The Squall, May 2010

D o n’ t u s e t h e f - w o r d . “ Fr e e d o m o f T h e S q u a l l .”

Dexter High School 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter, MI 48130

News

[ the squall ] Features

Ocean bowl parts seas as they set sail for first page 2

Sports

Nikki Caldwell: high jump star; page 8

Mr. Dreadnaught muscles through the competition page 3

Opinion

Rostrum

Seniors invade the Rostrum

BUS Senior tradition: Pro/Con page 11

Photo by Claire Berger

May 27, 2010 Volume XV Issue 9

CHANGES

As the board of education looks to make a plethora of changes to the transportation department , concerns are raised Nicholas Miller

news editor-in-chief

As discussion on ways to save money in the transportation department continues, the board of education could soon vote to implement some major changes such as adjusting grade configurations to fit a single bus run for grades K-12, establishing a conditional based no-transport zone within the Village of Dexter and reducing department overhead cost.

If approved, these changes could save over $270,000 according to the district’s draft plan.

“By reducing our overhead we will have to simply do the same amount of work with fewer people,” Transportation Director Sean Burton said. “I envision the transportation department will re-evaluate all of our job descriptions/job processes and determine some areas where we can become more efficient and effective.”

Additional transportation initiatives for 2011-12 may include possible relocation of the transportation facility, construction of central transfer location, contract negotiations, all-day kindergarten and reevaluation of joining the Washtenaw Intermediate School District transportation consortium.

A change in bussing grade configuration will likely happen as Superintendent Rob Glass has recommended a one-tier system.

And while board members and bus drivers alike agree cuts need to be made, some drivers and community members say cutting transportation

should not come at the cost of children’s safety. Bus the district will not know the exact numbers until driver Kelly Pace said the biggest concern with a one- the routing process is complete. This raises some tier system, where students K-12 ride the same bus, is concerns among bus drivers according to Burton as this new routing could reduce drivers’ hours and pay. kids’ safety.

Another concern he said drivers have is the “I don’t know what they’re thinking (in implementing a one-tier system),” Pace said. (The exposure young students might get to new ideas by board) needs to be more concerned with kids’ safety riding with older students. “The drivers are primarily concerned about how the single tier could potentially and less concerned with dollar figures.”

Pace also said by the 2011-2012 school year effect the younger students,” Burton said, “as they will drivers will see a drop in benefits as they will only be be riding with more mature students.”

In addition to new grade working closer to a 2-4 hour configurations, if this plan is shift compared to the 6-8 hour approved, hub bus stops will shifts they worked this year, By reducing our overhead we be developed and bus stops will but safety is what should drive will have to simply do the same not likely be directly in front this debate. amount of work with fewer of students’ residences. Riders “All in all it comes down to people.” may find it necessary to travel kids’ safety,” Pace said. “That’s some distance to a designated (bus drivers’) first concern. It’s not so much a battle for our

Sean Burton, bus stop.

Under most reconfiguration pensions and retirement. Lord Transportation Director options, buses will not go into knows thats already messed up most subdivisions, public or with the state of things.” private, unless it is necessary to However, Burton said create a safe or efficient route. drivers’ concerns may not play Transportation would only be provided to and out under a one-tier system.

“If Dexter moves to a one-tier system, the from the bus stops assigned and only to a single transportation department will see a very minimal location. Any other arrangements would be the number of lay-offs,” he said. In fact, he said there responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian.

According to information in the the transportation could even be a need to hire a few additional drivers, draft plan, all of these changes will reduce ride time of depending on how the routing comes out.

According to Burton the current models show the students by reducing the number of times a bus has to department remaining neutral in terms of layoffs stop to load students and unload students and reduce versus hiring a few more drivers. However he said the miles required to provide personalized service.

“

Grade configurations options • Option A: Single bus run for grade configuration K-12, estimated savings $200,000$275,000.

• Option B: Dual bus run for grade configuration 9-12 and K-8, estimated savings of $120,000-$160,000.

• Option C: Optimized dual bus run for grade configuration K-4 and 5-12, estimated savings of $130,000-$175,000 If passed, Burton said the school board will evaluate each proposed hub stop for safety and will not institute hub stops in areas where local conditions make their use unsafe.

But Pace said the drivers don’t support hub stops. “We are all very worried about the hub bus stops,” Pace said, “especially regarding the little ones.

Again I don’t know what they’re thinking. They are overlooking the kids’ safety.”

Amid blog controversy board works on publication policy Caitlin rize

trends editor

At the same time the school board began reviewing student publication and production policies, The Squall became subject to anonymous attack via the Internet by concerned community members who believe the paper needs to be produced with more oversight.

How it began In mid-March, Superintendent Rob Glass received an e-mail from a concerned parent.

Marsha Cobb explained in the e-mail that she’s always liked Dexter Schools, but that she was worried about things she’s heard of at the high school. One of her main concerns was the quality of The Squall saying the paper “doesn’t reflect or represent educational excellence” and that “it read more like a Facebook page, not being journalistic.”

Glass made newspaper adviser and journalism teacher Rodney Satterthwaite aware of the e-mail and asked Cobb to contact Satterthwaite.

Satterthwaite said he thanked Cobb for the feedback via e-mail and encouraged her to set up a time to meet and talk in person.

According to Satterthwaite, Cobb then asked Glass to go over the legal parameters of high school publications. Satterthwaite said he e-mailed Cobb at Glass’ request, with summaries of landmark Supreme Court cases regarding student press law and attached links to oyez.org, a website that summarizes Supreme Court cases.

Principal Kit Moran then received an e-mail from a new concerned parent who had been forwarded these e-mails from Satterthwaite to Cobb. This parent said Satterthwaite was only “blowing smoke” and that he was giving the district legal advice. This parent referred to him as a “renegade journalism mentor” and accused him of violating district bylaws.

This parent and her husband agreed to meet face-to-face with both Moran and Satterthwaite. After that meeting they continued to say Moran was violating board policy by not prior reviewing The Squall.

According to Satterthwaite, however, nothing in board policy calls for an administrator to prior review the paper.

“At this point I contacted Mike Hiestand of the Student Press Law Center to make sure I wasn’t off base because I am not a lawyer,” Satterthwaite said. “He said I was fine and right on target with my original e-mail to Mrs. Cobb.”

On March 22, an anonymous blog called “Clean up DHS” was created.

“I think it was an e-mail thing that got the next parents involved and then some friend, maybe even that person, created the blog,” Satterthwaite said. “The blog really took on a life of it’s own.”

Moran said he sees the blog as a reaction from parents first experiencing The Squall.

“Occasionally things come up (with The Squall),” he said. “It’s not new to me. Of late, a few parents, not necessarily high school parents, have seen copies of The Squall, and things have been taken out of context. They’ve had a visceral reaction, which we do as emotional human beings. However, I think some general, inaccurate conclusions have been jumped to without waiting for facts.”

Ironically, the school board was in the process of reviewing student publication policies around the same time.

“It’s interesting how these events correlated,” Satterthwaite said.

“It was some kind of serendipity that made all these events happen at the same time. Truly an interesting coincidence.”

The birth of the blog Georgia, the creator of the “Clean Up DHS” blog, said she generated the blog to e-mail to her friends so those friends could e-mail it to their friends.

(While The Squall can confirm Georgia started the blog, we cannot confirm that Georgia is her real first name, and she would not tell us her last name).

“A friend shared the Club Chrome article with me,” Georgia said.

“I thought if parents were aware of the article, they would not like it, so I put links to articles on-line and mailed the blog link to several friends.”

The Club Chrome article in the February edition of The Squall featured a story on why students were abandoning high school dances and traveling to Club Chrome, a teen club in Whitmore Lake with few

restrictions. The story also featured photos of the dance styles at Club Chrome, which are prohibited at high school dances.

Georgia said her problem with The Squall began after she read the Club Chrome article and a “strippers article,” a column written in 2000 that mentions strippers. After these two, she said she read every article online, dating back to 2004.

“It’s not that often, but when the paper goes too far, it really goes too far,” she said.

Other parents, however, say The Squall represents quality writing.

Diana Miller, a mother of a high school student, said she is proud of the Squall.

“Generally, I’ve always enjoyed reading The Squall,” she said. “The students do a great job reporting. This is probably noted by others, as well, since they’ve won so many awards. The journalism is good.”

Georgia, however, said she created the blog to share examples of where she thought the paper went too far.

“I felt like the Dexter community as a whole would never get the opportunity to see the school paper for themselves,” Georgia said. “My goal was to show people in Dexter where I thought the paper crossed the line, and if they disagreed with me, fine, but if they agreed with me, they could e-mail the school board. After I started it, other people joined in and offered to help.”

In fact, this group expanded to form a committee. Among the members, Georgia said, are parents of three high school students, four middle school students and more than 16 elementary students.

According to concerned parent Cara Johnson, there is also a larger group that utilizes the work of the committee to stay informed.

“The blog was never intended to be a discussion page or open forum,” Georgia said. “It is more of a ‘here’s what I think.’ I’m not a reporter. I’m a blogger.”

The main argument the blog seemed to present at its beginning was the The Squall was not appropriate for all students at the high school. This argument also expanded to include the argument that the Venus mural on a wall in the high school and the homecoming theme were promoting pornography and gambling, respectively.

See blog story continued on page 7

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News

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ocean Bowl nationally ranked

college textbooks to learn about the ocean,” he said. “Usually fairly nervous in the morning but settled in around their staff writer you read around three to four books a season and six to eight if first win. “Overall, it was really fun,” he said. “It was pretty productive and very positive.” you are really dedicated.”

After hours of reading and studying, the team It takes a lot of time The battle had begun. Twenty-five Ocean Bowl teams from expected to do well in the tournament. “It feels really across the country met in St. Petersburg Florida on April 24 and effort in order to good to know that all our hard work has paid off,” to compete for a national title. After extensive studying and be successful according said.

Grundler.

“Being assessment on ocean knowledge, the Dexter Ocean Bowl team to You have to be on your Grundler Having placed at a national level, the team is pleased led by coach Cheryl Wells took ninth place in the entire nation. interested in the ocean game and prepared.” with the results. “I think everyone met the expectations “We worked hard to get to ninth place,” Wells said. “I was plays a big part as well,” they had, we got pretty far into nationals,” Bussineau she said. very pleased with our results.” said. “Naturally, it feels really good to be nationally Beyond gaining The team has met every day after school to study in

ranked.” preparation for this competition. According to Wells, the knowledge of the ocean, Wells has been coach of the team since it was first Bussineau and students practice writing and answering questions in geology, both junior brought to Dexter 13 years ago. During her time say Ocean geography, physics, chemistry, marine technology, law and the Grundler coaching, Dexter has won the regional tournament five Bowl creates friendships marine biology of the Earth’s oceans. times and gone to Alaska; California; Washington, D.C; people who Each match starts out with six or seven multiple choice between New York and Florida for the national tournament. questions, followed by a team challenge question and then a wouldn’t ordinarily meet.

Team members agree Wells is a very intense coach and a Senior Justin Wike, captain of the team, said being on the team buzzer round with about six or seven questions.

“Competitions are really fast-paced, so you have to be on team has helped him gain stronger people skills. “It’s not just large portion of their success is owed to her. “(Mrs. Wells) is about the competitions,” Wike said. “You actually go around excellent,” Grundler said. “She does so much for the team. We your game and prepared,” junior Maggie Grundler said. couldn’t have gotten as far as we did without her.”

Junior Spencer Bussineau said the material the team covers and (do activities) with people.”

The team members arrived in St. Petersburg on Thursday, is significantly harder than a typical high school class. “We read April 22. The next day, they went on field trips organized by NOSB. Competition started on Saturday which continued on to Sunday.

“It’s really a great trip,” Wells said. “It’s not just about the competition, but (the field trips) are phenomenal.”

During the nationals trip, Grundler went on a field trip to Fort Desoto Beach to explore with scientists and perform experiments and study the properties of water. “It was a really cool to experience to see what it would be like in the field,” she said, adding that the experience showed her that she would enjoy becoming a marine scientist as a career. “(It is) absolutely helpful and encouraging for students to meet the ocean and marine scientists,” Governor Granholm signed legislation to encourage thousands Wells said. “This is a career pathway opportunity for of teachers and other school employees to retire on May 20. our students. They get on-site experience and can School employees have until June 11 to decide whether t0 retire talk with and share information with the scientists.” under this plan. Beginning next year, all school employees who Wells said the team also gets hands-on use of the don’t retire will pay an additional 3 percent into the retirement equipment, materials and tools of the trade. system. Granholm said the retirements and other cost-saving Bussineau said the team started out the competition measures will save schools a total of $3 billion over the next dePhoto by Kristie Duve cade. Joe Romeo, president of the Dexter Education Association, said the bill has many flaws and punishes teachers instead of helping them. “It’s like the game musical chairs. You have 240 teachers but only 230 chairs,” he said. The bill passed the Senate by a 21-14 vote and the House by 56-45.

Ali Bowman

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Maggie Grundler,

News

Briefs

Governor signs retirement bill

State smoking ban takes effect As of May 1 there is no smoking in bars or public dining areas across Michigan. The Senate and House passed this bill that bans smoking in all bars and restaurants but exempts casinos and cigar bars. The ban extends to some outdoor places like on a restaurant patio where food is being served. Michigan joins 37 states that have already enforced a similar ban.

Lodi farms donates trees to DCS

Illustration by Gabe Altomare

Teachers face layoffs

Nine high school teachers are forced to consider options after receiving pink slips Justin Wike

staff writer

When the pink slips were delivered, nine teachers at the high school and 24 teachers throughout the district received layoff notices, more commonly known as pink slips.

Of these, nine teachers in the high school receiving pink slips, Principal Kit Moran said less than half will likely be laid off.

Eighty-six to 87 percent of districts are laying off staff in the state,” Moran said. “What is probable is that we will have a layoff or two. “ Social studies teacher Ethan Konett was one of the teachers who received a pink slip. “I’ve honestly known this was coming for quite a while,” Konett said. “I pay pretty close attention to local news. After my first year I was pink slipped. That was a bit more stressful. I’ve been preparing for being laid off for well over a year. That means putting a few extra dollars in the piggy bank and coming up with scenarios.”

And if Konett is laid off, he has plans. “I will spend more time with my daughter and work to become a better bluegrass guitar picker,” he said.

Despite the hardship that may come around, Konett said, “The hard part would be that my wife might have to work more than she wants to. Nothing else really matters except my little girl, Maya, and my wife, Tracy.”

Even though he might be laid off Konett said he will not change how he teaches his class.

“I am a professional. I get paid to do a job and that job is to educate youngsters,” he said. “I didn’t get into this profession because it is easy, because it’s not. I didn’t get into it because the money is good, because it’s not. I got into it because I believed I could do good things.

It would be unethical and harmful to kids if I were to decide that I no longer needed to work hard.”

The teachers who received layoff notices at the high school are: yearbook teacher Barry Mergler, social studies teachers Erin Palmer

and Konett, math teacher William Maddox, science teachers David Teddy and Daniel Witte, gym teacher Michael McHugh, math teacher Kathryn Day, band director David Peters and Spanish teacher Maria Vazquez-Brieva.

Despite the fact that most of them are relatively new teachers, pink slips are not handed out on seniority alone; the district has to take into account what a teacher is certified to teach and how many teachers they have who can teach a subject.

Another aspect is that the district needs to have all of the teachers they need for a required class. “It’s very much based on seniority and certification,” Moran said. “Our fourth Wednesday count in February was the highest it’s ever been. I’m hoping it’s because people want to be here at DHS on purpose.”

The fourth Wednesday count is what the state uses to determine the funding that a school will receive for the school year.

The amount of money a district receives is based on how many students are present on the day of the count. Schools receive approximately seven $7000 per student present on this day.

With more students the district will make more money, which could lead to fewer teachers being laid off.

Teachers could also not be laid off if there are teachers retiring. “If a teacher decides to retire it could free up a slot,” Moran said.

Based on possible language in the new teacher contract, some retiring teachers might even be able to come back and teach part time. This could allow the district to have fewer layoffs as well.

“I spoke to quite a few of the teachers (who were pink slipped),” Moran said. “They put their resume together and want to be here.

Class sizes are going to be bigger than last year. More kids and fewer teachers to teach.”

Even though he faces being laid off Konett seems fairly upbeat about the situation. “I’m not really worried. We prepared for this, so I will be fine,” he said. “I would definitely miss DHS. There is no sense to worry about that which I cannot control. I’ve been preparing for being laid off for well over a year. Therefore it makes no sense to stress about it.”

Lodi Farms a local, family-owned nursery and landscape contracting company donated trees to each Dexter school in honor of Earth Day. The nursery donated a flame red maple to the Bates Elementary playground, for example. This donation was coordinated by Bev Hill at Creekside along with Mary Elordi from Bates. “The trees are about 12 feet tall and (Dan Riddle of Lodi Farms) supplied mulch and green tree bags plus a talk to all groups. It was a great program. The success goes to all of the teachers in each school that had their classes present and helped celebrate Earth Day,” Hill said.

Senior activities fast approaching The senior trip to Cedar Point will take place on Tuesday, June 1. For $42 seniors will get bus transportation to the park, park admission, movies and snacks for the bus ride. Seniors will need additional money souvenirs and lunch. Buses will leave the student parking lot by 7:15 a.m. so that they can arrive at Cedar Point when the park opens at 10 a.m. Seniors should return home by 11 p.m. that evening.

Keen takes first in essay contest Senior Jordan Keen took first place in the Student Essay Contest Award sponsored by The Michigan Society for Medical Research. Keen’s essay, titled “From Statistic to Realistic” earned her a $500 first prize and a plaque. Keen said she was very excited to win the scholarship. Science teacher Cheryl Well who had Keen in both Accelerated Chemistry and Anatomy & Physiology accompanied her to the conference and received $100.

According to Wells, she and Keen are using the money to get a gram balance for Wells’ classroom. Keen said she plans to attend Western Michigan University in the fall and use the prize money for her tuition. Keen said, “It was great to go to the Michigan Society for Medical Research conference to receive the scholarship. It was an awesome opportunity to meet a ton of people involved in the medical field, including a biology professor at Western.”

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Feature

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Seniors compete in Mr. Dreadnaught

liz O’Keefe

staff writer

Senior Joe Jansen was one of the competitors in the Mr. Dreadnaught competition that took place on May 14 and said being Mr. Dreadnaught had been a dream of his since he was a wee little lad.

Jansen said the main reason he decided to sign up for the competition was because he thought it would be a fun experience for his senior year. “I mainly signed up on a whim,” he said.

Jansen said he took the competition seriously and did a lot to prepare for it. “I am on a very strict workout and diet routine so that I can loose some weight and have some rocking abs,” he said.

The talent portion of the competition is what Jansen said he was most looking forward to because he decided to preform an original rap. “I am going to do a rap that I wrote in Spanish class.

The rap isn’t going to be in Spanish though,” he said.

The judges for the competition were special education teacher Karen Walls, and social studies teachers Ryan Baese and Erin Palmer. Jansen said he had a plan for trying to bribe them but didn’t end up cheating at any time in the competition.

“I won’t bribe the judges in the way most people do,” he said. “I don’t plan on cheating because I’m a classy guy, and I like to follow the rules. I think all of the competitors are worthy of being Mr. Dreadnaught, but they don’t stack up to me. I think that my biggest competition is Dan Flowers because he is really funny and has rocking abs.”

Jansen said he thought he had a good chance of getting the title Mr. Dreadnaught. “I think I have a good shot because I am a pretty clever guy and have really good looks,” he said. “Flo Joe Jansen is about to tear this s--- up.”

Science teacher Jessica Kreeger and French teacher Kim Lund were in charge of the organization of the Mr. Dreadnaught competition. “(Lund) is the senior adviser, and I helped because I had organized Mr. Dreadnaught two years ago for my senior class. It was a collaborative effort,” Kreeger said. “I helped organize the students that were participating and was present for the rehearsals.”

Kreeger said judges based their decision on five categories including open dance, sportswear, talent, formal wear and individual question. She said there were rules each of the competitors had to follow by to avoid being disqualified. “(Songs) must contain clean lyrics and follow student code of conduct in student handbook.

Inappropriate behavior or language equals disqualification,” she said. Kreeger said she enjoyed helping organize the competition. “I loved it. It is always so much fun to watch the students work outside their comfort zone,” she said.

Kreeger also said she thought the competitors enjoyed it too and it allowed them to challenge themselves in a different way. “The boys never realize how difficult it is to perform a choreographed dance together,” she said.

Kreeger said she hopes to continue helping organize the Mr. Dreadnaught competitions in the future. “My class will be seniors in two years, and I hope to help out next year as well,” she said.

Despite Jansen’s efforts, this years winner of the competition and the new Mr. Dreadnaught is Kevin Yarows. Kreeger said, The winner took away $75 in cash, and it was a lot of fun. I think the audience enjoyed the performances.”

Illustration by Alex Everard

live it down.

Kaitlyn Shepard features editor

My HS soundtrack

Over the past four years I have had my fair-share of ups and downs. I’ve met some amazing people, found my passion, fallen in and out of love and made countless mistakes.

But, in the end, I wouldn’t change a single second of it. All of these things have helped me figure out who I am and who I want to be. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from my mistakes.

So, as I write my final article for The Squall, I feel as if it is up to me to leave you with one last lesson. What better way to do this than to share with you my own high school experience? To help illustrate my experience, I’ve put together a playlist of sorts. So open iTunes, navigate your way to YouTube, sit back and listen. You just may learn something.

“Bump N’ Grind” by R.Kelly. The second I walked into my first high school dance, I knew I wasn’t at Mill Creek anymore. Dances once filled with brighteyed, line-dancing middle schoolers were now filled will sexually-frustrated, grinding teenagers. Still, some of my best memories come from dances. Even if you don’t dance with your hands on the floor, there is just something fun about dances. For that reason, I suggest all high schoolers go to at least one dance. They are truly part of the high school experience.

“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol. I will be the first to admit, most of the classes you take in high school are pointless. You will never be asked to find the equation of a line or the force of a crate on a downward plane. The sole purpose for you being in these classes is to memorize facts so you can pass the final and get credit to graduate. This is why I can honestly say AP English Language with Mrs.Muskiewicz is the most useful class I have taken. I learned more in that one year than I ever have, and the things I learned I can actually see myself using. This is why every time I hear “Chasing Cars” Snow Patrol’s incorrect usage of “lay” and “lie” drives me crazy. Thank you, Mrs.M, for everything.

“Crush” by David Archuleta. Out of my own embarrassment I am not going to go too far into this point. All I am going to say is that listening to your friends when they say that getting down on your knees and singing to a freshman is a good idea, you probably shouldn’t listen to them. It’s creepy, and you will never

“Life is Beautiful” by Vega4. Join a sports team.

I know it sounds cliche, but it is true. When I joined the water polo team my sophomore year, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I wore ridiculous tights, make-up that looked like a five-year old did it, a T-shirt with strategically placed polo balls, but I loved every minute of it. These girls are my life, I cannot imagine high school without them.

“Paperweight” by Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk. Relationships are hard, especially in high school. You reach a point where you are consumed by passion and lust, and you feel like no one has ever loved as fiercely or been as close, and then without explanation it just falls apart. I’ve done it. I’ve fallen completely head over heels only to have things not work out, but that’s OK. You don’t need to eat excessive amounts of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and spend the next month wallowing in your own self-pity. You’re only 18. It’s not like you were going to marry them anyway.

“Locked Up” by Akon. There is no better lunch time entertainment than watching Dean of Students Ken Koenig tackle a student from across the lunch room after that student beat the crap out of another student.

Sadly, I have not been fortunate enough to witness a fight first hand. Which is why we need to keep working on our rep as the “Dirty D.” If we want to make this our official name, we have to step it up. So get mad and fight. Just be prepared to deal with the not-so-pretty consequences of your actions.

“Guilty Pleasure” by Cobra Starship. As much as we hate on some of the things at DHS, we have to admit we love them. Social studies teacher Jim Riethmiller is the epitome of this. No matter how much you hate on his type-writer worksheets and notorious extra credit, there is nothing better than making a Riethmiller reference and having everyone know exactly why it’s funny. For this reason alone having a class with Rieth should be a graduation requirement.

“I Love College” by Asher Roth. While my years here have been fun, it’s time to move on. It’s time to put my full collection of athletic clothing to use and have food prepared for me whenever I want. It’s time to update my Facebook with red-cupped party pictures and to have the freedom to do what I want, when I want, without having to ask first. But most of all it’s time to move on to bigger and better things (that’s what she said.)

The Squall has been good to me. It has given me the freedom to express my opinions and has certainly taught me a lot about life. For that reason I hope that my final column has taught you all something too.

Maybe you’ve learned how to make the most of high school, or maybe you’ve added a few new songs to your iTunes library. Either way, I am happy. Enjoy the rest of high school, DHS. I’ll see you on the flip side.

Local Lion's Club organizes Leo's Club for service Charlotte Knoell-Merill

staff writer

In the community service world, the Lion’s Club has always been king of the jungle. The Dexter Lion’s Club is one of over 45,000 Lion’s Clubs worldwide, and it is part of an organization that began in 1917.

The club in Dexter has done many things for the community, from their annual Christmas tree sale, to pie-eating contests at Apple Daze, to selling engraved bricks for the walk around the gazebo in downtown. However, the Lions eventually felt that spreading the idea of their services into the schools would be beneficial.

A year and a half ago, math teacher Al Snider was approached by Lion’s Club Vice President Rich Ulrich about being the adviser of a Leo’s Club at Dexter High School.

“The Lion’s Club does just about everything for the community, like setting up Dexter Daze. Without them, we wouldn’t have a club,” sophomore Erin Steptoe, the President of the Leo’s Club, said.

“Leo’s Club is an international club,” Snider said. “Just like the Key Club or NHS, The Leo’s Club is service-oriented. The difference is, the Leo Club is in many other countries. All Leo Clubs are sponsored by their local Lions Club.”

Leo’s Clubs’ goals are to get young people involved in their communities and to create young leaders around the world, and they take pride in the

fact that anyone can join, regardless of political standings, religious beliefs or origins.

According to the Leo’s Clubs’ website, Leos share universal bylaws, and follow similar meeting, fundraising and leadership patters, and the official objective of the international Leo’s Clubs’ is to provide the youth of the world (with) an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community.

“Leo’s Club of Dexter is a service organization just like other service organizations at the high school,” Snider said.

The International Lion’s Club website says that Leo stands for Leadership, Experience and Opportunity. There are 144,000 Leos in the world, in as many as 139 different countries, and the Leo’s Club section of the Lions has been active for 50 years.

Photo by Lindsey Gagneau According to Snider, besides Steptoe as President, the Leo’s Club at Discussing plans: The Leo’s club meets in the morning to discuss their upcoming Dexter is led by sophomore officers Alison Pallo (VP), Natalie Emerick events. These events include: eye glass collection, Mill Creek Dance Marathon, and Dexter Daze. (secretary), and Bridget Star (treasurer). These four officers together make and The Penny Carnival. The club is planning other events for the coming up the Leo’s Club committee.

“What I do as President is I basically have new ideas and try to get months, that include working at Alpha House, a homeless shelter in Ann things going because it’s a new club,” Steptoe said. “Right now the focus is Arbor.

“We help collect eyeglasses,” Steptoe said. “We’re going to help at getting people involved and starting a project.”

Some of the activities the Leo’s Club have been involved with include Dexter Daze, and we want to start helping with Leader Dogs in the future. the Dance Marathon at Mill Creek, serving breakfast to senior citizens We want to do what we can to help the community.”

Photo by Christina Field

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Feature

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Custodial staff loses long-time help Derek Fead

staff writer

As people first walk into the high school on the first day of their freshman year, they might be astounded by the schools’ size.

They might marvel at the size of the gym or the lunch room. But there is another side to DHS that most visitors don’t see on a regular basis: the people who keep it clean.

The custodial staff is lead by handyman Lamar Luckhardt, who has worked at DHS for more than 35 years but is retiring this year. “Lamar can fix anything,” fellow custodian Kim Victorson said. “My job is about to get a lot harder.”

Victorson is taking over Luckhardt’s position as head custodian and has been working at DHS for more than 30 years. Victorson said of Luckhardt’s retirement, “Hurry up and come back. We need you.”

Although Victorson’s job will get harder after Luckhardt’s retirement, Victorson is excited for the chance to make a difference in the school. “Lamar did a lot, and now I have to pick up the slack,” he said.

Custodian Maria Mast has been working at DHS for four years, and said she loves the job. “I take a lot of pride in my work, but the kids need to behave,” Mast said with a smile.

Most people know Mast as the woman who picks up trash during lunch, but she does a lot

more than that. Mast works nine hours a day and does everything from deliver mail to fix lighting to snaking toilets.

“Everyone on the custodial staff must know how to fix things,” Mast said. This is why Luckhardt has been so important for DHS. “Luckhardt could fix anything in the school,” Victorson said, “electrical, mechanical, anything.

Lamar is the ultimate handyman.”

It’s not just students who need to behave according to Mast.

She said the anonymous, anti-Squall blog, cleanupdhs, has made the custodial staff angry by stealing their motto.

“Cleaning up DHS, that is our motto,” Mast said. “I am upset that people think they can take that from (the custodial staff ). Those parents don’t clean up Dexter High School, (the custodial staff ) does.

We work hard

'You're fired'

Graph-X becomes more than just a class; Apprentice Challenge turns up the volume between groups in Dennis Stockwell's class all the designs must be approved by the administration. Each team is graded Sirah Camara assistant trends editor on the number of shirts they sell along with the quality of the shirts.

“The team that wins gets an A; Donald Trump is not the only one firing people. Graph-X teacher Dennis second place gets a B, and third and Stockwell is doing some firing of his fourth place gets Cs,” Stockwell said.

There are two kinds of wins: who own. Not from his class but from their makes the most money and who has groups in his Graph-X class.

To teach students how to work the most T-shirt sales. Senior Ashley together on a team, Stockwell’s Blackburn was confident about how class participates in an Apprentice her team would do. She said, “I’m Challenge. Everyone in the class is split pretty sure we’re gonna win one or the up into four teams consisting of five other.”

To decide who the winners are people. Their assignment is to create all the teams shirt designs and must prepare try to sell the most a presentation T-shirts.

There’s no greater feeling to give to T h e of capping off my senior Stockwell. The competition is modeled after year than being the Graph-X p r e s e n t a t i o n s an the show “The champion.” include outline of Apprentice” that

Nick Gonet, the shirt airs on NBC. Once the teams

senior design, and a breakdown of are decided by their sales.

Stockwell, the Out of the members all vote five teams the two winners were Team on who will be the project manager.

This person is in charge and Blank and Team Resare Draobetihw. delegates responsibilities.

Each Team Blank won for the most T-shirt team also has an accountant. Each sales selling 39 and Team Resare week there is a board meeting where Draobetihw won with earning the most each team discusses progress with profit at $28.32.

The second place team was Team Stockwell.

At the meeting the team also votes Scruff Magruff which earned a total of on which member is the weakest of the $24.49 profit selling 31 shirts, and last team. If the majority votes for the same place was the Boarder Jumpers who person, that person will be “fired” didn’t present and therefore received from the group and receive a C for the last place.

The members of both teams say they project. Before that meeting, however, project managers meet with Stockwell. were very proud at earning their A’s Their designs have to be original, especially senior Nick Gonet. Gonet and they cannot have any drug, alcohol, said, “There’s no greater feeling of sex, violence or racial references. The capping off my senior year than being shirts are limited to three colors and the Graph-X champion.”

“

every day to keep that motto clean.”

And Mast said the custodial staff will be hard at work all year long trying to clean up DHS, but they will have to increase their work load with Luckhardt’s retirement. Victorson said with a smile, “We will all miss Lamar, but DHS will miss him the most.”

Photo by Lindsay Gagneu

Authier takes Bates job Jeanine Reny

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staff writer

As he unlocks the door to his office, the third on the left, he takes a deep breath while looking at his large Michigan State flag. With one of his first cups of coffee, he starts what will be a predictably unpredictable day.

“I get to school around 6:30 a.m. just so I can have some sanity before starting off a day filled with e-mails and meetings,” Assistant Principal Authier said.

Waking up isn’t too bad of a struggle, though, because he loves his job.

“I love so much about this job. I love the kids, the challenges and love working with the teachers because they love kids,” he said.

Authier always wanted to go into a field where he worked with kids, and received his degree in English and his minor in social science.

He taught at Wayne County Community College as an adjunct teacher for two years, at North Farmington High School for two years, at Farmington High School for six years and Saline High School for two years.

“When I was teaching, I usually would just get upset, because while I wanted to teach students how to read, other teachers would want to teach students how to read their personal favorite book. I wanted to make a difference, and I knew I could really pursue that if I became an assistant principal,” Authier said.

He loves other things besides his job and his students though. He has a family that consists of him, his wife and his two children: a 3 year-old boy and a five and a half month old baby girl. He spends most of his time with them, while cooking, walking the dog and watching hockey. “I live the most exciting life,” he said sarcastically.

He started working for DHS four years ago, with plans to advance the education of the school and to teach the students to be the best they can be. “I love the students, even though they can break your heart,” Authier said. “If I could stay here at DHS for a long time that would be great, but I just don’t really know at this point in time.”

Positions at Bates and Wylie schools have opened up for a principal, and Authier has applied for both positions.

“I will be terribly sad if he ends up going to Bates,” English teacher Jo Muszkiewicz said. “He’s just a genuine good guy.”

According to Muszkiewicz, many people love Authier because he is fair-minded has

Value has never looked more attractive!

Dexter Plaza - next to Busch’s

Custodian Maria Mast cleans the commons after lunch. Mast has been a DHS custodian for four years.

Open 7 days a week

Photo by Rachel Lomax

Assistant Principal Tim Authier works in his office. Authier has accepted the principal position at Bates Elementary for next school

a quick-witted sense of humor and is dedicated to everything he sets his mind to. “He respects teachers and students, and he doesn’t pick favorites. He is just infinitely kind,” she said.

“The thing I love most and hate at the same time about Authier is his quick-witted sense of humor, Assistant Principal Ken Koenig said. “He doesn’t hold back. He has no mercy.”

His sense of humor isn’t the only thing that would be missed if Authier decides to leave, however.

“He’s my right hand man, he does a fantastic job and he makes my job much easier.”

Authier runs the MME and AP testing too. “He has it down to a science,” Koenig said.

Being known as a person who strives for the best, treats everyone with respect, and continues to better the school with different programs, many will feel sad if he leaves, but Principal Kit Moran understands if that is the case.

Moran said, “I’d rather him stay, but that’s for my own selfish reasons. But we all will support him no matter what he does.

Editor’s note: As The Squall was going to press, we learned that Authier was offered and has accepted the Bates principal job.

5

Feature

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Brent Pace: the next Eminem? Gillis trains

for a future in veterinary school Murphy Hansen

staff writer

S

Alex McMurray

Pace w r ites rap songs for persona l leisure and potent ia lly for f ut ure fans. “I like how rhy ming work s,” he said. “It’s a lso a way for me to ex press my emot ions and relieve stress.”

Even t hough he only hopped on t he rapping train towards t he beg inning of t he school year, Pace said he devotes at least four hours a day to his passion. His t ime is most ly spent in eit her his tr uck or his basement, w it h no one around to bot her him.

L ike many rappers, singers, painters or ot her ar t ists, Pace needs inspirat ion and one of his inspirat ions is “haters,” people who don’t suppor t or believe in someone’s goa ls or aspirat ions.

Pace hopes to proves t hese haters w rong and ma ke somet hing of his name.

“I plan on going to college, hav ing a c areer, but I w ill a lways rap on t he side and maybe some

staff writer

He may not have a million dollar record contract, but he did have a date to prom. How? Dex ter senior Brent Pace rapped a song he w rote to senior Taylor Conter and at t he end of t he song he incor porated ask ing her to prom. She glad ly accepted.

“He asked me to prom t hrough rapping,” Conter said. “It was a unique and cute idea.”

Pace never t hought he would act ua lly have an ear nest desire for rapping. He just did it for f un w it h his f r iends, but af ter a cer tain amount of t ime, he rea lized t hat he had a passion for it. “I didn’t k now it would lead to being ser ious, but it is,” he said.

So he sits in his basement night ly w it h a pen in hand, paper on pad and headphones blar ing a hip -hop beat. He is in t he zone.

day somet hing w ill come of it,” he said.

He a lso draws inspirat ion f rom famous rappers.

R appers like Eminem or Mac Miller g ive him hope and help him stay on t he track to success.

A s a dedic ated ar t ist, he travels to Livonia and Detroit to record in st udios. In order to record he must purchase t ime in t he st udio.

He even has mult iple rap associates t hroughout t he school, like senior Nick G onet. G onet said, “We f reest yle somet imes. Brent goes hard and has a good work et hic. I’d be dow n to bat t le him or any MC in t he school. It’d be like any ot her weekend for me.”

Pace has a long road a head of him and is aware of t his. He said he isn’t wor r ied about t he f ut ure and he k nows t hat he w ill do what he’s meant to do. He said, “If rapping is my dest iny, t hen I’m ready for t he world.”

Photo by Luke Hattie

Dexter Community Orchestra looks for new music director Kevin Skiver

staff writer

S i n c e t h e D e x t e r C o m mu n i t y Orchestra was established in 2005 i n t h e Fo g g y B o t t o m C o f f e e S h o p, D o n a l d P a r r i s h h a s b e e n i t s d i r e c t o r.

Ho w e v e r, l a s t y e a r i n M a y, P a r r i s h told t he DCO Board of Directors he w o u l d b e r e t i r i n g . Fo r t h e l a s t y e a r, t h e D C O h a s b e e n go i n g t h r o u g h t h e necessar y process to tr y and replace o n e o f t h e f o u n d e r s o f t h e D C O. “ Fo r t h e l a s t y e a r, w e h a v e b e e n look ing for someone to replace M r. P a r r i s h ,” D C O P r e s i d e n t M i k e Gar ra han said. “ He ’s o b v i o u s l y b e e n hu ge i n t h i s p r o g r a m , b u t o u r orchestra has been great, and t he feedback on our c andidates has been ge n e r a l l y p o s i t i v e .”

Pa r r i s h s a i d “ T h e o r c h e s t r a p u t o u t a r e q u e s t f o r a n e w c o n d u c t o r.

We go t a b o u t 1 1 a p p l i c a n t s , a n d n i n e of t hem were inter v iewed.

A f ter t hat, we nar rowed t he f ield dow n to s i x .”

Accord ing to Pa r r ish, it wa s at t his point t hat t he boa rd sur renders a l l cont rol to t he ac t ua l orchest ra. “ We g a v e t h e s i x r e m a i n i n g a p p l i c a n t s a 2 0 m i nu t e p e r f o r m a n c e w ith the orchestra.

A f ter t he per for mances we a llowed t he orchestra to vote, nar row ing the

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i t w a s e x h au s t i n g .

Ever yone in t h i s o r c h e s t r a i s v e r y c o m m i t t e d ,” Pa r r i s h a d d e d . “ T h e y c h o o s e e v e r y b i t o f mu s i c t h a t w e p l a y. A t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e y e a r t h e y ge t a b a l l o t a n d c h o o s e w h a t t h e y w a nt t o p l a y.

S o m e t i m e s i f i t ’s t o o ex pensive, someone w ill lend t wo or t h r e e hu n d r e d d o l l a r s j u s t t o l e t u s play it. They ’ ll dr ive f rom any where and many of t hem play four or f ive times a week.

T h e y l o v e mu s i c a n d a r e Conducting the orchestra has been v e r y c o m m i t t e d . T h e y ’ l l a great experience, and I’ll never s o m e t i m e s c h o o s e v e r y dif f icult mu s i c t hat forget it. I’m glad that we started t a k e s t i m e t o l e a r n , b u t something so great.” t h e i r h e a r t ’s i n t h e r i g ht p l a c e .”

Gar ra han a lso said

Donald Parrish, t h a t t h e o r c h e s t r a g a i n e d retiring orchestra directer b e n e f i t f r o m w o r k i n g w it h so ma ny conduc tors t h i s y e a r, n o m a t t e r i n t h e o r c h e s t r a’s h a n d s , t h e y v o t e w h o i s e v e nt u a l l y s e l e c t e d t o b e c o n d u c t o r. o n e v e r y t h i n g .”

O n M a y 2 7, t h e o r c h e s t r a w i l l P a r r i s h s a i d t h a t a t a ge 7 1 , h e w a s g r o w i n g t o o t i r e d t o r e m a i n f i n a l l y v o t e o n a n e w c o n d u c t o r.

Pa r r i s h said, “C onduc t ing d i r e c t o r. “ I ’ v e b e e n s o b u s y w o r k i n g w it h t he orchestra week in and t he orchestra has been a great w e e k o u t , I d e c i d e d I j u s t n e e d e d e x p e r i e n c e , a n d I ’ l l n e v e r f o r ge t i t . s o m e o f m y o w n t i m e . T h e r e w a s I ’m g l a d t h a t w e s t a r t e d s o m e t h i n g n o o u t s i d e p r e s s u r e , n o o n e h i nt i n g s o g r e a t i n Fo g g y B o t t o m i n t h e t h a t w e m a y n e e d a n e w c o n d u c t o r, s u m m e r o f 2 0 0 5 , a n d I h o p e i t w i l l I j u s t s p e nt s o mu c h t i m e l o o k i n g r e m a i n i n t h i s c o m mu n i t y f o r a l o n g f o r n e w mu s i c , l e a r n i n g t h e mu s i c , t i m e .” f i e l d d o w n t o t h r e e ,” Pa r r i s h s a i d . “ We a l l o w e d e a c h o f t h e m a c o n c e r t w i t h o u r o r c h e s t r a ,” G a r r a h a n s a i d .

“A n d a l l t h r e e o f t h e m h a v e go t t e n ge n e r a l l y p o s i t i v e f e e d b a c k f r o m t h e o r c h e s t r a . We a r e v e r y p o s i t i v e w i t h t h e d i r e c t i o n w e ’r e h e a d e d .”

“A s the c u r r e nt c o n d u c t o r, I ’m n o t a l l o w e d t o v o t e o n a n e w c o n d u c t o r,” Pa r r i s h a d d e d . “ It ’s a l l

“

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taring down at the skinned cat on the lab table in front of him, he slowly takes his knife and makes a small incision in the chest.

Once fully opened, he takes out the heart and begins labeling and studying the organ.

He said this is the beginning of the long road ahead, full of hard work and dedication. Senior Jake Gillis has dedicated his life to animals, and he’s known for a long time what he wants to do with his life and is going above and beyond to make it happen.

Gillis plans to graduate to Michigan State University and study to become a veterinarian. and to help him do this he’s taking a veterinarian independent study with science teacher Cheryl Wells.

“I’m studying comparative anatomy in a veterinarian independent study. I will dissect a cat and a shark,” Gillis said.

Wells coaches Gillis through the process. “This is the first time I’ve had to order a cat because Jake’s my first student taking part in the Veterinarian Independent Study,” Wells said. “He must study comparative anatomy to actually become a veterinarian. He comes and dissects with me during fifth hour two days a week and shadows a veterinarian at the clinic down town the other three days.”

By shadowing a professional, Gillis said he has learned a lot. “I am not able to perform surgeries or give arterial or venial injections, however I can give subcutaneous ones, such as fluids to animals who are undergoing surgery or recovering,” he said.

And Gillis’s love for animals started at a young age. “I have been around cows and horses. I’ve worked on dairy farms and have ridden horses, since I was little,” Gillis said. “In addition to house pets, we have chickens as well. My sister and I were always finding snakes and frogs and keeping them for a time, observing them and learning how to care for them too. I have pretty good sense with animals and am very patient and caring with them.”

He will compare the anatomy of the cat and shark in order to complete his independent study.

The dissection is a lot more complicated than most would imagine, “I bought him two comparative anatomy books to help him through the process,” Wells said. “When he is finished for the day, we have a talk about what he’s done. He always checks with me. Anatomy teachers like to take this process seriously. Dissection shouldn’t be a gory thing.”

Gillis has removed and studied the systems of the cat, dissecting and observing the cat’s muscle, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. While dissecting the animal, however Gillis still sticks to his morals.

“You show the animals body the respect it deserves,” he said. “For example, you don’t just hack it open and tear it apart. You delicately and precisely open the body and excise what needs to be removed for your examination.”

Gillis plans to study large animal medicine and work with cattle in the food industry. This job would ensure the cattle are safe and healthy for people to eat, by traveling to the large cattle farms and examining the animals. “I have known since I was very young that this was what I wanted to do,” he said.

His last few days of high school are slipping away, but he’s only looking forward to the end because it means a step closer to his goals.

“He is very excited, and I think he’s one of those kids who is certain about what he wants to do,” Wells said.

Gillis dedicates lots of his time to animals and acknowledges his upbringing with animals contributed greatly. Growing up with animals around helped him in many ways. “It definitely taught me a lot of responsibility, and it takes a lot of maturity to be in charge of another organisms well-being,” he said. “I would say it gave me a very good view on life, appreciating the special things the world gives us. I also gained a lot of knowledge and patience.”

Photo by Austin Sullivan

Cutting Edge: Senior Jake Gillis cuts through muscle tissue around the ribs of a cat. Gillis is doing an Independent Study in veterinary medicine with science teacher Cheryl Wells.

6

Health

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Hansen has to go gluten free Marne Little

managing editor

Watching her teammates from the pool deck during the first home meet of the season, she thinks about how her dietary issue prevents her from being a part of the team in this year’s swim season. Sophomore Murphy Hansen has celiac disease and therefore does not get the correct amount of nutrients in order for her to be healthy enough to continue swimming.

People who have celiac disease can’t eat gluten, which means they can’t eat wheat, rye, barley and oats. They also can’t have dairy products.

Celiac disease includes symptoms of stomachaches, abdominal pain and nausea according to Murphy. “I also lost a lot of weight because I wasn’t absorbing the right amount of nutrients, and it makes my immune system go down so I’m sick a lot,” she said.

Murphy has had celiac disease for two years and says she is affected by it every day. “It affects any meal I eat, what my mom can and can’t cook for dinner, and if I go out to eat I have to tell them I’m gluten intolerant,” Murphy said. “I have a limited menu, so it’s hard to eat out. I have to bring lunch to school every day because I can’t eat anything in the lunchroom.”

According to Murphy’s mother, Maryann Hansen, Murphy’s disease has affected the entire family. “When Murphy was diagnosed with celiac disease, I panicked,” Maryann said. “I felt a great responsibility to keep gluten out of her diet to keep her healthy. I was amazed at how many foods contain gluten.”

Maryann, along with the rest of the family, has had to make sacrifices for Murphy. “Based on a recommendation from a nutritionist, I designated one cabinet in our kitchen just for Murphy’s gluten-free foods,” Maryann said. “That helped her

know where her special foods were stored, but it also helps avoid cross contamination from other items.”

One of the hardest things for the family at first was still being able to have family dinners and going out to restaurants.

“I didn’t want Murphy to have to eat something different than her dad, sister and I so she didn’t feel deprived,” Maryann said. “I began adapting recipes so we could all eat the same meal. For example, I use gluten-free bread crumbs when I make meatballs. It was a bit challenging at first, but now it’s become second nature. The biggest challenge is still going to restaurants. Very few offer gluten-free options, so we need to choose very carefully where we go.”

Because of the symptoms of celiac disease, Murphy’s school life is also affected. “I miss a lot of school because my immune system isn’t as good, and because I don’t get the right amount of nutrients to keep me healthy,” she said. “I’ve missed about 16 days this trimester.”

According to dietitian Nancy Burke, celiac disease is fairly rare, but it can be dealt with. “Following a gluten free diet (or) lifestyle is the best and only known treatment for celiac disease,” Burke said. “Grains are so common in our diet that gluten is second only to sugar as our most commonly-consumed ingredient. People who have celiac, have a disorder that makes their bodies react to gluten. When they eat gluten, an immune system reaction to the protein gradually damages the villi in the small intestine. When the villi are damaged, the body is unable to absorb the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy.”

Although gluten provides many necessary nutrients, there are alternatives for people with

celiac disease. “A vitamin/mineral supplement may be necessary when the diagnosis is first made,” Burke said. “The damage done to the intestinal lining can lead to a decreased absorption of iron, calcium, foliate and other B-vitamins. In addition, many gluten-containing breads, cereals and pasta are fortified with B-vitamins and iron while many gluten-free foods are not, and this can also contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

It is important to select a vitamin/mineral supplement that is gluten-free and meets 100 percent of the (recommended daily allowance or daily-recommended intake).”

Although eating a gluten free diet is a lifelong commitment the Hansens are dealing with, Murphy said if she did not have celiac disease, there would be one thing she would like to do.

She said, “I want to be able to eat birthday cake on my birthday because it’s sad to not be able to eat cake on your own birthday.”

Families switching to organics Nicole Fergson

staff writer

S ophomor e Ha i le y She at s s a id he r f a m i l y g r ow s c or n , tom ato e s , b e e t s , g r e e n b e a n s , me lon s , p e pp e r s , c a r r ot s , pu mpk i n s , gou r d s , blue b e r r ie s , g r ap e , apple s , plu m s , p e a r s a nd r a s pb e r r ie s . A l l ye a r r ou nd , t he She at s’ f a m i l y k itc he n i s e te r n a l l y f i l le d w it h or g a n ic fo o d .

W h i le m a ny lo c a l s i n ou r c om mu n it y h ave f r a g r a nt f low e r g a r de n s , mor e p e ople h ave s t a r te d t hei r ow n or g a n ic g a r de n s to o.

A nd m a ny f a m i l ie s a r e c atc h i ng onto t h i s t r e nd . Br ad le y Jud ge , a p e d i at r ic i a n a nd f at he r of s ophomor e M ade l i ne Jud ge , h a s a f a m i l y g a r de n .

I n add it ion , t he Jud ge’s r a i s e t he i r ow n c h ic ke n s for e g g s a nd me at . A r ou nd f i ve to 10 y e a r s a go t he Jud ge s s t a r te d e at i ng or g a n ic .

Jud ge s a id he a nd h i s f a m i l y t r y to avoid p e s t ic ide s a nd adde d c he m ic a l s to t he fo o d .

A c c or d i ng to t he USDA , “O r g a n ic i s a l a b e l i ng te r m t h at de note s pr o duc t s pr o duc e d u nde r t he aut hor it y of t he O r g a n ic Fo o d s P r o duc t ion A c t .

T he pr i nc ip a l g u ide l i ne s for or g a n ic pr o duc t ion a r e to u s e m ate r i a l s a nd pr ac t ic e s t h at e n h a nc e t he e c olo g ic a l b a l a nc e of n at u r a l s y s te m s a nd t h at i nte g r ate t he p a r t s of t he f a r m i ng s y s te m i nto a n e c olo g ic a l w hole .”

O r g a n ic s b a s ic a l l y a r e fo o d s pr o duc e d w it h n at u r a l fe r t i l i z e r s a nd no c he m ic a l s . T hu s , f a r me r s a r e not t r e ad i ng a g a i n s t t he e c olo g ic a l s t r e a m but goi ng a long w it h it .

Jud ge s a id t h at h i s f a m i l y s t a r te d e at i ng or ga n ic to c on s u me mor e he a lt hy fo o d . “ We h ave s i mpl y m ade a de c i s ion to avoid e x p o s u r e to t he s e t y p e s of s ub s t a nc e s a s muc h a s w e c a n ,” he s a id . “ T he pr oble m w it h a lot of t he s e (c hem ic a l s u s e d on fo o d s) i s t h at t he y a r e i n it i a l l y t hou g ht to b e s a fe , t h i n k of c ig a r e t te s , DD T a nd t h a l idom ide . A nd t he n you f i nd out l ate r a l l t he ne g at i ve e f fe c t s .”

S h e a t s agrees t h at organics are go o d .

She s a id , “I ’d r at he r e at fo o d f r om my ga r de n .

It t a s te s s o muc h b e t te r. (K e e pi ng up a n or ga n ic ga r de n) t a ke s a lot of e f for t . You h ave to w e e d it .

You h ave to pl a nt it a l l a nd pr e p a r e t he ga r de n a nd s oi l . It ’s go o d , but it ’s a p a i n .”

S o on f a m i l y ga r de n s w on’t b e t he on l y pl ac e s w it h or ga n ic fo o d . I n t he DH S Ha r b or t he r e a r e n’t a ny or ga n ic fo o d c hoic e s , but t he m a n a ge r of D e x te r H ig h S c ho ol Fo o d a nd Nut r it ion , L or r a i ne Bie n ko, s a id , “ We a r e lo ok i ng to pr omote a fe w item s , but t he c o s t i s a bit h ig h r ig ht now. But m ay b e i n t he f a l l w e w i l l h ave s ome .”

C o s t i s one of t he dow n s ide s of goi ng or ga n ic , but ac c or d i ng to Jud ge he s upp or t s or ga n ic s r e ga r d le s s . “O ve r a l l it ’s b e t te r for t he e nv i r on me nt a nd le s s e x p o s u r e to c hem ic a l s for f a r me r s ,” he s a id . “A s f a r a s t he e nv i r on me nt a l e f fe c t , I r e ad onc e t h at you c a n’t do on l y one t h i ng i n a biolo g ic a l s y s tem . S o, i f you k i l l a l l t he bu g s i n a f ie ld of br o c c ol i w it h p e s t ic ide s , you w on’t h ave a ny bu ge at i ng bi r d s i n t h at a r e a . M ay b e s ome r a r e s p e c ie s of bi r d ne e d s to s top on it s long m ig r at ion a nd e at t he r e , or it w on’t h ave e nou g h e ne r g y to m a ke it to it s ne s t i ng g r ou nd s .”

Pe ople i nte r e s te d i n or ga n ic s c a n lo ok to m a ny s tor e s i n t he a r e a i nc lud i ng C ou nt r y M a rke t , Meije r, t he A r b or Fa r m s’ M a rke t on S t ad iu m or t he Fa r me r s’ M a rke t i n A n n A r b or. Muc h of t he or ga n ic fo o d t he r e do e sn’t h ave pr e s e r v at i ve s , a nd it ’s lo c a l .

“I l i ke to bu y s t u f f t h at ’s lo c a l a nd ju s t to k now not h i ng i s adde d to it , a nd t he y d id n’t s pr ay c hem ic a l s or w h ate ve r on it ,” Jud ge s a id .

Bie n ko a g r e e s t h at fo o d w it hout c hem ic a l s i s he a lt h ie r. She s a id , “I f you s p e a k to or ga n ic f a r me r s , t he y fe e l t hei r pr o duc t s a r e mor e pu r e .”

Jud ge s a id it ’s a l s o i mp or t a nt to e at fo o d s i n s e a s on . “For e x a mple , not e at i ng tom ato e s i n w i nte r b e c au s e t he n t he y b e c ome mor e l i ke l y to h ave s t u f f adde d to t hem ,” he s a id . “Hop e f u l l y, you c a n avoid bu y i ng s pi n ac h or le t t uc e or s t r aw b e r r ie s t h at a r e c ont a m i n ate d w it h E . c ol i .”

A s to w he t he r or ga n ic s a r e b e t te r or not Bie n ko s a id , “It c ome s dow n to b e l ie f.”

Colleen Hill health editor

Tips to sleepless success Through my 17 years of life, I have attended many sleepovers and have thought of many activities that will keep people busy until they are too tired to even talk. As chair of layout lock- ing it is my goal to come up with a list of activities in order for everyone in the world to never have an unsuccessful sleepover again. I also hope you will never have to refer to that horrible “The Girls’ Book of Friendship” book either.

1. Endless amounts of junk food: A sleepover is nothing without good food, and when you are pulling an all night-er(which will happen), you need some extra food lying around for those times you get really hungry. Now, I’m not saying you should be the kid sitting in the corner by themselves eating a bag of chips, but if you get the munchies, food should be supplied.

2. Watch a tear jerker: Sorry boys, but this is a time for the girls. So if you’re not ready to watch a sad romantic movie with the sexy Gerard Butler then you can play Robot Unicorn Attack(aka Satan ... so says Satt) on the computers. But if you enjoy a little Gerard Butler action, then feel free to take a seat up in the front row with the ladies. We will have tissues for you.

3: Make a video: Many of you have watched “Dorm Life” and love every episode. Well, it’s time for you to make your own comedy: “Seniors’ Life.” It will be full of mayhem, comedy and love.

4: Build a Fort: I know most of you think you are too cool or old to build a fort, but you’re not. Fort building is a classic event that everyone has done ever since they found out what a fort is. So grab some pillows and blankets and build a fort that will make your friends proud. Since we are older, I fully expect these to be high- quality forts. I’m talking about living room-size ones that you can sleep and crawl through.

5: Play Rock Band: It’s time to take out your plastic guitars and drums and pretend to be a rocker. Get your best group together and rock on all night to your favorite songs. For some this may be pouring your heart out to “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift or screaming into the microphone to “Down With the Sickness” by Disturbed.

6. Prank a phone call: Grab a phone and hit *67. It’s time to have some fun. Make sure you annoy all your friends late at night and then start on businesses. Try calling up McDonald’s and ordering a Whopper and just wait for their reaction.

7. Do not play Spin the Bottle or Seven Minutes in Heaven: These are horrible activities thought up by creepy tweens who think kissing a stranger is what the cool kids do. If you don’t know how to play Spin the Bottle, here are the ways to play: sit in a circle, put a bottle in the middle of the circle, and spin it ... yes, it is that simple. Seven minutes in Heaven is just as easy. It consists of your friends telling you to go into a closet with a random person for seven minutes. There’s nothing like spending time with someone you don’t know for seven minutes in a random closet while your friends stand outside the door waiting. Parents, watch out for those basements. They are dangerous quarters and where these games usually occur.

Hopefully these seven ways to a successful sleepover come in handy for those who are in need of it, and I hope all the seniors refer to this guide for fun activities to do the last night of school instead of the other activites that are close to Seven Minutes in Heaven.

7

Community

Friday, May 27, 2010

Students learn leadership in Canada

Alex Friedman

staff writer

So p h o m o r e s H a n k D r e f f s a n d Z a n e H a m mond, among 10 o t h e r s t u d e n t s p a r t i c i p a t e d i n R o t a r y Y outh Leader ship A w a r d c o n f e r e n c e i n R i d g e t o w n , O n tario on May 14-1 6 .

“I l e a r n e d t h a t t h e r e a r e f i v e c o m p o n e n ts to become a su c c e s s f u l l e a d e r ,” D r e f f s s a i d . “ T h e y a re teamwork, com m u n i c a t i o n , v i s i o n , g o a l - s e t t i n g a n d r e spect.”

RY LA i s a p r o g r a m t h a t o f f e r s a n a n n ual weekend conf e r e n c e t o b u i l d l e a d e r s h i p s k i l l s , a c c ording to Ca ryl B u r k e , p r e s i d e n t i a l - e l e c t o f t h e D e x t e r Rotary Club.

“The c o n f e r e n c e i s s k i l l b u i l d i n g , ” B u r k e s a id. “Over 100 kids f r o m O n t a ri o a n d S o u t h e a s t M i c h i g a n break into grou p s a n d s o l v e a w o r l d p r o b l e m .”

Th i s y e a r s c o n f e r e n c e h a d 1 2 0 p a r t i c i p a nts, the most in R Y LA h i s t o r y, a c c o r d i n g t o H a m m o n d . At the con fere n c e , i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s f r om southeast Mic h i g a n a n d O n t a r i o , w e r e t e e n s f r o m J apan, Brazil, Spa i n a n d S o u t h A f r i c a , a c c o r d i n g t o H a m mond.

Ac c o r d i n g t o D r e f f s , t h e c o n f e r e n c e i t s e l f split its par ticip a n t s i n t o g r o u p s o f 1 0 . “ M y g r o u p ’ s problem was text i n g w h i l e d r i vi n g a n d h o w i t c a n b e t ragic,” Dreffs said .

W h i l e s o m e g r o u p s h a d s m a l l i s s u e s i n communities othe r s h a d l a r g e r i s s u e s g l o b a l l y , “ O u r s ( g roup) was the

“

conservation of energy” Hammond said.

For Dreffs this was more than just a confer I think many teens should ence, it was a chance to shine. “This experi go because it’ll give other ence is going to supply me with tools that I can use in the future,” he said. teens the opportunity to see For Hammond it was a confidence booster. how others lead.”

“The conference helped me out a lot, especial ly the dance,” he said. “It let me out of my shell.”

Hank Dreffs, For the members of the Dexter Rotary Club, sophomore RYLA provides valuable leadership skills for these future leaders. “Your creative brain can take you a long way; you just need someone to ing to the website. The club itself meets on Thursday start.” Burke said. mornings at 7 a.m.

For Dreffs the conference gave him a lot for the future.

“We are hoping the enthusiasm in RYLA will increase “These leadership skills I learned, I plan to install them awareness, (for Interact),” Burke said, “and increase in my community.” participation for next year.”

Participants for the conference also got the opportuni For Hammond, RYLA is a great opportunity to get ty to meet teens across the world. “We had 120 students involved into the community for teens. “For me it was and everyone was very friendly,” Dreffs said. life-changing,” Hammond said. “Personally I would use

A ccording to Burke, there are at least one-hun - these skills to lead a seal team. This will help me to get dred kids from south east Michigan and Ontario alone into naval academy and successfully lead.” who attended this conference.

According to Dreffs, RYLA is not just for those pursu Last year, the Dexter Rotary Club established a new ing a naval career however, it’s for anyone who wants to program called Interact at Dexter High School. Accord- help and to lead. “Oh yeah, I think many teens should go, ing to the Dexter Rotary Club website, Interact is a in - (next year)” he said, “because it’ll give other teens the ternational program where participants in the club focus opportunity to see how others lead.” on issues locally, regionally and internationally, accord -

Anonymous blog questions content of The Squall

I

[Continued from page 1]

“The most interesting misconception when we say The Squall is a student“My feeling is either change the bylaws or change the editorial process,” t is unclear whether the committee Johnson and Georgia mention supports all of these opinions, however, because the blog published Johnson said. “And certainly protect the students and their parents against run publication is that people think that means there is not adult oversight,” liability. No way should the students be defending their decisions in a court of Satterthwaite said. “That is false. There is a difference, however, between adviser some viewer comments and not others.

Regardless, Moran said turning a blind eye to the issues in the high law, while advisers and administrators simply watch. The way things are set up oversight and administrator censorship.” school would make matters worse. With issues being revealed in The Squall, he now, I could see that happening. If a child of mine were writing articles at The As a strong proponent of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech, co Squall, I would insist on a waiver signed by the school that (my child) would not editor-in-chief Brittany Martini said the potential for prior review is the potential said he has the opportunity to make a change and fix the problems.

“Kids do things in our culture,” Moran said. “Statistics tell us that teens have be taking legal responsibility for the content of the paper. It’s a school class, right?” for the end of The Squall.

She said, however, that students do need to remain accountable even though sex. Does that make it legally or morally OK? No, but it’s what they do. Now “If censorship is to take effect on The Squall, it will be a death wish,” Martini what do I do with that information? Condoning it is not the same as dealing she is calling for the school to take legal responsibility when necessary. said. “Controlling our content gives us no reason to inform the people of what “I do think the school should take the heat,” Johnson said. “It’s their paper is actually going on. We won’t bury our heads in the sand about what is going with it.”

Cobb, whose original e-mail started the initial controversy and who said ultimately ... Being accountable and getting named to a lawsuit are two very on in the community. Through censorship, our audience can’t be adequately she is not part of the blog committee, said effective oversight is needed in any different things. There’s heat right now, and I don’t see (the students) backing informed.” high school newspaper, including The Squall. She says that content needs to be down. But legal consequences are another thing.”

Cobb, however, said she and other parents do not see a problem with the use Johnson said she is willing to compromise and would be appropriate for all high school students and the community. of prior review.

“People discussed several articles in board meetings and on local newspaper satisfied if journalists kept their freedom while a policy was “I frankly disagree that prior review will instituted to protect the writers. sites that do not seem suitable for every high school student,” she said. ruin the paper or prevent it from receiving Regardless of what side “If the board can write a policy that protects the journalists Because of this, Cobb said a policy of prior review needs to be enacted. awards,” Cobb said. “Relatively few articles people are on, it is imporMiller, however doesn’t see the need for prior review and doesn’t want to and still gives them freedom, then I think I could support that,” this past year would not have passed a prior tant that we, as a board, review anyway. I think most of what you Johnson said. “Currently, I see the school using the student jeopardize the existence of The Squall.

“I don’t understand why these parents are so concerned about the paper journalists as a human shield--taking the heat and fighting the listen to them.” want to report on or express in print would when they don’t even have children in the high school,” she said. “I’m not sure if battle alone. In a big court battle it would be no different. I can’t be passed off quite easily and anything that they understand what happened in Chelsea with their publication, but I certainly support that.” wouldn’t immediately pass could be retooled

Cobb said she thinks that students don’t realize the do not want to see those things happen in Dexter.” a bit and still published.” achool board member In 2008 Chelsea High school printed their last edition of “The Blue Print” as responsibility they have as writers under the current policy.

Parents and Martini both agree that “In addition, the students’ parents, the adviser and the school part of a class because the district approved a policy that required him to prior with Satterthwaite as an adviser and Moran can be liable,” she said. “When sued, some high schools have review each issue. as principal, regardless of which policy is Miller said prior review is unnecessary because Satterthwaite does a fine attempted to place blame on the student journalists. This is neither responsible adopted, The Squall would continue to function similarly to how it currently job of advising students, and prior review would take away from the learning nor helpful in creating a safe learning environment.” runs. These two free speech advocates won’t be around forever, however.

Cobb also said the criticism she and other parents have of The Squall stems experience of students.

“Mr. Satt and Mr. Moran have been two huge support systems for us,” “I say it stays the way it is and keep Satt doing what he’s doing because I truly from the fact that they would like to improve the quality, the process and the Martini said. “Without them The Squall would lose a great adviser and a great trust his judgment,” she said. “I really don’t think he would tell students they experience. Because, in her opinion, the school failed to monitor itself, she said principal. I recognize that they won’t be around forever, but I have all faith in couldn’t publish something, but he would advise them if it was way, way out the community stepped in to create a balance. future staffers that they can be responsible about what they are reporting. At the In fact, Cobb said that it is not the duty of the student newspaper to inform the end of the day, it is the reporter’s responsibility for how they cover issues.” there. I believe you can’t really grow up unless you take chances and learn what is too far and what is not far enough. I think Satt does a great job of balancing that.” community or parents about anything.

Cobb stands strong by her opinion that prior review wouldn’t hurt The Squall “The Squall is a student paper written by students for students,” she said. in any way, though. “I would pose a serious question to the Squallers: What is it Moran said he agrees with Miller and trusts Satterthwaite to do a good job as “The principal should be informing parents of both the good and the worrisome that you would like to publish that wouldn’t pass a prior review?” she said. the newspaper adviser.

“He challenges them ethically and morally,” Moran said. “He is definitely an things going on at the high school. Personally, I felt that there have been articles Martini said the argument isn’t about articles being reviewed and pulled. It and photographs that were highly suggestive and promoted drug use, bullying, is about the fact that prior review strips students from their right to free speech. adviser/coach. He puts students/players on the field every month.” degradation and victimization of women and many The question at hand isn’t what content will pass prior review,” Martini said. “It’s But, if a policy were to be put in place regulating other negative issues. Most people would agree that the will we be granted the right to control our content.” article appropriateness, how does one define what of these issues is not appropriate.” is and what is not appropriate?

While arguments and differing viewpoints abound, the school board will be Most people would agree promotion Moran said he thinks the involved parents are using the the deciding factor in the fate of The Squall. A board policy committee chaired According to Squall co editor-in-chief Brittany that the promotion of these liability debate merely as a scare tactic.

Martini, this debate is one that could not be by school board member Kim Covert reviews and recommends new policies or “Honestly, the liability argument to monitor the paper regulated with a simple definition inside a policy. changes in policy to the full board. issues is not appropriate.” is a red herring -- a distraction,” Moran said. “I don’t think “Co editor-in-chief Alex Everard and I decide,” “We received updates and options for our school publications policy from that’s what this is about. I think they just don’t like what’s NEOLA (The Northeastern Ohio Learning Association), a source for policy Martini said. “We have to be really careful when

Marsha Cobb, in our paper.” covering controversial topics because we have to be services for school boards, in October 2009. To date, (the policy committee of And Hiestand said parents need to be realistic and balanced and show every side, so it doesn’t appear three board members, Superintendent Rob Glass and Assistant Superintendent parent realize The Squall is not promoting the things they report on Mary Marshall) have reviewed the four options from NEOLA, looked at other that we are advertising or promoting.” but enlightening its readers.

Another argument the committee and districts’ policies and heard quite a bit of public input.”

“Rather than going after the messager, I would hope that the concerned opposing parents have made is that The Squall promotes illegal activities like Covert said she hopes to have a new policy in place for the 2010-2011 school drinking and drugs because stories have been published on their effect on the parents would understand that The Squall is attempting to cover the world as year. “By taking our time it is the hope of the board to create a thoughtful and it is,” Hiestand said. “Even if the parents are successful in shutting down The meaningful policy,” Covert said. “I have personally been very impressed with the high school.

“We are never promoting. We’re simply reporting,” Martini said. “We want Squall as a place to talk about what’s happening in that world, that won’t make tone of the comments at the board meetings and by e-mail. Regardless of what the things that apparently upset them all just disappear.” to make people aware while not trying to sway anyone.” side people are on, it is important that we, as a board, listen to them. It is also Instead of formulating an anonymous blog, Hiestand said it would be best if important that we don’t rush to create a policy in a hurry without collecting all For her part, Georgia feels content with “Clean up DHS” and said she doesn’t parents took their concerns directly to the source. have any regrets about creating the blog. the input.”

“If the parents don’t care for the world they see being presented, they should “I feel like the blog has done what is set out to do: draw attention to the paper and point out that it has been operating in a way that is inconsistent with the take advantage of the free speech opportunities offered by The Squall to share Principal Kit Moran addresses those views,” he said. school bylaws,” Georgia said. journalism advisers at the “The fact that some community members are uncomfortable with the news Satterthwaite, however, said The Squall is not operating in a way that is Michigan Interscholastic Press they see being reported is itself news and rather than trying to shut down a inconsistent with the school bylaws and never has since he has been adviser.

Association’s spring awards ceremony after receiving Georgia also said just because something is good, doesn’t mean there isn’t community resource for discussion, I urge them to join the discussion themselves his Administrator of the Year ... I wish they would submit a letter to the editor or guest column explaining their room for improvement.

Award from MIPA for his supMiller, however, is content with the way journalism operates at the high concerns. If their sons or daughters -- once they’re in school -- still feel their views port of scholastic journalism. aren’t being fully represented, have them join the newspaper staff or start their school.

Moran cited freedom of the press as a cornerstone for a “Whatever they’re doing now is working; they win awards, people enjoy the own paper.” productive and knowledgeJohnson, however, said her legal argument stems from what could possibly class, and they learn a lot. I don’t want to bring in lawyers and the school board able learning environment. happen, even if it hasn’t happened in the past. and just screw it all up,” she said.

“I’m not a fear monger,” Johnson said, “but I would like to see the board of education put safeguards in place to protect the journalists.”

The Squall and the court of law To fix this risk, Johnson said, waivers should be signed to free student Georgia said she thinks she has opened some people’s eyes to the legal pitfalls writers from legal responsibility, or the school district policy should state who’s associated with open forums at a public schools, as well.

Satterthwaite, however, said all the talk about legalities is merely a way to responsible for the content of the paper.

“If the school sponsors an activity, they should take responsibility for the strike fear in the school district.

Hiestand also said the parents’ attacks are an attempt to make change because students involved,” Johnson said. “If they are not going to take responsibility, then there should have to be full disclosure and waivers to the students and they do not approve of The Squall’s content.

“Cases like this often seem to stem from those unhappy with the message parents. “ Whether it be an issue on school district policy or the student’s First and whose fix -- which, in my mind,” Hiestand said, “is both simplistic and Amendment rights, though, Hiestand said from a lawyer’s point of view The counterproductive -- is to attack the messager.”

Although prior review at the high school level is permitted, Hiestand said Squall seems to operating in a completely legal fashion.

“I’ve obviously not read everything that The Squall has published, but what I the legal argument the concerned parents make that the paper must be prior have seen has not crossed any legal lines,” he said. reviewed is not correct.

“Legally,” he said, “to the extent they are arguing that the law compels Where do we go from here? censorship, they are mistaken, and their case has no merit.”

Prior review advocates and free speech advocates have both been meeting Johnson, however, argues that the current policy does not protect student Photo by of Julia Ridgway and speaking at school board meetings since April. writers and their families from the potential of lawsuits.

“

“

Kim Covert,

8

Sports

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Caldwell experiences track success Morgan Quist Kevin Yarows sports editor

Take pride in maroon and gold Four years ago I walked into the high school for the first day of my freshman year and had absolutely no idea what to expect. Today, when I walk into the high school for the last day as a student, I know exactly what to expect.

In my four years at Dexter High School I’ve grown as a person more than I ever could’ve imagined, and for that, I credit Dexter High School. If I could pick one thing that high school has taught me, it would be that nothing ever comes easy.

Whether it’s trying to do well in a sport, trying to finish a project the night before it’s due or trying to learn calculus without spending six hours a night, it’s not going to be easy. In learning the hundreds of facts, formulas and life lessons high school has taught me, I’ve come to realize just how lucky we are to have the opportunity to go to a school as great as Dexter and how often it’s taken for granted.

Dexter has, inarguably, some of the best technology of any high school in the state. Each of my four years we’ve improved technologically to the point where the most recent argument is against the necessity of our newest technologies.

Dexter is also home to top-notch athletic programs.

In my four years, we’ve had state championships in five different sports as well as top 10 finishes in several others.

Although there is one sport that hasn’t achieved these levels of success, it can’t be contributed to lack of student support, where we have rightfully earned the title of “Best Student Section in the SEC.” To have this much success and support regularly isn’t typical for many high schools.

We’re also home to some of the best teachers and the best principal in the area. As evidence to this, social studies teacher Jaime Dudash and Principal Kit Moran have both been nominated for teacher and administrator of the year awards. Despite each being worthy of these awards, they both remain humbled by the thought of receiving them.

I’d also like to personally acknowledge the job our lunch ladies do every day as I have been treated to the world’s best Stromboli and cookies on a regular basis. But not only do they warm my heart with delicious food, they also brighten my day by just being great people.

But if you need concrete proof as to the job Dexter High School does, it isn’t necessary to look any further past our graduation rate which has remained above 90 percent each of the last three years.

Every day, we go to a school that provides us with all of these great opportunities, but how easily could this have been different? Let’s say we hop on I-94 and head east for about 15 miles. We would be going to a school of about equal size, one that is now in the same conference as us, but our chances of graduating would be reduced by more than one-third to just below 60 percent. Keep driving another two miles and we’d have about half of our current chances of graduating.

Or better yet, keep driving about another half an hour into Detroit. Here, our chances of graduating are about one-fourth of what we have now. That means that while you’re sitting at graduation, look to your left, look to your right and look in front of you. Statistically, none of these kids would be graduating if you lived only 50 minutes away.

Most of us are spoiled in thinking we go to high school for four years and then move on to college when, in reality for many people growing up, it’s not that simple.

It’s crazy to think that just because we live an hour down the road we have a better chance of going to a Big Ten university than kids who grow up just down the road do of simply graduating, something many of us take for granted.

I’m not trying to say Dexter High School is perfect or even anywhere close to it. But what I am saying is that we are a lot better off than a large majority of other schools in the area and the state.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend my last four years at a great school, and although thinking of this hasn’t made getting up each day any easier or the day itself any less boring, I’m thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given.

staff writer

When junior Nikki Caldwell began running track in eighth grade, she didn’t know what she was getting herself into. Little did she know she would be competing at a national level just three years later.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” Caldwell said. “My coach (Jane Thompson) asked me to try high jump, probably because of my body type,” she said referring to her tall, slim figure.

After eighth grade, Caldwell said she wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue her track career in high school because she also plays basketball and wanted to focus on school.

Sherri Gamble, a graduate of 2008, was a huge influence in Caldwell’s decision to continue track. “(Gamble) at the time was the teams’ best high jumper, and when I was in eighth grade, she came to a bunch of meets and talked to me about how excited she was to have me on the team the next year,” Caldwell said.

She said Gamble was her biggest influence because she convinced Caldwell to continue with track. “Sherri was right by my side during my first high school season, always encouraging me and giving me advice.

Another influence is my coach, who had done everything she possibly could to make me a better jumper, from extra practices, to meeting with elite jumpers.”

In fact, Caldwell said she’s talked with a

senior jumper at Michigan and is also talking to an Olympian jumper for tips.

Currently, Caldwell runs high jump, the 4x400 meter relay and occasionally the 4x200 meter relay, the 400 meter dash and 200 meter dash.

Caldwell said she started training in the off-season after her sophomore year to stay in shape. “I trained with some girls from Pioneer and went to a national meet with them in the beginning of July,” she said. “I trained with a senior at University of Michigan named John Kimpf, who jumps seven feet. I also did about five indoor meets, went to indoor states at Grand Valley State and then a Nike Indoor National meet in Boston along with senior Steve Ferguson in the beginning of March.”

And although basketball and track seasons conflict, Caldwell manages her time well.

“I (don’t) let track get in the way of basketball, because I (know) that basketball at the time was my first commitment after school,” she said. “Likewise, when I’m in track season, track is my first commitment, so I can’t let basketball interfere.”

Despite her best efforts, she does make some sacrifices though. “I really wanted to do AAU basketball with some teammates this spring, and I asked my high jump coach about it. She wasn’t comfortable with it because of the risk of injury. “It’s hard to balance the two. I owe it to myself and my (basketball) teammates to go to off-season training with them. But track is probably in my future.”

Getting up: Nikki Caldwell approaches and proceeds to clear the bar while practicing her technique for high jump during track practice.

Photos by Austin Sullivan

Red Wings fans bummed from rough playoffs Sara Bayer

staff writer

The day the Detroit Red Wings were eliminated from The Stanley Cup playoffs by the San Jose Sharks was a sad day for senior Tony Ceccolini.

“I was in shock,” Ceccolini said. “I couldn’t believe that they lost.”

Ceccolini took the loss particularly hard since his family once housed Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, an experience which Ceccolini says was really good. (Howard’s) like an older brother to me now,” Ceccolini said. “ I always wear my Jimmy Howard jersey on game day.” Ceccolini added.

Junior Andrew Erber was also shocked when the Wings lost, but he thinks it was poor officiating that contributed to the problem. “It’s the refs,” Erber said. “The NHL is anti-Red Wings. I mean, we would have won, but the refs call all of these stupid fouls that ruin the game.”

And while many fair weather fans come

out around playoff time, wearing their jerseys and talking about players stats. But when you talk to die hard Red Wings fans, you’ll find a similar trait that each shares.

Almost all of them have been a fan since they were young.

“I can’t remember when I haven’t been a fan,” Erber said.

Technology director Matt Maciag is also a life-long Wings fan.

“I became a fan in 1995, my junior year of high school,” Maciag said. “I was dating a girl who was a big Wings fan. Before then I really wasn’t that into hockey. But now I’ve been a fan ever since.”

With his office decked out in Red Wings gear, Maciag’s reverence for the Wings is elevated during the playoffs . But when many hardcore Wings fans are growing playoff beards like the Wings themselves, Maciag can’t take it quite this far.

“I would grow a beard during the playoffs, but my wife won’t let me grow a beard,” he said. “So I just don’t shave that day.”

Jerseys and beards are all good fun, but some fans take their intensity to the physical level. Fans such as sophomore Tucker Brust.

“During the games I’m always really into them,” Brust said. “You know creaming and yelling whenever the refs make crappy calls. One time I chucked a drink after an especially stupid call at some fan from another team. They thought it was the people behind them, and they started fighting. It was awesome.”

Ceccolini said most of the fights started during playoffs games are fights for your team’s honor.

He said if someone is trash talking his team, the only correct way to handle the situation is to correct the other person’s ideas.

Ceccolini said, “One time my parents and Jimmy’s wife were at this bar watching the game, and there were these people talking crap about Jimmy. So they started arguing and eventually got kicked out of the bar, but it was worth it.”

9

Sports

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pole vaulting soars to the top Tucker Whitley

staff writer

With pole in hand and determination in his heart, junior pole vaulter Jeremy Horner couldn’t wait until he got another chance to prove his dominance.

He grasped his prop. Tighter than before now, because it was his turn. He started off running, and it then turned to a sprint. He’s going full speed now.

At this point he holds the pole in front of him and plants it in the ground. He’s airborne. He cuts through the air, over the marker, and he ends it with a soft landing on his awaiting pad.

That was last years’ last meet.

The 2009 season had ended, but the 2010 only begun.

Horner couldn’t wait until his next meet, nearly 9 months away.

The last meet to Horner was the beginning of his off season, which to him was no easier than the regular season.

“In the summer we do lots of conditioning, but nothing like in the winter,” Horner said. “To us, there is no real off season.”

Though track has many different events to offer to its athletes, the event that seems the most challenging and thrilling to Horner is pole vaulting. “I started in seventh grade. I loved it, and thankfully I stuck with it,” Horner said.

In fact Horner said he plans to take his sport to the next

level. “I hope to do it in college,” he said. I got pretty good pretty fast, so that kind of made me want to stay with the sport.”

Boys aren’t the only pole vaulters though. The girls team has had equal success, and a prime example of that is sophomore Micaela Conter.

Conter also started her vaulting in middle school, and according to her, she was swayed towards high school vaulting when the high school pole vault coach came to the middle school and told the girls that if they wanted to vault in high school, they should come over and give it a try. That’s exactly what she did.

Conter would attest to the fact that there is no real off season. She said, “We do a lot of strengthening clinics and vaulting competitions too.”

Conter said a strong upper body and quick lateral movement is key to her success. “Good upper body strength and being able to run fast has most definitely helped me better my vaulting,” Conter said.

It seems as most all of the pole vaulters are fans of their event coach Geoffrey Gerstner, especially considering they had nothing but good things to say about him. Conter said, “He is really good because he’s always positive and energetic.

He is always keeping us motivated.” Horner agrees. She said, “He is the real reason that we were prepared for this season.”

Junior Andrew Herring vaults. Herring has been a vaulter since his freshman year.

Photo by Austin Sullivan

Baseball, softball seasons coming together Brent Kellenberger

staff writer

Senior Rob Mayrand has played baseball for 12 years and had high hopes when he tried out for the varsity team.

However, he had a disadvantage. His knee was injured, and he didn’t have a knee brace for tryouts.

After a few days, when the coaches had to make a decision about the players who would be on the team, Mayrand wasn’t selected.

A few days later, however, Mayrand got a second chance.

The coaches decided to let him try out again and with a knee brace this time. He made the team, one of only 19 out of 30 to make it.

“This season has been very good,” Mayrand said. “It’s been better than last season.”

Junior Justin Hart also plays varsity baseball and has played since he was 5 years old. “I’ve gotten two home runs so far this season,” Hart, who has the best batting average on the team, said.

The baseball team has added new coaches this season after the loss of newly hired Coach Jonathon Hastings in the offseason. Coach Don Little and Coach Mike Schmidt stepped in to fill the role.

“I like the change,” Mayrand said. “Since we have gotten the new coaches, we have had better practices which have resulted in better

games. My prediction for this season is that we will go above .500 and win more games than we lose. I think we have a good chance at doing well because we have a lot of skilled players on our team this season.”

Baseball isn’t the only sport that has had success this season. Dexter’s varsity softball team has also had a decent year.

Junior Karley Crawford plays on the softball team and said, ”Our record so far this season has been even. We have 12 wins and 12 losses.”

The team had 20 people try out for the team, but only 13 players made it.

“I think we have the potential to win districts, but we still need to work on our communication on the field,” Crawford said.

“We need to hit the other teams hard like we did at the beginning of the season.”

She also said the softball team needs to beat Howell to stay in districts and hopes the game will be like their earlier games.

“Our first game was a lot of fun to play,” she said. “It was against Wayne Memorial, and they were pretty easy to beat. It also gave us a chance to see who on our team was good at what.”

A big moment of the season was beating the Bedford softball team.

“We lost the first time we played Bedford 5-1, but the second time we played them we locked them out 3-0,” Crawford said. “It felt good to come back like that.”

Photo by Ashley Gronvall

Photo by Rachel Lomax

Senior Alex McMurray throws a pitch during a home baseball game.

A player on the JV softball team steps up to the plate.

Water polo looks to grow stronger each season Dan Edwards

staff writer

The womens water polo team finished last season just barely over .500 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. But this season the girls hoped to advance farther into the playoffs.

Unfortunately, they didn’t quite achieve the level of perfection they wanted. “I’m always happy and proud though,” Coach Brian Semple said.

Water polo is played in a swimming pool by two teams of swimmers who try to throw balls into the opponents’ goal. “It’s basically like a mismash of soccer, basketball and swimming. But with more violence,” freshman Lindsey Ebling said.

When playing, there are seven players on one side. “In water polo you have a goalie, drivers, 2Meter Offense--which is basically like a forward-and 2Meter Defensemen. Six field players and a goalie in the water at a time,” Semple said.

There is also a utility player on each team. A utility player is someone who plays all of the different positions on an exceedingly high level. For Dexter,

that position is filled by junior Nicole Minzey.

Minzey was also selected to participate with the USA Olympic Development program, along with freshman Courtney Sattler, after three weekends of tryouts.

The USA Olympic Development Program is divided into 11 different zones throughout the United States. The Midwest zone is one of the biggest consisting of 12 different states.

Minzey had a stellar season where she ended the season 44 with goals. And in a game against Grand Haven on May 8, she scored five goals as the team beat Grand Haven 9-4.

“Nicole’s extremely talented, and really passionate about the sport,” Ebling said. “She helps her teammates out with different techniques and has a really good attitude, and is overall a great influence to the team.

Minzey also holds many individual records such as the Dexter High School single-game goal record (8) and the most single game assists (5). Despite Minzey’s effort, the team had an up and down season according to Semple. The Varsity team had a

“We’ve gone to tournaments every weekend and record of 12-29.

“The key players this season included Molly played fairly well. The only tournament with a ton Keenan on 2Meter Offense, Minzey and Jen Him- of significance is the post-season one that starts le,” Coach Semple said. “They’re all returning start- (May 15-16),” Semple said. “We had a tough loss against Skyline 13-10 in overtime. The ers that girls played really tough and came from play key behind but just fell a little short.” p o s i Next year we should be a really So even though the season wasn’t t i o n s quite what she wanted, Ebling said it for our solid team with most of our was still a valuable experience. “I’m goteam’s starters returning.” ing to really miss Water Polo. I had a lot success. of fun on the team,” Ebling said. “I think The capt a i n s

Brian Semple, we were all a little disappointed at the of the head water polo coach end, but it was really close, and we all tried our best.” team are And Semple said this type of attitude Rachel Brouwer, Radhika Raghunathan and Cora and his returning players should make next year McHugh. We have a vote at the end of each season a success. “Next year we should be a really solid team with most of our starters returning,” Semple and these girls were selected by their peers.”

The team competes in tournaments rather than said. “I think that the girls we have coming back individual games every week, and individual games are going to really be motivated, and I’m expecting are divided into four periods. Junior varsity peri- a high level of water polo at the beginning of the ods last six minutes and varsity last seven minutes. season.”

“

10

Opinion

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Congrats, Grad!

We’re all doomed

Alex Everard co-editor in chief

As high school serves as a base of generalized or “standardized” education, I feel it necessary to make a sweeping generalization in the way I categorize who will succeed in life beyond these walls. The way I see it, any given graduate of any given year can either rise above society, and thus prove society has a need for them, or fall victim to society’s pitfalls.

Frankly, not only is it simple to predict who will overcome and who will succumb, it is even simpler to predict exactly what will bring down a considerable portion of our generation.

First thing to remember while reading my randomly generated future scenarios: I’m sarcastic, playful and have zero regard for how things actually turn out ( in other words, I’m the perfect objective predictor).

What is far and away the leading cause of doom for young adults of the future? The Internet. You may be shocked by this, as the average American high school student loses two full months of life to Facebook, Sparknotes, Fail Blog and TFLN per year, but look closer and you won’t be surprised.

The Internet is one big paradox.

Supposedly, it links all of civilization. However, the more time you spend blogging, clicking and tweeting, the more you become an out-of-touch, out-of-place twit.

That is unless you can stay focused. That is unless you can defy the generation of instant gratification and deny the distracting nonsense that only makes you feel more knowledgeable, even though you’re simply gaining useless information about who “is totally/super excited for the weekend!” and why you should publicly declare yourself a fan of grilled cheese.

If you successfully achieve this goal and use the Internet as a wholly educational tool, with only occasional social benefits, you will find great success.

You will also find yourself spending less time waiting to document something to do and more time actually doing something.

Besides technology and its impact on learning and communication, our generation faces another daunting challenge: racism. This may come as more of a shock than the Internet threat, but contrary to popular belief, there were actually people who didn’t want Barack Obama elected president, some of whom felt this way because of his race.

Because of this, it is apparent people in America still carry racial bias. Now, although it may be more playful and seemingly harmless than ever— people place racial quips under the same category as lighthearted jokes seen and heard on “South Park”—racism will be the death of us, literally. By the time most of us have children, the lines of race will be blurred due to mixed marriages and increasinglydiverse gene pools. If we don’t end racial bias now,

Emily VanDusen copy editor

Stand up, be heard The future is ours. The choice is yours. The time is now. So many cliched attempts at that graduation goodbye have made my own attempt almost obsolete, but people not wanting to hear my voice hasn't stopped me from talking before.

Just ask English teacher Mary Mattner for confirmation on that.

The other day I was cleaning out my desk (attribute to that any graduation transition metaphor you like) when I dug out an old notebook that I used freshmen year to write notes to my friends.

I couldn't help but cringe looking through all the truly idiotic things we said to each other; it seems that my memory of myself as a freshman was more kind to me than the actual evidence. Imagine that.

Holding on to that evidence was perhaps unwise, but it made me think about some things. I have always been fairly comfortable putting my ideas down in writing—I've been in newspaper for three years, and English is my favorite subject.

This notebook, it seems, was just the beginning of my high school ramblings. But it was different from the rest of my random essays and articles and junk, because it was just me and my friends, for our eyes only. It was a form of anonymous blogging, I guess you could say, where I could feel safe saying whatever I wanted about whomever I wanted, without consequences.

As my high school career wore on, though, I be-

we will undoubtedly resort to segregation based on the way one chooses to butter one’s toast, since melanin levels will be too diversely swirled among each person to effectively throw around slurs.

Another lingering cause for the doom of our generation is not our dependency on material goods, as our parents’ and grandparents’ generations proved that materialism can be a numbing yet tolerable drug for the human mindscape, but our dependency on buying completely worthless material goods.

So your parents may have owned a pet rock, but at least they have the excuse of growing up in the 60s, 70s, or 80s-- all time periods that have either pot, psychedelic drugs, disco or terrible presidents to blame their woes on.

What do we have? You might say President Bush, but if eight years under that man didn’t show you the importance of a sturdy education, you’re hopeless.

All I’m saying is stop buying stupid crap. The line is drawn at the Snuggie. It’s a blanket with arms; it’s kind of ridiculous, but I will admit that it is somewhat appealing when I wake up on frigid Michigan mornings.

However, the following are purchases I am officially deeming not OK: anything on KFC’s $1 menu (I don’t care if it’s free, it’s a digestive death wish), any CD made by or with appearances by Ke$ha (instead of “music”, label this, “telling the world you have a low I.Q. and lower morals to a synthesized beat”), and any type of boot with fur on the exterior, furry balls hanging from the laces, or both (you’ll regret it when stray cats start pawing at your ankles in the city).

This list seems so simple, yet early estimates say 97 percent of my readers own at least one of these objects. I’m here with all of you, don’t worry. Although on first glance you may no believe it, I too have flaws. I just couldn’t resist those boots with the fur.

Some may be mad I didn’t give a shout out to global warming, but not only is global warming inherently predictable and consequently not funny, recent disputes over content of our paper lead me to believe that not everyone who reads The Squall believes in such a “theory”.

My suggestion: censor polar bears so that they stop complaining and learn how to swim. I don’t want youngsters thinking they have a right and a responsibility to protect the planet. Rights and responsibilities are only for adults to abuse and misinterpret.

Ultimately though, the vital challenge that will determine our fate as a generation, as humans and as a planet is our ability to overcome ourselves.

We’re merely the most recent chapter to a booming population on a shrinking planet, so we have to get smart to keep surviving with the American standard of comfort.

Follow me, and we can continue to manipulate our environment long enough to stay comfortable while managing to put off major issues for the next generation of “thinkers”. And let me be clear right now, all of this is now documented, and I am not above saying “I told you so”.

came less comfortable with anonymity. I sought out leadership roles and got involved with more activities. I learned what it means to be a part of something, many some things, in fact, worth standing up for. And that's the most important lesson that high school could have taught me.

It's fitting, in a way, that all of this “cleanupdhs” blog and censorship controversy came to fruition as my senior year comes to a close, because it serves as a reminder of the kind of person that I have come to be—a person who does not hide behind secret notebooks or a computer screen.

I have learned how to be a citizen, and that involves exercising my rights in such a way as to uphold the values I think are important: truth, respect and personal responsibility.

I stood up at a school board policy meeting to defend the work we've done to produce this paper, and also stayed in orchestra all four years of my high school career despite advice to fill up my schedule with more academics instead. I decided expressing myself and doing what I enjoy was more important than AP Calculus, which was destined to kill my GPA anyway.

Before I get all the way up on my high horse, though, I should add that high school is only the beginning. I'm not all the way over this learning curve. Despite all the opportunities, I did manage to seize, I definitely have regrets.

People like to say that regrets are futile, since we can't re-do the past. But I've always thought them necessary, in order for us to learn from our mistakes and prevent them from spreading further.

I regret not being more active in senior activities such as Le Tour de Dexter, and even though I don't really have time for it, I still regret quitting track and being part of an athletic team.

Ultimately, senior year and high school in general have been rewarding and valuable, while also sometimes disappointing and confusing. But at the end of the day, I have laid the foundation for what will make me successful in college and beyond, by exerting my individuality and making my voice heard.

Letter to the editor:

Influence starts with parents, not school Dear editor, As a former member of The Squall staff, I find the attempts to censor the paper and voices of the hardworking staff to be outrageous.

They cover what is relevant to the student body, and sometimes it’s not going to make everyone happy. Drugs, sex and drinking are only a few of the harsh realities your student may be faced with in high school, and sometimes it is necessary to discuss those issues in an appropriate manner.

By the time your student is in high school,

chances are they’ve seen and heard about many more harmful and problematic issues than what they see in The Squall one day a month.

The parents who are upset about this minor issue are probably the ones who don’t talk to their kids about controversial issues in the first place.

Yes, some students are impressionable, and sometimes that does influence negative behavior. However, the real influence starts with the parent, not the school.

See letter; continued on page 11

co-news editor

The hitch-hiker’s guide to Dexter, Michigan

I remember the shock I felt passing tractor after tractor on the way to school. I remember finally pulling into the parking lot and, for the first time, seeing a truck back into a parking spot.

I remember the first time I walked through the big double-doors at DHS and saw the sea of John Deere hats and Carhartt jackets. You see, I wasn’t your average freshman. I was a brandnew Dexter student, totally unaccustomed to the concept of rural suburban culture. I experienced new feelings of confusion and isolation, and these feelings only grew as my freshman year continued.

I was out of my comfort zone, which for the past nine years had been Ann Arbor’s private sanctuary of Emerson School. Inside its marble walls, drugs and alcohol did not exist, and my best friends’ dads were all top-level researchers at Pfizer.

Dexter presented me with a new level of diversity which I had never experienced. There was still the preppy upper-middle class white crowd, but I also was exposed to a new, far cooler demographic that I had never before encountered. Here was where the real learning experience of high school began.

I spent nearly all of my four years of high school simply adjusting to this new environment, but I learned some valuable lessons along the way. Future generations of young, frightened new kids should follow these lessons to help ensure their physical safety and, if they’re lucky, social acceptance. So pay attention.

Now, one of the first things I’ve learned you need to do at Dexter to fit in is to smell as bad as possible. The first step to this is to bathe in deer urine and rub some loose tobacco into your dirty, matted beard. Then run, don’t walk, to school so you can be sure that you have a good layer of sweat soaking through your Dale, Jr. cutoff.

There is no excuse for walking down the hall and not having the crowd clear due to the stench. You’re in high school now. Make your presence known.

You will also find that one of the major setbacks of high school lies in the wallet.

Therefore, it is necessary to save money as often as you can. I have found that some things in life are free if you look hard enough, and this can save you some serious bank in the long run.

In fact, if you really know how to pinch

pennies, you can make it through high school without paying for chaw a single time. “How?” you may ask. Well, a seasoned saver knows that there is almost always a good lip full in one of the urinals in the gym bathroom. Voila! Free buzz, and Connie can’t even bust you because she will compromise the location of her stash.

Finding a tin of chaw is like Christmas for a Dexter student. However, it is a rarely known fact that in Dexter Christmas is actually not a holiday. It is essential for any newcomer to know that Dexterians celebrate on the holiest of days, opening day of deer season.

On this day, people come from miles away to gather around the holy shrine, the buck pole in downtown Dexter. This altar of sacrifice to the jerky Gods is the most meaningful part of a Dexter resident’s life. Massive racks of venison are consumed, and gift cards to Cabela’s are exchanged. Remember to bring a girl because when the sun sets, it’s time to jump in your lifted truck and head over to the hoedown for a night of square dancing and mechanical bullriding featuring both kinds of music: country and western.

After the festivities have ended, the time comes to take the family and head over to Michigan International Speedway for an event you need to learn to enjoy if you want to fit in around these parts: a NASCAR race. While sitting in the blistering heat, thousands of Dexterese and their companions from across the state watch the world’s best athletes race around a track, only the athletes are cars with numbers and colorful sponsorship stickers and the track is a big circular road.

Pick a winner, grab a Natty Light and cheer your Slim Jim-clogged heart out.

Warning: Don’t cheer for Tony Stewart within earshot of any self-respecting Dreadnaught or you may be mugged and have a Confederate f lag planted in your chest, Iwo Jima style.

So there you have it. I was never truly successful in becoming accepted by my peers at DHS, but with these simple rules you should be able to overcome the manure smell lingering in the air and be the coolest cat around in no time.

Now, I close my eyes, lower my Chevy Racing hat over my face, and lay back in my truck bed as I await big, bad Kit Moran’s announcement of my freedom from this place. Dexter new kids of the future: make me proud.

Max Berry

Friends don’t have to be personal clones Kristi Hughes opinion editor

Finally it’s my turn to walk out the doors for the last time as a high schooler, and I cannot be any happier. I love most of the things finishing high school will bring. Like summer, graduation, and becoming a soon-to-be college student.

But finishing high school has also forced me to look back and reflect on the last four years.

And I’ve come to one conclusion. High school is a big cliché.

I can stand on the cat walk and look down and feel like I’m watching “Mean Girls.” I can see each of us fall into our cliques and groups, finding it hard to break the barriers. And I have come to realize one of my few regrets from the past four years is not doing just that.

But at the same time, maybe the cliché of high school isn’t all that bad. We come into high school and instantly fall into groups of people who share the same interests as we do.

So don’t get me wrong, I think the groups we

form are because we share the same likes, interests and activities so becoming a close group of friends is OK. And maybe that’s how we are supposed to meet our core group of friends.

But maybe we are passing up the opportunity to meet and become friends with people we normally would have never known. The unfortunate part is, now that I am done, I will never know.

DHS has nearly 1200 students which gives us the chance to teach and learn from 1200 individuals.

I think it’s important everyone takes the chance to get to know as many people as possible instead of ruling out somebody because of their certain group of friends.

So if I leave any advice behind me when I go, it would be to try your best and get to know everyone you can. The girls swim team may not really be the cult they seem, but once again, I’ll never know.

11

Editorial

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Squall The

Seniors take the road less traveled

PRO

EDITORS IN CHIEF:

Alex Everard, Brittany Martini

MANAGING EDITOR: Marne Little

CON

EDITORS DESIGN: Candice Wiesner FEATURES: Kaitlyn Shepard PHOTO: Lauren Daugherty, JoJo Parin ENTERTAINMENT: Dan Flowers OPINIONS: Kristi Hughes SPORTS: Kevin Yarows HEALTH: Ashley Burleson, Colleen Hill TRENDS: Caitlyn Rize uPAGE: Ian McCarthy GET INVOLVED: Alex Dobbs COPY: Emily Van Dusen

NEWS: Max Berry, Nic Miller COMMUNITY: Gabe Altomare BLOGS: Erin McAweeney, Sarah Akbarifard

DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Ross Chamberlain, Lindsay Fischer, Nicole Chalou, Jojo Parin, Lauren Daugherty, Claire Berger, Alex Papin Kayla Samuels.

ADVERTISING: Lisa Crompton, Kayla Samuels

TWEETER: Thomas Griffith

STAFF WRITERS Connor Thompson, Julie Linderman, Nicole Ferguson, Justin Wike, Lauren Gagneau, Jack Nixon, Kristie Duve, Tyler McCarthy, Nick Baron, Jessica Deljevic, Tucker Whitley, Dave LaMore, Morgan Quist, Sirah Camara, Matt Sarver, Dan Edwards, Brent Kellenberger. Katie McDonald, Brennan Conter, Ray Carpenter, Steve Ferguson, Megan Kim, Sarah Molnar, Ali Krips, Nick Gonet, Aaron Gilman, Matthew Libersky, Connie Yam, Nick Baron, Steve Miller, Alex McMurray, Derek Fead, Jeanine Reny, Kevin Skiver.

CARTOONIST Gabe Altomare

Adviser Rod Satterthwaite

TALK BACK:

The Squall is an open forum for student expression. It accepts letters to the editor from any and all concerned parties. The Squall reserves the right to screen and/or edit any and all letters for inappropriate content and length. All letters must be signed. Requests to remain anonymous will be considered by the editorial board.

It goes without saying tradition is what makes Dexter High School, Dexter High School.

Each year, a class carries on the legacy of the previous years. Whether it’s impromptu dance parties in the stairwell, toga night at a football game or a shaving cream fight in the parking lot on the senior’s last day, we expect to see these events every year.

Start with the senior pictures.

These things define and shape what being a senior really is. If you want to remember and go out with a bang, it’s important to follow tradition.

Now, if you are one who has opted out of these lifestyle clichés, it is not too late to turn that around, despite it being our last day at Dexter High School. I highly encourage you to attend the senior cookout, for starters. It is one of the last times the senior class will all be together. So go and hang out with your fellow classmates, reminisce, and rejoice at the close of a magnificent year.

For those of you on the brink of senior year, I encourage you to follow the path of previous seniors. The senior class has bequeathed several traditions and I cannot reiterate it enough: continue these traditions. Here are a few guidelines every senior should live by.

First, call up Rocky Gonet (he’s a cool guy) and schedule a personal photo shoot.

You will never regret having flawless pictures of yourself displayed all throughout your house.

Carry on the high school’s title as the best student section in the SECs. An enthusiastic, school-spirited individual needs to step up and take Ev’s place. Now, we all know Ev is one-of-a-kind so no one will be able to fill his shoes; however, someone can sure as h--- attempt to do so. Carry on the themes and excitement of Dexter sporting events; carry on the legacy.

The most important (and obvious) senior goal is to graduate. To walk across that stage, sporting that sexy maroon gown and receive the diploma you have worked towards for four years. Almost everyone involved in your life will be rooting for you to finish strong and push through the last leg of the race. So, while slacking is acceptable during senior year, do not over-do it. Make it to the finish line.

And finally, the pranks. You all should know by now the senior pranks that are not acceptable. Do not leave a lingering stench of deer urine in the stairwell and do not attempt to paintball the school. The underclassmen expect to see original, comical pranks. It is cool to see some of the same pranks every year, but do not be afraid to generate a few fresh ideas. This year, the class of 2010 successfully implemented ‘Le Tour de Dexter’, and we hope to see this quirky senior event repeat itself in years to come. Be creative, be bold. Leave your mark.

We are proud of the class of 2010 and their continuations of many Dexter traditions and the establishment of new ones. As we wave goodbye to this class, we invite the class of 2011 to take our place. So, follow these guidelines and keep in mind a quote from the mens soccer team, “Tradition never graduates.”

Letter to the editor; Continued from page 10 I think many controversial issues being debated in The Squall are issues that could be excellent topics for discussion and opening trust and communication lines between parents and students, rather than a jumping board to place the fault on something that has very little influence in your student’s lifestyle choices.

If parents are worried about their student being easily influenced, talk to them about the issues so you can have a fair discussion that highlights both sides of the issue rather than just the negativity. Parents may think their child is easily impressionable, but for all they know their young student could have a rational, responsible and mature opinion, and the same could be said for the parents as well.

Are parents worried about their students doing drugs or drinking alcohol because of the hundreds of celebrities, media figures and product advertisements they see on television every day? The Squall has intentions that are no different than anything else your student is subjected to outside of school, and their goals are no better or worse than much of what is seen in everyday life and in the media.

As a former Squall staff member, I have witnessed the dedication, honesty and integrity that the students put into the paper. They never place an article there to merely start controversy but to highlight real issues in a

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Free speech is integral for Squall success

lllustration by Gabe Altomare

It still feels like yesterday when we were freshmen walk ing through the front doors. A s school w inds dow n and senior itis gets the best of all seniors, I star t think ing: how are we going to leave a memorable grand f inale? The simple answer to that question would be in the form of senior pranks.

The ’07 Seniors engraved ‘07 on the side of the school, and each class af ter wards here at tempted to create their ow n spin to the mark they lef t behind. We’ve had cars parked in the shape of graduating years, and last year’s genius seniors decided to leave their mark by put ting sy r up along the rails in the middle stair well.

Those prank s were f unny and memorable in their ow n way. But why should we conform to the norm and str ike out w ith a bor ing end? Senior prank s should be creative and eccentr ic. Forget the norm. We’re all about st yle.

Take the Tour de Dex ter for example: br illiant idea. The best par t of the idea was that we didn’t have any casualties, staf f and administrators snapped pictures, underclassman looked ex tremely conf used as well as amazed at how br illiant the idea was, and all par ticipants had a blast racing through the halls on our bikes, scooters, roller blades and tandem bikes.

Senior year shouldn’t be bor ing. We need to go out w ith a bang.

I mean, we are the class of ‘10. I understand pranks should be safe and hazard free, but aren’t pranks meant to have some k ind of r isk to them? Sy r up on the middle stair way railing isn’t r isk y.

It’s dumb and can only get people ticked of f because let’s be honest here, who likes touching some stick y gunk while tr y ing to get to class?

Or iginalit y is no longer in. We’re look ing for adventure in our f inal days. Fill the stair wells w ith St y rofoam cups, have a slip and slide in one of the hallways, r ide bikes in bik ing gear through the hallways. Get heads to turn.

Our days as top dogs are limited. Most of us w ill become newbies all over again, so it’s good to have some f un while we can.

So here’s the plan: let’s do something eccentr ic. We only have a week lef t of school. Let’s not waste our time being or iginal. Tour de Dex ter was one of a k ind. Let’s be remembered as the class that was dif ferent from all the others. The class that lef t behind memor ies.

Underclassman, take heed to what I’ve said; it may come in handy a year dow n the road when you leave Dex ter high school.

Good luck, I’m check ing out. For the last time.

respectful but truthful manner.

After all, what kind of journalists would The Squall staff be if they didn’t raise questions once in awhile? Passive writers create passive issues, which elicit no real passion or debate from either side. Considering the very foundation of journalism is based on asking questions and creating interesting, thought-provoking and informative articles that influence the public, wouldn’t it be unfair to not hold high school journalists to that same standard?

I am honored to have been part of a staff that believes in their freedom of speech and press and their right to pen respectful and truthful articles.

They deserve the right to express themselves in an appropriate manner, and they deserve to keep that right. The entire Squall staff has proven themselves to be a group of intelligent, hardworking and passionate students who care deeply about the integrity of their journalistic talents and responsibilities.

Unless they have proven otherwise, I see no reason to take away something they love and respect so much. The paper is a passion for much of its staff, just as sports are a passion to an athlete and drama is a passion for a group of actors. Would you feel right taking that joy away from them?

Sincerely, Karly Stanislovaitis, class of 2009

Squall

Freedom of the press, once a given right to all Americans, could be being taken away from The Squall. As anonymous adults run a blog complaining about allegedly harmful and inappropriate activities their children are exposed to in The Squall, they degrade us and say we need cleaning up.

However, neither Dexter High School nor The Squall needs to be “cleaned up.”

The Squall isn’t telling students to get pregnant, drink or use drugs as these parents argue. We report on events that occur in the school.

We try to be interesting and inform the student body about what’s going on.

An award-winning paper, including eight Spartans from The Michigan Interscholastic Press Association and three Pacemakers from The Natural Scholastic Press

THE

Association, does not need to have its policies changed. The Squall is a paper by the students for the students.

Fortunately we have one thing these bloggers don’t: Principal William “Kit” Moran.

Moran works with editors and the staff on a regular basis and agrees the paper is a student production. He doesn’t censor or read the paper before it is printed.

When parents contact Moran on issues they have with The Squall, Moran is more than happy to discuss. At one meeting, parents said they wanted Moran to change The Squall’s policy. And he said no.

“Having the relationship with the paper, students and the way they’re put together, it makes it easy for me to trust what the students do and keep my nose out of it,” Moran said. “Being the adviser of 1,200

kids, it’s important for the kids and I to have a mutual understanding, and The Squall is a part of that. I feel you teenagers should be treated with my respect, trust and dignity until it isn’t deserved.”

Moran has fought for the freedom of the press for The Squall by reasoning that parents they have nothing to worry about, the board should stick to The Squall’s original policies and by contributing to The Squall with his insight and support.

“It’s (the students’) paper,” Moran said. “I don’t want to tell you students what you can and cannot do with it.”

Moran said the board of educationis developing a new policy for all district publications and productiona and he sat down with editors of The Squall to discuss possible policies and see what students have to say

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about each. With this, Moran will report our voice and comments to superintendent Rob Glass. Glass will then speak to the seven board members. In addition, editors of The Squall will also be able to write their views of the policies down, which will be given to Glass as well.

“The Squall is an entertaining and well written student publication. I enjoy The Squall and would be sad to see the students’ writing be restricted,” Moran said.

Moran supports students and doesn’t believe anyone has the right to take our freedom of speech away from us. He believes students have legal rights and that fighting for freedom of the press is the ethnical thing to do.

“There’s a reason it’s the First Amendment,” Moran said, “It’s a good fight to fight.”

We couldn’t agree more.

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Photostory

Thursday, May 27, 2010

OnSSI Ocularis Incident Report

Bike tour of the high school equals ‘epic prank’ [Cam 36] Camera 1

Sophia Benedetto

staff writer

Seniors Spencer Walz, Kurt Miller and David Podella were sitting around a camp fire on a July 4 camping trip coming up with ideas for senior pranks when Miller suggested riding around the school on bikes.

They started to elaborate on the idea, and soon Le Tour de Dexter was senior-prank ready.

The prank began at Kevin and Kristen Yarows’ house on May 12 at 6:50 a.m. as seniors arrived with their bikes, roller blades, and scooters.

Senior Jono Jebson said, “We all hung out there and Margo Empey’s mom brought us doughnuts.”

With bike helmets strapped on, they left the Yarows’ house at 7 a.m. for Dexter High School in the pouring rain.

At 7:25 a.m. they entered through the band room on their bikes.

Miller planned to lead the pack with a sign. However, that part of the plan fell through because of the rain. Operator Regardless these senior bikers Station came decked out in Spandex and bike helmets and Le Tour de Capture Time Dexter T-shirts made by senior

Nick Gonet.

The excitement was more fun for Walz than actually performing the prank. “It was more fun than actually rollerblading into school, because everyone was giving you weird looks because of what you were wearing, and they knew you were a senior even if they didn’t know you. I was surprised at how well it went and how well the administrators took it too. It was fun just riding around the halls, and it was uncomfortable wearing the Spandex.”

Gonet is part of the Graph X program and was able to help contribute to the prank by printing T-shirts to help commenmorate the event. “I was planning on making senior class T-shirts, and I had some suggestions it should be involved with the prank,” he said.

“I looked up pictures of Le Tour de France and got some ideas and played around with it.”

Administrators seemed to take the prank well at least according to Assistant Principal Tim Authier.

“It was definitely a disruption, but it was funny,” he said. “Most hilobukj of the teachers seemed: to just be amused. It was before school, and Riding for fun: Senior Spencer Waltz rode into the Yarows’ HP24490306592 they went around and :around and house at 6:50 a.m. “I couldn’t believe the amount of that showed up. It was great to see everyone come had their fun and left. It wasn’t people together,” Walz said. : 5/13/2010 7:34 AM real negative.”

Stop: Paraprofessional Connie Agostini tried to stop Le Tour de Dexter students from riding their bikes in the hallway as this photo from one of the school’s security camera shows.

All dressed up: Senior Kurt Miller preps for le Tour. Miller was going to lead the group of bikers with a sign, but the rain prevented that.

Note :

It’s raining: Students begin the tour in the pouring rain, travelling from seniors Kevin and Kristen Yarows’ house.

Senior Kurt Miller, in front, said the tour went better than expected. He called it an epic prank.

Senior Dan Flowers begins printing shirts for the senior prank. Flowers said he sold around 90 shirts for this event.

To the Left: Senior Tony Ceccolini began stretching to loosen his muscles up for the race.

Ceccolini rode a tandem bike with fellow senior Ian McCarthy.

Photos by JoJo Parin, French teacher Kim Lund, Spencer Walz and from a DHS security camera