0607-2

October 29, 2006 - Volume XVII - Issue 2 -

Walking for Wil:

Squall

Teacher Matt Martello raises money for American Cancer Society

page 2

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

THE

Dumped:

10 things not to do on a date

page 12

Halloween costume breakdown, haunted house reviews and people really into Halloween

pages 8,9

2

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

news Schools offer students bribes to obtain more funding Incentives given to students to encourage attendance on count day Scott Sarver staff writer

Students all across Michigan showed up to school expecting a normal day of classes on Sept. 27. But because it was count day, the day was far from normal. Many schools in Michigan were giving kids iPods, pizza, pop, gift cards and other incentives to show up to school.

This was especially true in the Detroit Public Schools, where, according to school administrators, a recent teacher strike scared many students away from the district.

According to an article in “The Detroit News”, the Detroit district spent almost $500,000 on attendance incentives for students, including laptop computers, iPods, gift cards and food. In Dexter though, there were no bribes for showing up.

Tammy Wonnacott is the secretary at Dexter High School in charge of all of the paper work for count day.

“It’s wrong that districts have to bribe students to come to school,” Wonnacott said. “Districts shouldn’t be allowed to bribe students to come, because we don’t have the issues with enrollment that the schools in Detroit have. In fact, this district is one of the few in the region with more students enrolled this year than last.”

There are two count days during the year, one in September and one in February. The count day in September is the most important.

On that day, schools count the number of students attending and send the reports to the State Department of Education. These reports are used to determine the amount of funding that a district receives from the State.

The amount of funding is not solely determined by the number of students showing up that day in September, though.

The count day in February allows the State to get an average of the number of students on both count days in order to get an accurate count of the attendance at a particular district.

Seventy-five percent of the attendance on the day in September and 25 percent of the attendance on the count day in February is used to calculate the amount of funding schools receive.

The State also takes into consideration the number of students enrolled in the district and students attending the day after count day, in case a large number of students are sick on the count day.

Dexter’s increase in enrollment is important because students are worth approximately $7000 to the district.

This extra funding allows Dexter schools to pay for more teachers and classes.

Even with the system in place to help districts get the funding they deserve, students still need to show up.

Wonnacott said that count day is extremely important for the district. She said, “Students need to show up so that our district can receive the funding it needs.”

Photo by Sean Wallace

Library blues: A student studies in the Media Center during class time. Some students think the library should be open for student use before and after school, and during lunch.

Library hours inconvenience students “I’d like the media center to be as accessible as possible.”

- Kit Moran principal

“Mrs. Fletcher’s a lot cooler and hip than students give her credit for.”

- Leah Gibson junior

“I got kicked out during class. I was getting a book and Mrs. Fletcher said, ‘You can’t get a book now.’“ - Heather Cook

sophomore

Katie Johnson advertisement manager

seems,” Gilbert said. “She may freak out about kids going to the library, but she likes to keep an orderly liBecause the library is closed before and after school, brary.”

Fletcher said she didn’t want to talk to a Squall remany students like junior Tabitha Dobrei have difficulporter about the library hours, saying there have alty finding a place to study.

“It’s ridiculous,” Dobrei said. “How are we supposed ready been enough stories written about the topic in the paper. to study if we can’t go to the library without a pass?”

Principal William ‘Kit’ Moran, though, defended The library opens at 7:40 when school starts and closes at 2:31 when school ends. But for many students the library’s hours, saying Fletcher is covered by the teacher’s contract. this leaves no time to use it for studying or research.

“She’s a teacher. She’s on teacher contract,” he said.

“I think the library should be open at least a half an “Teachers really don’t need to be on hour before school and one to two the clock until school starts.” hours after school,” junior Leah Moran also said he wasn’t aware Gibson said.

Where does a of students’ frustrations with the Sophomore Alex Emerick student go if they library. “Where does a student go if agrees. “The library should be open come in early? they come in early?” he said. “That’s longer so people can work before That’s a darn good a darn good question. I would reand after school in case they don’t ally like to work something out so have Internet access at home.” question.” students can have access,” he said.

Many students also say they One way Moran said he could don’t feel welcomed in the library.

-Kit Moran, solve this problem is to open the li“I got kicked out during class,” principal brary after school on certain days of sophomore Heather Cook said. “I the week. “In my past experiences was getting a book and (Librarian at other schools, we had the library Jeanine) Fletcher said, ‘You can’t open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a set amount of get a book now. You have to get it between classes.’”

Junior Erin Donevan said she even remembers being time,” he said.

But Moran said supervision in the library may be denied access to the library her freshmen year. “During exams, they wouldn’t let us study in the library, so we difficult. “The component that makes this slightly difhad to go in the hallways. Mrs. Fletcher said she didn’t ficult is supervision,” he said. “There would need to be an adult school personnel, someone employed by feel like supervising us.”

However, Gibson, a former library aide, said that DHS.” However, Moran said he will only make changes with students shouldn’t blame Fletcher about the hours.

“The students should not put Mrs. Fletcher at blame for the blessing of Fletcher. “I would not want to do anythe library hours because she’s a lot cooler and hip than thing that interrupts her day,” he said, adding his main students give her credit for,” Gibson said. “She’s helpful concern still lies with the students and their needs.

“If there’s a desire to have more access to the library and a little strict. She’s strict, but she’s reasonable, and for school access, I’d do it,” he said. “I’d like the meshe’s respectful of kids.”

Junior Lauren Gilbert, another former library aide, dia center to be as accessible as possible and for kids to agrees. “Mrs. Fletcher’s nice. She’s a lot nicer than she have access before and after school.”

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Pope's speech controversial to Islamic community Rachel Moir staff writer

The speech given at the University of Regensburg in Germany on Sept. 12 by Pope Benedict XVI has sparked a torrent of debate.

The Pope, who quoted a Byzantine emperor about the incompatibility of violence and religion, particularly Islam, has been the subject of intense criticism. Many Muslims were offended by the remarks, and a select group has taken to violent protests. The pope has received death threats intermingled with demands for apologies and insults.

“I understand the outrage,” Abdul El-Sayed, Vice President of the Muslim Students Association in Ann Arbor, said. “But I don’t condone violence or disparaging remarks. That’s not how you deal with insults.”

Junior Julia Burke, a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church’s youth group Mustard Seed, agrees. “There was a cartoon recently,

and they, I think, overreacted,” she said. “So I age seems to be a common tie.

“I wish the media wouldn’t focus on this, think they’re overreacting again. I’m not going to be racist or anything, but it just seems like on the aspect of what the Muslims are doing the people over there, they just overreact to all in retaliation,” El-Sayed said . “But that comes with the territory. He says of this.” this, then all of a sudden It seems that part of churches are burned. It’s the controversy about the I think they should not correct. It’s against Pope’s speech comes from just accept his Islamic law, and I felt a lack of information. apology as a sincere like they just proved his Knowledge of the situapoint.” tion’s particulars is hard to apology.”

The pope attempted to find among area residents. calm the waters, saying Instead, people are form-Julia Burke, that he doesn’t personing opinions based on the sophomore ally agree with the words reaction to it as portrayed of the emperor. For Elin the media.

Sayed, though, that is not “The media isn’t really enough. taking sides,” Burke said.

“I don’t know exactly what was going “They’re saying, ‘OK, this is how the Muslims feel,’ and they’re not really expressing why the through his head when he said that, when he wrote that speech or when his speech writpope said it.”

Feelings of dissatisfaction on media cover- ers wrote that speech,” El-Sayed said. “I don’t

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think the apology was sufficient, but people make mistakes. I think it’s important to forgive and forget, but I hoped for something more deep and sincere and an acknowledgment of the mistake.”

Both sides, regardless of difference of opinion, seem to want to move on. Junior Katherine McCreight, also a member of the Catholic youth group Mustard Seed, said, “I think it’s all right for them to protect their religion, to protest, but he’s apologized, and they’re still protesting. It’s in the past, and they should leave it in the past.”

Burke agrees. “I think they should just accept his apology as a sincere apology,” she said. Still, mending the relations between the faiths following this controversy may not be that simple.

“Beliefs are the most polarizing aspect of anything we can touch on,” El-Sayed said.

“Because when you believe something, it’s in your heart.”

Julia Burke: A member of high school youth group, “Mustard Seed,” from St. Joseph’s Church

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

Things looking up, gas prices down

Fresh fare in the cafeteria New menu items offer students a wider variety

Tracking Gas Prices Price of gas per gallon in:

December 1989: $1.02 December 2001: $1.41 December 2003: $1.66 Currently: $2.16 Source : http://www.mtc.ca.gov/maps_and_data/datamart/stats/gasprice.htm

Josh Ball staff writer

Bosco stuffed crust pizza: In the past, many students complained about the pizza in school cafeteria.

They compared the crust to cardboard and the cheese to the consistency of a bouncy ball. But this year the pizza has gone from triangle to square and exchanged a boring crust for a cheese-filled one. Food specialist manager Lorraine Bienko said, “We felt that the pizza we were serving in the past was not at a quality we liked. We researched food shows for the best pizza at the best value, and this is what we chose.”

Sean Wallace staff writer

There are more than two things you can count on in life. Besides death and taxes, you can include babies crying, crazy theories about JFK’s assassination and people whining about gas prices.

While some may complain about the gas prices, others see the tank as half-full, since prices have dropped by almost $1 over the past year.

Senior Sean King said, “I can finally buy gas by the barrel.”

And while gas prices have come down recently, they’re still not as cheap as when students were kids. Regardless, many students, who get paid near minimum wage, can slowly afford to go more places and buy new things since prices have fallen somewhat.

Senior Andrew Franco said, “Thanks to the extra money I’ve saved, I can afford to go to a Cedar Point trip, which is cool.”

The average national gas price is $2.34 a gallon, while in Michigan gas prices have hit an average of around $2.14. However, some gas stations in Michigan have hit prices just less than $2, the first sub-$2 price in over a year.

Senior Zach Cowden celebrated lower gas prices with a supposed party. “I also bought more gas in celebration of lower gas prices,” Cowden said.

And even though minimum wage has increased recently, junior Rowan Beck said it will have to go up even more if gas prices continue to increase.

“If gas prices ever exceed the price it’s managed to maintain now, say $4.50 a gallon, the minimum wage will almost have to increase because that’s half of what most people get per hour,” he said For some, gas prices have already increased enough for them to change their habits. “The Sunday drive has disappeared,” senior Will Desrochers said.

“Now people drive mainly for necessities like drivebys. If gas got around $4.37, then every one would really start to change their driving habits. My parents pay for my gas, so I don’t directly get affected, but I have had to fill up less.”

Some have gone so far as to speculate the decline of gas prices is tied to the elections of ‘06., “Due to his war mongering and continued presence in Iraq, (President Bush) has direct control over gas prices,” Desrochers said But this is not true according to Cowden. “(Bush) probably has no direct control over gas prices. The state has more control over that than the president. Oil companies are also the main ones that decide the prices.”

Junior Charlie Kemp added, “Due to his poor job in Iraq, President Bush has no direct impact on the price of gas. If he could control Iraq, he could lower gas prices and increase his popularity.”

3

news

Specialty sandwiches: The Mill Creek cafeteria often offered a choice between old egg salad sandwiches and bad smelling tuna ones. This year in the commons there are many new choices of sandwich.

Specialty sandwiches range from chicken parmesan, to ham and cheese, to Greek gyros. Bienko said, “Dexter has more sophisticated students, so we thought they needed a sandwich apart from the lunch room norm.” She had this to add about how Food and Nutrition comes up with the different kinds of sandwiches. “We brainstorm with the director, assistant directors and other food specialists. But the students ultimately decide on what we serve at lunch.”

Online grades prevent cheating

PowerSchool will put grades online, but system may be less secure against hackers some students say In fact, rising concerns are surfacing that the school system computers may be hacked and this time hackers could have access to any student’s Students will no longer be able to photocopy re- grade.

“There are many security flaws in the system due port cards, claim they have been lost in the mail or simply say they never received one now that the Dex- to it not being set up correctly,” senior Spencer Ryan said. ter School District has begun using PowerSchool.

Ryan, who was suspended for 10 days two years PowerSchool is an Internet-based program that allows parents to monitor their own child’s grades ago for allegedly hacking in to the district’s record keeping system, MacSchool, said PowerSchool may and attendance whenever they feel the need ”It’s real time grades and real time attendance,” be easier for potential hackers to access.

“You can access the administrative system from Principal Kit Moran said.

But while the makers of PowerSchool stress outside the district, which is a mistake in almost any system,” he said. that it is easily accessible, some “If you got a password, you teachers wish they had been betcould change anything you ter trained to use the program.

I think it will be a want from anywhere in the “It’s a very complex program,” great way for parents world. There are security holes said Matt Close, French II and to make sure their present due to the misconfiguIII teacher. “I know it will be very child is doing well in ration. Hacking it wouldn’t be useful, once we learn how to use school.” easy, but it is currently posit.” sible.”

English teacher Deb Marsh As a response, administracan relate. “I wish (the district) -Jean Brakhage, tors assure that there will be would have given us more trainparent no security issues. “Security ing,” she said. “We’re old dogs, is a concern,” Moran said, “but and it’s a new trick.” anytime you make anything Four high school teachers were chosen last spring to instruct other teachers Internet accessible, there’ll always be concerns.”

District technology director Richard Weaver did on how to use PowerSchool.

Social studies teacher Ryan Baese, math teacher not respond to repeated e-mail and phone requests Brian Baird, social studies teacher Jaime Dudash, for comment on the program’s security.

PowerSchool software was delivered in August and Spanish teacher Kristi Shaffer, were given 12 hours of instruction on how to use the program and was ready for the staff to use during the first while the rest of the teaching staff was given six week of September.

Administrators estimate it will be ready for parhours.

As a trainer, Shaffer said she is excited about the ent and student online access by November.

“I’m really looking forward to the PowerSchool changes to come. “Once we get it up and running, it program,” parent Jean Brakhage said. will be great,” she said. “I just love it.”

“I think it will be a great way for parents to make Some students, though, say the security of the sure their child is doing well in school.” program is questionable.

www.wmglass.com

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BRIEFS

Marsh wins state speech award English teacher Deb Marsh was honored last spring by the Michigan speech coaches as Division One Coach of the Year. The coaches who gave the award said they were “thankful for Marsh’s appreciation and dedication to speech activities and what they foster in our children.”

Marsh has been teaching speech since 1983. “It feels good that the time I’ve put into speech activities has been recognized by my peers,” she said. The majority of speech and debate teachers in the state vote on this award, and it is Marsh’s second time winning.

School to accept new mascot designs

Chinese take-out: Anyone who is sick of having to eat from the same boring lunch tray, this lunch is for you. On Chinese take-out day in the commons, students get rice with meat and vegetables in a Chinese food box plus a fortune cookie on the side. This is the newest entree on the lunch menu, making it’s debut on Oct. 6. Bienko said, “(The Chinese take-out was) an idea that was served very successfully at Brighton High School, so we thought that students here in Dexter would enjoy it.”

Lisa Ritchie staff writer

news

Senior interest last year lead student council to decide to create a school mascot this year. Senior Andrew Keller said student council decided to allow students to design a mascot because neighboring schools had one. The mascot design will be chosen by students and there will be mascot tryouts for those who want to be in the costume. “The mascot tryouts will be based on spirit,” Keller said.

Vehicle crashes number one killer of teens Studies show that vehicle crashes are now the number one killer of teenagers in America. 5,699 teens between the ages of 16 and 20 died in car accidents in 2005. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sees this as a serious problem arising and is advising teenagers and adults to go to www. drivingskillsforlife.com for handson training to improve their skills on the road. Dee Braden teaches drivers education and said she supports the NHTSA. “I try to teach students to be prepared for the unexpected,” Braden said.

Ski club plans student trips Ski club advisers science teacher Beau Kimmey and English teacher Zach Lindke decided to allow the organization to be student run. Senior Kaitlyn Mitchel is the student president of the club which plans to travel to Blue Mountain, Canada. Kimmey said the point of ski club is to get a group together to do things they enjoy and ski places other than local hills. Ski club is not just for people who like to ski according to Kimmey, it’s for a new, fun experience.

“It doesn’t matter if you ski or not, just as long as you’re going to have a good time,” he said.

Bergen named coach of the year Social studies teacher Cory Bergen was named the 2006 Division 2 swim coach of the year. Bergen has won this award four times, but he said it is a reflection of the program as a whole. Bergen also said it is not only his abilities as a coach that he won this award. “I’m working as hard as I can for them to succeed, but (the swimmers) make the sacrifices,” he said.

4 Discovering

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

feature

the

Austin Shapiro managing editor

Dreadnaught Steve Schoonmaker, senior

Few students can say they’ve been grabbed out of into a depressing cycle of drug abuse and made three bed at 4:30 in the morning by two giant Samoan men separate trips to the University of Michigan Psychiatric Hospital. and thrown in the back of a van.

After the third visit Schoonmaker moved back to But that is exactly what happened to senior Steve Jackson and began smoking rocks of cocaine as well as Schoonmaker on Dec. 6, 2005. injecting it.

After being thrown in the back “I started doing drugs when I of a van, Schoonmaker was transwas nine, just weed mostly,” he ported to St. George, Utah where I’d like to say my said.

“Then, when I moved back to he spent the next eight months in parents were my Jackson, I started using the harder rehab for his addiction to a variety biggest source of stuff.” of illegal drugs. The program was strength, but really it Schoonmaker then moved to a military academy specializing in came down to me.”

Saline to try to escape the drugs, drug rehabilitation. but it didn’t work, and that is when After graduating the program -Steve Schoonmaker, he was sent to the rehabilitation Schoonmaker moved back to Dexsenior clinic. ter and says he has been clean However, Schoonmaker realsince. But the complete tale of ized he had a problem before the Schoonmaker’s life is even more stint in rehab, enticing.

“In August of 2005 I had a heart attack from smokBorn in Medesto, Calif., Schoonmaker moved to Jackson, when he was five and attended school there for ing too much crack at one time,” Schoonmaker said. “I didn’t realize it then, but that was the turning point in three years before moving to Dexter in third grade.

During his time in Dexter, Schoonmaker said he fell my life.”

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Although he is grateful for his parents support in helping him get clean, Schoonmaker says the most influential person in him getting clean was himself.

“I’d like to say my parents were my biggest source of strength, but really it came down to me,” he said.

“I realized that the only people you can depend on is your family, and sometimes you can’t count on them, so it really came down to me motivating myself to get clean.”

Clean of any illegal substances for eight months, Schoonmaker says he is proud of his new life of sobriety. “I feel like a better person now,” he said. “I’m working two jobs and staying away from all that s---. It just feels good to not to need any of it.”

Schoonmaker knows that kids are going to do things they aren’t suppose to, but he warns them to do it in moderation and with boundaries.

“By now people know that half the school smokes weed or drinks,” he said.

“But kids got to know they should stop there because if you do any harder stuff, you’ll only do more and more things and that all ends either in rehab, in jail or six feet under in a wood box.”

Connie monitors students and helps staff

Katie Fricke features editor

Walkie-talkie in hand. Shoes tied tight.

It’s just another day of patrolling the halls for paraprofessional Connie Agostini, known to most students simply as “Connie,” who has been employed at DHS for eight years.

“The kids keep me coming back,” Agostini said.

“Ninety-eight percent of the students are good kids. I also just like working with the teenagers.”

From patrolling the halls and parking lot, regulating the lunches and doing detention duty Agostini has become the backbone of the school for many students. And many teens say they like working with her.

“Without Connie, kid’s would be skipping left and right,” junior Don Knight said, Although Connie enjoys working with the students, she said it’s not always fun having to enforce the rules.

“I don’t like trying to enforce the dress code,” Agostini said. “I feel uncomfortable, and it’s not a good time.”

But whether it’s students in possession of

drugs or just skipping class, nothing comes as a getting in trouble with Connie because she is always fair.” surprise to Agostini.

Senior Alex Krausman, though, isn’t so sure.

“I have caught students passing pills in class, “Connie can be a bit controlling at times,” and I just sent them to the office,” she said. “I have also had to send kids to the office for being under he said. “She is always nagging me about my headphones. She doesn’t make me give them to the influence of marijuana in detention.”

Even though Connie is the rule enforcer, she her; I just have to put them away.”

Despite the complaints of always finds a way to give some disgruntled students, the students a fair chance Agostini seems to have the according to senior Alison I have caught respect of most students and Tracy who, like many students, students passing administrators as well. has been busted by Agostini “Its fun working with for skipping class. pills in class, and I Connie,” Principal William “If you don’t give Connie sent them to the “Kit” Moran said. “She has a s---, she will respect you office.” great sense of humor.” back,” Tracy said. “She’s just Plus Agostini is always on trying to help. One day last top of her game, according to year, I decided to skip sixth -Connie Agostini, Moran. hour. When I was walking paraprofessional “Connie always does what out of the school, I spotted she is supposed to do,” he Connie. I tried to walk behind said. “She has a role of an (2006 graduate) Rob Zalucki so Connie wouldn’t see me. But she saw me and administrator and does a great job doing it. She just laughed at me. I tried to tell her my mom has a high expectation of the students, which is called me out, but she wasn’t fooled. I didn’t mind good, because I do too.”

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Connie’s Favorite Things: • Color - Green • Movie - "Silence of the Lambs"

• Connie

• T.V. Shows - "Seinfeld," "All My Children" • Dessert - Tiramisu • Drink - Diet Coke • Actors - Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks

Martello's walk benefits friend and charity Luke Altomare staff writer

Matt Martello recently walked around the track to raise money for a good cause

When drama teacher Matt Martello talks about his biggest role models, two names come to mind.

Don Martello, his father, and his predecessor Harry Wilcox, former French and drama teacher at Dexter High School.

This is why, when Wilcox had to retire because of brain cancer, Martello decided to start a fundraiser in his name called Waking for Wil. “Mr. Wilcox is a huge influence of mine,” Martello said. “He’s probably the most giving person I’ve ever known.”

Before coming to Dexter, Wilcox taught in Ohio for 30 years.

He came to Dexter in 2001 and took over the drama and French department.

He organized the drama department’s plays, including “Blood Brothers,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Damn Yankees,” “Dracula,” “Noises Off,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and “The Miracle Worker.”

During the drama club’s annual theater trip to New York, Wilcox personally paid the way for several students.

“All of those things he did unselfishly, never thinking of himself,” Martello said.

And Martello isn’t the only one Wilcox has made an impression upon.

“He’s a great director,” junior drama club member Brittany Batell said. “He’s a great guy. He was really dedicated to the drama system.”

“I think he was a great French teacher,” senior drama club member Amanda Forrester said. “He was a lot of fun to have in drama class. I miss having as a teacher a whole lot and I hope he’s doing well.”

At the conclusion of the 2005-2006 school year, Wilcox was forced to retire, and Martello stepped up to take his place.

In order to honor his memory, Martello thought up Walking for Wil, a fundraiser which took place at Al Ritt Stadium during the Dexter-Saline football game on Friday, Oct. 13.

Martello walked the track around the football field, starting right after school, and ending once he had made 80 circuits, or

20 miles, stopping only for the National Anthem.

For Martello, Walking for Wil was not only to honor Wilcox, but to also honor his father.

“Both Don Martello and Wilcox were drama teachers, and both upheld the same standards of excellence,” Martello said.

Martello classified the Walk as a success, with over $2,300 collected during the preceding weeks and during the event itself.

In fact, donations end today, Oct. 27, with pledge ballots available in room 400.

Those who wish to donate to Walking for Wil have to fill out a pledge ballot to specify where they want their donation to go.

A donors’ first choice is to donate to the American Cancer Society in Wilcox’s name, second choice is the New York City Scholarship, which allows drama students to go on the annual theater trip to New York City, and the third option is to donate to both.

“There’s a lot of people out there like Wil who need help,” Batell said. “Doing something like this is like carrying on Mr. Wilcox’s legacy.”

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall Athletes drink despite substance abuse contract Sydney Ross news editor

With a half gallon of Captain Morgan clutched tightly in her hands, junior Suzie Baker* glanced around the party and noticed football players, soccer players and even tennis players with red cups in their hands, some with glossy-eyed looks.

It seems that being an athlete in high school doesn’t always mean sobriety, especially for some students at Dexter High School.

“All the parties that I go to there are kids there who play a sport,” Baker said, “There is at least one athlete there, guaranteed.”

And even though, both in and out of season, DHS athletes sign a pledge to stay sober for the whole school year, this commitment hasn’t always stopped them. “We drink at least once a week and we never get caught,” senior Bryan Gilbert* said. “We all drink together, but we are careful what we say in front of our coach.”

But many athletes say getting caught drinking by coaches or administrators isn’t what they worry about the most. It is getting caught by their parents. “It’s pretty easy to get away with, but people talk at the games, so if you lied to your parents about where you were one night, it’s easier to get caught that way,” senior Grace Grezlik* said.

Sarah Timmons,* an active member of two sports teams said,

Illustration by Rachel Moir

“The people who drink no matter what season it is will drink during season,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if they are in season or not, if they already drink, then they’re going to do it anyway.”

Many athletes may think drinking on season doesnt effect them,

but Grezlik disagrees. “Yeah, I think it affects you,” Grezlik said.

“If you smoke a lot during the season it’s probably more likely that eventually you’re going to have difficulty breathing over time.”

SADD adviser Shirley Bitters agrees. “It’s proven fact that our

brains don’t fully develop until we are 21 anyways, so underage drinking could effect your brain in the long run,” Bitters said.

It’s this potential for longterm damage that worries Principal Kit Moran. “Over time,” he said, “athletes who drink alcohol every weekend will gain weight and will become out of shape.

I’ve seen it happen, even to the really good athletes. They could blow they’re whole season, even in the off season.”

But it’s not their lack of being in shape that worries Moran the most. It’s the way teens drinks that has him concerned. “From what I know, I don’t know the percentage of kids that drink,” Moran said. “What I do know is that teenage drinking really scares me. Teenagers are known to drink to get drunk, which is scary.”

For Bitters, not only is teen drinking scary but also a dishonest commitment to the team. “If an athlete signed the contract and can’t commit to not drinking, maybe they shouldn’t be playing a sport at all,” she said.

But Moran sees the purpose of signing the contract a little differently. “My hope is that if one student thinks twice about doing it (drinking), then having athletes sign a non-drinking pledge is worth it.” *names changed for privacy.

Swim team participates in odd rituals Team dress in strange fashions to build team unity, say they are ‘like the mafia’ without the killing Michelle Chirby staff writer

On Princess Day, they wear their crowns with pride, running on little sleep and lots of food.

Their legs go unshaved and they sweat chlorine every moment from mid-August to late November. But for senior captain Adrienne Fasbinder, it’s all part of being a member of a family of 32 girls, the women’s swim team.

The team practices about 20 hours a week and on meet days, they dress up using themes such as “Princess Day,” “Cowgirl Day” and “Crazy Hair and Makeup Day.” These ideas may seem odd. Some have gone as far as to call the team a cult. But the girls are not bothered.

“We love being called a cult,” Fasbinder said.

QA &

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“We are close, and we are good; we’ve been known for it.”

Fasbinder’s only worry is that others will criticize the team for showing off. “We don’t want to be looked down on like we think we’re better than others,” she said. “You either love us or you hate us.”

Within the team, however, it’s all about the love for coach Cory Bergen. “The chemistry this year is fantastic,” Bergen, who has coached the girls since 1996, said. “I’m proud to run this program,” he said, placing his palm on his chest. “It’s added to my life.”

And the girls say that the coach has added to their lives too. “(Bergen) is definitely someone I’d go to with anything,” Fasbinder said. “Out of season, we still all check in with him. He’s always going to be another father kind of figure.”

As far as his team being a cult, Bergen said the

spirit is part of being a team.

“Traditions have been here since the program started,” Bergen said. “Maybe these girls are just more creative.”

And in the pool or out, the girls are always bonding, according to sophomore Jennarose Rolfes.

They have fundraisers such as a car wash and a swimathon where half of the proceeds go to charity, team dinners and sleepovers that include lots of food and rowdy music.

“We’re like the mafia,” Rolfes said. “But we don’t kill people,” she added, smiling. “Except for when we swim, ‘cause we’re pretty good.”

They are good indeed, having been in the state’s top five in the past eight years.

“Being good has gained us a lot of respect,” Fasbinder said. “It’s OK for us to be crazy and flaunt that we’re on the swim and dive team.”

With freshman Jason Lee

By: Conor Daining Q- Hypothetically, if you were a human, what would you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A- Running

Q- What’s your favorite dish and posish?

A- Sushi and ... I dunno.

Q- What would be your immediate response if I called you a floozy?

A- I’d be angry.

Q- Why are you such a floozy?

A- I dunno.

Q- What’s your perfect girl?

A- Fit, smart, respectful, not lazy, creative, guess that’s it.

Q- If I looked and acted exactly like that girl, would you court me?

A- No.

Q- What’s your favorite Mortal Kombat fatality?

A- Probably the spine ripping out.

Q- If you were going out with a girl for two years, and you were completely in love with her, and you were going to be married, and she was super rich so you were set for life, and I came and kidnapped her, brought her to an island and taught her the ways of my tribe, and in time she fell in love with me and decided to stay at the island with me and my people, and you never got to talk to her again, would you hate me?

A- Yes.

Foreign exchange student looks for fun in Dexter Says DHS is less strict but overall life is much more structured Kyle Boren staff writer

Photo by Scott Wallace

8135 Main St Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-4957

After living in such a strict environment at his old school in Campeche, Mexico, 17-year-old foreign exchange student Javier Escalante said he finds Dexter to be a laid-back little town.

In fact, his old high school in Campeche isn’t close to Dexter when it comes to rules.

“My high school in Mexico is very strict,” he said. “You get suspended if you’re out of class for one minute, and we have to wear uniforms.”

He also he said he thinks Dexter is more welcoming and friendly than Campeche would be if they had a foreign exchange student go there, which is one of the main reasons he

said he feels so comfortable in Dex- ever you want, and buy whatever you ter. want,” Escalante said. “Like Dexter, But Escalante said he isn’t only Campeche is a big city, but it’s small here for the learning experience like at the same time. Everyone knows each other.” most foreign exchange This is part of students.

He’s also looking the reason EsI’m just looking calante said he for a good time. “Dexfor a good time wants to get inter is not as fun as I in Dexter.” volved while he expected,” Escalante is here. said. “I want to go to a - Javier Escalante, He is on the party or something.” senior But it’s not like Essoccer team and said he plans to calante is only here join the tennis for the good time. “It team once that won’t be fun unless I learn English along the way,” he season starts.

“I know a lot of people and are said.

So while his school in Mexico friends with some, but I’m not best may be more strict, his home town friends with anyone,” Escalante said. “I’m just looking for a good is not.

“In Campeche you can do what- time in Dexter.”

“

Q- If I gave you this dollar right now, would you touch my nipple?

A- No.

Q- Am I creepy?

A- Kinda.

Q- Would you describe yourself as a muggle, squib, pure blood or m**blood?

A- Muggle-Squib.

Q- If girls were bread, would you have the keys to the bakery?

A- Yes.

Q- Can I have your number?

A- No.

Q- When can I see you again?

A- I dunno.

Q- Hold me?

A- No.

6

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

entertainment

A guide to weekly TV consumption

THE TRICKLE

Here at The Squall we think these people look alike.

How about you?

Ryan Neely senior

Brian Altrogges sophomore

Zach Jerger junior

monday

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

House of Carters (E!, 9-9:30 p.m.): Hearing former music stars and current hot messes Nick and Aaron Carter fight over Paris Hilton is just the tip of this dysfunctional family reality show iceberg.

Domestic abuse and hilarity ensues.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 11-11:30 p.m.): Politically incorrect and loving it, Jon Stewart brilliantly brings forward the idiocy of hypocritical politicians. He relentlessly rips in to popular figures and events from all around the world.

Best of all, he has no agenda nor bias, tearing apart the likes of both Anne Coutler and Michael Moore.

Lost (ABC, 9-10 p.m.): Back for its third season, ABC’s sci-fi drama promises to keep the twists coming. The survivors of Oceanic Flight 185 have more mysteries to solve than Mystery, Inc. The only certainty on this show has proven to be that Hurley will remain fat.

True Life (MTV, 10-11 p.m.): Possibly one of MTV’s only genuinely informative and important shows. Its ability to tackle heavy topics and tell the real stories of bizarre and fascinating people has kept it popular for over six years.

Whether they’re covering an addiction crystal meth or a man getting calf implants, the show is gripping to watch from start to finish.

sunday Desperate Housewives (ABC, 9-10 p.m.): Arguably attractive middleaged women? Check.

Witty, and often-times hilarious, dialogue?

Check. Multiple plots, ranging from murder to infidelity? Check. If you think this show is yet another mindless form of female entertainment, you are wildly incorrect.

This show is genuinely entertaining regardless of what sex you are.

Flavor of Love 2 10-11 p.m.): (VH1, Clock-wearing, piping hot mess Flavor Flav is back for a second season of his “Bachelor” rip off. The good news?

New York is back too, acting bossy and looking a fool. The show has had everything from defecation on the floor to an upset woman offering the girl she just knocked unconscious some “lip chap.” I’ve never felt more intelligent and goal-oriented than I do after witnessing the cornrows and weaves full of stupidity on this show.

Heroes (NBC, 9-10 p.m.): Are you an “X-Men” fan?

Did you like “Lost” back when it had more viewers than story lines? If so, then you will be instantly hooked on this supernatural drama about extraordinary people with incredible abilities.

Wife Swap (ABC, 8-9 p.m.): Take two wives, each the polar opposite of the other, send them to control each other’s families for two weeks, throw in vicious children with limitless verbal shutdowns up their sleeves, and you’ve created television gold.

Dan Dewale senior

Nick Graves sophomore

James Bannan former interim principal

Drawn Together (Comedy Central, 10:30-11 p.m.): This is a seriously smart reality show, mainly because it is entirely fake and uses cartoon characters in place of human beings. Every reality show stereotype is effectively covered and torn apart by each of the show’s principal characters, most notably, Ling-Ling, a homicidal spoof of Pikachu who represents the “shocked foreigner.”

Good shows abruptly end Ryan Winchester staff writer

Keanu Reeves actor

South Park Central, (Comedy 10-10:30 p.m.): Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s foul-mouthed cartoon has developed into a weekly commentary on pop culture and the mass media.

Where else will you find a show daring enough to construct an entire episode plot around Oprah’s vagina?

(Jeffrey Tambor) is imprisoned, must keep his family together and keep the business afloat.

Since the dawning of television many Calling this show brilliant would be shows have been canceled. Some be- an understatement.

The acting, writing, directing, filmcause of poor ratings, others because the content was not appropriate for the ing, casting, humor and even narration audience it was aimed at, and some for in this short-lived series is excellent.

Bateman, in all 53 episodes, shows seemingly no reason at all.

One of the most unbelievable cancel- an incredible performance of a man in lations in television was “Married… with a very tight and unfortunate situation Children.” Many of us recognize and and pulls it off with complete and total have probably watched the episodes in perfection.

The show received 20 Emmy nomisyndication, but you may not know FOX nations in its three cancelled this show seasons, bringing after 259 episodes home a total of six without even informgolden statues. ing the cast.

Calling ‘Arrested The show has alThis was only the ways had a poor hisbeginning of FOX Development’ tory on the network, canceling shows for brilliant would be even despite the inexplicable or ilan understatement.” awards and critical logical reasons, inacclaim. cluding the following The first seagems: son barely earned a second, the second Arrested season had its last Development AD was one of the best shows ever on episode cut and the third, surprised everyone by even being made, and was cut television.

It followed the Bluth family, who were in half, and effectively canned, due to under investigation by the federal gov- “poor ratings.”

Rumors about the show coming back ernment for shady business practices.

More specifically, the government on HBO or Showtime, a film made out of think the Bluth Company helped Sad- it, or even returning to FOX are just rudam Hussein build model homes in Iraq, mors. Many still have hope that it will at least come back for a final film, but nothalso known as “light treason.”

The show follows Michael Bluth (Ja- ing has been officially announced.

Many of the show’s stars have moved son Bateman), who, after his father and former head of the company George Sr. on to other projects that otherwise

“

wouldn’t have been offered to them had they not been a part of the show.

Luckily, all the seasons are on DVD and are being aired on the G4 network.

Futurama You’ve probably seen, and loved, this show. It was on FOX from 1999-2003 as part of its Sunday night comedy lineup, and now lives on Adult Swim, the late night programming on the Cartoon Network.

This show, one of the most beautifully drawn and animated of all time, was created by “The Simpson’s” creator Matt Groening and David X. Cohen.

It followed the story of Phillip J. Fry after he was cryogenically frozen and awaken in the year 2999, a world drastically different than the one he left back in 1999, full of bending units, flying cars and suicide booths.

After its amazing success and great ratings on Adult Swim (much like with “Family Guy”) the episodes were released on DVD and sold very well.

Rumors have swirled about this show coming back too.

It was announced that there would be a film released in theaters, then announced that there would be a series of straight-to-DVD releases, and then it was announced new episodes would be made for Adult Swim.

The latest rumor is that Comedy Central has ordered 13 new episodes. While it is uncertain the actual outcome for this show, we can only hope that it is reborn and appreciated by those who have since found the show after its cancellation.

'Jackass 2' hits theatres Condoleeza Rice secretary of state

Stephen Zenas sophomore

The Grinch

Charlie Pettit staff writer

For junior Neil O’Brien there was much anticipation for the arrival of “Jackass Number Two.” “The first one was pretty rad,” O’Brien said. “I didn’t think that they could make one any better.”

“Jackass Number Two” hit theaters across the country in September, 2006, sending many of its viewers into a whirlwind of laughter and a state of absolute shock.

It took merely a week to be the number one film in the nation, and it left many, like O’Brien, loving it. “ I thought it was a great movie,” he said. “It kept me laughing the whole time.”

And for senior Travis Thornton nothing seems to entertain more than a bunch of trashy white guys putting their body on the line while doing ridiculous

“Jackass Number Two” was Johnny things.

“It’s funny to see people hurt them- Knoxville’s opportunity to show the selves on purpose because they are stu- world that he truly is the leader of the Jackass crew. pid,” he said.

Attempting to fly to the moon, getting But even fans like Thornton were put off by some of the stunts that the Jack- shot with crowd control devices that fly at 500 feet per ass crew performed second and feedin the sequel. ing his “grandson” “I didn’t appreIt’s funny to see cigarettes and alciate seeing a beer people hurt cohol in public are going into Steve-O’s themselves on only some of the buttocks,” Thornton stunts that Knoxsaid. purpose because ville led, and this Despite some they are stupid.” makes him a hero of the gut wrenchto some students. ing and borderline -Travis Thornton, “(Johnny Knoxhomosexual stunts senior ville) is out of that were done in the his mind,” junior movie, other, bloodJimmy Hamby ier parts of the film said. “He’s just a bad ass. It is defiappealed to him. “(I liked the part) when Johnny nitely (worth seeing again) because the Knoxville was in the ball pit with an an- (whole) cast makes it a very hilarious and an interesting film.” aconda because he was bleeding a lot.”

“

friday Meerkat Manor (Animal Planet, 8-9 p.m.): Finally! A reality show featuring the social interactions of a Meerkat family. Watch the drama unfold as Carlos has sexual flings with Daisy, Mozart and Tusca. In addition to fornication, the Meerkats deal with rival gangs, upheaval and sibling rivalry. Tune in to watch the exploits of the Whisker family.

saturday Mad TV (Fox, 11-12 a.m.): Forget “Saturday Night Live!” When it comes to sketch comedy, “Mad TV” does it better and more naturally. Most importantly, Stewart is back for more this season.

The Soup (E!, 10-10:30 p.m.): A genius show highlighting the week’s best moments in reality television and pop culture. Each clip is set to the tune of a vicious tongue-lashing on deserving celebrities and pseudocelebrities from host Joel McHale.

Everyone from Kevin Federline to Tyra Banks can, and will, be systematically owned on a weekly basis. Tune in to laugh along.

Cult movie directors Ryan Aliapoulios staff writer

A movie like “Pulp Fiction” can have a huge impact on pop culture because of its spirit and originality.

But where have all the great cult hits like “Pulp Fiction” gone?

Quentin Tarantino hasn’t had a smash cult hit since the early 90’s, despite having directed “Kill Bill vol.

1” in 2003 and volume two in 2004.

However, Tarantino still has a couple • Quentin Tarantino tricks up his sleeve.

Currently, director Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino are collaborating on two full length horror films to be packaged together and titled “Grind House”, a reference to the cheap movie theaters that play either crappy movies or great entertainment, depending on your personal opinion.

Tarantino is to direct a segment titled “Death Proof”, which is a kind of slasher story, except that the slasher is an evil car. Rodriguez could give Tarantino a run for his money with his segment, “Planet Terror”, a zombie film.

If Rodriguez sticks to his guns, there’s a good chance that it will be even more violent than “From Dusk Till Dawn”, and that’s a good thing. It is scheduled to be released on April 7, 2007.

There are lesser known but just as talented directors coming out with films sooner than that. For example, director Darren Aronofsky has a film hitting silver screens everywhere on Nov. 22.

Aronofsky collected a Director’s Award at Sundance for his 1998 release “Pi”, a rarely seen black and white film about an insane mathematician searching for the true name of God in a 216 digit number.

He followed this up with “Requiem for a Dream”, which might be the most effective anti-drug message on film. The plot follows four characters who spiral downward in their various addictions.

Aronofsky’s new sci-fi / love story “The Fountain” is his highest budget film yet. “The Fountain” is an epic spanning three time periods, in which one man (Hugh Jackman) tries to save the woman he loves from death (Rachel Weisz).

So, what sets this film apart from other sci-fi movies? The answer lies in the special effects. Although a large portion of the film takes place in space, no CGI was used to depict it. Aronofsky used micro-photography of chemical reactions to imitate space formations.

Director David Fincher also has a new film to add to his list. One of Fincher’s recent films was ‘Fight Club,” a recent cult hit starring Brad Pitt and the unforgettable Edward Norton. The film follows a man as he breaks away from his consumer-driven life and starts a club where men fight each other.

With any luck Fincher’s new film “Zodiac” will be more of the same: grisly (yet somehow artistic) violence, dark satire and other neo-noir sensibilities. The film is based on the Zodiac killer and is scheduled to be released January 19, 2007.

So movie-goers, instead of going and seeing that new Ashton Kutcher or Hilary Duff movie, go with the movie that involves drugs, sexual deviance and other fun things. I promise, you’ll get much more bang for your eight bucks, or five if you go between 4-6.

7

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

reviews

Gourmet Garden

'Open Season'

Heather Siller staff writer

Scott Campbell copy editor

‘Death By Sexy’ Sean Wallace staff writer

Stop for a moment. What one thing would make your life better that could be obtain for under $20?

Eagles of Death Metal’s new CD, “Death by Sexy,” that’s what. The first thing you’ll hear on this CD is the lead singer (Jesse Hughes) laughing, mocking the thought that this CD won’t just force you to buy new socks due to them being rocked.

The Eagles of Death Metal (who are classified by allmusic.com as sounding like hard rock, garage punk, and alternative punk/rock) includes drummer Josh Homme (alias Carlo Von Sexron).

People recognize his name as the lead vocalist and guitar player for Queens of the Stone Age. The band is unique with their high-pitched vocals and full-sounding guitars.

The first song off their sophomore album, released on April 11, slaps the listener in the face with its fast, repetitive (in the best way possible) riffs.

“I Want You So Hard (Boys Bad News)” only has 1:57 to make the listener feel like he’s base-jumping.

After recovering from the overdose of energy on the first song, the next one just stops the listener’s heart. With cowbell and tambourine entering the mix, you know this song, called “I Gotta Feeling (Just Nineteen)”, has great potential already.

While the tempo is slower, the lyrics are as addicting as ever. “Cherry Cola” keeps the ball rolling with hard rock and fun lyrics. These are the first three songs and are reasons enough to buy this album.

“I Like to Move in the Night” breaks the flow of good songs, but not to worry music lovers, the band recovers with the song “Solid Gold”. The song includes a playful, almost hypnotizing guitar and maracas. The song’s sound sticks out of the whole album due to the change of guitar sounds from heavy and thick to light and upbeat.

As the end of the CD starts to rear its ugly head, a notable song would be “Chase the Devil”, which has a slightly creepy and intriguing, old Rock & Roll feeling to it.

“Shasta Beast” is the last track worth mentioning, as the band seems to get a little lazy with a few of the tracks as filler.

Despite some of the lackluster songs, there are plenty of songs, more than the five mentioned, that deserve to be heard.

If you are in the mood to freak out and just do something stupid, this would be the album to get.

If you’re not into the whole “buying albums” thing, get the song “I Want You So Hard (Boys Bad News)” and “Solid Gold,” so you can at least say you have listened to them.

Grade: B+

Finding Carl

Some movies are made purely to make money, and they succeed (“You Got Served”).

Others want only to entertain, even if it means no big awards or dough to rake in. (“Snakes on a Plane” didn’t do well after its opening weekend).

And then there are those whose only intention is to win the hardware, usually an Oscar (“All the King’s Men” tried and completely failed).

“Open Season” fits like a custom knitted glove into the first category.

Movies made for the youngsters more often than not fit into the “cash money” category.

They are commonly at the top of the highest grossing movies list and are a tough breed to go against, especially for indie flicks.

Yet as much money as these movies make, the plot, characters and even jokes are cut and pasted from previous films that did exceptionally well.

Here, we see the main character; his wacky, stupid sidekick; the idiot villain who can’t seem to execute the easiest plan; a love interest and the rest of the cast.

Boog is the protagonist in “Open Season”. Voiced

by Martin Lawrence, he lives with Beth, a forest ranger who rescued him as a cub and raised him herself.

One fateful day he runs into Elliot, played poorly

by Ashton Kutcher.

Boog saves Elliot from the hood of a hunter’s truck (the hunter turns into the big bad guy), rescuing him from certain death.

Elliot, in return, takes Boog into town, where they both feast on candy and all manner of other sugar-charged treats.

Boog is caught, leaving Beth with an order from the police to let him go for people’s safety. Etcetera, etcetera.

Comedic hijinks ensue and Boog has to find his way home.

This negative tone may be a little harsh. After all, it’s a kids’ movie, made for the tykes with their snotty noses and whiny, high-pitched voices.

But animated movies used to be quality works of art.

The humor was physical, the characters memorable and the songs catchy. Think of “Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Spongebob Squarepants”.

Not one of these is evident in “Open Season” or its low-brow humor, a forgettable cast and a soundtrack composed of punk rock and synthetic orchestras.

I guess I could look past that and accept the fact that it’s for kids, and it doesn’t have to be that fantastic.

Grade: C

'Dubya Hears Who?' Celia Kuzon sports editor

English teacher. Debate coach. Forensics coach.

Space club adviser. Senior class adviser.

And now Deb Marsh can add published author to her laundry list of accomplishments.

Last May, Marsh published the book “Dubya Hears Who?”, a parody that uses Dr. Suess’ “Horton Hears a Who?” to poke fun at President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and their attempts to control terrorism in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks.

“In a writers group last spring, I got an assignment to write a parody,” Marsh said.

“That’s where I got my inspiration. I’m horrible at comedy, but once I got into writing my poem, things just clicked for me.”

As for where she got the idea, Marsh said it came from the National Security Agency’s tapping phone calls, e-mails and memos.

“When I got into the rhythm, the words just spilled onto the page,” she said.

Marsh’s book focuses on how she sees the Patriot Act as a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.

And she uses humor to show that Bush and Cheney are taking away the liberties of citizens and running away from the problem of terrorism.

In her book, Marsh makes it obvious that she thinks the people running our country are fools, and it’s extremely funny.

Lines such as “We’ll search and we’ll seize all kinds of data, we’ll come up with a plan to chase Al Queada! We’ll spy on lawyers and teachers and cops ... their brothers and sisters, their moms and their pops!”

These show Marsh imitating Dr. Seuss to create rhythm and flow.

Her voice rhymes, and it’s obvious she is a proud Democrat.

Marsh’s says what she thinks without holding back.

And although the book is very outspoken, Marsh said she has personally gotten nothing but positive feedback from those who have read it.

“Dubya Hears Who?” is a quick and easy read.

Anyone, even those who don’t enjoy reading, can read the book in one sitting.

Marsh has the power here to take political issues and break them down into simple terms that are easy to understand.

She manages to incorporate strong opinion but keeps the book light and funny all the while.

The book is available at www.amazon.com and www.thewordsmithpress.com and is meant for what Marsh calls “For Long-Suffering Liberals Everywhere.”

Chinese Tonite and Food Zone are among the Chinese restaurants in the area that don’t impress their customers with their cheap atmosphere. Such as mirrors hanging on every wall so you can watch yourself and everyone else in the restaurant eating is more uncomfortable than impressive.

One exception to these restaurants is Gourmet Garden, a Chinese restaurant on Stadium Boulevard, neighboring KFC and Long John Silvers. But is Gourmet Garden really gourmet?

Upon entering Gourmet Garden, patrons feel a sense of relaxation that comes from the soothing music, the dim lighting, the calm colors and the inviting staff. There are smoking and nonsmoking areas that provide a plethora of seating.

Most of the staff speaks very good English, and they are always smiling and ready to fill your water glass, even if it is full.

The menu supplies a variety of Chinese dishes such as the House Chicken or General Tsao’s Chicken which is described on their menu as “a mouthwatering dish made with large chunks of spring chicken lightly fried with scorched red peppers in our special tangy sauce.”

After a promptly served appetizer, I received my mouthwatering dish of General Tsao’s chicken within 10 minutes of ordering. The dish was beautifully prepared in the tangy sauce and decorated with broccoli and a flower resembling a creation carved from some sort of colorfully dyed plant.

My two companions, German exchange student Teresa Isigheit and Purdue graduate Chris Coy, ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken and the Ma’ La’ Lamb.

The dishes were described by Isigheit and Coy as having great flavor and pleasure. This is a restaurant that gives patrons of all tastes and appetites a dish from which to choose.

Gourmet Garden is even affordable on a high school budget with moderate dinner prices, ranging from $12 to $18, and reduced lunch rates. The peaceful atmosphere, quick, professional service and impressive fare almost makes this place one of the best Chinese food restaurants in the area.

However, the restrooms are merely functional and do not share the ambiance of the main dining area. They contain a few standard stalls, leaky sinks and dusty light fixtures that won’t impress any potential customer. Keep in mind that the restrooms are not appalling, they just need a face lift.

Overall Gourmet Garden is indeed gourmet. Its serene atmosphere, excellent staff and myriad dishes to choose from, make this a place to put at the top of your list for favorite Chinese restaurants.

Grade: A

Grade: A

By Rawlin Myers By: Rawlin Myers

8

Friday, October 27, 2006

the spread

Haunted House

The Squall

Maria Brundage photo editor

Photo by Mria Brundage

Night Terrors at Wiard’s Orchard Located in an apple orchard in Ypsilanti, this six-part haunted attraction gives spooky but expensive fun. I managed to visit four of the six events: the Labyrinth, the Asylum, the Mined Shaft and the Ultimate Barn.

I started my night with the Asylum, a mental hospital taken over by psychotic patients.

The first thing I saw was an actor about 10 feet above the ground, screaming, “Go away!

Look what they did to me!” Apparently, they had removed his entrails, as they were hanging down to the floor beneath him.

Another actor jumped out of the scene yelling and chased us around the corner into the heart of the Asylum. I walked past a good number of screaming, bloody, insane patients; and a few grisly scenes of people being chopped up. Strobe lights and mist added to the creepy factor.

The Mined Shaft was the Asylum taken up a notch, with a scare actor around practically every corner. There were your standard skeletons, with loud clanking noises and creepy lighting effects making up the bulk of the scares.

The Labyrinth, an outdoor maze, was surprisingly lame. It was a plain wooden fence, with a few actors in masks hiding around corners. After the first two, it became predictable, and my cousin and I finished it in two minutes.

The Ultimate Barn combined everything seen before with more surprises. When I yelled at my screaming cousin, the actors called her by name through much of the attraction (this did not help the screaming).

Overall, I felt that the houses were not very original. After the first five people to jump out of a display and yell at me (this was literally around every corner), I was not scared by them anymore. The fact most of the actors and displays were behind rails did not help either.

Admission is pricey, as each attraction was relatively short (the Mined Shaft was the longest at almost 10 minutes). Three is probably the best deal (unless your parents are paying, of course).

Location: Ypsilanti Phone Number: (734)-482-7744 Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Halloween weekend. Also open Monday, Oct. 30 and Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Hours: 7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

Admission: $14 for one event, $21 for two events, $26 for three events, $30 for four events

walk-through

Every October, the Ypsilanti Jaycees build a haunted house for the surrounding community.

This year, the theme is “Studio of Scares”, a delightfully creepy and creative stroll through classic horror movies.

Guests are welcomed to the theater by a bloodied usher and put into a small room with no way out. “One, two, Freddie’s comin’ for you” plays, and the door opens to a room with a strobe light and bloody sheets hanging from the ceiling.

At the end, Freddie Krueger is waiting to hiss and point to the door to the next room, which is a frighteningly realistic replication of the bathroom in “Saw”. This starts your tour through several horror movies, including “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Cujo,” “It,” “The Exorcist,” “The Ring” and more.

What I found interesting about this house was the feeling of immersion in the set. Unlike Night Terrors, there are no rails between you and the exhibits and actors. Visitors nearly walk into the priest chanting, “The power of Christ compels you” and the scare actors could be anywhere.

Studio of Scares also has a surprising amount of originality for its size. There are several odd passages, such as one where visitors must crawl through a car with a dead body in the back. The movie sets all look realistic and use a variety of creepy lighting and effects to make you uneasy.

The staff was very personable (even learning our names before hand so they could scare us with them), and there is free popcorn after the attraction. And at $10, with an almost ridiculous amount of discounts available, Studio of Scares wins the best value award.

Location: Ypsilanti Phone: (734)-332-9139 Dates: Friday and Saturday through Halloween weekend, also open Sunday, Oct. 29, Mon. Oct. 30 and Tuesday, Oct 31.

Hours: 8 p.m.-12:00 p.m. (8 p.m.-1 a.m. on Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th) Admission: $10 Discounts Available: Early Bird Special: $2 off all tickets 8 p.m.-9 p.m all nights; Wear a costume and receive $2 off all nights; Online coupon good for a $2 discount.

Website: http://www.studioofscares.com/

Photo by Maria Brundage

Studio of Scares

Best an I

copy editor

Halloween

t’s not every day that you can wear a strange outfit. Well, technically, it is entirely possible. But I’m talking about wearing one and not getting weird looks, harsh words thrown at you and a restraining order in tomorrow’s mail.

There are only two days where none of these things will happen. One is National Talk Like A Pirate Day, and while your calendar doesn’t officially recognize it, NPR does. So that makes is a real holiday. Feel free to get your pirate on, with peg legs, eye patches and little paper parrots galore.

The other is, of course, Halloween. Oct. 31 is commonly lumped in with black cats, Jack O’Laterns, candy corn and random acts of vandalism. Little known fact: costumes are also an acceptable Halloween tradition.

But this all depends on how old you are. After high school, trick or treating is a sign of serious psychological issues. After college, trick or treating is these issues turning into full blown disorders.

Until then, wearing a dress fit for a Vegas whore, donning a grim reaper robe or just wearing socks and sandals is perfectly cool on Halloween. Now with all this freedom and German fashion trends in front of you, the only question: what to wear on this oh-so-special day?

That’s where I come in. I know what looks cool. Have you seen my plaid shorts, Thundercats T-shirt, my frizzy head of hair? Trust me. I’ll make you the hottest thing since North Korea’s nuclear weapon program.

If humor is your aim, try any of the following costumes: • Unicorn-- This would make even the hardest gangster crack a shiny grilled smile. It’s downright adorable. When it fits, you’ll look like a mythical beast whose delicacy and grace could melt the heart of Stalin himself. When it’s too small, Satan himself

will shed a tear at your beauty.

• Snarf- This superhero is re Thundercats keep around for his p ing nature. I’d be uptight too if M of Omens embedded with the Eye • Supergirl- A hot little numbe by all the right people. Everyone the cape is, even if you’re a dude Remember that humor is relati is probably not remotely chuckle Your funny costume should be s down for maximal results, as mos beyond fart jokes and sexual innu But maybe you don’t feel com knitted “divide by zero” equation classic stab at being scary.

To be truly scary, you need som ton or ghoul won’t make anyone j permanently damaged emotions f

“

Your funny costum and effective. Dum mal results, as most anything beyond innuendo on a

9

Friday, October 29, 2006

The Squall

the spread

Halloween more than a holiday to some students Ryan Aliapoulios staff writer

Photo by Maria Brundage

Terrified Forest and Manor A few miles north of Pinckney is an outdoor haunted walk through the woods, as well as a small haunted house. The forest is frightening and curious, while the “Manor” is more amusing than scary.

The Manor seems to be for the younger and/or less easily frightened crowd. The first floor is more of a performance than anything. The first thing you see is a family of skeletons at the dining room table discussing their diet. The rest of the rooms show how you, too, can become beautiful like the rest of the creepy people through workouts and surgery.

The basement, accessed by a slide, is more of a traditional, unremarkable haunted house, with actors roaring from the side and a “Play-Doh maker” at the end.

The Haunted Forest, a half hour to 40 minute trail, is far more fun. Red light bulbs light the way through almost any horror scene imaginable: a graveyard, a spaceship, an underground cave, a car crash, a snake house, a circus and even a scene from “Dead Man’s Chest” (no undead monkey, however).

The actors were excellent, some jumping out to stare visitors in the face, some screaming and others following group members silently until another person in the group points them out. This is very disconcerting. One of them is even decapitated, but my group couldn’t figure out how it was done because at that point we were being chased. It gets cold at night, but you would be surprised how much you don’t notice when a scary man is running after you with a chainsaw.

There are also a lot of nifty effects. Branches will rustle as visitors walk by, a demon will fly down from the trees with a captive. Rotating tunnels give the illusion of spinning. And a maze of skeletons is really neat under a strobe light.

The Forest and Manor are great weekend fun. And although they are somewhat expensive, they are great fun and also close by.

Location: Pinckney Phone: (734)-878-3737 Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Halloween weekend. Also open Monday, Oct. 30 and Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Hours: Opens at dark (approximately 8 p.m.) and stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday and 11 p.m. all other nights.

Admission: Forest: $15, Manor: $7, Combo Ticket: $20 Discounts Available: No Website: http://www.terrorfied.com

nd worst

n costumes

Before you start making your Mumm-Ra costume and recreating Thundera to obtain the Sword of Plun-Darr, know that the costume itself isn’t the real fright. It’s a delicate balance of planning and execution. I found that dressing as a gorilla at a Dexter football game was surprisingly effective, even just standing around. Walking around the corner and seeing a big hairy beast isn’t an everyday sight, so the simple shock of it becomes scary. me real creativity. A basic skeleThe execution is harder. You jump. You want real fear. Real, have to be the gorilla. Make fear. monkey noises. Scratch your crotch in public. Throw feces at strangers. Whatever your costume, you have to go the extra me should be simple mile to pull of the fear factor. mb it down for maxiHalloween costumes are serit people can’t handle ous business. If you mess up, fart jokes and sexual it’s another 10 and a half months until Talk Like A Pirate Day. a daily basis anyhow.”

Then you’re forced to dress like a pirate to be the pirate.

It goes full circle.

eally just an ugly cat who the pure comic genius and easy-goMumm-Ra was after my Sword e of Thundera. er like this will get you noticed e will wonder who the babe in e. ive. What may be funny to you e-inducing to those around you. simple and effective. Dumb it st people can’t handle anything uendo on a daily basis anyhow. mfortable trying out your selfn. Fret not. There’s always the

to be Goldilocks too, so I think I’m just going to combine them.”

She also hopes to use her costume at the Halloween Concert this year.

Halloween is often a time for stu“This year I’m going all out,” dents to dress up, play pranks on people and bother their neighbors Burke said, “ So I asked (orchestra teacher Matt) Deloria if we could for free candy.

But to sophomore Kelly Brown, wear costumes at the concert, and the spirit of Halloween is much more he said we could.”

Burke’s family also gets into the than that.

“I think Halloween is great,” Halloween spirit.

“My family likes Halloween too,” Brown said. “I’m really excited for it to come. I can’t wait to get dressed she said. “ My dad always plays Halloween music, we all dress up and up and scare little kids.”

Brown said she has been celebrat- my parents hand out candy. We love Halloween.” ing Halloween all her life.

Some students like junior Phillip “We’ve been celebrating it as long as I can remember,” she said. “My Huddleston, however, don’t like Halparents always get dressed up and loween.

“Halloween is such a pagan holihand out candy since we live in a day,’ Huddleston said. “It really ansubdivision.”

Instead of buying a costume, noys me. Especially when people Brown recalls making a good one dress up as slutty angels or something like that.” last year.

Brown, however, disagrees with “I remember last year I dressed up as a guy,” she said. “ I borrowed Huddleston.

“I think if people hate Hallowmy brother’s jeans and everything.”

And Brown is not the only Dexter een then they are just scared of it,” student who makes her own Hallow- Brown said. “I love it because it’s a lot of fun to dress up and scare peoeen costumes.

Junior Julia Burke said that she ple, and I’m not scared of anything.”

B u r k e normally makes agrees. “Halher own cosloween is just tumes instead Halloween is just a a great time to of buying them great time to dress get dressed up too. up and eat candy.” and get candy,” “I like to she said. “It’s make my own a lot of fun as costumes to -Julia Burke, long as you’re get into Haljunior trying to not loween and be get hit by cars original,” she or get drugged said. “It’s more up by bad canfun than buydy.” ing costumes.

As for Halloween being a pagan I remember last year I got out my costume from 6th grade. I was Spi- holiday, Burke said that this isn’t a derella, and I used it again last year concern for her.

“I don’t even know what a pagan since it still fit.”

Burke also said she has a special is,” Burke said. “ I think it has something to do with devil worshipping, costume design for this year.

“I think I’m going to be a Gold- but Halloween is just about having ilocks pirate,” she said. “I was think- fun. The people who put poison in ing about being a pirate, but I wanted candy, those are the pagans.”

“

Kelly Brown: Thinks people who hate Halloween are actually scared of the holiday.

Julia Burke: Creates her own Halloween costumes and often combines two costumes into one.

Who are you for Halloween?

1. In my spare time, I enjoy... a. Dancing in Fat Boy Slim videos b. Using my Force powers to choke expendable crew members c. Telling buyers who’s been kidnapped d. Saving the world with my arm, which has a gun on it 2. If I were president, I would... a. Get rid of zoos b. Slaughter Ewoks with my army of storm troopers c. Build strong bones and teeth d. Save the world with my arm, which has a gun on it 3. People know me for... a. My Bruce Dickinson impersonation b. My ballin’ ride c. The Gallon Challenge d. Saving the world with my arm, which has a gun on it 4. Finally, if I were on a deserted island, I would bring... a. My comedic wit b. My TIE fighter c. A bowl, for when I turn to cottage cheese d. Nothing. I’ve got a gun for an arm If you answered mostly a, you must be Christopher Walken. If b was your choice, I hope you can handle a lightsaber. You’re Darth Vader. Answering c more often than not? Congratulations.

You’re clearly a milk carton. And if there are lots of circles around d, you hide that blue armor very well, MegaMan.

10

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

sports

Stuck in state

Cross country boys can’t go to national competiton due to state laws Caitlin Henderson staff writer

Photo courtesy of Jaime Dudash

Running them down: Senior Aiden Shapiro-Leighton pushes himself during the Portage Invitational.

The team’s performance at the meet exceeded last year’s.

Cross Country Facts Ranked 9th in the nation Undefeated for ‘06 season Jason Bishop is the fastest sophomore in the state.

The men’s cross country team is ranked ninth in the nation, and would like to compete in a national tournament such as the one sponsored by Nike Team Nationals.

According to Josh Rowe, Nike’s youth running manager, “This tournament will motivate hundreds, if not thousands, of runners nationwide to seek new levels of excellence year round,” In order to compete in tournaments like this the team has tried a couple of different ways to get around the rules set by the Michigan High School Athletic Association which says schools may not compete beyond a 300 mile radius.

They tried running as the Dexter cross country club, however this did not work because the MHSAA also has a rule stating a club team can not consist of all the same runners as on a school team.

Although the team is disappointed because they cannot compete against more national opponents, they certainly aren’t devastated. ”There is some good competition in Michigan still,” senior Danny Jackson said. “I am not going to dwell on this.”

According to Marc Bloom in an article posted on Dyestat.com, an on-line running forum, Nike Team Nationals main purpose for this meet is to promise greater opportunity for young runners throughout America.

In fact this site says Nike Team Nationals realized that with cross country, many great runners such as Alberto Salazar, Frank Shorter and Steve Prefontaine, started running with their high school cross country teams.

“We also hope to foster values of team work that are important to young runners on and off the course,” Rowe said.

Although kids develop many leadership and team skills through their high school teams, the Nike Team Nationals believes having kids from different schools work together is very productive and allows them to expand their running

experiences, and push each other to new levels.

Producing the best team, with the best athletes in the country is one of Nike Team Nationals main goals.

They hope that this team will be able to represent our country in the Olympics, fighting for the number one position. And improving the country’s Olympic team is always in the back of their mind when planning the Nike Team Nationals event.

“Having schools strive for success beyond their own states, searching for yet higher levels of excellence, and national ranking, against the best competition from all sectors of the nation,” Bloom wrote in his article, “this will push many runners to improve and become closer to being part of our US Olympic team.”

And most Dexter runners have plenty of time to prepare. “Having a young team last year and only losing one of our top nine runners, the team is back with another undefeated season,” social studies teacher and men’s cross country coach Jaime Dudash said. “ We are very experienced.”

With returning seniors such as Jackson, senior Andrew Martin, and others who have been on the team for more than one state championship, Dudash said he sets high standards are set and expects them to be met.

Unfortunately for the team, not being able to compete beyond the 300 mile radius does affect them at times.

“We work so hard all season long,” junior Bobby Aprill said. “And at the end of the season we can’t go. It sucks.”

And according to Aprill the team really believes they could have a chance to win this competition which makes them want to go even more.

But regardless of whether they can compete out of state or not, the team feels very confident rounding up this season and hopes to get even better.

“In the recent Portage invitational the team crushed last year’s team,” Jackson said, “beating last year’s times by two and a half minutes.”

The Dexter-Chelsea rivalry Competition between the two schools continues to drive Dreads Krystyna Taheri staff writer

trash in the paper. This gets us angry and ready.”

After pump up time is over, it is time to Every game, every practice, the football team gives 100 percent. But in this game perform. For both teams this is more than a their effort is three times normal. Their in- game.

“This is the game we play for,” Mabry said. tensity is three times heavier. It is the Dexter - Chelsea football rivalry, and it seems to gets “If we don’t win, there is no post season for us. This is everything.” everyone working overtime.

And while the Dreadnaughts have not But why is there such a big rivalry? Dexter beaten Chelsea in 11 defensive coordinator years, Koenig hopes Ken Koenig thinks he things will change. knows why.

He said, “This is The Dreadnaughts If we don’t win, week seven, game sevand the Bulldogs have there is no post en, against team numbeen in the same league season for us. This is ber seven. Every game forever. everything.” is a must win. As a “It is also due to the coach your routine does proximity of the school,” not change a whole lot. he said.

-Matt Mabry, But for the players, they For the players much senior really take their pracstrategizing and prepatice level up a couple of ration is involved prior notches.” to the big show down.

Mabry agrees and But senior Matt Mabry said this is what gets him fired up: “Looking said, “We, as a team, will play with more pasat the scores from last year. Also it made us sion and intensity.”

But it this game a rivalry game for both angry when the Chelsea running back talked

“

schools?

Chelsea head coach Brad Bush isn’t so sure.

“This game is treated just like any other game,” he said. “I think Dexter and Chelsea are rivals in all sports, but I think that the football game is • Matt Mabry not the rival that it once was.”

Unfortunately the Bulldogs prevailed in the last 30 seconds this year, robbing the Dreadnaughts of their victory. The final score was 33-29, Bulldogs.

“Dexter played an outstanding game,” Bush said. “I think after this past week’s game this may become more of a rivalry. It was the closest game we have had with Dexter in the past 10 years.”

Even if this game didn’t go Dexter’s way, in the minds of many of the players and coaches, this is the game, the rivalry that will count more than any record.

Junior Thomas Endler said, “This game means pride and passion, and making history.”

entertainment editor

What happened to seniority?

Dear senior class of 2007, Let me begin by saying how glad I am that we have made it thus far in school and have somehow survived the past three years of educational hell. Finally we are at the point where it all pays off, the year we take charge.

And despite all the college applications and constant nagging from our parents, we are determined as ever to take advantage of this year and live up our last months as high school students.

As impressed as I am with what we have already pulled off this year, compared to some senior classes before us we are pathetic.

In particular we’re disgracing ourselves by not recognizing our senior status and lack of school spirit.

Trust me I’m no cheerleader. I, too, I’d like to avoid have been less throwing freshman than supportonto the court to ive of Dexter. get them out of But it’s now to the point the seats that have where we been passed down aren’t taken to us.” seriously by other schools.

Also, I have only resorted to using my seniority in desperate situations, and I know other seniors are doing the same. This has led to obnoxious freshman disrespecting us.

Another place in need of seniority is the football games. As seniors we are there in full support of our boys on the field. Most of us are covered in body paint, screaming into megaphones and cheering hysterically.

However, at the Saline game I noticed a fair amount of seniors sitting at the edges of the stands or without seats. There was something very wrong with that situation. How many of you seniors remember our freshman and sophomore years when we had the shafted seats?

You only got to stand by the upperclassmen if you were invited to.

Seniors, let’s clear this one up now before we get to basketball and hockey season. I’d like to avoid throwing freshman onto the court to get them out of the seats that have been passed down to us.

The next issue we need to confront doesn’t deal with annoying underclassmen, but rather our annoying rivals.

Oh, yes, my friends, let’s talk about Chelsea. Did your pulse just quicken and every muscle in your body tense up? I’m assuming no because our animosity towards the Bulldawgs (Chelsea likes to spell it that way because, as you and I know, they are extremely ghetto) has died over the years. Was everyone oblivious to the painted rock and CHS that appeared on our cars during school one day?

Granted, they were pitifully done and barely visible, but the point is Chelsea students tainted our cars, and we weren’t the least bit outraged.

I understand we lost the football game to the “Dawgs”, but let me remind you of a few sports we are better at than Chelsea: cross country, swimming, golf, soccer, water polo, track, equestrian, etc. Now do we feel a little bit better about endorsing our school colors?

Guys, don’t forget what we have learned from the senior classes before us, and all the things we’ve put up with through these past years. We are superior to the freshman. We have already sat in the crap seats. It’s their turn now. Freshmen and sophomores, start listening to the seniors and learn your place.

Also seniors let’s not forget who we are. We are Dreadnaughts, one of two in the whole nation. And as much as we hate our school some days, we have spent almost four years here.

And admit it. We have had some badass times. We have only seven more months here, and frankly I’d like to leave a legacy behind us.

Shape up seniors, Kelsey

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11

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

sports

Hockey team hopes for successful season Players look to new coaches for upcoming season Brent Muse staff writer

Five players suspended, two coaches resigning and three players unable to play because they weren’t academically eligible at the end of the 2005 season.

This was not the way hockey players and coaches wanted their year to end.

•Machnik But according to senior Nick Field, things like this won’t happen again this year.

“Everyone is stepping up, especially the upperclassmen,” Field said. “We play more as a team and the talent is spread much better.”

According to Field, the team has fewer ineligible players this year, and they are a much better all around, even after losing nine graduating seniors. With only two freshman and six sophomores out of 16 total players, the team is fairly old this year.

To replace head coach Mike O’Donahue who resigned at the end of last season, Gary Howell steps in to take the head coaching opportunity.

After playing four years at University of Michigan Dearborn and assistant coaching at New Boston Huron, Howell wants to improve on last year’s team.

“Howell has many great qualities that he brings to the team,” senior Mike Machnik said.

“He also brought along Chris Muss who played college hockey with him, and Brad Everyone is Rinderknect, stepping up, who holds many especially the goalie records at upperclassmen.

Dexter, stayed as a coach.”

“We have a -Nick Field, good returning senior core of players, a good young group of players and more offense than last year,” Rinderknect said.

Machnik added that the team has a strange bond both during and after the season. “After long practices and tough games, we head to the showers.” Machnik said.

“We do many things in the shower, like gel our hair into mohawks, and I often enjoy late night calls with my teammates.”

“

Photo by Allison Sutter

Gettin’ rowdy: Seniors Raechel Pape, Lisa Hoeft and freshman Kayla Reinhackel entertain the crowd at half-time during the October 6 game against Chelsea.

“I like the excitement of games,” Reinhackel said. “Everyone gets really pumped, and it’s a good thing for the team to show spirit for the football team.”

Team bonding builds sisterhood on dance team Dance team steps it up during performances and competitions Hunter Lyons staff writer

For many students, watching the dance team perform at half-times at football games is a source of entertainment.

But according to freshmen Kayla Reinhackel, what students don’t see is the hours of work that these 14 girls put into their sport.

From team camp at Michigan State, to the long three hour conditioning sessions, Reinhackel said these girls work hard year round to stay in tip top dancing shape.

But it isn’t just hard work for these girls. Many are on the team just because they love to dance.

“I dance because I get to express myself through dance,” Reinhackel

said. “It’s fun to perform in front for you when you go to perform just of that many people, including stu- to worry about yourself. You know everyone else is going to do their dents.”

Junior and third year varsity job.”

Unlike most sports, dance is more member Ashley Clark feels the same way. “There is nothing cooler then about dancing against yourself than getting to perform in front of that against a competitor Taylor said.

But don’t think many people,” Clark that the team just said. performs on Fri“It’s awesome.”

These girl aren’t day nights. “We But with five semy friends. They’re have two comniors leaving last like my sisters. petitions that we year, it was important perform in,” Tayto this year’s team to -Laura Merz, lor said. “We do be able to bond. senior one competition “We have a lot of at team camp at sleep overs,” senior Michigan State captain Annie Taylor said. “It helps us get to know each University and one other.”

The dance team also does someother better and builds trust. When you can trust each other, it’s easier thing that many teams don’t do.

“

“Before each practice we ask a question,” Taylor said. “Just a random question to calm everyone down. We get in a circle and everyone answers it. Once the question was, What’s your ‘favorite girl crush?’”

And for Reinhackel, these events have helped the team have a bond that many other teams wish they could. “Being able to dance with my friends is awesome,” she said.

Others feel the same way. “We lost a lot of talent last year,” senior Laura Merz said.

“But what we lost in talent, we gained in friendship.”

Some might say the dance team just performs together, but Merz says it’s so much more.

“These girls aren’t my friends,” she said. “They’re like my sisters.”

Kotsones leads lacrosse revolution Jake LaRosa staff writer

While many students may think of lacrosse as some obscure sport, sophomore Chris Kotsones said “It’s actually quite similar to many popular sports such as football, soccer and hockey, with the exception of being able to whack someone with an aluminum pole.”

Kotsones is spear heading the effort to create a team this year at DHS. “Lacrosse is mad crazy sport,” he said. “I like it because it reminds me of playing football. The full contact nature of the sport is all the fun.”

Kotsones said forming a Dexter team to compete with schools such as Saline, Adrian, and Chelsea is still in the works. “We still need some more people to join,” he said. “We are trying to work something out with the athletic director,

Mr. Robinson, to try to make this happen, but as a club sport, they will begin in March, and he hasn’t gotten back to us yet. We are also sort- the games can go on through June. “I’m pretty ing out a schedule with other schools, and that’s pumped for the first Dexter lacrosse season,” sophomore Mike McCargoing pretty well.” thy said. “I’ve never played “Although lacrosse is before, but I’m told it’s an Michigan’s fastest growI’ve never played easy game to learn. And to ing sport, becoming an ofbefore, but I’m told be honest, I just want to rail ficial school sport isn’t such it’s an easy game to somebody.” a quick and easy process,” learn.

Kotsones said he will Athletic Director John Robhave flyers available soon inson said. “There is a 4-6 in the office for those who year process before it can -Mike McCarthy, are interested in playing. become a varsity sport. sophomore “I’ll also try to get an anHowever, if the student innouncement later this year terest is great enough, and in school,” he said. “To anyour financial status imone who wants to beat peoproves, I’m quite confident ple from Chelsea and other schools with sticks, I we could make it happen.”

If Dexter lacrosse is successfully formed invite you to participate in lacrosse this year.”

“

12

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

columns

staff writer

ve a s d n a cu t ou t e ar ty x e n r o f

Why you didn't have a homecoming date

A

nother homecoming has passed. Another weekend of football, dancing, fancy suits and dinners and fun for everyone. Even the rolly backpack kids. But not you.

You sat at home in your finest pair of undergarments and watched “Ice Cube: Behind the Music” until you cried yourself to sleep.

What could you have done to save yourself from this horrible fate? Well, fear not dateless Dexter student, this handy clip-n-save article will guarantee you a date for the next big dance (Note: there is no actual guarantee this will work, but if it doesn’t, you have permission to run over my foot in the parking lot).

Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way to an unforgettable homecoming experience.

Step one: Get a background check on your date.

Nothing creates awkward moments in the car like your date robbing a liquor store on the way to the dance.

Step two: After clearing your date, listen to Barry White/Luther Vandross for one solid hour, write an anonymous love letter and leave it for them to find. If you are caught placing the note, mace them. Your identity cannot be revealed.

Step three: The following day, approach your target and ask them casually if they have received any notes. Also offer them milk to pour in their eyes to stop the swelling from the mace. The conversation should go something like this: “Hey, I’m just wondering, have you received any anonymous letters lately?”

“Yeah. I liked it.”

“That’s cool ... ” (Awkward silence) “Do you want some milk to pour on your eyes?”

“Only if it’s skim. I only pour skim on my eyes.”

“Dang. Two percent.”

Step four: Drive around naked for a day. This won’t actually help you get a date for homecoming.

In fact, this step isn’t beneficial at all. Or legal.

Skip this step.

Step five: Buy a large ladder, flowers, a cinder block and a hunting spotlight. Set up the ladder outside your date’s window, and in Morse code, reveal yourself as the note writer. While they are screaming in happiness, attach the flowers to the cinder block and throw it through their window (Flowers are always romantic). If you are not immediately attacked, ask them if they will go to homecoming with you. Success is now yours.

Step six: Return the ladder and spotlight, and use the money to rent a hot air balloon. Nothing says hip homecoming style like a hot air balloon.

Congratulations. You are dateless no more. You will remember this homecoming forever. Your children and their children will never hear the end of your romantic adventures.

Unless your grandchildren have rolly backpacks, in which case they don’t care at all because they already have a date.

10 things not to do on a date

editor-in-chief

10 8

6

4 2

Schedule two at once. Let me tell you, this does not go over well. If you attempt this, the chances of you going to a hospital on that given night increase 10 fold. An array of injuries could occur such as: stab wound, soldering iron to the face, decapitation, internal bleeding due to blunt object brutality, severe burns and shrapnel injuries. It’s not worth it.

Do not try to move in after you have just had some sort of meal together. Nobody wants to see a cheesy Doritos mouth that smells like a mixture of cheese, coffee and garlic. It is possible that an injury could occur here as well, although less severe. A slap to the face or a swift knee to the testicles is what I would expect.

Singing the French National Anthem. You do not impress anybody with this. In fact, you are doing the opposite. You are convincing people that you have a high rating on the douschometer.

Go to a NASCAR event. I mean, I guess you could if you never want to see this person again. This is a good alternative to murder. Just take your date to a race at the Michigan Speedway, and they will never bother you again. Best of all, it is legal. So if you ever need to get rid of anybody and don’t mind spending an afternoon with some drunken red necks and inhaling 14 years worth of second hand smoke (Marlboro Reds) in mere hours, this is the place for you.

Wear cowboy boots. If you wear cowboy boots, you are just setting yourself up for rejection.

Bring your cult along for the ride. There is nothing like taking the old cult bus on your date. Who doesn’t love a bus full of satanic, suicidal, orgy lovers, let alone going on a date with one of them. If you are into that kind of stuff, then that is your choice. I advise against it.

9

7 5

Be a scientologist. Although the date is not the real problem. The real problem is that you are a scientologist.

Listen to Creed. If at anytime during the date Creed is playing, whether it be in the background or not, it is not going to end well. Creed is the girliest, corniest, lamest, most inconceivably bad group of musicians to ever grace the face of the earth. They are just plain awful and they drag down anybody who listens to them. Basically, they are in the same category as Avril Levigne and Paris Hilton.

Strike them.

Be Conor Daining. There is nothing worse than being a short, fat, Irish kid with pale white skin, little sense of style, glasses, braces, curly red hair and freckles. It is a fatal disease commonly known as being ginger. It affects millions around the globe. The best way around having a ginger kid is marrying a person of Asian decent; they don’t carry the ginger gene.

3 1

Emo kids: plauge of the nation staff writer

“

If life in suburban middle-class white America is really a black abyss, think about what it could be like.”

I

consider myself to be a pretty openminded guy. I don’t care if people choose to live alternative lifestyles, as long as it isn’t bothering anyone else.

You can like people who have the same reproductive organs as you do. As long as I don’t have to watch it, have a ball.

You can practice witchcraft or worship Satan all you want. Just don’t cast any spells on me.

You can be the hardest thug in Dexter and roll around with your crew of homies and shorties.

Just don’t run up on me, shorty.

Some things, though, I’m not so accepting of.

Particularly emo folk. If you are not familiar with the emo culture, you’re lucky. But let me enlighten you.

These are the people in the halls wearing dark makeup, guys and girls alike, and dark clothing, listening to songs with titles like, “Stabby Rip Stab Stab.” They are often depressed about life in gen-

eral.

When I see people like this, I’ve taken to laughing. You may think this is mean, but take a minute to consider. By laughing at their dark, generally depressed attitude about life, I merely make up for some of the light they try to take out of the world.

What right do they have to be so depressed anyway?

If life in suburban middle-class white America is really a black abyss, think about what it could be like. Try to put yourself in the position of the kids on the UNICEF boxes.

But maybe you’re right, emo folk. Maybe instead of trying to help impoverished and starving children caught in the middle of civil war and epidemics, we should kick a few bucks into to the UNIEMO fund to lift the spirits of a group of people who have homes, education and a pretty good chance of living past the age of six.

Better yet, I suggest a forced, mass immigra-

tion of all emo people to Ohio. Then they can chill with Hawthorne Heights and find out if Ohio really is for lovers. If it weren’t for the fact that having fun is completely against what they stand for, they could all get together and have eye-blacking parties. They could even have their own department stores with all-girl clothing.

I still can’t fathom how a guy with obvious characteristics between his legs can be anywhere near comfortable in women’s jeans, which clearly are not roomy in that area.

I get that they want to be unique and nonconforming, but they all look the same to me.

So emo folk, cheer up. Girls, get your pants back from your boyfriends and lay off the mascara.

Guys, do the same.

I know you probably don’t think there’s anything in this world worth laughing about, but stroll by a mirror, and you just might change your mind.

13

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

editorial

THE

Squall EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Robert Kuzon

MANAGING EDITOR:

Austin Shapiro DESIGN: Kim Wiesner

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

all

MANAGERS ADVERTISEMENT: 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 DESIGNER: 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

D R

E

Squall THE

Library access isn't up to par for students When you think of a library, usually you think of a place filled with eager students, able and willing to learn. Unfortunately, our high school library is not one of those kinds of libraries.

We think it could be though if it were open longer and more available for students to use when they need it. We also question the strictness of some of the libraryʼs rules.

The library is not open before or after school, the hours which are most useful for students to use it. It is also not open during lunch.

When, then, can students use it?

A high school library is supposed to be for students to use as a learning resource. Since the primary focus in high school is to learn, the library and its tools should be readily available in order to help learning.

But our library is not a very welcoming place. Why canʼt you walk through the library as a short cut when there is no one in there? That seems like a pretty easy question to answer-- you should be able to.

Obviously Librarian Jeanine Fletcher has the right to make rules for the library. She has the right to open and close the library when

-07Matt Eber

she wants.

She is providing a service to the school by keeping up the library and keeping all those books in order, which has got to be one heck of a chore.

She also is governed by the teacherʼs contract which states she doesnʼt have to be at school until 7:31, may leave as soon as she is finished with her duties and has the right to a 30-minute, uninterrupted lunch.

Regardless of the teachers contracts, though, the library should be open and available for students to use when they need it, and library rules shouldnʼt be so strict.

We call on the district to help keep the library open for students use.

Maybe the district could agree to pay Fletcher or someone else to keep it open 30 minutes before school, an hour after school and during all lunches.

For students needing to complete projects, and especially for students who do not have computers or Internet access, this extra three hours per day would make a world of difference.

Letters to the editor

Principal challenges students to do good, enjoy life Dear Editor, The old Chinese adage, “May you live in interesting times,” is truer today than ever before. The beginning of the 21st century is truly an interesting time. But I fear many of us lose perspective on what is important in these times.

As young adults, the students at Dexter High School have an opportunity to decide how to “live in interesting times.” This is not an easy thing to do. We live in a hurried up world full of high expectations, constant media, barrage and the slavery of the clock. My charge to you ... slow down and enjoy each moment.

If you ask your parents and grandparents, they will tell you that time speeds by more quickly the older you get. As teenagers, I know some days seem endless. Use these long days to cement friendships, visit with

teachers, tell your parents thank you and call your grandparents.

At school you might walk across the commons and sit with someone sitting alone, bend over and pick up a piece of paper, be the one in the group to NOT gossip about someone behind their back. These are the important things. Enjoying life and doing good make each one of us a more complete human being.

Sincerely, Kit Moran Principal

D S -09-08A

in the hall

“It’s kind of a bummer.

Now people can’t have a nice environment to study in order to catch up.”

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE LIBRARY NOT BEING OPEN BEFORE

Natalie Fluent

“I usually don’t have to deal with it, but if I needed to type something up, it would be a major drag. One time I tried to walk in just to print something, but they wouldn’t even let me in. I mean it’s not like you can really cause any ruckus in the library.”

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AND AFTER SCHOOL OR DURING LUNCH?

Sam Jones

“It does make things hard for some students, but the librarian has the right to set the hours.”

“It pretty much sucks because you can’t do homework in there or get stuff done on the computers.”

“I never really use the library so I don’t care that much, but I do think it is kind of ridiculous that it’s not open after school because people need it for homework.”

-10Morgan Quist

Matt Close

-French teacher-

14

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Squall

photostory

Students show class spirit and help with float building Lisa Ritchie staff writer

Her motivation for helping build the junior float was to meet new people and promote school spirit.

That’s why junior Lindsey Haller participated in the annual float building contest.

But Haller said most students don’t participate because they don’t know about it.

“It’s important to come because you represent your class,” she said.

But the motivation to build class floats are not always due to school spirit. “I want to help with float building so our class float doesn’t look like s---,” sophomore Kendall Chappell said. “It’s mildly entertaining.”

And sophomore Kaylen Sherman said it would be even more entertaining if more students helped.

“It’s just really boring,” Sherman said. “It would be more fun if more people came.”

Photo by Ryan Winchester

Batmobile Touch-up: Freshman Olivia Williams paints the front bumper of the Batmobile for her class float.

“It was really fun,” Williams said. “We hid the sophomores’ flag, and we got penalty points.”

Welcome to Dread City: Junior Lasse Henrichsen works on the back of the juniors’ Spiderman float, which featured “Dread City,” modeled after Dexter. “It was pretty cool,” Henrichsen said.

“I painted the back of the float.”

Photo by Sean Wallace

Photo by Ryan Winchester

Royal artist: Senior homecoming king Mehdi Massoudi paints a model airplane to go on the seniors’ Ninja Turtle float. “It was pretty cool,” Massoudi said.

“I enjoyed being with friends and the work was interesting.”

First place juniors ‘08 Second place (tie) seniors ‘07 freshmen ‘09 Third place sophomores ‘09

Photo by Sean Wallace