The Voice: February 11, 2010 by The Voice

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JOHN ZIELINSKI

• A day in the life of a teenage mom • Hot local bands • Hell week: Boys Swim team •Student spotlight: Sat Bo

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teach them self-defense and hip hop dancing. They also show them how to build strong bodies by playing basketball, volley ball and kick boxing. The first hour of each day is devoted purely to academics. The goal is to get students to do something academic everyday. The program also invites Michigan State University tutors and other certified teachers from around the area to participate so that extra help is available to those students who need it. “Our theme is ‘let’s get it done,’” said new coordinator Ben Cater. Being involved in this program allows students that do not participate in sports or other extracurricular activities to do something useful with their time. “It keeps these students out of trouble, and helps them focus on their school work instead,” said Cater.

CHAD SANDERS

C h a n e l Logan decided to sign up for the 21st Century Te ‘Era Jones program to help boost her grades, Reporter after she started to struggle in her classes. “By being involved in 21st century, my grades improved,” said senior Chanel Logan. “It helped me work harder in my classes.” 21st Century is a mentoring program at Everett High school. This program allows students to build their math and english skills, while participating in other fun recreational activities. “The students are responding very positively to the activities that we do with them,” said program assistant Robin Smith. Every Tuesday, the mentors take students to the Oak Park YMCA to

PHOTO COURTESY 21ST CENTURY

21st Century students stay fit and focused

PHOTO COURTESY 21ST CENTURY

CHAD SANDERS

Winter Homecoming!

Your

PHOTO COURTESY 21ST CENTURY

in this issue

School.

Volume 50, Issue 5 February 11, 2010 Everett High School 3900 Stabler Rd. Lansing, MI (517) 755-4472

Students enrolled in 21st Century program hone their skills in math and English while having fun doing activities such as kick boxing, hip hop dancing and other extracurricular activities. The program strengthens minds and bodies.

Some say new temp Phone policy will pay off too cool for school BRRR! It’s that time of year again—a time when students dread showing up Lindsay Schram to certain classes Circulation because of the frigid temperature of the classrooms. Students are curious about what the actual temperature is in the building. According to Lead Secretary Nita Kennedy, the buildings temperature during the day is 68 degrees, but at night it gets turned down to 55 degrees. “I think Mrs. LeRoy has the coldest room in Everett,” said junior Christopher Tschirhart. “I walked into her classroom once, then right back out because it was freezing in there!” Compared to most of the classrooms in the school, say some students, the offices of the administrative staff are fairly warm. However, assistant principal Tracy Keyton stated that there is no preference given as to which classrooms are cold and which are not. “What’s in the room is in the room,” says Keyton. “The main office and

counseling centers have working heaters, but that doesn’t mean they never get cold.” Keyton stated that the coldest classrooms are usually the ones bordering the outside and that have a large amount of windows. “I think that the band room could possibly be the coldest,” said junior Justin Lundy. “It’s right towards the end of the building and boarders the outside.” Some students said they find the coldest rooms to be the ones located on the first floor. “Sometimes it gets so cold I have to take all my hours to the library,” said English and Psychology teacher Jennifer LeRoy. “Right before winter break this year, my room got down to 57 degrees during the day.” Some classrooms however experience more than just low temperatures. “In my experience at this school, I find Mr. Allen’s new drama room the most challenging during the winter time,” said interpreter Megan Hart. “There was actually snow coming in under the door while it was snowing out.”

The student The idea that was brought up was that code of conduct students could listen to their iPods or states that students text if their teacher allows them to. are prohibited from “I think it’s cool,” said junior Alix using cell phones Hoover. “Ipods help students do their Domnique Stepp or other electronic work.” Reporter co m mu n i ca ti o n The Discipline aspect of this new devices in school policy is as follows: First offense-the buildings or while on school vehicles. device will be taken away and a $15 Use of cell phones or any other fine will be charged in order to get the electronic device may only occur outside device back. Second offense-students of the school building, pay a $30 fine to get before school, after device back. Third “The policy right now school or during offense-student doesn’t really work,” said receives their devise the student’s lunch period. Violation of junior Treronna Robinson, back at the end of this policy results in the year. confiscation of the “teachers may take it, but “I think it’s a they give it back.” electronic device. good idea,” said Yet most students business teacher agree that this policy is Greg Clugston. not enforced. “Students abuse the policy now.” “The policy right now doesn’t really The penalties paid would go into work,” said junior Treronna Robinson. a student fund to be used for prom, “Teachers may take it, but they give it dances, and other student activities. back.” “It doesn’t effect me, I really don’t Administration here at Everett has use my phone in class,” said senior been thinking of ways to change this Camille Lezotte. “Raising the money policy in order to benefit the students. would be a good idea though.”

News

February 11, 2010

The Viking Voice is online For some years now, The Viking Voice has had an online version of the school newspaper. However, just this Ja’nae Embry-Frazier month, the website has Online Editor been updated. Visitors will find it to be new and improved. The online version of the school newspaper is updated weekly with pictures and videos of events that occur at Everett. It allows visitors to read articles form this year’s staff

PAM COLLINS PAM COLLINS

“That’s a lot of money lost investing in AP classes.” Counselors have a different outlook on why students have AP classes, and what their actual purpose is. “The purpose of these classes is to receive a college credit and pass the test,” said guidance counselor Raymond Rubio. “These classes aren’t meant to bring up your GPA, but to get you on the right track to pass the test.” Classes that are math or science based are the most challenging for students. “Students from every school in the district find AP math and science related classes the hardest,” said Rubio, “If I was a student I would also find those classes the toughest.” The workload some of the teachers assign is not the only thing students find challenging. Students say that having a bad relationship or no relationship at all with your professor can make the struggle harder. “It’s not only the tons of work, but a lot of students don’t get along with the teachers,” said McMillan.

and view photos, advertisements, and links to other journalism sites. A recent Twitter post was added to update readers on the latest news and entertainment. Also, a PDF form of the entire newspaper is available that guests can download and print. A comment box is placed after each article to encourage readers to post their thoughts and critiques for the editors and newspaper staff. The entire staff encourages everyone to visit the website to keep up with latest news from Everett and the surrounding community. The website is www.myvikingvoice.com.

Student art work exhibited

Students struggle with AP Advanced Placement (AP) student Jenna McMillan agrees that advanced Lindsay Schram placement classes Circulation Editor are the hardest classes to keep up with. “AP Bio is the class I struggle with the most,” said McMillan. “That class has the most work and (requires) the most information.” Students that find themselves struggling to keep up with their grades due to their AP classes have no way out since AP classes cannot be dropped. “It’s a district rule,” said AP English teacher Jon Wakeman. “They want to keep the class size high to justify classroom requirements.” Students agree that if one student were to drop an AP class, more and more students would want to drop. Eventually Everett would no longer have the AP program. “If one person drops, then more will drop, then that class will have to be cancelled,” said senior Casey Bilodeau.

“Banning skinny jeans is like banning short sleeve shirts, there’s no point.” Assistant principle Leo Cloman has stated that skinny jeans will not be banned at Everett. “They haven’t been a problem and won’t become a problem,” said Cloman. Most teachers and staff members said they do not have a problem with students wearing skinny jeans either. “I don’t have a problem with skinny jeans, unless they are sagging,” said computer teacher Benard Newby.

From top left (clockwise) : Ke’mone Casey, Ian Davis, Layling Fong, Konwree Barkons will display their artwork at Lansing’s third annual Student Art Exhibition.

PAM COLLINS

ANDREA ATKINS

Above top left: Winner Micheal Smith performs a free style dance. Above: Eastern student performs a piano solo. Top right: Ashley Davis sings Leave the pieces. Middle right: Four Star Dynasty performs their original piece. Lower right: Another group of Eastern students compete for the winning spot.

Skinny jeans are one of the most popular and current fashion trends around the world, and have made a comeback into fashion since the 80s. Everett is one of the Monique Cantu many schools where the trend of skinny jeans has spread. Reporter The popular skinny jean is nothing more than a pair of denim pants which taper down the legs and fit snugly on your hips, knees and ankles. “I wear skinny jeans because they are cute and they are in style,” said junior Bre-Anna Johnson. Clothing stores in the mall offer different styles of the jean because they are a popular item—even at a time when a few schools are banning them because they say the jeans are disruptive to student learning and “inappropriate and immodest”. But some students do not agree. “I wear skinny jeans because they are comfortable,” said senior Christiana Collins.

PAM COLLINS

ANDREA ATKINS

Talent on stage at Everett Some schools ban skinny Jeans

Ten students from Everett will be displaying their art work at Lansing’s third annual Lindsay Schram Student Art Circulation Editor Exhibition. The event, sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), showcases the work of many local student-artists from 14 mid-Michigan school districts. The public is invited to visit the exhibit and vote for their favorite work of art. The winning exhibit will receive the People’s Choice Award. Also, a School Spirit Award will be given to the school district that draws the most voters, regardless of their vote. The exhibition is located in the headquarters of the MSUFCU at 3777 Wise Road in East Lansing. Public viewing hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the following dates: February 16, 18, 19, 23, and 24. Artwork can also be viewed online at www.msufcuart. com.

Opinion

Clarissa Gonzalez

Poor attendance Our Voice a fast track to Underclassmen academic failure Imagine a student is on their way

Submitted by Officer Mark Langschwager With the start of the new semester, students are again faced with the challenge of getting to class on time. As I can tell, the majority of students do not have a problem. However, there is a small population of students who, for one reason or another, have a hard time avoiding tardies. Students are expected to make it to classes and to be on time. Still, over the past few years, I have observed a connection between poor academic performance and students who are consistently tardy or who skip classes often. Students who choose to form good academic and personal habits are more likely to have personal success later in life. Students with poor attendance records risk failing their classes and decrease their chances of graduating from high school or getting a good job. I have also observed that students with poor attendance were more than likely to engage in risky behaviors such as delinquency and drug use. Unfortunately, many students who tend to skip classes do so with friends. Like the quote says, “Friends are like buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down.” With that in mind, students should realize they have the power to decide where they want to go in life. So before deciding to skip class or accumulate tardies, consider this: How will others view your behavior? How will poor academic choices impact your future? Finally, what can you do to change poor habits to ensure a better life for yourself?

3 The Viking

just need to grow up

to class and one of their “friends” asks them to skip class to hang out or maybe even do drugs. Man, I Maybe you ask yourself how hope they much you really care about don’t run your education? Look in the hallways during first hour, you out of spicy are sure to see underclassmen chicken wandering about and fooling sandwiches. around when they should be in class. They do not seem to care about the hall sweeps held before fifth and sixth hour. Obviously, underclassmen do not care about their education. By the time the second bell has rung, many of them are still in the hall doing the jerk, or unable to separate themselves from their significant other. Not all the students that are in the hallways are underclassmen, but the majority are. The freshman and sophomores are all so immature, and whether they realize it or not, they are a distraction to everyone else. They scream and run down the hallways with their friends while teachers are trying to teach, and while upperclassmen are in class are trying to learn. There is a total lack of respect. Underclassmen should realize that other students are in class. They need to show respect to their teachers and fellow classmates. “Most students don’t use their time wisely, there are some that do, but most are just here to goof off and socialize,” said 12th grade English teacher Pam Marrs. “It makes it harder for other students to go to class.” Underclassmen do not understand that we go to school for one thing and that is for an education. So why fool around in the halls and waste your time? Education is free, students should take advantage of it. Just think of it, once off to college and you are paying for your classes, will you be in the halls clowning around? Are you going to be jerking in the hallways of Michigan State University’? Because if you are, you will be

The Staff The Staff

Editors Editors

Man, I hope I get this paper done, get into college, and get a good job.

throwing thousands of dollars away. As a senior in high school, those students who have been goofing off will regret not taking school more seriously during their freshmen and sophomore years. “Students that wander the halls will never make it to college, and eventually they’ll grow up regretting it,” said Marrs. “They will end up having to make up for the time they wasted. So underclassmen, go to class and stop fooling around in the halls. Socialize with your friends during your lunch hour. Or if going to class is really that difficult, then what is the point of coming to school at all? Because we cannot concentrate when you are outside our classroom door yelling and screaming and wasting everyone’s time. Correction: In the December issue, uncredited photos on pages 2 and 3 should have been credited to Samantha Stapor.

For students, hard work pays off There are people who want to do something with their lives, Clarissa Gonzalez then there are Photo Editor those that think there is no point in trying to get an education. Students should come to school and try hard to be successful. If they do not do this, they are just wasting everybody’s time. Many students claim that they do not try to get good grades because it is too difficult. They would rather drop out instead of doing things to motivate themselves to

do well in school. School and education should be part of your life. It should be a way to achieving your dreams. Education is a way to plan for your life so you have things to look forward to. You should want the best for yourself. If you don’t care about yourself, then who will? You should want to try your best in class, no matter what. If you work really hard in class, you would earn good grades and your GPA could allow you to earn some scholarships for college. Good grades could impact your life in ways that you do not even realize . . . but so could bad grades.

It is your choice which road you take. Eventually, all your hard work will pay off, whether you think it will or not. So you should not be ignorant and slack off at school. Your choices now will affect your entire life later. “Hard work helps people develop good habits in the future,” said math teacher Brent Pohlonski. Many students agree that their hard work pays off. “Hard work pays off because in the end, you always achieve what your goal is,” said senior Cordarius Rodgers.

After first semester in high school, freshmen assess experience “I liked it, I learned how to handle a lot of things, like more work and being more organized.” -Maria Torres

“Freshman year was challenging and hard but you get used to it, if you keep trying.” -Isaac Vinson

Voice

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Shomari Parisian

February 11, 2010

“My first year in high school was hard at first because it’s a big change, but after a while it gets easier.” -Kelsey Robinson-Benn

Lena Tran (Editor-in-chief) Janae Embry-Frazier (News) Ciara Carter (Sports) (Opinion) Janae SandyEmbry-Frazier Nguyen (Features) (Online) Aneri Mariah Gonzalez Kelly (Entertainment, (News) Business) Clarissa Aneri Gonzalez Gonzalez (Sports) (Photo) Lupita Samantha Gonzalez( Stapor Photo) (Photo) Kaitlin NashikaGuston Williams (Entertainment) (Circulation) Mariah Kelly (Business) Sandy Nguyen Reporters (Features) Maria Ramirez (Opinion) Shomari ChristianParisian Black (Illustrator) Lindsay MoniqueSchram Cantu (Circulation) Nashika Williams (Features) Clarissa Gonzalez Taylor Greene Reporters Kaitlin Guston Shadon Hunter Andrea BreannaAtkins Johnson Monique Cantu Te’era Jones Candis Cote Joshua Lindow Lamia Cotton Shomari Parisian Kanei’ DeanPatino Christopher Taylor Greene Maria Ramirez Ciera Harris Lindsay Schram Jalynn Jones Cari Shauver Breanna Johnson Domnique Stepp Te’Era Jones Brandon Wells Danyelle Kelley Christopher Patino Zachery Patrick Advisors Oleksiy Savchuk Chad Sanders Domnique Stepp Ernesteen Vaughn Mission Statement Asia The Walls Viking Voice is a monthly Selena Watson publication of Everett High Earin School. Wells It is published the second Wednesday of each month by the Advisors second hour Newspaper class.

Chad Sanders The Viking Voice is distributed Julie free ofZuniga charge to every student

and staff member at Everett. The Mission current issue isStatement always available

The Voice is amain monthly on theViking counter of the office. publication of are Everett High for Subscriptions also available School. It is published every $15/year. mid-month second hour The Voice by is the an award-winning The Viking Newspaper member of class. the Michigan Voice is distributed of charge Interscholastic Pressfree Association. toLetters every student and staff member to the editor are accepted at The current is at Everett. the discretion of the issue editorial always the counter board. available Forms ofon speech not of the main office. are protected by theSubscriptions First Amendment also available for $15/year. will not be published. Letters The be Voice is an must signed byaward-winning the author, member of edited the Michigan and will be for quality. Interscholastic PresstoAssociation. Direct all questions room 313. Letters tocontacted the editorvia areemail accepted We can be at at the discretion of the editorial myvikingvoice@gmail.com board. Forms of speech not protected by the First Amendment will not be published. Letters must be signed by theDistrict author, The Lansing School and will be edited for quality. is committed to a policy of Direct all questions to room 313. providing equal opportunities to We can be contacted via emailof at all qualified people regardless myvikingvoice@gmail.com economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of The Schoolorigin, Districtnational is race,Lansing color, ethic committed to a religion, policy of political providing origin, creed, equal all qualified belief,opportunities sex, sexual to orientation, people of economic or maritalregardless status, age, veteran status, social status and will notability. discriminate or physical or mental on the basis of race, color, ethic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental ability.

Sat Naung Bo and his family remembers the day they were forced to flee their home in Burma, as the day he and his Ciara Carter family would finally have the Sports Editor right to an education, human rights and personal freedoms. “My father was a politician in Burma when I was young,” said Bo. “Because of his political views, his life was always in danger.” Bo explained that in Burma, people are not allowed freedom of speech. He said the government continually investigated his father’s public speeches and tried to prevent him from speaking his mind. His father was finally run out of the country when Bo was in the third grade. As long as the family did not speak with their father, the government left them alone. “My father fled to Thailand and worked for a group called National League for Democracy for the Liberated Area,” said Bo. Although they were not supposed to speak with their father, they broke the law when they took a phone call from him. He warned his family that they must flee Burma immediately. They left all of their relatives, friends and belongings behind. “We couldn’t even tell our neighbors or

relatives,” said Bo. “If the government group heard this information, they would come and arrest my family.” The family, stayed in Thailand for about one year. Then the family traveled to the United States. “Life in the U.S. compared to Burma is easy,” said Bo. “People can get jobs here easier and we have the freedom of speech and freedom to choose what we want to do in life. Burma is the worst place in the world.” Bo said that when his family arrived in the United States, they felt safe and comfortable knowing that they did not have to worry about going to jail. They were also thrilled to learn that they had an opportunity to further their education. “In Burma,” said Bo, “there are only 9th and th 10 grades in high school where you must choose between biology or economics as a major.” Bo explained that in Burma people have to pay for registering for school, textbooks, uniforms, papers and pencils. He added that students must return home for lunch because it is not included in one’s education. “I would never travel back to Burma until the country has democracy,” said Bo. “If I travel to Burma now, the government will arrest me and put me into jail.”

February 11, 2010

Teacher, mom, mentor Biology teacher Heather Alonge is passionate about sharing her love of science with her students, raising her 12-year-old daughter, coaching the girl’s cross country team and helping mentor teen parents in order to ensure their success.

CLARISSA GONZALEZ

Sat Bo, left, uses his artistic ability to help make a political statement. Above is the header he made for his “Freedom Fighter for Burma” blog.

Teacher

Burmese student’s passion is democracy for his homeland

Feature

Features

CLARISSA GONZALEZ

Student Spotlight

Biology teacher Heather Alonge has been teaching here for seven years. She started out at a community college then moved on to Michigan State University as an undergraduate, did an internship at Eastern Samantha Stapor High School, and then was hired here at Everett High Photos Editor School. Alonge is currently working on her Master’s degree in Biology at Michigan State University. She hopes to complete the program this summer. Alonge devotes some of her time to coach the girl’s cross country team in the fall. She also hosts a Teen pregnancy group here at Everett once a week, to encourage teen-parents to stay in school and graduate. “Since I went back to college later in life, I was already married and had a child,” said Alonge. “I saw the challenges that teen-parents face, particularly for teen moms.” Alonge’s life outside of school includes spending lots of time with her daughter who is 12-years-old. She said she also loves to read and do crafts. “I love to scrapbook,” said Alonge. In fact, Alonge keeps a school scrapbook with words and pictures along with her former and present students, newspaper articles that she would want to remember and funny quotes from her students. Alonge doesn’t plan on retiring soon, but she sometimes pulls out a small reminder of that far-off date. She has a crown that her friend and colleague Melissa Mazzola, who taught environmental science and math before leaving Everett, made for her, with year “2033” on the front. “You can say that’s my graduation year,” says Alonge.

MTV’s Teen Mom portrays the daily life of teenage girls Farrah, Maci, Amber and Catelynn who all have something in common—they Lena Tran are teenage moms who have Editor-In-Chief a child. Many students enjoy watching the show, and believe it is more than just for entertainment. “The point of the show is to let teens know how hard it is to raise a child [while you are teenager],” said senior Charlie Miller. But there are other students who think the show just exaggerates all the drama they go through more than really trying to put a message out there. “[The show] does show the hardships, but it portrays more mom and dad drama than anything,” said senior Robbie Gonzales. Senior Anna Balcarcel says her life as a teen mom is nothing like the teen mothers on the show. Balcarcel believes everyone has a different story, but said that Teen Mom doesn’t show all of the stresses. “Teen Mom doesn’t show how hard it is [to raise a child],” said Balcarcel.

Balcarcel was 16 when she found out that she was pregnant. She is now 18 and the mother of a 1-yearold daughter named Aliciana Balcarcel-Ortega. “Taking care of another life is so much responsibility [because] you don’t come first anymore,” said Balcarcel. “You can also say goodbye to being a teenager.” According to a teen information site stayteen. org, over three-quarters of a million girls under the age of 20 get pregnant each year, and almost 100 teen girls get pregnant each hour. According to the site, teenage pregnancy is the leading reasons teen girls drop out of school. The website also states that less than half of teen mothers never graduate from high school and only about 2 percent of them earn a college degree. Balcarcel is staying in school so she can walk with her class and get her high school diploma. She said that a diploma will help her find a good paying job so she can provide for herself and her daughter. Staying in school has not been easy, though. The day in the life of a teenage mother is not like a day of a regular teen at all. Balcarcel starts her day at 6:30 am and gets her things ready for school.

Her routine revolves around her baby. She wakes up the baby around 7 a.m. and gets Aliciana dressed and fed, prepares her diaper bag and breakfast and waits for her to get picked up by the child’s grandmother. Then she goes to school. After school she does her homework until 4 p.m. and then picks up Aliciana and spends the afternoon and evening getting the child dinner, feeding her, bathing her, and putting her to bed. After the baby falls asleep, she finishes up her homework, showers and heads off to bed. Most teenaged girls have time to hang out after school with friends, join clubs or sports teams, do homework or just enjoy being couch potatoes. But for Barcarcel, life is different. “Having a child does limit the things I am able to do, like going out or staying up all night,” said Balcarcel. “Having a child is very exhausting.” Even though Balcarcel said she does not regret having her child but admits her circumstances are difficult. “It may look easy with all the [media] and TV Senior Anna Balcarcel finishes her English shows, but don’t let it fool you,” said Balcarcel. “Be homework while her daughter Aliciana Balcarcel-Ortega plays with her toys. safe, make the right choice.”

SANDY NGUYEN

Teen mom struggles to balance education and family

February 11, 2010

Winter Homecoming

Royalty Reflects Winter Homecoming king senior Jordan Blanchard said he comes to school daily because it gives him something to do and because he learns a sense of responsibility. He said he has enjoyed attending Everett because it is a multicultural school. After graduation, Blanchard plans on continuing on to college and becoming a pharmacist. “In five years, I see myself with at least $1,000 in my pocket daily and furthering my education in order to earn the highest degree I can in my field,” said Blanchard. Senior Kachia Her was crowned Winter Homecoming queen has big goals set for her future. Although she is looking forward to graduation, she said she has enjoyed attending Everett. She also said she will miss the pep

rallies and homecomings. “I am going to miss seeing everyone all excited about spirit week,” said Her. Other than just the fun activites that goes on through the school year, she says she will also miss the teachers that taught and prepared her for her future. “Everett has been a great school for me, high school is a place where you learn and get ready for college,” said Her. “And Everett has done that for me.” Her plans on keeping her current job at Hollister in the mall, while she attends Lansing Community College for two years then transfers to Ferris State University for 4-8 years to earn a degree in either pharmacology or physician assistant. Seniors Jordan Blanchard and Kachia Her was crowned king

Homecoming court members of 2010: Jordan Blanchard, Manuel Fores, John Duong, Jamari Glover, Taiann Chambers, Ajaune Thomas, and Kachia Her.

and queen during the Winter Homecoming boys’ varsity game vs. Eastern at half time. Despite a tough loss to Eastern, spirits remained high and Everett celebrated the night in style.

Winter homecoming has its fair share of lovers and haters. Homecoming came on the heels of the two and a half day final’s week. Due to lack of advertisements, many said there was also a lack of school spirit. Lena Tran “I think they should’ve talked about the Editor-in-chief days more on the announcements because they made people not want to participate,” said sophomore Melinda Sanders. Lack of advertisements is not the only reason why students did not participate in spirit week. Some students said they felt the themes of spirit week this year were uninteresting. “I’m not participating because the themes are really lame,” said senior Brandon Fredbloom. This year’s themes were: Senior citizens, Hollywood, “I can’t believe I found this in my closet”, revenge of the nerds, and the traditional class colors day. No matter the themes of the week, some students just refuse to participate in spirit week. “I was glad we had new themes this year, but I [still] didn’t feel the need to participate.” said junior Ashon Mask. “The spirit just wasn’t there.”

The lack in school spirit may not have only been due to the spirit week themes. The recent lack of successful teams can contribute, as well. “Unfortunately school spirit is higher when sports teams do better,” said English teacher Jon Wakeman. “It would be nice if school spirit was constant. Despite the lack of spirit throughout homecoming week, students showed their school pride during the winter homecoming pep rally. Each class was proud to chant their class year and compete against one other. “I liked([this pep rally) more than most,” said senior Michael Smith. With performances from Dance Company, Urban Arts, Sisterhood, Envy and an Everett version of American Idol, students agreed that Winter Homecoming pep rally was a better hit than Fall Homecoming pep rally. For some, an assembly is a good time no matter what. “I like homecoming, because we skip sixth hour,” said junior Dalila Omerovic. Overall a majority of students agreed that the pep rally of 2010 was one to remember. “We are still a strong school and very cheerful,” said freshman Kaiyla Foltz.

Homecoming photos taken by Fartun Abukar, Lupita Gonzalez, Chad Sanders, Lena Tran, and John Zielinski

2010 student spirit MIA

Features

Not all teens choose looks over personality Everyone, at some point in their lives, has probably been in a relationship that is just not meaningful. Shadon Hunter Maybe they stay in the relationship because Reporter you think you like that person or perhaps you just need someone to fill an empty space in you life. Whatever the reason, many students believe that being able to be in a relationship is so important during their four years in high school, that they will even date someone they do not particularly like. Some students like to think of this as “Having your cake and eating it too.” For example, some guys only date a certain type of girl that they think is basically going to be an easy score. They think they can simply take her out on a few cheap dates and then reap the rewards. Likewise, some girls would use certain situations to their own advantage such as going out with another hot guy just to

make their boyfriends jealous. It all sounds like very familiar, like the situations one might find on a reality T.V. show, but is it really like that? Or do all teenagers really feel this way about relationships? Interviews with some here at EHS contradicted what many people think about teenage relationships and the commitment level of those involved. The majority of students questioned said that having a long term relationship is not what they were looking for, expecially during high school years because they felt it was too socially constricting. They said they believed that being in a long time relationship would not allow them to be able to have the freedom to meet new people and do lots of new activities they might not be able to do if they were tied down to one significant other. Most importantly, most students denied that they would ever consider forming relationships on the shallow basis of looks or a physical attraction. They stressed that they were looking for a solid friendship that did not involve long-term commitments.

Baby wants a warm bed and loving family

MARIAH KELLY

Contrary to what many people may think about animal shelters, many animals at Mariah Kelly the Human Society Busniess Manager were not abused or neglected. There are a number of reasons an animal finds its way to a shelter. Lately, the economy has forced owners into abondoning their animals because they can no longer afford to keep them. Some people have to move because of new jobs and are unable to take their pets with them, so they must give them up for adoption. Adopting an animal from a shelter means that you are saving one of the approximately 3.7 million animals that are euthanized in the this nation’s shelters each year. Our featured adoptee of the Adoptee of the month. Four month old Baby, is month is Baby. She is a Labrador waiting for a lovely, caring family to come in and Retreiver-Siberian Husky mix. take her home. She is spayed, 4-month-old who was surrendered to the shelter by her owner. Baby gets extremely excited to see people although she has to get to know you before she reveals her cuddly personality. She is a sweetheart who loves her tummy scratched. Baby is looking for a family that can take good care of her. If you are interested in adopting Baby please contact the Capital Area Human Society at 517-626-6060 or visit their website: http://cahs-lansing.org.

February 11, 2010

You never know what you’re going to get . . . Monique Cantu Reporter

Best

People receive many different kinds of gifts for Valentines Day. Some are romantic and some are ridiculous. You can never know what exactly to expect. It might be a late night dinner and a movie to maybe just a simple greeting card. But remember, it is not the gift you recieve, it is the thought that counts. Here is a list of some of the best and worst gifts students have received over the years.

Balloons- Junior Marina Martinez Box of chocolates- Junior Jamari Haynes Hanging out with my girlfriend- Junior Devon Hall Going to the movies and out to eat- Junior Ryanna Hester

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Socks- Sophmore Mercedes Gates A hoodie- Junior Iesha Rich A card- Junior Bre-Anna Johnson Getting nothing- Junior Chantel Dedrick

Notice: A Valentine’s Day photoshoot sponsored by The Viking Voice will be held on Friday, February 12 during all lunches in the cafeteria (Activities room). Also, heart-shaped chocolates will be on sale, a pouch of chocolates for $1.

Entertainment

February 11, 2010

Local resident George Vannorman swayed and jerked his head to the rhythm of the live music blasting from the stage at Kaitlin Guston Mac’s Bar on Friday January Entertainment Editor 22, 2010. Vannorman attended the show for the bands A Letter To You, Stereo Addiction, Hey Yo Scene Kids, and Way to Fall. Every weekend students have an opportunity to see quality live alternative/rock shows for a small price at Macs Bar. Friday was Vannorman’s first time going to a local show at Mac’s Bar. “It’s awesome; it’s a real cool place. I’m hoping to be able to come more often,” said Vannorman. The band head lining was A Letter To You, A Letter to You (ALTY) was started by a few friends from East Lansing high school nearly a year ago. The band’s music is a lighter alternative beat. ALTY has five members. They are unsigned and have two extended plays (EPs), the first being named after the band and their second and newest one Aimless. The band has played many shows at various locations and more than a few times at Mac’s Bar. “I love messing up when performing, because it’s one of the things that push the band forward,” said lead vocalist of ALTY Drew Irwin. Way To Fall is a pop/punk band from Bath, Michigan. Way To Fall’s music has been influenced by Deftones, Glassjaw, and other melodic sounds. The band was started in October of 2002 and the band

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Junior Bre-Anna Johnson is amazed by how the media portrays teenagers and she thinks that it is truly unrealistic. “Teens on TV seem fake at times,” said Johnson. “Too much be going on, and the realness doesn’t really come out on TV shows sometimes.” Things on TV portray teens in different ways. Much of the media, however, Christopher Patino stereotypes teenagers. When students watch TV most of them want a great story or Reporter plot that is going to make them want to watch it every day. They say they would like to watch something more real, not a lot of fantastic, stereotypical characters that do not really exist. “Sometimes, television shows portray us as teens in a real good way,” said junior Marina Martinez. “Showing the reality of most of our lives as teens and what we go though as human beings growing up.” Shows such as The Secret Life of the American Teenager, is an example of how television and the media understands the hardships of common teenagers. “Sometimes shows about high school teens show teens in a different light. Some just put on a show for television,” said junior Shamari Christian Saved by the Bell shows teens in high school just living their lives as students and has been known to portray the teens on the show accurately with actual real life situations. “To me teens on TV are very well portrayed in high school for example, the TV show Saved By The Bell really showed teens as kind of who we are today,” said junior Jamari Haynes A good example of putting on a show is the CW television series Gossip Girl. The plot is a bunch of very wealthy teenagers going to a very high standard private school. The teens are as dramatic overly scandalous. “One bad example of teens on television is Degrassi, said junior Ryanna Hester. “It doesn’t show teens as real as other TV shows, to me most television shows don’t really show how are teens really are.”

has played in many shows building themselves a steady fan base. Way to fall is unsigned and has three EPs including their most well known “Your Name Here”. “I love the people and keeping them engaged and hearing them sing along with you,” said Way To Fall’s lead singer Seth Rentfrow. Hey Yo Scene Kids is a unique band, mixing electronic synthetic beats, with smooth rhymes and raps. They are currently unsigned and working on an EP. The band consists of a dynamic duo, one with only a mike and the other with a keyboard. The show on Friday was their first live performance together and the crowd could not get enough of them. “I just love to perform, and especially at this show, it was very intimate,” said Hey Yo Scene Kids vocalist Pat Buetow. Stereo Addiction is a pop punk/power pop/ alternative band from Adrian, Michigan. Their musical influences include Blink 182, Senses Fail, and New Found Glory. There are four band mates and they are currently unsigned but have a new EP out called Disaster. Stereo Addiction has had a rough year with old band members leaving and new members coming. But despite the setbacks, Stereo Addiction has played in warped tour, and opened for big names such as Bowling For Soup. The band loves performing and cannot wait for the next performance. “The best thing in the world is when you get your lyrics sang back to you,” said Stereo Addiction lead singer Daniel Loines.

Ra c y n o v e l s n o t just about sex

Media portrayal of teens varies

Many adults wonder what it is about author Zane’s books that teens love so much. Zane is known for her steamy, erotic real life sex-situations that she puts Te’era Jones in her novels. There are explicit scenes Reporter in most of her books. However, many readers say her books are more than just about sex. “Most of her books have a lot of sex scenes,” says senior Jasmyn Colon. “But there is always a deeper plot to them.” Many of the plots or themes that Zane writes about are love, trust, and money. For example in her book Nervous, the plot to this story was about how the main character Jonquinette was dealing with multiple personality disorder. Although her Jonquinette personality was quiet and withdrawn, her other personalities were outgoing and promiscuous, and that caused her to have difficulty in finding true love. Some people think that the books are appropriate for teenagers to read, but not younger people. “I do not like them, I think they’re inappropriate,” said English teacher Deborah Babcock. She added that she was never censored as a reader and hopes that those who read the Zane books grow to become lovers of reading. Zane has had her books published in many languages including Japanese, Swedish, and Greek. She self-published three of her books in 2000 and sold more than 250,000 copies, mostly by word of mouth. Recently, Waldenbooks Nationwide showed that Zane held first, second, and third position for the most popular African-American fiction titles.

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Mac’s Bar is a popoular spot to catch local musical acts, like Stereo Addiction ( a b o v e ) . F r i d a y, J a n u a r y 2 2 w a s a n a l l a g e s c o n c e r t w i t h h e a d l i n e r A L e t t e r To Yo u , a n d H e y Yo S c e n e K i d s ( t o p r i g h t ) .

KAITLIN GUSTON

Rockin’ at Mac’s

8 Sports Hell week exhaustive

February 11, 2010

clarissa gonzalez

Senior Michael Smith Pohlonski. “They also do water aerobic exercises arrives at school at 5:00 and workouts in the weight room to increase flexa.m. to jump into a pool ibility and reaction time.” of freezing cold water. Pohlonski said the swimmers practice two When most people are still times each day with Wednesday being the toughTaylor Greene home in their warm beds, est day with swimmers required to swim 12,000 Reporter he and many of his team- yards in three hours. mates have already done To swimmers, Hell Week is a real challenge hundreds of laps in the pool—all in preparation and a tough workout that leaves them physically for Hell Week. exhausted. “During Hell Week, its awful,” said senior Mi“We work 5 times harder and swim 5 times chael Smith. “Afterwards more yards than at you feel good you did it, regular practice,” said but you’re physically ex- “Hell Week, its awful,” said senior senior Michael Smith. hausted.” Diving preliminarMichael Smith. “Afterwards you The goal is to squeeze ies are scheduled for feel good you did it, but you’re endless hours of practice February 25, swimand hard work into a single ming preliminaries on physically exhausted.” week—the week before the February 26, and swim conference meet. It is the and dive finals on Feblast chance for the team to work hard towards ruary 27. meeting their goals before taking on other aggresDespite the long hours and hard work, team sive teams from around the area. members agree that it is all worth it in the end. According to coach Brent Pohlonski, the swim “The swim team is fun,” said junior Joseph team swims over 12,000 yards during Hell Week. Brooks. “We have a good group of people and “The swimmers swim about 3 sets of 5,000- it’s never boring, but its hard work,” said junior yard drills during each practice session,” said Joseph Brooks.

The boys’ swim team hits the water twice daily during Hell Week. The goal is to become stronger and gain more endurance in preparation for the upcoming conference meet where they will compete against strong teams from around the area. The swim team swim over 12,000 yards during Hell week.

Many students do not realize that Everett has two bowling teams. T here is a boy’s team and a girl’s team Domnique Stepp made up of students ranging Reporter from freshman to seniors. “T he bowling team have been around for about five years, but I’ves only been on it for two years,” seniors Manuel Fores explains. T he coach of the bowling team is Sabrina Richmond. She is the mother of junior Devin Richmond and she has been coaching for two years. T he coach before her was Sabrina Redmond. T he boys’ bowling team has been to states

Top: Members of the Everett bowling team gather for a group photo. The team has made it to state competition for the last two seasons. Left: Junior Mckenzie Sipe prepares for his approach during a recent practice. Sipe has been a successful competitor, once bowling a 299 game. Right: The pile of gear by the door at Pro Bowl is a common sight. The team, which is nearly 20-strong, takes over the empty alleyway after school.

“I like swimming because I love the feeling of going fast and just having an image of flying though the water,” said junior James Curry.

Clarissa Gonzalez

Gotta love those sports “Bowling, because it seems like it could be fun. If you get the hang of it, it is always a way to pass time,” said senior Erica Virola.

twice in the last two years. States were held in Muskeg on, Michig an. “It was fun and there was a lot of competion but the key was to stayed relaxed and calm,” said Richmond. T he bowling team practices at Pro-bowl located on Mar tin Luther King Blvd. Home g ames are also held at this location. T he team is always looking for new members. To tr y out for the team, students bowl 16 g ames for the best averag es. “I joined bowling because it’s something I love to do,” said junior Mckenzie Sipe. “I have been bowling since I was seven and my brothers were on the team so I thought I could do it to.”

“I enjoy cheerleading because it’s really the only sport I know how to do, and it keeps you active,” said sophomore Jasmine Brooks.

Lupita Gonzalez

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Bowling team for girls and boys

“Basketball, because I like moving fast and staying active, that’s what it’s all about,” said senior Sherriha Braggs.