her [because it is] such a huge undertaking and I thought that this will be a very exciting experience,” explains Greenlee. “She is so organized and on top of things. I’m just very impressed.”

“I had Mrs. Greenlee cast for me, [because] it’s hard to pick between your friends and the show,” says Cooper. “Also, there was a whole time before auditions even happened where I was prepping everything, cutting the script [and] trying to make sure it was possible. However, the auditions were probably the most stressful part.”

James expresses the importance of the personal aspect of the personal project. “[The project] should be something important to you, her show is very personal, powerful and meaningful to her which is the definition of a personal project,” says James.

“For kids that are looking at it and for kids that are seeing it, it opens up their mind to say this personal project can truly be anything. She has done something different than we have ever seen kids do in the past.”

Cooper’s production of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be February 27 and 28th at Bloomfield Hills High School Main Campus in the theater at 7:00pm. A student’s ticket in is to bring a canned good, which will ultimately go to a foodbank of Cooper’s choice.

JUMP from B1: VASILE

With a full academic ride to Hillsdale College and some convincing from the Dean of Academics to try teaching, she fell in love. This love for teaching brought her back to the place she once felt most welcomed, Lahser High School and now BHHS. “I learned what’s meant to be will be. The many things that have happened in my life have taught me that there is a reason for everything. You might not know the reason at that time, however later in life it will all make sense. Things happen the way they’re supposed to.”

B4

February

SENIORS ADMITTED TO DUKE UNIVERSITY Daniel Bordner Staff Writer

Erin Weingarten’s love for animals will follow her to Duke Driving up to the Weingarten mailbox, the postman dropped off his daily haul. Little did he realize the contents were about to change one girl’s life.

“When I saw the ‘Congratulations!’ on the letter, I went into a state of shock.

Duke was my ‘high reach’ and I convinced myself I wasn’t going to be accepted, ” describes senior Erin Weingarten.

Weingarten shares becoming a future Blue Devil was

Paul Pal Staff Writer

Will Tener heads to Duke after working to balance IB Program and a Varsity Swimming schedule He may not be in the workforce, but he’s already managing longer hours than most working professionals.

“School weeks are work weeks for me,” explains senior William Tener who is not only one

due to her multi-faceted approach and eventual willingness to go out of her comfort zone.

“In 6th grade my mom forced me into [Forensics]. I was so mad at her and even remember crying and saying I wasn’t going to do it. She was relentless and convinced me to speak to the coach,” she explains. “[However], because my Mom is always right, I fell in love with it. There has been nothing as beneficial to my growth as forensics. I experimented with several categories before I found my success in Oratory and then Sales in high school.”

Looking back at her daughter’s success Erin’s mother, Cindi Weingarten stated, “I strongly believed that the opportunity

to write speeches and perform benefits anyone,” “It simply makes a person more confident.”

In addition to her seven years in forensics, Erin said she loves to volunteer.

“I try to spend as much time as I can volunteering, especially at Almost Home Animal Rescue where I have done the majority of my hours and have planned several events for them. I also have worked at Deporre Veterinary Hospital for the past couple years.

“I literally cannot remember a time where I didn’t want to become a veterinarian. Ask anyone and they will say I’m obsessed. It would be a dream job to be able to be surrounded by animals and people who

of 13 seniors in the IB Diploma Programme but also a fouryear All-State swimmer. “I’m in the pool for swim practice at 5:30 AM every morning; afterwards I attend my regular classes. I also have practice after school. I’m “working” 12 hours a day and I get home at around 5:30. I get home, eat some food, and go straight to homework and studying to make sure I’m prepared for the next ‘work’ day tomorrow.”

Looking back, William jokingly responds that quitting has “crossed my mind before.

I’ve taken breaks from swimming before, but I always realize that I miss the consistency and routine that swimming brings into my life. I had all that extra time in my hands that I didn’t really know what to do with and I just ended up just sitting around doing nothing with it and not being as productive.”

“I could tell right from the start that Will is a very organized person,” explains Mike Holtz, who is the new head coach for the swim team. “He’s a very focused and driven athlete, you can tell just by having a five

care about animals as much as I do, and also be a part in saving the lives of those who literally have no voice in our society. I cannot imagine a better way to spend my life.”

Erin also attributes her success to her excellent experience with Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

“Although I didn’t enjoy it, AP United States History was very beneficial and it taught me how to study and manage my time properly. AP Chemistry and AP Biology also [provided] those same skills and will help me in the future when I study Biology in college. But by far, AP Literature has been the most useful class. My writing has never improved so much in

minute conversation with him.”

“We felt confident that William would be able to juggle the demands of both [swimming and the IB Programme] because he has had incredible IB teachers as well as the support of a strong cohort of students in the program,” explains Ellen Tener, William’s mom. “The same is true of swimming - amazing coaches and a very special community of swimmers that are always there for each other. It’s been a fantastic experience!”

According to William, swimming and the IB programme

such a short period of time. Although it is challenging, I was shocked to see the improvement in my writing. This will be extremely useful in my college career.”

In light of Erin’s recent achievement her father, Mark Weingarten, states, “We always wanted her to attend the University of Michigan and it was Erin’s decision to pursue Duke. She made that choice completely on her own but we support her in whatever she hopes to accomplish.”

Erin believes, “My family still wishes that I would stay in state instead of leaving. But I know that this is the right path for me.”

have not only provided a consistent routine but also the springboard for many possibilities such as acceptance to Duke.

“I got the notification from Duke regarding my admission when I was at a swim meet against Troy,” recallsTener.

“But I decided not to check it until after the meet because I wanted to be focused on my swimming, not the result. I’m just fortunate and lucky that I got to go the school that I wanted to. I really felt validated for my work because it had paid off.”.

Photo courtesy of Annie Reed Ally Jaksen Staff Writer

Students share the meaning behind their tattoos She wanted something memorable.

“Whenever I look at it, it’s a constant reminder that I have God with me,” says junior Sydney Toundaian about her tattoo of an ichyths or Jesus fish, “When I’m older, if I ever drift away from my faith, I can look at my tattoo and go back to it.”

Students like Toundaian are joining the growing number of young individuals expressing themselves through tattoos.

“I had wanted it for five years or so,” explains Toundaian who last summer not only got the fish tattooed but also has the Bible verse Galatians 2:20. “When I went to Peru I saw a lot of miracles that made me a true believer in God. I knew my life had been changed.

When I got home, I just knew I wanted it.”

Barbara Jones, a tattoo artist at Chroma Tattoo says “I’ve seen a lot of younger people make some poor choices, but I think as tattooing gets a little more acceptable and mainstream, young people are making better choices and really thinking about what they’re getting tattooed.”

For young people like Toundaian, Jones stresses the importance of the knowing the risks involved and taking precautions prior to making an appointment.

“Being informed means that you understand that tattoos are forever,” she notes. ”Part of that is being responsible for your own body, and taking the responsibility of researching where the better shop is [and] what kind of health risks there are involved.

The most important thing is being healthy.”

“When [Sydney] talked about having it, it’s not something we rushed out and did,” elaborates Janine Toundaian, Sydney’s mother, about giving the required parental consent to allowing her daughter to be tat-

tooed. “It wasn’t something that was spontaneous. It was well thought out. We talked about it at length with family and when it was said and done, everybody was perfectly fine with it.”

When the time came for Sydney to get tattooed, Janine notes she was nervous. “It was a little scary because you don’t know what to expect,” she explains. “I’ve never had a tattoo so I didn’t know what the process was. You have to really get educated about what they’re doing. You have to go to a reputable place, you have to find someone you trust, you have to do your homework.”

But despite the possible risks, Janine notes the Sydney’s tattoo speaks to her. “[It says that] she is very faithful, trusting in the Lord, and a good person,” states Janine. “It’s tasteful and I am very comfortable with it. It’s very pretty on her.”

“Everyone gets tattooed for their own reasons,” Jones continues. “A lot of people have tattoos for their family and friends and the things that are important to them.

I think it helps reflect your personality.”

Fast Facts The National Geographic states that in April 2000, 15% of Americans (40 million people) were tattooed.

TOP TEN

most popular spots to get tattoos

1) lower back 2) wrist 3) foot 4) ankle 5) armband 6) back-piece 7) arm 8) chest 9) breast 10) neck

the

PEOPLE

Lifestyle

BORN TOGETHER,

LIVING APART Maddy Pazner Associate Editor

Adam and Daniel Lenchner live apart These two peas no longer share a pod.

“I lived my entire life with him and then he just left,” explains senior Daniel Lenchner, whose twin brother Adam moved out to live with their dad. “It was pretty sad because I did not really know it was going to happen, but it was the best decision for him.”

After living together their entire 16 years of life, Adam decided it was time for a change.

He moved to Oxford, MI to live with his dad, Les Lenchner, while Daniel stayed with his mom, Carrie Lachman.

“Daniel and I are completely different people even though we are twins,” explains Adam, the older twin. “Growing up we did normal twin things, and we did everything together. Then, when we got older, I realized being together with him was not allowing us to create our own paths of where we wanted to go in life.”

According to Daniel, who was born two minutes later, both he and Adam had lived with their mom for their entire lives since their parents got divorced when they were about four.

Lachman says that the decision was necessary for their family and has ultimately benefited them.

“They never had the opportunity to have their own [time].

The older child has time with their parents because they were around first and the younger child has time with their parents because they are the younger child and the baby. They didn’t have any of that because they were always together, especially because they were the same sex,” says Lachman. “They were getting in each other’s way. I think it is better now because they both have their own space and when they come together, they are so happy to see each other.

According to Adam, there were a lot of events that built up to him leaving, but when he ultimately made the decision he was very satisfied. “[My mom] wanted me to be more like Daniel. She never actually said it like that, but she wanted me to go down his path, and maybe go to medical school or become a lawyer,” Adam shares. “That is just not what I want to do in life, that is not what makes me happy so I ended up moving to my dad’s.” “[My mom and I] used to disagree with each other a lot,” says Adam. “There was a whole month where it just got so overloaded with me and my mom and then one night I was just like ‘This is it. Dad’s picking me up.’ We never sat down and talked about moving schools and paperwork, none of that.”

Despite the sudden change, all members of the family have expressed that this change was necessary, and all relationships benefited from it.

“We kind of celebrate our lives more,” says Lachman.

“We make sure we plan something special or go on a trip.

It is a celebration all the time, which is really great.”

B5 February

art of Adoption

TEACHERS

WITH ADOPTED

CHILDREN Lizzie Nagel

Co-Editor-In-Chief

?

DID YOU KNOW

1/3 of American families consider adoption, but no more than 2% have adopted

Teachers Daniel Loria and David Brazle are both adoptive parents There are more orphans in the world than the people of the United Kingdom and France combined.

1.6 Million

children out of the 65 million children in the US are adopted consider adoption

actually adopt

Top 5 Most Popular Countries for americans to Adopt From

Information provided by U.S. State Department report from 2011

5

Key

3

4

1

2

1. China 2. Ethiopia 3. Russia 4. South Korea 5. Ukraine nine out of ten kids adopted internationally

169,000 children are adopted from other countries

are younger than five years old

Open

costs of adoption

Closed

ranges from

$2500 to $40,000

adoption

The adoptive family and birth parents remain confidential, with no contact prior to or after the placement of the child.

adoption

The birth parents and the adoptive family have direct contact prior to and even after the child is born.

Semi-Open adoption

The adoptive family and birth parents know basic information about each other, like first names and state of residence. Contact information, such as phone numbers and addresses, aren’t shared.

One door closed and two more opened.

“My wife and I had always considered adoption. When we had trouble having kids of our own, we knew that adoption was the next choice,” says math teacher David Brazle who has recently adopted his second child.

Brazle isn’t the only teacher open to adoption. Business teacher and football coach Daniel Loria has been through the adoption circuit as well.

According to Loria and Brazle, there are a few differences when having an adopted child versus birthing one.

“Katie has been tremendous; if anyone made this an easy transition, it was her. Katie never says anything to Addie, [our adopted daughter], about her being different or not being a real sister,” says Loria. “People do look at us at restaurants, for example. They see us and then they see Addie, and they stare.

Even though they know they stare anyways, and I know it probably bothers Addie, but she doesn’t say anything.”

“It is different, and Graden, [our adopted son], looks different than we do,” says Brazle.

“At some point, he will have to battle with his sense of identity but ultimately what families do is give you love and give you guidance, and that’s exactly what we’re giving him.”

Junior Jodie Parks, who was adopted from Korea at six months old, says she doesn’t feel different from others.

“I never really feel any different from any other kids,” says Parks. “Sometimes when we have to do family culture projects in class it can be a little different, but other than that I feel completely normal.”

According to Brazle and Loria, there are several different types of adoption and different reasons and preferences for doing so. While Brazle adopted his child domestically and as an infant, Loria adopted his daughter from China at three and a half years old.

“We have what’s called a semiopen adoption,” says Brazle.

“We went out to dinner with the birth mother and got to know her better. She made some scrapbooks so that we could share bits of her story with Graden as he’s growing up.”

“It’s different, but that’s what makes him special.

He has two moms, which is kind of neat,” shares Brazle.

Loria doesn’t think of what he did for Addie, but what Addie did for him and his family.

“People will say, ‘What a wonderful thing you did,’ but we don’t think of it that way.

Addie gave us another daughter and she gave Katie a sister.

She has given us so much.”

BLOOMFIELD HILLS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM DEVELOPS INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT

Narmeen Rehman Managing Editor

The BHSD Special Education program tailors an education plan to fit each individual As she waved goodbye to her children, the anxiety set in.

“I was nervous sending [my kids] to school on their first day, like any parent would be,” says Lori Reinke, mother of three autistic children currently enrolled in the Bloomfield Hills School District (BHSD). “I didn’t know what to expect.

How they are going to interact with the kids?

How are they going to interact with the teacher?

Are they going to be okay on the bus? And how are they going to be perceived by other kids?”

Reinke is one of the many parents who has enrolled her autistic children in the BHSD Special Education Program.

“As a parent, you become sort of obsessed with therapies to try to make your kids reach their full potential because you just really want the best for your kid. But, I learned that the school you send your children to

makes all the difference,” explains Reinke.

“I wasn’t getting what I needed in the school I used to send them to. If you have a teacher who doesn’t understand autism or special needs at all, school can become very difficult for autistic students. They need to be getting work on their level, they can’t just be left alone and expected to do well since they’re unable to naturally communicate with the teacher and the students since they don’t get social cues.”

According to Chris Rans, an autism specialist who has been in the field of autism for forty years, autism is a spectrum disorder of brain development and the disorder can become a huge burden on autistic children.

“Typical people are able to take on each others perspective. We infer; we reference what’s going on around us; we read each others social communication. But that’s what a child with autism can’t do,” explains Rans. “An Autistic child can have an extremely high IQ, however, they cannot take other peoples perspective or interpret and infer; there is literally a disconnect in the brain on overall social communication which could cause serious problems during classes. Each child diagnosed has a different level of autism, which is why their education must be specialized to fit them.”

Bloomfield Hills Schools Special Education Department Director Pam Schoemer explains, “Since autism is a spectrum disorder, some students have low needs that may need some accommodation. There are students on the other side of the spectrum who require support for their behavior, academics, and [social cues].

Depending on where students are in the spectrum, our goal is to get the student integrated as much as they can into general education.”

“Each student is different so they have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that is developed with the special education team, general education teachers, counselors, administration, and the students and parents,” Schoemer continues. “When it comes to a student, we think ‘where could the student benefit from being in general education?’ and ‘where should we keep the individualized support?’”

Rans believes that peers who don’t understand autism could be a potential problem.

“For instance, when a teacher asks a question, the whole class is supposed to sit and think about it. Then once they have an idea, a student might raise their hand. But, a person on the spectrum may blurt out the answer because they don’t know that they have to raise their hand, they have to

be taught those social skills,” Rans describes.

“Since Autistic children do not have reciprocity or ability to interpret social communication cues, their peers may not know that they’re not picking these cues up. The adults giving instruction or students around them that don’t understand autism may, unfortunately, get frustrated.”

Schoemer adds, “There are students that without special education support, they would have a difficult time accessing general education. In essence, it’s leveling the playing field for these students with learning disabilities.”

Now that her three kids are a part of the Bloomfield Hills Special Education Program, Reinke says sending her children to school is no longer problematic.

“I don’t have the same worries anymore.

The kids have been generally good with [the staff], and the teachers have been amazing. Plus, the teachers stay in contact constantly so we’re always on the same page.”

“I would say what sets Bloomfield Hills apart is the dedication of the staff and the partnership of the families with our whole communities,” Schoemer concludes. “Whether you’re a special education student or not, our goal is to help every single student strive for excellence and be the best student that they can possibly be.”

KNOW YOUR VOCAB Autism is a spectrum disorder; some students have low needs while other require more support for behavior, academics, and social cues.

the

HAWKSTARS Lifestyle

B6 February

three black hawks to keep an eye on this school year

armand cartwright {12} Captain, Varsity Basketball Team

“I have been the captain of the basketball team since my freshman year. I am the team point guard, as well as captain. This has taught me great leadership skills. My best memory from being on the basketball team was when we beat James Young and Royal Oak, and I scored 48 points.

Another great memory was when I dunked freshman year and the crowd went wild.”

bailey burkhart {11} Cast member, Night Before Christmas “I am currently working on ‘The night before Christmas’, student-directed by Claudia Cooper. We will be putting on the play mid to late February, where I will be playing the vampire. When I was eight years old, I started my acting with my first audition. The most memorable experience from acting was when I got the part.

elana weberman {09} Forensics Multiple “Although I have been doing Forensics since middle school, this is my first year of high school Forensics. Multiple is different from the other categories of Forensics; multiple is a larger time commitment where you create a strong bond with the other seven people in the production. Being a freshman is different when you’re on Multiple, there is a lot of good natured kidding around, and quality bonding time.

Game Plan: February/March

27

The Bloomfield Hills Men’s Basketball has its final ST game at Adams High School on February 27. The team, which is currently ranked 10th in the state will look for another road victory in order to secure a high ranking in the playoffs. Led by seniors Yante Matan and Armand Cartwright, the team is off to a hot start this year. Currently they are 7-1 with their only loss to Rochester High School 46-45 on December 19.

9

The Michigan State Spartans BasketTH ball team will play their final regular season basketball game of the year against Ohio State, in Columbus on March 9. The team which is currently ranked 3rd in the nation will look for another win and lock in their bid as a number one seed for March Madness. On January 7, the Spartans defeated the Buckeyes 72-68 in overtime. OSU was ranked 3rd at the time.

2

ND February 2, 2014--Sunday. NFL Superbowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. The game was between Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, with Seahawks winning 43:8.

the

LIFE

Lifestyle

B7

February

60

75

1 IN 3 young Americans

is religiously

(percent of Americans who said they were religious)

unaffiliated

atheism

agnosticism

humanism

disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods

a religious orientation which denies ultimate knowledge of God’s existence.

a system of thought that rejects religious beliefs and instead centers on human values.

Source: Gallup and Pew Research Center

LOSING THEIR RELIGION: A TREND EMERGES IN TEENAGE SECULARISM Maitreyi Anantharaman Associate Editor

Nontheism is now becoming a popular option for American high schoolers.

When sophomore Kelly Wester was in middle school, she lost her mother—and her faith.

“I think I really starting identifying as an atheist in middle school because that’s when my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer.” says Wester.

“My faith was shaken because grades went on and time progressed and it just didn’t seem logical because my prayers weren’t getting answered.”

Wester is one of many young American high schoolers who is turning to atheism and nontheism according to studies from the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project.

According to Hemant Mehta, author of The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide and blogger at The Friendly Atheist, these students often struggle to embrace their atheist identity, especially when “coming out” as a nontheist.

“It’s possible that high schoolers may think that they’re the only atheists in their class, or

in their school, although the truth is probably very different.” says Mehta. “There are probably many of them but they’re just afraid to tell anyone else. When people find out you’re different in any way, it’s a tough thing in high school.”

For Wester, the largest problem she faced was coming out to her own family as an atheist.

“It’s pretty strange that I am an atheist because we come from a very heavily religious family.” she says.

“It’s sort of difficult to identify this way because my dad is Christian and he doesn’t really like the idea that we’re sort of going against what he believes in.”

Wester says her dad was not initially pleased with the idea of her being an atheist.

“He said, ‘If you don’t believe in God, then you don’t really have a heart.’ It wasn’t easy to take.”

Sophomore Isabelle Yamin, who identifies as an agnostic, has not yet told her parents that she is an atheist. “I probably started calling myself an agnostic about a year ago,” she says. “I didn’t tell my parents. It’s not that I would be upset if they were mad at me, but I don’t want them to worry.

Mehta realizes that it is a difficult thing for students to come out as atheists, especially when they come from religious backgrounds. and families.

“It’s tough for kids to come out to their families and

sometimes that’s not the best choice. If your family is going to kick you out of the house or treat you very badly maybe it’s not the best thing to do,” he says.

Mehta emphasizes the need to come out to a trusted individual. However, he suggests other possibilities for those who are not ready to do so. “If you don’t feel comfortable coming out to someone, go on a website like Reddit where you might be able to talk about your atheism anonymously because getting it off your chest and knowing that you can share these thoughts is an important thing to do.”

High School Specialist at the national Secular Student Alliance Andy Cheadle-Ford agrees, saying, “When you’re coming out as a nontheist, it’s important to have a support network to help you.

It isn’t an individual quest, as so many see it. You need people who are willing to support you.”

Mehta says the troubles are far from over once a nontheist has come out to his or her family and friends, especially in the misconceptions that nontheists must face.

“It’s troubling because I think people often confuse atheists with everything that’s bad.

If you want to debate with atheists, you ought to at least know where they’re coming from.”

Yamin adds, “When people say ‘atheist’, a lot

of people take it as you saying you’re an anarchist or a Satanist. That’s not true; they’re not.”

“In addition, sometimes you have teachers or coaches who pray in the classroom or who pray before a big game and you don’t want to your grades to suffer or get your playing time cut,” says Mehta.

However, Cheadle-Ford and Wester believe that being a young nontheist is somewhat easier today than it has been.

“I definitely think it’s easier to be an atheist than in the past, says Wester. “I think that teens nowadays are a lot more individualistic than they were back then.”

Cheadle-Ford believes the internet has been an important resource for young atheists.

“The internet has been an enormous boon to our movement. Before the internet, the nontheist groups that existed were isolated and limited in their scope. Now we can connect with and organize with students all over the world.”

He continues, “I believe that we are at the turning point of a major cultural shift in America. We are becoming more and more secular and the population that is at the forefront is students and youth. Students have always been at the forefront of social change.”

NEW SECULAR CLUB BRINGS TOGETHER NON-THEISTS AT BHHS Julia Lee

Associate Editor

An unrepresented student minority finds its voice For those students who did not belong to any religious celebrations this holiday season, BHHS now has a place for them: the Secular Student Alliance.

“The mission of the Secular Student Alliance is to organize, unite, educate, and serve students and student communities in order to promote the ideals of scientific and critical inquiry, democracy, secularism, and human-based ethics,” says freshman Ezra Kalmowitz, president

of the Secular Student Alliance. sify the school and community.

“We envision a future in which “There’s already a Muslim Stunontheistic students are re- dent Alliance and a Black Stuspected voices dent Alliance in public.” here at our Kalmowitz school, and we “We envision a started SSA felt that we are future in which with freshalso another nontheistic man and vice minority that students are president should have respected voices in of the club, presence here,” public.”

Philip Squire.

Squire states.

As Kalmow“I want to Exra Kalmowitz itz and Squire see this club SSA President and BHHS Freshman views BHHS becoming a as a place fully recognizable group, that encourages diversity, both say they so that when people hear the believe that the addition of SSA name Secular Student Alliat BHHS will further diver- ance, they know what it is.”

The Secular Student Alliance is an educational nonprofit organization that fosters communities and schools across the nation. However, the newfound club at BHHS did not have an easy startup.

“The Bloomfield SSA was struggling with getting an advisor for the group.” Hassan Khalifeh, the advisor of SSA comments. “The BHHS administration reached out to all teachers and faculty, who all refused. The students reached out to the national SSA, who reached out to the Freedom from Religion Foundation. They then reached out to community members who were involved

in the secular movement.”

Khalifeh is an active member of the Secular Student Alliance at Wayne State University.

“My role as an advisor is to foresee the main activities of the group. I give them tips on how to function as a group, and work closely with the school to make sure their meetings and events run smoothly, and eventually will be helping them put on events. I try to give them their freedom to come up with ideas, though.” Khalifeh states.

The first official meeting was held at the ninth grade campus on Friday, January 17th.

“We have philosophical conversations and talk

about what is currently going on in the secular world.

We are also planning to have guest speakers.” Squire says.

The club currently holds seven members total and recently reached out to the main campus for new additional members.

“I’d like to see this group becoming a safe place for secular students to feel accepted and comfortable to talk freely about their beliefs or lack thereof, without any judgment,” says Khalifeh. “I hope to see more non-religious students come out and show others that it’s ok to not believe, and that as one of the fastest growing groups in the U.S., they’re not alone!”

Fast Fact The club’s first meeting took place on January 17th and hosted seven members

the

SCOOP

Lifestyle

B8

February

The UGLY TRUTH Behind

Condiments Condiments like ketchup, ranch, italian dressing, soy sauce, and mayonnaise can have negative effects.

These flavors aren’t doing you any favors

Ketchup: the red enemy

LONG TERM EFFECTS

contains quite a bit of salt, which is to blame for a number of health concerns

made of tomato concentrate: real tomatoes cooked so many times that many vitamins and minerals are lost

of excess sugar

ketchup is not all bad; it contains vinegar, which is very beneficial to the digestive system

has a significant amount of high fructose corn syrup (AKA, lots of sugar)

Recommended healthy alternative

HEINZ KETCHUP INGREDIENTS

9.5 10

people who buy burgers use ketchup

every year,

250,000,000 lbs.

of ketchup is purchased by

dress yo

em h t h nc

Just one 1 TBSP. has 243 grams of sodium

Soy Sauce: the salt master commercial soy sauces are made with harmful chemicals chloropropanols

Salsa contains ingredients that are rich in carotenoids, which can reduce cancer and heart disease.

In 2001, 25% of Great Britain’s soy sauces were found to contain these dangerous chemicals.

ethyl carbamate

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Both chemicals are linked to DNA damage and cancer

LONG TERM EFFECTS

of excess sodium

high blood pressure stroke heart failure

Mayonnaise: big fat liar

dre s s yo

2 tablespoons have 140 calories

gies, don’t d g e v re ur

em h th nc

balsamic vinegar

This zesty dressing contains antioxidants that can prevent cancer. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fats, which can lower the risk of a heart attack. It can promote growth of strong bones.

fresh salsa

Ranch & Italian Dressing: the paradox

Recommended healthy alternatives

gies, don’t d veg r e ur

Facts

the

Diabetes Cavities Heart Disease Obesity Cancer

of excess fat

obesity heart disease high blood pressure

low-fat dressings may have less fat, but it is made with more chemicals substances

Q&A with Nutritionist Abby Greenspun

Q.Which condiments, salad dressings in particular, are the worst for you?

salad dressing is worse than oil A.Creamy based dressings. I always avoid low-fat

dressing because they take out the fat and add more sugar and chemicals to the dressing. Always try to have a dressing with an oil base, or make your own.

Q.What is the end result of using condiments often?

A.Avoiding unhealthy condiments can be one of the few changes that can drastically affect your health. Using condiments can sometimes destroy the “healthy aspect” of a dish.

Mayonnaise can also be used to

EVERY BOTTLE IS

40%FAT

s9 tablespo o n ha e on

0

s rie o l ca

kill lice and remove tar

Recommended healthy alternative

from your car

honey mustard

Mustard is high in antioxidents and selenium, which has anti-inflammatory properties.