Vol. 3 Issue 4

Free!

Troy High School, 4777 Northfield Parkway Troy, MI

MARISSA CECCATO

HOLIDAY TEACHER COUPONS Page 4

KATIE LUONGO

MARISSA CECCATO

F is for F-Minor Page 3

Holiday Activites, lights Page 5

Girls varsity basketball Page 6

theTROYINDEPENDENT December 20, 2013

Vol. 3 Issue 4

The magic of books

PHOTO CREDITS

BY BY PHOTO CREDITS Author David James speaks to students at the Catching Fire book fair.

AuJENEE HIRSCH

BY AMANDA GUO

Aspiring actors Finding one’s true talent or calling can be difficult for some, but for others, it just comes naturally. Senior Taylor Curtis and junior Quinn Moran both hope to take their talent to the big screen.

“When I was really little, my mom showed me a movie that she was in and I just really wanted to be like her,” Curtis said. “I started acting when I was little, ever since I have wanted to do it my entire life.”

So how does one take this talent and turn it into fame?

“I got signed with an agency last year, “Productions Plus”, and they have really been sending me a lot of work,” Curtis said. “They had a Gardner White commercial for me this summer and just the more people you get to know, the better you will be.”

Likewise, Moran has an agent who helps him find acting opportunities suitable for him.

“I do technically have an agent,” Moran said. “She’s not personal to me; she’s an agent to many people, but she does email me about parts.”

For many, sports are an outlet for them to relieve their stress or get away from reality for a while. For Curtis, acting is her outlet.

“It is my passion,” Curtis said. “I went through a really hard time in my life a couple years ago and acting helped me get through that.”

Everybody has a favorite actor or actress: that one person who really stood out to them and connected with their audience in a way that nobody else could.

These people become role models for aspiring actors like Moran and Curtis.

“Many different actors

the annual Latte Days.

“Latte Days started out as a [public relations] event,” Isaac said. “We wanted to make something fun to bring kids into the media center, hopefully to check out books for the holidays. It was so successful the first year that it turned into a fundraising event that we now do every year.”

This year, the fundraiser was December 17 to 19, and there was hot cocoa, coffee, cappuccinos and cookies for sale. Everything cost fifty cents.

The library also hosts monthly book club meetings.

“Each month we read a certain book and have a fun discussion on it,” said Yasodhan,

See Books, page 2

The ripple effect: holiday edition

Quinn Moran, Junior

The Congregation of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church releases balloons in prayer.

BY OLIVIA MOSS AND BETI SHAHOLLARI

Senior Taylor Curtis and Junior Quinn Moran are both members of the Troy theatre ensamble. like Ryan Gosling and Norman Reedus are my role models,” Moran said. “The way they play their characters really inspire me.”

“My role models are Jennifer Garner and Rachel McAdams,” Curtis said.

“They are so talented and bubbly as actresses but can also be really serious.”

To date, Moran’s favorite role was Mr. Whitfield in their fall play, “The Night of January 16”.

“I love being able to play out a different persona and express myself through that role,” Moran said.

Just like any other passion, acting takes up a lot of time that high-schoolers may not have to give up.

Not only do they have to audition for a part, they have to memorize their lines and continue to stay in character through rehearsal.

“I have been going to a lot more auditions and meeting with new directors and agencies,” Curtis said. “They wanted me to do this modeling thing for Target last year but my parents wouldn’t let me miss school for it. A lot of times the auditions are at noon or nine in the morn-

Isaac is the kindest and most generous woman,” Yasodhan said. “In class, I am assigned tasks such as checking in books, assisting people at the circulation desk, maintaining the computer lab, answering the phone and organizing as requested.”

Students are in the library for their assigned hour and receive grades based on various criteria such as how well they keep their designated shelves organized and in alphabetical order. There are also grades based on effort and behavior, and the students are assigned a research project at the end of each semester.

Around winter break, students and volunteers in the library also help organize

COURTESY OF GINA GUIRGUIS

Taylor Curtis, Senior

COURTEST OF TAYLOR CURTIS AND QUINN MORAN

BY AMANDA MCCAFFERTY

It’s quiet. In the background, the sound of books being shuffled around, opened and closed can be heard. This is what the Troy High library is like on a typical day.

Around the library, there are student assistants who are part of the media center class, working to organize the shelves. Every year, roughly ten students sign up for this class, which is run

by Mrs. Isaac, Troy High’s librarian.

Senior Bhavana Yasodhan is taking the media center class because she has volunteered at the library over the past three years and has enjoyed her experience with it.

“The people in the library are really friendly, and Mrs.

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ing and my parents think that school comes first, so I do a lot more over the summer or if I can get work off.”

Fame is in the minds of both Curtis and Moran. Ideally, everyone who acts wants to make it big. When Moran was in sixth grade, he was in a movie called “Flipped”.

“I was in a movie summer of sixth grade called Flipped,” Moran said. “You see my face and I whisper but you don’t hear anything.”

These young actors have big plans. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, Moran will be attending either Michigan State University or Michigan University and minoring in acting. As for Curtis, she is minoring in acting at Grand Valley State University next year.

Curtis even commented on her fellow cast member, “[Quinn] is amazing. Probably one of the best actors I know.”

Students like Moran and Curtis teach Troy High School to always follow your passion and to always dream big.

Bright lights are going up everywhere, snow is beginning to fall and students are anticipating the long-awaited winter break. Troy is full of diversity, and the holidays aren’t any different. However, with the myriad of holidays celebrated here in Troy, all differences are set aside when it comes to serving the community.

Troy students live in a successful area, but there are many around the world, as well as in the United States, who do not have enough.

The holidays give Troy students an opportunity to give to those who otherwise would not have anything.

According to a blog post on mLive, 36.2% of people living in the Detroit area are below the poverty line, and 60% of them are children.

With the nation’s total poverty percentile being 15%, there are plenty of opportunities here for Troy students to help those less fortunate.

Senior John Podsiadlik is doing his part to help the community. Each year around the holidays he volunteers at his church.

“We collect old board games and give them to kids who don’t have any,” Podsi-

adlik said. His church also opens their doors each year and invites those who don’t have a place to stay to spend a few nights there to warm up and enjoy a holiday meal.

“I help out every year, and I’ll be doing it again this year,” Podsiadlik said. “It’s fun helping with the church.”

Podsiadlik along with many other students partner with their churches or other organizations to serve people in need.

Senior Danielle Mukomel is pairing up with Gleaners to give food to those in need.

“We pack and organize food for people that need it for the holidays,” Mukomel said. “I also volunteer at my church.

We’re doing this thing in Detroit [where we] go to a mother-child homeless shelter and donate stuff.”

This is not Mukomel’s first year serving the community.

She continues to help out at Gleaners and at her church each year, especially around the holidays.

“It feels good helping others and knowing you did something good,” Mukomel said.

Students are also finding ways to help those in need around the world. When

sophomore Mirrette Habib found out that a church in Egypt was bombed, she wanted to help.

“On New Year’s [my church and I] do this fundraiser for a church in Egypt,” Habib said.

“We sell shirts and then get balloons and let them all go at once.”

The money collected last year was sent over with an Egyptian priest who then gave it to the families affected by the bombing. Habib and her church did it last year and are planning on doing it again this New Year’s.

Senior Jessica Moore is also serving internationally.

“I’m going to Tegucigalpa, Honduras with my friend (junior Kasey Garvelink) and her mom”, Moore said.

“We’re working in the clinics assisting the doctors and medical staff. We’ll also be working with the children.”

Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanza that they celebrate, students are discovering ways to help make the holidays special for everybody. Make the holidays a bit brighter this year by finding some way to give back to others.

Features

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

Page 2

Cheater cheater pumpkin eater: Troy High’s biggest scandal

BY SANDRA CUTEAN AND AUJENEE HIRSCH

*This is a staged photo. The students are not actually cheating.

that students copy worksheets often but you have to do some investigating,” House said. “Although, it’s very obvious when you change the tests around and you see some students getting one-hundred percent on the other test.”

Although some students believe cheating can be beneficial in the short run because it gets their work done, the negative effects of cheating can go beyond the temporary A on a test. If students think it is acceptable to cheat on a five point assignment now, who knows what they believe will be admissible as an adult. The concept of cheating doesn’t only revolve around school but it can tie into real life situations.

“I have a friend of mine who’s a few years older than me and she cheated her way through college,” an anonymous student said. “When she got a job that she wanted she realized she didn’t know what to do because she didn’t really learn anything about it in college. She ended up getting fired because of it.”

Troy High, just like any other school, expects a lot out of its students. But if students are struggling, THS teachers are more than willing to help students who need the extra help before or after school. Do not hesitate to ask!

with some snowflake From icicle lights to blow lights in our windows.” up snow globes, decora- Senior Allison Brown and tions line the lawns of Troy, her family chose to opt out showing that the holiday of a Christmas tree this year. season is growing closer and “It takes a long time, and closer. Businesses such as my brother and I are old Troy Operations Center and enough that it doesn’t matReal Estate One have dec- ter to us,” Brown said. This orated their building with didn’t stop them from decolights wrapped around their rating outside, however. trees, bushes and rooftops.

“We put candy canes along “Lights make everything our sidewalk and window better,” junior Nathan Cosart said.

“Especially ones that flash in patterns. They just remind everyone what time of year it is.”

The decora- A house in Troy decorates for the tions can evoke holiday season. positive emotions from clings on our front door.” decorations those who see them. Holiday Senior Rachel Dean en- don’t always need to be joys driving around and just lights. Junior Suzanne looking at the other lights Pinkston’s favorite decin her neighborhood . orations are ornaments.

“It makes everything “They are fun to choose and feel so festive and it just decorate with,” Pinkston said.

Senior Samantha sets the mood for [the holidays],” Dean said. Pierce enjoys her hristtree the most.

In some families, es- mas pecially in junior Nina “It’s fun to put up and Schmid’s family, celebrat- you can decorate it any ing two holidays means way you want,” Pierce said twice as many decorations. For many students at Troy “We love to decorate,” Shmid High, not all of them decsaid. “We celebrate German orate to such extremities Christmas on the 24 and then and some are opposed to American Christmas on the lighting their homes at all.

25, so double the presents “I think [holiday lights] and double the decorations.” are stupid,” an anonyFor senior Yihan Hong, mous student said. “It’s decorating to the ex- dumb to decorate for some cutter holiday.” treme is not a necessity. cookie “Our family doesn’t dec- Here in Troy, the lights and orate much,” Hong said. decorations have become a “But we always have a tradition, and on December lighted Christmas tree 4 the annual tree lighting

ceremony takes place. The ceremony is usually full of carols and laughter along with a visit from Santa who is escorted by Troy High School’s very own Drumline.

According to Community Affairs Director in Troy, Cindy Stewart, the lighting ceremony is a “great opportunity to get in the holiday spirit.”

The holiday spirit is apparent in students at Troy High as well. Out of 350 students surveyed, 246 agree and believe that holiday lights make the season more festive.

With many chain businesses such as Kroger and Wal-mart selling holiday lights in months as early as October, the lights become a symbol of festivity for many students. “[The lights are] pretty and get you in the holiday spirit,” sophomore Christina Crane said.

Allison Brown, a senior, agrees that decorations make the season more festive.

“Each time you see outdoor decorations,” Brown said.

“It reminds you of the approaching holiday and brings back holiday memories.”

It is apparent that the holiday spirit seems to be in here Troy. The question remains though, how will the families in Troy decorate this year?

Will they deck the halls to the extreme? Or choose to opt out of certain decorations?

Either way, this holiday season, look out for the lights around Troy.

SANDRA CUTEAN

class groups on Facebook and students have been taking pictures of homework and sometimes tests and posting them on these pages.

“A student in APUSH posted a picture of their homework in our Facebook page and no one ended up getting credit for that assignment,” an anonymous THS student said. “Why would you do something like that? It just makes it harder for the rest of us who actually do our homework without cheating.”

Sometimes, cheating hurts more than just the cheater.

“There was a time in Miss Hall’s class last year [where] someone in each class [passed] around answers to other people in the class through text [messages],” an anonymous THS student said. “We ended up having to take two tests every time we had [a test].”

When cheating becomes prominent around the school, tests are formatted into essay questions to prevent students from copying, which is hard on both the students and the teachers.

“It’s easy to recognize

Freshman Drilon Drewsefolli peeks over at freshman Islam Aly’s test.

From page 1 Books

to [their] parents at parent teacher conferences, which were about a week later when the parents wanted to know why their student failed the test. [The parents] were embarrassed.

I’m sure the student got in quite a bit of trouble...now no one can eat during a test.”

According to a study done

by Stanford University, 73% of all test takers, including prospective graduate students and teachers, agreed that most students do cheat at some point. 86% of high school students nationwide also agreed during the study.

“I’m not proud of cheating, but sometimes it’s my only choice unless I want to stay up past midnight working on easy and time-consuming assignments,” an anonymous THS student said.

“I have cheated on my homework,” another anonymous THS student said.

“It’s not beneficial and it doesn’t help me in any way, but at least I get it done and get a grade for it.”

Not all students at THS agree with cheating and often times find it revolting.

“I feel that [cheating] is wrong. Someone probably worked hard on an assignment and you getting to use that is just ridiculous,” sophomore Babu Uppalapati said.

“You are not learning anything by cheating. Yes, we all have those days we just don’t have enough time to do our homework, [but] in those cases just be honest and tell your teacher that you didn’t do your homework.”

“I definitely think [cheating is] wrong,” sophomore

books, free Starbucks drinks and other free items.

“My favorite part was talking to David James,” Xu said. “[He did] a book discussion and writing seminar, which was really cool. [James] gave me lots of helpful advice in re-

AMANDA GUO

tially the high school version of Troy Berry,” Yi said.

Multiple copies of each chosen book are available in the library throughout the year.

Voting for the best book will begin in May, and on May 23, the Battle of the Books event will be held ing Fire fair at the Troy Public at Barnes and Library. The most Noble to celepopular book of brate the movie the year will be premiere. Stuannounced, and dents of all ages some of the auattended, and thors will be presmany of them ent at the event. dressed up as Other authors characters from who could not be the Hunger physically present Games series. have even offered “We had many to Skype with stupeople at the m a k e u p / h a i r Senior Bhavana Yasodhan works at the check out dents, so they can still participate in braiding table counter in the media center the event. getting done up The Troy High library is as if they were at the Capi- gards to my writing.” tol,” senior Rebecca Xu said. Many of the students at the involved in many events “It was fun. People were book fair attended weekly throughout the year, and it channeling their inner Kat- meetings over the summer has certainly come to mean to choose the best ten titles so much to the Troy communiss at the archery station.”

David James, the author of for this year’s Battle of the nity. the Legend of the Dream- Books. Senior Amy Yi was er series, also made a guest one of those students. appearance. He raffled off “Battle of the Books is essen-

who is president of the club.

“All opinions are valued and heard. It’s really a great club to be a part of, and we are all like a big family.”

On November 22, the Troy High library hosted a Catch-

Eric Cheng said. “But I think what upsets me is that people that I see cheating who don’t get caught really don’t seem to face any consequences. They don’t seem to get any punishment if they aren’t caught by the teacher.”

It has come to the attention of many Troy High teachers that there has been an increase in student cheating over the past few years.

“If someone is really going to go through the effort of doing some technological advancement they could probably spend that time studying and do just as well,” Troy High history teacher Dan House said. “Why break the rules instead of spending that energy to learn?”

Social media has played a huge part in helping students to cheat. There are many

Deck the halls: the decor in Troy

BY MEG BROKENSHIRE

MEG BROKENSHIRE

Some students will do whatever it takes to get an A in a class, even if it means cheating.

“I gave a test, and a student had a package of crackers on [their] desk, and I didn’t really think anything of it, because students snack quite often while they take tests,” THS history teacher, Scott Gibbons said. “I was walking around and I noticed the crackers were green, which I thought was weird. Upon further inspection, I realized that it was green marker, and the student had turned their crackers into a cheat sheet, and then was eating the crackers to destroy the evidence. Needless to say, I took the crackers and test away. [The student] failed the test, and I had the enjoyment of giving the crackers

MARISSA CECCATO

Senior Elly Stevenback performs during the band concert. She performed alongside her peers with the boomwhackers favorite song is still the Hallelujah Chorus, because it’s such a Christmas classic,” junior orchestra member Ankita Archarya said. “My favorite part of performing is hearing everything come together and seeing all our hard work pay off.”

Moving from the field to the auditorium, the concert and

during the spooktacular, to a more festive tone.

Most students just appreciate being able to practice a different type of music.

“We have been practicing for this concert since our last concert,” senior violinist Tim Asmar said. “The holiday concert is one of my very favorites. This concert is different from the other concerts we perform at because some, not all, of the music is familiar to the audience.”

The choir students perform during two different concerts, their own special concert and alongside the symphony orchestra. They began practicing during the first week of school. “[I love] being able to spread Christmas cheer to other people,” senior choir member Sarah Tsung said.

“It’s really rewarding to share a smile with someone else.”

“I love singing ‘This Little

of sound. It is kind of glorious.”

Throughout all the different performances, all of the musical students play for the love of it. “[The best] part of performing is hearing the music we’ve been practicing forever come to life,” Asmar said. “I love hearing how professional it sounds on stage and spreading our holiday music to the audience.”

(Upper left) Concert band performs Fum Fum Fum. (Middle right) Tsung sings along the choir. (Middle left) Senior Annabel Lemke performs on the violin. (Bottom right) THS Cellist performs at the winter holiday concert.

Babe’ because it’s one of the more technically-difficult pieces we have,” Tsung said.

“It’s short and sweet, but rhythmically tough, and when all the voice sections come together, it sounds beautiful.”

Some musical students from band and choir are able to join with the symphony orchestra during one special night to perform during the classic holiday concert.

“It’s always fun including band members and the chorus because it’s like a full musical arsenal,” Archarya said. “We can just bombard the audience with our mass

“[Senior year] is different because you start to realize ‘oh, this is the last time I’m going to sing at this [or that] concert’,” Tsung said.

“In my fourth and last year of choir, I’m determined to leave a positive mark on the underclassmen and to help them enjoy choir as much as I did.”

MARISSA CECCATO

Snowflakes line the wall, and lights illuminate the performers. The crowd awaits patiently for the students to begin, and when they do, holiday music fills the air.

“We have been preparing for this concert since about mid-October,” senior symphonic band member Alex Pop said.

Every year during the winter season the bands, orchestras and choirs all perform their holiday concerts.

They feature more traditional seasonal songs and even more contemporary ones.

“My favorite song we played on this concert would have to be the Mariah Carey medley,” sophomore band member Emily Schram said.“I just love all the songs and the amazing solos.”

“Even though we have a lot of cool new music my

symphonic band members see a big change in their stage.

“Personally, I feel like marching season is a mix of fun, laughter, friendship, unity and seriousness,” Pop said. “There are times where work needs to get done and focus at the task at hand. There are times where fun and laughter are appropriate, and a time to meet new people and make new friends.

“Concert season is a little more relaxed, because there aren’t as many events to note. There are times of vigorous attention and focus on music, while at other times there is room for laughter and understanding of one another which helps us grow as musicians and build bonds as friends.

Concert season tends to be more relaxed, but both are full of fun and memories.”

Many students even change instruments during the season change.

“For me, the marching and concert seasons are completely different,” Schram said.“I play tenor saxophone during marching and bassoon during concert. The relationships are a lot closer during marching season, and that has to be my favorite part.”

The orchestra students see less of a change in their scenery; they change from a humorous Halloween tone

“[I enjoy] bringing the black and white notes on the page to life,” Pop said. “They aren’t just notes, they are emotions and expressions meant to move and inspire those [people] listening.

The feeling of giving the gift of passionate music to the audience and the community can’t be put into words.”

MARISSA CECCATO

BY MARISSA CECCATO

Page 3

MARISSA CECCATO

F is for f-minor

Features

MARISSA CECCATO

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

Holiday Coupons

Giving the gift of extra credit this holiday season

BY KATHERINE MAHER

Unless otherwise specified, all coupons will expire January 16

Page 4

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

For the lads

BY TOMMY ROWBAL

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, December 19-23 and 26-28, (6:30pm - 10pm). Take a step into Christmas past where horse drawn carriages glide through the snow and Model T rides are readily available. The lovely eve-

nings also include candlelit paths, live entertainment, costumed presenters, delightful holiday shops, Santa and live reindeer, ice skating and a fireworks show.

Experience the annual holiday tradition of Campus Martius. Grab a group of friends, a date or your family and ice-skate in the center of Detroit under the gorgeous winter decorations. Skating runs from 11am to 10 pm. Admission: Adults $7,

Many come to enjoy the lights. in the streets and Birmingam 8 theatre in downtown Birmingham during the holidays.

AMANDA MCCAFFERTY

Don’t let the holiday season go to waste! With this action-packed guide to your winter vacation, we’ll have you saying ho ho ho instead of oh no no!

BY ANNA LARSON

ILLUSTRATIONS BY IN CHAN LEE

The holiday season is here in full swing, and as the dust settles from the Black Friday rush, holiday shopping is something on the agendas of most people this time of year.

However, sometimes there’s a lapse in memory or judgment, one thing leads to another, and you’re sitting on the couch Christmas morning remembering that you forgot to buy a gift for someone important. If that’s the case – no worries, here are some ideas. can expect to spend upwards of $30. Don’t even get me started on Beats, either.

Junk Food – There’s nothing quite like sitting down with a bowl of tortilla chips, or a pack of Oreo cookies, and watching a TV show or movie late at night with some friends. It may be generic, but it’s hard to refuse snack food, especially if the person in question really eats a lot of it. Just be mindful of allergies: peanut butter pretzels might seem good at first glance but when someone goes into anaphylactic shock, there’s going to be a problem. You can generally find junk foods from anywhere between $1 and $10 at many stores.

Jewelry – Earrings, necklace, bracelets. Pay close attention to what she wears on a daily basis and find something along those lines.

When in doubt, get something with a heart and then keep the receipt. Be prepared for her to wear this just about every day, so if you do not like looking at it, please do not get it.These can be found at stores like For Love 21 and Target. $20+

Everybody

The 12 days of winter

BY RACHAEL ZELMANSKI AND KATIE LUONGO

For the ladies

Starbucks gift card – Judging by the amount of students that can be seen in the hallways before school with bags under their eyes and a plastic cup of steaming, hot coffee, it’s safe to say that a Starbucks gift card would be a much-appreciated gift. You can get these at…well, Starbucks. Prices depend on the kind of card you get, ranging from $5 all the way up to $50.

Children (12 & under) $6 and seniors (50 & Older) $6.

If you don’t own skates, don’t worry. Skate rentals run at $3 per person.

Downtown Birmingham: Start your break off right with a relaxing carriage ride through downtown Birmingham.

Where: Corner of Henrietta and Merrill near Santa House When: 11/27/2013 through 12/21/2013 Contact: 248-530-1200 to set up your time Rochester Light Show: Support local businesses as you take in the light spectacle in Downtown Rochester located on Main St. Rochester Rd. No one is too old to get their picture taken with Santa. If you’re looking for a good laugh, break into your parents closets (or your own) for the ugliest Christmas sweaters, and grab a few friends to split the cost to get your picture with the famous Chris Cringle.

Spend the day with your family watching a holiday movie mar-

athon, with classics such as The Santa Clause and Elf.

Nail polish – Girls love nail polish and are always running out. Nail polish can be found almost anywhere and come in a wide range of colors and styles. There are such brands as Essie and OPI. These can be bought at Target, Forever 21 and any local drug store. They can be between $2 and $10.

Phone cases –Use her favorite color or quote. Just remember to get one that matches the phone she has.

Girls are constantly snapping on and snapping off cases and eventually their favorite ones break and they need a new one. Cases can be found at malls like Great Lakes and Oakland on one of the traveling carts and at five below. $5+ Socks – Yes, socks. Cute, colorful socks are good.

Gross white gym socks are a BIG no. Find the brightest, most colorful socks ever. The ones that have the rubber stoppers on the bottom are the bomb.com. They can be found at stores like Target and Old Navy. $10+ Stuffed animals – Those cuddly soft stuffed animals that you see in the front of the stores, buy it. Bears are a safe option as well as dogs, cats and bunnies. If you want to make it even more personal, take her to Build-ABear. She can pick out whatever one she wants and you can have a cute message in it.

Other stuffed animals can be found at Target and Toys-RUs. $10+

If there is a crazy winter storm, help out your parents and shovel the driveway.

Trying to make some extra cash over the break? Offer to shovel your neighbor’s drive-

Lotion – Take a nice trip to Bath and Body Works and find the best smelling lotion.

You can get her a couple little hand lotions or a big one. But don’t stop at lotions, Bath and Body Works also sells hand sanitizer, candles and perfumes. Girls love them and always losing them or running out. Some stores have sales go on right now to get rid of the holiday themed products. More often than not the stores will have some sort of deal like 5 for $5. Others can be more expensive but you get what you pay for. $10+

SANDRA CUTEAN

Movie – We’ve all seen the clearance bins in large stores that are full of old DVDs and movies that come pretty cheap, and they are a fine source for a quick gift to buy on Christmas morning while making a short stop before a holiday gathering. Your local horror movie aficionado will be sure to love that 75% off copy of Truth or Die. You can usually get movies pretty easily for between $5 and $20.

Headphones – Give your music-loving friend the gift of sound with a set of earbuds. Having a spare pair of headphones on hand for when you just need to listen to your iPod right there and then is pretty convenient, after all. Generally, sets of headphones can be found in the tech department of major retailers (Best Buy, Target, etc.) and can range from $5 to $25, depending on the quality. Unless they’re Apple brand, in which case you

Last minute gifts

Page 5

ways, too. When you’re finished, have some fun and relive your childhood by building a snowman or making a snow angel.

Feeling adventurous?

Check out places like Pine Knob or Mt. Holly with a few friends where you will be surrounded by people with a passion for winter sports. Plus, burning off those holiday calories is a must.

Bundle up and experience the snow covered Michigan outdoors at Stoney Creek Metro Park.

Try something new like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or even kite-boarding.

Ready to ring in the New Year?

Start it out right with the people you care most about.

Kroger supplies

KATIE LUONGO

Cold, Hard Cash – This is quite literally the definition of last-minute. It may come off as insensitive or as if you didn’t plan ahead at all, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to be upset with twenty-five bucks in your pocket. The price is pretty self-explanatory, as $10 is $10, unless you’re paying in Monopoly money.

NERF gun – Let’s face it. It’s extremely hard to go wrong with giving someone a plastic toy they can use to ambush their friends from a distance with. Dart guns are cheap gifts that can keep someone entertained for a long while, provided they don’t lose the darts. You can easily find cheap NERF pistols for around $10 or less at stores like Target and Walmart.

Video Games – There aren’t a lot of guys that will turn down a video game. I’ll tell you that. Just be careful with your selection – that brand-new copy of Call of Duty: Ghosts is only any good if the recipient has the appropriate console to even play it. Used games can be found for cheap prices ($5-$30) at a local Gamestop store, or if you’re feeling generous, a newer release can cost between $40 and $60.

Holidays

Every holiday season, downtown Rochester buildings shine with holiday lights. cheap confetti poppers and decorations, so create your own Times Square setting in the comfort of your own living room!

(January 1) Begin 2014 off right! After all the spending and receiving this holiday season, it’s nice to give back to your community.

Volunteer at your local soup kitchen or help out at a senior center.

Hopefully this guide will help with those winter blues and make the 17 days of winter break more enjoyable.

Not just your typical team

BY KATIE LUONGO

AMANDA MCCAFFERTY

Danielle Mukomel said.

“Football games are so fun to cheer at and the difference is we are cheering for the football team and competitive we are cheering for ourselves and for the basketball boys,” junior Shelby Sacco said.

Returning coach Samantha Mularski was the JV coach two years ago, but is

Although the team does not have captains, the seniors are this year’s team leaders.

The Troy High cheer team’s efforts to better the community are what coach Samantha Mularski defines as leadership.

“I have three seniors on my competitive team this year, they are Micah Jones, Danielle Mukomel and Charlotte Stormer,” Mularski said. “They are my team leaders. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

So with the impressive start to their season, coach Mularski sees nothing but room for improvement.

“The team expectations are quite simple,” Mularski said. “To go out each and every time and perform to the best of their ability, improving with each competition and only getting stronger as the season goes on.”

Just keep swimming

BY ANNIE CHEN AND KATIE SCHLAFHAUSER

On Saturday mornings, the hallway lights in Troy High are dimmed, and the doors are locked, except for one door leading to the swimming pool. Behind that cracked door echo the sounds of splashing water and the smell of chlorine sneaks out and lingers in the hallway.

aerobic exercises, along with a few stretches. In water, they have different workouts or sets. Depending on which sets, some emphasize stamina with little breaks in between while others work on speed and power.

Even though each practice is tiring on their mus-

ANNIE CHEN

AMANDA MCCAFFERTY

(Top) Troy High’s competitive cheer team performs in the stunt round on Saturday, December 14. (Middle right) Senior Daniele Mukomel gets lifted by junior Julie Brooks and sophomore Olivia Hutchinson.

now the varsity head coach and the older cheerleaders are happy to have her back.

“The juniors and seniors are really glad that [Mularski] is back,” senior Micah Jones said. “She kind of saved us because we were coach-less for awhile.”

The cheer team has had to make new adjustments this year, with Mularski as their new head coach and the loss of many talented seniors.

“We are a lot different than last season’s team,” Mukomel said. “I think that with our new coach we will have a lot more opportunities to do well. We are overall a stronger team.”

“The seniors last year had phenomenal talent and could never be replaced,” Jones said. “But, we each bring something to the table that they didn’t have.

Of course we miss them, but the show just goes on.”

“Last year we had a lot of talented girls,” Sacco said.

“But, we didn’t have the push we needed and this year we are determined and dedicated and even better.”

Their dedication is clearly there; the cheer team practices every day after school for three hours. Most of the cheerleaders have been cheering for more than just their high-school careers.

“I’ve been cheering for nine years and I’ve been on varsity for three years,” Mukomel said. “My team goal is to overall improve as a cheer team and to be a memorable team for Troy High.”

“I’ve been cheering since I was six and I made varsity freshman year,” Sacco said.

Just like her sister, freshman Sophia Sacco also made varsity.

“There are five freshmen on varsity one of which is my little sister Sophia and she rocks,” Sacco said.

In the limited free time that they have, the Troy cheer team also volunteers for their community.

“My favorite memory is the volunteering projects that we’ve done as a team every year,” Mukomel said. “It’s a great thing to do and it’s fun to share that time with teammates. We went to Grace Center of Hope, adopted a family and this year we went to a women and children’s center for the homeless.”

uestion: What team has numerous players all reaching the highest level in high school sports? A team with an all-state softball player, an all-state lacrosse player and soccer state champion?

Answer: The one, the only, Troy High girls’ varsity basketball team.

Not only do these girls play great basketball against quality opponents, they also succeed in other sports off of the basketball court. Senior captain Sydney Heath has been on the varsity team since freshman year, yet she has also lettered in softball and track. Heath has been a starter for the colts all four years in basketball, but plans to pursue another sport in college.

“I’m going to be playing softball at [Michigan] State next year,” Heath said.

Another talented athlete, Cara Burns, a junior starter for the colts, also letters in another sport at Troy High.

“I made varsity lacrosse as a freshman and was named to the all-state team last year,” Burns said. “We made it pretty far in the state tournament,

The boy’s swim and dive team can be found in the pool after school every day for two and a half hours. They even practice on Saturdays.

During practice, they are split into two groups, half of the team is on land, and the other is in water working on strengthening their muscles.

On land, the swimmers follow a workout program on a TV and do jumping and

cles, the swimmers see the importance of every one.

“Swimming is a lot like track in that practice is very boring but necessary,” swimmer junior Eddie Cai said. “If you miss one day of practice, then you are set very far behind.”

Unlike swimming, which emphasizes physical strength and speed, diving leans toward mental preparation.

MARISSA CECCATO

Q

BY AMANDA MCCAFFERTY

The cheer season is in full tumble with their first competition of the year complete. Troy High’s competitive cheer team finished in seventh place on Saturday, December 14.

New head coach Samantha Mularski had nothing but positive response.

“They’re getting there little by little,” Mularski said.

“I couldn’t be more proud. It is still very early in our season but so far I am happy to say that things are coming together very well. I have an amazing and very talented group of girls and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for us this competitive season.”

The team’s competitive season is much different than their football season, which is during the fall.

“Competitive cheer is a lot different from football games because we are actually competing against a bunch of other cheer teams and we are being scored by judges,” senior

Page 6

winning the regional final.”

While junior Addison Bouzide scores points in basketball, she also saves goals in soccer. As junior on the girls’ varsity basketball team Addison also plays travel soccer all year round and is a goalie on Troy High’s varsity girls’ soccer team.

“Last season [the girls’ soccer team] won the state-championship,” Bouzide said. “Since I know what success feels like, it makes me want to achieve it in [basketball] and it pushes me to work hard during [practice]” Though these girls all come from different sport backgrounds, one thing they can agree on is how beneficial having girls from different sports on the team is.

The proof was in the game on Thursday, December 8, Troy’s home opener against rival Troy Athens. The game began as a close scramble with multiple turnovers and many missed shots. Starting the second half it was evident that Troy was the more athletic team in the cross-town matchup. The colts came out of the locker For each of the four positions in diving (straight, pike, tuck and free), divers need to think about what to do and visualize themselves diving before they start.

Remembering to keep the legs straight or the body tucked in is what sometimes determines each diver’s score out of ten.

“Diving is all mental,” diver sophomore Jimmy Barrett said. “There are too many things to think about depending on if you are doing a front dive, reverse dive, back dive, inward dive or twist dive.”

“It feels like you are flying,” Barrett said. “When you get 15 feet off the ground you feel a rush of adrenaline.”

Swim does not end after the winter season for many of the swimmers on the Troy High team. Many participate on other teams during the summer to keep in shape.

Others play water polo to keep in shape and experience a different water sport.

“I play water polo during

(Top right) Senior Sydney Heath makes a basket over a Red Hawk defender. (Bottom left) Junior Maggie Bohr makes a three-pointer to polish off a Colt’s victory. room with a vengeance, easily gaining a ten point lead over the less energetic Red Hawks. With senior captain Rachael Zelmanski tallying 18 points in the second half alone and 20 points overall, and junior Rachel Grecky adding 12 points to the score, the Colts came off the court with a 32 point lead, overcoming Athens 66 to 34.

“Each athlete can tie in what they know from their other sport, especially when it comes to physicality,” Burns said.

“We are a really conditioned team,” Heath said.

“From soccer players to track runners, we’re a lot faster than most basketball teams.”

One thing is for sure, these girls know what it means to win state titles and achieve greatness, and they will not be backing down anytime soon. the fall,” Cai said. “I also lift weights and play basketball.”

The team not only puts in the effort at the practices, but they are also there to support each other at the meets. When one team member is swimming in a race, the others are there cheering him on.

“Our team spirit is very strong,” sophomore swimmer Nachiket Deshpande said. “When you’re not swimming, you’re on deck cheering and screaming for your team.”

“I enjoy swimming so much because of all the friends that I’ve made through it,” senior captain Tim Asmar said. “I have been swimming on a team since I was very young and I feel that it has shaped me as the person I am today. “

(Top left) Freshman swimmer Joseph Nagia swims the breaststroke. (Bottom right) Nagia swims the freestyle stroke

ANNIE CHEN

New team, new coach, new year

Sports

MARISSA CECCATO

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

Opinion

Page 7

A message to the disillusioned senior

Batteries not included: A holiday rush

Senior year is so many things to so many people. It is the end, the beginning, a challenge and some days a breeze. Mostly, though, it is a reflection of everything that we’ve achieved so far in our roughly 18 years of existence.

So, when everyday a new problem arises, and an old problem reappears, we adjust. We overcome. 13 years of watching, listening and making connections has helped prepare us seniors for everything the harsh adult world will throw at us in the future.

We have been learning.

My senior year has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From college applications to acceptance letters to financial aid, everything is new and everything is intimidating. Some days I am excited and some days I’m afraid.

Surprisingly, though, in my effort to prepare myself for my future, I have found myself searching for reassurance and solace from my past.

Reflecting back made me realize that everything we have learned throughout the years has molded us into the young adults we are today, even when we don’t realize it.

It’s easy to reflect back on third grade and ques-

Imagine: it’s October. You haven’t even found your Halloween costume yet, and some commercial enterprise has already plastered fake tinsel Christmas trees, overly colorful menorahs and obnoxious holiday lights all over your neighborhood grocery store. The overly passed-out ads fill your mailbox with dozens of colorful magazines that advertise toys made with cheap plastic and thin stuffing. You and your siblings may have already completed that long list of presents you are hoping to receive for the holidays. Somehow, your parents have been able to successfully find a bag of Halloween candy plastered amongst the garlands, wreaths and snow, even though this bag may already have some irritating holiday icon printed on it.

When looking at it commercially, the holiday season (starting with Halloween and ending on Valentine’s day) is the number one money maker for high-end companies such as Hallmark, Party City and Wal-Mart, mainly because they can take your joy and cheerfulness about the subject and warp you into believing that all these toys and decorations are necessary to create this “Cookie Cutter Christmas”, or any holiday of

Ender’s Game

BY BRENDAN BATTLE

2.5 out of 5 stars

Without a doubt, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, but this big-screen adaptation

tion why cursive was ever introduced, since we didn’t have to write every middle school paper that way.

It’s easy to question why we need to learn American history year after year, because has it really changed, ever? Why do I need to learn math if I know I’m going to be an English major?

It’s hard to reflect on our pasts and prove to ourselves that everything is

BY MARISSA CECCATO important, and that everything has some meaning, no matter how grand or small.

We learn to read to be a part of society, just as we learn to make friends and communicate with people in groups. We need math to purchase and sell, to take any part in business. We need science to understand the chaotic world around us. We need English to read, reading to learn, learning to

just fails to click with me.

The plot of both the book and the movie are generally the same: Earth has been invaded by aliens who nearly wiped out humanity, and the world’s government believes they will be coming back to finish the job. To repel the menace, they are forced to

be the best people possible.

My many years of school have taught me to work hard- harder than ever I thought possible, to strive to be the best that I can be (despite how I feel about myself) to accept failure and to overcome.

Senior year is the first major crossroads many of us will reach in our lives.

We can choose to either continue blaming others for our problems, or we can take responsibility for our actions using everything we have ever learned, and we reflect, we adapt, we mature and we grow. And I chose to grow.

So thank your parents, your teachers, your boss, your coach, your older siblings, your advisors and counselors, everyone and anyone that has ever challenged you.

Thank them for what they did for you, and for what they made you do for yourself. It’s your senior year, and there’s no turning back now.

You have spent your whole life preparing you for this, so take everything that anyone has taught you and be confident, be curious and skeptical, and most of all, be the best you, you can be. recruit child prodigies to become generals and tacticians for their futuristic army. A boy named Ender is recruited to their “battle school”, and quickly rises through the ranks, but begins to doubt the truth of everything he is being told about the invasion. This movie does a

few things right, like its epic portrayal of the zero-gravity battle school and intense space-battle scenes. However, the story seems like it suffered from too many abridgements of the source material. Some characters’

the like so the saying goes.

Raise your hand if you were the child who always received every single item on your wish list and never received seemingly useless items like socks or a toothbrush. Nobody’s hand should be raised. But all the same, why do we care? Why do we still feel this necessity to crave every instance of gift receiving, and even in

BY MEG BROKENSHIRE the gift giving, why are we so concerned about a few numbers on a price tag?

My family celebrates Christmas, and sometimes we will trade gifts between my three younger sisters and I. Little did I know that my youngest sister Kate happened to be working on a very special present for me. On Christmas day, when I opened up the very obviously three-year-old created wrapping paper, I was surprised to see this oh-so-messily created craft. motivations are hard to understand due to not enough time devoted to them. Also, the pace of the story seems rushed; the book takes place over several years, but in the movie seems to go through its entire plot in a matter of

But the next words she said rocked my world. “Batteries not included,” she said with a smile.

It took me a while to understand what she meant by the whole thing. Quite honestly, my parents and I were both confused. Now though, I understand it.

When Kate said “batteries not included” she was alluding to all the other gifts she had received under our own fake Christmas tree, all of which needed batteries placed inside of a cheap plastic box to make it sing or light up. I do not know how she was able to grasp such a concept, and maybe she never really did understand at all, but mentioning that not everything needed batteries to be considered special was the key to me understanding what the holidays were really about.

I know now that not everything needs to be made of plastic or thin stuffing to be special. It is unnecessary to put obnoxious tinsel trees and rainbow menorahs all over the place. It is better, instead to find things that are personal. Gifts that actually have meaning and that we can give as a gift, telling the receiver that “Batteries are not included.” weeks, which makes it hard to explain how Ender rose through the ranks so quickly.

This movie has a few things going for it, but you should stick to reading the stellar book instead.

The Troy Independent - thetroyindependent.org

The Colt-Word

Entertainment

BY BRENDAN BATTLE *Unfortunately, there will be no candy give away for the Colt Word this issue. The staff of the Troy Independent wishes everyone a happy holiday season!*

Down 1. Monarchy 2. Playstation 4. Equator 5. Pterodactyl 6. Mustang 7. Russia 10. Calibri

Interested in advertising with us? Contact us at troynewspaper@ gmail.com to request information on ad sizing, publication dates and costs.

LOST ELF! PLEASE HELP!

This is the Troy Independent’s Elf friend, George! George has been very busy this season.

Instead of making toys, he decided to steal cookies and hide them in the paper!

Please help out our staff and find George the Elf! He is hidden at least once on every page! Can you find him? Total of 19

IN CHAN’S INK

theTROY INDEPENDENT

Across 2. Holmes’ assistant 5. Calvin and _____ 6. A sneaky computer virus 9. Boxes are made of The official student newspaper of Troy High School this www.thetroyindependent.org 12. The square root of troynewspaper@gmail.com negative one Down 1. The caped crusader 3. Japanese car maker 4. Michigan has two of these 7. A French philosopher 8. A praying insect 10. The day after Christmas 11. America built a canal here

Last Issue’s Answers Across 2. Parkour 3. Fanta 8. Sudoku 9. Dandelion 11. Fluoride

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GRAPHIC BY LILY CUI

BY IN CHAN LEE

Katie Schlafhauser, editor-in-chief Annie Chen, assistant editor Amanda McCafferty, assistant editor Marissa Ceccato, photo editor AuJenee Hirsch, business manager Marcey Shehata, social director Sarah Regan, web manager Katherine Maher, web manager In Chan Lee, cartoonist Brendan Battle, staff writer Meg Brokenshire, staff writer Dan Chmielewski, staff writer Sandra Cutean, staff writer Amanda Guo, staff writer Anna Larson, staff writer Katie Luongo, staff writer Olivia Moss, staff writer Tommy Rowbal, staff writer Beti Shahollari, staff writer Rachael Zelmanski, staff writer Jennifer Opalewski, advisor

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 2014-2015 scheduling cards.