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March 28, 2008 - Volume XVIII - Issue 7 - Dexter

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

The Vortex: Freshman Ben Wlison unleashes his powers upon the women folk of DHS. Read more on page 4 of The Squall.

Dalai Lama: His holiness comes to Ann Arbor. To find out more, check out page 2 of The Squall.

Don’t get hacked: Learn from junior Jacob Wiltse’s experience with getting his Facebook hacked on page 4 of The Rostrum

Michigan Merit Curriculum brings changes for students' futures Starting with the class of 2011, students will be faced with new, tougher requirments to graduate from high school

Susie Walters Social Studies Department Chair

Debora Marsh English Department Chair

“We’re excited about our changes and firmly believe that we’re doing what’s best for our students.”

“We’re a great department, and we’re making terrific changes that will benefit everyone.”

Cheryl Wells Science Department Chair

Kit Moran

Principal

“We added new electives to meet students need for science career pathways.”

Heather Siller news editor

The class of 2011 class will be the first to earn their diplomas under the Michigan Merit Curriculum which Gov. Jennifer Granholm believes will help rebuild the state’s reputation with a more educated workforce.

The Michigan Merit Curriculum took effect in 2006 when the current freshmen were eighth graders.

Before the MMC, Michigan required only one semester of civics for high school graduation.

The new requirements are designed for the 21st century student according to school board president Larry Cobler.

“It supports the need for personalization, acceleration and innovation in an atmosphere of high expectations and high support for students,” Cobler said. “The Michigan Merit Curriculum is crafted around the philosophical belief that all students will need extended learning opportunities for extended learning beyond high school.

As the learning skills for college and the workplace have merged, this curriculum will prepare students with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in our global economy and workplace.”

2011 graduates of the Michigan Merit Curriculum must have four credits of math (including Algebra 2) with one in the final year of high school; four credits of English; three credits of science; three credits of social studies; one credit of health and PE; one credit of visual, performing and applied arts; and an online learning experience according to Sara Dansky, Dexter’s curriculum consultant for grades 712.

“Michigan’s new high school graduation requirements

“The biggest positive is for the student that is average, it makes these kids do more classes to better prepare them for secondary education.”

are regarded as among the best in the nation.” Dansky said.

“In addition, in order to work in our global economy, students now in the fourth grade and younger will also need to complete two credits of languages other than English or equivalent K-12 experience prior to graduation.”

Social Studies Department chair Susie Walters said her department is doing well adjusting to the change.

According to Walters a group of social studies teachers has been meeting regularly to define what will be taught and when in the new World History class, and they have also selected a new textbook which better meets the state’s content expectations.

Walters said American Studies teachers have been working on change as well, selecting new text books for the freshman class. And social studies teachers have been working on changing Government and Economics from tenth to eleventh grade because World History will be taught in tenth grade.

Administrators, board members and teachers alike seem to be confident with the MMC. “The biggest positive is for the student that is average,” Principal Kit Moran said. “It makes these kids do more classes to better prepare them for secondary education.”

Although changing to a completely new curriculum is a challenge administrators, board members and teachers are all confident they can adjust.

English Department chair Deborah Marsh said she has been working with her department to create new classes which will soon be presented to parents and the board.

According to Marsh the new curriculum is very different from the former English curriculum.

“For as long as I’ve been here at DHS, we’ve had semester

courses which separate the kind of English language learning that goes on in a class,” Marsh said. “We have offered Advanced Composition and American Lit, Speech and Creative Writing, but we won’t be able to do that any more.

The new state standards require that all the different kinds of English language learning are integrated so our old curriculum needed a complete facelift.”

However, according to Walters it is going to take awhile to see what the implications of the new curriculum will be for both students and teachers. She also said she is concerned about how the curriculum will to fit into 72 minute classes with considerably less student contact time in a year.

And while teachers are concerned about the short time frame they had in order to make a new curriculum, they are confident in their success.

“I’m sure my talented and caring teachers will adjust well and that our classes will be exciting and new for the students as well as for the teachers themselves,” Marsh said. “We’re a great department, and we’re making terrific changes that will benefit everyone” For her part Walters is excited about the change also.

“We’re excited about our changes and firmly believe that we’re doing what’s best for our students,” Walters said.

“The MME is serious business, and we will do everything we can to prepare our students for it.” A sentiment shared

by Cobler.

“Dexter Schools have always been and will continue to be one of the leading districts in Michigan and will continue to do so even after the new curriculum is implemented.”

Cobler said. “We are up to the challenge, but students and parents will need to have patience as we work out all the logistics to make this happen.”

Squall

2 The Squall Dalai Lama comes to Ann Arbor Friday, March 28, 2008

news

Lisa Ritchie staff writer

Tickets went on sale Dec. 10 to see His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, who will speak at the University of Michigan on April 19-20 in Crisler Arena. He will give a series of four talks titled “Engaging Wisdom and Compassion.”

“I’d like to learn from him,” junior Emily Diepenhorst, who plans to see His Holiness speak, said.

“Compassion is what we need more than anything.”

Though the speech is intended for University of Michigan students, it is open to the public. And Diepenhorst said she attends many lectures at the UM, but this is her most anticipated one.

“I read one of his books and his theories are really interesting,” Diepenhorst said. “He is really focused on forgiveness and compassion, spreading the word that forgiveness isn’t saying things are OK but accepting that they aren’t and realizing all humans make mistakes.”

This visit is also exciting for UM freshman Bret Fiscer. “I was so surprised,” he said. “I can’t wait to hear what he has to say. He has done so much in his life span.”

In 1989, for instance, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. Since 1959, the Dalai Lama has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates and prizes in recognition of his message of peace, nonviolence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion.

The Dalai Lama last visited Ann Arbor in 1994, when approximately 9,000 people attended to hear him discuss dealing with political conflict. This year, he was invited by the Wege Lecture Series, which invites an internationally recognized leader every year. Recent speakers include Al Gore and William Clay Ford, president of Ford Motor Industries.

“He’s supposed to be a really good speaker and an interesting person,” junior Shawn McCargar, who also plans to attend the series, said. “I don’t really know what to expect because it’s a sequence of two hour lectures, four times.”

Though Shawn said he is excited to see him, he added he is not looking forward to the length of the presentation. “I mean it can’t be a bad experience,” he said. “And I am looking forward to it. It’s just that it takes up the entire weekend. I read one of his books; and he is someone with a lot of views that I share. I would like to learn more about him because he is obviously a really important figure.”

Shawn found out about the series of lectures through his father, Jim McCargar. Jim heard the Dalai Lama speak at a conference in Ann Arbor in the 1970s and said since then he has read a myriad of his works. “I have come naturally to view him as one of the greatest spiritual leaders and thinkers living today,” he said. “Recently, he is a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress. The opportunity to hear him speak in person is a lifetime opportunity and one of the benefits of living near a community like Ann Arbor.”

The event includes four two-hour presentations, and Jim said he expects to attend at least three. The linked themes include the quest for a sustainable approach to the human impact on the environment and human compassion as a fundamental element of finding happiness.

The Dalai Lama is well recognized for his quietly powerful way of communicating such ideas. “It

is difficult to come away from what he writes without feeling greater hope for humanity; hearing him again in person is all the better,” Jim said. “He also has an infectious, musical laugh.”

While Jim said he is certain he will take away valuable information, he said it’s up to Shawn to do the same. “I think everyone assembles their foundational ideas from many sources, as they are ready to receive them, and as they can find some meaning in their current circumstances,” he said.

And Jim said he shared many views with the Dalai Lama but there are a few core values that stand out among the others. “One core theme of the Dalai Lama is the importance of compassion, empathy and mutual understanding, rather than individualism as the catalyst to solve problems,” he said.

Many said they expect their lives to be impacted by the Dalai Lama presentation in some way. Jim said he hopes it will affect the entire community. He said, “I have great optimism that if adults offer a message of compassion and human connection as an alternative to one that is more self-focused and material, young people will carry that somewhere inside into your future roles as citizens and leaders.”

Dalai Lama basics • The Dalai Lama lineage can be traced back to 1391 • The current Dalai Lama is the 14th magistrate.

• The Dalai Lama’s full name is Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso.

• The Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Dhondrub in a small village called Takster in northeastern Tibet.

Source: http://www.tibet.com/DL/index.html

illustration by Leah Gibson

Dexter-Chelsea bridge to be reconstructed Rachel Butler staff writer

that bridge done, it will be so much nicer for all of us and make routing (the buses) so much easier.”

During construction people who go over the bridge will not have After 76 years of use, the Main Street bridge over Mill Creek is being replaced. The entire reconstruction project, supervised by Aaron to worry about traffic constraints. “As we’re doing construction, the Berkholz, a construction supervisor at the Washtenaw County Road intent is to maintain one direction of traffic both ways,” Berkholz Commission, not only includes replacing the Main Street bridge but said. In order to maintain traffic, the lanes of the bridge will be naralso taking out the dam under it and reconstructing the intersection rowed and moved to the south while they build on the north side of at Dexter-Chelsea Rd. All is expected to be finished by June 2009 ac- the bridge. When the north side is finished, they will shift and work on the other side. cording to Berkholz.

The major aspect of this project is replacing “As people are using the bridge during conthe Main Street bridge, which has, over time, struction, they need to be very watchful of all the outlived its useful life, according to Berkholz. equipment and workers,” Berkholz said. Even The bridge is supported by steel beams that have though there will not be any traffic constraints, It will be able to deteriorated over the bridge’s long existence beBerkholz stresses when people are in the construchold a full highway cause of road salt and the dam’s flushing water. tion area, they need to keep their speeds down. weight.”

This deterioration is the main cause for the The part of the project that The Village of Dexweight restrictions on the bridge. “Over the last ter has taken the lead on is removing the dam in 10 years the weight restrictions on the bridge Mill Creek. The dam has also been in Dexter for a Aaron Berkholz, have dramatically decreased,” Berkholz said. long time, but unlike the bridge, the dam doesn’t construction Today the bridge’s weight restriction is down need to be replaced, just taken out. “The dam is supervisor not a useful dam anymore. It doesn’t generate to seven tons, which is too low for fire trucks to power,” Berkholz said. “It is a liability and serves go over the bridge. “Once the new bridge is conno function.” structed, it will be able to able to hold a full highOnce the dam is removed the aquatic life of the way weight,” Berkholz said “(Large) trucks and fire trucks will be able to use the bridge to go in and out of the village creek will grow and improve according to Berkholz. Fish and other without any concerns.” animals will be able to move upstream, and canoers will also be able to School buses also weigh more than seven tons and aren’t able to go up stream. “The intent of the dam removal is to restore Mill Creek to its natural state,” Berkholz said. use the bridge.

Finally, a smaller part of this project is reconstructing the interBobbi Toma from the transportation department, said she is looking forward to the new bridge. “Right now (the buses) have to go around section at Dexter-Chelesa Rd. “There won’t be many major changes in order to get out to where they need to go,” she said. “When they get as far as the layout of that intersection,” Berkholz said. Only small

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Dexter Chelsea Road quickies • The bridge is main connection for commuters between Chelsea and Dexter.

• Along with bridge restoration, the stream and dam will be fixed as well.

• Because the State of Michigan Critical Bridge Replacement Funding cannot be part of the project, the village has accepted responsibility of the stream restoration. source: http://www.dexterleader.com/stories/021408/loc_20080214006.shtml

changes such as repaving are expected to take place at the intersection.

According to the Washtenaw County Road Commission website, the entire reconstruction project is expected to cost $2 million.

Overall Berkholz said the new bridge will be a huge improvement in Dexter many people have been waiting and looking forward to for a long time. “The new bridge will be much smoother than the existing bridge,” he said. “It is an eyesore, and when the new one is finished, it will be superior.”

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Squall

Concession stand profits decline Building of aesthetic new concession stand followed by worsening sales rate due to athletic season changes

news

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news

BRIEFS NHS holds food auction

Nic Miller staff writer

The makeshift concession stand which used to be a couple of tables with a few volunteers crammed into a small northeast corner of the gymnasium is gone, replaced by a new and improved concession stand. Unfortunately, the new concession stand cost thousands of dollars and is not matching profits of last year.

The new concession stand is equipped with multiple refrigerators, a rolling shutter to protect break-ins, a large serving window and more serving space.

“The functionality of this concession stand was important, but also the a esthetics are improved 100 percent,” said Cindy Glahn, president of the Athletic Booster Club of Dexter. “Dexter High School is wonderful building and having the sales of concessions off of a table did not represent the Dexter community in an acceptable manner.”

So far though the concession stand has not matched the profits of last year according to Glahn.

Although the lack of profit has nothing to with the stand itself according to Glahn, rather the lack of profit is attributable to the shift in sports season said Glahn.

According to Glahn of the seasonal change whose (women’s volleyball switched places with women’s basketball) created the lack of Friday night home games for the women’s basketball team, when she said is one of the main reasons for

The National Honor Society will hold the 22nd annual senior food auction on April 18 during third hour. Seniors purchase tickets for $1, and all food donations come from the staff and faculty.

All the money received through the auction goes towards the muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis organization. Event chairs include seniors Bekah Williamson and Marianne Vu. Williamson said, “The auction is something that people remember. It’s a fun time just bidding for random foods like pizza and candy. It’s almost in a sense the last time to be with our class before we graduate.”

the lack of profit.

“The first year when new changes are implemented there are always adjustments that need to be made,” Glahn said. “Due to the teams playing Tuesday and Thursday or Friday has certainly made a difference in attendance. If we could get the same amount of home Friday night games, we would not see a drop in profits. Since the teams are playing Tuesday and Thursday or Friday nights, we will not enjoy as many Friday night games as we did prior to the flip of volleyball and girls basketball. Since The Athletic Booster Club of Dexter supports all 24 athletic programs at Dexter High School, all teams will see less money when the money from the concession stand sales is dispersed to each team in June.”

Glahn also said even after the hefty costs of the new concession stand as well as the lack of profits this year A.B.C.D. is not in any debt.

According to Glahn selling tiles for the “Wall of Fame” has helped to offset set some of the cost as well as bringing down the cost of the original estimate of the concession stand from $65,000 to $25,000 by using subcontractors who donated their time and labor.

And Glahn said she does not regret the decision to build the new concession stand. “This concession stand was necessary to make our operations more volunteer friendly,” she said. “In the long run we will see more profits as we are able to expand our menu and as we become more organized in getting the lines down during big games.”

DHS receives bad beef After the nationwide recall on USDA Commodity Beef products that occurred on Feb. 17, the district took precautions about the beef the schools in the district received.

But according to Sara Simmerman, director of Food and Nutrition, the schools were sent some contaminated beef on Jan. 30.

At the time, though, Food and Nutrition wasn’t alerted that the beef was harmful because the recall didn’t happen until February.

However, none of the beef was served to students and once the Food and Nutrition staff were notified that the beef was harmful, Simmerman said the district destroyed it.

German Day brings fun photo by Lauren Daugherty

Transportation policies become stricter

On March 14, many students who take German attended German Fun Day, an event located on the University of Michigan campus an Ann Arbor.

Students get a choice of what project they wish to work on for the event as long as it is a live skit, a movie or a television commercial.

German teachers Marianne Zubryckyj and Katherine Schmid allow their students to work on their projects for the last 30 minutes of class.

While all students work on projects, only the best skits, movies and TV commercials make it to the event.

Sophomore Kelsey Mitchell, who attended the event last year and this year said, “I thought it was an fun event. I got to meet a lot of students from different schools and learn a lot of new German words.”

Dance-off raises $7245 illustration by David Bays

Scott Crompton staff writer

pickup is consistent and safe routines are established between bus and home,” Assistant Superintendent Mary Marshall said.

According to studies by leading experts The school district made changes to the in the industransportation policy retry obtained garding students’ safety at from the the beginning of the school transportation year. The changes include It is becoming increasingly d e p a r t me nt , more strict enforcement of common for districts to restrict a normal roustudents’ bus routes. Now transportation service to one tine with only students can only take address.” one bus route one bus route and have is the safest to be consistent with it. way possible This means even stu- Mary Marshall, assistant for students dents who have sepasuperintendent to get to and rated parents are usufrom school. ally only allowed to However, for some students, havtake one bus, even if their other parent lives in a completely different part ing a consistent routine with only of town which requires a different bus. one bus route is not very convenient.

“Some days I have to take a dif“It is becoming increasingly common for districts to restrict transporta- ferent bus to get to my other parent’s tion service to one address for students so house,” freshman Alex Sloan said.

According to the current policy, this type of that ridership is consistent, drop-off and

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transportation is supposed to be prohibited.

“Apparently I was supposed to be on some sort of list in order to ride a different bus,” Sloan said. “When the bus driver checked the list and saw that I was not on list, she almost would not let me off the bus.”

In this type of situation the bus driver is supposed to check this list of special bus riders prior to the student getting on the bus.

“I think she let me on because she was a substitute bus driver and she understood that this was the home I was supposed to go to,” Sloan said.

According to Marshall, the policy is currently being looked at, however, the policy will most likely not be changed dramatically.

“We do know that we have students who live in two different households,” Marshall said. “When both parents live in the district, we will transport students to either Dexter residence. However, permission from both parents is required, as well as a form to be filled out. The necessary form is available from the Transportation Department.”

Mill Creek students raised approximately $7245 through their annual Mill Creek Dance Marathon.

This dance marathon went from 6-9 p.m. on March 7 and was hosted by Mill Creek’s Community Service and Leadership class.

In order to participate in the event, students needed to raise a minimum of $25 in donations.

All participants agreed to stand for the three hours during the dance in exchange.

Students pledged money towards Mott’s and Beaumont’s Children’s Hospital.

Seventh grade language arts teacher Val Berryman, who teaches the CS&L class, said, “If anyone wants to see what our dance is similar to, just go into Youtube and type in UMDM.”

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Friday, March 28, 2008

The Squall

feature

Students look to religion to lead their lives

From discovering new religions, to keeping the family tradition, students choose their own way of life through faith and their own beliefs and morals Casey Hall staff writer

•Paraprofesional Dee Braden

For the love of kids Joey Sayre staff writer

Hers is a face seen in the lunch room and the halls. Some students choose to ignore her when she tells them to take off their hood, and some students try to avoid her all together.

She is the law in the halls. She is Dee Braden.

But behind the walkie talkie and fleece, is a woman who loves her job.

Students only see a part of Braden’s role. Many students know her as a hall monitor who deals with unruly kids and enforces the dress code and electronics rules. However, her position as hall monitor is only a portion of what she does.

“I do what I’m asked to do,” she said. “Whether it’s filing papers, helping with transcripts or monitoring the halls.”

Besides dealing with the occasional mouthy teenager, Braden said she loves her job since her biggest passion is teaching and working with kids.

Before coming to the high school, Braden worked at Wylie for more than 30 years and also instructed driver’s education.

However, Braden’s career with kids was far from over. In fact, she still teaches driver’s ed.

Retiring from her P.E. position, Braden had a brief stint as a bus driver in the district. A semester of being a bus driver was all she needed, however, as she soon called it quits.

“I didn’t enjoy being a bus driver,” Braden said.

“The job was so stressful, being responsible for that many kids while having to worry about other drivers. It just wasn’t for me.”

Still wanting to work with kids, Braden started subbing in the district while teaching driver’s ed.

She then stopped subbing and became a para pro at the high school.

Since starting work at the high school, Braden has earned a reputation as a strict enforcer of the no-hat policy, and she has confiscated countless hats from kids who choose to wear them in school.

“I am a person who enforces the laws,” she said.

“I don’t let kids pick and choose what rules they want to follow.”

Senior Ty Boik will be the first to tell you of Braden’s reputation. “I’m afraid to wear hats in the lunch room,’” he said. “Dee is way too sneaky.

I always think she is gonna sneak up behind me and steal my hat. That’s why I try to avoid her if I’m wearing a hat.”

However, senior Burton Hilburn, like many other students, says he simply ignores Braden’s request to put his hat away. “When Dee tries to take my hat, I tell her no, and I put my hat in my pocket,” Hilburn said.

But when dealing with rude kids and their hats, Braden said she tries to turn the other cheek towards them. “When people are rude to me, it doesn’t affect me,” she said. “My job is be nice to the students but to also enforce the rules.”

Even after dealing with the hustle and bustle of the high school, Braden admits she doesn’t feel under appreciated.

“Yeah every now and then I feel a little depressed, but who doesn’t you know,” Braden said. “Everyone feels a little depressed now and then, and I’m no different.”

Despite the nature of her job, says she loves what she does and wouldn’t give it up for the world.

“Yeah I would definitely say I enjoy my job,” Braden said.

Braden has also gained a reputation as a bit of a self-described health nut. This reputation is the result of the lunch she eats every day while patrolling the commons. Braden usually has an array of fruits and vegetables for lunch.

Senior Scott Dyer has seen Braden and her lunchtime diet since he was a freshman. He, like many other students, has wondered why Braden chooses to eat what she does.

“She eats some weird stuff,” Dyer said. “She always has this Zip Lock bag full of peppers, apples and oats and stuff. To eat that stuff every day she must really want to be healthy.”

Braden admits she places high importance on health. Placing a high priority on being healthy is completely normal for her. For Braden being healthy isn’t a big deal, it’s just common sense.

“I don’t have high blood pressure,” Braden said.

“I want to be healthy. Who wouldn’t want to be a health nut?”

And Braden says she will be a presence is the hallways for years to come. Whether she is delivering passes or patrolling the lunch room, students will be with the watchful eyes of Braden to help things run smoothly and enforce the rules.

She said her main goal in working with kids is to leave a good and lasting impression on them.

“I just hope that when I leave there is a positive memory of me,” she said. “I just hope people remember that I always tried to be nice to them.”

For some people, religion is something they think about a few times every year, around Christmas, Hanukkah or Vesak. For them, religion is a matter of convenience and socialization.

For others, like junior Amber Ratliff, faith is an important part of everyday life. Instead of making her fit in with the crowd, her beliefs cause her to stand out.

Ratliff said her religion is a source of inspiration. Though she belongs to a nondenominational church, her beliefs require her to wear skirts and refrain from cutting her hair.

This often causes misconceptions about her. “People call it weird because they don’t understand it,” she said. “They assume I’m Amish and don’t have electricity or something, and it’s not like that at all.”

Some might assume that her hair or skirts slow her down, but according to Ratliff, that isn’t the case. “People wonder if there’s any age I can do what I want,” she said. “My parents don’t force it on me, but I think it would disappoint my mom if I didn’t. I don’t know if I would keep doing it after I moved out, but I don’t mind it. It’s just been a part of my life since I was born--I don’t know anything else besides what I see every day at school.”

Ratliff says that most people she knows are Catholic or Lutheran. But junior Brielle Whitney has adopted an Eastern religion.

Whitney says that being a Buddhist strongly affects her relationships because Buddhism is so unusual in Dexter. “I’m an opinionated person, and follow a religion that’s so different from the religions at large in DHS,” she said. “I’ve found people who don’t accept me being Buddhist, so it affects who I get along with and who I’m friends with.”

On the other hand, Whitney said her religion is definitely accepted by the world in general. “Society at large isn’t Dexter High School,” she said. “The Dalai Lama is coming to Ann Arbor. He’s really important in Buddhism.”

And Buddhism, Whitney said, has made an enormous impact on who she is.

“Growing up I had anger problems,” she said. “To calm myself in meditation is the only way to calm my anger--being Buddhist, you can’t be quick to anger. It’s Photo by Melanie Pytel a soothing religion, it really is.”

Going their own way: From atheism to Buddhism, senior Will Grundler, junior Amber Whitney added Buddhism helps to guide her. “In Buddhism, they don’t Ratliff, and senior Clayton Parsons all turn to some sort of a religion to help lead their penalize you for being bad, but it helps to follow religion,” she said. “It helps me lives. make decisions--is this going to be bad for me? Will it give me bad karma? Karma is a really big thing.”

Senior Will Grundler sees the link between religion and Senior Clayton Parsons, co-president of the science differently. Grundler is an atheist. “Lack of religious Genesis Club, also said religion affects the choices belief has definitely attuned my mind to science,” he said, I’m an opinionated he makes. “I didn’t know what I was living for until “so I would say that I’m more attuned to the natural world.” person, and follow I became a Christian,” he said. “It keeps me from Rather than believing science interferes with the acceptance a religion that’s so doing what I want to do and helps me do what I of religious faith, Grundler believes religion interferes with believe is the right thing to do.” the acceptance of scientific fact. different from the Still, he disagrees with school policies regarding Despite his differences with Parsons, Grundler said atheism religions in DHS.” religion. “By keeping people and instructors is definitely accepted, since he sees the world as becoming from talking about their faith in God in schools, more and more liberal. “You can see it in how society has - Brielle Whitney, it’s enforcing atheism,” he said. “I don’t like how changed over time, how society progresses,” he said. junior they teach one theory--for example, the theory of But that doesn’t mean everyone accepts his beliefs. “Most evolution--so much, but they don’t teach creationism people are open-minded,” he said, “while others are dogmatic or intelligent design at all, when they’re both just and are offended if you don’t believe what you believe--but theories. that’s just bigotry.

“Sometimes I think it’s kind of funny. But it is frustrating that the things “I think that some people should just remember that faith is relative,” he we’re learning about just aren’t true sometimes. Or I don’t believe they’re true,” said. “Some people are brought up to believe in something and some people, he said. “It’s kind of upsetting that the things they’re teaching wreck other like myself, aren’t. Just because you don’t have faith doesn’t mean your life is people’s faith in God, and I don’t believe it’s true, so that’s sad.” any less enriched.”

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The powers of the Vortex are inescapable Freshman Ben Wilson is known for his tie-dye T-shirts and his advanced intelligence

Kevin Butler staff writer

Freshman Ben Wilson does not need stylish clothes or expensive cologne to attract the girls. Nor does he need to use his charm and good looks. He doesn’t even need to show off his above-average mathematical skills. All he needs do is throw on a tie-dye shirt and the ladies flock to him.

Ben Wilson, AKA “the Vortex” is known as the kid that wears tie-dye every day. But the reasoning behind his daily wearing of his shirts is quite the story.

Wilson’s love for tie-dye started when he first made a class tie-dye shirt in first grade.

“It was just your typical rainbow spiral,” Wilson said, “nothing too special.”

A few years later, while visiting the Ann Arbor Art Fair, Wilson purchased a tie-dye shirt from a booth located in the fair. Now every year, Wilson goes back and purchases a new one, including the infamous “Vortex.”

This past band camp, seniors Alex Hess and Peter Jebson noticed a new freshman, Wilson, wearing a peculiar tie-dyed shirt. They said they questioned Wilson on his shirt, and he informed them that his shirt was called the Vortex.

Noticing the Vortex and its powers, the seniors decided to inform Wilson of the powers of the Vortex.

“It was a babe magnet,” Hess said. “Girls will be attracted to the Vortex. He has to wave the girls in.”

To properly unleash the powers, Wilson was told to stand up during the movie night at band camp and bring the girls in. He started waving his arms and the powers of the vortex were inescapable, according to Hess. “(The girls) were flocking in from every direction,” Hess joked. “They were attracted to the Vortex.”

Due to the success with his tie-dye shirt on, Ben Wilson has been tagged with the name Vortex. Wilson can rarely walk down the hall, in between classes with out the word “Vortex,” being shouted out towards him.

“Since (band camp), I wear tie-dye every day,” Wilson said. Wilson owns numerous tie-

A myriad of colors: Known for his colorful T-shirts, freshman Ben Wilson has worn a tie-dye shirt to school every day.

In addition, Wilson participates in an accelerated math program at Michigan State University.

Photo by Candice Wiesner

dye T-shirts and sweatshirts. Some of them were donated to the cause by seniors Tim Pituch and Scott Dyer. Others he has had for a while, and he also received a couple for Christmas.

With chemistry students making tie-dye for a project, Wilson said he would gladly accept more donated unwanted tie-dye shirts.

With the habitual wearing of tie dye, Wilson has become known for what he wears every day. People know him as the “Vortex.”

“It’s really sort of who I am. It’s part of my identity.” he said.

And his identity is one that needs to be known to everyone.

“If you have not befriended Ben Wilson, you’re missing out,” Jebson said.

Although the tie dye is one thing that makes “Vortex” stand out, Wilson is also known for his high intelligence. He is enrolled in a program called CHAMP, or Cooperative Highly

Accelerated Math Program. Run by Michigan State University, the program lasts two years and covers all of the math classes in Dexter High School.

“I have already completed Algebra I and II, Geometry and currently taking pre-calc,” he said.

Wilson got into this program from a letter he received after taking the ACT and SAT in seventh grade. “I did pretty good on them,” he said, “so I got all these letters offering to go to these specific camps and programs.”

With people knowing Wilson by his tie-dye, and him attending an accelerated math, he is known by people all around the school.

With the combination of his high intelligence and his love for tie-dye, it gives Wilson sort of a feeling of being out of the box.

“I guess I feel sort of unique,” he said, “It makes me stand out from the crowd.”

5

Friday, March 28, 2008

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health

Friday, March 28, 2008

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1 10

S pring break safety

Morgan Quist staff writer

When winter break ends, many student begin the countdown to spring break. And although students may think of spring break as all fun and games, many do not think to take serious caution when traveling.

Students should not only take caution when meeting new people on their break but also when doing smaller things.

What may seem like a casual drink pool side in Mexico could become habitual or escalate into states of oblivion. Even little sunburns can become malignant.

In fact, school nurse Aileen Kernohan said sunburns can cause much more than just temporary pain, contrary to what people think. She said severe sunburn can predispose you for skin cancer in later in life.

Not only that, but extreme burns can be very painful, which senior Maris McAuliffe knows all too well.

McAuliffe said she was sunburned badly a few years ago on her spring break in Florida. “I used sunscreen every day until my last day (on vacation) because I wanted to get tan,” she said. “I put tanning oil on myself on the beach that day and was out there anywhere from four to five hours. I fell asleep for awhile, and that’s when I noticed I

was getting burnt.”

McAuliffe said her grandmother then instructed her to wash off the oil and get out of the sun. But the agony didn’t stop there.

“That night, we kept putting cold wash cloths on my face to try and get the heat out,” she said. “I put aloe on, fell asleep, woke up and my face was covered in blisters.

I tried to take a shower and remember feeling light headed. The next thing I knew was outside the shower and my grandpa was calling 911. I had fainted.”

Kernohan said too much sun can damage and dry out skin and can cause a heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which is what McAuliffe most likely experienced.

“My mom was trying to wake me up, but I just kept passing out,” McAuliffe said. “The ambulance came, and after they ran some tests, they (determined) that I was really, really dehydrated.”

Other than damage caused by the sun, Kernohan said another precaution students should take when on vacation is when meeting new people. She said students should not give out too much personal information to people they meet on spring break, and they should never leave a place with someone they have just met.

“Attend events and parties with friends, and leave with friends,” she said. “Utilize a buddy system to keep check of each other. Don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept open drinks from strangers, and never allow yourself to be taken alone to an isolated location.”

Students also might think it is OK to consume alcohol on break if they are of legal drinking age in a location such as Mexico. But Kernohan said these students have a false sense of safety.

“They may think it is safe to drink, and that they

won’t get drunk, or even if they do they think they will be in a place where they are safe and taken care of,” Kernohan said. “Many get drunk to the point of vomiting and/or passing out, and this kind of drinking can cause alcohol poisoning.”

Kernohan also reminds students drinking impairs judgment and can put you at risk in all sorts of ways: by driving with an impaired person, swimming in dangerous areas, sitting on balconies, leaving with strangers, etc. It is also much easier to become either the victim or the perpetrator of a sexual assault when drunk.

Finally, Kernohan said when traveling abroad, make sure to have adequate health insurance that includes medical evacuation and pack accordingly.

Kernohan said to pack lightly and use the hotel safety deposit boxes or in-room safes for money and other valuables such as jewelry and sources of identification.

“Keep photocopies of your identification in a secure place, and be aware of pickpockets,” she said.

Kernohan also advises using a money belt or travel pack and carrying the minimum amount of money you might need, plus a little back up, and to leave extra cash back in the hotel.

“Think of the consequences of your actions,” she said. “Have fun, but be safe.”

Parental concerns According to a recent survey, 70 percent of parents say they are unwilling to pay for their child’s spring break. Here are some reasons why: • More than 80 percent of parents said they are concerned about kids drinking alcohol during spring break. 70 percent worry that students will drive while intoxicated or ride with a drunk driver.

•71 percent of parents are concerned about kids having unprotected sex while on spring break.

•68 percent of parents are concerned about female students getting raped source: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/college/a/aa020318a.htm

A good breakfast makes for a good day not have enough energy to do my workouts,” he said.

Is this hypothesis Metz describes fact or fiction?

Fact, according to Kernohan. “Eating During her morning routine, she leaves out a breakfast provides needed energy for brain funcvery important part. Eating breakfast.

But junior Emily Williams does not think the tion, improving concentration and productivity lack of food in her diet affects her. “When I eat throughout the morning,” she said.

According to Williams and Metz, their families breakfast, it usually hurts my stomach, and I’d do not have an affect on their eating habits. Evrather sleep,” she said. eryone in the WilWhat students like Williams don’t liams’ family eats realize is that breakfast is the most breakfast. In the important meal of the day and can afMetz family, everyfect their studies.

When I don’t eat one eats breakfast, According to school nurse Aileen breakfast, I get cranky, with the exception Kernohan, “Your brain depends on and I cannot pay atof his sister. a constant supply of glucose (sugar) tention very well.”

Kernohan said a from your blood stream to function. good breakfast can (Your brain) does not store energy on start a day off right. its own. Eating breakfast provides - Ken Metz, “A healthy breakfast needed energy for the brain to funcjunior should include comtion.” plex carbohydrate According to Kernohan, eating (whole grains), probreakfast improves concentration and tein, fruit and/or vegetables, and a small amount productivity throughout the morning as well.

Junior Ken Metz recognizes these advantages of fat,” Kernohan said.

Even though he eats breakfast every day, Metz’ and eats breakfast every morning. “When I don’t eat breakfast, I get cranky, and I cannot pay at- breakfast could be better, according to Kernotention very well,” he said. Metz also said since he han. “Other whole grains include bran muffins, is on the cross country team, a good breakfast is whole grain toast or bagels. Low fat milk or yogurt and fruit (would also provide complex carbohyessential to his day.

“I have to have a good breakfast or else I will drates),” she said.

Pat Ledwidge staff writer

“

Though he eats cereal most days of the week, Metz said he cannot shy away from the breakfast he loves best. “Grits are my favorite, with sausage and bacon,” he said. But this breakfast isn’t a good way to start off a day because of the lack of whole grain, Kernohan said.

“Other examples could be a slice of veggie pizza and a fruit smoothie or whole grain toast, low fat cheeses such as cottage cheese and fruit,” she said, adding hard-boiled egg and 100 percent juice would constitute a good breakfast.

Even though they know the pros and cons to breakfast, Williams and Metz say they will not change their morning eating habits.

But Kernohan argues a well-balanced breakfast is essential to a student’s diet. She said, “Eating what appeals to you and fits within the nutritional guidelines will get you off to a good start to your day.”

Photo Illustration by Val Argiero

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Squall

7

arts

Band To Florida Matt Kaas staff writer

Warm weather and now music: the marching band invaded Orlando, this month to get a little rest and relaxation. Along with doing a little work.

Flagger and sophomore Elena Lundy said, “My favorite part was going to MGM and Epcot with my group; the first day was awesome. Everything to do with Disney was amazing.”

Junior Caitlin Carmody said, “My favorite part was that the band directors trusted us enough to give us all the freedom they did, like we could choose our groups and where we could go.”

Not only students went on the trip, the directors did too.

Band director Dave Peters said, “My favorite part was seeing everyone out of school; it helped me get to know them better.”

The band also participated in the Disney spectromagic parade. “The parade was sweet,” Lundy said.

“I started the whole thing so it was really intimidating.”

For the people who played an instrument it was fun too, Carmody said. “The parade was cool,” she said. “It was intimidating because you didn’t realize how many people were actually watching you until you came out, but people were really nice and cheered really loud.”

The band also participated in a Disney recording session, playing in a concert setting.

When they were finished, Disney took their music and adds animation and turned it into a music video. The recording session is also an educational workshop that helped the band get better.

Lundy said, “Our clinician (leader) was hilarious.

I was laughing so hard during the recording session. It went better than I thought it would.”

All the bands played together, but it didn’t affect the performance. Carmody said, “The recording session was fun,” she said. “It’s cool we’re going to be in a music video.”

The directors were also happy with the workshop Peters said, “The workshop went really good. It was really educational.”

Although the band did some band-related things while in Florida, there was a lot of vacationing too.

The band members got to spend two days at Disney World and one day at Universal Studios. Lundy said, “The rides were a lot of fun.”

Although there is an age difference, it didn’t affect everyone having a good time. Carmody said, “The rides and parks were really cool.”

And Peters liked the rides too. He said, tie. Rob Cantor, also a singer and guitarist for “I had a lot of fun at Universal Studios; the the band wears a yellow tie. Zubin Sedghi, a Hulk was my favorite ride.” singer and the bassist, wears a blue tie. Ross So the band had a good time while in Federman, the drummer, wears a silver tie. AnFlorida. They learned some new tricks • The drummer was a counselor at drew Horowitz, a singer and the keyboardist, of the trade, and they had a little Dexter’s band camp in 2005. wears a green tie. time off for some rest and Before Tally Hall began touring and promotrelaxation. Overall Peters ing their CD, the quintet played many shows at said, “It was a great • Keyboardist Andrew Horowitz Ann Arbor venues such as The Blind Pig and experience. Overall it received the John Lennon performed at Ann Arbor’s Top of the Park. went really well, we Scholarship competition “Last summer I went to see Tally Hall at Top learned a lot.” of the Park with some of my friends and we presented by Yoko Ono for excelstayed after to talk to Joe,” Barlett said. “He’s lence in songwriting for “Good the lead singer so it was really cool seeing him Day,” a song he wrote. up on stage. Their stage presence was awesome and they interact with the audience really well.”

• So far, the band has only Many students found Tally Hall by seeing released their debut, “Marvin’s them at Top of the Park. “I started listening to Tally Hall after my sister saw them at Top of the Marvelous Mechanical Machine.”

Park,” junior Kyle Chomic said. “Their music is a really unique form of rock.”

• The band wears specific colored Tally Hall’s lyrics and beats appeal to many students. ties according to each member for “’Good Day’ is the first song I heard by them live shows. and it has my overall favorite lyrics,” Yeargain said. “It’s fun to sing to, and it’s one that all my Source: www.tallyhall.com friends can agree on. If I’m ever having a bad “Joe has always been really into singing,” day and I hear this song, it always makes it a Barlett said. “He went out and made a name for little better.”

Through all the fame, Barlett says her cousin himself, yet he never neglects his family and is still really humble.” stays grounded.

Tally Hall gets break in Ann Arbor Betsy Eber staff writer

It’s A Fact-in-a-Box

Many popular bands get their big break in cities like Los Angeles, New York or Hollywood.

But Tally Hall, a band named after a food court in their hometown of Bloomfield Hills, got their break in Ann Arbor. Not only is the band based in Ann Arbor, but sophomore Dara Barlett is cousin to Joe Hawley, a member of the band.

“Joe is my mom’s cousin’s son, but our family is really tight-knit so I see him at all of our family functions,” Barlett said.

The Ann Arbor-based band formed in 2002 and had their first big break with the studio CD “Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Machine”, released in 2005. Since then their music has been featured on “The O.C.” and “Real World”.

“I love that they’re from my hometown, but I’d probably love them even if they were from Alaska,” freshman Kyra Yeargain said.

Yeargain said she found Tally Hall by searching the Internet for new music about a year ago.

“I love their lyrics and their different music style.”

Consisting of four young friends from high school and a key boarder who met the band through a mutual friend, Tally Hall is famous for wearing different colored neck ties. Each member has a solid color tie that he wears at every performance.

Hawley, a singer and guitarist, wears a red

Dillinger Escape Plan ‘Ire Works’ Ryan Aliapoulios entertainment editor

After gaining notoriety for essentially inventing mathcore, a subgenre of metal invoking jazzy song structures and knee-jerk tempo changes, The Dillinger Escape Plan are back again with “Ire Works.”

While past albums may have sounded like noise to the untrained ear, “Ire Works” has the New Jersey quintet tightening their sound and improving their songwriting.

Dillinger has always been a drummer’s band, and they establish immediately that the loss of drummer Chris Pennie hasn’t hurt their sound. With newcomer Gil Sharone behind the kit, all the concussive drum exorcisms remain intact but with less mechanics and more groove.

The change is a definite improvement. There are indelibly satisfying moments on the album, such as the double bass-guitar crunch on “Fix Your Face,” the first part of a one-two punch that opens the album.

After the old fans have been won over, the band ventures into uncharted territory. “Black Bubblegum” has strangely flamboyant vocals over a slice of some dark pop. The genre shift is about as shocking as walking in on your father in drag, but the band never looks back from that point on.

“Sick On Sunday” has the weirdest scratchy guitar shred over an unrecognized drum loop. “When Acting Like A Particle” sounds like a Buddhist meditation gone horribly awry, and “When Acting Like A Wave” has guitar and drums plodding along at different time signatures only to be yanked apart by electronic warbles when they grow too close to alignment.

And “Milk Lizard” has to be heard to be believed, but it might be the strongest track on the album.

“Ire Works” has the band cycling through the musical influences like an old deck of cards. Imitation bands like The Number Twelve Looks Like You have the frenetic aggression but pale in comparison to Dillinger’s complex lacing of subtlety into all-out sonic assault.

Radiohead ‘In Rainbows’ Ryan Aliapoulios entertainment editor

Radiohead has always been known for reinventing their sound with every album, and their new album “In Rainbows” is no exception. Although it doesn’t mark a definitive sound for the band (since they don’t have one), it is definitely a return to form after last year’s “Hail to the Thief.”

While the latter was dominated by a more aggressive, angsty sound, “In Rainbows” takes the Britpop route more than the electro-punk one. The band has found a new appreciation for great drum rhythms and off-kilter guitar loops. Their usual electronic experimentation has been toned-down and fine-tuned, a huge improvement for the band. What electronic tinkerings there are seem much more well-suited to the material. “All I Need” is a good example, where a dreary bass synth combined with soft xylophone suggest something that sounds like a robot failing to convince a human to love him.

Other unorthodox sounds for the band are explored as well, such as on “15 Step,” where the chord progressions sound like they came right out of the California surf- a far cry from their home in Oxford, England. “Bodysnatchers” is another interesting turn, with a crunchy guitar intro that is surprisingly funky and not completely unlike Wolfmother’s sound.

The album tends to slow a bit in the second half, but there are still some hidden gems to be found.

“Reckoner” finds Thom Yorke doing strained falsetto over a percussion section made almost entirely of solemn cymbals and hi-hats. Despite the slowing pace, moments like these keep the album alive.

Radiohead has had many years to explore all the aspects of their sound. “Insomnia” was dedicated to exploring electronic soundscapes in extreme detail, whereas “The Bends” was more or less devoted to straight-forward rock. Radiohead is at their best when they find balance. Listeners need to look no further than their seminal “OK Computer” for evidence of that. “In Rainbows” is not far behind that watermark and ranks among Radiohead’s best work.

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Friday, March 28, 2008

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sports Ian McCarthy’s NCAA bracket

Mens golf season begins Karly Stanislovaitis staff writer

ter that I’m not sure.” He said however, he thinks some changes need to implemented Golf coach Frank McAullife does not to keep the team successful and to keep the know the new players for his team. But he players from getting bored.

“We may change how we prepare for does know the forecast and goals he has in mind for this season. “To make this season states, and it depends on what happens,” he successful to me, we would go through to re- said. “We may have to change some other gionals and states,” he said. “We would get things to stay successful, but that’s part of top five in the state if we placed in regionals, the fun.”

Although all the potential players on the so it would still be successful.”

Although the exact players may be un- varsity team want to make it and not get known, McAullife said he does know the bumped to JV, there is one other important future for a lot of the returning varsity goal many players on the team want to atmembers. “In terms of talent, we have most tain: to be captain.

Last year’s varsity captain junior Jordan returning players from last season,” he said.

As for the fate of the new players, McAul- Marken said becoming captain is not a poplife said he doesn’t know the answer to this ularity contest but is based mostly on talent. inquiry either, and the players who want to “The top two players( are chosen as capknow their fate will have to wait for a little tains),” Marken said. “That’s pretty much it.” while longer. “I don’t know However McAullife the new players,” he said, said there are other “and I won’t know until factors that potenMarch 11.”

My goals are to tial captains should Regardless of talent hone my swing, be aware of. “I look level or status on the team have fun, and make for someone who is a though, McAullife said he leader, someone you has two important dates it as far in states as can rely on, captains circled on his calendar. possible.” are not necessarily the March 11, when the team best players. That’s is finally allowed to start - junior, not really important.” practice and April 7, when Jordan Marken It appears talent the golf season officially can get a player far starts. on the varsity team, Both McAullife and potential varsity players know the dates when but both McAullife and Marken said makthey can start practicing and playing for the ing and achieving goals is also an important season. McAullife also knows a few other part of being on the team. McAullife and dates that will soon be important. “We have Marken also have at least one similar goal an invitationals coming up at Pinckney and for the season: to make it to regionals and Adrian,” McAullife said. Pinckney is Friday states by the end of the season. “(I want) to April 11, and Adrian is April 14. There is also have at least one player make it to states,” Marken said. a match at Tecumseh on April 7.”

Although Marken’s goal is to get at least These dates are known, but McAullife said many aspects about the season are one player to states, he said his personal still up in the air, including potential team goals for this season are a bit more laid- back changes and picking captains. “It is hard to he said. “My goals are to hone my swing, say (about team changes),” McAullife said. have fun, and make it as far in states as pos“The top five players are familiar, but af- sible.”

“

Charlie Pettit Sports editor

As I sit on couch lock and flip through all my Comcast channels, nothing seems quite appeasing to watch. The same old sports shown on television 20 years ago are still being shown, if not more frequently, today.

I wish they’d show some new age sports to keep their audiences on their toes.

Being labeled the world’s fastest growing sport for over a decade, tournament paintball has earned a chance to be in the limelight with other fast-paced games. With individual games lasting up to five minutes of intense shooting, diving, bunkering and loading, players shoot up to 2000 paintballs per game while maneuvering through a course of inflatable bunkers.

The games are virtually harmless despite small bruises that can occur when shot from close distance, and many paintball players claim they cannot even feel getting shot due to their high levels of adrenaline during play.

ESPN aired the paintball national championships in 2005, but the sport deserves a permanent home on television because it is increasingly popular.

With a huge surge in the late 1990s, rollerblading is far over due for some recognition by the public. Rollerblading was removed from the X Games three years ago by an incompetent fool who worked for ESPN when the ratings were lower than the year prior.

The truth is, and even George Bush couldn’t hide this one from you, rollerblading is and has been pushing its limits since the beginning, and rollerbladers are going bigger than any other sport dubbed

Alternative sports provide entertainment “extreme,” besides Moto X; those guys are just out of their gourds.

The sport is in dire need of exposure, and you know things are f----- up when the best rollerblader in the world is making a mere $3-4000 a month. Rollerblading would not disappoint if it were on television, and I can guarantee if there was a show about it, you wouldn’t see a little kid whining and crying about all of his girl problems and his parent’s divorce every episode. Life isn’t that “hard” for professional rollerbladers I guess you could say.

They are too busy touring and laying down hammers.

With thousands in this country obsessed with American football and the Superbowl, many forget about the great sport where football got many of its roots: rugby. Since rugby is extremely popular everywhere in the world except America, it should be televised a lot more. Football with no pads, crazy huge foreign men beating the living crap out of each other while not passing the ball forward. What more could a viewer ask for?

Finally, gaining popularity in large cities and in Asia, urban running has been spreading like the newest epidemic of bird flu among athletic thrill seekers. Filled with leaping, flipping, climbing and jumping from building to building, the sport definitely has its dangers.

I have faith that watching this will be better than watching the great Ninja Warrior on Spike. Some of these athletes fulfill mind boggling feats, and it would be greatly appreciated by a large audience.

It would be great to see these sports on TV one day and switch it up a bit because the channels are constantly littered with things you see every day, and it’s always nice to learn something new.

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Friday, March 28, 2008

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sports

Dudash plans to retire from coaching Kaitlyn Shepard Staff Writer

Photo by Jeff Leonard

Coaching memories: Social studies teacher Jaime Dudash reflects on his time coaching the mens cross country team. Under his coaching, the team received many honors, including a 2002 state title.

The cool August air rushed through the trees as the mens cross country team practiced for their upcoming meet. The familiar voice of their coach followed the runners down the trails. This practice started out like any other, and it ended up being one of the most memorable practices for many of the players.

“I remember one time while we were practicing on the trails, Coach Dudash brought a bike to practice,” freshman Alex Thompson said. “He rode it all along the trails, and you could hear him yelling at people from like a mile away to run faster.”

However Dudash and his bike will not be a memory for cross country runners next year, as Dudash made the decision to retire from coaching cross country.

“I really wanted to spend more time with my family,” Dudash said. “This time in my son’s life will only come around once, and I want to be there for him.”

Dudash said there are several things that he will miss about coaching cross country though.

Most of all, he said the silly day-to-day jokes with the guys that will be hard to leave.

“It’s the little silly stupid things that I’ll miss,” Dudash said. “I always try to get their jokes, and it’s just things like that I am going to miss.”

Although Dudash said some of his greatest

accomplishments have been winning state ti- 100 percent, which really meant a lot to me.”

According to Dudash, being involved with tles, he thinks making a difference in the boys’ lives has been an even greater accomplish- the team will be inevitable, but for the most part he plans on leaving the day-to-day job to ments.

“Winning the fi rst state title in 2002 was the new coach.

“It’s just one of those things that I will ala really big accomplishment,” Dudash said.

“But it is the more personal stuff with the boys ways be involved with,” Dudash said. “But ultimately I think it’s important that are really some of to step aside gracefully and my greatest accomplishallow the new coach to fi nd ments.” their own niche with the This past year the I really want to spend boys.” cross country team was more time with my Although Dudash doesn’t ranked third in the nafamily. This time in my plan on going back to coachtion. Dudash said deson’s life will only come ing anytime soon, he says it spite his retirement the around once.” may be something that hapteam has the potential to pens in the future. be ranked just as high if - Jaime Dudash, former “It may come around,” not higher. cross-country coach Dudash said. “I think it’s imThe team is in good portant to be the best coach, shape talent-wise,” Duthe best teacher and the best dash said. “I think if they dad that I can be. And right continue to work as hard as they have been working, they have great po- now I’m working on being the best dad to my son that I can be, since these times with him tential.”

Dudash said he has received mixed reac- will only come around once.”

Dudash also said leaving this program will tions from people about his retirement, but so far everyone has been understanding and fully be one of the hardest things to do but coaching such a good team has really been a pleasure to supported him.

“We held a team meeting last week where I work with.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with such a told them that I would no longer be coaching,” Dudash said. “Jason Bishop, next year’s team great group of kids and parents,” Dudash said. captain, stepped up and said that the team and “They are really what makes this program hard himself understands and that they support me to leave.”

“

Female athletes gain sport scholarships Kevin Yarows Staff Writer

For many, the end of high school sports represents the end of their athletic careers.

But for some like senior Jessie Boren, it’s just the beginning of the athletic careers in college.

Boren will continue her swimming career at the University of Toledo this fall. She said her decision came down to Toledo and Oakland University.

“When I visited Oakland, I decided to go to Toledo,” Boren said, “The visit (to Oakland) really sucked. The girls weren’t very friendly, and we just didn’t click. When I met the girls from Toledo, I felt like I could relate to them a lot better.”

Boren said Toledo began contacting her at the beginning of high school and remained in contact throughout the whole season.

She said she also liked how Toledo was more of a college with a campus compared to Oakland which is more of a commuter college. She said, ultimately, she is very happy with her decision and is excited to have the opportunity.

Contrary, senior Mari Couasnon has yet decide where she is going to further pursue her track career. Couasnon runs middistance and sprints for the track team.

She said her list is narrowed down to Syracuse, Purdue and Rochester. And she plans to meet with the coaches over spring break and decide from there.

Couasnon said she liked Purdue and Syracuse because they are larger schools, while she likes Rochester because of its location.

While she is going to meet with the coaches and decide how she fits in with the teams, she said academics will also play a vital role in her decision making process, said Couasnon.

When seniors Katie and Amanda Marsh made their decisions to play college soccer at Eastern Michigan University, their decision was based primarily on the coach. “(Eastern Michigan soccer coach Scott Hall) had been my club soccer coach before he took the job at Eastern,” Amanda said. “So when it came time to be recruited, we were already very familiar with each other.”

Both Marshes said they verbally committed to EMU in spring of 2007. They both agreed it was a good thing to get the decision over with so early. “It was really relaxing to know where I was going to go so early,” Amanda said. “When everybody else was trying to decide where to go, I had already figured things out. And I didn’t have to write any applications.”

While the Marsh sisters are both attending the same school, they weren’t insistent on both going to school together. “We didn’t plan on going together, but it just kind of worked out that way,” Katie said. “It’s good, though, because this way we go into the year knowing that we have a buddy with you. I’m sure this fall is gonna be tough, but I’m really excited to have the opportunity to play beyond high school.”

Wrestlers compete at state meet Olivia Scheffler Staff writer

This time of year brings back valuable memories for sophomore wrestler Dan Flowers, who qualified for the state wrestling meet his freshman year. According to assistant coach Andrew Parker, that doesn’t happen very often.

“It is not unheard of for a freshman to go to the state meet,” Parker said. “However, in order to be eligible for states out of our team, you have to be able to beat most of the other Dexter guys. That is tough for a freshman in a lower weight class.”

Flowers said going to states was one of his main goals for wrestling, and he is pretty proud of himself for accomplishing that goal.

“I worked my ass off as a freshman, so I was really happy that I got to go to the state meet,” he said.

“High school wrestling is much harder than in middle school because you are put in a single weight class, and the competition is much harder as well.”

And while Flowers didn’t compete at the state meet this year, two teammates, senior Bret Marsh and junior Corey Chamberlain did. In fact, this is Marsh’s fourth year going to states and as a junior, he won the Division 2 state title in the 112 weight class.

Parker said this year Marsh went into the state meet with a perfect record of 54-0. He ended up placing fourth in the 119 weight class. “(Marsh) is a very good wrestler because he is fast and has wrestled against many different styles,” Parker said. “We are going to be sorry to lose him.”

And Parker said Marsh has done more than just prove he is a good wrestler. He said Marsh has also been a good sportsman and a good example.

“Marsh has the best record of any wrestler in the history of Dexter High School,” Parker said. “However, he also has a tremendous respect for the sport, the team and his family.”

Chamberlain also competed at the state tournament and came out of it with a 1-2 record in the heavyweight bracket. Chamberlain is a two-time state qualifier.

“Before states, I had a record of 40-11,” he said.

“Going to states again was pretty sweet but also kind of a letdown because I didn’t place. Last year was better because my cousin also got to compete.”

The state meet this year was held at the Palace of

Auburn Hills and ran from March 6 to March 8. About 42,000 people attended the meet this year. Each wrestling team has the opportunity to send one wrestler from every weight class to try for the title each year.

Parker said even though the team can send more members than they do, it also depends on character and how well the members do in other tournaments.

“There are many district tournaments around the state,” Flowers said. “The system is set up so the top four winners from districts go to regionals, and the top four from regionals can go to states.” Parker said the training leading up to states is actually less rigorous than most regular practice days because the wrestlers need to stay loosened up and ready.

During the weeks before states, Dexter wrestles kids from other teams to gain experience against many different moves and strategies. Even though the wrestlers try not to wrestle the guys they might meet up with at states, it is sometimes unavoidable, and in Chamberlain’s case, it didn’t end as well as he wanted. “In regionals I beat a kid who later came back and beat me at states,” Chamberlain said. “I hope I can go again and hopefully wrestle better than I did this time.”

Flowers said that self-motivation was a large factor in getting him to states. In fact, even though he did go to states as a freshman, he said he never felt any pressure from the other members of the team. He said the guys were really supportive, and some members even gave him advice on training and handling nerves.

“Since the season starts in December and runs until now, we have to get along,” Flowers said. “We are around each other all the time during practice and all the meets.” Chamberlain said nerves before or during states aren’t much of a problem for him because he likes the tough competition, and he doesn’t think about all the people.

He also said it is easier because the wrestlers get along at states most of the time.

“Most of the guys there are pretty good sports and are nice to each other,” he said. “We even talk to the Chelsea wrestlers at states sometimes because they are the closest district to us.”

Flowers said even though he did not compete at the state meet this year, he hopes he can get the chance to go again. He said, “The best part was just wrestling there because so many people come, and you gain a lot of experience for further years.”

photo courtesy of Bret Marsh

Victory: After his fourth year going to states, senior Bret Marsh received fourth place in the 119 weight class.

Facing the competition: Marsh faces his opponent in this year’s state wrestling meet. This year, about 42,000 people attended the state wrestling tournament.

photo courtesy of Bret Marsh

10

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Squall

columns David Pisano opinions editor

Alex Everard staff writer

Spring break at Guantanamo Bay A re you upset w ith the way our government is handling things?

Have you ever considered acting out against it? A re you dif ferent, culturally or other w ise, than the average A mer ican? Do you, sor t of, maybe, k now any thing about A l Qaeda? (How to spell it counts.)

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or even thought about yes but answered no, you have just been selected to receive a f ree, government-sponsored tr ip to Guantanamo Bay Detention Center.

Why spend your spr ing break in mundane places like Cancun or Cabo San Lucas when you can be shipped away to Guantanamo for f ree? A s a par t of the Bu$h & Co's "Going out of Business Sale" we are look ing for more "enemy combatants" each day.

You see thank s to the Patr iot Act, passed just 45 days af ter 9/11, we can pret t y much do whatever we see f it to keep “domestic terror ism” at bay.

Section 215 of this act even allows the FBI to order any citizen to turn over "any tangible things," just as long as they “specif y that the order is an author ized investigation ..."

That means we now have the power to displace you, jack all your stuf f and break into your home w ithout you ever k now ing or all of the above.

We can read all the electronic information you send and receive ( Yes, that means tex ts too, and we are totally telling your rents about Jill's par t y. Like w t f ? You k new those t wo had a thing.)

How can we do all this? We just don't give a damn, that's how.

A lso, consider yourself f ree f rom the terror ism caused by si x Constitutional amendments.

Some prominent ar ticles we no longer consider valid include the First A mendment (f ree speech), Four th A mendment (f reedom f rom illegal search and seizure), and our favor ite, the Eighth A mendment (no cr uel and unusual punishment). You can thank us later.

Without illegal acts like this, we could never treat our citizens to the wonders of places like Guantanamo.

What's so special about Guantanamo you ask? At Guantanamo you get hands-on ex per ience w ith exciting things like water boarding, v iolent interrogation, tr iple digit heat, minimal personal/ bathing space (slipper y soap not recommended), restr icted religious f reedom and much more.

Plus, you won't ever have to worr y about those pesk y Constitutional r ights any more.

Too many A mer icans walk around w ith f ree religion, f ree speech and the r ight to a fair and speedy tr ial not k now ing what to do w ith any of them, which is why we str ip them away faster than you can say, "Who's the guy w ith the tat too? ” A nd the meal choices are nearly endless. You can chose f rom a w ide var iet y of r ice-based foods like r ice soup, r ice and peas, r ice w ith bread, and r ice w ith meat (actually, that might not be meat).

Then wash it all dow n w ith a ref reshing, room temperature milklike substance.

In case you ever wonder what you did do deser ve such unbelievable treatment, drop that thought immediately. The major it y of your f r iends at Guantanamo claim they did nothing to deser ve it either so ask them, not the government.

Besides, Guantanamo gets roomier each day, since there have been 41 suicide at tempts by 25 detainees since 2002.

The most f requently asked question of those at Gitmo is "When can I leave? " followed by "What's that smell? " and "What are you going to do w ith that metal object? ".

A nswers: Never. Don't worr y about it. A nd you should probably worr y about it.

I bet you’re ask ing yourself, "Well, golly, it sounds f un, but how is all this f un even legal? " Well, technically it's not.

But despite pesk y bids to end this "gross depr ivation of human and Constitutional r ights," we have thr ived of f your post- 9/11 fears to keep this bad boy up and r unning.

Shh, it can be our lit tle secret.

This spr ing come on dow n to Guantanamo! This column is paid for

by Bu$h & Co, the people who brought you "Superbad: The Bush Presidency" and the hit telev ision ser ies "Desperate White House."

Austin Shapiro editor-in-chief

NCLB, poor funding prevent schools from providing best possible education

Substitute teachers are like a box of chocolates When I f ind out that one of my classes w ill be taught by a substitute for a day, I usually get excited about the prospect of not hav ing to do much of any thing. This excitement is usually put on hold, though, until I can thoroughly assess the sub.

Subs can prov ide great classroom exper iences, but they can also create a power hour of r ule-abiding madness.

This is not always a bad thing, because it usually leads to a ver y enter taining conf rontation bet ween subs and students.

Over many years as a professional student, I’ve become what some would call an “exper t” on many things: doing the least amount of work possible to get a good grade, the many possibilities of school lunch and substitute teachers.

Subs come in many shapes and sizes, all w ith dif ferent stor ies. I’ve outlined a few general categor ies for most substitutes. Some f it in multiple categor ies, and some create their ow n.

Of course, there are the standard, “I K ind Of Want To Be A Teacher Some Day” subs. These subs are usually unevent f ul and generally boring.

They tend to give a br ief introduction, take a lack luster roll call, turn on the mov ie that has undoubtedly been assigned for us to watch and do Sudoku at their desk for the rest of the hour.

Then there’s the “I Ref use To Be Just A nother Average Sub.” These are similar to the “I K ind of Want To Be A Teacher Some Day” subs, but they add a lit tle ex tra. They actually watch the mov ie, sometimes even going as far as to take notes.

A f ter the mov ie, they w ill tr y to do something unexpected of substitutes: teach. This is usually met w ith mi xed response f rom the students.

Some students w ill probably be sleeping f rom the mov ie still, but many others w ill be so sur pr ised by the anomaly of a teaching substitute, they’ll actually listen.

“I’ll Say A ny thing To Make You Guys Do Your Work A nd Not Cause Trouble” subs are also quite common. These subs w ill hand out whatever work is assigned and then lay dow n a line like, “Oh, and the teacher said that there w ill be a quiz on this tomorrow.” Sure, buddy.

The most ex treme case of this that I’ve encountered was a sub who actually made up extra credit. We were given an assignment and told we would receive ex tra credit for it.

Come to f ind out f rom our real teacher the ex tra credit was false and must have been made up by the sub. Now the assignment wasn’t ver y dif f icult, but mak ing up ex tra credit is a line that simply shouldn’t be crossed.

A nother group is the “Retirees.” These good folk s are usually older and substituting is more of a hobby than any thing else.

They like to tell you a lot about themselves, which can be interesting, and they never really care what you’re doing as long as you’re nice to them. Overall, they usually make for a pleasant exper ience.

My least favor ite subs are the “I Think I’m A n Actual Teacher A nd I Will Tr y To Scare You Into Think ing I A m.” What these subs don’t realize is k ids don’t automatically mess w ith subs.

However, when you star t class w ith something like, “I don’t care how things normally work, this is how it’s going to be,” you are begging for k ids to cause trouble.

This t y pe of sub is the most likely of the groups to leave a note for the teacher pointing out each and ever y student who may have caused a problem.

The way I see it, they’re the ones get ting paid for what they do, and we’re the ones forced to be there.

So if any thing, we should be the ones leav ing notes cr itiquing the per formance of the sub.

On the contrar y, my favor ite group is the “I Realize That You Guys Don’t Really Care What I Have To Say So Do What You Want.” These subs probably think this way because they were actually in school fewer than f ive years earlier.

They are easy going, don’t make you f ill out a hall pass to go to the bathroom and might even par ticipate in a game of euchre.

Sure, it would be nice if all subs were of this var iet y, but they aren’t. Instead we must be able to adapt to all the dif ferent k inds.

I’ve caused my fair share of trouble w ith some (I k now, I’m hardcore), and I’ve also gotten along ver y well w ith others, but they’ve all given me the same marginal educational exper ience for which they are hired.

The Cartoon

If children are the f uture, our f uture is being cr ippled by under-f unding f rom the state and federal governments.

Though benchmark s and graduation requirements are being increased, f unding for the complete overhaul and revamping of the educational system is being decreased.

O ver the last four years I’ve exper ienced f irst hand the ef fects of these new policies. Promises of a bet ter education have gone unf ulf illed because the institution of the new requirements has been rendered impossible by the lack of f unds. Instead I’ve received, at best, the same education that was of fered pr ior.

A s the added demands on schools continue to pile up, schools are forced to cut back in some areas to f und others. By robbing Peter to pay Paul, no one w ins.

Even w ith the cutback s, it still isn’t enough.

The government is break ing dow n the current system w ithout prov iding the means to rebuild a bet ter one.

Even af f luent distr icts, such as Dex ter, are being af fected by the cuts. Students may not be forced to share tex tbook s, but some are using book s that are missing covers, pages or are

damaged in other ways.

It is hard enough for schools to keep prov iding the same level of education w ith fewer f unds; however, it has been made nearly impossible by the No Child L ef t Behind Act. With the escalation in requirements added to the combination, schools are faced w ith an almost insurmountable task: to bet ter educate students while receiv ing less f unding.

Due to the changes being forced on schools, the English depar tment at Dex ter, for example, w ill now spend its summer revamping its program.

A s it stands, only four of the English classes currently of fered by DHS meet the benchmark s set for th by the state government. But w ill the ex tra work garner any ex tra f unding? Of course not.

The process is void of any ex tra suppor t f rom the government, despite it being costly both in dollars and time.

This is outrageous even w ithout considering the English program is being deemed inadequate despite producing students who score almost three points higher on the Reading and English por tions of the ACT than the national

By David Bays

and state averages, has a national award-w inning student newspaper, as well as speech, debate and forensics programs that have each won numerous awards.

In no way do I feel slighted when it comes to my education. The teachers and other facult y are a beacon for others to str ive for. But it is possible that had our schools been f unded properly, the exper ience would have been even bet ter.

By my count there are something like 700 high schools in Michigan. Instead of hav ing each distr ict come up w ith its ow n solution to the problem, wouldn’t it make more sense for the state to come up w ith one general outline?

Obv iously, dif ferent schools have dif ferent curr iculums, but all in all they are relatively similar. If the state government of fered some sor t of guideline to mak ing the changes, ever ything would go more smoothly.

Our schools can and should be bet ter. But w ithout more suppor t f rom the government, they can’t be. The government needs to f inish the job they star ted and be an active par ticipant, even if only f iscally, in rebuilding the system it tore dow n.

11

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Squall

editorial

THE

Squall EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Austin Shapiro

MANAGING EDITOR: Scott Crompton

EDITORS DESIGN: Candice Wiesner FEATURES: Katie Johnson ENTERTAINMENT: Ryan Aliapolious NEWS: Heather Siller OPINIONS: David Pisano PHOTO: Jeff Leonard SPORTS: Charlie Pettit HEALTH & TRENDS: Celia Kuzon uPAGE & Get Involved: Hunter Lyons COPY: Maria Brundage & Michelle Chirby

DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Chas Sloan, Val Argiero, Leah Gibson, Maria Brundage, Melanie Pytel, Lauren Daugherty, Kasondra Engholm, JoJo Parin, Derek Wooton

MANAGERS ADVERTISMENT: Caitlin Henderson, Brittany Martini CONTEST: Nic Miller, Kyle Boren, Jake LaRosa

STAFF WRITERS Sarah Akbarifard, Kyle Boren, Kevin Butler, Rachel Butler, Michelle Chirby, Shantal Daratony, Betsy Eber, Alex Everard, Casey Hall, Caitlin Henderson, Matthew Kaas, Jake LaRosa, Pat Ledwidge, Brittany Martini, Ian McCarthy, Nic Miller, Brent Muse, Morgan Quist, Lisa Ritchie, Joe Sayre, Olivia Scheffler, Kaitlyn Shepard, Alexis Sobczak, Karly Stanislovaitis, Allison Sutter, Emily VanDusen, Kevin Yarows

CARTOONIST David Bays

Squall illustration by David Bays

all

THE

call

New bus policy brings needed change

It’s becoming more common for students to live in two households.

And now, for those at DHS, traveling between two households has become much more convenient.

The 2007-2008 school year is the first year that a new bus policy is enforced. According to the new transportation department policy, buses can no longer transport students to multiple bus stops. Each student is allowed to have one morning stop and one afternoon stop, which can be different from each other.

Divorced parents with joint custody are each allowed one morning stop and one afternoon stop as long as they fill out a form that is filed with

the transportation department. The policy also states that students are no longer able to ride home with friends to further ensure their safety.

We believe that the new bus policy is necessary, and the changes made are appropriate. The safety of students is crucial, and it is important that parents know their student is safe at school and on the way to and from school.

We also think it is important that divorced or separated parents are allowed to each have a morning and afternoon bus stop. Divorce often gets messy fast, and it is important transportation for students remains simple for everyone.

However, it is frustrating that students are no longer able to ride home with friends. Often times, students have to work on a project or attend a study group after school.

It can be hard for students to find a ride after school to a friend’s house if their parents work or are unable to pick them up. Students should be able to fill out a form if they need to travel to a friend’s house with parental consent.

Ultimately, the bus policy is a muchneeded change. The safety of students is extremely important and is something parents shouldn’t have to worry about. The new policy is an effective way to ensure this safety.

ADVISER Rod Satterthwaite

POLICY: The Squall is distributed monthly to 1,192 students and is estimated to reach 4,786 people with each issue. The Squall is printed by the Owosso Argus Press in Owosso, MI and produced by the first and second 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.

MEMBERSHIPS:

Members of MIPA since 1999 • Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Members of NSPA since 2001 • National Scholastic Press Association Members of CSPA since 2001 • Columbia Scholastic Press Association

PRO CON Bumpin' and grindin' at school dances "For some people, bumpin' and grindin' is all they got."

Kyle Boren staff writer Administrators and chaperones are often left in awe after leaving a high school dance. They must look down from the catwalk in disgust thinking the dance looks like a dry orgy. And high school dances do, in fact, look a bit weird from the bird’s eye view. But this doesn’t mean administrators should prohibit the epic dance style called bumpin’ and grindin’.

For some people, bumpin’ and grindin’ is all they got. Without going to the dances and doing what they usually do, as in walking in a creepy manner and frolicking around the dance floor to bump and grind with their next victim, these people would never engage with the opposite sex. This is a way for everybody, including the weird, shy person to flaunt his/her stuff and make it get freaky on the dance floor.

Everyone who has been to a dance knows there are a couple of shy people who never talk but go absolutely crazy on the dance floor and grind up on some random shawties.

Without these dances, what else are they going to do with all this energy and rowdiness they bottle up for months? Going to the dance is their chance to pop their bottle and go insane with members of the opposite sex. And for you people who grind with the same sex, that’s cool too, I guess.

Bumpin’ and grindin’ is a form for high schoolers to express themselves.

Prohibiting this, would be stopping expressionism in the form of dance for the students. I don’t think administrators would want to stop the students from expressing themselves. That’s why stopping the bumpin’ and grindin’ dance style would be detrimental. Let the students get buck nasty on the floor.

"The dances are a poor representation of the student body.”

McCarthy Ian staff writer Everyone knows dances have been getting more and more provocative.

I don’t want to be the guy saying, “The dances are getting out of hand.

People are practically having sex on the dance floor.” But I do think we need to clean it up a bit.

Nearly all of the students who go to dances show up to “grind.” This style of dancing is obscene and offensive to many older and even some younger people. This makes some people uncomfortable, and it makes them not want to attend the dances. The dances are a poor representation of the student body, the school and the entire community of Dexter.

The people who come to chaperone these dances are our parents and teachers. If your parents were chaperoning the dance, would you still be dancing that way? If you can’t respect yourself, then have some respect for the people who took time to come and watch the dance so we can have one.

If you take a look into the past, people did not always dance like this and somehow people still managed to have fun.

I know if we change or clean up the dances too much, then no one will go, and I think the school would rather have people there. Even though the school wants us to dance differently, they’re not going to stop or change the dances because they probably realize no one will come.

I think the people in charge of the dances and the students should find a happy medium. Maybe we could try asking the chaperones or teachers how they would like to see us dance. It’s up to us if the dances are actually going to change.

12

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Squall Below: Freshman Ruby Grammatico sorts through a box full of costumes.

Junior

Below: Seniors Will Grundler and Julia Burke rehearse a scene using a music stand.

Garret Camilleri

Sophomore

Rachel Lanine

Left: Senior Jaimie Brougham, Junior Kelly Johnson, freshman Laura Taylor and senior Julia Burke rehearse a musical number.

Above: Sophomore John Oliver cuts wood to help out with set building.

Left: Senior George Berger, sophomore Caleb Mackinder and junior Krystal Thompson rehearse blocking.

Left: Freshman Claire Berger practices choreography during a rehearsal.

Below: “Angels” strike their first on-stage pose in scene one of the show

Any t hing Goes

The ship prepares to cast of f Kasi Engholm staff writer

Below: Senior Liz Lewandowski and freshman Leyla Yada paint the portholes on the backdrop.

Love triangles, gangsters causing havoc, mistaken identities and a scene that will really turn up the temperature. These are all things the audience will see in the upcoming spring musical “Anything Goes,” according to director Erin Palmer First year teacher Palmer will direct the play with help from assistant director Jami Krause, choir director Julie Basset and band director Dave Peters.

Junior Alexandria Zadrzynski, who plays a passenger in the play, will assist choreographer Brandi Albright as dance captain along with three other students.

Palmer said she chose the show because as a first-time director she wanted something familiar to her, and she was a stage hand for “Anything Goes” her freshman year

in high school. “It is just an amazing play,” she said.

Palmer isnʼt the only one with a positive outlook on the upcoming show. Senior Nathan Magyar, playing Billy Crocker, also said this show will be amazing one to end his senior year. “The play is going really well this year,” he said. “Iʼm excited about the chorus and the leads. Everyone was well cast this year, and everyone should come see the play.”

Palmer said the play is full of fun songs, energetic dance sequences and members, and talented cast members. It runs April 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. and on the 20th at 2 p.m.

Palmer said, “We have a lot of really good kids this year, more than any other. This is looking like it will be a very good play, and everyone should come see it.”

Above: Players stretch in their tap shoes

Below: Gramattico sings one of her solo numbers

Above: Players learn their finale number for “Anything Goes” Below: Seniors Nathan Magyar and Will Grundler exaggerate their movement and emotions during the act one run through rehearsal.

Senior

Nathan Magyar

Above: Freshman Claire Berger finishes Aframe road signs

Junior Jake Justice

Above: Senior Michelle Chirby clings to junior David Cooper during rehearsal.

Above: The “Angels” are played by senior Michelle Chirby, senior Danielle St. Pierre, freshman Alex Lawson and freshman Laura Steavenson.

Junior

Jake Justice