FHSTheFlash vol 55 issue 1 - 2014-15

Fraser High School-34270 Garfield Road, Fraser, Michigan 48026 - Volume 55 - Issue 1- October 2014

Our Blue Angel Page 5 By: Laurel Kraus

Vapor Trails of Trouble Page 3 By: Amy Weed

Benchwarmers Page 15 By: Emily Drumm

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What is ALS? FHSTheFlash.com

Tylah Fortson

Flash Staff Reporter

First, the thing to do was the fire challenge involving reckless teens, lighters, and rubbing alcohol. Now it’s the ice bucket challenge with iced water, a bucket, donations, and nominations, all in the name of ALS. Videos of celebrities and people emulating celebrities doing the ice bucket challenge can be found all over the internet.

Even recently, Fraser district staff made a video, after being nominated by the Fraser tennis team, of most of them doing the ice bucket challenge. It ended with Dr. Lonze nominating all the Fraser Students and challenging them to raise $1500 and in exchange, he’ll do the ice bucket challenge at the homecoming game.

It can all seem exciting in a way, but after all the ALS ice bucket challenge videos that have been posted, there aren’t many explaining what ALS is. What is ALS? Well, despite the uproar the challenge brings, the disease the challenge promotes is pretty serious. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis “ALS” is a disease involving the immobility of limbs.

Basically, there are motor

neurons in the body that directly affect the brain and spinal cord. It is a negatively progressive disease, so over time motor neurons will continue to deteriorate until the person goes into a paralysis like state.

From there, in only a matter of time, the person eventually dies. Now how is throwing a bucket full of ice on your head relevant to ALS? No one seems to know that either. Maybe the challenge was created

Flash Reporters Tylah Fortson Carmen Yan Contributors Kaitlyn Barrett Bryan Dunlap Elizabeth Girard Kennedy Gray Mackenzie Hines

and a vine repost? You choose.

www.twitter.com/FHStheflash

www.fhstheflash.tumblr.com Fraser Administration participates in the participates in the ALS Ice Bucket Challange Photo Credit:Thaddeus Jurkowski

www.fhstheflash.com

Assistant Editor Emily Drumm

Find The Flash!

www.facebook.com/fhstheflash

Visit The Flash online at: Editor-in-Chief Laurel Kraus Amy Weed

in irony. There is a numbness that comes with cold water. When that ice runs down your body, you get a two second glimpse at what having ALS may feel like. It is a sad reality. But as a people, we should be proud that we are all participating in something so positive. Besides, what’s worse? Being cold and donating for a good cause? Or lighting yourself on fire for a couple Facebook likes

News

Sarah Hodges Jaswinder Kaur Amber Monchau Eddie Smith Kane Walenciak Madison Winbigler Adviser James Flanagan

The purpose of the Flash is to inform and entertain our audience, which includes the entire community, on subjects that may affect our readers. We also aim to be an open forum for the audience to be heard and make comments and observations. It is our intent that we provide this information in a clear, meaningful, and journalistic way. The Flash is a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA).

Editorial Policy The editorial board is the decision-making group for the newspaper staff. It includes the editor-inchief, assistant editors, and all other writers, web editors, and photographers. The board is in charge of making the decisions on what will go into the newspaper. If a controversial issue arises, it is the common assumption that there will be nothing published in the newspaper that is libelous, obscene, copyrighted, disrupting, or advocating illegal activities.

Contact Us At the Flash, we encourage letters to the editor so that our readers can cooperate with us to make a better newspaper. Any signed letter of which is not libelous, obscene, or regarding defamation or incitement may be accepted to be published. Letters are subject to edit for grammar and content if necessary. Please keep letters 250 words or less. Letters can also be submitted to the journalism room or in the main office, as well as via e-mail to theflash@ fraserk12.org Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: Letter to the Editor, The Flash 34270 Garfield, Fraser, MI 48026

News Vapor Trails of Trouble

October 2014, Volume 55, Issue 1

such as: ear wax and Cloud Imminent Danger to 9.

Health or Lives” which is Amy Weed Nationwide, SSS reported pursuant the Public Health Editor-In-Chief the statistic of 1.78 million Code 33.2451,” said Officer students who admitted to Pettyes, “The order was A new way of smoking has received a heavy using e-cigarettes. That’s implemented to secure the following for its seemingly “safe”, “legal” status and more people than twenty safety of our community. “non addicting” usage: Electronic Cigarettes. What Ford Field Stadiums can The substance that has people in the Fraser community may not know hold! Then there’s the been identified in Cloud is that since February 2014, there have been four reality that 1.78 9 is actually a “synthetic FHS students who have “Those rumors of ‘lesser million are only drug” that is called ABbeen hospitalized from amount of harmful the ones who Pinaca.” ingesting Cloud9, the This Macomb County synthetic drug commonly chemicals’ are bogus.” have admitted to doing so. action is higher up on used with electronic According to the Center the chain than Fraser, cigarettes, directly by dropping the drug onto the for Disease Control and so Fraser can utilize tongue or smoking it on the electronic-cigarette.

Prevention, advertising the ordinance through Since April, 2014, poison control has documented the health department.

23 young people hospitalized in the tri-county area. for e-cigarettes is reaching teens and children with Wayne’s order refortifies E-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) are considered frightening success owing the Public Act 183 of 2012 by some a supposedly safe substitute for real to its different colors ban involving synthetic cigarettes. Some people think there are less harmful and flavors: blue to pink, drug K2. chemicals in the e-cig. and sex on the beach to “I have first-hand Those rumors of ‘lesser amount of harmful sweet mint. Almost like knowledge of the four chemicals’ are bogus. the kiddie bag one got at students that have been According to Stay Safe Series (SSS) brochure, the a dentist visit with choice hospitalized. Their devices contain nicotine, an addictive chemical that of colorful toothbrush and identities will remain makes smoking the e-cigarette difficult to quit, and flavor of toothpaste. confidential,” said Officer they give off a greater amount of smoke. Using the Earlier this year, the Pettyes, “I had one 14 e-cigarettes also puts the user at risk for nicotine synthetic drug, AB Pinaca, y/o student whose Mom poisoning by the substance leaking onto the user’s was being sold in gas actually bought the E-cig face or into the mouth. E-cigarettes can be used Mr. Stick Man is not feeling so good after using thefor her because she wanted stations and smoke shops to vaporize other harmful, synthetic drugs as well, e-cig and Cloud9.to make smoke rings with to minors.

Photo Credit: Amy Weedthe vapor. That is a fact.

Because of the response of children and teenagers When I contacted the Mom, she didn’t think it was to the synthetic drug, Fraser Public a big deal because her daughter wasn’t smoking an Service Director George Rouhib actual cigarette. Our body, our lungs, our brains are announced that Fraser would consider not meant to put chemicals into them.” an ordinance that will ban the sale Complete knowledge of AB-Pinaca’s effects on the of e-cigarettes, and other synthetic body is still unknown. drugs such as Cloud9, also sold under “AB Pinaca is a synthetic cannabinoid (synthetic the name Relax and Clown, to people marijuana/drug) that’s chemical compound is under the age of 18. The ban is similar not listed in the controlled substance act (which to the ban on tobacco would make it illegal). Like to people under 18.

K-2, it legally got on the market “Nationwide, SSS This step forward to but after it was discovered to reported the restricting its use will be dangerous to health it was statistic of 1.78 hopefully also influence evaluated and eventually added million students whoto the law,” said Officer Pettyes, the surrounding admitted to using “Currently, many community counties to follow suit. e-cigarettes. That’s leaders and law enforcement Effective November 1, more people than 2014, the ordinance agencies are working on trying to makes it illegal for twenty Ford Field get a more specific law that will anyone under the age of Stadiums can hold!” blanket any and all substances 18 years old to purchase that are created as a synthetic or possess Electronic cigarettes and/ drug. This will take time.” or Electronic Vaporizers. If students Even just once, the effects of this lethal drug can under 18 are caught with electronic land the owner/user in jail with hefty fines. One cigarettes will be criminally charged could become addicted and start experimenting as well as school consequences. with other synthetic drugs using the e-cigarette as “Macomb Officials passed an the smoking device.

“Emergency Order to Prevent One puff is one to many.

Photo Credit: Officer Lisa Pettyes

3

5 Things You Need to Know About E-Cigs 1. E-cigarettes are addictive - One of the greatest advantages of e-cigs is that they don’t contain as many harmful chemicals as regular cigarettes contain nicotine.

Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that makes smoking very hard to stop.

2. E-cigarettes contain chemicals that are harmful to your health - Studies show that e-cigs do in fact contain harmful chemicals.

In two leading brands of electronic cigarettes; the FDA found alarming levels of cancer-causing chemicals-including traces of diethylene glycol, a poison used in anti-freeze.

3. E-cigarettes put you at risk for nicotine poisoning - Nicotine is a poison. In some bottles of e-liquid, there is enough nicotine to kill a child. Researchers have discovered several issues related to e-cig designs. One flaw is that the devices may sometimes leak nicotine on the skin or inside of the user’s mouth. This creates a huge risk for nicotine poisoning.

4. E-cigarettes are not yet regulated The greatest issue with e-cigs is the fact that they are not regulated. Studies have shown that e-cigs have incomplete and inaccurate labeling.

5. The health effects of e-cigarettes are unknown - Since electronic cigarettes are so new no one is exactly sure what is in them. There are no long-term studies on the health effects of these devices. Also, there is no proof that the vapor inhaled by users is safe.

Any questions? Please email Officer Pettyes at Lisa.Pettyes@fraserk12. org or lisam@fraserdps. com

Feature

4

Reaching for her Dream

FHSTheFlash.com

Amy Weed

“The band noticed them and Kennedy has a goal in mind, my dream by helping me save up wanted me to make some for them. much like everyother student. for more art supplies and getting They know of me, and they said What sets her apart is her talent in into a good art school and what “If you’re ever at a concert, you the arts and her actions to attain not. It’s also helping me save could hit us up and talk to us about her aspirations. up for things like my tattooing selling shoes,” Kennedy said. “They “I don’t know what’s expected apprenticeship and tattoo supplies asked if I would make five pairs of of a tattoo artist, but the skill and things like that,” Kennedy shoes for them to sell/auction (they set she possesses could take her said, “Tattooing and just dealing would cover cost of production) farther,” said Mrs. Di Pace, “She is with more “out there” and and donate a percentage of the extremely talented, hard working, alternative styles of art, like body proceeds to a charity and to and has highly developed art modifications and what not, just myself.” for a 10th grader. Her touch is kind of grabbed “It is important to have Opportunities sophisticated with a good sense of my attention confidence in your ability to such as design.” the most. But of Not every person knows what he course, I won’t create. That must be tempered Kennedy’s happen only or she wishes to do in life. It might just stop there with reality.” -Di Pace. if the person be discovered down the road, or with my art.” gives the world tomorrow. All one can do is follow Kennedy a chance to have it happen. Putting their heart to where they’d like to explores not only her crafting, but oneself out there is the first step to be and let nothing extraneous hold her drawing and painting. In the any endeavor from auditioning for them back.

Festival of the Senses, Kennedy a school play to applying for a job. made a wonderfully crafted 4x4 graphic design of Anti-Black Racism featuring icons from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bob Marley. Her art teacher, Mrs. Di Pace, had nothing but praise for Lauren Kennedy works on a drawing for class. her.

Photo Credit: Amy Weed “The products on Lauren’s website are interesting, some more than others,” said Drawing and Go onto a Google search and look reason is balderdash.

Painting teacher Mrs. Di Pace, “It Lauren Kennedy, a sophomore up the statistics of kids who attain is important to have confidence in at Fraser High School, is carving their dream job or one in a similar your ability to create. That must be a path to her ideal future in her field. Depressingly, only 30% of tempered with reality. Confidence own way: running and managing people attain their dream job, can be built by practicing a her website (www.etsy.com/shop/ according to Huffingtonpost.com. craft and increasing one’s skill If one wishes to reach their dream LaurensCraftsnTHings) since July set. Creativity can be increased by of 2013.

At the moment she has 30 there is only the barriers they exposure, and by allowing one’s orders and over twenty products themselves put there. Saying one self more and more opportunities on her site. cannot because of such and such to create.”

“I make a bunch of stuff. I make Kennedy’s accessories range in accessories. I paint shoes and I cost from $5-$20. Her highestmake jewelry. That’s mostly it item but I can “... running and managing her priced is her handcustomize website ...e July of 2013. At the painted anything moment she has 30 orders and over vans, which they go for $120. want,” said twenty products on her site.”

Just after A Black Leather Necklace with Buddha Charm by Lauren Kennedy for sale at Kennedy. her webite’s etsy.com/shop/LaurensCraftsnThings “I use the money I make to buy launch, her highest grossing more art supplies for painting and Nothing can start until one gets in item captured an England band’s drawing.

Want to check motion. attention.

According to collegeboard.org Lauren out?

“I’m making portfolios for CCS, Late August 2013, she posted Trends in Higher Education, with Find her at www. college for creative studies. It’s in an incomplete fanart picture of a each passing year the price of a etsy.com/shop/LauDetroit; I first heard about it 6th pair of vans on instagram for an college education increases. Saving rensCraftsnThings grade but I never got into it until England based band Neck Deep. is a must for a student, yet for 9th grade. I heard people talk The quality craftsmanship on the Or at Facebook and some parents that is not possible, about it a lot. I’m not sure what I Neck Deep inspired shoes were so Instagram, name: Lauso the student needs to work his or A sketch by Lauren Kennedy. want to go into, but I know I wanna extraordinary it caught the band’s her way through college. rensCraftsnThings​ Photo Credit: Lauren Kennedy go there,” said Kennedy. eye.

“My business helps me achieve Editor-In-Chief

Features Our Blue Angel

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October 2014, Volume 55, Issue 1

Laurel Kraus

Editor-In-Chief

The Blue Angels flying at the Selfridge Airshow Photo Credit: Laurel Kraus

Frosch confessed that he lacked The airshow crowd scrambles with their cameras as the F/A-18 the drive to apply himself to his Hornet flies in from behind at education.

“There was nothing a shocking 600 mph, startling distinguishable about Tom Frosch everyone with its stealth-like approach. This incredible plane in High School, but in flight school he really matured. I believe a is part of the Navy’s pride flight demonstration squadron, The Blue person has to be extraordinary in order to fly those planes,” Said Al Angels.

Stationed out of Pensacola, Kastl, Frosch’s 9th grade English Florida, demonstration pilots teacher and football coach.

2-7 and more then 100 crew Fortunately, Commander Frosch discovered what was important and support members are led by Commanding Officer Tom Frosch before it was too late. He strongly (pilot No. 1), codenamed Boss. encourages students to avoid “I am so privileged and proud making the same mistake that he to represent the 500,000 men did. and women in “I believe a person has “It’s so the Navy Marine to set to be extraordinary in important short and long Corp,” Frosch commented. order to fly those planes.” term goals, and Commander to have a plan on -Kastl Frosch grew up how to achieve them,” Frosch in right here in Clinton Township, Michigan where emphasized.

The one part of high school that the first seeds of his career were planted.

Frosch did have going for him was “My dad was in the German air football. In fact, he earned his way force before he became an engineer into The US Naval Academy on an in America, so when I was six years athletic scholarship. old he took me to the airshow “Fraser provided such great at Selfridge Airbase,” Frosch opportunities for education, reminisced. “I knew right then that leadership, and sports,” Stated flying planes was what I wanted to Frosch. do.”

Despite the fact that Frosch Although he had his goal in had trouble applying himself, he mind, he had no plan to get there. seemed to always possess many Looking back at his time attending valuable traits such as kindness our very own Fraser High School, and friendliness.

“I remember Tom always helping “My family and I just saw The his parents and neighbors when Blue Angels fly this past Saturday they needed him,” Described at Selfridge Airbase,” Stated Linda Frosch’s previous neighbor, Linda Biondo’s daughter, Cara. “They Biondo. “He is very dedicated to his were amazing! They did quite a few family and to his country.” moves where they were only inches Commander Frosch carried these away from each other, and they values with him when he went on made it look so simple and easy. It to join The Blue a great show!”

“Right now I am just was Angels.

Interestingly enough, When The proud to bring The having The Blue Blue Angels at airshows is Blue Angels back Angels were formed equally as thrilling for in 1946, their to my hometown.” the pilots inside the initial objective planes.

-Frosch was military “We get to travel recruitment. around the country, Today, they continue to recruit, yet my favorite part is getting to but have also added promoting see how excited the kids are after excellence to their mission the shows because that used to be statement. me. Right now I am just proud to “We want to encourage people to bring The Blue Angels back to my follow their dreams and to serve hometown,” Frosch remarked. others,” Frosch expressed.

As to what Commander Frosch During airshow season, The will go on to do once his time with Blue Angels travel through the The Blue Angels is up, we can only country to a new community every speculate. Nevertheless, he has week, bringing with them both earned the respect and gratitude their message and good family not only of people from Fraser, entertainment. but from all across the country.

Commander Frosch presenting a commerative autographed plaque of The Blue Angels to Fraser’s superintentant Dr. Richards.

Photo Credit: Flash Staff

He has truly proven that no dream is out of reach.

“Someone has to fly The Blue Angels,” Kastl considered. “So why not a Fraser kid?”

The Fraser Journalism and Broadcast Crew interview Commander Frosch at Selfridge Airbase Photo Credit: Becky Carson

6

FHSTheFlash.com

Tylah Fortson

Flash Staff Reporter

Ever been woken in the wee hours of the morning by an alarm, a phone, or a yelling mom just because on that day, just like the day before and the day after, you have to be in this big ole place called High School? You wake up groggy, pull yourself together, and drag out your morning until you are dressed, your teeth are brushed, book bags are all together, and shoes are on. See, school has just started again, for another year, and already the early mornings, seven school day hours, and the tremendous amounts of homework are already feeling ridiculously old and incredibly repetitive. After a while, school becomes a misery to come to. Between every student, the reasons may vary, but a few specific students thought to share their opinion about why school can seem to be a miserable place. Along with that, research was put into place about what the researchers believe is the reason for so many students’ negativity.

Ephraim Fortson, a 10th grader at Fraser High School is one who doesn’t enjoy high school much. He stated that, “I enjoy the social part [of coming to school] but I don’t enjoy other parts.” Fortson said, “I don’t really enjoy the school work. But that’s inevitable. I really hate how early school starts because you’re never able to get enough sleep.”

In Ephraim’s opinion, besides the workload, the early mornings are his ideal of what makes school such a misery. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and yes this is a real foundation, “ Evidence suggests that teens are seriously sleep deprived.” The Foundation also noted that an unnamed congresswoman was quoted saying: “Over time, sleep deprivation leads to serious consequences for academic achievements, social behavior, and the health and safety of our nation’s youth.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation and the unidentified congresswoman, waking up early has a negative effect on students. If that is true and a student’s grades

Features Get Over It

and social behaviors are affected, it can be assumed that it makes coming to school so much more hard.

For some students, such as Ephraim, the distaste for school is as simple as the early morning.

But for others, they may have discovered a disliking for it for other, more complex reasons such as Fiza. Fiza Uddin an 11th grader in Fraser High School said that for her, feeling misery about being in school doesn’t involve the early mornings or long school days. She said, “I enjoy learning and [my] classes, but I don’t really enjoy school. Just the way the school is made up is just awful.” When asked to elaborate, she said, “Sometimes it’s just hard to be yourself. We’re expected to just listen and be

quiet and dull. We’re expected to conform and be like everyone else.” Fiza’s idea is that a student’s individuality is left outside the school doors. It can seem difficult for one to express oneself.

But in any society there are proactive and non-proactive stances. It can be difficult to stand out amongst a bunch of different personalities, sizes, shapes, and colors. In all reality, no one really cares how any high school student feels about high school. As many teachers have been heard saying, “school is not a place for fun and games or friends, it’s to get an education.” The gigantic question that is shouting in this paper is, considering school is a place for learning, should students hate getting the education that is offered because of the everyday

Sophomore Sharon Huddleston lays her head down in class then gets caught by the teacher.

Photo Credit: Amy Weed

roadblocks they face being in the place? How much can one really learn if they’re despising that they have to be in an uncomfortable environment.

Luckily though, there are those sprinkled in the crowd of haters that are pro high school. One specifically would be Michael Clifton-Plummer, a 9th grader at Fraser High School. When asked how he felt about school, he responded, “I love coming to school.” When asked how he kept up such a positive attitude towards school, he suggested, “ you have to find something to enjoy; a hobby.”

For example, his is football where he said his teammates are like his brothers and in school and on the

field, his brothers keep him in line and focused. Michael thinks that people who hate school probably hate it because they haven’t found anything to commit to. “Find something you like and stick to it.”

Maybe Michael is right; that committing to something is finding a way to express oneself in the school’s atmosphere and changes any negative feelings. Either way, if one wants to succeed, supposedly, they must, endure, work hard, and keep it moving through hard times and adversity. That’s all that can be asked of anyone. So, for all those pushing themselves everyday despite what may be holding them back: Keep fighting and find a way to get over it.

Features New Food Requirments: A Must or a Bust?

Laurel Kraus

Editor-In-Chief

their guidelines,” Fraser’s Food Service Director Carolyn Morfino commented.

Among dozens of other requirements for the school year of 2014-2015, every snack item has to be at least 51 percent whole grain, every high school breakfast has to have a minimum of one cup of fruit, and every high school lunch must have a minimum of one cup of vegetables.

There are also calorie, sodium, fat, and sugar limits. For example, snack items can be no more than 200 calories while entrees can be no more than 350 calories. And sugar can be no more than 35 percent of the total weight of an item.

These new requirements have changed or completely gotten rid of many of the student’s favorite food items. Bagels have been taken off of the snack menu and fries are no longer sold at The Fraser Grill.

Fraser High’s infamous chocolatechip cookies even had to change in order to follow the new whole grain laws.

“The new cookies have a different taste to them. I feel like some people are still buying them, but others aren’t because they don’t have the old traditional taste to them,” Senior Marina Ghatas explained.

Obviously, much of the student population is not particularly overjoyed by these changes. They feel that government has no right to attempt to control what they Photo Credit: www.choosemyplate.gov do or do not eat. Even some

As students stepped into Fraser High School on the first day back from summer, they were prepared for many things to be different from previous years. The fact that block scheduling had been switched around and there would now be seminar everyday was something that most everyone was already aware of. However, not many were informed that there would also be drastic changes to the food sold at the school.

Due to strict government regulations, Fraser High, and all other public high schools in America, were forced to adhere to the new USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) laws that were conceived to stop childhood obesity and illness by creating healthier school meals.

“It’s been a very long time, maybe 60 years or so, since the government has actually changed the guidelines for school lunches so this was a big deal for them to go through. They did a lot of research and worked with a lot of doctors, physicians, and other health professionals to come up with

adults don’t quite agree with the way that the government is going about this new plan.

“I feel that some of the changes are good. Allowing students to have more fruits and vegetables if they chose to take them is a wonderful thing,” Morfino expressed. “The guidelines are great for younger students but in my personal opinion I feel like high school students are very close to being on their own and they need to be taught how to make good choices, not forced.”

Another popular complaint is that these changes will not even make an indent in the health of students.

If the government creates smaller portions then students will simply buy more portions. And if the government switches out the food that students are used too with healthier food that does not taste as good, students will simply stop buying from the school and just bring their food from home.

Interestingly enough, however, so far lunch sales have actually gone up at FHS this year. Maybe this could be due to prices going down, or for all we know the incoming freshman class could be very fond of hot lunches. But perhaps this positive change could actually be linked to the new requirements.

“I appreciate that the changes have made us have to work harder to appeal to teenagers. We’ve been trying more dishes, and lunch sales have actually gone up. Last year we were selling about 500 lunches a day, but this year is has turned to around 700,” Lunch lady Carrie

Rondeau remarked.

But the ever-present possibility of lunch sales taking a turn for the worse could pose a whole new problem: How will these changes affect the income of the school? If student’s favorite foods are taken away or drastically changed then what’s to stop them from ceasing to buy anything at all from the school and simply giving their money to stores who will let them buy whatever they desire?

“It is always a concern to make sure that the food service program is at least sustaining itself and not costing the school money. We are trying to be creative and find things that students like, and we are hoping to get more items as the year goes on,” assured Morfino.

Although there are many downsides to the new health ordinances, few are denying that there are some positives as well.

For instance, hasn’t being healthier been the number one New Year’s Resolution in America for several years now? So perhaps having the government step in and give us adolescents the little shove we need isn’t such a bad thing. On the flip side, it could also be considered a massive overstep of boundaries.

Whether the new food requirements are a positive or negative thing is a large cause of debate in the halls of Fraser High, but regardless we are stuck with them for the immediate future.

Only time will tell if the results will truly improve student’s lives or do just the opposite.

7

October 2014, Volume 55, Issue 1

Daily Doses Fruits: For Girls: 1.5 Cups For Boys: 2 Cups

Vegetables: For Girls: 2.5 Cups For Boys: 3 Cups

grains:

For Girls: 6 Ounces For Boys: 8 Ounces

Protien:

For Girls: 5 Ounces

For Boys: 6.5 Ounces

Dairy: For Girls: 3 Cups For Boys: 3 Cups

Tiffany Houghton Comes to Fraser Amber Monschau

Flash Staff Contributor

Tiffany Houghton is an up-and-coming artist whose music lies on the borderline of the genres of country and pop. Born in Dallas, Texas, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee at age seventeen to pursue her career as a singer. Tiffany visited Fraser High School as a part of her promotional tour, and she gave journalism students the opportunity to observe and participate in her performance.

At the age of twenty, Tiffany has already recorded and released five songs. She performed three of those songs for the students. Before even beginning to sing, she took the time to comment on the school’s spirit week that was occurring: she admitted

how happy she was that everyone was in their pajamas because it gave her an excuse to wear lounge clothes. Tiffany began her performance with the first song she ever recorded: “High”.

“This first song I want to sing for you guys is was my first single... it’s called ‘High’….

Hi!” Tiffany said.

At the conclusion of this song, Tiffany congratulated an audience member, Marcus Bowers, whom she saw dancing in his seat throughout her entire first song. “Sir, in the black shirt, what is your name?” “Marcus.”

“Marcus?” “Yeah.” “Hey let’s give it up for Marcus, he was dancing that whole time!”

She then invited him to stand up and dance during her second song commenting, “Marcus, I’m waiting on your dance moves!

Marcus, get up!”

Before beginning her second song, “Love Like That”, Tiffany educated the audience about her inspiration for writing it: an elderly couple on an airplane had demonstrated the type of love she felt every woman should have.

“I actually wrote this song on an airplane after seeing this, ugh, I mean the cutest old couple, like cuddling... with her little grey head of hair, and anyway, it’s too much,” Tiffany said.

Dancing and smiling, Tiffany sang through her second song before beginning her most audience engaging song.

“This is the result of someone not providing a love like that... And he’s like, well, I wish you the best like we can still be friends... and I’m like we are not friends, I do not wish you the best... this was my response,” Tiffany

said.

Tiffany explains her motivation for writing the final song of her performance, “The Best”, as an answer to being hurt in a relationship. She does so by referring to her previously sung song, “Love Like That.”

“Alright Fraser High School,” Tiffany said, “the next time some, jerk, uses that line, this is what you say:” “I hope your dreams turn into nightmares and you drown yourself in your tears I hope you fall in love with a girl that breaks your heart” Tiffany sang.

Tiffany concluded her performance by giving her audience relationship advice through the chorus of her song.

“I bit my tongue too long shut up when you were wrong sorry not sorry I can’t pretend that I’m wishing you the best cause you were just the worst every time that you said you loved me you were sleeping next to her I’m sick of all the lies and I’m tired of your friends don’t want to be polite and I’m not trying to pretend that I’m wishing you the best”.

Elizabeth Girard

Flash Staff Contributor

The sights, the sounds, each teen eagerly waiting as they stared at the rising star who sat back stage. The crowd of adolescents was surprisingly calm, but once she emerged from behind the bright maroon covers the auditorium exploded. Both students and teachers cheered – clapping, yelling, and shouting. The spotlight directed at the pop star reflected nicely, allowing the stage to compliment her appearance instead of wash it out.

After her performance the Journalism 1 class invited Houghton into the classroom to answer a few questions in a round table interview.

She mentioned that when she was young she wanted to get to Tennessee so badly that she would do almost anything; one of those things being finishing high school early to pursue her dream at a young age. Since Houghton finished her education early, even before senior year, that would mean she had finished high school at the age of sixteen or seventeen.

One of the students asked, “We know you finished high school early, how did you

manage to do that and how did your parents react?”

Her response was, “I fell in love with the city and the process of making music.”

Houghton also added, “I told my parents, ‘I’m gonna move out--I’m gonna take summer classes, and I’m gonna go to school early and I’m gonna leave school late and I’m gonna finish before I’m a senior.’” Houghton said.

So not only is the early pop star an impressive singer, but an impressive student as well, solely because of her dedication to finish her high school career with flying colors. Houghton describes her music as story telling, and takes interest in country music; however most people consider her a pop star. Houghton wishes to be an inspiration and mentor for young girls, and so far she has done so.

Houghton’s performance was an overall joy to watch. From the single spot light shining down onto the rising star, to her voice ringing through the auditorium. She has perused her dream to become a star and show the world the kind of music that she wished to create.

Above: Journalism 1 students interview Tiffany Houghton To The Left: Tiffany Houghton performs for Fraser High School

Tiffany Houghton answers students questions Photo Credtit: Flash Staff

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Entertainment Royal Bengal Indian Cuisine

FHSTheFlash.com

Amy Weed

Editor-In-Chief

On my brother, Daniel’s, birthday, we went out for dinner to celebrate. His first choice was Thai food. The women of the family rejected it: neither my mom nor I were keen on the idea. His second choice was Chinese, and it was, again, shot down for similar reasons.

So Daniel exasperatedly voiced his third choice: Indian food.

No one objected. And so it was decided, we’d go try Royal Bengal Indian Cuisine.

When we wandered into Royal Bengal for the first time we perceived a stone walkway leading our eyes to the middle of the restaurant where a long table is stationed for their buffet. On both sides of the walkway are several tables draped in white resting on velvet maroon carpet with illustrations lining the walls. On that occasion, there were only a few customers who were eating and conversing with each other and the waiter.

A server approached us with menus and asked how he could help. I’m a picky eater, one of habit and norm, but when I like something it’s on my ‘thumbsup’ list. The menu was vast with choices of Royal Lamb Specials, Fresh Vegi Specials, Royal Sizzlers, Seafood, Biryani, Bread and

Rice, Salads, Soup, and Desserts.

Our server’s name was Tenbeer, he recommended the Chicken Palak for me, because I mentioned I liked spinach. The menu described it as a boneless chicken cooked in spinach, herbs, and fresh spices.

He described it with delectable chicken that pulls apart in your mouth surrounded by a zesty herbal sauce.

The wait was brief, in the meantime Tenbeer filled our glasses with our requested drink, and our spread was placed before us. Woah. There was a lot! Plates of rice and nan bread, Chicken Palak, Lamb Biryani, Fish Masala, Chicken Tikki Massala, Sheek Kabab, and extra plates so we could share.

As everyone else dug in, I looked uneasily at my dish. It looked like someone blended leaves and tree chunks and poured it into a bowl.

My mom gave me ‘the look’ to say ‘you don’t know you like it until you try it’, so I took a clean plate and spooned a bit on with some rice. Taking a bite set a tango off on my tongue: it tingled and burst with warmth and spice throughout my taste buds. Without realizing it, I had eaten half of my dish. My mom had a smug look on her face; I ignored her and finished my meal.

The other spreads were juicy and cooked perfectly; the taste was like

Royal Bengal Indian Cuisine Logo.

none I have had before.

Guess that proves another instance where you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Thoughts eventually turned to dessert; my mom and dad looked to the my brothers and I and asked if there was anything we would like to try. The prices were low at $1.99$2.99 for their cultural dessert.

What I ended up getting was a desert called Saffron Rice Pudding, a rose water flavored rice with milk, raisins, almonds, and saffron.

It was soothing to my hot mouth.

The texture of the almonds added a needed crunchiness to the smooth texture of the pudding.

The overall effect of Royal Bengal had us coming back consistently, though the bill kept us away. Reason being a meal, no dessert or appetizer, would be roughly $11-$14. Not a place to go everyday. More like once every two weeks. However, whenever someone wishes to try something new, my instantaneous reaction is to suggest Royal Bengal; my new favorite eatery.

Interested?

Located at 26029 Hoover in Warren, MI 48089. Call (586)775-8000 to order for pick up or walk in!

A bit of each family member’s food.

Photo Credit: Amy Weed

Entertainment Emily Drumm

Erebus Haunted House

Assistant Editor

Imagine being alone, trapped in a pitch black abandoned house.

Your hands feel to your left and gingerly slide across a wooden wall.

The floor boards creek underneath each discreet step when suddenly a deranged laugh fills the air of the room, stealing your breath. Heart beat rising, blood pressure boil-

ing, you turn around impulsively and slam face first into something.

Looking up, a disfigured face wickedly smiles down at you, drool dripping from its fangs… or is that blood?

One trendy tradition of the autumn season is haunted attractions.

Whether it’s at a house, hayride, corn maze, or forest, these hot spots hook eager customers with the promise of a good scare.

An allure notorious for its ability

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October 2014, Volume 55, Issue 1

to satisfy people is Erebus haunted house, the world’s largest walk through attrition. With four stories, each with it’s own theme, Erebus lives up to it’s meaning. Erebus is the god of darkness, son of chaos, and brother of night as well as the gate to the underworld, where the dead must pass before they return to Hades.

Located in Pontiac, Michigan in a seemingly abandoned building, Erebus is open nearly every night in October, and the first 200 people who arrive each hour receive a free t-shirt.

I am not easily frightened; I love a good scare, but Erebus truly terrified me. I went with a group of four girls, and halfway through it, a “demon” stopped us. Not saying a word, he grabbed me and extended his finger down a long corridor. I was confused and breaking a sweat. “Go,” he uttered. Before I knew it I was pushed down that hallway while my friends were forced to leave me. It was brilliant, to separate one from the group to

ensure absolute horror. I traveled the other two floors, one of which was a swampland.

Vines coated the walls and ceiling, and a faint green light shone through the fog, really selling the theme.

Dumfounded by the extent of the decorations, I pushed on. The fog was so thick and high off the ground; I could not see my bottom half. Tentatively tip toeing through the marsh, something unexpectedly grabbed hold of my foot. Doing what any brave soldier would do, I screamed and ran.

My favorite event in Erebus was being buried alive. My friends and I stepped into a tight hallway, approximately ten feet long, five feet wide. Smacked against each other in complete darkness, I felt something hit me head. The ceiling had

opened and plastic rocks were falling on us. We were in a hole, looking up at mourners (anyone with claustrophobia beware). Who else can say they experienced being buried at their own funeral? The rocks filled to our necks. Suddenly a voice told us to shuffle our feet. We did so and the rocks disappeared. To this day I don’t know how they managed that.

Photo Credit: www.hauntedpontiac.com

The DeadLand Haunted House Below: Glue, gore, and everyday items were used to create this room.

When they first started, almost $4,000 was spent each year decorating the house, but they cut their budget to $1,000.

Emily Drumm

Flash Staff Reporter

Below: A (fake) woman with a gas mask, hand crafted by one of the many talented set designers.

Above: The Deadland sign greets you at the main entrance. The man in the white shirt is the co-owner and designer. He wears the hyper-realistic mask and guides you into the attraction.

Below: A mask glued and airbrushed to an employee’s face. While watching the makeup process, he never spoke, only made animalistic noises to set the mood.

Entertainment

Star Wars Rebels

Amy Weed

Editor-In-Chief

It’s common knowledge that Disney bought Lucasfilms, the company founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas. When the transaction happened, there were thousands of questions from fans that popped up: “What’s Disney going to do with it?”, “Are they going to remake the previous six episodes?” The uncommon knowledge, to those not devotedly ardent about the Star Wars universe, is that there were suppose to be nine films.

So the storylines exist, but were never filmed.

Episode VII is not scheduled to be released until December 18, 2015, but that does not mean Disney cannot dip its toes into the star wars universe prior to that date. Premiering October 13th at 9p/8c. on Disney XD is the one hour special “Spark of the Rebellion” for Star Wars Rebels. The new series is created by Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg and Carrie Beck; starring voice actors Taylor Gray as Ezra Bridger, Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Kanan Jarrus, Tiya Sicar as Sabine Wren, Steven Blum as Zeb Orrelios, and Hera Syndulla.

Star Wars Rebels takes place five years before episode IV, a New Hope, (the one in which Luke learns of the force) when the spark of the rebellion is ignited as the Empire hunts down the last of the Jedi Knights and closes its grip on the galaxy.

The animation is similar to

Star Wars Rebels Promotional Poster Photo Credit: Starwars7news.com

that of the 2008 Star Wars: the Clone Wars series’s with its angular faces. From the one-hour special, one can see glimmers of character dynamics: Kanan listening to Hera and following her advice, and Zeb truly being a softy when he’s not smashing a trooper’s face in.

The one-hour special explained the Star Wars universe in a nutshell so whoever did not know the backstory could infer. The Empire is bad; people are not happy, but are too scared to do anything about it, except for a select few. Those few were hurt by the Empire and banded together to fight back, As it is, the curiosity for what will happen to Ezra and the crew will leave the audience wanting to know how their adventure turns out. And of course to see some blaster and light saber action. Star Wars Rebels is the animated show to watch this October.

Laurel Kraus

13

The Walking Dead Editor-In-Chief

What is more terrifying than the undead during the apocalypse? The Living.

Time and time again through betrayals and merciless attacks, the characters on AMC’s hit show The Walking Dead have been forced to learn that the hard way.

Based off of the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, the show’s first season aired in October of 2010. Since then The Walking Dead has earned itself a cult following through traumatic storylines, gripping horrors, and spectacular special effects.

The premiere of season four was the most watched hour of cable television ever, coming in at 16.1 million viewers.

So what is it that makes this show so special? The gory horror is certainly a plus for some viewers, however that same trait can also be found on countless other shows. Perhaps

it is the emotional bonds of the characters that continue to draw the audience in.

The Walking Dead, centers on a small group of survivors amidst the end of the world.

Led by Sheriff Rick Grimes and redneck archer Daryl Dixon, they struggle to maintain their humanity against all odds.

They must battle starvation, disease, the undead, and yes, the living. In a world full of suffering, it’s every man (or group) for himself. No one is above thievery or even murder if they believe it will help their loved ones. Horrifically, some other groups even commit heinous acts simply for sport.

Because of this, no character is safe in The Walking Dead.

From the eleven original characters, only four are still breathing. With this constant risk always hovering over them, the group tries to fit in moments of living in between the surviving.

This creates the most unlikely

The leaders of the group of survivors Photo Credit: TheWalkingDeadPressKit

October 2014, Volume 55, Issue 1

Sheriff Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon Photo Credit: TheWalkingDeadPressKit

friendships that inevitably grow into family bonds because, although blood makes you related, loyalty makes you family.

Uniquely, although the show is based on the living dead, the word zombie has not once been mentioned. Instead they are referred to as geeks, biters, and most commonly, as walkers.

Season five of The Walking Dead premiered Sunday October 12th 9/8c on AMC. It promises more is in store for the survivors with the threat of cannibalism now on the horizon. Nevertheless, fans will continue to root for their favorite characters and hope that they will somehow beat the apocalypse and all its horrors.

Interestingly enough, many people believe The Walking Dead is named after the “zombies” that are roaming the earth, but it may be just the opposite. Maybe the living are the walking dead.

14

Entertainment

Mary Lambert: Secrets

FHSTheFlash.com

Carmen Yan

Flash Staff Reporter

Need an upbeat song to listen to?

Try listening to “Secrets” by Mary Lambert and you may find it has more meaning than a Taylor Swift song.

“Secrets” refers to Lambert’s life and the beautiful secrets she carries.

“I’ve got bipolar disorder.” This is the one of her secrets she sings in the beginning of the song.

When Lambert was eight years old, she had depression because her family sexually abused her, which led to another set of lyrics: “My family is dysfunctional, but we have a good time killing each other.”

“They tell us from the time we’re young. To hide things that we don’t like about ourselves.” She used this line to imply that we, the listeners, keeps secrets about what we don’t like about ourselves. For example, we all might have secrets such as, we might not like our body image, hair color, personality,

etc. She reminds us that we don’t have to hide the things we don’t like about ourselves.

The chorus is simple and catchy, giving the listeners a tune that they can remember and can sing to.

“I don’t care if the world knows what are my secrets are. So what.” By telling the world her feelings, she is showing that she does not care what the world has to say about her secrets.

“Secrets” is an upbeat song that you can catch on to easily. It is also something you can dance to and sing at the same time like “Shake it off” by Taylor Swift.

This is not usually not my genre of music but I love the song because it is really catchy and upbeat.

Check out “Secrets” By Mary Lambert.

Mary Lambert’s CD Cover Photo Credit: www.gomoxie. org

What’s on your iPod? photo credit: Thaddeus Jurkowski

Shadia Vreeburg Grade 10

1. “My Dearest” - Supercell 2. “Spectrum” - Florence & the Machine 3. “Welcome to the Show” Britt Nicole 4. “The World is Mine” - Supercell & Miku Hatsune 5. “Cinderella” - Steven Curtis Chapman

Jessica Kloski Grade 11

1. “In the End” - Black Veil Brides 2. “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” - U2 3. “Carry On My Wayward Son” - Kansas 4. “Jukebox Hero” - Foreigner 5. “You’re the Mockingjay” The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Send your playlist to us to be featured here. theflash@fraser12.org @FHSTheFlash

Sports

The Benchwarmers

Emily Drumm

Photo Credit: Flash Staff

Assistant Editor

Some may hear the term “benchwarmers” and think of the popular 2006 film; however, when used to describe an athlete, it is hardly as humorous as the movie. A benchwarmer is officially an athlete who does not play and sits on the bench, therefore warming it for the starters. However, a benchwarmer can also be “Someone who isn’t necessarily bad or is not working hard, but someone who may not be on their game that day,” Varsity tennis player Lynn Pytell said.

Receiving little play time can take a toll on the player’s emotions and increase insecurities, so it is time to shine the spotlight on the benchwarmers.

Varsity softball player Alexis West considers herself a benchwarmer and wishes she had more play time, so she chose to quit the

team this year. “It makes me feel like I’m not good enough to be on the team,” West said.

However, her coach Matthew Fishburn disagrees.

“I appreciate every player on my team whether or not they are the star of the team, play a lot, or do not play at all,” Fishburn said.

Many coaches are too focused on the game and winning it to compliment their players. Shouldn’t it be up to the other teammates to makes those who feel unappreciated, appreciated?

FHS boys Varsity soccer player Justin Gray said that, “Yes there are benchwarmers, I honestly don’t know how they’re treated but they barely play. Starting players are determined by your effort and hard work.”

Many players feel that they work harder than some who have more

play time. An athlete who asked to remain anonymous believes that it is not just hard work that determines who plays the most but how much they “kiss up” to the coach.

“There are benchwarmers because there can only be 11 people from your team on the field. The people who start practice hard and the coach feels that there the best person for the spot,” Varsity football player Andrew Barker said.

Even the football team, benchwarmers serve a purpose. “They help us practice so we need them to stick around,” Barker said.

Other players are less concerned with playing the field and more concerned with the good of the team. It is part of being an athlete to show interest not in oneself but the team as a whole.

“If people get more playing time than me I’m usually fine with it

if it’s benefiting my team,” FHS girls Varsity soccer player Hallie Gordley said.

The term benchwarmer is not a compliment, and many athletes feel degraded being called so; neverthe-

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October 2014, Volume 55 , Issue 1

less, some use this to support their teammates and work even harder to play more themselves.

“I play tennis... above average.

When others get more play time than me I realize that they must have been more dedicated and hard working in practices. I cheer them on knowing that they deserved it and think of how I can change my own habits,” Pytell said.

For those benchwarmers, it is so easy to let emotions ruin the chance of bettering themselves.

Channel those emotions into motivation.

“I love all of my teammates.

Everyone always gives 110% at practice. This is the first year on varsity for all of them. It’s a faster pace and more demanding than what they are used to. They are more than supportive cheering for the people on the court every play, and helping call out what’s happening on the court,” Varsity volleyball player Jessica Allison said. “This year is a change of pace with skill because we only have 3-4 players who saw the court last year. We have made tremendous leaps and bounds during the preseason from where we started in June.”

It may feel like benchwarmers are not needed, but they are on the team for the reason. They are the cheerleaders, the most improved, the inciters and the benefactors; coaches, teammates, parents, and fans are appreciative. They are the athletes who take more shame and critique but never stop working hard to impress the judges. They are the smile and the words of hope after a loss, and they are the driving force behind the big win.

“Benchwarmers... are the cheerleaders, the most improved, the inciters, and the benefactors.”

16 Sports Photo Story

FHSTheFlash.com

Brenden Gordly punts the ball to the endzone.

Watch the sky as Katie Smith clubs the ball.

Tim Gubler slices with his backhand.

Varsity Tennis went undefeated as MAC Blue Champions this year.

Soccer team looking fierce as they go out to the soccer field. They won the first soccer Regional title in Whoop! Whoop! Dylan Walker and T’Shaun Kimbrough celebrate school history . a touchdown! This year our Football team made the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.

Janice Chandler isn’t a fish; she needs to breath soetime.

The Varsity Volleyball Team get cold after their ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Ramblers at the ready. Devonne McCullough practice lining up on the ball before a game.

“FORE!” Watch out as Patty Tabaczynski scoops the ball out of the sand.

Chris Brown manuvers through the opposing team. Freshmen football went undefeated 9-0 this year.

Looks like Morgan Mach is loosing her cap! Regardless, she flys towards the finish, goggles on.

(From left to right) Seniors Tyler Uller, Dean Snider, and Marcus Bowers lead the team out of the tunnel.

Justin Piccolo dodgeing and dribbiling the ball downfield. The Ramblers went on in the season to face Bloomfield Hills, Piccolo scored three goals that tied the game and forced the game into overtime, the boys won in a shootout 4-3.

Justin Gray bops to the top.

Adam Culver finishes his killer kick-back serve.

Alec Sharpe catches the ball in a slide, protecting his goal, eyes close.

Olivia Grove (right) and Olivia Fleet (left) scream encouragement for their teammates.