Issue 13

TOWER the

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 Volume 88 Issue 13 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

Adopt-A-Family provides for those in need

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to send messages to his class so they would not forget to bring in monJULIANA BERKOWSKI ’16 // Staff Writer or the third straight year, Student Association (SA) has run ey.

One of the best parts about Adopt-A-Family this year was its ability the Adopt-A-Family program, giving underprivileged families in the district gifts, food and necessities to get through to unite the community, especially since the people who received help the holiday season. Originally, only North took part in were from the district.

“We typically think of Grosse Pointe as being a Adopt-a-Family, but the tradition was brought to super-wealthy community and everybody being reSouth in 2013.

This is something ally well-off, but there are actually families that do “North and South both do Adopt-a-Family, so we that helps (the families) need help and are struggling,” Susalla said. “So I feel take families in the North district and North takes it’s important because we need to be able to help and create happy memories families in the South district,” Adopt-A-Family Corealize that people need help.”

Chair Anthony Kolesky ’17 said. “The families write as well as actually Along with uniting the school to help those in in and tell us they are struggling and need help, so getting material need, Adopt-A-Family also gives families a less we do whatever we can for them.” belongings. stressful holiday season, Distelrath said.

This year, around 40 third hour classes helped to “This is something that helps (the families) creraise money and purchased food and gifts for the 13 LAURA DISTELRATH ate happy memories as well as actually getting mafamilies South adopted.

SA ADVISER terial belongings.” Distelrath said. “And to have, “This is the first year that every family is split up whether it’s a day, a couple of hours or just a couple because we had so little families and so many classes that wanted to participate,” Kolesky said. “We had to take every single of weeks leading up to the holiday season, less stress knowing that they’re going to be able to provide for their family and be able to enjoy family and give them multiple classes.”

Communication was the hardest aspect of pulling off the program, that time instead of being stressed about what they may not be able to bring or give.”

Adopt-A-Family Co-Chair Harry Susalla ’18 said.

As far as delivery today, Kolesky said he is excited to visit one of the “It was important to make sure everybody knew what they were families and bring them their gifts. doing,” Susalla said.

“I think that it really helps for our South students to see what can Besides communication between classes and SA within in the school, there also had to be communication between SA and the fami- happen when they give their time and their energy,” Distelrath said.

“Being able to make those deliveries, to see the smiles on peoples’ faclies involved in the program, SA Adviser Laura Distelrath said.

“I’d say the communication was the biggest piece,” Distelrath said. es, to receive thank you notes or just to hear stories about helping fam“Communicating between SA and the different teachers and the dif- ilies to experience a holiday the way many of us do and kind of take for ferent classes as well as sometimes the families between the students granted sometimes is important.”

Both Susalla and Kolesky agree the goal of Adopt-A-Family is to figuring out exactly what needs to happen and making it happen.”

Another difficulty was reminding students to bring in money, SA give struggling families the means to enjoy their holiday.

Senator Daniel Kuhnlein ’17 said. Kuhnlein created a Remind account

‘TIS THE SEASON // Students cars are packed with gifts for the Adopt-A-Family clothes drive. All the families for this years AAF are Grosse Pointe families.

Syrian immigration sparks state-wide debate

Winter break begins, school will resume Jan. 4. <See Pages 6 and 7>

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To raise money to pay their national club fee, The National Art Honor Society will begin selling Mr. C’s breadsticks after school every Friday in the main hallway, President Madison Vallan ’16 said.

The additional funding will also assist the club in buying paint and chalk to decorate for Art Fest and improve the art department as a whole, Vallan said.

“We are going to start raising money towards art materials and kind of re-organizing the art program,” Vallan said. “We are hoping just to promote the awareness of art. Sports are a very big deal at South, and not many people know of all of the talented art kids, so we want to show off their talents.”

NAHS adviser Kit Aro hopes to also use the extra fundraising to bring art to the community.

“We just want to cover the basic dues and then move on to fundraise for more community-minded projects that benefit children, the hungry and our broader neighborhood,” Aro said via email. “We are working on projects with Empty Bowls, Arts & Scraps and hope to have a role in a new community unity initiative between Detroit and Grosse Pointe.

Other fundraisers at Village Fest in the past helped fund Detroit community gardens.”

Last year, NAHS managed to raise 80 percent of its membership fee for 2015 with this fundraiser. The club hopes to accomplish this again, Vallan said.

“It is a necessary thing to do at this point because we need to raise money. Everyone loves breadsticks, and we did this last year, and it worked really well,” Vallan said.

should embrace Syrian immigration, ended up coming to Grosse Pointe and John Meier ’18 is unsure. going to Grosse Pointe South and were “I feel bad, because (Syrians) are wonderful kids.” dying,” Meier said. “But at the same Cooper also said the American time I don’t want to be bombed be- government has opened its borders cause (we accepted Syrian refugees).” to refugees during times of war, inMeier cluding instances of military says he conflicts in both Korea and “We must have caution Vietnam, which is why it would is split because we do not know not be too far-fetched for the and it is what kind of people we government to do the same for a difficult issue to would be letting in and Syrian refugees. decide Adam Gellert ’17, a North what extremist ideas because student, sees a mass Syrian mithey may have brought of the gration to America as a danger to harm our nation. m a n y to both the nation’s structure ADAM GELLERT ’17 shades and its people. of gray sur“Syrian refugees should not rounding the issue. be admitted into the United States beAP U.S. History teacher James Coo- cause we, as a nation, should be worper said the history of immigration in rying about the state of our economy America is complex and difficult. and (other problems) plaguing us,” “We’re talking about 200 years of Gellert said via e-mail.

American history,” Cooper said. “A lot Gellert said he fears what may be of people have come in and gone out. brought to the nation if Syrian refuThere was a period in the 1990s where gees are let into the country without Albanians came in because we opened proper screening. up a big Albanian refugee passage to “We must have caution because we the United States.” do not know what kind of people we This Albanian diaspora, caused by would be letting in and what extremist the hierarchical and economic col- ideas they may have brought to harm lapse of the Albanian political regime our nation,” Gellert said. at the time, resulted in the dispersal Grosse Pointe has shown diverse of the Albanian people throughout and differing opinions such as CornilEurope, Asia, Canada and the United lie and Gellert, and those undecided, States. It also allowed many Albanian like Meier. families to settle and make new lives However, Cooper’s words still ring locally, Cooper said. true that many incidents and affairs “I want to say 20,000 refugees came can transpire in 200 years, and only to America,” Cooper said. “I do know time will tell where the nation and that a lot of the Albanian refugees Michigan stand on this matter.

THIS WEEK AT SOUTH

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LINDSEY CLARK ’16 // Staff Writer

Incoming freshmen parent night, hosted at South.

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ANTON MIKOLOWSKI ’17 // Staff Writer With Canada opening its arms to the first of 25,000 refugees and a number of American states denying them, the question will soon come to where Michigan stands on the issue.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Gov. Rick Snyder seems to be leaning towards an acceptance of refugees so long as there is an extensive screening process.

58 percent of residents would support Syrian immigration to Michigan, according to a recent poll.

On a more local level, South students seem to be divided on the issue.

Charlie Cornillie ’17 said the U.S., and Michigan in particular, should make a point of accepting Syrian refugees.

“Yes, we should accept (Syrians) as refugees,” Cornille said, “Most arguments against it They say some of the seem far-fetched at terrorists got in through best.”

Cornillie said the refugee program, even if some refubut most probably got in gees are terrorists, by other ways.” as those who oppose accepting SyrCHARLIE CORNILLIE ’17 ian refugees argue, terrorists who want to come to America will regardless of a formal refugee program.

“I mean, look at the Paris attacks,” Cornillie said. “They say some of the terrorists got in through the refugee program, but most probably got in by other ways.”

While Cornillie thinks Michigan

NAHS holds pizza drive to raise club fee

Martin Luther King Junior Day, no school for students and staff.

opinion // 2

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015

CARTOON BY ABBY FERRY ‘16

To toast or not to toast?

Families have the duty to educate teens about the responsible use of alcohol Ringing in the New Year by clinking glasses of champagne is a tradition thousands of adults enjoy every year.

From Christmas Eve eggnog to Hanukkah Manischewitz, drinking alcoholic beverages is a common element of special occasions--one which should not be strictly limited to those 21 and older in the family.

We think families have the right to allow high school students, especially upperclassmen, to drink moderately and responsibly on the special occasions which characterize the holiday season.

Although we do not condone casual or unsupervised drinking, we believe sipping mulled wine once a year with family is hardly condemnable.

Of the 190 independent countries in the world, 32 allow minors to drink, while 115 permit those 18 to 19 years old to drink, according to drinkingage.procon.org.

Although America’s drinking age is 21, 68 percent of 12th graders have tried alcohol, according to a 2013 Monitoring the Future survey.

These statistics show that while the United States has one of the higher legal drinking ages in the world, it is a law which has been ignored by more than two-thirds of teenagers. E ven with the legal consequences of MIPs and DUIs, teenagers continue to drink, often binging on hard liquor like straight vodka and whiskey.

If parents allow teenagers to drink responsibly in their own homes, we believe drinking and driving and binge drinking would be mitigated, since the teenagers do not need to hide their con-

sumption and can learn safe drinking practices.

Of course, much of learning is based on modeling, which is when a child looks at someone else’s actions and mimics them.

If an adolescent’s first experience with alcohol is through the wrong end of a beer bong, they will theoretically learn to equate drinking with binging and partying.

Excessive drinking is responsible for more than 4,300 deaths among underage youth each year, and cost the U.S. $24 billion in economic costs in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

In 2013, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 14 percent of youth aged 12 to 20 years reported binge drinking in the past 30 days.

This type of drinking can easily lead to alcoholism and drug addiction.

However, if an adolescent is introduced to alcohol with a conservative glass of wine at a holiday dinner, they will equate drinking with infrequent special occasions, family and moderation.

Ultimately, the decision lies with parents, guardians and relatives.

It is a complex choice which calls into question a family’s morals, values and ethics.

For some, drinking is a rite of passage, and for others, it’s a taboo.

But for those equivocating on whether or not to buy that extra bottle of cabernet sauvignon, maybe this year junior is ready to responsibly toast with more than just grape juice.

OUR VIEW // EDITORIAL

Family tradition involves unique use of Christmas tree

MY VIEW Christina Ambrozy ’16

For an average family, one of the highlights of the holiday season is inspecting and picking out the best pine tree and decorating it with lights, ornaments and displaying the star on very top.

For the Ambrozy family, it is the complete opposite.

The most wonderful time of the year for us is delayed until early January. This is the prime time when the curbs of every single block are lined with Christmas trees. By the time that the garbage trucks are ready to scoop up the trees, they are already gone and have been stacked in our garage.

Stealing Christmas trees is a full time job for us, but we have a foolproof strategy that guarantees to fulfill our needs.

Every year we swipe a double digit number of trees that we then use as firewood to fuel our crackling bonfires.

Our Christmas tree is the first to go. Once it enters our house, it will never make its way outside again. After all of the ornaments and decorations are removed from the tree, it becomes the first bonfire of the season.

Believe it or not, whenever we want to ignite a fire in our living room fireplace, we just saw off branches here and there to feed the flames, leaving our tree lopsided with missing patches until the last of the tree is finally cut down, and burned away.

Then the next step is to politely and civilly suggest to our friends and family that instead of throwing out their Christmas trees, they drop it off at our house so we can add it to the abundant pile in our garage.

All of the abandoned trees located in a three or four block radius from our house are dragged back.

The reactions of eyewitnesses are all over the spectrum.

As we haul trees back home, we always see a driver trying not to laugh at us while we apologize to a frazzled pedestrian forced off the sidewalk to

make room for our 10-foot pine tree.

In order to cover the farther streets and other cities, we drive up and down the streets the night before garbage day and scope out the vicinity for the most promising trees. When we find an appealing one, my dad gets out of the car and inspects it.

If he approves, he signals my siblings and me to assist him while he ties a tree that is longer than our van, to the roof. If we are lucky, someone will throw out a wreath which we call the ring of fire Sometimes I feel guilty for snatching other people’s Christmas trees, but then I think about how my mom always says, “We aren’t stealing them. We are just recycling them.”

These trees don’t only provide firewood for excellent backyard bonfires, but they also once helped our family survive a threatening situation. A few years ago, It was the midst of the coldest week. The air was bitter and wind was brisk, freezing everything in its path. Of course, with our luck, our furnace blew, and we were left without heat for a couple frigid days.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, so our first reaction was to burn our collected trees in order to endure the harsh conditions of the 2013 polar vortex.

After a couple trees were disintegrated in the heart of our fireplace, the house felt like it was over 100 degrees, and the sweet aroma of pine wafted in every room.

That frigid and endless winter definitely took its toll on our fireplace, and it didn’t take long for my grandparents to notice. So for my parents’ anniversary present that year, my mom and dad opened their card, and a check for a chimney cleaner fell out.

We usually wrap up the tree-stealing season in February, and the puzzled faces still stare at the Christmas tree strapped to our van months after the holiday season ended.

While other families celebrate the holidays with sentimental and traditional customs every year, the Ambrozy’s have their own unique tradition.

When I look back, I have more memories of stealing Christmas trees than anything else during the holiday season, and those are the memories I cherish most.

Please contact me if you want to donate your tree and contribute to our holiday tradition this season.

Passion and differences allow student to realize her own opportunity for success Every day I asked myself a series of questions: Shannon Where is McGlone ’16 your drive?

What are you capable of? Why are you doing this? How could you let yourself down this way? And when are you going to change? I never answered any of them.

These are the inward-inquiries of a self-confessed, serial procrastinator.

I am a lazy, narcissistic, superiority-inferiority complex’ed lover of terrible music, hater of deadlines, wanna-be journalist and a poor leader of men, who puts off her responsibilities even if they are something she loves to do, then makes more work for herself anyway.

Essentially no-good, inessential to the greater-good.

NEWSPAPER

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STAFF

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MY VIEW

And I felt this way for years, sometimes I still do.

In middle school, my NWEA scores were not high enough to get into honors classes, and I watched while friends read my beloved Dickens, and I read S. E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders.” (A book, in essence, about kids who dressed as crap-ily as I felt. I hated it.)

In high school, I made it into honors classes, but choked on my ACT. (Comparatively, to my peers, it was low.) My grades never set the mark either.

Because of this, and the daunting pressure of filling out college applications (in my mind, an extensive resume of my own failures), I thought I would never be accepted to a decent university.

But I looked at myself through the filter of my

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

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

peers.

They are giants with GPAs in the 4s, and ACTs a hair’s breadth away from 36, if they’re telling the truth. It made me feel insignificant, like my accomplishments didn’t matter.

Here I was, happy with a B, while my best-friends were irked by As without additions.

If they had doubts about college acceptances, I didn’t even have a chance.

What I didn’t understand, however, was that the questions I had been asking myself--slow-burning torture-were unfounded.

The Common Application went live in August, and by the 31st of the month I had already applied to every school, sent in every test score, paid every fee and written every essay.

Staff Writers

Be my chronic procrastination as it may; I took this seriously, and let go of my fear that nothing I did would ever be enough, so why try.

Between October 6th and today, I have been accepted to five schools, and am waiting on the other two.

You can love indie ukulele music about famous murders, bite your thumb structured schedules, and be insecure as all get out, and still get into college.

So, underclassman, what I’m really saying is this: Your drive is where you store your passions, not inside the chasm of comparison. You are capable of greatness and you’ve already done it, don’t ignore your own accomplishments. If you let yourself down, don’t stop trying, make it up to yourself, you are worth it. There is no need to change, only to recognize your faults, and evolve.

You are not relative, or approximate; you are absolute. Do not doubt your own success. Knowing that, though it sounds cliche, you can go anywhere.

Good talk.

Adviser Rod Satterthwaite

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

Lindsey Clark, Mac Cimmarrusti, Madeline The Tower is located in room 142 in DesNoyer, Olivia Frederickson, Grosse Pointe South High School. Please all ’16 contact us at 313-432-3649.

Anton Mikolowski, Bridget Driscoll, Cam Francis, Charlie Denison, Claire Hubbell, Emma Russell, Gillian Eliot, Jack Froelich, Jack Roma, Mac Welsher, Madeleine Glasser, Mary Grace O’Shea, Michael French, Olivia Sheffer, Sydney Stann and William Muawad, all ’17 Abigail Due, Arianna Pagenette, Brennan Zihlman, Cameron Smolen, Chase Clark, Elena Rauch, Evan Skaff, John Standish, Kaitlin Nemeh, Katherine Bird, Lauren Thom, Maren Roeske, Margot Baer, Mollie DeBrunner and Liam Walsh, all ’18

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.

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Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015

BY

Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Princess Leia, tells “The Daily News” and moviegoers to expect to see some major girl power in this newest installment of the Star Wars series. Though the character of Princess Leia was a powerhouse of a personality, it could be argued that she played more of the role of the “damsel in distress” and had minor moments of heroism throughout the trilogy. However, according to “ The Daily News” article, Fisher said the new character, Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, will play more of an active heroine role in the movie.

6. RETURN OF THE SQUAD Whether you’ve been a diehard fan from birth or you’ve just recently become one with the Force, the return of the original trio of “Han Solo”, played by Harrison Ford, “Princess Leia”, played

by Carrie Fisher, and hopefully and “Luke Skywalker”, played by Mark Hamill, will cause a flood of love and nostalgia. All of this takes place 30 years after where they left off in “Star Wars: Episode 6 Return of the Jedi,” according to “The Arizona Daily Sun”

5. THE ELUSIVE ROLE OF LUPITA NYONG’O While the mysterious character actress Lupita Nyong’o has remained under wraps, recent promo videos reveal her role, according to an article in “The Guardian”. Lupita plays Maz, an undefined character who has been loosely described as a short, orange and very old extraterrestrial, according to a recent article by “People Magazine”. While her exact significance in the movie is yet to be defined, the Academy Award-winning actress will nevertheless be an exciting addition to the “Star Wars” universe.

7. WHERE IS LUKE? Has Luke Skywalker joined the dark side? Fans rave in response to Luke’s absence in the trailers. As described in a “USA Today” article, though, there are several fan theories floating around, one of which is that Luke Skywalker actually is Kylo Ren, the ominous villain wielding a red lightsaber in the first released trailer. On the other hand, Mark Hamill, who originally played Luke Skywalker, is scheduled to be in the film, according to “The Arizona Daily Sun”, and Kylo Ren is played by actor Adam Driver. Could this hooded figure really be the Luke Skywalker?

Whether he has followed in his father’s footsteps or is being hidden away for a much larger purpose, fans anticipate a big reveal for Skywalker.

Proposed House Bill would increase training for high school counselors RILEY LYNCH ’18 // Pulse Section Editor As the deadline for college applications draws to a close, students have been frequently visiting the counseling centers and the College Resource Center (CRC) to finish the application process. However, some students, like Melissa Brieden ’16, have found themselves dissatisfied with the way the process is handled.

Brieden, however, said the fault isn’t with the counselors but with the way the situation has evolved. “(The counselors) just told you what needed to happen before a certain deadline and expected you to do it all by yourself,” Brieden said. “And you have to go to the CRC, fill out a form, and then tell them about all the colleges you applied to, and then meet with your counselor, talk about where they’re sending your transcripts and your test scores. It’s really hands-off.”

Brieden said a good solution to her lack of help with her college application process would be to enforce the training of counselors in Michigan high schools.

High school counselors are not required by the state to have training in college prep and selection counseling, according to the Michigan Department of Education. However, some counselors such as Troy Glasser, who has worked in the Grosse Pointe Public School System for 10 years, have received that training. Glasser agrees with Brieden that pushing for more training for counselors would be beneficial.

That could happen if House Bill 4552 makes its way into law. This bill would require high school counselors in Michigan to receive 25 hours of professional development in college-related counseling as well as 25 hours in career counseling. The bill awaits a hearing. “(House Bill 4552) would be beneficial. It would,” Glasser said. “It all depends on your clientele, so to speak. I actually had (college guidance training) in my graduate degree, and I knew that I wanted to

’16

There are many things that will be different with the new “Star Wars” movie than from any of the previous movies. For one, the movie was filmed by director JJ Abrams. Second, it is confirmed, according to a “USA Today” article, that ewoks and Jar Jar Binks will not appear in movie, so for those who have a special place in their heart for that goofy Gungan and those adorable teddy bear warriors, sorry for your loss. However, one thing that fans will be happy to see is that the new movie has kept the iconic original opening score, also performed under the direction of the legendary John Williams. The recycled music from previous movies are sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia that is singular to the “Star Wars” franchise.

TER OS

PHOTOS BY ERYKAH BENSON ’17

USE THE FORCE // Star Wars paraphernalia had made a comeback in many stores. According to cinemablend.com, Star Wars is expected to profit over $5 billion in the next year.

4. FEMME FATALE

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As fun as it will be to see the original cast pick up from where they left off, it will also be exciting to see how the fresh new faces will be woven into the story. “Finn”, played by John Boyega who is first introduced to fans beaded with sweat and in a frenzy of panic, dons a Stormtrooper outfit in the sands of desert planet. Daisy Ridley plays “Rey” who, according to “Cinema Blend”, describes herself as a lone scavenger who lives in the ruins of a crashed Star Destroyer, also appearing in the trailers.

The two appear to be the frontrunners of the next generation of Star Wars, and it’ll be entertaining to watch the dynamic duo battle against the dark side in this new landscape.

3. ORIGINAL SCORE

D BI

Though R2D2 won the hearts of Americans everywhere as the cute, comedic companion of C3PO, it’s time to make room for Star Wars’ new baby: BB-8, an adorable droid appearing for the first time in the opening trailer.

NASA tells “Wired” that BB-8 could actually work in space, and that if they ever one, the design would be perfect for traversing extraterrestrial terrain. It will be both exciting and entertaining to see how the spherical droid will play out in the fim.

2. NEW CHARACTERS, NEW PLOTS

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It’s a matter of days before nerds everywhere congregate to watch what is predicted to be one of the biggest movies of the year. “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” is set to premiere on Friday, Dec. 18 in theatres everywhere.

According to “The Hollywood Reporter”, the film is projected to reel in $170 million to $240 million during the opening weekend, topping the all-time record of $2.8 billion dollar at the box office of the movie “Avatar” in 2009.

While there has been a lot of hype surrounding secrets about the movie, director JJ Abrams has managed to keep them under wraps, while fans are buzzing about one of the most momentous events in cinematic history. In honor of the seventh installment of this legendary series, here are the top seven things fans should be excited for in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

1. BB-8

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ERYKAH BENSON ’17 // Page Editor

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THE FORCE AWAKENS

work in a high school for kids that have ambition and want to go to secondary school. So I do think it’s beneficial, but every school is a little bit different, case by case.”

While South’s counseling center has access to five counselors, a school social worker and a school psychologist, a study by The Center For Michigan showed that Michigan ranks in the bottom five states for adequate counseling, with approximately 700 students per counselor on average. Around 340 students are assigned to each counselor at South, and Glasser said schools averages closer to South’s could help with getting more experienced counselors, leading to more individual time with students.

“I think that’s important, that people are aware, because realI feel like there should ly the state ambition is to get as be more individual many kids as possible to look at meetings and help but a secondary education, whatever it’s good for the majority. that might be,” Glasser said. “But there are some schools that need MARGARET SOHN ’16 to push harder.”

CLASS PRESIDENT In addition to a counseling center, South also has a College Resource Center (CRC), where students can find information regarding admissions, financial aid, scholarships and more, according to the CRC website. The CRC is located within Wicking Library.

Grosse Pointe North Counseling Department Chair Barbara Skelly also said additional counseling opportunities should be available for students. College resources are provided at North in the Counseling Center where counselors have around 280 students per counselor.

“I’d love to see us be able to sponsor visits to colleges that would be

of minimal cost to the students,” Skelly said via e-mail. “It is important for students to be on the campuses and get a feel for the schools to which they are applying.”

Other Michigan high schools, however, have faced both a lack of counselors and information. The Detroit Public School System, for instance, implemented its first counseling center in 2010 at the Communication and Media Arts High School, Michigan public school counselors reported spending approximately 29 percent of their work day figuring out college and life plans with students, according to the Joyce Ivy Foundation. Meanwhile, while an estimated 30 percent of counselors’ time is taken up by administration and paperwork.

In contrast, counselors at private schools reported spending 250 percent more time with their students, due to the smaller counselor to student ratios.

Margaret Sohn, President of the Class of 2016, said college counseling at South has helped her, but she’s worried that it’s not like that for all students. “(South counseling) could definitely be more personalized,” Sohn said. “I feel like there should be more individual meetings and help, but it’s good for the majority.”

And while Glasser said he does ultimately support the idea behind the new House bill, he also said, the most important preparation actually takes place in the classroom. “(Kids don’t come to the counseling center) enough,” Glasser said. “ We try to get the ball rolling early. First of all, that’s the expectation of Grosse Pointe South, so over 90 percent of our kids go onto another school so, in theory, they’re having a big part of that conversation at home. Truthfully, a big part of your college guidance is your everyday curriculum here at the high school.”

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Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015

Drinkin’ in the New Year *Sources’ names have been changed to protect identity.

Thirty-one states permit parents to provide alcohol to minors, and 30 states allow those under 21 to drink for religious reasons, such as wine at church.

GRAPHIC BY LIZ BIGHAM

MADDIE DESNOYER ’16 // Staff Writer For Carly* ’15, this year’s Thanksgiving was spent with a wine glass that was never empty and a bottle of Advil for the morning ahead.

As the holiday season enters full swing, students, like Carly*, may find themselves faced with many opportunities to become involved in a situation with alcohol.

“Drinking is more prevalent over the holidays because a lot of times people associate holiday celebrations with alcohol being a part of it,” social worker Doug Roby said. “Especially New Years, without question, involves alcohol for celebrating.”

Jeremy*, a parent of a South sophomore said he thinks when kids are away from school they get a sense of freedom and feel more inclined to do things like drinking.

“During the holidays you’re on break so there are more days where you’re available to do things like this,” Jeremy* said. “Often times, parents will go out and there could be open houses.”

Roby said drinking could be something that parents allow or something that high schoolers do on their own time.

“Is drinking over the holidays something that parents allow or something that high schoolers do on their own time?”

Roby said. “Teenagers could have older siblings and family members that are in college, so does that mean that they are doing things with them?

Twenty-one-years old or not, there is plenty of alcohol going around and the holidays and celebrations contribute to people’s choices of consuming alcohol.”

Many parents are more lenient with their children drinking, especially if they are older, Tina* ’16 said.

She said her parents let her drink whenever she Parents prowants, as long as they viding the know where she is first drink to and if she has a ride. adolescents “I drink more reduced over the holidays subsequent since I’m with my alcohol-refriends more, and lated risks I also drink wine compared at dinner with my to those family,” Tina* said. who got “This allows me their first to learn how to drink from responsibly drink other sourcfrom a young age.” es.

In 2009, there were Roby, however, 1,980 emergency said there is defiroom visits on New nitely data that Year’s Day involved indicates that the underage drinking, earlier use of alversus 546 such cohol can lead to visits on an average a potential for the day. risk of long-term issues with it.

According to alcoholthinkagain.com, studies of adolescents show that heavy

and extended alcohol use is associated with a 10 percent reduction in the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning. It also shows that the function of the hippocampus is uniquely sensitive to alcohol at this time and that alcohol may be poisonous to the nerve cells of the hippocampus causing them to be damaged or destroyed.

“Depending on the how much they drink on a given occasion or how much they’re drinking in general, there is always a potential for alcohol dependence,” Roby said. “Scientific studies have shown that consumption of alcohol at a younger age can alter the chemicals in the brain.”

Carly* said that it is common for her parents to let her drink in her house. She usually will have a glass of wine during dinner time. It is the parents choice whether or not they do so, but it is illegal because they are providing alcohol to a minor, according to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 “Parents may also turn a blind eye to situations like this, which is where they are not contributing to their child’s consumption, but they are fully aware of what is going on,” Roby said.

Roby also said he wonders if this sends the message that what they are doing is OK to the young person. There can be many short and long-term consequences for underage drinking or providing kids with alcohol.

According to camy. org, the short-term consequences of underage drinking can play a significant role in risky sexual behavior and can be associated with academic failure.

The long term consequences of underage drinking can cause a range of physical consequences, from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning. Heavy drinking can lead to increased risk across the lifespan for acute consequences and for medical problems such as cancers of the oral cavity, larOn average, ynx, pharynx, underage drinkers Teens who and esophagus, consume more drank along liver cirrhosis, drinks per occasion with their pancreatitis and than adults. parents were hemorrhagic only one-third stroke. as likely to binge “At some and half as likely point in their to be regular life, they’ll be godrinkers. ing off to college.

A lot of them are going to (drink) or already have done it. As long as it’s under control I think it’s OK,” Jeremy* said.

Teens who attended a party where alcohol was supplied by a parent were twice as likely to have engaged in binge drinking and twice as likely to be regular drinkers.

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feature // 5

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015

]

SELF(IE) ESTEEM

HALEY VERCRUYSSE & GABI DE COSTER ’16 // Graphic Supervisors *Name has been changed to protect student’s privacy.

Earning a spot on the New York Times Bestseller Celebrity List, Kim Kardashian’s 352page book of selfie photography, “Selfish,” sold more than 32,000 copies. That’s 32,000 more copies than the average selfie will ever sell. “(I am) surprised, but not as much as I wish I was, just because of how prevalent selfies are now and all the obsession with them.”

Evan Wilson ’16 said, sighing.

As defined by The Oxford Dictionary, a selfie is a photograph that one has taken of themselves, typically with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media. Since the term was first coined in 2002, selfies have become increasingly common, with 93 million taken each day, according to a 2014 Google study.

As of press time, 233,507,249 photos have been shared under #selfie on Instagram, an affirmation-based social media platform where users can share photos and “like” those of other users. Users may interpret “likes” as an expression of approval from peers, thus, posting selfies to Instagram and other social media outlets can be a means of achieving external validation, psychotherapist Erin Weber LMSW, BCD said.

“Especially in high school-although I’m not sure that necessarily stops for some people--we want to feel liked.

We want to feel accepted,” Weber said. “It’s how we’re hard-wired. It

makes us feel safe. It makes us feel A fixation with the number loved.” of likes and comments received Sharing selfies can also serve on selfies shared to social media as a way to explore one’s identity, can be particularly damaging, Weber said.

Weber said. Under the belief This behavior can be attributed that the “likes” received on a to the Looking Glass Self selfie are in direct response to theory. According to this social one’s appearance, the number psychological concept, self-image allows one to quantify their is based on one’s understanding attractiveness and worth. of how they are perceived by “There’s a line, and if you don’t others. Social media users may cross that line in terms of likes recognize that certain behaviors (on selfies), then it’s like ‘Why am and photos get more praise from I not good enough? What could followers, and I have done to u l t i m a t e l y, get more likes?’”

There’s a line, and if Ariel* ’16 said of want to you don’t cross that line her experience identify as the version in terms of likes (on sel- with selfies. of themselves Receiving fies), then it’s like ‘Why getting the fewer likes than am I not good enough?’ most likes. expected can ARIEL* ’16 “ I n feed insecurity, adolescence, Weber said. it’s really “So, you’re important to distinguish who going to go ‘50 people? Why didn’t you are, figure out who you are, I get 100 people? Something’s gauge how other people are wrong with me,’” Weber said. perceiving who you’re being-- “It’s going to feed your initial so it would make sense to me intention behind posting it.” that throughout the process … , Consequently, individuals you’re posting certain photos of may feel it necessary to enhance yourself,” Weber said. “It’s just their pictures with a photo means of being socially accepted, editing software, Ariel said. but also putting yourself out “I didn’t like the way that my there--figuring out who you are.” skin looked, I didn’t like the way However, constantly looking that my teeth looked, so I would to others for validation on social do that (edit the photographs) to media can weaken one’s self- make that stuff look better, and I confidence, Wilson said. would use the different filters on “I think inherently, the need Instagram to make me look less to feel other people’s approval, real,” Ariel said. especially based on something Ariel is not alone. In a survey like appearance, causes a person’s conducted by the Renfrew Center, self esteem to be more fragile 48 percent of men and women because they’re basing their own over the age of 18 admitted to self-worth on that rather than altering their pictures before their achievements and their own posting. Of those who edit, 15 sense of self,” Wilson said. percent remove blemishes, 15 percent darken their skin tone and 6 percent make themselves thinner.

However, these flaws often do not exist or are not visible to others, Ariel said.

“I would go through them (the selfies) individually and pick the ones that I liked the most,” Ariel said. “It was ridiculous because I pretty much looked the same in every single photo, maybe a slightly different smile or a slightly more of an angle.

Except in every single one there would be something that I would pick out, like, ‘Oh my gosh when I smile my eyes close different amounts. It’s weird, so this selfie is unacceptable.’”

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Removing these themselves.” really believe it needs to be done perceived flaws can However, with the right consciously.” make learning to love mindset, selfies can be a positive Mending a damaged selfoneself challenging, force in one’s life, Weber said. esteem starts with awareness, Weber said.

“The act of posting a selfie Weber said.

“If you’re changing or the act of not posting a selfie, “If you’re aware, then you can every aspect of yourself, depending on the person and notice what you’re thinking,” is that in some way the intent behind it, can be really Weber said. “That’s absolutely hindering the growth positive and beautiful, Weber key. If you’re having really of your self-esteem said. “It just depends on the negative self thoughts, it’s OK, and self-love? Yes,” intent behind it.” but you need to be aware of them Weber said. “It’s giving Selfies can come from a place to change them.” you an opportunity of confidence or insecurity, Positivity towards others is to change different aspects of yourself as opposed to loving and accepting those aspects of yourself.” fakeusername For Ariel, the process of preparing selfies for social media extended beyond editing her features.

“When I used to take them, I would take a bunch in a row, and bestfriend OM G HOTTIES! bestie2 straigh t fire then I would look at them,” Ariel liam_p_walsh :D fmot cam_smolen said. “They would all be blurry or ;) fmoi something, and I would get really View all 1,000,000 comments mad. I (would) find some that I didn’t like, pick out my flaws, anotherfriend literally delete them and find the ones that I do like--it was coming to be a routine almost … I would choose two out of 100 that I thought looked good and the rest GRAPHICS BY HALEY VERCRUYSSE ’16 would be unacceptable.”

Eventually, Ariel’s family however, they are often assumed also crucial to achieving self-love, noticed the extremity of her to be out of conceit, Nina White Weber said. selfie-taking, she said. ’16.

“You know you’re getting “There’s this one place in the “Some people are like, ‘Oh healthier and you’re more on middle of my stairs,” Ariel said. girls, they’re so narcissistic now the path of self-love when you “It goes halfway, and it has a because they’re taking these see somebody else’s selfie and landing with a window. That was pictures of themselves. I can’t you wish good things for them,” prime lighting. My family used to believe it’ but I don’t really think Weber said. make fun of me. It’s ridiculous, it’s that big of a deal,” White said.

For Johnson, who loves and because I would go there and take “In some ways, it’s made some accepts herself “flaws and all,” a bunch of selfies with a bunch of girls more self-confident.” witnessing others’ self-love brings ridiculous faces and they would Phelan Johnson ’18 also her joy. be like, ‘What are you doing?’ said the selfie can be a healthy “I like to see them (my and I’d respond, ‘Just taking some expression of confidence and self friends) posting selfies because selfies.’” love.

I like to see people and see that Sharing selfies with the “It’s good for people to love they’re happy with the way that ‘perfect’ conditions--the setting, themselves and let other people they look,” Johnson said. lighting, angle and expression- know that they love themselves,” How one views others’ selfies -perpetuates an ideal image, Johnson said. “I feel like self- can be a reflection of how they school psychologist Scott Bruns worth is looked down upon.” view themselves, Weber said. said.

In fact, Weber said selfies can, “There are two ways to “You’re putting an image out in some circumstances, actually perceive it when we look at there,” Bruns said. “You’re not increase a person’s self-esteem. somebody else’s selfie: with putting the real “If you are judgment or with love,” Weber you out there. really afraid said, “and there are two ways to There are two ways to to put yourself perceive it when we look at our You’re putting perceive it when we look out there and own selfie: with judgment or with the ideal you at our own selfie: with are out there. If all really love … At it’s core, it’s about your you see is the afraid of being perception of yourself.” judgment or with love. ideal image of judged and Positivity towards oneself and ERIN WEBER your friends have a lot of others takes training, Weber said.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST and you think self-criticism “How you change them (your that’s the way and you thoughts) is so simple. You life should be take a selfie literally just practice saying the and you’re life isn’t like that, you and you post it, that in itself opposite of it (negative thoughts). start comparing.” can be a beautiful act, because You take the negative and make Seeing a constant stream of you are pushing through it positive. At the beginning, you perfection on social media can your vulnerability and saying, may feel silly or like you’re telling push users to edit out flaws, as hopefully, ‘I’m worthy, I’m yourself a lie, but it actually they feel pressured to uphold beautiful, here I am,’” Weber said. matters,” Weber said. “That’s how those standards, Bruns said.

The nature of social media we create neural pathways, is by “It’s like comparing yourself makes it easy to post without practicing something: the actual to movie stars. You think ‘that’s thinking, Weber said. Selfies process of saying the affirmation, the way I’m supposed to look.’ are often shared without like ‘I am beautiful, I am good … and you can’t hold up to that consideration for their potential enough, I am safe in posting standard,” Bruns said. “It’s kind of effects on self-esteem. this.’” the same thing with social media.

“With social media, I think so Engaging in positive You see all these wonderful things much of it is done unconsciously, affirmations guides one on the that people are doing and how very quick and without thought,” path of self love, Weber said. happy they are all the time. You Weber said. “I don’t think social “Then,” Weber said, “we can think that’s the way it is, but really media is a bad thing. I think become more at peace with it’s an image they’re portraying of it can be a great thing. But I ourselves.”

65,000 likes

SOCIAL MEDIA DEPICTS #UNREALISTIC IMAGE MY VIEW

RACHEL HARRIS ’18

We spend countless hours each day communicating through the tiny, handheld devices everyone seems to have, mindlessly scrolling through social media feeds filled with ever-

changing filler text.

Never has it occurred to me, until recently, that the way we spend our lives by seemingly always updating and checking social media is not only aimless, but can be harmful to our daily lives.

And within the last decade, people have amped up their use of social media.

Sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. have many positives, especially allowing us to connect with long-lost relatives, as well as share moments in our lives with the friends that choose to follow us. Social media has given us the opportunity to communicate with people around the world and has helped us grow closer to one another through technology.

But along with the increased connections comes comparison.

Scrolling through Instagram, the pictures I see are all

perfect. Pictures of beach vacations, friends spending time together at a party or “artsy” scenery inundate my feed.

Even looking through my own social media feeds, I notice that the pictures I post are of the best moments of my lives.

Never have I made a Twitter status of the latest test I failed or a selfie of myself right after I roll out of bed.

But social media is not real, nor are the perceived perfect lives conveyed in the pictures and posts. People choose what they post.

By spending so much time seeing so many filtered selfies or posts about high points in our lives, it causes us to compare our own lives and struggles to these seemingly amazing lives that others are living, or at least seem to be living through their social media feeds.

Take Essena O’Neill, an “Instagrammer” who used to have over half a million followers and an Instagram feed filled with pictures that people only wish they could experience: smoothies on a beach, bikini shots and selfies with the perfect lighting.

In October, she shocked the world and deleted more than 2,000 of her pictures and quit social media saying it “served no real purpose, other than self-promotion.”

But before deleting all of her pictures, Essena changed the captions of her pictures to portray the life she really was living and not the life that she was depicting to her followers.

On a bikini picture, she went back and changed her previous caption to, “took over 100 (pictures) in similar poses trying to make my stomach look good. Would have hardly eaten all day. Would have yelled at my little sister to keep taking them until I was somewhat proud of this. Yep so totally #goals.”

We spend our time obsessing over others’ lives shown through their social media accounts and wishing we could experience them, but pictures only express a brief moment in someone’s life.

Status updates and Instagram pictures only represent perfect moments in our lives. They do not define our lives.

Social media is not an accurate portrayal of our real lives, so we need to stop being consumed by the desire to conform to society’s expectations of appearing as the exemplary versions of ourselves.

Because this isn’t real life.

Instead of allowing our obsession with social media to dominate every aspect of our lives, we need to take our eyes off of our screens and realize that although our lives may not always be perfect, we don’t need to pretend that they are through our social media.

Live life and be present during those “perfect” moments instead of updating your status.

Close out of your Instagram. Stop checking Twitter. Turn your phone off and live life the real way.

feature // 6 HITSVILLE U.S.A

Hitsville, U.S.A., the birthplace of the Motown sound that brought artists like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross to fame is located on 2648 West Grand Blvd. in Detroit and is open to the public for tours.

The tours run Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Tours depart at the top of every hour. During the tour, visitors learn about how Berry Gordy took an $800 loan from his family and turned it into one of the most significant musical accomplishments of the 20th century, while walking through the house where it all started and going inside a recording booth were numerous hit songs were made. Tickets cost $15.

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015

PLANNING YOUR STAY-CATION

Not taking traveling over break? Here are some of The Tower’s favorite events in Metro-Detroit this holiday season.

JULIANA BERKOWSKI ’16 // Copy Editor

EASTERN MARKET

GREENFIELD VILLAGE

On Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the holiday market at Eastern Market will be open for the public on 2934 Russell Street in Detroit. Whether looking for last minute gifts, a Christmas tree, trying to get gifts wrapped by a local non-profit or want to sample a holiday treat, the market has a lot to offer.

Take a step into the past at Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village located on 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn, MI from Dec. 17-23 and Dec. 26-28. The celebration takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Tickets cost $24 for ages 13 and up, $18 for kids 5-13 and are free for kids under 5. It is recommended to buy them in advance online at thehenryford.org.

holiday treats < scan the QR code with your phone to see recipes on thetowerpulse.net >

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If you’re willing to brave the cold for some flavored ice, the Detroit Water Ice Factory located on 1014 Woodward Avenue in Detroit near Campus Martius is a “primo desert experience,” as it says on their website. Flavors like Woodward Watermelon, Stafford’s Strawberry Lemonade and Corktown Cotton Candy compliment the support for Detroit this business has. All profits from sales at the store go directly to S.A.Y. (Super All Year) Detroit Charities, a “charity aimed at improving the lives of the neediest citizens, through shelter, food, medical care, volunteer efforts and education,” according to the Detroit Water Ice Factory website.

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BAKER’S GUIDE // Check out thetowerpulse.net for Gingerbread Cookie, Reindeer Cookie, Christmas Tree Brownie and Holiday Popcorn recipes. Each recipe takes under an hour to create and would make great homemade holiday gifts for students on a budget.

THE DETROIT WATER ICE FACTORY

feature // 7

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Sports // 8

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015

Schedule change affects attendance at games

boys basketball schedule

said Maher. “I am confident they will make it out to the big MAC CIMMARRUSTI ’16 // Staff Writer Screams and “I love you’s will not be heard this year during games whether or not the game is on a Friday” Calcaterra is definitely upset with the way things have boys varsity basketball games, captain Michael Calcaterra ’16 shaken out, however right now he and his teammates are said, because the team will now be playfocused on North, where there will be no ing home games on Tuesday nights inshortage of fans. The boys are going to bring stead of Friday nights.

A lot of the guys like their A game to beat North, and it won’t be a “It definitely will affect the turnout the crowd, but I have surprise when they hear the crowd roar. of fans because basketball games will never cared about the “The game is Friday night, 7 p.m. at no longer be the place to go on Friday cheers and ra ra.

Grosse Pointe North’s gymnasium,” said nights,” head coach Troy Glasser said. “A Glasser. “Rivalry games are always the best lot of times people use the Friday night games of the year because the kids grew up game as a way to take the kids and get out JACK MAHER ’16 playing against each other and everyone in of the house.”

Captain town is at the game.”

Although Calcaterra expects many seMaher said everyone wants to see the nior boys who are friends with athletes on the team to attend, he believes the games will lose their team play North because they don’t get the weekend games main fans, he said. Because the games are on school night, in town and this is the first opportunity of the year. There are middle and elementary school students will no longer be able few chances to play in front of an electric crowd, and Friday night is the team’s first chance this year. to attend with their parents.

“I am a huge supporter of all the guys sports teams, but “It is not going to affect me, I ball out regardless of the situation,” captain Jack Maher ‘16. “A lot of the guys like the there are only a few games you can’t miss every year, and one of them is the North South Basketball game,” self-proclaimed crowd, but I have never cared about the cheers and ra ra.”

Glasser said he and the administration have no control South sports fan C.J. Lemanski ’16 said For a TV Production project, Lemanksi said he spent time over not being able to play on Friday nights. The MAC Blue league decides when boys basketball plays their games and with the team. He think they seemed very comfortable and unfortunately, the home games lie earlier in the week instead confident as a group, which is a lot different from last year.

“I am really excited to watch them play,” Lemanski said. “I of their normal Friday night spot.

“Regardless of what day our games fall on, I think our think they have a really explosive team and will be exciting to rivalry and playoff games will have a huge student section,” watch (this year).”

SLAM DUNK // With North on his heels, Brennen Buszka ’17 leaps to the net during last year’s crosstown rivalry game. This year, South butts head with North on Dec. 18 and Feb. 26.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DSSPHOTOGRAPHY,COM

DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

TIME

1/12 1/19 02/02 02/16 02/23 02/26

Fraser Utica Port Huron Northern Port Huron Anchor Bay Grosse Pointe North

Home Home Home Home Home Home

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

GRAPHIC BY RAY HASANAJ ’18

Neighborhood Club basketball returns

No-cut league provides additional opportunities

FAST BREAK// Three teams, the Knicks, the Celtics and the Jazz, pause for their team photos.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL FRENCH ’17

nior league.

JACK FROELICH & MICHAEL “This is my first year playing in the FRENCH // Staff Writer, both ’17 Dribbling into the winter sports league, but it’s a lot of fun playing with season, Neighborhood Club basketball all of my friends and playing against a serves as an alternative to a high school lot of people that I know,” Noah Morris ’17 said. team for dozens of South boys.

Even though the league may seem Although South’s basketball teams require tryouts and are subject to cuts, to be very fun and nonchalant, players can sometimes get aggresthe NeighborI was talking trash to sive, resulting in ejections hood Club allows a player on the Lakers, and further punishment, anyone to play as such as banishment from long as they form and he slapped me in the Neighborhood Club a team of organize the face shortly after league, Michael Lesha ’17 a parent manager, MICHAEL LESHA said. team coach and “In our teams first game pay a $1,075 fee, according to the Neighborhood Club of the year, I was talking trash to a player on the Lakers, and he slapped me in website.

There are two different leagues, the the face shortly after,” Lesha said.

This player has now been suspendfreshman-sophomore league and the junior-senior league. This year there are ed from the Neighborhood Club for his 13 teams in the junior-senior league, actions, Lesha said.

There are various other rules and which is the most ever.

The league also allows for freshmen game play that the league adds on such or sophomores to play on the junior-se- as no dunking, running play clock and

no nicknames on jerseys.

The league is played at a quick pace, with no plays and constant substitution, considering every player wants to get into the game, Henry Moesta ’16 said.

With this occurring repeatedly throughout the game, it can at times get messy.

“This is my fourth year playing in the league,” Moesta said. “Only one of my teams has played in a championship game, but I can tell you it gets more fun every year.”

Although the Neighborhood Club has gone under renovations and built a new basketball court, games are still not hosted by them, Moesta said.

Games are played at either Brownell, Pierce or Parcells Middle School.

All games are played on Saturday and Sunday with games being played from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is no entrance fee to any games and are open to the general public.

SPORTS UPDATE

SPORT // Gymnastics Record: 1-0 Captain’s quote: “We’ve gotten a couple of new girls this year and won our first meet, so hopefully it’ll be a good season.”-Brenna Bromwell ‘16 Expectations for the season: “To make it back to regionals and qualify for State and hopefully place in the top three for States and to break the records that we made last year,” Brenna Bromwell ‘16.

SPORT // Boys swim & dive Record: 0-0 Captain’s Quote: “The team set a goal to win MAC Red again this year, and I think we have a great group of guys to do it.” -Connor Mallegg ’16 Expectations for the season: Keeping up the tradition of bleaching their hair and shaving their heads for the MAC meet.

SPORT // Girls hockey Record: 2-1 Captain’s Quote: “We have a lot of new girls this year, and my hope for the season is that we are able to all come together and hold our state championship title.” -Bella Strickler ‘16.

Team Traditions: Team pasta parties the night before a game.

INFORMATION COMPILED BY CHRISTINA AMBROZY ’16, MARGOT BAER ’18, AND CLAIRE HUBBEL ’17 PHOTOS BY BRENNA BROMWELL, JEN TOENJES, & GENNIE MARTIN ALL ’16