0607-8

April 27, 2007 - Volume XVII - Issue 8 -

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

THE

Squall

April is sexual assault awareness month. For more information go to www.safehouse.org

A student and a teacher tell their first hand encounters with abuse, how to get help on pages 8,9

Abuse - verb: 1.

2.

3.

4.

To use wrongly or improperly; misuse: to abuse one’s authority.

To treat in a harmful, injurious or offensive way: to abuse a horse; to abuse one’s eyesight.

To speak insultingly, harshly and unjustly to or about; revile; malign.

To commit sexual assault upon.

World Peace: The search for this year’s Mr. Dreadnaught proved difficult, Tom Neil crowned king

page 4

The substitute: Nancy Elliott shares her stories as the high school’s favorite substitute teacher

page 5

Insert your picture here

The new page, the Upage: Check out this new page designed to be all about you

page 10

Going once, going twice: Senior food auction raises over $2000 for muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis charities

page 14

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Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

news

Early release will no longer await seniors Krystyna Taheri staff writer

Extra time: Counselor Kristy Doyle says senior early release gives counselors a chance to get things in order before graduation

Rumor has been circulating for awhile that next year seniors will not be let out early. But according to Principal Kit Moran the truth is that there is going to be some modification to the seniors’ last day, but they will still be released earlier than the rest of the school.

Moran said no other school in the SEC lets seniors out earlier than May 25, but Dexter seniors get out May 18 this year.

Chelsea and Saline seniors, for example, will have a half day May 25, and then they are done.

Moran said Dexter seniors are let out early because school personnel, especially counselors, need extra time to check graduation requirement and finalize transcripts.

Counselor Kristy Doyle said, “Senior early release give us a chance to get things in order before graduation. It especially helps us making sure graduation requirements are completed with seniors that may

“It has always been a tradition to get let out be in jeopardy from not graduating.”

Moran said the decision regarding the that early, and now that is jeopardized. It is early release is ultimately left up to him. just not fair.”

Moran acknowledg“But my style of leaderes that students might ship is to involve lots of be slightly upset about people in decision makthe situation and said ing,” he said. “Part of I feel like I am they should come talk the problem is that we getting cheated to him about it regardmay have to be accountout of my complete ing any problems. able to maintain 75 senior experience.”

Moran also said he percent attendance for would be disappointed those days after seniors if students retaliated leave.” According to - Christine Murray, by having more senior Moran, once the seniors junior skip days, as many juhave left, the remaining niors said they were three classes at the high already plotting for school have to keep up their attendance or else the school could next year. With a later release he said the major pressure is not on the students as lose funding.

Despite this junior Christine Murray much as the faculty.

Doyle said, “With a later release next said she is upset that her class will not be allowed to leave as early as this year’s grad- year for the seniors, it is still possible to complete everything but makes everything uation class.

“I feel like I am getting cheated out of my more stressful and puts us in more of a time complete senior experience,” Murray said. crunch.”

“

Factbox • This year, seniors get out a week earlier than any other seniors in the area • Even after seniors leave, 75 percent attendance must still be obtained • Some current juniors plan to take more skip days due to the new policy

Martello to perform in summer productions Heather Siller staff writer

Photo by Sean Wallace

Bravo!: English and video media teacher Matt Martello speaks to his class. Martello is one of 30 people selected to perform with the Huron Playhouse at Bowling Green State University. They will perform such classics as “Kiss Me Kate” and “Annie.”

Factbox • Under the old policy a student would fail a class if they accumulated 10 or more absences • All failures could then be appealed to the attendance committee • The previous policy was illegal according to Principal Kit Moran

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

Last January video teacher Matt Martello auditioned for a position in the summer Huron Playhouse cast against almost 200 other auditioners.

After performing a monologue and singing a song for a committee of judges, Martello was one of the 30 chosen to be a member of the theatre troupe.

Martello said he is excited about the coming performances for this summer.

“I really like the summer format,” he said, “It’s going to be intense. There will be five shows in eight weeks. I haven’t been in such a fast-paced program in a long time. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be fun.”

Martello’s casting in the summer Huron Playhouse performances is associated with Bowling Green State University and will add 12 credits to his teaching certificate which must be renewed every five years. These graduate hours, he said, were his main motivation for doing the program.

However, what students may not know For more than 20 years Martello has been interested in theatre, starting with about is Martello’s experience in the theatre and his accomplishments as an actor. his freshman year of high school.

Martello discovered the Huron Play- Junior James Bell is a student in Martello’s Intro to Media Literhouse from friend and ature class and said former colleague Harhe didn’t know about ry Wilcox who had atMartello’s plans for tended the same proHe’s a good guy the summer. gram about 12 years who enjoys his job Bell did, however, ago. and it shows.” commend Martello The Huron Playfor his enthusiasm house is Ohio’s oldest in the classroom. continuing summer - James Bell, “He’s a good guy who theatre and offers taljunior enjoys his job and it ent from semi-professhows,” Bell said. sional and educational “He expects a lot theatre arenas across and pushes us. He’ll the nation.

For the 2007 season the Playhouse will go out of his way and take time out of his put on shows such as “Kiss Me Kate,” “I free time to help us. He incorporates his Remember Mama,” “Nunsense: The Mega- acting in his teaching and makes class fun.

I had him for Speech. He added energy and Musical,” “Leading Ladies” and “Annie.”

Most students are familiar with the animation into the lessons from his acting monthly video “The Dawghouse,” which experience which set an example for students.”

Martello’s media literature class produces.

“

Attendance no longer tied to grades Sydney Ross news editor

In previous years if a student was absent 10 times or more for a class they failed that class, if their appeal to the attendance committee was denied.

However, Principal Kit Moran said this attendance policy breaks state law and can no longer be enforced.

“After reading about the high school attendance law, I read that a student cannot fail a class solely on attendance,” Moran said.

According to Moran this means no matter how many absences a student has in a class, they can still pass a class if they complete the curriculum.

And while many students are happy about the situation some teachers are not.

Senior Sara Burrows said the attendance rule is much better than what it used to be before. “I think the new rule makes more sense because it’s based on how much a stu-

Moran said he doesn’t know but is lookdent knows to pass a class, not how many ing into it. “I’m not sure how long this new times you show up.”

Science teacher Cheryl Wells , howev- attendance rule has been in effect, but for er, said, “I don’t like it all. Kids need to those kids who failed classes last year, I’m not sure what will hapbe here in class. It’s pen.” not a good habit for One thing Moran is students to get into We are working to trying to do is find a prowith not showing up make an ductive way for students to classes and expectattendance policy to make up work they’ve ing to be able to make that is going to be missed on a non-school up their work to pass legal and effective.” day. the class.”

And he said time on a Moran said he Saturday may be an opknows that some - Kit Moran, tion where a student would teachers like Wells principal come in from 11-3 and are upset with this make up the school work situation, but said he is working on coming up with a new poli- they’ve missed.

The biggest challenge, Moran said, cy that will be beneficial to students and though, is finding a fair, legally defendable staff.

But if students failed a class last year policy. He said, “We are working to make because of attendance does this mean they an attendance policy that is going to be legal and effective.” will now get credit for it?

“

Here!: Senior Sara Burrows likes the new attendance policy better

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Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

news

Student wins $20,000

Celia Kuzon sports editor

Senior Katie Fricke won $20,000 on Jan. 17.

Fricke, who entered the drawing through her senior picture company, Photo Generations, was picked from more than 30,000 students who also entered the drawing throughout the United States.

“At first when my mom told me that I was entered into the drawing, I didn’t think anything of it,” Fricke said. “I never even considered that my name would be drawn out of so many people.”

And when Fricke won the smaller drawing in Michigan, she still thought nothing of it. “I kind of forgot about it because I didn’t think it was ever going to happen,” she said. But when Fricke found out she won the national drawing, she was in absolute shock.

“At first I didn’t even believe it,” Fricke said. “I guess I just have ballin’ good luck.”

Because Fricke won the drawing, she was given three options. “I got to choose between a Mustang GT, an academic scholarship or $20,000,” Fricke said.

“And I was the first student ever to choose the money over the academic scholarship. The decision was not that hard for me because I already have a car.”

Colleen Fitzgerald, owner of Photo Generations, said she is extremely excited that one of her clients won the drawing. In order to be

entered into the contest, her studio has to be a member of Senior Photographers International.

“The whole reason I joined the group was to give the seniors the chance to win the money or the Mustang,” Fitzgerald said. “It worked perfectly.”

Fitzgerald said more than 2,000 photo studios are part of the international photo group; however, only a small percent of those studios are actually entered into the drawing, as studios have to pay for their clients to be entered.

“Katie was extremely lucky to win,” Fitzgerald said. “We had bad odds.”

Fricke said she is not completely sure what she is doing with all the money, though. “I am definitely putting $10,000 in my college savings account,” she said, “The other $10,000 I can spend. I don’t have one thing that I am going to spend in on though. I am just going to buy what I need.”

Fricke said she has not yet received the money.

“I should receive the money in about three weeks,” she said. “But even though I don’t have the money yet, I have definitely been spending more money because I know that it’s coming.”

Fitzgerald said she thinks this waft of good luck may help Photo Generations become more popular.

“We are advertising as the luckiest senior

BRIEFS

NEWS

Dexter alumnus dies in accident

pic t u re company in Dexter,” she said. “But I might change it to the luckiest senior picture company in the the United States, or even the world, for this was an international drawing.”

Ballin’ good luck: Katie Fricke, winner of the $20,000 drawing with Photo Generations plans to save half for college and spend the other half.

Squall receives Silver Crown

Choir teacher changes again Rachel Moir staff writer

There’s been a number of changes this year. New staff and new classes pepper the academic landscape. It should come as no surprise, then, that the choir program is now under new leadership.

However, running through four different teachers over the course of the past two years was not what the vocalists in room 134 expected.

Junior Joel Snider, a member of the audition-only Jazz Choir, says that he likes to look at the situation positively.

“It’s definitely not ordinary,” said Snider. “(However), we get to see different types and styles of teaching. For someone like me, who’s planning on going into teaching, it really allows me to learn what I should be like.”

Choir teacher Elizabeth Patterson left last year after two years at DHS. She is currently teaching in the Ypsilanti School District.

“Mrs. Patterson was a lot like your friendly neighbor,” Snider said. “She tried to be you best friend and didn’t focus on strenuous work. When it came time to perform, then, we weren’t great, but we had camaraderie.”

Patterson said, though, she left Dexter with fond feelings for her choirs.

“Leaving was the best move for me professionally and personally,” said Patterson. “I’ll forever be thankful for the time I had with the students and staff at DHS.” Stepping up to fill her musical shoes was Misty Noble.

“Mrs. Noble was extremely kind when I student taught in 1999,” Patterson said. “(She) was always helpful when I was employed with DCS. I wish her nothing but the best.”

Noble focused on younger students for seven years before her short stay at the high school this year.

The circumstances surrounding her departure have been the source of rumor among students.

“I heard that she could not take the stress of a high school choir department,” Snider said. “(She) broke down and was seriously doubting her abilities. She had to question herself, and that’s sad if it’s true.”

Noble could not be reached for comment. She was at the high school for approximately three months.

Julie Bassett was chosen to fill the void Noble’s departure left.

The program, according to Bassett, was not in good shape when she arrived.

“There were a lot of students in choir who didn’t want to be in choir,” she said. “We’ve improved on that quite a bit. I’ve tried to get the kids excited about singing. I tried baiting them with fun things like a pop concert and tried to motivate them to do well, not just be here.”

Students, however, are still adjusting to the change.

“The hardest thing has been trying to reinstate that you have a good work ethic,” Snider said. “Different teachers expect different things from you. Mrs. Bassett is kind of like Mrs. Patterson, but she concentrates more on getting the job done and having a great time while doing it.”

So the choir program may be in a state of flux. And Snider is slightly apprehensive about its future. He says the membership of the middle school group is dwindling.

“Unless some thing changes and quickly, in four years the choir will be deficient of people willing to work hard,” Snider said. “We need to go to the little schools and show them that there is more to music than just orchestra and band. There is another option.”

Under new direction: Junior Joel Snider has Jazz Choir with Julie Bassett, the new choir teacher. He has also been under the direction of Elizabeth Patterson and Misty Noble.

New Big Boy seeks younger crowd Rawlin Myers staff writer

of Big Boy’s new prototype restaurants, meaning the refreshed design will reflect the company’s Junior Eric Erdman is one of almost 100 area heritage while still incorporating contemporary people to apply for a position at the new Big Boy elements.

More lighting and glass, brighter colors and restaurant on Zeeb Road.

“I really hope I get hired,” Erdman said. new layouts and facades set these new prototypes “Working at Big Boy would be sweet. I’d get free off from older franchises.

There will also be less, if bacon.” any, artificial foliage in the Although still under connew models. struction, the new location Barry also said Big Boy next to McDonald’s near the I’m definitely franchises rely heavily on I-94 exit ramp is scheduled going to the new high school students for to open by late May or early one and getting evening and weekend shifts, June. a milkshake and and although he has already According to Big Boy franfries.” received a large number of chise development manager applications, he is still lookDave Knitter the restaurant ing for more. has been under development - Laura Merz, “We’re still accepting apfor two years and building senior plications now for the new lostarted in November. cation,” he said. “Preferably “It’s going to be state of over 17 years old, though.” the art,” said Big Boy manIn addition to potential employees, the new loager Sam Barry, who also oversees the Pittsfield Township location. “It will be very appealing to cation has already attracted the attention of several local fans as well. today’s generation.”

“I love eating at Big Boy,” senior Laura Merz Barry said the Zeeb Road location will be one

“

Alexander Kapela, a Dexter High School alumnus, died March 7 in an automobile accident on Island Lake Road between Wylie and Dexter-Pickney Roads in the early morning.

Kapela graduated in 2005 and was attending Washtenaw Community College.

Intro to Media Literacy teacher Matt Martello said he is sad about his pass• Kapela ing. “He was a very well-behaved, likable guy, and he was always eager to please,” Martello said. “He was just a very good young man, and it is sad.”

The Squall won the Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Association at a ceremony in New York on March 16.

Even though The Squall won the Gold Crown last year, Squall adviser Rod Sattherwaite said he was still happy about this year’s award. “It’s a nice reward for the whole staff, for all the work, to see that they are one of the best in the country,” he said.

Science Olympiad wins regionals On March 17 the Science Olympiad team won first place in regionals at Washtenaw Community College, repeating their victory from the previous year. The team edged out Huron by 1 point, 166-165. The team will now advance to states. According to captain and senior Scott Sarver all the hard work and long hours paid off for the Science Olympiad team. “I didn’t expect it at all, but all the hard work paid off, and it’s real cool that the team is going to state,” he said. “It should be fun.”

• Sarver

Prom still needs more help

Photo by Sean Wallace

Under Construction: The new Big Boy location on Zeeb Road will be state of the art, with a new, more modern design. It is scheduled to be open by June.

said. “I’m definitely going to the new one and getting a milkshake and fries.”

Science teacher Beau Kimmy is also looking forward to the opening.

“I thought Big Boy was just for old people,” he said. “But I’m probably going to try it.”

So while some are looking forward to dining, others like Erdman are looking forward to work.

“I’m anxious,” Erdman said. “This is gonna be great.”

At this year’s prom, students can expect some different and unique things according to student council adviser Jessica Kreeger. But in order for all this to happen, Kreeger says the prom committee needs more help. Kreeger said she has attempted to get parents to help by putting information in district newsletters and public announcements, but these attempts have been unsuccessful.

“There is a lot of areas in making the prom surroundings that lack help in order to make them,” she said. “We need as much people as we can get as soon as possible.”

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feature

Friday, April 27, 2007

Tom Neil crowned Mr. Dreadnaught

The Squall Singin’ the blues: Senior Aaron Owen plays an original song for the talent portion of the pageant.

Owen also read a poem as part of his performance.

Scott Crompton staff writer

The Mr. Dreadnaught pageant attracted many viewers to the Center for Performing Arts on Friday April 20 to see some senior boys “make a complete ass of themselves,” as senior Alex Heidke put it.

English teacher Deborah Marsh put it a little differently. “Think Miss Congeniality or the Miss America Pageant and somewhere in there you get Mr. Dreadnaught,” she said.

In the pageant, senior boys paraded around the stage in their best formal wear and sports wear. In addition, they shared their interests and showed off their talents.

Prior to the competition, senior Sean King, one of the many contestants, leaked some inside knowledge of the talent he was planning to perform in front of the audience.

“I will probably try to stick a whole banana in my mouth,” he said.

Outrageous yet awkwardly hilarious seems to be the theme for all of the Mr. Dreadnaughts.

“Last year, Casey Daczka won it by doing an interpretative dance with streamers to a Queen song,” Marsh said. “It was very funny.”

However, winning is not always something the contestants have in mind when entering the Mr. Dreadnaught pageant.

King said he entered the competition “to leave this high school with a bang. It would be a lot of fun because it is a good chance to see a bunch of people I know make asses out of themselves. I just thought it would be a good chance to do something fun.”

The pageant mostly benefitted the senior class. Hiedke said, “(The seniors) really need the income for our retreats and other class events.”

Shake it: Seniors Johnny Benjamin and CJ Burhop perform a dance to *NSYNC’s “Bye bye bye.”

This song was performed by all of the contestants in the pageant.

Lords of the dance: Seniors James Nati, Robert Kuzon and Jon Lamb perform a dance to “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe. Nati dressed up as Napoleon Dynomite for effect.

Poppin’ wheelies: Senior Nick Hiser does wheelies on the stage. Hiser performed most of the show on crutches.

Photos by Maria Brundage

Shaffer gives birth to fraternal twins Nic Miller staff writer

• Hanuel and Iseul Shaffer

Spanish teacher Kristi Shaffer was induced into labor on March 27, ending what she said were several long weeks of hobbling around, sweating and dealing with a loss of breath after tottering up and down stairs.

Shaffer said the delivery process was easier because her husband was by her side for nearly the whole experience. “I was a little scared,” she said. “I didn’t expect (to get) a C-section, but my husband was with me through the operation so it was not so bad.”

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

Part of what made Shaffer’s experience unique is that she had fraternal twins, Haneul (pronounced Hah-nuhl) and Iseul (pronounced Ee-suhl).

Haneul, who was 18 inches tall and weighed in at 6 pounds and 5 ounces, was born three minutes earlier than Iseul, who was 20 inches tall and weighed in at 7 pounds and 15 ounces.

Shaffer said Haneul was in a neonatal intensive care unit because of an infection and was expected to return home on April 8.

Shaffer will miss the remainder of the second semester while she is on maternity leave. And students and col-

leagues say they will miss her.

“She is real important member in our department,” world languages department chair Marianne Zubryckyj said. “She is very steady and reliable and a great backup for me. She is also one of the advisers for the World Cultures club as well as a department representative for the SAC (Subject Area Committee for World Cultures) and has planned all the activities thus far.”

“I really miss her,” sophomore Haley Brewster, a student in Shaffer’s class said. “I thought she did a good job of teaching us and letting us know what was going to be on the tests.”

However, Shaffer said she will be visiting the high school and is looking forward to bringing the twins to school and showing them off to her classes.

Brewster also said, “I saw a picture of them, they looked really cute. I’m looking forward to when she brings them in, and I can see them in person.”

Shaffer and her husband Seung-ho Park were married in 2004 at Pennfield Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Michigan and her master’s degree in Spanish at Eastern Michigan University.

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Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

Q A &

feature

Nancy Elliot a likable substitute Known for her scarfs, shawls and a unique personality, Miss Elliot enjoys subbing Michelle Chirby staff writer

By: Scott Campbell Q: How do you feel about Heath Ledger playing the Joker in the upcoming “Batman Begins” sequel?

A: I think itʼs a terrible idea. If I may say so, I think an actor such as Denzel Washington would be a better choice.

Q: Howʼs tennis going for you?

A: Itʼs been better. There are a lot of peaks and valleys.

Q: You have $40 in your pocket. I donʼt care what you do with it. What do you not do with it?

A: I donʼt give it to the KKK. Q: Your thoughts on this yearʼs symphonic band trumpets versus next yearʼs?

A: This year the seniors have carried us. Next year it will be hard to step up with so much youth, but we have the leadership to make it happen.

Q: If liquid nitrogen were readily available, what would you freeze and shatter first?

A: I would freeze Florida during December so they know what itʼs like.

Theyʼd have a white Christmas.

Q: Whatʼs your theory on why some people drink with their pinkies out?

A: I think itʼs an evolutionary thing.

Over time, people developed a sensitivity to hot and cold with their pinky, so it branched off the rest of the hand while the other fingers manned up and stayed on the cup.

Q: So you disagree with Patrickʼs theory of “When in doubt, pinky out” on “Spongebob”?

A: I do disagree. I disagree with most things that come out of Patrickʼs mouth.

Q: Any final statements now that youʼve got the world listening intently?

A: The midwest is young and restless.

Support Obama ʻ08.

The Facts

Junior Andrew Monson

At the start of fourth hour Newspaper class, students approach her with hall passes and bathroom requests, seeing her only as another substitute teacher.

Although there is much more to her than subbing, Nancy Elliot says she is used to the teaching routine, and she is used to Dexter High School.

“I’ve been a classroom teacher for nine years and a substitute for 23,” Elliot said.

Before beginning her substitute career at Dexter 10 years ago, she taught at middle schools in Florida, Dearborn Heights and Saline.

During her teaching career, Elliot taught history. “I always like to sub for history or American Studies, because it’s the area I know about most,” she said.

But regardless of the class she is assigned to, Dexter holds a special place in her heart. Born and raised in Grayling, Elliot said Dexter’s atmosphere reminds her of home.

“It’s a small town and a small community,” she said. “To me, that makes things friendlier.”

Elliot isn’t the only one who likes to see herself working at Dexter, either.

“She’s really not mean, and she shared her ‘People’ magazine with me once,” senior Laura Merz said. “She does what she needs to do. I think she’s a superb sub.”

Hearing such positive reactions makes Elliot enjoy Dexter even more.

“There are so many clichés about subs. Sometimes you just wonder if you’re a laughing stock,” she said. “I’ve got an old fashioned streak in me. I do come from a stricter background, so I think that’s reflected in my teaching style.”

Elliot said she substitute teaches at least two times per week and likes that the part-time conditions of her job allow her to walk her dog daily and spend time with her husband, Michael, and their

Photo by Sean Wallace

Surveying the classroom: Substitute Nancy Elliot takes roll in journalism teacher Rod Satterthwaite’s class. When she is not substituting, she enjoys playing bridge at the senior center in Ann Arbor. She also likes reading and golf.

25-year-old son, Michael Ryan.

“In my spare time, I play bridge at a senior center in Ann Arbor, because no one else my age plays bridge,” she said.

Elliot also said she enjoys reading, golfing and occasionally downhill skiing.

Despite all of her interesting hobbies, most students know her for her unique fashion sense, especially her shoes and shawls.

But Elliot said the shawls are a matter of style and practicality. “I was in a style show a couple years ago at the Ann Arbor Women’s City Club,” she said. “I modeled little shawls, and I liked them so much so I bought one. When I started subbing here, I bought more because it’s so cold here.”

• Miss Elliot has subbed for the fourth hour newspaper class 10 times this school year

• She often reads “People” magazine in her free time

• She has a strong passion • She has a vast collection of for shoes shawls she enjoys wearing

As for the shoes, they’re just a passion of hers.

“All my life I’ve been a shoe person,” she said, showing off her new, red pumps. “Everyone has their thing. That’s just mine.”

And Elliot said that her funky style reflects who she really is.

“I really do like to have a good time,” she said.

“I laugh a lot when I’m outside of the classroom.

(Subbing) is just something I take very seriously.”

Between family, fashion and bridge, Elliot knows she belongs in a school.

She said, “The main thing is, I like being in school, and I like working with young people.

That’s something I’m passionate about. And bridge, which is always there.”

• She has a passion for the card game of bridge • Miss Elliot has developed the nickname of “Missy” Elliot after the well-known rapper

Bus driver faces audacious students Lisa Cook deals with disrespectful students, additional problems on a daily basis Lisa Ritchie staff writer

“You’re a terrible bus driver,” a group of students yell from the back of bus 21.

But even though students in the back yell these kinds of things on a regular basis, bus driver Lisa Cook says she ignores their insignificant remarks due to the regularity of their occurrence.

“The kids who sit near me see me different than the kids who sit in the back of the bus,” Cook said. “They see me as someone continually telling them to follow the rules and don’t understand that it’s for their own safety.”

The students who sit in the back of Cook’s bus vary from 13 to 18 years old and many people might say they are disrespectful.

Photo by Maria Brundage Cook, however, has said she has a different expectations of them.

“Most of my career I worked with horses and taught riding lessons The ride home: Bus driver Lisa Cook waits for students to board her bus. “I enjoy the little kids immensely,” she said. “They are cute and funny and tell me all sorts of little stories.” in Nevada,” Cook said. “I always had gotten along well with children, and they would come to me with their problems. I supposed it would be like that as a bus driver, though it hasn’t always worked out that the kids,” she said. “When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, I began working part time. Driving the bus was a good way to get my way.”

Keeping one eye on the road and the other on the kids in the back of mind off of it.”

Despite her experiences with the older kids on the bus, Cook said the bus, Cook said keeping track of things on the bus can be a lot to the interactions are different with the younger handle. kids.

“It is definitely a challenge to drive safely,” Cook “I enjoy the little kids immensely,” Cook said. said. “I have to get kids home quickly and safely and Generally the further “They are cute and funny and tell me all sorts of keep order so I’m not distracted.” back and away from little stories.

A bus driver for 26 years, Robert Poor, Director the driver students “Those relationships are different than the ones of Transportation says he can relate to Cook’s expeare makes it harder to with the kids in the back.” riences. control.”

Cook was married for 15 years. During those 15 “Generally the further back and away from the years, she adopted two children, CJ and Sydney. driver students are makes it more difficult to control “They have to be very tolerant of my job since student behavior,” Poor said.

- Robert Poor, my husband passed away,” she said. “They get up What many of these students in the back of her director of transportation with me at five every morning, get on the bus and bus may not know is that Cook has been a widow for ride through two hours until it’s time to get off. I two years. think it would help if the kids got to know me as a But she said she is able to separate her work life person instead of an authoritative figure. “They would definitely have from her personal life.

“When you’re on the bus, all you think about is the bus and safety of a bigger better respect for me and what I do.”

“

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

6

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

entertainment THE

TRICKLE

People who should stop American Kelsey Schultz entertainment editor

This month’s Trickle is dedicated to The Squall’s uncanny ability to eat mass quantities of food.

Lately the music industry has disappointed me with the artists that have been produced. Here’s a list of people who should never record again for their own dignity and our sanity.

Lindsay Lohan: Although Lohan has proven her singing talent in various movies such as “Prairie Home Companion,” she has yet to do it on a record. The lyrics of Lohan’s songs sound like passages from her diary that are then recorded over synthesized beats and a few guitar chords. The end result is truly horrifying.

This month’s layout night, we decided that we wanted McDonald’s for dinner, so we called them up.

Hillary Duff: I miss the fond old days when Duff was Lizzie McGuire and wore extremely tacky clothes with whacked out hair. However, Duff is now grown up and wants to be respected as an artist. I mean MTV wouldn’t have any theme songs for their hit TV shows if it weren’t for this pop princess. I have to wonder, though, is her voice completely digitally enhanced or just partially?

They didn’t believe our order was real when we first explained to them our mass need for double cheeseburgers and snack wraps.

Paris Hilton: Do I really need to explain this? Hilton’s voice is by far the most irritating high pitched squeek I have ever heard (assuming that she actually sings her songs). She should stick to what she is good at, which is being rich, slutty and dumb.

Kevin Federline: Former backup dancer turned rapper straight out of the hood. Federline is another one of those guys who is ruining what hip-hop used to be. I bet he still doesn’t realize that that Super Bowl commercial was making fun of him. He looked right at home with that headset and spatula in hand.

It was not until we offered a credit card number for verification that they started to make the order.

Good Charlotte: I have always wondered this. What the hell is with the band name? Just stop. Black eye make up and tears do not make you hardcore. You are destroying rock n roll when you call your music rock.

Simple Plan: Aren’t they a replica of Good Charlotte? Only the lead vocalist has an even whinier voice. If I ever hear another one of their songs, I might pull a Van Gogh and cut my ears off.

Unsurprisingly The Squall made history yet again, placing the largest single order in the Baker Rd. McDonald’s history, ringing a grand total of $106.52.

Avril Lavigne: Lavigne used to pride herself on being a bad girl and flicking the paparazzi off. Then she settled down and got married. Now she is trying to make a come back with that same “I’m a rebel” styled music. Sorry Avril, you’re not a badass so just stay at home and bake a pie.

Disney Channel Stars: This includes Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgins, Corbin Bleu, etc.

They star in shows on the Disney Channel. They shouldn’t try to make albums too. They have no credibility, and the only fans they’ll ever have will be in elementary school.

Aaron Carter: Remember this kid? He’s the one who beat Shaq and then had Lohan and Duff fighting over him. I’ll never understand why Carter decided to rap instead of sing on his albums, but it was quite possibly the worst decision of his life.

The order required a box to carry, and here it is:

Brooke Hogan: She wore a grill in her music video. Enough said.

60 Double Cheeseburgers 30 Crispy Ranch Snack Wraps 1 Fruit and Walnut Salad Throughout the meal we got to wondering, how much are we actually eating?

Turns out that in this order alone we have accounted for: 36,300 calories 1860 grams of fat That is enough food to feed a single person for up to 18 days, assuming they are on a normal 2000 calorie per day diet.

Although most would vomit at such numbers, we Squallers took it as a challenge.

Needless to say, the outcome of the night was a group of very full adolescents and a brand new issue of The Squall.

The best of [adult swim] Ryan Winchester staff writer

and killing hundreds of their fans.

From writing jingles for coffee (and later spraying said coffee into the crowds, melting a large number of fans), to recording albums underwater and music videos featurAqua Teen Hunger Force Aqua Teen Hunger Force is [adult swim’s] flagship pro- ing the slaughter of every other band member by the lead gram and essentially the reason the block of programming singer riding a Thunderhorse, this show rarely fails to dishas become so successful. ATHF follows Meatwad, a wad appoint.

Perhaps the best part of this show is that the people who of meat, Frylock, a floating box of french-fries with mystiactually make the music for it are excelcal powers, Master Shake, a humanlent musicians and are releasing a “Desized cup of the delicious beverage, thAlbum” when the first season of this Carl, their 80’s hair metal-loving, show hits DVD. sweat-pant wearing neighbor and the If violence and awesome metal are occasional villain including a talking, If violence and your things, you will love this program. diaper-wearing spider and an 8-bit awesome metal are creatures from the moon.

Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Early in the show’s run, the fast your things, you will Job! food products would solve mysteries, love Metalocalypse.”

Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great but now they mostly sit around, anJob! is one of the first live-action shows noy Carl, and try to not get involved made for [adult swim] and has drawn a with any evil creature who happens surprising amount of critical acclaim. to pass by.

Tim and Eric are the same people who Absurdist humor, illogical plot brought us “Tom Goes to the Mayor,” lines, violence and guest stars such as the one and only Danzig are things to expect from such and they manage to pull off being 10 times more ridiculous than what they did on that show. a show.

The show features no plot, and most of the 2-3 minute Recently, the show got its own major release film “Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters” which sketches involve Tim and Eric acting like fools in ridiculous costumes, sometimes against green-screen, often dressed opened to modest success. as women.

Music videos, fake commercials and faux news reports Metalocalypse Metalocalypse is the definition of “brutal.” Following the from “The Married News Team” are often featured and may biggest fictional band in the world, Dethklok, a metal band just be the most insane things ever aired on television.

This show is one of the most absurd things you will ever with members from America and Scandinavia, the show is about their adventures of recording albums, being brutal see anywhere and is not to be missed.

“

Idol has taken over the world Frank Dufek opinions editor

Call “American Idol” an over-glorified karaoke contest if you want to, FOX doesn’t mind. With five seasons under its belt and a sixth underway, the show has proved itself to be one of the entertainment industry’s biggest success stories.

The show has produced multiple Grammy winners, an Academy Award-winner and many other artists whose combined album sales total over 28 million units. In addition to this monopoly over the music industry, Idol also boasts the best ratings of any show currently on network television.

Many critics predicted the show’s success would waiver as time progressed, but Idol received its highest audience ever during the January 2007 premiere of its current sixth installment.

The lure of the show is quite simple. It takes a relative no one from obscurity to superstardom over the course of a few months, allowing the viewing audience to dictate what happens each step of the way.

The most essential ingredient in Idol’s recipe for success is the fact that America gets to decide who stays and who goes each week. Think of Idol as a singing soap opera where a major character is killed off each week. Often times America makes the right decisions while selecting their next Idol, but the real ratings gold comes when they make a catastrophic mistake and send a judge-favorite to the guillotine before the likes of a audible disaster such as Sanjaya Malakar.

During season one, early front-runner Tamyra Gray was shockingly voted off two weeks before the finale while the clearly less talented Nikki McGibbin was allowed to stay. This was the first in a series of controversial events the Idol stage would come to see.

Season two was laden with talented crooners, but many were shocked when Ruben Studdard beat the effeminately geeky Clay (g)A(y)iken.

Season three brought us the infamous “three-divas” who, with the exception of eventual winner Fantasia, were voted off far before their prime. Three years later, seventh-place contestant Jennifer Hudson won an Academy Award for her role in “Dreamgirls.” She isn’t the first (nor will she be the last) contestant to prove America wrong.

Aside from eventual winner Carrie Underwood, season four of American Idol was mainly devoid of any talent; consequently, it was devoid of any true controversy.

Many thought the elimination of would-be rocker Constantine Maroulis was shocking news, but they obviously didn’t hear his offensive rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Season five brought things back to basics with a talented cast of performers and controversy to match. The early competition frontrunner, Chris Daughtry, was sent packing paving the way for Idol’s least successful winner, Taylor Hicks, to run away with the crown. Daughtry has gone on to record a number one, multi-platinum-selling album while Hicks has swiftly fallen from the charts.

The current season of American Idol offers a good mix of talented singers and talentless hacks to entertain America every week. Much of the show’s success comes from the fact that each of the contestants has the potential to appeal to a specific demographic of people, culminating in a combination of many adoring fans watching the show to root on their favorite.

Season six has proved to be one of the series’ most unpredictable seasons as there is no clear frontrunner.

Many people think the no-neck musical stylings of Melinda Doolittle could carry her through to the finale.

Justin Timberlake version 1.5, Blake Lewis, has garnered a lot of buzz for his “innovative” performances and song choices. If his streak of successfully mimicking 311, who the judges shamefully (or thankfully) have never heard of, continues, he too could be a contender in the May finale.

Look for obese crooner Lakisha Jones to be this season’s “shocking” elimination, and keep an eye on high school senior Jordin Sparks. Her big voice and campy personality could play very well to her advantage and give her the leverage she needs to pull an upset victory.

However, one must not discount the power of the hot mess that is Sanjaya Malakar. The young “singer” mercilessly butchers classic music each week while rocking the most broke down hairstyles a male has ever had on network television. Even Donald Trump doesn’t want to claim this wreck.

As long as teenage fan girls, pedophiles and deaf people have access to telephones, Malakar stands a real shot at winning it all.

The fun of the show is that no one can ever truly predict what will happen. Sit back, relax, keep the mute button handy and enjoy the superficial fun of America’s guiltiest pleasure: American Idol.

7

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

'The Good, The Bad, and The Queen' Sean Wallace staff writer

grade:C

L

acking the comedy of Will Farrell’s other hit movies, “Blades of Glory,” starring Ferrell and Jon Heder did not measure up to their standards of excellence.

It should have been hilarious. Instead it was a let down, with only few parts that were laughable.

The movie is about two rival Olympic skaters who are stripped of their gold medals after a brawl on the podium. The only way the two could skate again is to skate as a pair team.

It takes time to shoot down their male egos, and much convincing, but both realize their major goal is a gold medal.

Ferrell plays the skater Chazz Michael Michaels who is suppose to be a very funny man but turns out not to be. In other movies such as “Elf” and “Wedding Crashers”, he is much funnier and more enjoyable. Compared to other Ferrell movies, “Blades” ranks in about the middle of the pack.

Heder plays Jim MacElory and is not that satisfying either.

In “Napolean Dynamite” Heder worked because the character was part of the actor’s natural personality.

In this movie, though, one that takes actual acting, he makes hilarious Ferrell lines dry and a bit boring.

One scene that was funny was when the two men were try-

'The Glass Castle' Katie Fricke features editor

grade: A-

W

T

ing to pick their song for their final routine.

Michaels wanted to skate to “Lady Humps” by The Black Eyed Pees and argues that it is provocative, while MacElory complains that Michaels doesn’t even know what lady humps are. Michaels insists that it would get the crowd going, and it did, with laughter.

There was also another entertaining part, in the very beginning of the movie, when MacElory is doing his routine in a peacock outfit.

Although there was a couple of scenes that were entertaining, with the mix of these two hilarious actors this movie should be straight funny.

The preview for the movie contained all the funny parts, which is a let down because with funny previews you expect a funny movie and not just a few funny parts.

There were many dull parts that could have been much more interesting.

Don’t see this movie if you are expecting a Will Ferrell classic. It is not one of his funnier movies and will not thrill you.

There may be some spots that get you laughing, but this is not an I-laughed-so-hard-I-peed-my-pants movie.

he Glass Castle” is a remarkable memoir of the struggles, hardships and even the good times of a family that is dysfunctional and unique.

Life was all but easy for Jeannette Walls, one of the four Walls children. Her family was very poor, and her mentally ill mother, Mary Rose, had a teaching degree but refused to work.

Walls’ father, Rex, was an alcoholic who would often leave his family for days on end.

Most of Jeannette’s childhood was spent in a car, traveling from the Arizona desert to the Appalachian Mountains and everywhere in between.

“We were always suppose to pretend our life was one long and incredibly fun adventure,” Walls recalls in her memoir. Although her family is far from normal, that does not stop Walls for loving her brother, sisters and parents.

In fact, Walls often focuses on the good things her parents did instead of all the things they never did. She tells the story of her childhood without any self-pity.

Walls’ writing style makes her memoir very powerful. She “

hen I first heard that I was doing the restaurant review for The Squall, my reaction was, “Awesome! Free Food!” And Buffalo Wild Wings was the perfect place to try.

Buffalo Wild Wings is a chain restaurant/bar with many locations, the closest being on State Street in Ann Arbor. “B-Dub” as it’s called by frequent customers is located in the middle of Ann Arbor’s downtown close to plenty of the city’s other attractions.

When first entering Buffalo Wild Wings, a customer could easily be overwhelmed by the noise and the waiters weaving through the traffic of people. This was only a Thursday night, and the place still seemed packed.

But the staff was able to seat people at a quick rate. The first thing that grabbed my attention were the two large television screens by the bar area and the many more strategically placed throughout, including four just around my table.

The waitress came over to the table to read the specials, including their new alcoholic beverages which I, of course, declined. Buffalo Wild Wings’ menu consists of appetizers, sandwiches and wraps, and, of course, buffalo wings.

I ordered the Southwest Dippers for a starter and a South-

manages to go back to the gloomy theme.

The album continues with rare glimpses of happiness but seems to pull back to an ethereal sound of solitude.

“Nature Springs” speaks of global warming. “Oceanographers are charting the rise of the seas/ Today’s a submarine/ Setting course to the land under me.”

Perhaps the biggest problem with this CD is that there are very few songs that standout.

There are only three tracks that are really impressive, with the rest just filling in.

GBQ is a CD that is only good when you listen through the majority of the tracks during a single sitting.

The unnamed band plans another, funkier CD to be released in autumn according to NME New Musical Express, a magazine in the UK. Many enjoy background music while they’re studying or having a small party. This album is perfect for this type of ambient experience. And, if you enjoy Albran’s vocals, it’s worth the buy just to hear more.

Otherwise, it’s just a nice, melancholy-themed CD with uninspiring songs.

MOVIE

'Blades of Glory' Caitlin Henderson staff writer

uses complete detail, not leaving out any important events of her life. Wall’s is so personal in her memoir, it’s hard not to feel the emotions she felt while reading her outstanding story.

She recalls many memories from her childhood, all the way from cooking for herself at age three to her endless adventures with her younger brother.

Walls also uses many metaphors and similes to make her book a easy and unique read.

Despite her family struggles, Jeannette still remains mostly positive in her attitude towards her family.

Walls struggles in her childhood only gave her more determination to be successful in her future. After learning everything Walls has been through, I know she is her a truly an amazing woman.

She has a story to tell and tells it well. This is a story of unconditional love in a family, no matter how rocky things may have been at times.

I encourage all of you to walk in Walls’ shoes, and maybe you will learn to better appreciate your own life.

west Chicken Queso Wrap. The wings had so many choices for sauce that a decision was too difficult to come to at the time. The waitress had a little trouble hearing my order at first because of all the yelling that takes place near the bar.

My order took about 15 minutes to make it to the table, which seemed reasonable considering the number of people who were at the restaurant. The Southwest Dippers were kind of like a southwestern pizza pocket, and they were delicious.

The dippers were filled with little peppers and chicken and came with a southwest sauce. Each bite into a fresh dipper was an explosion of goodness.

The Southwest Queso wrap came cut in half and was much larger than any wrap I had consumed before. It also came with chips and salsa. The wrap had a lot of lettuce, tomato, chicken strips and southwest sauce. The wrap was filling and tasted excellent, and the chips complemented the meal well.

The bill came to under $13. Overall the experience at Buffalo Wild Wings was very enjoyable. The restaurant has all the right components for a southwest grill. While the atmosphere is a little noisy, it’s what you should expect at a restaurant with a bar and big screen TVs.

grade:A

BOOK

Restaurant

Buffalo Wild Wings Josh Ball staff writer

Luke Altomare

DEXTER

I

f you’ve been waiting for that next Gorillaz album, you’re going to have to wait a little longer. But in the meantime, why not listen to their front man Damon Albarn’s new CD, “The Good, The Bad, and The Queen.”

This is not the band name. In fact, there is no band name. Albarn intends to keep it that way, just as he kept hidden behind his cartoon persona in the Gorillaz.

The CD also has Clash bassist Paul Simonon, the Verve’s Simon Tong and is produced by Danger Mouse who also produced the Gorillaz’s “Demon Days.”

While there are some big names in the band, they try to let their music shine through, not their fame.

This album has the making of a Gorillaz copycat, but Albran tries to steer clear of that problem. His vocals are distinct and easily recognizable, but as a whole it sounds like a different band.

The CD kicks off with a pure acoustic, bass and vocals track.

“History Song” is repetitive but engaging.

The mood feels like Albarn is singing at home on a rainy day and just playing around on his guitar, like the song “Green Fields.”

“I wrote this song/ Years ago/ Late at night/ Somewhere on the Goldhawk Road/ I was never sure/ How or why.”

The next track has immediate contrast with a perky piano but

grade: B-

MUSIC

reviews

8

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

Define it...

the spread

Child Abuse (noun): Mistreatment of a child by a parent or guardian, including neglect, beating and sexual molestation

Domestic Violence (noun): Acts of violence or abuse against a person living in one’s household, especially a member of one’s immediate family

Abusive dad had split personality Katie Johnson advertisement manager

Dawn’s* father had two faces. Around others, he was the kind of dad whom everyone loves. He was funny, kind and caring. But when he was alone with Dawn, everything changed.

“My dad has always been kind of sexist,” she said. “He favored my brother over me. When we would get into trouble, my dad would always blame it all on me, and he used to hit me.”

Dawn said her father started abusing her when she was 2 and the abuse lasted until she was about 14. “It wasn’t too bad when I was younger,” she said. “When I was younger it happened all the time, but when I got older, he wouldn’t hit me as I was too afraid of much, but he would the physical to pay hit me more and hit attention to the me harder.”

And Dawn said her verbal.” mother never noticed the abuse. It was - Dawn*, something her father victim of abuse hid from the world.

“My mom works a lot, so we were never really together as a family,” she said. “I was always afraid to tell her what happened. He knew I was too scared to do it, but it was obvious he would hide it from her.”

And her father didn’t stop at physical abuse. He began to verbally abuse Dawn, but she said she managed to ignore it. “I was too afraid of the physical to pay any attention to the verbal,” she said.

After years of abuse, Dawn finally told someone.

“When I was eight or nine, I told my brother, and he was kind of the reason my mom found out,” she said. “I grew up and realized my dad shouldn’t be hitting me. When I realized he wasn’t hitting my brother, I knew that it should not be happening. I mean, why would a parent put their kids in that situation?”

Dawn said after her mother found out about the abuse, she and her family had to go to counseling for a year or two and eventually the abuse stopped. “My dad was never home anyway so he just kind of stopped abusing me,” she said.

But it was still hard for Dawn to know that her dad favored her brother over her. “It was sad to know that I wasn’t good enough for him as a child,” she said.

Today, Dawn advises anyone in her situation to tell someone as soon as possible. “Telling someone is really important,” she said. “When I told my mom and brother, I got help, and it helped me so much.”

Now that Dawn has been through counseling and knows what to do, she realizes the constant fear she felt as a child. “Most of the time I was scared more than anything,” she said. I was afraid he would go farther than physically abusing me. I didn’t know if I would live that day.”

“

*name changed for privacy

P

Battered teacher finds courage Maria Brundage photo editor

Her husband got rough with her, pushing her into a chair and accusing her of looking at another guy. Dazed and confused, she started crying, and that only made him more angry. All of this during her honeymoon.

Before that, she couldn’t have felt luckier. In her junior year of college, Dexter High School teacher Amy Simonds* met her future husband Alan* at a party. They started dating casually, eventually going steady. “We both liked dogs, dreamed of traveling the world and having children,” she said. “We really seemed to click.”

After they had both graduated and Alan secured a job, he popped the question, and they were married in October. “All seemed well and good,” Amy said.

But it was only a mask. Alan soon showed her a side she never expected to see. “We spent our honeymoon in Hawaii,” she said. “On about the third night, he had had too much to drink at a tiki bar and began to argue with me over something that seemed unimportant. I tried not to get too upset about it, thinking it was the alcohol talking.

“Well, when we got back to the room, he accused me of looking at some guy. He got rough with me when I said I didn’t know what he was talking about. He grabbed me and pushed me into a chair, wrenching my back.

“I couldn’t believe this was happening to me, on my honeymoon no less,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘Who is this stranger in my

room?’” All the time I had known him, he had never even hi being abusive.”

Hurt and confused, she kept it a secret for nearly three ye had heard of men abusing women and what you should do fo but I didn’t think it would ever happen to me,” she said. “I th “‘Oh my god, what have I done ... I think I’ve made a mistake i rying him ... what’s next?... I don’t want to live like this the res life!’”

As their marriage progressed, Amy said the abuse escalated and then levelled off. “He became much more controlling and abusive,” she said.

Despite this, she tried desperately to keep it together. “I faced embarrassment that my family and friends would think I was stupid for putting up with it and that I had made a dumb decision in marrying him,” she said. “I kept thinking the situation would get better and the real him would eventually emerge again.”

But it didn’t, and Amy eventually found a marriage counselor. When they returned from counseling, Alan promised he would change. “And he did - for a while,” Amy said. “But sooner or later, something s off, and he resumed his abusive behavior.”

Alan refused to meet with the counselor, but Amy learned thing valuable. “In working with the counselor, I came to the r tion that the abuse I was suffering was not going to stop, and I to protect myself and remove myself from the situation,” she s

“

9

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

the spread

Help available for victims of abuse, violence Katie Johnson advertisement manager Maria Brundage photo editor

What you can do: If someone you know is being abused you should: • Listen to them and avoid making judgements • Encourage them to confide in a counselor or tell someone else.

• Express your concern.

• Support their decisions.

Get Help • Call the SafeHouse center 24-hour HelpLine at (734) 995-5444 • Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799SAFE (7233) •Contact the DHS counseling office Information from: www.savehouse.org http://michigan.gov

Amy* and Dawn* were betrayed and broken, abused by the people they trusted the most. Amy’s husband hurt her on their honeymoon. Dawn’s father beat her until she was 14. According to counselor Larry LeBlanc, both were victims of abuse.

“I would define (abuse) as any kind of physical, emotional, verbal abuse that would be classified as inappropriate illegal or immoral,” he said. “It could also be unwanted attention, unwanted touching or unwanted duress. In my judgment, in a personal relationship, it would be the call of the person being affected. You make that call in the relationship. You draw that line.”

Amy was subject to physical and emotional abuse, which according to the Michigan State Police website, falls under the classification of domestic violence.

According to LeBlanc, Amy’s abusive relationship with her husband could have happened for a number of reasons. “Lots of times people can get into an abusive relationship because they don’t have enough practice at identifying the warning signals,” he said, “or they don’t know the person that well.”

Johanna Soet, director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center at the University of Michigan agrees with LeBlanc and said, “Abusive relationships are very common, unfortunately, and often in the beginning it is not clear that it’s an abusive relationship,” she said. “Women may look around and say, ‘How did I let this happen?’ The person usually has a connection and cannot leave.”

Soet also said that there are a number of signals to watch for in an abusive relationship. “What I tell people to pay attention to is if they boyfriend or girlfriend signals a need to control them or if they get jealous,” she said. “Another sign is someone who controls behavior, puts you down or says things that are mean or degrading to you.”

LeBlanc said a case like Amy’s is likely a result of to self-esteem issues. “People (in an abusive relationship) don’t recognize that they deserve better,” he said. “They are afraid things will get worse and don’t have the ability to see that they can leave that relationship.”

And according to school liaison officer Paul Mobbs, domestic violence is wide-spread in Washtenaw County. “I would say, on average in this area, we have maybe half a dozen cases (of domestic violence) a week,” he said.

Mobbs said many cases of domestic violence arise from heated arguments where a girl slaps a guy, and he pushes her back. “The problem with domestic violence is, in the heat of the moment, people are mad but don’t leave because of income,” Mobbs said.

He also said enforcement of domestic violence cases is extremely strict. “I must make an arrest, supply the victim with a victim’s rights which lists the shelters information for medical help and counseling,” he said. “I must also contact the womens shelter by phone, and they will (that night) visit the victim.”

Mobbs said the alleged abuser then goes to jail, and the victim is contacted when he or she gets out of jail.

Although domestic violence victims are thought to be all female, Mobbs said he has had cases where a male is the victim. “I had a guy who was sitting on the couch (in their house). Then the girl stuck a five inch blade in his thigh,” he said. “This guy was literally scared of her.”

LeBlanc has also seen similar cases. “I’ve seen both physically and emotionally abusive relationships where the girl was the perpetrator and the boy was the victim,” he said. “It’s the minority, but I

have seen it. I can remember one where their parents had to come in to set up some boundaries. They couldn’t be in the same building together.”

In either situation, however, LeBlanc said the abuse may be modeled by the abuser’s parents. “That’s all they’ve ever known,” he said about students who grew up in an abusive home. “They’ve had their parents model an abusive relationship. Anybody that lives in a family with an abusive relationship is at risk of continuing it.

They see it as normal in some ways.”

According to Soet, though, there are many ways to receive help.

“I would encourage (the victim) to seek support whether it’s telling a friend or counselor,” she said. “They should seek support, find out their options and figure out what works for them. We also have a crisis line that anyone can call and get services. It’s 24/7 so any time, if someone had a problem, they can call.”

Although Amy* managed to divorce her abusive husband and remove herself from the situation, Dawn’s* situation was a little different. According to LeBlanc, child abuse laws are a lot more strict than domestic violence laws. “If you have a case of domestic abuse, if it’s domestic abuse of a parent to a son or daughter, it’s required to be reported to Child Protective Services,” he said.

Mobbs agrees and said child abuse is a situation where “someone responsible for the child does any kind of assault, battery or neglect.”

He also said there is a blurred line between discipline and child abuse. “Parents have the right to discipline,” he said. “What you cannot do is leave marks or abuse them. What the line is, I can’t honestly say.”

And according to LeBlanc, there are various reasons that child abuse occurs. “One reason is that adults replay their own childhood scenarios,” he said. “A person that was abused as a child is at risk of becoming someone who abuses children. (Also), it often stems from people abusing alcohol or drugs. Their judgement becomes impaired.”

LeBlanc said personal or socio-economic pressures such as divorce or job loss can also contribute to abusive behavior. “When people feel lots of pressure, and they don’t know how to cope, they take it out on others, in this case their children,” he said.

But regardless of the causes, Mobbs said all child abuse must be reported. “If I have any indication or belief of abuse, I must report it,” he said.

Once child abuse is reported, LeBlanc said that there are several consequences. “Once it’s reported, then Child Protective Services will come to school or to the person’s home and conduct an interview,” he said. “The parent could be put on notice (or) in extreme circumstances the child could be removed from the home and placed in either police custody or with a relative or in foster care.

The parent could be taken into custody.”

The worst consequence, though, according to LeBlanc is the effect on the child. “It affects how they feel about themselves and puts them at risk of being abusive themselves,” he said.

In a case of either domestic abuse or child abuse, LeBlanc said the counseling office can help. “If a friend names the person (in the abusive situation), we’ll interview them. We’ll ask (the friend) if they want us to share their name, and we’ll respect whatever they decide.

We’ll also ask the friend if they want to be there when we confront the issue.”

LeBlanc said people who want to get themselves out of an abusive situation need to confide in someone. “You have to let people know,” he said. “It’s not going to happen otherwise. Bring it to a counselor, bring it to a parent, bring it to the police. I strongly believe that not to do that allows the perpetrator to continue.” *names changed for privacy

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS WAS BEING ABUSED?

Photo illu

“I would wait to tell someone until I had their OK but try to help them some way.” stration b

y Maria B

rundage

and Kim

Wiesner

to leave husband

Once she accepted that, she said her life began to turn around.

She divorced Alan cleanly. “I just wanted out,” she said. “ I think he ears. “I backed down when he saw that I had enough backbone to really leave or help, him. I haven’t seen him for a number of years so I have no idea what hought, his life is like now.

“In hindsight, I should have left him long before I did,” she said. in marst of my “My life is good now. I’m remarried to a man that treats me with respect and would never even think of trying to manipulate me, hit me or verbally abuse me.”

Amy met her current husband at a friend’s dinner party and admits to being cautious at the All the time I had beginning of their relationship. “But I had to reknown him, he had member that this man was a different individual, never hinted at and I had to be careful not to prejudge him based being abusive.” on my other relationship,” she said. “That would not have been fair to him. As our relationship progressed, I did share with him my experience - Amy Simonds*, with abuse, and he responded in the most positeacher tive way, offering ongoing support” Looking back, Amy said she regrets keeping secrets from her family and friends. “There were set him so many great people who could have helped me along the way,” she said. “My family and friends couldn’t believe how well I had hid it. d some- They felt bad that I had shouldered the burden alone.” realiza*name changed for privacy needed said. nted at

- Kristi Hughes, freshman

“I’d probably go to a counselor and tell them about it. I’d also offer support to the abused person and help them get through the hard times and let them know I’m there for them.”

- Alex Emerick, sophomore

“I would make sure that the situation was actually happening, and then I’d tell a responsible adult.”

- Bekah Williamson, junior

“I’d try and get them help and first ask them if they need help.”

- Kirk Kumbier, senior

10

Want to look smart today? Throw this fact into a conversation.

Upage

On this day last year, Keith Richards was admitted to a hospital after he reportedly suffered a head injury when he fell out of a palm tree in Fiji.

the Deathcharger’s Reins. Giddy at the possibility of riding Baron’s mount through the streets of Stormwind, you argue your case for it, saying: a) “If it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t even have made it here.” b) “Look at the damage count from the run! I’m at the top, so I deserve it.” c) “I’d look the coolest on that.” d) “I have to spend all my gold on repairs, so I can’t afford a normal epic mount.” e) You say nothing and instead steal the item and hearth out

3. Grats! You dinged a new level. It’s time for new spells and talents. You head to: a) a cathedral b) a huge, spiraling tower c) that shady bar in that dark alley d) the local barracks e) nowhere. You depend on others in groups to kill enemies and save your life 4. While executing a Baron run in Strat dead, you encounter the standard group of Crypt Crawlers and Fleshflayer Ghouls. In this routine fight, your role in combat is to: a) Stand far away from the action, casting healing spells b) Stand far away from the action, hurling fire and probably over-aggro in the process c) Jump around unnecessarily, stabbing your foes in the back d) Charge right into the fray, landing the first strike and gaining all the aggro you can e) Do as little damage as possible, but still look like you’re in the fight 5. Things take a turn for the worse during the previous battle. The Eye of Naxxramas has spotted you and summoned a host of other high level elites who immediately aggro the nearest player to them. In this moment of panic you: a) Back up even more and focus your healing efforts only on the tank b) Yell out, “Shield!” and cast unhealthy amounts of AoE spells to maximize damage c) Assume a wipe is on its way and vanish to save a run back and a 10 percent hit to your gear d) Turn your attention to protecting the healer e) Attempt to solo one the enemies, though you know full well you’ll lose 6. Finally, you make it to the Baron. The fight goes smoothly, and the drops are pretty standard, save for

1

To-dos

2. When choosing a weapon, you prefer: a) big sticks with gems on the end b) a wand to zap enemies with c) fast moving daggers d) a battle ax or maybe a two-handed sword e) something cheap and efficient, as inconspicuous as possible

Hunter Lyons staff writer

Time for results. If you answered mostly “a”, you’re a priest, sometimes called “squishy” by those with a higher armor rating. You selflessly heal others at the risk of your own life and are protected ravenously by anyone not wearing cloth. A good healer • Priest can make any group run as smoothly as an Orgimmar blimp.

If “b” dominated your responses, you’re a mage or warlock. Trading armor and the ability to survive for huge amounts of damage, you’re typically at the top of the damage counter. This also means you overaggro constantly, bringing headaches • Mage to both the healer and tank as they continually bail you out of deadly situations.

If there a bunch of circles around the letter “c”, you’re one sneaky rogue.

Highly valued for your ability to deal massive amounts of damage at once and the talent Improved Sap, no group is truly complete without you. However, you’re also generally regarded as • Rouge a selfish jackass, and you’re the type to be seen dancing on mailboxes with no clothes on.

Choosing a lot of option “d” must mean you’re a warrior. You’re the most vital part of any group, second only to • Warrior the priest. An expensive class to play, repair bills are steep and armor from the auction house will set you back. It pays off in the end though, as entire servers will know the names of the best warriors off the tops of their heads.

Finally, if you’re partial to the letter “e”, congratulations! You’re a ninja and/or farmer. You are universally despised by every player on the server.

You rarely talk in groups to avoid drawing attention to yourself, making it that much easier to grab valuable loot and sell it an overly high price on the auction house.

Your English is spotty, and you wear what you can’t sell. You suck.

Tucker Biallas

Waleed Mansour

2

Wear a tuxedo T-shirt. I will not be doing this, but if I see someone else wearing one, I’ll laugh, and if I like you enough, give you a high-five.

Take Don Knight. Clearly the most eligible bachelor in the school, Donny will use his wit, charm and good looks to sweep you off your feet. The night will include being whisked away in Don’s chariot of a 2000 Grey Jeep Cherokee (or his mom’s Ford 500 if you’re lucky). Then Don will take you to a candle-lit dinner at his grandpa’s steakhouse, Knight’s. After that, it’s really up to how you play your cards. If DK is feelin’ you, you might get an after party out of him.

3

Attend. Don’t think you’re too hardcore to go. Because you’re not. Parents and staff members put a lot of hours into prom and staying home and watching the same “I Love New York” episode you’ve seen 1,000 times is somewhat a slap in the face to the people that have put in so much time, nor does it make you hardcore.

4

Find a date. I don’t care if it’s your significant other or the kid who stares at you weirdly during math. Just have a date. If you’re thinking you’re too good for the guys who ask you, you can always pull the ultra-popular, “I just wanna go with my friends.”

5

Not-to-dos

a) Flowing, elegant robes and jeweled crowns b) More flowing, elegant robes c) Lightweight leather, perfect for sneaking around d) Massive steel chest plates and helms e) Whatever fits

The Squall

Things to do/not to do: AT PROM

What kind of World of Warcraft player are you?

1. When choosing an outfit, you tend to lean towards:

Friday, April 27, 2007

Have fun. And be safe. Guys, be a gentlemen for one night in your high school career and treat your lady right. Girls, have fun and cut the guys slack.

1

Drink alcoholic beverages. Because I’ve heard that people do that, and that’s totally not cool. Do you really want to drink at a place where there are more parents and teachers than at a PTO meeting? But if you do decide to drink on prom night, don’t drive. Nearly 25 percent of fatal car accidents involving high schoolers involve drivers who were under the influence.

2

Fart in the limo/ your car/ your parent’s car. I can’t think of a more uncomfortable or mood breaking action than farting. I know it’s natural, and everyone does it, but everyone wants to think otherwise. So if you feel the need to break wind, don’t.

3 4 5

Think you’re clever, witty or original by wearing a top hat and holding a cane. What was once funny is now stupid. If you’re trying to look like a pimp, you don’t. But you do resemble the Planter’s peanuts guy.

Have two dates. This is pretty self-explanatory. Even if you did see Will Smith do it on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” It won’t work.

Take Conor Daining. I can’t stress this enough.

Jaimie Brougham

Lauren Gilbert

Karl the Moose

The Squall Conor Daining staff writer

Am I allowed to wear skater shoes even though I don’t skate, and I only played the first Tony Hawk?

No that’s kinda sad.

Why is your favorite show “Dancing with the Stars?”

Yeah, they’re comfortable.

You have to play the second one too.

Sure.

I can do a misty flip.

Because it has stars, and they dance!

I like Billy Ray Cyrus.

I like to watch Joey Fatone trip over himself.

Because there’s a chick with a fake leg.

It’s on after “Dog”.

What if I had breast implants?

I don’t know what I would do.

I might be attracted to you.

I’d be OK with that.

That would be lovely.

Interesting.

*Moose mating call*

Que’ce que tu al a page neuf?

What language would that be?

OK.

Sure.

Star Wars?

Al Queda.

What would I do if I were you and you were me and you as me told me as you to tell me you were myself?

Can you repeat?

I as you, would be confused.

I’d be wearing skater shoes.

Would you dance?

...

11

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

sports

Womens soccer off and kickin' Charlie Pettit staff writer

Varsity sports are generally cluttered with seniors, but this year’s womens soccer team defies that unwritten rule.

“This year’s team may not be as deep as year’s past,” coach Scott Forester said, “but they play with as much passion and heart as any team I’ve coached.”

The team is not lacking upperclassmen, they have 13 of them.

But there are only two seniors on the squad: Liz Umstead and Sarah Christian. And for Umstead, being the oldest on a team can surely add some pressure to the individuals.

“We have to be leaders out on the field and help to keep the team together,” she said.

This slight split in age between team members hasn’t posed a huge problem for the team thus far, though.

“We’re all pretty much friends because most of us knew each other before the season even started,” Umstead said.

Amanda Marsh isn’t a senior, but she is the captain, a role she values a lot. “(Being captain means) I have more say in what goes on with the team, and I have more influence on how we prepare for games and practices,” the junior said.

“We try to mix the upperclassmen with the underclassmen during warm ups, and we’re trying

to have more team dinners and team functions.”

Eleven of the upperclassmen on the team are juniors.

Eight have been on the varsity team since their freshman year which means they play an important part in team leadership according to junior Katie Marsh.

“We’re the foundation of the team because we’ve been playing together for so long, and we all have known each other for a while,” she said.

And for freshman Catelyn Rize these juniors have given her a lot to live up to.

“The (juniors) made a lot of high standards for us (underclassmen),” Rize said. “We have to work extra hard because our mistakes are a lot more noticeable. (At practice) we have been learning a new defense so that is what everyone has been stressing on us lately.”

And the departure of five key seniors from last season puts extra weight on the team’s defensive shoulders this year.

“We lost a lot of defense from last year, and the young players will have to fill their shoes this season which could be difficult for them,” junior Shantal Daratony said.

But the disappointment of last year’s defeat in the state semi-final game against Lahser has

brought some new optimism to this year’s season.

“I would like to personally match or beat my record from last year,” Umstead said, “and as a team I’d like to win states.”

Many of the women have set the same high goals for the season which proves that the team is on the same page.

“The SEC looks to be very competitive this year, so conference play will demand our best,” Forester said.

A state championship in womens soccer would be Dexter’s third overall state title this year.

“Winning states is our number one goal for the season,” Katie said, “but we also want to play our hardest and get as far as we can get.”

Age gap: Junior Erica LeBlanc kicks a ball during practice. LeBlanc is one of 16 non-seniors on the varsity soccer team.

Fire up the grill: Junior Don Knight and sophomore Ryan Lemasters light up their grill before a soccer game. Knight, Lemasters and other grillers make food before each varsity home baseball game as well.

Photo courtesy of Rob Kuzon

Students get their grill on Brent Muse staff writer

At each home varsity baseball game and some womens soccer games, the grillers have large quantities It’s a hot sunny day in the early months of spring, of hot dogs, bratwursts, hamburgers and occasionally and a light breeze and a strong scent of burning char- steaks.

They also bring along a large crowd of people and coals and hot dogs is in the air This smell is the result of a tradition that was started make it a little louder at the baseball games.

“The grillers make it more fun to play because more last year by members of the class of 2007, where fans grill out at both the varsity baseball and womens soccer people are there, and they yell a lot of things that are games. funny and ridiculous but can The grillers are both fans of the be inappropriate,” senior varsity baseball captain Carl Burhop teams and of grilling out.

I like grilling out said. “They also hassle the other Some of the usual people who because the smell of team and every once in a while we grill out at the sports games are the freshly burning get a burger or a steak out of it.” seniors Colin McAweeney, James charcoal, cheap hot Regardless, the seniors who Nati, Josh Ball, Rob Kuzon, Matt dogs and the great Brand and Kriss Petrovskis. grill say they go to games to grill camaraderie.”

“Grilling out is a social event that out and support their friends and classmates by cheering them on brings DHS students together, and and providing food for the fans at it is also a good time to eat, relax - Matt Brand, the games. and cheer on the team,” McAweeney senior griller “If you are not a senior, plan said.

According to McAweeney he on paying a couple of dollars if didn’t really have a reason or explanation to start grill- you would like to eat,” McAweeney said, adding money goes to the grillers for their work and the food. ing out at the games, it just came to him one day.

According to soccer coach Scott Forester, he would What sounded like a good idea when he first thought about it, started to be a tradition and bring more fans like to give money to a few of the members of the mens to the games. soccer team and a few other supporters who go out.

“I like grilling out because the smell of the freshly He said, “Having the students come out and grill burning charcoal, cheap hot dogs and the great camara- adds to a nice atmosphere and brings more people out derie,” Brand said. to the games.”

“

Grilling Factbox • Boys in the class of 2007 started grilling at the games • This will be the second year grilling at baseball and soccer games • Coach Scott Forrester has offered to donate money to grillers for supplies • The grillers make hamburgers, hot dogs, steak and chicken

Photo by Maria Brundage

Going the distance: Freshman Emily VanDusen practices block starts the day before a meet.

Students enjoy track and field Luke Altomare staff writer

For sophomore Dave Cooper, participating in track and field is more than just another sport. It helps him become a better athlete.

“I like to run,” Cooper said. “It really makes you feel good when you can gradually feel your endurance increasing. You feel athletic and you have more energy.”

Other members of track and field share his view. “I like the feeling of working out and getting in shape and exercising, because it makes me feel good,” junior Julia Burke said.

Sophomore Matt Klein agrees. “I like doing high jump. It’s a good sport to do,” he said. “It’s a little hard but easier once you get conditioned.”

Track and field is made up of several different event groups such as sprinting, long jump, distance running and throwing activities. Each event group has its own coach. The team is divided into men and women’s divisions.

Practices take place every day after school at the Creekside track and can either be group physical training, consisting of stretching and laps, or individual training.

During a typical meet, which can last anywhere between three to three and a half hours, the winners of each event group gain points for the team.

It really makes you The first feel good when you three places can gradually feel of each event group earn your endurance their team increasing.” points.

Besides the - Julia Burke, physical aspect junior of track and field, the sport also helps athletes to become more proficient in other sports, according to Cooper.

“I joined because I’m doing football, and I had to get ready,” he said. “It made me healthier and a better athlete.

I’m faster, I’m stronger, and I have faster reflexes.”

Klein agrees. “It’s really good for training if you’re in another sport,” he said.

For senior Brianna Krull, track and field is also a good place to meet other people who enjoy sports. “I really like it because you can be as good as you want to be. But at the same time you work with other people. You can make new friends, be healthier and have another high school experience,” she said.

This view is common among the track and field members.

Said freshman Louisa Wolcott about track, “(I joined) because I enjoy running and I enjoy the people in it.”

The coach is Chris Hanlon who has been coaching track and field for 17 years and the Dexter team for four.

“I love working with athletes who like track and field because it doesn’t get that much focus,” he said. “It’s kind of a low-glory high-effort activity. The kind of people who come out for that are always good people, and I love to work with them.”

Krull agrees. “You can make yourself as good as you want to be,” she said.

Hanlon cautions though, that track and field isn’t for those who aren’t willing to give effort.

“It’s a work-ethic sport.,” he said. “You don’t get better at track generally unless you are somebody who comes and dedicates yourself to improving. I like to think of track as a sport with something for everybody. It’s a very open door sport. We work as hard if not harder than anyone else out there.”

“

12

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

opinions

David Pisano staff writer

Senior Year: what to look forward to

A

s my junior year enters its fourth quarter, I’ve begun looking to the year ahead. After careful analysis, I’ve realized that there are many things to look forward to. Here are my top 10: 10. Reduced schedule. I probably won’t be doing this because I really want to take Advanced Team Sports, but the fact is, as seniors, we will have the option, and the rest of the school won’t.

9. Calculus.

8. Facebook. Once I get into a totally cool party school, I can finally make a Facebook account and join some awesome groups. Then I’ll be able to post some hot pics with no shirt on.

7. My first kiss. It would be absurd of me to expect this to happen before college, but a guy can dream, right?

6. Expectations. There are none.

5. Getting out early. Rumor has it seniors aren’t getting out early anymore. This might be true in a few years, but as a member of the class of ‘08, I fully look forward to those few precious weeks we still have to make questionable decisions while the underclassmen are still in school.

4. Sports. Anyone who’s been on an athletic team knows that seniors get first choice of everything. And everyone knows that having the coolest number and the newest equipment ultimately makes you better at your sport. Mostly, though, it will be the last time I get the experience of high school sports, and it should be hardcore.

3. Being 18. This will be in January of next year for me, and the many liberties it entails are well known to all.

Scott Sarver

Bikers, please share the road

staff writer

D

riving down the road, pimpin’ rap music blaring, you see something on the road ahead of you.

Is it the god of music coming to smite you for your choice of audio entertainment? No, you’re safe until next year.

It is, in fact, the next worst thing. A biker. Make that three bikers.

These three bikers aren’t any old bikers, though. These are hardcore, 20-mile-warm-up-in-five-minutes “Dexterian” bikers, named for the roads they ride, or more accurately, dominate.

While the lesser biker is satisfied wearing a helmet and comfortable clothes, these bikers stop at nothing to cut a few seconds off their 20-mile time by wearing aerodynamic clothes, more commonly known as tights.

The choice of outerwear is not the problem with this particular species of biker, but their style of riding is.

These bikers go out of their way to show that, in fact, they are the permanent owners of the right-of-way, yielding to no man, woman or 10,000 ton truck.

They express their ownership of the road by riding not in the safer, more aerodynamic, and easier-for-drivers-toavoid, single-file line but three or even four across, preventing any other users of the road from getting around without making a complete pass.

When alone, these bikers refuse to cross the white line marking the shoulder and will pretend that you are not there, even though they have a mirror attached to the left handlebar.

They also choose the busiest, curviest and all-around hardest-to-pass-on roads in the area.

It’s as if they are daring drivers to hit them, knowing that they will win the lawsuit and get enough money to buy a new titanium alloy frame that will cut another second off their time.

These “Dexterian” bikers justify themselves with “Share the Road” bumper stickers and propaganda.

While sharing the road isn’t that big of a deal, this isn’t

what these bikers want. These bikers will not be satisfied until a lane devoted only to bikers is opened on every road of any scenic significance.

The “Share the Road” motto is only a ploy, subduing the masses and allowing the bikers to more easily dominate their favorite roads.

Sharing implies that both the drivers and the riders concede something to the other side, but this isn’t what happens.

The bikers get the road and the drivers get fired for being to work late. Clearly, that’s even.

You continue down the road, fast approaching the bikers. They seem to take up more space as you draw closer; it could be the change of perspective, but it’s more likely that they actually have spread out, making your drive much less pleasant and your hopes of making an easy pass evaporate.

Now the time of choice has come. What do you do?

While mowing the imperious cyclers down may, at first, seem like a good idea, further examination of the law shows that this is not an option.

Your only hope is that one of the bikers has the heart and courtesy to yield a few feet of pavement to you so that you can pass.

Sadly, courtesy is not in the vocabulary, much less the actions of these arrogant riders.

The best solution to this dilemma is a simple one. “Dexterian” bikers need to settle down; every day is not the Tour de France, and Dexter isn’t France.

Biking is supposed to be a sport and sports are supposed to be fun, not a physics experiment in collision and momentum.

Bikers need to move over when a car approaches from behind; acting like they don’t notice the car behind them doesn’t fool anyone.

Sure, it may take five minutes longer, but those five minutes are a small price to pay when the other option may involve the hood of a car and a mangled athlete.

2. Spring Break. I’m going to Mexico. It will be a cultural supplement to the four years I will have spent in Spanish class, and it will expand my knowledge of the world in the hopes that it will open doors for me in the future.

1. Seniority. This had to be my number one reason because it is a part of every aspect of high school life. I will simply be superior to all other beings in the school.

Robert Kuzon editor-in-chief

W

Illustration by Rawlin Myers

Finding Karl

hat has happened to our generation?

Unlike the generations before us, and surely the generations to come after us, we have no identity.

We have no soul, no heart, no passion. In the ‘60s it was the hippies.

The ‘80s had metal, and the ‘90s had the popularization of rap and the gangster mentality.

Not our generation. Our generation has copped out, merely taking bits and pieces from those who came before us in order to create some sort of multicultural hybrid of a society where youth is herded through the gates by television and music.

What has happened is four major groups have emerged from the masses, none more prominent than the next but all taking on qualities of an era from the past.

First, the “hippies”. These individuals lounge around, dressing in loosely-fitted, bright colors.

Popular slang among this group includes the

Cliques in our generation take pieces from earlier generations words “trippy”, “rad,” and commonly referring to any person as “brother” or “sister”, whether or not this person happens to be a blood relative.

These people have spiked in population, although, are not really a threat to anything due to their laziness and laid-back mentality.

Next the goth/emo/punks, a group that can be traced backed to the ‘80s and the reign of true rock n’ roll.

This is easily the most cliquish of modern groups, often times keeping to themselves.

This is an all-or-nothing type of clique. Either you are in or you are out. This group wears black clothing with many accessories such as armbands or chains.

The “popular” group is sort of like a hybrid of everything, showing qualities from everywhere.

Listening to all kinds of music, including rock, rap, pop and even techno, this group freelances, adapting to whatever happens to be hot at the moment.

Populartarians wear Lacost, Abercrombie or whatever else is high end, but not too high end, clothing.

Lastly, the thugs, obviously come from the rise of rap music. These are the people who, whether they are or not, think they are straight out of the hood.

They wear sagging, baggy jeans that are 74 sizes too big and huge shirts reaching down to their knees.

They are easily spotted on the road because their rims often cost more than the car in itself, and their bass can usually be heard close to three miles away.

The good news is we are not too late; we can still salvage our reputation. But we better hurry.

We still have the opportunity to become an individual, to stand out amongst the ages. Because as of now, the only thing we have to show for ourselves is the creation of emo music and Carson Daily.

by Rawlin Myers

13

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Squall

editorial

by Luke Altomare

THE

Squall 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 CARTOONIST: Luke Altomare 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

the all

SQUALL

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

call:

New attendance policy is just, agreeable According to the student handbook, a student who has “accumulated 10 unexcused or excessive absences as

Some may argue that students who miss a lot of class

determined by administration during a semester” receives

are unable to learn the material, but students are already

a failing grade.

forced to play catch up when they miss class. To make

This means that even if a student makes up all work missed while absent and receives a passing grade in the class, he can still fail for being a “habitual truant.” Not only is this practice wrong, it’s illegal.

State law says a student’s grade can not be affected by

is both cruel and unjust.

Administrators did the right thing this year by grades. Not only is it fair, it’s the right thing. You can’t

a student’s attendance. In other words, failing a student

argue with results.

because they didn’t attend class is against the law. This

deserve to pass. In fact, principal Kit Moran has even

law, which has been in place for a while, but has been

begun looking into ways to help students who have missed

ignored by the district until this year, makes sense.

a lot of class to catch up. For his efforts Moran deserves

If a kid gets the work done, they

to be praised.

the material just because they were sick or went on vacation.

In comparison, failing a student because they were

In fact, many students learn better independently. At one

absent is like stripping a marathon winner of his title

point the district’s attendance policy allowed students to

because he was five minutes late to start the race.

appeal their failures due to absences, but the whole idea of

doesn’t make sense in that scenario, and it doesn’t make

tying attendance and grades together was unfair to begin

sense in our school.

DREADS “No, it should be based on your work in the classroom. If you missed and still got your work done, that just shows how responsible you are.”

“No, attendance isn’t related to how hard you work in school.”

them do all the work and then tell them they failed anyway

eliminating any ties between a student’s attendance and

It’s preposterous to assume that a student hasn’t grasped

WEB SITE www.thesquall.com

with.

in the hall

“I’m really old fashioned, so I’d say yes. When you get older, it works to your advantage to be in attendance because your employer will want you there.

So doing it now will develop good habits for the future.”

It

Q: SHOULD A STUDENT’S GRADE BE TIED TO THEIR ATTENDANCE? “No, because attendance has nothing to with a student’s ability to grasp the material.”

“If they miss a certain amount of days, they’ll be behind a lot. But if they keep up with their work, they should pass.”

Kelsey Hart, ‘10

Lauren Mclaughlin, ‘09

Joan Whitehead, secretary

Mike Silvasi, ‘08

Mike Machnik, ‘07

14

Friday, April 27, 2007

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$2107 Senior food auction raises record amount for charity Ryan Aliapoulios staff writer

All the seniors gathered in the cafeteria during third hour on March 23 to pay excessive amounts of their hard-earned money for normal, everyday food items. Happening once a year, the senior food auction, run by the NHS, is a senior-exclusive fundraiser supporting organizations trying to find cures for cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.

Senior Alex Taheri decided to help out this year as an auctioneer at the event and said he didn’t have any regrets about volunteering. “I volunteered because it looked like it would be a lot of fun,” Taheri said. “We made more than $2100, and everyone had a good time.”

One dollar: Senior Sara Burrows puts a bid up during the March 23 food auction. She and her fellow seniors raised over $2000 to be donated for charity.

The Squall Food Auction Facts • All $2107 raised will be donated to research for cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy • Andrew Martin and Ryan Neely raised $480 in donations to spend at the auction • This is the most money that any senior class has ever raised at the food auction

Take your pick: Teachers and staff donated food to be sold. The auction boasted over 50 pieces of pie and cake, 15 pizzas, bags of chips with guacamole and two steak dinners that were donated by social studies teacher Ryan Baese.

NHS president Mehdi Massoudi said the success of the auction was due to collaboration on the part of the teachers and the students. “We had student committees that were in charge of getting the food, collecting donations, setting up table and all that,” he said. “All the food that we sold was donated by the teachers, and then the seniors bid on them.”

Senior Ryan Neely said he really got into the bidding. “(Senior Andrew Martin and I) brought $480 to the auction,” Neely said. “We aspired to be like Boss Tweed. We wanted to own all the people at the auction, similar to how he owned the political parties of his day.”

As to the success of Neely and Martin’s strategy, Neely said it was very effective. “We definitely outbid most people at the auction,” he said. “ We even had our own high roller table. We let everyone eat all the food we bought at the end, though.”

Massoudi attributes the amount of money raised mostly to the charisma of the students involved.

“All the auctioneers’ enthusiasm really made the auction work,” he said. “They were the ones who brought the money in for our charities.”

View from above: Seniors Matt Brand, Alex Taheri, Matt Mabry and Bill Burgett stand on the table as they auction off two pieces of cake and a calzone. According to NHS president Mehdi Massoudi, these boys’ energy was what brought in the money for the charities.

Combining forces: Seniors Lauren Wenzel, Stephanie Van’t Land and Jacqueline McNally merge their money together in hopes to buy something delicious. Together they had more than $70.

The great pizza battle: Dillon Krug and Kate Check were among seniors who raised over $110 for one pizza, a bag of chips and a drink. Krug was the official bidder for Andrew Martin and Ryan Neely.

Can I get $25?: Senior Matt Brand played the role of an auctioneer. “Mrs. Wells asked me to do it,” Brand said. “I always wanted to be an auctioneer.”

Photos by Kim Wiesner