THE
BLAZER FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL’S INDEPENDENT VOICE
VOLUME: 64 ISSUE 1
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NOVEMBER 2014
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Blazer editorial policy
he Blazer strives to achieve the highest standards of journalism. It is our goal to inform, to persuade, and to entertain our readers and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas. We will provide balanced and fair reporting of topics of interest to our readers and commnity. Libel, invasion of privacy and disruption of the educational process will be avoided. The Blazer will not disparage any individual or group and will seek to treat all people fairly. The Staff Editorial, which carries no byline, is the option of the Editorial Board of The Blazer. It is not necessarily the opinion of the faculty, administration or student body of Flushing High School or Flushing Community Schools. The Blazer is proudly affiliated with the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) and Quill and Scroll, the International Honorary Society for High School Journalists.
Cover picture
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he Flushing Varsity football team takes the field for the 2014 Homecoming game against Brandon. The team does their traditional run in, hitting the banner as they leave the locker room for good luck. The boys beat Brandon with a phenominal comeback where they were down at the half. The final score was 42 - 35 with our Raiders coming out victorious and with smiles on their faces.
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Letter from the editor The Blazer is back
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By Crissy Mendoza
fter four long and silent years, Flushing High School’s independent voice is up and running once again. This year, we not only want to know about what’s going on around the high school, but we want to get the Flushing community as involved as we can. What’s going on downtown? What new shops are opening up? The Blazer staff wants this volume to be your go-to news source for all things Flushing. Our hope is that the news of The Blazer and what we are all about will spread like wildfire, even to people who don’t have kids at the high school. If you pick up an issue in your doctor’s office waiting room or at some restaraunt, spread the word! If you only tell one person then that one person tells one more person, soon your brother’s girlfriend’s aunt’s neighbor’s dog will know about everything going on around Flushing. I want to be able to show a member of the Swartz Creek community or Grand Blanc community our magazine and have them know, just from flipping through it, how great and involved Flushing is. They already know how great our sports team are from all of our Metro League wins and that we have got the highest ACT writing score for two years in a row now, but what they don’t know how much love and respect the people of Flushing have for our little town. Nowadays everyone is busy with their own thing, whether it be with a job, their family, or just with various different organizations around the community. We will be printing a couple thousand copies of The Blazer each month and distribute them all over town. Got a doctors appointment? It’s in the waiting room. Heading over to the dentist for a cleaning? There’s one on the table right next to you. The Blazer will be everywhere.
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Ebola: What is it? Attention fades, unrest continues Just a Thought; Devil’s Advocate Crossfire Student Profiles Weird History; Bamboozle Life Inside the Gap Author’s Corner The Secret of the American Teenager Personal Profile Gone Girl Annabelle; Fury Reviews American Horror Story Preview Fashion Trends Michigan/Michigan State Basketball Golf Tennis; Soccer
Corrections
It is our policy to correct errors of fact that are brought to our attention in the next issue.
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Staff Crissy Mendoza Phoenix Prevett Andrew Roth Ben Wright Tori Young James Napier Chloe Peter Jeff Betz Andie Boulton Kaylee Cornell Malyq Catron Myles Siglin Aliya Jehnsen Kay Kostoff Izzy Dubbin Maddison Nelson Amber Patterson Lindsey Coenen Morgan Keeler Emily Beutler Hannah Miners Courtni Jones Rachel Henneke Ethan Dupuis Emily Peterson David McGregor
Editor-in-Chief Copy Editor Advertising Manager News Editor Features Editor Sports Editor Opinions Editor People Editor Arts/Entertainment Editor Photography Editor Business Operations Information Editor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Contributor Advisor
Feel free to contact any member of The Blazer if you have questions or comments. We are located in room 100 during 5th hour.
The Blazer Flushing High School 5039 Deland Road Flushing, MI 48433 (810) 591- 3826 david.mcgregor@flushingschools.org
Contact us
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Contents
Letters to the editor are encourages. names will be withheld on request, but unsigned letters will not be printed. Letters may be edited for spelling and obscenities.
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Ebola: What is it?
n December 2013, the biggest Ebola outbreak tember. A freelance cameraman, Ashoka Mukpo, since 1976 began in West Africa. Over 5,400 working in Liberia for NBC contracted Ebola and people have been affected, and almost 3,000 peowas treated at a Nebraska Hospital. ple have died from On September 28th, Ebola Outbreaks: 1976 - 2014 the Ebola virus. 2014 Liberian national 6000 Ebola has killed Thomas Eric Duncan 5000 around 4,000 and was diagnosed with Eb4000 infected around ola and admitted to the 8,000 people since 3000 Texas Health PresbyteNumber of Infected Number of Deaths rian Hospital. Duncan 1976. The first 2000 reported case in the passed away on October 1000 United States was 8th, 2014. He was the on September 28th, 0 Outbreak of Outbreak of Outbreak of Outbreak of Outbreak of Outbreak of first case confirmed on 1976 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2007 2008 2013 2014 2014. American soil. While In September through October of 1976 , a he was in the care of the hospital, he came into hemorrhagic fever outbreak occured throughout contact with around seventy hospital staffers. Two Central Africa, more precisely Zaire, now known have been confirmed with having Ebola, Nina as the Congo, and Sudan, now known as South Pham and Amber Vinson. Vinson had flown to Sudan. It broke out around the Ebola River, hence Cleveland days after treating Duncan without any the name Ebola. The symptoms. During STUDENTS NOT SCARED OF EBOLA VS. SCARED disease infected 602 the trip she fell ill people and killed and decided to return 431 people. home. She had taken Since the precautions by calling 1976 outbreak, there the CDC on October have been 5 major 13th and was okayed outbreaks with 100 by them to fly back to or more reported Dallas. The day she cases. All outbreaks flew her temperature Students Scared of Ebola Students Not Scared of Ebola were dealt with was 99.5, below the within 8 months; the high risk zone of 100.4. 2013 - 2014 outbreak has began 11 months ago as She was taken to the hospital on October 14th of November 6th. This outbreak has spread to the with a fever. She was confirmed with Ebola on OcUnited States, in late July; two American doctors tober 15th. Public outcry has been massive to why working in Liberia were infected with the disease. she even flew after being in contact with Thomas They were moved to Atlanta, Georgia where they Eric Duncan. On October 22nd, Amber Vinson were treated, and were released. A third Amertested negative for Ebola after receiving platelets ican doctor was infected in Liberia, and he was from one of the doctors who contracted Ebola in transferred back to the states. He was placed in a late July, Dr. Kent Brantley. On October 23rd, Dr. Nebraska Medical Center and released in late Sep- Craig Spencer was confirmed with Ebola. He had
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By: Ben Wright been working in Guinea, Africa treating Ebola patients. On October 24th, He had walked around New York City taking public transit systems before being admitted to Bellevue Hospital in New York. He is currently in stable condition as of October 27th. Nina Pham was cleared and met with President Obama at the White House. A Washington Post poll showed 60% of Americans are in favor of some sort of travel ban with West Africa. According to spokespersons with The White House and the CDC have said they are not currently considering a travel ban. Many Americans have said that they are afraid of contracting Ebola. A poll taken of 81 Flushing High School students showed that only 10 students were scared of contracting it. Ebola has similar symptoms to those of the flu; vomiting, diarrhea, and fever of 101.5. Ebola is a very hard disease to contract, it’s only spread through bodily fluids. It’s only contagious when the person shows symptoms, which can occur within 21 days after contraction. Ways to avoid getting sick from Ebola are to not share a glass or drink with someone, blow your nose into a tissue, cough into your elbow, and most importantly wash your hands often! If you have come in contact with a person who is showing symptoms of Ebola and/or has recently been to West Africa, go to the hospital immediately and encourage the person to go as well. A cure for the Ebola virus is yet to be discovered. Medical organizations have been testing vaccines, but none have been fully tested for safety and efficiency. The CDC has taken steps to treat the Ebola virus by quarantining the patient and attempting to make the patient as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or just want to know more about it, please visit CDC.gov/ebola.
Timeline of Events Ebola Outbreak 2014
March 25th, 2014 - CDC makes first public statement about Ebola outbreak in Guinea
July 26th, 2014 - Kent Bradley diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia after treating Ebola patients
July 31st, 2014 - CDC advises Americans to avoid non - essential travel to West Africa
August 2nd, 2014 - Kent Bradley arrives in U.S. for treatment
September 30th - CDC confirms first case of
Ebola on American Soil in Texas, the patient being Thomas Eric Duncan
October 6th, 2014 - Ashoka Mukpo arrives in Nebraska for Ebola treatment
October 8th, 2014 - Thomas Eric Duncan dies in Texas
October 11th, 2014 - A nurse treating Thomas
Eric Duncan, Nina Pham, is diagnosed with Ebola
October 15th, 2014 - A nurse treating Thomas Eric Duncan, Amber Vinson, is diagnosed with Ebola
October 23rd, 2014 - Dr. Craig Spencer, a doctor who treated Ebola patients in Liberia, is diagnosed with Ebola
October 24th, 2014 - Nina Pham released Ebola - free
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Information courtesy of CNN
11/3/2014 1:18:46 PM
Attention fades, unrest continues
By: Phoenix Prevett
Two months after the seemingly wrongful death of 18 year old Michael Brown, Ferguson is still in unrest. The Missouri city has been fighting for justice of Mike Brown, as well as many other African-Americans who have been killed by the local police force.
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erguson’s dissent began with Michael Brown’s death; there are photos, videos and stories emerged from this revolutionary stand. multiple sides to the story of his unfortunate passing. Brown’s While some still stay informed, many may not know friend, Johnson, claims that he and Brown were simply walking that these rallies are still occurring. On October 11th, Brown’s home from a convenience store when the two encountered Offi- mother and hundreds of citizens lead a memorial near their home cer Darren Wilson. Johnson states that Michael was innocent and and his place of death. After a moment of silence and prayers, unarmed, with his hands up and pleading “Don’t shoot”. At least the mood lightened as the crowd sang along to Lil Boosie’s “**** six shots were fired by Wilson. Moments later, when a second the Police” amongst other songs. This night’s events have been officer and the paramedics arrived, Brown was pronounced dead. dubbed as “Ferguson October”. Some conflict occurred between Autopsy reports show that Brown was shot four times in the right the activists who wanted to stay peaceful, while others were upset arm, and twice in the head. with the police. Three more The next morning, young black males have been in a news conference, St. fatally shot by police since Louis County Police Chief the death of Michael Brown. Joe Belmar says Brown Brown’s mother and many physically assaulted Wilother demonstrators conson. Wilson’s significant tinue to fight for the justice other quotes his statement they see fit of these young on the matter; “They were men and Michael Brown, in walking in the middle of the hopes of shedding light on street. He rolled his window the actions of the officers. down and said, ‘Come on Tensions are rising guys. Get out of the street.’ in Ferguson after recent They refused to and were details of the Brown invesyelling back, saying we’re tigation were exposed by a almost where we’re going federal source to The New and there was some cussing York Times which indicated involved.” During a strugforensic evidence that could gle between the two, Wilrevoke potential civil rights son accounts that Brown charges against Wilson. reached for the officer’s On October 22, 2014, the gun. One shot was fired in CNN Student News broadthe car followed by other cast revealed that U.S. law gunshots outside of the car. enforcement sources told Michael Brown’s CNN that Brown’s blood death sparked protests was found on Wilson’s gun; around the nation. For sevinside the patrol car and on eral nights, the tensions his uniform. With this inbetween citizens and poformation, it is proved that lice were high as the people there was a grapple between fought for justice. These octhe two, which supports curances of civil disobediOfficer Wilson’s testimony ence and anarchy the town “Today is not the start of an event, today is and his rationale for using of Michael Brown were not the beginning of our movement. From this fatal force. While it was taken lightly by the police stated early on that there force. Tanks barricaded the day forward, we say no more. We say enough.” was a struggle between Wilcity, tear gas was thrown son and Brown, Johnson Photo courtesy of NBC News at the hundreds of demclaimed that Wilson was onstrators and armed officers assaulted multiple citizens. Upon the aggressor, and this evidence may counter that. Ultimatecovering this story, two reporters were detained in a McDonald’s ly, Officer Darren Wilson will have to be able to justify every restaurant by an officer. Despite the efforts of city officials; many shot fired at Brown, after the first, in front of the grand jury.
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Just By:AChloe Thought Peter
ear Flushing, I have never written an editorial before. There, now the good people of Flushing know how utterly inexperienced of an Opinions Editor I am. To expand on that, the entire staff of The Blazer are novices to the news business. Then again, the majority of FHS students have never read an issue of our fine publication, so maybe I can pass this off. This being the first Blazer in a few years, it seems perfect time to address first impressions, a dying art. I could go on and on about eye contact (yes!) or pajama pants (no!), but a heavier issue weighs on my mind; the handshake. While performing the obligatory post-match handshake at a recent Quiz-Bowl match, it struck me how poor most adolescent’s handshakes are. I’ve concluded that there are three types of bad shakes; the dead fish, the boa constrictor, and the new ring. Most common is the dead fish, consisting of minimal grip and no pumping what so ever. A new version of the dead fish I’ve taken notice of is
the decomposed fish in which someone just brushes their fingers across your palm. This says the shaker is uninterested and doesn’t care. Less common but more memorable is the boa constrictor, also called the “handbreak”. With a bone crushing grip and dizzying pump, the boa is the trademark of an overachiever. The rarest among the bad shakes is what I like to call “the new ring”. When going to shake hands, a new ringer only touches your hand with their finger tips and tilts their hand at an odd angle, as if expecting a kiss on the hand or showing off a new ring. This could be the trademark shake of someone rather full of themselves. Come on people, it isn’t that hard! Just stand up straight, look someone in the eye and give them a nice, firm handshake. Just like how the staff of The Blazer will extend our hands to you and hope you will extend yours back in turn by contributing to our newspaper. Together we can bring the community quality writing. After all, a newspaper isn’t that different from a handshake, both parties need to meet in the middle and make a bond; a connection. Best Wishes, Chloe
By: Chloe Peter ctober has wrapped up and with it, every- we put breast cancer, terrible as it is, over the other one has taken down the posters, ribbons, and types that claim 7.6 million lives each year? hoodies that all scream “Save the tatas!” in big pink letters. While most people’s thoughts run along the lines of sympathy for the ill and determination for CANCER FACTS the cure, I’ll admit it; I do not like Breast Cancer • Stage 2 Breast Cancer patients have a 93% surAwareness Month. I support cancer research and vival rate, while Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer have screenings, and know that breast cancer the fourth a 7% survival rate. most common type of cancer in America, but it is also among the easiest to catch, thanks to Octo- • 62,570 Cases of breast cancer are expected to be ber becoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month in diagnosed next year. Over 225,210 new cases of 1985. Other types of cancer are harder to catch and lung cancer are expected in the same period. less treatable, like pancreatic cancer, whose victims have a 5% chance of living five years, the difficult • Last year, 159,260 Americans died of lung canto operate on brain cancer, or the hard to detect cer, while 40,430 died of breast cancer. kidney cancer. I’m not suggesting that we do away with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, just that it Facts provided by the American Cancer Society share the spotlight with all types of cancer. There are more than 200 types of cancer, so why should
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CROSSFIRE
Should FHS be Open Campus?
No
Let’s be honest, I’m sure we would all rather go eat Taco Bell instead of the cafeteria’s food, but as much as an open campus sounds like a good idea, If by Emily Beutler it it is a big threat to students. Car crashes and eating unhealthy are a you few reasons why having a closed campus is a good thing. FHS has have a closed campus to keep students safe from accidents like car crashes. The lunch your period may not be long enough for students to get to the places they want, thus driver’s limaking them rush and drive carelessly to get back to school on time. Reckless cense, you know driving leads to car crashes and accidents that can potentially put students how it feels to have in harm’s way. freedom. That quickly When I think open campus, I think “Yes, fast food for lunch changes when you walk everyday!” as much as we don’t want to acknowledge it, the truth into the doors of Flushing High is that fast food is terrible for us. I think that if the cafeteria School; our building has a strict just started making good food that the students actualclosed campus policy. While some ly enjoyed then there would be no need for an open of our students think that we should campus. Closed campuses force us to eat healthy, remain a closed campus, many of us agree which we need, and if you really want fast that we should become an open campus. Closed food you can just get some after school or campuses prevents us from being able to leave the have someone bring it to you for lunch. school during our lunch period. With our lunches not Flushing used to have an open cambeing nearly as great as our lunch ladies make them seem, pus, but was proven to be a bad we crave different, better, foods now and then. idea so it was changed to keep I think that it would be a great idea to make our school an open us safe and healthy. Closed campus certain days a week, or only allow students to leave a few campuses are for the times month. Kaylee Cornell, a junior who drives herself, says “I don’t better and I don’t think it would be a problem, only if we have rules and regulations, and if see it changing anybody breaks them, there would be consequences.” Many students agree with anytime what Kaylee says, and maybe even say that if you break any rules, that you should soon. not be able to leave for lunch anymore. I believe that if our faculty shows that they can trust our students, then it would make us a lot happier, and I think we teens would have a greater respect for the staff.
Yes
by Hannah Miners • 12% of students agree • “Isn’t it kinda dangerous” wonders a sophomore • Mr. Melynchek explained “It’s a safety issue” and our “ We have enough room for everyone to eat here.”
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• 88% of students agree • One girl commented “Heck yes!” • “What if the fast food came to us” pondered Mr. Calix • “It would make it easier for kids to eat.” explained one student
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Student Profiles
By Rachel Henneke
Fresh Faces:
M c C a y l a Wa l l a c e
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hen McCayla Wallace is not practicing her cello, you may find her at a Girl Scouts meeting. Wallace is a senior, the second best ranking in Girl Scouts, has been a scout since kindergarten, and is working towards getting a gold award, the highest award in the world of Girl Scouts. Wallace has been playing cello since sixth grade and is currently part of the color guard in our school’s very own marching band. McCayla also stated she’s part of the quiz bowl team, where they compete against other schools and work towards nationals, although FHS has never gone. Wallace also enjoys chocolate pudding, and her favorite color is “meridian, it’s dark teal”.
Stellar Sophomore:
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Chase Morris
o those of you who have not met Chase Morris, he may seem like a funny, caring, laid-back kind of guy; that’s because he is. Morris has returned to Flushing after being at a different school district for the past three years, and is taking Algebra II even though he is only a sophomore. Chase plans on joining the track team in the spring, and will throw both shot put and discus. Morris is not only smart, but strong. He is not one of those stereotypical jock guys, either. Chase plans on attending college somewhere in Florida, or at least “anywhere except Michigan or any northern states”.
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Jazzy Junior: Heather Maurer
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adies – how many of you have dreamed about having the perfect fairy tale wedding when you grow up? Well, Heather Maurer is the complete opposite. Maurer said she will never get married, because she is “afraid to get married and then he’ll just be like ‘I don’t like you anymore, bye’ and then it will be really…sad”. However, she does want a lot of kids, just not a husband. When Maurer isn’t sleeping or eating, you won’t find her at any sporting events, because she “hate moving and physical things”. Instead, Heather spends her free time talking to complete strangers and making “high-pitch squeaky noises” for no reason. Maurer would like to become a flight attendant one day, because she wants to see the world. More specifically, Heather wants to visit Australia because she thinks the people there “are really really cool, unlike boring, fat Americans”.
Snappy Senior :
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Joey Lee
aving attended Flushing schools his whole life, Joey Lee is now a senior at Flushing High School. He is a tennis player for the Flushing Varsity Tennis team. Joey has been playing tennis since he was six, his tennis career started at the Flushing Valley Country Club. Flushing Valley is where he first met Mr. Thomas, the JV Tennis Coach, since then Mr. Thomas has coached Joey. “Dedicated, hardworking, and committed to tennis,” is how Joey describes himself as an athlete. This season was his first season playing doubles with his partner Nick Donnelly. Even though he lost states on Friday October, 17th, he left with a positive attidue saying they still played well. Joey and Nick won the #1 doubles flight at regionals, which Joey says is his biggest tennis accomplishment. Joey is interested in possibly playing tennis for a small college in the future. When not playing tennis, he likes to attend other Flushing sporting events to support his friends and peers.
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Bamboozle Your monthly list of weird words Balderdash – Senseless talk or writing; nonsense. Mugwump – A Native American word for a war leader. http://www.telegraph.co.uk Wassail – A greeting or goodbye that means “be in good health.”
http://findicons.com
Syzygy – An alignment of three celestial objects, such as the sun, the earth, and the moon. Blurb - A short description of a product written for promotional purposes. Darg - An amount of work that is considered resonable in a day. Doohickey – An unimportant, unspecified object. Jabbernowl – An old insult meaning “blockhead.” Bonus Word Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis – lung disease caused by inhaling ashes and dust near volcanoes.
Weird History with Myles Siglin
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Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Eat the Sandwich
ome consider it a mere lunch, others an art form. a name until an English noble, John Montagu, the From its humble beginnings, the sandwich has Fourth Earl of Sandwich, developed his version grown to be big business. According to answers.com, during his life of 13 November 1718 – 30 April 1792. over one billion sandwiches are sold per day. This He was an avid gambler and card player, and as such, successful, simple sustenance has an extraordinary he often missed the formal and excruciatingly long beginning. Throughout history, men and women meals of the time. He asked one of his servants to have eaten bread with their meat and vegetables. The bring him some meat and two slices of bread. Others book, An Uncommon History of Common Things, at the table playing with him started to ask for, “the has an article on the subject whichexplains that an same as Sandwich”. Now with a name, the sandwich ancient rabbi named Hillel the Elder put pieces of would go on to success and spawn numerous variroast lamb and herbs between ants. Subs, tacos, burritos, flattwo pieces of flat, unleavened breads, wraps all share a common bread during the Passover feast. ancestor of Hillel’s and Montagu’s In Europe’s Middle Ages, stale, snacks. The Blazer will be holdcoarse bread was used as a plate, ing a competition for the favorand if you were still hungry, you ite sandwich. Please submit your ate the “plate” and all of the tasty suggestions to the mailbox placed scraps on it. While the mainoutside Mr. McGregor’s class, stay of lunches had existed for Room 518. We will print the top hundreds of years, it didn’t have five sandwiches in our next issue. Photo courtesy of beantownbaker.com
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Life Inside the Gap By: Courtni Jones
http://listcrux.com
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rom generation to generation, the gap grows wider between the young and the old. Most teenagers complain that their parents know nothing about today’s generation. They feel as if older adults just don’t understand them! They don’t get their sense of style, the music they listen to, or the way they think. Today, it’s not uncommon to find elementary students in “committed relationships”. Shocking? Yeah, I know. But, that’s just the generation they are growing up in. Some argue this is partly due to how parents are raising their children; while others suggest that they are influenced by suggestive images on social media and television. These influences could prompt this generation to experience things and feelings earlier than previous generations. It appears with each generation, people become eager to learn more, be rebellious, and discover things. But, is there a point where they step beyond our line of discovery? If you were born after 1981, you are referred to as the Generation Y group. Studies say that Generation Y is way different from the previous generations. For example, people under the age of 75 believe that teenagers and young adults tend to look up to and admire people like athletes, movie stars, rappers, singers, and rock stars. Would you agree to this? Shockingly, adults over the age of 75 believe that teenagers and young adults admire their parents and their elders. These are results gathered from a survey given by PBS. A Nickelodeon survey results say otherwise. More than 80% of young people named their parents and grandparents as the people they admire the most. Studies say that young people who admire their elders more than they admire celebrities are less likely to use cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. The National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health reports, “When teenagers feel connected to their families, they are less likely to experience emotional distress.”
Just recently, 114 year-old, Anna Stoehr of Minnesota, joined Facebook. It wasn’t easy. Stoehr had to lie about her age because Facebook only allows users born after 1905. Stoehr was born in 1900. Although, she’s 114, she wants to be a part of what’s happening now. She sent a letter to Facebook’s creator telling him “I’m still here.” Yes, we’re different in ways, but there is something we all can find in common with each other. We just need to cross the line of d i s c ov e r y together, as one.
“When teenagers feel connected to their families, they are less likely to experience emotional distress.”
Those born before 1981 took the PBS survey and said they believe Generation Y has very little to offer them. According to the survey, teens and young adults strongly disagree. They believe they have plenty to offer older adults. Such as: chore services, being a friend to the sick and elderly by visiting them, and teaching them how to use the latest technology so they can stay up to date. That’s a lot to offer, don’t you think? Sadly, older adults think otherwise. Bridging the generation gap is about finding common ground between the young and the old. Technology could be a useful tool to bring everyone together.
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10/31/2014 1:31:15 PM
Author ’s Corner Author ’s Corner By: Maddison Nelson
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By: Maddison Nelson
’m not completely sure what inspired me to become a writer, all I know was at a very young age I was filled with all kind of emotions, so I started a dairy. In that diary I would write daily, and soon developed my writing into poetry,” says Isabel Cabrera about her writing career. Isabel is a seventeen year-old from California, her poetry book came out on November first of this year. Isabel’s book is called Poetic Thoughts, it can be purchased on lulu.com starting November first. Q&A With Isabel: Q: What is your favorite thing to write about? A: “My favorite thing to write about is love, heartbreak, and depression. Since those are areas I’ve experienced so much in my life, I can express my inner emotions through those genres.” Q: Who is your favorite writer, why? A: “I admire Sylvia Plath, for her raw, dark, and bare poetry. Her writing really speaks to me in ways I’ve never felt before. If anything I strive to be as creative as she was.” Q: Are you a romantic or realist? A: “Romantic by far, I mean, I have realist tendencies but I’m the type of person that believes in soul mates, and all that mushy stuff.” Q: What is your favorite quote? A: “I wish I could write a beautiful book to break those hearts that are soon to cease to exist: a book of faith and small neat worlds and of people who live by the philosophies of popular songs.” - Zelda Fitzgerald Isabel’s advice to young writers is, “Just keep going! There will be times you think you should stop because “you’re not good enough,” but it’s not true. If writing is a passion, it won’t matter how many eyes it reaches, as long as it means something to yours,” she also says, “Practice. Write every day, if you can. Even if it’s a line, or simple rhyme. It will make you better.”
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11/3/2014 1:21:20 PM
The Secret of the American Teenager
By Tori Young
http://pinlovely.com
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hen you’re sad, how do you handle those emotions? For some people, it’s smoking while reading their favorite book. For others, it could be drinking so much that you don’t even remember why you’re sad. Few may go as far as to move to more drastic narcotics, just so that they feel again. Some people cry, scream, or bury it down inside them. But there has been a new coping mechanism to arise within the past five years that you don’t hear about in D.A.R.E. This coping skill is one of the most dangerous to “come around”, if you will, and does not get the attention that it deserves. This mechanism is called, or referred to as, “self-harm”. I am sure several people have no clue what I am talking about, which just goes to show how little this issue is referred to. Self-harm is intentionally inflicting pain on yourself, normally by cutting with sharp objects, scratching or pinching, interfering with healing wounds, hair pulling, and even burning yourself. Some people may go as far as to cut or burn symbolic messages and words into their skin. Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Self harm doesn’t seem nearly as dangerous as drinking or smoking. Physical wounds heal, smoking and drinking damages you internally.” Well, I am here to tell you that self-harm is one of, if not the most dangerous habits around. 90% of people who self injure or mutilate are adolecents according to “thehealthyplace.com”. What is even more chilling is that the fourth leading cause of death for teens in the US is suicide. How are those two connected? Many people who cut will meet their untimely death in suicide. Whether an accident, or on purpose it does happen..
normally is easily hidden behind a pant leg or a sleeve. You will most likely never know someone self-harms, and they will most likely never tell you. The unfortunate thing is that most people who selfharm don’t get the help that they need. People just don’t understand, so they judge it. They tell hurting peers that they can “just get over it”, or “to stop being an attention seeker”. Would you tell someone who has smoked tobacco since they were 13 to just “put it down”? Or, how about an alcoholic who has known that bittersweet taste since they were 17 to drink some water. Doesn’t seem logical, does it?
“Wrists are for bracelets, Not cutting.” Now if you are suffering from this, there are to help. Talk to a trusted friend or teach-Kellin Quinn people er. If you feel comfortable about discussing this
This isn’t to say that everyone who cuts is suicidal. A big portion of those who self-harm simply do this to find peace with themselves. They bleed out all of the pain that the world has been driven beneath their skin. Depression in teens is much more common than you would think, and selfharm is one of those mechanisms that are easier to hide. If you smoke, you will come out of your room smelling like you have been puffing a pack. If you drink, it is somewhat difficult to hide the fact that you are intoxicated. Self-harm releases the anger, the sadness those individuals feel, and it can and
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with your parents, then do it. You may even want to go as far as seeking professional help, depending on the severity of the issue. But please, please don’t hold it in. You can’t be saved from a deep pool if you don’t swim toward the surface. And if you ever feel like you can’t take this pain anymore, please call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 for free confidential help. For us here at FHS, you can always talk to our school social worker, Mrs. Miller. Spread the word, and please get the help you need. Reach out, help someone. If you think someone may be struggling with this issue, tell someone. You can also text the raider hotline. And if you struggle yourself, there is hope. Things can get better, and they will. Stay strong, and take this seriously.
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10/31/2014 4:14:01 PM
Blazer Movie Minute A Non-Egotistical Personal Profile By: Ethan Dupuis
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or all those looking forward to movie reviews in the Blazer... I’m Ethan Dupuis. From this point forward I will be releasing my personal reviews in the Blazer of critically acclaimed films. It was brought to my attention that my reviews can be quite inflammatory, so it was decided that an introduction of sorts was necessary as to try to not insult the views of those who read my uncensored material. The most important thing to understand about me is that I will not settle for what “society” tells me is good. Secondly, mindless violence is a no go (unless accompanied by gripping dialogue and/or quality storytelling). That means anything that involves Michael Bay or any other directors who think explosions can substitute for an actual script are less than adequate to support my desires. Finally, my opinions on acting should be apparent already due to my views in other areas. I prefer actors who are dynamic in their range, and who can actually act *cough cough* Ben Affleck. (An example of an actor I don’t particularly care for). I’m looking forward to seeing you all reading my reviews.
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avid Fincher has done it again! He has effectively created another over rated movie that disappoints upon screening. Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and apparently Neil Patrick Harris, is not only frequently dry, but is undeniably predictable. Gone Girl begins as most films of its genre do, a depiction of boring everyday life suddenly thrown off kilter by a conflict, in this case, the untimely disappearance of Nick Dunne’s wife. However the film takes a dramatic twist when we find out that her disappearance may not be as straightforward as it seemed. Accusers claim that Nick did his wife in, and it all went downhill from there. That’s when Ben Afflecks performance went from average to unbearable. As he stared emotionlessly into the camera mumbling about how he didn’t murderer his wife, I couldn’t help but think about how much better those scenes could have been with a better actor. That better actor is not Affleck, who as we all know, is not capable of fabricating human emotions. Unfortunately, Pike’s performance also left me cold. Not even five minutes of Neil Patrick Harris could revive the film for me. Furthermore, the “Kyzer © 2014 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION Soze” was extremely predictable, 15 minutes into the show I un- derstood what was basically go- ing to happen. Keep in mind, it Critic was not a disappointing develop- ment, it truly changed the entire Reviews dynamic of the film. However it © 2014 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION could have been so much more Overall, the film was had they not made it so obvious. okay. Had the dry actors been reAlthough Fincher did manage placed with more talented ones, pull off a dynamic atmosphere, it would have been fantastic. which once I looked past Affleck, Even with a couple of predictreally pulled me in. I was kept able plot points, it was enjoyable From Metacritic By Ethan Dupuis on the edge of my seat once the to an extent. But still, in my ever film got interesting, well after the so humble opinion, wait for the halfway point. DVD release.
7 / 10
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10/30/2014 4:05:31 PM
Blazer Movie Minute Annabelle 4/10
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irector John R. Leonetti (Director of Insidious, and The Conjuring) is no newcomer to directing horror movies. But after watching Annabelle it felt as if this was a Netflix only release. This movie really could have been directed and produced better. Don’t get us wrong, the movie wasn’t… horrid. But the scariest thing in the entire movie was the doll. There were almost no jump scares, and even when you bring Satanism into the mix, it didn’t even make it scary. It made us more interested in the cult than it did the movie. Mia, who is played by Annabelle Wallis, played her role the best out of everyone in the film. John who is Mia’s spouse, was played by Ward Horton. He played the clueless husband well, but his character was really irritating throughout the film. Who leaves their pregnant wife alone for three days right after they
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were attacked by a satanic cult? Only in every horror movie. And you want to know what else? Mia kept the stupid doll. In all honesty, this movie is too stereotypical. The creepy doll, the stupid wife and husband, the demon wanting a soul. It was quite disappointing that it wasn’t original. The only reason that it made money is because it is a prequel to The Conjuring, which did fairly well. We do not recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys good horror films
By Tori Young, Izzy Dubbin, Kay Kostoff
6 / 10
ury was an incredibly depicted movie about WWII. Without trying to include any spoilers for those who haven’t seen it yet, Fury’s plot line was very well done. Almost too well. This 2 hour and 15 minute movie seemed to have almost too much character relations, plot and/or story, and general depth throughout its showing. Yes, everything in the movie could most certainly have happened, but to me it seemed very cliché. “Fury earned its R rating with graphic violence, but it was necessary to develop the physical horrors of war,” says Ethan Dupuis. The movie was more about the characters than the war at hand, which I was hoping wouldn’t be the case. Over all, yes it was an excellent portrayal of struggle, survival, and sacrifice of war, but I felt like I was reading a book. A very long, dragged out book. It was hard to keep fo-
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cused on the movie without day dreaming, which could have been because of how long the movie was. From a teenager’s point of view, I was glad to walk out of that movie theater. However, I would certainly recommend this for older mature adults, and others who have a very deep fascination with the World Wars. You would be able to appreciate its depth more than myself.
By Izzy Dubbin
11/3/2014 1:09:50 PM
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hree seasons. Each more terrifying than the last. Now, we are taken to an all new story. Welcome to the freak show. This gripping, blood-chilling season kicked off to a great start on October 8th, bringing us a new and ominous storyline. The show tells us the story of the last surviving travelling freak show in America in the 1950s, set in Jupiter, Florida. This peculiar circus is run by Elsa Mars, portrayed by Jessica Lange, a usual cast member of the American Horror Story series. Elsa is an aging woman who has a strange fascination in human oddities and unique mutations of the human body. In the premiere of this season, we are also introduced to Bette and Dot Tattler, a set of Siamese twins, whose personalities are drastically different from the other. The twins are both played by Sarah Paulson, also a returning cast member. Bette loves everything Hollywood and glamour, but her sister Dot, is very isolated, strict, and impatient and often have to control her sister if she is talking out of turn or not doing as she is told. Our next character is Jimmy Darling, a boy whose fingers were fused together on both hands. Jimmy is played by Evan Peters, an AHS fan favorite. Jimmy Darling is a flirtatious, yet dangerous boy at the freak show. However, behind the curtain, he wants to leave the show for something more. He wants a normal life, but his mother, Ethel Darling played by the amazing Kathy Bates, refuses to let him go. She believes that Miss. Elsa saved both of them and reunited them when they needed it most, and that Jimmy should be thankful.
By Emily Peterson in their sleep, so there’s that. Now, the thing about the American Horror Story series is that each season is drastically different from the last. The first season was about a family who moves into a house where many people have been murdered. The second season was all about a news reporter who admits herself into an asylum to find out how poorly mentally ill people are treated. Finally, season three is about a coven of teenage witches, all of which, may be the next ‘supreme’ or leader of all the witches. And now, we have the freak show. Filled with new, amazingly orchestrated characters who all just want to belong in the world. Since all the seasons are obviously contrasting from the other, it doesn’t matter what order you watch them. I however, recommend watching them in order, since each season gets better and better the more the series progresses. So if you love a good scare, watch American Horror Story Freak Show!
Finally, we have the most chilling character in the series so far, Twisty the Clown. This terrifying character is pretty much the epitome of horror and everything right with it. Twisty has really brought true fear to the show, as he is very unpredictable and the ‘twisted’ smile on his face is very contradicting to his personality. He also murders people
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10/31/2014 4:05:35 PM
ByAndie Boulton
Fashion of the time
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ay goodbye to flip-flops and short-shorts and hello to sweater weather. With the chilly climate underway, it’s time to find new Fall/ Winter fashion inspirations. Whether you want to bring back tartan shown in the 90’s movie Clueless, or rock a little black boot, this season’s trends are full of diversity. To keep you looking stylin’ this chilly season, follow these fashion trends. With Fall ending and Winter coming back, every fashionista is on the hunt for new style trends. Since Fashion Week is in the Fall season, people are looking for fashion to pull off the runway and put in their closet. This year, one of the biggest trends to lookout for is plaid. And not the typical flannel around your waist kind of plaid, but more of fashionable, put together look. You can wear this pattern in every form of clothing like skirts, tops, jackets, etc. This style also can be worn preppy or more grunge. Another must have this season are little black booties. If you walk around Flushing High School you will see an abundance of girls wearing this trend. Whether they are dressed up, dressed down, heeled or not, black ankle boots will go with anything you wear. More trends that are in for this winter season are dark, bold lips and dark nails. Finding a shade of lipstick or nail polish to match your clothes every day of the week can be
time consuming. That’s why going with dark nails and lipstick is almost always a guarantee to go with your wardrobe. Trying to find a stylish, warm coat is somewhat of a constant struggle during Winter. Statement coats are going to be popular this season. Faux fur coats are unquestionably cutting-edge and are in trend this year. Stores like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters are covered in them. “Fur coats will be on trend this year,” says Alyssa Kohler, senior, “I almost bought one from Urban Outfitters.” Another style of coat to look out for is long coats. Whether they are printed or simple, a coat down to your knees will keep you chic and warm.
Right: Alli Barclay shows off her ontrend style
Left: Sabrina Torres displays her little black boot
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Michigan, Michigan State prepare for season without last year’s stars ast season’s Big Ten college basketball competition reached a peak in excitement between the in-state
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rivals in Michigan. The B10 regular-season champion Wolverines were led by conference player of the year Nik Stauskas. The Spartans found their scoring with dynamic guard Gary Harris in the backcourt and Adreian Payne displaying his force in the frontcourt. Last season had unprecedented levels of competition thanks to these three, but their talents are now devoted to the NBA. The star power will be a step down from last year, but figuring out the next rising stars for the programs could make this season even more intriguing. “With Payne and Harris gone there’s some er and rebounder, but he’ll have to step up this year holes there, but there’s been holes other years,” MSU to play a role as an offensive weapon. head coach Tom Izzo replies to the concerns over Michigan’s young stars are in the same pothe absence of last year’s leading scorers. U of M sition. Caris LeVert, junior in the starting lineup coach John Beilein finds his team to be in the same for the second year in a row, looks to lead this team predicament without his star, Stauskas. The sea- with help from sophomores Derek Walton Jr. and son begins in less than a few weeks, and it’s still in Zak Irvin. LeVert has looked capable of producing question who will be the leader or leaders of their Stauskas-like big plays and leadership but he will teams. Along with Harris and Payne, Spartan fans need sufficient support from others for this Michwill be missing Keith Appling’s experience at the igan team to be anything like it was last season. If point guard position this year. Nik Stauskas was not Irvin’s attempts-per-minutes ratio is equivalent to only the points provider for the Wolverines, but was last year’s, he’s projected to attempt over 300 three also one of the hardest working and most exciting pointers, beating the U of M record by a landslide. players in the country, and leaves a blank void in the This offensive threat, combined with Walton Jr., will Michigan basketball program. help balance out the defense and Although filling these holes make it easier for LeVert to be the seems like a difficult task, these proleading points-scorer. grams are some of the best in the It would not be a bold statecountry, and still have a number of ment to say the two teams will be promising players to contribute this in contention for more championseason. ships and deep runs when March Michigan State’s Branden comes around. The six B10 teams Dawson, returning for his senior ranked in the preseason Coaches’ year, was starting to play great basPoll all play each other at least once, ketball last year before he broke his promising plenty of exciting games hand mid-season. He joins Denzel to watch. I predict Michigan and Valentine and sharp-shooter Bryn Michigan State will split with each Forbes (transfer from Cleveland State) as players other, the home team winning both. The two will already with solid amounts of playing time. Travis pull off some tough wins against their competitive Trice, Appling’s replacement at point guard, and big conference opponents, landing them anywhere man Matt Costello aren’t used to starting games, but from second to fifth in the conference. It’s hard to certainly have the necessary amounts of experience guarantee anything about Michigan and Michigan and talent to have positive influences on the team. State basketball for the 2014-2015 season, but we Dawson’s play is the determining factor of MSU’s can count on the two supplying top notch effort and success this year. He has always been a solid defend- more high-intensity play like last year.
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11/3/2014 12:54:44 PM
Girls golf finishes top ten in state
By: James Napier hen you step in the gym at Flushing High can only get better from here. When asked about School and take a look at the banners in the the future of the program, graduating senior Emily rafters, you will notice only one banner that reads: says the team will continue to be successful. “Kayla state champions. With all of the success Flushing Gerhardt and Kerri Parks are going to take over the Athletics has endured, only the 1977 girls golf team leadership role, and I definitely see another Metro has been crowned the best in the state. To this day, Title in their future.” Seeing success and champithe girls golf team, coached by King Par pro Kyle onships is something Raider fans love, and we get Martin, still likes to remember the tradition of the plenty of that with our girls golf team. program when fall competitions come around. The girls, led by Captain Emily Nestor, experienced plenty of success this year. Conference competitors were no match for the Raiders, and they were able to claim the Metro League Championship with ease. Emily commented particularly on the victory over Fenton, saying “they were our biggest competition and we just took a ton of momentum from that for the rest of the season.” After a strong second-place finish at Regionals, Flushing finished 10th overall in the entire state. It was a great year for the program, and it
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FLUSHING HIGH SCHOOL
ABC Club ABC welcomes any and all new members. Meetings are held in the North Café every THURSDAY at 2:40.
Anti-Bullying Club started in 2012. We are a club that focuses on creating a safe, respectful environment at Flushing High School. We promote sticking up for others, performing random acts of kindness and helping students at Flushing High School feel welcome. We believe that everyone at FHS will benefit from creating a respectful school environment.
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11/3/2014 1:17:06 PM
Boys tennis finishes eighth in state “A
im for the Raider spot,” you would hear the Flushing Varsity Tennis coach Allan Nelson say behind the fence. As fall sports are coming to an end, the boys tennis team once again makes it the State Finals. Straight from the get-go the tennis team started their season off with a 3-0 win at the Flushing quad. As their season continued on they practiced and improved their skills independently and as a team to finish strongly with an overall record of 15-3. The most important wins were against Swartz Creek, Clio, Flint Kearsley, Fenton and Brandon. The 3-5 loss against Holly makes Flushing’s Conference record an impressive 5-1. October 10th was the 2014 Boys Tennis Regionals held at Holly/Fenton. Flushing pulled through and finished the long day in second place with a total of 25 points. Flushing’s
By: Morgan Keeler Nick Donley and Joey Lee won the no. 1 doubles championship with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Holly’s no. 1 doubles team. At no. 2 singles Matt Hoff defeated Davison 6-1, 6-3. The boys’ second place finish moved them on to the 2014 Division 2 State Finals at Kalamazoo College. In the first round, Flushing won 7 of their 8 matches. Aaron Adams at no. 1 singles defeated the no. 1 singles player from Wyandotte 0-6, 6-3, 6-4. Tyler Roddie and Alex Hallandal at no. 3 doubles defeated North Farmington 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. At no. 4 doubles, Flushing’s Eli Hallandal and Matt Karas swept away Grosse Point North 6-4, 6-3. To wrap up the weekend, the team receieved 11 points and placed 8th in the state, the best finish in Flushing history. Coach Nelson summed up his thoughts on this season as “fabulous and absolutely pleased.”
Boys varsity soccer finishes season at 10-7-2
By:Jeff Betz he Boys Varsity Soccer team encountered plen- sible. Some of the guys are going to work in small ty of exciting games this year, finishing the sea- man groups, and some guys will be weight lifting, son at 10-7-2. This may not have been the record all to prepare for next year so we can be at our absothey were hoping for, but looking back at each of lute best.” the conference losses, each were decided by one The record could have been better for this goal. “As long as you’re out there competing for season, but overall the Raider fans were happy, the each game, that’s a strong season,” Coach Rishmawi players were satisfied, and the coach seems content said himself. and is eagerly awaiting next season. Rishmawi continued to say “I felt we had a strong season. I feel that there were some games that we did not win but probably could have won, if we had known the system we were running a little better. I also feel that as a team and as individuals we improved greatly.” When asked how this team can improve over the offseason, he replied with “Continue to work as a collective unit, and we need to begin to understand the system were trying to run. This offseason we are going to get as much training as pos-
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