Issue 6 by The Tower Newspaper

the

TOWER Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016

Volume 89

Issue 6

@thetowerpulse

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

Students on edge as recent clown sightings make their way closer to The Pointes SYLVIA HODGES ‘19 | Copy Editor While there have been no confirmed sightings in any “Creepy clowns” have been spotted in several states of the Grosse Pointe community yet, people are still on and in Canada over the last few weeks, causing mass edge. Billy Beardslee ‘19 said there is some humor in hysteria and fear. the situation, however it should still be taken seriously The sightings began in August of this year, when chil- by police. dren in Greenville, South Carolina reported that clowns “If it gets to the point where they’re not following the tried to lure them into the woods behind an apartment law or they’re really endangering someone, then I think complex. Other residents in the complex said that they the police should take it seriously,” Beardslee said. saw the clowns as well. The incidents were first reported Beardslee said he thought it just gives people someby the Washington Post. thing to talk about. Near the end of September, the clown hysteria began There have been allegations of some of the viral vidto spread to other parts of the United States and Cana- eos of clown sightings being staged. While this cannot da. According to ABC News reporting, the hysteria has be proven, Beardslee said he believes the sightings are also recently spread to Australia. Clowns were sighted real. in Victoria, Australia, recently. There have since been Susie Jarboe ‘20 also thinks there are real videos out sightings in 37 states and in a few cities in Canada. there, but she thinks some could be a hoax for publicity. The hysteria has recently spread to metro Detroit, “I didn’t really believe it at first, but then I saw a lot of where there have been several incidents over the last videos on Instagram and then I was like, ‘woah,’” Jarboe week. A seven year old boy in Sterling Heights was at- said. tacked by a man dressed as a clown wielding a plastic While sophomores at South are reading about witch butter knife. Two 18 year old women chased two 14 hunts in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” students at Penn year old girls in Roseville while dressed as clowns and State are going on clown hunts after rumors spread of have since been ara clown sighting near camrested and charged pus. At least 500 students with disorderly conmobbed the streets to hunt I didn’t really believe it at first, but down the clown, however duct. A clown was filmed standing outthen I saw a lot of videos on Insta- Penn State Police Sgt. Mike side a car wash in Nelson told the Centre Daily gram and then I was like, ‘woah,’” Clinton Township in Times there were no clown the early hours of the sightings or credible clown SUSIE JARIBE ‘20 morning, waving to threats. the people filming. “I would go (on the hunt) All of these incidents were reported by WXYZ Detroit. just for fun with my friends,” Jarboe said. “I’d just make “Those who want and choose to wear these clown sure we stayed safe.” suits, just know, when people call us, we’re going to inJarboe also thought that the whole situation should vestigate,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said in an be more serious than funny. She thought that the police interview with CBS Detroit. “If the investigation leads should be involved, however some incidents could just to a criminal misconduct of some sort, then we’re going be harmless pranks. to take appropriate action.” “I was kind of more scared than finding it funny

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because I get people do pranks and all, but there’s some real stuff out there,” Jarboe said. While many of these clowns may just be copying other people and dressing up to scare others, Daniel Kuhnlein ‘17 said he thinks there may be some mental health issues involved with the people dressing up as the clowns. “I think there are mental health issues with people in the world and they need to be addressed,” Kuhnlein said. While many people don’t dig down deep into what this issue really is, Kuhnlein thinks it is a form of terrorism. “It is a serious threat to our society,” Kuhnlein said. “People think it’s so funny because there’s people dressed up as clowns, but it’s a form of terrorism.” Kuhnlein said that since we live in a post 9/11 era, we find ourselves fearing for our lives often. He said he sees why people can think this situation would be humorous, but Kuhnlein holds tight to the belief that this is a serious threat. “I think people are using their capabilities to invoke fear on others as a form of self pride,” Kuhnlein said. Kuhnlein said if he ever encountered a clown, he would run. Jarboe said the same. “My first reaction would be obviously to run and record it, and then call the cops,” Jarboe said. Beardslee said he would walk away quickly if he ever came upon a clown. According to a poll conducted on the Tower Pulse Twitter, 51 percent of 35 voters didn’t particularly care about the situation while 49 percent said they were terrified. “I don’t think it’s gotten out of hand yet, but there’s always people that go a little too far,” Beardslee said.

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF RILEY LYNCH ‘18

BREAKING GROUND: Provenzano’s new book cracks the top 1,220 on Amazon

ON TO THE NEXT ONE | The boys varsity tennis team poses with the trophy after their second place win at the Regional Competition. The team focuses on singles and doubles scrimmages during practice. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN WILLARD

Tennis team hopes to place within the top 10 at the State Championship MADELEINE GLASSER ‘17 | Copy Editor The boys’ varsity tennis team got second at regionals on Thursday, qualifying to compete for the state championship Oct. 13-15. The team practiced and worked hard in preparation for the match, according to David Scupholm ‘17, one of the players. “We practiced and played a lot of matches this year,” Scupholm said. “We knew we would be ready to play well.” At the practices, the team focused on doubles and singles scrimmages, according to Patrick Willard ‘17, the team captain. Patrick said he was proud of the way the team performed. “The team played skillfully at regionals,” Patrick said. “It showed that everyone had improved from the start of the season.” Coach John Willard is also proud of the way his team played and worked to-

gether to advance on after regionals. “I was very proud of the boys,” John said. “They have worked hard in practice to prepare for this day and it showed. It was a team effort to advance to the State Tournament.” According to John, the team’s goal is to make the top ten this year after an 8th place finish at last year’s state tournament. “We always hope to finish in the top ten, but I know the boys will compete to their best ability each and every match, and that is what is important,” John said. Patrick said the team is working hard after regionals to perform well at states. “We will prepare for the state tournament by keep doing what we are doing,” Patrick said. “We’re working on the shots we felt let us down during regionals in hope of serving them up for states.”

UPCOMING AT SOUTH...

oct.

The League of Women Voters Board Candidate Forum is happening in the South Wicking Library

EMMA RUSSELL ‘17 | Staff Writer One of the publishers that Provenzano worked with was English teacher, Nicholas Provenzano, published his sec- AJ Juliani, who explained that this book wasn’t too hard to ond book, “Your Starter Guide to Makerspaces.” This book is work on as Provenzano came with the book pretty close to meant to help assist anyone who is wanting to build a Mak- being done. The editing process was long and there were erspace, or an area where one can create, invent and learn many edits to be made, but it was a fun collaboration, Juliani explained. within their classroom or school. “He’s a blast. I think he’s got a ton of energy, a lot of really Two years ago, Provenzano and South librarian, Courtney McGuire, built one of these makerspaces for the students and good ideas, and a lot of enthusiasm for teaching and learning staff. It made sense to provide South with a place without a and having fun while you’re doing it,” Juliani said. “It was a lot of fun to work with him on both a professional and perteacher or a grade to freely create and invent, McGuire said. “Mr. Provenzano has incredible connections within the sonal level.” community, so when the opportunity presented itself to have Juliani and Provenzano’s main goal for this book was to the money, it was a clear yes (to build a Makerspace),” Mc- write something that wasn’t just another stuffy education Guire said. “It made sense to book, Juliani said. They aimed use the back reference, weed to create a book that reflected out the materials that are no how fun it is to build and have What this book is really doing is saying, longer used and provide a a Makerspace available, he said. ‘Here’s some of the things we did, here’s some space that’s always open.” “This is going to really imFrom the building of the pact a lot of teachers, but also a of the mistakes we made, here’s how to make Makerspace and on, Provenzalot of students. What this book it better at your own school for your own stuno had been tracking his is really doing is saying, ‘Here’s dents.’” AJ JULIANI successes and failures, thus some of the things we did, here’s Publisher helping him create his newly some of the mistakes we made, released book. The book is inhere’s how to make it better at fused with nerdy pop culture references, an informal style of your own school for your own students,’” Juliani said. “So, writing, and many self drawn pictures, Provenzano said. I think that for the people and the students that it’s going to “The second book (“Your Starter Guide to Makerspaces”) impact is going to be amazing across the country and the is essentially for if you are an educator and want to get started world. And I think that’s the powerful thing of a book like putting in a Makerspace in your school or classroom. This is this. It makes learning fun and not just for the teachers, but your guide based on my experiences on how I did it here at obviously for the students, as well.” The book’s existence relied on many things, the funding, South. So, the premise of it is that,” Provenzano said. “They [teachers] don’t want a stereo-instruction manual, they want the “O.K.’s” from the district and Hamka, and a place to put something that sort of speaks to them, tells them like it is, Makerspace, Provenzano said. Provenzano says he would not and coming from someone who has actual classroom experi- have been able to publish the book without McGuire, Principal Moussa Hamka, the school and district, the Mothers’ ence. So that’s kind of what the book is.” With this being his second book, Provenzano said he Club, and CTN in creating the makerspace. found it was much easier to write and it did not take nearly as “So, without those two (McGuire and Hamka) and the long as his last one. This book was more of an enjoyable task district and the granting organizations that gave us money, for him as it is based on his passion project, he said. we wouldn’t be able to do that,” Provenzano said. “...All of “This one was just me and I could write it in my own tone, those people helped me put together Makerspace by giving in my own voice,” Provenzano said. “And I had really com- us the space and the money to do it. And I had no idea what I plete editorial control of what it was going to sound like. So, was doing, so without that I never would have had the opporthis publisher, called Blend Education, they really gave me tunity to write a book on, ‘Hey, this is how you do it, based the freedom to make the book exactly how I wanted it to be, on what I did.’” including doing the artwork.”

oct.

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PSAT/NMSQT testing No school for seniors takes place 7:30-12:00 on Wednsday a.m. for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors

Confrences take place during the evening and continue through the 20th

OPINION

10.12.16

Modern Triumph Hinges on Worldly Awarness Thomas Jefferson once said that the only people who can be trusted to maintain our society, are those who keep themselves well-informed. In an age that grows, flourishes and thrives under the essence of all individuals being both seen and heard, we should keep in mind that a clever populace is one that surrounds themselves with knowledge and worldly awareness. It is not only important for the nation’s custodial adults to keep this in mind, but for the youth of America, and the students of Grosse Pointe South High School. According to a Twitter poll conducted by the Tower Pulse this past weekend, just under 60 percent of students would be willing to sign up to vote in an election when they turn 18, which mirrors the national average, which is close to 58 percent of the nation’s eligible voters as of the 2012 election. This division and neglect is what initiated the intensification of combatant politics that can be viewed as ignorant and ad hominem, for a democracy does not function efficiently on 60 percent. America was cleaved apart and made cynical and belligerent by a generation that had to rediscover and reinvent the political prowess of their parents, grandparents and forefathers, yet they, as we, tried the best with the tool they had. Despite their best efforts, politics since the late 60’s has been laced with the division and unease of that empowered generation, described as growing up in carefree setting, where their worries consisted less of societal obligation and more of the anticipation of Elysian bliss-- a bliss that was never achieved due to a decline in worldly comprehension and a profound ignorance toward

citizens across the globe by such individuals. So we need to educate ourselves to avoid a likened crisis, not just fill the empty space in our the crevices of our cerebrum with what we are taught in the classroom each and every day (though these important factors should, undoubtedly, be taken into account). We need to strike out and seek learning on our own as well, for one should not follow blindly the opinions of the masses that congregate about them like a herd at graze. Learn and become a cosmopolitan citizen-- form your own opinions. This self-education promotes a society filled with bright people who know how to seize the momentum of a civilization that barrels into the future at an astounding rate. Many would see this progress undone-- they are same sorts who either believe that America’s youth should be seen and not heard, or that since their vote is not acknowledged, they should ignore the fervent climate that develops around them (particularly in a political season such as this one, with all of its layered dynamics). We would tell them that we respect their longing for an international youth that lives their juvenescence in tranquility and harmony, but with the torrential disassembly of a chance for serenity wrought by generations prior to our own, that is impossible in nearly every regard. With that said, we would ask you to embrace the post-contemporary era that draws nearer and nearer to our generation’s rise to power and prominence each day by keeping yourself educated, composed and, above all, well and correctly informed.

OUR VIEW// EDITORIAL

GRAPHIC BY GRIFFIN JONES ’18

Bath and body store in village grooms freshman for work world Something That’s Dust, Dylan MY VIEW OLIVIA MLYNAREK’19

As you step into Choices, your nose is overwhelmed by the dozens of different aromas. The lights are

bright and it fills up the store. The walls and several small tables are filled with various soaps, scrubs, lotions, lip balms, bath bombs and creams. Choices, the new small shop on Kercheval between El’s and Blaufenster, opened in the last week of September. The shop likens itself to the cosmetics store LUSH, except right in our own neighborhood. The store specializes in all different types of bath and body products that are great for taking care of skin. Although the store isn't completely finished, it has proven to be popular so far and still has a large abundance of different products that customers can browse and choose from. The employees of Choices are welcoming and add to the overall nice atmosphere of the store. Immediately upon entering the shop, you are greeted by not just a regular employee, but a licensed esthetician, a person who specializes in and has knowledge of beauty. An esthetician can also tell you what type of skin you have and what problems your skin might have, as they were trained to do this. If the customer wants, the esthetician can, in five minutes, make you a custom solution that can help your skin. The licensed estheticians were great features to the store. It wasn’t just a random part-time employee who was looking at my skin, but it was indeed a professional that was examining my face. This was great, because they knew what I could do to help my skin and what I could stop doing. This was helpful to me. My face is the one thing people look at when they see me, so having healthy skin is important to me. That’s what I really liked about Choices, they know that your face is important to you and they take that into consideration when helping you find a product. Besides custom-made solutions for your face and body, Choices also has many different variations of scents that their products can come in. My favorite part was the variety of scents and aromas. There's lavender, lemon, citrus fruit and even some other scents that can help your sniffly nose or cold go away. Personally, my favorite scent was the lavender. It was such a simple, pleasing scent. Although I found out I liked the scent of the lavender, when I was picking out a bath bomb it was hard to choose an aroma. I spent at least five minutes debating which scent I liked better. What makes the Choice experience even better is that all the products are all-natural. Everything is made in Europe with no artificial chemicals that you see in most other facial and beauty products. I can say that one of my biggest problems with find-

ing products like soaps and face lotions and products is that you don’t know how your skin is going react to the chemicals in it. The Food and Drug Administration explains that Parabens are preservatives used mostly in cosmetics and beauty products, and synthetics are chemicals. Choices, everything is made without parabens and synthetics. Every product at Choices is also relatively inexpensive. All of the products are also high in quality and will last longer than most bath and body products do. Every time a customer makes a purchase at Choices, they will receive a rubber duck from the hundreds that fill an entire bathtub at the front of the store. Business has been booming for Choices. The owner explained to me that Choices will offer waxings and facials in the back of the store. There soon will also be a counter where customers will be able to make their own personalized makeup. And finally, the store is planning to install sinks so a customer will be able to test and wash their hands with all the soaps that the store offers. I think that these additions to the store will really make it even better than it already is. Teenagers will be drawn to the store to make their own makeup, young adults and adults alike will be drawn to the store for waxings and facials for special occasions and simply for fun. Overall, all age groups will continue to be drawn to the wonderful soaps and lotions. In a few short months, Choices will be even greater than it has been so far. Choices is going to be a successful business that will be in the village for a long time, and will continue to grow. One thing about Choices is there are truly a great amount of options that you can choose from. I walked away feeling satisfied and that got everything I wanted.

Progressive

LIZ BIGHAM ’18

Congress passes bill in unanimous vote concerning the rights of sexual assault victims

Political

The first presidential town hall debat took place on Sunday at Washington University St. Louis.

Sad

Two Officers Were Shot And Killed In Southern California, Suspect Is In Custody

GOOD CHOICES|Choices in the village has opened and can service all bath products. Choices products are all natural.

NEWSPAPER

the

TOWER

STAFF

INFORMATION COURTESY OF CNN AND BUZZFEED

Associate Editor Jack Holme* ’17 Supervising Editors at Large John Francis* ’18 Liz Bigham* ’18 Supervising Editors Anton Mikolowski * ’17 Rachel Harris*, Riley Lynch*, Ray Hasanaj*, all ’18 Page Editors Claire Hubbell* ’17 Cam Smolen*, Chase Clark*, Elena Rauch*, JD Standish*, Katherine Bird*, Liam Walsh*, all ’18 Claire Koeppen* ’19

Copy Editors Madeleine Glasser*, Lily Kubek*, both ’17 Alyssa Czech*, Sylvia Hodges*, Bianca Pugliesi*, all ’19 Business Managers Cameron Francis* ’17 Asst. Olivia Sheffer* ’17 Photo Editors Lauren Thom* ’18 Phoebe Miriani* ’18 Online Editor-in-Chief Ariana Chengges* ’17 Web Editors Erica Fossee*, Henry Ayrault*, Kathleen Carroll*, all ’19 Multimedia/Social Media Editors Emma Andreasen* ’17 Abigail Due* ’18

MY VIEW Supervising

As you step into Choices your nose is overwhelmed with aromas

Editor-in-Chief Erykah Benson* ’17

and old dudes

Staff Writers

“Not since Woodstock has such a legendary group of artists performed.” “This weekend will showcase some

of the best music of a generation.” “Desert Trip is a celebration of Rock’s survivors.” These are some of the things I heard on the radio as my parents and I traveled through the Santa Rosa Mountains towards Indio, California. This past weekend I attended the first day of the first ever Desert Trip Music Festival at Empire Polo Club, home to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival each spring. The line of the festival consisted of Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones on Friday, Neil Young and Paul Mccartney on Saturday and The Who and Roger Waters on Sunday. Although my dad and I were excited to see the iconic Bob Dylan, we were there mostly for the latter. This was my second Rolling Stones concert and my dad's 31st. My dad believes this was his last chance at seeing them again, so what better way to end than in the California desert? I was thoroughly impressed with the desert. Although it was scorching hot (95 degrees to be exact), the festival was perfect. There was a variety a food vendors, everything was clean and the bathrooms, thankfully, had air conditioning. Also, the crowd consisted of friendly, enthusiastic rock fans of all ages. The audience consisted predominantly of older fans, but I was surprised by the large number of millennials and younger fans like myself. Everyone was here for one sole reason -- to see some of the world's all time best musicians. The sun set, revealing an exquisite view of stars and palm tree shadows behind the stage. Once the sun was fully behind the mountains, Bob Dylan took the stage. Dylan spent most of his set behind his piano, playing a laid back set. I wasn’t familiar with much of his music, besides a few of his hits. The Rolling Stones took the stage around 9:30 p.m. Although I was exhausted by the time change, I managed to gained some energy as they opened with “Start Me Up.” They truly did start the crowd up. With 75,000 people in the crowd, it was tough to see the stage, but thanks to the massive video screens and speakers, I could still see Mick Jagger’s legendary moves as he skipped around the stand and hear every one of Keith Richard’s and Ronnie Wood’s guitar riffs. It was a stunning performance. For two hours, the band played a lot of their hits, but also played some tracks that haven’t been on their setlist for a while, a track from the group’s newly releases blues covers album and a cover of the Beatles's “Come Together.” The Rolling Stones closed out the show with one of their biggest hits, ‘Satisfaction’ ending with fireworks, figuratively and literally. I will never forget that night in the desert. It makes me wonder what artists will be playing at this show 30 years from now. I have no idea. But I can’t wait to come back then, maybe with my own kids, to celebrate more musicians and reminisce on one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

irresponsible or obscene material. “The Tower” is the weekly publication of the Errors Adam Cervone, Charlie Denison, Conner Advanced Journalism classes at Grosse Pointe Factual errors will be corrected on the McQueen, Emma Russell, Gillian Eliot, Jack South High School. It has always been a or in news briefs written upon Froelich, Jack Roma, Mac Welsher, Mary designated public form of student expression. opinion page request and verification. Grace O’Shea, Michael French, Sydney Stann, The Tower is located in room 142 in Thomas Sine and William Muawad, Grosse Pointe South High School. Please Letters all ’17 contact us at 313-432-3649. Letters to the Editor are encouraged and will be screened for libel, irresponsibility Arianna Pagenette, Alex Acker, Blair Cullen, and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit Opinion Pieces Evan Skaff, Evan Theros, Griffin Jones, Ian or shorten letters as long as the meaning is Editorials represent the majority opinion of Dewey, John Schulte, Harper McClellan, unchanged. All letters must be signed and Kaitlin Nemeh, Maren Roeske, Margot Baer, the Editorial Board and are left unsigned. a telephone number for confirmation. Mollie DeBrunner and Piper Eschenburg, Columns represent the opinions of individual include Request to withhold the writer’s name all ’18 staff members and outside contributors. from publication for good reason will be considered. Letters can be sent to the above Allison MacLeod, Amelia Turco, Audrey Editorial Board email address, or dropped off in “The Tower” Whitaker, Caroline Baratta, Donald Room. An asterisk * denotes Editorial Board editors. McGlone, Grace Reyes, Sarah Bellovich, Sarah Stevenson, and Olivia Mlynarekn, all Advertising Professional Associations ’19 Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Display adverising is sold at a rate of $7 per Association, National Scholastic Press column inch, with discounts for large or Association, Quill and Scroll, the Society frequent advertisers. Advertising may not Adviser for Newspaper Design and the Michigan advocate illegal activities or contain libelous, Kaitlin Edgerton Interscholastic Press Association.

NEWS

10.12.16

JOHN FRANCIS ’18 & ANTON MIKOLOWSKI ’17 | Supervising Editors GRAPHICS BY ERYKAH BENSON ‘17

his past Sunday, the two candidates took the debate stage again for their second of three televised meetings. Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton had interesting firestorms impending on them coming into the town hall. The real question is whose firestorm was bigger, and clearly that would be the major blow to the Trump campaign, starting with a leaked video. As for Mrs. Clinton, Wikileaks revealed what they say is just one percent of their obtained information hacked from Clinton campaign files. In 2005, Mr. Trump said very lewd comments regarding his treatment of women and used choice words not usually associated with a presidential campaign. Trump supporters will say he said these things more than a decade ago, long before he thought about the presidential bid. His critics--including the Clinton campaign-- say this is the man who is trying to hold office but cannot seem to speak anything but hate and judgement. This major scandal overtook the spotlight from the vice-presidential debate, where Tim Caine, Clinton’s VP pick, was seen interrupting Gov. Pence over 70 times. This might have come as a shock to some seeing as the interrupter is usually coming from the Trump-Pence ticket. As for Gov. Pence, he showed that there is some principled republicanism in the race this election and that Pence is going to be covering for Trump’s falls for

ith two debates, a video leak and the rest of the election trail. a widening gap in poll numbers The town-hall style debate on Monday proved across the nation, this has been a one thing for Trump, according to the New York consequential week in American politics. Times, that he isn’t going anywhere in terms of During the vice-presidential debate on Oct. dropping out or stepping down from being the 4, running mates Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, of nominee. Clinton pushed to prove that he isn’t fit Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton respectively, to hold office, squared off. while Trump WEEKLY M i k e gave backlash MICHIGAN Pence held a on the email d o m i n ating POLLS scandal, saying presence, and, “The thing that according to you should be Via realclearpolitics.com CNN, gave a apologizing for breath of hope are the 33,000 to the Republican Party. emails that you deleted, and that you acid-washed.” Pence showcased a strong and commanding Trump’s other main offensive points came in facade to contrast his primary ticketeer, unlike critiquing her for being among the political elite Tim Kaine, who proved relatively timid and shaky for nearly 30 years and just now wanting to get her during the first half of the debate. campaign promises done. He did, however, pick up towards the latter half, “It’s just words, folks. It’s just words,” Trump where he addressed hard-hitting questions, such said of her promises for her presidency. as his stance on taxes, political authority, Clinton’s As for the rest of this presidential race, many reputation and civic awareness across the nation. pollsters see a Trump win far from becoming true. He was criticized for his frequent interruptions With the many things he’s said and countless reof the Indiana governor, Mike Pence, and of the publicans running from him-- including Speaker debate moderator Elaine Quijano of CBS. Paul Ryan, who is the highest ranked republican On Friday, Oct. 7, in the cooling phase of the official in the United States government. debate and the preparation for the Presidential Townhall, a video showing a 2005 Donald Trump

TRUMP

37.3

HILLARY

44.3

departing from a tour bus and making lewd comments concerning women and his treatment of them-- infamously saying that he had, in the past, tried to have sex with married women, and that he has engaged in attempts to harass women, sexually, without consent. A vast spectrum of women voters who had planned to cast their ballot for Trump, denied support, giving him a steep drop in the polls. Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, cancelled a Trump rally, as well as other governors and political figures across the nation-- withdrawing support for him, most remarkably, Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, who said he would no longer defend Trump after the comments made. Sunday night’s debate was shrouded in concern about these comments, and Trump apologized for them, but said they were merely fragments of “locker room” banter he said amongst his peers. Clinton stood strong, according to NBC, and held a commanding presence during the town hall, answering many of the questions provided by undecided voters and trying not to stray far from the subject matter. Some have criticized her for her withdrawn stance in response to Trump’s comments about her emails, but other than that, she laid out a wholistic tax plan, discussed environmental, military policy and took on a mild persona.

iPhone 7: improvement or stand still since iPhone 6? Two cameras, better graphics, louder music, new colors, RAY HASANAJ iOS 10, a dif‘18 SUPERVISING EDITOR ferent home button, more storage and improved technical specs, but where did the headphone jack go? I recently bought the new iPhone 7 Plus and, to be honest, not much changed from the six to this one. But one question that remained, stirring in my head while I waited for my phone to come. “How am I going to aux with my new phone?” The headphone jack wasn’t the biggest modification to the new iPhone this year, but it sure made quite a difference in how the phone was perceived by others. Personally, I didn’t really mind that the headphone jack was void in this upgrade, but I know a lot of other people who were really peeved by it.

GRAPHIC BY GRIFFIN JONES ‘17 AND ELENA RAUCH ‘18

MY VIEW

I think that, due to not being able to plug your size as the 6s and 6s Plus, except they weigh a little MacBook Pros a few years ago. headphones in in the same spot this year in addition less. As for design and speed, these aren’t as obvious to the very few changes Apple made, many peoNow, if you want to listen to music off of your as they have been in iPhones’ past. The phone has ple were turned off by this year’s iPhone 7, you can only use Ap- a better display, which can be noticed more easily “newest innovation” in iPhones. ple’s new headphones (Business when playing games or looking at photos/videos, iPhones always get criticized aftactic? I think so) and you plug but as for speed, Apple says it’s faster. But to me, it ter their releases, but for the most I recently bought them into with your charger, doesn’t move any better than my last phone when I part, they’re usually good, which which is somewhat convenient turned it in. the new iPhone because everything goes in the doesn’t give people much to say. The phone contains a Retina HD display with 7 Plus and, to be same place now, but then again, wide color and 3D Touch compared to last year’s This year, things were a little different. I can’t recall any other iPhonest, not much what if you want to listen to mu- phone which didn’t come with the wide color dissic and charge your phone at the play and it has an A10 Fusion Chip with a M10 hone announcement that has been changed from the same time? I guess innovation at motion coprocessor in contrast to last year’s A9 and this big of a deal, and not in a good six to this one. Apple doesn’t include multitask- M9. way, and here’s why. ing. I think Apple over did it a little The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus also come with someApple also provides an adapthis year with their innovation and thing I really enjoy, which is the new stereo speaker RAY HASANAJ ’18 tor that you can plug the old proved that sometimes over-quansystem. It’s two times louder than the 6s, and it’s reSupervising Editor headphones into and then plug ally fun to play music off of. tification is too much. into your phone, but the cord is I was expecting them to do The phones this year also came in two new colsomething cool, maybe an all glass phone with no very small, a pain to drag along with you and can ors The models also started at 32GB and go up to back or something, maybe a thinner phone with a easily be misplaced. 256GB compared to last years starting at 16GB and bigger screen, but no, the phones are the same in Don’t get me wrong though, aside from all the going to 128GB. heavy criticism, I am very content with my Originally, my first choice was jet black, but afnew iPhone. ter hearing that it was backordered until November, Since I got the Plus, an included perk and how according to Apple.com due to how it is is the dual cameras. designed, it “may show fine micro-abrasions with Having both cameras lets the plus use” (another fine line at the bottom of the website), zoom in more than the regular seven I decided just to go with the black, which actually by 2X and still keeps the picture in high looks pretty sweet. Splash, water quality. You can also take photos with Other than the colors, not much changed looksand dust shallow depth of field, which means wise on the phone in the last year. I think iOS 10 resistant that you can take a photo with the back- also complements the phone well, especially the ground blurred out and the focus on the new texting features which are a lot of fun. main part of the photo, or vice versa. At the end of this I find myself asking myself why The new camera also has body detec- do I stay with Apple? I mean, seriously? I just wrote tion and a new Quad-LED True Tone a bunch of complaints about them but here I am still 25 percent Flash compared to the six’s True Tone buying product after product, iPhone after iPhone. Flash, which basically means the flash And that’s where I have to give it to them. Apple brighter on this camera is knows how to self-benefit and screen display better. profit with tremendous success off Something else of everything they do, while keepthat is pretty ining a loyal fanbase. If you read the fine teresting about the Maybe it’s the simplicity and New, two part print on the Apple elegance of their products, or seven is that it’s splash, water and camera adding website, they specif- maybe it just because people want dust resistant. say they have something from optical image ically say that “liquid to I wouldn’t recApple. Whatever it is though, it’s stablization damage not covered working for them. ommend testing this feature out too Now, for the question you’ve by warranty.” much though, bebeen asking yourself this whole cause Apple did time, should you buy this iPhone RAY HASANAJ ’18 3x faster LTE kind of skim the or wait for the next one? My perSupervising Editor details on this and it sonal opinion is if you have a than iPhone turns out Apple has more recent iPhone and it isn’t the lowest level of IP dying on you, I’d stick with it for rating for wetness (IP ratings are lab- one more year. Next year is Apple’s tenth anniveroratory tested results that determine sary for the iPhone and you can expect something how viable something is to intrusions, big. They love their anniversaries over at Apple and in particular water). Also, if you read I can imagine they’d do something bigger than take the fine print on the Apple website, out the headphone jack. Who knows, maybe they they specifically say that “liquid dam- took out the headphone jack this year so by next age not covered by warranty.” year everyone is used to it and the 7s and 7s Plus The new iPhone also has a differ- can be even better. EDITORS NOTE: Days after writing this review, Ray Hasanaj ent home button, which is more similar lost his phone in an Uber. It is now in Nashville, to the force trackpad they released on the tragically Tennessee.

“

INFO FROM APPLE.COM

FEATURE

10.12.16

STANDARDIZED TESTS: helpful or too stressful?

KATHLEEN CARROLL ‘19 | Web Editor hough the value of their results is often up for debate, standardized tests are the yardstick by which high school students’ academic progress is measured and an integral part of the college admissions process. Standardized tests that South students will take throughout their high school career include the PSAT, PLAN (a practice ACT test), SAT, ACT, SAT II (SAT subject test, required or recommended by some universities) and Advanced Placement (AP) tests, according to South’s Counseling Center. Danielle Peck, one of South’s AP Language and Composition teachers, said that standardized test scores can be useful to teachers when planning lessons, allowing them to gauge what to include in their lesson plan that will cover “areas of deficiency” on the previous year’s PSAT and SAT. Peck said aside from that, South teachers rarely let standardized tests get in the way of everyday classroom instruction. “I know what I need students to be able to do, and I think I and other teachers in the department infuse that into our learning,” Peck said. “I’m never directly teaching to something like the SAT.” Nick Bernbeck, a South counselor, said that many students put a lot of pressure on themselves to prepare for the SAT and ACT in the months before their test date by hiring tutors and spending hours reviewing on top of their regular coursework. “Test scores, like the ACT and SAT, are a big part of the college acceptance and application process. But those aren’t the only indicators; there’s other ways to show your intelligence and aptitude, but those are harder for university admissions to quantify,” Bernbeck said. Test scores still play a vital role in determining whether a student will be admitted to many universities. Among them are the University of Michigan, Yale University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University, according to each university’s website. According to Usha Azad ’17, the focus on standardized test far exceeds what it should be. “The pressure is too much on standardized testing,” Azad said. “With the ACT, your one score determines what college you go to. One score should not represent you as a whole.” Bernbeck said test scores may unfairly limit students. Although students may be able to compensate for a low ACT or SAT score with a high grade point average, extracurricular activities and taking rigorous classes, many schools still have a minimum ACT and SAT score for potential applicants to meet. “Do I think that a score you got on a test when you were 16 or 17 should determine a job that you get when you’re 30 or 40? Not necessarily, not at all maybe, but it does impact the path that you start going on when you become a young adult,” Bernbeck said. Peck said that judging students by their test scores makes sense to some extent. It gives admissions officers an idea of what subject areas the student has mastered over the course of their high school career,

15 16 17 18 and it doesn’t take more than five seconds to evaluate them in that respect. “In general, it’s a pretty decent indicator, so I understand why colleges say that, but how can I say that a number really explains everything about a student? I don’t think that’s fair,” Peck said. “I see my students, and I see them focusing on a number and thinking, ‘I have to get this.’ I do think it’s too much.” Peck said there is a more reasonable, less stressful way that some universities are looking into as a way to evaluate students: a portfolio. Peck said it would be useful for high school classrooms as well; teachers could assign students to look through their portfolios and assess what they’ve learned, and what their goals are going forward. “If it were up to me, would I give only a multiple-choice test as a measure of my students’ achievement? I mean, that’s kind of ridiculous, if we’re thinking about how students are reading and responding to text, (and) how students are writing,” Peck said. Some universities have begun “holistic” application processes,

Senior reflects on the most challenging year of high school with the amount of college preparation and standardized testing that is required within that year. For seniors, he simply said to leave. To leave Grosse Pointe with all the lessons South has taught them. ERYKAH BENSON ’17 Throughout the four years of the avEDITOR IN CHIEF erage South student, every year brings its s a senior, I am now almost com- challenges. In a Twitter poll conducted by plete with my arduous hike up the Tower Pulse, 64 said that junior year is the mountain of high school. I the most difficult year of high school. And have acclimated myself to the arguably so. The classes get more difficult, loss in oxygen that comes with the scram- the ACT and SAT become more of a priorble of midterms. Felt the sweat bead on my ity, and you start getting existential crises at face as I scale rocks the size of standardized three in the morning. I don’t know about tests. In the end of each year, I’d rest up, anyone else, but junior year was brutal. But take a breather, sip from my water, and keep it teaches you to juggle. Which is the most climbing toward graduation. important thing to take away from the diffiNow, the peak of the mountain is in culty of any high school year. my sight, and I can’t help but to look back Learn from every year. Look back on your and see the previous year accomplishand see how ment of finmuch you’ve “One piece of advice I’ll give to ishing high grown and any underclassmen is to balance. school, and the mistakes Make sure you’re doing what you’re reflect on you’ve made. interested in and make sure you ever ything The best part I’ve done. reserve time to relax and have fun.” about gradLooking uating each ERYKAH BENSON back makes year is laughEditor in Chief it easy to foring about get that I still how foolish have some more climbing to go. Enduring you were the year before. I’m telling you the trek through the perils of high school right now, my freshmen year was cringebeckons the question: which is the hardest worthy. But it makes for a good laugh. year of high school? For upperclassmen, One piece of advice I’ll give to any unit’s a matter of “been there, done that”. For derclassmen is to balance. Make sure you’re underclassmen, it’s a valid question full of doing what you’re interested in and make uncertainty. sure you reserve time to relax and have fun. This question ran in my head after hear- I know I should be taking my own medicine ing chemistry teacher John Theisen accept- when it comes to relaxation. ed his position as Grand Marshall during In the end, every year in high school is the pep rally this past homecoming week. difficult in their own right, while junior year During his speech, he addressed every sin- is a contender to be among the toughest. gle class at South. For the freshmen, he told Underclassmen need not fear, however. If them it was just the beginning. For sopho- you learn how to balance, schedule and set mores, he told them to get working, to hit goals for yourself, by the time you hit junior the ground running. For juniors, he said year, you’ll be ready to take on mountains. they arguably had the most difficult year,

MY VIEW

GRAPHIC BY JD STANDISH ’18 AND ERYKAH BENSON ’17

where they no longer require students to submit test scores with their college applications, and judge students instead by other materials submitted in their application (mainly their high school grade point average). “I think this process is better because it shows how you’ve done over time, not just one score from one test,” Azad said. According to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, more than 880 schools have stopped requiring the submission of tests scores, and instead are letting students decide whether or not they feel that their test scores fairly portray them as a student. Included in the list are Wesleyan University and Denison University. “I’m thinking about some of the most impressive students that I have had in my career, and I’m thinking back to their ACT score, and their ACT score was good, but it wasn’t perfect, and it doesn’t reflect the fact that I think that student is the most amazing student ever,” Peck said.

College research: What do you use to research colleges?

INFO COMPILED BY MAC WELSHER ’17

MARGARET REILLY ’17

“I usually use College Board ‘search.’ It’s the easiest website to research the colleges I’ve been most interested in, and it gives you a ton of information about each one.”

OLIVER LIVINGSTON ’17

“I use Common App because it makes it really easy to apply, and Naviance to do research on each school.”

COURTNEY MESTDAGH ’17

“I just use College Navigator; it’s really helpful for figuring out the colleges that are right for me.”

KAYLA CONLAN ’17

“Naviance is super easy to use because it shows what schools I can get into with my test scores.”

JACK BROOKS ’17

“I prefer to use Common App because it’s very easy to navigate and it makes applying much easier.”

PETER ULBRICH ’17

“Naviance is my favorite resource for college information, mainly because it compares your test scores to the schools you are considering.”

FEATURE

10.12.16

7&8

st at Breakfa ris , Fer Tiffany’s y Off, Da Bueller’s Titanic

Word P Seaso arty n 2, Th Mr. Pe e a Sherm Body & an S Seaso how n3

Supernaturnal Season 11, Vampire Diaries Season 7

r rro o H l, an ote n 4 c i er y H so Am Stor Sea w ro Ar

5 & 4

Coming this October

Grab some popcorn and check out the variety of new options to watch on Netflix this month.

Bei Cloo ng Geo rge ne esca y, Chap p o Glitc o del sig : el h Se lo, ason 1

Skyl Acade anders my 1, Trai Season ler Pa rk Boys

, Camp Jesus anda 3 Fu P Kung

New On

NETFLIX

GRAPHIC AND INFORMATION COMPILED RAY HASANAJ ’18

FALL FEATURES INFORMATION BY KAITLIN NEMEH ’18

INFERNO

The new Netflix original series that puts a unique spin on 80’s science fiction brought forth by a governmental agency on the outskirts of town-- such occurrences that consist of a little girl shrouded in mystery, “Eleven” (Millie Bobbie Brown), Back in July, Netflix released an origiand her exemplary powers. nal series, “Stranger Things”, a show that The show displays everything a viewwent on to revolutionize the television er should seek in a soon-to-be modern world and blow the minds of an entire masterpiece, from masterful camerawork broad audience across the world. and cinematography to a conglomeration The show focuses on a multi-persona of genres for the ages. It becomes an agperspective encapsulated in a small town glomerate brew of romance, comedy, draenvironment, being besieged by the threat ma, horror and, of course, science fiction. of extradimensional nightmares. It has enough action to The narrative periodically keep viewers on the edge shifts between three friends, of their seats, but it’s not Mike; Dustin and Lucas, tryso laden with unnecesing to find Will Byers (Noah sary displays of HollySchnapp), a middle-school wood action. student who vanished without The sets of the show a trace, due to the aforemenare positively unreal. The tioned supernatural activity filters match the dim tone unbeknownst to the intrepof the narrative, but are id pre-teens. The story also uniquely chromatic when shifts gaze to Will’s mother, they need to match the Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), upbeat tone of a dynamic who personifies paranoia and decade. the prophetic facade of CasThe plot of “Stranger PHOTO COURTESY OF TVTROPES.ORG sandra. Things” might follow the Her other son, Jonathan “John” Byers archetypal hero’s journey, but it introduc(Charlie Heaton), is surrounded by the es many new tropes and takes an original sorrow of his missing brother and the amspin on old cliches. The plot is dark, but bition to find him. He later joins forces it appeals to all audiences and defies agwith Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Mike’s older ism as the main characters are mostly kids sister, who shows the audience the bold ranging from middle to high school. It has archetype of an independent 21st century a storyline that will keep viewers coming woman in a characteristically 80’s setting, back episode after episode and, hopefully, with all of its immersive aesthetic-- from season after season. a brilliant soundtrack to innovative wardUnfortunately, there is one earth shatrobe. tering flaw. At the same time, a grizzled police There are only eight episodes. chief, Hopper (David Harbour), investigates the paranormal happenings being ANTON MIKOLOWSKI & MADELEINE GLASSER, BOTH ‘17 | Supervising Editor & Copy Editor

9.0/10 IMDb 95% Rotten Tomatoes 76% Metacritic

Statistics from IMDb.com, rottentomatoes.com, metacritic.com

Release Date: October 28 2016 Genre: Thriller, Horror Rating: PG-13 Similar to: Angels & Demons (2009), Captain Phillips (2013)

THE ACCOUNTANT Release Date: October 14 2016 Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Rating: R Similar to: Gone Girl (2014), Sicario (2015)

OUIJA 2: ORIGIN OF EVIL

Release Date: October 21 2016 Genre: Thriller, Horror Rating: PG-13 Similar to: Ouija (2014), Oculus (2013)

BLAIR WITCH

Release Date: September 16 2016 Genre: Thriller, Horror Rating: R Stars: (5.5/10)

Release Date: September 16 2016 Genre: Thriller, Horror Rating: R Stars (IMDB): 5.3/10

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Release Date: October 7 2016 Genre: Mystery, Thriller Rating: R Stars (IMDB): 6.8/10

PHOTOS COURTESY OF IMDb.COM

GRAPHIC BY LIAM WALSH ’18

FASHION SPORTS

9.6.16 10.12.16

all

ashion

A peek into this season’s top looks and pieces

PHOTOS BY MIA TURCO ’19

models:

Virginia Cinnamond ’17 Jack Holme ’17 Jerome Manning ’17 Zaria Aikens ’17 Gino Calisi ’18

Mollie DeBrunner ’18 Simon Chen ’18 Muriel Steinke ’18 Ponette Rubio ’18

FEATURE

10.12.16

V LO

ING V

T INCEN

the monumental creation of a stop-motion film based on the enigmatic life of artist Vincent Van Gogh

GRAPHIC BY RIL

CH LYN EY

RILEY LYNCH‘18 | Graphics Manager that made its way around Facebook was viewed over 130 million times was a huge boost for us, A silent figure, shot, clutching his bleeding to see how many people appreciated what we are trying to do. And since the trailer went viral gut, stumbled down the streets of Auver, France we’ve had thousands of people write with words of encouragement, which has made us proud on July 29, 1890. He thought he would die and humbled at the same time to see how many people have inspiration in this somewhat mad unknown by all, but in the modern world, he attempt to paint an entire feature film.” Art teacher Kit Aro is impressed with the film and its use of creative mediums, she said. would be arguably the most famous artist of all “I think this creative approach to filmmaking will inspire the art community to combine time--Vincent Van Gogh. media more, particularly traditional and digital media and 2D and film media,” Aro said. “It is The movie Loving Vincent, directed by really exciting to see oil paint become a medium for a feature length film.” Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, aims to The parts of the film that are live action were combined with computer animation to create capture the moments in Van Gogh’s life leading ’1 animals and other aspects of nature, leading to a film with swirling colors and images akin to up to his mysterious death. However, rather than 8 Van Gogh’s own painting style. using only actors, the majority of the film was created Kristina Rogers ’19 is an advanced art student at in a stop-motion style, using over 1,000 South, tackling both 2D and 3D classes. She said the individual paintings and voices to tell his story. film will help reflect on how inspiring Van Gogh is and “My partner Hugh Welchman often likes to say that will shed light on communications between traditional Loving Vincent is the first--and perhaps last--hand and digital media. painted feature film,” producer Sean Bobbitt said via “I think (the film) is a really good representation of email. “With Loving Vincent, you can see the brush Van Gogh’s work and paintings because of the style,” strokes moving on the big screen, and I think that is Rogers said. “I think it will put more emphasis on his what has garnered so much admiration.” work since he’s considered an old-world artist, and According to Bobbitt, the idea for the film came putting his traditional work in a digital forum will be about when director Dorota Kobiela was at a crossroad KRISTINA ROGERS ‘19 pretty powerful. ” in her life. Bobbitt thinks the film will accomplish its goal and “She had been trained as an artist, but then studied be the first of its kind, and is hopeful for the responses. He said he was determined to help film, and had made her first steps as a filmmaker,” Bobbitt said. “But at the same time, she create the film and is proud of how it has been embraced. missed painting. While she decided which direction she should take she began to read Van “It’s rare to find a project that from the first moment you just believe is going to be something Gogh’s letters to find inspiration and in one of them she came across the sentence, ‘Well, the truly unique and beautiful, ” Bobbitt said. “From the first time I saw the concept trailer I knew truth is, we cannot speak other than by our paintings.’ And then came the ‘eureka’ moment.” that this is something I wanted to help bring to life, no matter how difficult it was going to be. The film took six years of creative development to produce, according to the film’s website. While it wasn’t easy to get off the ground--both from a financing and technical point of view-- it There are 62,450 frames in the film that are individually painted. has been a pleasure and honor to work with so many extremely talented and dedicated artists, Bobbitt said that, naturally, there was a degree of nervousness regarding the film’s reception, all doing their part to bring this collective work of art to life. ” but it was overcome by the care that went into it. The film is set to come out in 2017, individual release dates depending on the region of the “Of course you never know how audiences are going to receive your film and there are world. some nerves as you get closer to completion,” Bobbitt said. “But the fact that the first trailer

I think (the film) is a really good representation of Van Gogh’s work and paintings because of the style.

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SPORTS

10.12.16

GO BLUE: Senior commits to U of M LAUREN THOM ‘18 | Photo Editor The journey to commit to such a high ranked school such as the University of Michigan is no easy task. Alex Hughes ‘17 has dedicated several years of her life to obtaining this goal, and her hard work and determination has paid off, she said. At age nine, Hughes said she began swimming competitively for the Grosse Pointe Park Mutants through the Lakefront Swimming Association. “I was horrible and I cried when I got in the water. I hated swimming,” Hughes said. “And then I started getting really competitive at the age of 13, so I quit dance and decided that swimming was my calling; that’s when I got more serious about it.” Hughes said she has been on various swim teams throughout her life. Including the Mutants, she swam for the Grosse Pointe Gators since she was 11 years old, for the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club in 2009 and for Grosse Pointe South her freshman and sophomore year. According to Hughes, she decided to start swimming because she wasn’t very good at any other sport. She loved the water, and she is happy that she stuck with swimming. Neither of her parents were swimmers, and she said her biggest influence and supporter right now is her Gators Coach, John Fodell. “He’s always been there for me, through the hard times or when I gain time (on an event), he’s always there comforting me,” Hughes said. “He’s one of my number one fans, other than my parents.” Hughes said it’s nice to have such a great role model because it keeps her motivated to swim. She said they have a strong relationship and she considers him part of her family. Fodell said via email that Hughes works as hard as she can. He believes that she embodies one of his favorite quotes that he thinks defines an elite swimmer, “We practice while you sleep, we work while you play, we become champions while you dream,” he said. According to Fodell, Hughes’s work ethic and her desire to learn how to get better are qualities that she possesses that have allowed her to reach this level. Swimming for South pushed Hughes to grow as a person and as a swimmer, having the biggest impact her freshman year, she said. “Gators, especially, has allowed me to succeed an incredible amount,” Hughes said. “I have put so much work into it and it takes a

He’s (Fodell) always been there for me, through the hard time or when i gain time (on an event), he’s always there comforting me. Alex Hughes ’17

lot of dedication.” Hughes said she practices in the morning three times a week at 5:30 a.m. to weight lift or train with her coach. She said she has committed to this routine because she is so passionate about the sport and wants

to do whatever she can to succeed. In Feb. of last year, Hughes went on an unofficial visit to U of M and said she fell in love with the school. “I got to hang out with the (swim) team, meet the coaches, watch the practice and it was just a perfect fit,” Hughes said. “I knew I would be able to succeed there both in and out of the pool; I couldn’t even explain how happy I am to be a Wolverine.” Chris Hughes, Alex’s dad, said the University of Michigan was always one of his daughters top choice schools. “From the beginning of the recruiting process, Michigan was at the top of her list,” Chris said. “They were one of the first colleges to reach out to her and they continued to show a lot of interest throughout the

After touring Ohio State and Virginia Tech on official visits in September, the University of Michigan was Hughes’s last visit. She said she tried to keep an open mind throughout the process. “I knew in the back of my mind that Michigan was always there, I always thought about it,” Hughes said. After all her visits, Hughes said she had a discussion with her par-

I knew in the back of my mind that Michigan was always there, I always thought about it. ALEX HUGHES ’17

ents and coach about what she wanted to do and all the things she wanted in a school. “I literally just made a list, like good practice, good team, really good academically, if they have my major, how I can succeed, what facilities they have for me to succeed in and out of the pool,” Alex said. “Michigan was the perfect fit, it checked all those boxes.” Chris said Alex was extremely happy when she received the call from the University of Michigan. “Her mother and I were sitting outside. She was inside when the call came from Michigan. She came outside with tears in her eyes. They were tears of joy,” Chris said. Fodell said he thinks Alex decided on the University of Michigan because it is a very strong D1 program that is known for swimming and producing swimmers. “It is hard not to choose Michigan when given the option,” Fodell said. According to Chris, swimming has contributed a great deal to the person Alex is today. He said her physical endurance in the pool never ceases to amaze him and all the early morning practices and long hours in the pool have paid off for her. “She has become a very focused, confident and goal oriented person because of swimming,” Hughes said. “It’s very satisfying for me to see how all the hard work she has put into the sport has paid off for her. She has sacrificed a lot of her social life to obtain the | PUPPY LOVE Alex Hughes ’17 poses with her dog. Needgoals she has in the pool.” less to say, these two bleed blue. Alex said that as a student athlete, it is a great opportunity to PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEX HUGHES ’17 be able to learn at the University, as well as utilize the facilities that other students do not have access to. process.” “I’m just really excited to be a part of it (the swim team) because Alex said she always loved U of M because it is a phenomenal it’s just like a different thing,” Hughes said. “In college you’re just a school and she has heard such great things about it. Being only 30 student so I’m really excited to be a student athlete.” minutes away, she said she loves how close to home it is. Chris said he believes the commitment and discipline in swimming “Because I’m an only child, being away from my family is kind of has shown Alex everything she needs to be successful in the future. sad and I want my parents to be able to come see me swim and my “In my eyes, Alex can do anything she wants to,” Hughes said. “I grandparents that live here, so it’s kind of nice that they can literally can’t wait to see where this journey will lead her. It’s going to be a very just drive and come watch me swim,” Hughes said. exciting ride.” Hughes will be joining fellow South graduates on the U of M swim team, including Jacob Montague ‘16, Gabby Deloof ‘14, Catie DeLoof ‘15, and Jackie DeLoof ‘16.

A Q&A WITH THE CAPTIANS...

KELLY GLEASON ’17 | Staff Writer

We asked South’s sports capitains what’s new this year for thier respective teams. SWIM

In the past, we haven’t had shorter Friday practices. We do now, which is nice, and we do a lot more team bonding, which has also helped the team. I hope everyone also (makes) good connections with other teammates this season.

Calyx Turco ’17

VARSITY FOOTBALL We have a very dominant defense this year. We’re (the) best in the conference, well, really (the) best in the history. Other than that, we have a returning quarterback and a lot of returning starters which has helped us.

Patrick Naurert ’17

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

This year we have been doing a lot of bonding off the court [which] has made us stronger on the court. We’re more defense-oriented this year, so we’re working more on serve receiving and passing and blocking, rather than just our hitting. Having the defense and the attacking has been a huge improvement from last year.

Lexi Kohut ’17

CROSS COUNTRY We have had to focus a lot more on our depth rather than having an all star runner, because we lost that. We focus a lot more on depth and that is how we are able to win, which has helped the team a lot.

Kamryn Leonard ’17

NBA 2K17: a slam dunk for sports games everywhere The newest edition to the “2K” video game series, “NBA 2K17”, MICHAEL was released FRENCH ’17 Sept. 20, 2016 Staff Writer and there are many reasons why this game should be at the top of every purchase list. In this year’s game, players can do anything from creating their own team with the famous “Harambe” as a player, to playing with historically known teams such as the 2004 Detroit Pistons. With that being said, the game mode that continues to dominate is the “MyCareer” mode. This year, film director Spike Lee and the 2K crew took it to the next level. In “MyCareer” mode, the player sees videos of what high school was like and the first thing they get to select is where they want to play in college. There are ten different

MY VIEW

schools to choose from: Michigan State, Oklahoma, Olympics, then quickly getting a shoe deal with the Louisville, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Arizona, top brands in basketball, selecting between Nike, Kansas, Connecticut, Illinois and Wake Forest. The Adidas, Jordan, or Under Armour. character only plays What seems to be five games in college getting the most talk and shortly after goes this year was how the pro. writers of the game, The player seems to The question that arises: should people Spike Lee and Aaron get a ton of spotlight, buy ‘NBA 2K17’? No question. NBA is Covington, have but that is one of the Michael B. now known as the top video game year actor things that draws Jordan as a teammate people back to the after year and this tiem around was no of the player in the game mode every year. league. His name is disappointment. The college Justice Young and he addition is one theat is a good friend that MICHAEL FRENCH ‘17 people really seem the player that he to like. Many people spends a lot of time would like to play with on and off the more, but the player court. quickly moves on to the professional league after The game did a great job introducing this the national championship. After college, the player new feature into the game, having a friend on the goes full “Hollywood,” playing for team USA in the team is something people seem to enjoy.

When playing in a game, if Jordan and the player have a streak of nice plays, “Orange Juice” is enabled. Orange Juice lets the player control Jordan’s every move. The player can tell him to set them a pick, go for an alley oop, or to stay on the perimeter. “I really love almost all of the game,” Andrew Vyletel ‘19 said. “There is not a bad game mode and I could play for hours if I didn’t choose to do homework.” The question that arises is: should people buy NBA 2k17? No question. NBA is now known as the top video game year after year, and this time around was no disappointment. The problem with many games is that players can run out of things to do. Madden is a perfect example of this. People buy it year after year, play it for two weeks and never touch it again. With NBA, this problem never seems to occur. NBA has the total package year in and out. It is in store on the Xbox market or players can go to a local gamestop near them to purchase it.