Issue 22

TOWER the

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Volume 88 Issue 22 thetowerpulse.net

A WEEKLY TRADITION SINCE 1928

@thetowerpulse

Gross e Pointe S outh, 11 Gross e Pointe B oule vard, Gross e Pointe Far ms, Michigan 48236

AUTISMSPEAKS

P

Awareness for students with autism builds acceptance banners, Mutafis said.

In addition to these actions, Mutafis said she thinks both the special education and general education students would benefit from an open dialogue. To allow for this, she has considered founding a club in which general education students could ask and have questions answered.

“I would love to sit with groups of students, like the gen-ed kids, and explain to them certain behaviors they’ll see and how to react--how to include them,” Mutafis said.

Autism can be difficult to understand because it is such a complex disorder that manifests in a variety of ways.

“The thing with autism is you could have students who can’t speak, who you know, just looking at, have a disability,” Mutafis said. “But then you have students on the spectrum who you don’t really know have a disability, but yet they still struggle so much socially and those kids tend to be the ones who have no friends, who are completely shut out, because no one really knows how to accept the odd behaviors or the inappropriate behaviors.”

Impairment in social interaction, as well as impairment in communication, repetitive behaviors and restricted interests are commonly referred to as the absolute indicators of autism, according to firstsigns.org.

As a result of these factors, children with autism tend to respond to stressors inappropriately, Mutafis said. They may throw temper tantrums, become violent or shut down. In these situations continued acceptance in spite of their actions is crucial, though students one does not necessarily here--they’re people first. They’re need to be OK with what teenagers first. They’re a part of they did.

“The biggest thing our society, They are going to that I can think of is be important members of the just remembering that community and of the school, and not every student with it’s important to be aware and accept autism is the same,” and learn how to coexist.

Mutafis said. “Some might look like any other STACEY MUTAFIS SOUTH ASD TEACHER teenager walking the halls, and some might even talk and speak like any other teenager, but

HALEY VERCRUYSSE ’16 // Supervising Editor eople with autism--our students here-they’re people first. They’re teenagers first.

They’re a part of our society,” South ASD teacher Stacey Mutafis said. “They are going to be important members of the community and of the school, and it’s important to be aware and accept and learn how to coexist.”

By building awareness of autism spectrum disorders, the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) hopes to create a more unified community and establish a better understanding of how to instructionally and emotionally support students with autism, said Director of Student Services Stephanie Hayes.

“Creating awareness for other students helps them gain an understanding of what our (special education) students truly struggle with on a dayto-day basis,” Brownell ASD teacher Rosemary Nuttall said. “This helps to breed compassion and acceptance, which in turn really helps our students succeed.”

Throughout the month of April, which is nationally recognized as Autism Awareness Month, schools across the district endeavor to raise awareness by hosting fundraisers and giving presentations, among other efforts, Hayes said.

South, specifically, has been promoting awareness and acceptance through school-wide participation in Light it Up Blue day on April 8, encouraging the staff and Peer to Peer links to wear their organization shirts and People with autism--our making

remember that in those moments of difficult social situations, they might talk and walk, but they’re not going to act and make the best decisions.”

A common misconception regarding children with autism is that behavior is a choice, Nuttall said.

“In people with autism, there is often a communication deficit,” Nuttall said. “Behavior is actually communication. When a person with autism does something and you don’t quite understand why, it is usually that person trying to communicate something to you, but they don’t know exactly how to do it.”

Exposure to typical social interactions can help students with autism overcome social deficits, Mutafis said.

For this reason, a general education setting, where students with autism are intermingled with other students, is ideal over segregated program models, Mutafis, who has previous experience working in a center based program, said.

“All those years that I worked in the center based (program), my goal was to get them back to a gen-ed setting so that they could have teenage experiences: clubs, sports, after school events, whatever that may be,” Mutafis said.

General education students can provide instruction and support to their special education peers by simply engaging in conversations as they walk down the hall, Mutafis said.

“Our kids struggle with initiating, starting a conversation,” Mutafis said. “You guys are teaching them just when you walk by and go, ‘Hi so-and-so, how’s it going?’ They’re learning ‘Oh, it’s as simple as just saying hi’ and not walking by your friends.

When you guys do that, right there, you were a teacher.”

Mutafis said she believes student peers are capable of positively influencing students with autism in ways teachers cannot, particularly with respect to socialization.

“Us teachers and adults--we give them the tools. But you guys are the ones they want to be encouraged by.”

As a district, the GPPSS supports special needs students and their families through categorical

We have overall beliefs that we can and will support students with disabilities in an inclusive community. We want all of our students to have equal opportunities.

STEPHANIE HAYES

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

programming, inclusive learning opportunities and teacher consultant support, Hayes said. The special education program services students from birth to age 26.

“We have overall beliefs that we can and will support students with disabilities in an inclusive community,” Hayes said. “We want all of our students to have equal opportunities.”

The student services department strives to provide programs and services in the least restrictive environment for each individual student, Hayes said.

“This is a great city,” Mutafis said. “They plan.

They program for all students here in Grosse Pointe.”

Hayes said she is particularly proud of how the student services team has worked with families to provide for students of all eligibilities and disabilities.

“We want to provide enough support to help the students be successful, but at the same time, still need to make it challenging to help the students grow,” Nuttall said. “So, while we save many of the things that we create to assist students, we usually have to tweak or recreate materials to meet individual needs.”

Outside of the classroom, the district offers further opportunities for special needs students to become engaged, active members of the school community through organizations like Peer to Peer. “(In a general education setting) you’re getting to see … the friendships that they build, the connections, the things they’re involved with … ” Mutafis said. “This is what life is--you’re a part of a community. You don’t have to be singled out. You’re just an active member of a community.”

Senate Bill 848 aims to protect the voices of student journalists

THIS WEEK AT SOUTH

22

april

april

20

SA and Class officer elections are today in the auditorium. <see pages 6 & 7 for candidates>

This Friday is the last day to donate to Food for Friends. Bring your cans and completed checklists to Room 164

doesn’t support the bill, there are principals who do, including William “Kit” Moran from Dexter High School.

Moran is a supporter of the First Amendment and student journalistic rights and said this bill would make sure students exercise their First Amendment rights responsibly.

“My experience has been that we have able through discussion and careful conversation to allow students to publish without having to pull their stories,” Moran said via e-mail.

Grosse Pointe Public Schools Student Media, Publications, and Productions Policy 5722 already provides students in Grosse Pointe with protections similar to what this bill would provide. It reads in part, “as a matter of routine, the principal or designated assistant principal shall not become involved in decisions regarding publication or distribution.”

However, that’s not true in every district, which is why this bill matters and why students, parents and community members should fight for the bill, Steele said.

“That makes a big difference as lawmakers consider this and they might deal with questions they might come up with other groups,” Steele said.

People can also help by supporting the Student Press Law Center by making financial contributions, Moran said.

“This is an excellent group that provides on-the-spot support when student journalists are having problems,” Moran said.

LoMonte said administrators like Moran seem to understand the importance of the bill, but not all of them do.

“The only opposition has come from the lobbyists representing school administrators, and that opposition is based on myths and misunderstandings about the way these laws work,” LoMonte said.

“The reality is proven by the many decades of experience with New Voices laws in places like California, Kansas and Iowa, which have had student press-rights laws on the books for many years without the slightest indication that they lead to legal problems or make schools harder to manage.”

28

april

Executive Director of the Student Press Law Center Frank LoMonte KAITLIN NEMEH ‘18 // Staff Writer Designed to protect the First Amendment rights of student said via e-mail.

“So far, New Voices bills have been sailing through state legislatures journalists, Senate Bill 848 passed out of the Michigan Senate Judiciary this year in Maryland and Missouri with very little opposition,” Committee on a unanimous 5-0 vote on March 24.

LoMonte said.

The bill, sponsored by Republicans Rick Jones, Patrick Colbeck and The bills are popular in education and journalism groups, like the Tom Casperson and Democrat Steve Beidas is now headed to the full Society of Professional Journalists, which has called on its members senate for a vote. all over the nation to help out by working for student press freedom Several similar state bills are currently active throughout the nation, laws in their home states, LoMonte said. Other groups in support said Michigan Interstate Press Association (MIPA) Executive Director include the Journalism Education Association and the Michigan Press Jeremy Steele.

Association.

“What this bill would do is set a more clear “MIPA supports the bill, and we've been one standard and a balanced standard for when it’s of the leading partners along with the Student A lot of folks in the appropriate for school officials to step in and Press Law Center, in advocating for the bill and to censor material that would appear in student journalism and journalism promote the bill and encourage legislatures to pass media,” Steele said. education community feel it, ” Steele said.

For decades, student newspapers operated that that 1988 Supreme Members of the Michigan Association of under the 1969 Supreme Court decision outlined Court case is not only Secondary School Principals are not in favor of the in Tinker v. Des Moines, which stated that as educationally unsound senate bill, however. MASSP Assistant Director for long as student expression did not interrupt the but is also not good Government Relations Bob Kefgen testified against school day, it was permissible and could not be journalism practice. the bill during the Senate Judiciary Committee infringed upon. However, in most districts in meeting in March.

Michigan, what can and cannot be censored by JEREMY STEELE In his testimony Kefgen said the rights of school officials is based on a 1988 Supreme Court MIPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR student journalists are well defined in Hazelwood v. freedom of speech case, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier.

Kuhlmeier.

But that case is problematic, Steele said.

“This (case) allows school administrators to manage school“A lot of folks in the journalism and journalism education sponsored student expression if it interferes with the requirements community feel that that 1988 Supreme Court case is not only of school discipline, interferes with student rights, interferes with educationally unsound but is also not good journalism practice,” academic propriety, generate general health or welfare concerns, or if Steele said. it is deemed obscene or vulgar, ” Kefgen said. “In another way, it means Senate Bill 848 is part of the New Voices movement, inspired by that we have the same rights and privileges as every other newspaper successful passage of a similar bill in North Dakota which was signed editor, magazine publisher or website owner.” into law in April 2015. That bill, like the one proposed in Michigan and The MASSP did not return calls seeking comment on the bill.

19 other states currently, would restore some modest and commonAnd while the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals sense stability in the way schools and colleges regulate journalism,

No school due to the Mothers’ Club Fashion Show, taking place from 12-3 p.m.

opinion // 2

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Student press freedom bill deserves widespread support “The Tower” is not subject to prior review from administration, but that doesn’t mean other student papers in Michigan have this same First Amendment protection.

And while “The Tower” has run controversial pieces including those on athletes using drugs and students using LSD, in some districts these stories would not have run because administrators his would have deemed them “inappropriate” or said they portray the school in a bad light.

Fortunately student media in Grosse Pointe is protected by a board of education policy that reads in part, “District administrators and teachers are responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of expression and freedom of the press for all students, regardless of whether the ideas expressed may be considered unpopular, critical, controversial, tasteless, or offensive.”

In other districts, however, school administrators attempt to exercise undue and sometimes illegal power over student journalists because of a 1988 Supreme Court case: Hazelwood School District v.

Kuhlmeier.

Student journalists of the Hazelwood East High School, “The Spectrum,” wanted to publish pieces on divorce and teen pregnancy. Their principal deemed these articles to be “inappropriate” and forbid the stories to run in the paper.

With no time to edit before the paper went to press, the journalists had to remove the pieces from the issue.

Since the paper was sponsored by the school, the court ruled the principal had the right to prevent the articles from running.

But administrative censorship prevents student voice, stifles critical thinking and puts a government official in charge of student opinion, preventing true learning from taking place.

OUR VIEW // EDITORIAL

To remedy this problem and to let high school journalists exercise their First Amendment rights, express their views and provide real-life news to students, State Senate Bill 848 is being sponsored by Republicans Rick Jones, Patrick Colbeck and Tom Casperson and Democrat Steven M. Bieda, showing the importance of student First Amendment rights is a bipartisan issue.

The bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously on March 24 and is headed to the full Senate for a vote.

If this bill becomes law, it will grant the right to student media in Michigan to publish what they wish as long as the content isn’t libelous, doesn’t constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, doesn’t violate federal or state law and doesn’t incite students to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

These are reasonable restrictions, and the fact the state’s principals’ association, The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, has actively lobbied against the bill makes no sense given these guidelines.

Other states have this type of legislation and there have been no problems in any of these states with administrators not being able to prevent illegal content in student publications.

“The Tower” supports Senate Bill 848 to help student journalists share their opinions about today’s issues and

Healthy relationships are possible without sex MY VIEW

Riley Lynch ’18

NEWSPAPER

the

STAFF

TOWER

You might want to hold onto your pants, ladies and gents and others in between.

Asexuality is actually a thing.

Sex. Love.

Drugs.

Parties.

Alcohol.

All-nighters.

These are all part of the high school experience, at least as deemed so by the vast majority of Americans, including teenagers themselves.

But these generalizations tend to oversimplify adolescent lives, even attempting to erase some of them.

No, asexuals aren’t just waiting for the right person, the right time. And they won’t change their mind later.

Not every teenage soul is horny and looking for a chance to have sex in the back seat of a hand-medown car parked on a dimly-lit street.

Asexuality is the absence of desiring sexual activity with other people, not to be confused with aromantic, the absence of romantic feelings.

As an active member of the LGBTQA+ community, this is an increasingly important issue to me as the validity of asexuality is being constantly discussed.

Several of my friends are asexual, but they’re facing discrimination, even from within the LGBTQA+ community.

All I want is for them to have a safe space--which should be every space.

Their sexuality is no one’s business but their own, so assuming them to be heterosexual or homosexual eliminates what they actually are, which can lead to confusion and mental health issues--something LGBTQA+ individuals are three times more likely to have, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.

controversial topics without the interference of administrators and become better citizens of and for the world.

The world after high school won’t hold any punches when it comes to controversial topics, so why should student journalists?

At every state and national journalism conference we attend, we hear horror stories of administrators at other schools exercising prior review and restraint without any educational justification for doing so.

If adults expect students to graduate high school

and navigate the complexities of the real world, stifling reporting just because a topic makes people uncomfortable is the wrong way to go.

Administrators who are too hands-on in deciding the content of student publications not only violate students’ First Amendment rights, they also create students who won’t be prepared to deal with the complexities and controversies of real life.

HUMANS OF SOUTH

The Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) reported having approximately 50,00060,000 members globally.

AVEN was founded by David Jay, and through the network, people can chat online, meet in person and even date.

Jay estimates scientists began researching human asexuality in the 1970s and ‘80s, but people have mainly started to identify with the term in the past decade.

However, asexual people repeatedly faces challenges because of the hypersexualization in media and in people’s morals.

Because of this hypersexualization, many people expect everyone they meet to possess some desire for sex.

Billboards of nearly-naked women are everywhere, and iron-abbed men smoulder on magazine covers.

These overly-sexual portrayals of people can arouse discomfort in asexual people and put others under the assumption that everyone needs sex.

A relationship without sex can still be enjoyed, though. Healthy, happy relationships are possible in the absence of sexual activity.

Not everything has to revolve around ulterior motives, as various relationships my asexual friends have had prove.

So what to do? For starters, sex shouldn’t be as prominent in media.

If people are able to slut-shame countless women including me for wearing shorts, then why do nearly-naked models appear in so many commercials?

Sex can be sold, but it can’t be bought, in all actuality. The consumers of the sex culture are dwindling with the increase of asexuality and encouragement of healthy relationships, with or without sex, according to Medical Daily.

Sexuality isn’t a phase. It’s a critical part of individuality that’s rarely discussed in the media.

With more recognition of different sexualities, such as pansexuality, asexuality and bisexuality, embracing oneself can become more accepted and encouraged rather than be something to keep in the closet.

“South is a great school, just the people I’ve met there are great.

All the teachers are really good. I’m excited for next year because of Algebra II. I like Algebra better than Geometry.”

Maxwell Rionda ’19

“I like the art program, but I feel like a lot of the art I’ve been making, I’ve just been making it to get it done. I haven’t been expressing myself and investigating me.”

Gabrielle Smith ’18 INFORMATION COMPILED BY JEN TOENJES ‘16

Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Maiorana* ’16

Photo Editor Jennifer Toenjes* ’16

Associate Editors Brenna Bromwell* ’16 Emily Fleming* ’16

Business Managers Alexis Motschall* ’16 Asst. Mackenzie Harrel* ’17

Supervising Editors Gabi de Coster* ’16 Haley Vercruysse* ’16 Lauren Pankin* ’16 Sydney Simoncini* ’16

Online Editors-in-Chief Allyson Hartz* and Olivia Baratta*, both ’16

Page Editors Maggie Wright* and Zoe Jackson*, both ’16 Claire Yeamans*, Erykah Benson* and Jack Holme*, all ’17 John Francis*, Liz Bigham* and Ray Hasanaj*, all ’18

Online Section Editors Scarlett Constand* ’16, Adam Cervone* and Ariana Chengges*, both ’17 Riley Lynch* ’18

Copy Editors Hannah Connors*, Julia Fox*, Juliana Berkowski* and Shannon McGlone*, all ’16 Rachel Harris* ’18

ILLUSTRATION BY JEN TOENJES ‘16

Online Associate Editor Preston Fossee* ’16

Online Copy Editors Lindsay Stanek* ’16 Lily Kubek* ’17 Online Social Media Directors Emma Andreasen* and Zoe Evans*, both ’17

Staff Writers Blair Shortal, Brendan Cauvel, Callie Zingas, Christina Ambrozy, Elizabeth Coyle, Gennie Martin, Griffin Brooks, Hailey Murphy, JD Gray, Jessica Whitney, Jon Theros, Katharine Kuhnlein, Lily Patterson, Lindsey Clark, Mac Cimmarrusti, Madeline DesNoyer, Olivia Frederickson, all ’16 Anton Mikolowski, Cam Francis, Charlie Denison, Claire Hubbell, Emma Russell, Gillian Eliot, Jack Froelich, Jack Roma, Mac Welsher, Madeleine Glasser, Mary Grace O’Shea, Michael French, Olivia Sheffer, Sydney Stann and William Muawad, all ’17 Abigail Due, Arianna Pagenette, Brennan Zihlman, Cameron Smolen, Chase Clark, Elena Rauch, Evan Skaff, John Standish, Kaitlin Nemeh, Katherine Bird, Lauren Thom, Maren Roeske, Margot Baer, Mollie DeBrunner and Liam Walsh, all ’18

Adviser Rod Satterthwaite “The Tower” is the weekly publication of the Advanced Journalism classes at Grosse Pointe South High School. It has always been a designated public form of student expression.

The Tower is located in room 142 in Grosse Pointe South High School. Please contact us at 313-432-3649.

Errors Factual errors will be corrected on the opinion page or in news briefs written upon request and verification.

Letters Letters to the Editor are encouraged and will be screened for libel, irresponsibility and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit or shorten letters as long as the meaning is Opinion Pieces unchanged. All letters must be signed and Editorials represent the majority opinion of include a telephone number for confirmation. the Editorial Board and are left unsigned.

Request to withhold the writer’s name Columns represent the opinions of individual from publication for good reason will be staff members and outside contributors. considered. Letters can be sent to the above email address, or dropped off in “The Tower” Editorial Board Room.

An asterisk * denotes Editorial Board editors.

Advertising Display advertising is sold at a rate of $7 per column inch, with discounts for large or frequent advertisers. Advertising may not advocate illegal activities or contain libelous, irresponsible or obscene material.

Professional Associations Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll, the Society for Newspaper Design and the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association.

news // 3

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

SOPHOMORE DUO RELEASES FIRST SONG PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCKIM WILLIAMSON

W

REALITY CHECK // Rockim Williamson ‘18 and Eion Meldrum ‘18 have released their first original song “Reality” and plan to release more songs. Scan the QR Code below to hear the song for yourself.

ANTON MIKOLOWSKI ’17 // Staff Writer ith the YouTube premiere of their new song “Realilty,”Eion Meldrum ’18 and Rockim Williamson ’18 have begun to receive some of the musical acclaim they are looking for.

The song’s producer, David Feeney, has worked with such acts as The White Stripes and The Hard Lessons.

Meldrum’s former band manager, Lisa Caradonna, said,“Eion was born to perform. Rockim is the secret weapon to ‘Reality.’”

Meldrum said he began working on the song two years ago after being inspired by a Maroon 5 song he heard on the radio on an after-school afternoon.

“I was listening to a song on the radio, and I just got the groove (to write),” Meldrum said. “I thought that maybe songwriting would be cool.”

The process continued when he brought the song to Williamson the following day in their shared choir class.

“Rockim was in class with me. I knew he had been wanting to rap, so I wanted to see if we could (finish writing the song),” Meldrum said.

Williamson said he was astounded by the progress they would make in the following days.

“Normally a song like that would take much longer to write,” Williamson said.

Yet “Reality” became an exception. Meldrum said when they finished the song there was little else to do besides cleaning up a couple of verses and removing or inputting a word or two.

The Lunasol band, Meldrum’s former band, would go on to perform that song at various times during the summer of 2014 and beyond. They would eventually find a producer and publish the song professionally.

“We had it produced about a month ago. We found this guy. This guy who happened to be Jack White’s guitarist (Feeney), and we released it on YouTube,” Meldrum said, “We still perform it live, and we have a gig at Red Crown in the Park this Saturday (April 23).”

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Meldrum and Williamson still perform regularly and with great enthusiasm, as they wish to continue to do. “(Meldrum) is captivating on stage. It would be a travesty if he did not pursue music in the future. For some people, music is what they do, but for Eion, music is who he is,” Caradonna said, “(Williamson) is a quiet storm on stage, and he brings the crowd to their feet every time he performs.”

And it seems like Meldrum, as well as Williamson, have no intentions on leaving the music business any time soon.

“My number one goal in life is to be in the music business. Getting a band together and actually going somewhere. I have had my own little visions about what I could do by myself. It all involves pushing my music further and further: A band, myself, anything would really be perfect,” Williamson said.

Meldrum said he will continue in music as well and plans to release two new songs on a soon-to-be released album: “The Girl I Love” and “All I Need.”

“We want the album to tell a story of what we have been through and what we are all going through. It’s in the works right now. After that we’re recording a new song, and when that’s done, we’re gonna work on burning hard copies for people,” Meldrum said.

With both musicians working towards a promising career with ever-moving developments, they have began thinking about the true purpose of their music.

“Anything I write is meant to be a message. Our messages and songs are just really power. Just really amazing stuff,” Williamson said.

Meldrum said he writes primarily from personal experiences and agrees all of his works are meant to have a message. But that’s not the reason he writes and performs.

“My main goal is to make people happy with what I do.

I do it for myself, and performing is something that really anyone can just connect to. Hopefully with the songs we write we can influence others to do something in the world,” Meldrum said.

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feature // 4

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

dispensed

proximity to Detroit, growing acceptance of marijuana and number of dispensaries all contribute to a weed problem

KATHERINE BIRD ‘18// Staff-Writer

Grosse Pointe South is approximately 1.3 miles away from the closest marijuana dispensary--the same distance from the high school to Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Village.

According to freep.com, Detroit has 148 marijuana dispensaries as of Oct. 2015.

The whole idea behind So does Grosse the medical system is a Pointe’s proximijoke, I can get a medical ty to Detroit and card right now under the the dispensaries age of 18 for $220 located there automatically equate JONATHAN BRUNSWICK* to an increase in marijuana use as compared to other cities?

Principal Moussa Hamka said not necessarily.

He said compared to the district where he previous worked, North Farmington, there isn’t that big of a difference..

“I often get the question: how is Grosse Pointe stacked up upon others?” Hamka said. “And I can tell you that our substance abuse problem--whether it’s drugs or alcohol or what not--is pretty much the same as everywhere else. However, we’re also a very small community. I tell everybody Grosse Pointe is the largest small town you’re ever going to be wherein everybody knows everybody. You buy a house here, and people will tell you, ‘Oh, I used to live there. I remember who built the house,’” He also said because the community is so small, this has played a role in how much attention drug incidents get.

“It’s a very tight-knit community, so sometimes our problems are amplified and sometimes they’re also swept under the rug, so if we have an incident

here everyone knows about it,” Hamka said. “The choir incident: everyone knew about it. Last year’s football incident: everyone knew about it. Where in the other communities I’ve been in, things happen, and they just aren’t on the radar for a variety of different reasons.”

Jonathan, a regular marijuana user who agreed to be interviewed only if we didn’t use his name, disagrees. He said Grosse Pointe’s proximity to Detroit makes it a lot easier for him to get marijuana.

“Weed is the easiest thing to get,” he said. “It’s easier for me to get weed than anything really--all cigarettes--anything.”

In fact, Brunswick said he walks into dispensaries on a regular basis. The people that work there know he isn’t 18, he said, but let him buy marijuana from them anyway. None of the dispensaries we contacted for this story returned our calls.

Samuel*, a South student who also agreed to an interview only under the condition of anonymity, said for him it’s not that easy to get marijuana from a dispensary, at least at first. But he says now, since the workers know him, they allow him to come in.

As of March 1, there are 182,091 medical marijuana patients in Michigan according to medicalmarijuana.procon.org., something that Samuel said illustrates how silly the whole process is.

“The whole idea behind the medical system is a joke,” Brunswick said. “I can get a medical card right now under the age of 18 for $220. The dispensary I go to is really sketchy. The only reason I’m not sketched out is because I’ve gone there so many times before. The first thing I do when I get there is keep my head down low until I get into the building.”

Detective Tom Shimko from the Grosse Pointe Farms Police Department, however, said it’s not

by the numbers

16

148

dispensaries on 8-mile between Lodge Freeway and I-94

dispensaries in Detroit as of Oct. 2015

1.3 miles

182,091

Grosse Pointe’s proximity to Detroit that is the issue. Rather the problem is the lack of regulation of dispensaries in Detroit. Until the end of February when new regulations were passed, there were virtually no limits on where and when dispensaries could open in the city.

“It’s easier to get (marijuana) now not because of Detroit but because of the amount of dispensaries in Detroit,” Shimko said. “It’s also a safe environment to buy medical marijuana at these dispensaries.”

Superintendent Gary Niehaus said it’s not just the proximity of Grosse Pointe to Detroit that’s at issue.

It’s also that marijuana has become much more readily acceptable and available..

“Initially, we know that there have been issues,” Niehaus said. “For instance at South, two years ago at Homecoming we had high school administrators and the police officers come aboard the busses, and this year we had the marijuana with the choir kids on the school trip.

We have reports “It’s easier to get (mariof kids going into juana) now not because of Detroit to pick up Detroit but because of the probably heroin or amount of dispensaries in harder drugs. In Detroit addition, the borTOM SHIMKO ders of the Grosse Grosse Pointe Farms Police Department Detective Pointes are full of the medical marijuana shops. As far as I know and have been told, you can go in with a fake ID. I grew up with fake IDs buying alcohol, and now, you can do the same thing with medical marijuana cards. I think the availability is much or more than we have in the past.”

the distance of the closest dispensary (Eastside Alternative)

3

dispensaries east of I-94

medical marijuana patients in Michigan

INFORMATION COURTESY OF JACK HOLME ‘17

feature // 5

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

CANNABIS COOKIES: EDIBLE USE ON THE RISE *Names have been changed to protect privacy.

MARGOT BAER ’18 AND JULIANA BERKOWSKI ’16 // Staff Writers Music blared. Students packed into a dark basement, dressed in their Halloween costumes.

Some danced. Others were drinking or talking in small groups. But Amy* was unaware of all these things going on around her.

“It felt like I was walking around with my eyes closed,” Amy* said. “It was like your entire body was relaxed, and it was a little hard to process what was going on at the time.”

The feelings she was experiencing were due to her consumption of marijuana edibles, in the form of a Fruity Pebbles treat.

According to the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Institute, “marijuana edibles are food items made with marijuana or infused with marijuana oils. Edibles may be an alternative to smoking or vaporizing marijuana. Edibles come in many forms, e.g. brownies, cookies, candies, including animal or fruit-shaped gummies, suckers and chocolates, and as beverages.”

Before arriving at the party, Amy* said she had consumed two edibles. After initially consuming one edible, she ate another because she didn’t feel the effects of the first.

“I ended up taking too much, and I felt it within a half an hour,” Amy* said.

This is one major source of concern regarding edibles, Jessica Hancock-Allen, an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said.

“One’s body processes marijuana differently when it is smoked, versus when it is eaten, a process called pharmakokinetics,” Hancock-Allen said. “For example, when marijuana is smoked, the principle psychoactive agent in cannabis, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, peaks in the blood stream pretty quickly, about 5-10 minutes after being smoked. If someone eats marijuana, it takes longer for THC to reach peak effect in the blood because the stomach has to process the food, and then the liver cleans the blood, and then the drug makes its way to the brain. This takes on average 1-2 hours.”

As the night went on, Amy* said she began to experience this effect. Over an hour after her consumption, she went into an isolated room in the basement because her eyes felt extremely dry due to colored contacts. However, after entering the room, Amy* said she felt something was wrong.

“When I got into the other room, that’s when I began to shake and not be able to control my One’s body processes limbs,” Amy* marijuana differently said. “I fell over when it is smoked. and smacked my head, and I started convulsing.

JESSICA HANCOCK-ALLEN I was on the ground for EPIDEMIC SERVICE OFFICER awhile kinda just shaking.”

Other friends at the party assisted her, Amy* said. One friend in particular was frantic, seeking help for her.

“I just remember seeing her, and it was so scary, so I went to get her something to drink,” Trevor said. “I didn’t think she was going to die, but I knew she needed people to help her and she needed to lie down.”

Eventually, a few people worked to get Amy* up onto a bed with some water.

“Once I relaxed, I felt a lot better,” Amy* said. “The effects were still present. I was still very high. But I wasn’t losing my mind. I was in a state where I could process what was going on and respond clearly.”

For Trevor, the intensity and severity of the situation has made her hesitant to consume edibles in the future.

Amy* said the It was like your entire event caubody was relaxed, and tioned her as it was a little hard to well. process what was going One on at the time. factor Amy* believes AMY* should especially be monitored is the source where the edible comes from.“The transaction may not have been as kosher as getting edibles from a dispensary,” Amy* said. “I got them from a friend of a friend who makes edibles at his house, so they weren’t regulated. Especially when you get it from someone who isn’t authorized, or if you’re not getting it from a dispensary you don’t know the concentration of it.

You don’t know the THC level, and you don’t know the possible effect it can have on you. And there’s always the worry that it’s laced.”

In Michigan, the medical use of marijuana is regulated by the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. However, in Colorado, where recreational marijuana use is legalized, dosages of THC must be displayed on all packaging and before distribution cannabinoid potency testing is performed on all batches of recreational marijuana products by state-certified laboratories, Hancock-Allen said.

However, when edibles are purchased illegally, there is no way to detect what is inside of them.

In addition, the CDC warns of marijuana-infused edibles, overconsumption and the possible dangers they pose. In March 2014, a college student in Colorado jumped off a balcony to his death after eating a marijuana cookie legally purchased at a dispensary. Although he was advised by a clerk to split the cookie into portions, he consumed the entire cookie.

An autopsy taken more than a day after his death determined that his body contained 7.2 nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood. In Colorado, individuals are considered too impaired to drive if their blood contains 5 nanograms per milliliter.

From now on, Amy* said she warns others to be informed.

“Going into it, I wish I was more educated on edibles and their effects because that was a situation that definitely could have been avoided,” Amy* said.

However the CDC says any use of edibles puts people at risk As Jessica Hancock-Allen, an epidemic intelligence officer with the CDC told CBS News, “If you ingest a large quantity of edible marijuana in a short amount of time, you risk over-consumption and an increased risk of mental health effects.”

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THE TOWER PULSE www.thetowerpulse.net

ELECTIONS

current juniors vote

current freshmen, sophomores and juniors vote

class of 2017 student association (SA)

2016-2017 student association and class officer

LOGAN CHOLODY <PRESIDENT>

1. I’ve been involved in our Student Association for a year now, but to my teammates and I it feels like I’ve been here forever. I really hit the ground running last year and have not slowed down since. I started my experience by being on the Unity Day Committee, for which I contributed my planning and artistic strengths. Currently, I am a chairman for our Publicity Committee.

2. I am a very low-stress person; I work quite well when there is a lot to do.

I have a natural charisma which is why I work great with others. I am focused and accepting of what others do and say, all the while I am more than capable of taking the wheel of any situation. I believe in a strong team-mentality and, as president, I would want not to be seen as a captain, but as a noble teammate. INclusiveness is another strength of mine.

3. Students should vote for me because of my robust student leadership abilities. Being productive is a top goal of mine, closely following the goal of meeting high standards and expectations.

I approach events and situations with immense vigor and enthusiasm.

Doing these will improve the Grosse Pointe South student body from inside-our Student Association.

ZOE EVANS <PRESIDENT>

1.I have been a member of the Student Association for the past three years as an elected Senator. I’ve been a co-chair for Staff Appreciation Week, SA Bonding and the Homecoming Dance.

I have been a member of the Homecoming banner committee, participated in poster parties and made class announcements for SA events.

2.I work well with others, I value differing opinions and listening is a skill I have and continue to

work on. Organization and communication are key for leading a group of people. I write out task lists and meeting dates and share them with my committee members to keep them informed.

3.Vote for me because I want to work for you. I don’t want to be President to run meetings and have the title attached to my name; I want to be President to keep the integrity of the school upheld. I will dedicate all my time and efforts towards school wide events, SA events and making every day at South as good as it can be through hard work and positivity.

DANIEL KUHNLEIN <PRESIDENT>

1.I have been on Student Association (SA) the past 3 years as an ambassador for 1 year and a senator for 2. After freshman year, I started chairing committees both with and without a co-chair. I chaired Alumni Recognition, New Student Lunch, Publicity, Unity Day, and Food for Friends (which is currently happening please donate!!). In addition to my experience with SA, I attended 1 regional conference, 2 fall institutes, 2 state conferences, and a week retreat.

ANTHONY KOLESKY* <VICE PRESIDENT>

CARMELLA BATE <TREASURER>

WILLIAM MUAWAD <TREASURER>

GRACE SCOTT* <SECRETARY>

1. Class Treasurer freshman year, Class President sophomore year and SA senator junior year.

2.

Very disciplined Organized Trustworthy Enthusiastic 4th year of experience Mature Educated 3.Unfortunately, I can’t offer pizza parties or half days or anything fun like that, but I can promise to maintain the positive traditions South has to offer.

1. I have been apart of SA for 2 and a half years now as an ambassador and a co-chair for publicity.

2. Not only am I a good listener and problem solver, but I’m very organized.

All SA events are publicized well in advance and all flyers and advertisements we put out are completed with 110% of my care. I’m approachable and will not settle for anything but what is best for SA and the school.

3. I go above and beyond will all events SA puts on and even the committees I am not apart of. This year I am fortunate to be able to attend a Statewide leadership conference and will bring back ideas.

1. I have been a Student Association senator all three years that I have been at South, chairing multiple c om m it t e e s , like Penny Jar and nominations.

2. I am hardworking, passionate about student government, and not afraid to do things outside the box.

3. As Treasurer of Student Association, I would work hard to shake things up and bring new events and ideas to the table, which would hopefully get everyone more involved.

1. SA Senator for the past 3 years; chair of Homecoming Parade and Dodgeball Marathon.

2. I work well with others and enjoy seeing something come together that was a group effort. I enjoy hearing everyone’s opinion and combining them all to create the best outcome for the event. I communicate well with others and voice my opinion honestly when I believe something needs to be changed.

3. I will work hard and keep SA organized by taking detailed minutes, as a secretary should. I will welcome new and old members to SA and encourage everyone to participate.

ADDISON ENDERS* <PRESIDENT>

ROB BURTON <VICE PRESIDENT>

ALEXANDRA GORMELY <VICE PRESIDENT>

1. Class ambassador both freshman and sophomore year, current Junior class President and float party house host for all three previous years in addition to the upcoming year.

2. I believe that I would be a great Senior Class president because I know how to lead by example and I understand the importance of having a confident leader who can guide the class with a strong voice.

I am organized, extremely social, and I have been active in a variety of sports/clubs which has given me the advantage to get to know many different groups of students at South.

3.People should vote for me because it is my goal for our class to have an amazing senior year. I will do my best to make sure that homecoming week, prom, and everything in between is the best it can possibly be.

CHECK OUT THE TOWER PULSE FOR PRESIDENTAL SPEECHES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

1. As a Junior Class Senator I have been active with our fundraising efforts, participated in our weekly class meetings and supported Student Council Events. I have participated in homecoming preparation all three years.

2. I am an outgoing person that likes to encourage participation and communication. I am approachable and happy to help organize and support fundraising and social events.

3. As Vice President I will work really hard to have a great senior year with lots of fun activities that encourage participation and class unity. Let’s make the class of 2017 a memorable one for our school and community.

1. I have been on the student government for the past 3 years as an ambassador. I am running for the Class Vice President because I would like to be more involved in the organization, especially since this upcoming year will be my senior year.

2. I am extremely organized and responsible student. I would consider myself very approachable and charismatic, which are important traits to possess when holding a leadership position. I am more than willing to listen to my fellow classmates about their opinions on homecoming, dances, fundraisers, etc. in order to have a great school year.

3. People should vote for me for Class VP because I truly care and will listen to what my classmates want this upcoming year. Since this is our senior year, I will strive to make this our best year of high school.

HALLE MOGK <VICE PRESIDENT>

ADRIAN IAFRATE <VICE PRESIDENT>

[

1. Vice President last year.

2. I’m a good leader among peers and I know how to reason with people in order to come to an agreeable solution for everyone.

3. I have experience. I plan to make sure we have a fun, engaging homecoming theme for senior year that everyone can participate in. I also hope to change the voting process and make elections take place in 3rd hour classes.

KAITLIN MALLEY* <SECRETARY>

2. I have learned a variety of leadership styles through my experiences both inside and out of SA which I can apply to situations to fit their unique needs. I strive to always be inclusive, make people feel welcomed, and help people grow to reach their potential. Overall, I am an organized person and will lead the school in my best way possible.

3. Students should vote for me since I have goals for a more enriching school experience, better school, and a more positive light to be shined on our school. I will incorporate my positive, welcoming demeanor to the rest of SA and the student body so every student feels ELIZABETH included.

Even if I am SULLIVAN* not elected <HISTORIAN> everyone is welcome.

Q

1. what is your government?

2. what leader 3. why should what will you

* indicates ru

candidates witho

CHARLIE FRANCIS* <TREASURER> 1.I have been a member of student council as an ambassador for my freshman and sophomore years.

However I currently am the Class of 2017 Treasurer.

2.As an individual, I work so hard to always receive a positive outcome of whatever I am trying to accomplish. I am a very hard worker and a great communicator.

3.Since I have taken office the class of 2017 has exceeded our budgeting goal for Prom. Now our main focus is to reduce the price of tickets and raise enough money to leave a hefty trust fund towards the incoming freshmen, come our departure. The best thing about what I do is that I get to see the prophets off the ideas my student council comes up with. As your treasurer I will continue to implement fundraising ideas and work to afford the best prom South has ever had!

TODAY BLAIR CULLEN <PRESIDENT>

1. The past two years at South I have been extremely involved with student government. This year and last I have been a senator for Student Association and an ambassador for student council. In Student Association, I have chaired (or been in charge of) the Pep Assembly and Adopt-a-Family. In student council, I have chaired Outdoor Decorations and auditions for the coffee house.

2. I take charge whenever something is falling behind schedule, I plan ahead, I’m friendly and I’m reflective.

3. Everyone in the Class of 2018 should vote for me because I will effectively lead our class to have quality posters, shirts and an awesome float at Homecoming that are accomplished ahead of time so we can focus on helping our community as well.

UESTIONS:

nning unopposed

ut responses did not turn them in AMY ELLIS <PRESIDENT>

1. Fifth grade s e c r e t a r y, Ninth grade VP, Tenth grade ambassador.

2. I am outspoken and will get the job done. I am not in it for the title but the work behind it. I am also a man of the people. Student Council represents the people and lately that’s been depleting and I want to bring it back where we go out and ask the people who let us what they want us to get done.

3.To the people: I serve you; not the other way around. I will actually listen to your statements and make sure that there is discussion in student council. I love student council, but sometimes we blabber on about things a group of 30 people want rather than asking you what you would prefer.

GRACE BRANDON <TREASURER>

DANI DULWORTH <TREASURER>

MARIA BEACHAM <VICE PRESIDENT>

CARLA VOIGT <VICE PRESIDENT>

ELIZABETH ROONEY <SECRETARY>

PETER LIANOS <SECRETARY>

1. I have been in student council all through middle school and so far in high school. I have been the class of 2018 treasurer for two years now.

2. I am very open to new ideas and to welcoming new people. I am also very trustworthy and always willing to help.

3. Over the past two years I have gained much more experience in the treasurer position. I am very capable of helping the class of 2018 reach its full potential in both fundraising and class unity. With all I have learned I can help our class reach its goals and be extremely successful.

1. My former experience is with the class council of 2018. I have been on council since the beginning of 10th grade, though not in 9th grade. I am currently an ambassador for the class council.

2. I believe I am responsible and can get or work hard through obstacles to achieve them. I am sociable so I can talk to other people to help them as well. I am dedicated to the jobs I have to do and like to see it through.

3. I will help the class best I can if voted for treasurer. I can help bring new ideas to the table and I will do what is asked of me and more for my job to make the class council run smoothly.

1. Class ambassador for 2 years SA ambassador for 1 and MASC/ MAHS state conference.

2. In my few years at South the biggest thing I have learned is that a leader is not the one in front. Instead, a leader makes sure no one is left behind. As secretary I plan to make sure no one in our council is left behind in fundraisers, bonding, and other events.

3. I have been extremely involved in our council since before the start of high school. I’m of the belief that an organized council is an efficient council, and as secretary my plan is to make sure that we are as organized as humanly possible. To quote Jim Harbaugh I plan to attack the position “with enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

JAMES ULKU <VICE PRESIDENT>

ALLISON FRAZER <TREASURER>

BEN RORAFF <TREASURER>

1.None, but I love trying new things and I’m super excited to try to make an impact on South students.

2.I think I’m a very dedicated and determined person. I’m dedicated because I’ll put all my time and energy in something and determined to make it the best it can be.

I like to take charge of things I care about!

3.People should vote for me because I have lots of new ideas. One idea that I have is to unite South as a whole.

1.I am currently a freshman class Senator.

2.I’m a good people person. I’m not afraid of new things.

I’m ready to try new things. People trust me. I’m trustworthy.

3.People should vote for me because I am the voice of the people. If the people want something (within reason and school rules) I will try my hardest to get it. I will also raise a huge amount of funds for our 2019 classes senior prom.

1. I was the treasurer for the class of 2019 this year and have attended two leadership conferences.

2. I like contributing my ideas and helping others. I step up when working in groups to be sure everything is organized.

3. I’m extremely organized. I’ve held the position of treasurer this past year, so I know what I’m doing and am qualified for the job. I help out and support class and school fundraisers.

1. In fourth grade, I was an assistant student council member, so I have that going for me.

2. I am vocal, persistent and will take charge of any situation if needed. I play hockey and need to do all of these things in order to keep control of the team at times.

3. People should vote for me because I think I am qualified for the position, I am responsible with money and I am willing to put in extra time outside of school to keep things in order.

MICHAEL WILLARD <TREASURER>

SARAH BELLOVICH <SECRETARY>

SEAN GATES <SECRETARY>

SHREYA RANA <SECRETARY>

TIM DEGRAND <VICE PRESIDENT>

1. I was class Senator freshmen year and was an active participant in the middle school student government the two years prior.

2. I realize that a great leader isn’t truly great, but uses the greatness of the people around him. I am organized person that excels in math so our ledger will remain orderly and accurate.

3. I believe I am a good fit for treasurer because I understand that our ultimate goal is to acquire funds to make prom cheaper for everyone.

1. I attend the meetings and have learned a lot about student council through them.

2. I am an innovative and committed leader. I am always determined to come up with new ideas and contribute where possible, and will never hesitate to complete the job assigned to me, to the best of my ability.

3. You should vote for me because in addition to organizing and recording our ideas as is the job of secretary, I will be involved and help out with all of the class fundraising.

1. Throughout my Middle School career, I was an avid member of Student Council. In the 8th Grade, I even got elected Secretary/ Treasurer at Brownell.

2. I am a solid public speaker and work very well with others. I’m not afraid to step up when others won’t.

3. If there’s a problem, I’ll find the solution. I will work my very hardest to serve not only the Council, but the students as a whole.

1.In 8th grade I was elected to represent my advisory in student council and this year I am the class secretary as well as an SA ambassador for the class of 2019.

2. I am a very good listener and I always take everybody’s ideas into consideration. I’m able to organize events so that they run smoothly and efficiently.

3.People should vote for me because I will make their dreams into reality.

I will make sure that the attendance for student council is sky high.

LILY MACKRELL <SECRETARY>

current freshmen vote

1.

Current class presdient 2. I would say that I am open-minded, committed, and creative.

These are important qualities to have in a leader because it allows me to be approachable, a good team player, and up for new ideas.

3.People should vote for me because I have experience. Now that I have had time to adjust and get used to the school, I have tons of ideas for fundraisers for next year.

current sophomores vote

your classmates vote for you? do for your class?

LASHAUN O’REAR <VICE PRESIDENT>

1. I have been a member of SA since I started at South and just this year became a part of student council.

2. I am a very goal-oriented person and will do whatever I can to reach my goals, whether it’s personal or pertaining to something school related. I will try to take lead if no one else is and make whatever we are doing work. I also will make sure everyone’s ideas are heard.

3. People should vote for me because I’m going to be dedicated and try to do all that I can to do all that I can to help make South a better place for both students and staff by implementing new and exciting ideas.

Working my hardest and getting everyone involved.

]

former experience with student ship qualities do you have?

MADISON BEDSWORTH <VICE PRESIDENT>

class of 2018 class of 2019

1. I am currently class president and have been since Freshmen year, I have chaired and been in many committees and helped with all events and fundraisers. I have also had the float parties at my house for the past two homecomings.

2. I am a very open minded and committed person and leader. I always make sure people know they can come talk to me with whatever ideas they have whether its for a homecoming idea or a fundraising event. I am also very committed to being the best leader I can and I only commit myself. When I know I can devote all my time to it, so student council is my top priority.

3. People should vote for me because with my experience, I know how much student council and our class as a whole can accomplish if we work together. I will make sure our class has enough fundraisers so we can have a great Prom and I will also insure anyone who wants to be involved can and will have a great experience with it.

HARRY SUSALLA <PRESIDENT>

in the auditorium during both lunches and after school

sports // 8

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Sophomores awarded captain by teammates

JD STANDISH & CHASE CLARK both ’18 // Staff From there she moved on to the Grosse Pointe Breakers from ages 6 to 10. At age 11 she played Writers ameron Zak and Katherine Bird, both ’18 for the Michigan Gators for two years and the have been named captains of the girls varsity Michigan Hawks from ages 13 to 15. She now soccer team along with Madison Vallan and plays for Waza FC (Football Club).

“I’m excited,” Zak said. “(Being captain) seems Aubrey Leggat, both ’16.

Bird and Zak are the only other sophomore like a lot of fun, and we get to come up with ideas captains for the varsity team in recent history for team bonding for like sleepovers, and we get to design spirit wear which is going to be fun.” besides Sarah Stanczyk (graduated).

Zak said she and her fellow captains have Head Coach Gene Harkins said his choice to planned a team sleepover as well have two young captains was as bubble soccer, which is a game easy. in which players wear large plastic “They both seemed to be Hopefully I’ll be able balls around their bodies and play leaders on the team, all the to call on people like normal soccer in them. other girls kind of looked up Cameron or Katherine to Vallan said she was not worried to them and respected them, kind of spur them on in about having two underclassman so it was pretty easy to do the game time. as co-captains and, in fact, that,” Harkins said. embraced the idea.

Harkins said since the two COACH GENE HARKINS “I have known them for years, girls are captains now, they and I know what type of players will probably be captains all they are. So I am confident that the way through to senior they will fit in very well and be great leaders. year.

“I will be able to have their leadership for two Having both of them really allows the them to more years after that, and I know they can do it, learn the ropes and also be a great role model for KICKING IT INTO SPRING // Midfielder Cam Zak ’18 battles opponents on the field. Zak made the incoming freshmen,” Vallan said. they’re winners, both of them,” Harkins said.

Haskin agreed and said trusting the two girls the team as a freshman and is now captain as a sophomore. She is one of four captains on Zak has played soccer since she was three years old, where she started with the Neighborhood Club. and being able to rely on them will be a true test the team. One of the other captains, Katherine Bird ’18, can be seen playing beside her. of their leadership.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to call on people like Katherine. And since there were only two of us, he up and be able to take their place and do it well, so it Cameron or Katherine to kind of spur them on in decided that we could just both be captains because will be a very competitive division we’re in for sure.” he thought that was the best idea.” the game time,” Harkins said.

Bird and Zak both agreed the team needs Vallan expressed her feelings about the two bonding, so that’s been a focus of the ideas including young captains, and how they will impact their a team sleepover, laser tag and pasta party. team’s chemistry.

“Since we are a new time, we plan to do a lot of Zak said she was not expecting captain when the team bonding because when you know the players time came around to pick, mostly because of her on the field, you know each other,” Bird said. “It’s age. easier to work together, and that was the problem “I wasn’t expecting captain. It’s not usual. last year.

Some people didn’t know others as well, Usually it’s just two seniors and a juniors so I wasn’t whereas Cam and I pretty much knew everyone expecting it,” Zak said. because we bonded with everybody, and when Zak said she also was not even expecting to make some people didn’t bond, it made it hard to work the team she did when she was a freshman. together.

But when we bond as a team, it makes it “I wasn’t expecting to make varsity as a freshman easier to work as a team,. ” because as a freshman that’s hard enough, because The team started the season 0-1-2 and are your competition is usually pretty good since you’re looking to improve during practice and are excited the youngest of the crowd,” Zak said. for the rest of the season Bird said.

Zak said part of the reason she was surprised at “We are planning on working on individual being named a captain was not only because she positions and ball movement in hope to improve was young but that the captains are almost always the outcome of the games with better teamwork,” upperclassmen.

Bird said.

“Usually it’s the two senior captains and one LEADING THE CHARGE // Captain Cam “I think we’re gonna do fine. We’re kind of a junior captain, but last year on the varsity soccer Zak ’18, midfielder, performs some fancy similar team (to last year),” Harkins said. “We lost TAKING FLIGHT // Captain Katherine Bird team there weren’t any sophomores, so he needed to footwork two seniors, but I have players that I know will step ’18 makes the ball go airborne.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMERON ZAK ’18 choose a freshman captain which was either me or

C

Athletic program vaults to top of independent rankings athletes, male athletes and expenses per student.

KAITLIN NEMEH ’18 // Staff Writer “For this ranking, our statistical data was sourced Of the top 100 schools in the state of Michigan, the athletic program at South has been ranked directly from the National Center for Education #3 for the 2015-2016 school year by Niche, an Statistics and Civil Rights Data Collection and independent website which ranks K-12 schools and rigorously cleaned and analyzed by our data team,” Jessica Hair, Market Outreach universities. North follows at #5.

Coordinator at Niche, said.

This ranking is based on They’ve always ranked This is not the first year that survey results done online, South’s athletic program has instead of looking at individual our school overall, but been ranked highly in the state by sports and comparing record to in terms of an actual websites and news organizations, record. It is mostly based on who sports ranking, we Hawkins said. participates in the sports and were third in the first “There’s been a few of these their experiences. year. So hopefully this (surveys) in the past six years “They usually have a survey is something they can that we’ve been involved with, component,” athletic director one was through CBS Sports and Jeremy Hawkins said. “I think continue, and we can one was through USA Today,” this one is exclusively survey so monitor where we are.

Hawkins said. (people) would send whatever JEREMY HAWKINS CBS Sports ranked South’s comments they get and do a type ATHLETIC DIRECTOR overall boys and girls programs of analysis of it.” first in Michigan, while USA To compile this ranking, five factors are taken into consideration: parent and Today, which based ranking exclusively on girls student surveys, number of sports offered, female programs, also had South in the number one spot.

“We have some successful programs” Hawkins “We have the kids, the families, the coaches. We said. “The girls sports here are usually even stronger have a good trifecta going on,” Hawkins said. “I think than the boys.” academically our programs are This is the first year that South pretty strong too, but I think in athletics has been ranked by terms of on-the-field or on-theIt means a lot, and I Niche. court performance, we are doing think it means a lot to “I believe this is the first year pretty well right now.” the staff as well and that I’m aware of that they’ve The ranking truly reflects the the people who have done an actual analysis of sports,” caliber of the athletic program at funded and helped Hawkins said. “They’ve always South, girls varsity lacrosse team ranked our school overall, but in captain, Ryley Kerik ’16 said. make it possible. terms of an actual sports ranking, “It means a lot, and I think RYLEY KERIK ’16 we were third in the first year. So it means a lot to the staff as well hopefully this is something they and the people who have funded can continue, and we can monitor and helped make it possible,” where we are.”

Kerik said.

The work from the athletes at South is a great The work is not just from the athletes themselves, reward, boys varsity rowing team captain Charlie it’s a whole team effort Hawkins said.

Cornillie ’17 said.

“I’m thrilled, and I really enjoy working with “I feel proud, and I think that our school has the kids here,” Hawkins said. “It’s a credit to them. been represented well,” Cornillie said.

The families put in a lot of time and money and In addition to athletics, South has been known commitment from both the end of an athlete and for having strong academic programs Hawkins said. the end of a family.”

SPORTS UPDATE

SPORT // Boys Lacrosse Record: 1-2 Captain’s Quote: “We’re aiming for the state championship which is expected but we really need to get strong contributions from everyone that touches the field.” -Michael Coyle ’16 Traditions: Listening to Fergie and Iggy before every game for the inspirational lyrics.

SPORT // Girls softball Record: 0 -1 Captain’s Quote: “Everyone is still getting to know the routine of a varsity sport including how we have to be supportive of each other.”- Grace Foster ’18 Expectations for season: Improving and then playing the game--like only they know how.

SPORT // Sailing Record: Won top 5 spots in their last regatta.

Senior’s Quote: “I’m feeling very confident about this season. We’ve been practicing every day so were already in a really good place.” -Emma Clutterbuck ’16 Team Traditions: Listening to music before their regattas.

INFORMATION COMPILED BY LAUREN THOM ’18, MOLLIE DEBRUNNER ’18 AND GENNIE MARTIN ’16 PHOTOS BY LAUREN THOM ’18, GPS VARSITY SOFTBALL, AND GENNIE MARTIN ’16