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JANICE DANIELS:
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you’re in a position of substantial power.” Senior Matthew Jewell to smoking. ibly distasteful,” sophomore thought Daniels’ behavior “I said that I would bring Eddie Tingstad said. “Some- was unacceptable. a doctor into a [GSA] meet- one as backwards as she is “As the mayor of Troy, DanControversy ing that would say that the isn’t qualified to lead our iels represented the Troy population,” he said. “The homosexual lifestyle is dan- city.” continues over gerous,” Daniels said on Talk Senior Sabrina Lee, GSA Troy population happens to ex-mayor Radio 1270. “Had I been co-president, moved to Troy consist of a variety of groups that trusted her to with a group of smokBY CAROLYN GEARIG ers I might have said I DO YOU AGREE “I do not lead. A person who would like to bring a WITH THE support the re- cannot at least acknowledge the dif It started with a homo- doctor into this meet- RECALL? call of Janice Dan- ferent aspects of huphobic Facebook status ing to say that smokiels since the sole manity should never and ended with a recall. Al- ing is dangerous.” reason why she be allowed to hold though Janice Daniels is no Daniels was also longer mayor, students still criticized for votwas recalled was office at any level of ing against a transit debate her impact on Troy. for expressing an the government.” However, others Controversy arose when center proposal that opinion, [which] supported Daniels. the post on Daniels’ Face- would have been does not dictate “I think that she book was publicized Dec. 2, funded by a federal 2011. Daniels made the sta- grant from the Fed- SENIOR her capabilities as should be allowed to voice her own opintus earlier in 2011, before eral Railroad Admin- JUSTIN WU a mayor.” ion on gay marriage istration. The transit she was mayor of Troy. just like the people “I think I’m going to throw center would allow ALICE LIANG who are pro-gay marriage out my I Love New York bag for train and bus lines into from Pittsburgh in 2010. now that queers can get Troy. Supporters said it “My old town was very con- do,” junior Allison Brown Senior Sabrina Lee addresses Daniels at the Dec. 5, married there,” it said. The would stimulate Troy’s econ- servative,” she said. “The cli- said. “I don’t understand 2011 city council meeting. Over 50 people spoke at the post ignited citywide oppo- omy while some opposed it, mate of my school was hos- how voicing her opinion is meeting held shortly after Daniels’ comment was publisaying it would increase fed- tile towards minorities and any different than a pro-gay sition to Daniels. cized, igniting controversy. LGBT students. One of the marriage citizen of Troy de In January, first things I noticed when I claring their own. Just beDaniels spoke DO YOU AGREE “I am moved to Troy was the em- cause she was the mayor while she thought Daniels call. with members WITH THE happy to see phasis on diversity. It was a does not mean the right of was rude, she did not agree “On one hand, I think she’s of the THS RECALL? really nice change. I never free speech should be taken with the recall. her go, not only G a y -S t r a i g h t incredibly incompetent,” she expected the mayor of this away from her.” Alliance (GSA) “It’s ridiculous,” she said. said. “On the other hand, she because she extremely cultured city to so Brown agreed with Dan- “Her personal opinions was elected fairly and she reportedly was extremely outwardly insult a commu- iels’ opinion on the transit about same sex marriage followed her ideology preto reach an disrespectful, nity that is very dear to my center. understanddon’t affect her ability to sented to voters.” but because “I agree with her that the be mayor whatsoever. Yes, Regardless of their views heart.” ing about her Lee is openly gay and an transit center would further what she said was rude and on Daniels, THS students Facebook stashe is not welladvocate for tus. However, SENIOR unnecessary. But said that Troy should learn informed in pobullied LGBT The Troy Independent surveyed students asking, she’s human. Peo- from the situation. GSA members MAGGIE litical affairs.” youth. claimed that STEELE “Do you agree with the recall of Janice Daniels?” ple make mistakes. “It’s easy to ignore politics “I undershe suggested People should have on such a small scale,” Tingsstand that YES 79% 50 votes bringing a just moved on and tad said. “But this shows how everyone has panel of psychologists to a eral debt. realized that de- failing to investigate politics NO 21% 13 votes meeting to show that ho- Students had varying opin- the right to spite her personal on a local scale can really free speech,” mosexuality is dangerous. ions on Daniels’ recall. opinions, she can make in impact on our city.” “I supported the recall be- Lee said. “But it’s a different the extent of the national still be a good mayor.” In June, she talked about the “I hope Troy learns to vote meeting on a radio show, cause I thought her homo- story when you are subju- debt unnecessarily,” she said. Senior Marie Talarico had more responsibly,” Talarico comparing homosexuality phobic remarks were incred- gating a group of people and Senior Jennifer Stencel said mixed feelings about the re- said.
recalled
NO
YES
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Teachers that make a difference Everyone has a favorite teacher: one that stood out and taught that there is more to life than worrying about a letter grade stamped onto a transcript. Multiple teachers teach Troy High students life lessons. Students honored their teachers for the differences they made in their lives. BY AMANDA MCCAFFERTY
“Mrs. Forshey and Mrs. Foster because they are really nice and I can talk to them outside of class. They act like they actually want to hear about my personal life. “
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4 deadlines, 22 staffers,
1 YEAR
The yearbook computer lab, shared with newspaper, is located in the English hallway connected to adviser Ch
Junior Nicole Niemiec
BY CAROLYN GEARIG
“Mrs. Morris because she’s really nice and if you have a problem she’ll help you.”
Sophomore Julie Brooks
“Mr. Morrison because he keeps the class interesting. I understand what’s going on and he is really fun.”
Sophomore Ashley Messina
“Brandonisio…he was always one that made it a fun learning environment. I had him for GBBE and Bio. “
Junior Kris Zuhl
“Mr. Hamilton because he teaches you life lessons as well as the material.”
Senior Lindsay Moeller
“Mrs. Haraburda because she understands me and is really nice and smart. I can talk to her in confidence.”
Junior Lauren Ferguson
“Mrs. Yax and Mr. Smith are personally my favorite because they constantly show that they are actual people and not just teachers. They see us as more than just students.”
Senior Raneem Alayoubi
It’s 4:30 p.m. in midDecember and Troy High is quiet—but midway down the English hallway, the Gladiator Yearbook staff is still in their computer lab, poring over spreads and making corrections to meet their second deadline of the year. Yearbook finished their deadline on Dec. 15, making them halfway done with their 288-page book. Composed of 19 girls and three boys, sophomores, juniors and seniors, the staff meets every day during fourth hour. “People think it’s a blowoff class,” senior Courtney Johnson said. “It’s actually a ton of work, but it’s a lot of fun, too.” English teacher Christina Chatel has advised the Gladiator Yearbook for ten years. Chatel was on the Yearbook staff in high school and at the University of Michigan, and when she was applying to jobs after college, she found a listing for English and Yearbook at Troy High. “I brought my college yearbooks to the interview,” she said. “I think that’s what helped me get the job, because no one ever wants to teach Yearbook, and I actually came in saying yes, please,
I would love to do Yearbook. “It was a perfect storm.” Chatel said she loves yearbook because of the relationships she creates with students. “It’s amazing,” she said. “I really learn about students, more than I would in a regular classroom. We’re here until 10 p.m. some nights.” Chatel brought traditions from her yearbook experiences to Troy. In college, her yearbook staff did Secret Santas every year and exchanged gifts at a party; now, the Gladiator staff does the gift exchange the week before their annual Holiday Party. Every August, the yearbook staff meets for a picnic, where they welcome new staffers and play games. This came from Chatel’s high school yearbook. “We’re like a family,” editor-in-chief Syed Murtaza, senior, said. “It’s like I have 19 sisters and two brothers, and Mrs. Chatel is our mom.” Yearbook operates on a schedule of four deadlines throughout the year. In September, Chatel teaches new staffers the basics of writing, design and photography while editors design pages, pick out fonts and assign spreads. Then, they begin their first deadline in November, the second in December, the third in January and the fourth and final deadline in March. During deadline week, the staff must meet deadlines on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday by 5:00 after school.
Editor-in-chief senior Syed Murtaza check
On Tuesday spreads must be approved by design and photo editors senior Alaina Kozak and junior Elise Johansson, on Wednesday, by editor-in-chief Murtaza and assistant editors junior Rachel Smith and senior Tori Tomasello and on Thursday, by Chatel. “It is exhausting when it’s the third day and it’s 10:30 at night and we’re still here,” Chatel said. “But it’s
YEARB BY T NUMB
4 dea 22 sta (19 girls, 5 te 6 ed Chatel’s 10 288 p 20 com (3 usually 1 yea
Statewide school proposal stirs up controversy BY KATHERINE MAHER AND TOMMY ROWBAL A newly proposed education bill, currently under review, has the potential to end all individual city school districts all over Michigan and merge them into one large statewide school district. If passed, the controversial education bills, House Bill 6004 and Senate Bill 1358, will expand the power of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) over education and school districts. The EAA was founded to take control of the lowest 5% performing schools in the state that aren’t improving on redesign plans or under emergency
managers. The bill’s plan to grant the EAA access to schools outside their original grasp, and when combined with House Bill 5923, could be interpreted to allow the EAA authorization to create their own schools. The driving logic behind this bill is the fact that poor towns and cities can’t pay enough taxes to afford good school districts, and that town funds should not be proportional to the quality of school districts. The state legislature wants everyone in Michigan to have access to the same level of education. However, the bill could potentially be interpreted
rize an unlimited number of charter schools across the state. Additionally, current language in the bill would exempt schools under the EAA from parts of the Michigan school code, making different educational standards for EAA-controlled schools. Another Superintendant Barbara Fowler controversial part of the bill is that the new education system will be run to extend to grant the EAA by people appointed by the rights to make public educa- governor and the EAA chantion buildings available for cellor, making the school sysprivate schools, and autho- tem run by the governor and
“Our public school system is built on the very American foundation of opportunity for all students to grow and excel. This new system would divide students into tracts and eliminate opportunities for every student to reach his or her full potential.”
state legislation rather than individual cities and their school boards. The bill will also cut funding for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) by exempting EAA employees, in turn damaging retirement funds for teachers at nonEAA schools. But the biggest problem citizens are seeing with the planned law is the fact that the EAA can deny a student to a specific school based on any criteria they deem reasonable. Although supporters of the bills believe they will allow for equal opportunity for students throughout the state, Troy Superintendant Barbara Fowler disagreed.
“Our public school system is built on the very American foundation of opportunity for all students to grow and excel,” she said. “This new system would divide students into tracts and eliminate opportunities for every student to reach his or her full potential.” “It bothers me that it would eliminate control of the district, but still use our tax dollars without our voice or representation,” Troy citizen and parent Sue Martin said. “I would think that any public school teacher would be worried, as well as any parent with a child in the public district, by any or all of these power-grab scenarios.”
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HOT NOT vs.
One Direction and The Wanted are two of the most popular bands today. The Troy Independent surveyed students about boy bands. By Katie Schlafhauser
RBOOK
hristina Chatel’s classroom. At the end of the year, staffers write on bricks; they also decorated for the holidays.
CAROLYN GEARIG
ks spreads on day two of deadline.
BOOK THE BERS
adlines affers , 3 boys) eams ditors 0th yearbook pages mputers y broken) arbook
rewarding.” On Friday of every deadline week, they have a party where they drag desks into a circle and read aloud messages called “snaps”, complimenting each other on hard work during the week. Chatel got this idea from Legally Blond 2. Murtaza, editor-in-chief, is in his third year on yearbook staff. He decided to join after the end of his freshman year when he
had Chatel for English. “Before high school, I hated English,” he said. “But Mrs. Chatel made it fun, so I joined yearbook.” Murtaza began as a staffer and was business editor junior year. His responsibilities as editor-in-chief include checking over every page and converting spreads to PDFs before they are sent to the printer. He also plays a role in deciding the theme of the book—this year’s is “Not Just”—as well as in deciding fonts and page designs, and he is the leader of the staff. “Not Just” celebrates the idea that students are more than they appear. “You could be a quiet, smart kid,” Murtaza said. “But then you could skydive on weekends. That’s the idea we’re trying to send.” Murtaza said he loves
yearbook because of the people. “We’re all so close,” he said. “We have a ton of inside jokes. It’s a lot of fun.” “It takes so much work” copy editor Jessica Moore said, “but we’re like a family. I can’t imagine my day without yearbook.” The staff is split into five teams of students, each led by a team leader. Each team is in charge of three or four spreads per deadline. They split up responsibilities for photography, reporting, writing and designing between the members. Every March, the staff travels to New York to attend a journalism conference at Columbia University. “Friendships really start to form in New York,” assistant editor Rachel Smith, junior, said. “Plus, it’s really
CAROLYN GEARIG
cool to take classes in something I’m interested in on a college campus. It definitely helped us improve.” After the yearbook is finished later that month, they take two weeks off and relax before starting the supplement, which covers spring sports and events and is passed out in early fall. “It’s nice to have down time,” Murtaza said, “because yearbook adds a lot of stress.” However, the staff agreed that the stress was worth it. “Once you get it all done, it’s nice to see the final product,” first year staffer junior Lizzie Novak said. “It can be really stressful, but once you finish, you feel really accomplished.” “I love that I can give students a place to call home,” Chatel said.
One Direction
40%
FLICKR USER PAIGECLARKY/USED WITH PERMISSION
29%
of students surveyed were indifferent about boy bands
of students surveyed like boy bands “I really like The Wanted, because they can sing really well. My cousin told me about them, and I went to their concert last year.”
Sophomore Shwetha Ramchandran
“I went to the [Big Time Rush] concert. In the middle of the concert [Big Time Rush] went to the audience, and Carlos was near me and a security guard brought me right over to Carlos, and I got to be right close to him, and I got to touch his hand.”
Freshman Marena Dangremond
“There’s some songs that are good. There’s no point in not liking them, because I know a lot of people [don’t like them but] I feel like they just say that because everyone else thinks so. I mean, I think they’re good.”
Freshman Eric Cheng
“I like the Wanted, and I guess One Direction’s pretty good. I like how they harmonize.”
Junior Bridget Bucaro CAROLYN GEARIG
Adviser Christina Chatel checks spreads on the second day of the second deadline. “Since spreads have already been through the yearbook editors,” she said, “I don’t find many mistakes.”
102 East Long Lake Road, Troy, MI 48085 (248) 524 9207
31%
of students surveyed do not like boy bands “I hate [boy bands]. They’re like pop, mainstream devoid piles of crap. Have you heard them sing? They sound like they’re on helium.”
Senior Justin Kenney
“[Boy bands] are too cliché. Their music doesn’t have meaning, and they’re geared towards tween fanatic girls. Music industries are only in it for the money.”
Sophomore Brianne Yeskey
“$85 tickets and poorly made $45 shirts have bankrupted the parents of these devoted boy band followers. Stop blaming the housing market, unlimited credit, or President Fill in the Blank. Boy bands are the real reason college graduates must return home and live with their parents to sleep on a futon and, ironically, ease their pain with the sweet lyrics of “Bye, Bye, Bye.” We are heading in One Direction and it does not bring back our youth out of their basements and back to the streets.”
English teacher David Adler
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Don’t know what to give this holiday? Check out the Troy Independent’s gift guide. BY KATHERINE MAHER AND KATIE SCHLAFHAUSER You can never go wrong with a One Direction CD. Their new album Take Me Home is out in stores.
We love this gift! The M&M company makes custom M&Ms for teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB. If you aren’t buying for a sports fan, you can personalize your own.
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If you are willing to spend a little bit more, here is a dream come true for a sports fan: a toaster that prints any football team’s logo on bread. Price: $39.99
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Price: $10.99 per 7 oz bag
For the people who always seem to be colorful or stylish, Target has a wide variety of wall decals that are a perfect way to spice up a room. They stick to the walls to add some color and style.
Price: $15.99 to $19.99 Buy at: Target
Writing something without being forced is a completely foreign idea to many, but for these students, writing isn’t an endless torment of essays and assignments—it’s a hobby. These students are novel writers. Sophomore Meghan Brokenshire has been writing since she was five, starting with short stories. Over the years, her writing has evolved to the point where she is writing her own novel. “It’s basically about the end of the world,” Brokenshire said. “I really love dystopian fiction like Hunger Games, Divergent, and 1984. 1984 was, actually, one of the books that inspired me to write. My novel is kind of like a cannon to those [novels] where everything is just kind of falling apart.” Brokenshire said her characters are inspired by people she knows. “I’m always finding parts of myself in the characters that I write,” Brokenshire said. “All of the characters that I write are very, very similar to people that I know or to myself. They’ve always got a person that they match up with. “My favorite character in the novel so far is Jordan, who’s lost everything else
but his 8-year-old sister. When I was making him, I kept thinking ‘Who do I know that’s like a father figure to me,’ and I thought back to all of the people that helped me freshman year that I’m very close to now. I wanted a character that was like that but still has this overriding darkness over him that’ll screw everybody over. “I love his character. I love developing him.” Brokenshire isn’t the only student writing at Troy. Senior Alex Roettenberger is working on his third novel, about a high school student dealing with emotional and social issues after experiencing the death of his family members. “I’m calling it ‘Love Out of Loss’, but I’m thinking about changing that,” Roettenberger said. “It’s about a young man in high school whose lost his parents and his sister the year before from murder, and it’s about him dealing with the anger and the emotional problems and with forgiving himself for letting that happen.” When asked what his inspiration was, Roettenberger said that the part that he identified with was losing a family member in such a violent manner. “Not too long ago, a cousin
Buy at: Urban Outfitters
You know those people who always seem to know everything about math? Any nerd will appreciate this clock that uses math properties to tell time.
Price: $25.00
For those that like the Oldies, Rolling Stone has a selection of CD’s at Target that has the best of every genre of music that you could possible imagine.
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi is a great book for girls. A good book for boys who are into sports is Boy 21 by Matthew Quick. Both of these books are on the Battle of the Books list and are were recommended by librarian Toni Isaac.
Buy at: uncommongoods.com
Price: $9.99
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THS students pen novels BY IN CHAN LEE
Price: $6.00
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Smartphones can be difficult to use in winter because gloves don’t work on the touchscreens. Target has a selection of special gloves that allow you to use a touch-screen phone without taking off your gloves.
iPhones don’t have a spot to attach charms like other phones. For those that love decorating their stuff, there is a cute iPhone Charm that plugs into the headphone jack. It comes in three different styles: owl, fox, and cat.
of mine was murdered,” Roettenberger said, “and it’s just about trying to work through that, to deal with everything that goes on.” “For a year, year and a half, this young man just shuts himself completely out of the world,” Roettenberger said. “He really only ever talks to his best friend, who is his adopted brother. Then out of nowhere, comes this person who gets under his skin and makes him take a new look at life. “The thing about characters is that every one of them has a story, and you really want to make people care about the characters. That’s why it’s hard to get into a book in the first few pages— you’re just being introduced to the characters and don’t care about them yet.” For these students and many others, writing is not a mundane task or a difficult assignment. It’s a facet for ideas and emotions, a hobby and a passion. “I’m sitting in Spanish class and all of the sudden there’s this moment where I go, ‘I know what’s going to happen to her next! I know what I have to do!’ Then, I take out paper then I scribble it down really quickly,” Brokenshire said. “That’s my favorite part of the writing process, that Hallelujah chorus moment.”
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! G N I S S A R R A B EM ERTY
BY AMANDA MCCAFF
It happens to everyone from time to time: that “oh my gosh that was so embarrassing” moment. But, what are the most embarrassing moments from people at Troy High? Students and teachers share their most humiliating stories. am, it on the hockey te “Freshman year d to ha I . fs d the playof ve was overtime an ha ld ou w I ot and if the do a penalty sh on d An . on w ld have scored we wou e puck e goalie I lost th th ds ar w to way It was f. of ot get a sh and didn’t even sing.” pretty embarras
n Stoolmiller
Junior Harriso
”Freshman year for polo practice we kept screwing around. Our coach made us go outside and run to the baseball diamond and back and do pushups in our Speedos while the football team was practicing and the girls cross country team was running by. So that was our punishment and it was pretty embarrassing.”
Junior Bruno Goncalves
“One time I went to go open the door, and it was a pull door and not a push door. So I kinda ran face first into the door because it had no give.”
Senior Josh Rusgo
ning to “One time I was run r and I yea an shm fre the bus in the snow slipped and fell into ghing at lau and everybody was s.” bu the to on me when I got
n Senior Claire Johnsto
“One tim e I was going to club with a swim my frien ds. We w changing ere all in the lo cker roo then I w m and ent outs ide to go the pool get into an still in m d then I realized y underw I was ear and changed.” I never S
ophomo
re Shelb y Sacco
“[It was my] second year teaching. I had seniors [in] English and I was going back to sit on my stool. I put one foot up and knocked the stool over with my foot and fell completely onto the floor in front of my whole class. Luckily, I had nice, kind seniors and they were worried about me first. But I told them I was fine and I deserved to be laughed at and from there it was just a big joke in our classroom.”
English teacher Lindsay Noble
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Dalton Shoan: from gymnast to cheerleader BY ANNA LARSON Freshman Dalton Shoan is Troy High’s first male cheerleader in 57 years. Shoan started in gymnastics, but two years ago he lost interest in gymnastics and switched to cheerleading. “One small decision can change your life forever,” Shoan said. The team has been very supportive of him. “He lifts everyone’s spirits,” freshman cheerleader Lauryn-Taylor Johnson said. “I don’t know what we would do without him.” His fellow cheerleaders said he is very energetic and encouraging. In the football season he participates in everything they do. He is held to the same standards and he works just as hard. He takes part in the stunts, jumps, cheers and tumbling. Shoan is the only male cheerleader at Troy High but that doesn’t mean he is alone. He has the love and support from the whole team. “[The coaches] are lucky to have such a dedicated, committed athlete in our program.” varsity cheerleading coach Andrea Korzeniowski said. Since there has not been a male cheerleader in recent years there is not a uniform for him to wear. Shoan wears solid black athletic pants and a black t-shirt. Although he is the first male in the Troy High program, Korzeniowski has coached males before in different programs. Principal Mark Dziatczak has coached cheerleading before and worked at college camps. In 1957, male cheerleaders were used to lift the girl cheerleaders in stunts. They played other sports like basketball or soccer. Cheerleading back then was very different from today. The cheerleaders ran the pep assembly and cheered at the football and basketball games. There was no competitive season back then. During the winter competitive season Shoan cannot compete with the team but he will do sideline cheer at the basketball games. Shoan hopes to continue cheering in college.
ELISE JOHANSSEN
JV cheerleader Dalton Shoan, freshman, holds the microphone for traffic reporter Ashlee Baracy. Baracy reported on traffic and weather while at THS for the pep assembly.
Friday Football Frenzy comes to THS BY CAROLYN GEARIG AND SARAH REGAN A strange sight was to be seen at 5 a.m. Oct. 12: cars pouring into the student parking lot, a mechanical bull in the gym and Channel 4 News vans outside. It was Friday Football Frenzy at THS. Friday Football Frenzy airs on the morning news every Friday during football season. Channel 4 plays a pep assembly on the morning news, held at the winning school of the week. THS students and staff members voted in an online poll over 400,000 times to bring a Troy victory over for other schools. The assembly focused on the Troy versus Athens game that night. Student Government played the largest role in the Pep Assembly, planning before the poll even opened on Oct. 6. “We found out that Channel 4 had contacted us about being in the running for Game of the Week during the week of Homecoming, but we turned it down due to the crazy schedule that week,” said Student Government adviser Ryan Werenka. “We
were intrigued about doing it, so we started contacting them via Twitter the week before. They called us Oct. 4 to see if we wanted to be included for the Oct. 12 Game of the Week and we said yes.” Student Government members began spreading the word via Twitter. “Once we found out we were on the ballot, many Student Government members and I tweeted nonstop to get the word out to other Troy High students,” said Student Government president Jessica Moore, junior. Moore said there was a point Oct. 7 where second place Woodhaven came close to Troy’s votes, although final tallies found Woodhaven with fewer than 20% of Troy’s votes. “We didn’t want to let them win!” Moore said. “So we just kept using social networking to get the word out. That was our main campaign strategy.” Varsity quarterback Justin Losey, senior, tweeted so much throughout the week that Student Government presented him with a gold football at the pep assembly.
Student Government tweeted Oct. 7 that at 100,000 votes, Losey would earn a “gold record. Spray painted, but gold nonetheless.”
Thursday, Oct. 11, I knew we would be hosting it on Sunday evening,” said Werenka. “I had researched the number of votes in a typical week and looked at the typical margin of victory and established daily goals. When we broke 100,000 votes by Sunday evening, I knew it would be next to impossible for any other games to catch us.” On the days leading up to pep assembly, Student Government played a key role in planning and organizing the event. Along with planning pep assembly, Student Government also organized the Beat Athens spirit week and the powder puff game. “It was a little hectic planning everything in less than a week!” Moore said. “To plan and execute it in so little time, we had meetings almost every day either before or after school to help plan the assembly as well as to accomplish the tasks going on that week as well.” Student Government spent over $2,000 on the pep assembly. “We started ordering supplies for the Pep Rally on Sunday evening and already
“I can’t pick out my favorite part. There were just so many people participating. It was great to be a Troy Colt that day.” Varsity football coach Gary Griffith Losey said he voted hundreds of times himself. “I wanted to get [students] here and have the school really involved with football publicity,” he said. Troy High indeed broke 100,000 votes Oct. 7. “Although we didn’t officially know we would be hosting the Pep Rally until
had a rough schedule drawn up,” Werenka said. Student Government purchased thunder sticks, vuvuzelas, gift card prizes, rented the mechanical bull and bought breakfast. “It sounds like a lot, but it cost a little less than $2 per person that attended,” Werenka said. Nearly 1,000 students attended. “It was early,” junior Megan Kelly said. “But it was a good experience to be there and I think it was worth it because it was really fun.” However, some students decided not to go. “(It was) too early.” Freshman Charlie Douglas said. While varsity Coach Gary Griffith liked the participation he thought that once game time came, students were tired out. “I think once they got to the game it didn’t have much impact,” he said. “It was just an awfully long day. In retrospect, I think the kids kind of got worn-out.” Griffith enjoyed the pep assembly, though. “I can’t pick out my favorite part,” he said. “There were just so many people participating. It was great to be a Troy Colt that day.”
So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Troy native comes to Dance Team Practice
BY ERIN TEPATTI
Dancing his way into the spotlight, Troy native Will Thomas, 19, wowed the nation as a top 20 competitor on So You Think You Can Dance. From contemporary to jazz, hip-hop to ballet, Will Thomas knows how to move. Loved by the judges and audience alike, he has made an impression on America. Thomas started dancing around age 12. His mom was a cheerleading coach and used to drag him along to practices, eventually signing him up for dance classes.
“I was the class clown in school, and I struggled with putting that energy in a positive outlet. Once I started dancing, it helped me mature,” Thomas said. Dancing seems to have helped as he has represented Michigan on national television. Troy High Varsity Dance team had the incredible experience of dancing with Thomas on the first day of dance team auditions.
COURTESY OF WILL THOMAS
Thomas dances with Amelia Lowe on So You Think You Can Dance.
“I have a surprise guest coming for you!” dance coach Amy Barnhart. said “I’m sure you’ll all know him, or at least most of you will.” Once Thomas walked in, everyone put in more effort. Turns were faster, jumps were higher, and auditionees were on edge. “I was so nervous to dance in front of him,” freshman Christina Crane said. “But I want-
ed
to impress him.” Thomas was the ideal person to have at auditions. His friendly personality put the girls at ease, while his experience and prominence in the dance community excited the team. Although Thomas denies that he’s famous, he does admit that he’s become well-known. “My goal isn’t to end up on TMZ. That’s not what I want to do with my life,” Thomas said. “I want to take advantage of this and do something positive—change the world! I’m so blessed.”
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Election 2012
WHITEHOUSE.GOV
President Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden
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Governor Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan
Obama or Romney, Democrat or Republican: students share views
Like the Olympics and Leap Day, the Presidential election only comes around once every four years. Most THS students are not of voting age, but that does not stop them from weighing in between incumbent President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. BY SONALEE JOSHI
“I’ve been following the election since the beginning of last year, when Republican candidates started getting their names out there,” junior Sandhya Medapuram said. “And since the state of the economy had really started to worry me.” Despite her young age, 16, Medapuram expressed the concern of many Americans who are not pleased with the economic climate under President Obama. Since President Obama took office in 2008, the national debt ceiling has risen to over $16 trillion and the unemployment rate is holding above 8%. However, other students still maintain their loyalty to the President, such as Ellen Yang, sophomore. “President Obama has had quite a productive presiden-
cy,” said Yang. “The reason why things aren’t changing ‘quickly’ enough is because he can’t undo all of the prior damage in just four years,” said Yang in response to the Republican criticism. “Many people are frustrated with Obama because up until now the economy hasn’t been fixed yet,” senior and newly registered voter Brian Wu said. “I think people just need to calm down and give him another chance, because it is not easy fixing the economy and people that don’t have the patience are mad because they don’t understand the degree of stress a president has in order to fix the economy.” Former THS student and eligible voter Zack Schenk explained his perspective of
the election from a foreign standpoint. “I’m living in Israel during an election year, where the Iranian threat against Israel has been increased greatly,” he said. “I am able to cast an absentee ballot for all the Michigan and U.S. public elections. “The biggest issue for me in this election is the candidates’ foreign policy, particularly that revolving around Israel and the reaction to the Iranian threat,” he said. “I feel that both candidates are neck and neck because while they both have their own strong suits, Obama’s foreign policy experience and the lowering of national unemployment against Romney’s pledges to greatly reduce government.” One topic students agreed
on across the board was the importance of young voters in elections. “We are the ones most permanently affected by these decisions, and as such we will vote the least selfishly.,” senior Karthik Mohanarangan, “Everyone from the baby boomer generation to the generation before ours has not known hardship the way the other generations have. We have, we have common sense that others, who have not known hardship, do not have.” With any generation, there is some influence of elders or parents on one’s political affiliations. Some students were affected directly by the political views of their parents, while others were more impacted by how their families were affected by the
tion on Nov. 6? The recall election was thought to have started in reaction to controversial homophobic comments made by Mayor Daniels last year or her denial of grant money to build a transit center. “No one action of the Mayor KATHERINE MAHER With the election on Nov. 6, both sides of the recall effort can be seen on signs all over Troy. in isolation would have warranted a recall,” said Sue MarThe pro-recall party collected 8,882 signatures for the recall to be on the ballot. tin, a politically active Troy City Elections citizen and mother. “Rather it is the collective sum of her poor behavior that warrants it.” Whether in support of the recall or not, most of people don’t know what happens after the election. Debate rages over mayor BY KATHERINE MAHER “The Mayor Pro Tem will be The effort to recall Janice signs in support of the re- to vote in the recall election, sworn in at the next meeting,” Daniels collected more than call can be seen in yards all but does anyone really know Troy city councilman Dave 8,800 valid signatures and over Troy. Citizens are ready what happens after the elec- Henderson said. “Rules of Pro-
TO RECALL OR NOT TO RECALL:
Mayor Janice Daniels
The THS MSA BY IN CHAN LEE
The Muslim Students Association is a club of Muslim students that meet with the goal of providing weekly prayer services, reaching out to the broader Troy High community and promoting tolerance and understanding of Islam. Their activities include presentations in every World History class. During the World History class’s unit on Islam, two students from MSA go to each class to present about Islam and answer any questions that the students have about
the Islamic faith. These questions vary from questions about how to pray and the month of Ramadan to more personal ones such as living in a minority environment. “I really enjoy the experience, and it is always enlightening to learn the perspectives of other Troy High students,” MSA vice president Saim Raza, junior, said. “One of my favorite questions is about my hijab,” senior MSA co-president Annie Sherwani said. “People have this misconception about it being forced, but in reality, it’s my personal choice. Nobody in my family wears it, not even my mother.” “It’s crazy to see the expressions on some people
because a lot of people think that Islam is this strict religion,” Sherwani said. “By the end they have these expressions on their face that are like ‘wow, they’re real people too!’” After 9/11, the amount of anti-Muslim sentiment grew tremendously and remains today. With presentations like these, the MSA promotes understanding of their faith and what it truly is to replace much of the hate that has existed after such events, to replace popular misconceptions with understanding. “The goal of the presentations is to promote a true understanding of Islam,” Raza said, “especially during these turbulent times.”
actions of different parties. “My parents are immigrants who have become naturalized citizens after [over 20] years in the States, “ said Medapuram. “They have always held liberal [views on] social policies about abortion and gay marriage. “But as inflation, interests and taxes started rising, they were discouraged by the Democratic Party’s lack of response. They paid 40% of their income to the government this year just to learn that Obama would be using American taxpayer money to fund failing social and experimental programs. Being surrounded in this atmosphere, I began to question our government in the same way,” Medapuram said. On the other hand, Mohanarangan expressed a dif-
cedure for council also allow for the nomination of a new Mayor Pro Tem at the same meeting, so a specific individual is unclear at this time. The acting Mayor will only serve a maximum 30 days until we appoint a replacement which will serve until the next election [Nov. 2013]. If one cannot be appointed in 30 days, the Governor can step in and appoint one.” No matter what the recall outcome is, it has already affected the city of Troy. “One nice result of the recall process so far is that more and more residents have become engaged,” Martin said. “I think the electorate will begin/continue to pay very close attention to what the Mayor and Council will do
ference of opinions from his father’s. “My dad is slowly becoming more conservative. It scares me,” said Mohanarangan, a declared liberal. Another influence on voters of all ages is the media coverage of the campaigns. Wu expressed a lack of faith in the promises of either candidate. “I watch [the campaign coverage] sometimes, but sometimes I feel like they are just putting random facts into their speeches and giving promises that probably won’t be kept,” Wu said. While the current Reuters polls show Obama in the lead by only a few points, a poll of THS students showed a different story. 50% of students said they would vote for Obama while 37% supported Romney. from here on out.” Although she can’t vote in the upcoming recall election, Troy High senior Sabrina Lee has her own opinions on Mayor Janice Daniels. “I strongly feel that she’s unfit to be mayor,” Lee said. “Her homophobic comments were unacceptable for a person in her position and she refused to take accountability for her actions.” On Nov. 6, Troy citizens will be lining up at the voting booths. Not only are they voting for Mayor Janice Daniels, but they are voting to change the city of Troy. Only every so often does something occur that unites a city, whether it’s for the same side or not. The people of Troy are the deciding vote on Troy’s future.
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Opinion
Page 8
THETROY Give everyone the ‘Same Love’ INDEPENDENT COMMENTARY
Susan Johnson, a middle school teacher from South Lyon, was recently suspended without pay for playing a song called “Same Love” in her classroom. A student in her eighth grade performing arts class asked if he could play the song, and after he said it was not violent or profane, she agreed. “Same Love” is by rapper Macklemore and it traces the life of a gay man and the struggles he faces because of his sexuality. Johnson told FOX News that she hoped the song would send a message to her students to be tolerant of everyone, because you never know what others are going through.
But by the end of the day, riage. Administrators should a student complained to ad- encourage such discussion, ministration and Johnson not mute it. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and was suspended. transgender) stu When I first dents are five times heard about more likely to comJohnson’s susmit suicide than pension, I was other students and sad because have much higher she is the exact rates of depression. type of person I’d want as my CAROLYN GEARIG “Same Love” does not tell you to go teacher. I’ve out and be gay, and always been a huge supporter for gay it doesn’t send an inapprorights and I think it’s incred- priate message. All Macklibly important to talk about emore says is that it’s hard issues like this in schools. No to be LGBT because there one should feel ashamed or will always be people who stigmatized for who they are, think you shouldn’t marry, and everyone is deserving of who make fun of you, who basic human rights like mar- use slurs like “faggot” and
think “gay” is a synonym for stupid. Yes, there are small religious and political references and two uses of a swear word, but above all “Same Love” encourages tolerance and acceptance for diversity. “I really love my kids and I never want to hurt them,” Johnson said. “But I also know that there’s a lot of bullying and there’s a lot of gay bashing and racial issues going on in our country and I want the kids to feel comfortable in my class no matter who they are.” After nationwide backlash, Johnson’s suspension was reversed, but I feel that this issue is far from over.
BY BRENDAN BATTLE
one.) I liked how Harry Pot- uncle of Frodo from the first ter and the Deathly Hallows three Lord of the Rings movwas divided into two films, ies, who is drawn into an unbut the plot seems stretched expected adventure with a too thin here. party of dwarves The first third The Hobbit and the wizard of the book Now playing in Gandalf to deis mostly ex- theaters feat a legendary position, so it dragon. The story takes nearly is told with the an hour for same cast and dianything exciting to happen. rector as the excellent Lord For those of you who don’t of the Rings movies, and the know, The Hobbit is the same quality acting appears story of Bilbo Baggins, the here. New characters include
descendant of dwarf kings Thorin Oakenshield, the elf warrior Glorfindel and the orc commander Azog. However, the goblins, orcs and trolls in this movie are unfortunately Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). In the original movies, the minions of Mordor were much more intimidating in part to being real actors in makeup and costume, and the CGI creatures doesn’t have the same effect.
‘Hobbit’ moves along a bit too slow I was as excited as anyone for this cinematic return to Middle-Earth, in the form of an adaptation of the classic prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, but a couple of things about this movie don’t make sense. The relatively short novel is being adapted into three movies, which seems like a cash grab. (Three movies make more money than
PETER’S PALETTE by Peter Mansky
The official student newspaper of Troy High School www.thetroyindependent.org troynewspaper@gmail.com Carolyn Gearig, editor-in-chief Jake Lourim, editor-in-chief Peter Mansky, cartoonist Sarah Regan, advertising manager Erin Wrubel, advertising manager Anna Larson, social director Amanda McCafferty, social director Marcey Shehata, social director Brendan Battle, staff writer Liza Burakova, staff writer Marissa Ceccato, staff writer Annie Chen, staff writer Sarah Chmielewski, staff writer Peter Hao, staff writer AuJenee Hirsch, staff writer In Chan Lee, staff writer Katherine Maher, staff writer Annie Pappageorge, staff writer Alex Roettenberger, staff writer Tommy Rowbal, staff writer Katie Schlafhauser, staff writer Erin Tepatti, staff writer Jennifer Doptis, adviser
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The Hobbit isn’t a bad movie by any means, but it isn’t the movie of the year, either. It suffers from a slow plot and poorly executed CGI, but it still has the excellent sto-
ryline and great moments from the book. An Unexpected Journey is a solid choice for a movie to see over winter break, but not a must-see.