Vol. 2 Issue 9

Troy High School, 4777 Northfield Parkway Troy, MI 48098

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theTROYINDEPENDENT Vol. 2 Issue 9

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April 19, 2013

AP testing for the right reasons

BY SARAH CHMIELEWSKI A man sitting behind a large desk begins a story.

“It is one of my favorite stories,” he said.

The story begins with a sophomore boy sitting in an AP History class, a class many Troy High students have taken.

“It was a class that in my school you took as a junior, not as a sophomore, where it’s offered here at Troy High School,” he said. Like many current Troy students, he saw a challenge and wasn’t daunted.

“It was my first AP experience [and] the teacher expected us to use the textbook on our own,” he said. By this point, many students should be laughing because most know that somehow, reading on your own just never seems to get done.

“I thought I was a pretty smart cookie,” he said. So when his tenth-grade AP History teacher expected the book to be read at home, like many students, that meant “I didn’t open my text book.”

The year progressed and parent-teacher conferences rolled around. “I had never had a C in high school in my life,” he said. “My AP teacher looked at my parents and told my parents that [I had a C and that] I wasn’t invested in the class and it was his opinion that I should drop it because I was never going to be successful in any AP class.”

Later that night, while attempting to explain to his parents what his teacher had said, he said he got embarrassed and defensive and “probably said some negative things about the teacher that were not true and exaggerated to get [himself] off the hook.”

Yet after that point, instead of believing the teacher and dropping the course, he took it upon himself to take the teacher’s words as a challenge. He did exactly what the AP test intended for him to do with the course: rise to meet the challenge.

This story could be from a number of students at Troy High School who choose to challenge themselves academically each year. This is the story of Troy High principal Mark Dziatczak.

According to the College Board, in 2012, 3.7 million exams were taken by more then 2 million students at over 18,000 high schools.

While those numbers seem staggering, just think of

See AP, page 2

INDEX

feature.....page 2

Left, the French Club performs a dance it learned from French choreographer Nathalie Lucas at the Culture Show practice. Above, a martial arts group mixes a Taekwondo act with Gangnam Style.

KATIE SCHLAFHAUSER

KATIE SCHLAFHAUSER

Students show pride in diverse cultures

BY KATIE SCHLAFHAUSER Looking around Troy High, it is clear that no one looks the same. Everyone has their own cultures and traditions, and many students participate in activities such as singing and dancing to be closer with their culture.

The Culture Show’s goal is to display the talents of students that normally wouldn’t be shown off at school functions like basketball games or band concerts.

The Culture Show took place on Tuesday and was hosted by the Troy Diversity Project (TDP) for the third time. It has been highly successful. Last year, the audito-

rium was filled and the performers received a standing ovation. In previous years, students have performed a variety of acts including Irish dance, Korean pop singing, hip hop dance, slam poetry, traditional Chinese dance, Indian dance and many more.

The idea for the Culture Show came from a combination of the student founders of TDP, adviser Jesse Allgeier and principal Mark Dziatczak.

“We were trying to think of things we could do to raise awareness about [diversity] and allow students to express themselves and their heritage,” Dziatczak said.

“We thought of the Culture

Show. It’s something that Troy High had done years and years ago. Athens had done something called an Ethnic Fair that was kind of similar to what we wanted to do, and so we came up with the idea of the Culture Show.”

“The goal is to celebrate the many different ethnicities and cultures we have in our school through each culture’s unique dance, song or form of art,” Troy Diversity Project adviser Jesse Allgeier said. “I love that so many of our students are so enthusiastic about their cultures, and that they enjoy sharing it with the community.”

One group that is made up of seven Troy High students that performs outside of

school decided to do the Culture Show.

“I’m in a Chinese dance group and we are combining two dances,” said senior Michelle Huang, a member of the group. “One is a traditional lotus dance, and then we go into a more modern jazz routine.”

Also in the Culture Show, there was a group who did a Mexican skirt dance that they taught themselves from videos on YouTube, and there was a group dancing to K-Pop (Korean Pop) songs.

Last year, the group attended the Culture Show and saw many other groups doing K-Pop routines, so they decided to try one this year.

“We are cutting two dances

and doing parts of both,” junior Rachel Kim said. “One is Exo-K’s ‘History’ and the other is Infinite’s ‘BTD.’” The French Club also performed a dance at the Culture Show. Last year the French Club was planning on doing a performance but wasn’t able to, so this year, senior Lyna Azzouz got a group together, and they learned a dance. Most of the dance was from a YouTube video by French choreographer Nathalie Lucas, but Azzouz added some of her own moves as well.

“Back in my old school there was no Culture Show,” Azzouz said. “For me it was like ‘Whoa!’ when I came last year, and I just love how all kinds of people can just show what their culture is and what they love really.”

Although there are many singing and dance performances, the Culture Show is not limited to just those activities.

“Last year we had a student do a poetry slam reading,” Dziatczak said. “It was fantastic. I don’t think I’ve heard the auditorium as quiet as it was for that performance, ever. The limits to the performance are only due to the restrictions that one places on oneself, so there are many things that students can do, and we encourage all of those.”

In the short amount of time that the Culture Show has

See Culture, page 3

Far left, senior Alex Farrar plays the trumpet. Left, senior Justin Fan plays the cello.

BRIAN CONROY

BRIAN CONROY

Troy High takes New York and Chicago

BY MARISSA CECCATO Every year in April, the band and the orchestra take a trip. Whether it be to somewhere warm and tropical, like San Antonio, or to somewhere a little less tropical, like Chicago, the students who attend perform, take music classes and sightsee.

This year, the band visited Chicago from April 11 to April 14. Colorguard did not attend, though the concert

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

and symphonic band did.

“This year is only concert [band] as opposed to concert and marching [performing],” senior Alex Farrar said. “Last year was the biggest trip, we flew to San Antonio, and so it’s a little more toned-down as opposed to always having something to do.”

This year’s trip was also different from past years because happened earlier in the month. Most spring sports are just beginning and the students had just arrived

from spring break. However, this meant that the students had a shorter amount of time to learn and master the music that they were going to play.

“We had all the music for a while,” Farrar said. “But we had only been practicing for about three weeks [before the trip].”

This year’s showcase included multiple songs performed at Chicago Symphony Hall.

It wasn’t all work and

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no play in the Windy City, though. Aside from performing, the students went on a dinner, cruise and dance, though the trip included mostly visits and tours to the various museums and exhibits.

“On this trip, there was more sightseeing and shopping,” junior Marissa Casano said. “It was more relaxed than in years past.”

This year, the THS orchestra is also engaging in a grand trip. Though, as op-

posed to the band students, their trip is bigger than in years past. The orchestra is going to New York from April 18 to April 22.

“I’m looking forward to having fun with my senior classmates,” senior Michael Peng said. “I know a lot more people in orchestra than I used to, and we’ve grown closer.”

The New York trip includes seeing a Broadway show, a dinner cruise on the river walk, tours of the city and Central Park and a visit to

See Trips, page 3

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

Shoot an email to troynewspaper@gmail.com

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Features

Page 2

Military an option

Orchestra members play one final song

BY ALEX ROETTENBERGER

It’s senior year, the ACT is over, high school’s almost done and a whole new set of stresses is on the way. For many students, the next step after high school is to go to college. But for others, there is a different path to take.

The path is military service, whether it is the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or National Guard, serving the United States is arguably an honorable path.

After enlisting, everyone goes through boot camp.

During that time a person is broken down and then rebuilt into a soldier. After boot camp the next stop is further training. The type of training depends on where one is assigned.

After training, one is assigned to a unit and deployed. Most people fear being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the number of troops in those places has decreased over the past few years.

“They [my platoon] are like family,” Corporal Gage LaMothe said, who enlisted at age 17. “They’re my brothers.”

“I’m glad for everything that this country has done for me and my family,” senior Justin Wu said.

He decided to enlist in the Army after high school.

“I feel that I need to take responsibility to pay back that debt,” he said.

Entering the Military right out of high school has not only personal benefits but economic ones as well. The government will pay for up to $50,000 of one’s college education, depending on the branch through the GI or Government Issue bill. One acquires skills that many employers search, such as leadership, intuition and initiative. These qualities can get you much further than the competition.

Any veteran will tell you that the perspective on the world changes, but the love for his or her country only gets stronger.

From AP, page 1

Troy High School’s population alone. Senior Lawrence Kim will graduate this year having completed nine exams, while by the end of this year junior Christina Shabet won’t be far behind, having taken six courses and exams.

At Troy High, it is not uncommon to find students taking a schedule full of Advanced Placement courses.

“The culture of Troy High School is one in which the AP track is encouraged,” assistant principal Remo Roncone said. However, that does not mean that Troy High is geared towards one type of student.

“APs are open to anyone who has a passion and desire to learn the subject matter [along with] time,” Roncone said.

Dziatczak also brought up a

BY IN CHAN LEE AND TOMMY ROWBAL

AMANDA MCCAFFERTY

The Longboarding Club during one of their weekly meetings in Mr. Smith’s room, room 104.

Longboarding Club grows

BY AMANDA MCCAFFERTY AND ERIN WRUBEL Longboarding is not just a hobby: it is a skill, a love, a passion. For those who do not know exactly what longboarding is, it is quite similar to riding a skateboard. However, the board is longer, hence the name.

Students at Troy High are not just riding any longboard. They are riding longboards they make themselves. Longboarding club, a club under the Physics club, was founded by Physics teacher Trevor Smith and se-

nior Connor Lamb. Next year, longboarding club will be its own organization, not just a branch of the Physics club.

“You don’t have to already skateboard to longboard,” Lamb said. “You have to come to the meetings. It is work but it’s fun work. Anybody can join.”

“The district is telling me they will fund it next year, so I hope that’s the case,” Smith said. “We’re technically part of the Physics club but next year we will actually be a longboarding club.”

The club was initiated by Smith when a group of kids who kept bringing their longboards to school got into

trouble. They chose to harbor their boards in Smith’s room, which lead to a discussion about the hobby itself.

“We got talking about longboards and how they were made,” Smith said. “And next thing I knew we were making longboards after school.”

The process may sound intimidating, but it is quite simple as long as the architect is committed and follows instructions given. According to Lamb, wood is ordered from a company in Illinois that sells maple vineyards which is a thin material. Then, they must figure out which mold is appealing to them and carve it from

foam. Next, decide the size, shape, depth, and whether or not you want your board to be concave. Proceed to put together the vacuum press and glue together your wood to let it sit in the vacuum bag overnight.

Finally, add the trucks and wheels that seem most pleasing to ride on.

To get involved with this club for next year, join the Facebook group, pay the club fee and attend their weekly meetings. New members are welcome. “[We are] just a group of students who want to build their own longboard,” Lamb said.

of at least two people. In the past there have bands that have just been one person playing the guitar and another singing to a full band with drums, guitars and a singer.

Shanna Frendt, the freshman class adviser and English teacher, is in charge of the event along with her co-chairs, Tabitha Hendren and Matt Pienta.

“It’s really fun because you have the responsibility to work with everyone,”

Hendren said, “but sometimes it gets really stressful.”

Planning an event can become especially difficult when it’s all freshmen, when they don’t have the experience behind them that the older students in the school.

Although there have been some bumps in the road the freshmen have been pushing forward. They have been working nonstop to make sure the event runs flawlessly and that the contestants can submit their videos eas-

ily. “[I’m looking forward to] seeing the kids put it all together and pull it off,” Frendt said.

This event allows students to shine and to showcase talent that “you don’t get to see all the time—something different than band and orchestra,” Frendt said.

Battle of the Bands will take place on April 30 in the auditorium at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $5.

Battle of the Bands returns to THS

BY ANNA LARSON After a year off, Battle of the Bands is back. This year there is a twist: Student Government freshmen are planning it.

Different bands from Troy High perform for judges from around Troy with a musical background. As different bands submit their auditions, they are scored on a point system, and about six bands are selected to compete. Each band must consist

MEET THE BANDS Duo Sophomores Brianne Yeskey and Jacob Jaisinghani

valid point, saying “students [do] have to have some past record of academic success that leads one to believe that it is a good option for them, or [at least] demonstrate potential. [However, this] doesn’t mean a kid has to have all A’s.”

But is passion and a desire to learn the subject really playing a part in student’s decisions to take all these AP courses? According to the Washington Post, “There is a boom in [college] applications that could potentially lead to

Grit Junior Bruno Goncalves, Tariq Nabi (class of 2012), Stephen Powell (class of 2011), sophomore Dylan Powell

Hay Song Sarsaparilla Freshmen Matthew Kunjummen, Jonathan Sun, Christopher Chen, Alex Liu Duo Freshmen John Gearig and Rishane Oak

Distorted Peace Lahser student Aliya Rockind, Baker student Richard El-Khoury, senior Alex Roettenberger, sophomore Bogi Bratu, freshman Ethan Hilzinger

lower acceptance rates.”

However, the Center for Public Education concludes that “data shows [it isn’t any] more difficult to get into college today than it was a decade ago.”

Yet that doesn’t mean that a challenging schedule won’t help your chances of getting into a good university.

Many students believe that the more AP courses they take, the better chances they will have of getting into college, or the more tuition it will save them in the future.

However, for most students

Band and orchestra is a big part of many Troy High School students’ lives. Between playing with the fiddlers, performing at the Spooktacular and plenty of concerts and trips between, it is a highlight of many students’ high school years. For a group of five seniors, it all comes down to this; the last concert. This is the senior concerto, which is on May 23 featuring the most talented soloists of the 2013 graduating class.

“It’s a huge honor to be featured as a soloist,” violinist Han Gil Lee said. “[The senior concerto] is like the last hurrah, I guess, for the seniors, and a way to say goodbye to the orchestra.”

Violinists Han Gil Lee, Wayne Shu and Justin Fan, along with trombonist Joey Wright and oboist Chuckry Vengadam will play featured concertos with the rest of the orchestra providing accompaniment. They were selected through a short audition process where they played their pieces from memory.

Although music may continue to be one of their passions, most of these seniors will not continue in the music track. Of the featured soloists, only Wright will be majoring in music. For the rest, it will continue to be a hobby.

“I don’t think I’m going to do a music major or a minor, but I do want to hold onto it,” Vengadam said. “I feel like it taught me a lot in high school and I enjoy it. And I’ll join, whatever college I go to, their campus band or whatever I can get into. I think of this concerto not as an end to my music career, but as an end to my musical experience at Troy High specifically.”

Their careers end with the concerto, the final stop on their journey with the Troy High School orchestra.

who are taking AP courses and tests, the colleges they end up attending normally don’t even accept AP scores unless they get a five.

According to Kim, if he decides to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology, they only give credit for a five on exams such as Calculus BC and Physics C. Yet that doesn’t mean students shouldn’t be considering challenging themselves with AP courses.

Illustrating this idea, Shabet says that if the college she wants to attend

Boyz in the Yard Sophomore Roshan Pathre, sophomore Dylan Powell, junior Clayton Schubring, junior Kyle Powell

doesn’t take AP credits, “[at least] I will already have a background in the information we are learning.”

Dziatczak also mentions the important benefits such as background knowledge that AP courses give students.

“Even when kids are challenging themselves and are unsuccessful on the [actual] AP test… there are many other benefits to the students than [just] the post or secondary school benefits that they achieve,” Dziatczak said.

As stated by The Huffington Post, “[AP courses} were

created to teach students to examine multiple sides of an issue while learning to think critically, examine evidence and argue with precision and accuracy.”

In plainer terms, the AP courses and tests were essentially created to present students with a challenge.

Good scores are a plus of AP testing. However as the tenth grader who received a C his first semester of AP History, Dziatczak said, “grades don’t always reflect the sum of what one really learns.”

Features

LGBT

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender:

Page 3

The students, the laws and the organizations

BY CAROLYN GEARIG

“I came out to my mom in 7th grade,” he said. “I already had support from my friends so I finally built the courage to tell my mom. At first I told her I was bisexual because I thought that was more acceptable and it would make an easier gateway. Even though she doesn’t understand why I feel the way I do about certain things all the time I still appreciate that she’s supporting me as

ate Skye Curtis. After Lee came out to her parents in 2011, she said she felt confused and alone.

“There was no one to comfort me or guide me,” Lee said. “So I decided to start a Gay-Straight Alliance because I knew there must have been other people who felt this way. I thought that if we could join together in solidarity, we could become a greater force. I wanted to

Freshman Emily Davis was in eighth grade when she told her close friends she was a lesbian.

“Coming out in eighth grade was pretty hard considering that not many people that young have been exposed to things like that,” Davis said, “but before I came out I felt very alone like there was no one I could tell. I was afraid that people wouldn’t accept me. But after I told a few people I became a lot more comfortable with it and now it’s just a normal part of who I am.”

Davis is part of a growing movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students coming out to their families and friends at younger ages. With support from school clubs like Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and organizations like Affirmations, a LGBT community COURTESY OF SABRINA LEE center in Ferndale, Above: Sisters and GSA presidents Sabrina, left, the political and and Alice Lee hold signs during Ally Week. Right: social climate has The GSA poses for a picture before the 2011 been increasingly Homecoming Parade. accepting to LGBT youth.

Davis came out to her par- best she knows how to and I provide a ents at the beginning of her couldn’t be more thankful to support sysfreshman year. “I came out have her.” tem and a to them because I didn’t en- Tingstad said that his place where joy feeling like I was lying to grandmother, a lesbian, has people, even them,” she said. “My parents been the most supportive. if they don’t really have no problems with “She came out after her identify as LGBT, could get homosexuality in general husband died,” he said. educated.” but they really don’t under- “She’s been with her partner Davis is a member of GSA stand it. They accept me for since 1984. Whenever I feel along with freshman Caswho I am and have no real discouraged she reminds sidy Pleiness, who identifies problem with it but they are me how even though things as pansexual, meaning that still adjusting to the idea and aren’t perfect at least there she is attracted to all gender sometimes have a hard time isn’t as much outright dis- identities including those with it.” crimination as there used to who are genderqueer, mean Sophomore Eddie Tingstad, be.” ing that they do not identify who is gay, has been open Senior Sabrina Lee co- as male or female. She came with his sexuality since mid- founded Troy High’s GSA out to her family and friends dle school. with 2012 Troy High gradu- in September 2012.

From Trips, page 1

Radio City Hall. There will be performances by the freshman, concert and symphony orchestras at the Lincoln Center.

“I’m looking forward the most to playing at the Lincoln center,” sophomore Ellen Yang said.

Playing at the Lincoln Center is no trivial task, so the orchestra students have been preparing for weeks beforehand.

“We’ve been practicing during class,” Yang said.

“We tried to plan as many concerts as we could before that, so we could have an audience.”

From Culture, page 1

Both trips this year featured the students performing at various music halls and theaters. But being with friends is the best part.

“Being with my friends [was exciting],” Farrar said.

“I’ve known them for four years now, [and] we have really strong connections.” “[I was] looking forward to having a good time with my friends in Chicago,” sophomore Christina Khouri said, “because going with your friends is a different experience.”

been at Troy High, it has grown substantially. The first year that Troy High hosted the Culture Show, around eight groups performed and there were still seats left in the auditorium.

In the second year’s show there were around 20 performances and the auditorium was full.

Part of that growth might be because of the growing awareness of the Culture Show and part might be the fact that it provides a unique way for students to show off to their friends and families their culture.

“I really consider GSA like a family to me,” Pleiness said. “I love and respect each and every [member]. It’s the highlight of my life, to be honest.”

The three GSA co-presidents—Lee, junior Alice Lee and senior Michael Thomas—try to combine social, advocacy and support aspects at GSA meetings.

“For the social aspect, we do icebreakers and make sure everyone feels comfortable,” Sabrina said. “For support, we offer the support people need by letting

you are not part of the community.”

Affirmations is an LGBT community center in Ferndale that caters to LGBT youth, adults and their allies.

Affirmations opened in 1989 and provides counseling services, a health program, youth programs and support groups to 30,000 people a year.

“A lot of times LGBT folks don’t feel safe or comfortable getting help or services in other places that may not cater to the LGBT community,” director of communications Cass Varner said. “A lot of times people look for

them know we’re always there for them. We want people to know there are always people if they want to talk.

We always sit in a circle- the most inclusive shape possible. For advocacy, we organize things like Ally Week.”

Ally Week is a week in midOctober organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network that recognizes Allies, straight people who support LGBT rights.

During Ally Week, GSA had an announcement every morning with LGBT bullying statistics, made and hung up posters and encouraged students to sign a pledge to be an ally.

“It’s a gay-straight alliance, not a gay alliance,” Sabrina said.

Alice, Sabrina’s sister, is a straight ally.

“You always hear the quote, ‘You must be the change you want to see in the world,’” she said. “Waiting around for change to happen is useless.

As a straight person, I feel like I have a moral duty to help those who cannot do so themselves. I want to show people that it’s okay to support the LGBT cause even if

resources here. Sometimes people want to be here so they can relax and be themselves.”

As a part of Affirmations’ youth program, they partner with GSAs in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties.

“Currently Oakland County has a good number more GSAs than Wayne or Macomb,” Varner said. “We work closely with them for speaking engagements and to establish partnerships.”

The youth program at Affirmations targets people ages 13 to 20. Varner said that, over time, the youth program has not only grown in size but more young teenagers have joined.

“I think it has to do with both the youth being comfortable with who they are at a younger age, but also their parents,” she said. “A lot more parents are more accepting and willing to help their child.”

LGBT rights were thrust into the spotlight in late March when the Supreme Court began reviewing cases relating to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and

Proposition 8.

DOMA was signed into law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton, and it restricts marriage benefits for same-sex married couples. Proposition 8 was passed in 2008 and struck down the Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in California from June to November 2008. Lower courts have already struck down both DOMA and Proposition 8, arguing they violate the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians to equal protection under the law.

Although she is not in GSA, senior Xinrui Yang said she hoped the Supreme Court would find both laws unconstitutional.

“Both unjustly strip people of their deserved rights,” she said. “They’re essentially saying ‘because you’re different, you’re not entitled to the rights that other Americans are guaranteed.’ We would never deny people benefits or equality on the basis of race or religion.

Why should we deny such liberties on the basis of sexual orientation? Regardless if you agree with marriage equality or not, no one is in any position to deny rights to a specific group of people.”

“I think it’s completely ridiculous that it is 2013 and people in this country still do not have equal rights,” Alice said. “My dream would be to wake up where human equality is a reality.”

However, other students spoke out against marriage equality.

Senior Brian Wu, who is Christian, said he opposes gay marriage for religious reasons.

“I will not support same-sex marriage because the Bible states that marriage is to be between a man and a woman,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t really care too much if [DOMA and Proposition 8 are repealed]. If they are, so be it, but I will not support it.”

Davis said that seeing opposition to her sexuality has had an impact on her as a person.

“I feel like I’ve truly experienced the power of hate and prejudice because that stuff you hear about how wrong homosexuality is directly applies to me,” she said. “You don’t really know the meaning of hate until you’ve had thousands of people hate you, who haven’t even met you, just because of something you can’t change. But I’ve also had many great experiences because of it, like making lots of new friends in GSA, and I’ve been amazed at how accepting a lot of people really are.”

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Page 4

URBAN.RO

PARADISEBEATS.COM

Left: Ingrosso, Angello and Axwell perform for a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden Dec. 16, 2011. Right: Swedish House Mafia performs at Coachella Music Festival in California. From left to right: Steve Angello, Ingrosso and Axwell.

Students say good-bye to Swedish House Mafia

BY ERIN TEPATTI Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello and Axwell. Separated, these names aren’t widely recognized, but combined, they make up one of the most well-known electronic trios of the last decade— Swedish House Mafia.

Their first track together entitled “Get Dumb” was released in 2007, and in 2009 they released “Leave the World Behind.” Neither song made the charts, and in 2010 Swedish House Mafia signed with UMG’s Polydor Records, releasing its first official single “One (Your Name).” The same year, “Until One,” their first album was released, including tracks that hit as high as No. 4 on UK charts.

Not sounding familiar?

Their song “Save the World” hit No. 36 on US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs, and “Don’t You Worry Child” blew

up and hit the coveted No. 1 spot on the US Billboard Pop Songs chart. If you roll down the windows on your car, it isn’t uncommon to hear the familiar bass pounding through the speakers of the cars around you, the drivers and passengers of the cars singing along with the uplifting lyrics.

“Up on the hill across the blue lake/That’s where I had my first heart break/I remember how it all changed/ My father said/’Don’t you worry, don’t you worry child/See heaven’s got a plan for you/Don’t you worry, don’t you worry now’,” have become commonly sung lyrics, with people shouting along with the “Oh-woahoh”’s, and jumping to the sound when the bass drops.

Swedish House Mafia became the face of progressive house music, and became a gateway between the world

of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and pop music.

“They introduced me to the EDM world, and even though they’ve only been around a few years they’ve impacted me greatly,” junior Sandii Antoski said. “Their song ‘One’ really brought me into that [EDM] world—them and Deadmau5.”

Their lyrics are inspiring, the vocals are beyond uplifting and beautiful and the passion behind the music is clear. It is as if, for a moment, you’ve lost all your troubles, and you have no worries.

All you can think about is how the bass reverberates throughout your body, how the lyrics speak directly to you, how incredible life is and how lucky you are to be living.

“Their music is really inspirational, I like them, and overall they’re really good,” senior Max Date said.

Though they’ve been around for five years, they’re just becoming known in the pop culture world, and listeners are falling in love with their sound.

“I really love their song ‘Don’t You Worry Child,’” senior Ramiro Moreno said. “I hear it on the radio.”

But as perfect as they may seem, on June 24, 2012, Swedish House Mafia announced via its website that their next tour was to be their last.

“Today we want to share with you, that the tour we are about to go on will be our last. We want to thank every single one of you that came with us on this journey. We came, we raved, we loved. Axwell, Steve Angello, Sebsatian Ingrosso,” the update said.

The statement was received with disbelief. How

could such an amazing group break up just as their reaching stardom?

“I am extremely upset about the fact that they are breaking up,” Antoski said.

As for Angello’s explanation?

“We just decided that we reached a point where we don’t know what the next move would be,” he said.

“We always like the challenge. And we don’t like to repeat ourselves. We just felt like it was time.”

So many artists overstay their welcome, recordingssongs that are progressively worse and worse, their ratings spiraling downward, with fans complaining “Where did their good music go?” The decision made by Swedish House Mafia could be a smart one. Quitting while they’re on top allows them to be remembered as some-

thing beautiful, powerful, and great.

March 24, 2013 was their last performance as a group at Ultra Music Festival in Miami. The show was live streamed via YouTube, with over 200,000 viewers.

All over, fans were crying while watching the set, and emotions ran wild.

“Their Ultra set was amazing, even if it was a bit predictable. It brought me to tears,” Antoski said.

Before their last song, Axwell got on the mic.

“Can we have the last dance with you?” he said as they began to play “Save the World.” The crowd swayed with the music, singing along every word as loud as it could.

And with the final note, they were done. Swedish House Mafia was no longer a trio, and was once again just three individuals.

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Features

Page 5

The good, the bad, the burger

BY LIZA BURAKOVA AND ERIN WRUBEL When thinking of American cuisine, what comes into your head? French fries or club sandwiches?

The most famous, however, is the cheeseburger.

Inspired by a random burger craving one day during class, we decided to rate local burger joints on a scale of 1 to 5 burgers. Here’s what we found:

The Good: Five Guys

This isn’t just your average burger joint. The burgers are a good portion size for even the hungriest people and the taste is perfectly seasoned.

The best part about Five Guys though is the 800 toppings you can choose from…

OK, it’s in the high teens but you get my point. And guess what, they are free. Not only are the burgers great, but an

order of fries is enough to feed a small village in Italy.

The atmosphere of Five Guys is light and friendly, with a bit of a fifties-esque feel.

Redcoat Tavern

You need to know that Redcoat isn’t just a burger joint, but a full-on restaurant. It is located in Royal Oak. If you haven’t been there: go. The burgers are absolutely deli-

THS takes the Camino de Santiago

BY KATHERINE MAHER There is a small town in northern Spain, called Santiago de Compostela, that is home to one of the most famous Cathedrals and is the place where a multitude of people of all ages gather after walking countless miles, and carrying all they have on their backs.

This walk is called the Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James, and has been around for thousands of years.

The people who participate are called Pilgrims, and each one embarks on this journey for a different reason. Some come to figure out their lives, for religious purposes, or to escape life for a while.

“I know my friend Patri-

cia flew with her parents to Spain about 15 years ago, and they did part of the walk.

They were part of a church group,” Spanish teacher Angie Greismann said.

Junior Dana Leney has her own reason for doing the Camino. Leney is doing the Camino with a few of her cousins and friends from her church, Christ Church Detroit. Every few years, young adults in the church who are members of the group called Journey to Adulthood plan a pilgrimage to a place of their choosing.

“Although it’s going to be really hard, I think the experience will make it worth it.”

Leney said.

This pilgrimage requires a lot of preparing, training, and researching.

“Our group is mainly fo-

FREE

cused on training right now; we have a couple of really long hikes planned before we leave,” Leney said.

While on the Camino, pilgrims hike from town to town. In these towns, there are places for the pilgrims to stay, such as hostels, or places for travelers to stay for a low cost.

However, towns can be few and far between at some points on the walk. Hiking distances can vary between 12 and 25 miles per day.

These extensive distances make the strategies of hiking very important to the health, safety and well being of the pilgrims.

All the training, hiking, blisters and more, are rewarded with the experience of one of the oldest pilgrimages in history.

Medium Slush

One coupon per customer per visit. Valid at Troy & Royal Oak locations only. Offer expires June 30, 2013.

GRAD PARTY CaTERING Call Ben for details

cious, even though it is not the only part of their menu.

It’s about $7 for a delicious patty. However, the burger will not disappoint and the busy atmosphere is great for larger social gatherings.

Kona Grill

The best time to visit Kona is during their happy hour, between 3 p.m. and 7, because you can try their delicious twin mini cheeseburgers for only $5. While they may sound small, eating both is basically the equivalent of eating one regular burger.

Unlike most other places that include pickles, these burgers come with one slice of cucumber, which add an

‘Oz’ has powerful moments

BY BRENDAN BATTLE Disney had a handful to deal with while working on the prequel to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz: tell the story of the titular wizard and how he ended up in the magical land of Oz and give it parallels to the original film while making it stand out on its own. The movie starts in a dreary, black-and-white Kansas, and introduces us to Oz, a small-time traveling magician who only cares

interesting taste. Like Five Guys, you’re given a ridiculous amount of fries.

The Bad: McDonald’s

As everyone knows, the pictures of McDonald’s burgers look delicious. Buying one almost seems like a good idea until you actually get one, and realize that you’ve been served a bland hunk of meat that is hopefully beef.

If you hate your food to have any actual flavor, we highly recommend McDonald’s.

Wendy’s Wendy’s is not much of an improvement from McDonald’s. However, the fries aren’t half bad, and they taste delicious when dipped in a chocolate frosty. The burers have a little bit of flavor, we guess, and Wendy’s sounds like a slightly healthier option than McDonald’s-if you’re into that sort of thing.

about himself and money. Oz as the original. The movie’s is a flawed character, but by plot has sometimes jarring the journey’s end, he learns shifts in direction and tone, from the mistakes that sent and some characters are him whisked away from Kan- buried in the tide. While the sas in a hot-air story mostly balloon, and Oz the Great and focuses on the in the process Powerful wizard and the becomes the Now playing in select three witches legendary and he meets, they theaters feared wizard pick up a ragtag of the original band of characfilm. ters, but none The lands of them is foalong the yellow-brick road cused on long enough. It isn’t are nothing but CGI behind perfect, but this movie has the curtain, but are so well- strong emotional moments done that some of them bor- and a wonderful world backder on the fantastical, and ing it up, making this worth have the same kind of charm the price of admission.

Troy High finds Sugarman Rodriguez, also known as Sugarman

BY KATHERINE MAHER Some call him Sugarman, while others call him Rodriguez. Yet a large population has yet to learn his name or the incredible story of one Detroit man trying to make it in the music business in the 1960’s.

Now, his story sounds like just about every other starving artist’s, selling almost no records. After releasing two records with the same disappointing results, Rodriguez went back to life as usual, putting his music career on the shelf.

Unbeknownst to him, in South Africa, his music was wildly popular, selling almost half a million records.

But no one in South Africa knew anything about him.

Rodriguez was a complete and utter mystery to them, possibly adding to his allure.

Academy Award-winning documentary “Searching for

Sugarman” tells the story of two journalists and Rodriguez fans in search of a man who unknowingly changed history.

Almost 50 years after he released his first record, Rodriguez’s album sales have soared with the help of his documentary feature, and watching his fame unfold from his favorite windowsill in his house in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood.

The man known to many as Rodriguez, seems like a regular guy working construction, and by no means lives the lifestyle he could.

While keeping a low profile, and very modest life, Sugarman is performing concerts all over the country now.

“Yes, I will be at the Masonic Temple on May 18 with some family, and hope to get my picture taken with him.”

Spanish teacher Angie Greismann said.

“My favorite song is “Can’t Get Away” because it really

SUGARMAN.ORG

demonstrates his love and frustration with the city of Detroit. It also has a Motown sound to it. I think if the song “I Wonder” ever hit the airwaves in the 70’s, it would have been a huge hit.” assistant varsity baseball coach Nick Kolbe said.

“My favorite song is “Crucify Your Mind” from his first album “Cold Fact.” I interpret the song as a call to your very honest being.” Greismann said.

Sugarman’s is a story that has captivated audiences all over the world, and he brings the spotlight to Detroit. Here is a man who is a simple construction worker, walked to work every day for years, and played in small venues with about a dozen people, yet is a huge superstar. People he worked with had no idea until they saw this movie, and finally heard the story of a man that was a mystery for decades.

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Sports

BATTLING BACK

For champions, injuries are ‘a pit’ in their stomachs

BY JAKE LOURIM Maddie Hirsch, Erin Wrubel and Grace Goodrich stood on the Troy soccer field watching. They were in parkas chasing balls, not in uniforms passing them. But they’re not supposed to be here. They don’t belong here, on the sidelines.

They watched as their teammates—no, their friends—did drills: fitness, then passing, then a fun game called “soccer tennis.”

It’s a game where the players kick the balls back and forth like a tennis match, Goodrich explains.

“I want to be on the field with the girls,” Goodrich said. “You see how much fun we’re having, and you want to be out there.”

Goodrich and Hirsch both have mononucleosis. Wrubel has a back injury that has bothered her for almost two years. She missed the state semifinal last season, six club games and every game so far of the 2013 season.

Hirsch was diagnosed with mononucleosis six weeks ago now, but she remembers it like it was yesterday.

“It was a Tuesday,” she said.

“It was a horrible day.”

So she picked up the phone and made a call no soccer player ever wants to make.

She called head coach Brian Zawislak and told him he wouldn’t have his star forward for a month.

“She was devastated,” Zawislak said. “She called me

of her senior year taken from her so abruptly.

“It’s frustrating,” Goodrich said. “When you get in the game, it’s a little bit more of a distraction. Your head is clear and you can see what needs to be done.

“For me, I’ve never had an injury that’s taken me out of the JAKE LOURIM game. This is like the first real Pictured in 2012, Maddie Hirsch tries to score on a diving goalkeeper. time that I have Hirsch remains out lon- state finals, the three seniors to sit out. It’s ger than usual because of a are back to try to win one in definitely something new I have to deal with. It’s a test swollen spleen. She hopes 2013. Instead, their team has to be cleared to play soon, started 1-3-1—and all they of your patience.”

Without three key start- perhaps playing in her first can do is watch.

“To them, if they’re not ers, Troy is struggling. En- game next week.

But the six weeks that have winning, then they’re not tering last Saturday’s 0-0 tie against Grand Blanc, the already passed have taken a successful,” Zawislak said.

Colts hadn’t scored since toll on her. In the early stages “It can be a little bit of a chalMarch 23, a span of three of her career, Zawislak said lenge to them.”

“It’s definitely a little hard games. They had lost three he worked with her on scoring instead of always looking to deal with,” Goodrich said. straight 1-0 games, dating to pass. Finally ready to be “With Troy soccer, we’re back to a 3-2 win at Berkley.

Three times, the opponent the go-to player, Hirsch had very used to being a strong has taken a lead. Twice, three to wait to start her senior team. We have a whole new set of girls coming back—we of Troy’s top scorers have year.

That’s why she called Za- can’t compare ourselves to been powerless. (The other wislak in tears. last year.” time, Goodrich played.)

“Because she cares so On this rainy day, April 12, “It’s been horrible,” Hirsch said. “I know the offense is much,” Zawislak said. “As a all these players can do is struggling. As an injured per- leader, as a captain, it’s her watch. There is no sun today, son, I do the best that I can. senior year—she feels like just dark clouds and rain.

I try and pump them up. You she’s the go-to player this There may be some sun shinjust see something happen year. She likes that role, and ing on the horizon of this and you just want to go out to not be able to have that dreary season. opportunity makes her If all goes well, Hirsch, Wruupset.” bel and Goodrich will return The coach, however, for the state playoffs, where reassured her. they always wanted to be.

“We’re going to con- Wrubel could begin playing trol the things we can in May, while Hirsch and Gocontrol and not worry odrich can already run and about the things we are only waiting to be able to can’t control,” Zawislak participate in contact. said. “She got sick. We Maybe, just maybe, they’ll can’t always control ev- be back playing on a sunny ery aspect of our life.”

Saturday afternoon in June Three of the most ac- for the state championship. complished athletes “I already feel butterflies are limited to cheer- when you say that,” Hirsch ing on the bench even said. “I already have that when their team is motivation, and I just hope struggling. everyone else has it too.”

They’re vocal: “SecAll three got injured at difond ball!” “Good, Sar- ferent times, and some feelah!” “Man on!” ings were different: back But this is not where pain vs. fatigue, for example. they belong. They beBut forget about those. long on the field.

They’re not the worst pain.

“Your role has The worst is the pit in the changed,” Zawislak stomach of three proven athsaid. “You went from letes who just want to win.

JAKE LOURIM being one of the super“It’s like getting a gift on Pictured in 2012, Erin Wrubel takes a free kick. stars to being a cheer- Christmas, but better,” Wruleader, but we need you to do bel said. “I feel like I’ll be a it to the best of your ability.” little 5-year-old on Christin tears.” and do it.”

“I come to practice when mas.

It’s a dark, dreary day, just “It’s awful,” Wrubel said. “I “Soccer is my stress relief. as it has been for a long time. love playing soccer. Not be- I can. I go to all the games,” Hirsch came back from a ing able to do it, part of me Goodrich said. “I make sure It’s my favorite thing to do.

I’m cheering on my team- To have it taken away from doctor’s appointment, where just dies.” she found out, after an ultraThese players have played mates on the sidelines, just you for three months, it’s indescribable.” sound, she would have to the game their whole lives. offering words of advice.”

It’s more fun playing, but They just want to play with wait at least three more days They can sit on the bench Goodrich, Hirsch and Wrutheir best friends. They want to be cleared. Perhaps a cou- because of injuries, but no bel do their best to keep the to warm up to the exhilaratple weeks more will pass un- switch can turn off their pasing music. They want to slide til she is at full strength, but sion. No switch can turn off team alive.

“That’s all I can do right a ball between two defendshe has been running, doing their desire to win. now,” Hirsch said, “until I can ers, or call for the ball, get a anything to keep exercising.

“I feel like I’m letting my Goodrich first showed team down,” said Hirsch, a be a leader on the field in- step ahead and hammer the ball into the corner of the mononucleosis on April 6, senior captain signed with stead of just off.”

For four years, all these net. coming home from Spring Eastern Michigan. “Just players have done is win.

And no switch can turn that Break in Mexico. watching them kind of After reaching two straight desire off.

She, too, was upset, a month stings.”

Page 6

Lacrosse plays for Angels of Hope

BY SARAH REGAN AND MARCEY SHEHATA Athletes get into a routine.

They prepare, they warm up, they play. They do it twice a week.

But when the boys’ lacrosse team takes the field next Saturday, it will be playing for something more.

On April 27, Troy will play in the second annual Angels of Hope charity game.

“Angels of Hope is a foundation which started in Troy by volunteers who raised money to help families with kids who have cancer,” captain Connor Hayden said.

The game raises money for cancer patients. Last year, it honored a child from Romeo, and the team gave him a signed Notre Dame lacrosse jersey.

This year, the team will honor a boy named Lucas, who was introduced to the team by captain Brian Johnson’s mother (a nurse at Beaumont) and has become close to the team.

“He came to some of our games last year and he was honored in the game,” Johnson said. “I was hurt most of the year last season so I was on the sideline for half of our games. And when I was on the sidelines we would hang around and we got really close.

“I really got to know him.

He came to a lot of our games and I gave him a lacrosse stick and he got really into the sport. Lucas and I would text before he went to chemotherapy and I would wish him luck. He comes to some of our games now and we want to honor him this year.”

“We always took him out to eat with us as a team,” captain Jay Darish said. “He also

came to some of the football games and wore our jerseys, so we’re really close to him.”

But the fundraising doesn’t just start on game night. Last year the team raised close to $20,000. It raised money by selling cookies and T-shirts and getting sponsors. Also, at the games, they sell wristbands for admission. They also have people sponsor their uniforms for the games.

This event takes place on April 27. The charity game started last year, and their goal is to keep raising more and more money to be able to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer.

“Angels of Hope is a nonprofit organization. The money goes to families that have kids with cancer,” captain Jay Darish said. “We get special uniforms donated and everything for it. We get sponsors for every player.

We usually get corporate businesses as sponsors or just different families.”

“I actually went to a banquet over the weekend where they gave out a bunch of awards to inform everybody about the progress.” captain Connor Hayden said.

“They have now helped over 110 families with kids with cancer.”

Other fundraising activities include selling cookies on Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. The team will also sell Tshirts leading up to the game next Saturday, which will be against Romeo at noon.

Then, it will be time for lacrosse.

But Troy won’t just be playing lacrosse. It will be playing for Lucas.

SCORES AND HIGHLIGHTS

GIRLS’ SOCCER Rochester Hills Stoney Creek @ Rochester Adams

L 1-0 (rain-shortened) L 1-0

Grand Blanc

T 0-0

Lapeer West

Today (3:30)

@ Athens

Royal Oak

inc.

April 23

BASEBALL @ Royal Oak

@ L’Anse Creuse Berkley Athens

@ Grosse Pointe North

3 4.5 122 0

Postponed Postponed L 5-4 Today (4:30) Saturday (11:00) Goals for the Troy soccer team through five games (the Colts had 11 at the same time last year).

Games, out of seven scheduled, played by the girls’ soccer team (Troy had one suspended and two postponed due to weather).

Pitches Lahser threw against Troy in only four innings last Tuesday.

Hits Troy allowed in the baseball season opener last week, led by Michael Thomas (four innings) and Evan James (one).

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Sports

Track isn’t just an oval

BY ANNIE CHEN AND AUJENEE HIRSCH Track and field isn’t just running around in circles, and neither is it about running in lines. For all events, there’s something to focus on—the steps, the breathing, the form, the mind.

One small disturbance can make the difference in a race.

That’s why the Troy High runners train after school.

In the never-ending hallway, in the weight room or on the field, there are runners doing what they do best.

But not all participants in track run: they may be doing field events, which are separated into jumps and throws.

Jumps include long jump and high jump while throws include shot put and discus throw. Track events are split into sprints, middle distance and long distance. Hurdles and relay events are included in sprints.

Leaps and Throws (Field)

Field events are usually next to the track. These include high jump, long jump, pole vault, shot put and discus.

What they do: Long Jump Run. Jump. Land in the sand.

Unlike other runners, long jumpers like sophomore Taryn Holliday don’t have a start line—they can choose where to start. They gradually build up speed along the runway and jump off a board in front of the sandbox. If a jumper passes the end of the board, he or she will be disqualified. Winners are awarded to whoever jumps the longest distances.

Each long jumper prepares differently before races. Holliday prepares by jumping.

“Before I do the long jump, I do frog leaps, and I back up three times before I jump,” Holliday said.

What they do: Shot Put Shot putters hold eight-

pound weights known as shots close to their neck and throw them with one hand.

Shot putters spin inside a ring without touching its borders before they release the shot. Spinning before releasing projects the weight further and with more power. Shots are thrown onto the field and measured for distance.

Senior Lexie Pullen and other shot putters do drills instead of running. During practice, Pullen stretches her arms and legs, jumps, skips, spins, practices hip and feet pops and lifts weights.

Before her events, she listens to the song “Shots” and reviews her techniques.

“We’re really intense,” Pullen said. “When we throw, we have no problem grunting. We’re just strong.”

What they do: Discus Throw It’s similar to shot put but performed more elegantly. Instead of throwing eight-pound weights, discus throwers use circular discs that weigh two pounds. It may look similar to frisbee, but the methods in throwing and holding the discs are different. Frisbee throwers hold their frisbees between the thumb and index finger, whereas discus throwers grip the disc with their fingers and hold it to their hands.

Pullen enjoys doing the discus throw and shot put events because the events are away from the track. Before the events, she has time to herself to concentrate.

Also, practices are more relaxed because she only does drills instead of running.

“I ran a little bit, but after a while I just wanted to do

the throwing events,” Pullen said. “It’s just a personal choice.”

The Fast and Furious (Sprinters)

The main objective is to run with maximum speed.

To run quickly and without injuries is the best.

Sprint events are divided into the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter dashes.

Even though the 400 meter is considered a middle-distance event, it’s commonly considered a sprint because

Page 7

Runners, jumpers and throwers talk about their events and preparation

Injuries Injuries are common among sprinters. The usual casualties are ankle, hip and shin problems.

Niemiec is currently running with muscle problems in her legs. Last year, she was frustrated because she couldn’t run in a couple of meets. However, if she stretches 45 minutes before her race, there will be less strain on her muscles.

“There were definitely times that I [finished my

Sharing Glory (Relays)

MARISSA CECCATO

Boys’ track practices before a meet. of the short distance. Junior Danny Wunderlich runs the 200 meter and 400 meter races. Senior Kelly Niemiec runs the 100 meter and 200 meter, among other relay events.

Preparation Preparation can take place during practice and right before the race. To improve in races, some sprinters aim for a faster time each run during practice.

Some, like Wunderlich, try to do the workouts correctly, regardless of their difficulty.

Starting blocks also help him get a good start before races.

“For the 400 I can’t just sprint the whole thing, I have to plan ahead and think about what I’m going to do,” Wunderlich said.

race] but I knew I didn’t finish as strong as I could because of my injuries,” Niemiec said. “It’s something that I’m used to.”

Just Skipping (Hurdlers)

Step, step, JUMP. Step, step, JUMP. These are the footsteps of a hurdler.

Hurdling is similar to sprinting except mid-waist frames called hurdles are lined on the track, blockading a hurdler’s path. Because the distances are short, speed is an important factor.

Jumping over the hurdles without losing speed is one of the hardest parts.

There are the 100 meter and 300 meter categories for hurdles. Junior Jessica Mathis and senior Hangil Lee run both events.

Bats perk up as Troy improves hitting in opener

BY JAKE LOURIM The biting wind swept over the baseball field during Troy’s season opener last Tuesday. The rain had prevented the Colts from practicing more than twice outside. And Troy was coming off a season in which hits were scarce, leaving runners on base.

So it surprised even firstyear coach Tim Mullen when his team came out and scored 13 runs—12 of them with two outs—and shut out Bloomfield Hills Lahser in Mullen’s varsity debut.

“We played much stronger than I anticipated,” Mullen said. “I expected a lot more problems than we had.”

The 2013 season continues to be disrupted by rain—Friday’s league game at Royal Oak and Saturday’s doubleheader at L’Anse Creuse were both postponed—but Troy has gotten off to a strong start in trying to rebound from last season.

Mullen noted that although the weather has limited Troy’s outdoor practice, the same could be said for other teams.

THE BATS

The lineup will suffer some fairly big losses from last season, including captains Tyler Horne (third base), John Wassel (second base, pitcher) and Matt Oppenlander (catcher), in addition to Nick Guitar, who now plays at Ohio Northern.

Outfield should be a strong suit, as Damon Gaudino and Justin Losey return at the corners between junior Alex Marshall in center field. Senior Kevin Simono caught in the game last Tuesday, with an infield of juniors Nick Panella and John Hunter and seniors Mitch Weigand and Drew Braun.

The bats came alive last week, led by Marshall’s twoout, two-strike, two-run sin-

Technique Hurdlers have to pay attention to their form. The lead leg, the leg that goes over the hurdles, should be extended straight out while the trail leg, the leg that goes around, should be bent.

Avoiding hitting the hurdle and falling is an important goal, but Mathis said the hardest part is avoiding the stutter-step, which is stopping before a hurdle while running. She said that hurdlers need to keep running without losing momentum.

“In the last stretch you’re really tired and it’s hard to go over the hurdles at the end,” Mathis said.

Before the race Muscles can become tense and cold before a race, so warming up is important.

After the routine warm ups, Lee eats a big lunch before a race and remembers to stay hydrated. He also goes through the entire race mentally before starting the race.

“Physically...I eat and eat and eat,” Lee said.

gle and Braun’s RBI single.

Mullen said the improvement was because his players took more pitches and put the ball in play.

“Sometimes I think we get a little too technical,” Mullen said. “What I’ve been preaching this year is just the mental approach to the game and the mental approach to being at the plate. We just talk about knowing your situation. What’s the count? On a 3-1 count, you get a pitch that might be a little bit up in the strike zone, but you’re a low-ball hitter. You don’t have to swing at that pitch.

We tend to pop those pitches up.

“We weren’t swinging at bad pitches.”

Troy’s patience at the plate led to ten walks, six of which eventually crossed the plate.

THE MOUND

The Colts, however, return one of the top pitchers in the

county in senior ace Michael Thomas. Thomas walked five in four innings of no-hit ball last week, needing only 66 pitches even in the cold weather.

“Getting warmed up in the first few batters is a key,”

Four runners and a baton—these are the essentials in a relay. Runners are designated in areas along the track. Events include the 4x100 meter, 4x200 meter, and 4x400 meter relays.

Some runners have a signal to pass on the baton. Groups can be disqualified if the baton is dropped.

The hard part Junior Abby Green said the hardest part is the handoff.

For some groups, members have a system of which hands to pass and hold the baton. Others have signals when a member is ready to pass the baton. Green said she doesn’t use signals.

“I don’t have any signals because when I’m about to hand off,” Green said, “I’m way too tired to do [the] signal.”

Middle Ground (Middle Distance)

Thomas said. “Once you’re in a groove, you’re in a groove.”

The roster lists 14 other pitchers. Among the returners who pitched last season are Justin Losey and Tommy O’Donovan. Senior Evan James relieved Thomas last week and walked the leadoff hitter before striking out the next three.

Just like other running events, senior Christian Przeslawski and other middistance runners warm up before practice. After, they practice along the track and occasionally go to the weight room.

Przeslawski said he chose middle distance because it was the medium between sprints and long distances.

“Before I had of course run long distance but I didn’t really like it—it just took forever,” Przeslawski said. “I just basically didn’t like the long distances.”

On Repeat (Long Distance)

Endurance is a big factor for long-distance events. Senior Maral Toukhanian and Sophomore Kunal Tangri run the distance events such as one and two miles.

Waiting The wait to see the finish line isn’t the same for longdistance runners. During a two-mile race, distance runners like Toukhanian have already seen and passed the finish line—seven times.

Waiting for the end of the race is long, but waiting for the event to even start is just as long. The two-mile event is one of the later events so Toukhanian has to wait longer than other runners just for the race to begin.

“You have to wait and [you] just build up anxiety while you’re waiting for everyone else to do their events, so you’re just freaking out,” Toukhanian said.

Endurance Long distance requires more endurance than sprints or middle-distance races.

Tangri and other distance runners train their endurance with workouts and mileages. “[The hard part is] just trying to get through the end of the race mainly because endurance is a hard thing to keep the pace for the whole race,” Tangri said.

Thomas pitched 52 2/3 innings last year, giving up only 15 earned runs for an ERA of 1.99. However, he finished only 3-3. Thomas also pitched a complete game in the district tournament and gave up three unearned runs in a 3-2 loss to Auburn Hills Avondale.

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org COMMENTARY

a nerdy, liberal “hipster,” in the most disgusting sense of that grossly inaccurate term, among As a shortly college-bound the “mainstream” citizenry, senior, I’ve been thinking a the casual and pervasive use lot about location—where I of “hipster” in the colloquial want to live. dialect.

It’s trendy, easy and even So for all of these reasons I legitimate to hate living in have spent the past two or so Troy, and I do. I hate it know- years thinking that I have to ing full well that I hate my move to New York City, basremarkably privileged life in tion of creativity a remarkably safe and liberalism and wealthy city, and anti-Troybut that doesn’t ness, or else I change anything will never ever except for making be happy. me feel guilty.

Then I read I dislike Troy “On the Road” for all of the nor- KELLIE

by Jack Kerouac mal reasons: it’s HALUSHKA and started to boring, small and open my eyes. suburban, and Whether you there’s nothing fun to do are like me or you cannot after the 800th trip to Som- wait to move to the Deep erset. And there are some South to be around some personal reasons: feeling like real meat-eating conserva-

On the road

COMMENTARY

Opinion

tives, the message of “On the Road” is equally applicable and valuable. In the novel, which is strongly based on Kerouac’s real road trips, two best friends already living in New York City drive cross country to San Francisco and experience crazy fun in every state along the way. The main characters lack any sense of superiority or bias when it comes to their home state and regular social circle. They seek out nice people and enriching experiences wherever they are, and they are rewarded.

This made me start to reconsider my own skewed geographical viewpoint.

Maybe, rather than location, it is openness that dictates happiness—openness to new people and new experiences regardless of where you are. Looking at one place in the world as the pinnacle

Sexism, feminism and Taylor Swift It seems to me that every- to me; I know girls who’ve one hates Taylor Swift, be- dated more than that in high cause she dates too many school alone, and there is boys, writes songs about nothing wrong with that.

Harry Styles, who them and is supSwift dated from posedly “antifeminist.” There October to January, has been linked to are so many at least seven girls things wrong with this that I in the three years he’s been in the don’t even know spotlight, and where to begin.

CAROLYN no one is calling Disliking Swift GEARIG him a slut or a for having multiple boyfriends whore because is all kinds of awful. No one when guys date multiple deserves to be looked down girls they’re a “player” or a upon for who and how often “stud.” This may not seem he or she chooses to date, like a big deal, but it pernot Swift and not that girl in petuates the idea that girls your Chemistry class. Fur- do not deserve the same rethermore, Swift hasn’t even spect as boys do. dated that many guys: the And then there are Swift’s last time I checked, there songs, primarily about relahave been six of them since tionships, breakups and fall2008. Six! In five years! That ing in love. Why is this condoesn’t sound like very many sidered a bad thing? Other

artists write about love, and it’s hardly surprising: love is a powerful emotion. People say that her songs are immature because she always blames the boy, but are you really going to tell me that during your last breakup, you said to yourself, “this was MY fault”? You probably didn’t, because it is a natural reaction to blame the other person. And for those of you who claim that Swift is stuck at age 14, she was 14 when she began her career, and middle and high school students remain her largest audience. Writing to her audience is an intelligent thing to do and a big part of the reason she has remained so successful.

The anti-feminism argument is another issue entirely. Swift is a perfect model of a feminist: she’s one of

of contentedness and fulfillment is not realistic, and it does not make current high school life any better. If I or anyone else has a negative attitude in Troy, Mich., then why would that change in a different part of the country?

Although I’m far from perfect, I’ve been trying to appreciate the good friends, opportunities and experiences I have here, and it has made me considerably more positive and optimistic about the future. I think that the lesson I learned from “On the Road” bears repeating: waiting for college or another change of location to magically eliminate unhappiness only leads to disappointment. Real, lasting happiness comes from inside, with the decision to keep an open mind and appreciate every available opportunity, and it can start right now. the most successful artists in history in an industry in which it is notoriously difficult to find success. When her album Red came out in October, it had opening sales of 1.2 million, the highest recorded in a decade. She is the only female artist to have had two opening weeks with more than a million album sales each. Over her career spanning seven years, she has sold over 26 million albums and 75 million song downloads. Plus, she writes or co-writes all of her songs.

She has worked for success.

The whole point of feminism is that women should be able to make choices about their lives without the stigma that has been hanging over women for hundreds of years. If Swift wants to write songs about love and date six boys in five years and has an idea that she will one day fall in love with a boy and

THETROY

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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 Kellie Halushka, 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 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. they will live happily ever after, why is this a bad thing?

She should be able to make these choices without facing criticism from an inherently sexist society that still does not have a lot of respect for women.

Whether you like Swift or not, this is something we should be paying attention to. Disliking Swift because she dates “too many boys” may not seem like a big deal, but this kind of sexism is the same kind of sexism shown in the Steubenville, Ohio rape case, where an intoxicated 16-year-old girl was raped, photographed nude

PETER’S PALETTE by Peter Mansky

and assaulted. When the 16-year-old rapists were found guilty, CNN broadcaster Poppy Harlow said it was “incredible difficult” to watch as their lives “fell apart,” even though these boys committed a horrible crime that probably will haunt this girl for the rest of her life.

So, if you dislike Swift because her music’s not your thing or you think her voice is thin, by all means, continue. But if you dislike her for any of the reasons mentioned above, I encourage you to reconsider your values.