0809-3

THESQUALL

November 25, 2008 Volume XIV Issue 3

Dexter High School

2200 N. Parker Road Dexter MI, 48130

STRESSED IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE With trimesters and more students to see, the guidance department is having trouble finding time to do anything but schedule Brittany Martini Managing Editor

A

midst every paper in counselor Gerry Holmes’ office, the most striking is clearly the large one plastered to the wall, divided into three large sections. The sections are splashed with colors, and almost every box is either filled with a vibrant blue or pink.

To some color represents fun: however, according to Holmes, these bright colors are a

counselor’s worst nightmare. As colorful as they may seem, these colors represent overfilled classes, some by over 10 or even 15 students.

“Scheduling is something that we (the counseling department) are working on constantly,” Holmes said. “Yes, we spend too much time on PowerSchool and fixing schedules, but at the same time it is part of my job and it has to get done.”

Although there are many positives to PowerSchool and the switch to trimesters, the transition has left the counselors in somewhat of a dilemma. According to Holmes, the job has become more frustrating this year.

“I am still learning the new system and how to do it more efficiently and that is one of the reasons why it is frustrating,” she said.

The frustration seems to be a common feeling among the counseling department. Counselors Larry LeBlanc and Kristy Doyle understand the setback Holmes feels.

“Personally, I just feel behind,” LeBlanc said. “Scheduling takes up so much time, and I have other things I have to get done during the day, such as addressing my counseling groups. This year I have only met with some groups once ,and the other groups I have not even been able to meet with yet, simply because I do not have the time to.”

According to Doyle, some groups need special attention and scheduling problems have only gotten in the way of doing so.

“Grief group, groups about eating disorders and just teen issues are groups I try to meet with early in the year and every year I have been able to do so, except this one,” Doyle said. “I want to have the ability to catch up with students and make sure they are on the right track to get better. So far this year, I have not been doing that. It makes me upset that there is virtually nothing I can do either.”

Groups are not the only area that the counselors have not been able to touch base with. The counselors say they used to know their students on a personal level, but now with a busy daily lineup, doing that is out of the question.

“It’s sad”, LeBlanc said. “Just a couple years ago, I used to know each and everyone of my students and their parents. We used to visit the eighth graders and have a one on one meeting with them about getting ready for high school. Then we had a second meeting a couple months into the next school year to make sure they were adjusting well. Now I just do not have the time for such thing.”

Doyle and Holmes agree.

“There are days when I answer the phone and a parent is calling regarding their child. Even though the student is mine, I just do not know who they are, and that is sad,” Doyle said.

Even though the counseling department is facing some hardships at the moment, they continue to keep their heads up.

“I believe in a growth period and learning from our mistakes. Next year we are preparing early,” Holmes said. “It might have been a stressful start, but I am an eternal optimist. I sense things will improve.”

Photo by Rachel Dethloff

Counselors Larry LeBlanc, Kristy Doyle and Gerry Holmes

2

News

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The Bleu Print September, 2008 Volume 32.1 Chelsea High School. 740 N. Freer Road. (734) 433. 2201 ex. 1228.

“Spreading the bark of the Bulldawg since 1977”

CHS welcomes new principal

Chelsea High School’s newspaper adviser let go After ten years servingto Chelsea high Schoolict as a Math teacher andsuperintendent an Assistant Principal, due confl with Fun facts: Julie Deppner has many of plans for her coming years as Principal of Chelsea High School

Scott Crompton Editor-in-Chief

Favorite Movie: Silence of the Lambs

the students in the school who are excelling. says Mrs.Deppner stating that she wants ”to Annika Schwiebert AND She looks forward to having more interac- meet the needs of disconnected students.” jILL A.newspaper McCONVILLE “The case of Dean v. Utica definitely applies to the situation of Chelsea High School adviser Phil Jones was released Chelsea School District’s education program. Therefore, the content Mrs. Deppner is High School newspaper,” Goldstein said. “Also, Kincaid AND Asthe Chelsea from his duties as Editor-in-chief adviser on Oct. 17. Superintendent Dave Killips de- is subject to censorship just like any other educational program. Also, for the v. Gibson editor layout well qualified to applies. They both have to do with the fact that how the clined to commentsistant when asked why of Jones was no longer the adviser students are earning school credit, the school district is paying printing, staff salary, and it is being for the newspaper. reachdis-thesestudent goals.publication is run and produced is more important than the tributed on school district time.” school policy on censorship. The test that comes from cases like this However, according to Jones, an unorthodox method spent isher In many situations like these, She the unschool forum test. If the student publication is a school forum, the law, was used to relieve him of his responsibilities as adviser dergraduate nce a lead performer in her high as shown in Supreme Court cases such as thenyears the administration or school district cannot censor the student of “The Bleu Print.”

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, supportsatthe ad- newspaper.”

“Yeah, it was all ‘secretmusical, service’ Julie sending the assistant school Deppner is still in Central Michigan According to the United States District Court Eastern District of ministration’s decision to censor the newsprincipal down before class started,” Jones said.

“He sent University where she the spotlight playing a leading role as the paper. The Hazlewood case states if a high Michigan, the Chelsea High School student newspaper is a school fome up to the office while he stayed there and removed all received scholarprincipal Chelsea High School. school newspaper is not consistent with a rum.

The test to determine whether or not a student publication is a the students from new the room before of I returned.” the school district’s policy, then adminisforum is based on the way the paper is produced. In order to be is not new itself howship, was aschool Resident had Deppner been struggling fortoa CHS few years, “The Bleu Print”Mrs. trators are permitted to alter the content a school “ We know what would get mostly due to administrative censorship before every isever. She spent four years, from 1998 to 2002, Assistant, and par-forum and be free of censorship, the content of the newspaper of the newspaper. has to be made by the students and it has to be produced during school sue was sent to the printer. student in the room now occupied by Adam French taken out, so we do not even to this indistrict However there are exceptionsticipated time.

“We do not really push the envelope when it comes as a maththe teacher, and also with Stu- really try to put controversial government.

Mrs. rule. In fact, “The Squall”, falls under to Goldstein this means that “The Bleu Print” is a school According to our stories challenging censorship by helping administrathese exceptions as do most high school then forum, and administrators may not legally censor it. Given the infortion,” Annika Schwiebert editor-in-chief of “Theshe Bleu dent Council.

For two semesters filled in Deppner went or somewhat possibly bad newspapers in Michigan. The exception mation from Goldstein, however, Deppner denied to comment on why Print” said. “We know what would getand taken out, so we on to earn her masters as assistant principal from then on conto the rule has to do with the process in “The Bleu Print” is still censored. do not even really try to put controversial or somewhat things in our paper.” tinued work in administration.

From graduate And schoolSchwiebert said administrative censorship definitely affects which the content of the student in publicapossibly bad things in ourtopaper.” the stories “The Bleu Print” covers. “If we did not have to have our tion is derived. at Eastern Michigan 2002 untill this year she worked full time as Julie Deppner, first year principal at Chelsea High paper subject to censorship, we possibly would be more controversial According to Adam Goldstein, a lawSchool, said she reads every issue of “The Bleu Print” beUniversity as an Edthe assistant principal. As assistant princi- -Annika Schwiebert, editoryer at the Student Press Law Center, if in our story topics and things like that,” she said. fore it goes out to the students to make sure there are no pal she had a lot of disciplinary jobs to do. in-chief of The Bleu Print Although Killips said he would not comment on why Jones was rethe content of the newspaper isucational derived Specialist. inappropriate or damaging stories or facts.

Mrs.Print) Deppner of we theput biggest In the future, from the students, meaning the students lieved from his duties as newspaper adviser, according to a story in over says everyone time “She looks (The Bleu in the class or on the staff come students up with may The Ann out an issue,” Schwiebert changes said. for her“However, this year isthis thatyear sheshe no lonbeArbor News, he and Jones had a disagreement on the censorthe ideas, articles and topics, rather than a ship of “The Bleu Print.” has not taken out or changed any of our stories.

But, Mr. able to find Mrs. ger has to perform those duties. Being prinJones’ disagreement with Killips inspired previous students to look Mead, the first principal to start censoring ‘The Bleu Print’, used to school official, then a different rule applies. cipal gives her a chance to delegate, which Deppner reclining This rule is specific to the 6th judicial district, which includes Mich- into the legal issues behind the censorship according to Schwiebert. change a lot about our paper. He used to take out a lot of stuff that the igan. The rule states the way the paper is produced is more important “Now on a beach chair, gaz-that I know it is not legal to censor our paper, we might fight she enjoys, and Deppner with a smile, students did not think was necessary to takenotes out or change.” it ifMichisomething came up,” Shwiebert said. “But it would probably have court According to Deppner, is permitted to change thethat content of than the policy of the school district. This comes from district ing over Lake “A biggershe office.”

Although she says Photo by Tory Stevens to be something big.” the student newspaper because, “It is produced as an extension of the rulings such as Dean v. Utica and Kincaid v. Gibson. .Julie Deppner is the new principal of Chelsea High gan, in front of the being ultimately responsible sometimes is a School.

She has been working for Chelsea Schools since bed and breakfast bit of a disadvantage it’s also a good thing, 1998 as both a math teacher and an anssistant principal. that she has always especially when things are going great.

This year Mrs. Deppner is interested to wanted to own. For see how the switch to a trimester schedule tions with students this year. But as she looks now she is just a few steps away enjoying Liz O’Keefe will go. She is confident that the results will forward to her years as principal, Deppner her new office with its overlooking view Staff writer be positive. Mrs. Deppner is also excited that is not focused solely on those students. “I of The Commons or out in the halls, ready this year she gets to spend more time with take it on myself when students drop out,” to help any and all students in need.

Favorite Day of Spirit Week:

O

P.J. Day and Spirit Day

Hero:

Mother and High School Math teacher were both inspirations

Favorite Sport:

To play: Softball To watch: Swimming

High school changes format of

Michigan or parent-teacher conferences Michigan State: Michigan

The switch to trimesters has led to a new way of doing parent teacher conferences. In previous years parents would be assigned to a teacher and meet with them on a specific time and day. This year all teachers were in the commons and parents had to wait in a line to speak with each of the teachers they wished to speak with.

“Teachers brought this up at a teachers meeting,” said science teacher Cheryl Wells. According to Wells, the reason for doing parent - teacher conferences the new way was the previous method did not fit into the trimesters schedules this year since there is such limited amount of time in each trimester.

Teachers planned to have parent - teacher conferences during the week of exams, but realized at that point classes would be over. “They would have been held during exams, which is too late,” Wells said.

According to Wells, teachers are not sure yet if they will continue to do parent - teacher conferences this way in the future.

“We collected survey data and comments from parents and will evaluate the process with a committee before the second trimester conferences,” she said. She also said teachers are going to use their own input as well to make conferences even better.

“We will use the surveys and teacher input to improve the first trimester format for the second trimester,” she said.

Wells said doing parent - teacher conferences this way was not any harder then doing them in the old way. “I had the NHS set up and work at an information table,” she said. She also said that she had enough time and was able to speak with each of the parents who wanted to speak with her.

Wells had many opinions on the new process of parent - teacher conferences regarding how it was for teachers and for the parents of students. “Parents seemed to dislike the line but wanted to see all five teachers instead of just one representative teacher,” she said.

Parent Kim Deljevic said she liked the new parent - teacher conference format and prefers this method because it allowed her to speak with each of the teachers she wanted to speak to.

“I liked it for the teachers because they were all there just one night,

Inside the issue:

Student store back in business Page 2

Football team kicks off another successful season Page 3 Front Editor: Annika Schwiebert

and I felt it was good for the parents because as a parent we could talk to the teachers of the classes that needed attention,” she said.

Deljevic said she was worried at first she would not be able to speak with all of the teacher she wanted to speak with, she said but it worked out and she was able to speak with each of the teachers for the classes in which she was concerned.

“I have two students at the high school and was concerned go-

Dexter Plaza - next to Busch’s

Is there such a thing as too much texting?

Page 7

Image from CHS wedsite and photo by Jill McConville

ing into the conferences, but I found that it was nicer because after I looked at my children’s grades, I had the choice as to who I would speak to,” she said.

Deljevic said although she was able to speak with each of the teachers whose classes she had concerns with, she had to wait in the lines for some of the teachers for a while before she was able to speak with them. “For some of the teachers, I did wait a long time. In one line I waited 20 minutes. That was long,” she said.

Either way Deljevic said she hopes conferences continue this way.

She said, “ The teachers were great, and they answer all my questions and addressed my concerns.”

3

News

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

New dance rules irritate students Coleen Hill staff writer

Walking into her last homecoming dance, senior Lauren Smith was full of excitement.

Arriving at 9, she was amazed by the mob of people dancing on the floor when she walked down the stairs and spotted her friends from a distance.

“I was dancing with my friends having a really good time. Then 15 minutes later, they turned on the lights. It was horrible,” Smith said.

Smith said the lights turned on were under the catwalk and were very bright and covered at least half of the commons area.

The reason for the lights being turned on, according to chaperone and French teacher Kim Lund, was some chaperones said students were dancing too dirty.

Lund, however, said the homecoming dance this year was the best she has seen in years in terms of appropriate dancing.

She has chaperoned dances for the past five years, and in terms of student behavior and dirty dancing she thought it was the best “This dance was really an improvement from last year,” Lund said.

Lund saw some students were dancing provocatively, but said fewer students crossed

the line with their dancing this year and thnks it’s not fair all the students are punished for 15 students’ mistakes.

“They shouldn’t punish the entire room for people’s poor choices,” she said.

Lund said most chaperones understand students dance differently than they did when they were younger. The chaperones are not trying to stop dancing, she said, they’re just trying to clean it up a bit.

“I don’t think anyone should be sent home for dancing front to back,” she said.

Moran said the homecoming dance this year had more chaperones then it had ever had.

The extra chaperones were good because administrators had more help, Moran said.

Though having extra chaperones had its downsides, he said. More parents who had never been to any high school dances were shocked at what they saw.

Teachers such as student council adviser Debora Marsh received e-mails from parents saying the school should do something about the dancing at the dances. The rule is if one parent complains then changes need to be made, she said “We had complaints from parents last year, and we really tried to work with them this year,” Principal Kit Moran said.

New rules for the dances have been made due to parents complaints.

The rules were posted around the school and on the back of every dance ticket. New rules involved lighting changes such as more decorative lights, the playlist was different, the DJ was moved more centrally, and students outfits were checked at the door.

Some students such as senior Rachel Dethloff do not attend the dances due to the dancing.

Sophomore year, Dethloff went to her first homecoming dance. She was having a good time until she saw how freaky the dancing got.

“My friends went into the pit, and we all danced appropriately in there for 10 minutes, and then I wanted to leave because I saw the way the upperclassmen were dancing,” Detloff said.

“People just come up behind you and expect you to dance dirty with them,” Detloff said.

“I feel gross because people are rubbing up against you with their areas.”

The Halloween dance this year came three weeks after the Homecoming dance. Due to the dancing at the Homecoming dance and previous complaints of inappropriate costumes, the Halloween dance was turned

News Briefs

Rachel Detloff: She no longer attends the dances because of dirty dancing.

Senior float disqualified

Mrs. Lund: As a frequent dance chaperone, she thinks the dancing has become less dirty.

Lauren Smith: The senior thinks the new rules ruined her homecoming dance.

into a Sadie Hawkins dance.

Because of the change in the dance’s name, no one was allowed to wear costumes. Only four people went to the dance.

All of this was a disappointment for many, including Lauren Smith. Smith had spent all day preparing for the homecoming dance, and she said it was ruined because of the lighting and chaperone situation.

She said, “We shouldn’t be treated like little kids.”

Daily announcements eliminated For the first time in years, announcements are no longer a part of the school day.

And Assistant Principal Tim Authier supports the decision. “Since the trimesters are new, staff was concerned that the announcements, which were some days approaching 10 minutes long, were cutting into the school day too much,” he said.

During a teacher debriefing meeting last year, teachers decided upon 10 major issues to fix for this year.

“The interruption of announcements was one of them,” Dean of Students Ken Koenig said. “It was a staff decision to get rid of announcements, but we’re working on alternative ways to get information out.”

One of the temporary solutions the administration came up with involved every third hour teacher reading their class the latest announcements.

“I like it because it gives me the opportunity to fit it in whenever the best time for them is,” social studies teacher Cory Bergen said.

“Announcements over the P.A. were a cue for students to stop paying attention and to start talking.”

Though teachers and administration may be happy to be rid of announcements, students do not feel the same way.

“I miss announcements,” senior Stephanie Wolyniak said. “It was a time in the morning

“Some of the announcements were actually necessary to hear to make sure I knew what times of events and stuff go on.”

-Stephanie Wolnyiak, senior given over the P.A. system anymore, Authier said steps are being made to keep students informed.

“There are three other solutions that we have come up with,” Authier said. “There are

Squall nominated for Pacemaker Out of 373 high school newspapers entered in the competition, The Squall was announced as one of 56 finalists in the annual National Pacemaker contest sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association.

Newspapers who participate in the Pacemaker contest are required to submit six issues of their newspaper from the prior year. Award contest and placement are based on writing, photography, design and editorials.

Pacemaker winners will be announced Nov. 15 at the national high school journalism convention in St. Louis.

Spirit cup stolen

Ally Sutter health editor

to wake up and get your stuff together for the day. Some of the announcements were actually necessary to hear to make sure I knew what times of events and stuff go on. I didn’t go to float building this year because I didn’t know the times or anything.”

While it’s true announcements are not

The senior homecoming float was disqualified from the float building contest after several complaints regarding shooting T-shirts off the float with a T-shirt launcher. Other concerns from the Dexter Sheriff’s office were expressed about the float hitting wires due to the height.

Further complaints from businesses voting on the floats claimed the senior float was out of proportion. According to student council adviser Deborah Marsh, complaints were also made about students throwing candy off the floats Throwing candy from floats has been deemed an automatic disqualification for years with a zero tolerance policy according to Marsh. Although Marsh said she warned senior class adviser Ryan Baese not to allow students to throw candy from the floats, he said he never was warned. Baese also said he’s never seen any rules stating throwing objects off the float is not allowed.

Despite the complaints, Baese said he’s going to keep pushing the envelope for what’s legal and legitament. He said, “If I’m an adviser next year, it’s going to be bigger and better.”

announcements posted on the Dexter web site, posters put up throughout the building and on bulletin boards. Mr. Koenig is in the process of putting announcements on Power Points that could be accessed on TVs throughout the school.”

But Wolyniak argues these solutions are not realistic.

“No one would go online to check the announcements,” Wolyniak said. “And lunch is the only time students get to hang out with their friends during the school day. No one is going to want to go and look at the televisions in the commons.”

Many teachers - agree.

“It’s a waste of my time and it doesn’t benefit most students,” said English teacher Zach Lindke. “Do the math. Five minutes a day, five times a week is three hundred minutes a trimester. What teacher would be willing to take 900 minutes out of class each year?”

Though some students may not bother to look for the announcements, Koenig said he is still working to create a way that will help the news reach all who want to hear.

“We are having some technical road blocks,” Koenig said. “I was going to test it out, but the computer is housed in the main tech building at Creekside. It’s an old Mac, and we are waiting to get it replaced. Once it is funded, the announcements will start up. But it will definitely be done before the end of this year.”

The freshman class’ float won first place in the homecoming competition, and they were awarded the spirit cup. A few days after the cup was awarded to the freshman class, it was stolen.

Freshman adviser, Amy Olmstead, who kept the spirit cup in her room, said there were many attempts from students in her class trying to steal it. After it was stolen, Olmstead asked her students, and they all confirmed the same two people who had allegedly stolen the cup.

Olmstead made a call to Dean of Students Ken Koenig, and the two students were called down to the principal’s office and interrogated by the school police officer, Paul Mobbs.

They retrieved the cup and returned it undamaged to Olmstead’s room. In the end, there was no punishment given to the two students. Olmstead said, “It (calling authorities) was more of a joke and a lesson not to take my things.”

Deputy Mobbs reassigned Liaison Deputy Paul Mobbs was reassigned in October according to Principal Kit Moran. According to Moran, Mobbs’ reassignment is indefinite.

Moran said he and other administrators wrote a letter to the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Department requesting Mobbs’ assistance to return to the high school, but he said they received no response.

Moran also said he does not know any of the details but hopes for Mobbs to return soon. The officer replacing Mobbs, Deputy Lori Butler, said she did not want to to comment on the circumstances surrounding Mobbs’ reassignment.

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4

Feature

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Sinelli at MSU

John Brosch staff writer

More Info

For many hockey players , the dream is college hockey. And for junior Andrew Sinelli, that dream is being realized. In two years Sinelli will be at Michigan State on a full ride scholarship for hockey.

“I have always wanted to play for a university from a young age,” Sinelli said. “My older brother who played for Dexter was my inspiration to play hockey. I really looked up to him.”

Sinelli said he first started playing hockey at the age of four and was soon seen at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube for early-morning practices like many other young players.

Sinelli was a national champion earlier in his hockey career playing in the AAA Elite leagues. This is where he was first noticed by college scouts. “The schools that really pursued me hard were Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Maine and Miami (OH),” he said.

But last year he verbally committed to Michigan State University.

“The decision was very difficult, but it came down to coaching,”

Sinelli said. “The head coach at State, Rick Comley, his son is the head coach for Sioux City, (where Sinelli will play next year) so I knew that I wasn’t going to be screwed over by going to State.”

While living in Iowa, Sinelli will play in the United States Hockey League and suit up for the Sioux City Musketeers where he will continue to work to improve his game and get noticed by more and more scouts.

“This is a path that MSU wants me to follow,” Sinelli said about playing for the Musketeers.

At 16, Sinelli plays against people a year or two older than him. He plays for Honey Baked Under 18 Midget Major.

Several coaches Sinelli has played against also believe he is an exceptional player. “He is a quality player with exceptional skill. He never stops moving his feet,” opposing coach and former Michigan hockey player Steve Luongo said.

Though optimistic about what the future holds for him Sinelli said it could be a little tough getting used to not living at home next year.

“(Sioux City) is nice, but there isn’t really all that much to do,” he said.

However, he believes that the lack of outside distractions could prove to help him focus on his game, even if there isn’t much to take part in outside of hockey. “It will help me focus on hockey, but I might get a little bored,” he said.

Sinelli’s current coach Rob Krohl thinks he can handle any challenge thrown his way though, due to his optimism and love for the game.

“Andrew is a quality person,” Krohl said. “He is a happy-go-lucky kid.

His speed separates him apart from other players.

Krohl also believes the scholarship to MSU will prove to be an advantage to Sinelli.

“He is already ahead of the ball game by having a full ride to Michigan State” he said. He also thinks Sinelli’s upbringing contributed to the position he’s in now. “He works hard and was brought up very well by his parents”, he said.

To continue to improve his skills, Sinelli said he is working on a weight lifting regimen to build

muscle to his self-proclaimed “scrawny” build. “I gotta get bigger and stronger because I’m a scrawny s---,” Sinelli said jokingly.

In the summer, he is a regular at Keil Power Skating hockey lessons at Chelsea’s Arctic Colosseum to keep fit as well.

According to Sinelli, his strong speed and quickness are still something he works on regularly in these training sessions. This helps to make up for the difference in age he is forced to work against.

“We work on mostly speed and agility training that helps me a lot to stick with the other players out there,” he said.

Looking back on his hockey career, Sinelli remembers the 6 a.m. practices as a little kid, the tournaments and weekend trips to showcases, state and national championships, and all the hard work that goes into it.

“It’s been a fun ride so far,” he said. Through all the challenges, Sinelli is content with the way things have gone. “All the hard work has paid off. I wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

• Michigan State’s men’s hockey team is ranked 17th in the country • Sinelli is one of three recruits to commit to Michigan State for the class of 2010

Gliding on ice: State commit, junior Andrew Sinelli, skates in a game for his club team, HoneyBaked Hockey.

Photo Illustration by Lindsay Baker

What you think about going green

Daniel Witte: “There is so much waste, people need to go green before we run out of room.”

Lindsay Gagneau: “I think it’s a good idea, it will help protect and save our environment.”

Going Green Kaitlyn Shepard features editor

She may not wear Birkenstocks or a “we add up” T-shirt, but junior Sara Bayer is a tree hugger and one of the many people who have recently made the decision to become more environmentally conscious and go green.

“One day I walked outside and it was like 70 degrees,” Bayer said. “Everyone else was really excited because it was 70 in the middle of May. I was just like, ‘Are you kidding me people, this is because the ozone is going into space, and the ice-caps are melting.’”

There are many ways people can go green, according to Bayer, including using f lorescent light bulbs, car pooling and recycling.

“There are a lot of easy things you can do,” she said. “It doesn’t take more than just a few minutes of your time every day to do a little something.”

One popular and simple way to help the environment is to switch light bulbs to the environmentally-friendly f lorescent ones environment club member junior Nick Hart said.

“These light bulbs actually last longer than the other ones,” he said. “They work just as well and cost about the same. The only difference is that they use less energy, which in the long run saves you money.”

Junior Liz Aubuchon, also an environmental club member, said what is happening to the environment is a shame.

“I went somewhere really pretty, and I saw all this trash just laying around,” Aubuchon said. “People were just too lazy to even walk to the trash can, two steps away, and throw

y

away their garbage. They just threw it on the ground.”

Hart said the main reason people don’t recycle or make an effort to help the environment, though, is because they’re too lazy.

“I think the main reason people don’t do anything is laziness,” Hard said. “They just don’t want to take the few extra steps to turn off the lights, or recycle something.”

According to environmental club adviser Daniel Witte, it is important for people to change their lifestyles and start being more environmentally friendly.

“If everyone in the world lived like us Americans, we would need six or seven Earths to support us,” Witte said. “Ultimately people will either change or learn the hard way, when we run out of space in the landfills, and they are forced to change. People will realize when it hits their neighborhood. It is easy to deny it and do nothing until it happens to you.”

And all environmental club members agree it takes almost no effort to become more green.

“The everyday change can be hard at times,” sophomore Linsey Allen said. “Once you get used to it, it just becomes natural to turn off the lights and recycle.”

Though these changes can be a hard adjustment, Aubuchon said people need to change, if not for themselves, for everyone else.

“We can’t mess this up,” she said. “The environment doesn’t belong to any one person.

It belongs to everyone. What one person does affects everyone else.”

How you can Help •use low-flow water appliances

•recycle old cell phones, cameras, and their batteries •use compact flourescent light bulbs •get off junk mail lists and help save paper •use solar energy

source: http://www. goodhousekeeping.com/home/greenliving/ways-to-go-green

5

Feature

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Scandalous Behavior...

Administrators call a town hall meeting to address concerns over inappropriate use of cell phones and other technology Kristi Hughes staff writer

investigation,” he said.

Koenig said, “The However, information about an e-mail came up to us. Some people gave us a user name and a password that they accessed. When we talked to some students, they signed on their e-mail and showed us the pictures.”

This is not the first time people have had problems with sending and receiving inappropriate multi media, according to counselor Kristie Doyle. “Young people should be careful. Things you do now can haunt you for a long time. You can’t get things back.”

Doyle said there are a few reasons why young people, especially girls, might to send sexual pictures of themselves, one being attention, positive or negative. “Our society sexualizes females so much, even at a young age. And being a girl growing up, there is a lot of pressure,” she said.

According to Koenig because neither Moore or Smith violated the student code of conduct, are not getting in trouble at school.

Principal Kit Moran confirmed this information. “No students are currently receiving disciplinary

actions,” Moran said.

Some students involved with the picture being sent to others have gotten their cell phones taken by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, however, as part of the investigation, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Deputy Lori Butler said, “According to the law, you can’t take it, have it, or send it,” referring to the pictures, which authorities have classified as child pornography because of Moore’s age.

On Nov. 6, a town hall meeting was held in the gym, where Butler, and district technology director Matt Maciag and Moran answered question about student use of technology and Moore’s situation in general terms. Parents who attended the town hall meeting had questions about how distracting electronics can be in the classroom. Parents also asked about Moore’s situation, but district officials could only talk about the situation in general.

But regardless of what Moore did or didn’t do, Doyle’s said, “I think we’ve all done things we’d regret, but luckily for most of us, they aren’t captured so it’s important we don’t judge.”

Photo by Lindsay Baker

Freshman Lauren Moore’s* first year of high school hasn’t really been what she wanted. In addition to the regular stress of freshman year, Moore now has naked pictures of her on cell phones through the school, pictures she intended only for her boyfriend at the time.

“My ex-boyfriend asked me to send him pictures of myself so I did,” she said, “Then he sent them to his friends. It was the first time I’ve ever done anything like that.”

Pictures aren’t the only thing Moore sent though. She said she also sent her ex-boyfriend a video of herself putting a full banana in her mouth that ended up on youtube.

Moore’s ex-boyfriend, freshman Dan Smith*, however has a different account of what happened. “ She sent probably somewhere between 20 to 30 pictures to me,” Smith said.

“She just sent them to me.” Smith also said he only sent the pictures to one friend. In addition said he received the video but, didn’t put it on youtube.

Unlike incidents in Pinckney and Fowlerville, however, Smith said he has received no disciplinary actions from the school for his part in the incident. “I’m not in trouble by the school or anything just by my parents,” he said. “(Dean of students Ken) Koenig came to my fourth hour with (Assistant Principal Tim) Authier. They took my iPod and asked for my phone, but I didn’t have it. Then they took me to Mr. Koenig’s office. I sat there for a while and then Mr. Authier and Koenig came in. They asked me if I had the pictures on my e-mail, and I did, so they had me give them my e-mail address and password, and we looked at the pictures together.

It was pretty awkward.”

In addition to being awkward, what Koenig and Authier did may have been illegal according to Adam Goldstein, a lawyer with the Student Press Law Center. Goldstein said, technically, without a police officer present or a warrant, administrators weren’t allowed to take Smith’s e-mail address. Goldstein said, “Anything the administrators took should be given to law enforcement, where they would perform a correct

Scott wins national teaching award jealous,” said fellow PE teacher Tom Barbieri.

Scott originally did not have an interest in teaching high school age students. “I fell in love Students may think they won’t remember with teaching the younger kids and teaching the things they learn in a gym class. But many them the love for sports that I have,” Scott said.

It was not until she was Dexter students can doing her student teaching remember much more that she decided that she than they ever thought would like to teach older they would, courtesy adolescents. of health teacher Angie Many students say they Scott.

Such as how are happy with the decision badmitton started or the she made to stay at the high dimensions of a tennis school. court.

“She always made me want And for her work, to come to class, because I Scott is receiving health “I fell in love with teaching the knew I was gonna have fun,” teacher of the year for younger kids, and teaching them the senior Jack Coy said. secondary education Senior Chris Kotsones can award. love for sports that I have.” also remember the fun times It’s put up by the he had in Scott’s class. “She non-profit organization, always made us feel like we Michigan Association were in a safe environment for Health Physical and that made it easier to Education, Recreation have fun, so thank you,” he and Dance. said.

This award came as According to senior somewhat a shock to Lauren McLaughlin Scott Scott. “I felt excited, honored, unexpected and good that all my hard also inspired kids to learn and want to work hard. “Thank you for really caring about the work paid off,” she said.

“If she can put up with me everyday then I students,” McLaughlin said. “You always made think she deserves the award, and no I’m not us want to work hard.”

Angie Scott: Recognized for her teaching skills

Dan Newell staff writer

- Angie Scott Lifetime fitness teacher

Photo by: Lindsay Baker

Factbox • Her favorite food is the traditional Thanksgiving turkey meal • She grew up in Saline as the middle child of two sisters • Met her husband math teacher Dewey Scott during her first year of teaching at Dexter High School. He began their relationship with the smooth line, “I’ve never seen your office before.”

• Her favorite color is green • Her favorite clothing brand is Nike

6

Health

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Caffeine affects student athletes Nicole Minzey staff writer

Whether it’s Diet Coke or Monsters, caffeine is a popular choice for students. Caffeine is a mild stimulant found in more than 63 plant species, making it the most inexpensive and accessible drug in the world.

Caffeine does have benefits for different types of athletes. Some studies show that caffeine can increase endurance in athletes who play sports that require long term stamina like running and soccer.

But that’s not always the case. Sophomore Katie Taylor, a cross country runner, didn’t have such a good experience.

At the beginning of the season, Taylor’s coach and parents started her on a vitamin supplement not knowing that it had a large amount of caffeine in it. After taking the supplements for a while, Taylor realized the side effects.

“I wasn’t performing as well at the meets,” Taylor said. “I started getting really bad stomach aches before my races.” Taylor’s coaches and parents thought it was just pre race jitters, so she continued on the supplements. As the season went on, her symptoms didn’t get any better.

She kept having stomach aches and problems running. “My muscles felt like lead blocks,” Taylor said. It got so bad that she couldn’t run for more than a few minutes without having to stop due to severe abdominal pain. Not knowing that it was the vitamins that were giving her all these problems, she kept taking them.

When she couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her, she took a close look at the bottle. “We saw that the bottle said the supplements had more caffeine than coffee,” Taylor said. Once she noticed that, she immediately switched to a new vitamin supplement. She has had much better results on

Photo Illustration by Valentino Argierio

the new vitamin supplement. She’s running much better in her races and isn’t getting stomach aches anymore.

Though those symptoms are gone Taylor has noticed some long-lasting effects of the supplements.

Now any caffeine makes her sick. “I can’t even drink pop anymore,” Taylor said.

There has been controversy over caffeine ever since it was banned in the 2000 Olympics. While companies who make the products want you to think caffeine is wonderful, it has been proven to cause negative side effects. Sleep deprivation, nausea, cramping, anxiety and fatigue are all common with use of caffeine.

While these are short term effects, caffeine has also been proven to have a diuretic effect on the body. Caffeine keeps you from being able to reabsorb sodium and water while also increasing the blood flow to the kidneys. This can severely damage your kidneys.

Also for athletes who use caffeine as source of energy when they don’t get enough sleep, it can be a dangerous cycle. The caffeine will keep you awake so you don’t realize how tired you are until you crash.

Because of the high content of sodium and caffeine in sodas, they are possibly the most dangerous for athletes. People don’t realize that when they drink soda they are actually becoming more dehydrated. When you get dehydrated your blood thickens and you can have circulation problems. If the body can’t circulate blood fast enough to the organs they can start shutting down.

Another long term effect of caffeine use is bladder problems. It can weaken bladder muscles, causing the need to urinate. This could present a problem if you play an endurance sport.

Because of all this, Taylor warns athletes to stay away from caffeine. She said, “Caffeine is not good to have during your season.”

How to stay healthy and fit in the winter Lee Copeely staff writer

In order to stay healthy and fit during winter, sophomores Steven Briggs and Sequoyah Burke-Combs hit the gym almost every day.

“We work out about two to three hours a day,” Briggs said. Briggs also said they focus more on weightlifting during winter.

“It’s more to build muscle during the summer and to build bulk during the winter,” Burke-Combs said. Briggs and Burke-Combs perform activities like power clean and snatch, two different types of lifts for weightlifting.

Most of the work they’re doing is for a sport next year.

“You can’t take any time off for football,” Briggs said. “We have a lot of goals to reach for next season.”

And the football program doesn’t end when the season is over.

“There’s a new emphasis on core work,” head JV football coach Brian Baird said. “(People need to) find an activity they enjoy doing and just stick with it.”

Core work focuses on the muscles between the knees and the chest.

Most sports don’t take any time off from their seasons. Fall sports keep in

shape, while winter and spring sports start.

The wrestling team has three hours of conditioning every day before the season starts and daily practices during the season. “We have to break these kids down as far as we can,” assistant wrestling coach AJ Santoro said. “If we don’t, they won’t last in a six minute match.” Santoro also said that the team has to run at least 45 minutes everyday at practice. “(The basketball teams) have two hour practices, six days a week,” head freshman basketball coach Jason Miller said.

The basketball teams perform running activities such as sprints and basketball drills during practices.

But many people avoid working out during winter, which is a problem according to health teacher Angie Scott.

“It’s all motivation,” Scott said. “People just don’t want to go outside. There’s local gyms, rec. centers, indoor tracks and (indoor) sports teams.”

People often have trouble thinking about ways they can keep in shape during winter.

“During winter, you could do more weight training than cardio,” student health teacher Rebecca Chinsky said.

“Don’t stop your routine during winter.”

30 HAM and GLUTS

But working out inside isn’t the only option for winter.

“Use the weather to your advantage, don’t just sit inside,” Burke-Combs said.

Studies show people tend to get sick around the holidays, more so than other parts of the year, Scott also said.

“The immune system is down, people are stressed out, and they’re inside more,” she said. “The germs circulate around the house.”

“People are also not dressing correctly,” Chinsky said. “They’re warm from exercise and go outside clothes that aren’t warm, because they feel warm.”

The best ways to avoid illness during winter are to eat healthy, to dress correctly for the winter and to keep the immune system up. Flu shots are also a common way to avoid getting sick, but they’re not for everyone. Some people have an allergic reaction to them.

The influenza virus is one of the most common winter ailments, along with the common cold and pneumonia. More than 20,000 people die from the flu every year, with the majority being the elderly.

“The cold-like symptoms that people always think of are actually the flu,” Chinsky said. “These symptoms include coughing, sneezing and a runny nose.”

RUN 10 LAPS

5 B O X E S 25 B P E R N E C S H S

30 TRICEP EXTENTION Photos by Lee Copely

7

News

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Lee Copley staff writer

Senior Hannah Shepherd* wanted to get a tattoo. The problem was that she was 16 and didn’t have parental permission, but she gave it a try because she looked older.

“They just assumed I was 18,” Shepherd said of the tattoo parlor where she got her tattoo “There were no questions asked when I went there.”

Shepherd currently has two tattoos and isn’t planning on getting anymore. “I really like (my tattoos), and I think

they’re really cool,” she said.

Tattoos are nothing new to Dexter High School. Several students and teachers have them.

“I think if people give (tattoos) a lot of thought it’ll be OK,” journalism teacher Barry Mergler said. “If they choose something they won’t regret fifteen years down the road, then it’s fine.”

Mergler also said that tattoos in certain places were not okay including the face and upper neck.

Mergler has a few tattoos, including a peace sign the size of a quarter. Mergler said the peace sign tattoo was a present for being his friend’s best man at a wedding. “(My tattoo) was something I thought about, and it was something I believe in. The size also allows me to add onto it if I want,” he said. Mergler also said that he was considering adding something related to his two children to his peace sign tattoo.

Mergler isn’t the only teacher at the high school who has a tattoo. Art teacher Autumn Campbell has four tattoos. “(My tattoos) are all my own designs, and they’re all very personal,” she said. Campbell has

her daughter’s signature from the first time she wrote her name at the age of three tattooed on her forearm.

Many teenagers have either gotten a tattoo or are planning on getting one.

“I think teens do it to remember someone or just to get one cause they like it,” senior Damon Henderson said. “(My tattoo) is to remember my dad (who passed away).”

Henderson’s tattoo is a cross on his upper arm, with his father’s first name on it.

Henderson also said that he would only get another tattoo to remember his grandmother.

Senior Jake Stacy has a tattoo on his chest to remember his friend Tyler Steffey, who died in a car accident almost a year ago.

The tattoo is of a cross which is dedicated to Steffey.

Dexter High School’s most tattooed student in recent years was Chris Bryant. Bryant graduated in 2008 and currently has two large tattoos on his arms.

The first one is on his upper arm and is a larger spider with a two-headed fetus in the thorax.

The more recent tattoo is on

his forearm and is the logo of the industrial metal band Mushroomhead.

Bryant bought both of his tattoos after he turned 18 and he got both of them done at SC Tattoo, a local tattoo parlor in Ann Arbor.

Bryant also said that he is considering getting more tattoos.

Bryant is one of many teenagers who have gotten a tattoo.

“I think (teens) do it as a way to express something about themselves,” Mergler said.

According to Campbell, tattoos aren’t just for self-expression, they’re also for artistic expression. “(Tattoos) are beautiful works of art,” Campbell said. Campbell also said there is a difference between art and not for tattoos.

“Trashy tattoos aren’t art. They’re just trashy.”

Most tattoo artists have a formal art school education, and are often skilled are several types of art, according to Campbell.

“Tattooists are artists who’s median are tattoos,” Campbell said. *Name changed at request

Photo Illistrations by JoJo Parin and Kelsey Heilman

'Quantum of Solace' tougher than the rest Sarah Akbarifard ad manager

A

gent 007 is back, and this time around his quest is a personal one. Bond’s out to seek revenge on the organization that blackmailed his girlfriend Vesper Lynd in the 2006 Bond film, “Casino Royale”.

Navigating everywhere from Italy to South America to Austria.

Bond played by the tough, rugged Daniel Craig, proves he can do the impossible in this electrifying thriller that leaves the audience on the edge on their seats grasping for more.

Directed by Oscar winning Marc Forster, everything seems badder in this film, in comparison to “Casino Royale”. Hotter cars, deadlier stunts, and even a Bond girl with some sass to her.

Olga Kurylenko portrays Camille, who doesn’t mind fighting for what she wants and like Bond, is on a personal mission. But in her case, it is to find the man who killed her

family. Kurylenko’s character may even remind some viewers of the ruthless Halle Berry in “Tomorrow Never Dies” made back in 2002.

The Bond babes aren’t the only characters who have a more harder, tougher approach in this movie though. No, Craig himself shows off a darker character, he’s what some can classify as a tough guy. Take the notable Pierce Brosnan who starred in four action-packed Bond films.

While he was tough (as all Bonds should be), he possessed more of a sleek attitude.

Marc Forster obviously learned from Martin Campbell’s mistakes in “Casino Royale”. “Quantum of Solace” was paced far better than “Casino Royale”. If anything the speedy chases with Ashton Martins priced beyond one’s imagination left the audience with a sense of exhilaration.

Craig is the bond of the 21st century, and is leaves his mark on audiences across the globe as possibly the best bond yet. Nice job,

‘Paper Trail’ fares Border Cantina a better than expected Mexican fiesta Brent Muse get involved editor

A

fter T.I. was put on house arrest for weapons charges, fans highly anticipated his new album especially after the release of his new singles, “Whatever You Like” and “No Matter What”, which topped the charts with no problem.

And when the album was released on Aug. 8, it confirmed T.I. had the best album of the year.

He surprised everyone with more big hits with other good artists.

“Live Your Life” (feat. Rihanna), “Swagga Like Us” (feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne), and “Dead and Gone” (feat. Justin Timberlake), are all popular because the hooks are catchy and the guest artists are all well-liked.

But T.I. doesn’t need other artists to help him sell records.

Although it helps, he had many good songs by himself as well,

including his first two singles, “Whatever You Like” and “No Matter What.” And he produced “Ready for Whatever” and “What Up, What’s Haapnin’?” which were also hits. These are all hits because T.I. has been locked up in his house, and he has a lot of time to compose good songs, so his rhymes are much more meaningful.

T.I. is the best rapper out there right now besides Lil’ Wayne. It is hard to choose a favorite song from this album, but if I had to choose a few it would have to be “On Top of the World,” “No Matter What,” and “Whatever you like” are all great. “No Matter What” and “Whatever you like” because they have good beats and real lyrics, which makes a rap song good. And “On Top of the World” is my other favorite song because it has a good hook and T.I and Ludacris together are a good combination.

Sarah Akbarifard ad manager

S

picy, savory and scrumptious all define the food to feast upon at Border Cantina, a Mexican-style restaurant, with a eclectic vibe to it, located in the heart of Brighton.

Upon arriving, one immediately notices the vivacious murals of bulls, cactuses and sombreros painted on the walls, not to mention the welcoming booths or the tables offered just for two.

But beware. If you plan on eating the heavenly food they offer on the weekend, expect a wait of about 45 minutes to an hour.

However, once seated, you’re immediately served with a flavorful bowl of homestyle salsa, along with crispy, right--out-of -the- oven basket of tortilla chips. And Border Cantina has an extensive num-

ber of main entrees to chose from, much more of a variety than Qdoba Mexican Grill, which is in Ann Arbor.

Yet most impressive is that most meals range from $6.50 to $13, but what is more astonishing than that is the amount of food Border Cantina presents for this small sum of money. For paying $8.50, for example, you get a savory chicken enchilada, along with spicy Spanish rice, a fresh right-out-of-the oven corn cake, with zesty guacamole and refried beans.

In the end paying $8.50 for a delicious assortment doesn’t sound too bad; and just think; Border Cantina could be the restaurant that scores major points with your special someone or the restaurant to catch up with a old friend with while devouring their scrumptious Mexican cuisine. So try it sometime. It’ll be a unforgettable experience.

8

Sports

Tuesday, November 24, 2008

Striking back: Sophomore Alex Hiner hits the ball back to his single partner for the day during practice. Hiner plays number three singles on varsity.

Olivia Scheffler opinions editor

Off-season training too extensive As long as I’ve been in high school, I’ve heard kids complain about long, hard practices and sleep-deprived nights doing homework because of sports. I’ve started listening a little more closely to these complaints, and what I’m hearing makes me wonder whether kids need to suck it up and quit being lazy or if high school sports expect too much from the average athlete.

Let’s face it, the majority of us who play or have played high school sports are not going to end up in the NFL draft or even in NCAA college sports. If I’m not mistaken, and this is certainly true for me, most of us play sports because we love it and the team atmosphere it provides.

Therefore, when I started listening to the current practice conditions both in and especially out of season, it made me think.

Two-a-day practices for in-season swimmers and for football players in the summer? Basketball teams starting optional training shortly after spring break even though they are in a winter sport? The track team expected to weightlift months in advance?

I understand in order to stay on top, players need to be in shape and ready to play, but what about the fun aspect of sports? I think somewhere along the way we’ve lost that part of it, and it’s sad.

Coaches and teams don’t like to admit this, but we all know no matter how hard you work in practice or if you have a die-hard attitude, if you lack natural talent for a sport, you don’t play. That’s the way it goes now.

Of course sports teams have evolved with the times. Teams are scoring more, shattering records and shaving off huge amounts of time in racing. However, sooner or later, this progress will halt only because the human condition won’t be able to get any bigger, faster or stronger. If and when we ever reach that point, there will no longer be a need to practice to death. Then what will the point be if not for fun? Hard work during the season is one thing.

Teams have to keep up with the pack just to avoid severe depression and draining of their emotional battery. You hear people say you can have a horrendous record and still feel great, but how many truly believe that?

However, off-season training can be a little extreme. Most teams have camps during the summer that are mandatory or “highly recommended.” In other words, show up or forget about trying out. Yes, you’re bigger, faster and stronger, but at what cost? Athletes lose sleep and energy they might find useful for other things, say education or work? Sleeping from 7:35 a.m. to 2:26 p.m. doesn’t count.

So, yes, the expectations are too high for your average high school athlete. I’m not talking about the superhuman kids who run eight miles a day and sweat half their blood in the weight room voluntarily. If you dream of college and professional sports and want to work that hard for it, that’s great. I have a lot of respect for those people. I’m talking about those of us who play for fun and friends and experience, not for the countless bulldogs and laps at five in the morning.

Sports don’t need to be taken to the extreme in high school.

No matter how stupid and cliche this sounds, if people went out without worrying about the stress, we would have so many more kids playing high school sports. Then we wouldn’t have to force kids to work out in a mandatory gym class.

Boys tennis has success at states Photo by Ross Chamberlain

Kevin Yarows sports editor

He walks up to the net feeling disappointed and frustrated. He tells his opponents, “Good game,” and shakes hands. However, soon after the initial disappointment of his loss passed, he was happy with his and the team’s performance.

Although junior Chad Bousley had just lost his second round #1 doubles match with his partner senior Ryan Kuhns at the state meet, he was happy with his performance because of their first round win.

This win enabled Dexter to have a team advance past the first round at the state meet for the first time in since Dexter has been in Division 2. The team also advanced in the #4 doubles pair of junior Brian Rose and sophomore Daniel Kasten and #3 singles player, sophomore Alex Hiner.

“This was our first year taking points during the state finals at the Division 2 level,” said fourth-year tennis coach Mike Dziama. “We proved we could compete (in division 2). (Getting points) made it a very special ending to a great season.”

The tennis team qualified for states for the third consecutive year, but they were unable to advance past the first round in any of the matches in the two previous years. They qualified for states by winning the Allen Park regional. In their regional, they advanced to the finals in seven out of the eight

flights.

Going into the season, the team had two main goals: win the SEC and win regionals, said Dziama.

By winning the SEC conference tournament as well, they were able to accomplish both of these.

Bousley attributes the success of the team to their experience as a team. Having gone to states the past two years, the team gained valuable experience playing matches with pressure.

“The more matches you play, the better you can deal with pressure,” Bousley said. “You learn when big points are and how to play them.”

Almost everybody on the team returned from last year, including six seniors, Bousley said.

Number one singles player, junior Robert Partarrieu, had a different explanation for the teams success.

“It was easy to play with everyone because we’re all friends,” Partarrieu said. “Everyone gets along so it makes it fun to play with everyone.”

Partarrieu said the team camaraderie helped everybody train during the off-season too. “If you want to go play, it’s a lot easier to call up one of your friends rather than somebody you barely know,” Partarrieu said.

And Dziama said the team looks forward to continuing its recent streak of success. “Despite the fact that we have six of our varsity players graduating this year,” he said, “there are JV players that are ready and eager to take their place so that we be strong even next year.”

Winter Sports Preview Jamie Munson staff writer

Girls basketball Coach: Mike Bavineau Key returners: Seniors Amy Baldus, Jean Snyder and Haley Stoll.

Outlook: Have a better record than last year and have fun.

Boys basketball Coach: Randy Swoverland Key returners: Seniors Dan Newell, Eddie Zukowski, Ryan Lemasters, Steve Muchmore and junior Stefan Elslager.

Outlook: Win SEC and make it to regionals.

Dance team Coach: Joanne Shipley Key Returners: Captains to be named.

Cheerleading Coach: Dorian Reardon Key Returners: Captains to be named.

Hockey Coach: Gary Howell Key returners: Seniors Alex Erber, Chris Carender, Mike Clutterbuck, Mike Herter and junior Matt Stirling.

Outlook: Win SEC championship.

Wrestling Coach: Shane Rodriguez Key returners: Seniors Andrew Collins, Corey Chamberlain, Mitch Crawford and junior Dan Flowers.

Outlook: Win districts.

Swim & dive Coach: Gary Howell Key returners: Seniors Karl Kumbier, Rob Spiegel, Scott Crompton, Taylor Verna and sophomore Stephen Sobzak.

Outlook: Win SEC and finish top 10 at states.

9

Sports

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Heart screening recommended for athletes Patrick Ledwidge trends editor

Though Star has a hear t murmur, it has not played a par t in her life. “The murmur hasn’t For the past f ive years, Chelsea Communit y ef fected me, and the doctors say it won’t,” Star Hospital has given free hear t screenings to all said. “My dad had a hear t condition, so he got it high school and college athletes. Doctor Steven checked again when we found out I had a murmur.

Yarows, Chief of Medicine and Director of Intensive The doctor’s said his went away, but I’ll probably Care Unit at Chelsea Communit y Hospital said the have mine the rest of my life.”

Yarows says hear t conditions are few in number, hospital of fers this ser v ice because of the common but they can be serious. occurrence of hear t conditions in young athletes.

Hy per trophiccardiomyapathy is the hear t “The screening cost $1,000, but we of fer it free to all high school and college athletes,” Yarows condition most commonly found in young athletes. said. “People come as far “Hy per trophicc ardiomyapat hy as the Detroit Suburbs.”

(HCM) accounts for over 50 percent During a screening of kids dy ing while play ing a spor t,” such as this, junior A riel Yarows said.

Star discovered she had a A nd while he said there is a .2 hear t murmur. “I found percent possibilit y of a hear t defect in out about the murmur a high school or college athlete, these f ive or six years ago,” “Five major conditions can be found free screenings can detect problems Star said. “At f irst I was in doing the test, including an EKG early. ner vous because I didn’t (Electrocardiogram). If (a rhythm Yarows has only found one student know what it meant. The problem is) found, more extensive through these screenings to have a doctor’s didn’t know if defect. it could be something testing will be done. ” Though hear t problems can highly serious.” af fect athletes, Yarows says there is Star said she has another por tion to the screening that played spor ts her whole is more common. life and hoped the defect “We also give a blood pressure would not have an ef fect test along w ith the hear t screening,” on her athletic career. “It Yarows said. has something to do w ith Yarows says it is possible to experience the blood being pumped to my hear t,” Star said.

“Blackouts and According to Yarows, hear t murmurs can be signs of a hear t condition. discovered by the screening, though they are only dizziness while exercising and chest pain (are a minor problem. “Five major conditions can be some examples),” he said. He adv ises students to found in doing the test,” he said, including an EKG seek attention if any of these signs occur.

The Chelsea Hospital of fers year round (Electrocardiogram). “If (a rhy thm problem is) found, more extensive testing w ill be done. Then hear t screening for $55. The free tests are only the patient w ill be referred for f ull cardiac work.” of fered during select days several times a year.

“I think it’s even more impor tant than You only need the test once. A nd it is a real serious condition, it is likely the athlete w ill not spor ts physicals,” Yarows said. “I would absolutely recommend the screening,” play again.”

-Dr. Steven Yarows

Photo courtesy of Steve Yarows

Electroardiogram: The EKG tests are taken at hospitals and doctor office’s. They are used to check HCM and other heart diseases.

Factbox • The Chelsea Community Hospital gives free heart screanings to all high school and college athletes several times per year.

• The screening regularly cost around $1,000.

• Hypertrophiccardiomyapathy (HCM) is the heart condition most commonly found in young athletes.

• Blackouts and dizziness while exercising are common signs of heart problems.

Photo courtesy of Steve Yarows

In the hospital: A patient lies in the hospital bed while getting a screening test, or an EKG. These screening tests only take about 10 minutes to do.

Adler battles on and off the track vision is 20/200 with glasses on,” she said. “I have to identify people by their clothing because I have a hard time making out faces. I can’t read the numbers on lockers, so I have a key Katie Adler can run a 5K in 21 minutes and to get into (mine). I have a mobility specialist 11 seconds. Though she is only a freshman, she (someone who teaches the visually impaired how to get around using has competed in a number of public transportation), varsity cross country meets. and my teachers have to Her good attitude and enlarge my homework impressive times make her assignments.” a very promising member of Despite being the team. diagnosed with what Adler is also legally blind. she calls a disappointing She suffers from Stargardt’s “I’ve been running since before I was diagnosed condition, Adler absolutely Disease, an eye condition that (with Stargardt’s), I really love to run, and I’m thrives as a runner. slowly deteriorates her vision going to continue with the cross country team “She sets the bar high through retinal degeneration. throughout high school.” for the rest of the girls,” It is a genetic mutation, cross country coach Katie passed down if both parents Jazwinski said. “People are carriers. don’t look at her as if she One in 400 people are has a disability. They look carriers. Only 1 in 1000 at her as a tough, very fast actually suffer from the competitor. One of the disease. reasons we are so good this Adler is 1 in 1000. She year is because freshman has been struggling with like (Adler) have come in this condition for nearly four and challenged the older girls.” years.

However, Adler said being a cross country “In fifth grade I underwent a bunch of testing at the Ann Arbor Eye Clinic,” she said. “I was runner has caused a few mishaps.

“I’ve had a few (significant) falls this year,” diagnosed with Stargardt’s after a blood test.”

Adler said having Stargardt’s Disease has she said. “It’s also really easy for me to get lost. come with a plethora of disadvantages. “My But, if there is a bright white line (giving) me Amanda Orr staff writer

-Katie Adler

Photo coutesy of Shopdexter

Cross Country: Freshman Katie Adler runs in a cross country meet this fall. She can run a 5k in 21 minutes and 11 seconds.

directions, I can tell where to go. The contrasting colors help a lot.”

Though Adler has had to deal with a multitude of challenges, Jazwinski said they haven’t affected her impressive abilities.

“Adler is very independent,” she said. “She doesn’t need much attention for her condition because she incredibly self-sufficient. She can run through anything; hills, sand, foot-deep mud. It is just amazing how she performs.”

Though there is no cure for Stargardt’s Disease, Adler remains optimistic toward her condition.

“Stem cell research is a promising cure,” she said. “There is also a surgery being worked on that connects a camera to one’s optic nerve.

These (procedures) are too risky now, but they could be very helpful in the future.”

Until a cure is discovered, Adler said she won’t let her condition stop her from running.

“I’ve been running since before I was diagnosed (with Stargardt’s)” she said. “I really love to run, and I’m going to continue with the cross country team throughout high school.”

Jazwinski admits she doesn’t know the details of Adler’s condition, but is confident that Adler will continue to succeed.

“I know that (Stargardt’s Disease) is going to continue to affect (Adler) in her life. (But) whatever happens, I know she will always be able to accommodate and do her best in whatever she chooses. (Adler) is a very respectful person, and, she has an incredibly positive outlook on life.”

10

Columns

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Kyle Boren

Alex Everard

Entertainment/arts editor

Managing editor

Hail to mediocrity?

I’ve been a Spartan fan since I was born. I have also lived in close proximity of Ann Arbor since I was born. Seeing as some of my closest friends are Wolverine fans, I’ve put up with just about every insult in the book.

So I would like to take this opportunity to throw some shots in a printed publication because I can. However, before I do so, I’d like to make it known that this isn’t supposed to be taken seriously. I have the utmost respect for the University of Michigan ... especially their basketball team. That being said, let’s get started.

•Yes, I can read. And yes, I can, in fact, write. I bet this response to the “Go green! Go white!” chant was hilarious back in ‘91. Not anymore.

•I’m not impressed that you can fit 110,000 people in one stadium. A third of them are over 80-years-old. Another third went to community college. And the final third is probably the entire homeless population of Ann Arbor.

•I am aware that it’s harder to get into Michigan than MSU. Congrats. That’s probably because you have plenty of time to study during the entire month of March.

•Substituting “maize” for yellow doesn’t make you’re university more prestigious. Maurice Clarett wore “scarlet” and gray, but he still robbed a McDonald’s.

•Enough about the couch burning. Every college has its idiots. Besides, the vast majority of arrests in the ‘99 riot were of non-MSU students. It’s not their fault people from other colleges go up there to party. Plus before you question our integrity, remember The Vu has more class than Michigan hockey games.

•Sparty is a million times more bad ass than a PMS-ing rodent. We fought Persians and won. You fought the tires of my car and lost.

•Basketball is just as important as football. More people miss work during March Madness than any other time of the year, and more money goes into it than the BCS. I’m not saying Americans care more, I’m just saying they don’t care less just because you suck at it.

•Magic Johnson. He was quoted in Time magazine saying he slept with “around 20,000 women”. Thats more than Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Gerald Ford and Austin Shapiro combined.

•We just beat you in football, the sport that you’ve made fun of us for the past decade. I don’t want to hear about how you guys are having a rebuilding year and how it doesn’t matter. By that logic, I could say we have had a rebuilding decade, but we would both know the truth. We sucked, now you suck.

•“Harvard of the west”? Really? Why not just take it to the next level and say Harvard is the Michigan of the east.

Either way, you sound like a douche.

•You have a reputation for being whiners for a reason.

You whine ... about everything. For example, the clock in 2001(which was determined correct several days after by ESPN). Some of you even wanted Lloyd Carr fired after you lost to Texas back in ‘05. At least your coach didn’t slap himself in the face in public.

•Quick reminder: each team gets four time-outs in basketball. Despite Chris Webber’s amazingly short-lived comeback with the Pistons, he will always be remembered for that. Next time you’re about to call a Sparty dumb, you should consider that incident, then maybe not talk.

•The “Little Brother” comment is now null and void. We just beat you in your own house, Big Sis. •Your two starting QBs are from the SEC, Dexter’s own conference. What did you expect?

So bring on the hate mail, insult me in the hallways, do whatever you please. Just know I have probably heard it all before. You’re superiority complex fools no one. Now go back to your dorm and worship your handmade shrine of Braylon Edwards. He’s not comin’ back, man ... time to move on.

Doom on you, chew fiends

Brent Muse

Get Involved editor

‘I don’t see nothin wrong with a little bump and grind’ The week that I look forward to since the first day of school is homecoming. The many festivities included in spirit week before homecoming lead up to the Friday night football game and the dance on Saturday.

After a long week of showing my school spirit, I was excited for a fun weekend of dancing and hanging out with my friends.

Waking up Saturday morning to a beautiful sunrise and a house to myself, I thought, “This is going to be the best homecoming dance yet.” So I got out of my bed, made some breakfast, then posted up on the couch and watched “Entourage” for a few hours before taking a shower.

After I got ready, a few of my friends came over, and we ordered some pizza before the dance so we were ready to get our boogy on.

We ordered Classic, the finest pizza around Dexter, of course, and after stuffing our faces with pizza I happened to notice a half gallon of Captain Morgan’s rum sitting on the table across my basement.

There was a bright light shining onto the bottle, and when the top flew off, happy gospel music poured out. The first thing that came to mind is, “OMG get that out of my house that is illegal!” But then I thought, “Wait a second, I’m a senior this year and my parent’s are out of town, I could totally be a badass and throw my life away by drinking some of that.”

So sure enough I walked over to the table with my friends and poured up 21 shots for each of us, just to get a nice little buzz before the dance. After finishing that 21st shot I started to feel something, so I called up a designated driver to drive me to the dance like the responsible teenager I am. Satire’s a funny thing.

So I got dropped off in the front of the school with a few of my friends, and we ran into the dance, ready to do some dancin’. The first song that I got to “dance” to was the “Cha-Cha Slide,” which is not the best dance song, but it’s a classic

so I danced to it hoping the songs would get better as the dance went on.

But as it did the songs got worse, and I noticed more people clearing out. It could have been the loud and obnoxious Soulja Boy that turned people off from the dance, or it could have been Fall Out Boy, one of the most hated bands in the world.

I am not sure who created this list of songs to play at the dance and who approved them, but whoever it was should not pick the songs for the next dance or any dance at that. There was a great mixture of bad songs and terrible songs, none of which were actually good dance songs.

But besides the music, this dance was worse than the others because of the parent chaperones who were weaving in and out of the dance floor making kids dance face to face with some space.

I thought this rule was a little outrageous when I was in middle school, but now they have to enforce dancing rules in high school as well? Really?

And if that’s not enough, the school decided to change the dance on Nov. 1 from a Halloween dance to a Sadie Hawkins simply because they were afraid of girls dressing inappropriately.

I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but for the parents who chaperone the dance, if you don’t want your children freak dancing that’s fine, but don’t start so much commotion that you ruin the fun for all of the other students.

I understand that the way we dance may look inappropriate. But during the ‘70s disco seemed inappropriate too, but look how all of you guys turned out. Pretty good, correct? So when has dancing ever caused any harm?

We aren’t trying to rebel against anyone or anything dangerous. We are just looking to have a good time and be kids. If anything, enforcing silly rules and playing bad music promotes sex rather than the dancing because then more students leave the dance and hang out with no adult supervision instead of being at the dance.

I have a couple classes with a lot of underclassmen. It is no fun to hear them bicker at each other the whole hour and hear all the ridiculous crap going on in the sophomore and freshmen class.

So I usually just rest my head on the table and try to catch up on some extra Zs before my intense Pre-calc class. However, a disgusting sight for me in these classes is a bottle full of saliva and chewing tobacco. It seems to be quite trendy with the underclassmen lately.

I am not one to whine about what other people do on their free time, so if you want to stick some crap in your lower lip that is gradually ripping holes in it and might someday cause cancer in the mouth, you go right ahead, killer.

But for God’s sake, I don’t want to see how full your “spitter” is. I would also rather not see some rebellious kids who don’t use these “spitters” but instead spit on the school floor.

Doom on you, chew fiends.

I get the hint from everybody who chews that they want the public to know. Since they show a lot of enthusiasm over a new type of Skoal coming out. Or sometimes they randomly write tobacco brands all over the place, like it’s the only thing they think about.

Sometimes these people even chew in the most ridiculous places at just completely inappropriate times, like on the sideline at a football game, in their pads and jersey. This foolish happening did not go unpunished.

If you want to chew tobacco and try to get the whole permanent Popeye look going for you, more power to you. But is it necessary to chew in your classes so all your peers have to be around the gruesome sight and smell?

And do you really want to risk getting caught and suspended just so you can have a nicotine buzz during your note taking? This nonsense can result in a MIP (minor in possession) nowadays.

I’m not sure what people’s motives are to keep chewing. Maybe to impress a certain lady friend? Trust me, fellas, sticking fiberglass in your lip isn’t exactly all that attractive to the lady folk unless your lady would like you better without a bottom jaw.

Or maybe your significant other has some sick fetish for tobacco and would rather kiss you with a big lipper, you freaks. Or maybe another reason to chew is the totally wicked buzz it gets you. Yeah, man, stick that glass in your lip and rip it up and get the nicotine in there, and you’ll get dizzy for a bit. Totally sweet.

I’m sure the chewing youth won’t read this and say, “Yeah, this Kyle kid has a point, maybe we should stop chewing.” In fact, all you chewers will read this and say, “Ha, that Kyle kid is a chump, chewing is so awesome, and I don’t intend on stopping for this wuss.”

I would like for you stop chewing in front of me and my peers and spitting in a bottle every five seconds.

Maybe one day you’ll realize how foolish it is to stick that crap in your lip, but until then, don’t do it in school.

11

Editorial

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

the all

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

SQUALL call:

Dance leaves students no other option than to boycott

At the homecoming dance this year, as in previous years, kids danced in a sexual manner that angered many of the staff and parents who chaperoned the dance.

This led them to turn the hall lights on for a majority of the dance and break up people who were dancing explicitly. We think if the chaperones are going to turn the lights on or break up people who are dancing together, then we should not have dances at all.

Parent chaperones were angry when they saw female students dancing with their hands on the floor or on their knees, but they overreacted and caused students to become annoyed. The chaperones made the situation worse by filing complaints and forcing more restrictive rules at the dance. As a result, students decided to boycott the Sadie Hawkins dance, a move we applaud.

In fact, so few people went to the Sadie Hawkins Dance, the junior class (class of 2010) raised next to nothing for the senior class trip because of it. This issue needs to be resolved, because we can’t have parents coming on to the dance floor and breaking up couples. That’s not why people go to dances.

If the rules don’t change back to the way they were, then students will organize dances outside the school where they will be unsupervised and could do things a lot worse than dirty dancing.

Also, groups that rely on dances for fundraisers will be forced to make do with less.

To the Editor: Reeling with giddiness over the recent victory that can only go down in the annals of Dreadnaught history as the “Great Cookie Boycott of the Fall of ‘08”, the Dexter student body united again to combat yet another injustice. I, of course, am referring to the school-sponsored student dances.

Prompted by parent, teacher and student concerns voiced regarding inarguably inappropriate dancing (and I use the word loosely); our school’s administration took it upon themselves to establish “Dance Rules” 1. No drinks from the outside can be brought into the school dance.

2. All overnight or oversized bags or purses must be checked at the office before heading to the dance 3. Inappropriate dancing will not be tolerated (no hands on knees or floor, and no violent moshing).

Students may be asked to leave by an administrator.

4. The doors will close at 9:00 p.m. No one may enter the dance after that time without prior administrative approval.

5. Dance apparel must be appropriate. Tank tops, spaghetti straps and skirts at the fingertips are all OK. No undergarments should be showing.

Clearly these overreaching and intrusive restrictions are specifically designed to thwart our students’ attempts at self-expression. How dare the administration insist that dances be safe and healthy environments for our teenagers!

MANAGING EDITORS: Alex Everard, Brittany Martini

EDITORS DESIGN: Candice Wiesner FEATURES: Kaitlyn Shepard ENTERTAINMENT: Kyle Boren OPINIONS: Olivia Scheffler PHOTO: JoJo Parin, Lauren Daugherty SPORTS: Kevin Yarows HEALTH: Ally Sutter TRENDS: Patrick Ledwidge uPAGE: Jake Larosa GET INVOLVED: Brent Muse COPY: Emily Van Dusen

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

MANAGERS ADVERTISEMENT: Sarah

Akbarifard, Morgan Quist.

STAFF WRITERS People go to the dances to have fun, dance and socialize with their friends and classmates, which isn’t going to happen if the rules aren’t changed back to how they were at the beginning of the year.

The junior class lost $500 at this dance, and the school could cancel all other dances unless the rules that restrict freedom at the dances are done away with.

Requesting to keep the rules the same as they have been in previous years should not be too much to ask. The dancing has not changed significantly enough in the past few years, and there has not been an outcry since this year about the way the students dance. If parents disapprove, then they should not allow their kids to go to dances instead of ruining the dances for the whole school.

The freshman are not at fault, but we shouldn’t

LETTERS Dance boycott creates problems for 2010

Scott Crompton

TO THE

let their parents come to dances if they are going to cause a huge disruption. The rule that says parents need to contact a staff member if they see something inappropriate going on at dances, instead of trying to confront the problem on their own, is a good start.

A large number of students attend the dances.

We want that to keep going. Dances are good for everyone. When they are run the way they should, students have fun and money is raised. But this won’t happen if the new restrictions aren’t removed.

The dances are a good way for students to meet outside of school hours in a friendly environment.

Without an opportunity to do that, students will be less social and would feel left out, considering that most high schools have dances that are like last the dances DHS has hosted in the past.

EDITOR

In a masterfully orchestrated boycott of the Sadie Hawkins Dance which was, in fact, a concerted effort by the junior class officers to save student dances at the high school, the Dexter student body succeeded in depriving the Class of 2010 of any income from its one and only fundraising event of the entire school year. Job well done! Because of your hard work, next year’s seniors will each pay about $40 more per student to participate in their senior trip. But not nearly satisfied with just one objective, the boycott organizers also targeted another class, our freshmen.

Remembering the difficulties of adjusting to high school, and the trepidation that naturally comes from being thrust (probably a poor word choice) into an environment where seemingly “everyone else” knows where everything is, how everything works and can effortlessly open their lockers, our thoughtful student leaders were sure to include the newest members of our Dreadnaught community. By meticulous placement of posters around the building that credited the freshmen class for ruining the school dances, the initiators of the boycott sent a very warm “Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!” to the class of 2012.

A third, and perhaps unanticipated benefit of the boycott has been the nearly unanimous faculty response. Upon first learning of the actual attendance at the boycotted dance, eleven out of twelve teachers had an initial reaction of, “They should cancel all the school dances, including the Prom.”

Hmmm.

I am blessed to have a career that I truly love and genuinely enjoy. One of the things that I appreciate most about my job is that hardly a day goes by that I don’t learn something from my students. Most recently they have reminded me of the power of a boycott. The last few weeks have

made such an impression on me, that I’ve decided to organize my own little personal, mini-boycott.

For the remainder of this school year, I hereby vow that aside from previously made commitments, I will not devote my personal time or efforts to any student activities that fall outside of the hours of the normal school day.

Kim Lund Junior class adviser

Senior pranks both immature and pointless Dear editor: I was reading the article in The Squall regarding senior pranks (“Senior pranks last year took it too far”), and I had a few comments about the article.

Why does there have to be senior pranks? Why not do something positive for the community and the school? The Class of 2009 could collect food for the new food pantry located on Baker Road.

Provide some help for families who will not be able to have a Thanksgiving Dinner, plant a tree at the school or the park, on behalf of the Class of 2009. It bothers me that a meeting should be called, as the article indicated, and discuss what an appropriate prank might be. I believe there are no appropriate pranks. The Class of 2009 can start a positive trend by doing something good for the community, who gives back a lot to the schools, and the schools.

Sincerely, Mary Ann Parr, parent

Nicholas Baron, John Brosch, Garret Camilleri, Lee Copley, Jessica Deljevic, Coleen Hill, Kristi Hughes, Brittany Martini, Nicole Minzey, James Munson, Elizabeth O’Keefe, Amanda Orr, Lisa Ritchie, Karly Stanislovaitis.

CARTOONIST Gabe Altomare

ADVISER Rod Satterthwaite

POLICY:

The Squall is distributed monthly to 1,300 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.

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.

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newpaper Editors / MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service

MEMBERSHIPS: Members of MIPA since 1999 • Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Members of NSPA since 2001 • National Scholastic Press Association

12

Photostory

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

SPOON RIVER

DHS Drama Club puts on a performance to remember

“It was a very, very good performance.”

-Principal Kit Moran

Olivia Scheffler opinions editor

Senior Kendall Chappell thought at first it would be weird to play a dead person in “Spoon River Anthology”, but it turned out playing one could possible be even better than playing a living, breathing human.

“At first we (as a cast) were asking how can we act dead?” Chappell said. “However, as we read through the script more and more, I realized how cool it was because you know how your character’s whole life went. They have already done everything and nothing is left for them so you can learn so much and portray them in a way that is real even if they are dead.”

“Spoon River Anthology”, written by Edgar Lee Masters and directed by Matt Martello, was performed Oct. 21-25 in the CPA. Students played a wide variety of dead people from a small town in Illinois. Through a series of monologues, each story is told through the eyes of the deceased and is intertwined with other stories so that by the end of the play, most of the characters are all connected.

Chappell said at first she wasn’t sure if the audience would like the play because of the toned down atmosphere, but at the end of the run, she heard people thought it was interesting and deep, and the reactions of the audience were positive.

Martello said one big reason he chose to direct the play was because his father directed it many times in the past.

“It’s always been one of my favorite plays because of my father and because it’s a good, classic piece of literature,” Martello said.

Martello also said one of the things that makes the play so good is it has a

deeper meaning, and it’s a play people who truly want to see a good piece of theater would understand and appreciate.

“It’s a brutally honest play because the characters can look back over their lives and get something out of it,” he said. “It also has many layers to it that the cast and I were still discovering during the last performance. Overall, I was happy with the results and with how well everyone did with it.”

Chappell agrees and said even with a relatively small cast, everyone stuck with it and learned a lot from this play even though it was tough.

“This play seemed difficult at first,” Chappell said. “But as we continued, I understood that it really was about the celebration of life and getting the chance to live y o u r life to the fullest.”

Saluting the lost: The cast waves their flags to add patriotism during a scene saluting the lost.

Making a speech with passion: Senior Mitchell Clark makes a point while performing a passionate monologue. During this monologue, Clark acted as a black man speaking out against racism.

Lost in the moment: Sophomores Alex Sloan and Ruby Grammatico both acted in separately and then came together for a monologue about their love interest.

Commanding attention: Sophomore Justin Hayes anticipates his upcoming part.

Gloomy townsfolk: Seniors Alexandria Zadrzynkski and Mitchell Clark sit and watch a performance by sophomore Alex Sloan

Looking on: Senior Dave Cooperperforms his monologue.

He was on stage once, playing a guest character.

Hitting high notes: Freshmen Emily Winfield performs as her fellow cast members accompany her with some tunes.

Photos by Lee Copley