Issue 22

the

TOWER

Wednesday, Apr. 19 , 2016

Volume 89

Issue 22

@thetowerpulse

Grosse Pointe South 11 GP Blvd. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

How the Gearheads placed at the State Quarter Finals

SARAH BELLOVICH ‘19 | Staff Writer The Gearheads-- the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics competition team comprised of both North and South students-- competed at the State Championship last Friday, April 14.

According to South student Ponette Rubio ’18, Safety and Business Captain of the Gearheads, the team has gone to four competitions total, three as

part of Regionals and one for States.

“We had a pretty good robot, but there were things we didn’t anticipate as part of the game,” Rubio said. “But having that chance to go to States, we were able to improve and work on our robot.”

The Gearheads received the Chairman’s Award, the highest award possible from FIRST for the winning presentation given by Rubio and Grosse Pointe North student Ritika Pansare ’19, and

submitted by the chairmen’s team, headed by During this time they try to shoot balls known as South’s Hannah O’Grady ’19. This award, which “fuel” into a raised boiler or loop about ten feet goes to the team the judges believe has had the from the ground, followed by having to place 11greatest impact on their community, allowed inch gears said Rigotti. the Gearheads to continue At the Howell District onto the state level, Rubio competition, their robot, the People were crying and it was Twister, shot fuel into the boiler said.

“People were crying a very emotional moment with an 80 percent accuracy and it was a very emotional rate and successfully climbed a moment because we have because we have never won it rope nearly every time, another never won it in the history in the history of the team, and task, improving on Twister’s past of the team, and there were according to the there were quite a few alumni performances, quite a few alumni from Gearheads season summary.

Gearheads who were there from Gearheads who were “This season started out a little so there were quite a few there so there were quite a rough at our first competition tears,” Pansare said. “It was which was at Centerline, but few years. just extremely exciting.” overall we got our act together and This season the Gearheads Ritika Pansare ‘19 we really pulled together as a team,” also received the Industrial Rigotti said. “I think it was a great season, especially Safety Award for the second year in a row, and because last year we lost a lot of our senior members Driver and Build Captain, South’s Josh Rigotti ’18, and we lost two of our team captains, so I was quite and Rubio were nominated for the Dean’s List Semi- proud of our team’s effort this year.” finalist award by their mentors for their dedication Meetings are usually held on Thursdays from 6-9 and excellence. am at the Grosse Pointe North Fabrications Shop.

At each event the teams have 12 qualification matches that last about two minutes and 15 seconds.

PHOTO COURTSEY OF GEAR HEADS

Band members take on the Big Apple LAUREN THOM ’18 | Photo Editor Many musicians dream of playing on one of the most prestigious stages in the world for classical and popular music: Carnegie Hall. Around 70 South students are seizing the opportunity to live out this dream. The band and orchestra is traveling to New York City from April 18-22. This includes students from orchestra, symphony orchestra, concert band, symphony band, and wind ensemble.

Band teacher Christopher Takis said every two years the band and orchestra go on trips that alternate between domestic and international.

“It’s the first time we’ve been to New York City,” Takis said. “Two years ago we went to Austria and Germany, and four years ago we went to Los Angeles. Every couple years it’s different.”

Takis said he and Orchestra teacher James Gross try to choose destinations that offer good educational value, and center the trip around those venues.

“Two years ago, for example, there is no bigger place for the center of the classical music world than Vienna and the Zalcberg in Austria, and then here in the states there is no bigger venue than Carnegie Hall in New York City,” Takis said.

Renee Liu ’19 is a member of Wind Ensemble and plays the Oboe. She is attending the trip and said she is most looking forward to playing at Carnegie Hall.

“Playing on such a highly regarded stage, it’s almost like an honor and it’s humbling, because this time we’re paying to play there so it might motivate me to work hard so that someday I can be invited to play there and really earn my spot,” Liu said. “It’s a really valuable

experience and it’s always cool to say you played at Carnegie Hall.”

Takis said students will also get to indulge themselves in typical New York City sightseeing and tourist attractions. This includes Central Park, the Lincoln Center, the Upper West Side, Museum of Natural Art, Rockefeller Center, the 9/11 Museum. S and the students will also meet with a faculty member from the Juilliard College of Music.

All the students from both orchestras and all the students from the three bands combine into one orchestra and one band, Takis said. They then meet outside of school to prepare the music they will be performing at Carnegie Hall.

Ta k i s s a i d , personally, It’s a really valuable he is excited experience and it’s always for this trip because he cool to say you played at has never Carnegie Hall. been to New Renee Liu ‘19 York City. “ I ’ m looking forward to seeing everything the city has to offer, how fast pace it is, and how people cram in such a small amount of space,” Takis said.

More than just the aesthetic of the city however, Takis said he feels the anticipation building for playing on the Carnegie Hall stage, and is excited for students to realize the reality of what they are about to go into.

“I mean to say they have shared a stage or played on the same stage as some of the most incredible musicians in the world- they will be able to say that for the rest of their lives,” Takis said.

Vow of Silence

Members of the Gay Straight Alliance club will be taking a vow of silence for the day on April 21 to honor all those who didn’t have a voice when faced with bullying and discrimination due to their sexuality.

ELLA DIEPEN ’19 | Staff Writer “Silence is very powerful,” vice president of gay straight alliance (GSA) Harry Susalla ’18 said.

April 21 is the Day of Silence, a day of action to spread awareness about the discrimination, bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students all over the country. This annual student-led day is set up by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which is a big supporter of LGBT rights in schools.

The Day of Silence has been held each year since 1996. Grosse Pointe South’s GSA students will have a day-long vow of silence that represents the silence that the LGBT community feels at school due to anti-LGBT hate crimes or bullying, according to Susalla.

According to GSA president Oliver Lardner ’17, there is homophobia and discrimination of LGBT students at South. This day represents the people that are unheard and feel like they don’t have a voice.

“LGBT students have been bullied and GSA posters have been getting torn down,” Lardner said.

For Susalla, the Day of Silence is very important to him, he said.

“I am an openly gay man at South,” Susalla said. “The Day of Silence helps me feel that I have a voice even though I’m not talking that day. It allows me to express how I feel and how a lot of my friends that are also part of the community feel at school. The Day of Silence helps show the rest of the students, the administration and all staff that we feel an effect of students using the word ‘faggot,’ ‘dyke’ or ‘tranny’ in the hallway and it makes us feel silent and not welcome.”

According to the Gay, Lesbian Straight

Education Network (GLSEN), LGBT youth are four times as likely as non-LGBT youth to say they had been sexually harassed online and three times as likely to say they had been sexually harassed via text message.

“In general, people who are in the LGBT community are in the closet and don’t feel like they can come out and be themselves because they feel like they don’t have a voice,” Lardner said. “They feel that way because people react poorly to their sexual orientation.”

This has negative effects on LGBT students in multiple ways, for example its effect on their education at school.

“Students are not able to learn if they are scared to come to school. It’s crucial that the school system acts upon that,” Susalla said.

The LGBT community is still discriminated in society, oftentimes not even intentionally, Lardner said.

“Even though a lot of people think that the gay community is accepted because same sex marriage is legalized, there are still a lot of things that need to be done, especially with the transgender community today,” Susalla said.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adolescents in grades seven to twelve found that LGBT youth were more than twice as likely to have attempted suicide as their heterosexual peers.

For the Day of Silence, teachers are going to be informed and participating students prepared, Susalla said.

To read the full story, go on www.thetowerpulse. net

Senior Parents’ Night BLAIR CULLEN ‘18 | Staff Writer

The annual senior parent meeting will be taking place April 20. Senior advisor and activities director will be holding the meeting in the auditorium from 7-9 p.m.

“The meeting will cover a lot about what’s coming up for seniors, such as prom, all-night party and graduation,” senior class advisor, Jenna Roebuck, said.

There will be opportunities for parents to sign up for the senior all night party and graduation robes and any information missed, according to Parent

GRAPHIC BY KATHERINE BIRD ‘18

Sponsor, Betsy Enders.

“The agenda will cover the all night party, expectations for graduation and other events coming up, and the advisor will talk about her experiences with the class,” activities director, Maria Mitzel, said.

The informational meeting will allow any questions about senior honors night and will allow parents to sign up for some of the upcoming events according to Roebuck.

THIS WEEK AT SOUTH...

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Boys varsity lacrosse takes on crosstown rival Grosse Pointe North at 7 p.m. at South.

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The Quidditch Club will hold an interest meeting at 8 a.m. in 292 or 3 p.m. in 144.

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South’s band and orchestra will travel to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall.

OPINION

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4.19.17

Driving awareness, safety should be promoted the entire year, not just during the month of April A buzz, a ding. Look down, and in a single second, your life has just changed forever.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we at the Tower feel that all readers should be educated on the risks of distracted driving and how to limit distractions while driving on any road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) constitutes distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” This could be eating or drinking, talking to other passengers in the vehicle or the most prevalent: using a phone.

The Director of Public Safety in Grosse Pointe, Chief Stephen Poloni, said there are three main types of distractions. They are visual, which is taking your eyes off the road, manual, taking your hands off the wheel and cognitive, taking your mind off what you’re doing.

“Driving is a visual task and non-driving activities that draw the driver’s eyes away from the roadway should always be avoided,” Poloni said.

In Grosse Pointe, there have been several incidents where people have veered off the roadway due to distracted driving, Poloni said.

“I believe distracted driving is a problem in every city,” Poloni said. “Just by your personal observations, you can see that many people are on their phones while driving.”

According to NHTSA, driver inattention is the leading

factor in most crashes and near-crashes. 660,000 people use their phones while driving every day, and teens are the largest age group reported to be distracted at the time of deadly accidents.

In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, according to NHTSA. Some tips for preventing any form of distracted driving are to review directions before hitting the road, secure items that may move around when the car is in motion, preset radio stations and climate control, get familiar with the vehicle features and equipment before pulling out into traffic and finally: ask a passenger to help with activities that may be distracting.

As of 2010, Michigan law prohibits texting while driving. For a first offense, motorists are fined $100. Subsequent offenses cost $200, according to Poloni.

By not using your phone, you can avoid violating the law, paying fines and increased insurance rates, Poloni said.

The Tower hopes all of its readers will avert distracted driving at all costs. “Just Say No” not only applies to drugs but also to distracted driving, Poloni said.

“Just saying ‘no’ could save your life or someone else’s,” Poloni said.

OUR VIEW// EDITORIAL

GRAPHIC BY GRIFFIN JONES ’18

Authoritarian, Authoritative and Permisive: Exploring parenting styles KELLY GLEASON ’17 Staff Writer

may be “my way or the highway.”

This parent can be seen hovering over their child and making decisions for them, never straying too far like the Coast Guard helicopters that dot the skies over Lake St. Clair. Having a parenting style that is more parent-focused rather than child-focused can potentially impact the child later in life.

“Psychologists believe that the authoritarian-parented child is supposedly the one that goes wild in college because they have never learned to set those rules for themselves; a parent always did that for them,” Nardone said.

If a parent does not allow their child to make mistakes while they are younger and learn from them, they might have greater repercussions when these mistakes occur later in life.

The second type of parenting is called an indulgent, or permissive parent. Nardone said this parent is entirely child-focused, and does not set expectations for the child. While in theory, having no curfew or

Reflecting on Transgender day of silence MY VIEW ERYKAH BENSON ’17 Editor in Chief

NEWSPAPER

the

TOWER

STAFF

Ten years ago, South’s Gay Straight Alliance was terminated by administration after students met opposition with the community.

Former principal Al Diver said a series of problems arose in the community as a result of the GSA’s actions, including posters that were put in the counselling center with a helpline number at the bottom of the poster. The move was met with complaints from within the community. A student even spoke at a school board meeting, advocating for the necessity of a GSA at South.

“I got several calls the next week from the community members (saying things like) ‘Don’t you dare think about having that club,’” Diver said.

By the end of the 2007-2008 school year, South’s GSA was squashed by administration. The club was still able to unofficially meet, but were restricted from the privileges other established clubs received, such as making announcements on the PA system, appearing on announcements, being in the yearbook and advertising information about the club in school, according to Diver.

In 2007, the Gay Straight Alliance died, and with it died the voice of the LGBT+ students at South. There was no way for these students to organize events. There was no way for these students to speak out against issues. There was no possible way for these students to be acknowledged by the community.

National progression on LGBT+ issues is evident through our steps towards acceptance. 32 percent of

LGBT+ youth admitted to skipping school to avoid being bullied, versus the 10 percent of students in 2016, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Center and the Center for Disease Control. While this trend is due to our growth toward a more accepting society, it’s also because we have more community groups these students can turn to.

That’s why having a GSA is important. Today, South’s GSA is alive and thriving. With over 20 members, the group meets every week in the library to discuss LGBT-related topics, plan events and discuss personal issues they may have. The group is both a family and an organization, and I’m so lucky to have been a member of it for the past three years. While the group has increased in numbers and shifted its initiative to also focus on community service, the GSA has never lost sight of the fact that first and foremost, the club is a place where LGBT+ students at South can feel safe.

Back in 2007, former South assistant principal Michele Yankee told the Tower, “Nobody cared about the GSA. It is not an issue. I feel like people do not even realize it’s gone. I do not understand why these issues keep getting brought up over and over again; clubs come and go all the time.”

I think about what it must have felt like for those students whose only refuge in school was stripped of its respect and recognition in the community. I can only imagine their pain of being erased from the face of the school, to be dissolved by fear and ignorance. It also makes me thankful that South students in 2017 can have what South LGBT+ students didn’t have in 2007: the ability to voice equality and love unapologetically. In light of Transgender Day of Visibility, what better way to celebrate the lives of trans people than to know that they, as well as other students in the LGBT+ community have a place at South where they can feel accepted.

Editor-in-Chief Erykah Benson* ’17 Associate Editor Jack Holme* ’17 Supervising Editors at Large John Francis* ’18 Liz Bigham* ’18 Supervising Editors Ray Hasanaj* ’18, Anton Mikolowski * ’17 Rachel Harris*, Riley Lynch*, all ’18 Page Editors Claire Hubbell* ’17 Cam Smolen*, Chase Clark*, Elena Rauch*, JD Standish*, Katherine Bird*, Liam Walsh*, all ’18

Copy Editors Madeleine Glasser*, Lily Kubek*, both ’17 Alyssa Czech*, Audrey Whitaker, Sylvia Hodges*, Bianca Pugliesi*, Claire Koeppen*, all ’19 Business Managers Cameron Francis* ’17 Asst. Olivia Sheffer* ’17 Photo Editors Lauren Thom* ’18 Phoebe Miriani* ’18

chores around the house sounds nice, having your every need catered to from a young age can do more harm than good. If expectations are never set for you growing up, how are you to be expected to know how to follow through on things that matter later in life?

The third and final type of parent is the authoritative parent. This type of parent has high expectations for their child, but is still child-focused in their efforts. Nardone said this is the type of parent most parents try to be.

“Your parents still expect you to get good grades and do homework but are also supportive. If you are not doing well in calculus, they would get you a tutor,” Nardone said.

Authoritative parents provide a balance between the other two classifications of parents, promoting a child in the way that sets expectations for them but also incorporates their best interest into the rules often results in a more independent adult, according to Nardone.

The balance of the authoritative parent is what I believe to be the most reasonable form of parenting.

While there are still obligations, parents allow you to have some freedom to try new things and gradually gain independence as you grow up. While not every parent can be described as having this parenting style, achieving this is a result of both a parent and child effort. If the child is proven trustworthy, the parent is more willing to allow the child the freedom they want based on repeated positive behavior.

Growing up with parents who have an authoritative approach to parenting also results in a more independent adult. Having the measured freedoms as a child grows up allows them to build skills that they will need later in life, but also understand the consequences to their actions.

UPS &

EXCITING Rapper Kendrick Lamar drops new album called “DAMN”. Highlighting racial injustice and police brutality.

Apple music

DOWNS

MY VIEW

Parents can mean many things to a person: a ride to places, a curfew enforcer, a support system, or a role model.

The relationship between a parent and child changes as we grow up, and the style of parenting may contribute to it.

From a psychological perspective, parenting has three main styles, according to psychology teacher DeEtte Nardone. The most strict style is the authoritarian parent, one who sets strict boundaries but does not offer a lot of reinforcement for their child. Their reasoning for their actions

UNEXPECTED

SAD

April 13: U.S. forces droped the largest non-nuclear bomb ever,“MOAB”, on ISIS tunnel systems in Afganistan. It weights 21,600 pounds.

Homicide suspect is on the loose in Clevland after posting a shooting video of a 74-yearold man. He has allegedly killed more than a dozen people.

FoxNews.com

Npr.com

Correction from Issue 21 ArtFest is not a source of funds for the Art Dept. No money from art sales goes towards art supplies; 80 percent goes to the student artist and 20 percent goes to the Rathbun Scholarship Fund, which provides one art scholarship annually. The donation buckets this year were strictly for more purchases of additional new display boards, not art materials.

both ’18 Staff Writers Adam Cervone, Charlie Denison, Conner McQueen, Emma Russell, Gillian Eliot, Jack Froelich, Jack Roma, Kelly Gleason, Mac Welsher, Mary Grace O’Shea, Michael French, Sydney Stann, Thomas Sine and William Muawad, all ’17

Online Editor-in-Chief Ariana Chengges* ’17

Arianna Pagenette, Alex Acker, Blair Cullen, Evan Skaff, Evan Theros, Griffin Jones, Ian Dewey, John Schulte, Harper McClellan, Kaitlin Nemeh, Maren Roeske, Margot Baer, Mollie DeBrunner and Piper Eschenburg, all ’18

Web Editors Erica Fossee*, Henry Ayrault*, Kathleen Carroll*, all ’19

Allison MacLeod, Amelia Turco, Alyssa Cole, Donald McGlone, Grace Reyes, Jacqueline Mercier, Katherine Costello, Sarah Bellovich, Sarah Stevenson, and Olivia Mlynarek, all ’19

Multimedia/Social Media Editors Emma Andreasen* ’17 Abigail Due*, Brennan Zilhman*

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 Opinion Pieces and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit Editorials represent the majority opinion of or shorten letters as long as the meaning is the Editorial Board and are left unsigned. unchanged. All letters must be signed and Columns represent the opinions of individual include a telephone number for confirmation. staff members and outside contributors.

Request to withhold the writer’s name from publication for good reason will be Editorial Board considered. Letters can be sent to the above An asterisk * denotes Editorial Board editors. email address, or dropped off in “The Tower” Room.

Advertising Display adverising is sold at a rate of $7 per Professional Associations column inch, with discounts for large or Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press frequent advertisers. Advertising may not Association, National Scholastic Press advocate illegal activities or contain libelous, Association, Quill and Scroll, the Society irresponsible or obscene material. for Newspaper Design and the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association.

NEWS

4.19.17

School board meets to introduce new phase in Diversity Plan

DIVERSITY MEETING | The school board met last Wenesday to discuss the new PHOTO BY IAN DEWEY ’18 GPPSS Diversity Plan. It is intended to eliminate racial bias.

O

IAN DEWEY ’18 | Staff Writer n Wednesday, April 12, the school district held a forum meeting to discuss and introduce to the public the GPPSS Diversity Plan, an initiative which has been proposed in order to create safe spaces for dialogue and to engage students and staff to gain a more diverse perspective in order to eradicate racial bias.

At the forum, various scholars and portions of the administration were invited to discuss the plan, the implementation of which is expected to be decided upon at a school board meeting in June.

The people in the discussion of the plan included Dr. Agustin Arbulu from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) member Greg Bowen, University of Michigan Professor Barry Checkoway, Anthony Lewis (also of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights), Clark-Hill attorney Mark McInerney and Curriculum Director Maureen Bur, who took the place of Wayne County regional education service agency (RESA) Diversity Coordinator, Ginni Winters, in her absence.

The meeting started with an introduction by Superintendent Dr. Gary Niehaus, who specified to the public the purpose for the meeting.

“A part of tonight’s presentation is to present it (the diversity plan) to the public,” Niehaus said at the meeting. “The other point being that I want our kids to have a safe and secure environment within our schools, and if they don’t feel safe, they don’t feel secure, then I want them to be able to go to a teacher, to an adult...to whomever they feel comfortable, and to express whatever’s making them feel uncomfortable.”

Following the introduction by Niehaus, Curriculum Directors Bur and Keith Howell gave their presentation on the diversity plan to the community.

“We are working at a working document here,” Howell said at the meeting. “This is something we want to continue to evolve and grow as time goes on. We really want to use it as our focus as time goes on, which is our vision of ‘One GP.”’ The main focus of the plan is to induce collaboration and diversity, among other things, according to Howell.

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“Through this strategic plan, there are many areas that were put in place, guiding principles,” Howell said at the meeting. “Some of those guiding principles are collaboration, compassion, embracing diversity, innovation, integrity, global awareness and perseverance.”

A main point of the plan includes the encouragement of public dialogue, as opposed to discourse or debate, according to Bur. “Are we open and willing to listen to others’ thoughts and viewpoints and then consider what their thoughts may be and look at ours, and how we can coexist in that instructional area,” Bur said.

According to both Bur and Howell, other points of the initiative include implementing “cultural responsiveness” and a preference over equity rather than equality.

So how exactly does the administration plan to push the initiative forward and implement it into the schools? According to Howell, it all starts with the teachers.

“We have put 50 percent of our staff meetings and our administrative meetings focused on cultural-sensitive environment training,” Howell said. “We make sure our staff is getting that same training, and the principals (are) taking that training back to our teachers during staff meetings.”

After the introduction to the GPPSS Diversity Plan ended, a discussion amongst the guests took place. Tom Wells of the League of Women Voters moderated the discussion, which took place in a question/answer format from the audience.

KEITH HOWELL | Curriculum Director Before the audience questions were taken, a portion of the forum was devoted to prepared questions to the panel of experts. Checkoway, for example, answered a question concerning the involvement of students and staff from the Grosse Pointe high schools.

“We assume that young people should participate in the policy decisions that affect their lives,” Checkoway said at the panel. “We assume that young people are experts at being young people...There is no one more expert about (that) than the student himself or herself. What we see is that major decisions are typically made without the engagement of young people or without their being at the table. We are starting to involve them by getting together a group of students at both high schools by getting them to put together a participatory survey.”

The last portion of the forum was devoted to the purpose of answering audience questions. Many questions were involved, ranging from the more tame (‘What motivated the creation of this document?’) to the more interesting (‘Can you ensure that straight white people won’t be left out?’), the former of which was answered by Niehaus.

“One of the things people would ask me about (that) would be, ‘Why in the world would we survey our students?’” Niehaus said. “We have surveyed everyone else; we have given our athletic surveys out, our community surveys out...we’ve done other surveys. If it is true, and it is, that 85 percent of our students are white, then we’re going to get a result off of our survey that 85 percent of those that are going to respond are going to be of the persuasion we’re talking about. I don’t think anyone believes we’re taking away from them or devaluing their education or opportunities...we’re not going to detract or take away.”

Ultimately, this initiative is all about the students and the community as a whole, whatever the outcome of it may be. Hary Susalla ’18, who attended the meeting, believed it to be a step in the right direction.

“I think it was a necessary discussion,” Susalla said. “But it’s just a start. This is not the end all, it’s just the beginning to a necessary discussion that has needed to happen, and is now starting.”

We have put 50 percent of our staff meetings and our administrative meetings focused on culturalsensitive environmental training.

The Rotary Club at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial offers opportunity for students to study abroad during the school year ABI DUE ’18 | Social Media Manager Through Rotary Club at the War Memorial there are a couple of different opportunities offered for studying abroad during the school year. Pastor Richard Yeager-Stiver is the official liaison between Grosse Pointe rotary and the Grosse Pointe South Interact club.

“Rotary club is a worldwide organization that seeks to do service above self,” Yeager-Stiver said. Rotarians look for different types of service projects, he said, either in the community or more worldwide.

There are several things Rotary does for students who would like to study abroad, Yeager-Stiver said.

“We sponsor exchange students, we have students who are inbound that are coming from other countries and we also have an outbound program,” Yeager-Stiver said.

Rotary is always encouraging high school students to consider going abroad or traveling for education, Yeager-Stiver explained, and Rotary Club helps in terms of placing the student in different locations around the world.

One of the ways students at South can begin the process of studying abroad is to get in touch with Pastor Richard Yeager-Stiver.

“I would go to Dave McMillan, who is a rotarian member, and let him know that there is a student who is interested,” Yeager-Stiver said.

He said McMillian would then begin contacting the parents and see if they are truly interested.

Students can also go to Interact club, for information about studying abroad, which meets every Thursday in English teacher Kevin

Rotary club is a worldwide organization that seeks to do service above self.

RICHARD YEAGER-STIVER Pastor Cox’s room right after school.

“Interact is sponsored by the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club and the rotary is famous for sponsoring students who come into the Grosse Pointe Schools, as well as sponsoring some of our students here at Grosse Pointe South who would like to study abroad,” Cox said.

Sarah Simmet ’17 will be going to New Zealand through Michigan State’s Freshman Seminar Abroad program at the end of August.

Simmet said she isn’t exactly sure what they’ll be doing when the group gets there.

“The program is about sustainability, since New Zealand is one of the greenest countries in the world,” Simmet said.

Cox said something to keep in mind about studying abroad is there are often different options. There are some students who have enough language skills to communicate and receive credits, but there are also some who are just immersing themselves in the culture.

“It’s almost like what we would call a gap year, which is just experiencing the school day and life in this other country, but they don’t have to worry about getting the credits transferred,” Cox said.

Simmet will be receiving three credits from the program, she said, and they’ll continue to meet a couple times at the beginning of the school year to share final projects.

Through these experiences studying abroad many students have found a realization and discovery within themselves, Yeager-Stiver said.

World Language Week to commence with a World Cup soccer tournament this Sunday

Senior speech deadline next Wednesday

WILL MUAWAD ’17 | Staff Writer During the week of April 24-28, South will be hosting World Language Week. All of the language clubs will be participating, including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Latin.

The week will kick off with a World Cup soccer tournament on Sunday, April 23 on the South turf field. Each language club will play against one another and there will be a trophy awarded to the winner. After the game on Sunday, representatives from all of the language clubs will work together to paint the rock for World Language Week and the same rock decoration will be there for the entire week.

The next day, on Monday, April 24, multicultural music will be played over the South intercom speakers between classes, according to Kimberly Truza, Spanish Club and Spanish Honors Society adisor.

Between each hour a different language’s music will be played. The showcases will also be decorated.

MADELEINE GLASSER ’17 | Staff Writer Seniors who wish to speak at graduation should turn in their speeches to Jenna Roebuck by Wednesday, April 26.

“The requirements for the speeches are for them to be two to three minutes long and to have a nice message for our graduating class,” Student Association president, Logan Cholody ’17, said.

Besides the selected speech writer, senior class president Addison Enders ’17 will be speaking at graduation along with principal Moussa Hamka, according to Cholody.

Seniors who want to speak at graduation should prepare a speech and practice speaking before they turn it into Roebuck. The students must also present their speeches in front of some judges.

“May 1 is audition day, and you have to speak in front of administration, Maria Mitzel, Meaghan Dunham and Harry Campion,” Cholody said. “Together they’re going to decide which speaker will get to use his or her speech.”

The selected speaker will give his or her speech at graduation on Wednesday, June 14.

“All the languages have access to the second floor showcases, and each language gets a showcase they can use to showcase their language any way they want,” Truza said.

Clubs are also hoping to put a banner in the hallway saying it is World Language week.

“The idea is that all the languages are going to work together to have a unified theme,” Truza said.

To end the week on Friday, music will be played again between classes and members of the language clubs will wear their language club shirts, if their club has one, according to Truza.

“I think this week is a great way to bring all of the languages and their clubs together while showcasing the excellent language programs that South has to offer,” Philipp Huettemann ’17, German club and Spanish NHS member said.

GRAPHIC BY GRIFFIN JONES ’18

4

FEATURE

4.19.17

Gentrification

A controversial process explained as it hits close to home KATHLEEN CARROL ’19 | Web Content Manager had to abandon the idea because The city of Detroit, for many who have grown up in the bubble that is Grosse real estate prices have soared in the Pointe, used to be much like the distant relatives people visit once or twice every past few years. As long as the buyyear, if that. Aging, worn around the edges, long past its heyday. A place loved for er was motivated to renovate the its traditions, for what it used to be, more than a place to walk or bike through house, there were homes available with friends. for 20,000 to 30,000 dollars, she For many who grew up in Grosse Pointe, Detroit was a place where rites of said. Now, that’s out of the price passage took place, nothing more. A first experience with volunteer work. A first range for many.

Tigers, Lions or Red Wings game. A first trip to Belle Isle, or Pewabic Pottery or According to gentrification the DIA. data from governing.com, the meAt its bottom, the city of Detroit had one of the highest rates of unemployment dian home cost in the city has unin the country, went through the most expensive breakup in U.S. history and dergone a 126 percent increase in could not afford to turn on its streetlights at night. In 2013, the city filed for bank- the past 17 years. ruptcy. Crime rates increased as property values decreased, and the city received “Older people who are not able the number-one spot on Forbes’ Most Dangerous Cities ranking several years in to go out and get really high-paya row. For some in Grosse Pointe, the city of Detroit inspired fear. It was a place to ing jobs, they’re going to suffer be avoided at all costs, rather than to be explored or celebrated in any way. the most here, because things are Those dark days seem to be coming to a close, and now Detroit is less like a changing very fast and there’s no distant relative and more like a close friend. consideration for where they’re Yet with this improvement comes concern that Detroit is undergoing gentrifi- supposed to live, especially since cation-- a sometimes harmful process that involves urban areas being developed older people are kind of the keepby young business owners without concern for the low-income individuals and ers of the history around here,” families who lived there originally.

Davenport said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of employed Detroit Additionally, the changes the citizens has increased by 15,000 since 2014. For every month in 2016, Detroit’s city is undergoing have created raemployment growth was greater than the state and national averages. Overall, the cial tensions as well. The rapidity rate of unemployment for the city has been reduced by half. of the growth, Davenport said, has Dave Mammel, General Manager of Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery, prompted resentment among Afsaid the restaurant employs 55 people, many of whom are Detroit residents who rican-Americans who have been might have had trouble finding employment due to the state that the city was in there for decades, investing what a few years ago. little money they had into their Jolly Pumpkin, which opened back in 2015, is one of many restaurants and businesses, toward white midshops that has opened in the Midtown area in the past few years. Mammel said that dle-class people who bought large because Jolly Pumpkin is known for their beer, the goal was to price their items amounts of property without conreasonably-sideration for the people the restauwho were there beforerant is at a hand.

“If you’re having these stores that are m i d - r ange “I can see that anipopping up, to me that’s an indication that for pricing mosity, sort of tension because of brewing,” Davenport they’re actually matched to the underlying their localsaid. “I also see a lot of economic demand of people that are moving ly sourced white middle and upingredients per-class people who into Detroit.” and items have never been to DeMAC FARR | Community Development Executive prepped in troit, or never have lived the restauin Detroit, never really rant daily. socialized with anybody in DeINFOGRAPHIC BY BIANCA PUGLIESI ’19 “We weren’t really looking for the high-end pricing, but we have the ability to troit, kind of experiencing their charge a pretty good price that caters to a lot of people,” Mammel said. own little cultural shock, where they kind of don’t understand the culture that Mammel said the rush of new activity in Midtown is a great thing. Not only was here, they don’t associate with black people in any meaningful or long-term because of new business openings, but things like Eastern Market appearances way, so they kind of don’t know how to approach things.” are attracting attention and curiosity toward the city.

In addition to the tensions caused by these developments, Davenport said “I’m seeing a lot of people that wouldn’t necessarily come to Detroit and check there are a lot of new stores that have opened whose prices are a bit too high for out the new restaurants and shops, and the price of housing and rent increasing a the city. While it’s good to have stores that get a lot of foot traffic, because the little bit here and there, people moving closer to Midtown and into the neighbor- stores are very high-priced and small, there are not too many jobs that they could hoods surrounding it, and you see it (the city) coming around; it’s a great thing,” be providing, she said.

Mammel said.

“So it’s good in that people come through to visit from other places, they have Mammel said the mixture of high and low-end stores and restaurants in the a nice little enclave to visit, but I don’t think places like that can generate a whole downtown area is largely a good thing. He said it attracts different types of people lot of economic growth because they’re not able to hire people in the neighborwho can enjoy themselves at different price ranges. hoods, and then conversely, if you give people jobs around the neighborhoods, “People are seeing the growth in Detroit and people are wanting to open busi- they’re able to buy more,” Davenport said. nesses,” Mammel said. “There’s a lot of local things that people are seeing and However, Davenport said she has seen the neighborhood surrounding the wanting to come down to the area to check everything out.” temple change overall for the better since they opened in 2003.

Mac Farr, the Executive Director of the Villages Community Development “The houses that are there, townhouses, those weren’t there. That was a vacant Corporation, said higher prices don’t necessarily equate to gentrification. lot,” Davenport said. “A lot of the houses on the streets when we came here were “If you’re having these stores that are popping up, to me that’s an indication not in very good condition, if people were living in them, or nobody was living that they’re actually matched to the underlying economic demand of people that in them and they were in pretty poor condition.” are moving into Detroit, so that’s a good thing,” Farr said.

According to John Roach, the Media Relations Director for the Detroit MayFarr said, especially of the shops opening in Cass Corridor, that previously or’s Office, the city has done a lot of work to revitalize dilapidated homes around the buildings were grossly underutilized, if anything existed there at all. That, ac- the city. This work benefits a lot of long-time residents of the city who are strugcording to Farr, isn’t necessarily gentrification, but rather badly needed economic gling. development. The activity in the building, the fact that money is spent, jobs are “We’ve taken down nearly 11,000 blighted homes and neighborhoods across created with the opening of a business and the fact that the city is now getting the city. Another 3,000 homes that were vacant and are being renovated and reincome tax from that business are all positive things, he said. occupied in neighborhoods across the city,” Roach said. “As a result, property More than gentrification, the issue in Detroit is displacement, Farr said. He values in these neighborhoods have increased significantly.” said both in a commercial and residential context, when stores and apartment According to the Detroit News, a development team was chosen on April 5 buildings open that are substantially pricier than those that came before them, it to redo 115 vacant homes over the course of two years. The plan is estimated to presents a number of issues. cost $4 million, and it will also create a two-acre park and landscape 192 unused According to Farr, 1214 Griswold Street used to be subsidized senior housing, lots on the city’s northwest side, in the Fitzgerald neighborhood. The area will and was recently turned into luxury apartment buildings. These apartments now become the Ella Fitzgerald city park, and a quarter-mile greenway path will be cost three or four times what the last group of tenants were paying. Farr said this added to connect it to Marygrove College. is a prime example of displacement that is fueled by gentrification, and that while “As simple as it appears, I think it’s revolutionary in Detroit,” Maurice Cox, Detroit is not yet at the point where there is large-scale displacement, the city will head of the city’s Planning and Development Department, said during a news reach that point. conference Wednesday.

“I’m very hesitant to cast anything as either good or bad; the city needs a lot Roach said that the Motor City March is also benefitting Detroit businesses. of development in order to pay for the city services that our most vulnerable The mayor introduced the program to encourage entrepreneurs in the city, and Detroiters rely upon,” Farr said. “Ambulances don’t pay for themselves. Police two-thirds of the businesses that have benefitted are owned by African-Ameriprotection doesn’t pay for itself. The Fire Department doesn’t pay for itself. Those can Detroit citizens, many of which are opening in neighborhoods surrounding come from income taxes and property taxes. And in order to have a fully func- Midtown and hiring other Detroit residents to fill the jobs. tional city government that protects the weakest amongst us, we need to welcome “You could make the argument that as Detroit becomes more expensive, that’s that kind of investment and development that can actually pay for it.” a recognition of the fact that things are getting better here,” Farr said. “So just However, looked at from the perspective of Detroit residents who have lived because things are getting more expensive, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s in the city for decades, the changes taking place in the city can be shockingly almost like Detroit is catching up.” detrimental.

Anzen Melanie Davenport from the Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple said they tried to find a second location to expand the services the temple offers, but they

Key Gentrified Did not gentrify Outlined= was not eligible to dentrify

FEATURE

4.19.17

A Blast from the Past:

“I started acting in high school because it gave me a place to belong,” Letscher said. “I didn’t have a lot of extracurricular activities going on, and I found Pointe Players, the theatre company there. It gave me something to do that I really enjoyed. My junior and senior year I was very active. I did the musical and the play both of those years.

At that time we had the One-Act Festival, where the students directed one-acts in the winter. It was really my main extracurricular activity my last couple of years at South.”

It would be two special South teachers who would be paramount in helping Letscher grow fond of the acting craft.

“I found my first great teachers in Grosse Pointe, with Mary Martin and Ellen Bowen, and they had a big influence on me,” Letscher said. “We did Music Man my junior year and my Senior year, we did Hello Dolly. That’s right when Ellen Bowen came to South.

She was really instrumental in the musical direction too. Mary Martin and Ellen Bowen, HENRY AYRAULT ’19 | Web Editor were pretty much in charge of the performing e’s acted in Hollywood flicks arts program.” such as “13 Hours”, starred in Letscher’s talent was honed on stage and in the TV shows such as DC’s “Legends classroom at South where he was known as a hard of Tomorrow”, and has even worker and a good student with special talent. written a couple of stage plays.

Talent that would, obviously, take him places.

Although, going into college, he was undecided on “Matt was an excellent student,” Ellen Bowen what he was going to pursue for his career, Matt said. “He was a natural. Very handsome and so Letscher ’88 has found a lot of success as a versatile intelligent, as well as a very hard worker. He was a actor. perfectionist.”

“I became an actor professionally. I decided According to Letscher, these two women were to, anyways, because I thought I was good at it,” instrumental in the development of the performing Letscher said. “It’s nice to try and do something arts program at South when he was a student you’re good at. And it felt like a place where I could here. Mary Martin recommended that he take a contribute something workshop with positive to the world. It the legendary felt like the right place for acting teacher, me to be.”

Uta Hagen, Even though he’s had an American roles in other popular Theatre Hall of television series, such as Fame actress.

“Scandal”, today, you may He references know Letscher for his role MATT LETSCHER ’88 that particular as Eobard Thawne or the experience Reverse Flash as a season (working with two villain on DC’s “Legends of Tomorrow”.

Hagen) as one that changed the way he looked at “To me, Letscher plays the character perfectly,” acting. It also helped him decide to pursue it in Joe Cornell ’19 said. “He makes it so easy to hate college. the character and as someone playing the villain, “I had a great time,” Letscher said. “My last two that’s what you want.” years at Michigan, in particular, were almost spent Letscher began to act in his sophomore year of entirely on theatre and some of my best memories high school, but he said he didn’t get active until were from that time. It was at a time when the his junior year.

South grad Matt Letscher ’88 brings comic books to life as Reverse Flash in “The Flash”

H

I’D SAY THAT SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE CHARACTERS THAT I’VE PLAYED HAVE BEEN SINISTER.

musictheatre program was really coming into its own, under a teacher named Brent Wagner. He turned Michigan’s music-theatre program into one of the premier programs in the country.”

Shortly after graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Theatre Arts in 1992, Letscher appeared in one of his first roles on Saved By The Bell-- The College Years on NBC. With his real college years behind him, his career was about to begin.

“There’s something about a good TV show that

IT’S NICE TO TRY AND DO SOMETHING YOU’RE GOOD AT. AND IT FELT LIKE A PLACE WHERE I COULD CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING POSITIVE TO THE WORLD. IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT PLACE FOR ME TO BE. MATT LETSCHER ’88 weaves its way into the emotional fabric of people’s lives. And when it’s gone, they mourn the loss of it. Being part of something like that is pretty special. You feel like you’ve become part of a much larger community. And maybe you’ve given people something to look forward to in their life.”

His success in television is obvious on a resume that includes roles on “The West Wing”, “Brothers and Sisters”, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”, “Entourage”, “Scandal”, “CSI”, “Scandal” and many other popular shows that have graced the screen over the last 24 years and counting.

“Probably the thing I consider my best work as an actor was a series I was on that only lasted two seasons,” Letscher said. “It was called Eli Stone. It was on ABC and the lead was Jonny Lee Miller.

There were a host of excellent actors on that show.

It was a very unusual premise, but the characters were finely drawn and the cast was very tight.”

Letscher’s run on TV is likely a result of his versatility as an actor.

“The thing about Matt is he is constantly working,” Bowen said. “He can play just about any role a director gives him.”

While his success has been obvious on television, Letscher has also excelled on the theatre stage and on the big screen with roles on Broadway

THE ROADMAP TO YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR: How to succeed in school as an underclassmen while maintaining balance

ZACHARY HEIMBUCH ’19 | Honors Journalism Student For students, transitioning from middle school to high school can be a big change, especially with the changes in workload. ​Good study habits can be a part of helping incoming freshmen handle the workload and do well in school. ​“It was a big change, it’s a lot more different here in high school compared to middle school,” Robert Armstrong ’19 said. “The change came hard at me, starting on the first day of school, but after time passed, I was able to adjust to the system.”

Armstrong said the increase in homework and ​ studying can be a big deal for new freshmen. When entering a new work environment, adjusts to habits must occur. ​“I adjusted by managing my time, time management is a major key in high school,” Armstrong said.

According to Armstrong, along with an increase ​ in schoolwork, outside activities will also most likely

5

and in movies such as “The Mask of Zorro” in 1998, “Her” in 2013 and “13 Hours” in 2016, to name a few. But it has been his more recent work on “The Flash” and “Legends of Tomorrow” that have taken up a lot of space on his IMDb page most recently.

His character on these two shows is Eobard Thawne, aka the Reverse Flash.

“He’s the Flash’s archenemy, the only one (the Flash) can never beat because they have virtually the same powers,” Letscher explained. “(He) has a long history in the comic books. It has been fun to play him in different scenarios and in two series.”

The Reverse Flash is also a character in the long list of Letscher’s roles that is villainous in nature. A common trait found in many of the roles he’s taken on.

“I’d say that some of the most memorable characters I’ve played have been sinister,” Letscher said. “I’ve played many more ‘good guys’ as opposed to ‘bad guys’, but the bad guys are the ones that people always remember, because their behavior is always the most outlandish. I happen to be able to carry that kind of character. I can play both sides of that coin. I feel like what I did in “Zorro” or what I’ve been doing lately on “The Flash” and “Legends of Tomorrow”, those characters are so larger-than-life, so evil. Those characters tend to stick out in TV or movies and I feel like that is what people may remember most.”

Good role or bad guy, the actor continues to build a multi-faceted career on tv, in the movies and on stage.

“I predict he will work as a professional actor and director for as long as he wants to work,” Bowen said. “I know we that had the privilege of teaching and directing him and the many other talented students at south that passed through our classes, we couldn’t be prouder and excited to see the successes.”

“DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK AROUND AND TALK TO NEW PEOPLE. FINDING THE RIGHT FRIENDS IN HIGH SCHOOL CAN BE HARD AT FIRST, BUT THE OUTCOME IS ALWAYS WORTH THE WORK.” LISA RICHMAN German Teacher

increase when entering high school. ​“I would call myself a student athlete. I am currently enrolled in honors and AP classes, along with the Grosse Pointe South Rowing Team. At times, these commitments can be hard to deal with, but giving everything your best effort is always my goal,” Geneva Donnelly ’19 said. ​Donnelly said meeting new people and finding a good group to surround yourself with is always a good idea when entering a new environment. ​“Don’t be afraid to ask around and talk to new people.

Finding the right friends in high school can be hard at first, but the outcome is always worth the work,” German teacher Lisa Richman said. ​According to Richman, big changes can be difficult, but effort and commitment are the major factors that can lead to success in high school and the future. ​“I think if freshmen can put in their best effort and manage their time, the adjustment will come naturally with ease,” Richman said.

INFOGRAPHIC BY ZACHARY HEIMBUCH ’19

FEATURE SPORTS

46

9.6.16 4.19.17

FEAR THE PHONE: dangers of distracted driving PIPER ESCHENBURG ’18 | Staff Writer s Courtney Diehl ’18 rounded the corner in her car, her cell phone fell from its usual resting place in her car’s cup holder. As she reached down to pick it up, she was going too fast without looking and she slammed into a telephone pole, totalling her car and trapping her inside.

“That all happened within three seconds,” Diehl said about her accident. “The feeling is terrifying.”

Diehl’s story is not uncommon. In fact, distracted driving has become a killer amongst teenagers.

The National Safety Council (NSC) deemed April National Distracted Driving Awareness month.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, almost 3,500 people died last year from being distracted while behind the wheel. And more importantly, auto accidents are the number one killer for teenagers.

Distracted driving is defined as anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, like texting, updating social media, talking on the phone, watching videos or eating, according to NHTSA. “Teenagers are already at a disadvantage because they are inexperienced,” Mike Austin, the Editor in Chief of Autoblog.com, one of the biggest automotive websites in the world, said. “Add into that equation a distraction like a phone or a text message and it’s a recipe for disaster. Driving a car safely requires both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel.”

Taking it a step further, officer Thomas Gamicchia of the Grosse Pointe Police Department compared driving while distracted to doing so while being intoxicated.

However, he said there is a solution: “People should be using hands-free systems.”

Many automakers today offer fully-integrated, hands-free systems in cars via Bluetooth or other products like Apple CarPlay. These systems allow people to keep theirr phone out

A

of their hands and speak into a microphone, without ever taking their eyes off the road. In fact, Apple CarPlay will even read texts and let people talk-to-text.

But it’s not just phones and texts that are distracting. Other factors could be friends in the car or simply changing a radio station. Anytime a person doesn’t have their eyes on the road to do another task, they are distracted.

In fact, at 55 m.p.h., if a person takes their eyes of the road for five seconds, they will have traveled the entire length of a football field, according to NHSTA. That’s why some states, like Michigan, have graduated driver’s licenses, the NHTSA said. This limits the number of people allowed in a car and/or the times of the day they can drive. But not all states have this law and even those that do, not all new drivers follow the law.

“When I’m driving, it’s really distracting when there’s a lot of people in the car and I’m trying to focus on the road,” Audrey Fuga ’18 said. “It’s hard having friends talking around you while driving when there’s so many other important factors you need to pay attention to.”

Fuga said she lost a friend in an accident due to distracted driving last year.

“I’ve gotten too close to other cars or gone way too slow on the street in the past because I wasn’t paying enough attention,” Fuga said.

To help prevent distracted driving, the NSC has a link on their website where drivers can pledge to not participate in any activity that can cause them to be distracted and tips on how employers can work with employees to help them be attentive while driving to and from work.

Diehl said she has a message to other distracted drivers.

“Don’t pay attention to minor details when driving because you never know what could happen in those short amounts of time,” Diehl said.

GRAPHIC BY ERICA FOSSEE ’19

Over two million students will take AP tests this May

IS IT WORTH IT? Questioning the

AUDREY WHITAKER ’19 | Copy Editor Last May, 4,704,980 Advanced Placement exams were given to over 2,600,000 students at more than 21,000 schools nationwide, testing in core subjects like social studies, English and science, according to the College Board. These tests are high stakes, cost somewhere in the $90 range and are generally taken in two to three hour sessions.

Many students take AP exams in the hopes of earning college credit. Others, such as Eva Rossell ’18, said they take AP classes and exams for the challenge.

“I thought it would be a fun challenge, outside of just honors or on grade level classes,” Rossell said. “I also really enjoy the subjects. It’s interesting to me too.”

Many students said they consider where their class is in the curriculum before deciding to take the exams in May. Rossell said her class was about 100 years behind in her AP U.S. history class, but she was able to catch up on the material on her own by watching videos and

GRACE REYES & ALYSSA COLE ’19 | Staff Writers South offers its students the opportunity to take a college-level course, known as an AP class. AP classes are administered by The College Board for college credits, but some students decide not to take the AP test.

“The difference between a regular class and an AP class is the content level,” Michael Rennell, AP Government and Politics teacher, said. “The AP levels are college-level courses and the rigour is much higher than a high school class.”

If a student chooses to take the course, but not the exam, it is questioned if it will affect their effort in the class. It is commonly thought that a student might not take the work as seriously if they do not have a major test to prepare for at the end of each semester.

However, according to Rennell, work effort in the class does not correlate between a student who plans to

wrong

THE SCHEDULE

GRAPHIC BY GRIFFIN JONES ’18

reading the textbook.

Billy Beardslee ’19 said he planned on taking the exam regardless of his classes progress.

“I could get college credit and save a lot of money later, and I would be able to take more interesting and in-depth classes sooner in college,” Beardslee said.

According to Beardslee, while studying is a big part of the tests, not many people they know, or they themselves, have started studying.

“I did about an hour a day for the two weeks prior to the test,” Rossell said.

Leo Smith ’19 agreed that taking the exam is a good idea, no matter what point the class is in the curriculum.

“It didn’t really affect my decision, it’s smart to take the test,” Smith said.

Although all three said AP classes are generally pretty manageable if students stay focused and take good notes, they said it’s easy for the class to run out of time before the exam to learn all the material.

“I look over the textbook to see what info it has that we don’t have from class,” Beardslee said. “I also check my teacher’s website to look at the presentations so I can get ahead.”

As for studying habits, it’s the same advice everyone hears for every test. Don’t cram, give yourself plenty of time, take breaks and focus on studying what you don’t know, according to Rossell.

Rossell said that in hindsight, she would have studied more, but in the end she knew the material and did her best on the exam.

value of AP tests

take the exam and a student who does not.

“There are people that excel sometimes that don’t want to take the test because they don’t want to spend the time preparing for it, it’s just a personal decision,” Rennell said. “But the vast majority of my students end up taking the test.”

The majority of the time, it is seniors who decide not to participate in taking the test, even if they are taking the AP course. This could be for a variety of reasons.

One example would be if the student has already been accepted into colleges. Therefore, there would be no reason to study for a huge test when no college will ever see the scores.

“Before I knew which college I was going to, I wanted to take the AP tests in case they accept those credits.

Now, I’m going somewhere that won’t accept that credit. So, why take it and pay the $90?” Ethan Reeside ’17 said.

Also, seniors could already have

a decent amount of AP credits, but have an interest in taking another AP class just for the learning experience.

“I didn’t take the AP test for Psych(ology) because I’m not pursuing Psych in college and it’s not in my career path. Even though I didn’t take the test, I still paid attention in class and really enjoyed it,” Liam Kavanaugh ’17 said.

This way, students still gain from the rigorous lessons, but they do not have to face the stress of preparing for the long exam.

According to Rennell, he teaches AP classes for two reasons: for students to pass the AP test and for his students to learn the fundamentals of being good citizens.

“I think there is value in taking the (AP) class even if you don’t plan on taking the test because the content level, depth of knowledge is much deeper, and you get a much better understanding,” Rennell said.

May 1

Psychology Chemistry Environmental Science (Afternoon)

May 8

Biology

May 2

Spanish Language & Culture

Physics 1 (Afternoon)

May 9

Calculus AB Calculus BC

May 3

English Literature and Physics 2 (Afternoon) Composition

May 4

Government and Politics

May 5

German US History

May 10 May 12

English Language and Composition Macroeconomics (afternoon) Microeconomics

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FEATURE

4.19.17

7

With over

8,015

refugees in Michigan and counting, the demographics of the state are changing.

We asked an Iraqi refugee about his experience on getting used to America.

LIAM WALSH ’18 | Page Editor well by the other students.

The state of Michigan has the fifth highest amount of refugees in “It’s very rare to see any issues with the students. With the country with 8,015 refugees, according to the State Department. the parents it’s harder because they can’t communicate, they Milad Alkasshmoon is a 17-year-old refugee from Mosul, Iraq and can't go to the corner store to buy something because they goes to Madison High School in Madison, Michigan. don’t speak the language,” Ibrahim said.

“We had to leave because of the government,” Alkasshmoon said.

Alkasshmoon said he experienced this language barrier “Government was the most messed up thing.” when he first arrived in the United States.

Alkasshmoon came to the United States in 2013 after his family “At first, it was weird because of the different language had been applying for a green card since 2000. and we were new,” Alkasshmoon said. “The first month “The only place to get that (a green card) was Baghdad, the capital,” it was very hard to understand stuff, and then we started Alkasshmoon said. “`We had to go there for a week to get all of our learning online English and going to school, so that helped.” stuff done. It takes a while.”

The toughest thing for Alkasshmoon was not speaking Alkasshmoon was fortunate, as some families had to go through a the language, but instead his own family. third party country like Turkey or Syria.

“When we came here we thought our family was going “We were lucky we didn’t have to go do the other stuff,” Alkasshmoon to help us a lot, but they did the opposite. It was really a said. “We flew from Iraq to Lebanon to New York.” struggle. We had to do everything by ourselves, our Brian Ibrahim was an English as a Second Language teacher at homework, everything,” Alkasshmoon said.

Madison High. His job included Michigan has the highest people are assisting refugees and teachers, percentage of a population who displaced every translating documents, talking to reported Arab ancestry, with around day, according to GRAND RAPIDS parents and talking to the students two percent of the state having the United Nations in the Arabic Chaldean language. marked that, according to the Refugee Agency “Each family has different latest census data. Syrian and Iraqi TROY experiences getting to the refugees were the two most common BATTLE CREEK country,” Ibrahim said. “Some nationalities of refugees settling in Michigan went through the war; we last year, with 1,692 Syrians and 1,300 Iraqis, had some students that were according to the State Department. kidnapped for a few years.”

Abouljoud’s cousin had to move from legend: Alkasshmoon said now the Syria to Lebanon to be able to escape the region he grew up in is much dangerous situation.

1000 more unstable than it was when Ibrahim said the best way to help 100 he lived there. refugees is just to be a good person to ages 5-18 “Now is way worse, because them. before you could go anywhere you “If you're friendly and welcoming, Age want but you were always scared willing to help, not give them the shirt off demographics of MILAD ALKASSHMOON to go out,” Alkasshmoon said. your back but if you show them you have refugees IRAQI REFUGEE globally “Baghdad was the scariest place. some kind of care, they respect you right ages 19-65 We had to go there to get our away, they trust you,” Ibrahim said. “It can green card and stuff so we could be as simple as telling them how to ask for come here.” something at a store or if there is a student Info courtesy of the United Nations Amelia Abouljoud ’18 is the that doesn’t know where the bathroom is, Refugee Agency and Mlive president of the Arabic Culture Club, which tries to display Arabic anybody can say, ‘Walk with me, I'll take you to the bathroom.”’ culture through food, dance and presentations.

Alkasshmoon has adjusted to life in Michigan well, even if it’s a Infographic by Erykah Benson ’17 “A refugee at South might have a worse experience than just little cold sometimes, he said. a Muslim at South,” Abouljoud said. “Refugees have such a bad “I kind of hate the weather, but besides that, it’s cool. I feel safer connotation at South and so do Muslims in general, so it would be here than Iraq,” Alkasshmoon said. “I don’t have to worry about when tough.” to come back home, because in Iraq, we had a curfew.”

Ibrahim said the refugees at Madison High School were treated

Refugees by the numbers

34,000

When we came here we thought our family was going to help us a lot, but they did the opposite. It was really a struggle. We had to do everything by ourselves, our homework, everything.

HIDDEN GEMS OF EASTERN MARKET Eastern Market Antique Shop

Signal Return

Wander through the seemingly endless maze of junk (or as I like to call it: hidden treasure) at Eastern Market Antiques, located on Market Street outside of Shed 2. Pick your way through two floors full of everything vintage, from clothing to sports memorabilia, records and home decor. There are over 20 dealers’ booths and 15,000 square feet stocked with everything you don't know you need until you see it. Antique stores like this one are something really special, an accumulation of decades of stuff.

Signal Return, a super cool print shop on Division Street, uses new and old printing techniques to promote local artists and create stunning posters and cards. Many of their posters revolve around local landmarks, events, businesses and Michigan. They also have lots of adorable quotes and all have an “artsy” vintage vibe. Signal Return also offers classes and demonstrations on poster design and letterpress printing. Stop in and pick up some quirkycool posters for your room and check out some classes to make your own.

Check out easternmarket.com/district/eastern-marketantiques online for more information.

Check out www.signalreturnpress.org or @SignalReturn on Facebook for more information.

Discount Candle

This store has all your weird candle needs covered. This small eccentric store is filled with shelves stocked with candles and incense for any occasion, from vocational to zodiac, healing and good luck candles. My personal favorite is “Other Lawyer be Stupid,” which you light before your court case to curse the opposition lawyer. I spent more than an hour in this tiny shop looking through all the unique (and yes, a little bizarre) candles. Plus, this is a discount candle store, so I didn't have to worry about spending a lot on something fun, cool and potentially useful, because you never know when you will need to call on the power to control spiders or make someone shut up. A trip to Discount Candle takes you only one street over the highway from Eastern Market, near a plethora of other new shops on Gratiot. There's free parking, and the owner has a super friendly dog named Rocky. Discount Candle is a place you need to visit to understand. There’s really nothing like it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDREY WHITAKER

Beyond Juicery and Eatery Beyond Juicery and Eatery is the perfect stop for a breakfast smoothie or a salad, wrap or quinoa bowl.

They have five locations throughout Metro Detroit, but Eastern Market is their newest location. Each ingredient is chosen based on what positive properties it has.

For example, locally-grown blueberries help memory retention and protects eyes from sun and oxygen damage. Beyond also eliminated the one problem I have with many juice and smoothie shops: paying a lot for a little. You definitely get your money's worth.

Check out beyondjuicedetroit.com or @ beyondjuiceeasternmarket on Facebook for more information.

SCAN AND SEE| Use

this QR code for the Eastern Market website. From there one can get information on what the market has to offer and more.

sw 3.15.17

FEATURE

8

Michael Lanzon ’17 swinging into a double. This added to the 11 hits South put up against North this past Friday.

JOHN FRANCIS ’18 | Supervising Editor at Large orth vs. South.

A tradition that is sure to bring in a big crowd no matter what sport is being played.

Now put that setting in the same environment that the likes of Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander know as common place.

With both teams, South’s Blue Devils and North’s Norsemen, a massive crowd was present to cheer on their respective teams. The Blue Devils were coached by Dan Griesbaum, Matt Reno and John Hackett. Coming into this game, the team felt prepared, but they stressed concerns about their play style over the opposition.

Davis Graham ’18, a member of South’s team, gave his insight on what he was thinking before the game.

“Well, there’s a much bigger crowd than we usually have, which is a

N

NORTH VS. SOUTH Girls varsity soccer ties with their Norsmen counterparts WILL MUAWAD ’17 | Staff Writer On Wednesday, April 12, South’s girls varsity soccer team took on North’s team. After a hardfought 80 minutes of soccer, the game ended in a tie, 0-0.

As the game progressed, the play got chippier and the crowd grew anxious for a goal. Each team had chances to score, especially in the second half, but neither team was able to put it in the back of the net.

“My team worked really hard to prepare for the game against North,” Lily Adams ’18, a starter on the team, said. “It was a tough fought game between both teams. I think if we keep working, next time we play them we’ll have a good opportunity to win.”

The next time these two teams face each other is Friday, May 5 at Grosse Pointe North.

“We have about three weeks until we play North again and we are going to continue to train hard.

After the game yesterday, we know we are very capable of winning,” Cameron Zak ’18, team captain said.

g o o d thing, but it makes you more nervous for the game,” Graham said.

This wasn’t the first time South and North have faced off at Comerica Park. Two years ago, the rivals met and the game brought the second largest crowd for an amatuer game the park has seen.

“I’d say North’s strong suit is definitely their pitching staff, ours is strong as well but I think we have a lot more power in hitting than they do,” Graham said.

The game began in the evening, as the sun set and the cool 45 degree air made slight silhouettes of one’s breath. As the mid-April weather held out, patrons saw an offensive display made by both teams. The scoring started early from the Blue Devils, taking two runs in the first.

Once that breakout inning was through, South kept up with hits in every inning and put up runs in the third, fifth and finally two more in the seventh, opposing North’s total of four.

Jacob Hinkle ’18 and Logan Mico ’17 had the most hits for South, both having two appearances to first base or more in one instance.

Graham said that although he didn’t perform his best, the team as a whole coerced a strong victory.

Although no home runs were scored, (as expected) excitement was not lacking during the seven innings played. Both teams showed a strong sense of professionalism. From being in the dugout to fielding plays out on the near-perfect grass and gravel, each player became infused with adrenaline under the bright lights at Comerica Park.

Blue Devils head coach Dan Griesbaum had comments on the team’s performance, and what a win in a setting like Comerica Park means for the team.

“You can’t help but get a little more fired up in a situation like that, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the most part for a lot of those kids,” Griesbaum said. “They got to do what Miguel Cabrera and all those other Tigers do and set forth on that field and be in the dugout.”

Along with being the coach of South’s baseball team for more than three decades, Griesbaum was also the connection that allowed the teams to play at Comerica, Graham said.

“My son works there, he works for the Tigers and he’s a suit sales account manager. They allow high school teams on occasion to play there and he inquired about it,” Griesbaum said. “We played there two years ago actually, and he inquired about it again.”

There was one key difference in the Blue Devil playing style when at Comerica: the team pitched a different player each inning to give the most people opportunity to stand where the greatest arms in the MLB have, both Graham and Griesbaum said. “(In) a normal game we have our starters go as long as they can, basically. Until the fifth, sixth, sometimes seventh inning, as long as they’re throwing well they’ll stay in the game,” Graham said. “We only play there once, (so) we like to give as many people the opportunity to pitch on the mound.”

North’s varsity baseball team was lead by coach Frank Sumbera and assistant coaches Mark Ciaravino and Dick Borland. Team captains are Alex VanDome, Ryan Mazzola, Sam Cross and Steven Levick, all ’17.

Leading hitter for the Norsemen was Sam Cross ’17, with three singles.

The two team are set to meet again in mid May. Griesbaum gave his focus points for the team as the rest of the season progresses.

“I think (we need to work on) defense more than anything else, we play in the MAC Red which is an extremely tough division, teams larger than us, sometimes twice as big,” Griesbaum said. “It’s tough competition, and we can’t beat ourselves. That’s the main thing I try to preach to the team is we cannot beat ourselves. If we do that then we will have the ability to compete in this division. If we don’t then we’ll be in trouble.”

Bringing back old glory: Tigers Stadium finds a new purpose CLAIRE KOEPPEN ’19 | Copy Editor This summer, Tigers Stadium will take a new form as “The Corner”, a new baseball field for youth to play sports.

The 15 million dollar redevelopment project was built by the Detroit Police Athletic League (Detroit PAL), a foundation created to give children valuable opportunities and life skills through athletics.

Dewayne Jones, Athletic Director of Detroit PAL, said The Corner will offer new opportunities for the foundation and for the children.

“We are developing a permanent location for Detroit PAL. This location will house our headquarters of operation, a Hall of Heroes that highlights people of high character,” Jones said. “It will have playing surface that will allow us to program diamond sports, football, soccer, lacrosse and hold camps and clinics. The stadium will eventually seat 2,500 spectators.”

Mary Claire Diamond ’19 said the redevelopments Detroit PAL, as well as other projects similar organizations are completing, will positively affect the city.

“I think it’s a really good thing that’s happening because I feel like the city hasn’t been doing as well as it could be,” Diamond said. “So it will help a lot with those issues.”

Jones said Detroit PAL has also completed other projects around the city that have to do with their mission of involving children through athletic activities.

However, Jones said the Corktown de-

PHOTOS BY JOHN FRANCIS ’18

CROSS-TOWN CLASH AT COMERICA

velopment will have numerous functions that are not limited to solely athletics.

“We refurbish facilities throughout the city. We also maintain city parks and work in partnership with other organizations to benefit kids in their effort to make good decisions,” Jones said. “Beyond the athletic events, the banquet area will host volunteer coaching classes, academic and leadership workshops along with rental space for weddings,

Corktown community will have access to the facility for meetings, events and as a gathering place for all things community.”

Christi Scheibner ’19 also said the redevelopments are positively affecting the city. She also said it will attract different groups of people to Detroit, and that these groups aren’t just limited to visitors, but residents of Detroit as well.

“I think (the redevelopments) are great. I mean, it will draw more people to the city, and they can explore (Detroit).” Scheibner said. “Even people who live there previously can explore new buildings and it adds life again.”

Diamond said Detroit has been on the rise, and that places such as The Corner help to bring individuals to the city.

“I do (think the city has been rebuilding),” Diamond said. “I’ve been seeing so many new stores and developments and I think it’s attracting people in a positive way.”

Jones said the most rewarding part of The Corner project is helping children to get involved and develop skills they will use throughout their life, especially through athletics.

“The absolute most beneficial part of the stadium is that it will allow us to conduct more character, academic and leadership opportunities for kids to take part in,” Jones said. “We are a kid’s first organization that teaches life lessons through sports.”

“We are developing a permanent location for Detroit PAL. This location will house our headquarters of operation. Dewayne Jones Athletic Director of Detroit PAL

corporate outings, (and other activities).”

Jones said the old Tigers Stadium property will allow for work to help children through sports, and that The Corner will also serve as an area for the community to come together.

“This location will help the community by allowing more kids to participate in athletics where they interact with a caring coach that teaches character as their main mission,” Jones said. “The