0607-7

March 23, 2007 - Volume XVII - Issue 7 -

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

Art classes appeal to students as teacher Autumn Campbell expands the program

Pages 8,9

Remembering World War II: A local company sponsors WWII veterans to go to Washington D.C.

page 2

Matrix Man: Find out who runs Dexter’s matrix

page 5

Winter sports come to a close: Captains recap their season

page 10

The pint of life: NHS hosts its ďŹ nal blood drive for this year, students share personal motivations

page 14

2

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

news

Several new classes offered next year What’s New? • Six new classes will be offered next year • Most of the change will occur in the math department; students will now take a more standard math series • One new AP class will be added: AP Government • The AP Government class will bring the DHS total to five; Chelsea has seven.

• Many of these changes have been made to meet new state requirements

cepts & Skills and Geometry Concepts & Skills.

Geometry or the equivalent Concepts & Skills class are required for graduation under the new system.

There are also a few other changes. The Science classes for freshman will Chances are, if you are a student, you are reading this article in class.

Chances are equally good then that this class, the one that you feel is less be change.

Integrated Physical Science (IPS) and Earth/Space Science (ESS) will be important than keeping up on the news, is a class that you much rather would not have taken. replaced with the year-long class Integrated Science.

If this is your case, then there is some good news for The Literate Experience is a replacement for Compoyou. Next year Dexter High School will offer new classes sition which will not be offered next year. including The Literate Experience and AP Government.

The new additions are good news to students who Funding was an Five other new classes will be offered next year befeel that their class choice was limited before. Still, the issue, and I’m still new additions are not enough for some. cause of the new state-mandated curriculum, with the not sure how we’re Dexter High School has one of the most limited AP most change occurring in the math department. going to secure the The AGS sequence will be converted over to Algebra I, selections in the state for schools, having only four AP classes: AP Biology, AP English, AP US History and AP Geometry, and Algebra II. money for the new Calculus.

“The math program is changing to better meet the text books.”

“I still think our AP selection will be too limited,” jucontents, standards and benchmarks required by the State’s new graduation requirements for the Class of nior Chris Henes said. Henes has already taken two AP -Gerry Holmes, 2011 and beyond,” counselor Gerry Holmes said. classes and plans to take AP Calculus next year. counselor These new requirements make the curriculum much “Our school’s limited selection of AP classes puts stumore standardized throughout the state. dents at a disadvantage when applying for college,” he Students who have already taken AGS II will move on said, “While the new classes help, I don’t think it will be to AGS III and the students who have already taken AGS III will also move enough.”

More of a concern to administrators, teachers and other staff is the lack of on as usual.

All of the other students will switch over to the new classes, taking Algebra funding for purchasing new books for the classes.

“There was a big push last year by students to add a couple more AP coursI, Geometry, and Algebra II, in that order.

Credit in AGS I and II will be equivalent to credit in Algebra I and Geom- es,” Holmes said.

“Funding was an issue, and I’m still not sure how how we’re going to seetry, respectively.

The AGS stretch path will still exist by adding the two classes Algebra Con- cure the money for the new text books.”

Scott Sarver staff writer

“

Chris Henes: Doesn’t feel that there are enough AP classes being offered.

Local groups send veterans to memorial David Pisano staff writer

During World War II, millions of America’s youth risked their lives to ensure those of others.

Many of those veterans are still around, but they no longer number in the millions, and they’re no longer young.

It took about 60 years after the war for an official monument to be erected in honor of the veterans.

And now a local group, Pride and Honor Flights, is trying to make the pilgrimage possible for as many veterans as they can.

Jack Wiseley first learned about Pride and Honor Flights on a television program and he and his wife were inspired to bring it to Dexter.

“We saw a piece about it on the Sunday Morning program, and it inspired us,” Wiseley said.

The group takes donations to pay for veterans to fly to Washington, D.C. and spend the day there, free. Each veteran is accompanied by a volunteer guardian who pays for himself.

The cost is about $200 for each veteran,

and it is especially important to the orga- uses donations to provide the flights, tour nization that the veterans do not have to bus services, T- shirts and even wheelchairs pay for anything themselves. “They have or motorized scooters if necessary. already paid the price,” Wiseley said.

They spend the day in the capital seeThe veterans are accompanied by vol- ing the sights, with the highlight being the visit to the World War unteers who pay the II memorial. $200 fee out of their Wiseley also said own pockets.

The people who would like National We saw a piece to help out can mail World War II Meabout it on the contributions to Pride morial, dedicated in and Honor Flights 2004 in the nation’s Sunday Morning Inc., Whitmore Lake, capital, is a long time program, and it MI, 48189. “Whether coming for many of inspired us.” it’s one dollar or a America’s surviving thousand, everything veterans. But many - Jack Wiseley is appreciated,” Wiseof them will never get ley said. to see it.

So far, the veterans Many veterans are unable, physithemselves have been cally and/or financially, to make the trip receptive to the trips. The first trip Dexter to Washington, coupled with the fact that is scheduled for May 5, and 60 veterans are World War II veterans are dying by the signed up, as well as a few signed up for the thousands each day. next trip after that.

Wiseley said this keeps him and his wife And Wiseley said he hopes that there motivated to try and reach as many veter- will be many trips to come. He said,“As ans as they can. long as there’s enough money and there are Wiseley said Pride and Honor Flights vets that can go, we’ll keep doing it.”

“

Photo by Faye Wiseley

Memorial: After seeing this memorial in Washington, D.C., Faye Wiseley took this picture which inspired her and her husband to start The Dexter Pride and Honor Flights.

This program seeks donations to send World War II veterans who can’t afford or aren’t able to go see the World War II memorial.

Bates and Cornerstone contribute to national reading month Scott Crompton staff writer

Beth Seeger: First grade teacher is contributing to reading month.

March is National Reading Month.

And although the high school may not be doing anything special to celebrate it, Bates and Cornerstone Elementary schools are.

Both schools have grades kindergarten through second, and Cornerstone kicked off the month with an assembly.

“It really got the kids fired up about reading,” Cornerstone Principal Craig McCalla said.

“The goal for the kindergartners this year is to read 700 books, and as for the first and second graders, their goal is to read for a combined total of 91,800 minutes.”

To keep the kids inspired to read,

Get The Squall in the 2007/2008 school year letters@thesquall .com

McCalla said the theme for the month is to make reading a “habit” tat.

As students read, they will be taken through six different habitats: forest, desert, pond, ocean, polar and rain forest.

When they make it through all six, there will be a reward for them.

The reward for the students will be getting to watch Principal McCalla jump into the pool with his clothes on.

Bates’ reading month activities are themed around the Iditarod race in Alaska.

Their race commemorates the races that took place in 1925 between the cities of Anchorage and Nome, Alaska.

Sled dogs raced between these cities to deliver medicine to the village

of Nome that had been stricken with diphtheria.

With that in mind, the students of Bates receive a sled dog after they have completed five fully-colored mushers.

To get a fully-colored musher, the students have to read 100 minutes.

Once a class fills up their sled dog team consisting of 10 sled dogs, they have earned their win in the mock Iditarod race.

Unlike Cornerstone, Roger Moore, Bates’ principal will not be jumping into a pool with all of his clothes on for the students to watch.

There will be a different kind of reward for the students of Bates.

“We try to develop a program that relies more on a recognition of accomplishments,” Bates first grade

teacher Beth Seeger said.

In addition, each student will be recognized for their accomplishments in contributing to the class effort to complete the race.

“In the end we will pull together to get each class through the race and into Nome before the end of March,” Seeger said.

Bates and Cornerstone teachers and administrators work hard to make reading a habit, and pull together to do it, according to curriculum coordinator Linda Kuzon.

“In Dexter every month is reading month,” Kuzon said. “Reading is an important focus of our curriculum year round. In March, however, school-wide themes and activities provide a special focus and excitement around reading.”

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Reading month facts • Bates and Cornerstone are doing the most during reading month • The Iditarod commemorates the 1925 races between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska • Village of Nome was stricken with diphtheria and they needed medicine from Anchorage

3

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

New restaurant established

Ryan Aliapoulios staff writer

The Monument Park Building finished construction on Nov. 9, 2005. It is 15,000 square feet and is largely used as an office building, but there is an exception.

On the first floor, a restaurant called North Point Steak and Seafood will open this summer, adding itself to the array of previously erected eateries in the area.

One of the owners of the new restaurant is Cindy MacNeil, who also co-owns Mac’s Acadian Seafood Grill in Saline.

“We don’t have a specific opening date yet,” MacNeil said. “We’re aiming for somewhere in the second week of April.”

Although MacNeil’s first restaurant was opened in Saline, she hopes her second one will fit into Dexter well.

“We want to move into Dexter for a lot of reasons,” she said.

“Mainly, we’d been looking to open a new restaurant for a while and downtown Dexter looked like a nice area that was constantly growing, so we wanted to be a part of it.”

North Point Steak and Seafood will have a full bar and lounge inside once completed, and will be aimed at Dexter families.

“We’re planning on serving steaks, seafood and other family food,” MacNeil said. “We also plan on being a dinner- only restaurant as well, at least for a while.”

Although MacNeil is optimistic about her restaurant, senior Heather Hoelzer has a different opinion. Hoelzer’s father owns the

news

BRIEFS

NEWS

Vice Principal Authier has baby Weighing in at 8 pounds 10 ounces Allan Conrad Authier was born Thursday, Feb. 22, to Assistant Principal Tim Authier and his wife Barb.

The stressful process had multiple complications requiring an Epidermal, a Pitocin drip and a C-Section. Finally, after a sudden cry Barb and Tim met their new born son. “It • Allan Conrad Authier was an amazing, difficult, exhausting and emotional process,” Authier said in an e-mail to the staff. “Barb was so strong, so determined, and wow ... ”

Dexter grad takes the gold Photo by Ryan Winchester

Setting up shop: North Point Steak and Seafood is set to open up on the first floor of the newest addition to Dexter’s skyline, the Monument Park Building. The menu will include, as implied, steak, seafood and family foods but will start as a dinner-only restaurant.

Dairy Queen downtown, situated right next to the Monument Park Building where North Point Steak and Seafood is under construction.

“The problem with the new restaurant is that they didn’t provide enough parking,” Hoelzer said. “It’s going to be a big problem, especially if the restaurant becomes really popular. We already have barely enough parking for Dairy Queen

as it is, and if there isn’t anywhere to park then people won’t want to come (to DQ).”

Hoelzer also believes that the new restaurant will hurt Dairy Queen’s job outlook, and possibly some of its business.

“A lot more people are going to want to apply to the new restaurant than to DQ,” she said, “and if people everyone goes there it will definitely

hurt business.”

Despite conflicting business interests, MacNeil said she looks forward to building a new restaurant in Dexter.

“We want to be an active member of a new community,” she said.

“We’d like to give families in Dexter another choice of a place to eat, instead of driving somewhere else to get food.”

Strutting their stuff

Factbox • This year was Ocean Bowl’s eleventh year at Dexter • Dexter’s A team took eleventh place at last year’s national competition

Photo by Lee Copely

Wading in facts: Freshman Justin Wike, junior Will Grundler and seniors Jon Wike and Scott Sarver research ocean information for an upcoming match.

Ocean Bowlers swim in knowledge Luke Altomare staff writer

The Ocean Bowl team won the regional Great Lakes Bowl at the University of Michigan on Feb. 10. Now the team will move on to the National Ocean Science Bowl in Stoneybrook, New York on April 30.

Like most Ocean Bowl teams, Dexter’s Ocean Bowl team is divided into two smaller teams. The A Team consists mainly of upperclassmen, and the B team consists of underclassmen. At the Great Lakes Bowl, out of 24 regions, Dexter’s A team took first. Huron High School took second.

Mecosta High School took third, and Dexter’s B team took fourth.

In Ocean Bowl teams answer questions about a variety of ocean-related topics like biography and oceanography. Matches between two schools consist of seven trivia questions in which members buzz in, two essay questions and then seven more trivia questions.

2003 graduate Ben Okolski won the 2007 U.S. Pair Figure Skating title with fellow Michigander Brooke Castile. Okolski began figure skating when his mother signed him and his sister up for lessons when he was eight-years-old. After graduating from high school, Okolski attended Washtenaw Community College where he studied engineering.

Points for trivia questions are cumulative, with to an exotic location. Last year the first place trip each member winning four points for their team was to Maui.

Dexter’s team is advised by science teacher for each correct answer. Normally wrong answers Cheryl Wells and captained don’t affect the score, but if a by senior Scott Sarver. member answers incorrectly Meetings take place every before all of the questions Monday and Wednesday are read, the team loses four People should after school and last two points. The team answers join because it’s hours. two essay questions together, fun to learn how The team researches and each correct answer nets ocean-related questions, it 20 points. they affect the and the members hold There are two Ocean Bowl environment.” practice matches or watch tournaments a year. The videos.

Questions can regional tournament consists - Jon Wike, include anything from of different high schools senior ocean currents to how to from the area competing properly prepare and sell for a chance to go on to oysters. Periodically the the national tournament.

The tournaments starts with teams competing team also goes on field trips.

According to senior Jon Wike, joining Ocean against four other randomly chosen teams, with the winners moving on to a single elimination Bowl illustrates the bigger picture. He said, “(People) should join because it’s fun to know portion that decides the final winner.

The prize for the first four places is a vacation how they affect the environment.”

“

The third annual prom fashion show will be March 30.

Admission is $5 which includes food and a chance to win prom tickets and various accessories for prom. On display will be the newest styles for the season with donations from Men’s Warehouse and Von Maur. Men will also receive discounts at Men’s Wearhouse for showing up. “It’s been a small event in the past,” senior Jackie Stotlar said. “But this year we are really trying to make it a big event before prom that everyone will want to go to.”

Dexter students on the big stage Juniors Mike Champagne, Matt Janos, John Germain and sophomore Marshall Geer, members of the band Final Domain, will play in Battle of the Bands at The State Theater in Detroit on March 31. Of more than 300 bands entered in the competition, the band was chosen after sending in a demo.

“It’s pretty amazing that we made it because we only stared playing two months ago,” said vocalist and lead guitarist Germain.

The winning band will receive thousands of dollars in prizes and a $1,000 check from Axis Music Academy. Germain hopes for a solid crowd of students for support.

4

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

feature

r o f y t i real

a s s e n s s e l e Hom t n e d u t s r e t Dex

Stone-Palmquist helps homeless teens

Katie Johnson advertisment manager

Beth* looks like any other student. She wears a hooded sweatshirt, Birkenstocks and carries an over-stuffed book bag slung over her shoulder.

She slowly walks into a classroom. She sits down and smiles as she talks about her love for art and writing, her plans to go to college and her homelessness.

She then leans forward in her chair, slowly shaking her foot under the table. “I’m not always ashamed (of being homeless),” she quietly says.

“I don’t like people knowing about it. I don’t go around telling people things about me. It’s hard because I don’t want them to know where I’m living.”

She pauses for a moment and glances to the corner of the room as a look of apprehension crosses her face. “Sometimes I worry because I don’t know if we’re staying in the same house and if we can pay the bills,” she softly says. “I help out, but it’s hard.”

Her eyes quickly dart toward the ceiling as if scanning her mind for what to say next. “The summer after second grade we were living with my dad and his dad,” she quietly says. “After we left, we ended up living at a hotel for three years.

It was really boring there, but we never knew if we would have enough money for the next day.”

Beth starts picking at the sleeve of her sweatshirt as she describes her family’s first house.

“There were rats all over the place, but I absolutely loved that house,” she says with a faint smile. “We moved out because we couldn’t live with the rats anymore.”

She pauses and then jokingly rolls her eyes as she begins talking about her siblings. “I share a bedroom with my little sisters, and we fight a lot,” she says with a grin. “We fight over what to watch on TV or when to turn out the lights.”

But she soon becomes serious as she talks about her older sister. “My older sister helps us out a lot,” she says. “Sometimes, she gets annoyed because we use her money, but she does help a lot. My sister’s fiancé has helped out a lot too. He drives us wherever we need to go. Even though he

Helping homeless students is a noble idea, but for Peri Stone-Palmquist it is her job.

Stone-Palmquist is the coordinator for the Education Project for Homeless Youth, or EPHY. The organization helps students who are homeless enroll and succeed in school.

Stone-Palmquist said that it’s important for homeless students to have somewhere to go.

“It’s really important to keep that stability,” she said. “It gives homeless kids at least one safe haven.”

The organization helps students by giving them school supplies. “These things don’t seem like a big deal, but they are to students who are homeless,” she said.

EPHY also works with another group of teens. “We work with quite a few unaccompanied youth, meaning these kids were forced out of their homes by their parents,” she said. “Or they ran away and are kind of couch surfing at different places.”

All in all, Stone-Palmquist said her job is a good one. “It’s rewarding and sad, but definitely more rewarding,” she said. “Families are so amazingly strong, because it’s a full-time job being homeless.”

Illust

complains and jokes he won’t be there, he always is.”

A slight smile soon appears on her face as she begins to talk about her mom.

“I depend on my mom the most,” she solemnly says. “I love horses, and my mom puts all of her effort to get what we want.” She then pauses in mid-sentence and stammers, “I can’t really put into words, but it really means a lot to me because it’s the one thing I love.”

Her smile suddenly disappears from her face

ration

by R a

wlin M

ye r s

as she says, “Every once in a while I want a cell phone, but I never blame my mom for that. We live with what we have. I have to live with a CD player instead of an iPod and contacting my friends through e-mail. But I don’t ever blame my mom for that.”

And yet, she remains optimistic through everything she had endured. “I have my friends for support and right now we’re doing pretty good too,” she says. “We’re also pretty religious and depend on God a lot. I’m not that into him, but I

do believe in him and pray to him.”

She pauses again, this time for longer, her eyes still wandering around the room. “I’ve realized that you have to live with what you have,” she solemnly says.

“It doesn’t matter if you want a cell phone or an iPod because you may never get anything as good as you have.”

*Name changed for privacy

Hazardous student jobs violate labor laws Lisa Ritchie staff writer

“

As he stepped out of his car, cell phone in hand, he walked down a dark street towards a threestory run down apartment complex in downtown Ann Arbor. It was pay day, and he eagerly Money is money. I awaited his employer’s presence.

“My mandon’t care what I’m ager was paying me in doing as long as I’m huge wads of cash in the making it. middle of the mall, so I asked to get paid some- Ron*, where else,” junior Bill Smith* said. “He told junior me I could meet him at his house. We sat on the lobby floor of his apartment while he counted out the money. He paid me in cash so he wouldn’t have to pay taxes.”

Smith is just one of the few teenage students

(734) 769-3888 www.sunrisetees.com 5277 Jackson Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48103

who unknowingly violate labor laws instated to protect the well being of minors.

Smith said he worked for a business located in the Briarwood Mall. While working 20 hours per week and getting paid “under the table,” Smith said he had no idea his payment situation was illegal.

According to Federal Law, however, students are only allowed to work 18 hours during a school week. In addition, a person under 18 cannot be employed in an occupation that is hazardous to their well-being.

Working for a hay and straw transport company, junior Ron*, 17, works 20-30 hours per week in what he said are hazardous conditions. “It was a really cold day so I wore gloves,” Ron said of one incident he clearly remembered as dangerous. “I put my hand underneath a hay bail tie, and my hand got caught when I went to throw it on the trailer. I fell 20-30 feet and landed on a layer of hay. I broke my finger and pulled my shoulder out of its socket.”

The Department of Labor tries to prevent in-

cidents much like this one and Deputy Director for Public Affairs Scott Allen said there are a lot of things that can be done to prevent injury and deaths of minors.

“In order to prevent accidents, the Department of Labors officials speak to high schools about job safety,” Allen said. “We are also running a campaign on the dangers of construction sites to ensure safety of minors.”

In most cases, the liability is placed on the employer for injuries and unsuitable conditions for minors. “We enforce the laws set by the department of labor. If an employer is found breaking a law,” Allen said. “The fine can be upwards of $20,000.”

Despite the dangers, many students say they continue to hold these jobs because they need the money. “It’s a job. It happens,” Ron said of earning $10 an hour in a dangerous job. “Money is money.

I don’t care what I’m doing as long as I’m making it.”

Teen Job Statistics • 2.3 million 16-17 year-olds hold jobs in the USA • The risk of occupational fatality is doubled for teenage workers • Holding a “hazardous” job is illegal to all workers under 18 Information from the Department of Labor

*Name changed for privacy

5

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

Q A &

feature

Spring break hotspots Be it Florida or Mexico, Colorado or Jamaica, many students can't wait to get

Senior Chelsea Larson

By: Scott Campbell

Q: Do you believe in conspiracy theories?

A: No. Q: Even though you don’t, what’s your favorite one? JFK or the moon landing being filmed in a Hollywood studio.

out of school and head to some place warm. According to a retired Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputy, however, students looking for some fun need to remember a few common-sense safety tips as well.

A: Oh, how it had the different light sources and everything? I thought that one was pretty funny.

Q: What was the last concert you attended?

A: Oh jeez. The last concert I attended was Relient K. Q: Just how lucky is the number seven?

A: I don’t think it’s lucky.

Q: Have you ever seen the movie “Se7en”?

A: No. Q: What do you make of Morgan Freeman’s career?

A: I think he’s a good actor.

Q: In 10th grade economics, I had a higher grade than you, with 100 percent, even though it only lasted for a month. Did that give you any extra drive or motivation, knowing that me, who is now on my way to WCC, was beating you?

Rawlin Myers staff writer

Q: What college are you going to anyway?

A: U of M.

A: (blinks twice) Q: You win. You always do. Thanks so much for your time.

A: (laughs) No problem.

What’s more important? Going to clubs at night or being with all your friends and having a good time? For senior Kris Petrovskis, this was an easy decision. He choose being with his friends. So for his Spring Break he picked a location where he and his friends could all go together.

Although most seniors may want warm weather for spring break, Petrovskis, who is going to Vale, Colorado decided his friends were more important. “We realized we all just wanted to hang out,” he said.

Petrovskis said he and his friends chose to go to Vale because they wanted to go where their parents would take them.

He also said there is a lot to do as well. He said he and his friends plan to ski, shop and go out at night.

However, according to Mary Beth Mazur from the Dexter Travel Agency, Cancun, Mexico is always a top Spring Break choice.

This is true for senior Tracy Duve who said the main reason to go to Mexico is the hot weather and the ocean. Going snorkeling in the Caymans, shopping in Jamaica, and soaking up the sun in Mexico also attracted her and her friends.

Duve also chose to go to Mexico because she said she had heard many great stories from all her friends from previous years. “Mexico is were all the good clubs are,” Duve said, adding she knew going out at night with all her girls would be the most fun of the trip.

Senior Heather Riecker, on the other hand, is taking a cruise to see many different locations and also have fun with her friends. Riecker is going on a cruise from Houston, Texas to Belize, to Cozumel and then back to Houston and then off again to Playa del Carmen, then Mexico.

“On a cruise you are not limited to certain daily activities,” Riecker said. “I thought it would be fun to experience more then one place at a time.” Reicker said she also plans to shop on all the different islands, lay out, go out at night and go horse back riding on the beach and in the water.

“I thought this would be an unbelievable experience,” Riecker said. “I have always wanted to go horseback riding on the beach.”

And Duve and Riecker both say senior spring break is very important to them. “ It is the last big trip you have before college,” Riecker said, “and you get to be with all your friends.”

But students who are planning to party need to remember to be safe according to retired Washtenaw County Sheriff Ernest Milligan. “The number one thing you need to remember is to stay with your friends at all times,” Milligan said, “and to always be aware of the surroundings.”

Milligan also said it’s important for students to stay away from areas that are not safe. “Stay away from side streets, bar areas, and areas not part of normal domain,” he said.

In Mexico, for example, Milligan said there are many people looking to pick pockets. “You should always be conscious of your purse, and keep money in your front pocket,” he said.

Despite the possible danger that can come along with travel Reicker and Duve say they both look forward to their trips. “ I am still looking to have a great time,” Reicker said.

And Duve said, “Picking the right place is important. My parents trust me in my decision, so I am just going to relax and have a blast with my friends.”

Who is Roger? Finally the truth

A: (laughs) No, I didn’t even know.

Q: Touché. Let’s compare Physics grades though. If you’re passing, blink twice.

Caitlin Henderson staff writer

Roger Things • Senior Dan DeWaele made and sold over 50 Roger T-shirts • Roger T-shirts are pink • Roger receives about 15-20 tech orders every school day

Preparing for her Humanities class, social studies teacher Susan Walters checked her portable computer lab. Broken again. She immediately got on the phone and dialed DHS’ information systems technician Roger Johnson.

Her computers were fixed, and Humanities continued.

“He’s so nice,” Walters said of Johnson. “If I complain, he fixes it.”

For more than six and half years, Johnson has served DHS and the rest of the district, fixing everything from laptops to entire networks.

Operating from his office in the south wing, he faces the daily task of making sure all of the high school’s technology is in working order.

Johnson said being an information systems technician is no small job.

He receives anywhere from 15 to 20 tech orders a day, which translates into about one piece of tech equipment breaking every 24 minutes.

“I don’t mind it,” he said. “I enjoy fixing and playing with the computers and setting up and testing all the new equipment.”

Johnson graduated from Davenport University with an associate’s degree in computer management and an associate’s degree in general business from Washtenaw Community College.

He is also certified in Linux administration and has an “A+ certification” in web design.

In addition to working with computers, Johnson said he enjoys fishing with his two boys, reading and playing video games, his current favorite being Battlefield Two. “I like it because I can actually beat my kids at it,” he said.

Johnson has also enjoyed a recent new fan club of sorts with the debut of the hot pink “Roger” shirts, the brainchild of senior Dan DeWaele.

“I had this idea,” DeWaele said. “Who would want a T-shirt with that man on it? Everybody, that’s who.”

DeWaele had the shirts made by Graph-X teacher Dennis Stockwell’s class and sold more than 50 shirts to students and teachers.

Now it’s hard to walk down the hall without seeing at least one hot pink Roger tee.

“I was one of the first to get one,” senior Matt Turley said. “My wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without it.”

Johnson said he also enjoys wearing his shirt and has given a few away to his family and friends.

“I wore my shirt to church one day,” Johnson said. “And the pastor noticed it, and it ended up that I’m going to talk about my job and the shirts.

And now they all want one, and so do some of my other relatives.”

Glamour and fame aside, Walters praises Roger as her technological savior.

“He always perseveres until he fixes the problem,” Walters said. “He’s such a good guy.”

Photo illustration by Maria Brundage

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

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6

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

entertainment THE

TRICKLE This monthʼs trickle is all about Halo versus Counterstrike.

These are the terms that gamers who are dedicated to their game use during play. Both games have a unique, cultlike following with their own lingo. Here are some examples.

T-BagʼemJumping on top of another player EagledKilled by a player who dropped in from above No scopedKilled without use of a scope Noob Combo- plasma pistol and a battle rifle Acsensionbest level in game

I Love April Fool’s

April Fool's fun for clever pranksters, embarrassing for others

April Fool’s Facts • April Fool’s originated in France in 1582 and was spread by foot to the majority of other countries.

Conor Daining staff writer

The other day Mr. Satt told me I had to drop his class due to failure in previous semesters and that this would be my last article.

While I will miss newspaper, I will most certainly not miss writing mindless articles and interviewing even more mindless people. So I am making this article my informal resignation from newspaper. Truly a sad day. April Fools!

What began in France in 1582 as a practical joke has evolved to become an international holiday. Every year we are allowed one day to lie and joke with as many people as we want.

Lately high school students have not taken advantage of this day. Scotland has two April Fool’s days a year. We only have one, and we hardly use it.

While there may be very few pranks played every year, we can still count on the few pranks being very clever. Senior Keane Wolter thought of multiple pranks such as filling a glass jar with water and gold fish then using a stopper on the top

• Mexico’s counterpart of April Fool’s Day is actually observed on December 28. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.

Sean Wallace staff writer

and flipping it over, removing • In Scotland, April Fool’s Day is actually celebrated the stopper for two days. The second day is devoted to pranks afterward. “Then involving the posterior region of the body. It is called you just wait for Taily Day. The origin of the “kick me” sign can be someone to come traced to this observance. along and pick it up.”

Wolter Source: http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm said. Ideas like this may have holiday. originated years Competition for the best prank is a ago but bringing back the classics is key way of creating a good range of jokes. for a good April Fools.

Some more original pranks also come Some believe putting a cow on the third around each year. “You could cut off floor of the school may be the best, but someone’s toes while they sleep and yell senior Matt Sanchez believes he had one April Fool’s when they start screaming,” of the greatest of all time. He said, “I called my mom and told her I got in a car senior Andrew Martin said.

Other ideas may lack the clever accident and that I’m now a vegetable. It original edge of Martin’s. For example, wasn’t even on April Fool’s.”

Let April Fools be a holiday to show senior Kriss Petrovskis said, “One time my mom called my dad when he had a your more creative and possibly twisted dentist appointment and told him he side. I hope this year I will see a prank to be proud of, one that will make me actually didn’t have one.”

Hopefully students avoid pranks like want to give the prankster a pat on the this or April Fool’s will become a lame back. But probably not.

Must reads for high schoolers 3. “Ishmael” – Daniel Quinn “Ishmael” is an interesting story of a teacher and student with a twist: the teacher is a telepathic Many of the courses taken in high school require gorilla named Ishmael. By advertising for a pupil students to read classic books. Although classics can who “has an earnest desire to save the world,” teach great lessons, students may be turned off by Ishmael hopes to teach mankind where they went the traditional style of required reading. In honor wrong. A middle aged man, Alan Lomax, responds of reading month, here is a list of high interest level to the ad, hoping to unlock the secrets to happiness. books that every teenager will enjoy reading and Ishmael tells Lomax of his past, and together they explore the story of creation and the history of man. can get something out of.

“Ishmael” is a hopeful story that takes a great deal of thought.

1. “The Perks of Being a The philosophical views of this Wallflower” - Stephen Chbosky 5 other books to read book should be taken with an This is one of those books open mind as they will cause that just can’t be put down. “The the reader to put their lives into Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a perspective and consider what fictional story of a boy, Charlie, • 6. “To Kill a they contribute to society. and his high school experiences.

Mockingbird” His story is written in an unusual Harper Lee 4. “The Bible” style of letters to an anonymous Religious or not, all teens friend, making the reader • 7. “The Catcher in should read The Bible. The feel deeply connected to him. the Rye” Bible has influenced a great Charlie conveys his experiences J.D. Salinger deal of today’s culture. Being in an honest and objective way one of the world’s most ancient by studying how others live their • 8. “The Sweet stories, it makes sense that lives as he tries to live his own.

Hereafter” Russel The Bible would have such an The honest scenes of sexuality, Banks impact on the tales, morals drug use and depression give and perspectives the world every reader something to • 9. “Animal Farm” carries today. Understanding relate to in Charlie’s story.

George Orwell The Bible will give students a Incidentally, there are many better understanding of history, references throughout the book • 10. “Lord of politics, religion and literature. to pop culture, movies, music the Flies” If the length, language and and other good books.

William Golding general confusion of The Bible is too intimidating, try a modern 2. “The Chocolate War” – day, easy-to-understand version Robert Cormier such as “The Story”, published by Inspiring and humorous, “The Chocolate War” is a story of standing up to peer The Zondervan Corporation. pressure. As high school student Jerry Renault faces 5. “Fahrenheit 451” – Ray Bradbury strict private school teachers and an underground Set in the 24th century, “Fahrenheit 451” is the gang known as The Vigils, he is forced to decide whether or not he wants to follow the crowd. story of a futuristic culture that looks down on Cormier tells the story by describing the different individuality. The admired profession of the time is perspectives of each character, which lets the reader a fireman, not one who saves burning houses, but see the bigger picture and keeps them on the edge of instead, burns books. The story follows a fireman, their seats. “The Chocolate War” is sure to provoke Guy Montag, who secretly discovers the power and laughter from its readers, while making them think fascination of reading but is unable to convince the rest of the world. This book shows a glimpse of what twice about their own high school experiences. it would be like without all of the things that high schoolers tend to take for granted today, such as our families, freedom and education.

Michelle Chirby staff writer

GODLIKE- a player who is doing very well Humiliating defeat- to be killed in a embarrassing manner Noobcannon- a firearm that is not respected among the elders Camp Spawn- a player who waits where players are reincarnated to kill them instantly, spawn campers are booted from servers immediately CT- counter terrorist NADE!someone has thrown a grenade in the area Rank-Your ranked number out of all counterstrike players

Guitar hero captures the hearts of many pre-rockers

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower

• The Chocolate War

• Ishmael

• The Bible

• Fahrenheit 451

How can we have everyone feel like they can play the guitar? What do we have to do to show how great the guitar really is? These questions were answered and America has embraced the game phenomenon that is Guitar Hero.

The game is like Dance Dance Revolution but with classic rock songs, English and players don’t have to hop around like they just took speed at a rave.

Senior Andrew Franco said he found out about the game in a couple different ways. “First, when it came out, I didn’t have a PS2,” he said. “Then, my friends influenced me and I got it for Christmas.” Franco said he has never been involved in any music-related events like band but loves Guitar Hero.

Junior Mike Champagne said he was first exposed at a friend’s house.“ I played it at Charlie Hunt’s house for the first time,” he said. “I tried to play Hard for ‘Smoke on the Water’ and failed right away.”

Some students found about it when it came out, like junior Matt Thompson. “(Best Buy) had it, and I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said. “I was lost.”

In the first four months of the first Guitar Hero’s release, 300,000 units were sold. Guitar Hero II has sold 1.3 million units in the US in 2006 alone.

The game has interfered with students activities and necessities. “I neglected my homework to play.”

Franco said. “I used to skip lunch to play Guitar Hero.”

Champagne said.

Champagne had a similar experience. “I used to skip lunch to play Guitar Hero,” he said.

So why play it? There are a ton of other games out there. What makes this one seem to stand out?

“It’s a different concept,” Champagne said. “You can Harmonix is now play with more that one owned by EA person, even if you suck at Games it. I like the fact that there are bass and lead guitar for multiplayer.”

Guitar Hero II Guitar Hero was will no longer be released on November exclusive to PS2 2005, with the sequel only a year behind on on April 3 November 2006. So which Guitar Hero is the better of Frequency and the two?

Amplitude are “Both are about the same.

I like more songs two other games from one, but two has Harmonix have better bonus tracks” made Franco said.

Harmonix, part of the team responsible Guitar Hero has 47 for this game, has had songs while Guitar other music-based games Hero II has 64 that have never quite caught on like Guitar Hero did. RedOctane Neversoft is now also helped make the the lead developer game by developing the for the next peripheral used for play. possible Guitar Players use a special controller. Featuring five Hero game buttons and a bar used for strumming, players match colored circles with the corresponding buttons onscreen as they scroll past in tempo and rhythm with the song.

Players are given a rating of stars, just like a newspaper or magazine might do when they review a live concert or CD. The lowest a player can get is a three-star review, which is just barely passing. A five-star means the player is an expert at that song and is ready to move on.

The more notes the player hit in a row, the higher the multiplier gets. The player can get up to x4 multiplier.

Star power rewards the player for hitting a group of notes in a row. It doubles the players multiplier for a small period of time.

No matter how you look at it, “Everyone wants to know how to play the guitar,” Thompson said. “(Guitar Hero) is an easy alternative.”

Did you know ...

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7

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

'...And the Battle Begun' Ryan Winchester staff writer

I

f you’ve ever wondered what a prog-rock album from a fairly well known ska band who’ve toured with the likes of The Bloodhound Gang and Reel Big Fish sounds like, look no further.

The RX Bandits have found an interesting and unique sound with their latest album, released on the lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew Embree’s own label, MDB Records.

A great departure from their previous punk/ska discography dating back almost a decade, this album is a welcome change of pace.

But it had a rough road to its release. It was delayed numerous times, swapped between labels and saxophone player Steve Borth left before it was released to stores. But it’s worth the wait.

The use of complex time signatures, an unconventional way of recording the album by limiting how many takes they had to get it right, essentially playing the whole record live, and the thought-provoking and socially-aware lyrics are just small pieces of this album that come together beautifully.

The title track kicks off the album and is lyrically about a fleeting and unwanted dependence on prescription drugs.

With lines such as “It’s no better than before, it’s just never mentioned,” this song paints a desolate image which is amplified

grade: A

I

n the much-anticipated movie “300” based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, Gerald Butler (King Leonidas) shows what the Spartans were like and how bad ass they were. “300” lives up to all the buzz and hype with an amazing film.

The movie is about 300 Spartans who weren’t going to stop for anything, including a treacherous Persian army that consisted of around 10,000 soldiers. The Persians wanted Sparta for themselves and their people as slaves. The 300 Spartans refused to follow these orders and were going to take their argument to the death.

Butler plays the Spartan king, and there could be no better actor for this role. He really shows who the Spartans were and how they were going to fight to the death for their freedom.

He also showed the honor and pride he had for Sparta.

The action is non-stop, from slow-mo beheadings to epic fight scenes. Director Zach Snyder filmed the whole movie on a blue screen, so it has amazing special effects.

It also gave the film a very dark world that looked like the skies were filled with blood, which was a bit weird. But that didn’t really distract too much from all the crazy action and

'Upstairs' Kelsey Schultz entertainment editor

grade: B+

I

T

f there’s one thing every nerd aspires to be, it’s a super hero. Who can poke fun at a man who leaps over skyscrapers? How could someone possibly point and laugh at the guy who can lift a truck over his head and hurl it three city blocks?

Being a nerd myself, I was happy to hear that such a possibility of superhuman strength exists, though unfortunately not in reality. This alternate reality is brought via a few thousand pixels and the Havok physics engine.

“Crackdown”, out now for the Xbox 360, is a game where the impossible is utterly possible. Set in the futuristic metropolis Pacific City, it revolves around the player, who is the prototype in a new experiment designed to make ordinary cops into extraordinary cops.

This strikingly ethical process is done by injecting said police officers with a chemical that increases their abilities to unnatural proportions the more they use them.

If there’s one major fault to the game, it’s the length. Technically, it goes on forever, since after the story is complete, you’re free to roam until the cows come home. But the story is simply too short, if it can even be called a story.

MOVIE

'300' Kyle Boren staff writer

Ann sometimes writes in such a pathetic way that the reader feels the need to vigorously shake some sense into her.

She complains about all the things she did to get a centerfold in Playboy, such as cosmetic surgery, and glorifies her constant denial of participating in sexual escapades. Yet for some reason Ann remains baffled as to why she was constantly denied he Playboy spread.

Ann still tries to live the Playboy dream, however, by purchasing a diamond-encrusted Playboy bunny necklace and paying for Playboy party invitations since she is banned from all Playboy functions.

Ann also isn’t a strong writer and sometimes the book is a bit choppy, yet it remains honest.

“Upstairs” is a self-indulgent, mindless read narrated by a girl looking for her 15 minutes of fame.

The book is entertaining when it reveals the truth behind the Playboy mansion, but Ann’s sometimes desperate narration kills the empowering message the book could have.

Instead of rising above Playboy and its scandalous world, Ann reveals its secrets in a desperate attempt to finally make it on the pages of the magazine.

Essentially, there are three gangs in Pacific City, each with their own sectioned off portion. Kill all three gang leaders and the story is done.

However, the amount of henchmen surrounding these leaders is staggering, requiring a few extra assassinations.

Kill off the man in charge of firearms and the enemy will have little more then peashooters to fight with.

Take out the recruitment officer and witness a sharp decline in guards. This is a clever and unique way to approach things, though it does little to hide the absurdly brief story line.

There’s also an online co-op feature that highlights “Crackdown” at its core: fooling around. Pick up a car with your buddy inside, throw it into the air and launch a rocket at it, then burst out with laughter as his rag doll body flies out of sight.

Wasting time leaping about, executing 100 foot high back flips in SUVs and filling an intersection with cars only to detonate them is the perfect way to spend a weekend, or longer, if you want to find all 500 agility orbs, 300 hidden orbs and a bevy of in-game achievements. Developer Realtime Worlds has made a solid base to expand upon in future editions.

grade: B+

BOOK

with the fast-paced time signature changes and technical guitar work. Their stance of prescription drugs not solving any sort of problem is also continued on the next track, ‘In Her Drawer’ and is a commonly mentioned theme throughout the entire album.

Midway through the album, the heaviest and most progressively influenced tracks are placed back to back, “1980” and “One Million Miles An Hour, Fast Asleep.” These tracks sound like they would be from a very seasoned prog-rock band, but the fact that the RX Bandits pull this off so well will make many wonder how they could have ever been a ska band.

With “A Mouth Full Of Hollow Threats” the listener get a very clear picture on the band’s political opinion. “Yes, you, Mr. Untouchable, you’re pointing all your fingers through / putting guns in the hands of our children, / are their lives just a game to you?” Best left open for interpretation, no?

Lyrically, this album is phenomenal. Musically, you really couldn’t ask more from a progressive band. The use of horns and keyboards alongside the traditional guitar, drums and bass works very well and adds a lot of depth to the work.

Any fan of their previous work may be a bit turned off by their new direction, but the album is excellent and worth listening to.

sweet fight scenes.

The film has a hardcore rock/techno soundtrack at the climax of the fight scenes, which sends spine-tingling waves through your body.

There were sci-fi parts in the film, such as huge creatures/ humans that made Shaq look like a dwarf, an ugly hunchback who had sexual desires, deformed fortune tellers, weird looking nipples and goats playing stringed instruments.

These things didn’t quite make the movie better in any way, because the whole movie had a realistic mindset to it until these parts.

Despite these odd scenes, this movie also has a good message. The wife of King Leonidas really made women look like they made a big impact back in this era.

Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) has lines like “Because only Spartan women give birth to real men,” and even murders a person who humiliated her name. She didn’t take any crap.

If you haven’t seen this film yet, and you’re a sucker for hardcore action, adventure and some drama, then get to the movie theater as soon as possible and partake in one of the greater movies of the decade.

he Playboy mansion is a guy’s fantasy, and sometimes even a girl’s. It’s a place full of secrets and scandals. And even with the hit reality show “The Girls Next Door” no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors.

“Upstairs” by Jill Ann is the shocking tell all story about Hugh Heffner, The Playboy Mansion and what it really takes to get on the cover of Playboy.

Ann explains the perks of living at the mansion such as money for shopping, cosmetic surgery, beauty services, etc. However, all this money, as well as the plush bedrooms the girls live in, comes at a heavy price.

All of Heffner’s girlfriends are expected to perform sexual favors, as well as hook up with one another as a source of entertainment.

Ann reveals every juicy and sometimes highly inappropriate detail so reader discretion is advised. One of the most shocking secrets this book reveals is that protected sex is not allowed in the mansion. Not only that, the girls are not allowed to get tested for any STDs. “Upstairs” is a true eye opener when it comes to faux lavish Playboy lifestyle. Unfortunately ‘Upstairs’ failed to open the eyes of its own author.

grade: B+

MUSIC

reviews

GAME

'Crackdown' Scott Campbell copy editor

Finding Carl

Rawlin Myers

8

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

the spread

Art is more than a hobby for senior Katie Fricke features editor

All smiles: Senior Jacqueline McNally is choosing between three art colleges for next fall.

“

When senior Jacqueline McNally started painting and drawing many years ago, she said she never knew her art career would go this far.

“When I was just a little girl, I would line up sheets of white paper and just draw faces all over them,” McNally said.

“I always loved art, but I didn’t think I could make a career from it until I started visiting art schools and seeing people do make it if they have the right kind of dedication.”

McNally, who will choose between three art colleges: the Maryland Institute College of Art, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Savannah College of Art and Design, said where she goes depends on finances.

“It all depends on what school will give me

the most money,” she said. “Savannah has already offered me $20,000 a year.”

Wherever she attends college though, she said she has the same goal. She hopes to be a free lance illustrator.

“A free lance illustrator basically works for themselves and has clients that they do art work for,” she said. “I really like drawing for children’s books, so hopefully I could do something with that.”

And recognition has already come for her talent.

“My art work was in a high school student exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Center,” McNally said. “And I won the portfolio award.”

McNally has taken some of the art classes offered a the high school to better her skills.

And although she said they were beneficial, she said there is room for improvement in the

Dexter art program.

“The art department needs to be funded better, because the art classes have cheap supplies, and there needs to be another art teacher so there can be more classes offered,” McNally said.

“Some schools, like Pioneer, even have Advanced Placement art.”

Although the art program is not perfect, that has not stopped McNally from having a positive art experience at Dexter. “(Art teacher) Autumn Campbell has been very helpful in my college search,” McNally said.

“She has told me about many great art schools and has taught me a lot about art.

“Not only has she helped me out a lot, she puts a lot of her own money to the art program at Dexter which is really nice of her.”

I always loved art, but I didn’t think I could make a career from it ... ”

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- Jacqueline McNally, senior

The collection: Creations like these were submitted as McNally’s portfolio.

• “C

• Untitled

Campbell helps to build better art program Heather Siller staff writer

In 2004 DHS offered two art classes. Today, three years later, the art department proudly boasts five art classes. And many students credit the additions to the art program to art teacher Autumn Campbell.

Campbell, a substitute teacher from 1999-2001, began teaching art classes at DHS in the fall of 2004.

“When I started here we only had two art classes: Foundations of Art and Shaping Space,” Campbell said. “I wanted to broaden the variety of art classes offered.

“I didn’t feel those art classes served all the student in-

terests. They weren’t comprehensive and didn’t fulfill all the possibilities of art.”

Thus she has pushed three new art classes into the art program: Jewelry, Illustration, and Advanced Ceramics.

However, getting these classes added to the art curriculum has been a long process. Campbell said it took about a year for her to go through the process of getting all of these classes approved.

“The largest difficulty in adding the classes was funding,” Campbell said. “All the schools have funding problems around the state. And community support for art, it’s an academic class, as important as math or English.”

Even with the amount of toil she has done to increase the

art department, Campbell still said the program is lacking.

“I would like to add Advanced Jewelry and an Intro Shaping Space class for next year,” she said.

For Campbell, her dedication for the study of art wasn’t just initiated when she came to DHS. The art room was the place she felt most connected to as a student.

In college Campbell said she realized she could connect the college art aspects to the high school level.

While some students take art for their own love of the creativity, others take it because they think it will be easy. ‘“I didn’t think art was going to be so hard’ some students say when they take an art class as an easy an A,” Campbell said.

“But by the end they really enjoy it.”

Mrs. Campbell’s schedule from 2004-2007 1st hour: Foundations of Art 6th hour: Shaping Space

2004

1st hour: Foundations of Art 2nd hour: Advanced Drawing and Painting 6th hour: Shaping Space

2005

1st hour: Jewelry 3rd hour: Illustration 4th hour: Foundations of Art 5th hour: Advanced Drawing and Painting 6th hour: Ceramics

2006

In addition to classes Campbell already teaches, she would like to add Advanced Jewelry to her class schedule for the 07-08 school year.

2007

Working hard: Art teacher Autumn Campbell has been teaching at DHS since the fall of 2004.

9

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

the spread

Students share their interests in art as teacher works to expand course offerings What's new in the realm of art Sydney Ross news editor

New Classes for this year: Jewelry- A chance to design works of art and learn about positive and negative space. Students also get a chance to practice real jewelry-making techniques.

Advanced Ceramics- An opportunity to learn about the culture of art and create artistic pieces. Students can sculpt a pottery piece for a loved one with the advanced pottery wheel.

• “Ambiance”

Illustration- Learn about the elements and principals of design and other ideas. Students in this class get the chance to cartoon, make a comic book illustration and draw anime.

“Figure Drawing”

Classes art teacher Autumn Campbell would like to add to the curriculum: Photography- A chance for students to express themselves with art and photography all in one. If this class becomes part of the curriculum, Campbell said it would be a great chance for students to learn a different type of art.

Advanced Jewelry- A class with a chance to expand works of art from the first jewelry class.

Portfolio- A class directed towards students who are going to school for art and a chance to get a portfolio together before heading off to college.

Metal Sculptures: Because of Campbell’s efforts to expand the art program, students can create art like this necklace by senior Kate Check in jewelry classes.

Charcoal sketch”

Art Events: Potential! February 23 - March 25, 2007. The potential show is located at the Ann Arbor Art Center and is open to all high school students within Washtenaw County.

Festival of Arts- March 30-31. An art show for students grades K-12. All artwork is from Dexter students and will be displayed at Bearclaw Coffee Shop in downtown Dexter for the month of April.

• “Painting 3 in a Dream Series”

Student Artists...

Art by Jacqueline McNally

“

Art is fun, and I would like to be an art teacher when I am older.”

- Matt Koegler, senior

• Matt Koegler

• Katie Buckley

• Andrea Scafasci

• Kaitlyn Mitchell

“

I love Mrs. Campbell, and I like that there are not any limits or guidelines to art.”

• Kerry Brower

- Andrea Scafasci, senior • Sean Dagg Photos by Stephanie Van't Land and Sean Wallace

10

sports It's all about fun with lacrosse First year club is hopeful about achieving a .500 season and eventually becoming a varsity sport Hunter Lyons staff writer

Though sophomore Chris Kotsones has never played lacrosse, he always thought it was interesting.

So this year he actually decided to try it.

“Lacrosse has always interested me,” Kotsones said.

“I have never played, but it looked like something that would be fun.”

So while Kotsones decided to become part of a new Dexter team, he admits that he has other motives to play. “I also think it will be a good way to stay in shape for basketball,” he said.

Junior Nick Ceccolini, however, has been playing since sixth grade.

“When I was attending (Avon Old Farms, a prep school in Connecticut), it was a rule that you had to play three sports for three years, and I didn’t have a spring sport, so I decided to play lacrosse,” Ceccolini said, “and I’ve liked it ever since.”

Another veteran to the team is sophomore Alex Erber. Erber whose dad is the varsity lacrosse coach for Gabriel Richard will help coach the Dreadnaughts this year.

“I’ve played for about five years,” Erber said. “I played for Emerson, and I also played with my dad’s team.”

Since many players on the team will be in Kotsones situation, though, the veteran players say they are there to step in and teach the new kids.

“Being that Nick (Ceccolini) and I are some of the only guys that have ever even played, it’s our jobs to help the new players in practice by just passing to them more and showing them the basics.”

For lacrosse to be a varsity sport, it must go through the mandatory two years of being a club sport.

But Athletic Director John Robinson said he doesn’t see it happening anytime close to that.

“With becoming a varsity sport, there is a lot more than just having enough people to play,” Robinson said, “especially with the school’s athletic budget being cut. We really don’t need any more sports.”

Robinson also said location is a problem with lacrosse.

“If lacrosse were to become a varsity sport, we would have to figure out a field for them to play on, which is difficult to do,” he said. “With our small campus it makes it hard to find a spot for them, especially because football and soccer have first priority.”

But since Dexter is the only school in the area without a lacrosse team, over time Robinson believes lacrosse will be recognized as a varsity sport.

“I hope at some point that we can have a varsity program just because of how many we have around us,” Robinson said, “but right now it’s just not realistic. We have to make sure that the football and soccer fields are in top shape for their seasons.”

But varsity sport or club sport, expectations are mixed for this year’s team.

“I’d like to just have fun and teach the game to the other guys,” Ceccolini said. “I’d also like to be as sweet as the hockey team.”

Kotsones agrees. “I think we’re just gonna have fun learning the game and hopefully going .500,” he said.

For Erber, the standards are lower. “We are going to struggle just learning the basics,” he said. “I hope we can just win a game.”

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

Winter sports 20062007 season recap Celia Kuzon sports editor

Rosie Lee, Womens Volleyball What was your team’s record?

“In the SEC, we were 4-3.”

What was a defining moment in your season?

“Last weekend when we beat Chelsea in the SEC. We really came together as a team.”

• Lee Kirk Kumbier, Mens Swimming How do you think your season went this year?

“We did pretty good though our record may not show it. We had a really tough schedule.”

Was the team close?

“We bonded a lot this year. The team was much closer than in the past. We had a lot of poker parties and other team parties.”

• Kumbier How does the team look for next year?

“There are a lot of freshman coming up next year who are pretty strong. I think the team will probably be a little bit better next year.”

Nick Field, Mens Hockey What did you think of your season?

“I think that we did really well. We work great as a team.”

What was your record?

20-6-1

• Field James Nati, Mens Basketball Overall, what do you think about this year’s season?

“Our season is going wonderfully. We were able to put it all together in the end and win 12 out of our last 13 games.”

What is your best memory for this season?

“Beating Chelsea in overtime was the best feeling ever. Words can not even describe it.”

• Nati

What was your favorite part of the team?

“Don Knight.”

Brett Marsh, Mens Wrestling What was a defining moment in your season?

“We won districts for the second time in 10 years which was really exciting.”

How do you think the team was this year?

“Our team is the best we’ve ever been. Both on the mats and off, we are really good friends. Sometimes we even bond a little too much.”

• Marsh illustration by Rachel Moir

Mens tennis looks to make regionals again Krystyna Taheri staff writer

• Frank Dufek: Singles player for the mens team.

With some snow on the ground the mens varsity tennis team often has to shovel the courts just to get out to play.

And with shovel in hand, senior Frank Dufek is the only returning senior for this season. He said, “I have high expectations for this season.”

Junior returning player Sean Killian has high expectations as well.

“Last year we made it to regionals and this year I hope we can do that again as well as be able to send a couple players to states,” he said.

Last year was the first year with new coach, Mike Dziama, and the boys were still able to pull off a solid season.

“I think we should be better this year,” Dufek said. “We have some returning players and also a lot of upcoming freshman.”

Killian and Dufek said they are expecting or even one doubles,” Killian said.

Dufek, as well, was happy with his position some 15 freshmen and four foreign exchange and wishes to play two singles like last year or students.

There are also several juniors and sopho- one singles for this season.

With the increasing team mores who will be tryin size, though, a strong attriing out who have never bute that affects the team is the played before.

“We can only chemistry.

“I think the freshman hope for the best.

“Last year our team got along are pretty good, and the It should be an inreally well and we had good foreign exchange stuteresting season.” team chemistry,” Killian said. dents add a lot to the “This year even with all the new team,” Killian said. players, I still think we will get Last year was Killian’s - Frank Dufek, along well.” first year playing and senior Dufek agrees and thinks what he was positioned at unites the team is the work outs two doubles with junior and easy, fun practices. partner Justin Yates, What lies ahead for this season seems to be who also played on the team for the first time a mystery for the small returning team as well last year.

They were awarded all districts at two dou- as everyone else.

Dufek said, “We can only hope for the best. bles.

“This year I hope to play two doubles again It should be an interesting season.”

“

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2007 Tennis Facts: • Only two seniors returned for the 2007 season.

• This will be coach Dziama’s second season coaching the team.

• Last year’s team missed going to the state tournament by two points.

11

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

sports

Basketball team loses in district playoff finals Boys basketball season comes to a close with loss to Ann Arbor Pioneer Josh Ball staff writer

• T.J. Fenske: T.j. was Dexter’s leading scorer this season and is only a junior.

The boys basketball team left Jackson Northwest High School March 10 with a somber feeling. They lost to Ann Arbor Pioneer 56-50 in the district finals and finished their season 17-5.

Two of these five losses came from Chelsea (18-1 and ranked number three in the state for Class B) and Ann Arbor Pioneer (14-4).

Despite an earlier loss to Chelsea, the team did beat them during the last game of the regular season on March 2. Almost every seat in the Dexter gym was filled to watch the two top teams in the SEC White division battle it out.

Dexter was down by two possessions with under a minute and 30 seconds left in the game.

“We still thought we had a good chance to win the game,” senior guard Johnny Benjamin said. “We just had to play good defense and hit our shots.”

The Dreadnaughts had to resort to fouling Chelsea players in order to stop the clock and force them to shoot free throws. “The student section played a big part in making their players miss,” Benjamin said.

As the final seconds of regulation ticked away, would prove to be tougher, though. The team was Dexter was down by three. Then Benjamin hit the still was able to win the Districts semifinals over the biggest shot of the game up to that point. He made South Lyon Lions, 51-42.

The win set up a rematch with Pioneer. The a three-pointer to send the game to overtime. In overtime Dexter and Chelsea went back and forth Dreadnaughts split with the Pioneers in their two regular season games. But exchanging leads. this time the loss to Pioneer In the end, with the score ended Dexter’s season and all tied up, the ball ended up The more we thought sent Pioneer to the Regional in the hands of Benjamin once about it, though, there playoff bracket. again. “Coach (Swoverland) was nothing we could “It was disappointing noticed that (Chelsea) was do anymore, and we because we had a great season, switching on all screens,” should concentrate on record-wise, but didn’t win Benjamin said, “so we our positive points of SECs or districts,” junior designed it so I would end up the season.” guard T.J. Fenske said. with one of their bigger guys “The more we thought guarding me.”

- T.J. Fenske, about it, though, there was Benjamin then drove to junior guard nothing we could do anymore, the center of the lane with the and we should concentrate entire crowd on its feet and hit on our positive points of the the game-winning shot.

Benjamin said this dramatic win to end the season.”

The team finished with 17 wins and played until regular season, gave the team a lot of momentum the end with a lot of heart Fenske said. going into the state playoffs.

“I’m happy with our regular season,” he said, “I The Dreadnaughts opened district play with a win over Pinckney, 70-45. Their next opponent think we all just wish we could have gone further.”

“

Basketball Factbox • Johnny Benjamin finished the regular season averaging 8.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds • T.J. Fenske was the leading scorer averaging 11.6 points per game • Dexter was only one game away from tying Chelsea for the SEC title

Brent Muse’s March Madness Picks

In honor of the NCAA Tournament, Squall staff writer Brent Muse made predictions on how it would play out. See how your own bracket compares to his.

Photo from The Detroit Free Press/MCT , photo illustration by Maria Brundage

Dexter sends four grapplers to states Charlie Pettit staff writer

Photo by Sean Wallace

Going for the pin: Freshman Dan Flowers goes against another wrestler during a practice. Flowers along with other wrestlers went to the state meet.

The season ended for most Dexter wrestlers on Feb. 21 when the team lost at regionals in Carleton-Airport, but not before the team finished as District champions for the second time in the past three seasons.

Despite the team loss at Regionals, four members of the squad were at the Palace of Auburn Hills for the state meet on March 8, 9, and 10. “It’s a good representation of Dexter to have four kids going to states,” Coach Andrew Parker said. “We’re lucky compared to past years.”

Freshman Dan Flowers, junior Bret Marsh, senior Mike Campbell and sophomore Corey Chamberlain all represented Dexter on the mat. “(Going to states) was my goal at the beginning of the year,” Flowers said. “It felt so good to actually make it.” And even though it is Flowers’ first season on varsity, he said he was confident

about his chances. “I can definitely place,” he said, “the 103 pound weight class is wide open. The winner will be the one who steps up and works the hardest.”

Marsh placed second at the state meet last season, which he said motivates him to do better this year. “(Getting second last year) makes me want it a lot more this year,” Marsh said. “It sucked to watch the other kid get the chart (last year).” “I (wrestle) more for myself. If I do well, then a lot of opportunities could appear. I’d like to go to the University of Michigan or the University of North Carolina.”

Marsh is also the number one seed going into states for the 112 pound weight class. ”I have the easy side of the chart, but I’m more excited for (Flowers, Campbell and Chamberlain) who are going because it’s their first time in high school,” he said.

Chamberlain may be making his first appear-

ance at high school states, but he is no rookie when it comes to state meets. He has won four state titles in freestyle wrestling with the Dexter Wrestling Club. “I really want to get top eight this year, placing would be cool,” Chamberlain said.

Campbell has been wrestling ever since he could walk. “I really want to place in states because I have been doubted my whole life,” Campbell said.

Campbell is wrestling in the 151 pound weight class at the state meet. “We have really good coaches, and we’re bringing back the legacy of when Dexter was a powerhouse,” he said.

With states coming up very quickly, the coaches said they are getting Marsh, Flowers, Campbell and Chamberlain ready for the weekend. Parker said, “The repetition of drilling the same moves frequently really helps them do things right when they’re in a match. Practice makes permanent.”

12

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

opinions

Teen jobs offer little experience, even less compensation

Austin Shapiro managing editor

N

ow that hockey season’s over I must face the realization that no longer can I be a blob on the couch only moving to use the facilities and get more food. I am now forced to join the American work force.

Like 44 percent of teens, I’m getting a job. At first the idea didn’t seem that bad.

Stock a couple shelves, push some shopping carts back into the store, maybe run a vacuum once over. But now that judgment day has arrived, I really want nothing to do with any of that.

With college closer than ever and having to make decisions that will affect the rest of my life, I long to be able to come home from school, kick back on the couch and do nothing. I like being a blob. I like being useless. I like being a mooch.

I know that it’s good to have job experience, but I find it hard to get past the thought that these may be the last couple years of my life where I don’t have to work.

I’m going to work for the next 30 or 40 years. Would it really be that terrible if I put it off for another 18 months?

After saying that, I can hear my mom questioning, “But what are you gonna do for money?” And I admit that could be a problem. I like going out to eat with my friends or catching a movie, but I’m willing to give that up to stave off adulthood

just a little bit longer. This may sound ployment. I’ll take time that could’ve been crazy to some people, but I would honestly used to watch reality TV to instead fill out prefer to not have social interaction than applications for jobs that will under utilize my talents and drain me of my creative have to work.

Forgive me if I get too nostalgic, but aura.

I’ll search for that job where my boss I miss being in elementary and middle school, not having to worry about any- will say, “Do this.” And I’ll hear, “Blah blah.” Then he’ll say, “Go thing other than clean the so and so.” And whether to play kickI’ll hear, “Blah blah blah ball or 4-square. I blah.” Then, finally, he’ll miss getting off the say, “You’re lazy. Just go bus, playing football • Students are home.” And I’ll say, “Sounds in the empty lot with allowed to work up good.” Because I know I my friends, going to 18 hours during won’t exert myself. I know home, watching TV, the school week I’ll put in some half-assed eating dinner, then effort, and I won’t grow as sleeping and doing it a person. And I know I will all over again.

• Employers require end up regretting the whole I know that times work permit signed experience. will never again be But maybe that’s the that simple, but I by school before point.

Maybe seemingly still lust for someallowing teens to mindless teen jobs are supthing close to that work. pose to teach us that in life, Golden Age. I yearn what we think is important for that time before rarely takes precedent over homework, stanwhat is deemed important dardized tests and by our superiors. Maybe teen jobs teach most of all, work.

Alas, my feelings mean nothing because us we have to go along to get along. Maybe what the parents say goes, and they say get they teach us things that seem irrelevant now but will help us for the rest of our a job.

So I will embark on my quest for em- lives. But I still don’t want one.

Once you’re hired

New age, new slang Frank Dufek

opinions editor

Internet Lingo • BRB: Be right back • G2G: Got to go • JK: Just kidding • OMG: Oh my God • NVM: Nevermind • POS: Parent Over Shoulder • LMAO: Laughing my ass off • SU: Shut up

N

ew words are constantly being introduced to the dictionary. Beyonce made the generous donation of the term “bootylicious” to Merrian-Webster, and JK Rowling lent her talents to the introduction of the word “Muggle.”

With the dawn of the online era, new words are being mainstreamed via message boards, AOL Instant Messenger, Myspace and every other similar satanic form of electronic temptation. I’ve chosen to introduce and explain a variety of these terms to you, the ignorant reader, to aid you in your never-ending quest to keep up with the Jones’.

1. Pwned: To fail is to be pwned. One can deliver a pwn or receive a pwn, the former being more favorable. When you are verbally shut down by an opponent or introduced to great misfortune, you have been pwned. The word originated when a World of Warcraft map designer misspelled the word “own” as “pwn” so that the phrase, “player has been pwned” showed up instead of “player has been owned.” It is now frequently used by 1337’s and vacuous dolts alike the world over. (Alternate spellings include pwn’d, pwn3d).

2. LOL: When a close buddy or distant stranger tickles your funny bone on the Internet, one is prone to “LOL” or to “laugh out loud.” Variations of the phrase include lacing up one’s LOLerskates and going once around the block.

3. ROFL: To “ROFL” is to “roll on the floor laughing.” It is often seen as a more extreme ver-

“

When a close buddy or distant stranger tickles your funny bone on the Internet, one is prone to ‘LOL’”

sion of the aforementioned “LOL.” One ROFL’s when they are given a hilarious link to a new You Tube video, or when something positively hysterical and silly occurs. A popular variation of the phrase ROFL is to promptly announce to your instant message buddy that you have flown away in a ROFLcopter and will be back momentarily.

4. BFF: A “BFF” is a best friend forever. The phrase has found more popularity among females, most notably the insecure ones who feel the need to reaffirm their friendships every five minutes. A “BFF” is usually someone who will party with you, gossip with you and then steal your boyfriend/girlfriend away from you. The phrase has been extended to “BFFAEAE,” “best friends forever, and ever, and ever.” This is even more annoying than the original and is typically only used cynically.

5. FTW: The seemingly meaningless combination of letters is actually quite simply defined. “FTW” stands for “for the win.” The phrase is commonly used to show strong approval or support of any given thing. Often times it is added to the end of a sentence with an air of sarcasm, but sometimes its usage is quite serious. For example, one could say “Did you listen to your iPod in class today, mang? Dat’s extreme!” to which the other person may respond, “Hooded sweatshirts FTW!” Smile, for you have just been cultured. These five words and phrases are making their way up the ladder to the highest form of alphabetical superstardom-- a spot in the dictionary.

Robert Kuzon editor-in-chief

10 most shocking moments of high school

Y

ou know those events in life that are just so shocking you have to take a step back, take a deep breath and possibly even scream just to keep your brain from exploding? Well, this is a list of those moments I have witnessed in my four-year high school career. This column is a memorial to those moments. Here they are, in order from most to least shocking, I hope you enjoy:

1

2

3

4 5 6

7

8 9

10

1- The number one shocking moment in my high school career, ironically, is a student going twosies.

A student actually pooped in the elevator. The shocking part of this is not the act of going dookie in the elevator but the speed at which this student could release fecal matter. If you think about it, going from floor one to floor three takes all of about 10 seconds. That is pretty impressive speed duecing. Whoever this unknown bomb dropper is, congratulations. Your piping hot loaf has made its way to the number one most shocking moment in the last four years at DHS. 2- The second most shocking moment is when beloved custodial worker Robin Brewer was fired due to a thievery scandal. Students mourned her departure but not for long, once it was learned that she was released because she had been caught in a sting stealing students money as well as other pricey accessories such as iPods. Robin is long gone but never forgotten.

3- For some reason central administrators thought it would be a good idea to hire Interim Principal James Bannan for the 2005-2006 school year. It wasn’t. Bannan single-handedly defaced our school and everything it stood for. He wore unmatched suits and had a tendency to create trouble where there was none. Upon entering, Bannan immediately changed long-standing rules such as the dress code, and he also went on a teenage web site rampage where he must have spent the majority of his day perusing web sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Webshots.

4- Two students were caught fornicating in a school stairwell. As shocking as this is, I can’t help but stand up and salute. Any student with the kahonaes to do the dirty dirty during school deserves some respect. It is rumored that the two perpetrators also had intimate relations in the Graph X dark room.

This, however, has not been confirmed.

5- A shameless plug for the 2006 mens soccer teams state title run. The team defeated the first, second and fifth ranked teams in the state on their way to the school’s first soccer title. The teams double-overtime shootout win helped boost Dexter to the number one sporting school in Division 2 for the fall season based on an Ann Arbor News formula.

6- Although the drama unfurled while we seniors were mere eighth graders, the situation concluded as we were freshman. The number six most shocking moment is former science teacher Paul Becker’s resignation after he was found not guilty, of criminal sexual conduct for his alleged sex affairs with students.

After a year of paid leave, Becker formally resigned and moved to Cadillac, MI to become a financial adviser.

7- In the 2005-2006 school year an abnormal explosion of girlfights erupted. The year was plagued with girl on girl action, although not the kind boys all around the world fantasize about. It was more bloody, deranged and violent than anyone could have imagined. During the course of the year girlfights became more and more prominent, to the point where at the end of the year it was shocking when boys fought.

8- The 2006 football team shocked the SEC and football fans everywhere when they beat the football powerhouse Saline during a regular-season match up. Dexter’s Jeff Zeigler threw for over 500 yards in the win. The team finished with a 5-4 record, the best team record in more than 15 years.

9- As a result of Bannan’s Internet madness, ( see # 3) senior Jon Wells was suspended for poems and illustrations on his Xanga account. It is not shocking that students, or people in general for that matter, would want to inflict physical pain on Bannan. It is shocking that Wells was actually suspended because of it. Bannan should be exiled to a room with a computer that only has Internet pop-up windows while he tries to search the web for devious students.

10- In 2005 junior Spencer Ryan was suspended for a newspaper article because he proved that the grading system at that time was flawed and easy to corrupt. Ryan was suspended for 10 days, the decision of then Interim Principal Pat Little, another principal who ultimately ended up leaving.

Honorable Mention: • Dexter beats Chelsea in basketball, winter 2007 • Then sophomore Shane Wright is busted for possession of marijuana in spring 2006 • Students petition to get rid of Principal Pat Little in spring 2005.

13

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

editorial

Letters

THE

Squall

to the editor

Dear editor,

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Rob Kuzon MANAGING EDITOR: Austin Shapiro DESIGN: Kim Wiesner EDITORS FEATURES: Katie Fricke ENTERTAINMENT: Kelsey Schultz NEWS: Sydney Ross OPINIONS: Frank Dufek PHOTO: Maria Brundage SPORTS: Celia Kuzon COPY: Scott Campbell ADVERTISEMENT: Katie Johnson STAFF WRITERS Ryan Aliapoulios, Josh Ball, Kyle Boren, Michelle Chirby, Scott Crompton, Conor Daining, Caitlin Henderson Jake LaRosa, Hunter Lyons, Nic Miller, Rachel Moir, Brent Muse, Rawlin Myers, Charlie Pettit, David Pisano, Lisa Ritchie, Scott Sarver, Heather Siller, Krystyna Taheri, Sean Wallace, Ryan Winchester CARTOONIST: Luke Altomare ADVISER: Rod Satterthwaite POLICY: The Squall is distributed monthly to 1,186 students and is estimated to reach 4,744 people with each issue.

The Squall is printed by The Argus Press in Owosso, MI and produced by the fourth hour newspaper class.

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

ADVERTISING: Requests for advertisements can be called into the Business Manager at 424-4240 x7407.

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

E-MAIL letters@thesquall.com WEB SITE www.thesquall.com

the all

SQUALL call:

People need to realize homeless are all around The Education Project for Homeless Youth (EPHY) is a program run by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District for homeless students in the area up to age 21. The EPHY team works to advocate rights for students in inadequate living situations.

It provides them with, among other things, school supplies, transportation, clothing and tutoring.

Living in a small town can leave us with an illusion of near perfection. Low crime rates, relatively clean streets and isolation from other big city problems lead us to believe that a problem such as homelessness isn’t prevalent in our community.

Given that the Washtenaw County HMIS estimates that approximately 600 school aged children and teenagers in Washtenaw County are homeless a year, the existence of such a project as EPHY is essential.

The plight of these students isn’t well known, and without such a program, they may, sadly, be left by the wayside, more so than even in a large city where homelessness

D RE A

D

shows itself more prominently.

Education, though most of us take it for granted, can serve as a foundation, a constant for students in troubled situations, as well a pathway out of homelessness.

Granted, it can only help if the student chooses to take advantage of it. However, it’s not the grades the student gets that matters; it’s having a place where one can count on a roof and a meal, a place where one can interact with their peers.

We so often think of homeless people as the bearded older man sitting on the streets of Ann Arbor with glassed over eyes. In reality, that face is only the tip of the iceberg. Those without the basic amenities of human life wear faces of every age and race.

Our misconceptions over the plight of our neighbors could be devastating. Problems cannot be fixed without knowledge of the problem itself.

If you are reading this editorial, you are no longer ignorant.

Those of us in suburbia can help, through donations and support of organizations like EPHY.

S

Evelynn Shirk, Superintendent

in the hall

Dear editor,

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE HOMELESS STUDENTS GOING TO DEXTER SCHOOLS? “I think it’s a good thing.

My mom works at a homeless shelter, and I think it’s important that they have the same opportunities as everyone else.”

“I had no idea that we had homeless kids at our school.

That’s mind boggling.”

‘There are homeless students at Dexter? I don’t think I’m that naive, but I feel naive now.”

“I think it’s really sad, but I’ve never really thought about it.”

Moore, ‘10

Rize, ‘09

Knight, ‘08

Hanks, ‘07

Muszkiewicz, English

“(I feel) sad that they are homeless, and I feel bad for them that they don’t have a home and everything, that they’re using their money going through school and stuff, but happy that they’re trying to get an education.”

After several years of inadequate state funding and District efforts to minimize the impacts of this funding shortage, Dexter has reached a place where two things are happening – we are faced with cutting services and programs and we are watching our beautiful schools deteriorate rapidly. Not wanting to see either of these happen, last fall the Board of Education asked the community to help the District look for ways to solve these critical problems. An ad-hoc committee made up of community members and Dexter staff, called CORSE, was empowered to explore options to reduce costs, find additional sources of funding, and identify other options to meet the financial needs of Dexter Community Schools. In December, the Board received the final recommendations from these community groups.

Based on these recommendations, the District will take advantage of a free energy audit through “Rebuild Michigan,” a program sponsored by the State of Michigan and funded by the US Department of Energy. This audit will focus on mechanical and structural issues that could produce energy savings. In addition, the District is considering an educational component of energy management that has been very successful in districts throughout the state and has saved thousands of dollars.

Opportunities to purchase items such as school supplies, athletic supplies, maintenance supplies, computers, buses, gas, and electric in coordination with other Districts will continue to be used and enhanced. The use of an automated substitute calling system and a company that contracts with substitute employees is currently being bid for the benefit of all Washtenaw County schools.

Transportation of students to and from school is being thoroughly reviewed. It is apparent that the District must become more efficient and do business differently in order to maximize resources for the classroom. A Bus Stop Review Committee is being planned to aid in this process.

In the area of increasing revenues, the District is investigating the use of a unified fund raising consultant, corporate sponsorship coordinator, or development officer – all recommendations from the CORSE community group.

The Board has also considered additional funding sources such as a recreation millage, a sinking fund and a bond issue. It is clear the greatest savings of operational dollars can be gained through a bond proposal and the District has begun pursuing this option. This proposal will NOT result in an increase in annual taxes for District homeowners but will provide additional capital to the District for such items as facility maintenance, bus purchases and technology replacement. The money currently earmarked for these items can then be utilized for school and classroom programming.

Every five to six years since 1967 the District has requested, and the community has supported, bond proposals which have addressed land acquisition, major facility maintenance projects, new construction and enhanced technology. It has been almost 10 years since the last bond proposal request.

The District’s Critical Needs List and the CORSE recommendations will be used to identify items for this bond proposal. Just as the Board reached out to the community through CORSE, it will continue to seek input as it moves forward with putting this bond project together. Board of Education meeting dates are posted on the District’s web site. High school students can also give input to Allison Warr or Nathan Maygar, DHS representatives on the Board of Education.

The future will be tough in Dexter, just like it will be throughout the State, but we have seen remarkable support from the community and steadfast dedication from our teachers and staff to pull together to meet these problems head on.

We have made it through tough times before, and we look forward to working with you to do it again.

Many thanks to The Squall editorial staff and to reporter Katie Johnson for the article concerning the need for more after school library hours in your October 27th issue. The article drew the attention of a motivated group of parents and adult volunteers.

Members of the Rotary Club and Peace Lutheran are now contributing their afternoons to keep the library open after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.! They are also contributing their expertise by offering to tutor students with their homework. In our very first week of service, we had over 50 students using the library after school! We now have volunteers scheduled to keep the library open on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of the school year.

This has long been a dream of mine, and I’m so delighted we can serve our students in this way! Thanks again for the article that drew attention to this long felt need.

Sincerely, Jeanine Fletcher Librarian

14

Friday, March 23, 2007

The Squall

photostory

Giving blood is personal for some students Nic Miller staff writer

Sophomore Marshall Geer feels like it’s his civic duty to donate blood because of his sister, a Marine who almost lost her life in Afghanistan fighting the war on terror.

Geer said, “If you’ve got it, give it. There is no reason not to give blood. A half a second of pain is worth it if it’s helping save someone’s life. I think everyone should donate blood.”

Geer may not have always thought this, though, if it weren’t for his sister. Working as a field nurse, his sister’s Hummer flipped and her leg was crushed, severing a fairly large artery and

causing severe bleeding and an immediate rush to the nearest medical station.

As a result of the great loss of blood, Geer’s sister required a blood transfusion or else she would not live. Luckily, despite her rare blood type, there was enough blood for the transplant and his sister lived to nurse another day.

Geer said his sister has been in the Marines for four years and is still going strong even after her accident.

And Geer feels that it is his responsibility to donate blood because, as he said, “If people didn’t donate blood for her, she wouldn’t have lived.”

A good thing to do: Junior Ben Vanderput lies on a cot waiting for a pint of blood to leave his veins. “I think I’ll give blood again,” Vanderput said. “I felt kind of weird walking around afterward with gauze on my arm and people asking why (it) was yellow.”

Reach for the sky: After giving blood, donors must elevate their arm and apply pressure to stop the blood flow.

Want to give blood?

• Must be at least 17 years of age • Must be in good health • Must have ID when donating • Drink lots of water • Eat a big breakfast Pump it: Senior Laura VanVoorhis fidgets while her blood is being drawn. “They said you can either roll it or squeeze it in your hand to get the blood to pump faster,” VanVoorhis said.

Where to donate: Ann Arbor Donor Center 4624 Packard Road Ann Arbor MI 48108

The canteen: After donating, Marshall Geer snacks on some pizza. Donators are encouraged to eat and drink after donating to avoid feelings of dizziness.

Donor Center Hours: Monday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Tuesday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Wednesday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Thursday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Closed Sunday Look for more places to donate at: www.wc-redcross.org/blood.cfm Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit WWW.GIVELIFE.ORG to schedule an appointment.

All information from www.wc-redcross.org

Photos by Maria Brundage and Kim Wiesner