January 29, 20214Volume 914Issue 3
ARROW Utica High School447255 Shelby Road Utica, MI 483174www.uhsarrow.org
2020 CSPA Silver Crown Award Winner & MIPA Hall of Fame Inductee
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RETURN TO SCHOOL
Students arrive back in classrooms and begin adjusting to the new normal.
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PAGE 2 3TABLE OF CONTENTS 3ARROW 3JANUARY 29, 2021
CONTENTS 3
4 6 8 9 WARRIOR YEARBOOK PHOTO
COGNITION YEARBOOK EARNS NATIONALe,RE gold award from ns wi m ho m fro ok bo es et pl m co Staff Columbia University. ON PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATIke as president ce offi n ta lly cia offi en be s ha en Joe Bid ent. with Kamala Harris as his vice presid HOOL STUDENTS RETURN BACK TO SC rned to the The students of Utica High have retu building in cohort groups. THAT HAVE LEFT NETFLIX SHOWS AND MOVIESfav orite shows and Students speak on some of theirmedia platform. films that have left the popular WINTER SPORTS DELAYED ts games until at least MDHHS postpones contact spor Feb. 21.
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HOSA students earn awards in regional competition &
the challenge of having a virtual competition.” Wagner’s topic was in Researched Persuasive Writ On Dec. 19, 2020, Health Occupation Students of ing and Speaking, and the second place award was anAmerica competed in the first ever virtual regional com- nounced to her through a YouTube video. petition. The regional conference was held on the pop- Senior Sarah Lorenzo competed in the Medical Spellular media platform YouTube due to the circumstances ing Competition event of HOSA, also taking second caused by COVID-19, much differplace in the category. ent than a usual in-person event in Lorenzo said she is eager to move but going virtual is now a common on to the next phase of competition, method during these times. she also placed second in her event. 65 Utica High students were in at“I’m sad that states will be ontendance for the virtual competition. line, because it was supposed to be Students were required to test virtuin Traverse City,” Lorenzo said. “It’s ally and told to upload documents so pretty up there so I wish we could and videos specific to their individhave gone.” ual events. Out of the 65 Utica High students Nervous about competing virtuin attendance, 51 placed in the top ally, senior Caitlyn Wagner said she six, which has earned them the inviwasn’t sure what to expect. She was tation to now compete at the pending given the topic of whether or not State Leadership Conference in late technology helps us to become more April 2021. or less connected, and had a task to If COVID-19 will allow it, the conupload a research document coverference will be held in Traverse City Students who won events were given medals, ing the subject. at the Grand Traverse Resort. as well as a shirt. mackenzie olmstead photo “I was very nervous going into Additionally, five students who the competition since it was all virtual this year,” Wagner placed in the top 10 in their events were also recognized said. “I’m happy I ended up getting second place, despite during the Virtual Awards Ceremony. CLARISSA ROSE
REPORTER
MACKENZIE OLMSTEAD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
DECA competes virtually in competition ALEX SCHMIDT
REPORTER
Although they hadn’t met in person all semester, 28 DECA students didn’t let that get in the way of competing in the annual competition. DECA, a business and marketing organization, held its district competition on Dec. 14. Due to COVID restrictions, this year’s competition was held through Microsoft Teams. “I have enjoyed the competitions we have had so far, although I wish they were in person,” sophomore Ella Smith said. “It has definitely been challenging but we had a lot of fun.” Depending on their area of interest and skill level, students competed in many different areas with various questions or tasks to complete. “I will get a business scenario that has an issue that needs solved, I will have ten minutes to do so,” senior Ava Denton said. “When that ten minutes is up, I present it to the judge. This is known as role-playing.” Students have been working on their competition events since the beginning of the school year. “They prepared by practicing role-playing over Microsoft Teams meetings,” adviser Dana Boice said. “The students not only worked on solving the role-play questions but also camera presence and
timing.” Students participating in DECA must be enrolled in one of several business classes at Utica. Most of the business are apart of Boice’s marketing program. After competing virtually, students waited anxiously for the results, which took place a month later., on Jan. 14. Students viewed the awards ceremony online during Student Support Time and a small portion of their second hours. “It was so exciting to watch the awards on YouTube,” Boice said in an email. “Now we need a fun way to celebrate.” During the awards, 19 DECA students learned that they had advanced to the state leveL “The virtual awards ceremony was the best way to help us stay safe,” sophomore Natalie Shtogrin said, “but at the same time, I wish I could’ve shared my reaction with Mrs. Boice and Mrs. Snyder.” In addition to qualifying. 13 students won a testing medal, and six students won a medal in role-play, which earned them recognition as best in their section. “I was honestly in shock when I won,” Shtogrin said. “As a sophomore, it was my first year and I looked at it as practice for the years ahead. So I am very excited for states.”
Pictured on the right is senior Ava Denton, a second year DECA student, who is a hotel and lodging state qualifier.
STATE QUALIFIERS Antonio Capelj Robina Dawood Ava Denton James Duff Grant Freestone Emanuela Gegovic Alexia Issa Alyssia Johnson Hannah Kappula Julia Kass Danna Melendez Jenson Moss Steven Paquette Maryam Roel Natalie Shtogrin Ella Smith Molly Stevens Laina Tomei Brandon Watha
In the news room at Utica High, editors Cassidy Eskew and Lauren Kerr edit yearbook proofs before they are sent out for publication in the yearbook. WARRIOR YEARBOOK PHOTO
Yearbook staff earns Columbia award JOSHUA RHODES
REPORTER
Columbia University’s Scholastic Press Association recently awarded Gold status the the Warrior yearbook, along with All-Columbian Honors in all possible areas. The yearbook staff earned the award while completing the book from home virtually. “It speaks volumes,” principal Tom Lietz said, “for the commitment of the journalism program at Utica.” It’s a big accomplishment that the staff completed everything, from interviewing to designing, virtually. “It was the pride in wanting to share the yearbook with the kids who ordered it,” Lietz said, “and the excitement that surrounded that.” At the time, completing the book virtually was a challenge, especially when the staff was only given one day to gather materials before being sent home last March. “It was a big challenge to do the yearbook virtually,” senior editor Cassidy Eskew said. “Last year when no one really knew what was going to happen, we didn’t have a plan.” Editors scrambled in the news room, making sure they took home anything necessary to complete the book. Reporter’s Notebooks with interview and printed proofs were just the beginning. The students also created chats and other ways to reach out to each other while working from home. “At the time corona hit,” Eskew said, “the editors were in the last stages of our editing process for the final pages before the whole book would be submitted.” The staff already had some of the yearbook finished, which was helpful, as they didn’t have to do everything virtually. “If staff members didn’t finish their page, the editors would finish it for them,” Eskew said, “and we were going crazy emailing, social media direct messaging, and texting students to ask them interview questions.” Staff put in a lot of work to get the yearbook out and had to spend time sending emails and asking questions constantly to finish it. “I was very surprised that we had won the Columbia award,” Eskew said. “I really wasn’t expecting anything.” Grateful that they were able to complete the book without missing any deadlines, many were surprised when it was announced they had won the Columbia award. This year, the staff began the year with even more challenges, as students have not been in school. “The staff ’s up to the challenge,” adviser Stacy Smale said.
PAGE 4 3FEATURE 3ARROW 3JANUARY 29, 2021
SIMMI SINGH
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Heated emotions surrounded the 2020 presidential election, which ended in a close race between candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden. As the world watched the United States count ballots, numbers slowly rose as people anxiously awaited the outcome. As election day came and went, results were delayed as states counted large amounts of mail-in ballots that had not yet been counted. Since most of these votes were cast for Biden, Republicans saw the Trump lead slipping away. On Nov. 7, four days after the election, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were called as the projected winners of the 2020 election. Crowds flooded the streets with happiness and pride as the election results were plastered all over every television in America. Many Biden supporters came out of their homes with masks on, joyfully parading around their neighborhoods. News stations showed footage of strangers dancing with one another, congratulating each other on their victory, while fireworks went off in many different cities and countries. “It was a very happy day for me,” senior Leah Remy said. “I feel like as a country this heavy weight has been lifted from our shoulders and the nation was united once again.” That night in Delaware, both the vice president and president elect appeared on an outdoor stage surrounded by citizens in their vehicles. They addressed the nation with televised, unity-themed speeches. Despite the results, Trump claimed the results were false and wanted a recount, costing the Trump administration millions of dollars to get all of the votes recounted by each state. When all votes were recounted, however, Biden ended up getting more votes than initially totaled. “I believe that the votes were counted correctly the first time,” senior Bhavin Patel said. “We all knew that the mail-in votes would be the last to be counted, and that they would be mostly democratic.” On Dec. 12, the electoral college made it official that Joseph R. Biden would be our next president. Biden’s team began working with the Trump administration to have a smooth transition of power. Biden already had plans ready to fight the COVID pandemic and decrease cases. His plans include mandatory masks on federal property, getting vaccinated, and another shut down in order to get the virus in control. Many people disagreed with the idea of shutting down the country, saying it won’t work because people will still find a way to go out and spread the virus. Trump announced that he would not attend the inauguration, and that he would go to his home in Florida with his family. Vice President Mike Pence, however, said he would attend. On Jan. 6, Trump supporters rioted and stormed the capitol, breaking in through windows and doors. Believing the election was rigged and that Trump should have been declared the winner, the angry crowd chanted threats and broke into government officials’ private offices. Later, the FBI would post photos, leading to the arrest of those identified. Jan. 20, Inauguration day, Joesph R. Biden and Kamala D. Harris were sworn in as the 46th President and 49th Vice President of the United States. History was made as Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first female and person of color to become the Vice President. “It is really inspiring for me, other women, and young girls across the country to finally see a woman in office,” senior Ann Droelle said. “Looking up to Vice President Harris shows women that we are capable of anything we put our minds to.” The day started off at 8 a.m. in the morning with Trump’s goodbye ceremony where supporters joined together to hear the President address the nation one last time. As he
addressed the nation, he focused on the success his administration team over the past four years. Trump stated that they will be back in some type of form, and then boarded Air Force One, heading to Florida. At 8:45 a.m. the Harris and Biden family attended a church service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C. There they sat for a service along their loved ones before the big ceremony. This was a tradition for many years now for the future president to attend a mass at the very same church with their loved ones before their inauguration. Right after the mass, both families arrived at the Capitol’s east front at 10:30 a.m. to get the ceremony started. The ceremony officially started at 11 a.m., beginning with a performance of the National Anthem by Lady Gaga. This was followed by Amanda Gorman, the first ever national youth Poet Laureate, reading her poem about unity and togetherness among the nation. After, the benediction was given by Rev. Silvester Beaman of Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and musical performance by Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks. Kamala D. Harris was sworn in at 11:55 a.m. as the first women and person of color vice president by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Right after, just before noon, Joesph Biden was sworn in as 46th President of the United States. His wife was holding the family bible as he was being sworn in. Afterward, each one gave their inaugural speeches, and addressed their hope for the country to be united. “I am very excited for Joe Biden to be the next president,” senior Filip Rosic said. “I feel like the nation is very divided currently and I hope that he can unite the U.S again.” At 2 p.m., former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama joined together at Arlington National Cemetery for wreath laying of unknown soldiers who have passed away while serving the country. The “Inauguration Parade” started at 3:15 p.m., but it was not like any other parade, as citizens did not line streets due to safety and COVID concerns. The parade route brought Biden from 15th Street to the White House with a military escort. The day’s events ended at 5:00 p.m. when Biden stepped into the Oval Office for the first time as a president, and began signing executive orders. “I am very excited to see what the future holds for our country,” junior Natalie Weir said. “I hope that we are able to recover from this pandemic and are able to go back to normal life pre-COVID.”
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Georgia Runoff Results Student share their opinions on Democrats controlling the Senate ABBY WILLIAMS
REPORTER
Thousands of Pro-Trump supporters gather at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. getty images/tns photo
Capitol Hill Riot Students react to events in Washington, D.C.
mer.” Others, though, had an even stronger reaction to the Not only does all of America know about the riot that news. attempted to overtake Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, but the rest “When I found out what happened,” senior Annie of the world does, too. From gathering in a mass group Droell said, “I was infuriated and disgusted. What hapwithout masks during a public health crisis, to building pened was not right nor patriotic” gallows and announcing that they wanted Vice President While many stand by the opinion that these radical Mike Pence to be executed, these radical Pro-Trump sup- supporters were just a minority of his followers, others porters shocked many, and demonstrated despicable vi- feel that by not condemning these groups months ago, olence against the Democracy that they claim they want President Donald Trump directly influenced and incited upheld. the violence that followed after his rally. “Conservatives are supposed “When Trump responded to be supporting the party of to these white supremacists, he peace, law, and order. This was told them that he loved them. not demonstrated,” senior Dillon The treatment of these terrorists Wagner said. “Real conservatives compared to the treatment of the don’t rush through lines of popeaceful Black Lives Matter prolice officers holding the very flag testers by Trump really showed that shows support for them, and how racist Trump is and how he real conservatives don’t break incited this violence,” Droelle said. the laws and rules they preach so “He incited this violence by tellgraciously.” ing the Proud Boys to ‘stand back Many don’t want to accept In one of the most memorable images from the riot, a and stand by.’ By not condemning supporter holds a Confederate flag outside the that those who took part in this Trump white supremacy he upholds the Senate Chamber. saul loeb/tns photo violent ordeal could really be as social order of white supremacy loyal to the country as they portray. and racism.” “My initial reaction was shock. I was so surprised and Though President Trump is in the process of a second disappointed with what had happened,” senior Kirk Ras- impeachment for his influence in inciting the mob, many mussen said. “Regardless of what those people believed, still do not believe that he had a part in the riot overtakthe actions they took only hurt the narrative they sup- ing the Capitol. ported and showed their hypocrisy.” “While I don’t necessarily think President Trump di Like many in the nation, almost all at Utica had the rectly incited the violence that happened, since he did same reaction upon hearing the news. say in his speech beforehand he wanted it to be peace “All I could feel was... just shock,” sophomore Lana ful,” Wagner said. “He obviously has a responsibility to go Gamoura said. “I could not believe that the supporters along with it.” were breaking into the capitol considering that they were Regardless of political party, most students agree that all upset and against protesting when people decided to justice should be upheld, and that those who committed defend something as vital as human rights just last sum- these crimes should be punished. OLIVER GAMEZ
COPY EDITOR
On Jan. 5, Georgia voted in a runoff election to choose who would fill the two available Senate seats. This election would determine which of the two parties, Republican or Democrat, that would be controlling the Senate. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of the Democratic party defeated David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler of the Republican party, granting Democrats the control of the Senate. Many people, from both the right and left parties, have lots of strong opinions on the outcome of the Georgia runoffs. Some that are associated with the Republican party dislike the outcome due to their party not holding power in the Senate. “I’m not too happy about the outcome,” sophomore Emily Addis said. “I am pretty sure that if Democrats rule the Senate, that makes our chances of Trump becoming president even slimmer, which I guess Democrats are happy about.” Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock at a rally. Others affiliated with los angeles times/tns photo the Democratic party have differing views, and are happy with the outcome. “I think this can be a good thing,” sophomore Alaina Wisswell said. “I think it could help make things a little safer with COVID-19.” Some supporters of Trump are concerned about what they believe could happen to the country if Trump is no longer in power. “I feel like Trump needed to become president again,” Addis said. “Under Biden’s rules, our country will turn to trash. Biden having the Senate on his side would make it easier for him to create stupid laws. I think he would make laws about forcing vaccines and taking away our guns.” On the other hand, some people who are happy with the result of the Georgia runoffs believe the opposite. “I think this would lead to more equality by undoing a lot of things,” Wisswell said. “In my opinion, undoing the trans military ban and making the gay panic defense illegal are steps towards equal rights.” Their high hopes don’t come without concerns, however. “I am worried about riots breaking out if Biden is able to carry out laws,” Wisswell said. “Seeing what happened at the Capitol made me nervous about something else happening if Biden does something Trump supporters don’t like.”
PAGE 63COVER STORY3ARROW3JANUARY 29, 2021 Before she leave class, senior Annie Droelle wipes off her desk so it is sanitized and free of contamination for the next student to use her desk. “I really feel more safe when I’m at school, knowing that everything is being cleaned constantly,” Droelle said. “The precautions that Utica has now are really good for keeping their students and staff safe from COVID.” In addition to students cleaning throughout the day, custodians spray disinfectant on all surfaces after school. brooklynn hathcock photo
After lunch, students get a wipe to clean off the assigned seat and table areas where they were sitting. “I don’t mind cleaning off my area at all after I eat lunch,” junior Emily Borus said. “In fact, I feel safer that we all are doing this.” All students are required to clean off their space after lunch to keep the school a COVID-safe environment for all students and staff. brooklynn hathcock photo
Passing time between classes is restricted with one way hallways throughout the school. There are now one-way hallways, which mean, students are required to walk in the direction that the arrows are pointing. “I really don’t mind the one-way hallways,” senior Dillon Wagner said. “I only get mad when I realize I took the wrong stairs and I have to walk all the way around the school to get to class.” brooklynn hathcock photo
Students have to either bring their own food and drinks for lunch time, or they can get free lunch in the cafeteria. The vending machines are emptied out this year to prevent cross-contamination between students. “I was really mad at myself when I realized that we weren’t allowed to use the vending machines,” senior Kyle Walsh said. “I was so excited to go back to school and get the snacks that I would buy last year.” brooklynn hathcock photo
Spaced to lear produc everyo a big d school up on I have rules in place for safety, classrooms O With many seem empty and quiet to many students. don’t see a point with coming back N to“I really school. We do everything on our laptops like how we do when we were at home,” L just senior Francesco Grillo said. “I just think that difference with being back is that we I theareonlyall more exposed to COVID, and we can see our classmates and teachers in person-but still, everything we do is online.” N E FACE-TO-FACE brooklynn hathcock photo
JANUARY 29, 20214ARROW4COVER STORY4PAGE 7
UCS is back
Cohort groups return to in-person learning for the first time since March 2020 BROOKLYNN HATHCOCK
DIGITAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Teacher Holly Yucha distributes achohol wipes to students at the end of class, so their work space is sanitized for the next class. brooke monarch photo
d apart in the classroom, students log in and are ready rn with their at-home classmates. “I think I am way more ctive in school than being back home. I love seeing one, too,” junior Jack Droelle said. “The little things make difference. Plus, I feel that I am way more productive at l, too. During Student Support Time, instead of catching sleep, I’m working on homework. By the time I get home, no homework at all.” brooklynn hathcock photo
Who would’ve known that the “first day of school” would be in January? With various safety precautions in place, orange cohort students (last name A-K) returned Jan. 19, while black cohort students (last name L-Z) returned Jan. 21. When that COVID pandemic first started last year in March, everyone was initially told that it was only going to be a two-week break, but then that turned into a longer spring break, then it turned into having a month off, and that turned into almost a full year without returning back to school. Online at first was very difficult for not only the students, but also for staff and parents. Students had to learn how to be able to catch up and teach themselves, teachers had to make different plans to be able to teach from their homes, but also continue to parent, stepping in to assist their own children, too. Over time, almost everyone got used to attending school online; it became a comfortable routine. In fact, some students could say that they liked it even more rather than being in school. Reason being, they got to do work on their own time, got to have time to hang out with their friends, students were able to have a job throughout the day and could do school before bed, or wait until the weekend. This year is different, students now have scheduled Teams calls that are mandatory for attendance, assignments are due by the end of your class, and school will start and end at the same times that it did in the previous years. Now with being in school, more has changed on top of that. In addition to only half of the student population attending school on their cohort days, all students are at home on Wednesdays, which is a half day in the morning, with Student Support Time in the afternoon. Days that you are in school, your classes are separated into your first three hours on your first day in school, with the last three hours on the second day. Each cohort day class is two hours in length, while virtual Wednesdays are 30 minutes.
Q&A Senior Annie Droelle
Q:
Junior Olivia Pinto
Q:
Q:
How do you feel with COVID and being back in school?
What is your favorite thing about being back?
Do you prefer being online or back face-to-face?
A:
A:
A: I was really
I feel like some students take the precautions very well, but others don’t care at all. Teachers are good with teling students to do the right thing.
My favorite thing this year is just getting the high school experience. I like that it’s new.
Sophomore Olivia Barel
used to being online, but I do love being back in school and seeing my friends and teachers. It’s not the same.
Perspectives
PAGE 8 3FEATURE 3ARROW 3JANUARY 29, 2021
Students tune in for Season Three of popular television show
“All the drama is so interesting,” junior Audry Hayes said. “There’s crazy things that go on so often I can’t believe its based on a true story.” “All American” is one of The CW’s top shows, with ratings better than Many people also enjoy the difference in economic status between sevmajority on the channel. With more views than most shows on the chan- eral characters in the series ranging from poor upbringings to being the nel, it’s apparent that there has been a lot of hype around the third season child of a billionaire. finally coming out. “It’s weird to see a kid coming from nothing live with a bunch of rich “I’m really excited for the new seapeople,” junior Austin Lamphier said. son,” junior Riley Sokolowski said. “Interesting to see how he fits in with “The last season ended with a big cliffall of them.” hanger.” Many people find the perspective of This series is based on a true story a person from Crenshaw very intrigubased on a high school fenom football ing, as not all people have to experiplayer chasing his dream of becoming ence a life of poverty. and NFL pro, which obviously comes “I like how the show gives you perwith some problems along the way. spective of what it’s like for people Everything leading up to this brand from Crenshaw,” junior Madalyn Sesi new season has viewers anticipating said. “I like the realistic high school the release of the new season, hoping life, too.” it lives up to the wait. There is many positive things said “The last season was made like over about the show, and it is clear that a year ago,” junior Antonio Capelj said. many people find it enjoyable to “I almost forgot what happened last Season Three of “All American” debuted on the CW network this month. cw photo watch. The first episode of the season season. was released on Jan. 17, and more epi Many people have positive things to say about the show, for many sodes are soon to come out most likely by each week. different reasons. One of the biggest, and most obvious, being a love of SPOILER ALERT sports--more specifically, football. Don’t have a way to watch the first two seasons, but want to jump into “The close football games are pretty cool to watch,” junior Gino the third? Here’s what you missed in the first two seasons. Dimaggio said. “When the game is close I’m rooting for Spencer to come In the first season, Spencer is selected to transfer as a high school stuthrough. dent into the wealthy Beverly Hill Eagles team. He takes them to a cham Another reason people find the show appealing is the high school dra- pionship and wins it. In season 2, Spencer is shot and works all season ma that plagues all of the main characters throughout the series. long to get back to his potential, when his arm stops working at the end. ETHAN SMALE
BUSINESS MANAGER
Catch Up Missed the first two seasons? You can still watch on streaming services. • Netflix If you have Netflix, seasons 1 and 2 are free to watch with you and your friends. • DirectTV Account holders can download the show On Demand, including the new episodes coming out as season 3 progresses. For more information: https://www.cwtv.com/ shows/all-american.com
Students say goodbye to their favorite Netflix shows Actor Penn Badgley plays Dan Humphrey in the 2007 series “Gossip Girl,” which left the Netflix queue on Jan. 1. The series revolves around students attending a wealthy private school in New York, trying to figure out who is anonymously posting their secrets online. tns photo
“Bridgerton” is a new, popular Netflix original series starring Phoebe Dynevor, and Rege Jean Page. The series is based on Julia Quinn’s novels set in Regency-era England. netflix/tns photo
the Netflix most-watched list. Senior Haley Smith is a huge fan of the series, even rewatch On a streaming service that’s been around for quite some ing it many times. time, the television and film selection is bound to experience “I’ll usually rewatch it in order, but sometimes I just like some changes. Some shows and movies will come and some watching my favorite episodes,” Smith said. “I stopped countwill go. ing how many times I’ve rewatched it after 20. I wasn’t that up Whether it has to do with a contract or set [when it left Netflix] because I have Peamaking room for more Netflix originals, there cock and they have a lot of extras and bonus can be several different reasons something scenes, so it’s cool.” may leave a streaming service like Netflix. It seems Smith isn’t the only one to using One common reason being with the compamultiple platforms as a form of entertainny’s contracts running up. ment. Senior Mary Tuzinsky, who is also a Eventually, when the contract does finally fan of “The Office,” is no longer rewatching expire, there is usually the option to renew it the show since its Netflix departure. or to let the show or film go. Because of these “There are no shows I’m currently rewatchcircumstances, many series and fan-favoring,” Tuzinsky said. “Right now I’m just ite films have made their departure from the watching YouTube because Netflix has gotten platform. kind of boring.” Some series’ that have left the streaming One film that’s made its Netflix departure service are “Dexter,” “One Tree Hill,” “That was “Pride and Prejudice,” which came as a ‘70s Show,” “Gossip Girl,” and “The Office.” Senior Mary Tuzinsky watches Net- bit of a bummer to senior Shelby Romeo. Many movies have also left Netflix includ- flix with her cat, Luna. mary tuzinsky “It’s a great movie in my opinion,” Romeo ing “Pride and Prejudice,” “One Direction: courtesy photo said, “especially because it’s a romance movie This is Us,” and “The Notebook,” which made and they’re my favorite.” its way to the platform on Valentine’s Day before, but left later Senior Lindsey Killian was disappointed to see “Skins (UK),” on. which first aired in early 2007 leave the platform. Many people were bummed to hear the popular NBC sit- “I was only on the second season and interested in it,” Killian com “The Office” left the well-known streaming service. The said. “Then it got taken off.” nine-season long comedy instead became available on another With shows coming and going, only one thing is certain; streaming service, Peacock, a new service from NBC Universal. whether you use Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, regular TV, or another The show aired from 2005-2013, but held up being a regular on streaming service, there are many options out there. MACKENZIE OLMSTEAD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SPORTS ATHLETES, COACHES, FANS, AND MORE
PAGE 94SPORTS4ARROW4JANUARY 29, 2021
GET UP-TO-DATE SPORTS INFO MISS A GAME, OR PLANNING ON GOING TO ONE? FIND ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON OUR SITE
Contact sports delayed by coronavirus, MDHHS orders
While some sports resume, MHSAA delays winter sports games to late February
play, which will allow all sports to begin safely.” Tryouts for winter sports were already completed before the pause, except for boys basIn a press release on Wednesday, Jan. 13, the Michigan High School Athletic Associ- ketball, which held their tryouts Jan. 20 though the 22. Wrestling is a no-cut sport, so ation announced that, beginning Saturday, Jan. 16, all winter sports may start practicing tryouts were not required. with strict guidelines. Non-contact sports can begin having full practices and games, while Spectators will most likely still be very limited, according to Holmes, with no sure rules contact sports will have to keep practices non-conor regulations yet in place. tact and will not have games until at least Sunday, “Like in the fall, there will be limited spectaFeb. 21. tors,” Holmes said. “Those specifics are still being Two Utica sports returned to practice and determined, There will be contact tracing screening games: bowling, and swimming/diving. Both can upon entry and disinfecting protocols, as well as begin competition Jan. 22. wearing masks at all times in and around the buildThe four sports returning to practice with no ings.” competition are basketball, competitive cheer, ice Student athletes are super excited to get back to hockey and wrestling, all of which can start schedplaying their respective sports. Junior Frank Valuling contests for Feb. 21. enti, who plays for the Utica-Ford Unified hockey MHSAA also stated that, due to the later start team, can’t wait to be back after the long, drawn-out date for these four sports, state tournaments will be delay. readjusted and adapted. “It’s exciting,” Valenti said. “We haven’t really Athletic Director Karyn Holmes believes that all had any competition since our fall season, which Members of the wrestling team socially distance during their first practice of the year. shea was cut short due to COVID, so we’re all just happy sports will see a season of some length. “I am very hopeful we will see a season for all hathcock photo to be able to get back on the ice and skate as much sports,” Holmes said. “We will be grateful for whatas we can.” ever length of season that is allowed and can be accomplished safely.” Everyone is hopeful that winter sports can finally get underway and that Utica athletics Holmes knows there will be challenges getting these seasons underway. can have successful seasons in all winter sports. In the meantime, athletes are following “We are hopeful that once the order that prohibits contact sports from competing is strict guidelines during practices, and are hopeful the Michigan Department of Heath and expired, hopefully at that time we will be allowed to be within 6 feet during the action of Human Services will allow winter contact sports to resume sooner, rather than later. JONATHAN CUNNINGHAM
SPORTS EDITOR
Winter conditioning prepares athletes for new season wrestlers safe so they can be ready and healthy to compete in their meets. Because of that, the wrestler’s normal is far gone. They were not allowed to have During Governor Whitmer’s press conference, she states that all sports can begin contact. However, wrestling is pure contact. So, in order for them to follow the rules, conditioning again starting Saturday, the 16th of January. they could only condition and run little drills at their practice to get them all ready. However, when she stated that, she also stated that it can only be non-contact Another sport that is now allowed to practice is Utica’s hockey team. They are sports so the athletes and coaches can stay safe while also getting in practice and also trying to get ready for their season but they had many changes happen in order getting what they need to do done already. Now “contact” sports to follow the rules and keep everyone safe. can practice, but they need to become non-contact in order to At the hockey teams first practice, all players and coaches obey the rules and continue practicing and competing. had to wear masks both on and off the ice. Also, like all the oth They sports that are starting up are winter sports. This iners, they could not have much contact. cludes girls and boys basketball, ice hockey, and wrestling. All “It was a lot of skating drills and stuff to get us back in sports tryouts, practices, and games will all look very different ‘skating shape’, “Senior Jonathan Cunningham said, “It was a lot than what they looked like in the past seasons. of things to get us back up to speed so we can be ready to go right Girls basketball had their tryouts at the beginning of January. away in February 1st as we have a game scheduled that day.” The requirements were to be wearing a mask at all times and to The team has only a little time to get ready for their first keep distance from all of the other players and coaches. game coming up, and with all these new rules due to coronavi The basketball girls are now practicing and preparing for their rus, it feels impossible. upcoming games in the high school’s gym with masks and with As the end of January is coming up, teams are hoping to distance between each other. They run drills and practice their have their first games and hoping to get as close back to normal skills in groups with coaches watching from a distance. as they can. Also, the wrestling season is finally happening. They are start Seeing on MHSAA’s main website, the athlete and coaches’ ing to practice in January. They have to remain non-contact in normal is soon to come. MHSAA states that all contact sports Athletic trainer Adrien Brudvig administers the order to compete in meets in the upcoming months. can have their first practice using contact on the 1st of February. test in the media center. ethan smale “It was awesome to get back on the mats again,“ Senior Mat- concussion “The Council approved a plan for adjusting schedules for courtesy photo thew Gaereminck said, “I am very excited and ready to get the the five winter “contact” sports which may begin non-contact season up and running.” practices on Jan. 16,” Executive Director Mark Uyl stated, “but The wrestling team’s first practice was very off. The team could not be all together must delay any activities that involve physical contact between individuals until Feb. at once. They have two sections, both with four groups, this is so they can keep the 1, per the recent update to the MDHHS epidemic plan.” SHEA HATHCOCK
REPORTER
VIEWPOINTS STUDENT VOICES AND OPINIONS
O N LI N E
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Return to school. While some are excited to be back, anxiety is running high for others. Expectations were high as Jan. 19 approached. It would around the school in the direction that the arrows point. be the first time students returned to their classrooms for This means that if your class is right next to you, but isn’t in-person instruction. in the direction that the arrow is pointing, you have to While some students were filled with excitement just to walk a lap around the school to get to your next class. get back in the building, others were fearful of what an ac- “Coming back was nerve-wracking and yet exciting,” tual day of following rules to remain COVID-safe would teacher Bryant Sebastian said. “When the students came be like in reality. in, I found myself filled with joy to see and meet them, It was what we’ve all been waiting for, but we have to more so than I was expecting.” admit that we are all are stressing about it, too. Getting Lunches are now different, too. Students are provided able to see our friends and teachers--and just being able a free lunch; all they need to bring is their ID. The seatto sit in a classroom--we couldn’t ing arrangements are dependent wait. However, the big worry of on whatever class you have before possibly catching COVID from your lunch. Students all receive a school and bringing it home to our number that corresponds to an asfamily and friends was an obvious WAS GOING BACK TO signed seat. Students are socially down side. distanced, and are allowed to take SCHOOL WHAT YOU “I’m really excited to go off masks to eat and drink. After back into school,” senior Dil- EXPECTED IT TO BE? lunch is over, everyone gets an allon Wagner said before the first cohol wipe to clean off their seat day back. “I don’t know if I fuland the table area around them. ly am confident that it will last, “Being back face-to-face is YES NO though. I feel like this will only so weird, especially when I think last for a week, then the realities of COVID will take about how school was last year,” junior Olivia Pinto said. over and we will all go back to our new normal.” “With only half of the students actually being in class, The first day back to school was not what everyone was everyone wearing masks now, and the cleaning proceexpecting. School was nothing like how it was last year, dures--it’s all so new and different; it’ll take a while to get with everyone now wearing their masks, the new way of used to.” walking in one direction through the halls--it’s all some- Classrooms are socially distanced to the best of the thing we need to get used to. teachers’ ability. It all depends on how many students are “I would say that the first day was stressful at first, be- in class. For some, their classroom is empty with only five cause I didn’t know what to expect, but by the end of the students, for others, their classroom has almost every seat day I wasn’t as stressed because I got to reconnect with filled. some classmates and teachers,” senior Riley Greenwood “I don’t think that school s going to last because I think said. “It was exactly how I expected it to be, though.” that the kids who don’t care will ruin it for others,” senior The hallways are now marked with arrows to make a Ava Denton said. “I love being back in school, but I think one-way traffic. Students and staff are only allowed to go that it would be safer to be home.”
EDITORIAL BOARD VOTE
9
4
BROOKLYNN HATHCOCK ILLUSTRATION
PERSPECTIVES
Did the first day of school in the building meet your expectations?
“My first year of high school is not going how I expected. COVID really changed my high school experience, and will probably keep changing it for the next couple of years.”
“It was kind of mixed emotions for me. I wanted to go back, but it was hard and it’s exactly how I would picture it when I thought about going back.”
“Going back to school was better than I was expecting; it was really nice not having the parking lots as full as they were last year. The hallways are also easier to navigate.”
Daniel Hakim
Ashton Hill
Olivia Combs
Stacy Konnie
Sandra McGee
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
SENIOR
TEACHER
STAFF
“Going back to school was not how I expected. I was expecting more of a social environment, but instead it is a lot more awkward.”
“Its been a long year. We’ve changed many things, I pretty much made so many changes in our routine, but I think we are doing a lot better than we expected.”
JANUARY 29, 2021 4 ARROW 4 VIEWPOINT 4 PAGE 11
OPINION OLIVER GAMEZ, COPY EDITOR
Vaccines are necessary and important
Highly politicized, slightly supported by the public, and around 95% effective, the COVID-19 vaccine brings high hopes to the at-risk and general population alike. While it’s been questioned on how the vaccine was finalized so quickly compared to others in history, it must also be recognized that those vaccines were developed nearly 50 to 100 years ago and medicine has greatly advanced since then. With a high infection rate and death rate that quickly climbed, the fast development of the vaccine was a risk that was necessary to take. It shouldn’t be questioned that an industry that has spent decades preparing for a health event such as this could release a vaccine for a highly contagious disease in under a year, especially when the technology and resources are so readily available. The highly contagious disease is silent for some, fatal for others, and leaves those who recover with unknown health issues to live with afterwards. Global cases have risen to 99.8 million and deaths to two million; it only makes sense for the government to be distributing as many vaccines as possible. Receiving the vaccine will not prevent people from catching COVID--the flu vaccine doesn’t claim to do that either--it will simply alleviate symptoms. No longer will the chance of individuals dying from complications from the disease be as high as it is (even if it’s not very, the chance is still very much there); this vaccine will save lives. As defense for the vaccine being ineffective, some might use the excuse of the lawmakers who tested positive after the Capitol Hill riot. But those lawmakers blame their fellow co-workers for their exposure, as some of the Republican members refused to wear a mask when they were sheltering in close capacity. The vaccine protects people from getting seriously ill
after infection, not from getting it at all. Again, receiving the vaccine does not guarantee negative future tests. These lawmakers made a highly disrespectful choice to expose their co-workers in such a situation, but the bad light in this situation should be on them, not the vaccine. Most people in the country agree that the government is doing a poor job of distributing the vaccines, but with a new presidential administration brings hope for change. President Biden just recently announced several changes to the supply of vaccines, including a change in administering 10 million doses a week instead of just 4 million. Bringing in a 15% increase in doses will lead the country to reaching the point of herd immunity, but this can only be attained if 75% of the population gets vaccinated. If the portion of the population that refuses to mask
Receiving the vaccine will not prevent people from catching COVID--the flu vaccine doesn’t claim to do that either--it will simply alleviate symptoms. up and believes that they’ll grow extra limbs would only decide to receive the vaccine regardless, they could be part of the reason that they see the virus “go away.” Regardless of how effective the vaccine has proved to be and the scientific evidence that supports the notion that it will save lives, a major portion of the population will still refuse to get their dose, and the virus will continually interrupt our daily lives. These safety protocols continue to be important. If everyone follows the new federal mask mandate and practices social distancing, the vaccine will not be as necessary for the safety of the public health as it currently is.
READER RESPONSE
Response to ‘Teenage Dating’ Fine way of describing, and pleasant piece of writing to get information concerning my presentation subject. Regards, Dreammarket (https://dreammarket.link) online reader
Response to ‘Baja hoodies: What they really are, why most students wear them’ This is a great article about baja hoodies. They are a special part of Mexican culture and it’s amazing that these have proliferated around the world so widely. They have now really become part of popular culture which is great! Here’s another great article about baja hoodies if you want to learn more. https://www.madeinmexi.co/blogs/blog-posts/a-mexican-baja-hoodie-aka-the-drug-rug-is-the-modern-hippie-s-fashion-of-choice
Carlos Martinez, online reader
UHS Arrow Newspaper
Contact information
Arrow Utica High School 47255 Shelby Road Utica, MI 48317 phone: 586.797.2305 fax: 586.797.2201 e-mail: uticapublications@gmail.com website: uhsarrow.org
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Arrow is published monthly by the newspaper class of Utica High School and is funded by advertising. Our main purpose is to (1) inform the students, faculty and community of school-related news; (2) broaden the range of thinking of staff members and readers; (3) provide a forum for readers; (4) train the students in the functions of the press in a democratic society; and (5) provide entertaining features of interest to the students. All editorials without a byline reflect at least two-thirds opinion of the Arrow staff but are not necessarily the opinion of the administration. Letters to the Editor are welcomed and must be signed; however, names will be withheld for valid reasons. Letters may be dropped off in room 205, and electronic submissions will be verified. All contributions are subject for restrictions of libel, defamation, slander and obscenity. Arrow staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing the meaning, and also reserves the right to reject letters for reasons of limited space, untimely material, or unbalanced coverage. Arrow is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association and the Student Press Law Center. Some photos courtesy of American Society of News Editors/Tribune News Service. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, print copies are distributed digitally,
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Cover by Mackenzie Olmstead Photo by Brooklynn Hathcock
PAGE 123SPOTLIGHT3ARROW3JANUARY 29, 2021
SPOTLIGHT
WHO SHOULD BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT NEXT? TWEET YOUR IDEAS @UHSARROW
HIGHLIGHTING UNIQUE TALENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
After a semester without a program,
CHOIR RETURNS GRACE LEONARDI
EDITOR
When words fail, music speaks. “Music transcends any other ways of communicating. It is more than just the notes on the page or the moments in the performance, it is really something that has always been there for me no matter where I am.” UHS Choir Teacher Mr. Dargis said. It can be used to get through things and express things and really engage that creative side of who you are, allowing you to have fun as well as discover things about yourself. Chieftain singers went without a choir class for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year and were happily shocked when news came out there would be hope for the program. Students in the choir department were given a chance to make music for the first time this year. Fresh out of college, teacher Tyler Dargis was welcomed with open arms by staff and students of Utica High School and is shaping the program to be his own with a fresh semester two start. “Mr. Dargis has had such high energy and welcoming spirits from the moment I met him” junior Ashlynn Gazaway said. Dargis makes the six-member choir class feel like a family with his energy and teaching style. “Mr. Dargis is outgoing, funny, and insanely talented. His teaching style is organized and fun, he is very good at getting things done, while laughing and enjoying everyone’s company,” senior Maria Chesnutt said. He caters his course directly to the needs and wants of his students, accommodating to their level of knowledge so they can all be on the same page with reading music as well as their musical preferences, planning to cover the styles of music that each student en-
Tyler Dargis, choir teacher
joys singing. “Choir has impacted me by giving me the opportunity to do what I love during this crazy year.” Chesnutt said, sharing how Dargis’ class has helped her grow in her musical knowledge and brought positivity to her senior year. Dargis’ plan for the program is to grow it into several choirs including a catch-all mixed chorus, women’s choir, men’s choir and auditioned groups and plans to teach not only choral music but to teach all types of music as well as help his students learn to read music, sight-sing, and be successful however they sing. He also plans to eventually start an A Capella group as well as a Show Choir who could compete. Mr. Dargis recently graduated from Oakland University in 2020 with a “Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education specializing in Choral and General Music” and was hired at Utica with great confidence he would grow this program and form ties to unite the choir program with the band and drama programs to create a performing arts family. To add a little bit more background on Mr. Dargis, he student taught alongside Mrs. Julia Holt at Eisenhower last semester and holds Utica Community Schools close to home as many of his family members graduated from Utica High School, including his mother and grandparents. He has always had a passion for music, as he was raised on 80’s rock and pop, as well as country. His relationship with music has grown and changed over the years but has always been constant. Throughout this entire journey one thing remains true, music has always been there for him and is still each day. Its is a way of life. Dargis’s students say they are already inspired by their teacher’s enthusiasm and passion, and are looking forward to watching their renewed program grow.
