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UNCAGED

HOW to spread

our wings?

Metamorphosis —the change in oneself. Change is inevitable, but how does it happen when we are stuck in our cocoons? In this issue: challenges of COVID-19 school, rights of minors, and behavioral communication

The independent student voice of stockbridge high school|Volume 25|Edition 2|stockbridge, mi|JAN 2022

In this edition, we report on change; not only in the school, but also the community.

Powerlifting into the next day GAVEN NUMINEN. Business Manager

FRONT PAGE CONTENTS & ART. COVER DESIGN AND PHOTO ILLUSTRATION KAITELYN WALKER COVER MODEL SENIOR AUDREY AUSTIN

Emerging anew Metamorphosis is defined as the process of great change in some animals, but also is defined as a great change in appearance and character. Change is inevitable, but change brings opportunity. This edition explores the changes happening now that affect teens.

Right now we are trying to emerge from chrysalises and spread our wings, yet we cannot break free.

PHOTO GAVEN NUMINEN Training for his upcoming football season, Freshman Isaac Reifshneider is “looking for a better season next year in football,” Reifshneider said. The JV football team ended their 2021 season with 5-3.

At 2:45 p.m. every Monday through Thursday, the powerlifting group lines up in four lines in the cafeteria to do exercises. Then they go to the weight room. Freshman Isaac Reifshneider looks at the board and checks what he has to start off with in his workout. Today

it is upper body, but tomorrow it could be legs. Then he finishes his workout with a cooldown, hoping that the workout he just sweated through will help him improve his lifting tomorrow.

The powerlifting team has been put on hold indefinitely until the football off-season. In the meantime, anyone who is interested in getting stronger is working in the weight room. They are still practicing and they are doing the same routines a powerlifting team would but with different workouts focused on improving form and getting better reps.

“Personally, I want to get strong and be fit to be good at football.

Powerlifting will help me get stronger and try to be the best one out there,” said sophomore Dominic Hoeppner. “Because I’m playing

D line, I just need to be strong in the legs. You know, to try to break through the line and get the running back and quarterback.”

With powerlifting becoming a new after school activity, people are joining for different reasons.

Some students and parents are wondering why students want to join it and what the powerlifters want to improve.

“I’m looking for a better season next year for football,” Reifchneider said.

While the joy of powerlifting has risen, the goal is to build the program so the powerlifting team can compete.

“I see powerlifting as an opportunity to compete against yourself,” powerlifting coach Benjamin Kruse said, “But, it’s a large time commitment.”

Removal of tampon tax affects all menstruating students OLYVIA HOARD. Creative Editor & MAGGIE MAXWELL. Reporter

Justin Jaszkowski Kaitelyn Walker EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Uncaged is the student-run newspaper for the students of Stockbridge High School. An open forum for student expression, Uncaged provides independent reporting and opinion. Something to say? Letters to the editor must include the writer’s full name, cell phone number, and be 150 words or less in length. Response to ideas presented through the newspaper and web are encouraged. Letters are subject to editing and may not be anonymous or to third parties. Leave letters in Elizabeth Cyr’s room #207 in the CTE hallway or email us at uncaged@panthernet.net.

Uncaged receives individual critique through state and national competition through various state and national organizations. Staff awards may be viewed at uncagednews.com in the About section.

Editor-in-Chief Kaitelyn Walker Web Editor Justin Jaszkowski Managing Editor Sam Aiken Social Media Kathryn Brumm Business Manager Gaven Numinen Creative Editor Olyvia Hoard

CONTACT US Stockbridge High School 416 N. Clinton Stockbridge, Mich. 49285 Adviser Elizabeth Cyr, Room 207 P: (517) 851-7770 E: uncaged@panthernet.net

NEWS

Staff Reporter Audrey Austin Staff Reporter Maggie Maxwell Staff Reporter Kaitlyn James Staff Reporter Gwen Rogozinski Staff Reporter Merle Wilson Staff Reporter Veronica Wilson Staff Reporter Lilly Williams FIND US ONLINE AT Web: uncagednews.com Twitter: @uncagedshs Facebook: Uncaged Online Instagram: @uncagedstudentnews Snapchat: uncagednews #UareUncaged

The average menstruating Michigander has around 456 periods, equaling about 6.25 years in their lifetimes. They use about 17,000 tampons and pads but are still forced to pay a 6% tax on these necessary products according to research conducted by Ms. Magazine. Recently, that burden has been lifted.

On November 4, 2021, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill removing the tax on menstrual products such as pads and tampons.

People in Michigan who menstruate spend between $7 to $10 dollars a month, and between $3,360 to $4,800 over their lifetimes.

“After years of trying to repeal this tax, I am proud that we are bringing people together to put Michiganders first and drive down costs on these essential products.” Whitmer said in a press release on the subject. “Everyone should be able to take care of their most basic healthcare needs without an unnecessary added financial burden.”

Soon after this announcement, a second bill was passed to help relieve families of the tax on menstrualrelated items.

In a poll of twenty-one students, 66.7% said buying menstrual products

like pads and tampons affected their monetary status, yet these purchases are essential.

“The bottom line is that tampons, pads and other menstrual hygiene products are medically necessary items for those who use them,” state representative Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) told the press in Lansing, Michigan.

She pointed out that “In lieu of sanitary products, many people are often forced to use items such as rags, paper towels and toilet paper.”

Some people even miss work and school due to the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation.

Medical professionals think the removal of this tax could be helpful to many in Michigan.

“I think a cost reduction in any basic necessity will be helpful, especially for those who are hovering around poverty level but make too much for government assistance,” emergency nurse at Mott’s Children’s Hospital, Kellie Goetz, said.

Menstruation products are often deemed expensive for people who are not as well-off. The price change may help those in our own community who are struggling to

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 2 | JAN 2022

“Everyone should be able to take care of their most basic healthcare needs without an unnecessary added financial burden.”

- Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer

afford these necessary products.

This tax removal could help adults and students alike to get the products that have always been and always will be a necessity.

High school secretary Courtney Fletcher provides students with multiple resources in the office. A student can go down to the office and ask to use the bathroom, inside are a variety of products to choose from.

If the bathroom is in use, she has products stored elsewhere to provide.

Fletcher would see many students coming to the office on a regular basis looking for menstrual products.

“I am hoping to see less students since the items are more affordable and people will have more of them, so they can just throw them in their purse and have them, but I don’t know if it is always about money.”

Fletcher said.

“As of Nov. 12, the Michigan Association of School Administrators had an unofficial tally of 21 school districts that have closed at least one building since September due to staff shortages.”

Into the unknown

Staff shortages impair the LEARNING

-BRIDGE MICHIGAN 2021

KAITLYN JAMES. Reporter

“We get in there. We don’t know what’s going on. We don’t know if we’re gonna have more than just a burger and Bosco sticks for lunch.”

- SENIOR JASLYN WILKINS

The pandemic has taken a toll on our workers, educators and students, mentally and physically.

“That was like legitimately my New Year’s resolution, just to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Christina Villegas high school Spanish teacher said.

Schools all over the state of Michigan have been closing because of staff shortages and even student shortages. Why is this happening? This question has a couple answers based on who you ask. These staff shortages cause more than school and business temporary closures.

Staff in schools have been on high demand. Schools are losing their staff for a couple different reasons. A big reason is that they have been stretching themselves thin for the past two years helping kids, but also trying to keep up with their even unpredictable life with COVID-19 like having to see students over screens, then later in person but also having some kids still online. Nobody knows how the days are going to go or the months ahead.

Teachers are required to create assignments, notes and tests for both online and in person students. This can be frustrating and time consuming, especially since not just school time is being used but teachers are school planning when they should be focused on their home life. Though some people believe that it is because teachers don’t get paid enough for the work that they do for students. But, if that were true, staff shortages would be affecting only the educators, yet they are also being seen in the lunch staff, bus drivers, and office workers. That have been moving schools or not present because COVID-19 circumstances.

Having a shortage of teachers and subs is not the only effect of this surge of people not working around the state.

School lunches have become unpredictable. “We get in there. We don’t know what’s going on,” senior Jaslyn Wilkins said of the lunchroom. “We don’t know if we’re gonna have more than just a burger and Bosco sticks for lunch.”

Living in a small town can make it even harder to find extra items at grocery stores like some schools are starting to do so they can feed all of their students.

“There has been a shortage of food and other implements like trays, condiments, juice, etc.” according to a piece in The New York Times. Supply-chain disruptions have snarled more than just school lunches.

Since this school year started, administration has been introducing new faces to our school to expand our community but also to help bring relief to the shortage of staff and teachers. One of the new teachers is Alexandra Doering has been working alongside Elizabeth Cyr as she comes close to her retirement and passes her torch after twenty two and a half years of teaching journalism. Seventeen teachers have joined the administration during the 2021 year and 7 long-term substitute teachers have signed on. ­ CHANGES IN STAFF ACROSS DISTRICT

17 new teachers and 7 long term substitutes in the 21-22 school year.

10 teachers resigned and 2 retired

Information provided by operations supervisor Kristie Knieper

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM |3 |JAN 2022

NEWS

New Year, different celebrations AUDREY AUSTIN. Reporter All around the world cultures celebrate the upcoming year in vastly different ways.

Americans have many traditions they begin with for the new year, New Year’s resolutions, kissing at midnight and watching the ball drop are just a few, but why? It is thought that if you kiss someone when the clock turns twelve, evil spirits will be warded off according USA Today.

Although in different parts of the world that is not always the case. For example, the Chinese Lunar New Year changes the dates every year because it depends on the moon. They also celebrate for up to 16 days. There are plenty of other celebrations that go on as well besides these.

Typically New Year’s in the United States always falls on January 1 and is celebrated for two days.

Stockbridge, Michigan Even here in a small town traditions vary and teenagers begin the new year with a bang or a cozy night in. “[Since I was 10] I go to the Medina’s house and we always eat tacos and my meme brings over an m&m platter and organizes it to look like an American flag.” senior Paige Stolarz said.

“Every year I made a resolution to be a better person and make goals specific to that year. This year my goal is to finish school, track, and band on a good note,” senior Alexandria Teachout said.

“We take a wine glass and fill it up with 12 grapes and we have to eat each grape. For each grape that you eat equals one wish, we’ve been doing this for 12 years,” senior Yarely Cervantes said.

“My family has this tradition where we go outside and start banging pots and pans down the street once the ball drops at midnight,” junior Maggie Mahler said.

Brazil

In Brazil, they have a New Year’s tradition to take control of their fortunes by their underwear color. Yellow gives prosperity, red stands for love and passion, blue for good health and tranquility and white stands for peace.

In Columbia many people carry empty suitcases at midnight in hopes to bring fortune and prosperity. Along with this, some people carry money in their hands to attract financial security and stability in the coming year.

China

Greece Denmark

One of Denmark’s most common traditions is to smash plates or other unused dishes. Citizens save their unused or unwanted dishes to smash on their friends or families doorsteps on New Years to ward off bad spirits.

Greece has a tradition of hanging an onion on their doors as a sign of rebirth and on New Year’s day parents often will wake up their children by tapping an onion on their heads.

The New Year’s traditions of the Chinese have been occurring since the third millennium BCE. The lunar new year date changes every year because it is reliant on the moon. It starts on the New moon and ends on a full moon.

During this time there is a 15 day celebration of the new year. Some of the things they celebrate include, paying their respects to the dead, spending time with their family and friends and celebrating their gods.

They also have big feasts to

celebrate good health and another way to spend time with families. On the last day, a reunion dinner takes place and is decorated full of lanterns to represent the full moon.

“The festival is associated with guiding lost and ill bred evil spirits home, while celebrating and cultivating positive relationships between people, families, nature and the higher beings as they are believed to be responsible for bringing and returning the light each year,” says Nation Online.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION AUDREY AUSTIN

FEATURE

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 4 | JAN 2022

TEENS FENCED IN BY SOCIETY Rigid school structure conditions

Minors tried in adult court

JUSTIN JASZKOWSKI. Web Editor

LILLY WILLIAMS. Reporter SAMANTHA CHAMBERLAIN. Managing Editor

Teens have to ask their teachers for permission to go to the bathroom.

They can not go out into the parking lot to their cars unless they obtain not only a teacher’s permission but also the office’s permission.

If they want a quiet environment to help them focus—say the hall or a booth—they need permission for that, too.

Not much decision making is made by the student, not even those in the senior year.

“It just seems kind of silly that the teachers want us to become like these independent people because we’re at school,” junior Ivori Hufnagel said. “But yet we [get] asked these questions that were kind of like kindergartners asking to do everything that we need.”

However, the student handbook states that the school rules are trying to help with employment opportunities and enforcing rules that would not be allowed in the normal work field.

The educational environment aims to teach teens in a professional environment, but misses the mark when it requires students to depend on adults for basic decision-making and permission to be independent, both qualities desired in the outside work environment.

The administration doesn’t give enough freedom to the students who are being micromanaged and it makes it really hard for them to not want to rebel. They are expected to compete for the same things and do the same things a normal work environment would but also be held down because they are needing to ask a teacher if they can work with someone else, or move around the room. On the other hand, those rules are in the student handbook to be sure that school is a safe place for everyone

and if one of these more minor rules is broken the consequences are not severe.

“There’s like three types of group violations: group one, group two and group three, and the higher the number, the more severe the consequence,” principal Jeff Trapp said.

A rare few schools have worked to balance the need for discipline with an emphasis on student independence.

One school in Massachusetts does not have any teachers. Instead, they have parents or people around the town come in and watch over the students. The students establish the discipline rules and are in charge of their own learning.

Administrations and the teachers could give a little more freedom so the students can have a more independent school environment while still keeping everyone in the school safe.

“Schools need to foster independence and being able to be in charge of where you go is important, and yet there is a balancing part and that balancing part is taking the trust from parents and making sure that students are safe and okay,” social worker John Twining said.

On November 30, 2021, Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old Oxford High School student is suspected of shooting and killing four of his fellow classmates. He is being charged as an adult with terrorism, assault with the intent to murder and murder.

Crumbley pleaded not guilty.

“I think [minors] should be charged depending on the severity of the crime.

As an example, which just recently happened, the Oxford [shooting]. He’s being charged as an adult even though he’s only 15,” senior Kara Brown said.

In August of 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse killed two people and wounded one more in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was tried as an adult and recently declared not guilty by a jury.

Approximately 4,500 adolescents are put in adult jails every day in America. Out of the 50 states, 13 of them allow minors to be tried as adults in the court of law. Michigan is one of these states.

In the United States, children are not considered legal adults until the age of 18. So why are teens being charged as adults in court at the age of 14?

According to the Davis Law Group, in Michigan, only minors over the age of 14 can be tried as adults, but in some cases, there have been children

“There’s like three types of group violations: group one, group two and group three, and the higher the number, the more severe the consequence.”

-PRINCIPAL JEFF TRAPP

in court as an adult if the offense is serious enough.

Though Crumbley and Rittenhouse were both under 18 when they committed their crimes, both were suspected of committing serious crimes. When a minor commits an egregious crime, most likely, they will automatically be tried in the adult criminal court system. These crimes include attempted murder, first degree murder, assault, arson and others.

When it comes to less serious crimes, there are more factors to take into account when deciding how to charge a minor. One of the main ones is whether or not the suspected criminal is engaging in things considered to be high risk activities or if they are participating in normal after school activities. “[It is a] matter of whether or not they have these risk factors that we call criminogenic risk factors,” Ingham county probate judge Richard Garcia said. “These risk factors are such things as are you connected well to your school day?”

The court looks at the student’s school life, home life and mental health. This review is done to see if the incident was merely a mistake or if it is something that could reoccur.

If the court feels that the person who committed the crime could be rehabilitated, they will focus mostly on that; although, if that doesn’t seem to be working, they will be sent to prison.

The prosecutor in some cases, if they think it is necessary, can on the spot say they would like to try this child in the adult court.

That would only really be passed if the crime the adolescent did was a really poor choice on the teen’s life or the pain of another citizen.

“We look at it from the standpoint of whether you’re engaging in high risk behavior, because there are things in your life that influence you to make bad decisions,” Garcia said.

as young as 11 years old being tried PHOTO BY JUSTIN JASZKOWSKI

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 5 | JAN 2022

FEATURE

Behavior expresses unspoken words KAITELYN WALKER. Editor-in-Chief

ADHD doesn’t make me less of a person, it makes me a developing person The summer before eighth grade I had my first meeting with my teachers to discuss my ADHD. I still dread these annual meetings because they fill me with fear, anxiety, and embarrassment. My mom talks with my teacher as I sit in silence, waiting for it to end. A version of the phrase, “she does well in school despite having ADHD” always finds its way in there. I hate feeling different.

I hate that my ability to excel in school is always clouded by having ADHD. Stigmas limit and exclude those labeled as different.

These stigmas are more deeply rooted than just labeling a person publicly. Often, the person dealing with the issue contributes internally. Selfstigmas internalize public stigmas and create a barrier of fear, preventing people from reaching out for help.

When I was younger, I didn’t have these fears or stigmas.

Once I entered middle school that changed. In sixth grade

when my mom sat down for our annual meeting, our new principal told my mom “but she does well in school” when they discussed accommodations. The idea that having ADHD and doing well in school can’t coexist is extremely harmful.

In seventh grade, it didn’t get easier. I was accused of lying and seeking attention by my friends when I tried to talk about it. My friends began to tell me they knew people who had ADHD and I certainly didn’t have it.

In high school, I started to struggle more and needed to use my accommodations despite trying to pretend I didn’t need them. I never felt as smart or qualified as the other 4.0 students because I thought I had an advantage with accommodations. I try to remind myself those accommodations are to level the playing field not provide an advantage.

COMBAT STIGMAS EDUCATION Education helps combat public stigmas.

INSTRUCTIONS

!!

EMPHASIS Emphasizing that it’s okay to take steps to get better creates a positive environment where students feel safe to utilize helpful resources.

opinion

DROPBOX

Instructions on A dropbox provides how to reach out a private request for help lessen the for help without stress of doing so. fear of rejection.

POSITIVITY

A willingness to sit down and help students develop plans and strategies helps to create a positive environment, which leads to success.

James is normally a good student who always gets high grades—for the past month he has turned in assignments late in multiple classes. Consequently, his grades have begun to drop.

Mary has been falling asleep in her first block almost every day. After two weeks of this behavior, her teacher got frustrated and gave her a detention.

Sam keeps missing important instructions and notes in class because he wasn’t paying attention. He has become very quiet and hasn’t been asking for help despite not knowing what is going on.

Is James just being lazy and not doing his work? Does Mary not care about her teacher or classroom because she would rather sleep? Is Sam just a bad student who doesn’t speak up? Maybe none of those assumptions are true—maybe there is something else going on that nobody realizes. Maybe James is involved in multiple activities and is struggling with time management, maybe Mary’s mom is sick and she has had to pick up extra work, maybe Sam just ended a long relationship and is struggling.

Student behavior expresses far more than just the actions being made by an individual. It is a window of communication for suppressed or overwhelming emotions. Behavior ranging from frequent tardies or missed assignments, all the way to multiple suspensions, often has deeper meanings.

The message may be mixed, but teen behavior is actually communication.

While some behaviors may be the result of more difficult issues, others like poor grades, missing assignments, sleeping in class, tardies or talking back may be easier to tackle first for adults in charge.

Incorrect interpretations of these behaviors can solidify the thoughts of the student, often the student already feels like nobody may care or listen.

When this behavior is frequently treated with disciplinary actions it begins to limit the student, implying that they are simply bad students.

With 13.1% of our students having received some form of disciplinary action since August 2020, there is room for some improvement. Consider the fact that there have been 156 after school detentions this year for just 78 junior and senior high students.

Temporary issues at home and long term personal issues can both contribute to behavioral issues at school.

Except, it is more than just home life that

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 8 | JAN 2022

1 in 5 children and youth have a “diagnosable emotional, behavioral or mental health disorder.”

1 in 10

young people experience a mental health challenge that “is severe enough to impair how they function at home, school or in the community.”

67%

of teens say they feel some or a lot of pressure to fit in socially.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH

can contribute, pressure can be a factor as well. In a study done by Pew Research Center they found that “16% of teens said they felt “a lot” or “some” pressure to drink alcohol.” Although the number of teens participating in drinking, gangs or other activities are starting to drop.

School often becomes the place where issues are seen, whether it is pressure or a need for attention. These students should not simply be written off as bad kids.

Instead, ask them why they are struggling.

We suggest: Questions, not discipline.

Talking to teens about their behaviors— especially if out of the ordinary—can be the first step in building the foundation for a positive outlet to release emotions. Acts as simple as a student paying less attention in class can be an indication of something else going on outside of the class.

It is easy to only consider the big events that may have a strong effect on a child’s behavior, but it often can be associated with seemingly minor causes like wanting to fit in.

Another huge reason that students may act out is mental health. The Association for Children’s Mental Health estimates that 80% of people between ages 6 and 17 with mental illness aren’t getting the help that they need. Dyslexia, ADHD and anxiety all can go unnoticed, but can greatly affect the behavior of teens.

Not receiving adequate help can cause issues with everyday tasks and school work. Confusion and frustration often can cause students to act out.

Although teachers’ main roles are to teach, oftentimes, they can become a big part of a student’s life. Simply reaching out to the student to gain more information can help show a way to resolve these issues. This allows the teacher to better provide resources for students to get help and back on track.

Behavior is the best way to understand what someone may be feeling, oftentimes behavior isn’t even purposeful actions done by students. Students who are dealing with these issues should be talked to calmly about what they are going through. Behavior management is achievable, even in a school setting.

By building a positive relationship with students the ability to help them increases as the trust builds.

Behavior doesn’t change if it is always met with negative actions, change can not be expected if nothing changes.

EDITORIAL. Staff

Holiday Movies you May have Missed

HOLIDAY FAVORITES

VERONICA WILSON. Reporter

Classic

‘Home Sweet Home Alone,’ not a very sweet movie The latest installation of the Home Alone series by Disney, “Home Sweet Home Alone,” features Max, the main character, who is left home alone on holiday break as his parents failed a headcount of all the children. When they realize they left Max, they are already in Tokyo.

In an incident the day before, Max and his mother stop at an open house so Max can use the bathroom, where an owner of the house, Jeff, for reasons unclear, brings out a box of his mother’s antique dolls, one of which has an upside-down head, and invokes a passiveaggressive argument between Max and Jeff.

The doll is briefly forgotten, until Jeff realizes that they could

sell it to keep the house. But, when Jeff retrieves the doll, it is inexplicably missing, so he assumes that Max stole it.

He and his wife attempt to steal the doll from Max multiple times, but because Max hears the end of a conversation while they were in his house, he believes that they want to kidnap and sell him, and not the doll.

As typical for the Home Alone franchise, Max then creates numerous traps throughout the house, injuring and slowing them.

“Home Sweet Home Alone” is not an enjoyable movie, and you should really not waste your time by watching it, as this movie punishes two parents in financial

troubles who are unable to keep their house. The injuries that they acquire are in bad taste, where in past Home Alone movies, the burglars were rightfully punished.

The movie does contain slapstick humor, but is not enjoyable, and has poor attempts at witty humor. Some injuries are disturbingly detailed, such as getting a close up of a thumbtack piercing into a fingertip, many thumbtacks being shot into a character’s face and arms, and a pool ball shot onto Jeff’s forehead, leaving a disturbing purplered bruise.

Overall, “Home Sweet Home Alone” is a regret watching it. 1 star

15% Tomatometer score 12% audience score From Rotten Tomatoes

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM LEGION CREATIVE GROUP/PALMSTAR MEDIA

votes, a comedic family movie, made in 2003, and “The Polar Express,” also with 47.8% of the vote, a fantasy family movie made in 2004.

“Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer,” a fantasy family movie, came in third with 39.1% of the vote, and was made in 1964.

Obscure It can be hard to find good movies, and some of the more obscure ones may be better than one may think. Some of the high school students that responded to a poll gave some obscure movies that they think are good.

“Abominable

Christmas,” made in 2012, an animated comedy movie.

“Black Christmas,” made in 2019, a horror/thriller movie.

“Jack Frost,” made in 1997, a horror/ comedy movie.

“Naughty or Nice,” made in 2012, a fantasy/drama movie.

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM LEGION CREATIVE GROUP/DISNEY

Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’ a vacation from bad movies Released in 1989, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” is a holiday movie following a father who wants to have a perfect family Christmas, however, as he tries to go above and beyond in preparations, various twists of bad luck cross his path, from simple moments of forgetting to grab a saw to cut down a Christmas tree, to surprise family members in an already

Holiday movies vary from comedies, romances, dramas, animated movies, classic holiday stories, to even horror. But what is the favorite holiday movie among the high schoolers in our school?

According to a poll, it’s a tie between “Elf,” with 47.8%

crowded house.

The beloved movie has great surprise humor, delivering frequent unexpected twists and turns throughout the movie, and even when a joke is somewhat predictable of how it will turn out, it usually has an unexpected aspect at some point.

The movie offers great foreshadowing, briefly showing or mentioning the possible consequences of actions, allowing

you to realize what is about to happen just in time.

However, there is a part of the movie that features the blatant mistreatment of an animal, and even the death of the animal, so be warned. Overall, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is an enjoyable movie, which features the gradual mental deterioration of a father preparing for the holidays. 4 stars

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 9 | JAN 2022

There are numerous movies that are watched during the holidays, for some people, one of those movies is “Die Hard,” an action movie made in 1988, focuses on John McClane, an NYPD officer who has to save his wife and many others after German terrorists attack a fancy Christmas party.

However, even though the movie has a Christmas setting, but is not always centered on that fact, has created arguments on whether or not “Die Hard” is a holiday movie. In a poll sent

to the High School students, of the twenty three who responded, only six have seen “Die Hard,” and resulted in a tie on if “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie or not, three said yes, and three said no.

So the question on whether or not “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie or not, will remain unsolved.

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM LEGION CREATIVE GROUP/20TH CENTURY STUDIOS

Opinion

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UNCAGEDNEWS.COM |10|JAN 2022

SNOWBALL EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON WINTER SPORTS

GWEN ROGOZINSKI. Reporter

PHOTOS JUSTIN JASZKOWSKI

BOYS BASKETBALL WATCHES FOR SNOW ADVISORIES

SENIOR DREW PHILLIP

SOPHOMORE GRACEE ROBIDOU

GIRLS BASKETBALL BLINDSIDED BY COVID-19 BLIZZARD COVID-19 hit the girls basketball team hard. The first week brought many surprises and unexpected quarantines that could have easily set the team back for the start of the season. Luckily, the players who were stuck at home were still working hard to stay in shape. This way they were ready to get right back into the swing of things when they came back from quarantine.

Sophomore guard Gracee Robidou and junior power forward Makayla Surline were the first two to get quarantined for the season.

Surline ended up testing

positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined at home for 10 days.

Robidou was quarantined for 28 days for being exposed to those who tested positive, which caused her to miss several weeks of practice and even the teams first scrimmage.

Coming out of quarantine and practicing on November 28 only gave her two full practices before the team’s first game.

Allison Cole, the varsity girls coach, tested positive which resulted in her to be gone for a week as well. The team now had no coaches and key players were missing for the

BOWLING BREAKS THE ICE AND IS ABLE TO COMPETE

JUNIOR IVORI HUFNAGEL

The bowling team was robbed of their season last year, so this year it is very important for them to compete. The new coach, Stephen Moffatt, is in his first year coaching.

Coming into a season as a first year coach is difficult considering all the COVID-19 protocols that he must follow.

“We follow the Ingham County Health Department guidelines and we need to treat that facility like it is a part of our own facility,”

coach Stephen Moffatt said.

“Whatever we do here we do everywhere.”

The team is not required to wear a mask when they are bowling, but when they are not bowling they have to wear a mask.

The bowling team has 20 kids signed up with a good mix of players from 9th through 12th grade.

“We got a good mix of some upperclassmen and freshmen, I am looking forward to it. I would like to have enough to have a full boys team and a full girls team,” Moffatt said.

The COVID-19 protocols are not as extreme as they have been in the past, but it still is very important to follow them in order to have a season.

first weeks of practice. It was important to keep focused during these struggling times and make sure the team is doing everything they can to stay prepared for the first games. Robidou knew the importance of keeping herself in shape and prepared for the first week of the season.

“I’ve been lifting almost every night and I run a mile every other night on the treadmill. I also would go out and do some shooting drills or just shoot around for fun to stay in the flow of things,” sophomore Gracee Robidou said.

She did not want to be

missing her shots or be out of shape when she returned to practice in a few weeks. Her hard work definitely showed her first day back to practice.

“I do feel like it paid off a ton,” Robidou said.

“I was not out of breath while running our drills, and I was making all of my shots.

I overall felt more confident in myself because of the work I put in while I was quarantined.”

The team is staying prepared, even through all the obstacles they have faced so far already this season.

they do not have to wear a mask.

“I like anything that empowers student athletes and their parents to make their own decisions about their health.

There are obviously pros and cons that come with different benefits and risks to the test to stay policy, but ultimately it should be the parents and students choice . So anything that gives us more freedom to make these choices on an individual basis is a good thing in my opinion,” coach Jacob Robidou said.

CHEER TEAM SNOWED UNDER WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

WRESTLING’S EXTREME PROTOCOLS PUT ON ICE The wrestling team had most of the basic protocols last year during their season. They were required to wear masks when on the mat. This year there were some changes made and they are not required to wear masks when they are on the mat competing.

This will definitely benefit them considering that it would be extremely difficult to keep your mask up while wrestling against another person.

“I think this year it will be better because having a mask and it being a physical contact sport their constantly grabbing your mask,” senior captain Kalysta Connolly said.

SENIOR Last year the team KALYSTA CONNOLY was not able to

The varsity basketball team has not struggled with COVID-19 yet because most of the boys were already exposed during their football season earlier this year.

This makes it very important for the team to follow the protocols in place so they do not get exposed again. This is important for them so they can keep playing their games.

The new rules in place give players the option to get tested weekly for COVID-19 so that

wrestle against other teams because of COVID-19. They still continued to get better and also went to watch other teams wrestle during this time. This year they have a very new group of young first time wrestlers who are eager to learn new wrestling techniques.”

“I think we have got a good group of boys that are really eager to learn and better themselves,” Connolly said.

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 11 | JAN 2022

The competitive cheer team has many challenges when competing because of COVID-19.

Yelling, jumping, and flipping with a mask on is completely difficult. The cheer team has to make sure those masks stay on their face, or they will be deducted points.

These COVID-19 protocols make it more difficult when competing because this is always in the back of their minds.

“It is a big worry in our minds to keep our masks up in competitions because we lose major points if we do not,” junior, backspot and

JUNIOR ADRIANNA ADKINS

tumbler Adrianna Adkins said.

These same protocols were used last year. They had to keep their masks on their face the whole time they competed.

Even though they had to do this last year, it does not make it any easier when competing.

“I do think we are more equipped and used to wearing masks, however that does not make it any easier on us, it’s still exhausting and difficult,” Adkins said.

sports

Bones vs. No Bones: What to do?

MERLE WILSON. Reporter

Are you an avid user of TikTok? Then you’ve most likely heard of Bones vs. No Bones.

No Bones day is a day for self-care and relaxation. However, it begs the question what to

This is a popular trend on Tik Tok where Noodle, a dog, and his owner determine what

do on a Bones or No Bones Day? Here’s a list of just a few of the things you could do on

kind of day it will be. A Bones day being a day for work, improvement, activity, while a

a Bones or No Bones day.

Bones Day Activities

No Bones Day Activities

Do homework

Stay home

Give yourself a little treat

Wear comfy clothes

Study

Do simple things

Send emails

Give yourself a treat

Clean your house/room

Take care of yourself

Try something new

Listen to music

Do important things

Watch a movie or TV show

Buy something that you’ve been

Bubble bath

wanting to get

Hold off on big decisions

Organize

Avoid stressors

Go to sleep at a reasonable time

Self care

Deal with things as they appear

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MERLE WILSON PHOTO NBCUNIVERSAL

UNCAGED Shark Tank

Which product is the best? Vote on your favorite product pitch!

You have a budget of $10,000, and you have to put all of your budget into one to three of your top choices. Product designers are remaining unnamed to prevent any possible bias.

VOTE HERE

Bendi-Flex

A flexible feat of technology that can’t be beat!

This fun, flexible feat of technology can be catered and compacted in your baggage and can be used at any time. Each Bendi-Flex is especially crafted from reused bendable plastics that can easily be cleaned and reused at any time or occasion.

Fatigue Be Gone

Keep active with no fatigue!

Fatigue be Gone is an amazing product that will wash away the fatigue. Be able to run that mile and still be able to finish the essay with no nap in between! Be active all the time!

Never Late

Super Baseball Bat

Never worry about hitting a week ground ball again!

You don’t have to worry about being super strong, impress your friends and your teammates with the super baseball bat. One gentle swing will send that ball flying for the fences.

Have you ever been late to a class?

I bet you can relate to showing up late to class.

Well, with Never Late, you will never be late again.

Never late assures that students will be quickly and safely be transported to class on time.

UNCAGEDNEWS.COM | 12 | JAN 2022

Never Miss Basketball

Never miss a shot again!

Using this basketball will build up confidence when playing competitively at any level! Having this product could also provide a boost to someone’s mental health as making a basketball shot is typically satisfying and rewarding after lots of hard work.