0607-1

September 29, 2006 - Volume XVII - Issue 1 -

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

Squall THE

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY BUT WE’RE NOT TELLING YOU WHICH IS WHICH WHAT’S NEW IN ‘06 - pages 8, 9

In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.

- Albert Einstein

Scheduling conflicts:

Senior captains:

The fanfare:

Students with no classes spend up to a week in the cafeteria

Team captains give their breakdowns for the season

Students show their support by attending football games

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page 10 page 6

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New! Check out The Trickle, a sarcastic and comedic collection of ... things

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Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

news Credits required for graduation to increase

Fixing schedules: Counselor Kristie Doyle works with senior Katie Daratony in her office. More than 400 students did not have complete schedules to start the school year.

Michigan Merit Curriculum put in place, more years of core subjects will be needed for graduation Scott Sarver staff writer

Signed into law April 20, the Michigan Department of Education developed new high school graduation requirements that will affect this year’s eighth graders.

The new requirements, known as the Michigan Merit Curriculum, include many changes and additions to high school graduation requirements.

The only current graduation requirement set by the State is one semester of civics or government.

In order to receive a high school diploma, students will need to complete four years of math and English, three years each of science and social studies, and one year of physical education and visual, performing, or applied arts.

The new policy will also allow students to alter requirements, such as the physical education or applied arts requirements, in order to meet special college admissions requirements. The Department of Education also plans to add a requirement of two years of a foreign language for the class of 2016.

According to a report released by the Department of Education, these changes have been made because, “many subjects and skills once though optional have become essential for all students to enter college or the workplace.”

The State requirement of visual, performing, or applied arts is good news for band director Gerald Woolfolk. “This requirement gives a balance to our curriculum,” Woolfolk said. “Music and fine arts are a part of our everyday lives.”

The Department of Education’s report agrees, saying, “High school students who study the arts earn better grades and scores.”

Counselor Gerry Holmes said, “The increased rigor of the graduation requirements for the class of 2011 and beyond is a positive direction overall.” Holmes said colleges are concerned that more and more high school students are taking remedial courses in college. “Right now,” Holmes said, “American companies are having to hire from outside the USA for many positions because our own workforce doesn’t meet the standards.”

When the new requirements take effect, the number of open hours for students to take elective classes will shrink, and this leads to concern over how much room will be left for students to take elective classes.

Many options are being considered by the staff and administration, including changing the way the day is set up at the high school. “I think that some of this (concern) can be averted by going to an alternative schedule such as a block schedule to increase the number of options for students,” Holmes said. “A block schedule is being seriously considered by our district, but it will take a few years to implement.”

photo by Ryan Winchester

Student scheduling conflicts clog up the counseling office Issues with previous master schedule transition into student, teacher schedule problems Rachel Moir staff writer

Consider, for example, the plight of certain English students. On the first day of school, what teacher Andrew Parker There are fewer chairs than people as students mill around the counselors’ of- thought was a Mythology class filed into fice waiting for their schedules to be fi xed. his room. When he welcomed his new puWith almost 400 student schedules to ad- pils, he was met by confused stares. They just, counselors and students have had to were there for British Literature.

“I was shocked and a bit upset,” Parker spend a lot of time there. said. “But I knew we “I worked the whole could work someweek before you kids It’s worse than it’s thing out to get stucame to school,” coundents learning.” selor Gerry Holmes ever been this year, He wasn’t the only said. “I came in four but it won’t be this one with that preadditional days prior bad next year.” dicament.

English to that, working on the Teacher Ellen Doss, schedules.” All that, -Gerry Holmes, who taught Brit Lit and into the second in the past, ended up week of school there counselor with Parker’s former are still wrinkles to be Mythology post. ironed out.

The two teachers There have always figured they’d just been a couple of problems come the semester’s start, but this switch, but software and technicalities year, the number of students without kept it from being that simple. Instead, each student’s schedule had to be changed working schedules is staggering.

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individually.

“I was pretty angry,” senior Catherine Palowski-Ehnis, who was originally placed in Parker’s class, said. “It’s not very easy going into a class a week later, and I was really worried I would have to get my schedule totally rearranged.”

With 400 fellow students feeling the same effects, the question as to why things are so backed up this year has come up more than once.

“We got going late last year,” Holmes said. “We should have got going much sooner . . . (former Interim Principal Jim Bannan) went on his timeline for the master schedule, and to be quite honest, the master schedule was imperfect to start with.”

Bannan did not respond to multiple e-mail requests for comment.

But despite the year’s numerous difficulties, Holmes has hope for the future.

“It’s worse than it’s ever been,” Holmes said. “But it won’t be this way next year, and it won’t be this bad in January.”

Fast Facts • The cause of the scheduling problems is errors in the master schedule.

• Almost 400 students had an open spot in their schedule at the beginning of the year • Students in Andrew Parker’s Mythology class and Ellen Doss’ British Literature class all had to be switched.

• School counselors began working on fixing schedules before school started

Michigan Merit Exam planned to replace MEAP Free version of the ACT, two core curriculum tests to make up the the new test Ryan Aliapoulios staff writer

The MEAP is being replaced with the ACT and two other tests covering core curriculum under the name of the MME or Michigan Merit Exam. All juniors will take the MME this year because the state legislature and department of education decided it was an improvement over the MEAP. “With the MEAP, there was no incentive besides the $2,500 scholarship for doing well on it,” Principal William “Kit” Moran said. “With the ACT, it’s much more relevant, since it’s looked at by colleges which gives kids more of a reason to take it.”

Dexter is not alone in this change. “The change is going to be made statewide,” Moran said. “Basically, it was too difficult to pay. The state had to administer the MEAP, code the MEAP, grade the MEAP, and it all costs money.

Now, the state pays the ACT college board, and they handle it.”

For counselor Gerry Holmes, the change hasn’t meant much extra work. “There wasn’t much difficulty for us switching over to the MME,” Holmes said. “Seventy percent of Dexter students already go on to four year college, and 20 percent go to two year programs, and they all take the ACT, so making everyone take

it isn’t a huge change.”

Students, however, have varied opinions about the switch.

“I hate all bubbling and timed tests,” junior Amanda Atkinson said, “but I liked the money bribe (for the MEAP) and knowing it didn’t affect your grade. I guess it was good that they were checking up on us, but the MEAP never seemed all that important.”

Junior Joel Snider, however, said that he was pleased with the change.

“The MEAP wasn’t a good test,” Snider said.

“I don’t like being forced to take a test when there was no incentive to me besides making some money. I can make money other ways.”

Snider said that the test is better when it is more helpful for college. “The ACT is needed to get into most colleges,” he said, “and we’ll actually be judged on it, so instead of it benefitting the school, it benefits yourself.”

Moran also said that the change will be more beneficial.

“The question was, ‘Do colleges even look at this?’ ” Moran said, “and the answer was no. I think now it will give students a boost in confidence when their scores get sent to colleges and they get letters back.”

Holmes also said the change is good for students. “It will encourage more students to go to college who hadn’t thought about it,” she said.

“On the flip-side, there are still the 10 percent of students who wouldn’t normally take the test, and that’s my only concern.”

And the new test is harder than the MEAP, Moran said. “There’s no question, this is going to be a brutal, mind-numbing test,” Moran said. “But There’s no question, it’s all done to give students a test that colleges this is going actually care about, and to be a brutal, students can still get the mind-numbing scholarship.” test.”

Holmes said that even more money may be available with the MME. “I -Kit Moran, think Governor Granprincipal holm is still trying to get it passed,” Holmes said, “but students would be able to get more money on the MME. They would be able to obtain $2,500 for doing well on the ACT or the two other tests, and an additional $1,500 after one year of successful college.”

Unlike the PLAN, the ACT is scored out of 36 as opposed to 32, with a national average of 20.8 in 2002. The test has been tentatively scheduled for March 13 with the two additional tests yet to be scheduled. “All of our plans depend on if the state passes the proposal. If not, we go to Plan B,” Moran said with a laugh.

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Friday, September 29, 2006

Veteran teacher returns Kirby Fisher has returned to the Mill Creek staff after retiring in 2003. Fisher spent much of the last few years substituting in Ann Arbor. He was one of the district’s longest employed staff members before retirement as an eighth grade math teacher. He was a teacher for 32 years, 28 of which were in Dexter, starting back in 1975. “I guess I felt like coming home,” Fisher said.

“I don’t teach anymore. I do what I like best now, and that’s being with kids.” Fisher returns to the staff as paraprofessional.

Busch’s moves to new location Change affects community members as well as students Rawlin Myers staff writer

separate retail stores totaling to 18,000 square feet, by a 6- 1 vote. For reference, Dexter is growing and the latest name Country Market is 42,000 square feet.

According to Dexter Village President Jim added to the list of strip mall merchants is now Busch’s, a local grocery favorite. On Seta, a new front facade constructed of brick Sept. 13 the old downtown location was will also be added with more glass windows closed and the new location across from (38 percent total to be exact, the current building has around 15 percent). Canopies Country Market opened the following day.

While a relief for Busch’s fans who have will also be added for the windows.

Construction is scheduled for late Seplong awaited a larger, more modern store, tember or early Octhe fate of the old lotober, but none of the cation remains a mysstores had been leased tery.

I like the new out at the closing date. ”I didn’t even know Rumors of a Stucchi’s what is was going to building, but a part have circulated, but the be for a while,” senior of me will always Squall can neither conJustin Fegtly, a Busch’s remain at the old firm or deny. employee said. one.”

Seta also said the new Although the shopping center as well downtown Busch’s as the new library, set to often suffered criti-Justin Fegtly, be constructed next to cism concerning its senior the Farmer’s Market on small size and overall Alpine Street, will keep appearance, the locacustomers and patrons tion was by no means coming to the downtown area, even with unpopular.

“I was always digging on the free sam- businesses moving to more strip-mall like locations such as Country Market. ples,” senior Dan DeWaele said.

And for employees like Fegtly, Busch’s However, the building is slated to be remodeled following Busch’s relocation new location is an exciting, but slightly bitBusch’s never owned the downtown build- tersweet experience.

“I like the new building,” Fegtly said. ing, it was leased.

After a Sept. 11 meeting, the Village “But a part of me will always remain at the Council OK’d plans for changing the build- old one.” ing into a “town shopping center” with six

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rR d.

The educational project for homeless youth is accepting donations to supply homeless students in Washtenaw County with school supplies.

The group helps 250 to 300 students in the area. School supplies such as backpacks, binders, notebooks, pens and pencils, scientific calculators, scissors, crayons and gift cards for stores where such things are sold (Meijer, Target, OfficeMax) are all needed. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Education Project for Homeless Youth Office, 1819 S. Wagner Road, P.O. Box 1406, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. For more information, contact Peri Stone-Palmquist by phone at 994-8100, ext. 1518, or by e-mail at pstone@wash.k12. mi.us.

The Road from Old to New:

ntr

al

St.

Kensington St. Inverness St.

Grand St.

IDEAS FOR THE OLD BUSCH’S • Zap Zone • Ja Rule shrine (that one guy who sang “Livin’ it up,” you know) • Correctional institute for freshmen • World’s smallest Sam’s Club • Strip Mall (mall of strip clubs) • ATL roller rink From the mind of Rawlin Myers

Da

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oe

yR

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Ryan Dr.

The New Old Busch’s Looking ahead: The former Busch’s building and surrouding area will be made into a strip mall.

Asst. principal's absence puzzles many

Glynn's departure an enigma, disappointment to a lot of students Lisa Ritchie staff writer

NHS hosts blood drive A blood drive, sponsored by the National Honor Society, is happening in the band room all day today.

NHS hopes to reach their goal of 50 pints of donated blood. Senior Chantel Jennings said she and the other blood drive chairs have been busy organizing the event, including signing up donors and obtaining food donations from local businesses. “One pint can save three people’s lives,” Jennings said. “It’s a really noble thing to do. You get free food.” Donors must be at least 17 years of age. Appointments can be scheduled in the commons during all three lunches.

Ce

Edison St.

Social studies teacher's father is a well known musician History teacher and men’s cross country coach Jaime Dudash’s father appeared on multiple nationally televised programs this summer.

Stephan Dudash is a five-string violist who has performed with the likes of Olivia Newton-John and Shania Twain. Recently, he appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The View” backing up David Lee Roth. “It’s pretty exciting to have a parent who is recognized at the highest level,” Jaime said. You can check out Stephan and his 2004 Latin and jazz album entitled “Mango Django” on his website, stephandudash.com.

Broad St.

Dover St.

Ba ke

Education project accepts donations

news Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd.

The Squall news BRIEFS

• Former assistant principal Andrea Glynn

This summer Andrea Glynn, former assistant principal, unexpectedly left the Dexter High School job for the same position at L’anse Creuse High School in Harrison Township.

Glynn had been a German and social studies teacher for six years in the Dexter district.

She then was promoted to assistant principal full time at the high school, and had served in that capacity for two years.

Her plans changed though when she learned that she would be forced to take the split assistant principal position, spending 60 percent of her time at Mill Creek Middle School and 40 percent of her time at Dexter High School.

“She wasn’t wild about it,” Principal Kit Moran said. “I think her real passion is working with high school students.”

Glynn said leaving Dexter High School was difficult but something she felt she needed to do.

“I wanted to grow, and this was a better opportunity for me to do that,” she said.

Glynn said she’s happy at L’anse Creuse but misses Dexter High School students very much.

At L’anse Creuse she said she does more paper work than watching the halls.

Many students were surprised and sad- out on not knowing her.”

Senior Kelsey Dubay said she will always dened when they learned Glynn was not comremember Glynn for how she helped mediate ing back to Dexter High School. ”I was really bummed,” senior student between students and last year’s Interim Principal Jim Bannan. school board representative Ali Warr said.

“She related to what students were going “I really loved that woman. She was so sweet, you could really tell she cared about her through,” Dubay said.

“She’s also way nicer than Mr. Bannan.” students.”

Superintendent EvWarr’s mom, Charlene, a elynn Shirk said she did substitute secretary at DHS not want to comment on also misses Glynn.

You could tell she why Glynn was forced to “To me Ms. Glynn was was there for the change positions or why very thoughtful, very kind, kids, and she would she left, saying, “If you and very encouraging to evdo whatever it took want to know why Ms. eryone,” Charlene said. to see the kids Glynn left, you really need “I was really sad because succeed.” to ask her.” you could tell she was there Glynn, however, refor the kids, and she would -Charlene Warr, fused further comment, do whatever it took to see saying, “I don’t want to the kids succeed.” substitute secretary get into this whole thing.

Science teacher and stuI want to leave with some dent council adviser Jesdignity.” sica Kreeger said that she But for whatever reason wished Glynn hadn’t left, she understands why she made the choice to she left, many students and staff say they will miss her. do so.

“She had a wonderful rapport and when the ”I’m really sad to see her go,” Kreeger said, “but I think it was a positive thing career-wise. students had problems they could go to her,” It’s sad, but you just have to be happy for her. science teacher Cheryl Wells said. “I think she Students who haven’t met her are going to miss will be greatly missed.”

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Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

feature

Discovering the

Dreadnaught Phil Huddleston, Junior Hunter Lyons staff writer

Usually junior Phil Huddleston would be known for his work on the soccer group of guys for two and three years.

That has translated into chemistry that some believe is the reason this seafield or his performance in the classroom, but in the last few weeks he’s been know for the boy that , well, doesn’t look like a boy. He has been mistaken for son has been so special.

“The team is doing well this year,” Huddleston said. “Playing well always a teacher, a parent and even a lumber jack. makes it more fun.”

His beard, or “The Beard” as it’s commonly reBut some believe that the winning doesn’t just have to ferred to, has become the phenomenon of not only the He’s not as sexy. do with hard work and the dedication that the team put in soccer team but the whole school. over the summer.

“I’d do him,” senior James Nati said. “It adds masWhen I see him now The team decided that this year they wouldn’t shave culinity.” it looks like a part of until they lost a game, and since it’s recent success, HudAs hard as it maybe to believe, Huddleston was him is missing.” dleston has grown quite a stache. not always the grizzly looking fellow he is today.

“I love it.” senior Andrew Martin said.

He spent five years of his childhood in Germany -Margot Parin “Phil is one of the few people in the school that can acwhile his dad worked for Ford. tually grow a beard so its nice to see.” senior “It was different,” Huddleston said. “I liked it, but And though most like the beard, some are curious it was just different.” about it.

Even though it was tough moving back in sixth Junior Thomas Endler, for example, has questions grade, one thing did give him comfort. about the beard, “I wanna know what he’s hiding in that “I met (junior) Ryan (Aliapoulios) when I was living in Germany,” recalls Huddleston. “He moved here two years after I beard,” Endler said. “It’s a true mystery.”

According to Huddleston though, “I can’t say what I’m hiding. It will be did.”

Huddleston, whose hobbies include listening to Ben Folds, said that revealed at a later date.” But since the Dreads crushing loss to Ann Arbor Piohe wanted to help Aliapoulios out when he got here because he knows neer, the beard is now gone, and student have show their disapproval.

“He’s not as sexy,” senior Margot Parin said. “When I see him now, it looks how hard it can be.

“It’s hard moving anywhere, let alone another country,” he said. like a part of him is missing.”

And though the beard is now gone, Parin said she will never forget it. “Phil But as Huddleston moved here, he found a common interest with brought sexy back, and now it’s gone,” she said, “but no one will ever forget the many kids from Dexter. Soccer.

He was the only freshmen to make varsity and has been with this month of the beard.”

By:

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Favorite Ice Cream:

Favorite Song:

Favorite Movie:

cookie dough

B------ ain’t s--by Ben Folds

Anything Mary Kate and Ashley

Favorite Drink:

Favorite TV Show:

Favorite Car:

Mountain Dew

Family Guy

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Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

Summer trips give students good memories

Students find a wild summer adventure in islands, mountains, deserts Heather Siller staff writer

Whether its the journey or the destination, students enjoy vacations. On trips during Winter Holiday, Spring Break and Summer Vacation, a lot of students head to Florida or maybe the Upper Peninsula.

But there are students who break the mold of the typical trips and go on alternative vacations.

Junior Brittany Gilbert is one of these students who made an American adventure in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore, an American Memorial that depicts the faces of former Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

“I was like, dang, those are big rock faces,” Gilbert said.

Indeed they are big at 60 to 70 feet high per head, carved out of the Black Hills from a height of 500 feet.

Although visiting giant granite carvings of long dead

presidents may be fascinating, a tropical experience was nice for Junior Kelsey Lau. Lau had a tropical experience on the Hawaiian Islands.

“I went because the post cards were cool, and it is a part of America you don’t see,” Lau said about her cruise around the islands.

“Hawaii was beautiful. The people were nice and really talkative. I’d want people to go to Hawaii because it is a part of America that is neglected.”

Lau said.

For those who don’t have the courage to spend their vacation on a series of volcanic islands, there is always an enjoyable desert excursion.

Junior Sophie Ritsma enjoyed her desert excursion in Kenya and Egypt.

“There were guys walking around with camels to rent,” Ritsma said. “We rode camels to a village where we blew up balloons for the kids, Africa was an important vacation because it was my first time

Saddle up: Junior Sophie Ritsema prepares to ride a camel while visiting Africa this summer.

Ritsema also travelled to Egypt as part of this trip.

Photo courtesy of Sophie Ritsema

out of the U.S. It was cool to see the culture and the animals there.”

“Taking a vacation for students is important because you get out of the rat race.”

Gilbert said.

From an American adventure to Mount Rushmore, a tropical experience to Hawaii, and a desert excursion to Africa, theses students broke the norm vacations and had enjoyable times in enlightenly usual places.

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I went beacuse the post cards were cool, and it’s a part of America you don’t see.”

-Kelsey Lau, junior

Backpacks with wheels hit the halls Austin Shapiro managing editor

Weaving through the halls with her bag in tow, junior Marcia Grace heads for her next class. But rather than a traditional shoulder backpack, Grace wheels her books in a wheeled backpack.

These bags, which look much like a rolling suitcase, are becoming increasingly popular among students with lots of books to lug around.

Grace said she uses the rolling bag as a means for more leisurely transporting her books. “I’m lazy, so it’s a lot easier to just drag everything behind me then to have to pick up a big, heavy bag every time I want to go somewhere,” she said.

However, it’s not always peaches and cream rolling down the hall.

“People sometimes kick (the bag) over or stick their foot under the wheels so it flips,” she said. “I just try to ignore them because it’s not worth getting worked up over.”

And sometimes the nuisance is self-inflict-

ed. “I’m really clumsy so sometimes I trip on style backpack can be detrimental to students it or kick it over. I’m not really sure how I kick health. “The younger you are, the more risk an overweight back poses,” Dr. Alan Boyce, a local something that’s behind me, but I do.”

For Grace, the conversion from a traditional chiropractor said.

“A high school student who weighs 150 style backpack or a shoulder tote bag began at the start of last year. “I first switched to the roll- pounds should only carry a bag weighing at ing bag last year,” she said. “One of my friends most 45 pounds, and if the child is younger then had one, and she kept tellthe ration should decrease.” ing me how much easier it “Carrying an overweight was to get around school, bag can cause stress to your so I started using one.” spine, hip sockets and abDespite Grace’s high dominals,” Boyle said.

They get in my praise of these wheeled “Although a rolling lugway and roll over sacks, not everyone is so gage style bag is an improvemy toes.” complimentary. ment, kids still have to pick up the bag to carry it on the “I hate those bags,” -Nick Field, bus or walking down bumpy senior Nick Field said. roads.”

“They get in my way and senior As Grace reaches her desroll over my toes.”

Field even imagines tined point, she parks her bag next to her, handle raised, lashing out on the bags.

“Whenever I see one of them I just wanna rip ready and waiting to continue on her journey, liberating herself and others from the tyrant off the wheels and chuck them down the hall.”

Despite Field’s hatred for the rolling bags, back aching grasps of the traditional backpack. it’s proven that an overweight traditional

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Weird celebrity deaths of the past

10 celebrity deaths hit Hollywood in both freakish and mysterious ways

Kelsey Shultz entertainment editor

The unusual death of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin brings up the question: how many celebrities have died in obscure ways? It turns out quite a few. Some have had either horrible luck or just lack of intelligence. Here are the top 10 freak celebrity deaths.

1. Sherwood Anderson (writer), 1941: Of course no students have heard of this man, but back in the day he was a top notch writer. Unfortunately for Anderson; he was not able to distinguish between food and inanimate objects. He swallowed a toothpick at a cocktail party which resulted in peritonitis, a life-threatening infection of the abdomen.

2. Al Capone (mobster), 1947: And how did Capone die? Gunned down? In jail? Oh no, he died of syphilis. Way to have unprotected sex, Capone. Karma’s a bitch.

3. Owen Hart (WWF wrestler), 1999: First, wrestling is completely fake. So there was

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his number one mistake. Then Hart decided to lower himself by a cable into the arena. The rope snapped, and he fell 70 feet to his death. Apparently he’d been slammed on his head too many times, resulting in a lack of brain cells to realize that his spectacular entry was not a good idea.

4. Isadora Duncan (Actress), 1927: Again someone the student body has never heard of but her death is interesting. She was strangled by her scarf when it got caught in a car wheel. Exactly how long was that scarf?

5. Pope Johann XII, 963: He was beaten to death by the husband of a woman he was having an affair with. Ironic and funny. Laugh. You know you want to.

6. Keith Relf (Musician, The Yardbirds), 1976: Relf took the sex, drugs, rock and roll thing a little too far because I’m going to assume that he was wasted when he decided to play his electric guitar in the bath tub.

7. Karl Wallenda (aerialist), 1978: At 73 he fell from a high wire he was walking across in

between two buildings. Why would you walk on a high wire at 73? Seventy-three year olds can barely walk. He was egging death on.

8. Salvatore “Sonny” Bono (singer), 1998: Although he was a beloved singer and performer, he was not endowed with skiing skills.

Bono crashed into a tree on a run. Usually you try to avoid those. Maybe if you’re falling, you should throw yourself the opposite way of the tree’s location. Just a thought.

9. Michael Findlay (horror film director), 1977: In horror movies the characters are killed in the most abnormal ways like a helicopter decapitating them. This time it was the director who was actually decapitated by a helicopter blade. Oh, the irony.

10. James Dean (actor), 1955: Dean’s flashy life was cut short when he hit an oncoming car after passing a truck going 100 mph in his Porsche Spyder without a seat belt on. Good actor. But stupid. If only he lived he could’ve acted in those “Buckle up, it’s the law” commercials. If only.

With social studies teacher Jaime Dudash

By: Scott Cambell Q: If you had to eat any Pokemon alive, whom would it be?

A: Well, I don’t any of them, and I don’t eat what I don’t know.

Q: I have a titanium box in my car, the contents of which you can never know. Does that make you angry?

A: No. Q: How high can you jump?

A: (spreads his arms, like he’s caught a fish “this big” and says nothing) Q: What does Marsellus Wallace look like?

A: An Alabama death row inmate?

Q: You know what I’ve always wanted to do?

A: What?

Q: Moving on, where in the world is Carmen San Diego?

A: On a beach chilling with Matt Lauer.

Q: Can you eat six saltine crackers in one minute?

A: That’s not physiologically or humanly possible.

Q: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

A: Charlie.

Q: Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right. Am I stuck in the middle with you?

A: I’m not a joker or a smoker or any of the other things along those lines.

Q: Did you ever watch “Fraggle Rock”?

A: Oh yeah. I did partake in Jim Henson’s underground puppet show on HBO or whatever it was on.

Q: Dragonforce? Yay or nay?

A: If it’s related to Dragon Ball Z, then OK. Q: Finally, the plague. Deadly disease or fatal virus?

A: Population reduction strategy.

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Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

entertainment THE TRICKLE

will be a monthly installment to The Squall.

The Trickle could be just about anything: a picture, a fun fact or a little story.

This issue, put the following puzzle together.

Good luck.

Four DVD's that you should own Sean Wallace staff writer

“Groundhog Day”. Director: Harold Ramisa. They have yet to come out with a good DVD of this movie, but it’s so good it doesn’t matter if there are special features or not. Seriously, you should watch this movie at least once a year. This was Bill Murray’s heyday. Bill Murray is now doing movies like “Life Aquatic”, “Lost in Translation” and “Dead Flowers”. The world took a loss in its comedic movie vaults when Bill Murray went to do weird movies that aren’t even that good (except for “Life Aquatic”, but that’s a comedy). If you need a refresher course on classic comedy, buy this DVD as soon as you finish reading this.

The Features: None really, except for the insane amount of replay value this movie gives you.

“Sin City” (new version) Directors: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino Wow, if you haven’t already seen this movie, then you’re probably living in Malaysia. This movie is amazingly entertaining. If you want to see Hobbit-turned-murdering psycho or Jessica Alba in general, buy it. If you don’t know, the movie is in black and white, but it has selective color in each scene. This allows the viewer to fully appreciate the color that he is allowed to see. This film actually has a story line and can keep your interest for more than five minutes, unlike some movies. Most new movies try to use cheap, fast-paced camera angles that force you to be confused as to what’s going on.

The Features: With the new DVD, you get features like two full-feature Commentaries, the individual stories uninterrupted, extended edition of the film and a crap load of behind-the-scenes nonsense. Get it. Bruce Willis says so.

“Robot Chicken”. Directors: Douglas Goldstein and Seth Green. Oh, Seth Green. How people have underestimated your ways to make the public laugh. From a not-so-evil genius to an evil genius, you have grown in to your actor wings and have soared. Sure, you had a sitcom that didn’t go over so well. Who hasn’t? You had a couple movies that were only mediocre. So what? If that’s what it takes to make the inner-workings of “Robot Chicken” work like it does, then so be it. The show’s sketches are so fast-paced sometimes you will not remember why you were laughing. Your gut will hurt, but you will never be able to tell why. That’s why, when you buy the DVD after you read this, you can re-watch every episode. Immerse yourself in the depths of comedy in this action-figure, stop-motion series on cartoon network’s Adult Swim. The best thing about this DVD is the show itself featuring voices from the folks at “Family Guy” and Seth Green himself.

“Lost”. Directors: J.J. Abrams, Jeffery Lindelof, Damon Lindelof. It’s gonna set you back a little, but come on. Look, I know some of you don’t like “Lost”.

Well, certain people say you do. No, they seriously mean it. Prove them wrong after watching the 24 episodes (or at least the first few episodes in order). Not only are the episodes 41 minutes long on average, but they have one of the biggest bonus discs for a TV show ever. Not to mention Lost Season Two. They’ve got even more. People are always saying, “Oh, ‘Lost’, yeah. I watched that. I saw a couple episodes, and it didn’t really make any sense. It was weird.” This conversation happened centuries ago. “Oh, a ‘Tale of Two Cities’. Yeah, I read chapter 12 and 22, but it didn’t really make any sense. It was weird.” Try watching the show in order, you may just enjoy it.

Some of the features: Four Commentaries, The Genesis of Lost, Before They Were Lost: personal stories and audition tapes, Welcome to Oahu: The Making of the Pilot, Lost: On Location, On Set with Jimmy Kimmel, Backstage with Driveshaft, 13 deleted scenes, and bloopers from the set.

New shows to look forward to this fall

Rachel Moir staff writer

• “Heroes” on NBC Take a scoop of drama, borrow some “Lost” flavoring, add sprinkles of “X-Men”, and you might end up with “Heroes”, the new NBC drama that gives ordinary people extraordinary powers. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, the “Heroes” gang seem to be more focused on why they can do these things and stopping some unspecified threat than donning tights and battling villains with similar fashion sense.

Premiered Monday, Sept. 25 at 9 p.m.

• “Jericho” on CBS “Jericho” takes the same concept of isolation that characterizes “Lost” and give it a different twist. Instead of being on an island, the show’s cast is stuck in a Kansas town. They’re alone after witnessing multiple H-bombs pepper American landscape. Wondering if they’re the only people still alive, they begin to experience the all the expected paranoia and drama.

Premiered Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.

• “Ugly Betty” on ABC Did you go to see “The Devil Wears Prada”? This comedy takes the movie’s concept and runs. The title character is an unfashionable girl who works at a fashion magazine. Betty apparently gets the job because she’s the only girl her new boss won’t sleep with right away. Being a standard “player,” he has issues accepting her, but eventually she wins him over.

Premiered Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.

• “Studio 60" on NBC “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”: It’s a TV show about a TV show. “Studio 60” doesn’t hide the fact that said television show is “Saturday Night Live” under a different name. The show “Studio 60” is getting stale. The studio brings in two miscreant directors to revive it. Brought to you by some of the guys who did “The West Wing,” look for drama and,we can hope,hilarity Premiered Monday, Sept. 18 at 10 p.m.

New Laguna Beach season debuts who move on to college. Unlike the FOX series “The O.C.”, “Laguna Beach” doesnʼt have to introduce new characters or create In a small beach side town south of Los unforeseeable plot twists to stay fresh beAngeles sits Laguna Beach, an upscale resi- cause the characters make their own stories.

“They have these glamorous lives that dential area where, thanks to MTV, there seems to be constant drama between the high make Dexter look lame,” senior Heather school students in the town.

Bradshaw said about why she finds the west Premiering in 2004, coast so riveting.

Many other Dexter “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” folstudents also feel like They have these lowed the lives of teenthey can relate to some glamourous lives agers living in this town. of the characters on the that make Dexter The show was full of show. look lame. “ back stabbing, drama and Senior Colin plenty of hookups: all the McAweeney, for iningredients necessary for stance, said, “I think Heather Bradshaw , a hit reality show.

Iʼm most like Tray, besenior Since “Lagunaʼs” precause I have good style, mier, it has gained a huge but people say I look following and also set up like Cameron from three new seasons.

Season 3.”

Each year the show introduces a new class Many of the commercials aired during the of seniors as well as keeping track of those show are directed towards women, so should Josh Ball staff writer

“

Women’s Basketball Freshman: 5:30 @ Creekside JV: 5:30 @ DHS Varsity: 7:30 @ DHS Tuesdays and Thursdays

men be watching this show? “Itʼs OK as long as girls are present (while watching),” McAweeney said.

After the first season of “Laguna” came Season 2 and then “The Hills”, which followed the showʼs original star Lauren/L.C. as she entered fashion school in Los Angeles. The latest season (Season 3) is just a few episodes in and already has rival cliques and cheating between couples.

However, there are some people who dislike the idea of watching other high school studentʼs lives on TV. “All the kids on the show are too rich and spoiled,” senior Alex Taheri said.

Carl Burhop, also a senior, is annoyed by the show too. “Iʼm the only person that seems to notice itʼs all just a fake, animated show,” he said, “All the plot lines are based off every teen drama ever written.”

There are still many loyal fans though, McAweeney among them. He said, “Laguna isnʼt for everyone, but people watch it to see how the better life lives.”

Laguna Beach facts • The new season is narrated

by Tessa.

• It has all new characters.

• Season four has already begun filming.

11

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

Dexter graduates participate in college sports Caitlin Henderson staff writer

Hard work, emotion, heart and skill push Dexter graduates Jenny Cowen and Jeff Ziegler, to succeed in college sports.

What used to come easily, playing time and respect, is now something that has to be proven to their new teammates each and every day.

When Cowen and Ziegler headed off to school in the beginning of August, their emotions ran high, anticipating what to expect from their upcoming seasons.

Once settling into their new home, after only a few days of rest, their preseason conditioning began. Both said the conditioning was much harder than in high school sports.

“The conditioning is more serious than in high school,” Cowen said. “You make it as hard as you want it to be.”

Z ieg ler agrees, adding that all the I will just keep hard work is working hard all worth it in the year.” end to run out on the field and be part of such - Jenny Cowen, an amazing freshman at Hope team.

Although College Ziegler and Cowen are still trying to prove themselves, they said they have had great experiences with their college teammates on personal levels.

“They were all very welcoming and made me feel comfortable right from the start,” Cowen said.

She also says playing with most of the team over the summer made her very confident going into the whole situation as well.

And Ziegler likes his new teammates too. “The team was a lot of fun,” he said.

All the time they spent together on and off the field made him more comfortable and also gave him a chance to know the players on a more personal basis.

Both said the biggest difference between high school and college sports is the speed at which the game is played.

Having to think faster, be physically quicker, and anticipating constantly takes time for new college athletes to get used to.

Cowen said it’s a big struggle and can be what makes or breaks them.

Although this is a completely new level of play, both athletes are working their hardest to stay right up there with the best.

Cowen also said the strength difference is huge between high school and college.

Going from being a senior in high school, and being a very strong player, to a freshman in college with girls who are stronger than he is difficult.

The freedom, to fail or to succeed, lies within their own hands.

Although both said that the freedom given to them in college is their favorite thing, this is also what could allow them to become one of the best or fall below.

Also, they both explained that when you are in college, you are on a team where everyone is good.

You have no room to slack off and not be on top of things all the time.

One mistake could cost a player that starting position he/she have been working for all year.

The coach won’t hesitate to fill your position with someone else striving for it who is just as good.

“I will just keep working hard all year,” Cowen said.

“

sports

Fall sports

Photo by Ryan Winchester

The football team lines up against the Lincoln Railsplitters. The Dreadnaughts won 26-2.

Photo by Rachel Moir

Junior Brittney Batell winds up at tennis practice. Batell plays singles.

Women’s cross country

Men’s water polo

• Last year’s record- 8-2

(Ranked seventh in Division 2) • Key returning players- Jesse Vickers (Sr.), Ellen Riehle (Jr.), •Melany Mioduszewski (Sr.) • Fun fact- New coach Kate Jazwinski ran cross country for the University of Michigan and in 2000 was named U of M women’s varsity athlete of the year.

Men’s golf

• Last year’s record- 4-6 without tournaments (Lost in Regionals) • Key Returning Players- Kirk Kumbier (Sr.), Karl Kumbier (So.), Robert Spiegel (So.) • Fun fact- To get psyched before the game, team members bring in speakers and crank out loud music.

Photo by Rachel Moir

• Last year’s record- 18-0 (Lost in regionals) • Key returning players- Brent Muse (So.), Don Knight (Jr.), Hunter Lyons (Jr.) • Fun fact- The whole varsity team sings in the team van prior to every match. Junior Don Knight generally leads the song.

Women’s tennis

Junior Celia Kuzon dribbles down the court as point guard. Kuzon scored four points against Pioneer.

Women’s basketball • Last year’s record- 12-10 (Lost in district final) • Key returning players- Chantel Jennings (Sr.), Heather Bradshaw (Sr.), Adie Heyne (Sr.) • Fun fact- Prior to last year, their first in Class A, the team had won four district titles in a row.

Women’s swimming

• Last year’s record- 6-4 (Lost in regionals) • Key returning players- Krystyna Taheri (Jr.), Rosie Lee (Sr.), Lauren Spears (Sr.) • Fun fact- Claude Wilcox is the new varsity coach after 13 years with Wendy Holmes at the helm.

• Last year’s record- 13-2 (Finished second at state meet) • Key returning players- Adrienne Woods (Sr.), Ally Daily (Sr.), Jessie Boren (Jr.) • Fun fact- The team picks a theme to dress up for on the day of every meet.

Equestrian • Last year’s record- 2nd, 2nd, 1st (placing in meets) • Key returning players- Becca Koch (Jr.) Kayla Foster (Jr.), Shannon Powers (Jr.) • Fun fact- All of the team’s meets are held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

Mens soccer ranked third in state poll Senior captains James Nati, Robert Kuzon, CJ Burhop, Kriss Petrovskis lead the way Brent Muse staff writer

Nothing prepares an athlete more for the 80 minute grind of a soccer game than running up and down sand dunes at Waloon Lake at team camp.

“Team camp is a good way to bond with the new players,” junior Mike Silvasi said.

Dexter is ranked third in the state for Division Two as of Sept. 18.

According to Silvasi, the chemistry is great this year, mostly because of team camp.

During the summer the varsity team goes to Waloon Lake to practice soccer and get started before the season.

According to coach Scott Forester, this year’s pre-season was cut back to only a week long.

They lost three seniors due to graduation last year, two of which

But most of the team was unwere starters.

The team was very young last derclassmen and inexperienced last year, with only three seniors and year, according to sophomore Ryan Lemasters. mostly sophomores and juniors.

Senior capAccording to tain James Nati Forester, the seagrees, “It is niors are stepeasier for our ping up and • They like to show each team to score the juniors are this year and getting more other their junk at practice our offense has experience and • Ranked third in Division improved,” he talent.

Two said.

After beat• They use the term Silvasi adding cross town “sexual deviancy” a lot ed, “We are rival, Chelsea, • James Nati keeps a red well rounded and a strong paint ball in his boxers on and we have a Huron team, game day for good luck deep bench this the team year.” played against Source: interviews with team According to Pioneer, at members Lemasters, the home, Losing only weakness 1-0. Last year they have showed Dexter tied the so far are the penalties for over the Pioneers in a close game.

The Dexter team went as far as back and being a little too rough.

Forester said another drawback the regional semi finals last year.

Mens Soccer Facts

is the team only has 16 players who are eligible, when most of their opponents have up to 20.

“Our biggest challenge for the season to come is to keep the players healthy.” Forester said.

Silvasi said, “If we beat Pioneer and then get a win against Saline, we would have a good chance to be number one in division two.” Both Saline and Pioneer are in Division One. After playing at home against Pioneer on the 19th, the next game for the team is at Saline.

This year they finish off the season with Lincoln on Oct. 12.

But before getting to Lincoln, they have to play Greenhills and Chelsea, both away, within two weeks.

Working together, the team has only lost one game so far and say their future is looking bright.

Lemasters said, “We have great chemistry this year and our team is very dedicated in season and out.”

Buy a 20062007 yearbook in room 407

12

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

columns The government helps us avoid obesity, thanks

opinions editor

E

accountable for our own actions. However, by ilve destroyed paradise for Adam. Julia Rob- legalizing “Super-Sizing” and holding food manuerts removed prestige from the phrase, “And the facturers responsible for the country’s abundance Academy Award goes to . . .” Johnny Cochran ru- of tub, what message are we really sending?

The federal government struck a deal with soda ined things for citizens of the free world who enjoy seeing murderers go to jail. And now, fat people companies to illegalize the sale of non-diet beverages in school. are ruining things for me.

This deal was made after soda companies exI ventured down to the cafeteria on the first full day of school, unaware of the grisly fate that lay pressed their concern over being sued by fat people. ahead of me.

Yes, there are people worthless enough in our I started off by heading through the general lunch line, careful to avoid eating the hot mess I great country to consume mass amounts of calosaw lying atop the scoop full of rice. (I believe it ries until they (shockingly) become an amorphous blob and then sue the respective companies that was called, “stir fry”?)

I opted to grab a slice of pizza instead. I paid contributed to their morbid obesity.

That’s akin to a heroin addict suing his dealer for my food and headed for the snack bar in order after an overdose. to purchase a beverage and Obesity may technically be other delectable lil’ treats. referred to as a disease by “doc“And what would you like A disease is not a tors,” but they are hideously to drink?” said the lunch wrong. lady with a forced smile. choice, nor is it the A disease is not a choice, “Gimme all yo’ Coke, result of excessive nor is it the result of exbish!” I replied, in my usual cessive Hostess Cupfashion.

Hostess Cupcake cake consumption.

“Is it OK if it’s diet?” she consumption.”

Fighting our unassumingly asked. country’s weight “Hell to the no!” I replied, epidemic should foaming at the mouth. not be a matter Instead, I chose the of national conhealthy alternative of Arizona Iced Tea, a caffeinated beverage with 210 cern. It should be up to individuals. calories.

It is inappropriate to restrict The federal government made a genius move by eliminating regular pop from school. A 20 ounce everyone from the ephemeral cup of Coke has nearly 350 calories in it! Those pleasures of junk food and pop beextra 140 calories are undoubtedly the difference cause of other people’s life decision to eat like a homeless orphan at Old between morbid obesity and cheerful health.

I accepted my Coke-less fate, ordered two cook- Country Buffet whenever they please.

Our country’s mantra has changed from ies, a Rice Krispie Treat, and Pop Tarts (all very healthy foods; kudos on keeping these, whoever “The Land of the Free” to “The Land of the Free to made that logical executive decision) and went to Blame Others for our Own Problems.”

The whole of Dexter High School owes the fedeat my lunch.

As the day progressed, I discussed this edible eral government a collective showing of gratitude for their pop-intake decision. dilemma with lovers and friends.

Thank you for removing the looming cloud of How is it that we, healthy and relatively skinny people, can be punished for other’s lack of self- doom the threat of obesity has put over my life for the past 17 years. The threat of cancer from diet control?

We live in a society where we are taught to be pop should add an extra spring to my step.

“

editor-in-chief

TSA's red flagging of names doesn't impress me

copy editor

Gary Brolsma Sucks

G

ary Brolsma sucks.

You might not know him by name, but I’m sure you’d recognize him if you saw him waddling down the street.

He’s the fellow from the “Numa Numa” video on YouTube, sitting in his rollie chair, headphones, glasses and chin bouncing in unison along with O-ZONE’s dancefest “Dragostea din Tei”.

It was my understanding that he was ashamed of himself following the release of his amateur-quality web cam video featuring dance moves that, thankfully, hid the majority of his mass.

But apparently not. Floating around the Internet is a brand new Numa video, now set to a pseudo-remix of the original song. Something is lost in the process, however. This one loses all the charm and novelty of the first.

It begins with the telephone ringing. He sits up, getting in his workout for the afternoon at the same time, and answers.

“Alo?” he asks, referencing the original song’s opening lyric. On the line is a woman, roughly 28, ecstatic that she is talking to the Numa Numa guy.

“Could you please do another Numa video?” she screams in a banshee-esque fashion.

He pauses for a moment, his sub par acting shining now, and responds, in a vaguely contemplative manner, “Another Numa video. . .”

A thought bubble promptly appears above his head. In it, Brolsman and three friends of his, none of whom look older than 15, dance like idiots. I’ll spare you the details of the other three and a half minutes of bad lip-synching, stupid dance sequences and boring camera angles.

Instead, let’s delve into the thought process behind this video, which ranks just above “Matrix: Reloaded” on the list of all-time crappy sequels.

Clearly, the only reasoning behind a travesty on this level is that Brolsma is an attention-craving harlot, devoid of any self-confidence or motivation to do something to contribute to society in any way save for Internet movies to satisfy those with low standards for humor and even lower standards for how to use their time.

Now I can understand people making stupid videos with their friends to get “kicks” or “thrills” or whatever else kids call it these days. But there are rules to be followed. You can’t make a movie, upload it and hope to attain recognition and popularity on the level of the Star Wars Kid. The reason the original Numa video was such an Internet hit was because it was simple. Just a fat dude dancing to Romanian techno. This newer one is trying too hard to repeat the appeal of the first, which was appealing only in that we could come together as a single people and laugh at him.

That is the point of these viral videos. To laugh at other’s humiliation, pain, personal health choices, embarrassment, or just the subject in the video getting generally owned. The nine second clip of a woman punching her daughter’s teacher in the face is a personal favorite of mine.

I guess what I’m really getting at is that I would love to punch Gary Brolsma in the face for his petty attempt at another round of mild Internet notoriety.

“

I‘m sure you’d recognize him if you saw him waddling down the street.”

Other Useless People

I

don’t know about everyone else, but I think our national plan for security is severely flawed.

Sure, the American executive branch has tightened security in airports and has started to tap our phones and figure out what we are looking at on the Internet, but in reality I don’t think it would be hard to get around all that.

First of all, this whole “red flagging” names thing is stupid. The concept of marking names as suspected terrorists just seems very unintelligent.

For example, Andrew Martin, which happens to be the name of a senior here, is a red flagged name.

A 6 foot, 140 pound red head with millions of freckles is stopped trying to get on a plane because his name is flagged.

I don’t know, but I didn’t really think the Al Queda was really doing so much overseas recruiting.

But the government isn’t really that intelligent, and it is not so difficult to deceive them by looking more American.

So I have a few tips to try to look more American or, at the least, less deviant and get yourself through the screening process.

One, remove all facial hair. Saddam, Osama, Fidel, Stalin and Hitler all had facial hair. These

are most likely the five most infamous anti- Jackson on yourself, minus the creepy nose and Americans. child molesting and stuff.

To George W. that means if you have facial If you can just get your skin a few shades lighthair, you are also a threat to national security. er, that would be great.

The concept seems stupid but so is George The downside is you might have to dye your Bush. So just clean it up a little. You can keep hair because like I said, the lighter the better, and the burns though. with the lack of sunlight your hair is bound to Change your name. I am fairly sure that this darken up a little bit.

Finally, try wearing some pro-America clothis how screeners choose their “random” search victims at the airport. ing like a red and white tieSo with a nice American dye shirt with a big Eagle name, The Department of in the middle of it, or “God Andrew Martin, Homeland Security would bless America” or somewhich happens never know what hit them. thing.

Chris is a pretty good one, Try to have pictures on to be a the name your shirt representing your or Paul maybe. Try to stay clear of the Muhammads or patriotism. of a senior here, Sharooqs.

That way, if the words is a red flagged That is a dead give away. are too complicated for Obviously there is no way that President Bush he will still name.” somebody could have those get the idea. names and not be a terrorist.

In no way am I supporting terrorism, I just think Right?

If you change your name, that the American governthen the chances of having to ment can think of a more go through that device that blows air on you de- efficient way to weed the terrorists out of the creases by over 75%. crowd.

Third. Stay inside for a couple weeks. The But if you happen to be a terrorist reading lighter your skin, the better. this, I am just kidding. I like you just the way In fact, you might even want to go Michael you are.

“

• Louis Anderson His brief stint as the uninspiring host of “Family Feud” marked his only notable time in the national limelight • Fred Durst Blowing up boats is cool and all, but when you head a band called “Limp Bizkit,” you’ve lost the game • Jack Thompson This man doesn’t begin to define the word “toolbox”. His crusade against all things pixelated is purely unfounded and infuriating • Kevin Federline No language heard by human ears has words to properly explain why he’s a form of matter at all

13

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

S D A RE

D

in the hall Q:What do you think of the stricter enforcement of the iPod and cell phone during passing time and lunch?

“I think it’s overkill.”

-Matt Logan‘10

“They shouldn’t care about cellphones or iPods in the halls at all. They should allow it sometimes in class if it’s not disrupting anyone.”

-Stan Baldus‘09

“I don’t think they should ban them in the halls because it’s not bothering anyone.”

-Meridith Braicault‘08

“It’s a ridiculous rule in the halls because passing time is your time. I’ve already gotten in trouble for it.”

-Heather Bradshaw‘07

“I think it’s a good rule because they are a distraction, and students often have a difficult time realizing when the bell rings and that class has started.”

-Andrew ParkerEnglish teacher

editorial THE ALL

THE

Squall

SQUALL CALL

New school policies are pointless

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Robert Kuzon

MANAGING EDITOR:

Teachers and administrators have begun enforcing rules banning iPods and cellphones in school during lunch and passing time.

They also have begun to crack down on the tardy rule. While well intentioned, The Squall thinks the new rules are pointless and counterproductive.

What good is it to not allow iPods in the hallway? When students listen to their iPod, they just walk quietly to class.

Another person, without an iPod, who is walking and talking loudly may instead be trying to talk to all of their friends at once or clogging the hallway. Why administrators and teachers would rather have choice two is baffling.

Although the no iPod rule says students are not allowed to have iPods during class, some teachers allow them after tests or while a student or working. This is a reasonable accommodation as some people work better with music and are able to stay better focused on assignments.

The fact that we can’t text anyone during passing time is pointless as well. How can someone cheat on a test if they are in the hall or in the lunch room?

And the logic of the new tardy policy needs some work too. This year a student receives a detention after their third tardy, a Saturday school after their sixth and an out

of school suspension after their ninth, which is much more strict than last year.

Detentions are bad enough, but Saturday schools are dreadful to have to wake up and endure. Who wants to spend a Saturday morning in school or have to explain to their parents that they’re suspended for being tardy a couple of times? Parents probably won’t believe their students because this is such an absurd rule.

On the other hand, teachers and administrators think students will be less distracted from school if they are not allowed to take out their cellphones or iPods during passing time and lunch. And iPods can become a distraction to those others who are still working.

And we know the tardy rule is meant to get more students to class on time. And administrators know we are more scared of a Saturday school or an out of school suspension than a couple of hours chilling in a room with a parapro.

The question let unanswered is, “How is an iPod in the halls affecting learning?” Students with an iPod aren’t bothering anyone. So why should we have these rules?

The point is that the new or newly emphasized rules are pointless and counterproductive.

Administrators and teachers should do us all a favor and revert to the way the policies were last year.

Austin Shapiro

EDITORS FEATURES: Katie Fricke ENTERTAINMENT: Kelsey Schultz NEWS: Sydney Ross OPINIONS: Frank Dufek PHOTO: Maria Brundage SPORTS: Celia Kuzon DESIGN: Kim Wiesner COPY: Scott Campbell

MANAGERS ADVERTISMENT: Katie Johnson

STAFF WRITERS Ryan Aliapoulios, Josh Ball, Kyle Boren, Michelle Chirby, Scott Crompton, Conor Daining, Caitlin Henderson Jake LaRosa, Hunter Lyons, Rachel Moir, Brent Muse, Charlie Pettit, David Pisano, Lisa Ritchie, Scott Sarver, Heather Siller, Krystyna Taheri, Sean Wallace, Ryan Winchester AD DESIGNERS: Spencer Ryan CARTOONIST: Luke Altomare

ADVISER:

Rod Satterthwaite POLICY:

The Squall is distributed monthly to 1,186 students and is estimated to reach 4,744 people with each issue. The Squall is printed by The Owosso Angus Press in Owosso MI, and produced by the fourth hour newspaper class.

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 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 WEB SITE www.thesquall.com

14

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

photostory

Crowded enthusiasm: Students stand to watch the Lincoln game on Sept. 9. “It was sweet,” junior Katie Young said.

“We were close to moving into the parent section because the student section was so big.”

Photo by Ryan Winchester

Showing some skin: Seniors Rob Kuzon, Matt Brand and James Nati take to painting themselves to support the team.

There are three home football games left this season, including homecoming on Oct. 20.

Football fans show their support Charlie Petit staff writer

D

“It was fun to watch. It’s good to see the football team doing well.”

-Breanne Svhira

Center stage: Junior Nathan Magyar performs for the crowd at halftime.

“I just like performing in front of a crowd,” he said. “It’s fun being part of the band, but it’s fun being featured also.”

Average seating capacity at Al Ritt Field:

1,900

Average crowd size at home games this year:

4,000

uring the week Al Ritt field looks like a lonely, abandoned place. On Friday nights it is filled with Dexter Photo by Ryan Winchester students screaming their heads off supporting their team.

And even though the football team hasn’t had great success recently, that hasn’t stifled any fan support.

“We’re into the games,” freshman Dan Flowers said. “The whole (student) section is up with the team cheering them on, no matter if they are winning or losing (the game).”

And for junior Mikey Adams, the team’s most dedicated fans are “definitely the students because we get crazy and go wild in the stands.”

Any other time of the year Dexter High School students would be scattered across the area, but during football season many students join together to support their football team.

“They are crazier, with the paint on their bodies and their loud cheering,” senior Monica Sachdev said, comparing Dexter fans to other school’s fans.

Traditionally, cheerleaders help get the crowd involved in the game. But Dexter fans are known for not needing any of their cheerleader’s help in order to get involved in the game according to junior Marshall McNabb. “Nobody pays attention to the Photo by Ryan Winchester cheerleaders (at the game), (extreme Dexter fan, 2004 graduate) Rob Beachamp gets the fans pumped.”

Students feed off each other in order to keep the noise and the fun going throughout the entire game, and referee’s calls are constantly ridiculed by students in an attempt to give the team that extra edge.

“It’s fun to do all the chants,” freshman Cole Burgess said, “because most people in the stands play a sport, and know that fans pump the team up.”

Number of home Gallons of paint Dexter football is a tradition in the comgames left this year: needed to paint the munity and every fan who shows up is aplines on the field: preciated by the team.

Junior Mike Swager said, “Anybody who can come (to the games) and cheer the team on ( is urged to come) because it helps so much.”

Photo by Ryan Winchester

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8

7

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

reviews ‘Little Miss Sunshine’

‘Terry Bs’

Luke Altomare cartoonist

‘Gravity Won’t Get You High’ Ryan Winchester staff writer

The best way to describe this band would be to imagine candy being shot out of amplifiers into a crowd full of people dancing, much like the lead singer onstage.

For those who require something a little more specific, The Grates are a poppy, indie-garage rock trio from Australia who combine the female lead vocal styling of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs with the bassless garage sound of The White Stripes, along with the occasional keyboard or horn section for a surprisingly excellent style all their own.

The Grates are Patrice Hodgson (lead vocals) John Patterson (guitar) and Alana Skyring (drums).

They all have artistic talent, so they make all their shirts, posters and all album artwork.

Their global debut album, “Gravity Won’t Get You High,” comes off as 40 minutes of pure fun with very few dry spots. The album starts out a little rough with “Won’t Survive,” slow, short and uninteresting track. But, it kicks up from there, all the way until the end, concluding with a modest ballad of sorts, “I am Siam.”

A few tracks in comes “19 20 20,” a horn-infused two minute long track, so catchy you’ll wish it lasted much longer. This was the first single off the album and definitely one of the highlights of the album.

Even their slow tracks, such as “Rock Boys” come off as something special. When such a highenergy band sits down for a stronger piece and doesn’t become stale or boring, their song writing talents shine through.

The real shining jewel is in the middle of the album, “Science Is Golden.” This is a perfect blend of Hodgson’s vocal talent, as well as some very catchy riffs from Patterson, combining for almost three minutes of pure bliss.

As the album winds down, you’ll find “Sukkafish,” a slower, genre defying track, complete with a banjo and fiddle that somehow fits perfectly with distorted guitar and a slow beat.

They are currently touring in Europe and Australia, and were in America earlier in the month for a few dates. They have been promoting the album for the past few months, and plan on continuing to do so for awhile, but no plans for more dates in America have been announced.

This album is one of the best of the year. You need to add this album to your collection, end of story. It’s available on iTunes for your legal music downloading pleasure, and if you aren’t sold on the entire album, at least give “Science Is Golden” a listen. You’ll really enjoy it.

Grade: A

If there’s one thing “Napoleon Dynamite” taught us, it’s that independent films can be bizarre. Such is the case with “Little Miss Sunshine.”

“Little Miss Sunshine” is a tale of adventure, relationships and coming of age. It stars Steven Carell, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, Toni Collette and Abigail Breslin.

It begins with Sheryl picking up her gay brother Frank (Carell) from a mental hospital, after he tries to kill himself after losing his boyfriend and job to his biggest rival. Frank’s taken home to meet the rest of the family.

The family includes father Richard (Kinnear) who hope for success by promoting his self-help method, the Nine Steps. Son Dwayne (Dano) has sworn an oath of silence until he gets into the Air Force and communicates by writing on a notepad.

Grandpa (Arkin) is the heroin addict who coaches young daughter Olive (Breslin) on how to win a child beauty-pageant, Little Miss Sunshine.

The family must all pile into a yellow VW bus to drive Olive across the country in order to compete in Little Miss Sunshine. The family must battle with strained relationships, tragic loss and physical obstacles in their trek and when they arrive at their ultimate destination.

The plot is depressing, disturbing and amusing.

It’s filled with memorable moments, such as Grandpa’s simple yet profane philosophy on how to live life, Olive’s dance routine for the pageant, strange encounters with state troopers and pageant workers and the unsettling Little Miss Sunshine pageant itself. The family’s stubbornness to proceed in the face of adversity ultimately leads to an optimistic ending for the characters.

Carell delivers a professional performance that differs from his more outgoing roles like in “The 40Year-Old Virgin” and “Anchorman.” His portrayal of the complex and depressed Frank exhibits his skill as an actor.

Colette gives a convincing performance as the stressed-out wife Sheryl, and Arkin is hilarious as the lecherous and profanity-spewing Grandpa.

Kinnear fits as the jerk father whose philosophy on winners and losers, and how you’re either one or the other, drives the rest of his family to the edge.

Dano excels as the apathetic son Dwayne who has little tolerance for the oddities of his family members. Breslin does an A+ job, giving an emotional and convincing presentation of Olive’s fears, insecurities and inner strength.

“Little Miss Sunshine” is an entertaining experience that portrays characters who anyone can identify with as they work through their problems and make it to the end.

Grade: A

Rawlin Myers staff writer

‘Nectar in a Sieve’ Maria Brundage photo editor

“What will there be for you, my youngest, my baby?” her mother asks, holding her face in her hands. Married at 12 to a poor tenant farmer, Rukimani creates a family against a backdrop of changing rural India in the novel “Nectar in a Sieve”. Author Kamala Markandaya writes her heart-wrenching story with striking prose.

For nearly 10 years, Rukimani and her husband live in their mud hut, enjoying a modicum of prosperity and many children. Anecdotes, such as an encounter with a cobra, bring the farm setting to life.

However, change comes to Rukimani’s small village in the form of a large tannery. It brings many outsiders to the village and affects the villagers for the worse because of inflation. Rukimani finds her family fighting starvation while their supplies and money dwindle.

Eventually, the idyllic family peace breaks. Her eldest sons leave the farm to work for the tannery, despite Rukimani’s misgivings. When they are replaced after failed bargaining with the owners, they leave again for the Ceylon tea plantations.

Her daughter Ira, after her husband leaves, becomes a prostitute to keep her family alive. It is seemingly in vain, as her youngest brother dies of starvation.

It is a depressing tale, and even the happy parts come despite incredible hardship and heaviness. But despite this, it is a tale of incredible hope and perseverance.

No matter what she is faced with, Rukimani refuses to give up her hope, clinging to her noble values even as everyone around her compromises them.

The quote from a Coleridge poem from which the book’s title comes succinctly sums it up: “Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, and without hope an object cannot live.” Rukimani consistently “draws nectar” from the few happy moments her life can provide, and it sustains her for the novel. Without hope, the nectar would run through the holes in the sieve, lost forever.

Markandaya’s writing shows vivid detail for all the senses, even for the simplest facets of rural life.

When Rukimani pounds red chile peppers, one can hear the sound of the mortar hitting the pestle, smell the acrid red powder and feel her eyes stinging.

The prose itself is simple and taut, helping to convey the stark realities of starvation, poverty and utter desperation, but also the joys that Rukimani finds through her hope.

“Nectar in a Sieve” is a striking story of hope that will leave your heart aching. You will feel like crying, but you will also feel the ridiculous urge to smile for Rukimani and her stubborn hope.

Since the closing of Tuscan House, Dexter diners have been kept in suspense as to what the next establishment will bring. Will it be Italian? Will it give me food poisoning? These crucial inquiries have all been answered with the recent opening of the American bistro themed Terry Bs. Upon entering, diners find the open layout and a generally pleasant, rustic atmosphere. No cramped corners, loud music or triple digit temperatures.

Also, mint toothpicks are available, a key trait to an excellent dining facility.

The staff was courteous, meeting thank yous and bad jokes with “you’re welcomes” and fake laughs.

Several students from DHS work at Terry Bs, so there is always the opportunity for a quick conversation concerning the perils of high school and the new Pharrell album.

After being seated and perusing the menu, I decided on the watermelon glazed ribs, which were a little steep for the average broke high school student at $18. Most of the other items, while extremely appetizing, were also of a similar price. As I waited for my food, I discovered the other detail of the restaurant that caught my attention, the tables.

Normally this wouldn’t be a big issue, but for the average human with average sized arms, the tables are far too small. There is a very small lane to work with when you eat, and if your wrists/hands leave this lane, your scalding hot dish will end up getting knocked off the table and possibly onto the feet of a passing waitress or fellow diner. And nobody wants that.

The food arrived shortly (21 minutes later to be precise; not too bad for 6:30 on a Friday night), and amazing it was. The ribs came with some side dishes, nothing special, just some beans, vegetables and bread.

The ribs were very enjoyable, with just the right amount of sauce and a robust flavor that lingered in my mouth for quite some time.

However, the rest of the meal was merely acceptable. The bread didn’t even rank close to Olive Garden breadsticks. And, of course, the meal ended with a classy mint toothpick.

Overall, the experience was very enjoyable. Terry Bs would make a great casual date/homecoming destination, saving you a trip to Olive Garden or Chuck E. Cheese for that big date.

So if you’re looking for some great local dining and can overlook the high prices and small tables, there’s only one name you need to know. And that is Terry Bs.

Grade: B+

Grade: A

Finding Carl By: Rawlin Myers

8

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

the spread

Some new folks around the school ...

•

Has taught for nearly 30 years

•

•

Favorite music is Jimmy Buffett

Least favorite class is Lit. & Comp

•

Favorite teacher is science teacher Beau Kimmey

•

Degrees from CMU and EMU

William Moran

Nate Shaw

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Enjoys rap music

•

Favorite book is “The Notebook”

•

Graduated from EMU

Kristie Doyle

Evolution of the tardy policy ...

s ’ 0 7 9 1

• Students received a pink slip that got sent to the office for each tardy.

• After three pink slips, the office would give the student a detention.

• Each quarter, students were allowed nine pink slips before they received an out of school suspension.

• The class in which the student received the tardy did not matter. A student could get up to six tardies in one day (one per class). Each tardy would count toward a student’s allotment of nine per quarter.

New grading, attendance system integrated for DHS

S ’ 0 8 9 1

PowerSchool allows parents and students to view grades and attendance records from any computer Sydney Ross news editor

In order for parents and students to keep up with grades and attendance, Dexter Schools has switched to PowerSchool and PowerGrade made

by Apple to help students and parents keep track of their work in school.

Richard Weaver, director of technology for the district, says he knew PowerSchool would be a good choice for Dexter. “Most likely, all schools are going to change to PowerSchool soon enough,” he said. “Already there are 7000 plus schools that use it and all schools in North Dakota have already become accustom to it.”

The program itself is fairly new, but Dexter Schools are not the first to try it out. “We we’re trying a new system for this year’s grading and PowerSchool seemed like the right choice,” Weaver said. “We’ve started using it, and it has been great.”

PowerSchool is a web-based program that shows students grades, attendance and even notes that their teachers write about them.

“PowerSchool has public and private notes,” Weaver said. “The public notes are for everyone to see, but the private ones are for you, your parents and your teachers only to see.”

That means that this year parents, students and teachers will be able to communicate using a program that shows everything from grades to attendance for the year.

“People seem to like it and there hasn’t been many complaints,” Weaver said. “If we find something that people don’t like, we work on it and fix it to make them happy,” Some students have mixed feelings about PowerSchool though. “I think that it kind of sucks,” senior Kerry Brower said. “Having my parents

knowing when I’m late and everything about my homework and grades is annoying, but I guess its better than having them e-mail to each other all year.”

Junior Don Knight agrees with Brower. “I don’t want my parents to see everything because they’ll probably end up getting mad at me,” Knight said. “I really don’t want them seeing my tardies because I’m tardy a lot, and they always get mad for that.”

But teachers seem to like the program. “I like it,” English teacher Ellen Doss said. “I’m not exactly sure how it all works right now, but I’m looking forward to working with it more and learning more about it.

Eventually once students and parents understand how to use it, then it will be less stressful for us as teachers.”

American studies teacher Zach Lindke said he is willing to learn about PowerSchool and thinks that it will work well. “Right now, it’s confusing and no one really knows how to use it, including students and parents,” Lindke said. “But once we learn everything then I think it will be good. It’s way better than the old grading system, and I like this more because students won’t try to lie about assignments and parents won’t be in the dark like they could’ve been before.”

Students who are worried about their attendance or grades are going to have a hard time lying this year, though, and that bothers Knight and Brower. “It kind of sucks because I think more kids will be grounded more often because of grades and now they can’t lie,” Brower said.

Knight agrees. He said, “My parents are going to like PowerSchool probably more than most parents because they can check up on me and make sure that I’m not lying about my grades and my attendance. It kind of sucks.”

• PowerSchool is a web-based program that allows parents and students to view grades, attendance records and even notes the teacher has written about the student • Over 7000 schools already use powerschool Information provided by Richard Weaver

Game On: New assistant principal Molly Sharrar wears a football players jersey in support of their game against Bedford.

“Getting to see the high school students again after a few years has been wonderful,” Sharrar said.

• The only penalty was one detention for every three tardies.

• Tardies did not count against a student’s class credit or number of allowed absences.

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Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

the spread

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Likes The Fray and Kanye West

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Favorite teacher is health teacher Shirley Bitters

Degrees from MSU and CMU

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Moved from Garden City

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Favorite music is Elliot Smith

•

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Enjoys watching “Six Feet Under”

Likes Dexter.

“It’s a quiet little town,” she said

Tim Authier

Ashley Soares

s ’ 0 9 9 1

•

• Three tardies resulted in a detention and a phone call to the student’s parents.

• Three tardies counted as one unexcused absence.

• 12 unexcused absences in a class gave a student an E for that semester of class, so a student could fail a class with 36 tardies.

Sarah Shenck

s ’ 0 0 0 2

Sharrar becomes assistant principal for Mill Creek, DHS Conor Daining staff writer

Saying it was a good time to make the move both for her and her family, former Mill Creek science teacher Molly Sharrar has take the job as part time assistant principal at the high school.

Sharrar says she always saw herself as a teacher long before she became one. “I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “But I also thought about going to medschool (pediatrics) when people tried to talk me out of teaching because there were so few jobs.

I decided in my third year of college I really wanted to be a teacher and stayed with it. I’m glad I did. It has been a very rewarding career for me.”

Sharrar said the lesson is that following your dreams does result in good things and money really has nothing to do with it.

Sharrar graduated from Eastern Michigan and got her masters degree, then received a second masters from Walden University.

Sharrar said she was a hard worker, even when she was a child.

She describes herself as “smart but quiet” as a child, and she said she was “involved in NHS, German Club and volleyball,” at Dexter High School when she graduated in 1985.

Sharrar said she wants to contribute to the high school in many ways: “I am not out to change things,” she said, “but will assist with changes that All photos by Ryan Winchester and Sean Wallace

the staff, students and administration agree upon,”she said.

She is not planning to change many things which she considers the same style as the previous assistant principal Andrea Glynn.

However, she said “every administrator is different and has their own style, but I hope to be a positive resource with whom people feel comfortable and can approach.”

Sharrar said she enjoys many things about her job as assistant principal. “Getting to work with so many great staff members and students. Getting to see the high school students again after a few years has been wonderful,” she said. “I also like to get into classrooms and see the creative things our teachers do on a daily basis.”

But she says she also misses many things from her old job as a science teacher including the day-to-day interactions with the students.

While Sharrar works many hours as an assistant principal, one of the interesting features of the job she said is “working the teachers that taught me.”

She has also spent time modeling wedding dresses and teaching jazzercise.

Many students seem to think that Sharrar will be an important contribution to the school. Senior Matt Sanchez said, “She acts like she knows her way around and that she has been here for many years even though it is still her first month here. It’s like she knows exactly what she has to do to be a good principal.”

Senior James Nati said Sharrar seems like a student-oriented principal who will get along well with everyone. He said, “She seems nice in many areas.”

Sharrar agrees that her relationships with students is important. She said, “It’s very important for principals to have a positive rapport with students and let them know we care about them as people, even though we may have to issue consequences due to the nature of our jobs. I hope we have more positives than negatives.”

• Three tardies result in one detention.

• Two detentions result in a Saturday school.

• Two Saturday schools give a student a suspension anywhere from one to 10 days depending on the student’s tardy record.

New staff show side rarely seen Scott Crompton staff writer

Lisa Travis Q: What classes do you teach?

A: Academic support. I teach kids skills they need in order to succeed.

Q: What were your previous jobs?

A: I worked for DHS a while ago, then I took off time to be with my kids, and now I’m back.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Bachelor’s degree from University of Dayton; Masters from University of Louisville; working on specialist degree from EMU. Q: What’s your favorite movie?

A: “National Treasure”

Karen Walls Q: What classes do you teach?

A: I am a teacher consultant which is a type of special education teacher.

Q: What were your previous jobs?

A: I’ve taught for 10 years at elementary school and alternative high schools in Kentucky.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Florida State University.

Q: What’s your favorite movie?

A: “Radio”

Matthew Close Q: What classes do you teach?

A: French II and III, not Drama.

Q: What were your previous jobs?

A: Taught French at Greenhills High School.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: I majored in French and anthropology at University of Michigan.

Q: What’s your favorite movie?

A: “I Heart Huckabees” and “Shawshank Redemption”

Misty Noble Q: What classes do you teach?

A: Women’s Choir, Concert Choir and Jazz Choir.

Q: What were your previous jobs?

A: Taught choir at South Redford HS for nine years and at Vandalia HS in Ohio for one year.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Got my undergrad from University of Miami (Ohio) and my Masters at University of Michigan.

Q: What’s your favorite movie?

A: “Waiting for Guffman”

Tracy Stahl Q: What classes do you teach?

A: Sociology, Psychology and World History I Q: What were your previous jobs?

A: I taught for five years at Wayne Memorial High School.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Bachelors at Western Michigan, masters at U of M. Q: What’s your favorite movie?

A: “Something’s Gotta Give”

10

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Squall

sports

Fall Sports Captains On Their ‘06 Season (All records/ranks as of 9/20/06)

Johno Wilson- Mens water polo Q: How will this season compare to last?

A: We’re a much better team this year.

Q: What are your crucial games?

A: Okemos and Seaholm, because if we beat them, we can go to states.

Q: What is your record?

A :4-2

Mike Cripe- Mens golf Q: How will this season compare to last?

A: It will be better because we have better team chemistry.

Q: What are your crucial matches?

A: Saline. They’re really good.

Q: What is your rank?

A: 8th in the state.

Kelsey JohnsonWomens basketball Q: How will this season compare to last?

A: We have a lot of new people, but we’re coming together well.

Q: What are your crucial games?

A: Chelsea, always, and all of our SEC games.

Q: What is your record?

A: 3-3

Rosie Lee- Womens tennis Q: How will this season compare to last?

A: We have a lot of freshman.

Q: What are your crucial matches?

A: Chelsea and Greenhills.

Q: What is your record?

A: 2-6

Amanda DelhiWomens cross country

Ally Daily- Womens swim and dive Q: How will this season compare to last?

A: We’re going to win states and we’re more like a family this year.

Q: What are your crucial meets?

A: Milan, but we already won it.

Q: What is your record?

A: 4-0

Q: How will this season compare to last?

A: We’re better this year.

Q: What are your crucial meets?

A: All the jamborees and SEC. Q: What is your record?

A: 2-0

Dexter football program on the rise Krystyna Taheri staff writer

Hundreds of sprints, hundreds of reps and hours at practice. According to the captains, these are the elements that make this season’s varsity football team something to boast about.

And many of the captains have great expectations for this season.

“Making playoffs, and that’s what’s happening,” senior co-captain Brian Hubbard said. Along with making playoffs the other captains said they hope to make history. Last year was the first time in 16 years that Dexter football had a winning season.

“We expect another winning season,” senior captain Colin McAweeney said. “We are beginning a tradition.”

The tradition they expect to create is to have a winning season.

“Having a winning season is a realistic goal,” senior co-captain Johnny Benjamin said. “We can do it with out teams hard work and effort.

You can expect more wins to keep the season rollin’.”

“We have better team unity and a solid defense,” Hubbard said. So while many students said they saw last year as the golden year, a mere lucky fluke, the captains and Coach Tom Barbieri said last year wasn’t a fluke but a coming of a tradition. In fact, Barbieri said this year’s team has benefited from last year’s. “This team learned from last year and now know how to do things better,” he said.

But what is it that makes this year’s varsity team click so well? Is it the coaching? The deep bench? Or their overall strength?

Barbieri said the team’s strongest weapon is simply being a team.

“We play as a team,” he said. “We are pretty balanced offensively. We

can run and throw. We have a good kicker and our defense works as it fun at the same time,” Hubbard said.

This seems to be the consensus for all the team captains. “We have a unit.”

The kicking duties are shared between seniors Kriss Petrovskis great coaching,” Benjamin said. “I have learned a lot from the coachand Alex Taheri. Taheri handles the kick offs, extra points and small- es. They take a lot of time and study films all day to help us learn form our mistakes.” er yardage field goals, while Petrovskis takes on McAweeney again agrees. “The coaches put in the challenge of the long distance field goals. a lot of effort,” he said.

Last year, Petrovskis made a school record 43 I wouldn’t call it a One of the things the captains say they enyard field goal. joy most is knowing they have the strength and Senior captain and quarterback Johnny Benteam. I’d call it a wisdom to win a football game. “It feels great jamin agrees saying, “My offensive line is our family.” to know all the hard work on the off season has weapon, and our defense is strong.” paid off,” Benjamin said. “We have something Many of the players also said one noticeable to prove now. Other teams have to respect us change from last year is the team chemistry.

-Johnny Benjamin, now.”

“We have great team chemistry,” Benjamin said.

Respect is another rewarding feeling that this “We’re just tight. We always back each other up senior captain and team finally has achieved. “Dexter football has and have a ton of fun.” quarterback also been the underdogs and an easy win for McAweeny agrees. “Our team chemistry is most teams,” Hubbard said. excellent,” he said. “It is better then I have seen This year’s team quote is, “We have something in years.” to believe in … team.” Benjamin takes this motto Hubbard says the same thing. “Our team even further, “I wouldn’t call it a team. I’d call it chemistry is one of our greatest strengths. We a family,” he said. stick together,” he said.

With two games under their belt, the football captains hopes Having team dinners is one of the ways the team bonds and builds their chemistry. “Just all being in the locker room together gives us to end with a strong. “We are only one third of the season through and unity,” Benjamin said. “And having many of my teammates sing in the we have two thirds left to finish off strong,” coach Barbieri said.

For his part, Benjamin said, “The best part about winning, is winlocker room really gets us pumped.”

According to many players, another factor that plays into the team’s ning as a team.” success is the coaching staff. “The coaches get the job done and make

“

Mens cross country running for the gold Team has high hopes for 5th straight state title, currently ranked second in the midwest

Jake LaRosa staff writer

Expectations are high for the men’s cross country team, as they aim for their fifth straight state championship title. But can they hold up to the pressure?

Senior Dan Jackson is more than sure of it. “I’m not worried about our competition at all,” he said. “We’ve beat them before, and we’ll beat them again.”

But for some members of the team, the pressure is sometimes overwhelming. So they are working harder than ever to live up to the hype, including attending a running camp in Montana.

“Camp was a lot of hard work,” Ryan Neely said. “We had to battle the elements every day, but the end results were faster times and a bonded team.” Looking to make strong performances this year are sophomore Jason Bishop, junior Bobby April and seniors Ryan

Neely and Dan Jackson. In fact, Bishop is what rival teams such as Pinckney are doing. ranked as the #1 sophomore in the state.

“We don’t tend to worry too much about Head coach Jaime Dudash, who himself was an All-American runner, said, “The key the stats of other teams,” he said. “We have our own goals to focus on. The only to our success is consistency thing we need to concentrate on this in the off season. Dexter early is getting into shape.” runners put in the summer And for senior Andrew Martin, miles, and that’s what counts this focus will pay off in one goal: come fall. “This is the early a fifth straight state championstages of our season, so we ship. “We own states,” Martin said. start off with strength train“There’s no way we won’t come back ing. We do lots of hills and without the state title.” long intervals to build a good Dudash won’t go as far to say that, foundation for our runners but he does say his team has few to build on. As our season • Andrew Martin equals. progresses, we will start to “Our runners have a unique attitaper.

“Higher intensity and less volume, to be tude and an effort unmatched by any other sure that we are well rested for states on Nov. school in Michigan.” he said.

“That’s what makes Dexter cross coun4.”

Dudash also said he tries to focus the team try stand. We have the desire to win, and on their own goals wants to take focus off we set out to do it.”

Racing ahead: Senior Danny Jackson helps lead the Dreads to win the Holly Invitational on September 16, 2006.

photo courtesy of Danny Jackson