TALON
180 S. Livernois Rochester Hills MI, 48307
The
The
SCOOP on
‘Legally Blonde’
October 29, 2012 After playing at Troy High, James Young joins RHS for his senior year.
Varsity basketball
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Volume 75
Issue 1 The RHS barbershop group becomes more prominent.
RHS Barbershop
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MUSICAL UPDATE: Senior Adam White prepares for his role as Harvard student Emmett Forest in “Legally Blonde,” which the Rochester Alliance of Theatrical students will be presenting from November 15-17. Photo by Brian Palmer
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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
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Tigers & Hunting
Basketball: Featuring James Young
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.
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Road construction hinders travel to school Austin Bowerman Co-Alpha-Male
The road construction on Livernois Road, Crooks Road and downtown Rochester’s Main Street disrupts many students’ commutes for school. “Day to day I am affected by the construction,” senior Zachary Birchmeier said. “It gets me when I am traveling to and from school, work and my girlfriend’s house. It is very frustrating because I think that they could have taken one project at a time.” According to Public Information Officer for Road Commission for Oakland County Craig Bryson, the push to complete both bridges at once was done to prevent the bridges from being shut down due to safety concerns. Bryson also said that at first revenue to complete the bridges wasn’t supposed to come until 2013, but the Road Commission made a court press to get funding sooner. In total, the Livernois Bridge repairs cost 3.2 million dollars, and the reconstruction of Crooks costs around 4 million dollars. “We thought that [redoing both roads at once] would be better for the city of Rochester Hills in
the long run,” Bryson said. “This way we avoid having to shut the bridges down, which means that the overall project will be done sooner.” The Livernois bridge is expected to be completed by November 15. Birchmeier is upset that the road construction dates coincide with the school year. “Whether you drive yourself, get dropped off or take the bus, when traffic is bad, you are in stop and go traffic,” Birchmeier said. Senior Jonathan Azzam is pleased that the city is acting on the problem and fixing poor roads. “It is important to maintain the roads because otherwise we would end up with too many roads like Tienken,” Azzam said. “I hope that it is next on their list.” Though construction is a pain for Birchmeier, he believes that structurally unsound roads need to be replaced. “I like a smooth road,” Azzam said. “Having a rough road affects my fuel economy and adds unnecessary wear to my tires.” But increased vehicle and tire life aren’t the only benefits to reap from the new Crooks road.
Two construction workers work on the Livernois bridge project. Photo by Austin Bowerman
Traffic builds up on the Avon Bridge. Photo by Austin Bowerman
“Crooks will definitely improve traffic flow in the southwest quadrant of Rochester Hills,” Bryson said. “That’s one of the best parts of my job, to see a new road replace and improve a failing one. It has been a huge investment in the community and it will provide improved access to homes and businesses for years to come.”
Cars line up to get through downtown Rochester. Photo by Austin Bowerman
West Nile Virus claims nine Michigan victims Sydney Bammel Editorial Board
This summer and fall the West Nile Virus (WNV) has traveled to Michigan. In order to keep the public safe the WNV needs to be contained. The WNV is a communicable disease, which means that it can be transferred from between humans through arthropod vectors like mosquitos. “I think the WNV coming to Michigan is just one example about how diseases can spread from one country to another,” Oakland Health Division Epidemiologist Shane Bies said. “It’s important to
study these kinds of diseases from other countries, so we are prepared if they ever come our way.” According to Michigan.gov, the last time the WNV was really bad in Michigan in 2002. “There are so many mosquitoes in Michigan, so it’s scary to think that if you get bitten by a mosquito you could get sick,” sophomore Lizzie Berwick said. The WNV is dangerous for individuals with a compromised immune system like the elderly and young children. “My great aunt that is in her 80’s has a severe case,” Troy Middle School teacher Jennifer Slade said. “The difficult part is
that she’s now stable, but her symptoms may not improve.” There are a couple of ways one can be protected from the WNV. “It is important to keep the risk of infection small It’s like protecting yourself in case you get in a car accident. People wear their seatbelts to keep safe,” Mr. Beis said. “Likewise, people should take preventitive messages to proctect themselves from WNV.” Some symptoms to look out for are a fever, headache and muscle weakness. Authorities also recommend getting rid of any standing water that may be accumulating in items like spare tires
or plastic play structures. The main way to eliminate mosquitoes in a community is eliminating water sources. Slade is now taking precautions in her family to keep them protected from WNV. “I am much more aware of using bug spray,” Mrs. Slade said. “Now everyone in my family gets sprayed anytime we are heading out. Also, when my daughter came down with a fever and body aches, the first thing that came to my mind was ‘What if it’s West Nile?’”
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New superintendent enters RCS
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RCS implements full-day kindergarten Colette Cloutier Staff Writer
Timeline of superintendent changes Danielle Kullmann Editor July and August 2012- The school board and Mr. Clarke worked to let him remain with the district while still pursuing other jobs in other districts in Michigan and outside of the state
July 1, 2012: Mr. Fred Clarke signed a four-year contract with the Board of Education to replace the retired superintendent David Pruneau
Early July 2012- Superintendent Fred Clarke told the school board he was applying for positions in other school districts
September 5, 2012-Mr. Clarke signed a severance agreement or a contract between an employer and employee that specifies the details of a termination September 17th, 2012-The Board approved the severance agreement at a Special Meeting
September 17, 2012-The Board approved the severance agreement at a Special Meeting
Q&A
education here and I see this as my way of giving back. Q) Do you have any long-term goals even as an interim superintendent? A) First, I want to help with the communication of the school district and help people know more of what’s happening. I’d also like to get more students voices on the school district decisions. We’re having a Board Retreat later on and we have a student from each of the three high schools and ACE coming
Photo courtesy of RCS website Tresa Zumsteg, interim superintendent
Q) How do you feel about working in the district? A) I’m very excited. I’m very familiar with the RCS district since both of my sons went here. I came back to help out because both of my sons went here and received a wonderful
Early September 2012- Board hires Tresa Zumsteg as interim superintendent through a program called School Exec Connect, a consulting firm for school districts looking for new superintendents, principals and administrators
October 8, 2012- Searches for a new superintendent through School Exec Connect have begun
so we can get their opinions on what would make the high schools better. I’d also like to aid the district in finding an exceptional leader to lead for the next four or five years. Q) What have been your first actions as superintendent been? A) What I have been doing is meeting with the instructional leaders of the district and seeing their suggestions for changes. We go over the plans of the district and review goals we hope to implement. After this, I’d like to start meeting with parent groups and community leaders to see what their opinions are.
The State of Michigan has passed a law creating mandatory all-day kindergarten for all kindergarten-age students starting with the 2012-2013 school year. Rochester Community School’s Board of Education President Jennifer Berwick is excited. “I’ve had a chance to tour some of our new kindergarten classrooms and they are filled with creative resources that will enable our students to build a solid foundation of life-long learning,” Mrs. Berwick said. “Also, the full day schedule will allow for more in-depth and individual instruction at an unhurried pace which is crucial to a young child’s development.” Megan Murphy, mother of elementary aged children is also excited for all day kindergarten services. “I think that all-day kindergarten will be to the advantage to the children,” Mrs. Murphy said “They will have the same curriculum as before, but more spread out and with more play time and breaks.” However, Karen Bejin, also a mother of elementary aged students disagrees. “Children at that age are still developing socially and mentally,” Mrs. Bejin said. “They need to be with their families to learn and grow, not off in a strange classroom with strange people.” Mrs. Bejin also feels uneasy sending her children away all on their own for such a long period of time. “It is too big of a jump
RCS Children walk home after a long day of full-day kindergarten. Photo by Colette Cloutier
for little kids to go from “An advisory committee half day pre-school to all met for approximately day kindergarten,” Mrs. a year and a half to plan Bejin said. “Seven hours for this program,” Mrs. is a long day! They aren’t Berwick said. “They ready for that step in their evaluated physical space, lives yet.” transportation needs, Even though full-day staffing, and furniture, kindergarten is an added planned professional cost, Mrs. development, Berwick reviewed believes it is worth it curriculum I am very pleased because it and to be able to offer will give the researched all day, every day kids in the technology.” kindergarten to our community All-day families in RCS.” a great start kindergarten to their ~Jennifer Berwick, throughout schooling. school board president the entire The cost to district is implement a very big all change for RCS and many day kindergarten is measures had to be taken approximately $3.1 million, and the ongoing cost to the to ensure that classrooms district is approximately would be ready for $1.3 million annually. Mrs. incoming students. Murphy feels that if the “I am very pleased to cost is not an issue, the be able to offer all day, switch to full day should be every day kindergarten to a no-brainer. our families in RCS,” Mrs. “Growing children need Berwick said. “Research structure in their life,” Mrs. indicates that full day Murphy said. “By that age kindergarten contributes to they should be in a solid increased school success, learning environment as leads to higher academic much as possible.” achievement, improves Many adjustments student attendance and needed to be made to prepare for this educational benefits children socially and emotionally.” change.
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This proposal would let the governor employ emergency managers or “ems” to failing local government “units” like school districts to help solve their financial issues. This em would be able to fire and amend employee contracts and make financial spending decisions.
Arguments against proposal one say that an attempt to create an emergency manager could infringe upon the people and their rights to elect government leaders.
This proposal would allow employees to petition for their rights through worker unions. Teachers, firefighters, nurses and other workers would be able to bargain for their own hours and conditions of employment through unions.
Arguments against proposal two say that amending the referendum could lead to unlimited collective wage increases and early retirements with huge pensions at the expense of the taxpayer.
This proposal would require electric companies to make 25% of their sales be from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydropower and biomass by 2025.
Arguments against proposal three state that Michigan does not have enough of the mandated resources to achieve those goals.
This proposal would let in-home health care workers for Medicaid bargain for their hours, and working conditions. It would make official training and background checks to in-home health care workers and set up financial services to make paying health care bills easier.
Arguments against proposal four say that many Medicaid recipients have their family members looking after them, and family members are unlikely to avail themselves of union representation but will still have to pay dues.
This proposal would put restrictions on modifying taxes or putting new taxes in place. Taxes from then on could only be passed if 2/3 of the State House or State Senate agreed or by a statewide vote by the citizens of Michigan.
Arguments against proposal five state that this new ruling would make it more difficult to pay for schools, develop public works projects and more.
This proposal would require the approval of the citizens to build any new bridge or tunnel to Canada. Approval of a new bridge or tunnel would allow state funds to be used for design and construction.
Arguments against this proposal state that the proposal would jeopardize any bridge that is not finished by January 1, 2012 to Canada.
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ROMNEY’S VIEWS Health Care: • Repeal Obama’s healthcare plan • Initiate market-based reforms that empower states and individuals and reduce health care costs Immigration: • Oppose resident college tuition and driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants • Eliminate chain reaction of families immigrating to join their family member who is a citizen Tax Reform: • Expand the tax deduction to also include those who buy their own health insurance to empower individuals to purchase their own health insurance National Budget Plan: • Cut federal spending and bring reforms to enti tlement programs • Balance the budget by reducing the size and reach of the federal government • Return fiscal power to states and the people Social Security: • Ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security without raising taxes • Encourage individuals to create private accounts Unemployment: • Make American businesses competitive in the global economy • Open markets abroad, on fair terms, for American goods and services Death Penalty: For Same-sex marriage: Against Abortion: Pro-Life
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OBAMA’S VIEWS Health Care: • Ban insurance company discrimination of patients by pre-existing condition • Lower health care costs and guarantee more choice Immigration: • Increase border security • Uphold the DREAM Act Tax Reform: • Provide tax cuts for middle class and working class Americans and increase taxes for those who make more than $250,000 a year National Budget Plan: • Hold Wall Street corporations accountable for their irresponsible actions • Set and enforce clear, consistent rules for the financial marketplace to protect American families from manipulation • Support bipartisan plan to reduce national debt Social Security: • Protect and strengthen Social Security • Ensure basic benefits are not slashed during economic recession Unemployment: • Focus on key areas in rural communities to help businesses access capital and expand rural job search and training • Double exports to foster job creation Death Penalty: No stance Same-sex marriage: For Abortion: Pro-choice
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Demystifying the proposals
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5 x 5: RHS welcomes new teachers Meet some of RHS’s new additons Casey Ternes Staff Writer
Special Ed. Teacher Mrs. Julie Goldsby
History Teacher Ms. Christina Larsen
German Teacher Mrs. Ann Marie Miller
History Teacher Ms. Sarah Monroe
Math Teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Ward
1.Where did you go to college ?
Hope College
MSU
MSU
Saginaw Valley State University
Purdue University
2. How did you feel when you found out you were hired at RHS?
Bittersweet – I miss Reuther Middle School (where I taught the past two years), but now I love it here at RHS.
I could not believe it when I first got the phone call that I got hired; I honestly cried (tears of joy) and could not stop smiling.
I was excited to be at RHS. I’ve been teaching at Adams and Hart for the past few years and look forward to being part of RHS.
I was ecstatic. I’m pretty sure I was literally jumping up and down after receiving the phone call.
I was thrilled! I had been teaching for almost eight years in a different district and really needed a change.
I played “school” when I was little, and my desire ever since has been to help kids be successfulin school and in their everyday lives.
When I was in 7th grade I had an amazing social studies teacher ... I am fortunate enough to have stayed in touch with him ... he has helped me become the teacher that I am now.
I loved my German teacher in high school and enjoyed studying German at MSU, so I wanted to continue with German and share my joy and passion with other people.
I have always liked school (yes, I’m one of those people) and I had the opportunity to be a part of a mentor program in 8th grade and loved teaching.
I had always been good at math. I started to volunteer more and more until I eventually realized that maybe working with kids was where I could make a difference.
4. What do you like most about Rochester?
The students, staff, and school spirit.
The students have so much school pride, the staff loves their jobs , and as a whole, the community in this building is awesome!
I love the school spirit and the work ethic. When something matters to the students they put everything into it.
Everyone here has been incredibly welcoming and genuinely kind. The community has a great sense of what it means to be a Falcon.
[The kids] keep my day interesting and I always have a blast in class. They inspire me with their hard work and remind me why I love to teach.
5. Who is your hero?
Mrs. Abud and Mrs. Trimble because they put up with me all day and they’re awesome to work with.
My grandpa ... He taught me a lot about not being overly critical of myself, setting high goals, and working hard.
My parents ... They have been great examples of what success can be if you are hardworking, compassionate, loving and generous.
My parents are my heroes. They have sacrificed a lot in their lifetimes and done so much for other people.
Senora Ciacco. She was my Spanish teacher all of high school. [When] I attended her funeral...I realized how much she has inspired me.
3. What inspired you to be a teacher?
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Mr. Merlo follows in father’s footsteps Colette Cloutier Staff Writer
Until the end of the 2006-2007 school year, Mr. Mark Merlo taught science and coached both football and track before he retired, but now his son, Mr. Nick Merlo, has been hired as math teacher and a football coach at RHS. Many staff members are very excited to have another Merlo in the building, including Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Mrs. Russell. “When I saw his name I just smiled, because Mark Merlo really devoted quite a bit of his life to this school,” Mrs. Russell said. “He did a lot of things around here so when I saw the name I smiled because I figured it runs in the family.” Just like his father, Mr. Nick Merlo attended RHS. He wasn’t bothered by having his dad work in the same school building. “It was normal for me, because my
whole life he was a teacher at RHS so it wasn’t anything different,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. According to Mr. Nick Merlo, school wasn’t easier or harder with his father in the building, but it was a different story on the football field. “I think that football was definitely harder,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. “He was hard on me, but it made me a better person and built my character.” Not even nine years ago, Mr. Nick Merlo was a student at RHS, and he is adjusting to the changes from student to teacher easily. “It’s not weird or it’s not different or anything like that, it feels good,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. “I mean I’ve been removed from RHS for about nine years so it’s not like I’m coming back as a student. I’m lucky I get to work with the best of the best, for sure.” Mr. Nick Merlo describes why he wanted to be a teacher.
“I really like helping people,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. “I think that you guys as students of our school are the future, and I just want to be a part of that and to build courageous and positive role models.” Despite being a teacher and a coach just like his father, Mr. Nick Merlo doesn’t think that he is compared to him by his fellow staff. “We’re two very different people,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. “I’m not saying I don’t want to be like him, he did a lot of great things. But I’m definitely my own person.” Mr. Nick Merlo’s father is an important person and a strong role model in his life who passed on many lessons. “He told me, ‘There is no substitute for hard work,’ and I feel like I live that motto,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. “I think that is something I took to heart and I think that it’s a testament to any
teacher. Whatever you say, your students do take to heart and they will remember things.” It was never part of Mr. Nick Merlo’s plan to come back to Rochester to teach, but when the job offer came along, he took it. “This is a great opportunity to teach at this school,” Mr. Nick Merlo said. “I came back because not only do I love this city and have a passion for this school, but I get to work with the best staff around.”
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Math teacher Mr. Nick Merlo. Photo by Colette Cloutier
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LEGALLY BLONDE :
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The Rochester Alliance of Theatrical Students prepare vigorously for the premier of this year’s musical based on the popular movie, “Legally Blonde.”
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Camille Douglas Editorial Board
Since the second week of school, Rochester Alliance of Theatrical Students (R.A.T.S.) have been perfecting their moves, vocals and even the stage itself before their opening performance on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. This year, the students are trying something new: creating their own twist on the famous 2001 comedy, “Legally Blonde.” “Legally Blonde” is a musical that tells the life of the spontaneous, girly-girl, UCLA graduate Elle Woods, played by senior Carrie Drummond. She follows the love of her life, Warner, played by junior Noah Hubbard, to Harvard Law School to try to win him back after their surprising breakup. There, Elle soon realizes that getting back with Warner is going to be harder than she thought because of Warner’s stuck-up, stubborn fiancée, Vivian, played by junior Jenni Schmalz. Still determined to win, Elle transforms into a full-time law student that Warner is looking for; however, as she continues her education at Harvard, Elle begins to wonder if Warner is really all she’s ever wanted. The star that shines behind the character Elle, Drummond, was excited that she was able to snag the lead role after being in six other R.A.T.S. productions. Drummond describes how it feels to be the star of the show. “It’s exhausting, but it’s so fun,” Drummond said. “The adrenalin keeps me going. It’s the best feeling ever being up on stage. It’s a girl-powered show.” According to Drummond, preparing for Elle’s role requires much more work than memorizing lines and singing along to the music. “I do a lot of research; like for this one I watch the movie a lot of times,” Drummond said. “I watched a lot of different versions on YouTube, like with other different schools and universities doing it, and I kind of pick out what I like in their character. [It’s like you’re] creating your own character.” In addition to doing background research, Schmalz, who plays Vivian, explains why acting is the key to a good performance.
Senior Adam White, senior Lauren Ellsworth and sophomore Jono Mammel rehearse a scene. Photo by Brian Palmer
Chris Simko & Madi Pollard: Stage Managers Pollard and Simko are responsible for building the set, light and sound cues and making sure all transitions work smoothly. They also manage the other sub-crews.
R.A.T.S. rehearse a scene for the musical while other cast members watch and critique. Photo by Brian Palmer
Carrie Drummond: Elle Woods Drummond plays the lead role in the musical as Elle Woods. She appears in many musical numbers, including “Bend and Snap” and “So Much Better.”
Seniors Lauren Ellsworth, Sarah Babbie and Sean Boeberitz practice their lines. Photo by Brian Palmer
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Everyone plays a key role in our success. I believe that’s part of why Rochester’s musicals are so great and well done every year. Everyone has each other’s backs on a huge production like this and I think it’s fair that the backstage crew members get recognized. ~Jordan Clevenger, sophomore
Marisa Fournier: Props Master Fournier is in charge of organizing, obtaining and constructing all of the props that will be used in the musical.
Accompanist Kat Menzies and technical director Todd Miesch watch as students rehease. Photo by Brian Palmer
R.A.T.S. prepare to sing and dance for a musical number. Photo by Brian Palmer
Senior Carrie Drummond and other students practice singing with Mrs. Plotzke. Photo by Brian Palmer
“I think the most important thing to remember is that you have to give it your all because you’re putting on a show for other people,” Schmalz said. “You have to try your hardest not to be nervous because that could easily affect your show.” Not only does “Legally Blonde” consist of preppy, energetic sorority girls of Delta Nu, but it also contains some new, hairy faces that will appear on stage. “We have two dogs, Browser and Rufus,” Drummond said. “They are so well-behaved, and are a great to work with … plus, they are so cute.” Working with the animals wasn’t the most difficult part of the show. According to Schmalz, the music much more difficult than any other R.A.T.S. production. “‘Legally Blonde’ is probably much harder than
the other productions,” Schmalz said. “There [are] a lot more things we have to do to put on a good show.” As the show nears, the anticipation to get everything right and on cue grows, but the students with the passion for the performing arts seem to keep it cool, calm and collected. “[I’m so] excited! It’s coming along, and it’s only the second week, so you’re still in the beginning,” Schmalz said. “It’s definitely going to be great in the end.” However, not everyone is feeling relaxed about the show and its debut date in November. “I am really nervous because I don’t want to mess up in front of the audience,” Hubbard said. “I hope that my acting and singing will be perfect when opening comes.”
Putting on a play and performing may be tough, but most of the cast, like Drummond, agreed that it is a great experience. Junior Mackenzie Van Vleck, who is a feature dancer who is new to the show, emphasized how “Legally Blonde” gave her an opportunity to be a part of something again. “I wasn’t able to cheer this year, so I was nervous that I would have all of this free time, but I tried out and fell in love with it,” Van Vleck said. “I love being a part of it.” In addition to being a great experience for the cast and crew according to Van Vleck, Schmalz said the students of RHS will enjoy the show because it has an important lesson. “The lesson would be that no matter who you are, or where you come from, you can do anything if you really put your all into it.”
Kyle Williams: Lights Manager Williams is in charge of programming and operating the lights to synchronize with the performance.
Jono Mammel: Professor Callahan Mammel plays an angry and agressive college professor who is always stirring up trouble.
Noah Hubbard: Warner Huntington Hubbard plays a lead role in the musical as the boy who Elle follows to Harvard in an attempt to win him back.
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The stage crew, amongst other crews, takes ownership of the show productively. As soon as the lights dim for the live performance, it’s all on the students. Mr. Gollon’s and [my] hands are off, and that’s the coolest part because that’s when you see the students’ hard work being paid off. ~Mr. Todd Miesch, technical director
Donald Pierce: Sound Manager Pierce is in charge of programming and operating the sound effects to synchronize with the performance.
Adam White: Emmett Forest White appearing in several musical numbers, including “Chip on my Shoulder” and “Legally Blonde.”
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videos to watch 1. Chitown Psycho Part II 2. Chitown Psycho Part I 3. Slender 4. Darling 5. Goodnight Videos can be found under ‘roc4studios’ and ‘Abyssal Spectrum Films’ on youtube
Sophomore youtube video maker Karl Junquist. Photo by Camille Douglas
Top 5
Graphic by Karl Jungquist
Sophomore Karl Jungquist makes serious short films scene,” Jungquist said. “Griffin Olis and I do all of our editing, with opinions and feedback from other members.” The group has their own distinctive creative process Two Halloweens ago, with only a cheesy mask, his dad’s together. camera and a few friends, sophomore Karl Jungquist filmed “We write scripts for our videos, but usually while we his first YouTube video. A short time later, he had formed a are filming we will come up with a great idea and abandon group of aspiring film makers. This year, the group filmed the script,” Jungquist said. “Most of our ideas actually and uploaded their own short three-part detective series come from listening to music, believe it or not.” called “Chitown Psycho.” The group spends about sixteen hours total “We’re making these videos for fun,” filming and five hours or more editing. Jungquist said. “I think it [making the “The most rewarding part of making the videos] helps me connect with people and videos is sitting there after the editing is I think it [making motivates me to do well in school in order finished and seeing what you thought up in your the videos] helps me to make this a career.” head out on the screen, then watching the views connect with people and add up,” Olis said. The four essential members are motivates me to do well Athens HS freshman Griffin Olis, Troy So far, their videos have gotten a very HS sophomore Roshan Pathre, Stoney positive response. in school in order to Creek HS sophomore Evan Thomas “We have gotten tons of support from make this a career.” and Jungquist. Over the past two years, parents and friends,” Jungquist said. “Many are the videos have progressed from grimy -Sophomore Karl Jungquist even interesting in being in the films. “ to amateur cinematography. According One of these friends is sophomore Colette to Jungquist, they have spent over one Cloutier, who appeared in the videos as the thousand dollars on cameras, microphones wife of a murdered man and herself gets taken and editing programs. hostage. “First, we write the script, cast the characters, gather “It was a really neat experience because I’ve never really props and make costumes. Then we will spend two to three done anything like that,” Cloutier said. “I mean filming and weeks filming in different locations,” Jungquist said. “After acting. It was cool filming bits and pieces of the movie out that, we will spend another two weeks in post-production, of order and then getting to see the finished product.” adding visual effects and cutting up the video.” According to Jungquist, the group continues filming Each group member has their own specialty during the during every possible break. But the lengthy filming and production of the videos, though they all give input into the editing sessions are not without reward. different processes of the film making. “I film the movies because it is what I love to do,” “Evan Thomas…mainly works the camera, however Jungquist said. “It is something that can get me away from I will occasionally be behind the lens if I am not in the the real world and let my imagination run free.”
Danielle Kullmann Editorial Board
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Students fulfill foreign language requirement without “speaking” one word The new American Sign Lanuage class helps students learn about deaf culture and how to communicate with hands Sydney Bammel Editorial Board
Students who are taking the new American Sign Language class offered at RHS are encouraged to speak only with their hands. They are learning
the vocabulary and grammar, as well as different aspects of deaf culture. “Sign language is different than learning other languages. Some of the signs are very similar and sometimes if you do a motion just a little different you could say something completely wrong,” ASL teacher Mrs. Angela Lowry said. “Once, I was trying to sign ‘personality me what? Happy, nice, and shy too.’ to my ASL class in college. My poor little deaf instructor
closed her eyes for a second, shook her head. She then went on to sign and explain that the word I wanted to say was ‘shy,’ which stays on your cheek and when you take it forward from your cheek like I did you are signing ‘slut,’ so I basically had stood in front [of my class] and told them that I was a nice, happy slut.” ASL has particularities that if aren’t followed can be insulting; one of them is having eye contact. “I think it’s important to know ASL because hearing people Olivia Bevacqua practices the ASL sign for running. Photo by Sydney Bammel
need to learn to respect deaf people and know how to do the basic signs,”
sophomore Amanda Hudak said. “Also, taking the class makes us more aware and concerned about the deaf culture.” ASL can change throughout time. Sometimes there are multiple ways to sign the same thing. “The grammar in ASL is different than regular English and sometimes confusing,” freshman Sean Brown said. According to Mrs. Lowry, the students are really getting into the class because the curriculum is getting more into the actual signing.
Above: Students in Mrs. Lowry’s ASL class sign the words to “Imagine,” by John Lennon. Photo by Mrs. Julia Satterthwaite
“I think that so far most of the feedback from the students has been pretty positive,” Mrs. Lowry said. “The other ASL teachers and I are really trying to implement the new ASL curriculum into the school system.”
The deaf world has a culture of its own. “I think that learning ASL will not only help the deaf/hard of hearing community feel welcome in society,” Mrs. Lowry said. “It also teaches people about accepting
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The best fall attractions in Oakland County
As summer comes to a close and the fall leaves begin to change, Uggs, apple cider and all things spooky fill the minds of the students at RHS. It’s safe to say that as the atmosphere changes, trips to haunted houses and the cider mill increase in student life. Olivia Bennett
Camille Douglas
Editorial Board
Editorial Board
Illustrations by Brian Palmer
Erebus, Haunted Slaughtered Pontiac: at Sundown: WORTH IT WORTH IT
The Realm of Darkness: NOT WORTH IT
Where:18 South Perry Street, Pontiac, MI 48342
Where: 71800 Romea Pank Road, Armada, MI 48005
Where: 37 Turk Street, Pontiac, MI 48341
Overall review: It holds a mix of suspense and chaos just perfect for scaring even the most avid haunted-house-goer. The many rooms cause a scare that is unmatched by any other haunted houses around the area. It is also one of the most popular! Wait time: The wait is usually around 40 minutes up to an hour. Cost: The payment for the house itself is 23$ throughout the week and 28$ during the weekend.
Overall review: Slaughtered at Sundown knows how to put on a show. Although it is not as scary as Erebus, the attraction is a lot more real and comes to life. The actors in the house contribute to the scare. There is also a haunted hayride for kids, student and parents to all enjoy. Wait time: Generally not too long, 30 minutes tops. Cost: 15$ for anyone 10 years and up, 10$ for anyone 10 year and younger.
Scary factor: 9/10 Props: 8/10 Overall: 8.5/10
Scary factor: 7/10 Props: 6/10 Overall: 6.5/10
Paint Creek
Rochester
Yates
Overall review: The main reason that this attraction is not that popular is the fact that it’s location is by the thrilling Erebus. More would attend, but that it just wasn’t worth it compared to the other attractions around the area. A better age to attend the Realm of Darkness is when your mother still walks you into school each morning. Wait time: Usually takes around 25 minutes Cost: 20$ for adult tickets, 12$ for 11 years and under.
The food: Paint Creek focused on its ice cream selection - which is fabulous - but the summer treat is considered to be out of season during the cool fall and overbearingly cold winters. As for the cider, it is quite bland, and it lacks the expectation of that sweet factor. The donuts did not seize to surprise either, they ended up being a disappointment. Other food: As for the rest of the menu, it included a lot of items that could be seen at any other Coney Island in the area, and did not even include any apple crisp or any other homemade pies, which was quite disappointing. Activities: The experience wasn’t worthwhile – walking on the Paint Creek is the only activity.
The food: This cider mill sells sweet, unpasteurized cider, as well as a nice variety of donuts. They’re the real deal. Other food: Rochester Cider Mill also offers their seven savory pies that are baked fresh everyday and their delightful, homemade apple crisp. Even their taste bud-satisfying caramel is made by hand each morning. Activities: It doesn’t have to have the silly gimmicks like hayride, merry-go-rounds or cotton candy to attract its customers, and with that, it can get pretty boring petting the same goat for a minute or two in the petting zoo and conquering the hay pyramid. There is a corn maze, however once one makes there way through it, the exicment quickly fades.
The food: Yates has perfected its cider and donuts to be the best of the best. The cider is certainly sweet, yet balanced with the apple taste, and the donuts are well coated with cinnamon sugar and are baked to perfection. Activities: One can do basically everything here; ride a little pony twenty times in a circle, pick delicious savory apples from the Apple Tent, satisfy the sweet tooth in the Fudge Shoppe, down a whole carton of ice cream in the Ice Cream Shoppe, tour the factory and see how the cider and donuts rose to fame, scare the goats from their home in the petting zoo, or enjoy the scenic beauty of Rochester when taking a river walk on the trail that follows the Clinton River.
Scary factor: 4/10 Props: 4/10 Overall: 4/10
Donuts: 6 Cider: 5.5 Overall: 6
Donuts: 7 Cider: 7.5 Overall: 7.5
Donuts: 9 Cider: 8 Overall: 8.5
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Best movie theatres near Rochester Brian Palmer Co-Alpha Male
Convenience: Emagine is the most convenient theatre in the area for most people. Its location in the outdoor mall makes for easy access to other activities within the same night. One could easily plan a dinner and movie date without driving in between. It’s also not too far from Downtown Rochester.
Convenience: AMC 30 is a bit of a drive for anyone who lives on the west side of Rochester. The area around AMC 30 is fairly limited. There’s not much else to do aside from watch a movie. There are a few restaurants close by, but that’s about as exciting as it gets.
Prices: Emagine’s ticket, food and snack prices are absurdly high. It’s easy to spend over $20 just for a movie and snacks. However, discounts are given to students who show a Rochester Community Schools ID.
Prices: AMC 30’s prices are fair. The snacks are a little bit higher than what they would be at any convenient store, but that’s true for nearly every movie theatre and the quality of the theatre definitely makes up for any arguably overpriced snacks.
Service: Emagine may be the most expensive, but the seats, snacks and atmosphere of the lobby are far superior. They are also the only theatre that offers luxury seating as an option. However, they’re sometimes very persnickety about sitting in the exact seat corresponding to the ticket purchased. Emagine is also the newest in this area which gives it a significant advantage. Everything feels fresh.
Service: The seating arrangements and seats themselves in this theatre are soft and comfortable. There’s plenty of space and a decent gap between each row so that nobody’s view is ever blocked. AMC 30 also has a great variety of food. Actual food. They serve hot dogs, nachos and all kinds of other great things. The lines at the concession stand can get pretty long on busy nights though.
Convenience: This theatre is about the same distance from Rochester as AMC 30, but in the opposite direction, so it’s a long drive for people from the east side of Rochester. However, its location inside the Great Lakes Crossing mall makes planning a movie night with other activities incredibly easy. Prices: Star theatres’ tickets are moderately priced. Their snacks are more expensive, but they allow outside snacks unlike AMC 30 and Emagine. Refunds are also given to anyone who leaves the movie earlier than half way through for any reason. Service: The service at Star Theatres is poor. The lines are long on busy nights. The floors can get dirty and sticky. The clientele can be a little scary depending on the day and time of night. The seats are old and worn out. The ability to bring outside food is convenient considering all of the snacks available within the mall itself.
New frozen yogurt shop opens downtown Melody Zhang Staff Writer
Strolling down a near-deserted downtown Rochester sidewalk, one may notice that the construction that has been going on for the last couple of months has taken a huge toll on businesses and restaurants. The dust and machines seem to make downtown look unappealing. However, there is a bright blue new shop that brings back some of the joyful spirit Main Street is known for – Sweet Island Yogurt! Upon entrance, the shop is at once spacy and cozy with its warm blue walls and colorful, tropical designs. The service is
immediate and direct – the self-serve process is explained clearly and simply. Customers take a carton and pick any combination of yogurts they want from a selection of 12 frozen yogurt flavors and two feature custard flavors. There are over 50 available toppings to choose from. Finally, the masterpiece is then brought over to the weighing scale where customers are charged 49 cents per ounce. The specialty of Sweet Island Yogurt comes from the rarity and uniqueness of its kind. There are only a few competitors with nearly as many toppings and choices for frozen yogurt in the whole state of Michigan, and downtown
Rochester is certainly lucky to have such a vibrant, rare self-serve yogurt shop to liven up its streets. With its unique shop insides of vibrant colors and a wallsized window overlooking Main Street, the shop itself feels like its own world, or actually, island. The 50 fresh and delicious toppings offered to customers is the most eyecatching and significant specialty of this yogurt shop. Although there are no complaints on service or atmosphere, the place could do better with a couple of different fruits. Menchies, a top competitor in Shelby Township, offers an even wider variety of fresh fruits and creative,
There are over 50 topping options at Sweet Island Yogurt. Photo by Melody Zhang
original toppings. Also, the price is a little on the high end, since a large 12-ounce combination costs six bucks. Even with the price drawbacks, though, these six bucks are well worth the experience and taste of
Sweet Island. Overall, Sweet Island Yogurt deserves four out of five stars for its customer service, active but cozy atmosphere, ideal setting and delicious yogurt. Because of its slightly
upscale price, the best way to enjoy Sweet Island is to go there once every couple of weeks to once a month. This way, there will be new toppings to anticipate trying and the taste will be fresh each time.
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RHS Barbershop rebuilds after losing leader Danielle Kullmann Editorial Board
Last year, a group of young RHS choir students gathered together at Cabaret and quieted the auditorium by belting out an a capella version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” Since then, the Barbershop group has grown in numbers, experience and reputation. “We always wanted to do a Barbershop group and then last year there was a Barbershop piece in the musical ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ that no one was doing,” senior member Lauren Ellsworth said. “Mrs. Plotzke really wanted someone to do it so Ben Bulak started it up.” Barbershop groups are a Capella, which means singing without background instruments. The RHS Barbershop group has its own process of learning new songs. “We usually all get and sit around a piano and I teach people their parts and then we sing it all together,” Ellsworth said.
Scheduling can be difficult according to sophomore member Jono Mammel. “We have a Facebook group through which we have to hunt people down and drag them in to do it,” Mammel said. Having fun is one of the major components of their practices. “Our practices are pretty much just us fooling around and then a little bit of us actually learning the song,” junior Noah Hubbard said. Fooling around does not keep them from doing shows. They have performed at the NHS induction, Lagniappe, the RHS Variety Show, at most of the RHS choir concerts and at Crittenton Medical Hospital. “Last year my grandmother was at Crittenton recovering from open heart surgery and so we went to Crittenton and sang to her and the other people on her floor,” senior member Paul Coetilish said. According to the group, the response from the community has been good. “Everybody thinks we’re
Senior Lauren Ellsworth, alumni Ben Bulak and Craig Renny, and senior Adam White perform “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at Cabaret 2012. Photo Courtesy of Vivian Ellsworth
kinda crazy,” Mammel said. “But we’ve had a lot of teachers tell us they think we’re great.” Since graduated leader Ben
Bulak is gone, the group is spending their time rebuilding. “The group is in a transition phase,” Ellsworth said. “It is way more relaxed this year so
it’s more likely to be someone buying music and being like, let’s learn this. But we’ll definitely do more shows this year.”
MTV unfolds into a den of reality television Sarah Walwema Staff Writer
It’s the middle of the night and junior Kelly Harlan is sleeping over at a friend’s house. She can’t seem to fall asleep. She decides to turn on the TV. What she finds is a mega-marathon of “Jersey Shore.” “Of course I can’t find the remote, and I can’t turn the TV off, because I’m technologically impaired,” Harlan said. “So I watched a few hours of the single stupidest show I’ve ever seen.” MTV started off as a network dedicated to showing videos of artists brandishing parachute pants, shoulder pads and giant hair. “MTV literally was just that - it was music television,” English teacher Frank Gollon said. “All you had was music videos that would only be interrupted by music news.” Some members of the RHS staff remember how MTV used to be. “My favorite show was ‘TRL,’” security guard Ty Washington said. “Music is a way for different people to communicate.” “Total Request Live” was a television
Photos Courtesy of Creative Commons Graphic by Sarah Walwema
series that showcased the top 10 most requested videos of the day. “It was pop culture,” AP Government teacher Mrs. Amanda Batton said. “Watching ‘TRL’ meant watching my favorite band: the Backstreet Boys.”
As the network started focusing more on reality television, “TRL” remained, but it was eventually cancelled. Some think that the network has swayed completely away from music television. “Yo! MTV Raps” and “Making the Video” were replaced by shows
like “Jersey Shore” and “Teen Mom.” “It’s overrated,” sophomore Andrei Vainberg said. Students have their own reasons for watching the present day MTV. “I know half of it is fake, but I think it’s funny and entertaining,” junior Sophia Menzo said. “I don’t actually take it seriously.” Other students think the shows are more than amusing. “People want to see what it would be like to party hard,” Vainberg said. “I don’t think anything exists in the world that could be worse than ‘Jersey Shore.’” Some say that shows like “Jersey Shore” could influence teenagers badly. “I think I used to influence MTV,” Mr. Washington said. “I and other teenagers showed people how to dress and talk and MTV just picked up on that.” Many agree that it’s not the same as it used to be. “MTV is basically just a joke,” Mr. Gollon said. “When it started out it was a place for music artists to showcase their music.”
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Futures should not be determined by ACT Sarah Walwema Staff Writer
Some say that junior year is the most important year of a student’s high school career. It’s when students have to figure out what colleges they might want to apply to, and it’s also when students take the ACT, a test that is supposed to measure just how much a student learned in his or her high school career. This test can either help a student get into college, or ruin the chances of that student going to his or her dream school. With so much resting on this one test, one would think that the test justly outlines to a college whether a student is ready to take that next step. The test is really quite pointless and is not an accurate measure of a student’s aptitude. One reason why the test isn’t a credible
depiction of growth is because students can take the test over and over again. Because students can be exposed to the test so many times, they can eventually know what the test wants a student to know. This gives some students an unfair advantage over someone who might not be able to afford to take the test multiple times. If the student who has seen the exam in excess gets a good score, all it proves is that the student knows how to take the ACT. When taking an AP test, a student usually gets four hours to prove themselves. Four hours with which students have time to analyze the test and apply the critical thinking skills that the AP class should have taught. High school is all about learning how to use higher thinking skills. While taking the ACT, a student can only spend a couple seconds on a question; if they spend even a couple more seconds on a question, the chances of that student getting to all the questions slowly decreases. The fact students prepare and are prepped for the test for four years is really stressful. According to an article titled
“Stress of Standardized Tests” by Christine for college. It doesn’t mean that they have Cadina, stress can be deadly enough to the motivation or ambition that’s necessary cause short term memory loss and even to succeed in college. It means that that symptoms of ADD in teenagers. With all student in particular is good at taking this stress built standardized tests. The up, the ACT intent of the ACT isn’t the itself could problem. The actual test cause students just doesn’t demonstrate to perform whether a student is It doesn’t mean that they badly on the prepared for college or not. have the motivation or test; something The ACT is a big part ambition that’s necessary as simple as of students’ high school to succeed in college. It breaking up careers, especially their means that that student in the test into junior years. It is definitely different days important for something particular is good at taking would make it like the ACT to be put in standardized tests.” less stressful place at the end of high instead of doing school, but the ACT isn’t ~Sarah Walwema the whole test in about learning. It’s about one sitting. who was lucky enough to Some study the right kind of math might say that without the ACT, students or science, or buy the right ACT test prep would enter college unprepared but GPA’s book. The ACT should be set up so that and exam results are more than enough students don’t have to study. The students information. Even if a student was to should have learned enough to get a good get a perfect 36 on the ACT, that doesn’t score, and the ACT should be the right necessarily mean that he or she is prepared level of difficulty for a student to do well.
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New lax hunting law puts all hunters at risk By lifting the age ban for young hunters, the DNS has created a dangerous situations where inexperienced hunters could hurt others or themselves
Austin Bowerman Co-Alpha-Male
Someone is going to get shot by the end of this hunting season. The new law that the Department of Natural Resources passed lifting the age ban on all hunters through what is called a “mentor license” is sure to cause at least one tragic accident this hunting season. The D.N.R.’s way to “get
more young people involved in the sport of hunting,” is a sorry excuse for them to make more money by selling more licenses. This new law will provide many parents the extra push that is needed to make them into an un-honest violator. For some, taking their child on a mentored hunt is the perfect excuse to get out into the woods earlier. This results in the parent taking advantage of the child and using them as a loophole to hunt the early “youth” hunting seasons. Allowing a child to carry a firearm in the field under the age of 12 is just plain irresponsible. For years, ever since there was a hunting season, the age limit was 14. Due to the D.N.R.’s constant greed for wealth, they reduced the age limit in order to increase the number of license sales and make more money. This was achieved and in doing so compromises the safety of any individual within about a two mile radius of the youth
and their firearm. To make matters even worse, the youth is not even required to take hunters safety, a two day class once required for any hunter to take and pass before receiving a license. At such a young age, many children will not even be able to get an accurate grasp on what hunting is and how it should be treated. Due to modern day video games and television with so much emphasis on violence, the child is likely to focus way too much on the killing of the animal and not on the actual hunting experience itself. Therefore, if the child is unsuccessful in taking game, which is very likely when hunting, they are likely to perceive it as a failure and not want to go again. On the
contrary, if they do succeed in making a kill, there is a risk of engraining them with the thought that they must kill when hunting. A child’s mind is simply too delicate and impressionable to be involved in activities such as hunting. Some say that letting young children hunt is good because it helps to get them involved in the outdoors, a crowd of people that is rapidly declining. However, for over one hundred years children have been involved in hunting by following their fathers into the field and watching them. There are other ways to ease the child into the outdoors, rather than just thrusting it upon them at an early age when they are unlikely to enjoy it in the first place. The D.N.R.’s rash decision to allow children to hunt at any age is a crime being used to take more money away from sportsmen in the form of licences. We should do our best to inform parents that there are other alternatives to getting their children involved in the outdoors. If children hit the woods with high powered deer rifles this hunting season, there will be fatalities.
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Hunters experience success bagging game
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Austin Bowerman Editorial Board
The 2012-13 hunting season lures many students out of their homes and into the woods in anticipation of bagging game. “I plan on bagging a big buck that I have been tracking and keeping my eye on for over a year now,” senior Adam White said. “It would be quite the kill as he is a nice six pointer.” Freshman Sam Howe has already experienced success this year while small game hunting. “I was out squirrel hunting and I was getting ready to quit for the day,” Howe said. “I had been chasing a squirrel for a while, but hadn’t had a shot. Then I saw the squirrel out about 80 yards and kneeled down, put him in my crosshairs and fired.” According to D.N.R. officer Sarah Cummins, the outlook for this year’s hunting season is decent. “We had an easy winter, which hopefully let a good amount of animals survive,” Cummins said. “Mast crops like acorns
This year I took my second doe while hunting in the youth season with a shotgun. This one was special because my dad was in Afghanistan when I shot my first deer, and for this one he was actually out there with me.”
Top: A squirrel shot during small game season. Bottom : A view from a hunter’s treestand. Photos by Austin Bowerman
are spotty, however this is better than last year when we had pretty much none.” Freshman Brian Wing was also successful in taking a deer with a shotgin in this year’s youth deer season. “This year I took my second doe while hunting in the youth season with a shotgun,” Wing said. “This one was special because my dad was in
Freshman Brian Wing with his second deer, a doe that he shot during the 2012 youth deer season. Photo Courtesy of Brian Wing
Afghanistan when I shot my first deer, and for this one he was actually out there with me.” Similarly, Howe finds many aspects of hunting enjoyable, other than making the kill. “I like the peacefulness and serenity of the woods,” Howe said. “You can think for a while; you are not bothered by things and you are away from others. Hunting lets you get out of
normal life for a bit.” Howe believes that every part of the hunt, good or bad, is what makes hunting so enjoyable. “I like the elements of the hunt,” Howe said. “I don’t necessarily take joy in killing things. If I kill something, I use it. I do believe that through the kil, we get a better connection to nature as well as a deeper understanding of life and death.”
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~Brian Wing, freshman
I like the peacefulness and serenity of the woods. You can think for a while; you are not bothered by things and you are away from others. Hunting lets you get out of normal life for a bit.” ~Sam Howe, freshman
Roar! Tigers are successful in post-season Zach Libby & Grant McPherson Staff Writers
Cutline here JSDAFKSJFSDLJ
The final out made by closer Jose Valverde in the bottom of the ninth against the Kansas City Royals on October 1 prompted an uproar in the away dugout, as players from the Tigers danced and cheered at the pitcher’s mound, celebrating a second straight A.L. Central title. “It was a great effort from the Tigers,” principal Charles Rowland III said. “They really gave it their all for the playoffs.” In the month of June, the Tigers were six games out of first in the division, but hung around and passed up the depleting Chicago White Sox with only three games left of the season. “The race for the Central
division title was tight,” said out the Oakland Athletics in five junior Garret Reedy. “But all it intense games in the American matters is that we won and have League Divisional Series, as well an excellent chance to win it all as clinching the American League this year.” Championship Series against the Third baseman Miguel Cabrera New York Yankees in four games. became the “I’m extatic that seventeenth player The Tigers are going in history to win to the World Series,” the Triple Crown. Mr. Zwolinski said. If The Tigers win, I’m In order to win this “Even though they going to get a Tigers prestigious award, didn’t know what tattoo. a player must lead they were supposed the league in home to do in the regular ~Mr. Zwolinski season, they came runs, RBI’s and together and won batting average. the pennant. If The “Cabrera was Tigers win, I’m going to get a nothing short of amazing this season,” history teacher Mr. Chad Tigers tattoo.” Zwolinski said. “He made great The Tigers will take on the strides during the season and San Fransisco Giants beginning never took his eye off the prize.” Wednesday, October 24 at 8:07 This past week, the Tigers beat p.m. All games are on Fox.
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October 1: Tigers clinched the American League Central October 3: Miguel Cabrera becomes the 17th player to win the Triple Crown since 1967 October 6: Tigers win 1st game of the American League division series against the Oakland Athletics October 11: Tigers win the ALDS with a complete game shutout by pitcher Justin Verlander. October 17: Tigers win the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees and Advance to World Series
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With the addition of highprofile player James Young, the team hopes to experience continued success
James Young, 12 Q: Why did you transfer to Rochester High School? A: I transferred because I wanted to live with my mom for senior year and she lives in Rochester.
Kailie Fowler Staff Writer
Q: Have you met the team yet? A: I have met all the players and they are cool as ever. We are all good friends. Q: What is your opinion on Rochester so far? A: I love it here. Everyone is kind and friendy. I have made a lot of friends so far.
Q&A
While most are still waist deep in football fun, varsity basketball Coach John Pleasant is running workouts and open gyms in the offseason. Pleasant is both excited and anxious about the upcoming season. “I think we have the potential to have a successful year,” Coach Pleasant said. “We lost a lot of seniors to last year’s team; however, we have some key pieces returning as well.” The varsity basketball team goes up against a personal record from last year, 20-2, with previous star players Taylor Perry and Paris Pereira having graduated. “Paris and Taylor were an absolute delight to coach and be around the past four years,” Coach Pleasant said. “They meshed so well with one another, and by their senior year there weren’t too many teams who had an answer for them.” Senior Manny Mendoza and junior Michael Murri hope to have a successful season with the help of senior James Young, who transferred from Troy High School to RHS in August. “James is a great player, one of the best in the nation,” Murri said. “He’s obviously going to get most of the spotlight, but having someone on your team like that is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Coach Pleasant doesn’t want to speculate about if Young will help the tearn earn an even more
Q&A
Varsity basketball prepares for changes this upcoming season
The varsity boys basketball team is hard at work preparing mentally and physically for the upcoming season. Photos by Olivia Bennett
impressive record this year. “I never like to talk about the number of wins with the team,” Coach Pleasant said. “Too many things can happen throughout the course of the year to set that as an expectation.” High-profile player James Young transferring his senior year was a decision few expected. The 6’6”, 200-pound, shooting guard was being scouted by colleges throughout the country according to ESPN: Kansas, Michigan State, Kentucky and Syracuse in particular. Young announced Thursday, October 11 that he will attend Kentucky. “I will be heading to … the University of Kentucky,” Young said in a press conference, as he held up a personalized UK t-shirt. “Kentucky’s just always been my dream school. Once I went up to visit, I just fell in love with the place.” Now that the hullabaloo surrounding Young’s decision has quieted, the Falcons are looking forward to getting back to business as usual. “James is a very nice young man who is very talented,” Coach Pleasant said. “Anytime you have the best player in
the state on your team, that will give you certain advantages; however, RHS won’t be too successful this year if it just turns into the ‘James Show.’” The players continue to prepare themselves for the upcoming season. “We work pretty hard in the offseason,” Coach Pleasant said. “We start back up with workouts and open gyms right after spring break and continue this schedule through the end of the school year. Once school is out, we have nine practices that run around three hours, and then six nights of games.” While coaching wasn’t just about the game for Coach Pleasant, the lesson that he taught to the players was as important. Being on a team is a commitment and everyone must play their role. “I want our kids to live out what we preach every day. If you ask any of our players they will tell you that we end practice every day saying the same thing,” Coach Pleasant said. “And that is ‘make good choices.’ We talk about making good choices in the language we use, with the people we surround ourselves with, and in the classroom.”
Manny Mendoza, 12 Q: What are your expectations heading into the season? A: I want, myself, to win a district title becasue we haven’t done that in a couple of years. Also, to beat our rivals ... just like last year. Nike or Adidas A: Nike Q: Who is your sports role model? A: Peyton Manning, because he’s such a good leader. Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be? A: To fly Q: What was your most memorable sports moment? A: Sophmore year, when I used to go to Penn High School in Indiana, during the football season we got to play a game at Lucas Oil Staduim.