Issue 12

the

TOWER

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 Volume 90 Issue 12

A weekly tradition since 1928

@thetowerpulse thetowerpulse.net

Grosse Pointe South High School 11 Grosse Pointe Blvd. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

CHOIR SPREADS CHEER AT THE DSO

Performances are Dec. 15 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m., Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

VICTORIA GARDEY ’20 Copy Editor South’s choirs will be performing in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Home for the Holidays concert pop series Dec. 15-17.

The choirs have sung in over 15 consecutive seasons of this series.

According to choir director Christopher Pratt, they were first invited to take part annually in the early 2000s.

Pratt said the choirs have been rehearsing since October and will perform traditional holiday songs like “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

“To be invited to perform with a professional orchestra and a variety of maestros and to impress them, as our choir has done so, year after year is an achievement for our department,” Pratt said.

Member of the Tower Belles, Cate Christinidis ’20, is performing

in this year’s concerts for her second time after performing last year as well.

“I would say (what makes the DSO concert so special is) just being a part of the history of the orchestra and getting to be a part of something so big and the community of Detroit,” Christinidis said. “It just really makes it special for us, it’s a big opportunity.”

Ticket prices vary based on the section and are available on the DSO’s website.

“I think students should come to the concert because it’s supporting the arts, that’s very important,” Christinidis said. “And sometimes people forget about it at (the holidays) and it’s a great way to calm yourself, it’s very uplifting and inspiring because it gets people into the holiday spirit.”

Anna Brieden ’20, also a member of the Tower Belles and perform-

PHOTO BY MADELINE ALLEN ’20

Social justice dialogue program begins for selected students JACK BELLAMY ’19 Staff Writer

into the program where they will participate in student-led dialogue.

“The group is going to focus on inter and intra-group dialogue between students and

Around 90 Grosse Pointe South Students applied to a student created social justice program taking place this year. The program was founded based on the ideWe thought that we als of educating students on diversity and social juscould apply that in tice issues along with the Grosse Pointe giving importance of them. students the ability to The seniors who foundsee out of another stued the program particident’s eyes, how other pated in Summer Youth Dialogues, a social jusstudents feel walking tice education program the halls of South every through the University of day.

Michigan, where they were inspired to bring what ISAAC KADO ’18 they learned back to South through a program called Student Empowerment Education for Diverse Sobring some awareness on ciety (SEEDS). social justice issues,” Kline “We did work over the sumsaid. “They will discuss ways mer where we got a different they can all positively move perspective on social justice forward and influence the and what it means to look out school culture here at South.” of someone else’s eyes, espeThe program founders cially in our community,” Isaac hope students who particiKado ’18, one of the student pate in the program will walk founders of SEEDS, said. “We away feeling more educatthought we could apply that in ed and take what they learn Grosse Pointe giving students from the dialogue and apply the ability to see out of another it in ways to benefit the comstudent’s eyes, how other stumunity, according to Harry dents feel walking the halls of Susalla ’18, another one of South every day.” the program’s founders.

According to Lisa Kline, the “We hope students will be adviser for the program, roughable to realize the needs in ly 38-39 students were accepted

IMPORTANT DATES dec.

14

South’s Adopt a Family collection ends. Get your money in ASAP.

ing in the concerts, and Christinidis said it will be different to perform with an orchestra since they are used to performing with just a piano and sometimes a bass or drum. They said it will sound different than in their usual choir performances.

“It will have a more formal air to it and it’s not all showy,” Brieden said. “We are focusing more on our sound instead of the choreography and flashiness.”

The performances are in Orchestra Hall on Woodward.

“If you have never been to Orchestra Hall in Downtown Detroit, you are missing out,” Pratt said. “It’s in a great area and there is lots to do. You can make an evening of seeing a great performance and then heading to a fun new restaurant.”

The concerts take place Dec. 15 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m., Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

their community and be able to confidently take steps that will create beneficial impacts,” Susalla said. “Also feeling confident in talking about race and ethnicity and working in a diverse workplace that requires you to be confident in dealing with race and ethnicity.”

Kline hopes this is not the only year of the program, but the first of many. She would

like to see the program grow and develop with each new generation taking charge.

“I hope this program goes beyond this year,” Kline said.

“That the juniors that are in it this year take a lot out of it and sustain next year throughout their senior year and then that keeps cycling over the course of the next bajillion years.”

S.E.E.D.S APPLICATION

QS

1. Why would you like to participate in this program?

2. What are you involved in?

(Volunteering, jobs, clubs, sports, AP courses) 3. What is your favorite book? Why? 4. Have you taken US history and/or government?

5. Describe your community.

6. What is something you care about?

dec.

15

The varsity boys basketball team plays at Grosse Pointe North at 7 p.m.

SNACKS AND CRAFTS

New club opens up time after school for food and service CAITLIN MILLER ’18 Staff Writer A new relaxing and fun club that isn’t a time commitment and stress in your schedule was introduced by Lilly Weekley and Emma Scott, both ’19. The Snacks and Crafts club is now added to the list of clubs at South.

Meetings are held every other Tuesday at 3:10 p.m. in Claire Sobolak’s room, and according to Scott ’19, the meetings only last about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on what craft members decide to do that day.

“This club isn’t like other ones with commitment, it’s kind of one of those things you do for pure enjoyment, and that’s what I like about it,” Weekley said.

The members who join must bring $15, which covers snacks and craft supplies, according to Weekley. In addition to having fun while eating and making crafts, the club plans on doing volunteer projects, such as making holiday cards for hospitals.

“In the club, we are going to do fun crafts to just be a nice break after school,” W e e k ley said.

“A l o n g side that we are going to do volunteer projects-- like soup kitchen stuff, maybe even ran-

dec.

19

dom art around the school.”

Weekley and Scott started the club to spend more time with Sobolak, who teaches science classes. Sobolak said she shares ideas and they all collaborate on crafts and different things they think the club should do. Weekley and Scott only joked about it last year, but this year, Sobolak and the girls made it into a reality, according to Weekley.

Sobolak said her expectations are to make a positive impact on both the school and the community with the club at South. The club is meant to be somewhere students can come and relax, laugh, eat and make crafts, according to Scott.

“My favorite part of the club so far is the idea of being able to show up somewhere and laugh and enjoy time with people,” Weekley said. “It’s a place where you can take a break and relax.”

GRAPHIC BY RILEY LYNCH ’18

South Band students participate in the annual Band-O-Rama concert.

2 | OPINION

THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

Students, internet users at risk without net neutrality The Internet is amazing; it has completely changed the way we live. We spend hours every day browsing the Internet on our phones, and school curriculum’s have been overhauled to take advantage of the Internet. We often forget how revolutionary the Internet was, as it has become an essential aspect of modern life; you could even say it is a basic utility required for life in this day and age.

But the Internet we know is at risk.

The Federal Communications Commision (FCC) is considering rolling back regulations which ensure equality of the Internet. There is a concept of the Internet being a fair playing field, where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as Comcast cannot interfere with how their customers use the Internet; this concept is net neutrality, and it works.

The chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, proposed the rules that guarantee net neutrality be abolished, essentially allowing ISPs to run the Internet like cable TV, where they can offer different packages and speeds based upon how much customers or websites are willing to pay.

We at the Tower see this as a risk to everything the Internet is and stands for. As a news outlet, we appreciate how powerful it is to be able to decide what consumers have access to, and we do not believe that ISPs should have the power to discriminate against the flow of cer-

tain information based on how much money they are being paid by the outlet of said information. It undermines the basic assumption that the Internet is a place where ideas can flow freely and equally.

Without these rules a company like Comcast could, for example, have Hulu pay them a special fee for faster speeds, and could reduce the speed of a competitor like Netflix unless Netflix also paid.

But maybe you don’t care if Hulu has to pay a bit extra. Maybe you only care about checking your email or watching Netflix or searching for Vines on Google; it won’t affect you right?

Wrong. ISPs will have the option to put the burden on you. Maybe they’ll offer different Internet packages: pay a basic fee and you only get to check your email or

OUR VIEW || EDITORIAL

use search engines, pay a bit more then you get social media, even more and you get to use video streaming services.

Of course, cable companies downplay the risk of this scenario, but it is nowhere near impossible. These few huge corporations like Comcast, COX, AT&T, and Time Warner Cable have essentially divided the country’s Internet between themselves, eliminating competition and allowing local monopolies to the point where most Americans have at most two choices of providers. They are known for offering horrific customer service and are consistently ranked as the most hated corporations in America.

Yet they assure us that we can trust them with upholding net neutrality, while insisting the government regulations be

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY RILEY LYNCH ’18

Dealing with suicide MY VIEW

AUDREY WHITAKER ’19 Section Editor

Perspective by the finger prick

Student reflects on heartbreaking death in family

My aunt died suddenly this summer in Arizona. She had stage four cancer, but she hadn’t told her family about how how sick she really was.

My mom flew out there to be with my cousins and my uncle, her brother, in the wake of their loss.

My aunt and uncle had met in Michigan when they were very young. At 19, he even moved out to Arizona when her family did. I think she was the center of his world for so long, he just didn’t know what to do without her.

One day this summer, a few months after my aunt had passed, I came home from sailing around four in the afternoon on a Thursday. I immediately noticed both of my parents cars in the driveway. That happens sometimes on Fridays, but this was a Thursday. Something was wrong. I thought maybe my dog died. Suicide was the furthest thing from my mind.

My mom told me my uncle had attempted suicide and was currently in the hospital. We canceled our plans to go up north with friends and my mom flew to Tucson that night. I didn’t tell MEMORIES Whitaker’s aunt and uncle pictured on vacation in Hawaii.

removed. The relaxed rules would only require the companies be “transparent” about their policies when they destroy the essential values of the Internet.

The broadband industry even insists they would support net neutrality legislation in Congress, but that is a distraction that alludes to an extremely unlikely situation. Furthermore, even if there was a chance of such legislation passing, it is hard to trust Congress to implement tough enough rules when the industry has spent almost one and a half billion dollars lobbying, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The FCC is planning to vote on the proposal on Dec. 14 and it is expected to pass with a 3-2 split. They will dismiss the overwhelming disapproval of the American people in favor of the whims of a few massive corporations. Not only do they plan on handing over the keys of the greatest communications system in history, they plan on doing so against public opinion.

The Internet is not a premium service that these corporations can control, it is a basic utility many of us rely on every day and we cannot allow the government to ignore that. We at the Tower implore everyone to write their representatives and send comments to the FCC in favor of a free and equal Internet.

MY VIEW

JOHN FRANCIS ’18 Editor-In-Chief

anyone what really happened, just explained it cannot compare him to the way we feel; we may away with a simple “family emergency.” I was never be able to understand the frame of mind sad, but mostly shocked at that point. I never he was in. thought something like this would happen in my I thought about how we would have to tell my family.

92-year-old grandma. We told her he died of a My mom came home after a week of visiting broken heart. Which really is true. I think she her brother and helping my cousins with hospital figured out what happened on her own. paperwork. My uncle would be in the hospital Until now, I’ve only told a handful of people for a few weeks, recovering physically and, hope- what really happened. No one ever told me not to fully, mentally. say anything; I just didn’t want to. I guess I’ve felt According to my mom, he had become par- like it’s some private family business I shouldn’t anoid and felt overwhelmed with his business. share, or that it seems like just a way to get atHe’d lost a lot of weight and wasn’t sleeping. We tention. I didn’t tell people because I didn’t want theorized that the loss of my aunt had hit him to think about it. I didn’t want sympathy because incredibly hard. He loved her so much, and be- I didn’t do enough to stop this from happening. cause she had taken care of everything for him But it did, and still does, affect me in school, at for most of his life, his world had completely home, at practice and everywhere in between. changed.

These feelings weighed on me more and more The weeks passed and over time because I told my mom kept in contact no one.

If you, or someone you with him and my cousins.

That’s exactly why I know is struggling with He got the all-clear, but wanted to write this artimental heath or is suicidal, checked himself back into cle. People should not be the hospital at one point, ashamed or scared to talk seek help. and checked himself back about suicide. We need Suicide Prevention Hotline: out. My mom talked to to learn to recognize the 1-800-273-8255 him on the phone. My signs, to speak out about cousins tried to make sure yourself or others who he was eating. That was all I knew. may be suicidal. Talking about suicide can not Until August. The last day of a family vaca- only prevent it by encouraging people to speak tion, my mom got another phone call. My uncle out, but end the stigma and the shame for surcommitted suicide that night. My cousin found vivors and families. There is no need to hide the him, but it was too late by the time they got to pain of any loss or illness, depression and suicide the hospital. My mom later told me she had are no exceptions. this sense of dread that something bad was We had a memorial service here in Septemgoing to happen while we were gone. She ber. It was very small and just our family came. was on the phone the entire bus ride to It brought a lot of closure, but we still have very the airport, and went back to Tucson a far to go. It’s hard to grieve and move on from a few weeks later to support my cousins suicide because there are so many questions that once again. will never be answered, so much guilt about what At first I felt guilty. Was there more you could have done. We are all still dealing with we could have done after the shock of his what happened. We are watching out for each first attempt? Then I felt angry. I didn’t other and I often see my aunt’s post and share inwant to be angry, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t formation and suicide hotline numbers on Faceunderstand how he could do this to his family, book. I’m so glad they’re talking openly about my aunts, my uncles, his daughters and his new what happened; it’s a healthy way to grieve and grandson. I thought a lot about my cousins, how to spread awareness. My mom went to a seminar they would carry this with them for the rest of at the War Memorial put on by the Family Center their lives. To me, it seemed like he took the easy about suicide. I think she’s looking for answers. way out. I know it really wasn’t him; it was the de- I guess we all are. My cousins in Arizona just pression that made him do it. But it’s something recently went through their parents’ house and I will never be able to completely understand. I still have to deal with the aftermath every day, thought about how sad he must have been to see running his business and supporting their own suicide as his only option. I thought about how families. They miss their parents, but luckily they he gave up on everything else in his life. But we have each other.

It’s funny how the smallest things can bring about a strange reaction to just about everyone. Something as benign as getting a finger prick to check one’s blood glucose once lead me to get weak in the knees and faint.

Now, I’m not a diabetic. My mom works in the Endocrinology Department of the Henry Ford Health System, specifically the studying and treating of diabetes.

Throughout my life my mom’s job has lead to a few perks. When I was in middle school, she wanted to test out some new device which involved a glucose reading of what my blood sugar was, and upon seeing the red glimmer on my finger, I fell into the couch.

Years later, she felt it would be alright to see if I’d like to be part of a control group, which is conducted when new equipment and technology comes along in the ever-evolving world of diabetic care. This latest study included only 50 people nation-wide, and involved a glucose monitor.

I had never really came across anyone in my life who was apart of a medical control group, so instantly this sounded like something fun to try, and after all there was payment involved if I was included.

Getting into the office various nurses-- and my mom-- were coming in and out of the room, getting me and the latest installment of Dexcom’s G5 Continuous Glucose Monitor, I would be calibrating ready for the next week and half.

Along with a sensor attached to my abdomen, there was a Fitbit and device that looked similar to a smart phone, which was receiving data from the sensor on my body. Every five minutes, the device-- or user’s mobile phone-- gets an update of their glucose. In addition to this, diabetics are now able to comprehend if their glucose is trending up or down. This is groundbreaking for diabetic treatment, especially amongst teens.

One of the many things I found out during my time wearing the sensor was that as a high schooler, my diet is constantly changing, and has little consistency from day to day. If I were actually diabetic and used the Dexcom G5, my parents would be able to get the updates in real time, allowing them to let me know to stay in the ‘target range’ of glucose readings.

Being someone born in the 21st century, I’ve grown numb to technological advances that help me and everyone around me constantly every day. Once the comparison of having this technology give readings constantly versus only knowing where your glucose stands upon a finger prick every couple hours set that numbness back into feeling.

After the 10 days were up, I came out with more than just getting paid. I had developed an understanding for those who live with diabetes, and an appreciation of the advances that continue to be made in the treatment of a disease that reaches the lives of so many.

NEWSPAPER

the

TOWER

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDREY WHITAKER ’19 Editors-in-Chief

Liz Bigham* ’18 John Francis* ’18 Online Editors-in-Chief

Henry Ayrault* ’19 Grace Reyes* ’19

Print Associate Editor

Alyssa Czech* ’19

Supervising Editors at Large

Ray Hasanaj* ’18 Liam Walsh* ’18

Supervising Editors

Katherine Bird*, Rachel Harris*, Riley Lynch*, Elena Rauch*, all ’18 Bianca Pugliesi* ’19

Page Editors

Chase Clark*, Kaitlin Nemeh* Cam Smolen*, JD Standish*, all ’18 Adrian Doan* ’19 Anne Muawad*, Lauren Nemeh*, Maura Shine*, Aidan Walsh*, Elizabeth Wolfe*, all ’20 Copy Editors

Ian Dewey*, Piper Eschenburg*, Phoebe Miriani*, all ’18 Sylvia Hodges* ’19, Elizabeth Flower*, Victoria Gardey*, Claire Sheeren*, Imran Siddiqui*, all ’20 Business Manager

Evan Skaff* ’18

Web/Section Editors

Arianna Pagenette* ’18, Kaitlyn Perkins* ’18, Katherine Costello*, Claire Koeppen*, Jaqui Mercier*, Audrey Whitaker*, all ’19 Dominic Dulac* ’20

Multimedia/Social Media Editors

Abigail Due* ’18, Erica Fossee* ’19 Tower Radio

Alex Acker* ’18 Zachary Heimbuch* ’19 Staff Writers

Margot Baer, Solana Bryson, Blair Cullen, Griffin Jones, Harper McClellan, Caitlin Miller, John Schulte, Lauren Thom, Brennan Zihlman, all ’18 John Bellamy, Isabella Craparotta, Allison MacLeod, Olivia Mlynarek, Sarah Stevenson, Arif Ulku, all ’19 Madeleine Allen, Julia Ambrozy, Daniel Klepp, Evelyn Kuhnlein, Charlie Matthews, Kari Ronning, all ’20 Eva McCord ’21 Adviser

Kaitlin Edgerton

“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.

THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

3 | NEWS

Class of ’18 Coffee House raises the roof MANY TALENTS Eion Meldrum ’18 sings while playing at the Coffee House on Friday, Dec 1.

SOUL SINGER Grace Walsh ’19 performs a solo.

GROUP TALENT Jessica Boehmer ’18 performs alongside Rockim Williams and Timor Betzer, also ’18, at the Coffee House.

NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH AN ELF Gwyneth Rennell ’18 sings at the Coffee House.

AND NOW...

Emcee Elllie Connors ’18 presents the acts at the Coffee House.

PHOTOS BY GRIFFIN JONES ’18 AND COURTESY OF MIA TURCO ’19

CHOIR CAROLING Tiffany Furicchia and Allison Graff, both ’18, sing with other choir members while donations were collected for Adopt a Family.

FROSTY FRIENDS Friends gather in the Cafeteria while watching their peers perform.

Operation Warmth provides heat for the holidays SOLANA BRYSON ’18 Staff Writer The Grosse Pointe Sunrise Rotary club partnered with Operation Warm to help provide coats to needy children in the district. With 20 dollar donations, they were able to provide 234 coats for children in the Grosse Pointe Public School district.

“We have an Interact Club at South, which is sponsored by our Rotary Club, and the kids in that club helped raise contributions for the coats,” chair of the project Paul Rentenbach said.

Interact Club meets every Thursday after school for 15 minutes to discuss upcoming service projects the local Rotary Club participates in, such as Gleaners, according to Interact advisor Kevin Cox. “They help sponsor workshops and service events and projects that we also go to and help with, so it’s trying to encourage the students to later become Rotarians,” Cox said.

The Rotary Club has helped community relations specialist Rebecca Fannon get in contact with the counselors, teachers and even family members of needy children in Grosse Pointe to ensure every child who needed a coat received one, she said.

“The Rotary has been working with us for years, and it’s a program many Rotaries participate in particular,” Fannon said. “The local one that runs out of the War

Memorial has wanted to provide coats for our students in the Grosse Pointe Public School System.”

The children who received coats remained confidential and many c om mu n it y

GRAPHIC BY RILEY LYNCH ’18

members were able to make a difference by donating money even if they didn’t necessarily know the children receiving the coats, according to Fannon.

“The neat thing about it is they’re all different colors, and some years

they’re different designs, so it’s not like you can pinpoint or know whether the kids got them or not, and it’s just a wonderful partnership and one of the things we love about the local community and how they wrap support in warmth around our kids,” Fannon said.

Fannon said the coats were provided for children for elementary students throughout high school students, and South was one of the high schools in the district that was positively impacted through this program.

“We got them from size 3T to adult XLL, and then we go through the boxes and we divvy them up by school, we assign the names and then we package them up for the schools and the facility staff drives them around,” Fannon said.

According to Fannon, the organizations raised the money through simple donations of 20 dollars from community members and contributions from clubs like Interact to help provide coats to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have a warm one.

“That every school has need and every family goes through situations where they might need a little more love,” Fannon said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to show that support.”

History Bowl Club prepares for upcoming competition CLAIRE SHEEREN ’20 Copy Editor New this year, the History Bowl Club is in the process of preparing for its upcoming regional competition this January in Ann Arbor, MI. The club meets every Tuesday in room 186 after school, with meetings lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. It has about 15 members.

The club started meeting in late October, according to club adviser and world history teacher Chris Booth. Booth said when he was presented with the idea of History Bowl Club, he was thrilled.

“I originally didn’t plan on being the adviser for any of the clubs this year because I was a coach,” Booth said. “The guys who approached me were really passionate about it and of course I love history, so I was actually really excited that they did.”

Club president James Stevenson ’19 loves how the club gives him an opportunity to show all of his history skills and his interest in it.

“We (everyone in the club) are all really passionate about history, and we just wanted some way to compete and show our passion for history,” Stevenson said.

According to club member Tucker Griffin ’20, the club is a great way for him to work on his history knowledge.

“It (the club) seemed like a good opportunity to sharpen my history skills,” Griffin said.

According to Booth, preparations for the regional competition are going well.

He explained some of the ways the club is getting ready for the event.

“On Tuesdays, the kids ask questions and they have teams,” Booth said. “They just kind of go at it.”

Booth added the students are also preparing by reviewing material chronologically. They focus on reviewing different time periods in history, he said.

“We focus on periods, a couple of weeks the focus was on 1492 to the French Revolution,” Booth said. “There has to be some sort of pattern to the questions we are asking, and there has to be some kind of guide to the questions we have to ask, so we focus on that.”

Booth said the club is always welcoming new members and believes the club is a great opportunity for history lovers to work together.

“The goal is to get as many people interested in the club,” Booth said. “The thing we are looking forward to is that regional competition in January. I just think it is a good outlet for history nerds to discuss history nerd things.”

What?

History Bowl Club When?

Every Tuesday Why? Practice for regional competition

4 | ENTERTAINMENT

THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

iPhone X:

worth the money?

MY VIEW SPOTLIGHT Gwyneth Rennell ’18 performs “Never Fall in Love with an Elf.”

FIRST NOEL The Grosse Pointe South Choir performs traditional Christmas carols at the “Sounds of the Season” concert. The performance took place on Thursday, Dec. 7.

SANTA TAP TRADITION Select group of choir members perform “Santa Tap.”

Christmas concert kicks off the holiday season, captivates audience MY VIEW

T

ABI DUE ’18 Social Media Editor

here was hardly an empty seat at choir’s ‘Sounds of the Season’ holiday concert last Thursday, Dec. 7, which featured all five choirs: the Pointe Singers, the Tower Belles, the Suspensions, Sounds of South and South Singers.

As soon as the curtain was drawn, my eyes were glued to the stage.

Filled with cheerful spirit, each and every singer on the stage had a smile on their face and swift moves

throughout each song.

With every perfectly calculated move, I could tell there was a lot of hard work put into the show, and it definitely paid off. I’ve never been to a choir show before, but I’m impressed with the dedication from each performer. There were almost no mistakes made, and if there was one made, it was followed by a cool and collective response.

The show was opened by the Pointe Singers, who immediately pulled me in. Not only did they show professionalism on the stage with smiles and eye contact to their audience, they looked like they were genuinely having a great time up there.

Being someone who loves the

holiday season, the show put me in a wonderful mood. After a stressful week of school, the show was the perfect way to get my mind off of the homework I had yet to finish.

The entire show was spectacular, but one of my favorite parts was when ‘The Tappers’ came on to perform. ‘The Tappers’ was a performance where a group of students tap danced the entire time, but didn’t sing. They were each dressed as Santa Claus, and looked very realistic, with a belly and all. This was one of the ending acts of the show, but I would’ve never guessed by their amount of energy they still had. I never noticed one person off beat.

As someone who’s never been to a

choir show before, I now now realize how many hours of hard work choir students must spend to make each show successful. I’ve always heard about the amount of hours students in choir spend at rehearsal after school, but this just further proved the preparation they’ve put into their performances.

Going to see ‘Sounds of the Season’ was a much needed push into the Christmas spirit, since I wasn’t feeling as much in the holiday mood this year. Overall, the choir did a phenomenal job; the excitement and joy on stage was contagious throughout the show.

PHOTOS BY ABI DUE ’18

WINTER TRENDS: This holiday season, you’ll find

these eye-catching holiday trends around and under the tree.

MY VIEW

AUDREY WHITAKER ’19 Section Editor

PHOTOS BY AUDREY WHITAKER ’19

PATAGONIA FLEECE

FLEECE LINED DENIM JACKET

CRUSHED VELVET

Patagonia pullover fleeces have been big for a few years now. What’s not to love? Their eco-friendly fleeces are available in a variety of colors and patters and are super cozy- perfect for cold winter nights by the fire or under your ski coat.

Denim will always be cool, but the key is making it stand out. Fleece lined denim jackets are stylish and cozy alternatives to the fall staple that can dress down any outfit for a casual holiday party.

Soft and shiny crushed velvet is another trend from the past, popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s. This glamourous material is perfect for New Year’s Eve parties whether it’s a shirt, dress or even shoes.

RED

TIER SLEEVES

CHENILLE

So yeah, it’s just a color, but it’s also a statement. Red isn’t only trendy, but it’s perfect for the holidays. Whether it’s a dress, purse, shoes or even a tie, red adds the perfect amount of pop to your holiday look.

Sweaters are a classic winter standby, but why not try something new?

This winter, tiered sleeves are a quirky, yet classy way to make any look memorable.

This weird, shiny and soft material popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s is making a comeback this winter. Chenille sweaters are super soft and cozy and have an understated shine. They can be found in almost any color and look great dressed up with a skirt or down with jeans.

RAY HASANAJ ’18 Supervising Editor

W

ell, it’s been almost a month now and I have yet to lose my new iPhone in the back of an Uber. Unlike last time, it’s been more than a week with my new phone and it’s still in Grosse Pointe and not the Ukraine.

Jokes aside, Apple released two new lines of iPhones this year, the iPhone 8, the 8 Plus and the iPhone X. I decided to go the X, whose name represents the roman numeral 10 and their ten year iPhone anniversary.

The X and the 8 both came with several new features from last year’s iPhones. But, the X stood out with two of the most notable differences from all iPhones ever produced. The X has an all screen display with no black or white bars at the top and bottom of the screen and more importantly, no home button. The X also came equipped with a software completely new to Apple and iPhone, Face ID recognition. These two improvements won me over and led me to invest in the very costly, 999 dollar iPhone X (base model).

The Face ID feature is quite remarkable. It makes it very easy to unlock your phone and also log into your accounts. It constantly surprises me with its ability to recognize my face in such dark lighting settings and weird positions. One thing I have seen in Apple is their attention and focus on simplicity. It is much more convenient to have a hands off e x p e rience where I don’t need to touch anything on my phone to unlock it.

Although, I will say I have noticed several flaws that come with this new addition to iPhone.

For starters, the accuracy isn’t always there, which can be very disappointing. I’d say about 80 percent of the time it recognizes my face on the first try, but other times I’ll have to try it twice to work. In addition, I mentioned how easy it is to unlock, but sometimes it’s too easy. My friends have no problem unlocking it by taking it from me and holding it up to my face. While it is cool, it’s frustrating having to dodge and duck from the camera so it won’t recognize me. Overall though, I think it is a great feature Apple added and I look forward to it being improved over time.

Next, the all screen display. This is my personal favorite addition on the X. The design and display of the phone is simply beautiful. The screen has an extremely high quality display and it looks gorgeous. I’ve gone through several iPhones and this one stands out. This is the first and only iPhone with a super retina, HDR and OLED display which contribute to the beauty of the screen. Combine the spectacular graphics with an all screen display and the X truly sets the bar for smart phones and display standards overall. The phone also has the most sleek designs Apple has ever created. I love how the phone looks with and without the case and it is truly a beautiful phone.

One thing Apple has consistently improved with each iPhone is the camera. The camera has reached the point where it is too good. It’s actually made sending SnapChats less convenient because the quality is so high I don’t even want to send pictures of my face. Regardless, the front camera is remarkable and I’ve taken some great pictures with it already. The X comes with the new portrait lighting beta, which allows for fun selfies with added effects and dual optical image stabilization which basically makes pictures more clear.

The iPhone X has proven great results and lived up to the hype. While it is weird to not have a home button and a little uncomfortable at times to have such a good camera, I still love it. The phone looks beautiful and has an exceptional display. The Face ID is extremely convenient and I can say with confidence this is my favorite I have ever owned.

Hopefully, I just don’t lose it.

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THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

5 | FEATURE

SNAPCHAT Cracking the Snapcode

3 3 3

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represented by a “fire” emoji next to a friend’s name.

“The fire emoji means you and your friend are on a Snapstreak-- meaning you and your friend have Snapped each Everyday across the globe, 150+ million users open the other within 24 hours for more than three consecutive days,” bright yellow app and see how many disappearing photos are Snapchat also states, “To keep a Snapstreak going, both Snapwaiting for them. chatters must send a Snap back and forth to each other within This app is called Snapchat. Snapchat started in September a 24 hour window.” of 2011, and ever since, their number of users continues to Erin Brannagan ’18 has a 553 day streak climb. Two years after the app’s release, a with her boyfriend. feature known as Snapchat stories was in“We have the double heart emoji, which troduced. Madison Griffin ’18 posts about means we have been each other’s number 5 stories per day, and she gets about 415 I think it is easy to have one best friend for over 2 months,” Brannaviews on each of her posts. Snapchat also a friendship through gan said. gives the option to skip over a person’s stoSnapchat because you Griffin had 72 total streaks before she ry. can always keep in touch. lost most of them.

“I think most people skip through my “I had to cut it [the number of streaks] SANDRA POPADIC ’18 stories,” Griffin said. “I usually am posting down because it was becoming too much,” funny things my friends do or just pictures Griffin said. “I have 39 streaks right now, of my dog.” and my streak longest ever was about 515 Sandra Popadic ’18 doesn’t frequently use the story part of days.”

Snapchat, but still likes to send pictures to her friends on the According to expandedramblings.com, the average time daily. spent in the app everyday by users is 30 minutes. In the iP“I think it is easy to have a friendship through Snapchat hone settings, there is an option to look and see how much because you can always keep in touch,” Popadic said. “I defibattery each app uses. nitely have friends that don’t live in the city that I can keep in “My phone says I use 27 percent of my battery on snaptouch with through Snapchat.” chat,” Brannagan said.

Snapchat culture plays a huge part in South’s student lives, Over the past six years, Snapchat has had countless upaccording to Popadic. dates, which kept changing the social media game. Facebook “When the school blocked Snapchat on the wifi, my celluand Instagram have both tried to imitate Snapchat’s style, but lar data usage really skyrocketed,” said Popadic.

Snapchat seems to stay on top with the Grosse Pointe South Around 2014, Snapchat introduced a feature called community. “streaks”. According to their website, a Snapchat streak will be MARGOT BAER ’18 Staff Writer

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GRAPHICS BY JD STANDISH ’18

Looking into the ink:

students experiment with tattoos EVIE KUHNLEIN ’20 Staff Writer

GRAPHIC BY RILEY LYNCH ’18

Tattoos are becoming more and more prevalent in today's schools, according to Elizabeth Ratsek ’20.

“I think a lot of people get stick and poke tattoos underage, especially at South,” Ratsek said. “They want something that's important to them but might not necessarily be of age to get it done traditionally.”

Over 40 percent of millennials have at least one tattoo, according to the Pew Research Center. However, 70 percent of those with tattoos make sure their ink can be hidden from their bosses, if need be.

“As long as you don't have profanity all over your body, I feel the rules are somewhat outdated regarding tattoos in professional settings,” Lydia Beaton ’18 said. “It's an art form, now it is a way to show who you are. If I was an employer, I may even respect somebody more if they had a tattoo because it shows me who they are as a person.”

Tia Bishop ’20 has two tattoos, both stick Grosse Pointe today, according to Ratsek, “I almost feel like I might become a tatand poke. She has one of a heart on her although students have come to act on their too addict when I'm older, they can be so hand, and a smiley face on her hip. own instead of following their parents ideas. beautiful. I don't know exactly what I want, “My tattoos have really fun memories of “I used to be very against them myself but I for sure would like a colorful tattoo on the summer with my friends when we did and viewed it as something very trashy and my forearm,” Beaton ’18 said. “I think those them together,” Bishop ’20 said. “The heart really idiotic to mark your body permanent- look so cool, especially when you move your is a reminder to wear my heart on my sleeve ly,” Ratsek said. “I came to realize that was arm.” and live in the present, and the smiley face more of my parents talking and the commuGetting a tattoo can be scary. Especially signifies happiness and how important that nity putting those ideas in my head. Obvi- getting a stick and poke, according to Bishis.” ously tattoos grew on me as I grew older and op, but the outcome is worth it if your tattoo Stick and poke tattoos date back to tra- created my own opinions.” truly is special to you. ditional art forms before modern tattoo Beaton regrets her tattoo since it has “At the end of the day, someone else's technology was created. The earliest known started to fade and is excited to get it cov- body has nothing to do with me, but I just examples of tattoos were found on many fe- ered up on her 18th birthday. According hope that anyone thinking about getting male mummies, dating back to around 2000 to Beaton, she definitely wants to get more a tattoo doesn't make a rash decision they B.C., according to the Smithsonian. once she's old enough. may regret,” Bishop said.

“There was such a large stigma a long time ago when tattoos first became noticeably popular,” Lydia Beaton ’18 said. “When my Grandma was young, people had tattoos but they were really judged. It was Are you interested in getting a tattoo? said it was just bikers and rebels that had them done.”

Yes, when I turn 18 The stigma is still prevalent in 37%

@thetowerpulse

I already have 8% a tattoo No, I don’t want one

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55%

*38 votes total

6 | FEATURE

THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

THE BATTLE FOR

NET NEUTRALITY

The issue has become a First and Verizon,” Wheeler said. “They Amendment (Freedom of Speech) control about three quarters of all the topic of discussion across the coun- Internet access in the country. What Since the advent of the worldwide try and at South, as our current open we’re doing here is talking about web, the Internet has always been network system gives most students changing a law so that it benefits the an open forum where ideas, inforaccess to any free website. Eliminat- four companies.” mation and commerce can happen ing it means providers can control “The Internet providers are pushwithout interference by a governing the speed of the Internet, block con- ing for the repeal because all the body. tent and interfere with sharing of in- profit goes to them and their shareThat could all change soon, as formation. holders,” Flaherty said. the current FCC “I’m opposed Since its inception, the Internet chairman, Ajit Pai, to the FCC repeal has provided numerous advantages The internet providers is trying to repeal are pushing for the of net neutrality,” for Americans. Allowing us the freethis established “net repeal because all the Brandon Flaherty dom to find and share information, neutrality.” It’s a ’19 said. “Because view entertaining content, engage move that, should it profit goes to them Internet provid- with others, create commerce and pass, could put the and their shareholders. ers already charge more. control of Online a lot of money for “I think the Internet in our counBRANDON FLAHERTY ’19 information in the services and it try has done a very good job of servhands of governopens the door ing the purpose of free businesses ment or corporate for all kinds of exploitation.” and open businesses and people have America, and take it out of the hands Big businesses like Comcast, been able to create content in many of the people. For students and facVerizon and AT&T are suspected to different ways,” Stanley said. “I think ulty at South, this drastic change in benefit from this repeal if it passes as long as that still continues I think the way we will be able to utilize the in Congress. It could enable them to that that will always be a good thing.”

Internet could have long term effects block certain apps or slow down InOn the other hand, eradicating on how we learn and how we work. ternet speeds for users. net neutrality could also create a The issue was brought to light by “The problem is that regulations positive reaction by the large corpoJohn Oliver on his show, Last Week are not burdens. You have to be open. rations who provide service.

Tonight, on HBO. No blocking. No throttling. No pain “I understand why the Trump ad“It (Oliver’s rant) was terrific beprioritization,” Wheeler said. “This is ministration is trying to repeal net cause it awakened the country to a simple rule that neutrality,” Stackwhat the issue is, and the sad thing says you will not poole said. “Net now is that the Trump FCC is ignorI think the Internet in neutrality, in premabuse your posiing the outpouring of comments. our country has done a ise, would create tion as the proWith 22 million people, about 98 very good job of serv- more competition vider of an essenpercent said ‘Don’t take the open Intial service. And I ing the purpose of free and turn Internet ternet away,’” Tom Wheeler said. don’t think there’s businesses and open service providers Wheeler, the 31st chairman of a difference as to into rivals. They the FCC (Federal Communications businesses and people would whether you’re a compete Commission) under Obama’s preshave been able to cre- and create a better big company or idency, is pro-net neutrality, which ate content in many product at a lower a small company, means he is an advocate of keeping you should not price similar to the different ways the Internet open and free to everyabuse that posicellular providers.” one.

CHRISTOPHER STANLEY tion, period.”

On Dec. 14, the At Grosse Pointe South, losing net Director of Instructional While putting FCC commissionneutrality would affect how students Technology more Internet ers will vote on surf for information and, quite possiregulations in whether or not to bly, the current creative process, acplace could affect students at South, repeal net neutrality at the FCC open cording to Christopher Stanley, the there are also other concerns. meeting. Then, there will be a clearer Director of Instructional Technology “I would say I’m anti-net neutral- picture of the future of the Internet. in the district. ity based on the preliminary FCC In the meantime, the discussion con“In order to access certain sites, plan, but the government has a track tinues: you have to pay a little bit more for record for failure in legislation so this “The concept of the open Internet that so I’m not saying by any means plan could backfire,” Blake Stack- is that the Internet is the most imthat it’s an end of creativity because poole ’18 said. portant network of the 21st century I think creativity will still always be Part of that concern is the mo- and that the rules for that network there, but I just don’t know what that nopoly such a measure could create. should be made by us, the people, would look like in the long run. It “There are basically four compa- through our representatives, rathmight lead to slower Internet,” Stannies that control your access to the er than the networks themselves,” ley said.

Internet: Comcast, Charter, AT&T, Wheeler said.

HENRY AYRAULT ’19 Editor in Chief of Tower Pulse

A TANGLED WEB WHAT IS NET NEUTRALITY? Essentially, net neutrality is the principle that prevents Internet providers from restricting or discriminating content by platform, user, content, website or application.

WHAT’S THE CONTROVERSY? Donald Trump’s appointed Federal Communication Commission Chairman, Ajit Pai, has called for a repeal on net neutrality. Congress will vote on the repeal Dec. 14.

HOW DOES NET NEUTRALITY AFFECT SOUTH? Repealing net neutrality laws would prevent South students from viewing any free websites (aside from those restricted by administration), and allow the Internet provider to slow down or block content.

WHAT ACTION IS BEING TAKEN ?

A movement known as Battle for the Net has begun, which encourages participators to write Congress to prevent the repeal of net neutrality.

Perspectives for both sides of net neutrality express feelings about upcoming FCC vote tomorrow MY VIEW

AIDAN WALSH ’20 Page Editor

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on whether or not to repeal net neutrality laws established in 2015 this Thursday, Dec. 14. This set of laws essentially sets restrictions on Internet service providers, preventing them from blocking, limiting, or charging for any data or information found on the worldwide web. These rules maintain balance and equality on the Internet- and now they are at risk.

Current FCC chairman Ajit Pai, appointed

by President Trump in 2017, claims that repealing the laws in question would stop disincentivizing for ISPs (Internet Service Providers), and I must agree with his intentions, as investment in the industry is down over seven billion dollars in the last two years. However, this end most certainly does not justify the means.

The main problem with getting rid of net neutrality is that repealing the laws would let ISPs branch and build their networks, but let them operate virtually unrestricted in determining what content is allowed to which user.

The basic principles of equality for all Internet users would be compromised in what is essentially a major disregard of morality and ethics in favor for improved profit.

Many take the stance that, although repealing net neutrality would allow these companies to do such things, this doesn’t automatically mean that they would. To them, I would

PRO remind them that the lack of evidence is evidence in itself, and in actuality it would be likely that these companies would indeed take some of these measures. In fact, we’ve seen one do it before. Some might recall that in early 2014 (before current net neutrality laws were in place), Internet provider Comcast slowed the connection of the streaming platform Netflix to a crawl until they paid a fee to allow regular connection speeds to resume.

Under current regulations, such an exploitation would never be allowed to occur.

The ability of Internet providers to slow or speed up connections is a blatant abuse of a company that provides what is now an essential service in today’s world. Even if someone would come out and deem the actions of a company unfair and morally irresponsible, nothing could be done to change it, as so few companies are in a position to provide widespread Internet services. In other words, Internet service providers could do whatever they wanted in the public eye because they control an essential resource that few could do without. And where would an unsatisfied consumer turn to? Another big-name service provider, in the exact same position, with the exact same authority over what can and can’t be accessed for whatever price on the Internet.

There is no risk here for these companies; only profit.

MY VIEW

DOMINIC DULAC ’20 Copy Editor

This Thursday, Dec. 14, The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is holding a vote on whether or not to get rid of net neutrality laws. These laws currently regulate Internet providers and their ability to manipulate the services they distribute.

Supporters of net neutrality believe that it protects Online consumers and better ensures the preservation of the Internet. However, this may not be entirely true.

Net neutrality rules were first established in the U.S. in 2015, but for the decades it existed before that, the Internet was fine.

And with their potential destruction looming before us only two years later, it amazes me that people are suddenly convinced that the world as we know it is going to crumble because these guidelines are not explicitly stated or enforced.

I support equality on the Internet. However, I also believe in the concept of self-regulation. And despite the fact that few people seem to believe this, those two things can go hand-in-hand. The unproven rumor going around that says if net neutrality is revoked, then Internet service providers such as Comcast or AT&T will favor certain websites over others and ultimately cause the destruction of the Online free market is just that: unproven.

While current laws prohibit these businesses from tampering with the Internet

CON

speeds and content certain websites have, there is nothing that proves that their extinguishment will result in companies doing so. It is true that without the regulations, service providers would be able to charge certain websites money so they can access faster Internet speeds. It is also true that this could favor large Online corporations such as Amazon and Netflix who can foot the bill while smaller websites suffer because users don’t want to have to deal with slow Internet. On top of all of that, it is true that the service providers could even charge their customers more to view certain websites.

However, in the event that the requirements are repealed, it is unlikely that any of those circumstances will ever come to pass.

The reasons are simple: not only is it potentially morally irresponsible (and bad PR) in the way that these actions would be seen as discriminatory, it is simply fiscally irresponsible.

It is absolutely irrational to believe that Internet providers would start favoring websites or charging users for using certain sites. Maybe it initially seems like another way for the companies to generate revenue; however, it would most likely result in the death of the company.

THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

7 | FEATURE

LEANING LEFT AND RIGHT One liberal and one conservative share their views on social issues today

LaShun O’Rear ’18 MADELINE ALLEN ’20 Staff Writer Growing up in a conservative household is not always easy when you’re so far to the left, but LaShun O’Rear ’18 has never allowed his upbringing to silence his political views.

As an active member of the Grosse Pointe South Democrats Club, O’Rear considers himself to be very liberal, and he allows his opinions about the government to determine the way he lives his life every day.

“Being a democrat is being able to break societal norms that only benefit white people; we are very open and accepting of other human beings and we try to make everyone fit in,” O’Rear said. “The general message of the democratic party is that we are accepting, we support human beings, we are very big on human rights and we are also very big on helping the poor and minorities.”

Emily DesNoyer ’20 also resonates with the concepts that the Democratic party heavily sympathizes with acceptance among others.

“You have to be accepting of everyone, even if you don’t have the same beliefs or morals, and not disrespect others for being different,” DesNoyer said.

“Lashun is a very liberal person, and he’s very open about his beliefs. No matter who you are or what you have done, unless you’ve done him wrong, he will love you no matter what, because he is that kind of person.”

Being a liberal student at South, O’Rear has high hopes for changing the school environment; he wants to create an environment in which equality and acceptance is heavily promoted among students and racial discrimination is frowned upon. O’Rear intends to only focus on problems that have yet to be solved, rather than re-evaluating past issues in America that are now legalized.

“I want to fix racial injustice, I want people to stop going against something that is already legal, like abortion. It’s legalized in our country so let’s stop (re-evaluating) that,’ O’Rear said. “Marriage equality is legal, stop trying to change that.”

Club advisor for Grosse Pointe South Democrats, Jeanne Dolson, coincides with O’Rear’s idea of South’s flawed environment and it’s need to be revamped.

“I think there are some issues that need to be fixed (with the school environment) because our students are a part of society. From the presidency, certain things have permeated throughout society. I think our school society emulates what is seen within the general community,” Dolson said. “There are always going to be people who are prejudice in some way, so with our LGBTQ, liberal or conservative students, there might be issues (between them) and I will confront them if there’s any teasing going on.”

O’Rear also strives to fix the “misconception” about African-Americans protesting during the National Anthem.

“I want to fix the idea that black people are pro-

Maddy Hass ’20

testing the flag or the anthem, they aren’t, even though the anthem should be protested because it is very racist, we’re protesting racial inequality and police brutality against black people,” O’Rear said.

“Until we fix that, our country is going to go into a very dark place.”

President Trump substantiates inequality among American citizens, and has no plan to change that, according to O’Rear.

“He (Donald Trump) is racist. He is homophobic.

He is transphobic. He is sexist. He is xenophobic. He is a bigot,” O’Rear said. “He is an awful human being and yes, I do not like him. He further validates there is racial injustice, racial inequality, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia and bigotry in our country.”

According to O’Rear, President Trump may not plan to fix issues of racism and inequality for Americans, but O’Rear turns what he believes is negative, into something positive. He allows Trump’s personality to further motivate himself to be the best citizen he can be in order to help others in society.

“Trump makes me even more empowered to stand up for what I believe in. He empowers me to become a better person. The worse (President Trump) gets, the better I can become as a human being. He makes me realize I do not want to be like him,” O’Rear said. “I just want to further educate myself on how to help other human beings, and on how to help the poor.”

JULIA AMBROZY ’20 Staff Writer In a politically polarized era where conflicting beliefs strongly separate Americans, there’s always two sides of the story, and the conservative narrative can be seen through the perspective of students such as Maddy Hass ’20.

Despite growing up in a republican household, Hass said her opinions are individual from her family, but still promote conservative values and ideas.

“I was raised conservative, but over time I grew my own opinions, regardless of what my parents told me,” Hass said.

According to Hass, making things about everyone and talking without offending people is something she wants people to start doing in the community.

“In my political stance, I would hope people would stop focusing on individual groups and focus on everyone as a whole. It seems most liberal people like to focus on minorities and different religions but they leave my religion and race out,” Hass said.

From being conservative in a politically diverse community, according to Hass, she has received backlash from liberals at school regarding different political events.

“For example, last year when Trump won the presidential election, I wore my Trump shirt to school. People were so rude, and to be completely honest just sounded uneducated when they made harsh comments towards me,” Hass said, “As a conservative, I would have the decency not to criticize liberals if I didn’t know what I was talking about.”

According to Hass, the negative feedback she would receive would not just stop at school, when people took it as far as taking signs from her house.

“Kids from South actually stole my (Donald Trump) sign from my house and criticized me,” Hass said.

According to her mother, Vickie Hass, she is proud and supportive of her daughter’s beliefs and the way she projects her opinion.

“I am most proud of Maddy for standing strong for her beliefs and projecting them intelligently and respectfully,” Vickie said. “She uses facts and is proud in what she believes, as an American.”

Having a close relationship with someone based on their political opinion should not make or break it according to close friend, Hanna Ottaway ’20 “Yes, I would still be her friend,” Ottaway said. “I could never imagine not being her best friend if we had different beliefs because in life it should not be whether you disagree with another, it should be about how you can listen and understand another.”

Some of the most well known and controversial topics the two parties disagree on are some of the reasons she is not a liberal, Hass stated.

“The biggest reason I am not for the other (liberal) party is because most are for gun control and for abortion. I am a firm believer in guns and people being able to carry them.

My argument is that people who are crazy are going to find a gun regardless of laws put in place,” Hass said. “If people have guns, we can better protect ourselves in those types of situations. I am not for abortion because...it is morally not right to take life out of this world just because you want to.”

According to Hass, she still stood by her country and showed her American pride.

“I was mad, but I dealt with it when Obama won the election and still stood for my country through it all,” Hass said. “Yet, in the end I stand strong for my party and my beliefs and am so happy that Donald Trump is the president of the United States.”

PHOTOS BY JOHN FRANCIS ’18

West Point Warrior Jared Ells ’15 completes service projects in Ghana

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JARED ELLS ’15

CAITLIN MILLER ’18 Staff Writer A gift to Ghana and to our country, former South student, Jared Ells ’15, attends West Point and went to Ghana over the summer to build a latrine and teach at the local school.

Ghana is a on the coast of West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea; Ells stayed there for seven weeks. He went to Ghana with another cadet and some other college students. According to Ells, it was an invigorating experience.

“During the summer we have military trainings, but we also have other opportunities we can sign up for,” Ells said. “This was one of those that I signed up for.”

Ells said he has known about West Point for a while because his dad went there, and it was a challenge that he was willing to take. His dad attending West Point wasn’t his top motivation, but more of a familiarity thing. After he graduates from West Point, Ells will serve for 5 years as an officer.

“I knew it’d be a pretty crazy challenge physically, leadership wise and academically,” Ells said.

“I wanted a challenge and I liked the idea of serving for my country.”

At South, Ells was a “driven, good hearted young man”, according to Courtney McGuire, who had Ells as a student for a Chinese online learning class. Mcguire also pointed out it is very difficult to get into West point, and she learned even though West Point is a military academy, there are different careers to choose from.

“I was surprised to learn at West Point in the military you could pick a career just to help others,” McG+++++uire said. “I had this misconception it was always about wartime or touring areas to keep the peace, I never thought about it in the

SAFARI AND SERVICE Quentin (left), attends Stanford, and Adam pictured with Ells in the largest National Park, Mole National Park. The boys did a walking safari and got to see a ton of elephants and other animals. context of building good in underdeveloped nations.”

In addition to McGuire, Ells also had Beth Bornoty while he attended South. Bornoty stated he was disciplined and was always sensitive with the needs of people around him, and it doesn’t surprise her he would volunteer his time doing things for others. According to both McGuire and Bornoty, Ells was dedicated to his work and they’re both proud of what he’s doing.

“It’s really nice to see that his experiences haven’t changed who he is,” Bornoty said. “(His experiences) have enhanced the people around him.”

HELP Ells and Riley, another Cadet that went with him. They were having a tour of Larabanga Mosque founded in 1421, and it’s the oldest mosque in Ghana.

8 | FEATURE

THETOWERPULSE.NET | 12.13.17

Athletes sign to colleges Five South seniors commit to different colleges for athletics ISABELLA CRAPAROTTA ’19 Staff Writer

Katie Konieczny Davis Graham

Cameron Shook

Patrick Sullivan

Katie Konieczny ’18 committed to Clemson University on Oct. 12 for rowing.

Konieczny started receiving commitment offers her junior year and spent that summer figuring out where she wanted to go for school.

Konieczny said after rowing for the Detroit Boat Club her eighth grade summer she fell in love with the sport and continued rowing at the Detroit Women’s Rowing Association, where she could maintain strong academics while rowing.

Konieczny had gone on official tours to Michigan State University and Clemson University.

After visiting Clemson University, Konieczny said she felt that the girls were like a family and the team was a great fit for herself.

“I am really excited for next year, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Konieczny said. “These past five years I’ve been rowing with a smaller team of 3-4 girls, and I’m really excited to get a big team feel and a good experience.”

Chandlar Duff

PHOTO BY ARiANNA PAGENETTE ’18

Cameron Shook ’18 committed to the United States Naval Academy late summer 2017 for football.

Shook received his first offer from Michigan State in 2016, and they had requested his GPA, test scores and senior year classes-none of these which he had known since it was too soon in his junior year.

After Michigan State, Shook visited Navy in February 2017, where he was given an offer and committed a year later.

Shook said he had other opportunities at other schools, and Air Force Academy was a close second, but he wanted to go to school for free and didn’t want his parents to pay for his education.

“Both (Navy and the Air Force Academy) academically are second to none, so that narrowed my search down to those two schools, and what Navy wanted me to get out of their program and their sincerity for it really separated them from the Air Force Academy,” Shook said. “I’m super excited and I can’t wait.”

Patrick Sullivan ’18 committed to the University of Michigan on Jan. 25, 2016 for golf.

Sullivan caught the attention of colleges beginning his sophomore summer and throughout his that year, and he started receiving offers his junior year.

Sullivan began playing golf at six years old and tried other sports before returning to competitive golf. He played golf for South during school and individually in the summer.

Sullivan said he had an adviser that provided him with a list of schools, and he was intrigued with the Big Ten because he wanted to stay closer to home.

“I wanted to go to a strong academic school because I have worked hard in school all three years going up to my senior year, and getting an offer from U of M was a really big deal,” Sullivan said. “It was just the best place I wanted to go.”

Chandlar Duff ’18 committed to the University of Oregon for volleyball.

Duff was introduced to volleyball when she was 10 years old by her best friend and she started attending summer camps following that year.

After trying out and making a high level team, Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy, Duff said she continued playing with this club until she was offered an opportunity with better training, better coaching and the best competition at Legacy Volleyball Club.

Duff ’s first offer was Michigan State University in seventh grade, and she received more offers beginning her freshman year.

Duff said the decision was very difficult because she had so many great choices, but with the help of her coach, a recruiting coordinator and her parents, she decided to visit the University of Oregon and committed on June 6, 2016.

“For many years I’ve always planned on making a team overseas and playing professional volleyball for a couple years after college, but you never know what the future holds,” Duff said.

Alternate winter workouts KATHERINE BIRD ’18 Supervising Editor

Boys basketball prepares for game against North BRENNAN ZIHLMAN ’18 Staff Writer

As the winter months approach, the options to do workouts outdoors are limited. Joining a gym for these chilly months could be a viable option. Pointe Fitness and Training Center, Neighborhood Club and LA fitness are three gyms within our community that are viable options. Each gym has distinguishable features that add to their overall value. Neighborhood Club has multiple facilities in their wellness center which include a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a fitness studio, a sports enhancement center, a cycle studio and a rowing area. Pointe Fitness’ amenities include cardio machines, a weight room and DMC performance center. LA fitness features an indoor pool, cycling, cardio area, sauna and weight machines. Prices vary for each facility.

Davis Graham ’18 committed to Wayne State for baseball.

Graham started playing baseball for Grosse Pointe Park Little League; afterwards, he played for Grosse Pointe Redhawks and then played for South during high school.

Graham began talking to schools his sophomore year and started receiving offers from colleges the summer of his junior year.

Wayne had been contacting Graham since sophomore year and he received offers from other schools, but he said Wayne talked to him first and he decided to commit there over other schools.

Graham said he felt Wayne had wanted him the most out of all his offers, making the selection process easier.

“I plan to major in finance, but baseball-wise I have my senior year ahead of me, and then once I get to Wayne I will see where I’ll get to play and so forth,” Graham said.

Fusion is an integrated fitness and training studio located in Grosse Pointe Woods, and as of recently, in Grosse Pointe Park. Trainers incorporate a wide variety of workouts into a single 60 minute session, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, TRX and more.

Fusion doesn’t require any specific level of experience. Clients pick their weights and pace but workout as a collective group. Fusion offers classes that focuses on certain aspects of the physique such as “arms and abs”, “chest/back and abs” and “rippin’ core”. Trainers focus on motivating their clients and aiding them toward their goal. Both locations are open seven days a week with classes running all day at the Woods location besides Saturday and Sunday. Drop in classes cost 25 dollars, but bulk classes can be purchased.

The boys 2017-2018 basketball season is underway.

The new team and its leadership are ambitious and want to carry on the legacy from last year and beat North yet again. South took two out of three wins last year against North.

“We don’t speak on that,” Theo Niforos ’18 said in regards to their loss last year.

“We are pretty confident we are going to beat them this year so it’s really not a big deal.”

Confidence is a common trend amongst players and team captain Ryan Downey ’19.

“We should go into North and beat them, easily,” Downey said. “They’re big, but we should beat them. We aren’t scared.”

Team Manager John Weglarz says the team is looking good and has hopes of beating North once the new players adjust to the varsity level and integrate new plays.

“We need hype. And if we don’t get that it could be detrimental to our success,” Niforos said.

The upcoming rivalry game is Dec. 15 at Grosse Pointe North at 7 p.m.

“We don’t have height, but we have heart,” Niforos said.

“That makes up for all of the height in the world.”

PHOTOS BY KATHERINE BIRD ’18

Max Box is a boxing gym located in Grosse Pointe Woods that offers personal and group boxing classes. Trainers here incorporate other exercises besides boxing to ensure a full body workout. Class begins with a warm-up to get clients loosened up and used to punching the bag. This is followed by boxing combinations where up to eight punches are being thrown in one repetition. The upbeat music gets boxers in the zone and ready to give the bag all their energy. Class is ended with abdominal workouts using a medicine ball in order to strengthen the core and overall improve boxing performance. A new feature added at Max Box is a “punch count” on each bag that calculates the amount of times clients hit the bag. Single boxing class sessions cost 15 dollars, but bulk classes are available for purchase.

Pure Barre is a full body workout focused on a technique that’s low impact to protect your joints by avoiding any bouncing or jumping.

The workout concentrates on hips, thighs, seat, abdominals and arms.

A main focal point of Pure Barre is to utilize a ballet barre to perform small movements but big results. Class is structured into five parts.

Beginning with a warm up followed by arm sculpting, toning thighs, lifting the seat, flattening abs and finally, a cool down. The exercises and music are constantly changing so no class is the same. A very friendly environment is instilled through the kindness and instruction of the teachers. Pure Barre is sure to push every client’s body to the limit. Pure Barre offers a first week free special. Single classes can be purchased for 23 dollars, but clients can buy memberships or bulk classes.

PHOTO BY CHARLES MATTHEWS ’20

TOUGH TRAINING The boys basketball team trains for the season. The team practices every day after school.