Source Stoney Creek High School
February 27, 2015
575 East Tienken Road Rochester, MI 48307
Volume 12, Issue 5
Michigan educators adapt to new test: Counselors and teachers weigh the pros and cons of the change from ACT to SAT page 8-9
Staff Editors:
14
Photographers: Jordan Sickon Rachel Elphick Megan Sennett
Web: Simon Sun School: Rachel Tudor Lifestyles: Mila Murray Sports: Matt Schmucker Opinion: Spencer Kopp Social Media: Bailey Compton
The Current:
Editor: Jennifer Pafford Announcer: Rebecca DeBucce Announcer: Alex Hadd Announcements Manager: Giancarlo Canu
Copy Editors: Kathryn Fleming Julia Clay
Columnists:
Business Staff:
Staff Writers:
Advisor:
Scantrons
Where have they gone? Can any of us survive the paper apocalypse?
Maveric Guitar Annie Knoblauch
Claire Mechler Anna Stabnick
Gayle Martin
Stephanie Seneker Emma Persson Kaitlyn Reyff Dan D’Onofrio
Editorial Policy We, the Stoney Creek Source staff, produce this publication to accomplish the following goals: The Source will serve as a means of communication between students, teachers and members of the community. We will respect all opinions and present them in an unbiased manner. The Source will inform and entertain readers and address trends and issues important to its audience. Although we are a student publication, produced by Advanced Multimedia Communications class, we will strive to make the Source accurate and truthful to adhere to all standards of professional journalism. We recognize and respect the privileges given to us under the First Amendment, including the freedom of speech and of the press. The Source is a forum of student expression and we, the staff have the editorial authority to make our own content decisions. We will provide a sounding board for the student and the community; therefore the opinions expressed in by-lines opinion articles and letters should not be considered to be the opinion of the entire newspaper staff, the advisor and the school administration, or the student body as a whole.
Find us online at www.scsourceonline.com Follow us on Twitter @scssourceonline Letter Policy: Letters to the editor, guest articles, and art may be submitted to Mrs. Gayle Martin in Room C285. All letters, articles, and art must be signed. Names can be withheld upon request.
Source Stoney Creek High School
Cover by Bailey Compton
February 27, 2015
575 East Tienken Road Rochester, MI 48307
Volume 12, Issue 5
Michigan educators adapt to new test: Counselors and teachers weigh the pros and cons of the change from ACT to SAT page 8-9
2 SOURCE
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
5
Gym Requirements
Physical Education requirements have options for the class of 2016.
10
Community College
Community college may be free two years. Is this good or bad?
February Issue At A Glance 2 - Contents 3 - Info-fun 4 - Q&A: Megan Tigue 5 - Gym Requirements 6 - 7 Advertisements 8 - 9 ACT/SAT 10 - Community College
11 - Fashion/Social Media 12 - Swim/Freshman B-Ball 13 - New Trainer 14 - Scantrons 15 - Pro/Con: Online Classes 16 - Staff Editorial
CHECK THIS OUT 1. Download the Aurasma app on your Apple or Andoid device 2. Open the app 3. Follow SCSourceOnline 4. Wherever you see a photo with the paw overlay (like the one on the left) scan the photo to view a video “aura” CONTENTS
Info-fun TOP TEN
Things more controversial than the color of a dress The world seemingly blew up over the color of a dress. Whether you see gold n’ white or black n’ blue, we can all agree that there are more pressing matters:
10. Coke or Pepsi 9. Mac or Windows 8. OMG, Peeta or Gale??? 7. Fifty Shades of Grey
OVERHEARD IN THE HALLS
The Who’s Who
STUDENT VS. CELEBRITY by Simon Sun
Senior Sheehan Khan
CATEGORY
Genghis Khan
April 3, 1997
Birthdate
Around 1162
“My sink was screaming at me.” “I tried telling my dad about my day and he said ‘tmi’.”
Rochester Hills, MI
Resides in
Dead
Tetris and “crippling social anxiety”
Conquered
Most of Asia and Europe
“The 1-800 variety”
Empire
Mongol
None
Number of descendants
1 in every 200 men
6. The legality of senior
Information provided by Sheehan Khan and dailymail.co.uk
5. Michigan or State
TAKING AIM:
“That was 20 pounds of dangerous.” “How does a brown tree become white paper.”
skip days
4. To be or not to be
B o o oo
3. Hashtag use IRL
Me h
Grow a beard
2. Whether or not to make a freshman joke.
E
Sue someone Fly south
Play glow minigolf
Grammar Goofs Loose: not firmly or tightly held Lose:
to be deprived of, unable to find, or fail to win something
Incorrect use:
I think they’re going to loose.
What you just said:
or i n g
t xo
uneventful
Go to a concert
raveler
Go to Mars
“I had a dream I swam in marshmallows.”
Drown your sorrows in Pepsi
Clean the house
Buy crocodiles
Buy Crocs
Get sick
Read Jane Eyre
Write newspaper stories...
Read a book
ic T
Cry
Eat lunch with Grandma
“Tribal dancing relieves stress.”
iting week Exc
Netflix
1. Freshmen
“Is that ear cheese?”
Things to do on spring break
Set off fireworks
Scuba diving Join the Illuminati
Grocery shopping
“Mayonaise will suffocate you in your sleep.” “People are like onions... they make me cry.” “I want a fat suit to bounce freshman out of my way.”
Homework
I think they’re going to be unfirmly fixed in place.
INFOFUN
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SOURCE 3
QA &
with...
MEGAN TIGUE
Tip-tap, step-clap… Freshman Megan Tigue is the definition of confidence when it comes to performing. Not only has she been Irish-step dancing since she was seven years old, but she has expanded her horizons to four different categories of this unique Irish dance and received the role as Jane in the upcoming spring musical, Mary Poppins. “My experience gives me the ability to pick up lines really fast and rhythms really fast, which I think will help me with the musical this year,” Tigue said. Her passion began when Tigue attended a cultural show at our very own Stoney Creek. The five-year-old was fascinated with what the show had to offer and picked up the step shoes soon after. I was lucky enough to sit down with the step dancer to discuss her unique talent. Not only did she share her history with the cultural dance, but also how much her original hobby has become a lifestyle.
Freshman steps her way to the top Q: What are your other hobbies or interests other than dancing? A: I spend a majority of my time dancing, but recently I have been into theater and other performing arts. Q: Why did you start dancing? A: I fell in love with the costumes, actually! They fascinated me. Q: Who is your role model or inspiration? A: Her name is Kimberly McCulski. She has been my teacher since I was a tiny little girl, she is the biggest inspiration I could ever dream for. Q: Do you see yourself as a dancer in the future? A: For sure. I of course have some back-up plans, but I would love to pursue professional dancing as a career. Q: What gave you the courage to dance in front of everyone during the homecoming assembly? A: It’s not really scary when you know that you can totally muck it up and come up with something to fix it. I would say my competitiveness gave me the upper hand, and the fact that I know I have a lot of people rooting for me! Q: How does dancing benefit you? A: It’s really good for my physical fitness, I never really have to worry about how much activity I’m getting because it is so rigorous. I guess it forces me to have confidence, be competitive, and have diligence as well. Q: What are the different kinds of dance that you do? I only do Irish step dancing, because it is so labor intensive, but there are different categories that I practice. There is hard shoe, which is the one that I did at the homecoming assembly, soft shoe, which is like ballet but faster and bouncier, group dancing which is a social dance that is meant for parties or big groups of people, and finally, there is traditional which I’m just now getting started at! It’s kind of hard to find the time for any other type of dance and I’m happy with where I’m at! Q: Who supports you the most with your dancing? A: Definitely my mom. She drives me everywhere and back for competitions, buys me shoes, buys me costumes. She learned steps to help me practice, she’s just the best!
Photo by Jordan Sickon Interview by Jordan Sickon
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FEBRUARY 27 , 2015
SCHOOL
T N E M E R I REQU NS O I S I V RE New paths to earn credit With all of the different options for getting a PE and Health credit it’s easy to get mixed up. Here’s a diagram that outlines the options
Wellness 1
8th grade gym
+
OR
Wellness 2
High school PE course
OR 2 seasons band/sport
+ Health
Graduation requirement met! SCHOOL
District decision makes sports, band count for half gym credit by Matt Schmucker
S
ophomore Megan McCarty woke up on her Sundays last winter for a little extra school. She decided to take Sunday gym in order to free up her schedule for other electives. At the time, it seemed to her like just a little extra work that would be worth it with the free space in her schedule. However, all of that work was just made, in effect, worthless. A change in the graduation requirements for RCS this January deemed two seasons of an extracurricular sport are equivalent to a half gym credit, a graduation requirement when paired with a health credit. Previously happy with the choice, her opinion turned when informed of the change. “That class did cost money outside of school,” said McCarty. “I’d rather not have paid when my sport [swim] counted already.” What cost McCarty money, cost others time. Many students in the same boat took a gym credit as an elective when they could have taken any of a wide variety of other options.
However, many students benefited from the decision and will continue to do so. “I took my health class this year,” said sophomore Brendan Przywara. “So I hope I can play a second season of baseball so I don’t have to take a different gym credit.” This result is the outcome the administration had in mind for this decision when it was made. “Our deciding factor was ‘Is this in the best interest of our kids?’” said Executive Director of Secondary Education Carrie Lawler. “We said that we really value our extracurricular activities and decided to count them.” Whether or not it is in the best interest of the students, however, has not been the main cause for concern in this issue. What worries some is the legal aspect of counting a paid extracurricular activity as a credit. “If you begin to put interscholastic sports on a transcript, then you begin to convert it from an extracurricular activity to a curricular one,” said executive director of MHSAA
(Michigan High School Athletics Association) Jack Roberts. “You begin to risk people taking the stance that they have a right to participate in interscholastic athletics.” While MHSAA took no stance on the issue, Roberts noted the pros and cons. “Personally, I would have preferred no change,” said Roberts. “[However], the MHSAA took no position. It allows students to take more core classes in some cases, and I do like that rationale.” Despite the drawbacks, Lawler assured students and parents that it wasn’t a rushed decision. “I talked to a phys. ed teacher, a coach, a couple of principals, a counselor, a band director, a lot of different people,” said Lawler. Legality aside, most students tended to agree that in the long run, this decision should turn out well. “In the long term, it seems like it will just give people more options for their classes,” said Przywara.
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SOURCE 5
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6 SOURCE
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SCHOOL
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(248) 652-6097
Rochester Hills, MI 48306
rmechler@projhr.com
For All Your Human Resource Needs
Dr. Paul C. Kraft
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At Kraft Chiropractic, we take great pride in providing the finest chiropractic care to each and every patient. 165 W. Auburn Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48307 Ph (248) 299-2620 - Fax (248) 299-2627 - kraftchiro.org
Longlong Art Studio
think you’re pregnant? You Have Choices Crossroads Pregnancy Center
248-293-0070
Downtown Cafe Address: 606 N Main, Rochester, MI 48307 Phone: (248) 652-6680 Mon-Sat: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm Sunday: 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Breakfast and Lunch
Check out the Cougar Den! New Nike Sweatshirts! Warm baked cookies coming soon!
Contact: Longlong Zhou Phone: (248) 808-5828 Website: longlongart.com Email: longlong.studio@gmail.com SCHOOL
Smoothies $2 Peach Mango - Triple Berry - Strawberry Pineapple
Large selection of gum: $1.25
Open all 3 lunches. FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SOURCE 7
TEARING TEST apart the standard
Students and educators voice concerns as Michigan switches from ACT to SAT by Simon Sun
T
he time to ACT is in the past. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Michigan Department of Education announced on Jan. 7 that, beginning in 2016, the state would be switching from the ACT test to the SAT as part of the state standardized testing requirements. The state awarded College Board, which administers the SAT, a $17.1 million contract for the next three years. In other words, beginning with the class of 2017, students will be taking the SAT in their junior year instead of the ACT, which was the state-administered test since 2007. “I’m kinda mad,” sophomore Arjun Vivek said. The change is expected to save the state $15.4 million, according to the Detroit Free Press. As counselor Paul Carlin explains, most of the financial aspects are expected to be dealt with at the state level. However, the change may cost the district in other ways. “This costs us not in money, but in the time we have to deliver our curriculum and to teach our students what they need to know,” Carlin said. Executive Director of Secondary Education Carrie Lawler agrees, factoring in the cost of preparing students. “The thing for us is that we used to get a great deal through Oakland Schools for the Explore and Plan tests [Precursors to the ACT]; we were able to get those for
just a few dollars per student,” Lawler said. “If we have to buy the PSAT tests [Precursor to the SAT] as a prep thing, I think it’s $14 a student right now. “ Both Lawler and Carlin discussed the possibility of using the PSAT as a preparatory resource. As of right now, the test is offered to sophomores and juniors on a voluntary basis, but this may change, according to Lawler. However, the PSAT itself has its own complications. “For just next year only, and I can’t figure out why, but they took away the Saturday administration,” Lawler said. “So the only option is on a Wednesday next year. It is very weird. I just saw the email today, and I was like, ‘What?’” According to Lawler, should the district offer the PSAT next year, it would have to be during the school day. Beyond just the PSAT, there may be other possible changes students and teachers have to make to prepare for a different style of testing. English teacher Sarah Millard, for instance, did ACT practice problems in her classes. Now, she might need to seek new materials. “The writing, I do know, is different; it’s not an argumentative prompt where you have to take a stand on something,” Millard said. “So I’m going to have to find out more about the SAT writing and I’ll have to modify that.” Carlin stressed the need for more of
an adjustment period. “Much like any educational decision that our government makes, that our politicians make, it takes our district time to adjust to those decisions,” he said. Lawler agrees. “It’s not as irritating to have it switched as it was to have [the decision] thrown at us with no time to prepare,” she said. “The state just surprised everybody with that move.” However, Lawler is confident that students will do well. “I do think the way our students learn now is really lending itself to doing well on the SAT,” she said. The change to the SAT is also coming at a critical time. According to the Detroit Free Press, the College Board is completely redesigning the SAT in 2016—the same year the switch is happening. Essentially, the test given that year will be completely new, in both format and name. Vivek is worried about the rework. “I’m worried about having to take the new SAT, because we don’t know what it looks like,” Vivek said. “I don’t like the idea of being the test dummies. If this really screws up for us, some kids who were really well prepared might not do as well, which is really not fair.” According to the College Board, the redesign changes many aspects of the test. For example, the mandatory writing section will be removed, replaced by an op-
tional essay. The total score will be lowered to 1600 from 2400, and the quarter-point deduction for wrong answers is also being scrapped. Carlin sees a positive side to this rework. “The good part is that it’s new for everybody, so if the testing is changed, next year would be the year to do it,” Carlin said. “Then I think all our students have the best opportunity to score fairly across the board, because it’s a new test for everybody.” Carlin still has concerns, though. “Testing is one of those necessary evils,” he said. “You have to have it and there is some good to it. But it would be nice for whoever is making these decisions to give schools time to organize it and to plan for it. Personally, I just wish they gave us more time and I wish that they would actually talk with the stakeholders and the educators so that they’re not making decisions just based off of dollars.” Lawler agrees. “I know our kids will do really, really well, but I would’ve liked a little more input in [the decision] and a little more headsup,” she said. In the end, however, Lawler maintains an optimistic view. “There’s so much changing just constantly,” she said. “But we’ll be prepared.”
“...I would’ve liked a little more input in [the decision] and a little more heads-up.” 9 SOURCE
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
- Executive Director of Secondary Education Carrie Lawler SCHOOL
OPINION:
Legislative decision hurts class of 2017 by Matt Schmucker
On January 7, Michigan announced that the state would be switching its standard test from the ACT to the SAT, a decision that left students a little bit surprised. The decision comes into effect for the class of 2017, or this year’s sophomore class, according to the Detroit Free Press. I am a part of this sophomore class. And I’m a little bit irritated by the decision. This school district has actually done a fantastic job, in my opinion, of preparing its students for the standardized testing that’s done in the junior year. My classmates and I have all had our fair share of practice ACT test questions given to us in some form or another in the classroom. Whether it’s in homework, tests, or class work, teachers do give us practice ACT questions. In addition to these minor preparations, my class took the ACT explore twice (seventh and eighth grades), the ACT plan once (freshman year), and I presume we were in place to take the ACT plan again this year. And now what has all of that preparation been for? The wrong test. It’s like the state is Lucy from Peanuts holding the ACT football in front of the Charlie Brown class of 2017 and then Lucy yanks away the football sending old Chuck flying screaming “AAUGH!”. Well the state has certainly yanked away the ACT football, but the question is whether or not we’ll end up flat on our backs screaming. In my opinion, we will. While the SAT is being revised, I still don’t see a real improvement in the test. One thing the test does right currently is that it breaks the test up into a bunch of shorter sections. The ACT’s format, that the SAT is moving fowards, is very monotonous and dull. It has long sections that get repetitive. The new SAT format doesn’t seem to be all bad though, with a removal of a mandatory essay. But I will touch on that more later. According to The Princeton Review, ACT test questions tend to be more straightforward than SAT questions. Having
taken both tests, I agree. SAT questions tend to skirt around the actual objective more before giving the test-taker the actual question. The ACT will usually give an upfront question with a focus on knowing the content, not deciphering the question. The SAT also is far more vocabulary oriented than the ACT. Both the SAT and the ACT have English sections which test grammar and reading sections that test comprehension skills and analysis. However, I am in agreement with The Princeton Review again: the ACT doesn’t tend to test as much vocabulary as the SAT does. The ACT has both its questions and its reading passages in an understandable vocabulary. The SAT had a few questions with words that threw this self-professed English geek for a loop. However, according to the New York Times, the revised SAT will at least slightly change this focus from vocabulary to a more functional vocabulary focus. I think it’s a step in the right direction, but I don’t know if it fully fixes the problem. As previously mentioned, the current SAT has a mandatory 25 minute essay. Think one week essay deadlines are bad? Try again. 25 minutes is a miniscule amount of time to pull off a structured essay. I am, again, a bit of an English geek who likes to write and has been in Honors LA for three years. I barely even got enough written to resemble an essay, let alone a good one. I would be very worried for students who haven’t been working with timed writes. However, this is one thing the new SAT is getting right. The mandatory essay is gone and the optional essay has a longer time to be completed. While it isn’t perfect, it is progress. To me, the decision seemed like another decision that was made by people very far removed from the classroom. The switch seems very random and just unnecessary. The SAT seems to be becoming more like the ACT, so I am just at a loss for why the state feels the need to switch, other than to save money--at the expenses of students.
Scan to view more redesigned practice SAT questions SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SOURCE 9
College Cure President Obama’s free community college plan: could it relieve the nation’s economic and academic disease?
by Mila Murray
F
or 17 million students in America, family income and college prices do no go well together. For these 17 million, “What college are you going to?” is not a question. And for these 17 million, education after high school is not an option, according to Bls.gov. Not even community college, the cheapest form of postsecondary education. This fall, Senior Alex Balabanov—unlike 80% of the school—will be attending community college. “It’s cheaper. Also I didn’t do that well in school,” Balabanov said. “Schools are already too expensive.” On Jan.9, President Barack Obama introduced a plan that he later elaborated in his State of the Union Address on Jan.20. According to Dailykos.com, it was the plan to make community college free for any student who maintains a 2.5 grade point average and who is on track to graduate with an associate’s degree. Though the plan is not in effect now, there is a chance that future seniors will be facing more opportunities when choosing colleges. “It provides everyone with options, if it passes,” counselor Steven Cook said. “Now you have an option to do the first 2 years free of charge and the last 2 out of pocket. That’s vastly different financially. It’s an opportunity for families to have more discussions, and students have to think long term about how community college will be a part of their 4 year plan.” Oakland Community College (OCC) freshman Ethan Swenson said that community college was the cheapest option and therefore the only option. For him, the plan would allow him to have more educational chances because of the money that would be saved. “It wouldn’t have affected my decision [of attending community college] because I was going to OCC for two years regardless,” Swenson said. “But this plan would be nice and would help me save more money to transfer to a university once I finished my two years of schooling.” According to Oaklandcc.edu, the only financial aid for students who are in economic need at local community college
10 SOURCE
OCC is the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. This limited amount doesn’t provide many options for students who can’t afford college. Lack of tuition money is not the only issue President Obama’s plan covers. It also covers lowering the growing amount of students who enroll into college but do not manage to graduate. In order to get the opportunity for free tuition, students must think about how they’re going to maintain that GPA of 2.5. “If it’s free, [students] might gain a knack for wanting to do well in school,” Balabanov said. “And then you get a better population and a smarter one.” But Cook thinks granting free tuition based on academic achievement is actually a cloudy part of the plan. “What are those academic qualifications?” Cook said. “How about a kid who is only capable of doing 2.0 work but they work 100% to their capacity every day. I think that student is more deserving of a free ride to college than a student who has a 3.5 but because he just happens to do well on tests. I think it depends on your drive and motivation, and I don’t know if that is necessarily reflected in your GPA.” Another issue is how the plan will be funded. According to Usatoday.com, the White House expects 9 million students to participate in this opportunity which would cost about $70 billion for two years of tuition each. “Even at the low cost of community college, it’s a pretty big hit if you’re talking about 50 states in the nation and thousands of community colleges that might be impacted by that,” Cook said. But here’s the biggest question: Is the plan actually going to work? In fact, Tennessee is experimenting with this idea right now. According to Republic3-0.com, there is in fact a basis to “America’s College Promise” called the Tennessee Promise. Almost 90 percent of 2015 seniors in Tennessee took the opportunity to enroll in a community college that will be providing two years of free tuition. So the plan is in action and it is planning on making the number of enrollees and graduates higher than ever. But despite of all of these uncertain-
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
ties, President Obama’s “America’s College Promise”, according to Whitehouse.gov, will benefit an estimated 9 million students economically and academically. “It would help me out because I come from a family of three kids,” Balabanov said. “It would help very much with low income families where kids seem to drop out of school because they think they’re not smart enough or they don’t think they could get anywhere because it’s all so expensive.”
This plan, providing more options and opportunities for the future seniors of America, is still growing. It has a long way to go and a lot of minds to change along the way. “It may cause some of that 80% of university goers to think twice about spending $25-35 thousand at a university when they can get their first two years free,” Cook said. “Unless somebody has an infinite surplus of cash, college is and always will be expensive.”
LIFESTYLES
FASHION’S BIGGEST TREND: Social Media Style enthusiasts invest in online media coverage for inspiration, trends, shows during Fashion Week
2015
by Rachel Tudor Social media isn’t cramping anyone’s style. In fact, on Feb. 12-19, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City expanded its range of communication and amplified its immediacy through highly demanded and detailed online coverage of shows and events. Audiences attended to the excitement through Tumblr, Facebook, Pinterest, etc., allowing one show to reach about to reach 165 million online tags 24 hours following, according to the Fashion Times. The heightened exposure for the brands grants any fashion enthusiast insight on the action, without needing an exclusive invitation. In the past, Fashion Week was an event strictly for established designers, but this year’s pieces trended on social media websites almost instantaneously. This has produced accessibility for people all over the country. “I think social media is a good way to see things. There are some kids in New York City who I follow on Twitter to get information on brands or outfit inspiration,” sophomore Natalie Antenucci said. “I don’t always watch all the shows but a lot of the designers I follow post pictures on Instagram.” According to an article on Social Times, there were over 15 million social media engagements throughout the week. On Twitter and Instagram, over 10 million likes were recorded on photos related to fashion week. This is more than a 100 percent increase in social engagements compared to 2014. “I think the extreme numbers obviously prove the fact that fashion is hindered through social media,” junior Cecile Herledan said. “I even read an article that designers featured in NY fashion week have attempted more wearable looks, as everyone now has access to the once isolated event.” The leading three social media performers and brands include Michael Kors, Burberry, and Tommy Hilfiger, all retailers located within minutes of Rochester. From the actual event, to the phone, to the closet, the pieces are continuously getting easier to access. Brands thrive on the fact people are increasingly turning to social media for fashion trends and inspiration, according to the Huffington Post. But what happens when fashion addicts take control of the buying and selling? A thriving subculture of shoe enthusiasts has formed using Instagram and Facebook to sell and trade coveted limited edition pairs of shoes. This advantageous retail business has subsisted for 30 years but the last few have marked a prominent rise in sales as the marketplace has spread from city to city. Last year, the shoe business reached 21 billion dollars, a large portion following fashion week, according to an article on the New York Times. “Typically, I will go on a social media site and see what other people have been wearing Vedder said. “Then someone posts a picture of what they want or they are selling.” Conventions and Expos are also held across the country, a few in Detroit, specifically for shoes. Shoe trades utilizing the increase of social media have reached such popularity that they are compared to the baseball card scene. With the accessibility of trends, pieces, and fashion as a whole continuously increasing, staying on top of fashion has become simpler than ever.
Junior Connor Catallo
Senior Becca DeBucce
Sophomore Melissa Ruprich
Fashion Week in Numbers Likes on FB
Cost of Show
Michael Kors
16 Million
200 Thousand
Calvin Klien
10 Million
200 Thousand
Dolce&Gabbanna
10 Million
65 Thousand
Tommy Hilfiger
10 Million
50 Thousand
Brand
Information from Facebook and Social Times
LIFESTYLES
FEBRUARY 27, 2016
SOURCE 11
From Down Under
Taking the Shot: Freshman Ross Gloria shoots a free throw in Stoney’s win over Oxford 45-47 on Feb. 12. (photo by Megan Sennett)
Australian athlete jumps through hoops to adjust to life in the US and new team by Megan Sennett
C
oming to a new school can be scary, let alone a new continent. This is exactly what freshman Ross Gloria did. He joined the basketball team to keep a little of his life the same. “When I first came to practice I thought it would be really awkward, especially coming in the middle of the season,” Gloria said. However, he found the team welcoming.
“They all came up to me and introduced themselves. After that we all started joking around and shooting hoops like we were friends for years,” Gloria said. The transition of him moving and going to a totally different school is a difficult change to go through, especially in the middle of the year, according to Gloria. Just like at his old school, he has been and continues to be an asset to the team.
“Ross is a strong, physical, energetic player, and he came in halfway through the season and he has some knowledge from his team in Australia,” Coach Alfoldy said. “He is good at finishing under the rim and he hustles to make big plays.” Gloria helps the team in a lot of aspects, according to freshman Joey Wilson. Gloria brings the teams mood up even during a bad game or practice. He also helps a lot with the size and rebounds. This has helped the team score more points in the process during games since he has been here, according to Alfoldy. Gloria take practices just as serious as he takes the games. “During practices Ross has helped a lot with different techniques we have as a team sometimes struggle with,” freshman Andrew Carson said. “His input helps all of us, even the coach, with different ways to correct whatever we our doing wrong.” Gloria has been with a successful team before that has had very good seasons. There were always new ways to critique how somebody plays, according to Gloria. Gloria is looked up to by his team as more than just another player. “He knows what he wants and how to achieve it,” Wilson said. On and off the court, Gloria sticks with his team, doing anything he can to make it better. “We would all work hard to get stuff done, and when the coach said to do something we did it,” Gloria said. The basketball team is very motivated and wants to start winning more games. building a more of a friendship outside of school will help the team all trust each other more on the court, according to Gloria. Gloria is excited to continue playing the game he loves and make new friends. His head is held high as he continues to improve with the team during the rest of the season.
Born: Oct. 13, 1999 Height: 6’ 0” Points per game: 12 Favorite basketball player: Marc Gasol Favorite subject: science Weakest subject: English Most different thing about the US: spelling Started basketball two years ago Started swimming at the age of four National swimmer in Australia 12 SOURCE
Swimmers bleach hair for districts by Spencer Kopp They’re everywhere in the halls, walking around with their odd looking, (literally) bleach blond hair. Who are these mysterious people? Where did they come from? And why does their hair look that weird? Swimmers; the Stoney Creek swim team (and many others around the country) have tradition of bleaching their hair every season. Apparently, swimmers used to have a tradition where they completely shave their heads every season, but now that swim caps are more popular, bleaching has taken over. So why do they do it? “It’s sort of a rite of passage in the swim team, almost everyone does that.” Says senior swimmer Dan D’Onofrio, “While other members of the team definitely try to pressure you into dying your hair, most do it to kind of show dedication. And it’s also just a fun thing to do that makes you get weird looks and identifies you to other people as a swimmer. Also, we the chlorine destroys our hair so much we just bleach it because we can. Swimmers have been doing this for centuries so changing our ways now would just be pointless.” This tradition has been going on for many years and while it can look great on some, others, not so much. Every year, before leagues, the swim team dies their hair. Is it good for your hair? Of course not. Is it beneficial in any way whatsoever? Nope. It is, however, a way for swimmers to stand out and not only show dedication to the team, but show how much they don’t care about their already sort of messed up hair. According to swimswam.com, swimmers greenish hair color comes from copper decomposing in the water, and swimmers hair is usually already damaged because of high levels of Chlorine in the water, to keep it sterile, this will gradually bleach any swimmers hair naturally, but some swimmers are sick of their hair gradually changing and becoming greenish and dry, so they bleach it all at once to get it over with. “Others may judge us for our hair, but they are weak, and our tradition will live on.” Says D’Onofrio, a statement to defy the judgment of outsiders on the swimmer’s long held traditions. The tradition will live on.
SPORTS
Types of Injuries Just a Scratch
Minor bumps and bruises wont stop a tough athlete.
Out for the game
Providing protection: Colyn Reaume tapes up the ankle of an injured cheerleader before practice. In additon to taping trouble areas before events, Reamue is also responsible for documenting athlete’s injuries. (Photo by Alex Hadd.)
CALLING ALL INJURIES
New trainer helps aching ahtletes by Alex Hadd
A
t the conclusion of the spring sports season last year, the athletic department bid farewell to its long time trainer, Amy Braun. Since her departure, Colyn Reaume has taken over the training room in the athletic wing, helping injured student athletes get back on to the field as swiftly as possible. “Working with such an active population, high school students and athletes, has really been a shift of gears for me,” Reaume said. With a background as an athlete in high school (four years as a wrestler and football player), Reaume is no stranger to a competitive attitude. During his four year career, knee injuries necessitated four separate surgeries. “In high school, I never really saw athletic training as something I would be interested in doing,” Reaume said. “I think my struggles with injuries caused me to want to learn how the body is affected when damaged, and how to go about fixing that damage as quickly as possible.” And learn he did. Spending six years at Central Michigan University, Reaume
Sports
earned a master’s degree in exercise science. Using this knowledge, he has helped countless athletes recover from severe injuries that would typically require consultation from a medical doctor. “Colyn brings a different look on injuries than a lot of the physical therapists I’ve been to have not,” senior football player Kenny Messina said. After spending time in the training room due a surgery to fix a separated shoulder, Messina has acquired a strong relationship with Reaume, and knows of his knowledge and skill set. “If he doesn’t know what is wrong, he will put in the time to figure it out instead of giving up and referring you to a doctor right away, and I really appreciate that,” Messina said. Not only does Reaume’s knowledge of physiology aid him in his work, but his personality gels well with the upbeat nature of the Cougar community. “Colyn presents the steps to recovery in a calm, clear way that makes the reality of being injured a little more bearable,” Messina said. Despite working at other high schools
before as an athletic trainer, Reaume’s experiences here have already take on an element of novelty that he did not anticipate when he first got the job. “The kids here are extremely responsible and respectful,” Reaume said. “At least ninety percent of the athletes I have helped treat have been a pleasure to work with.” On most days, Reaume’s job is relatively stress free. But sometimes, it seems that there was a bone-breaking fairy on the fields and in the gymnasiums. “In one day, a young gentleman dislocated his big toe during gym class, I saw two broken arms, and a varsity football player was concussed during practice,” Reaume said. His easy going personality helps athletes remain calm when injured. “I was in a lot of pain when I broke my hip, and Colyn’s explanation of exactly what happened was very reassuring,” sophomore Matthew D’Onofrio said. Looking forward, Reaume plans to continue his precedent of providing quality diagnosis and treatment of injuries.
Concussions and strained joints will sideline an athlete for the game.
Season ender
Borken bones and torn ligaments can put an athlete’s season in the history books.
Learn about Colyn’s profession @ www.nata.org Visit Colyn at home athletic events @ www. oaklandactivitiesassoc.org
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SOURCE 13
#Free the Scantron Photo by Bailey Compton
Students grieve over government takeover
by Bailey Compton
T
he date is Feb. 17, 2016. A year has passed since the government started rationing out the paper stock. This could be my final entry. Ever since the new regime took control, life as we knew it stopped dead. I still remember the first day we found out. My mother and I were sitting at the kitchen table when the announcement came over the flat screen. Man, I wish that thing still worked. It wasn’t long before we heard shouting coming from outside. We looked out the window, shoulder to shoulder, to see riots in the streets. Business owners shrieked outside of their company doors and damned the overreach of the government. Mothers just like mine wept on the streets-- maybe because they saw what was coming. Tanks. The government filled every alleyway and every parking spot on the street with mechanized killing machines. Soldiers with guns spilled out of the back of trucks and forced their way into houses and apartment buildings. When they broke down our door we willingly gave them almost everything we had- albeit it wasn’t much. We dug out old newspapers and
14 SOURCE
magazines, novels and short stories, birth certificates and passports. The digital age boomed in our home so losing those documents didn’t have such an emotional cost, but giving up the family Bible for government recycling was much more than my mother could bear. She’s barely left her room since that day except for meals. They say they took the paper to reuse, but I’ve talked to my neighbors and even my friends across town. Nobody has seen what they’ve done with all those ancient scraps. Now its a year later. The torture is too much. This diary was the only thing I’ve been able to save since that day and now I’m running out of pages. There’s just nothing like the experience of it y’know? The intoxication of the smell of dust built up between the pages. The intoxication of the sound of paper against paper as you flip through a story. The intoxication of the sight of pen hitting the document. Wow. Some people weren’t as fortunate as I was when the soldiers came. They didn’t save anything, or didn’t think to. I let my mom write a couple of the verses she could remember on the first couple of pages, but other than that this whole diary is all mine.
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
Babies are crying now from exhaustion and I can hear them from my bedroom. Around 8:00 it all starts. There are no bed-time stories to relax them, so they just cry themselves to sleep, night after night. Henry, my little brother, even though he’s nine now still cries. I try to calm him down with my own tales of adventure, but the fact that my life just isn’t that interesting and my mind just isn’t that creative still stands. Every day that passes is another day that society suffers. School is pretty much the same, but now its a lot harder to remember facts and figures. Most days Henry and I just don’t bother going. Notes are impossible to take and to combat this problem there aren’t any more tests. Scantrons would be pretty hard to produce anyways and even harder to protect. Now we see a lot of those papers on the black market. They sell for hundreds. I swear I’d never complain about annotations again if I could just experience the pleasure of a new story. Some say that if the computers hadn’t shut down mid November we would all be fine. Life wouldn’t be that different. I think they’re right. Because all the trees
“
The government filled every alleyway and every parking spot on the street with mechanized killing machines.
”
were used up they weren’t protecting the soil from the hot sun. Everything dried up and turned to dust. The phone lines fell hundreds of feet and the connection crashed. Power shut down soon after and there was no way to revive our dead technology. The government doesn’t care to fix anything because now they have all that paper and this new life keeps us from rioting-- for the most part. I know there are groups out there that do and when I find one I’m going to fight. Give me paper, or give me death.
Opinion
Pro
Con
Julia Clay
Katie Fleming
Online classes open doors for modern learning
Traditional classes offer students more benefits
Students of all ages and levels can benefit greatly from online classes in high school because of the flexibility of the program in terms of time, pricing, skill level, and class choices. Online classes offer a huge array of courses that don’t run here at Stoney, opening up huge opportunities for students on all career paths. One of the greatest advantages of online classes is that the student can choose their own pace. They can spend extra time on challenging subjects, and move as quick as they like through the easier ones. It also allows for the student to choose when and where they do their classwork. They can pick their environment of choice without worrying about the distractions that public school brings. This way, students can mold their education around their schedule and needs, instead of sacrificing one or the other. Another benefit of online learning is the opportunity to take specialized classes. These classes that are not provided by traditional high schools can help students prepare for college. Senior Ally Tudor has taken several classes online. Though her composition, history, and psychology online classes are offered here, taking them online opened up her schedule for different classes. She also took a Shakespeare class online, since it has not run here. Though Tudor admits that communicating with her teachers through email is a challenge, she doesn’t have a problem learning the material. “Sometimes you feel a little stranded, but for the most part I like it,” said Tudor. It’s true that online classes are not for everyone, but with personal motivation it can work very well. “I’m pretty self-motivated,” said Tudor, “...I try to get everything done at the beginning of the week so I don’t have to stress about it.” Although taking a class without a present instructor can be a challenge, taking these online classes at the same time as traditional high school can be a great choice. That way, students can go to traditional high school teachers or tutors for their questions about online classes. Some online schools like K12 also offer resources for students with questions. Online classes are a new and amazing opportunity for students. It would be a waste to ignore the benefits these programs can bring to education as a whole.
In an era of new technology, an integration of technology into education is inevitable. Students are able to take online classes in order to fill their schedules. However students are seeing that a teacher and a desk is more beneficial to students than a monitor and mouse. Senior Abbie Marton prefers a traditional classroom setting. “I learn better actually hearing from the teacher and being able to see the different things that they do,” Marton said. “It’s just kind of hard for me to learn on my own and teach myself the different things.” Marton is one of 23 students who are taking online courses through multiple different portals. Some classes are video-based while others are not, but all online courses receive traditional letter grades. Even if students are comfortable using the necessary technology, they still face challenges. For students in online courses, the hardest part of the class can be communicating with the teacher. “When you send a question via email you try and word it so they can respond helpfully,” senior Ally Tudor said. “But sometimes it doesn’t work out. Sometimes I feel stranded.” Trying to get your question across over email is like trying to catch sarcasm over a text: nearly impossible. Face-to-face time with teachers is a valuable resource when it comes to education. According to an article on forbes.com, many believe that online classes actually help individualize courses for students. But how can a course that is pre-written and recorded be individualized? Students are unable to ask questions regarding the course material during lectures making it difficult to comprehend. On top of technology and communication, students are faced with an even bigger obstacle: themselves. According to Assistant Principal John Kelley, students must have the self-discipline to stay current in the class, something not everyone is capable of. It is even required by the district’s handbook. Students however can still find it difficult to stay motivated. “I don’t stay very motivated,” Marton said. “My teacher isn’t very good with due dates so I just do them whenever I can, but I don’t really have motivation.” Shiny technology may be initially appealing for high school students, but in reality traditional classroom settings are better for high school education allowing for easier communication and more motivation to complete work.
OPINION
Logging on or zoning out?
The pros and cons of virtual learning in high school
A
s technology advances, many students and administrators have been looking for ways to expand the opportunities we have at Stoney. Online classes are the alternative that brings the world to our doorstep--or media center. However, many students are discouraged from signing up for online learning because of the requirements and expectations. According to the RCS Technology-Enhanced Learning Handbook, a successful online learner must “...set their own goals, use their time wisely, keep organized, and take responsibility for their own learning.” Is online learning really so risky, or should more students participate?
(photos by Katie Fleming)
FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SOURCE 15
&PRRR
STAFF EDITORIAL
GRRR
Requirements Redo The change in graduation requirements for incoming freshmen leave some schedule options blank Two years of a language is not nearly enough for anyone to become fluent. Likewise, two years of gym class won’t make anyone physically fit. Requiring any student to take multiple years of a language when they are not required to complete the language and requiring students to take multiple years of gym/ health is pointless. Students should have more freedom with their schedule. Enter curriculum changes. Students are now only required to take only one year of language in high school and aren’t required to take gym if they play for two or more seasons of a sport or Marching Band, for graduation. This change affects freshmen. This is a huge improvement because now students have more control over what they want to take. No one will be forced to take two years of language just because they need it to graduate. The changes to the language requirement are somewhat problematic. What can you do with two years of language? The school system suggests that four years are needed for someone to become fully fluent. If students take only the requirement, they will know less than
half of what is required to understand and communicate fluently in other countries after two years, although an introduction to language may help students learn about other cultures on some level. However, extra space in a student’s schedule is a welcome change and could be used to take classes more relevant to a student’s career interests. A minimal amount of gym and health should be required in high school, key word being, “minimal.” Students should have the option to take fewer physical fitness classes to make more room for academic core courses that bolster a college application. With the changes, two seasons of any sport will count for half a semester of a gym credit, which is all that is required for freshmen to graduate. “I’m happy that I don’t have to take classes I don’t want to,” freshman Allison Moss said. “The gym requirements are kind of pointless in my opinion, and I plan on going into something in the medical field so the additional years of language wouldn’t be as beneficial to me as something like an anatomy class, for example.”
Source Staff Vote: Would the new requirements be beneficial to incoming freshman?
Agree: 75%
GRRR
Many freshmen take on an attitude similar to Moss’s; if you don’t need to take it, if it’s not going to help you get into college or with a future career, there are more career aligned classes that can be taken. Overall, the new guidelines will free up time for freshman to focus on what they want, and it’s a good thing for the district to be loosening their grip and moving towards fewer required classes (for graduation) and an overall increase in student freedom. It has many times been said that education is the great equalizer. It gives students the freedom to rise above their situation and get set on what they want to do with their lives. As long as education provides a platform for students to do this, limits on what classes students need to take to ensure their graduation can be detrimental to the freedom of equality the school systems are initially intended to promote. This said, those extra couple open spots can make a difference with scheduling and provide an opportunity for students to take more career aligned classes.
“I think doing sports for a gym credit is easier because you don’t have to be forced to do stuff in gym that you don’t want to do.” OPINION
Sophomore: Sierra Paraham
“I wish it was around when I was a freshman so I wouldn’t of had to do the gym class!”
PRRR Mr. Cougar Time: Mr. Cougar elections are coming up and its time to find out which senior can make the biggest fool out of themselves. Net Neutrality Prevails: Net neutrality was maintained leading to more years of accessible internet for all!
BY THE NUMB3RS
15.4
million dollars Michigan saved by changing from the ACT to the SAT
25
What do you think about the new graduation requirements?
Freshman: Emma Vazana
Bye-Bye Bush: The Detoit Lions cut Reggie Bush on the 25th. Running back Joique Bell is expected to start next year.
cents is the price of one scantron sheet
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, FOLKS!
Q:
Triple Movie Flop: Mila Kunis’s Jupiters Ascending, Johnny Depp’s Mortdecai, and Julianne Moore’s Seventh Son come back from the box office not as successful as its actors.
Junior: Jamie Lai
“America only knows english, so we should be required to take more language since the rest of the world does.”
2.5
college GPA required to recieve two years of tuition free if President Obama’s plan passes
15
Senior: Thies Ey
“If you want to push freshman into learning a different language, one language won’t do any good.” Photos by Annie Knoblauch
million social media engagements during Fashion Week
(Sources: Freep.com, Dailykos.com, Socialtimes.com)
FEBRUARY 27 , 2015
SOURCE 19