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Underage drinking: a problem in Dexter?

Long term effects of drinking The Spread - Page 4-5

May 1, 2009 VOLUME II ISSUE 8 DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL 2200 N. PARKER ROAD DEXTER, MI 48130

2

trends

Friday May 1, 2009

STAFF

PLAYLIST

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The Rostrum

#JH IFBEQIPOFT NBLF B CJH BQQFBSBODF Emily Darrow staff writer

Students shuffle down the hallways, Apple iPod in hand, ear buds hung from their ears. These students have upgraded the device that allows music to flow from MP3 player to person.

Several other individuals stand with audio wear that’s far from the others’ conformity.

This is the trend of big headphones. “The sound quality is a lot better (than ear buds). The bass is amazing,� junior Alex Woods said.

Freshmen Robert Wittenberg agrees. “Big headphones give the music a lot of ‘Oomph’ and block out the sounds around you,� he said.

However, Wittenberg also said he ditched the trend soon after joining it. “They broke a lot and were really obnoxious. I just stick with ear buds,� he said.

There are others who share Wittenberg’s opinion. “Big headphones do have their place, however the use of them with tiny iPods seems like overkill,� science teacher Beau Kimmey said. “I would not be into the large headphone fad since I only use my iPod while snowboarding or in my car. I think large

headphones would beMUG cumbersome.�

Freshmen Hunter Hook agrees. He said large headphones have their place in the world. But not connected to an Apple iPod jack. “When you wear them with iPods, it just looks ridiculous,� he said.

You can find your own pair at retailers like the Apple store, Skullcandy and other electronic providors. “(My big headphones) look like solid gold.�

Woods said.

But big headphones have the potential to catch on as a larger trend according to Wittenberg. “Some people think that they’re cool, and some people think they’re obnoxious,� he said.

Woods agreed with Wittenberg “I’m not really sure if (big headphones) will catch on. I think it’ll MUG go in and out. It really depends on what people listen to.�

Hook won’t be joining in anytime soon. “I probably won’t buy a pair (of big headphones), because they are very expesive for a high quality pair.�

As trends come and go, so might this old-school way to listen to today’s media. Kimmey said, “I think it’s a passing phase that will come and go as most fads do.�

'NZMJGF DPN 1FPQMF TIBSF FNCBSSBTTJOH NPNFOUT PO UIF XFC Jessica Deljevic staff writer

“Today, it’s my birthday. My mom decided to wake me up by having our new, previously stray, cat thrown on top of me. I was awoken to two claws ripping across my face which needed 16 stitches to fix. Happy Birthday. FML�

This type of story are the ones readers come across when they visit the website FmyLife.com.

It is a place that inspires the average person to appreciate minor misfortunes and incidents.

It is submitted accounts of people having lessthan-ideal scenarios occur in their life.

However, if you log onto the website you will noticed that it is blocked at the school. “I reviewed the content of the site, and it certainly doesn’t serve any valuable information for school or anything very school appropriate,� district technology director Matt Maciag said. “While I appreciate the hu-

mor of the web site and found some of the short stories interesting, it really is not school appropriate.�

And even though some students we can’t enjoy the site at school, it doesn’t stop everyone. “I’ll find a way around the block. I like reading it too much to just let that stop me,� senior Emma McCrea said.

And according to junior Lauren Dreffs, the types of things she reads on this site are the type of things she reads and thanks her lucky stars they didn’t happen to her. “Honestly, I just like sitting there and reading page after page of that website,� Dreffs said.

It is a popular trend among all sorts of people.

Sophomore Kayla Kircher said, “If they ever shut down FMyLife.com, I’m not sure what the entertainment for high schoolers during class will resort to. It’s literally the only place that makes us appreciate our daily juvenile travesties.�

The Rostrum

get involved

Friday, May 1, 2009

3

3FCVJMEJOH 5PHFUIFS IFMQT DPNNVOJUZ Ray Carpenter staff writer

photos courtesy Darrell Featheringill

'JYJOH VQ Two volunteers with Rebuilding Together work on the plumbing in a recent renovation.

Even though this year’s event has passed, Rebuilding Together accepts donations year-round. Whether it’s $25 or $250, any amount will help. They always needs new volunteers. Even if each person only tells two other people, that’s tripling the numbers. People can also choose to sponsor a house, covering the cost of the repairs for a loved one.

Five days ago, April 25, community members came together and changed someone’s life. With their help, someone now has a free home renovation and repair when they wouldn’t have been able to before.

Rebuilding Together changes people’s lives, either in a small way or a major way. With their help, people have a higher quality of living. They don’t have to deal with a leaky roof anymore.

It’s all gone.

Even more so than that, the organization gives people time to connect with one another and work together for a common goal. Rebuilding Together is helping unite the nation, one house at a time.

Children all over the world look forward to Christmas, desperate for $100 treats and gut-busting baked goods. Many kids often don’t realize that some people look forward to a similarly named pseudo-holiday even more.

Rebuilding Together Washtenaw, the organization formerly known as Christmas in April, brings people from the community together to help repair and rebuild houses for those less able to do so.

Bev Hill, a teacher at Creekside, is an organizer for the event.

She’s been working on Rebuilding Together for around 15 years, ever since her friend, Mary Rush, helped found the Dexter chapter.

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization and has affiliates all over the country. It’s been active for around 18 years.

At a rate of near 25 houses per year, with some being repeats, the group has helped 150-200 unique houses.

Around 200 people come out to help, according to County Board of Directors President Darrell Featheringill. The numbers are dwindling, although the people in need aren’t.

They mainly helps disabled or elderly people; those who can not help themselves. Even if it’s just little things like rearranging furniture, Rebuilding Together will help. “Things you and I take for granted,� Featheringill said. “They don’t have the physical capability or the financial capability.�

Rebuilding Together installs furnaces, water heaters and handicap ramps. They repair plumbing and electrical systems, paint houses and many other things.

Each house costs anywhere from nothing to several thousand dollars. Rebuilding Together receives no help from the government, relying instead entirely on donations. The Lions 3PPG SFQBJS Volunteers with Rebuilding Together pitch in to shingle a house, one of the many things they do for the recipients.

Club is a main contributor to the cause.

+VOJPST QBSUJDJQBUF JO /)4 Rachel Butler staff writer

Walking down an almost-empty science hall, junior Elly Mioduszewski can hear only her shoes against the tile on an early morning before school.

She turns right into science teacher Cheryl Wells’ room and sits at a desk with a pen in her hand.

Looking down at papers with the design of the future school planner, she marks with her pen.

But editing next year’s planner is just the beginning for Mioduszewski, an up and coming leader of NHS. Mioduszewski is excited that she was chosen, along with Louisa Wolcott, to be on the committee for next year’s planner. “I feel like I’m doing something for the school already,� Mioduszewski said.

Sports are an important part of Mioduszewski’s daily life. She said she is busy in every season.

Often her involvement in school sports require

a great deal of time, which sometimes prevents boxes filled with planners, and she will pick a few her from becoming involved in the school in other other people to help her distribute the planners to ways. This is one of the reasos Mioduszewski is the classrooms in the school. happy to be a part of NHS “I wanted Mioduszewski said she is ready to to get involved in some kind of group be involved in NHS next year. “I’d like that promotes a lot of leadership to become a leader,� she said. “I feel and works to better the community,�

I would be able to do more with NHS Mioduszewski said. knowing that people are depending on And Wells sees a lot of potential in me to fulfill a leadership position.�

Mioduszewski to be a great NHS leadFollowing through and being deer. “I see her in class and know that pendable are very important to what she is organized and follows through,�

Wells considers a member in good Wells said. standing.

Being a NHS leader reThese two qualities are what lead Elly Mioduszewski: a new quires even more. “They truly have to her to choose Mioduszeski to help de- NHS member hopes to be someone who can organize the who, sign and edit next years planners. “I become a great leader what, where and when of an event or know (she) will do a good job,� Wells this year. project,� Wells said. said.

Having other people depend on Being on the planner committee involves commit- Mioduszewski is something she said she can hanment over the summer according to Mioduszewski. dle. She said, “I’m organized and I focus on what Before school starts she will be helping unload the needs to be done and get it done on time.�

the spread

The Rostrum

The Rostrum

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UIBO %FYUFS UIJOLT 1BSFOUT DBO BGGFDU UFFO ESJOLJOH Derek Fead Staff writer

Many parents would lock their child in their room and throw away the key if they found they were drinking, but some parents have a different philosophy.

Mike Red* has been caught drinking three times by his parents and said he has yet to be punished. “My mom knows I’m going to drink (alcohol), so why stop me now,� Red* said. “I only drink occasionally, but I think my parents know I’m responsible when I do.�

But is this the right tact to take on this issue? Stanton Peele, father and writer of “Addiction-Proof your Kids,� says drinking at a young age is good.

Peele allowed his daughter, Anna, to drink starting in middle school. “I felt like I didn’t have to sneak around and binge,� Anna said. “We were taught to drink in a civilized manner and always be in control of the situation.�

Other countries allow drinking at young ages. Many European countries allow drinking at all ages including Greece, Portugal and Denmark. These countries have reported life expectancies equal to those in the United States.

So are parents actually being nice by letting their children drink? Many scientists say no. A study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported adults who drank in their teens had decreased memory and long-term thinking as well as other health problems including liver disease, heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Sophomore Parker Latshaw’s parents think drinking alcohol is inappropriate behavior for teens.

Although he has never had alcohol, he knows what will happen if he does. “If my parents found me intoxicated, I would be locked in my house for the rest of my life,� Latshaw said.

And Latshaw said any punishment would be severe but justifiable. “They wouldn’t be able to trust me anymore, not to mention it is illegal,� Latshaw said. “Parents who allow their children to drink are irresponsible because a lot of the time that behavior can turn into alcoholism at a young age.�

According to the National Institute of Health, 40 percent of teens who drink before the age of 15 become future alcoholics or drug abusers. Scientists say this is because teens learn the behavior is appropriate and responsible at a young age.

Dr. J. Edward Hill said, “When parents let their children drink, the main message children hear is that drinking illegally is OK.�

In a 2 drin 003 sur king v driv ey, 38 p er th e ree rcent of or m ore student time s sa id th s in e the past y had d ri year befo ven dru nk o re th r

49% of 300 students surveyed have drank alcohol before

Survey conducted of Thomas Griffith of 300 DHS students

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Friday, May 1, 2009

the spread

15 every day 51 don’t 250 Yes

55 til

drink 61 every weekend

drunk 58 couple beers

17 Yes 24 No

121

59 shots

152

once a month

#1

5

1. Have you ever drank alcohol before?

2. If yes, how often do you drink?

3. When you drink ... what is it?

4. If you drink, do you get behind the wheel?

5. How do you get the alcohol?

6. Have you ever been caught with alcohol?

232 No

#2

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always have D.D

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#3

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16% of 300 students surveyed have gotten caught drinking

of 300 students surveyedhave not been caught by the law

Results of a survey taken by Dexter High School students

nd 15 -12 a rvey 6 s e grad he su s from days of t t n e d ast 30 16 stu t of 1 ol in the p u o t a alcoh ed th eveal ad drank r o s l h a rvey dents 03 su grade stu 0 2 e Th

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Friday, May 1, 1 , 2009

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5IF DIPJDF UP ESJOL BMDPIPM DBO CSJOH OFHBUJWF DPOTFRVFODFT Derek Wooton Staff writter

Senior Judy Wise* showed up to a party late on a Saturday night. She came alone, meeting her guy friend there.

They started conversing and drinking. They took a few shots and drank some fruity mixed drinks. 1:30 a.m. rolled around and Wise said she started feeling some after effects of the alcohol so she lied down on a couch to pass out.

A little bit later her guy friend and few others at the party came to wake her up and tell her that they were going to McDonald’s for some late-night munchies.

One of Wise’ friends offered to carry her out to his car so she could pass out until they got back so if the police came, they wouldn‘t find her. “I declined and stayed on my comfortable couch. I didn‘t feel like moving,� Wise said. And sure enough the cops did show up, after peering into the door seeing all of the alcohol. “They found me passed out on the couch and woke me up,� Wise said. Wise said she was belligerent and the police proceeded to give her a breathalyzer test. She failed.

They cuffed her and took her to the police station where they issued her an minor in possession citation and called her parents.

By the time her parents had gotten to the police station, Wise said she had puked twice. She greeted her irritated parmor e with a slurred, “HI MOM! HI DAD!� Her parents took ents her home and let her sleep everything off, and she proceeded to puke once or twice more before falling asleep. “When I woke up the next day, I felt pretty hung over and my parents were pretty mad,� Wise said. Time went on and she showed up to her court date with her parents. She was told to do 30 hours of community service, and she got put on probation for three months.

After that everything seemed to fade away. Her probation officer told her she was fine, so he let her off early. “My parents never talk about the subject anymore, and I’ve only

drank once or twice since being off probation, and it was in a safe place with a few close friends,� Wise said.

Wise might have thought she was mature about drinking after getting caught, but school nurse Aileen Kernohan said there are many long- term effects of drinking that Wise might not have thought of. “Scientific research is now showing what has been suspected for a long time, that large amounts of alcohol in adolescence can cause permanent changes in the brain, affecting memory and other things,� Kernohan said. Kernohan also said alcohol has neurotoxin effects especially in large amounts.

Also it has been shown that those who drink regularly at younger ages are more likely to develop alcohol dependence in later life than those who wait until 20 or older for their first drink.

Although Kernohan does believe that it’s more the amount than age. “It’s not the age. It’s the amount. I grew up in Scotland where the legal drinking age was 18. We would go to the local pub on occasion and have a lager and lime while listening to live music or playing darts. Usually one drink would do it, two max. There was not the culture or expectation of drinking as much as you could, or until you got drunk, as there seems to be in the youth culture over here,� Kernohan said.

Kernohan said, though, that in America it’s more about binge drinking instead of casual drinking, “The difference between binge drinkers and casual or social drinkers is that a binge drinker regularly drinks heavily, usually five or more drinks on one occasion. Casual drinkers may have a drink or two at a celebration/ special occasion.�

Kernohan also said if kids are going to drink, then they should only have one or two. “If you do choose to drink, then be responsible. Drink only on occasion and limit your intake to one or two maximum.�

6

Friday, May 1 , 2009

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These pictures are of things close up in DHS and around downtown Dexter!

Can you guess what they are?

puzzles

The Rostrum

Konett The Dots Draw lines connecting the dots in order of increasing numbers to reveal the face of one of DHS beloved teachers When you get to an X, stop and resume drawing from the next dot.

Answers to “What is it?� 1) Desk 2) Glass of apple juice 3) Chair 4) Umbrellas

The Rostrum

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Taylor Neely staff writer

•Couch: a dorm necessity, the legendary couch has driven beds to the brink of extinction.Couches are a great source of loose change and are able to steal several dollars worth of coins a week from unsuspecting visitors. •Hookah: the first step in becoming the next Michael Phelps. Hookahs are a great way to get an extra boost in athletics.

They have also been proven to increase test scores and shoe size. Remember, the bigger the hookah, the faster and better you compete. •Gun: a great way to get food. Simply point your gun out the window to hunt various types of wildlife such as lions, penguins and pedestrians. Hang your prizes, along with your gun, on top of your fireplace mantle, and girls/guys will start flocking to you. If there is no fireplace, then a fake fireplace can be contructed with a few cardboard boxes. •Mini-fridge: used to store a multitude of items. Mini-fridges are best used to store science experiments, roadkill, ice-cream trophies and stolen goods. Less practical, but still effective, uses include: fire extinguisher, sled, doll house and basketball. •Posters: can personalize a dorm room. Generally, unicorn posters make for a “happyâ€? room, and wild west posters for a “standoffâ€? room. Hanging posters in a dorm is also a great way to influence your opinion on others. A simple “OBEYâ€? poster can turn your friends into personal servants.

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Alex Shmercu staff writer

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Q. Is it true you recently resigned from The Squall staff without giving any warning whatsoever?

A. No, I told Satt. I had no choice

Q. So do you just hate The Squall staff then?

Or do you hate journalists everywhere?

A. A little of both.

Q. Alright hypothetical situation. You can pick one of these jobs. Professional basketball player, replacement to Hugh Heffner, writer for The Squall staff.

A. Pro basketball player.

Q. So you’re basically saying you hate Newspaper adviser Rod Satterthwaite then?

A. No, nothing against Rod, just the journalist.

Q. Which nickname for yourself do you like better: Milla the Killa, Milla the Thrilla or Sergeant Fuzzylumps?

A. None

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Q. If you’re driving at the speed of light, what happens when you turn on your head lights?

A. You wouldn’t see any light.

Q. If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

A. It gets a bruise.

Q. What’s the best way to impress the ladies out on the dance floor?

A. Bust a move Q. Want to bust a move, right here, right now?

A. No, I’m not that skilled.

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Q. In your opinion who is the sexiest Disney character?

A. Probably Nala from “The Lion King.�

Q. Are you tryin’ to have me ask you one more question?

A. I’m not tryin’ to have that.

Q. If 2010, 2011 and 2012 are all numerically greater than 2009, why are the current seniors the greatest class to ever grace the halls of Dexter High School?

A. That’s a completely false statement.

Q. Now that the interview is over, want to skip class and go fly kites with me or maybe go to journalism camp and get kicked out for playing basketball?

A. I already did the second thing, so no thank you.

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Friday,May 1, 2009

Sarah Newell past staff writer

The Rostrum

old squall

While sitting in her fifth hour class, junior Kaelen Greer couldn’t help but hear the whispers around her about her appearance.

“This kid in my class kept nagging me on, trying to get me to say something,” she said.

But Greer didn’t respond. She was taking part in a National Day of Silence to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment directed towards gay and lesbian people.

The Day of Silence is a project of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

It’s a student-led day of action where students against gay bias in school wear all black and take a day long vow of silence.

“Being silent is a way to protest other peoples’ silence to those things they don’t understand,” senior Robert Flemister said.

Flemister who brought the idea for The Day of Silence to the Dexter’s GLOW club was disappointed in the reaction some students had to the protest.

“The idea was misunderstood by a lot of people,” he said.

“People thought that if you wore black that you were gay or lesbian, but really it was just that you supported the idea at hand.”

Students who participated in the Day of Silence found out that what they did had an impact on other students as well as themselves.

“It was hard to stay silent, so it’s hard to understand how so many people can alienate people based on whether or not they are gay,” Flemister said.

Greer found that the day had a very powerful impact on her as well.

“My mom is lesbian, and I’m bi, so to participate in something like this has a lot of meaning in my life,” she said. “It was very powerful for me to stand up in what I believe in and put myself in a vulnerable place.

When you can’t respond to some of the negative comments coming at

you. It’s hard, but you have to hold your ground. Every little thing counts.”

It was especially hard for Greer to hold her ground when many of the comments were extremely offensive.

“People would walk behind me in the halls and say things like, “That’s so gay’, and fag,” she said.

“People I don’t even know could say these hateful things. It was hard. Sometimes I almost felt like crying.”

Although not all students were supportive of GLOW’s efforts to end bias.

Flemister said, “You can’t change everyone’s mind, but it is hard to ignore other peoples disrespect. I hoped that people would recognize and support what we were doing, but many still pointed fingers and made rude comments.”

Even though some students were disrespectful to the people in support of the Day of Silence, others we’re supportive and understanding.

“There is always going to be people who disagree with you, but a lot of people in my classes we’re very supportive, encouraging me to stand up for what I believe in,” Greer said. “Also the teachers were great.

They were really understanding and supportive.”

Some of this support even resulted in students speaking out to others.

“People would stand up for me when they heard rude comments saying that it was disrespectful, or that they couldn’t believe it was being said,” Greer said. “That helped make the day easier.”

Although some people reacted negatively to The Day of Silence, Flemister said the message of tolerance was sent to his peers.

“I think we made an impact on Dexter. We got some reactions from people, both good and bad, but hopefully we’re breaking the silence.”

illustration by Gabe Altomare

#BTLFUCBMM BOE WPMMFZCBMM BGGFDUFE CZ UIF DIBOHF GSPN DMBTT " UP # Lee Hoggard past staff writer

1,058 is the magic number for Dexter athletics this spring.

It’s the enrollment of Dexter High School, and Dexter’s growing enrollment has caused it to become a Class A school.

But what does this mean for athletics? Not a lot if you’re talking in terms of the regular season.

“Dexter already plays a lot of Division 1 schools in both the SEC conference and out of conference regular season schedules,” Dexter athletic director John Robinson said.

This is true. Being in the SEC helps Dexter in all of its sports. When you play schools like Saline, Chelsea and Pioneer it helps you prepare for the post season. That’s where the change from class B to class A is going to make the difference.

Dexter will no longer be playing smaller Class B schools in their district tournaments.

They will have to play bigger Class A schools from now on. The sports that this change will directly affect next season are sports like basketball and volleyball. They will now be playing larger schools in their district tournaments.

Men’s basketball, for example, played Milan, Ida and Dundee in their district this year. They have three-peated as district champions the past three years.

However the change from Class B to Class A could drastically impact their chances to win next year.

Instead of playing smaller Class B schools from around the area in their district tournament, the basketball team will probably be playing bigger Class A schools from around the area.

This is also true for volleyball. They play in the same format that basketball uses, where teams play in a district tournaments and then the winners advance to regional.

And just like the basketball teams the volleyball team will be affected right away by the class change. They will also have to play bigger class A schools in their district tournaments, making it harder for them to advance to regional.

Some sports could potentially be helped in the long run by this change however.

Sports that don’t have district tournaments and go straight to regional like hockey, for example, could potentially get out of the tough class region which has most of the private schools in them.

However no one is really sure how much that can really help a team because you never know who you’ll draw in the regional tournament. Bigger Class A schools from around the area.

At this point it is very unclear as to what the impact of moving up to class A will have on Dexter athletics.

Edi to r ’s N ote

:

Th is is s ue’s “T h ro w b ac k” p ag e fe at u re s t h e Ap r il 2005 is s ue o f Th e S q u a ll . Th e s e s t o r ie s a re e xac t ly a s t h e y we re p r in te d in t h e p a s t is s u e , e r ro rs a n d a ll .

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ch ie f

However as long as all the sports teams keep working hard and progressing there is no reason as to why this move from Class B to Class A should have a negative impact on the athletic programs.

MHSAA does not just look at the enrollment in schools, they first look at how many schools they need to be in Class A, B and so on.

Then they split the schools up based on enrollment, meaning there is no set number that puts you in one class or another.