rost1-9

The Rostrum

Senior Spread - Pages 4 & 5 Senior Whiteboard - Page 8 May 21, 2008 - Volume I - Issue 9 - Dexter High School - 2200 N. Parker Road - Dexter, MI 48130

2STAFF

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

PLAYLIST Ryan Aliapoulios arts editor

You can close your eyes James Taylor “It’s just one of those simple, beautiful songs.”

- Katie Johnson, features editor

If it Kills Me Jason Mraz “This song has Mr. A-Z’s usual sassy lyrics and smooth melody.”

-Michelle Chirby, copy editor

Needle in the hay Elliot Smith “This song is really simple and easy to listen to. ” -Heather Siller, news editor

Never had a friend like me Tupac “Reminds me of the good times with the few I know I can count on.”

-Charlie Pettit sports editor

Time to pretend MGMT “It screams, ‘Maria Brundage.’”

-Maria Brundage copy editor

The Rostrum

trends

Plaid the new fad Brent Muse staff writer

Early last year junior Jake Stacey started to wear plaid shorts after seeing them in many stores around the mall. “Nobody wore them last year when I started to wear plaid, but now just about everyone wears plaid shorts,” Stacey said.

Plaid is a Scots language word that means blanket type of design that was started in Scotland and Britain, and it was worn on the shoulders of Scottish Highlanders. The earlier form of a kilt was the belted plaid that was worn around the waist with a belt and usually cast over the shoulders.

This outfit was worn over a shirt and served as an all-weather outfit that could be used as a blanket or a bedroll for sleeping outside. But now girls have shirts, shorts and skirts available in plaid. And boys often wear plaid shirts and shorts.

Junior Alli Barthol, for example, has and he said has about eight or nine pairs two pairs of plaid shorts and a plaid of them.

Junior Alex Bercu also wears plaid skirt that she got from American Eagle a few years ago. “I started wearing plaid shorts, and he said he got all four of his shorts from American in eighth grade,” Eagle because he likes she said. “I wear them the best out of all it because all of the brands. “I wear of the cool kids I started wearing plaid shorts because wear plaid.” they are stylish, and I’m Barthol also plaid in eighth always stylish,” Bercu said she likes grade. I wear it said. “I started wearwhen guys wear because all of the ing them last year when plaid and thinks cool kids wear plaid.”

I saw them in American it is sexy.

Eagle, and now I wear In the 1990s them all the time.” plaid clothing -Alli Barthol, Bercu also said plaid started becomjunior shorts are great for golfing popular along ing, and he always wears with f lannel, but it wasn’t until a few years ago when this them when he plays. Plaid shorts have fad hit Dexter. Now plaid shorts are become very popular among high school sold in almost every clothing store with students lately, and the trend seems to many different styles of plaid along with be growing rapidly. They can be worn with just about any clothes, and many many different colors.

Stacey said he gets his plaid shorts students say they are perfect for playing from either Pac Sun or American Eagle, golf and hanging out in the sun.

“

Dual-enrollment expands student horizons Cassandra Hall staff writer

Some are interested in learning about a subject not offered at Dexter High School.

Others have already exhausted every class in their chosen field. For whatever reason, about a dozen DHS students dual-enroll at local colleges each year.

Senior James Priestley, for example, has taken technology, humanities and mathematics courses at Eastern Michigan University, along with calculus at Washtenaw Community College. “Dual-enrolling enables students to enhance their education beyond the standard limitations of high school,” he said. “By dual-enrolling, I am able to take math and history courses that are not offered at DHS or do not fit into my schedule.”

Guidance counselor Gerry Holmes said being able to take different classes is one of the biggest advantages of dual-enrollment. “Students are able to take courses that we don’t offer here, and we’ll pay for

them,” she said. “If a student wants to take an evening course or a weekend course, they can.”

On the other hand, Holmes said students should only dual-enroll if they have exhausted the curriculum at DHS. “They shouldn’t take it as a replacement course to avoid a teacher here,” she said. “We won’t pay for it if it’s the same.”

Priestley agreed.

“Underclassmen can’t dual-enroll because of the necessity for one to provide one’s own transportation,” he said. “Also, WCC won’t allow you to attend until you’re a sophomore. EMU doesn’t until you’re a junior.”

And for students planning to transfer dual-enrollment credits to their college of choice, there is something else to keep in mind. “Some colleges will not accept transfer credit,” Holmes said. “At the University of Michigan, if you use it for your 22 credits to graduate at DHS, you can’t use it for U of M.” Also, it is impossible for dual-enrolling students to be sure that they will get a

high-quality teacher. Priestley said he did at EMU. “Two of my EMU professors had doctorates, so they were more than wellqualified,” he said. “Classes were very formal, and teachers exceeded standard expectations.”

Priestley said he learned from materials that would never be introduced in a high school setting. “One of my professors had the class read and watch graphic materials as a way of revealing the world as it is,” he said. “We saw a video of what the nuclear bombs did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

However, he had less positive experiences at WCC. “If I had only attended lectures without reading the text,” Priestley said, “I would have failed to grasp any of the basic concepts of the class.”

In short, he found his classes to be very different than the ones at DHS. “One of my teachers made references to the Sargasso Sea in a futile attempt to explain vector fields,” he said. “And another tended to favor awarding extra credit to maintaining a competent teaching style.”

The Rostrum

get involved

DHS the standard for GREEN

McKinley, the Environmental Club got to keep $288.

“Of the $288 we used $100 to donate towards the Green School program, $100 to the World Wildlife Federation to adopt a blue whale and also a polar bear and $88 towards the Children’s Eternal Rain forest,” she said.

However, those are not the only steps the Environmental Club took to becoming a Green School. “We also volunteered to help at the Department of Natural Resources, where seniors Felicity Burke and Laura photo courtesy of Katie McKinley Wolfe and sophomores Sarah Environmental club members include freshman Nick Hart, Adler and Nick Hart helped freshman Cecelia Burke, senior Felicity Burke, senior Erin Dagg, sophomore Devin Opp, adviser Katie McKinley. out,” McKinley said. “While there, we collected seeds of native wildflowers to help preserve native plant species found in prairies that have been replaced by invasive exotic species that were not originally part of the prairie ecosystem.”

And Burke found the experience a valuable one.

“It was really a sweet thing to do,” she said. “It only Sarah Arbikafard took a couple hours to do, and the seeds were really staff writer easy to pick and overall the whole experience was relaxing.”

Also, to help achieve Green School status, environmental club hosted two guest speakers. Kim Having always had a passion for the LeClair from U of M’s career service spoke to the environment and wanting to protect it, sciclub members about science careers and education ence teacher Katie McKinley found it perfect needed to get into those type of careers. to become adviser of the Environmental club According to Burke an other activity that took this year, and she said she is proud she helped place was taking recyclable items, such as old used the school become a Green School ink cartridges old cell phones and iPods throughout According McKinley, there are 10 tasks the schools and donating them to the program “Carsuggested by the state in order to become a tridges for Kids”.

Michigan Certified Green School. “We did a “I think that recycling these items is important fundraiser through the company ‘We Add Up’ to Dexter, because people don’t realize how many in which we sold organic T-shirts to help stop cartridges the school really goes through. And the global warming,” she said. school gets the money back for these things which Through selling the T-shirts the can be used for another cause,” Burke said. club raised a total of $1,444.

Through recycling items, hosting guest speakers, However, of the money selling organic T-shirts and many more activities raised, accordthe Environmental Club was able to achieve Green ing to School status. “I think the Green School for DHS is a huge deal,” Burke said. “But we have to prove why we deserve it every year, so we have to keep the effort going. Dexter is a growing town, and now we can be proud that both the middle school and high school are green schools.”

Illustration by Leah Gibson

3

Wednesday, May 21,2008

PTSG needs student involvement Patrick Ledwidge staff writer

When the district-wide Parent Teacher Organization collapsed two years ago, the high school was left with no way to raise money. This is how the new Parent Teacher Student Group formed.

The Parent Teacher Student Group began two years ago, as a way to get students more involved in the school. “The PTSG organization which replaced the PTO collapsed,” PTSG adviser Deborah Marsh said. According to Marsh, the PTO was a district-wide organization, and the PTSG is for the high school only, but the lack of participation has hindered the group.

“People at the high school still wanted an organization to help enrich the basic function because of their great ideas,” Marsh said. “The only real difference (between the PTO and the PTSG) is the name. We wanted to make sure the kids felt welcome to join so we changed the name.”

And Marsh said it is important students get involved with the PTSG. “They (students) can get involved by coming to meetings and participating in activities,” Marsh said. “They can benefit because everything we’re trying to do is intended to make the experience at DHS better for them.”

Junior Jasmine Injejekian is one of the three students in the PTSG. She agreed to join after Marsh asked her to.

Injejekian agrees with Marsh that the lack of participation is key to the organizations shortcomings. “It could be a really good organization, but because of the low student participation, it is not at the level it should be,” she said.

One thing that the PTSG is working on is a Career Day for students. “It is intended to introduce them to a variety of career choices,” Marsh said. “We’re hoping for all different businesses in town to send a person to present as well as people who live in our community who have interesting jobs.”

The Career Day will be May 30, during the first three hours of the school day from 8- 10:30 a.m. According to Marsh, there will be 55-60 individuals from a wide variety of careers present. “The more diversity we have present to our students, the more they’ll understand what kinds of jobs are out there,” Marsh said. “Our hope is for this to become a biannual event so that students are exposed to as many careers as possible linked directly with what they are studying in class.”

According to Marsh, even if a student does not see a presentation they wish to, they still have the opportunity to get that career information.

“They’ll have a handout, so that if a student heard that a particular career was being discussed, but wasn’t in that class, a student can pick up a form from that presenter for more information,” she said.

Marsh is also in the midst of other projects with the PTSG. “We are working on getting a district-wide directory made,” Marsh said. According to Marsh, the PTSG has also organized an Earth Day Clean Up of the school grounds.

Marsh said the success of the PTSG is solely based on the participation it receives. “We’re in out infant stages of an organization,” she said. “We really need more parents, teachers and students who are willing to organize and help out.

4

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Rostrum

the spread

Class of ‘08 carries legacy

Photo by Jeff Leonard

New seniors get hit hard by the scenery change Shatal Daratony staff writer

“I think we’re trouble makers, but “I think we came into the school as “We’re a class who really wants to the good kind that everyone likes the rowdiest class, and we should have fun and not be too serious.” and will remember.” leave the same way.”

-Mary Ann Vu -Chris Bryant -Sarah Burke smarter than any other graduating class.

Will we be remembered as the athletic editor-in-chief class? Maybe, but how deserving we are of the title is debatable. True, during our four years at DHS, seven state title banners have been added in the gym. But none of those can be written off as the sole accomplishment of one grade, rather as the accumulation of multiple grade’s talents and dedication.

Will we be remembered as troublemakers? Though it’s not a glamorous title, it may be as fitting as It’s impossible to define the class of 2008. No single word can sum up the any other. After all we have had our intricacies of every students’ personality mischievous moments. (A certain seventh or categorize what we’ve accomplished in grade lock in where a stink bomb was let off in the gym comes the last 13 years. to mind.) But for the As Assistant most part our acts Superintendent Mary of devilry have been Marshall, former The class of 2008 is innocent in nature. principal at Wylie, said, one of those that Still we have “The class of 2008 is had a healthy varino clear place, no one of those that had ety of students” distinction of who a healthy variety of we are. But perhaps students, rather than a -Mary Marshall, that’s because large group of students former Wylie we can’t measure who all tried to look or Principal ourselves against the act the same.” accomplishments of But if we are all so others. We can only different, so unique, gauge who we are what is our signifying quality? How will we be remembered against who we were. And disagree if you when we are gone to college and for the may, but who we were was nothing to be proud of. rest of our lives?

Prior to entering high school, we lacked Will we be remembered as the smart class? Doubtful. Not to say we don’t have direction. Select individuals may have our share of academic aficionados. But had a clue as to what was going on, but as it’s hard to argue that we are, as a whole, a group we were clueless.

Austin Shaperio

“

Now as we leave DHS for the last time as students, it’s hard to argue that we don’t know what we’re doing.

What changed in the four short years we spent at DHS is a mystery. Maybe the teachers finally pounded something into our heads. Maybe it was a natural maturation. Maybe it was the aliens. But something definitely changed and changed for the better.

So how do you define the class of 2008?

One word that could describe us is decent.

Not as in mediocre or average, but like a decent person.

We’re sure to make our mistakes, plenty of them in fact, but we will always be trying to right them.

Our maturity has skyrocketed over the last year. According to Principal Kit Moran a sense of the light at the end of the tunnel often brings out the best in seniors.

“I see it in seniors, a maturity,” Moran said. “They’ve got that ‘I just want to get out of here’ thing going on and then it turns to ‘what do I do now?’”

It may sound tacky and generic, but we’re ready. We’re ready to tackle whatever is in store for us.

There’s a good chance we’ll fall on our faces a couple times. Actually, it’s a certainty we will. But we’ll be OK. Then what is our claim to fame? Why are we special? For now, at least, we aren’t.

Our legacy is that we don’t have one.

But if the changes we’ve made in the last 10 years are any indication, we’ll definitely leave our mark some day.

It’s been real ‘08

The Rostrum

Moving to Dexter from Marion, Indiana during the last three weeks of his junior year was hard for senior Andrew McGriff.

“I made it in time for three weeks of my junior year at Dexter and stayed here all summer,” McGriff said. “It’s hard. You basically have to make a new life for yourself. It was scary, and I though it was going to suck, but it turned out alright.”

Although the move was difficult, McGriff said he did make a new life for himself and feels he has fit in fine.

“It was sh---y at first,” McGriff said about the move. “But then I started to meet people through sports and other activities. Football and baseball have allowed me to meet new people and make new friends.”

Even though McGriff said he likes Dexter and the people he has met, he can’t help but miss the people of his hometown.

“Sometimes I wish I went back to Indiana to go through my senior year with my friends there,” he said. “It is just different having to go through

my senior year here in a new place that I am still getting used to.”

Senior David Cooper also moved to Dexter around March 17 last year from Neuqua Valley High School in Illinois and had to start over like McGriff.

Although Cooper lived in Dexter in 1998 when he was in second grade, he said is was still different moving back.

“I had not seen anyone since second grade so it was still hard coming back to Dexter,” Cooper said. “Everyone was so different and changed. It was difficult at first but it was no biggie.”

Like McGriff, Cooper said he met a lot of new people through football.

“Football was a great opportunity for me to meet new people and make new friends,” he said.

And while Cooper said he does miss his old school and his friends he likes Dexter more.

“Everyone is different in Dexter,” he said. “People are more down-toearth and chill. At my old school everyone was very wealthy and uptight. Everyone is relaxed here and I like that.”

From to to

to

the spread

Lyons reminisces on his life in Dexter schools

Hunter Lyons U-page editor

photo by Leah Gibson

Strollin’ on by: Senior Andrew McGriff walks into school. McGriff moved to Dexter at the end of his senior year.

Pre-school

Elementary School

5

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Since I was old enough to remember, I have been a Dexter student. I’ve been in this district since I started school in the fall of 1994. I’m what we like to call a “lifer” or a “K12er.”

I went to Cornerstone the year it opened. I ran the Turkey Trot at Bates.

I played on Wylie Wonderworld. I attended seventh grade camp while at Mill Creek, and for the last four years I’ve spent my days in big ol’ DHS. I’ve been in this district for countless ordeals. I’ve been through bomb threats, teachers getting fired for sexual relations with students, girl fights, someone taking a deuce in the elevator, a janitor stealing things from students. The list goes on.

Everything I recollect in my life can somehow be brought back to Dexter schools. The worst moment of my life?

Having to watch the hockey team from the bench while I was suspended during the playoffs and watch our rival Chelsea score the game-winning goal in overtime.

And the best of my life? That next year against that same rival in the playoffs in overtime. But I was playing and scored this time. But today, when

I leave here, it will never be the same.

Something I’ve become so accustomed to my entire life will be done.

This is often referred to as “The next chapter in your life.” Well, if my life is anything like my school work, the last four years of which consisted of forgetting to read the first chapter and reading Spark Notes instead, I’m in trouble for the next few chapters.

Though I’m excited for the next phase in my life, a sense of fear still lingers in the back of my mind about whether I’d rather stay in high school.

Not that I want to be here forever, but I’ve got it pretty good.

I wake up and go to second hour because I’m tough and don’t have a first hour. Then I go to choir and sing (Yeah, that’s right, son, I’m in choir.)

Then I go to AP Gov that consists of discussing the Tigers and last night’s “Colbert Report.”

After that I go to lunch, which since were on the topic, I’d like to give a shout out to all my girls down in the cafeteria. You as much as anyone have made my experience in Dexter schools nothing short of phenomenal.

You have made some of the most incredible stromboli, chicken sandwiches, cheesy taco mac and cheeseburger pizzas I have ever had, never without its signature ingredient.

A little slice of love.

The rest of my day usually consists of listening to music in Intro to Media Lit and dominating the athletic scene in Lifetime Fitness. This is what I have to do every day, and I’m happy to say, though, I don’t mind getting up every morning.

The question still runs through my mind if I’m actually ready for the real

world. And not that fake stuff you see on MTV. Anyone with a sexual organ and tolerance of alcohol could be on that show. And I think I am.

High school doesn’t make immature students into mature ones. But the teachers do. The teachers I have had in the past four years have gone above and beyond. They’ve not only taught me the stuff any literate person could read in a textbook but have actually treated me like a human being while making class fun and interesting.

I came into this school thinking I was a hardass freshmen because I hung out with upperclassmen and had already kissed a girl. I leave DHS and believe I’m a somewhat intelligent person in society.

I’ve heard that with being a senior a considerable amount of wisdom is automatically placed on your shoulders. And now I’m going to spread some of this knowledge with a few tips on how to survive high school for you incoming freshmen and even you underclassmen who are trying to find your way.

1. Become friends with teachers, para pros, administration or anyone with a employee ID badge. I did this and not only has it helped me get out of trouble, but I’ve found there are some really nice people that work in this school district.

2. Don’t think you’re tough. OK, we all know you have a girlfriend that is so hot that you make out with and you wear a flat bill hat. I’m really not impressed.

3. Enjoy it. I’ve heard this 1,000 times and thought it was stupid every time I heard it, but it really does fly by.

Have a good one folks.

Exercising his vocal chords: Hunter Lyons attends a choir concert. As a senior he is still in choir.

Celebrating good times: Hunter Lyons and teammates celebrate a goal against rival Chelsea.

Middle school

HIGH SCHOOL

Havin’ a jolly ol’ time: Hunter Lyons walks into his first day of kindergarden.

photos courtesy of Hunter Lyons

6

puzzle page

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

What Year?

2 James Hetfield steps into a stage flame while performing in Montreal.

1

The Rostrum How to Play!

In the boxes below there are pictures of an event during the years seniors have been alive. In the blue box labeled “years” there’s a list of years.

Match the years with the pictures. Write the year in the orange circle.

Good Luck!

3

Tsunami rips through the Indian ocean and kills thousands.

Years 1992 1993 1997 1998

4

This book by James Fry is proved partially fabricated.

1999 2004 2001 2006 2002 2008 2003

Bill Clinton is impeached. information compiled by Karly Stanisloviatis

5

Y2K fear begins.

First contest winner with Cerebral Palsy.

First Harry Potter released in the UK

6

7 First attack on World Trade Center

8

Halle Berry is first African American woman to win Best Actress.

11

9

Trade Towers are attacked on 9/11.

10

Answers: 1) 1992 2) 2004 3) 2006 4)1998 5)1999 6) 1997 7) 1993 8) 2008 9)2003 10) 2001 11) 2002

First Apple music store opens.

7

uPage

The Rostrum

5X5

_____Jack Nixon_____

Christine Murray (12)

Doug Bailey (12)

Q: Are you uncomfortable?

A: A little bit.

Ellen Riehle (12)

Thomas Endler (12)

Q: If at any point you get uncomfortable click your heels three times.

A: What? My heels?

Kevin Novak (12)

Caitlin Henderson

by: Jake LaRosa staff writer

Q: Who is the best lacrosse player in the SEC? A: Jake LaRosa.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Where are you going to school?

Eastern Michigan.

University of Michigan.

Bowling Green.

University of Denver.

Hope College.

What are you majoring in?

Business management .

Undecided.

Sports management.

International business.

Pre-med.

What will you miss most about Dexter?

Hanging out with fellow friends and teammates.

Friends.

Friends.

People here.

Teachers; they are so inspiring.

What are you most nervous about?

Being too lazy to go to class.

Getting a roommate. I am going in “blind” and I don’t want to end up with a psycho.

Not sure exactly what to expect .

Not fitting in.

Being able to get up in time for class.

What is your best high school

Spring Break ‘08.

Spring Break with my friends.

Good game vs. Adrian my junior year.

Hanging out with friends after school; can’t pick a specific time.

Pole-vaulting.

Q: Professor Oak gives you a Pokedex. What’s your next move, besides calling me?

A: Go catch some sweet Pokemon.

Q: If I were a turkey sandwich, would you eat the crust?

A: Yes.

Q: Are we close enough to call this an intimate friendship with benefits?

A: No.

Q: What’s your secret with the ladies, you sexy piece of man?

A: I don’t know. It just works.

Q: You have four minutes left to live. How many levels of Super Monkey Ball can you beat by then?

A: All of them.

Q: Do you have reoccurring nightmares of Dean of Students Ken Koenig eating your first born child?

A: Yes.

memory?

Q: Why don’t I ever see you at lunch?

A: I like to eat your lunch.

-while at GRADUATION-

Dos

Joe Sayre

1. Graduate. This kind of goes without saying, but every year some kids forget they have to pass their classes to graduate. This year don’t be part of the proud few. Pass all your classes.

2. Make sure your gown fits. Nothing says, “I’m ready to go out into the world and make my mark,” like a gown that is five sizes too small.

3. Smile when you receive your diploma. You don’t want to have to look back at a picture of you looking pissed off while you receive your diploma. You’re done with high school. You should be happy. So smile.

4. Go to college. Unless you plan to pursue a career in burger flipping, college is a necessity.

Whether it be a community college or an Ivy League institution, college has become a must for graduating seniors.

5. Throw a graduation party. Even if graduation isn’t a big deal for you, throwing a party for the occasion is a great way to rake in the dough. Call every obscure relative you can and invite them. The more the merrier.

Donts

1. Forget to show up. After the last 13 years of education and the countless hours you have spent in school, what’s another two hours? Make your parents happy and show to the ceremony. You might even want to shower beforehand.

2. Trip on the stage. Pretend to be coordinated and don’t end up being the one kid who trips on stage while receiving their diploma.

3. Allow your parents or friends to bring an air-horn or other obnoxious, noise making device.

They aren’t cool or funny. They wont make up for the fact you graduated with the lowest possible number of credits 4. Put something stupid on your cap. Whether it be lights or an oversized sticker, chances are when you look back at it years from, you will probably regret it.

5. Show up drunk. If you do this, you most likely have a problem with alcohol. Chances are as you vomit on stage, you will deeply regret drinking beforehand.

8

The Rostrum

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Favorite Teacher

1. Jo Muszkiewicz 2. Brian Baird 3. Cheryl Wells 4. (tie) Rodney Satterthwaite 4. (tie) Autumn Campbell 6. (tie) Richard Grannis 6. (tie) Randy Swoverland 6. (tie) Cory Bergen 9. Deb Marsh 10. (tie) Ken Koenig 10. (tie) Ken Moore 10. (tie) Kathy Day

Favorite School 1. DHS 2. Wylie 3. Mill Creek 4. Cornerstone 5. Bates

The class of ‘08

by the numbers

Favorite Lunch Lady 1. Mrs. Reardon 2. Mrs. Baldus 3. Mrs. Franson

Describe DHS in one word...

“Buckwild” “Dramatic” “Crispy” “Spicy” “Sexual” “Deviant”

Favorite Principal 1. William ‘Kit’ Moran 2. (tie) James Bannan 2. (tie) Glen Stevenson 4. Pat Little

... and words

“Snow”

Best Math Teacher

1. Swoverland 2. Baird 3. Scott 4. Lumpiesz 5. (tie) Bauer 5. (tie) Bergen <--- not a math teacher 5. (tie) Miller 5. (tie) Snider 9. Day 9. Callaghan <--- again, not a math teacher

“Serendipitous” “Dandy” “Voluptuous “Juicy” “Hot-mess”

information compiled from survey of 103 seniors