Issue 6, 2013 2014

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

The Squall.

March 7, 2014 . VOL. 19. Issue 6.

Watch your step

High school can be a ‘dangerous’ place for students and teachers alike Pages 10-11 Photo Credit: Isabelle Sinibaldi

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Index 2

3 5 6

ON THE WEB Check out The Squall’s new website, new stories, and print issues at www.thesquall.com

Photo Credit: Kevin Gill

8 10 Photo Credit: Milbert Orlando Brown

Photo Credit: Eugene Zemlyanskiy

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Staff

3 News Ocean Bowl team headed to Nationals in Seattle.

4-5 News Wacky stories from around the world.

6 Feature Students turning to E-cigs.

8-9 Entertainment Spread Oscars review.

10-11 Center Spread Hazards of DHS. 15 Editorial CVS should stop selling unhealthy products.

16 Feature (Basic) teenage obsessions.

18 Feature The source of the school’s strange smells is explained.

19 Sports Dance team has some guest performers.

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Staff Editorials:

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. Letters should be fewer than 300 words.

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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 Editors Katie Vontom Sam Musgrove (assistant) Isabelle Sinibaldi (assistant) Copy Editor Lauren Kimmel

Web Editor Bryce Pederson Business Managers Lauren Kimmel Casey Hansen Illustrator & Design Brittany Byma Drew Daugherty

Design Team Sydney Swigart Matt Mitchell Kat Kerska Cadey DesRosiers Sarah Griffith Staff Writers Kait Eekoff Lauren Kimmel Carolin Schade Joe Molloy Derek Seidl Harrison Kane

ext: 7407. dextersquall@gmail.com

Zac Sharp Morgan Van Hoof Zeke Breuninger Teddy Walton Jon LeBlanc Scott Rogers Noah Mellifont Virginia Kivel James Fischer Owen Kellenberger Jake Kilian Photographers Casey Hansen

Brittany Byma Chris Ryan Ethan Kremkus Kyle DeVoogd Jake Kilian Sarah Griffith Adviser Rodney Satterthwaite

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board. Editorials are unsigned.

Columns represented the opinions of the individual staff members who wrote them.

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:

To the Pacific

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall News 3

Ocean bowl squad heads to nationals in Seattle Harrison Kane Staff Writer

The dull hum of the buzzers drones as 10 high school students conjure oceanic knowledge accumulated after hours of poring over books, maps, graphs, bills, virtually anything ocean related.

This is Ocean Bowl.

Or at least it is for the DHS National Ocean Science Bowl team, which is gearing up for the national competition in Seattle, Wash. after leveling Greenhills, the defending national champions, 83-21 in the regional final on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment building.

Senior Captain Graham Northrup along with juniors Noah Knoerl-Morrill, Alex Smearage and sophomores Will Wendorf and Ryan McGinnis nabbed Dexter’s ninth regional victory in 15 years of competition.

Adviser and science teacher Cheryl Wells said she felt satisfied with the victory but denied any personal vendetta against Greenhills.

“No, I don’t know who told you that,” she said. “I actually have known this coach for many years, and he’s a great guy.”

But she did say she could see how other teams might misinterpret her and her team’s determination at regionals as hostility.

“What I do is when we get to regionals, my team stays focused, we’re not real friendly, and we really get into that competitive mindset,” she said.

Part of Dexter’s prolonged success, in fact, seems to come from Wells’ choice to remain vague about her success when other teams ask.

“They’ll ask me things like, ‘How come your team does so well every year?’ And I’ll say things like, ‘Oh I feed ‘em every day after school.’”

“It is part of the reason, but it’s not the whole thing,” Wendorf chimed in.

Wells went on despite Wendorf’s interruption.

“But I don’t say, ‘Oh, well you’ve got to start practicing months in advance, and on snow days you have to go to Foggy Bottom and study, like we do. And you have to have a book cart full of books on a wide range of subjects, and you have to do your homework at night. And you have to be well-read. These kids read everything— the geology, geography, the history, the marine law, the chemistry, the physics, the biology, and they’ve got to know all of it.”

Dexter has participated in the National Ocean Science Bowl under Wells’ supervision since the organization started in 1998, and its team won regionals that first year and has been to eight national competitions.

But it’s not all about awards. Attending the first competition

sounded an alarm for Wells.

“It alerted me to the fact that we don’t live on a beach, or see a tide every day. As a Great Lakes state, we didn’t really have the familiarity with the ocean as a lot of the coastal teams did,” she said.

To compensate, Wells said she makes sure the team is prepared for success.

According to Wendorf, “She usually reads questions and then has presentations that she’ll read off to us. And she’ll kind of organize the team and tell us what to read, stuff like that.”

More specially, Wells said, “We have five or six books of just questions that I’ve prepared. So we practice the questions, and I made a big chart of marine law policy for them. They need to know all the ocean policy, who’s in charge of it, when the laws were passed, what the law covers, and we have a student expert briefing we have to prepare, which is a mock congressional testimony. The team will get a bill that didn’t go through last year, probably something to do with ocean chemistry. Then they’ll have to study the bill, and each person will have to take on a professional opinion. One will be a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) government official, one will be a Great Lakes environmental research scientist. Each one will then have to prepare an abstract, a short reading, and then a final presentation and then there’s a five-minute question and answer from an official board of scientists. Each of the 25 regions will have to present a student-expert testimony.”

Even after the regional victory, Dexter’s team remains busy with preparing nationals.

“We’re going to keep working and studying hard on a broad range of topics,” Wells said, “nautical knots, reading nautical flags, nautical bell time, nautical talk, parts of a ship. It’s a wide range.”

The plethora of topics covered enticed sophomore Ryan McGinnis to join the team. He says that participation in ocean bowl as a sophomore will have long term benefits.

“There’s a lot of information we cover that I wouldn’t come across anywhere else,” he said. “And also it’s great from a college perspective, because I want to go into oceanography. It’s invaluable because we’re going to nationals, and there will be college staff scouting out potential recruits, so it’s a really great college and beyond opportunity.”

Though the team is excited to compete at the national competition, they have already accomplished their season’s objective, according to Northrup.

“This year the goal was to win regionals. Anything more is just icing on the cake.”

OCEAN BOWL sample questions: (Answers in bold) Which of the following animals is likely to be a member of the zooplankton?

A. crab B. squid C. larvacean D. sea cucumber Lampreys and hagfishes lack A. heads B. mouths C. jaws D. tails The skeletons of sharks and rays are composed of A. bone B. cartilage C. fluid D. cellulose Shark’s teeth are actually modified A. cartilage B. fins C. ctenoid scales D. placoid scales

Ocean Bowl participation map

States in blue have an active Ocean Bowl association

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall News 4

Wacky world stories

Here’s some stories you might have missed from around the globe

United States, Colorado On Nov. 9, the United States Postal Service admitted one of its mail carriers in Denver mistook a dead corpse for a Halloween decoration and did not report the incident. ABC News reported that the deceased man, Dale Porch, 46, collapsed and died on his porch steps after returning home from his night shift job on Nov. 2. The postal service called it “an unfortunate situation” that most likely wouldn’t have happened any other time of year.

They released a statement saying the unnamed carrier is a “conscientious and dedicated employee” who still has his job and said any action taken against him will be handled internally.

Photo Credit: Jim Reynolds

United States, New York

Photo Credit: John Irishwildcat

An animal rights organization requested New York courts to recognize scientific evidence of emotional and cognitive abilities in chimpanzees and to grant these animals “legal personhood” to establish better treatment. Nonhuman Rights Project, a nonprofit founded by Massachusetts lawyer Steven Wise in 2007, filed their second lawsuit on Dec. 4 and plan to file a third, demanding the courts declare that chimpanzees are not things to be possessed and caged by people. The case also asks that chimps be released from “illegal detention.” The group is pursuing an order, on behalf of four chimps, for their release to a sanctuary to live out their lives with other primates in a natural outdoor setting. David Favre, an animal law professor at Michigan State University, said to reporters, “It would be the first time a court has been willing to step forward and examine the living conditions that a particular chimpanzee is in.”

United States, Alabama

In Mobile, Ala., a 41-year-old homeless man was bitten by a cottonmouth rattle snake. A friend of the man saw the snake in a nearby creek and cut its head off with a machete. The victim was playing with the severed head by sticking his fingers in the mouth of the snake. A reflex caused the snake to bite down on the finger, injecting the leftover venom into the man’s finger. The man refused medical treatment at first, but then was treated by the USA Medical Center after showing potentially fatal symptoms.

Photo Credit: Geoff Gallice

Photo Credit: Pison Jaujip

Colombia

Every year at this time a valuable creature emerges from the soil in Colombia. Known as “hormigas culonas” in Spanish, the brown, cockroachsize ants are smoked, salted and consumed like peanuts. This rare, highly-regarded insect can be worth more than 10 times the price per pound of Colombia’s finest coffee. In the northern Santander territory of Columbia, about the only place where the ants can be found, they are used for such things as topping on pizzas, sandwiches and soups. “The more you eat, the more you want to eat,” Colombian farmer Miguel Angel Paez said to reporters, who has been gathering ants since his childhood. “The butt is the best part.”

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall News 5

France

England, Kent Roy Day from Kent, England raised homing pigeons as a hobby. However, in late 2013, neighbors complained about the pigeons in Day’s garage, saying they were noisy and created a stench. The city council confronted Day and told him the pigeons were a health hazard, and he needed to give away or sell the animals. However, since the homing pigeons are trained to return to their home, a problem was on Day’s hands. Day was quoted by reporters saying, “They gave me a seven-day deadline to get rid of them, but even if they went 150 miles away they would still come back - they are homing pigeons.”

Beekeepers of northeastern France had a conundrum on their hands. During the 2013 honey harvest season, they were intrigued to find their bees producing honey of a blue and green color. Flowers bloom in colors, but generally the nectar that is produced from bees does not. It turns out these bees had a sweet tooth for M&Ms. Miles away, in Ribeauville, France the bees found the waste of a Mars candy manufacturing plant, and their consumption of the leftover food dye and other candy waste changed the color of the honey. The plant was notified, the waste was covered, and the bees returned to producing their regular-colored honey.

Photo Credit: Mark Ahsmann

Photo Credit: Maciej Czyzewski

Australia

Photo Credit: Jim Gifford

Spain

England

A team in Spain is working on creating healthier sausages by using a probiotic bacteria found in baby waste. LiveScience reported, “Bacteria from baby poop can help make delicious sausages, which could transform savory meats into health foods much like probiotic yogurts, according to new research.” The bacteria goes through bacterial fermentation to ensure that just the bacteria is used for the sausages. In order to test the theory, a team of scientists used 43 infant fecal samples for a taste test.

When the taste testers ate the sausage called “fuet,” they all said it tasted just like regular fuet even though they were all low-fat, low-sodium versions of the food.

Probiotics are a great alternative for people who don’t enjoy dairy products. They have numerous health benefits and are known to help burn belly fat, ease depression and alleviate stomach issues.

Harnaam Kaur is a 23-year-old woman in England who suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which causes excessive hair Photo Credit: Loren Kerns growth in those diagnosed with it. According to reports, Kaur has tried multiple waxes and shaving creams. But she said she has never felt more feminine than when she decided to let her facial and chest hair grow out, even though she said she has been bullied since 11 and has even received death threats from strangers on the Internet. Kaur said to reporters, “I would never ever go back now and remove my facial hair because it’s the way God made me, and I’m happy with the way I am.”

Photo Credit: Christopher Craig

Steven Frank Steele, 19, in Ipswich, Queensland was accused of charging into a 7-Eleven service station on Feb. 12 and threatening the cashier to get him to hand over money from the register. Steele allegedly was intoxicated and wore a flower pot on his head as he used a chainsaw to persuade the cashier, exposing his butt during the escape. Police reported that he caused damage to a window with his chainsaw and tried to use the flower pot hat to conceal his identity. He made away with just a soft drink and was charged with two counts of willful damage and one count each of armed robbery, going armed to cause fear, public nuisance and possessing suspected stolen property. Steven will remain in custody until his case is heard again on March 3.

Iraq

Photo Credit: David Mark

A commander of a secluded Baghdad terrorist training camp accidentally killed himself and 21 other member militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, on Feb. 10. He was using a belt packed with explosives to teach a suicide bomber demonstration. Raad Hashim, a clerk at a liquor store near the site of attack, was amused when he heard the news. “This is so funny,” Mr. Hashim said to reporters as he concluded, “This is God sending a message to the bad people and the criminals in the world, to tell them to stop the injustice and to bring peace. Evil will not win in the end. It’s always life that wins over death.”

The militant commander who was conducting the training was not identified by name, but an Iraqi Army officer described him as a prolific recruiter who was “able to kill the bad guys for once.”

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Feature 6

Filling with vapor E-cigs increase in popularity Levi Kipke Staff Writer The vapor spiraled upward, dissipating into the air around him. He lifted the electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, back up to his mouth, took another puff, then carefully tucked it back into his left front pants pocket. The bell rang and he walked back out of the bathroom. Back to high school. Back to class.

This senior, who agreed to be interviewed only if we didn’t use his name, said he has been using e-cigarettes for over five months.

“In my experience, e-cigarettes are a very relaxing practice,” he said. “They give me inner peace. Whenever I’m stressed out, they’re a great way for me to just chill.”

And this senior isn’t alone. E-cigarettes are becoming are doing different things. From my point of view, there are an increasingly popular alternative to cigarettes and other harmful chemicals in them.” tobacco products.

Whether or not the school is trying to prevent e-cigarette “I probably take around 100 puffs every day,” a junior, usage in the schools, students continue to use them. They do who also consented to be interviewed only if we kept him it on the sly, trying to avoid the watchful eyes of teachers, anonymous, said. “I’m addicted to nicotine. I’m not wor- administrators and the occasional classmate. ried about being addicted. I know it’s not really harming Both the junior and senior interviewed said they freme, and it makes me feel good.” quently use their e-cigarettes in the school bathrooms, But the FDA has expressed interest in regulating e-ciga- where the odorless vapor quickly disperses after each exrettes because of these health risks. The bureaucracy doesn’t hale, covering their tracks. share the junior’s opinion about the neutral health effects of Steve, however, has ventured e-cigarettes. to take the practice one step furTheir website warns that e-cigather. He and several friends bring rettes “have not been fully studied so e-cigarettes to class and use them consumers currently don’t know how There are chemicals in during the hour. much nicotine or other potentially “I’ll use it in class if I get the e-cigarettes that we just harmful chemicals are being inhaled chance to,” he said. “But I’m caredon’t know enough about. during use.” ful and I haven’t been caught yet.”

The reason the product hasn’t been Moran said there have only -Kit Moran, principal examined with as much depth as simibeen a couple of incidents involvlar products, like cigarettes, is because ing administrators catching stuit’s relatively new, especially to the dents using e-cigarettes so far, and world of teenagers and school districts. that it has been years since students have tried to smoke According to About.com, e-cigarettes were introduced traditional cigarettes on school grounds. into the modern world by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in He also said he’s not sure, at this point, what direction 2004. In the 10 years the product has been commercially e-cigarettes will take, because they’re such a new problem. available, its popularity has significantly increased.

Right now, he is mainly concerned about the health risks.

E-cigarette use more than doubled in high school and “There is an addictive quality to those kinds of things,” middle school students between 2011 and 2012, according to he said. “There’s no one time bad overuse, and nobody the CDC. The percentage of these students using them went binge smokes, but we know there’s an addictive quality to from 4.7% in 2011 to 10% in 2012. it. So you start smoking, then you become addicted to the And the halls of DHS have just started to feel the effects chemicals in it, and that creates a bad habit that’s detrimenof the newly popular products. tal to your health and your pocketbook.”

“E-cigs hit the radar screen less than a month ago for CVS recently announced that it was cutting out sales of us,” Principal Kit Moran said. “The e-cig thing is so far all tobacco products at its stores, because they felt that a ahead of the law and the lawmakers that it’s tough to pin it store promoting health shouldn’t also sell products that down. I think we’ll get to the point that there will be a state can be extremely detrimental to health. However, they still law about it.” don’t sell e-cigarettes because they’re waiting on guidance But currently, there’s nothing in the parent-student from the FDA, who is looking into regulating the products. handbook that specifically prohibits e-cigarette use.

The potentially harmful effects of e-cigarettes are why “Right now, we don’t necessarily have a policy on it,” they are only available to people who are at least 18 years Moran said. “We are considering them to be like cigarettes old. But police deputy Jeremy Hilobuk said that this doesn’t right now, and we’re treating them as such. Different schools always stop minors from acquiring the illegal products.

“

“

Photo Illustration Credit: Ethan Kremkus

“It’s not that often that we see fake IDs,” he said. “I think maybe they get it through other means, whether it be a friend they know who’s older or stores that aren’t checking IDs. Some of the stores get busy, and they forget to keep track of those kinds of things. It’s probably 50-50 for the entire county.”

And this is how the junior gets his hands on the products that he legally should not be able to buy.

“I’m friends with the guys who work at the store I buy stuff at,” the junior said. “They know me, and they let me buy it, even though I’m not 18.”

So Hilobuk and the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department are trying to prevent this kind of thing from happening by performing stings. They work with minors and have them try to buy tobacco or nicotine products from various businesses around the county. If the business is noncompliant, meaning it sells these things to the minors, then the police intervene and give the business a ticket. Hilobuk said the business then has to pay a fine that’s generally around $100.

“Dexter is pretty good,” he said. “We get good compliance around here. It’s when we head East to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and places over there that the compliance gets a little lower.”

If the business is noncompliant, then the Sheriff Department performs the same sting some time later to try to get compliance the next time.

“It’s really training them to remember to check IDs and keep things legal,” Hilobuk said.

Of course, there are exceptions. The senior we interviewed, for example, turned 18 since he started using e-cigs and tobacco products, but he also has a fake ID that he used when he was 17.

Neither person says he is nervous about the effect of ecigarettes on his health. Both, similar to millions of high school students across the country, will continue to use the products and worry about his future later.

“I like e-cigarettes. They give me a head rush,” the senior said. “I don’t consider myself addicted right now and I’m not really worried about becoming addicted, because they’re just not that potent. I figure that I could use e-cigs for the rest of my life and not have a problem.”

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Entertainment 7

3D has a first

Original student-written musical to be performed Noah Mellifont Staff Writer

After hours and hours of outlining, writing, composing and brainstorming, senior James Fischer completed the largest project of his life, “Control, Alt., Delete” a musical he spent the better part of a year working on, despite the fact that the idea for the play came to him quickly.

“Once I got the main concept of the play, the rest was just putting the pieces together,” Fischer said.

Last spring Fischer began the process of hammering out the first student-written, directed and composed musical in Dexter Drama Directing Series, or 3D, history.

Four years ago, eight upperclassmen taking Erin Palmer’s drama class realized they wanted to do more than perform three plays each year. The class wanted to write its own plays, thus creating the 3D series which has produced a variety of original and unusual work including “Scrubs: The Musical.”

Although each year Copeland auditorium fills its 150-200 seats for the series, this is the first year for a student-directed musical.

And although Fischer’s play is indeed a musical, he said he considers his play a drama with a little comedy.

“There’s isolation, and it shows how a human can connect with something that is not human,” Fischer said.

The musical involves the state of Alaska, a doctor, a penguin and a robot, contains 10 songs and spans about an hour. Seniors Harrison Kane and Natalie Burdick are the only characters in the musical.

As for inspiration, Fischer said composer Stephen Sondheim played a motivating role.

“When I listen to him, I just wanna write,” Fischer said. “He’s my hero.”

Regardless of who he admires, Palmer said the best part of working with Fischer, is his talent combined with his character.

“He has a gift, really, whether it’s singing it, playing it, designing it. Plus he’s very dedicated and humble about it,” she said.

And while his is the only original musical being produced, senior Havah Roussel created the other original piece being performed, “Etta,” a one-act drama.

Roussel said she got the idea by following Palmer’s advice of “writing what you know,” and created a production of an elderly woman learning how to use an iPhone.

Such experiences allow students to gain valuable leadership skills and experience from directing their own production, Palmer said. In addition, she said there are many benefit to having students run their own productions.

“It’s not about me. What’s important is that the students get to run their own auditions, their own rehearsals, and really take a leadership role,” she said.

“Control. Alt. Delete” premieres March 6 and March 8, and Fischer said he’s ready for the performance, the largest undertaking he’s been involved with.

He said, “This is probably the biggest project I’ve even done in my entire life to be honest.”

Illustration Credit: Steve Burdick

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Entertainment Review 8

Academy Awards review

Sarcastic, lighthearted host made show enjoyable but safe James Fischer Staff Writer

Ellen Degeneres, host of the 2014 Academy Awards, started out the night with the brand of tame, quirky humor that she is known for.

Brandishing the popular Oscar trope of namedropping guests and poking fun at those in attendance, she skillfully cycled through many of the night’s nominees. Degeneres’s background in comedy of all sorts was apparent, and her opening was reminiscent of a well-oiled stand-up act.

It was simple and to the point, with no flashy musical numbers or special effects, and it launched the show straight into the actual awards with relatively little filler.

Jared Leto won the first award of the night as Supporting Actor, for his portrayal of Rayon in “Dallas Buyer’s Club.” His acceptance speech was a moment that stood out. From an emotional anecdote describing the struggles of his mother’s childhood, to a positive message to those in the Ukraine, Leto hit many compelling points.

Conversely, an awkward moment occurred when Harrison Ford delivered stilted, superfluous summaries of the first three nominees for Best Picture. Ford was clearly uncomfortable, and he appeared annoyed at being stuck on stage to deliver the stiff monologue.

It also seemed as though Ford was reading the badlywritten dialogue for the first time, as he stammered through several of the words.

In fact, stumbling over words was a common theme throughout the night. Malfunctioning teleprompters, perhaps? Many presenters made mistakes during their lines including John Travolta, whose pronunciation of Idina Menzel’s name sounded something like “Adele Dazim.” Despite her name being butchered, Menzel still sang a powerful rendition of “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen” that would win the Oscar for Best Original Song.

“Frozen” also took home the Oscar for best animated picture, beating Miyazaki’s alleged farewell to the film world, “The Wind Rises.” Frequent Oscarwinning studio Pixar was noticeably absent from the

list of Animated Feature Film nominees, this year’s offering from them being “Monster’s University.”

When “The Lady In Number 6” won Best Documentary Short, a touching acceptance speech followed. The subject of the film is Alice Herz-Sommer, a 109-year-old pianist and Holocaust survivor who said, “music saved my life.” She died just a week before the Academy Awards show. Moments like this were what made the show so genuine and heartfelt.

The speeches of the award winners are always sincere, and a joy to listen to. Lupita Nyong’o’s speech after winning Best Supporting Actress for her work in “12 Years A Slave” was a shining exemplification of this. Nyong’o said, “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s.” But these moments of serious sincerity were always quick to give way to the hilarious antics of Ellen throughout the show.

Ellen passed out pizza to the crowd in an interesting segment of the show, directly to the beautiful, elegant stars of Hollywood. Moments like this were what made the show seem so lighthearted and down to earth. The pizza guy wasn’t even an actor, and he truly had no clue that he would be walking out onto the stage of the Oscar’s to deliver the pizzas.

A more poignant moment occurred when Bill Murray slipped a small homage to the recently-deceased actor, director and writer Harold Ramis into his presentation of the Oscar for Best Cinematography. Murray and Ramis were good friends and frequent collaborators.

Murray added to the list of nominees, “Oh, we forgot one. Harold Ramis, for ‘Caddyshack,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and ‘Groundhog Day.’ Murray then muttered, “I’m sorry guys,” suggesting that he went a little bit off-script. Nevertheless, it was a touching moment.

Cate Blanchett won the award for Best Actress for her performance in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” and Matthew McConaughey won the award for Best Actor for his work in “Dallas Buyers Club.”

The Academy Award for Best Picture went to “12 Years A Slave,” the tragic and emotive story of Solomon Northup, a black man who was born free and

Photo Credit: Robert Gauthier

then sold into slavery.

“Gravity” took home the most Oscars: an incredible six awards for Original Score, Visual Effects, Sound Mixing and Sound Editing, Cinematography, Film Editing, and Directing.

The 2014 Academy Awards were a safe, enjoyable experience. No lines were crossed, and no new ground gutsily tread, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

The show focused on the actors and their triumphs.

Ellen never took up too much time in the show for herself, and was able to keep the show relatively concise. The Oscar’s simply did what was expected, and for this awards show, that was just enough.

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Infographic 9

OSC RS THE

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THE BEST OF ALL TIME

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FIRST ACADEMY AWARDS CERMONY

THE FIRST NATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM IN THE U.S.

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AVERAGE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH LENGTH

MOST OSCARS WON FOR LEADING ROLE

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EVERY CEREMONY SINCE HAS TAKEN PLACE IN

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WINNINGEST MOVIES OF ALL TIME

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OSCAR AWARDS MADE FOR THIS YEAR

ALL ABOUT OSCAR

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Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Spread 11

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Spread 10

!

#FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS

!

As students of Dexter High School, we realize that we’re fortunate to have the school, staff and educational opportunities that we are offered, but we also know that as Americans we have the natural inclination, ability and freedom to complain. The era of complaining began when the pilgrims came over on the Mayflower irritated by the tightness of their hat buckles, and the era has never really stopped except for a brief period in the early 1930s. We love our school, but we also know it’s as American as apple pie to complain. Here are the #firstworldhazards for students at DHS. Cameron LaFontaine

2

Co-Editor-in-Chief

1

BACKPACK WEIGHT

After weighing five random students and their backpacks, four of these five backpacks weighed over 25 pounds and all five students’ backpacks weighed more than 10 percent of their personal body weight. According to the American Chiropractic Association, this situation is dangerous to students’ health.

This situation also concerns Michelle Rabideau, a physician that specializes in family medicine, who suggested to DHS administrators that something needed to change in regards to students having to carry backpacks around school every day.

“I probably see an average of one a week with back pain, neck pain or headaches – but I find more if I ask at routine physicals,” Rabideau said. “Mr. Kit Moran stated that the interval between classes is sufficient for students to use their lockers, because some students figure out how to do it.

But that’s not enough for Rabideau. She said that back pain in young adults is a serious problem because their bodies are finished maturing.

“Younger students are still growing,” she said. “Early back pain will impact them the most. Not all will have long-term consequences, but absolutely overloaded backpacks contribute to back pain, poor posture—usually stooped forward at the shoulders—neck pain and headaches.

Principal Kit Moran, however, doesn’t see backpack weight as a big problem in the school. He said students have ample time to get to lockers and pick up new books and drop off old books. However, he is frustrated with the size and weight of textbooks.

“Do kids need books for school?” he asked. “Yes. I have no idea why the books have to be so heavy,” Moran said. “To be honest, I’m not a big fan of the textbook companies. They probably make a lot of money, and it’s an easy market for people to make money for years off of colleges and high schools.

I don’t know if books need to be as heavy as they are. If we could get lighter books, we would.”

But when it comes to heavy backpacks, Moran makes the argument that students are able to use their lockers between classes but choose to socialize instead.

“If you want to spend time socializing in the passing time between classes with your friends, which is a key part of being an adolescent in America today, then you have to decide whether you want to run to the locker and get your book or you can carry your book at all times,” he said. “All of those, to me, are individual decisions that are not the end of the world.”

Senior Megan Lynch, who has had major back problems since her freshmen year, disagrees. Lynch has scoliosis and has had back surgeries in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to try to help. While she doesn’t think backpack weight caused her back issues, she knows it has made them worse. Lynch’s backpack weighs 30 pounds, and she isn’t necessarily buying Moran’s argument that she could easily use her locker if she chose to do so.

THE AVERAGE “The large, heavy backpack definitely doesn’t DHS BACKPACK help,” Lynch said. “I didn’t start developing these WEIGHS back problems until my freshmen year of high school, which coincidentally is when I began to carry around big books. It’s only gotten progressively worse in high school. My locker is inconvenient. Classes are all over the school. I can’t just have one locker.” lbs.

22.8

DHS BACKPACK STATISTICS 30 random DHS students were polled for this survey

BODY WEIGHT (lbs.)

130 120 150 120 145 150 145 130 142 130 155 155 145 135 110 113 135 135 195 195 122 141 157 142 135 140 134 130 120 150

BACKPACK PERCENTAGE WEIGHT OF BODY (lbs.)

WEIGHT (%) 25 31 20 34 25 20 27 24 17 19 21 22 29 19 16 18 17 25 23 30 31 23 19 23 25 19 18 22 28 15

19 26 13 28 17 13 19 18 12 15 14 14 20 14 15 16 13 19 12 15 25 16 12 15 19 14 13 17 23 10

AVERAGE BODY WEIGHT TO BACKPACK WEIGHT (%): 17 % WHICH IS 7% ABOVE THE RECOMMENDED PERCENTAGE

PARKING LOT

With his typical four to five minute walk into the school, senior Jon Jon Haley shivers and sulks as he knows the worst part of his day is happening right now.

According to Haley, the parking lot is a disaster in many ways.

“It’s so awful,” he said. “The medians don’t need to be there. The trees are all dead anyway so they don’t need to be there. People walk between the cars anyway, so the walkways don’t even need to be there. My typical walk is 4-5 minutes, and I had to start buying gloves because the walk was so cold. I’ve lost two pairs in school which has sent me back at least $15.”

Like Haley, sophomore Cam Kantola is forced to take long, cold walks into school from the parking lot. Kantola is a new driver and is terrified of the walk he’s forced to take into school and doesn’t like the design of the parking lot.

“It’d be better if the parking lot went around the school rather than just straight out,” he said. “My typical walk is five minutes, and it’s very cold and makes me feel really sad. I’m afraid of getting frostbite.”

Principal Kit Moran says that he knows our parking lot is a hassle especially for students, but he also doesn’t think there are many better lots than ours and blames the harsh winter for constant complaints about it.

“I don’t know that our parking lot is worse than any others,” Moran said.

“It’s become a big issue this year because of the cold and icy weather, but then again every parking lot is an issue with all the snow and cold this year.

I also know that every generation of kids doesn’t want to walk any further than they have to. I was not principal at the time the building was designed and sure would have looked out for you (students).”

Police liaison deputy Jeremy Hilobuk is someone who consistently deals with issues in the parking lot between students parking in the visitor’s section of the lot or students trying to park on mounds of snow to avoid a longer walk. Like Moran, he believes there’s nothing the school can do about the parking lot. He’s understanding of student complaints, but knows the school’s not going to spend the money to change it.

“The way that it’s designed, we’re stuck with it,” Hilobuk said. “There’s enough parking spots out there. It’s just if you get here too late, you won’t get a prime spot. There’s no solution. Nobody shuttles you to the front door.

That’s the same at other schools and colleges. I’m sympathetic about it, but we also have to be realistic about it.”

DHS PARKING LOT

BY THE NUMBERS NUMBER OF STUDENT PARKING SPACES AT DHS: 450 TIME IT TAKES TO WALK IN FROM THE BACK OF THE PARKING LOT: 4 MIN. 52 SEC. AVERAGE MORNING LOW TEMPERATURE FOR SCHOOL DAYS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY: 1.65 DEGREES

3

WALKING IN THE HALLS CAUTION 5 MINUTES OF PASSING TIME

3 FLOORS 5 SETS OF STAIRS 2 ELEVATORS

I

Students face threats in everyday hallway situations such as others walking on the wrong side of the hall. With an abundance of students consistently walking on the left side of the hallway, students walking correctly forced to use the four Ds of dodgeball: Dip, dive, duck, dodge.

Senior Sam Gravel has to deal with students on the wrong side of the hallway every day, and it frustrates him to no end.

“It’s really annoying seeing students walking on the wrong side of the hallway,” he said. “I’ve never done it, but I always think about shoving people into the lockers out of my way that are walking right at me.

In addition, Gravel is frustrated by those who open stairwell doors from the wrong side. In this situation, pedestrians open the door on their left while an on-comer tries to open that same door (on their right side).

“I’ve been hit multiple times by the wrong door being opened, and it made me really upset and angry,” he said.

One of Gravel’s biggest concerns in this situation is that students walking on the wrong side of the hallway could result in the same habits on the roads while driving.

“Some of these freshmen and sophomores, the beginning drivers, could very well be affected by that, and it’s a very scary thought,” he said.

But students are going to have to deal with this one on their own. Principal Kit Moran said the school has not considered trying to regulate hallway flow, saying that administrators have never even considered putting arrows symbolizing the correct way to walk down the hallway.

Senior Alyssa Baker is another student who is consistently bothered by students walking on the wrong side of the halls during the day. She’s had to consistently deal with students, especially underclassmen walking right at her in the halls.

“It’s probably the most annoying thing when I’m trying to walk on the right side of the hallway, and a group of underclassmen try to walk in my way,” Baker said. “I also hate when people are taking their slow, sweet time in the hall. I feel like administration should do more and enforce hallway laws to stop inefficiency.”

4 Substitute teachers play a large role in complaints that high schoolers have and Dexter High School is no different. With 3-5 substitute teachers per day, students are constantly given that substitute teacher experience that many don’t enjoy at all.

One frequent substitute teacher, Ira Mark has subbed in high schools since 2006 and said in the last few years, about 70 percent of his jobs are at Dexter High School. According to Mark, he’s a different kind of substitute teacher because he knows exactly what high school students are like.

“Students will notice vulnerability very easily,” Mark said. “And when you go into a classroom where you don’t know anybody, and students notice you may have a soft spot or you’re just intimidated, they go for the jugular. It’ll be chaos.”

Mark said this knowledge of high school students’ tendencies stems from his own days in high school.

“When I started subbing, I knew how bad students could be, because I was myself,” he said. “I caused as many problems as I could as a student. So there’s probably not one thing students can do or say that I had not done myself. But I’m not going to go into a classroom and be intimidated. If that environment and style is what’s necessary to keep people in line, then so be it.”

Sophomore Riley Gore has experience, as Mr. Mark as a substitute and knows what he’s all about.

“You can’t mess with Mr. Mark like you maybe could with other substitutes,” Gore said. “He’s tough, and he isn’t bothered by anything. He makes you do work and that’s what substitutes are supposed to do and he really throws down the hammer.”

Principal Kit Moran said that Mark makes great connections with kids and that’s what makes him a quality substitute teacher for DHS. Mark doesn’t get caught up in students trying to manipulate him. Even if the students don’t like him, he says he does not care because he’s there to fill his role.

He said, “My role is to carry out the plan the teacher leaves for me and fulfill their expectations, and that’s always what I stick to.”

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

!

DHS AVERAGES 3-5 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS PER DAY RESULTING IN AN AVERAGE OF 20 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS PER WEEK

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Interactive Spread 12

THE FIVE BY FIVE Ava Hermann Freshman

Joe Molloy and Derek Seidl Staff Writers August Bishop Junior

Connor Van Dusen Sophomore

London Truman Senior

Rob Ford

What would your super power be and why?

Flying, because walking is boring.

Definitely apparition.

X-Ray vision because I’m a pervert.

Bro, I would fly. That way I’d get to places faster, but I’m already fast, bro.

Invincibility so I can do all the drugs I want and not die.

2.) Question When pulling crackers, does everyone get one each regardless or whoever gets the big end keeps all the prizes?

Everyone gets one of the prizes? I think everyone should share.

Can you repeat the question ... No,I don’t ... yeah who ever gets the big end!

When pulling crackers ... wait what? What are the prizes (laughter) I don’t get it.

What? That didn’t ... what?

Crackers, I don’t get what you’re saying. Where am I pulling crackers from, bro?

When I pull crackers, I like to eat the soggy ones.

“Dat donk” bro.

Big ole juggernauts.

What is your favorite feature on the opposite sex?

Short hair, not long hair like girls.

Just the booty.

When they buy you things.

Can you believe, “I can’t believe, it’s not butter,” is, in fact, not actually butter? (pause) Yes ... wait, no, say that again.

I do believe, I like butter. I put it on my toast and bagels.

(pause) Yes ... that’s just gonna be my answer.

Well, yeah, because it’s not butter, bro.

Wait, what? It’s not actually butter? I had no “freaking” idea!

Bro, false statement, bro.

Well, I’m pretty sure I have eaten one before so you tell me ...

Is it true that cannibals don’t eat clowns because they taste funny?

Yes, because clowns are so creepy.

Yes, I know because my uncle’s a clown.

No, no one likes clowns so they eat the red nose first.

Cup of Joe: Raisins vs. Grapes Opinion by Joe Molloy and Derek Seidl Staff Writers

Raisins: Joe’s Opinion

Raisins are just a wonderful package of wrinkled joy.

They’re easy to carry in their cute little boxes, and they are sure to give you a refreshing burst of flavor whenever you need it.

Raisins are known as baby grapes. When this baby comes out of the womb, it doesn’t scream or cry; it comes out silent and filled with compact love. When these little munchies grow up with all of the other raisins in their box, they become tightly knit like one big huge family: the mother, the father, the sister, the brother and all of their relatives. Every box is sure to bring you an Uncle Jack, Aunt Jill, and cousins Steve, Chad, Jacob, Roger, Susan, Lily, Samantha and Niesha.

The best part is that raisins are always there when you need them. They’ll never run away from home, and they’ll stay close to your heart (especially if you have a breast pocket).

When you bite into a slimy grape, you’re always running the risk of squirting that liquidy essence into your loved one’s eyes. The raisin will never bring this trav-

esty upon you, for if you find one drop of juiciness in a raisin, you should definitely take another look at what you’re biting into.

When you’re making your choice, keep in mind, raisins have their own cereal. I don’t think grapes can say that.

Grapes: Derek’s Opinion

There is no better feeling than a nice, juicy grape bursting all over the inside of your mouth when you are parched beyond all measure. No raisin on this planet could possibly give such a wonderful sensation. In fact, this rubbery, thick, wrinkled and turd-like food quite honestly should never be used to satisfy any kind of hunger or thirst, for that matter.

The taste of just one of those atrocities completely shuts down every taste bud in my mouth, and I consider myself lucky if I manage not to puke. Sweet, luscious grapes, on the other hand, almost always have the wonderful effect of leaving you wanting more, similar to the effect that seeing Kate Upton in a bikini or Channing Tatum’s bare abs may have.

The ranging watery flavors of this wonderful fruit

Illustration Credit: Brittany Byma

have that rare ability to keep you coming back, and before you know it, your entire vine will be gone, and you’ll want more so bad that you’ll go running to the vineyard to find another.

The last thought that I will leave you with is this: while you’re drinking your next grape-flavored beverage, try to imagine it being raisin-flavored. Not exactly a pleasant thought, is it?

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Interactive Spread 13

Q&A

with

new assistant principal Karen Walls

What is your current position at the school?

I am currently the assistant principal. Previously I was a teacher consultant here at the high school, and that’s part of the special ed department. I also moved into the special ed department chair role this year and then made the transition to AP (Assistant Principal).

How do you feel about taking over for Mrs. Sharrar as the new Assistant Principal?

She has definitely left her mark and left me with some big shoes to fill but it’s been awesome that the district will still benefit from her expertise.

The transition for me has been made a lot easier with her still being involved in the district.

For example, I am the supervisor for ACT and MME testing, but she’s district-wide testing administrator so she’s been a really key component to helping my transition. And we work well together and we worked well together when I was part of the special ed department, too, so I think we have good communication and collaboration.

Auburn or Florida State?

Florida State! How could you ask me anything else? Really? You’re sitting in an office where Chief Osceola and “How to really be a Seminole” are on the wall! Who put you up to that question? Come on, buddy!

When did you start working at Dexter?

Eight years ago. We moved from Kentucky. So I taught for 10 years in Kentucky, elementary school and in an alternative high school setting, and then we moved here for my husband’s job and this is where I’ve been ever since.

What was the process for getting the job?

(English department chair Deb) Marsh, (science department chair Beau) Kimmey, and the superintendent, Dr. Timmis, as well as the three administrators were all a part of the interview committee. That interview process took place when we got back to school from winter break.

There were 160 candidates, and they narrowed it down to 16 for the first round and then down to three for the final round where they had the large interview committee, and then the board officially approved the hire at their meeting in January allowing me to start on January 27th.

What is the craziest thing that you have experienced from your time working here?

Well, one of those “I can’t believe this is happening in front of me” moments is what comes to mind. The first year the freshman house program was in effect, and I supported the Parker, Baese, Baese and Day/Luxon team, a stu-

Photo Credit: Ethan Kremkus

dent walked in to Mr. Parker’s class and said ... “I’ve been stabbed!” (The student does not go here anymore, he’s in a different district), and I looked at Mr. Parker and I’m like, “Is this happening? Are we first respondering?” And sure enough, he had been stabbed in a previous class with a pencil, and it really wasn’t a blood dripping all over the place or anything situation, so not really what you think of when you hear stab, but he had a little pencil mark where it went into his hand, and he was reliving the moment.

And Mr. Parker is like, “Do you need to go to the office?

Walls, why don’t you take him to the office?” So he comes back all bandaged up like he has this war wound, and I’m still sitting there processing thinking “What? What?”

There has been a handful of moments like that, but that’s the most recent that I can think of. But that was a funny year. This was the same student who, once he found out I was from Kentucky, thought there was a certain accent you’re supposed to speak and a love of Nascar. He would speak like, “Yo, Walls, do they all talk like this?” (in a southern accent). And then I would be like “Is that what I sound like?” I mean, yes, when I get fired up, I might have a little southern twang and draw come out, but no. He goes, “You know you love Nascar!” (southern accent again).

What is your dream job?

Right now in education I think this would be it. This is not something I started the year thinking. When I started the school year I was fully on board to starting my year as a department chair and taking on my leadership role and feeling excited. Then Ms. Sharrar announced this to the staff, and I got to thinking about her duties and a lot of

this realm I live in with testing or 504s. Student accommodations is what I was doing on the teacher aspect, so I thought, “I could do that.” So I decided I’ll try, and now that I’m in the role, and it’s hard to believe I’ve only been in this role for a few weeks because I’m loving it. So when I think education, this is my dream job. Now when you talk retirement, I want to go back to Florida, and I want to own a Margaritaville-esque bar on the ocean.

Like where you could like swim and sit, just that kind of restaurant, but that’s for many many years down the road.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Oh, gosh. You’re going to laugh. I am like a huge huge huge Justin Timberlake fan. I went to see him when he was with Jay-Z, and I’m going again to see him in concert when he comes to the Palace of Auburn Hills. I watched him with the new Tonight Show in the history of rap 5.

Did you see that? You need to see that, with Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon.

What is something that nobody knows about Mrs. Walls?

I was the high school mascot. The bear. The full bear costume and mind you I lived in Florida. I went to high school and college in Florida, so it was really hot. A Florida football field in the summer is very hot and humid. I was the first full bear mascot at my high school since it was new. I could probably even dig out a photo. So when I went to Florida State I just felt like Osceola and Renegade (the school’s mascots) probably needed the female counterpart but that didn’t work out too well.

Friday, March 7, 2014

The Squall

Opinion 14

It’s just not fair

Despite the hype, ACT does not reflect how smart you In 2013, only 26% of ACT tested high school graduates met the ACT Readiness Benchmarks in all 4 subjects.

B D A C

In 2013, the average ACT score was a 20.2. In 2012, the average was a 20.5.

F Morgan Vanhoof Staff Writer No standardized test where students sit in a room for hours bubbling in answers accurately depicts their real work habits and motivation.

Unfortunately, when it comes to a test such as the American College Testing assessment, more commonly known as the ACT, it becomes more about how well a student strategizes and manages time rather than what they know.

As an easy example, I have a friend who is taking AP Calculus. She is getting an A, yet she only scored a 21 on the mathematics portion of the ACT the first time she took it. After retaking it three times, she finally received a score that she could settle for at a 29.

Although the higher score boosted her overall composite, it doesn’t fully reflect her abilities.

While she was lucky enough to get a score that met her school’s requirements, other students aren’t as lucky. Research shows that scores generally plateau after the third test.

A better assessment of a student’s abilities comes from a number that exhibits a broader spectrum of learning.

A student’s grade point average throughout high school reflects their cumulative efforts in homework assignments, class participation and testing. In a classroom setting, testing adds up to contribute to a student’s overall grade, but homework assignments and participation points often contribute just as much for those students who may not be good test takers.

When colleges consider students for admission, GPA and standardized test scores, such as ACT scores, both are huge factors.

But think about that. Once the ACT, or any other standardized college admissions test, comes into the equation, a mere five hours are often just as important to colleges as three to four years of hard work in high school.

The pressure and stress that comes from a simple score on a test is ridiculous as well.

Essentially, the whole premise that my future relies on a good score is overwhelming and intimidating beyond belief. It’s scary that a bad score on one test may influence my entire future.

In addition, the way colleges use strict benchmarkrequirement scores worries me. Some scores don’t make

the mark anymore. And with schools generally considering composite score rather than individual test portion scores, there’s room for details to be overlooked.

While your overall score might be just below a school’s requirement, an individual subject score that relates to your major of choice may be higher and exceed the requirement.

Junior year in itself is a whirlwind of stressful classes and tough workloads, especially for those taking AP or IB classes.

Add on a test with a reputation like the ACT, and you create an environment fit to make anyone crazy.

Of course, classes, tutors and guides can all help make the process a little less stressful for some. But even this premise is flawed.

Classes meant to help prepare and tutor students on how to take the ACT aim to teach students things like “exclusive strategies that apply to (ACT and SAT) tests,” “critical test-taking and pacing techniques” and “key strategies to approach question types.”

In fact, ACT even offers a prep course for its own test.

Yet, they also claim that for students who have not studied and actually learned the information, short term review is not going to be of much benefit.

Even the ACT admits that strategy and techniques can only go so far if you don’t actually learn and know the material to begin with. But then why sell coaching guides and classes to begin with?

Not to mention, this preparation for standardized tests is more widely available to those who can afford to pay for a tutor or a class, leaving the results generally biased towards those with more money. Kids who may be smarter but with less money don’t have the same advantage as kids with more money who can afford tutors and classes to help them.

Bringing money bias into the equation deviates from the whole idea of assessing a student’s actual knowledge.

The ACT becomes so impersonal after all this. It feels like a number becomes your identity.

You could have a great, honest personality with all the extra-curriculars in the book, but if that one number doesn’t hit the mark, then you’ll most likely be overlooked.

G

H

J

Over the past 10 years, men have consistently scored higher than women on the A

B

C

D

Graduates who took at least one core curriculum during high school scored on average 2.7 to 3.1 points above those who did not.

F

G

H

J

The ACT is only offered six times each year.

A

B

C

D

In 2009, less than one-tenth of one percent of the students who took the test scored a perfect 36.

F

G

H

J

In 2012, 1,666,017 students took the ACT. The same year, 1,664,479 took the SAT. A

B

C

D

Facts found on About.com and the Washington Post.

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Editorial 15

Our view: CVS should stop selling all unhealthy products CVS Caremark has declared that they quit. Quit smoking by way of discontinuing sales of all tobacco products in their stores nationwide, that is.

According to CVS, it was paradoxical to encourage health while selling tobacco products, which can cause severe health problems such as high blood pressure, damaged airways and increased risk of cancer in almost every part of the body.

While we commend CVS for taking this step, we believe it is only that: a step. The first of many that must be taken before CVS can be considered a serious health clinic.

We think that CVS should also discontinue the sales of other unhealthy products such as alcoholic beverages, pop, candy and other junk foods.

CVS says that they will continue to sell these items because they are acceptable in moderation, unlike tobacco products.

In reality, these other products can do critical damage to the human body, as well.

Junk food can cause health issues like cancer, diabetes, strokes and kidney disease, according to the Blood Pressure Association. This isn’t referring to foods like french fries and baconators, but foods like potato chips and pop. Foods found on the shelves at your local CVS. According to drinksmarter.org, alcoholic beverages can also have negative long-term health impacts, such as liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and pancreatitis.

While junk food and alcohol may not have health effects to the same degree as tobacco products, they are still unhealthy. And if CVS is pulling things from their inventory in order to avoid being hypocritical, they need to do a full-on cleanse.

Offering a quick health care option was

not an original goal when CVS/pharmacy was founded.

According to minuteclinic.com, the first “QuickMedx” centers which offered treatment for “strep throat, mono, flu, pregnancy testing and bladder, ear and sinus infections”opened in 2000 and had no affiliation with CVS. In December 2002, “QuickMedx” became the MinuteClinic, and due to high demand, continued to expand nationally. After two years CVS acquired MinuteClinic in 2006.

Within the past four years, CVS has continued to add services to its MinuteClinics that are generally performed by physicians such as providing vaccinations, monitoring for chronic conditions and treating minor wounds and skin conditions.

Today there are more than 800 MinuteClinics in CVSs across the nation which have collectively treated over 18 million patients.

If CVS wants to go from a convenience store to a health clinic that treats patients, they need to stop selling unhealthy products. It’s a conflict of interest to have the practitioners treat patients in the same building as a cashier sells products.

At the end of the day, the practitioner works for a store which makes money by selling its products. So how can a nurse give impartial advice about health when the suc-

What do the editors think?

For discontinuing selling unhealthy products such as alcohol or junk food

Photo Credit: Brittany Byma

cess of the business they work for depends on the sales of their products, including unhealthy items?

It creates a difficult situation for the practitioner and the patient.

CVS needs to discontinue sales of all unhealthy products if it wants its practitioners’ diagnoses and advice to be taken seriously.

There are plenty of other businesses that sell items that are detrimental to one’s health, so we encourage CVS to become completely health-based and leave the job of selling potato chips, pop, alcoholic and tobacco products to the gas station next door.

Against discontinuing selling unhealthy products such as alcohol or junk food

Should pharmacies discontinue selling unhealthy products such as alcohol or junk food?

“They can still be selling junk food and other products, but tobacco is never good for you.”

Sam Latshaw Freshman

“I think they should keep the junk food because it’s a convenient place to stop for road trips, but they should stop selling alcohol.

Maybe they should put up posters saying how the food is bad for you.”

Zoie Gilson Sophomore

“They shouldn’t stop selling those things because where would you draw the line? A lot of food is unhealthy, so then what would they sell?”

Jack Derloshon Junior

“I don’t believe they should stop selling junk food, but maybe alcohol.

Junk food is OK in moderation, but alcohol and tobacco are never good.”

Savannah Krull

Senior

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Feature 16

Hashtags and cilantro lime rice

In a world of consumerism, teens find themselves obsessing over the latest trends. by Zac Sharp

Netflix

Chipotle Senior Jen Bondie said she has been “obsessed” with Chipotle ever since the sixth grade.

“Starting in sixth grade my dad would take me to the Chipotle in Arborland and ever since I’ve loved it,” Bondie said. “There was a time in my life that I would go to Chipotle at least once a week.”

And Bondie’s not alone. According to Seeking Alpha, a website specializing in stock market news and financial analysis, Chipotle’s total revenues rose 18 percent last year, to $826.9 million.

While their net income jumped to $83.4 million.

Chipotle says that there

are 65,000 different combinations of orders a customer can get from the menu, with all the different ingredients they have.

Although there are so many different types of combinations, Bondie says that she gets the same thing every time she goes.

“I always get the veggie burrito bowl when I go. It’s by far my favorite on the menu,” Bondie said. “On a scale of 1 to 10 on how much I like it, I’m definitely a 10.”

Starbucks For junior Paige O’Piela, Starbucks is almost like a home away from home.

“In the past few years, I’d say my spending for Starbucks has almost tripled,” O’Piela said. “On my birthday people will put money on my Starbucks card for me.

On holidays, I’ll ask my family for Starbucks cards, because I don’t want to end up spending all my own money on it.”

O’Piela isn’t the only one. Statistics from Statistic Brain, a website specializing in numbers, percentages and rankings, show since 2001 Starbucks

has increased their total revenue every year, with an increase of $10.29 billion from 2001-2012.

Gift card activations alone were listed at $820,500,000 in 2011, a $102,900,000 increase from the year before.

And with the closest Starbucks to Dexter being in Ann Arbor, there’s no telling what kind of profit a local Starbucks would make.

“The only time I go to Starbucks, is if I’m at the mall or at Target,” O’Piela said. “If Dexter got one, I’d find myself there almost everyday.

I’m obsessed.”

2012 $13.3 billion Chipotle’s revenues rose 18% in the last year to $829.9 million.

70% of females in DHS prefer Chipotle over Taco Bell.

2001 $690 million

9,180

Twitter produces 58 million tweets a day or 9,180 tweets per second.

Per

Second

74% of DHS students prefer Twitter over Facebook

70% of DHS students are subscribed to Netflix. 11% of those students stream for more than 3 hours a day

Starting in the summer of 2013, junior Joie Graves found herself a new hobby.

“I wanted to watch “Parks and Recreation,” and once I got Netflix, I realized I could watch whatever I wanted,” Graves said.

According to Statistic Brain, Netflix currently has 29.2 million subscribers and is responsible for 30 percent of all residential downstream Internet traffic in North America.

Its popularity has grown in the U.S, and in Graves’ life.

“I usually spend two to three hours on Netflix on a school night, but on a weekend it’s usually around six hours,” she said. “I’ve probably finished around nine complete series so far, and currently just finished Season 1 of ‘Lost.’ I just want to start Season 2 right now. I have the jitters. I just need it right now.”

An obsession? Graves said yes.

“Yes, I’m obsessed,” Graves said. “I need Netflix. There are times that I crave it. Netflix is my life, and also my one true love.”

Twitter In July of 2006 Twitter was launched as a social media site. In eight years, it has gained 645,750,000 registered users, or about 135,000 every day According to Statistic Brian.

Senior Eden Krull is one of them. Krull has tweeted 36,600 times, more than Justin Bieber and Barack Obama combined.

“I find myself on it whenever I’m bored, which is basically every class period,” Krull said. “Also I constantly find myself on it while I’m trying to study or do homework.”

Krull started her Twitter account in 2010 at the start of her freshman year. Since then she averages 9,150 tweets a year or about 25 tweets a day.

“The most common

thing that I tweet or retweet is anything about cats or food,” Krull said.

Part of the increase in popularity for Twitter is likely the teenage obsession surrounding Twitter, with many teens making Twitter more of a lifestyle than just another social media website.

Twitter members generate an average of 58 million tweets a day or 9,100 per second and from 2010 to 2013 its annual advertising revenue has grown from $45 million to $405.5 million.

For Krull, it’s definitely a habit she’s become accustomed to.

“It’s something I’ve become addicted to,” Krull said. “It’s a common thing in my everyday life, and I’m willing to admit that I have become obsessed.”

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Feature 17

Minimum wage change would affect students Virginia Kivel Staff Writer Senior Abbi Kemperman works a part-time job at Classic Pizza. In addition to the time she spends at school, equivalent to a full-time job in itself, she said she spends between 16 and 32 hours a week working to make money to pay for her car insurance, gas and other expenses.

“I have time to work, go to school, and do homework, but that’s about it,” Kemperman said.

Like many high school students, Kemperman makes minimum wage, currently $7.40 an hour.

Working three or four days in an average week, senior Peyton Chrisner earns only slightly more.

“I work between 10 and 20 hours a week and make $8 an hour,” she said.

Panera Bread, where Chrisner works, pays employees above minimum wage, but soon this salary may still be too low.

Following President Obama’s State of the Union address on Jan. 28, where he argued for an increase in the federal minimum wage, the debate regarding proposals to increase minimum wages, nationally and for each state, regained momentum.

Obama announced a plan to create an executive order that would increase the minimum wage for federally funded employees to $10.10. He also urged Congress to raise the federal minimum wage for all employees, which is currently $7.25. Tip wages, for workers who also receive tips, and wages for minors are allowed to be even lower.

“They’re allowed to not pay you minimum wage if

Photo Credit: Casey Hansen

Senior Peyton Chrisner works at Panera Bread. “I would actually consider saving some, (if I made more)” Chrisner said “I know I should be saving for college.”

you’re under 18,” Kemperman said.

Democrats in the Michigan legislature have proposed plans to increase Michigan minimum wages, but both federal and state congresses have disagreement as to whether raising minimum wage would help or harm the economy.

Politicians in favor of increasing minimum wage argue that those working for such wages do not make enough to support themselves and their families. Thus, increasing minimum wage would decrease the number of people living in poverty and, as a result, help the economy.

In his state of the Union Address, Obama said, “Today, the federal minimum wage is worth about 20 percent less than it was when Ronald Reagan first stood here. Tom Harkin and George Miller have a bill to fix that by lifting the minimum wage to $10.10. This will help families. It will give businesses customers with more money to spend.”

However, Natalie Park, owner of Coffee House Creamery on Jackson Road, does not think this sudden change would be a realistic option for small businesses.

“It would not jump to $10.10 right away. No business would survive it,” Park said. “You can’t raise any price (including

wages) 40 percent.”

Only recently-hired workers at Coffee House Creamery work for minimum wage. Still, Park said an increase in minimum wage would also require her to make other changes in her business beyond wages.

According to Park, increased wages also mean that employers have to pay increased taxes and insurance. These changes could force her to change her policy of increasing employee salaries based on their length of employment. Park would also have to raise prices.

While she opposes a dramatic change, Park is not completely against the idea of slightly increasing minimum wage.

“I don’t think it’s terrible,” she said, “but it could be very dangerous.”

Primarily, the movement to increase minimum wage is targeted to aid adults working full time. The intent is to help families living in poverty, but teenagers could still see changes in their earnings as a result. Chrisner, however, does not object to her current salary. “I don’t really mind (the current minimum wage) because I use the money for car insurance but don’t have major bills or adult expenses,” she said.

Despite this, both Kemperman and Chrisner agree that an increase in the minimum wage would be beneficial. Kemperman, for example, said she could use the extra money to buy extra things that she would like.

“Three quarters of my pay checks go to gas, so I’d have more money for other things that aren’t gas,” she said.

For Chrisner, the changes would be different. She said that she spends all of her earnings, but a higher minimum wage would let her put some of her paycheck away for a rainy day.

“I would actually consider saving some (if I made more),” she said. “I know I should be saving for college.”

An increase in minimum wage would similarly benefit senior Collin Ullmann, who works at McDonalds.

“It would make college a lot easier,” he said. “(With current wages) I would have to work 50 hours a week over the summer to make the money I need.”

Friday, March 7, 2014

The Squall News 18

You smell that?

Previously unknown filtration tank causes stink in science wing Scott Rogers Staff Writer A large chemical filtration system beneath the science classrooms, unknown to current administrators until , has become clogged by an unknown substance. The obstruction was first detected because of an odor produced by the chemical backup.

“I’m not quite sure why somebody didn’t know that,” Principal Kit Moran said. “It’s amazing to me that nobody ever mentioned that.”

The tanks were installed 12 years ago during construction of the high school when Moran wasn’t principal.

The mechanism is made up of two large tanks connected by a tube. Waste flows from the science room sinks into the first tank where its acidity is neutralized and any precipitates fall to the bottom and are pumped out.

The liquid is then pumped to the next tank through the tube where it is further neutralized. The clog occurred in this tubing between the tanks.

Science teacher Beau Kimmey said the filtration system is mainly in place to neutralize acids disposed of in the science room sinks, “so you’re not dumping straight acid down into the sewage system.”

The obstruction hasn’t completely stopped drainage from the science rooms, but it has slowed the process dramatically.

He said, “The connection between the two tanks became partially clogged. It still works, it’s just really slow. It doesn’t flow as well as it should.”

Kimmey said the biggest trouble comes when multiple classrooms perform labs on the same day and the tanks get backed up. This is when the tanks begin to smell.

No one is sure exactly what is causing the blockage, but Kimmey said it may be some sort of limestone formed by the water.

“Other than that,” he said, “who knows what kids dump down the sinks.”

He added that he believes the quality of the equipment may be to blame for the issue, because the school may have gone for the cheaper option.

Photo Credit: Kyle Devoogd

Principal Kit Moran takes a look at the top of a large chemical filtration system beneath the science classrooms, which has been clogged, causing a sulfur-like smell to drift through the school by the science rooms. To prevent it from happening again, Moran has this advice: “To the best extent possible, be careful what you’re putting down there,”

“We’re kind of locked in by what taxpayers are willing to pay,” Kimmey said, “and when you take the lowest bidder, you don’t always get the highest quality.”

Moran, however, strongly disagreed with Kimmey on that issue.

Moran said that given the fact that the system has been underground for 12 years without receiving any maintenance, it is surprising there haven’t been more problems.

“Is it one of those things that needs to be cleaned every once in a while,” he said, “or is it a quality issue? After Illustration Credit: Brittany Byma a while you gotta put a Waste flows down a tube into the first of two tanks, where the acidity is neutralized and any precipitates new roof on your house. fall to the bottom and are pumped out. Then, it’s pumped to the second tube where it is further neutralI would say, generally ized. The pipe between the tanks was clogged, and this is what caused the problem. speaking, the school’s in good shape. A lot of just keeps us in that much better shape.” people think it’s a brand Still why did no one know about this container to begin new building.”

The plan to fix the tanks is to investigate the problem with? Moran said part of the issue may have been the reand clean them out during spring break when students are volving door of principals before he arrived--six principals gone. Moran did add, however, that there are many pos- in six years at one point--and that many fragments of information may have been lost in transition. sibilities for things to go wrong in the process.

After the obstruction has been cleared, Moran said He said, “Perfect world, they make it to spring break, and they fix it over spring break, and all is good. How- cleaning it out will be added to the annual checkups by the ever, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was harder to fix than maintenance staff over the summer so this problem doesn’t expected. This is like the car repair that you’ve never done occur again.

“At least we’ll know it’s there,” he said. before.”

Still, with such a significant element to the proper funcMoran also said that there is a chance things get worse before spring break, and he said he told the science teach- tion of the building going unnoticed for over a decade, ers, “To the best extent possible, be careful what you’re put- one has to wonder what else might be lurking beneath the ting down there. Every gallon that doesn’t go down there school.

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Sports 19

Evacuate the dance floor Boys join the dance team in halftime show

Jon LeBlanc Staff Writer The Dexter High School Varsity Dance team is coming off a season that saw them finish 1st in pom, 1st in high kick and 2nd in hip hop during their competitive season. “Last year was a transitional year for the team as it was my first year as their coach,” Coach Erin Shaver said. “With my Dance team experience the girls were held to a higher standard than ever.”

Although this is a good result, Shaver has higher expectations for the team.

“My expectations for competition this year is to meet or exceed our placement at our last competition last year,” Shaver said. “I think they can do it.”

This year’s team features one senior, Sarah Griffith. “Griffith is my one senior captain this year and she truly is the heart of the team,” Shaver said. “She’s a great motivator, choreographer, and ambassador. She has really shaped the team and will be VERY missed in future seasons.”

Having Griffith as the only senior on the team brings a different dynamic to the team and is better for the team morale.

“I think it’s better because we don’t have so many opinions going against each other,” Junior Delaney Garcia said. “Overall, there’s just less conflict.”

Junior Spencer Vollmers was waiting in the hallway for his cue. As the dance team started their routine during halftime, Vollmers and several of his male classmates ran out to join them.

“I was nervous,” Vollmers said. “I couldn’t breathe for about half of it.”

This stress was the result of Vollmers and 15 other junior and senior men joining the all-female dance team during halftime of the Valentine’s Day men’s basketball game between Dexter and Ypsilanti.

This idea was the brainchild of dance coach Erin Shaver, who said she jumped at the idea of having a dance that involved some of the male body of DHS. “I’ve had a great time with guy/girl dances in the past,” Shaver said. “When I saw there was a game on Valentine’s Day, it was an easy decision.”

Unlike Vollmers, senior Jeff Wicks said he wasn’t nervous during the dance. His butterflies came before the dance.

“During the dance, I wasn’t nervous because the adrenaline rush and support from the crowd got me going,” Wicks said. “I was probably more nervous before the dance because I didn’t want to mess up in front of the crowd.”

But the stress was worth it because Wicks wanted to support the dance team for all they’ve done for DHS athletics.

Photo Credits: Sara Muchmore

Juniors Rem Vermeulen and Trevor Hilobuk dance with the DHS dance team during the halftime show of the Valentine’s Day men’s basketball game between Dexter and Ypsilanti.

“The dance team has always been really supportive of the student section and Dexter athletics,” Wicks said. “I thought, why not give back to the dance team.”

But with only a week to practice, Wicks and the other guys had a lot to learn.

“The practices were actually pretty difficult,” Wicks said. “It was difficult to learn that much material in such a short amount of time, especially for a lot of people who are so uncoordinated and really don’t dance very often.”

But junior Delaney Garcia said having the men perform brought a more interesting aspect to practice and that the guys improved over the short span they had.

“At first they were kinda confused,” Garcia said. “They got a lot better, and the practices were a lot more fun than just the regular dance team because of the different dynamic it brought. I think they did good, for such little time we had to teach them.”

Junior Sarina Wolf agrees and said she was impressed by their dedication.

“They were actually pretty into it the day of the game,” Wolf said. “We told them they could stay till 5, and the guys wanted to stay over 5 to practice more. They were super excited, and we weren’t expecting them to have that much dedication.”

As for Shaver, she said the men performed well and she would love to do something like this again.

Junior Baba Valdmanis is lifted during the halftime show. “It was fun to work with the guys because it made practice more entertaining. It was a good experience to be able to do something different and step outside the box for one of our performances,” senior Sarah Griffith said.

“It was very clear that they wanted to do a good job, and I thought the guys did a great job at the performance,” Shaver said. “I thought they represented the dance team very well, and I’d happily invite them back next year.”

Friday, March 7, 2014 The Squall Photostory 20

Dexter takes on New York

Drama Club’s annual trip shows thespians The Big Apple

Photo Credit: Katie Vontom

Junior Sydney Eisele and senior Micaela Hanrath mimic fish in the Staten Island Ferry Station. The Staten Island Ferry is a free service that transports 60,000 commuters a day. “ My favorite part was seeing the Broadway shows. My favorite was Kinky Boots, but Pippin was a close second,” Hanrath said.

Photo Credit: Isabelle Sinibaldi

Senior Jimmy Messmore looks at the ceiling of the Rockefeller building lobby. The mural on the ceiling and part of the walls is called “Man’s Conquests” by Jose Maria Sert. It shows three men “holding up” the ceiling and appears to change when looked at from different angles. “My favorite part of the trip was seeing the shows and experiencing the city,” Messmore said. “I especially enjoyed Central Park and the Gershwin Theatre.”

Photo Credit: Sam Musgrove

Junior Holland Bisson and director Tomi Dres eat dinner at the Carnegie Deli before a show.

Photo Credit: Sam Musgrove

Erin Palmer, Drama Club advisor, gives instructions to students.

Some of the places the Drama Club visited in New York were Times Square, Central Park, Staten Island, China Town and Little Italy.

In addition to seeing the sights, the Drama Club also saw Broadway shows. The shows that they saw were Kinky Boots, Twelth Night, Waiting for Godot, Mama Mia!, Phantom of the Opera, Matilda, and everyone went to go see Pippin together on the first night.

Photo Credit: Katie Vontom

Photo Credit: Isabelle Sinibaldi

Junior Holland Bisson has a snowball fight with senior Harrison Kane in Central Park. Central Park opened in 1857, on 778 acres of New York City-owned land.

Photo Credit: Sam Musgrove

Senior Portuguese exchange student Carminho Correa Da Silva sits on the train on the way to New York City.

Junior Jess Black pays her respects at the National September 11 Memorial. “This was the second time I went to the Memorial. It was more powerful the second time. The first time I went, the towers were not done, so it was nice coming back and getting the full effect of the monument and what it means,“ Black said.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the US from France.

It was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886. The statue stands from ground to torch, 305 feet and one inch.

Photo Credit: Isabelle Sinibaldi