The Rostrum, April 2010 by The Squall

Rostrum The

Senior

Survivor Find out how all 6 teams finished on page 4/5 12 contestants

5 days at school

1 shared goal April 30, 2010 VOLUME III ISSUE 8 DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL 2200 N. PARKER ROAD DEXTER, MI 48130

trends

Friday, April 30, 2010

What’s

Hot / Not Caitlyn Rize trends editor

The Squall uncensored Censorship Boat Shoes

Crocs SPARK

Hair trends: streaks and mohawks Allison Krips staff writer

Simply taking an inch of hair and dunking it in dye is amusing, according to senior Taylor Conter and may have started the trend, “(Dying my hair) was totally random, and I just wanted to do it for fun,” she said. “Little did we know that other people (at DHS) would catch on and did the same thing.” This hair streaks trend at DHS may have been started by Conter and her good friend senior Kristen Yarows, who dyed there hair one night when they were bored at one of their houses, a random act that soon spread. Seniors Margaux Empey and Bridget Lloyd, for example, said they streaked their hair once they saw how cool it looks in Conter’s and Yarows’ hair. “It was just something different then what everyone else had,” Conter said. However, not everyone was feeling this new trend. “I’ve gotten some strange looks from people when I’ve been out in public out of school, sophomore Lauren LaFontaine said, “they just looked confused.” “I was scared going to see my grandparents because I didn’t know what they were going to think. By the look on their faces, they seemed surprised that I would actually do something like that to my hair. But I didn’t even care. It was something strange, and I liked it” According to Conter, she and Yarows dipped their hair in bleach,

Photos by Kristie Duve

then rinsed it out and soaked it in color. For Conter, it was teal. “I noticed that most of the girls chose bright visible colors,” she said. Along with vibrant hair streaks, mohawks have become a hair trend as well. Members of the rugby team, all decided to shave their hair so they would have mohawks on the top of their heads to start the season. “I think we did it for more of a tradition,” senior John Chiado said, “it was fun, all matching and being a team, even though a few chose to not participate in it.”

Trends for summer full of new and old Bullies

An opinion piece by

Murphy Hansen staff writer

Meaningful tattoos

Tramp stamps NHL

NBA

The clothing trends for summer 2010 are full of new looks as well as old. Sundresses, boyfriend blazers and crazy swim suit designs are the must-haves for this spring and summer season. Finding the perfect dress for summer is important, “Sundresses are fun. Especially when you pair them with the right shoes,” Sophomore Abby Everard said. Finding a dress is the easy part, but with the limited number of stores in our area, often results in multiple girls owning the same dress. As Everard said, a pair of shoes can change the whole look. If I want a sporty look with my favorite dress, I wear a pair of sneakers with it, a pair of Converse, for example. Also, look for dresses that have pockets to fit the sporty style. “I love dresses that have pockets so I can keep my phone in it,” sophomore Stephanie Matich said. To create a more girly look, I go for an embellished pair of sandals or flats and pile bangles on my wrists. For a more edgy style, I wear boots and paint a coat of my favorite dark purple nail polish on my finger nails. Accessorize with some long earrings and a cross-body purse. For a night out, I wear a cardigan or a pea coat over my dress for when it gets chilly at night. Also, I wear a pair of heels to dress it up a little and show some leg.

The boyfriend blazer is still in style for this summer season. To make it look the best, I wear it oversized. When doing this, it’s key that I only go up one size from what I would normally wear. The jacket’s shoulders should be coming no more than an inch and a half from my own. Another tip to remember when buying a boyfriend blazer is to roll up the sleeves of the jacket, making it look as though it is too big. This also balances out the look by exposing the wrists and giving it a little feminine touch. By rolling up the sleeves and buying it one size larger, it will give the jacket the illusion of having borrowed it from my boyfriend, and that is look most designers are going for when they designed their jackets for the summer. Swimwear is a huge part of summer too. The new styles that have appeared in clothing this year, such as the one-shoulder tops and dresses has now poured over into swim suit lines. The look with swim suits is also popular this summer, right next to the sequin designed suits. The cut-away swimwear range from loose monokinis to bikinis. The cut-away style is becoming more familiar, and these are highly recommended to all those daring enough to wear the bold pieces. “I like bikinis that have sequins on them. They look cool and are very trendy,” Matich said, “They are flashy and fabulous.” Swim suits that have sequins will reflect the sun and look really cool. “I love wearing strapless bathing suits because I hate getting tan lines,” freshman Alyssa Deheart said. Strapless swim suits or suits that have a removable straps are always useful too.

get involved

Friday, April 30, 2010

Relay For Life a fight against cancer Kevin Skiver Staff Writer

Cancer is a disease that has touched the lives of millions of Americans. It is second only to heart disease for the leading causes of death among Americans, with 559,888 dying from it in 2008, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Direct victims of the disease aren’t the only ones who suffer either; their friends and family may feel helpless and lost when their loved one is diagnosed. Relay For Life is a way to try and relieve that stress and have some fun while helping the victim of cancer. Physical education department chair Angie Scott, who is on a team called “Arnie’s Army” named for her dad who died of brain cancer in May 2007, has been active in the relay for the last three years. “My sisters and I started Arnie’s Army in February of 2007 in honor of our dad, and he was going to walk with us,” Scott said. “But in May of 2007 he died, so we changed it to in memory of him.” The Relay For Life is an event held annually throughout the world. It will be held in over 600 communities this year, spanning 21 countries, according to the American Cancer Society . In Dexter it will occur on June 26-27 behind Mill Creek.

Every city that participates has its own way of doing the Relay For Life. However, the basic idea is the same. People make their own teams, usually centered around a common individual diagnosed with cancer. They take an item, generally something with some importance to the one diagnosed or just for fun, and take turns holding it while walking around the track. All sorts of activities are done during the Relay. In Dexter the Relay is a two-day event, and the teams sleep in tents scattered around the field behind Mill Creek and the Cornerstone parking lot. The Relay takes place on a large open area, the track behind Mill Creek, so entertainment can be something as simple as tag for little kids or more childish older ones. There has also been a dunk tank along with a large moon bounce by the entrance to the Mill Creek gym. Relay For Life is not all just fun and games, though. Everyone there has a common cause: fight against cancer. Money is raised during the event and every cent of it goes to the research to find a cure for cancer, along with funding education, prevention and other cancer-related areas. At night, luminaries are visible and a moment of silence is taken for those who died of cancer at any point in the past. The names of those whose lives were claimed from the disease are displayed on a large screen with

a projector. This segment is called “The Night Glow.” “The Night Glow is my favorite part of the Relay,” Scott said. “They place luminaries all around the track decorated with ‘In Memory Of’ or ‘In Honor Of,’ and we talk and share stories. It’s very emotional and just an awesome feeling.” During this, a lap of silence is taken, where those who have lost a loved one or know someone who is living with cancer can reminisce about that person. The relay has also helped people to deal with the death of a loved one. “(The Relay) definitely helped me cope,” Scott said. “(My father) died two weeks before the Relay. He could have walked with us so it was really difficult, but it’s great to get similar people together. “Cancer’s a common fight for all of us,” Scott continued. “We all have someone we love, and the Relay is a big group fighting for a common cause. We all just share stories so we don’t feel alone in this fight. I plan on doing it as long as I can walk.”

Students Provide Acts of Random Kindness After discussing the idea with Muszkiewicz, the two decided starting a club would be a good beginning to the idea. Opinion Editor The club is named SPARK an acronym for Students Providing Acts When junior Lisa Crompton was assigned a paper of Random Kindness. According to Crompton the name in Jo Muszkiewicz’ AP English class and was told the S PA R K , topic was how she could change the is for two world, she thought of spreading things. “It kindness. It means to SPARK someone’s means to “I took the whole concept of day by doing something nice S P A R K paying it forward,” Crompton said. “When someone does something for them, but also to SPARK s o m e o n e ’s by nice to you, instead of paying them motivation for them to spread day d o i n g back, you repay the kindness to the kindness.” s o m e t h i n g someone else.” nice for Muszkiewicz assignment was an them but argument paper. “I told the kids to Lisa Crompton, also to think of someway to make the world senior SPARK motivation for them a better place, but realistically,” to spread the kindness,” she she said. “Lisa came up with the said. idea of SPARK.” The club had its first meeting on April 7. Crompton After Crompton wrote the paper, she decided she was interested in furthering the idea so she talked to said about 20 people came to the meeting where she explained what she wanted SPARK to mean and she Muszkiewicz. “Mrs. M was interested as well, so she helped me gave the club members their first assignment. “I gave each member a random student in the school, apply the idea to students in the high school,” Crompton along with their first hour,” Crompton said, “Then left said.

Kristi Hughes

“

Photo illustration by Lisa Cropmton

it up to them to do something kind.” Muszkiewicz said she’s just there to help out. The rest is Crompton. “I send out an e-mail and teachers respond with nominations of students that could be “SPARKed,” she said. According to Muszkiewicz there had been a really good student and teacher response. “For the next week,” she said. “I have a lot of teachers names to give to Lisa to SPARK which is nice to include them.”

the spread

Friday, April 30, 2010

Senior Survivors raise $3500 for Nothing but Nets Survivor Facts

David LaMore Assistant Opinion Editor

• There were six teams in the Senior Survivor event: Kevin Yarows and Chelsea Brauning, the yellow team; Ryan Steinbach and Alex Beattie, the lime green team; Mike Kedroske and Holly Wingler, the orange team; Kurt Miller and JoJo Parin, the dark green team; Dan Flowers and Morgan Quist, the blue team; and the winners, Ian McCarthy and Lauren Dreffs, the red team.

• The student council officers are Liz Reynolds, Lauren Gardner, Rachel Butler and Lindsay Fischer.

Ian McCarthy and Lauren Dreffs were skeptical about how much money could actually be raised when they began Senior Survivor. “I didn’t think it was possible to raise this much money in such a short period of time,” Dreffs said. However, once McCarthy and Dreffs began, they knew they would be fine. Since all of the money was going to the charity Nothing But Nets, McCarthy and Dreffs decided to go to sources outside of school to help their team gain an edge and raise more money. Senior Survivor raised $5200 in a week and $3500 will be donated to Nothing But Nets, a charity that raises money for mosquito nets that help prevent malaria in Africa. The difference between the money raised and the money donated is the cost of the T-shirts and other activities student council needs to pay for. “Some teams were complaining about getting money from businesses and people

outside of school, but it didn’t matter to me where the money was coming from; it’s all going to charity,” McCarthy said. Both McCarthy and Dreffs, winners of the Senior Survivor, got large donations from family and businesses. McCarthy’s father and Dreff’s father’s business donated towards the cause. Other contestants who could not get donations from family and business raised money by selling T-shirts representing the color of the their team. Contestants could also ask for money from teachers, students and other school officials. According to student council advisor and organizer Al Snider, Senior Survivor received a couple of checks for $200, the largest contributions to the charity. In every component, teams would try and gain an edge on one another, so making the extra dollar was crucial. Contestants like McCarthy and Dan Flowers even stood outside of the entrance to the school to hopefully make money for their team. If begging and scrounging for money from other students did not work, contestants could win challenges where they could sell brownies, cookies and other sweets that would help interest students.

Brownies and cookies would’ve helped out the red team; however, McCarthy and Dreffs did not end up needing the money. Although they had to stay in the school the whole week, McCarthy and Dreffs do not regret competing in the event, and even though the event was complicated and stressful to plan, the student council did many things to make sure that the event ran smoothly, according to Snider. “(Student council) worked very hard to make this even happen,” Snider said. They had to set up events and other activities for the contestants to participate in while the event was going on. McCarthy and Dreffs both said they were surprised by the huge success and elaborate planning of the event by the student council and with the great fun they had. “It was awesome,” Dreffs said. “I was really surprised with everything.” Dreffs was not the only one who enjoyed the week, even with the ups and downs. McCarthy felt just as pleased with the results and planning of the Senior Survivor. He said, “It was a fun event and since all of the money was going to charity, it felt good to give back.”

Isolation sets in strong for Survivors Jessica Deljevic Staff Writer

The anticipation for Senior Survivor grew as the week approached. Twelve seniors were picked after writing a convincing letter to Principal Kit Moran about how they are best suited for the challenges. Each boy/girl team had their own color shirt that they sold to raise the most money for the competition, which supports the “Nothing but Nets” charity. Whoever raises the least amount of money was out of Senior Survivor first. Dreffs was determined to sell the most shirts. “I want to sell a ton of shirts so that I am not eliminated even before the week starts,” she said. “I just want to get through the week with an edge on everyone else.” The guidelines for the week were as

follows: the contestants had to sleep at the school from the April 18-23. They could not leave school property the entire time and they could not use their cell phones or any other electronic devices. At the end it came down to two ultimate winners, Ian McCarthy Dreffs. Dreffs said living at the school the whole time was kind of a drag, but she got a lot of memories from it. In fact, every night the teams had to face a new challenge that followed an elimination. “Everyone (especially the girls) get along really well and the drama was kept to a minimum,” she said. The prizes for winning the competition were two free prom tickets for each person, $50 dollars and bragging rights. “It took a lot of donations from generous people and businesses to last through the entire competition,” she said. “We would like to thank everyone who helped us out, it was greatly appreciated.”

Photo by Kristie Duve

Survivor teams were determined to sell shirts as another way to raise money and stay in the competition.

the spread

Friday, April 30, 2010

Squall Survivor Logs

Alex Beattie and Ryan Steinbach participate in the survivor assembly

JoJo Parin

Dan Flowers

Morgan Quist

Staff Writer

Entertainment Editor

Staff Writer

April 13, 2010 “JoJo,” Rachel Butler (from student council) said as she pulled a torn piece of paper out of a tub. My heart started pounding as the anticipation of discovering who my partner was. I ended up with Kurt Miller and couldn’t more pleased. Then worry filled my head as I thought, could we have an academic challenge? April 18, 2010 Ian and Lauren won immunity. I was disappointed because I was running right next to Ian, but he saw the object, and I did not. I wasn’t to worried though. I knew Kurt and I could last without it. April 19, 2010 The mashed up peas barely made it down my throat, but I knew I had to throw it back like a shot. The wasabi wasn’t difficult for me being Asian and all ... but the anchovies got the best of me and Kurt. We didn’t win that challenge, but I’m still not worried. P.S. (Dean of Students Ken Koenig) locked me in the closet ... it’s war! April 20, 2010 The light green and yellow team were eliminated, I was sad to see them go but was happy that it wasn’t me. Later that night Kurt and I won the academic challenge! I can now say with confidence I’m smarter then a 9th grader. April 21, 2010 Today is Mike’s birthday and being the good friend I am I had cookies delivered. And being the bad competitor he is, he got eliminated. April 22, 2010 I got eliminated, and received my phone. 43 texts ... no big deal.

April 13, 2010 Headed into the competition I’m very confident about it. It’s a little nerve wracking to know that partners are random, but I’m sure whoever I get will be just as competitive and want to win as much as I do. It will be interesting to see what kind of challenges we will face over the vigorous five-day competition. One thing is certain, though, it will be a week full of surprises and intensity. Bring it on. April 18, 2010 My partner, Morgan Quist, and I have a huge advantage intellectually and physically. I have no doubt that were going to win. We are both great with people and that is a huge part of this competition. Also, we know how to play this game strategically and keep our friends close and enemies closer. April, 21 2010 Three night and four days later, I’m sleep -deprived, sore all over and can’t wait to stop sleeping on concrete carpet. After a scare at tribal council tonight, we’re still in it. I was sad to see Mike go home on his birthday, but that cake was so good. The competition has been a lot fun, and I found out more than I wanted to know about some teachers. One night to go ... Let’s do this. April, 23 2010 The final day of competition, and Ian has fell extremely sick; he seems to be full of island bowsheet. The game goes on as planned and the results are revealed ... our team took second even though we feel as if we should have won. I’m glad the week is over, it was fun while it lasted but I can’t wait to get out of this school. May 27, can’t come soon enough.

April 13, 2010 Who will my partner be? Will they make me eat goat testicles? These are some of the questions I asked myself when I received my scroll, inviting me to join Senior Survivor. When my partner, Danny Flowers, was drawn at random from a hat, I was satisfied. I can only hope challenges don’t involve running for extended distances, being left to build my own shelter or start fires. April 18, 2010 Last night was our first night as Senior Survivors. Because Dan and I did not have an established team name upon arrival, our pillows were taken away for the night. The girls all slept in adviser Deb Marsh’s room,with Marsh, where we stayed up late like little girls gossiping and making lame jokes. The next morning, the concrete floors hadn’t done wonders for my back, but Marsh was more than hospitable to make me a much-needed latte in the morning. April 19, 2010 Each team member had to eat a spoonful of pea baby food, a cracker with wasabi, then a cracker with anchovies, a sandwich which contained bologna, mayo, peanut butter, jelly, mustard and ketchup. Last but certainly not least, was a complete happy meal ... blended. I love my new senior survivor friends. Hollz, Jojo, Emmy, Dan and I bonded on a whole new level tonight. I will be sad to see everyone leave, “S.S.” has been an awesome experience! April 23, 2010 Although Ian and Lauren had the most checks coming in every day, meaning we didn’t win, I think everyone knows the Blue team are the true survivors. Everyone did such a great job; $5200 will go a long way.

Jojo Parin transports her team’s donation bucket as well as a pillow

Kevin Yarows and Kurt Miller share a laugh after Yarows took a pie to the face during the assembly

Chelsea Brauning lays out her team’s bandana Photos by Kristie Duve

puzzle

Friday, April 30, 2010

Ian McCarthy uPage editor

My advice for a prom date

elax, calm down and breathe. Yes, this is a column written by Ian McCarthy, enjoy. This is a helpful column. Prom is tomorrow, and guys who don’t have dates, I know what you are thinking: “Oh well. Too late now to get a date.” Wrong. I’m going to tell you the perfect ways to ask a girl to prom who is just a gem. If you have waited this long, you are probably on the shy side; my first idea is something that takes you right out of your element. First, get your hands on a sharp orange tux that will drive the ladies crazy (top hat and a cane would be excellent additions). Then, take yourself right out in front of the prom and you post it up like Kareem Abdul Jabaar and wait for the right dateless lady to come your way. When you approach her, here are a myriad of lines that I have for you that will literally blow her mind. Start with the simple but effective grouping technique: “Oh, who dropped the change. Look at all these dimes.” I have used this next beauty of a line several times, and let me tell you, the results speak for themselves: “I am a professional gamer running with my marathon, getting lightweight when I hear your heartbeat sensor. Your stopping power gets right through my ninja pro and I wanna go get the nuke and set off the bomb. Wanna go to prom?” Yes, I am 100 percent certain that it will work. One liners aren’t for everyone. There’s what we like to call the “salesman” approach. This is where you go to any neighborhood in Dexter and ring the door bell and say a little something like this: Hello, my name is Ian McCarthy (or whatever your stupid name might be). Do you have a high school daughter? If yes, will she be attending the exciting-themed Harry Potter prom?” The mother or father will most likely welcome you with open arms. I am sure this advice will help anyone who does not have a date come through with some last-minute heroics.

Match the teacher to their catch phrase

“Shenanigans.”

“No fuh fuh.”

“The train get derailed.”

“Extra credit.”

“50 points.”

“You’re stupid.”

“ Anybody out there?“ “So on and so forth.”

Can you match the teacher to their common saying?

David Callaghan science dept.

Paige Lumpiesz

mathematics dept.

science dept.

economics dept.

Jeff Dagg

Richard Grannis

Ryan Baese

Jim Riethmiller history dept.

Craig Rafail

gym & science dept.

Deborah Marsh English dept.

answers: 1D, 2C, 3A, 4H, 5E, 6F, 7B, 8G

uPage

Friday, April 30, 2010

Before the seniors leave...

Sara Bayer Staff Writer

DO DO N T

2. Gain a sense of humor Seniors, take a knee for a moment. This one is for the rest of the school. The month of school is a time to take the bus to school, always watch were you put your hands and just laugh. Don’t worry, underclassmen. Soon your time will come, for juniors sooner than later. All you can really do right now is what we did for three years: take the pranks like a comedian.

Photos by Ross Chamberlain

Why do you hate The Squall?

3. Hurt someone We’ve all heard that joke, “It’s all fun and games till someone gets hurt. Then it’s hilarious.”

’

4. Something you can’t remove I know I said only the best pranks are the ones that make it so you can’t walk at graduation, but do not go too far. Remember that even though we are almost done with this oddly-shaped prison, the things that we do can still affect the chances in college. The schools never stop watching us; they’re like really excellent stalkers. 5. Do nothing for a senior prank and then whine about how lame the senior pranks are If you expect a wonderful senior prank and all you get is the average, lame pranks, quit complaining and get out there at four in the morning dressed in all black and take some initiative.

Mike Kedroske(12)

Peter Brundage (10)

assistant uPage editor

Jessica Quillen (9)

[ ] Marshall Kellenberger

2. Excrement all over the school Come on. It’s not only gross but also annoying. Also, it’s been done before. So, keep your bodily fluids to yourself.

Serena Bidwell (11)

3. Something that won’t keep you from walking Everyone knows that if someone isn’t walking for graduation, the reason has a chance of being totally freaking awesome or ridiculously lame. I know that you want to sit for four hours in a hot auditorium where everyone who speaks sounds like the adults from Charlie Brown. 4. Something unpredictable The whole point of a prank is to annoy and school the person being pranked, in this case the “man”. You can’t stick it to the man if they know what you’re going to do. For example, every year there is always something in the stairways, but the “man” is prepared for it. But, the “man” isn’t prepared for hamsters in the mail boxes or all the school computer backgrounds changed to the newest cover of Maxim. 5. Not harm the precious underclassmen Look at them, so carefree and unaware of their obnoxious attitudes. Adorable. Already thinking they’ve contracted senioritis. Oh how innocent. Seniors, I know that you think that these last few weeks are a time to remind everyone how awesome we are, but don’t harm the sweet children.

1. Repeat past pranks One quality of a totally awesome senior prank is that it’s unique, something that no else can think of. When people see these never-before-done pranks, their minds are completely blown and all of those who didn’t think of it are jealous.

Big Brother

1. Make your senior class proud The class of 2009 failed its peers. Don’t fail us this year, pranksters. Do something worth talking about. When I come back in the summer from college and hear from the new seniors about their pranks, I want to laugh in their faces. “Oh, you guys locked a herd of cows in the football stadium? Hrmm, well last year, my year, we took apart Mr. Moran’s car and rebuilt it in the secretary office. Mrs. Whitehead loved it.”

Because of the people that write it.

It’s evil. It has nothing but horrible people reading it.

Hate the Squall!? What?

Preposterous.

My relatives!

How do you feel about the fact that The Squall will be censored by the Chinese government?

Sounds like a bit of an overkill.

How do you feel that the custodial staff has been robbed of their motto: Clean Up DHS?

I can’t believe anyone would ever do that to our noble custodians.

It’s just rude.

What is your opinion on the pornography across from the auditorium?

Quite inappropriate.

It’s painted beautifully. Just beautifully.

Aren’t you glad we have authority figures watching out for our best interests?

No.

Yes. It promotes a great learning environment and makes everyone behave.

X Maria!? Poor Maria!

I’m not sure I would classify it as that.

Oh yes. Super glad.

It is just flat out inappropriate.

I’m all for communism. Why not?

I think that the janitors should sue the blog.

That’s porn?

It only means they care. Just kidding. Not at all.

Before The Squall the children weren’t aware that evils such as drugs, drinking or dancing occurred in this world. I don’t believe that the Chinese government is strict enough. From what I understand Chinese citizens are allowed to have uncensored thoughts in their heads. I will not stand for that. I am sorry that the custodial staff was robbed of anything. I feel sorry for them. They must have such a horrible time picking up the filthy halls of Dexter High School.

Every time I walk past it, I feel nauseous. I’m not entirely sure if the girl on the wall is even over 18. Why wouldn’t you be?

& QA

Aaron Gilman staff writer

with Tough Guy Matt Kaas

Q: Do you enjoy warm milk before you go to bed? A: I enjoy dunking Double Stuffed Oreo’s in lukewarm milk. Q: Do you like to talk about your feelings? A: I see a therapist weekly. His name is Phil. Q: What chokes you up? A: The end of “The Notebook”. Q: How did you react when Old Yeller died? A: I cried myself to sleep at night for a whole year. Q: What happens if the Giants lose the Super Bowl? A: I will hold Eli Manning in my arms, and we will weep together. Q: How do you feel about being shot with paintballs? A: It would hurt because I bruise easily. Q: Do you enjoy bubble baths after a long day? A: I enjoy lavender-scented bubbles with Miley Cyrus playing in the background.

arts

Friday, April 30, 2010

Staff Playlist “Iris” By: The Goo Goo Dolls Why: “It is unique, and it makes me happy when I listen to it. I love the lyrics.”

Charlotte Morrill staff writer

“Roger That” By: Young Money Why: “It’s an awesome song. It’s got a great beat, and Nicki Minaj is a pimp.”

Sirah Camara staff writer

“Impossible” By: Shontelle Why: “She has a good voice, and I love all her songs.”

Murphy Hansen staff writer

“Swing Life Away” By: Rise Against Why: “I’m learning it on guitar, so I appreciate it more. It sounds pretty, and I like the lyrics.”

Sophia Benedetto staff writer

“Always” By: Erasure (Robot Unicorn Song) Why: “It’s an amazing song. It’s like listening to pure happiness.”

Brent Kellenberger staff writer

“Into the Ocean” By: Blue October Why: “This is my favorite because of its tune. Also, it is relaxing to listen to, at least for me.”

Alex Friedman staff writer

Photos by Ross Chamberlain

Teacher inspired by Fox's 'Glee' Emily Van Dusen copy editor

On April 13, the spring season premiere of ‘Glee,’ a Fox network show following a high school show choir, came to fruition after months of anticipation, suggesting that it too could rise to the top of the charts and join the likes of classics like “Friends” and “I Love Lucy.” DVDs, CDs, T-shirts and other promotional materials for the show have flown off the shelves, and its possible cultural impact even finds a niche in Dexter, where choir director Julie Basset hopes to start a brand new Dexter High School Glee club. “I actually had about 15 kids who approached me,” Bassett said. “Parents too.” Basset attributes the sudden interest in a glee club to the rising popularity of the television show, which she has seen. “It’s crazy-over the top, really,” Bassett said. “But it’s really entertaining. One of the writers on that show has definitely worked in a high school before.” According to Bassett, the show’s balance of real high school issues and crazy, sing-a-long fun has sparked widespread interest and may be part of the reason why around 60 kids showed up for an informational meeting. “We might have to have auditions, especially since there seem to be a lot more girls than guys. We’ll look at the final number of people interested and go from there,” Bassett said. The entire process will take a while to finalize, but the club is due to start meeting sometime next school year.

The Fox Network hit ‘Glee’ has influenced students to pursue the establishment of a school-sponsored Glee Club.

According to Bassett, the club will perform typical show choir repertoire: show tunes and pop music, complete with choreography. Having been involved with show choir when she was younger, Bassett looks forward to the chance to return to the song and dance atmosphere. “In the district where I grew up, show choir was the thing to do,” Bassett said. “I grew up in show choir. So whenever I can get more people to sing who wouldn’t be able to fit choir into their schedule, I’d like to do it.”

Students play unusual instruments Sara Douglass staff writer

“I had always loved bluegrass, and when I tried the guitar, it didn’t really click for me. When I picked up a banjo, though, it was an entirely different story. It was like it had been made for me,” said banjo player and senior Henry Seeger. “I took lessons from a guy at Herb David Guitar Studio. He didn’t like banjo very much, so I taught myself for a couple years. At the beginning of this year, I began taking lessons from Lee Kauffmen.” Seeger said he was first attracted to the banjo four years ago. “Well, a lot of the people I hung out with played guitar,” he said. “The banjo was an instrument like the guitar so I picked it up and liked to play.” Seeger even had the chance to hear Steve Martin and his bluegrass band play and was even able to get his banjo signed. Seeger said, “After staking out his van for 45 minutes, I got him to sign my banjo.” It doesn’t stop there for Seeger. He plays not only one unusual instrument but two. Seeger said, “I play the ocarina. It’s a clay flute from Zelda. Eric VanBuhler introduced me to it.” For junior Alex Thompson, it was the ukulele that caught his attention. The instrument, which looks like a miniature guitar, has four strings and produces a high-sounding, sweet tune. “I like the Hawaiian easy listening music,” Thompson said. “I was

in Hawaii, and I got it there.” Thompson has been playing the instrument for three years and enjoys it. “Before, I played the drums and guitar,” he said. “Ukulele is just a weird instrument that attracted me. At the time I was at the Ann Arbor Music Center, and the guy there taught lessons.”

Photo by Joey King

Junior Alex Thompson plays his ukulele at his house. He finds it a nice escape from usual music.