0809-7

March 27, 2009 Volume XIV Issue 7

%FYUFS )JHI 4DIPPM 2200 N. Parker Road

Dexter MI, 48130

THESQUALL

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Dan Flowers staff writer

With new financial incentives for movie makers, Michigan has become one of the hot spots to film. Clint Eastwood has already made “Gran Torino� in the state, and Drew Barrymore is currently working on her directorial debut for her movie “Whip It!�, part of which was filmed in Saline.

To add to this list, director Tony Goldwyn brought along a cast including: Hilary Swank, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis and Sam Rockwell into the village of Dexter on March 3, for filming the movie “Betty Anne Waters�.

The script, written by Pamela Gray, is based on the true story of Betty Ann Waters who, as a single mother, returned to law school for 12 years to defend her brother who was wrongfully convicted of murder. The movie is scheduled for release sometime in 2009.

This new laws signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm provides movie makers with a guaranteed 40 percent refundable tax credit for all production costs, which is now the highest in the United States.

This alone has caught movie maker’s attention, but according to George Constas, a location scout for Goldwyn who has worked on many films including “The Dark Knight,� Michigan has much more to offer the film industry. “There are so many different styles of landscape,� Constas said. “People want to see something new, something the world hasn’t seen. Qualified crews are working so hard and doing their best to keep movies coming to Michigan.� According to Constas, there are already 65 films slated to

%FYUFS CFBVUZ Crew members stand outside St. Joseph’s Church, pointing to parts of the town they find visually appealing. Many crew members commented on how they liked the small town feel of te community.

film in Michigan in 2009.

Aside from the filmmakers benefitting, this will help out the struggling economy in several ways according to Amanda Brand, the Production Publicist for Goldwyn. “Movies bring money to the cities they film in,� Brand said. “From hotels being used to food and transportation, it provides many jobs.�

Productioncompaniesalsopayofflocationswithwhattheycall“inconveniencecompensations�.

Depending on how the filming interrupts the location determines the amount of money paid back.

Principal Kit Moran said he received a $2000 check for allowing Goldwyn and his crew to film at the high school and sent it over to the administrative building. He said he is not sure what this money will be spent on. “Betty Anne Water� is on schedule for a 31-day shoot that will extend into the beginning of April. One of these days was spent entirely in Dexter. Starting at St.. Joesph’s Church downtown around 9 a.m., the crew fought through the chilling cold into the afternoon, filming what is to be a funeral scene for movie.

These sets of shots took upwards of six hours to film, which pushed back the scheduled filming at the high school to 5 p.m. “They called in at 9 a.m. and said they’d be in at 11,� Dean of Students Ken Koenig said. “Then they said 1, then 3 before finally coming into the school around 5 p.m.�

According to Constas, the crew had looked at more than 40 different community colleges around the area before settling on DHS. “Dexter was the only high school that we went to,� Constas 4XBOL BOE (PME XZO Hilary Swank and director Tony Goldwyn discuss lines after finishing shooting a scene at St. Joseph’s Church in Dexter

said. “And ultimately the director and art director had the final say on using it as our location.�

Both Koenig and Moran remained at the school for the duration of the filming at the school. “They kept filming until about 8:30 at night,� Koenig said. “And the whole time they were here I don’t think (actress) Hilary Swank said one word.�

The high school was used for two different scenes, according to Thomas Jacobs who is also a Location Scout. The office was set up where Swank will be signing for classes at a community college, and the back parking lot for a scene where she is driving up to the school and deciding to enroll.

With one movie already filmed at the high school, Moran said he is optimistic about having so many movies coming to Michigan. “I’m hoping they liked using the school and the village,� Moran said. “With all the movies coming to Michigan, maybe we can get more movies made here.�

Moran also said he is already making friends inside the movie business. He has kept in contact with Constas via-Facebook since the crew finished up filming at the school. And he said he has received updates on the crew’s filming progress and most recently heard that Jackson and Detroit filming have gone well.

Photos by Candice Wiesner

2

News

Amanda Orr writer

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Friday, March 27, 2009

During the first trimester of classes, school authorities were alerted that nude photographs of 14-year-old freshman, Lucy Kostner*, were circulating the school via text-message. A number of cell phones were confiscated and handed over to the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Department.

Kostner was in turn charged with Illegal Display of a Depiction of a Human Form by the Washtenaw County Juvenile Court and is currently awaiting punishment.

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller, who is acting as the liaison between his office and the media for this case, said court decisions will weigh heavily upon the question of what is best for Kostner. However, her actions could have resulted in a more serious charge.

“More serious offenses may be implicated by behavior such as this,” Hiller said. “Under Michigan law the ability to handle a

case in Juvenile Court ends upon a youth turning 17 years of age. A person 17 years of age or older must be treated as an adult criminal offense” Though Hiller said Kostner received her punishment at a disposition hearing on March 12, Kostner claims she received her punishment at an alternative hearing a few months ago. “I (was sentenced) to six month’s probation,” Kostner said. “The charges will be erased from my record (after probation).”

Despite their disagreements as to when the court will determine her punishment, Hiller said court intervention was necessary in this case.

“Of special importance in this case is the need to impress upon the juvenile the illegality and wrongfulness of the conduct and the need to deter the juvenile from repeating this dangerous behavior,” Hiller said. “(It’s) also important to deter others from committing like acts.”

However, more trying than the legal action being taken against her, is the ridicule being aimed at her by her peers, and the adversity she has faced following the incident, Kostner said. “(Most people) don’t understand that I do care about what happened and regret it,” Kostner said. “They don’t know how much it affects me and upsets me. They just label me without getting to know me.”

Hiller agrees the personal costs that result from cases like this are potentially cumbersome.

“Imagine sending out a photo and having it end up on the

phone or computer of everyone at school, church or even in your family,” he said. “Imagine going into a college entrance or job interview and having to wonder if the interviewer had found that photo. Imagine 10 or 15 years from now having a coworker, boss, neighbor, student, spouse or your child come across that photo. The personal costs could be tremendous.”

Though Kostner said she is sorry for her actions, Hiller said the whole scenario could easily have been avoided. “Don’t do it,” he said. “It is foolish, dangerous, self-destructive and illegal.

Every young person must understand that sending an indecent image of (themselves) means giving up control of that image.

The downside risks of sending indecent or suggestive photographs are great and there is no upside to it.”

And Kostner said she has learned the wrongfulness of her actions. “Pictures will always end up somewhere else,” she said.

“Once they’re out there, they’re out there. I’m sorry I did it.”

Although Kostner said she has learned her lesson, Hiller said steps can and should be taken to prevent others from committing like acts. “Parental involvement is critical, as is so often the case,” he said. “A frank discussion of the dangers of this kind of behavior will go a long way toward helping young people make responsible choices that will keep them safe. If young people use good judgment and have self respect, they will make the right choice.” *Name changed at Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller’s request.

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Photo illustration by Kurt Strazdins/MCT

Ali Bowman staff writer

After a constant need for expansion, lasting 10 years, and after being under construction since June of 2007, Dexter District Library director Paul McCann said the new library opened to the public on March 9. The new building is on Alpine Street, downtown next to the Farmer’s Market, overlooking Warrior Creek Park and Mill Creek.

In 2002, the library board began planning for the much-needed expansion to a new building according to McCann. “The Dexter library was under tremendous use for a community of its size,” he said. “There are communities two or three times our size that have as much materials in circulation as our library. It’s encouraging that people enjoyed the library so much, but it also meant that we needed to expand.”

According to McCann, the board decided that location was one of the most important factors of the new library.

They wanted a place downtown that was close enough to the rest of the community that people could walk to and from. They settled on the Alpine Street location and had to purchase and demolish three houses that were originally in the lot before starting their construction process.

“The main problem with the old library was that it didn’t have enough space to accommodate everything with all of the materials, people and visitors coming through it,” McCann said. “Because the building was so small, there wasn’t enough room to separate the noisier circulation area where people walk in and check out books from the other areas, which should have been quieter for reading or studying.”

Books were crammed into narrow aisles which made it difficult to locate materials, and the workspace was very limited, which made efficient working difficult, according to McCann.

Due to the change in location, both old and new libraries

have been closed for three weeks. McCann said the staff is trying their best to make a smooth transition back into library use. Although the hours, charges and standard rules have not changed with the new building, the library cards have. The new cards are available at the library and have the library’s new logo and a detachable key tag.

“There will be a higher work demand with the new building, mainly because there will be more materials in circulation. We just hired three new librarians, which is the job with the most opportunities, to help with the new demands,” McCann said.

The library usually employs around eight high school students at a time, according to McCann. He is not sure if that number will change yet, and said that the staff will wait to see how things run to see if they need more help before hiring anyone new.

The new library has a substantial amount of additions benefitting local citizens and high school students, according to McCann. It will contain a bigger collection of overall items that are easier to access than before and an improved Young Adult collection and services. It will also contain a quiet reading room and an enclosed Young Adult study room holding 10 to 15 people instead of just a book area designated to Young Adults like in the old library.

The Young Adult room is located on the main f loor overlooking the creek. It has a collection of books useful to the age group, including fiction and nonfiction, fantasy, books involving real-life issues and various reference materials for studying.

The room also has wireless connection and several computers available for students to use. There are booth style seats for people who would like to study in groups and bar-style seats for individual studies.

“I think the new building will be a more desirable place for students to use,” McCann said. “Not only is there more overall study space, but now there’s room to bring a friend or a small group and still comfortably have room to use all of the resources available.”

Photo by Sirah Camara

Bigger and Better: The new Dexter library opened this month. It is on Alpine Street downtown The whole process was 10 years long.

Dexter info 426-9096

DEXTER PUB On Main Street

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3

News

Friday, March 27, 2009

News Briefs

by Nick Baron

Squall on the web

The Squall website, which has been online for three years, has expanded. On the website, editor in chief Scott Crompton said, “You can find past Squalls, information on Squall awards and thoughtprovoking blogs.� On The Squall site there is also a photos section, a list of current staff members and information on how to contact The Squall. The designer of the site is former student Dan DeWaele.

According to Crompton, it is common for student newspapers to have a site because fewer and fewer people like hard copies and readers can access online copies more easily and faster.

Drug dogs may come

Drug dogs might be coming back to DHS. Principal Kit Moran said he asked school liason deputy Lori Butler, and she said it takes about a weeks notice to get the dogs ready to come. He said when DHS gets its new permanent police liaison, he will talk to whomever that is about having the drug dogs come back. Moran said he wants to send a message that drugs should not be in the high school. He also said he would not have the dogs come into the classrooms but maybe come into the building. He said, “Last year the dogs didn’t find any illegal substances, which is good.�

Bond benefits begin

The new bond will allow the district to build a pathway that connects DHS to Creekside. According to Principal Kit Moran the pathway will start at the DHS staff parking lot, go past the lacrosse field and go to a spot before the bridge. The pathway will go to a spot before the bridge and the students will cross over on either the east or west side of the bridge. Moran said eventually there will be a pathway from the high school to Creekside to the village to the park to Hudson Mills. Moran said the district is in stage one, the planning stage. Stage two is the building stage. He said, “Building starts the day after the last day of school.�

Superintendent Blog Superintendant Rob Glass has a blog. With the blog, people can ask Glass public questions and then he can answer them. Glass said the blog is going well and he is happy with how people can be more interactive with the school. Also with his blog he said, “I can see what people are and are not happy with,� which he said is important to know. He also said the immediate feedback of a blog is important especially with the current technology and web 2.0. Glass said a few other superintendents blog, but the only other in the area is Saline’s whose superintendant is Scott Graden. Glass said, “It is important to engage the public.�

#BUUMF DBODFMFE EVF UP SPXEJOFTT Alex Bercu staff writer

The pushing and shoving had gotten intense and kids were flying in all directions. Between the screaming and loud instruments, it was hard to monitor student behavior. But SPACE adviser and English teacher Debra Marsh, saw what was happening and had to end it.

This was the scene at the last Battle of the Bands, where Marsh had to end it early because students began moshing. The early ending of the Battle angered some student spectators of the Battle as well as some of the student musicians.

This act of pushing and slamming each other to the music is called moshing, and Marsh said, “Moshing was something me and the people who attended the battle agreed would not happen at Foggy Bottom before the battle started.�

However, during the band, Jenova’s, set spectators started moshing, and it was soon out of hand, according to Marsh.

Senior Christian Wiesenberg, one of the singers of “Jenova� agreed. He said, “It really sucked that we had to stop during the middle of a song, but it was getting pretty rowdy.�

Sophomore Bobby Elder is proof of that. Elder got a small leg injury during the moshing and came to school in a leg brace the next day. This injury was an example of one of the main concerns of Marsh, which was student safety. “When people are getting hurt, it shows that it is getting out of hand,�

Marsh said. However, the other main concern was the disrespect of the new, temporary location of the Battle of the Bands: the Foggy Bottom Coffee House.

The battle was supposed to take place at Copeland Theater but during the morning of the battle, Copeland’s speakers broke and a new place was needed for the event. “Foggy Bottom really stepped up,� Marsh said.

This favor Foggy Bottom did in order for the battle to take place made the disrespecting of the location even worse, according to Marsh. “The moshing was bad enough,� she said. “But when students began shaking up pop bottles and spraying them, it was incredibly disrespectful to Foggy Bottom.�

When the pop fountains and the moshing had gotten out of hand, Marsh said she had to put an end to it by moving onto the stage and making an announcement through the microphone. Her announcement was, “There is no moshing, and there has always been no moshing, and you guys know that.�

This announcement was met by an unyielding, “One more song� chant from the hyped-up crowd. This enticed Marsh to stop that battle on the spot and say, “You are all guest at this venue, and you are not behaving appropriately.�

According to Marsh, this was not the result S.P.A.C.E. had hoped for.

However, she thinks she knows a few of the reasons this battle didn’t work

out. “The change of location made it really hard for me to both sell tickets and monitor the behavior of the students at the event,� Marsh said. “By the time I had decided to stop selling tickets, the moshing had started and was already out of control.�

Marsh was basically monitoring all behavior by herself during this battle. “At Copeland Theater, the full time manager Kevin Gilmartin will watch for things getting out of hand and warn me if I need to step in before things escalate into something uncontrollable.�

Marsh also said the time when the band Progress Report, a band of DHS teachers, played was a contributing factor to things getting out of hand. “Usually Progress Report plays last, which means the teachers from the band are there to help keep the students at bay, but this time they played earlier and were gone by the time the last bands were playing,� she said.

As to what the future of the Battle of the Bands holds, things are undecided.

There is one more battle for the year scheduled for May 7. “Though there is another battle scheduled, we still have to talk about it at the next S.P.A.C.E. meeting,� Marsh said.

As for the results of the unfortunate incidents of this battle, Marsh said, “We will definitely be back at Copeland Theater if we do decide to have another battle.�

Because of what happened, Doug Marrin, the owner of the Foggy Bottom Coffee House, told Marsh that Foggy Bottom will now be implementing a “no moshing� rule whenever musical guest come to play.

However, Marrin did not think the battle got that out of control. “I didn’t think it was out of control,� he said. “Kids were jumping and moshing the whole night, but it didn’t seem to be causing a problem.�

Marrin said the only problem was the moshing was breaking a rule set up by Marsh and the students attending the battle. “I talked to two kids who said they were aware of the no-moshing rule set up before the battle,�

Marrin said.

However, Marrin didn’t think the battle was a huge problem for his coffee house. “I would hold the battle here at Foggy Bottom again,� he said, “The kids were kind, courteous and respectful, and I think it was a great night.�

He also said the only change he would make is to have some ground rules set up before the battle started.

Though Marrin didn’t think there was a big problem at the battle, he still supports the way it was handled. “I wasn’t sure what the rules were so I was going to back up the Dexter High School faculty on whatever they decided,� he said.

So the extreme intensity of the crowd had its ups and downs. “It was cool to play in front of kids getting so into the music,� Wiesenberg said. “It just really sucks that we couldn’t finish our show because people don’t know when to quit.�

0DFBO CPXM FNFSHFT WJDUPSJPVT Olivia Scheffler opinions editor

In the small room next to chemistry teacher Cheryl Well’s classroom, a couple carts and tables literally overflow with oceanography knowledge.

Everything anyone would ever want to know about the 71 percent of the world’s surface can be found in the countless books, magazines and ocean DVDs crowding the shelves.

With all of these resources and direction from 12-year coach Wells, it’s no wonder the Oceans Bowl team is going to nationals again this year in April in Washington, D.C. Junior captain Justin Wike is a first-year captain, but he has been in Oceans Bowl since he was a freshman. According to him, being in Oceans Bowl is more than just a competitive battle of sea water knowledge. “I joined when I was a freshman because my brother was in Oceans Bowl, and I would go with him sometimes,� Wike said. “Oceans Bowl is tough and more specific than Quiz Bowl because the subject is more specific. I have learned so much from it

because you have to know more about one subject and also learn about current issues like dumping and pollution.�

Wike also said the team spends up to 18 hours a week practicing, and it has done very well with Wells as their coach.

Wells said the Dexter team was started in 1995. Now, 25 regional teams from around the country compete at Nationals, which are held in a different state each year. “The idea of Oceans Bowl was started because, unless you live on a coast, you generally don’t know as much as you probably should about our oceans,� Wells said. “After all, the oceans control our climate, and the climate controls the atmosphere, so it’s a good idea to get more students educated about them. In Oceans Bowl, teams learn about specific categories involving the oceans such as the biology, chemistry, technology, careers, history, flora, fauna and current events.�

The team has to be prepared, Wells said, because unlike Quiz Bowl, Oceans Bowl has only the regional tournament to compete

Maggie Grundler

in for a shot at nationals. “I use every opportunity I get to gather materials, media and literature about the oceans,� she said. “The team and I go through all these resources and come up with countless questions and information to practice until the tournament.�

Last year the team also made it to nationals in Seward, Alaska and placed fourth in the competition.

To get a chance at going to nationals, one of the two Oceans Bowl teams must go to the regional competition. The team this year won the tournament in February and therefore is moving on.

As the team success grows, so does the number of people who are joining Oceans Bowl, Wike said. According to him, he is glad more people are participating and he hopes even after he graduates, he can use what he has learned from Oceans Bowl in college.

Wike said, “Right now, I am planning on going for a history major, but if for some reason that doesn’t work out, I want to go into marine biology, and I’ll be able to use all my previous knowledge for that.�

After winning the regional tournament, the oceans bowl team gathers with their lucky turtle. Members of this team include Coach Cheryl Wells, Ephy Love, Matt Sarver, Tony Bach, Logan Powell and captain Justin Wike.

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4

Feature

Friday, March 27, 2009

Mrs. Wells:Super woman at DHS Karly Stanislovaitis staff writer

Science teacher Cheryl Wells stops for a picture during one of her classes.

Photo by Lindsay Baker

Kaitlyn Shepard features editor

“You will have 35 minutes to answer the 40 science questions you are presented with,” ACT proctor Jeff Dagg said. “I will warn you when you have five minutes left. You may turn the page and begin the test now.”

As if on que the room is filled with the scratch of number 2 pencils, and the swish of students turning the pages of their ACT test booklets.

For many juniors, the ACT is one of the most important tests they will take in high school. Junior Elizabeth Reynolds said this is mainly because of the effect ACT scores have on college acceptance.

“If you don’t get a good score on it, you probably won’t get into a good school,” she said. “However, if you do really well you can probably get into a school you won’t have otherwise.”

According to counselor Geraldine Homes, ACT scores are one of the major things most colleges look at when reviewing an application.

“The most important thing is your academic record,” she said. “Then after your academic record is your ACT score. So while it isn’t everything, it is still very heavily weighed.”

Homes said most schools have a general score they expect from potential students. For example, a student wishing to go to Michigan should have an

Tools for success

What!s what with Wells

Science teacher Cheryl Wells has numerous roles throughout the school, and her childhood may hold the explanation.

According to Wells, her on-the-go attitude started at a young age. “When I was younger, I used to play school with the neighbor kids on rainy days,” she said. “And I even had a gradebook that I used to mark the kids absent when they didn’t show up.”

Wells was driven in other areas as well. “I always enjoyed doing chores and having things to do growing up,” she said. “I would make baskets for the needy with my grandmother, and we would volunteer different places.”

That ambition wasn’t just at home. “I skipped sixth grade and moved up, so I had just turned 17 when I graduated.”

According to Wells, she’s always had more than the mentality of a teacher on her side.

“Both my grandparents were teachers, and my grandmother was a big influence on me,” she said.

Wells said her grandmother was more than just a relative: “My grandmother and I were best friends,” she said. “She was an art teacher, took me on many field trips to the Detroit Institute of Arts, taught me to make jam, and took carloads of kids to the drive-in movies in Cheboygan. She was, and is, my inspiration for being and staying a motivated person.”

Although Wells said she loves coming to work every day, it can be stressful with her hectic schedule. “I get to school at 6:55 every day for tutoring and makeup tests, and every Tuesday I have some sort of officer meeting whether it be with the NHS officers or a staff meeting,” she said.

In addition, Wells teaches four science and chemistry classes while juggling roles as NHS adviser and Oceans Bowl coach.

Though Wells’ schedule is packed most days, her family is supportive. “Anyone who you ask will tell you my husband is my biggest fan,” Wells said. “And my two girls are supportive as well.”

Wells’ husband, Mill Creek teacher Bill Wells, said he relishes that role. “Mrs. Wells knows that she can rely on me for honest answer, and I sometimes can give her a slightly different view or approach to solve a problem,” he said. “I will absolutely continue to support her in the future. It’s my favorite thing to do.”

According to Wells, her busy family has created a strong bond. “I think being busy has had a positive effect on us, and my husband

understands what I do is what I love,” she said.

Though Wells cherishes her job, she pencils in time for herself as well. “Every night I stop working and grading papers at 10,” she said.

“After that I have my me time where I do leisure reading or I journal.”

Although Wells does plenty of volunteer work, she enjoys seeing her students benefit.

“I’ve always enjoyed organizing philanthropic activities,” Wells said. “And I’m an advocate for training students on the job, so that they can get the sense of accomplishment when they’ve done something independently.”

NHS president and Wells’ student Colin McNally can advocate for Wells’ influence. “If it wasn’t for Mrs. Wells, I probably wouldn’t be as motivated as I am, and I definitely wouldn’t be as focused,” he said.

But McNally said Wells has taught him important lessons. “She’s taught me that you have to work with others to get things done, and the importance of giving back to others”.

But Wells doesn’t just encourage volunteer work- she does it. “I volunteer at the Waterloo Historical Farm Museum,” she said.

“I organize, facilitate and chair the Flower barn on Pioneer day and help make the Christmas greens. I’m also the recording secretary for the P.E.O. chapter Chelsea- we are a philanthropic education organization that further’s women’s educational needs in the community. I also do some summer chemistry tutoring for college students who need some extra help.”

Though Wells currently hosts numerous activities, she does plan on cutting back. “I haven’t really thought about retirement,” she said. “But when it happens, I don’t want to have another job. I want to continue volunteering and working with the Women’s Educational Opportunity Group.”

Wells also wants to invest in her passion for the outdoors and hopes to join a garden club.

Though Wells’ retirement isn’t top priority, it isn’t totally on the back burner. “(Science teacher Beau Kimmey) is going to take over Science Olympiad and Ocean’s Bowl eventually,” she said. “Right now he’s cochair.”

Surprisingly, Wells hasn’t thought about one of her biggest roles. “I plan on being (NHS) adviser for awhile, so I haven’t really thought about it,” she said.

For now, Wells is enjoying life and living by words of wisdom: “My grandmother always said, ‘She may be older- but always felt 19 deep down inside.’ I do, too.”

!favorite food: chocolate !favorite color: blue !favorite tv show: "bones# !favorite genre of music: jazz !favorite kind of weather: warm and dry !favorite flavor ice cream: rocky road

ACT score around 27 (out of 36). Students wishing to go to Central or Western should have a 22 or 23, while students wishing to go to Ivy League schools should have a 30 or above, according to Holmes.

Because ACT scores have such a large effect on a student’s acceptance into college, many students prepare vigorously for the test. These students fill out books, take ACT prep classes and in some cases even hire a private ACT tutor/coach.

Reynolds is one of these students. She has taken a class, studied from a work book and even has a tutor she shares with two other students.

Homes said for students who are not good test takers, it is best to prepare early and intensely.

“You can never start preparing too early,” she said.

“For those students who aren’t good test takers, they may need to take a prep class or hire an ACT coach.”

However, some students don’t believe that the ACT is as important as many people believe it is.

Junior Rachel Lamine said, “It’s just another test.”

Lamine has spent very little time preparing for the ACT. “I know I should prepare for it,” Lamine said. “I will probably just end up cramming for it the weekend before.”

According to Lamine the main reason she hasn’t started preparing is because of how many programs and books prepare students.

“Most of the books and classes prepare students for how to take the test,” she said. “What I really need to prepare for is the content of the test, so I don’t think the books or a class will really help me.”

On Tuesday, March 10 the junior class began ACT/MME testing. They continued testing through Thursday, March 12.

After taking the ACT many juniors have mixed feelings about how they did. Lamine, who spent little time preparing for the ACT said she felt she did well despite not studying.

“I don’t wish I had prepared more,” she said. “I felt solid on everything, although a little rushed, but I finished all the sections and was only unsure on a few questions.”

Many students who take the ACT take the test multiple times to achieve the best score. Lamine said she may or may not end up retaking the test depending on how her score is.

“I don’t plan to retake it,” Lamine said. “Unless I find out I completely bombed it, but I don’t think I did. We’ll see when the results come.”

Holmes said she hopes all students will begin preparing early for the ACT and tests like it so they don’t have to take the test multiple times.

“You can never start preparing too early,” she said.

“I would hope that sophomores who are just now taking the PLAN (a pre-ACT test) would purchase a prep book to begin working on.”

Book

ACT online prep

Excel Edge Class

Sylvan Learning Class

Princeton Review Class

Private Tutor

$15-45

$19.95

$350

$595-895 (average)

$999 (average)

$50 per hour (varies)

Good for students who need less review

Good for students who need more review

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Feature

Friday, March 27, 2009

Coleen Hill Staff Writer

n: G

• College’s don’t look favorably on early graduation

• Get to leave school three months early • Most students can get a full time job • It’s a good out if high school has been a bad experience.

• Earlier graduates can start college sooner than other seniors

• Can walk at ceremony in June • Can still go to all of the senior events

• Can’t really start college as soon as they graduate because of trimesters • In order to graduate early many seniors have to take side classes to get all of their credits done.

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“I’ll go to Washtenaw for two years and then I plan to get an apartment with (senior) Georgia Meyers after,” Wright said.

Wright also brought up the idea of early graduation to her counselor, and she said her counselors told her since she had all of her credits she could graduate.

“I’m still going to walk with everyone on graduation, and I’m still going to see all the people I want to see,” Wright said.

Ager also plans to start school at Washtenaw soon after she leaves and work part time.

“I’m just done with high school, and I’m pumped to leave,” she said. “I don’t have any reasons for why I should stay”.

According to Doyle once seniors graduate early, they usually spend most of their time alone at home because they can’t find a job or start school yet.

“Most seniors just sit at home all day while all of their friends are still at school,” Doyle said.

Doyle said if students are just going to sit at home all day, they might as well be at school with their friends. She said there is no point in sitting at home by yourself.

“Students should have fun with their friends,” she said.

Doyle is also confused at why students would want to leave high school early.

“It’s supposed to be a fun time,” said Doyle. “College is not easy, so students should enjoy high school while they can.”

While Doyle thinks early graduation isn’t the best choice, many seniors with senioritis believe this is the best way to go.

According to Doyle, however, “Students might look back and regret not being part of all the moments.”

Lauren Wright

Senior Stephanie Ager was fed up with high school. She was sick of the drama and the fake people she said it contained. She no longer wanted to be part of the gossip and immature games played by other people. So when she heard she could have the chance to graduate early, she jumped at the opportunity.

“I am sick of high school,” Ager said.

“I’m ready to move on.”

Ager said she is fed up with the high school environment. She’s ready to move on and be a better person with more opportunities. She’s bored with what high school offers and is ready to go out in the world and start her life for real.

“I’m ready for bigger and better things,” Ager said. “I’ve got places to go and people to meet.”

Ager brought up the idea of early graduation to her counselor last year and found out all she needed was a half credit to graduate early.

To get her half credit Ager did a correspondence class called American School. In this program the school sends the students learning packets they fill in and send back. At the end of the class students come to school and take their final exam.

“I think American School is really good for students who have failed or just want to get out of school early,” Ager said.

There are several other class systems available for students such as Michigan Virtual High School or Summer School.

Michigan Virtual High School is an online class students can take to make things easier.

However, counselor Kristy Doyle said

early graduation is a bad idea, and she would never recommend it.

“My advice would be not to do it,” Doyle said. “Colleges don’t look favorably upon early graduation. They want students to finish out high school.”

Doyle said since DHS has started trimesters, students can’t really start college early because trimesters finish when colleges semesters have just started.

“Most students say they’ll get a job once they get out, but then they can’t find a job, and they’re sitting at home alone,” Doyle said.

Doyle said unless students have planned out their early graduation ahead of time or are moving and have told the college, then it isn’t a wise decision.

“For most students who haven’t enjoyed high school, it’s a good out, but if you have had a typical high school experience, then you should stay,” Doyle said.

For senior Lauren Wright though, early graduation was a good out for her.

“It’s been a long four years, and I’m extremely excited to get out of here,” Wright said.

After coming into school every day at 7 a.m. to sit in a classroom for seven hours, for four years, Wright said she was ready to move on.

She, like Ager, was sick of the environment. Though she said she had fun times with friends, she also said being at school day after day got old.

“I just feel like I’m ready to leave,” said Wright. “I’m just ready to start my life.”

After her early leave Wright plans to work full time and start school at Washtenaw Community college in the fall.

Georgia Meyers

C L A S S OF 09

Seniors parting early

• Many early graduates miss end of the year activities.

Lunch served with a smile Caitlyn Rize Staff Writer

He’s the friendly man standing behind the counter in the galley. She’s the woman with a smile serving the pizza.

She’s the sweet lady ringing up lunches at the check-out line.

These people make up the food and nutrition staff, and together they bring the student body an important part of the school day.

For Donald Mast, becoming a food and nutritionist was just something to keep busy, while still making money. After first retiring from the automotive industry, Mast entered the work force again as a substitute teacher because of his love for working with students.

“I like working with the kids, and I like to laugh and joke with the students. I love teasing the (vegetarian) girls about eating meat.”

Lunch lady and cheerleading coach Doreen Reardon agrees with Mast when it comes to working with kids.

“I love the students,” she said. “I really feel my relationship with the students has grown over the years.”

Reardon has been with the food and nutrition staff for six years.

“I really enjoy cooking,” she said. “So, I decided to take on a job in that field. It’s all about the kids, so I definitely like working with the kids.”

Besides the student relationship, the food and nutrition staff say they have a great relationship with each other behind the scenes. Mast even has a special way for referring to the ladies he works alongside.

“I get to tease all these beautiful women,” he said.

“Larry, Moe, and Curly -- Those are the nicknames I use for the women I work with every day.”

Reardon also appreciates the staff relationship. “We’re one big HAPPY family,” she said.

What exactly does a food and nutritionist at the high school do? Food service manager Lorraine Bienko said it

all starts at 6 a.m. in preparation for breakfast.

“A lot of our time is absorbed attending to details,” Bienko said. “A typical day starts by opening up freezers, coolers and turning on all equipment and making sure everything is working correctly. We have a staff of six people who have specific areas that they are in charge of.”

Bienko said the staff works from daily production records to let them know how much food to make for each lunch. They also have to work the food deliveries, which occur twice a week, by checking the orders and by putting stock away. Every staff member knows how to work the sale systems, which monitor student purchases and deposits every day.

Bienko said, “Food prep ends around 12:30. Cleanup dishes, etc. is continual throughout the day, and it usually takes one and a half hours to clean up after lunch.”

In addition to providing breakfast and lunch during the school day, the food and nutrition staff also does catering events at request by the community and staff.

Mast, Reardon, Bienko and the rest of the food and nutrition staff collectively work together to bring the student body meals throughout the day. They work with students who are financially unable to buy lunch by providing them with free and reduced forms.

However, many students who are able to buy lunches still steal from the cafeteria.

“Students who aren’t in need are often given community service now,” Bienko said. “These students are asked to do cleanup and stock work in the cafeteria. Theft from the cafeteria can result in suspension.”

Although there are tough repercussions for stealing, Bienko said that is not what she wants the atmosphere to be like in the cafeteria.

“Every day is like a celebration,” Bienko said. “We have good food and good company; we want students to feel welcomed and to enjoy their lunch break.”

- The Food/Nutritionists we know and love -

Mrs. Reardon

Mrs. Wandyg

Mr. Mast

Mrs. Johnson

Mrs. Franson

6

Health

Friday, March 27, 2009

Spring break safety tips Morgan Quist staff writer

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

School nurse Aileen Kernohan said students should not only take caution when meeting new people on their spring breaks, but when doing smaller things as well.

“What may seem like a casual drink could become habitual, or escalate into states of oblivion,” she said.

“Even little sunburns can become malignant. Sunburns can cause much more damage than just temporary pain, contrary to what people might think.”

Kernohan said too much sun can damage and dry out skin and can cause a heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Other than damage caused by the sun, Kernohan said another precaution students should take when on vacation is meeting new people. She said students should not give out too much personal information to people they have just met nor leave a place with a new face.

“Attend events and parties with friends and leave with friends,” she said. “Utilize a buddy system to keep check of each other.

Don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept open drinks from strangers, and never allow yourself to be taken to an isolated location.”

Students also might think it is OK to consume alcohol on break if they are of legal drinking age in a location such as Mexico. This is not OK. Kernohan said these students have a false sense of security.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo illustration by Valentino Argiero

O P J H J M F S

S P G

E P P G

F D

m J S D B T

T U O 4UVEF Sarah Molnar staff writer

Sophomore Megan DeHart knows when Lent is right around the corner. She knows that now she has to decide what she wants to give up and that she needs to participate in Lent for 40 days. Lent ends on the Holy Saturday the day before Easter Sundays.

Lent is participated by the Anglicans, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestants. The word “Lent” come from the word lengthen , which means “springtime,” named for the time of year in which it occurs. The official color for Lent is purple, the color of repentance and sorrow for sin. Christians believe Lent prepares them for the observance of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.

And DeHart is one of many students who celebrate it.

“I have participated in Lent for as long as I can remember,” she said.

Lent lasts for 40 days preceding Easter, not counting Sundays. On Fridays, Catholics are not allowed to eat meat throughout Lent.

“It is sometimes hard to give things up for Lent, especially when it is something you eat a lot. It is hard not to forget and slip up,” DeHart said.

DeHart’s family also celebrates Lent. “We usually give

•Megan DeHart

up things, and we do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent,” she said. “I haven’t chosen what I am going to give up this year yet, but usually I give something like sweets or chocolate.”

Lent officially started Wednesday, Feb. 25. “We go to a special church service and then they put ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross,” DeHart said.

She also said Lent is a fun activity to participate in because it challenges you on giving up something you normally wouldn’t give up.

“St. Andrews United Church of Christ here in Dexter has a Ash Wednesday Worship Service in the evening,” Pastor Bob Summers said. “Throughout Lent, we will be gathering on Wednesday evenings for a meal and then go up stairs for a short service. This year for my sermons at the Lenten evening services, I will be teaching members and visitors several different techniques for Christian meditation.”

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7

Arts

,

Marley had on Jamaica. As a new artist, K’Naan wasted no time in making an album that had more than a couple of hits and proved he is a rising star. The whole album tells a story and each song is a chap-

Kyle Boren Entertainment/arts editor

Emerging from the war-torn country of Somalia, K’Naan has been through a lot of tough times.

However, his new album, “Troubadour,� is an album of feel-good, influential music vibes and a survival story that gives the listener the image of man who has fought hard to be where he is.

He has a survival story similar to Wyclef Jean and has had an impact on Somalia in the same way that Bob

ter.

The genre is hard to explain but is a mix of world rap with an African vibe to it and a Marley sound as well. He uses African drums and a couple of choruses that have African children singing. He applies all of his grass roots when making his music, proving he is original. Listen to the song “Does it really matter� to hear his diss on mainstream music, which is taking over the stereotypical teen who lives in the United States. K’Naan, I concur. Mainstream sucks.

He has variety. He can rock out with a rowdy song but also has songs that prove to be influential to the “I made it, so can you� lesson. Just listen to the song “Wavin’ Flag� and you will want to listen to the whole album. It’s about a hard tale from K’Naan’s youth and how when he gets older, he will be stronger, yet he still pays his respects to his country by waving his flag.

But enough of his tough youth times. The point is the man is a talented musician. He makes awesome music and hooks up with many other famous musicians to make the

Friday, March 2, 2009

song the best it can be.

In the song “Rap Gets Jealous� K’Naan somehow got with rock legend, Kirk Hammett, the guitarist from Metallica, to make an excellent tune with a variety of the hybrid of hard rock and mellow rap. Not to mention, he got Mos Def for the song “America�.

The beauty of the album “Troubadour� is each song is so different. It seems as though K’Naan wanted to take on a whole new look for each song. It varies from a harder rap, a mellow tropical genre and to the metal head hybrid jam. He does it all in a musically talented way, mind you. He could belong to any of these genres and still be considered a rising star.

The self-proclaimed Africa’s best rapper new album is a must buy. It’s an album our country needs. If you agree mainstream music is taking over the world, then you need to get “Troubadour.� The variety of type of music in this album is a roller coaster ride of happiness.

K’Naan came original when recording this album, and that is what people should go back to. The artists who are original with their music and won’t use mainstream as a starting step make the best music.

Photo Illustration by Val Argiero

1IPUPWPJDF QJYFMT TQFBL MPVEFS UIBO XPSET Aaron Gilman staff writer

photos according to Diepenhorst, and that’s what members of Photovoice have tried to do. The photos can be personal or opinion.

Under-aged drinking is a problem. But Schotts’s pictures were more personal by some teens such as seniors Kristen Schotts expressing what her dad has gone through. and Emily Diepenhorst are trying to stop Diepenhorst tries to express her opinion in it by joining a group called Photovoice. her photos.

The group uses pictures to show under age “My pictures are of the reasons I don’t drinkers the horrors of under aged drinking. drink,� she said. “The interesting part of the Some students at Dexter are participating in photos are the captions under them and how the group. both the photo and caption are dependent on Schotts decided to participate in the each other. The explanation better expresses group because of past fammy photos though.� ily issues as well as her likThere have been a couing of pictures. “I thought ple of main activities for it would look good for colthe group besides taking lege,� Schotts said. photos. The group has Another reason Schotts had one gallery. Also a joined the group was based U of M student came and on her dad’s experience talked with the group and i.Z QJDUVSFT BSF PG UIF SFBTPOT * with drinking. “He’s been this was their other main EPO U ESJOL 5IF JOUFSFTUJOH QBSU PG through a lot, and that’s activity.

UIF QIPUPT BSF UIF DBQUJPOT VOEFS how I wanted to express “Carisa Williams met UIFN BOE IPX CPUI UIF QIPUP BOE some of my pictures,� she with us and talked about said. Schotts even took a the pictures to describe UIF DBQUJPO BSF EFQFOEFOU PO FBDI picture of her dad as one of how to use the photos,�

PUIFS w the photos for the group.

Schotts said. “As a group, ,SJTUFO 4DIPUUT Diepenhorst has been an we got along pretty well.� active member of the group The main goal of the TFOJPS as well. “While I was in group is to get through Student Leadership, someto kids according to one came in and needed Diepenhorst. The reacvolunteers for Photovoice,� tion of how students view Diepenhorst said. “Since I was hurt, I couldn’t the photos is what’s important to the group. participate in swimming so I decided to join “We didn’t get a very good turnout to see the Photovoice. I don’t drink, and I’ve never felt photos.� Schotts said. “So I’m not sure how the desire to drink. I believe drinking is re- kids will react to them.� ally dangerous, and people don’t realize that Diepenhorst added her disappointed alcohol is a drug, and if you were to use it about student not showing up to the gallery in the wrong way, it can be a life-changing as well. “We had everything set up nicely decision. Underage drinking is bad, but in with food and everything, and there were general drinking is bad and people need to supposed to be student led conversations but be smart about it.� no students came,� she said. “Just parents An important part of being a photographer showed up. It was very disheartening and is the ability to express yourself through your disappointing.�

Wake up calls: After members took pictures for Photovoice and wrote paragraphs to explain them, the photos were displayed at Foggy Bottom coffee house.

Photos by Rachel Dethloff

8

Sports

Friday, March 27, 2009

'PSSFTUFS MFBET TPDDFS UP WJDUPSZ Ian Mcarthy Contest Manager

For soccer coach Scott Forrester, his love of the game comes from the old playing fields in his grandfather’s native land of Scotland.

His grandfather’s skills from the European machine that is soccer translated to great success in the United States helping him to win a pair of Michigan cups, a soccer tournament that proved the best teams in Michigan.

And while his grandfather’s passion for the game inspired Forrester to start playing soccer, he played many other sports in high school. “I played American football, track and basketball. They didn’t have soccer at my school. Soccer was like rugby and lacrosse of today. It was just getting popular,� he said.

Once his playing days were over, Forrester said he wanted to stay with the game, so he thought of the best way to give back to the game he loves. “I guess my participation in high school sports along with my father being an athletic director gave me some of my initial interest in coaching,� he said.

His knowledge for soccer eventually landed him a job as the womens assistant soccer coach a Michigan were he spent six years. After his time at Michigan, Forrester was back on the market for a coaching job. “I was looking for a club or high school coaching position, and I got the boys job here at Dexter, and a year later the girls position opened up,� he said.

When Forrester first arrived at Dexter there were no state championship banners and no long history of success. What he did get was young talent on both the mens and womens teams. “My first year here we had a team that lost in the regional finals,� he said. With the girls team, I inherited a talented freshman class along with the returning players.�

Ever since it has been nothing but success with both teams competing far into the post season year in and year out.

But even with all of his success Forrester does not see himself as the main reason for the winning trend. “The players that are involved their work ethic and passion for the game of soccer,� Forrester said.

Senior Steve Zenas was on the soccer team all four years with Forrester as his coach, winning a state championship sophomore year. “He knows how to get the most out of our team,� Zenas said. “Even after a loss he urges us to move on but learn from our mistakes. His coaching style is more laid back, but he can get in your grill if you give him sass.�

Junior Taylor Conter, going into her third season with Forrester as her head coach, said, “He tries hard, and he tries to keep us focused, and he teaches us the fundamentals. There are some that argue with him, but for the most part people like him.�

Away from the game Forrester has had a unique experience in that last year he entered a rock, paper, scissors competition, winning the regional title. “I won a trip for two to Las Vegas to compete in the national tournament after winning the regional. It was fun,� he said.

When he’s not coaching, Forrester often attends high school sporting events. “I don’t get to see student athletes in the hallway, so when I go to the games I get to see my athletes along with other athletes competing,� he said.

From his slicked back hair style which he says he takes from ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose and Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Riley, to his success on the field, Scott Forrester takes coaching very seriously. “I get a lot of my passion from teaching/coaching from my parents,� Forrester said. “My mom being a teacher and my Dad an athletic director seeing the impact that they have left on kids. I’ve benefited a lot from being with soccer, traveling the country and places in Europe. So I try to give back to my players by coaching and being very passionate. Just short of getting a red card.�

1SPWJEJOH HVJEBODF Coach Scott Forrester instructs his players during one of their daily practices.

%SJCCMJOH ESJMMT Junior Caitlyn Rize practices her soccer technique with the coach’s instruction

1VUUJOH UIPVHIUT JOUP BDUJPO Forrester’s advice is put to good use as soccer team members practice passing and shooting

Photos by Sarah Breuninger

(SBEVBUFT QVSTVF DPMMFHF TQPSUT Andy Whitaker Staff writer

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"EBN $BSFT Photo courtesy of Adam Cares

As he straps up his shoulder pads and slides on his football cleats, college freshman Adam Cares prepares for the afternoon’s contest.

Cares graduated from Dexter High School in 2008 and made the decision to continue his athletic career at Kalamazoo College as a defensive lineman. “Football was my favorite activity in high school,� Cares said. “It really kept me going in high school, and I decided I wanted to keep playing (in college).�

The jump to college athletics was no easy feat Cares said, requiring him to make very large time commitments to his sport. “College is a lot more intense,� Cares said. “In high school playing a sport was more just for fun, but now it’s a lot more serious and you really want to do well.�

Expectations for athletes are at a much higher level in college as well. “The time commitment is much larger in college,� he said. “You have to be much more mentally sound and coaches really expect a lot more from you. Practice is a lot more intense all the time. It’s always all about business. You can really feel a higher respect for the game within all of the players.�

Along with these big time commitments and great expectations though are countless perks says Cares. “There is a lot of academic help offered to athletes,� he said. “Especially at such a tough school academically, the professors really understand how much we have going on, so they always do their best to help us out in any way they can.�

Socially, Cares said football opens many doors for him that he otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience. “As players we really form our own close community because we always spend so much time together,� he said.

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“There are a lot of activities that just football players do, which really gives us an opportunity to become close.�

The relationships Cares has formed with players and coaches are also very strong because of all the time spent together. “Instead of just going home after practice, you actually live with the guys you play with,�

Cares said. “You spend a lot more time with them so you really get to know each other better.�

As for coaches, Cares said, “They are always willing to talk and they have an open door policy. Sometimes there is more of a formality between coaches and players, especially during practice. Usually though they are a lot of fun to hang out with and we all get along with them really well.�

Cares isn’t alone in making the jump from high school to college athletics. Jenny Cowen is a 2006 graduate from Dexter High School and plays basketball at Hope College. Cowen said she has a lot of good memories from high school basketball. “Basketball was my life,� Cowen said. “I took it very seriously, and I loved to do it. I always thought it was really cool when people really cared about it.�

Cowen agrees with Cares that college athletics take a much larger commitment and an all new level of play in order to succeed. “It’s really a completely different game,� Cowen said. “Your intensity and commitment really has to be at a higher level than ever before. The season lasts for a really long time, but I definitely think it’s worth it.�

In addition, Cowen said college athletes face a unique kind of balancing act with all of the different aspects of college life. “You really have to learn to balance your time between school, sports, and friends,� she said.

Cowen said bonds formed with teammates are very special because of the unique situation they are in. “You spend so much time together right from the beginning that you really form friendships faster than normal,� she said. “It’s really a lot different than the relationships formed in high school because we haven’t known each other for as long, but I feel I’m just as close with my teammates in college as I was in high school.�

9

Sports

Friday, March 27, 2009

Day in the life of a Red Wings sports journalist Scott Crompton Editor-in-chief

Students all over the state had the opportunity to learn what it takes to be professional sports journalist on Feb. 6. The Detroit Red Wings in partnership with The Joe Louis Arena hosted the Detroit Red Wings High School Journalist Day. This full day event lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

During this time aspiring young sports journalists had a question and answer period with professionals in the sports journalism industry. Bruce MacLeod of “The Macomb Daily,” Jennifer Hammond of FOX 2, Neal Rubil of “The Detroit News” and radio play-by-play announcer for the Red Wings, Ken Kal, were there.

Later in the day students had the opportunity to ask General Manager of the Red Wings Ken Holland questions, as well as head coach Mike Babcock.

According to a student who attended, this was such a great experience be-

cause it represented what real sports journalist got to do every day of their professional lives.

This sounds really boring, does it not? But I attended this event and realized something quite valuable about sports journalism in general.

I learned that sports journalist pretty much have it made. They spend all day hanging out with professional athletes and get to bask in their glory.

They go to practices and sporting events and get to watch for free. After a long hard day of sitting around enjoying free entertainment, they have to write up to 700 words on their day.

Can it get any better?

“The hardest part of my job is meeting my deadline,” Bruce MacLeod of “The Macomb Daily” said. “It is the worst when games go into overtime because then the angle of the story that I came up with in the regular duration of the game usually has to change. When my angle changes, I have to start my article completely over, usually.”

If this was the hardest part of my job, I would be the happiest man on Earth. So, why don’t I pursue a career in sports journalism? Why doesn’t everyone do this if its so great?

One thing that I learned from my trip to The Joe is that a lot of people do try to pursue a career in sports journalism, which in return makes it very hard to get a steady job.

“There is so much competition in the journalism world,” Jennifer Hammond of FOX 2 said. “Especially being a woman in a previously male-domi-

nated field; it’s hard. You have to fight and push like none other in order to finally get where you want to be.”

In my experience in everything I have ever done, you have to fight and push for yourself to make your experience the best it can be.

Therefore, this makes journalists just like every other person who is in a career.

Therefore, they are not that great. Wait, they get to go to free sporting events and enjoy the company of millionaires every day of their working lives.

How is that not that great?

Plenty of people experience the company of stars in their every day life.

For example, I ran into Hilary Swank at Angelo’s Restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor. Granted she looked like hell, it was still a star studded experience.

But, sports journalism is not all it’s cracked up to be. Sure these journalists get free entertainment all the time and get to talk about the meaning of life with the people we see on television, but they are in the same position as everyone else.

They still have to fight for everything and prove that they are better than everyone else every day. What do they get in return?

If you’re at a respected enough paper or news team, you get darn good money. Otherwise, you get to scrap with the rest of the dogs.

Leave sports journalism to everyone else. That way there won’t be as much competition and papers will flourish. And I can take over.

Dexter vs. Chelsea: an historic rivalry Alex Everard managing editor

As two referees attempted to pry him off a Bulldog player, junior hockey player John Brosch knew he was experiencing the fierce rivalry that is Dexter-Chelsea first hand, a rivalry that can sometimes escalate into chaos.

Brosch’s hand in the instigation of an on-ice fight, following a Dreadnaught loss, is a testimony to the rugged and passionate rivalry between both schools.

The Chelsea player, Junior Ethan Johnson, was on the Dreadnaught end of the ice after the game, collecting his equipment from a previous altercation during the game’s final seconds, according to Brosch. That’s when pride and frustration came to a head.

“It all happened really fast,” Brosch said. “I just felt he crossed the line when he came down by our door and started getting in the face of one of our players (senior Alex Erber).”

Johnson and Erber were exchanging verbal comments when Brosch’s aggression got out of hand. “I made a b-line for him,” Brosch admitted. “I saw that he had no helmet on from the previous fight, so I wrecked him into the glass.”

According to Brosch, incidences like this arise when fierceness and aggression rooted in the Dexter-Chelsea rivalry combine with the reckless nature of contact sports, like hockey .

“I admit it was pretty ugly. That kind of stuff happens when you hate them, and you know they hate you,” he said.

Events like this, although rare, are not surprising when considering the deeply-rooted rivalry that is Dexter vs. Chelsea. Over the years, the relationship has evolved from its humble beginnings, a simple competition between two neighboring towns, to arguably the area’s fiercest rivalry.

According to science teacher Richard Grannis, a Dexter Alum and former football coach, the two high schools have been firm opponents since the early 60s, battling for what began as simple cross-town bragging rights, and

Late 1950s- Early 1960s: Dexter-Chelsea rivalry begins, according to teacher Richard Grannis, due to geographical tension between the two schools and a lack of a state playoff system.

has escalated into determining SEC championships and playoff standings.

Grannis recalls much of the same animosity that is present today between the two schools. As a student and 1969 Dexter grad, Grannis witnessed the makings of the rivalry.

“Both schools had the top football teams in the area,” said Grannis.

“They were the only two who played a lot of football, and they would battle for a fictitious state championship.”

This fictitious state championship could be achieved by going undefeated, since at the time there was no playoff system.

“Both teams had to win all their games to get the state championship, so that meant beating the other team,” Grannis said. “Since they were the top two in the area, that’s where the rivalry began.”

The rivalry even has its roots within each community. Sally Darrow, a Dexter resident, grew up in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1985. As a parent, Darrow deals with the aspect of schooling, as well as community life. According to Darrow, Dexter Schools, and the village as a whole, are considerably more pleasant and impressive than her experiences in Chelsea.

“To me it just feels like Dexter has that small-town feel,” she said.

“Chelsea had that when I was growing up, but not so much anymore.”

However, Darrow can recall what the rivalry meant to her during her days at CHS. “It was taboo to really even talk about Dexter in a positive way,” she said.

According to Darrow, the loathsome relationship between both schools often escalated into violence. “I can remember big brawls that the guys would get into,” Darrow said. “They would meet up and fight just because they hated the opposing school.”

Even school administrators have attempted to intervene in the feud. “It got so bad they made us have a dance together,” Darrow said. “As you can imagine, there wasn’t much interaction. The students didn’t really go along with the idea.”

Mark Bentley, a Chelsea grad also from the class of ‘85, recalls the

2006: Dexter basketball is down seven points 1985: As a response to the pink field prank, Chelsea students steal the Dexter Big Boy statue.

with under a minute to go. Fueled by several missed free throws by Chelsea’s Nate Schwartz, the Dreadnaughts mount a comback. Dexter’s Johnny Benjamin pulls up a last-second three pointer to send the game into overtime. Again, in the dying seconds of overtime, Benjamin drives the lane and sinks the floater, giving DHS the win ruining Chelsea’s perfect season.

2006: Dexter football 1982-1984: According to CHS ‘85 grad Sally Darrow, a series of fights break out involving male students in both schools.

In an attempt to calm the animosity, administrators force a combined school dance.

rivalry in his days as a Bulldog football player. According to Bentley, the Bulldogs were viewed within the community as more dominant than the Dreadnaughts, thus expected to win.

“Whenever we played Dexter, we were expected to win,” he said. “It was a pride thing.”

Bentley recalls a certain respect for Dexter and its players, but also a feeling of superiority. “In my opinion, CHS had respect for Dexter and the DHS students. Our coach taught that,” Bentley said. “Even so, DHS was viewed as a weaker opponent and one we (CHS) were expected to beat.”

As far as the reasoning behind the area’s most storied rivalry, different people have different theories. Darrow said the key of the rivalry, the main reason for the hatred, was ... girls. “Honestly, I think it was because of girls,” Darrow said. “The Dexter guys would date Chelsea girls, and show up at our prom. So, of course, Chelsea guys went after Dexter girls and came to their prom. Both groups of guys just hated that.”

Bentley said the close proximity is the crux of the mutual hatred.

“Geography,” Bentley said. “I am not sure the rivalry would be there without it.” Bentley also said competition and equal skill are a large part of any rivalry. “I think (the animosity) would have been more pronounced if the two teams were more closely matched,” he said.

Grannis said that the small distance between both schools takes friendly competition to a full-blown rivalry. “It was for bragging rights, “ he said.

“When I coached, a lot of our players knew their players because they were so close by, so you couldn’t lose.”

Brosch feels that today, skill level and competition do indeed make the rivalry more pronounced, as the last 10 years have seen close games in most sports. “Two highly competitive schools, 10 miles apart, there’s going to be a rivalry,” he said.

Perhaps Grannis has the most widespread view of the rivalry, as he has witnessed it both through the eyes of a student and a coach. “Chelsea was always the most important game of the year,” he said. “It has always been, ‘If you don’t win another game, beat Chelsea.’”

1985: Dexter Students sneak onto CHS football field and paint it pink, igniting the rivalry once again.

2002: Chelsea’s quarterback has a D-1 football scholarship, but tears his ACL in a win against Dexter.

scores a touchdown to take the led with under a minute to go in the game.

Chelsea responds with a last-second touchdown of their own to take away what would have been Dexter’s first win in over a decade.

2007: Several Dexter students create and display a “Free Vick” sign at the Dexter-Chelsea football game. The sign is a reference to ex-NFL star Micheal Vick’s involvement in dogfighting and animal abuse (poking fun at Chelsea’s mascot, the Bulldog). The sign sparked controversy in both communities.

2007: Dexter and Chelsea face off in a playoff hockey match-up. Hunter Lyons fires a shot from the red line to win the game for the Dreadnaughts.

2009: Dexter junior John Brosch hits Chelsea’s Ethan Johnson onto the ice after the first meeting of the season between the two teams. Johnson had no helmet, causing cuts to his face. Johnson, Brosch and Dexter senior Alex Erber all served two-game suspensions for the incident.

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10

Columns

Friday, March 27, 2009

Kevin Yarrows

Bittany Martini

sports editor

managing editor

Trimesters are a success Trimesters are awesome. They will allow you to take more classes. They will result in less homework, and they will help make school more manageable. This is what we were fed by administrators prior to the school year in an effort to brainwash us into going along with trimesters.

Two weeks into the school year, several students still had holes in their schedule big enough to be confused with the football team’s defense. Six weeks later, as soon as classes were settled in, our first round of exams were already here.

Second trimester went slightly better. But teachers who saw their class length shrink from year long to two-thirds had some minor issues. Many students were forced to do more homework to make up for the days lost. In Chemistry we learned and tested on two chapters in three days.

When third trimester began, I entered my Spanish B class having not spoken more than a word or two of Spanish in over eight weeks.

It sounded like a foreign language to me, or a foreign, foreign language.

At the end of the trimester, seniors will be getting out of school a week before the rest of us. Well after seniors of past years have been released.

With all of the difficulties that trimesters have caused students, teachers, counselors and administrators, there seems to be something everybody can complain about. Tough luck.

When the decision to switch to trimesters was made, it wasn’t much of a choice. New graduation requirements for the class of 2012 made it nearly impossible for students to take any elective classes. It’s a change that’s quickly spreading throughout Michigan, and by next school year, approximately one-third of the high schools will have switched to trimesters.

For the class of 2012, the switch was great.

But for the rest of us, it was an unnecessary change. We were essentially the guinea pigs in our school’s trimester experiment.

Many of the difficulties we have faced this year are due to the complications in making the switch rather than the system itself.

The counselors have already fixed most of the scheduling problems that faced the school first trimester, the teachers i*G B LJE JT PO UIF CPSEFS will meet some CFUXFFO QBTTJOH BOE time this spring GBJMJOH * UIJOL JU T to help go over FBTJFS GPS UIF LJET UP ways to make LOPX UIFZ POMZ IBWF B the curriculum DPVQMF NPSF XFFLT UIBO more adequateUIF SFTU PG UIF ZFBS w ly fit trimesters, and the foreign language department is in the process of working out ways to make sure there isn’t a gap between A and B courses.

And despite inconveniences caused by the switch, the numbers actually favor trimesters.

According to data through the two trimesters, attendance as a whole is up from last year.

Also, the number of kids failing classes that switched from year-long to two trimesters is down. “If a kid is on the border (between passing and failing), I think it’s easier for the kids to know they only have a couple more weeks than the rest of the year,� Holmes said.

Holmes also said the boost in attendance can be credited to the added emphasis to each day trimesters cause. “Students feel they can’t miss school, or they’ll miss something important,� Holmes said.

While this isn’t the ideal case for us, it helps accomplish the goal of administrators.

The same holds true for trimesters. While they may be seen as an inconvenience to us now, it will certainly help all of the future Dreadnaughts.

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Conforming to gray blobs?

The other day as I was taking my normal route in the hallway to second hour Advanced Placement English, I experienced something out of the ordinary. There were two girls, dressed in the same hot pink Hollister shirt and the same tattered jeans. Both also looked as if they had lost a war with a pair of scissors and a bucket of bleach.

The first thought that came to mind: why would someone want to look so trashy? Their clothes were indefinitely too small.

Their hair was a cheap, dark brown, toppled by a blinding shade of neon. i5IF DPOGPSNJUJFT PG Why would someone want to IJHI TDIPPM BSF JOEFFE have two extremes UFNQUJOH *U JT IBSE UP together on their TUBZ USVF UP ZPVSTFMG head? Do not get XIJMF TVSSPVOEFE CZ me wrong, though.

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The hair was not even the worst part about the experience; it was the smallest of these girls’ problems.

Hands down the worst part of seeing these two girls was their vibrant orange skin. Their skin resembled a fluorescent, rotten pumpkin.

I still do not know if these girls always take the same route to their second hour and I simply had turned a blind eye to such behavior because it had became part of my normal routine. The experience got me to thinking, where have all the unique people gone?

After this experience, I began to notice more and more people who follow these ridiculous appearance trends. These people are what I would like to categorize as attention seekers. Why else would someone wear an outfit that is so ill-fitting? Why else would someone want to look like they had bathed in bleach?

I am overwhelmed by sadness when I think about everyone conforming with these outrageous trends. Why does everyone want to look the same? Why does everyone want to look so trashy at that? If everyone wants to look the same, you might as well create an appearance that is somewhat desirable. Doing so would create a better following.

I remember a while ago, my third grade teacher read us this book. The book was about what the world would be life if everyone were a gray blob.

It explained that the world would be extremely boring if everyone looked exactly the same.

I believe my teacher read the book just for this reason: in fear that everyone would give into peer pressure. I want that book read to the entire school. Students need an intervention. A reality check would do a justice for these people, I am sure.

It is sad that in third grade, we were warned if we were to give into peer pressure, everyone would look as ridiculous as being gray blobs. Yet somehow, we are again tempted by the blond bombshells, even though we know it’s lethal.

Even though we realize and have been taught about this pressure to live up to ridiculous standards, we still worry and sometimes conform to such standards.

Even though the concept has been pounded into our little heads, time after time, people continue to strive to look like everyone else. And why?

The conformities of high school are indeed tempting. It is hard to stay true to yourself while surrounded by a sea of people who have changed into this irrational Melanoma- prone monster.

If students want to all become something, how about striving to reach a presentable appearance? This greasy-haired, orange-skinned hot mess idea of a person does not deserve to engulf the originality of pure, helpless people.

But for those of you who do decide to become such an unoriginal being, shame on you. You are the reason why high schoolers who share your exact appearance might as well be gray blobs, but the blobs that would exist would not look as trashy.

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Brent Muse get involved editor

Parents, get over it Dear parents, I would like to open this letter by saying this is the most complaining I have seen in a school year since I was in Mill Creek. I am not sure if it is because of the freshman class, who mostly acts like they are still in middle school, or if parents just feel the need to check up with Mr. Moran every other day.

Fortunately, no parents complain to me about what happens to their child during school, but I feel bad for the teachers and administrators who have to deal with it.

Most of this complaining seemed to have started around homecoming - the first dance of the year - and parents (mostly freshman parents) seemed to have a problem with how we danced.

So the senior class started a boycott to prove a point, and it seemed to work because there are fewer parent chaperones at the dances.

Then when I wrote a column about the PDA problem in the school, parents were calling in once again to check up with Moran to try and stop this problem because they were worried about their kids.

First of all, if a kid sees PDA in the hallway, I think they will live, just like everyone else who sees it.

Second of all, maybe your kid is the one sucking face with his girlfriend in front of everyone. But probably not because your child is perfect right?

And lastly, by calling in to the school, what do you plan to accomplish? Do you think one phone call is going to stop the PDA and everything is going to be better?

We have plenty of teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals constantly patrolling the hallways. I

think they can control most of what goes on. If they can’t, then I’m sure they will ask you for your opinion.

With all due respect, we are just trying to have fun in high school and enjoy our time while we are here. The high school is not a battlefield of couples making out, and it isn’t as hardcore as the streets of Detroit, although some students seem to think it is.

The school is cracking down a lot more over the past four years, and I’m not even sure it’s necessary. The behavior of the students has not changed much since I was a freshman, and if anything it has gotten better.

The administration and the rest of the high school staff have better things to do than to sit around and listen to a group of parents complain about what they “think� is going on in the school.

Although you were in high school at one point, you are not in high school anymore. Would you want your mom calling the school complaining about something that happened?

When your child is in school, they are safe. They are not forced to do anything by anyone. So if your child gets in trouble or is maybe doin’ a little bumpin’ and grindin’ at the school dances, it is not the school’s fault.

Like I said before, with all due respect, the school and the learning that goes on inside of it will work just as fine without a phone call from parents.

So keep your kids in line at home before they go to school, because chances are, it’s your kid who is starting all of the trouble.

Sincerely, Brent Muse

11

Editorial

Friday, March 27, 2009

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On a sub-freezing day in the middle of December, I pull off I-94 and stop my car at the end of the exit ramp. As I look out my window, I see an aging man with a long, white beard, wearing tattered clothes, holding a sign that says, “War Veteran, Homeless. Need $ or work to survive.�

Now I know the statistics. I know that approximately 90 percent of all money and change donated to homeless citizens is invested directly back into drugs or alcohol. And I know giving my spare change to a homeless man is almost as likely to be put to a positive use as it is likely that Kristi Hughes is literate (see “No� column).

However, I am a benevolent, caring human being, and if my dollar of spare change, that would likely go towards the purchasing of a McChicken otherwise, can help give a homeless man a night of pleasure, or a decent meal to eat, then who am I to not give that man that money?

I am sorry if I believe a human life is more important than a new pair of jeans. That could just be a crazy, radical view on the world, or it could just be common sense. Either way, if my money can go towards helping another human survive, to me it’s worth it.

Is it really more important to me that I, a person who is perfectly well-off in life, would take food for myself over food for a starving, freezing, homeless, war veteran? Maybe that’s more important for people like Kristi Hughes, but not for me.

And then there is always the karma. In all seriousness, how much of a low-life human being do you have to be to reject a man’s plea for spare change in sub-freezing temperatures when he barely has enough clothing to conceal himself, much less keep himself warm?

Your justification for rejecting this man your dollar is he is going to invest it back into drugs and alcohol and throw your money down the drain? Chances are if you are a teenager, especially a teenager named Kristi Hughes, that money that you did not donate to the homeless man for fear of being invested into drugs or alcohol, will be invested back into other worthless items instead.

And so, as I begin to pull off the exit ramp on the subfreezing day in December, I roll down my window and give the war veteran in the tattered clothes a couple of dollars.

Because to me, unlike Kristi Hughes, a human life is more important than a McChicken.

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11:30 at night. Downtown Ann Arbor. A homeless man, passed out, blocks the sidewalk. I’m not happy. But I know why he’s there. Because people like Alex Dobbs (see “Yes� column) feel the need to pay for the bum’s booze.

Giving homeless people money is nothing but a disadvantage to them and everyone around them. Everyone knows it is just a matter of time before the homeless person people give money to trudges their way over to The Beer Depot and buys themselves a fifth of some cheap whiskey and drinks until they pass out, blocking the side walk, thus making me unhappy.

Now if you still think the hobo on the corner of State St. and Thompson will not spend the money they get on alcohol, you may be right. They may buy some time with a prostitute with the money you give them instead.

So now, when you give that homeless person some spare change, you may be encouraging them to participate in more illegal behavior, and you may be helping a prostitute make a living by spreading some sexually transmitted disease.

I understand. Dobbs is in a similar situation as most homeless men: unattractive, dirty, and can’t get the ladies so he wants to help them out, but still, it’s not helping the homeless at all.

I don’t want to come off stuck up or mean, but I think there are other ways a person can help homeless people without giving them money to spend on things that will certainly not help them.

For instance, when you walk into Mongolian Barbecue and see a man or woman on the street, why not give them your doggie bag on the way out?

That way, you know you are helping them by satisfying their hunger, and you are making sure they don’t spend the donated money on anything that could only harm them.

Or how about working at a homeless shelter? Or a soup kitchen? Those are both great ways to help the homeless people, but really help them.

Sure, be like Dobbs, complain about people like me who don’t give the homeless money because you feel bad for them. If you truly, do feel bad for them then why not buy them food, or clothing, or something, rather then paying for their alcohol?

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SQUALL call:

Battle of the bands is a regular event for many students, and people have become used to how they run. Loud music and crowded spaces are a given at Battle of the Bands.

However at the most recent Battle of the Bands there was some controversy over whether the moshing got out control.

The moshing became worse and worse until adviser SPACE Deb Marsh took control of the Battle and shut it down early, and the last band wasn’t able to finish their set. Everyone was forced to leave, and she threatened to shut down all future battle of the bands.

While the moshing was particularly bad at this Battle of the Bands, we think students should be able to handle themselves and control what they are doing on their own. “Some kids did get bloody noses but I’ve seen worse,� senior Christian Wiesenberg, lead singer of Jenova said.

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The moshing did need to be controlled, but there was no need to shut down the whole event. There wasn’t any damage and the owner of Foggy Bottom wasn’t upset about the moshing. The S.P.A.C.E organization, while in charge of the event, did not need to take such drastic measures to control the moshing.

Instead of blaming the entire group for the moshing, the people who were the main cause of the problem should have been kicked to the curb and the event should have been able to keep running smoothly.

If that did not solve the problem, then more drastic measures could have been taken. Jumping straight to shutting down the entire event was much too harsh, not fair to the band that was forced to stop playing, and also not fair to all the people who paid good money to hear the songs. All the songs.

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12

Photostory

#FUUZ "OOF 8BUFST Friday, March 27, 2009

A movie starring Hilary Swank films in Dexter and surrounding area

&YUSBT BU 4U +PTFQI A few extras for the movie stand outside waiting for their cue to enter the church. One of the police officers in this scene is junior Annie Coogan’s father, Larry.

3PMMJOH Director Tony Goldwyn shoots a scene in front of Saint Joseph parish for the upcoming film, “Betty Ann Waters�.

-PPL PG UIF A T The movie is set in the 1980s, so St. Joseph parish was lined with cars from the 1970s, to make the scene realistic. Most of the cars used can be recognized from Michigan auto shows, as they are owned by locals.

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The crew used a portion of the main office for the shoot.

4JHOT BSPVOE UPXO The crew posted specifically-colored signs around the area they filmed in, to help everyone on set have an easy time with directions.

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It was fifth hour on Jan. 28 when senior Matt Klein was approached by senior Jay Semifero, who wanted to audition for an upcoming movie. Eager to get out of school early, Klein accepted. “Jay told me to come with him because he wanted to try out,� Klein said. “We had to leave fifth hour.�

When he and Semifero arrived to audition, there was already a long line, and the auditions hadn’t even started yet.

A month later Klein received a phone call from the company, and he found out he had been cast. Two of the days they needed him were filmed in Dexter, and the other was filmed in Jackson.

Ultimately Klein got a role as an extra in the feature film “Betty Ann Waters� starring Hilary Swank, where he will appear in a court scene as well as a few other scenes as Swank’s character’s cousin. “Betty Ann Waters� was filmed at the school and St. Joesph’s Church and is about a high school drop out whose brother is falsely convicted of murder. This leads Betty Ann Waters (Swank) to go to law school to prove her brother innocent. Based

on a true story it stars in addition to Swank, Minnie Driver, Sam Rockwell, Melisa Leo and Peter Gallagher. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, produced by Andrew Sugarman, Andy Karsh and Goldwyn with a script by Pamela Grey, it is expected to hit theaters in the fall of ‘09 or early winter.

According to Klein the film shoots were long and busy. “We were pretty much working the whole time,� Klein said. “There were about 50- 60 people behind the cameras. Every guy was doing stuff, like sounds or lights.� Klein also said the shots could last from around five in the afternoon until five in the morning.

Klein is also in the Real Style Database which is an acting agency. He still would have to be an extra in another film before he could get lines he said. But movie making is not a new thing for Klein. He was in Advanced Video Production. This experience has helped uncover an old dream for Klein. “When I was younger, around seventh grade, I really wanted to be an actor,� he said.

Klein said people have always told him he looked like Hilary Swank, so he almost expected that he would be cast as a relative. And the audition weren’t that big of a deal. He said, “Most of it’s luck.�

Photos by Lauren Daugherty