0506-7

“On one corner, there was a Starbucks. And across from that Starbucks, in the exact same building as that Starbucks, was a Starbucks. At first I thought that the sun was playing tricks on my eyes. But, no. There was a Starbucks across from a Starbucks.

And that, my friends, is the end of the universe. ” -Lewis Black March 29, 2006 Volume XVI, Issue 7

Dexter High School - 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter, Mi 48130

Coffee on the brain? page 7 & 8

THE SQUALL JUST GOT BIGGER! That’s right. In addition to adding more pages, we’ve added more color. We hope you like our new look.

new face, new times: School board appoints new principal for 20062007 school year.

page 2

‘dance party fridays’ banned:

Authorities put an end to weekly stairwell parties.

page 4

‘war with a ball’:

Dexter’s rugby team not considered a varsity sport.

page 10

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Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Squall

news

Debate over reduced schedules arises County says students need more challenging curriculum Molly Brewster sports editor

District officials are considering the possibility of not allowing seniors to have a reduced schedule beginning with the 2006-2007 school year.

According to • Baty Principal Jim Bannan, the county superintendent thinks there is a need for more rigor in classes, especially during senior year.

“If they want to challenge the students, then it makes sense that they should be required to take six classes a semester,” Bannan said.

Bannan said he doesn’t like the idea of reduced schedules.

“If you’re at school to get an education, you should get as much out of it as you can,” he said. “Every opportunity not taken in high school can be a missed opportunity later in life.”

No final decision on reduced schedule has been made, however.

In fact, counselor Larry LeBlanc said the counseling department hasn’t been informed about what will happen next year.

“Everything that I have heard has been through the grapevine,” he said.

“As far as we are concerned, the class of 2007 will have the opportunity to take reduced scheduling next year.”

Scheduling for next year has begun and the possibility of not having reduced schedules would make it necessary for as many as three new class sections to be created during first and sixth hour combined.

This is a minor issue for Bannan, however.

“I’d rather have to go through the trouble of reorganizing schedules because if reduced scheduling is taken away, it is in the best interest of the students,” he said.

But LeBlanc said reduced scheduling is a popular choice for seniors.

“I think that it’s fine to allow students to take reduced scheduling,” he said. “The senior year is busy enough as it is and can use a break. As long as students still take at least four core academic classes, they will satisfy the needs of most selective colleges.”

And with many students busy with after school jobs and sports, LeBlanc said reduced scheduling gives them an extra way to buy time.

“As long as they use their time effectively, then I am all for keeping reduced schedules,” he said. “Taking away reduced scheduling would affect all seniors in a different way.

Some use the hour off school to go home and nap while some use it to work.”

One of those students who depends of reduced schedules is senior Scott Baty who has a reduced schedule and doesn’t have class during sixth hour.

“During football season I was able to get my homework done and out of the way before football practice,” he said. “Now I am able to start work an hour earlier than I usually would and that was definitely one of the reasons I got hired for the job.”

LeBlanc said it is for students such as Baty that reduced scheduling should remain an option in the district.

“Whether or not a student should take reduced scheduling depends on what their own individual career pathway or college choice is,” he said. “From there it depends on what they expect out of students during their senior year. If they will still accept students only taking five classes a semester, then students should be able to have a break and take an hour off.”

Caught in the act: Seniors Eric Boren and Sarah Hilgendorf are seen on a screen capture from Webshots.com. This is one of the photos for which Hilgendorf got a 14 game suspension from softball.

Students caught breaching athletic contract on Webshots “I was amazed someone would take a bunch of pictures at a party and post them on the Internet,” he said.

And Robinson said he was in charge of punWhen Principal Jim Bannan read an article in “The Grand Rapids Press” about webshots, ishing the student athletes involved in the weban online Web site where people post pictures, shots scandal. ‘ “The students that we were able to see beyond he decided to take a closer look at what students the shadow of doubt, that were in possession were putting on this site.

Bannan said he did this by going to webshots. of illegal things, got a 14-day suspension from competition, if they were in season,” he said. com and typing in “Dexter.”

“If the students weren’t in season and plan on What Bannan found came as quite a surparticipating in a sport prise to him. “When later, they will have to I checked the Web put in their 14-day site,” he said, “I found suspension then.” pictures of student Senior Sarah Hilathletes that were ingendorf was one of appropriate, and I these students punshowed them to the ished because of picathletic director.” tures posted on webBannan said the 24/7, 12 months a year, athletes shots. photos showed student make a pledge not to use or “There was a picathletes in possession possesses alcohol, and those ture of me with a red of drugs, bongs, cigacup and a cig(arette),” rettes and alcohol. students broke that promise.”

Hilgendorf said.

“Students involved -Jim Bannan “I got a 14 day were in violation of principal suspension from the the athletic policy,” he softball team when said. “24/7, 12 months the season starts, but a year, athletes make a pledge not to use or posses drugs or alcohol, and now I don’t know if I am even going to play. I think it would be pointless because I would be those students broke that pledge.”

After the pictures were in Bannan’s hands, so behind.”

And Hilgendorf said she thinks Bannan went he said he took them to Athletic Director John about the situation the wrong way.

Robbinson.

“I am not saying Bannan can’t search the web “(The issue) came to my attention through the principal,” Robinson said. “I had never even for pictures,” she said. “I just think it’s stupid.

The party that those pictures were taken at was heard of webshots before.”

Robinson said he was shocked that students at the beginning of the year.”

She also said people should think twice bewould post pictures of things that were illegal.

Katie Fricke contest manager

“

fore posting pictures of illegal activities on their webshots.

“I don’t have pictures of illegal things on my webshots because it’s a public Web site,” she said. “People need to be more considerate of pictures they put on the Internet.”

Although rules regarding student athletes are in the handbook, Hilgendorf said she was still shocked when she found out her punishment.

“It’s just a bunch of crap,” she said. “I never thought this would happen.”

For some students, including senior Julia Keinath, Bannan and Robinson’s actions are too extreme.

“Kids will still drink and use drugs,” Keinath said. “They just have learned not to post them on the Internet. When I heard what Bannan was doing, I went home and deleted all the illegal pictures I had on my webshots. This is the only lesson to be learned: don’t post things on the Internet.”

Bannan and Robinson both disagree.

“When is public private?” Bannan said. “It’s not.”

Robinson added that finding these pictures wasn’t an invasion of student’s privacy. However, other students posting them on the Internet was.

“The people who went to the party and took a bunch of pictures and posted them online invaded those student’s privacy,” Robinson said. “It’s not enjoyable to punish the students, but there’s a reason we have a drug and alcohol policy.”

Hilgendorf and other students immediately removed incriminating photos of themselves after hearing about suspensions being administered. She said, “Hopefully other students have learned from this as well. Private things don’t belong online.”

Sarah Hilgendorf: Recently suspended from softball for smoking and holding a red cup in a photo on Webshots • Hilgendorf

Facts about Webshots: •Webshots

has a combined home and work audience of 5.5 million visitors and 243 million page views

•There are 296,457,976 photos currently on Webshots • At least 15 current Dexter High School students have a webshots Web site Information from: http://tools.devshed. com/c/a/Website-Content/Webshots and Webshots.com

Dexter junior injured in a drug deal gone wrong Student injured when dealer gets revenge

Hilary McCown copy editor

A Dexter High School junior was shot in the ear during a drug deal gone bad on Feb. 11 in Ann Arbor.

The dispute over a bag of marijuana resulted in multiple injuries for the junior and his friend, a Dexter graduate who was with him that night.

According to the junior’s brother, a sophomore who spoke to The Squall on the condition that his name not be used, the two had planned to buy marijuana from a man they knew from previous drug deals.

However, they were told by a coworker that a different dealer would be able to provide them with a much better quality drug.

According to the brother, this advice was a trick meant to get revenge for an incident that had occurred previously.

The brother said the junior and the DHS graduate eventually realized that they had been shorted on the drug deal.

They allegedly called the dealer back, who seemed genuinely sorry for the mix up and told the boys to come back

Read

to obtain the rest of the marijuana.

However, upon returning to meet the dealer in Ann Arbor, the guys received a welcome that was anything but friendly. “(One of the men) held my brother at gun point and said, ‘Give me everything you have,’” the brother said.

He said the dealer punched his brother and threw him back in the car when it was revealed that his brother had no money on him.

The DHS graduate was pistol whipped in the head five or six times.

By the time the assault was over, the junior had been shot in the ear and the men had stolen the DHS graduate’s sub woofers, his cigarettes and all of the money in the car.

The dealer and his friends did extensive damage to the graduate’s car, including bullet holes and smashed windows.

Both boys went to the ER immediately following the incident.

The alleged dealer, Corey Guster, who the brother said had originally planned to turn himself in, is currently on the run, according to published reports in “The Ann Arbor News”.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department would not let a Squall reporter see a police report of the incident, saying that the case is still under investigation.

Marijuana statistics for teens: •Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug used by teens.

•Of the 14.6 million marijuana users in 2002, approximately 4.8 million used it on 20 or more days in any given month.

•Each year, 100,000 teens are treated for marijuana dependence.

•Marijuana contains the same cancer causing chemicals as tobacco.

•The amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed by those who smoke marijuana is three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers.

•Every year more teens enter treatment with the diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined.

Information from www.teendrugabuse.us/marijuana.html

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Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Squall

news

Ocean Bowl team to compete at Nationals Michelle Svetkoff editor in chief

Knowing that time was running out on Feb. 11 at the University of Michigan’s National Resource building, and ahead by only two points, senior Amanda Valente knew that she and her team had to get the next question to keep their lead.

But before the next question could be read, the mediator said they had run out of questions and that the round had ended.

Because the questions had run out, Valente and her team won the Ocean Bowl regional championship. Ocean Bowl coach and science teacher Cheryl Wells rushed to her students, crying and hugging them. She could not believe they had won. “We had to beat the (other) team twice,” Wells said. “And they had to only beat us once (to win).”

• Grundler Valente was just as surprised as Wells. “We worked hard,” she said, “but none of us believed we were going to win, except (senior captain) Mike (Grundler).”

With this victory the Ocean Bowl team won regionals and is going to California for Nationals May 12-15. The team won $500 and each team member also got a $1000 scholarship to a workshop over the summer at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. The team and Wells could not be more excited about their win.

“I was extremely excited for their success,” Wells said. “(I) can’t wait to share their adventure and competition in California. I hope it will be a lifelong memory for them.”

According to Valente, part of the thrill of the victory is knowing that their hard work paid off. “We went through so much to win,” she said. “It was a cool feeling (to actually win).”

Another factor that makes the team’s success more enjoyable is who the team beat. “If you think about the competition you’re against,” Grundler said, “almost every school that attends this Ocean Bowl event are science-geared schools with science-based classes. Certain schools have classes that train them specifically for the Ocean Bowl tournament.”

Since Dexter does not have an Ocean Bowl class, the club had to do things outside of school to get ready. “The students get their (oceanography) books in September,” Wells said, “and they read those through December.

(Then) after the new year we meet after school every day and people come whenever they can.”

Ocean Bowl consists of many different areas of study, including chemistry, physics, geography, geology, technology, marine plants and animals. Due in part to the large number of subjects the team needs to cover, they have each member specialize in one specific area while Grundler reviews all the areas.

Although Grundler says that the win was a team effort, Wells and the rest of the team agree that Grundler was a big contributor to their success. “They would ask the weirdest questions,” Valente said, “and Mike buzzes in and knows the answer right away.”

Wells agrees. “(The) team’s success is partially due to Michael’s willingness and eagerness,” she said. “He was great.”

According to Grundler, his knowledge comes from how much he reads. “(I) simply read more,” he said. “I’ve been reading about biology topics for several years and so once you understand the basic principles, it is fairly easy to apply these principles to something new.”

Grundler knows, however, that the California competition will be much greater. “(It) should be more intense,” he said. “Each team in the nation is the victor of the regional tournament which means that that team will be the most informed about oceans in their region.”

But the harder competition is one of the things Grundler is looking forward to as well as participating in his favorite hobby, snake hunting. “(It is) fairly exciting,” he said, “not only because we anticipate the competition to be great, and thus greater entertainment, but I also can find some more species of snakes.”

Photo by Brandon Mayotte

The new guy in town: Lincoln Assistant Principal Kit Moran talks to science teacher Gen Bertsos during Lincoln’s parent-teacher conferences. The Dexter Board of Education approved Moran as the new high school principal at its March 20 board meeting.

District selects Kit Moran as new high school principal Maria Brundage staff writer

School board members approved William “Kit” Moran as the new principal as part of their consent agenda items at the March 20 board meeting. “He brings a wealth of experience,” Superintendent Evelynn Shirk said. “He is high energy, friendly, approachable and comes with the skills that most closely match what the staff at DHS indicated they were looking for.”

And Interim Principal Jim Bannan is ready to give up the position. “I’m retiring again, for the third time,” he said.

“I was hired only for a year, which was something the school was looking for.”

Bannan said he plans to travel with his wife after this school year. In July they will go to Africa, and in February they will go to Belize. “This will also allow me to spend more time at my place up north,” he said.

Moran, Bannan’s successor, is currently assistant principal at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti. Before becoming an assistant principal in 2004, Moran taught English beginning in 1979. “He’s personable,” Bannan said. “He has a sense of humor, and he likes kids. I’m sure he’ll do fine.”

Moran said he’s wanted to be the principal of a building for a while. “I taught 150 students as a teacher,” he said. “I

wanted to teach a whole building full.” ness to enforce the handbook, a keen He also said he looks forward to meeting interest in extracurricular activities, senthe people at DHS. “I’m not in a hurry to sitivity to the needs of the district and a do anything but get to know the students sense of humor. “They wanted someone they felt would communicate with them,” and the community.”

According to Shirk, the process used he said. to select Moran was similar to last year’s The teacher interview team had a wide principal selection. A committee of teach- variety of concerns to address in the interviews ers and adminisas well.

I’m not in a hurry to trators “Some people wanted screened do anything but get the 35 apto know to know the students about the plications for the pocurricuand the community.” sition and lum, othconducted ers about -Kit Moran discipline, prelimiassistant principal some about nary interLincoln High School views. The the hiring group was process.” then narrowed to 12, then three. Finally, social studies teacher Ken Koenig said. “I separate groups of students, parents and was looking for someone who would be staff conducted the final interviews. “This consistent with the disciplinary process. process followed the same process used Also someone who would help the stuto hire (Assistant Superintendent Glen) dents first and foremost.”

Stevenson,” Shirk said.

Assistant Principal Andrea Glynn said Bannan said he facilitated the parent she randomly chose the nine members of interview team and said Moran fits the the student interview team. “We came up qualifications parents were looking for in with issues important for the high school a principal. “A lot of parents volunteered, to ask them about, like the dress code and and Mrs. Shirk selected from them,” he things of that nature that affect students,” said. she said. Glynn said students generally Among the qualities Bannan said par- looked for someone who was responsive ents looked for in a principal were some- to their needs. “They wanted someone one with classroom experience, willing- who would let them have a voice in the

“

school,” she said.

Many students said they found that in Moran. “He seemed connected to the students,” junior Shawn Dagg said. “I thought he was a really nice guy.”

Junior and student school board representative Alison Warr agreed. “Before the interviews started, he held the door open for me,” she said. ”And I was surprised because he remembered what was on the back of my letterman’s jacket. He’s a cool guy.”

All of the groups looked for someone with experience, which is why Glynn said she didn’t apply for the position. “I didn’t feel I had the experience just yet,” she said. “I’ve only been an assistant principal for two years. I definitely aspire to become a principal, but it’s not quite my time. I need more experience.”

And although Glynn may not be ready, Bannan said he hopes Moran’s experience and vision will help DHS move forward, especially in light of the new state guidelines. Bannan said, “I hope he creates an atmosphere where kids can be responsible and achieve their highest potential.”

Moran said he will visit DHS over Lincoln’s spring break, which is the week of April 9. “My first job is to get to know as many people as possible,” he said. “I’m going to grab a coffee and talk with teachers and walk the halls and talk to kids in the lunch room.

“I’m excited,” he added. “I love meeting new people.”

Jet’s Pizza may be option for school lunch Celia Kuzon staff writer

8801 N. Territorial Rd. Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-8211 How many positions are available?

20 How many hours do you offer?

16-40 (Open seven days a week) What positions are open: Toll both operator and park maintenance Hourly pay for each position: $7.55-$9.80 Special skills/background needed: None What are some qualities you look for in younger/older people?

Out going, good with public, works well with others How old must you be to get hired?

17-years-old.

How does one get hired?

Come to the park and fill out an application Name of Company: Huron-Clinton Metro Parks Phone: 734.426.8211 Address: 8801 N. Territorial Rd, Dexter, MI, 48130 Whom do you talk to: Kimberly Jarvis

Many students have heard the rumor that Jet’s Pizza may be served at lunch in the cafeteria. But is this rumor true?

According to Jet’s Pizza Manager Julie Silkworth, she came up with the idea one night when she and a few students were working. They were cleaning the kitchen after a long, hard day of work. “I asked the kids if they served pizza at school,” she said. “Then I asked them if the kids would like it if Jet’s Pizza was served at school for lunch.”

Sophomore Sonya Lewis was among the employees who were part of the discussion and supported the idea.

“I think it is a great idea,” Lewis said. “The school would make money, and it’s good pizza.”

So the rumor Jet’s might be coming to the cafeteria is, at this point, only a rumor.

In fact, Silkworth said, “No ground work has been laid down yet,” adding that she has not even contacted Principal Jim Bannan to discuss the possibility with him.

While Bannan said he would support the idea of bringing Jet’s to the cafeteria, employees of Food and Nutrition say they do not.

Bannan said, “If we can work it out, I have no problem with doing it.” In fact, when he was principal at East Detroit High School, Bannan said he put a Taco Bell franchise in the school cafeteria.

He said students at East Detroit loved the Taco Bell in their school and the Food and Nutrition department at East Detroit made a large profit. Bannan said he supports the idea because sales will explode and a profit will be made.

However in order to sell Jet’s Pizza in the cafeteria, a few adjustments would need to be made. Bannan said one option would be for DHS to buy a Jet’s Pizza franchise and put it in the high school. The other option is

for the school to buy all the pizzas from Jet’s and then resell them. Legally Jet’s cannot sell the pizzas directly to the students.

“Then it becomes a balancing act,” Bannan said. “We would have to see if buying all the materials to make the pizzas from Jet’s and reselling them or just making our own pizzas would make a greater profit.”

Despite the obstacles Bannan still supports the idea if Food and Nutrition want to go in that direction.

On the other hand, director of Food and Nutrition Sara Simmerman said bringing food from outside companies into DHS is not possible.

“I can tell you that Jet’s Pizza cannot be served in the cafeteria unless they sell their product to us and we serve it for them,” Simmerman said.

Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition Margee Faber added that Dexter Schools is part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and this program would

“

Jet’s Pizza cannot be served in the cafeteria unless they sell their product to us and we serve it for them.”

-Sara Simmerman Food and Nutrition director

not allow Jet’s to come to the cafeteria. She said Food and Nutrition does serve branded entrees in the cafeteria, but once again they must comply with federal regulations and fit in with the reimbursable meal pattern.

Faber said, “The government gives the school money to purchase food through this program, and if we violate the rules, they won’t continue to give us money.” And cafeteria employee Doreen Reardon said bringing Jet’s to the cafeteria for lunch is not practical.

“I don’t think that they would be able to keep up,”

Jet’s Pizza Facts • There are more than 100 Jet’s Pizza franchises in Michigan • Jet’s Pizza moved to Dan Hoey Rd. in September 2005.

• The first store was founded in the Sterling Heights area • Jet’s Pizza was founded in 1978 Information from www.jet’s pizza.com and Julie Silkworth

Reardon said. “And the pizza that we sell now already goes really well. We go through about 15 pizzas a day.”Reardon said she would have concerns as to how Jet’s Pizza would get to the high school and be served without getting cold.

And according to Simmerman, to comply with the health department regulations, in order to serve Jet’s Pizza, the cafeteria would have to add a heated serving unit as temperature control, a hand wash station and sneeze guards.

However, Silkworth said she has some ideas for how to get around these hurdles. “Jet’s could bring over all of the pizzas in a van and keep the pizzas in the hot delivery bags to keep them warm,” she said. Her only worry is that the cafeteria doesn’t have the capacity to hold hot food once it is delivered. Hot food needs to be kept at 140 degrees in order to be served.

Also, Silkworth said Jet’s would only make a very small profit from serving pizza in the cafeteria, adding Jet’s already has a deal with public schools to sell them pizza for $6, and they cost about $5 to make.

“A normal large pizza with one topping costs $9.99,” Silkworth said. “So we would be giving DHS a great deal.”

3 feature QA &

Wednesday March 29, 2006

The Squall

Senior struggles with bulimia

With senior John Parker

Jennifer Allen ad manager

It was the beginning of her senior year when Anne Dehoy* knew she had a problem. It was in the evening, after dinner, and she found herself in her bathroom throwing up the food she had just eaten.

“I threw up because I had eaten too much,” she said. “I didn’t like the way I felt after I had eaten it.”

But for Dehoy, this wasn’t the beginning of her eating disorder. She said it all started freshman year. She said she was overwhelmed with pressure from school, problems with her family and the sport she was involved in. Throwing up, she said, gave her some control.

“I wasn’t that upset about my weight,” Dehoy said. “I was just really stressed and needed a way to control my life.”

And Dehoy’s story is quite common, according to counselor Mollie Kemp. Kemp said that most people like Dehoy who have Bulimia Nervosa make themselves throw up as means to have control when they feel as though they don’t have control in other aspects of their lives.

“Some see it as a release of pressure,” Kemp said. “It’s another form of self-mutilation, a coping mechanism.”

Bulimia Nervosa is a disease defined as episodic binge eating followed by feelings of guilt, depression and self-condemnation, usually involving measures taken against weight gain such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, dieting or fasting is fairly common at DHS, according to Kemp.

“I’ve encountered several cases of eating disorders,” Kemp said. “At least 10 in the last four years, and I’m only one of the three counselors here.”

Kemp said that often students suffering from Bulimia are very high achievers and put a lot of pressure on themselves or perceive pressure from their parents.

This was true for Dehoy. At the end of her sophomore year, she said the combined pressure of her academic work load, problems with her family and the possibility of having depression, lead her to confide in her mother. She said her mother saw that her daughter needed professional help, so she sent her to a psychiatrist.

Kemp said that in most cases, it’s the friends of the student with the eating disorder who comes to the counselor about the problem.

“If someone comes to us with concerns about a friend, we keep that private,” Kemp said. “We don’t even tell the parents unless the student is a danger to themselves.”

Dehoy said she didn’t continue with her counseling, however,

Casey Daczka staff writer

Photo by Spencer Ryan

Q: Have you ever not been the coolest guy in Dexter?

A: Not as cool as Casey Daczka.

Q: Cookies: What’s your favorite kind?

A: Chocolate chip.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show?

A: By far, it would have to be “Battlestar Galactica.”

Q: What’s your favorite song?

A:“Song Bird” by Kenny G. Q: Back on the subject of cookies, do you think chocolate chip is getting more attention than oatmeal? And if so, do you think oatmeal can pick up on its troubled past?

A: Well, in my opinion, they are both good. The two are just scrumptious.

Q: Your favorite color is of no importance to me. What is your LEAST favorite color?

A: Tope.

Q: Why isn’t it your favorite color?

A: What can I say? (laughs) Q:Meat or fruit?

A: Meat.

Q: Are you excited for school to end?

A: Yes. Definitely.

Q: What’s the most extreme thing you have ever done?

A: Watching “Battlestar Galactica” whilst listening to Kenny G. Q: What would you do if your son was at home, crying all alone on the bedroom floor?

A: I’d make him play football.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing and painful memory

because it didn’t fit well with her schedule, and she didn’t like the counselor.

“In the end, I didn’t feel like it was helping,” she said.

“I only went a few times because it was hard to work into my schedule, and I just wasn’t benefiting from it.”

Because she only attended a few sessions, she said no real conclusions were reached and no concrete diagnosis was made. But she knew something was really wrong with her.

In the spring of 2005, her junior year, Dehoy experienced several huge disappointments in sports, jobs, and she was now facing an entire summer at home.

Crushed, she started spending nearly all of her time at her house.

“I didn’t really do anything for awhile,” she said. “I would cry all of the time. I ended up crying myself to sleep most nights. I would just spend hours staring at the walls.”

She even thought about committing suicide.

“I was really upset,” she said.

Kemp said Dehoy’s experiences are typical for most eating disorder patients, adding that eating disorders are often more related to anxiety than depression.

“Often (we see) students who are just very stressed and under a lot of pressure,” she said. “They are just anxious to live up to the expectations they’ve set for themselves. Students with depression are more prone to other forms of selfmutilation.”

So, depressed, Dehoy didn’t go to camp that summer. She spent more and more time at home by herself. She said she began to turn to food for comfort. Fall came along with the start of her senior year, and the trouble really began to take its toll.

“I would eat to make myself feel better, then feel bad and throw it up,” she said. “It was a horrible cycle.”

In December, her mom caught her when she overhead her throwing up. She confronted Dehoy, and Dehoy tried to cover it up. She finally confessed, and they talked about her problem. In the end, they decided not to go to a nutritionist but to deal with it on their own.

“I haven’t gotten help because I don’t want to deal with counselors or anyone constantly asking how I am,” she said.

“I don’t want to be watched all of the time.”

After talking to her mom, Dehoy said she felt better about the situation.

“I never really had anyone that I felt like I could really talk to,” she said. “I felt like everything was controlling me: my depression, my family problems, just my lifestyle. (Making myself throw up) is something that I can control, and I think ultimately that’s why I do it.”

Kemp, however, said that it is really important for students who are suffering from an eating disorder to get help.

“We are concerned for students,” she said. “If students need help, all they have to do is come talk to us in the counseling office.” *Name changed to protect identity.

in your mind that you don’t want to share with me?

A: No comment.

Q: On to the subject of football. Are you aware you are a force of nature?

A: I was not aware of this.

Q: Remember Steve Urkel?

A: Ahhhh, Steve Urkel.

Q: What happened to him?

A: I can’t say that I know. Maybe he melted?

Q: If you could be king of a country, what would you call that country?

A: Parkenium.

Q: Have you had any cavities lately?

A: Mmm, no.

Q: What one word would best describe you?

A: Anti-Tope Q: Women love you. Men want to be like you. Is it hard out there for a pimp?

A: It is. Sometimes it can be very difficult. Trying at times to say the least. You know, you just got to tell yourself to keep chugging along.

Q: How many questions have I asked you?

A: One? Q: What do you think about this crazy My Space craze?

A: My Space. Well, what can I say? (laughs) Q: What’s your plans for the future, baby?

A: Plans for the future? I’m thinking of becoming a

nude artist and living in an aqua dome.

Q: Toaster Strudels or Pop Tarts?

A: I’m going to have to say Toaster Strudels.

Q: I think, without a doubt, you do not have a mean cell in your body. What’s your secret?

A: I eat anti-mean pills. Also, I listen to Kenny G. It

soothes my savage soul.

Q: John, you are so cool. Would you like some Curious George Fruit Snacks?

A:Sure.

Dexter has limited race and bias related violence Sophomore Lucy Lopez, who moved to Dexter three years ago from Mexico, has found Dexter’s lack of diversity less than threatening.

“Every one hear seems really nice,” Lopez said.

Michigan is third in the nation for hate crimes.

“I really haven’t had any bad experiences. I mean I According to an FBI survey taken in 2004, 556 hate crimes were reported in Michigan, not counting the city know some people are like that, but mostly people are cool.” of Detroit which withheld its numbers.

Some credit the lack of race or bias-related crime to Recent attacks such as the assault of a Warren teenthe area’s relative homogeneous nature. ager, the daughter of an Iraqi immigrant and the burn“It’s hard to have a lot of racial tension when the ing of a cross in the lawn of a mixed race couple in Trenton have thrown light on some of the more violent race school is like, 90 percent white, you know?” junior Kelsey Dubay said. or bias-related crimes.

Other explanations The prevalence of violent link the lack of bias-rebias-related crime coupled with lated crime to the relaThere has been minimal bias the fact that 33 percent of all tive wealth of the Dexter known hate crime offenders are related intimidation or assault area while the rest of under 18, and 30 percent of all Michigan rests in a ecovictims are under 18 makes it this year and none nomic slump. seem unusual that the Dexter While bias spans ecothis semester.” seems to be free of this kind of nomic, social and class crime. barriers, high rates of While no area or group is free race related crime statisof bias, the Dexter area seems - Jim Bannan, principal tically occur in the lower to have avoided the type of hate income brackets, and in crimes that have occurred in Dexter’s mainly affluent society, chances for violence towns like Dearborn and Howell.

“There has been minimal bias-related intimidation are statistically low.

“When I worked in Ypsi, I had to report to maybe one or assault this year,” Interim Principal Jim Bannan said. or two hate crimes. Here in Dexter there’s been none,” “And none this semester.”

Bannan, who has been principal in a variety of schools Liaison Officer Paul Mobbs said.

Mobbs added that lack of violence does not equate from many different, less homogeneous, communities has a policy of handing out copies of Michigan’s hate- lack of bias, “I’m sure there is just as much bias as anywhere else,” crime/intimidation law to anyone brought into his office for race or bias-related intimidation in an effort to Mobbs said. “Just here people don’t seem to act on it.”

Ian Williamson staff writer

“

show offending student’s the consequences of hate.

Michigan’s ethnic intimidation code 1.) A person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person’s race, color, religion, gender, or nation origin, does any of the following: a) Causes physical contact with another person. b) Damages, destroys, or defaces any real or personal property of another person. c) Threatens, by word or act, to do an act described in subdivision a) or b), if there is reasonable cause to believe that an act described in a) o b) will occur.

2.) Ethnic intimidation is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or by a fine of not more then $5,000, or both.

3.) Regardless of the existence or outcome of any criminal prosecution, a person who suffers injury to his/her person or damage to his/her property as a result of ethnic intimidation may bring a civil cause of action against the person who commits the offense to secure an injunction, actual damages, including damages for emotional distress, or other appropriate relief.

A plaintiff who prevails in a civil action brought pursuant to this section may recover both the following: a) Damages in the amount of 3 times the actual damages described or $2,000, whichever is greater. b) Reasonable attorney fees and costs.

source: www.legistlature.mi.gov

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Squall

Y T R A P E C DAN Y A D I FR

Administration cancels stairwell event Kevin McLaughlin staff writer

The bell rings, and juniors Andrew Martin and Ryan Neely charge out of their classrooms, heading towards the stairwell.

Other students join the run, making their way to the loud techno music resonating through the hallways.

This can only mean one thing: Dance Party Friday, organized by Martin and Neely.

As soon as the bell rang on most Fridays after fourth hour, Neely would whip out two large-sized speakers and play music.

“Techno and Ultra Trance 2 is what we listen to,” Martin said.

“It was a crazy idea we had because we were having kind of a dance party at a friend’s house, and we thought it would be cool to do this at school,” Neely said.

Dance Party Friday lasted approximately five weeks according to Martin, until administrators started to catch on to the party and cancelled it.

Neely and Martin said they were disappointed with the call to stop the dance party. “(Art teacher Tracy) Wolsefer and (social studies teacher Ken) Koenig complained to Mr. Bannan about the dance party,” he said. “I think its ridiculous because I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, because there is no danger of anybody

getting hurt dancing in the stairwell.”

Koenig did say the dance party was not appropriate during school hours.

“There is a time and place for everything,” he said. “And people complain about not having enough time to get to class.”

Koenig did say the dance party highlighted a safety element of Dexter High School.

“I think it’s a good thing that people feel safe enough to walk around with (speakers),” he said. Soon, Dance Party Friday moved from stairwell to stairwell to circumvent the teachers’ authority.

The party would last approximately six minutes, the length of passing time between classes. According to Martin, there would be about 20 people dancing with 50 to 60 people standing off to the side watching. “It was fun because it was so spontaneous and out of the ordinary,” Martin said.

“It was fun for everyone.”

Like junior Matt Brand, others also enjoyed the dance party. Brand said he attended every Dance Party Friday.

“It was a place to get my groove on, go and get down, and cut a rug, if you will,” he said.

Brand also said the administrators and teachers trying to cut down on the dance party was unjust.

“You know what it is,” he said, “it’s the man trying to keep us down is what it is.

I think everyone likes to dance. On Friday you need to take a break.”

For Brand, part of the enjoyment of the party came from Neely’s sound system.

“It was enjoyable because of the club jams and the ginormous huge stereo system supplied by Andrew Martin and Ryan Neely,” he said.

The future of Dance Party Friday, although in dire straits, may not be a lost cause, though.

Martin said, “We’ll probably do something, but we are not quite sure yet.”

Neely even took it a step further.

“We may do something else like holding a dance party in the parking lot or something,” he said.

Like a true member of Dance Party Friday, Brand embraced the new idea. “I would be there and dance it off,” Brand said.

Even Principal James Bannan was not entirely opposed to this idea, but said he did not want to hold the party in the stairwell for safety issues.

“I’m willing to look at it in another setting that is acceptable,” he said.

The Dance Party Friday trio of Neely, Martin and Brand hope for a continuation of the fun they enjoyed during the dance parties, bringing out the dancing side of the normal students.

As Neely said, “Who doesn’t like dancing in the stairwell?”

feature

Why was the dance party fun?

“It was fun because it was so spontaneous and out of the ordinary.”

-Andrew Martin, junior

Would you consider holding it anywhere else?

“We might do something like holding a dance party in the parking lot or something.”

-Ryan Neely, junior

It’s back to the middle school days Kim Wiesner staff writer

I walked into school on a Wednesday morning with my head held high. I realized that I was taller. I walked up the stairs to my first class. I realized that there were only two floors.

The morning announcements came on. I heard something I haven’t heard for three years: “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.”

I spent Feb. 8 at Mill Creek Middle School to remember what it was like back in the good ‘ole days of AGS 1, Mr. Fransee and wiping up my table after lunch. I spent most of the day with the Burgess, Fyke, Ridenour and Snider team.

Thankfully, all the teachers were welcoming. It was cool to be back in Fyke’s class learning about the themes of the book “The Outsiders.”

Since this was mainly a work day, I had plenty of opportunity to ask the eighth graders what they thought made middle school so different from high school.

“Well, obviously I’ve never been to high school so I don’t know for sure,” Lorna Mosher said. “I think there is significant behavior difference in the different age groups in high school.”

Brittany Brown, however, said she thinks there is a difference in the types of pressure that students face.

“Here, there is less pressure in classes, but there’s more social pressure,” she said.

Then she asked me what made me want to write this article. I told her I was curious about what’s different, what’s the same and what I had forgotten.

One thing that’s different is that, starting next year, Global Studies will be taught in seventh grade and American History will be taught in eighth grade.

“Because of the way MEAP testing falls and what the kids have to know by what grade, and to get in line with

Photo by Mike Sayre

She sees the light: Kim Wiesner visits Julie Snider’s science class at Mill Creek Middle school and takes a test in the process. She got a 87.5 percent on this light waves quiz.

what the rest of the state of Michigan was already doing, we flip flopped,” Fyke said.

“I’m not sure who exactly made the decision, but it probably came from curriculum/MEAP/NCLB discussions.”

After sitting in on two classes, I walked around the school and noticed the eighth grade class pictures on the wall. It was interesting to see who everyone was sitting next to. After this, I went to gym. Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Jazwinski were having their classes play floor hockey.

At first, I thought that this gym class was just like gym class here, but then I noticed something really cool.

All of the students in the class were participating. I didn’t see one person, girl or boy, seventh or eighth grade, who wasn’t actually playing floor hockey.

What happened to that enthusiasm? When did that energy escape us? Maybe I’m crazy, but I think that those

4

kids who hear that they have the choice to make it a great day actually choose to live with more energy, fun, life and interaction and make the day great.

It seemed like the students at Mill Creek liked to be there, or at least didn’t mind it as much as most high schoolers do, dreading coming to school.

Although I learned something from going back to Mill Creek for a day, I also had some fun. In Snider’s science class, I got to take a quiz on sound and light waves. I’m proud to say that I got an 87.5 percent on it.

And as corny as it may sound, especially after hearing it every day in middle school, it really is your choice to make it a great day or not.

If you aren’t engaged in school, you probably don’t like coming. If you don’t try to make your day interesting, it won’t be. Call me old fashioned, but I’m going to say it.

Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.

Mr. Dreadnaught beauty pageant raises money Raleigh Holmes opinions editor

When senior Jake Lavalli first heard about a male beauty pageant for senior boys he thought it might be stupid.

“At first I didn’t want to do it,” Lavalli said about the Mr. Dreadnaught beauty pageant. “Then I heard what the money is going towards, and it’s a good cause so I decided to do it.”

Every year the senior class has a senior retreat one day in spring, and this year is the first one where the seniors have to pay for it themselves.

“Usually the PTO gives us the money for it,” senior class adviser and English teacher Deb Marsh said. “But last year they said that they weren’t going to pay for it anymore.

“They didn’t mind paying for some of it, just not all of it,” Marsh said. “Each year the PTO has two grants that people can apply for, in October and in May. The senior class wasn’t allowed to ask for a grant until we had proven that we had made at least part of the money needed for the retreat.”

The senior class was in charge of the Winter Formal dance which didn’t take place until December, so Marsh was going to wait until the May grant to ask for the rest of the money.

“The PTO ran out of money after the October grant, so now they can’t have any May grants since they don’t have any money to give out,” Marsh said.

“So the seniors now have to make all of the money for their retreat.”

The senior class made $2,000 from Winter Formal but still needs to make at least another $2,000 to even have a retreat.

The senior class is also giving a senior gift this year which they will need funds for. They will need to raise $4,000 if they want to be able to do both of these.

So senior class secretary Nicole St. Pierre proposed the idea of the Mr. Dreadnaught pageant.

Students and community members will buy tickets to this event, and the money raised from ticket sales will go toward the senior retreat.

“I got the idea from my cousin’s school in Connecticut,” St. Pierre said. “It was an annual event at their school, and they made a lot of money off of it, so we decided to try it.”

There are about 20 contestants competing in Mr. Dreadnaught, with the top prize being a video iPod. Most boys are representing a sport or club, and a few are just representing themselves.

There will be four stages of the pageant: sportswear, talent, formal wear and an interview.

“I’m looking forward to the interview portion the most,” Lavalli said. “Hopefully I can win over the judges with my charm.”

Mr. Dreadnaught will be held Wednesday, April 12 starting at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $5.

5

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Squall

entertainment

April Fool's Day rings in pranks with lots of laughs

See it in the theater or watch it at home Katie Johnson staff writer

It’s a Friday night. You just got back from practice, and you’ve had a long week at school, filled with homework and tests. All you want to do is relax, and what better way to unwind than to watch your favorite movie?

However, you’re having a hard time deciding whether to rent a movie or go to the theater. For some, the convenience of renting a movie is appealing, while others enjoy the full movie theater experience. But either way, both have appealing aspects and flaws.

Pros of renting a movie •A major plus of renting a movie is the broad selection.

You can choose from a wide variety of genres such as drama, action and comedy. You aren’t limited to what the theater is showing. Some foreign or independent films aren’t shown in theaters but can be rented.

•Renting a movie is more convenient. You can watch it whenever you have time and rewind parts that you miss or want to watch again.

•Another bonus is the cost. A student ticket at Quality 16 Theaters costs $8, while rentals cost less than $5.

Some older movies are even cheaper and can be rented for up to seven days.

Pros of going to the theater •The quality of the picture and sound is much better than that at home. Many genres, such as action or drama, are better on the big screen with surround sound.

•You can see almost any new movie you want, instead of waiting for it to come out on DVD or VHS. For example, some people go to the theater to see a much-anticipated movie.

•Some people like the concessions at the theater. Theaters offer a wide variety of candies, drinks and often have other food such as nachos and ice cream.

•Sometimes seeing a movie is cheaper. If you go to the theater at Briarwood Mall, you can see a movie for $1 to $1.50, which can be even cheaper than renting a movie.

Cons of renting a movie •One of the main disadvantages of renting a movie is the late fee. A lot of times people forget about their movie and are surprised at the $5 late fee.

•Another con of renting movies is the quality of the sound and picture. It doesn’t always have the same effect as going to a theater. In a theater, you can fully enjoy the special effects because of the huge picture and sound quality.

•You have to wait for movies to come out on DVD or VHS, whereas in the theater you can see it the day it comes out. Rental stores are often sold out of new releases.

Cons of going to the theater •It’s expensive to see a movie and buy food from the concession. You can spend up to $20 per person for one movie and food.

•You don’t have as much selection in the theater. Not every genre is always offered, and a movie you may want to see, such as an independent film, might never go to a theater.

•Theaters can also be loud, especially if you are sitting by a crying baby, a group of obnoxious friends or the one person who explains the movie to the person next to him.

Silence is not always guaranteed.

Whether you enjoy the thrilling sound and picture of the theater, or you prefer the convenience of renting, you can find enjoyment in either one. Each have their advantages and disadvantages, but whichever you prefer, you are guaranteed some sort of satisfaction.

ion by

Ken dall G

ood e

dar. Some people were not informed and didn’t know of the change. Others refused to embrace it. So when the next April 1 rolled around, the people still celebrating were called fools by the rest of the town.

The prank portion of the holiday came from the fools being sent on fake errands or being the butt of jokes.

For those planning chaos in school for that first day of the rainy month, Principal Jim Bannan has no problem with a clever jibe, provided it isn’t destructive.

“I haven’t given much thought to April Fool’s Day in a long time,” Bannan said. “If it’s just a clever prank on a friend, I don’t mind, but I don’t want anyone pulling some large ordeal that disrupts the day. I played jokes in elementary school so I can understand people doing it.”

While the majority of students may just pass April Fool’s Day by without recognition, some still celebrate it as a major holiday.

“Some people may not like (April Fool’s Day) now, but they did when they were younger,” Fenske said. “And no matter what others say, April Fool’s Day is basically the sweetest day ever.”

trat

Sitting in his room, racking his brain for new ideas, sophomore TJ Fenske looks at his past work for possible inspiration. Fenske isn’t writing a paper or making a poster. He’s planning for his April Fool’s Day pranks.

Some people may have out grown the pranks phase of their youth, but Fenske and other juggernauts of juvenile mischief still plot for the annual day of devilry.

“To me, April Fool’s Day is a day for revenge,” Fenske said. “You can mess with your friends, and they can’t get mad. It’s just a good day to piss people off.”

For Fenske, April Fool’s Day is an annual salute to pranksters everywhere, but sometimes he misses the target of his antics and gets someone else.

“One year I put Saran Wrap over the toilet and put ketchup packets on the seat, so that when you sat down they exploded on you,” he said. “It was suppose to be for my sister, but my grandma was visiting, and she went to the bathroom in the middle of the night. She didn’t turn

the light on so she couldn’t see any of the stuff. She wasn’t very happy the next morning.”

Despite his slip up, Fenske didn’t let this stop his pranking. “This year I’m going to put clear Jell-O in the toilets so when you pee it bounces back at you,” he said. “I got some other stuff, but I want that to be a surprise.”

However, not everyone embraces the day with such joy and happiness. “I always get tricked on April Fool’s Day, and I always get really pissed off,” junior Margot Parin said.

“I think it’s lame, and I always forget when it is.”

Parin admits that her loathing of the holiday may be linked to her past experiences. “One year my brother, Neil, got up early and tied a string between my door and those of my sister and parents so we couldn’t get out,” she said. “He just sat there laughing at all of us for like 10 minutes.”

For the pranksters with a yearning for the history of the holiday, it all began around 1582. Prior to 1582, New Year’s had been celebrated beginning on March 28 and culminating on April 1.

However, when King Charles IX came to power, the day was moved to Jan. 1 to comply with the Gregorian calen-

illus

Austin Shapiro staff writer

Little seen films open eyes to real world issues, unlike Hollywood trash Christina Field education editor

“City of God” - Brazil Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund (2002), Run time 130 min., Rated R. Based on a Paulo Lins novel.

This movie, staring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, and Phellipe Haagensen, is about the gang-run City of God slums around Rio de Janeiro in the 1980’s. The narrator, Busca-Pe, or Rocket, grew up with Li’l Ze and Benny who become drug lords who control the city. The violent gang grows in strength and soon everyone is involved, even kids. Mane Galinha, or Knockout Ned, gets involved and he, with the help of others, work to stop the gang, leading to a civil war in the City of God. Rocket tells the story of his life in the midst of it, how the events happened and how it led him to his dream of being a photojournalist.

The actors are amazing, and since you see the characters from their childhood, you feel as if you know them. It helps to understand how these people became the way they did and how the historical facts happened, making it more powerful. There is a disturbing scene where a gang of young children walk around the city with guns to be like Li’l Ze. When Li’l Ze sees them, he mocks them and one kid (probably about 10 years old) tells him, “I do drugs. I got guns. I have a gang. I’m a man.” Li’l Ze tells this child to shoot his friend to prove it, and the kid shoots his friend in the foot. All the people in City of God are trapped. If you think you have it bad, you have no idea.

This true story takes place in the 1930’s when Australia was being colonized by the English. The English set up official government camps for Aborigines to integrate them into white society and make them domestic workers. Molly Craig, a young teenager, and her family were taken from their home and placed in the camp 1,500 miles away. She escapes with her younger sister and cousin and, following a rabbit-proof fence that bisects the country, manages to walk all the way home in the scorching outback of Australia.

In school we learn about colonization and slaves coming to the US and about Nazis throwing Jews into camps but little is heard about how Australian Aborigines weren’t seen as humans and contained. They were taken from their homes, some killed, some placed in horrible camps to “civilize” them, though many English believed that would be impossible due to their “savage” nature. This is a remarkable story of a young teenager fighting against the camps and English power and with her strength and determination returned to her home. She walked 1,500 miles across a dessert with nothing but the clothes on her back.

“The Killing Fields” - Cambodia Directed by Roland Joffe (1984), Run time 141 min., Rated R

New York Times’ Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) writes about the civil war in Cambodia throughout the 1970’s. The Khmer Rouge are slaughtering everyone in Phenom Phen and Schanberg and his Cambodian partner Dith Pran (Haun S. Ngor) need to evacuate the country. Schanberg gets out easily, but Pran is a local and is thrown into a camp while Schanberg takes his family to New York for safety. Haun Ngor never acted until this movie, but he actually lived a story very Outfoxed similar to this with his family in the States and him being placed in ethnic cleansing camps three times. The Motorcycle Diaries story is remarkable, and with over two million people Downfall killed in the Cambodian Civil War, it is amazing how Hotel Rwanda much Schanberg and Pran went through. The Killing Fields shows the misery of civil war and the effects of Salvador journalism, revealing different types of media and how risky their work can be.

Other Little Seen Films:

“Constant Gardener” - Kenya Directed by Fernando Meirelles (2005), Run time 129 min., Rated R. Based on a John le Carre novel.

Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) is in Northern Kenya with his wife Tessa (Oscar winner Rachel Weisz) when she is suddenly murdered. Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi tell him they will solve the mystery, but it is when Quayle searches for the answers himself that he finds the truth. Europeans have begun testing pharmaceuticals on Africans and as people start dying from the drugs, the corporations cover it up, threatening anyone who finds out the truth. This movie is based on a novel by John le Carre, who recently retired from his CIA position saying that this shocking movie in comparison to reality seems as light as a Christmas postcard.

It’s hard to believe people would test pharmaceuticals on poor, suffering people and not care. And it’s even more mind-blowing that corporations can really do this to hundreds and hundreds of people and get away with it. The drug companies lie to everyone, and if anyone finds out, they kill them. They even have secret grounds to hide the African bodies. It may sound horrible, and is horrible, and no one stops it. Can you imagine what you would do if this happened to a family member? You’d understandably freak out and sue the drug companies. But what if nothing could be done?

What if you knew your life would be threatened if you even questioned them? Unlike other movies on this list, this isn’t as historic. These things are happening now.

“Rabbit Proof Fence” - Australia Directed by Phillip Noyce (2002), Run time 94 min., Rated PG. Based on a book by Doris Pilkington.

“Control Room: Al Jazeera” Middle East Directed by Jehane Noujaim (2004), Run time 84 min., No rating.

This is an awesome documentary on the largest and most controversial Arabic News Channel in the Middle East. It gives a completely different viewpoint than the news we receive in the US and gives a contrasting view of Middle Eastern events. You may have your ideas about current issues, but this will make you question them. When director and producer Jehane Noujaim came to Ann Arbor March 9, she said she predicted there might be stereotypes and bias in the documentary and said she hoped she wouldn’t slant the documentary in any way. However, she found a very different media style there. “You see these people without 45-minute time limits and not concerned with (ratings) and things weren’t black and white but shades of gray,” she said. “Those stereotypes fade away.”

Noujaim said she has faced criticism about her work. “Fox News asked me if I was being unpatriotic because I showed photos from Aljazeera,” she said. “I thought I was doing the most patriotic thing by showing what (the other side) was seeing every day. When it feels like lines are being drawn in the sand, when walls are being put up, I think we need to (strengthen) communication. We need to connect with different people around the world who are getting completely different news.”

The Squall:

Keepin’ It Real Since 1999

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Squall

sports

10

Predictions for NCAA basketball Robert

Kuzon

Sittin crooked on D’s and Swangs Note: This column was written before the NCAA tournament started.

Photo by Brandon Mayotte

Ruggin’ it up: The rugby team begins its second year as a club sport. Last season the team was state Division 3 champions in their first year of existence.

Rugby ‘rucks’ up club sports Nicole St. Pierre staff writer

In some sports tape is used to wrap an injury. In others, it is used to cover piercings that would get a team disqualified. But in rugby, tape is used for an even more important reason: so ears won’t be ripped off.

“We don’t have pads,” senior Erik Boren said, “just scrumcaps, caps that have pads on them.” No shoulder pads, no shin guards, no cups, nothing.

According to senior and captain Marshall Simmons, injuries are common, especially when players tackle head first. “(Senior) Jeff Lohmeyer broke his nose during the first practice and (senior) Tim Romelhart fractured his nose too,” Simmons said.

Add soccer and football together, mix in even more violence and intense tackles, and you get the game of rugby.

“When you’re tackled, the ball keeps moving so there’s continuous play,” Boren said. “Whoever gets the ball gets destroyed.”

Sounds like fun.

Simmons started the team last year

with the help of coach Dave Sires. “I just ing at McDonald’s as a team and Marshall needed something fun to do,” Simmons McNabb planted a hair in his hamburger.”

Simmons said. “He pulled it out, showed said, “and rugby is sweet.”

In their first year, the rugby team were the workers and got a free hamburger. It Division 3 champs, but now it’s a new sea- was funny.”

With 30-40 players on the team, there son with new team members ranging from are many opportunities to make new freshmen to seniors.

Sophomore Shane Wright, though, friends and have great experiences.

“My best doesn’t feel experience any tension I just needed on the team between the so far is basiupperclasssomething fun to do, and men and uncally seeing rugby is sweet” how a bunch derclassmen -Marshall Simmons of random on the team. senior kids come to“You just don’t notice gether and all it too much,” become good Wright said. “Everyone’s there to have a friends,” Wright said. good time.”

There is also a good chance the team However, the freshmen players do will have another winning season.

“We should have a good season,” Simget one special privilege. “We make the freshmen pick up what’s left on the field,” mons said. “We’re gonna be big.”

So with a successful team and an excitWright said.

According to Simmons, the team is still ing game why isn’t rugby a varsity sport? getting to know each other since it’s early According to Athletic Director John in the season.

Robinson, it’s a combination of factors However, the players have already had that lead to rugby being a community club a few bonding moments. “We were eat- sport and not part of Dexter’s athletic pro-

“

gram.

“For one, we don’t have the funding to support it,” Robinson said, “and we also have to go through a process, a four step program, to get to the varsity sport level.”

Robinson also added rugby will not become a varsity sport until the sport is recognized by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and other priorities set by the athletic department for current sports are met.

“This will not happen in the immediate future,” Robinson said. “It’s not like you can wave your hand, say you’re a varsity sport and get a varsity letter.”

For now, the rugby team plays big schools like Brighton, Howell and Dearborn.

Who doesn’t want to watch a game full of tackling, injuries and bloodshed?

Go to www.dexterrugby.com for the Dexter rugby’s team season schedule.

“Everyone needs to come see what this sport is about,” Wright said. “It’s a game where you can go out and hit people, and it’s totally legit.”

Boren agrees. “It’s fun to watch,” he said. “It’s like war with a ball.”

Five hockey players punished for alcohol use Ex-assistant coach accused of providing drinks to players

Caroline Wolcott staff writer

It was the last game of the season and five varsity hockey players had to sit the bench because of a 14-day suspension, the result of them drinking alcohol given to them by one of their assistant coaches at his apartment.

The assistant coach has since resigned.

According to Athletic Director John Robinson and Principal Jim Bannan, an anonymous e-mail tipped them to what the players had done that night. The e-mail, obtained by The Squall through a FOIA request, said, “It has been brought to our attention that the assistant coaches on the Dexter hockey team have been supplying some of the players with liquor. Hopefully you will address this situation.”

After reading the e-mail, Robinson said he sent a response to the person who sent the e-mail requesting specifics. The author of the e-mail sent a response which said, “Ask the coaches … (it’s) been going on all year.”

Robinson said he then called head hockey coach Mike O’Donohue and asked him to look into the situation.

After confirmation from O’Donohue that the incident did occur, Robinson said he contacted Bannan to make him aware of the events. Bannan then contacted Superintendent Evelynn Shirk so she would be aware of the situation as well.

According to Shirk there was no discussion between

herself, Bannan, and Robinson of the incident regard- been punished enough.

According to school board member Jane Hoggard, ing punishment since it is clearly outlined in the athletic handbook.

Shirk sent all members of the school board an e-mail inAccording to the student-athlete contract that athletes forming them of the events. sign each season, the use, possession or being under the “It was a very unfortunate chain of events that took influence of alcohol, other place,” Hoggard said. Howdrugs or tobacco is prohibever, Hoggard said she doesn’t This isn’t just about the ited. The first offense is punthink substance abuse probhockey team. It’s a small ishable by a 14-day competilems will end with the hockey tive suspension. team or the suspensions. piece to a much bigger This suspension means “This isn’t just about the problem.” that the players can’t parhockey program,” she said. ticipate in any competitions “It’s a small piece to a much -Jane Hoggard for 14 days starting from the bigger problem, and I would school board member first competition after the hope that we use these things decision is made. In the case to look at the bigger picture of the five hockey players, that we need to address.” the suspension could not Shirk, however, said inbe completed during the hockey season since it was so cidents will be addressed on an individual basis as they close to the end of the year. So their suspensions carry arise. through to their next sports season starting on the first “We will continue to address the situations when they day of competition. are presented to us,” Shirk said. “(Suspending the players) is the last thing in the world According to Bannan, O’Donohue has resigned as I want to do,” Robinson said. “But if you’re going to be an head hockey coach, but Bannan said that this resignation athlete, we expect you not to smoke, drink and party. is not related to the drinking incident.

Robinson added he didn’t want to say too much reO’Donohue could not be reached for comment on his garding the situation because he felt that the players have resignation or his players’ punishments.

“

With number one seeded Duke in the Atlanta division, other teams are going to have a tough time trying to make it through to the semifinals.

Eight seeded George Washington could give Duke a run for their money in the second round, but in the end Duke will slide past both George Washington and Syracuse into the regional finals.

On the bottom half of the bracket, Texas will win out over Penn and Cal while Iowa will be upset by West Virginia in the second round.

Texas and West Virginia will prove to be a good game, but Texas will pull away in the second half to face Duke in a post-season rematch against Duke.

Texas will lose again after being routed by 30 in the regular season. The final four is not a unfamiliar place for Duke, and they will find themselves in Indianapolis again.

The Oakland division will produce some drama as middle seeded teams advance to regionals and regional finals.

Number one seeded Memphis won’t have any problem in round one or two, easily beating Oral Roberts and Bucknell, who will beat eight seeded Arkansas in the first round.

Pitt will handle Kent St. with ease and come through in the clutch against a good Kansas team to find themselves matched up with Memphis is the first regional game.

Carl Krauser and Pitt will upset Memphis to move on to the regional finals. UCLA will blow past Belmont in to the second round where they will meet up with Marquette who has a tough first round game against a good Alabama team.

San Diego St. will upset Indiana in the first round but then get blown out by a very strong Gonzaga team.

Gonzaga will slip past UCLA and Pitt straight to the final four.

An interesting Washington D.C. division should produce numerous close games. I predict UConn, Kentucky, Washington, Illinois, Michigan State, North Carolina, Seton Hall and Tennessee to advance to the second round, which should be full of big match ups.

UConn should win against a struggling Kentucky team, but it won’t come easily. The Washington and Illinois game should be a good one as well but Dee Brown will be able to carry Illinois through to the next round where they will be beaten by UConn.

MSU and North Carolina with have an explosive start, but by midway through the second half the Tar Heels will pull away to win by a considerable amount.

Seton Hall will be confident coming off an upset win against Wichita St. but will lose to a Tennessee team that is playing for the respect they are not being given as the weakest number two seed.

North Carolina will be able to pull through against the Volunteers in the next round though and match up with UConn to play for a final four bid. I believe that North Carolina will win in an upset, lead by freshman Tyler Hansbrough.

The Minneapolis division is the toughest to predict, with a couple strong first round match ups and a handful of good second round match ups.

Wisconsin will meet Villanova in the second round in a close game but, Nova will be able to get by to regionals.

Nevada comes into the season on a 14-game winning streak but will lose to Boston College in the second round.

In the bottom of the bracket, Ohio State and Georgetown will advance, but Ohio State will pull out a victory in crunch time to move on the regionals.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee will beat Oklahoma in the first round but lose a close one to Florida in the second round.

In the regional match ups, Nova and Boston College will be close, but Nova will win the game.

In the Florida and Ohio State game, Ohio State will be able to win without too much trouble. Regional Finals with Nova and Ohio State will be a tough game for both sides, but Nova will come out on top.

The final four should be an exciting one, with Duke, Gonzaga, Villanova and North Carolina. Duke and Gonzaga will probably be the best game of the tournament with JJ Redick and Adam Morrison, the two MVP candidates for the season, going at it on the left side of the bracket. I think that Duke will win, but it will be down to the wire.

On the other side, North Carolina and Villanova will be a good game, but Villinova will be able to play though and advance to the finals.

Duke and Villinova should be a great, hard-fought game, but the experience of the Duke seniors will help them keep their poise and win in the clutch.

11

Wensday March 29, 2006

The Squall

columns

School slowly erodes our civil rights

Sam Harris

PDA is pretty darn appalling

SAM’S COLUMN In a way former Interim Principal Pat Little did prepare us for what we’d be tolerating this school year: an interim principal from East Detroit.

Interim principal Jim Bannan and Athletic Director John Robinson suspended several students from athletics after finding pictures of them “partying” on webshots. com.

When asked about the pictures of students, what they contained, and why only the athletes were punished one thing Bannan said was, “The student with the bong (in the photo) was a non-student.” That’s funny if you think about it.

Bannan was also questioned as to where he got the information to look on webshots. “I was told by someone, but I don’t recall who. It could’ve been a parent, a student, or a teacher,” he said.

Bannan was also questioned about his real concern with the well being of students and asked why he didn’t call their parents in reference to the webshots instead of suspending them from sports.“We have gone and done that (punished the students),” he said. “We’ve called several parents, but that’s a privacy issue I can’t discuss with you.”

From Little’s slight disciplinary attitude to Bannan’s mission of turning the school upside down, we have only found ourselves looking for a new principal once again. So what have we learned from our experiences this year?

I remember I don’t know about everyone having more else, but this year I didn’t learn about freedom and civil calculus or chemistry or how to rights in take care of plastic crying babies. third grade.”

I learned that “shoulders are sexy” and provocative and should never be seen in the light of day. Only at risqué parties in the night time are they allowed to be seen.

Along with parties and sexy shoulders we now can incriminate ourselves at our own high school. If you’d like to venture into the world of injustice, please visit webshots. com and check out some arousing shoulder pictures.

Attached to these sexy shoulders are arms and hands that behold mysterious, red plastic cups. That’s the wonder of webshots. It keeps you guessing. What’s in that cup? Is that a fake candy cigarette? For Bannan it’s the real deal.

Blogging sites like Xanga.com and myspace.com are blocked from our school server because Bannan says they not school-related and are a distraction. Why, then, are there actions being taken against students for something not school-related? There are so many faults in this trivial debate. Slowly but surely our high school is turning into a prison. I remember having more freedom and civil rights in third grade. But now that we’re young adults and going into college next year should we be treated like juvenile delinquents?

Yeah, that makes sense.

While we’re at it why don’t we have a mandatory tether to wear on our anklets as if we’re on house arrest.

Although I probably shouldn’t say that because someone will take it seriously and take it upon himself to “improve” the school by adding this device.

“

illustration by Kendall Goode

Robyn

Shepard

YOU CAN NEVER SMILE TOO MUCH Skimpy clothes imply wrong ideas. Wrong ideas send wrong signals. Wrong signals are handled with stupidity.

Stupidity leads to words and actions said and done without meaning. No meaning means somewhere down the line someone gets their heart broken.

Sound familiar? I just summed up the majority of our underclassmen. It’s actually sad to think how true it is.

What is more sad is that I have to watch what I eat in the morning because I may hurl walking to my classes.

I can only take so much of who loves who more. I don’t love either of you, so move the party elsewhere. Seriously.

Every day it’s the same thing. I see girls and guys, all younger than me, throwing themselves at each other.

It’s gross. I mean, for every grade I’ve gone through I’ve always needed school supplies. But not once have these supplies included condoms and you-can-never-kiss-thisoff lipstick. Times are changing but not that much.

I swear these kids have never heard of PDA. And if they have, they think it’s a good thing. I’m not out to bash a

bunch of uneducated kids, but I want to get a few things straight. First things first.

P.D.A. Public Display of Affection. Or what I like to call Pretty Damn Appalling.

It includes I-can’t-part-with-you-for-one-hour hugs, trying to swallow one another’s tongues, kisses that last longer than I blink, hand placement below the shoulder on the front and below the waist on the back.

It also includes any conversation pertaining to how much you love each other. You’re 14, and you think you’ve found your soul mate? OK. But I don’t want to hear about it.

If you’re going to be with someone forever, shouldn’t they know it too? And if you both know it, then what’s left to discuss?

Next, if someone says PDA close to you, evaluate what you’re doing. And if you have to fight to get your tongue back, take a hint. No one wants to see that. Let me go into further detail for those of you who don’t understand.

It’s 8:46 and the bell rings. Not even 30 seconds into my six minute break from learning, and I’m closing my eyes.

That’s because Johnny over there is acting like he hasn’t seen Sandy in a year. It’s been 56 minutes. Get over it. If you’re that dependent on someone, there’s a resource center downstairs that can help you.

I have an honest question. If one of y’all’s “true loves” get sick for a day, what do you do then? I mean, it seems like you can barely make it an hour without them.

You’re walking to class and you see the person you like.

Give them a kiss that doesn’t require you to stop traffic on the other side of the hall. It’s called the two-second peck.

It’s like the 10-second tidy. It takes a second to lean in and a second to pull away. Bam. You’re done.

Now that everyone’s on the same page about physical

affection, let’s go a little deeper. Let’s talk.

The conversation/argument always starts with, “I would be nothing without you Johnny.” And goes to, “Oh Sandy, I’d be nothing without you more. I know me and you are going to last forever.”

Then the future comes into play. “In two years I’ll even be able to drive, and I’ll take you out wherever you want.

Then we’ll get married.”

I should start walking around with airliner puke-bags.

It’d be more convenient than having to run to the bathroom every time I heard these conversations.

Just a quick reality check. We’re in the 21st century.

Most people get married in the mid-20’s, not at 14. That was hundreds of years ago.

Guys, I hate to break it you to you, but girls lie just as much as you do. If you think that she isn’t going to drop you like a bad onion for the first 16-year old who drives a nice car, think again.

Why are you trying to rush yourselves? You’ve only got one-fifth of your life down.

Don’t fall in love and plan the rest of your life. If you were supposed to do that now, you wouldn’t have the rest of your life. Besides, it’d save me time walking from class to class because I wouldn’t have to run to the nearest wastebasket or bathroom.

I’m sorry if you don’t like what I’m saying. Just consider me the bearer of the truth. No one wants to hear the, “I love you more” argument. Nope. No one. They just don’t. Especially during lunch.

Now that we’re all on the same level, take a hint. The school day is only six hours and 41 minutes. This transition doesn’t have to be that hard. Two easy steps.

Keep your sexual desires in your pants.

And make your sweet nothings what they should be: unheard.

Individuality: have you seen yours?

Every historic culture has had some unique quality, some specific characteristic that defines it as a group.

Not only has this created a sense of pride for who we are and what our heritage is, but it also offers a way to recognize the beauty in our differences.

But today’s society rejects this value. The world we live in preaches a twisted fusion of political correctness, conformity and universal truth. Today it isn’t acceptable to have a significant opinion or public disagreement, especially if someone’s feelings are at stake.

Are these values helping or hurting our world? Do we really want to become a single entity, dressing the same, thinking the same, feeling the same? Personally, I shudder at the thought.

A significant way that prison-guards dehumanize prisoners is by taking away individuality. They give them matching uniforms, a number instead of a name and even take away privacy by placing them in big, public cells. If this is how society punishes wrongdoers, why do we enforce the same processes on the world’s conventional citizens?

I believe that the political correctness interest group is spearheading the movement. The notion that we should suppress our feelings and expression of beliefs because such demonstration has the potential to hurt feelings or, God forbid, offend someone is ludicrous; and it robs us of the joy of individuality.

It is only by expressing ourselves and disagreeing in intellectual conversations that we advance our own views. Iron sharpens iron. Does political correctness seek to stamp out all dissimilar views?

Besides, varying opinions and beliefs don’t genuinely

hurt feelings. They challenge egos. Should we honestly hide our opinions and feel guilty about what we believe.

There are many contributing factors to this unification dilemma. One large provider is the Internet.

While people find great pleasure in searching the InJon ternet and its vast resources of information, images, and Williamson imagination, the sad fact is that it pushes all different cultures together into one massive mixing pot.

We lose our little enclaves which foster unique thought and individuality, and we end up with the largest mass media unifier in the history of the world.

You might ask: “But isn’t that unity? Isn’t that what EVERYTHING IS GREEN AND SUBMARINE we are striving for? Don’t we want peace, love and the acceptance of our fellow man?”

Well, in theory, such aphorisms sound fine, but where would we be without our individualities? And what value ing through society and ridden it to its logical end? is acceptance if we are all the same?

I don’t think this conformity-value issue is as obviWhat is the value and cost of love when we all become identical, androgynous puppets? The miracle of love and ous and clear-cut as many political or popular notions. the value of acceptance are only realized when there are In fact, the problem I see is that it’s very subtlety causes differences; and the measure of the miracle is propor- it to be insidiously ignored. It is highly unlikely that the Irish will stop drinking Guinness or the Mexicans stop tional to the degree of difference.

Have you ever noticed one of the most common ele- eating tacos. But a knife doesn’t go dull with one cut; it ments of science fiction movies? Virtually every futur- takes thousands of small uses before the wear and tear istic society sports a population of drones, all wearing dulls its sharp edges.

I find the dulling of our individual beliefs and customs identical white jumpsuits with a red stripe down the side. disagreeable.

And the distasteful notion of someone And they eat, sleep and live in one massive community. else’s views stuffed down my throat under the façade of If that’s the future then I’m fine right here in the present, thank you. But is that just a cheesy idea thought up political correctness is as unappetizing as curdled milk.

by Star Wars geeks in their basement as they sweat over But mainly I’m just afraid of wearing the same white novels filled with light sabers and mystical creatures? Or jumpsuit as everybody else in the world; it doesn’t go have they inadvertently captured a thought stream, flow- with my eyes.

All freshmen should attend summer-long camp Ryan

Yuenger

Mentally Ill From Amityville In my travels on the long and winding road that is life, I have become older, more mature and most importantly wiser.

As I become wiser, I also realize more that freshmen are the lowest life forms on earth.

They are loud, rude, inconsiderate, lazy and annoying.

These reasons are more than enough to put my plan into action.

Before entering the first year of high school, incoming freshmen should be placed in a summer-long labor camp to learn how to rid them of their middle school ways.

This camp could be at any site. But it would preferably be in some sort of fenced-in field. There will be 24/7 guard patrol. The guards will be armed with high-powered tranquilizer rifles and will have the authority to use them at will on any camper who chooses to misbehave or tries to escape.

The guards will, of course, consist of incoming seniors. This camp is not technically a school function and would not be on school grounds. However, it will still be mandatory.

Any incoming freshperson who decides not to attend this camp has also indirectly made the decision not to attend the ninth grade.

They will be sent back to the eighth grade, for they are not properly trained for high school.

The only students who will make it into ninth grade are the students who successfully complete each behavioral course learned at camp.

There will be five courses taught at summer camp, each related to different behavior at school which freshpeople have not yet mastered.

“

Know and are Friends With the Upperclassmen.

3. How to Obey Your Upperclassmen (Speak When Spoken to) 4. How to Take a Beating From Your Upperclassmen (this class will just consist of the guards coming in and beating the crap out of the no-good-littleemo-punk-wannabees)

Wow, violence really is the answer.”

The five subjects that will be learned are:

1. How to Not Make Out in the Hallway with Your Sick Boyfriend or Girlfriend 2. How to Not Walk 15 People Abroad in the Hallway at an Extremely Slow Pace While Pretending that you

5. How to Shut Up (Speak When Spoken to)

Classes will start at 7:15, after each incoming freshman has received a nutritious and thick breakfast of grass and mud. Each class will last two hours, with an hour break in between each one.

During said break, the incoming freshpersons will be free to roam as they please.

Of course, if they do something that is considered annoying, loud, rude, lazy or inconsiderate, they will be beaten and then tranquilized by the guards.

This strict schedule will be the same each day until

two days before school starts. On the last day, there will be a selection.

All of the freshmen will be put into one room and the freshwomen in another, and from there the selection begins.

The guards will select who, out of all incoming freshmen, will proceed on to ninth grade. All of the others will be sent back to the eighth grade.

This proposal is bulletproof.

Not only should it be implemented at Dexter High School, but at all high schools around the country.

If these steps are taken carefully and correctly, this summer camp will be a major success.

The freshmen will be much better behaved and generally better people in fear of getting beaten.

They will also be much quieter. They will become more considerate of others. They will be less rude because they will know how they are supposed to act.

Plus they will execute what they’ve learned throughout the school year, due to fear of getting beaten.

As a long-term result of this, the freshmen will become better behaved sophomores. Then better behaved juniors, until they become better behaved seniors.

Eventually this chain reaction will make for a better society as a whole.

And when all is said and done, people will look back at this program’s legacy and say, “Wow, violence really is the answer.”

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The Squall

editorial

12 S

D A E DRin the hall Q: What is your opinion of Principal Bannan punishing student-athletes for pictures on Webshots.com?

“That’s some messed up crap. I don’t think he should be able to do that.”

Peter Washabaugh, freshman

“Everything in his behavior indicates that he is on a power trip and is not looking out for the well-being of the students.”

Omega Skeean, sophomore

THE ALL

SQUALL CALL

Students should realize that information on the Web is not private An instant message pops up on your computer and says, “Check this out.”

their own site, but why would they let someone take a picture of them smoking or

You click on it, at first thinking it will be something stupid. In fact, it’s a picture of

drinking when most students can’t even legally do these things?

two people kissing. You quickly decipher who the two people are. One is your girlfriend and the other is your best friend, apparently lip locking on camera.

What most people don’t realize in their misplaced anger toward Bannan is that no one got in trouble except those who play school sports.

But wait a minute, you can’t get mad because this picture wasn’t intended for you to see. It was actually on a Web site for only a blogger’s friends to see.

These athletes signed a contract that they breached and therefore deserve to be

And although we agree it isn’t the school’s primary mission to punish people, Bannan, in his role as principal, saw these pictures and had to do something about it.

Despite the anger Bannan’s searching provoked among students, people seem to

Students who are stupid enough to sign an athletic contract and then be in a picture

forget that nothing is private on the World Wide Web. Even the things only intended

with tobacco or alcohol and then put those pictures on a public Web site deserve to get

for your friends.

caught and suspended from sports.

The reality is tobacco products and drinking are illegal until a certain age.

And if you have ever signed a contract for Dexter High School athletics, you are say-

What if your mom saw these pictures? Would she not get mad? Would there not be consequences?

ing you won’t use drugs or alcohol until you graduate.

Now we’re not saying that drug and alcohol use among athletes doesn’t happen. But

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Michelle Svetkoff MANAGING EDITOR: Robert Kuzon FEATURES: Sara Newell ENTERTAINMENT: Samantha Harris NEWS: Kyle Muse EDUCATION: Christina Field OPINIONS: Raleigh Holmes PHOTO: Brandon Mayotte & Spencer Ryan SPORTS: Molly Brewster DESIGN: Kendall Goode COPY: Hilary McCown ASST. COPY: Scott Campbell MANAGERS: BUSINESS: Jennifer Allen

Why document your debauchery with proof for people who you may not want to see

“Mr. Bannan needs to realize he is just an interim principal.”

Start using your head because it is no one’s fault but your own if you get busted do-

Melissa Jaynes, senior

it?

why does there need to be picture documentation of it?

Granted, most of the people who got caught by Bannan didn’t put the pictures on

ing what you aren’t supposed to do.

MORALE: Sydney Ross & Kelsey Schultz CIRCULATION: Maggie Craft CONTEST: Frank Dufek & Katie Fricke STAFF WRITERS Derek Ager, Maria Brundage, Scott Campbell, Casey Daczka, Frank Dufek, Katie Fricke, Katie Johnson, Cecelia Kuzon, Kevin McLaughlin, Mike Sayre, Austin Shapiro, Robyn Shepard, Nicole St.Pierre, Kim Wiesner, Ian Williamson, Jon Williamson, Caroline Wolcott, Ryan Yuenger AD DESIGNERS: Brandon Mayotte & Spencer Ryan CARTOONIST: Jared Myers

Rod Satterthwaite TALK BACK: The Squall is an open forum for student expression. It accepts letters to the editor from any and all concerned parties. The Squall reserves the right to screen and/or edit any and all letters for inappropriate content and length. All letters must be signed. Requests to remain anonymous will be considered by the editorial board.

ADVERTISING: Requests for advertisements can be called into the Business Manager at 734.424.4240 x7407.

Ads must be called in at least two weeks prior to the issue’s publication, which is at the end of each month.

E-MAIL: letters@thesquall.com

ADVISER:

Kelsey Dubay, junior

punished.

A similar situation occurred last month. Some students posted pictures on their web blogs of other kids drinking. Someone told Principal Jim Bannan about it so he looked.

“I think there is something wrong with a principal who likes to single out students and get them in trouble.”

“I think the Web sites themselves are a distraction to class, but when you play a sport you sign a lot of your rights away.”

Beau Kimmey, science teacher

13

Wednesday March 29, 2006

The Squall

photostory

Blood Drive

T H E

Students donate 73 pints of blood for Red Cross blood drive Sara Newell features editor

Senior Alyssa Cavanaugh took on the responsibility of running the third blood drive of the year. “It’s always nerve-wracking that someone might get sick (after they give blood),” Cavanaugh said. “But knowing that what I do helps the community makes the nervousness go away.”

Science teacher and NHS adviser Cheryl Wells recruited two of her NHS students to run the blood drive this year, Cavanaugh as well as senior Sara Hornback. “Mrs. Wells basically recruited us and told us what we needed to do, and we did,” Hornback said.

In order for the blood drive to run smoothly, Cavanaugh and Hornback had to start planning weeks in advance. “Two weeks before (the blood drive) we start getting students to sign up to donate blood,” Cavanaugh said. “Then about a week before we have to start calling (local businesses) asking them to donate food for the blood drive workers and donators.”

However training went even farther back that just two weeks before. Both girls and all the student volunteers were required to learn about the blood drive in August.

“We had someone come in and tell us all about what goes on at a blood drive,” Cavanaugh said, “how to escort someone from the beds to the table by supporting their arms and having them sit with both feet flat on the floor and elbows on the table. Also what to look for if someone is getting sick, if they are pale or shaking. And things that we should and shouldn’t say to the donators, like don’t pass out or don’t get sick.”

Cavanaugh said planning the blood drive can be stressful. “I just want everything to run smoothly, and if it doesn’t, it becomes a little stressful,” she said.

Cavanaugh also said that the pay off is much greater than the negative moments. “All and all we’re helping to save lives,” she said. “One pint of blood saves three lives.

Then you look at how many pints of blood we got, and you realize that you’ve helped save a life. How could that not make you feel better?”`

Dazed and confused: Lying down, senior John Flowers gets his blood drawn. Flowers, who has given blood twice, said, “I feel like I did something good.” Each pint of blood given has the potential to save three lives.

Waiting to give: Patiently sitting, senior Kacey O’Neill waits in line to fill out her forms. O’Neill did not give blood because of a low iron blood count.

He got soul: Pointing at a friend, senior Chadd Wingler walks away from the food table. Wingler was one of 75 people who gave blood on March 7.

Lettin’ it flow: As the blood trickles from his veins, senior Bruce Ish stares at the ceiling waiting for his bag to fill. “It made me feel like I accomplished something,” Ish said about donating blood. NHS members spent several weeks organizing the blood drive. all photos by Brandon Mayotte and Mike Sayre

6

Wednesday, March 29. 2006

The Squall

reviews

The Go! Team

‘Being John Malkovich’ Derek Ager staff writer

Ever wanted to be someone else? Well, now you can.

“Being John Malkovich” is one of the most innovative movies ever. It is a breath of fresh air from the ordinary film.

Written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze, this film has all the ingredients of an intense, bizarre experience. Kaufman is known for his intense writing in such films as “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”. Spike Jonze is known for his multiple music videos and such crazy films as “Corporate Ghost” and “Adaptation”.

In “Being John Malkovich,” John Cusack plays a puppeteer, Craig Schwartz, who finds a job working as a filing clerk on the 7 1/2 floor at a building.

In his office he finds a small hidden door. But where does this door lead? It is a portal into the mind of John Malkovich.

Cusack’s partner in the film is a very witty Catherine Keener, who plays a very self- absorbed coworker, Maxine Lund. Some of Keeners other works include “Death to Smoochy” and the recently released “The 40 Year Old Virgin”.

She helps Cusack find a way to benefit from this new-found portal.

Cusack’s wife, Lotte Schwartz, is played by Cameron Diaz. This is the most unique character in the movie. Being an extreme environmentalist, she is

****

thrown into a vortex of lesbian emotion after being inside Malkovich’s head.

And, of course, John Malkovich plays a very confused version of himself in the film. Let me leave you with a few questions.

What if Malkovich went into his own portal? Or what if you could control Malkovich when you were inside him?

Watching the film is almost as intense as the experience inside Malkovich’s head. The film as a strange atmosphere to it.

A unique twist to the atmosphere is that every character is very literal in everything they say.

It is confusing, but it creates many awkward and very funny scenes.

This movie has a very unique taste to it, but if you have any sense of good cinematography and abstract ideas, you will enjoy this film thoroughly.

After every scene you will have a smile and a very confused look on your face.

And after this movie, if you feel like you just fell onto the New Jersey Turnpike, then you have experienced the magic of “Being John Malkovich”.

Lies, betrayal, deceit, deception and fraud. If any of these things sound interesting, pick up “The Tenth Justice” by Brad Meltzer.

Centered around a Supreme Court clerk, the book leads the reader down a winding path filled with decimating friendships, physical infatuation and twisted identities.

The book starts out by introducing the main character, Ben Addison. The Yale law graduate has just begun work as a Supreme Court clerk.

Excited and nervous, Addison latches onto an outstretched hand, a former clerk named Rick Fagen.

While having lunch with Rick, Ben mistakenly hands over the decision on a multimillion dollar merger case.

Several days later the company involved in the decision purchases an abundance of stock in the company they want to merge with, without knowing the result of the case. This is a risky move, but Ben knows better.

Rick has betrayed him.

When Ben goes to check who Rick clerked for, he finds some unnerving information, Rick was never a clerk. Rick isn’t even his real name.

As Ben enlists his co-clerk, Lisa, and his politically connected friends, Nathan, Eric and Ober, to help him catch Rick, Ben is led through a winding maze of trick mirrors and fog.

“The Tenth Justice” is both captivating and intellectually stimulating. It is an easy read without being boring. The inside look at how our highest court works is another reason to read it.

Whether you like the government background, the

the interim princi-cat

harmonica. “Panther Dash,” a spectacular ballad of mystical proportions, uses this instrument to create a very nifty song. This song, like a few others on the CD, is quite intense.

It is hard to put The Go! Team’s music in any certain genre. It’s rock, but it also has a little retro robotic in it.

These rock songs are filled with so much talent it’s almost a fantasy.

Perhaps they are so magnificent they made their own genre. A genre that could be called “Fantasmorock.”

Though you may be skeptical to this new kind of music, fear not. It will grow on you faster than a speeding bullet going through hyper space.

One of my favorites on the album is “Junior Kick Start.” This song is to music as Matthew McConaughey is to bad movies. When playing this song, one has the intense urge to run out into an urban landscape and drop kick any crime they see.

The horns in the song make a nostalgic 70’s feel, as does the chorus. A harmonica chimes in at the second verse, wailing a beautiful cry out for those who believe in love and justice.

Explosions, commotions and raw human emotions are all in the tracks of “Thunder, Lightning, Strike!” It is a creation from the heavens.

Do yourself a huge favor and listen to a band as sweet as its name, The Go! Team.

Let’s face it: today’s music isn’t very good. When you listen to the radio, everything sounds the same.

There has to be at least a thousand bands out there now with poetic names like “My Chemical Teen Angst” that use sophisticated words without knowing their meanings.

Thankfully, there’s a new band out that thinks outside the box and refuses to make musical fecal matter.

One such amazing band is “The Go! Team.” One of the fantastic creations on their CD, “Thunder, Lightning, Strike!”, has a unique blend of filtered audio chorus, and awesome trumpets with a zesty drop of percussion.

All of these ingredients make a cake I’d call “The good music cake.”

Delicious. And delicious is the word I would use to describe the songs on this album. Some of the music is uplifting.

Bells and whistles chime in different verses. Piano keys are pressed with no fear of the consequences.

A key instrument that plays through all of the songs is the

The Ratings

‘The Tenth Justice’ Austin Shapiro staff writer

Casey Daczka staff writer

* stay away from this abhorrent mess ** acceptable in gift form but not worth your money *** If there’s nothing else to do, go for it **** if it seems to suit your tastes, go for it ***** Fun for all ages

mystery of the villain or any other one of the alluring plot points, this book has something for everyone.

One of the few downsides to this book is that the chapters are about 25 pages each, so finding a good place to stop can be challenging.

However, the story is so interesting. Making it to the end of the chapter should come as no problem to most people.

An underscored plot that takes over the story is Ben and Lisa’s infatuation with each other. The tension between the two adds a flare to the book that makes it even more riveting.

Midway through the book, Ben takes a turn towards Paranoiaville, which, although unintentional, is kind of funny.

In a world where everyone feels like someone’s out to get them, it’s nice to revel in someone else’s worrisome ways.

For anyone looking for a book with political ties, this is a great choice. Ben works at the Supreme Court and his friends work at the State Department and in Congress.

Overall, ‘The Tenth Justice” is a fun read that makes the reader think without having to read the page five times.

It’s a book that can be read at the beach or when curled up by the fire. Anyone who enjoys a good read would thoroughly enjoy this book.

So pick it up and revel in Meltzer’s web of words that will keep you hanging on to the very end.

*****

by Kendall Goode

Scott Campbell staff writer

***** Carlyle’s

����

��

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Since the dawn of time, mankind has traversed the lands in order to watch a movie. Having taken in the images on the screen (or cave wall, in the early days), a feeling hit them like a kick in the face.

Hunger, tearing away at their stomachs. What were these movie-goers to do?

With a full imagination but an empty belly, the search for a suitable location to feast following a film began. That search may be over.

Carlyle’s Bar and Grill is the newest and closest restaurant to the Jackson Road Quality 16, the theater of choice for Ann Arborites and their surrounding neighbors. So close, the two share a parking lot.

But is it good enough to save a trip across the street to the Uptown Coney Island and their delectable coney dogs?

To be frank, the bill makes this more of a prom date/party eatery, rather than the place to gorge yourself after your popcorn-laden experience during the action sequences of Doogal.

The official reviewer’s meal, consisting of a Coke, one bacon cheeseburger cooked medium-well and an order of fries, didn’t set my taste buds aflame with desire.

But when it comes to presentation and atmosphere, this place is phenomenal.

From the outside, Carlyle’s looks like any other bar and grill. But once those doors open, impressions are made. And they are good.

The ceiling arches high into the air, and from it hang lamps that resemble those in our own cafeteria, only made from glass.

Fresh flowers sit in numerous vases around the tables, with an orchid the size of a small rodent perching on the front desk.

To add to the ambiance, the staff at Carlyle’s is startlingly kind. Even at the Earle, one of the fanciest restaurants in Ann Arbor, waitresses only give a slight, “Mmhmm” when thanked for bringing the food or a refilled drink.

But here the waitresses say a believable, “My pleasure” whenever a “thank you” is thrown their way. In fact, a grand total of eight “my pleasures” were spoken during the meal.

One of these accompanied my cheeseburger, which may have been the largest burger ever outside of the burger being consumed by the vaguely Asian man in a Visa commercial.

What really makes this a noteworthy place to eat at least once is the way the food is presented. Vertical is really the only way to describe it.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, in french fry form, sat atop my plate, a grand structure of at least a foot in height.

A fantastic experience for prom or homecoming night, or any other formalish event, Carlyle’s Bar and Grill gets a slight nod of approval.

��

***

The Squall

the spread Local, commercial coffee shops battle for customer satisfaction

Do you prefer coffee from a franchise or a local shop?

“I treat myself to Panera every week, but going out to buy coffee is too expensive”

An analysis

by Derek Ager In the midst of Dexter, there is something more valuable than gold being dug up, and that is a fresh cup of coffee.

Many people flock to local cafés in search of this sacred energy boosting drink. “Single shot, no double shot. Yes, double shot of caffeine will start my day out on the right foot,” people think to themselves.

But when the coffee first touches the lips of the customer, what do they taste? Do they taste a cup of decently brewed coffee, or do they taste the warmth of a community as a whole?

Huge commercial coffee shops, such as Starbucks, create coffee for the consumer in different ways than the small town cafés such as Foggy Bottom.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both suppliers, but when it comes down to the all-around contributions to the community, the small town cafés are the places that help give the community their own identity.

Cafés are everywhere. But how do you know which one to go to?

Should you go to a Starbucks or to a one-of-a-kind café?

One advantage to the commercial coffee outlets is no matter where you go, you know what you are going to get.

However, there are cases where this is not true.

According to senior Katie Hammer, who also works at a chain company, Dairy Queen, there are certain new products and promotions that each individual branch can choose to participate in or not.

The new “Cool Artic-Blast Cappuccino” may or may not be at a Starbucks near you.

That is a disadvantage of the corporate monsters.

Walking into a café to get a cup of coffee should be a painless process, but sometimes you are bombarded by new promotions like “Buy 16 cups of coffee and get a free bagel.”

The other advantage to commercial cafes is that a customer can have their products at home.

Starbucks has produced multiple coffee drinks that are distributed through supermarkets, gas stations, etc.

But what does Starbucks do for a community? Not much.

“Corporate cafés set a foot in the community,” Foggy Bottom owner Doug Marrin said. “We are taking on the identity of Dexter.”

Marrin has strong feelings about his café in Dexter, feelings that are in the right place.

Commercial cafés almost literally suck out the old cafés in the place of development, almost like a virus.

Small town cafés are more about the community.

“It is more than good business,” Marrin said. “It is more than making a buck off of the community.”

Small town cafés have an advantage of making their own menus.

At Foggy Bottom, there are not only coffee products, but there are also many food products on the menu. Having a flexible menu allows Marrin to get the community involved.

According to Marrin, many people make request for new things, and most likely they will see their request granted in a few days.

But what of the quality of the coffee? Is there a difference?

“I’ll put my coffee up against anyone’s,” Marrin said. According to Marrin, he is able to make a fresher cup of coffee than the commercial cafés.

“The little guys go for quality and distinction, while the chains go for quantity and convenience,” he said.

Marrin said corporate coffee suppliers first roast the beans in a central roaster.

Then it is sent to the store. It is then it is sent to a distributor. Then it sits on the shelf until made into a cup of coffee.

“We cut out the middle man,” Marrin said. He said he roasts his beans at his stoves and directly makes them into a warm cup of excellent coffee.

But the main reason why small town cafés like Foggy Bottom are better for this world is because they have an all-around positive effect on a community’s identity.

And the community’s identity and well-being should be an important thought in a person’s mind.

Starbucks media advisor was contacted and given questions, but no answers were returned These small cafes make wherever they are a warmer place to be. And I know Foggy Bottom has added to Dexter’s identity.

“The community maintains their identity,” Marrin said. “We add to the character of the community and to Dexter.”

• Lisa Bauer, math teacher

“It doesn’t matter as long as the coffee tastes good.”

• Nick Libra, senior

d

d n w fi o s t ne Sydney Ross staff writer

Scott Baty and Courtney LaytonBearclaw Coffee Shop When senior Scott Baty finished washing the dishes at the end of the day at Bearclaw Coffee Shop in Dexter, he noticed the water was getting full in all three of the sinks.

He let all of the water out at the same time. Little did he know, that’s not how the sinks worked.

“I thought that the sink was getting too full so I just let it out, but then, I started a flood,” Baty said.

Despite his rocky beginning at Bearclaw, he said he still enjoys his job. “At least it’s something to laugh about,” he said.

Work is usually something of a chore for most people but not for Baty.

“I like working there,” he said. “It’s fun and pretty easy. I also like the people that I work with. They make it more fun.”

Junior Courtney Layton has been working at Bearclaw for almost a year, and she said that her job is not all that bad. “It’s a pretty fun job,” she said.

“We get to goof around, and we usually take a lot of breaks.

Sometimes we even eat food if we get bored and we are hungry.”

Working in the summer is by far Layton’s favorite time to work.

“It’s warmer and more people come in for colder drinks instead of hot coffee in the winter,” she said. “I like it better because it’s nicer outside and more people come in to just sit and hang out.”

Stu

7

Wednesday March 29, 2006

Candice Marrin- Foggy Bottom As senior Candice Marrin gets a caramel hot chocolate ready for a customer, she looks around and sees what her family has made.

A local coffee shop.

Marrin’s family started Foggy Bottom, located in the strip mall next to Country Market.

“My dad used to be a manager at Wendy’s, but he didn’t really like it all that much, and he want-

• Marrin

Doug Marrin: Created Foggy Bottom after he took an interest in coffee and hiking.

photo by Mike Sayre

Clash of the cafés: Customers wait at Starbucks for their coffee creations. Long lines unusually accompany the popular franchise.

photo by Mike Sayre

It’s all about the ambiance: At Foggy Bottom there are games, paintings and live bands to keep customers entertained while they enjoy their coffee.

ed to do something else,” she said.

“He started hiking and got really into coffee at the same time.

That’s when he knew it’s what he wanted to do, and that was to open a coffee shop.

Marrin said she likes the fact that her owns the shop.

“I’m glad my dad got into coffee,” she I am too a little bit. We also have the sho love it.” Foggy Bottom started in August “It’s a really cool place to work becaus almost everyone in our town,” Marrin said to see familiar faces and even new ones.”

The staff at Foggy Bottom isn’t huge bu rin likes it.

“It’s really fun to just get to know ev friends because we have such a small staf “It’s by far the best job I’ve ever had. I didn’t like all that much. I also cleaned st es, so I would say, yeah, this is the best jo Foggy Bottom is also the only coffee live music.

“It started because my brother Larry h place for people to hear his music, so he so that people could hear him,” Marrin sa “It kind of just turned into local band also to have their music get heard.”

Christina Field- Kavarna Looking across the room at the smal works at in Whitmore Lake, senior Chr see all types of people. Regulars, and ev Some are reading in the library, some a the art in the gallery, and some are buyin “It’s a really cool place to work,” she sa Kavarna. “It’s like an art gallery, a library a coffee shop, all in one,” Field said.

“It’s cool how people will come in just for lunch, but will end up staying there for three hours just sitting and talking.”

Wednesday March 29, 2006

The Squall Starbucks: In 1971 the first store opened in Seattle’s Pike Place Market

Caribou Coffee: The founders created the company in 1990 after a vacation in Alaska

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I used to baby-sit which I talls and worked at Bushob I’ve ever had.” shop in Dexter that has

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8

Caffeine in coffee and other drinks can have negative effects Maggie craft morale manager

Having three to four Mountain Dews every day and seeing symptoms of addiction, senior Brittany Abbott decided she had a problem with caffeine, and it was time to stop her habit.

Abbot said she used caffeine to try and help her, but, in fact, the substance was hurting her.

“I did it (at first) to not fall asleep (at night) so I could do my homework, (but) then it got to the point I wanted it in the morning (too),” she said.

“I couldn’t sleep a whole night through.

Sometimes I felt so tired I would go downstairs and get a pop. It got to the point when it didn’t work anymore so I would drink more than one.”

And the problems that came with her pop addiction finally became too much for Abbott and her body.

“It was hard to stop drinking Mountain Dew,” she said.” I stopped drinking it because I needed to do dance, and I would get the shakes in my hands, and (I would get) headaches.”

Abbott said her caffeine addiction stopped once she made the decision to control it.

Not only did she lose her addiction, but she said she also lost 11 pounds the first week she stopped drinking Mountain Dew. And according to school nurse Aileen Kernohan, it’s probably good Abbot did quit because caffeine use can cause negative side effects.

“Caffeine is a CNS stimulant,” Kernohan said. “It is also a cardiac stimulant and a mild diuretic. Depending on an individual’s sensitivity and the amount of caffeine consumed, it can cause jitteryness, anxiety, nervousness, dizziness, interfere with proper sleep patterns and contributes to dehydration.”

Despite these negative effects, senior Sarah Firsch still feeds her caffeine addiction with Mountain Dew. “During the week I wouldn’t be able to count how many (Mountain Dews I have),” Firsch said.

Firsch said she doesn’t remember when this habit of drinking caffeinated sodas started but said she has always had pop in the house.

“I don’t really know (if I’m addicted) because I don’t experience withdrawal, but I think so because if I only have one I will be so tired,” Firsch said. “If I didn’t drink any, I would be really tired, and I wouldn’t be able to pay attention at all. I would probably fall asleep.”

Every day Firsch said she buys herself Mountain Dews to keep up her energy and she said she spends a lot of money on her addiction.

“

“I don’t even want to fathom a guess (on how much money I spend on soda, but) I’d rather be drinking Mountain Dew than have the money,” she said.

Firsch also said she • Abbott uses Mountain Dew’s caffeine for recreational activities.

“Me and (senior) Nicole (LaRoe) used to pull all-nighters with Mountain Dew, and we would watch (James) Bond or “Law and Order” from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. We would have (a total of) about 30 all night,” she said.

Not only do many students use Mountain Dew for caffeine, but some also use the more adult drink: coffee.

“I drink coffee every morning and on the weekends I drink more,” freshman Rachel Davis said. “A lot of the time I’m really tired in the mornings and (coffee) gives me a boost for the rest of the day.”

Without her coffee Davis said her whole day is affected.

“I’m just tired the whole day if I don’t have coffee,” she said. “I’m really grouchy and mean. When I’m tired, I am just a blob.”

Davis said she started d r i n k ing coffee in eighth grade, but Aileen Kernohan, it wasn’t School Nurse really until ninth grade that she got hooked.

Although she said she doesn’t experience any withdrawal if she doesn’t have caffeine, she still is pretty sure of one thing: “I’m probably addicted. I’ve got to have my coffee,” she said.

Other coffee drinkers like English teacher Jo Muszkiewicz don’t drink coffee for the caffeine, but for the taste.

“I basically love the taste of coffee,” she said. “I stop at Foggy Bottom most Monday, Tuesday (and) Wednesdays because I have graduate classes those nights, so I grab a sandwich and a no-fat, decaf latte.”

However when she was in college Muszkiewicz said she used caffeine to help her stay awake.

“I drank a lot more coffee in college to stay awake for those midnight trips to the library,” Muszkiewicz said. “(Also) my Anthropology study group met at 11:30 p.m.

We met at a coffee shop in Kalamazoo and worked on our projects and drank coffee.”

Instead of using coffee to keep awake, though, Kernohan has some suggestions for students. “(Get) a good nights sleep, good nutrition, balanced diet, and some aerobic exercise, and (take) care of what feeds our soul,” she said. “If we take good care of ourselves, our natural brain chemistry gives us the boost we need, helping us feel good and full of energy each day.”

“Caffeine is a CNS stimulant.”

Caffeine in every day drinks NAME AMOUNT per OZ. Double Espresso...........................22.5 - 50 mg Brewed Coffee................................7.5 - 15 mg Decaf Coffee....................... .125 mg - .625 mg Tea - Black........................................5.625 mg Tea - Green..........................................2.5 mg Coca Cola.........................................2.833 mg Pepsi...............................................3.1667mg Chocolate Milk.........................................5 mg

9

Wednesday March 29, 2006

The Squall

sports

Winter Recap:

summing up the seasons Sara Newell feature editor

Photo by Mary Kumbier

Menʼs swimming: 4-6-0 , SECʼs: 1st, States: 15th “We had a lot of underdeveloped talent this year. Many of the younger kids stepped up.

We struggled, but we survived.”

-Senior Matt Mead Wrestling: 13-11 “Going into the season, I was unsure how we would do since we lost some strong seniors last year. But overall our season turned out pretty good.”

-Senior Matt Bastion

Photo by Chuck Derry

Skating on by: As the judges look on, senior Christina Derry completes her final figure to win the bronze medal in the National Junior World Class Womens Rollerskating Figures. Derry is showing "pure edge", something very difficult for rollerskaters to achieve in figures competition.

Senior calls it quits, brings home medal Frank Dufek contest manager

Photo by Spencer Ryan

Basketball: 15-10 “We did pretty good this year. We could have had a stronger season, but we really came together in the playoffs.”

-Senior Rob Zalucki Volleyball: 29-21-4 “We were a lot better this year than in previous years, but we didnʼt recognize how good we were so we didnʼt get as much accomplished as we could have.”

-Senior Kim Sullivan

Skating out into the center of the rink with her partner, senior Christina Derry waits for the first note of music to begin her routine.

A few energy-charged minutes later, the routine she spent months perfecting has been completed and presented to the judges.

The pair skates toward the edge of the rink and slows down, not by doing a hockey stop but by using a rubber toe stop. Forget the metalbladed, icy world of figure skating. This is competitive roller skating.

“Figure skating and roller skating are essentially the same sport, just on different equipment and surfaces,” Derry said.

Competitive roller skating consists of the same events as figure skating: dance, free skate, precision. The elements of these events are almost mirror images of the ones involved in figure skating. Because of these similarities, there are often crossovers between the two sports. Ice skaters such as Tara Lipinski and Marina Kielmann have competed in both.

“I competed in pairs dancing,” Derry said. ”My routines were comparable to anything in ice dancing.”

Despite the sports’ similarities, there remains one key contrast between them. That difference

is the two sports’ levels of notoriety. Figure skating competitions receive substantial media attention, especially at the Olympic level. Competitive roller skating, however, remains a relatively unknown sport to a majority of the world.

“I think Olympic exposure would do a world of good for the sport,” Derry said, “It would give the skaters and coaches credit for the incredible amounts of work and effort they put into (skating).”

Even though Derry no longer skates, one thing she said she will not miss is the difficult time regiment her practices forced her to follow.

“Usually I would practice figures and other (dance) techniques for two or three hours, then I would change into my dancing skates and work with my partner for another hour or two,” Derry said. “It took about 40 additional minutes to commute to the rink in Livonia.”

Derry’s dedication to the sport carried her to eight national competitions, where she has earned both a silver and a bronze medal.

The competitions are held in various locations throughout the country each year and usually feature around 2,000 competitors from all over the country.

“It was neat to be able to travel to all different places in the country and to have met different people from all over,” Derry said.

Despite all of the accomplishment Derry

made in competitive roller skating, she decided to terminate her career after her final season in late spring of 2005.

“I quit, or retired, as my dad likes me to say, because I didn’t have time to dedicate to my future career as an actress,” Derry said.

Derry said her father, a former competitive roller skater himself, understood his daughter’s desire to move on to other things.

“I know that (my dad) still wishes that I kept (roller skating), either by teaching it or practicing for fun every once in a while,” Derry said.

“It helped him to know that the sport did change my life for the better, even if it wasn’t something I was going to be completely involved in forever.”

For now, Derry has her sights set upon pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles. But no matter where life takes her, the impact roller skating has made on her life will be ever-present.

“I made a few of my very best friends through the sport and learned a lot of important things,” Derry said.

Despite the many positive additions the sport has made to her life, Derry said the sport still has a long way to go.

“The bad politics involved with the sport were my only real issue with it,” Derry said before coming to an unfortunate conclusion, “but I guess that comes with every sport.”

Hockey: 10-11-2 “We improved as the season went on, and we finished strong.”

-Senior Neil Rion illustration by Kendall Goode

Students turn to Creatine for muscle Photo by Katie Farrell

Spring Outlook:

Track: “I hope we win SECʼs. We have a lot of upcoming sprinters, and our distance is always strong. It is going to be a promising season.”

-Senior Bailey Wandyg Water Polo: “I really would like to go to states. We havenʼt been since 2004, and it was the only time we went. We have to make some improvements, but with little steps we will get there.”

-Senior Kaitlin McMurray.

Rugby: “We should be strong this year. Weʼre going to be huge.”

-Senior Marshal Simons Golf “It will be tough this year. If we work hard we have the potential to do well.”

-Senior Natalie Vandeven

Kelsey Schultz morale manager

While flipping through a “Men’s Health” magazine, senior Johnny Smart stumbled across an article about Creatine, a supplement used to build and recover muscle.

This article helped convince Smart that taking Creatine was a good choice for him. “It said it is was one of the best supplements that is easily accessible,” Smart said. After reading the article, Smart said he did some more research on Creatine and then began to take it.

And while Creatine is not a steroid, it has caused much debate about its effects on athletes.

Senior Josh Anderson who works at GNC, a store that sells all things related to health, said, “Steroids are synthesized from cholesterol, testosterone and estrogen. They can be used for AIDS patients or anyone with a muscle wasting disease.”

All steroids are illegal including androstenedione (andro), which was not classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a steroid for some time. Andro used to be sold at GNC until it was banned by the FDA in late 2005. “Technically Andro isn’t a steroid when you first take it,” Anderson said. “It passes through the liver and enzymes attract to it, and it becomes testosterone.”

This made Andro an attractive choice for teens like senior Henry Smith* who said he was interested in the formally legal drug and took it for two months last year. Smith said he took andro to improve his physical strength and was satisfied with the results. “I could tell that you have more energy when you’re on it to do more things,” he said.

Smith said he took three pills a day until the drug became illegal. Once he stopped using it, he

said he had some side effects.

“When you get off of it, you get a little emotional,” he said. Despite this, Smith said he would continue to use Andro if it was legal. “I thought it made me stronger, it made me better,” he said.

“Personally I’d rather take something like that than Creatine. Creatine slows you down when it makes you stronger.”

Creatine is naturally produced in the liver, kidneys and pancreas and can be found in meat and animal products. Creatine can give athletes the quick energy needed to lift or sprint and can also help muscles recover.

“Creatine attaches a phosphate molecule to ATP (adenosine triphosphate),” Anderson said.

“ATP is what gives our bodies energy so Creatine allows you to have an unlimited amount of energy.” This unlimited energy plus the increased muscle mass helps make creatine attractive.

“It’s not a supplement that does damage to your body if you take the right dose,” Smart said.

“Too much Creatine, they don’t know what the long term effects are. It’s like anything else that you take too much of. It can harm you.”

Smart said that he takes Creatine in a powdered supplement every two to three months.

“You have to take it in cycles,” he said. “Otherwise you’ll take too much of it, and when you get off you’re muscles will shrink.”

Although Creatine has been researched for 15 years, the long term effects of its use are not known. However, Smart said he has experienced some of the short term effects. “It dehydrates you,” he said. “You have to drink about twice as much water. You don’t take it during season. If you do, your joints will get brittle.”

Side effects such as these are what bother physical education teacher and football and track coach Tom Barbieri. “I worry about what it will

do to them later on in life,” he said. “I think (Creatine) is something we’re not sure of yet.”

Math teacher and football coach Brian Baird also strongly opposes Creatine use. “The FDA doesn’t regulate Creatine,” he said. “So anyone can say they have Creatine in a product, but you don’t know how much of it.” Baird added that Creatine can be psychologically addicting and cause further issues.

Smart agrees. “Supplements are more of a mental thing,” he said. “Once you’re on something, you feel like you have the extra boost.”

Creatine’s popularity extends out of high school and into college and professional athletics. “I talked to college coaches about (Creatine), and they don’t do a drug test for it,” Smart, who is considering playing football at Olivet or Adrian College, said. “Some colleges hand it out like candy. Legally they’re not allowed to, but they suggest it.”

And Creatine is legal for high school athletes to take while all other steroid supplements are not.

But even though Barbieri said steroids are not an issue at Dexter High School, he said coaches are on the look out for usage. “We try to keep an eye out for it,” he said. “If someone is on steroids, we try to get them help.”

Barbieri said the athletic code would also be enforced. “They have to abide by school rules and will be suspended for two weeks because it’s an illegal substance,” he said of steroid users. “Our philosophy is we want people to do it with hard work.”

Baird agrees with Barbieri. “People want to buy muscles,” he said. “They want to buy the perfect body. We don’t want to work for it. You don’t need Creatine. People have been building muscles naturally for hundreds of years.” *name changed to protect identity