Arrow 2023 Issue 2

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Student parking lacks enforcement

LORIANA MANNINO SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Parking at Utica is chaotic because we have two separate lots. Students have been parking in staff and visitors’ parking, which has been a big problem for many.

“I get to school from 6:55 to 7:00, and there are usually a lot of spots left,” junior Grace Jenkins said. “I check the upper senior lot, and if there are no spots there I go to the lower senior lot.”

Some teachers are upset that their spots are being taken.

“Students need to park in the student parking lot. No exceptions, teacher Holly Yucha said. “Some teachers, like myself, have first hour flex so that we can drop our kids off at day care. When students park in staff there are no spots left for us. Students guilty of parking in the staff lot should be penalized.”

Some students are still unaware of the situation.

“I didn’t even know students were parking were parking in the staff lot,” senior Sadie Heman said.

Other students, however, don’t think this is a problem.

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” junior Jon Jirjees said. “The way it is now is fine, so just keep it the way it is.”

Shelby Township Police Department Resource Officer Leslie Heisler is not in charge of catching kids in the wrong spots.

“Our parking situation all around is not that great,” Heisler said. “I don’t think you should have to cross the street to get into school. Given what we have, we have to have certain spots marked for staff and some for visitors. We have to follow the rules. We may not like them, but they are there.”

Administrators used to put stickers on students’ vehicles if they were parked in the wrong place, but seniors say that hasn’t happened since they’ve been here.

“I use them in the summer with Kranzo,” Heisler said, “if it’s a repeat offender.”

Not much has been done to keep students out of staff parking, and students that arrive early to get a spot in the front row are not happy when late students seem to get rewarded with prime staff parking spots.

Fight for women’s freedom in Iran

“Of course, it’s very serious how mistreated the women in these countries are,” Chavez said.

Student debt aid

Biden’s loan forgiveness plan sparks debate

TEYANNA EADES REPORTER

College students face student debt all the time and it can cause serious issues in the long run as they are going into the real world.

The average student has about $28,950 to $32,731 in debt. One percent in 60 adults still have student debt. It can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years to fully pay it off.

The difficulty with paying it off is low fixed interest rates. As interest rises for all loans, student loans typically rise up, too. It causes students to have a harder time with borrowing money at a high price, rather than if the interest rate goes lower, it will be less expansive to borrow money.

It can also cause low-income students to think twice about going to college at all because of the debt they might suffer, afterward.

22-year-old Mahsa Amini was murdered by the conservative Iranian government after revealing her hair and removing her hijab. Her murder has sparked protests and outrage among Iran’s citizens.

“I feel like it is very wrong that she was murdered,” senior Sarah Monticciolo said. “She can do whatever she wants with her hair.”

The murder has caused a lot of backlash from the Iranian people, and many young woman are protesting for their personal freedoms.

“It makes me very angry,” senior Youna Dekan said. “As a middle eastern woman, they should have a choice. The fact that she was murdered over hair? That’s just crazy and it makes me angry.”

Many protesters are performing various acts such as shaving their heads and ripping turbans off of government officials. One Iranian team also refused to sing their national anthem to show solidarity with the protesters, which is an act of rebellion and bravery that could cost them their lives.

“I think it’s very wrong,” senior Saray Chavez said, “because she should have the choice to show her hair or to not.”

Some young women are being prosecuted and even murdered for protesting.

“It’s almost as if they’re being treated like animals,” Dekan said.

The religion that is primarily followed in Iran is called Islam. The Iranian government is trying to silence the protesters by removing any word about the protests from the media. Sophomore Hana Mohammed is someone who participates in this religion and happens to wear a head covering herself.

“It’s really not the religion; it’s the people,” Mohammed said. “They want to be extreme about it, but Islam gives you the choice if you would like to wear one or not.”

Mohammed also believes that Iranian government somewhat hiding this ordeal from the media and forbidding citizens to speak out about the mistreatment that they are receiving is very serious.

“There should be more spoken about it,” Mohammed said. “They need to bring more awareness to it, instead of blaming the entire religion.”

Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, recently told pro-reform outlet Entekhab that Iran’s parliament and judiciary were reviewing the law that requires women to wear a hijab in public. Reviewing the law is a big step in a new direction for the people of Iran; the protests are making a change and sparking reform.

Student debt has increased 14% per year in 2007-2009, and through the recent years it has increased by 70% in 2019. The money in student debt is higher than the money in car loans/debt. In America, $1.75 trillion has been spread throughout the U.S. with an average of $37,358 per borrower.

Biden is trying to plan this Student Debt Forgiveness Plan because he wants to relief the student from $20,000. “It causes massive debt,” principal Tim Youngblood said. “But once you shake some of that away, I think it’s great.”

The program was mainly directed to middle class and working class individuals to help them. This could also help economic issues.

“It’s a good idea because it’s beneficial to students,” sophomore Ja’Naiya Holman said.

People are alienable for this plan if they get paid under 125 and 250 if you are a couple. They can also be approved for having their loans discharged after 10 years. In this plan, about 26 million students have already applied and about 16 million people have been approved.

Bad credit scores also play part in what you can’t buy, like house and cars, because it is part of your credit report and the length of the history. This causes about 85% of students to still live with their parents even after their debt is paid off.

While some people like this plan, other think that it’s unconstitutional and unfair. Biden is waiting on the student forgiveness plan to be fully addressed. Student borrowers may have to start borrowing again.

The federal government is planning to cancel or put this plan on pause until further notice of Nov. 14.

Supporters of the student loan forgiveness plan rally in front of the White House. photo by tns

The parking stickers that were placed on students’ cars. photo by loriana mannino

Photographer: Stephanie Keith, Tribute News Agency, September 21,2022

APRIL ALEXANDER REPORTER

SAT scores decline throughout country

COVID-19 has harsh impacts on students’ performance on the SAT, leaving many questioning the test’s actual importance

DANA BRINKER REPORTER

In the United States, standardized test scores have been on the decline. A common standardized test, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), was introduced in 1926, and is a way to

ligence.

“Someone could get a 4.0 GPA and bomb the SAT and not get into a good college,” junior Noah Payne said. “I just feel like there could be a much better way of testing. There isn’t a way to fix the SAT.”

Average University SAT scores in Michigan

University of Michigan: 1435

Oakland University: 1125

Michigan State University: 1210

Central Michigan University: 1049

Wayne State University: 1006

Michigan Technological University: 1270

Eastern Michigan University: 1025

Western Michigan University: 1078

Students have been practicing for the SAT in many classes, prepping for the actual test this spring. photo by abby williams

FEATURE STORIES

ON HIATUS?

BTS enlists in South Korean military

ALANNA KOSCIOLEK REPORTER

BTS, a K-pop boy band, debuted in 2013 and has an extremely large fan base called ARMY, which is ironic since they are going into the army. They’re from BigHit Entertainment and consist of seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, Jimin, V, J-Hope, and Jungkook.

The members of BTS will serve their mandatory military duties required by law in South Korea. The first member to enlist is Jin, the eldest. The boys will all serve at least two years, and fans are heartbroken.

“Oh my gosh,” sophomore Aurora Lalaj said, “I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I really don’t want them to go.”

Concert spreads holiday cheer

Jazz band, symphonic band, and wind ensemble perform in the auditorium for families and friends

ABBY WILLIAMS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Dec. 12, 2022, the Utica winter concert took place in the auditorium. The concert includes all three of Utica’s bands, jazz band, wind ensemble, and symphonic band, as well as the marching band doing one last performance of their show. The concert marks near the end of the season for the marching band, but just the beginning for the concert bands.

“I’d say that the concerts have always been pretty important to me,” senior Daniel Waterstradt said. “They’re always a ton of fun because I like to see people enjoy what I do and see people smile from it, so I think that our performances are pretty important.”

The concerts are critical to the students, but mean more than just a grade.

“The concerts are half of my grade, so they’re very important to me,” junior Adi Catarino said, “but it’s also an incredible opportunity to make beautiful music and show our parents that beautiful music.”

Some students had mixed feelings before they went on stage.

“I was excited,” sophomore Joel Burnham said, “but we weren’t exactly prepared so I was a little nervous about how it would go.”

Band students worked extremely hard to prepare for the concert.

“To prepare, we play all our songs in band class every day,” Burnham said. “We go over all the different parts in each song to make sure we can play it right.”

Preparing for the concert requires a lot of practicing, both during and after school.

“We work very hard,” Catarino said. “We work on our pieces every day during class and near the concert, we have after school rehearsals. Plenty of kids also work on their pieces at home.”

Students aren’t limited to only being in one of the bands Utica offers to students. Some students, such as Waterstradt, are in all three bands, meaning they had to perform nine different pieces at the concert.

“I took three band classes because of my huge love for band and playing instruments,” Waterstradt said. “To be honest, having three hours of band a day really does help make me a better musician and gives me a lot more practice.”

For these students, performing with three band classes can be a bit of a challenge, but rewarding nonetheless.

“It was definitely more tiring, but it was more fun over anything and I really enjoyed it,” Waterstradt said. “I would do it again.”

After each band performed, the marching band cadenced into the auditorium and performed their show one last time.

The performance meant a lot to the senior members of the marching band, as it was one of the last times they’ll ever perform their show music.

“It was a lot of fun, but at the same time, it was sad knowing that was one of the last times I’ll ever be able to wear that uniform with my friends and play that amazing music with them,” Waterstradt said. “The performance went well, but heading back into the band room was kind of sad.”

With the winter concert over, the bands are working towards preparing themselves for future events, such as jazz festival, concert band festival, and the spring concert.

On the other hand, some fans were quick to make light of the situation and spam social media sites like Twitter with memes and jokes.

The boys will be gone for about three years, and then come back and return as a group in 2025.

No further information has been given regarding timing for the other six members. After enlisting, the boys will go through five weeks of combat training before assigned to their actual duties.

All South Korean men are required to enlist in the military by age 28, and must serve at least 18 months. However, BTS did receive a two-year extension from serving after the South Korean government passed an amendment to its Military Service Act to allow influencers that make South Korea look good for their reputation to delay enlistment for two more years.

“It makes sense,” sophomore Kiera Russel said. “If you are putting in that much money for your country, you should get an extension.”

BTS could’ve been gone earlier without this amendment.

One of the boys, RM, will be releasing a new album before or after completing his service in the military.

“I cannot wait to hear it,” sophomore Fatima Walker said. “I am very excited.”

There are not any more updates about when the other boys will enlist as well, but fans are lightheartedly sad that the boys will have to lose their hair. So far, Jin is the only one currently enlisted in the army.

BTS will be missed very dearly by their fan base. Their fans are encouraging each other to remember that it’s only two years and they will eventually come back together as a group.

Fans are also focusing on the fact that the boys aren’t permanently disbanding. They are doing their duty as South Korean citizens and all the fans have to do is welcome them with open arms when they get back, even if they do not have the hair that contributes to their style.

BTS performing at a concert in 2019. photo by chicago tribune/tns

Symphonic band performing at the winter concert, directed by student teacher Sajil Watts. photo by zoey lawrence

The jazz band performing at the concert. photo by jessica buzenski

New app promotes unfiltered social media

tered life.

“Yo, BeReal went off.”

“I gotta take my BeReal.”

“Wanna be in my BeReal?”

“Hey, Mrs. Smale, will you take my BeReal?”

BeReal is a new social media app that is encouraging people to get away from their usual heavily filtered feed and start ‘being real.’ BeReal goes off once a day at a random time and the user has two minutes to take a picture of whatever they are doing, wherever they are with their front and back camera at the same time.

If the user posts after the two minutes, it will say at the top of their BeReal that they posted late. If the user retakes their BeReal before they post it, the user’s friends can see how many times they retook their BeReal.

The user cannot see their friends’ BeReals until after they’ve posted their own. When the user is scrolling though their friends’ BeReals, they can send their friends “real reactions.” Real reactions are little selfies with different emojis in the corner that the user can basically comment on their friends’ BeReals. This is called reacting to a BeReal.

Once the next BeReal notification goes off, everyone’s previous BeReal disappears and the user can no longer see their friends’ past BeReals. However, the user has their own BeReal memories under their profile where they can view all their own past BeReals. The user can only see their own memories though, not their friends’. The memories section of the app is set up like a calender and the user can click on each day to see their BeReal from that day.

BeReal may be a social media app, but it is different from most. BeReal encourages users to stop filtering life. You can not edit or filter your BeReals. Things people post on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are filtered and edited to make everything look perfect.

Many people get depressed looking through other social media feeds because they often compare themselves to others and their “perfect” lives, when in reality it is all fake. BeReal shows everything that other apps encourage you to hide. BeReal shows everyday life, no makeup, sitting in class, lazy days at home, and everything else that people try and hide to make it look like they have a picture perfect life.

“It needs to be unfiltered because people need to see what’s really going on,” sophomore Arber Nebo said. “I mean, it is a 50/50 thing too. You only post on Instagram every couple months because people you’re not close with only need to see the good part. Your whole story is only for people close to you.”

Many students share similar views on BeReal and unfil-

“I see people post whenever the timer goes off and they’re just at home, in bed, no makeup and theres no filters because BeReal doesn’t have the filters,” junior Grace Jenkins said. “It just makes you feel more normal because things like TikTok and Instagram are so glamorized, so BeReal really just takes off that filter on life.”

Seeing unfiltered life can also bring us together in a way and show us we’re not so different.

“It kind of gives us a sense of humanity that we all have. It kind of humbles us in a way. Everyone thinks that we are always doing something fun and exciting, but sometimes when the timer goes off you’re really just sitting in bed,” senior Stephanie Kreste said. “It is just very relatable, you see people post just laying in bed and you think to yourself ‘oh, I’ll just do that too because I am doing the same thing.’ It just shows that even though I may always be busy, there are certain times where I’m really just not doing anything.”

BeReal also helps us stop comparing ourselves to the filtered versions of our friends.

“BeReal taught me to not care,” Kreste said. “It helped me to stop looking at social media in a comparing way.”

BeReal shows people the real side of everyone’s life. It shows people as they are.

“I think it is good to have unfiltered feed,” sophomore Mark Camaj said. “That way people aren’t building up a false persona of themselves.”

However, not all people agree that unfiltered social media is positive.

“Filtered social media has proven to be beneficial,” sophomore Sam Vassilev said, “especially for when people are not confident. They can put a filter or something on their pictures to make them look how they like.”

Some users don’t even use BeReal as intended to make it so that the unfiltered is really still somewhat filtered.

“A lot of people fake their BeReals if they are doing something exciting that day. For example, when I went to see Harry Styles I held off my BeReal all day until the concert,” senior Makenna Riggs said. “I wanted to show everyone like ‘oh my god, look where I am. I’m seeing Harry Styles while you guys are at school.’ So I feel like a lot of people fake their BeReals to look more fun and exciting.”

Despite some people using BeReal in a different way or thinking the unfiltered isn’t needed, many people say unfiltered feed has helped their mental health.

“Seeing people on BeReal has really helped me to realize that not everything is perfect,” junior Akiyah Henderson said. “It made me realize that people don’t always look like their Instagram.”

GRACIE WETHERINGTON COPY EDITOR

BeReal.

Unfiltered

BeReal date

The date the BeReal was taken.

2022-23 school year BeReal memories

Front camera picture

When the user takes their BeReal, the front and back camera will snap a picture at the same time.

Back camera picture

When the user takes their BeReal, they can choose to see the front or back camera while they take it. Then the front and back camera will take a picture at the same time.

Share your BeReal

The user can share their BeReal to friends and other social media apps.

information graphic by gracie wetherington

‘Elden Ring:’ Fantastic, but frustrating

REPORTER

Video game fans saw a lot of games this year. Pokémon fans got a bland but fresh open world experience, “Call of Duty” fans got another call of duty, and overall the majority of releases this year were underwhelming. Free to play games are still updating their games with hours of free content while EA and Activision still charge $60 for a game with a one year lifespan.

One game stands out from the pack this year though, Fromsoftware’s “Elden Ring.” Winner of the Game of the Year award at this year’s Game Awards, “Elden Ring” is what happens when a game studio is self run and has little to no deadlines. Fromsoftware are infamous for the Dark Souls series, which, like “Elden Ring,” is big and bold. However, “Elden Ring” is bolder and much, much bigger. Most people have heard of the legendary game series

Dark Souls, and everyone who has heard of it has also heard of its difficulty. There has been much criticism on whether these games should have an easy mode, but Fromsoftware in their Fromsoftware-like fashion ignores them and continues to make games that make players want to throw their keyboards at a wall.

Though it is difficult, “Elden Ring” is a truly an experience. The wide range and variety of enemies is enormous, with the game boasting 122 unique boss battles and hundreds of lesser foes.

Fromsoftware has gone open world and the size of the map is best described as the word, “big”. This game is very big and beats out games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” The map is just a little bit bigger than “Los Santos” from “Grand Theft Auto V”, and remember, you don’t have a multi million dollar super car to traverse the terrain with.

“Elden Ring” did not win the title of Game of the Year

because it was big, it won it because it was bold. Developers pushed the boundaries and let their creative minds fly, producing one of the most consistently diverse open world game to date. No location is like another, and the map has an entire underground section, with hundreds of secret rooms. Its secret rooms even have secret rooms.

“Elden Ring” is hard, but rewarding. It is massive, yet compact at the same time. The idea of learning how to beat a boss for hours and then being rewarded with very little may seem unappealing to some, but the game makes people ask themselves the question that other open world games convey so well. Is it really the reward that one enjoys? Or is it the journey, the part one takes for granted, the real artistry hiding beneath?

The public, critics, and players all seem to be unanimous. There is no game more deserving of the Game of the Year award than “Elden Ring.”

Mario receives new voice in upcoming movie

BRYAN ORELLANA REPORTER

Everyone knows the voice of the fan favorite goomba-stomping, princess-saving plumber from Brooklyn, New York, voiced by Charles Martinet, but the trailer for the Universal Pictures and Nintendo’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has debuted, bringing with it a first listen of Chris Pratt voicing Mario.

“I wouldn’t say it the best choice, but I also wouldn’t say it’s the worst. If you’re getting upset because he’s the voice I don’t see why, he’s just doing what he’s getting paid to do,” junior Sawyer Sobak said. “You always have to try something new, not be stuck in the past and have an open mind.”

Some students think otherwise and prefer the old voice, believing that the new is unwanted or unneeded.

“Having Chris Pratt play Mario is like having someone other than Tom Hanks playing Woody from Toy Story, it just doesn’t work,” senior Quinn Gilkinson said. “Just bring us back and let Charles Martinet voice Mario as he was meant to.”

There are some who remember the old 1989 The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, that have noticed that both the actor and voice actor for Mario, played by Lou Albanon, an Italian-American professional wrestler, had a more of a New York Brooklyn accent rather then your tradition Italian accent.

“When you hear and listen to Chris Pratt’s Mario, it sounds more like that one old Mario show, both actors had their own special twist when it came to the loving voice of Mario,” senior Taylor Leonare said. “They might sound different or the same, but everyone loves the Mario we know, no matter who voices him.”

It’s known that Charles Martinet is going to be in the movie but isn’t playing Mario due to the fact Chris Pratt was given the opportunity to create his own version of Mario. It was also seen that the different subtitled versions of the movie such as French, German, Italian, and Latin American had seen both an increase in popularity and quite a lot of backlash and negative reviews on Chris Pratt’s Mario.

“They should definitely be letting the original Mario play as the one and only Mario, all of the other language versions that came out sounded a lot like Mario and had that feel of passion when it came to playing Mario. Our Mario doesn’t have because it’s not played by the one and only Charles Martinet,” senior Nathan Richards said. “It honestly sound like Chris Pratt is a bored nine-year-old, so he picks up the script and started playing Mario.”

There will be people that always go with the flow and not really mind or even care for change, they just want to enjoy a good movie with family and friends instead of bickering on who’s better.

“Hearing a new voice play as Mario and have it being one of the actors from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is quite refreshing, and I think it would be a good change for people that are too hung up about canceling good people for just doing their job. I hope I don’t jinx it, but besides, how bad can this movie possibly be,” senior Chrestina Samona said. “I can’t wait for April.”

Those who are unaware of the re-imagining of the movie might not care and just say its just another kids’ movie, but to some who grew up on Nintendo and its beloved characters, seeing Mario on the big screen just brings a smile to their faces.

The Game of the Year for 2022, “Elden Ring”. photo by gamestop

CHRISTIAN CUMMINGS

Mario standing and looking in the far distance. photo by illumination

Wrestlers grapple, prepare for competition

Wrestling season is soon approaching at Utica High, and both the players and coach have high hopes for the team’s performance.

“Practice is just getting underway,” coach Clinton Davis said. “The team plans to compete in the MAC White division while looking for a league championship and looking to compete for a district title.”

Practice for the wrestling team had officially started on Nov. 14. The teams are busy preparing themselves for the season.

“A normal wrestling practice consists of a gymnastic type warm up with rolls, cartwheels, and dynamic stretching,” Davis said. “This is followed by some drilling of wrestling movements. Later in practice, we will most likely do some sparring or conditioning.”

The wrestling team has two state ranked wrestlers, Bradley Mayse and Hunter Thomson.

“We have several returners looking to do well this year. Those include Bradley Mayse, Thad Kustarz, Nate Guty, Brysen Ealy, Hunter Thomson, Gabe Griffith, Dustin Gordon, and Ali Sparks, and I am sure there are a lot more I could add to the list, our team is full of hard workers,” Davis said.

“To me, being a hard worker is someone who is on time to practice, is always giving their max effort, and doesn’t make excuses.”

The MAC division is the team’s regular season, everyone competes in a league, afterwards come the districts, and then regionals and states finals. Training is expected to continue up until the second week of February.

There has been a great interest in wrestling this year, and having additions such as girls division or girls only tournaments will encourage more girls to try out wrestling. Davis is trying to get more female wrestlers on the team, as it currently has four.

“We have four girls on the team. Before the season, about eight showed interest. I think it would be great to have more girls on the team, I really enjoyed coaching them. It brings a great dynamic to the team,” Davis said. “Even though practice is co-ed, the girls compete against other girls. They can wrestle a boy if they want to, but I would never make them. It really is a great opportunity for girls who would like to have a contact sport option for them. Right now, there really are not many winter girl sport options and wrestling is helping to fill that void. Not to mention the many college women’s wrestling opportunities that are out there. It’s one of the fastest growing women’s sports in the nation and I am 100% on board with helping it grow.”

The wrestlers are hard at work preparing for tournaments and competitions.

“We are currently weighing in and we are preparing for our first tournament. We are also doing live matches at practice to prepare,” senior wrestler Ryan Kruckeberg said.

“We are currently learning new moves and doing live matches with our partners,” Kase Filipowicz said, “and understand how to do the match and teach the new wrestlers the point system high scoring moves and moves that are more realistic in matches and that are most likely to execute.”

Some of the wrestlers have high hopes for their performance during the season.

“I want to be a champion, I’m physically active,” sophomore wrestler Dawson Page said. “I want to get more wins than losses.”

Succeeding in wrestling isn’t an easy feat, and it requires lots of hard work and dedication.

“In order to achieve these goals, athletes must be consistent in their training, like being at every practice and having an attitude to be better from each practice than the one before,” Davis said. “I feel like our wrestling team has a great attitude when it comes to practice.”

Utica-Ford unified hockey team

do differently to win future games.

Hockey season is officially underway and Utica couldn’t be more excited to support the team on the ice rink. The team, which is combined with Henry Ford II, is being handled by coach Evan Gizinski.

“We have been unified for four or five years now,” Gizinski said. “We have a great dynamic this season and it’s very hard to differentiate the Utica students from the Ford students.”

The players are most excited for the support they will be getting from students.

“This season,” senior Trevor Essenmacher said, “I am most looking forward to all the students showing up at the games.”

With tryouts already done, the players got ready for their first game on Nov. 18, 2022. The team played Grosse Point North High School.

“It was a tough game, we scored first and within eight seconds our mindset was that we were going to win the game,” junior Evan Lewis said, “we started to doubt ourselves towards the end with the score being 4-4, we became overconfident and ended up losing the game.”

Although the team lost the game, they now know what to

“We have to work harder, not give up, stay together as a team,” senior Austin Fertik said, “and play throughout the whole game.”

If the team improves throughout the season, the players are hoping to win the MAC White.

“Our goal for this season,” senior Alex Kopietz said, “is to win the MAC White championship.”

This won’t be the first time Utica wins the championship.

“Last season we shared the title with Marysville,” Gizinski said, “so this season our hope is to win the MAC outright.”

So far, the team is on track to securing the MAC with wins against Marysville, Grosse Point North, and more.

All nine hockey teams in the Macomb Area Conference are scheduled to play on January 17, 2023.

“Even if we don’t win the MAC,” junior Patrick VanHaeghe said, “we’re all having fun and enjoying hockey together.”

Utica-Ford United is set to play Anchor Bay on Dec. 13, 2022, L’anse Creuse on Dec. 17, 2022 and Romeo High School on Jan. 4, 2023.

The students at Utica can’t wait to see the boys bring the MAC White championship home.

The team is already off to a great start, and on their way to winning the MAC White championship

Senior Carson Konczalski skates against Anchor Bay. photo by natalie garwood

The wrestling team during practice. photo by vincenzo martino

YUNANS

ROSEMARY HORMOZ REPORTER

VIEWPOINTS

Many students have not been following the protocol when it comes to parking at Utica. Specifically, some students are parking in spots designated for staff members. Almost our entire news staff thinks that rules in the parking lot should be enforced in order to keep things fair for everyone.

We think that something must be done to fix this problem. Parking in staff parking spots isn’t fair to the students who get to school extremely early in order to get a good parking spot, or to students who see there aren’t any good spots left and have to park somewhere else, like across the street.

In previous years, large orange stickers were placed on students’ cars that were parked in staff spots. They were stuck on the driver’s side window and were extremely difficult to get off.

In our 2011 yearbook, past students shared how frustrating it was to receive and try to remove the stickers from their cars.

with the task of removing it from your car.

Another idea is having Utica High staff members outside in the morning or when students leave to see who is parking in spots where they don’t belong.

ARROW STAFF VOTE

It could possibly be similar to the paid hall monitors that Utica used to have roughly ten years ago. People were specifically hired to walk through the halls, check in the bathrooms to make sure no one was doing anything they weren’t supposed to, learned who the repeat offenders were, and sent them back to class. The hall monitors, however, were removed years ago with the implementation of security cameras. New staff could be hired to monitor the parking lot. We believe this would not only improve parking lot regulation, but also improve security in the school.

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Some former students used a razor to scrape the sticker off their window, others put water on it and let it sit for ten minutes, and some used paint thinner. Many past students were frustrated with the stickers to the point where some didn’t bother taking them off.

Now, however, we aren’t seeing many of these stickers. In fact, we haven’t seen much parking enforcement at all. We heavily disagree with this and think there needs to be stricter rules to keep things fair for everyone.

One way of enforcing the rules would be potentially bringing back or increasing the use of the orange stickers. The fact that they’re so hard to get off makes them extremely effective, as no one would want to be burdened

We have friends that attend other schools, and their schools have extra staff that work as hall monitors, extra security, and people to watch over the parking lots. Utica is a decently sized school, so we think there’s no reason why we don’t have these same accommodations and considerations to keep us safe.

We recognize that people may have concerns about this suggestion, such as opposing this idea because of budget concerns. We feel this isn’t a problem, though, since we could use parent volunteers to monitor the parking lots.

Our possible solutions may have problems, but we believe that regardless, something needs to be done about students parking in staff parking spots. It isn’t fair to the staff or to the students who do follow the rules, and we think Utica could greatly benefit from implementing some sort of way to mitigate this.

“I didn’t even know students were parking in the staff lot.”

“Students need to park in the student parking lot. No exceptions. Some teachers like myself have first hour flex so that we can drop our kids off at daycare..”

“Our parking situation all around is not that great. I don’t think you should have to cross the street to get into school.”

ILLUSTRATION BY ANI QUARTUCCIO

Should the school enforce student parking to keep things fair for everyone? “No,

Carson Davies

Jon Jirjees

Sadie Heman

Holly Yucha

Leslie Heisler

“No, the school should not because if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and the way it is now is fine, so just keep it the way it is.”

SHOULD THE SCHOOL ENFORCE PARKING RULES?

YES

NO 1

It’s time to bring back hall monitors. Combating the parking problem is difficult, but necessary -- and it could help fix security issues.

SOPHOMORE

OPINION GRACIE WETHERINGTON, COPY EDITOR

Christmas trees are a loved tradition all over America. Tons of people spend time putting together a tree or going to pick out one in a field. They put ornaments on the tree and drink hot cocoa with the ones they love.

However, for me, the case is different. I do not like Christmas trees. I do not care if they are real or fake; they are just too much work.

Real trees are a pain. I have to go out to a field in the freezing cold and spend an hour trying to pick out the perfect tree. Then once I finally find the right one, I have to stand around and wait for the workers to cut it down and trim it up. Do not even get me started on trying to get it in the car and drive it home.

Once I get the tree home, trying to get it through the door is a huge hassle. It drops needles everywhere and is hard to get upright in the stand. Then I am stuck vacuuming up needles and watering the tree every day for a month.

Fake trees are no better. I have to haul the heavy box upstairs or down from the attic and into the living room. Then I have to take out each individual branch and fluff them one by one. What’s even worse than fluffing them is trying to put each branch in the right slot to get the tree put together. I have to look at those annoying little worn-down tabs, with letters I can barely read, and try to guess where they go.

Decorating the tree is a whole other event in itself. Dragging out the boxes of decade-old ornaments that smell musty from being stored in the attic is no good time, either. Then I have to try and perfectly space out the millions of ugly ornaments I made in elementary school, or the cheesy ones my grandma bought that my mom makes me put out to make her happy.

For some reason my parents also feel the need to make this an all-day event with the whole family. So I have to waste my day working on a tree I couldn’t care less about

READER RESPONSE

Response to ‘Homecoming Coverage’

when I could be doing literally anything else. Scheduling the big day is even harder then putting the tree together, and we already know how I feel about that. It takes a thousand texts back and forth just to get everyone in the family to pick a free day that does not mess up anyone’s schedule. Then a thousand more texts to figure out a good time since nobody wants to wake up too early or they are busy in the afternoon, so they can’t stay too late.

Besides all of the work it takes, a tree is a very basic tradition. I’d rather have something more fun and interesting to wake up to Christmas morning than a boring old tree that I dreaded putting up. Maybe if there was a giant stuffed Christmas penguin to put the presents under

Christmas trees are such a hassle and a waste of time. They take up so much space and look so cheesy. We need a new tradition that is less work.

I would be more interested.

Christmas only lasts so long. I take all that time and effort to put up a tree just to have to take it down and pack it all up before new year’s comes. Then I have to lug all that stuff back up to the attic. If I get a real tree that year, it is even more work to try and figure out a way to get rid of the huge thing.

Personally, I think the tree is the least important part of Christmas. I mean, if I wake up to presents and good food, it is going to be a pretty good day whether there is a tree or not.

Now, do not take this as me hating Christmas decorations. I love Christmas snowmen, penguins, Santa, etc. A tree, however, is just too much work for nothing.

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

Staff policy

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. Cost per issue is $.50. Subscriptions are $10 per year. Digital publications available via Issuu.

This month’s newspaper article was great to read about! My favorite pages were the ones about Comp Day and the one about homecoming. I also really enjoyed how on the back they showed us some more things about Mr. Youngblood; I think it helped us learn more about him. I saw on the newspaper that two of my quotes on comp day were put on it, which I thought was pretty cool. I really enjoyed reading this month’s newspaper and I cannot wait for the next one.

Crystal Youanes, Sophomore

Response to ‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST’

This is a great article. I also really like Tyler, the Creator, and I wish that I get to see him in concert one day.

Williams, Online Reader

Cover by Abby Williams

Photo by Natalie Garwood, featuring junior Trevor Townsend

Birch, please. When it comes to Christmas trees, real or fake, I hate them.

Jersey

HIGHLIGHTING UNIQUE TALENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

INSTRUMENTALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

Musically talented,

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Daniel Olah’s passion inspired him to play 20 different instruments

uality, age, religion, or anything else.”

things. That’s something very healthy for anyone.”

Everybody has their own niche when it comes to hobbies. Some people are skilled bakers, others are talented artists, and some are great athletes. Some skills, however, are truly extraordinary, such as senior Daniel Olah’s ability to play 20 instruments.

“Dan has played guitar, tuba, trombone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and percussion just at Utica High,” band director Brett Bays said. “Brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Not many other students have ever done that.”

Olah didn’t realize his passion for music until the end of elementary school.

“I was first introduced to playing instruments in third grade when I started taking violin lessons to be a part of a string group my private school was doing. I was never really a big music person as a kid, mostly because of the private school I went to,” Olah said. “Not really until sixth grade did I realize how much I loved playing instruments. I guess I always had the fire in my heart to play instruments, but it wasn’t until later on that I really fanned the flame.”

Unity and togetherness can be huge motivators for many people, including Olah.

“One of my biggest motivators and inspirations is the world itself,” Olah said. “Music is like a magic that can bring people together despite their differences. With all of the division in the world today, I want to make music that can help bring people together. I want people to listen and enjoy the music I make, no matter their race, gender, sex-

Olah’s extreme skill and dedication does not go unnoticed by his band director.

“He’s very hardworking, determined, and very talented,” Bays said. “He works very hard to become a multi-instrumentalist and he’s good at all these instruments because he practices a lot.”

Olah’s talents are also recognized by his friends.

“I think that Dan is like a brother to me,” senior Daniel Waterstradt said, “we’ve always been friends. I think he’s great, he knows a lot of stuff. He knows a lot of instruments, he knows how to use them properly, and he could basically pick up any instrument if he really wanted to.”

Olah is also seen as a great role model for other musicians.

“I absolutely see him as a role model and inspiration for other students,” Bays said. “Not only is he a great instrumentalist and a hard worker, he’s also very nice, all the students respect him, and he gets along with everybody. I don’t know anybody who dislikes him. He’s got a very welcoming personality, he’s very polite, very respectful, and easy to work with.”

Olah’s motivation and hard work are skills that are important for anybody.

“I think that more people need to be like Dan. He really goes out of his way to do what he wants in life,” Waterstradt said. Some people just don’t feel motivated to actually do stuff like that, like some person might be interested in something but they don’t follow through with what they want to try. One thing I’ve learned from Dan is to try new

Music means different things to each musician. For Olah, his passion for it runs deep.

“Music means a lot of things to me, most of which I can’t really explain without the assistance of music, but overall music means life to me. Without music, I doubt I’d be the man I am today,” Olah said. “Music has been my best friend, my worst enemy, a shoulder to cry on, the person who both punched me to the ground and helped me stand back on my feet. I make music, but music also makes me.”

Olah believes musicians shouldn’t give up on their dreams.

“Don’t give up. It may be really difficult at times, and it is really easy to want to give up, but you just have to keep trying. That goes for everything in life,” Olah said. “Another thing is finding what you love. Music is whatever you want it to be. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing, do what you want to do. It’s your music and no one else’s. Express yourself and never be afraid to do it.”

Like many musicians, Olah finds inspiration for life in music.

“Life sucks. That’s just the way of the world. However, it’s too short to let yourself get caught up in the misery of it all, so I suggest turning to music to help you,” Olah said. “Music is life, and music is love. It’s a long and winding road, but we can all make it through this crazy world, even with all the problems and divisions. All you need is love and a little bit of music, so always look on the bright side of life.”

senior

Senior Daniel Olah poses with his favorite instruments from left to right: snare drum, tubular bells, electric guitar, trombone, euphonium, xylophone, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone. He can urrently play 20 instruments.

portrait by natalie garwood

ABBY WILLIAMS