0809-1

TRiMESTERS 3

S

ophomore Stephen Sobczak will be taking geometry in split trimesters. He’ll

take tests. He’ll do homework. He’ll memorize

•They’re making some teachers and students want to scream.

•They’re stirring up everyone’s schedule.

•Teachers are adjusting and using students as guinea pigs.

•Students are learning how to cope with the changes.

•See the stories about the change trimesters have brought on pages 2, 3 and 11

formulas. He’ll attempt to do all of this with an 80 day intermission between the first and second portions of the course.

Sobczak is a scheduling experiment ...

Story continued on page 2

THESQUALL

September 26, 2008 Volume XIV Issue 1

Dexter High School

2200 N. Parker Road Dexter MI, 48189

2

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Squall

news

Trimesters gone mad

continued from page one...

Amanda Orr staff writer

The trimester split is a dilemma many students will face this year. For example, a student could take a two-trimester course during the first and third trimesters. But, they’ll have an entire trimester (roughly 80 days) off in between.

“I’m worried that I’ll forget everything that I learned (in the first trimester),” Sobczak said. “I don’t want to have to form new bonds with a teacher I haven’t had for a whole trimester.”

Principal Kit Moran said that split classes are a downside to the new scheduling format. “We did some research on gap retention (the amount of information a student is able to retain over a period of time),” Moran said, “and after about four weeks kids do lose a whole bunch.”

Moran said students taking languagecoursesinsplittrimesters could have an especially difficult time. “The foreign language department is really worried,” he said. “(However) we’re offering conversational and cultural classes as fill in the blank courses to keep kids practicing foreign language.”

Despite the disheartening

prospect of the trimester split, Moran stands behind the new schedule. “We weighed this problem with other things, and it just wasn’t bad enough to make a change,” he said. “(Trimesters offer) more support classes for kids who are struggling, so there’ll be more opportunities for credit recovery. Kids will have five classes (a day) for 70 minutes each. They’ll form much better relationships with their teachers.”

Among the pros of the trimester schedule is the opportunity to choose from a multitude of classes that were not previously available.

Sobczak considers one of these new classes, Aquatics, somewhat of a consolation prize. “I’m taking (the class) in the second trimester,” he said. “I swim and play polo so I’m very excited.”

In spite of the variety of scheduling problems encountered this year, Moran said he is confident all problems will be resolved. “We’re having a professional development day in November, and the staff and I will be evaluating as we go,” he said. “You’ll never know what the kinks of something will be until you try it. We hope to learn a lot this year.”

Students aid in hurricane relief Jessica Deljevic staff writer Thousands of people lost all that they held dear to them. In the summer of 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the heart of Louisiana, New Orleans. And students from Dexter High School took the initiative to participate in relief and aid for the southern city.

Gustav made it’s path this summer. Although it didn’t create as much destruction as Katrina, it did bring back memories of the major devastation years before for members of The First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor which brought their Youth Group down to New Orleans in the summer of 2007.

Youth Group leader Beth Miller, does a lot of missionary projects with the students in the community, such as senior Taylor Bartscht.

She was one of the many participants.

Bartscht said her group’s tasks in New Orleans included re-tiling floors and fi xing up old homes. They concentrated mostly on the Ninth Ward which was the area hit hardest by Katrina.

“We took a bus from the outside of the city to the inner city,” Bartscht said. “The outer part was fine. It looked like nothing had happened. Once the bus drove further into the city, I was shocked. It honestly looked like a third world country. The houses are so badly damaged still. The roofs of the abandoned homes were covered in grass and overgrown. It was so rural looking, just haunting.”

She gathered her thoughts and continued to talk.

“The levees breaking were what caused most of the damage,” Bartscht said.

“I think people are most confused by that aspect of what happened. It was so unexpected. People were literally sitting on their front porch thinking nothing of it when they were hit with the flooding. They thought it was an all-clear because there were storms before this happened too. Finally, when the levees broke, it was an unexpected disaster.”

Bartscht said she also had a memorable experience from her visit.

She met a local she called Miss Sarah.

“Miss Sarah was a older woman who lived in the Ninth Ward while Katrina hit,” Bartscht said. “The bank owns her house right now, but she has everything paid off. Now she’s completely broke. Miss Sarah worked at the local Walmart and had no means of transportation. She would walk every single day. During her breaks she walked all the way back to where we were working to say thank you. It was the sweetest thing. Before we left, Miss Sarah scraped together the little money she could to but us an appreciation gift. All the boys got a pencil and all the girls got a photo courtesy of Caitlin Rize plastic ring. It was a huge deal for her to buy us these dollar store Cleaning up: Juniors Jojo Parin and Caitlin Rize travelled to New Orleans to help reconstruct houses during the sumgifts. She was so excited to give mer of 2007. them to us.”

Although Bartscht described the ring as cheesy, purple and a little the street as garbage,” she said. “Every house has a pile as big as itself big to wear to school, “I treasure that ring though,” she said. “I wear it of just rubbish.”

Although Rize’s trip took a toll on her emotionally, she also got to church every Sunday.”

Sophomore Caitlin Rize also participated in helping out victims of much fufillment out of it. “As a group I think 40-ish people, we gutted Katrina with the National Relief Network through St. Joe’s Catholic 12 houses that week- it was exciting.”

But it was the devastation and all the memories lost that made her Church. One of the things Rize and her group did was gutting reflect on her experience. She said, houses.

“When you find wedding pictures with distorted faces barely “Gutting is pretty much used to say you’re taking everything, literally everything, out of a home and putting in a pile on the side of legible it’s the saddest thing in the world.”

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3

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Squall

Photo by Christina Field

news BRIEFS

news

Drug dogs may come again

Photo by Rachel Dethloff

Downtown Dexter: Cars are backed up through town because of the Main Street bridge construction. The bridge was only open to one-way traffic for most of the summer.

Construction closes many mainFactbox roads I have to take a detour along with many other students around the bridge,” she said. “And since I need to take the bridge to work, it’s been really slow with only one lane. I think it will be As the construction project on the Main worth it when it’s done Street Bridge shows signs though.” of coming to a close, new After more than projects are just beginning five months under around Dexter and Ann Arbor construction to including the reconstruction completely replace the of Jackson Road between bridge, it is now open Parker Road and Zeeb Road. for two lanes of traffic The Main Street Bridge is instead of just one. the main connection between “It should be a five minute drive into Shortly after the project Dexter and Chelsea for Dexter, but right now, it takes at least started, construction students and parents alike.

15 to 20 minutes longer.” site supervisor Aaron According to senior Berkholz said the reason Catherine Bergren, the the bridge had to be work on the bridge was long completely redone was overdue. because of the outdated Bergren said she is one of weight limits and the students most looking restrictions. forward to the completion of In the condition the the bridge because she has to bridge was in, it could take the route through Dexter not safely hold fire trucks on a daily basis. or school buses, he said.

“It takes extra time out of my schedule when Olivia Scheffler opinion editor

-Catherine Bergren senior

Construction on the bridge and dam isn’t the only slowdown in the Dexter area however.

Dexter-Ann Arbor Road has also had work done just outside Mill Creek Middle School.

According to Mill Creek Principal Jami Bronson and flyers given to parents, the pickup entrance to Mill Creek was closed for a day and parents had to pick up their kids at Cornerstone.

The road was fully opened again on Sept. 8.

Traffic backups at the intersection of Shield and Baker since school started has resulted in daily police direction as well.

According to Bergren, many students have been taking this route into Dexter in place of the bridge, and that makes it even more backed up along with shuttle bus traffic to Mill Creek.

Bergren said the backups are a big problem right now, but she hopes that things will speed up when the bridge is completely finished.

She said, “It should be a five minute drive into Dexter, but right now, it takes at least 15 to 20 minutes longer.”

Even so, according to Berkholz, the bridge and the dam under it are not expected to be finished until June of 2009.

Students wait as scheduling falters Issues attributed to new schedule, lack of planning Elizabeth O'Keefe staff writer

For junior Athony McGriff, the new school year didn’t start off easily.

Three out of his five classes were incomplete, and he spent most of the first and second weeks of school waiting for a counselor’s appointment to fix his schedule.

I still have to get three classes fixed and my other trimesters fixed,” McGriff said.

During the hours he didn’t have any classes, he said he passed the time by visiting each of the lunches and working on homework for his other classes.

Once McGriff’s schedule was fixed, he realized he had a lot of work to make up, and he said he is still working to catch up, because missing so many days caused him to fall behind.

But McGriff wasn’t the only person who had problems with his schedule.

He said it took a long time for him to meet with his counselor because there were a lot of other students waiting for a counselor’s appointments who needed to fix their schedules as well.

McGriff said he was very upset that it took as long as it did for him to have a complete schedule for the first trimester.

He still has to get his schedule fixed for the second and third trimester, and was hoping to get them fixed before they start.

Principal Kit Moran said one of the reasons so many students had incomplete schedules was trimesters are new and the counselors and he hadn’t worked with this type of scheduling before.

Moran said, “ We started with a master schedule and this schedule placed the teachers in the classes they would teach.”

Moran said that once he and the counselors started to work on students’ schedules. “We got stuck trying to learn how to do trimester,” he said.

The majority of the mistakes were on freshman schedules because they’re the last ones to have their schedules planned.

Although Moran wasn’t exactly sure how many students had problems with their schedules, he did say that as of Sept. 11, all students had a complete schedule.

According to Moran, the way to solve this problem so it doesn’t happen again next year is to start working on schedules sooner.

And that is exactly what the counselors plan on doing.

Moran said, “Next year we plan to start scheduling at the beginning of the second term in December.”

According to him, that way the counselors have time and are able to make sure that all of the schedPhoto by Rachel Dethloff ules are ready by the start of next year.

He said, “Starting in December will give us an Outside the counselors office: Students wait to talk to a counselor during the first week of school. Many freshmen did extra four to six weeks to work on schedules.” not have a completed schedule on opening day.

Last year drug sniffing dogs came and searched the school. Though some people were called out of class and questioned about possible possession, there were no direct punishments for hits on lockers or cars. According to Principal Kit Moran, he is not sure if he wants to have the drug dogs come back again this year. He said while there’s not a date planned for them to come, that could easily change. A couple parents complained that the principal showed up to take the student out of class last year but overall there was an “overwhelmingly positive response to the dogs” Moran said.

New superintendent named The board of education has found someone to take the place of retiring Superintendent Evelynn Shirk. On Sept. 9 Rob Glass accepted the board’s offer to become the next Superintendent of Dexter Community Schools.

According to an e-mail from School Board President Larry Cobbler, Glass will start his new job on Sept. 18.

Cobler also said in the e-mail that Glass has some projects in Birmingham so he will have a transition period and he will be in Dexter full-time in early November.

“Evelynn and her staff and the teachers have laid a solid foundation for Mr. Glass to build on,” Cobler said “We are all excited to see where he will lead us.”

Students receive MIPA awards Eleven students from Dexter High School attended a journalism workshop at Michigan State University from Aug. 3-7 and some of the students received awards. Junior Kyle Oberle received the Sparty Award in center spread design in “So You’re Designing Your Newspaper” taught by Pam Bunka. Junior Alex Everard was awarded the Sparty Award in the class “The Bobby Hawthorne Experience” taught by Bobby Hawthorne. Senior Lindsey Baker was awarded Excellence in Modular Design in “Taking Your Yearbook to the Edge” taught by Lynn Strauss. Juniors Kevin Yarows, Kaitlyn Shepard, Brittany Martini, Sarah Akbarifard, Erin McAweeny, and seniors Karly Stanislovaitis and Rachel Dethloff also attended the workshop.

Fire starts at Dexter library The new Dexter Library recently caught fire causing about $1000 in damage. There were workers on the roof when the building caught fire. They were able to control the fire until the fire department could get there. Paul McCann, director of the library said he thinks the fire was started by some flammable adhesives. He also isn’t sure if it was a direct hit, from lightning or if the fire came from a nearby lightning

New exam schedule With trimesters this year exams are going to be different . The fifth hour exam will be during a normal school day. The first four hours will be shorter so there is enough time for the exam. Then there will be two half days when there will be two exams a day. The exam schedule is as follows: Tues. Nov. 18

Wed. Nov. 19

Thurs. Nov. 21

5th hour exam

1st & 2nd hour exams

3rd & 4th hour exams

During 5th hour class

7:35-9:10 9:25-11:00

7:35-9:10 9:25-11:00

4

Friday, September 28, 2008

The Squall

feature

Photo by Newport News Daily Press/MCT

Students Hear Obama

Alex Everard managing editor

Sophomore Jeff Pituch arrives at Hart Plaza in Detroit at 8:30 a.m., greeted by a long line of people, old and young alike.

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama was scheduled to speak, but not until 11.

Traffic and a mass number of people contributed to the crowded venue.

“I waited in line for about two hours,” Pituch said. But according to Pituch, the wait was worth it. “I was pretty close up.

There were thousands of people there, so they put up a big screen for people who were farther away to see.”

However, the speech itself wasn’t lengthy. “It didn’t last long because he was fairly busy, but it was definitely worth it,” Pituch said. But Obama has numerous strengths besides his speeches according to Pituch.

Obama’s intelligence is what many supporters say drew them into backing his presidential bid. “I just think he’s really smart,” Pituch said. “He has good judgment.

He knows how to deal with people, which is important.”

Obama has reached supporters and spoken to the youth of America via an acclaimed speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He is also the author of two best-selling novels, both about his what lead him to his love for politics.

He is also known for having a widespread

fan base of revitalized young voters, and the trend holds true at DHS. Another student, junior Aiyana Emerson, was also among the Obama supporters in Detroit. Emerson has supported the Illinois senator for some time. “I’ve been a fan for about a year now,” Emerson said.

She too thinks the speech was worth the wait, as well as the crowd. “He’s a great speaker,” she said. “I would definitely do it again.”

Although both students are below the required voting age, neither feel that it hinders their ability to make a difference.

Emerson feels that the logical choice is to speak out politically, and young voters who don’t are missing out on an important part of their right and responsibility.

“It’s your country, you live here, so why wouldn’t you want to be a part of the decision making,” Emerson said.

Other means of support (aside from voting) are what both students look to contribute. Emerson said as long as citizens are making their voice heard, good things will ensue.

“If you voice your opinion you can change things,” she said. “I plan on doing that.”

Pituch said he will actually be volunteering for the campaign in various grass roots activities organized by the Obama campaign.

“I plan on being out there knocking on doors and registering people to vote,” he said.

The urge for change is what Pituch believes drives voters to Obama. “I just think people are fed up with Bush and what he has done to our country,” he said.

According to Pituch, Americans want to rebuild their country and make progress towards a brighter future.

“People want to live in an America that isn’t hated by other countries and is prosperous,” he said.

Pituch believes those who gather for Obama’s speeches are in he presence of a true national icon. “He’s popular for a reason,” he said. “He connects with people because he supports true change” The historic campaign Obama has run thus far is another selling point for Pituch any millions of other Obama backers.

If elected, Obama would make history due to his race. “He’s really inspirational.

He could be our first black president,” he said.

The speech in Detroit was geared to focus on the major issues in America and the effect they have had on Michigan and its economy.

Pituch also said becoming politically involved as a teen shouldn’t be a rare occurrence in America. He believes youth involvement insures a solid democracy for the future.

Apathy is simply no longer acceptable according to Pituch.

“It doesn’t make sense not to get involved,” he said. “These kinds of things affect you whether you realize it or not.”

Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama speaks to a crowd of supporters. Obama drew large crowds in the United States and overseas last summer. He continued the campaign in Detroit at a recent rally.

About Obama • Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, but his father is Kenyan and his mother is from Kansas.

• In 2004, Obama became the third African- American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

• He is a graduate of both Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

• Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

•Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is Obama’s running mate.

•Obama is the author of two best selling books.

Source: http://www.barackobama.com

Mary Beth Tinker speaks on Constitution Day

Photo by JoJo Parin

An analysis by Alex Everard managing editor

Nearly 40 years later, Mary Beth Tinker is still shaping our constitution.

The small-town schoolgirl, turned First Amendment enforcer, has stood face to face with the likes of Thurgood Marshall in order to protect the rights of students and teachers alike.

Tinker wrapped a black band around her arm to protest the Vietnam War in 1969, and sparked a nationally known case for challenging her suspension.

She claimed students had the right to free speech, and in the face of harsh punishment, Tinker held strong.

“I knew it was the right thing all along. You don’t have to be an expert to know when something is wrong,” Tinker said.

Tinker spoke to students in the CPA on Sept. 17, Constitution Day, educating them on all the rights that the First Amendment endows them with. “Your rights are a lot like your muscles,” Tinker said. “If you don’t exercise them, you will start to lose them”.

Mary Beth Tinker created a once in a lifetime event for Dexter students, giving them a rare chance to see what it takes to grasp our nation’s history and mold it in your hand.

Not only did Tinker bring a rare glimpse into the of the landmark case Tinker v. Des Moines, she brought the most patriotic message possible: “Don’t be afraid to question your country”.

“Citizens who speak out for what they believe, even if it makes them unpopular, are needed in this country,” Tinker said. “Our country and it’s principals become weak when people remain silent.”

Perhaps this speech couldn’t have come at a better time. Nearly 40 years later, we’re in another war, and young people are speaking their minds as their parents of the 60’s and 70’s did.

Tinker gave us a blueprint for success. She showed us to stand up for what is right, that students don’t “shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate”.

This ruling essentially secured students and teachers the access to any and all first amendment rights, even on school grounds.

Despite criticism of today’s youth for being apathetic and uninvolved, Tinker stands behind young people, saying they consistently arouse change in our nation. “The adults of the world tell us to use our words, and they use bombs,“ she said.

Tinker was just one chapter of a term of unrest that shaped America. She brings her own personal story of courage and persistence, and she continues to spread the word.

During the first hour assembly, guest speaker Mary Beth Tinker tells students of the struggle she had for her First Amendment rights, as a middle school student in Iowa almost forty years ago.

Photo by JoJo Parin

As she calls students on stage to hold shirts with all the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, you can feel the constitution coming alive. She reminds us all that it is more of an animal than document. Always growing and changing. It even has built in mechanisms to defend it, they just may not be as cool as sharp teeth or claws.

Tinker is as well known as it gets when it comes to the history of the most important document in our nation. A constitutional celebrity of sorts.

She defends the friendship she forged with our constitution to this day, making sure students don’t go unaware of the freedom they have.

Tinker serves as a mold of how change can come from anywhere. “I was always the good girl, I was never a trouble maker,” she said. “I was the preachers daughter so none of that was expected form me.”

Sometimes change comes from the most unlikely places, and national heroes like Tinker are born. A simple band around her arm turned into a band of rights and freedoms, a band that represented more than just an unpopular opinion.

The truly remarkable thing about Mary Beth Tinker is she began to change our country in 1969, and never stopped. Tinker continues to inspire students all over the country to speak their minds, no matter who disagrees.

One of her favorite quotes by one of the most influential Americans ever, Benjamin Franklin, summarizes her passion for our country. “Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.”

Tinker calls a round of applause for her knowledgeable volunteers, seniors Derek Wooton and Scott Crompton, with junior Carolyn Kauffman. All of these students were pulled from the audience for knowing one of the five rights given to us by the first amendment.

5

Friday, September 28, 2007

The Squall

feature

Students seek help Planned Parenthood can be a valuable resource for those in trouble Lisa Richie staff writer

Illustration by Gabe Altamore

She had never done anything like it, but like many teenagers, she wanted to keep her parents out of the picture. She walked into Planned Parenthood and made her appointment under a pseudonym.

After her first visit, she came out with the method of emergency contraception known as Plan B, or the morning after pill.

“I’ve taken the morning after pill probably around seven times,” Beth*, a senior said. “It wasn’t for seven different guys, just seven instances where I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

The morning after pill earned its name because women take it the morning after the possibility of pregnancy.

It consists of two pills taken 12 hours apart to eliminate any possibility of pregnancy. It is also called the 72-hour pill, emergency contraception and Plan B. Beth said she has been to Planned Parenthood approximately 20 times. “I also use their services for birth control because it’s easier if my parents aren’t involved. It would just be awkward,” she said.

The awkward aspect of parents involved in a teenager’s sex life is the likely reason most teenagers use the private services available to them according to Beth.

Although in other circumstances, it’s the sheer fear of disappointment that drives them to a place like Planned Parenthood.

“Last year my girlfriend told me she was pregnant,” Gregory*, a senior said. “We were both in denial for two months and finally we scheduled an abortion with Planned Parenthood.”

In the beginning of her second trimester of pregnancy, Gregory said he took his girlfriend to have an abortion.

Eight months later he said it’s still really difficult to think about.

“It was definitely one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do,” he said. “It was painful for her and expensive. Our parents still don’t know and we don’t plan on telling them.”

Planned Parenthood is often portrayed by the media in a negative light due to their stance on abortion. “I believe this is a complete misperception,” Lauri Lounesbury, who works in marketing and communications for Planned Parenthood, said. “Ninety-seven percent of Planned Parenthood’s work is not involved in abortions but more so to prevent them. Our main concern has always been the health and safety of women.”

Lounesbury, a former reporter, switched professions to Planned Parenthood two years ago. “I changed my profession because I really believe in what we stand for,” she said. “I feel wonderful about what we do and believe it is a critical part to any community we’re stationed in.”

Although some teens take the route Planned Parenthood has to offer, others, such as junior Laura Brakhage, choose to turn to their parents instead.

“I always tell my parents when I’m concerned about something,” she said. “I’d rather go to them for help then some stranger all by myself.

My mom and I have a really strong relationship.

She never pries, so I always feel like I can tell her important things and not get in trouble.”

In cases such as Brakhage’s where she’d rather involve her parents, Lounesbury said Planned Parenthood still offers their services, promoting less expensive products then pharmacies have to offer.

“Planned Parenthood is a wonderful organization, even for those who are not sexually involved,” Lounesbury said. “Without this organization the world would be in a far worse place.”

Planning more than Parenthood • Ninety-seven percent of Planned Parenthood’s work does not deal with abortions • Planned Parenthood has nearly 107 affiliates and 860 health centers in every state.

• Planned Parenthood has been the leading health center for women for 90 years.

•Women and men of other countries are also aided by Planned Parenthood.

plannedparenthood.org

Conservation on the horizon Coleen Hill staff writer

Splashing her way to the finish line, counselor Kristy Doyle participates in a team building exercise. Doyle, along with the rest of the staff, spent a day at YMCA Storer Camp to bond.

Photo by Rod Satterthwaite

Teachers bond while learning teamwork Kevin Yarows sports editor

The bus was loud. Filled with laughter, stories and trivia games, it never got quiet the entire trip home.

“I coached cross country for many years, and the buses were never as loud as that,” Principal Kit Moran said. “It’s a good thing when the bus is loud; it means everybody is having a good time.”

But instead being filled with rowdy students, the bus was filled with the DHS staff, who were returning from a staff bonding trip at YMCA Storer Camp in Napolean.

The trip was organized by Moran and took place on Aug. 28, the first Personal Professional Day (PPD) of the year.

“I thought it was valuable to get everybody to interact, as a team, outside of a work environment,” Moran said. “It helped get people to know each other on a more personal level.”

The day began with the staff taking two buses to the camp ground. Once there, they were divided into four randomly chosen groups, English teacher Deb Marsh said.

According to Marsh, each group was separated from each other where they participated in many small, teamwork oriented games. After the games, everybody met for lunch. At the conclu-

sion of lunch, the groups did more small games until they concluded with a final competition.

“Each group had to build a boat out of cardboard, duct tape and sticks,” Moran said. “Each group had to have one person ride the boat to a certain point in the lake and then come back.

Our group made a boat, others, not so much.”

Marsh said she thought the day was a great success. “It was something totally different,” Marsh said, “but I went into it with an open mind. I had fun.”

Others came into the day with a completely different perspective.

“I think a lot of people, including myself, would have preferred to use the PPD day for some extra work time,” English teacher Mary Mattner said. “But I still had a very enjoyable time.”

Mattner said the switch to trimesters has caused this year to be one of the most hectic beginnings since she’s been here.

PPD days are supposed to be used to help develop the teaching staff.

Teachers are not allowed to spend the day working individually. Most PPD days are spent with department meetings and occasionally a guest speaker.

“I know some people may have preferred to have the extra work day,” Marsh said. “But I think they all ended up having fun.”

Reduce the use. This is the motto of the district’s new Energy Coordinator, Randy Westerman.

Westerman said his job is to walk around the schools and take inventory of energy use and try to reduce the amount of energy the district uses.

“I have two goals: to look for the mechanical and electrical systems and figure out changes to reduce the use of energy,” Westerman said. “We also are trying to help people at this school become more aware of the cost of energy so they will be more willing to reduce their use and help the school save energy.”

Westerman said the best way to save energy is to get people involved and get them to want to save energy. He also said if students at school become more aware of the cost of energy, then they will be more willing to conserve it, and if students start conserving energy at school, they will be more likely to start doing it at home.

“If you see a light on in a room and no one’s in it, then just turn it off,” Westerman said.

Some of the ways Westerman said he plans to save energy are changing regular bulbs to compact florescent bulbs, switching to more energy efficient heating and cooling systems and a more energy efficient boiler.

Westerman said his goal for this school year is to save 15-20 percent in energy costs. It will take a couple of years to reach that goal due to all the changes that need to be made in order to save money and energy. But he hopes that by the end of this school year he will have saved the school at least 10 percent in energy costs.

Some teachers said they have heard rumors that teachers will have to remove their personal appliances from their classrooms. But Westerman said it’s not certain yet that teachers will have to get rid of their personal appliances.

It all depends on the calculations that Westerman makes based on the amount of energy the appliances use.

Westerman said if teachers’ personal appliances are costing the school more money than the school can afford, then they will have to be removed.

He said, “I will be here saving this school’s energy as long as they have me.”

• Westerman

Going Green • When going on vacation turn thermostats down to 55 degrees.

• Take showers, not baths.

•Unplug any electrical device that’s not being used.

• Wash only full loads of clothing. powerhousetv.com

6

Tuesday, September 26, 2007

health

The Squall

Plastic causes scare Kristi Hughes staff writer

If you prefer to dr ink your water out of a plastic water bot tle ever y day you may want to reconsider. The U.S. Government’s National Toxicolog y Program recently agreed w ith a scientif ic panel that said physiological changes occur in people when they ingest biosphenol A , also k now n as BPA .

BPA comes f rom numerous ever yday objects, including plastic water bot tles people may dr ink out of. BPA is used in ever y thing f rom disposable tableware, plastic baby bot tles, CD’s and canned goods. The chemical can leak i n t o water or food and is ingested that way. It of ten leak s because of heat. For example put ting a water bot tle in the dish washer can cause BPA to leak.

BPA can potentially lead to many heath problems like breast cancer and prostate cancer according to the N TP. It is also linked to human development problems like early on-set puber t y. A lthough the plastics industr y says BPA it is safe, more scientists are discover ing f rom animal testing that BPA puts people at potential r isk of cer tain sick nesses or diseases.

School nurse A ileen Kernohan said, “ There is an elevated r isk for uter ine f ibroids, decreased sperm counts, endometr iosis, and possibly diabetes t y pe 2.”

According to Kernohan, the best thing someone can do to prevent ex posure to BPA is to buy reusable water bot tles. “(BPA) is hard to avoid completely as it is in many canned goods f rom canned soda to soup to sauces - so limit the amount of canned food and dr ink s in your diet,” she said. “A lso avoid heating plastic containers in the microwave - use ceramic or glass or microwavable dish ware.”

Kernohan also said anyone who is in a routine of br inging a regular plastic water bot tle to school ever y day should use an alternative option, including tap water in a glass or dr ink ing out of water fountains. “If a student needs to carr y water, using a metal water bottle such as stainless steel, or those made by companies

like SIGG w h i c h have BPA f ree liners.”

Stainless steel water bot tles are a good options, but it’s impor tant to keep in mind that not all stainless steel water bot tle have BPA f ree liners. SIGG, which is a bot tle f rom Sw itzerland, is BPA f ree.

Junior A li K r ips who normally br ings a recyclable water bot tle to school ever y day said, “I don’t really think about it. I still dr ink water out of the water bot tles any way. Unless the problem becomes like a huge deal, I probably still w ill.”

But Kernohan said students should follow her decision. She now dr ink s out of a metal water bot tle that is BPA f ree and tr ies not to use bot tled water. She says not only is this choice healthier for her, but for the env ironment as well.

She said, “Students should think about the impact of their choices not only on their ow n bodies, but on the total env ironment.”

•Nearly all can liners contain BPA. •BPA has also been found to migrate, under some conditions, from polycarbonate plastic water factinabox bottles.

•The plastics industry says BPA is harmless, but a growing number of scientists are concluding, from some animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems. source http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa

Photo by Rachel Dethloff

New gym classes meant to offer students options •Only 19 percent of all high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more, five days a week, in physical education classes.

• Olor sis euisci •Daily enrollment in blandre magna facip physical education classes dropped from vullum 42 percent eugiatue irit to 25 percent among high school students between • nonsed tincilisi 1991 and 1995.

esto do corpero et num ing easchoolalit ad •Well designed based dipinterventions exercip summod directed at increasing tat, quat vullamet physical education classes have been shown to be • at amconse quisit effective.

volorperos nonsed te commodionsed Source: cdv.gov modolob orperilisl

Jake LaRosa uPage editor

The sw itch to tr imesters has brought w it h it f lex ibilit y, change and new classes. A nd of t he new classes, seven of t hem are g y m classes. The new classes include Football, Flex ibilit y A nd Streng t h Training(F. A .S.T.), Aquat ic s, R acket Spor ts, Cour t Spor ts, Field Spor ts, and Readiness Weight Training.

“We created t hese classes to g ive k ids more of a choice when select ing physic al educ at ion classes,” Pr incipal K it Moran said. “We took t he ex ist ing classes and ref ined and focused t hem more.”

Prev iously, st udents who chose Indiv idual and Team Spor ts class had to do ever y spor t in t he class, f rom tennis to football.

Now w it h t he new, more specia lized classes, st udents c an choose a class w it h a single t y pe of spor t involved.

Dean of St udents and physic a l educ at ion teacher Ken Koenig helped to for m t he new classes and teaches R acket Spor ts and Aquat ic s. “In t he past years we could never really spend too much t ime on a single spor t,” Koenig said. “Now w it h tr imesters and t he new classes, we c an go more into detail.”

Koenig also said t hank s to t he specialized classes, g y m st udents c an now spend t hree week s on tennis, allow ing t hem to play singles as well as doubles. They are also teaching spor ts not prev iously of fered, like table tennis and pick le ball. “ The new classes have a lso allowed us to use t he space we c an,” Koenig said. “In t he fall t he I TS classes c an use t he outdoor cour ts and allow t he indoor classes, like weight training, to use t he g y m.”

F. A .S.T., one of t he new classes, was branched of f f rom por t ions of weight training class. “We essent ially took t he r unning and f lex ibilit y par ts out of t he At hlet ic Weight Training class and created a new class based around t hem,” Koenig said. “St udents w ill do t hings like condit ioning, stretching, speed boxes and ag ilit y ladders to help t hem stay in shape for spor ts.”

Senior A ndy Whitaker likes t he changes made to t he Indiv idual and Team Spor ts class. “(The new classes) g ive us more t ime to spend play ing a spor t so we c an get good at it before mov ing on to a new spor t,” he said He also said t hat t he new classes reduce t he amount of people in t he g y m at t he same t ime. “ There’s much less people and it’s a lot less crowded,” he said. “ The more room we have for spor ts, t he bet ter.”

Friday, September 28, 2007

ROTHBURY

The Squall

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Rothbury Review

Kyle Boren entertainment editor

To the naked eye, Rothbury was just a substantial camping festival celebrating music: arts and action. But to anyone who fully experienced the festival, they would know it was four days of pure musical bliss, consisting of five different stages.

Between the amazing ranch location and the lineup of amazing bands, Rothbury was a festival to remember.

There was a nature and happy ambiance to Rothbury that made the concerts that much better. Walking from stage to stage was a fun stroll.

Sherwood Forest, an enchanting forest with colorful and overwhelming strobe lights, was a main walkway between the stage sets and the most epic walk of my life. In the forest were also little teepees, where friendly Rothburians would relax to take a break from the chaotic concerts.

Rothbury deviated from the norm of today’s modern music festivals because it brought back the jam bands. Bands like Widespread Panic, Primus, Dave Matthews Band, Medeski Martin & Wood, The Black Keys, The Disco Biscuits, and Phil Lesh and Friends were some of the premiere jam bands. These bands played into

the amazing Rothbury nights like there was no time limit.

But Rothbury also had a wide variety of today’s usual music acts, with main bands such as John Mayer, 311, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse and Slightly Stoopid. I had previous thoughts of Snoop Dogg not really fitting into this festival, but Snoop played an epic show with interactive songs. He had all of Rothbury singing, even though he thought he was in East Lansing, screaming motr than once, “What’s up East Lansing!?!”

Rothbury also introduced many new musical groups to us music lovers. Electronic bands like STS9, Bassnectar and The Crystal Method put on some of the most exciting shows at Rothbury.

They were the most hectic and intense. Glow sticks flew across the starry night like shooting stars as electronic music fueled the rowdy crowd.

I can only hope that Rothbury is able to make this music festival an annual occurence. It is the perfect location for the overnight music festival.

The ranch is huge, and it has the perfect way of getting from stage to stage. It’s certainly worth the money and no doubt will open up your ears to unique music and amazing people. Rothbury is a memory you will take to your grave.

1.Michael Franti 2.State Radio 3.311 4.The Wailers 5.John Mayer 6.Snoop Dogg 7.40,000 Strong

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7 Photos by Valentino Argiero

Rockin’ Out: Dave Matthews rocks out with band member Boyd Tinsley at Rothbury Music Festival. Other popular bands there were 311, John Mayor, Citizen Cope, Slightly Stoopid and State Radio.

OAR: 'All Sides' review Patrick Ledwidge trends editor

Where have the days of true rockalternative bands gone? Bands are continually conforming to what people think are “today’s” style of music. O.A.R. was once a band that prided itself on their unique, reggae flare on rock music.

But O.A.R. lost their originality on this album, “All Sides”. Past albums like “Any Time Now,” and “34th & 8th,” have showcased O.A.R..’s orginality, unlike this one. Though “All Sides” has trancing beats and rythms, their lyrics are irrelevant and unoriginal.

This album is an up-beat, happy-go-lucky album. Usually their albums consist of a few somber ballads, this new album is all happiness and flowers, conforming O.A.R. to a mainstream sound. Is this unoriginal sound what listeners want?

It sure as hell isn’t what O.A.R. fans want.

The more this band strays away from their

unique sound, the more of their fan base they will continue to lose. O.A.R. might be grabbing the attention of new listeners, but their die hard fans are decreasing in high numbers.

The album’s single is entitled “Shattered (Turn the Car Around),” an electronic-rock vibe sounds similar to Colplay or even The Killers. Both are unique, but they don’t fit the O.A.R. vibe.

No longer will O.A.R be in line with great bands as 311 and State Radio, but with bands such as Green Day, another band that changed its original sound to gain more listeners.

But every album has its sleeper pick, their underdog track. “One Day” plays the role in this album. It is the only song that tracks back to the old, unique sound of the true O.A.R. We can only hope that this great band will stray from main stream sounds and go back to the old O.A.R. we love. This is a call to action Marc Roberge and other band mates: be unique.

October Battle approaches Lee Copley staff writer

To prepare for the upcoming Roctober, October’s Battle of the Bands sponsored by S.P.A.C.E, senior Andrew Snyder has been practicing and preparing with his new band, The Crystal Lake Massacre. “It’s all going to be a lot more prepared than before,” he sa id.

Several bands have signed up and say they are excited to play, including Bears.Beats.Battlestar Galactica., The Crystal Lake Massacre and Vintage.

“All the bands are great. There’s a lot of diverse talent,” said sophomore Jim Kelly, a member of the band Bears.Beats.Battlestar Galactica., which he described as an experimental metal band. “I’m really excited, because it feels like we’re carrying on as the heavy school band,” he said. “The other big, heavy bands aren’t here anymore.”

Senior Georgia Myers, a member of the band Vintage, she said does not know what to expect from the upcoming battle. “It feels like a lot of the good bands either left or graduated,” she said.

She said Bands like 7 Ate 9 and Final Domain

broke up, but the various members went on to form new bands.

For example former member of Final Domain, senior Marshall Geer will be competing at Roctober. Geer is a member of a currently unnamed band. “We’re in your face metal,” Geer said when asked to describe the type of music his band will be playing.

Geer also said he has been preparing for battle over the last few weeks. “Bands need preparation to play any show, and they need to be serious about it,” he said.

With genres from metalcore to rock and roll competing at Roctober, S.P.A.C.E, the organizers of the event, hope for a good show. “I love that the kids get to be rock stars for a night,” S.P.A.C.E adviser Debora Marsh said.

Teachers also enjoy attending the battles, and some of them also perform.

“I’ve been to two battles, and they were impressive,” Barry Mergler, yearbook teacher and guitarist for the all-teacher band, Progress Report, said. “I wish I would have had something like it when I was in high school.”

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Friday September, 26, 2008

The Squall

sports

Swimming with an Olympic legend Scott Crompton

of recognition of Club Wolverine comes from Michael Phelps. That is one reason why I like Club Wolverine so much.

The smell of chlorine can be over- People all over the country know about it whelming when sophomore Lisa Cromp- now, so it’s really cool to a part of someton walks into a pool. And usually, thing so huge.”

Club Wolverine has been around since Crompton dreads going to swim practice every day because of this. However, when 1983, but has just recently become a nathe most prolific Olympic gold medalist tionally recognized training program. in history is in the same building, it takes The goal of the program, according to Club Wolverine’s web the edge off. site, is “to develop swim“Swimming for mers of all levels to repClub Wolverine is resent the greater Ann kind of cool because Arbor community, as part Michael Phelps of a team supported by swims for the same outstanding coaches and club,” Crompton parents.” said.

“It’s weird “ It’s weird that he is in the same Kumbier said having that he is in the such an influential persame building as building as me at any given time ... ” son represent both Club me at any given Wolverine and the comtime during swim munity is very cool. practice, because “Just the fact that he he is such a great has been to the same placswimmer compared es as I have in Ann Arbor to the rest of us at and things like that, is repractice.” ally cool,” Kumbier said.

Club Wolverine, “It almost feels like the a swimming club city of Ann Arbor contribwhich practices uted to Phelps winning at the University of Michigan pool, allows swimmers to all those medals in the Olympics. It’s practice in an environment similar to a like the things that everyone around here college or professional environment ac- have supported and contributed to help Phelps receive the training necessary for cording to Crompton.

Senior Karl Kumbier agrees. He said, all of those great achievements he got.”

Michael Phelps is a common house“Club Wolverine is a great program. It is an intensive training program. They hold name around the world now. But, in participate in USA swim meets which Ann Arbor and the surrounding commuprepares swimmers well for big meets to nity, he is just another Club Wolverine swimmer. come later in their careers.”

“Phelps is an amazing swimmer and I And Crompton said Club Wolverine is beneficial to all of its members who par- am glad I have had exposure to similar training and facilities,” Kumbier said. ticipate.

“Club Wolverine is a very competi- “It is pretty cool that the best Olympic tive swim team,” Crompton said. “They athlete has made an impact in our comare one of the best in the nation. A lot munity.”

Editor-in-Chief

-Lisa Crompton/ Sophomore

Factbox •

Tried out for the Olympics at 15

•

Holds record for most gold medals in a single Olympics

•

Won eight gold medals at the last Olympics

Photo by Orlando Sentinel/MCT

Whippets starting on the right foot Karly Stanislovitis Staff Writer

Focus, purpose, integrity. This is the motto for the Washtenaw Whippets field hockey team, but it also contains many important principles that the team of Dexter, Chelsea and Manchester players works towards, according to junior Clarissa Flocken. “(The sport) is team all the way. We win as a team, we lose as a team,” Flocken said.

The Whippet’s coach, Roxy Block, agrees and says without teamwork, no game would be possible. “I try to emphasize to the girls that they cannot play the game alone. They have to rely on offense, defense and each other, “ Block said.

Although Block thinks teamwork is important on the field, Flocken and secondyear varsity player Amanda Eberbach think team bonding is equally important off the field. Although Flocken’s views of the team seem to suggest a casual friendship of keeping in touch through Facebook and e-mail, Eberbach said the bonds are more than casual.

“We have all become good friends on the team, she said. “We hang out and feel like we can be goofy and ourselves around each other this year.”

Although Eberbach relishes the close team bond, she did say the friendships have challenges. “It’s hard for us to stay in touch, because the Whippets are made up of two other schools, so it’s those friends that it’s hard to keep in touch with,”she saidEven though it is hard for all the players to stay in touch because of the issue of different schools, Eberbach said the friendships help the team achieve better. “We have no drama on the team like a lot of other sports teams,” Eberbach said. “That helps, because we already have to deal with so much drama at school. It’s nice to not have to deal with any after school.”

Block agrees and said the girls do well with focusing on the task at hand. “I have not really seen any problems on the team, and I think the girls know that they need to leave behind any drama they may have off the field to focus on the game,” she said.

Even though the girl’s may know hockey presides over drama, Eberbach said they are still working on building team chemistry.

“We all get along pretty well,” she said. “But, we’ve had to work a lot on plays and passing and working together as a team, because there are so many new players, so I wouldn’t say (the chemistry) comes naturally,” she said.

Block, however, said, “I don’t think the girls have to improve on working together or getting along. The only issue we sometimes have is trying to help the new players improve and get them up to a good level.”

So the team appears to get along well, but Block said there can be frustrations. “I try to focus on improvement, but it can be difficult when we have new players whom we can’t get up to the level of their more experienced teammates,” she said.

Eberbach said, in spite of some hardships, that the positives of the team definitely outweigh the negatives. “The most rewarding part of being on the team for me are the friendships and bonds that we get to build,” Eberbach said. “We are a much closer team than last year, and that makes it a little easier to come to practice.”

For her part, Block said she loves watching new friendships blossom. “The most rewarding part (of being coach) for me is the friendships I get to see unfold,” she said.

“We don’t get money from the school, so I drive the girls in my van and get to see them have fun and get to know each other firsthand.”

Photo by Jason Lomax

Whip it good: The Washtenaw Whippets are a team made up of players from Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester.

Coach Roxy Block said the most rewarding part of coaching the team is watching the friendships her players form.

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Friday, September 26, 2008

The Squall

sports

Dedicated students some times receive little play time Kyle Boren Entertainment Editor

Eve r y d a y a f t e r s c h o o l , s e n i o r O l i v i a Stace y g o e s t o t h e g y m t o p r a c t i c e f o r volley b a l l . A n d s h e d o e s n ’t g e t m u c h playin g t i m e , s h e s t i l l l o v e s i t . G o i n g out to p r a c t i c e a n d w o r k i n g h a r d i s a norm a l o c c u r r e n c e f o r m a n y a t h l e t e s , but m o s t s p o r t s c a n o n l y p l a y a s m a l l group o f t h e f u l l t e a m .

Fo o t b a l l c a n o n l y p l a y 1 1 a t a t i m e , Photo by Nick Bidwell volley b a l l o n l y s i x , r u g b y o n l y 1 2 .

Playing with heart: Senior Olivia Stacey takes a break from practice to talk with her varsity volleyball teammates. Stacey said she plays volleyball because she loves the Playin g o n a s p o r t t e a m d o e s n ’ t m e a n game. an at h l e t e a u t o m a t i c a l l y p l a y s , d e However, there are various reasons spite w o r k i n g v e r y h a r d a n d p r a c t i c i n g The rugby team has an A squad and a B squad. At each Stacey will continue to play volleyball. “It’s a team game every d a y .

Bu t m o s t t e a m s a g r e e h a v i n g t h e s e p e o p l e on the team at its best. Everyone has got to do their job to win the game there is an A game, that is actually counted, and then after the A game, the B squad plays. “Everyone ends is stil l p r o d u c t i v e f o r t h e t e a m o v e r a l l a n d creates team game, and that’s a big reason I like it.”

Stacey’s teammates are happy to have her on the team. up having some playing time by the end of the day, that’s cama r a d e r i e .

For s e n i o r s D e r e k W o o t o n p l a y i n g r u g b y , this is the Junior Ali Krips said she likes Stacey’s presence. “She is why it’s pretty neat,” Wooton said.

For every sport there are going to be people who don’t funny, and keeps the team not as uptight,” Krips said. case.

Wooton knows he doesn’t play much for the rugby team, as much as others, but love for the game is enough to play Ath l e t e s w h o p r a c t i c e w i t h t h e t e a m a n d do all the hard s t u f f , a n d t h e n n o t p l a y f o r t h e m a j o r i t y of the game but he doesn’t think it would make him want to stop play- the sport. “If I didn’t love volleyball so much, I don’t show l o ve f o r t h e s p o r t . “ I ’v e b e e n p l a y i n g volleyball for ing. “Rugby is still considered a new sport at our school, think I would have the motives to play,” Stacey said. “But awhil e , a n d i t ’ s a n a w e s o m e s p o r t . I d o n ’ t s ee myself not and I’m extremely happy our school has an obscure sport I love volleyball so I will continue to be a part of the team.” like it.” he said. on the t e a m ,” S t a c e y s a i d .

CC gets new coach Allison Sutter health editor

After winning the state meet for five consecutive years and coming in a close second last year, the mens cross country team began this season looking for a new coach.

Michigan State graduate Dave Testa was hired as the men’s cross country coach this year, after the previous coach Jaime Dudash retired after 10 years.

Testa, who moved to the Dexter area in May with his wife, applied for the position of head coach at the end of last spring.

Athletic Director John Robinson formed a committee in order to hire the new coach, and Photo by Ross Chamberlin he said an extensive interview was set up with Mens cross country coach Dave Testa looks in on a reTesta. “We formed a committee, brought in a few cent Dreadnaught practice. The team is looking to conseniors and their parents to interview the candi- tinue a tradition of top state finishes left by former coach Jaimie Dudash. dates,” Robinson said. “Former assistant cross country coach Ross Martin highly recommended Testa, and so far he’s proven to be qualified.”

Senior Ken Metz, who was part of the interviewing process, agrees with Robinson. “He hasn’t changed anything too much because it’s worked for us in the past,” he said. “He knows what he’s doing, and if there are any changes that need to be made, he knows a lot about the sport and would be able to make them. We’re really happy with the new coach. He’s a fun guy, and he knows what he’s doing.”

With the successes at the Michigan International Speedway for States over the past half decade, the pressure for the team to continue to perform at the top is evident. “They are a strong, competitive team, and they teach each other what it takes to be that good,” Robinson said. “Coach Testa will prepare them well. The goal of any coach is to prepare them to the best of their ability, and I’m sure he’ll help the guys on his team to do that.”

Coach Testa said he sets high but reasonable expectations for his team. With most of the top varsity runners graduated in the last two years, the team’s makeup is almost completely new.

Photo by Ross Chamberlin “It’s a very young team. We’ve got two varsity Junior John Oliver goes for a run with the team during a freshman runners and a lot of younger guys com- recent practice. peting for varsity positions,” he said. “They are all a competitive group and working towards regionals and states is going to be a process, but in the long run I think they will do well.”

Fall Preview John Brosch Staff Writer

Football

Team leaders: Seniors Mike Szymusiak, Chris Kotsones, Mike Swantek, Andy Whitaker, Travis Rize and Junior Mason Mabry.

Coach: Tom Barberi Outlook: looking to have a record above .500.

Swimming

Captains: Seniors Alexis Sobzcak and Jenna Rolfes.

Key Returners: Juniors Lauren Daugherty, Morgan Quist, and sophomores Casey Edwards, Lisa Crompton and Laura Steavenson.

Outlook: expecting an 11th straight SEC championship.

Coach: Cory Bergen

Cheerleading

Captains: Seniors Tricia Humitz, Shelbi Polidori and sophomore Megan Rademaker.

Coach: Doreen Reardon.

Dance Team

Captains: Seniors Corrine Wolf and Krista Valdmanis.

Key Returners: Juniors Kayla Reinhackel and Laura Valdmanis.

Coach: Joanne Shippley

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Key returners: Senior Stephanie Ager, Juniors Megan Shlanderer and Jojo Parin, Coach: Fred Ligrow Outlook: Hope to win SEC and go to regionals.

Tennis

Key Returners: Seniors Angelo Quail, Ryan Kuhns and junior Robert Partarrieu.

Outlook: .500.

Coach: Mike Dziana.

Soccer

Key returners: Seniors Steve Zenas, Ryan Lemasters, Danny Pickard, Pat Ledwidge and Scott Santoro.

Outlook: striving for an SEC championship and to beat Chelsea.

Water Polo

Captains: Seniors Rob Spiegle, Karl Kumbier, and Andrew Leonard.

Key Returners: Juniors Liam Donevan and Jesse Claflin, sophomores Steven Sobzcak and Austin Daugherty.

Coach: Brian Semple.

Cross Country

Boys Key returners: Seniors Jason Bishop, Ken Metz, Zach Hannah and junior Joe Jensen.

Coach: David Testa.

Outlook: hoping for a state championship.

Girls Key returners: Seniors Abby Hess, Cassy Mioduszewski and junior Kristen Yarows.

Coach: Bob and Katie Jazwinski.

Outlook: hoping to win SEC.

Volleyball

Key returners: Seniors Colleen Laseki, Karly Sherwood, Jocelin Coast and Chelsea Low, Juniors Ali Krips, Sara Goble and Annie Coogan.

Coach: Sarah Hynes.

Outlook: hope to win SEC.

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Friday September 26, 2008

columns

Disney lacks substance Olivia Scheffler Opinions editor

T

here is a growing threat in the world of television.

It is a franchise that threatens to brainwash the middle school and teenage minds of America and swallow up the souls of many young actors and musicians.

For some, it is too late. They have already fallen deep into the black hole that is Disney.

The Disney Channel used to be a clean, entertaining channel where kids learned family values and actors could move on when they grew up. Not anymore. Now Disney takes people who have talent and turns them into mindless, money-making machines. Not all of the people on the Disney Channel have great talent, mind you, but all of them are gradually being sucked in for good.

As I scan the magazine aisle at Meijer, I find no less than seven covers devoted to about five people. “M” magazine: Nick Jonas. “J14”: Joe Jonas. “Teen People”: (gasp) all three Jonas Brothers! “Tiger Beat”: heaven forbid another week without Miley Cyrus.

Honestly people, how much do we really want to know about these Disney cutouts? I, for one, could live without seeing which one of the Jonas Brothers would be my dream date. Besides, when I do go out with someone, I do not want to share them with a million screaming and clutching 13-yearold girls. Sigh ... I guess I’m just controlling like that.

Does it seem just a tiny bit repetitive to anyone else that all the young, hip Disney stars are turning out albums faster

than a new musical? How much of Vanessa Ann Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale can we stand? Not to mention Selena Gomez’s “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” lyrics. I wish someone would tell her that she really needs to grow up and sing some better songs.

In a recent “People” magazine article, High School Musical was compared with the CW show “Gossip Girl”. According to “People”, one of the most dramatic scenes from “Gossip Girl” includes a character getting framed by his own father for meddling in and selling drugs. High School Musical drama?

Troy leaving his uncool high school pals to hang with the college guys. Hmm ... which one sounds more interesting to people our age?

There is still hope for some of the stars, however. Hayden Panettiere, for example, made a few Disney movies before she went on to star in “Heroes” with a completely new image.

She hasn’t let Disney grab her in its claws and hang on. The Jonas Brothers could do better as well. With talent like theirs, they could be doing better things than holding hands at Camp Rock with girls three years younger than them. When people are older, three years is practically nothing, but in teenage years, that could get a little awkward. Thank heaven they don’t make-out in the canoes or something.

My advice to Disney? Please, please stop making shallow, stupid movies and musicals. I understand that the entertainment is meant for kids.

However, that is no excuse for why it can’t be well written or at least contain some substance.

Even if we don’t watch it in high school, we still have to put up with folders, clothing, hats, car decals, music and other paraphernalia with Disney names plastered all over them.

What happened to creativity?

What happens when sweet, innocent Miley Cyrus turns 30, and you can’t make money off her anymore?

What about when Zac Efron sees the light and moves on to other acting and singing jobs? Not that I’ll take him seriously anyway. Sorry, Zac, I’m not betting on it.

NASCAR: an American epidemic Alex Everard managing editor

H

ello, my name is Alex Everard, and I hate NASCAR. I have hated NASCAR for several years and recently I realized I had to voice my opinion.

Admitting it is the first step.

As for the second step, I don’t even know where to start. I’ve pondered the acronym for NASCAR hours on end. Could I go to the Internet and look it up? Sure. Do I want to waste precious time and energy on such a task? Never.

Here’s what I’ve got thus far: “Not Actually a Sport, Corporate Advertising Really,” “NonAthletic Sportsmen Can Also Race,” or “Now America Sucks-CAR”.

Even if I don’t know what it means, I already know too much about it. Countless times I have turned on SportsCenter to catch the score of the Tigers game, and 20 minutes of my life have been wasted on NASCAR coverage.

I ask myself “Is this SportsCenter or ESPN 8: The Ocho?”. Then I am reminded that, yes, people actually care enough about last night’s “big race” to get out the redneck dictionary and decipher the lingo all the announcers use. Enough to get their favorite driver tattooed on their bodies.

Enough to paint a number 8 on their car and declare themselves head of something called “Junya Nation”. (I’m looking into it, but I think “Junya Nation” is a Caucasian-American street gang.)

This is America, though, so everyone is free to support whatever athletic team they choose, or in this case, any middle-aged white male who can’t really jump, run or catch a ball. But I can also make fun of the “sport” and all its prima donna “athletes”.

That’s right, prima donna. So what if their cars go fast? The so-called NASCAR rivalries make the World Cup look like UFC cage fighting. Drivers get out of their cars, have a fit and throw one or two windmill punches, similar to what an old lady would do if you tried to steal her purse.

Add their comically oversized helmets into the equation, and it looks as though two drunk bobble heads in wind suits are trying to hug it out. Then, they proceed to complain to the press about how the other driver cut them off, as if they are surprised that multiple cars traveling nearly 200 m.p.h., all going in the same direction, are going to have

The Squall

Tough guys crowd up the halls Brent Muse get involved editor

traffic problems.

From what I’ve seen, there is some sort of points system in place. I’m not exactly sure, but from my observations it appears there are several ways to obtain points. One way would be to show the worst grammar possible. I mean bad. The more you sound like Elmer Fudd mixed with Lynyrd Skynyrd, the better.

Another way to obtain points would be to slap as many obscure logos that appeal to your fan base on your car as possible. A “Pepsi/Skoal/John Deere/ NR A” car would be a definite winner.

The numbers given to each car are a mere ploy to get NASCAR to seem like an actual sport. I am tempted to slap a number on my backpack and call my daily commute between classes the “Late to French 500”. I’m almost positive each number represents the collective I.Q. of the driver and his pit crew.

It seems as though the drivers each strive to become a real-life Ricky Bobby. Except not funny... just pathetic.

It’s like they took the worst of every sport and combined it into one. The mindless aggression of hockey, the uneventfulness of golf, the arrogance of the NBA and the drama of futbol. Throw in a million spectators, mass amounts of alcohol and some high speed cars.

Abracadabra ... NASCAR. And I haven’t even begun to mention the colossal waste of gas. Drivers and their fans claim to be patriots, yet not only do they make America look like millions of loudmouth adrenaline junkies, but they burn through gas like it’s their job. Because it is.

I’m no expert, but if we eliminate NASCAR, that has to cut our dependence on foreign oil at least in half. No? I’m being told that isn’t true. Well, I say we give it a try anyway, it’s a win-win really.

I’m a sports fan. I love baseball, football, hockey and even soccer on occasion. Although I may have been slightly harsh, it’s important to know that I respect the passion NASCAR fans have. It annoys the hell out of me sometimes, but I respect it.

So call me anti-American, call me a sissy, even use a double-negative and say, “You ain’t no real man!” as was once yelled at me by a man in a Carl Edwards cutoff and Jean shorts.

Call me what you want, but please, please don’t call me a NASCAR fan.

Rockin' the beaters, hittin' the weightroom and shootin' the 'roids are the tough guy rites of passage

I

have met quite a few kids while attending DHS, but there is still one clique that is too terrif ying to even acknowledge, the “tough guys.” They are so terrif ying because of their hardcore personality and their interesting style of wearing women’s sized clothing even though it doesn’t fit them. There are a few different types of tough guys to watch out for.

First, there are tough guys who wear cut off T-shirts that are obviously too small for them just so people can see how incredibly tough they are. These people usually spend hours on end in the weight room preparing to be a UFC fighter by taking as many muscle builders as possible and watching themselves workout in the mirror.

But just lifting weights will not help you achieve your UFC fighting technique, you will need to be able to fight. So you must learn how to be a great fighter by starting fights with random people just to prove who is more tough.

I’m not saying that being strong makes you a tough guy, but when you wear “wife beaters” to school, for the sole purpose of showing off your muscles, you are a tough guy. I thought wearing “beaters” to school was as tough as you can get, but I was obviously mistaken.

One day I was Facebooking and came across a few kids with pictures of them half naked, standing in front of a mirror with a camera. Seriously?

Not only do you look like a total moron, but you also look a bit on the “girly” side, which is not good for your tough guy look.

These tough guys usually don’t laugh at things said by adults or underclassmen for fear of ruining their tough guy appearance, because tough guys don’t laugh apparently.

And along with not laughing, most of these tough guys do not feel any pain. For them, pain is imaginar y.

Being a tough guy is not easy work, you can’t get good grades or else your tough guy reputation will be gone. Even if you’re smart,

if you want to become a tough guy you can’t do homework or do well on tests.

The second type of tough guy is someone who insists on rebelling against ever y adult just to look cool in front of his homies. If you frequently wear sunglasses, especially inside, you usually fall under this group of tough guys.

But the tough guy look is not complete without both ears pierced and a sideways f lat bill hat. For some who fall under this categor y, that is not enough.

They feel as though coming to school with a neck full of hickies makes them cool because then ever yone knows how many chicks they pick up and maybe even get to do “it” with.

And if that still isn’t enough, these tough guys enjoy sitting in front of all of their classmates and putting on a little makeout session with their significant other.

If you drink alcohol or smoke or whatever you children do these days and tell ever yone about it, you are also considered a tough guy.

Whether or not you do these things is not my business, but if you have to tell ever yone you talk to about how “incredibly, insanely effed up” you were on Saturday night, you should probably consider what you’re doing with your life.

All of these tough guys are intimidating and have the power to bully underclassmen just because they can, and vandalism of school property is probable when coming to these out of control tough guys.

They often listen to their music as loud as possible with all of the windows down, searching around to see if people are witnessing them being hardcore.

Some of these tough guys don’t dress as hardcore as others but are still just as dangerous and can cause just as much harm as the obvious tough guys.

All tough guys can be ver y dangerous and they are capable of doing some pretty hardcore things, so be careful and take my advice, stay away from the tough guys.

11

Friday, September, 26, 2008

The Squall

editorial

THE

Squall EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Scott Crompton

MANAGING EDITORS: Alex Everard, Brittany Martini

EDITORS DESIGN: Candice Wiesner FEATURES: Kaitlyn Shepard ENTERTAINMENT: Kyle Boren NEWS: OPINIONS: Olivia Scheffer PHOTO: JoJo Parin, Lauren

Daugherty

SPORTS: Kevin Yarows HEALTH: Ally Sutter TRENDS: Pat Ledwidge uPAGE: Jake Larosa GET INVOLVED: Brent Muse COPY: Emily Van Dusen

S

The All

DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Val Argiero, Lindsay Baker, Ross Chamberlain, Rachel Dethloff, Kelsey Heilman, Jason Lomax, Daniel Newell, Ariel Star, Kevin Sheaffer.

MANAGERS ADVERTISMENT: Sarah Akbarifard, Morgan Quist.

CONTEST: Ian McCarthy

STAFF WRITERS Nicholas Baron, John Brosch, Lee Copley, Jessica Deljevic, Alex Everard, Coleen Hill, Kristi Hughes, Brittany Martini, Nicole Minzey, James Munson, Elizabeth O’Keefe, Amanda Orr, Lisa Ritchie, Karly Stanislovaitis, Allison Sutter.

CARTOONIST Gabe Altomare

ADVISER Rod Satterthwaite

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.

AWARDS/ MEMBERSHIPS: Members of MIPA since 1999 • Michigan Interscholastic Press Association

Quall

CALL Prep for trimesters should have been better Students are now sitting in classrooms, not outside the counseling office, but for seven long days, counselors have been scrambling to put together functioning schedules for students, mostly freshmen. Scheduling problems have never been this serious and a lack of preparation for the switch into trimesters is to blame.

More than 33 percent of high schools in Michigan are currently in trimesters. These schools have switched over to the different class scheduling to keep up with the ever-changing state graduation requirements.

Students can choose 15 classes per year under a trimester system as opposed to 12 classes per year under a semester system. But these new requirements have caused high school teachers to change their lesson plans and counselors to work overtime to try to make students’ class lists fit into a schedule.

The scheduling of students have been a problem in the past, but never has it been on this large a scale.

Switching from semesters to trimesters has added even more confusion to the scheduling process. Last year, these problems caused a handful of students from each grade to wait to get their schedule fixed. Never has it caused this much chaos.

The change in switching to trimesters is partially the root of the problem; not being prepared for the aftermath of the change is also at fault. All faculty members were aware of the shift into trimesters.

All staff members had to change their plan for the upcoming year, knowing what was ahead of them.

“We knew this would be a huge job to take on, almost another job on top of everything else,” Counselor Larry LeBlanc said. Although LeBlanc said he knew what he was about to take on, there were some obstacles in his way.

PRO ‘MINE’ GAME

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 Owosso Argus Press in Owosso, MI and produced by the first and second hour newspaper class.

Illustration By: Gabe Altomare

Scott Crompton Editor-In-Chief

When someone is doing push-ups in the middle of class or in the middle of the hall, it can only be because of one thing: they were a victim of the school-sweeping “mine” game.

The “mine” game is easy to play and is beneficial to those who play it. Every student and faculty member is subject to the wrath of the “mine” game. The game is a higher being. You are not above the game.

If the game asks for you to do 10 pushups, by golly, you do those push-ups. If you do not obey the rules of the game, the karma monster will sneak up behind you and take you out when you least expect it.

The rules of the game are simple. If you are provoked to say, “It’s mine,” or “That’s mine,” you have to do 10 push-ups. For example, if I were to ask, “Whose backpack is this?” and you responded, “Oh, that’s mine,” you have to do 10 push-ups right away no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Another component of the game is “mine shaft” and “gold mine.” If you are provoked to say “mine shaft,” you have to do 50 pushups. And if you are provoked to say “gold

mine,” may God help you, because you have to do 100 push-ups at that moment.

One reason the “mine” game is so good is that it keeps students and faculty physically fit. When you accidentally point out that something is yours, you should be happy that someone is telling you to do push-ups.

Embrace the fact you get to do push-ups.

Think of it as an opportunity to show off, that you can handle 10 push-ups with ease and not reveal a bit of effort, which brings me to another benefit of the game.

Perhaps the most important component of the game are the tough guys. The “mine” game gives the most loved clique of the high school an opportunity to show their toughness by getting down on the ground and doing 10 push-ups at lightning speed without looking like they even had to exert an ounce of effort.

This situation is beneficial for everyone.

People get to watch tough guys get up after their push-ups, face completely red, and act like they’re something special because they can do push-ups. And tough guys get to strut their stuff.

The one downfall to the game is some people take it too far. This can be anything from trying to get every person you see to say mine, or making a huge scene when someone is forced to do push-ups. My word of advice: calm down or give yourself a horse sedative.

Remember, if you cannot control yourself while playing the game, use a horse sedative to calm yourself, or the game will eat you.

Yes. Eat you.

“The issue (trimesters and scheduling) was important and the district was aware of this,” LeBlanc said.

Even with this information at hand, the master schedule was expected to be sent to the counselors from the high school administration on May 1 of last year, but the schedule didn’t arrive until the 29th, which was three days before seniors’ final exams. The time crunch was too much, and the schedules weren’t going to be finished on time.

“The district administration was willing to pay us (counselors) per diem rate for three days in June for scheduling the seniors,” LeBlanc said. “However, they were unwilling to pay us (counselors) a daily rate to look at ninth, 10th or 11th grade schedules.”

“You wouldn’t ask a teacher to teach and not pay them for their work,” LeBlanc said. He has a

point. Luckily, this should not be a problem this year because counselors are gearing up to plan plenty ahead of time.

Last year, students submitted their schedules in late January. This year, projected scheduling meetings and submissions are planned take place in December. There is a possibility of submitting classes for next year before winter break. By doing so, hopes are that students could possibly get their classes before this school year ends.

Trimesters have been a change for everyone: teachers, students and administrators. By being better prepared for next year, the transition will be easier on everyone. The Squall feels that with a little more preparation, trimesters could have been less of a problem, but we applaud the faculty for being more prepared for next year by learning from their experiences this year with trimesters.

CON ‘MINE’ GAME Kristi Hughs Staff writer

I will admit, I have participated in the so-called “mine” game that has taken over the school. And let me tell you, it’s no cake walk.

But for some reason, being provoked to say “mine,” and then saying it, really shouldn’t result in a punishment of 10 push-ups. To me, it’s actually a bit mind boggling any student would actually come up with this game, or that any other student would actually play it.

To give the game a twist, there is even more of a pushup consequence if you say “mine shaft” or “gold mine.”

How anyone can get someone else to say that is a little hard to believe and a little absurd. Not only is this game just a little ridiculous, there are a lot of downsides to participating.

From a girl’s perspective, you’d like to keep your undergarments from the public. You’d have to think twice about wearing a skirt or a dress to school now, because doing push

ups in a dress is a bit risky. Also wearing a “low cut” shirt could result in some wardrobe issues for all to see.

Although the game is a little beneficial to the men of our school so they can get a little stronger, again, what about the ladies? I don’t think most of the girls in our school would like man shoulders or would like to be sore the following day due to the push-ups they did at school the day before.

And then, of course, students could be injured. How is someone with a broken arm supposed play the game? I would imagine they’d feel a little bit left out.

From experience, some people don’t follow the rules very well, and when they say the word “mine” they don’t do their pushups, What’s the fun of that? If not everyone is going to participate, what is even the point?

Above all, the “mine” game is dangerous. Performing pushups in a crowded area like a student section, could result in numerous injuries.

Among this injuries are: broken finger, a seizure, strained biceps and even a broken arm.

With all these reasons, The mine game isn’t worth it. When you’re at risk of injury, leaving people out, and it’s impacting your wardrobe decisions, the game just seems to be a bit extreme.

12

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Squall

photostory

A sea of orange: In honor of Tyler Steffey, almost the entire student section wore orange, Steffy’s favorite color.

Anchors aweigh: Also in honor of Steffey, the team ran onto the field with his bag and jersey in hand.

Players also brought a chain and anchor on to the field symbolizing the fact that Steffey, in spirit, will always be cheering on his teammates.

Flying the flag: Members of the student section also made a flag honoring Tyler Steffey’s memory.

Football honors Steffey John Brosch staff writer

The Sept. 5 football game against

which has motivated the team to work

Lincoln meant more to the football team

a lot harder,” Koenig said. “Our players

than a win in the record books. Ac-

know who they are playing for. If they

cording to assistant varsity football

take a play off, they know what they

coach Ken Koenig, “We really wanted to

have to face when they come back to the

win this game for Ty.”

sidelines. They see that jersey, anchor,

The Lincoln game was the first home game since the unexpected death of friend and teammate, Tyler Steffey.

The student section was a sea of orange, the fans covered in body paint as

and chain and they are reminded why they need to go hard on every play.”

In addition, defensive players wore towels embroidered with, “With every hit I remember 64.”

a tribute to Steffey’s favorite color. The

On offense, the players wore towels

team was also wearing their black home

reading, “Twelfth man in the huddle.”

jerseys the whole season to commemorate their fallen teammate.

And with tears in his eyes in the locker room before every game, senior corner-

Every game, Steffey’s jersey is draped

back Travis Rize remembered his best

on the bench with an anchor painted or-

friend. “When we go out on the field I

ange with 64 on it and a chain attached

know every down is for Ty,” Rize said.

with 64 links, representing the players,

“This season is meant for Ty, and I want

coaching staff and, of course, Steffey.

to have a winning season for him. That

“The team motto this year is, ‘We’re only as strong as our weakest link,’

At the line: Junior Ryan Wesley gets ready to snap the ball. Senior Kyle Boren and freshman Sequoya Burke-Combs are ready on the line.

is how he would want to be remembered.”

Photos taken by Lauren Daugherty and JoJo Parin