JANUARY 2013

TALON The

180 S. Livernois Rochester Hills MI, 48307

January 31, 2013

Volume 75

Students share their experiences playing in the pep band.

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Issue 4 Here’s a closer look into senior Jacob Carl’s life as an elite swimmer.

CROSSTOWN

SHOWDOWN Rochester and Adams come together at the Oakland University O’rena for one of the most anticipated games of the year.

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Photo by Eddie Schodowski

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Table of Contents

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2012-2013

PAGES 3-4: NEWS

PAGES 5-8: FEATURE

PAGE 9: LIFESTYLES

PAGES 10-11: PAGES 12-13: OPINION SPREAD

PAGE 14: ENTERTAINMENT

PAGES 15-20: SPORTS

TheTalon Staff

Austin Bowerman, Co-Editor-in-Chief Brian Palmer, Co-Editor-in-Chief Editorial Board: Sydney Bammel, Olivia Bennett, Camille Douglas, Karl Erikson, Danielle Kullmann Staff Reporters: Colette Cloutier, Jake Dziegielewski, Deja Franklin, Kelly Krako, Zach Libby, Grant McPherson, A.J. Prisciandaro, Emberly Skaggs, Casey Ternes, Sarah Walwema, Melody Zhang Julia Satterthwaite, Adviser

The Talon presents an open forum for student expression to be used by the Rochester High School community to promote and express thought and action.

The stories, opinions, and bylined content in The Talon do not necessarily represent and should not be interpreted as the views of the Rochester Community School Board of Education or any of its staff, faculty or employees.

The Talon is devoted to professional journalism and fairness in all reporting. The Talon will adhere to a standard of responsible journalism and will refrain from publishing material which is legally libelous, obscene or could disrupt the operation of the school.

You got something to say?

If something annoys you about us, school, or life in general,

write a letter to the editor.

If something amuses you about us, school, or life in general, write a letter to the editor.

If we got something wrong, write a letter to the editor.

If it’s coherent and under 300 words, we’ll run it.

Drop them off at room B123 during 4th Hour with your name.

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5 x 5: Class sponsors prepare for future Meet RHS’s class advisors Melody Zhang Staff Writer

Math Teacher Mrs. Stephanie Shooks

1.What is your specific title?

Freshman Class Advisor.

I help organize the freshman mentor program, activities for the freshman class, and grade level incentives and rewards.

2. What do your responsibilities entail?

To get as many Freshman students involved at Rochester as possible and give them a sense of belonging in our Falcon Family.

3. What do you hope to achieve specifically with your grade?

Mrs. Harris and I are working to revamp the Freshman Mentor Program.

History Teacher Mr. Chad Zwolinski

English Teacher Mr. André Harding

History Teacher Mrs. Sarah Miesch

Media Specialist Mrs. Julie Harris

Sophomore Class Advisor

Junior Class Advisor

Senior Class Advisor

Activities Director. I make sure all the clubs and school activities are up and running smoothly and help where I’m needed.

Creating activities for the sophomore class and an activity that includes the freshmen and sophomore class.

Promote school spirit Help supervise class/ school activities Collaborate with other class sponsors Be a mentor and encourage involvement to junior class

As Senior Class Advisor I am responsible for planning Mr. Rochester, Night With the Stars, Prom, Senior Walk, and Commencement. It makes for a really hectic but exciting spring!

Get students signed up for clubs, assist with Student Council, assist with the Freshmen Mentor Team, and work with the four grade-level advisors on whole-grade activities.

Strong unity, pride, and excitement about activities for sophomores.

I’d like to help create an environment where juniors not only enjoy all aspects of high school, but help encourage students in other grades to do the same.

My hope is to always have the seniors make amazing memories and leave a great legacy to the younger classes.

Happy and welladjusted Falcons!

Our ambition to make RHS a better place with a stronger student activity program.

Time to implement all the great ideas.

4. What do you think is working well?

We are pleased with the way our mentors are stepping up and making connections with our Freshmen.

The amazing group of sophomores I have working with me; our ideas for activities; our school attitude of pride.

Willingness from the junior class to create a more positive school environment.

Each year Mr. Rochester is getting better and better! This year it’s on Valentine’s Day so it is a special edition! Each year new traditions emerge which only add to the rich RHS History.

5. What challenges are surfacing?

Time, time, time. I honestly need at least 8 more hours each day.

Getting the word out for events; we [try to get] as many sophomores involved as we can.

Finding the time within a school calendar to plan events that can involve ALL students.

Trying to implement all the great ideas. The schedule is so busy that it’s hard to add new stuff in.

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Right to Work Legislation evokes mixed feelings Austin Bowerman Co-Alpha Male

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, 17,000 Michigan residents stormed the capitol to express their displeasure for the Right to Work Legislation. Now, a month later, Right to Work remains a heated topic among Michiganders.

The Right to Work legislation was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder on Tuesday, December 11, and allows workers who are covered by a union contract to opt out of paying union dues or agency fees, but still receive the same benefits and representation as people who pay union dues.

Communications coordinator for the Michigan State AFL-CIO Peter Klein opposes the new legislation.

“I myself am a third generation union member, and I think it’s terrible that our state is taking steps backward in the struggle for workers’ rights,” Mr. Klein said. “Politicians should be working to build up the middle class, not tear it down because wealthy donors have an agenda to

take away our rights on the job.”

RHS alumnus Aaron Kuhn was an active participant of the protests against Right to Work, and shares a similar opinion. “[Right to Work] is a bunch of crap,” Kuhn said. “For the Governor to lead the charge of shoving the bill down the legislative processes throat in five days without any hearings, committees or public input shows just how bad it is.”

Both Mr. Klein and Kuhn are worried that the Right to Work legislation will deteriorate unions.

“Right to Work is unionbusting, plain and simple,” Mr. Klein said. “[Right to Work] will squeeze even more money out of the middle class and leave workers with no protections for things like job security, pensions and good working conditions.”

Kuhn believes that this is one of the goals of Right to Work. “[Right to Work] drives wages down and is basically a bill designed to bust unions-a base of the Democratic Party,” Kuhn said.” While it has been an economic move in the past, Republicans have made

Protesters at the Capitol express their opinions about the Right to Work legislation on December 11. Photo by Aaron Kuhn

it completely a political one, specifically here in Michigan since they slammed the bill though during a lame-duck session.”

While Kuhn and Klein do not approve of the new legislation, many, such as senior Keaton Hallman, are in favor of it.

“I’m happy that Right to Work passed because it gives individuals more power,” Hallman said. “No longer do they have to pay a fee to a union that they may not want to join.”

Hallman also believes that if unions were to fail because of Right to Work, it would not matter.

“It is pointless to have a union if nobody wants to join it anyways,” Hallman said. “If nobody wants to unite than it is not much of a union. Besides, People all should be able to decide for themselves because they know what is best for them.”

Hallman sees no progress on resolving the conflicts over Right to Work in the future.

“I have no hope for humanity,” Hallman said. “I have seen people react to other legislation in a negative way that actually turns out to be a good thing, like the Civil Rights Act.” Mr. Klein, however, has a different view for the future.

“The Michigan AFL-CIO, its affiliate unions, and our allies inside and outside of the Labor movement are looking at all possible legislative, political, and legal options to fight back against Right to Work,” Mr. Klein said. “[I hope] that working people will keep fighting for Michigan’s middle class by uniting together to fight back against Right to Work by holding extreme right wing politicians accountable for standing with corporations and CEOs, elect good leaders who will stand with working families and unite us, and organize on the job to protect their voice in the workplace.”

Doctors recommend both males and females get HPV vaccination Sydney Bammel Editorial Board

Carolyn Janney sits on a thin piece of paper draped over a cushioned examination table at her doctor’s office. A nurse comes in with a single needle in hand. The nurse injects it into Janney’s arm.

She feels a bit awkward, but she knows the shot is good for her wellbeing. This shot is one of a set of three that will be administered over a period of six months to Janney. This is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) shot.

It has been reported by The National Center for Biotechnical Information and the U.S. National Library of Medicine that the HPV shot protects against HPV-6, 11, 16 and 18. Also, they explain that HPV-16 and HPV-18 can cause cervical cancer and HPV-6 and -11 can cause genital warts in women.

“I got the HPV shot when I was 16,” Janney said. “Sixteen is a good age to get the shot because it’s when people are starting to develop.”

The center of disease control recommends that people get their HPV shots at the age of 9-years-old, yet the shots should be administered before the teens become sexually active.

“At our facility we normally vaccinate people between 12 and 14

because that’s the time teens start becoming sexually active,” Dr. Craig Mueller of Paint Creek Pediatrics said.

Many doctors recommend that males get the HPV shots, too. The center of disease control states that some the HPV shots protect against strains of HPV that can cause genital warts and cancers in males.

“I think both guys and girls should get the HPV shots because of the medical benefits,” sophomore Olivia Bevacqua said. “It also protects cancer in guys as well.”

Guys who get vaccinated against HPV could potentially protect their parners from getting the virus.

“Males need to get the shot because HPV is spread through sexual activity,” Dr. Mueller said. “Although they might not show signs of being infected, they can transfer the STD to their female counterparts.”

As reported by the Center of Disease Control, the HPV shots do have some mild side effects like a low-grade fever or light-headedness.

“The few side effects of the HPV vaccine are worth getting the shots because it protects you for a lifetime,” Dr. Mueller said.

According to Dr. Mueller, the HPV shot is important to get as a young person because you can get the virus at any time.

“The HPV shots are important to get because it can protect both guys and girls in the future,” Janney said.

To get vaccinated against HPV, teens undergo a series of three shots, which offer protection for life. Photo

by Jan Christian

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WHAT MAKES

Co-op gives students paid working opportunity

With the closure of the first semesters, students receive their grades and wonder just how the value of each assignment is decided. Teachers comment on their decisions.

Melody Zhang

GRADING SUCCESSFUL? Olivia Bennett Editorial Board

Much has been said about the way that teachers grade and the amount of importance that they put on certain aspects of the classroom. It seems difficult for teachers to find a balance between the specification on homework and test grades, while also finding a way to keep their kids motivated and interested.

AP Government and US History teacher Mrs. Laura Matthews uses her own skills to help connect kids in her classroom.

“I motivate my students by being excited about the content that I’m teaching,” Mrs. Matthews said. “In doing so I hope to help them become just as motivated with what they’re learning.”

The type of emphasis that is put on homework and tests is up to the teacher. He/she can choose the way that they want to space out their grading.

“I emphasize homework because practice is key to understanding,” AP US history teacher Mr. Chad Zwolinski said.

“But tests have a greater weight in my class because it shows if a student is able to show they understood the homework.”

The assignments that a teacher assigns and the amount of importance that they put on certain aspects of their classroom can easily reflect on students’ grades. AP Comp and Lang teacher Ms. Erin Burke likes to vary her assignments to keep students focused.

“I try to make sure my assignments are varied,” Ms. Burke said. “I like to switch it up, but make it an even distribution overall. I don’t want to have any one category weighted too much.

Students share their ideal grading percentages

Staff Writer

WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS Co-op is basically school credit for paid working experience. Junior and Senior co-op students leave after fourth hour, and they either go home or go directly to their workplace. The only requirements for eligibility into the co-op program is that students must be taking the required junior and senior classes (like math, English, etc.), including one elective business class that is offered at RHS, and work for a minimum of 10 hours a week. Students are responsible for their own transportation, but work within walking distance of the school is available as well.

GETTING A JOB FROM CO-OP 10% participation

20% projects

40% tests

OWEN ZAK, JUNIOR

“For the first two weeks of the semester we meet every day and build our resumes, do our educational profiles, safety training, go through interview skills, what to wear at an interview, how to answer questions and how to pan out your resume so it looks like you’re a more interesting person,” Co-op teacher Mrs. Malsbury explained. “There is an application you need to fill in, and you’ll also [need] a reference from a teacher. Not many people usually get turned down, and the only reason they will get turned down is if you are not passing the graduation requirement. [Once] the kids are on release [for work], I meet with them every two weeks. We have assignments that we do in class, we talk about different skills, help them do taxes, fill W-4 forms, and then they hand in time-sheets to show they’ve been doing the ten hour minimum a week.”

30% homework

WHY IT’S GREAT

Recently the state wants to give students an opportunity that they like to call a “CAPSTONE” – basically work-based experience, both paid and unpaid. This “CAPSTONE” is especially useful now since students do not have a career counselor who can guide them in choosing and following career paths. Colleges love to see this type of work experience from students, which is why students benefit from joining Co-Op.

10% participation

30% projects

40% tests

MICHAEL MURRI, JUNIOR 20% homework

Being an English teacher, it’s between homework, tests, projects and essays. I don’t want solely your test grades to reflect your overall grade in my class.”

Participation in a class is also a factor that can be reflected in a students’ class grade.

“I think it’s both the teachers and the students fault based on their participation,” Ms.

Photos and infographics by Olivia Bennett

Burke said. “When we do have class discussions, we have an important role to help students feel confident but their personality is also a factor.”

“Five of the school-store kids do first shift and they finish at 11:42 a.m.,” Mrs. Malsbury said. “They are done for the school day; they go off to their workplace and do whatever they need to do. It’s a dream if you have that schedule.”

“I’ve had AP students who took co-op,” Mrs. Malsbury said. “I’ve had students who are failing miserably and need to get out of school, so the only motivation they have is, if I could pass 1, 2, 3rd hour, I can leave after 4th hour.”

WHY CONSIDER CO-OP?

It’s an opportunity for students to figure out “that’s not what I want to do” or “that’s exactly what I want to do.” The pay is up to twelve bucks an hour, and the program allows you to leave school two hours early. Moreover, working experience looks great on a resumé.

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S N O I T I T E P COM

Brian Palmer Co-Alpha Male

While in most academic classes, students worry about upcoming quizzes and tests, art students scramble to put together their portfolios in preparation for a variety of art competitions. The drawings, paintings, photographs, digital art and 3D art they submit could potentially win them awards and scholarships to some of the best art colleges available. This is especially significant for students in AP Studio Art who plan make their art a career.

The Scholastics Art and Writing Competition is the most significant contest coming up and many students plan to submit their work. AP Studio Art teacher Ms. Jessica McLean has been advising these students on their portfolios since the beginning of the year.

“Being able to help students with their portfolios is really rewarding,” Ms. McLean said. “It’s now that time of year when students are figuring out what colleges they’re going into and finding out how much scholarship money they’re getting for their work. It gets a little bit crazy because we have three different competitions going on right now.”

Aside from Scholastics, the Wayne State Student Art Show and the Michigan Art Education Association (MAEA) are two other art competitions in which RHS students compete. This year, there are over 180 submissions from RHS students that range from individual pieces of art to entire portfolios. Some students, such as senior Diana Racheva, have multiple pieces or portfolios submitted.

“In the past few weeks I’ve been mostly trying to finish my drawing portfolio because my photography portfolio was pretty much done by the end of the first quarter,” Racheva said. “The drawing has taken a lot more time, but the satisfaction of seeing it all completed and how far you’ve come is the most exciting part about it.”

Though the process of putting together

Top left: Water color and ink portrait by senior Yazmin Gooren. Top right: Painting by senior Sarah Thompson. Bottom left: Painting by senior Brian Palmer. Bottom right: Pastel drawing by senior Sanna Good.

an art portfolio may seem challenging, there’s more to it than just making several pieces of art. Every piece requires a great deal of planning.

“First, I think of what I want to draw,” senior K.J. Washington said. “I outline it once, then again with thicker lines and begin the shading and finer details. Once it’s done, I take it outside for the best lighting to take a picture. Usually I adjust the brightness of the image in Photoshop

to make it look as good as possible.”

Perhaps one of the most challenging things about the process this year is the unusually high number of people taking AP Studio Art. This has made it more difficult for Ms. McLean to dedicate time to helping individuals with their art.

However, the two AP Studio Art classes seem to have been running smoothly with a few adjustments to her typical teaching style.

“This year’s class is a lot bigger than what we’ve had in the past,” Ms. McLean said. “So we’ve had to have a lot more structured deadlines to make sure everyone gets their work done, but we still have inclass critiques to help them improve their artwork. Putting together a portfolio can be really time-consuming and it can get crazy around this time of year but they have to continue working hard, because with art, you can’t take shortcuts.”

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Mr. Byrd plays in cover band outside of school

Karl Erikson Editorial Board

If you’re listening. Sing it back.

String from your tether unwinds.

Up and outward to bind.

The audience goes crazy, as one of their favorite songs is being performed: The Sweetness. No, the fans aren’t rocking to Jimmy Eat World; this is local cover band, The Underdog. This band’s drummer/rapper is a man known to RHS students as math teacher Mr. Rob Byrd. But on the weekends, the birdie flies away and joins a group of guys he’s known for eight years and rocks the stage at various bars across Oakland and Wayne County.

“I’ve been in the band for about six years,” Mr. Byrd said. “We are just a cover band, but many of us have been in original bands before.”

In his 11 years at RHS, Mr. Byrd has mentioned to some of his colleagues where and when he will be performing.

Some of the staff takes time out of their busy schedules to go see The Underdog

The Underdog consists of Jeremy Little on guitar, Ryan Ruiz on bass, Rob Byrd on drums, Rob McDonald on keyboard and Eric Bode on guitar. The band has been together for eight years, with this exact group of guys forming about two years ago. Photo courtesy of Rob Byrd

perform.

“I really enjoy hearing Mr. Byrd’s band,” English and history teacher Mrs. Ashley Painter said. “They cover some really fun and upbeat songs. In addition, they interact with the audience really well and have as much fun playing as

those people listening.”

Other teachers have noticed how much fun the performances have been and have traveled to a few different locations to get to see him play.

“I first saw them play at The Hills and I thought it was great,” science teacher

Mrs. Erin Slomka said. “I’ve seen them play at Luna in Royal Oak and the 89X show at The Fillmore.”

Luna is an especially cool scene, drawing many different characters to the shows.

“Luna is a very small, warm place,” English teacher Ms. Wood said. “There’s always lots of sweating and teachers tearing it up on the dance floor.”

Not only do some of the RHS staff enjoy the shows, The Underdog draws quite a few other rowdy fans.

“People have their own way of grooving,” Mrs. Slomka said. “I distinctly remember a guy who would come by himself and groove in his khakis and a blazer. He was a sweet dancer.”

Mr. Byrd has been playing the drums for 24 years, and in that time, he’s found some key differences to cover bands and original bands.

“I love to play music, and I can’t imagine not playing the drums, but being in a cover band is a different type of pressure,” Mr. Byrd said. “People have actually heard the songs ahead of time, and want them to sound good.”

Pep Band helps to pump up crowd at basketball games consider their song choice.

“We try to pick pieces that sound good for band, that people Adorning brass, percussion, can recognize, and that are fun and wind instruments, RHS’s to play,” Mr. Nadeau said. pep band is to basketball games Pep band is also a way to as white is to blue. Even though encourage even its members to pep band might not be the remember the first thing that motto, “Every comes to mind day is a great when thinking day to be a I probably wouldn’t go to about basketball Falcon.” games, according the basketball games if it “I probably to band director wouldn’t go to [weren’t] for pep band. I Timothy Nadeau, the basketball guess it makes me feel like basketball games if it I’m a part of the school” games would be [weren’t] for different without ~Shannon Sheldrick, sophomore pep band,” them. sophomore “It would pep band be very quiet member Shannon Sheldrick said. without pep band,” Mr. Nadeau “I guess it makes me feel like said. “The band can be loud, I’m a part of the school.” so hopefully we get to build up Other members of the pep excitement that would lack if we band found that they enjoyed were not there.” watching the game.

In order to get the crowd “I actually get into the game,” excited, the pep band has to senior Michaella DeRubeis said.

Sarah Walwema Staff Writer

“

“Most people want to do it to hang out with friends, but I find myself getting into it.”

Members of pep band know they’re an important part of setting the mood of the basketball games. If the crowd isn’t into the game, the players might not be either.

“It’s basically our responsibility [to get people excited],” DeRubeis said. “Us and the cheerleaders.”

The musicians in pep band are there because they choose to be.

“Pep band is entirely not curricular,” Mr. Nadeau said.

“It’s not for credit, and it’s not for a grade.”

Like other activities and clubs at RHS, pep band is also a way for students to connect with each other.

“I joined pep band because it’s fun, and it’s a place to hang out with friends,” junior Thomas Steffens said.

The Pep Band plays “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes to pump up the crowd at the Crosstown Showdown on January 11. Photo by Melody Zhang

Pep band is just another way that RHS students express themselves artistically.

“From the school’s perspective, there’s no need for a pep band, but it’s a type of

ensemble that adds atmosphere to the basketball games,” Mr. Nadeau said. “It’s a way for students to show their support for the school through what they do best: music making.”

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A guide to joining choir:

As scheduling for the next school year begins, choir poses an interesting option for a new elective Treble Choir:

What it is: Treble choir is the beginner’s female choir at RHS, and is mainly made up of freshman girls or beginning female choir students.

How to get in: The way to get into treble choir is to sign up with one’s counselor.

One can join for first semester, second semester or both.

Things that treble choir participates in: RHS choir concerts, Choral Festival and optional participation in Solo & Ensemble and singing at the DSO’s annual Nutcracker performance.

“

I enjoy choir, our teacher is nice and all of our girls get along really nicely. I joined choir because I love music. Choir fulfills that need of music because we’re always exploring different types of music.”

~Chloe Leeks, sophomore

Concert Choir:

What it is: Concert choir is the lowest co-ed choir at RHS. It is made up of boys of all ages, and females from sophomore year up.

How to get in: Female students can audition for this choir at the end of the year, males who sign up for choir with their counselor are automatically placed in this choir.

Things concert choir participates in: RHS choir concerts, Choral Festival and optional participation in Solo & Ensemble.

“

I’ve been doing it [choir] since sixth grade and so I figured why not do it in high school? Mrs. Plotzke’s a really great teacher, even though she has strange ways of teaching sometimes. My favorite part of choir is that it helps me build teamwork skills. Everyone supports each other and becomes a family. ” ~Katie Whitfield, sophomore

Chorale:

Chamber Choir:

“

“

What it is: Chorale is the highest female choir at RHS, and is made up of female singers from the sophomore, junior and senior classes.

How to get in: Female students can audition for chorale at the end of their freshman year.

Things that chorale participates in: RHS choir concerts and choir events, Retreat and optional participation in the DSO’s annual Nutcracker performance, and Solo and Ensemble.

Choir has been awesome! I joined because I needed to take another class second semester and this was the only one open. I stayed because I didn’t want to do a language and because its my most fun class and the people and the teacher are awesome!”

~Katie O’Bezil , junior

What it is: Chamber choir is the most advanced co-ed choir at RHS, and is made up of sophomore, junior and senior students.

How to get in: One can audition for chamber choir at the end of the year but it is rare to advance into chamber without a few years of choir experience.

Things chamber choir participates in: RHS choir concerts, school events, choral festival and retreat.

Choir is magic. I joined because Plotzke recruited me. I love it because everyone is so mature and advanced and everyone works really well.”

~Fabian Villalobos, junior

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Teacher juggles new responsibilities Casey Ternes

A day in the life of Mrs. Painter

Staff Writer

Mrs. Ashley Painter returned from maternity leave on January 22 and is juggling several new roles: English Language Arts Consultant for grades 6-12, parttime English and history teacher at RHS and being a new mom.

Mrs. Painter applied for the curriculum job near the end of the summer and was selected in October. The position requires Mrs. Painter to spend half her day teaching at RHS and the other half working on English curriculum issues for the district, including realigning curriculum to the Common Core State Standards that have been implemented this year and will be tested as soon as 2014.

“I am very excited about my new responsibilities,” Mrs. Painter said. “Our main goals for this year are to align our instruction to meet the new common core standards that most states have adopted and providing professional development to teachers that allows them to grow in their profession.”

Mrs. Painter is excited about the challenge and is interested to see what the curriculum position is all about.

“The most exciting yet

6:30-7:25 a.m.: drop Emma off at daycare, drive to school and get ready for the day 1st hour: Elements of Composition 2nd hour: U.S. History English and history teacher Mrs. Ashley Painter is enjoying her new role as mother to Emma Rose, born November 16. Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Ashley Painter

challenging aspect of this job is it is a brand new position,” Mrs. Painter said. “That means I may be able to change and create new expectations based on what I think our district needs.”

Mrs. Painter does have a pretty good idea of what she’d like to accomplish.

“Moving forward, I will also be looking at the courses that our district offers, evaluating the placement of students in certain classes, helping teachers prepare students for smarter balance assessments, and helping to create a bridge between middle school

and high school,” Mrs. Painter said.

Of course, Mrs. Painter is also balancing being a new mom to daughter Emma Rose, who was born on November 16 at 3:55 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 21 ½ inches in length.

“I love my job, but it will be difficult to create the time and energy I need to be a successful educator and a successful parent,” Mrs. Painter said. “I love watching my little girl grow and change.

Recently, she has started to smile, and I am so proud of all of her

accomplishments, much like I am with my students.”

Mrs. Painter has several strategies to manage all her new responsibilities.

“I think you have to plan and use your time wisely,” Mrs. Painter said.

“There are certain times that being a parent is going to require more of my time and times in the year that being a teacher will require more time. I think that key is creating a sort of teeter totter where by moving back and forth neither side is neglected. It's a balancing act, but the hard work that both require is extremely rewarding.”

3rd Hour: Planning, lunch, travel to district offices 11:00-3:30 p.m. (usually): Working on curriculum concerns 3:30-6:00 p.m.: Mommy and Emma time 6:00 p.m.: Dinner 6:30-9:00 p.m.: Grading, planning, daddy and Emma time 9:00 p.m.: Organize and pack for school and daycare, then bedtime

The Painter family consists of dad Chad, who works as an inside sales manager at RS Hughes Detroit, dogs Bailey and Lenny, Emma and Mrs. Ashley Painter. Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Ashley Painter

Emma Rose Painter was born on November 16 at 3:55 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 21.5 inches in length. Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Ashley Painter

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CROSSTOWN

SHOWDOWN

Students, parents and basketball fans funnel into the Oakland University O’rena as the clock counts down to the beginning of one of the most important basketball games of the year: the Crosstown Showdown. With seats packed and suspense building, it was sure to be an amazing night.

AJ Prisciandaro Staff Writer

White rally towels were waving around frantically in a sea of black, as the raucous crowd of Rochester fans attending the seventh annual Crosstown Showdown, held at Oakland University’s O’rena, were making as much noise as they could muster. A free throw by Rochester senior forward James Young had cut the Adams lead to 37-35, the closest it had been since the beginning of the game.

However, it wasn’t enough as the Falcons eventually fell in a disappointing fashion to the Highlanders, 43-36.

Young, who was battling a stomach virus and had to leave for the bathroom on two separate occasions, finished with three points. Rochester’s only lead of the game was in the opening minutes at 3-2.

Adams took full control of the game from then on and led by as much as 14 at one point, but a late Rochester rally made it close. As a team, the Falcons fell to 6-2 on the season.

Adams remained unbeaten at 7-0.

The outcome was decided when AHS’s Sam Gasiorowski’s lay-up with 30 seconds left pushed the Adams lead to 41-36, and put the game out of reach. This was preceded

Senior John Doroshewitz and Principal Charles Rowland high five after the Falcons score. Photo by Brian Palmer

by a missed three-point shot

by Young, which could have potentially tied the game at 39 and completed the Falcon’s furious comeback.

The Highlanders came out firing in the first half, forcing nine Rochester turnovers in the first quarter alone, and building a 2514 lead by halftime. On defense, AHS players were physical with Young, often double-teaming the star recruit in an effort to keep him away from the basket.

“We had a really bad start to the game in the first half,” RHS junior guard Michael Murri said.

“We weren’t in sync and couldn’t get anything going on offense.”

The second half was a different story for the Falcons, as they slowly kept trimming the Adams lead thanks to many baskets by senior center Arben Camaj, who led all scorers with

17 points. The score was 35-27 at one point early in the fourth quarter when Young re-entered the game.

Rochester quickly rallied and cut the lead to as little as two points, when Young sunk the free throw with four minutes left to make it 37-35.

“In the second half, I thought we did a good job locking down defensively,” Murri said. “We just couldn’t make up for how poor[ly] we started the game.”

The Falcons will seek revenge at their next meeting with the Highlanders- on February 26 at Adams.

“The next time we play them we just have to move the ball better, operate offensively,” Murri said. “And there’s absolutely no way we won’t beat them.”

Photo by Brian Palmer

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English reading curriculum should be updated Danielle Kullmann Editorial Board

For a very long time, the reading curriculum in our school systems has been criticized for a variety of reasons.

Although the flaws of the reading system are often greatly exaggerated, there are valid reasons as to why the reading curriculum should be changed, spanning from being monotonous and hard to relate to, to it depicting inaccurate or generalized views of different cultures.

One of the issues with the literature today is that it blurs together; none of it spurs any type of enthusiasm for reading nor does it give students an anchor. The point of reading, outside of the main goal to learn how to analyze and enhance vocabulary, is as C.S. Lewis so eloquently put it, “...to know we are not alone.”

Students want to read so that they can see themselves reflected in the stories they read. This does not mean that radical steps must be made from “The Scarlet Letter” to “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”

There are high par classic and contemporary novels that show a variety of people, with a variety of backgrounds that avoid negative or perpetual stereotypes

ann Photo Illustration by Danielle Kullm

while showing reflections of our lives in a way that can be thought-provoking as well as entertaining. The solution would have to be adding books that actually do relate to culture nowadays but at the same time don’t trivialize or generalize about different cultures. Students should get to read novels like “Sag Harbor,” “Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters,” “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” and “The Curious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime,” all of which are contemporary, but well-written novels that introduce different struggles that people have without isolating problems to a specific

race or culture, something that is done a lot in the “dead white guy” literature that students often read in the classroom today.

Making radical changes like rewriting the entire reading curriculum can often be difficult and unrealistic; however, there are smaller steps that can be taken to improve the reading curriculum in the classroom.

First, the work of “classic” authors can cease being taken as foolproof. After all, just as in any type of genre, the work of the great authors is often problematic and shows the bias of the time in which it was written. Rather than glorifying the “dead white guy,” we should actually

be encouraged to approach the issues of literature. Secondly, we could stop generalizing as to who will enjoy certain works of literature. Teachers who act like certain genres only relate to certain types of students, because of gender or other reasons, often predetermine how students will react to certain genres of literature, making them adverse to those genres for a very long time.

If the goals of language arts classrooms are to improve comprehension, enhance vocabulary, teach literary analysis and essay writing skills and encourage a love of reading, it makes no sense as to why the curriculum is only built around one type of novel. Pop culture and the literature we grow up with are incredibly influential in how we observe our lives and how we observe others. If we don’t observe a variety of things that reflect our lives, we either lose trust in our lives or in the representation of culture we consume.

Although there is rarely a way to please everyone, expanding the genres we read and the characters shown in the novels we read could help to encourage actual enjoyment of reading and analyzing and help students.

A completely comprehensive guide to ‘sporting’ Brian Palmer Co-Alpha Male

Danielle Kullmann Editorial Board

BASEBALL:

BASKETBALL:

SOCCER:

Pro tips for baseball:

Pro tips for basketball:

Pro tips for soccer:

Baseball is the popular American sport of Cracker Jacks and hot dogs. The object of the game is to whack any oncoming balls and finish running around a circle without dying. With each successful circle completed, your team wins a point for your courageous journey. HOWEVER, if you mess up and get nabbed by the sweaty running men, you will have to take a walk of shame back to home base.

The only safe points-if you know your geometric shapeswill be the white rectangles.

1. Only the super pros know this secret: keep your eye on the ball.

Studies have shown that this will decrease the amount of cranial mutilation you may experience while playing.

2. While Cracker Jacks and hot dogs may seem very appealing, it is generally inadvisable to partake in the consumption of said snacks while on the field.

3. Make sure that when about to hit the ball, you have the correct orientation of the bat. Generally, you want to make sure you have the thicker side safely in your grasp where it should fit like a glove. The thinner side should be pointing toward the sky.

Basketball is basically the same thing as soccer, except the goalposts are replaced with elevated hoops and the referee man doesn’t yell at you for using your hands. The teams may be smaller, but the game is just as chaotic. In basketball, you have to instead look to the sky and locate your nearest elevated hoop. Try as hard as you can to get the ball through that. Over and over and over again until the people in the opposite color hate you. If you’re short though, as movies have always shown, you shouldn’t even try.

1. Only dribble the ball a little bit when it’s in your possession. This will greatly decrease the chances of anyone trying to steal it from you.

Also, not dribbling the ball gives you more time to touch it.

2. Make sure you put the ball in the correct basket. Locate where your nearest basket is at the start of the game and keep your eye on it as much as you can. The more attention you pay to the basket, the easier it will be to know when you should celebrate for your team.

3. If you are ever mad at any of your other teammates, the easiest way to resolve this issue is to keep the ball from them during the game. If you do this, they’ll soon learn not to mess with you.

Soccer is the sport of armless chaos. Ninety percent of your time will be spent running about the field in an attempt to kick a football. On each side of the field, there’s a rectangular blanket with gaping holes. You should use your feet to pitch the football into this blanket as using your hands would result in a scolding from a person dressed up as a zebra. If you get the football into the big piece of cheese cloth enough times you will have succeeded at life and your teammates will sit you on their shoulders and you will emerge from the field victorious!

1. Don’t talk to any of the other players on your team. It’s always best to go through any team sport alone, otherwise, you won’t get noticed, and you won’t receive any credit for any of the things you’ve done.

Above all else, hog the ball.

2. If you do pass the ball, always make sure you pass it to people who aren’t wearing the color you are. This will greatly increase the chances they have of messing up and looking like fools.

3. Don’t forget to wear your helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and floaties. You never know when it will rain, and these extra precautions could succeed in saving you from a very tragic death.

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Teens should be given the HPV shot Many teens will have to make a choice when they go to their doctor’s office whether or not to get the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) shot. The Talon staff feels that it is important for all students to receive the HPV shot because it protects against several types of cancer and genital warts.

The HPV shot for girls and boys is also referred to as Gardasil, which is the name of the vaccine brand. Girls can also get Cervarix, but it only protects against HPVrelated cancers.

Most insurance companies cover the vaccine for females, yet not as many cover the shot for males. This is because in the past HPV was thought to only effect women. Guys can be carriers of HPV and

“

It’s understandable if people don’t want the shot because of a phobia of needles, like me.” ~Emberly Skaggs, sophomore

exhibit no symptoms. It was only recently that doctors found a link between HPV and different forms of cancer that develop in adulthood. For this reason, The Talon staff believes all students should choose to get vaccinated.

Some people choose not to get the shot because they don’t plan to be sexually active. While this is good, in theory, people

“

I think the reward of being safe greatly outweighs the cost and pain of getting the shot.” ~Brian Palmer, senior

can only be vaccinated until they turn 26, so the sooner one gets it over with, the better. All it takes is one sexual encounter to get HPV, which can have devastating effects.

HPV can be transferred through any type of sexual contact, so it is imperative to get the HPV shot, even if one doesn’t plan to be sexually active for a long time.

“

The HPV shot is important to get because it is an easy way to protect against some cancers.” ~Sydney Bammel, sophomore

Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 6 million people become newly infected each year. Don’t be one of these statistics.

Both girls and boys should get the vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their future partner (even if it’s a long time down the road) in order to achieve maximum protection from the virus.

Guns are necessary to create a safe environment Austin Bowerman Co-Alpha Male

The recent Newtown shooting, along with many of the other shootings that have happened this past year, have brought about a new wave in gun control discussions. Some argue for an enforcement of already existing laws, whereas some more radical arguments call for the strict policy of no guns whatsoever.

However, extreme gun control will only give more power to lawbreakers and could cripple law-abiding citizens.

All that is needed to understand why gun control would not work is a little common sense. A person who is willing to commit such a crime as shooting another person is certainly not going to be afraid to violate a gun control law. No matter what the law is, there are so many guns in existence in the world that he or she will be able to get their hands on a firearm, and there is no possible way to eliminate all of the guns that exist

in the world today.

If there is anything to be learned from the Newtown tragedy it is that gunmen prefer their victims to be unarmed, so that they will be unable to fight back. Because the shooter, Adam Lanza knew that a school was an environment where children and teachers were obviously unarmed and unable to defend themselves, there was nothing holding him back from going into the school and proceeding to open fire. It was only when armed police finally arrived at the scene that the shooting stopped.

Outside of schools and in the public, a shooter would have no idea who could potentially be carrying a concealed weapon on them. This uncertainty is what keeps the gunmen at bay when in public, because they never know when they will run into opposition. If there were to be gun control, and rid law abiding citizens from having and or carrying their guns, we would be creating an environment exactly like the interior of Sandy Hook Elementary school, where every law abiding citizen is unarmed, leaving only criminals who violate the rules in possession of guns.

Shotguns are a popular sporting weapon, as well as a versatile home defense weapon. Photo by Austin Bowerman

Many believe that law enforcement is adequate protection against criminals, and that only these trained officers should be in possession of firearms. However, when a crime such as a shooting occurs, police officers take time to arrive to the scene of the crime. Often officers arrive, the victims have already

been killed or wounded, with the shooter nowhere in sight. The only way to provide an instant stop to a shooter, or to prevent them from firing a shot in the first place is to have protection within the public itself.

People need to stop harassing gun owners and trying to infringe on their constitutional right to

own firearms. With the recent events that have occurred, it is tempting to point fingers at firearms and firearms enthusiasts, but the truth is, banning or limiting gun carriers will only make matters worse. Though it may not seem like it, firearms are actually a crucial component in keeping public areas safe.

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One Direction’s ‘Take Me Home’ is a success Emberly Skaggs Staff Writer

One Direction is a rising EnglishIrish pop boy band based in London.

The members Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles joined as a group in 2010 for the seventh season of “The X-Factor” in Britain where they finished in third place. They were signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco Records and Columbia Records in the United States.

Their new album “Take Me Home” sold over 1 million copies in the first week. Also, the band became the first act to sell 1 million copies of two different albums in a calendar year since 2009. The top singles that were charted in the Hot Billboard’s Top 100 in this album are “Live While We’re Young,” “Little Things” and “Kiss You.” “Little Things” is a soft-toned, acoustic song written by another English music artist Ed Sheeran, who is mostly known by his number one hit single, “A-Team.” “Little Things” was supposed to appear on his last album, but it didn’t make the cut.

“Live While We’re Young,” also known as LWWY, is an upbeat classic about living life to the fullest.

LWWY has peaked in the Top 5 in almost every country’s charts. It has appeared as the number one track in England, France, United States and Canada. The upbeat track had sold 341 thousand copies in its first week of being released on Sept. 28, 2012.

Other tracks on the album feature “Rock Me,” “C’mon C’mon” and “Last First Kiss.” Most of the tracks focus on girls and making a girl feel like she’s worth it. “Rock Me” has the backbeat of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” The album has skyrocketed in sales since its release and continues to gain sales on iTunes.

9.5/ 10

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TALON 2012-2013

Les

Misérables Golden Globe winning picture stuns audience Melody Zhang Staff Writer

Here it is - the much-anticipated movie-musical Les Misérables (pronounced “lay-mee-zay-rahbl”, not “lessmisser-able”) has finally hit theaters, spiking full-fledged emotion into the hearts of all types of movie-goers nationwide. The height of its anticipation seems equally matched with the satisfaction in its performance – this movie gives a chance for everyone to discover and explore the vivacious world of theatre.

Some might complain of the excessive singing that characterizes the entire film, and it might not be for the ones who can’t handle the characters bursting into song every time a new feeling is introduced. Really, though, it’s the beauty and the veracity of the music that gives the story its exceptional flare. The music is not only good – it’s so good to the point that people have downloaded the albums to play on repeat.

Anne Hathaway carries the soundtrack in her groundbreaking performance of “I Dreamed A Dream” – the very one that may lead her to her first Oscar.

The array of actors all dovetail each other to present a high-quality and well-blended performance. Anne Hathaway as Fantine is a perfect fit, and none other than Russell Crowe could have played the part of the Javert so realistically; but in the end, it is the lead actor Hugh Jackman that leaves the audience crying (literally) for more.

Les Misérables is an explosion of emotion and color and the power of music all in one, inviting the viewer to leave the edge of the seat and to immerse in another world full of heartache, of compassion, of unadulterated beauty. And even if you generally avoid the “drama-type” performances, or feel indifferent to classics, this heart-breaking piece is well worth trying – it has the power to evoke emotions that none other than real art can touch.

Photo by José Partre. Illustration by Brian Palmer

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Q&A

2012-2013

Natalie Krauss, 11 Junior David Mackens races toward the finish during a Giant Slalom. Photo by Mr. Mike Mackens of M2 Photography

Q: What’s your goal for this year’s season?

A: Doing good at states… I’ll probably make it to states.

Q: Have you ever made it to states?

A: I almost made it to states –

Junior Amy Novak races to the finish line. Photo by Mr. Mike Mackens of M2 Photography

two spots away. I didn’t make it because I ended up falling, and I found out later because it was my ski was messed up and I didn’t check it out before.

Senior Co-Captain Karl Erikson carves around a gate during last year’s regional meet at Pine Knob. Photo by Mr. Mike Mackens of M2 Photography

Q: What’s it like at regionals?

Ski team bothered by confusion associated with Ski and Snowboard Club

A: For regionals, after we race all

Camille Douglas

not for two weeks. Also, they do

Editorial Board

For many years at RHS, both the Ski Team and the Ski and Snowboard Club have been available to any student, but recently it seems it is becoming a growing problem for many to truly differentiate the two activities, and because of this, the Ski Team is irritated that their student body is struggling to recognize just what they do out in Pine Knob in Clarkston every winter. “[The Ski Team and the Ski and Snowboard Club] are two different things,” varsity ski team co-captain senior Olivia Bessey said.

Co-captain senior Daniel Putman describes the different purposes in both the team and the club.

“Ski [and Snowboard] Club involves free skiing mostly and they allow boarders and

skiers, whereas Ski Team is a competitive sport,” Putman said.

“You are timed and have to be in a series of gates and get a race time.”

Junior Connor King adds another distinction.

“On the Ski Team, you can actually [get a] varsity [letter],” King said.

In addition, co-captain senior Jacqueline Zuke emphasizes how extreme being on the Ski Team can be.

“We, [the Ski Team], practice every day, so it’s a lot different, a lot harder, and a lot more rigorous,” Zuke said.

According to junior Natalie Krauss, the Ski Team meets every day after school from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the exception of racing days, to practice. On the other hand, according to business teacher Mrs. Karen Malsbury, sponsor of the Ski and Snowboard club for eight years,

the club meets every Tuesday night for six weeks from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and takes a bus to Pine Knob. Mrs. Malsbury describes the club’s goal.

“Ski and snowboard club is a recreational ski and snowboard club to help young people learn how to ski in a safe and controlled environment,” Mrs. Malsbury said. “We just ski for fun and to get better at the sport.”

In addition, the cost to participate in either the Ski Team or the Ski and Snowboard club is different. Krauss explains.

“It depends on a lot of things… you could go really cheap or really expensive,” Krauss said. “For the Ski Team, you need your own skis... I paid 800 dollars for mine, but you could pay 100 dollars for skis.”

However in the Ski and Snowboard Club, Mrs. Malsbury ensures students that the club will cost less than the original price.

“Skiing and snowboarding is a really expensive sport. Joining our club can save you over 50 percent in rentals and lift tickets,” Mrs. Malsbury said. “You also get two complimentary lessons and can get more lessons for 12 dollars a session which is cheap.”

For the past three years, junior Brandon Warner has been a part of the Ski and Snowboard club and enjoys saving money every time he snowboards.

“It lets me jet out for a while and not spend too much money when I snowboard with friends,” Warner said.

However, unlike Warner, Krauss prefers to be a part of a team.

“The coolest part of the Ski Team is how it’s like two different things. There is the team part and then there is the individual part,” Krauss said. “Everything is teamoriented, but when it’s time for racing, it’s individual.”’

day, we go into a big square and they announce who is in the top ten, and you get a medal. If you are in the top ten, you are guaranteed states, but that is a top ten of an overall season, but those are not guaranteed states.

Q: What are the requirements for states?

A: The requirements for states are at regionals, you want to get the lowest number possible.

Say I get ranked as six… that would be really good out of 80 people. If you make it to the top ten, you will go to states.

Q: How many people participate in states?

A: Over two hundred people that are from all over the state.

Q:What’s your nickname on the Ski Team?

A: I am a PSP – pint sized power house – I don’t know what it means... RHS Facebook paged me that one up.

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Falcon athletes make college plans

Stephanie Sikorski, Volleyball

James Young, Basketball

Anne Tucker, Basketball

Jazmin Haque, Golf

Position: Setter

Position: Shooting Guard

Position: Forward

Position: N/A

College: Ferris State University

College: Kentucky

College: Lawrence Tech University

College: Oakland University

Mascot: Bulldogs

Mascot: Wildcats

Mascot: Blue Devil

Mascot: Grizzly Bear

Colors: Crimson and Gold

Colors: Blue and White

Colors: Blue and White

Colors: Gold and Black

How did you select this school?

I was recruited and I love the coach.

How did you select this school?

I took an official visit and loved the campus.

How did you select this school?

I like the coach and how she runs the program here.

How did you select this school?

Their coach recruited me and offered me a spot on the team.

Will you receive scholarship money?

Yes, full scholarship.

Will you receive scholarship money?

Yes, full scholarship.

Will you receive scholarship money?

Yes, full scholarship.

Will you receive scholarship money?

Yes, partial scholarship.

What are you looking forward to most about being a collegiate athlete?

Playing at the next level in sports.

What are you looking forward to most about being a collegiate athlete?

Playing in a new arena and meeting new people.

What are you looking forward to most about being a collegiate athlete?

Stepping my game up to the next level and getting to play with other girls that love basketball just as much as me.

What are you looking forward to most about being a collegiate athlete?

I’m looking forward to traveling to play golf and making new friends and memories.

What coach/coaches inspired you and how?

My travel volleyball coach from a couple years ago.

What coach/coaches inspired you and how?

My AAU coaches and the head coach at Kentucky.

What coach/coaches inspired you and how?

Coach Star, AAU coach.

What coach/coaches inspired you and how?

Coach Haney because he’s always had confidence in me and has pushed me to be the best.

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United hockey prepares for second half of season AJ Prisciandaro Staff Writer

The Rochester United Varsity Hockey Team entered the 20122013 season with much optimism and lofty goals.

“We have high expectations this year,” said senior varsity player Brent Boudreau about a month ago, just as the hockey season had started. “Winning regionals is one of the things we’re aiming for. If we can do that, a state playoff run is definitely possible.”

Since then, the team has experienced its share of ups and downs.

“As a team, I’m not very satisfied with where we’re at right now,” junior goalie Kyler Pattenaude said. “I feel like we should be doing a lot better.”

Boudreau thinks that the team hasn’t been at its best all of the time.

“We’ve shown flashes of greatness, but some games we didn’t play good at all,” Boudreau said. “There’s been a couple great wins, and a couple bad losses.”

A few of the “flashes of greatness” were shown when Rochester United crushed Farmington United, ranked 5th in the state, 5-0. Another impressive feat that showed what they were capable of was when they defeated Grosse Point North, a team that was a Division 1 state finalist last year, 4-3.

“When we’re at our best, we’re awesome,” junior forward Drew Harm said. “That’s when we work as a team, and we’re skating hard and focused on the game.”

Disappointing performances by the hockey team include a 6-4 loss to Clarkston and a 4-2 defeat

by Eisenhower.

“In both of those games we had really poor effort and we just didn’t play well because of it,” Boudreau said.

The players believe they have

The Detroit Red Wings are finally back in action. Photo Courtesy of ervine2

National Hockey League does not deserve fans’ respect AHS student Tony Nasser skates the puck across the ice. Photo by Emberly Skaggs

Zach Libby Staff Writer

Rochester United Hockey team lines up on the blue line before the start of the game.

Photo by Emberly Skaggs

much to work on and improve for the remainder of the season.

“For most of the season our offense has been playing really well,” junior goalie Brody Blair said. “We really have to work on our defense.”

Pattenaude thinks it’s the team’s work ethic that needs to be most improved.

“I think we just need to make sure that we’re fully focused and involved in every single practice and game from here on,” Pattenaude said. “If we do that, we’ll be a more consistent team.”

Harm shared what the team must also do on the ice to have a successful second half.

“If we skate our hardest, outshoot the other team, and be strong on defense, we’ll have a chance to win every game,” Harm said.

For the rest of the season, the hockey team’s ambitious goals will remain the same as when it started.

“Our goals haven’t changed,” Boudreau said. “We want to win our division and go on a deep state playoff run.”

After 113 days, the NHL lockout is finally over.

Anyone who is upset over the third lockout in a matter of 20 years will disappear once the first puck drops on the ice.

The NHL will put together a 50-game schedule and basically try to make everyone forget that there was no hockey what so ever. The sad thing is, the NHL just might get away with it.

I know all of you die hard Red Wings fans can't wait for hockey to be back at Joe Louis Arena. The first home game will be packed with anxious fans hoping to see their favorite players back on the ice.

For a league that has treated its fan base like trash for 20 years, why should we still give them love? The owners don't care about us; frankly, the players don't pay attention to us either.

The NHL knows their arenas will be packed come the beginning of the season. They know the hard core hockey

fans will come back, because the love of the sports is so strong.

The NHL has stabbed their fan base in the back multiple times, so shouldn't we do the same? Shouldn't we turn our backs on the NHL? Show them why they don't deserve our loyalty.

With the lockout now over, should Commissioner Gary Bettman resign? Absolutely, for a guy to be responsible for three lockouts in a span of 18 years, there's no question someone should take over as commissioner.

The thing that upsets me is that NHL has botched many people that don't include fans.

What about the workers at Joe Louis that rely on the 41 home games to bring home money to support themselves and their families? How about the restaurants and bars in downtown Detroit where Red Wings fans flock in to watch them play while paying money to eat and drink? Many have lost revenue due to the lockout and the NHL doesn’t even care.

This entire lockout was all about billionaires vs. millionaires. Can’t we all relate to that?

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Wrestling team sets high expectations

Zach Libby Staff Writer

Over the past couple seasons, Rochester has made huge steps since competing in Division 1. With six returning state placers from last season, this year’s team is lead with veteran talent.

“The team is looking pretty good this year,” junior Cameron Daniels said. “We have a couple injuries, but once team districts starts, we will be ready.”

The Falcons received quite a bit of attention last year, going from unranked pre-season to climbing the upper half of the Division 1 rankings at the end of the year. It was a year of memorable moments, but one high includes the Falcon’s defeat of defending champions Oxford at RHS. Senior wrestler Josh Wood feels beating Oxford his junior year was one of his biggest accomplishments.

“It was a great feeling beating the defending state champs,” Wood said. “I’m looking forward to wrestl[ing] against them again this year.”

The large majority of the team is back, and this year, the fifth ranked Falcons are intent on making past regionals and wrestling for a state championship at Battle Creek. They must get past number three ranked Oxford, who once again is in their region.

At 119 pounds is senior Justin Kim, who took sixth at states and is ranked number five as well.

Next at 125 pounds is Josh Wood who is battling a shoulder injury at this time, but is one of the strong wrestlers of this year’s senior class. Following two state runner-ups in his freshman and sophomore year, Wood missed the final part of his junior year due to injury and hopes to be ready to grab his first state championship in his high school career.

“I didn’t do what I came to accomplish my first three years at RHS,” Wood said.

“That feeling of coming so close and losing at the end was not what I wanted to happen.”

Rounding out the first half of the lineup is number two ranked senior Kaelan Richards at 140 pounds. Richards is a three-time state placer, going sixth his sophomore year and third his junior year.

Coming into RHS as a freshman is Ryan Morgan. According to michigangrappler.com, Morgan is considered one of the top wrestlers at his weight class at 130.

“It feels great to have my name up there with the elite wrestlers in Michigan,” Morgan said. “I had a lot of success in middle school which I’m hoping will carry on at Rochester.”

Rochester’s bottom half of the lineup starts with Aaron Morgan at 152 pounds.

Morgan is junior who is ranked fifth this season after finished eighth at states. Right after Morgan at 160 pounds is senior Dean Vettese who is a senior. Dean is currently ranked sixth at the 160 pounds class.

Aaron Morgan is determined to grab

Left: Junior Cameron Daniels wrestles with his opponent. Top right: Senior Joey Gunther takes down his opponent. Center right: Junior Aaron Morgan is in a standstill. Bottom right: Junior Shane Shadaia prepares to escape from his opponent. Photos by Paul Hardy

his first state championship after coming up short his sophomore year.

“It’s something I can look back on,” Morgan said. “Knowing that I completed it all by myself would mean the world to me.”

At the 171 and 189 pound class are the Shadaia brothers, Shane and Shwan. Both had breakout seasons last year and are hoping to carry the momentum into this year. Shane is currently ranked seventh and Shwan is ranked fourth at their

respected weight classes.

Morgan says working with the Shadaias helps him get better each day.

“Both are excellent wrestlers,” Morgan said. “They push me every day in order for all of us to be successful.”

This year’s Rochester Falcons wrestling team has a lot to prove coming into this season. After coming up short of the state championship last season, the Falcons look to take home their first-ever state title.

Cheer team improves performance as season continues Olivia Bennett Editorial Board

Cheerleaders elevate a flyer at a competition. Photo Courtesy of Leah Richards

Junior Sydney Kerre looks in the mirror and slightly adjusts the bow at the top of her head. “This is it,” she thinks to herself as she tries to drown out the chants of other schools that surround her, “This will make or break us…”

Cheerleading teams have goals every season that make them work their hardest.

The team lost a lot of seniors last year and before the start of their first competition lost one of their flyers due to a broken ankle. According to Kerre, however, the team has made it a goal to overcome these obstacles.

“We have various goals as a team,” Kerre said. “Obviously, our number one

is to be state champions. But we also aim to do well in smaller competitions, and we want to be league champs.”

This year, the girls have had to work even harder to overcome their weaknesses.

“There are a lot of younger kids (sophomores) on the team that what there usually is on a Varsity team,” junior Anna Mazarra said. “We’re good at performing well together, though; it’s a definite strength.”

This year, the RHS Varsity cheer team has gotten fourth, second and first on two occasions. Sophomore Emily Telesco seems to think that they will continue to improve as the season continues.

“This season didn’t start off like we wanted,” Telesco said. “But we keep on improving as we go and we plan on only

getting better from here.”

As a cheerleader, there is also a lot of pressure to be the same. They have to sport the same everything, from hairstyles to socks, but according to Mazarra, this isn’t a problem for cheerleaders.

“There is only one way to be a perfect cheerleader,” Mazarra said. “You must be a good stunter, have tight motions, be flexible, and have high jumps and so on.

Without those you can’t be great.”

This aspect actually seems to unite the cheerleaders according to Kerre.

“Although we all look the same during competitions and games, we’re definitely our own person,” Kerre said. “Everyone is working towards the same goal. At practice we’re the same but it’s a positive thing because it unites us as a team.”

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OF BEING A Jacob Carl is one of the leading high school swimmers in the state. He has received numerous honors and rewards in several different races.

Colette Cloutier Staff Writer

Senior Jacob Carl had no intention of becoming an All-State swimmer with the prospect of continuing swimming in college when he joined the local swim team to be with his friends. His mother, technology facilitator at RHS Karen Carl, did not expect it either.

“Jacob started swimming competitively when he was 8-yearsold,” Mrs. Carl said. “It really happened by accident.”

After moving to Rochester Hills in 2000, the Carl family joined the Heart of the Hills swim club that was close to their house. The waiting list was long, but due to the opening of Lifetime Fitness, a spot opened up. However, Jacob originally had no interest in swimming.

“Jacob didn’t want to swim on the team, and I had no idea what was

involved, as neither I nor his father had ever been a swimmer,” Mrs. Carl said. “He took a few lessons at the club, but really didn’t like getting his face wet. The next summer, he had a few friends on the team and asked if he could join. Little did we know what he was starting!”

Jacob was hooked after a few years of swimming, and decided to take his career to the next level. Since then, he has been swimming for nine years.

“I swim in the winter with Birmingham Blue Dolphins when I am not swimming high school,” Carl said.

While the expense of swimming competitively is relatively low, the commitment level is high. Currently, with RHS Boys swimming, Jacob practices every day after school for two hours. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, they also practice in the morning before school.

In addition, swim meets are very time consuming.

“I have always volunteered with the teams that Jacob has been on,” Mrs. Carl said. “I’ve done all sorts of jobs throughout the years, from selling concessions to working the computers at meets to being the team manager.”

All of the hard work

paid off for Jacob when he was awarded multiple high honors in high school swimming.

“Freshman, sophomore and junior year I was All-State in the 500 free, and I’m also hoping for senior year as well,” Carl said. “I also went to the YMCA Nationals for three years, and I’m already qualified to go again this year. Last year I got 20th at the YMCA Nationals in the 1,000 freestyle.”

His mother noted these highlights too, but she also enjoys watching Jacob swim and improve.

“When he was younger, he got personal best times at almost every meet. As he has entered a more elite level of swimming, the improvements are harder to come by,” Mrs. Carl said.

“The first time Jacob made a cut for YMCA Nationals, held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was very exciting for us. Last year at Nationals, he placed 20th in the 1,000 Freestyle race. His high school career has also been a highlight because he has qualified for the MHSAA State competition every year since he was a freshman. The 500 Freestyle race is his high school specialty, and he has been All-State every year since freshman year. I was very proud of Jacob when he was voted co-captain of the

swim team this year.”

Jacob enjoys the perks of being a swimmer.

“You can eat whatever you want and know you will burn it off in practice,” Carl joked. “You also have a great swimmer’s body.”

However, swimming at an advanced level brings challenges when making college decisions.

“Unfortunately, college scholarships are not very plentiful,” Mrs. Carl said.

“The advice that we’ve given Jacob is to pick a school where he would be happy if he wasn’t swimming. While team chemistry is very important, swimming will not be a career for Jacob, so it is more important to get a good education.”

Currently Jacob is considering swimming for Oakland University, Eastern University or Michigan State University. He remains undecided.

Jacob credits his parents, sports heroes and coaches for his success.

“My sports hero is Peter Vanderkaay because he is local and I can relate to him,” Carl said. “Tom Warnica made me enjoy it a lot. My parents have supported me through all my years of swimming and have paid for most of my expenses. They’ve never missed one of my meets and I am very grateful.”

Photo by Al Evans of Exact Photography

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Q: What does coaching swim and dive entail? How do you “coach” your athletes?

A: Coaching swimming is just like coaching any other sport. You teach your athletes the importance of doing things the right way and the importance working hard to achieve goals. We stress proper technique in work outs, and my most important job as a coach is to be Jacob’s “guide,” to give him a road map on what it takes to be successful. It’s up to the individual how far they want to push themselves.

Q: What do you enjoy most about coaching Jacob?

A: I enjoy the way he pushes himself and the way he never takes himself too seriously. He keeps things “light” in practice and leads by example.

Q: What are some of Jacob’s biggest strengths as a swimmer?

A: Jacob’s biggest strength is his versatility. He can swim any of the freestyle events from the 50 to 1650

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yard free; he can compete in them all. He also is very eager to learn and very eager to make himself better without me having to constantly push him.

Q: How has Jacob changed throughout your time coaching him?

A: Jacob came to me from a different team and had to adjust to our style of training.

It took him a little while to adjust, but by the national meet that year he showed that he belonged. He went from one of our “background” swimmers to one of our leaders.

Q: What are some highlights of Jacob’s swimming career, from your perspective?

A: I’ve been really impressed with how many events Jacob has added to his menu. He started off as just a distance free styler, but since then he has proved that he can swim any of the distances.

Q: What predications do you have about Jacob’s collegiate swimming career?

A: I think Jacob will continue to improve and do a wonderful job in his college swimming career. He’s that kind of guy, always looking for ways to improve.

According to Jacob’s club coach Mr. Mike Wind, Carl is known for always having a smile on his face. Photo by Al Evans of Exact Photography

Carl is considering swimming for Oakland University, Eastern University or Michigan State University next year. Photo by Karen Carl

“My expectations are for Jacob to place in all four of his individual events this year at the YMCA National Meet,” Coach Wind said. “As well be a big part of our relays at that meet.”

Photo by Al Evans of Exact Photography Senior Jacob Carl first started swimming at Heart of the Hills Swim Club in 2000. Photo by Al Evans of Exact Photography