Issue 11

TOWER the

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015 Volume 88 Issue 11 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

S E R V E

Updated volunteer program brings new service opportunities LAUREN PANKIN ’16 // Supervising Editor Pioneering a new high school elective class and connecting students to new volunteer opportunities, the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) student volunteer program SERVE is revamping community service.

Led by director Alicia Carlisle, South’s SERVE is partnering with students and teachers to benefit the community in the short and long term, she said.

Working with Anthropology teacher Crosby Washburne, Carlisle said she created an outline for a class called Global Issues, which will infuse civic engagement with community service. If it is approved by the Board of Education on Monday, Nov. 23, the class will run at North and South during the 2016-2017 academic year, as a general elective in the social studies department.

Washburne declined to comment until after the Board reached a decision.

“Kids will be getting involved with nonprofits and it will be huge and wonderful, and I’m so excited,” Carlisle said. “It’s a cutting-edge class that colleges are just starting to do, so we will be one of the first in the country doing this.”

Partnering with over 100 nonprofits, Global Issues will connect students to any imaginable organization, Carlisle said. She plans on working over the summer to establish secure, working relationships with more than 50 organizations.

“We have to make sure that the nonprofit is safe for students to go to, but once it is cleared, we can create a program with that nonprofit,” Carlisle said.

“There are no ‘no’s.”

This year, students can log service hours in 30 seconds using the new online system on the SERVE website, Carlisle said.

“I know our students do so much to serve the community, and they often don’t log their hours because it comes from the heart,” Carlisle said.

“But it’s important to keep track for colleges and scholarships, and to sustain our program.”

Carlisle plans on using the online service log to present South students’ cumulative hours publicly, in the format of the She helped us work Mc D o n a l d’s 99 with SERVE to set up this “Over billion served” club, which we hope will sign. change these girls’ lives Service JULIEANN CACIA ‘16 clubs like National Honor Society (NHS) and Interact use SERVE to keep track of individual and group hours, Interact adviser Kevin Cox said. He believes the McDonald’s style record may inspire students to act.

“I think it (the sign) would be valuable to help all of us see the service we offer to the community, and to help us consider new ways to serve and to take it seriously,” Cox said.

In an attempt to reach tech-savvy teenagers, Julieann Cacia ’16 is launching a SERVE Remind, so students can receive texts updating them about new local service opportunities, she said. Although the Remind code is not yet available, it will be posted

within a week on the SERVE website.

“This will it make it a lot easier, because Mrs. Carlisle is not in her office seven days a week,” Cacia said. “It will allow people to keep current without having to physically check in.”

After deciding to start a middle school female empowerment club called Girls Group, Cacia and Emma Clutterbuck ’16, reached out to Carlisle for help in creating a curriculum and making contacts.

Carlisle worked with them over the summer and is continuing to help by organizing community service opportunities for the middle school girls, Cacia said.

“She helped us work with SERVE to set up this club, which we hope will change these girls’ lives,” Cacia said.

Although volunteering can help build a resume or college application, Cox said volunteering can teach students key life lessons about empathy and compassion.

“I hope that students realize that we’re blessed, we’re quite fortunate where we are in the Pointes, and there are people in need very close by,” Cox said.

“I hope the students recognize we can definitely serve those in need.”

Upcoming SERVE volunteering opportunities include helpers in the Village Santa Claus parade, a nonprofit information night in February called the Spirit of Giving and Full Circle, Carlisle said.

“Service is contagious and should be the foundation of life,” Carlisle said. “It’s amazing to see so many students transformed positively by their volunteerism.”

C

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GR BY

The 40th Annual GP Santa Claus Parade will take place on Kercheval this Friday at 10 a.m.

He s a i d the main reason the Turkey Trot has been able to continue for 33 straight years is because they added the Stuffing Strut 5K. “It used to just be a 10K race, which means it was very selective,” McNamara said. “Back 10 years ago, a 10K race was beyond the norm for a lot of people, but then 5K races became doable by everybody, pretty much. So they added this race, and as soon as they added the race, thousands upon thousands of people came out.”

Sean Nemeh ’16 began running the Turkey Trot his freshman year with his brother, Christian Nemeh ’15.

Nemeh said it is always a nice way to spend Thanksgiving morning.

“I enjoy seeing people I know running it, and the atmosphere of the runners and spectators is really energetic and exciting,” Nemeh said.

The Turkey Trot 10K race begins at 7:30 a.m. at Woodward and Congress, and the Mashed Potato Mile (the one mile run or walk) starts at Atwater behind the Cobo Center. The Stuffing Strut 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. at Woodward and Congress, and the awards are announced in the Cobo Center, Room E, at 9 a.m. There is no race-day registration.

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LAUREN THOM ’18 // Staff Writer Sponsored by Strategic Staffing Solutions, the 33rd annual Turkey Trot Parade will take place downtown on Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, with packet pickup beginning at 6 a.m. at the Cobo Center .

Aubrey Mathews ’17 has participated in the Turkey Trot with family-friends since 2013. She said the Dissers invited her to participate her freshman year and she has been running it since then.

“It is a fun way to start Thanksgiving and to be with I enjoy seeing people a bunch of people,” I know running it, and Mathews said. “It the atmosphere of the feels good (to comrunners and spectators plete the race) beis really energetic and cause now it’s like, ‘Oh, I can go eat for exciting.

Thanksgiving now.’”

SEAN NEMEH ‘16 Earth Science and AP Environmental Science teacher Shawn McNamara has run the Turkey Trot for 13 years. He said the most memorable year for him was 2002, when he proposed to his girlfriend at the end of the race.

“We did the race, and had a lot of fun with the race, then when she got to the finish line, I dropped down on one knee and proposed to her,” McNamara said.

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Thanksgivng break starts this Wednesday and continues through Friday.

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THIS WEEK AT SOUTH

Local runners participate in annual run

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EVAN SKAFF ’18 // Staff Writer For the last four years members of Link Crew have given tours of South to eighth graders throughout the district as part of the international Link Crew organization. This year, the event takes place today.

A new addition to this program is the participation of freshmen during their fifth and sixth hours today as well. These freshmen will meet back up with the Link Crew leaders they were assigned to in summer freshmen orientation.

“We wanted a way to help out incoming freshmen so that they would feel comfortable in the school, and they would have people to count on when they get to the school,” adviser Dennis Pascoe said. “It starts the year out on a right tone, and I think it helps make South more welcoming to the freshmen.”

Link Crew President Caylx Turco agrees.

“When I was a freshman, I felt very intimidated, and after the first couple weeks my Link Crew leaders never kept in touch,” Turco said. “So this is what I don’t want to happen to these freshmen.”

For Drew Maccagone ’19 Link Crew has helped him get through the first weeks of school and find his classes.

These are some of the reason for the new ninth grade meeting with Link Crew: to meet with their freshman to see how they’re doing Turco said.

“We want the 8th graders to get comfortable and have something to look forward to next year,” Turco ‘17 said. “For the freshman, it’s a mid-semester meeting to stay connected to their leaders.”

Link Crew started at South four years ago, but has been around for a while as an international organization, Pascoe said.

As for the people in charge activities for Tuesday, “Mr. Pascoe and (English teacher Melanie) Lauer are the teachers running it, and Katie Carene ‘17 and I are the students running the whole thing with the other Link Crew leaders,” Turco said. “We will have some ice breaker games and getting to know you games. For the freshman we are going to divide up with their leaders to see how they are doing.”

And Pascoe said a huge part of the success of the day depends on the cooperation of the rest of the teaching staff.

Pascoe said, “Our teacher are absolutely amazing, and it does throw a wrench into some plans, but they have been amazing, helpful and supportive, and they are helping us do the best we can.”

LI

Link Crew helps eighth graders, freshmen today

No school next Wednesday for students due to teacher professional development.

opinion // 2

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015

Giving thanks: South offers a plethora of activities, privileges of extracurricular activities that allow any student to pursue their passion. Whether it be through film, community service, or journalism, each of us can explore and find our niche, all the while advised by faculty members and supported by an incredibly passionate Student Activities department.

If a student doesn’t find what they are looking for within an after-school club, many find it in the athletics program with 60 percent of students participating in a sport throughout their time at South. With first-rate athletic facilities, and sports programs that emphasize not only healthy competition, but teamwork and fraternity, South is recognized throughout Michigan as the total package.

Finally, let us acknowledge our fortune to have an administrative staff that constantly works with us and for us to improve the quality of our education and security of our futures. Their trust and belief in the student body shows in not only the big things, but

OUR VIEW // EDITORIAL

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Students voice concerns with ‘No girls allowed’ article Dear Tower facultyWe are writing this letter because we feel there is a conflict of interest that was not avoided in the issue published on Nov. 19, 2015. The article titled “No girls allowed? South admin deals with lack of women in leadership” (which is not a column or editorial) was written by an editor with previous biases towards feminism. This is noted in her two previous columns in which she voiced her opinion towards the cause. She is also known through her efforts to spearhead the formation of Grosse Pointe South’s feminist organization and her top leadership role in it.

Even before this article came to publish, it should have been defined that someone of this stature and popularity to the public in regards to her views on feminism should not have been permitted to write on this subject that deals with gender-gap issues. Many of the readers we have talked to have said that they believed a bias on the article could have been conveyed by simply reading the heading and byline. It may also be a conflict of interest that while the Tower is writing about issues involving lack of women in leadership, they themselves have no men in top editor positions, and only six men in lower leadership positions.

We believe that the Grosse Pointe Public School system hires faculty and administration with the best of intentions, evaluating the intelligence, experience, work ethic, leadership, and the content of one’s character, regardless of gender. Perhaps the writer should have checked recent Grosse Pointe Public School District history. Dr. Suzanne Klein served in the top position in the entire school district as superintendent of Grosse Pointe Schools for over 15 years. That hardly seems like women were left out of the process. If a woman possessed better qualities interviewing for our two principal openings in the past ten years, we are 100 percent confident she would have gotten the job. In our opinion, South does not “deal” with a lack of women in leadership, we prosper with the most qualified people in leadership. We would like to thank Mr. Hamka, Mr. Flint and Mr. Wolfe for their continuous efforts as public servants and educators in making our school an amazing place to grow, learn and become people for the world and not just people in the world.

There has been an increasing amount of concern for this issue and a good number of the student body were in support of writing this letter.

Will Poplawski ’16 Sam Genna ’16 Luke Davey ’16

NEWSPAPER

the

TOWER

STAFF

Editor’s Note: Only one male applied for a top Tower editor/ leadership position last year, and he received it. In addition, the writer of the story did not compose the headlines.

Senior honors grandpa on spirit day via wearing WWII uniform after my Papa found out my grandma was coincidentally from St. Clair Shores.

From California he was sent to an officer training school at Washington and Lee University in VA. There my Papa was diagnosed Alexis with spondylitis, a form of chronic arthritis Motschall ’16 affecting the spine and joints. He was put into a cement cast on his upper body for six In all the chaos of homework, cross coun- months and as a result was not sent to the try and clubs during homecoming spirit Battle of the Bulge. Instead, as a lieutenant, week, the last thing on my mind was what he was sent to guard New York City with the I was going to wear for senior spirit day. anti-aircraft unit. My grandma got a teachAll I knew was that I didn’t want to spend ing job there, and that’s where they settled any money, and whenever my friends told until the end of the war in Sept. 1945.

I first tried on the uniform jacket which me what they were going to wear, I pictured myself rushing around the night before try- felt so heavy that my dad and I decided to ing to throw anything remotely patriotic to- weigh it. It came in at a whopping eight pounds. I can’t imagine what wearing the gether.

On the Sunday before spirit week, I jacket must have been like over a cement decided to ask my dad if he knew of any- cast. After examining all of the pieces, I was thing, “red, white, blue and better than you” especially interested in the red and gold around the house I could wear. I wasn’t patch on the sleeves of the uniform jacket expecting him to go up into our attic and and shirt.

This patch’s official name is a “U.S Army come back with my grandpa’s (whom we call Papa) World War II uniform, and I wasn’t Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command Eastern Patch” from ’42, which I discovered on Amexpecting to feel so proud to wear it.

When my dad started bringing down all azon where many patches from WWII are of the uniform pieces, it was surreal to imag- sold. At first I was really nervous to even ine that this uniform was actually worn and wear any of it to school because I didn’t want not some costume made for a movie. The to ruin it, but the pride in my dad’s smile only other time I had seen clothing as old was too much to turn down. Having my dad as this was behind glass at a museum, and talk about his dad to me was special, so I my whole life this uniform had been resting decided to wear the uniform shirt, dog tags and belt. When I got to school on Thursday, above my room.

There were all the pieces of his uniform: any anxiousness about wearing the uniform a wool outdoor coat, shirt, tie, belt, pants fell away, and that wasn’t just because of and several rusted pins. My dad and I went the, “I’ve been up since 5 a.m. senior spirthrough all of the pockets to find my Papa’s it day delusion”. I liked wearing something uniform hat, gloves and several of his dog authentic, and wearing my Papa’s uniform tags. Not gonna lie, when I found the dog helped me to feel closer to him and his story.

My Papa passed away in 2003, and since tags I felt like I was making a discovery in the next installment of “National Treasurer.” I was 5 at the time, I only remember some I knew I wanted to wear the tags around vague images of visiting him with my sister my neck for spirit day, and seeing my great and sitting on his lap. Hearing a little bit grandma and grandma’s names ingrained about part of his life gives me something on them made me even more excited to hear new to visualize when his name comes up and makes me want to learn more. my Papa’s story.

If you have a family member you don’t James Motschall was a Detroiter who graduated from Notre Dame in 1939 and know much about, you should ask your parents or someone close to enlisted in World War II you for their story. Even after the attack on Pearl though it didn’t come Harbor in Dec. 1941. from my Papa himself, He was first sent to Fort collecting stories about Custer in Michigan, but my family made me inthen took a train to a base terested in learning more camp that he was sent to about my ancestry, even in California. if the information is limThis is where my Papa ited. and Grandma Patricia So much of who I am met when she was visitis from my family, and ing family friends. The PATRIOTIC // Alexis Motschall with whether a story is happy friends owned a cantina Katharine Kuhnlein and Emma Rooney, all ’16, on spirit day this or sad, I know it’s a part across from the base camp year. Motschall wore her grandfamy Papa was stationed at, ther’s WWII uniform to celebrate his of my background and something to learn from. and the two were set up memory.

COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL:

High ACT score anxiety isn’t all students should worry about

MY VIEW

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

the little things they do for us, such as the responsibility of open campus lunches.

This mutual trust is not always available in other schools, but at South it reinforces that they have only students’ best interests at heart.

We are the sum of our experiences, and we are fortunate that an educational experience at this school has been a part of that. South creates passionate leaders through student government. It crafts the next Broadway stars through choir and musical theater. It molds business innovators through DECA. It shapes sensible adults through the trust and responsibilities we are entrusted with. South helps us become who we are together, as a family.

Our school is our extended family, and although we have our ups and downs, we are always there to support one another. So this Thanksgiving, as we sit down for dinner with our own families, let us not forget the bonds and experiences we share, and all the gifts and opportunities South has provided for us.

CARTOON BY ABBY FERRY ’16

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is important to take a moment to remember all the blessings in our lives. From the majestic tower to the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, South is just one of the gifts we should appreciate this year.

South is one of the leading high schools in not only the state, but the country. In October 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that only 68.4 percent of high school graduates in the country went on to attend a college or university; last year, South reported that 98 percent of its graduates went on to attend either.

Through dozens of available class selections, the opportunity to explore personal interests and challenge ourselves has always been encouraged. Alongside these options stands a teaching staff that constantly works to give us the best education possible. It is easy to see how this has fostered an environment in which students thrive.

Past academics, South offers an array

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

MY VIEW

Emily Fleming’16 The ACT matters a lot. After all, if you don’t get the right score on the ACT, you will go to the wrong college and have the wrong degree and get the wrong job and marry the wrong person and live in the wrong house in the wrong town with the wrong children. Fact.

The ACT determines the rest of your life. It is the most important thing in the world. Don’t believe your optimistic friends when they tell you that you’re more than just a number. You’re not.

Rolling into the ACT is rolling into the club (probably). All your friends are there, cramped into a small room that is always 10 degrees too warm, feeling insecure and nervous about the next four hours. You walk in totally optimistic, because your friend said it would be easy. They lied. You undoubtedly leave feeling like you made an awful mistake.

My cynicism surrounding the ACT begins and ends with comparison. I knew I wasn’t good at standardized testing from the countless meaningless tests we suffered through in elementary school, so I worked COLLEGE with a tutor and took an insurCONFIDENTIAL mountable number of practice tests.

I rolled into the ACT in June of my sophomore year ready to get all 215 questions correct. I was shocked, two weeks later, to find out that not everyone magically gets a 30 just by showing up. I continued to work with the tutor and take practice tests, and ended up meeting that benchmark score with my next attempt.

I was content. Then all of my friends got 34s.

After finding out that my best friend got a 34, the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon took over and suddenly 34s were everywhere. I then subconsciously decided that I simply wasn’t smart, and actually believed it.

I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. I felt like I had something to prove, so I kept taking it.

I took the ACT six times and only went up one point. I filled in 1,290 bubbles on six separate Saturday mornings for absolutely nothing. I never got a 34. For a long time I thought I was doomed to marry the wrong person and live in the wrong house in the wrong town with the wrong children.

The ACT does matter on your college applications.

Schools give out scholarships for high test scores and often look for certain scores in order to meet their criteria. But schools look at the full picture--extracurriculars, transcripts, rigor, and essays, too.

After all, Brown University only lets in 26 percent of people applying with a 36--getting less than a perfect score does not destroy your future.

Rod Satterthwaite

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

Abigail Warren, Blair Shortal, Callie Zingas, “The Tower” is the weekly publication of the Christina Ambrozy, Elizabeth Coyle, Gennie Advanced Journalism classes at Grosse Pointe Martin, Griffin Brooks, Hadley Diamond, South High School. It has always been a Hailey Murphy, JD Gray, Jessica Whitney, Jon designated public form of student expression.

Letters Theros, Katharine Kuhnlein, Lily Patterson, The Tower is located in room 142 in Letters to the Editor are encouraged and Lindsey Clark, Mac Cimmarrusti, Madeline Grosse Pointe South High School. Please will be screened for libel, irresponsibility DesNoyer, Olivia Frederickson, contact us at 313-432-3649. and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit all ’16 or shorten letters as long as the meaning is Opinion Pieces unchanged. All letters must be signed and Anton Mikolowski, Cam Francis, Charlie Editorials represent the majority opinion of include a telephone number for confirmation.

Denison, Claire Hubbell, Emma Russell, the Editorial Board and are left unsigned.

Request to withhold the writer’s name Gillian Eliot, Jack Froelich, Jack Roma, Mac Columns represent the opinions of individual from publication for good reason will be Welsher, Madeleine Glasser, Mary Grace staff members and outside contributors. considered. Letters can be sent to the above O’Shea, Michael French, Olivia Sheffer, email address, or dropped off in “The Tower” Sydney Stann and William Muawad, all ’17 Editorial Board Room.

An asterisk * denotes Editorial Board editors.

Abigail Due, Arianna Paganette, Brennan Zihlman, Cameron Smolen, Chase Clark, Advertising Professional Associations Elena Rauch, Evan Skaff, Grace Brandon, Display advertising is sold at a rate of $7 Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press John Standish, Kaitlin Nemeh, Katherine per column inch, with discounts for large or Association, National Scholastic Press Bird, Lauren Thom, Maren Roeske, Margot frequent advertisers. Advertising may not Association, Quill and Scroll, the Society Baer, Mollie DeBrunner and Liam Walsh, advocate illegal activities or contain libelous, for Newspaper Design and the Michigan all ’18 irresponsible or obscene material.

Interscholastic Press Association.

Adviser Errors

-commercial-foods-

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015

GILLIAN ELLIOT ’17 // Staff Writer

Patricia O’Hare has been teaching Commercial Foods class for 13 years and has put her time and effort into making it an enjoyable class for all, her students say.

The class is available to all grade, however, O’Hare said she typically has juniors and seniors in her classes.

“At the beginning of the year we go through measuring, vocabulary, sanitation and nutrition. Then we start setting up like a restaurant,” O’Hare said.

O’Hare said she allows her students to present ideas for new entrees based on the weather or the season.

During the class time everyone is assigned a different job such as making soup, putting food out to serve or even making the menu. The menu has soups that are always available however the entree changes daily.

All the money made from food sales goes back into the class to buy more supplies and equipment. Fresh Farms Market donates their extra produce to Commercial Foods to help make the class have as fresh ingredients as possible.

“There isn’t really a profit because we feed the class as well as sell it to the school,”O’Hare said.

A company called Sedexo provides the food for South lunches, and with that comes a non-compete clause, meaning Commercial Foods is not allowed to advertise for the class.

“A few years ago, I put an ad in the announcements for commercial food, and we had some trouble because of the noncompete clause with Sedexo,” said O’Hare.

Commercial Foods strives to stay as up-to-date as possible with trendy foods that come out.

“We have done chicken lettuce wraps, and on Wednesday we are doing gourmet brie grilled cheese sandwiches” O’Hare said.

Food allergies can play a role in serving children at school, however the class offers vegetarian options to help students have access to food that fits their needs.

news // 3

“I think they could offer healthier food, but then again, students wouldn’t want to buy the healthy food as much as the cake and cookies. Healthier options would be better for the students, but they wouldn’t makes as much of a profit selling healthier items in my opinion,” Alexandra Gormely ‘17 said.

Students learn skills that they can take with them later in life.

“I think Commercial Foods is necessary because it gives students a unique opportunity to learn how to cook and bake in a safe environment, so if they make a mistake with an oven or something, there are people there to help opposed to cooking at home without help or experienced people,” Gormely said .

This course has had an impact on what students want to study in college.

Neely Klippstein ‘16 said, “I want to minor in culinary arts, so taking this class helped me with learning great cooking skills.”

Every item made in the class is homemade so it is thought of as good quality.

“My favorite is the pita and hummus. The hummus is amazing,” Klippstein said.

Whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savory, commercial foods might have the food for you, O’Hare said.

The prices vary depending on which item is wanted. For example, a cup of soup is one dollar while a quart is four dollars.

Having 30 kids in a classroom can mean maintaining sanitation has its struggles, but O’Hare does her best to teach her students the correct way to wash dishes and make sure her classroom stays clean.

“I think the sanitation can always be better. I’ve never been in the foods room while students are cooking, so I’m not sure how clean everything is. I would assume everyone must wash their hands, use gloves and cover their mouth,” Gormely said.

Food is sold to students daily, so O”Hare encourages students up for an adventure to take a stroll down the hall and check out the wide array of meals cooked in the school.

District change in maternity leave plan benefits teachers

[ by the numbers ]

25%

four

states in the US have publicly funded paid maternity leave.

of women go back to work 10 days after having a baby

43% of women with children leave work voluntarily at some point in their careers.

JD STANDISH ’18 // Staff Writer Prior to this school year, teachers going on maternity leave had to worry about paying for a long-term substitute, as well as not having any vacation days left after their leave is over.

At the beginning of the school year a few changes have altered how maternity leave works for teachers in the school system.

Before the changes, teachers had to use all their vacation days in order to take the time off needed for their maternity leave. This left teachers with no more vacation days, English teacher Melanie Lauer said.

Now teachers do not have to worry so much.

As of Sept 2., teachers get to save six of their vacation days to have flexibility to take a sick day throughout the school year, Lauer said.

Lauer had her new baby girl, Lucy, on Sept. 2, just making the cut for the changes to be able to happen for her, she said “For most women, maternity leave is around 18 days,” Lauer said.“In the past, you had to use all of those days and then you were stuck basically the rest of the year. You couldn’t take a day off, so if you were sick or if your baby got sick or if you had some sort of emergency, you had to take a day off unpaid because you used all of your vacation days, and you had nothing left. That was a real hindrance.”

Lauer said these changes make it a lot easier for her and other women to handle the financial cost and stress of the maternity leave.

Now teachers don’t have to pay for the substitute which the teachers originally had to

do. This substitute usually costs around $85 per day, Director of Human Resources for the school district Dean Niforos said.

Lauer said she was happy about the school system eliminating some of the financial stress of paying for the substitute as well.

“I think this (the changes) takes a lot of stress off. When you think about it, having a kid is stressful enough,” Lauer said.

Niforos said there are three categories for teachers to use as days off for leaves. One is the maternity leave days where teachers I think this (the either get eight or changes) takes a lot of ten days decided on stress off. When you by seniority.

Then every think about it, having a teacher gets two kid is stressful enough. days as personal MELANIE LAUER days to use. This is ENGLISH TEACHER where the biggest change occurred, Before Sept.

2 teachers who used the third category which is roll over days which are acquired by just saving up days by not using them, Niforos said.

Originally if teachers used these days then they had a fine of $120 for the extra days, but now they aren’t punished for using these days Niforos said.

Lauer said,“I think this takes a lot of stress off. I mean, when you think about having a kid, it’s stressful enough and kind of learning to be a parent.”

feature // 4

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015

Slide tackling to State: Sklarski to play college soccer LAUREN THOM ’18// Staff Writer

Sam Sklarski ‘18 verbally committed to Michigan State University for a soccer scholarship on Oct. 29. She said she will be able to officially sign the papers after beginning her junior year.

Sklarski said she began playing soccer for the Neighborhood Club when she was 3 and has since played for the Grosse Pointe Soccer Association, Michigan Gators and is currently part of the Michigan Hawks.

Sklarski plays center midfield, attacking or defensive.

Sam’s father, John Sklarski, said Sam has always been interested in attending Michigan State.

“She grew up in Spartan gear, with her brother and sister going there along with cousins and other relatives,” John said via e-mail. “She’s been going to East Lansing ever since she was a kid, and she always considered herself a Spartan.”

Sam said other than her soccer coaches and teammates, her father has been the most encouraging person and has pushed her to get to this point.

“He’s been there since I was 3 years old, and he takes me everywhere. He’s my number one fan,” Sam said. “I love my dad.”

Cameron Zak ’18 is Sam’s former teammate. They’ve played soccer together since they were 4-years-old, beginning on the neighborhood club team, then for the Grosse Pointe Breakers and at the ages of 10 and 11, played for the Michigan Gators.

Zak said she believes Sam stood out among other players.

“At younger ages she was one of the smaller players, but that didn’t affect her talent,” Zak said. “On most fields she was one of the best players because of her speed and foot skills.”

Zak said she wasn’t too surprised that Sam has verbally committed to Michigan State.

“I knew she wanted to go to Michigan State to play soccer and that she was good enough to play there,” Zak said.

Michigan Hawks coach Derrick Williford said Sam has a very good work ethic during practices and games which makes her a good leader through example.

“(She is) hardworking and is beginning to take on leadership roles which sets her apart from other players,” Williford said via e-mail.

Williford said there has been an increase of players, especially Hawk players of Sam’s quality, who have committed at early stages of their high school careers. Williford also said Sam is in control of her own future.

“My goal is to one day be on the national team, whether it’s the youth national team now or the women’s national team when I’m 17,” Sam said. “That’s my ultimate goal.”

John said Sam has worked hard to get where she is and she is driven and motivated.

“On days she doesn’t have team practice, she always finds something to do, workout wise, whether it is going on runs or working with the ball,” John said. “Sam is very dedicated and has always been very focused on reaching her goals.”

LIFELONG STATE FAN// Sam Sklarski ‘18 has been playing soccer since she was 3 years old, and her life long work has paid off, making her one of the youngest South students to verbally commit to a university. Below, Sklarski is pictured with Cameron Zak ‘18. The two girls were teammates at 4 years old.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAM SKLARSKI

Rowing for Rutgers: Senior commits to D1 school BETH COYLE ’16// Staff Writer After her first year of rowing, Paige Swegles ’16 knew it was something she really enjoyed and could see herself doing in college.

“Over time, Paige developed a deep appreciation and passion for the sport and never complained about the early morning and after-school practices. That’s when I knew she would row beyond high school,” Paige’s mother, Janet Swegles, said.

“The biggest challenge I have had with rowing would be time management,” Paige said. “It’s hard to balance school, social and sports. With all the hours of practice, traveling and competing, I had a hard time figuring out how to make time for homework freshman year. Now it’s rarely an issue. Rowing definitely taught me how to prioritize and better manage my time.”

Paige also had to deal with the challenge of talking with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coaches, and because the NCAA has different rules, the recruiting process for Division I is much more different than the recruiting process for Division III. “The recruiting process was confusing in a way,” Paige said. “I did not know the NCAA

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rules for recruiting until my junior year. I learned most about the process in Dr. Steven’s Reading and Writing through Athletics class, it was really helpful knowing the restrictions at the start of the recruiting year.”

Some of the NCAA rules include coaches only being able to contact recruits through e-mail, being restricted to calling recruits once a week and recruits paying for all expenses on unofficial visits. Many of these restrictions are lifted after July 1, Paige said.

“Paige has always had the ability to set everything in life aside and just row,” Janet said. “She keeps her eye on the prize and is very focused and driven both on the water and in the classroom.”

Paige’s coach David Macon agrees.

“These programs tend to have a lot of competition and a lot of potential stress,” Macon said. “One thing that I think makes Paige so well-suited to move on to, and succeed at, a D1 program is her ability to transcend that kind of chaos. Where others get caught up in minutia, Paige has an extraordinary ability to keep her head about her and stay focused.”

I really struggled trying to figure out if I wanted to row for a school on the East Coast

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or the Big 10, and Rutgers is both, making it a perfect fit Paige said.

“Paige brings a steadfast determination to the table. If Paige decides she wants something, get the heck out of the way,” Macon said.

This mentality is going to be important when Paige steps into athletics at the collegiate level, where athletes from around country are competing for such a limited number of positions, Macon said.

“Overall, I’m really excited for her to be going to Rutgers. I think the academic and athletic opportunities there are perfectly matched to her personality,” Macon said.

Communication is key in the recruiting process, Paige said. “It’s intimidating to talk to college coaches, be respectful and honest. It’s helpful to know what are looking for in a school academically, socially, and athletically,” Paige said. “The most rewarding part of rowing is the relief and pride you feel after doing great in a race.”

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ROWING TO GREATNESS// Paige Swegles commits to Rutgers University with brothers, David Swegles ’18, John Swegles ’ 19, current coach David Macon, former coach George Sleator and mother by her side.

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feature // 5

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2015

Turkey day traditions: Staff and

students describe their holiday festivities with family, friends

I

nearly 47 million Americans will travel to WILLIAM MUAWAD ’17 // Staff Writer t is 10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning see family and friends this year for Thanksand math teacher Beth Bornoty giving, something Seth Adams ’17 sees as was getting ready for the festivities one of the most important parts of the holwhile a 25-pound turkey cooked in iday.

“It is good to get all of the family tothe oven.

Unbeknown to Bornoty, her sister ac- gether, especially on my mom’s side. I don’t cidentally bumped the oven while getting see them as often because they live farther away,” Adams said. “It is good to see evready for the festivities, and it turned off.

An hour and a half later, Bornoty eryone at least once a year and get together opened the oven to check on the turkey that way.”

Being surrounded by many family and realized it has been turned off for at least an hour, leading to a delayed dinner members at once, and especially lots of little cousins, can lead to babysitting the and interesting conversation.

“My sister even said to me, ‘Why did younger ones by the older children, Anthony Frazier ’18 said. you turn your oven off?’

“I have nine kids And I was like, ‘I wasn’t (cousins) who are bethe one who did it. You Whatever I am pretween the ages of 3 and did. You just didn’t know paring, we also try to set 5, and I have to take it’,” Bornoty said. aside for a special do- care of them,” Frazier Thanksgiving is a time nation for families that said. “All they like to do to be with family, eat and might not have either a is wrestle, so I just wrescatch up on old times, Bornoty said. family to get together tle with them for three “It is just truly a time or someone that would hours until dinner. And then they jump on me to get together with fammake them a meal. some more.” ily and nobody has to There are many worry about gifts,” BorBETH BORNOTY traditions on ThanksMATH TEACHER noty said. “I like that giving, like the usual Thanksgiving is family ones: eating turkey and coming together, enjoypumpkin pie, and the not so usual ones, ing a meal and conversation.”

According to the United States Census like firing off a potato cannon, Frazier said.

“We have a potato gun,” Frazier said. “It Bureau, there are 114.7 million households across the United States--all potential plac- is a piece of PVC and it has a chamber for es people for Thanksgiving celebrations hairspray, and then you light it, and it explodes and shoots the potato out. We do it this year.

And according to travelandleisure.com, most Thanksgivings.”

Frazier also has another unique tradi- a special donation for families that might tion when his family has a gathering -- fin- not have either a family to get together or ger Jello. someone that would make them a meal.”

“That is another big family tradition.

In addition to helping those in need, We have finger Jello at everything,” Frazier Bornoty accepts and welcomes everybody said. “It is Jello, but a little more solid, so to her house for Thanksgiving, even if it is you can eat it with your just for dessert or appehands. Whenever we tizers, she said.

Whenever we go to go to somebody’s house “Every year we host, somebody’s house and and I invite basically and get together as a get together as a family, everybody that doesn’t family, we always have finger Jello.” we always have finger have a place to go, and Traditions are also whoever wants to come Jello. a big part of Bornoty’s over is welcome to, even Thanksgiving celebraif it is just for dessert,” ANTHONY FRAZIER ’18 tions.

Bornoty said. “I do cook “I love using my everything from scratch, grandfather’s recipe for the pumpkin pie including a huge 25-pound turkey, usually because he has special ingredients that at least one, depending on how many peomake it a little different than what you ple come over.” would normally expect and everybody Since Bornoty has such a big family, loves it,” Bornoty said. “And that is exciting she sometimes has to make two turkeys, to know that a tradition kept in my family depending on how many people show up, for so long is now being upheld by me.” she said.

Every year at Thanksgiving dinner, the “We have a large family, especially Bornotys say special prayers for family not because of extended family, like couspresent at the table, she said. ins, aunts and uncles,” Bornoty said. “We “We remember family members that ar- usually have at least two dozen come for en’t with us because they have passed away Thanksgiving. There are times where we or aren’t with us just because they couldn’t have gotten up to 30 to 40 people.” celebrate the day with us,” Bornoty said.

With so much celebrating, eating and Along with being thankful and spend- conversing by everybody present, Thanksing time with family, Thanksgiving is also giving is truly a time for one thing, and that a time to help less-fortunate families, Bor- is family, Adams said. noty said. “(Thanksgiving) is getting the family “We do donations of food at Thanksgiv- together and being thankful that everying time as well,” Bornoty said. “Whatever body’s there and thankful for what you I am preparing, we also try to set aside for have,” Adams said.

And for dessert: flu shots MY VIEW

Cam Francis ’17 Every once in a while I’ll find myself in a conversation regarding flu shots. After listening to multiple people share their experiences with a local pharmacy or pediatric office, I’ll interrupt. My contribution to the discussion is as consistent as the expressions of curiosity that follow.

I get my flu shot on Thanksgiving. My uncle’s a pediatrician, but other than that, I have no idea why.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I actually realized this odd tradition was, in fact, odd. Every Thanksgiving I can remember has involved flu shots. I grew up thinking turkey and vaccinating needles went hand-in-hand.

As a young boy, Thanksgiving wasn’t my favorite.

After the bird was stripped to its bones, and the pie was sliced into eighths, my game of hide-and-seek with my cousins would halt, and my game of hideand-seek with the adults would commence.

My fear of shots as a child resulted in an assumption that this cruelty was a reality for everyone on the last Thursday of November.

However, the years went by, and I recognized this practice as merely another of my extended family’s numerous traditions.

What I didn’t understand, though, was the extent of most everyone’s reaction upon being informed of my flu shot plans. Although it isn’t a typical vaccination appointment, I was confused as to why so many people questioned the tradition rather than just acknowledging it as unique and leaving it at that.

I was overwhelmed. The thought of flu shots and Thanksgiving together in one sentence spread like wildfire amongst my surroundings.

I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why hardly anyone would take my uncle’s medical degree as a final answer. It’s convenient; why make other arrangements when I’ll see my uncle on Thanksgiving anyways?

In recent years, however, I’ve come to my own conclusion. With my family’s late baby boom, the roles have reversed.

What was once me hiding in the dust underneath my aunt and uncle’s bed, is now my cousins doing the same.

What was once me interrupting the Lions game with cries of discomfort is now my cousins doing the same.

What was once me occupying the entire family and distracting them from normal Thanksgiving traditions is now my cousins doing the same.

But “normal traditions” is an oxymoron.

Traditions should be unique, they should be questioned. Some should make you scratch your head. My family’s got a real head-scratcher with this one.

Beaumont

For anyone 16 and up, Beaumont Hospital on Maumee offers a number of opportunities for students looking to volunteer. To sign up, stud e n t s should go to the Beaumont’s website and register. There are a number of jobs volunteers can sign up for, such as patient escort and meals-for-the-homebound delivery, which delivers hot meals to community members enrolled in the program.

Salvation Army

At registertoring.com, students can sign up for shifts ringing a bell for Salvation Army to raise money for people in local communities that need help. Several bell-ringing locations are open in the Grosse Pointe area, including the Kroger on Kercheval, the Kroger on Mack and the Walgreens on Moross. After someone signs up, they can then show up at their designated location at the start of their shift and somebody from The Salvation Army will bring the bell and red kettle. Shifts are two hours long and available Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

LOCAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITITES Meals on Wheels

To help deliver meals to the elderly who are unable to grocery shop for themselves, interested students should call 313.882.9600 to sign up, according to www. socservices.org/meals-on-wheels. Meals on Wheels is sponsored by the Services for Older Citizens located at 158 Ridge Rd, GPF, which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Turkey Trot

The Turkey Trot has many volunteer options available. Students can help on the course or indoors. Workers are needed on Thanksgiving day and also prior. There are so many options starting now and leading up to the race. All volunteers also receive a staff Turkey Trot T-shirt. For more information, go to the parade.org/turkeytrot

GRAPHICS BY RAY HASANAJ

feature // 6

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2015

I’M THANKFUL FOR

Senior Tower staff members share what they are grateful for this holiday season

AS PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM // Christina Ambrozy, Griffin Brooks, Lindsay Clark, Jen Toenjes, Gennie Martin, Gabi deCoster, Haley Vercruysse, Lindsay Stanek, Jennifer Maiorana, Lauren Pankin, Katharine Kuhnlein, Julia Fox, Callie Zingas, Zoe Jackson, Hannah Connors, Brenna Bromwell, Jon Theros and Alexis Motschall all ’16