0607-4

December 22, 2006 - Volume XVII - Issue 4 -

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

New game consoles released and evaluated Wii and PS3 battle it out on

pages 8 and 9

Community members share their good-byes to Bo

page 10

Illustration by Rachel Moir

Squall THE

The farewell:

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Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

news

Teacher aides may be gone next semester Charlie Pettit staff writer

Jake Burgess: This office aid may have to find a different class for next semester

Because the state auditor may not allow the high school to count First-Step Mentor students as full time students, Dexter Community Schools stands to lose as much as $14,000.

On Nov. 15 and 16, Washtenaw Intermediate School District auditor Monica Hill worked with attendance secretary Tammy Wonnacott to review teacher attendance books and to verify how many students go to Dexter High School.

Wonnacott said Hill also looked over the curriculum because the number of students who attend the high school and the quality of classes available play a large role in determining the high school’s funding.

After looking through the paperwork and counting all DHS students, Hill put the First-Step Mentoring Program in question.

Two years ago Hill said teacher aides could not count as full time students, so the district changed the name to First-Step Mentoring and made the curriculum more academic so that it would count as a class for students.

If the auditor decides that the First Step Mentoring Program doesn’t meet the state of Michigan’s requirements for being a class and doesn’t have a solid curriculum, then the district will drop the class.

This will force all the students (about 150 this semester) into different classes to take the program’s place. “I’ll be mad at first,” sophomore counseling mentor Anna Aiken said, “but if I get to choose what class I will take instead, then I will feel better about it.”

Students will not be the only ones losing out if the First-Step Mentoring Program is discontinued by the state. Teachers, the main office and the counseling office will face challenges.

“It will be more difficult because you won’t have that extra set of hands,” English teacher Matt Martello said about not having any FirstStep Mentor students. Wonnacott agrees. “There is a lot that goes on down here (main office),” she said. “We’re going to need some help.”

The school district receives $7,700 from the state for each full time student that it has, meaning every student who has six full classes.

Principal Kit Moran is still awaiting an answer

from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District to see whether or not the First Step Mentoring Program will count as a class next semester. “It”s an ongoing thing,” Moran said. “It isn’t over yet.”

Hill didn’t return phone call seeking comment.

The district could possibly lose funding for about 150 students that are in the FirstStep Mentoring program. If the program is not counted as a class, then the state can take away $14,000 that the school would have been given for those students if they had been in six academic classes.

Some students in the First-Step Mentoring Program argue that the program should stay at the high school for good because it is beneficial to not only the school, but to the students that take it. “(First-Step Mentoring) should definitely stay as a class because we do all the light work that staff doesn’t have time to do, senior Jake Burgess said. “It keeps you organized and teaches you to stay on task so that you will get things done.”

Quickread • First Step Mentoring could no longer be an available class if it fails to meet Michigan standards for a solid curriculum • DHS stands to lose $14,000 in funding from the class not being available, due to students not having a full six hour schedule • Teachers and staff say they will lose out on extra help without student aides

New strip mall brings business Caitlin Henderson staff writer

Not only is competition heating up between Country Market and the new Busch’s across the street, but it is becoming more intense between other businesses in the two strip malls as well.

Great Clips and Arizona Tanning Salon have opened near Busch’s, and while both businesses say they are not in competition, Kristina Bullock, owner of Arizona Tans said, “We plan on staying competitive with Video and Tans prices.”

In the Country Market mall, Videos and Tans has not made any major adjustments based on Arizona Tans strategy.

Their hours have stayed the same and their prices have not changed.

Although there has not been much competition so far, Bullock

of Arizona Tans said, “The business has a good chance to succeed. We are very confident. Here we have an atmosphere of a real salon. Our customers don’t have to walk through a video store to come in here.”

Bullock said her company also offers monthly packages and student discounts just like Video and Tans and have many new machines.

She also said Arizona Tans opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

John McInnes, the owner of Videos and Tans said, “The new building has not affected business yet. I will increase advertising, however.

We have the lowest prices around which should keep the customers coming back.”

McInnes said his new competition will probably cut his customers in half but hopes with more advertising he can maintain a good busi-

Just beginning: Mostly incomplete, the new strip mall next to Busch’s only has a few stores open for business, with more coming in the future. There are several lots still available for rent.

Photo by Sean Wallace

ness.

Mike Schonmaker, owner of Great Clips, on the other hand, said he and Monica’s across the street, are not really going for the same customers.

Schonmaker also said Great Clips is a select service that offers basic cuts, completely different from the coloring and styling at Monica’s.

Monica’s representatives didn’t

want to talk to a reporter who called asking for an interview.

One difference between Monica’s and Great Clips?

The bird man.

Great Clips uses a man dressed in a bird costume outside the new strip mall as a way to advertise lower prices who is attracting many new customers, and helping the busi-

ness.

“Business is doing very good, and is well received by the community,” Schonmaker said. “We don’t monitor competition. We are a convenience oriented business. The number of people who come in don’t use Monica’s.

“They are totally different types of salons.”

Exam schedule not going to be the same Conor Daining staff writer

Since the state says students must be in school for 1089 hours per year, teachers have been forced to choose a new exam schedule.

So on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 40 teachers got together to discuss ideas for the new schedule.

Teachers representing their departments such as Deborah Marsh from English and Tina Kopinski from science made proposals, and these proposals were presented at the Dec. 5 teacher meeting.

Dexter Education Association President Joe Romeo is in charge of making sure every proposal meets the requirements set by the state, and the proposals must be approved by Mona Auerbach, the secretary to the superintendent.

Auerbach is the “minute keeper” for the district and must be sure students meet the state’s time requirements.

“All of the (proposals) are going to have problems,” Principal Kit Moran said. “We just have to find the one with the least problems.”

Moran said he decided to allow the teachers to make the proposals and vote on them themselves.

After the vote on the fifth some of the “bad” ideas were taken off the list.

There were more than 20 proposals, most of which were discarded because the state’s time requirements were not met.

On Dec. 8 the proposals were singled down to two. The first option involved two exams a day and a “break time” part way through each exam and lunch following the normal A, B, C

lunch schedule.

The second option combines two exams and preparation for other exams/ second semester classes in between.

Both schedules will have on-campus lunch.

Forty-three teachers voted on the final two options. According to Moran, option number one received 60 percent of the votes making it the new exam schedule.

The schedule was finalized on Dec. 13 when Moran received an e-mail from the department chairs saying option one met the necessary requirements.

“The staff and students weren’t happy, so something had to be changed,” Moran said about the previous exam schedules. “It’s too big of a decision to be made by one person.”

First Semester Exam Schedule 7:40-9:25 9:25-9:37 9:37-10:43 10:49-2:31

1st Hour Exam Break Time Remainder of time 4th Hour Exam Normal A, B & C Lunch Schedule

1:20-1:32

Break Time

12:31-2:31

Remainder of time depending on lunch schedule

Tuesday: exams 1 & 4, Wednesday: exams 2 & 5, Thursday: exams 3 & 6

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

The debate for PowerSchool

Administrators, teachers try to resolve their conflicts with PowerSchool

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Quickread • PowerSchool enables parents to access grades, attendence, teacher comments, along with test scores and assignments on a regular basis.

• Many teachers believe that the inaccuracies and inconsistecies of PowerSchool make it harder to enter student information.

Students offered deal to clean up trash Ryan Aliapoulios staff writer

Principal William “Kit” Moran spoke to all grades on Nov. 21 about decreasing trash in the hallways, offering the incentive of using iPods at lunchtime if the situation improves.

“This school year started off nicely, but as the year progressed the problem has gotten worse,” Moran said. “So I sat in my office trying to figure out an incentive to give (students who clean up).”

The incentive of using iPods at lunch, however, didn’t appeal to junior Rita Wallace, who spoke against it at the junior meeting. “I think that he has some good points, but you have to give students something they actually want,” Wallace said.

Junior Matt Cambridge, however, didn’t see a problem with Moran’s proposal. “I think that Rita was really off topic at the

meeting, and the whole thing was unnecessary,” Cambridge said. “But I think that if we can clean up better, we should be able to use iPods at lunch for the rest of the year since they aren’t hurting anybody.”

And Moran said the incentive is not yet carved in stone. “This is a work in progress,” Moran said. “We are working on setting up focus groups about the issue.”

The incentive could be changed, according to Moran, if the students discussed it with the faculty. “Some rules are arbitrary, and the rule about not wearing iPods during school definitely is,” Moran said. “Is it necessary to have rules like that? Probably.

But it is open for discussion? For me, it is.”

For Moran, the issue of garbage in the hallways is actually a much bigger issue than it may seem. “I want the kids at DHS to look good, be respected and respect themselves,” he said. “Adults will evaluate them by how they see them behave, but I believe that all kids will do the right thing

eventually.”

By having students learn to clean up after themselves better, Moran believes he can give them tools for the future. “We are trying to teach kids employability skills,” he said. “I don’t like wearing a tie every day, but it’s part of my professional appearance.

In a perfect world, I think that we would be able to use (iPods) appropriately, but I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Wallace, though, said that rules preventing iPod use are excessive. “I think that school is supposed to have rules, but it’s like we’re in jail sometimes,” she said. “We should be treated like teenagers. We don’t come to school to be treated like slaves.”

For his part, Moran said the hardest thing for him is representing all perspectives of the school. “I don’t think the best way to fix the policy is to ban (iPods) from existing,” he said. “At the same time, I need to represent the staff. I want to make sure everybody understands each other.”

Lisa Ritchie staff writer

In the classic battle between students and staff, students have managed to at last download the ultimate secret weapon, a high frequency ring tone for cellular phones.

This ring tone emits a high pitched noise registering at about 17.5 kilohertz.

Due to a condition called prebycusis, or aging ear, most people lose the ability to hear anything above a frequency of 13 kilohertz around age 25.

“I can barely hear it,” said 24year-old French teacher Matt Close. As a reporter played the ring tone for Close, one of his

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Shop with a cop takes place Dec. 19.

School liaison officer Paul Mobbs said any student who knows someone in grades K5 who could use a little holiday cheer from the local police department should let him know.

The program involves having 50 Dexter area kids meet at Creekside and feed them dinner. Washtenaw County Sheriff deputies then take the kids shopping with in a patrol vehicle to Meijers for Christmas gifts. But Mobbs said it’s not for just kids who don’t have a lot of money. “Shop With a Cop is also for kids that • Officer Paul have had a tough year with a Mobbs parent dying or just kids that need to see cops in a different light,” he said.

NHS holds annual coat drive The National Honor Society held its annual coat drive from Oct. 9 to Nov. 9 and the number of coats exceeded what the NHS members expected. “At the beginning we expected to fill about seven bags, and we filled nine,” coat drive coordinator senior Sarah Christian said. “And since then we’ve filled seven more.” The NHS mitten and glove drive ended on Dec. 15.

Koenig assistant coach of year

William “Kit” Moran: Introduces deal to students that gives them time to listen to their iPods during lunch on Fridays if they clean up after themselves.

Ring tone can't be heard by teachers students cringed at the other end other hand, you can’t really police something you can’t control.” of the room.

Although many students This high frequency ring tone, or “mosquito ring”, has become deem the “mosquito” ring a great invention, others feel differently. part of senior Adam Patt’s phone. “ T h e y ’r e “I guess I have terrible and it so adults can’t they hurt your hear it,” Patt said. ears,” sophomore “It makes the adults If they can’t Kaylen Sherman look old.” hear it, there’s complains.

Patt said he has no way to “They disrupt used the “mosquito” prevent it.” class a lot more tone in many than regular cell classes, including -Dan DeWaele, phone ringers.”

French, and his senior Senior Dan teachers haven’t DeWaele agrees. been able to hear it.

“Every time I Upon hearing hear it, I want it this, Patt’s French teacher, Kim Lund, said, “I feel shut off.”

While many students are kind of deceived knowing a student used it in my classroom. On the enjoying their newfound cellular

BRIEFS

NEWS

Shop with a cop season arrives

Kyle Boren staff writer

ing screen. As he entered in a student’s name, all the information on that student came up right away, from the student’s birth date, to where their parents work, to There is a conflict brewing between administrators their picture and their grades.

According to Moran, the school has parents testing and the Dexter Education Association about PowerSchool being accessible online for students and parents the program. These parents are volunteers who work during second semester. with the Dexter schools.

Some members of the teachers‘ union argue that Richard Weaver, the district’s director of technology, PowerSchool has too many flaws and teachers haven’t said he could not release the names of these parents so been carefully enough trained in its use for it to go on- they could be interviewed. “Our test parents were never line for everyone this early. informed they might have their identities made known However, administrators say they want it online for as part of this process, therefore we will not make that everyone as soon as possible so students and parents information public at this time,” he said. “We can state there was a visitor at a recent Dexter Board meeting. can access grades on the web.

They listened to a board update about Principal Kit Moran said, “the Power School and reported they have district already purchased it. It It gives parents used the program in their district for had a lot of good selling points. It five years and still love it.” gives parents access to their kids access to their kids’ Despite PowerSchool’s benefits, grades, attendance and all assigngrades, attendance many teachers say it’s not yet ready ments and tests. It is the new thing and all assignments for wider access. “It just has way too for technology with schools, and and tests.” many inaccuracies, and inconsistenit’s a lot easier than the old way. cies to be put on so soon,” Dexter “For athletics we had to look Education Association President Joe through all the athletes on the - Kit Moran Romeo said, “I think it’s user-friendcomputer to see their grades and Principal ly, but there are some teachers that if they are eligible,” he said. “With don’t have as much computer experiPowerSchool, it’s a lot more easier ence as I do.” than the old way.”

Romeo also said once the bugs are worked out of the And Moran said PowerSchool won’t only help with easier access to grades. He said he hopes that next year program it will make teacher’s lives a lot easier.

“Once it gets on, it will be real good,” he said, “but we students will submit their class requests via PowerSchool. have to fix the bugs and all the flaws.”

“We hope to have people just get on PowerSchool and But Weaver said, “The Tech. Department is ready. choose the classes they want and not even have to leave The exact starting time has not been determined.”

So when will PowerSchool be online? Romeo said he the house,” Moran said.

One of the complaints teachers have about Power- doesn’t think it will be ready even by next semester.

However, Moran said, without naming a specific School, however, is that it’s too complicated. But Moran doesn’t buy this. “I personally think it’s user-friend- date, “It will hopefully and probably be on sometime ly,” he said, as he showed a Squall reporter the open- next semester.”

3

news

freedom, some are asking if the ring tone is harmful to ears.

According to Ann Arbor pediatrician Erica Espinel, “The ring tone is only harmful if you are exposed to it for long periods of time.”

The “mosquito” ring tone was invented about a year ago by The Welsh Security Company. It was intended to be used against teenagers, to deter them from loitering outside stores in shopping malls, leaving adults oblivious to the piercing 17 kilohertz noise. But kids and cell phone companies saw the advantage and grasped it.

While teachers think of ways to stop the “mosquito” ring, students believe in is unstoppable. Dewaele said, “If (teachers) can’t hear it, there’s no way to prevent it.”

The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association named assistant football coach Ken Koenig its assistant coach of the year. Assistant coaches are nominated by their head coaches and then 30 assistant coaches are reduced to nine. Koenig said it was an honor to be named coach of the year. “It’s nice to be recognized by a group of your peers,” he said.

“It means a lot.” This is Koenig’s 15th year coaching. He has also coached baseball and track at Ann Arbor • Ken Koenig Pioneer and Ann Arbor Huron.

Entrance gets a new sign Because the original sign in front of the school was vandalized twice, administrators put a non-digital, more difficult to vandalize sign there.

“We believe that it was vandalized by either rocks bats or sticks,” school liaison officer Paul Mobbs said. The new sign which was installed in October originally had the wrong address but was • New high school sign soon fixed. Assistant Principal Mollie Sharrar says the new sign is going to be overall less expensive than the first. “The new sign cost as much to buy as the old one was to run,” Sharrar said.

4 Discovering the

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

feature

Dreadnaught Andrew Klinkman, 12th grade

Austin Shapiro managing editor

Student athletes are sometimes labeled as dumb, over-privileged jerks. In fact, the word “jock” often refers to a slow-witted person of large size and great physical strength.

However, this stereotype does not hold true for all. Consider senior Andrew Klinkman.

Along with being a starter on the football team, Klinkman has played varsity baseball since sophomore year.

And in addition to his athletic accomplishments Klinkman still manages to hold a 4.0 GPA and scored a 35 on the ACT, as well as a 2200 on the SAT. Klinkman credits his parents for his attention to detail and strong work ethic. “My parents always made sure I was doing (well) in school,” he said. “They expected me to do well in school no matter what else I had going on.”

However, the people who have inspired

A part of Dexter athletics since moving to Dexter Klinkman to excellence are not limited to his parfrom Cleveland at the age of eight, Klinkman has alents. ways found a release in sports.

“I’d say the person at school “Football and baseball have who’s influenced me the most is definitely been a way for me to (math teacher Randy) SwoverI don’t like, like him, let go of everything,” Klinkman land,” Klinkman said. “He always but I do like him. said. “No matter how much prespushed me to do the best I could. sure there is in school, I can alLike before the final last year, he He’s just a really ways escape it when I’m on the told me not to choke. He puts good guy.” field, at least for a few hours. Bepressure on me to succeed, just fore I took the ACT, I was really like in the real world.”

-Jay Opland, nervous, but once I got on the diDespite both of his parents besenior amond I just forgot about everying in the medical field--his father thing and focused on the game. is a family doctor and his mother It’s just nice to have somewhere a nurse--Klinkman has decided to to run away to when things get pursue business in college. too hectic.”

“I’m thinking of going to U of Klinkman’s friend, senior Jay Opland, says KlinkM or Chicago,” he said. “I’m also considering Hope and Albion, but that would be to play baseball. I want man is just as good a person as he is a student and to go into business because I just don’t have the stom- athlete.

“Andrew’s really nice,” Opland said. “I don’t like, ach for medicine. Just the thought of cutting someone open makes my stomach turn. And all the money like him, but I do like him. He’s just a really good guy.” is in business.”

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The bottom line...

Favorite: Color- Blue Class- Math Movie- Gladiator/ Man on Fire Vacation- Up North Skiing

Least Favorite: Fad- Uggs Food- Broccoli Online Phrase- lmao Song- My Humps

Word Association: Cow- Moo Tree- Hugger Wilmer Valderrama- Fez? Polygamy- Mormons

Students embark on 'shredding safaris' Rawlin Myers staff writer

there are three sessions on Friday and Sunday, and four on Saturday.

These sessions last anywhere from four to seven Skillfully rocketing across the freshly groomed snow, hours. For $30 a rider can buy an “all areas” pass, which junior Shane Wright snowboards his way down a run at grants them access to all lifts and trails on the mountain Mt. Brighton on a busy Friday night. He launches off a for the duration of the session.

“Typically we buy the night session tickets,” Wright jump, lands in a flurry of snow and plunges to the bottom said. “Then change into our gear in the parking lot, and of the hill.

This is Wright’s sixth year snow boarding, and he embark on a shredding safari.”

According to information services at Mt. Brighton, has recently made his yearly return to Mt. Brighton, they started making their artificial unhindered by the awkward weather.

“I’m really into snow boarding,” snow on Friday, Nov. 30 and opened on Wright said. “And doing it at Brighton Monday, Dec. 4. Despite recent warm I had a great students are looking is always a grand time because it’s temperatures, time last year close.” forward to a great season. just bombing the “Last year, they had some bodacious The Mount Brighton Ski Area is runs.” snow,” Mitchell said. “But a lot of the about 30 minutes from Dexter and time it was icy.” is comprised of 27 trails- the longest -Kaitlyn Mitchell, Mt. Brighton officials didn’t respond being 1,300 feet long- a terrain park, to inquiries about mountain grooming and a half pipe. senior or the number of riders they receive, The trails (or runs) vary in difficulty, and unfortunately, Mitchell isn’t the anywhere from novice to double black only one not happy with the upkeep of diamond.

The terrain park and the half pipe let riders do rail certain parts of the mountain.

“I really only go because it’s close,” Wright said. “The grinds, jumps and other tricks.

Also at the mountain is a pro shop, cafeteria and a mountain is notorious for ice and trenches.”

Trenches are holes in the ground near jumps that restaurant where riders can come in from the cold and result from a lack of snow grooming. enjoy some hot food.

Nevertheless, Mt. Brighton is one of the most popular “I had a great time last year just bombing the runs,” senior Kaitlyn Mitchell said. “So this year I bought a winter destinations for students.

“If anyone’s totally righteous and wants to join me on season pass.”

Several students like Mitchell have season passes, a funkedelic shredding safari,” Wright said, “I would be but the majority pay by the session. On the weekends, honored to ride with them.”

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Illustration by Rawlin Myers

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

Teacher cliques roam the halls Krystyna Taheri staff writer

Senior Colin McAweeny never really thought of teachers having friends, let alone their own clique.

But his mind was soon changed.

“A certain group of teachers would call each other during class about fantasy football or the show ‘24,’” he said.

This got him thinking that maybe teachers really do hang out with each other and do something on the weekends other than grading papers and watching “Cheers” reruns.

When individually asked about being part of a clique, most of the teachers denied it, saying they believed that cliques are a negative thing. They preferred to describe their relationship as a friendship.

Regardless, McAweeny said he and other students have names for these groups.

“The first large and obvious group is what, I’d like to call them the S.S.R.B (Swoverland, Scott, Romeo, Bergen) group,” McAweeny said of one group involving many of the third floor, north pod male teachers.

“These are the tough guys of the

school. They seem to be way hard core but really they aren’t.”

The group that McAweeney refers to consists of math teachers Randy Swoverland and Dewey Scott, computer teacher Joe Romeo and social studies teacher Corey Bergen.

Bergen seemed to shy away from questions about being part of a clique.

“I am friends with everyone,” Bergen said. “I am friends with them partly due to location. We are on the same floor so it works out.”

Although Bergen seemed a little hesitant to consider his friends as part of a clique, English teacher Andrew Parker wasn’t.

“I guess I hadn’t really thought about being a part of a clique, but it seems possible,” Parker said. “Everyone seems to think that if you had to label us we would be the slackers, and I guess I probably would agree too.”

Science teacher Bo Kimmey, English teacher Zach Lindke and social studies Ryan Baese are also included in Parker’s group.

“I agree with Parker,” Kimmey said. “I guess if you had to label us we would be the slackers. The four of us make up the younger male pop-

ulation of teachers in the school, so that is kind of what started us all out to being friends in the first place.”

Lindke, however, doesn’t agree with the slacker label. “Frankly, I’m mildly offended that we’re perceived in this light,” Lindke said. “If bePhoto By: Spencer Ryan ing a slacker is mak- • Social studies teacher Ryan Baese, science ing the conscious teacher Bo Kimmey, English teacher Zach Lindke decision to not eat and Andrew Parker dinner because I don’t have time to and English teachers Krista McDoncook, then, yes, I’m a slacker.

“Students should not let our easy- nough and Stephanie Nolan.

Although, many students pergoing personalities mislead them.

We would much prefer that our stu- ceive them as a clique they see themselves more as good friends. dents see that we are laid back.

“I would not say we are a clique “This is a characteristic that all four of us possess; it’s a characteris- in a high school sense,” Lumpiesz tic that we wish our students could said. “We are all in the same social understand and mimic,” Lindke circle. A clique sounds negative; I try to be friends with everyone. And said.

Besides these two male cliques sometimes with Wolsefer, McDonmany students cite a strong female nough or Nolan, we will all meet clique consisting of math teachers and go shopping together. We are all Paige Lumpiesz and Tracy Wolsefer, friends.”

Hoxie returns with new outlook Josh Ball staff writer

• Alex Hoxie: Recently returned to Dexter after seven years at military school.

Most high school students wake up each morning and come up with a new complaint about why their life is so hard.

Maybe they failed a test or couldn’t buy the new Fergie CD. Or maybe they returned to school after a seven year stay at military schools. This is the case for senior Alex Hoxie, who started just attending Dexter Schools for the first time since fifth grade.

Most high school students’ lives look like heaven compared the things Hoxie has gone through.

In fifth grade Hoxie said he started having disputes with his family, so his parents thought it would be best for him to go to a military school in Indiana, Howe Military.

He said his stay at Howe was short-lived because the administrators kicked him out. “I threatened to commit suicide, but it was to get attention,” Hoxie said. “I wasn’t going to go through with it.”

Hoxie’s parents still thought he wasn’t

ready for public schooling, so he was home schooled from sixth through ninth grade.

Things were still rough at home, though.

“I had problems with disobedience, lying and even running away,” Hoxie said.

That’s when his parents had enough. Hoxie was sent to Tranquillity Bay, a structured military program in Jamaica, in May of 2003.

He didn’t know it at the time, but he would spend the next three and a half years of his life there, and it was going to be the new outlook on life he needed.

Tranquillity Bay is a structured program designed for troubled youth to teach them discipline and appreciation for what they have. “They taught me self-control of actions and thought,” Hoxie said.

Hoxie said Tranquillity Bay’s graduation requirements are based around a point system. Points are earned by behaving well and following directions.

Depending on the number of points, an individual can go up levels, and once they make it to level six they are allowed to graduate. “At each level more privileges are

given,” Hoxie said. “Eventually, you get to the point where you’re almost completely free.”

While at Tranquillity Bay, Hoxie was completely separated from the girls who were part of the program. “You’re not allowed to touch, talk to, pass notes or even look at girls,” he said.

Adding if a senior officer caught him doing this he would be dropped back down to a level one and start over at zero points.

Hoxie said he is excited to celebrate his first Christmas home in six years. “I am glad I went (to Tranquility Bay) for three years, but I’m sad I missed three of my teenage years,” Hoxie said.

After he graduates this June, Hoxie said he plans to go to college and then go on to the military.

“It’s different being home,” Hoxie said. “(At Tranquility Bay) everything had a consequence, but now I have to follow my own instincts and have self-control. I have to think before I act to keep myself out of trouble. But overall, (my time there) made me a better person.”

New ideas for winter break David Pisano staff writer

School’s been going for about four months, and students will soon be rewarded with a long break. The question is, what to do with it? Besides traditional holiday merriment and wintertime activities, there’s a lot out there.

You just have to know the right places to look. Here are some suggestions for the upcoming break: Wednesday nights are always good for a laugh. Comedy Jamm at the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase features up to 12 comedians from the Metro Detroit area. Admission

is $5.

life than a rowdy basketball game?

Watch football. College football’s pinnacle, the Bowl Championship Series, is a great way to get together with all your friends, hang out and kick off the new year. Whether you’re a diehard Michigan fan, or you pick your favorite team based on the colors, everyone can have fun.

Study. There’s no better time to catch up in all your classes and start getting ready for exams. If you’re already caught up, pick out a topic you’re interested in and research it.

A number of things can be done with this, including writing a paper or making a Powerpoint to present to all your friends. Or not.

Support your Dreadnaughts. The mens basketball team will be traveling to Siena Heights University in Adrian on Saturday, Jan. 6 to take on Lenawee Christian. It’s the last weekend of break, and what better way to start readjusting to school

Hit the slopes. Grab a saucer, trash can lid or toboggan and get to the nearest steep hill. Having relatively little control over your speed and direction as you shoot down a hill with patches of solid ice here

and there is a winter tradition. Nobody is too old or big.

Rally the troops. Many might consider a snowball fight childish, but a lot of those same people are probably drooling over the release of Halo 3. Not only do you get to spend quality time with your friends, but the bragging rights for the winner will last forever.

Whitewashing is always acceptable and ice-balls are not recommended but should be decided upon before beginning.

Winter Break begins when school gets out on Friday, Dec. 22 and goes through Sunday, Jan. 8.

Subway

SUPPORT OUR MENS BASKETBALL TEAM

8135 Main St

SATURDAY, JAN. 6 AT 7 P.M.

Dexter, MI 48130 734-426-4957

& QA

5

feature

Freshman Scott Tweety

By: Conor Daining Q: What is your favorite movie other than “Men in Black”?

A: Probably “Men in Black 2.”

Q: What’s your favorite teacher clique, the cool guys, the smart guys or the dweebs?

A: Dweebs.

Q: Do you have a hot cousin?

A: I guess ...

Q: If you got to force Jenna Jameson to do something, what would it be?

A: Play UNO with me! I like UNO.

Q: If you could say one thing you didn’t want to be put in the newspaper, what would it be?

A: Probably that I was taken into a stall and interviewed.

Q: If I was knocked unconscious, what would you do?

A: Steal your wallet.

Q: Why wouldn’t you call an ambulance?

A: I dunno ...

Q: If me and you were going out, would you cheat on me?

A: Probably.

Q: Who was your first kiss with?

A: Mom.

Q: If you were in a Nazi’s house and you broke his glass swastika, would you tell him or hide it in the cabinet?

A: I’d probably hide it.

Q: If you were in the ER and you had a man named Doctor Kenneth Poop operating on you, would you trust him?

A: Yes.

Q: If there was one person in the world you wanted to bludgeon with a club, who would it be?

A: James Blunt. I hate that guy.

6

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

entertainment THE TRICKLE

This month’s Trickle is dedicated to those who suck. We all know who they are. The people society could do without, the people who God giggles to himself about when he thinks of their creation.

Here is a list of people we think are a burden to the rest of the human population. The list (in no particular order): 1. Condaleeza Rice 2. James Bannan 3. Paris Hilton/ Nicole Ritchie 4. Mark Foley 5. Hinder/ The Fray/ Nickleback/ Dashboard Confessional/ Fallout Boy/ Creed/ My Chemical Romance 6. Mark Koernke 7. Anybody in the WWE 8. Phil Collins 9. The Donald 10. Steven Segal 11. The US executive branch 12. Any and everybody in the show “Yo Mamma” 13. Arnold Governator 14. Vanilla Ice 15. Pauly Shore 16. Bradjolina 17. Anybody who ever appeared on MTV’s “The Real World” 18. Lindsay Hohan and Hilary Duff 19. Larry the Cable Guy and the rest of his blue collar cronies 20. Tom Cruise 21. Everyone on TBS 22. Especially Michael Richards 23. Tim Allen 24. Carrot Top 25. BBC/ NPR 26. Dennis Rodman 27. Mike Tyson 28. Avril Levigne 29. Whoever decided it was necessary to shoot the sign in front of the school with a shotgun (A simple handgun would have been sufficient.)

30. Carson Daly 31. Jessica Simpson (even though she is smokin’ hot) 32. Fed-Ex (The artist formally known as KFed, or the guy who knocked up Brittany Spears.)

33. Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch 34. The guy who got shot

by Dick Cheney 35. Barbra Streisand 36. Moby

www.freestuffworthdownloading.com Scott Sarver staff writer

Pocket Tanks (www.blitwise.com/superdxb.html) Category: Media The GIMP (www.gimp.org): Looking to buy Photoshop? Stop now and put your wallet/purse away. The GNU Image Manipulation Program is a near perfect Computers cost a lot, and for all the money you end up putting into them, there’s always something better just around the corner. And it doesn’t help that software clone of Adobe’s Photoshop, lacking only a few of the most advanced features that for computers is steadily climbing in price. Video games now retail for about $60, Photoshop just added in its newest version. But the GIMP is continuously updated and other media production software like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro cost hun- and will certainly have these features soon.

Even so, there is nothing that Photoshop can do that The GIMP cannot. The indreds of dollars.

With the steady climb in software prices, there is a growing alternative. The terface is slightly different than Photoshop, but if you’ve used Photoshop at school and wished you could have it, The GIMP is an excellent alterInternet is a vast resource for free software, and a few of these native, not to mention it costs nothing. free programs show potential to compete on the same level as The Internet is a vast Blender (www.blender.org): Blender is a 3D modeling the software giants like Adobe. resource for free tool used to create 3D graphics for movies and games. It is a www.sourceforge.net, for example, is a vast resource of software, and a few of free alternative to Maya. With Blender, you can create studiosoftware called “Open Source”. Because it is under the “Open quality special effects for movies with features such as drawSource” license, everything on the site is 100 percent free, no these free programs ing in HD and working with complex character models. These catches and nothing to sign up for. If first-person shooters are show potential to features and many others allow Blender to create animated not your cup of tea, then maybe you would be interested in the compete on the same movies of the same quality as major animation studios like free alternative to Photoshop or any of the other 135,000 free level as the software Pixar. The downside to the power of this program, and others programs hosted at the site. giants like Adobe.” like it, is its complexity.

Category: Games OpenOffice (www.openoffice.org): OpenOffice is the Marathon: Aleph One (source.bungie.org, note there is no free alternative to Microsoft Office. New computers don’t usuwww) – This game may be one of the best of all time from Halo ally ship with Microsoft Office, and I would suggest you do not developers Bungie Studios. An old-school, first-person shooter game from way back in 1992, Marathon and its two sequels immerse the player in a spend the extra $100 to get it put on your college laptop.

OpenOffice is a much better alternative to Microsoft Office. OpenOffice has exsci-fi battle between a stranded colony ship and an alien race.

The game was originally programmed for the Mac but is now available for all tra features like web page designing and drawing/painting that Microsoft Office platforms. Editors allow the user to edit and create maps and other content. Make does not. Plus, there are much better ways to spend a hundred bucks than on Misure to carefully follow the instructions to download the program; it can be very crosoft Word.

Before you go out and spend hundreds of dollars on software, check the Internet. difficult to get set up right.

Because with hundreds of thousands of programs on just one site, there’s bound to Others to Try: be something you can find for free on the Internet.

DX Ball (www.blitwise.com/ptanks.html)

“

Borat hits movie theaters, reactions vary Jake LaRosa staff writer

A box office hit across America, the spoof documentary “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” has faced some turmoil lately from people who were in the movie.

According to many of those people, they were told that they would be appearing in a documentary of a Kazakhi reporter’s journey across the U.S. What they were not told is that the film was a parody on people like themselves or that the “reporter” was really Sacha Baron Cohen, star of hit HBO show “Da Ali G Show”.

There are multiple people angry about their appearance in the film, including a man who was chased down the street by Borat and two frat boys who picked up Cohen in an RV. According to their lawyer, Cohen’s production crew took

them to a bar to “loosen” them up before signing a waiver. ers, referring to when Cohen left the table and returned with The drunken students then made comments to Borat about a bag of his own excrement.

Borat was also showered in “boo’s” when minorities and women. he changed the words of the national anThe film “made the plaintiffs the object them to “Kazakhstan is the greatest counof ridicule, humiliation, mental anguish and Cohen left try on earth” while opening for a southern emotional and physical distress, loss of reputhe table and rodeo. tation, goodwill and standing in the commureturned with a At the same event Cohen interviewed an nity,” their lawyer said in a court deposition. bag of his own elderly cowboy who expressed his negative Another disgruntled person portrayed in excrement.” opinion regarding homosexuals. The man the movie was a woman who agreed to enterhas since declined to comment. tain Borat at a dinner party. Like the others “I not quite sure about the legality of the appearing in the film, she believed he was a film,” said video production teacher Matt Kazakhi reporter.

Cohen was so unruly as to call the host’s wife unattractive, Martello. “But the people who appeared in the movie need insult American women and even invite a prostitute in the to be more careful before they sign their rights away. I have a feeling the lawsuits won’t get anywhere as a result of them not house.

“Things got really out of hand,” the woman said to report- reading the contracts.”

“

Attack of the lousy Christmas movies Hollywood churns out poorly made seasonal films purely for profit, classic holiday movies stay shelved Rachel Moir staff writer

This time of year, you can’t avoid them.

Their cliched, overused plots and stale messages haunt the theatres, and despite the fact that they’re the least reawatchable films on the market, they play non-stop on the television as well. The season of the bad Christmas movie is upon us.

If I have to listen to one more reindeer farting joke, I think I’ll scream.

Who decided that The Santa Clause saga with Tim “The Toolman” Allen needed a third installment? The first one was passable. The second, good enough for the kiddies. This newest one smells like money grubbing, which is

particularly ironic considering one of the morals of its story is that being Santa isn’t about making cash.

What about “Deck the Halls”? A couple of over competitive older guys whose lives are so meaningless that they devote themselves completely to decorating their houses for Christmas doesn’t seem like good entertainment to me.

Oh, but they learn the true meaning of Christmas. How wonderful for them. Perhaps with their newfound clarity and compassion they could find a way to make up for the 95 minutes they sucked from my life with their slapstick shenanigans. Maybe Danny Devito could redo that fantastic light display on his on-screen house to read “Sorry for the mess”.

Call me a sap, call me a sucker, but if I’m go- ones shown on ABC Family every year? Those ing to have to swallow by-the-book plots that were full of twists and turns. An abominable offer nothing more surprising than getting snowman on a leash? An elf who wants to be a dentist? A jack-in-the-box underwear for Christmas, I’d named Charlie? rather have it with a little oldNow that’s creativity. school flair.

Who decided Too bad the movie makers Forget the cheap, over done that The Santa today phone in their scripts. jokes, pratfalls and the lessClause saga with If they actually tried on than-memorable dialogue. Give Tim “The Toolman” a holiday haha film, this me Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Allen needed a third could actually be the season Wonderful Life” instead of one installment? to be jolly. of its many knockoffs. So what So thanks a lot for the if it’s black and white? They Christmas gifts, Hollywood. don’t call it a classic for nothing.

Since you forgot to give me Clarence is my guardian angel the receipt as well, I’ll set them in the back of against the insipid.

Remember the old puppet movies? The the cupboard with the fruit cake.

“

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7

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

reviews

The grading scale:

A

B

C

Heather Siller staff writer

Katie Fricke features editor

Bubble Island Kelsey Schultz entertainment editor

Walking into Bubble Island is truly like walking into an island oasis located on the University of Michigan’s central campus.

The bright colors, tiki lamps and pleasant atmosphere make it hard to believe that outside it is below freezing.

Bubble Island is located on S. University with street parking right out front or a structure around the block, making it easily accessible for those students not used to driving in Ann Arbor.

However, the drive and venture out of Dexter is extremely worth it for the delicious drinks and snacks. Bubble Island is miraculously oriented towards a drink called Bubble Tea. This is a spin on traditional green tea and is much more tasty. Different flavors can be added to the teas varying from strawberry to kiwi to watermelon.

But the key to making bubble tea is to add the bubbles. For 25 cents tapioca bubbles the size of marbles can be added to the bottom of your drink.

The wide colorful straws enable you to suck up the bubbles, which are chewy and excellent for spitting at people.

Don’t think you can handle the bubbles or tea?

Don’t worry. There are other drinks, such as smoothies to order. Bubble Island also has a menu of hot drinks to warm you up during the coming winter months. Most of the drinks are under $4, and if you come in before 1 p.m., you can get drinks for $2.

Besides the eclectic mix of beverages, Bubble Island also has a menu of excellent snack foods to accompany your delicious drink. There are chicken poppers, curly fries and other snacking classics.

Curly fries are always good, but the ones at Bubble Island might be some of the best. There are also appetizing desserts to top off your meal, like cookies and brownie bites. The bites are inexpensive, scrumptious and you can decide how many of the little buggers you want.

While you pleasantly ingest your food, feel free to sink into one of the large, fluffy chairs located in the dining area. Or you can choose to sit at a table, or the bar, with friends. Different board games are littered among the tables for your gaming pleasure.

The whole environment ensures that a Bubble Island customer is a happy customer. If you have an extra $15 to spare, you might want to purchase a Bubble Island T-shirt to commemorate your experience.

So if you don’t mind the drive into the city and are looking for a little fun, head over to Bubble Island. Just make sure to bring an open mind and daring attitude to fully enjoy the experience. Also, to ensure everyone a pleasant dining experience, wait until you are out of the restaurant to spit the bubbles.

GRADE:

GRADE:

E 'Stoner and Spaz'

'Abbey Road'

From the opening song, “Come Together,” to the last song, “Her Majesty”, The Beatles 11th official album, “Abbey Road” is a masterpiece.

“Abbey Road” is a story of four best friends putting everything behind them and producing one of the greatest albums of all time.

The band didn’t get along very well during their later years, so they decided to get together and produce “Abbey Road” just like old times.

Abbey Road contains 17 amazing tracks, many of which give off a very happy, optimistic vibe.

Many critics see the album’s opener, “Come Together”, as being about all four different band members coming together. The song lyrics say something about each of The Beatles, George: “He one holy roller”. Ringo: “He wear no shoe-shine”. John: “He got ono side board.” And Paul: “Got to be good looking”.

In just four minutes and 20 seconds, the duration of the song, you can truly feel The Beatles coming together. The song speaks for the world as well, as in the world must come together, right now, as one.

The album also contains many other songs worth listening too.

“Oh! Darling” is a song about true love and loyalty. The melodious sounds will put you into a state of complete relaxation.

“Here Comes the Sun” is a song about the cold winter days ending and the sun finally coming up to bring warmth and happiness to the world. The Beatles were right when they said, “It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter”, but it’s all right.

It’s easy to let all the darkness of winter bring you down, so put a little light into your day with The Beatles.

“I Want You (She’s so Heavy)” is another classic featured on this album. The final recording of “I Want You (She’s so Heavy)” would be the last time all four Beatles worked in the studio together.

Albums are meant to be listened to as a whole piece of art, not as separate songs, and “Abbey Road” is one of the greatest records of all time.

The album speaks in a postive voice. The order of the songs is perfect. It needs to be listened to as a whole piece. And everyone of you should take a trip down Abbey Road. Even if it’s on a winter’s day, the sunny feel of the album will leave you feeling refreshed.

Listen to the entire album with a candle burning, and you will see your entire future.

D

'Casino Royale' Hunter Lyons staff writer

In the new James Bond movie “Casino Royale” Daniel Craig (“Munich” and “The Village”) brings a new image to a Bond character that has been essentially the same for the last 30 some odd years.

However, Craig brings the same smooth-talking, charismatic, good looking guy image that viewers are used to seeing playing Bond.

If you have ever seen a Bond flick, you always know what to expect. “Casino Royale” is no different.

It has good looking girls, nice cars, a villain with a facial deformity and lots of guns.

But with all the good points in the movie and with as many bad guys as there are, it is missing some of the essentials.

First of all the movie needs more gadgets. I’ve seen guns before. I want lasers coming out of earrings and bombs the size of thumb tacks.

Second of all, there needs to be more love making on the part of 007. Unfortunately when he finally does, he does it with a very non- Bond-esque girl.

Eva Green (“King Arthur”) is an up and coming actress but does not fit the mold of a Bond girl.

Not that I’m saying I could ever get her, but she isn’t the typical beauty that a Bond girl like Halle Berry, Teri Hatcher or Denise Richards posses. He should have at least five or six models.

Finally, the music was also disappointing. The signature James Bond jingle that everyone knows and loves was not in the movie.

Overall, I would rate this is as a mediocre Bond film. They stretched out the movie a bit but always kept your attention.

I don’t believe Craig will be remembered as a classic James Bond such as a Roger Moore and Sean Connerry, but he also wasn’t a dud like Timothy Dalton’s and George Lazenby’s were.

But if you’ve ever seen a Bond movie you know you’re not seeing an Oscar-worthy movie or a cult classic. They’re all essentially the same so don’t walk in expecting something different.

What this film will do is entertain you for two hours. So if your looking to fill a two and a half hour block of time, check out “Casino Royale.”

GRADE:

When friendless, cerebral palsied Ben Bancroft, the main character in Ron Koertge’s realistic novel “Stoner and Spaz”, goes to the Rialto Theater to watch one of his favorite classic movies, “The Bride of Frankenstein”, he meets the first girl who has ever noticed his existence besides his grandma.

Even though Colleen Minou is a hard-core stoner who will get high and do anything, when she sits next to him and enjoy the show, preppy “spaz” Ben welcomes her friendship with the typical hormonal eagerness of any 16-year-old boy.

Unlike the hunchback of Notre Dame, Ben fights for his chance to score with the damsel in distress.

Encouraged by her easy reputation, he makes his moves, yet he is always self-conscious of his deformities. Because teenagers are self-conscious of their bodies in some way about themselves, most high schoolers will relate to Ben’s situation. Any teen can pick out something physically they aren’t happy with.

For Ben, everyone sees his faults, not who he is on the inside. Colleen may be a drug addict, but she and straight-laced Ben hit it off, even after she throws up on his grandmother’s Cadillac. Their friendship makes Ben into a more confident person, despite his deformity.

As any high school student knows, high school is a hard time for a lot of kids. But when you have never had any friends, acquiring one is a confidence booster to even the most socially inept people.

However, “Stoner and Spaz” is not a typical high school romance. Koertge takes a lonely kid with cerebral palsy and pairs him with a reckless drug addict and pulls them together in a powerfully ironic relationship.

The average high school teenager can connect with Ben when he chooses not to accept the clichés others have placed on him.

Ben’s personality will make those who don’t understand cerebral palsy accept that it doesn’t make you mentally handicapped, only physically handicapped. Although Ben’s case of cerebral palsy isn’t severe, he is still ostracized by society because of it.

But it isn’t his fault. Throughout the book the reader learns that cerebral palsy means the brain cannot control some muscles in the body that usually function automatically.

Koertge’s novel gives us a look into the life of a kid embittered by what life has given him and makes us understand what it would be like to be in such a situation.

This is a great book for high school students who want a quick read and a look at two people who overcome the stereotypes society has placed on them.

GRADE:

8

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

Wii

the spread

So yo thi you a

Wii shows early signs of success An analyis by: Ryan Winchester staff writer

The last next gen system to hit the market, the Nintendo Wii, was worth the wait. The Wii, which was called the Revolution in its early stages, is just that. Revolutionary. The main focus of the Wii is not the graphics, like the PS3 and the 360, but rather the games themselves and how they are controlled.

Those looking for the best graphics should look elsewhere for their nextgen gaming console. Nintendo’s focus are two things: new ways to play games gamers have all come to love and to get people who have never played a game in their life to finally try it out.

In the past, many people from young children to adults found the large number of buttons and joysticks and triggers on controllers confusing, thus preventing them from giving games a shot. Nintendo recognized this problem and has found the perfect solution, the remote.

The remote (dubbed by many as the Wiimote) looks just as you would imagine, like a TV remote. There are a few face buttons, a single trigger button, but it is controlled mainly by motion.

Every way you move, the remote is sensed, sent to the system, and the action is performed on screen. If you’re playing a shooting game and you hold your hand to the side, the gun on screen is shown on its side.

Nothing like this has ever been attempted in console gaming, and so far, it’s working to Nintendo’s advantage. With over 2 million consoles sold worldwide in less than a month of release, the Wii is the fastest selling gaming console of all time, due in part to its price tag of only $250 (half the price of the cheapest PS3) and the great interest from gamers and non-gamers alike. Before the launch, many considered it to be a game only used to show off what the Wii can do.

WiiSports is the most popular multiplayer game for the system and often is what attracts nonI’ve been to Best gamers in the first place. IncludBuy, Circuit City and ing such games as Tennis, Bowling Target at least four and Boxing, there is very little exhours before openplanation about what to do for the ing each time, but inexperienced player because it is simplistic and has a ‘pick-up-andapparently that isn’t play’ style. This goal is too long early enough.” for the more hardcore gamer, the new Zelda title finally was released - Andrew Franco, on launch, “The Legend of Zelda: senior Twilight Princess.” Already being hailed as one of the greatest games of all time, it has sold one copy for every two Wii’s bought.

Chances are if you know someone with a Wii, they’ve got Twilight Princess.The Wii is more readily available for the upcoming holiday season than the PS3, although the 360 is in even greater supply. The Wii has more than twice the number of units as compared to the PS3. Good luck finding one though. Senior Andrew Franco has been looking for over a month, “I’ve been to Best Buy, Circuit City and Target at least four hours before opening each time but apparently that isn’t early enough.”

Nintendo seems to have had a great launch on their hands with the Wii, but only time will tell if consumers think of the console as gimmicky or something with excellent staying power.

GAM

“

PS3 and Wii both m Luke Altomare staff writer

GB hard drive, and the other h memory stick slots and Wi-Fi c Software

With the next generation of consoles on the market, it’s important to get the facts before you go out and buy one.

Hardware Wii: The Wii is one of the smallest consoles to date, about the size of three DVD cases stacked together. The Wii accepts both Wii and Gamecube discs.

The Wii has slots for Gamecube memory cards and controllers. The American version of the Wii does not currently support DVD playback. The Wii’s biggest innovation is the Wii Remote, a wireless, handheld, motion-sensing controller that connects to the Wii using Bluetooth.

The remote is used extensively in Wii games and has small storage space. The Nunchuk Controller connects to the remote and expands on its capabilities. For more conventional gameplay, the classic controller can be used for games purchased online.

PS3: PS3 graphics are unrivaled in the current generation of consoles. The PS3 features the Blu-ray disc player which allows for high definition gameplay for games that support the feature.

The PS3 Sixaxis Controller is nearly identical is appearance to that of the PS2, is wireless and has limited motion-sensing capabilities. The PS3 fully supports DVD and Blu-ray disc playback. The PS3 is sold in two different versions. One has a 20

Wii: The Wii is accessed throu several different channels. The to create their own personal ch used in several different Wii ga The Shop Channel is where games from previous consoles The Internet Channel allows u Channel allows users to uploa Console Channel is where use Shop Channel. The Disc Cha games discs in the Wii. The M nel, the News Channel and the PS3: The PS3 is backwards com games. Users can upload CDs to obtain artist and album info ports a variety of file formats. U ate digital photo albums and s digital video camera to the PS3 the hard drive. The Playstation tal allow users to download vid PS2 games online from the Pla Internet

Wii: The Wii’s free Internet se

9

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

PS3

o ou ink u’re a

the spread

High price, low interest cause problems for PS3 An analysis by: Sean Wallace staff writer

MER?

make grand entrance

has a 60 GB hard drive as well as capability.

ugh the Wii Menu, which includes e Mii Channel is a place for users haracter, called a Mii. Miis can be ames, including Wii Sports. e players can go to buy Nintendo using Wii points bought online. users to surf the web. The Photo ad and edit photos. The Virtual ers access games bought on the annel is where users access the Menu also has the Forecast Chane Message Board Channel. mpatible with most PS1 and PS2 to the PS3 and use the Internet o, similar to iTunes. The PS3 supUsers can upload photos and creslideshows. Users can connect a 3 and record footage directly onto n Store and the Playstation 3 Pordeo content. You can buy PS1 and aystation Network Platform.

ervice is called WiiConnect24 and

serves several functions. WiiConnect24 is necessary to access most of the Wii Channels in the Wii Menu such as the Internet and Shop Channels.

WiiConnect24 also automatically downloads software updates. While games can be played over WiiConnect24, no currently released titles support this feature.

PS3:The PS3 fully supports free multiplayer over the Internet and friends lists, as well as automatically installing software updates. Game developers may charge subscription fees.

Games Wii: Most of the Wii games make full use of the Wii Remote.

Wii Sports comes packaged with the console and includes five different games meant to showcase the remote’s abilities.

Other games for the Wii include The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Madden NFL 07, Red Steel, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, and Excite Truck.

PS3: The PS3’s biggest release titles are Fight Night Round 3, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas, NBA ‘07, Resistance: Fall of Man, Full Auto 2: Battlelines, MotorStorm, and Genji: Days of the Blade.

Prices Wii: Console: $250, although the version with DVD playback will cost more. Wii Remote: $53. Games: $50-$60. Classic Controller: $20. Nunchuk Controller: $20.

PS3: Basic Console: $499. Premium Console: $599. Sixaxis Controller: $50. Games: $50-$60.

The PS3 is a part of the next-gen wave of game systems from Sony. The PS3 has been under much skepticism due to the high price and a poor Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) showing. While many may go off and buy a cheaper system, consider what is in the PS3. It also has four USB ports and supports up to seven wireless Bluetooth controllers. The USB ports allow the user to plug in a keyboard and surf the Internet with a free Internet browser as well as any other peripherals.

The Sixaxis wireless controller has sparked problems for Sony. It seems that the connection goes in and out, resulting in users having to use one of four USB ports to synch it back up. The rechargeable battery life for the controller is about 30 hours. Sony says it will replace the batteries if and when they die.

With the Xbox 360 having a year’s worth of games already available at a lower price, both the PS3 and the Wii will have an uphill battle to prove why consumers need their console over Microsoft’s. Sony will have an even harder fight than Nintendo. Xbox 360 is more geared toward hardware like the PS3, whereas the Wii has a gimmick and a lower price to intrigue buyers.

“The graphics are very 360, but I don’t have an HDTV so that might affect it,” freshman Brad Karvel said.

Sony has a good record of creating a large gaming library for each of its consoles. The console already has one solid game for launch, titled “Resistance: Fall of Man”. Magazines such as Game Informer have given the game high ratings and praise.

“It’s a lot like Halo and Medal of Honor,” Karvel said. “The graphics are pretty good too.”

The biggest problem with the PS3 is the low quantity and its price tag, although Sony loses money each unit sold. While the Wii had 600,000 units in stock the first eight days of launch, the PS3 only had around 160,000 units available two days prior to the Wii launch. Social studies teacher Ryan Baese purchased a PS3 and quickly The graphics are sold it for $1,000 on Craig’s list. “I used PS3finder.com,” he said. “I very 360, but I don’t kept clicking refresh, and they were have an HDTV so all sold out. Target eventually had that might affect it.” some available, and I bought the 20 GB $500 version. It was easy. ” -Brad Karvel The PS3 got some bad press due to the riots and murders during freshman the launch of the system. PS3 was such a rare commodity that people were robbed and even shot for one in places like Putnam, Connecticut; Fresno, California; and Henrico, Virginia. In contrast, there were no riots or disturbances for the Wii.While the Wii is marketed towards new gamers and casual gamers, the PS3’s main focus is hardcore gamers. The PS3 is all about hardware and graphics for those who don’t want to be a part of Nintendo’s gimmicky “Wii-mote.” Since they’ve put so much hardware in their system, Sony loses about $241 on each high-end unit sold.

If Sony wanted to strike while the iron was hot, they missed out on selling the million units originally promised. Sony has a long way to come in the competition and will have to prove to its casual gamers why they need one.

“

10

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

sports

Bo Schembechler missed “One of my personal favorite reflections was that of John Robinson, who was the University of Southern California football coach,” he said. “I On the day before perhaps the biggest football thought this was neat because he was an opposing game between rivals Michigan and Ohio State, the coach that faced Schembechler in one of the bigstate of Michigan lost an icon. gest games (the Rose Bowl) and still had a great Glenn E. “Bo” Schembechler was 77-years-old deal of respect and love for Bo.” when he died. And though he may be remembered Don Dufek, a Dexter resident and father of seas one of the great college football coaches of all nior Frank Dufek, played defensive back at the time, varsity football coach and P.E. teacher Tom safety position under Schembechler from 1972Barbieri and former player Don Dufek remember 1975. him as so much more.

Dufek agrees with Barbieri about Schembechler “Bo was a very, very well rounded person,” and his character. “Bo was a real caring person,” Barbieri said. “I was always amazed how he Dufek said. “He loved his made time to talk to anybody players.” One of my favorite that wanted to talk to him in his memories of Bo is when he extremely busy schedule.” stormed into a meeting that Barbieri said Schembechler the Big Ten commissioner always engaged in real con“Schembechler was holding and single-handversation, not small talk, and edly chewed him out about his always went out of his way to brought 1973 team (whose only loss help others. integrity and that season was to Ohio State) “When I was trying to get a not going to the Rose Bowl.” honesty to youth football program up and To Dufek, this moment ilrunning here in Dexter, I went lustrates the type of person the sport of to Bo for some help,” Barbieri Schembechler was. football, things that“He said. “Bo is a pretty big deal was a real stickler for around here, and I knew he had that were not doing things the right way,” some connections. He didn’t there before.” Dufek said. “He would make just give me verbal help, but he yourself be as good as you actually made a few important - Tom Barbieri, could be. He always said, phone calls for me and got Dexvarsity football ‘Each day you either get better a grant from the National ter or you get worse. You will coach never stay the same,’ and that Football League for youth football equipment.” will stick with me my whole For Barbieri, Schembechler life.” was more than the hard-nosed coach of the storied Dufek also said influencing his players in a football program at the University of Michigan. positive way was a daily event for Schembechler.

He was a man who cared about his community and Although for his players, it was not always an easy everyone he spoke with. thing to take.

“Schembechler brought integrity and honesty “You were always pissed off at him,” Dufek to the sport of football, things that were not there said. “Because he was always right. And when before,” Barbieri said. He also attended the cel- you would try to say otherwise, instead of cussing ebration of Schembechler’s life at the University you out, he would just call you a ham-and-egger of Michigan football stadium on November 21. instead.”

“It was real neat,” Barbieri said. “There were And while making his players mad at him 12 people that gave reflections there. Those peo- may or may not have been his intent, Dufek said ple included Lloyd Carr, Jim Brandstatter, Reg- Schembechler built championship teams by being gie McKenzie, Bob Forman, Bill Tompkins, John the best motivator to ever live.

Robinson, Gary Moeller, Dan Dierdorf and Shemy “He was larger than life,” Dufek said. “He will Schembechler. never be forgotten.”

Scott Crompton staff writer

“

Source photo from The Detroit Free Press/KRT, photo illustration by Maria Brundage

Ultimate frisbee club takes flight Katie Johnson staff writer

He sprints up the middle of the field, Frisbee in hand, yelling, “Ultimate!”

Others echo senior Tom Neil’s call as he flings the neon yellow Frisbee toward the opposing team.

It sails through the air, floating among a throng of people, and he gracefully runs after it, dodging others in his way.

He fights across the field until he finally spots the Frisbee. But, his battle simply serves one purpose: fun.

“It’s just fun,” Neil said of Ultimate Frisbee. “I think it’s just fun for most people who play.”

Junior John Crist agrees. “I just like having fun and messing around with my friends,” he said. “The best part of playing is making a run into the end zone and catching it.”

Crist and Neil, along with other students, have began playing Ultimate Frisbee, a popular sport at many colleges. The game consists of two teams of seven and is a combination of football and soccer.

“In Ultimate, you can’t run with the disc,” Crist said. “The goal is to get the Frisbee from one side of the field to the end zone

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without it touching the ground or getting intercepted by the other team.”

The group meets on Tuesdays and Fridays for pick-up games, and French teacher Matt Close has volunteered to be their adviser.

“We were just playing outside one day, and Mr. Close walked up in his business suit and asked, ‘Mind if I join you guys?’” senior Bill Bradley said with a laugh.

Close, who has played Ultimate Frisbee in the past, is more than willing to advise. “I’ve been playing since I was about 15 or 16 years old,” he said.

He said that he was also interested in Ultimate Frisbee in college.

“I was on the rowing team at the University of Michigan,” he said. “If I wasn’t on rowing, I would have been on the Ultimate Frisbee Team. That was my plan when I went to college.”

And Close couldn’t be more enthusiastic about students’ interest in the sport.

“The turnout has been really good,” he said. “We’ve had packed fields for every game.”

But, he’s said he’s not sure what will happen.

“To tell the truth, I don’t know how it will become a club,” he said. “It’s something we’ll

Since 1998, The Wordsmith Press has put out many small volumes of poetry and tall tales by some of the best performance poets and storytellers in the country. In 2000, The Wordsmith Press began to produce CDs of the performances of these artists.

www.thewordsmithpress.com

Photo by Katie Johnson

Chucking up the disc: Senior Tom Neil (left) throws an ultimate frisbee with senior Chelsea Larson (middle) and senior Zach Abbott. Students participate in pick up games on Tuesdays and Fridays with the help of French teacher Matt Close.

try to start up in the spring. I’d like to see if other schools have Ultimate Frisbee teams.”

However, for now, members are just having fun.

“We don’t really take it seriously, but it’s fun,” Crist said. “We’ll take it more seriously if it becomes a sport.”

Mens basketball team kicks off season Celia Kuzon sports editor

As junior TJ Fenske locked up on his man from Jefferson Monroe, playing hard defense, he thought to himself, “Concentrate on right.”

“Should I stay on my man or go in to help?” he wondered. “Concentrate on right” he thought once again.

Suddenly Fenske sprinted into the paint and helped defend his teammates man.

“Concentrate on right” is the slogan the mens varsity basketball team turns to for motivation and direction. And according to Fenske, it is working quite well.

“The team is looking pretty good this year,” he said. “We have a really strong starting five, and that will take us far.”

Coach Randy Swoverland agrees to an extent.

“I think the team is progressing.” Swoverland said. “But like most coaches, I don’t think were progressing fast enough.”

But through much hard practice and game experience, Swoverland said he hopes to whip the James Nati: Said team into tiptop shape. the team is Swoverland also said he has great confidence in very close this the team because he has set high goals. season from all “My goals for this year are to win our half of the the other sports they have conference (SEC White Division) and try to continue the post (season) runs where we have pro- played together. gressed fairly far into the playoffs,” he said.

“The guys get along with each other well. That is not going to be a problem. Personally I want to see a group come together and progress as a team and accomplish something that can’t be accomplished individually. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

And Fenkse’s seems to have bought into his coach’s goals.

“I want to work hard and win the SEC,” he said.

“I also want to win districts for the fifth straight year in a row.”

He said that although Swoverland’s practices TJ Fenske: On varsity last year are hard, he thinks this will pay off eventually.

“We run a lot of down and backs, but I think as a sophomore it’s good because it will get us in to better shape and said the five for the season,” Fenske said. “Hard practices will starters will lead the team well. prepare us for hard games. Coach is preparing us for game like situations, and that will especially benefit us in games that are really close.”

The team is down to only 11 players due to injuries, but Swoverland does not think it will affect the team’s success.

“That is only one less than we normally have,” he said. “ And it will only affect us if we have a rash of injuries or ineligibility.”

Senior captain James Nati also said the season is starting out great.

“Although we are undersized compared to last year’s team, we are much quicker, and that will make us good,” Nati said. “The team is really close.

A lot of us have played soccer and football together so we know each other really well which will benefit us also.”

And a great student section is something Nati said he is looking forward to this year.

“Last year’s cheering section was awesome,” he said. “I’m hoping it is the same this year. All the cheering really gets us pumped up and excited to play. It’s more fun to be on the court when your fellow students are routing for you to win.”

11

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

sports

McCalla, Parker ready to lead wrestling team cause of the lack of consistent coaching.

“I hope the team atmosphere improves,” he said, describing things that the team does to Hunched over his partner, senior captain have fun, such as strength challenges or mad Zeb Klapperich waits for the coach’s com- ball, a game similar to rugby. “We want to lay a solid foundation for the team.” mand.

Klapperich said the team’s spirit is what At the blow of a whistle, the drill begins and Klapperich wraps his arms around his op- sets them apart from other teams. “There’s alponent, aiming for the perfect position to take ways somebody to lift the morale up,” he said.

“We’re always having fun.” him down.

Although it is fun for him, Klapperich said At another whistle, Cornerstone principal and varsity wrestling coach Craig McCalla he believes wrestling is harder than any other stops the play and steps in to demonstrate a sport. “You’re using your muscles, and you can’t stop going,” he said. “My favorite part is new move. the intensity.”

Before returning to Klapperich, who has practice, the wrestling been wrestling seriously team gathers to watch and I enjoy teaching the for the past three years, learn. kids and watching says wrestling is a famIt’s still early in the seathem improve their ily thing. His grandfather son, but many members year. started the local Dexter of the team feel that they Wrestling Club and both have come a long way since his father and uncle have last year and think McCal-Craig McCalla, coached. la’s guidance is a big part Varsity wrestling coach In fact, when he was of this. younger, he and many of Although they have lost his team members parsome talent, they say they ticipated in the Dexter have gained new leaders in the form of McCalla and English teacher Wrestling Club.

McCalla, who wrestled in college at Sienna and junior varsity coach Andrew Parker, both Heights, said having people come from the coaching for the first time this year.

“It’s a big step up for Dexter, compared to Dexter Wrestling Club has helped the team last year,” Klapperich said. “The coaches are improve.

Parker agrees. “We’re trying to establish more experienced and know what to do to get more of a program,” he said. “It helps to get us ready.”

Both Parker and McCalla wrestled at Chel- the youngsters involved.”

As far as the coach’s reasons for coming to sea High School and have practiced with the the team, McCalla said it’s for the kids. “I enjoy team before.

“We hope for dramatic improvement in our teaching the kids and watching them improve record,” Parker said. “(The team) had a pretty their year,” he said.

“Wrestling really is great, because it can rich tradition in the ‘90s.”

Parker said he believes the team has not be both an individual sport as well as a team done as well as they could have in the past be- sport. We’re always improving something.”

Michelle Chirby staff writer

“

Photo by Sean Wallace

Down for the count: Coach Craig McCalla demonstrates a new move with senior captain Zeb Klapperich and junior varsity coach Andrew Parker watching. The coaches say they are looking to improve upon the squad’s recent seasons in upcoming matches by improving team morale and confidence.

Seniors look for college sports opportunities Sydney Ross news editor

Katelin Davis: Recruited to play golf at the University of Michigan.

In her third year at states for golf, senior Katelin Davis knew she was being closely watched.

“It was the first day, and I was being watched by the Michigan coach and assistant coach on the very first hole,” she said.

“I calmed down after the first couple holes of them watching me, but it was nerve wracking and also exciting when they were first watching.”

Davis is being recruited to play golf at The University of Michigan this fall.

“I’ve been playing (golf) since I could hold a club, but I started playing competitively when I was 10,” Davis said.

“My sister and dad went to Michigan for golf also. I’m happy I get to play with my sister next year.”

Davis isn’t the only senior to be scouted and recruited for a college sport.

Senior Ryan Neely has been looked at by Harvard, Princeton and Cornell for cross country. Since eighth grade Neely

but they couldn’t talk to me because an NCAA rule doesn’t let has run track and cross country.

With this plethora of schools watching him, Neely must nar- coaches talk to players until their senior year,” she said.

“But after the summer of my junior year we started talking, row it down to one.

“I applied early to Harvard, so I’m finding out on the 15th of and I’m happy to be going to Michigan for golf.”

Neely said he will also be happy with whatever choice he December if I got in or not,” he said.

However, there never has been a doubt in Davis’ mind about makes and so will his family.

“I’m waiting to see on if I get into Harvard, her college experience. but my parents are being supportive and are “It’s exciting,” she said. “It’s something I’ve happy with whatever choice I make,” he said. been trying to achieve since I’ve known about I’m happy to be Parents and friends are not only the only college golf. It feels good, like everything has going to people affecting these athletes and their decipaid off.”

Michigan for golf. sion.

Neely agrees.

Coaches are included also.

“It’s exciting knowing that I can continue - Katelin Davis, Social studies teacher Jaime Dudash, running in college, because I really like runsenior Neely’s cross country coach, says he is proud ning.” he said. “It’s a nice to get that opportuof him. nity.”

“I think this is a phenomenal experience,” Unlike Neely, Davis has already verbally Dudash said. “Playing a sport in college will committed to Michigan and plans to move forth make it all seem more real. I think he will absolutely be sucwith her sport.

“The coaches started watching me when I was a junior, cessful in college.”

“

12

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

opinions

Which clique are you in?

Are you prepubescent, geeky, hardcore or a minion? Take the quiz to find out.

Robert Kuzon editor-in-chief

What sociocliquonomical class are you?

relationship. I have rage. My therapist says I am what they call a “wife beater”, whatever that is. d. Blood.

1. How many hours a day do you work out? a. I exercise two to three times a day for about 25 minutes each. b. Only when escaping from a bully. c. I spend the majority of my waking hours working out. I even hook up muscle stimulators so I can work out my muscles while I sleep. It is tubular. d. The only time I work out is when I worship Satan. Praise be to the Unholy one.

4. What kind of music do you listen to? a. Just whatever is one TRL. Carson Daily is my idol. b. This totally sweet techno. It is from Germany. Sehr Gut. c. Mostly Eye of the Tiger. d. Marilyn Manson, Slayer, you know, basically anything that rightfully praises the Devil and his ways.

2. What is your relationship status? a. I only talk to girls/boys when it is completely and totally necessary.

My friend told me they have diseases. b. I am in a relationship, assuming the TI-83 plus is a female/male. c. I have, like, the hottest girl/boyfriend in the school. If you talk to her/him I will totally beat your scrawny ass. d. I am in love with the Devil.

5. Define yourself in one word? a. Neat. b. Neat. c. I think I am like, really, really, really, really, really cool and stuff.

I want to give a shout out to my sister and my girl/boyfriend. I love you guys! d. Minion.

3. What do you drink with lunch? a. Milk in a plastic bag, I really like to put things in the corner and launch them at people. b. Orange juice. The vitamin C makes my senses tingle. c. Usually a Gatorade mixed with creatine and N-O EXPLODE!!!!

IT’S AWESOME. Unfortunately the side effects are not good for my

6. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be? a. A Gameboy Color. b. An upgrade for my calculator. c. A Bowflex. That way I could work on my ab definition. d. Cyanide.

• If you answered mostly A’s, then you are 11 years old.

Congratulations. You attend middle school somewhere, and you think you are really old and awesome. You will most likely be beaten up when you get to high school.

• If you answered mostly B’s, then you are a nerd. You spend your time doing schoolwork and attending Halo 2 parties at which you connect two TVs and have eight person battles for galactic rule. Then your mom makes popcorn for everybody and you watch Star Trek.

• If you answered mostly C’s, then you are what we like to call a tough guy, typically grouped with the jocks, although there is a slight difference. You are not as popular as you may think you are, and you most likely are not very bright.

• If you answered mostly D’s, then you are clearly satanic.

You worship Satan, and it is weird. You think that the devil is going to reign over all as an evil ruler, and you shall be his faithful servant. Like Wormtail from Harry Potter. Chances are that the Devil is nowhere near as cool as Voldemort though.

Hoods make criminals?

Frank Dufek

opinions editor

Scott Campbell

copy editor

Christmas has become insane

C

ontinuing my trend of commentary based solely on holidays, I’ve taken it upon myself to blow the red and green lid off the proverbial granddaddy of them all. I’m speaking, of course, of Flag Day. It’s the poor man’s Fourth of July. But for serious, let’s talk Christmas.

Every year, this extravaganza swells to more and more ridiculous proportions. Call me a Scrooge, go ahead. But is anyone’s birthday “celebrated” more ravenously than Jesus’?

Explain to me how buying a ton of ticklish red creatures and snowman sweaters pays homage to Mr. Christ.

Don’t get the wrong idea here. I’m not whining about how we’ve gotten away from the true meaning of Christmas. I’m just under the impression that it’s been exaggerated to profoundly absurd levels of holiday cheer.

I get it. Jesus is your Lord and Savior. He died for your sins. He ascended to heaven, defied the laws of physics and overcame water’s surface tension. That’s awesome news.

But imagine if we did this whole “buy crap two months in advance” thing for every holiday.

Halloween chocolates would be melting in the hot August afternoons. Costume purchases would inadvisable be based on how hot the weather is in August, as opposed to the cold, harsh, unforgiving chill of late October.

In fact, there would be a chain of holiday sales throughout the year. St. Patrick’s Day runs into New Year’s, Easter into Valentine’s Day, National Talk Like A Pirate Day intrudes with the Fourth of July. It’s an everlasting spiral of stress and depression.

I can see how one can carry a certain level of excitement for this particular day. But there’s a statute of limitations on this kind of thing.

The start date for Christmas sales should be set for December 1. Same for lights, Santa mall visits and Christmas tree purchases. Why this specific date?

Because that way all the cheer is at least in the same month.

Normally I don’t even notice how early the festivities begin. I’ve gone through 17 Christmases, and only on the upcoming 18th has it struck me how over the top the whole ordeal is.

It all started as I was driving home from a friend’s house. Casually glancing periodically out the window, I saw something I shouldn’t be seeing.

“Dudes,” I said to the members of the Darkness, whose high pitched voices and sweet guitar solos threaten to shatter the windshield. “Those are Christmas lights.”

It is at this point that I slammed on the brakes and took a dangerously sharp left turn into the perpetrator’s driveway. This had to be on record. At 12:06 a.m.

I climbed out of my car and snapped the picture. This took place on the morning of Sept. 3, 2006. A full 113 days before we say happy birthday to Jesus.

That set it off. From there it was the Master Card “Home for the Holidays” sweepstakes on October 30 and the Lego catalogue a week and a half before Thanksgiving. I couldn’t take it.

It continues to haunt me. WNIC’s constant spewing of holiday tunes certainly doesn’t help matters. If you’re going to play Christmas songs, at least make them tolerable. I know your grandmother got run over by a reindeer. You want a hippo for Christmas. Well, they kill more people in Africa than any other animal, so your chances are grim.

Bah humbug.

W

ho gave hoods such a bad reputation?

Was it the Dementors in “Harry Potter”? Or was it the Ku Klux Klan?

Regardless of who made the hood synonymous with debauchery and sin, Dexter High School seems to agree with the notion that hoods breed hoodlums (often times, from the ‘hood).

I’ve joined the ranks of the criminals and sinners before me by choosing to rock my respective hood both in the hallways and classrooms. My callous disregard for this hastily-made and irrationallyjustified rule earned me a round-trip ticket to detention, a place where punishment comes in the form of a calm period of time where I am left with no option but to do my homework while comfortably listening to music. I’ll make sure to never land myself in that hell again.

My hooded crusade began on a typical Tuesday morning. I was heading from Psychology to AP Calculus when a vicious hall monitor swooped down upon me with hawk-like precision. She was so focused on my hooded frame that she would not have even noticed a student behind her breaking a rule with actual purpose.

I was ominously warned to remove my hood immediately, and I heeded her suggestion … until I turned the corner. I rolled my eyes and placed my hood back upon my head just as the underworked and overpaid children who made my sweatshirt had intended

for me to do.

As I began to make my way down the crowded third-floor hallway, I assumed the hall monitor was elsewhere in the school fighting the good fight. I, for one, had already witnessed a few girls in skimpy outfits, delinquent use of the Apple iPod and even students studying in the library during lunch. There was crime to be fought elsewhere, or so I thought.

I was approaching the elevator when I saw the doors open. Out walked the hall monitor, burning my face with her demonic gaze. I saw her face in full view.

She probably only saw my eyes glowing at her since the rest of my face was clearly darkened out and made invisible by my magical hood. I immediately removed the hood, giggled and scuttled off to class. Once inside the sanctuary that happened to be my Calculus classroom, I immediately put my hood back on and began to take notes.

Able to focus without the distraction of hooligans and yahoos in my peripheral vision, I was understanding Calculus better than ever. About halfway through class I gazed at the door and saw the hall monitor’s face glaring at me with a smug look upon her face.

She had foiled me. I was delivered a note one moment later requesting my immediate presence in the principal’s office.

I elected not to miss Calculus to deal with this impending dilemma and went when it wouldn’t disrupt my school day. I would hazard to guess the original act of my wearing a hood disrupted everyone’s school day significantly less.

I went to the principal’s office, plead my case and reasoned with him. He understood where I was coming from but was forced to punish me accordingly for my act of defiance.

I served my time in detention while wearing my hood and listening to my iPod. I would have felt guilty about doing that

had it not been one of the most productive time periods I’ve had all year. I finished a great amount of work with little to no distraction. I attribute this wholly to the fact that my trusty cloth and electronic companions were there to aid me.

Looking back on my traumatic experience, there is only one thing that truly continues to upset me. The administrators I spoke with were never able to give me a concise and concrete reason the hood rule was implemented.

I was told that hoods are a sign of gang membership which immediately hit home for me. I was overcome with a feeling of gratitude for the powers that be who decided to finally make a stand against Dexter High School’s crippling gang problem.

Another excuse I heard from a different administrator was that the hood permitted me to escape into my own comfortable world and doze off with greater ease in class. I was surprised by this sentiment, mainly because I had never been privy to the fact that falling asleep in class had varying levels of difficulty. I was always pretty comfortable with the “plop my head down and close my eyes” technique.

I’m all for punishment and enforcement of school rules. I just wish administrators were all for making reasonable rules with concrete justifications to match.

13

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall

editorial

Letters

to the editor

Band directors respond to festival trip story Dear editor: The Nov. 28, 2006 issue of The Squall contained an article entitled “Band Rides Getaway Buses to Festival.” The story’s author, Ms. Henderson, sent us an e-mail for comment. However, having knowledge that the issue might involve a grievance filed by the bus driver’s union, we did not think it ethical or appropriate to comment on the matter.

This is consistent with sound professional practice.

Regrettably, other school district employees did comment, and the subsequent article did not accurately reflect the facts. We appreciate the opportunity given to us by The Squall to clarify the record.

Each October, the Dreadnaught Marching Band participates in the District Band Festival as part of our first marking period curriculum. For many years we have been assigned by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association to perform at John Glenn High School in Westland at about 7 p.m. However, this year we were assigned to perform at Flat Rock High School at 7:45 p.m. The increase in driving distance and the later performance time created some immediate concerns. It was our desire to get the students back to Dexter as early as possible, as we were performing on a school night. Upon examining the festival schedule, athletic practice times and the estimated travel times, it became apparent that we had three options: 1) have students bring a bag lunch, eat on the bus and get home as early as possible; 2) stop for dinner after our performance and get home much later, perhaps after midnight; 3) not eat. After weighing all of these options, we decided to have the students eat on the bus and get home early.

During the week prior to the festival we learned of the new Dexter transportation department policy prohibiting eating on buses. Because we felt it was important to get the students home early, Mr. Woolfolk asked Principal Moran for permission to obtain charter buses; Woolfolk also followed up with transportation director Bob Poor and informed him of the plan and the reasons for the decision. Principal Moran directed the matter to Assistant Superintendent Glen Stevenson, who gave permission to obtain the charters. This allowed students to eat on the way there, do their homework on the way back (since charters have reading lights), and get home early.

We regret that the transportation director or administration may not have informed individual bus drivers that they were not needed. The band directors and band students have a great deal of admiration and respect for our bus drivers; they do a terrific job, but there will be times when charter buses are necessary. We firmly believe in doing what is best for our students, and we will continue to make decisions based on that standard. While many in education only TALK about “putting students first,” in this circumstance, we actually tried to do it.

all

As administrators separately called classes down to the CPA on Tuesday, Nov. 21, students wondered if this was going to be another assembly where they were lectured about drugs, drinking or graduation.

Instead Principal Kit Moran greeted students with a new proposition. If students kept the lunchroom cleaner and reduced the trash around the school, students would be allowed to listen to iPods and other MP3 players during lunch on the Friday of that week.

Although this request is reasonable, the incentive didn’t seem to appeal to most students at the assembly.

At the senior meeting a few students asked if the reward could be listening to music in the hallways instead of the cafeteria on Friday.

Moran said for the first time it should be the lunchroom because it is a more controlled environment. After that, if the cleanliness was maintained, it could be possible for the designated listening days and times to be extended.

The Squall agrees that proper disposal of waste shouldn’t be an issue for students who are clearly capable of picking up their own trash. We also think Moran’s compromise is a good one. Unfortunately it likely won’t work because students don’t want to listen to music during lunch.

Kenneth Moore, Gerald Woolfolk band directors

Squall EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Robert Kuzon MANAGING EDITOR: Austin Shapiro DESIGN: Kim Wiesner EDITORS FEATURES: Katie Fricke ENTERTAINMENT: Kelsey Schultz

call

iPod compromise puts students on the losing end

Sincerely,

THE

Squall THE

Lunch is the one time when students get a break from notes and tests to talk to their friends without being yelled at.

No teenager is going to ignore lunch table conversation because they have the opportunity to listen to their iPod. Lazy students will not put in the extra effort to pick up trash and encourage others to do the same for a one-day privilege.

Last year students could freely listen to their music during passing time as they strolled to class, but you would rarely see a student with headphones on during lunch because they were too busy talking.

If administrators want to encourage students to clean up after themselves, a much better incentive would be allowing students to return to last year’s policy of being able to listen to music in the halls.

How about this? If the cafeteria is kept clean for a week, let students listen to their iPods in the hallways on Friday.

The next week if cleanliness is maintained, let students listen to their iPods in the halls for the whole week. That way students will keep cleaning the cafeteria to make sure they can still listen to their music.

The presented compromise was a good idea, but the incentive just isn’t enough.

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D R E A DS 09’ -’08in the hall

Luke Longoria

Leah Gibson

“The fact that we get to listen to our iPods during lunch, where we want to talk, after cleaning for a weeks is ludicrous.”

TJ Ward

-’07-

“People don’t really want to listen to their iPods during lunch, so we should be able to listen to them any other time besides in class.”

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ADMINISTRATORS’ TRASH/IPOD OFFER?

“I would think people would clean up after themselves because of personal pride.”

David Callaghan

-Science teacher-

“I think the incentive is ridiculous. I think a better incentive would be to listen to (iPods) in the hall.”

“We should get to listen to (iPods) anyway because lunch is our free time.”

-’10-

Bridget Lloyd

14

Friday, December 22, 2006

The Squall Winter Spirit

photostory Role Model: Junior James Bell read a story to Amanda Carlock’s second grade class. But the class was more interested in Bell. “They asked everything from what kind of car I drive to if I’ll be a pro football player,” Bell said. “A lot of funny, random stuff.”

High school students help younger kids Brent Muse staff writer

D

uring the week of homecoming, varsity football athletes went to Cornerstone and Bates Elementary Schools to read children’s books to the students. Head Coach Tom Barbieri set up the

reading trip. “We believe that we have to give back to the community by doing this,” Barbieri said.

The football team has been going to Cornerstone for six years and reading to kids. Barbieri said he started this event when he was a teacher at Cornerstone and has continued it since then.

Football players like junior Thomas Endler said they got a lot out of reading to elementary students. “It was good to see how kids in elementary school look up to high school athletes,” Endler said.

Also giving something back to the community, both the womens and mens varsity basketball teams went to Creekside to host a P.E.R.K (peers encouraging

responsible

kids)

assembly on Nov. 24.

“I like this program because Photo courtesy of Amanda Carlock

it increases school pride and brings

everyone together,” middle school gym teacher Fred Ligrow said.

Both teams went at the end of the school day and played games against each other and also played games with the middle school kids. Junior T.J. Fenske said, “It was fun to show the kids our program and get them involved too.”

Photo by Ryan Winchester

Slam Dunk: Junior Kevin Novak makes a basket at the Creekside P.E.R.K. assembly on Nov. 24 as a team mate looks on. P.E.R.K. is an incentive for kids to take responsibility for their education. “I put on a show for the kids,” Novak said. “They thought it was pretty cool to see someone dunk.”

Photo courtesy of Amanda Carlock

Trying it out for size: Second-grade students tried on high school football gear as part of the football players’ visit. “(The football players) read, brought their equipment and let all the kids try it on,” second-grade teacher Amanda Carlock said. “ They also signed autographs and talked about themselves. (The kids) loved it.”

Graph-X teaches printing On Dec. 18 and 20, Graph-X students led by senior Nate Schmidt traveled to Creekside to teach sixth graders about the design and printing process.

“It’s a required part of the Graph-X program,” Graph-X teacher Dennis Stockwell said. “The main idea of the class is to learn the printing process, and what better way to learn than teach it?”

To meet the requirement, students in groups of three must put on a demonstration for a younger group over the course of two days.

• Schmidt Photo by Spencer Ryan

Print it out: Senior Nate Schmidt helps a Creekside student learn the printing trade at Graph-X’s Dec. 18 visit. “I enjoy designing,” Schmidt said, “so teaching it is rewarding.”