October 2014Murmur, Waterford Kettering High School Student

murmur Volume 12, Issue 1 October 16, 2014

work

employment

wage

raise

fun

Working Wages

16 page

Senior Haley Lonnemo works two jobs and seven days a week to help her family make ends meet, but she is still a full time student. She’s not the only one.

Photo by Taylor Skelton Photo illustration by Alexea Hankin and Kristin Warholak

MURMUR

contents

Editor-In-Chief: Alexea Hankin

NEWS

The Drift Editor-In-Chief: Lucas Hendricks

Are you a leader?

Managing Editor: Catherine Habba Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Warholak Copy Editor: Sarah Murphy Illustrator: Josh Marko Photo Editor: Bridget Ekis Photo Coach: Veronica Latimer Social Media Editor: Ally Pierchala Staff Writers: Brooke Boyer, Gracelynn Boylan, Bailey Caswell, Julie Dennis, Mariah Duncan, Erin Eggenberger, Shelby Greaves, Calvin Habba, Grace Moultrup, Hannah Neal, Becca Posigian, Dathon Skelton, Taylor Skelton, Erin Skibo, Hailey Sterling, Katie Taylor, Abby Webb, Kelsey Cutean Waterford Kettering High School 2800 Kettering Dr. Waterford, MI 48329 (248) 673-1261

OPINION

4

Haviland Elementary School exhibits their new Leader in Me program, teaching students effective leadership skills.

THANK YOU

23

Kettering’s hallways are crazy. Here’s how to navigate them.

The buzz about bees

5

Calorie cutback

SPORTS

6

Deep in the woods

7

The story of Olivia O’brien’s sucessful shooting of a six-point buck.

Gay rights rising

24

Backpack rule

8

Governor election

9

iTunes Festival

10

Dress for success

Hooked

25

11

Making it back Bouncing Around

26

FEATURE Link Crew

14

Link Leaders help incoming freshmen become comfortable at Kettering.

Divisio

15

IN-DEPTH

Sponsors:

Jamie B. Collett, Kate Casper, Donald Neal, Sandra Pylvainen, Jennefer Mayle, Waterford Kettering Wrestling, Heather Neal, Steve Smitka, Bonnie Webb, Bryce Neal, Heather Halls.

Sarah’s Soapbox

31

OPINION CONT’D Fountain fails

28

Popularity is pointless

29

ENTERTAINMENT World of Williams

27

Let’s Play/What’s Happening

30

A review on the best new and upcoming apps from both the Google Play and Apple App store.

More than pocket change

16-19

Last September, the first of many minimum wage raises passed in Michigan—a change many students felt in their pockets.

FEATURE CONT’D Bond of appreciation

20

They shape our lives

21

Dearly beloved

22

THE MURMUR is printed monthly, and put together completely by the students in Journalism Class at Waterford Kettering High School. The Murmur serves as an open forum for student expression, and opinions printed are not those of administration. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are highly encouraged. Letters may be delivered to room 501 or emailed to ketteringmurmur@gmail.com.

All letters are subject to editing of punctuation and grammar errors. Letters must be submitted with a signature.

Letters with libel or slander towards another person will not be concidered for publication. Letters must be limited to 250 words. ADVERTISEMENTS do not reflect the views of the staff. Potential advertisers can contact the staff through the Kettering phone number. The Murmur editorial board has the right to refuse any innapropriate advertising. 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 are written by the staff and include the combined opinion of the full staff.

THE MURMUR // LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Letter from the editor

I

was at the ripe age of ten the first time I thought I was going to change the world.

It was Mr. Martin’s classroom, 5th grade; we’d gotten our very first essay question about which we were required to write a whopping five paragraphs about one whole topic. This was absolutely crazy. Five paragraphs is about a mile’s worth of writing to a fifth grader, especially on only one thing.

And, though I didn’t know it then, our prompt was the age-old groan inducer: “Write a well-supported essay to the school board about whether or not the students at this school should have a dress code.”

Now, I think most kids have a knee-jerk reaction to their first essay prompt, and it’s somewhere along the lines of “wow, this is really stupid.”

However, my initial reaction was incredibly optimistic.

As I brainstormed for this piece of what I was sure would be excellent literature, it was not my grade I had in mind, but something much greater. I immediately imagined my teacher reading through my essay and thinking it so studious and forward-thinking that it would show up on the principal’s desk the next morning, marked with bright pink sticky notes that said PLEASE READ, IMPORTANT. I imagined elementary school uprisings, students joining together behind my superior knowledge and intellect towards a common goal of making sure our school would never have a dress code ever. And my elementary school didn’t even have a dress code, so I imagined all the schools in the whole world abolishing their dress codes just because of my writing.

And I’m sure it comes to everyone’s surprise that that did not end up happening. Really, I was quite heartbroken.

But the spirit that I implemented in that fifth grade class, in a lot of ways, still lives in me today. Which is why I’m writing this.

If you’ve not figured this out yet, what you’re holding in your hands is the Murmur—Kettering’s own student-run newspaper. And I’m Alexea, the Murmur’s Editor-in-Chief.

I like to think of the Murmur in the same way my fifth grade self thought of that essay, sort of. I don’t think we’re out to change the world, but I definitely believe the Murmur is the WKHS student body’s true voice—we try our best to talk about what you talk about, whether you are a student, a teacher, an administrator, etc.

Our goal is to stay relevant in this school (perhaps not relevant enough to start uprisings... Though, that would be cool) and to stay relevant to you.

This year, the Murmur’s gotten a bit of a style update to keep things nice n’ pretty, but we’ve also moved our articles into defined sections that will remain consistent throughout this school year.

These will run in a News - Feature - InDepth - Sports - Opinion Entertainment order. What goes into those subcategories is really up to you.

I formally invite you, dear reader, to write myself and this staff a letter. Is there something you’re really passionate about that we seem to ignore? A really interesting person we somehow haven’t met? A crazy teacher who deserves some admiration and respect for the whole school to see? Write to us. Heck, we’ll publish your letter in this exact spot in issues to come.

This paper is not meant to induce groans like certain in-need-ofretirement essay prompts, but it is meant to get you thinking about the issues in this school and in this community. If there’s anything this paper and the essay I wrote almost a decade ago share, is that I can only hope it’ll be marked PLEASE READ, IMPORTANT. in bright pink sticky notes.

In truth, it’s all yours. I hope you like it.

Thank you for reading, Alexea Hankin

Please read— Important

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 3

leader NEWS // THE MURMUR

FOLLOW THE

Haviland elementary is one of several schools teaching students the ethics of leadership group of teachers from each grade to same classroom, explained how she had been

represent the school at it’s highest.

“We became part of the lighthouse team because we volunteered when we were asked [by Michelle Sullivan],” First-grade lighthouse representative Cindy Amboian said.

At the moment there are 101 lighthouse schools. The teachers in Haviland’s lighthouse team include Sarah Angelini, Rebecca Briggs, Cindy Amboian, Celeste Duryea, Rebecca Matthews and Tracey Rosinsky. The teachers explain how they use the seven habits from Steven E. Covey’s book “The Seven Habits” in their daily life.

“I’m more aware of the language I Photo credit to Haviland Elementary use with my own children,” secondgrade lighthouse representative

BY GRACELYNN BOYLAN Sarah Angelini, said.

“The talks we have at the Staff Writer dinner table are around the habits.” gracelynnboylan18@waterforddrift.com Explaining how the children react to adults ll of the kids have their hands raised, applying the habits, wasn’t a challenge at all eagerly, waiting for the teacher to call for these teachers. on them to share.

“The moment you say you’re right, that “Last Sunday, my sister and I took quick little I need to fix this and this is why, it just [lets showers. After we were done I helped her put them know],” Rebecca Matthews kindergarten her clothes on her, and she was moving a bit lighthouse representative said. “Letting them too much.” see [the habits] because that’s real, that’s life, “My brothers keep winning and it’s getting it’s what we do, we make mistakes and figure annoying, so I have to think win-win.” out how to fix them.”

“Me and my sister make a lot of messes that All of the students and the staff have been we don’t clean up, sometimes she helps me applying the habits in class. clean my room and I help clean hers.”

“The fifth-graders used to sit with fifth-graders, The kids were still learning exactly what now the fifth-graders sit with kindergartners,” the seven habits of leadership were, but they fifth-grade lighthouse representative Rebecca could tell you right away how they had used Briggs said. them. This was a normal way to end the day The children have been applying them in daily at Haviland Elementary School. life too, even outside of school. In the long run, The principal of Haviland, Michelle tests have been done on kids who have been Sullivan, explained that Haviland elementary subjected to the program and show that their had become a leadership school because of test grades have higher averages because of her past experience at Beaumont elementary. taking charge of their studies. The children in “The Leader in Me process was truly the classroom explain all seven habits clearly embraced by the principal, Jan McCartan, and correctly; be proactive, begin with the as she transformed her building into a end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, FranklinCovey Lighthouse School,” Sullivan seek first to understand then be understood, said. “I watched her bring a once divided synergize, and sharpen the saw. staff together in a total team effort to bring this The students began by telling how they use process to life by establishing trust, creating a the habits with siblings and parents; every shared vision, and building student leaders.” example was correct.Riley, a second-grader Beaumont elementary has been a leadership in Sarah Angelini’s room, explained how she school since the 2010-2011 school year, used the win-win habit with her brothers. Nick, which sparked the idea for Haviland to a second-grader in the same class, explained become a leadership school. At every Leader how he had used habit 6; synergize with his In Me school there is a lighthouse team, a sister. Arjana, a second-grader also in the 04 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

A

reactive instead of proactive with her sister.

The students and teachers are applying it to their everyday lives and school lives. Students have been applying it on the playground, in the classroom, in the lunch room and even in the pick-up line.

The Leader In Me program has helped over 100 schools in America to mold the leaders of tomorrow. The program was originally started

by Muriel Summers; a principal in Raleigh, North Carolina. The book by Stephen R. Covey had inspired Muriel to become a leader and show leadership in her students. The principal at Haviland elementary school, Michelle Sullivan, got word of it and had applied it to the students at Haviland to become strong, independent leaders to help pave their future.

THE LEADERSHIP TREE Sharpen the saw Synergise

Seek first to understand, then to be understood

Think win-win

Put first things first Begin with the end in mind Be proactive

bees The buzz about

The decline of the bee population threatens our food sources

T

h e first 20 years were

BY JULIE DENNIS all milk and Entertainment Editor honey,” lojuliedennis@waterforddrift.com cal beekeeper Roger Sutherland said.

“Everything was perfect; there was very little loss of the bee population over the winters.”

Then the roof of the hive collapsed.

The bee population, has been starting to go down since 1945, but the major decrease happened in 1985. Beekeepers noticed bee loss, especially over the harsh winter, was higher than usual. Sutherland, who had kept bees on his four-acre Ann Arbor property for 50 years was devastated when he discovered that over 30% of his bee population was gone.

“After this past winter I made a survey for all the beekeepers in Michigan,” Sutherland said. “The survey asked the bee keepers how many honey bees they lost over the winter, the results were crushing. It came out to having a 60% loss.”

That percentage is dangerously high, and it threatens everyone. It’s not just the bee keepers who should be concerned with stopping the decline of the honey bee population.

“It seems like every year a new problem develops, when we haven’t even solved the first problem,” Sutherland said.

One of the major factors that has caused the decrease is two different types of mites. The first type of mite pierces the bee’s body and

THE MURMUR // FEATURE weakens the bee’s already poor immune system. The second type is believed to introduce deadly viruses to the bees.

Another big cause that the locals are seeing is the harsh weather during the winter. Honey bees do not die in the winter like other bee species do. During the winter the bees stay in the hive and they all group together. The bees then proceed to vibrate their bodies to generate heat for each other. Just like every other species, when a bee eats it eventually makes organic waste that has to come out.

Honey bees respect their hive too much to go to the bathroom in it, so they have to fly out of the hive to go to the bathroom. In past winters we would have a December, January, and February thaw. This past winter we never had a warm spell , so most of the bees died off from not being able to leave the hive.

These are just some of problems the local beekeepers are seeing. There is a much greater problem that the commercial beekeepers are seeing.

The commercial beekeepers are having an issue of lost bees caused by Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD is where honey bee colonies abruptly disappear.

“CCD is only a problem with the commercial beekeepers,” Sutherland said. “They don’t keep their bees here in the winter they move them all over the place everyday so they can work with their hives all year round.”

The commercial beekeepers abuse their bees.

Everyday they load their honey bees up and throw them in the back of a truck that travels miles across the country. Not only do the commercial beekeepers keep the bees in unhealthy conditions, but they feed them unhealthy foods. When the bees are on the truck they feed the bees high fructose corn syrup and they give the bees an unhealthy pollen substitute.

“I think that the bad nutrition and the physically stress is playing a big part in the reducing bee population,” Sutherland said.

These black and yellow flying things of terror actually have some use to us human beings.

Their life goal is not to cause human pain, it is to make honey. Honey that we as a population consume.

Bees pollinate one third of our food supply.

If the bee population has another big decline the quantity and quality of our fruits and veggies will drop.

“Bees carry pollen with them spreading seeds from many sorts of plants,” sophomore Bryan Lewis said. “If there are less bees, then the pollen wouldn’t spread as far as it needs to causing fields to shorten in length and thus causing slower production of such foods.”

N o t only do we need the bees for our food, but bee pollination produces jobs. If the bee population continues to decline then beekeepers will lose their jobs.

The bees produce jobs and food that is essential to our economy and our food production.

Honey bees are the main pollinator, but all types of bees pollinate.

Which means all types of bees are endangered. “ The decrease is something to worry about,” sophomore Teresa Davis said. “Bees play an essential role is our ecosystem, a world without pollinators would be devastating for the food production.”

Busy bee.

Roger Sutherland has been a bee keeper for 50 years in Ann Arbor.

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 05

NEWS // THE MURMUR

alorie

UTBACK

BY BECCA POSIGIAN Staff Writer rebeccaposigian16@waterforddrift.com

Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! act changes the food served at lunches

What students bring vs what’s served to them Calories: 160 Total Fat: 7g Sugars: 14g

Calories: 260 Total Fat: 13g Sugars: 5g

Calories: 150 Total Fat: 8g Sugars: 1g

Cookie Cravings.

Sophomore Autumn Suda eats her Let’s Move! regulated lunch.

Photo by Veronica Latimer

T

Calories: 45 Total Fat: 1g Sugars: 4g

Calories: 30 Total Fat: 0g Sugars: 7g

Calories: 130 Total Fat: 5g Sugars: less than 1g

he new calorie intake rule. We’ve all heard about, watched it beMost seniors (while they still are unhappy with the new meal plan) come enforced throughout Kettering, and had some of our favorite are at least happy that this new rule is taking place with this year being foods pulled from the school’s lunch menu because of it; but does their last. that mean that the students actually approves these changes?

“They’re putting foods in there that kids don’t like,” senior Caleb “I don’t like it because what’s the point of taking away our calories Alexander said. “I’m glad that they’re going through it now because it’s when you can pack your own lunch and bring whatever you want,” my last year so I won’t have to put up with it.” junior Ariyana Ansah-Asante said.

In addition to the majority of the students distaste toward the matter, She is not the only one who doesn’t like the the school is suffering financially from the loss newly enforced rule. of food items.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” freshman Josie Millikan “I feel that personally while it’s a good said. “I feel like we should have the free right to eat idea to try and be healthier, I really don’t whatever we want.” think that it’s helping our school as a whole, Maggie Henrikson, 10 Kettering used to serve a full bagel with a side especially moneywise,” senior Naomi Smith of cream cheese to those who purchased one dursaid. ing the 2013/14 school year. After only a week of trying to sell half Due to the fact that many students paired their lunches with the of a whole grain bagel without cream cheese, Kettering decided to cut sugary treats, and because bagels used to help after school clubs and them completely, due to not enough money coming in from the “New sports teams fundraise, many students would have to agree that Ketterand Improved” bagels. ing is failing to bring in the money they have in the past.

Not only has breakfast changed for students, but lunch has too.

“I think the school is losing money,“ sophomore Maggie Henrikson Rice Krispy Treats and Gatorades have been downsized, chips and said. “A lot of people bought things that aren’t here this year like fries crackers have been fat reduced, milk exchanged for fat-free, and Zebra and bagels. Even if they weren’t the most healthy, those things brought Cakes and Cosmic Brownies have been removed entirely. in a lot of customers.”

Fries were considered a regular item on Kettering’s lunch menu, Michelle Obama made the decision to remove a large portion of being served Monday and Wednesday of every week, but they are no students’ calories including popular choices. longer on the menu either.

“I could always pack a lunch to bring what I want, but there are “From what my sisters said, the fries were really good and I wanted some kids who can’t,” junior Miranda Stanley said. “How do they to try them,” freshman Abby Henrikson said. chose what they want to eat?”

Even freshmen like Henrikson are disappointed in what is now beKettering students are currently unable to do anything to bring back ing served at Kettering, having come into high school expecting more the food that they want, but perhaps they could make it more enjoyable. choices and snacks that are particularly enjoyable.

“I don’t think there is much we can do about it, but until something “I heard a lot of good things about the bagels too and I wish I works out, I think we can try to make the best out of what we’ve got,” could’ve tried them before they were gone,” Henrikson said. junior Emma Kortekaas said.

“ “ I think the school is losing money.

06 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

THE MURMUR // NEWS

Love is love Levels of support for gay marriage are rising, both around the nation and locally

BY GRACE MOULTRUP Staff Writer gracemoultrup17@waterforddrift.com

W

hen Fred McQuire signed the death certificate of his partner of 45 years with a simple, “spouse”, the moment was bittersweet. His partner, George Martinez, recently died of pancreatic cancer and Arizona recently legalized gay marriage, allowing Fred to lawfully call himself George’s spouse.

Not just in Arizona, but all around the nation, recent support for gay marriage is rising, according to Gallup Politics, in just 10 years, support has gone from 31 percent to 54 percent. Each year support has risen by over 2.3 percent, which is dramatic for the number of people in the United States. Among 18-32 year olds, more than seven in 10 support gay marriage.

“Younger people support gay marriage more strongly but it all depends on how you were raised,” junior Sydney Parker said.

According to NBC News’ September poll, just under half of all Americans are pro-gay marriage.

“I think support is rising,” Parker said. “So many people in the world are affected by it that everyone should just be okay with it.

We’re all human.”

Still all smiles after 2 years. Junior Max Watts grins at his Kettering graduate boyfriend, Jerrid Tisdale.

Photo courtesy of Max Watts

Even more recently, the Louisiana gay marriage ban has been overturned. It seems clear that there has been a nation-wide shift.

Junior Max Watts was unaware of the rise in support.

“If anything I believe there’s been a decrease in support, considering the stronger supporters were people who have graduated,” Watts said. “Seeing other people like

Spectrum of Sexuality

L G B isexual- Sexually responsive to both sexes; ambisexual T A sexual- free from or unaffected by sexuality Expressing or involving sexuality in many P ansexualdifferent forms or with a variety of sexual outlets esbian- Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of female homosexualitiy ay- of, pertaining to, or exhibiting sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one’s own sex; homosexual

ransexual- A person who permanently acts the part of and completely identifies with the opposite sex

me my freshman year helped me a lot, and my two friends Emily Carpenter and Serena Vogt helped me stay strong.”

On the other hand, Parker said, “Levels of support at Kettering have gotten higher over the years since I came out to everyone. I have met some people who are against me and my preference, but that’s just their opinion.”

Along with the Gay-Straight Alliance, Kettering offers an LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Trans) support group. Both groups provide a supportive and comforting environment.

Although not everyone is on board, statistics suggest that Kettering has increased support for gay students in the last few years by providing gay support groups.

These groups can help gay students find others who have come across similar obstacles and allow them to know that they are not alone.

Around the world, support for gay marriage is rising. It’s a thought that can make one feel more secure and comfortable. The Kettering community can work to become stronger allies, as well as raising awareness and showing our support.

Kettering students share their opinion on gay rights

97% does support 11 % not doe sup s por t

16% Undecided Suvery out of 125 students

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 07

NEWS // THE MURMUR

om C ic by ua sh

Jo

I want Rick Snyder to win because he seems like a good, strong leader.

Morgan Griffith, 10 08 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

ko

I

t is a school day like any other, yet on this particular Tuesday, Kettering teacher Sandra Pylvainen will find herself going through the day with a pressing decision on her mind. The governor election.

Elections will be held in Michigan Tuesday, November 4. Our current governor, Republican Rick Snyder, is running for a second term in office against his candidate on the Democrat side, Mark Schauer.

The race so far is a close one, and Michigan has taken favor towards Democrat Schauer as of this August. 45% of voters support Schauer, 43% support Snyder, and 12% were undecided.

This campaign could go either way, and the only thing Michigan has seemed to agree on is that we have no idea who is going to win this election.

“I’m guessing the vote is going to go somewhere other than Snyder, mainly because we have seen a legislature that doesn’t seem to listen to all the voices,” Pylvainen said. “I can’t say I’m 100% sure, but I am definitely looking for an alternative to Snyder.”

Neither Snyder nor Schauer have scheduled a public debate since the campaign has begun, as Snyder views direct questions from the voters as more important than public debate.

Now the tables have turned and Snyder struggles with a negative approval rating, while Schauer struggles with lack of name recognition.

Both candidates have opposing plans and views on how they want to reinvent Michigan. Snyder enforced a Relentless Positive Action, which is a method of solving problems with no credit or blame and then moving onto the next one.

Although this seemed humble and had impressive results, it was pri-

ar

The close call

M

BY ABBY WEBB Staff Writer abbigailwebb@waterforddrift.com

Michigan is split between political parties in the upcoming election

marily concentrated on helping the upper income people.

While Snyder has brought about many beneficial things for Michigan, he has not always been personable with the middle and lower class. Which entails school boards in the state of Michigan, including Waterford Kettering.

“Lately the legislation has really impacted teachers in a way that isn’t supportive nor do I think useful in the long term for education.” Pylvainen said.

All in all this election in the fall could go either way, if Snyder continues to tread water and get negative views because of his saturated focus on the upper income people he may have real problems come November 4.

“Our current governor seems to be more business savvy than compassionate,” teacher Lori Groff said. “A leader should be honest, and personable.”

In contrast Schauer plans to reverse budget cuts made in education and make Michigan’s economy his top priority. His leadership is primarily focused on the fact that we need to build an economy that works for all people, not just the wealthy.

After taking both candidates views into account, it will come down to what the people feel a good leader should enforce and what promises they are making to better Michigan.

“A good leader should be able to speak in front of people and solve problems,” sophomore Brynn Verhey said.

The characteristics of each candidate will affect the vote and who the people of Michigan favor in the end.

I want Mark Schauer to win because he plans to reverse the budget cuts made to education.

Steven Marshall, 12

BACK

THE MURMUR // FEATURE String backpacks have been such a popular alternative that they are even sold in the Captain’s Corner. For $24.99 a student can purchase an approved bag complete with a Captains logo embossed on it.

“I don’t want to go all the way to my locker to get my things,” sophomore Christine Calconi said. “But I don’t want to go out, spend money and buy a string bag.”

After the first week of school, upperclassmen students became so frustrated with the enforcement they attempted to rebel against it.

“I still wear my backpack because they are meant for school and that’s why you buy them,” senior Blake Stoutenburg said. “So why should I have to put mine away?”

Stoutenburg was not alone in wearing a bag regardless of the guidelines. Although some students took action one step further.

“I started a petition and am getting people to sign it so that way we can carry our backpacks,” sophomore Trevor Moffatt said. “I plan to take the petition all the way to the top.”

Kettering has always denied backpacks to be worn during school, but students will argue differently. In the past, faculty has been lenient to offenders but this year they refuse to back off.

OFF

Kettering faculty enforces safety rules that prevent the use of backpacks.

BY TAYLOR SKELTON Staff writer taylorskelton@waterforddrift.com

I

t’s barely 7AM. She has just walked into school and hasn’t even unzipped her coat yet.

“Aye, no backpacks!”

Senior Emma Colegrove shrugs her shoulders as she turns and makes her way to the end of the 200 hall. She stuffs her backpack into her already overflowing six-inch wide locker.

“I bring a lot of stuff to school, and it’s more convenient for me to use a bag to carry it around in,” Colegrove said. “Plus when I had surgery to my arm this year and had to wear a sling, it made it even more difficult to hold all my books in my arms.”

Kettering hall monitor Mike Williams sends dozens of students to their lockers to put away their backpacks everyday, enforcing the guidelines that prevent backpacks to be worn in the school is a priority for the 2014-2015 school year. Each year faculty focuses on one major enforcement—last year it was hats, said Williams, this year it is backpacks.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with wearing regular backpacks,” Williams said. “But rules are rules, and there are reasons why we implement those rules.”

Kettering does not permit backpacks as a way to make school safe, although the issue isn’t what students carry inside them. It’s the size of backpacks that is the safety concern. A regular backpack, filled with books, binders and other excess supplies, takes up more room in the already crowded hallways. Concerns are, if a students turns around with a full bag they may hit and endanger someone walking near them.

“I enforce it because its a school policy,” Williams said.

Although the guidelines restrict students from carrying the standard backpack, the rules do permit string backpacks to be worn. String backpacks are smaller than regular backpacks. With their compact size, less of a danger is presented.

“I like using my string bag because it fits everything I need inside,” senior Naomi Smith said. “I couldn’t fit all of my books and binders in a regular backpack so it’s more convenient to just put everything in my drawstring bag and go to class.”

PROS OF THE PACK Pros of a string bag and the regular bag.

“Using my string bag I rarely have to go to my locker and it holds all my stuff,” junior Brandon Kentros said.

2013 - 2014 Kettering

“Having your bag makes it easier not to be late for class,” sophomore Trevor Moffatt said.

2014 - 2015 Kettering

OCTOBER 16, 2014 2013 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 09 20 September

NEWS // THE MURMUR

Records of the roundhouse

BY ALLY PIERCHALA Social Media Editor allisonpierchala17@waterforddrift.com

The whos and whats of the iTunes festival

1

,700 seats, 30 bands for 30 nights singer-songwriter Rae Morris. The festival also only, the historic Roundhouse Theater in features bigger names in music such as MaLondon brings you the iTunes Festival. roon 5, The Script, and Ed Sheeran. Each The iTunes festival is essentially a riveting band or artist gets to perform with a different month long concert. Thirty bands of all different band or artist who have a similar sound in mugenres perform for thirty nights all throughout sic as opening acts that will lead into the main the month of September. act for the night.

“It seems incredible, definitely something I “I always enjoy when many bands and singwould like to attend,” sophomore Kristina Wy- ers come together and perform,” Stanley said. lin said.

Today the show features popular chart climbA medley of bands whose styles of music ing artist as well as a bundle of newcomers. blend well together, perform their music for en- The festival provides listeners with old songs ergetic crowds each night. they may love and new artists that they may “I think its a really cool thing” grow to love. senior Cameron Halls said. “I I always enjoy when “It shows me additional music wish they had a wider variety that I could possibly like based many bands and of genres and artists though. I’d on the stuff I listen to,” sopholike to see more electronic, jazz singers come togethmore Gabrielle Jenish said. and funk bands.”

Getting seats for these higher and perform.

The festival brings new up- Miranda Stanley, 11 ly acclaimed shows is easy; coming artists in the spotlight, iTunes gives out tickets via surand also showcases some of prise draws. There is also an the top bands on the charts to application you can fill out and provide some incredible shows. submit to iTunes. ”I know most of the bands there,” junior Mi“I like the iTunes festival but I wish they would randa Stanley said. “I enjoy Maroon 5 and 5 change the locations of the event every year so Seconds of summer.” it wasn’t just in London,” freshman Audrey Jutis A few of the artists for this year include; said. quaint American musician Beck Hansen; AusThe iTunes Festival is bringing various artists sie band 5 Seconds of Summer, and modern together and blending the genres of music to

“

“

Top Artists at the iTunes festival Ed Sheeran

Maroon 5

deadmau5

Robert Plant

Beck

Calvin Harris

David Guetta

Lenny Kravitz

5 Seconds of Summer

Kettering’s favorite types of music

Classical

Jazz 4%

6%

Country Hip Hop 26%

Rock 21%

10 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

create a montage of incredible performances.

“I wish they had a hardcore or rock band there like Def Leppard and/or August Burns Red,” sophomore Riley Peschke said.

Introducing new styles and genres of music is the Festival’s job.

“I love how you get to have a bunch of different genres of music together under one roof,” Jutis said.

Continuing on it’s eighth year, the iTunes Festival is now bringing exclusive content and coverage of the concerts to the public. This year any owner of an apple iPhone ,iPad, Mac computer, Apple TV or any other Apple device will automatically be able to stream live performances from all of the artists each night.

“I have the iTunes Festival on my phone,” sophomore Joseph Hanes said. “So I can see the performances for free. Its cool because I could see types of music I hadn’t heard yet.”

The Festival is a great mix of musicians providing some adoring fans with intimate concerts with their favorite artists. The 2014 shows have been a success, there is no doubt that Apple will come up with some more rocking bands to play next year.

17%

Pop

26%

THE MURMUR // NEWS

Dress for success Kettering students solve the debate about who spends the most on homecoming

BY HANNAH NEAL Staff Writer hannahneal17@waterforddrift.com

I

t’s a Saturday in early October. Senior Amy All in all, girls and guys have many homeBeaupied is adding the finishing touches to coming expenses, some are similar, some are her makeup. Her nails are done and her hair different, but all could potentially end up beis curled. In her closet hangs a blue dress. In ing pricey. less than three hours Beaupied will put on that “All together I spent around $220,” sophodress and head to pictures, then to Kettering, more Colleen Squanda said. “Including my for the much anticipated Homecoming dance. dress, hair, nails, shoes and ticket. I think I Homecoming is a spent more than a night filled with fun, Girls have to get their hair and nails guy because girls friends and danchave more purdone and do their makeup. All guys ing, but it’s also a chases that have night filled with have to do is get dressed. to be made and empty wallets, exthey’re generally Amy Beaupied, 12 pensive dresses and more expensive pricey suits. collectively than what guys have to buy.”

Guys and girls put differing amounts of time,

Guys do have less clothes and effort, and money into Homecoming, but ac- beauty products to buy, but it can be just as cording to Kettering students, one of them ob- expensive for the opposite gender. viously puts in more than the other.

“It was $300 for just my suit jacket,” “Definitely girls,” senior Amy Beaupied said. sophomore Keegan Finch said. “I do think that “Girls have to get their hair and nails done girls pay more though, because they have to and do their makeup. All guys have to do is go out and get their hair done and stuff like get dressed.” that.”

Even the boys agree.

Guys with dates have to buy or rent a suit, “I’d have to say girls, (put in more effort)” pay for dinner, generally have to buy both junior Gregg Francisco said. “Just because I tickets and purchase a corsage to match their feel like girls want to be the best dressed and date’s dress. This contrasts with boys who guys don’t care as much.” don’t have dates. Single guys only have a

“

“

short list of things to purchase for homecoming. These boys only have to buy or rent a suit, purchase one ticket and their own dinner.

Girls with dates are the complete opposite.

They still have all of the beauty expenses and getting ready to worry about, but a majority of the time they don’t have to pay for their own dinner or ticket. Their date generally will take care of that. They do, however, have to purchase a boutonniere, which isn’t always cheap.

This is all for one night. One night of fun and friends or one night of wiped out bank accounts?

“I think spending under $200 is reasonable,” junior Breanna Stokes said. “With the economy being the way that it is, stuff is just not cheap. I do think it is worth it because it’s one of those things that when you get older you can look back on and say you made great memories with great people.”

So, who is more expensive? Guy or girl, single or with a date? There is no exact price for any single girl and guy or people with dates, the prices vary from person to person.

Girls may put more time and effort into looking great for homecoming, but prices just depend on the person, the place and the situation.

Tie: $25 Hair: $35

Shoes: $25

Suit:$80

Dress: $60 Shoes: $60 Jewelry: $15

Nails: $30

Gregg Francisco, 11

Taylor Garrison, 12

Amy Beaupied, 12 OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 11

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What’s new in Waterford All American Marching Band Kettering seniors Cameron Hall and Andrew Acciaioli will perform on January 3rd during the halftime performance in San Antonio Texas.

Photo courtesy to the Waterfordschooldistrict.com

Elementary day at the football game Elementary students get a special treatment at the varsity football game on October 24th.

Zombie 5K Hess Hathaway Park is holding a 5k zombie run on October 18th at 6:00 p.m.

Being a mentor Mott and Kettering athletes come together and attend Schoolcraft elementary’s physical education class.

Photo courtesy to the Waterfordschooldistrict.com

Photo courtesy to the Waterfordschooldistrict.com

Governor at Stepanski Governor Snyder visits Stepanski to see the preschool program that is offered.

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 13

FEATURE // THE MURMUR he south gym was filled in bright, bold yellow. Inside, about 80 Link crew members impatiently awaited the incoming freshman class. 300 kids entered the doors of Kettering, and for the first time they were able to call that their second home.

They were guided into the gym and onto the bleachers and waited for further instructions from previous Link Leader and host, Natalie Britten.

“Before the orientation, I can’t lie, I was nervous,” Britten said. “I think it can be a really daunting challenge to not only break the ice with such a large group of people, but to help freshmen understand how to be successful their first year of high school.”

Yet, though the pressure was great, as the orientation began, Britten let all the nerves free.

“I had so much fun!” she said. “You really forget how nervous you are and just enjoy it.”

Britten was not the only person who was nervous to be at freshman orientation. In fact, almost all of the incoming freshmen class said that they were very shy and even a little scared to see what activities awaited them.

“I was really nervous and quiet in the beginning of freshman orientation,” freshman Alexis Weston said. “In the end, my Link Leaders made me feel excited and comfortable with it all.”

Link Leaders are made up of the junior and senior class. A goal of a Link Leader is to help the incoming freshmen adapt to their new environment at Kettering.

“I wanted to be a Link Leader because when I was a freshman, it was the first year that Link was made and they really helped me out with everything and I wanted to do the same for the incoming freshmen,” senior Link Leader Emilie Guanzon said. “Because I know how intimidating it is to start a new school and a whole different schedule. I wanted them to feel more comfortable and to be able to come to me for help.”

The Link crew program is used in schools all across the nation, to help insure a smooth transition from middle school to high school for all freshmen students.

This year’s freshman class were a very excited group.

LINKING students TOGETHER

T

Seniors and juniors LINK incoming freshmen to WKHS

BY CATHERINE HABBA Managing Editor catherinehabba@waterforddrift.com “I noticed how involved and engaged they seemed to be in all the activities of orientation,” Britten said. “They did an awesome job at the challenges I gave them in the south gym and looked like they were having a great time on the tour. I really can’t wait to see what this class

1. Link leaders Seniors Elliot Morgan and Charlie Nick gather their freshman for the assembly.

2. Hands up high Link leaders raise their hands when asked questions about their highschool expeirences.

14 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

does with their next four years.”

Kettering has a very strong link leader program that has been going on for four years, and many more years to come to continue to make our school and community stronger as a whole.

3. Getting close Senior Garrett Zimmerman and other LINK leaders sit with freshman answering simple questions like “What they did over the summer.”

D ivisio

THE MURMUR //

I

Music that brings us together also divides us

t’s the same every year, teachers make these little ice breaker games to get us friendly with students we usually want nothing to do with.

You groan at the thought of associating with these strangers. But it’s the rare moment when you find someone you can actually stomach for more than thirty seconds.

So you get talking, laughing and finding that you like a lot of the same things. The topic of music comes up. You rave about the latest album that your favorite band put out; your new found friend’s smile suddenly flickered into an expression of judgement. They suddenly seem uninterested and distant, like they can’t wait to get away from this conversation. It was all because of one difference you had. One difference ended a potentially beautiful friendship.

Music is a powerful force, it has a several mental and spiritual therapeutic uses. It is even powerful enough to bring us together and keep us close knit. Granted, music brings people who have similar tastes together and push away and discriminate people who happen to have different tastes. Upon the act of bringing people together by music, they also develop this almost obscene loyalty and superiority complex and always put down other types of music.

But it gets a little too far once people start making awful assumptions or comments based on the type of music people listen to, like it or not it does happen. one of the first things we ask about when establishing new relationships with people is their musical taste or preference.

If they answer something that isn’t on point with yours, your opinion of them drops, not a lot, but just a bit to change impressions and potentially change the outcome of the interaction.

“Ew you listen to that what’s wrong with you?”

“You listen to metal or alternative? You must be a whiny, wannabe Scene-Queen, attention seeker.”

“You listen to country? You must be a redneck loser.”

We can’t escape assumptions or labels or even discrimination even in (sorry, inner hippie coming out here) such healing, beautiful vibrations that can do so much for people.

Upon conducting a survey of thirty people, over half of those interviewed said that they and their friends all have the same taste in music and even went as far as to bash others for their own personal preference.

“I feel that people should be open to all music preferences because there is good music in all genres, you just have to look hard enough.” freshman Jurze Egres said “I have noticed this in school and also noticed people make fun or judge others because of music preference which is honestly just ridiculous because people should be open minded and not stereotype people if they wanna make friends that aren’t just carbon copies of themselves.”

Egres is not alone in this opinion.

“I think it’s sad,” junior Anna Smith. “It’s just another meaningless prejudice we have against people”

We are a judgemental species. It’s a survival mechanism we’ve developed over the eons. Discrimination on all levels stop us from doing things and meeting people we normally wouldn’t pal around with, We try to escape this discrimination in any way we can, we seek a little oasis away from judgemental pokes and prods. Music is a popular way to do such, even though it ends up dividing us more, secluding us off in our own little bubbles of voices and instruments. Once and if we bridge the musical gap, we will have maybe one safe haven against society’s prejudices.

Do you and your friends have similar music taste?

BY ERIN SKIBO Staff Writer erinskibo16@waterforddrift.com

FEATURE

32% - NO 68% - YES

“I think it’s really disappointing that people are segregated for music taste, it’s just music.“ Anthony Wilson, 10

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 15

THE MURMUR // INDEPTH

32%

OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS WORK

FULL TIME

$3.10

The mimimum wage of a tipped employee in MI

5.9 BILLION 1/2 THE NUMBER OF TEENS WORKING DURING THE SUMMER OF 2012

a million people with college degrees are working minimum wage

A FULL TIME MINIMUM WAGE WORKER IN 2014 WILL MAKE 24% MORE THAN THE AVERAGE U.S. POVERTY LEVEL

pockets IN OUR

With an increase in minimum wage students battle the pros and cons of sustaining a parttime job while attending school as a full-time student.

Photo by Taylor Skelton

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 17

INDEPTH // THE MURMUR

1

$7.40 % The hourly minimum wage before Sep.1st.

14

Under the Fair Labors Standard Act, this is the minimum age of employment

$10,171.20

55%

of work force in the U.S. earns minimum wage

of minimum wgae workers are under

$8.15 The yearly pay of a minimum wage job at 24 hours a week

25

The hourly minimum wage in Michigan as of Sep.1st. 2014

16 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

THE MURMUR // INDEPTH

What they’re paid... $8.15

an+tips hour

Waitress at Sportman’s Bar & Grill

$9.00

an hour

Cashier at Maurice’s

$8.15

an hour

Busser at Red Lobster

If I had a million dollar$...

“I would invest a lot of it in a bank, but I’d give the rest of it to my parents.”

Alicia Trenda, 11

“I’d put it into a bank and save it up for awhile, and then later on after some interest stacked up that’s when I’d start having some fun with it.”

Noah Happy, 11

“First, I’d go on a shopping spree— I’d spend like $5,000 on clothes.

After that I’d invest a lot of it, and I’d like to give a lot of it to charities for kid’s cancer research. I’d buy some new camera equipment too.

Madison Koster, 12

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 19

INDEPTH // THE MURMUR

With the recent pass of the SB 0934 bill, teens are getting paid...

By ALEXEA HANKIN Editor-in-Chief alexeahankin@waterforddrift.com

I

thaM ch n pOR an oc E ke g t

e

t’s ten o’clock when senior Haley Lone- same statistic that the majority of Michigan mo finally clocks out of her shift at Fan- teens are juggling jobs on top of their usual tastic Sams, five hours after she clocked busy schedules. Kettering is no exception. out from her shift at The Lodge. As she gets in “I started working at Dairy Queen over her car, a tally of things that still need to be the summer,” junior Courtney Moore said. “It done when she gets home starts in her head: sucks. It’s really stressful because you have to an hour of AP Calc. Half an hour of Lit. She balance having a job and going to school might have to push some to the side—she runs which means having homework.” on little sleep, and still has to get up and do it Like Lonemo, Moore also complained all tomorrow. about her late-night shifts.

“I don’t want to work two jobs while go“Some days, I get home from school, iming to school,” Lonemo said. “I have to.” mediately get ready for work, go to work, and Lonemo is tied to her low-pay, time con- get off at ten,” she said. “And then I stay up all suming jobs due to financial problems within night doing homework. It’s terrible.” her family, and a beloved dog that needs a However, September 1st marked the first couple surgeries. She’s a devoted student, of many minimum wage changes brought into active in Student Council and NHS, among Michigan by the SB 0934 bill, signed into efother extracurriculars. She still works six days fect by Rick Snyder last May. This bumped the a week. However, she says she’d never wish previous minimum wage, which was $7.40 her workload upon anyone. an hour, up to $8.15—a change definitely felt “It’s hard,” she said. “A lot of late nights.” by the teenage population. don’t want to work two jobs while going to “I think it’s pretty great,” senior Justin school,” Lonemo said. “I have to.”

Newman said. “I’d been working at my job at Lonemo is tied to her low-pay, time con- Pet Supplies Plus for over a year, and I’d never suming jobs due to financial problems within gotten a raise before. So that’s what I thought her family, and a beloved dog that needs a of it as: a raise.” couple surgeries. She’s a devoted student, And it’s going to continue raising. The active in Student Council and NHS, among SB 0934 plan is gradually going to raise the other extracurriculars. She still works six days a minimum wage to $9.25 an hour by 2018, week. However, she says she’d never wish her a compromise between a group called Raise workload upon anyone. “It’s hard,” she said. Michigan and the Michigan legislature. The “A lot of late nights.” original push by Raise Michigan was to raise Lonemo is not alone. Within the last cou- minimum wage up to $10.10, as suggested ple years the nation has seen a steep decline by president Barack Obama in his 2014 State in youth employment, but it’s still clear from that of the Union address, but the petition did not 18 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

gain enough signatures.

“It doesn’t really benefit anyone,” senior and Wendy’s employee Mandwell Shackelford said. “So it’s kind of pointless. All it’s going to do is raise prices for everything else.”

Though the wage change benefited him, Shackelford addresses the nation’s main fear of the increase: that it won’t matter because once wages start going up, so will the price of goods.

Likewise, many anti-wage raisers believe that the majority of those working minimum wage jobs are teenagers or uneducated, thus the money is not necessarily needed.

“I think the change in minimum wage and how I feel about it depends on who we’re talking about,” junior and Kroger employee Khaela Hall said. “For high schoolers it doesn’t really matter as much, but for actual unemployed adults that need a job to support themselves, it’s much more important.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2013, young adults (aged 16-24) make up 50.4% of the total workers paid minimum wage, but only 24% of them are high schoolers (aged 16-19). This leaves half of the workers on minimum wage as men and women older than 24 trying to “make a living,” as the old saying goes. However, there will still be those who disagree.

“Minimum wage was not created to make a living on,” teacher Ms. Ankoviak said.

“Minimum wage was created for high schoolers to flip burgers. That’s it.”

B o n d OF APPRECIATION FEATURE// THE MURMUR

Society vs.reality on reaching out to a hand in need

someone who isn’t as popular or doesn’t have a lot of friends because you don’t want to be seen with them,” sophomore Jarett Mulvanar said.

Shaw, on the other hand, says that she tries to compliment others as often as possible.

“You never really know when someone is having a bad day,” Shaw said.

“Complimenting someone, or reaching out has benefits. It gives you a sense of gratitude and makes you feel good as well.”

No one has ever said, “Man I feel bad after reaching out to that guy in my math class who looked a little lonely today by offering to be his partner.”

The benefits exceed the risks in this case.

Just when Shaw thought that her lunch experience couldn’t get any lonelier, two sophomores had come up to her and saw that she had been sitting alone and offered her to sit with them.

“This made me feel really happy,” Shaw said.

“We really shared this bond of appreciation.”

CONNECTIONS

Students connect the tips in “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” to their everyday lives

Found

WALK AWAY

Found on page 80

EMPAT

Found o HIZE n page

20// WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

183

“

“

“

PAPER N O T I PUT on page 71

I totally write my problems down whenever I used to feel sad and stilll do from time to time. Its honestly helped me so much.

Anna Hueter, 11

Walking away completely can create another problem. But walking away to take a pause to think about the conflict, can be beneficial.

Jake Fultz, 11

“

“

row.

“I didn’t know anyone the first week and a half of my freshman year, I sat all alone at lunch,” Shaw said,who is now a sophomore.

“I kept to myself most of the time.”

Many people can connect to Shaw’s experience her freshman year in some way.

“I felt kind of left out and distant from everything,” Shaw said. “I've never really had a ton of friends and I still don't, and sitting alone had made me feel worse than I already did.”

In room 402 teacher Kim Wasilk encourages her students to reach out to others and spread the generosity. She had given her students an excerpt called “Don't Sweat The Small Stuff”, a book written by Richard Carlson,about reaching out to others.

She read it aloud to all of her classes, then urged her students to reach out in some way to

someone. They then shared with the class their experience reaching out to somebody else and how it made them feel.

“I wanted my students to understand and think about what the article’s message was, and apply it to their lives,” Wasilk said. “By giving that to my students, I wanted to plant a seed and watch it grow.”

While Wasilk wants to spread the love, sophomore Brianna Darling puts in her input on society.

“Society has made it seem as if you would be ‘weird’ if you helped someone else who doesn't have necessarily a million friends or isn't as cool,” Darling said.

Senior Lily O’Brien says she thinks every student can recall a time when they have seen someone sitting alone, or looked like they needed some help, and ignored them.

Students see the same exact people sitting alone every day, but it seems like they do nothing about it, because it isn’t “cool.”

“It’s tougher to ‘root’ for or compliment

“

A

s the bell for lunch rings Lexi Shaw gets her lunch and heads over to the empty lunch table for the second week in a

BY BROOKE BOYER Staff Writer brookeboyer17@waterforddrift.com

Having empathy makes a person more caring and can make them understand life more.

Rylee Dingman, 10

They

THE MURMUR // FEATURE

shape our lives one you can look up,” chemistry teacher Lauren Petz said. “Someone who does a lot of positive things and you can trust them.”

Role models change throughout life from celebrities, to teachers, to family members. Family members are some of the most common role models because they’re there from the beginning.

Celebrities are all over the news, radio, and social media making them easy targets for both good and bad light. Depending on the celebrity they can either get good publicity, creating an air of greatness, or they can get bad publicity, creating an air of sourness, around their life and what they do with it.

“All of my good role models are tremendously supportive of anything you set your mind to,” sophomore Lexi Shaw said.

“They’re very kind, teach equality, accept anyone for who they are and overall just really good people. The bad role models are reckless with their lives, have no respect for anything and are overall bad people.”

“

“

Bad role models are just as abundant as good role models, there can be no good without bad. Everyone has the potential to be a good role model or a bad role model, it’s easier to be the latter when the tremendous pressure to be great and encouraging is placed on celebrities and those with a certain amount of power.

Under all that pressure people tend to crack.

“You gotta have a good personality,” said senior Anthony Ala. “You gotta know what you’re doing, you gotta be passionate about what you’re doing and you gotta be a good teacher. You would have to look out for someone with good people skills and hasn’t done any negative behavior.”

Role models are different for everyone. Everyone’s definition of a role model is different but the basic principles of what makes a good role model stay the same. A good role model can be a great source of inspiration and motivation.

Traits of a good role model

“

“

1 Uses fame to promote good ideas 2 Down to earth of others and who they 3 Accepting choose to be 4 Hard working

“

“

S

ince we were children we’ve looked up to someone, both literally and figuratively.

Parents teach us the basic skills we need such as walking, talking and how to deal with spats between peers or siblings. In elementary school nearly everyone wanted to be the line leader at some point or another, humans have built a wall around the idea that you must have someone to look up to. The wall is so high nowadays that it’s near impossible to climb over, our role models can either guide us over that wall or bury us beneath it.

“A role model is somebody with goals, someone who looks towards the future.” sophomore Morgan Rothrock said.

The stress to have a good role model is intense from the time we’re young but everyone’s definition of a good role model is different. Good role models could be someone who’s done something big with their lives, or it could be someone who has done a lot of charity work.

“A good role model is some-

“

By Katie Taylor Staff Writer katelyntaylor@waterforddrift.com

“

Our role models shape who we are and who we become

My uncle Paul is one of my role models.

Morgan Rothrock, 10

You would have to look out for someone with good people skills. and hasn’t really done any like negative behavior.

Anthony Ala, 12

As far as bad I feel like there are a few popstars that are bad role models. And people that are famous for no reason, like the Kardashians Lauren Petz, Chemistry Teacher

Some good role models of mine are Mark Fischback, my aunt Marika, and my dad.

Lexi Shaw, 10

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 21

FEATURE // THE MURMUR

Dearly beloved

Senior couple Mac and Lois Morrow demonstrate the true meaning of love

BY BRIDGET EKIS Photo Editor bridgetekis@waterforddrift.com

A

lot happens in fourth grade. Agonizing times tables are introduced, field day is the most fun day of the year, and, of course, children meet the love of their life.

Wait...Maybe that was only Mac Morrow.

“I have been chasing Lois since fourth grade,” the 83-year-old Mac admitted, with a laugh.

Mac and Lois have been married for 60 years as of last May. Their great grandson Austin Foote attends WKHS and said that their marriage gives him happiness and the hope that true love is out there.

“We didn’t intend to be together,” Lois said.

“We had this type of connection in which we always found ourselves coming back to one another.”

Shortly after high school, Mac went off to join the armed forces. This physical separation only served to put their love to the test.

“It was hard when he was gone, but if anything I find that it strengthened our relationship,” Lois said.

Many agree that this type of bond no longer

exists. It’s swept under the living room rug, to live amongst the dust bunnies and cat hair.

“Couples nowadays get married, don’t understand what they want, and then just end up divorced,” Dan Liedel said.

Marriage is meant to bring two people together, not apart. Effort is a key component in any relationship, although, certain people require a little more.

“It’s really important to try to laugh during tough times,” Lauren Petz said.”One time we had about ten dollars in our bank account and we needed to eat dinner. I said to him ‘Well, we can either save it, or get a five dollar pizza’ and after that we just laughed. We’re always laughing.”

Petz and her husband have been married for six years, have one child together who is two, and have one more on the way.

“Children definitely alter your relationship,” Lois said. “But if anything, they make it better.

Love grows especially with kids involved.”

Lois and Mac currently live in Clarkston and enjoy living the simple life, and appreciating

Let’s talk love

A key thing in a relationship is to find someone who can always make you laugh, even during the tough times. Lauren Petz, Chemistry and Physics teacher

High school love is immature, people don’t know what they want until they’re about college age.Dan Liedel, Math teacher

Society pushes the idea of marriage, but I don’t find it necessary to be happy.

Stephanie Donelko, Alegbra 22 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

one day at a time.

“We are extremely fortunate to have been together so long and to have achieved so much together,” Lois said.

People grow, and love does too. Mac’s chase in fourth grade was definitely a good run.

Gazing Eyes. Mac Morrow admires his beautiful wife of 60 years together.

High school love is more hormonal than anything. people are excited to figure out each other’s bodies.

Rebecca Gloden, 12

Love is about tolerance, and putting someone else’s needs before yours.

Jacob Mortimore, 11

As a person you’re always changing, and it’s important to keep a good relationship going by changing with your partner.

Taylor Piske, 10

Hallway havoc

THE MURMUR // OPINION

There are some things you just shouldn’t do in the halls

BY SARAH MURPHY Copy Editor sarahmurphy@waterforddrift.com

’s

Sarah

L

Sarah’s at Kettering, I have to maneuver our hectic Soapbox halls.

For those of you

ike every other student

who are not aware, we have six minutes to navigate from Point A to Point B, through hundreds of kids- four minutes if you want to evade hollering hall monitors. So I thought I would bring to light the many hindrances to interclass travel that we, as students, can actually aid in eradicating.

Let’s start with the most redundant obstacle: couples. Yes, everyone knows that couples in the halls are irritating, but given as it’s still an issue, I’m dragging it out again. To the couples who take up five lockers in their in-depth exploration of one anothers mouths: stop it. A quick peck on the lips can surely fend off your desires for the next 50 minutes. You know who you are.

However, these are not the only couples causing issues. We also have the couples who cling to each other like Jack and Rose in Titanic.

Don’t worry, friends, I have good news. Kettering is not a sinking ship.

You will see your honeybunny again after class, but until then, you are blocking the hall.

On that note, don’t cluster in the halls with your friends. We’ve all done it, myself included, but if we’re being honest with ourselves, it’s a huge contributor to the problem.

If you are getting a drink from the water fountain, get a quick drink and go. When you spend twenty minutes at the fountain, you create a line that crosses the hall and backs everything up.

When you’re waiting for a drink, because, regardless of what anyone says, people will take their time getting a drink, you don’t have to line up straight across the hall. Sometimes lines curve, so as not to entirely block the flow of traffic.

Or just bring a water bottle.

Don’t push people in the hall, or roughhouse, or anything of that nature. Don’t be that person. No one likes that person.

Finally, if you can move even the slightest bit faster than a turtle with a leg injury, do it. Few things irritate me more than getting stuck behind giggling girls, walking five-wide, when there is endless hall ahead of them.

Basically just use your common sense. If it’s something that you complain about, or hear others complaining about, you should proobably just not do it. Save your peers the headache of a lecture from their teachers about tardiness.

Top 4

Hallway pet peeves Pushing and shoving.

News flash: we’re not in middle school anymore.

Slow walkers.

MOVE!

Couples. I don’t know what irritates me more: Clingy couples or couples who consume each other

The hall by the computer lab. You will not convince me that you can’t put those filing cabinets somewhere else Photos by Sarah Murphy OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 23

Deep in the woods SPORTS // THE MURMUR

Discover O’Brien’s amazing adventure as she travels through Posen Michigan

BY CALVIN HABBA Staff Writer calvinhabba18@waterforddrift.com reshman Olivia O’Brien crouches can vary from $35 to $200, and pants on the cold hard ground of her can be $35 to $350. Besides protective cousin’s blind, sweat dripping off clothing, hunters need a main weapon. of her face. She knows that if she hesi“I use a 20 gauge Remington 870 shottates or takes too long she will miss her gun because it doesn’t recoil as much as quarry. O’Brien yanks on the trigger of a 12 gauge,” Tye said. This type of gun her 30-30 rifle nervously and all she is about $330 at local retailers. hears is a loud BOOM; she pauses O’Brien prefers to use a different type impatiently to see if she had shot the of gun. buck.

“I use my 30-30 Rifle that costed me “Olivia you did it, you finally shot about $450,” O’Brien said. your first deer,” O’Brien hears her O’Brien loves to go hunting with her cousin Kevin whisper. family, especially with her cousin.

O’Brien waited about a half an hour “I was with my Cousin Kevin when I shot because if the wounded deer heard the deer in Posen Michigan,” O’Brien her it could run for miles and she said. would never find it again.

“I was very lucky to have found that As O’Brien tracks the deer into the deer because I did not shoot any other woods for about 50 yards, she discov- Deer Danger Freshman Olivia O’Brien shoots a 6-point buck. A animals that trip,” O’Brien said. “I was ers blood from the deer seeping into six point buck is a male deer with six points on its antlers. relieved when I saw the deer that I shot, I Photo courtesy of Olivia O’Brien the ground. was so excited.”

It was a clean shot-right above the O’Brien loves to hunt and she plans on O’Brien was relieved. Hunting is an activity shoulder blade, right through the lungs. hunting for a very long time. She has been that many people in Michigan enjoy.

“I was feeling super nervous before I shot the “Hunting is not an easy outdoor activity,” hunting as a kid and she feels that hunting is buck because I was in an awkward position, freshman Colton Tye said. “For one thing, in her blood. and I had to take a fast shot, O’Brien said. hunters need to have a ton of patience. They The buck is just the beginning of O’Brien’s “The moment I pulled the trigger I was scared also need to be a curious quick thinker, and very long and successful hobby of hunting. because I thought I had totally missed.” have a good ear so they can hear an animal O’Brien can not wait for next hunting season “I was shaking, after I shot the deer, I waited in the distance.” because she is determined to shoot another impatiently, then I tracked it about 50 yards Hunting gear is another important part of deer. into the woods and there it was, just lying on hunting. Hunting gear can be very expensive, the ground.” for example: the price for a camouflage jacket

F

Test your hunting knowledge 2

1

ACROSS

4 Small device that fires a gun 6 To spring back all of a sudden 7 Instrument used for measuring magnitude

3

4

5 6

7

24 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

DOWN

1 Gun used for firing a small at a short range 2 An animal that is being hunted by a hunter 3 Device designed to reduce the chance of detection 5 Gun used for accuracy and long distance shooting Go to the Waterforddrift.com website for the answer key.

Ho ked

THE MURMUR // SPORTS

How one student’s hobby took him farther than he could ever imagine

BY DATHON SKELTON Staff Writer dathonskelton17@waterforddrift.com

W

hether it’s blue skies or a cloudy day, it is without uncertainty that you will find senior Patrick VanBaalen out on the lake.

“Fishing is just a fun thing to do,” Vanbaalan said. “You never know when you’re going to catch a big fish, or any fish.”

A close friend of Vanbaalen, senior Paul Turk got him into the hobby.

“At first fishing never interested me,” Vanbaalen said. “It seemed boring. It wasn’t till I hooked into my first fish that I actually began to enjoy fishing.”

For Patrick, fishing is not just a hobby, he sees a future with the sport.

“At first, I just went fishing for fun and to pass time, but one day a freind of mine brought up the idea of a local tournament,” VanBaalen said. “I had to give it a try, even if I didn’t win I still would have liked to received the experience.”

The tournament was at Pontiac Lake. Vanbaalen has not fished the lake much prior to the tournament so it was something new for him, he didn’t know what to expect. The participants in the tournament, varying from ages

15-18, were almost all experienced tournament fishermen who have fished the same tournament in prior years.

“I wasn’t at all intimidated by the experienced fishermen,” VanBaalen said. “I wanted to try my hardest to win, but it was my first tournament so winning wasn’t something I expected to do.”

VanBaalen arrived at the tournament at 6:00 a.m on a Saturday morning, a time where most students his age would be asleep.

Each fisherman in the tournament was supplied with a boater, (a person who drives the fisherman to their fishing spots). The winner of the tournament is decided by the angler (another name for fisherman) who has the most added up weight of fish. All of which have to be bass while each angler has a 5 fish limit.

The fishermen participating in the tournament alongside VanBaalen left the docks at 7:00 a.m. The tournament lasted for a staggering six hours. Tired and exhausted, six hours after fishing, Vanbaalen and his boater docked the boat and were ready for the weigh in. The weigh in determines who has the most weight of fish, in other words, who the winner is.

After the fish were all weighed in, the results came through that VanBaalen had won.

“I’m proud of my friend,” junior Josh Chekal said. “I live so close to a lake but fishing has never been something I’ve done.”

Winning the tournament gave Vanbaalen the chance to attend a national tournament in South Carolina which he did this August.

“I guess I never thought fishing would take me this far, but I’m glad it did.” VanBaalen said.

Vanbaalen plans to make his future revolved around fishing as it is his true passion.

“Teaching Pat how to fish makes me feel very special,” Turk said. “Not everyday do you teach someone something that will carry on with them their whole life.”

For Kettering students living in a well populated community of lakes, fishing is an activity students may want to try. For now there is no doubt VanBaalen is hooked.

“I think I found something I love,” Vanbaalen said. “In my opinion I would encourage other young students to find something they love and stick with it.” For now Vanbaalen has one thing clear, fishing will be in his future.

Vanbaalen’s top three lures in use The bass jig Vanbaalen uses these to skip under docks and cover.

EYE CATCHING CATCHES Vanbaalen holds some of his monster size largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Photo courtesy of Patrick vanbaalen.

The crankbait Vanbaalen uses these to fish in shallow and deep waters.

The drop shot Vanbaalen uses these to fish deep waters.

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 25

SPORTS // THE MURMUR

Making it back

The varsity football team graduated many key players last year but remain in the playoff hunt

BY LUCAS HENDRICKS Web editor lucashendricks@waterforddrift.com

I

t took them several years, but the streak was finally broken. The rare playoff appearance for the Kettering Captains Varsity football team was a special one. You could see it in the way they played, always hustling, believing in each other, and fighting through any situation.

That was the 2013 team but a new season has dawned upon us and The Captains have some gaps to fill, having players graduate at quarterback, on the O-line and a few spots on the defense.

But every year key players graduate. They will at the end of this year, and the next year, its apart of high school football and every team has to go through it. But not every high school has a mix of great speed and power in the run game like the Captains do. Not every team has a hard nose defense that will stuff any running back at the line like the Captains do. Not every team shows the heart that The Captains do when the game starts.

I don’t think anyone can say for a fact that any high school team has a guaranteed playoff spot, Waterford Mott, who weren’t even in the playoff conversation last season recently beat the power house Walled Lake Northern, although it was the second year in a row The Corsairs went into a game against the Knights and came out with a win.

I can’t tell you they have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs but what I can tell you is that when the defense starts working as a team they can be a brick wall, and when the offense starts to click, and they can work the run game so much to where the play action pass fools every defensive player they are truly a great football team.

The best evidence to prove that The Captains are ready came in a week 3 loss. yes a loss proved their greatness but it wasn’t the game as a whole that made them stand out it was the last few minutes of the game, the crunchtime.

The Walled Lake Western Warriors who have a top tier football program were late and looking to score again. A late game interception in their own end zone gave the captains the ball and most importantly a ray of hope after two deep throws and catches including some great pass blocking by the offensive line. The captains had put them in position to win at The Warriors 20 yard line with about one minute to go. Four downs later the Warriors had retained possession of the ball and control of the game. It wasn’t the way The Captains hopefuls had wanted the game to end but they proved something that game, that no matter how down it looked for them they weren’t going to give up.

1.

2.

1. Big men on campus The Captains big men walk up to the line, preparing to take control of the trenches.

2. Anticipation Players from both teams stay still, waiting for the ball to be snapped.

3. No fly zone Senior defensive back Keiron Payne stays back, ready to intercept any pass in his area.

Photos by Taylor Skelton

3.

26 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

THE MURMUR // ENTERTAINMENT

World of Williams

Remembering Legendary Actor and Comedian Robin Williams

BY KELSEY CUTEAN Staff Writer Kelseycutean16@waterforddrift.com

T

he news was shocking. It hurt knowing that an actor I grew up with was gone,” Kettering’s Drama and Theater director Jason Pratt said. “His films made life more bearable.”

Mr. Pratt is not the only one with this opinion.

Throughout his life, Robin Williams impacted so many others, and undeniably made his mark on this world. His sudden death was a tragedy, and a travesty of the type of man he truly is.

Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. In college, Williams briefly studied Political science, before eventually enrolling at Juilliard school to study Theater. He then began his career as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970’s. Soon thereafter, he was discovered to play the role of ‘Mork’ on the Television series “Mork and Mindy” (1978). Later, he transitioned to film by accepting the lead role in Robert Altman’s “Popeye”.

From kid friendly family films, such as “Jumanji”, Disney’s “Aladdin”, and “Flubber”, to heart wrenching Dramas, like “Good morning, Vietnam”, and “Dead Poets Society”, Williams has made a large impact on the film industry, all the while entertaining and enthralling people of all ages.

Some have even been inspired by his work.

“Mrs.Doubtfire made me want to get into acting,” Sophomore Brendan Martin said. “Such a brilliant actor, always so entertaining.”

Not only did Robin Williams inspire young actors and performers, but he just overall set a good example for young audiences.

There’s a Robin Williams quote that states “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

Made obvious by his work, Williams was a wild and fearless actor. Along with that, Williams was a role model for young audiences.

“He taught me that it’s alright to be a loveable goofball,” Junior Makayla Cerny said. He was one of my favorite actors.”

Not only did he just inspire young audiences, he also taught people of all different age groups many different lessons, through his work and through himself.

“I believe he taught people to be a little kinder to every one, and to laugh every once in a while,” Mr.Pratt said.

The loss of Robin Williams is definitely a sorrowful one, but we must remember to recognize all the good Williams has done in his lifetime.

We must remember him as the man who influenced our childhoods. The enthusiastic actor who was always there to bring joy and laughter. The man who was there to teach us, to inspire us. The guy who made us bust a gut from laughing so hard. The man who was there to make us cry, cheer us up, and keep us laughing, over and over again.

The friend we always had, even if we never met him. The genie, the professor, the goofball we all knew and loved.

Robin Williams may not be on this earth anymore, but he will always be a part of it, and he will live on forever in the hearts of his fans, and in the eyes of this world.

Williams’ Top Ten 1. 1977- Can I Do It ‘Till I Need Glasses?

2. 1987- Good Morning Vietnam 3. 1989- Dead Poets Society 4. 1991- Hook 5. 1992- Aladdin 6. 1993- Mrs. Doubtfire 7. 1995- Jumanji 8. 1997- Flubber 9. 2006- Night at the Museum 10. 2015 Absolutely Anything

“Robin Williams was amazing. I won’t ever forget him.”

Makayla Cerny, 11

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 27

Fountain fails OPINION //THE MURMUR

BY KRISTIN WARHOLAK Assistant Editor-In-Chief kristinwarholak@waterforddrift.com

The new drinking fountains may be amazing, but lets set some ground rules

W

e’ve all seen them. The new (and environmentally friendly) drinking fountains.

But with new things, come new rules. Did you even know that there is proper drinking fountain etiquette?

At our old-fashioned, boring drinking fountains, if there was a person getting a drink, you waited for them to finish and then took your turn. A terribly boring and unproductive process.

But now the ways of the future are here.

Some people believe there is no more waiting around for a drink!

The new drinking fountains we have are separated into two stations. A drinking fountain station, and a water bottle filling station.

With two stations, it makes sense for there to be two people at the fountain at a time. But is it even acceptable to have two students (maybe even two strangers) sharing the fountain?

Imagine this. You are at the water fountain filling up your reusable bottle and BOOM. Out of no where a stranger comes up and starts getting a drink at the same time.

We all know that when someone drinks from a drinking fountain a lot of backwash goes down the drain. What if that strangers backwash is going right into your expensive Camelbak?

Now. If you have an amazing water bottle that purifies your water before you drink it, then yeah, no worries, stick your bottle right up in there with a stranger. In fact, put your bottle under there and invite strangers to come get a drink. But not many of us have those fancy bottles.

Along with the double-timers, we now have the people who think they ARE a water bottle.

They stick their hand under the sensor (that is meant for the water bottles) and let the water fall into their own mouth.

I mean, that’s pretty gross. Let’s be respectful people.

And can we take a second to yell at the person who thought it would be a good idea to turn our brand new drinking fountains into their own personal waste receptacle?

And I might be wrong, but used gum, chewed up mints, and paper towel clog-

ging the drain turns me away from a refreshing drink. I do not wanna spend my passing time searching for a clean drinking fountain.

Let’s be real, I gotta “GET TO CLASS” or I’m “GON’ BE LATE!” Other people use their drinking fountain time to spit on, lick, and germ up the nozzle.

I wasn’t aware that when our new fountain were put in we assigned them to certain people as their own personal pacifier.

So I say we establish some ground rules.

1. Do not put your water bottle under the fountain while someone else is getting a drink.

2. Do not go get a drink while someone else is filling up their water bottle.

3. Do not lick or spit in or on the fountains 4. Do not use the water bottle area for anything besides filling up your own bottle 5. Do not put things in the fountain that shouldn’t be in the fountain While it may seem like these rules are givens, they are being broken every day. It’s time we put a stop to these hooligans that think these fountain antics are acceptable.

In a trial involving six kettering students, six different types of water were tasted Photo by Bridget Ekis

0 votes

WHAT’S THE BEST WATER ?

F ij i w a te r Cup #1:

0 votes

C up #3 : Da sa ni Cup #4: C o s tc o ’s K ir k la n d B ra n d Cup #5 : Aqua fi n a Cup #6 : Ic e M o u n ta in

6 votes

Cup #2: Kettering’s Fountain Water

Matt Parks, 10

Lauren Tewes, 12

28 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // OCTOBER 16, 2014

0 votes

Hanna Meadows, 11

0 votes

0 votes

Of all six of those types of water, students liked Kettering’s fountain water the best

Raul Hernandez, 11

Riley Gregart, 9

Steven Marshall, 12

P

When will we reach the point in our lives when we realize

opularity is

ointless

BY VERONICA LATIMER Photography Coach veronicalatimer@waterforddrift.com

T

hroughout my entire experience of high school thus far there has not been one day where someone in my grade “literally can’t even.”

This is completely normal and typical teenager behavior--obsessing and over-analyzing every small detail of our lives. I have learned many things in high school, but the one thing that stands out the most to me is this: 96 percent of the things we worried about in high school never even mattered.

It’s funny because it turns out that whether or not the boy who sat to the left of you in 9th grade algebra class thought you looked pretty at 9:59 AM on a particular thursday in April did not change the course of your life. Neither did that girl you liked who never Facebook messaged you back. Or whether or not you were invited to “that” party at the end of last summer.

But as any teenager would know, when you are smack dab in the center of this apprehension, it’s very hard to see the future beyond this crisis. It’s hard to not get caught up in the glisten of the popular kids’ lunch table. I’m pretty positive I can say that you have pondered the very thought of your “social standing” at some point in your life, because I know for certain that I have.

I joined Waterford Public Schools in 5th grade with a dream to become popular. I was coming from spending all of my education in a private school setting, AKA living under a rock. I thought that being popular in public schools would make me happy. That’s how my favorite TV shows and movies portrayed the popular crowd of girls with long hair that bounced with every step and the nerdy girls who ended up being popular due to a sort-of magical makeover that we later learned was called puberty.

The thing is, during our teenage school years, our parents and teachers don’t fret to repeatedly tell us that if we question the status quo and listen to our hearts, we will be our best selves and people will like us more. Even though that’s true, each of us still struggles with wanting to

OPINION // THE MURMUR belong.

Every so often my mom and I have the familiar conversation about what the popular kids have that I don’t. I don’t know what the answer to that question is, but it’s something.

We spend so much of our young lives trying to find out what makes the “cool kids” cool, only to find out that answer is absolutely nothing.

Are they cool because they wear LeBrons or Converse, have perfectly straight or curly hair, or listen to pop or rock? So you go on a diet until you see an Oreo Blizzard calling your name. You grow a beard until you realize you look like a caveman. You get to “the age” where you stop holding your parents’ hands in public. The problem is that none of these things really work.

The only thing you’ll achieve by not holding your parents’ hands is hurting their feelings, the only thing growing a beard does is make you look older, and all that going on a diet does is make you feel fat.

So back to the question, why do we do it?

We do it because that is the environment in which we grow up in.

We see it when men only shake certain peoples’ hands, or when that group of moms go out to lunch together every Tuesday afternoon.

Most importantly, we see it in each other. It is shown through every fake smile, dirty look, and hair flip. We see it in the empty chairs that get full when a certain someone sits down. We hear it in the hallways over groups of people whispering who’s hot and not. We see it in the amount of Twitter followers and Instagram likes we receive.

What we realize now is that if your whole life depended on whether or not the boy who sat to the left of you in 9th grade Algebra class thought you looked pretty at 9:59 AM on a particular Thursday in April, then all the worrying would be worth it. But in the long run, none of that even matters. In 10 years, that one particular Thursday will be just be one out of a hundred Thursdays you hoped someone thought you looked pretty. We need to enjoy our time in high school now instead of worrying about a wild goose chase for popularity.

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 29

THE MURMUR // ENTERTAINMENT

Let’s play!

Applications from the “Google Play Store” that are currently popular among students

BY CALVIN HABBA Staff Writer calvinhabba@waterforddrift.com

“Google Camera”

“Smash Hit”

photography

games

From the makers of Google Translate, comes a new app called “Google Camera” created by Google Inc. Although the photographs take some time to render, all of the positive features make up for it. You can snap quick pictures and use special features including: lens blur, 360 photo spheres, and panoramas.

Google camera has a built in editing system that lets you crop, rotate, change brightness/contrast of your pictures. Google Camera is rated 4 out of 5 stars and is available for download in the Google Play Store.

In the game Smash Hit, created by Mediocre, you can smash your way through a surreal journey and shatter glass objects that try to get in your way of your accomplishments. It is also a great way to pass time. You can connect to the leaderboards and see people’s score from all around the world. Smash Hit is available for download in the Google Play Store for free.

“

“

I can play this game for hours at a time, I just hate going back to the beggining when I lose.

MAUREEN JENKINSON, 9

What’s h

FEATURES

PPening?

Applications from the “App Store” that are currently popular among students

BY JOSHUA MARKO Head Illustrator joshuamarko@waterforddrift.com

“Project Life” photography

games

“

Even though there are a lot of tryhard gamers who play, I really do enjoy it.

BRENDAN KOBYLIK, 10

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 30

Boom Beach is a game developed by Supercell, where you create your own army defense and challenge other players across the world and also your friends in order to become the best clan aroud.

“

Created by Becky Higgins LLC, Project life is an app in which you can take or use current photos and make several adjustments to them. Adjust the font, style, color, background color, custom corners, picture collages, and many more! This great camera feature on the App Store was rated 5 out 5 stars with 222 reviews.

Project Life is available for download now only in the App Store for $2.99 and is completely worth it!

“Beach Boom”

g C U Bo n iN

THE MURMUR // SPORTS

around

Kettering high school sports teams aren’t getting equal practicing privlileges

BY ERIN EGGENBERGER Staff Writer erineggenberger16@waterforddrift.com

I

t is a normal afternoon at WKHS Some students are filing out to catch their busses after a long day of mind numbing classes, and others are getting ready for their long, demanding practices that lie in the close future.

In the cafeteria the cheerleaders begin to gather, where they are accompanied by an abundance of leftover food scraps that are sprawled across the floor, and ceiling tiles that are a bit too low to do certain stunts without busting heads through ceiling tiles.

The dancers are huddled in hallway, the place they have resorted to practice because the gyms are occupied by other sports as usual. Throughout their routines girls trip over paper scraps and gum stuck to the floor, as unwanted spectators creepily watch the dancer’s every moves and walk through rudely without a care in the world. Just like every day the gyms and football field are being used by all of the “bigger” sports.

Ideal practice locations being obtained by the same teams day in and day out is not a new occurrence. Amber Mcvay, the JV cheer coach, experienced the same neglection our current cheer organization is experiencing now during her years of being a Kettering cheerleader as well.

“What I have noticed from being a cheerleader at Kettering from 2006-2010 and

now being the coach is that cheerleaders get put on the back burner.” said McVay. Cheer isn’t the only team feeling “unimportant”. In the Spring when the weather is even more unpredictable than ever, girls Tennis can’t always practice on our beautiful tennis courts, but when they attempt to get space in one of Kettering’s gyms things don’t always go as intended.

“Last year we scheduled time and then were bumped out for baseball and softball and were forced to find off site facilities such as Deer Lake,” Assistant varsity tennis coach, Jason Frank said, “There are definitely feelings among the Tennis team that we are not important or other varsity sports are deemed greater than others.”

The varsity dance team is yet another group that is pushed under the rug, forced to practice in the hallway in front of the South Gym, which happens to be a frequently traveled area because of its location. The dancers have ended up practicing there yet again, even though coach Heather Neal turned in her practice schedule requesting the cafeteria in May of last year, before any other team.

Neal said “I feel like every team should have opportunities for facility usage, if their sport is in that season.”

We also have some sports that can’t even

practice on campus. Soccer is forced to play on ratty Parks and Rec fields instead of the football field where they play all of their home games.

“It sucks because parks and rec field’s grass is 5 times longer than the turf and it’s pretty hard to play on overgrown grass.” Says Mason Marshall of the JV soccer team, “Personally I think it would be better if we practiced on the turf because it would make us used to playing on turf like we do during games.”

All of the sports teams here at Kettering represent our school in the best of ways, from the titles and wins they have gained, to the great sportsmanship expressed by all members wearing our legendary name. In return shouldn’t all sports have equal opportunity to grow and thrive? It is important that all teams get accommodated for, even if that means sharing and taking turns.

In the end of the day all teams are representing our school. No single team should be getting better treatment or a better practicing environment. Some sports are more popular than others, but students participating in what they love, no matter how big or small it is, should not be penalized or made feel unimportant because of scheduling issues.

Students’ favorite sports

How do you feel about the dance team being bumped around and practicing in the hallway?

“It’s annoying and frustrating. I feel like because we aren’t basketball or football they talk down to us and we arent important like other sports.”

Hannah Sherwood, Varsity Dance, 12

How to you feel about the way cheer is treated?

“Our stunts go 18 feet in the air, we practice every day, sometimes even on weekends, we work as hard as everyone else!

Cheer is a sport and everyone treats us like a joke.”

Victoria Vandervelde, JV cheerleader, 11

Do you think it’s fair Football is put before most sports?

“No, I think it’s pretty crappy. Sports that are smaller get shrugged to the side, but they all need recognition.”

Aaron Miller, JV Football, 10

OCTOBER 16, 2014 // WATERFORDDRIFT.COM // 31

CAPTAINS

THE MURMUR // BACKPAGE

DO

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WORK Photos by Waterford Drift Staff

2.

1. STRETCH IT OUT Alyvia Kobylik leads the senior powderpuff team in stretches before the big game. 2. STAND TALL Spirited freshmen Lilia Weber cheers on the JV football team at a home game. 3. TAKE A SIP Dripping with sweat senior Dantiss Smith takes a break from running the ball. 4. WELCOME NEWBIES Principle Jeff Frankoviak speaks words of wisdom to the incoming freshmen.

5. Sophomore Josh prepares to make a pass in the Mott vs. Kettering game. 6. PEP IT UP Miranda Tucker leads the varisty swim team in their annual chant. 7. DODGE AND RUN Junior Jackie Lopez swerves past senior Alyssa Grimaldi at the powderpuff game. 8. TALK IT OUT Varsity Football offense hundles together to startegize their next play.

Photos by: Bridget Ekis, Taylor Skelton and Hannah Gebstadt

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9.

4.

6.

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