With a new logo and Dread Strong slogan, Superintendent Chris Timmis looks to rebrand Dexter pages 8&9
Nov. 8, 2013 . VOL. 19. Issue 3.
Sailing in a new direction
Dexter High School 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter, MI 48130 www.thesquall.com
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Index 2
3 4 6 8 12
14 16
Staff
3 Feature
Coffee becoming the new crutch for students.
4 Feature
New social networking site causes anonymous bullying.
6 Sports
New concussion laws in high school sports.
8-9 Center Spread
Dread Strong, the rebranding of Dexter.
12 Opinion
Miley Cyrus, still amazing.
14 News
Government shutdown affecting Dexter families.
14 Infographic
Dexter and Chelsea: the rivalry continues.
16 Photostory
Martians Over Brooklyn.
Letters to the Editor Policy:
Head Designer Abby Mesaros Photo Editors Katie Vontom Sam Musgrove (assistant) Isabelle Sinibaldi (assistant) Copy Editor Lauren Kimmel
Web Editor Bryce Pederson
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.
Business Managers Lauren Kimmel Casey Hansen Illustrator & Design Brittany Byma Drew Daugherty Design Team Ben Grover
Sydney Swigart Guy Burke Matt Mitchell Kat Kerska Cadey DesRosiers Staff Writers Kait Eekoff Lauren Kimmel Carolin Schade Joe Molloy Derek Seidl Harrison Kane Zac Sharp
Morgan Van Hoof Zeke Breuninger Teddy Walton Jon LeBlanc Scott Rogers Noah Mellifont Alisha Anderson James Fischer Owen Kellenberger Jake Kilian Photographers Casey Hansen Brittany Byma
Grosse Point South HS newspaper adviser Jeff Nardone lost a long-fought battle with cancer on Nov. 3. He leaves behind two sons in 8th grade, a wife and many students and fellow teachers and advisers in the newspaper community. The Michigan Interscholastic Press Association has honored Nardone by continuing his legacy in the student journalism community by establishing a schloarship in his name. He advised the award-winning weekly newspaper, The Tower, where his students won more than 800 individual awards from state and national organizations. The Tower was inducted into MIPA’s Hall of Fame in 2002, as a charter member. During his career, he was recognized numerous times by state and national organizations for his contributions to scholastic journalism. Nardone received the Golden Pen Award, MIPA’s highest honor for an adviser, in 1998 and he was named a Distinguished Adviser by the Dow Jones News Fund in 1999. He received the Gold Key from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2008. In 2011, the National Scholastic Press Association honored Nardone with its highest award for journalism educators, the Pioneer Award.
Staff Editorials:
Contact us at: 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter MI, 48130. (734) 426-4240 ext: 7407. dextersquall@gmail.com
Editors-in-Chief Cameron La Fontaine Levi Kipke
Grosse Point adviser dies
Chris Ryan Ethan Kremkus Kyle DeVoogd Alisha Anderson Haley Quinn Jake Kilian Darion Mayrand 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.
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:
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Feature 3
Sip or slurp?
You may be addicted to coffee if:
Many students rely on caffeine to get through the day, but are there risks?
You take a lap around the school during passing time and you’re still the first to class.
Carolin Schade Staff Writer She lay twitching in her bed. Her eyes were wide open and no amount of counting sheep could reverse the damage done by the several cups of coffee she had downed earlier. Last week senior Laura Stanton drank so much coffee she wasn’t able to sleep. In the past few years more and more teens are buying and drinking coffee. Some believe this is due to teens wanting to look older, more mature, and “cooler.” While others, like senior Louis Kurcz, claim it just tastes good. Kurcz has fallen into a habit of drinking coffee daily, occasionally treating himself to a frozen caramel latte of some sort but usually sticking to regular coffee with milk from his “BUNN” commercial grade coffee machine at home. It wasn’t until several years ago that coffee grew popular among a younger crowd. Now, companies like Starbucks owe a lot of their success to social media sites like Instagram and Twitter. Not only are teens posting pictures of their frappes, lattes, mochas, or whatever drink suits their fancy, providing companies with free advertising, but when other teens see their friends drinking a certain drink they will want to try it too. However, according to Kurcz, Stanton and junior Sarah Stone, this marketing strategy isn’t the main reason teenagers are flocking to the caffeinated beverage. Coffee has been proven to wake you up and then keep you up. Kurcz, along with Stanton and Stone, believe this is what makes it a late night study session necessity. “After we stay up late studying it’s really our best option” Stone said. The amount of activities students have to accomplish on a daily basis also makes coffee a helpful tool. “With everything we have to get done in one day between sports, work, and homework it helps to be able to have a boost in the morning and focus later” Kurcz said. Although the energy that results from drinking coffee is a positive thing, there are some negative factors that come with drinking a cup of joe. According to Dr. Michelle Rabideau from Dexter Family Medicine, coffee can disrupt teens’ sleep cycles leading to poor moods and aggression. Large amounts of caffeine may also negatively affect brain development in the teen years. Stanton and Stone also said that drinking coffee consistently for a long period of time would ruin their teeth, while Kurcz claimed it made him feel shaky. Going through coffee withdrawal can also have some negative effects on the body. The most common being headaches, changes in mood, depression, inability to concentrate and irritability. Stone, Stanton and Kurcz unanimously agreed that not drinking coffee for a day or week after consistently drinking it would leave them grumpy and tired; however, once the initial withdrawal is over, extended breaks from the drink would have little to no effect. “I wouldn’t want to go without it,” Stanton said. “But if I had to I could.” According to Stanton, Stone, and Kurcz, the taste of coffee alone could be the reason for teens’ recent interest in the beverage. And whether or not the negative side effects of coffee are too drastic is for the individual to decide. While Rabideau warns of the negative repercussions, she also states that small doses (about 5-6 oz of coffee) a day would do little to no harm. And as for Kurcz, he claims “there are much worse things than drinking coffee every morning.”
Your instagram is endorsed by Starbucks. You haven’t blinked since Mary Marshall’s last snow day. You grind your own coffee beans in your mouth. Your selfies are always a blur. Not only do the baristas know you by name, but they spell it correctly (first and last!) They also know your usual: skim soy latte with a shot and a half of vanilla— hot not iced. You had your coffee mug custom made to fit the contour of your hand. You can pick out Joe and Rosie’s flavor of the day just by getting a whiff as you drive past. You’re still hopping after Ms. Wells goes to bed.
MEAN CAFFEINE 10,924 starbucks in US in 2012 $4 billion spent importing
coffee to US annually
Coffee
can cause heart disease, strokes, and insomnia
54%
of Americans over 18 drink coffee every day
100 million daily coffee
drinkers in US Photo Illustration Credit: Sam Musgrove Photo Credit: Haley Quinn
Facts found on statisticbrain.com
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Feature 4
asking.for trouble New social media takes bullying to a new level Staff Writer
This screen shot of senior Eden Krull’s ask.fm page shows the types of comments people often leave when using ask.fm. According to counselor Craig Raifail, if people are bullied on social media accounts such as these, the best course of action is to delete the account.
Being called “slut,” “whore,” and pregnant have led senior Eden Krull to completely delete all posts off her ask.fm wall. She has now been off of the site for over a month. “I think it’s dumb” she said of ask. fm. “But I don’t give a crap about (the things that were said about me) because it was anonymous. It was probably just one or two people who don’t like me.” Ask.fm, a social media website launched on June 16, 2010, allows people to ask questions to each other. Users can then answer questions that they have been asked of them. These answers are viewable to the public. Questions can also be asked to a specific person with the option of anonymity, but all of the user’s followers can view the question and the answers to it. The anonymous nature of the site seems to be the problem, according to Assistant Principal Ken Koenig. “The problems are not constant,” Koenig said. “They just tend to pop up. In general, they mostly come up at the beginning of the school year. People have less time to be directly social so they turn to social media.” As for counselor Craig Rafail, “Ask.fm is the latest edition of social media that is used for inappropriate conversation. For ask.fm users, they know bullying is a part of it. So the question is, why sign up for an account?” Krull says that she chose to get an account because “everyone did it and I thought it would be a good idea.” After using the site for only 2 weeks, Krull says she no longer accesses her account although she has
look at other people’s drama from not deleted it. “It was not worth it to the outside. get it originally. It is so dumb, I don’t “I check (the site) a couple of times even know why that site exists.” a day,” he said. “I think it is fun to According to Rafail, this is the right thing to do. watch what people ask each other In fact, he said if a student signs up because it’s funny. The site is intense. for an ask.fm account, they are “acPeople really go hard, and I enjoy becepting and participating in the buling a spectator to that.” lying.” People who do this are a major “You have to block them or shut part of the problem in Rafail’s opinit down,” he said of bullies on sites ion, “Ask.fm users know bullying is such as ask.fm. “It creates situational a part of it. (They) let the bullies be depression, anxiety and low self-esheard.” teem. More and more mental health But according to Businessweek. professionals are recommending you com, the approximately 60 million don’t get an users on ask.fm account like will have to adapt to changes that this.” have been made Koenig Don’t do it because it’s to the site. Ask.fm agrees and recently released said he wishdumb and it’s a pathway an update which es students for bullying. makes it easier to would realreport inappropriize that they -Eden Krull, senior ate behavior as well do not have as allow users to to respond to opt out of receiving what is asked to them. They can simply ignore or anonymous questions. They would then only receive questions when the delete the questions or comments questioner identifies themselves. which were directed towards them if they are inappropriate. They they Businessweek.com also reported that these changes are in response to will not go public, thus avoiding the problem. the suicide of a British teenager who “The issue with the bullying lies had a lot of messages directed toward in the maturity level of the people on him in a negative manner. the social media site, both the people A statement on the blog who are putting out the mean comTechcrunch reported that ask.fm is ments and those that are letting them going to hire more staff in order to appear on their profile,” Koenig said. try to monitor and stop problems “They need to just use good judgewith bullying on this site. ment and not get themselves into poFollowing these changes Krull tentially bad situations.” says, “Nobody uses it anymore, It’s Even with all of the problems suralready dying so it won’t last much rounding the site, there are still many longer.” students who continue to use it such As for anybody who is thinking of as junior Kimi Camara. Camara said getting an ask.fm in the future Krull one of the main things that appeals said, “Don’t do it because it’s dumb to him about the site is the ability to and it’s a pathway for bullying.”
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Derek Seidl
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Feature 5
Swoverland steps down Levi Kipke Staff Writer
WHAT HAPPENED: After a coaching career that spanned more than 20 years in Dexter, varsity basketball coach Randy Swoverland quit his coaching job on Monday, Oct. 28. He officially announced he was stepping down after a week of isolating himself from interactions with his students and players. Swoverland declined to be interviewed about his resignation or the incident.
THE INITIAL INCIDENT: Seidl had just finished stretching. Two days previously, he had gone home exhausted after a tough workout. Now, he knew that he was about to be doing heavy lifting. Then Swoverland told the team that they part of their workout that day would be running sprints. But Seidl told Swoverland that sprints were a bad idea because the team had open gym that night. “We finished up what we were doing, then he came over and yelled at me,” Seidl said. “I deserved to be yelled at, though, for speaking out like that in front of everyone. He wasn’t happy about what I said. I thought it would be over after that day.”
THE RESULT: Seidl and Swoverland have known each other for years. But in the days following the incident between the two, Seidl said Swoverland stopped talking to him both during basketball and during school, where Swoverland teaches Seidl’s gym class. “I was more confused and unsure than anything,” Seidl said. “I didn’t really know what was going on. I could tell that something was wrong and assumed it had something to do with the incident. I didn’t think it was going to escalate like that.” So Seidl went to his dad, Matt Seidl, Swoverland’s friend and former assistant coach. Matt texted Swoverland to set up a meeting to talk about what was going on. But according to Matt, Swoverland didn’t answer the text in 24 hours, so Matt went to the next level. “I went to Bavineau and Moran, just moving up the chain of command,” Matt said. “I didn’t ask for him to be fired, I didn’t ask for him to resign, I just wanted to bring attention to what I thought was not the right way to be treating kids.” After the meeting, Derek said that his interactions with Swoverland beginning to return to normal. Then, all of a sudden, Swoverland called a team meeting, where he
promptly told the team he was quitting, then left. Swoverland mentioned the incident between he and Derek, and said that due to the circumstances, he was no longer able to coach the team. “I think it was something that built up and this was just the last straw,” Matt said. “He was looking for a reason. I wish he would have took ownership of that instead of implying that it was one person or one thing, but so be it. Under stress people do weird things.” Swoverland talked to Derek one-on-one the next day. “Essentially, he felt like the team wasn’t buying in to what he was doing,” Derek said. “He thought that the incident between him and I was a sign that he was losing the team. The incident was the tipping point, because he didn’t know how the team was supposed to buy in if the captain wasn’t.”
Photo Credit: Mallory Martin
Former coach Randy Swoverland instructs his player from the sideline during a game last year against Willow Run. Swoverland resigned on Monday, Oct. 8 and is replaced by interim head coach Tim Fortescue.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: With no coach, going into the final two weeks before tryouts, the boys basketball team was facing a serious problem. “I think it’s difficult to lose a coach, especially so soon before a season,” Athletic Director Mike Bavineau said. “I feel confident that we’ll be able to put a qualified coach in place to be able to help the boys basketball program. You obviously want to keep some continuity, something that the boys are comfortable with.” Any time a coach quits or resigns, the Athletic Department is required to post the position first to members of the Dexter Education Association, the teachers’ union. In this case, the request was submitted on a shortened deadline because of how soon the season is approaching. “We weren’t really looking for an interview process,” Bavineau said. “After posting internally to see if any DEA members were interested in the job, we decided that (former JV coach) Tim Fortescue would be able to fill the role.” Fortescue was offered the job as interim varsity coach
Oct. 29, after Bavineau met with him to talk about planning for the season. Bavineau said he wanted to keep Fortescue informed as the situation developed. “Based on what I saw last year, Fortescue is very good at managing team chemistry,” Bavineau said. “He knows what each player’s skills and strengths are, and he uses them to their full potential. He’s good at defining roles on the team.” Fortescue said his goal is for his players to work hard and enjoy doing it. “As a coach, I try to bring a lot of positive energy to my players each day,” he said. “I want the team to work hard, set goals, and enjoy the experience of high school basketball.” And Derek, though initially surprised by Swoverland resigning, is hopeful about the coming season. “I completely respect Swoverland’s decision and am not mad at him at all for it,” Derek said, “but I’m excited for the upcoming season with Fortescue taking over. It’ll be new and different. It’ll be challenging, but in the end I think it will be fun and we can have a successful season.”
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Sports 6
New concussion regulations impact athletes Jon LeBlanc Staff Writer
Cam Winston went in for a tackle against Fowlerville on Aug. 29. After the play, a Fowlerville player hit Winston in the head, and Winston fell to the ground. He laid there unconscious and knocked out for several minutes with a concussion. “I felt confused and dizzy and had to remember what happened,” Winston said. Concussions like the one Winston received can result in severe long term effects on a teen’s brain and affect their everyday life. The Michigan Sports Concussion law enacted on June 30 requires all high school personnel involved in youth activity to take and complete an online concussion training program. The law also makes all athletes and their parents sign a waiver that lists all the symptoms and signs of concussions and requires all coaches to take an athlete out of physical activity if the athlete has a concussion or concussion-like symptoms. In addition, all Dexter athletes have to take a Sport Photo Credit: Chris Burke Concussion Assessment before each season to see if Dexter varsity football players tackle a student from Tecumseh on Oct. 4. Concussions have been a common occurrence on the Dexter they have a concussion, which allows head athletic varsity football team. One of the many people to recieve concussions is number 16, senior Zach Hartmann. trainer Leah Gagnon and the rest of the athletic department to evaluate a player’s status and symptoms. “This allows us evaluate the player’s status,” Ga- much that they know what to look for and they know and play,” Burke said. “You can’t change your style gnon said. “They have to answer a series a questions what to hide.” of play because you’re afraid.” about their symptoms, and if they still experience This is something Gagnon notices to. While she Junior Michigan State wide receiver Keith symptoms of a concussion, they have to be monitored said it’s good young athletes are more aware of con- Mumphery has the same sort of mindset. Despite and evaluated by a doctor until cleared.” cussion symptoms, this also means they are better at receiving two concussions, he said he’s not going to Varsity football coach Ken Koenig said he puts a knowing how to cover up the symptoms too. change his style of play. high priority on athlete safety but “More athletes are start“You can’t go play this game (football) being wordoesn’t think the law will necessarily ing to know about concussions ried of getting hit,” Mumphery said. “You can’t go help prevent concussions. and the severity of it,” Gagnon into the game with that kind of mindset.” More athletes are start“You can’t legislate safety,” Koesaid. “It’s kind of a double-edge But Gagnon said these athletes really need to think ing to know about connig said. “It’s like wearing a seatbelt. sword though. More kids are about the long-term damage they could be doing to cussions and the severity The law requires you wear a seatbelt, becoming educated on the se- themselves including developing Chronic Traumatic of it. but people are still not going to wear verity of concussions, but at the Encephalopathy. a seatbelt.” same time, for the kids that all CTE is a progressive degenerative disease that is an - Leah Gagnon, head But Gagnon said the the new law they want to do is play, they are inflammation in the brain that can cause loss of train athletic trainer is a step in the right direction. now better educated on what to of thought, brain trauma, extreme anger and death. “I definitely thinks it’s imporhide.” And it’s the second hit an athlete takes after an initant,” Gagnon said. “For the last five years at least, Despite the law and potential long-term physical tial concussion that can be the most dangerous and I’ve required them to get a doctor’s notice anyways. effects, not all athletes are concerned about getting result in the most severe long-term effects. It’s no longer me just making that decision.” concussions. Senior Freddy Burke has had 11 concus“That first hit that he takes is when he is conFor Koenig, one of the most positive things the law sions and could be ruled out for the upcoming hockey cussed, that’s when the brain is damaged,” Gagnon does is raise student-athlete awareness of the symp- season because of this. said. “There’s more and more things showing that its toms and effects of concussions. But Burke still wants to play, even though he knows really that second hit that can seriously alter a kids “Our kids are very aware about the symptoms of the potential for long-term damage. life from that point forward.” concussions,” Koenig said. “They’re aware of it so “I really wanna play, but you gotta go out there
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Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Sports 7
Curing cancer one spike at a time Annual charity game especially important for Josie Dusack Zac Sharp
Staff Writer
Photo Credit: Ethan Kremkus
Senior Josie Dusack serves the ball at the 2013 Volley For a Cure game against Chelsea to help raise money for breast cancer research. Dexter won the first three games in a row on Oct. 22, winning the match. All money raised from the game went to the non-profit Susan G. Komen Organization.
In the fourth grade senior Josie Dusack sat down at the dinner table not expecting news that would affect her entire childhood. This was the day that Dusack discovered that her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I didn’t understand how serious it really was,” Dusack said. “I never saw that death was really an option. I saw it as, ‘Oh my mom is sick. She’ll get better soon.’” But Charlene Dusack, Josie’s mom, said she thinks that Josie had a more difficult time understanding the implications of her sickness than she realizes. “Since she was very young she didn’t quite understand how serious the situation was, Charlene said. “However, she did see the impact of my surgeries and chemotherapy.” With the Dusack family’s experience with the disease, this year’s Volley For a Cure, a volleyball game between Dexter and Chelsea to help raise money for breast cancer research, represented more than just a game to them. The game, which took place on Oct. 22, saw student sections from both schools pack the stands to watch the game. Dexter swept Chelsea, winning the first three games in a row to win the match. All money raised by Volley for a Cure went to the Michigan Affiliate Susan G. Komen Organization, a non-profit group that raises money to help fight breast cancer. “I like being able to help raise money to find the cure for breast cancer because that means in the future, other women won’t have to get it,” said Josie, who is a member of the volley-
(734) 426-4621
ball team. “Also, I have a higher risk of getting it. If helping finding a cure means that I won’t get breast cancer, then my kids and family won’t have to go through what I went through.” And Charlene is proud of her daughter for participating in an event like this. “I’m very proud of her passion to help raise money to find a cure so that other women do not have to experience breast cancer,” she said. For Josie, the opportunity to get her classmates involved in such a personally important cause was one of her favorite parts of the event. “I think it’s important for the school to help raise money for people who are affected by breast cancer because it shows that it’s not just the people who are affected by breast cancer who care about it,” Josie said. “The school helps get their students and staff members through it and it’s comforting to know there are people you can go to for help.” Head volleyball coach Deanna Day agrees. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the girls to think about something that’s bigger than them,” Day said. “These girls are 18, 17 and 16 years old, and I think Volley for a Cure is a great way for them to start seeing the bigger picture of life.” With the importance of this game to both Josie and her mother, the feeling of victory after this particular game is something that will stick with Josie for a long time. “It was the best feeling in the world,” Josie said. “We had already lost to them twice this season so they thought that they had it in the bag, but we came out stronger than ever to win a game that meant so much to me.”
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Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Spread 8
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Spread 9
Superintendent’s marketing campaign looks to social media and advertising to give identity to community Scott Rogers
THE PURPOSE
New Superintendent Chris Timmis said he didn’t want to wait to settle in. He didn’t want to take a year or two to figure out the system to see if he liked where he had ended up. Instead he decided it was time to take charge and make a change by kicking off a district-wide marketing campaign using one central theme: “Dread Strong.” He said the goal of the campaign is to get the community involved with the schools and give them an opportunity to recognize excellence in Dexter. “You need to have some kind of common brand that everyone understands, something to draw people back in and celebrate what is really great about where they live and where they go to school,” Timmis said. And he said a brand like Dread Strong offers Dexter a chance to grow into one of the best school districts in the state and even the nation. “We’re really good right now,” Timmis said, “but we have so much potential, and we can do some incredible things for students and for the community. In order to do that you need some kind of theme to work around, something that’s common.” Right now, in the early stages of the campaign, Dread Strong consists of a variety of methods of spreading the message, including yard signs and a Facebook page. These media are used to give a slogan to the community and instill a sense of pride. “We have those things, but it can’t be hidden,” Timmis said. “It can’t just be on T-shirts. It can’t just be when students walk in the building. It should be out there, so that people it every neighborhood can say, ‘We feel a lot of pride in our school, and we want to make sure everybody knows.’ ” But social media is where Timmis believes Dread Strong will really take off. “The Facebook presence gives us the opportunity to just celebrate good things,” he said. “It’s not necessarily the school’s site,” he said. “It engages alumni, and it engages community members. It focuses on one common experience that everybody has: they all went to Dexter schools.” While Dread Strong has been built from scratch this year, Timmis said it can grow into something much more significant within our district in the coming years. He said, “We’re gonna build a strategic plan over the next few months Photo Credit: Sam Musgrove that’ll talk about what we’re gonna look like as a school district in the next 5-10 years, and it will be trying to really become one of the best school dis- On Friday , Oct. 18, Dread Strong signs stood out by the entrance to the football field. As a part of the tricts in the country.” Dread Strong campain, many students were given signs to display in their yards. As far as what defines a terrific school district, he says he doesn’t know exactly what it would look like. However, he said Dread Strong gives the district The idea began as a simple way to unify the athletic department and create the chance to find out by opening the conversation to everyone. a common mindsight. “We were trying to create this new culture and this new “It won’t be what I think,” Timmis said. “It’s what the community identity,” Bavineau said. thinks. DreadStrong opens the doors.” After the process began, Bavineau said it simply kept moving forward. He said, “We got the new logo and just thought, ‘OK, where do we go from here?’” “We wanted a new slogan,” Bavineau said. “Something that could capture who we are not only as an athletic department but as student-athletes and as While Timmis said he plans for Dread Strong to grow into a much wider kids in our school. Michigan has ‘Go Blue’ and Alabama has ‘Roll Tide,’ so scope and purpose than it currently possesses, athletic director Mike Bavineau what’s Dexter?” said it has already exceeded his original expectations. Bavineau thought about having a standard, common phrase like “Go
THE COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
Bavineau and Timmis both have high ambitions for the Dread Strong campaign. But what does the community think? Doug Smith, the initial designer of the Dread Strong logo, has been following the operation since its beginning. In addition to simply making the logo, Smith is a DHS graduate of 1990, has two children in the Dexter school system, and is very involved with many community organizations and programs. He said he has supported Dread Strong since it began and likes the direction it’s going in. “You can have parents, alumni, businesses and anyone else who loves Dexter Schools all showing their support together,” Smith said. Like many Dexter residents, the most visibly apparent component for Smith has been the arrival of Dread Strong yard signs. Smith said, “I know there’s always been a tradition of yard signs for certain sports, but having one sign and one campaign that everyone can be involved in is a big plus.” “It’s great to drive around town or out of town in any direction and even when you get a couple miles away, you’ll still see a Dread Strong sign by someone’s driveway,” Smith said. “It just makes you think that it’s everywhere, and that’s pretty awesome.” Smith doesn’t believe the advertising or the Dread Strong program as a whole, are the end of Timmis’ plans to improve the school district. “I know Superintendent Timmis has a lot of really great ideas and a focus on community support for our schools,” Smith said. “I think the Dread Strong campaign is just the start of some really cool stuff. I’m proud to be a Dexter alum and I’m proud to be a part of this.”
THE DREAD STRONG CAMPAIGN
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Dreads.” But when he thought of Dread Strong, he immediately fell in love with it. “Dread Strong sounds like something you’d want to be a part of,” he said. Dread Strong seems to Bavineau like something the entire district could build around. “It’s a way for the community, the school, the students, regardless of age or grade, it’s something they can be a part of,” he said. “I hope it becomes sort of like a sense of pride.”
NUMBER OF SIGNS OUTSIDE OF THE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME
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Staff Writer
You need to have some kind of common brand that everyone understands, something to draw people in and celebrate what is really great about where they live and where they go to school. -Dr. Timmis, Superintendent
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE @DreadStrong Followers: 41 Tweets: 62
3 MILLION WEBSITES INTEGRATE WITH TWITTER
THE GROWTH
Photo Credit: Sam Musgrove
New Dread attire was sold at Senior night. Clothing with the older logo was sold nearby for lower prices.
Dread Strong Likes: 1,414
OVER 100 SHIRTS HAVE BEEN SOLD ONLINE T-SHIRT PRICES: $25 (ADULT) $20 (YOUTH) https://dexterhsspiritwear.itemorder.com
CCOUNT TWITTER A OCT. 4TH ON STARTED OF AVERAGE K S PER WEE 15 TWEET
TRONG #DREADS F A TOTAL O TWEETED 84 TIMES CEBOOK JOINED FA R 5TH E SEPTEMB & 63 POSTS TOTAL OF S 48 PHOTO E ARE 83 PEOPL BOUT THIS TALKING A PAGE
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Interactive Spread 10
THE FIVE BY FIVE Kathleen Niedermeier Freshman
Joe Molloy and Derek Seidl Staff Writers
Ashley Sobczak Sophomore
Sara Griffith Senior
Wiz Khalifa Rapper
I don’t drink Starbucks.
I don’t drank starbuck$. I drank dolla billz.
A bunch. Two. They’re very comfy with midcalfs.
Technically zero. I go with the Fuggs (Fake Uggs).
I have 27 pairs of Fuggs #TAYLORGANG.
I don’t have one, but I guess I should.
Used to be on a daily basis. I got it under control now though.
I stopped using Pinterest. I only use Tumblr. I love to
“I Kissed A Girl.” I used to jam to that!
“Roar” because I think of myself as a strong, independent lion.
I’m still mad at Katy. I wasn’t featured in I Kissed A Girl. I like kissin’ girls too!
I don’t watch football. I don’t like football.
A football team.
Ravens. Ta-hahaha.
Joie Graves Junior
What do you like to drink at Starbucks? Pumpkin Spice Latte during this time of year.
Pumpkin Spice Latte like every day.
Strawberry and Cream Frappe. I would go a lot more if one was closer.
2.)many Question How pairs of Ugg boots do you have? Do you want more? Just one. I would love more.
I think four. Yeah, I want more.
How often do you check your Pinterest? I don’t have one.
I used to every day, but no one uses Pinterest anymore.
What’s your favorite Katy Perry song? “Teenage Dream.” I just always liked it.
“California Gurls.” It makes me feel special inside.
Who won the Super Bowl last year? I have no idea. I don’t watch football.
Heck if I know.
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POSSIBLE IS EVERYTHING.
Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences | Engineering | Management
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Q uestion & A nswer
Where do you want to do the interview and why? We have to do the interview in the elevator just to make sure that we are not being watched and/or listened to. I’m probably on at least a few watch lists by now. How do you like to spend your free time? Oh, now you’re setting me up. I know what this is. I enjoy sitting in my arm chair in silken robes reading novels. I enjoy reading all manners of obscure literature on all types of things. Anything interesting going on that you know about? Conspiracies? Conspiracies, dangit. This is my problem with you people. These are not conspiracies. This is real stuff. The NSA stuff I’m concerned about is real stuff. Sixty million people in Spain, they tapped their phones. Why are they tapping people’s phones in Spain? We shouldn’t be tapping foreign phone lines.They shouldn’t even be listening to our phone calls. Any good books that you’ve read recently? I’m currently reading “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner. Good book, very nice book. I’m also reading “Confessions of an English Opium Eater.” Also a good book. There’s plenty of good books. You can come to my library. I have my own personal library. You can check out a book. What is your opinion on high school education? Oh, no! Don’t screw with me, man. I think formal education in its current state is complete crap. Having said that, I don’t have any other ideas to educate the masses, so I suppose it works for the vast majority of people. But I think it’s pretty stupid. They make me take all these classes that I’m never going to use. I should be able to go into high school, take the classes I’m interested in and get out. That’s not the case. Everyone just wants to get into the prestigious college. It’s ridiculous.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Interactive Spread 11
With Robert Pap (in the elevator) How do you feel about our generation? Oh, well, for the record, I think we’re completely doomed. I mean it’s not just our generation. Previous generations are also screw-ups, but I think our particular generation is just absolutely doomed. We’re completely apathetic. We’re blessed with the Internet. Do you know what the Internet is? You have the entirety of human knowledge in a little tiny thing in your pocket, and somehow we still manage to be a bunch of (idiots). I don’t understand it. We’re doomed. Are you involved in any clubs? Yes. Actually, it’s not actually a club, but I am actually sort of on the student committee of the SRSLY program, which is the anti-substance abuse program in Dexter. We feel it’s our job to address the serious drug problem that is plaguing our community. Who is your favorite teacher at Dexter High School? Why? Mrs. Marsh, Mr. Oesch, Mr. Konnett. I like teachers that actually care about the learning in school and not just the points on the spreadsheet. What are your plans for college? I’m still thinking about it, but in my personal opinion, universities are a gigantic waste of time and money. If I could get into a university, I would seriously have to think about it just based on a pure economic viewpoint. Is it really worth the absurd amount of money you’re paying for a piece of paper that doesn’t even guarantee you a job? I may take a couple classes at community college. What are you hoping to do once you complete your education? I would like to make movies. I’d like to write things, possibly journalism. I don’t know though. I’d like to hunt the dinosaur in the jungle. I’m sure I’ve already went on about that. I’d like to be a pirate, preferably a space pirate. I can’t decide if a normal pirate or a space pirate would be better, but a space pirate would be pretty awesome. Do you consider yourself interesting? Not exactly, no. I think some people might consider me interesting just because I’m actually really stupid. I’m just good at pretending to look interesting, but I’m not interesting. It’s just a lot of people are really dull so I stand out. And I’m kind of a hipster. I pride myself on nonconformism to the man and society. It’s getting really hot in this elevator.
How to find the right kind of girl Opinion by Joe Molloy and Derek Seidl Staff Writers One of the hardest things to get a grasp on when you’re a high school boy is what type of girl to date. Because of my wealth of experience in this field, most people refer to me as “The Expert.” As for any of you needy women who are not too sure how to reel in the big fish, this is your inside look at what guys are looking for in their girl. The first step to finding the right girl is to classify the prospects. There are plenty of different types of girls out there, and it is difficult to sift through them and find the good ones. The best place to start is on the extremes. On one side of the scale we have what people call “ratchets.” Boys, I’m just going to get right to it. If you have a ratchet woman, you may want to ditch that chick and find a new one. None of you wants to be known as the guy who dates that crazy ratchet. Plus you really don’t want to deal with all her ratchetness anyways. If you don’t know if your girl is ratchet or not, there are some red flags that you should keep a look out for: 1. If she listens to Nicki Minaj or Gucci Mane in a serious manner, she might be a rachet. Not only does Nicki make ratchet music, she is a ratchet herself. She is essentially the ratchet queen. I’m sorry Nicki, starships just weren’t meant to fly. And Gucci is the ratchet king. Not only is naming yourself Gucci ratchet, but so is having an ice cream cone with sprinkles on top tattooed on your face. 2. If she wears leggings with holes or rips in them, she might be a rachet. The problem does not lie in the wearing
of leggings. Every guy loves when his girl wears leggings. It is those revealing tears and rips that send things over the deep end. 3. If she uses the words, “Yolo,”“Doe,” “Nahhh,” “Dat,” “Thuggin’,” or “Mula” in her texts, she might be a rachet. Exit out of that text and never look back. If she can’t grasp the general English language, then she doesn’t deserve your gracious gift. Warning: If she texts you “Heyyyyyyyy!!! (insert emoji)” she is not a ratchet. She is just intrigued, so go to work. So you may be thinking, “Oh this is easy. I just have to look for the opposite of a ratchet.” Well, I’m sorry to break it to you, but that might not be much better. If you think your girl looks real cute skipping into school in her bright white sundress with a pretty little flower in her hair, you’re wrong. The thing with the stereotypical preppy girls is that they aren’t always sweet and innocent. Even when you are with them one-on-one you still can’t tell them your secrets. They have some weird connection with their fellow girlfriends that makes it so that they always tell each other everything. It makes no sense, but it’s still important to understand and remember. Getting into a relationship wit h this kind of girl also tends to end poorly. I guarantee that there are a handful of
Illustration Credit: Brittany Byma
oddities with every preppy girl that you don’t see coming until they pop up out of nowhere. An example of this is how they progressively become more needy and ask for many more things the deeper you get into a relationship with them. Essentially it’s just important to keep in mind exactly what you might be getting yourself into. Always keep an eye out for bad tendencies that will hurt the relationship. The one last tip that I will leave you with is always get them large presents, they will definitely fall for that and it will help you because you’ll then get big presents in return.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Opinion 12
forever my girl
Find it in your heart to love Miley like I do
Cameron LaFontaine
Editor in chief
I was in bed, eating my peanut butter Pop Tart and a glass of cold milk when I checked my Twitter feed late on Aug. 25 during the VMA’s. And then I saw them. Tweets that I couldn’t handle. Everybody hatin’ on Miley. “LOL WTF MILEY WTF.” “Ew Miley WTF.” “Miley you have no booty WTF ew.”
Well you know what? I don’t hate Miley. Miley may be on a bit of a roller coaster at the moment but she’s fantastic. So stop hating. I’ve loved Miley since her first season of “Hannah Montana,” and I’ll love her until the last season of “Real Housewives of LA” or whatever trashy reality show she ends up on at the end of her career. Miley first was put on the map with Disney Channel’s, “Hannah Montana” which happens to be one of the best TV shows ever. The show brought me laughs and pure joy as a young girl lived a double life that I could only dream of, just trying to make the best of both worlds. Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart taught us that we can be whoever we want to be with songs like “Who Says,” “Rockstar,” “I
Got Nerve” and “Life’s What you Make It.” Once Miley was done with Disney Channel, I was crushed. But then there was a sign of hope. Miley starred in my favorite chick flick ever and started her new music career with a bang. “Party in the U.S.A.” quickly made its way onto my MP3 device, where it stayed on its own playlist for weeks. I repetitively listened to “Party in the U.S.A.” until I had it memorized both forward and backward. With genius lyrics such as, “I put my hands up, they’re playin’ my song, the butterflies fly away. I’m noddin’ my head like Yeah! Movin’ my hips like Yeah!” this song was easy to love, sing along to and get super pumped up with. In fact, I usually listen to “Party in the U.S.A.” before all of my golf matches to pump up in preparation for some stern competition. Yes, recently, Miley has taken a rather eccentric, unhinged path as she decided to cut her hair short and dye it blonde. Yes, this is different, a bit erratic, but it’s no rea-
son to hate. Miley is doing something we like to call in the celebrity business “a publicity stunt.” She is gaining unheard of attention in order to promote her new album “Bangerz” featuring amazing songs like “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball.” She began a consistent streak of twerking whether it be in music videos or on Robin Thicke on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards. Miley is attracting public attention and many haters in the process. But I’m here to tell you haters to stop being so jealous. Miley is making millions off every weird thing she does. When you twerk, you can’t even make a dime. Miley is amazing. She’s already been Hannah Montana and the new Miley Cyrus we see today. I’m here to ask you to find it in your heart to love Miley and remember that no matter how angry she makes you, love her. She’s forever my girl.
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Editorial 13
Our view: The government should be more bipartisan
Due to a lack of bipartisanship, with Democrats on one side and Republicans on the other, Congress could not pass spending bills to fund the government, resulting in its shutdown from Oct. 1 through Oct. 17. Bipartisanship—the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that generally oppose each other’s policies—is a government rarity that needs to become the norm. Republicans were willing to pass spending bills so long as they defunded The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. And Democrats were willing to pass spending bills so long as Obamacare remained intact. With this standoff, many government functions grinded to a halt: National Parks were closed, food inspections in the U.S. as well as abroad were suspended,
discrimination charges were not investigated and passport requests were not processed. Some people were not able to buy groceries as they no longer had access to food stamps. To the credit of negotiations between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, after three weeks the government was able to reopen. That in itself is an example of how bipartisanship can be reached through finding common ground or reaching a compromise, and we believe that is exactly what the government needs. Bipartisanship has been a part of the United States since its formation. It can be seen in the works as early as the Great Compromise where the Federalists and the Anti-federalists were able to agree on a system for dual congressional representation. In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as the McCain-Feingold Act, passed to regulate the financing of political
campaigns. Though bipartisanship is not lost, the longer time has gone on, the more partisan the government has become. And it’s only getting worse. As a result of excessive partisanship, the government shutdown left small businesses in a world of hurt, unable to get necessary loans from the government. In addition, it left people newly eligible for Social Security without aid as there was no one to process their claims. And also without aid, federal employees missed paychecks. Though not on the same level as the government shutdown in terms of consequences, immigration reform and progress on gun control legislation have been gridlocked because of partisan bickering as well. Though partisanship is beneficial in that it keeps a political party true to its fundamental beliefs and values, the effects of such rigid boundaries prevent development and advancement. The government needs to be more bipartisan for the simple sake of progress. Differing opinions and perspectives are a part of any government. But being able to overcome such partisanship through communication and compromise is a part of any successful government. Currently the United States is a leading world power. However, if Congress remains partisan—remains at a continual stalemate— we are subjecting ourselves as a country to be a society of no change and no progress. And that’s certainly a recipe for disaster.
What do the editors think? Gov. should be more bipartisan
Gov. should stay the same
Gov. should be less bipartisan
Should our government be more bipartisan? “In a perfect system they should, but it is not a perfect system”
Jack Schneider, freshman
“The two sides will never agree anyway, so they should stick to what they believe.”
Sarah Lynch, sophomore
“They should stick to their own beliefs because that’s what they think.”
Luke Taylor, junior
“Yes, because they should compromise and work together so decisions can be made. “
Natalie Williams, senior
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall News 14
Down for the count
Government shutdown affects local families Noah Mellifont Staff Writer
THE COMPOSITION OF
Mary and Rich Cook recently found themselves with an unexpected vacation. But not one they necessarily wanted. Both work for the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA, a government agency in charge of protecting human health and the environment, stopped running once the government shut down. Because of this, the Cooks had to stay home and wait until Congress found a solution to the shut down. “It hasn’t been too bad,” their daughter Jessi, a freshman, said. “It’s just a hassle for my parents not being at work. They also have to go fill out an unemployment form, and that’s really been a hassle.” “Not much changed around the house. My parents were just concerned and stressed. They actually got a lot done around the house,” their son Ian, a junior, said. “It wasn’t all bad.” Every year, both houses of Congress must pass the federal budget for the government’s fiscal year which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Once Oct.1 came around and no funding bill was passed, many government jobs went on hiatus. For the Cooks this shutdown caused more questions than answers. “The government shutdown introduced a level of uncertainty
REPUBLICANS VS DEMOCRATS IN THE
232 200 HOUSE
46
52
SENATE
to our lives,” Mary said, and wanted to make it clear that her views don’t represent the views of the EPA or the federal government. “When would our next paycheck be coming? How should this affect our spending decisions? Should we be applying for unemployment and getting our resumes ready for a job search?” In addition, neither Rich nor Mary were receiving income. “Fortunately, we had saved a bit of money in the bank, so we had a financial ‘cushion’ of cash to rely on without having to break into our retirement savings or other investments,” Mary said. “It did not create an emergency situation.” And although both parents may have been temporarily unemployed, that didn’t mean they stopped working. “We filed for unemployment and got our resumes updated and sent them to a few workplaces,” Mary said. “Filing for unemployment is a time-consuming and tedious process involving many websites, forms, government s t a f f , contractors and office visits.” Finally, on Oct. 17, the two houses reached a budget agreement. But Mary thinks there are still problems with the way Congress handles its fiscal issues. “We also wonder if we will have to shut down again when the current continuing resolution that Congress passed to temporarily fund the government runs out in mid-January,” she said. “If Congress does not agree on continuing to fund the government by then, we will once again have our programs come to a screeching halt, and will have to stop progress in protecting the environment and human health. In my personal opinion, that’s no way to run a country, and not a very fine way of trying to do your job.”
23
CHAMPIONSHIPS
“18
Photo credit: PublicDomainPictures
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Infographic 15
State ions Champ
6 -3-1 OVERALL RECORD - FALL SPORTS 2013
LOSSES
WINS
STRAIGHT ”
7
CHAMPIONSHIPS
“18
Photo Credit: Simanek
TIES
WINNING STREAKS
STRAIGHT”
VS The historic rivalry between the Dexter Dreadnaughts and the Chelsea Bulldogs has been around ever since we can remember. The real question is, who is winning, and why? We have divided the schools up into several categories, including sports, academics, and the schools themselves. Who comes out on top? That’s for you to decide.
GRADUATION RATE
92.5
PERCENT
PERCENT STUDENT
TEACHER
20 : 1
91
PAST FOUR YEARS
94%
1215
TOTAL STUDENTS
RATIO
23.2 ACT AVERAGE
SCORE
6%
MINORITY
TOTAL STUDENTS
874
STUDENT
TEACHER
18 : 1 RATIO
22.2 ACT AVERAGE
SCORE
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 The Squall Photostory 16
Martians take over Dexter Photo Credit: Katie Vontom
The radio booth, representing Orson Wells’ radio show during the War of the Worlds broadcast in 1938, was used by student actors during the performance. Left to right: Tony Argiero, Kurtis Hansen, Tyrus Caldwell, Maddie Frieseman, Sydney Eisele, Micaela Hanrath, Emiliano Frescedore, and Christian Kunitz.
After the last production, the cast and crew of Martians Over Brooklyn go to strike, a mandatory part of any production for cast, crew, and pit. Striking means tearing down the set, cleaning up the stage and any other place that needs to be cleaned after a show. Here, cast and crew wait in line to put their scrap wood in the scene shop on Sunday, Oct. 27. Photo Credit: Isabelle Sinibaldi
Photo Credit: Katie Vontom
Liz Onesti, head of sound for Martians Over Brooklyn, prepares the sound board for the show. This is Onesti’s third time being the head of sound for a production.
Junior Serina Szydlowski does the make-up of freshman Owen Brooks. Szydlowski is on the costumes and make-up crew. Photo Credit: Katie Vontom
Senior Lee Cannarella, who usually does lights for the drama club productions, helps clean up the cat walk during strike on Oct. 27. “It’s a lot of hard work, but for me it pays off because I’m afraid of the stage. It’s how I contribute,” Cannarella said. Photo Credit: Katie Vontom
James Fischer, current Dexter Drama Club President, potrays Pop in the fall production of Martians Over Brooklyn. “Pop is the funniest character I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. It was especially rewarding as an actor to play someone so completely different from myself,” Fischer said. Photo Credit: Katie Vontom
Cast members take their final bow. Left to right: Havah Roussel, Noah Morrill, Mariah Colby, Dan Laird, Holland Bisson, James Fischer, Tyrus Caldwell, Sydney Kleinholz, Owen Brooks, and Sarah Fuller. Photo Credit: Katie Vontom