The Talon- December 2018

Distracted driving is considered an epidemic in America.

It also accounts for the majority of teen car crashes. Read pages 8-9 for more information about this issue and advice on how to stay focused on the road.

THE

TALON ROCHESTER HILLS, MI // DECEMBER 2018 // VOL. 81 ISSUE 3

Photo by Elizabeth Bulat.

PAGE 2 || NEWS

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

NEWS BRIEFS: 1.

3.

1. j

1. RHS

The new business class VEI took part in a sales competition through Western Michigan University on Nov. 27 and 28.

Six students in the VEI sales department took part in the competition, in which they pitched a product to WMU professors over the phone.

They will now advance to the next step of the competition at WMU. Each student involved in the call had time slots of 15 minutes.

The call lasted from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., and by the time the students finished talking, they knew the results.

“We each had 15 minutes, after the 15 minutes, we found out how we did,” senior Ben Hansel said. “We each had time slots ranging from 9:45-10:00 a.m, 10:00-10:15 a.m, 10:1510:30 am.”

The six students taking part in the call had to prepare in advance.

“In the competition, we had to take eight modules,” Hansel said. “We had to take notes on active sales call and sales techniques.”

After learning the results, the participants are going to be competing at WMU later this winter.

“All six boys, we all made it,” Hansel said. “We will be going to Western Michigan University on Feb. 8 to represent our school in the competition.”

Brief by Israel Rosas-Salinas

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.

Photo by Tej Seth.

2. RCS

In spite of this year’s lack of snow, Rochester Hills and Rochester Community Schools held their annual Paint the Plow event on Nov. 10. Student groups painted and decorated plows to be shown off and used on the future wintery Michigan roads.

Senior Cece Harris participated in this year’s event by painting RHS’s plow to represent Art Club.

“The event went very well,” Harris said. “So many people of all ages came out and participated, and everything looked great.”

Harris feels the event helps bring people together throughout the Rochester area.

“The meaning behind the event is to unite Rochester’s community,” Harris said.

“The impact was giving the community a sense of unity.”

All middle and high school students in RCS had the opportunity to participate.

No sign up was required, and participants could just show up the day of the event. “[The event was] providing an opportunity to students to show school pride,” director of the Rochester Department of Public Services Allan Schneck said. “A side benefit is educating the students, parents and teachers on the services the Department of Public Services provides.”

Brief by Summer Rawashdeh

5.

3. STATE

After losing the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general’s offices, the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature has moved to strip some of their powers.

“What’s happening in Michigan mirrors what is happening in Wisconsin.

Republicans are desperate for power, and they will do virtually anything to keep things the way they are,” Senior Saloni Gupta said. “There is no justification for what Republicans are doing.”

Democrats have called these moves power grabs because of their timing in the lame duck session, just before new officials are sworn in.

“I agree with the Democrats,” Gupta said. “Some of the things cap the governor and attorney general’s power regarding lawsuits, and there is another proposal which limits the secretary of state’s say when it comes to campaign finance.”

The lower house of the GOP-controlled state legislature has approved a bill limiting the secretary of state’s powers, but it has to get through the Senate and be signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder.

“I’m not going to sign anything that I don’t believe is good for the people of Michigan,” Snyder said on WDIV-TV’s Flashpoint.

Brief by Noah Peterson

4. COUNTRY

On Nov. 28, a protest for a faster immigration process at the United States and Mexico border turned chaotic when border protection agents used tear gas to stop the protest.

Some of these immigrants are asylum seekers who are fleeing because their lives were threatened at home. While those on both sides of the debate agree their safety matters, the process of allowing them into the country is highly debated.

“Our policy, currently, is that President Trump would like asylum seekers to not be allowed access into the United States until after they are granted asylum, not before,” social studies teacher Mr. Larry Adams said.

The protest furthered this debate and also sparked conversation about the conditions at the border. A photo of a mother running with her two children has become the focal point for the critics of tear gas. Those who defend its use say there were reports from the agents that the protestors were throwing things at them, prompting action.

To secure the border, the United States has halted any immigration processes in that area. Combined with the process for asylum seekers, this has slowed down immigration.

“It’s kind of like closing off the border, rather than making sure that we are securing the borders,” Mr. Adams said.

Brief by Violet Resh

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.

5. WORLD

Thousands of people began protesting in France over taxes put in place by French president Emmanuel Macron, leading to violence in some parts of the country.

The protesters, who go by the name “Gilets Jaunes” for the yellow vests they wear during demonstrations, took to the streets over a tax set to be put in place on Jan. 1 on fuel in order to combat climate change. The protests started gaining momentum in October and have not lost steam since. They have been gaining popularity throughout the country.

In addition to the violence, protests have led many popular tourist destinations and stores to close, along with events being cancelled. This has been called some of the worst rioting in the history of Paris.

“Saturday’s unrest was the worst in central Paris since a student uprising five decades ago,” according to NBC News.

Over one thousand people have been arrested because of this matter.

“It’s crazy to see...a country overwhelmed by riots,” sophomore Brendan Khelifa said.

“I hope that they are able to get past it.”

Brief by Collin Kilpatrick

PAGE 3 || NEWS

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

GEORGE H. W. BUSH

America mourns the death of its forty-first president ELIZABETH BULAT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Nov. 30, 2018 the United States lost its 41st President George H. W. Bush. He died at age 94, only eight months after his wife of seventy-three years, Barbara Bush, who died in April 2018.

The day of his 18th birthday, Bush enlisted in the army. He became the youngest pilot at the time, and flew a total of 598 combat missions in World War II. His plane was shot down in 1944, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross, a prestigious military decoration for heroic aerial performances.

Bush studied and played baseball at Yale University. He then pursued a career in the Texas oil industry. He represented Texas in Congress and served in a multitude of other political positions, following in his father’s footsteps, who was also a political leader. In 1980, he ran for the Republican presidential nominee. When he didn’t win the primary, he was chosen as the vice president for Ronald Reagan for the 1980 and 1984 terms.

However, when Reagan could no longer run for president in 1988, Bush campaigned and won both the Republican nomination and the general election, solidifying his role as

commander in chief for four years.

“George H. W. Bush is a prime example of someone who never gives up,” senior Emily Nagy said. “He served as VP for Ronald Reagan and gained experience in the White House.”

After being elected president, Bush was greeted with the hot embers of the Cold War. In response, Bush met with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1989. After the meeting, there was disarmament, which strengthened American and Soviet Union trade relations and announced the end of the Cold War. Throughout his presidency, Bush worked to make the United States, in his words, a “kinder and gentler nation.” This was exemplified through his many efforts to reduce arms building and international nuclear weapon reduction.

“What I remember about his impact is that he represented our country during a transitional time,” math teacher Mr. Rob Byrd said. “The fall of communism and this youthful...movement, so he was kind of like this bridge between these two eras.”

Other notable achievements of President

Bush were the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Clean Air Act, the Immigration Act of 1990 and the 1991 Civil Rights Act. At the end of his term, the United States intervened in the Persian Gulf War, and in 1991 when the war ended, Bush’s approval ratingings were high and promising to the next election. However, his inability to remove Saddam Hussein from Iraqi power led to criticism. This contributed to him loosing the re-election.

“George H. W. Bush was the last president to go across party lines,” senior Alex Kuron said. “He was willing to work with the opposition to create bipartisan bills.

Other Presidents should look to him to compromise.”

During his years of retirement, he and Barbara Bush lived in Texas and focused on their family and friends. Though they stayed out of politics personally, they often found themselves in the political spotlight due to their son’s success. Bush’s son, George W. Bush was elected as the President of the United States in 2001 and served in the White House until 2009. Another son, Jeb,

also ran in the 2016 presidential primaries.

Bush also rekindled relationships with his former political competitors, including Bill Clinton, forming strong friendships with them.

“He eventually became president and has made a positive lasting impact on everyone,” Nagy said. “If he had given up after the first time he ran for president, he would have never had the great opportunity to serve his country.”

George H. W. Bush’s presidency was short lived, but many feel his impact on American politics, relations and morals was concrete. He was celebrated at his funeral in the Capitol Building on Dec. 3. There, all living former presidents, including President Trump, President Obama, President Clinton and other notable political figures, attended to pay their respects, as Bush made his final trip to the White House.

“He was a cool dude,” senior Jackson Miller said. “It’s pretty cool that past presidents were able to come together and respect Bush’s efforts despite their different political beliefs.”

President George H. W. Bush Timeline

Photos courtesy of Creative Commons. Graphics by Elizabeth Bulat.

1924

George H. W. Bush was born in Milton, Mass.

1966

He was elected into the House of Representatives.

1976

He became the head of the Central Intelligence Agency.

1980

Bush became vice president for Ronald Reagan.

1988

Bush was elected president of the United States.

1992

Bush was not re-elected for a second term.

2001

His son, George W. Bush, was elected as president of the United States.

2018

Bush died in Houston, Tex.

PAGE 4 || FEATURE

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

THE FALCON FORECAST

A Q&A with RHS’s very own weatherman WYATT ANNESS STAFF WRITER

Junior Andy Yang is the owner of the Falcon Forecast account on Twitter, where he posts weather updates that affect the state of Michigan and Rochester students. Yang studies the latest weather reports and then uses that information to tweet about current and future weather conditions. These updates can be helpful to students, whether they are driving to school, attending a sporting event or just interested in the elements. Yang shares what it’s like to be Rochester High School’s unofficial weatherman.

What makes weather interesting to you?

“Because it’s Michigan, we have the Great Lakes, so the forecast often changes. We could have a snow day in May. It makes our weather very unique.”

What made you want to create the Falcon Forecast account?

“Ever since middle school, I’ve had a passion about weather. Many seniors told me when I was in freshman year, that weather was removed from the morning announcements and that I should try and bring it back.”

Why do you think it’s important for students and teachers at RHS to be informed about the weather conditions?

“Because I don’t want [students] going to a soccer game thinking it’ll be dry then it’ll be rainy. It’s important to be planned beforehand.”

Do you have any favorite weathermen?

“A few of the experts at the weather channel.

Greg Postel, he’s always happy and goes very in depth about winter weather.”

What is your preferred weather app?

“It would be a variety. Not all of them are one-hundred percent accurate, so you have to combine multiple apps to get the full picture. Some of my favorites are The Weather Channel and Weather Underground. Weather Underground is just another app for the Weather Channel, but with more data. Accuweather is also one I like because the district uses it for weather and snow days.”

Photo by Noah Peterson.

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 5 || FEATURE

FAREWELL, ROCHESTER

Math teacher Mrs. Zaleski is set to retire in January RAHI SHAH

STAFF WRITER

Every weekday morning, Mrs. Sue Zaleski wakes up for another school day. Another day when she gets to do her dream job. Another day when she comes to RHS. Another day when she gets to teach.

In a month, however, Mrs. Zaleski will no longer make her morning trek to RHS. Instead, she will be enjoying the relaxing life of retirement.

Ever since she was a child, Mrs. Zaleski wanted to be a teacher. However, it wasn’t a simple journey. When she entered college, there weren’t many job opportunities for teachers, so she looked into a different career. Since she liked math and science, she pursued a career in nursing and got a degree in nursing from Michigan State University. But then, an incident occurred that made her reconsider her choice of nursing.

“I hurt my back really badly at the age of 24 and I had a lot of physical restrictions on me,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “At that point, I went back to school and thought ‘I’m going to do what I always wanted to do, which is be a teacher.’”

This is now Mrs. Zaleski’s 26th year teaching in Rochester Community Schools.

“I spent a year in middle school and I taught 8th grade math and science,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “Then I have taught Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Math lab.”

Mrs. Zaleski’s favorite subject to teach was Algebra 2.

She has had many great memories with her students in the classroom as well.

“One year, [in] my Honors Algebra 2 [class], we had music Fridays,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “Every single Friday, Jackson Stewart [a previous student] would bring his music in, and that was just a lot of fun.”

The fun didn’t just end with the students. Mrs. Zaleski also spent quality time with her colleagues, which enhanced her experience as a teacher throughout the years.

“I have had a lot of great memories, like going out with some of my teachers,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “But also, I would say just collaborating with the people in my department has made me be a better teacher and made us really proud of what we do.”

With 26 years of experience, Mrs. Zaleski knows the ins and outs of the field of teaching, and she has some advice for incoming teachers.

“One thing I would say is to expect to work really, really hard,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “But at some point, set healthy boundaries for yourself because this job can just keep going and going and going.”

Mrs. Zaleski’s experiences have also allowed her to offer advice to her students. Her injury taught her an important life lesson that she hopes to pass on to her students.

“I feel like I’m really lucky,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “Even though that back injury was horrible, I ended up doing something that I feel like I was meant to do. Sometimes your life path will be kind of winding. Some people find their passion early, some people find it later. But, just keep trying to find your passion.”

Mrs. Zaleski’s favorite part about teaching is the impact she can make on someone’s life.

“I honestly feel like I’ve helped a lot of people understand math,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “That’s had a really positive effect on their college experience and their career path.”

Now that Mrs. Zaleski has fulfilled her dreams, she is retiring this January. While she looks forward to retirement, there are many things she will miss about teaching at Rochester.

“The number one thing I will miss is the comradery, the energy of the job,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “I truly love being around teenagers because you guys are filled full of future and hope and that’s really energizing to be around.”

After retiring, she plans to prioritize her hobbies.

“I’m going to exercise more, read more and develop some new hobbies,” Mrs. Zaleski said. “Also, do a little bit of traveling. And just relax.”

Though Mrs. Zaleski isn’t sure about subbing at RHS in the future, she knows that she will come back to visit. She hopes RHS will continue to be the great place she feels it is right now.

“It’s been a great career,” Mrs. Zaleski said, “and I feel very lucky.”

THANK YOU MRS. ZALESKI FRESHMEN

“Mrs. Zaleski has changed my life by pushing me to new heights.” - Abhro Debnath “Mrs. Zaleski helped me advance the most in math.” Dominic Wydeven “Mrs. Zaleski was the kind of math teacher who challenge me a lot, but at the same time, she helped me understand it.” - Pranav Deshmukh “Mrs. Zaleski showed her passion of teaching, which is quite evident in my learning. She always told us the importance of practice.” - Micah Gendich

SOPHOMORES

“I would like to tell her that she has been one of my favorite math teachers. She is a really good teacher and she is very funny. I enjoy her class.” - Charlotte Perry “I like the class. It was really easy to understand what was happening. She explained things really well. She also gave us time in class to do homework, which was really nice.” - Kaija Windeler “I liked her as a teacher because her notes were to the point and she got the lesson across really well.” Lauren Stern

JUNIORS

“I feel like she was the first teacher that genuinely taught me math well.” - Evia Zaka “Mrs. Zaleski is one of the best math teachers I have ever had. She cares a lot about her students and their performance.” - Savannah Haque “Mrs. Zaleski has been one of the greatest math teachers I have ever had. She pushes your limits to help you become better at math.” - Regina Cabrera

SENIORS

“There is no slacking off in Zaleski. Her humor and compassion will be missed.” - Olivia Krempel “Best teacher at RHS! She is so funny and she makes math easy to learn.” - Neel Patel “I only had Mrs. Zaleski for a year but it was the best year of math for me. She is such a funny teacher and always puts a smile on my face. I know that the skills I learned in her class will carry me through college and beyond.“ - Abby Michelz

TEACHERS

Mrs. Zaleski helps sophomore Ana Hernandez with her assignment. Photo by Rahi Shah.

“Mrs. Zaleski was my mentor teacher in 1999, when I student taught here at Rochester High, and I am so thankful and grateful that she was the one to be my mentor teacher because I learned so much. I think I’m a really good teacher partly because of her. I’m going to miss her like crazy. She has become one of my best friends.” - Mrs. Smillie

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 6 || FEATURE

GIVING BACK FOR THE HOLIDAYS How the PTSA and RHS students help their community ALEX GLASPIE STAFF WRITER During the holiday season and throughout each year, there are many families left without homes, food or sufficient clothes. At RHS, there are many clubs and individuals who are dedicated to volunteering to help out those in need.

The PTSA works throughout Rochester Community Schools to keep giving back by volunteering for various events, such as the Holiday Bazaar or Kris Kringle Market. Each event is significant in creating a powerful atmosphere of kindness for those who need it.

“The RHS PTSA’s main goal is to support students, teachers and instruction at our building,” PTSA member and frequent RHS substitute teacher Mrs. Martina Alcock said. “In the school itself, we love to help out with whatever task you need us for, [such as] making copies for teachers, raising funds by selling coffee and bagels at the Holiday Bazaar and any other activities through Social Media to reach our parent community.”

PTSA President Debra Jones works to keep the group of parents, teachers and students positive and to help the community.

“I am proud to be part of a great organization whose mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children,” Mrs. Jones said.

“I am proud to say that I feel I have made a difference in our school community.”

Ouside of the PTSA, Mrs. Alcock’s family has started incorporating giving back into their holiday traditions.

“For Christmas, my family has started a new tradition. It’s called a reverse Advent Calendar,” Mrs. Alcock said. “Instead of getting little gifts for each day in the Advent, my kids add one non-perishable food item to a box, and for Christmas, we donate it to a food pantry.”

Students at RHS also contribute to helping their community by volunteering for clubs, religious purposes or personal interest.

Junior Alicia Perkins spoke about how she got into volunteering her freshman year of high school and why it’s so important to her.

“I have volunteered for different things throughout my life, but I began regularly volunteering during my freshman year,” Perkins said. “Last year, a friend and I put on a special needs basketball game at Rochester.

It was really fun and we are planning on doing that again.”

For Mrs. Alcock and Perkins, volunteering has provided life-changing experiences and stories. During the month of October, Mrs. Alcock helped out at a coat drive for ROCKit, an organization that donates clothing to families in need, and in turn, it provided a heart-warming story for her.

“There was one particular little boy who tried about 20 different hats on before finding ‘the one,’” Mrs. Alcock said. “He was too shy to talk but just shook his head until we found the perfect one and his face lit up.

Priceless!”

Similarly, during Spring Break of last year, Perkins went to Haiti with her church, where she helped the Haitians by providing food, clothes and comfort to those who needed it.

“On the last day, we went to the village, and a bunch of kids came into a church with us,” Perkins said. “We were able to feed them because many of them don’t have a lot of food to eat. One little girl who probably hadn’t eaten in a while took a bite of her food and then gave a bite to someone else.

This was so amazing to see because even though she didn’t have much, she was still willing to share what she had.”

The PTSA and individual students strive to mantain a positive environment within their community.

“Generally, any volunteer opportunity fills my heart, but the one at school I loved the most was making S’mores this year with my wonderful friend Mrs. Jones, who is our PTSA president,” Mrs. Alcock said. “The creative and collaborative atmosphere in the building was just fantastic to witness and we were happy to deliver some sweet treats to all.”

WAYS TO GIVE BACK ARYN GALLACHER STAFF WRITER What can you donate this season?

ITEMS

Donate to help those in need. Some places that accept donations include: - Salvation Army: accepts old

clothing, toys, or books - Goodwill: accepts old

clothing and used books - Reading Tree: collects book

donations - ReCellular: accepts used

phones

- America’s Car Donation

Center: collects used cars

FOOD

Fix and serve meals for families who cannot afford food. Locations where you can help serve meals include:

- God’s Helping Hands in

Rochester Hills

- Oakland County Food Bank in

Pontiac

- First Congregational Helping

Hands Food Pantry in

Pontiac

- The Baldwin Center in

Pontiac

- Rochester Neighborhood

TIME

Volunteers helping those in need find a new pair of shoes for them to keep at the Million Shoe March. Photo courtesy of the PTSA.

The back of a volunteer’s shirt at the Million Shoe March during October. Photo courtesy of the PTSA.

Volunteer at RHS’s events that help give back to the community. RHS hosts events including:

- The Can Drive in November

- The Blood Drive in November

- Gift Basket Raffle in March

- The Penny War during

homecoming week

- Toy Drive in December

- Donut sales on Friday

mornings

PAGE 7 || OPINION

THE TALON STAFF Adviser: Mrs. Facca Editor-in-Chief: Elizabeth Bulat Copy and News Editor: Violet Resh Feature Editor: Zoe Sawdon Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor: Mariam Hanna Sports Editor: Bianca Mow Business Manager: Noah Peterson Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff

Writer: Colin Alison Writer: Wyatt Anness Writer: M. Conner Arsenault Writer: Megan Belz Writer: Ava Biordi Writer: Kate Breitschuh Writer: Javionna Davis Writer: Chad Dazo Writer: Kari Eickholdt Writer: Aryn Gallacher Writer: Alex Glaspie Writer: Sanya Gupta Writer: Fazil Hussain Writer: Collin Kilpatrick Writer: Holly McDonald Writer: Pooja Patel Writer: Summer Rawashdeh Writer: Maggie Rhymstett Writer: Raghda Romaya Writer: Israel Rosas Salinas Writer: Preston Schroyer Writer: Rahi Shah Writer: Sharan Shibu Writer: Megan Splan Writer: Devin Toma

THE TALON POLICY The Talon is the official student publication of Rochester High School. We are now available both in print and online editions. Check out rochestertalon.com, @rhstalon on Twitter, @falconsofrhs on Instagram and like The Talon on Facebook for more great content.

The print edition of The Talon is issued monthly during the school year and is devoted to the interest of the student body, parents and alumni of RHS. The Talon strives to create a publication that is informative, entertaining, accurate and professional.

The mission of The Talon is to accurately, truthfully and professionally report on events and issues that are of interest to the student body, entertain readers and serve as a valuable archive of the happenings of the school.

The views expressed in The Talon are those of the staff or individual staff writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration.

The editors encourage communications and reactions from students, alumni, parents and friends of the school.

All communications must be signed, but signatures may be withheld from publication upon request. The Talon values feedback from the community on its articles and other media. However, we maintain the right to censor inappropriate dialogue in comments.

MEMBERSHIPS

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

STAFF EDITORIAL:

Does diffusing essential oils in the classroom have a positive effect on students’ learning?

Essential oils have recently emerged as a popular wellness and alternative medicine trend. Extracted from a variety of plant species, these oils boast many different uses, such as skin care, immunity boosts, pain relief, disinfection and aromatherapy. Teachers have brought this holistic trend into the classroom by diffusing essential oils, which consists of adding a few drops of an essential oil to a diffuser full of water. Then, the diluted oil mixture is heated to the point of evaporation, allowing the scent to disperse into the air.

The question is whether the aroma from these essential oils positively affects students’ learning experience.

Teachers have several reasons for diffusing oils in the classroom, one being to purify the air and decrease the spread of germs. Lemon and Eucalyptus oils, for example, can be used to achieve this purpose, and they are popular scents among teachers.

Another reason for using essential oils in the classroom is to promote a calm and relaxing atmosphere and aid in students’ concentration.

Peppermint, for instance, is known to provide an energizing, refreshing scent, while lavender is widely recognized for its stress-relieving aroma.

When subtly diffused throughout a classroom, students can benefit from these different smells as they focus on finishing assignments or taking stressful tests.

A common concern regarding the use of essential oils in classrooms is that the scents may be too strong and cause distraction and headaches.

However, this is unlikely since the oils are already diluted with water and the mixture can easily be adjusted if student complaints should arise. Essential oils are also recognized as healthier alternatives to artificial air fresheners, which are more often the culprit of headaches.

Allergies and sensitivities to essential oils pose another potential problem that could negatively affect a student’s learning experience. As long as teachers pay attention to their students’ complaints, though, they can avoid this situation by switching up the oils they use or stopping diffusing altogether. With the increasing popularity of essential oil use, many students may already be familiar with diffusers in their own homes, so exposure to these oils in the classroom wouldn’t be anything new to them.

In an anonymous and unbiased poll conducted with the Talon staff, 17 out of 31 members believe that diffusing essential oils in the classroom has an overall positive effect on students’ learning. The various scents used by teachers help to cultivate a welcoming and focused environment, and teachers are generally willing to adapt their use of these oils according to students’ needs and preferences, decreasing the likelihood of distraction and adverse effects.

Although it is difficult to tell whether essential oils boost students’ grades or academic performance, it is clear that they have a positive impact on a classroom’s overall atmosphere. Many students are either unphased by their aroma or have reported improvements in their mood and focus, making diffusers a relatively safe and useful tool for teachers looking to add to their students’ learning experience.

“Whenever there is a test going on, the teacher can put in peppermint oil and it can relax the students.”

Megan Splan, freshman

“I feel like they don’t really do anything, and sometimes the smell can get distracting to students who get headaches.”

Raghda Romaya, junior

“I think that essential oils can effectively stimulate parts of your brain that wouldn’t be reached without them.”

Megan Belz, senior

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGES 8-9 || FEATURE

DRIVING DANGERS Distracted driving impacts teen safety ELIZABETH BULAT

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A high school student is driving down the road, his phone buzzes, and he can’t resist the temptation to check it. He looks down for a split second, and bam! This situation has turned into a cliche, as it is a common tale of warning not to drive distracted. Although this situation does occur on occasion, there are many other means of distraction when driving, beyond cell phones, that may be overlooked by young drivers.

“The distractions, I’ve seen everything,” RHS police liaison Deputy Curtis said. “I’ve seen everything from sticking your head out the window, to putting on makeup, to even simply taking a sip of coffee can be distracting.”

There are a myriad of distractions that can take place in the car. However, there are many simple ways to avoid them.

Deputy Curtis encourages students to know their route before they start driving to avoid confusion. The Washington Post suggests that teens also limit the number of people they drive, because their crash risk doubles with every two teen passengers in the car. Having other people in the car is a leading cause of distracted driving.

“I think that [students] know that texting, and the radio on and having other people in the car [are distracting],” Deputy Curtis said. “So kids are aware of it, but the issue is their maturity level. Do they understand the implications of what can follow an accident afterwords, the repercussions of someone possibly dying?”

High school students are often in a hurry on the road, whether it is to get to school, a sports practice or a social event on time. In the rush to get somewhere, multitasking while driving is tempting for teens, but proves time and time again to not be worth the risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that 3,450 American lives were claimed by distracted driving in 2016 alone.

Distracted driving happens on a daily basis, and it’s an action that can be fatal. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, nine people in the United States die each day because of distracted driving. Additionally, a survey by TeenSafe.com claimed that over 80 percent of drivers admit to engaging in risky or distracted behavior when behind the wheel. These statistics illustrate how dangerous, yet common, distracted driving is for teens. “[Distracted driving] is dangerous,” junior Claire Bagley said. “You could kill people or injure other people on the road, so it’s a serious thing.”

To combat the issue of distracted driving, many organizations are committed to launching campaigns that discourage the use of technology and other distractions when driving. Public schools, community advertisers and social media are brimming with these campaigns. They are often targeted at teens and young adults, the age group found to participate in more distracted activities than others, according to a NHTSA study.

“I think that kids and young adults are very aware of that, but it’s up to them to be able to make the conscious choice of saying, ‘I’m not going to do this, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to be focused on my driving,’” Deputy Curtis said. “I think kids know because there have been so many campaigns and ads out, but will they do it is an individual choice I think is incumbent upon each individual to make.”

In November, social studies teacher Mrs. Healy’s classes participated in a seminar that used technology to mimic distracted driving. Students were invited to “drive” a neutral car while wearing a virtual reality headset that took them through a neighborhood. Meanwhile, another group of rowdy students would sit in the back seat and distract the driver from his or her primary task of focusing on the road. At the end of the seminar, data collected from each “drive,” including the number of objects, people and curbs hit, was shared with the class to emphasize the serious effects of distracted driving.

“I learned that there are many different ways to be distracted while driving beyond texting,” Mrs. Healy said. “I think if the presentation was more structured, then it has the potential to to be a great learning experience for students.”

Distracted driving is an issue year-round, but in the winter months, it is especially problematic. The snow and ice on the roads make driving in Michigan challenging to begin with, but when people take their eyes off the road to navigate a map or check a text, the roads become even more hazardous.

Deputy Curtis explained that when driving in the winter, it’s important to leave adequate space between cars, a difficult task to complete with the ice alone, and a near impossible task if distraction is added in with the elements.

“The snow makes the roads slippery and more dangerous for drivers,” senior Mariana Palushaj said. “Especially if they are driving distracted, it’s more risky.”

Consequences of driving distracted are quite extensive, especially for young drivers. In Michigan and in Rochester, there are ordinances that prohibit it. Although violators will suffer an ordinance violation, much of a distracted driving aftermath relies on the result of distracted driving. For instance, Deputy Curtis said if distracted driving results in injury or death to others, the act turns into a crime with more serious consequences.

“You can’t drive distracted. You can be cited for that, you can recieve a reckless driving, you can recieve a careless driving,” Deputy Curtis said. “If you’re involved in an accident you can also be cited for using an electronic device while you’re driving, so it can be pretty costly to say the least.”

Distractions are inevitable, but it’s the driver’s decision to react appropriately. Whether it is passing an accident on the side of the road, turning up the radio when a favorite song comes on, taking a bite of lunch or putting on lipstick looking in the overhead mirror, all distractions can be deadly.

“It only takes a split second to make a bad call in the car, a bad judgement,” Deputy Curtis said. ”You’re driving a 4,000 pound bullet, so it’s real important to not be distracted on the road in any way, shape or form.”

2.5 Million People are in car accidents during the holidays

391,000 Americans were injuried from distracted driving in 2015

3,450 Americans died from distracted driving in 2016

Information from Teensafe.com. Graphics by Elizabeth Bulat.

Background photo courtesy of Creative Commons.

The unique challenges of winter driving ARYN GALLACHER

STAFF WRITER

Ice skating, drinking hot cocoa and spending time with friends during Michigan’s winter months sound like perfect activities, especially on a snowy day.

However, on snow days, newer drivers may be a little more cautious behind the wheel, since Michigan winters are known for causing roads to become slippery. Junior Katelyn Capitani is one of the many students at RHS experiencing total control of the road for the first time.

“I first started driving last summer in July [2017] when I took Segment 1 of driver’s training,” Capitani said. “I got my driver’s license on my birthday in August of this year.”

A teenager getting a driver’s license is a major stepping stone in life that leads into adulthood, and it doesn’t take long for many new drivers to adapt to the roads.

Sophomore Connor Boyd describes how he has quickly become accustomed to being behind the wheel.

“I have been driving for two weeks,” Boyd said. “[Already,] I have become more comfortable behind the wheel.”

Despite how easy it is to become comfortable while driving, RHS police liaison Deputy Steven Curtis explains how important it is to remember how dangerous the road can be and how centered a person’s focus should be when sharing the road with other drivers.

“You need to throw distractions out the window,” Deputy Curtis said. “Focus on what you need to be doing as far as getting from point A to point B is concerned until you developed the skills to deserve those privileges in the car.”

The risks of driving increase as the degrees decrease.

With the icy roads in Michigan during the winter time, taking full control behind the wheel and being considerate of other drivers becomes even more imperative.

“Since I have gotten my license, I am still driving cautiously for safety,” Capitani said. “Out of all my time driving I have not been in an accident, but I have seen multiple bad drivers that remind me that I need to drive with caution.”

What impacts drivers the most, however, and what leads to numerous car accidents during the winter season, is time management. Drivers who unsuccessfully plan out their trip and find themselves running late for their destinations often begin rushing, leading to impulsive actions. According to Capitani, this rarely happens to her because she plans ahead to give herself extra time.

“I already leave early to get to places because I hate being late, Capitani said. “As the season changes, I will just adjust my timing to road conditions and traffic.”

For new drivers, the winter roads may be a bit scary.

Capitani has some advice as students get behind the wheel for the first time.

“I would just give the advice to new drivers who are getting their license that they should drive cautiously,” Capitani said. “[However, they should] still be confident in their driving.”

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 10 || ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIE REMAKES

How directors and audience members feel about this new movie trend BIANCA MOW SPORTS EDITOR

“A Star is Born” was released on Aug. 31, 2018. Since its relase date, the movie has made $370.5 million at the box office and has been surrounded by Oscar buzz. However, this is not a new storyline— it is the fourth remake of this love story, which was first brought to the big screen in 1937.

Movie remakes are when a director takes an original movie’s storyline and updates it to reach a new audience.

Examples of popular remakes coming out soon are “The Lion King”, “Dumbo” and “Aladdin.”

“Movie remakes are when a film is produced again, with new actors,” film teacher Mr. Guyor said. “Usually, this is done when the original seems dated, and film studios see an opportunity to make money and reach a new audience.

There are also remakes of foreign films that American audiences don’t know, so it seems fresh to them. ‘The Ring’ and ‘Godzilla’ are good examples.”

Younger generations tend to be drawn to these movies because they are catered to their interests. Remakes are usually produced many years after the original. Due to this, many younger people have not seen the original, and remakes give them an opportunity to enjoy these classic movies as

well.

“I am more likely to go and see a remake of a movie than to watch the original,” sophomore Raquel Boden said.

“Directors do a good job of keeping the original storyline alive, but add in new details that keep the movie up to date.”

When creating a remake of a movie, filmmakers have to keep a few things in mind. Certain factors have to be considered to ensure the movie does well and does not upset the generation that viewed the original movie.

“You usually want to make sure that you’ve got an entirely new generation without an emotional tie to the original,” Mr. Guyor said. “For example, Adam Sandler’s version of ‘The Longest Yard’ came out in 2005, 31 years after the Burt Reynolds version. Lady Gaga’s ‘A Star is Born’ came out in 2018, the Barbara Streisand version was in 1976, the Judy Garland version in 1954, and the original in 1937.”

Filmmakers also need to make sure they can legally remake a movie. Sometimes, movie makers want their movie to remain as the original, not updated. Another alternative to creating a remake could be a sequal. Filmmakers have this option when deciding if a certain film qualifies to be remade.

“As long as a studio can get the rights to the story, any film would qualify. If I’m looking at it from an emotional point of view, you need to be able to find a film with a

compelling story that is dated enough that people would enjoy a remake,” Mr. Guyor said. “If the original is still viable on its own, it’s easier to do sequels (The ‘Rocky’ series, including ‘Creed’ and ‘Creed 2’ are examples since the original ‘Rocky’ is still compelling on its own).”

Sometimes creating a series is a better option than remaking an original. This option is often used if filmmakers want to make sure all parts of a movie are spot on. Also, adding to a series appeals to the original audience, in addition to the new fans, since it’s an extension of the plot, but with new material.

“I love when there are multiple movies in a series,” sophomore Josh Smith said. “It gives me something to look forward to and it’s really cool to see what new details they add in each movie.”

While each option has its benefits and drawbacks, Mr. Guyor said it’s important for filmmakers to consider all angles when deciding which approach to take.

“From the conversations I’ve had with friends who help write and produce movies, there’s more satisfaction with creating something original, at least artistically and creatively,” Mr. Guyor said. “Financially, remakes can be satisfying, and it can be rewarding to see if you can retell a story in such a way that it pleases a new audience.”

A Star is Born

“A Star is Born” is a modern example of a movie remake. Each of these movies has the same basic storyline of the lead character facing struggles and having to over come them, but they each star different actors and actresses. Directors also change the story line up slightly to meet with the movies of its time frame.

Fredric March and Janet Gaynor 1937

Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand 1976

James Mason and Judy Garland 1954

Photos courtesy of Creative Commons.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga 2018

PAGE 11 || ENTERTAINMENT

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

COFFEE HOUSE

Students showcase their talents ELIZABETH BULAT

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Senior Erika Bradlee enjoys singing during her free time. However, she is not involved in this activity during the school day, which causes many people to be unaware of her talent. Like Bradlee, there are many students at RHS who have similar interests in music and performing arts, but don’t necessarily pursue them at school. To give all student musicians a chance to exhibit their talents, the senior class ambassadors organized a coffee house event on Dec. 18, complete with live entertainment, art, desserts, and of course, hot chocolate and coffee.

The coffee house event is a new tradition at RHS that encourage students to reveal their talents to their peers.

“A few years ago we decided that we needed a space for students to showcase their artistic talents outside of the school day,” senior class adviser and social studies teacher Mrs. Sara Miesch said. “Also, lots of kids are talented musically and are not in our music programs at school ...we wanted them to have a chance to showcase their talents.”

Another goal of this event is to unite the school community, especially senior students. As the class of 2019’s senior year approaches the end of the semester, this event is another way to ensure that the seniors enjoy their last year at RHS. Though held on a Tuesday night, the senior class ambassadors hoped that they would have a solid turnout for the event from the student body and staff.

“[It is] a fun night for seniors to come together and celebrate the senior class talent,” said Mrs. Meisch. “ [It’s] a chill way to come together that is low pressure and fun. Also a fun night to decorate with lots of twinkle [lights] and have hot chocolate.”

Many student musicians are involved in the RHS music department. However, a significant number of Falcons are unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts or disinterest, but still practice singing or playing an instrument outside of the school setting. This event is structured around those students, giving them an opportunity to show their musical talents to their peers even though they may not be in an RHS band or choir.

“I’m looking forward to seeing some of the kids who may be more reserved at school get on stage,” said senior class ambassador Vincent Guerrieri. “[I want to see] them get put out of their shell and show everyone what they can offer.”

Bradlee signed up to participate at this year’s coffee house, but she is also a member of the senior class ambassadors’ planning committee for the event, so she felt her participation was appropriate in performing. She was going to make her debut during the charity week coffee house last year, but was sick the night of the event. She looked forward to showing off her talent this year after a disappointing missed opportunity last spring.

“I’ve never performed in front of a lot of people,” Bradlee said. “I feel like there are a lot of people you never knew before could do a special talent. People are trying new things, which is cool.”

Senior Sweta Suri signed up to play the piano at this year’s coffee house. She feels that by performing, she is embracing the opportunity and making memories for her senior year.

Like Bradlee, she thinks that the event is unique in that all students are welcome to perform, unlike other RHS music and drama department productions where tryouts are present.

“Our class ambassadors work so hard to put [this event] together, but the people who actually sign up to perform are the ones who make the event a real success,” Suri said.

“It’s always nice to watch a bunch of people perform and thought I’d add my own variety, too, by playing the piano.”

The coffee house is an event that unites the school to celebrate the arts and enjoy a night together. This year, the student performances were not restricted to solely musical talents.

“I think this event is important because it’s a perfect opportunity for students to showcase their talents,” Suri said.

“What’s even better is that it’s not just singing or playing the piano, but now people are allowed to dance or do stand up comedy which [is] also really cool.”

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 12 || OPINION

NEW YEAR, NEW ME? Why the New Year is clichè

Resolutions help you reflect, grow MARIAM HANNA

ALEX GLASPIE

LIFESTYLES AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

STAFF WRITER

With Christmas comes the New Year, and with the New Year comes a million Instagram and Twitter posts captioned, “New Year, New Me.” Suburban mothers flood onto Facebook to speak about how they plan on being better mothers to their already spoiled children.

Now here’s the thing: I don’t have a problem with the New Year. Even I appreciate yelling at the top of my lungs, “Happy New Year!” at my uncle’s house while all the married couples kiss to ring in January, and their children, including me, groan in disgust. However, I strongly believe that the celebration is extremely overdone.

I can’t wait to host parties when I get older, watch the ball drop with my friends and drink a toast to celebrate the upcoming year. Everyone wants to party on New Year’s and make resolutions, but is it really worth it?

To be completely honest, any New Year resolution I try to accomplish ends up getting shoved under a rug about a week into January, the most popular being the resolution to eat healthier, work out more often and become a healthier version of myself.

Although I’ve seen resolutions come true and people start to become who they sought to be in their lives, it’s never worked out for me. Not only can I never accomplish anything I set out to during New Year’s, but I end up feeling worse after I can’t finish what I started.

This debacle that I get myself into every year makes for a terrible start to the year, and I always feel bad about myself after it’s over.

This might be a “too much information” moment, but every year, I end up crying myself to sleep because, according to myself, I will never be happier and kinder than I already am. I definitely look down on myself for this, because I shouldn’t spend time being mad at myself for not becoming who I want to be. Instead, I should continue to try to accomplish my goals.

In order to help myself feel better after that glittery ball drops to zero, I refuse to make any New Year’s resolutions for the sole fact that they are foolish. I bet I’m not the only one who thinks this, either.

However, I’m not here to discourage those who make New Year’s resolutions. If you do, go for it! I believe in you wholeheartedly, whether your resolution is to get better grades, to lose weight, to donate to charity or to become friendlier to people.

Becoming a better person is something that everyone should strive for, but dedicating a holiday to bettering yourself is not efficient enough. Instead of making a massive resolution once a year, try to make more meaningful ones as the year goes on. Make resolutions every month. Strive to be a more open, forgiving and kind soul on a regular basis, and trust me, you won’t regret it.

Growing up, I have always made New Year’s resolutions. I remember sitting down with my parents and thinking about what I want to accomplish for the year to come. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed planning everything to the smallest detail, and the best way to begin planning something is to make a list of goals. This plays a significant role in why I believe in making resolutions. Although an increasing number of individuals around the world have decided to stop making New Year’s resolutions, writing out my goals for the upcoming year is something I will continue to do for the future.

Making New Year’s resolutions is a good way to look back and reflect at the ending year.

For me, 2018 has been full of both beautiful moments and extremely difficult ones, and I have learned so much from it. When I write out my goals for 2019, I get the opportunity to think about what I have accomplished in 2018 and how I have changed as a person. I then am able to write resolutions for the upcoming year based on what I believe I did wrong and what I would like to continue doing right.

Having New Year’s resolutions keeps me on track for the year to come. By knowing what I want to accomplish physically, mentally and emotionally, I am able to be more organized and ready to get a step closer to the person I want to become. Some people say that resolutions bring them down, and if that’s what they do to you, then, by all means, do not make resolutions! However, the opposite is true for me. I like them because they outline a plan on how that year is going to look and how to reach my goals, and this motivates me.

I do not think I have ever accomplished all my resolutions, and that is totally fine! For me, though, having a few resolutions instantly makes me want to try something for the year ahead— it gives me that push of inspiration that so many of us lack these days because of school, sports, and our tiring and busy lives.

Here’s the thing I think many people believe about resolutions and makes them against the idea of new goals for the new year: resolutions make people think they need to change.

This is absolutely untrue. Everyone is perfect in his or her own way, and as cliche as that seems, it’s incredibly accurate. In my opinion, resolutions are not a way to force yourself to be different, but a method to make yourself happier and to better yourself. Instead of your goal being to get all As, for example, it can be to work even harder to get better grades. If making New Year’s resolutions causes you to feel bad about yourself, then do not make them.

But, if you are like me and New Year’s resolutions motivate you, then start writing yours!

COMIC: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS M. CONNER ARESENAULT STAFF WRITER

Next year I really want to start biking agian and maybe finish this My new year resolution is that, movie I’ve been writing, when I want to see my friends more and try to be I do that I’ve always wanted to go to more positive, but also watch my weight some place tropical and try to and eat less processed sugars but I cant give I’m just trying to raise my GPA. waterboard agian and I’m thinking up soda, also I was planning on going to the that I really want to bring my gymn more and get into better shape, old band back together because we like how I was in 2012, that was a good totally rocked the block back then year. Oh! And I want to go bowling we also used to always go to more and find a new hobby to the movies together so I keep me busy when I have free time. really want to see more because Im going to be so free this year movies next year

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 13 || LIFESTYLES

FUN AND AFFORDABLE WINTER ACTIVITIES Four local destinations to visit on Michigan’s snowy days FAZIL HUSSAIN STAFF WRITER

Snowy Escape to Belle Isle Belle Isle is usually not considered a place to visit in the winter, but it is beautifully covered in snow during this season. While you are there, visit Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Nature Center, Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and James Scott Memorial Mountain because it is all free. The only money you have to spend is for parking.

Visit Campus Martius The skating rink at Campus Martius is designed after the rink at Rockefeller Centre in New York City. It is the perfect place to grab a drink to warm yourself and practice your figure eights. Rent skates for $5 or bring your own and stash your shoes for a fee. Admission rates for skaters are $10 for adults and $8 for kids and seniors.

Rochester Fire and Ice Festival Rochester Fire and Ice Festival is returning on Friday, Jan. 19, and ends on Sunday, Jan. 21. It is a winter fest in Downtown Rochester where you can ski, ice skate, zip-line, grab a coffee for yourself and enjoy a walk. Activities and events are free.

Tours at Meadow Brook Hall If you prefer the indoors during the winter, every Friday for free, you can walk in the warmth of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, a 110 room Tudor-revival mansion. You can also enjoy their Holiday Lights and Winter Nights special holiday tours for $20 if you are willing to pay more. The special tours include bonfires, strolling carolers and s’mores.

Photos courtesy of Creative Commons.

TASTY HOLIDAY TREATS

Four delicious desserts to make for the upcoming holiday season

Scan this QR code for the recipes:

AVA BIORDI

STAFF WRITER Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a classic dessert to make for the holidays. Sugar cookies can be cut into fun shapes associated with the holiday season, such as Christmas trees, stars and candy canes. Around the 1930’s, it became a tradition for kids to leave out sugar cookies and milk for Santa Claus, causing the cookies to become widely popular during the holidays.

Ingredients: -3/4 cups butter -1 cup white sugar -2 eggs -1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract -2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour -1 teaspoon baking powder -1/2 teaspoon salt Difficulty Rating: Easy: These sugar cookies are traditional, and therefore use ingredients that most people already have in their pantry. These cookies are very easy and fun to make.

Photos by Ava Biordi.

Peppermint Bark

Gingerbread Cookies

A delicious mixture of sweet chocolate and peppermint, this dessert was first sold for $1.19 a pound in the 1960’s at a store in Florida. In 1998, WilliamSonoma began selling a modern version of peppermint bark. They say more than five million packs of their holiday treat have been sold in the past decade. It is super simple to make with only four ingredients.

The gingerbread cookie originated in Europe and has been popular for many years. Making gingerbread into the shapes of people and decorating houses made out of the cookie has since become a holiday tradition.

Ingredients: -30 hard peppermint candies -24 oz. milk chocolate -24 oz. white chocolate -1 teaspoon oil-based peppermint flavoring (optional) Difficulty Rating: Easy: Making peppermint bark is very easy and straightforward. This recipe is not complex and requires almost no baking skills, but it is still a perfect treat for celebrating the holidays.

Ingredients: -6 cups all-purpose flour -1 tablespoon baking powder -1 tablespoon ground ginger -1 teaspoon ground nutmeg -1 teaspoon ground cloves -1 teaspoon ground cinnamon -1 cup shortening -1 cup molasses -1 cup packed brown sugar -1/2 cup water -1 egg -1 teaspoon vanilla extract Difficulty Rating: Moderate: Making gingerbread cookies is very similar to making sugar cookies, but it takes more time and ingredients.

Dutch Apple Pie

This is a tasty, warm treat that is perfect for holiday festivities. Apple pies are made in many different styles other than Dutch, like French and Swiss. They can also be made with a latice crust on top.

Ingredients: -homeade or store-bought crust -8 cups Granny Smith apples -1 tablespoon lemon juice -3/4 cup white sugar -1/4 cup brown sugar -1/4 cup flour -1 teaspoon cinnamon -1/4 teaspoon nutmeg -1 cup flour -1/2 cup brown sugar -1/2 cup white sugar -1 teaspoon cinnamon -1/2 cup butter Difficulty Rating: Difficult: This recipe involves making both the filling and the topping of the pie. Coring and slicing all the apples can also take some time.

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 14 || LIFESTYLES

ESSENTIAL OILS IN CLASSROOMS What are the effects of essential oils on students’ learning?

HOLLY MCDONALD

STAFF WRITER

A calming scent of lavender fills the classroom air, leaving a pleasant smell.

Freshman Evie Ansari takes a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of the room. Ansari enjoys having essential oils in classrooms, especially because it helps improve her learning experience by giving her focus.

According to Ansari, teachers who diffuse essential oils in their classrooms can help to create a positive learning environment for students.

“I think that it’s a good idea for teachers to use essential oils,” Ansari said.

“Especially on test days, oils help students de-stress or concentrate depending on the kind that’s being used.”

Although essential oils can improve a student’s time in class, science teacher Mrs. Jaclyn Smith stresses that teachers must be aware that artificial scents can be distracting and disrupt learning for some students.

“One particular scent I used once was a little too strong, and some of the students didn’t like it, so I replaced it with a more neutral scent,” Mrs. Smith said. “I always tell my classes if they don’t like it, to let me know, or that they can feel free to turn it off.”

While some scents can be overpowering, using scents that have a fresh smell can provide a welcoming environment.

“Lavender, lemongrass and lemon are a pleasant and gentle blend,” Spanish teacher Ms. Beth East said. “Lavender is calming, while lemongrass is uplifting and pleasant.”

Freshman Taylor Nadjarian has specific scents that she doesn’t enjoy, which can even interrupt her from learning.

“I don’t like strong fruity scents.

Artificial fruity smells aren’t very appealing to me,” Nadjarian said. “Some teachers will

use too strong or artificial scents that give my classmates and me headaches.”

Although there may be a few scents that aren’t the best for a classroom, there are plenty of scents that students do enjoy.

“I think that lavender is a great oil for the classroom,” Ansari said. “Lavender is a nice smelling oil that most people enjoy and it also is very calming.”

Essential oils aren’t only being used at classrooms within RHS. Mrs. Foutz, a history teacher at West Middle School, an RHS feeder school, shares her experience with using a diffuser in her classroom.

“I have had positive comments about the scents in my classroom, and it’s very least I do to make my classroom feel welcoming,” Mrs. Foutz said. “While I am not sure that the oils help students focus or feel better, I think that students definitely can focus better in a room that feels welcoming.”

Mrs. Foutz uses peppermint and lemon as her go-to scents. She believes that they help create a nice environment for her classroom.

“Peppermint is said to help clear the mind, and I feel that students have a lot going on in their lives,” Mrs. Foutz said.

“I want my classroom to be a place where students can focus and peppermint is said to help with this. Lemon is another oil that I use because I find it to be energizing and uplifting. Sometimes I mix the two together.”

Some students who use a diffuser at home also enjoy having essential oils in their classrooms.

“My mom and I use essential oils for our health and well-being,” Ansari said. “We also diffuse oils to purify the air in our house.”

Nadjarian also likes to use essential oils at home and has scents that she prefers to use the most. She enjoys these scents in her

classrooms as well.

“I have two diffusers at home that I use with many essential oils,” Nadjarian said. “I use eucalyptus and lavender the most.”

Essential oils may enhance learning in students. Freshman Katie Gould shares her thoughts on teachers using a diffuser.

“I think essential oils are helpful and make it easier to learn,” Gould said. “But if the scent is too strong, I find it difficult to focus or concentrate.”

Some teachers only have artificial light in their classrooms, so their rooms don’t have a natural feel compared to other classrooms that have sunlight shining in. Using essential oils can help bring “fresh air” and a more natural feel to a classroom.

“I don’t have any windows,” Mrs. Smith said. “So I’ll use them whenever my classroom gets a little stuffy.”

Ms. East has been using essential oils in her classroom every day, during all hours, for almost four years. Ever since she’s began using essential oils, she has noticed that they help bring a positive atmosphere into her classroom.

“The fresh scent, paired with the bright decorations of my classroom and the bird feeder outside makes for a pretty positive learning experience,” Ms. East said.

Some teachers won’t use their diffusers for the whole day. It will depend on the situation or time of the day.

“We start school so early,” Mrs. Foutz said. “So in the morning, the lemon and peppermint combination is a nice way to start the day.”

As a student, Gould prefers to start the day with essential oils.

“I like to have them in the morning,” Gould said. “It’s nice when I’m still tired and

it wakes me up.”

Teachers who have used more neutral scents have never seen any adverse effects with their essential oils.

“I dilute the oils and have not had complaints of headaches,” Mrs. Foutz said.

“Also, none of my students have recorded allergies to any of the oils that I use. If a student comments on the smell I do ask if it is bothering them because I realize that some students are sensitive to perfumes and odors.”

Not every teacher uses essential oils in their classrooms but Gould would like diffusers to become more widespread among her classes.

“I think it would be a really great idea for more teachers to use essential oils,” Gould said. “[Oils] help students learn in a new and refreshing way.”

From a teacher’s perspective, Mrs. Foutz understands that students may be sensitive to the smell of essential oils. She believes that as long as teachers are aware, often it is a great idea to use them more.

“I think that if teachers use oils in their classroom they should be sure to be mindful of students with sensitivities to odors and willing to stop if there are complaints,” Mrs. Foutz said. “I definitely support teachers creating an environment in which students feel comfortable and welcome, so if oils help to create a better classroom environment, I support that.”

Ansari also hopes to have more classrooms with essential oils, as she finds them beneficial to her learning.

“I really think that using oils in the classroom helps me and others in many ways,” Ansari said. “I think it will create a great atmosphere for students.”

Benefits of essential oils

Lemon - used to improve concentration and is a mood enhancer Peppermint - sharpens focus, enhances alertness and boosts energy Lavender - used for stress relief and an antidepressant Eucalyptus - increases concentration Cinnimon - boosts brain function and reduces stress A diffuser is used in a classroom while students work. Photo by Holly McDonald.

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 15 || SPORTS

ROCHESTER UNITED FIGURE SKATING Skating team begins their season with a strong start RAGHDA ROMAYA STAFF WRITER

The girls of the Rochester United high school figure skating team excitedly gather around before each competition to exchange snacks with their “little sister,” another teammate who has been assigned to them.

For the past two years, this tradition has built camaraderie among the team, while relieving the skaters’ stress before they compete.

The Rochester United team competes with other Michigan teams and consists of skaters from Rochester High School, Adams High School and Stoney Creek High School.

Junior Dakota Rubbelke believes being on the team is a great opportunity to create lasting friendships with people who share her interests.

“The team has really helped me make friends with skaters from other schools,” Rubbelke said. “It has also helped me build my confidence as a skater.”

The Rochester United team competed in their first competition of the season on Dec. 4. Coach Helene Wolf said the team members had a great start to the competitive season and are on their way to accomplishing their team’s goal. “[The girls] are in great position to accomplish our goal of the state championship,” Coach Wolf said. “They

need to focus on preparing their individual competition elements, remembering their skating skills and adding finishing touches that pull them apart from the other teams.”

High school team competitions are broken down into three levels: Level A, Level B and Level C. These levels are determined by the individual test level of the skaters. Ending the competition, the Rochester United team took 2nd place in the Level A

team, 3rd place in the Level B team and 4th place in Level C team.

“I love to watch the athletes accomplish their goal, no matter big or small,” Coach Wolf said. “It’s always a gratifying moment.”

Although the team is very competitive, the girls believe it is important to always encourage one another and work as a team.

Junior Katelyn Capitani shared that that the team has taught her how to grow and improve as not only a skater, but as a person as well.

“The Rochester United Skating team has most importantly taught me how to take the competitiveness I have from my sport and turn it into supporting my team as a whole,” Capitani said. “Skating has taught me so many lessons over the years and has made me a much better person.”

Rochester United faces challenges due to the fact that figure skating is extremely rough on the body and can cause many long term injuries, such as hip, back and knee problems.

“I am currently injured and, in the past, I have had minor injuries due to skating such as sprained ankles and a sprained arm,” Capitani said. “I have dealt with hip and

back problems for a couple years now, and, in the past year, I have gone through some leg problems that have taken me a step back from skating.”

Like Capitani, Rubbelke has also faced the experience of getting injured while figure skating.

“I’ve hurt my knee many times before,” Rubbelke said. “I remember one time this girl lifted her ice skate up, and I was right behind her, and it like hit me… I have a scar from it.”

According to the girls, they continue to figure skate because their love for the sport outweighs all the hard work they do and challenges they face.

“If you lack the motivation and goals, you will find yourself not accomplishing these goals,” Capitani said. “Looking past all of the emotional and physical stress that skating has caused me in the past, I still love this sport and I don’t think I could ever quit it.”

Skating can be difficult, but Wolf stresses that skaters might surprise themselves with their capabilities.

“You don’t know what you can do until you try,” Coach Wolf said. “More importantly, they are the skater, not the judge, so just go out there and skate because you love it.”

Photo courtesy of Dakota Rubbelke.

CAPTAINS’ QUOTES “Our goal is to work hard throughout the year. Through that hard work, [we can] hopefully win team districts. I’m definitely looking forward to hanging out with my teammates and having a good time.”

Brandon Troy, boys varsity wrestling team captain

“This team is obviously not the same as last year due to the losses of our two leading scorers.

However, I believe we can be just as good, if not better, because of attitude and effort. Our goals this year are to win our league and to win districts. I look forward to the potential our team has once we get everything in check.”

Devin Murray, boys varsity basketball team captain

THE TALON || DECEMBER 2018

PAGE 16 || SPORTS

GIRLS POWERLIFTING

New club encourages positivity and health for girls COLIN ALISON

STAFF WRITER

Girls Powerlifting is a new athletic club that was introduced to RHS last fall. It’s a mostly student-led organization, where the girls go down to the athletic wing and partake in workouts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“Girls Powerlifting is a way for ROC girls to gain muscle, lose weight or just to achieve their personal fitness goals,” senior Mya Fisher said. “The final outcome we all want to see is to look better, feel better and be healthier than when the season started.”

Fisher is the club’s main organizer. She helped spread the word about the club and is in charge of the activities the girls do during the session. The club is also supervised by physical education and health teacher Mrs. Amy Oppat and physical education teacher Mr. Steve Fox. “[Former RHS math teacher] Coach Merlot started the program because he saw great potential in the strength of some of the athletes that were involved in other sports,” Mrs. Oppat said. “He wanted to provide them with an avenue to continue working on their power and teach them the correct way to train. He encouraged the girls to discuss this new opportunity with others that might have an interest in gaining strength. From there, the program has continued to gain interest and grow in numbers.”

The main goal for the club is for girls who do not participate in winter sports to have a way to stay in shape.

Many of the girls play spring sports they condition for through lifting, which creates a unique community in the weight room. There they get briefed by Fisher, and after her announcements and some stretching, the members take off to do their own workouts.

“There are approximately 20 athletes that are a part of the powerlifting group,” Mrs. Oppat said. “On average, about 1215 girls commit to training at least 3 days per week.”

The club is only advertised through the members

themselves. Although the club is relatively small, it strives for a familial and friendly environment. The girls are always willing to help each other and do not discriminate or judge other members. The environment is filled with positivity, as the members emphasize again and again.

“This is my first year helping with this program. Last year Coach Merlot started the program and was working with the athletes,” Oppat said. “From what I have seen this year, the girls are doing a great job focusing on form and increasing their ability to lift heavier weights.”

Now that the previous organizer, math teacher and football coach Mr. Nick Merlot, has left RHS, Mrs. Oppat and Mr. Fox have taken on the task of overseeing of the club. Very little has changed since Mr. Merlot started working at Stoney Creek High School, as the club is mostly run by the students.

“Women’s powerlifting is like an outlet for girls to work out in their off season, meet new people or just get in shape and try something new,” senior Alice Finlan said. “Every girl is there for a different reason but we all come together to have a good time and lift.”

The club demonstrates the girls’ dedication to remain in shape, and to always be ready for their respective sports seasons. Many of the girls play different sports, and are from many different grades, but they all share the passion to remain in shape.

“Girls Powerlifting is different because not only are we improving our bodies, but we’re improving our confidence and it makes a difference about how we feel each day,” Fisher said. “This group of girls is always encouraging each other and everyone is excited and happy to be there. After a tough day, going to lift with a great group of girls like this is the perfect stress reliever, and I look forward to seeing them each week. We’re proud to do this together and that’s what makes it special.”

Junior Brooke Coulter spots another member of the Girls Powerlifting Club. Photo by Colin Alison.

JANUARY SPORTS PREVIEW Upcoming RHS athletic events

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL Jan. 8: vs. Athens (away) Jan. 10: vs. Hazel Park (away) Jan. 15: vs. Ferdale (home) Jan. 22: vs. Berkley (away) Jan. 25: vs. Stoney Creek (home) Jan. 29: vs. Seaholm (home)

BOYS VARSITY WRESTLING Jan. 5: Invitational @ Bishop Foley (away) Jan. 9: vs. Lake Orion (away) Jan. 12: Invitational @ Clarkston (away) Jan. 16: Quad @ RHS (home) Jan. 23: Quad @ Adams (away) Jan. 26: Invitational @ Crestwood (away)

COED VARSITY SKI Jan. 8: Giant Slalom @ Pine Knob (home) Jan. 9: Slalom @ Pine Knob (home) Jan. 10: Giant Slalom @ Pine Knob (home) Jan. 14: Slalom @ Pine Knob (home) Jan. 15: Giant Slalom @ Pine Knob (home) Jan. 22: Slalom @ Pine Knob (home)