April 2014Murmur, Waterford Kettering High School Student by Waterford Drift

MURMUR Volume 11, Issue 5 April 3, 2014

GMOs

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve probably eaten them, but have no idea what they are or how they affect you. p. 16

Photo Illustration by Jacob Alessi, Christopher Habba, & Jordan Fujarski

Contents

MURMUR Editors-in-Chief Jake Alessi & Chris Habba Webmaster Staff Graphic Designers Jordan Fujarski & Kristin Warholak Writing Coach Alexea Hankin Sports Editor Lucas Hendricks Business Manager Jordan Fujarski Photographer Tiffany Mountain Staff Writers Alexis Brady, Sarah Ciminillo, Julie Dennis, Bridget Ekis, Catherine Habba, Charles Hendricks, Gabrielle Hilliard, Stephanie Knapp, Veronica Latimer, Joshua Marko, Sarah Murphy, Janelle Santacruz, Quinten Winowiecki, Rachel Woody Waterford Kettering High School 2800 Kettering Dr, Waterford, MI 48329 (248) 673-1261

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•13•

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•24•

•4• Prices Behind The Pump Ever wondered how gas prices come about? We did. Check out what we learned.

•9• Climbing To The Top Charley Farmer’s extraordinary hobby takes her to heights she never thought she’d reach.

•13• Money On My Mind Everything can change in just a year. Take advantage of your free time while you still can.

•22• Spring Break Solutions Searching for ways to achieve that dreamy spring break body? Look no further.

•24• Hockey Town A live practice, superstars, and even the Red Wings management press conference, all in one exciting day.

Sponsors Allan Asp, Debbie Campbell, Patty Cascioli, Cindy Dennis, Jullie Dennis, Hilary Ludecke, David Latimer, Yvette Latimer, Mike Malley, Margaret Grossnickle, Buddy Marlin, Carol Weiland, Custard Corner, Marissa Lyles, Mervin Nichols, Plante Moran, Anne’s Canvas, Jennifer Kwilos, Colleen Smith

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The Murmur is printed monthly, and completely put together by the students in the Journalism class at Waterford Kettering High School. The Murmur serves as an open forum for student expression, and opinions printed are not those of the administration. Letters to the editor Letters from readers are encouraged. Letters may be delivered to room 501 or can be sent to the newspaper’s e-mail address, ketteringmurmur@gmail.com. All letters are subject to editing of grammatical or punctuation errors. Letters must be submitted with a signature. Letters with libel or slander towards another person will

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

not be considered for publication. Letters must be limited to 250 words. Advertising Advertisements do not reflect the views of the staff. Potential advertisers can contact the staff at the number to the left. The Murmur editorial board has the right to refuse any inappropriate advertising. Columns Columns or editorials represent the opinion of the writer. Thoughts or views which are expressed are not those of the entire staff or administration. Staff Editorials Staff editorials are written by the staff and include the combined opinion of the full staff.

Letters to the editor Dear Murmur Staff, I read the Murmur every time it comes out and I love it every time. I love how good the stories are, but I’d like to tell you some of the things that maybe could be adjusted. I hear from multiple students “all the Murmur talks about is cell phones and social media blah blah blah.” It is pretty annoying to hear about technology because we get it, we’re all addicted but it’s not something we want to hear every day. I read every single article and I love every single one. They are great writers and have great articles but the topic and page itself isn’t eye catching enough. For example, Sean Reno’s article was great and the top corner where it said the story summed up and pictures of him, it made me want to read more. Also Julia Kron’s article was great. We kids like the drama, we like to know people’s story. We don’t want to hear about who is on Vine and not because we all already know, I want to flip through the newspaper and have a list of ones I want to read usually it’s only two or three. I just assumed that maybe if someone told you and gave the Murmur staff some things to work on it would make it a better paper. The articles are great don’t get me wrong you just need something to get people to read the articles. -Katlyn Wasnich, 12

I like how in the Murmur they talk about things like body image or depression. I think it’s a big problem in today’s society and that we all should be aware of these things and the people that have overcame them. I like that we are aware of these issues and are not overlooking them. Alyvia Kobylik, 11

I miss seeing the birthday slides. It helps me stay in the loop with the birthdays. So it would be nice to see the birthday slide up. Karli Saffron, 11 The murmur should have like an advice column or a fun suggestion for the week like fun things to do this weekend kind of thing. Teresa Davis, 9

Have something you want to say? Write THE MURMUR a letter Turn yours into room 501 or Email us: Ketteringmurmur@gmail.com w

WaterfordDrift.com

Letters

Keep up with the Drift’s coverage of the tournament including Final Four predictions at WaterfordDrift.com Dear Murmur Staff, The best story has been concealed since the first day of school. Link crew! As many of you might know freshmen met their link leaders on the very first day of school, helping them find their lockers, classes, etc, and making them comfortable at high school. As helpful as they may seem, some of them have abandoned their freshmen. Some freshmen have never seen their link leaders ever since the very first day of school. You might ask some freshmen about their link leaders and they will say that they know them fairly well and see them every single day! But what about those freshmen left in the dark? They are left curious as to what has happened to their link leaders or even if they still have them. I think this needs to be further investigated. The Link Leaders should build better bonds with their freshmen. Sincerely, Ethan Ly, 9 I don’t like the new phone policy in AC. I’m sure no one does but I use my phone to do a lot of my homework and it’s a lot easier to use my phone then get a computer from the cart. Austin Slabough, 11

I really enjoyed the recent issue of the Murmur. I brought it over to my grandparents house last weekend. My grandma summarized the whole newspaper, she said “All of these stories involve people that accept themselves for who they are.” That was really powerful because some kids these days try to be something that they aren’t. If teenagers would just be themselves and treat others with respect the world would be a much better place. Lucas Serowoky, 11

03 April 2013

Opinion

Prices behind the pump

A look at how the gasoline industry comes up with the prices americans pay everyday BY JASEN HIBBERD jasenhibberd@waterforddrift.com

Email us at murmurads@waterforddrift.com

“THE MURMUR”?

Interested in advertising in

y the time that most kids in high school are juniors or seniors, there is a high chance that they will acquire their driver’s license, and maybe even their first car. While this newly acquired freedom is a great privilege for any student that has it, every students has probably found themselves asking how they will pay for gasoline, especially with gas prices skyrocketing as they are today. Other than the question of how they are going to pay for gasoline, many students often ask themselves why gasoline is so expensive and what causes them to have to spend most of their paychecks on a combustible fluid. This article is intended to inform students that what ends up influencing the gas prices to go up or down, and also to give some great ways to reduce the amount you pay at the pump. The first and most influential factor in gas prices is the crude oil price. Crude oil price is directly affected by several factors, such as taxes, refining costs, marketing, and the distribution of it. If the crude oil being received is being shipped from a foreign source, we end up paying the price of shipping from there to here. The price of crude oil makes up for 66% of the price of gasoline, according to a study in 2012. Of course there are more factors than just the price of crude oil that comes into play when you are purchasing gas for that outrageous price. While crude oil makes up a lot of the price, factors such as wholesale price changes between competitors, contracts between retailers and gas suppliers, and whether or not they are using branded or unbranded gasoline also matter. The price of gasoline is huge in today’s market. But with the ever increasing price of gasoline, how much longer will normal people be able to afford gasoline?

Will the price eventually drop, or will we have to invent a new, more efficient, and cheaper energy source? Luckily, even though gasoline is almost a luxary for some, there are some ways to reduce it’s price, and save you money! If you use one or more of these, you may end up paying less than you ever thought possible! The first way you can save money on gas, is to look out for sales. If you see a gas station that is having a gas war with another station, their prices will be astoundingly low compared to the rest, and it’s best to get in there and pay for gas before the price goes up once again. Another great way to look for cheap gas is to download an app on your smart phone (such as GasBuddy), which will tell you the cheapest gas in your area, and also will tell you where the nearest gas station is! The second way you can save money at the pump is by using coupons. Some stores will actually give away gas coupons when you purchase a certain amount at a single time. So if your family needs to stock up on food, you’ll be able to get gas for cheaper! Overall, even though prices of gas are high, and there isn’t a whole lot we can do to control them, we can at least try to bring them down!

Gas Price Facts (and tips) • Mostly made up by crude oil prices • Some stores offer coupons for gas • Watch out for gas wars! They may be a good opportunity to fill up! • Drive cautiously and without haste, overacceleration will waste gas!

Peace fest

Art - music - food trucks - weirdos & fun

CAFE & JAVA

5815 Dixie Highway, Waterford MI 48329

Also find us on :

- free admission June 7th and 8th

248 673 7300

4170 Pontiac Lake rd Waterford Mi

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Peacefest spon

Opinion

Michigan State Price: around $21,764 Average GPA: 3.4-3.9 Average ACT score: 23-28

Northern Michigan Price: around $17,733 Average GPA: 2.25 Average ACT score: 19

The college cunnundrum How to find a college that’s perfect for you and your future

Saginaw Valley State University Price: around $16,450 Average GPA: 2.5 Average ACT score: 19

Ferris State Price: $20,250 Average GPA: 2.5 Average ACT score: 18

University of Michigan Price: around $25,000 Average GPA: 3.8 Average ACT score: 28-32

Oakland University Price: around $20,700 Average GPA: 2.5-3.2 Average ACT score: 18

of nowhere. Then there’s the matter of what in the world to major in anyway. “Typically, everyone changes majors.” Ankoviak said, “Nobody knows what they want to do at seventeen. Career Cruising has those tools to help you start thinking about different careers.” Career Cruising matches students to different career paths that may interest them based on questions about that students likes and dislikes. The website also gives potential majors and colleges that have them. The other big question with college is how much will it cost. College is a huge investment and Ankoviak stresses the importance of having this discussion with your parents. “The average school cost $10,000, just the academic part.” Ankoviak said, “Room and board is about $7,000-$11,000.” Kettering recommends that Seniors enroll in FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for financial aid. Finding the right college is a daunting task, but it’s important to remember not to count yourself out because of something like a few ACT points. “Colleges take the whole picture,” Ankoviak said. “If they see that you have a good GPA, but you do poorly on the ACT, you’re not a test taker. They look at your volunteer hours, they look at what you in your school. They want go-getter kids.”

Eastern Michigan Price: around $17,200 Average GPA: 3.05 Average ACT score: 21

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Calvin College Price: about $30,000 Average GPA: 3.43-3.97 Average ACT score: 23-29

Grand Valley Price: about $15,000 Average GPA: 3.3-3.8 Average ACT score: 21-26

Centeral Michigan Price: around $20,000 Average GPA: 3.33 Average ACT score: 23

uniors, the ACT is over and I think it’s safe to say that we’re all ready for senior year. Unfortunately, there’s one more item of business that we need to take care of before we can truly take that deep breath we all need: college. When it comes to college, most students don’t know where to begin. “You should really start thinking about this when you’re in tenth grade,” College and Career Resource Advisor Laurie Ankoviak said. “The first thing I say to kids when they walk in is ‘okay, let’s start at the beginning. How far do you want to go?’” Being away from home is something that some students are sure they’re ready for, but other students feel like they want another year or two at home. Once you figure out where you stand, you can start searching for colleges at that distance. Ankoviak recommends a distance of about three hours, as a starting point, for students who are unsure. “It’s just far enough that I’m not going to come bother you, as a parent for lunch, but it’s just close enough that I can come see you.” Ankoviak said. The next step, according to Ankoviak, is to look at the pros and cons of the colleges you’ve found. Students need to decide things like what size campus they’re looking for, do they want to attend a public or private college, whether the college should be in a big city, the suburbs or the middle

Western Michigan Price: about $20,000 Average GPA: 3.3 Average ACT score: 22

Oakland Community College Price: around $174 per credit

BY SARAH MURPHY sarahmurphy@waterforddrift.com

History Lesson: From 1921 to 1945, Crimea was apart of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. On the 300th anniversary of Ukraine joining the Russian Empire, the current Soviet leader (Nikita Khrushchev) gave the Crimea peninsula to Ukraine. The Soviet Union disbanded 20 years later in 1991, and that left Crimea with newly independent Ukraine. A year later, Crimea became autonomous- it had it’s own parliament and constitution, but it followed Ukraine’s laws and Crimean tax dollars still went to Ukraine.

in Ukraine: a breakdown A presidential election is held within Ukraine between pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych and pro-Europe Viktor Yuschenko. Yanukovych wins, but it’s reported that there was widespread vote rigging. Yuschenko leads street protests called the Orange Revolution. The Supreme Court annuls the results of the poll, and reelections are held. Viktor Yuscheko wins, and Yankovych resigns as prime minister. Viktor Yankovych becomes president, this time in an election that’s deemed fair by global observers. Yankovych’s cabinet abandons an agreement on closer trade ties with the European Union, and

Why did Crimea vote to leave Ukraine?

Crimea’s Population 60

Around 100,000 people attend a demonstration in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Police arrest 35 people.

Timeline of events

It’s unclear. The Crimean Penninsula’s population is very diverse, but it’s majority is ethnic Russians. It’s worth noting that Russia’s military was already in control of the region anyway.

turns to seek closer ties with Russia. Protests begin.

Larger protests take place in Kiev. Russian President Vladimir Putin offers Yankovych a deal: he agrees to buy $15 billion of Ukrainian debt and reduces Russian gas supplies by a third. Yankovych takes it. Ukraine’s Parliament passes anti-protest laws. Days later the first protesters die in deadly clashes. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigns, and Parliament annuls the anti-protest laws. Also passes amnesty bill to drop charges against those arrested in protests if protesters leave government buildings. The protesters don’t.

2004

BY ALEXEA HANKIN alexeahankin@waterforddrift.com

2010

What

Jan. 2013 Dec. 2013 Nov. 2013

World News

Feb. 20

Truce breaks down: 88 people die in a 48 hour demonstration.

Feb. 23-26

What is the rest of the world doing about it?

Because of the Russian influence in the area, the rest of the US and EU refuse to recognize the vote. The White House and European Union have already started putting sanctions on Russian officials, and have threatened to do more if the situation escalates.

Parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov declared interim president. Rival protests begin in Crimea.

Feb. 27-28

Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Simferopol, capital of Crimea.

Mar. 6

Crimean Pennisula votes to join Russia: referendum scheduled March 16.

Mar. 7 - Now

95% of voters in Crimea vote to join Russia, though about half of the ballots were counted. Russian military is active and present in Crimea. EU and US impose travel bans and freeze Russian official’s assets. Putin signs a bill to absorb Crimea into Russian Confederation.

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Mar. 2014

Feb. 2104

Early Feb.

All protesters arrested since December are released. Protestors leave official buildings.

Every

Feature

girl’s

Living proof that life ream is full of surprises

little

BY ALEXEA HANKIN alexeahankin@waterforddrift.com

nastasiya Skvortsova never had a lot of money growing up. She lived with her stepfather until she was about six years old. She didn’t go to school. They barely ever had food. She had no legal documents, which meant no health care. “I was basically living on the streets,” Nastiya said. “I didn’t have a future.” She was living in an orphanage by 2002, at seven years old. Maryna Sidorenko’s parents were similar- they were deemed financially unable to take care of her (and her younger sister Oksana). She was in an orphanage by 2005. Thus, through a series of events, they ended up sharing a room together in the second floor of an orphanage in Gorlovka, Ukraine. “At first, she was shy,” Maryna said, with a teasing laugh. “But eventually, she opened up.” They became best friends during the two years they were together in the orphanage. They walked to school together, ate their pre-planned dietary meals together, and were always paired together in group affairs. “We were like this,” Nastiya said, holding up crossed fingers. “We did everything together. We were inseparable.” But that didn’t last too long. Nastiya got adopted in 2007. The culprits were an American family by the last name of “Horsch”. “I was sad,” Maryna said. “But I couldn’t really do anything. People moved on from the orphanage all the time.” The day Nastiya left, the duo spent the day together with a few other kids from the orphanage. They visited a lake, made bracelets, and Maryna was introduced to Nastiya’s new family. She left, and everything was said and done. “It was very sad,” Nastiya said. “I was closing one chapter of my life and opening a new one. I was scared, but also really excited to start my new life here.” But separated not just but state lines and street signs, but by an entire ocean, the new chapter wasn’t always easy to write. “I definitely missed my friends,” Nastiya said.

The whole family. From left to right, top: Maryna Horsch, 19; their grandmother; Heather, 22; dad; mom; Madison Horsch, 18; Nastiya Horsch, 19. Bottom: Alana Horsch, 19; Oksana Horsch, 13. Photo credit to the Horschs.

WaterfordDrift.com

Little did they know, in just over two years, they’d meet again; but this time, they’d be sharing the same last name. Maryna was adopted into the Horsch family in 2009. “When I was at the airport and I saw her, we just squeezed each other really hard,” Maryna said. “I was so happy to see her again.” Though they’d been separated for two years, it wasn’t hard to reconnect. “It was nice, because she was my tutor and she translated everything for me when I first got here,” Maryna said. Throughout the years, it’s easy to tell even from an outsider’s perspective that their friendship has grown into much more. “We bicker a lot,” Maryna said, ironically after a small spat about how life in Ukraine was. “I definitely see her differently- we’re still pretty close though. We’re stronger.”

Then

Now

Then and Now: Left: Maryna and Nastiya Horsch at 13, the day Maryna was adopted. Right: Maryna and Nastyia at 19, senior year.

03 April 2014

256a(5^3x)/84+1

x^24%/347(48p)

8(7)

x^24%/347 2690-46(50x)6

56+7(9x^8z)8f(x)

69 72x) -46( 2690

x^24%/347(48p)-12p 9 x+(8 p)-r 3-x 4%/ x^ 2 x

2690 -46( 50x) 6 -1

Feature 73-6z

Magic?

Kettering students can solve Rubik’s Cubes under 45 seconds BY CHARLIE HENDRICKS charliehendricks@waterforddrift.com

e has one turn left on his colorful Rubik’s Cube. Intensely he Rubiks Cube solving is still unique, but somewhat common among swiftly turns the cube in his hands. He memorizes the turns, Kettering students. and twists, completing into a finished, neat, organized cube “It is unique because it is a certain skill that only a few people at of colors. The methods of the Rubiks cube are very hard to remember, Kettering have,” said Garcia. as Rubik’s Cube solver Ethan Ly knows by heart, and plays in his head “The Rubik’s Cube is unique because not many people can solve it, every time he touches a Rubik’s Cube. so when you see someone solve a Rubik’s Cube you get surprised and In the eyes of a normal Kettering student, a regular 3x3x3 Rubik’s you’re like ‘how’d you do that?’” continued Ly. Cube is very confusing, but Rubik’s Cube masters meorize algorithms All great Rubik’s Cube masters have had a time when they started to complete their machine of plastic colors. solving. They start out slow, and work their way up to solving a 3x3x3 “Well it is fairly simple, but there are many methin less than 30 seconds. Rubik’s Cube solvers set it It is unique because it is ods to solve a 3x3x3 Rubik’s cube, some of them as their goal to get to that 30 second mark. make your time shorter but at the expense of memo- a certain skill that only a “I first gotten into Rubik’s Cubing in mid eighth rizing a bunch of algorithms, and another that takes a few people at Kettering grade by a legendary friend named Chase Miller,” longer time to solve with less algorithms,” said freshsaid Ly “When I first saw him solve a Rubik’s Cube I have.’ man Ethan Ly. “But it really depends on what method was so amazed by it that I knew I had to learn how.” you use. Beginners method is the simplest, but the Kettering Rubik’s Cube solvers are interested in longest, the Fridrich method is the most commonly used method for Rubik’s Cubes from friends when they just start. competition solvers but uses a lot of algorithms.” “It’s my favorite hobby. I got my Rubik’s Cube by watching one A 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube can be manipulated in 8! x 3^7 x (12!/2) x of my current friends doing it in class, just like everyone else I was 2^11 or 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 different ways. Without someamazed at how he could solve it so fast. He is the reason I started.” way to have a code or pattern of moves to solve this, it would take Rubik’s Cubes are becoming more common among Kettering quite a while. There are many different kinds of patterns or codes students. Collecting different kinds is a neat hobby to do. You can get people memorize to show off their speed at Rubiks cubes. a 2x2x2, 3x3x3, all the way up to 10x10x10. There are lots of other “All it takes is memorization and pattern recognition,” said freshman Rubik’s products including Pyramid, Void, Snake, Race, Slide, And Jon Garcia. “If you see colors in a certain order then you do a certain Revolution. algorithm. All you need to solve one is a Rubik’s Cube and determination.” To students like Ly and Garcia, Rubik’s Cube solving is a hobby.

‘

By th3 numb3r5 Rubik’s race

Three students participated in the first ever Rubik’s Cube contest at WKHS.

Watch an action packed video of these Rubik’s Cube solvers race to see who is fastest by scanning this QR code to the right.

40 seconds

32 seconds

36 seconds

47 seconds

56 seconds

Ethan Ly, 9

Time

Joe Piddington, 9

AVAILABLE CUBES RANGE FROM A 2X2X2 SIZE ALL THE WAY TO A 10X10X10 SIZE

Student

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

*Predictions were made by the contestents prior to the revealing of actual times

WITH ALL POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS THE CUBE WOULD COVER THE EARTH 273 TIMES

Prediction*

Jon Garcia, 9

A RUBIK’S CUBE CAN BE SCRAMBLED IN 43.2 QUINTILLION WAYS (THAT’S 20 digits)

C op t

Feature

g n i mb

li the to Rock climber Charley Farmer displays her passion for climbing

oing into her home g y m , Planet Rock, her ears are filled with the loud sound of dubstep music while she sees people of all ages and skill levels who are happy, full of energy and ready to climb. Sophomore Charley Farmer started rock climbing in the sixth grade. “My first experience climbing was very scary, but the more I climbed, the more I got used to the feeling and I liked it.” Before she started to climb, Farmer used to go to many climbing competitions to cheer for her older sister Maddy. The Farmers have a very close relationship with each other because of this passion they share. “My sister is a stronger climber than I am which motivates me to push myself harder so I can climb as well as she can, Farmer said. ”Maddy also helps me when I get stuck and can’t figure something out.” Farmer started to climb in a club once a week, then after a

year, she tried out for the Planet Rock Climbing Team. Farmer successfully made the team and started to compete. “I have been on the team for a long time now, about four years but now I just compete on my own.” Farmer does this because she only likes to compete in Bouldering and when she’s on the team, she has to participate in more than one type of competition. Rock climbing is Farmer’s passion. “It makes me stronger and I love being outdoors. Rock climbing made me realize how dedicated I have to be to really become successful at the sport.”

BY CATHERINE HABBA catherinehabba@waterforddrift.com

Joshua Tree California

Types of climbs

Bouldering

“Bouldering is my favorite type of climbing. This is when you climb without a rope and usually stay within 30 feet from the ground.” When climbing, there are multiple levels when routes are followed. Each route is graded by other climbers in a competition. Bouldering routes range from V0-V16 (V0 being the easiest).

Lead Climbing

“This is when I have to take the rope up with me as I go and hang the draws, which are two clips attached to each other into the bolts that are in the wall or mountain depending on if I am climbing indoor or outdoor.“

“This is when the rope is already on the top of the wall.”

The cost of climbing

Evolv Shamans Climbx Rockstars

$150-200 Asana Super Hero Pad

$150

Chalk

Top Rope

Climbing Harness

Arc’teryx caco 3

$30 WaterfordDrift.com

$70 03 April 2014

“My shoe size is a six and a half and my clmbing shoes need to be smaller because it makes it easier to feel the rock when their tight on my feet. My climbing shoes are a size five.”

Black diamond ATC-XP

$150

Profile

The secret life of an

te u t i bst eally

u eacher is r S n ica bstitute t otypes.

AmeWrhat beingt, apassut all the stere abou

BY VERONICA LATIMER veronicalatimer@waterforddrift.com

e is woken by the ear throbbing series of beeps and whoops that nobody looks forward to hearing in the morning. Reaching over to the night stand, he shuts off the blaring alarm clock. The time reads 4:45 A.M., which means it’s time to get up. Walking to the closet, he searches through a hanging rack full of assorted outfits, picking a gray suit and his favorite red tie. Once downstairs, the first thing he does is feed his two Siamese cats, Fraiser and Niles. With his hot, steaming cup of coffee in hand, he heads out the door at about 5:45 A.M in order to arrive at Kettering by 6:30. Walking into his office, just barely escaping the rush of cold wind coming through the door, he settles himself in and starts to check his email, looking at the agenda for the day. He then goes walking around the Kettering halls, greeting students as they walk by making sure they are always smiling. He goes by the name of Dr. Marsden; Substitute Assistant Principal, and inspiration. Dr. Marsden is currently the Substitute Assistant Principal for Ms. Stone, who is on maternity leave. He has been in this position since February 17 and will be until the end of the school year. But, there is way more to being a substitute then what you might think.

“I spend most of my day in the hallways, making sure that kids don’t have any problems, and if they do than they can come and talk to me about it,” Marsden said. “One of my biggest jobs each day is coming up with the Joke-of-the-Day!” Marsden used to work in the Kettering building before he retired. When they needed a substitute for Ms. Stone, the administration decided to call him and see if he would be interested in the job. “Being a substitute, one of the things I see happening most often in the classroom is students not respecting a substitute teacher because they are only there for a short period of time, rather than a whole school year,” Marsden said. “I also think that one of the biggest challenges of any substitute is building a bond with their students in that short time period. They have a disadvantage because long-term teachers build a bond slowly, everyday.” Kettering Principal Jeff Frankowiak shared his insights on substitutes and the important role they play in education today. “Being a substitute, you might be in a kindergarten room, or you might be in a 11th grade math class, and you won’t know until that morning. The challenge for them is they don’t know exactly what scenario they’re walk-

ing into, so the substitutes have to be able to adjust their plans accordingly,” Frankowiak said. He finds that when students show appropriate behavior in school, they understand what they’re supposed to do and to behave, but a lot of times they might misbehave when a substitute is present because of the bond a student has with the main teacher. Before becoming a counselor at Kettering, Frankowiak did a lot of substitute teaching and has experienced what it’s like being a substitute. “I’ve learned that students are students, each having their own needs, and the challenge that I have for all of our Captains would be to be nice to whoever you meet, whether they are a substitute or not, because you never know who they are or where they’ve come from or where they’re going, and that goes for anyone you meet,” Frankowiak said. There is a lot more behind the secret life of the American substitute than what students may think. Dr. Marsden, Mr. Frankowiak, and any other substitute you meet would agree that yes, being a substitute is very challenging and demanding, but the end result is what really matters.

Getting to know Dr. Marsden 1. I was the state of Michigan Assistant Principal of the year in 2009. 2. I have three grown children 3. I have recorded 20 audio book narrations 4. I was an actor in a Compuware commercial airing soon on Youtube! 5. I love being here at Kettering!

For more on Dr. Marsden go to http://www.waterforddrift.com/sub-in-steve/

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Opinion

LETS GO GUYS!

GET TO CLASS! 20 seconds late turns into 20 minutes late

BY GABRIELLE HILLIARD gabriellehilliard@waterforddrift.com

like being his loud voice rings through the c o r r a l l e d hallways on a daily basis every hour on like cattle” the hour. Kids leaving their classes pour R o e m e n s k y into the hallways in seconds. You are forced to said. You had to go walk shoulder to shoulder like sardines as you into the cafeteria sit there for try dodging kissing couples, gossiping groups your whole 88 minute class and do and trying not to get stuck behind those slow nothing but stare at the blank vanilla bean walkers. Yeah that’s right, we all just thought walls. of someone. With 6 minutes to get from “If I knew I was going to be late I would go point A to point B, it’s a constant race to see out to Jerry’s Coney Island on 75 and feast,” if you will make it to class on time. With the teacher Roemensky said. help of our new hall monitors we are able to This was a clever way of using your time know just when you’re about to be late and but not clever enough because you’d receive should start running. an unexcused Over the years at Kettering we absence for that I don’t really yell, I have experienced many different class you skipped. just need to have a hallway policies. From no hallway The Kettering monitors, to detentions, to the students and precence. I do what I tank, to now hallway sweeps. staff are feeling have to do to give you During the first semester of all different sorts guys a better education.’ 2013-14 year tardies were sky high. of emotions to In September there were almost Hall Monitor Mike the new hallway Williams 1600 tardies and rising going into policies and hall the month of October. monitors. Slowly though the tardiness “I love them. began to drop, the number creeping to a little They are great for our hallways,” history over 800 as the student body adjusted to our teacher Mike Roemensky said. new hall monitors. Many teachers are thrilled about the Students began to realize that they didn’t crackdown in the hallways, getting their want the constant “GET TO CLASS GUYS!” students on time so they can begin their class. being yelled in their ears and started to get to Students on the other hand, feel differently. their class on time. With only six minutes to get from their lockers, For those few stragglers though left in the to class with all the hallway traffic is tough. halls would be swept up where they would be Most students have a mission on their mind. given a detention and a nice talking on why “I think it’s obnoxious, the yelling at me they should be on time. You’d never know doesn’t make me want to move or get to class when these random sweepings would occur. faster,” senior Lexi Wilcox said. Back when Kettering had The Tank, “It was “I feel like it’s an improvement from previous

‘

I think the tardies have improved since the beginning. From the last school I was at it’s like night and day with the students. They are respectful.’ Hall Monitor Tyron Logan

hall monitors, they get people to class better than in the past,” junior Garrett Zimmerman said. From being on the receiving end of the “sweeping” I’ve noticed a few down sides to it all. I was more late than I would have normally been. I also didn’t appreciate feeling like an animal being corralled into the cafeteria. As a high schooler I am aware that I only have five minutes. We are human and mistakes are going to happen. I do think having our new hall monitors has decreased the amount of wanderers and late people. Statistically there is proof, but we don’t need to be told to “GET TO CLASS!” every second of the day or chased down. It’s great to see improvement in my school but there needs to be a little give and take with it as we are growing up and learning to take responsibility for our actions.

Tardies for 1st semester

WaterfordDrift.com

03 April 2014

‘

I enjoy working with the kids. The most people I see late are couples or the boys after they’re done walking their girlfriends to class.’ Hall Monitor April Jordon

Feature

The man behind the voice Kettering soccer announcer Larry Jacobs will forever be remembered after his recent passing BY JACOB ALESSI Jacobalessi@waterforddrift.com

father staying to announce games for years after he had graduated. “He was so proud of Jordan and would jump out of his shoes when he did well,” family friend Jim Nicholls said. As his son moved on after high school Jacobs couldn’t find it in his heart to leave the sport he’d grown to love. Years went by and new crops of players moved in, but Jacobs stayed in the booth, ready to narrate each game with his classical announcer voice. He sometimes, however, showed a bit of bias towards the Captains. Current varsity coach Dave Ristich distinctly remembers the way Jacobs would tell you how he felt just by the tone and demeanor of his voice. “Larry would let it be known if he didn’t like the ref’s calls,” Ristich said. “He would say: ‘An apparent offsides’.” Although Jacobs stuck to himself, players gratefully appreciated his time. Senior soccer player Andrew Lindsey is thankful to have had Jacobs announcing every one of his games. “Whenever I would hear my name announced it made me feel special,” Lindsey said. “You always looked forward to getting

deep baritone voice echoed through the air, cascading down upon the aluminum grand stands at every home soccer game for the last eight years. The voice would boom through loudspeakers and could be heard by fans, parents, and competitors alike. Players would trot onto the torn up grass, introduced by the same familiar voice each game. Though the voice was always prominent, many players were unaware of the man behind it. The man was Larry Jacobs, a tall whitehaired accountant who dedicated countless hours to the soccer program until his March 13 death following a heart attack. During the last decade Kettering soccer has seen several new coaches, dozens of new players, and a move to a new field. One detail that hadn’t changed in eight years was Jacob’s dedication to announcing every single home soccer game purely for love of the sport. Jacobs started announcing because of his son, Jordan Jacobs, a former soccer star and 2005 graduate. Larry was more than proud of his son, who may have had an impact on his

A man of many words Friends and members of the WKHS soccer community share their appreciation for Larry

‘

The only announcer I know who could make a bad call distinction with just the expression of his voice. Larry truly loved the soccer program.’ TONI JASINA Soccer friend

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your name called; it made everyone know that the spotlight’s on you. Announcing is a big part to any game.” Parents who knew Jacobs agree that he had a strong passion unlike anyone else towardsthe soccer team and the school itself. “Larry truly loved the Kettering soccer program,” said Toni Jasina, mother of former soccer player Kyle. “It showed in his desire to come back every year even after his son was gone.” The man helped sculpt dozens of boys into men during those cool fall nights. Jacobs was there behind the packed stands during the crosstown rival game. He was there overlooking the mile long line at concessions while fans waited for hot chocolate. He was there during the neck in neck game that came down to the final seconds. Jacobs had always been there. Jacobs was there by himself, in the booth, with nothing but a smile and his voice.

I lost a great friend & will miss looking for him at the Oakland Yard & Lions games. Jordan, remember we will always be here; Don’t forget to call.’ JIM NICHOLLS Family friend

Larry was a good man that really loved the sport, he gave so much to the game that we could never repay him for.’ ANDREW LINDSEY Senior soccer player

MURMUR NEWS 3 April 2014

Larry Jacobs the voice of WKHS soccer since ‘06

1956-2014

‘

Two things that stick out about Larry was that he was loyal and proud, he was the type of friend to stick up for you even if he knew you were wrong. There have been a half dozen coaches, 2-3 field locations, & players who’ve quit before their senior year, but there was always Larry.’

GEORGE NICHOLLS JV Soccer Coach

Feature

BY LEXI BRADY alexisbrady@waterforddrift.com

aylor Warner’s favorite thing to do as a middle schooler was to hop off the bus and head home. She would often times grab a snack and plop down in front of the tv, ready to watch her favorite show. Wa r n e r ’s only worry was getting her homework completed for the next day. But, her worries and responsibilities began to take drastic turns as she got older. Now everyday after school, she heads to a chiropractor’s office for her daily shift. On Sundays she sells kids clothes at the Children’s Place. It’s inevitable. As students progress through their high school years they begin to take on more responsibilities, like having a job. Getting and having a job is becoming a reality for many students at Kettering. “I got a job to start saving money for college,” junior Corey Kirby said. Kirby works about five days a week at Firehouse Subs on Highland Road. He is not the only student who works to reach certain goals. “I started working for not only money, but for life values and responsibility and to also keep me busy,” senior Ashley Iliades said. She splits her time between two jobs, Firehouse and Dolly’s Pizza. We all have the same basic goal when it comes to working those endless hours: that sweet paycheck. Now what you actually get out of working is different for each person. “I have been working since October of 2012,” Iliades said, “And it has taught me a lot of responsibility and discipline. It has also taught me to save my money.” The earlier students begin their working career, the farther ahead they tend to be after high school.

hhhh

which is a chiropractor’s office,” Warner said. “I also work at the Children’s Place on Sundays.” Although it can be a struggle, balancing both work and school can really help you figure out your priorities. “Working in high school is a great idea,” teacher Amy Werner said. “It teaches responsibility and organization, especially when it comes to balancing work, school and even sports. As long as students aren’t working 50 hours a week, it’s definitely a good thing.” Having a job in high school can really be challenging as you try fitting everything into a busy schedule. “When I’m not at school, I’m working,” Warner said. “I always have to make my plans with my friends around when I get out of work.” As that little middle school student, Warner goes from only caring about her grades, to making money and not messing up at work her senior year. Warner misses the days where she can just go home after school and plop down in front of the tv, but she also realizes that this is a part of adulthood. The tables are beginning to turn.

Students go from lazy nights in front of the TV, to endless work shifts “I think that working in high school does prepare you for the real world,” Kirby said. “It has already taught me to be more responsible when it comes to things like being on time. Working has also showed me important things that employers look for when hiring someone.” In order to be successful in this world, not only money is essential, but a good job is as well. “Working is also a part of growing up,” Iliades said. “I wanted to get started sooner so I could get a better feel for what the real world is going to be like.” We can’t escape the fact that most of us are going to have to work for the next 40-50 years of our lives to make a decent living. “I think it’s a good idea for students to start working in high school,” senior Taylor Warner said. “It’s important for kids to learn responsibility and not rely on their parents for all their money.” Warner knows all too well just how crazy working in high school can be. “I work every weekday about 20 hours a week at Michigan Spine and Pain

WaterfordDrift.com

03 April 2014

‘

It’s important for kids to learn responsibility and not rely on their parents for all their money.” -Taylor Warner, 12

Feature Senior Amanda Taylor proves it takes a lot of hard work to be

e On point

BY TIFFANY MOUNTAIN tiffanymountain@waterforddrift.com

on her studio here in Michigan. “I’m one of the six captains at my “I started with basic ballet.” Ever since senior Amanda Taylor was two years old, she has studio here in Waterford,” Taylor said. The Dance Place is where Taylor spends loved to dance. While over the years, her dancing abilities hours on end practicing the eight types of advanced, it became more than a hobby- it dances she’s involved in. “I wish I was getting paid to dance because I was a lifestyle. 17 years down the road, Taylor has now au- spend so much time at the studio,” Taylor said. This year alone Taylor has already learned ditioned for four colleges and plans to keep 12 dances and practices around 20 hours a dance a part of her life forever. “I plan on majoring in dance and minoring week. All of the dancing takes a toll on her body but Taylor finds it positive. in business,” Taylor said. “The way I think of it is it just helps Though it seems like her journey is just starting to begin, Taylor has had many amazing me get closer to my future so I have to work hard and do my best to prepare for experiences and opportunities throughout her dancing career. It just helps me get whats ahead,” Taylor said. With this positive attitude As soon as Taylor started high closer to my future and amazing talent many school, dancing became even so I have to work dancers look up to Taylor, but more serious to her than it ever hard and do my she finds herself alone when was before. As a sophomore Taylor debest to prepare for planning for the future. “I’m the only senior dancer cided it was time to expand her whats ahead.’ at my studio,” Taylor said. “ It horizons as she auditioned for what was known as ihollywood Studios in Cali- gets hard doing it all alone because growing fornia, she hoped to gain a spot as an iHol- up there had always been more seniors and they would plan their futures together.” lywood dancer. Though it might be hard, Taylor has many “As soon as I found out I made it I was so proud of myself because it was my first real friends that support her lifestyle. As college approaches, Taylor has narrowed accomplishment,” Taylor said. After over a year of traveling all over the her choices down. Soon she plans on makUnited States and dancing with famous dancing her final decisions and committing to a ers, Taylor left ihollywood and began to focus dance program where she will spend another

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four to five years dancing with school work on top of that. Though she has a lot on her plate, Taylor has other worries. “My biggest fear is that college won’t be homey enough,” Taylor said. Her college in mind happens to be located in New York, where she would only travel home a few times each year, so she would have to get very comfortable with the city. ”I’ve already auditioned for them, now I’m just waiting to be accepted and from there I make my decision,” Taylor

said. While it might seem crazy, sometimes it’s possible to take that little girls dream of being a famous dancer and make it reality.Taylor has always had these dreams and it’s taking some big steps but she will work her way to success, one dance at a time.

The

Perfect

grand

jeté

1. Feet in

ready position

2. Start

running with graceful steps

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Have strong arms and point your toes

Opinion

The untold story about Dante Allen and his musical talent

BY: SARAH CIMINILLO sarahciminillo@waterforddrift.com

ark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.” and in this case, senior Dante Allen discovered his “why” when he was just 12 years old. Inspired by Dr. Dre, Allen put his keyboard he got for Christmas to use. It was just the beginning of discovering a future music artist known as D-Fresh Beatz. Not many people know about Allen and the accomplishments he has done, and to some people he may just be that one kid that always walks through the hall with his red Dre beats on. Its safe to say that only his closest friends know about his success. He is very humble about his talent, and doesn't need to feed off the attention; his motivation stems from the continuous success that he brings upon himself each day. You can find Dante in his studio 3-4 times a week, engaged in his music and mastering every beat he creates. Whenever he produces a beat he uploads it to a website known as Sounclick.com, a site that many musically talented people use to share and create their melodies with one another. It just so happens that Allen was number one on the soundclick charts out of over 1,800,000 users. The website allows anyone to access and view people’s page and listen to the music they created. You even have the option to purchase a beat or song if you wanted. Checking out Soundclick.com, you’ll come to find out that Allen has made songs with J-Kwon, Driicky Graham, Waka Flocka Flame,

Hopsin, Kevin Gates, Darnell Robinson, The Party Boyz, Honey Cocaine, and Curtis fields. Like most supporters, Allen describes the love that his family shares about his talent. “They love it,” Allen said. “They support me so much, and my dad is actually my manager.” Not only was Allen number one on the Soundclick charts, but he had a former record deal with Atlantic Records. The director of A&R, Brian Johnston, offered Allen the deal in the summer of 2013. In about a month, Allen is planning on signing with a new record company called Epic Records. “I feel like i have a better connection with this record company than I do with Atlantic.” says Allen. Allen also met with many music executives from Epic, Def Jam, Universal and Atlantic Records. He also gained a placement in Fast and Furious 7 and has worked in the studio with Future. He recently has been working with Future’s producer, and obtained the opportunity to be on the cover of this months Hip Hop Stardom Magazine. The new issue came out on Monday, March 24. Sometime in April, Allen is going to Atlanta to show music producers his amazing talent and will potentially have the oppor-

tuinty to work in the studio with Miley Cyrus for 3 weeks. If all goes well, this could be a huge break for him. Looking a little deeper into his future, Allen got a scholarship to Eastern University for football. Although his music success was a nice touch on the application, it was his athletic abilities that got him a scholarship. He does many extra curricular activities, and enjoys working out and participating in sports. “It’s a lot of work, but i know that it will all be worth it in the end and thats what keeps me going. I won’t stop trying”, says Allen. Dante Allen is the true definition of following dreams, by taking his talent and turning it into a future career.

Interested in Dante’s work? Check out some of his newest instrumentals at www.soundclick.com w

WaterfordDrift.com

03 April 2014

In-depth

The government restricts what students eat at school but when it comes to regulating genetically modified foods theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

OUT TO

Illustration by Chritstopher Habba & Jacob Alessi

LUNCH

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

In-depth

BY JACOB ALESSI Jacobalessi@waterforddrift.com

fter turning a blind eye for countless years the United States Government has finally decided to put their foot down on our school lunches. It seems as if their decision couldn’t have come at a more ironic time, the time of GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms. GMOs can be found in corn, soy, canola, wheat, and other plants. Their dual purpose is to create fruits and vegetables that are resistant to pesticides while also increasing their yield. Genetically modified organisms have been proven to harm the environment by killing bees, butterflies, and creating superweeds. On top of their negative effects on the planet, GMOs are potentially interfering with our health. School lunches have forever held a cliché stereotype of not being tasty in particular, but in years prior they really weren’t that different from the fast food most highschoolers crave. In fact, Kettering once served Taco Bell. After years of government mandates and restrictions, schools have progressively become healthier. We’ve all experienced the whole wheat breads, the increase in fruits, and the ban on all chips that aren’t baked. The government is increasingly involved in our school cafeterias and yet is taking a hands-off approach to genetically modified organisms. Some people consider this a double standard they just can’t stomach.

WaterfordDrift.com

03 April 2014

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014 survey of 100 students

Amount of students that eat organic foods on a daily basis

32%

68%

Commercial honey bees pollinate over a third of America’s crops. GMOs interfere with the pollination process, soo enough you could kiss crops such as peaches, apples, cherries, and strawberries goodbye

The Monarch butterfly is named the state insect in five states but it’s existance is in a state of decline. Studies from multiple universities show that the “Round Up” ready seeds produced by Monsanto, the GMO producing company, are killing the Milkweed plants that newley hatched caterpillars feed on.

Environmental Concerns With GMOs

survey of 100 students

18 72% of students surveyed were unaware of GMOs

Roundup made by Monsanto has been a little short of a miracle chemical for farmers. Since the 1990s farmers have been using Roundup on weeds in the fields which allow them to quickley evolve and resist the pesticide . This problem now has farmers looking for newer and more expensive ways to de-weed their fields.

threatening allergic reactions

Studies are showing a postitive correlation between GMOs and food allergies. Unlabeled geneticaly modified foods carry a risk of triggering life

Geneticaly Modified Organisms

GMO? In-depth

WaterfordDrift.com

03 April 2014

Canola

86%

Corn

90%

Cottton

93%

Soy

20%

survey of 100 students

80%

YES

Do you think the government regulates school lunches too much?

67% YES

44% YES

survey of 100 students

56% NO

Do you like hot lunch?

35% NO

Do you eat hot lunch at least two times a week?

The government regulates foods in school but not on store shelves

Before the school lunch changes

THE NEW FOODS The newer healthy alternatives

93%

that is a GMO, 2010

Genetically Modified Crops Grown in the US Percentage of each crop

In-depth

A new crop of problems New bio-technologies with food have people more concerned than ever BY CHRISTOPHER HABBA chrishabba@waterforddrift.com

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enior Lindsay Postal had never imag- has proved efficient compared to those grown efits outweigh the potential consequences. ined herself spending so much time in organically. “Monsanto is producing jobs, which is alsupermarket Farmers using GM ways good and their work also helps the aisles reading the I feel unsafe knowing that crops were able to in- people in starving countries because it prolabels on the food crease their yield and vides cheaper food,” Hibbard said. “The enviwe’re consuming these she buys every day. reduce the overall ronmental consequences are not good, but I Postal finds it hard to quantities of nutrients, think the pros outweigh the risks.” products as they are eat all organic foods water, and energy GMOs are still considered to be in the desprayed with Roundup” but tries her best to needed to grow the velopmental stage as new GM crops are being avoid any prepackcrops. introduced each day. According to Tom HelLINDSAY POSTAL, 12 aged and frozen While at first glance, scher, a Monsanto representative, “GM crops snacks. GMOs might seem healthy and beneficial, the undergo detailed scientific review by at least “I’m eating a lot more fruits and bioengineered food products are leaving a two, and often three separate federal agenvegetables and making things at home,” Postal lasting effect on our planet. Senior Jamie Bu- cies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. “I don’t eat all organic mostly because ford has been recently studying GM crops in (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture it’s difficult, I’m not the one that usually goes her classes and has come to the conclusion (USDA) and the Environmental Protection grocery shopping, and it cost a lot of money.” that humans should not be tampering with the Agency (EPA)”. Organic foods on average costs more than course of nature. Helscher also wrote in an email that “The processed foods. This is also the biggest factor “Some GM corn is resistant to one of the safety of genetically modified crops is well esleading to what is called GMOs. harshest pesticides called Roundup, which tablished and last fall, a team of Italian scien“Genetically Modified Organism” or GMO is manufactured by Monsanto,” Buford said. tists published an analysis of over 1700 peer is a term that is now mentioned alongside “When Roundup is soaked up by the ground, reviewed studies on the safety and environsome of the most controversial, talked-about it kills absolutely everything except the GM mental impacts of GMOs. They conclude ‘… issues in the world. GMOs have been around corn which is engineered to resist the chemi- that the scientific research conducted so far for many years; however, it wasn’t until just cal.” has not detected any significant hazard direcently that people have become more conRoundup is a pesticide manufactured by rectly connected with the use of GM crops’.” cerned with their lasting effect on the planet. Monsanto which is engineered to not only kill GM crops today are not regulated by the GMOs are organisms that have been cre- weeds, but like Buford said, “it kills absolutely U.S. government nor are they required to be ated through gene-splicing techniques of bio- everything” that it comes in contact with. This identified as GM foods on store shelves. This technology. This technology enables scientists chemical along with all the other nutrients in issue worries many Americans as GMO labelto introduce desirable traits from other species the ground are absorbed by the crops that ing is required in most other industrialized into crops or to alter plants’ genomes inter- produce the fruits and vegetables we find on nations like the United Kingdom, Spain, Saudi nally. store shelves. Arabia, Brazil, China and many more. According to a study conducted in 2010 by There are more than just health risks to be As of today the majority of the research we the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, “These concerned about when it comes to GMOs. have about GMOs comes from Monsanto and powerful scientific techniques have dramati- The environment is also suffering from this they have concluded that after examining all cally expanded the boundaries that have con- fairly new technology. It makes many people, of the evidence, GM foods do not pose any strained traditional plant breeding.” including senior Sonia Whittie, nervous. more risk to people than other foods. While many people have heard of GMOs, “We are learning about how the honey bees But Lindsay Postal isn’t buying it. not many people know about the company are declining in nature and how the monarch “I think what made me most uncomfortable behind the famous technology. butterfly is losing its source of food due to was their Roundup product,” Postal said. “I feel Postal stays on top of trends but she says the increasing strength of the pesticides used unsafe knowing that we’re consuming some of that she rarely hears any news about what each year,” Whittie said. “GMOs it, as it’s sprayed Scientific research conducted Americans buy and eat on a daily basis. are also contaminating on the resistant “I read all the current news online every non-GMO crop fields crops, and only so far has not detected any day and I watch the news on TV about twice and each year pesticides killing the weeds.” significant hazard directly a week,” Postal said. “ I only hear about ad- are being created using connected with the use of GM vancements regarding the food industry a few stronger chemicals, which times in a week.” is leading to the creation crops’ Monsanto, America’s largest multinational of the ‘superweed’.” TOM HELSCHER chemical and agricultural biotechnology corAs with all new techMonsanto representative poration produces an array of products to nology, there are always make farming more profitable and efficient. pros and cons. Senior Aiden Scan the QR code to visit the Non-GMO According to Monsanto, their line of Genet- Hibbard has weighed the consequences of Project webstie to read more about ically Modified (GM) crops Monsanto’s work and he believes that the benGMOs

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MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

School lunch

In-depth

switch-up

Recent changes in school lunches have students looking for answers BY JACOB ALESSI jacobalessi@waterforddrift.com

s part of his daily routine, freshman Gianni Figueroa makes his way through the student- filled lunch line. Picking up his food he reaches for the vibrant pile of red bags that sit high at the snack bar. He grabs his Flamin’ hot Cheetos, pays for them, then enjoys every last one, sucking the red powder off his fingers one by one as he finishes. To Figeroa’s surprise, when he went to reach for his favorite snack during a recent lunch it wasn’t there. He instead grabbed what are called ‘Salveo’s’, a new healthier alternative to the Cheetos that many students once loved. Along with the new foods comes new opinions, Figeroa believes that he shouldn’t be restricted to only healthy foods. “I really don’t think it’s fair and they should let us all eat what we want to eat,” Figueroa said. “I just found out about the new foods and think we should have a better choice for the foods that we’re buying.” The removal of Flamin’ hot cheetos is only the beginning of a new standard for healthier school lunch foods. Kettering has already implemented a change in the foods they’ve served this year, and will continue to add healthier meals next year. After the popular brand name snacks were exchanged with new alternatives many were surprised as to why the changes were made. Although some students may believe it’s solely the school itself that’s at blame for taking away these foods, there’s ultimately a higher power who’s making the lunchroom

decisions. According to Doreen Simonds, Associate Director of Waterford’s Nutrition and Purchasing Services, The National School Lunch and Breakfast Program has undergone changes to help students. The Federal Government is in charge of assigning these food mandates, and also helps give free lunches and breakfasts to students who can’t afford them. According to www.whitehouse.gov, It’s a proven fact that more than 30 percent of adults and 17 percent of children in America are considered overweight or obese, the Pentagon has even issued this statistic as a national security issue. In 2012 President Obama signed the “Hunger Free Kids Act” introducing a federal standard for healthier lunches to be served in schools throughout the country. The program is run mainly by first lady Michelle Obama, who believes it will “allow the USDA to be much more effective and aggressive in responding to obesity and hunger challenges for America’s kids.” Some schools have taken matters to the next level as they became upset with the government regulations. Schools in Mississippi and Indiana didn’t accept the money that came along with healthy alternatives, leaving them in the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto red for food bills. Although school lunches have been changed, students freedom of eating what they want isn’t completely taken away. Simonds knows that students can just bring their own food to school for lunch, but en-

What would you like to see in school lunches?

‘

I miss hot cheetos, I’d eat them all the time before they stopped selling them. I’ve switched to the baked chips though and they’re pretty good.’

‘

I love peppers and fresh food, I’d rather take fruits and vegetables over fries any day.’ SVYATOSLAV SMIRNOV, 9

39%

of students buy a snack every day

Snacks students won’t be seeing next year

Nutty Bars

Deep-fried fries Non-baked chips

ALYSSA GRAY, 9

courages them to try new foods and even contact her with ideas for foods that they’d like to see in their lunch. “As far as regulating things across the school district this is a tough one,” Simonds said. “We’ve started sampling healthier foods, our vendors are working really hard to find kid friendly foods that are healthy but still good.” The program extends further than just helping students to stay healthy, Simonds explains other benefits that come along with the mandate. “By participating in the program to be healthier the district is receiving money,” Simonds said. “It’s ultimately a huge help by keeping jobs alive.” All in all Simonds believes that the program was intended to help communities and will continue to do so. “The benefits that come along with participating in the healthy food program far outweigh them allowing us to just sell some snacks,” Simonds said. “The point is that the program does so much more for the families and the community and that it’s not just something we would want to opt out of.” While some students will always miss the foods they once knew, many are adapting and beginning to like the healthy changes. “I think It’s good that they’re making us eat healthier foods,” senior Andrea Breckenridge said. “America in general needs to make their portions smaller and start eating better.”

WaterfordDrift.com

03 April 2014

Feature

Spring break solutions

Tips, tricks, and a road map to achieve your dream spring break body

Training:

BY RACHEL WOODY rachelwoody@waterforddrift.com

he birds are singing, the sun is shining, but as you emerge from those layers of winter coats and heavy sweaters, you just know someone will say those dreaded words: bathing suit. Some believe their bodies are not spring break-ready. Lucky for you, here are some tips for a spring overhaul.

Training is essential, however, you do not need to perform hours and hours of hard workouts each and every day. The amount of time a person should exercise depends on his or her fitness goals, whether it’s for weight loss, health maintenance or performance training. TRY THIS: 1. 30-40 minutes of cardio 2. Lift weights 3. Push your body more than you did the day before

Diet:

Motivation:

BEFORE

Senior Kelsea Grecu didn’t realize she was gaining weight. Her junior year, she started working out at a gym with her boyfriend. At her heaviest she weighed 160 pounds. She now weighs 125 pounds and continues to work towards her goals. HOW SHE DID IT: -Heavy cardio -Light weight lifting -Used the app “Myfitnesspal” to count calories -Worked out consistantly every day after school -Practiced portion control

AFTER

Remember why you started and where you started from. Remember that anything worth having doesn’t come easy. TRY THIS: 1. Challenge yourself 2. Stop making excuses 3. Mind over matter

AFTER

There’s no doubt about it, getting that six pack and a slimmer body is going to be predominantly a factor of eating right. If you aren’t watching the foods you put in your mouth, success won’t arrive as soon as you may have hoped. If you take in lots of calories, it doesn’t matter how much you exercise. It takes a lot of exercise if you don’t watch what you eat. TRY THIS: 1. Portion Control 2. Tons of water 3. Five small meals a day

Senior James Fish began to gain weight his sophomore year and had the realization that his weight gain wasn't just associated with growth. At his heaviest point he weighed 242 pounds. He now weighs 172 pounds and is living a healthy lifestyle. HOW HE DID IT: -Cut out all processed food -His healthy lunches included half a chicken breast, cheese, banana, carrots, almonds, and water -Worked out -Used appopriate proportions and didnt go over board

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Feature

Fighting for your Dreams Kettering alumni Bryan Connell talks about his life as a Firefighter BY STEHANIE KNAPP stephanieknapp@waterforddrift.com

eadership: nothing proves a man’s “The nature of this line of work demands ability to lead others, then what he a high level of physical conditioning. You does from day to day to lead himself. need to be physically prepared, and you will Kettering alumni Bryan Connell learned be pushed to your limits,” Connell said. “The this at a young age. Bryan thought a good cognitive aspect will push you to breaking way to learn about becoming a leader would points sooner than the physical, but the be to pursue a career in the most difficult aspect of Marine Corps. After a lot of There are things you may that is meeting those thinking, and training with with a trait that think you’ll never need limits, the U.S. Civil Air Patrol for five most firefighters share, to know, that you may which is an unrelenting years and serving as a cadet commander for the Oakland need to know only once drive to excel above Composite Squadron GLRbeyond, to never in your lifetime, but will and MI-238, Bryan had a change quit regardless the save your life because odds or obstacles, of heart, and decided that he was being lead to work you had that knowledge.’ and you need to enjoy as a Firefighter/Paramedic that.” rather than in the U.S. Military. On a regular “After doing an internship with the basis the firefighters rotate between three Waterford Regional Fire Department my functions each day of each working set. senior year I realized that’s what I wanted to They are; Advanced Life Support/ Search do with my life,” Connell said. and Rescue, Pipe man/Fire Suppression, and Bryan loves helping people. Driver/ Engineer. “I have always had a strong desire and “Each job has specific responsibilities that passion for providing to, and serving others, works with the other to accomplish each especially in a time of need, when the task on a fire ground, medical or special pressure is on and your training and ability emergency such as hazardous materials to utilize it counts” Connell said. response, water rescue, confined space and Bryan has been working full time at the high angle rescue etc,” Connell said. Waterford Regional Fire Department for two The firefighters live at the station for 24 years now. He enjoys his job, his team, and hours at a time. his responsibilities. “Statistically we spend 1/3 of our lives with “I value working within a team that is truly our second family, which is just like living a brotherhood, where your focus each day with your own, cooking, cleaning, and of is ensuring your brother goes home to his course a multitude of practical jokes. We are or her family in fullness of health and being one big family at the firehouse and I am so willing to lay down your life to see that oath glad God had called me to be a part of this is fulfilled,” Connell said. outstanding honor,” Connell said. It takes a lot to do what he does.

‘

Stepping Up Senior Noah Lesner has decided to spend his life helping others by becoming a fire fighter.

‘

I want to be a firefighter because I want to help people, I want to make sure they are safe. It’s my dream, you get to be a part of the action, you are fixing the problem.’

WaterfordDrift.com

‘

I work out and stay in shape so I can be the best that I can, so I can do my job the best as I possibly can. I do a lot of stuff in the Fire Academy. We train, we go over all possible scenarios. For example we do flash over training, which is where the whole room is on fire and we had to learn how to watch for that, because that is a situation where you will die if you don’t know what you’re doing.’

03 April 2014

Sports

The Detroit Red Wings hockey team hosts a High School Journalism Day event at Joe Louis Arena

hen the average fan walks into Joe Louis Arena through the Gordie Howe entrance, fans are instantly surrounded by a flood of historyfilled, cracked, grey cement stairs decorated with freshly painted bright red railings. This set of narrow cement blocks leads the eager fan up to the extravagant doors detailed with pictures of players, logos of all sizes, and interesting hockeytown decor. On March 13, I was no longer entering The Joe as a fan, but as a high school journalist. Dozens of us journalists piled in through the West Gate entrance; a single door leading to an unfamiliar room in the basement. From there, the press conferences began. Red Wings Community Relations Manager Christy Hammond, opened the event with a short introduction. The day consisted of a tour of the Press Box, a viewing of a Red Wings practice, and five press conferences that all ended up gearing toward taking advantage of your opportunities. “You don’t know where life is going to take you,” Red Wings Radio play-by-play announcer Ken Kal said. “There are going to be a lot of bumpy roads, a lot of forks in the road, and you just have to hope that you choose the right path.” Listening to Kal made everyone in the room realize that having courage is an important part of growing up. No matter what a person thinks they’re going to do in the future, there

will be obstacles, but you have to be brave enough to endure it and push on. Former Red Wings player and current Special Assistant to the General Manager Kris Draper, had some inspirational advice to provide to students who believe their future is in athletics. “Keep working; if you’re working hard and doing good things and playing well, then people are gonna see you and there’s no doubt about that,” Draper said. Knowing what Leadership isn’t your future is goabout what you say, ing to look like leadership is about is near impossible, but you what you do.” Head Coach Mike can do things to increase your Babcock chance of succeeding. However, success won’t just be handed to you; it takes some hard work. “You’re not supposed to know what you’re gonna do with the rest of your life,” Head Coach Mike Babcock said. “The reason you have no idea what you’re gonna do is cause you haven’t done anything yet. You gotta get some miles on you.” Red Wings staff members not only believe that future is important, they also believe that your character can get you very far in life. Being courageous and mature will not only benefit you, but other people will think higher of

‘

know about

lak ho

Joe Louis

Arena

1. The Joe was built 1977-79 and finished 19 days ahead of schedule 2. When The Joe was built they forgot to build the press box and had to add it on later 3. The Joe can hold 20,066 people 4. The first Red Wings goal scored at The Joe was by Dennis Sobchuk 5. The first game at The Joe was December 27, 1979 against St. Louis

you. “The kids who love it the most, work at it the hardest, get better the fastest and end up becoming the best,” Babcock said. “Everyone thinks the stars are based on talent, but stars are based on heart and soul.” Having a passion for something is the only way to completely succeed in it. If you ever want to get better and become a leader, you have to want it and work hard for it. “Leadership isn’t about what you say, leadership is about what you do,” Babcock said. “Leadership is about who are you when nobody is around.” A lot of times, high school students can forget that personality is important. It can lead you to a brighter future. Simply being positive gets you pretty far. “I always believe that you can take a positive stand,” Kal said. “No matter how bad the situation is, you should try to make things positive.” Positivity comes in many forms; one of them being making the most of things, even if it isn’t what you expected. “We’re always trying to make the most of our opportunities as we get them,” Red Wings center Luke Glendening said. Whether you’re attempting to stay positive, be a leader, or succeed in the future; success won’t just be dealt to you like playing cards. You need to work hard to be successful.

tos by Kristin Wa Pho r

did not

5 YOU things

BY KRISTIN WARHOLAK kristinwarholak@waterforddrift.com

Photo by Kristin Warholak

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Not-so-mad March Sports

March Madness, in recent years, has lived up to its oh so famous name BY LUCAS HENDRICKS Lucashendricks@waterforddrift.com

very year, around spring time, college basketball fanatics rise and study the teams that are a part of “The Big Dance”. After a month of watching their picks get upset and brackets go bad the college basketball crazies fall back into the shadows as the NHL and NBA fans take the spotlight in the sports world. But as all the college basketball fans worry about how their brackets are doing at the time, many fans forget to recognize the roots of the infamous college basketball tournament. Most sports fans are not aware of how a bracket even ended up in their hands. It started in 1939, when the bracket consisted of eight teams, leaving the bracket to be complete in three weeks of games if games were played once a week. Now the brackets technically consists of 68 teams, and includes four play in games. The bracket takes six weeks to complete. twice the length of what it was in 1939. It’s safe to say 75 years ago March Madness was not so mad. In most recent years March Madness has really lived up to its name, including having the first 15th seeded team in the history of the tournament, Florida Gulf Coast,

ut of

BOUNDS

make it into last year’s third round, otherwise known as the “Sweet 16”. But it seems as if the only use for the name in earlier years was the clever use of alliteration because it wasn’t always as mad as most people would think. From 1964 to 1975 a dominant UCLA team won 11 out of 12 tournaments, and 1961 and 1962 were both University of Cincinnati’s championship years. That means in all of the 1960s only five different teams won the tournament. This year’s tournament has the potential to live up to the infamous name, with mid-major Dayton teams almost becoming a trend and teams like Syracuse who should be dominating losing to teams that didn’t play in the NIT tournament. With teams like North Dakota State, Harvard, and Mercer making the tournament exciting this year and mid-majors making a splash in the tournament, college basketball could be on the up rise. The direction it is heading at this point might make college basketball one of more popular sports out there. But for that to happen I believe the MidMajors need to continue to succeed. So this year when you college basketball fans are throwing away your brackets by the second round, remind yourself that the tournament isn’t about making your bracket perfect, even if you have the chance of winning one billion dollars from Warren Buffett, but the tournament is about making history in college sports, like it has done for the past 75 years.

Check out the Drift’s Final Four and Championship game predictions at http://www.waterforddrift.com/marchmadness-predictions-final-four/

Athletes of the month Senior Matt Okaiye and Freshman Kara Federico are the top performing athletes from WKHS in the month of March.

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BY LUCAS HENDRICKS lucashendricks@waterforddrift.com Photos by Taylor Skelton

Matt Okaiye Varsity Wrestling

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WaterfordDrift.com

Fe Ka ra

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Senior Matt Okaiye has wrestled for Kettering for four years. He is the first WKHS three time placer. He also has committed to Michigan State University.

Kara Federico Varsity Gymnastics

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03 April 2014

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Freshman Kara Federico is on the Waterford United gymnastics team. Federico has done gymnastics for three years and placed first in her most recent meet.

Feature

The Illuminati: NON - BELIEVERS

o matter what your view on something may be, you are going to always have a handful of people who can make an argument and disagree with you. While nearly two-thirds of students at Kettering believe in The Illuminati, there are also many who do not believe at all. “People take The Illuminati way out of proportion,” said junior Brad Mann. People who believe in The Illuminati and other conspiracy theories can often be seen as lunatics, maniacs, psychopaths, and other harsh words. According to a website that researches The Illuminati, the real Illuminati broke up in the 1780’s. The “imaginary” Illuminati will never die because conspiracy theorists keep it alive through social media, convincing people it is still alive. The website states that around 1785, the Bavarian Government found out about The Illuminati’s activities, forcing The Illuminati to disband and go underground. They laid low for the next few decades and eventually died off. “I don’t believe it is real for a second,” said junior Destiny Allen. “It does not make sense for all of these completely random people to mastermind current world affairs.” Many people believe that the world is just...the world. It is not run by any organization, corporation, or group like The Illuminati. People who do not seem to care about them ordinarily live a more simple life. In fact, according to a Facebook group that is against the whole conspiracy theory, people who do not believe in them are happier than people who do believe in them. Some people believe in The Illuminati, but they only believe that The Illuminati goes as far as music, movies, novels, video games, television shows, and comics. But they do not believe that The Illuminati are the rulers of the world. “I think The Illuminati is in media promoting evil,” said junior Brandon Speagle. “I don’t think they actually rule the world or anything though.” People are going to believe what they wish to believe, there will never be a right or wrong answer. The Illuminati is one of the most talked about conspiracy theories today which hold tons of opinions, that’s what makes it such an interesting concept.

Arguing With Conspiracy Theorists

‘

The Electronic Conspiracy

It’s nothing more than something that some random kid made up.’

YOU believe

Poll of 100 students at Kettering

26 w

BY JOSHUA MARKO joshuamarko@waterforddrift.com

Why Captains do not believe in The Illuminati

38%

secret organization plans to replace physical currency with electronical currency, eventually causing a worldwide blackout and leading to chaos and the return of slavery.

‘

There is no way that this could ever happen, I don’t think they have that much control over us.’ ALYSSA GRIMALDI, 11

Pearl Harbor

onspiracy Theorists believe that President Roosevelt knew that the attack on Pearl Harbor was to come. The evidence to back these conspiracy theorists up are the ships and aircrafts Roosevelt sent out, leading them into WWII.

‘

I do not believe that Roosevelt knew, but I do believe there is a possibility he might have.’ MIKE ROEMENSKY, HISTORY TEACHER

62% YES MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

The Pentagon

he Pengatgon building in Washington DC has stirred up a buzz about The Illuminati. People think the Pentagon building is holding Illuminati and top world secrets that we will never be allowed to know.

‘

I don’t think one building can hold that many secrets; if they do hold that many secrets, why wouldn’t somebody that works there tell the public about them?’ CIARA MAHRLE, 10

what do

YOU believe?

Feature

BELIEVERS

Why Captains do believe in The Illuminati

Hard Evidence

x Model and actress Melyssa Ford says, “Sellling your soul is really not worth it in the end.” Melyssa ford starred in multiple hit movies, but once she claimed to find out about The Illuminati, she has retired her career.

omputer screenshot of the 2001 version of Area 51 taken off of Google Earth. This is the first image of Area 51 to be put on Google Earth, and many believe the reason it was covered up is because the government / The Illuminati were hiding top secret things, such as crashed UFO’s studied by scientists, that we could see.

upac’s last album “Makaveli The Don: Killuminati” released after his death. In this album, Tupac dissed multiple rappers such as Jay-Z, Nas, Mobb Deep, and Biggie Smalls. People think that The Illuminati killed Tupac before he could release this album because they knew he was exposing them.

any people believe that The Illuminati were behind some of the biggest events to take place in US history. For example, JFK’s assassination, the Twin Towers bombing - 9/11, the moon landing, Area 51, etc. “There is so much evidence that Area 51 is hiding something that they are not telling us,” said senior Trever Gignac. “It’s pretty hard to believe that something is not going on.” According to Wikipedia, Area 51 is in reality Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada. The AFB and the area it surrounds is a testing ground for top secret military aircraft. The AFB was founded in 1929 using only a dirt runway and several empty hangars. Many people believe Area 51 is where the US keeps not only unreleased military space crafts, but also found aliens, UFOs, and other top secret space objects. When Google Earth had first come out in 2005, Area 51 could be seen from above. When Area 51 had found out that people could use Google Earth to see inside, which was about 3 years later, they forced Google to take them off of Google Earth, replacing them with the 2005 version of Area 51 so we could not see what they were recently testing. “I don’t think that these things that happen are just a coincidence,” said sophomore Anna Hueter. “There is a lot of evidence that Tupac was murdered by The Illuminati that I think is very strange.” Tupac started the movement “Killuminati” in an album that was not released until after his death named “Makaveli The Don: Killuminati”. Tupac exposed The Illuminati and took multiple shots at rappers who obey the group throughout the album and was shortly murdered after the release. Many people who know of Killuminati think that Tupac meant for it to mean kill The Illuminati, when really the message behind it is to kill the idea of The Illuminati. Tupac thought that if we stopped feeding into the propaganda and the evil that The Illuminati gave to us, they would have no power to take from anyone, which would eventually kill them. “On VH1, they had a documentary about musicians selling their souls for fame,” said sophomore Jade Lamb. “You don’t really catch onto it, but their are tons of hidden messages in their songs about evil and satan.” Artist that perform with Illuminati symbolism in their songs are normally through subliminal messages. Subliminal messages include songs in reverse, metaphors and similes, and sometimes imagery, such as telling a evil and dark story. Many artists sell their soul to satan for fortune and fame which makes them more popular, heard on radio more often, and famous.

Celebrity Death Illuminati Accusations The tragic death of actor Paul Walker

Conspiracy Theorists were on top of this death the instant it hit news sources. Multiple different theories have already been studied about his car accident.

The death of pop icon Michael Jackson

Conspiracy Theorists believe that the music star was murdered by The Illuminati, and his death was covered up by saying it was drugs.

The assassination of 35th president JFK

Many people in the US believe the former president was murdered by our own government, or The Illuminati, for

speaking out against them.

The assassination of rap star Biggie Smalls

Multiple rappers, producers, and conspiracy theorists believe that the East Coast rapper was shot down by someone hired by The Illuminati.

WaterfordDrift.com 03 April 2014

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Opinion

How to be a teen in 2014

Unspoken guidelines determine different decisons in teenagers lives

alking out of class, it’s the middle of fifth hour, which only means one thing for me: lunch time. I meet up with my friends, everythings normal. Until BAM, i hear it. I hear an innocent cry for help, from one of my dearest gal pals. She’s been victim, of a crime, that’s not really a crime. She was called out, by the one and only, fashion police. They’re about as bad as police get (besides the real ones of course). They make you feel wrong for the choices you make in the morning in order to cover your body before you go to school. Why should clothes even really have to matter? Why should my friend feel bad about what she wanted to wear? It’s her clothes, her choice, heck, it’s her life. This is the United States of America, and no where does it state that you can’t wear a denim shirt, with jeans. Society paints a perfect picture of what every teen is “supposed to do/wear” and whoever doesn’t do these things are considered weird, this is all determined by a set of guidelines everyone knows about but almost no one ever says anything about. Who makes these guidelines you may ask? No one in particular really. The way people end up learning these things are rather harsh. Now, the way these rules work is that they are basically separated into three sections. The first section would include rules that apply to everyone, the second would be rules that just apply to guys, and the third being rules that just apply to girls. Girls by far have more guidelines than guys, of course these are all stereotypical

BY BRIDGET EKIS bridgetekis@waterforddrift.com

and in no way shape or form are real rules. For instance, if a girl is wearing a headband right on top of her head and there isn’t about a two inch gap from her forehead to her headband, that is considered a violation to girl code. This code is extremely made up, and sometimes it doesn’t always refer to clothes and accessories. It could also refer to social media such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc. For instance, girls aren’t encouraged to post more than two selfies per day because that is “annoying” and it makes girls come off as “desperate”. “I don’t want my feed on Instagram crammed up with peoples selfies,” freshmen Carly Coffin said. “Two selfies in one day is enough, people just need to calm it down sometimes.” I see the pros and cons to Coffins side here, no I don’t want my whole instagram selfies either, but I have no control of what people want to post. According to the teenage girl population at Kettering, your Instagram needs to have a variety of photos. Some selfies here and there are alright, but a selfie cannot be posted every time a person goes to post a picture. As far as guys go, they don’t have as many harsh rules as girls. I mean, c’mon, they’re guys. They aren’t very organized as is. They do have a few that hover around though. On the clothes side of things, guys shouldn’t be wearing the same brand from their head to their toes. According to “guy code” this comes off as a little quirky. So guys

m a k e sure to mix it up and don’t match too much. Just kidding- I mean do what you want, wear what you want. So what if society doesn’t like it? Are you society? No, you are you, so stay true to you. “I mean if you’re a guy and you have an Instagram then you can’t post tool pics,” junior Sam Morris said. Any picture that has a guy with is shirt off and him flexing in a mirror is considered a “tool pic”. Assuming that guys that post these pictures are tools. I wouldn’t necessarily say these guys are tools, but to me they come off as if they are looking for attention. Which isn’t the way to go. Now posting a picture of your ab progress throughout an extended period of time is different, that shows dedication, and that you have worked for that and you are proud of yourself. That I don’t mind, it is just when guys are purposely trying to achieve likes and attention from girls. Unspoken rules have always lingered around, just no one has had the guts to broadcast it aloud. In no way do any of these rules consider a person to be weird, ugly, or not cool. Society shouldn’t have to illustrate your life for you, or any choices that you make in it. You should do what makes you feel comfortable. Whether that be violating the fashion police, or the girl code, or the guy code, whatever it may be. Do what you do, because that’s you. Don’t let some silly little rules in high school ruin your originality, because in the end, after high school the real you should be all that matters.

FASHION FORCE

WaterfordDrift.com

VI O

LA TI ON

“These rules are stressful and it’s unfortunate that as soon as you walk into school you’re criticized for being who you are.” Haley Tewes, 10

03 April 2014

Brooke Boyer, 9

themselves however they please.” Alex Dorcey, 9

O TI LA

O I V

O VI

N O “People I should be T to LA able express

“Rules are overrated, just be yourself and stay geniune” Alec Rogin, 9

Reviews BY ALEXEA HANKIN alexeahankin@waterforddrift.com

ast year, I picked up Divergent for no particular reason other than that a lot of people were telling me to read it. I read it in a single day. And I loved it. The book follows the story of Beatrice “Tris” Prior, a 16 year old girl living in a dystopian society in which everybody is split up into five groups- factions- that all have different jobs within the community (Amity, Candor, Dauntless, Erudite, and Abnegation). All sixteen year olds must take a test to decide which faction they should be in, except Beatrice’s results are a mix of factions- inconclusive, making her “divergent”. Being divergent is dangerous, because divergents have a habit of mysteriously dying whenever the government figures out about their divergence. Thus, the plot spirals into Beatrice’s fight to keep her secret alive. The movie succeeds in showing all of this: the set up of the plot, if a little rushed, is on point. But everything after the very beginning of the movie starts to fog. To save either time or money, the plot is shifted around in a way that the story still makes sense, but barely. It raises a lot of questions, but barely answers any of them. The people making the film were obviously depending on the fact that those who were going to see the movie read the book first.

Many times the plot changes erase away the depth of pivotal moments within the book, making them feel like nothing really worthwhile happened. The most frustrating thing about this movie adaption is it’s lack of compelling characters. The only character who even has any sort of visible development is Tris, and what is there is not a lot. Almost all of Veronica Roth’s awesome characters were robbed of having personalities. I never hated Peter enough, felt sorry for Al, or even knew who Jeanine was except that she was the bad villain. Uriah was curiously absent, as were Edward and Myra- which should prove interesting later on in the series. The romance between Four and Tris (despite the delicious casting of Theo James paired with Shailene Woodley) is lackluster and underwhelming. Their first kiss, which rapidly turns into an uncharacteristic makeout scene, is the most exciting it gets, considering their dialogue is never appealing. All and all, this movie places too much emphasis in the wrong places- hunting the divergent- and not enough in the true themes that made to book a worthwhile read. It was, at best, okay (purely because the scenery and simulations were pretty spot on). Definitely a let down for fanatics of the books.

BY ALEXEA HANKIN alexeahankin@waterforddrift.com

hree years ago, Foster the People took the radio by storm with their controversial hit “Pumped Up Kicks”, released as part of their first album “Torches.” Gaining two Grammy nominations for “Torches”, the alternative trio Mark Pontius (percussion), Cubbie Fink (back-up vocals and bass), and Mark Foster (lead vocals, piano, keyboard, synths), journeyed on their first tour together. After a year of touring, they set up a makeshift recording studio in the middle of a desert in Morocco, where they began recording their sophomore album “Supermodel.” This isn’t surprising when listening to the African-themed intro track, “Are You What You Want To Be?” Fast-paced with a lot of depth in it’s lyrics, this song sets the tone for the rest of the album, which Mark Foster has described in many interviews as being a “conversation with God.” This spiritual theme pulsates throughout the entire record, bouncing between psychedelic, rock, electronic, dance, and pop sounds. The one thing that remains consistent is Foster’s quality of lyrical writing when it comes down to the hard-hitting topics, such as the drug addiction theme in “Goats in Trees”. “Best Friend” is the closest the band ever gets to “Torches”, but this independence is a good thing- thoughtful, introspective acoustics like “Nevermind”, and “Fire Escape” are powerful, refreshing retreats from FTP’s previous dancecrazed pop.

MOVIE REVIEW

ALBUM REVIEW

“A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon” is a track that really characterizes the change in this new Foster the People, considering we’ve never heard the band this heavy before. Yet heavy synth melodies like “Pseudologia Fantastica”, “Coming of Age”, and “Tabloid Super Junky” are all reminiscent of FTP’s old style while showcasing just how much the band has matured both lyrically and musically. In “The Truth”, there’s a beautiful falsetto call and bass response between the chorus and verses that, while Foster sounds exhausted, have a light to them: “There is a hope for the hopeless / I can promise you that”. But the real reason why this album scores so well is it’s fluidity: every song flows perfectly into the next, more like a story than a compilation of pretty sounds. This record captures Mark Foster’s heart and rides it’s tides, sometimes showing how it feels to surf, sometimes showing how it feels to drown. The hook: this album is human. It breathes life, confusion, and revelation. The single chosen to release with the announcement of this album was called “Coming of Age”, and I think that was a warning to all Foster the People fans. This album is the coming of age. Foster the People isn’t a mindless torch anymore. They’re more- and this is just the beginning.

MURMUR NEWS 03 April 2014

Opinion

he Walking Dead resurrected

BY QUINTEN WINOWIECKI quintenwinowiecki@waterforddrift.com

With the fourth season creeping towards the end, we review the season’s past episodes, leading to the finale

arlier in the school year, for the first issue of the Murmur I viewed the pilot episode of the hit AMC show, ‘The Walking Dead’. Since that issue I have been able to almost completely catch up with the current season, and I’ve been struggling to stay interested within the first ten minutes of each episode much like when I watched the pilot. Since the start of the fourth season, it feels like it’s been dragging on. Taking a full hour to find out something from the previous week, just to find out it was hardly worth the wait. Even with the development of the most dangerous character to emerge in the show, the Governor, I still felt like it was a chore to watch the show, rather than watching it for enjoyment. The way they developed the governor felt more like they forced the viewer to sympathize, rather than have it happen naturally, sprinkling clips of him caring for his turned daughter right after he commits acts of terrorism to some of the protagonists. Luckily, the latest episodes of the post apocalyptic thriller series have been stellar. The main character Rick Grimes is still fighting to survive as well as maintain a heart to heart relationship with his semi rebellious son Carl, while the other characters have split paths and are now going their separate ways. In the most recent episodes, Rick, Carl, and Michonne have been hidden away to add more narrative and screen time to the smaller characters. Maggie and Glenn are split apart and now have devoted all

of their time searching for each other. The rest of the characters, in this season more than ever after the mid-season break, have had an amazing amount of time to be seen for who they are, and who they are becoming. Fan favorite Daryl Dixon, and slightly less important Beth Greene have been thrusted into the wilderness, Glenn has been pushed away from Maggie (almost literally) and they are both endlessly searching for each other. Carol has taken Judith, and found a home with Mika and Lizzie, as well as Tyreese, But ends up killing Lizzie, who killed her sister to show that zombies are just people that have changed. Even with the story being drawn around more of the secondary characters, giving you a sense of connection between characters you normally wouldn’t have, it’s been taking much too long per episode to do so. Often, you spend a whole episode getting one simple concept drilled into your head, that they need to stay together, and to top it off, they’re foreshadowing is becoming more and more obvious, mostly due to the over exaggerating the point they’re trying to convey. After the first three seasons, and the consistent slowing down at random, not necessary moments, I keep sitting there left bored, and yet again feeling like I have to bring myself to watch the show, rather than wanting to watch it after every episode. It’s a shame that I don’t enjoy this show as much as many of the fans, because everybody freaked out about it and hyped it up, and I’ve been almost regretting starting the show in the first place.

Rick

Meet the characters Rick has been leading the way for himself, Carl, and Michonne. He has managed to keep them out of trouble for the most part, but has had to come to terms with the bad things he’s done to protect his family. Struggling to trust anyone, he gets the group into trouble after finally making it to Terminus.

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Daryl

Daryl. The nature’s man. Daryl has been taking things into his own hands and recently lost Beth in a kidnapping. Afterwards, he finds a group of shady people that tries to kill Rick in a chilling series of events. He later has a chat with Rick, and everything is A-Okay.

Glenn & Maggie

03 April 2014

Glenn and Maggie have been on a love story like search for each other ever since they became seperated after the war at the prison. Glenn is caught searching with a former enemy, and Maggie wandering the woods with Tyrese and his sister Sasha. finally meeting each other in a railroad tunnel, they seem to have found refuge at the famous Terminus.

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The Waterford m Drift Journalis Department t hosted the firs annual

1. LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION! Photos by Waterford Drift Staff Students of all ages get to really understand what it’s like to be part of a TV crew. 2. SPEAK UP Experimenting with broadcasting equipment, children learn about how news is shared. 3. IMAGE ADJUSTMENTS Elementary and middle school students get to learn how to use computer applications, such as Photoshop and InDesign. 4. SHOW OFF Students shared what they learned after class. 5. CAMERA READY The Drift staff directs on how to use a camera. 6. TAKE NOTE Gathering information from a design class, students use their new reporter’s notebooks.

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03 April 2014