Andover Shield April 2010

Popping, locking, hip hop, and traditional Indian B7 dancing

Spring sports stars are highlighted, including > C2 Houttekier

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shield

April 2010

Volume XLVII Issue V

4200 Andover Rd, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302

Retirement incentive proposed State proposal aims to give incentives for staff to retire with new plan James Feuereisen staff writer

The long chapter of many teacher’s careers at Andover may soon reach its conclusion.

Since January 2010, Michigan’s government has been considering enacting an incentive to over 28,000 public high school teachers to retire at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

“The plan is quite complex (because) it has two (main) components. One is the incentive for teachers to retire and the other is the ‘punishment’ for those eligible teachers who don’t retire,” explains business teacher Linda Seitz who is affected by the proposal because she has taught for 35 years. “The incentive is that For more on the pension of teachers Heymoss’s who do retire this year retirement, could increase by almost see A4 $3,000 dollars per year for the rest of the teacher’s lives. However, teachers who stay, as well as all other teachers, would have to contribute an additional three percent of their income to a state pension fund, (they) would lose vision and dental coverage, and would have their years of service capped at 30 years. Combined, these factors have many teachers, including myself, making a very difficult decision if it passes.”

According to the House Fiscal Agency’s budgetary reports, the plan’s principle goal is to save school districts, such as Bloomfield Hills, money. The reports estimate that if 75 percent of the 32,300 eligible teachers take see PROPOSAL the incentive, $701.1 million could be saved.

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Glass replaces Gaynor

KWASNY HONORED

Science teacher wins Siemens Foundation award for AP teaching Emily Langnas staff writer

“I have sat in on his lectures, and I see the light in his students’ eyes. I watch him stand on a chair or a table and pretend to be an atom or a molecule, and I sense the warmth in the room; I hear the laughter and I feel the love his students have for him...and he for them,” reads the letter of reccomendation that, according to The College Board, earned Andover’s Dennis Kwasny the 2010 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for teachers.

“I was very surprised because I didn’t think I had a chance of winning such a thing, so it was a pleasant surprise,” Kwasny says regarding his award, which provides him a grant to be used towards science programming at the school. “I tend to stay low key, but it’s great. I

really appreciate it.”

Promoting science, math, technology and engineering (STEM) in the United States, the Siemens Foundation awards one AP teacher from every state a $1000 grant which he/she must use for STEM programming.

“I am thrilled that Mr. Kwasny was chosen to recieve this award. He is a very talented teacher,” says Andover vice principal Lou Ruggirello, who helped to nominate Kwasny. “It really accalades not only him as an individual, but also highlights the quality of education our students recieve.”

According to Ruggirello, Kwasny seemed like the perfect candidate to represent Andover High School, one of the 20 schools in Michigan chosen to nominate a teacher based on student success rates in AP math, science and technology. Jennifer Topiel, Executive Director of Communications for The College Board, explains that in order to be eligible to submit an application, teachers must have a minimum of five years of experience teaching advanced placement courses.

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Albino mistreatment

Robert J. Glass selected to be new superintendent of Bloomfield Hills Schools

Alessandra Early’s MYP project raises awareness of Albino mistreatment

Bloomfield Hills Press Release

Glass was selected by the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education to enter into contract negotiations for the superintendent’s position to succeed Dr. Steven Gaynor, who is retiring June 30 after nearly eight years with the district.

“Our board believes that Mr. Glass will very capably fulfill the wishes ROBERT GLASS of our community for its next superintendent,” said Martin Brook, Board of Education president. “We are pleased to have achieved consensus to take the next steps with such a highly qualified and respected professional educator, and sincerely thank each of our applicants for their interest in Bloomfield Hills Schools.”

Mr. Glass is currently superintendent at Dexter Community Schools, where he has served for almost two years.

Before that, he was executive director of instruction for Birmingham Public Schools and principal at Quarton School in Birmingham.

Board members reached their decision after second interviews this week of Mr. Glass and Michael Simeck, the current Berkley superintendent, which included an opportunity for community members to meet the two finalist candidates and to ask questions.

“We are looking to recognize AP teachers in math, science and technology for their exemplary teaching and enthusiastic dedication to AP, providing students with educational see KWASNY experiences in science and math in and outside the classroom and commitment to the professional community,” Topiel says.

Melanie Greenspan staff writer

“I wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing.”

These are the words of sophomore Alessandra Early who has created her MYP personal project to raise awareness of the mistreatment

of Albino individuals living in Tanzania. Because of her aspirations to spread awareness of her project, FOX 2 News Detroit has also featured her research and awareness.

“Everybody [at FOX] thought it was special enough to pass along,” FOX 2 News general news assignment see PROJECT reporter Andrea Isom explains.

In-school advertising plan Andover works with Alternative Revenue Development (ARD) to earn money via in-school advertising

reach a lot of people.”

Sam Curcuru, president and CEO of ARD, expands on the importance developing innovative approaches for increasing school revenue, especially when considering the effects of the recession on school districts across Lauren Hendrickson the country. senior advisor “As Detroit recently went though a pretty large collapse, our company was specifically designed to help Americans, on average, are exposed to 3,000 commercial Michigan school districts cover some of the cutbacks advertisements each day. For students in the Bloomfield that are coming related to sports, performing Hills School District – make that at least 3,001. arts, field trips and things of that nature.

In the fall of 2010, the Board of Education will We built the business so that we could help We are work closely with a company called Alternative school districts prevent cutting those types of Revenue Development (ARD) to strategically place building this company to programs so that the kids’ overall experience advertisements of local, regional and national at school doesn’t get cut as well.” companies on school grounds in order to achieve benefit the community.

Curcuru adds, “[The executives at ARD] new sources of revenue for the district.

Sam Curcuru are all Michiganders at heart – we were all “What they [ARD] want to do is create networks CEO of ARD our lives – so we are building this company to of school districts in certain regions, while benefit the community.” approaching advertisers at the same time,” says Curcuru came to the BHSD, see ARD Superintendent Steve Gaynor. “Having this network of as well as several other districts, school districts that are willing to hang banners of the proposing the idea which included logos of these advertisers creates a lot of demand on the asking for no down-payment. part of the advertisers, as [the advertisements] would

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Contest Information

-sponsored by the Under the Same Sun Organization -essay cannot exceed 1,750 words -awards given to winning essays -send entries to P.O. Box 8141, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

-English teacher Art Heymoss retires A4 -Rent (School Edition) is a success

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-Details on students’ cheating methods

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-The Indian Cultural Show B7

-Senior Ed Hur’s

track legacy C1

news

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Our turn

Days with all classes are no more

Part 1 of 2 on a series surrounding schedule changes for the 2010-2011 school year By and large, teachers assign reasonable amounts of homework defined use for many classes. Especially in higher level courses, it is to students on a daily basis, to be completed for the next class. With unreasonable to expect that a meaningful discussion, lecture or assessthe current block schedule, this means that students are asked to do ment could be conducted in such a short period. Therefore, all days bethree or four classes worth of homework on any given night, a tolera- come ‘dead time’ in many classes simply because it would be futile to start any major endeavor in that brief of a time period. ble amount on most school nights. This pattern often No longer would students be forced to slave away for continues throughout the week, even on Thursday hours under the burden of seven class periods worth of and Friday, and repeats week in and week out. But this delicate and sensible balance is thrown off by one No longer would homework. Nor would there be unreasonable amounts of homework for students who are involved in extracurricular insidious element in the schedule: be activities to complete at odd times during the weekend. StuThe All Day. The enemy of good students every- students where. forced to slave dents can finally begin to reclaim their Sundays, which premight as well have been days of the week, considerWe support the concept of all day elimination the away for hours viously ing how much time students often spend on homework.

2010-2011 school year, save for the first days of each There is also the added benefit that the occasional absemester, because doing away with this treacherous under the burden time will ease burdens on not only students but teach- of seven class pe- sence on an all day will not be detrimental to one’s academics. Imagine the difficulty of going to seven teachers to find ers as well.

Many a student will testify to its evils. Few have not riods worth of out what was missed in class. What is worse is when it is discovered there is homework in nearly all of them on top endured weekends where seven classes worth of homework of the new homework. homework due for Monday takes up entire Sundays.

The reduction in all days will mark the end of teachers There is no finer way to spend a Sunday than to get being forced to cut down important examinations, discusup at nine in the morning and do homework. Then do sions, lectures and readings in order to fill time. Furthermore homework and maybe rest for a little while. But more, teachers would only have to worry about preparing then its back to the grind to do more. Then, just when students think they’re done, there’s more homework. But wait there’s three or four sets of lessons for their classes as opposed to seven on all even more! Right after all the homework is done, one must study for days, thereby freeing teachers to make improvements to their classes three quizes the following day. What a wonderful day spent explaining and to get in rare relaxation time.

With the coming changes to all days, students can look forward to a this and that, solving for x, memorizing 100 vocab terms, and learning bright future and will never have to worry about suffering the horror of about plant sex. Not exactly the lazy sunday a student wishes for.

We believe that these perilous jumbles of periods are not only un- having all classes on a single day. Change has arrived. necessarily harmful to students and their free time, but lack a clearly

So now that all days are being reduced and Mondays rock, what are the Boomtown Rats gonna sing about?

Managing Editor: Jessica Ranke Senior Advisors: Saloni Godbole Lauren Hendrickson Andrew Weiner Junior Advisor: Rachel Rohr Web Editors: Lauren Hendrickson Kyle Kavanagh Graphics: Kyle Kavanagh Brian Margosian Copy Editor/ Distribution Manager:

Alex Chudler

Business Manager: Gabe Menchaca

Your turn:

What do you think about all days being reduced to twice a year?

Marco Ross sophmore

Editors-in-Chief: Jake Gordon Bridget Sanders

Photographers: Madeline McIlhon David Yu Alex Wolf

JOSH LONEY/shield

Monday will be less stressful and the begginnng of the week will be easier on us

staff

It’s a good thing becuase you don’t have as much stress over the weekend

I don’t like having to do so much work over the weekend

Melissa Welsh and Elana Bandalene

Griffin Goodman freshman

juniors

Editorial Policy

The Andover Shield is a student publication distributed free of charge to all Andover students with a total press run of 1,500. We strive to inform, entertain, and serve as a limited but open forum for students, parents, administrators, and members of the community, while continuing a tradition of journalistic excellence.

Have an opinion? Letters to the Editor can be dropped off in Miss Hammitt’s room, 306, and may be edited for content and/or space.

Staff Writers/ Page Editors: Jarred Bratley Ashley DuBois Emma Enache James Feuereisen Audrey Fotouhi Joudeh Freij Talia Goldman Melanie Greenspan Marley Kalt Nicole Kiester Kaya Koscielny Summer Krinsky Emily Langnas Andrew Pan Emma Reidsma Alana Tabak Derek Wolfe Anna Zambelli Staff Illustrator: Josh Loney Advisor: Christina Hammitt

Check out The Andover Shield at www.andovershield.com

news

The smoking ban: a positive change?

Summer Krinsky

Pro

An open lunch solution A different take on the typical senior mentality

Con

Emma Enache

staff writer

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staff writer

The glamourous allure of smoking is an image that has been ripped apart by the overwhelming scientific evidence that smoking is detrimental to our health. However, despite the warnings, some people choose to continue the habit. But that’s just it--some people choose to continue. By making that choice, they are consciously putting their own health at risk. But should the health of the people around them be put at risk because of their own foolhardy decision?

I do not think so.

Therefore, it’s clear that we should have a smoking ban. It was once thought that smoking wasn’t unhealthy, but when scientists found out that it led to cancer, the use of the Surgeon The point is, General’s Warning became necessary. second-hand smoke However when scientists discovered that second hand smoke was also dangerous, is real, and it’s a no major preventative laws, until now, problem were put in place. On May 1st, Michigan is finally taking initiative by putting a law into place which is banning smoking in almost all public places.

According to cancer.org, an estimated 46,000 deaths due to heart disease in non-smokers who live with smokers occur per year. Secondhand smoke causes an increase in the number and severity of asthma attacks in about 200,000 to 1 million children who have asthma. The point is, second-hand smoke is real, and it’s a problem.

Despite all of the health risks that smoking brings, some people will continue to argue that a public smoking ban is against our constitutional commitment to freedom. But don’t I deserve the freedom to walk down the sidewalk without walking through a disgusting cloud of smoke? Smokers could indulge in their own backyards; they don’t need to be out in public, forcing others to inhale their bad decisions.

When someone’s pursuit of happiness intrudes upon someone else’s pursuit of happiness--and their health--then they should not have that freedom.

Health is wealth. As cheezy as the saying might sound, even though Michigan’s economy isn’t doing very well, a law which will protect citizen’s health should be enacted despite the poor economic state.

So, it’s all relative; saying smokers should be free to do as they please sounds like a reasonable statement at first. However, it’s not accounting for the people our there who want to be free to not breathe in smoke, and, frankly, don’t want to increase their risk for cancer by being out in public.

Smoke-filled restaurants have long caused griping among non-smoking customers, and restaurant owners responded.

More and more privately-owned places frequented by the public, like restaurants and some bowling alleys, are nonsmoking or at least pretend to be by having non-smoking areas.

But on May 1, almost all public places—that is, indoors—will be mandated non-smoking by the Michigan government. (The law excludes the gambling floors of Detroit’s three commercial casinos—MGM Grand, Motor City and Greektown, cigar bars and tobacco stores, home offices and company vehicles.)

This isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Actually, it’s a really bad thing.

Michigan’s Michigan’s economy has been spiraling downward, and with its many small economy has businesses, restaurants included, are struggling to stay afloat. They need been spiraling all of the customers that they can downward get, and with the smoking ban, many customers may choose to stay at home, where they can eat and drink with their cigarettes in hand, costing those restaurants precious revenue. And while in some cases this loss in revenue may be made up for by new customers being more receptive to smoke-free environments, that will not be the norm. Most of those customers will stay loyal to the other restaurants that they frequented while public smoking was still legal. They likely won’t venture out and try a new restaurant.

Under the law, outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants will be non-smoking. Theaters, concert halls, bowling alleys, even bars—all non-smoking. Lawmakers took the idea too far. It is apparent that the smoker’s perspective was not even considered.

Now, a non-smoking bowling alley will easily lose a great part of its revenue, and a smoke-free bar will have less customers.

Some restaurant patrons have already started savoring their final cigatettes. Concertgoers will stop paying for their tickets if they are forced to leave the building and miss parts of their show to have a cigarette. Smoking was part of the experience for the smokers at these locations and their “fun” is being stripped away so suddenly.

This ban could have been extremely beneficial to the residents of Michigan. Instead, it took power away from business owners and will end up further hurting the state’s abysmal economy.

David Rohr staff writer

Open lunch. The best and the worst thing to happen to a senior. Sure, the freedom to leave Andover and go to any number of exotic places for lunch seems appealing at first (and don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade that privilege for anything), but it also comes with a mounting pressure.

First of all, the 50-minute lunch period really gets stretched thin when you leave.

Travel time is at a minimum five minutes if you go to a place like Subway or Rio Wraps.

Do you know easy it is to get sick of subs and tacos (especially when I hate Mexican food and only like plain sandwiches)? Most of the time though, I want to go somewhere, anywhere, besides those two places. At this point, I’m looking at a 10 to 15 minute drive, while still desiring that ETA of 11:15 (12:52 if B lunch) to guarantee a close parking spot. Lunch has been cut down to about 25 minutes now! How am I supposed to eat AND do my Econ homework in that amount of time?

Secondly, there really aren’t that many good restaurants close by. I know some people will swear by Bloomfield Deli (you can even get there without turning left!) but is it really worth $8.00 for that tiny sandwich and soggy pickle? Oh and wait, what if you want to drink something with your meal? Well that’s got to be another buck-fifty, right? What I’m here to say juniors, sophomores, and yes even you freshman, is that there is a solution.

I would like to introduce all of you (insert drum roll) to the wonderful world of Costco.

I’m sure most of you have been to a Costco at least once in your life, and are familiar with the setup: you buy everything in bulk.

While this is mostly true, it doesn’t quite apply to one spectacular area of the store: the café. The Costco on Telegraph, north of Square Lake, a convenient two to four minutes away on a regularly trafficked day, offers the daily shopper an array of cheap and surprisingly delicious food, ranging from pizza to ice cream to a salad for the more health-conscious diner. While the pizza is only $2.00 for a slice the size of a freshman’s head and the ice cream comes in a 16-ounce cup for $1.25, my personal favorite is the hot dog.

This quarter-pound behemoth rings up at a surprising $1.50. Oh yeah, and a fountain drink with unlimited refills is included in the price.

Now some of the experienced Costco shoppers might be wondering to themselves, “Don’t you need to be a member to shop at Costco?” The answer is yes, but not to eat at the café. Simply nod to the person checking receipts at the exit, point inside, say, “café,” and walk in as the Hallelujah chorus welcomes you. Instead of an approximately $6.00 meal at a greasy McDonalds, maybe the only place just as fast as Costco and just as close by, you might spend $3.00 on a slice of pepperoni pizza, a churro, and a slightly longer life.

But just when you think that lunchtime dilemma to stay or go is solved, the school goes and changes everything. I heard (now this is just a rumor), that the lunch period is getting shorter next year, and maybe open lunch is getting taken away! I guess no one really knows what the future holds, except for one thing: I will be enjoying a lot more Costco for lunch.

A true life-changing experience

A tale on a depleted village in the poverty stricken Haiti

Jake Gordon

co-editor in chief

Walking out of the Haitian refugee village, Ascension, I was approached by a child named Miguel, who could not have been more than 5 years old. He pulled out of his heavily used garbage bag a chair made from El Presidente beer bottle caps.

Belly bloated from parasites and voice raspy from insufficient water, he asked me if I would be willing to buy his craft for a dollar.

Explaining in broken English that the dollar would provide a meal for his sick and pregnant mother, he pulled a string.

For the first time in my life, my heart melted.

For the first time, I saw a truly desperate human being.

For the first time, I saw what it truly meant to be in a depressed, third world country.

The Haitians living on land given to them by the government of The Dominican Republic, were forced to grow sugar cane as a cash crop in order to pay back the Dominican’s debt to the world bank. However, when the United States began to subsidize its own sugar industry, the Dominicans were unable to compete.

Now stands hundreds of acres of economically unsalvageable sugar cane. It takes up the land where the Haitians would have the ability to grow their own food.

Running water is available for approximately three hours each day, well on a good day, and the same was true of electricity. The water there was truly blue gold. For, when one is unable to meet the necessities to survive, the necessities to survive become as valuable as

gold. Repeatedly, the children asked to have my water bottle from my back pack.

With the best of intentions, my group and I brought presents for the children. They included crayons, paper, and candy. We had garbage bags full of them and when we began to open the bags, it was like the Greeks on the beach of Troy. We were outnumbered and attacked on all sides.

The first wave was the children, quelled simply by holding the bags out of their reach. Second, came the mothers who literally tore the bags out of our hands.

Mayhem ensued.

The children were throwing stones at each other and the mothers were ripping the gifts out of the hands of others. And this was not over gold, diamonds, or gasoline. This was over crayons!

It was an act barely a step above the animals from which we descended.

The most difficult part of the whole ordeal was at the end, when the toddlers came asking

The water there was truly blue gold.

for crayons, and I had to tell them we had no more.

True desperation.

Thanks to the country that we live in, the odds are highly stacked in favor of us not ever feeling that emotion. Even if I have no money, there are people who can help us if necessary.

In this village, once the water runs out, the children simply go thirsty.

This problem is not one that has a quick fix.

It must be a fusion of education, policy reform, and aid in the form of basic necessities. The answer will come from a grass roots approach.

Our government obviously is either oblivious to the problem or unconcerned about fixing it.

Netaid, has predicted that only $13 billion could wipe out the problem completely. A drop in the bucket for the federal government.

One of many of the challenging problems facing the world today needs to be taken on by the individuals.

It is imperative that we stop seeing ourselves as citizens of the United States, and instead see ourselves as citizens of the world.

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PROPOSAL: Time running out?

The end has arrived English teacher Art Heymoss decides to retire after 21 years at Andover and 35 total years Ketan Murthy staff writer

After teaching at Andover for 21 years English department head Art Heymoss is ready for the quiet life.

“My wife is retired; the plan was for us to retire at the same time. Plus with the prospect of a financial incentive from the state, and with the changes that are coming dChown in the future for Andover, combining of the schools and increased teaching loads, it was just time.”

With a 35 year teaching career under his belt it took some time to remember why he started in the first place.

“I liked school in high school, I had a couple of really good teachers, and when I went to college I didn’t really know what I wanted to do so I gravitated towards English. There’s really not much you can do with a degree in English other than teach.”

However once he took the job he found a much stronger reason to stick with it.

I’m going to miss “I like kids and being around the social interthem is the action with the most enjoyable part of my day. students and the I mean, getting teachers. up in front of a classroom of Art Heymoss students that want to learn english teacher and being able to communicate with them and get them excited about English, and sometimes even poetry, I got a lot of excitement from that.”

While at first it might be difficult to make the transition from teacher to retiree

Heymoss is not too concerned.

“I’m going to miss the social interaction with the students and the teachers, the younger teachers especially, we have a lot of fun during lunch and sometimes socially. It’ll be different because I won’t get up each day and come to a place where there are a thousand people to deal with for eight hours a day. I’ll probably get over that though.”

When he first announced the news of his retirement he was greeted with mixed responses.

“There’s been a range of reactions, some kids are like the adults [other teachers] and say ‘good for you.’

Others are disappointed they can’t have me next year, I’ve heard a lot of that, it makes me feel really good. Then there are some students that are actively trying to steal stuff from my room.”

Fellow English teacher Rebecca Ossenmacher, while happy for her friend, nonetheless feels a pang of sadness over his departure.

“He has a good personality and he’s a good teacher. The department will lose a good mentor and I’ll miss him.”

Senior Shirish Srinivasan also expresses sadness, but his is more out of regret for future generations of students.

“He [Mr. Heymoss] has a great sense of humor and is one of my favorite teachers. I was lucky enough to have him stick around for one extra year, and I feel bad for those who didn’t get the opportunity to have him as a teacher.”

With only a few months left Art Heymoss prepares to say goodbye and wishes his school well in the coming years.

“Good luck with all the changes that are going to occur with the combination of schools. I hope everything works out well for the teachers and the underclassmen when those changes take place.”

State proposal aims to give incentive for staff to retire with new plan lyze the situation, Moss poses some rhetorical questions he believes everyone should consider.

“Is it fair that the rest of Michigan who don’t work for the government, who have been laid off, fired, downsized, foreclosed and seen their pay and benefits cut-when they keep them at all-get hit up for more taxes so the public servants can have better compensation packages than they do?” he questions. “Is it fair that teachers are still getting raises when everyone else is taking pay cuts? Is it fair that General Motors and Chrysler went bankrupt? It’s not a question of fair, but of what we can afford.”

Looking at all of the reasonings and effects Robinson concludes saying that, “It’s a shame money is driving the decision, (but it) always does drive these decisions.”

Quick Facts - 35,000 teachers are eligble to retire in the state - The state expects that districts will save $700 million in the first year - If teachers retire under the incentive, their pensions increase - The district predicts the 11 teachers would retire under the incentive - Over 10 teachers are eligilbe at Andover

JAMES FEUEREISEN/shield

“We are predicting there will be 11 retire“Something has to be done because public ments stemming from this incentive on sector compensation-including K-12 public top of the usual 20 who retire every year,” school employees-is clearly unsustainable,” District Superintendent of Business Tim he says. “This plan of the governor’s is a Weeks explains. “Our estimates say if this move to get the expensive, longer-working plan passes, the district will have a one teachers out of the system and replaced time savings of $600,000. “ with a newer, younger, less expensive workBecause they have taught in public force. (People should) consider it a massive schools for at least 30 years, Andover’s prinbuyout.” cipal Rob Dureka estimates 10-15 teachers With this “massive buyout” a mass retirein his building would be eligible. ment is evident, thus causing, as Seitz deAs one of those eligible, English teacher scribes, “a brain drain (on the school comArt Heymoss shares that he “would like to munity which) does not come from a lack see it pass. I am very confident of knowledge but rather I will retire, so if it (the law) of experience.” Continupasses, it will be really good for ing on she explains, “For me; however, not everyone is many years, younger (I feel) this proposal teachers have had the benin my position.”

Heymoss explains that not efit of being surrounded is like a punishment everyone agrees with him. One by those with many years (because) I’m not such group is the Bloomfield of experience, though if Hills teacher union which is making the decision many retirements were to taking a strong stance against retire, this benefit would (to retire), the state is. go away.” the plan, referring to it as a “stick and carrot.”

From his estimates, “By no means am I ready to Weeks does not believe Linda Seitz retire,” Seitz says. “(I feel) this that mass retirement business teacher proposal is like a punishment would occur “This plan is (because) I’m not making the designed to accelerate redecision (to retire), the state tirement,” Weeks says. “If is.” teachers plan on teaching “If the proposal passes, from for many more years, than a financial standpoint, I have no choice but it still makes fiscal sense for them to conto retire,” adds math teacher Linda Robintinue teaching. Also, teachers are always son who has taught for over 30 years. “My reluctant to give up teaching. Last year the investments have gone down in recent district had an early retirement incentive years and the offer is too good to pass up.” that would have given buyouts to teachers Despite the negative effects of the plan, but not enough teachers signed up for the others like Spanish teacher Mary Vennetplan for it to go into effect.” tilli who has taught 30 years will likely Despite this new pressure placed on remain teaching. “This is a very difficult younger teachers by having the experedecision,” she says. “(Even after the law inced teachers retire, a ripple effect could passes) I still see myself teaching; however, possibly occur at the collegiate level. “With if something dramatic changes in the plan this plan, remaining in education is not as that increases the incentive or the punishattractive,” science teacher Dennis Kwasny ment, then my decision may change.” says. “If this plan passes, I would probably Michigan state representative Chuck advise young college graduates to seek a Moss believes the plan is necessary deprofession other than teaching.” spite the position put upon teachers.

While teachers and administrators ana-

Serving the nation while in school ROTC Facts

Junoir Sarah Rybak considers participating in the ROTC schloroship program in college Ashley DuBois

- Rybak is considering attending Loyola which offers a ROTC program - ROTC offers full ride scholoroships, up to $83,000 to accredited universities - The program allows students to attend colege and be in the military - 800,000 join the military each year - 700 colleges in the United States offer ROTC programs -There are 675,000 soldiers in the U.S. army -After being in the ROTC, one can enter the army the army as a lieutenant rather than a private

staff writer

“There’s

strong, and then there’s army strong,” the TV blares as soldiers run across the screne. “There is nothing on this green earth stronger than a U.S. army soldier.”

Hearing these words, junior Sarah Rybak became inspired.

“Sophomore year, I had this idea,” Rybak, who is looking into the option of joining the U.S. Army, says. “I thought that joining the army could be a good Through the chaloppor tunity lenges of the Army, to serve my country I’d hope to become a (and) I could better person. I want learn how to to preserve liberty and be a better leader, how freedom for everyone. to work well with others and deal with Sarah Rybak d e c i s i o n s junior u n d e r pressure.”

Influenced by her grandfather and great-grandfather who both fought valiantly in World War II, Rybak began to look into joining the U.S. Army by becoming part of the Reserve Officer Training Core (ROTC).

According to retired recruiter Larry Purifoy, joining the ROTC would entail Rybak becoming a reserve officer.

“Reserves are not required to go into active duty and are more similar to parttime employees for the Army. Homeland Security, medical care and information technology are just a few of the aspects of the ROTC,” he explains.

According to Purifoy, these reserves work to become back-up soldiers when those on active duty leave for combat.

“Reserve officers can eventually go into war themselves,” Rybak explains. “After you’ve been in the ROTC for around two years, you can enter active duty as a Lieutenant instead of a Private.”

In Rybak’s case, Purifoy explains that entering the ROTC world will allow her to inter twine her desires to attend college and par ticipate in the armed forces. “We allow you to pick your job.

We don’t put you in one. Plus, (students) can go reserve and go college full time (or) take college classes in evening free time.”

Although Rybak has not made any firm decisions, 2009 Andover graduate, Robert Clough, did by becaming a Marine after graduation.

“For me, one of my main reasons (to join the Marines) was that I didn’t have a lot of money to go to college,” Clough says.

“They pay your way through school, which is nice.”

Like Clough, Rybak is primarily looking at the financial aspect of the service. According to Purifoy, the ROTC scholarship, funded by The Montgomery GI Bill and the Army College Fund, provides full room and board. Even without the full ride, a student can still receive some extra help with their tuition bills. As a reserve, a soldier can earn up to $24,588 toward a college education. Through active duty, soldiers can earn over $83,000 toward college.

According to Rybak, over 700 colleges offer see ROTC the ROTC program.

Also, students can compete for a full ride

> A6

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traub

Music

awards

Kaya Koscielny staff writer

was s The C.J. T ra ta memo rted in 195 ub Memor ia r 7 and a y of her lat by Elizab l Scholars hi et e p love f preciation husband w h Traub in p fo or h senio Europe. T r the arts a o had a p as rs h n greate each year is scholars d music an sion h d r t talked understan o travel ab ip allows tw a ro di to pre o vious ng of the a ad to purs the Tr ue rt w aub e xperie inners to g s. The Shie a et a g nce. limps ld e of

I traveled for two weeks to explore the arts in London, England - from design at the Victoria and Albert Museum and displays in the Museum of Natural History to the artifacts of the British Museum. I also traveled to Stonehenge and the city of Bath, where I saw Roman artifacts and infrastructure preserved in a modern city.

I went to London, England and went to two BBC Promenade concerts and two “concerts by candlelight” at St. Martin in the Fields. The last big music things I did were visitng G.F. Handel’s house and the music museum at the Roytal College of Music.

I took away a great understanding of London’s musical history.

2010 winners

M U S I C A R T

adrienne edson

andy zureick

heidi kim

auditioned with: violin where to: Salzburg and Vienna, Austria why: to listen to Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic and go to KlangBogen Wien (annual festival offering a month of opera productions and classical concerts)

laura wartel

auditioned with: sculptures, glass blowing, and paintings where to: Italy or Spain why: to see lesser known art galleries such as Pino Pascali in Italy and to learn more about Salvador Dali

An era of cleanliness

Deb Instant FOAM Hand Sanitizer dispensers at Andover

2010

molly swartz

A5

I traveled to Germany and Austria. It was so beautiful!

I would walk around and just be surrounded by beautiful mountains and castles, and music everywhere I went. I attended several classical concerts while I was there, and I also visited historical sites like Mozart’s birthplace.

2010 alternates tyler cornwall auditioned with: trumpet where to: London, England why: to listen to the London Symphony Orchestra and experience the musical culture abroad

leah rutt auditioned with: watercolor portraits where to: France why: to view the inspirational historical art there and to see local artists where much of the true talent is

Due to the H1N1 scare in early September 2009, the Bloomfield Hills School District began taking extra precautions to protect students and staff by installing hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the high school and middle school buildings.

“The notion of putting them came during the time when we first had the scare with swine flu,” says Principal Rob Durecka. “It’s an opportunity for people to make sure they’re killing those unwanted germs. Illnesses are caused by germs and bacteria, so the hand sanitizers provide an opportunity for preventing their spread.

It’s an Hand sanitizers opportunity for are one of the people to make recommendations for fighting the flu sure they’re from the Centers killing those For Disease unwanted Control and germs.

Prevention.”

Associate Principal Lou Ruggirello explains how the hand sanitizers were acquired.

“Several months ago, the maintenance department at a principal’s meeting indicated that they would offer to install hand sanitizers in any building. This was right about the time when the H1N1 flu was really at its peak and there was a concern that we had some students that were suffering from the flu.”

As a result, Durecka forwarded information to Ruggirello, informing him that only one phone call to maintenance was required for the installation to begin, and that maintenance was also paying for it.

“West Hills was the first building that had the units installed. Then, we were next in line,” Ruggirello says. “The installation and planning took several weeks because there were certain surfaces where they could not be installed, for example, over sinks and on or around carpeted areas or by light fixtures. This is because the sanitizers are alcohol-based, which could cause a fire. The fire department had a regulation because of the high alcohol content (99%).”

According to physical plant manager Bruce Coltman, it took 18 to 20 hours to install the 46 dispensers at Andover.

When she first saw them, junior Brianna Shamsuddoha explains she “was confused. I thought they were soap dispensers at first. It’s good that they are trying to keep kids healthy.”

Continuing on, Shamsuddoha says she hopes the hand sanitizer dispensers will help to increase attendance at school.

French teacher Holly Hammerle agrees, saying she “thinks it’s a good idea. It will help prevent the spread of germs. Hopefully, kids and teachers won’t get sick as often.” Commenting on attendance, Hammerle adds, there really has not been a big change in attendance since the sanitizer was installed in her room, but she hopes that more people will attend classes and be free of illnesses next year.

Durecka concludes saying, he doesn’t “think it will be a big impact.” Continuing on, Durecka adds, “The practice of using a microbial sanitizer is not new.

It is new to have dispensers, but I don’t anticipate that there will be a major change in our behaviors.” Durecka concludes by saying that the hand sanitizers may not make a big impact in our school; but, at least students and staff will have the reassurance that they are killing germs.

news

A6

from A4

ROTC: Rybak to any one of these colleges and even earn monthly allowances of about $300.

“Specifically, I’m looking at Loyola University in Chicago. Tuition there is about $30,000 a year, so the scholarship would help a ton,” she says.

Continuing on Rybak explains that this decision isn’t just financial.

“Being in the Army would be a great chance to build up my leadership skills,” she says. “[Being in the service] could even help in going out into the job market.

Seeing you were in the Army would definitely make you interesting.”

Clough, who leaves for physical combat September 11, agrees adding that he has already seen how the armed forces helps the job market.

“After being in any military service, the fact that you were in that military service helps your resume that much more,” he says.

Both Clough and Rybak see not only this, but the full advantages of the decision to join the military.

“I think it could be a great challenge,” Rybak says. “My mom was pretty supportive, too. Hopefully, if I decide to do it, it will make me a better person.”

Clough recalls that the experience of being a Marine really makes the hard work and effort worth while in the end.

“When I came back [to Andover last fall], it was an amazing feeling just seeing people’s reactions to the way I look compared to how they knew me. Seeing how proud they are of me is actually an amazing feeling.

And being a Marine, everyone knows that uniform. Just the look you get from people, even people you don’t know, they’re thinking, ‘Man, that guy is somebody.’”

Robotics team makes national competition Blooomfield Hills Press Release

In the exceptionally competitive theater of FIRST Robotics in Michigan, the Bionic Barons of Andover/Lahser high schools and Las Guerillas of the International Academy have earned the title of 2010 Michigan State Champions along with their alliance captains, the NC Gears of Fremont, Michigan.

As in all things FIRST, cooperation and competition go hand-in-hand with three teams forming an “alliance” in each match against three other teams. All three of these teams automatically qualified for the World Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia, April 15th -17th where they will compete among some of the best teams from around the globe.

This accomplishment also highlights the special relationship between Las Guerillas, Team 469, and the Bionic Barons, Team 2834. Not only are they from the same school district, but Team 469’s mentorship and guidance was instrumental in the establishment of Team 2834 two years ago.

Since their founding in time for the 2009 competition season, the Bionic Barons have achieved the 2009 Michigan State Championship Rookie All-Star and other awards. The six students and one mentor gained entrance to the World Championship last year based on state ranking and their award history.

The 2010 season has seen a continued demonstration of the dedication, focus, hard work and countless hours invested by the current 23 student members and handful of tireless mentors. Acknowledgment of the talents of the Bionic Barons has resulted in three awards for the team’s website, including one at the state level; two other honors for Inspiration and achievement and semifinalist standing in both of the district events they entered.

For the elimination rounds at any FIRST competition, the alliances are formed in a formal process that allows the eight highest ranked teams to pick their partners from among the remaining teams. At the April 3rd State Competition, the Barons were chosen by the highest ranking team, along with Las Guerillas, as alliance partners for these elimination rounds.

In the finals with a best-two-out-of-three series, the matches were filled with excitement and drama. In the first match, the lead changed hands multiple times and the Bionic Baron’s robot was completely flipped upside down by its opponent more than half way into the match. It ended with an 18 to 18 tie, the highest tied score this year. In the fourth match, with the score tied at 12 to 12 with a few seconds left, the Bionic Barons scored a goal as time ran out to seal the win and Team 469 scored yet another point after the buzzer by a ball that was already in motion.

The relatively new Baron team is again on its way to the Georgia Dome for the second time in as many years. Team 2834 and Team 469 are confident about making a contribution to the continued supremacy of the Great Lakes contingent in Atlanta.

Student-faculty ratio:

14:1 100%

Odds you’ll get noticed:

Visit us. udmercy.edu/great

Take our virtual tour any time at www.udmercy.edu/virtualvisit.

We want great things for you.

news

A7

from A1

from A1

ADS: BHSD advertising plan PROJECT: Early “We don’t pay them a dime, but we split the money we get from the advertisers on a percentage basis – there is no upfront cost to the school district. Financially, there’s only an upside,” Gaynor says.

In a WDIV-TV news segment broadcast on March 9, 2010, Gaynor describes the use of in-school advertising as “the lesser of two evils.” He explains that, “We are in a position now where funding from the state is inadequate with declining enrollment and the fact that we are paid on a per-student basis. So the choice is that we’re either going to make deep program cuts or increase class sizes or we can find new sources of revenue.”

He continues, “You can’t get around the fact that we are going to be exposing our students to more advertising than otherwise. Our main target audience is parents because they have more disposable income than high school students. But the fact is, we are exposing our students to commercialism, and that is one of the evils.”

He adds, “But on the other side, to me, the greater evil is the program reductions that are necessary if we don’t find other ways to generate money for the school district.”

As for the money the BHSD expects to generate, Gaynor describes that the Board is planning on receiving about $10,000; however, those at ARD see the potential for the school district to make several hundred thousand dollars annually.

Gaynor emphasizes that there will be

many restrictions as far as the content and placement of the ads are concerned.

“We are not putting [ads] in the media center or cafeteria. They will only be in athletic facilities. We are not sending things home in kids’ backpacks, and there will be limits on the content of the banners.

Obviously there will be no sex, drugs or alcohol. We’re not going to have religious content. We are retaining control over the content of the messages. For example, if there was ‘Smith’s Bar and Grill,’ the word ‘bar’ isn’t going to be on there – they’ll have to change their A6 logo.”

Though this form of revenue generation is controversial, according to Ingrid Day, Andover parent and secretary of the BHSD, the general response of community members has been positive.

“Most people that I have talked to about the advertising are fine with it. They understand that looking for another source of revenue is not a bad thing if it helps preserve a program.”

Though Day recalls positive responses from parents, when the idea was presented to the board, two of the board members voted against the in-school advertising, perhaps reflecting the concerns of some community members.

It has got to hurt to fall from the land of gods to struggling even to maintain a mortal status.

“The one board member had the concern that this is a start-up, so it’s a little more nebulous what you’re getting into. The other board member thought that because kids are exposed quite often to this advertising – why can’t schools be a place where they don’t have to see it?”

However, Day counters these arguments by saying, “The flip side of this memorandum of understanding is that if [those at ARD] don’t do their job, we don’t lose anything – there’s no outlay of money from us. To me, there’s minimal risk to the district.” She adds, “High school students are sophisticated enough to understand.”

Senior football and hockey player Matt Andonian demonstrates this understanding. He says, “As an athlete, I don’t think the advertising would distract me. When you’re in the middle of a game, you really just focus on that. The band playing a song during the game would be more distracting than a colorful sign.”

Looking to the future, Curcuru says ARD plans to work with schools across Michigan. “In Southeastern Michigan we’re going to have six different networks including one in Oakland, Wayne, Downriver [communities], Macomb, Washtenaw-Livingston and the Detroit Public Schools,” he explains.

Gaynor says,“[If the business relationship lasts] it also means that [this program] has generated the revenue that we hope it does. If it’s a short-term relationship, it’s because we failed on one of those counts.

I think we’re going to need the revenue, so I hope it works out.”

Day concludes by reinforcing the fact that, “The cuts in school funding cause us to want to think outside of the box, but we would not want to compromise anything that we believe in as a school.”

“This isn’t a story that only a few people should know about.” “[Alessandra] obviously knows that change needs to happen and whether she can do that on a small scale or a grand scale, she is willing to put herself out there. She understands that and I don’t see that in a lot of people,” Isom continues. “Her priorities seem to be very in check for a tenth grader and that is something that a lot of young people can learn from.”

During the eighth grade at West Hills Middle School, Early won an essay contest for the Detroit Free Press called Zeru, Zeru which she says sparked her idea to create an international essay contest for her MYP project.

“I was hoping my essay contest could unite teenagers to step up and change the world because we are the next generation and we can make a difference. I hope that it spreads awareness and information,” explains Alessandra.

“I watched a late night news program and it talked about how albinos were being mutilated and killed just because they are different,” she continues. “You would think people would never resort to such horrific behavior to go actually cut somebody’s arm off just for the sake they are different and a stereotype.

It was just awful. Being African American, growing up, I was treated differently and so it just touched me.”

Working with Alessandra, Associate Principal and MYP personal project coordinator Jason Rubel decribes just how proud of her he is.

“To me, this is what doing a personal project can do. I think what we need to see from Alessandra’s story and what she has done with her personal project is that students care.

Students are able to effectively create change and inspire others to do things that are truly extraordinary.”

Kevin Early, Alessandra’s father agrees, “It is exciting.

It is a testament to her enthusiasm and thirst for interesting projects and an education.” “[Alessandra] really wants to help people and this manifested itself even early on. She has been a person who has reached out to others for her entire life,” a proud Bonnie Early, Alessandra’s mother adds.

Alessandra concludes, “You are never too far away to help.

You can never be too far away, you can make a difference from wherever you are. I am just glad that I can get out there in the world and help people because that’s what I have always wanted to do.”

from A1

KWASNY: Winning the Siemen award for teaching “Mr. Kwasny’s application was impressive in many ways. He teaches both AP Biology and AP Chemistry and he is also extremely involved in activities outside of his classroom.

He is the Quiz Bowl coach, the environmental club sponsor and he mentors a new chemistry teacher.”

Not only will Kwasny receive the grant but also his name was published in an ad for the Siemen’s Foundation in the USA Today’s Feb. 22 issue and there is a large banner in the school congratulating him.

“When I first saw the banner I was happy, but a little embarrassed,” says Kwasny, who has been teaching for over 30 years. “There are a lot of good teachers in every school including this one. It’s very nice but other teachers do just as good a job so it’s a little embarrassing.”

“I am really happy Mr. Kwasny’s teaching is getting recognized. He definitely deserves it,” adds junior Jasmine Yousif who is currently in Kwasny’s AP Chemistry class. “I plan on taking his AP Biology class next year and hopefully

*Must mention ad to recieve discount

eventually go to medical school.”

Similar to Yousif, 2007 Andover alum Joey Rohr shares how Kwasny made a great impact on his interest in studying medicine.

“Both Mr. Kwasny’s AP Biology and AP Chemistry classes really prepared me for college courses and my science career,” says Rohr, who is currently an undergrad at Tulane University pursuing a career in medical research.

In addition to this award, Kwasny also received the District’s Distiguised Service award two years

ago. However, despite all of his honors, what he is most proud of are his students.

“What I am most proud of are not the awards I have won but the awards my students have won,” he says. “I have had a bunch of students that have done well on the Chemistry Olympiad and Biology Olympiad in the past. I am proud of my kids who have gone on and become either doctors, scientists, (but also those who) even if it wasn’t science, they just did something successful. I am proud of all of those kids.”

news

A8

Charity Week 2010:

GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE In Conjunction with Be The Match, annual blood drive to include 1st ever bone marrow drive Bone Marrow Bone marrow is the tissue found inside bones. There are two types of bone marrow: red and yellow. Red bone marrow produces blood cells and is more abundant than yellow bone marrow which is mostly comprised of fat cells. Bone marrow also contains stem cells which have the ability to become other types of cells, particularly blood cells. Cancer patients often need bone marrow transplants due to radiation and chemotherapy that will kill bone marrow cells and hurt the immune system.

Every day 3400 Americans are diagnosed with cancer 400 will need new bone marrow

That is two and one half patients for every 20

Aquired Diseases

- Leukemias - Lymphomas - Myelomas - Solid tumor cancers - Hematologic disease - Phagocyte disorders - Anemias - Myeloproliferative disorders - Metabolic disorders - Environmental diseases - Viral Diseases

Congenital Diseases

- Lipidoses - Mucopolysaccharidoses - Glycoproteinoses - Immunodeficiencies - T-cell deficiencies - Immune dysregulation diseases - Innate immune deficiencies - Hemoglobinopathies - Sickle cell disease - β thalassemia major - Hemophagocytic syndromes

These are responsible for over 15,000 transplants performed annually in the US

[1]

DOING YOUR PART Andover is hosting a Bone Marrow Registry Drive during Charity Week.

Donors have to complete a registration form and submit to a cheek swab in order to be entered into the registry.

“It’s the cure to all blood and bone cancers. When people are a match they can save somebody’s life,” says drive organizer Lisa Brown.

Simply by joining the Registry, donors’ efforts may help save the life of a patient searching for a bone marrow match. Donors’ information will be entered into the registry and will be matched to patients who need bone marrow transplants.

There is no obligation to donate if registered donors hear they have a match.

The drive will be held on Monday April 26 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm along with the American Red Cross Blood Drive in the Andover Field House. Donors must be at least 18 years of age.

For more information about the Bone Marrow Registry, visit www.bethematch.org.

Andover Teacher and Drive Organizer Lisa Brown:

It’s not every day that you know you can sacrifice a small piece of yourself to help someone else. Please consider joining the Bone Marrow Registry and “Be the Match.”

HELP SAVE LIVES: DONATE NOW [1] Mikael Häggström - 23 November 2008 - Human skeleton front.svg - no labels.svg [5] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003009.htm [2] http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/medicine/bonemarrow/bmtinfo.html [6] http://www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/page5.htm#6howis [3] http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=12486 [4] http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/entertainment-topics

Design - Gabe Menchaca Text - Gabe Menchaca & Marley Kalt

B

life

Forensics team going strong

> B4

Future plans unplanned

Andrew Weiner senior life advisor

Ever since I’ve been a junior, I’ve had a problem. Okay, not a problem, but an annoyance.

Any time I have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of a new adult, I am met with the same question (after, of course, we have the conversation about my not-even-that-aboveaverage height): “Oh, you’re a junior slash senior! Where are you going to school?”

Not incredibly tough. I’ve known my entire high school career that I’d end up in Ann Arbor with the rest of Andover, so even last year I’d answer humbly, “Oh, me? I’ll probably end up at U of M.” This year it’s even easier. I look them straight in the eye and say “I, Andrew Weiner, will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall of 2010.” It is effortless; they ask the question, I answer.

But it’s a trap.

This question is just to rope me in; get my confidence up so they can shoot it down. Now, they ask the question they know I don’t want to hear: “And what are you going to do up there?”

Every time I hear this, I panic. Withdrawing into my defensive shell, I have no idea what to do, let alone what to say.

“Uh, engineering?” used to be my reply, but this didn’t satiate the inquisitive minds that pester me. I even added the question mark to the end of my answer to imply that I had no idea. But did this satisfy them? No. “Okay, what kind of engineering are you interested in?”

It’s a Um. The kind that trap to get my gets you to stop asking me questions. confidence up When I realized engineering involved so they can math, I gave up on shoot it down. that career path. I switched my answer to urban planning. Then came the realization that I don’t know what urban planning is.

My next answer was political science. “So you want to be a senator?” No, I don’t want to be a senator. Then pre-law. Then premedicine. Then glass blowing.

Then I got crafty. I would evade the question with a new answer. “I’m not sure, but I know I want a minor in film.” Genius! Then I can direct the conversation to the latest movie the adult has seen, pretend I’d seen it and, like magic, I was in the clear! Or so I thought. That only leads to more questions.

“So film studies or, like, making movies?”

Crap. I wave my white flag.

I experimented with responding “I’m going to major in saving the world” hoping that they’d be distracted by my wittiness and forget the original question. Again, no success, just blank stares.

Maybe I should tell the truth. “I dunno.

I’m gonna take basic liberal arts classes, the minimum amount of credits, be at a party a majority of the time, graduate with a useless degree and move back in with my parents.”

Sure, it’s a conversation topic, but don’t they understand the pressure they’re putting me under? What I am doing with the rest of my life is not something I want to think about until after college. Maybe that’s a bad idea, but it’s my plan.

Recently, I’ve given up. When asked for my future plans, I have a new answer.

“I’m going to be a lion.”

“A Lion? Like a football player?”

“No. Like the animal.”

Then I walk away. Victory.

Saloni Godbole

senior news advisor Campion, Snyder and the rest of the Rent (School Edition) cast met some resistance when begining to produce this Broadway play’s despite its 12 year run and 5,124 performances.

“Initially, I had a problem with Rent at our high school,” says Principal Robert Durecka, who eventuA portio ally approved Johnathan Larn of the proceed son’s 1996 Tony award windonated s will be ning rock opera as the Spring to Capu Soup K Musical which opened Thursitchen in chin De in hono r of Mic troit day, April 22 and continued h ael throughout the weekend. “The Ruggire llo. play handles a lot of adult themes I thought were inappropriate for this age group. However, due to a constellation of factors, I changed my mind (when) I found out Rent ) ion been done at this school as a Oneent Edit y, Act in 2001. I also heard about d tu S ( t rsda Ren the show’s educational value from on Thu opened ril 22. the directors, students and parp A ents. The student edition also cuts out some controversial material.”

The directors explain that these cuts in the school edition and controlling the play’s publicity not only ser ve to help school administrator’ make their decision but also to protect younger viewers.

“The big differences from the original is that they take out the song called Contact because it does [not] further the stor yline [and] is not suitable for our purposes, and they (the show’s producers) take out all of the bad language,” says director Roberta Campion.

Music director Bruce Snyder adds, “In our publicity, we’ve talked about saying if we were to give this a movie industr y rating it would be PG-13, or ‘this material may not be suitable for your youngest children’, just to promote general awareness.”

While elaborating on the process of approval, Jan Frank, mother of male lead Charlie Frank, clarifies on her contribution.

“When I heard that it was under consideration in Januar y, I saw Mr. Dureka because as the parent of a theatre kid, I wanted to convey that the point of theatre isn’t always to entertain, it’s to provoke thought. It was important to have a parent’s voice heard about the legitimacy of this piece of theatre, and how it could be produced responsibly.”

“In a community like Bloomfield Hills, the majority of people appreciate theatre for what it is,” responds Du-

recka. “I have no doubt in my mind that this piece (was) conveyed tastefully. Our students are mature enough for this, and can take a lot away from seeing Rent (School Edition).”

Even though Rent (School Edition)’s educational value convinced the administration, the directors predict some in the community may remain disapproving.

“A few years back, we did an Agatha Christie murder myster y and my lead was Chinese. During the intermission, several women came up to me and were so angr y I gave a Chinese girl the lead and not a British girl, (that) they left. When we did the Sound of Music, people were angr y because there were Nazis in it.” explains Campion. “(Rent) is a play. It’s sort of like almost anything that you do, people will be upset.”

While simply editing out all offensive topics is one soultion, it is not an approach favored by the show’s music director Bruce Snyder.

“When you go to an art museum, something done by a

T

EN ee R

s

B5

> Titans’ dullness clashes with audiences Remake of 1981 film fails to live up to its epic aspirations.

Andrew Weiner senior life advisor

Photo by Warner Bros. Ent. – © 2010 Warner Bros.

Entertainment Inc. and Legendary Pictures.

Sam Worthington in action as Perseus in Clash of the Titans.

In Avatar, Sam Worthington, with nonhuman strength and abilities, races and fights his way through a mesmerizing 3-D landscape against foes that seem impossible to defeat. And there are some blue people.

In Clash of the Titans, Sam Worthington, with non-human strength and abilities, races and fights his way through a mesmerizing 3-D landscape against foes that seem impossible to defeat. But in this faux epic, there are green people, not blue.

Okay, fine.

So a bit more does differentiate director Louis Leterrier’s (The Incredible Hulk) sloppy remake of the 1981 claymation “classic” by the same name from Avatar.

Clash of the Titans loosely follows the ancient Greek tale of Perseus (Sam Worthington) on his quest to stop the

gods’ punishment on mankind for their corruption and lack of devotion.

Though this is the basic plot of the film, Perseus makes it clear that his actual motivation for his journey is revenge against Hades (Ralph Fiennes, Schindler’s List) for the murder of his family. Several reminders of this fact call into question whether Perseus truly cares about the betterment of mankind or is vengeful.

This isn’t the only reason the plot falls short of epic. Spontaneously, Perseus finds out that he is the son on Zeus (Liam Neeson). There is nearly no reaction from Perseus whatsoever.

Worthington has clearly defined his role in Hollywood as the mumbling action hero with next to no acting skill. Sure, he can do his own stunts. Is that worth having the audience laugh every time he tries to dig deep and pull out an emotion only to come up empty-handed?

A romantic subplot supposedly exists between Perseus and the immortal Io (Gemma Arterton, Quantum of Solace).

They have little interaction on camera; the few times they do chemistry is nonexistent. Until it is pointed out near the end, I had no idea they were falling in love.

Then, I couldn’t help recall the Twilightish

creepiness of a twenty-something and a person almost five times his age in love.

Even in the hands of capable actors like Neeson and Fiennes, the script is overdramatic and immature. Constant voiced epiphanies become boring and the occasional comic relief (including the previously mentioned green Djinn creatures) is not all that comic.

Clearly, Clash of the Titans is not aiming for intelligence. But it is misses the mark for loud, entertaining, silly action movie too.

There are fights, but they are few and far-between. They might be well choreographed, but constant camera angle switches make them impossible to follow. A steady camera would make the action far more engaging.

Clash does have the distinction of joining Avatar among the first live-action films to utilize 3-D filming. The decision to convert to 3-D came late and it shows. Only completely CGI characters noticeably pop off the screen. Unfortunately, an added dimension adds little to the film.

So while Avatar and Clash share several characteristics, there is one major difference. Avatar is good. Clash of the Titans is not.

MOVIE REVIEW

life

B2

Summer struggles Be open, give a good interview, keep the job Talia Goldman staff writer

51%

The amount of high school students who did not believe cheating was wrong

86%

The amount of high school students who claim that the majority students cheat at some point.

98%

The percentage of college students who have reported to cheating in high school.

Technological cheating methods

iPod

Blackberry

Voyager

Cheating continues to be a struggle for high school teachers

looking up the words.”

Ruggirello agrees that technology has aided cheating saying, “I think that’s where we have Derek Wolfe most of our cheating. A lot happens staff writer during a phone texting situation.”

Teachers have started to crack Cheating. It’s a dirty eight letter word down on cheating with technology. that has been a school’s enemy since the I make this sort of pat speech beginning of time, and has every time we have a test,” math only been aided by the advent teacher Eric Klein says. “The last of iPods and cell phones. I don’t think that thing I say is that if you have any “[Cheating is] a really awkward [cheating] is any electronic device on your person thing. Does it go on? How rapid? you need to shut it off now.”

No one really knows,” Assistant more of a problem Mr. Klein says he does this Principal Lou Ruggirello says. “I at Andover than at for the benefit of his students. don’t think [cheating] is any any other school.

“For my students, their cell phone more of a problem at Andover However, it’s still an is so important to them that they than at any other school. issue. have this tendency that when they However, it’s still an issue. The Lou Ruggirello think of something they grab problem is [cheating] is not a their cell phone right away. I don’t hot button issue for the board. Assistant Principal want students to be in a situation Schools have bigger fish to fry.” where they’re not cheating, but This issue of cheating is they’re suddenly holding their addressed in the school code c e l l phone and it’s on in the middle of conduct, but the policy is only revised of a test and I’m suspicious”, Klein says. every couple of years so students are given Not all forms of tests can be helped an opportunity to create new methods to out with technology, but cheating with technology leading the way. multiple choice is a Sophomore Reno Arabo recounts major problem for teachers. of a newly created cheating strategy.

“One time, my friend took a picture of the see CHEATING vocabulary words on his iPod,” Arabo says.

“When the test started, the teacher thought he was listening to music, but he was really

>

B5

Design by Melanie Greenspan

Cheating Statistics

CHE ATIN G

A summer job can be just the thing when in need of cash or just something to do during the next few months. But how to get one? Andover’s own business teacher, Dan Whitmire, shares some tips.

Be open to all available jobs.

In the current economic climate, getting hired for any position can be difficult.

“Not really anything that’s out there right now is saying ‘hiring,’” Whitmire explains.

“If [the student] is a junior or senior, maybe try to get something they have an interest in, that they’re trying to study. If it’s just a summer job, accept pretty much anything that will pay money. I’d always recommend to keep their options open, because it’s pretty competitive right now.”

Follow the application instructions.

After visiting various businesses, the next step is filling out the application.

“Find the job you want to venture into.

See if they’re taking paper or online applications. Follow the directionsonline applications [may require] certain programs,” Whitmire instructs. “Finally, talk the application and have someone else look it over, because the last thing you want on an application are mistakes.”

Give a good inter view.

If the employer is interested in the completed application, they will set up an interview. Whitmire gives interview advice.

“Arrive 15 minutes early-don’t be late or too early. Dress appropriately for the interview. For example, if you’re going to be working outdoors, you don’t want to go in with a suit and tie on. And sell yourself.

Don’t go in there being nervous; get everything out that you’re able to do for the job. Tailor your answer to what the job qualifications are looking for, and always ask questions.”

Whitmire also suggests bringing a thorough, organized resume (even if it is not required) and writing a thank-you note to the interviewer afterwards. This will show a prepared and interested prospective employee.

The interview allows the employer to meet the applicant and assess their potential as an employee. They want to see someone who will contribute positively to their business.

Keep the job.

Once a position of employment has been obtained, there are some steps to follow to ensure it is maintained.

“Do your job, act appropriately, be on time, and offer to stay late,” Whitmire recommends. “Also, don’t call off often.

If you’re sick, you’re sick. But Saturday night comes around and your friends call you 25 minutes before you’re supposed to be at work, then you call in at work, you’ll be the first one that goes.”

Whether it’s being a waiter or owning a lawn-mowing business like Whitmire did, following this advice could help land a summer job or even start a career.

Statistics from www.NOCHEATING.org Bottle design by Brian Margosian

El Gigante burrito poses a gigantic challenge Andrew Pan staff writer

Two-pound Rio Wraps burrito challenges eaters He may be the biggest challenge you ever face. Many have tried to conquer him, ending up keeled over in a corner. He patiently awaits his next victim. Just bring a fork and knife.

“You’re taking on a two-pound burrito, along with chips and salsa. Basically, what it is is a lot of food that we expect you to eat,” says Lino Marquez, general manager of the Rio Wraps/ Pizzapapalis building at the corner of Long Lake and Telegraph.

According to Marquez, for a tshirt and a special photo on Rio Wrap’s El Gigante Wall of Fame, brave challengers must singlehandedly stomach this beefy behemoth.

Marquez says challengers can also choose which El Gigante to tackle and take as long as they need to conquer it. “It’s not limited to one specific burrito you have to eat. And unless you and a group of buddies challenge each other to see who can eat it in five minutes, there’s really no time limit.”

Marquez says the idea for El pick up, even. I seriously felt like I Gigante came from Rio Wrap’s was going to throw up.” annual Burrito Bowl, held in 2007 Marquez provides insight about and 2008 in the Metropolitan the mentality of challengers. “For Detroit area, which no longer most people who try it, it’s like an exists due to a lack of sponsorship, ‘Ok, I can take it’ kind of thing. a consequence of the recession.

It’s that mentality of, two pounds “The Burrito Bowl was actually doesn’t sound like a lot and I can a burrito-eating competition eat that and more.’ It’s more of a concerning how many burritos personal challenge, if you could eat in you will. It’d be like you say, five or ten walking into Pizzapapalis minutes. [The El and saying, ‘Oh, I can Gigante Challenge] You’re taking on a twoeat a small deep dish transformed from pound burrito, along pizza by myself.’ I mean, that; from a yearly with chips and salsa. most people can’t. It just kind of thing that we wanted to carry on, Basically, what it is is adds to the ‘wow’ factor that we could have a lot of food that we for everyone else when you do it then.” on our menu. So, expect you to eat.

Marquez also now we can see who Lino Marquez comments on the takes the challenge pleasure of watching Rio Wraps manager on a daily basis,” from the sidelines. “It’s Marquez explains. fun to watch, especially Ever since El when [kids] come back Gigante appeared for seconds or something else,” on the menu a year ago, 60 people Marquez says .

“You’ll also get a load out of 80 to 90 challengers have of them trying to contain themselves succeeded in finishing it. “Most of and not explode while they have all the people who have taken on the challenge are high school kids, so of these empty plates.” they’re teenagers who can eat as it According to Marquez, lastly, the is. More often than not, people are challenge is not mandatory. “Just succeeding instead of collapsing,” note, it’s not a contest that we make every time someone purchases Marquez says.

“It was very [difficult],” recalls an El Gigante burrito.” As Justin ALEX WOLF/shield sophomore Sam Gordon, one of the Swarbrick, 2007 Burrito Bowl champion, puts it, “This is no onerank-and-file who have prevailed After finishing the El Gigante burrito, Bratover El Gigante. “It was hard just to handed burrito.” ley is now a member of the hall of fame.

Bratley dominates the Rio Wraps El Gigante burrito Jarred Bratley staff writer

As I walked into the Rio Wraps on Telegraph and Long Lake I glanced at the display of images publicizing the bold conquerors of El Gigante. With this inspiration, I stepped up to the counter, as just a small boy, and ordered the two- pound burrito. I was determined to leave a champion.

At first, the lady behind the counter laughed at me. Then, realizing I was serious, she began making the burrito taking two large tortillas, overlapping them, and then dumping scoops of rice, cheese, chicken, tomatoes, salsa and a bunch of other stuff (I lost track) on top. Two pounds, which is 1.7 percent of my weight, was probably the most I have ever eaten in one sitting. You could say eating the burrito is comparable to eating my thigh.

Hungry from skipping lunch, I was able to quickly finish the first half of the burrito.

However, continuing on with my conquest, I had to undo my belt to try to make more room for the second half. With each bite I ate, my stomach bulged with food, ready to explode.

It sort of felt as if my stomach was full and the food was just piling up in the tube or whatever it is called that leads to the stomach. Finally, I had come to the last bite of the enormous burrito. I knew that that bite was just one too many, but I stuffed it in my mouth determined to defeat it. I still had to swallow the probably eighth of a pound of burrito that had built up in my mouth, but I knew that I had done it. I had slayed El Gigante.

life

Birmingham VS Royal Oak

Birmingham offers hottest teen spots

Royal Oak’s diversity attracts all types

Anna Zambelli

Alana Tabak

Sitting in Beyond Juice on Sunday afternoon, I scramble to finish my weekend’s homework. I look out the window onto busy Maple road. High school girls muse the store fronts between Caruso Caruso and Oliver’s Trends, while elderly couples share an afternoon brunch and mothers watch over their children at the park. This is downtown Birmingham.

Every day of the week and every time of day, something exciting is always happening downtown. At night, the town lights up and the streets fill with young people in flashy outfits.

Regardless of what I want to do, I know I can have a good time in Birmingham. Even a simple movie can be enhanced by a visit before or after to Sy Thai. Whether you are out for your mother’s birthday or on a date, there’s something in Birmingham appropriate for all occasions.

During the day, trendy shoppers and avid businessmen fill the sidewalks. The trendy shopper happily walks from store to store in her designer sunglasses, indulging in the luxury that surrounds her, forgetting about whatever worries she has left at home.

The businessman closes a deal on the comfy couches in Cafe Via and rewards himself with a delectable pastry treat.

Every person, young and old, enjoys the escape into the pampered lifestyle Birmingham displays. Even if you can’t afford the high end dog leashes at Teacups and Toys, it’s always fun to try them on your little chihuahua.

There’s no better way to end a long school week than a Friday night in Birmingham with all of your friends. From movies to the parks to getting ice cream, there are plenty of things to do in your cutest jeans and shirts. With out a doubt, this is the place that teenagers want to be.

Birmingham has always been, and continues to be the center of youth culture in the metropolitan area.

Whatever activity teenagers are into, B i r m i n g h a m keeps up to suit the needs of the current population. I couldn’t dream of a more cultured, diverse and well adjusted downtown area.

Walking down the cracked concrete pavement on the sidewalks of Royal Oak, one could see a biker couple to their left complete with tattoos and piercings, a suburban family with a stroller to their right and a trendy group of friends walking in front of them. This is because Royal Oak is one of the most diverse areas in Metro Detroit.

With over 90 shops and stores and 65 restaurants, Royal Oak proves itself to be one of Metro Detroit’s superior downtown areas.

In the downtown area, stores range from vintage clothing boutiques such as Lost and Found Vintage to children’s stores like Love Child, A Neighborhood Kid’s Store to stationary shops to a farmer’s market. There is also a wide array of restaurants from sushi bars to Mediterranean diners to burger joints. The different assortment of shops and restaurants attract a multitude of different people to downtown Royal Oak. There is something for every visitor in Royal Oak. For the fashionable shopper, stores such as Incognito, Pitaya, Paris, Burn Rubber and American Apparel can be visited. For the music lover there are stores such as Five15 and the record section of Lost and Found Vintage.

Unlike other areas around metro Detroit, Royal Oak does not die down at night. Royal Oak has a vibrant and edgy nightlife. Royal Oak offers many clubs and bars, cocktail lounges, comedy clubs and theatres. There are always various performances and events on the weekends too such as concerts and benefits.

Royal Oak is progressively growing and becoming more popular. For example, this years Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival will be held in Royal Oak rather than Pontiac. The car company Saab is also moving their headquarters to Royal Oak. Royal Oak’s bright, colorful and diverse culture creates an energetic atmosphere that entices just about anybody. With so much to do, see and eat, Royal Oak is the best downtown area in M e t r o Detroit.

staff writer

staff writer

BRIAN MARGOSIAN/shield

B3

Missing Memories

Favorite childhood snack Dunkaroos stay sentimental

Marly Zack guest writer

Where have all the Dunkaroos gone?

Where there were once shelves at Kroger overflowing with brightly colored boxes of deliciousness, there is now nothing but Hannah Montana fruit snacks. Where lunchtime used to be a time of excited discovery, it has evolved into extra time to do homework so you can keep your ‘A’ in “An Intro To Epilogues: The Beginning of The End.” Taking a walk down memory lane, you can look fondly upon elementary school lunches, eating at your personal desk with your own name card (laminated, if you were cool) and peeling open the rectangular blue package, emblazoned with a skateboarding kangaroo in his snappy hat and tie, with a squeal of delight, hoping Mother had remembered you liked the rainbow frosting.

These golden days of scrumptious mini cookies and frosting are gone, ripped from our pre-adolescent hands, and no one seems to know where they disappeared to.

And even more worrisome, no one seems to care!

No one questioned the disappearance of their graham cracker treats as soon as they entered sixth grade, too worried about getting food These caught in their new braces. No one golden days called down the are gone unfamiliar lockerand no one filled hallways, looking for a sign of seems to know their kangaroo pal. where they No one cried aloud at what seemed to disappeared to. be the murder of our innocent snack food friend.

Losing sight of the little joys in life that are discovered through lunchtime confections, we settled for fries and apple slices with enough preservatives to outlive us and the cockroaches.

As we dealt with the pressures of middle school, our Dunkaroo Kangaroo friend slipped from our minds, into the dark and musty corner where all 90’s legends go to die. (Pokemon and the Gameboy color had to scoot over to make room) It is now I ask the children of the 90’s to rise up and defend our childhood Kangaroo mascot of delectable mini cookies.

Go home and ask your parental unit why they no longer feel you deserve the happiness of a whimsical lunchtime treat.

Scour your grocery store and demand Dunkaroos from the slightly confused stock boy. I implore you, on behalf of the youthful spirit of inside us all, do not let this childhood friend die the slow death of a forgotten food item. Because Dunkaroos are more than just a food item, they are a passage into the tastiest time of our lives.

Protect yourself from identity theft Taking simple precautions can stop a stolen identity Melanie Greenspan staff writer

Most people fear it. Many have had it happen to them.

“One of my clients was shopping at Kohl’s and someone behind them pretended to be on the phone, but they were really taking pictures of her punching in her code for her debit card,” explains TCF Bank Branch Manager of the Commerce office Zaid Jamardov of a past example of identity theft. “But, the cashier caught him before he could steal her identity.

With personal banking information, they will try to use it in a way to benefit from it,” As reported by the Federal Trade Commission, nine million Americans are faced with identity theft each year.

According to West Bloomfield Cadet Mendryga #159, “Identity theft is when someone takes another person’s identity, meaning their name, social security number, birth date and uses that in some fraudulent way. Someone can get information like that by getting someone’s documents if they do not shred them or if they mistakenly give it out to someone. We have at least one identity theft report every day or two days.”

Jamardov explains there are different ways to steal an identity. “One way is through the internet, for example, when you purchase something online and you type in your information. Be careful and make sure the websites are secured.”

Mendryga explains that when it comes to identity theft-prevention is key. “(Teenagers and adults alike) should shred any papers that (they) have information (on).

That’s one big way,” he says.”Also, mail is an issue. A lot of times people steal mail, so try not to leave your mail out for days at a time. When you go on vacation, stop your mail. Also, try not to keep important documents, such as social security number cards in your purse in case it gets stolen.”

Jamardov agrees, “Keep as little as possible in your purse. All pin numbers and personal information should be memorized. Do not carry your social security card in your wallet-a lot of people do and it is a huge mistake.”

One in ten U.S. consumers are victims of identity theft per year. One of these victims, senior Andrew Weiner, explains his story. “I recieved

a letter from Best Buy in the mail asking if I wanted a new warranty for a TV I had bought in the last week. I had not bought a TV from Best Buy, and with a little digging with the help of Best Buy, I found out that someone had opened up a reward zone card under my name and had bought lots of large purchases.”

“I was lucky that it didn’t have any long lasting effects on myself. There is no preventative medicine in this situation; you can only treat the symptoms.”

Having an identity stolen will not only affect life in the present, but it could have life-long effects as well.

“In the future, you might not be able to get a loan, a credit card or even buy a house. The person who stole the identity could have done illegal things with your identity and you could get in trouble for that later,” Jamardov says.

Weiner agrees, “If they weren’t paying for what they were purchasing, my credit would have been hurt. Because I was a minor, the rules were different. It took a long time to make sure my credit wasn’t affected from what they were purchasing.”

In instances in which an identity has been stolen, the Federal Trade Commission suggests filing a police report, checking credit reports, notifying creditors and disputing any unauthorized transactions. They claim that victims should review their credit reports once every three months in the first year of identity theft and once a year for the years that follow.

Jamardov agrees, “You should absolutely file a police report if your identity has been stolen.

In order for you to dispute the information about your stolen identity, you have to prove a police report.”

What do you think about identity theft?

Identity theft is one of the biggest growing crimes in America.

-Patrick Kroenung, freshman

I never give out information about myself that won’t be private.

-Erica Hastings, junior

Be aware of e-mails and phishing; don’t put out too much information in places that are publicly viewed.

-Matt Beauchamp, teacher

life

B4

FORENSICS Left: Students look on as the projector displays the people and groups that qualified for semi-finals. A crowd formed around one of two sets of screens is awaiting the postings. Eight multiples qualified for semi-finals. Both Andover multiples qualified for the state tournament.

Far Left: Cooper Patterson (10) looks out to the audience as his character watches his mother attempt suicide. In the multiple Next to Normal, Patterson’s character is the hallucination of his mother (Taylor Henkin, 12). The story surrounds Henkin’s character and how her hallucinations and depression affect her family. In the multiple (and duo) category, members of the cast are not allowed to touch each other or have any eye contact. The performance is done facing the audience rather than the other characters.

Left: In Blood Brothers, Andover’s second multiple, Ben Rooney (11) and Greg Strasser (10) play two brothers separated at birth whose lives become intertwined until they tragically end. Other members of the cast create the background and the blocking of the stage with stools and body positioning by the cast.

Left: Ms. Harsh, the coach of the Forensics team, gives out small awards to ease tension before the first round. Each competitor also recieves a code to be identified with for the entire day. This decreases the risk of bias, but an accidental switch of codes will result in disqualification. It is only before the competition that the team has time to meet together.

Below: Between the first set of rounds and semi-finals, the team sits down at Walled Lake Western for lunch. The school provides lunch for the students at a small cost, though many choose to bring their own meal.

The team spreads out along two long tables to talk about their own accomplishments and the competition. The team also brings snacks and drinks for between rounds.

A Winning

Performance

Andover forensics team spends eleven hour days at tournaments to give students the opportunity to qualify for states.

Right: Gabe Menchaca (11) gives a speech for his category extemporaneous speaking. In this category the students are given a topic and 30 minutes to prepare using prior knowledge and magazine articles in the prep room. After the 30 minutes, the students are given seven minutes to speak. In forensics, there are two main categories, interpretation and public address.

Extemporaneous speaking is a part of the limited preparation portion of public address. The Forensics team lets students and parents view their performances at the annual Forensics Night, where only Andover students are able to perform their interpretations and give speeches.

Each room was assigned a variety of students and categories.

Right: After the tournament at Walled Lake Western, Lauren Richmond (11) climbs onto the bus. The team arrived at Walled Lake Western at seven in the morning and finished with awards around six in the evening.

Students are bussed from Andover to the tournament and back much like the sports teams are for their competitions.

MADELINEMCILHON/shield Above: Before rounds begin, Leah Shepherd (10) takes a chair and recites her piece to the wall. Before rounds, the halls at the school are filled with students practicing their interpretation peices. Shepherd is in the category of prose, in which she performs a piece of literature that is neither a play nor a poem.

She placed fourth at the tournament.

life

B5 from B2

CHEATING: Methods Klein says, “It’s so hard for teachers to tell (if students are cheating on multiple choice). That’s something I’m concerned of if someone had their cell phone because they could easily punch in the multiple choice letter. One thing I do to fight this is do multiple versions of tests.”

In any event of cheating and being caught by a teacher, the teacher is instructed to call home. They can also give a 0 percent, 50 percent, or whatever they choose. The policy varies by department according to Ruggirello.

According to Klein, there were a couple of cheating incidences that caused the math department to sit down and draw up a document called the math department code of conduct which contains the cheating policy.

Because of the strict policy, “cheating is really risky because if you’re caught cheating on a test and now have a zero, it’s

extremely difficult to bring the overall grade back to a passing level,” Ruggirello says.

For example, if a student has an A and gets caught him or her might now a have a C or worse. After that, bringing the grade back to an A could be impossible.

“There is a lot of pressure to achieve,” Ruggirello says. “Especially in Oakland County because it’s so competitive. That’s certainly one of the motivators (to cheat).”

“Because the only thing anyone ever sees is the grade. The schools have done this to students where we make it where the grade is the goal rather than the learning,” comments Klein.

The cheating issue comes down to one thing to Ruggirello.

“It’s really unfair to kids who are honest and sincere. However, I also feel bad for the cheater too because they haven’t benefited from what has been taught,” concludes Ruggirello.

from B1

RENT:Love, AIDS, and drugs make for an atypical high school play contemporar y artist may offend you. There may be something in it that is so graphic or so powerful or hits you in such a tender place that you recoil. You walk away from it going ‘Ugh that was just awful!’ Well, that’s the artist’s intent.

How you interpret what you see is a ver y personal response. If the art offends you, walk away. When it comes to dramatic art, people think it’s okay to take an X-acto knife to the painting and just cut out the parts they don’t like, when you would not see that done at an art museum. We are not at liberty to recreate things to our liking,” he says.

Ross Herner, who will play Angel, the drag queen/street percussionist with AIDS, expects a far more tolerant student reaction.

“I’m not afraid of any peer back-

lash, although Rent (School Edition)’s definitely a PG-13 script. I recommend ever yone to see it because it’s not just explicit material, it’s not all risqué. I (was) honored to play Angel because it (was) such an acting challenge for me. He’s so genuine and doesn’t see the world with colors and doesn’t label people,” Herner says.

Senior Marlee Rich, who portrays club dancer and drug addict Mimi Marquez, explains that die-hard Rent fans add to the mounting pressure.

“Rent is one of those shows that people are obsessed with. There are always high standards for Andover musicals, but especially now, because ever yone knows songs like Seasons of Love and Light My Candle. There (was) so much pressure to be really good that this show just has to rock.”

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B6

life

life Conveying

B7

Below Right: All 20 dancers gather together at the end of their second show of the day, located at Lahser High School. The Indian Cultural Club began in 2000 and consists of members from both Andover and Lahser. This year, there are 16 Lahser students in the club and three Andover students including Shirish Srinivasan (12), Ketan Murthy (12), and Ami Venkataraman (11).

Below Left: Lahser students Seong Hwang (11) and Jay Alam (11) start out the show with popping, locking, and hip hop to a medley of recent songs. A third member, Sagar Chadha (12) also joined the two for the opening act. This year’s Cultural show followed tradition and once again opened the show with a break dancing routine. Chadha choreographed both the masked and unmasked break dances in the show.

their

Culture On Tuesday, March 30, the AndoverLahser Indian Cultural Club showcased their ethnicity and dance skills with a performance consisting of a variety of well known Indian dances.

Above Left: The group ends the last dance of the hour long show.

This dance, the Medley, was the biggest dance in the show with 12 dancers. These 12 dancers performed to a mix of Bollywood music in a style well known throughout India. This type of dance is not one of the more traditional Indian dances but is most commonly seen in many movies.

Left: Lahser student Sagar Chadha (12) contorts his body during his break dance. Besides the break dancing, other more traditional Indian dances performed include the Bhangra and the Raas. Both dances are performed at festivals and weddings and are north Indian styled dances. The girls in the club performed the Bharathanatyam, an extremely formal, strictly female, southern Indian Dance closely tied to the Hindu religion.

Right Through dances like the Medley, the Indian Cultural Club hopes the dance performances in the show will give the student body a sense of what the Indian Culture and Community means to the student body and will convey to peers a sense of the Indian Culture.

Right: The girls start off the Medley dance. The club began choreographing the show as early as Thanksgiving Break and have been practicing two to three times a week since January. Every year it typically takes around two months to put the whole show together.

Right: Lahser students Karan Chadha (11) and Carol Noronha (12) coordinate in matching yellow outfits for the Medley dance.

Noronha was in charge of the entire show for both Andover and Lahser, communicating with the administration from both schools, setting up the show, and choreographing most of the dances. Each year, new dances must be choreographed and re-learned becuase while most dances are similar from yearto-year, the club creates new routines for each of the annual shows.

text: JESSICA RANKE/shield photos: MATT ROSNER

and faculty face C offStudents on the basketball court

sports

C4

LEAVING A

LEAPING LEGACY Jump Back in Time

Overcoming knee injury Hur places tenth in national competition LAUREN HENDRICKSON/shield

Jump Back in Time Jake Gordon editor-in-chief

“Somebody, get the ambulance over here!” screams head football coach James DeWald.

With one fall, not only was Edward Hur’s football career ended, but also his chances of continuing his track career at the collegiate level.

Hitting the ground, his humerus breaking on impact, incited this series of events.

“The doctor said it (the broken humerus) would take two to four months to heal,” Hur explains. “But I got checked out two months later and the doctor said it would be five months. I was freaking out because I did not think I would be in shape for indoor track season.”

On February 27, Hur won the indoor state track meet, taking place at Eastern Michigan University, in the long jump by jumping 23 feet 2.5 inches, beating the qualifying score of 20 feet 9 inches. Because of this he was invited to compete in the national indoor track meet in Boston, Massachusetts sponsored by Nike on March 12-14.

At the national competition, each state is allowed one competitor in each event and there were a total of 29 individuals in the long jump competition.

“The meet started at 10:00 the next morning but I

“(Hur) was the guy everybody else was wanted to get there at 9:00. It was a bad trying to beat. There were other meets that transition from Michigan to Boston,” Hur I knew he was the best one there, but the describes the day. “We got lost going to in the state meet was the first time that I the hotel in Boston. I didn’t get to eat until think he knew he was the best one there,” 10:30 p.m. the night before and didn’t find Alfano says. “His work ethic and his the hotel until midnight. I didn’t go to sleep potential to get better is amazing. I doubt until 12:30 and that threw me off. Then that anybody will be able to outwork him. daylights savings threw me off even more.

At least I haven’t seen anybody out work “I got 10th overall but I him here.” could have gone much After portraying Hur’s character further. My first two “ His work ethic to the University of Michigan jumps were faults, so and his potential to long jump coach David Kaiser, on my third I had to do a safety jump. My get better is amazing. Hur was asked to be a preferred walk-on for the track team in the safety jump was 22 feet Joseph Alfano 2010-2011 season. According 1.5 inches. My best Track Coach to Kaiser, Hur will enter his jump ever is 23 feet freshman season as possibly the 2.5 inches and I was second strongest jumper. only 2.5 inches away Co-track captain and four year from finals. I was really teammate to Hur, David Saunders disappointed because I agrees, “Ed Hur is a great teammate. He know I could have gone further.” always does the right thing. He always Even with his disappointment, Hur tries the hardest in practice. He always attributes much of his success to head goes above and beyond.” track coach Joseph Alfano who has been his sole coach.

“

Conquering the court Senior Lena Thomas shows excellence on the basketball court by scoring over 1000 points

Pamela Pensler staff writer

The crowd’s clapping roared like thunder.

As fast as lightening hitting the ground, she sprinted to the other side of the court. Her body leaped, she faked right, and when the ball left her hands, it went directly into the basket. As her teammates patted her on the back for her tremendous efforts, she ran back to position to hear the announcer broadcast the news. Lena Thomas broke Andover’s record for most career points.

“I was extremely happy when I heard the announcement at the Berkley Game on February 4,” Thomas says. “I couldn’t believe I finally did it. The room was filled with such great energy and as everyone cheered, I felt really good about myself.”

The varsity girls’ basketball team was already expecting Thomas to break the record this year, so they were not very surprised when the announcement was broadcasted, captain Alexa Ellis explains.

“We all just ran up to her, and were really excited for her,” Ellis says. “This is such a great thing for Lena, the team could not be happier. Lena is a great competitor and we can’t wait to see what is next for her.”

The team was not the only one expecting Lena to break the record this year.

Michelle Sklar, varsity girls’ coach, has been tracking Lena’s stats all season and knew she had a good chance of breaking the record this season.

“This is a really nice accomplishment for Lena,” adds Coach Sklar. “Lena is a true competitor. She is only 5 foot 3, but goes out into the game with no fear.

“I will always remember Lena hitting the big shot in overtime during the Hazel Park game on Senior Night. I will never forget her expression for accomplishing our team goal of winning the league title that night. I could truly see that she puts her heart into the game.”

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Fast Facts -Thomas is only 5 foot 3, but has still excelled in basketball -Thomas broke Andover’s record for the most career points -Coach Sklar will always remember when Thomas helped the team win during the Hazel Park game on Senior Night

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2/27/2010 Hur won the indoor state track meet held at Eastern Michigan University

3/12-14/2010 Hur placed tenth in the national indoor track meet in Boston, Massachusetts

Fall 2010 Hur will attend the University of Michigan where he plans on running track

Andover baseball team welcomes new coach Mike Boyd leads baseball team into the 2010 spring season Jarred Bratley staff writer

Mike Boyd is ready to do the job he was chosen to do.

“We hired him because everything that he brings to the program, he is enthusiastic, he had very detailed and ambitious plan for building the program, he has experience as a high school and college level player, he works with an elite travel baseball team and he really impressed us with his knowledge of the game and his plans for our program,” says Andover’s athletic coordinator R. J. Guizzetti, who hired Boyd as the 2010 varsity baseball coach.

According to Boyd, the 2009 baseball season was a down year despite the

winning record. Boyd believes that the talent and aggressive attitude of the players and his strong coaching staff will generate unprecedented success by the Barons baseball program.

“This program is taking a 180 degree turn,” Boyd says. “From day one my expectations are set extremely high. I expect players to come out to the baseball field and put everything else aside and focus on baseball for the time, not school, not girls, not anything but baseball. From the feedback that I have gotten, more kids are working towards the goal of success than they did in the past so that is definitely a positive thing and we are going to try to keep that going and build that year by year. The team will definitly be a lot more structured than in previous years and it will have a more college-minded approach, which is what I teach. I teach a higher level of baseball while still reenforcing the fundamentals.”

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I have been skiing for 10 years, playing softball for 12, climbing trees for as long as I can remember, and have never once had an injury. For years I have watched my teammates sit on the bench hurt and was angry at them for not playing. I vowed that if I ever hurt myself I would continue playing no matter what. Whenever I saw someone walking down the hall on crutches I always wondered what stupid thing they could have done to hurt themselves. I thought, as I’m sure many of you do, that using crutches was fun, not painful. However, only a few weeks ago I discovered what it is like to be on the other side. For the very first time, I was who I always called, “that kid on the crutches.”

The day before the state ski championship in February, what was most likely the last race of my life, I fell during a training run and felt a giant pop in my knee. That one small miscalculation on the hill thrust me into a series of events that I, as a high school student, thought could never happen to me. I went to the emergency room at the hospital. I sat in a wheelchair. I had x-rays taken. I was given crutches and told there was no way I could compete the next day, but I was determined to race one last time. I simply couldn’t imagine that anything was seriously wrong with me, and my knee didn’t really even hurt. So the next day I finished two courses with some difficulty until I fell again. Then for once I was the one sitting out and cheering on my teammates from the bottom. I did my best to battle through, but there was nothing else I could do. It wasn’t my choice not to continue, I physically could not.

A few days later I got an MRI and found out that my injury was much worse than I imagined. I had torn my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and needed surgery and four months of physical therapy before I could play any sports again.

The first day I walked into school with crutches and a giant knee brace all the stares were a bit disconcerting. But for once in my four years of high school the seas of the Andover hallways parted for me. I had books carried for me and doors opened, and people who I had never spoken to before asked me how I was feeling.

Even my sisters got things for me without complaining. All the attention and concern made my situation just a little more tolerable. Of course, the moment I took a step on my own everything went back to normal, but it was nice while it lasted. Thanks to anyone who offered me help or stepped out of my way during that week.

While I once looked at people on crutches with some amusement, I now have the urge to ask them what happened and swap stories. It took a skiing accident, three trips to the hospital and two screws in my knee for me to finally sympathize with injured people, but not everyone has to do the same. So the next time you see someone hobbling down the hallway, step into their shoes for a moment. You don’t have to become their best friend, just do something simple like open a door. It may just make their day.

For the very first time, I was who I always called, “that kid on the crutches.”

staff writer

Just a few weeks before the MYP personal project deadline, abused children of Oakland County were able to receive some relief thanks a skating exhibition organized by sophomore Jennifer Sterbenz.

“The event went really well,” says Sterbenz, who organized the event as her MYP project. “Over 100 people attended and we were able to raise $2,530. Everyone who went said they had a great time” For her MYP project, Sterbenz organized a skating event for the community where the proceeds go to Carehouse in order help abused children of the area.

According to Pat Rosen, executive director of Carehouse, Carehouse is an organization in Pontiac that attempts to make the recovery from abuse for children in Oakland County much less traumatizing using a variety of treatments. Carehouse, rather than a court, conducts the child abuse trial at their facilities to make the recovery experience less difficult.

“The exhibition was a lot of fun and interesting,” comments sophomore Chelsea

Zhou. “It was really cool to see Olympians and help a great cause.”

The event for Sterbenz was a way for her bridge together what she enjoys and help a cause.

Sterbenz says that, “Holding an event like this was a great way to connect my interest in skating and make a difference in the community. It was also easy to organize because I skate at Detroit Skating Club every day.”

Even Andover’s administration is impressed with Sterbenz’s event.

“I think that this project was an excellent expression of creativity,” says Assistant Principal and MYP coordinator Jason Rubel. “What’s interesting about the personal project is that it is not entirely based on the final result but how you organized thoughts behind the scenes and the organization Sterbenz (10) donates her proceeds to an employee is apparent in Jennifer’s event.”

According to Sterbenz, Carehouse of Carehouse. She raised over $2,000. was one of many organizations to “It was a wonderful continuation of the choose from for her exhibition.

Olympics,” Rosen says. “Everyone was en“Dr. Diegel gave a few places of abused children’s houses I could go to,” Sterbenz thusiastic and it was extremely well orgasays as to why she picked Carehouse. “I nized. The money that was raised will go really like how it helps reduce the trauma to services for our kids and we are really of abused children. It’s just a great place thankful for it.

Despite the dollars that were raised, Rufor kids to get help.” bel sees a bigger meaning in this event.

Some of the most high profile skaters par“What the long term takeaway from the ticipated in the exhibition. These skaters include Olympians Jeremy Abbott, 2010 project is learning who you really are. And silver medalists Charlie White and Meryl Jennifer’s exhibition speaks to her interests Davis, as well as 2009 Ladies’ champion and talents as well as desire to give back to the community,” Rubel concludes.

Alissa Czisny.

CARE House Facts -Sternbenz raised $2,530 for Carehouse through her project -CARE House was established to minimize the impact of trauma and provide therapeutic services for children and families -The CARE House organization is located in Pontiac, MI

SPRING STARTING ATHLETES

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Chudler relays her enlightening experiences as an injured athlete

Sophomore Jennifer Sterbenz organizes a skating event for her MYP personal project

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Torn ACL reveals truths

Carehouse recieves personal project proceeds

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NEW COACH: Boyd

BASKETBALL: Thomas

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Before Thomas, Emily Hoffiz, class of 2007 and former Baron point guard, held the record at around 700 points in 2006.

Thomas beat that record in the game against Berkley, and reached over 1000 points at the Farmington Game.

“Since the season has ended, I feel very accomplished with scoring over 1000 points. I worked very hard for what I accomplished. I told myself that if I kept practicing and stay focused, everything would work out. I never thought that I could get this far,” Thomas says.

For the past four years Thomas has had to juggle family, friends, school and basketball training. But she still always found time to hit the gym three to four times a week and play basketball every day.

“Basketball is my life. Its takes over everything; it is my passion. When I am playing, I feel like I am flying. I am so fast and so quick to get to the ball, that I have this confidence that nobody can stop me.”

Ellis and the rest Thomas’s teammates look up to her skills as a player.

“I hope to see Lena playing college basketball and go on to the WNBA,” Ellis says.

Lena hopes to play college basketball next year.

“I am currently looking for a scholarship and keeping my options open. College basketball will be a great thing for me, but I don’t see myself having a career in basketball when I am older. I will always keep basketball as a part of my life, because I love the game.”

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Boyd has experience playing baseball at the high school and college levels, but also has a lot of experience coaching elite travel baseball teams. His summer travel team, the South Oakland A’s, are in top ten teams in the nations for the sixteen-year-old age group.

“When I got this position I thought it was an opportunity to take over a program and start implementing all my ideas and my knowledge that I obtained from playing baseball at Eastern Michigan and start bringing it to the players,” Boyd continues, “Coaching the South Oakland A’s has put me in situations which I know are as big as or bigger than the competition in high school. This makes me feel comfortable leading the (Andover team) into the 2010 season.”

The varsity players are excited about their team under the direction of a new coach.

“He is a player’s coach compared to our old coach (Dan Smith), he relates to the players a lot better (than our old coach) and he has instilled an idea of hard work,” says senior captain Ryan Bloom. “I have seen guys that don’t usually work hard work a lot harder this year. Really, the overall value of our coaching is improved from last year. What our coaches know in terms of new techniques, new mechanics, new ideas behind the game is better.”

Guizetti concludes, “The enthusiasm is there, the knowledge is there, and the players are really excited for the season.”

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C4 Right: In the fourth quarter, Ryan Rosen and

Tarik Baraka (12) both go for the rebound.

Ryan Rosen led the team as a playmaker and scored numerous baskets.

Far Right: At the end of the game, Mr. DeWald

and Ryan Rosen (12) congratulate each other on an outstanding game. The students came back with a win after a 49-51 loss last year.

Right: In the second quarter, Mr.

Whitmire chases David Saunders (12) for the ball. As Saunders nears the basket, he loses it.

Seniors

rebound from last year’s loss

On April 3, 2010, at the anual student faculty basketball game Left: In the beginning of the

student-faculty basketball game, Mr. Richardson and Tarik Baraka (12) jump for the opening tip-off. The students led with almost ten points to start off the game.

Below: Mr. Whitmire swiftly

maneuvers around Nick Pantely (12). Nick Pantely is a varsity athlete, as many other students who participated in the student-faculty basketball game.

Far Left: Near the end of the game, Brandon

Epstein (12) quickly stops to change direction as Mr. Durecka defends him. This quickly followed with a missed basket for the students.

Left: In the second quarter, Mr. Whitmire jumps up to take a shot. Mr. Whitmire coaches the boys’ freshman basketball team, and he contriubted much to the faculty team during the game.

DAVID YU/shield