Vol. 1 Issue 3

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theTROYINDEPENDENT THS weighs in on the election

BY SARAH CHMIELEWSKI This year the race is on. Students at Troy High voiced their opinions in The Troy Independent’s survey, which asked “Who has your vote for the upcoming presidential election?”

Out of 70 responses, below is the breakdown of Troy High’s opinion on who should be the next President of the United States of America.

•Obama received 43% of the votes .

•Romney came in second receiving 37% of the votes.

•20% remained undecided.

For more election coverage, see page three.

thetroyindependent.org

November 1, 2012

College application deadlines approach

Channel 4 comes to Troy High Troy High featured on Channel 4 News’ ‘Friday Football Frenzy’

BY PETER HAO

ELISE JOHANSSON

Vol. 1 Issue 3

Nearly 1,000 students attended the Pep Assembly held at 5 a.m. Oct. 12. For more coverage, see page 2.

support for cancer Silly and scary combine Students show ed with pink lights to show pink for their family and ANNIE CHEN support, and professional friends affected by any types at the 2012 Spooktacular BYHer family was at Cedar football players picked out of cancer.

The clock hits 12 on Halloween, and all the creatures of the night come out to feast on flesh, accompanied by the orchestra, of course.

The annual Troy High Orchestra’s Halloween concert, The Spooktacular, was bigger and better this year with two shows.

ILLUSTRATION BY EDWARD PACIOREK

Tickets were sold for $5, nearly selling out before the concert.

In previous years the auditorium was full, but this year, the orchestra added something new: a midnight concert alongside the regular performance for families and children.

The performers were just as excited for the concert as the audience, as the skits take around a month to prepare, building up hype rapid-

INDEX

feature.....page 2

ly. Students write skits and each Orchestra picks their favorite. Edits are made, music is selected to go along, and after rehearsal and memorization, the performance is ready.

“I am very excited this year, because we are adding the Midnight Spooktacular,” orchestra director and conductor Alan MacNair said. “The skits have been going well so far, and I think they are some of the funniest we have ever had.”

The first Spooktacular concert was at 7 p.m. on the Oct. 24. The midnight spooktacular was on Oct. 26, starting at 10:30.

“It was supposed to be scary, but it was actually really fun and happy,” concert violinist Daphne Samuel, sophomore, said. “I really enjoyed performing and watching the other skits.”

DVD copies can be bought at the Orchestra Association of Troy High’s website (www.troyhighorchestra.org) for only $5. The money will go towards funding the orchestra’s concerts and trips.

sports.........page 6 opinion.......page 8

Point the day before he was admitted to the hospital. Junior Taylor Curtis did not believe it when she found out her dad was diagnosed with leukemia. She thought he was pranking her. It was too unpredictable.

Cancer: it’s not an easy word to say. It comes in all different types and sizes and affects adults as well as in children.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The White House was illuminat-

their special pink socks and cleats to also show support.

Students at Troy High took action to raise awareness for breast cancer as well. On Oct. 10, Student Government asked Troy High students to wear pink for a spirit day.

ClubMed raised around $200 that went to the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute.

But, to some students, wearing pink was not simply to support the men and women being affected by breast cancer. They wore

Many football players opted to wear pink to promote awareness during games.

Senior Juwuan Jackson wore pink UnderArmour and cleats for his uncle currently struggling with cancer. Junior Damian Howard-Doney wore pink in dedication to his cousin’s best friend who passed away at only 5 years old.

“I know that a lot of people suffer from it, like family members,” Howard-

See Cancer, page 5

Troy Theatre Ensemble Presents ‘Harvey’

COURTESY OF RICK BODICK

BY TOMMY ROWBAL

From left, senior Jason LaCombe, senior Kelly Niemiec, senior Kevin Miller, senior Charia MacDonald, sophomore Meg Brokenshire, senior Maggie Steele and senior James Hendrickon star in “Harvey,” opening Nov. 1.

BY AUJENEE HIRSCH AND ANNIE CHEN Meet Harvey, a six-foot tall rabbit. He always wears a hat and a polka-dotted bow tie and only one man can see him.

“Harvey” is the Troy Theatre Ensemble’s fall play.

The play is set in the 1940s.

Only one man named Elwood P. Dowd can see Har-

vey. Everyone in town thinks he’s crazy. But as his sister Veta Simmons, and Veta’s daughter, Myrtle Mae attempt to put him in an asylum, things go wrong.

“It’s a wonderful comedy, fun, something that people will enjoy,” said Rick Bodick, director.

Actors and actresses tried to balance their school work

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with their practices. Eric Cheng, one of the two freshmen cast, did his homework whenever possible during rehearsals.

“Whenever I have downtime during rehearsal all I’m doing is homework, homework, homework,” said Cheng.

“It’s crazy balancing my

See Harvey, page 5

Fall is back. Outside of football games, the changing color of leaves and apple cider, autumn is the season of college applications.

Seniors have three major tasks to accomplish: maintain their grades, get accepted into college or find another post-secondary vocation, and graduate. While there are varying application deadlines depending on the college, the first one that draws attention is the Nov. 1 early application deadline.

Early applications are used primarily to receive an advanced decision. If submitted on or before the Nov. 1 deadline, applications are reviewed throughout November and early December.

Colleges usually give a decision by mid-December.

The early application decision is one of acceptance, deferral, or rejection. Deferral means reevaluating the application with the normal decision applications, which is different as it can be an acceptance, a likely-letter, a wait-list, or a rejection. Likely-letters mean probable acceptance whereas a wait-list means waiting for admitted students to possibly decline enrollment.

There are two types of early applications: early action (EA) and early decision (ED).

The difference between these two is important, early decision is binding if admitted. This means the admitted student must attend the school. Of course this isn’t an appealing prospect to most.

However, students, like Xinrui Yang, senior, have their eyes set on a dream school.

“I’ve wanted to attend Columbia University for a long time,” Yang said. “If given the opportunity, I would most definitely go. So it is purely beneficial for me to find out and commit early.”

Also, since early decision is binding, early applicants are usually given priority and have a higher acceptance rate than normal applicants.

One major drawback of a binding decision is that admitted students are forced to attend without advance knowledge of whether or not they can afford the tuition, room and board. Tuition costs make some students especially wary of early decision schools.

“I’m applying to Case Western, University of Michigan and University of Chicago early action,” senior Maggie Steele said. “[Case Western and University of Michigan]

See College, page 5

Got a news tip? Want to share your thoughts on our stories or issues effecting Troy High students and staff?

Shoot up an email to troynewspaper@gmail.com

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Dalton Shoan: from gymnast to cheerleader

Features

Page 2

Freshman Dalton Shoan is Troy High’s first male cheerleader in 57 years.

Shoan started in gymnastics, but two years ago he lost interest in gymnastics and switched to cheerleading.

“One small decision can change your life forever,” Shoan said.

The team has been very supportive of him.

“He lifts everyone’s spirits,” freshman cheerleader Lauryn-Taylor Johnson said. “I don’t know what we would do without him.”

His fellow cheerleaders said he is very energetic and encouraging.

In the football season he participates in everything they do. He is held to the same standards and he works just as hard. He takes part in the stunts, jumps, cheers and tumbling.

Shoan is the only male cheerleader at Troy High but that doesn’t mean he is alone. He has the love and support from the whole team. “[The coaches] are lucky to have such a dedicated, committed athlete in our program.” varsity cheerleading coach Andrea Korzeniowski said.

Since there has not been a male cheerleader in recent years there is not a uniform for him to wear.

Shoan wears solid black athletic pants and a black t-shirt. Although he is the first male in the Troy High program, Korzeniowski has coached males before in different programs.

Principal Mark Dziatczak has coached cheerleading before and worked at college camps.

In 1957, male cheerleaders were used to lift the girl cheerleaders in stunts. They played other sports like basketball or soccer. Cheerleading back then was very different from today. The cheerleaders ran the pep assembly and cheered at the football and basketball games.

There was no competitive season back then.

During the winter competitive season Shoan cannot compete with the team but he will do sideline cheer at the basketball games. Shoan hopes to continue cheering in college.

ELISE JOHANSSEN

BY ANNA LARSON

JV cheerleader Dalton Shoan, freshman, holds the microphone for traffic reporter Ashlee Baracy. Baracy reported on traffic and weather while at THS for the pep assembly.

Friday Football Frenzy comes to THS

BY CAROLYN GEARIG AND SARAH REGAN A strange sight was to be seen at 5 a.m. Oct. 12: cars pouring into the student parking lot, a mechanical bull in the gym and Channel 4 News vans outside.

It was Friday Football Frenzy at THS. Friday Football Frenzy airs on the morning news every Friday during football season. Channel 4 plays a pep assembly on the morning news, held at the winning school of the week. THS students and staff members voted in an online poll over 400,000 times to bring a Troy victory over for other schools. The assembly focused on the Troy versus Athens game that night.

Student Government played the largest role in the Pep Assembly, planning before the poll even opened on Oct. 6.

“We found out that Channel 4 had contacted us about being in the running for Game of the Week during the week of Homecoming, but we turned it down due to the crazy schedule that week,” said Student Government adviser Ryan Werenka. “We

were intrigued about doing it, so we started contacting them via Twitter the week before. They called us Oct. 4 to see if we wanted to be included for the Oct. 12 Game of the Week and we said yes.”

Student Government members began spreading the word via Twitter.

“Once we found out we were on the ballot, many Student Government members and I tweeted nonstop to get the word out to other Troy High students,” said Student Government president Jessica Moore, junior.

Moore said there was a point Oct. 7 where second place Woodhaven came close to Troy’s votes, although final tallies found Woodhaven with fewer than 20% of Troy’s votes.

“We didn’t want to let them win!” Moore said. “So we just kept using social networking to get the word out.

That was our main campaign strategy.”

Varsity quarterback Justin Losey, senior, tweeted so much throughout the week that Student Government presented him with a gold football at the pep assembly.

Student Government tweeted Oct. 7 that at 100,000 votes, Losey would earn a “gold record. Spray painted, but gold nonetheless.”

Thursday, Oct. 11, I knew we would be hosting it on Sunday evening,” said Werenka.

“I had researched the number of votes in a typical week and looked at the typical margin of victory and established daily goals. When we broke 100,000 votes

by Sunday evening, I knew it would be next to impossible for any other games to catch us.”

On the days leading up to pep assembly, Student Government played a key role in planning and organizing the event. Along with planning pep assembly, Student Government also organized the Beat Athens spirit week and the powder puff game.

“It was a little hectic planning everything in less than a week!” Moore said. “To plan and execute it in so little time, we had meetings almost every day either before or after school to help plan the assembly as well as to accomplish the tasks going on that week as well.”

Student Government spent over $2,000 on the pep assembly.

“We started ordering supplies for the Pep Rally on Sunday evening and already

“I can’t pick out my favorite part.

There were just so many people participating. It was great to be a Troy Colt that day.”

Varsity football coach Gary Griffith Losey said he voted hundreds of times himself.

“I wanted to get [students] here and have the school really involved with football publicity,” he said.

Troy High indeed broke 100,000 votes Oct. 7.

“Although we didn’t officially know we would be hosting the Pep Rally until

had a rough schedule drawn up,” Werenka said.

Student Government purchased thunder sticks, vuvuzelas, gift card prizes, rented the mechanical bull and bought breakfast.

“It sounds like a lot, but it cost a little less than $2 per person that attended,” Werenka said.

Nearly 1,000 students attended.

“It was early,” junior Megan Kelly said. “But it was a good experience to be there and I think it was worth it because it was really fun.”

However, some students decided not to go. “(It was) too early.” Freshman Charlie Douglas said.

While varsity Coach Gary Griffith liked the participation he thought that once game time came, students were tired out.

“I think once they got to the game it didn’t have much impact,” he said. “It was just an awfully long day. In retrospect, I think the kids kind of got worn-out.”

Griffith enjoyed the pep assembly, though.

“I can’t pick out my favorite part,” he said. “There were just so many people participating. It was great to be a Troy Colt that day.”

So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Troy native comes to Dance Team Practice

Dancing his way into the spotlight, Troy native Will Thomas, 19, wowed the nation as a top 20 competitor on So You Think You Can Dance. From contemporary to jazz, hip-hop to ballet, Will Thomas knows how to move.

Loved by the judges and audience alike, he has made an impression on America.

Thomas started dancing around age 12. His mom was a cheerleading coach and used to drag him along to practices, eventually signing him up for dance classes.

“I was the class clown in school, and I struggled with putting that energy in a positive outlet.

Once I started dancing, it helped me mature,” Thomas said.

Dancing seems to have helped as he has represented Michigan on national television.

Troy High Varsity Dance team had the incredible experience of dancing with Thomas on the first day of dance team auditions. Thomas dances with partner Amelia Lowe on So You Think You Can “I have a surprise Dance. He finished in the top 8.

FOX

BY ERIN TEPATTI

guest coming for you!” dance coach Amy Barnhart. said “I’m sure you’ll all know him, or at least most of you will.”

Once Thomas walked in, everyone put in more effort.

Turns were faster, jumps were higher, and auditionees were on edge.

“I was so nervous to dance in front of him,” freshman Christina Crane said. “But

I wanted to impress him.”

Thomas was the ideal person to have at auditions.

His friendly personality put the girls at ease, while his experience and prominence in the dance community excited the team.

Although Thomas denies that he’s famous, he does admit that he’s become well-known.

“My goal isn’t to end up on TMZ. That’s not what I want to do with my life,” Thomas said. “I want to take advantage of this and do something positive—change the world! I’m so blessed.”

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WHITEHOUSE.GOV

MITTROMNEY.COM

Election 2012

President Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden

Governor Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan

Obama or Romney, Democrat or Republican: students share views

Like the Olympics and Leap Day, the Presidential election only comes around once every four years. Most THS students are not of voting age, but that does not stop them from weighing in between incumbent President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.

BY SONALEE JOSHI

KATHERINE MAHER

“I’ve been following the election since the beginning of last year, when Republican candidates started getting their names out there,” junior Sandhya Medapuram said. “And since the state of the economy had really started to worry me.”

Despite her young age, 16, Medapuram expressed the concern of many Americans who are not pleased with the economic climate under President Obama. Since President Obama took office in 2008, the national debt ceiling has risen to over $16 trillion and the unemployment rate is holding above 8%. However, other students still maintain their loyalty to the President, such as Ellen Yang, sophomore.

“President Obama has had quite a productive presiden-

cy,” said Yang.

“The reason why things aren’t changing ‘quickly’ enough is because he can’t undo all of the prior damage in just four years,” said Yang in response to the Republican criticism.

“Many people are frustrated with Obama because up until now the economy hasn’t been fixed yet,” senior and newly registered voter Brian Wu said. “I think people just need to calm down and give him another chance, because it is not easy fixing the economy and people that don’t have the patience are mad because they don’t understand the degree of stress a president has in order to fix the economy.”

Former THS student and eligible voter Zack Schenk explained his perspective of

the election from a foreign standpoint.

“I’m living in Israel during an election year, where the Iranian threat against Israel has been increased greatly,” he said. “I am able to cast an absentee ballot for all the Michigan and U.S. public elections.

“The biggest issue for me in this election is the candidates’ foreign policy, particularly that revolving around Israel and the reaction to the Iranian threat,” he said. “I feel that both candidates are neck and neck because while they both have their own strong suits, Obama’s foreign policy experience and the lowering of national unemployment against Romney’s pledges to greatly reduce government.”

One topic students agreed

on across the board was the importance of young voters in elections.

“We are the ones most permanently affected by these decisions, and as such we will vote the least selfishly.,” senior Karthik Mohanarangan, “Everyone from the baby boomer generation to the generation before ours has not known hardship the way the other generations have. We have, we have common sense that others, who have not known hardship, do not have.”

With any generation, there is some influence of elders or parents on one’s political affiliations. Some students were affected directly by the political views of their parents, while others were more impacted by how their families were affected by the

action to controversial homophobic comments made

by Mayor Daniels last year or her denial of grant money to build a transit center.

“No one action of the Mayor in isolation would have warranted a recall,” said Sue Martin, a politiWith the election on Nov. 6, both sides of the recall effort can be seen on signs all over Troy. cally active Troy citizen and mother. “Rather it is the The pro-recall party collected 8,882 signatures for the recall to be on the ballot. collective sum of her poor City Elections behavior that warrants it.”

Whether in support of the recall or not, most of people don’t know what happens after the election.

“The Mayor Pro Tem will be sworn in at the next meeting,” Troy city council8,800 valid signatures and but does anyone really know

BY KATHERINE man Dave Henderson said. signs in support of the re- what happens after the elecMAHER “Rules of Procedure for call can be seen in yards all tion on Nov. 6? council also allow for the The recall election was The effort to recall Janice over Troy. Citizens are ready nomination of a new Mayor Daniels collected more than to vote in the recall election, thought to have started in re-

TO RECALL OR NOT TO RECALL:

Mayor Janice Daniels

The THS MSA

BY IN CHAN LEE

The Muslim Students Association is a club consisting of Muslim students that meet with the goal of providing weekly prayer services, reaching out to the broader Troy High community, and promoting tolerance and understanding of Islam. Their activities include presentations in every World History class.

During the World History class’s unit on Islam, two students from MSA, one boy and girl, go to each class present about Islam and answer any questions that the students may have about the Islamic faith. These questions vary

from questions about how to pray and the month of Ramadan to more personal ones such as living in a minority environment.

“I really enjoy the experience, and it is always enlightening to learn the perspectives of other Troy High students,” MSA vice president Saim Raza, junior, said.

“One of my favorite questions is about my hijab,” MSA co-president Annie Sherwani, senior, said. “People have this misconception about it being forced, but in reality, it’s my personal choice. Nobody in my family wears it, not even my mother.”

“It’s crazy to see the expressions on some people

because a lot of people think that Islam is this strict religion,” Sherwani said. “By the end they have these expressions on their face that are like ‘wow, they’re real people too!’”

After 9/11, the amount of anti-Muslim sentiment grew tremendously and remains today. With presentations like these, the MSA promotes understanding of their faith and what it truly is to replace much of the hate that has existed after such events, to replace popular misconceptions with understanding.

“The goal of the presentations is to promote a true understanding of Islam,” Raza said, “especially during these turbulent times.”

actions of different parties.

“My parents are immigrants who have become naturalized citizens after [over 20] years in the States, “ said Medapuram. “They have always held liberal [views on] social policies about abortion and gay marriage.

“But as inflation, interests and taxes started rising, they were discouraged by the Democratic Party’s lack of response. They paid 40% of their income to the government this year just to learn that Obama would be using American taxpayer money to fund failing social and experimental programs. Being surrounded in this atmosphere, I began to question our government in the same way,” Medapuram said.

On the other hand, Mohanarangan expressed a difPro Tem at the same meeting, so a specific individual is unclear at this time. The acting Mayor will only serve a maximum 30 days until we appoint a replacement which will serve until the next election [Nov. 2013]. If one cannot be appointed in 30 days, the Governor can step in and appoint one.”

No matter what the recall outcome is, it has already affected the city of Troy.

“One nice result of the recall process so far is that more and more residents have become engaged,” Martin said. “I think the electorate will begin/continue to pay very close attention to what the Mayor and Council will do from here on out.”

ference of opinions from his father’s. “My dad is slowly becoming more conservative.

It scares me,” said Mohanarangan, a declared liberal.

Another influence on voters of all ages is the media coverage of the campaigns.

Wu expressed a lack of faith in the promises of either candidate.

“I watch [the campaign coverage] sometimes, but sometimes I feel like they are just putting random facts into their speeches and giving promises that probably won’t be kept,” Wu said.

While the current Reuters polls show Obama in the lead by only a few points, a poll of THS students showed a different story. 50% of students said they would vote for Obama while 37% supported Romney.

Although she can’t vote in the upcoming recall election, Troy High senior Sabrina Lee has her own opinions on Mayor Janice Daniels.

“I strongly feel that she’s unfit to be mayor,” Lee said.

“Her homophobic comments were unacceptable for a person in her position and she refused to take accountability for her actions.”

On Nov. 6, Troy citizens will be lining up at the voting booths. Not only are they voting for Mayor Janice Daniels, but they are voting to change the city of Troy. Only every so often does something occur that unites a city, whether it’s for the same side or not. The people of Troy are the deciding vote on Troy’s future.

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BRIAN CONROY

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The band performs the finale of “A Whole New World” on the Troy High football field. The final halftime show was Oct. 12.

TCMB takes THS on a Magic Carpet Ride

BY MARISSA CECCATO The stadium lights shine bright as the football team exits, and the band marches onto the field. With hot cocoa in hand, fans await the Troy Colts Marching Band halftime show.

This year’s marching season started early, with band camp in August. Here the 178 band members started learning the 2012 show.

The 2012 TCMB show was Arabian-themed, entitled Magic Carpet Ride. The show included six different songs: “Arabesque”, “Magic Carpet Ride”, “Free Ride”, “Arabian Dance”, “Bacchanal” and “A Whole New World.” All included flags and dances by the Color Guard and unique and elaborate formations by the band as a whole.

“Each year I choose a theme, usually inspired by one song to build a show around,” director Brian Nutting said “This year’s show was modeled around a song that the symphonic band had played

Students take Erebus

last year in an indoor setting, and that I arranged it for the marching band, and built the rest of the show around it.”

The new and dynamic theme brought many possibilities for the band as a whole, with new music and uniforms. The drum line members wore solid black uniforms, and the rest of the band received grey uniforms. The color guard received new costumes, flags and props as well.

“I thought the theme was very good, especially for the color guard, because our costumes and flags were beautiful this year. We had the harem look,” senior Color Guard captain Dorothy Chen said. “The music was very powerful too.”

Every year brings new challenges, especially for captains.

“It is a really rewarding experience,” Chen said. “You (basically) teach these girls how to do color guard. It’s very rewarding to see the team grow, and knowing

ent parts stood out to different people. For some it was the people; for others, it was the anticipation.

“They came out at you—out of nowhere—and they were

BY KATHERINE relentless too,” sophomore MAHER, ALEX Rachel Cooper said. “You’d ROETTENBERGER AND be like ‘Stop it, please stop’, KATIE but then they’d come closer SCHLAFHAUSER to you.”

Haunted houses can bring “It was like I was in a horror to mind mental images of movie. [It was] super scary,” cheap backyard produc- freshman Rishane Oak said. tions. Erebus is exactly the “It’s the anopposite; at four stories, this ticipation I haunted attraction in Ponti- think,” senior ac is one of the longest walk- D.J. Myers said. through haunted attractions “You know in the world. According to something’s gomany of the student thrill ing to happen, seekers at Troy High, it was like right away.” terrifying.

There were “I thought I was going to also those who weren’t as be really scared,” sophomore fazed by Erebus as others.

Maylyn Wu said.

“I thought it would be reAlthough no one cried, ally, really, really scary, and some odd things did occur to it was in the moment, but the students at Erebus. [looking back] it wasn’t “I [got] a bruise on my that scary; we just made a arm,” Wu said. “Everyone big deal out of it,” sophowas running around and more Tiffany Chen said. running into things.”

“It wasn’t that scary,” StibiAnother sophomore, Kat ch said.

Stibich, lost her shoe while Not everyone was new going through the haunted to the experience of Erebus. house.

Junior Allie Cianciolo had There were a range of re- been there last year. “I wasn’t actions to Erebus, and differ- completely freaked out, be-

that you had a role in that.”

It was the flags that caught the audience’s attention, though.

“I really liked our opening flags,” Chen said. “They were purple with huge silks, with gold accents.

And our ending flag was a rainbow swing flag, and with the stadium lights they glowed and shimmered.”

Another subgroup within the band is the TC drum line.

With 17 members, five new, they had a lot to live up to.

“This year we started pretty early, and we got into all the exercises pretty early and auditions were finished pretty early too,” senior Brian Wu said. “And we had a really long year for us to practice and we had a pretty good schedule too.”

Starting early could only help them because of the ten more routines than before.

“Mr. Nutting stepped it up, and made more [routines] for us to learn,” Wu said. “We learned it all at band camp pretty fast.”

cause it was the exact same thing as last year, so I pretty much knew what was coming,” Cianciolo said.

The price to get in was almost as steep as the 4-story haunted house. Some students enjoyed the experience, but wouldn’t go again because of the $28 admission.

“I might rather go to a haunted house that’s a little less expensive, even if it’s a little less scary,” Myers said.

“It was not worth the $28,” Cianciolo said. “It should be cheaper, or they should make it scarier if they wanted to make it 28 bucks worth.”

One student, sophomore Jacob Jaisinghani, got a better deal than most. “We waited for about an hour, and the guy came out and said,” sorry for the wait, you’re going to have to wait a little longer, but how ‘bout if I just make the tickets 5 bucks each’,” Jaisinghani said.

To some students, one of the tallest haunted houses in the United States is worth the price, but to others, it is a fun one-time deal.

Drum line left off with quite a bang, with the drum-off against Athens.

“I was surprised,” Wu said.

“This year was actually really good compared to the last two years we’ve had drum offs with Athens. This year was one of the best. There aren’t really any winners.

Both sides are winners.”

The main attraction, though, is the band as a whole.

Nutting believed that this year one of the best years Troy High has ever seen.

“It was a little bit different than other shows we’ve done,” he said. “A bit more sophisticated and a little more profound than some of the lighter shows we’ve done, and the kids executed it in next to perfection, with energy and enthusiasm and marching excellence.”

For freshman Ben Gregory, this year was a grand new experience.

“Because I haven’t been with the past shows, I don’t how it all compares, but it’s been a lot of fun,” he said.

A ghost in the audorium

BY LIZA BURAKOVA

An “OoOoOo” sound accompanied by flickering lights and a sudden drop in temperature usually signals the presence of a ghost.

Ghosts lurking in the theatre are no different. There is suspicion that a ghost haunts the THS auditorium.

“I don’t know where [the ghost in the auditorium] came from” Rick Bodick, TTE director, said.

“We used to have a God of the Flylines, and he sort of morphed into a ghost.”

The ghost was known as the God of the Flylines when he was said to only haunt the flylines, a series of ropes over the stage that contain lights and move set pieces.

Ghost lights are lights left on stage to prevent a theatre from going completely dark.

“Ghost lights were created specifically because of these ghosts,” Bodick said.

Some people may claim that the lights are for practicality, since complete darkness

“It’s been a new experience that I’ve really enjoyed, and I’m looking forward to more shows in the future.”

Gregory also had a duet with junior Mark Mathis.

“It was nice,” Gregory said. “He helped me a lot.

We got better together. It was fun to [play] with him.”

The most honored part of the band, though, is being a drum major, the leader and conductor of the band. Senior Melissa Monblatt got to experience this for two years.

“I love it,” Monblatt said “It can be hard at times, but it’s the most rewarding position in the band.”

This year she got to train senior, Alex Farrar, who was co-drum major.

“Last year I was the younger one learning,” she said.

“And this year I was teaching so I was head drum major. I mean there was more pressure on me, but I knew what I was doing, so it was easier, I had more fun with it.”

This year, as is every year, was hard for the seniors.

could lead to falling into the orchestra pit or tripping over a set piece, Bodick said their main purpose is to keep the ghosts from causing trouble.

“I’ll come in, and there will be lights on, but everything on the light board is turned off,” tech director Gino Minchella said.

Playing with lights seems to be the ghost’s favorite activity, since many complaints about the ghosts are related to flickering lights or random lights turning on.

“Last year, Gino would tell me to turn off the lights [before first hour] because a lot of clubs that meet in the auditorium in the morning don’t know how,” said senior Greg Hodorek, who is in charge of theatre lights.

“Sometimes the lights would already be off, even though I’d be certain that whoever runs that specific club wasn’t asked to turn them off. It’s as though he’s looking out for us, since changing light bulbs can be a pain.”

Not many people would agree that he’s looking out for anyone, though.

“When we had the God of the Flylines, he would mess with the weighting, or lower a row of lights just

Many seniors got a little emotional at the last home game, and for good reason.

“It’s very bittersweet,” said Chen, “because I feel like of course I’m sad to leave the organization, who I’ve pretty much grown up with through high school, but at the same time I understand it’s my time to leave.”

“Going to invitationals and competitions for band really helped me realize how fortunate I am to have this band,” Wu said.

Overall, this year was highly successful for the TCMB, with their performances rightfully peaking at their MSBOA show here at Troy High. Everyone in the band, no matter how long they have been here, was happy at the end.

“I really just love being with everyone,” sophomore Julia Tu, on drum line, said. “You’re together so much to the point that it’s like a family. They’re the closest friends I have.”

enough to mess up how the lighting looked,” Bodick said.

Messing with the weighting of the flylines can make it difficult to lift or lower set pieces, since the piece can become heavy with bad weighting.

For the most part, the ghost creates noticeable annoyances, like messing with the flylines or turning off microphones.

Although he takes notice to special people and terrorizes them more than others.

“I was by myself in the auditorium and I was attempting to turn on the light board and everything was turning on and off and I got really scared so I ran outside,” junior Bailey Craig said. “I walked back inside when there were people and everything worked fine. I felt like I was going crazy or something.

Another time I was painting a chair and there were a lot of banging noises and footsteps, except I was the only in the auditorium. It was very scary.”

Whether he’s helping or hurting, there’s no denying that he exists. The ghost has become an unofficial member of the theatre family who puts up with him because calling Ghostbusters is expensive.

Next time you think you’re alone in the auditorium, you might not be.

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org From Cancer, page 1

Doney said. “I wear pink to support them, to support other people, just because everyone knows someone who has cancer.”

Raising awareness and supporting the causes for cancer is effective. After juniors Noelle and Jon Harrity’s dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, their older brother held a fundraiser and raised $8,000.

Junior Belicia Tan’s mother survived cancer.

“I don’t really think we will find a cure for cancer any time soon,” she said.

“But I think the support people give in donating and just doing the events shows that they care for other people and that they’re sympathetic.”

One way support and kindness to the Tan and Curtis families was shown in a way other than donations. Family friends helped Tan and her sister Joanne, a freshman, cook food. A group of mothers cooked dinner for the Curtis family every other night.

“They would cook for us, so my mom wouldn’t have to be making meals,” said Curtis. “We would just have leftovers the next day and a new family would bring over their favorite recipe. That’s how my mom made a lot of friends. It’s a really good community.”

Cancer brought changes and a new meaning to everyone who was affected. The death of the Harrity’s father brought their family closer and taught them to cherish every moment.

When Tan’s mother survived cancer, Tan gained more faith in her religion. Curtis realized that cancer requires a great amount of patience and time.

Cancer is unpredictable. It can suddenly grow back or it can vanish completely. It’s always changing. However, the compassion the community and Troy High students show is not like cancer. It does not change.

From College, page 1

have great programs for my interest in physics. University of Chicago also has great programs, and I like the atmosphere of the school. But it’s very expensive.”

Outside of getting accepted into the school, affordability is probably the largest concern when considering which school to attend.

For this reason, many private schools have decided to adopt need-blind applications and increase their financial aid funding to attract the best students based on merit and not wealth. Harvard College, for example, has grant-based financial aid. Drawing from $32 billion in endowment, Harvard offers full tuition, room and board to all students with a family income below $65,000. With a family income below $150,000, students are expected to cover only 10% of their family income in tuition. Other schools have similar financial aid programs to account for economic disparity between students.

Tuition and education aside, there is another major factor when considering colleges: campus life.

“I applied early action to UNC [University of North Carolina],” senior Nico Adamski said. “It’s got beautiful girls, beautiful weather; it’s just beautiful out there.

I get my decision around Christmas and I’ll have more time to consider if I really want to go there. I can just imagine myself on a porch there, whistling Dixie on a hot November day.”

From Harvey, page 1

other activities with the play,” said junior Nicole Niemiec, who is Student Government treasurer.

Senior Kevin Miller has to adapt to his lead role as Elwood.

“It’s weird talking to nothing but air since Harvey is invisible,” said Miller. “I have to mark up my script knowing when he’s there or not.”

Senior Charia McDonald played Veta, a supporting role.

“Knowing all of my lines

Page 5

Students, staff weigh in on PDA

BY AMANDA MCCAFFERTY AND MARCEY SHEHATA It is a common sight during passing time to see the average student embracing another. This frequent occurrence is called Public Display of Affection, PDA for short. Is PDA a problem at Troy High?

Senior Raneem Alayoubi said PDA is “disrespectful and disgusting.” When asked how PDA could be enforced, she recommended making a video on the announcements to educate others on the views of other students.

She even stated that she calls other students out on PDA. “I don’t joke around,” she said.

Junior Kyle Leonard’s zeal for PDA was also evident.

“I think it is utterly repulsive and it should be banished immediately,” he said. When asked if he knew about the PDA rule in the student handbook, Leonard was clueless. ”I didn’t know it was an actual rule but people should know not to do it because it makes others uncomfortable,” he said.

The rule, clearly stated in the student handbook, defines PDA as: “Engaging in public acts (signs, gestures, etc.) of affection that are offensive to commonly recognized standards of good taste.”

Likewise, junior Maddie Rose had no idea there was a rule against PDA at Troy High School.

“I had no idea there was

helps me with going from normal to crazy and really upset,” said McDonald.

Nurse Ruth Kelly, played

by Niemec, has to kiss someone special.

“I have to kiss one of the doctors and I really don’t want to,” said Niemec.

Many of the actors must calm themselves or get into character before they go on stage. Sophomore Megan Brokenshire makes it a habit of putting her character’s right shoe before her left shoe. Before the performance, Niemec goes in the

an actual rule against PDA,” she said. “I just thought it was gross. I think in order to stop PDA there should be a PA announcement given by Mr. Dziatczak to explain the rule in the student handbook.”

But what about underclassmen’s views on PDA? Sophomore Kumresh Sharma had a different opinion on PDA. “I don’t really care if I see others showing PDA,” he said. “I’m indifferent.

That’s them and their business. We’re in high school.

We should be able to show these affections.”

Sophomore Matt Miros was in agreement with Sharma.

“I don’t really care about PDA,” he said. “I don’t care if people do it.”

Sophomore Abbey Rice had a different opinion than her classmates.

“Personally, when I walk down the hall and see people making out I am disturbed,” she said.”If they get reprimanded for it and get warnings then that should get the point across that nobody wants to see PDA.” “We should enforce the rule by bringing it up on the announcements because nobody really reads the student handbook,” freshman Catherine Noonan said.

Noonan also added that students should save their affections for after school.

Hall monitor Michael Benkovsky, known as Mario by students, had a strict view on PDA. “I think it is disgusting,”

lobby outside of the stage to calm herself and put herself into her character.

Also known as the “techies,” crew members begin to build the set for the play in September.

“The sets are coming along well but we have limited build time since [Mr. Bodick] can’t always be there,” senior stage manager Liza Burakova said. “We’re most likely going to do last minute touches right before the show.”

All of the sound, light, and stage managers are having

he said. “I try and interrupt it as much as I can and I embarrass everybody that is [engaged in] PDA.” Benkovsky also believes that PDA is a big enough issue to bring up to the entire school. But the question is: How? Science teacher Trevor Smith was unsure how to could enforce the PDA rule, he was even unsure.

“I think it is hard to enforce because it is uncomfortable to enforce,” he said.

“It should be enforced to the extent where they have to go to the office and have to deal with their consequences.”

Smith also said that he appreciated campus aids like Benkovsky enforcing the PDA rule because it made him feel more comfortable.

Science teacher Bob Hamilton had a unique opinion on PDA. “I love to see kids giving care and kindness and love to each other,” he said. “But, to embarrass another person with that—it’s not good.

So if they’re embarrassing somebody by kissing in front of them and the other people are uncomfortable, I don’t think that’s right.”

It is apparent that most of Troy High School finds PDA uncomfortable. On the flip side, a handful of people do not care if they see PDA; they do not think it is a problem. If the PDA rule could be enforced, it could make Troy High a more comfortable environment for everyone--especially in the hallways.

problems finding replacements for next year.

“I guess the most difficult thing would be finding replacements since all of the techies are seniors,” said Burakova.

But the show must go on.

Elwood is crazy, Veta is bipolar, Myrtle Mae is a brat, Dr. Wilson is a flirt and Ruth Kelly is a love struck confused nurse.

Come and see Harvey and the rest of the cast on Nov. 1-3. Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $10 for anyone else.

Happy Nail Salon 53 E. Long Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48085 (248) 879-1215 Since 1994 OPI and organic treatments used Artificial nails ranging from acrylic, seashell, gel, silk and fiber glass A wide variety of pedicures including spa, European, and deluxe with hot rocks massage

Solutions are there for teenagers’ problems

BY AUJENEE HIRSCH Drinking, smoking, lying, cheating; these are all things that teenagers all across America do. What most adults don’t realize is why they do it. Is it because they want to, or is there another reason that goes deeper than that?

According to Discovery health.com, 67% of teenagers drink because it helps them forget their problems, and 66% of teenagers drink because of peer pressure.

It seems that most teenagers nowadays just completely ignore their problems instead of trying to get help.

“Usually whenever I have a problem I just keep it to myself,” freshman Mina Fuqua said.

“I’ll just ignore it and try to avoid it,” sophomore Josh Spears said.

What most teenagers don’t realize is that there are people and places that want to help them.

“Peer Mediation is a great way to help people solve their problems,” senior peer mediator Hope Keating said.

“I’ve seen a lot of success in this program.”

Peer Mediation works with students to resolve conflicts and is completely confidential. You can go to any mediator, Ms. Yax, or to the peer mediation box to schedule an appointment.

Many don’t think Peer Mediation will work.

“I think Peer Mediation wouldn’t work for me,” said a student who wishes to remain anonymous. “It wouldn’t help me with my kind of problems.”

Keating disagreed.

“We have success with all of the kids that come in,” she said. “If we don’t feel like that the problem was solved we’ll bring you back for a follow up appointment to make sure it works.”

If you don’t feel that Peer Mediation isn’t enough to solve your problem, there are other options. In Bingham Farms there is a rehabilitation center called Haven.

Haven is a professional center that deals with domestic violence, sexual abuse, and child abuse. They have had many success stories through their programs for people of all ages.

“This place has helped me so much,” said an anonymous Haven patient. “After my boyfriend beat me up I was so paranoid and scared of everything.”

“Haven has made it their mission to help those who need it and I must say that their programs are absolutely phenomenal,” said an anonymous teenage Haven patient.

If Haven sounds like the right place for you stop by the center at 30400 Telegraph Road, Bingham Farms, or call their crisis support line at (248)334-1274. To learn more information visit their website at http://www. haven-oakland.com.

There are many options to help troubled students.

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

Sports

Page 6

FALL SPORTS TIMELINE

08/21/2012 Brett Forman plays his first high school tennis match since returning from back and hip injuries.

08/23/2012 Troy football wins its season opener against Romeo, 24-20.

08/30/2012 Football suffers its first loss at Rochester, 13-7.

08/22/2012 The Troy volleyball team plays in its first tournament at Michigan Elite, losing to four of the top ten teams in the state.

08/28/2012 Senior Zac Doepke scores a hat trick in a 3-1 win over Clarkston.

09/03/2012 The Troy soccer team is No. 3 in the first state rankings.

ERIN WRUBEL

Troy trainer Mike Sime tapes senior water polo player Bruno Goncalves before a workout last week.

09/08/2012 Volleyball wins the Program Cup with Varsity in first, JV in third and freshman in first.

TROY’S VERY OWN SUPERMAN Profiling THS athletic trainer Mike Sime

BY ERIN WRUBEL

His name isn’t Clark Kent and he can’t take a bullet to the eye. However, he does seem to do everything. He constantly goes beyond expectations, making him more than just another high school trainer: an ankle-wrapper, a physical therapist, a father, a husband, a confidant, a hero.

Meet Mike Sime.

Troy High has been lucky to have Sime as athletic trainer since he was hired in the fall of 2007. His base-camp is in the athletic hallway where countless student athletes meander in and out. The observation tables are usually occupied, the tape rolls are always being used and kids in rehabilitation float through the halls doing their mandated, personalized exercises.

A long week with long days is the type of schedule Sime has become accustomed to. He generally aids athletes from 1:30 until 9 p.m. and also works Saturdays when a team needs him.

“My favorite part is playing a role on every team Troy has and interacting with athletes and coaches from all sports,” Sime said.

Sime isn’t just another athletic trainer: he attempts to know every athlete that walks through his doorway.

He believes that if he makes the effort to learn an athlete’s name, the necessary trust between patient and caretaker can be more easily established. His logic is if he cares enough to learn a name, he knows enough to care for them and know what the athlete does.

Sime attended Northeastern University in Boston and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in June of 2000. His course of study was injury specific where he learned about the effects of ice, heat, STIM, ultrasound, emergency care, rehabilitation techniques and more.

Going into higher education, Sime was “pretty certain” he was going to be an athletic trainer. In high school, he got injured playing for the soccer team.

“I thought it was really cool how a trainer could get a player back from an injury more quickly.” Sime said, “My thought was that it would be nice to have a career in

MOVING ON

Here’s a breakdown of the Troy senior football players who have a chance to play in college next year.

Juwuan Terrance & Torrance Cherry Jackson Varsity Years: 1 Interest: None yet Fast Facts: Transferred from military school in the offseason...Combined for 1,034 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns...

Combined for five 100-yard rushing games...Played in 17 combined games...Terrance ran for 183 yards and two scores against Stoney Creek.

Varsity Years: 1 at THS Interest: Saginaw Valley State, Cincinnati Fast Facts: Started eight games in 2012...Transferred from Southfield in the off-season...Made an interception against Rochester.

sports since I wouldn’t be a professional athlete.”

Sime met his wife while attending the University of Nevada – Las Vegas for graduate school. A Massachusetts native, Sime and his wife decided they were ready to leave school and started on a country-wide job search.

She found a job in her hometown, Grosse Pointe.

Soon after, Sime found his job in Troy. He was hired Labor Day weekend, flew back to Vegas, backed up a truck and drove cross-country to be in Michigan for his first day on Sept. 17, 2007.

Sime is married to Katie Orzechowski and has a son named Brendan. Sime is home with his son throughout the morning and then leaves his son with a babysitter until his wife gets back from her job as a physical education teacher.

“It’s very difficult to manage family time and job time.” Sime said. “Our time together is limited, but we make it work.”

During the summer, Sime works as a physical therapist for a Beaumont clinic. His time off is spent on the golf

Anthony Sciortino

Varsity Years: 2 Interest: Albion, Saginaw Valley State, Grand Valley State Fast Facts: Recorded 35 tackles, including a season-high seven against Pontiac...

Made 1.5 sacks...

Played in every game in 2012.

Justin Losey

Varsity Years: 3 Interest: Hope, Northwood, Albion, Adrian Fast Facts: Rushed for 491 yards and three touchdowns, including a seasonhigh 174 against West Bloomfield...

Caught 22 passes for 266 yards.

course or with family.

For Sime, there is no stress-free season. Each season is engaging in a different way, with fall having the highest demand due to having the highest-risk sports.

The most severe injuries generally occur in the fall.

Sime makes it through with patience and his beloved animal crackers.

Sime also gets to know the athletes unlike many teachers and administrators in the school. He enjoys seeing how a student transforms from a “clueless freshman” into self-confident, more mature upperclassmen.

“From junior to senior year is when they start to figure things out,” Sime said.

Boston-bred family man Mike Sime is to Troy High athletics as life is to a carbonbase. One cannot function without the other. Superman may have super strength, but Sime has something much more important than that— a super heart.

“It helps to know I have a positive impact,” he said, “and I’m here to help them get better faster, to protect them and peform better.”

Greg Webber

Varsity Years: 4 Interest: Wayne State, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State Fast Facts: Started every game at right guard in 2012...

Four-year varsity letterman...Twotime captain.

Tommy Richardson Varsity Years: 3 Interest: GVSU, Wayne State, SVSU, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northwood Fast Facts: Started every game at left tackle in 2012...

Three-year varsity letterman.

09/20/2012 Volleyball drops a fifth set at Lake Orion, 22-20, for its first league loss.

09/28/2012 Football wins Homecoming game against West Bloomfield, 33-23.

09/25/2012 Soccer loses to rival Athens, 2-0.

10/02/2012 Tennis wins the league championship.

10/08/2012 Boys’ soccer falls out of the state rankings for the first time.

10/12/2012 Football beats Athens, 10-7, in Local 4’s Friday Football Frenzy game.

10/16/2012 Boys’ soccer loses to Eisenhower, 5-1, in the district tournament.

10/19/2012 Football loses to Oxford, finishing 2012 at 5-4.

10/20/2012 Volleyball beats No. 1 Gull Lake to enter the Gold Bracket seeded first at Mattawan.

10/26/2012 Girls’ Cross Country places third in the regional, qualifying for the state tournament.

10/28/2012 Troy senior Brett Forman wins the Mr. Tennis award.

10/5-6/2012 Water polo ties for first at the Athens tournament after going 4-1.

10/11/2012 Tennis wins the regional championship.

10/12/2012 Girls’ golf shoots a combined 368 to come in fourth in regionals.

10/18/2012 Boys’ Cross Country places second in the league.

10/19/2012 Water polo falls out of the state tournament with a loss to Dexter.

10/23/2012 Boys’ tennis places fourth in the state tournament.

10/26/2012 Boys’ Cross Country places second in the regional, qualifying for the state tournament.

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

Sports

Page 7

FOUR-YEAR FRIENDSHIP: game in the district. They’ve swept Athens, and they’ve lost to Athens.

There was only one thing left to do: After four years on the varsity volleyball team, they stood on the gym floor, hugged and called it a career.

“Volleyball has made our friendship,” Hahn said.

Three times, Hahn and Moeller were the ones making the posters saying goodbye to the seniors. This year, their names were on the posters.

Finally, in a gym in which they’ve played dozens of games and practiced hundreds of hours, it was time for one last game.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Hahn said. “I feel like we’re never

Lindsay Moeller, shown here as a junior, puts up a serve.

JAKE LOURIM

As they took posters off the walls of the gym they’ve lived in for four years, Nicole Hahn and Lindsay Moeller tried to think of one favorite memory.

When they won a district title in 2009 and 2011?

When they won their first league game in 2011 after a winless 2010 season?

Or one of the many days they’ve spent with the rest of the team, up north or at the beach or in a long Saturday morning car ride?

Too hard. There are too many.

They’ve done it all.

They’ve gone 8-0 in the league, and they’ve gone 0-8 in the league. They’ve reached regional finals, and they’ve lost their first

BY JAKE LOURIM

actually going to be able to leave.”

Hahn and Moeller may leave, but their legacy will live on. They’ve been through three coaching staffs, won two districts—maybe another one soon—and helped countless underclassmen. Freshman Kyla Zaleski and sophomore Hannah Moeller, Lindsay’s sister, have learned from the seniors this year.

Three years ago, Hahn and Moeller arrived as freshmen still trying to adjust to high school volleyball. They competed with 2009 Troy All-Region players Susan Stuecheli, Allison Rouse and Laura Hadad. There were some growing pains, but the captains helped them along, just as they’ve tried to help this year’s underclassmen.

Hahn and Moeller wanted to be like their senior captains. Now, players like Zaleski want to be like Hahn and Moeller.

“I’ll try to look up to them as role models,” Zaleski said, “and I’ll try to be like them.”

There aren’t even the typical freshman traditions in volleyball.

“My freshman year, [the seniors] didn’t make me and Nicole go shag all the balls and fill all the water bottles,” Moeller said. “There was no condescending attitude.”

They have followed that in their leadership this year.

Their sophomore year, with five seniors gone, Hahn and Moeller were thrust into leadership roles. With several new players and new coach Ed Ruhl, Troy went 0-8 in OAA Red play and lost in its first game of the district tournament.

“I think my sophomore year was a really eye-opening thing,” Moeller said. “Ed is a much more technical coach than anyone had experienced before.”

The overhaul was slow and hard to see in the

Stanford All-American Riley brings success to Troy

BY SARAH CHMIELEWSKI, JAKE LOURIM AND ERIN WRUBEL Everyone knows that one kid who’s good at everything, who always beats everyone no matter what.

In sixth grade, Jake Riley beat that kid. His running journey took off from there.

Riley is making a career of running. Hanson’s Running is sponsoring the young athlete, allowing him to travel around the country to race.

Recently he has gone to Rhode Island for a 5K race and Minneapolis for a 10mile race.

Being committed to the Hanson’s Running Team means meeting with his teammates every morning, seven days a week, for workouts. Although this is a lot of work, Riley has chosen to join another team also.

Riley joined Troy High’s boys’ cross country team as an assistant coach. This seems unlikely, since the Washington native and Stanford graduate has few ties in

Michigan, but his teammate at Stanford, Troy alumnus Michael Atchoo, gave him the connection.

Now, after Riley’s morning practice with the Hanson’s team, he makes his appearance at Troy High for boys’ cross country practice, as well as attending meets.

“I’ve been on the athletic side for a long time.” said Riley, and it shows.

During his junior year of high school his team won the state championship, during his senior year of high school he won the individual state championship, and he is an eight-time all-American cross country runner, both indoor and outdoor.

All of these achievements proved to benefit his academic career as well, because in 2007 Stanford offered Riley a full athletic scholarship.

“There was no reason not to [go to Stanford],” Riley

said, citing the location, education and team. He graduated in March 2012 with a degree in Biomechanical Engineering.

When his running career is over, he plans to use this degree to design prosthetics.

He also hopes to be able to run marathons.

At Troy, he’s helped the boys’ team reach its first state meet since 2009.

“He definitely teaches us running form better,” senior Christian Przeslawski said, “up hills, down hills, how to get into the pack better.

Physically, we’ve gotten a lot better from workouts. Mentally, we know how to race better too.”

As a 12-year cross country coach, Troy coach Eric Prowse admitted he’s learning new tricks. The young gun Riley is teaching him those new tricks.

And the team’s learning them, too.

record. But Ruhl changed the way the team played volleyball, and it showed the next year.

“You can’t let one year define your team and program,” Hahn said.

So Troy didn’t.

Every player came in with an extra year of experience and wiped out the OAA White Division. Troy went 8-0 and eventually won the JAKE LOURIM

Hahn, Moeller bid farewell to gym

Above: Nicole Hahn puts up a serve in game this year. Hahn is playing her fourth year of volleyball this season.

Left: Hahn and Moeller made these banners for three years. This time, their names were on them. district title, putting its captains back on the winning track.

“I remember our first win in the league,” Hahn said.

“That was the biggest deal.

For the program, it was really nice.”

All of those wins have come together into this year.

Instead of being led, Moeller and Hahn are leading.

They’re the ones making gift bags for the rest of the players on game days.

They’re the ones shaking hands, along with new captain Hope Keating, with the opposing captains.

They’re the ones bringing all the players from freshman, JV and varsity teams to sit together at lunch on game days.

“I haven’t seen a senior group take care of the program like they did,” Muscat said. “I think it shows the younger kids that there’s more than just being on a team. It’s a family. I think, for the most part, this is a volleyball family.”

Moeller’s not done setting

balls up, and Hahn’s not done putting them down.

They just won’t be doing it with each other much longer.

Moeller will play at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Hahn at Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. Their legacy, though, will live on to affect the underclassmen.

“We probably won’t see that until a couple years from now,” Muscat said, “with how these freshmen and sophomores—Kyla, [freshman] Taylor [Schmidt], Hannah—learn from them.”

At the beginning of the season, Muscat did something he doesn’t normally do—he kept a freshman, Zaleski.

A veteran coach, he was familiar with the adjustment all freshmen face. He also knew, however, that he had some leaders that would help her.

“They really welcomed me to the team,” Zaleski said.

“They encourage me when I get upset with myself.”

Moeller and Hahn helped her just as Stuecheli, Hadad and Rouse did three years

7 4

2

ago. And just as Zaleski will do when she becomes more experienced.

Few teams have the chemistry and teamwork of the volleyball team. There’s proof in the way the team can pass, set and hit an opponent out of the gym, cheering for each other the whole way.

Those are the games high school athletes cherish. But there’s a finality involved with the seniors’ seasons and careers. They haven’t turned in their jerseys yet. They could do it anytime, though.

When the final buzzer sounds on their careers, they’re over.

Most of these players will be done playing when they graduate from high school.

Some will continue in college. But the lessons the volleyball captains teach, from five seniors in 2009 to seven in 2012 to many more in 2015, live on forever.

That’s why the past four years have brought so many good memories. But one favorite?

Too hard to choose, Moeller said.

“Everything’s a memory.”

Cross Go Figure: Fall Sports in Numbers Country

90 2220

17

Seniors on the Troy volleyball team Wins for water polo at the Athens tournament Oct. 5 and 6 Jennifer Cui’s score at golf regionals tops on the team Score of volleyball’s fifth-set loss against Lake Orion (up to 15, win by 2)

Points Troy scored at the state tennis tournament, tying for fourth place

Soccer’s ranking in the first state poll on Sept. 3

1,525

Yards rushing by Troy seniors Justin Losey, Terrance Cherry and Torrance Cherry

6

241

6

Goals Troy scored in the second half of the soccer game on Oct. 6 Score (in games) of Brett Forman’s first two state tennis matches before he lost in the semifinals Offensive starters who missed a football game with injury

heads to state meet

The boys’ and girls’ cross country teams are headed to the state meet this weekend.

Here are the scores from regionals that got them there: Boys 2nd - 77 points, 16:30.80

1. Kunal Tangri - 15:45 (4) 2. Christian Harnishfeger - 16:31 (15) 3. Christian Przeslawski - 16:36 (16) 4. Joe McConachie - 16:44 (19) 5. Jun Ro - 16:58 (23) 6. Josh Rusgo - 17:00.50 (29) 7. Matt Miros - 17:34 (60)

Girls 3rd - 97 points, 19:13.50

1. Lauren Miller - 18:52.50 (13) 2. Abby Green - 18:55 (15) 3. Haley Wendt - 19:13 (18) 4. Rachel Loken - 19:32 (25) 5. Maral Toukhanian - 19:35 (26) 6. Haley Burns - 19:43 (30) 7. Kira Burnett - 20:02.50 (37)

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org Survey

Opinion

Pie Charts Aren’t Only for Math Class

BY SARAH CHMIELEWSKI AND ERIN WRUBEL To take a break from football frenzy and welcome the upcoming holiday season The Troy Independent surveyed random students asking, “What is touch-down scoring pie flavor this season?”

With a total of 80 responses, below is how the six different pies measured up.

1) Apple and Pumpkin: You can’t go wrong with the classics, and this holiday season the people have spoken and they have

THS students favored pumpkin and apple pie followed by cherry, french siilk, pecan and key lime. Graphic by Sarah Chmielewski. a taste for the traditional fall flavors. Apple and Pumpkin pie tie for first place

with a total of 24 votes.

2) Cherry: This summer classic, holding its own as

Movie Review

fall rolls around, comes in second with 16 votes.

3) French Silk: Chocolate will be the backup this holiday season as French Silk pie comes in third with 10 votes.

4) Pecan and Key Lime: These pies are the underdog tying for last place with only 6 votes each.

This holiday season, take a chance by indulging in a classic apple pie which held its own during our survey.

Or better yet break out the measuring cups, grab some friends, and cook up something wonderful!

Looper: Smart But Confusing

BY BRENDAN BATTLE

There have been movies about time travel before, but none have been quite like this one. While many of these movies work around contradictory and confusing plots, Looper stays a cut above the rest with an interesting, original premise, mindblowing storyline, and above all, awesome action.

Looper takes place in the futuristic world of

2044, where time travel has multiple versions of a time been invented, but criminals traveler appeared in the have stolen the technology same scene, but the movie and use it to abduct people does a good job of keepfrom the law by ing things from sending them becoming conLooper back in time. fusing, with the Protagonist Joe Now playing in exception of one is a “looper”, a select theaters odd scene that person hired to Rated R doesn’t make keep time travelsense until half ers from changan hour later. ing the future.

The action This is a cool premise, and scenes in this movie are the time travel dynamics nothing short of awesome, work really well. Sometimes with plenty of slow-motion

stunts and huge explosions, but it’s the involving ending that took my breath away.

I’ll stay light on the spoilers, but the ending can be confusing if you haven’t been paying attention to the events building up to it.

This movie’s plot may be on the confusing side for some, and some of the characters feel forced, but this movie is still an exciting, thought-provoking thrill ride worth the price of admission.

PETER’S PALETTE by Peter Mansky

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THETROY

INDEPENDENT The official student newspaper of Troy High School www.thetroyindependent.org troynewspaper@gmail.com Carolyn Gearig, editor-in-chief Jake Lourim, editor-in-chief Peter Mansky, cartoonist Sarah Regan, advertising manager Erin Wrubel, advertising manager Anna Larson, social director Amanda McCafferty, social director Marcey Shehata, social director Brendan Battle, staff writer Liza Burakova, staff writer Marissa Ceccato, staff writer Annie Chen, staff writer Sarah Chmielewski, staff writer Peter Hao, staff writer AuJenee Hirsch, staff writer In Chan Lee, staff writer Katherine Maher, staff writer Annie Pappageorge, staff writer Alex Roettenberger, staff writer Tommy Rowbal, staff writer Katie Schlafhauser, staff writer Erin Tepatti, staff writer Sonalee Joshi, guest writer Jennifer Doptis, adviser

The Troy Independent is the official student newspaper of Troy High School, produced by students in the third hour Writing for Publication: Newspaper class. The Troy Independent is an open forum and thus encourages members of the school community to submit letters to the editor and guest columns. Interested in joining our staff? Sign up when you complete your 2013-2014 scheduling cards.