October 2015 Murmur, Waterford Kettering High School Student

MURMUR 16

Out with the old, in with the new There were many changes at Kettering High School this summer. Several construction projects and administration changes create an almost entirely new Kettering.

Photo by Kristin Warholak

page

MURMUR Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Warholak

NEWS

The Drift Editor-In-Chief: Calvin Habba

Congested classrooms

Managing Editor: Catherine Habba Assistant Editors-In-Chief: Bridget Ekis, Erin Eggenberger & Brooke Boyer

contents

INDEPTH

4-5

Bubonic plague in Michigan

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Refugees respond to violence

7

Republican versus Democrat

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Illustrator: Rebecca Pagnucco

Who’s choice is it?

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Photo Editor: Veronica Latimer

FEATURE

Sports Editor: Dathon Skelton Design Editor: Hannah Neal Social Media Editor: Ally Pierchala Staff Writers: Jason Acciaioli, Kali Berg, Autumn Busse, Isabella Danca, Alexander Dorcey, Riley Gregart, Audrey Jutis, Andrew Kelly,Baila Lakatos, Dylan Lapham, Bryce Mojica, Benjamin Schwimmer Adviser: Jodie Zwiren

OPINION

What color do you bleed?

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High school jitters put to rest

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A way to give back Captians around the world Slagle fights the silence Ads

Out with the old in with the new 16-19

11 12-13 14 15

Banning our beloved backpacks 20-21 Mining for gold in deeper level learning

ENTERTAINMENT What’s happening

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Falling into fall

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Transformation

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DIY Halloween decorations

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SPORTS Fall’n sports

Waterford Kettering High School 2800 Kettering Dr. Waterford, MI 48329

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Soccer superstar

28-29 30

Sponsors

Jessica Nye, Joe and Monica Acciaioli, Mr.Moore, Jim Searle, Lisa Kollinger, Kimberly Pagnucco, Victoria Davis, Elizabeth Hook, Jodie Zwiren, Kassie Sommer, Mary Lou Ellis, Karen Eddy, Laura Stephens, Charlie Wolfbauer, Gail Stephens, Jim Stephens, Heros (Tim and Nick), The Nowlens

THANK YOU

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 the opinions printed are not those of the administration.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters from the readers are encouraged. Letters may be delivered to room 501 or can be sent to the newspaper’s email address, ketteringmurmur@ gmail.com. All letters are subject to editing of grammatical and 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 through the Kettering phone number. The Murmur editorial board has the right to refuse any inappropriate advertising.

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

STAFF EDITORIALS are written by the staff and include the combined opinion of the full staff.

THE MURMUR

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Letter from the Editor

W

elcome to the new Murmur for the 2015-2016 school year.

My name is Kristin Warholak and I am the new Editor-in-Chief.

This year, the Murmur looks to be an entertaining news outlet for the students of Kettering (and people of Waterford in general) to turn to.

As Editor, I hope to be able to lead the staff in doing that.

This year, we have made a few changes to the Murmur. For starters, we have a new section called A&E. It stands for Arts and Entertainment. This change was made in order to organize the paper. There was a fuzzy line of where art news should go in our paper; news, feature, entertainment?

Well we hope that it is clear now. It goes in the Art section.

Additionally, we decided that this year we will have three Assistant Editors-inChief on staff. The idea is that having more people in charge of the tasks, we

will be a stronger paper, for you, our readers.

The final, and probably the most important, change the Murmur made this year is that we got a new adviser. Brian Wilson, the man who created the Murmur 12 years ago, accepted a job in San Francisco and placed Kettering’s beloved newsmagazine in the hands of well, me.

The Murmur found out towards the end of the school year that the Broadcasting adviser, Jodie Zwiren, would be teaching Journalism.

These huge changes in our class inspired us. A lot changed over the summer, didn’t it? Those three changes for the Murmur and then more...

The new road, the new concession stand, the new science labs, the new connected hallway, the new superintendent, the new assistant principal and the new dean of AC. This edition, the Murmur staff collectively

decided that the indepth needed to be about all the changes at Kettering. If we had not made this the indepth, we wouldn’t have been fully reporting the news the way we have promised to.

Therefore, our indepth is all new.

We realize that our readers look forward to our (usually) hard hitting, controversial indepths and we plan to do some of those in the future.

We really hope that as a staff, we are able to deliver the news and stories you want. And if you feel like we’re doing a bad job, don’t be afraid to let us know.

We accept, and encourage letters to the Editor. If you write us one, we’ll print it right here on this page.

Thanks for being loyal readers and we hope that through all these changes, you continue to love our publication.

Kristin Warholak

!

FOLLOW US & VISIT OUR WEBSITE Twitter: @WaterfordDrift Instagram: @WaterfordDrift Vine: Waterford Drift www.WaterfordDrift.com

Take polls, flip through recent photos, and read all the stories in this issue online

OCTOBER 22, 2015

3

Congested

THE MURMUR

NEWS

For many, class sizes have increased tremendously this year and

BY Calvin Habba Drift Editor-In-Chief calvinhabba18@waterforddrift.com

Overcrowded classrooms are an epidemic that are affecting many students and teachers. If there are over 35 students in your class, then you might be affected by overcrowded classrooms. Some symptoms include: frustration, stress, annoyance and pressure.

“There are a lot of other students in my class and it’s hard for my teachers to check in homework and get classwork done,” Junior Riley Stampfer said. “There are also a lot of distractions and it gets really gross-smelling and hot.”

Being able to connect with each individual student is a necessity when it comes to education, and that is hard to do when there are over 35 kids in a class that is only 50 minutes long.

“I don’t have as much one-on-one time to conference with my students,” math teacher Stephanie Donelko said. “When I walk around to check homework, I try to give an adequate amount of time to each student and since I have more students than usual, I have to lessen that time which is valuable time that a student needs to get extra help on a homework problem or to work through things that they are struggling with.”

Class sizes have increased tremendously throughout the years.

The class capacity for an average core class is roughly 29 students, according to the agreement between the Waterford School District and the Waterford Education Association.

It is hard to get a good education when there are a lot of kids in a class, especially when there are not enough resources for all the students.

n

I teach LA III and I teach AP World History, In AP World I have 19 kids in one class and two classes with 30 kids. In LA III I have a class of 24 and a class of 34.

Plus I feel like I get to know the smaller classes a little bit better than I do my larger classes.

Natalie Britten, History teacher

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“I feel classrooms should be smaller for teachers and students sake, it will improve the school,” sophomore Olivia O’Brien said. “Also, there are so many students around you that are having side conversations which makes it difficult to concentrate.”

The amount of students in computer labs have increased as well.

More students are interested in taking computer-based courses.

“When I started teaching I had around 25-26 students in my class so there was always an extra computer,” computer teacher Tony Miller said. “Lately it’s been more around 30 kids so I’ve had full classes, this year, I’ve been getting it scheduled where there are 32-33 which is tough because there will be kids that will have to pair up or will not have a computer one day.”

Class sizes have increased so much that some teachers are teaching seven hours a day, five days a week. All in addition to the time they spend grading papers after school.

“It was originally set up where I was teaching six classes in the computer lab and my seventh class was my conference period, but recently with the overage of my web class with 44 kids, they split that into a fourth and fourth hour so now I am teaching during my conference period,” Miller said. “It is hard, last year I did it and I questioned whether I wanted to do it again because it takes a lot of my time to get things done. That extra hour for grading would help, but I usually stay about an hour after school to get things done.”

The amount of students in a class has increased so much that there

“

I have classes where there are more students than there are enough chairs, and in other classes we don’t even take up half the seats.

It is harder to learn and get help from the teacher when there are a bunch of students in a class.

Gage Percival, 10

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OCTOBER 22, 2015

NEWS

classrooms

THE MURMUR

it is effecting the way teachers teach and the students learning aren’t enough chairs for each student. Space is needed for students to get a good education.

“There is just not enough physical space for students to be actively put into groups. I personally had to bring in extra tables into my classroom to accommodate the rest of my students,” Donelko said. “In my classroom, not everyone gets their own desk, some students have to share space on either a circular table or another table.”

More and more students are becoming sick as a result of overcrowded students. This is because there are students sitting very close to each other and spreading germs. “ I am definitely flying through Kleenex, a lot of sneezes and coughs,” Miller said. “The attendance has been a little lower. Some classes missing two or three kids and some have four or five kids missing.”

It is hard for a student to fully focus in a lecture when there are many other students in the room creating a distraction. Teachers also need to spend more time planning lessons to fit their tight schedule, which could potentially use up class time.

“Sometimes teachers don’t get through the lessons on time because they have so many kids to keep track of and they have to make sure everyone is paying attention and understanding the lesson,” Stampfer said.

Students have noticed that overcrowded classrooms are effecting their teachers as well.

“The Teacher does not usually finish the lessons on time because more people have questions,” Sophomore Gage Percival said.

Many classes in Kettering are not equally distributed. Some have more than others.

“It seems like there is not enough time to get to every student, when students have questions it takes a little bit longer because I might not be able to get over right away,” history and language arts teacher Natalie Britten said.

Some students suffer greatly due to uneven class sizes.

“It is not fair to have over 40 students in a class compared to classes with under 20 because not everyone gets an equal learning opportunity,” Percival said.

Even with the new science labs that were built over the summer, they have been jam-packed with students this year.

“It’s hard to do experiments in my science class because the lab is filled with people,” Junior Christian Rush said. “The teachers cannot focus as much on you or every single person.”

The administration is noticing an increase in students as well.

“We have had a lot of students chose to come back to Kettering,” principal Jeffery Frankowiak said. “We also have had a substantial population that has decided to come from private schools because they want more options for electives and opportunities.”

According to the Waterford School District website, the ninth grade class has 370 students and the 10th grade class has 382 students. The 11th grade class has 368 students and the 12th grade class has 344 students.

Overcrowded classes

OCTOBER 22, 2015

All photos taken by Audrey Jutis

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THE MURMUR

NEWS

Bubonic plague in michigan A deadly disease has come to michigan

BY REBECCA PAGNUCCO Staff Writer rebeccapagnucco@waterforddrift.com

M

ichigan health officials have confirmed the first known case of the bubonic plague in Marquette County. Michigan Health and Human Services confirmed to what seems to be 14 known cases nationwide in 2015.

The bubonic plague is a deadly disease spread by fleas.

The first case of the bubonic plague was in Europe during the Middle Ages. Also known as the "Black Death", the bacterial disease killed millions of people; but never really went away. Symptoms include enlarged, tender, and painful lymph nodes, sudden onset fevers, chills, fatigue and muscle aches. These symptoms can appear between two to seven days.

The bacteria, Yersinia pestis, was found in fleas and rats. The plague is zoonotic, which means it can be passed to humans by animals, mostly through bites. If caught treatment has to start immediately to prevent life threatening issues.

“Horrible to say the least. People feared for their lives, everyone was avoiding everyone

else, and people were dying left and right.

It’d be hard to say there was a worse time in history,”said junior Landon Smith.

Originally, the plague started in Asia and travelled to Sicily, Italy through trading ships in 1347. When the ships docked, the sailors aboard were either dead or

“

I was aware that it had occurred elsewhere, but not in Michigan.

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Makayla Cerny,12 very ill. They had fevers, couldn't keep food down, and had black boils filled with pus and blood. Even though Sicilian authorities ordered the ships away, they were too late.

Within the next five years, the plague spread throughout Europe and killed over 20 million people, about one-third of the world's population. The disease was very efficient. Perfectly healthy people who went to bed could be dead the next morning.

Although the risk factor is low, it is still possible to contract the disease. Depending on where you live and travel can increase your chances.

"I was aware that it had occurred elsewhere, but not in Michigan," senior Makayla Cerny said. The affected Marquette County adult caught the disease while on vacation in Colorado. Colorado, along with New Mexico and Arizona, have been mostly affected by this plague.

Officials say there is no need for alarm, despite the disease's deadly past.

"Maybe finding a vaccination to prevent it from spreading to other people. Also, teaching people the symptoms of it," senior Emily Martin said. Although the disease is not as deadly as it was in the 1300s, it is still possible to die from the bubonic plague if not caught early enough. There is a treatment, but it is not released to the public.

Ways to prevent yourself from catching this disease are refraining from traveling to affected areas, checking sheets and pets for fleas, blocking off your house from rodents

Howto prevent the plague Avoid traveling to affected areas to lower risk of contraction

“Ring Around the Rosie” is based on the black death

Block off your house from rodents Illustrations and pictures by Rebecca Pagnucco

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OCTOBER 22, 2015

NEWS

THE MURMUR

Refugees respond to violence A look into the topic of Middle Eastern refugees

BY AUTUMN BUSSE Staff Writter autumnbusse@waterforddrift.com

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million desperate Middle Eastern men, women and children are being forced to up and leave their homes and possessions, as they set off to experience a better way of living. Daily, a booming estimation of 42,000 continue to flee and search for rescue in Europe. Due to war, unnecessary violence, and unfair treatment from their governments, they make the courageous decision to get out while they can.

Many will travel by rickety, makeshift rafts and small boats across the Mediterranean Sea in search of refuge and others will go by crowded trains leading into packed Hungar-

ian stations. Families, forced to sleep on hard roads and sidewalks, flooding the streets with crowds of overflowing foreigners. Begging for temporary homes, food, clean water, and support, these people are suffering. Tourist towns are packed tight together with occupied tents.

“What is happening to these groups of innocent people is a world tragedy and hopefully we can find a way to help them,” senior Mary Flesher said.

They all live in constant fear of deportation.

Syrians make up the largest group of people from the Middle East who have taken it

2.59

million

Afghani people are involved in the refugee crisis

401,400 Iraqi people are involved in the refugee crisis

1.1

million

Somalian people are involved in the refugee crisis

12 million

There are over

Facts courtesy of http://millionsoulsaware.org/

OCTOBER 22, 2015

upon themselves to search for a better life.

In Lebanon, one in 13 people are a Syrian refugee. About four million Syrian occupants, which is just around a fifth of Syria’s actual population have left, mostly due to the war that began in 2011.

Easily understood, they fled due to ISIS, chemical weapons, the Taliban, human sex trafficking, along with various forms of human torture. The vast majority of the Syrian refugees have been relocated to overcrowded, unsanitary camps in the neighboring countries.

refugees worldwide

How does Europe feel about the sudden over population?

Many Europeans feel on edge with the sudden boom in population. Much like some Americans feel with immigrants, they worry that jobs will be taken, leaving them with limited access to financial security, along with their general wellbeing and countries security being at risk. With so many Middle Eastern foreigners coming into a new country, the Europeans feel they could be taken as a target while terrorists, such as ISIS or the Taliban, could move in and cause great threats.

This will most likely play a major part on the decision of what will happen to them.

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THE MURMUR

NEWS

Political Parties of Kettering

Students pick sides before the presidential election in 2016

BY ANDREW KELLEY Staff Writer andrewkelley@waterforddrift.com

O

ver the summer, politicians, businessmen, and society’s elites announced their campaigns for presidency. Among them included the expected, like Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump. This caused a lot of people to start thinking about politics, including those who haven’t voted before, and might be voting soon.

WKHS sports many different political views.

From the most conservative Republicans to the most liberal of Democrats, and all the views in between. The two main parties have different views, and exceedingly different candidates.

Republicans are extremely conservative, meaning they value older ideas and morals, personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, and individual liberty. Candidates include Jeb Bush, Donald Trump, and Rand Paul.

“The Democratic Party is too focused on spending funds on global warming and helping

other countries,” sophomore Cody Lowen said. When asked his favorite candidate, he replied, “Definitely Trump. He says what’s on his mind, and others don’t. My parents don’t like him, but I do.”

Democrats, on the other hand, are particularly liberal, meaning they value newer, more progressive ideas. Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity, and that the government should solve problems. Front runners include Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden.

“I believe conservative thoughts just don’t get the job done as well as liberal ones,” sophomore Taylor Craft said. “I can’t say Hillary is my favorite candidate, which is the usual answer, because I don’t know enough about her, the same goes for the other candidates.”

There are some who have no preferred political party. They can be classified as Independents. Candidates can be those who haven’t secured their party’s vote, or someone

5 Easy Steps to Becoming...

POLITICAL POLL AT KETTERING

12% 18%

70% POLITICAL POLL U.S.

REPUBLICAN Step 1: Be INDEPENDENT Step 2: Have MORAL STRENGTH Step 3: Help those that HELP THEMSELVES Step 4: Only the STRONGEST SURVIVE Third Party Step 5: Put FREEDOM FIRST Democrat Republican

24% 39% 8

37%

from a completely different party altogether.

Some famous Independents include Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ron Paul.

Sophomore Joshua Dufort is an Independent.

“I prefer to determine what is right through my own logical views.” Though he is an Independent, his favorite candidate is Bernie Sanders, a Democrat.

In a poll taken at Kettering, results showed 70 percent of students have a Democratic lean, 18 percent with a Republican lean, and only 12 percent of students going Independent or third party. This adds to the national average, with 39 percent of Americans Democratic, 37 percent Republican, and the remaining 24 percent Independent or third party. Kettering’s polls, however, don’t add up with Michigan’s, with it being a mostly Republican state. The population of students are drifting away from the views of their elders, resulting in a large difference between this generation and the previous.

DEMOCRATIC

Step 1: Be FULFILLED Step 2: Have EMPATHY Step 3: Help those that CAN’T HELP THEMSELVES Step 4: ALL FOR ONE and ONE FOR ALL Step 5: Put EQUALITY FIRST OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

FEATURE

What color do you bleed?

A look into the states elite football programs

BY JASON ACCIAIOLI

jasonacciaioli@waterforddrift.com Staff Writer

History of the rivalry Since 1898, Michigan and Michigan State football programs have played 107 times. Michigan has won 68 times, Michigan State has won 34, and they have tied five. Despite the wins and losses, many people look forward to the rivalry every year. Mostly for the traditions, the anticipation leading up to the game, the smack talk, the parties, and of course, bragging rights.

There are many different types of fans, from the die hards, to “bandwagons,” to simply the casual supporter. However, nearly everyone picks a side when it comes to that fateful Saturday in October.

“I don’t have a problem with Michigan unless they are playing Michigan State,” sophomore Alex Schieck said.

It appears that green and white of Kettering bleeds across fan lines.

Spartan stadium full on a game day

Origin of fandom 59%

41%

A survey out of 100 students finds that 59 percent support Michigan State, whereas 41 percent support Michigan.

So what makes a Michigan fan a Wolverine at heart, or a Michigan State fan a sparty?

"The rest of my family are Michigan fans," sophomore Mitchell Charles said, When asked where his fandom sprouted from, "I was kind of born into being a Michigan fan."

No matter the origin, no one can deny there is tension between the fans of both teams. Between the students of the two schools, there have been several acts of delinquency. Prior to the 2014 rivalry game, a Michigan player spiked a spear in the field at the Spartan Stadium. This year, Michigan students have already vandalized the Sparty Statue. The students and the die hard fans get very involved in the rivalries.

Reason for hope and a shot at glory Currently, the football programs at both schools are both on the rise.

Michigan State, ranked in the top five at the time of this publication, has their best chance at their first National Championship since 1966. The Mark Dantonio led team has one of the best offense-defense compliments in the nation.

Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, the program, while historically one of the greatest in college football, has not had much recent success, going 3140 over the past seven years (only beating the Spartans one time in that span.) There is reason for hope however, as the program recently hired Jim Harbaugh who holds a reputation of being one of the best coaches in all of football. He is expected to bring the program back to victory real quick.

“The Big House” on game day

OCTOBER, 22 2015

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THE MURMUR

FEATURE

High school jitters put to rest

Freshmen talk about their transition from middle school into high school

BY BROOKE BOYER

Assistant Editor-in-Chief brookeboyer17@waterforddrift.com

I

f you’re a WKHS student and you’re reading this, you’re either a freshman or have been one before. Whether you’re walking into high school or on your way out, there is something you will never forget about high school: freshmen year.

Everything is newer, and bigger. You have this idea in your head of what high school should be like, socially and academically.

“I pictured high school as very hard but it’s been surprisingly easy in class,” freshman Demetrius Scandrick said.

While everyone has his or her own views several freshman did not have a positive outlook going into high school. Similar to Scandrick, freshman Kaite Grant also had a negative perception of the transition. She thought it would be a place with a lot of bullying.

“I was totally wrong,” Grant said. “Kettering is very chill, because no one really cares about anyone but themselves, but in a good way. No one really cares what you do, and they’re not judgemental.”

Linking My LINK leader has helped me inside and outside of school.

Inside school if I need help with something she always tries to help me, outside school she is always there for me too. Without her my transition into high school would have been a lot worse.

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Being this involved with my freshmen has made me stronger as a leader.

I’m making a difference in them.

I hope that I have impacted them well and my goal is to make them feel better at this school. Being in LINK Crew has helped me become a better person, I’m not as selfish anymore.

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about high school have most likely completely changed.

“Compared to when I was a freshman, I know a lot more and the idea of high school is not as intimidating and I know a lot more about Kettering,” Senior Sarah Antonelli said.

Antonelli says high school is not what everyone makes it out to be, that it is made out to be something better than it is.

“It’s not like it is in the movies, it’s all about what you make of it,” Antonelli said.

There is a generalization that every freshman will get lost on their first day of high school. How true is this?

Grant says when she walked into Kettering on the first day of school, she was afraid of getting lost.

“A year ago I’d always pictured high school as very big, but getting around has been a lot easier for me,” Grant says. “I’ve been adjusting well.”

Together

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Savannah Eve, 9

While Grant was worrying about high school expectations, freshman Nathan Karns is adjusting to the more lenient rules.

“High school is a lot more fun because you have more freedom,” said Karns. “You get to go on your phones more.”

High school rules can vary quite a bit from middle school rules. Whether it is academically or socially.

“In high school they are a lot more strict with your work in class,” Grant said. “They don’t let you turn in late assignments. In middle school, you could turn in an assignment late and still get the same amount of points as turning it in on time.”

Another common rule is cell phones.

Although it varies from teacher to teacher, Grant says the policy is a lot different.

“Using our phones is a lot different that it used to be in middle school,” Grant said.

Most freshmen have a vision in their mind of what high school will bring for them. By time you’re a senior your opinions and generalizations you made as a freshman

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Ivan Contreras, 9

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I choose to be involved with my freshmen because I was never involved with my LINK leader and I was very lost, I didn’t even know what I was here for.

Nevada Posigian,12 10

My LINK leader has helped me feel comfortable. She helps me get through and she’s there for me whenever I need help with anything. Without her I wouldn’t have met new friends or felt comfortable here.

Photo by Bridget Ekis

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Nevada Posigian,12 OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

FEATURE

A great way to give back back A great and easy way to give back to your community.

I

magine never seeing your family, never being allowed to go outside and not even being able to get up without assistance. Sounds pretty miserable, but it's the sad truth for many of the residents at Canterbury-on-the-Lake. A retierment community that is very close to Kettering.

However, there is a way that someone like you can bring happiness into their kind hearted souls.

Volunteering. Volunteering at Canterburyon-the-Lake is about as easy as spending two hours on a Sunday playing cards, but it can make a huge difference in a residents life.

A lot of the residents families and friends are not able to visit often, and this is where the volunteers come in. Volunteers can be that one person that they can count on seeing.

That conversation with them could be the first extensive conversation they have in maybe a week.Perceived loneliness contributes to cognitive decline and risk of dementia. And 50 percent of residents in a senior home do not have relatives visit.

Seniors reports spending just eight to eleven percent of their free time with family and friends. While teenagers spend at least four percent of the day with theirs.

For us teens it's hard to imagine not seeing friends or family for that long, we depend on family and friends for a lot of things.

OCTOBER 2015

It's important for us as young adults to be as involved in the community as possible.

With Canterbury being about two minutes from the school it's a great way to get involved and do some community service.

If people do not commit to filling the gap between both ends of the age spectrum there will be a never ending cycle of indifference.

What's in it for you? Well a lot of things.

It looks great on a college application.

Colleges love a well rounded student.

Volunteering and doing community service is a great way to show that you are well rounded. Not to mention if you do get over a hundred hours by your senior year there will be a scholarship to any college. The best reason is just the fact that it makes you feel good. You know you are helping your community.

"I love volunteering because you really get to bond with the residents and you can tell how much they appreciate you being there," senior Dalton Thamer said.

“We always need help running the gift shop and the salon. You can help transport residents to and from activities and church services. You can have one one visits with residents as well. Some volunteers do not want to have any contact with residents.

So we find other things for them to do like detailing our transportation fleet.”

Kathy Krause, pavilion service/volunteer coordinator said. If you are interested in volunterring please call 248-674-9292.

BY RILEY GREGART Staff Writer rileygregart@waterforddrift.com

Q&A

With Jenny Paulsen

Q: What is your favorite thing about volunteering at canterbury?

A: “My favorite thing about volunteering at canterbury on the lake is meeting the residents there and being able to help them with anything that they need.”

Q: Have you bonded with any opf the residents? Who? A: “I have bonded with many of the residents at canterburty but one in particular is Fran. She will come into the store sometimes and we will just talk about whats going on in her life.”

Q: Why do you volunteer?

A: “I volunteer to help people and help make their lives easier.”

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THE MURMUR

FEATURE

Captains around Foreign exchange students adapt to school at WKHS

E

very fall, students come back to the same boring school year.

They expect to come back to the same classrooms, teachers and students, that they are used to. On the other hand, for some, another school year is a whole new world.

At the start of each year many new students roam the halls, some of these students are from places that most of WKHS have only seen on maps and discussed in history class.

Foreign exchange students join the student body taking on a new life in America.

The foreign exchange program, which started several years ago, initially had between two and five students. In the past few years, Ket-

tering has hosted up to fourteen students.

In order to get to Kettering, “The family from the [foreign country] fills out an application, goes through a screening process and pays a fee to be accepted,” Ms. Stepanski, advisor of the program said. “Their English skills have to be up there, then they get visas, then they can come to the country and stay for a specific amount of time.”

Emma Stengenborg, a foreign exchange student thinks that schools in America are a lot different from schools in her hometown in Denmark.

“You can’t compare the schools, there so different. Kettering’s a lot bigger,” junior Emma Stengenborg said.

The foreign exchange program offers great opportunities for everyone

Home countries of Kettering’s

Germany

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. . .

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Denmark

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. . .

Taiwan

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Paula Enzweiler, 11 Germany

...

Italy

. . . . . . . .

Emma Anderson, 11 Denmark

OCTOBER 22, 2015

FEATURE

the w

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rld

BY ALEXANDER DORCEY & CATHERINE HABBA Staff Writter & Managing editor alexanderdorcey@waterforddrift.com catherinehabba@waterforddrift.com Illustrations By Rebecca Pagnucco Photos By Veronica Latimer and Bridget Ekis

involved. While the foreign exchange students learn new things about the American culture every day, Kettering students have the chance to learn about cultures across the world as well.

“I love it, I think it’s a great way for us to get to know about other cultures and other people, and see how others can come together,” senior Mikayla Scott said.

“It’s good for American students to see how other kids live and see what they think of the U.S,” Stepanski said.

The foreign exchange students are introduced to a completely different culture and environment with little time to adjust before their first day of school.

“In Denmark we stay in the same room all day with the same people,” Stengenborg said. “I have been in the same class with the same twenty people for ten years.”

“I feel like that isn’t a good system because it restricts students ability to interact with other students outside the classroom,” junior Dan Martz said.

Many new friends, and memories are made by the foreign exchange program. It is a great opportunity for students and teachers at WKHS. It opens up a new world of cultures, and is a great learning experience for all students.

foreign exchange students

Thiland

Spain

. . . . . . . . . . .

Vietnam

South Korea

. .. ........

Tue Tran, 12 Vietnam

...

OCTOBER 22, 2015

..

Julien Celeste, 12 France

..

France

13

The Murmur

Feature

Slagle fights the silence Junior Austin Slagle speaks out about his rare vocal disease

BY AUDREY JUTIS Staff Writer audreyjutis@waterforddrift.com

J

unior Austin Slagle sits in band spiritless, watching everyone else warm up their instruments while he sits in silence. For months Slagle hasn't been able to play his french horn because of a rare disease that has attacked one of his vocal cords paralyzingly it. This causes his voice to sound airy and quiet, making it difficult for him to do normal things like playing his instrument or speaking in front of class.

Slagle’s rare condition known as vocal laryngitis is unusual to see in people his age.

Slagle’s specialist said that most of the people who have it are usually older, little kids who tend to scream for long periods of time, or most commonly singers and performers.

With disease comes pain, however Slagle admits that his vocal condition is not painful.

“It’s not painful at all, just after talking for a

long time my voice gets tired because I run out of air really fast.” Slagle said.

Slagle has been seeing a doctor at the University of Michigan who has been working on finding a way to cure his paralyzed vocal cord, however minimal progress has been made.

In hopes of finding a successful treatment, Slagle and his family are planning on traveling to Philadelphia where they will visit one of the top specialist in the world to get a new perspective on hsi condition. There in Philidelphia they will find out if he is eligible to get a surgery that can potentially restore his vocal chord functions.

After Slagle’s dad lost his job and his sister lost her racing sponsorship, his mom is now the only source of income. In efforts of raising money for Slagle's treatments, they made a

Fast facts on Vocal Paralysis

GoFundMe account in order to get the money for the first appointment in Philadelphia.The cost for an initial appointment can cost up to $2500. His surgery could cost between $10,000 and $30,000.

"We've done the GoFundMe account buts it's not much" Slagle said.

Without the surgery in Philadelphia, There is a slight chance that Slagle’s voice will return to normal by the time he is 21 if he doesn’t get the surgery, but only time will tell.

"I don't even know how it feels like to have my voice anymore,” Slagle said “It's kind of like going blind, after two years you just get kind of used to it.”

Slagle has given up huge parts of his life in attempts to salvage his vocal chords, however without the surgery, his futrue is unclear.

2.

Occurs when one or both of the vocal folds don’t open or close properly.

Paralysis of both vocal fols is rare and can be life threatening.

Vocal folds are two elastic bands of muscle tissue located inthe larynx (vocal box).

Vocal paralysis may be caused by injury to the head, neck, or chest.

Vocal fold paralysis is usually diagnosed by an otolaryngologist. the most common treatments for vocal fold paralysis are voice therapy and surgery.

14

October 22, 2015

ADS

OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

15

NEWNE

BY BEN SCHWIMMER, BRYCE MOJICA, & KRISTIN WARHOLAK Staff Writers and Editor-in-Chief benjaminschwimmer@waterforddrift.com brycemojica@waterforddrift.com kristinwarholak@waterforddrift.com

EWNEW

THE MURMUR

INDEPTH

UNDER CONSTRUCTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION

In the past few years, Kettering made many new improvements to the school. Just three years ago, a new football stadium was built and just last year, teachers received iPads and new TVs. Here is a look at the three most recent changes.

One of the most recent changes at Kettering is the new science labs.

“The new labs were a good investment in our students and teachers,” said assistant principal Ken Milch. Milch isn’t the only one who likes the new labs “Students should have a good and clean environment,”said sophomore Brianna Seiferlein. They come with multiple new features that are better for learning, such as new desks, sinks, chairs, gas pumps, power outlets, and equipment. With these new features, students will be having a better experience in the new labs.

The new tables in the labs are more advanced than the old tables,

they have more space to work on.

Teachers think that the new labs are more beneficial for the students as well and that the students will be more engaged in the activities that they are working on.

When the labs started getting built, it caused a lot of distractions.

They were being built in between the 200 and 400 halls during the last month of school.

Multiple teachers had to move their classrooms or swap classrooms with a science teacher because they had no use for the labs. However, construction is now finished and Kettering is now left with state of the art science labs.

The second entrance has been the talk of the town for a while, the entrance has been closed off until the school opened it back up to the students and the public.

When the school opened the road back up, they had resurfaced the road for a clean drive.

The have built a pathway for pedestrians to walk down as well as a road for the cars to drive down as they enter the school.

The school has reopened this road hoping for less traffic for Kettering when students are arriving and leaving the school in the morning and afternoon. The roads are also useful for pedestrians going to the pool and fitness center.

This may also prove effective while football games are going on, as the popularity of football game rises so does the traffic at Kettering when leaving, but with the new road, traffic maybe more regulated. In the upcoming year, this road will be very useful with the booming traffic at Kettering.

Most people who attend sporting events in Jim Larkin Stadium are used to purchasing conessions from a tent. The summer construction, brought about big changes for the snack lovers. “We have plenty of room to set up the consession operation for all of our sporting events and activities in the stadium,” said principal Jeffrey Frankowiak. The indoor area has a triple sink and two sliding windows. “The wonderful food services windows will give us two lines for food operation,” Frankowiak said. In addition, there is “plenty of room for all of the food to be placed on the countertop,” Frankowiak said.

Photos by Kristin Warholak and Veronica Latimer

18

OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

INDEPTH

NEW YEAR NEW FACES A look into the staff changes that occured over the summer Along with the many new places that came to Kettering this year, Andrea Steaban is the new dean of the Academic Center. Although she’s new to Kettering, many students may already know her from Pierce, where she taught math in seventh and eighth grade classes and science in sixth grade. Steaban also taught third grade at Burt elementary school.

Incoming freshmen like seeing a familiar face according to freshman Jake Johnson.

“I had her in eighth grade for Algebra one,” Johnson said. “She teaches at a fast pace but I was able to learn well and I really enjoyed having her.”

Sophomore Caden Pawczuk also was

happy to hear Steaban is at Kettering now.

“I had Mrs. Steaban for seventh grade math,” Pawczuk said. “She is pretty cool and really funny so it made her teaching enjoyable and easier to learn. I’m glad she’s here, It’s cool that I’m able to see her again.”

Steaban’s transition from middle school to high school has been going smooth so far.

“It has gone really well.” Steaban said. “It’s really cool seeing kids I’ve had in the past at Pierce and at Burt where I started teaching. I really like Kettering so far, I enjoy teaching older kids because by high school you have developed your own personality and are more mature.”

Another new year came with new jobs.

Shelley Werthman, our former Academic Center dean, is now the assistant principal. Werthman, has been a part of Kettering for five years. She has contributed to the great learning environment Kettering has today.

“When I arrived at

Former superintendent Mr. Silveri announced he would be retiring effective July 1st, 2015. The school board then began the search for a new superintendent after his announcement. Dr. Keith Wunderlich was a clear choice for our school board. In 2010, he was appointed superintendent of New Haven Community schools, where he increased enrollment, reduced the deficit, and won various state and national awards, including the Michigan School Public Relations Association’s Communicator of the Year award. Prior to his job in New Haven, Wunderlich also served as an assistant superintendent in L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, and principal of Leggett Elementary School, in Waterford.

OCTOBER 22, 2015

The biggest thing Steaban noticed coming from middle school was the lack of “cliques.”

“In middle school everyone has their group of friends they hang out with specifically,” Steaban said.

“Especially by eighth grade you always see kids with the same group.

Here I don’t see it nearly as much.

Kids hangout with different kids which is really cool.”

Steaban who graduated from Kettering in 2000 says she remembers decorating the halls her four years at Kettering and also says it’s her favorite memory from her high school years.

Steaban is a great addition to our new and improved school.

Kettering in 2011 our school culture was not positive. With a team of staff members we attended Positive Behavior Systems Training,” Werthman said. “This is where we developed the Captain Pride posters you see in the Classrooms, hallways, and restrooms in our building.”

Among the stress of a new job there is also excitement for Werthman upon getting the job as assistant principal.

Werthman who has been in

the field of education for 22 years takes pride in making Kettering an adequate place to learn.

“At Kettering it’s exciting to see students move to seven classes during the day where there is consistency from class to class.” Werthman said. “I’m most excited about the positive culture that our students and staff have built here and the impact it has made on the academic success of our students.”

Wunderlich earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree, K-8 Education and K-12 Special Education from Michigan State University, his Master’s Degree in Special Education from University of Michigan, his Education Specialist Degree in Administration and Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Wayne State University.

A new initiative Wunderlich is implementing in the district is called Waterford READS. This initiative will guarantee that all students read at grade level by the time they finish the third grade. “All training, all discussions, and all staff will be working toward this single objective,” says Wunderlich. “We’re raising the academic bar in Waterford. You’re going to notice, and love, the difference.”

Bio from http://www.waterford.k12.mi.us/

19

THE MURMUR

OPINION

Banning our be

A look into why backpacks sh

BY BAILA LAKATOS Staff Writer bailalakatos@waterforddrift.com

B

ackpacks. This seems to be a very popular word coming out of almost every kid in Kettering’s mouths lately. Ever since the “big announcement” on enforcing the backpack rule made by Mr. Frankowiak on Friday September 18th, there has been non-stop talk throughout the halls, in classes, and even on social media.

We all heard the speech on the first day of school, “No backpacks allowed, drawstring bags only.” But let’s be honest people-no one can really fit all of those heavy books in a drawstring backpack.

Since I’ve been told numerous times that I can only use a drawstring bag, I’ve made the effort before to use one instead of a real backpack.

Let me tell you, it’s extremely difficult, and painful.

The whole point of using a backpack is so that you can carry multiple books in it at once, and trying to fit all of my books into that tiny little bag does not work.

Once I finally fit a few books in the bag, it was extremely heavy, and the drawstrings would dig into my shoulders almost like that one bad bra every girl has that pulls down strenuously on your shoulders and makes you want to just cut your shoulders off.

I’ve heard people say administrators claim that a reason they don’t allow backpacks is because of “congested hallways,” but from what I’m seeing, the combination of 1,500 or more students, random desks/

20

filing cabinets, and students stopping at their lockers is the problem, not backpacks.

Another reason I have found other schools banning backpacks is because of safety reasons.

There is a possibility that someone may bring a gun into the school in their backpack.

If you really think about it, there is not a big difference between a person bringing a gun to school in their backpack and putting it inside their locker, or bringing their backpack and keeping it with them. Either way, they are bringing a gun into school, and eliminating backpacks won’t make Kettering any safer.

To add on to school safety, many kids and teachers tend to trip over people’s backpacks while they are sitting on the ground next to their desks. Let me point out, that you can trip over drawstring backpacks as well as regular backpacks.

An easy solution to prevent people stumbling over bags is to simply put the straps of your bag onto your chair, instead of setting them on the ground.

There are other solutions to keeping our school safe like putting metal detectors on the doors and hanging your backpacks on your chair, but prohibiting backpacks is not the way to go, when backpacks can be

OCTOBER 22, 2015

OPINION

THE MURMUR

loved backpacks

ould be allowed in schools beneficial to students, and make the school day easier on them.

Obviously we all know that Kettering is a big school, with lots of students. Since there are so many kids, they have decided to arrange the lockers in alphabetical order. I have the last name of L, so my locker is at the end of the 400 hallway.

Lucky me, all of my classes are mostly in the 200, and 100 hall. I only have six minutes to go from the 200 hall, to my locker, grab my books, and get to my next class on the other side of the school, on time. Trying to do that every day makes me feel like i’m running a race in the Olympics, not taking a normal stroll through the hallways like it should be.

If I were to use my backpack instead of my locker, it would give me a chance to put multiple books in my bag, so I can take time to use the restroom or talk to other teachers if I need to in the short six minutes we are given, instead of rushing all around the school to get from one class to another.

There have been many suggestions for kids to switch lockers if they are having problems with distance like I am, but everyone knows that it takes forever to get a hold of your counselor, and to pick a locker that is not only beneficial to you, but available, especially if there’s enormous amounts of kids trying to switch lockers all at the same time.

Let me get a little deeper into the whole backpack rule in general.

OCTOBER 22, 2015

I took the liberty of looking through the school’s Code Of Conduct, to see if there was any specific rule that prohibited backpacks. I did not find one.

We have all seen the scene where one of our hall monitors will say, “Hey guys, put the backpack back in your locker.” and everyone just rolls their eyes and continues to walk sluggishly through the halls. We have even been that student that rolls their eyes.

On page 10 of the Code of Conduct, it describes insubordination as a level II violation. “Ignoring or refusing to comply with directions or instructions given by school authorities (includes: school district personnel and adult volunteers)...”

When kids refuse to put their backpacks away in their lockers, this would count as insubordination, and therefore would be a valid reason to discipline a student.

In reality, there is no reason for students to be told to put their backpacks away anyway, because there is no rule against them in the Code of Conduct.

In my opinion, backpacks are extremely helpful to the students, and they would make school days smoother, more comfortable, and all around easier so students don’t have to struggle.

21

THE MURMUR

OPINION

Mining for gold in deeper level learning The benefits of why deeper learning is the way to go for American education systems

BY BRIDGET EKIS Assistant-Editor-In-Chief bridgetekis@waterforddrift.com

G

rowing up is tough.

From the second you’re born you are already adapting to change.

Life outside a mother’s womb is tremendously different from what you’ve been used to for the past nine months of your ‘developing existence’.

Once we’ve made it home from the hospital, we’ve already begun evolving in ways that will help us succeed. We are able to recognize our mother’s voice, touch, and even smell by the time we are two to six months of age.

Flash forward to high schoolwhere raging hormones, GPAs, and low test scores dominate your attention.

I’ll be the first to admit that in certain courses throughout high school, I’ve simply muddled my way through the class doing the least amount of work and not fully committing myself.

This form of learning is something I call ‘shallow learning’.

In other words, by obtaining the least amount of information possible, I am able to identify key words on an exam, recall items I have heard of, and memorize the basics of how things work.

Shallow learning will maybe allow you to pass a couple of tests. And the info “learned” will also leave your brain as soon as you are done using it.

I like to think of shallow learning like a timer. Almost as if you are given an allotted amount of time to cram subjects and vocabulary terms in your head, until the day of the test where you blow up and explode all of you built up knowledge on the exam.

From my own experiences, I know I am a shallow learner when it comes to subjects I am not interested in, are required to take, or when I am soley focused on recieving a good grade.

But in the same respect, I understand subjects and

22

the

BEHIND

content better when I am what is known as a deep learner.

I wish more students would also join me in this approach.

I engage heavily in class activities. I ask rigorous questions.

And lastly, I try to stray away from the typical way of how the content is taught to me.

In my AP American Civics course, the majority of text I read is dry and boring. So, to spark interest, or even to benefit my learning ability of a specific concept, I ask questions about how what we are learning is connected to the real world.

I also try to glue together similar bold words that I find in the reading, and ask any questions that arise.

The transformation this method of reading and studying has done for me has helped me become a better student and learner. I no longer seek for the right answer, but rather, why it is the right answer, how it came to be, and what realworld connections it may have.

Research has shown that deeper level learning helps students better prepare for college, acquire higher level people skills, and are more likely to graduate from high school on time.

As far as my communication skills, and preparation for college, I feel as if I am better equipped for the real world, and the challenges I will face within it.

For me, this means more than receiving a good grade.

Maybe I won’t do well on my tests in AP Civics; but maybe I’ll achieve more from the class than an A on my report card.

At the end of the year, that’s all I really care for anyways.

Once again, growing up is tough. The ABCs, and coloring within the lines will only get us so far. However, finding a way to incorporate the simplicity of letters, and the complexity of colors, can take us further.

BE

LL

Behind the bell is an editoral, based on the secrets and flaws of the education system in America

What does deeper learning consist of?

Collaboration • Work well in teams • Understand multiple points of view

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving • Know how to find, evaluate and synthesize information to construct an argument • Able to design solutions to complex problems

Effective Communication • Listen and give feedback in situations • Communicate effectively in oral and written presentations

OCTOBER 22, 2015

A&E

What’s h

THE MURMUR

PPening?

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

BY Calvin Habba Drift Editor-In-Chief calvinhabba18@waterforddrift.com

SwiftKey Keayboard

DEER HUNTER 2016

SwiftKey Keyboard is an upgraded keyboard that supports multiple languages and emojis.

This keyboard can now predict emojis. There are many different settings to choose from and there are also many different themes. This keyboard also supports swipe key flow.

It’s open season, join the hunt today and try to bag the biggest game.

Get the chance to hunt across the globe in the world’s best hunting experience. The animals are so real, they will jump right off of the screen. It is everything like real hunting but jam-packed in a virtual world. Develop all of the skills of a real hunter in this elusive game.

Like real hunting, you get trophies for bagging the biggest game and they get to be featured in the leader boards.

Android | Free | V 5.3.8 Apple | Free | V 1.3.9

The Cleaner-Boost & Clean Speed up your Android by clearing up unused storage on your phone that you didn’t even know existed. This app cleans unwanted conversations and has a smart app manager.

There are helpful widgets as well.

Android | Free | V 1.0.2 Apple | Free | V 1.0.0

Android | Free | V 1.5.7.1

Tilt to Live: Gauntlet’s Revenge Tilt to Live is an awesome game created by a company called One Man Left. This game was rated “Best Game of the Year” in the year of 2010 by several different critiques. There are three tilt controls: Regular, top-down and custom. So this game can be played how ever and where ever you are. There are three checkpoints throughout this game, with checkpoints come with bosses that have to be beaten. If normal mode is to hard for you, try playing on easy mode for a while.

Or if normal mode is not challenging enough, try playing on hard mode. Show off your scores on the Google Play leader boards and try to conquer the achievements that come with every trap.

Android | Free | V 1.2 Apple | Free | V 1.8.4

A screenshot of Tilt to Live

ZEDGE

Zedge is an app that allows you to chose from thousands of free ring tones, wallpapers, live wallpapers, and games. Each wallpaper is made to fit your phone. There are so many options to choose from.

Android | Free | V 4.16.1

OCTOBER 22, 2015

Agar.io

Mathway

This browser game come to mobile with a smashing hit. The objective of the game is simple, play Online with players around the world as you try to become the biggest cell of them all.

Android | Free | V 1.0.4 Apple | Free | V 1.0.0

If you have ever had trouble with a certain math related problem, this app if for you. It is a free math problem solver answers your algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics homework questions.

Android | Free | V 2.1 Apple | Free | V 2.2

Knots 3D

Tie, untie, and rotate more than 100 knots with just your finger. If you want a whole new expierence on knots, then this app is for you. It is available in over 70 countries for download in the Google Play Store.

Android | Free | V 4.3.1

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THE MURMUR

A&E

F

L

A

L I

G

N

into fall DESIGN BY HANNAH NEAL and WRITING BY ALLY PIERCHALA Design Editor and Social Media Editor hannahneal17@waterforddrift.com allisonpierchala17@waterforddrift.com

au·tumn <noun> The third season of the year, where football is displayed on almost every t.v. screen. Leaves are falling and covering every square inch of the ground. And of course pumpkin spiced everything. Fall is most commonly known for being the season of oversized sweaters with boots, cider mill adventures and the home of halloween.

The season is generally throughout the months of September through November, it starts at the beginning of the autumnal equinox and runs its course until the winter solstice.There are many stereotypes that are associated with fall, however it’s not all pumpkin patches and doughnuts, before the sixteenth century, harvest was the term that was used to to describe the season.

However, as people began to move and live in towns, the word lost its reference and was replaced by autumn or fall.

Fall is the primal season for harvesting foods like pumpkins, apples and various grains. These are the typical foods the season is known for. Whether it be pumpkin pie, or a glass of apple cider fall

is represented in many different ways.

Along with the change in color of the leaves, the temperature also gets a shift from the hot summer months.

There are many different activities that only come around when the seasons change.

Seasonal apple orchards, pumpkin patches and haunted houses make their limited appearance in the few short months they have, but while they’re up and running they make for some great memories.

With the changes in the weather also comes the a change in clothing. As the temperature goes down the layers come on. Throughout the fall, there are common outfits that follow along with the season.

Sweaters and scarves, Boots and flannels, jeans and jackets you know the trends. The shift in style from the hot summer months filled with shorts and flip-flops, gets a refreshing change with the transition into the famous ‘sweater season’.

Although the fun and frights are only here for a short time, Kettering students shared with us some of their favorite things about the fun filled season.

Autumn Adventures

“

My favorite thing about fall is the changing of the leaves. I like to go camping and spend my time in the woods.

”

Josh Vilsides, 11

“

My favorite part about fall is the haunted houses because I like to be scared. I like to go to Erebus or local haunted forests.

”

Maureen Jenkinson, 10 All illustrations by Hannah Neal

24

OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

A&E

VS

Located in Commerce, Michigan

Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan

Long’s is most commonly known for its big red chair

One of the oldest businesses in Michigan that is still up and running today

Long’s has its own apple picking sessions, a moonlight corn maze as well as a pumpkin patch to take a piece of Long’s home with you

Yates has appeared on the popular Food Network show ‘Unwrapped’ that gives you a glimpse into the process of making and maintaining a cider mill and its specialties

Open through the months of September to November, from nine in the morning to six at night

Yates is open through the months of September to October, from seven in the morning to seven at night

“

I really like the big chair at Longs, I think my favorite part about going there is picking the apples with my friends. Plus their cider is really good.

Justin Scott, 11

OCTOBER 22, 2015

”

“

I absolutely love Yates, I love the atmosphere of it. The family parts, picking apples and the pumpkin patch are some of my favorite things about it.

Nevada Posigan

”

25

THE MURMUR

NEWS

Who’s Choice is it?

Students voice their opinion on the topic of abortion

BY BELLA DANCA Staff Writer isabelladanca@waterforddrift.com

abortions are performed each year, with another 10-20 million abortions performed illegally. Illegal abortions are unsafe and account for 13 percent of all deaths of

widely available birth control methods, more than half of the 6 million pregnancies occurring each year in the United States are considered unplanned by the women who are pregnant.

Of these unplanned pregnancies, about half end in abortion.

“I'm not for abortion, but like I would I’m not for abortion, but like I say i'm pro choice because that way would say i’m pro choice because they have the choice to do it or not do it if they choose.” Meyers said. “If you're that way they have the choice to pro choice you can choose not to get do it or not do it if they choose. the abortion still so everyone should be pro choice because it's not your body when someone else wants to get an Taylor Meyers, junior abortion.”

Currently in the United States it is legal women because of serious complications. to have an abortion up to about 24 weeks. It “If it's not legalized then people do it illegally really depends on the viability, or the ability for and it will be unsanitary and women will die a fetus to live outside the womb. According to from it,” junior Taylor Meyers said. the American Pregnancy Association, late-term Death from abortion is almost unknown in abortions are not legal in most states unless the the United States or in other countries where life of the mother is in danger. abortion is legally available. In spite of the introduction of newer, more effective, and more

”

A

bortion is a very sensitive topic. Many people are constantly debating whether or not abortion should be legal. Some believe that abortion should be legal and that every woman should have the right to choose whether or not to keep her baby. On the other hand, many people believe the opposite and think that abortion should be illegal.

“I’m highly against abortions,” junior Jake Kwiatkowski said. “Abortion should be illegal because it's murder.”

Abortion is one of the most common medical procedures performed in the united states each year. More than 40percent of women will end a pregnancy by abortion at some time in their reproductive lives.

The US Supreme Court legalized abortion in the well-known Roe v Wade decision in 1973; currently, there are about 1.2 million abortions that are performed each year in the United States.

Worldwide, some 20-30 million legal

”

Abortion by the numbers In the US this year: 730,322 abortions have been preformed

The Roe vs Wade case in 1973, resulted in 6.89 million abortions

there are

OCTOBER 22, 2015

of abortions are medically necessary

ABORTIONS PER EVERY

1,000

8382 cases have been due to rape or incest

219

19.1%

LIVE BIRTHS

91.4% of abortions are done before the end of the first trimester

Statistics from cdc.gov

26

A&E

THE MURMUR

Transformation A glimpse into the transgender and LGBT community.

BY KALI BERG Staff Writer kaliberg@waterforddrift.com

I

magine someone looking into the mirror every morning, before they start their usual morning routine. They get an odd feeling that the person who is staring back at them, isn’t actually themself-- as if someone is pulling a cruel prank on them. Just think of the pain it may cause this person at the thought of being different. Imagine the feeling they must get at the thought of living in a body that is all wrong for themself, as if their body fails to reflect who they really are. Imagine how hard it would be, in this situation, to break free from all the pain, but being held back by all obstacles that must be surpassed to free oneself.

Everyone has a gender identity, a sense of themselves as being male or female. However, some people’s biological sex doesn’t “match” their gender identity.

These people are known as transgender.

The transgender community received a lot of publicity last spring with the coming out of Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner. Caitlyn was born October 28 1946,

as a male. In 2007, Jenner started appearing on the reality TV show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, and now stars in her own reality tv show ‘I Am Cait’, which guides viewers through her gender transformation.

“When I heard about Cait’s transformation, I was actually really happy,” senior Sydney Parker said.

Not everyone is comfortable with sharing who they feel they are. Caitlyn’s change has motivated others, who feel the same, to change and become more confident about themselves.

“She had the power to change, and became who she feels she is. She didn’t mind all the hate she got,” Parker said.

Parker has also had her own personal experience with coming out, and transitioning into who she knows she is.

“I came out sophomore year and it was hard. My friends supported me, but I still got made fun of throughout the years. I never actually had the opportunity to come out to

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING THESE NEW FEELINGS? “My advice is to never be afraid or ashamed of who you are.”

Juan Quiroga, 9

“Just be yourself.

Be proud of who you are, and how far you’ve come.”

Feather Gatica, 12

“My advice is to just be yourself because nobody can judge you for who you are, except you.

Don’t let anyone get you down, and if you need any help, that’s what GSA is for.”

Caitlynn Smith, 12

OCTOBER 22, 2015

my family, they found out themselves. Some of them don’t support me, but I can’t change who I am,” Parker said.

Parker also talks about how much guts it takes for someone to come out and show the entire world who they really are.

There is a club specifically for kids who can relate to Cait, known as the LGBT club.

Members don’t have to be a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender to attend the meetings, they can just show up as a supporter.

“People who come to the club meetings talk about coming out to their family and friends and explain what the outcome is, however, more often than not, the stories don’t end the way they wanted,” LGBT club leader, Elizabeth Hook said. “Some families aren’t as accepting as others.”

The group’s goal is to show students they shouldn’t be afraid to express themselves.

There will always be haters.

“Your best option is to just be yourself because if you try to hide who you are, you’ll

According to the CDC, 19% to 29% of gay and lesbian students and 18% to 28% of bisexual students experienced dating violence in the prior year. This and other facts are probably what you didn’t know about the LGBT community.

42%

of the LGBT community say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBT people.

73%

of the LGBT youth say they are more honest about themselves online than in the real world.

77%

of the LGBT youth say they know things will get better.

27

THE MURMUR

SPORTS

FALL’N SPORTS

BY DATHON SKELTON Sports Editor Dathonskelton17@waterforddrift.com

When watching tennis on television, you can easily tell it is a difficult sport that involves a lot of passion. Players must run side to side, up and down, swinging their rackets at balls coming towards them at enormous speeds. Here at Kettering, our boys tennis team is full of hard workers, and for two brothers, tennis is more than just a game. “ My parents had gotten me into the sport,” Senior Nick Ross said. “I’ve been playing since I was six years old.” Nick Ross is fortunate enough to be accompanied by his brother, Sophomore Matt Ross.

“To be honest it can get annoying playing along side my brother,” Matt Ross said.”Luckily enough we mostly do singles so I don’t have to play with him that often.”

The boys tennis team has been on a bit of a struggle when it comes to winning, but the boys still love and enjoy playing the game.

“Although we don’t always win, With Surprise, tennis is still a great sport and we Senior Matt Ross just have a lot of fun out there,” expresses his Nick Ross said. amazement Although we don’t Winning may be always win, tennis is a something to strive great sport and we just for, but it is clear in a sport that involves so much always have fun out passion, hard work and there Nick Ross, Senior having fun comes in Matt Ross, Sophomore clutch.

S I N

YS

BO

“

N E T

“

”

Losing doesn’t alter the way I feel about soccer, it’s still a fun sport

”

Sergio Sandoval, Junior

S Y O

B

For the Waterford Kettering boys soccer team, winning isn’t everything.

“Losing doesn’t alter the way I feel about soccer, it’s still a fun sport,” Junior Sergio Sandoval said.

The boys soccer team has been on a bit of a struggle starting last season when they finished with an 0-18 record.

“Although the past few seasons haven’t been successful, I still believe we have the potential to get at least one win,” Senior Jacob Turpin said.

The boys will admit there

28

C O S

R E C

“

We only lose when we put our heads down

”

Ian Terry, Senior

is a lot of work that needs to be done to achieve a victory, but not one player will admit they don’t like a player on the team. If the soccer team has one good thing going, team chemistry would be that thing.

“I sure hope we will win eventually, and I believe we can. We have a team and we all get along,” Sandoval said.

The boys soccer team may not be known as a group of victors, but will always be known as a group of believers, always fighting for a win.

OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

SPORTS

Golf is full of struggles. In a sport where one miss hit can cause you to lose two strokes or have you hitting a wedge out of the sand, there are many difficulties. One of golfs I have to miss so biggest difficulties lies with focus.

“After one bad shot you have to believe the next shot will much school be good or you’ll have another bad shot,” Senior Emaleigh Ryba said.

Megan Gains, Junior Being focused is important, but it is also significant to enjoy the sport.

“I love the bond I have with the team,” Ryba said. “We are all so close and we all get along so well.”

Considering golf itself is a challenging sport, making things more challenging just entices the fun the girls have. “My favorite course to play would be Mystic Creek due to the fact it is a In action, Senior very challenging course to play,” Ryba said.

Katie Boyd takes a There are also many struggles that the girls face swing. off of the course. For one student, being absent so much for golf matches has done it’s toll.

“I have to miss so much school,” Junior Megan Gains said. “It is getting frustrating because I am almost failing a class because of it.”

It is self evident that golf is full of struggles After one bad shot you both on, and off the course. Despite have to believe the next the many difficulties, golf remains something important and likable will be good or you’ll for the girls on the golf team. have another bad shot

“

”

F L O

G S RL

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GI

”

Emaleigh Ryba, Senior

“

The swim team lost a lot of swimmers last year so they’re a new team

”

RL I G

M M

I

W S S

Anna Kuhn, Senior

For some students, swimming may just be thought of as splashing around the water, or floating around on your back. But for the members of the Waterford united swim team, swimming is much more than relaxation and fun. Swimming is an intense sport.

“Swimming is actually a team sport although you practice individually. In meets you are scored on the points your team made, making it a team sport,” Senior Anna Kuhn said.

It is important to clarify the fact swimming is in fact a team sport, because many students

OCTOBER 22, 2015

G N I

“

Swimming is actually a team sport although you practice individually

”

Anna Kuhn, Senior

currently believe it is solely based off of individual achievement.

“The swim team had lost a lot of good swimmers last year so they’re a new team. But I still love the girls on the team, they try hard and want to be there,’’ Kuhn said.

It is clear winning isn’t everything for the girls swim team.

When watching the girls practice or watching a meet, you can clearly see that all of the girls show dedication. It is very evident that everyone on the team wants to be there.

29

THE MURMUR

FEATURE

Being the only freshman on the varsity soccer team is tough, but not when you’re a

occer uperstar G

rass flying across the field, cleats clashing with the ball, sweat running down his face as he bends over trying to catch his breath.

All the drills, all the practices, all the missed school events. Countless hours a night spent kicking into a makeshift net. Each turf burn and drop of sweat. Everything leading up to this moment. The teeth-gritting moment where one point could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Heartbeat in synchronization with footsteps. The only things standing in the way are the 5 foot 11 man blocking almost every single shot, and the fear of losing the game.

On the Kettering varsity soccer team, freshman Maxx Knisley has no room for fear to control his game. Commitment has to be 110% each and every time he steps on the field, even if it’s just for a practice.

“Everyone relies on each other to do their job, so you have to be putting in your best effort all of the time,” Knisley said.

Maxx has been playing soccer since he was just five years old, and he has fallen “head over cleats” for the sport.

people would think I’m a cocky person, and I didn’t want that.”

Q&A with Maxx Q:What was your reaction when you first heard you made the varsity team?

Q: Who has had the biggest influence on you growing up?

A:“I smiled, even though I really tried not to show emotion. No one could really see from the outside how happy I was on the inside. So I simply smiled and went on with my day, because I felt that if I reacted,

30

BY VERONICA LATIMER veronicalatimer@waterforddrift.com Photo Editor

Q:What are some struggles you’ve had getting to where you are now?

A: “In 2014, I fractured my kneecap in three different places, but I went on and continued to play with it like that. Turns out, I ended up making it worse and severely fractured my kneecap. They made me wear a knee brace for about a year, until it healed, and it was really hard for me to not be able to play. I just wanted to jump out there but I knew I couldn’t, and that had to kill me the most.

Q:What are some of your highest achievements?

A: “Winning the state cup and scoring a goal in the game was an amazing feeling.

I was so proud of myself and my team. It was such an amazing feeling, like I was on top of the world.”

A: “My dad has definitely been my biggest influence and supporter. He’s been my coach since I was like five, and he taught me everything I know. I don’t know where I would be without him always being there.”

OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE MURMUR

A&E

DIY Halloween Decorations

BY ERIN EGGENBERGER Assistant Editor-in-Chief erineggenberger17@waterforddrift.com

Creating your own Halloween deckdeckdeckdeckdeckdeck decorations is a fun and cost deckdeckdeckdeckdeckdeck effective way to give your home a deck spookie atmosphere

Glowing eyes

What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need

Sc

ws

iss

Glo

or

Step 3 Hot

glue

er Pap

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l rol

towe

Step 4

Mummy door

Step 1

What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need Step 2 Ins

ide

nd da

r

ape

kp

c bla

Step 3

t pa

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Tape

plates Paper

OCTOBER 22, 2015

Cut the eyes you traced with an exacto knife.

Hot glue the glow sticks to the top of the paper towel roll.

Cut the pupils for the eyes from black paper, and glue them to the back of a paper plate..

Tape strips of toilet paper to your door until its covered.

Tape the paper plate eyes to the door.

Re Toile

Cut paper towel roll a tiny bit longer than a glow stick.

Sketch the eyes onto the roll.

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t

Ou

Step 2 tick

e sid

Step 1

Step 4

Cut out a mouth from the red paper and tape it on below the eyes.

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THE MURMUR

BACKPAGE

DIY Halloween Costumes

BY ERIN EGGENBERGER Assistant Editor-in-Chief erineggenberger17@waterforddrift.com

Making your own costume is a creative and fun way to be unique and save money this Halloween

Pig in a blanket What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need

Toile

lue

stic

nd

ba

nd

t pa

per

tg

Ela

ld

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t k fel

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Step 2

a

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Step 3 ts

(Pan shirt Pink nal) optio

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Cereal killer What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need

Step 1

Trace the paper towel roll and ears, then cut out all the shapes.

Hot glue the ears you traced and cut out to the headband.

Hot glue remaining shapes to the outside of the toilet paper roll and glue each end of the elastic to the inside.

Modeled by Gianna Daleo and Nicholas Ackley

Empty the ceral boxes.

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T-shirt or hoodie

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Cut a toilet paper roll to about a length of 2 inches.

c kni

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Glue ceral boxes to the shirt with fabric glue or hot glue.

Stab the plastic knives through all the ceral boxes.

Step 4 Splatter red paint all over the shirt.

Photos by Erin Eggenberger

OCTOBER 22, 2015