October 2013 Murmur, Waterford Kettering High School Student Newspaper

MURMUR Volume 11, Issue 1 October 11, 2013

COULD IT REALLY BE OVER ALREADY?

Jon Scarber’s senior season reached a bump in the road. A torn MCL has him sidelined as the Captains fight for their first winning season since 1998. p.26

Photo Illustration

by Jordan Fujarski

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2 contents

Murmur October 11, 2013

MURMUR Co Editor-In-Chief: Jacob Alessi Co Editor-In-Chief: Christopher Habba Graphic Designer: Kristin Warholak Writing Coach: Alexea Hankin Sports Editor: Lucas Hendricks Business Manager: Jordan Fujarski Photographers: Veronica Latimer, Tiffany Mountain Staff Writers: Alexis Brady, Sarah Ciminillo, Julie Dennis, Bridget Ekis, Kyana Farrell, Catherine Habba, Charles Hendricks, Gabrielle Hilliard, Stephanie Knapp, Joshua Marko, Emily McDonald, Sarah Murphy, Janelle Santacruz, Quinten Winowiecki, Rachel Woody

Taking charge. Senior Noah Jutis changes the lives of many Kettering students during tough times.

Adviser: Brian Wilson Waterford Kettering High School Address: 2800 Kettering Dr, Waterford Township, MI 48329 (248) 673-1261

8. Finishing first. Racing to the finish line senior Amber Slagle drives faster than the average teen.

11. To the end. Kettering wrestling

qualify to compete in the national tournament in Grand Rapids M.I.

18

Job Search Discrimination.

Sophomore Anna Heuter was forced to change her own style to maintain her job.

SPONSORS Allan Asp, Debbie Campbell, Cindy Dennis, Julie Dennis, David Latimer, Yvette Latimer, Buddy Martin, Carol Weiland

The Murmur is printed monthly, and completely put together by the students in the Journalism class at Waterford Kettering High School. The Murmur serves as an open forum for student expression, and opinions printed are not those of the administration.

Letters to the editor: Letters from readers are encouraged. Letters may be delivered to room 501 or can be sent to the newspaper’s e-mail address, ketteringmurmur@gmail. com. All letters are subject to editing of grammatical or punctuation errors. Letters must be submitted with a signature. Letters with libel or slander towards another person will not be considered for publication. Letters must be limited to 250 words.

Advertising: Advertisements do not reflect the views of the staff. Potential advertisers can contact the staff at the number to the left.

The Murmur editorial board has the right to refuse any inappropriate advertising.

Columns: Columns or editorials represent the opinion of the writer. Thoughts or views which are expressed are not those of the entire staff or administration.

Staff Editorials: Staff editorials are written by the staff and include the combined opinion of the full staff.

Check us out on the web: Waterforddrift.com Follow us on Twitter: @Waterforddrift NSPA

Murmur October 11, 2013

The Murmur is one of few newspapers in the country to implement the application of “Aurasma” into stories bringing pages to life further than the ink on the page.

Please follow these instructions to learn what to do!

contents 3

Download the App “Aurasma” from the Apple App Store or from the Google Play Store STEP ONE:

Select the Triangle icon and then select the magnifying glass icon on the bottom.

Search for “Murmurnews.com”. Select the “Murmurnews.com” Channel STEP TWO:

STEP THREE:

Click “follow”!

After you have clicked Follow, go back and click the camera icon on the bottom and hover your phone over any images in this newspaper that have the “Aurasma” symbol.

STEP FOUR:

STEP FIVE: Wait

for your aura to load then watch

your page come to life.

4089 W Walton Blvd,

Waterford Township, MI 48329

Phone:(248) 674-5433 Contact our office today to see how chiropractic can change your life!

Monday 9AM - 1PM and 3PM - 7PM Tuesday 1PM - 5PM Wednesday 9AM - 1PM and 3PM - 7PM Thursday CLOSED Friday 9AM - 1PM and 3PM - 7PM Saturday 10AM - 12NOON Sunday CLOSED

www.schaferchiropractic.com

Waterford Plaza 5156 Highland Road (At the corner of Crescent Lake Road) Waterford MI, 48327 Phone: 248.618.8880 Fax: 248.618.0030

Hours Mon.-Fri. 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. Sunday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Want a Free Yearbook?

You can sell cookie dough to earn money toward a yearbook. Selling 15 tubs will get you a FREE BOOK! See Mr. Wilson in room 501 or the Academic Center for an order form.

Sales run from October 14-28

4 staff editorial Murmur October 11, 2013

No one cares that you don’t care Staff Editorial

The Murmur staff view on school spirit

H

omecoming is coming. And we all know what that means.

Spirit week.

It’s the time of year where Kettering comes together as a school; the time where we all are connected by the color of our class, the time when it’s finally okay for a guy to wear his favorite tutu in public for Wacky Tacky Day. It’s the time of year the halls of our humble school are filled with smiles.

Everyone is friends, they even hug each other constantly. The walls almost sparkle with the love of everything and anything that is Kettering.

The best time of year, some would say.

The above paragraph might be true if Kettering was the real-life parallel of High School Musical. But sadly, we Captains are lacking in both impromptu musical numbers and in a unified, smiling student body coming together to celebrate Spirit Week, and dare we say, #captainpride.

Truthfully, Kettering has always had a fairly good turnout for Spirit Week. There’s nothing to complain about there. But there has always been one attitude that is prevalent every year, in some noticeable percentage. Everyone’s met this kid, at least once in their life.

He reiterates the words, “this is a waste of time” or “this is stupid” every ten seconds. Sometimes he shouts them for added effect, so everyone can hear him. He makes sure people

know that he really couldn’t care less about Kettering, and his goal is to make everyone feel bad about participating at all. He might say Spirit Week is too mainstream for him. He’s way too cool for this.

Now, this kid, when he gets invited to a party, obviously, he always declines. “It’s a waste of time,” he grunts ever so politely, picking wax out of his ear with his pinky. He believes that everything that does not affect his immediate future is a waste of time, actually.

He prefers reading Edgar Allen Poe and basking in the light of the full moon. Sometimes, he wonders why he can’t find a female companion.

He might not wear black everyday, but it’s a color that would adequately symoblize his attitude.

Now, let’s back it up a little bit.

We’ve all met that kid who’s too cool for this. There’s actually a fairly high chance you’ve been that kid, at least once in your life. We’ve all been there.

Obviously, that kid is no fun.

And yes, what’s also obvious is that this is overdramatized.

Not every kid who hates school spirit also loves Edgar Allen Poe. (If that were true, Edgar Allen Poe would be extremely popular.)

And no, we’re not saying that everyone at Kettering should participate in Spirit Day because that’s pretty unlikely

in a school of over 1500 kids.

All we’re saying is that this attitude is annoying. And that you should avoid being That Kid. Quite honestly, nobody cares that you don’t care.

We are, after all, in high school.

These are the last years of your childhood. These are are the last years you are able to act like a child in public and get away with it, under the excuse that, “Oh, they’re just being teenagers.”

Spirit Week is aptly named because it is the week the majority of Kettering is in good spirits. It’s all about Kettering coming together as a family and being proud of your school.

Now, you don’t have to take part, but you don’t have to alienate yourself either under the excuse of maintaining an image.

Spirit Week is the week where we’re all supposed to be friendly towards each other, because we’re all working for the same cause. And the point for most of the theme days is, literally, looking dumb.

It’s only fun because we all look dumb together. It’s a group effort.

At the end of the day, it’s your decision whether or not to participate. But, just like you have made your decision, let others make their own as well.

After all, you go to parties, right?

Murmur October 11, 2013

Under the influence

feature 5

Hookah is a fast growing fad that has become popular among young adults

BY STEPHANIE KNAPP Staff Writer

J

unior Nicholas Gardner watches as a hookah is passed around the room. Seeing each of his friends take their turn with the instrument.

Watching as they show off the tricks they can do. Some blow O’s, some clear the smoke in the bowl, others simply hit it and pass it on. The hookah finally reaches Nick. He doesn’t want to be left out of his friends fun but he couldn’t bring himself to put his lips on the hose and inhale.

Nick has seen the effects that smoking has on his family, he’s seen drugs tear apart the lives of his loved ones, he’s been hurt by drugs before.

He declines his friends’ offer to smoke.

“I don’t smoke it, I’ve never smoked anything actually,” junior Nicholas Gardner said. “I see how stupid it all is, I’ve seen the effects it has on people, the people that I care about most. I have never been interested in any kind of drugs.”

Hookah smoking is an activity that many high school and college aged students are becoming very interested in. This interest is becoming a concern to doctors, teachers, and parents.

“I don’t think kids should be doing any drugs, they have so much life ahead of them. Why would they mess it all up so early?” Kettering parent Kim Ekis said.

What exactly is ‘hookah’?

The textbook definition is water pipes that are used to smoke specially made tobacco that is available in a variety of flavors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of young adults smoke hookah.

This is an alarming number considering hookah isn’t legal for anyone under 18.

“I don’t smoke it because I’m underage, I might try it when I’m 18,” senior Jacob Delekta said.

“I have older friends who smoke it a lot,” said junior Kyler Pawley.

There are lounges that are open to the public that provide you with the opportunity to smoke hookah with others. These ‘Hookah Bars’ aren’t accessible to minors. However there are many underaged people

that have been allowed in.

“I have a lot of friends that go to hookah bars, they never get carded,” said senior Sean Reno.

There has been reports of a spike in crime in and around these hookah lounges.

Smoking hookah affects your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there are many health risks involved when smoking hookah such as: smoking it for 1 hour is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes. Smoking hookah delivers the addictive drug nicotine and is at least as toxic as cigarette smoke and some users of hookah report being dependent on hookah and having difficulty quitting. Hookah smokers are at risk for the same kinds of diseases caused by cigarette smoking. These include oral cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of the esophagus, reduced lung function, and decreased fertility. Infectious diseases may be transmitted by sharing a hookah. And hookah smokers may absorb higher concentrations of the toxins found in cigarette smoke.

Why would anyone take part in this activity if it is so harmful to your body?

“I smoke it for t h e flavors. There are a lot of things out there that can hurt you and hookah is just one of the million,” said senior Logan Grant.

These days it’s very easy to give into the pressure of friends and the culture of the age group. Saying yes is very tempting. It takes a strong will to say no to these types of things.

Second hand smoking had become an issue with hookah as well.

Smoking hurts more than just the smoker. It hurts everyone around you, physically and mentally.

“I like to be around my friends and sometimes they smoke hookah. It gives me a headache when I smell it, people in my family smoke too and I really don’t want to be a part of that,” freshman Katie Holly said.

Have you tried hookah?

200 Waterford Kettering students were asked if they smoking hookah. 68% of them admitted to it, while only 32% have never tried smoking it at all.

Photo by Tiffany Mountain

Murmur 11, 2013 6 feature October

A true captain

Noah Jutis has helped turn Kettering around

BY SARAH CIMINILLO and EMILY MCDONALD Staff Writers

“Everything he’s doing is amazing. He sees that there needs to be a change and he’s doing everything he can to make that possible.” Junior Rileigh Milner “He’s a great kid. He is one of the nicest people I know, and is going to do great things for this world. It’s amazing how he can always have a positive attitude though all the tough times. It’s amazing how much his positive attitude affects people around him to stay strong through such hard times.”

Senior Chase Swartwood “He’s innovative, and he’s ready to make an impact on anyone who comes across his path.” Senior Jon Scarber “Noah is making the most out of his senior year. His pride is contagious, his enthusiasim has done a great deal to this school, and I look for great things to come in the future for him.”

- Principal Jeff Frankowiak

I

did it because it needed to stop, not to be cool or have a social status,” senior Noah Jutis said.

In a fight to end suicide senior Noah Jutis set up a candle vigil to help mourn the loss of those whom have passed due to suicide.

“After the loss of a second close friend in less than a year I knew I had to do something.”

Losing a friend to suicide is one of the most devastating and heartbreaking events that could ever happen to someone. Jutis is all too familiar to the feeling.

“Losing anyone to suicide whether you know them or not is horrible. You feel like a bad person in a way because this person, your friend, was suffering. And you didn’t see the signs to help them.”

After just a week of planning Jutis had set up something far bigger than he had ever imagined. Airports needed to be notified, time was essential, and Waterford needed to come together.

Jutis worked at his job all seven days the week of the vigil, and somehow between work and school he planned to light up the sky.

“The vigil it took a lot of effort, hard work, and people helping out with ideas.” Jutis said.

“It was so stressful, but as soon as the lanterns went off all the stress was relieved.”

The vigil was only supposed to be a few hundred people to mourn lost friends, everyone was surprised by the amount of people who showed up.

“I thought it was amazing how many people went and came together as a whole family in Waterford.” junior Hannah Sherwood said.

“I definitely thought it was shocking how many people showed up. It was at least 1,000 people.”

Seen on news stations across Metro Detroit and broadcasted all over social media, Jutis has become quite the talk around town and has gotten exactly the positive response he aimed for.

“I’m surprised at how many people have reached out to me,” Jutis said.

“Not only have people come to me to talk about their own problems to tell me about how suicide has affected them, but this lady came to me before anyone else was even at the lighting and told me about how she lost her husband to suicide over 30 years ago and the effects it still has on her now. It’s just crazy to think she wanted to share this with me out of all people.”

Being a leader isn’t about the popularity and attention you get in the end, it’s about guiding and helping others when even they don’t know what to do in times of despair.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in and make a change for the better, in not only your school but a whole community.

Noah felt the pain just like everyone else when two lives were taken this past year, but he didn’t let it define him. Instead, he let it inspire him.

“You look at your friends differently because one day they may not be there,” Jutis said.

Noah believes that together we can heal as a family, and change the pain into love for one another so that a terrible loss will never happen again.

“I want everyone to know you’re not alone. Life’s always going to be rough, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

Photo by Taylor Skelton

Murmur October 11, 2013

BY JANELLE SANTACRUZ Staff Writer

O

ne moment you’re texting and the next, everything is a blur.

What would you do if your best friend, or even one of your parents was in a texting and driving accident?

Sophomore Chad Fegan had the reaction you’d think anyone would.

“I would be really upset if anyone really close to me got in a texting and driving accident,” Fegan said. “Especially because replying to a text can wait.”

Senior Mackenzie Norton says she never texts a n d

drives.

“I personally don’t like texting and driving because it’s really dangerous.” Norton said.

“There’s no point in reading a text while driving when you can wait until you get to a red light or something.”

Sophomore Kristin Pagnucco had quite a bit to say about texting and driving laws in some states.

“Texting and driving laws might work in some cases,” Pagnucco said. “But it’s just like drinking and driving or talking on the phone while driving, people are going to do it either way. Holding your phone up by the windshield won’t make it any

safer. Neither would texting at a red light.”

Some students believe that no matter what precautions and laws are made, kids will still have their hands on the phone rather than the steering wheel.

“People are going to text and drive either way,” junior Jon Scarber said. “You’re never going to get a good percent of people who don’t.”

Texting and driving foundation “It Can Wait” was founded to educate people- more importantly, teenagers- about the dangers that are taken when texting and driving.

Their message is simple yet vital: “When it comes to texting and driving, it can wait.”

“I think people take a pledge to not text and drive but still do it anyway,” sophomore Miya Nick said.

“They may not even realize they’re tex-

feature 7

ting and driving anymore because it’s just a force of habit to them.”

According to National Safety Council texting and driving seems to be a growing trend in the world, and is quickly turning into one of the fastest killers around.

“Texting and driving is not only a bad choice because it’s affecting you and whoever is in the car, but others on the road as well,” junior Kakuan Williams said.

Whatever the reason may be, the negative effects that result when teens choose to pick up their phones at the wheel are limitless. Students from all places agree that this practice isn’t close to its end.

Autocorrect your life How texting and driving affects teen lives

Photo courtesy of Chris Habba

BY TH3 NUMB3R5

-Texting and driving slows your break reaction up to

18%

-

of young adults are very or 77% somewhat confident they can safely text and drive.

11

-There are teen deaths daily caused by texting and driving

23

-Texting and driving makes you times more likely to crash

8 feature Murmur October 11, 2013

r e b S m l agle: L A

ng Cruisi

past the competition, Amber Slagle display s girl po wer at

BY LEXI BRADY its Staff Writer

T

e

Top Speeds Kettering Students and Faculty Have Gone 37%

50%

12%

1%

90-100 MPH 106 MPH Amber Slagle

Make sure you follow Amber’s fan page on Facebook: Amber Slagle Racing

she does.

Everyone who has ever played a sport has experienced the adrenaline rush you get when you win a game. It’s the same for Amber with winning a race.

“It feels amazing. The crowd goes crazy when I finish well!”

Feeling on top of the world, Amber strives for the checkered flag every time.

As Amber experimented with her interests, she began to grow more as a person.

“When I first started racing, I was the shy little girl that didn’t talk. Now, I’m more confident in myself and I have more self esteem and I believe more in myself,” Amber said.

Amber has really learned a lot about herself, and has grown a great deal since she began racing.

Amber’s fan base seems to keep on growing as well.

“Signing autographs is my favorite thing about racing,” Amber said.

“I love interacting with my fans and meeting them every weekend. It feels good to have such a big fan base that supports me every weekend.”

No one can accomplish their dreams without some support, and determination. Both of which Amber has.

80-90 MPH

Photo courtesy of Amber Slagle

finest

70-80 MPH

he car races at the speed of light.

“Amber is a challenge,” said racer and Adrenaline rises from the sounds of friend, Dane Long, “she is very competitive screaming fans. Roaring engines ac- and has her heart in it.” celerate around the track, waiting for the sweet “I would rather race door to door with her sight of the checkered flag. before most of the others I have raced against.”

This is a glimpse into the everyday life of With the love and support Amber has beJeff Gordon. hind her, there’s no doubt she’ll make it big.

And Danica Patrick.

Slagle loves life in the fast lane, as do many And Kettering senior Amber Slagle. jealous guys that Amber races with every week.

At a young age, lots of kids Being that racing experiment with different sports is mostly a male sport, “I’d like to say I’m ready Amber has some curve and try to find something that to kick butt and show balls thrown her way they love to do. So did Slagle.

“I tried almost every sport the guys how it’s done, at each and every race. out there and nothing interest“It’s a struggle ed me, so my dad came home but I’m not here to every weekend, it’s one day asking if I wanted to try prove anything about always something difracing,” Slagle said.

I get pushed being a woman. I’m ferent.

“I wasn’t quite sure but once around a lot more and I got in the car, my dad couldn’t here to drive a race car people always try to get me out and that’s where it and try to win a race.” start stuff with me. all started.”

The men don’t like beFrom that magical moment, Amber has ing beat by a girl.” loved the sport, and wishes to make it her caBut Slagle doesn’t let that put her down. reer.

“I’d like to say I’m ready to kick butt and “My dad didn’t think I would make racing show the guys how it’s done, but I’m not here a career, like I have,” Slagle said. to prove anything about being a woman. I’m Sitting in the stands can be a very nerve here to drive a race car and try to win a race,” wracking thing for a parent watching their Slagle said. daughter race at dangerously high speeds.

Even though Amber is pushed around “I think it’s very cool, and I am very proud at times, she doesn’t let it get to her. She to be her dad and be able to help her fulfill loves racing, and all she cares about is her dream,” said Steve Slagle. “I am just so putting her all into every race and very proud and amazed every time she hits the trying to win. It’s an even track!” better feeling when Through the eyes of a competitor and fellow friend, Amber is tough to race against.

ife in the F Lan ast

Murmur October 11th, 2013

sports 9

Crossing the country in spiked shoes and sweat

BY KRISTIN WARHOLAK Design Editor

“We’re like one big family.”

-Chris Thompson, 10

The 8MiLe Route Elizabeth Lake Rd.

Pontiac Lake Rd.

Highland Rd. (M-59)

Tubbs Rd. Jones Rd.

WKHS Kettering Dr.

added to the varsity team.

“Having a new team makes us less experienced, but it just gives us more time to get better,” junior and Varsity Cross Country member Mallory Verch said.

All members of both of the teams are making great progress and will continue to do so throughout the rest of the season.

Making marks on the enormous dirt hills, Joey Mercier runs his best time yet: a 19:24 on his last cross country race.

Mercier is now on the Varsity Cross Country team along with 4 other new members.

The cross country team had 8 people graduate last year so they had a new start.

“Being on an almost entirely new team is awesome,” sophomore Chris Thompson said. “It’s cool that not all of us are super experienced and we get to learn together.”

Very quickly into the season the entire team began making times on their 5k (3.1 miles) good enough to put them on Varsity and get a Varsity Letter. (under 20 for males, under 24 for females) Some people might say that having an almost entirely new team is a major setback, but others think that it is a great way to have a fresh start and can give you an advantage.

“It kinda sucks that our team is all new because there is barely anyone to learn from,” Thompson said. “It’s a good experience though because the returning members treat us great. We’re like one big family.”

The cross country team is ready to have an amazing rest of the season filled with hard work and success.

Crescent Lake Rd.

That is the shot sound that every runner hears before they take off to sprint up and down steep, bumpy hills for 18+ minutes along with 300 other people.

As each of them sprints, the lines of the trees, sky, and the colors of all the other shirts around them blur past. Their spikes dig into the dirt, dust, and rocks as they run harder and faster than they ever have before.

They’re surrounded by the hard patter of everyone’s feet on pathways that are too narrow for all the runners there, and they can hear the heavy breathing of every person.

This is cross country.

The cross country team (boys and girls) has a total of 25 people on their teams.

Their season started with only one male varsity member, sophomore Josh Chekal, who started the season with having surgery on his right foot. He will be out for the whole season.

“It sucks to not be able to run this season because I love running so much and I can’t do it because of my surgery,” Chekal said.

Now, making wonderful progress and faster scores, the boys varsity team has 4 running members. This number is going up fast, as the JV runners get their times down to the varsity time of under 20 minutes.

“I joined cross country so I could stay in shape for track,” senior Marcus Reed said.

“My goals for the season are to improve and to break the 17 minute mark.”

On the girls team, similar changes are being made. Many new runners have been

Airport Rd.

P

ow.

The growing varsity cross country team is restarting and running a good show

Hatchery Rd.

This map shows the path that the cross country teams runs at practice. It is eight miles long, but during races they run 3.1 miles.

The entire cross country team at one of their most recent meets. (left to right) Dylan Yapolackaye, Bailey Liedel, Justin Martinez, Carter Allen, Austin Slagel, Mallory Verch, Joe Renas, Trevor Moffatt, Riley Hibbard, Joey Mercier, Bobby Larvick, Kasia Wroby, Chris Thompson, Marcus Reed, Yukari Fukumine, Levi Missentis, Riley Stampfer, Justin True, Charley Farmer, Alyssa Collins, Jaden Liedel.

Photo By Kristin Warholak

Murmur sports October 11, 2013 10

Beating the odd s

BY RACHEL WOODY Staff Writer

Freshman Jasmine Wright beats the odds one win at a time

A

ll around the world, a never-ending competition occurs between males and females; males are the so called “superior gender”, the ones who work harder, achieve more goals, rack up more trophies, and shed a lot more blood and tears. Then there’s females, the ones who are supposed to be primped and proper, the ones thought to be anything but rough and tough.

Regardless of the rumors, it’s time to set aside all of your preconceptions of what a woman can achieve, because the stereotype has been proven completely wrong.

Freshman Jasmine Wright enters Waterford Kettering High School for the first time. To others, she is just another new Freshman, a fresh face in the crowd. Little do her peers know, she is far more extraordinary than they may believe.

Wright is not your average teenage girl. Although she is involved in school and extra curricular activities, behind the scenes she is hard at work, training for her next competition.

Jasmine Wright began taking karate lessons 9 years ago at just 5 years old.

“My grandma got me into it,” Wright said.

“She just asked me if I wanted to start taking lessons, and I agreed.”

Wright’s grandma shows an abundance of

Mackenzie DeCovich

support for her granddaughter.

“I thought it was important that she was doing an activity with other kids,” Carol, Wright’s grandmother said.

“The Sensai told my parents that karate would build my confidence, muscle strength, agility, and mental strength, so they enrolled me,” Wright said.

Little did she know she would not only learn to love the sport, but also become a world champion.

Wright is fifth in the world in her division. She is also third for weapons and first in forms.

“I placed third in weapons, which means I know how to use them the correct way and the best way.”

Wright said.

“I use a bow staff, nun-chucks and sais.”

“I’m also 1st in forms,” Wright said.

“That means I know how to use proper technique and form.”

Jasmine attends class 3-4 times a week. Remarkably, she even helps teach classes to the kids and sometimes the adults.

Although Wright holds a world title, she trains right around the corner at Clarkston Self Defense.

“I have worked in the same gym my whole life,” Wright said.

“I even teach a class that my friend attends, which is a cool experience for me,” Wright said.

Wright has had many achievements in her 9 years of training.

“I have about 15 trophies,” Wright said.

Although she holds many titles, her wins did not just happen over night. She trained hard, and entered into many competitions, which ultimately lead up to her most honorable title of 5th in the world in her division. She competed and won enough fights to be

on the tournament team. There, she competed to earn her title of 5th in the world for ages 8-10, brown belt. She continues to train weekly, with hopes of achieving an even higher rank and title.

“I plan on continuing karate for a long time,” Wright said.

“It’s something that really interests me.”

Wright is extremely athletic. She has to be in order to keep up with such a demanding sport. She realizes the risks that come along with it.

Martial arts can result in a wide array of injuries.

Stopsportsinjuries.org says the most common include concussions, neck injuries, head, ear, eyes, nose injuries, and cuts to the skin.

“What people don’t understand about this sport is that it takes so much accuracy,” Wright said.

“You can be off by so little, but even that can put you in harm’s way.”

As Wright pushes on towards bigger and better things, more trophies, and larger competitions, she proves that gender, size, and age have no limitations on what someone can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Karate kid. Freshman Jasmine Wright competes as a child in karate competitions. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Wright

Athletes of the month

Austin Wood

DeCovich has been a varsity dancer for four years So far this season, Wood has 56 tackles DeCovich is one of three captains on the dance team Wood has 328 rushing yards so far this season Decovich was invited to England to dance in the New Years parade Wood is one of the captains of the football team as a Junior

Get pumped. DeCovich dances during the first pep ralley of the year. Photo by Tiffany Mountain

BY LUCAS HENDRICKS Sports Editor

Pocket Protection. Wood blocks for his quarterback preventing a sack. Photo by Taylor Skelton

Murmur October 11, 2013

sports 11

Grand Rapids bound Three Kettering wrestlers reach the national tournament in Grand Rapids

BY LUCAS HENDRICKS Sports Editor

N

ational level wrestlers from all across America join at the Kellogg arena in Battle Creek to compete amongst the top text wrestlers of their weight class. Three of these students are Kettering’s own, including senior Zac Carter.

"I think I'll do pretty well," Carter said. "It's my first time going to nationals."

The other two wrestlers competing nationally, freshman Rick Smith and freshman Jacob Dolehanty, have high expectations for themselves and plan on doing well at the tournament.

"I hope to place somewhere in the top 8," Dolehanty said.

While the wrestlers do go to Kettering, they are not representing our school at the tournament. They earned the honor of competing nationally individually by going to other tournaments and placing in the top four for their weight class in that tournament.

Dolehanty and Smith both competed in the Kearsley Carnegie, Dolehanty placing third and Smith placing

second. Carter placed third in the qualifying tournament known as the Monsters Medals.

The wrestlers put in a lot of time and work to train for the national tournament.

"I'm wrestling with other coaches and going to camps right now," Smith said.

The national tournament is not easy to get into. The wrestlers at Kettering’s hard work and determination is what got them there.

This tournament for them will be some of their hardest matches. They will wrestle against athletes that are more experienced, stronger, and quicker than they have seen in the past and will have to be at the top of their game.

Carter wrestling at the 189 weight class will have to deal with one of the biggest combinations of strength and speed, but that doesn't get to him.

"I'm just going to do my normal thing," said Carter.

The national tournament is November 2nd on the boy’s home state, Battle Creek.

Triple threat. Three Kettering wrestlers go into nationals with high expectations for themselves. From left to right: freshman Rick Smith, senior Zac Carter, and freshman Jacob Dolehanty. Photo by Lucas Hendricks

Hover over this image to see an interview with Rick, Zac, and Jacob.

Because it’s October

Beginning of October marks a special point in all four major professional sports

BY LUCAS HENDRICKS Sports Editor

ut of

BOUNDS

O

ctober is known for its baseball.

The playoffs are in full swing and the tensions rise as teams seasons are on the line and the chase for the World Series goes underway. Powerhouse teams like Detroit and St. Louis seem to be in this spot

every year and run the tables in the playoffs but you can never count out the underdogs like Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh and Oakland.

Every year history is made in October, but that’s not the only sport with the spotlight.

Hockey season has high hopes and is starting up. After an exciting short season last year you can't expect anything less than dramatic moments all season.

Football season is also in full throttle in the month of October. After the first quarter nobody expected to see teams like Kansas City and New Orleans in the top 10 record wise.

Many moves with coaches have given teams the ability to prosper especially Kansas City and New Orleans. While teams like Pittsburgh and New York Giants struggle with an 0-4 start. While there have not been many division games it seems like the NFC north will be a very close one again with all four teams having the ability to beat each other on any given day. I believe the NFC West will be the most exciting division though because of two of the best teams in the NFL (Seattle and San Francisco) will be going head to head for the division ti-

tle.

In the AFC the exciting division will be the North. The Ravens are always contenders and the Bengals have one of the most talented wide recievers in A.J. Green. I also wouldn’t sleep on Clevland. Trading Trent Richardson may have been a better move more than a bad one. they matched his rushing yards of two games in one game alone and have been doing something that they havent done in a while, which is winning consecutive games. We all wonder what’s going on in Cleveland. Is there something in the water? or maybe the players are eating Wheaties. Or could it be its just Clevelands time to prosper as an elite team in the NFL. Michigan State alumni Brian Hoyer isn’t exactly a prime time quarterback but he is getting the job done and at the end of the day thats all that matters.

The AFC South and AFC West divison are in competition with each other for worst divison. The Colts are still trying to figure out roles and get their defense together. The Texans have everything but the most important position, a quarterback. Tennessee has potential but can’t find a way to win the games

that matter and Jacksonville is still the Jacksonville we have always known. In the AFC West Denver may be the only Playoff worthy team. The high scoring offense makes them a top 3 team. Peyton Manning has never fallen off of the peak of his career and shows signs of breaking records this season.

His competition is not so strong. San Diego always finds a way to lose in the fourth quarter. Kansas City is showing strength but with Alex Smith at quarterback the leadership isnt there to finish the season strong. One critical injury and The Chiefs season could be over like that.

NBA season will be starting mid October.

After two consecutive titles the Heat plan on going for number three but I believe they will not get it. Making minimal changes in the offseason will put them back. Teams that made big move such as Golden State, Houston, and Brooklyn will actually have a better shot at a title depending on how the team chemistry is.This may be one of the more exciting NBA seasons we have had in a while. All eight teams that make the playoffs in both the East and West have a shot at the title.

12 feature Murmur October 11, 2013

#ThrowbackThursday

While seniors are preparing to take the next step in their lives, sometimes it’s good to take a trip down memory lane

BY VERONICA LATIMER Staff Writer

the past Blast fromLooking at the memories before they are gone

Freshmen Year

Amanda Taylor

Sophomore Year

that has been through a lot together.

On top of it all, she is pursuing her dream of being a competitive dancer and being a role model for those she meets.

“I’ve met a lot of new people and made a lot of new friends, and I am proud with how far I have come. I’m proud of myself because I’ve worked hard to get where I am now, and it’s all worth it!”

Amanda Ewer is another senior at Waterford Kettering who has come a long way since she first set foot in the building.

“I have become more confident in myself and who I am as an individual.

I’ve made new friends, kept a lot of old ones, and I am very happy with where I am today,” said Ewer.

“During high school, I realized that I needed to focus more on school mentally to prepare for my future, and overall I have really enjoyed my experience at Kettering. I’m glad that I get to express myself everyday with the clothes that I wear and how I am as a person.”

Logan Grant is the third senior that took a trip to the past.

“Over time, we all got a lot smarter and I think that’s just because we got to experience high school,” said Grant.

“Our class is like a family. Everybody loves everybody, and we all have grown together.”

If you take a moment and think about all the good memories you’ve had during school and while growing up, sometimes thinking about it may make you realize how far you truly have come. We tend to take for granted all the good moments we have in life, and before we can say a word they are gone.

So, while you still have time, take a moment everyday to look back and appreciate all the good memories you have, because you never know what might happen. Before you know it, they can be gone in the blink of an eye.

Junior Year

That might be the only word that can come out of your mouth while looking through pictures that you’re in from four years ago. These are the pictures that your mom will show your boyfriend or girlfriend when they come over for dinner. These pictures will be the ones that are going to hang on the photo board at your graduation, wedding, and funeral for others to see how you’ve transformed and grown. While you may not like these pictures very much, they remind you of who you are and how far you’ve come. Photos provide the chance to relive the past and be able to look back any time you choose.

The class of 2014 is one that will be remembered for a long time after their time at Kettering is over. They’ve been through a journey that many wouldn’t be able to get through alone. After crossing the starting line their freshmen year, they’ve been thrown curve balls and pushed around sharp turns and corners. As they’ve gone over all the hurdles and they finally see the finish line, one track ends where the next one begins. Well, if you had the chance to look back at the journey you’ve made and how much you’ve transformed, would you? For these three seniors, the answer is yes.

Seniors Amanda Ewer, Amanda Taylor, and Logan Grant are the three seniors that were chosen to do this activity. They had the opportunity to look back at their days walking the hallways of Kettering and to talk about what they see in themselves and the people around them that has changed.

“It’s weird to look back and think now I’m a senior, because as a freshman I came into school not really knowing what I wanted to do, and now I’m excited to see what the future holds,” senior Amanda Taylor said.

Taylor is a part of the class of 2014

Senior Year

W

ow.

Amanda Ewer

Logan Grant

Murmur October 11, 2013

Live, Lead, Link

BY TIFFANY MOUNTAIN Photographer

I

feature 13 Photo By Tiffany Mountain

Preparing for the incoming freshmen, through the eyes of a Link Leader.

t’s still summer time when senior Jackie Gener drags herself out of bed at 7:30 am. This was the average summer for every LINK Crew Leader.

”I’ve been a part of Link Crew for two years, and each year I have taken time out of my summer to get ready for freshmen.”

This past summer Gener has taken 12 hours out of her time to get together with all the Link Leaders so they could learn and prepare the skills to use when meeting the new freshmen.

Throughout the orientation process many relationships between the Link Leaders and freshmen were built. Not only do they talk inside school but many stay in contact over the summer and after school.

“Last year I was a freshman, and to this day I’m still close with my Link Leader, Brittany Dupuis,” sophomore Photo By Tiffany Mountain Anna Hueter said.

“She’s my home girl.”

Hueter and Dupuis have a close relationship that still continues to grow everyday along with many other Leaders and their Freshmen.

“I love to stay in contact with my freshmen from both this year and last year,” last year’s Link Leader of the Year, Hannah Lewis, said. “We all talk a lot on Facebook and we always greet each other in the halls.”

Link Crew has helped create these bonds between students, driving them to closer relationships and taking students outside of their comfort zone.

“I wouldn’t trade Link Crew and the people I met from it for the world,” Lewis said.

Link Leaders take many extra steps into deserving their title and many upperclassmen regret not joining.

“I really do regret not applying to be a Link Leader,” senior Maricel Gener says.

“They always look so happy and have great attitudes towards everybody.”

Besides creating great attitudes and friendships Link Crew has also impacted the leaders everyday life.

“Being a Link Leader, you have to be able to speak in front of your group of freshmen,” senior Jade Smart said.

“Before training I was horrible at public speaking, but after, it helped me become comfortable talking in front of people.”

The skills you learn while preparing for LINK Crew

will help not only the freshmen, but the leaders themselves.

Many students have already noticed how big the impact was.

“We learned a lot about organization during training and it helped me alot with strategies on staying organized for school,” senior Stephen Bell said.

Grades improves, skills expand but importantly the Link Leaders make a difference and that’s senior Amanda Meyers’ favorite part of having the Link Leader title.

“I love knowing that the freshmen have someone to go to if needed because I know how scared I was as a freshman and my class didn’t have Link Leaders,” Meyers said.

Every year Link Crew has a bigger and stronger impact on freshmen and making sure they feel comfortable when first arriving to a big high school. This program will continue to grow and these students will never forget the moments shared together.

Photo Courtesy of Jesse Sutherland

Senior Noah Stinson introducing himself to to the students.

Pho

I

K

Second day training.

First Day of School.

Link Leaders trying new communication skills.

Link Leaders begin to clap in the class of 2017.

Photo courtesy of Jesse Sutherland

Photo courtesy of Jesse Sutherland

9-19-13

9-23-13 9-21-13

9-3-13

Photo By Gabrielle Hilliard

Photo courtesy of Jesse Sutherland

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First Day of Training.

Link Coordinators Jesse Sutherland and

Natalie Britten getting supplies for training.

N

Orentiation.

Senior Amanda Juntunen dresses up with her new freshmen friends.

14 news Murmur October 11th, 2013

Write on

Senior McKenna Duncan starts a writing club

BY SARAH MURPHY Staff Writer

G

ood writing should make people happy and mean something to someone.” McKenna Duncan said.

Duncan is a Kettering senior with a talent and love for writing.

“It lets me express myself,” Duncan said. “It’s a good escape from the stress of real life.”

Recently, Duncan has decided to take her passion for writing to the next level, and has starting a creative writing club here at Kettering, where writing geeks and gods

can gather together. The idea was prompted by one of Duncan’s teachers.

“Mrs. Pylvainen has been telling me I need to start one since I was a sophomore,” Duncan said.

“She would edit my poems and short stories, and she thought we should have a group.”

Duncan plans to start with a series of informational meetings after school, on Tuesdays, starting October 8th. The group will then pick a day that works for everyone.

“Mrs. Pylvainen has

a bunch of people interested,” Duncan said.

“We’d meet, we’d do some creative writing prompts and workshops, and at the end of the year we’d have some sort of publication.”

Duncan hopes that the group would help members gain more confidence in their writing skills, while having fun together and “geeking out over literature.” “[People should join because] it’s a chance to do something you like with other people,” Duncan said.

McKenna's Bookshelf As described by McKenna Duncan

Eleanor and Park A book about being in love when your young with allusions to fantastic punk music.

The Coldest Girl In Coldtown A vampire book that is absolutely nothing like Twilight!

Fangirl A socially awkward teenager obsessed with a book series about a magical boy tries to navigate through her first year of college.

If you are interested in joining, please contact McKenna Duncan at: lilmisscupcake4@gmail.com

WANTED:

ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS, AND REBELS. Lawrence Technological University isn’t for just anyone. We want the future innovators who will create the designs, communities, and scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow.

If you believe that everything is possible, and that possible is everything, we want you at LTU. Visit campus and learn how you can become an LTU Blue Devil! Details at ltu.edu/visit.

POSSIBLE IS EVERYTHING.

Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences | Engineering | Management

Lawrence Technological University | Office of Admissions 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058 | 800.225.5588 | admissions@ltu.edu | www.ltu.edu

Murmur October 11, 2013

atching up on some Zzz’s

news 15

BY CATHERINE HABBA Staff Writer

The impact of lack of sleep in high school students’ academic lives

of sleep Kettering students recive

%

% 32

Givone Green said.

Hours According to research on TeenHealth.com, the best thing to do in a situation like this is to try to avoid technology and social media.

The more a person has on their mind the more likely they are to stay awake. It’s good to try and clear the mind of all thoughts and just relax.

Even though many people do not get enough sleep and feel tired throughout the day, there are some people who say that they get just the right amount of sleep and feel fine during their day.

“I feel like I get enough sleep on a school night.

I fall asleep around nine o’clock and I am able to pay attention during the day; I feel good and focused in all of my classes,” freshman Ian Wall said.

Sleep can really make a difference in a person’s attitude and how they interact with people throughout the day.

“I always feel focused and energized during the school day. I get enough sleep at night and I pay attention in all of my classes. I also have grades that I’m satisfied with,” junior Ben Dowdy said.

Its important that all students get enough sleep to keep them awake during the whole school day. Sleeping plays a major role in student’s academic lives.

7 6- r s u Ho

4 Ho -5 ur s

It’s not healthy to make a habit of not getting enough sleep. Not getting the recommended amount of sleep may lead to serious health problems including heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

“I feel more focused at school when I get at least eight hours of sleep at night because I’m not struggling to stay awake in all of my classes,” sophomore Donald Scott said.

Students that make an effort to get to bed early will have a higher chance of being engaged in school conversations and will be able to absorb the teacher’s lessons and apply that knowledge to homework, tests and quizzes.

Some students may feel so tired that they might even consider skipping school.

“Last year I skipped school a lot because I felt too tired to go and I got really behind in all of my school work and later regretted skipping school in the first place. I have definitely learned from my mistakes and will not skip school because of an excuse like that again,” sophomore Sierra Fields said.

Some students may be able to get to bed but just cannot fall asleep.

“I can’t fall asleep until two in the morning sometimes. I normally have to wake up at five and have no energy throughout the day,” sophomore

43

S

ophmore Henry Mistrzak never gets enough sleep on a school night. He has football practice right after school and doesn’t get home until six o’clock. By the time he starts his homework it’s already eight thirty. Mistrzak works on his homework for about two hours every night. Finally, Mistrzak is in bed by eleven and has to wake up at six o’clock in the morning to do that same process all over again.

Many students can relate to Mistrzak’s busy school schedule.

“I have basketball practice after school and I don’t get home until six,” sophomore Noah Holly said. “When I get home, I’m so tired and still have so much homework to do but the only thing on my mind is sleep.”

The U.S National Sleep Foundation recommends about seven to nine hours of sleep every night for adults.

“I feel like when I get at least eight hours of sleep I’m more awake during school and getting lots of sleep really helps me focus in class,” sophomore Mathew McCullough said.

After-school sports, activities, and jobs can make it difficult for high school students to make it to bed in time to have at least eight hours of sleep.

“I don’t get enough sleep at night because I have to babysit my siblings when I get home, and I’m not able to start my homework until at least six thirty. My homework takes me at least three hours to do. Later that night I still have to eat dinner, take a shower, and start to prepare for the next day of school,” Miranda Stanley said.

“I have basketball practice after school and I don’t get home until six.”

-Noah Holly, 10

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7%

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%

18

Survey out of 100 people

“Throughout the day I find my eyes slowly closing and my head falling down on my desk.”

-Alyssa Grimaldi, 11

Interview with Riley Hibbard

Do you sleep in class?

“I occasionally close my eyes and almost do, but I never have because I need to pay attention and pass my classes.”

Do you think people could sleep in class and get good grades?

“No, I think its impossible to sleep in class and get good grades unless a person takes the easiest classes avalible.”

Are you tired when you come to school?

“Yes, I’m very tired at school. I wake up at six everyday and have cross country after school until five everyday.”

School snoozer. Sophomore Riley Hibbard demonstrates a student deprived of sleep. Photo by Tiffany Mountain

Do you think students sleeping in class is a distraction to other students?

“No, I don’t think so, honestly students can do whatever they want in class as long as its not disturbing me.”

16 world news Murmur October 11, 2013

A breakdown of the civil war in the Middle East

BY ALEXEA HANKIN

Writing Coach/Copy Editor

Why is the civil war happening?

The Arab Spring. uing his workday in December of 2010, a fruit vendor

D

in Tunisia named Mohamed Bouazizi was involved in a confrontation with local police. The officers confiscated some of his items, allegedly tipped over his cart, and insulted his deaceased father.

Bouazizi went to the governor’s office to complain and get his items back, but the governor refused to see him. Bouazizi obtained gas from a nearby station, doused himself with it, and while standing in traffic, he caught himself aflame.

He died 18 days later.

It was not the first time he, or any Arab within the Middle East, had been mistreated by government officials.

This event sparked what is now called the Arab Spring across the Middle East and inspired protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and eventually Syria, and nearly all of their neighboring Arab countries.

Rage. This poster was shared through Many countries in the Middle East have very low out the internet to aspire Syrians to employment rates, and very high poverty rates, even protest. Courtesy of Wiki Commons though their citizens are college educated. Many protesters are those who are out of work. Most demonstrations were, and still are, treated very harshly by authorities. In Syria, thousands of protesters gather in the country’s largest cities, and to keep order the Syrian government brought out the army to fight the opposition. Tens of thousands have been arrested, many protesters have been killed, entire towns have been bombed, and torture by military personnel onto civilians is widespread.

Protesters fight hard, and the Syrian military is ordered to do the same.

The U.N. estimates that in the last year, more than ten thousand Syrians, most of them unarmed civilians, have been killed. This civil war still continues today, and there are many rebel groups fighting for different causes within Syria.

Syria declares independence from the France.

1946

Syria makes an alliance with the U.S.S.R./Russia during the Cold War and goes communist in return for weapons.

This alliance is still around today, as Russia has no coastal ports anywhere else other than within Syria.

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Who’s in charge?

The Ba’ath Party.

he Ba’ath party has ruled over Syria for almost all of it’s existence, Syria being a 67 year old country and the Ba’athists reigning for 50 The Ba’ath party flag years, though it’s political ideas and focus have changed throughout the years. The current Ba’ath party that dominates Syria now was formed by a split in the original Ba’ath party. It is currently led by Bashar Al-Assad.

Why is the U.S. involved?

Chemical weapons.

T

he recent news about Syria obtaining chemical weapons such as sarin and mustard gas is where the U.S. gets involved. Obama threatened a military attack on Syria because of their possession of chemical weapons, but this was not supported by Congress. A treaty was reached between the U.S. and Russia (still Syria’s ally, and in need of Syria’s ports) that basically said Syria was to hand all of it’s stored chemical weapons over to the U.N. by mid-2014. Whether or not this is a stalling procedure, only time will tell.

Egypt and Syria decide to become the same state under the United Arab Republic. This only lasts until 1961. When Syria succeeds from Egypt, many military coups begin to The socialist Ba’ath party takes form. One of these coups later control of Syria, with the help and support of Russia. becomes the Ba’ath party.

1958

1963

Alawite coup leader Hafez Al-Assad overthrows Salah Jadid in the Syrian Corrective Revolution. He oversees the first politically stable period in Syria’s entire history by passing a Constitution and establishing a state-run economy.

1970

Murmur October 11, 2013

Where is Syria?

Who are the Kurds?

T

What is the difference between Sunni and Alawite Muslims?

world news 17

Sunnis make up he largest ethnic minority in Syria. Despite this, government discrimination When Islam’s prophet, Muhammad, died, he had not named against them has been a pattern since a successor to his legacy. Thus, his followers split into two sects: the long before the civil war. In OcShiites, who believed that succession should be based on bloodlines and of Syria’s population. tober of 2011, a Kurdish leader, chose his cousin (his closest blood relative) to carry on the torch; and the Marshaal Tammo, was killed in Sunni, who believed such a position should be passed to his best and most Alawites make up his apartment by alleged governwell respected commanding officer, because he had military and political ment agents. The next day, durexperience. Alawites are a smaller sect of Shiite beliefs. ing his funeral procession, Syrian The Kurd flag of Syria’s population. army forces shot into the crowd of 50,000 mourners and killed five civilians, which led - Consumption of alcohol -Comsumption of alcohol to another agitated group in Syrian. Due to and other toxins is forbidand other toxins is okay the fact that Syrian government forces have den, as stated by Qu’ran The Al-Assad/Ba’ath regime’s Syrian - Celebrates Christmas -Holy book: left most Kurdish-populated areas since the - All of the five pillars of army and the Free Syrian Army are not - Does not believe praying Qu’ran start of the civil war, the Kurds have roamed Islam are necessary (includalone in the fighting anymore. There five times a day is necessary -5 Pillars unchecked, and uprising in their areas are ing prayer) are tons of rebel groups all through- Associates Muhammad’s of Islam just another common occurrence within the - Known to be the more “orout Syria, who all have different goals cousin with divine qualities conflicts. thodox” belief and desires. So many politicians have - Muhammad is the only million who live in Syria, been taken out that it is unclear who divine prophet out of the would take over Syria even if Al-Assad did step down. The civil war rages, and million are Kurdish.

August 21st, 2013: A chemical attack it is brutal. The Syrian army attacks happens in Ghouta, a suburb of Syria’s ambulances and hospitals just so their capital city, Damascus, killing 1,429 Hafez Al-Assad dies, and his son, civilians. Many believe this was ordered enemies can’t get the medical attenBashar Al-Assad, is immediately electtion they need. The U.N. estimates that

by Al-Assad, but it is unclear. The U.N. The Arab Spring happens. Syrians start ed president with 97.9 percent of the there are over two million refugees investigated and came back with the protesting for democracy and freedom vote. (He is the only one on the balpouring out of Syria, mostly into it’s information that yes, a chemical attack against the Ba’ath regime, due to rising lot.) Syrians call him “The Hope” and did happen, but they did not determine neighbouring countries, and also states tensions between the Syrian people believe he will bring political stability that over half of them are children. who initiated it. and the government. and reform into their country.

Alawite

Sunni

75%

13%

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Murmur feature 18 October 11, 2013

Discrimination takes a toll in jobs selves Teens are challenged in the workplace by deciding between being “typical” or being them

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Sophmore Anna Hueter had a more dramatic experience related to her piercings.

“As a guy was giving me a tip he stopped and hesitated, looking at my plugs,” said Anna Hueter. “He asked me ‘Are those them “When he found out I had plugs he left walking out with the dollar tip” “After all this happened I am now required to wear skin colored guages.” Hueter said.

Even though not all teens have jobs or are applying for them that doesn’t mean that they aren’t thinking about it. Teresa Ljovshin is a junior and who currently has bright pink hair. She often changes her hair color to express herself.

“I like to stand out- I want to be the person in a crowd that draws people's attention,” Ljovshin said.

“When I get a job, I’m not going to change my hair to be normal.”

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nside of Airway Lanes Bowling Ireland Benning scrubs away at tables, working her typical 4 to 9 shift.

Benning enjoys talks with customers while she works, but little do they know she is forced to hide things from them behind her long blonde hair, and right below the tip of her nose.

“I was told that having stretched ears would ruin any career that I want to have.” Benning said.

Benning has gauges and a septum piercing, which is typically something businesses owners do not want their employee’s displaying on the job. So every day when she goes to work she put in her skin colored gauges, and flips her septum piercing upside down, praying that no one would notice.

Today more and more teenagers are being criticized and judged just for the way they express themselves. Nowadays teens are even more prone to step out of the box, to stand out, to be themselves. But does that necessarily mean that the teen with one inch gauges, can’t be as nice or respectful as a teen with bow earrings and blonde curled hair? Business owners often push away these type of ‘rebellious’ teens. They don’t want customers thinking that they hire the wrong type of people. But in some cases, this isn’t true.

“I look for people who are self motivated, honest and dependable,” owner of LA Cafe Heidi Graunstadt said.

“If the customers have a prob- lem with a way they look or present themselves that's their hang up.”

Graunstadt makes a valuable point, it shouldn’t matter what you look like. As long as they do what they’re supposed to that's truly matters. Tattoo’s and piercings may change a teen’s physical appearance, but the skills they bring to the workplace is what really matters.

“As long as a person does a good job and takes care of their appearance, they’re good,” Graunstadt said. “Weight and personal style isn’t an issue, but cleanliness is.”

Heidi doesn’t judge people by the way they present themselves, she tries to give everyone she can a chance.

Some student though don’t have bosses like Heidi “At Firehouse Subs, you couldn’t wear certain things that you thought made you, you , and in my case that’s referred to my piercings” junior Brittany Foster said.

Foster often felt like she was being deprived.

She felt like she was hiding who she really was.

“Piercings went against the handbook I was given, so I knew what I was getting into,” Foster said.

k n u p o m e disgusting Y core SCARH ard

By BRIDGET EKIS Staff Writer

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Murmur October 11, 2013

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20 feature Murmur October 11, 2013

BY GABRIELLE HILLIARD Staff Writer

1.

2.

3.

“Start strong your freshman year, take your classes seriously.”

Jackie Gener 12 “Be on time.”

Becca Neal 12 “Stay organized.”

Emily Schram 10

4.

“Stay true to yourself.”

Hannah Lewis 12

5.

“Ask for help from teachers, parents and even your friends.”

Andrea Sanchez 11

6.

“Don’t procrastinate.”

Kayla Pelker 12

7. “Get sleep.”

Becca Trudo 10

8.

“Get involved.”

Lexi Wilcox 12

9. “Stay out of drama.”

Shannon Squanda 12

10.

“Make new friends and get outside your comfort zone.” Garrett Zimmerman 11

Upperclassmen want to help you succeed

e nd ’s a of th o s D n’ t ria o D ete caf

Do’s: -sit down -catch up on gossip -bring your own lunch

Don’ts: -food fights -eat cafeteria junk food -leave the lunch room

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Murmur October 11, 2013 ave you ever wondered how you were ever going to make it through four years of high school?

Allie Andrus is a senior at Waterford Kettering. She has walked these long, crowded hallways for four years. She has had a schedule with 90 minute classes and only seeing her teachers every other day to classes everyday for 53 minutes.

“Start strong your freshmen year” said Andrus.

As a student that is a pretty big change. Starting your first two years with one schedule and finishing the last years with a completely different one. It is hard to set a good example to the underclassmen.

Senior Miaya Smith has also been at Kettering for four years and has experienced two different principals has also seen many teachers come and go. Freshman may have the same experience during their four years. Freshmen year is your building block for High School.

“Keep up with your grades. It’s hard to fix your GPA down the road,” Smith said.

Being new to the school the freshmen have just started to make the first of many memories at Kettering.

feature 21

“I was really nervous to begin high school, but it really helped having my big sister here,” said freshman Emily Deruse.

Compared to middle school the high school building is very large.

“I didn't know what to expect on the first day. There were so many people in the hallways” said freshman Sarah.

As each year of high school passes lots of changes occur, good and bad. Surviving high school isn't easy these days. With all the drama, homework assignments and tests there are lots of important things you as a student need to keep up on. Most people leave high school as a completely different person then how they came in.

“I’ve opened up a lot more which made me get closer to a lot more people. I feel like the same person but I have grown up and have learned many valuable life lessons,” said senior Katherine Kuhn.

High school is a different experience for everyone. It’s a rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs. You will learn some valuable life lessons that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Some tips and tricks from Kettering Alumni for our New Freshmen

Alumnus member Kyler Mulvaney says, “Stay on top of your homework and study. Go to every event, cherish every moment and be friends with everyone.”

Alumnus member Krystal Nimtz says, “USE YOUR PLANNER. It’s a good habit to have.

Don’t let your grades slip because your GPA will never recover. Create relationships with your teachers. They are nice to have when you need help or someone to talk to. Join groups or do a sport. They will become your second family at school. Lastly, make friends with people in your grade.”

Alumnus Libby Molnar says, “Study hard for all your test even if they are. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and let your true colors shine.”

22 feature Murmur October 11, 2013

Best on the line

Captains’ surprising fear and excitement when the K-9’s pay a visit to Kettering

The power of the nose

BY JOSH MARKO Staff Writer

I

n 1844 when the first “police dog” started training, the world realized how helpful and useful these dogs could truly be. These dogs aren’t just your regular day to day dogs though.

These dogs have gone through the training that is required in order to be considered a true helpful K-9.

Every one of these dogs that are considered a K-9 must be imported, bred, tested, chosen, and trained correctly to get the job done. Deputy Topaico is a Oakland County Deputy at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.

“The dogs are all brought over from the Netherlands,” Deputy Topaico said.

“They are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois.”

The officers that set up these random effective searches will take into consideration to search anywhere from schools, homes, warehouses, etc. It is very hard for somebody to have drugs that live in a place where K-9 searches go into effect.

With these searches going into effect and improving time after time, the officers can assure anybody that they will find any drugs inside of the location and also in-

side of vehicles parked on the property. “I think kids are idiotic for bringing things like that to school,” junior Austin Slabough said. “They shouldn't be mad they got caught, they should be mad they made a stupid decision.”

K-9 searches throughout any school district are designed to keep kids safe from drugs, guns, explosives, and alcohol. A very big benefit to a K-9 is their nose. They can find any dangerous or illegal item just by sniffing hallways, lockers, social areas, locker rooms, gyms, parking lots, and dorms.

“The school calls the police department so they can schedule K-9’s to be available to search schools,” Topaico said. “The school has to have a policy that says possessions are subject to search in order to search.”

In the generation we live in today, younger kids such as 8th graders and 7th graders are being peer pressured to try illegal and/or prescribed drugs. Over 60% of teens that go to a high school across the United States said drugs were sold, used, or kept at their school.

More than 2,000 teens begin abusing prescription drugs each day, more than half of those teens hide their prescription drugs in

their household.

There are many different ways to find out who is and who is not a drug user, ways such as hair follicle or urine testing.

However, drug searches will be noninvasive and non-confrontational.

These dogs do not look only for the negative things, these dogs also have the ability to search for a missing persons tracking and lost pet tracking. “It takes anywhere from 5-15 weeks to train them to go out in action,” Topaico said. “They start training when they’re around 1 year old – 18 months old. The dogs stay in service for around 7-12 years and then deputies keep them once they are retired.”

Every K-9 is considered special, why? Because they can be a man’s best friend, but also a deputy’s best officer.

A

K-9s nose is 2000 more times sensitive than a humans. While doing their searches, they use that to their advantage. The following list is what the dogs can find in a search.

Drugs like Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin, & LSD

Photo by Stephanie Knapp

Weapons such as guns, knives, & bombs

Anatomy of a k9 The instincts a German Shepherd owns makes it an all around great police dog.

-The Prey Instinct German Shepherds instinctively chase moving objects and then grasp and hold onto them.

-The pack instinct The German Shepherds’ pack includes both animals and people. These of which he is involved with in his ‘home’ or ’work’ environment.

-The fighting instinct When the Shepherd barks he becomes stimulated into a highly alert level of protectiveness.

On standby. The Kettering police Liason parks outside reminding students to be on their best behavior, a dog search could happen at anytime. Photo by Tiffany Mountain

Items including plants, animals, & produce

Murmur October 11, 2013

THE

WALKING DEAD First impressions of the hit zombie show

opinion 23

BY QUINTEN WINOWIECKI Staff Writer

S

ince the show Breaking Bad has come to an end, I’ve found myself searching for a new T.V. series to sink my teeth into. I have also come to the realization that a new season of the hit show The Walking Dead is starting up within the month, so I decided to attempt for the second time to enrich myself in the living phenomenon that is.

The first time I tried watching The Walking Dead, I remember finding myself bored and looking for other things to occupy my time with during the first ten minutes, making me exit Netflix completely and start playing videogames.

But because I’m now without a T.V. series, I took it upon myself to actually watch the whole first episode.

Here I sit, a satisfied viewer after an hour long pilot episode, ready and excited to continue the journey with Sheriff Deputy Grimes.

The second viewing for me I felt more willing to watch the show, so it was easier for me to really get into it. It starts out with the sheriff deputy getting out of his police car with an empty gas can, walking into a completely deserted parking lot in search of what I imagine would be a source of fuel for his cop car. At this point, All I could think was how slow the show started, and how I wished I’d made some popcorn, as I was going to be there for a while. A few seconds later, a little girl comes walking on the other side of an abandoned car. Turns out she wasn’t as cute as you’d expect, with the nasty flesh and all. Immediately I understood that this show is go-

ing to have quite a bit of cliche and predictable moments. After the girl is found, obviously a zombie, she starts running at the deputy, who reacts by shooting her brains out.

I will admit, I’m a sucker for blood and gore, so that got me a bit

more enthusiastic about what was coming next.

The show was surprisingly emotional, and I more often than not found myself thinking about how I would react in a situation such as waking up in a hospital in a post apocalyptic world. The show was very generic in the sense of originality. I was able to predict bits and pieces which kept me waiting for something I wasn’t expecting, and I got a bit bored when Rick was just looking/walking around.

I was thoroughly impressed with the director’s ability to get great shots that draw out emotion in both the characters and me as the viewer. I mean, I get emotional easily and all, but still very emotional.

There was a scene when Rick got

to his house after waking up in the hospital, and he gets home to find nobody, and all of his things were gone. He screams for his wife and kids, just before he lays down on the floor crying, bringing tears to my eyes.

My expectations were quite low for this show to be honest. I hadn’t watched the show, sure, so what did I really have to say about how good or bad it might be “It’s all hype” or “why is it even popular” were two of the things I frequently said when discussing good television shows.

Oh, how wrong I was.

This show grabbed me and peaked my interest so quick that I almost forgot Breaking Bad had just ended.

The thing I was most surprised about in this show, was how superb the acting was. Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes, did an astonishing job conveying his emotion through the characters expressions, emotions, even gestures. though there weren’t many emotions to be conveyed other than anger and sadness, he showed them in multiple ways throughout the span of an hour long show with no problem, leaving me breathless and feeling awkward about not knowing how to react.

I really enjoyed the first episode.

I was expecting a more gritty or scary show, being that it’s on AMC, but was not disappointed. The actors really captured their roles and drove the story phenomenally. The story was fairly well given that it’s only the first episode. Not hard to understand and follow, but pretty vague in terms of their past. To be honest, I never thought I’d watch this episode all the way to the end, but now I’m going to watch the whole series.

Interview with sophomore Mandi Rusher and her thoughts on the AMC original show, The Walking Dead

P

eople spend years with them, watching them grow up, going through all of their personal events, experiencing all the goods and the bads of their life.

They aren’t your best friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, or even family. They’re the characters of your favorite show.

That one you tune into every week, huddled up in the living room with the whole family, a bowl of popcorn being passed around. And yet, you get a connection to the characters, and it feels like they’re a part of you.

I talked with Sophomore Mandi Rusher to see how the show The Walking Dead, being in between seasons, has left an impact on her.

What's it like for you to get into a story like The Walking Dead? do you connect or relate to the characters?

“Not necessarily connect with the character, but I enjoy the storyline enough to be totally drawn in.”

And what's it like getting into a story such as the walking dead, only to have it taken from you for months until the next season?

“I don't know what to do with my life for like the first month, and every Sunday that’s all I look forward to until I realize the season hasn't started yet and just like that! My dreams are crushed.”

So how do you deal with knowing a season of the show is almost over? do you get excited for the finale, or is it a grueling process?

“I get extremely excited for the finale, and when it's on, I never want it to end because I know it will be a long time before I see it again.”

How does the story and the show itself impact you when it ends?

“A series like The Walking Dead makes me think of a lot of "what ifs" and the storyline of the walking dead is mostly about zombies and you never know, it could happen and little details in there could help you survive if it were to happen.”

Often times when I'm watching Breaking Bad, I start to feel what the characters feel, and really get into it. Does something like that ever happen to you when watching twd?

“Oh gosh yeah, when someone dies in the show (a character that I really like) I instantly start to cry because it's extremely sad. It's either how they died, or my connection to the character.”

So what's your favorite part of becoming immersed in the show and it's story/reality?

“Being excited for every episode! I love the thought of the upcoming episode and what's gonna happen.”

And how often do you think about the show during the week, and what kinds of thoughts about the show do you have?

“It at least runs across my mind once a day, and I try to refresh my memory of the past seasons and see if I can figure anything out that might happen.”

As T.V. series’ drift off and are seemingly forgotten, the viewers remember those many hours, days, and maybe weeks, laying in bed, or sitting on the couch in front of their televisions embarking on journeys with their oh, so beloved characters.

Their impact on people is much more significant than it appears.

Shows will continue to relate to each and every one of its viewers, leaving a permanent mark on them and how they see the world.

24 in-depth

IMPA

Murmur October 11, 2013

How everything can change...

INJURY.

...in a matter of seconds.

ACT. A serious headache

BY LUCAS HENDRICKS Sports Editor

A

s a football player steps onto the field and straps on his helmet he remains unaware of the risk he is taking on a daily basis. One of the most physical sports has also become one of the most dangerous due to how vulnerable the brain and head are to injury.

“Concussions are real, concussions are detrimental,” said Brad Lunsford, Director of football operations at Michigan State University.

Many serious injuries have developed from football’s head to head contact hits. Such was the case with retired pro football linebacker Junior Seau. Seau wrote before his death that

he believed something had happened to his brain because of football. His wish was for medical experiments to be performed on his brain allowing doctors to determine if concussions are a reason that he had neurological issues.

Many feel as if the game is in desperate need of a change. Player safety can only be enhanced using new rules that penalize helmetto-helmet contact on a defenseless player.

“There is no helmet in the industry that will protect against concussions,” said Aaron Griffith Media commissioner for Riddell, a major football helmet company.

Riddell strives to make it so the players are as safe as can be with extra thick padding and an air space at the top of the helmet. Such a feature allows the player’s head to slow down

Murmur October 11, 2013

in-depth 25

Brain injuries due to concussions take a toll on athletes, and not just on the field before impact, resulting in less energy for the helmet’s padding to absorb during contact.

“Statistically football has never been safer than it is today,” said Jack Roberts, Executive Director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Keith Mumphery, a junior wide receiver at MSU, has suffered two concussions in his football career. Although two may not seem like a lot, just one minor concussion can be very dangerous to a player’s future. Mumphery still plays fearlessly despite the fact that another head injury could have a career ending result.

“You’re not going to be successful if you play scared,” Mumphery said. “Things happen and you really can’t approach the games with that mindset.”

Mumphrey’s teammates, wide receivers Bennie Fowler and Andre Simms, both agreed that concussions are a serious problem, but if you play nervous, poor results are almost guaranteed.

“A hit is a hit,” Simms said “You can never stop something like that.”

Many fans believe that Simms is right; football will always have hard hits and will always have head injuries, that’s just how the game is played. Rule changes and technology improvements have helped the game take great strides to provide a safer environment for players. These advancements help ensure a brighter future for athletes to come. In the end, progress is being made, but with the aggressiveness of such a sport, complete safety may never be a reality.

Photo Illustration by Jordan Fujarski

26 in-depth

Murmur October 11, 2013

Last year luck

BY JACOB ALESSI Co Editor in Chief

T

he night was cold, smoke from grilling hotdogs and hamburgers drifted across the field highlighted by the friday night lights, little did senior Jon Scarber know that this game could potentially be the last time he’d play under those lights. Kettering football visited Walled Lake Central where they would fight for a winning record of 2-1.

Pads clashed and helmets smacked as the Captains began the kick off.

Central received the ball from kicker Eddie Inglesbee and started their march down field. Tension held the crowd on edge as the Vikings tried to gain yards. Around the thirty yard line Scarber engaged two blockers on the play, quickly then did he turn around to collide with his own teammate Johnny Talley

who attempted to make a tackle.

Talley instead hit Scarber from the outside of his knee in, immediately sending Scarber into a deep pain. Scarber’s knee locked as he tumbled over Talley and smacked the Viking’s turf where he then laid in agony.

“I could tell instantly that my knee was just done,” Scarber said. “I knew I couldn’t move it, I didn’t even try because it hurt so bad.”

While he laid on the ground Scarber had a million thoughts rushing within that matte green helmet. He knew that something was seriously wrong but tried to hope for the best that the trainer would say differently.

Trainer Brian O’Donnell jogged out onto the field to help Scarber.

“The way he bent his knee I knew it was his MCL,” O’Donnell said.

“That’s the most common ligament to hurt, it basically keeps your knee from bending sideways.”

As soon as O’Donnell had told him the news on his injury Scarber be-

Broken Seasons

Senior seasons are ended prematurely due to serious injuries

A season’s cut too soon for senior Jon Scarber who suffered an injury on the Withfield out their start-

came emotional knowing he was going to be missing out.

“Once I heard from Brian I started to cry, It wasn’t from the pain but the fact that I’m out for a while now.”

Scarber said.

Senior year is that last year to show athletically what you’re made of. It’s a year that everything you’ve ever practiced and worked on builds up to. The year that colleges scout players and give opportunities for scholarships. The one year that a player doesn’t want to miss out on.

Goals for the season can be automatically set back when an injury occurs. Scarber had high hopes for his senior year but is now unsure if he can reach what he was aiming for.

“I was really trying to be in the top five for interceptions in the KLAA, but obviously missing four games doesn’t help me out at all,” Scarber said.

ing free safety Scarber believes that the team needs to just continue to communicate and have a strong leader in the defense. A sports injury can come in a time where your team needs you most, Scarber knows that with time his body should recover and hopefully he can step out on the field at least one more time in his last year of football.

Though doctors state Scarber should wait atleast one more week he’s determined to play only after a month since injury.

“I plan on coming back for the Mott game this saturday,” Scarber said.

Scarber was one the many unlucky to be injured in his senior year. Until now he’s watched every game just outside the white lines where he once was.

Coming back after an injury can be quite taunting on the mind for some, Scarber seems to disagree.

“I won’t get hit again,” Scarber said. “I’ll be doing the hitting from now on.”

Behind the numbers High school athletes account for 2 million injuries each year.

62% of organized sports related inuries occur during practice.

Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly 50% of all sports injuries for middle & high school students.

21% of all traumatic brain injuries in children/ teens account for injuries due to sports.

cross country “Atcamp I just felt a

tear in my knee. I feel like I’m letting my team down, its devastating not being able to run.

-Megan Bertapelle Runner’s Knee

”

A future that fell

Murmur October 11, 2013

in-depth 27

Teacher Mike Roemensky shares a hockey injury that effected his entire life

S

eparated shoulders, deep bruises, broken fingers, cuts to the body, loss of teeth, and finally, a broken back literally was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Michael Roemensky’s hockey career was then done once and for all.

Roemensky, affectionately known as Mr. Roe, graduated from Kettering in 1999. Roemensky played on Kettering’s baseball team and at the same time played hockey for Detroit Compuware in Plymouth.

“I was involved in baseball as a school sport but everyone knew that hockey was my true passion,” he said.

Roemensky sacrificed a great deal of his life just to play the sport he loved.

“All my time was basically spent in Plymouth,” Roemensky said. “I missed a lot of high school due to games and I had to go to Plymouth after school for hockey practices; playing baseball at Kettering was only to have fun and be with my friends but hockey really took up a lot of my time.”

After graduation, Roemensky attended the University of Michigan on a sports scholarship.

“I was a four year letter-winner playing hockey” Roemensky started playing hockey as a true freshman.

“They pulled me in right away,” Roemensky said. “I remember my first series was against the University of Miami Ohio and I fit right

in

upsetting because “ It’s I’m the captain and

you just have to watch everyone at a time when colleges start to watch you and you’re missing oppurtunities.

-Bailey Leidel Fractured Fibula

”

the mix and never missed a game until my junior year of college, when I got injured.”

Roemensky underwent his first major injury.

“I actually tore ligaments in my right ankle,”Roemensky said. “I was making a play on a forward from Western Michigan which resulted in rolling my ankle and tearing a ligament.”

Romensky was unable to play hockey for about six weeks. Doctors told Roemensky that if he would have broken his leg, he would have healed faster and its impact would not have been so damaging to his body.

Torn ligaments did not stop Romensky from playing hockey.

He started playing professional hockey but within just two weeks, he suffered yet another problem.

“My first week of professional hockey I lost two bottom-row teeth,” Romensky said. “It was during a simple drill during practice; a guy made a play and turned around as I hit him and his stick went up and hit my bottom row of teeth.”

While getting jabbed in the face with a hockey stick might hurt most people, Romensky just continued practicing.

“I spit my teeth right out on the ice because they were only pieces of my teeth and I finished the practice and then went to the dentist,” Romensky said.

The dentist capped his teeth and he was back on the ice in no time.

Romensky

b e - gan playing for the Kalamazoo Wings but would not be playing for long as his hockey career came to an end.

“It was during the preseason, I ended up getting hit pretty hard into the boards where there was no glass to protect my body so my back folded over the bench in a bad direction and I ended up breaking my L4 and L5 disks in my lumbar region,” Romensky said.

To this day, Romensky’s life has been changed forever. Everyday activities will never be the same due to all the injuries he encountered throughout his high school and college life.

“I’m still in the process of recovery,” Romensky said. “It happened in 2006, and seven years later I am still dealing with pain and back issues.”

Romensky can’t run, can’t play contact sports, and finally he can’t work out as he used to.

“I just try to stay in shape,” Romensky said. “Instead of working for strength and size I just try to maintain a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family.”

Romensky was in the process of getting his teaching degree while playing hockey. After his injury, he put the hockey chapter of his life away

just mad because “ I’m it’s my senior year and now I miss the last part of my season.

”

-Eddie Inglesbee Fractured Fibula

and continued to study to receive his degree.

“I began enrolling in classes at the University of Michigan,” Romensky said. “I was doing as much as I could to get caught up in teaching and Photo by Chris Habba in the meantime I was also working as a loan consultant for a mortgage company and at a sporting goods store.”

Romensky was doing everything he could to raise money to keep attending classes.

As Roemensky teaches at Kettering today, he feels for the students who get injured playing a sport. He knows what it feels like to not be able to contribute to the team.

“I feel for them,” he said. “I’ve been there and know what what it feels like to have to watch your teammates play while you’re on the sidelines.”

Romensky coaches the Kettering hockey team and enjoys doing so because he gets to watch kids play the sport he once played when he was their age.

Roemensky can share his life experiences with his team and the team really takes his stories to heart.

“Listening to Mr. Roe’s story really makes you appreciate the sport,” senior hockey player Andrew Lindsey said. “It really hits you because we have a coach who really has a love for the game and a lot of knowledge about hockey, it reflects in his teaching.”

With his injury always overlooking his life Roemensky continues to live along side with hockey, though he was never able to play in a game again he’ll continue to coach for years to come.

Sidelined. See how these seniors are coping with their injuries inside of school.

28 horoscopes Murmur October 11, 2013

What the future might bring

Going deep into the heart of Kettering to figure out students’ thoughts on the topic of predicting the future

BY JULIE DENNIS Staff Writer

The 7th hour bell rings at exactly 2:28 PM ending sthe school day for Sophomore Cheyenne Flores. She grabs her books and rushes through the crowds to get to her locker; Flores swings her backpack onto to her back and heads out the doors. Flores finds her mom’s car and jumps in.

“I usually get home around 3pm,” Flores said. “ As soon as I get home I check my horoscope, this is my daily routine.”

For Flores, checking her horoscope brings her hope.

“Everytime I check my horoscope it’s right on,” Flores said.

For Flores this is a way of life. “ My horoscopes always describe who I am,” Flores said. “They always relate to my life and what is going on.”

But for some people, this is not entirely true.

T h e topic of horoscopes and psychics has always brought a group of skeptics along with a group of hard core believers. Both with strong personal beliefs of their side of the argument. People have strongly been fighting both sides of this argument, but do they really understand how horoscopes work or were they come from?

So let’s go deep down into the world of horoscopes and find out if they are real.Well to answer that question we should look at how they are made.

First off astrology is the study of the influence that distant cosmic objects have on human’s lives.

The positioning of the sun, stars, moon and planets are said to be able to shape someone’s personality, have effect on their relationship and predict their fortunes. A persons “sign” refers to one of twelve constellations of the Zodiac, this is a form of sun-sign astrology.

“I don’t believe in horoscopes,”sophomore Lynsey Dudley said. “Mine never come true, they give you false hope of your future.”

Just like many others, Dudley thinks that horoscopes are made up by some old guy with nothing better to do. It’s hard to believe that the stars or the placing of the planets are able to predict someone's future.

For most students, it’s hard to believe anything or anyone can predict our fate based off of simply where the stars are positioned and when someone was born.

Not only that but there are different horoscopes everywhere, from the internet to the back cover of seventeen magazine. With so many different horoscopes it’s hard for sophomore Hope Earnest not to believe that most of them are made up.

“I strongly disbelieve in horoscopes.There is nothing in the world that is able to predict what is going to happen to a person, it’s up to that person on what they make of their future not a piece of paper,” Earnest said.

Not all people are as skeptical as Dudley and Earnest.

Some people This strongly believe is the simplest in and support form of astrology because horoscopes, all you need is someone’s birthsuch as junior day to generate a sun-sign horoscope.

Jon Yudasz.

This often produces an inaccurate read“I think ing that you will find in newspapers. To horoscopes produce a more accurate reading, that is more are true likely to come true takes more work to my life Astrologers check to see what sign each planet was and what is in at the time of birth. happening,” The planets and signs combine with other eleYudasz said. ments, like houses and angles. After everything is In most combined together the outcome is very complex cases, it deand often very specific profile of a person’s perpends on how sonality, relationship and future. you were raised.

If someone gets an accurate reading than If you were a person’s horoscope is said to come true. surrounded by Horoscopes can’t scientifically be able to people who believe or decide if they are true/fake. It’s up disbelieve then your to a person’s own beliefs. beliefs are going to be shaped in that way.

“I strongly believe in horo-

scopes, the positioning of the planets “My horoscopes influences always describe who I p e o p l e ’s futures,” am,” Cheyenne Flores senior said. “They always Kaitlyn relate to my life and Pawley said. what is going on.”

Some of the students have very strong feelings about horoscopes, feelings so strong that they live their everyday life based on horoscopes. They look at their horoscope for guidance and advice.

So do students at Waterford Kettering actually have their horoscopes coming true? The answer is yes! Certain folks have their horoscopes come true on the daily, others every now and then.

“My horoscopes mostly come true, one time it was telling me that my day was going to be hectic and it turned out to be,” Pawley said.

Not all people have their horoscopes come true day to day. People such as junior Leyla Wolf only have their horoscopes come true every now and then.

“My horoscope only comes true when I have a bad or negative. My horoscope said ‘Don't share your secret or it will just come back and get you’, and I'm just waiting for the results because, a secret spilled out from me and now I'm worried.” said Wolf.

Despite whether or not someone believes in horoscopes, it seems that most people at Kettering find that horoscopes are interesting and fun to read.

“I think that horoscopes are fun, but not something to base life off of,” senior Zoe Ricker said.

“I strongly believe in horoscopes, the positioning of the planets influences people’s futures,” Kaitlyn Pawley said.

Murmur October 11, 2013

Aries-

March 21- April 20 “I do not believe in horoscopes, I don’t think that it could tell me how my day is going to go.”

“I do however think that my zodiac sign describes me.”

Tyler Rodriguez

Leo-

July 24- August 23 “I kinda believe in horoscopes, I don’t think they are something to live by.”

“I don’t really think my Zodiac sign defines me.”

Chris Trenda

Sagittarius-

Nov 23- Dec 22 “I strongly believe that Sagittarius describes my personality and who I am.”

Mariah Davis

Taurus-

April 21- May 21 “ I do believe horoscopes are real, I also think that my zodiac sign is true to my personality.”

Emily Martin

Virgo-

August 24- September 23 “I do not think any of that horoscope stuff is true, only you can impact your own future.”

Robert Whittie

Capricorn-

Dec 23- Jan 20 “I don’t really believe in horoscopes. I haven’t checked my horoscope in years.”

“If I check my horoscope, I check them the day after.”

Lori Groff

Gemini-

May 22- June 21 “I don’t believe horoscopes are realistic to who I am as a person.”

“The Gemini does not describeme at all.”

David Gallaty

Libra-

September 24- October 23 “I don’t believe in horoscopes, I don’t see how they could be made.” “ I do not think that the Libra descibes me very well.”

Mitchell Brentc

Aquarius-

Jan 21- Feb 19 “Horoscopes are not real, I am my own person.”

Aliyah Howard

horoscopes 29

Cancer-

June 22- July 23 “I’m too busy to check my horoscope or look up my Zodiac sign, it just doesnt seem that imporatnt to me,” Kayla Pelker

Scorpio-

October 24- November 22 “I think that the Scorpio describes me pretty well, I don’t check my horoscope very often but when I do it seems that it could come true.”

Skylar Waynick

Pisces-

Feb 20- March 20 “I do not think horocopes are real, it doesn’t seem possible for someone to predict the furture.” “ I do think that my Zodiac sign describes me though.”

Ian Terry

30 feature

Murmur October 11, 2013

Over the keyboard and through the screen Minecraft Community speaks about the players’ feelings and population.

BY CHARLIE HENDRICKS Staff Writer

J

oshua Reetz has seen a lot of nice people on his world. He has a lot of trusted players on, and loves helping them out. Many people like Reetz may feel friendly because in some ways, the game can relax them. Other violent games might not have the relaxation Minecraft gives somebody.

“The Minecraft community is quite large,” Reetz, a Minecraft server owner, said.

“It's hard to explain the entire community, but I know on my server I have some kind dedicated players, and it's for them that I keep the server up.”

A Minecraft server is a multiplayer world, or map, that people play on. There are many Minecraft worlds out there for people to play on, whether it’s a private map with friends, or a world that has been posted on many sites where you can search different kinds of worlds, with different kinds of gameplay.

Many servers are building servers, along with PvP (player vs player / organized fighting) and mini-games.

These different kinds of servers really add to the game.

“It's not just building that makes it good, there is also PVP.” James Wei, Minecraft gam-

er said.

Not all people on public multiplayer worlds can be trustworthy, but that is just a small portion of the people. Many servers do have rights, and punishment, but it might not stop that some people. Hopefully updating minecraft will keep them away from causing grief.

“They are used to getting what they want, and when they don't, they resort to griefing,” Reetz said.

When these people log on, they tend to trash talk, destroy things, and may even resort to total server destroying.

Mojang, the company who created Minecraft, also interacts with players while making the game more comfortable. Mojang employees daily tweet about their games and what they are adding. Mojang employees inspiration comes from what the majority of what the community wants, and also releasing it for testing. The community also gives them feedback to the company, letting the people really form the game into something that everyone wants.

Now, of course, the small company of 23 has to take breaks, so they end the testing and suggesting and fixing things, and release everything into an update. so far there has been nearly 80 updates from November 11, 2011 (when Minecraft was first made) till today.

Many people may think just because the game is very interactive with the community, does not mean it makes the game more childish from the younger side of Minecraft players. A lot of mature players are also on the game, making the majority of the community more logical in suggestions.

“I’ve even met people who are 45 years old, it's really a game that can be fun for everyone,” Jan Kind, Minecraft server owner, said.

Minecraft may not seem so popular now, but soon it will. Already, 12.2 million people play the PC version of Minecraft, according to Minecraft.net.

While there are still other platforms including Xbox, Android, and Apple products, Minecraft first originated in PC format, then grew on as it got popular.

Some people record themselves playing Minecraft and post the gameplay on Youtube.

They also make quite a lot of money off of posting. Dozens of people have more than a few million subscribers, and a lot more have around 1 million subscribers. These people are a good way for the community to reach Mojang, making the community a little more wider.

Minecraft is a very extra ordinary game compared to others. finally in the gaming world is a person able to express creativity

Minecraft mix-up

Can you match these monsters from the game to their real name?

1

A

Skeleton: skeletons shoot their enemys,

2

B

Spider: spiders are very fast, big, and hard

3

C

Zombie: zombies can’t step into the sun

4

D

Enderman: Enderman teleport & are

5

E

Creeper:

Answers:

although they are pretty weak upclose. to escape.

but hoard and steal from their pray

hard to defeat, never look in their eyes or they’ll come after you. creepers roam day & night to try and find a victim to blow up.

with friends. Minecraft is a progressing game, unlike others where you have to do one thing.

In Minecraft you chose your own adventure however you want it to, in any way.

Kettering

“I like Minecraft

because it’s like player

Legos on steroids.”

-Brandon Pruente 9

Mojang’s company logo

Mind over Minecraft

Freshman Charlie Hendricks reviews the game popular to many

BY CHARLIE HENDRICKS Staff Writer

M

inecraft is a survival game where players start out trying to survive against all kinds of evil. Players Adventure through their own personal world, or with friends.

They also have their own option on how to play the game or what to do.

There are different kinds of places to go ranging to canyons, savannas,mountains, deserts, plains, swamps, jungles, and much much more.

Minecraft also has a lot of interaction with players, including fighting bosses, riding horses, building with friends, adventuring to far lands, trading with villagers, taming pets, mining for riches, finding abandon strongholds, villages, temples and mineshafts.

My experience in minecraft has been awesome the past 2 years. I’ve bought the game a week after the official release.

I use to follow the snapshots or sneak peeks of the updates, and would know what has been added and taken out. I

like minecraft alot, it has very few flaws.

Some flaws may include lag, but that is just from your own computer, or how it looks, but you can change it simply by downloading a resource pack, I have seen many people say Minecraft is bad, then ending up playing it. Minecraft is a game for everyone because you can do what you want.

There is a wide variety of things to make your imagination real. You can choose what you do, the only thing blocking you is your progress. You can choose whatever you want, limitless.

That is why I like Minecraft.

Inside the game. Charlie Hendricks takes you through Minecraft for a Youtube tutorial on how to play.

1.E 2.C 3.B 4.A 5.D

Murmur October 11, 2013

angle 31

Which store $aves you more...

Murmur staff members do a side-by-side comparison between the two major grocery stores

BY JORDAN FUJARSKI and CHRISTOPHER HABBA Business Manager and Co Editor-in-Chief

A

merica’s favorite pastime, watching TV, has turned into a battleground for super stores across the country.

Television isn't the same anymore when dozens of grocery store commercials are going head to head claiming they each have the lowest prices on all a family needs to stay happy and healthy.

In particular, Wal-Mart and Kroger have been stabbing each other in the back with commercials that advertise all the money that could be saved and benefits customers can receive by shopping at their store.

Though, the debate about who really receives the better deals is best left to the customers.

“Walmart has the more common bulk items for cheap so I usually shop there,” weekly Walmart shopper Todd Olson said.

While Wal-Mart might sell items in bulk, Kroger shopper Sam Bellestri enjoys earning rewards.

“I choose to shop at Kroger because with my plus card I receive great deals and enjoy the free fuel points,” Bellestri said.

Recently, Wal-Mart’s commercials have been targeting Kroger as their biggest competition. WalMart has been comparing their prices side by side to Kroger’s prices in an attempt to show the nation that they truly have the lowest prices. If they don’t, they claim they will match it at the register with no questions asked, thus being loyal to

their personal “low price guarantee”.

“I’m a regular shopper at Walmart and use the price match option during times like the holidays in order to get everything on my list without making multiple trips to different stores to get the best deals,” said Wal-Mart shopper Steve Hershauer.

While Walmart offers a price match guarantee, Kroger offers a loyalty program which earns loyal customers fuel points on their total purchase.

When you use your Kroger Plus Card, Kroger will add one point for every dollar you spend. Upon accumulating 100 points during the month, customers can receive either $0.10 of a gallon of gas at Shell gas stations or up to $1.00 off a gallon of gas at Kroger fuel stations if you were to accumulate 1000 points.

“It’s awesome,” said parent of a former Kettering student, Jim Marlowe. “I use my Kroger Card number every time, last time at the pump I saved $0.30 a gallon,” “Even though it might be cheaper I can’t get everything I need from Krogers like school supplies and electronics,” said Olson.

At the end of the day Walmart customers seem to still want to shop at Walmart because Walmart has all they need. Kroger customers weren't surprised that their store was cheaper. Everyone has their preferences.

W

e decided to clear up the air and go shopping at both Kroger and Walmart.

We bought 19 of the most commonly used brand name items that a normal household would buy on a regular basis.

(Items listed on receipts)

Both stores have their perks but at the end, the savings were not dramatically significant but over the course of a year, the saving will add up.

Hover over this page to watch the full shopping video

32 backpage Murmur October 11, 2013

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5.

3.

6.

On the field action

7.

Photos by Taylor Skelton

1. Junior Kakuan Williams runs the ball to gain yards for the Captains.

2. Junior Jenni Renas dances alongside the field.

3. Senior QB Danny Hubbell gets checked by trainer Brian O’Donnell 4. Varsity football defends against Walled Lake Western.

5. Varsity cheerleader Cassandra James tosses her flyer in the air.

6. Junior Dathon Skelton examines his knee after an injury in soccer.

7. Senior Nicole Stanisz marches during the halftime show.

8. Varsity cheerleaders jump in sequence during a stunt.

8.

4.