Arrow 2021 Issue 5

March 31, 20214Volume 914Issue 5

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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PAGE 2 3TABLE OF CONTENTS 3ARROW 3MARCH 31, 2021

CONTENTS 3

4 6 8 9 SIMMI SINGH PHOTO

FULL RETURN TO SCHOOL rning full time with Students return to in person leaspreading COVID-19. protocols put in place to avoid UMAT TER WEEK support to students ow sh lp he to ld he is ek we r te at UM l health. and show some awareness to menta REVIEW FEATURED COVERAGE: YEARr IN view of the Check out our center spread fo a re unprecedented year we’ve had.

R WEDNESDAY FO ON TI TI PE A TE EA CR TS EN STUD s that virtual Students create petition in hopepe n.

Wednesdays do not become in- rso SPORTS HAVE A NEW POLICYr winter sports, MHSAA issues updated rules fo including testing for wrestling.

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FIND EXPANDED COV FROM EVERY PRIN ERAGE T EDITION, NEW STORIES, RE CENT SPORTS SCORES AND MORE AT WWW.UHSAR ROW.ORG.

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Full return announced for in-person learning

online students at the same time can be very stressful.”

SIMMI SINGH SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

The return-to-school has some questioning how safe This school year has looked very different, and now everyone will be. Some of the small adjustments Utica that vaccines are being distributed faster we have start- has made in order to make sure that the virus does not ed to bring normalcy in our everyday lives. As we start spread is that they make sure to disinfect every touching to slowly transition from remote to in-person learning, point in the school twice a day. This will make sure that there are extra precautions we must if someone were to have the virus take in order to stay safe. without knowing every points they “I am very excited to be going into could have possibly touched would school with everyone,” senior Vincent be clean.

Strehl said. “It will be very interesting Another safety protocol that has to see how everything plays out in the been placed is if someone were to long haul.” test positive, the school goes back 48 Our schedule will still look the hours to when they were in school same with A Days on Monday and and anyone sitting 6 feet from them Thursdays and B Days on Tuesdays must quarantine. This can last one and Friday. With full classrooms to two weeks. It was placed so there and little space for social distancing, will be minimal spread within classteachers must arrange their classrooms. rooms in order to follow the CDC “Someone was exposed in my class Teacher Brian Drobnich’s AP Environmental guidelines on social distancing and Science class socially distances in cohorts. so I had to be quaratined for a week”, maintaining a proper spacing. It has simmi singh photo senior Isabella Gorgees said. “It was been a struggle for the teachers to very strange experience to be pulled adapt to these new rules, but as the year goes on and we out in the middle of class and be sent home.” are adapting to this new normal.

Students that have been sent home will be marked “Teachers have a more challenging responsibility this medical leave and can attend school via Teams, creating a year,” principal Tom Lietz said, “balancing in-person and safe space while social distancing becomes more difficult.

Health screening protocols released others are more optimistic about the results of self screening.

With the return to school comes new health guide- Sophomore Sophia LaBrecque is a student who lines and protocols to deal with COVID. self screens daily and is confident in its effectiveness Every student should now self screen themselves against COVID. before leaving their home for school, and if you have “I self screen every day before school,” LaBrecque been exposed then you would have to stay home for 10 said. days.

LaBrecque self screens not just because it’s safer, but If a student has any one of the following they must also because she thinks it’s effective against COVID. stay home for ten days: cough with shortness of breath, “I think it would be very effective”, LaBrecque said, difficulty breathing, and loss of smell or taste. “because more people would be staying home if they “The self screening protocol will not go away,” prin- felt sick, thus infecting less people.” cipal Tom Lietz said, “until after this disease does.”

LaBrecque thinks that if students self screened more Continuing with self-screening is also a daily pro- often there can be a major impact on COVID at cess in itself with the constant changes.

Utica.

“We keep up with the new guidelines for Eisenhower recently got shut self-screening on a weekly basis,” Lietz said.

“They down due to too many positive change all the time as the science changcases. es.”

“I think that there is a big Students had mixed reactions to the chance that they would still be self-screening protocols and how effecopen,” LaBrecque said, “if more tive they think it will be for everyone’s students had self screened.” safety.

Most students are split on “Self screening probably won’t the decision of how effective the make much of a difference, because self screening protocol is and how most COVID symptoms are simit will be in the future and not just ilar to common and non deadly in the present. illnesses like the cold,” sophomore Some still believe that it Brian Pogasic said, “so it wouldn’t won’t change much, be very accurate.” while others be Some students agree with Pogasic, lieve there will thinking that it would not make a differbe a major ence in how COVID will spread, while impact.

Temperature checks are an important part of self-screening.

JOSHUA RHODES REPORTER

cassidy eskew illustration

Updates for Class of 2021 District plans outdoor venue for graduation ceremony BROOKLYNN HATHCOCK

DIGITAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Last year’s seniors had to improvise for their graduation, and new changes are ahead for the class of 2021.

Traditionally, graduation is where all of the graduating class would gather in their cap and gowns and walk across the stage one at a time, listen to the speeches by teachers, valedictorians, and superintendents, and families would watch in the crowd.

Instead, last year the seniors carpooled with their families in their caps and gowns, and attended their drive-up graduation.

At this, teachers got to have a one-on-one with the students and got to take pictures and have quick conversations, seniors got to socialize with their family and friends.

During all of this, music was played, and graduates overwhelmingly loved it.

This year, an email was sent out to seniors that graduation would take place at an outdoor venue, in a more traditional format.

The senior meeting was held virtually.

“I am actually exbrooklynn hathcock photo cited for the outside venue for graduation this year,” senior Victoria Huynh said. “I really think that this way is so much fun and a great way to be one-on-one with our teachers and principals instead of just walking down the stage and shaking their hand.”

In the email, it was said that the graduation this year was planning on to be located at an outdoor venue, not everything is set and stone, but seniors will be updated as soon as any more details come out in their school emails.

It was also announced in the email that Prom will not happen as it normally does, but there will be an accommodated prom for the senior class.

Seniors have dubbed the event “not-prom,” and it will to be a formal event limited to senors only; no underclassmen or any outside guests.

“I was both sad and happy to hear about the prom update,” senior Annie Droelle said. “I was so excited to read that they were at least planning on it, but it is still sad that it won’t be what I have always wanted it to be.

I have always looked forward to it, but I know that my friends and I will make the best of it no matter what the case will be.”

Plans for this prom are the same with graduation, when more details come out they will all be sent out to seniors and parents.

U M a tte r PAGE 4 3FEATURE 3ARROW 3MARCH 31, 2021

Weekly events focus on mental health and physical well-being ABBY WILLIAMS

REPORTER

&

KAI DAWKINS

REPORTER

Mental health is an extremely important topic that often gets overlooked. It’s just as important as physical health, yet sometimes it’s ignored.

However, Utica’s Student Mental Health Committee has dedicated themselves to changing that, doing all they can to ensure all students are in a healthy state of mind.

“I feel that mental health issues are becoming more of the forefront than in the past, especially since we have encountered this pandemic,” counselor Annemarie Carabelli said. “SMHC is formed to bring awareness and help to overcome the biases of society. The more aware we are as a school, the more we can help ourselves and each other, and the ripple can go from there.”

One of the events the SMHC has created is “UMatter Week,” which took place from March 8 to March 12.

“Mrs. Bronski had heard about it and brought it to Mr. Lietz’s and my attention,” Carabelli said. “It started from there. The goal was to bring something positive for students and staff that would matter to all of us.”

For UMatter Week, the SMCH prepped virtual speakers and activities about topics relating to mental health, such as suicide prevention and awareness, meeting counselors, mindfulness and meditation, nutrition, and physical fitness.

“I think that the suicide awareness day was very helpful because it helps people understand that they aren’t the only one who is going through things,” junior Gjuliano Grishaj said, “and it makes people realize that they can talk to someone if they feel that way.”

To go along with all of this, the SMCH asked Utica’s staff to volunteer to give their own TEDTalks about struggles they have overcome.

“I think it’d be cool seeing teachers talk about their mental health and how they got through their struggles in life,” sophomore Jenna Zions said. “It could help a lot of students to get through their problems and see life differently.”

Some students liked the Chieftain Chats, mindfulness, and meditation the most.

“I think that the suicide awareness day was very helpful because it helps people understand that they aren’t the only ones that are going through things,” junior Robina Dawood said, “and it makes people realize that they can talk to someone if they feel that way.”

The timing of UMatter Week was perfect, as many students have said their mental health has taken a toll due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My mental health has worsened a lot,” sophomore Sophia LaBrecque said. “I feel down a lot more and I really miss concerts and normal life. It’s taken away a lot of fun trips and normal daily activities.”

“Overall, I do believe I have been impacted by the pandemic, along with other students,” sophomore Stacy Keehn said. “I know my friends have mentioned their anxiety feeling worse, and feeling as though things will never be the same. Students have shown to be less social in class due to the lack of communication and interaction during the past months.”

Despite all of the mental health problems that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, many students are afraid to seek help due to stigmas around mental health.

“I think mental health is overlooked in a way,” LaBrecque said. “People cast aside others’ anxiety and dismiss them as not important.”

Staff were hoping that the kids enjoyed the Umatter week events and that the weekly events would help students by giving them tips to navigate and connect their minds, suicide awareness videos and other events.

“I feel like the mindfulness and meditation was the most beneficial for everyone,” junior Jorge Garcia said, “because it is good to take some alone time and focus on yourself for a bit and relax.”

Other students felt like the physical wellness day was the best for students and teachers.

“The most important day for students and teachers is the physical wellness day,” junior Michael Dahdah said, “because some people don’t participate in any type of physical activities, and plus I tend to feel good after I know that I did a physical activity.”

Some students were wondering if UMatter Week was going to be a event that occurred throughout every week because of how good an idea it is.

“I strongly feel like UMatter Week should be an event that we do at least once every other week,” senior Jayden Dawkins said. “I feel like the things that are talked about during UMatter Week are really helpful to people.”

The SMHC hopes that UMatter Week will help support students and bring awareness to the damage that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused to students’ mental health.

“I hope that UMatter Week will have an impact on students and staff,” Carabelli said. “It is our first time and all virtual, so it makes it a little complicated. We hope to keep doing it each year making it more informative, interesting, and fun.”

Teachers motivate through Chieftain Chats

Teacher Tammy Hilliard shared experiences dealing with COVID restrictions and changes. “You are loved; we are all in this together,” Hilliard said. “We’ve had a rough year, but look at how far we’ve come.”

During teacher Katie Lelito’s Chieftain Chat, she discussed struggles with making choices in high school that were different from her friends. “My path was not straight, it had a few bumps and curves,” Lelito said, “but it is my path.”

Teacher Jeffrey LaPratt discussed the importance of details in his Chieftain Chat, “Take care of the little things because the little things become big things,” LaPratt said. “And if you can do the little things, big things are not so insurmountable.”

Not only did teachers share personal stories in Chieftain Chats, but they also provided motivational lessons, as well. “The higher you struggle, the more closer you are to your potential,” teacher Mark Moehlig said, “and that’s really what it’s about.”

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Virtual band festival Wind Ensemble Band members record performance BROOKLYNN HATHCOCK

DIGITAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Socially distanced and masked up, students rehearse “Crafting a Killer” in the auditorium. maria chesnutt photo

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Theater department rehearses for their upcoming play, despite COVID restrictions safely. It’s been a hard emotion-filled journey, but it is all worth it.”

Unable to finish and perform their show last school Though there will not be a live audience due to the year, the Utica High theater department is currently school’s Covid-19 safety restrictions, it will rather be working on the production of their first show of the 2020- filmed instead.

2021 school year.

“We hope to offer the DVD or a recorded download of When the theatre department began working on the the show for English teachers to show in their classrooms play in the fall, it was coined to be titled “Crafting a Kill- after the editing is done,” theater department head Joel er” and it follows a government entity hiring people to Kaczmarczyk said. perform their dirty work.

The production being played to students in English Some may be wary of students being socially distanced classes would only take half a period, as unlike previous enough for the performance and years, “Crafting a Killer” is only rehearsal to be deemed safe, but one act and would last about 45 all involved assure that principal minutes.

Tom Lietz approved the club to be “I am the most excited to in action. watch this show in its whole with “Rehearsal is socially distanced out stopping as we go,” Chesnutt with masks on at all times to ensaid. “As a director there is nothsure safety, but we still get the bening more rewarding than seeing efits of interacting with each other the hard work you and everyone and keeping the department alive,” else in the cast has done come to senior Caroline McDade said. life on stage.”

Students are temperature The students working on the checked as they walk in and are production of the play are all very asked to fill out a self-screening Sophomore Douglas Gettleson and IB junior Julie Syler excited to finally perform again, review lines for their upcoming play. maria chesnutt photo questionnaire daily. but with the end of the school “Rehearsal is distanced as year approaching, so are the semuch as we can be, fortunately the Auditorium is a very nior thespians times on the stage. large space,” senior and assistant director Maria Chesnutt “Last year when we got sent home, I thought we were said. never coming back,” Chesnutt said, “and as a Junior in my Production on the upcoming show began in the fall first lead role, I was crushed, but now here I am directing when all students were remote, but practice remained a show, kind of mind-blowing, right? I am so happy to consistent through video calls until student return al- be on this stage in the last few months of my time here at lowed for in-person rehearsals.

Utica, but no doubt I will be sobbing when I have to leave, “I would like people to know that despite the post- that Auditorium and stage is my home.” ponements of returning to school and extracurricular All involved with the making of ‘Crafting a Killer’ are activities,” Chesnutt said, “we did zoom rehearsals until extremely excited to see the end product and show the we could return to school and host in-person rehearsal rest of the school the finished play sometime this April.

OLIVER GAMEZ

COPY EDITOR

This year, the Utica Wind Ensemble is approaching their festival a different way.

Every year, the bands all went to festival where they would perform their songs in front of judges and get scored on how their performance was.

Instead, this year the bands get to stay at Utica and record their songs and are able to send them into the judges to be scored that way.

There has been a year before when the band gathered after school to practice and record their piece to send into the judges, so there isn’t too much of a change to adapt to for the band.

“I’m excited that we are doing a virtual festival this year,” said senior Annie Droelle. “Instead of traveling to a school, we are recording our performance and submitting it to the judges. I feel like it will help us prepare and we can re-record to make it perfect. It Band students rehearse for festival. does take so much stress away, for me at least, because I do tend to get stage fright. Sitting and playing like how I always do, I feel like everyone will be less tense and we will play better as a band.”

Many band members are happy because it will help their scores and will take away the stress of performing in front of the judges and having the thought of only having one chance, but now, they can practice and record until it meets their standards.

“I think that doing it this way will help us because we can record until it’s perfect,” said senior Dillon Wagner.

“I’m just bummed that we couldn’t all go into the band festival though, I really was looking forward to that. A lot of things have changed this year with COVID, and I’m just hoping that next year the sophomores now will have fun if they are actually able to go to festival.”

The band will be judged on different aspects, some examples are their sound, pitch, how it sounds together, the loudness of some instruments and how they compliment each other- all of these key aspects are judged when the judges listen to their music.

Band members are hoping for perfect scores for this year, seniors have had a streak of perfect scores, and want to finish their last year strong.

Practices are starting to be held after school for the band students and the date that the recording has to be sent in is still unannounced. grace leonardi photo

PAGE 63FEATURED STORY3ARROW3MARCH 31, 2021

1 Year Ago

I

t has been just over a year since the large wave of the COVID-19 virus hit the United States, and rapidly spread across the nation. Society a year ago looked much different than it does today, with many norms changing dramatically for the better, or in most instances the worse.

Common norms that exist now would have been unimaginable a little over a year ago.

Although these changes seem very unusual compared to how life was not too long ago, some of these changes may be beneficial to our education system both this year, and several years to come.

“I think we’d be foolish to not continue using those practices,” principal Tom Lietz said, “which have really allowed the learning to go with you, rather than requiring you to come to the learning.”

To be specific, Teams has contributed a lot to the new teaching style. Students have to use it every day, so it’s crucial that it works effectively to ensure the proper education of virtual students. However, there are still imperfections with the application.

“The Teams meeting system has made us, in a good way, orderly and no one is jumping on top of each other,” Lietz said. “But there is now a hesitancy to actually comment and say stuff as a result of that.”

Even though our school has somewhat returned to in-person learning, our school is still trying to keep medical safety as a norm in the school. This is an attempt at limiting the spread of the COIVD virus as much as humanly possible.

“In the fourteen years that I’ve been a principal at this school, I’ve never once given out an award for perfect attendance,” Lietz said. “The reason why, is I think it’s the worst award ever. It encourages negative behavior. If you’re sick, you should stay home.”

With the old stuff becoming less present in our education system due to the virus, new changes are slowly becoming more prominent. As a result, they are seeming more regular in our modern lifestyle as time progresses, and the people running our education system are hoping to utilize our new tech reliance in a beneficial way for the students.

A lot of the changes that occurred were out of most people’s comfort zone, and may seem unusual and negative. However, many of these changes did benefit our society, and as we learn more about how to remain safe, we will most likely adapt some of these pandemic rules into our everyday lives. Some changes remaining for a while may be worse, but many may be better.

2020-2021 ETHAN SMALE

BUSINESS MANAGER

Our lives have changed since Michigan’s first Covid-19 case “I had a vacation scheduled summer 2020 that was canceled due to COVID. Ever since then, my family has been more skeptical to plan family vacations and it’s unfortunate that this seems kind of normal to me now because of how long COVID has been around.”

Lawrence Dokaj, junior

“COVID was a weird experience, I tested positive in November when tryouts for basketball were about to happen so I was worried that i was not going to make it. Covid made my taste and smell go COMPLETELY, I was not able to taste anything at all and I was just trapped in a house for 2 weeks.”

Nathan Silver, sophomore

“Sports were a lot harder for me this year. We had to get used to wearing the masks for soccer and it was a weird adjustment compared to normal years. Playing with a mask on made a lot of athletes under perform and I’m glad it didn’t change my play style much.”

Abai Daniel, senior

“I got more I like t wasn’ peopl year g thing instea Bhav

THEN&NOW

t to hang out with so many people last year than this year. to talk to a lot of people, so I ’t used to not seeing as many le in person. I’m hoping as the goes on, there will be more gs to do with groups of people ad of just me or my family” vin Patel, senior

MARCH 31, 20214ARROW4FEATURED STORY4PAGE 7

Students used texbooks in almost every class during the 2019-2020 school year.

ethan smale graphics uhs publications photos

February

14, 2020 4Volume 90 School 4Issue 3 447255

ARROW Utica High

Shelby Road

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Crown Aw ard

Recipient

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Utica, MI

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48317 4www.uhsa rrow.org

ll of Fame

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Inductee

Student & compeathletes train school brte during eaks.

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UCS issued laptops to all students for the 2020-2021 school year. Even after the return to in-person learning in January 2021, all classes remain paperless.

Spring sports were cancelled in March 2020, and athletes did not participate at all in their seasons.

Sports returned in Fall 2020, with many restrictions, including masks for athletes and fans, as well as limited spectators.

“On the first day back from thanksgiving break, I thought I had covid but I never went and got tested. I could’ve had it but I don’t know because i was fine like 2 days later or something like that. Still, it is kind of weird that testing and getting the virus is normal now.”

Mitchell Donovan, junior

On February 14, 2020, the news staff published and mailed home what would be its final print issue of the year. Due to paperless COVID restrictions, the staff has printed digital-only editions since the pandemic began.

Travel for competitions was the norm in 2019, but were cancelled in the spring of 2020.

Adapting to COVID restrictions, organizations created virtual workshops, competitions and award ceremonies in the fall of 2020.

In March 2020, China was the only place most Americans saw people wearing masks.

Beginning in March 2021, masks were required almost everywhere.

“Recently, my entire family got COVID from each other. This caused me to have to stay in my house for about three weeks in quarantine. I had my siblings to spend time with, but it was driving me a little crazy when all I could do is see my closest friends online for such a long time, one of my worst experiences ever.”

Antonio Capelj, junior

“This year has been crazy for me.

Even though being inside all the time and being quarantined for so long was boring, the year felt so weird because of how much everything changed for me and everyone else. Everything is so far from how it was a year ago, and it’s a little weird to think about.”

Gino Dimaggio, junior

PAGE 8 3FEATURE 3ARROW 3MARCH 31, 2021

Students sign petition to keep remote Wednesdays

As cohorts come to an end and full-return is planned, many wonder what will become of Student Support Time

RAYMOND ALTMANN

This week students are going back to school full-time, but there are other changes ahead, and students are proactively trying to keep some things the same.

The district has said they are trying to bring students back full time, five days a week, which would mean the remote Wednesday could possibly be eliminated.

While students attend alternating A and B days, Wednesdays have been a half day, with all classes meeting virtually, with the rest of the school day consisting of Student Support Time. During these afternoons, students catch up with work, and often schedule one-on-one time with teachers for extra help.

Not wanting to see remote Wednesdays disappear, senior Skylar Moorefield created a petition on change.org.

“Nothing will make this school year normal, since it was virtual at the beginning. This is why it is essential to keep Wednesday as a somewhat normal routine for students,” Moorefield said in the petition. “Many students get overwhelmed in school and have difficulty getting help. This is because students aren’t allowed to come in early or stay after. Therefore, having this day serves as a time for students to help reach out for help.”

The petition was meant for all of Utica Community Schools (UCS) and not just for Utica. Utica has 1,060 students in person and the petition currently have 3,000 signatures, making it known that it is being signed throughout the district.

“It’s nice to have Wednesdays as half days because it gives us a nice break off from online and being in-person,” senior Dillion Wagner said. “This type of school is stressful on ev-

MANAGING EDITOR

Petition started by students. raymond altmann photo

ery student and teacher and is a nice time off for everyone.”

Students are hoping to take remote Wednesdays to the next level.

“I definitely don’t feel like I have as much of a connection as I did to my teachers as last year,” junior Tyler Leonard said. “Although Wednesdays let me call my teachers and let me talk to them as if I was in their class talking to them, it just seems so awkward to ask a question in the middle of an online class, rather than an in-person class.”

Some believe the petition was created prematurely, as the district has not made any final decisions about the schedule through the remainder of the school year.

“I think when someone puts a petition out there before something has changed,” Lietz said, “I would ask to whom is that speaking, and what is the end goal to get there.”

Some students don’t agree with this, and stand by the petition’s early start.

“I think in past experiences we need to start the petitions before something actually gets signed into action,” senior Joshua Miller said. “In the past, students have done petitions but most of the time the school does not even listen to our ideas. It might be better to bring up the topic of not liking the changing of Wednesdays as soon as possible.”

Students have many varying opinions but it seems that many students can agree that remote Wednesdays are essential to helping them through these tough times.

While the Board of Education announces more information about upcoming changes, students that have taken the time to sign the petition hope their voices will be heard, and remote Wednesdays will remain.

Grunge to low-rise jeans: Take a look at high school fashion changes MACKENZIE OLMSTEAD

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Over the years, many fashion trends have come and gone. Some are loved, some hated, and some are just incredibly embarrassing to look back on. Old photos can either make you nostalgic on an outfit you were wearing then, or wonder why you ever purchased an outfit like that in the first place.

From the low-rise jeans fad of the early 2000s and colorful attire of the 80s, to the flannels in the 90s and bell bottoms of the 60s and 70s, there have been a lot of different stylistic choices. So, what trends did the staff of Utica High partake in when they were in high school, and what trends are popular amongst students now in the 2020s?

Principal Tom Lietz recalls the grunge era circulating at the time he was in high school.

“We were all very unfashionable when I was in high school,” Lietz said. “I was in high school at the peak of the original grunge era. We’re running through some of those styles again here, kind of the baggier pants, lots of flannel, lots of long hair. Lots of band t-shirts with layers of flannel shirts over them. The Chuck Taylors were popular back then, as were Doc Martens, which I think are making a resurgence.”

Senior Hannah Taylor is also a fan of Doc Martens.

“I think anything oversized, like mom jeans, or really bulky things like Doc Martens or platform shoes are the new and cool thing,” Taylor said. “I feel like all of it started getting really popular one or two years ago and never really faded.”

Taylor is also a fan of fashion from other decades.

“Honestly, my decade of fashion really depends on my mood.”

Taylor said. “In the summer time, I love the 60s and 70s look, but in the winter, more so the 80s and 90s.”

One thing Taylor is not a fan of is a fad from the 80s.

“I definitely think right now is a lot of 80s and 90s as far as clothing.” Taylor said. “Hopefully the 80s hair doesn’t come back; that’s all I have to say.”

Senior Mary Tuzinsky also believes old fashion are back.

“I think the 70s and 80s are starting to come back. Collared shirts are becoming more and more popular.” Tuzinsky said. “I also think the 80s are subtly making a come back with things like fanny packs and scrunchies and even bright colored windbreakers.”

Senior Nrec Marki agrees the older years are indeed becoming trendy again.

“A few fashion trends I’ve noticed become very popular in the most recent years are actually inspired by later years.” Marki said.

“Many people ages 16-20s have been wearing many vintage clothing items and customizing them to fit their desires. I definitely think all years from the 70s to 2000s have played a role in these recent fashion trends. We’ve made our own custom versions of earlier trends like greasers, popular 70s high school fashion and more.”

As for what style Marki likes, he opts for more of a thrifted or DIY look.

“I really like the thrifted, baggy clothes trend,” Marki said. “As well as some of the newly made fashion trends by teens.”

As for what students don’t like, Tuzinsky has some trends she doesn’t particularly mesh with.

“I’m not a big fan of the puff sleeve jackets or low rise jeans which in some way are coming back.” Tuzinsky said. “Also in makeup trends, I’m not big on soap brows but that could just be because I can’t pull them off.”

Fashion is a lot of things but do not feel pressured to dress a certain way, as long as you’re comfortable with what you’re wearing, that’s fashionable enough.

Senior Nrec Marki pairs a black turtle neck with plaid pants and white sneakers, finishing the look off with a necklace, bucket hat, and a few other accessories. nrec marki courtesy photo

PAGE 94SPORTS4ARROW4MARCH 31, 2021

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Utica wrestlers take home some pins for the season

photo by lifetouch

SHEA HATHCOCK

REPORTER

Despite a late start, the wrestling team has competed in a decent amount of meets since the quarantine lock down rules lifted.

Within the meets wrestlers have to wear masks while they are standing with their team, when they are not wrestling, and between different matches.

However, when the individual wrestlers are about to start their match against the opposing team, and they are away from family, friends, spectators and teammates, they are allowed to take off their mask to get prepared and warm-up for their match.

Because the team put in all their effort to follow the rules caused by the pandemic in order to stay safe, during these rough times, they were able to compete in home and away meets and have the capability to prepare for states.

The most recent meet was away on March 9 at Romeo

High School. The meet consisted of three teams; however, the Chieftains competed against Melvindale and Romeo.

The first match was against Melvindale High School. The Utica wrestling team was told it was a decent team to beat, and since they had previously gone us against them, they knew what to do. Because of this, the wrestlers took home five wins, including four pins during their first matches of the day.

During the match against Melvinsdale High School, the wrestlers that took home some pins for the night were the three seniors, Tahami Waris, Kyle Walsh, and Santino DiNoto, and then sophomore Michael Bahoura.

“I just went out and got what I said I would do,” senior Kyle Walsh said, “and it was exciting getting closer to the overall goal.”

After the first match, the Utica team was able to rest for a minute before having to verse the second team, the Romeo High School Bulldogs, said to be a really tough team

to beat. All of their athletes are advanced and have a lot of experience.

So the Utica wrestling team tried their best and did what they could. During the meet, they brought home with them some losses, and some wins.

“The second match did not go to well for me,” senior Tahami Waris said. “I got caught in a cradle and got pinned.

The Romeo team was pretty good.”

After the second match against Romeo High School, the Utica wrestling team took home with them some wins and some losses.

But overall, the Utica High School team received a lot of points for their overall team from all the pins and wins their wrestlers received during their matches against the Romeo Bulldogs and the Melvindale Cardinals.

The wrestlers are hoping the season stays intact for the final lap of the season before the pandemic spreads more, especially with states approaching.

MHSAA emposes strict requirements for sports after positive case spike but we’re used to it now. Luckily we’re used to the masks by this point so those don’t bother anyone anymore. We’re just glad that we got to have a season after not knowing for so long.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is still priority number one in the world. We cannot go back to This attitude is consistent among most athletes and most sports at the high school level. normal until the vast majority of the world is safe from the virus, and in the world of sports, After a long delay on winter sports beginning, athletes were ecstatic to be able to finally get things are constantly changing. back to playing their respective games. Most winter Athletics in the state of Michigan are facing even sports have now concluded, except for girls basketball tougher restrictions after many outbreaks across who is making a run in the state playoffs. different sports. The Utica-Ford Unified hockey Athletes are now tested every few days and before team already was shut down twice due to positive games to ensure that there is no transmission from tests close and around the team. team to team, which could result in an outbreak at One of the new restrictions is that wrestlers will other schools. be required to be tested regularly, and the same will Athletic director Karyn Holmes welcomes the testhappen for all spring athletes, once their seasons being and sees it as an extra layer of safety. gin. The testing is in hopes of stopping the spread of “We were very worried at first when we were told COVID early on, and not risk other athletes getting that players had to be tested so often,” Holmes said, it and bringing it home to their families. “but after the first couple of days everyone was used Restrictions have been in place since the start to it and now it runs very smoothly and the kids are of the year, but are becoming more important after welcome to the idea.” many positive cases have been linked to high school Unfortunately, cases are still on the rise in Michlevel sports. igan with many connected to high school sports and Many athletes are annoyed by the new testing rein-person classes, with spring sports underway safety quirment, but know that it is necessary for sports to is the number one priority and the MHSAA is workbe played safely without any speed bumps along the Junior Jason Azar runs onto the court as a starting athlete on the varsity basketball team. ing dilligently to find new and better ways to prevent The boys were required to wear masks at all times, and follow strict safety guidelines way. the spread of COVID-19.

“I’d rather not have to get tested all the time, but lifetouch photo While athletes focus on getting as much of a season all of the seniors on the team know it is necessary as they can with the risk of being shut down always in and we obviously really want to get through the season so we just go with it,” senior Jayden the back of their minds, many are hopeful that when vaccines are available to them, this may Dawkins said. “The only really annoying part is when we have to have the swabs in our nose, help end testing and mask mandates by the state.

JONATHAN CUNNINGHAM

SPORTS EDITOR

VIEWPOINTS STUDENT VOICES AND OPINIONS

O N LI N E

PAGE 103VIEWPOINTS3ARROW3MARCH 31, 2021

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STAFF EDITORIAL

Full capacity, four days a week. Everyone must follow rules to remain COVID-safe in school.

This year has been such a stressful and challenging time when the halls are filled, the lunchrooms aren’t as spaced for many students and staff. The constant change of sched- out, and now classrooms will have every desk filled? ules, the change in how we do things at home, changing Students and staff have to keep an open mind with the ways we attend school--all of this is something that this adjustment to our schooling, Our classes will still be nobody would imagine at this time last year. the same with the two-hour blocks and only having three Everything is now online, and it’s not just with school, classes a day. The only difference is everyone is back. everything around us is changing to online, too. From the Many students think that we need this push and we way we get our groceries, the way we communicate, and need to start pushing for normal again, this will help us the way we shop--everything around us in today’s world is all get back into our normal routines and next year school changing. will be back to how it used to be.

Many students didn’t feel safe Maybe that can be the case, if when we first were brought back the positive cases for COVID stay to in-person in cohorts in Janulow and everyone is still respectary. Students, staff, and families ing and listening to the COVID thought this was too early for all of protocols that the school has set us to go back and we were all too DO YOU FEEL COVID-SAFE for us all; this will only help us vulnerable for COVID at that time. WITH BEING BACK TO bring back normal school.

Since then, only a few stu Nothing has been the same dents and staff tested positive for SCHOOL? since we have been back, and even COVID. now with everyone being back.

From this, most came to the reHalf capacity or full capacity, we alization that being back wasn’t so are all still doing all of our work YES NO bad. We were all socially distanced, online and we don’t have the expelunches were spread out, and even rience of doing group projects and the hall pass time was planned to work, writing on paper, reading be safe, too. books, using the classroom textbooks... all of the simple Now, students and staff are starting to get worried again things are gone for students now. because we will all be back at full capacity for four days a Technology has helped our society a lot in our times week. with bringing people together through social media and The questions started to pile in: How this was going to making things easier to access. Now we’re questioning work? How will students and staff be socially distanced? whether that’s too much.

How will we stay safe?

Students are becoming more anti-social and class The truth is, we won’t be as safe. rooms are more independent, but are these changes good?

Keeping our masks on, staying on our laptops, not All these questions will be answered with time and adjustsharing papers, all of this will decrease the chances of cross ing to the new changes, and we want everyone to do their contamination with COVID, but how can we feel safe part and follow the safety rules.

EDITORIAL BOARD VOTE

4

11

BROOKLYNN HATHCOCK ILLUSTRATION

PERSPECTIVES

What are your thoughts about returning to school?

“I can say there are two sides of it. Yes, wearing masks and wiping down tables and not using paper helps stop the spread, but not when it comes to social distancing.”

“I think the precautions at school for Covid-19 are very trustworthy. Even though the numbers are there, only a small number of the students here in Utica High are actually getting COVID.”

“I think some of the precautions work, but others might just be a little overly cautious, such as the arrows in the hallway. Sometimes it causes clusters around the stairs.”

“The school and our administration is trying their hardest to make UHS a safe place to learn. Our administration leads by example and therefore, students have been (for the most part) following all safety guidelines.”

“Yes, I think that we have done everything we can to follow the guidelines, so that students and staff are safe while allowing everyone to come back to school.”

Brooklyn Coleman

Ashlynn Gazaway

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

Dillon Wagner

Jennifer Allore

Kelly Bronski

SENIOR

TEACHER

STAFF

MARCH 31, 2021 4 ARROW 4 VIEWPOINT 4 PAGE 11

OPINION OLIVER GAMEZ, COPY EDITOR Full-return. Forcibly bringing students into classrooms is dangerous.

With all of Utica’s students returning four days a week in March, there have certainly been difficulties and speculation over whether this is really the best decision.

COVID cases seem to be decreasing in the media, but not in the schools. Not our school. In the previous two months before all students returned, there were multiple cases of students needing to be quarantined for exposure and many felt splitting the school’s population still allowed for too many students and not enough social distancing.

With just the first week of all students being back, some say there have been nearly hundreds sent home for quarantine and exposure. There are just too many students, and an improper and dangerously high capacity of occupancy in the classrooms and hallways now.

Students have been plucked from their classes one by one every single day, and now every room seems to be nearing less than half of the occupancy it’s supposed to.

One-way hallways and stairways are extremely congested and inefficient; there is no distance or true safety precautions if the 60+ students that leave the medical science hallway after class have to wait for the hundreds of students leaving the cafeteria at once to clear--especially when every single student in that area has to go up the same narrow staircase through the same one-door entrance.

The student population has been split for weeks about everyone returning at once, and rightfully so. With the large number of contact-tracing cases that arose when only half of the school was in session, many feel that administrators shouldn’t have even considered allowing full return. But money is money, and students being in the school building certainly gets that money.

It’s also highly believed that was the true reason for the increase in student presence, even in the wake of community cases rising. The schools had simply gone too long without the precious funding that student bodies provide.

If the administration is so worried about the students

quality of learning and the stress of doing online school, then perhaps they should not have forcibly returned all of the school’s 1200+ students to the classroom when there are already daily outbreaks and the majority of them agree that the building shouldn’t even be open in the first place.

Students are generally being used to doing classes remotely, many admit that they have gotten used to it, and would prefer staying remote or in cohorts if in-person learning is going to continue looking like this.

On top of the daily quarantine cases, many students see now that the ‘quality of education’ administrators stressed so much about is really the exact same as it was with all students working remotely. All classwork is based on the computers and the coursework remains paperless. Students are still required to be glued to their laptops, as they

There are just too many students, and an improper and dangerously high capacity of occupancy in the classrooms and hallways now. were at home. So why return?

Having been quarantined myself twice now in the last month, the apparent lack of care for student health is appalling. Instead of allowing students to remain in the safety of their own home, it seems that administration continually chooses to risk the health and livelihoods of students for the sake of receiving state funding.

Just this last week, it took the school two days to notify me that I was exposed, and in that time I’d interacted with multiple students and even gone to work. None of those that I’d exposed had even been notified. Keeping the school populated is foolish and students need to return to virtual learning before the cases are too high to handle.

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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, Editor-In-Chief Mackenzie Olmstead Digital Editor-In-Chief

Brooklynn Hathcock Managing Editor

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Cover by Mackenzie Olmstead Photo by Brooklynn Hathcock, Featuring senior Andrew Heck

PAGE 123SPOTLIGHT3ARROW3MARCH 31, 2021

SPOTLIGHT

WHO SHOULD BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT NEXT? TWEET YOUR IDEAS @UHSARROW

HIGHLIGHTING UNIQUE TALENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

One student’s journey though the pandemic, helping his family while getting into college RAYMOND ALTMANN MANAGING EDITOR

Engelhardt is a member of the Utica trap team; above is a picture of him shooting. courtesy photos

College is the next step for many students after high school, and while applications have submitted, seniors are anxiously awaiting decisions. Aaron Engelhardt is already starting his future when he was accepted into the University of Michigan.

Applications for several schools include a college essay, and Engelhardt’s writing stood out to the University of Michigan, as well as some students at Utica.

“In my college letter, I talked about how I stood up and acted during the pandemic,” Engelhardt said. “When it started I put myself out in the world, both to help protect others and to make it safer for me to go out and keep my family safe.”

One teacher really helped Engelhardt through this journey and that was teacher Kelley Kujat, who wrote Engelhardt letter of recommendation.

“I was very honored when he asked me to write him a letter of recommendation,” Kujat said, “and then to hear that he was accepted--this is exactly why we all get into the world of teaching.”

Kujat was Engelhardt chemistry teacher, and is thrilled that he will be pursuing biochemistry into college.

“Aaron is an amazing individual who worked very hard and was incredibly successful. He not only cared about himself and his grade in class, but also worked to help others succeed, which is testament to his love of science and wanting to share it with others around him.”

Kujat said. “He is extremely smart, kind, and humble and is going to do amazing things in the world of science. I could not be more proud of him and his accomplishments.”

Engelhardt is looking forward to his next four years.

“UM had some really good programs across the board, they were closer to home than some of the other colleges that I was looking at, and I’ll enjoy the campus life,” Engelhardt said. “I am most excited for living on campus and being a part of all the Michigan traditions, like going to the sports games during the year.”

Engelhardt family is very proud of him for his accomplishments, and are very grateful for him helping them through these tough times.

“For my family, going out to work allowed me to leave the house and go out and do everything that my family needed, like going out to the store so that they did not have to leave and possibly be exposed, and they seemed to greatly appreciate it.” Engelhardt said.

“My parents are very happy with my choice of college and major.”

Engelhardt worked during the pandemic to help provide for his family.

“I worked at Bad Brad’s BBQ over on 23 Mile Road. There I was a busser and a member of the carryout team,” Engelhardt said. “One reason I wanted to do these things there was because even though I was working for the benefit of me and my family, I also wanted to make sure that I helped others in the process by limiting contact when they went to pick up food and making sure everything was sanitized when they came in.”

My family was relying on me to go out since many of them were worried about catching the virus and did not want to be exposed to begin with, but my step-mom has some health issues so I also wanted to make sure that she did not have to go through anything and potentially have health complications.”

Engelhardt is excited for his new journey.

“Overall, it was a very good experience for me,” he said. “It showed me the pandemic through the eyes of other people that I would not have thought of otherwise. It also allowed me to prepare for life during the pandemic and made it an easier transition, which was very helpful when applying to Michigan, and will help when I go there in the fall.”