The Talon- October 2017

THE

TALON ROCHESTER HILLS, MI // OCTOBER 2017 // VOL. 80 ISSUE 1

The Soldiers of Fortune have been a long-running student tradition at RHS. For more on the group’s history, turn to pages 8-9. Photo by Makenzie Shubnell.

PAGE 2 || NEWS

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

NEWS BRIEFS: 1.

4.

2.

Photo by Gloria Baldevia.

Photo by Angela Mammel.

Photo courtesty of Creative Commons.

1. RHS

2. RCS

3. STATE

On Oct. 2- 6, 2017, RHS welcomed exchange students from Jiangsu Xishan Senior High school in China.

“As a district, we work as a team by checking in with them,” Mrs. Karen Gelardi, Director of School Improvement and Supplemental Programs said.

“Our exchange students and their host families had the opportunity to join us for an evening of Welcome activities, and the following morning met their ‘buddy’ from the high school they would be attending.”

For exchange students, the trip is a chance to learn about a different culture.

“American culture is different from ours but it opens up new ideas about other cultures,” said Zhang Buyun, a senior exchange student from China. “It is also a great way for us to practice our English.”

ESL Teacher Ms. Anne Marie Hill points out that foreign exchange students also have a positive impact on RHS. “Whenever new students join our student body, they bring a wealth of experiences, talents, and ideas,” Ms. Hill said. “It only makes our ‘Falcon family’ stronger to include new members.”

Rochester Community Schools introduced Synergy, a new online grading system intended for use across the district, at the beginning of the school year. This new system offers a variety of options and ways to look at school information for students and teachers.

“I love the new system because it is so user friendly,” science teacher Ms. Phillips said. “It is an easy new system to adapt to this quickly.”

Many students, such as sophomore Patrick Sommith, believe Synergy gives them a wide variety of new options in viewing their grades online.

“I love being able to see my grades immediately and having access to them through an app,” Sommith said.

The new StudentVue app for students provides a way for them to access their grades at all times. It is a different method for students to see all their information.

“I think it is a great way for the schools to use the technology to the fullest and keep students involved with their grades,” Ms. Phillips said. “I wish we would have had this available since the beginning!”

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has begun to press charges against Dr. Eden Wells, the chief executive officer during the Flint Water Crisis. Wells is in the process of being charged with involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice.

“The fact that our public officials could just stand on the side for such a long time before now is disgusting and incredibly worrying because it could happen anywhere,” junior Mackenzie Smith said.

During the Flint Water Crisis, twelve residents died and many more were poisoned. This eventually triggered an investigation into who was responsible by multiple advocacy groups and the state government itself.

“It’s scary to think that something like this is happening so close to home,” Smith said.

The crisis and its aftermath have spurred a new debate on the openness of government and over America’s aging infrastructure.

“I hope that these people in Flint will be okay and that the people who were so irresponsible with the water systems will be brought to justice,” Smith said.

Brief by Gloria Baldevia and Elizabeth Bulat

Brief by Jack Harding

Brief by Noah Peterson

4. COUNTRY In September, President Trump’s administration repealed DACA, a program that protects undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. at a young age. New applicants had to apply by Sept. 5, 2017 and renewals had to be in by Oct. 5 to still be protected by the program..

Work permits issued under DACA so far will be honored until they expire.

DACA allows hundreds of thousands of immigrants to obtain valid driver’s licenses, enroll in college, pay income taxes, have legally secure jobs and protects them from being deported back to their original country.

“I think whatever they do they are going to look to make sure that it is not going to impact in any way, shape or form the success of the American economy,” social studies teacher Mrs. Sears said.

Congress has decided to stall the repeal for six months in order to have more time to decide on a reformed plan for immigrants. “(The stall) gives Congress more time to think about the repeal,” junior Yash Kumar said. “It gives more Democratic voices a chance to not repeal DACA, and it gives more conservatives more time to understand why DACA should go.”

Brief by Hope Laurencelle

5. WORLD U.S. and North Korean tensions increased this month following President Trump’s speech at the UN. Trump threatened military action in response to North Korean Missile Tests. In response, the North Korean foreign minister said Trump had declared a war.

Reactions to these comments are mixed.

“I think both leaders are trying to show strength for their countries while supporting the ideals of their nations,” AP U.S. History teacher Mr. Chad Zwolinski said.

Along with the responses between Trump and Kim Jong Un, it is unclear if actual conflict will happen.

“They both understand the gravity of what a war would bring and neither want that for their people,” Mr. Zwolinski said.

These current tensions between President Trump and Kim Jong Un share resemblance with earlier events in history.

“I think leaders often ‘talk tough’ to build confidence in their people,” Mr. Zwolinski said. “Almost every leader during the Cold War did the same thing and we never actually came to blows.

Sometimes leaders want to reassure their people but also place pressure others.”

Brief by Wyatt Anness

PAGE 3 || NEWS

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

RHS FRESHENS UP

The new bond renovations come to life ANGELA MAMMEL COPY EDITOR

Late into last school year and through the summer, Principal Deluca was working with the administration, architects and construction teams to use recently allocated bond money around the school to the best of his ability.

Renovations to the football field, music wing, and media center greeted students as they headed back to school last month.

“There’s so many components to this bond renovation we went under, from teacher and student instruction with the collaborative spaces...to even just the general appearance of the classrooms being refreshed,” Mr. Deluca said. “It just helps in regards to refreshing our facilities and it just lets students be in more of a new environment, all help to make people feel a little more comfortable.”

Senior Shelby Stimpson loves the overall feel of the new school environment, and specifically believes that the Smart Boards in the classrooms will be helpful once the staff gets used to them.

“I really like how [RHS] is a lot more modern- to me it makes the atmosphere of the school more relaxed, and it almost feels like I’m in college,” Stimpson said. “The Smart Boards will be really neat once everyone gets used to them,

and I love the overall look of the school in general so much more now.”

U.S. history teacher Mrs. Healy loves the renovations in general as well, and she is especially excited to take advantage of the opportunities for collaboration in the new media center.

“The media center is especially awesome,” Mrs. Healy said. “All of these changes have been great to use. The think tanks are a great way to break down information and allow students the time and opportunity to process information in a smaller setting.”

Mr. Deluca states that community input was important in deciding on how to improve various facilities like the media center, and points out how exciting it was to see the finished renovations in person.

“We really tried to take in the staff, student, and parent input in regards to what our needs were, and now we’re seeing that come to life from the new football field to the theatre renovations,” Mr. Deluca said. “[The administration] obviously had the blueprint and saw that mapped out version of it for months, but to see it in person now is amazing.”

Stimpson is very involved with the performing arts at RHS, and loves to see her passion being prioritized by the school and

improved upon by the renovations.

“Since the new band and choir rooms were done earlier in the year, it’s nice to see that people are... prioritizing the arts for a change, because athletics are definitely more praised at Rochester,” Stimpson said. “I love being a part of the first production that gets to use the new theatre additions.”

Senior Amanda LeBel spends most of her time in the athletic wing of the school, and although no bond money went towards her own sport of cross country, she loves attending the football games this year and seeing the improvements on the field.

“I run cross country and we kind of got the short end of the stick, but I love going to the football games and seeing how new and exciting everything is,” LeBel said.

“I love how we have a track that’s not broken and new turf that’s not beaten down over the years,” Mr. Deluca believes that they spent the bond money to the best of their abilities in general, as seen through the special additions they had never anticipated but were able to add on to the school.

“We capitalized in regards to what money was spent on RHS and our return investment, especially because a lot lot of things that got done in the design process were alternates- things that weren’t

Scan this QR code or visit rochestertalon.com to see more photos of the new renovations. All photos by Chris Komarzec.

necessarily in the bond that were kind of on our wish list,” Mr. Deluca said. “We were able to get all of our alternates picked up. All of the things that we were wishful for, because of the pricing and the market, we were able to get.”

LeBel loves these alternates, including much of the updated look and feel of Mrs. Mullsberry’s classroom, and believes that the setting of her business room will help prepare her for the feel of future workplaces.

“I have Mrs. Mullsberry and they redid her computer lab...through getting rid of the old computers and adding a kitchen area, a lounge area, and a conference table in the middle,” LeBel said. “We still have computers around the room, but it feels more like a working and collaborative environment.

I’m going into business, and the classroom setting really feels like a business, which I love.”

Although the new classroom setups and the school in general can take some getting used to, Mrs. Healy believes the staff and students will continue to welcome the new changes with excitement.

“Being a teacher is all about flexibility,” Mrs. Healy said. “I think as a staff we have all embraced all of the bond changes with excitement!”

From top to bottom: The new media center provides comfortable seating; the new performing arts exterior freshens up RHS; the new viewing room provides an indoor area for parents to watch the game; the new field excites athletes and sports fans alike.

PAGE 4 || NEWS

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

SPARKNOTES CONTROVERSY Should it be considered cheating?

Sophomore Aryn Gallacher (left), reads “1984” while her friend reads the Sparknotes summary.

Photo by Claire Benson.

CLAIRE BENSON STAFF WRITER

Sophomore Debbie George, a member of an honors English class, attempts to decipher the meaning of Shakespeare’s language. Lost, she must turn to the use of a translator to grasp the meaning of the text: Sparknotes.

Sparknotes is a very controversial topic among students, staff and parents. Some consider it cheating to use this website because it supplies students with in-depth analyses of literature, allowing for students to not have to do such work on their own.

Others see it as a helpful tool used to review complicated texts. When students are asked to define cheating, they often come up with a variety of answers.

“Cheating is when you use someone else’s work or answers, and you pose them as your own,” George said.

Sparknotes makes it easy to gain access to all sorts of information and does not barr copying and pasting, compelling many to use it irresponsibly. Reading a Sparknotes summary instead of an assigned book can be seen by many as a form of cheating.

“When reading an assigned book, you

are supposed to get all of the details from “I have read Hamlet more than a that, instead of just getting the main points hundred times, and there are still lines in from Sparknotes,” sophomore Evan Hayen the play that I do not understand without said. “Sparknotes isn’t your own work.” ‘cheating’ and looking at the translation,” Though Mr. Gallagher students often wrote. “If reading agree with this the translated lines viewpoint, there “We’re here to help you learn, help me to better is one very understand the not to help you cheat.” common way play, why wouldn’t that Sparknotes is reading the utilized without translated lines be Contributors of question or enormously helpful Sparknotes resentment: to help to my students with additional as well? My goal recaps and is not to turn understanding. my students into “It is not expert translators; cheating if my goal is that you read the book first instead of using my students develop a clear understanding Sparknotes,” sophomore Mary Derkacz of the play so they are positioned to think said. “It [Sparknotes] is like a study guide.” deeply about it.”

In addition, some teachers don’t The founder of Sparknotes created the mind Sparknotes as long as students are website upon certain principles that do not not plagiarizing. Mr. Kelly Gallagher, a include giving students a way to avoid doing teacher and education writer, wrote about their homework or studying. It instead the benefits of using Sparknotes in the strives to create a spot where students can classroom in a blog post on his professional turn to if they are stressed about a text or website. do not understand what they are reading.

Sparknotes also directly addresses the issue in an attempt to help some see the controversy in a new light.

“We’re here to help you learn, not to help you cheat,” wrote the contributors of Sparknotes. “Our literature guides are meant to be read along with the books they analyze. They are not intended to be copied on tests or papers (aka plagiarized).”

The perception of Sparknotes is very controversial in the school community.

Students feel as though they have to hide their use of this website because teachers will punish them if they don’t.

“I don’t think that they are very happy with Sparknotes,” said George. “They like to have discussions on things that are really in depth, and if you only read the summary about it, you can’t really get much of the discussion.”

This is the main idea that fuels the debate. Teachers like Mr. Gallagher don’t mind the use of Sparknotes for review, but since students hide it, it seems as though it is prohibited.

“Sparknotes is a website that many students and teachers rely on,” said George.

“I don’t think that it should be considered cheating because almost everybody uses it, and only a small percentage use it irresponsibly. Sparknotes is meant to help kids review and get better grades on tests.

It wasn’t meant to be a secret website that supplies students with answers.”

Sparknotes: Should it be considered cheating?

Tell The Talon what you think.

Scan the QR code or visit rochestertalon.com to vote.

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

PAGE 5 || FEATURE

INSIDE HOMECOMING

Stugo members stand in front of the senior class during the homecoming pep assembly. Photo by Makenzie Shubnell.

How Stugo prepares for their biggest event of the year LAUREN KARMO

and we have a bracket where we EDITOR-IN-CHIEF narrow it down,” Stugo Adviser Every year on the Friday Mrs. Kelley Cusmano said. “It before the takes about homecoming two weeks dance, Stugo depending. members are It is intense FAST FACTS: running around because to make the people Six major events: Spirit events that get really Week, Hallway Decorating, they have passionate Pep Assembly, Halftime, spent weeks about what Homecoming Court and organizing they like.”

Dance come to life.

After From before picking the Eight major committees: 7 a.m. to theme the Hallway decorating, dance, halftime of the year prior, homecoming the kids are halftime, spirit week, court, game, these kids put into pep assembly, special are going noncommittees effects and management. stop to make based on their sure everything skills. Once Each committee has at is running students are least one head, as well as a smoothly and put into their second that acts as a chair. the school is committees, ready for the they spend Clubs like class dance. weeks ambassadors help with Since discussing the seniors ideas, making lipsyncs and hallway leave in May, plans, writing decorating and with AP preparations for scripts, and Art students to help with homecoming solving decorations. have been the problems that focal point of may arise. student council. This is the largest “Most people’s hardest events event they organize all year. come at the end of the year, but if “They have a project where they you’re in student leadership your kind of do a shark tank in which hardest event is in the beginning they pitch ideas [for the theme] of the year,” Mrs. Cusmano said.

“So you have to be able to hit the ground running with very little direction and a lot of me trusting you, and that’s hard when I don’t necessarily know you yet.”

In order to make sure the committees are on task, Mrs. Cusmano works with the Executive Board (E-Board). The E-Board consists of seniors President Paige Gonterman, VicePresident Luke Kastran, Secretary Dean Tanglos and Treasurer Lauren Wegener. They function as the “managers” of all the committees and stay on top of everything that happens.

“Even though they have different positions they all help with making sure everyone gets their jobs done,” Gonterman said.

“Luke also helps with that a ton, making sure that once we’re done with one committee, we work with another committee. We’re doing those other kinda last minute things that pop up or when issues arise they’re all there making sure that we work together to shut down any issues that happen.”

When it comes to spirit week, all hands are on deck as all the committees are working to finally put their plans into action. On Friday seniors might even end up missing their last homecoming game to stay inside to decorate for the dance.

“They just pretty much have to give up their life,” Mrs. Cusmano said. “I know that sounds horrible, but they have to be here in the morning, they have to be here after school, they have to give up their lunch.

They haven’t eaten lunch with anybody in two weeks, but definitely [spirit week].

Seniors can’t go out, they have to all stay in.”

Members that have joined after their freshman year admit that they didn’t know how intensive homecoming could really be.

“I heard about it and I knew it was hard, but it’s so much different when you’re in it and you’re engaged in that whole week, because

wStugo memeber junior Scott Russell pictured here. Photo by Lauren Karmo.

it’s totally different,” senior Dena Pappas said. “That whole week, my whole next week will be student council and that is it. It revolves around homecoming that week.”

Despite the work that goes into it, Gonterman and others agree that it pays off, especially on the day of the pep assembly.

“I think most student council kids can agree with this, but it is so fun to be in the action, seeing your event come alive, see all the work you’ve been doing for weeks put into action and happening,” Gonterman said.

“It’s kinda like the flower you’ve planted is finally blooming now. It’s so exciting.”

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

PAGE 6 || FEATURE

MEET MR. WRINKLE

A personality profile on the new assistant principal ZOYA AHMED AND EILEEN BRENNAN STAFF WRITERS

Advice for high schoolers: “Do as much as possible in high school. Try to experience as much as you can. If you want to try a new clubs, sports etc., then try it. If something looks interesting, then do it.”

Hobbies: “I love spending time with my family- [my] wife Sarah and nine month old son Jack.”

Colleges/degrees: “I went to Michigan State, got my bachelors degree in 2010, and my Masters in May [of] 2017.”

Before RHS: “I was a teacher at Adams for six to seven years, was a coach and on a bunch of committees and I [also] student taught at Ferndale High School.”

Goals for RHS: “[I want to] be a leader and help out students when they need it, and make RHS, the students and the staff be the best they can be.”

Favorite part of RHS: “The community because it’s positive and welcoming!”

On becoming a Falcon: “It’s taking time to get used to being a Falcon and getting rid of all the brown and gold in my closet.”

Little-known-fact: “I like to travel to new places.”

PAGE 7 || LIFESTYLES

COLLEGE VISITS

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

RHS seniors and a Wayne State employee offer advice for getting the most out of college visits ZOE SAWDON STAFF WRITER

Senior Grace Murphy visits the MSU Sparty statue during her college visit. Photo courtesy of Grace Murphy.

Senior Hussein Murray eagerly opened up his email and about to go to college,” Murray said. “. . . and this is where it saw several messages from college admissions counselors starts to matter.” appear at the top of his screen. Ever since the SAT, Murray It can be difficult to know how early to start looking at had been asking around and searching colleges, but Ms. Julie Hasse, a for information about the schools he was manager of Student Outreach “It actually makes you start to interested in, hoping to be ahead of the and Content Strategy at Wayne realize, wow, I’m actually about game when it was time to apply. Feeling State University, offered some to go to college . . . and this is somewhat apprehensive but also very expertise on easing into the where it starts to matter.” excited, Murray was ready to begin the college visit process. next step of the process: college visits.

“I think that getting As the school year picks up, RHS exposure to universities and Hussein Murray, senior seniors are busy finalizing their decisions colleges at the earliest age is regarding which colleges to apply to. optimal—attending summer Perhaps one of the most important camps, athletic events and components of the college application process is taking tours other family friendly events even in elementary and middle of potential schools. school is great for kids to get a visual as to what college is “It actually makes you start to realize, wow, I’m actually like,” Hasse said. “However, it is time to get a little bit more

serious about looking at colleges as you get into high school.

I would recommend that as a high school sophomore and especially as a junior, to start trying to take a few campus tours.”

Another important thing for students to consider is who they tour colleges with, whether that is alone, with friends or with family.

“My parents came with me,” said Murray. “If there was something I didn’t notice, they would’ve pointed it out to me.

I thought it was really important to have them along for the ride.”

Especially when it comes to larger schools, the thought of exploring a college campus can be somewhat overwhelming.

However, senior Grace Murphy shared some of the places she felt were most important to visit.

“I would tour a dorm, because that’s important, and just make sure they have good food, because food’s important,” Murphy said. “And every campus has its landmarks. Michigan State has the bell tower and the Sparty statue, and U of M has the diag. It’s not like those are going to determine if you go there, but it’s cool to see because they’re kind of part of the culture of the school.”

Hasse agreed that visiting dorms should definitely be a priority and mentioned several other locations on campus that students don’t want to miss.

“You should also make time to check out the student center and recreation center if those interest you,” Hasse said. “Other good places to note or ask about are the libraries and classrooms. Ask about class sizes and take note of some of the technology in the classrooms.”

Students’ college visits will be different depending on their interests and what they hope to achieve in college, but getting a feel for the school’s atmosphere is important for everyone to do during a campus tour.

“Say hello to people and see if they say hello back. Have lunch on campus or in the college town and see if if the city is somewhere you would like to live or spend much of your time in,” said Hasse. “I would even highly recommend coming back to campus for something other than a campus tour—ask your tour guide or admissions counselor what events they would recommend you come back for.”

Although it is important to take your time and consider if a campus is a good match for you, having fun and embracing college culture is also a huge part of the visit process.

“I liked just seeing the college and doing the shopping,” senior Maddie Perkins said. “I like getting spirit wear.”

Murphy enjoyed her overall experience, too.

“Honestly, I like traveling, so getting to travel was fun,” Murphy said. “And then I liked hearing from current students about what they thought of the college itself, too.”

College visits are a great way to get to know a potential school, and they offer a much different perspective than students may get from a website or a brochure. Murray perfectly captured the feelings he and many other seniors experienced while touring different schools.

“I thought that [realizing college was approaching] was kind of nerve wracking in a sense,” he said. “But it was also in a way exhilarating knowing I was going to be a college student in a matter of months.”

PAGES 8-9 || FEATURE

The past, present, and future ELIZABETH BULAT FEATURE EDITOR

On a cool Friday night, sweatshirt-wearing, poster-waving, face-painted teens scan the Rochester High football stadium for the familiar skull and crossbones flag. Although this flag is a popular emblem among RHS, many don’t know that for over a decade, it has represented Rochester’s acclaimed student section for over a decade, The Soldiers of Fortune.

“The SOF always shows leadership and passion for our school that brings the student body together,” junior Avneet Aulakh said. “They never fail to bring fun and excitement to sporting events, and inspire us to have the same drive and love for RHS sports teams as they do.”

The SOF started in the 1990s, according to 2005 SOF leader Peter Bennett. Early 2000s alumni who were past SOF leaders explained how the soldiers have been fighting since the beginning to find the perfect balance between fun and a positive school environment. The SOF began as a ruthless and rowdy group of kids that had a philosophy that they were doing the dirty work for Rochester’s football team by attacking the other team, rather than encouraging the Falcons as the SOF

Meet the 2017 SOF Leaders: Jack Paruch

Why he wanted to be a SOF leader:

The 2017 SOF cheering at the Falcons’ game against Harrison.

Photo by Makenzie Shubnell.

is known for today. Their title was inspired by characters in a popular television show, The A-Team, that were referred to as the Soldiers of Fortune for doing work for a greater cause, and in the SOF’s case, that cause was a basketball victory for Rochester.

“When I returned to RHS as a substitute in the early 2000s, I noticed a change in the atmosphere,” early SOF leader and later substitute teacher at Rochester, Mr. Jeff Zoli explained. “The cheering section, while still loud, but did not draw negative responses...Of course the ultimate goal of the SOF was to support our friends on the team and to have fun.”

The SOF’s success really took off once the Falcon basketball team in 2000 was strong and attracted many fans from both the community and school. The fans found that the team fed off of their energy, provoking the student section to get even more enthusiastic. This unique relationship inspired the sense of community the SOF now boasts today.

“Every game was packed. This is a big reason people started showing up to games. The players fed off of the crowd’s excitement and the crowd played off of the players,” an anonymous former SOF leader from the class of 2006 explained about the beginning of the student section. “People wanted to be at the games because of the players, and students found a place to sit together and be loud, obnoxious, fifteen,

sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen-year-old kids.”

Initially, according to 2011 SOF leader and current RHS German teacher Mr. Brady Crites, the SOF was built upon the firm belief that a powerful student section could change the fortune of the game, therefore reinforcing their title as the Soldiers of Fortune. Admitting to being skeptical in his high school years that future generations would carry on the SOF traditions, Mr. Crites was pleasantly surprised when he returned to RHS as a teacher. Mr. Crites now observes the student section with a quiet eye from the German Department, as he notices the changes the SOF has experienced since his time walking Rochester’s halls.

“I notice that the school spirit that was around in 2011 has only continued to grow since then,” Mr. Crites said. “The tremendous passion that today’s SOF leaders put into the games is awesome to witness.”

Preserving the past of the student section has prevailed to be a key goal of SOF leaders. From leading a student sectionwide roller coaster ride to ending the game hand in hand singing the Alma Mater, the SOF has kept a firm grasp on the school’s history. Additionally, as explained by Mr. Crites, since the beginning of the SOF, tailgates complete with food, music and cornhole have taken place before Falcon football games, bringing the school together for a good time, as they still do

Reed Watson

Ekumu Pefok

Why he wanted to be a SOF leader:

Why he wanted to be a SOF leader:

Jack wanted to lead the SOF since middle school and Reed thought that SOF would be a fun way to get make fun memories senior year. more people involved and hype at games.

Ekumu wanted to lead the SOF so he could have attention and influence the crowd positivly at games.

Falcon Frenzy, Adams, and Stoney games, including the Crosstown Showdown are his favorite events.

He likes football games best, and thinks since we have a few each year, we should make the most of them.

His favorite SOF event:

What he offers to the SOF:

Runs the Twitter page and starts the “Believe Chant.”

Photos courtesy of: Maddie Perkins, Emily Komer, Emily Murphy, Audrey Weber, Marissa Yezzi, Sam Miller, Julia Payne.

Photo by: Elizabeth Bulat, Bianca Mow, Hope Laurencelle, Zoe Sawdon, Ryan Gamble.

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

His favorite SOF event:

His favorite event is the Crosstown Showdown.

What he offers to the SOF:

He offers his truck, which is often used at tailgates.

Reed also helps get the crowd hype at games.

His favorite SOF event:

What he offers to the SOF:

Ekumu helps start chants at football games, he also thinks that he offers beauty to the student section.

today. old football stadium brimmed with memories, the SOF looks “It’s an important tradition our school has and it’s been to the new stadium as a blank canvas for creating their own going for a long time,” said SOF leader senior Reed Watson traditions. Additionally, in recent years the SOF has begun to said. “It mostly impacts the student body, and keeps everyone utilize Twitter to organize and inform students regarding game excited for games and things like that.” dates, themes and details. Twitter has allowed the Rochester The fate of these decade-old traditions lay in the hands of students to Tweet using #TheDZone and #SSS to gain points twelfth grade boys who care a lot towards the SOF in their fight for the more about enriching the school’s best student section in the state. This year, “I notice that the school spirit culture than one may think. The RHS has reached and exceeded its goal by that was around in 2011 has only leaders of the SOF are well aware being ranked at the top of the list for two continued to grow since then. The of the immediate and lasting weeks in a row, motivating the leaders and tremendous passion that today’s impact they have on Rochester’s students to keep staying rowdy during the SOF leaders put into the games is culture by leading the student games to maintain their position. awesome to witness.” section, and the boys annually “I think the SOF helps to contribute enhance the SOF and uphold its to continuing our past traditions with Mr. Brady Crites, German Teacher reputation. also making some new ones with the new “The SOF just has a history stadium,” 2017 SOF leader senior Grant of being a crazy student section Benedettini stated. “I wanted to be a SOF and this year we just wanted to leader because I wanted to help lead an one-up the past years,” 2017 SOF leader senior Jack Paruch elite student section and also the best school in the ROC.” said. “We carry down past years traditions with the flag, roller The SOF has a very influential role in the student body at coaster, and chants that we start.”

RHS. Therefore, their organization and creativity is essential In addition to maintaining past traditions, the SOF welcomes to ensure that the student section has a fun and inclusive new ideas to the student section with open arms. Losing the environment. All social groups unite as one under the skull

Grant Benedettini

Why he wanted to be a SOF leader:

Lu Vergara

Why he wanted to be a SOF leader:

Grant wanted to help lead an elite student section, the best in the ROC and state!

Lu wanted to lead the SOF to help create a cheering section atmosphere similar to that in European soccer.

His favorite event is the Falcon Frenzy because a lot of peole came and the team won that night.

Lu’s favorite events are rivalry games, especially the Crosstown Showdown.

His favorite SOF event:

What he offers to the SOF:

Grant helps the crowd get hype at football games.

His favorite SOF event:

What he offers to the SOF:

He starts the “Viking Chant” at games.

and crossbones flag, as all students, freshmen to seniors, come together to cheer on Rochester’s sports teams. The regularly updated SOF Twitter account keeps students informed on the weekly game theme to organize and incorporate all groups and ages of the student body.

“The SOF is like a place where we can all come together as one and support the school and athletics,” said SOF leader senior Ekumu Pefok. “I feel like we make the school a happier place because you could make new friends at games.”

The future of the SOF rests in the hands of future generations, and the SOF leaders have recognized this for years.

Current SOF leaders including, Paruch and Pefok have wanted to lead a student section since they were young. Aspirations from young kids such as these result from a student section that set a positive example for the future generation. This is something that the current SOF leaders continue to strive for when they inspire the next generation of future soldiers.

“I feel we impact the culture of RHS by always supporting our sport teams,” said SOF leader senior Lu Vergara. “Staying till the end, singing our Alma Mater, is also setting an example to the younger classmen by showing traditions that have been passed down.”

Drew Loftus

Why he wanted to be a SOF leader: Drew thought it would be a fun way to be a leader.

His favorite SOF event:

He thinks all events that the SOF shows up to are fun.

What he offers to the SOF:

Drew doesn’t know what he individually offers to the SOF, but others say that he does a great job getting the crowd excited at games.

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

PAGE 10 || LIFESTYLES

GET READY WITH US

How guys and girls get ready for homecoming ELLIE GNASS STAFF WRITER

Senior Mireia Jimenez putting on her tiara for the homecoming pep assembly.

Photo by Makenzie Shubnell.

JUNIOR JULIA PAYNE:

Senior Alex Lee getting ready for the homecoming pep assembly.

Photo by Makenzie Shubnell.

JUNIOR CHARLIE FOSSEN:

What time do you start getting ready for homecoming?

11:30.

What time do you start getting ready for homecoming?

3:30.

What steps do you take to get ready for homecoming?

I get my nails done a few days before, this year on the Wednesday before.

Hair: 11:00 (Hair usually takes an hour and a half). Makeup: 1:30 (Makeup about an hour). Get dressed. Pictures: 4:30. Dinner: 5:30.

What steps do you take to get ready for homecoming?

Shower, get dressed, do my hair.

How long overall does it take you to get ready for homecoming?

Usually a total of 3-4 hours to get ready for homecoming.

What is your transportation situation like?

This year Charlie [Fossen] will be driving us.

Do you go with any other people? How many?

My group will have 20 other juniors in it, a mixture of couples and singles.

Do you take pictures?

Yes, Rochester municipal park at 4:30.

Dinner?

5:30 at Rochester Tap Room.

When do you actually go to the homecoming dance?

I usually go to the dance at 7:20 so that I don’t have to stand in the huge line of people.

How long overall does it take you to get ready for homecoming?

Takes about an hour.

What is your transportation situation like?

My car.

Do you go with any other people?

Group of about 20.

Do you take pictures?

Yes, the park at 4:30.

Dinner?

Rochester Tap Room at 5:30.

When do you actually go to the homecoming dance?

Early, like 7.

PAGE 11 || OPINION

THE TALON STAFF Adviser: Mrs. Facca Editor-in-Chief: Lauren Karmo Editor-in-Chief: Makenzie Shubnell Copy and News Editor: Angela Mammel Feature Editor: Elizabeth Bulat Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor: Taylor Simmons Sports Editor: Bianca Mow Business Manager: Tori Wendt Staff Writer: Zoya Ahmed Staff Writer: Colin Alison Staff Writer: Wyatt Anness Staff Writer: Gloria Baldevia Staff Writer: Claire Benson Staff Writer: Eileen Brennan Staff Writer: Danya Black Staff Writer: Ryan Gamble Staff Writer: Nick Garber Staff Writer: Ellie Gnass Staff Writer: Jack Harding Staff Writer: Chris Komarzec Staff Writer: Hope Laurencelle Staff Writer: Megan Lorenzo Staff Writer: Bella Malatesta Staff Writer: Angela Maldonado Staff Writer: Akhil Nagesh Staff Writer: Noah Peterson Staff Writer: Summer Rawashdeh Staff Writer: Violet Resh Staff Writer: Jonathan Sabbagh Staff Writer: Zoe Sawdon Staff Writer: Peyton Schroyer Staff Writer: Sharan Shibu Staff Writer: Alex Soave Staff Writer: Camden Williams

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 || OCTOBER 2017

STAFF EDITORIAL:

Is the use of Sparknotes ethical?

Reading works by Shakespeare, Fitzgerald and Woolf can be a daunting task that is required of nearly all high school English students. These books often seem to be written in their own language, and understanding even the basics such as characters and plot elements can be difficult for some students. Many students are tempted to turn to websites or reading guides like Sparknotes for assistance in nearly anything they could need to know about a piece of written work, from a chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis to recognition of themes and symbols.

A heated debate in English classes throughout the school is whether or not the usage of Sparknotes as a replacement or a companion to reading the novel is cheating or not. While many see Sparknotes as a tool for assistance to help guide readers while they read the novel themselves, others see it as a way to avoid having to read the book entirely.

Those who are strongly against the use of Sparknotes find that the point of reading these novels is to come to personal conclusions and work on analysis skills. As a replacement for the work itself, it is believed that there is no way for a student to fully grasp the true essence of it if they don’t actually read it.

Some think students should stay away from it entirely because when it comes to writing a paper or doing a project, Sparknotes can be especially harmful because of the possibility of plagiarizing.

However, to those who view Sparknotes as a positive tool, it can be encouraging to use their helpful summaries and analyses as a way to better understand a difficult text. Often times, students can miss certain key elements to understanding a text, and reading a guide like Sparknotes can help point those things out that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The uses of Sparknotes can vary from student to student. While some use it as a replacement for the text itself, others use it as a way to supplement the reading they have already done. Some avoid it entirely, instead opting to read and interpret the text themselves with no outside source.

The unbiased and anonymous poll of The Talon Staff revealed that 17 members believe that the use of Sparknotes is ethical and acceptable in the classroom setting while when used in conjunction with reading, however 13 members do believe it can be considered cheating.

The existence of analytical guides such as Sparknotes forces students to make a choice as to how they are going to use them. Struggling and falling behind in a class when there is an accessible source of assistance doesn’t make too much sense to most. But relying on Sparknotes and choosing to not read the book entirely is an extreme that most teachers would prefer students avoid. The intention of these kinds of websites and guides is to be used as a helping hand, not a crutch.

Over half of The Talon Staff believes that the use of Sparknotes is an ethical and logical approach to conquering the challenges of required reading.

While these guides are available, and they do not seem to be going away soon, using them for help only makes sense.

This topic of cheating, plagiarism and ethics is one that frequents classrooms in many forms. While lessons are designed to teach information, they are also designed to teach work ethic, accountability and pride in one’s work. It is up to the student to decide exactly what those things mean and how they plan to achieve them.

“It’s too easy for people to abuse instead of reading it on their own.”

Violet Resh, junior

“It’s a helping hand that we can use to expand your knowledge.”

Alex Soave, junior

“It’s a good resource to use for people who can’t focus well. ” Bianca Mow, sophomore

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

PAGE 12 || LIFESTYLES

CIDER MILL GUIDE Best spots to visit this fall TAYLOR SIMMONS

ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLES EDITOR

YATES CIDER MILL

PAINT CREEK CIDER MILL

BLAKES ORCHARD

GOODISON CIDER MILL

WHERE: 1990 E. Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307

WHERE: 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

WHERE: 17985 Armada Center Rd, Armada, MI 48005

WHERE: 4295 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

PHONE: 248-481-9203

PHONE: 248-656-3400

PHONE: 586-784-5343

PHONE: 248-652-8450

WEBSITE: https://www. yatescidermill.com/attractions/ pulp-car/

WEBSITE: https:// www.facebook.com/ PaintCreekCiderMill/

WEBITE: http://blakefarms. com/blakes-orchard-andcidermill/groups-and-parties/

WEBSITE: https:// goodisoncidermill.wordpress. com/

MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Yates features a petting zoo, pony rides, pulp car and more.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Walking/riding a bike can get exhausting, so take a stop right off the of Paint Creek Trail and get a cup of cider.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Halloween season includes zombie paintball and haunted house. There is also the traditional apple picking, petting zoo and train/hay rides.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Goodison offers a bounce house, pony rides and more.

All photos by Taylor Simmons

PAGE 13 || ENTERTAINMENT

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

HALLOWEEN MOVIE REVIEW

Falcons give advice on the best Halloween movies VIOLET RESH STAFF WRITER

The Nightmare Before Christmas In Halloweentown, vampires, witches, and every other kind of monster spend every minute of every day planning and preparing for Halloween.

The Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, begins to grow tired of the predictability and longs for something new. While wandering, he comes across a doorway that takes him to Christmastown. The foreign traditions and bright lights instantly captivate him and give him the idea to take over Christmas entirely. His obsession becomes his downfall as his actions throw off a balance he never knew existed. Before it’s too late, Jack Skellington has to set things right and embrace the Halloween spirit.

“It’s a classic that I HAVE to watch every Halloween and every Christmas!” said senior Emily Brown.

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Charlie Brown and his band of friends are preparing for Halloween.

While others are carving Jack O’ Lanterns, getting their costumes, and decorating, Linus is writing a letter to the Great Pumpkin. On Oct. 31, hoping to see the Great Pumpkin, he waits in the pumpkin patch all night.

Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and his friends go trick-ortreating and afterwards go to Violet’s Halloween Party.

Throughout the night, everything seems to go wrong for Charlie. Then, the next day, Linus and Charlie talk about their night and their hopes for next year.

“We do a yearly party called Pumpkinfest, and I buy a bunch of pumpkins for people to carve while we eat and visit,” said teacher Mr. Chris Guyor. “I always have ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin’ playing on a loop during the party.”

Beetlejuice

Corpse Bride

Ghostbusters

After Adam and Barbara Maitland die in a car accident, they return to their home as ghosts. Then when another family, the Deetze’s, purchases their home, the Maitlands haunt the house in the hopes that the family will leave.

However, the inexperienced ghosts are unsuccessful so they call for Beetlejuice, a professional ghost, to help them scare away the Deetze family. When things start to get out of hand and Beetlejuice starts to reveal his true colors, Adam and Barbara Maitland have to fix what they started.

Set in Victorian times, Victor and Victoria are arranged to marry one another for the sake of their families.

So, to practice his wedding vows, Victor escapes to the woods. He recites his piece in the presence of a spirit, the Corpse Bride, who mistakes his vows as being for her. Thinking she and Victor are now married, the Corpse Bride takes Victor into the Land of the Dead.

While learning more about the Corpse Bride and her past, Victor hurries to find a way back to the real world and Victoria before she is married to someone else.

In the end, the meaning of love and sacrifice is shown in their defining moments.

A young group of four paranormal researchers and enthusiasts are disregarded. They are obvious outcasts, but ban together to form the Ghostbusters, a team determined to fend off the ghosts and spirits of New York. They are unappreciated at first and not taken seriously, but suddenly when New York City is under attack, the Ghostbusters are humankind’s only chance. They hurry to close the door to the paranormal dimension before matters become catastrophic. While the iconic Ghostbusters song plays in the background, the heroes take on ghosts of all shapes and sizes.

“I remember watching it when I was four and the only memory I have is of me crying because I was scared of ghosts,” said junior Saloni Gupta.

“It was a really good thrill,” said sophomore Sophia Williams.

“I have to watch Ghostbusters every year, Halloween day,” Gupta said. “Doesn’t matter if I have school the next day, I have to watch it.”

THE TALON || OCTOBER2017

PAGE 14 || LIFESTYLES

HALLOWEEN COSTUME IDEAS Fun ways to spice up your Halloween costume

Pennywise

Since the new movie “IT” came out on Sept. 8, it is all anyone can talk about. If you’re looking for a creepy costume that would scare your friends, try this. Buying an entire costume isn’t necessary for people to know you are the “IT” clown. For the basics of the costume, all you need is red and white face paint, as well as a red clown wig. You should wear any colorful loose clothing for the rest of the outfit. One of the most important props for the costume that will make you be noticed by others as the “IT” clown is a red balloon. The red balloon will pull your look together and you’ll be ready to freak everyone out as the clown from IT.

Good Boy Meme

Grab a friend for this costume, because you can’t do this one alone! With a new meme trending on twitter almost every week, it’s easy to dress up as one of them for Halloween and make people laugh. Adding dogs to the mix is an all around positive idea for your Halloween costume this year. One of these memes is the “Good Boy” meme where owners (or strangers) call dogs “good boys”. For this costume, one person can cut out ears and wear brown clothing. To bring the meme to life make a sign titled: “A Good Boy” and wear it around your neck. For the “owner” part of the costume, the other person can wear normal street clothes and carry a leash and treats.

VICTORIA WENDT

BUSINESS MANAGER

Reeses are Dead

This costume is definetly different. Everyone loves candy, especially during Halloween, so being a candy is the perfect idea.

This costume combines candy with a little twist. For a few days there was a rumor going around that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were being discontinued. Everyone was freaking out over the beloved candy.

To turn this into a costume, all you need is a orange shirt and brown or black pants. Next, print out a photo of the Reese’s logo and draw an X through it. This will bring up the question: “What are you?” The answer? “Reeses are dead.”

Solar Eclipse

This summer, everyone was talking about mid-August’s eclipse.

Since a solar eclipse doesn’t happen every year, it’s the only Halloween that this costume will be relevant.

For the base of this costume, one friend can wear a grey shirt with a picture of a moon printed on it, and the other can wear a yellow t-shirt with a picture of a sun on it. To tie this costume together and put a humorous spin on it, buy two packs of Eclipse gum and tape them onto the center of your shirts. Together or separate, people will know that you are the solar eclipse.

PAGE 15 || SPORTS

SPORTS BRIEF

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

CAPTAINS’ QUOTES

“My goal this year is to be a leader that

“The first thing I do to get ready for

can answer questions from any of the

a game is I do my makeup and then

incoming skiers and my teammates. I

practice a lot. I pretty much have

also want to help coach the technique

confidence in myself and my team

of our skiers and improve their overall

that we’ll do great.”

ability.”

Karlyn Kelly,

Daniel Vince,

Varsity Cheer Captain

Ski Team Captain

NEW VARSITY VOLLEYBALL COACH

RHS Welcomes Sarah Steinmetz BIANCA MOW

SPORTS EDITOR

Coach Sarah Steinmetz coaching her varsity team at a tournament.

Photo courtesy of Sidney Swart.

This year RHS welcomes Sarah Steinmetz as the new varsity volleyball coach. She attended Macomb Community College and Ashford University. Coach Steinmetz played volleyball all four years of high school and outside of coaching she is working on some exciting things.

“I am in the process of opening up a new travel volleyball club out in Port Huron,” Coach Steinmetz said. “I love traveling and especially to new places.”

Before coaching at RHS, Steinmetz worked with different schools coaching different sports.

“I have been coaching girls’ volleyball for the past eight years,” Coach Steinmetz said. “I was the JV coach at Lakeview High school in St. Clair Shores. I have also have coached girls’ basketball for four years.”

The eight plus years that Coach Steinmetz has dedicated to this sport are based off of her love for the game and her drive to help the

girls succeed.

She is hoping her advice and “My drive for becoming a skills will help achieve her overall volleyball coach was all related goal. to my love for the sport,” Coach “The goal this year is to BEAT Steinmetz said. “I wanted to share ADAMS at City Cup,” Coach the love of Steinmetz the game with said. “We are others. Working working hard “We are working hard with girls and and striving to helping them be successful and striving to be to grow not the City successful at the City at only as a player Cup. We are Cup.” but as a person also focusing is the best on working experience ever. together as a Sarah Steinmetz, I had great high program.”

Varsity Volleyball Coach school and Coach club volleyball Steinmetz is coaches and I liking her time just wanted to carry on the things here and getting to know her team. that they passed on to me.”

“I am enjoying every moment So far, she is using her skills and so far at RHS,” Coach Steinmetz trying to help her team grow. said. “From the girls in the gym “We are doing well so far this with me daily to the other coaches, year,” Coach Steinmetz said. “It to everyone I come in contact with. is a great learning year and we are The school spirit is great, you can improving daily and have made definitely tell everyone is proud to great strides since the beginning.” be part of the RHS family.”

PAGE 16 || SPORTS

DANCE TEAM Club vs sport

THE TALON || OCTOBER 2017

BELLA MALATESTA STAFF WRITER

The coach of Rochester High School’s dance team, Allie Mercer, has been speaking with members of the school board in order to push for her team to become a sport, instead of an athletic club.

Ever since the dance team was created, it has been an athletic club, but now Coach Mercer is trying to change people’s minds in order to get the respect it deserves.

“Ever since I made the RHS dance team my freshman year of high school I wished it was considered a sport,” Coach Mercer said. “I think dance team would start to gain more attention throughout the district for our accomplishment.”

Students’ responses to the Senior Maya dance team are all Subramanian around positive and encouraging pictured towards dance being here. Photo a sport.

by Bella “I would Malatesta. consider dance a sport and an

The dance team is running off the field after their first quarter performance at a football game. Photo by Bella Malatesta. art because it is very challenging yet there is beauty and grace in every move,” senior Delna Sholapurwalla said. “I have a lot of respect for the people on dance team.”

Students on the dance team put in many hours every week, and many of them even dance for studios outside of school, as well.

“I have been dancing for 14 years,” senior Claire He stated. “I dance at a studio, outside of school, for about 15 hours a week.”

Even with all of their hard

work, the members of dance team still do not get the same recognition.

“If we were a sport then we would get a facility or area of our own for practices,” junior Chloe Imlay stated. “Dance is not considered a sport, so we are looked down upon.”

Although the team may not get the same recognition, there are still some positives to being a club that allows dance team to be more competitive.

“In Michigan, sports can’t compete outside of the state so like as a club we can go to nationals in Florida and stuff and that is fun,” He said.

A varsity dance team could help some

students out from an academic standpoint.

“Dance team would finally count as a gym credit,” Coach Mercer said. “We would no longer have to get into the argument of whether dance is a sport or not.”

Overall, after all of Coach Mercer and the dancers’ hard work, the dance team is beginning to gain recognition as a hardworking group of dancers, despite the title of a athletic club.

“Dance team is continuing to grow as a program from one competition a year to three competitions, and traveling to Florida for a national competition,” Imlay said. “We are only getting better and stronger from here!”

Members of the dance team pose in their new game day uniforms.

Photo by Bella Malatesta.