Goodbye to the retirees
> June 2010
Celebrating mother’s success
See Shield’s tribute A8
>
See Column A3
shield
Volume XLVII Issue VI
4200 Andover Rd, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302
Lange stuck in Europe
Volcano eruption causes teacher’s delayed return Ashley DuBois
news section advisor
MAKING CONCESSIONS Students show solidarity after 2010-11 schedule made public
MARLEY KALT/shield
Student frustration sparks Junior class meeting on changes
Top: Students flood the halls in front of the cafeteria before A lunch as several administrators assess. Bottom: Underclassmen sported blue arm bands to show their support for Thursday’s open lunch protest.
called up some staff members and said, ‘We need to get together with the juniors and talk with them.’ I’m not a guy who likes to wag my finger in people’s faces, but we have to keep a safe environment,” Dureka continues. “So we decided to have meetings in first hour the next day.” Ashley DuBois and Nicole Kiester Divided alphabetically, the juniors sat in the news section advisor and sports section advisor cafeteria while Durecka and the other two Friday, May 21 wasn’t the same as every other administrators provided kudos to the students for day. During first hour a voice over the PA called coming together as a class on this issue. down all juniors to the cafeteria for a meeting “You voiced your opinions. It was good that with the principals. the student body was united under a common “We’ve been meaning to get with our juniors theme,” he says. “[However] I’m not sure a lot of and discuss the schedule changes with See letter to you know about the rationale behind this, so I them,” Principal Rob Dureka explains as the editor on wanted to clear things up. We [The Bloomfield the reasoning for this impromtu meeting. saving open Hills School Board and administrations] have “but honestly, the fact that [the juniors] lunch A2 been trying to keep cuts away from students. brought it up was definitely a reason to Custodians took a 25% pay cut and teachers make this more urgent. [Yesterday’s] protest have to teach six of seven see CHANGES was a catalyst.” classes, which is stressful. Twenty-four hours earlier juniors and Lunch is the first thing to sophomores wearing blue bands of protest hit students.” stood in front of the cafeteria doors blocking the After his explanation, entrance. students were allowed to “About 10:20 pm [the night of the protest], I ask questions.
A8
MYP students’ successful showcase Fast Facts
Second annual MYP night of showcase overwhelms
-70 students participated in the MYP personal project Andrew Pan this year news section advisor -Tenth graders can elect to participate in MYP -Bloomfield Hills is the only school district in Michigan to offer students with a fully authorized IB program
Homemade lip balm, a cat condo, and a blog and website for Koreans coming to the United States were a few of the novel projects that MYP coordinator Jason Rubel saw as the second year of MYP at Andover came to a close. “We’re always trying to find ways to make [the program] better, but it’s still
-Sonic opening on Square Lake A7 -Texting while driving law in effect come July A8
-ACL injuries occuring among high schoolers B1
-Best sports shoes
B4
-iPad comes to the market A10
a little early to be talking about any future changes at this point because we’re still in the process of getting more direct feedback [from faculty and department meetings],” Vice Principal Rubel says. Looking back on the project’s sophomore year, Rubel explains that the greatest change has been the incorporation of a research paper unit into Writing Literature II and American see MYP Literature; however, not every sophomore participant benefited from this change.
A4
MATT ROSNER/shield
Sophomore Ean Feldman showcases his MYP personal project of a model train set and city.
Commencement changes Senior graduation venue switched
out by chance [when] Meadowbrook called us and said ‘I just want to make sure we’re all set for June 6.’ We then confirmed that there was a conflict in dates and unfortunately there was another school booked to be there on the 13th. So then we started looking for Marley Kalt alternative sites.” life section advisor Within three to four hours of hearing this news, From the open air to classic décor, the graduation Bretzlaff says they started brainstorming several ideas commencement ceremony for the class of 2010 has been such as DTE Energy, the Phoenix Center, and the moved from the Meadowbrook Pavilion in Rochester Masonic Temple Theater. Hills to the Detroit Opera House. “We had a parent who put us in touch with the “There was a mix-up in the dates between Opera House. From there we went down and Unfortunately there was anothour office at the Doyle Center and the high toured and I made a recommendation of this er school booked schools. Frankly, there was a breakdown in is where we’d like to be,” explains Durecka. to be there on the communication,” explains Ed Bretzlaff, an “On one hand you’re trying to look for apples 13th. So then we assistant superintendent for instruction. “We [at to apples, find another outdoor venue, and on started looking for the Doyle Center] went off of last year’s schedule the other hand we were looking for something alternative sights. with graduation in the first weekend of June, but Rob Durecka else.” the high schools had changed it to the second Principal After deciding on the 88-year-old Detroit weekend. [When I found out] I was shocked. Opera House, members of the committee see I was wondering how in the world something like this are satisfied with the outcome. “It could happen.” is a beautiful theater [and] they’ve GRADUATION While the district was notified of the problem in early done graduations there before,” says May, Andover’s principal Rob Durecka says he “found Bretzlaff.
from Meadowbrook Pavilion in Rochester to Detroit Opera House
A8
Stranded. As the midnight London news announced Eyjafjallajokull’s eruption Lange was stranded indeed. “Over Spring Break, I traveled over to Europe to visit my daughter and her husband in the UK. They live in Egham which is just to the west of London,” Lange explains as why she was near the area where this Icelandic volcano exploded on April Mrs. Lange 15 paralyzing air traffic across the Atlantic. “It was chaos. The airports didn’t cancel their flights until they were absolutely sure they couldn’t fly. I really didn’t know what to do, when we were going to get home. Everyone in Europe was stuck. Luckily, since I was staying with my daughter, the costs weren’t extra for hotel and food.” Trying to make the best of the situation, Lange used technology to her advantage. “Luckily I had my flash drive with my lesson plans, worksheets and recipes so I could email [Mrs. Herbst] everything, and she could stay on for three more see LANGE days,” she continues, “I just tried to make it so she could run the class as smoothly as possible.”
A5
Gaynor proves rumors wrong Emily Langnas staff writer
Change is hard. But in the long run, it can be good. Before I knew the details, I, like the rest of student body, thought combining Andover and Lahser would never work. I thought that as rivals, we would never get along. I thought the buildings were too small. I thought it would be dreadful to attend a new school my senior year. That’s what I thought until a month ago, when I talked to Dr. Gaynor. While interviewing him about the potential of a combined high school, I came to learn that though the plans are not final yet, the idea is actually quite appealing. The more he talked about the increasing opportunities students would be given in sports and course offerings and the fewer cuts the district would have to make in the art departments because of the 2.5 million dollars in savings rather than reductions, the more my thoughts changed. While he talked, my conceptions were proven wrong. The first one being that a combined high school would be enormous and crowded. According to Gaynor, if they were to open a combined high school in the fall of 2013, there would be 1,650 kids there. Andover and Lasher each at their biggest were at about For more 1,400 each, so you are on school talking about a difference consolidation of 200 kids, which to me see A6/A7 doesn’t seem so large. As Gaynor put it, the choice of keeping two schools or one is a choice between diminished quality of instruction or maintaining the quality of instruction in a better facility that has a couple hundred more kids in it than when the two high schools were at their largest. As our 45-minute conversation progressed, the only part that put a sour taste in my mouth was the transition process. Being an upperclassman during this time is not anyone’s first choice. I am definitely thrilled to be part of the class of 2011 (even though we have been cheated out of many things). However, though no plans are being put forth until the decision is final, Gaynor ensures that they realize that transition is hard. How they will handle freshman, the kids that are in the buildings, and athletic teams along with our colors, and who our rival will be are all part of their agenda for developing a smooth transition. Students will still be angry and parents will still complain, but similar to the closing of Pine Lake and Hickory Grove, given time, those feelings will fade because in the long run, this change is good.
opinion
A2
Our turn
No open lunch creates an open wound
Part 2 of 2 on a series surrounding schedule changes for the 2010-2011 school year Open lunch is especially useful for teaching students how to The door to open lunch has been slammed shut. We would best manage their money. Seniors could easily spend over $35 on like to pry it back open. This freedom is a vital component to our development as soon- lunch per week if they decide to go out every day. Their money could quickly be depleted. Some may realize they want to pack to-be college students. First, open lunch teaches responsibility. As young adults we their lunch every few days to be more fiscally responsible. The must figure things out for ourselves. We have to learn to be lessons open lunch can teach seniors are vital for each of their independent. Managing our time, eating habits, and money futures. Another issue about eliminating open lunch is does this. the room in the cafeteria. Already, lines are long The school manages our time so much already. and spaces can be tight. We have learned there Perfectly structured, adults make sure we are might be new furniture purchased to accommowhere we should be during every second of the day. This freedom date the larger lunch-time population. Even with Should someone not be in the right place, hall moni- is a vital comnew furniture, the cafeteria is not growing. Antors are there. This type of time guidance is only dover simply does not have the cafeteria space to provided in high school. Open lunch gives seniors a ponent to our hold every student. taste of what their time will be like after high school. development as Lastly, the removal of open lunch could hurt It is our responsibility to get where they are going soon-to-be colthe local eateries. These businesses benefit from and back to school in the appropriate time. lege students. the money spent by high school seniors during Eating habits are another issue post-high-school lunch. Of course, we do not believe restaurants students will face. Bad eating habits are often dewill close down because of the lack of high school veloped as one enters the working world. With so student customers during lunchtime. However, many unhealthy eating options available, it is up to even a little dip in profits could harm restaurants. an individual to be smart about his or her diet. Open lunch exposes seniors to the different foods, both healthy and Because all businesses are vital to the community, if these restauunhealthy, that they will encounter once their mother’s good rants are hurt, the community is hurt. We urge the administration to reconsider. Please do not be home-cooking is no longer near. They should start positive eatclosed minded about open lunch. ing-out habits as soon as possible.
staff
Editors-in-Chief: James Feuereisen Gabe Menchaca Managing Editor: Rachel Rohr
Design Editor: Melanie Greenspan Graphics/Web Editor: Brian Margosian Photographer-in-Chief: Sophia Garfinkel News Section Advisors: Ashley DuBois Andrew Pan Life Section Advisors: Marley Kalt Derek Wolfe Sports Section Advisor: Nicole Kiester Photographers: Matt Rosner Alex Wolf David Yu Staff Writers: Jarred Bratley Emily Langnas Anna Zambelli Staff Illustrator: Summer Krinsky Advisor: Christina Hammitt
SUMMER KRINSKY/shield
Your turn:
What do you think about open lunch being eliminated?
Check out The Andover Shield at www.andovershield.com
Letter to the editor To The Editor,
Open lunch is a privilege that students look forward to and deserve.
We should be allowed to have open lunch. It has been a rite of passage for seniors throughout Andover’s history.
What’s next? They take away our ability to drive to school?
Kyra Weeks sophomore
Brett Hamel
Josh Morof sophmore
junior
Editorial Policy The Andover Shield is a student publication, distributed free of charge to all Andover students, with a total press run of 1,500. We strive to inform, entertain, and serve as a limited but open forum for students, parents, administrators, and members of the community, while continuing a tradition of journalistic excellence. Have an opinion? Letters to the Editor can be dropped off in Miss Hammitt’s room, 306, and may be edited for content and/or space.
When I first heard the shocking and horrifying news that open lunch is under attack, I was traumatized. I fondly remember my brother and his friends coming to my house for delicious grilled cheese and homemade tomato soup to dunk it in. Am I, as a soon-to-be senior, supposed to accept the stark contrast between my bright and lovely kitchenette and the dreary cafeteria littered with banana peels of the masses? I think not! I urge the administration to reconsider their decision to close lunch and end a senior tradition that spans decades of Andover High School history. What will my friends at Starbucks and Rio Wraps say when they no longer see my shining face (and more importantly, my shining money)? Local businesses will be hurt by this decision and the cafeteria will be painfully overcrowded. Furthermore, seniors will be forced to give up one of the last things that separate them from the rest of the school. If the open lunch issue is not reconsidered, expect grilled-cheese deprived seniors roaming the halls. And I’ll be with them. Hungrily, Michael Linden
opinion
A3
Dead Should students be able Better Than Red to raise their grades in summer school? The color red constantly deems a negative tone on returned assignments
Con
Pro
Emily Langnas
Gabe Menchaca
staff writer
co-editor in chief
Everyone deserves a second chance.
Students at Andover are decidedly obsessed with grades.
It’s not often that one gets the opportunity to make up for a prior disappointment. Considering the fact that the grades received in school can affect a student’s future, why can’t school be one of those second chances? If a student does not receive a grade that meets his or her expectations, they should be able to re-take the course in the summer for an opportunity to earn a higher grade. That is, of course, if they are willing to work for it. In summer school students still have to do the same work and learn the same material. Some may argue that they don’t do as much work because it’s not nearly as long as a normal school year; however, they are doing the exact same amount of work in a shorter time period. According to the Bloomfield Hills summer school pamphlet, students attend one class for 2 hours and 45 minutes for either 12 or 24 days, depending on your course, to earn 1/2 credit, which is equivalent to a half a year of regular school instruction. Students may also choose to earn one credit and take two sections for 5 hours and 30 minutes each day. In addition to covering the same material, there is also no leniency due to time constraints. Good attendance is also enforced, just like during the regular school year, but stricter. Because of the number of instructional hours required, there is no such thing as an excused absence and students will lose credit after missing two days when taking a 24 day class and after missing one day for a 12 day class. Late assignments, too, are not accepted because of this reason and there are no special accommodations for students. Others may argue that students who practically fail the original course will not learn their lesson if they are able to redeem themselves and erase their slate by attending an extra set of classes. But, in reality, it takes a big commitment to give up free time in the summer to do school work. If students are willing to seriously work in order to improve their grade, then they should be able to.
This preoccupation with academics leads many students to work very diligently during the school year to attain good grades. These students juggle extra-curricular activities, other academic classes, and personal conflicts for two semesters in order to earn the grade. This illustrates a set of skills that would not have been expressed if students simply spent six weeks during summer school dealing with one subject at a time. This does not accurately measure achievement in a subject the same way that a full two semester class does. It is therefore unfair to students who took the time to earn a favorable grade during the school year to allow students who are unhappy with their grade to retake the class during summer school to get an A. These are not the students for whom summer school is meant and is best. They are allowed to essentially purchase a second chance to get a desirable grade in a class that they may have paid no mind to during the year. This is unfair to students who took the time during the standard term to earn that grade whose achievement is then undercut by these students. It is for this reason that students who passed the class earlier should not be able to replace an earlier grade with one obtained at summer school. However, it is also true that summer school students put in extra time into a subject and they should be rewarded for their efforts, perhaps by averaging the two grades into one grade and reporting that on the transcript. This allows for students who are willing to put in the effort to bring a grade up, but at the same time, discourages students from disregarding a class during the normal school year and opting to retake it during summer school. This is an optimal solution for both students, who now have the assurance that their work is placed on an equal plane with others, and the school, which can maintain a level of accessibility to all types of students while ensuring reasonable class sizes and student practices with regards to the summer term.
Marly Zack guest writer
There is nothing worse in this world (except perhaps ponchos) than the feeling of dread that accompanies getting a paper or test back in class. The teacher is walking around, handing out the mutilated pages. The burn of embarrassment rips through cheeks, glancing at the white sheets of paper ripped with bloody commentary in the red pen of shame. The paper comes back with battle scars matching the scars on a student’s heart. The color red has been seeping through the pages of time, gleefully staining everything in his path with the shade of shame, starting with the most sinful of all. Almost all depictions of the Devil feature him as a bright red being poking the evil souls with his red pitchfork. While enjoying his time in the Underworld, Red felt the need to branch out into other areas. In the 18th century, a woman wearing red embroidered shoes could be cast out of the top social circles for ‘impropriety’. America’s history started with defeating the Red Coats in the Revolutionary War. Making his literary debut, “The Scarlet Letter” thrust red into the spotlight, casting a glow of adultery about him. Possibly the most famous red enemies were the Communists, who made the color their party’s signature, causing the infamous “Red Scare”. Nowadays, you need only to watch Saturday morning cartoons to see that the color red is still turning tricks. Turn on Transformers and note that all of the bad bots have glowing red eyes. Making his way into a life of crime, studies have shown that red cars are more likely to attract thieves as well as policemen. As hard as he may try to play the tough guy, red does have some positive aspects beneath his rough exterior. Love and romance, not to mention roses, are all associated with red. Quite possibly most important, the Red Power Ranger is such a heartthrob. Unfortunately, when scribbled on a page, the color tends to revert back to a hue of anger, evil and shame. All of these feelings resurface the moment a teacher returns a paper or test with the tell-tale red markings that show the student (and everyone around them) that they have made mistakes; something high school futilely tries to beat out of us. Perhaps we could refrain from such a bright pen that screams from our essay, “Look at my improper grammar! See how my inane ideas have been underlined!” We have suffered this scarlet shame in silence, but now it can be rectified. Just a trip down the color spectrum could change all students’ outlook on teacher commentary and grades. Instead of ripping our hearts out with a crimson quill that spells our doom (not to mention our spelling errors), a soft pink could cradle and comfort us in our time of fragile feelings. Even a peppy green or bright aqua could help chase away the get-back blues. Let us start the healing process, recovering from the wounds we walk with on our hearts and Zangles.
SUMMER KRINSKY/shield
Goldenthal sadly says goodbye Junior reflects on the retirement of his mother from Andover High School
Steven Goldenthal guest writer
“What’s it like to go to high school with your mom?” My fellow students have asked me this more than anything else in high school – literally hundreds of times. I always have the same response. I look them directly in the eye and say, “It’s actually really great.” As they stare at me in
shock, I go on to tell them why. I say I’ve always had a good relationship with my mom. I tell them that ever since my first day at Andover, I knew I had at least one ally. Then I point out that I have come into my classes with a good reputation, thanks at least in part to my mom. Finally I say that she has always been there for me: lunch money, signing permission slips, *cough cough* passes to class *cough cough*. As for seeing my mom in school, it is not like we eat lunch together every day and she walks me to my classes. If I happen to see her someplace, I’ll smile at her and wave. Sometimes we even have fun with it. I’ll call her “Mrs. Goldenthal” and chuckle. I do get the occasional joke about us being at the same school but it’s never at my expense. Teachers have told me before that they have my mom on speed dial in case I misbehave. Students constantly tell me how much they love my mom and that she is a great counselor or how nice she is. I am lucky to have a mom who is such a positive influ-
ence on the school. I know that she has had a big impact on Andover and will be truly missed by the faculty, her students (and those that are not hers), and me. Andover is losing one of its best. I have friends who have known my mom since they were in elementary school. When I told them that she was retiring, they were in disbelief. One of my friends told me that she loved my mom and was incredibly sad to see her go. But I will miss her most of all. I had always thought that she would be here my senior year. That’s the thing. When I started high school with my mom, I always thought that she would be here when
I left. She was going to call my name as I walked across the stage at graduation. It is going to take a lot of time getting used to being here without her. Now I will have to be just like everybody else. So next year the question asked will be “ W h a t was it like to go to school with your mom?” The answer will stay the same, and then I’ll add, “And I would not have had it any other way.”
MATT ROSNER/shield
Mrs. Goldenthal Quick Facts -Has taught 35 years, with 33 in the district -Was named master teacher in 1993 by the Bloomfield Hills School District -Graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a BA. She received two additional degrees from there; a MA in counseling and a M.B.A. from the Ross School of Business
news
A4
America’s Drive-in comes to Bloomfield
Sonic plans to open its second store in Oakland County
ALEX WOLF/shield
Derek Wolfe life section adviser
Driving down Telegraph just became a bit more congested. “In this case [building Sonic], the issue was traffic concerns because it’s on the corner of Square Lake and Telegraph, one of the busiest intersections in the country,” says Dan Devine, Treasurer of Bloomfield Township. For the second time in two years, Sonic is opening in Oakland County in October, this time in Bloomfield Township where it poses a couple of issues. Because Sonic is a drive-in restaurant, the owner has to make special accommodations to have room for all the cars that have to wait in line. According to Robin Carley, Bloomfield Township Development Coordinator, the number of served parking spots had to be decreased compared to other Sonics due to the size of the lot. In order to maximize parking, “the property also had to expand its parking lot capabilities in a method called stacking,” says Devine. “It’s where when someone
pulls in, there is a place to stage parking.” Additionally, Sonic agreed to pay for alterations to Telegraph Road to reduce traffic congestion issues on the road itself. “Sonic is paying for an improvement on the road,” says Devine. “They are funding the building of a deceleration lane which will provide an extra lane of traffic at the intersection.” The new owner is also paying for the proper removal of the remnants from the gas station that was previously in the new Sonic’s location. It has to be done environmentally friendly, especially for a food service, according to Devine. Bloomfield Township also required the new building to use more subdued colors and less signage than other Sonics where bright bright reds and yellows are the norm, according to Carley. Even with township requirements, the building of the Sonic did not come complaint-free. “The office building next to the new Sonic was not happy about it,” says Devine. “They had a burden of making sure Sonic would not cause them undue harm.” In order to reduce the complaints, every
new development in Bloomfield Township requires that the development staff must go through a lengthy process to solve logistical issues in order to approve or deny a building request. “When we sit down, we look at the site plan, landscape plan, photometric plans, elevation, and parking concerns,” says Carley. “The process starts with a meeting with staff of the township and representatives of the police and fire departments as well as the traffic consultant. “After we make out the final decision, it goes to the planning commission, zoning board of appeals, the final approval is by the board of trustees.” Although every staff has their biases, the meetings can only have facts presented. Carley says, “As a staff, we can only present the facts, gather requirements and comments, and provide them to the commissioners and zoning board.” Even with the parking concerns, “the township was really in favor [of approving Sonic],” says Carley. “With the arrangements that Sonic has made, the traffic won’t be an issue and Sonic will be a great place to eat and hang out at,” Junior Ben Krawitz, concludes.
Sonic Facts -The new Sonic will be opening in October -It will be located on Square Lake and Telegraph near Costco at the former site of the BP gas station -Due to the small site, the Sonic will be smaller than normal and there will be less signage -Plans for the Sonic were proposed more than a year ago
from A1
MYP: Recap
“Because I didn’t take American Literature, I had to do my research paper outside of school with my other work…[and it taught me] to manage my time better,” says sophomore Chelsea Zhou, whose violin performance at Sunrise Assisted Living was one of the 70 personal projects completed this year. “Even though I didn’t do it [during class], it was really helpful for my friends who did. I also liked how they told us [about MYP] in April freshman year so we had a lot of time to get started.” American Literature teacher Krista Laliberte believes that “learning how to write a successful research paper, even if it isn’t for the MYP project, is just good practice to be more successful for the future. I think it was great that all the kids had to do research...we [as educators] were trying to benefit kids so they could become overall wellrounded students.” Junior Ben Krawitz, who built a computer and assembled a tutorial for his personal project, says, “If [students] need help, they can always go back to their English teacher or supervising teacher. Overall, [having the paper within the sophomore class]helps and guides [students]rather than just letting them do the projects on their own and not know what they’re doing.” Junior Aisha Stokes, who wrote a Sweat Shop short story for her project last year, hopes that future changes include a better explanation of the “project expectations because some students thought they were penalized for the same mistake more than once and didn’t understand why they received the scores they did. But the meetings and schedules were very useful [especially since] the project spanned over such a long period of time.” While Rubel doesn’t see the need for any “sweeping changes,” he believes “any future changes will be mostly fine-tuning of the process: increasing feedback, ensuring better communication between teachers and students on deadlines and progress, and providing more opportunity and time for teachers to work with students,” says Rubel. “[Overall], I’m impressed [with] the many great projects this year. The interest, diversity, and quality of the projects were just right there. And the first group last year did a good job at setting the bar high. I’m eager to see how each year [of MYP in the future] will turn out in its own different way yet representing the same philosophy at the same time.”
SUMMER KRINSKY/shield
news
from A1
A5
LANGE:Stuck According to sophomore Kyra Weeks,
who is Lange’s sixth hour Foods class, things went just as fluidly as Lange had hoped. “The first day Mrs. Herbst was there, we all suspected that we just had a sub. But then, we realized, ‘Oh my gosh, Mrs. Lange is in Europe and there’s that volcano... and we put it all together,’” Weeks says. “Class went smoothly because the sub was very capable. She was a good teacher and we pretty much kept cooking and doing class as normal. It seemed kind of a positive thing for [Mrs. Lange], so that she’d get to spend more time with her grandson and daughter, she was not just stuck there.” According to Joanne Herbst herself, substituting for two whole weeks was a memorable experience. “I really loved it. I enjoyed the class, too. Normally, as a sub, you only see the end or starting of a class or just give the students a worksheet. With this though, I had fun. The students did very well and it was interesting to see them all work together,” she says. Along with this, Herbst walked away with a lasting respect for Lange. “I have such an admiration for her. She does so much to keep that class rolling. I had to go out and buy ingredients, and now I have so much more admiration for Mrs. Lange having to do all of it every week,” Herbst says. With Herbst sitting in Lange’s desk, Lange was meanwhile still stuck in the UK. Because the volcano was hidden under an ice cap, debris and ash filled the sky after closing down airports across Europe. “A lot of people want to think that you could really see the ash and it was clouding the air, but in reality, it was so fine and so high up, you could hardly even notice,” Lange says, “but it was there, nonetheless, because even by the 20th, they were just starting test flights.” Lange, who was flying on Air Canada back to Toronto, Canada then to Detroit, once again rescheduled her flight. “They were using bigger airplanes and running more flights,” she says, “The plane that we were taking back must have had 500 people on it. It was packed full, every seat had a person in it. Finally 20 days after her orginal departure date, Lange arrived to Heathrow Airport ready for the nearly eleven hour ride home. “Even though we arrived three hours early, we couldn’t even go in the airport. There were police barricades, you had to ‘queue up’ or line up for your flight outside. It kept the mass confusion outside. Once you were allowed to go in, the screens didn’t post the gates until boarding time. When they were posted, people were running to reach their planes. Everyone was ready to go home.” While waiting for her flight to be posted, Lange listened to others share their stories. “One lady had come to visit her daughter and grandson who was being baptized, but one of her hop-flights to Rome was not available and so she had to buy another whole ticket to get home. It was a big mess. It was a huge mess.” With all the disarray, Lange safely arrived home after her long trip. “Mrs. Lange’s return was a great celebration. We were all really happy that she had come back. She seemed really refreshed, with her pictures of her granddaughter, and we really just got back into the flow of things,” Weeks says. After her homecoming, Lange did feel that the trip and all its events came together to be an interesting experience. “I’m a grandma now, so it was a [life changing] experience,” she begins. “However, I did feel like a prisoner. Had I not have been in such a happy situation, I would’ve felt confined that my basic freedom had been removed from me, that I had no control. Even though it was a natural disaster, it doesn’t change the emotional feeling to that kind of thing. There’s just nothing you can do.”
ALEX WOLF/shield
Texting to be banned come July Anna Zambelli staff writer
Law aims to reduce traffic accidents resulting from distraction On July 1, texters will have to say BRB as the state of Michigan’s new law banning texting while driving goes into effect. “When it first was written, it was not a primary offense. Police would need another reason to see if you were texting,” explains Tom Burns, a driving instructor in West Bloomfield, MI. “They now have changed it so that policemen can stop anyone who they feel are text messaging. The first offense is $100. The second is $200,” On April 30th, Governor Jennifer Granholm proudly announced the signing of the bill on Oprah Winfrey’s “No Phone Zone” show. During the sixty-minute episode, Granholm and Winfrey clearly expressed their views. “We’re proud to be the 24th state now to be able to ban texting while driving, especially as home of the auto industry,” Granholm explained to Winfrey who since January has been imploring her over seven million viewers to “Put down your phone when you drive — simple as that.” In response to the new law changes, Burns says the statistics speak for themselves.
“For teens, it is roughly 23 times more about it. We need television publications likely to be involved in a crash if you’re that keep hammering away and eventually, texting versus an attentive driver. It’s twice we’re all going to comply.” as dangerous as talking on the phone Opposition to the law has already been while driving or being a drunk driver,” he shown including doubt that officers will be says. “You’re involved both mentally and able to prove the offense was committed. with your hands. There have been about “I don’t foresee the law making much 500,000 injuries from text m e s s a g i n g of an impact because it’s not enforcable,” and 6,000 deaths. And one says young driver, Michael is too many.” Linden. “There is no way Continuing on he shares for police to tell whether that, “What really struck I’m texting or dialing a me was a man who was For teens, it is roughly phone number. So I doubt between 19 and 21 years 23 times more likely to [the law] will effect my old. He lived in the state texting habits.” of Utah and he killed two be involved in a crash Some people however are adults while he was texting if you’re texting versus optimistic that opposition and driving. The thing will die down. that really bothered me an attentive driver. “People are going to fight was that he said ‘I wish in it. They’re already saying, drivers education we had ‘Well you can’t prove it.’ talked about distractions.’ Tom Burns What the court system is Ever since then I’ve really driving instructor going to say is, ‘You prove made sure that none of my it to us.’ Bring in your students could say that.” phone bill and prove you In order to teach the didn’t send a text message at that time. If you didn’t, proper, lawful driving etiquette, drivers education will adjust to then you’re not guilty,” says Burns. fit the new law. “People are going to get annoyed. They’re “I’ve always taught not to text and drive. not going to like the law. It is just like the We have a new video in the segment two seat belt law. But then they found that class on problems with distractions. It’s since the “click-it or ticket” law, Michigan helpful for the teen to see the consequences is one of the best states for wearing seat of these distractions,” says Burns. “I think belts,” says Burns. “I think the same thing we need more education. More talking is going to happen here.”
Texting Tidbits -There have been 500,000 injuries and 6,000 deaths resulting from texting while driving in the United States -The new law is a primary offense, which means texing can be the sole reason for being stopped by the police -The fine for the first offense is $100 -With the passage of the law, there are 24 states with a ban on texting
Allergy occurance is on the rise Fresh Facts -More than 35 million people across the United States have allergies - People are allergic to tree and grass pollen, not the trees and grass themselves -Kids five and under have fewer allergies than adults and teenagers -A pollen count of 120 grains/cubic meter is considered extremely high
- The Andover Forensics Tream won its 14th state championship in the last 16 years at the state competition at Central Michigan University on April 30 and May 1. There were 20 state finalist. First place finishers were Xavier Barnes in Extemporaneous Speaking 9/10, Tiffany Su in Poetry 9/10, Saloni Godbole in Broadcasting, and the Multiple “Next to Normal”. At the Mackinaw tournament on May 21 and 22, six students competed. The team finished fifth place overall and the Duo Broadcast of Ben Rooney and Marly Zack finished in second place. - The Andover Track Team competed at its Regional Competition on May 21 at Lasher High School. Senior Ed Hur qualified for the State
Andrew Pan
news section advisor
Late spring causes seasonal nuisance to increase in magnitude The birds are chirping. The bees are buzzing. But sophomore Meghan Ludwick has nothing to sing about. “[My] allergies are very annoying,” this active softball player says. “It’s a pain when you’re running and all of a sudden you start coughing and sneezing from all the pollen from the trees around the field. This year, for me at least, has been much worse than last year because I certainly did not have problems with headaches and sinuses during last year’s season.” Junior Harrison Kakos shares the pain. “I’ve had allergies all my life and they’ve never been worse,” Kakos says. “My coughing and sneezing seem more severe
and long-lasting this year. Sometimes it gets so bad I can’t even concentrate on schoolwork.” Allergist Dr. Steven Kreshover confirms Ludwick’s allergy analysis. “The warm spell we had this year caused all the trees to come out at once,” he says. “Allergies have been a bit worse around the country because of the warmer weather this year. In the spring, warm weather causes tree and grass pollen to come out, and rain brings mold spores. Pollen counts have been particularly high around the country compared to last year’s counts.” Kreshover, who runs a Pediatric and Adult Allergy & Asthma clinic near Maple and Telegraph, shares some common treatment options. “Over the counter, [nonsedating] antihistamine eyedrops are pretty popular,” says Kreshover. “Medication wise, there are helpful nasal steroids and nasal sprays, which help wash the pollen out of your nose.” Business teacher Linda Seitz has found out first hand how tiny pollen can become
Baron Briefs
tournament in the 100 meter dash and long jump. Senior David Saunders qualified for states in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles. Sophmore Lexi Sinclair qualified in the two mile race. -The 4th annual Student Leadership charity week raised over $9,000 for DMC Children’s Hospital.
- Congratulations to the 2010-2011 student leadership members. For the class of 2011, the president is Emily Lisner, Vice-President-Paige Spagna, Treasuer-Allison Capilli, SecretaryHailey Leftosky, Historian-Alex Osten, Technology Advisor-Matt Rosner, Representatives Sarah Harris and Alana Karbal. For the class of 2012, the president is Jacob Ruby,
Vice-President -Ricki Pad, TreasuerMax Elder, Secretary- Alexis Ernst, Technology Advisor- Erica Broder, and Representatives Austin Goodman and Jordyn Migdal. For the class of 2013, the president is Brenna Turner, Vice-President-Allie Lisner, Treasuer-Tyler Kieft, Secretary- Carly Sternberg, Technology Advisor-Griffin Goodman, and Representatives Daniel Levine and Sarah Klein. - WBFH, “The Biff” entered 36 entries into the John Drury National Radio Awards. Results will announced in November - Congratulations to the 2010 BHASE Golden Apple Recipient: Mary Ann Kerstein, transition coordinator, who was selected from
noticeable in large quantities. “Our back deck has turned yellow from all the spruce pollen from the trees in our yard,” Seitz says. “The deck is much more yellow than this year and we’ve been having to use the power cleaner every day. I didn’t even know spruce pollen was yellow.” Kreshover offers Seitz and others his advice so they can cope: “People [should] stay in air conditioned environments, keep the windows closed, check the pollen count, stay indoors during high pollen counts, wash their clothes, and change their clothes when they come indoors. [People should also] take showers when they get inside to get the pollen off.” In short, Kreshover concludes, “If the allergies are severe enough, they should see a doctor or allergist to identify their triggers or allergens. Many people ignore their allergies and don’t get treatment and can be very miserable with them. But there’s no reason for them to suffer for those six to eight weeks in spring.”
an outstanding group of nominees. The Golden Apple Award recognizes individuals contributing to the BHS special education program, above and beyond what is expected. Nominations are reviewed by a committee of past winners. Also nominated this year were Ronda Diegel, school psychologist; Kathy Eurich, speech and language pathologist; Dr. Steven Gaynor, superintendent; Tony LaPerna, Sign Choir director; Gail LePage, school social worker; Carolyn Packard, director for special education; Lu Rice, Special Olympics coach; Dr. Mary Scher, school psychologist; and Nicole Travis, special education teacher.
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Erasing the Rumors Our turn: The union of Andover and Lahser The school consolidation process is not new to Bloomfield Hills Schools, nor are the reasons for it. Even though parents, teachers, and students have heard all of the arguments (and made up some of their own) and have voiced their opinions, a decision needs to be made. If the district does not take action, consequences will begin to build on each other. As the board puts off decisions in pursuance of more options, the options for a viable solution begin to dry up. We are being bled dry by state budget cuts and decreasing enrollment, as many chose to leave Michigan due to the economic freefall the state has been in for the past decade. These factors have
Fall 2007
made evident to even the most conservative spectators that the way the school district does business is unsustainable. This in turn led to the process of consolidating district assets to save money offsetting cuts to instruction. But this process has stalled. Even though a mountain of information has been gathered the school board is waiting for some perfect decision to reveal itself. This is never going to happen. There has to be some sort of judgment call and that decision needs to be made now as Michigan continues to face more budgetary cuts and we continue to argue over ‘tradition’ and ‘culture’ at either high school. The reality is that if this problem is not solved soon, our options will evaporate.
The fear of public discontent cannot paralyze the board from making a decision because someone is going to be unhappy regardless of whatever decision is made. Delaying a decision is delaying the inevitable. While the Board of Education must rein in its own internal dissent, our community must also embrace the idea of change. It is only through change that the BHS district can emerge on top as it has been for so long. The School Board must assume the role of leader, and not merely follower in this lengthy debate. The ball is in the board’s court. They must choose to do what is required, not merely what is easy.
Your turn:
District enrollment begins to fall dramatically, which reduces revenue of the district.
What do you think of the high school merger?
2008-2009
Pine Lake Elementary and Hickory Grove Elementary are closed in a cost saving measure.
It’s a horrible idea. The students will clash and there will still be an Andover and Lahser hatred. -Ben Nowicki freshman
Late fall 2009
I think it is a good idea. We need a new school and this is a good excuse to get one. -John Mills junior
It would be a good idea for students to blend together. We can see what we’re missing from their school and what they’re missing from us.
-Soseh Asadoorian freshman
March 25, 2010
A teacher committee meets to discuss the dilemma surrounding a high school merger.
The findings of the teacher committee are reported to the Board.
May 17, 2010 Winter 2010
The administration meets with student focus group to discuss a high school merger.
April 22, 2010
The Board votes to delay the decision of a one high school future.
The Dean of Architecture from Lawrence Tech presents to the Board issues surrounding site selection
Co-Curriculars?
Co-curricular activities will not be combined in the 2010-2011 school year. It is possible that they will be merged prior to the consolidation of the high schools. Estimates from the district say that combining co-curriculars can save over $500,000. However there would be some upfront cost like the purchasing of new uniforms for athletic teams and paying for new sports.
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A7
Your top questions answered about the potential Andover and Lahser consolidation Design by Melanie Greenspan
Future high school consolidation in the works Board continues to discuss the merger of Andover and Lahser James Feuereisen Co-Editor-in-Chief
It is said that two is better than one, yet the Board of Education of the Bloomfield Hills School District has indicated in the coming years that one may be better than two. According to the meeting agendas posted by the Board of Education, at the April 22 board meeting a decision was supposed to be made on whether or not a one high school future would come about. However, a resolution was made to task the central administration with further developing the plans for a potential one high school future. At a press conference on May 6, Board Members Ed Ford, Ingrid Day, and Cynthia von Oeyen explained their reasons for not approving a one high school future. One reason board members did not vote to approve the plan was that they did not feel comfortable approving something that had limited details. “For me, while it seems to make
sense that we consolidate high schools will individually rank those as high, to save money due to enrollment and medium, or low importance. He will revenue declines, there are so many then come up with a consensus of the unanswered questions yet along the board of what is most important. Then lines like ‘What about ramifications he will do an analysis of the sites and of decisions on other buildings in how they meet those criteria.” district?’” says second year Board Board Member Ingrid Day says Trustee Ed Ford who voted in favor that each board member has their of delaying the high school decision. own checklist of information they “When we make the final decision I want to see before approving a one would like to have closure on the other high school future. “So like for me issues as well. I want to be able to it is financial implications. How do I provide a laundr y list of reasons best preser ve what I know rather than ‘It just makes sense.’ is so important? How do As Board Members, we wanted we house so many kids on When we make to make sure we have done the a certain location? There’s the final decidue diligence and make sure sion I would like not one particular item for ever ything is well thought out.” anybody,” says Day, who to have closure Another question many of the on the other isalso voted to delay the high board members have is the sues as well. school decision. site decision, which is being Ed Ford Gaynor mentions how examined with help by the Dean Board Trustee in addition to the site study, of the School of Architecture the Board is also doing a at Lawrence Technological traffic study at both schools University, Lee Roy. “The Dean has in coordination with the Bloomfield developed a list of about 50 criteria Township Police Department and an that you would consider in choosing independent agency to assist in the a site,” says District Superintendent site selection process. Steven Gaynor. “They are not criteria Also part of this process is a series that are Bloomfield Hills’ criteria, of sur veys conducted to the central except that our board members had an administration to determine the opportunity for input. Board members opinions of the community on the
merger process. “The sur vey will take a sample of 300 people that are representative of the community,” says Gaynor. “For example, there will be more senior citizens than parents of school age children. There are a series of questions that they ask. Some are purely demographic that help to analyze the data. Some are about their opinions of the school district, but the meat of it really has to do with what they will support in terms of a facility plan for the high schools. However, it won’t impact the question of which site, but it will definitely impact the decision of the renewal plan of the building itself.” This current talk surrounding the high schools is the third time in the past eight years. In 2003 it was proposed to have two high schools on the Andover site and 2007 there was bond vote to build two brand new high schools on their current sites. “A committee of teachers met at the end of last year [08-09] and talked about see curriculum changes BOARD in a new high school,” says science teacher Dennis Kwasny.
A8
New schedules, no open lunch, no traveling, oh my! Changes set to occur beginning next year Ashley DuBois
News section advisor
Rumors are flying and students want answers. “There are two, big, certain changes,” explains social studies teacher Scott Sugg who headed the committee responsible for the changes for 2010-2011 schedules. “There is not going to be any open lunch [next year]. That’s gone. Secondly, there will be no car travel between schools. So, those who go to Model, or Lahser, or the Nature Center, or the Farm or wherever people go, will have to take the bus.” According to Sugg there are two reasons for this change. The first concerns the liability of kids driving in between district buildings. “[Using] the bus promotes
consistency and timeliness. Some kids manage to be on time when driving themselves, but others get stuck in traffic or are just late. The school has no control of personal cars, but with the buses, the excuses are eliminated,” Sugg says. Hearing of these changes, Sophomore Lise Devits explains that, “[Driving] is the point of being a junior. [We look forward to] getting to drive between schools. [We] finally get our license and want to be able to use it, but if they take away traveling by car, there isn’t any point [to driving].” Next to not being able to drive between buildings, closing campus during lunch has been met with distain. “I feel like it’s almost taking away some of my freedom,” says freshman Dena Ballouz. “I just don’t really understand the point behind ending open lunch.” In response to Ballouz, Sugg explains that, “the primar y reason for getting
Student involvement?
The administration pledged that students will be a part of the consolidation process. There would be a student focus groups to determine details such as a school mascot and colors. Students are encouraged to participate in the online surveys the administration are using. Students will not have a say in other aspects that are more of the technical nature of the merger.
rid of open lunch is that lunches are being shortened. Next year, the lunches will be about 10 minutes shorter than they are now. Since they’re so much shorter, there isn’t really time for kids to go out to their car, go to a restaurant, park, eat and come back on time.” Sugg explains that by focusing on the necessar y instructional time set by the state these changes will impact the traditional All Days which will be limited to one per semester and the reduction of seminar from 90 to 55 minutes. Finally, even days will start 35 minutes later at 8:00 am instead of 7:25 am. “Because the time between classes counts as instructional time, increasing the time allows the district to meet the required time set by the state. [Schools] have to have so much teaching time ever y day, so we’ve cut lunch and extended passing time from eight minutes to ten minutes,”
Site Location?
he says. Hall Monitor Tammy Skulsky sees the positive aspects of closing lunch. “Kids who go out to open lunch always come in late. You have those kids who come in ever y day, late. Some come in five minutes late, but there are those who come in twenty minutes late. [Open lunch] is definitely a problem,” she says. According to Sugg, next year’s fate has already been sealed. “Teachers, custodians, secretaries, ever yone has been making sacrifices for the past few years. Custodians have taken pay cuts; they’ve started cleaning the school ever y other day, all the administration is suffering. But you guys, nothing has changed for you guys. It sort of seems that it is more time for you to maybe contribute a little under these harsh economic conditions. It isn’t as bad as you think.”
The Board of Education underwent a site analysis along with a traffic study to help make the site selection. The results indicated that traffic would be more problematic at the Lahser site as the Andover site can accommodate new access points for traffic. The site study indicated that the Lahser site alone would be too small to accommodate a consolidated high school.
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from A1 GRADUATION: Changed
from A1
CHANGES: Conforming “What happens if I get sick at Model?” Junior Shelby Dubin asked Durecka, who responded that this issue is “something to be worked on.” Junior Molly Cheslin’s concern focused on the buses, which she believes are usually the reason why students are late to class and not the fact that most students drive themselves. In response, Durecka stated missing the bus would probably result in an unexcused absence; however, if students became ill then their parents would have to pick up them from Model or Lahser. “Is this a financial problem?” Junior Mitchell Warner asked. According to Durecka, previous decisions, such as teachers teaching six of seven classes, and taking a paycut were financially driven; however, after more communication within the faculty, the idea of having to add in a 40-minute teacher work time cut into the schedule. With this, the idea of shortening lunch became more than just an idea. As the rumors of this decision increased, numerous members of the class of 2011 began to take action. “A huge group of kids met in the Home Economics hallway and the group became bigger and bigger. Then we walked down into the front of the cafeteria together and stood there talking,” says junior Danielle Rapp, a supporter of the protest’s cause. “We feel that all of our privileges have been taken away and we’ve have had all the disadvantages. Open lunch was something we wanted ever since we got to high school and now they’re taking it away,” she says. “No one was moving. It was really congested,” added junior Dillon Dewundara.
from A7 BOARD: Delay Kwasny, a member of the teacher facilitating committee, which met four times during the fall, continues, “At this meeting, which lasted three days, we discussed the educational changes we would want to see in a new 21st century high school. Additionally, there was talk of how this would impact a new high school.” Following this meeting came another series of teacher committee meetings, which discussed further aspects concerning a one high school future. “[the meetings] continued the conversation surrounding the high schools,” says Kwasny. “The Board of Education directed for us to begin these conversations. Along with administrators, we talked about strategies for
JAMES FEUEREISEN/shield
Principal Robert Durecka and Assistant Principals Jason Rubel and Lou Ruggirello met with students to discuss changes coming to Andover in the 2010-2011 school year. “We made a difference. People have been talking and the rest of my grade and other grades have been saying they want to do it again, that they’re shocked this really worked. I think we just needed someone to start it for everyone to realize that they had a chance of changing something,” Rapp says. Not only did the juniors get the attention of their administration but also of the cafeteria personal whose business was hurt by those juniors boycotting lunch that day. “What they [the juniors] don’t realize is that the school board made the decision to close open lunch, not us, and now we [the lunch department] are the ones being harmed. We lost about the equivalent to 80 combo lunches,” explains cafeteria director Deanna Perrino. According to Perrino, even though the campus will be closed for lunch, the administration and the cafeteria staff are working together to make the
situation more bearble. “We’re bringing in a chicken line, called the ‘chicken shack’, a hot panini sandwich line, and we’re also going to make new lines to make things more organized and efficient. Also, we’re bringing in all new tables and chairs,” Perrino says. “We make almost everything from scratch, and we’re going to try to do everything we can to adjust to all the kids being here. It’ll be a challenge, but it is doable and we’ll make it happen.” Reflecting on the situation, Durecka says, “[The closing of open lunch] has definitely caused tension but, you know, Farmington laid off 166 teachers this year and West Bloomfield is borrowing money. We’re just trying to make things work. It’s just the way it is. It’s the reality of funding right now...We just want the students to be successful, that’s the main goal.”
theoretical transitions. Topics discussed were portantly, we need to show we will keep things in the impact on students, the school cultures, place that preserves excellence for our kids.” According to Gaynor, following an freshman, and a unified staff.” approval by the board for a one high At the March 25 board meeting, the findings of this commitWe want everyone to school future, important details will be put forward, such a specific transitee, along with inquiries done work together as one tion timeline, and lesser details, such by central administrators, were community, as clos- as a new school mascot and name. reported to the board, which ing a high school can While most of the decisions will be was supposed to help the board made by the board, there are some be very emotional. make a decision on a one high school future. Cynthia von Oeyen decisions that will be influenced by students. During the month of June, the Treasurer The administration has said that in a board is scheduled to have adtransition, students will be part of the ditional meetings to discuss the planning process. “Student opinions merger of the high schools. Day will be very important. The imporassures that previous planning will not be wasted and will be used to make a tance of your voice is going to vary depending on what decision we are talking about. If we’re talkdecision in June. Fellow Board Member Cynthia von Oeyen ing about mascots, colors, and how we honor the shares a similar outlook. “We want everyone traditions, I would say the importance of student to work together as one community, as closing opinion is going to be very, very high,” concludes a high school can be very emotional. More im- Gaynor.
“So far everything has been going well with rehearsals and everyone seems very happy,” Bretzlaff continues. Durecka adds, “One of the things I will say it that it is a classy room. It has great acoustics and a classic feel to it. It’s steeped with history. Also on the upside we now have climate control and air conditioning; it will be inside if it rains. I think that once [the graduates] get there they’ll feel really good about it.” Meadowbrook is a beautiful sight; you have a lot of beautiful trees and so forth [but] with the Opera House it’s a different kind of backdrop. I think it’s pretty unique. You go right out the door and have Comerica Park in your background, you can see the seating there. Detroit Athletic Club is just down the street. Those backdrops will be where the kids will spill out into after they graduate.” With only parking being a slight disadvantage between the two venues, Durecka explains, “we have a commitment from the Opera House that their parking garage will be dedicated for our use only which has 700 parking spaces. There is also a surface lot with 80 spots. We feel that we have enough space and enough parking; we will encourage people to commute together.” While Meadowbrook had been the site for numerous gradutaions both Durecka and Bretzlaff see a possible future at the Opera House. “This could turn out to be a long-term relationship, if people are happy and it goes well. There have been conflicts with Meadowbrook in the past, with weather and that tornado [in 2008]. This might be more predictable,” Durecka explains. “My first reaction [to Meadowbrook being booked for the wrong date] was ‘There must be some mistake, this couldn’t be happening right now’. I know that it’s very difficult to please everyone but life sometimes sends you some lemons and you have to make lemonade out of it. Detroit is our central city, and culturally, we find ourselves going there. Although different, I think it will be nice.”
Thank you Andover retirees for your years of service! We will miss you!!!!!!
Linda Robinson Mathematics
Mrs. Robinson has been a math teacher in Room 204 for 31 years. Of all the jobs offered to her at the time, the Bloomfield Hills District appealed to her the most. She will miss the students and the staff, but not the 5:30 a.m. alarm. She already has plans to travel to Egypt, Turkey, and Israel, and also intends to focus her life around her grandchildren.
Mary Ann Kerstein Special Education
Mrs. Kerstein is the coordinator at Andover and Lahser. She helps special education students find work-based learning sites. Overall, she has been in education for 38.5 years. This year she won the Golden Apple award from the district. She plans on continuing to teach at Oakland University and to travel.
Art Heymoss English
Mr. Heymoss has been teaching at Andover for 20 years and has been in the Bloomfield Hills District for 25. When he retires, he will miss interacting with his students. What he enjoys most about Andover is how students are dedicated to learning. Following retirement, he plans on spending more time at his cottage. He is the English Department Chair.
Ronda Diegel Psychologist
Dr. Diegel has been working at Andover for five years and been in education for 33 years. This year, she was the Challenge Day Coordinator and was a nominee for the Golden Apple. She now plans on increasing her clinical psychotherapy practice and offering more workshops in addition to teaching more yoga.
Mary Vennettilli Spanish
Señora Vennettilli has been teaching Spanish at Andover in the same classroom for 31 years. She loves to interact with her students and with the faculty. For her, the determination of her students to succeed and work hard makes her job so enjoyable. She plans on tutoring and being a part-time substitute teacher.
Eileen MacDonald Mathematics
Mrs. MacDonald has been teaching for a total of 32 years, 24 of which were in the Bloomfield Hills District. Known for being a “legend for food drives,” she is going to miss food drive challenges between Calculus classes and spontaneous mathematical discussions with her students.
Claudia Goldenthal Counselor
Mrs. Goldenthal started teaching in Australia. She has been a counselor at Andover for 14 years and in our school district at all levels for a total of 33 years. She will miss the students the most, for they have been the highlight of her time at Andover. Since math has always been a passion of hers, she plans on tutoring math as well as trying new things.
Mary Ruggirello French/ESL
Madame Ruggirello has been working in Bloomfield Hills for 40 years. She teaches French as well as ESL. When she retires, she will miss the students and faculty and plans on resting and catching up on her reading and watching movies.
-Retirees as of 6/2/10-
Beth Gibbs English
Linda Seitz Business
For the past 35 years, Mrs. Seitz has been teaching at Andover. She first came to Andover because she thought she would be the most creative here. When she retires, she will miss the relationships she forms with the staff and students. Seitz plans to teach part-time as well as do a little traveling.
Mrs. Gibbs has been working in Bloomfield Hills for 32 years. She taught at West Hills and Lahser for 12 years, along with coordinating the community service program for 18 years at Andover, before returning to teach English. She is planning on moving to Harber Springs to finish her Ph.D.
Roberta Campion Theater
Mrs. Campion has worked in Theater at Andover for 32 years, choreographing and later directing stage productions. She now plans on continuing to substitute teach and has also accepted the position of Theater Director at Marian High School.
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A9 Right: Jake Levy (10) displays cook book that promotes healthy eating and meals with cancer preventing foods. Levy also gave out some samples of his nutritious watermelon gazpacho – high in antioxidants – featured in his cook book. Far Right: Nicole Kiester (10) describes her yearlong design process of her hand-crafted guitar. As part of her display, interested students and parents were able to play the carbon fiber and wood guitar.
Right: The sophomore sextet (from left to right) Anna Zambelli, Gabby Derderian, Greg Strasser, Cooper Patterson, and Maddie Meehan perform a piece during the MYP Cellebration Night arranged by Meehan for her personal project. Leah Shepherd was the sixth member of the sextet.
Celebrating Success
Sophomore Students students show off their year long personal year-long personal projects. projects Above: Greg Strasser talks to Andover English teacher Beth Gibbs and Lahser English Department Chair Maggy Zidar about the benefits of his personal project and MYP overall. Strasser wrote a novel for his MYP Personal Project. Far Left: Assistant Principal and MYP Coordinator Jason Rubel, outlines the philosophical program model of the Middle Years Program. This is Rubel’s second year celebrating the new tradition of the Personal Project. Above: For some projects, students like Tori Nuntitrakam (10), created pamphlets on a subject that interested them, such as Thailand. Nuntitrakam is a current foreign exchange student from Thailand. Left: Student Zach Barnett (10), using his guitar, planned and performed a concert for Biffstock 2010 for his Personal Project.
photos and text: MATT ROSNER/shield
life
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iSupport The iPad
Iron Man 2 could use some saving
Wolfe shares his experience on using the Apple iPad
Despite its excellence in graphics, Iron Man 2 is a disappointment.
Derek Wolfe life section adviser
Derek Wolfe life section adviser
A
fter months of speculation, Apple Computers redefined the technological world with its release of the iPad in April 2010. The Apple iPad runs on the mobile and modified iPhone OS operating system. Its speed is incomparable as I switched from application to application and the 9.7-inch screen makes the experience even better. The video quality is impeccable (Note: Extreme glare when in sunlight) and it’s perfectly sensitive to the touch. Before initially trying out Pages, the text editing program for Mac computers and now for the iPad, I was quite skeptical on how challenging typing would be. It only took a second, however, to realize that typing is extremely simple and can potentially be easier than using a keyboard. However, just don’t type vertically for it becomes an ordeal. The only downside is the angle of your wrists, which is slightly awkward. Despite that, I would not refrain from writing emails and even typing an essay on it. Heck, I wish I wrote this review using it. One of the biggest advantages to purchasing the iPad is the e-books and the iBookstore. Now, it’s simple to read and carry multiple books without having to lug around a ton of weight. Flipping pages is a sentimental experience for some, but it’s truly economical and environmentally friendly (which is always a plus) to use an e-reader. The music on the iPad is an amazing ex-
The Shield’s Top
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Apps
perience. Locating songs and music videos is effortless. The sound quality is pretty good. And it would definitely be a wonderful addition to a DJ’s equipment. Even with the great features that iPad does have, it’s lacking some things that would have to be there so I would buy it. First, it’s lacking a camera. This device would the perfect video chatting tool, but it disappoints and doesn’t have one. It’s also lacking Flash player which is a feature that many websites use for different animations. The cost of the iPad is also capable of being a deal maker or deal breaker. It comes in two versions, with Wifi (starts at $499 and with WiFi and 3G (starts at $629). However, the WiFi and 3G version has an additional monthly fee. I suggest purchasing the model that only comes with Wi-Fi because most places have Wi-Fi anyway. Those who need the 3G would likely need a more expensive laptop. To address the question of exactly what category the iPad is to be put in, I honestly don’t have an answer. It’s clearly not a full functioning computer, but has more capabilities than an MP3 player. It’s truly for the person who wants a casual computer-like experience. Despite its category-less existence, the iPad can definitely enhance one’s technological world. No longer do you have to strain your eyes to watch a movie on a normal iPod or put three pounds of a laptop on yourself to surf the Internet. Apple has truly succeeded, again.
Pandora Radio Sporcle Create your very own free personal- Bring the ever so popular trivia ized radio station by entering your website, Sporcle.com, straight favorite artist or song name. to your iPod, iPad, or iPhone.
Facebook Stay connected with friends and share photos, videos, and information all on one easy site.
Everyone needs an e-reader
Nicole Keister
Emily Langnas
sports section advisor
staff writer
It’s hard to put the iPad into a category. Is it a computer? Is it an iPod? Is it an electronic book? No, it’s all of the above. Three years ago, when Amazon introduced the Kindle it was the latest and greatest thing, but now something even greater has emerged from the minds of Apple. With its color screen, ten-hour battery life, and realistic feel, it’s not just words on a page. It is a touch screen book with realistic pages making it feel as if the reader is actually turning the pages. Other features include internet access, personal email, iWork, iTunes, spotlight search, and many more. Kindle does not offer a realistic feel. Instead of actually turning pages readers press a button. Not only is the iPad for the book enthusiast, it’s for the music lover, someone who is often lost, and for someone who needs to keep on top of their emails. Kindle is just about books, magazines, newspapers, and more books. Although it may be considered on the expensive side at $499, contemplate the combined cost of books, a map, and an iPod. There is a back lit LCD light, which means there is no need for a reading light at night. The iPad has a 9.7-inch screen. The nicest Kindle, which has the same size screen, is only $10 less, while the iPad has over 10 times the amount of capabilities. Both are “green” ways to read books, saving paper and killing fewer trees. Overall, the iPad beats the Kindle hands down. Why settle for less? There is no comparison. If you love reading books, listening to music, You Tube, movies, or all of the above, forget about the Kindle and stop by the Apple store and see why the iPad is dominating the industry.
On April 3, millions of people waited outside the Apple Store for the unveiling of the iPad. But is the iPad worth all the hype? Is it worth all the waiting? Had Amazon not introduced the Kindle, a 10.2 ounce electronic book introduced in 2007, yes, it is. But when it comes to an e-reader, Amazon surely dominates. The newest, most improved version of this revolutionary book, the Kindle DX, is the best match for your money. The Kindle costs $489, and that includes 3G wireless global coverage unlike the most basic version of the iPad which costs $499. This means that Kindle owners can download books anytime and anywhere, without having to hunt for Wi-Fi internet. Not only does this price include free 3G coverage, but it also gives users access to over 500,000 books to purchase for $9.99 and over 1.8 million free out-of-copyright books. Kindle users, along with iPad users, can even download the first chapters for free before deciding to make a purchase. Traveling with the Kindle is also much easier because of its battery life. Lasting for a whole week on a single charge, Kindle’s battery doesn’t even compare to the mere 10 hours given by the iPad. So whether you are on a three hour flight or a long road trip, the Kindle will not cause you to worry as much as the iPad will about needing to recharge while you’re in the middle of an engaging story. Obviously, if one is planning on purchasing an item that is more than just an e-reader, but a mini computer, purchasing an iPad would be the smarter decision, but when it comes to the electronic book, the Kindle is the best one to check out.
iPAD
VS
KINDLE
ALEX WOLF/shield
On May 7th, 2010, the much awaited sequel to Iron Man, Iron Man 2, has arrived in theaters and it fails to thrill. Iron Man 2 details Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) unwillingness to share the ever-famous Iron Man suit with the government as well as the competition Stark faces with Justin Hammer, who employs a convicted Russian Physicist Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) to build a super powerful drone. Adding to the action, Stark deals with the reality that the he is dying from the technology that has been keeping him alive along with a growing love interest with secretary Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). The plot was very easy to understand, yet also quite complex. The many conflicts of Stark vs. the government, Stark vs. Hammer, and Stark’s new love for his secretary Pepper Potts were at times, overwhelming. On top of that is Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) recruiting for the superhero group, the Avengers. The plot with all of these conflicts is what I would describe as a salad. When together, it “tastes” good and is entertaining, but they don’t mix perfectly into one fluid movie. Despite the plot’s complexity, it was clear that the cast had excellent chemistry. Everyone played his or her part with great emotion and feeling. Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke’s acting was truly phenomenal. They both truly grew into their roles. I almost forgot that they were actors. What was truly lacking, however, was a thrilling plot to go along with this excellent cast of actors. The movie relies on its graphics for its entertainment value. As the next big sci-fi movie after Avatar, they do not disappoint. The combustion effects were spectacular, especially the massive explosions. The Iron Man suit blended seamlessly with the background. And Hammer’s “droids” were also graphically sound. Despite the special effects, it’s clear there is something missing yet I’m not quite sure. It’s just painfully obvious that it is a bridge into the next Marvel movie. While the success of this movie in theaters is a given where it has already grossed hundreds of millions of dollars, its DVD and Blu ray sales are a mystery. Given the chance to watch Iron Man 2 or another action movie, I wouldn’t pick Iron Man 2. Their are just too many other more thrilling and interesting movies. While the movie had an opportunity to be unique, it followed suit as a typical sequel. Yes, the acting was really good, it relied way too heavily on action scenes, a cheesy love interest, and an average plot. The Marvel movie line has been extremely successful in the last decade with Spiderman and the first Iron Man movie. This time though, this super hero movie didn’t save me or my night.
Despite the special effects, it’s clear there is something missing.
Congratulations to the 2009-2010 Shield staff! The Andover Shield won the prestigious Spartan Award at the annual MIPA conference. There were 32 indivuidal awards and eight first place awards. First place finishers were Andrew Weiner-Feature column, Environmental coverage-Jessica Ranke, Information graphic-Rachel Rohr, Bridget Sanders, Maddie McIlhon, Advertising Layout-Gabe Menchaca, Story Package-Rachel Rohr and Bridget Sanders, Sports page spreadJake Gordon, Photo: student life- Kyle Kavanagh. Bridget Sanders won a total of seven awards and Jake Gordon was selected to be on the MIPA Journalist staff and was an ALL-STAR finalist.
news
• Toasted Subs where YOU want Quizno’s $2 off any Large Signature or Classic Sub
w/purchases of Regular Drink
Quizno’s $15 off any Catering Order over $40
• Great for Graduation, Birthday, or Summer Parties ! • We bring fresh ingredients to your home and make toasted subs in front of you for all your guest
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Andover’s Fall Production will be Hairspray! Show Opens November 11th, 2010
•
Singing and dancing auditions will be June 7th and 10th.
• Call-back auditions featuring resding and singing for specific roles will be June 11th. Auditions will start at 3:00 p.m.
Come prepared with 16 bars (verse and chorus) of an appropriate song. Wear comfortable clothes so you can dance.
Expires: June 30, 2010
185 N Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009 Phone: 248-540-SUBS
Get an audition packet from Mr. Snyder’s office starting Wednesday.
Fun Fact: The only animal to perfect the kung-fu death grip is the Orangutan. Don’t mess with an Orangutan. A12
LONEY
comics
‘TOONS
Fun Fact: The awesomest person on earth is actor Bruce Campbell. Look it up, it’s pretty much undisputed. Take that Chuck Norris.
Fun Fact: The amount of time it takes for a wild boar to take down and devour a human is .3 seconds.
WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY: JOSH LONEY
B
Finding the Perfect Fit
sports The act of balancing Klein splits time between school and sports
> B4
New Sports Possibilties
With the potential changes to the district, Andover is exploring new athletic programs
Freshman Blair Ogsood is familiar with another new sport being considered. Part of the girl’s fall sports season.
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Brandon Klein guest writer
10, 9, 8 seconds. Dribbling down the court I think of the five subjects worth of homework assignments sitting on the dusty desk. 7,6,5 seconds to go. Beads of sweat begin to drip onto the dribbling ball. So much is riding on these last five seconds but who can forget the three tests I still have to study for? 4,3,2 seconds to go. The shot is in the air. The arena is dead quiet. Almost time to head home to type the last essay of the week. 1 second left. At this moment, the shot rolls off the rim, hitting the court with a loud thud. The buzzer sounds, my heads drop with disappointment. Although the worlds of school and sports often clash leaving the student athlete caught in the middle a perfect balance is feasible. S p o r t s need to be seen as a stress reliever, not a stress inducer. Playing sports is a golden oppor tunity to escape the terrors of school, and the st r ess school causes. One has to make sure to keep the eye on the prize. Don’t let sports consume too much time, or else school begins to become a burden that is tough to overcome. With the right amount of focus in school, sports will prove to be an ideal side dish to the main course of the day. The key... is balance.
Students have to be sure to use sports as a stress reliever, not a stress inducer. Brandon Klein
Junior Meghan Murray looks forward to the planned new advances in the skating program. The new program features a Co-ed figure skating team.
I c e
Nicole Kiester
sports section adviser
Stealing the ball from a team ranked number one in that nation in the Las Vegas soccer showcase March 11th , Alex heard a noise that would change her career forever. “When my whole body twisted I heard two pops,” says sophomore Alexandra Groffsky, remembering when the opposing team’s guard clipped her right ankle tearing right leg’s ACL. Groffsky’s expereince is not an isolated one as other athletes like junior Austin Schuld who tore during football season share. “It was the first kick return in the Andover vs. Lahser football game,” this defensive end describes. “I hit a Lahser player and my leg straightened out, hyper extended, and then twisted. I don’t remember if I heard the ligament pop, when you’re wearing pads there’s a lot of noise, so I’m not entirely sure. I tried to walk, but I couldn’t, so I limped to the sideline and by the time I got there, it swelled up
See possible new sports at Andover B2
s k a t i n g
Water Polo
Equestrian
Phtots by: Sarah Harris, Alex Wolf, and Jake Kushner
ACL tears popping up on campus Andover athletes tearing ACLs with increased frequency
y e k oc
like a balloon.” Sharing his story, Andover’s track coach and business teacher Joe Alfano shares how his injury cost him more than just a season playing football. “I tore my ACL and all the cartilage around it going into my senior year of high school. When I hurt it, it was devastating because I came from a situation where we didn’t have a lot of money, and sports were one way I was definitely going to college.” Doctor Lance Wozniak, a practicing physical therapist at Oakland HosDr. Lance Wozniak pital explains that tearing one’s ACL “is a sporting injury that happens often in contact and running sports,where there is a lot of stress put on the knee. We’ve found that if happens now it is because other muscles are weak. Maybe the hips or maybe the calves aren’t ready to do the job see ACL that they’re asked to do, so the ACL gets too much strain on it and breaks.”
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Sophomore Kiki VanAcker rides horses outside of school. Under the plan, this new sport would be co-ed and part of the fall sports
Foot Notes -ACL= Anterior Cruciate Ligament -Because of their body structure, women are 38 times more likely to tear their ACLs -ACL provides stablity to the knee -Over 50,000 pateints undergo ACL reconstruction per year *Sports where the attire is cleats increase the risk of tearing their
Sophomore Paul Stewart, like many swimmers, is ecstatic for the chance at a water polo season. Boys season will be in fall, and girls in spring.
Top discus player shares stories Chilean exchange student becomes varsity athlete Melanie Greenspan design editor
Track isn’t only about running as foreign exchange student Cata Rojas from Chile experienced firsthand becoming the girls varsity team’s best shot and discus player. “ She scored the most amount of points,” explains head coach Scott Sugg. “Cata is a leader of the throwers because she is dedicated and works hard, she sets an example for the younger kids [on the team].” Cata explains that it was difficult for her to learn a technique for shot playing, which includes throwing an 8-10 pound ball, and for discus, which is about 1 kilo and involves spinning while the circular object is on her neck and throwing the discus. Cata: Q:Describe yourself as a discus and shot player. A: I’m from Chile, (and) used to play volleyball, (and didn’t) have time to go to the stadium which is all the field sports and track going on, so I didn’t know what shot and discus was before I came to America. It took me awhile, especially in shot playing because it was really hard to get a technique (and) to get really strong. Then (for) discus, it was really hard to get a technique going because I needed to learn the screen or position I was going to use so it took me a long time to get into it. Q: How does it feel to be so good at something that you just started doing?
SOPHIA GARFINKEL/shield
Sophomore Cata Rojas shows her discus skills A: Well, it feels really good. It makes me realize that I’m not just good at one sport and it makes me think that I can do one more sport and be good at it. I feel really proud of myself that I’m doing this, and I’m really happy. Q: Do you see a future for you with this sport? A: I don’t know, when I go back to Chile I’m going to try to find out if in my city they have this sport and see if I can get onto a team or continue practicing. If they don’t have it, I will quit and I will not do it again. So, this will be my experience for the year. Q:What are see Q & A your best throws? A: Shot, I threw a 25 feet. I think that was in my second meet.
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from B1 ACL:
Why is injury Q&A: Cata so common? “(Basically) the ACL is a ligament,” Wozniak explains. “It’s found in the middle of the knee joint, deep in the center of the joint. It attaches on the back side of the femur and the front side of the tibia. There is no muscle directly associated with the ACL. (During physical therapy) the muscles we want to strengthen around the leg, knee and hip are quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles and the hip muscles in general.” Wozinak adds that, while for some strengthening exercizes are a solution, for some surgery is re-
Qu
ick
Fac t
s
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) holds your thigh bone to your shin bone. A tear to the ACL results from overstretching it within the knee; either by twisting or hyperextention. Individuals experiencing a tear to the ACL may or may not feel a pop at the time of the injury. An ACL tear is most often a sports-related injury.
Source: eHe
q
u i r e d . gical patients have of physical “Surgery lasted two hours, and therapy is from approximately I was able to go home the same one to three months, but it takes day,” recalls Groffsky who had her six months for healing to finally surgery April 1st. “I don’t really end. The person is then allowed remember the first couple of days to return to activity. From week after because of the six to week medicine and anesthetwelve their sia. Then the medicine knee can re-tear wore off and the pain I even though went through was unthe person feels bearable. Plus, I had to really good, go to physical therapy so commonly the day after surgery, if they’re gowhich was awful. What ing to fail and I encountered the first re-injure the two weeks after surgery ligament after was an obstacle. What -Alex Groffsky, surgery it’s goI went through was exing to happen junior tremely challengbetween week ing, physically six and week and mentwelve. After t a l l y. week twelve My leg was goes by and they continue healv e r y ing until week twenty-four (six s w o l - months), they may start returning l e n to sports, straight line running a n d and getting back to practice and bruised getting ready for next season.” f r o m Thinking about her injury, my mid- Groffsky shares, “I didn’t prethigh to pare myself for the pain I was my ankle, going to go through. My only and even thoughts [now are about] bemy doctor ing able to play soccer again.” said it was Schuld adds “I’m sure I will almore than ways have that thought of ‘I hope he expected.” it doesn’t happen again’ but I Dr. Wozniak don’t worry about what’s going to explains that ex- happen on the field, I worry about periences such as not getting back on the field.” Groffsky’s show Looking back Alfano sees not only the dif- his experience as one that truly ficulty of surgery changed his life. “If I didn’t tear but also the impor- up my knee I might have gone tance of post-surgery somewhere other than Western physical therapy which Michigan. I might not have met helps patients return to my wife, and I might not have one hundred percent of my kids. I do think things all haptheir previous function. pen for a reason, but at the time it “The average post-sur- was devastating. That’s the way you have to approach it. Tearing your ACL is not something that means things (sports, life, opportunites) are all over. It’s an adversity and it makes you stronger.”
I didn’t prepare myself for the pain I was going to go through.
alth M
D.c om
Describe what caused the tearing of your ACL
It was the first kick return in the Andover v. Lahser football game. I hit a player and my leg straightened out and then twisted.
-Austin Schuld, junior
I tore my ACL and all the cartalidge around it going into my senior year of high school at a school football camp.
-Joe Alfano, gym teacher
I stole the ball from a player in a soccer showcase, she clipped my ankle.My foot was planted and my entire body twisted in a different direction.
-Alex Groffsky, junior
From B1
And then discus, is 33.7. Those are my PRs. Q:How did you feel when you got your best throws? A: I was jumping up and down and I was really happy. It was I think two meets ago. I couldn’t believe that I was throwing that far! Q: How do you think that you benefit your team? A: In discus I am getting second and third places, and sometimes first places. So I am getting points for the team. So points they don’t get for running or in the other events, I am getting the other points to win the meets. I am helping a lot to the entire team. Q: So, if you haven’t heard about this before, explain how you got involved. A: I was thinking about doing softball, because in my country they don’t have softball. So I wasn’t sure if I would make the team or not. So my house mom, Mrs. Sinclair, asked me if I wanted to do throwing in track. So I was thinking, ‘what do you do? what do you use to throw?’ I asked all the questions that I needed to know. And she told me it was basically throwing a ball and a discus. It took me a long time to figure out how to do it. So, I was really ignorant at the beginning I guess you could say. My teammates told me how to help me to get good at it, so it was really good. Q: How does that feel to be such an important player? A: It feels really good. It makes me feel like I am a part of the team and am actually helping and not just throwing for fun.
From B1
NEW SPORTS: Andover Jarred Bratley Staff Writer
The debate about Andover and Lahser High School’s consolidation has transferred from the boardroom onto the playing field. “If we were to consolidate we would be able to round out all of our programs from freshman through varsity,” Director of Athletics and Recreation Service Mike Cowdrey explains as one of the positive aspects for making what some are seeing as a difficult decision. “We currently are not able to do this with quite a few of our programs but combining we will be able to fill all of our programs making us more competitive and allowing us to develop our programs better.” As the school board analyzes through the pros such as Cowdry’s, coaches and athletics alike are viewing both the positive and the negative implications for their own programs. According to Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Ed Bretzslaff, 49 percent or 985 out of the combined 1,997 students currently participate in at least one sport. With a consolidation, many kids will have different opportunities to fall into different programs such as field hockey, water polo, bowling, crew, synchronized swimming, equestrian, figure skating, and programs with no cuts. Sophomore Paul Stewart, who competitively bowls, and sophomore Lise Devits, who participated on a field hockey team while living in Belgium, are excited about the possible introduction of these programs. “It would be really cool if Andover had a field hockey team. I think a lot of kids would realize how much fun the sport is and would want to join the program,” Devits says. With the positive aspects of school consolidation comes concerns. Andover swim coach, Dave Zulkiewski says, “We officially use our pool from three in the afternoon until ten at night so it would be tough to accommodate those sports.” Hearing considerations like Zulkiewski’s, Bretzlaff explains that “The main goal will be to make sure we have the facilities we need to run the programs we want to run.” Even though initial start up costs for uniforms, and new equipment, operating savings would be temporarily offset. Cowdrey says these changes would be cost effective as 97 coaches would be needed compared to the current 131 employed. For more information regarding possible consolidation or concerns, please check out the Bloomfield Hills website http://localweb.bloomfield.org.
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Below: Jesse Prepolec (12) runs with the football as Tierra Kelly (11) attempts to stop her. Prepolec led the senior team as the main quarterback.
s r o i n e S n i W
For the second year in a row, Class of 2010 wins the annual powder puff game, with the final score of 28-0.
Right: Chad Cutler (11) and Alexa Ellis (12) congratulate each other after the game. Both the junior team and senior team held practices to prepare for the big match.
Above: Seniors gather in the middle of the football field to celebrate their win against the juniors. With their superb defense against the junior team, Class of 2010 continued their domination. Left: Lena Thomas (12) attempts to maneuver around as Meghan Murray (11) chases her. Thomas was one of the leading scorers for the senior team.
Left: Mitchell Werner (11) directs Nicole Austin (11) before the junior team snaps the ball. As the junior team’s coaches, Werner, Zafar Wazir (11), and Chad Cutler (11) planned out plays to effectively battle against the senior team.
DAVID YU/shield
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Soccer Cleats
For a good soccer cleat, fit is most important according to Mary Blair, coach of the JV Girls Soccer team. The material should be durable leather. Also, soccer cleats differ based on the surface on which the game is being played; indoor, turf, and grass require different kinds of cleats. Blair says that since a player’s feet are the most important part of the game, comfort is a must.
Your turn: What shoes do you prefer for your sport?
Baseball Cleats
Since every cleat is different, baseball players need to find what works best for themselves. According to Kenneth Cameron, a coach of the JV Baseball team, players should look for a baseball shoe with metal cleats that provides good support and flexibility. Of course, players might also look for a cleat that reflects the team’s colors.
Your turn: What shoes do you prefer for your sport?
I wear Adidas®. I like the support of the cleats.
I always get Nike cleats for baseball because they are the most comfortable.
-Jessica Stern
-Ryan Bloom
senior
senior
If the Shoe
Fits Laces
e c i r P
ot at Fo ood n a g sm a sale urchase a o t g p to mum rdin Acco r, in order vide maxi wn o o e Lock at will pr ot wear d mer n h t to l shoe rt and wil use, a cus o comf h repeated least $80. t g throu to spend a needs
Laces are vital for the comfort of a shoe. They allow the wearer to adjust the fit of a sneaker for better comfort and performance. Look for shoelaces whose ends will not fray. Most laces today are made of cotton with the ends encased in plastic.
SHOCK Support
No matter what the use of a sneaker will be, shock support on the back is essential. Shoes cannot be completely flat. Padding between a foot and the ground ensures comfort and support. Those with high-arched feet require even greater shock absorption than those with low arches.
Overall comfort
Fashion
The most important criteria when shopping for casual shoes is fit. Since there are so many different varities of shoes available, a customer is sure to find some that fit his or her particular arch and width while providing the greatest comfort. Salesmen at Foot Locker suggest purchasing “running shoes” as casual shoes since they have good shock support and do not wear down easily. When shopping for practicality, Foot Locker employees suggest purchasing Asics.
Of course, when purchasing a new sneaker, all customers take fashion into account. The color, style, and how a shoe will make your foot appear are all important to consider. When customers shop mainly for fashion at Foot Locker, they tend to purchase Nikes.
Tennis Shoes
Track Sprinting Shoes
Tennis players need shoes that provide enough support for their constant side-to-side movements. Good flexibility and traction in a tennis shoe will give the players maximum agility with the starts and stops required for the game. Like soccer shoes, there are different tennis shoes for different court surfaces.
Your turn: What shoes do you prefer for your sport?
Track Varsity Boys Coach Joe Alfano claims that when looking for the best sprinting shoe, it is all about the arch support. He also stresses the importance of finding a lightweight shoe that is comfortable for the runner. Alfano believes that Asics has the best shoes available. Most sprinters on the Andover track team run with Asics. Nikes are also a popular running shoe brand.
Your turn: What shoes do you prefer for your sport?
My tennis shoes are Babolats. My tennis racket is Babolat and I like to match my shoes with my racket.
I run with Nikes. They are more comfortable than other brands.
-Dana Siegel
-Candace Calloway sophomore
senior
Design: Brian Margosian
Text: Rachel Rohr
Photos: James Feuereisen & David Yu
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Thank you Andover PTO 2009-2010 participants Co-presidents: Mary Belden and Judy Weiner Treasurer: Betsy Keidan Secretary: Cynthia Katz Past co-presidents: Jan Frank and Jodi Neff Lisa Broder Kim Chudler Gayle Cutler Ingrid Day Marsha Deitch Cathy Ebbing
Sue Ann Elder Janet Falcoff Susie Fenster Jan Frank Debbie Gordon Stacy Gordon Pat Greaves
Paul Greenstone Nancy Groth Barbara Gudeman Kelli Dade-Hanes Kris Hastings Beth Hirsch Geri Nassar-Jelin
Gale Jolly Shari Kalt Betsy Keidan Lori Kileen Debbie Lim Sheryl Inwald Kimberley McBean
Kristin Prebay Martha Raphelson Stacie Rein Nancy Richman Lucinda Rosen Sarah Saltzman Jody Schottenfels
Kelly Kling-Selander Missy Small Linda Spigelman Stephanie Stephans Marci Bloom-Vettese Katie Wiese Brenda Zack
A special thank you to parents of graduating seniors: Amy Cardin, Ingrid Day, Susie Fenster, Cynthia Katz, Martha Raphelson, and Judy Weiner
Attention Seniors!!!!
Get excited for the Senior All Night Part on June 13th. You don’t want to miss it!!! Important Reminders • Absolutely no tickets sold at the door • Doors open at 10 p.m. and students will have until 11 p.m. to enter the party which ends at 3 a.m • Following the party, parents of the junior class will assist with cleanup and storage Thank you to party co-chairs Jan Frank and Ingrid Day and all parents who are involved. The party could not exist without your assistance!!!
Principal gives a thank you to the senior class
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Before the Class of 2010 launches themselves into the dreams they’ve worked towards these past four years, I’d like to thank them for the memories of especially this past year. This class hit the ground running in September and hasn’t let up for a second. The Class of 2010 competed on our athletic teams and held up the virtues of commitment and the desire to be their best. They participated in clubs, raised money for many, many good causes including an incredible Charity Week to benefit Children’s Hospital. The Class of 2010 starred in musicals that were second to none with Millie and RENT filling the seats of our theater. Forensics reached the highest levels again as they along with Robotics, the Biff, and the The Shield
brought home state championships. Our fine arts thrilled us with our Traub competition and assembly. The band and orchestra played Carnegie Hall and the Choir continued to amaze us with their performances. Not to say your year was easy; there was disappointment and loss along the way. But this class stayed strong and is more than ready to take on the future with leadership and enthusiasm. I am proud of 2010 and know they will represent Andover well as they attend some of the most prestigious colleges in the country. I know someday they will look back and say “It was GREAT to be a Baron!” -- Robert Durecka
Superintendent says goodbye Dear Senior Barons, This is an exultant time of year for you: last set of high school final exams, passing from the known academic and social world that’s become— well—boring, while anticipating a fresh and independent beginning elsewhere. The supervision and constraints that may irritate you now give way to freedom and undreamed of personal responsibility. For the adults in your lives, however, these moments are bittersweet. We’re excited for your futures, but also mindful of the richness you have brought to our past. Over the years, I’ve had many opportunities to speak with
you individually and in groups. This year alone there have been many occasions when we discussed specific issues, or simply what was on your minds. You are amazing—articulate, informed, smart, and deeply caring. You’re certainly accomplished, but more importantly you have the personal characteristics so important to success in times that are changing more rapidly than any we’ve known before. Passing the torch to your generation gives me no qualms— I’m confident that you’ll attack life and its challenges passionately. I only ask that you become a “we” generation, not a
“me” generation. Each of us has the opportunity to help all of us while simultaneously helping ourselves—please remember both imperatives as you approach your brave new challenges. I admire you, will remember the Class of ’10 with great fondness, and wish you winds at your back always, and the fortitude to fight through the headwinds when they occur. My best always, Steve Gaynor
Cover Design by: Kyle Kavanagh
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staff Editors-in-Chief: Jake Gordon Bridget Sanders Managing Editor: Jessica Ranke Senior Advisors: Saloni Godbole Lauren Hendrickson Andrew Weiner Web Editors: Lauren Hendrickson Kyle Kavanagh Graphics: Kyle Kavanagh Copy Editor/ Distribution Manager: Alex Chudler Photographer: Madeline McIlhon Page Editors: Talia Goldman Pamela Pensler Emma Reidsma Alana Tabak Staff Writers: Emma Enache Audrey Fotouhi Joudeh Freij Elizabeth Glenn Kaya Koscielny Staff Illustrator: Josh Loney Advisor: Christina Hammitt
editors-in-chief
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Benefitting from merit-based pay
Jake Gordon
co-editor-in-chief
Fast Facts Awards include:
-Superior Sports Writing from Ball State -First Place MIPA page design -2010 ALL-MIPA Journalism staff -Will attend University of Missouri School of Journalism in the fall Shield positions:
2007-2008: Sports writer 2008-2009: sports editor 2009-2010: Coeditor-in-chief
Sex. (I have always wanted to start my column with that) There is a reason I waited until right before I graduated to write about merit- based-pay for teachers. In many spheres, merit-based pay has become just as taboo as the following unspeakable occurrences (that we have also not been allowed to cover in our newspaper in the past, as per Ms. Hammitt’s directions): a student bringing a gun to school, water wars, abortion, teenage pregnancy, etc. The mere mention of paying teachers based on performance incenses many for multiple reasons. It sends a chill down the spine of teachers with poor qualities and invokes pity in those who have friends who they know would stand to lose money. Imagine if teachers were paid in the same fashion as every other person in the work force. When a waitress forgets to bring me the zip sauce with my steak, I leave a smaller tip. Lebron gets paid more than Ben Gordon. And when a lawyer wins a civil case, he or she gets paid more than one who loses. Why should teachers get such special treatment? In addition to their unprecedented security of increased pay, they have job security bordering on the level of insanity. After their set probationary period (four years in the Bloomfield Hills School District) it is almost impossible to fire a teacher solely based on performance. Once any teacher passes through that probationary period, the educator needs to put forth about as much effort as Randy Moss did during his stint with the Oakland Raiders (he did not try at all). If one can continue to breathe, get to school, and constrain any desires to verbally, sexually or physically abuse a student, their jobs are secure (excluding budget cuts).
In fact, if a teacher is not performing to what an administrator deems up to par, the only thing that he or she can do is force them to go through an instructionary period. After this time, there is almost nothing more that the administrator can do. What has been created is a microcosm of communism inside of a capitalistic state. Numerous times it has been shown that although communism is perfect in theory, it leaves human nature completely out of the equation. So, what has happened is that the teaching force has become back-loaded with old and complacent teachers. With no motivation after the first four years, how could anything else be expected? America is a country inspiring many innovative and determined new teachers. However, this new generation of teachers is having trouble finding jobs. Paying teachers based on their perfor-
mance may be the only way to fix the education in America. I understand that at this point in time there is no truly fair way to grade the performance of a teacher. If we were to use test scores, the teachers who have the smarter pupils to begin with would have an unfair advantage. And if we were to use grade improvement, then the teachers who have pupils with lower grades would have an unfair advantage as there would be more room for improvement. We have fallen out of the top 50 countries in education and we continue to fall, partially due to our education system. And even though we know that the unions are to blame, there is nothing anybody can do. Change is eminent. It is time for the educators of America to stop worrying about how they are going to get paid and instead realize how important it is for them to continue to be motivated. In the same way that a teacher cannot teach me if I do not want to learn, I cannot learn if my teacher does not want to teach. Or cannot.
Right: A sample of what Jake Gordon has designed for the Shield in his three years on staff
May 2009
September 2009
November 2009
April 2010
editors-in-chief Always seize the opportunity to say goodbye
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Bridget Sanders co-editor-in-chief
I usually tend to close the doors to my past as quickly as I can. It’s not because I’m ashamed or anything, but rather that it’s just a lot easier to forge ahead to newer and more exciting things than to dwell on the past. It can be awkward, a bit painful, and just a lot more emotional than what I’m willing to put myself through. Let’s just say that I’m one of those people who hates goodbyes. Up until recently, I’ve been completely focused that it couldn’t possibly be true. on the future. Loyola University, living in Chicago, My mind darted back to what I knew of my grandand being independent completely enthralled me pa’s history. Forging his birthdate to fight in the (I still can’t believe it’s all happening). My days army in WWII, going back to fight the were spent not contemplating leaving my teenKorean War with the navy, raising nine children, age life behind, but rather preparing for my adult being a math professor, I could go on and on. life. It wasn’t until a few days ago that I learned Throughout my entire life, I had never seen any a most important life lesson: not to sign of weakness from him. He was my throw away a chance to say goodrock, and to see his body simply give up bye. Not only to say goodbye to on such an intelligent, strong man didn’t things such as my high school , seem real. my home, and my community, I knew that my grandpa’s ultimate desire but also to friends and family in was to see each of his 22 grandchildren all stages of life. graduate high school. With my own gradEdward Mielock, my 83 year old uation date quickly approaching, I selfgrandpa, had back surgery a few ishly thought that it just didn’t seem fair months ago. During the recovery Bridget Sanders and Edward Mielock for him to leave before mine (I would’ve process, an infection spread throughout his entire been the 14th). body. His physical health quickly deteriorated, and My dad later asked if I wanted to visit my grandpa it was evident just recently that he was dying. one last time at the recovery home to say goodbye. I remember when my mom called my father and I can’t tell you how difficult the decision was. To told him that my grandpa didn’t have much time be honest, I was scared out of my mind. Running left. At first, upon hearing the news, I didn’t want away from the situation in denial was definitely an to believe it. My palms started to sweat, my breath enticing thought. But then my dad told me someshortened, my eyes welled up with tears, and my thing really important: most people don’t have the entire world tipped over, time seemed to stop. chance to say goodbye. So if given the opportunity, I tried as hard as I could to reason with myself, I should jump at it without thought.
We drove over to the recovery center as fast as we could. As we entered my papa’s room, I was overwrought with emotion. My grandpa slowly opened his eyes, and I realized I had very little time to convey my love for him before his pain medication and sleep took over. I completely froze up. I had no idea what to say. How could I sum up my vast love for him in such short a time? How could I tell him how much I looked up to him and how things would never feel the same? Through my tears, I managed to choke out that I love him, very much so. And that I was so grateful for the wonderful family he’s provided for us, and that everything will be okay. He was able to whisper a thank you, and with that, I had time to give him a kiss on the forehead and quietly leave. I can’t tell you how glad I am to have been given the chance to say goodbye. No matter the heartbreak it caused me to see him in such pain, or the amount of emotion that washed over me, I would do it again and again if it meant him getting to hear one last time how much I care for him. So as we seniors take the first step into the next phase of our lives, let’s not forget how we got in the position in the first place. Take the time to reminisce and say goodbye. Seize every opportunity to do so. Who knows, it might be the last chance you get.
Fast Facts National Awards -won over 6 national awards including 2 first place awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Ball State University State Awards -won over 15 state awards for design and writing from the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association -will attend Loyola University Chicago next fall on a fulltuition scholarship from their Honors Program
Shield positions 2007-2008: Opinion editor 2008-2009: Cofeatures editor
2009-2010: Coeditor-in-chief
Right: A sample of the pages Bridget Sanders has designed for the Shield in her three years on staff.
June 2008
October 2008
December 2008
April 2010
editors
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What will you miss most about high school?
Life is like a jar of cookies Jessica Ranke managing editor
Ever since I can remember, my house has together. On those Sundays while we’re all in been like a bakery. There is never separate areas of the house working, a time when the warm aroma of he sends his tantalizing just-outFast Facts of-the-oven smell throughout the homemade bread, moist muffins, chocolatey cake, or mouthwatering house and like a siren, gathers us pie is not wafting through the house. - University of all together in the kitchen for some You name it, we bake it. Regardless Michigan Class quality bonding with peanut butter of what other baked goods are in the chocolate chip. On those family of 2014 house at the time, there is never a lack summer trips, trail mix cookie is of cookies. in his designated seat between my I’ve come to consider the cookie a - Managing brothers and me in the car. confidant, a comfort, a companion. Editor To me, the cookie will always No matter what is going on in my life, represent the comforts of home. he’s always there for me. When I’m Next year at Michigan, I will no st stressed out with school, cookies come - 1 Place, longer be greeted by his warm, loaded with warm, melted chocolate to MIPA Environ- buttery, goodness or see his freshboost my mood. There’s no better cure mental Cover- baked deliciousness sitting on for anxiety than a nice relaxing break the counter. For most of us, the in the dining room with sugar cookie. age fall marks the beginning of the And M&M cookie is the perfect outlet next chapter of our lives. As we for frustration; sweet enough to listen - 1st Place, experience the world, we will all to my venting and crunchy and tough be leaving behind our own cookiesMIPA Sports enough to handle the shouting with our own comforts from home. But just enough antioxidant rich chocolate Feature Story as we make new friends and meet to cheer me up. For those weekend new people we’ll find new sources days when the sun seems to never stop of comfort-new cookies. And in shining, there is nothing better than a good the end, it doesn’t really matter what type of laugh with oatmeal raisin. cookie you’re eating, it’s who you are eating Cookie has never failed at bringing my family the cookie with that counts.
-Chase Simpson
The day is quickly approaching. Before, it seemed it couldn’t come soon enough. But now, I’m met with mixed feelings. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for college. I can’t wait to experience the “real world” outside the bubble I’ve been living in for the past 18 years. But being a notorious worrier, I can’t help thinking of all the things I’ll miss next year. For some, it is walking in the door to the excited bark and wagging tail of their furry best friend. To others it may be the comfort of coming home to their own bed in their own room every night. And still others may find reassurance in dining out at their regular restaurant every week. Yes, I’ll miss all of these things too, but one thing has remained a stable comfort to me not only throughout my high school years, but my entire life: cookies.
All of the amazing teachers I’ve had.
Did I really learn anything?
Playing euchre, I mean, studying, in seminar.
senior
-Chloe Logan senior
Andrew Weiner senior life advisor
The people. Oh yeah, definitely the people.
-Emily Katz senior
Sitting with my friends on the benches.
-Danielle Studenberg senior
With only days to graduation, I’m beginning to nostalgically wander through the past four years. I expected to be impressed with the amount of knowledge and experience I’d attained at a higher learning institution such as Andover. Surely I must be ready to take on anything my future could throw at me! I came back nearly empty handed. Cellular respiration is 38% efficient. Or is that photosynthesis? The derivative of natural log is one over x. I think. Eight semesters of classes and I have a terrifying feeling that I know nothing. Okay, fine, I know a couple of unit circle values and can analyze a poem if given a couple hours. But anything that will be useful when I’m living on my own? Not one. Several small but vital bits of
information have somehow eluded me. When customers at the bagel store I work at asked me for “a couple egg bagels,” I would always ask how many they wanted. It had never dawned on me that “a couple” meant a specific number. After about a year, I finally figured it out. Just like a couple is two people, a couple of bagels are two bagels! I imparted my newly acquired Fast Facts wisdom onto others. They stared and wondered what kind of college - University of had accepted me. Michigan Class In the midst of their disapproving glares, I wondered why any college of 2014 would want me, too. Besides not knowing a difference between “several” and “couple,” - Senior Life I made it to high school without Advisor learning the order of the months. I have been mocked for life for - 1st Place, it, but I have missed most the day MIPA Feature in kindergarten when the teacher explained this vital knowledge. Column Luckily, none of the applications I filled out said, “Can you recite all - Two Honor- twelve months in order?” able Mentions, If I got through high school without knowing things that most firstBall State graders do, what else have I missed? The possibilities scare me. Journalism
Fortunately, I have a couple of months until I move out in August. Okay, so I haven’t retained all the information I learned in AP Chemistry. Surely I’ve gained incredible insight and know-how through my other Andover experiences! Again, I come up with a little more, but not much. Paper plate awards from theater are reminiscent of the fact that I can adequately click buttons on a soundboard. A lone 6th place Forensics trophy remind me the progress I made in public speaking my senior year. Hold on just one second. Epiphany. Though I may not have too many tangible artifacts and I can’t instantly recall all the knowledge I learned in class, my time at Andover is worth more than that. Challenging classes forced me to learn how to efficiently study. Newspaper and English classes shaped me into a strong (and modest) writer and opened my mind to poetry and real literature. My time in the theater brought me many of my closest friends and best memories. I may be scared and excited for the future, but it would be naïve and wrong to disregard the past four years.
editors
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A body to die for Saloni speaks about Lauren Hendrickson
senior sports advisor and web editor
As if I don’t have enough pressure academically, socially and economically, as I head off to college, the last thing I need to add to this mix is thinking about liposuction and Botox. If anything, in our society, we deal with too many people who are “fake” on the inside. However, it is evident that we must also deal with those who are “fake” on the outside. It is 2010 – a new decade. Does this also signal a new perspective on “natural beauty”? In economic terms, consider the law of diminishing returns. While 30 minutes of exercise a day may be good for you, increasing this to 20 hours a day would be absurd. This is analogous to how a simple eyebrow lift can quickly translate into a perception that modifying every aspect of your body is necessary, as well. As is true in life, too much of anything is rarely prudent. In an April 2010 New York Times article, it was suggested that cosmetic surgery can actually hurt a career. For example, television executives at Fox Broadcasting have been actively seeking individuals with a more “natural looking” appearance because the “amply endowed, freakishly young-looking crowd that shows up for auditions in Los Angeles suffers from too much sameness.” We have grown up in an era of airbrushing, heavily padded, push-up bras, and Spanx undergarments that add definition to your rear end. Now, TV shows such as Extreme Makeover, I Want a Famous Face, and Dr. 90210 are advocating a more permanent way of achieving the so-called “perfect body” – excessive plastic surgery. While cosmetic surgery in moderation may be acceptable – and even necessary at times – as with virtually everything in life, it should not be taken to an extreme. In a recent interview, Montag explained how she “just wanted to feel more confident and look in the mirror and be, like, ‘Whoa! That’s me!’” Ironically, 10 procedures and $30,000 later, I wonder, when Montag looks in the mirror, if she is able to recognize who is looking back.
The typical à la carte menu of plastic surgery: Mini brow lift. Botox in forehead and frown area. Nose job. Fat injections in cheeks, nasolabial folds, and lips. Chin reduction. Neck liposuction. Ears pinned back. Breast augmentation. Liposuction on waist, hips and inner and outer thighs. Buttock augmentation. Six months ago, Heidi Montag ordered one of everything. In one sitting. Total bill: approximately $30,000. On April 27, 2010, Montag debuted her new face and body on MTV’s reality TV show, The Hills. In interviews, she tried to rationalize her quest for perfection by describing herself as an “ugly duckling” before these surgeries. Though she, admittedly, nearly died in the operating room, Montag says she plans on having more procedures. I’m not sure which is most disconcerting to me: the appearance of her “plasticized” body, or the state-of-mind that led her down this disturbing path. It’s one thing to put your life in jeopardy in an operating room for a medically necessary operation, but to risk your life enhancing your physical features seems preposterous. More importantly, what impact will her behavior have upon the perceptions and actions of the young viewers who watch this show and may see characters, such as Heidi, as role models to be emulated? Will surgically enhanced Heidi dolls start appearing on the shelves of Toys“R”Us? A study conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that cosmetic-surgery procedures performed on those 18 years old and younger have nearly doubled over the past decade. In addition, nearly 14 percent of Botox injections are given to those in the 19-to-34 age group. Fast Facts -Hendrickson will be attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee in the fall of 2010 -She is a Shield staff member of four years and looks forward to being part of a newspaper at Vanderbilt -She has won numerous awards and held a variety of positions including news and features editor
Showing my school spirit during homecoming week.
-Adi Asadoorian senior
The friendships I’ve gained and how strong they have grown.
-Kyle Taylor senior
the simple life
Saloni Godbole
senior news advisor
I’m a senior and I do what I want. While that may sound like the anthem for the class of 2010, it is actually a realization that has enriched my life. Straight-A student. Dutiful daughter. Extracurricular enthusiast. These labels came with expectations, and were attached to me by others. I happily lived up to the labels for the first three years of high school, thinking that it was what I was supposed to do. Doing so even yielded positive results. My Some GPA was perfect, and people were everyone seemed to upset with my be proud of me. There came a day, decisions, but... however, when the I put everything labels peeled off. Doing things for I had into the others robbed me of a things I chose to sense of self. I wanted continue. I was to quit the forensics team, I gave up on truly happy. trying in school, and in general I embodied the s e n i o r i t i s epidemic. However, my malady had a far more serious cause. Instead of the lethargic symptoms that coincide with a college acceptance letter, I was truly disillusioned. I could not quite figure out why I had been doing things I hated for so long, and could not force myself to continue. And no, this is not the part where I give up on everything altogether and say yay! Being
a senior is awesome! Failing school is no big deal! Contrary to popular belief, the solution to a life filled with obligation is not backing down. I could tell you about the remedy…but so could Plato. He once said, “In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.” A few eons later, Thoreau chimed in. “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify.” Well, Thoreau, that is exactly what I did. I prioritized and became more than a little selfish regarding how I spend my time. Sure, some people were upset with my decisions, but a remarkable thing happened. I put everything I had into the things I chose to continue. I was truly happy. Instead of being pulled in a million distracting directions, my heart was set on a few challenging goals that I had fun chasing. Although I have said ‘I’ a couple hundred times in this column, there’s a nice lesson here for anyone. It is that simplicity means choosing your own path through life consciously, deliberately, and of your own accord. Simplicity also means staying focused, diving deep, and taking charge of a life that is too busy, too stressed, and too fragmented. An uncluttered simplicity means cutting back on trivial distractions and focusing on the essentials, whatever those may be. Become a forensics state champion. Keep up the grades. Maintain friendships. I had my essentials, and I’m sure you have yours. Go after them with everything you’ve got, and let what doesn’t matter truly not matter. “Driven” is an adjective associated with praise, but what many fail to understand is that all the drive in the world is useless unless the destination is desirable.
Fast Facts -Godbole will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall of 2010 -She has been on the Shield staff for three years as a staff writer, opinion editor, and senior advisor -She has won and second and third place from the MIPA and a superior from Ball State University
Being involved in high school sports. I am not going to play sports in college.
-Katie Seraydarian senior
The theater department and the music wing. And all my friends.
-Marlee Rich senior
seniors
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What will you miss most about high school?
A Michigander at heart Alex Chudler copy editor
It is such a small community where you can really get to know people.
-Ezra Kirshenbaum senior
I’ll miss cheerleading and my friends the most.
-Kate Merchant senior
How close I am with the track team and coaches. -Ed Hur senior
Frozen cokes. -Kristen Suchomel senior
I’ve got to get out of here. When I first started my college search, these words often went through my head. I wanted to be somewhere, anywhere, rather than Michigan. California, New York, Florida; just about anywhere seemed more appealing than boring old Michigan. Now that I am preparing to leave Michigan, for at least four years, I see that I was wrong. Michigan is a truly unique and beautiful
state, and I am going to miss it when I leave. Quite a few of Michigan’s qualities are far from admirable. What was once the state with the thriving auto industry now has the worst unemployment rate in the country. The winters are dark and dreary and seem to last forever. A beautiful summer day can turn into a hailstorm in a matter of seconds, and wearing shorts and a winter coat at the same time is normal. We don’t have big ocean beaches like California. We don’t have tropical weather like Florida. We don’t have a huge mountain range like Colorado. We don’t even have funny accents like Southerners or Bostonians. But when I really stopped to think about it, I realized that Michigan has so much to offer that cannot be found anywhere else.
While people down South may be able to wear shorts year-round, they will never experience the four unique seasons that Michigan does. Many have never seen snow before, much less thrown a snowball or skied. And, although I despise fall, I don’t know many other places that get to enjoy cider and donuts at cider mills like we do. Michigan has some of the most diverse geography in the country, with lakes, forests, sand dunes and mountains. The Great Lakes, Mackinac Island and the UP are all breathtaking features of our truly amazing state. There are countless aspects to Michigan that only we can truly appreciate. So, even though it can seem a bit unbearable at times, I am proud to be a Michigander. How many people can point out where they live using their hand as a map?
The importance of rivalry Madeline McIlhon chief photographer
What would the University of Michigan do without Michigan State? What would happen if there was no longer that strong rivalry between them? Now, what will Andover do without Lahser? The Andover-Lahser rivalry is a longstanding tradition. Because of the possibility of a combined school, there will be students who won’t understand that competition, or what it has meant to the students who thrived on it.
students at both schools, the rivalry Often, schools with rivalries The does not revolve around taunting don’t have large numbers of and unsportsmanlike conduct. students who grew up near each rivalry is a Personally, I have found that at many other. Because of this, Bloomfield Andover-Lahser events, the students Hills has something special and long standing from the opposing schools are talking irreplaceable. tradition. laughing with one another – not The Andover-Lahser feud has Bloomfield Hills and at them. been a crucial part of each sport’s I am proud to be an Andover season, even if the outcome was has something student, and I am sure the Lahser predictable. special. students have similar feelings. But Every year before the Andoverwhat will happen to the pride of being Lahser swim meet, my coach Dave an Andover or Lahser student when Zulkiewski always gives roughly the same speech. One of the key aspects is those schools disappear into Bloomfield the importance of this rivalry. The friendly Hills High School? Perhaps West Bloomfield competition draws out a strong performance, High School will become the next great clash to replace the Andover-Lahser rivalry for the leading to a great meet. Because of the close relationships between next generation of students.
Myths about high school Kaya Koscielny staff writer
My upcoming graduation feels bittersweet. In a flash, I am a senior. As I reminisce about freshmen year, I wish I’d learned the truth about several myths before entering Andover. Firstly, I wish I’d learned Freshmen Friday is not real. Each Friday, I looked over my shoulder, expecting seniors to beat me up, throw me in the trash can or slash my scooter tires. Eventually, I became less fearful and looked forward to the weekends.
Furthermore, when I came to Preview Night, I head two graduates speak about doing homework for hours. This terrified me; I thought I’d drown in assignments. I imagined myself at 1 a.m., hooked up to an espresso IV with huge raccoon circles around my eyes. It’s impossible to have so much work unless you procrastinate. Generally, I had physical therapy, did homework and still went to bed early. Moreover, I developed an assembly phobia when I heard rumors about being brain washed with the “four more years” chant, and that seniors would throw things at Freshmen. Sitting in the freshmen section above the seniors hearing the chant, I looked for something in the air. Once it ended I was relieved, realizing the coast was clear. This tradition allows seniors to rejoice
harmoniously as graduation approaches. Obviously,the seniors mean no harm. Parents and teachers struggle with keeping seniors engaged, fearing they will get senioritis, a condition causing selective hearing . This results in incomplete homework. Forgetfulness, laziness and low grades senior year are common. Minute amounts of sugar or caffeine can help.The myth that every senior gets it is untrue because I became immune to it by telling myself that I’ve worked too hard to let myself slide. Another myth is Senior Skip Day. I remembered the vice principal announcing that seniors who skipped school due to rumors were misinformed and needed to make up work. I laughed so hard, it turned out that Senior Skip Day didn’t exist.
seniors What will you miss most about the class of 2010?
All of my good senior friends!
-Megan Goldstein
junior
Their genuine authenticity. It makes them special. -Mary Vennettilli Spanish teacher
Do what makes you happiest David Rohr staff writer
Let me start this off by saying that I think the University of Michigan and Michigan State University are two of the best state schools in the nation. However, I have never wanted to go to either of those schools and could have cared less if I had gotten in or not. Before you all get your pitchforks and torches, I beg you to hear me out. I have nothing against the two schools (it’s not like I’m an Ohio State or Notre Dame fan!), and I have the utmost respect and admiration for the academic and athletic accomplishments of both institutions. I have merely discovered that those two establishments are not the places for me. Since I started my Andover career, I have felt that I have been pushed towards one of those schools as my ultimate collegiate goal. My teachers have gone to U of M and MSU and only sung praises about them. My friends’ brothers, sisters, and parents have all gone there. My peers have all gone
there! Every house I go to or even pass driving through my neighborhood has the maize and blue or green and white flying (and sometimes even both) proudly. Instead, though, overcoming the influences of what seems like everyone I ever talk to, I have decided to go to the University of Pittsburgh. Academically ranked, it is in between the University of Michigan and MSU. Athletically, it does not quite have the same varsity tradition of either school. However it does possess something else that neither U of M nor MSU have: it clicked with me. My fear is that because we go to Andover, students get pigeonholed into being U of M or MSU-bound. We take for granted, though, that both of those schools are extremely selective not only to out-of-state students, but to in-state students as well. Most Michigan residents do not have the opportunities that we have at Andover and struggle and often fail at trying to get into those two schools. Because we have the means to get into those two schools, most of us fail to explore any other options. “But in-state tuition is so cheap!” I hear all the time. And I will agree that living in Michigan makes U of M and MSU so much more affordable than many
other schools. But just because the Zune may be cheaper than the iPod, does that mean that the Zune is what you really want? I guess my central thesis of the column is something like “Do what makes you happiest.” Just because you will have a good time at the University of Michigan does not mean it is the best place for you. I know that U of M is great and that with all the opportunities, new people to meet, and a solid friend base already attending the school I could have a great time. But I found a place that I like better and am infinitely more excited to attend. I urge everyone to branch out, apply to a few schools out of state. Even search for scholarship opportunities that make out of state schools more affordable. But beyond college options, search for the way to be happiest. If that means going to Michigan State University, go for it. If that means running onto the field during a Tigers game and dancing in front of thousands of fans…well good luck and I hope you don’t mind getting tazed. But please, PLEASE, do not allow yourself to be pressured, pigeonholed, or cornered into the path of least resistance. This is your life, and it is for you to enjoy. Take in advice from everyone that you trust, but in the end, make decisions for the one person it will affect the most: you.
but familiar faces, all making their rounds, shrieking and hugging anyone in their line of sight. Most of the girls looked the same but the guys were a different story. Their new looks and suave manners made me regret that I didn’t keep in touch. I must have talked to everyone. Roars of laughter were heard as yearbooks were flipped through and stories shared. It seemed that my anxiety about the event was a waste of worrying. Like déjà vu of our eighth grade graduation, in place of our high school anticipations were conversations about college and our hopeful futures. Driving home, I began to think of my upcoming graduation. There were so many events to look forward to: receiving my cap and gown, the senior breakfast, our
last hoorah at the senior all night-party, and receiving my diploma. I cherish the remaining time I have with my friends, not like they’ll disappear into thin air as soon as we graduate, but I sense some things will change. We won’t see each other everyday, our roommates will become our best friends, and we’ll be separated by hundreds of miles. I wonder if our Class of 2010 ten year reunion will be similar to my recent eighth grade reunion. Will I be just as anxious? Will I keep in touch or lose contact with my best friends? Will my crushes be just as breathtaking as they are now? Will I show up in mom jeans? There’s still so much to look forward to and so much unknown. What I do know is I will always cherish the memories I have made.
Graduation brings changes Emma Reidsma life page editor
My hands were shaky, my foot kept tapping, and my mind was racing; just the regular indications that I was worried out of my mind. I was about to see my fellow classmates of the St. Hugo of the Hills graduating class of 2006. As I can recall, the last time I saw my pre-pubescent friends was during a tearjerking photo montage of the past nine years we had spent together set to Vitamin C’s “Graduation (Friends Forever)”. Now I was staggering into a gathering of matured
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How they treated the underclassmen.
-Joey Kemeny freshman
Taking an unexpected opportunity Talia Goldman news page editor
Life is weird. This fall, I will attend the University of California, Berkeley. But in the long college selection process that I was involved in, it was never a realistic consideration. But the strange thing is, my mother had fallen in love with the area long ago when she lived there briefly. In fact, she nearly moved there, except she had begun to date the man who later became my father. So if my mom had moved there, I probably wouldn’t exist… However, what brought me to Berkeley was a sad event. One of my mother’s best friends had fallen deathly ill earlier in the year, so my family and I went out to San Francisco to see him. While I was there, I wandered around the campus. That fall, the college frenzy began. When I thought of Berkeley, I figured, “Hey, it’s in an area I like and it’s the one warm school I’ll apply to.” So I sent in my application and began to wait impatiently. On March 25th, I opened my letter to see ”Congratulations.” I wasn’t as surprised when my environmental, almost vegan friend was admitted, but I definitely had not anticipated being admitted myself. Excited by my shocking admission, I visited Berkeley. When I saw the beautiful campus and met a lot of friendly people, I was enchanted. And voilà, next thing I know I’m going to school in California next year, which I wouldn’t have gotten to see if it hadn’t been for her friend’s illness. But on the positive side, my mother will get to see her favorite city more often, and her friend will be remembered every time she thinks of me there. I am so glad I kept an open mind and considered Berkeley. Being open to Cal allowed me to discover a place I am genuinely excited about. If I had not considered it, I would have missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime---to gain new perspectives, be in a different place, and receive an excellent education.
seniors
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What will you miss most about the class of 2010?
How funny they are. -Greg Strasser sophomore
The chemistry (the seniors) have in everything they do.
-Carolyn Wiese junior
They are tremendously accomplished young men and women. -Susan Feigenson English teacher
Model High School offers more All-you-can-eat pancakes with swim team seniors. -Michael Linden junior
I’ll miss them straggling into first hour.
-Dennis Kwasny science teacher
Alana Tabak
news page editor
I’ve found it. I have found a safe haven, a home away from home, a place to be myself: Model High School. Although many look down upon Model High School because of its reputation for being easier and a place for some to slack off, I believe that attending Model was one of the best decisions I have made in high school. I first started to take classes at Model in the
-Tiffany Su sophomore
I have made so many new friendships at Model with kids not only from Andover, but from Lahser too. I can be who I really am at Model without having anyone judge me. Although there are no tests at Model, I can honestly say I have learned much more at Model than I ever did at Andover. And because Model’s program means that each student must be more independent, I actually pay attention at Model and I have been able to learn about topics I am actually interested in. After my first year at Model, it was an easy decision for me to switch from taking three classes to six for my senior year. As I look back on my past four years of high school, I have realized how utterly grateful I am for Model High School.
Did somebody hear that? Emma Enache staff writer
Admit it, you’ve done it too: harbored a completely irrational but nagging suspicion about any number of fellow students. You may think some students secretly have magical powers. Or mabye they have a double life as a secret agent. But first, a little background. A huge part of high school is idle time, something that I managed to experience in
The talent they contribute to every aspect of the school.
beginning of my junior year. I walked in not really knowing what to expect. I quickly learned that Model High School was completely different from Andover. Right away, I made great friendships with my teachers. I have gained so much knowledge and insight from knowing my teachers at a more personal level. Instead of teachers, they really are more like friends. I feel like I could tell any one of my teachers at Model anything. Not only are the teachers at Model great to have for advice and friendships, but they are some of the best teachers I have had. They don’t teach straight from a book and they are truly interested and passionate about what they are teaching. The students at Model are the same way.
almost all of my classes during my four years at Andover. During that idle time, I’m not pressed to do class work, homework, read notes or books. I just think (about anything at all)—and I strongly suspect that (surprise) all of the other students in any given class who are not talking or sleeping are thinking as well. What exactly is running through their minds about is anyone’s guess, but it’s easy to suppose that minds…well…wander from school material. Enter my personal suspicion: some people at Andover have a superpower. It’s not necessarily a cool one, like the ability to fly or disappear, but it’s much more embarrassing and possibly even incriminating: the power to read minds.
Follow your dreams Elizabeth Glenn staff writer
“Always shoot for the moon”. “Reach for the stars”. “The sky is the limit.” Any of these
sound familiar? These are just a few of the very common clichés that we hear on a day to day basis. My personal favorite has always been was, “No dream is ever too big”. I always believed this statement to be very true. It wasn’t until April of my senior year that my long term goal was finally reached. I was accepted into the New York Conservatory
And so, I’ve become increasingly paranoid that people can read my mind and know all of my secrets and embarrassing moments and so on. I’ve tried everything to get them to reveal themselves. Nod if you can hear this, I think very loudly, and then surreptitiously scan the classroom to see if the mind-reader revealed himself or herself. Or, if I think something especially stupid and then hear someone in the class snort derisively, I immediately begin singing the alphabet in my head to block out said stupid thought. The upside to this theory is that it’s all in my mind. Well, maybe. Because if you knew about this already, please nod.
for Dramatic Arts with a scholarship, part of 180 out of 5000 auditions, to study film and television, right in the heart of NYC. When I heard this, I was more than excited and proud of myself for getting this far. This is something that I wanted since I was little; it felt like my hard work finally paid off. I hope to continue to strive for success and keep up with my dream. I am aware of how hard it will be, but that certainly isn’t going to hold me back. As I have always told myself, “no dream is ever too big”.
seniors Their comical outlook on life.
-Ben Rooney junior
The enthusiasm my seniors had this year. Best of luck to you all!
-Art Heymoss English teacher
Their leadership and off-season work ethic. -Joe Alfano gym teacher
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Going to the same school as my sister.
-Zack Neff sophomore
Looking back to look forward The appalling Joudeh Freij staff writer
Much happened to me during the four years at Andover. I made new friends, became a better musician, took difficult classes in many areas, matured, and managed to get into a highly regarded national university. Alas, these events paled in comparison to what was happening outside the confines of my high school. Perhaps the most dramatic event has been the election of an African American man to become the President of the United States of America. This was considered an impossibility both here and abroad, but it did happen
early enough in my life and it showed me our life that are outside of our immediate that nothing is really out of our reach. control. We also lived through the economic Many people died through no fault of global meltdown of 2008, and its ongoing their own, cutting short their life and negative ripple continues to effect us to their dreams. this day. Many people, including Global warming, with its While parents of some Andover looming natural disasters, students, lost their jobs or found personal growth may re-write humanity’s future their individual worth slashed in unimagined ways. is very important, course by half or more through no fault While personal growth is we should not of their own. very important, we should not This made me realize how lose sight of lose sight of the fact that life fragile the job market can be, around us directly impacts us, and the quicksand of living the fact that and in profound ways. beyond one’s means. This life around us Our vision for ourselves makes me strive for a career directly impacts should not be viewed through that allows me to weather future a narrow lens. We are all us, and in economic storms effectively. connected in some way (and The Swine Flu Epidemic profound ways. I don’t mean Facebook that swept the globe in 2009 or Twitter) by our impact and 2010, affecting close to 80 million on the world’s events and Americans, reminded me that nature has the transformations that its own way of infusing other variables into come as a result.
Procrastination problems
Audery Fotouhi staff writer
I have been given a lot of advice throughout my busy seventeen years of life. Follow through with your ideas; mind your own business; push yourself; do your best; set your mind to something and you can do anything. Less philosophical and more practical advice (“brush your teeth before bed” and “exercise thirty minutes daily”) has also been given. I have read self-help books (“follow your dreams!”) and told my parents that I am in serious need of advice (“clean your room!”).
Obviously this is all great advice, but really, the best (and simplest) advice I have ever been given is “don’t procrastinate.” It wasn’t hard for me to recognize the early signs of a growing procrastination problem; my symptoms includede a lack of a desire to work and resulted in feelings of panic and stress. I, for one, have suffered I realized from procrastination that if I stop throughout my four procrastinating I years of high school. When my mentors would eliminate would tell me “don’t almost all of procrastinate” I my problems. used to retort with a “don’t tell me what to do! I know how to live my life.” But as I grew older and
wiser (seniors are very wise, didn’t you know?) I realized that if I stopped procrastinating I would eliminate almost all of my problems. Of course, the other advice that I have used will give me benefits. Brushing your teeth will prevent cavities, cleaning your room prevents you from tripping over piles of clothing while sleepwalking. I try to follow my dreams and that keeps me working hard. Seeing as nearly all of my troubles stem from procrastination, I know that utilizing this advice will make my like so much easier. But you see, all this is great until I have to put the advice into action. I know that if I actually applied this advice (don’t procrastinate) to my daily life it would be the best advice I would have ever gotten.
truth about airplanes
Pamela Pensler news page editor
When flying last week to Vegas, I remember the tray tables were sticky and reeked of relish from last month’s turkey sandwich lunch special. A faint aroma of fart wafted from the obese man in front of me, and a baby was screaming an annoying medley. I got off the plane nauseous from the rollercoaster turbulence and unable to rid my nostrils of a pungent odor that developed during my five-hour flight. To think we voluntarily choose to fly in an enclosed tiny box with wings makes me question what goes on in our heads. We sit in an uncomfortable metal chair, with a few thin pieces of fabric to rest our back and bottom, for hours, possibly developing blood clots from the excessive amount of sitting on the way to our final destination. We breathe recycled, bacteria infested air, which will probably cause us some newfound disease in the next fifty years, and we eat small bags of peanuts and pretzels that have likely sat in a warehouse for years. If that still isn’t enough, according to National Public Radio (NPR), Spirit Airlines has installed seats that don’t recline on their new planes. The fixed upright seats will allow Spirit to squeeze in more passengers, and save money because non-reclining seats are less expensive. Spirit also now introduced fees for carry-on bags and gives no complimentary beverages or snacks. I honestly think airplanes are disgusting and horrific, but I still find myself with the rest of the world flying on them every other month. We pay hundreds of dollars for a flight, and are treated like a herd of cattle. Tickets keep increasing, while airlines remove more and more “complimentary services.” The flying experience that once was, is no more, and we really have no way of stopping the airline of taking advantage of us. So the daunting question is why do we fly in these conditions when they are below unsatisfactory? I believe things will get worse, before getting better for airlines. Until then, I guess I will just try taking the bus.
Thank you
to the 2009-2010 Shield seniors
for a great year! We’ll miss you!