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Dexter High School

THESQUALL

December 19, 2008 Volume XIV Issue 4

2

The Squall wins Pacemaker

2200 N. Parker Road Dexter MI, 48130

8 NEW

Students named All-State Althletes

Web blogging online at thesquall.com

Keen fights Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Lindsay Fischer staff writer

Senior Jordan Keen has barely slept or eaten for five years. She has not been able to go to school.

She has watched while her sister got her driver’s license, and she has spent months at a time in the hospital.

“Even if I’m smiling, it’s just a cover-up,” Keen said. “My life is completely upside-down, flipped around.”

The 17-year-old fell while skiing in January 2004 and wrenched her knee. The knee healed normally, but the pain stayed, plaguing Keen constantly.

“She was on crutches for a year while doctors tried to diagnose her,” Jordan’s mother, Sue, said.

“They would take an X-ray and see nothing wrong.”

Finally, in 2005, a referral from the University of Michigan Hospital sent Jordan to a clinic where the

tion of a wire lead into the spine, would relieve Jordan’s pain. But the Keen’s insurance company has refused to fund the surgery three times. After the final refusal, the Keens were told that the surgery was not necessary, even though a trial stimulation in April cured Jordan for five weeks. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” was Sue’s response. “We’ve tried everything. What else can we do?”

On Nov. 14, the Keens held a spaghetti dinner to fundraise for Jordan’s surgery.

cause of her constant pain was discovered. The diagnosis was Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

“It was crazy busy,” Sue said. “600 people in two hours! If there was a world record for spaghetti din-

“Her nervous system is messed up,” Sue said. “Her brain keeps sending pain signals even if there’s no injury. Her nervous system needs to be rebooted, like a computer.”

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes RSD as a chronic pain condition characterized by “continuous, intense pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury, which gets worse rather than better over time.”

ners, we would have it.” The dinner raised enough for the Keens to set a date for Jordan’s surgery: Dec. 11.

“I’m a little nervous, because I’ll have to be awake for part of the surgery,” Jordan said. “But there will always be a nurse holding my hand. I’m just really excited to start my life again.”

A minor injury like jamming her finger could send Jordan into therapy for weeks. Once, a case of

In many ways, Jordan is just a normal girl. Her favorite color is red, she loves to make jewelry and

food poisoning from a meal at a bowling alley caused intense pain around her stomach, and Sue said

watch movies with her friends, and she’s a faithful fan of “Grey’s Anatomy.” But having RSD has changed

the nerves there have not been the same since.

her life forever, and there are some parts of her life she will never be able to recover.

Since January 2004, Jordan has hardly been able to sleep at night because of the constant pain--she says she gets three hours at the most. She drinks protein shakes instead of eating. “They taste horrible, but you gotta do what you gotta do,” she said. Last year, she was in the hospital from December to April, and when she was in school, she only attended three classes because she grew exhausted so quickly.

“It’s the little things,” Keen said. “Like carrots. Eating carrots may not seem like a big thing, but I crave them.”

Despite all this, Sue said Jordan has remained hopeful and positive. “She finds the strength to keep going,” Sue said.

There is no cure for RSD, although there is hope for treatment. Spinal cord stimulation, the inser-

“Athletics are something I’ve learned I have to give up,” she said. “If I got hit in the face playing a sport, the pain would move to my face.”

Still, Jordan said she is excited for her future to begin. She wants to go to school, study Kinesiology for her undergrad, and hopes to become a doctor for rehabilitation programs to help kids like herself.

“I don’t want doctors to think kids with RSD are crazy--people need to know about this so kids don’t end up like me,” she said. She submits articles to magazines and newspapers like The Detroit News, hoping to share her story with as many people as possible.

She said, “I want to reach out to people like me and say, ‘You’re not alone.’ Having RSD has really put my life into perspective--there has to be a bigger reason why I’m going through all this, and I’ll become a stronger person because of it.”

2

News

Friday, December 19, 2008

Christmas helpers Teachers organize Christmas fundraiser to benefit family of former DHS student after his death on Oct. 1 Kaitlyn Shepard features editor

The missile toe red pack ages sit in an old brow n paper bag. These pack ages, covered in lit t le white snow men are for four luck y children. Children who ot her w ise, might not have got ten any t hing on Chr istmas mor ning.

These children aren’t in China or an or phanage of any sor t. These children live in Dex ter.

On Oct. 1, for mer Dex ter High School st udent Joel Clear y-Lusk passed away in a trag ic c ar accident while on his way to work in Whitmore L a ke. His deat h lef t his w ife and four young children devastated. “ They are a ll just tr y ing to ma ke t he best of it,” one of Clear-Lusk’s for mer teachers, Dennis Stock well said. “It’s hard to see t he good in somet hing so ter r ible.”

According to Stock well, Clear yLusk had just purchased a home r ight before he passed away.

“He hadn’t even made his f irst house pay ment,” Stock well said. “At t he f unera l, I spoke w it h some good f r iends of his, and we decided to tr y and help him out.”

While t here have been many events, including a benef it dinner at Big Boy to tr y and keep t he Clear y-Lusk family in t heir home unt il af ter t he holidays, Stock well de -

N S PA SINCE 1 9 2 1

Minor engagement:

THE

Sophomore plans to wed after high school. See page 4 in the Rostrom.

Heather Siller News Editor

Photos courtesy Dennis Stockwell

Helping the Lusks: Graphics teacher Dennis Stockwell and art teacher Autumn Campbell have started a fundraising effort for the Lusk family (top). Joel Cleary-Lusk, a DHS grad, died in a car accident in October. One of Lusk’s favorite activities was riding motorcycles.

coat dr ives and food dr ives to help dur ing t he holidays, but once it’s over, it a ll just k ind of stops,” she said. “But mean while, t he cold are st ill cold and t he hungr y are st ill hungr y. There are st ill people str uggling. We c annot forget about t hem. Just bec ause you c an’t donate any t hing doesn’t mean you c an’t donate any t hing later. A nyt hing you g ive w ill a lways be appreciated, and we w ill a lways ma ke sure t hey get it.”

2007-2008 National Scholastic Press Association

Newspaper Pacemaker Award Dexter High School

Brent Muse Get Involved Editor

High school publications win Pacemaker awards for coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics. According to the judges from the Virginian-Pilot, The Squall has all of those key points. At the fall high school journalism convention in St. Louis, it was awarded a Pacemaker.

The Pacemaker competition has been around since 1927, and has been co-sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association and the Newspaper Association of America Foundation since 1971. Pacemakers are selected by the staff of a commercial newspaper member of the Newspaper Association of America.

There were 373 high school newspapers entered in the Pacemaker competition. These were narrowed down to 56 finalists. Of these, 24 papers were awarded Pacemaker. Quite an honor according to Squall Entertainment Editor Kyle Boren who along with three other Squall members was in St. Louis to receive the award.

“It was an honor to receive the Pacemaker award, and it was a good feeling to know that all of that hard work paid off,” Boren said. “We

���������������������� This spring drug-snifffing dogs will wander the halls and parking lot of Dexter High School. At the end of January the Dexter Community School Board of Education approved Prinipal Kit Moran’s request for drug dogs to come to the school.

The drug-sniffing dog proposal was suggested to the board by Moran because he said it is necessary to keep drugs out of school.

“In the year and a half that I have been here at

way she c an go and pick out t hings for her children, bec ause af ter a ll she k nows t hem better t han anyone else.”

Campbell said t he whole g if t pro cess w it h be completely anony mous.

“We don’t want t he children t hink ing t he g if ts are f rom anyone ot her t hen t heir mom or Santa,” she said. “So when we get t hem a g if t we w ill w rap it up, and on t he lit t le tag w r ite, to: t he child, f rom: Santa.”

Campbell also said it is not only the children t hey are shopping for, it is for t he mom too. “ You have to t hink about t he mom,” Campbell said. “Who would have been t he one to purchase her a g if t on Chr istmas; it would have been her husband. So we have to remember her too. We want to get her lit t le t hings t hat she c an use to pamper herself w it h, like manicures and pedicures, and t hings t hat w ill ma ke her feel good.”

According to Campbell t he holidays aren’t about t he g if ts but rat her t he spir it of t he people around you. “ The holidays aren’t about gett ing your $200 Ug g slippers,” she said. “It’s about remember ing t he spirit of communit y and helping ot hers.”

A lso Campbell said t he Clear y-Lusk family doesn’t just need help dur ing t he holidays.

“It seems like we do a ll t hese t hings, like

The Squall

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Squall

cided to ta ke on a f und raiser of his ow n.

“I star ted wonder ing what t hey were going to do for Chr istmas, especia lly in t his economy and I t hought I might be able to help t hem out.”

Stock well presented t he idea of raising Chr istmas g if ts for t he family to ar t teacher Aut umn Camp bell who immediately began helping.

“Dennis presented t he issue to me and we star ted brainstor ming t hings to do,” Camp bell said. “We wanted to g ive t hem a Chr istmas t hey ot her w ise wouldn’t have had.”

Campbell began approaching people she felt closest to on staf f and presented t he idea to t hem.

“Ever yone jumped r ight on board,” Camp bell said. “Severa l teachers adopted one of t he children and began purchasing g if ts for t hem, and (mat h teacher, K at hr y n) Day got a $100 K roger g if t c ard for t he family.”

The children whose ages range f rom 10 to t wo like ever y t hing f rom soccer to Hanna h Montana.

“Dennis went and ta lked to t he mom,” Campbell said.

“He asked her about t hings t he children would like, so we c an buy t hem t hings t hey w ill like.”

According to Stock well, while g if ts are good, g if t c ards are a lso appreciated.

“Persona lly what I am doing is get t ing t he mom a g if t c ard,” Stock well said. “ That

DHS, I have had the distinct impression that kids are trying to sell drugs.” Moran said. “I don’t want (students) to be in an environment where people and ask (them) to buy drugs during lunch or in the halls.”

Other staff around the school also approve of the proposal.

“It would help getting drugs out of school,” para professional Connie Ausgustine said. “A few years ago, I caught a kid selling prescription drugs at lunch.”

Continued on page 2

were very happy to bring back a Pacemaker award to the class.”

There was one other school from Michigan that won a Pacemaker this year, Midland H.H. Dow High School’s, “The Update.”

The Squall also won a Pacemaker for the 2005-06 edition. “It is tough to predict awards for newspaper,” journalism teacher Rod Satterthwaite said “We don’t publish the paper just for awards. They are nice, but The Squall is for the students and parents who read it. (But) I was really happy when we won the Pacemaker award because there are only 24 winners. Last year’s paper was a good balance of news and appropriate humor, which is the trend in journalism.”

Last year’s Editor-in-chief, Austin Shapiro, said he was excited when he found out about the award. “This isn’t the first time we’ve won a Pacemaker, so I wouldn’t say last year’s paper was necessarily better than the Squalls of the past, but I definitely think everyone really invested themselves in the quality of the paper and that showed with how good of a result we got,” he said. “Also, we have one of the best advisers in the country, so he always makes sure we’re putting out an excellent paper.”

Illustration by Gabe Altomore

Shower Enclosures Mirrors Table Tops Glass & Screen Repair Insulated Doors Commercial Doors & Framing

1072 Baker Road in Dexter (734)426-5600 www.wmglass.com

Village Hair Design 2846 Baker Road 734-4268466

3

News

Friday, December 19, 2008

News Briefs

Dinner raises money for choir

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Gas prices still falling Price of gas has been steadily been on a downward trend, but how long will this last?

Colleen Hill Staff Writer

Emily Vandusen Copy Editor

Students react to Obama

Pulling up to the gas station, junior Jeanine Reny was shocked. She had never seen gas at $4.30 per gallon, and now she was hoping she had enough money to fill her tank. Taking out her wallet, she became depressed as she put all her cash into the machine and started pumping gas.

“I was so pissed!” Reny said. “I felt like I could be spending all that money that I put towards gas on something better.”

Over the past year, gas prices have seemingly gone up by each passing week.

Gas that once used to be $1.50 per gallon sky rocketed to almost $5 per gallon. And because of this, many students changed and cut down on their driving and spending, including Reny.

In fact, she said driving 20 minutes every other day, she wasted a lot of her gas on her way to work at McDonald’s on Zeeb Road.

“I was broke when gas prices were so high,” she said. “I never had money to do anything.”

Cutting down on her driving, Reny said she had to find more ways to save money for

gas, like stop shopping and seeing movies.

Her social life soon consisted of hanging out at her friends’ house most of the time.

“I would go to the gas station on Baker Road every day and put only $5 in my tank because that’s all the money I had,” she said.

“They now know my name there.”

Gas prices even affected teachers, such as drama teacher Erin Palmer. Palmer drives 35 minutes to and from work every day, Monday through Friday, and when gas prices became high, it took a toll on her.

Palmer said she had to cut back on many of the small, enjoyable things, such as driving to Chicago to see plays and going to see her family.

“I didn’t get a chance to go see my family as often as I wanted,” Palmer said. “It would have cost me $50 to do that.”

By mid October, however, gas prices went from $4 to $3 to $2 a gallon. By Nov. 18, gas prices were below $2 per gallon.

And because of this, junior Sara Bayer said she no longer has to worry about asking her friends for gas money when she drives them around.

“When gas was so high, I had to ask for money because I was using most of my gas

Junior Caleb Mackinder has spent years of his educational career learning about history and government. He has sat through long assemblies detailing First Amendment rights; he has watched documentaries about slavery and listened to lectures outlining the structure of the Electoral College.

On Nov. 4, Mackinder had the chance to become part of a memorable moment for future generations. As part of the crowd of over 500,000, Mackinder stood in Grant Park, Chicago and witnessed the election of Sen. Barack Obama as America’s first African-American president.

“It was so intense,” Mackinder said. “There were huge screens and giant speakers, and every time they announced that Obama won a state, they had this loud music, and everyone jumped up and down and cheered.”

When the morning of Election Day dawned, Mackinder was unaware that in roughly 12 hours he would be a firsthand witness of history being made. Once he got to his fourth hour class, however, Mackinder’s Tuesday routine changed dramatically.

“About 10 minutes into my French class, my mom came in,” Mackinder said. “She told me to grab my bag and asked if I wanted to go to Chicago. Of course, I said, ‘yes.’ As we were leaving, it hit me then that I was going to the Obama Grant Park rally-that night.”

For several hours, Mackinder, his family, and the rest of the Grant Park crowd waited anxiously as results poured in, counting up to the 270 electoral votes needed to ensure an Obama victory.

“The second the California polls closed, it flashed across the screens: BREAKING NEWS-OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT,” Mackinder said. “At least half the crowd was crying.”

Back home in Michigan, freshman Sho Harvey had been following the election with his family via Internet and was similarly happy with the results. “Not only is he a well-educated and important minority role model, but he represents the American democratic ideal of placing capable people into positions of high power no matter their race, gender or creed,” Harvey said.

In the days before the Civil War, African-Americans were not only enslaved; they were considered only 3/5 as human as their white neighbors. A victory for African-Americans was celebrated when the 15th Amendment, guaranteeing their right to vote, was ratified. However, high voting barriers

on driving people home,” Bayer said. “Now I’m glad to drive them, and I don’t need to ask them for money anymore.

With gas prices low now, Bayer said she is now happy to go out and drive her friends around, whereas in the past she said she used to feel bad about asking people for money. Now that she doesn’t have to, she said she feels a lot better.

Reny also is able to go out and spend money on herself again. No longer does she need to worry about saving $40 to fill up her tank. She said she can now go out shopping and enjoy having money in her wallet instead of air.

“I used to just fill up my tank half way and hope it would last a week,” she said. “There were some close calls there sometimes. I almost had to call my mom a couple of times.”

Reny’s car went from being $40 to fill to now $25 to fill. By having a little extra money, she said not all her money is put towards gas anymore.

She said, “Now I don’t have to worry about my car breaking down because I didn’t have enough money to put gas in it.”

existed until 1965, when Obama himself was 5 years old.

Now, 43 years later, Obama is in control of the very building which he may have been enlisted to help create (as a slave) had he been alive during the 19th century.

“I feel like this victory represents that we really are ready for change, or at least ready to give him a chance,” sophomore Nyki Caldwell, who celebrated the win at a party with friends, said. “The first two African-Americans who ran for president opened the door for him, and his win is the stepping stone for change that the United States needed.”

“It shows that we can rise above things,” Mackinder agreed. “We still haven’t completely eradicated racism, but this shows our intent to heal the sore of prejudice.”

Graduate Diana Leadley (2008) wasn’t present at any Obama rallies, but the historic election still carried personal significance, since she was new to the process as a first time voter.

“It meant a lot to know that my opinions and views were accounted for,” Leadley said. “It was great being a part of such a historical event.”

However, despite national encouragement for young people to vote, Leadley’s dedication to making history was tested.

“After graduation these people came to give us forms to register,” Leadley said. “Then after I got to school, they sent me a letter saying I couldn’t vote absentee for my first election even though I thought that registration was counted as being in person. I was furious and really confused.”

Ultimately, Leadley was able to call and fix the problem, and ended up voting absentee before the election. Though the ordeal was frustrating, according to Leadley it was worth it.“I think this means a big transition,” Leadley said. “Obama is going to lead us in a whole new direction. It’ll be interesting to see how he follows through with his economic plans in our time of recession.”

For Mackinder, Caldwell, Harvey and Leadley, this year’s election was a powerful memory that will stay with them, one they can tell their grandchildren when they’re old and gray.

“It was so cool to see the webcams, which showed people all around the world, like in Kenya and Australia,” Mackinder said. “A lot of other countries, like in Europe, have accused us of being racist and lacking progress. Now we can turn to them and ask, ‘Where’s your black leader?”

On Sunday, Dec. 7 and Monday, Dec. 8 the school choir had a Madrigal Renaissance-themed dinner.

Students and anyone who was interested were able to buy tickets for $20 at Country Market, Busch’s and the Dexter Pharmacy. The choir sold 140 tickets for the three shows combined. There were two dinners on Sunday and one on Monday. Tickets got attendees food and performances by the choir.

Members of the choir dressed up in Renaissance theme. The knights and ladies wore Renaissance dresses. The dinners were held in the choir room at the high school. Sophomore Andrew Erber said, “We had the dinner to just to have fun and give people a show for the holidays. It was fun to bring out the knightness in me.” The choir sang songs celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah, including “O Holy Night” and “O Hanukkah.”

Swim team exceeds expectations The womens swim team finished with an eighth place finish at states. The team managed to place better in states than last year even though key members fought injury all season long. They finished ninth in the medley relay, sixth in the 200 free and eighth place in the 400 free. The best individual finish was from junior Lauren Daugherty who placed eighth in the 100 free. She also competed in all the relays. Other key contributors to the teams eighth place finish were sophomores Casey Edwards and Lara Stevenson who also, competed in the relays. Next season many of the team’s main contributors are coming back. Junior Morgan Quist said, “All of our state competitors are returning next year. I think we will be really good.”

Dinner gives back for a good cause Friends of Jordan Keen had a dinner to support and raise money for her. Keen suffers from the disease Ref lex sympathetic dystrophy. RSD is characterized by intense pain worsening over time even though nothing on the body is really hurt.

(See related story on p. 1) Getting poked in the arm or being bumped into can cause her intense pain. The dinner was to help her raise money for treatment to help her fight the disease after the insurance company wouldn’t cover her treatment.

Students from Dennis Stockwell’s GraphX class made blue shirts for Keen as another way to make money. The shirts had a ribbon similar to cancer ribbons on it to support her.

No budging on dance rules Dean of Students Ken Koenig said the new dance rules will be enforced at all future dances, these rules state girls will not be able to dance with their hands on their knees or on the floor.

Students’ clothes will also be checked at the door.

Administrators will also try to add more lighting to future dance with more decorations. Administrators hope these rules will discourage inappropriate behavior on the dance floor. After students boycotted the Sadie Hawkins dance, there were rumors of other dances getting canceled. Koenig said there are no plans to cancel any upcoming dances.

Go Dreads!

Supports You Come for all your school needs

4

Feature

Friday, December 19, 2008

Photo illustration by Lindsay Baker

Homeless Students

Alexandria Zadrzynski staff writer

Having to make work her main focus to live is something that junior Donna Warrick* knows all too well. Warrick is one of a handful of students at DHS who doesn’t live with her family. Warrick said she moved out of her home due to a poor relationship with her father and has since moved in with a friend.

Moving out of her home has presented Warrick with struggles that other students don’t face, particularly concerning making it day by day.

While many students have a car, Warrick is still saving for one and said she is forced to work for everything she owns.

In fact, transportation has become one of her most consistent struggles. Warrick said she rides the bus to school in the morning but struggles to find a ride from school to work at the end of the day.

“It’s hard because many people don’t want to give me rides,” Warrick said. “I just feel really different.”

Everything she has, she said she bought with her own money, since she doesn’t have the financial support from her family.

“Every single penny I’ve sweat for,” she said. “It’s forced me to save money.”

However, Warrick said she has tried to mend the poor relationship with her father multiple times but doesn’t seem to find an improvement. According to Warrick, her father doesn’t have the interest in mending their relationship.

“That’s what hurts the most,” she said.

Along with Warrick’s constant work load, she said she has lost free time most other students have.

“I don’t have free time to do anything,” she said. “My life is pretty much school and work. I could be such a better student if I had time to do my homework,” said Warrick.

However, Warrick has managed to find support among her friends.

“My best friend has been with me the whole way for emotional support,” she said.

And Warrick’s situation is one counselor Kristy Doyle sees each year.

According to Doyle, students move out of their homes for several reasons. Often, this has something to do with conflict in the family. This could be different expectations parents set for kids or rules that students claim are too babyish.

Not only does a student moving out have a huge affect on the student both financially and emotionally, but it affects everyone around them.

“This puts a huge strain on everyone in the family,” Doyle said. She said when a student moves out, it often affects both parents and siblings. It plants the seed for others to make a similar decision when they see one family member or friend doing so.

According to Doyle, DHS typically has a handful of students each year who choose to move out of their homes. Most often, students who move out do so when they realize they are unable to mend longstanding family issues.

The struggles a student would face with a new family depends upon who they stay with. According to Doyle, some families will accept the student moving in and treat them like one of their own by setting rules and expectations, whereas others treat them more independently.

Regardless, students who make this decision often need to be more selfmotivated to monitor their own schooling, Doyle said.

Doyle said she would like to see students support students that have chosen to move away from home and encourages students to talk to their counselor. She said, (“Students should) realize that they need a lot of help and support and be willing to talk to them.

Ask if they’re OK.” *Name has been changed on request

Things to consider before you move out...

• Where you will stay • How you will support yourself • If you have health insurance • How you will continue your education • What you will do in times of crisis source: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Apartments-2718/teen-moving.htm

Olmstead goes to France Karly Stanislovaitis staff writer

Many people dream of going to France. But few get the chance to go four times before the age of 25. A nd even rarer is that the four th time would be an all ex pense paid tr ip w ith no str ings at tached.

Though the lat ter may seem too good to be tr ue, that’s exactly what happened to French teacher A my Olmstead. A lthough Olmstead won the tr ip, it was unex pected by all accounts. “I won the tr ip at a conference through the World Language A ssociation,” she said.

“French teacher K im Lund and I were look ing for a company to sponsor a student tr ip to France, and someone who worked for the company that sponsors tr ips suggested we enter a draw ing to tr y and w in a tr ip.”

According to A mer ican Council for Inter national Studies tr ip coordinator A llica Kohansk i, Olmstead didn’t do any thing to boost her odds of w inning. “Odds simply w ill depend on how many people at tend the conference and stop by to f ill in the infor mation,” she said. “Conference at tendees can var y depending on if it is a state, regional or even national conference.

Odds are much

French teacher Amy Olmstead enjoys various sights in France, accompanied by her mother. Olmstead’s favorite sight was the Paris Opera House (seen in the picture to the right).

Photos courtesy of Amy

bet ter I would say at a conference for just the state vs. regional or national.”

But when Olmstead said she entered the contest on a whim, she means it. “A f ter I entered the draw ing, I didn’t even think about it,” she said. “When the company called to tell me I’d won, I had to have them remind me what it was for.”

Olmstead stresses she was not only clueless but skeptical. “I’d never won any thing before, and I asked the company to send me of f icial documentation and for ms to prove I’d won, because I didn’t believe it,” she said.

According to Kohansk i, this reaction isn’t uncommon.

“Many are skeptical wonder ing why we would do this,” she said.

“We just tr y to ex plain we really believe in what we do and hope that by joining us on one of our Global Conference weekends they too w ill be encouraged to lead groups overseas.”

Reactions aside, Olmstead said she was pleasantly sur pr ised the f reedom of the tr ip wasn’t just a ploy. “ Things were planned if we wanted, but we weren’t required to go, she said. “I went to a planned dinner and a museum. It was nice to be able to do what I wanted.”

In addition, Kohansk i said ACIS is direct about what comes w ith the tr ip.

“We pay and book for the airline tickets, hotels and there are always some meals and activ ities included,” she said. “We are ver y up f ront w ith what is and what is not. For example, not ever y meal is included, and, of course, there could be dif ferent sights

they w ish to v isit which have an entrance fee, and souvenirs, calls home etcetera.”

According to Kohansk i the f reedom is balanced w ith personal safet y. “Only adults can qualif y for raf f le w inners, and we tr ust they are responsible and sensible w ith their well being while traveling,” she said. “We do make available insurance they can opt for if they are concer ned about any medical issues ar ising while overseas. Should an emergenc y ar ise, we have a 24-hour net work set in place both stateside and overseas to assist.”

Olmstead said this f reedom brought a f irst-time highlight.

“We v isited the Par is Opera, which was the highlight for me,” she said. “I’d never been inside the building before, and it was probably one of the most impressive buildings I’ve seen in France.”

Even though there may be some assumptions that Olmstead has been to France of ten enough to k now the culture, she stresses that is false. “I’ve been to France four times now, but each time I lear n something new whether it be about the culture or France in general,” she said.“I’ve always loved France, and I like to show my students that it is possible, even if you don’t speak the language, and you don’t have to have a ton of money to go there.”

Fun in France • Olmstead won the trip through a raffle drawn at random.

• Olmstead chose to take her mom as her guest to France.

• Olmstead has taken students to France twice in previous years.

• Olmstead’s first trip to France was while she was in college.

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Feature

Friday, December 19, 2008

Ashley Burleson staff writer

Feeling the pressure while looking at the score board, senior Nick Schrade and sophomore Colin Northrup get nervous, knowing the next goal decides who wins their wheelchair hockey game.

The Wheelchair Hockey League is a competitive hockey league for people with physical disabilities who use wheelchairs.

According to The Wheelchair Hockey League web site, “The purpose of this league is to provide an appropriate means for persons in wheelchairs to have the opportunity to play hockey and have the chance to engage in the competition and excitement of the sport.”

“If I didn’t play I would probably be bored all the time,” Northrup said.

Schrade and Northrup play for The Hornets, one of five teams that make up the WCHL. Northrup heard about the WCHL web site and decided to check it out. He then attended some games in the summer and fell in love with it.

“I was really never really a hockey guy, but it makes me feel really good,” Northrup said.

Wheelchair hockey is a lot like ice hockey, except it takes place on a basketball court-

like surface, and the players use wheelchairs.

Wheelchair hockey also uses a ball rather than a puck. Once a year the teams spice up the game a bit and play a game on ice.

The teams are made up of people from around Michigan. The ages range from 10 to around 60 and there are currently more than 39 players.

“It made me connect with a whole new group of people,” Northrup said.

The WCHL is ran by players, parents and volunteers. Board member and player Matt Schwarck said, “We don’t have coaches, we have captains, but not coaches.”

The teams play games that are just for fun and play games that count for rankings, year around. The WCHL also has many events that take place over the year such as Christmas parties.

A big event that takes place every year is the all star games.

“The all star games have the best players decided by other players’ votes,” Northrup said.

The players with the most votes are then divided into teams and play against each other. “It’s just for fun,” Schwarck said.

Northrup has been selected for most of the all star games that have taken place since he began playing. He has also received a few awards, including rookie of the year.

“It makes me feel really happy,” he said.

Northrup has been playing for four to five years and said he plans to continue after he graduates but isn’t completely sure.

He said he enjoys playing not just because he gets to play hockey, but also because of all the friends he has made while playing in the WCHL. Northrup has been a goalie for most of the time he has been playing wheelchair hockey. He became a goalie after the original goalie of his team wasn’t happy, and the captain asked if anyone would like to try to be a goalie.

The last few games the Hornets have played had tight scores.

“When it’s a really tight game and one goal can make or break the game is when I tend to get nervous and play my best,” he said.

The Hornets are in second place and have a game against the Seals, the only team ranked above them coming up Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at Ward Church in Northville.

“I really encourage anyone to come out to one of these games,” Northrup said. “Even if you’re not a hockey person, you’ll like it.”

Schwark agrees. “The players would love it if other people came out to watch,” Schwarch said. “Besides family and friends.”

Full Game Schedule

The Players

Dec. 13, 2008 Week Six 2-5PM Ward Church Hornets vs. Seals Wolf Pack vs. Cobras

Colin Northrup • #93 • Started playing September 2005 • Goalie for the Hornets • Played in four All Star games • Rookie of the Year 2004-2005

Feb. 7, 2008 Week Seven 1-4PM Ward Church Wolf Pack vs. Hornets Cobras vs. Seals Feb. 14, 2008 Week Eight 1-4PM Ward Church Wolf Pack vs. Seals Seals vs. Cobras Feb. 28, 2008 Week Nine 1-4PM Ward Church Wolf Pack vs. Cobras Seals vs. Hornets Mar. 4, 2008 Week Ten 12-3:30PM Ward Church Cobras vs. Seals Wolf Pack vs. Hornets

Contact Info

Nick Schrade • #48 • Started playing summer of 2007 •Defender and goalie of the Hornets.

• Has also played for the Cobras in 2007

Chris Lemieux Commissioner 519-250-7274 chris@thewchl.com

Photos by Luke Hattie

Dexter students attend WTMC Andy Whitaker staff writer

Caleb Kruzel: Is a junior this year looking to study social work

Jack Frecka: Is a junior this year looking to study culinary arts or photography

Photos by Stephanie Wolyniak

Instead of rolling over to hit the snooze button at around 10 a.m. Tuesday, junior Jack Frecka decided that it was about time to get out of bed and take a quick shower before heading off to his first class of the day.

Instead of heading off to Dexter High School, however, Frecka attends Washtenaw Technological Middle College at Washtenaw Community College.

He is one of 350 high school students who have decided against attending a normal fouryear high school in exchange for the opportunity to receive college credits along with his normal high school requirements.

“After graduation I’ll have an associates degree and a high school diploma so I can transfer to a different college with some credits already,” Frecka said.

The program in which Frecka is enrolled allows for students to gradually progress into the college life.

“They offer base classes that help you get used to college life so you aren’t just thrown into a

totally new environment,” he said.

Frecka did say he was worried at first he would become distanced from his friends because he wouldn’t be able to see them as often. The opposite ended up being true.

“I’m still close with my real friends from high school, and I’m probably even closer with them now because I’m able to see them more often because of less homework,” he said.

Frecka said he has noticed since changing schools he now has a lot more free time due to a smaller homework load.

“WTMC is actually easier than high school, which I was really surprised about,” he said.

The idea for attending WTMC wasn’t Frecka’s however. He said he wasn’t too sure how it would work out for him. “It was my parent’s idea at first,” he said.

“I was kind of bummed about leaving the high school and my friends, but now I prefer it.

They definitely didn’t pressure me. They just suggested it and supported me.”

According to counselor Gerry

Holmes, WTMC is not always the best option for high school students, however. “Students need to be independent and selfdisciplined in order to succeed” she said. “The decision to attend WTMC is a personal decision that should be based on an individual’s situation.”

Some students who are confident in the career they want to pursue can benefit greatly from attending WTMC, though, according to Holmes. “High school is more comprehensive , but WTMC better prepares you for an occupation,” she said.

“They grade you on soft skills, such as occupation skills and really prepare you to enter the work force.”

Holmes also said any student who is interested in becoming enrolled in the WTMC program should visit www. themiddlecollege.org for more information.

Frecka is very happy with decision he has made and encourages other students to look into it as well he said, “I definitely like it more than going to high school.”

Q&A With Senior Cole Swan

Whitaker: When did you start attending WTMC? Mrs. Holmes: Says Internet security and pre-engineering are two good programs at WTMC

Swan: At the beginning of my sophomore year.

Whitaker: Why did you decide to go there?

Swan: I wanted to get ahead for college and begin to earn college credits.

Whitaker: How long were you at WTMC? Swan: I was there for two years.

Whitaker: What were you studying?

Swan: I was studying business and management.

Amber Ratliff: Is a senior this year studying to be a medical assistant

Whitaker: What was it that you didn’t like and made you decide to come back?

Swan: I felt secluded and like I lost my social life. The classes were really small and some of the courses were with really old people, which I thought was kind of weird.

6

Health

Friday, December 19, 2008

Salvia a legal high, but should it be?

Photo Illustration by JoJo Parin

Patrick Ledwidge trends editor

Photo by Rod Satterthwaite

Above: A small container but be prepared for a big trip. Salvia is the hottest drug to try. Salvia is legal from people over the age of 18.

smokes marijuana but is afraid to try salvia because of her friend’s experiWhen senior Joe Smith first smoked salvia, he said his experience was noth- ences with it. “I’m a big baby, and I’m ing less than crazy. “I was on a unicorn, scared of what it would do to me,” Jackflying through a rainbow that was actu- son said.

Though Smith said salvia has a lot of ally I-95,” he said. “Leprechauns were different effects than marijuana does. chasing and prodding me with Glue Lol“Sal is a little more intense. Marilipops. Then one climbed on my unicorn, juana is more chill,” and it stabbed me said Smith. “It isn’t with its horn. Then something you do evI pimp slapped him ery day.” and woke up.”

The effects after Salvia divinosmoking salvia are rum, commonly crazy according to known as salvia, Smith. “It probably is similar to marishould be illegal to be juana but is legal honest,” Smith said. for people 18 and “Salvia’s effects on the body “You can’t drive unolder. Like mariare dangerous and can posder the influence of juana, salvia is it. People don’t unsibly be fatal.” smoked through a derstand how strong pipe or bong. it is.” Jackson has “It gives you an Aileen Kernohan, school heard stories about interesting experisalvia and its effects. nurse ence,” Joe Smith* These stories are said. “It can help what keep her from you develop yourtrying salvia.

“It self in interesting makes you trip out ways.” hard-core and makes Smith said he you see things for five has been smokto seven minutes,” ing marijuana for she said. about a year, but just started smoking Despite its risks, Smith said salvia is Salvia over the past six months. “I know easy to come by and is even sold in vendpeople who don’t smoke weed and just do sal (salvia),” he said. Smith said he ing machines in Canada. “It is very easy thinks that some people only do salvia is to get, especially if you’re 18,” Smith said. “You can get it online or in some because it’s not an every day thing.

Senior Rachel Jackson* said she stores.”

Smith also says salvia is inexpensive compared to marijuana. “It is $15 or $20 dollars per gram. You can get just the leaves, but you can get the extract which can be 20 times as strong as the leaves, 30 times as strong and all the way up to 120 times as strong,” Smith said.

Jackson has been with friends while smoking salvia and she advises potential salvia smokers to beware. “If you’re going to do it, don’t have everyone trip out at once,” Jackson said. “Take turns.

People have gotten hurt because everyone is under the influence and trip at once.”

School nurse Aileen Kernohan knows the effects salvia has on the body and says it has stronger and has worse side effects than smoking marijuana. “Marijuana effects are milder,” she said. “Marijuana is known as a recreational drug.”

According to Kernohan, salvia was originally used by Shamans in South America for the purpose of exploring the spiritual realm.

“It is hallucinogenic,” Kernohan said.

“As with any hallucinogenic, the effects can vary depending on the user and the dose. Shamans who use this purify their emotions, spirit and bodies and are trained in its use before using.”

Kernohan said salvia’s effects on the body are dangerous and can possibly be fatal. She said, “Salvia is considered a recreational drug and can have serious effects, including loss of consciousness and memory loss at higher doses.” *named changed to conceal identity

News Year’s resolutions made for various reasons John Brosch staff writer

According to psychology teacher Tracy At the end of every year, millions of people make promises called resolutions. Stahl, “Many people make unrealistic or The New Year, some believe, brings mo- uncontrollable resolutions. A lot of people also get sucked into this society we tivation to change lifestyle live in that we need to go big or go trends. home.”

For science teacher Stahl also said, “People Beau Kimmey, it is all a make resolutions that you big waste of time. “Most don’t see results every people just break their day. If you say you want promise in a week,” to lose 30 pounds, and he said. “I don’t make you don’t lose a pound promises that I’m just “I don’t make promises that every day, people get going to break.”

I’m going to break.” discouraged and give Others may take this up.” event more seriousStahl said the right ly, but Kimmey feels way to go about keeping strongly people are just a resolution is in a difmaking empty promisferent way. “If you say es. “My mom made one you will cut out candy (resolution last year) or pop, you can see rethat she wouldn’t east sults every day,” she candy anymore, but she said. “You can look in eats licorice and claims the mirror and say, ‘I didn’t drink pop or it’s not candy,” he said laughing.

Some students, however, are into the eat candy today.’ In turn, because you spirit of resolutions a bit more. Junior are making healthy choices, you will lose Justin Manners likes the challenge of weight.”

Still, New Year’s resolutions are not a changing some little habits on his life.

“One year I vowed I wouldn’t drink pop,” big thing to Stahl. “I don’t really need a he said. “I did pretty well, but at first I new year to make changes I see necessary had to have a couple once in a while. It’s in my life,” she said. “But my advice to tough. I did it for about two and a half those who want to do resolutions is keep months and then my motivation just went the resolution small and achieve big.” away.”

-Beau Kimmey , science teacher

Photo Illiustration by Vaentino Argiro

7

ARTS

Friday, December 19, 2008

TWILIGHT

MOVIE REview Ally Sutter health editor

If you have read and appreciate the vampire series “Twilight,” please do not waste $8 on a movie ticket. The book has a solid, entertaining plot that makes it impossible to put down. The movie is a joke.

The story involves a girl named Bella who moves to her dad’s house in a small, rainy town called Forks, WA. Her new classmates include a family of exceptionally attractive people who are so perfect they seem inhuman. Bella is assigned to sit next to Edward Cullen, and the two end up falling in love.

But the movie does not build the chemistry between these two main characters. Within the first few seconds of meeting each other, the two went from despising each other for no apparent reason to declaring their eternal love.

After going online, she decides Edward is a vampire. Though she’s sure he is a blood-sucking vampire, she watches him from her window after their first hangout and declares (to herself) that

Photo illustration by Val Argiero

she is “unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

After the Cullens are established as non-human, blood-sucking vampires, the rest of the movie includes a vampire-speed run through the woods, a random kissing-on-the-bed scene and a short action scene that could barely be made out because of bad lighting.

The one scene that was actually pretty neat was the baseball game in the field. Muse’s (the author’s favorite band) “Supermassive Blackhole” plays while the Cullens and Bella play a vampire version of baseball, making the scene the high point of the movie.

The books hit it big after Summit spent a small $37 million on the movie, which explains the cheesy acting and special effects. “New Moon,” the next movie in the series, will have a budget triple the size of “Twilight”.

If you haven’t read the books yet, the movie may be mildly entertaining, but don’t take it seriously.

It was made more of a comedy than a copy of the books.

Top 10 holiday songs 1. Hanukkah Song: Adam Sandler Jewish or not, this song is awesome in the sense of the holiday. Adam Sandler mixes his comedic powers with his musical talents for a good holiday song.

BOOK REVIEW

Brittany Martini managing editor

Girls dream of their Prince Charming. But for many the fad that is “Twilight” has altered their vision of this prince directly to Edward Cullen.

But many people are unable to do justice in describing him when compared to Stephanie Meyer’s writing. Meyer has not only sold over 4 million copies of the “Twilight” series, but the books have been translated into more than 20 different languages.

Teenagers around the world lined up at the box offices on Nov. 20 at 12:01a.m. to experience their fantasy on the big screen and many left the theater in disappointment. The let down people experienced directly correlates with what makes the books so appealing to teenage girls. No person can put into words how the books made them feel.

As complicated as it may sound, the concept is straightforward: the actors, producers and even the director were unable to transfer the raw feelings the book expresses. No matter how many people the

movie had working, no matter how much they paid the crew, no matter what largely-acclaimed actor they let play the roles, the movie simply was not going to match the enormous following the series had.

Not only did the movie not do justice to the books, but the movie wrongly focuses on the action of the book and allows the movie to come off as corny. Not only are there cheesy scenes, but the majority of the movie came off this way such as: the tree-climbing, the vampire hissing, the blood thirsting and the fast driving.

“Twilight,” a romance novel, is the story between a vampire (played by Robert Pattison) and a quiet, girl (Kirsten Stewart) who fall in love. The movie is from the viewpoint of everyone involved. Meyer, on the other hand, wrote the book that etched a story most readers fell in love with.

The movie simply did not capture the joy and emotion the book made people feel. The feelings were not transferred into the movie, leaving the viewer feeling empty, realizing that their Prince Charming was absolutely not Robert Pattinson.

Art submitted to the Squall

2. Little Saint Nick: The Beach Boys It’s a Christmas song and The Beach Boys in one. Everyone loves this song. It’s the Little Saint Nick.

3. Christmas in Hollis: Run DMC It’s a Christmas carol done by Run DMC. Nuff said.

4. All I want for Christmas is You: Mariah Carey Every dude’s guilty pleasure when it comes to a holiday song. Mariah’s voice is irresistible.

5. Jingle Bell Rock: Bobby Helms This is a classic. This holiday song goes way back and is a song for the decades.

6. Santa Baby: Madonna Madonna uses her seductive voice in a holiday song and expresses her wild side yet again.

7. Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Bruce Springsteen Anytime I hear this song, I immediately get the image in my head of Springsteen rockin’ out on a float in a holiday parade in a packed city.

8. Blue Christmas: Elvis Presley This song goes out to anyone who has the blues for Christmas. Elvis is king.

9. Seven Days of Kwanzaa: Jacquie Godden.

A shout out to Kwanza people.

10. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas: Kenny G I was debating whether or not to put Kenny G on the list, and I couldn’t resist. This is the ultimate wind down song for the holidays. Kenny G is the man when it comes to the saxophone.

This Photoshop artwork was submitted by Scott Repine in response to the October issue request for student artwork.

8

Sports

Friday, December 19, 2008

Robert Spiegel propels water polo team

Kurt Miller Staff writer

Saving multiple shots at regionals, senior goalie Rob Spiegel helped the men’s water polo team beat Seaholm 7-3 at regionals. This win propelled the team to the state tournament and was an example of Spiegel’s leadership and experience.

Junior Jesse Claflin said Spiegel was a great leader.

“He was an amazing goalie and made our team successful,” next year’s co-captain Claflin said. “High expectations and a spot in goal will need to be filled (next year).”

Beating Seaholm in regionals guaranteed the team their first trip to the state tournament in the history of the program. This was a big step personally for Spiegel and for the program. “(The win) felt good,” Spiegel said. “Getting to states was one of our goals. The win was a big step for our program.”

Spiegel’s work ethic and talent paid off when he was named first team all-state after the State tournament. Spiegel was the only member the team

To be named all-state.

“It’s pretty sweet to have a teammate that made all-state,” senior tri-captain Andrew Leonard said. “He deserved it though, because he worked really hard.”

Spiegel said making all-state took a lot of hard work and also said it wasn’t easy to get to this point.

“It takes lots of hard work in the off season and during the season,” Spiegel said. “It also helps to get to know the other coaches.”

Not only does Spiegel play high school water polo, but he also plays club water polo. His team, Spartan Water Polo, recently competed at the junior Olympics in California. He also said that his team had the best record in Michigan this past year.

Spiegel is still undecided as to where he will play water polo in college, but he has narrowed his choices to Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University.

Next year’s water polo team will have high expectations to live up to, because of the success of Spiegel and this year’s team. The standards are now high for the water polo program according to Claflin.

“We’re up for the challenge (next year), but it will be hard to do as well as we did this year,” he said. “Al Woods will step in as goalie.”

Although Spiegel and the team ended their year on a high note by getting to the state tournament, he will greatly miss being a part of the team.

Spiegel said, ”I’m going to miss Brian, our coach, and all of the team bonding that we do over the summer.”

All-State all the way

Six athletes awarded honor for fall season season. He said he essentially tried to fill an empty forward position but ended up becoming the team’s leading scorer.

“I liked the change it allowed me to The fall sports season was filled with notable numbers but perhaps the most experience something new,” he said of impressive was the number of athletes changing positions. “It was really different, and I had to make some major adnamed All-State.

Six athletes were named All-State for justments, but I eventually figured out the fall sports season. One in womens what I was doing, and it was fun.”

Varsity mens and womens soccer swimming, junior Lauren Daugherty; three in mens soccer, first team honoree coach Scott Forrester questioned Jebjunior Jono Jebson, first team honoree son at first when he asked to make the change to forward senior Scott Santoro after playing goalie and third team honoree for his entire soccer senior Shawn McCarger; career. and one athlete in mens Jebson said bawater polo, senior Rob sically what it came Spiegel. down to was him For Santoro, it was begging and pleadall about his work ethic.

“Whenever I step on the field, I ing for Forrester to “Pretty much all I did always step out with mentality that allow him to make was work out, run and the position change train. I also went to sevit could be my last time playing, and to forward. eral camps,” he said. In I try to enjoy the time I have on the His first opporpast few years Santoro field because I know it’s not going to tunity to take the said he can only rememlast forever.” field as forward was ber a few weeks when against Techumseh, he gave himself a break and it was also Jebfrom training or where -Junior Jono Jebson son’s first chance to he and his family went a prove himself as a vacation. viable forward who Although Santoro could effectively said the voting for AllState athletes is mainly based on tal- contribute to his team. At first he said ent, it is not based on talent alone. He it might have appeared the position was said, “ Making it (to state finals) is huge. not the right fit when he missed three It probably helped a lot. I mean if you wide open shots on goal, but in the end, get that far and you’re talented, you’re everything worked out.

Jebson said, “Whenever I step on the bound to get your name around and recfield, I always step out with mentality ognized.”

For Santoro’s teammate Jebson, the that it could be my last time playing, and path to success was considerably differ- I try to enjoy the time I have on the field ent. Jebson said he developed a talent because I know it’s not going to last forhe never realized he possessed until this ever.”

Nic Miller News editor

Jono Jebson was a main force in the run that the soccer team made at the state title this year.

Scott Santoro was a solid force between the posts this year, even having an assist at one point.

Photo courtesy of Mary Kumbier

Lunging out of the water: Senior Robert Spiegel propels himself to stop the shot between the post. Spiegel led the water polo team to a state run for the first time in Dexter water polo history.

Although the Dreads didn’t win the championship, Spiegel was elected to the all state team.

Snowgate to raise hockey spirit 2008-2009 Dexter Home Hockey Schedule (Home games played at Vet’s Ice Arena)

01/07/09 Plymouth 7:30 p.m.

02/14/09 Livonia Franklin 7:30 p.m.

01/10/09 South Lyon 7:30 p.m.

02/18/09 Lincoln 7:30 p.m.

02/04/09 Ann Arbor Huron 7:30 p.m.

02/21/09 Liggett 7:30 p.m.

02/07/09 Gabriel Richard 7:30 p.m.

02/25/09 Ann Arbor Pioneer 7:30 p.m.

Nicole Minzey Staff writer

The main winter spectator sport has always been basketball.

This year, seniors Jake Gross and Sean Stanislovaitis are hoping to change that with Snow gate, tailgating before hockey games, an idea they came up with during math class.

“Everyone always goes to the basketball games, but the fact is it’s boring,” Gross said. “There’s no contact, and it gets really hot in the gym.”

Gross and Stanislovaitis say they are trying to get people to come to hockey games by having fun things to do before the game. They want to have sledding,

snow volleyball, bonfires, curling and more. “The main point of Snow gate is to have a good time with your friends before the game,” Stanislovaitis said.

They also plan to create a hockey puck mascot and other things to make watching the games more fun.

“We’re planning on making brochures and posters to hang around school to get people to come,” Gross said.

The players are also excited to have more people come to our games.

“It will be nice to have more people there supporting us,” said sophomore Andrew Erber, a member of the hockey team. And if the team wins states, there will be a big party.

Gross said, “It’s going to be gigantic.”

Photo by Christina Field

in goal: Nick Ceccolini stands prepared in goal. Last year, Ceccolini was all state honorable mention. This year, his brother, Tony, and fellow junior Alex Everard are splitting time in net.

9

Sports

Friday, December 19, 2008

FIFA '09 TourNament Students start competition to test skills

Factbox • FIFA 2009 enables the player to experience an authentic soccer simulation.

• FIFA is the world’s most popular soccer video game.

•FIFA is available for all major game consoles. Ranging from $40-$60.

Source: fifa09.ea.com

“Soccer is a team game,” Merz said. “It’s as much about individual skill as it is team chemSitting around the lunch table, a group of seniors istry. You have to prove you can play well did what they do every day: eat lunch and talk. Then, with your teammate to make it to the top (of the tournament).” all of a sudden, it hit them.

There will be 10 teams of two, “It was one of the best ideas (our table) has ever had,” senior and each team will play with the Steve Zenas said. Their idea 10 best teams in FIFA. Partners was to have one, giant Fédérawere chosen randomly by drawtion Internationale de Football ing out of a hat. The players were Association (FIFA) 2009 tourgrouped into two groups: good nament on Xbox 360 between fiefers and bad fiefers. all of their friends.

“It was pretty obvious who FIFA 2009 is the world’s was good and who was bad,” se“Once the game starts, it’s like I’m nior Nick Bidwell said. “We’ve all most popular soccer video game played with each other before, and not only in America, but also in another world.” you can just tell. There are some throughout Europe and the rest pretty bad players: (senior) Dan of the world. In its first week Newell doesn’t really know all the of sales, in Europe alone, it sold buttons; (senior) Logan (Julve$61.2 million worth of games, zan) one time got six red cards in breaking all records for all prea game, unintentionally; and (sevious soccer video games. nior) Petey (Peter Washabaugh) “We all like FIFA, and we used to be worse than both of needed a way to determine the them, but he’s gotten a little betbest fiefers (FIFA players),” Zenas said. Although they would like to decide the best ter.”

Although everybody in the tournament said they individual ‘fiefer’, it was decided that teams will consist of two players each, according to senior Steve love playing FIFA, very few members of the tournaMerz. ment actually play soccer competitively. “(Seniors) Kevin Yarows sports editor

senior Eddie Zukowski

Zenas, (Matt) Scarpelli, (Danny) Pickard and Merz were all on the soccer team in the fall, but those are the only people who really play seriously,” Washabaugh said.

“FIFA is fun to play even though I don’t play soccer because of the gameplay and doing sweet celebrations after I score. The gameplay in (FIFA) 2009 is much smoother than (FIFA) 2008 and there are a lot more cool tricks.”

Although everybody in the tournament says they enjoy playing FIFA, the skill levels within the group vary greatly.

A couple of seniors have only played the game once or twice. On the other hand, some players take the game very seriously.

“Once the game starts, it’s like I’m in another world,” senior Eddy Zukowski said. “I just get in a zone. It’s just me, the game and whoever is unlucky enough to have to play me.”

Zukowski said he “guareneddies” (guarantees) himself, along with partner with senior Steve Muchmore, a victory in the tournament. Zukowski said he believes two important factors will lead his team to victory: his ability to get in his opponent’s head by trash talking and the fact that he is better than everybody else he will play.

“It should be fun to see who challenges us the most,” Zukowski said. “Either way we’ll end up on top.”

Indoor soccer establishes camraderie

In one game last year, the Wallbangers faced the Sloppy Pickles, one of the other teams in the league, and randomly ended up playing Frisbee in Now that the winter sports are underway, in- the middle of it.

“When we are losing, we get bored so we just indoor soccer has become increasingly popular, and with two teams from Dexter (The Wallbangers and vent a new game,” Moir said. “We also sometimes Bowling Green) in the High School Coed Sunday slowly sneak players onto the field so we have an League, both teams are known for their share of advantage because we have so many more people good times. playing.”

“We have been doing this for Preparation for gameday, a while now, and we win games on the other hand, is for the wherever we go,” said senior most part taken quite seriPeter Washabaugh, who helped ously by The Wallbangers. “I orchestrate the Wallbangers will sometimes get up early team, along with senior Val Aron gameday and do jumping giero, three years ago. “A vicjacks,” Marks said. tory is in the bag for us no matAs for Bowling Green, ter what, especially v. Bowling every game during halftime Green.” they engage in a ritual in“A victory is in the bag for us, espeSenior Ian Nystrom, one of volving drums. “We bring cially against Bowling Green.” bongos and drums to every the several students who play game and anything else we for Bowling Green, said the incan find in Chelsea (Low’s) door soccer league is more for garage,” Nystrom said. the fun of the game than rack“During halftime we lay ing up wins. He said the Bowldown in a circle and someing Green team is often found one plays the drums ... it’s goofing off more than actually the halftime drum circle.” playing.

With all of the fun that “We play crab soccer, do the flying V formation, all the players will randomly goes on there is some hatred between both teams, rush the field ... it really just depends on how cool however. “The Wallbangers are garbage ... we pretthe ref is though,” Nystrom said. ty much proved that (win we beat them),” Nystrom Because Wallbangers tactics are a joke for the said. “It is the only game we have won so we felt most part as well, it can often frustrate their op- pretty awesome. It was fun ‘cause neither team ponents. “We aren’t a legit soccer team because tried. I mean who tries during indoor soccer?”

But whether their opponents have tried to take we don’t actually try,” senior Rachel Marks said.

“We’ve had half a team walk out on us once because the games seriously or not, both the WallBangers they were beating us so bad.” and Bowling Green enjoy goofing around and Because of the random activities the Wall- engaging in miscellaneous activities during the bangers team invents during games, players, such game.

“It’s been fun the last couple of years,” as senior Dan Moir, have a great time. “It makes Sunday the highlight of my week,” Moir said. “I Washabaugh said. “I’m definitely going to do intrain year-round for this.” tramurals in college, but I’m going to miss it.”

Jamie Munson staff writer

Preparing for the block: Winding up for the kick, senior Even Goshman looks up the field. Goshman is a member of a newly compiled indoor soccer team: Bowling Green.

Striding to victory: Running across the field, senior Danny Pickard shows off some fancy footwork.

Pickard is a recent addition to the Wallbangers soccer team.

Gazing onto the field: Assessing the game, senior Alex Bercu comtemplates a strategy. Bercu’s successful gameplans make him an invaluable member of the Wallbangers team.

Focused on the game: Running down the field, senior Steve Merz prepares for yet another victory.

Merz has been involoved with the indoor soccer program for almost three years.

senior Peter Washabaugh

Photos by Valentino Argeiro

10

Columns

Friday, December 19, 2008 5) Something Corporate- Has anyone even heard of this band? They rank way up there on the list of great alternatives like We the Kings, Metro Station and Quietdrive.

Olivia Schefler

Scott Crompton

Opinions editor

Editor in cheif

Who are you?

The common theme in English classes I have taken is identity. In every English class, we learn about who we are and how we came to be the way we are.

So I developed a test for everyone to find out exactly who they are without having to read “Jane Eyre” or “My Antonia,” two of the worst experiences of my life.

Follow along with these questions and circle the answer that best suits you. By doing this, you are exempting yourself from all English classes at Dexter High School because now you’ll know who you are.

Who am I? 1) Have you ever been a woman or thought about being a woman?

A) Yes, I indeed am a woman and proud of it because men are terrible creatures, and they oppress women to make themselves feel better about their pitiful lives.

B) Not sure. I don’t care to look down there. I spend all day wishing I weren’t anything at all.

C) Heck no. I like to fight, dip and wear beaters. Like a real man.

D) Oh, yes, I’m so beautiful. I prance around wearing nothing and yell obnoxiously.

2) What is your typical weekend activity?

A) I write speeches bashing men and most certainly do not interact with the male human species.

B) I listen to My Chemical Romance or Good Charlotte, depending on my mood. If I’m feeling spontaneous, I’ll throw in a little Cradle of Filth.

C) I have a sip of my dad’s Apple-tini. That way on Monday I can go to school and talk about how messed up I got over the weekend and make up a story about how I kicked some kid’s ass.

D) I go to as many parties as I can and hook up with as many boys as I can. Then I start unnecessary drama that makes everyone around me look awful, while I look amazing.

3) If someone were to ask you your political views what would you tell them?

A) Liberal. Liberal. Liberal, with a touch of liberal.

B) I would tell them to get a life and stop conforming to the conformist world.

C)I would tell them to get out of my face before I bust out my sack and beat them with it.

D) What are politics?

4) If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?

A) I would make it so I could choose the only men to live, because I am a control freak and men treat me like an animal.

B) Make everyone stop judging me, because they don’t know what I go through, “It’s tough being male, middle-class and white,” (Folds 4).

C) I would make it so I would stare everyone down while they were minding their own business, because if they look at me funny, I’ll cut ‘em!

D) Make everyone worship me because I like to show my cleavage, and my daddy pays for all my accessories.

5) And finally, what is the best part of high school and why?

A) English class, because it’s the only place where I can moan about men and not be looked down upon.

B) Under the stairs in the commons, because it’s dark and cold, just like my soul.

C) The bathroom, because that is where I throw in a big ‘ol leaper, get smashed and smoke contraband. Then when I finish all that, I can look like I’m going to beat some little kid up who comes in, but I really won’t, because I can’t.

D) The halls, because there I can see everyone stare at my cleavage, yell stupid things and spread rumors faster.

Congratulations! You have completed the Dexter High School “Who am I?” quiz. Now let’s find out who exactly you are.

If you chose mostly As: You are the feminist who always gets an A++ in English. All you do is talk about how men have done you wrong and give examples from history. You don’t actually know anything. Quit complaining.

You can vote.

If you chose mostly Bs: You are emo. Even though you have no reason to hate your life, you insist on thinking it’s cool to do so. But what do I know?

I don’t know you so I can’t judge you. Suck it up and crawl out from under the stairs.

If you chose mostly Cs: You are a tough guy. You think you’re really cool because you look hard, even though you could never beat anyone. And no one thinks you are cool because you talk about beating people up or because you drink and smoke. Get your priorities straight.

If you chose mostly Ds: You are a drama queen who will do anything for attention. You are the epitome of stupid, high school drama. You fuel the never-ending fire of people trying to be something they’re not. Put some

Alex Everard

Managing editor

Let it snow ... or else I wake up, groggy and disoriented and glance at my clock. Seven a.m. I look outside and see roads covered with snow and frozen slush. My heart fills with pure, unrefined joy. Angels begin to sing.

Then, as if on cue, a yellow school bus comes plowing down my street, splintering my heart into a thousand pieces and throwing me into manic depression. We have school.

However, if there is one thing worse than going to school on a should-be snow day, it’s listening to everyone complain about it.

I hate being in class amid a modern ice-age just as much as you, but reminding me that none of us should be here just makes it that much worse.

So, I have a plan. It is a plan that will take the wit and skill of every student, a plan that will utilize the hearts and minds of every

6) Deep philosophical conversations- You’d be surprised how much you can learn about a person just by asking them what they think the meaning of life is. Be prepared for a good, long chat.

Many things are underrated Since “Twilight” has taken the teenage literary world by storm, and I think it’s a bit overrated, especially the movie, I thought now would be a good time to point out the things in life I find underrated and deserving of a bit more attention. Some are serious, some are fun, and they are in no particular order, but all of these things make my life a little sweeter.

1) Mustang GTs- A new model coming in 2009? No thanks! These streamlined sports cars are gorgeous just the way they are.

2) The CW show “Supernatural”- Any show that can use the line, “Yeah, let’s go kill some zombies,” and still scare you half to death is definitely worth watching.

3) Brothers- Yes, I’ve heard they can be annoying plenty of times, but would a sister be as spontaneous as to light fire crackers under your window? Brothers provide the trouble- making genius in the household, and we love them for it.

4) Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz- Come on!

Harry Potter gets all his adventures made into movies, “Twilight” has more films on the way and Alex Rider only gets one film that didn’t even come out in big theaters? The plot is awesome (guys would enjoy the books too) and the actor is a heck of a lot better looking than Edward Cullen or Harry ... see it to believe it.

Dreadnaught. A plan that, if executed correctly, will secure us as many snow days as our hearts desire. So listen up.

First, we all gather at the one place no one will ever look in the winter: Dairy Queen. We meet at midnight (freshmen, I know you have bedtimes, so your part will come later). Once we have everyone, we divide into groups.

The first group that will deploy is the swimmers. Your job will be to transfer the water from Wylie Pool to the streets. This will create a thick layer of ice that will serve as a complex transportation network, allowing us to complete Phase Two of Operation Dreadnaught Freedom.

The second phase will require all students without a special mission to shovel snow from their yards into whatever vehicle they own, transport it to the main roads, and dump it (read on to find of if you have a special mission).

In Phase Three, the city will most likely deploy up to 20 snowplows. Football players, now is your time to shine. Your job is to block the snowplows from reaching the roads. Remember to wrap up; if you can’t arm-tackle Nick Hill, I doubt you can arm-tackle a snowplow.

By now, police officers will be on several of our command posts ready to hand out arrests. This is where the basketball team comes in. Phase Four. Your job is to walk straight up to any officer you see and do one thing: give them the Swoverland Stare. This is sure to change their questions from, “What are you kids doing?”, to, “Who am I?” and, “What am I doing with my life?”

Next comes the foreign exchange students. Phase Five. Your job is to speak whatever your language is to any hired official you see.

7) Hershey’s Chocolate Sunday Pie- Food for the gods.

Enough said.

8) Telling someone you love them and there’s nothing they can do about it- This is great if you try it on a random person in a safe, public place. I got a hug off this one once in Blockbuster.

9) Random acts of kindness- Who doesn’t get that warm, fuzzy feeling when someone honestly does something nice for us? It feels good to be appreciated.

10) Mr. Miller- Anyone who can tolerate hearing about the lives of three girls all through high school every morning before school has got to have some patience.

11) Josh Groban- This guy has the voice of an angel, and the fact he sings both in English and Italian makes him all the more irresistible.

12) Saying “Merry Christmas”- Whatever your religious beliefs are, isn’t an honest holiday greeting smoother on the tongue than harsh Xmas wishes?

13) Reading- We nerds have to have some kind of equivalent to video games, right?

14) Trans-Siberian orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller- There’s nothing like this crazy, uplifting rock and roll music to get you on the holiday war path.

15) Living in America- No matter what anyone says about this nation, immigration is the sincerest form of flattery.

These are the kinds of things that can make my day

This is Dexter; they are sure to have no idea what you are saying, thus adding to the chaos. They might call you an enemy combatant, however, in which case you need to flee as fast as possible.

Phase Six will require all 4.0 students. Your job is to record temperatures and the density of the snow and ice we pile on the streets.

You will be rewarded with brand new TI-84 calculators (before you ask, yes, they have games on them).

By now it should be around 2 a.m., and most of the local police force will be exhausted from attempting to capture the exchange students or in group therapy from the power of The Stare.

They will call upon state troopers.

Soccer team, now is your time. Phase Seven: it’s time to riot.

The futbol team (and its fans) will become complete hooligans and riot in the streets. Set fire to the gazebo. Raid the Cider Mill. The rest of the us will be waiting to hear chants of “United! (clap clap clap)” to know you were successful.

Now it’s time for Phase Eight, the most critical phase of all. It calls for the one team who lives on ice and snow. The one team that will secure the snow day just before approximately 3 a.m.: Dexter hockey. We’ll lace up the skates and just start a giant brawl with anyone who’s left, “Slapshot” style . Foil up boys.

If for some reason my plan fails, we implement plan B. Remember when I said freshman will come later? If we don’t succeed, upperclassmen will take all freshman violently hostage until our snowday demands are met. Administrators, I don’t want to have to swirly some punks into submission, so don’t threaten my snowday.

Dreadnaughts, prepare for glory!

11

Editorial

the all

Friday, December 19, 2008

SQUALL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Scott Crompton

call:

Students who move out of homes should be supported In the affluent town of Dexter, many might be surprised that one issue we face at the high school is students who choose to move away from their homes.

Although the school does provide subsidies for these students, such as free lunches and counseling, we feel kids and parents alike should work on their relationship in order to live happier lives, especially through the holiday season.

According to school counselor Kristy Doyle, every year there are a handful of students who choose homelessness. Doyle said these students live with friends and move out because of conflicts at home, most commonly because of disagreements with parents.

Whether it’s an irresponsible parent as a catalyst or a student trying to rebel by making the move, it is certain whether or not anyone moves out, every student experiences conflicts with their parents at one point or another.

But by having a good relationship with parents, or trying to resolve conflicts and letting grudges go, a lot can happen and there is a lot to benefit from.

Students have a lot to gain from having a good relationship with a parent.

A recent study at the University of Minnesota found teens who participated in something as

simple as eating dinner with parents and family often did better in school and were less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol and were also less likely to have symptoms of depression and even had higher self-esteem.

Uber Doctor Phil McGraw also encourages parents who may be struggling to build relationships with their teen to instill confidence in their teenage child as well, because the teenager will seek approval from others and possibly becoming deviant.

“Talk with (your children) about their lives,” McGraw said.

“Support, encourage and show love to your children. You cannot watch your children at all times, so it is important to establish a trusting relationship so they will feel comfortable coming to you with their questions and problems.”

Finding a passion can also keep teens out of trouble and help to build a relationship with their parent. McGraw said by finding something a teenager enjoys doing, and learning about it as much about it as they can, teens will not be so focused on the opposite sex and be kept from achieving their goals by them.

Parents can help by searching for classes on the passion, and maybe becoming involved, too.

But the teens need to do their

part, as well.

McGraw said teens need to, as easy as it seems, tell the truth.

“This the only way you will earn trust from (parents). Don’t tell (them) what you think they want to hear; tell them the truth. If you think they will use your honesty as leverage against you, then explain that to your parents so the dynamic can change.”

Parents, ask your child about their life without becoming nosy.

Become genuinely interested in what they do. Get them involved in an activity they love. Have mutual trust with your child. Apologize if you know you’ve made a mistake.

Teachers and administration, encourage family values and if a students approaches you with a problem, suggest counseling and try to find a happy medium.

Get involved with your students’ lives because some may be trusting you more than you think, like a parent, incorporating yourself into their life.

Students, by finding something you like to do keeping you out of trouble, getting your parents involved, asking for help, telling the truth, letting go of grudges, making small talk and simply eating dinner with your family, we can keep this problem to a bare minimum and look towards a brighter tomorrow.

Senior-freshman relationships Jake Larosa uPage editor

Morgan Quist Ad Manager

PRO

CON

Let’s get one thing straight before I begin this little flimflam: I am not an advocate of statutory rape, nor have I ever been. But I don’t see anything wrong with inter-grade relationships.

A relationship should not be confined to same-age participants. That said, there are limits. A senior dating anyone grade eight or below is completely erroneous, not to mention illegal in most states.

It’s common knowledge that chicks dig mature guys. This has been scientifically proven by the Jake Larosa Institute of Women. It’s a fact, people. And I don’t claim to be the most mature guy in the school, but I often see these freshman kids and shake my head in disgust. They simply can’t touch the sophistication of the mild-mannered senior guy.

I don’t sport Volcom shirts that haven’t been washed in weeks. I don’t bring my custom skateboard to school to show chicks I can thrash. I also don’t wear a mop-on-the-head haircut and spit chaw on the carpet. All of these negative underclassmen aspects are what compel girls to date older guys.

Furthermore, girls like guys who can drive. For some reason, there is nothing sexier to them than a man who is legally qualified to operate a two-ton machine. Sorry freshman guys, but Sally doesn’t want to go to the movies riding on the pegs of your extreme bike or in the back of Mom’s mini van.

Underclassmen deserve guys at or above their own level of maturity, and senior guys are there to fill that void. And if freshman guys don’t like it, they can take their Razor scooter elsewhere.

LETTERS

I’m embarrassed to admit that as a freshman, I did think it would have been cool to date a senior: so tall, so admirable.

Now, as an upperclassmen, however, it’s pathetic. To me, it says, “I’ve gone through all of the other grades like a bad disease ... and now I’m down to a freshman.”

If you’re a freshman, don’t date a senior. No one thinks you’re cool because you date a senior. Everyone knows you think you are hot stuff because you follow a senior around like a puppy dog. It’s not the same.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think three years is a big age difference.

Dennis Quaid and Richard Gere are fine for old men, and they’re both 35+ years older than I. But please wait until you’re out of high school to begin the relationship. There is a reasoning behind this.

The relationship becomes annoying and predictable. The senior (we’re going to assume it’s a guy, because a girl going for a freshman guy = cougar) graduates high school, and they breakup before summer starts to “make things easier.”

The girl claims they’re still friends, because she texts him. When summer’s over, he goes off to college. At some point or another, she has to say good-bye. She cries for a week, and they get back together once he’s long gone.

Do you really think he’s not canoodling with other girls at college? Did you think he wasn’t using you just for canoodling in the first place? I have friends who have been “the girl.” And trust me, I don’t sympathize with them, especially when they get dumped.

TO THE

EDITOR

Dances meant to be good for all

Dear Editor, While reading the November issue of the Squall, I stumbled upon a certain piece of writing. It was a letter to the editor. The writer of the letter seemed to find a problem with the attendance of our Halloween dance. Excuse me, “Sadie Hawkins” dance. Now I did not attend this dance, and after the overwhelming turnout, I wouldn’t admit it if I did. I do, however, have some things to say in my defense.

First of all, I was attacked due to the fact that I boycotted the dance. Last time I checked, people boycott things that they actually care about. I could care less about trying to show up the administration. If you guys want to make changes to the dance, that’s fine. But, don’t write a letter to the editor when we don’t show up.

Secondly, you made it a Sadie Hawkins dance, and my friends and I were never asked to attend this dance by any girls. Thank you, Madame Lund.

Thank you for making fun of me, and our entire school, for not being able to get a date.

On a third, and more serious note, I’m going to come clean about my view of the dance. And when I say mine, I really mean ours, as the entire school obviously felt the same way.

As I said, I didn’t attend the school dance. I woke up on a beautiful Saturday morning. The birds were chirping, and the sun was just peeking out through my window. “Wow, what a great day! I think I’m going to go bobbing for apples tonight!” OK, so that was a lie. I didn’t think that.

As a matter of fact, 99 percent of our school didn’t think that.

I will be the first to admit, I woke up on Satur-

day morning with two things on my mind. Women and methamphetamine. And what a better way to combine the two things I love than a good old fashioned school dance. Nothing brightens up my day like walking onto a dark dance floor, filled with people who probably don’t know each other well enough to be doing what they’re doing and getting my freak on.

I didn’t go to the dance, however, because I knew this wouldn’t be the case. Yes, you were trying to make the dances safe and healthy, but last time I checked, the song “Get Low” never killed anyone.

So stop replacing it with “The Hokey-Pokey”.

There ain’t nothin’ wrong with a lil’ bump and grind.

Sincerely, Tate Sanders, senior

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 NEWS: Nicholas Miller GET INVOLVED: Brent Muse COPY: Emily Van Dusen

DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Anna Aiken, Val Argiero, Lindsay Baker, Ross Chamberlain, Rachel Dethloff, Shannon Gronvall, Luke Hattie, Kelsey Heilman, Jason Lomax, Georgia Myers, Daniel Newell, Kyle Oberle, Ashley Sharp, Kevin Sheaffer, Chas Sloan, Ashley Soares, Christian Wiesenberg, Stephanie Wolyniak.

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGERS:

Kelsey Heilman, Morgan Quist, Ariel Star.

STAFF WRITERS Jacob Aliapoulios, Nicholas Baron, Alex Bercu, Max Berry, Alli Bowman, John Brosch, Ashley Burleson, Garret Camilleri, Alexander Dobbs, Lindsay Fischer, Daniel Flowers, Aaron Gilman, Coleen Hill, Patricia Humitz, Marshall Kellenberger, Allison Krips, Marne Little, Krickett Luckhardt, Brittany Martini, Ian McCarthy, Kurt Miller, Nicole Minzey, Sarah Moir, Sarah Molnar, Kevin Mors, James Munson, Jack Nixon, Amanda Orr, Emily Pap, Caitlyn Rize, Michael Szymusiak, Karly Stanislovaitis, Miles Stephenson, Andrew Whitaker, Alexandria Zadrzynski.

CARTOONIST Gabe Altomare

ADVISER Rod Satterthwaite

POLICY:

The Squall is distributed monthly to 1,195 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

12

Photostory

Friday, December 19, 2008

Candid candy canes : A downtown Dexter home displays extravagant lighting. Lit-up candy canes, a Santa Claus, a minimanger and a little drummer boys are placed throughout the yard.

Dexter’s gazebo glitters: Downtown Dexter sets the holiday scene. The gazebo is draped with lights as are the light poles lining the streets. Stores in Dexter also show their holiday cheer by dressing up their store fronts in lights.

Holiday Spirit isn’t hard to find in Dexter Garret Camilleri staff writer

Not everyone has given up on trying to spread the holiday cheer. Junior Kyle Oberle works hard every year by putting up lights and other Christmas objects around his house. “ I do it because it’s a part of the Christmas spirit, and it’s fun to do,” he said.

Oberle’s decorations consist of string lights, blow-up Christmas figures, the classic Santa and reindeer and window lights.

And said he has been putting up these up for

about 13 now. Not only does he enjoy putting the decorations, he sets them without the help of his family. “I don’t really want their help,” he said. “It gives me some alone time.”

Junior Laura Kemp and her family also understand Oberle’s love of holiday display. The Kemps set up lights every year. “It’s just a tradition we have,” Kemp said. Kemp said her family goes all out, setting up the

essentials for the holiday decoration. Her family’s decoration consists of the classic reindeer, string lights, flashing lights, a Santa and, to spice up the whole decoration, a snowman light.

Ultimately Kemp’s father is the one responsible for the set up of these Christmas decorations. She said, “It takes him a whole weekend to set them up alone.”

Cheerful glow: This supersized snowman greets passers by with glowing holiday cheer. It stands about seven feet tall.

Season’s greetings: Located near the end of Scio Road, this house is illuminated with several blowup creatures in the yard, and many colorful lights are surrounding the house. An original piece that this house has set up in their side yard is a very large, tent-like, green and red light structure.

Reindeer and sleigh: In the yard outside of this Dexter home, these three reindeer prance ahead of their sleigh. Around this house there were many other light-up arrangements including trees and a Mickey Mouse.

Cute couple: A small, light-up gingerbread couple and their home stand outside of this house in a Dexter neighborhood. The couple is accompanied by light-up dear and snowflakes set up around the house.

Santa Claus and ducks: This house located on Huron Drive across from Classic Pizza, displays holiday cheer with colorful lights lining the house and trees. This house also has a few light-up reindeer, some light-up ducks and a large blow-up Santa in their front yard.

Photos and illustrations by Lauren Daugherty