is now hiring
Want to see an odd job? How about working with alpacas? Check out the spread to see more. Page 4-5
Also on the spread; • Illegal jobs • How to get a job • How to fill out a resume • How to quit from a job
November 25, 2008 VOLUME II ISSUE 3 DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL 2200 N. PARKER ROAD DEXTER, MI 48130
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Staff Playlist “Beaches” by The Supervillains “Quality ska to put you in a good mood.” Scott Crompton Editor-in-chief
“HeyLeonardo(Shelikesmefor me.)”byBlessedUnionofSouls “I love the 90s.” Nicole Minzey Staff writer
“Anna Molly” by Incubus “Incubus is a sweet band.” Lisa Ritchie Staff writer
trends
The Rostrum
No-shave November Jamie Munson staff writer
Now that November is here, Senior Stephen Zalucha, along with several other students are excited to show off their facial hair or lack thereof. “I’m doing a contest right now with some other guys in my biology class, and my beard is winning,” Zalucha said. “You gotta manscape the beard though; that is a standard rule with the competition.” While some hope their hairless surface area will produce by the time it’s all said and done, senior Ryan Lemasters is worry free and for good reason. He has been able to sprout a beard for what seems like ages, and while he is growing it out, Lemasters will have to conclude no-shave November a bit early. “I won’t be able to stick with it because of basketball,” Lemasters said, “but I have great respect for the event
and wish I could fully do it.” Senior Mike Szymusiak, another contributor to the vast amounts of facial hair students have been witnessing, said, “I feel like it’s a chance to bring out my inner Grizzly Adams, and it makes me feel tough and rugged.” Zalucha said No-Shave November gives every guy a chance to express himself. “If I were to do this during any other month, people would question it, but because it’s No-Shave November, people embrace it,” he said. Whether the result of not shaving is a scattered mess of stubbles or an admirably filled-in beard, No-Shave November gives every male a reason to be lazy and carefree. “I have always wanted to do it, but as an underclassmen I could never produce, ” Zalucha said. “Now that I’m a senior, I am able to, and it (has) been a great time.”
“I have always wanted to do it, but as an underclassmen could never produce.” -Stephen Zalucha
Oerlikon lanyards sweep school “Excuse Me Mama” by Mishon “I like the fresh beat and the pureness of Mishon’s voice.” Lauren Daugherty Co-photo editor
“My console” by Eiffel 65 “They are a neat techno group, and this song is an awesome little pump-up.” Jason Lomax Designer
Morgan Quist staff writer
People remember to put their shirt and shoes on before coming to school. In addition, more and more students are remembering their Oerlikon lanyards, even though some of them may not even really know what the name Oerlikon refers to. Not a skateboarding company, or a brand of cereal, Oerlikon is an industrial vacuum part company, based in North Dakota. Senior Gabe Golub’s father, who is a regional sales manager for the company, is responsible for the popularity of the lanyards, he said. “My dad came home from a conference with a bunch of (the lanyards),” Golub said. Golub said his dad offered to give the entire box of lanyards to him, and Golub began distributing
them to only his closest friends at first, including senior Will Stefanski. “(Gabe and I) started wearing the lanyards, and gave them a lot of hype,” Stefanski said, referring to white lies he and Gabe may have told kids when repping the lanyards. “We told kids it was a skateboarding company, and other things too, and people believed us,” Golub said. Stefanski said he and Golub weren’t trying to start a trend at first, but said soon the lanyards were in high demand from all of the advertising the pair had done together. “No one really knew what it was, but a lot of kids still wanted them,” Golub said. Although he said that he and Stefanski repped the lanyards as if they were a skateboarding company and other things at first, he
said eventually kids stopped asking what they were, yet still wanted them. Golub said he felt cool selling such a hot ticket item, even though a lot of kids still didn’t know the truth about the lanyards. Sophomore Adrian Sparrow said when he started wearing the lanyard, he also didn’t know what Oerlikon was. Sparrow said he just wanted one to fit in. “I wanted to wear the lanyard because I thought (the Purple Polo Gang, another trend started by Golub and Stefanski) was cool, and I wanted to be their friend,” he said. By wearing the lanyard, Sparrow said it has given him confidence that he has never felt before, which is important to everyone. Stefanski agrees. He said when wearing the lanyard, “you feel like an (Original Gangster) beyond your years.”
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get involved Tuesday, November 25, 2008 NHS involves special education students in recycling
Photo by Ally Sutter
Lending a hand: Senior Dan Newell helps two students from Liz Shields’ WISD class recycle. Lisa Ritchie staff writer
He was nervous as he made his way to Cheryl Wells’ room, but senior Danny Newell knew in the end he would take away a new experience from involving special education students in a new program to promote interaction among them and other Dexter High School students. As chair of the National Honor Society, Newell, was asked to assist students in Liz Shields’ special education class with a paper-recycling project. “A few (of my students) will alternate in helping NHS recycle,” Shields said, “so they all have a chance to get involved and help out.” According to Newell, the first day went really well. “We
worked with them one at a time,” he said. “It was a completely different experience, and it was really cool.” The National Honor Society plans to work with Shield’s student every Wednesday for the rest of the year. “I think it’d be really cool if they could get to a point where they could do it by themselves,” Newell said. Although Newell and Shields want the best outcome for her students, Shields hopes her students take away a different lesson. “For my students, I expect them to get experience in the building and learn what recycling is,” she said. “It’s a big part of being an adult. Adults recycle, adults know about recycling. It’s a big part of life.” But Shields said she hopes other students who aren’t in her class will also interact and take away new experiences. “In general, I hope to build understanding of all kids, not just mine but the general population,” she said. “Not only students with disabilities but understanding that people in general are different.” Also, Shields said it is important students understand differences and that differences don’t necessarily mean anything negative. “People just need to learn,” she said. “Knowledge equals understanding and acceptance.” And Shields said she hopes interacting with the special education students will decrease the misconceptions regular education students have. “ The most common misconceptions people have about my students are they are incompetent,” Shields said. “That is a completely false assumption. My students are capable of doing lots of things and because of outward appearance, they’re stereotyped.” And although Shields said she has never witnessed any negative verbal comments toward her students, she said
body language shows some students are unwilling to interact. “When my students are walking down the hall and they try to talk to someone, (regular education students) are usually unresponsive,” she said. “They don’t interact because there’s no understanding.” Wells said she thinks it is important to involve the special education students in the Dexter High School scene. “We want these individuals to feel included in school culture,” she said. “It is also important for the NHS students to get to know and interact with them. They attend school, they see kids, but they don’t necessarily get to interact with other kids. Students should take the time because they could learn a lot about the diversity of people through interaction.” Also, Wells said it is important the special education students gain social skills for future jobs and situations. “They will have jobs someday where they interact with other people and form relationships,” she said. “They have their own separate classroom and function on a different schedule. NHS is doing a lot to get them involved in more programs.” As for other projects and programs involving special education students, Shields said she is open to any opportunities. “We visited a yearbook class and a creative writing class to observe and introduce ourselves,” she said. “We are also working in the library to water plants and cleaning up the lunchroom to teach them new skills. In any case we are interested in visiting more classes.” Also, Shield said it is important to create a common understanding and try to interact to reduce feelings of uncertainty. She said, “The more interactive my students are with other students at Dexter High School are, the less visible the differences will become.”
Students learn about world cultures Emily VanDusen Copy Editor
On a cool October evening, sounds of enjoyment come from the school courtyard, where a diverse group of students assemble, drinking merrily and laughing heartily. The students are members of the World Cultures club and are in the middle of celebrating the German Oktoberfest holiday. Besides the fact that the drink of choice is beer sans alcohol (that is, of the root variety), the celebration closely resembles its German inspiration. For about five years, World Cultures club has blended French, Spanish and German clubs and was founded with the goal of promoting cultural understanding, according to advisers Kim Lund, Marianne Zubryckyj and Kristi Shaffer. “It’s a really big world out there,” French teacher Lund said, “not just Dexter. This way, kids can expand their horizons in a safe environment.” Junior Catherine Cook, this year’s World Cultures Club president, has seen for herself the truth behind such ideals. “I have always been interested in how people live around the world,” Cook said. “When I joined the club freshman year, I thought it would be a great way to learn about other cultures in an involved and fun atmosphere.” With activities ranging from watching foreign movies to attending cultural performances to eating at different restu-
arants, the club is never lacking things to do. “We eat at every single activity,” Lund said, “and we try to do events that tie into the calendar, like holiday celebrations and Mardi Gras parties.” For club members like Cook, such events contribute to cultural understanding. “My favorite activities are when we take trips to see shows at the Power Center,” Cook said. “Last year I attended an Irish modern step dancing show. It was great to be able to see such an interesting culture trait in a new, exciting way.” Adding another interesting dynamic to the club is its significant contingent of foreign exchange students. “We can learn a lot from those students,” Cook Oktoberfest: World Cultures club members celebrate a said. “They can help us learn more about their German Oktoberfest outside the library with adviser Kim cultures and countries. It’s different from learnLund. ing things from a book or a lecture-by interacting with the students, it makes other cultures and ideas Photo by Jessih Hepp seem so much more real.” Korean Seoyoung Choi, an exchange student from GerWith the help of students like Cook and Choi, the club’s many, is currently serving as the club’s photographer. advisers, including Lund, are hoping to influence an era of “I want to get to know many cultures, and learn about peace and understanding. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to be aware of the country,” Choi said. “It’s nice, but different,” she said of America so far. “The transportation is really different. In how other people think,” Lund said. “War could be avoided Germany, everything is close. Here, you need a car to get if the current U.S. administration thought about what people anywhere.” in other societies consider to be sacred.”
the spread
The Rostrum
The Rostrum
the spread
The everything you need to know about a job guide
Friday, October 26, 2007 the mainteenagers attend Kit school As he walks into school, he walks downMany hallway past principal Moran and dean of students Ken Koenig without saying a word.
Although he is participating in an illegal activity, he doesnʼt get nervous, he just walks right by.
Friday, October 26, 2007
By: Jessica DelJevic
Student spends time taking care of alpacas
The Rostrum the spread
4
•Age (it can harm your chances of getting a job if you’re too old or too young for certain jobs) •If you’ve ever gotten fired or quit a job •Anything negative- accentuate positive qualities •Gaps in employment- the bigger the gap, the less likely you are to be hired; moreover, employees become suspicious of your actions during your hiatus
Common mistakes to avoid:
•Don’t be sloppy- neat, clean proofread appearance is important •Don’t use bright, bold colors unless you’re applying for a job where creativity is appropriate. •Otherwise, it’s best to stick to light blue or gray hued paper •Don’t add fluff- Keep resume short, concise and free of errors; employers want to know what you can do for them in as few error -free paragraphs as possible
How making mistakes affects chances:
•According to DHS counselor Gerry Holmes, more than half of the students who embellish, lie or make grammatical errors on a resume do not land the job they want •Proofreading and spelling is critical; careless errors can turn employers off
Things to keep in mind while making a resume:
•Don’t embellish- Even if you get away with it on a resume, employers will find out and fire you if they feel it is appropriate. •Include qualities that make you unique from the competition. If you cannot think of anything on your own, ask someone who knows
Qualities of a Strong Resume:
•Neat, clean and proofread for careless errors •Appealing to the eye, but doesn’t contain bright colors, unnecessary graphics or filler info Is accurate and points out qualities that make you seem like the best candidate for the job without embellishing
•Research the company to find as much information as possible prior to the interview; Employers will be sure to take notice •Prepare good, thorough questions prior to the interview so you leave with as much knowledge as you need to make the right decision for you; plus, employers always take notice when you’ve done your homework •Do a practice “mock” interview before the big day to ensure you’re prepared for all types of questions and can answer them to the best of your ability; your preparedness will also save you from potentially awkward or paused moments, and the interview will flow smoothly for you and the interviewer
What if the student is shy or nervous?
•Tell the employer up front if an interview situation is difficult for you because of shyness. They will note shyness is part of your personality and not think you are being rude
Do/ Don'ts for an Interview What types of duties will •Don’t: Ask how much vacation time you get someone with not much •Don’t: Be late experience be expected to •Do: Be concise, don’t ramble •Do: Make eye contact perform? Should students follow up after an interview? •Yes, applicants should send a thank- you note to the interviewer no later than three days after the initial meeting. Be sure to thank the interviewer for taking time out of his or her day to talk to you, let them know you appreciate it. A call back is usually appropriate only if you have not received word about the job a week or more after the interview
What kind of pay range can A person in their first job expect?
•Anywhere from minimum wage ($7.40) to $10.00 an hour, depending on job and skill
How should students
•Entry level jobs and basic duties; most students with little to no job experience start at the bottom with simple duties and gradually work their way up as more experience is gained
What is the proper way to quit a job?
•Ideally, you should give the employer at least 10 days notice prior to your departure. It should be put in writing, accompanied by a reason for quitting and a respectful closing statement
By: Karly Stanislovaitis
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Don’t put
prepare beforehand?
5
The everything you need to know about a job guide
•Name •Address •Phone number •Education •Work Experience •Objective (goal)
you well what they think your best qualities are; they may come up with qualities you didn’t even consider •Decide on the style of your resume; there are several different options including: •Chronological: consists of a bulleted list of activities, accomplishments, past employment, educational background and objective •Electronic- Includes objective, education, personal qualities that you will contribute to a job, activities, awards and experience; exact dates of activities are not essential but appropriate
the spread
By: Kevin Yarows Kevin Yarows As he walks into school, he walks down the main hallway past Principal Kit Moran and Dean of Students Ken Koenig without saying a word. Although he is participating in an illegal activity, he doesn’t get nervous, he just walks right by. Junior Cody Burke* has marijuana with him. But this isn’t an uncommon event because Burke deals drugs for money. “It’s not really a big deal,” Burke said. “I’ve been doing it (dealing drugs) for almost two years now so it’s kinda just something I do.” Burke said to decrease the risk of getting caught, he only carries small amounts of illegal drugs with him at any given time. He does this because his motive of dealing drugs is different than many other drug dealers. “I don’t really deal (drugs) specifically for the money,” Burke said. “I just like being able to have weed whenever I want it. And it’s nice to sell the rest so I end up breaking even.” Burke’s market is relatively small. He said he only has a small group of people who know they can buy from him and nobody else bothers him about it, he said. Burke said, “I like to keep my group pretty small, that way I have a lesser chance of getting caught. I’m pretty safe about what I do. I don’t see how I would get caught.”
Resume essentials:
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Dirty Dealing
The Rostrum
Photos Jason until 3 isnʼt at the local fastevent food Junior Cody Burke* has marijuana with him.about But this an uncommon because Burkeby: deals drugsLomax for money. “Itʼs not really a big deal,” Burke said.joint “Iʼveand beencome doing ithome (dealing drugs) for almost two years now so itʼs kinda just something I do.” warped with Burke said, to decrease the risk of getting caught, heuntil only carries amounts of illegal drugs with him at any given time. homework they small are too tired He does this because his motive of dealing drugs is different than many other drug dealers. “I donʼt really deal (drugs) specifically for the money,” Burke said. “I just like being able to have weed whenever I want it. And itʼs nice to sell the rest so I end up breaking even.” to stand it. Burkeʼs market is relatively small. He only has a small group of people who know they can buy from him and nobody else bothers him about it, he said. But for junior Brandon SaunBurke said, “I like to keep my group pretty small, that way I have a lesser chance of getting caught. Iʼm pretty safe about what I do. I donʼt see how I would get caught.”
ders, the typical workday consists of much more peculiar tasks. Saunders works at an alpaca farm on North Territorial Road. Travel about a fourth of a mile from the frequently visted CJ’s party store, and you’ll hit his place of employment. Saunders has worked there for more than three years. His brother passed the job down to him in eigth grade. Saunders makes about $ 7.50 an hour shoveling poop and feeding the alpacas. He also puts them together to breed. “I get one male alpaca and put it with the other in a stall and they make babies,” Saunders said. “I actually like (the job) though.” It’s been a job to keep him busy and occupied for a a few years now. “(My boss) was my brother’s therapist, so we’ve known him for a while,” Saunders said.
Preparing yourself for a job and other advice
Kevin Yarows Illegal Job
6
The Rostrum
puzzles
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Dots E
D
Match That Beard: Match the beards (A-E) to their owners. HINT: One is a teacher!
B
C
Answers: A. Luke Longoria;
B. Houston Douglass;
C. Sean McLaughlin;
D. Math teacher Jason Miller;
E. Jesse Liker
A
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uPage
Senior Year
Things to do
Friday, day, November 25, 2008
Jake Larosa uPage editor
Things not to do
1. Take classes full of freshman. The constant screaming and annoying commotion of a classroom of prepubescent frosh is enough to make your brains fry.
1. Graduate. If you don’t, you’ll be cursed to a life of shame and illiteracy.
2. Pull off a nice, healthy senior prank. See my article in the previous issue for more details. 3. Lax a little bit on the school work. Unless you’re bound for an Ivy League school, you’ve earned yourself a little break, except if you have no friends and nothing better to do.
2. Date a freshman. Not only does this show your desperation, but it is considered statutory rape in most states, except Kentucky. 3. Fail classes. Senioritis doesn’t mean a 0 percent. If you can’t pull off a 60 percent in your easy senior classes, you should quit life.
4. Take gym classes. This is the key to an easy and pleasant senior year. A plus if you 4. Skip too much. To do so would invoke the wrath of Koenig; this would emit a highpowered radiation burst that would destroy all sentient life in the universe. have Coach Barbieri and you play football. 5. Pretend to throw your dip out every time you pass Connie. Pretty self-explanatory. Simple, yet hilarious.
5. Go out to lunch during school. I did this last year and nearly invoked the wrath of Koenig, but luckily I retrieved the key from the library and deactivated him.
5X5 Who killed the Green Lantern?
What is the Green Lantern?
I have no idea.
Um ... IDK.
I don’t know.
Don’t remember. I was too messed up.
My woodland critters and I.
I was too busy killing with my buddy Squirrely Squirrel.
Yeah, everyone was.
Of course.
A Nazi with green eyes.
Similar to Steve Zenas but with bigger muscles.
Jake Larosa.
Am I your dream guy?
I like your Ugg boots.
No, sorry.
Yes.
Maybe if you take off those boots.
No.
What should be done about the crappy dances this year?
The chaperones need to chill.
They should leave the lights off.
We need to boycott them.
Replace the chaperones with porn stars
Have blood orgies instead
Did you dance with your hands on your knees at homecoming?
Describe your dream guy.
Hell yeah!
Q&A
Beary Bear
Jason Bishop (12)
Monika Borkowski (11)
Troy Rickelman (10)
(9)
Victoria Waidley
Jake Larosa
uPage editor
A straight guy.
With science teacher DaveCallaghan Jake Larosa U-Page Editor
Jake: Why do you hate me? Mr. Callaghan: I heard you had trouble with the election. Jake: If I was a carbon atom, would you be my oxygen? Mr. Callaghan: Not in your lifetime; there’s too much negativity.
The Antichrist.
Jake: Do you eat innocent puppies for sport? C: No, but I hear they’re tasty. Jake: I am a timecop from the future. Which Jonas Brother do I eliminate for causing the apocalypse? Mr. Callaghan: The oldest one; he’s ugly. Jake: Do you enjoy being tickled by half-breed midgets? Mr. Callaghan: I have never tried that and most likely never will.
8
old squall
Friday, February 29, 2008
The Rostrum
Strippers and drugs really exsist Jeff Piku Image Editor
Apparently this paper has become somewhat controversial. It seems like every time we come out with a new issue, there is someone waiting to knock us and “constructively criticize” us. Well, frankly, I’m getting fed up with this. The world isn’t perfect. There are such things as drugs, alcohol, sex and strippers that exist out there. The fact is, most teenagers have had at least minor experiences with these topics and want to read about them. And, given that the Squall’s primary audience is teenagers, we’re going to continue to write about things that might be viewed by parents as controversial. I mean, we don’t show up at their place of work and explain to them what they’re doing wrong.
From what I understand, the Squall is not only read by high schoolers, but also by their parents. I think most parents are in touch with reality, and understand what goes on in the lives of teenagers, but there is still a collection of them who voiced serious complaints about some of the articles. To them, a piece on LSD, or on Deja Cu, is completely inappropriate for a high school newspaper. Considering that students in the high school have experimented with LSD and many more plan on going to Deja Vu to celebrate their 18th birthday, I’m going to have to go ahead and disagree with that. If these are things we have to deal with in our everyday lives, then they are officially acceptable to write about. Also, according to some misinformed people, the Squall is not a very professional paper. Our articles aren’t filled with as many facts as they should be. Sometimes we even write about a topic and (gasp!) don’t take
it seriously. How serious a paper do you expect from 25 or so teenagers who are just trying to produce a fun, entertaining paper that people will want to read? So, excuse us if we aren’t bent on writing articles that can be found in pretty much any other paper in the world. I’m not saying that we have a perfect paper that doesn’t have any problems to be ironed out. But if you must criticize us, criticize us for managing to misspell at least one headline in almost every issue. Criticize us for having about half of our pictures stretched out and distorted. Criticize us for coming up with a name like The Squall. If all you want is facts, go read the side of a cereal box, but if you want a fun reading experience, pick up an issue of the Squall.
Editor’s note This issue’s “Throwback” page features the March, 2001 issue of The Squall. These stories are exactly as they were printed in the past issue, errors and all. Enjoy. Scott Crompton, editor-in-chief
Pop bottle incident disrupts basketball game Ian Brown & Joe Mayer staff writers
Everthing was going as planned. Dexter was set to play a basketball game against Jackson the night. A group of dexter icers were set for a fun night at the game. Little dad they know that trouble was brewing. For the evening knew what the afternoon never suspected. According to senior Ben Joffe, some of the Dexter icers brrew up a plan to throw
a plastic Gatorade bottle at the Jackson basketball squad. Since Joffe said he would throw the bottle for money, senior Rob Desrochers and sophomore Keith Davey went around the gym to find some people who would give him money to throw the bottle. Davey, a Dexter hockey player, sad, “I realize now, that it was stupid to try tp pull off and whoever ragged on us was very childish.” So Joffe said that he waited for the Jackson team to get huddled up after a
time out in the game. Then with a flick of his wrist, the bottle went flying towards the Jackson squad, missing the team and nailing the bleachers behind them. Not all fans found Joffe’s sction humorous, howerver. Junior Tim Bergstrom said, “I thought it was real immature. It would have been better if they had done it at a different time in the game. The game was close and at that the time hey threw it wasn’t good.” According to Joffe, he was eventually caught and punished for his actions.