The Squall, issue 1, 2012-2013

Dexter High School 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter, MI 48130 www.thesquall.com

October 19, 2012. VOL. 18. Issue 1.

Juggling Athletics

As Interim Coach Ryan Fisher takes over a struggling football program, Mike Bavineau leads a troubled athletic department

Photo Credits: Miranda Mors, Katie Vontom

pages 8 and 9

Index On The web

The Squall Page 2 www.thesquall.com Oct. 22, 2012

4 6 7 11 12 14 16

See the following photo slideshows and more at our website, www.thesquall.com

4 News

The new requirements for lunches; are they effective?

6 Sports

A tribute to Greg Zenas on Senior Night.

7 Sports

Grafton sidelined

11 Interactive Spread Local and national election coverage.

Q&A with the King.

12 Opinion

Smartboards smart?

14 Get Involved

Which club is best for you?

THE

Squall

16 Photostory

Letters to the Editor Policy: The Squall encourages letters to the editors. They can be emailed to dextersquall@gmail.com, dropped off in room 407 or given to staff member of The Squall. Letters may be edited for length and unprotected speech. Requests to withhold a writer’s name will be considered by the editorial board.

Contact us at: 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter MI, 48130. (734) 426-4240 Editors-in-Chief Cameron La Fontaine Levi Kipke Head Designer Abby Mesaros Photo Editor Miranda Mors Assistant Photo Katie Vontom Web Editor Teddy Grammatico

Business Manager Erin Lashbrook llustrator & Design Drew Daugherty Graphics Jordan Romanowski Center Spread Editor Lauren Kimmel News Editor Morgan VanHoof Feature Editor Aman-Vir Mandair Opinion Editor Erin Lashbrook

Entertainment Editor Dan Edwards Sports Editor Nate Nuttle Get Involved Editor Carolin Schade YOU page Editor Andrea Scheffler Design Team Ben Grover Sydney Swigart Jagger Davis Brandon Otto Guy Burke Staff Writers Aman-Vir Mandair

ext: 7407. dextersquall@gmail.com

Dan Edwards Kaitlyn Eekoff Luke Hannah Mitch Kimball Lauren Kimmel Tracy Koenn Kenzie Mader Bryce Pederson Jacob Rich Carolin Schade Andrea Scheffler Zac Sharp Parmeda Sokansaj Morgan Vanfoof Zeke Breuninger Colin Meldrum Scott Rogers

Noah Mellifont Ben Breutsch Photographers Jack Donevan Casey Hansen Kathryn Pisano Haley Quinn Olivia Stagg Andrew Milkey Kyle Vandusen Nate Nuttle Aubree Whitley Linday Henderson Adviser Rodney Satterthwaite

Staff Editorials:

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board. Editorials are unsigned. Columns represented the opinions of the individual staff members who wrote them.

Staff Policy:

The Squall is a student publication distributed to students, faculty and staff of Dexter High School. The Squall is also distributed by subscription to the Dexter community. The Squall has a press run of 1700 copies and is printed by The Argus-Press in Owosso, MI The paper serves as a public forum with student editors making all content decisions.

Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of Dexter Community Schools.

Memberships:

The Squall Page 3 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Ads Mike Weikle President and CEO 4699 East Loch Alpine Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734 426 4693 ext. 7 734 358 1876 mobile 734 426 0255 fax Mike@annarborcc.com www.annarborcc.com

DEXTER YEARBOOK INFORMATION Join the Dexter yearbook and experience fun and capturing all our high school moments!

•Yearbook: $50 until April 26, 2013 •Senior ad deadline, payment and art:

Nov. 23, 2012

Prices: full page, $150; half page, $100;

quarter page, $75; eighth page $50 •Senior photos due: Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 •Any questions email: dhsybookads@gmail.com •Friend us on facebook: Dhs Unsinkable •Follow us on Twitter @DHSunsinkable •Website: dexterhsyearbbook.webs.com

News

The Squall Page 4 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Lunch changes upset students Jacob Rich & Zeke Breuninger Staff Writers

The state has put into place a new set of rules and regulations for school lunch that have upset many students. Various aspects of lunch have been altered, particularly increased cost and the guidelines detailing what constitutes a complete lunch at the price of $2.75 Last year’s complete lunch cost $2.50.

Fries, once a staple of the school lunches, are no longer part of a meal, and the lunch staff has begun turning away students that don’t have fruits or vegetables on their lunch trays, forcing the students to complete their trays in order to get the $2.75 price.

Milk or juice has also become a necessary portion of a complete meal.

According to Food Services Director Sara Simmerman, the general rule is that the meal has to have three of the five food groups represented.

If not, a student must complete their tray based on these items in the food pyramid or be charged individually for each item, typically resulting in a higher price than the standard $2.75.

Students have reacted to the changes in multiple ways, ranging from ambivalence to outrage.

“It is a little bit ridiculous, but hopefully it will persuade kids to eat healthier meals,” senior Brendyn Smith said. “I believe that the food is overpriced.”

Students like junior Teddy Walton, however, have taken particular issue with having to have fruits and vegetables to meet the nutrition guidelines.

Walton said he is tired of having to walk all the way back to the salad bar, grab his extra fruit or vegetable and take it back to the register only to quickly dispose of it or give it to someone else after purchasing his lunch.

“It’s a waste of money for the school because certain people throw away their fruits and vegetables right away,” he said.

Dissatisfied with hot lunch options, some students have even switched entirely to cold lunch.

“There aren’t any good healthy choices,” junior Katherine D’Angelo said. “The fruits and vegetables you’re now forced to buy aren’t good at all. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper to just bring a lunch from home.”

Simmerman, who is in charge of menu choices, budget, staff training and federal and state compliance for the district, said that she is fully aware of the plight of her students.

“I have to be true to regulations,” she said, “but I still want to satisfy students. The state visits to make sure we are following requirements. It’s the law to listen to United States Department of Agriculture guidelines no matter what.”

Although her conformity to the state’s rulings are absolute, Simmerman’s said she understands students frustration.

Rather than discourage consumption of dessert items,

What It Seems You Need to Pass the Cashier 1. At least one vegetable

6. At least four toothpicks

2. At least one fruit

7. At least one boom box

3. At least one drink

8. At least twelve soccer balls

4. At least one ice cube

9. At least 17 purple hats

5. At least one yellow balloon

10. At least $1,740 to pay for it all

she encourages students to purchase fruits and vegetables.

“It’s not what we’re eating. It’s what we aren’t eating,” she said. “We need more fruits and vegetables.”

She is also not a fan of the timing of the cost increase mandated by the federal government.

“The lunch prices are regulated by the USDA,” she said. “We haven’t raised the prices in 12 years. I don’t believe it’s unfair, but if I had the decision I would want to wait a year or two to increase the price.”

Simmerman also said she is always open to student feedback and appreciates people’s general attitude during this change. “(I want to say) thank you to the students for respecting us and letting us hear your voice in a respectful manner,” Simmerman said. “I have info on what is being debated, and would like to give it to anyone that’s interested in the USDA and Government regulations.”

Simmerman’s email address is simmermans@dexterschools.org.

What you really need to pass the cashier 1. Smaller portions of meat and protein 2. More fruits and vegetables 3. Fewer calories 4. Less sodium 5. No trans fat 6. Calorie limit of 850 per meal Photo Credit: Kyle VanDusen

7. Less cheese 8. Smaller hamburger and hot dog buns

Feature

The Squall Page 5 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Testing out policies called into question Students say tests are too hard, teachers say they follow the law Noah Mellifont & Zac Sharp Staff Writers

“It does not have to be the final exam that other students take. It can be different or it can be the same. You must allow a student to test out of a class, and you must offer it more than one time a On average, 15 students try to test out of a class year. The concept is not like I give you all the maper year, but only about one third of those succeed. terials for a class and you’re going to study it over Sophomore Reagan Maisch is one of the two three months then come in and sit for a test. The thirds who wasn’t successful. concept is supposed to be you just know this mateMaisch tried to test out of Health and Wellness be- rial. We won’t give them all the materials; we will cause there was not enough room in her schedule for just tell them what’s on the test. We aren’t trying all the classes she wanted to take due to the switch to to get them not to pass.” semesters.

In addition, Lifetime Fitness and Sports teacher One of the things that made her mad about her Angie Scott, whose class Maisch tried to test out lack of success is the help she said of, said many students who test out she didn’t get from her counselor. don’t do well because they legitimateThey told me “They told me that I was suply don’t know the material. that I was supposed to get all the information for “It’s a test out so other than a sylthe class, but they gave me nothposed to get all the labus, they are saying they already ing,” Maisch said. “My older sister know it all,” Scott said. “The reason information for the tried to test out, but the counselors they think it’s hard is because they class, but they gave were no help for her either.” don’t know the material.” me nothing.

Counselor Kristie Doyle, howTwice a year there is an opportuniever, said it isn’t a counselors job to ty for students to try to test out. The give a student extra material before Reagan Maisch first opportunity that students have is attempting to test out.

June after school gets let out. The Sophomore in “Kids shouldn’t have people next time is in January when the sechelp them,” Doyle said. “We give ond semester starts. them a syllabus about the course but not a study The information about testing out is on the guide. Testing out is usually for kids who want to school web page under academics, and the state exceed in one course.” allows schools to decide their own way of going When it comes Michigan law, Doyle is right. The law about testing out. states that schools do not have to give students all the So even though she wasn’t successful, Maisch materials for a class before they attempt to test out. said testing out can be helpful to students if given But Maisch wonders if teachers and administrators the right materials. discourage students from testing out.

And she’d like to see the district be more helpSome students who have tried to test out of ful to students trying to further their education. classes think so. However, Principal Kit Moran She said, “Testing out can be benefisaid a teacher is within the law if they do this. cial, but it added a lot of extra stress to “The state says that we can use whatever we my life due to the lack of informawant for our test out for credit test,” Moran said. tion given by my counselor.”

“

”

Illustration credit: Drew Daugherty Photo Credit: Ben Grover

Junior Bryan Tuzinowski focuses in on his test. Students who have tried to test out of classes say teachers make it too hard to do so. But district officials say the school follows all state laws when it comes to testing out.

Bring this ad for $10 off!

Sports

The Squall Page 6 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Soccer team rewards manager’s dedication Scott Rogers Staff Writer His whole life, senior Greg Zenas has felt different because of his Down syndrome.

“He’s not as quick to pick up on things,” said Greg’s mother Julie Zenas about her son’s extra chromosome. “It takes him longer to learn; he has to work harder.”

But unlike many with this condition, as the manager of the soccer team, he has had a second family to help pick up the slack.

On Oct. 4, the varsity soccer team’s senior night, Zenas dressed and started with the team, playing for the first time.

Zenas’ participation in the game served as a thank you from the organization for six years of work as the team’s manager.

“I had a lot of fun playing for the first time,” Zenas said. “I was really excited when I found out I was going to get to play.”

Zenas’ excitement certainly didn’t go unnoticed.

“He was super happy,” Zenas’ teammate, junior Evan Burke said. “I’ve never seen such a big smile on his face.”

Head coach Scott Forrester made the decision to have Zenas play a few years ago, saying that the choice was an easy one.

“He’s a senior, he’s part of the team,” Forrester said. “The tradition I’ve always had is that all of the seniors start.”

Forrester also said ever since Greg started working with the team during his brother Steven’s junior year, Greg has been a

true member. After winning a tournament in 2007, for example, the team sent Greg up to collect the trophy.

In addition to helping the team, Forrester also said being part of the group has truly helped Greg.

“I think it’s given him a big sense of responsibility, as well as belonging to a group,” he said. He also said Greg, who will soon be working one day a week at Hackney Ace Hardware, has seized this opportunity to grow outside the classroom.

The support Greg receives from his second family has not gone unnoticed by his first.

“These boys take care of him like he’s their brother,” Julie said, adding that every year a different player will give her a call, offering to give Greg rides to wherever he needs to be.

“I think whenever you have a young adult with a disability, any opportunity to be normal is extremely important,” she said. “I know it has allowed him social opportunities that he wouldn’t have had access to. It’s allowed him to be just like everyone else.”

In fact, being a manager for the team has been a life-changing event for Greg according to his mom.

Not only did he receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but she said he has grown tremendously as a manager, as a student, as a player and as a person.

Julie said, “He very often will say, ‘I wish this would go away so I could be like everyone else.’ With so much difficulty, you celebrate the little successes.”

Q & A with Julie Zenas

Photo Credit: Lindsay Henderson

Senior Greg Zenas moves a ball downfield on senior night. Zenas, the team’s manager played on senior night as a thank-you from his team.

Q: How do you believe Greg views his role with the team?

A: I believe that to him, it provides a social network that he desires to continue. November is usually hard for him because the season is over, and he doesn’t have access to that.

Senior year

Junior year

Sophomore year

Freshman year

Sports

The Squall Page 7 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Photo Credit:Grafton family

Grafton injury takes him out for rest of season Aman-vir Mandair Features Editor Each Friday night, senior Andrew Grafton stands on the sidelines of Al Ritt stadium and watches his teammates battle through all sorts of conditions and opposing teams.

Although he cannot play with them, he supports them by watching the games and giving them advice.

He’d rather be on the field with them, but on Sept. 7, Grafton was told by his coaches that he would not be able to play for the rest of the season because of a weight lifting injury he received several months earlier.

Because of the intense contact required in football, Grafton was forced to stop playing for the season so that he wouldn’t risk severe or permanent injury.

“I was very disappointed that I couldn’t play on the team,” Grafton said.

“I miss Friday nights and battling alongside my teammates for a victory.”

Grafton has a herniated disk in his spine, which is a rupture of the cartilage between the vertebrae of the spine. Although herniated discs primarily occur due to age or jobs that require extensive sitting, athletes in a number of sports are prone to lower back injury.

Grafton initially began to feel pain in his back in May while doing weighted squats, as part of the football team’s weight lifting regime.

Although the pain persisted, Grafton continued his weight lifting until the injury became far too painful.

“I kept working out for a month, but there was too much pain after a while, and I stopped working out the first week of July,” he said.

At the moment, Grafton receives weekly medical treatment from his surgeons at the University of Michigan hospital, who give him localized steroid injections in his lower back. These steroid injections strengthen his back and provide pain relief, as well as speed up the healing process of his injury.

In addition to medical injections, Grafton receives physical therapy from specialist Francine Quail. Because Grafton’s herniated disk presses on his leg nerves and causes leg weakness and low back pain, Quail does physical therapy treatments and exercises to help his lower back recover from disk injury. After working with him for several weeks, Quail said Grafton is making a steady recovery.

“He is continuing to improve with decreasing pain and increasing strength,” Quail said.

Varsity football coach Ryan Fisher said Grafton’s absence has been sorely felt by the team. As a veteran

who has played football for the last three years, Grafton has a significant amount of experience with the game, and according to Fisher, this experience would have greatly benefited the team.

“Our defense is really young this year, and mostly has seniors that didn’t get into the varsity team as juniors,” he said.

“We’re always missing Grafton. We miss his on field leadership and play making, and he would have added that veteran experience to the team. He’s a good player.”

Grafton is also greatly missed by his teammates, many of whom are good friends of his. Senior Ryan Calhoun, for instance, said the team has definitely missed Grafton’s leadership skills.

“He was always a leader on the field, and a morale booster for the team,” Calhoun said. “He’s still a leader, but it’s hard to lead a team on the sidelines.”

Although Grafton originally planned to play football in college, he says that this is unlikely now.

“I originally wanted to play Division 1 or Division 2 Football in college, but it’s doubtful now,” he said. “Right now, I’m just trying to heal up so I can play rugby in the Spring.”

Although Grafton cannot play with his teammates on the field, he continues to be a leader by being with the team at all of their practices and giving them support at their games.

He said, “I love football and my team mates, and I’m always focused on supporting them.”

Professional Athletes with Similar Conditions David Garrard-2011 Jacksonville Jaguars Darren Woodson-2004 Dallas Cowboys Mathias Kiwanuka-2010 New York Giants Jerricho Cotchery-2011 New York Jets

Michigan Academy of Dance & Music 7035 Dexter - Ann Arbor Road · Dexter · MI 48130 734-426-8636 · AcademyDanceAndMusic.com Hip Hop · Jazz · Ballet · Tap · Lyrical · Acro · Competition Pre-School · Zumba · Pilates · Yoga · FitBarre · Boot Camp Piano · Voice · Guitar · Violin · Creative Drama Kids · Teens · Adults

GOOD FOR ONE FREE WEEK OF CLASS

Spread

The Squall Page 8 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

The Squall Page 9 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Lucky Number Seven?

Interim AD Mike Bavineau deals with coaching changes and payto-participate conflicts as he steps in as the seventh AD in 2 years Levi Kipke and Cameron LaFontaine editors-in-chief

Sophomore Maddie Kurcz, a cross country runner, sat down outside as she waited for her bus to arrive. She was cold and tired. It was a Friday, almost the weekend. She had already been waiting for over an hour and just felt like going home already.

But she still had another half hour to wait due to a miscommunication in the Athletic Department.

And this is only one of the problems that the athletic department has faced recently.

Since the summer of 2010, six athletic directors have resigned their positions, and since John Robinson, who was the AD from 1999-2010, the longest an AD has served at a time is half a school year.

Because of this, the responsibilities of the athletic director have shifted from person to person, sometimes causing unfortunate events like the Kurcz’s cross country bus arriving late to the team’s meet to pick them up. Another incident was when officials were not scheduled for a soccer game.

“Basically those were communication errors,” Interim Athletic Director Mike Bavineau said. “Those happen everywhere, and you have to do your best to limit them. I think once we have a better handle on how everything needs to go, we’ll be able to alleviate all those situations.”

Athletic Directors have many responsibilities, but the most important is to make sure that teams can play and their games go smoothly.

“My main responsibility is game management,” Bavineau said. “That means making sure games are scheduled, that they have officials and making sure that all the contests are going on and the student athletes are able to perform to the best of their ability.”

Superintendent Mary Marshall said she is confident that Bavineau can bring and pride into the department, as well as some needed structure.”Bavineau said he is enthusiastic about the future of the athletic department. Although he says stability to the Athletic Department.

“I think things are on a very positive and effective trend, and wouldn’t want that there are still improvements to be made, he also said he enjoys his new job. to portray the department as troubled,” she said. “Every department has chal“There are definitely things that I want to do with the department to make it lenges, and I am excited to see the positive direction of athletics.” better, and that’s something I’m interested in doing,” he said, “but I completely Positive or not, the changes in the department are being felt by the coaches understand if they need to move in another direction. At this point, I’m really too. enjoying it. Even with the adjustments in this office, we’ve been able to maintain “I would characterize all the changes within the system as very challenging high caliber athletics. That’s a real testament to the coaches and to the student for a new team and new sport such as ours,” varsity field hockey coach Craig athletes.”

Flocken said. “In my opinion, changes should be based upon providing a posi- A burning issue: Pay-to-Participate causes conflicts tive, life-enhancing experience for our student-athletes while at the same time striving to provide a sports program that not only benefits the Dexter School One of the new decisions affecting the Athletic Department is the change in District, but also the community from which its players come from.” pay-to-participate price for sports.

However, Flocken is optimistic about the future of the departThe pay to participate fee for Dexter has changed to $250 for Every department. the first sport a student athlete plays, $150 for the second and “I am actually quite pleased with how things are currently goment has challeng$100 for the third, totaling $500 if a student athlete was to play ing,” he said. “I think the stability and calm Bavineau will bring to a sport in all three seasons. es, and I am excited the position will help alleviate many of the problems which have Bavineau was not at meetings to discuss pay to participate, to see the positive prevailed over the past three years.” as he was not the athletic director at the time, but this issue has direction of athletBavineau was hired in August as interim athletic director while been controversial. the board of education decides what direction they want to go with ics.

According to Marshall, however, the increase in pay to parthe department. ticipate was necessitated by cuts in funding at the state level.

According to Marshall, the department Mary Marshall “School funding continues to be a challenge, and we are trywill be re-evaluated in March, and she ing to find a funding structure that does not reduce opportuSuperintendent and the board will start to make long nities for students,” she said. “We instituted pay-to-participate term decisions then. fees years ago, and that structure was revised this year as a result “In March we will evaluate the of continued financial challenges.” structure we have implemented of athletic diAs the pay-to-participate fee increased, athletic participation has decreased so rector for this school year to see if it needs to far this year. But Bavineau said there isn’t enough information to know if the fee be adjusted,” she said. “We will also have to increase caused the drop in participation. determine our long-term leadership in the de“ W e have seen a drop in participation overall this fall, but we do not know partment as Mr. Bavineau is helping out for if that is necessarily due to the increase in athletic participation fees,” he the 2012-2013 school year, and right now we are said. just enjoying watching him bring enthuDexter’s pay-to-participate price is higher than other siasm schools in the area, including Chelsea High School, which

“

”

graphic by Jordan Romanowski

ADs throughout the years

has no pay-to-participate fee.

Manchester’s fee is $100 to play one sport and $250 total for a three-sport athlete. Ann Arbor Public Schools charges $150 for the first sport in high school and an additional $75 for each sport after that.

Marshall said she is sympathetic to the costs associated with playing sports at Dexter but doesn’t see it changing until school funding changes.

“I wish that funding for public schools in general was not so challenging,” Marshall said, “But right now, under Mike Bavineau’s leadership I think the department is working to improve structure and service to assure the best experience for all kids.”

Athletic Department facts • The Athletic Director office has gone through six transitions since June 2010.

•Mike Bavineau is a former 5th grade teacher at Creekside Intermediate School and current varsity womens basketball coach.

•Dexter’s pay to participate is $250 for the first sport, $150 for the second sport and $100 for the third sport you play.

•The pay to participate in Manchester is $100 for one sport, and $250 for all three sports and Chelsea High School does not have pay to

The football team runs on the field during the homecoming game against Ypsilanti.

Photo Credit: Katie Vontom

Fisher replaces Baird Lauren Kimmel and Morgan VanHoof Editors

Following his team’s third loss of the season, Brian Baird resigned from his position as head football coach. While there was speculation that the team’s disappointing record was to blame for his sudden resignation, there’s more to the story than meets the eye, according to Baird.

He said his resignation was due to health issues and his doctor advised him to stop coaching the football team, of which he had been head coach since fall of 2011.

“My health was getting in the way, and it was affecting my ability to coach,” Baird said. “It is a personal issue, and it is slowly getting better.”

Although Baird has just resigned from the program, he has not ruled out a future in coaching.

On Saturday Sept. 8, Baird notified Michael Bavineau, newly-appointed athletic director, of his resignation. The next day Bavineau began arranging a meeting with the players.

Bavineau said Baird’s sudden resignation was just as much of a shock to him as it was to the players.

He also said his first priority was to contact the football players. He called an emergency meeting on Sunday evening following Baird’s resignation.

“I felt that it was important that they hear it from me,” Bavineau said, “rather than rumors, newspapers, or word of mouth.”

Players who were unable to make it to the meeting were contacted by coaches and told the news.

Bavineau said his next priority was filling the head coach position.

Math teacher Ryan Fisher, previously an assistant coach, agreed to take over as head coach.

“The players needed someone they could go to and someone they could rely on. Since Coach Fisher is a teacher in the building, we felt like he would be the best person to step into that role,” Bavineau said.

Fisher said he is interim head coach for the rest of the season.

“After the season, they will start the full search for a new head coach,” he said.

Bavineau said the decision on hiring a new coach is one he will take his time with.

“Once the season ends we will have to take a look at the football program,” Bavineau said. “As we move forward, we’ll make sure we’re making the best de-

cision possible. The job will be internally posted. If it isn’t filled, we’ll begin to check out the external candidates.”

But whether or not the team wins this season will not impact the hiring process, according to Bavineau.

Starting quarterback and senior Andy McWilliams said Fisher has done a very nice job playing the cards he’s been dealt.

McWilliams also said he was surprised by Baird’s resignation; however, he had noticed changes in Baird from season to season.

“He was putting in more time and effort than last year,” McWilliams said. “He was very committed.”

Such a sudden coaching change doesn’t seem to have rattled the players or coaches, though, according to Fisher.

“We’re going to work extremely hard, and we’re going to improve every day,” he said.

Fisher said he has also noticed a change in his players in terms of time on the field and the intensity of the practices.

The new head coach also said, “I hope that we can fill the team with student athletes that are proud of their accomplishments, and that they are supported fully by their community, coaching staff and family.”

For his part, McWilliams doesn’t seem too concerned that a change in coaching staff will disrupt the team’s rhythm.

“We have the same basic offense and defense,” McWilliams said.

“We’ve made some small tweaks, though, like simplifying things, and trying to get back to basics.”

Since Fisher has taken over, the team still has yet to win a game.

But he says he sees improvement in the little things.

“We are getting better every day,” Fisher said. “I see it in the way we’ve come together as a team to support one another, regardless of the exterior negativity surrounding the program. The team doesn’t let up from the first whistle to the last of the game, and that is a testament to the character of the players on the team.”

Photo Credit: Olivia Stagg

Interactive Spread

The Squall Page 10 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

THE FIVE BY FIVE Sofia Sokansanj Freshman

Erik Leon Sophomore

Ben Bruetsch, Luke Hannah, & Mitch Kimball Staff Writers London Truman Junior

Jason Trinkle Senior

Debora Marsh Teacher

What is your stance on border control policies?

Shut those suckers down.

Closed. Shouldn’t let people in.

It’s kinda dumb, like dude, stay in your own country, you know?

A big electric fence.

I think it should be open to everyone, but maybe give presents to every millionth person to cross the border.

Ha, don’t get me started.

He’s handsome.

No, I forgot Obama’s vice president ... what’s his name?

I don’t know, and I don’t care.

Biden and Ryan.

I wouldn’t ‘cause I don’t have to.

Whoever wins.

It’s ‘aight. Open ‘em up and let ‘em in.

President Obama: how has he been doing?

He’s a good speaker but a big liar.

I don’t know. He’s a little whipper-snapper, I think. He does good, bad, good, bad. Like, dude, make up your mind, you know?

He did alright and bad at the same time. Some good things and some bad things.

Can you name the two potential vice-presidents?

Oh my gosh, I know this one.

Nope. Say, uh, Henry Ford.

I don’t know, I don’t watch TV.

Who would you vote for in congress?

My sister. She makes good choices.

The person who plays Eric Cartman in “South Park.”

He knows what’s up.

John Stewart and Stephen Colbert as one chair.

Are you liberal or conservative?

Conservative. Why do you have to ask such hard questions?

Conservative. I don’t know, I like conserving stuff. I don’t know what that is, I don’t watch TV.

I don’t know what those are.

Conservative, ‘cause I hate liberals.

Liberal, because my Facebook status says so.

Q&A with DHS’ King NATE MELLIFONT Q: How do you plan to run this school now that you are king?

A: I don’t think I actually run the school now, so I don’t plan to.

Q: Now that you’re king, are you running for president too?

A: I’m a firm believer in monarchy, and I hate democracy.

Q: Will you treat the peasants fairly?

A: They’re peasants for a reason. No.

Q: Will you raise or lower the taxes?

A: Raise them, putting more money in thy purse (Shakespeare shout out).

Q: Where are you building your first castle?

A: In (math teacher Dewey) Scott’s room; it’s now my domain.

Q: Now that you’re king, will you disband the student government?

A: Yes, and they’re now my royal subjects.

Q: Who will the king’s men be?

A: A committee of carefully selected gentlemen, led by Jack Donevan and Colin Hanss.

Q: Do you plan to avoid assassination attempts?

A: Ben Bruetsch will be filling in as a stunt-double for all public events.

Q: Are you building gallows?

A: Plans are in the works. I’m more of a guillotine man myself.

Interactive Spread

The Squall Page 11 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2011

OBAMNEY 2012

Ben Bruetsch, Luke Hannah, & Mitch Kimball Staff Writers

Romney

Immigration: Romney’s plan is geared

toward stopping illegal immigration but increasing legal immigration. He would tighten border security in order to allow the thousands waiting to become legally admitted to have an easier experience and make it harder for the illegal immigrants.

Abortion: Romney wants Roe V. Wade

reversed but would allow states to ban abortion. Romney also wants the federal government to end funding for Planned Parenthood, a provider of abortions and contraceptives.

Obama

Immigration: Obama is committed to working with Congress to pass the DREAM Act. He believes young immigrants should be able to earn citizenship through pursuit of a higher education or military service, which would become available with the passing of the DREAM Act. He plans to continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform.

Abortion: Obama is firmly pro-choice; however, he doesn’t want taxpayer funding used for abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Health Care: Romney will abandon universal health care and pursue a plan that allows each state to craft a health care reform that is best suited to its own citizens.

Also, he believes the role of the federal government should be to create a “level playing field” for competition in the health care marketplace.

Health Care: Obama plans to put a stop to insurance company abuses through

War (Defense Budget): Romney wants

War (Defense Budget): Obama plans to bring the troops home from Afghanistan, as he wants to end the war there in 2014.

Furthermore, he plans to make an international effort to secure nuclear materials and prevent nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran. There are no dramatic cuts in Obama’s future defense plan, but he does not intend to increase military spending if he is reelected.

to modernize and improve the existing equipment used in the Navy, Air Force, Marines and Army. He wants to implement a ballistic missile system to protect against a nuclear attack. Romney wants to increase defense spending in order to improve our current military.

Education (Vouchers): Romney wants to

give students stuck in poor schools a fair chance. His plan requires four options. 1.)

Alternatives must exist 2.) Parents must be informed on the performance of their child’s school, and the alternatives 3.) Students need to have the option of changing schools 4.)

Students need to bring funding with them so the new schools can afford serving these students. Romney’s education plan takes advantage of school vouchers to accomplish

Obamacare: His goal is to provide affordable health insurance for all US citizens.

Additionally, he plans for Medicaid to be reformed to help cover more people.

Photos from candidates’ media sites, used with permission

Education: Obama’s goal is to give everyone a shot at education. He plans to make higher education accessible for everyone who desires it. Obama also stresses the importance of good teaching in the classroom.

Partnering with states to raise standards, Obama is attempting to implement better assessments that will prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace.

Michigan Ballot Proposals 1. Referendum on the Emergency Managers Act: The voters will be asked if they want to keep the Emergency Managers Act on the books. If voters vote “yes,” it will remain. If they vote “no,” it will be revoked. The Emergency Managers Act allows for state-approved managers to take over and run financially troubled school districts and city governments.

2. Amendment to the Michigan constitution regarding collective bargaining: The voters will be asked to amend the constitution to allow private workers the unconditional right to organize labor unions. The amendment would invalidate any existing or future laws that limit collective bargaining or prevent workers from striking.

3. Amendment to the Michigan constitution to establish a standard for renewable energy: The voters will be asked to amend the constitution to create a clause that requires electric utilities to provide a minimum 25 percent of their annual sales from renewable energy sources.

4. Amendment to the Michigan constitution to establish collective bargaining rights for home health care workers: Voters will vote to add an amendment that in-home care workers and the Michigan Quality Home Care Council will bargain equally.

5. Amendment to the Michigan constitution to limit the enactment of new taxes by state lawmakers: The voters will be asked to amend the constitution to restrict new tax laws that are proposed in the Michigan House of Representatives or Senate without a 2/3 vote or statewide vote by the public; no existing tax laws would be affected.

6. Amendment to the Michigan constitution regarding the construction of international bridges and tunnels: The voters will be asked to pass an amendment that requires a majority statewide vote before the state government can fund the construction of new international bridges or tunnels.

Opinion

The Squall Page 12 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

White boards waste money This is how Dexter technolColin Meldrum ogy seems Staff Writer to operate.

We spend all of our tax dollars on some new, flashy piece of equipment that we expect to revolutionize the art of teaching, and two years later only two teachers in the whole school use the it.

Look no further than the interactive white boards in each teacher’s classroom as an example. These boards have a noble purpose.

To help teachers organize and teach their students. But most teachers either don’t know how to use them or have boards that don’t work.

The amount of money the district spent on these smart boards could have gone to something much more useful, including signing former substitute teacher Robert Hollenbeck full time.

But if not Hollenbeck, then porta-

ble computer labs are always in high demand and would have been a better way to spend money.

Some days teachers will have a lesson plan that require computers, but all the computer labs will be signed out.

Portable laptop computer labs offer a new way to teach a classroom of students that almost always works.

It’s also embarrassing for teachers when their interactive white boards don’t function properly.

I feel sorry for teachers when they act like they know how to use an interactive white board when all they’ve ever been taught to do with it is write on it like a glorified white erase board.

And I’ve seen this a million times.

The board and the pen stops syncing. Teachers then have to revert to the green screen of death where they frantically try and hit all nine of the circles so the pen will sync.

In one of my math classes my teacher spent a good 30 minutes trying to sync the pen with the board before they finally gave up.

As English teacher Zack Lindke said, “The smart board writes well, with markers.”

And if all its other problems don’t make you hate the smart board, the height of it might. Not to single out any of the smaller teachers, but the height of the projector is over 6 feet.

As amusing as it is to see my teacher jump and jump trying to reach the power button, it is just another reason we don’t need these.

Seeing a teacher’s stomach in school? Just wrong.

I say bring back the old projectors and throw out the interactive white boards.

At least those old projectors made a humming noise, and as teachers would turn off all the lights when they were running I discovered the true cure to insomnia.

I’ll take my check in the mail, American Sleep Association.

Illustration credit: Drew Daugherty

Change is good

Except when it comes to weighted grades Dan Edwards

Entertainment Editor

The year 2012 is shaping up as a year of change. Students are adapting to a new school year, new teachers and coaches and the upcoming Presidential election.

Change is imminent and change is good; and this year change seems to be hitting the school over the head like the hammer of Thor.

Some of these changes, like the new school-wide grading scale, are OK. Some like weighted grades come straight from the Encyclopedia Self-Destructica and some, a new grading philosophy, still need to be made.

As far as weighted grades go, supporters say a weighted grading system helps students out who challenge themselves by raising their GPAs by .33 if they have taken or are taking AP or IB classes.

For example, if a student gets a B in AP Government, under the old system, their GPA would be 3.0. But with the new system, their grade for that class will be raised to 3.3.

While this does help students who are applying themselves and taking harder classes, it also hurts other hard-

That’s bogus because it makes the student’s grade suffer working students who don’t take advanced classes.

If there is a student who takes four AP classes, for ex- even though they might actually know the information.

What we need is to adopt a two-grade system. In each ample, their GPA gets weighed by .33 four times, which will raise their GPA and put them higher in their class rank. class there should be an academic grade that focuses on Good for them. They deserve it because they’re work- what the student knows and how well they process inforing hard. But this also hurts the students who didn’t take mation. And then there should be some sort of work habit any AP or IB classes because it lowers their class rank, even grade which will reflect the student’s work habits and how organized they are. though they may be just as intelligent or bright as the AP students taking four AP It isn’t fair to students who have a hard classes. time staying organized to suffer a bad grade Weighted grades because they turn something in a day late.

I’m a little more positive about the can unfairly hurt school-wide grading scale. Now all teachers Maybe they forgot it at their house, but students who don’t still had it completed. Is it fair to them to utilize the same grading scale in their class. choose to take This change clears a lot of things up for suffer because of that? Or maybe they had students and causes less confusion. a busy night and didn’t have time to get evadvanced classes. erything done before they passed out due to Say in one class, a student receives a 94 exhaustion. percent and that ends up being an A-, but Why should students’ grades suffer bein their next class they receive a 94 percent and they get an A. cause they’re trying to balance school, athletStudents get confused because they’re ics, music and their social lives? The answer is, they shouldn’t. receiving the same percentage but are getHigh school/adolescence isn’t all about ting different letter grades. Now that confusion is no more. sitting around doing tedious work all day Even more importantly, though, the biggest issue the dis- and night. It’s about freedom and learning how to deal and trict hasn’t addresses is late work and how teachers handle balance things in your life. it.

A grading policy that reflects this would be a more posiIn some classes, teachers will either give a student half tive change than either a weighted system or a school-wide credit or no credit if they turn an assignment in a day late. grading scale.

“

”

Editorial

The Squall Page 13 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19, 2012

Our view

Switch to semesters was a bad idea Dexter High school made the abrupt switch to a semester schedule this year, after only four short years of trimesters. Students are now faced with less choices, a heavier workload, and a loss of 12 minutes per class.

Why fix what wasn’t broken?

Editors’ Vote Trimesters............ 5

While twelve minutes seems like an insignificant amount of time, it most definitely adds up over the course of a 36 week year. Hours are lost and students are the ones hit most with this time crunch. Teachers have

Semesters.............1

been forced to alter their schedules in order to cover the same amount of material they were dealing with before, with weeks less of actual time in the classroom. This time skew has brought even more stress for students, as they struggle to make up for the lost time.

Choices have been sacrificed as well. Students in musical programs and those who take a foreign language can’t take many, if any, electives. Not only does this create more stress for students, it makes it more difficult to reach graduation requirements. Trying to fit in all required classes along with fine arts tends to be big problem when it comes to having six classes and only two semesters.

Many AP teachers have had to cut their course load significantly, and face a loss of crucial hours needed to prepare students for the AP exams. With exam scores on the line, and students receiving significantly more homework than before, why was this switch seen as a good idea?

Administrators say they weren’t satisfied with

a trimester schedule for a multitude of reasons, the main one being a gap between classes like math and languages.

Not Present.........0 Trimesters split classes with students taking Part A first trimester, and Part B in the third trimester. Stronger relationships with teachers can also be developed with a semester schedule, since students have the same teachers for half the year, or its entirety.

The counseling department also has more time to prepare students for college and schedule classes, so the chaos often seen during the first week of trimesters in the office has died down.

Trimesters were faster paced, but the extra time teachers lost is now being made up for by students at home.

It’s difficult to achieve perfection in any circumstance, but semesters aren’t necessarily the answer when it comes to scheduling. While trimesters were fast and furious, it was worth it. More work was done, more preparation for AP exams was given, and students had more choices. Less isn’t always more.

Illustration credit: Drew Daugherty

“I haven’t had trimesters since sixth grade, but I like semesters a lot better because there is more variety compared to middle school.”

Parker Brice, freshman

“It’s weird and different, but it’s nice to not have a gap in between math classes.”

Hannah Foster, sophomore

“I don’t personally like it because I take band and language, so I have the exact same schedule all year around, and there’s no room for electives.“ Louie Kurcz, junior

“I don’t like semesters because I don’t get to take as many electives.”

Teia Mcgahey, senior

Get Involved

The Squall Page 14 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19,2012

O.N.E. h

elps aw

nity

ommu c s e v r e s lub

Key c

help volved and ay to get in w visa ad es ’s d b u vi ro e. The cl ic rv Key Club p se y it n ugh commu my Raus. others thro the n teacher A o ti ca u ne to serve ed l Club has do er is specia ald ey n K o R gs in at e th nteering lu vo Some of th s, ve at ri ents at B es are food d g with stud in community ad re d House an McDonald o are goSchool. ry ta children wh r fo s ll Elemen o d The docake cloth Raus said. “ ” “We also m e, n o to d re hat’s going a procedu the child w w ing to have o sh to ll the do tor can use rent from .” lub is diffe C ey happen K s, to Rau According are ubs. and there cl e ic

by Kiwanis other serv ed rt o p p . su e said “They are unities,” sh the hip opport rs 7:30 a.m. in la o at h s sc ay y d rs u man h T n o eets The club m ons. m m co g learnin

NHS benefits school

The National Honors Society is a club that is committed to doing community service projects while promoting leadership skills among students. Letters of invitation are sent out each year to upcoming seniors with a 3.5 GPA or better.

Students wishing to join the club are required to write an essay explaining why they want to join NHS and why they would be a good addition as a member.

Projects run by NHS include blood drives, ticket sales for school sports, recycling during the day, running photo day for the high school and putting on graduation.

Every member is required to be the chair of a project at least once. Above the chair position are the officers. There are four officer jobs: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

President Joe Wendorf said,“Colleges and employers look more favorably on students who have good leadership skills. We’re the biggest service organization in the high school. We do more than a lot of the people realize. We want students to have an opportunity to help their school and their community.”

areness

O.N.E. nah Rub club, run by Pre le a sident, se nior Ha brook, fo nd Vice Preside nnt, senio cuses on r Erin L global is In o ashsu e s. r d e r to rais like AID e awaren S ess abo holds ev and extreme p overty, O ut issues ents suc ns Club, is h Dexter Lio .N.E. clu e and wor a th s f o O n o n e-Day-W ld AIDS b n. an extensi ithout-S day. The organizatio from pe Leo’s Club, hoes y do not nity service ople, bu u ent. m d si m re co p a n sk ’s t instead awarene a student-ru nnah Krull is the club l comthey ask for money ss about lo out the ca serSava for peop issues an r p involve o el io h n u J to is le’s d for th thers to ’s purpose community ese peop take acti lems.

“Leo’s Club a difference by doing le to on abou e ak t m world pr There munity and obevents

with local ed p Their ne are approximate el Krull said. h ,” . as ce h vi xt event ly 30 clu ’s Club Arbor Run b memb is World awarene the past, Leo and the Dexter-Ann l In o o h e r Sc ss about s.

Food D ediate Daze malnutr ay to ra side Interm The club a ek ch as Apple h re su it lp C is A io at e at n rs s . meets ev nteer also tuto 7:30 in th ery Mon ool and volu Leo’s Club year e library day mor Middle Sch or. Every ek rb re A .

C n l n il A ning at M “We kno d in olir an h te e w we’re ess shel uring th said. “P making se, a homel y in need d u il o m H fa l eople sh ca a lo differe onsor a ould lea make a d rn that o nce,” Ruble they also sp ifference clubs) bene perso

. .” n ther service o o an h n can so (t day seas t n d there are is differe exter area an “Leo’s Club D l ca

. lo id e ll sa cus on th volved,” Kru ornings in cause we fo m ays to get in w ay t d n es re n fe ed if r. many d 7:15 on W at ts ub’s advise ee cl m e ider is th Leo’s Club d Sn o l A go a er h ’s ath teac because it ifd room 577. M omeone should join a e ak m ally “S Krull said, unity and re your comm t wn.” u o o r u p el yo h d way to se’s life an el e n eo m ference in so

s with Leo’s work

Lions

Interact goes global

by the Rotary Club of Interact is sponsored foclub an international Dexter which gives the cus. munity and globalInteract does both com poincluding food drives, based service projects d to sen to s sse dre g kin ma tato plant and harvest, ney for micro loans. mo g sin rai and a and Ug nworthy is the presiSophomore Emily Ke dia specialist Linda Liv dent of the club and me ingstone is the adviser. year and Livingstone This is the club’s fourth eron building up memb says it is still working ship. dnesday mornings in The club meets on We uirement for joining the the library. The only req jbuting to the service pro club other than contri an e giv the meetings and ects, is to show up to effort. club looks excellent on “Taking part in this erally because it is an int college resumes especi d. sai ne Livingsto nationally known club,” said the social aspect hy ort nw Ke , ion In addit . of the club is good too at team relationship; “There is a really gre get orthy said. “And you we’re all friends,” Kenw the ut abo rn lea and ple peo to meet a lot of great as a you can affect it even community and how high schooler.”

Stories by Tracy Koenn, Andrea Scheffler and Parmeda Sokansanj; graphic by Jordan Romanowski

FLA reaches out

in little ways

The Future Le aders of America club, run by soph Jess Black and so omore phomore Katherin e Martin, works ing out to the co on reachmmunity in what they call, “little In order to raise ways.” awareness about the harms of drun ing for S.A.D.D., k drivor Students Again st Destructive D the club ties rib ecisions, bons on the ante nnas of cars in parking lot. the student They also make blankets for babi es in the Neonata sive Care Unit at l IntenMott Hospital. In addition, the clu raffle for a stude b holds a nt parking spot in the visitor’s pa tion. rking secBy joining Future Leaders of Amer ica, students can their membershi include p towards comm unity service hour This year, the clu s. b has decided no t to become part ily Career and Co of Fammmunity Leader s of America, wh nationwide foun ich is a dation that requ ires payment for tend the Nationa clubs to atl Leadership Co nference. Membe cannot afford to rs say they pay these dues.

The club mee ts on Thursday m ornings at 7:30 in 506 and the advi ser is math teache room r Lisa Burgess.

“We’re small an d low-key,” Mar tin said. “But ev should know that eryone we have a lot of fun doing the ac we do.” tivities that

YOU Pa­­­ge

The Squall Page 15 www.thesquall.com Oct. 19,2012

Advice for freshmen Dear Freshmen, The jump to freshman year is tough on eighth graders trying to make the adjustment from highest to the lowest on the totem pole.

However, if you obey these 10 pieces of advice, you will see yourself creeping up in social status and eventually you’ll be back at the top of the totem pole looking down on all of your sub-par peers who decided they were too cool to follow these simple ways of life.

After four years of high school, us seniors know what it was like to be a freshmen and want to share our experiences and what worked for us so your adjustment can be as smooth as possible.

1. Standout: Everyone loves the freshman who separates himself from the pack by dressing and acting like a cool cat.

Illustration Credit: Drew Daugherty

2. Wear headphones strictly around your neck: No need to actually listen to music. Just wear them around your neck for a fashion statement.

3. Act like you’re the bee’s knees: Everyone loves the kid who walks into the high school on day one thinking he runs the joint.

It shows you’re ready to hang out with the big dogs and every upperclassmen respects that.

4. Invite yourself over to upperclassmen households: Nobody invites freshmen to their house because their street cred’ would go down. However if you show up uninvited they will hang out with you.

5. Clog up the hallways: Upperclassmen love dodging little tykes.

Ben Bruetsch & Luke Hannah Staff Writers

6. Try hard in gym: “The Gym Class Hero” runs the school, so go for it, big guy.

7. Be sassy to teachers: Teachers give the best grades to the people who stand up and stick it to the man.

8. Start as many rumors and or drama as possible: It shows you have the “cojones” to step up to the plate and risk it all coming back to you.

9. Don’t actually cheer in the student section: A freshman’s job is to show up and look pretty. Seniors prefer to scream as loud as we can to compensate for the quiet freshman. So just show up, stand in front and be as silent as possible.

10. Be the know it all: Regardless of whether or not you were called on or even if a question was asked, shout out what your input is and argue it whether you are right or wrong. Be loud be proud, and don’t take no for an answer.

With best wishes, Seniors 2013

Photostory

The Squall Page 16 www.thesquall.com Oct 19, 2012

Sophomore Drake Rusk dresses up for Camo Day.

Photo Credit: Katie Vontom

Homecoming queen Alicia Klocek, last year’s queen Polly Washabaugh, king Nate Mellifont and last year’s king Nate KIllian celebrate at halftime of the football game

Photo Credit: Miranda Mors

Homecoming dynasty continues Kenzie Mader Staff Writer

Eliza Judge, Mikaela Smith, Mary So and Eden Krull ride the junior float in the parade.

Photo Credit: Haley Quinn

Photo Credit: Andrew Milkey

Susanna Pilkerton works on the senior float.

Photo Credit: Nate Nuttle

The DHS drumline plays during the pep assembly.

The Sokansanj homecoming dynasty was completed when Sofia Sokansanj was named the 2012 Freshman Homecoming Queen.

Sokansanj has two older sisters, Parmeda and Pantea, who have both been on homecoming court. Parmeda was freshman queen in 2010 and sophomore queen in 2011. Pantea was sophomore queen in 2008 and was also on court for her junior year.

With two sisters named homecoming queens, Sokansanj said, “I wasn’t expecting to, but I was definitely hoping to. Who wouldn’t want to be on court? That’d be a great experience. People would ask me about being on court before putting in their ballot, and I would always answer, ‘It’s not a big deal if I don’t, but that would be awesome, really.’”

So what are the personality traits most important to be named on court?

“Personality-wise, it takes kindness and welcoming of others to get a chance to know everybody,” Sofia said. “Be welcoming to everyone in your grade and don’t be a gossiper because people won’t like that.”

All three of the Sokansanj sisters have had success in pageants as well, and Sofia said pageants help develop character.

“It definitely did because it gave me more confidence talking to people and reaching out to others,” she said. “It basically taught me how to be a respectful person; It taught me poise and manners.”

More importantly, Sofia said that the way she and her sisters were brought up has a lot to do with their personalities.

“The way we were raised, we were taught to be nice to everyone,” she said.

Sofia also said this upbeat and positive attitude allowed her to enjoy the homecoming parade and football game, even though it was a rainy weekend.

“It was amazing,” she said. “Even though it was raining, I still made the best of it, getting to be in the parade and seeing the end results of all of our hard work at float-building and seeing all the little kids say, ‘Look, a princess!’ makes you feel special, happy and proud.”