Fraser High School - 34270 Garfield Road, Fraser, MI 48026 - Volume 51 - Issue 1 - Sept-Oct 2010
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Opinions
The Flash online: http://my.highschooljournalism.org/mi/fraser/fhs/
Dance Policies “Both feet must be on the ground at all times.” Most of us feel this rule is completely irrational. But is it really? Senior Kim Kurzatkowski is on the fence. “I can understand where these rules may be applied, but I think they are taking it too far.” A lot of students took the defense to these policies immediately, complaining how unfair they are. Maybe they really aren’t that unjust. In agreeance, teacher Mr. Nowinski says, “The dancing policy was developed out of necessity because of current behavior of students on the dance floor. Students were dancing inappropriately and provocatively. As a public school we cannot support inappropriate behavior. Therefore we had to go in this direction. Students can still have fun without bumping and grinding.” Maybe these rules are necessary. But look at the bigger picture: are we just being selfish by causing such a problem
in result of a change for the better? In my opinion these rules aren’t all that bad. Having limitations on the way we can dance and act can be good. Face it sometimes, in the “heat of the moment”; we lose control of our actions. These actions could be upsetting to others. We should respect our classmates, our faculty and our chaperones. On the other hand, with every system there are flaws. Many would agree the dance policies are completely flawed. To some extent I do agree. Finding a dress that complies with the rules is somewhat of a struggle. Dances are almost a competition to see who is best dressed. So not being able to buy that “perfect” dress puts a damper on the night. Since the dances that were held in Richards’ students have grown accustom to “bumping and grinding” and it never seemed to cause a problem, until recently. With the introduction of these dance policies students are forced to change the way they have been used to for so long.
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 noth-
ing 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 in the box outside of 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
Taylor Conley Flash Staff Reporter
School’s starting up again, and I’m really not looking forward to getting up early each morning and the homework load. Any advice on how to get motivated for the new school year? - SchoolYearBlues First thing’s first, stay positive. Heading into a school day anticipating the worst will lead to you only being able to see the worst. Try and find parts of the day to look forward to, rather than things to complain about. A day spent looking at the positives can change your entire outlook on tasks you once hated. As they say, a good attitude goes a long way. Another way to get motivated for school is to set goals for yourself each day. Attempting to accomplish said goals will give you a reason to push yourself through the day. Establishing goals also helps you be more productive in your day, so in the end, it’s a win-‐win technique. Days you were once dreading will suddenly seem fulfilling instead. I understand that self-‐motivation is hard to come by, but with these simple techniques, you can make it easy. - Jake Got a question you want answered? We’ll be visiting seminars throughout the school over the course of this year looking for submissions. Maybe you’ll see YOUR submission right here! Visit The Flash online at: www.myhighschooljournalsim.org/mi/fraser/fhs
Editor-in-Chief Amanda Prekaj Assistant Editors Alycia Barozzini Taylor Conley Flash Reporters Alyssa Ayris Jennifer Blair Jacob Blazejewski Ashleigh Corriveau Jacob Gross Alex Keeling Kyle Lesher Megan Molloy
Matt Perry Kaitlyn Perta Emily Roony Sam Sesko Christoper Teske Bevin Thomas Evan Tubben Joshua Victor Caitlyn Wackrow Web Editors Lucas Teske Adviser James Flanagan
Opinions
Pride before the fall Kyle Lesher
Flash Staff Reporter
As a school district, school, and athletic department, we have lost excitement. As a student body, we have nothing to brag about. We hang out with friends from Dakota, Cousino, and even Lake Shore and hear them talk about the successes their teams are having and how supportive the schools and student body have been. There was a time at Fraser when we were winners, and the overall attitude about sports was positive. Currently, we are left with a fantastic band and a nickname about the so-called “drug problem” this school has. “When I was at Fraser, school pride was very high. All sporting events were packed and loud. It was rare to see somebody not be a part of spirit
week,” said Kyle Ray, a Class of 2001 alum. There hasn’t been much to cheer about lately. The varsity football team just won its first game since September 2008, and they still face
an uphill climb. Fraser hasn’t had a team appear in state finals since 2006, and multiple teams continue to drop conferences to try and find their level of competition. “Ever since the undefeated
Photo: Kyle Lesher
Overpriced parking passes Evan Tubben Flash Staff Reporter
Ever since you were old enough to realize your parent’s car could get you places, you’ve probably been anticipating the day that you can drive. Once that day finally comes, you have your own car, and you want to drive to school, where are you going to park? The school’s solution? The school parking lot… for $40. Personally, I have a big problem with this. Most teens don’t have a job, and most parents wouldn’t be so enthusiastic to dish out $40 so
Photo: Bevin Thomas
their kid can park in the parking lot at school. The only alternative option offered to students is parking on Klein, and there isn’t nearly enough room there. “I don’t think it’s fair,” Junior Mike Hallberg said. “Why should I have to pay so much money just to park my truck?” To me it just seems like yet another exploitation from the school to make a quick cash grab at the expense of the students. The idea itself of a student having to pay just to park his or her car in the parking lot is absurd. Does it cost the school a
single penny at all to host this space for students? Of course not. It’s quite hypocritical and low of the school to take advantage of its students (who contribute thousands to the school just by showing up on count day) to make them pay so much just to park his/her car. Other schools like Warren Woods Tower charge only $15 for a parking permit. I would strongly support eliminating the fee for parking permits. However, if the fee stands, it should at least be made affordable for all students. $40 is just too much for the right to park a vehicle.
basketball team in middle school a couple years ago, nobody really ever cares about sports anymore or about our school in general,” sophomore Alex Behnke said. “The only thing anyone ever wonders about is how the band did in their competition.” This is not a “hate on FHS” article. I want the school to do great, but you have to question the school spirit when there are days that you walk through our hallways and see more school apparel that reads De La Salle across the front than our own school. If you play a sport here at Fraser, you have heard the common “blame it on the coach” complaints or the “I don’t care we suck” remarks, and this is part of the problem; some athletes just don’t care. I wonder what would make them care? Being embraced the next day at school after they made the game winning shot or scoring a
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Sept.- Oct. 2010 Volume 51, Issue 1
touchdown as time expires, or a high five for playing hard couldn’t hurt either. Better days are on the way for FHS athletics with huge potential for great teams and athletes. We should all take better strides to support the school and our sports. “I look forward to the next three years,” sophomore Kevin Green said. “It seems like the hockey team has figured it out, basketball has future talent good enough to go up against anybody, and hopefully football can figure it out too!” We should all enjoy and celebrate the good moments such as the Cancer game, Homecoming week of events and embrace all teams at Fraser regardless of their record.
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Features
The Flash online: http://my.highschooljournalism.org/mi/fraser/fhs/
The real teachers of Fraser High School Sam Sesko Flash Staff Reporter
Ever since elementary school, students have always had some version of belief that teachers lived at school. “When I was younger, I thought teachers sat at home and did more teacher stuff, and never went out,” senior Kelsey Farthing said. When students were that young, it was weird for them to listen to their teacher talk about running the same errands their parents did. When students were shopping with their parents and happened to see a teacher from their school, they were extremely dumbfounded. Now that students are older they realize how silly it was to think that teachers had no life outside of school. Although the truth is out, students still wonder how teachers spend their time when they aren’t drilling information into students’ brains. Both English teacher John Hanley and German teacher Ingrid Fryia spend most of their time with their families. Mr. Hanley’s basic hobbies
include reading, camping, and being a dad. “Over the summer I experimented with Diet Coke and Mentos (explosion) with Charlie, Jack, and Walter … I’m the definition of a fun dad!” Hanley said. He also took a train halfway across the United States to the mountainous state of Colorado with his family - but now that summer is over, how does he spend his days? Once he wraps up his schoolwork and drives home, he immediately touches base with his boys. He checks to make sure their homework is either done or in the process of being finished. After he and his family eat dinner together, he encourages the boys to either go outside and play or stay inside and read. It’s definitely safe to say that Mr. Hanley is a family man. Just as Mr. Hanley is a family man, Mrs. Fryia is a dutiful mother and wife. The highlight of her summer consisted of her nieces wedding in Sault Ste Marie, Canada. She prefers to spend her down time reading, travelling, and attending her daughters’ sporting events. However,
Some teachers travel. Photo: Sam Sesko
since school has started, she has less time for her hobbies. Instead, she does the laundry, cooks dinner, runs errands, and between all the chaos, manages to grade papers. “I’m so busy that I rarely watch television during the week,” Fryia
said. Teachers’ lives really aren’t as complicated as we like to assume. Like most parents, they make a living for their families and spend their days teaching students possibly the same age as their own children. Although
it’s still a bit shocking to see teachers outside of school, students are old enough to accept the fact that school isn’t their everything, because no matter how scary the concept, they are real people too.
Silly schools banning silly bands
A bite into Apple
Josh Victor
Matthew Perry Flash Staff Reporter
Flash Staff Reporter
Silly bands are rubber bands constructed to form various shapes and modern day objects. Some of the common objects are animals, foods and other things that appeal to youth. These bracelets are being banned from schools because they are too distracting to kids that are trying to get an education. Teachers are getting upset because kids are fighting over them, making trades with them, and they are also choking on them. Instead of learning kids are playing with these silly bands. “My students are putting more effort into these silly bands than they are their school work,” one elementary school teacher said. I don’t think it is acceptable for schools to ban them because kids might get in more trouble for disobeying the teachers. In my own opinion, silly bands are overrated, but they are a lot of fun for younger kids. “I think that’s not fair silly bands are cool” said a student at an elementary school. Put it like this, silly bands are like cell phones for younger kids that can’t
On September 1, 2010 Apple held a press conference to unveil a new lineup of iPods, an upgraded iTunes, and a completely redesigned Apple TV. The iPods each went under some re-constructive surgery on the physical appearance and the programming. First off, the iPod nano had undergone major change. From its rectanglular appearance with a camera and a 2.5 inch screen, it shrunk down to a small square with a touch-screen similar to the iPod touch and iPhone. The memory capacity had stayed the same, 8 gigabytes and 9 gigabytes. There is a clip on the back, much like the shuffle, and is roughly the same size. The shuffle had also experienced changes. Apple defected the shuffle back to its older model, the square model with buttons on the front to change the music. The iPod with the most changes, however, is the iPod touch. Angled more towards the iPhone, the new iPod touch features a high-‐definition camera, a high-‐ definition screen, facetime
This pile of silly bands is an explosion of color! photo:Taylor Conley
have cell phones, that’s what they are occupied with. We are occupied with our cell phones during school, yet they didn’t ban those from schools. Like cell phones, schools could find a happy medium when dealing with them. They could allow students to wear them in the day, but only trade them during lunch time under adult supervision. There are two sides to banning them from school; the bad
side is that they are a distraction to kids and that they are a choking hazard. On the bright side, kids are having fun and want to show their friends what kind of abstract shapes and sizes that they have. There are so many important things going on in schools today. Schools need to focus on the deeper problems that are filling schools around the nation, and silly bands are not one of them.
capabilities, and the new iOS4. Apple TV was introduced with a complete makeover, from the size to the function. Apple TV has taken a u-turn when compared to its preceder, especially in function. Apple TV can now stream television shows, movies, high-‐definition content, and Netflix. Apple’s continuing stride along the path of success is never-ending, and the path of technology broadened by
Steve
Job’s
brilliant
mind.
Steve Jobs was pretty excited presenting his products. photo:Matthew Perry
Features 5 How-to: senior year Sept.- Oct. 2010 Volume 51, Issue 1
Amanda Prekaj
Editor-in-Chief
College applications, ACT retakes, senior pictures, AP classes; with all the responsibilities seniors take on, it’s difficult to concentrate on having an enjoyable and memorable year. Basically, everything during senior year is a milestone: last first day of school, last homecoming, last pep assembly, last football game, etc. Through it all, it’s easy to forget to take it all in and enjoy what many would call the last year of childhood. Many seniors are probably already counting the days until graduation, anticipating the day when high school is a mere memory. If a senior plays the cards right, senior year could be a year full of laughter, friendship, and memories. Here are some steps in order to have an exciting senior year! 1)
Get Involved
Extracurricular activities may not seem like they would make senior year fun. However, just because
something looks good on a college application, that does not make it boring! There are countless clubs, organizations, and teams to get involved in. Joining clubs can help students meet new people with similar interests and can start lifelong friendships. Most importantly, colleges are looking for students who are driven, inside and outside of the classroom. Extracurricular activities display a student’s contribution to a meaningful cause and show impressive time management skills. 2)
Be Social
The key to a good senior year is to be social! Let your guard down, release inhibitions, and have fun! Senior year is not the time to be a perfect adult, there will be plenty of time for that later on in life. For now, hang out and attend parties, games, and afterschool functions. Also, take loads of pictures to document the year in a detailed scrap book. 3)
Don’t Work Too Much
Working over the weekends is probably necessary to pay for senior year needs. However, working every day after school is too much for a full time student. Now is the time to be involved, hang out with friends, and create memories. It’s important to enjoy the life you will never have again. 4)
Strengthen Friendships
Senior year is a perfect time to strengthen friendships and rekindle older ones. This is not the year for childish drama! Seniors are adults and should act like it. Leave the pettiness in junior year! 5)
Keep up the Grades
Last but not least, stay clear of senioritis and make sure priorities are in order. Although many seniors enjoy easier schedules, it’s still important to show up to class, do homework, and study for tests. Even after the acceptance letters start to flow in, make sure to keep up the grades all year round! and watch football. 12. Any tattoos? No. 13. Do you have any pets? I have a dog. He’s a Golden Retriever. His name is Biscuit and he’s 2 years old.
21. Anything you’d like to say to our Flash readers? Just looking forward to a great school year. After talking to Mr. Lonze I would say he is a very laid-‐back person and more than qualified for the job. Also next time you see him make sure you give him a big smile!
14. What were you involved in when you went to high school? I was in marching band and concert band. For marching band I played the melaphone and for concert I played French Horn. 15. What did you get on the ACT? 23. I was able to have a talk with our new principal, Mr. Lonze, and shed some light on the tall, mysterious fellow. I was able to ask him questions early one morning, which he was pleased to answer.
Alex, who is in 3 grade; Ethan, who is in 1st grade.
1. What is your full name? Michael A. Lonze
6. What TV show do you watch? Lie To Me
2. Are you married? Yes, for 14 years.
7. How old are you? 39. I turn 40 in March.
3. What is your wife’s name? Laura
8. Who did you vote for last election? Obama.
4. How many kids do you have? I have three: Emily, who is in 6th grade;
rd
5. Who is your favorite student? I’ll take the 5th…too many to choose from.
9. What is your past experience as a principal?
I’ve been in education around 18 years. I taught for 4 years at Oak Park High School then worked for Birmingham Groves for 14 years—the last 6 at Birmingham I was Dean of Students. 10. What are you credentials? I received my undergraduate in business education from Central Michigan. I got my masters in education leadership from Oakland and currently I’m completing my doctoral in educational leadership from Oakland. 11. What do you do in your free time? Run kids around from place to place
16. Have you always lived in Michigan? Yes. Right now I live in Troy. I did live on the East side for 4-5 years. 17. What is your favorite football team? Chicago Bears 18. Any memories that stick out from your first week at FHS? How nice everyone is. 19. What do you eat for breakfast? Poptart 20. What flavor? Cherry.
Principal Lonze and Flash staff reporter Kaitlyn Perta. Photo: Susan DePerro
WARPEDT Top: Confide Photo: Alycia Barozzini
Top: Never Shout Never Photo: Alycia Barozzini
Bottom: I See Stars Photo: Alycia Barozzini
Bottom: The Summer Set Photo: Alycia Barozzini
Bring Me the Horizon Photo: Taylor Conley
Christopher Teske Flash Staff Reporter
On July 30, Warped Tour 2010 hit Comerica Park with a boom. With an estimated 19,000 attendees, people of all ages came from abroad to see artists such as Attack Attack, Emarosa, Closure in Moscow, and others among the 48 artists who played at the event. “I would have liked to see Woe Is Me included on the lineup, they are a new band with a lot of potential to make it,” sophomore Alison Sunklad said. With such a large audience, the line wrapped around two blocks and was
filled with anticipation. Many people waited patiently in the hot sun to watch their favorite bands perform. “I was so excited that I didn’t even notice the length of the line!” junior Seth Thibeault said. In recent years, the bands participating in Warped Tour, commonly called “Warped” for short, have reflected changes in music. The first installment of Warped consisted of bands such as Sublime, Face to Face, and Supernova. Where as to in recent years, bands such as Parkway Drive, Set Your Goals, and Eyes Set to Kill have played. This shows an evolution of music from the roots of the very first installments of
T O U R 2010 Top: Never Shout Never Photo: Taylor Conley
Warped. One of the first bands to take the stage in the early afternoon was Bring Me the Horizon, who played many of their hits including “Chelsea Smile” and “Diamonds Aren’t Forever”. This performance filled with a jumping crowd and shouting voices, set a precedent for the rest of the day. The day was filled with ear popping, spine chilling music, just the way warped goers like it! For seven straight hours, various artists rocked the eight stages named after some of Warped Tour’s 81 sponsors. “The best band I saw would have to be a tie between, You Me at Six and Mike Posner,” junior Hannah Smith
said. One of the final bands to play this event was White Chapel, who took the stage around Nine “O” Clock. In a half hour set, White Chapel played various notable songs including “Breeding Violence” and “This is Exile”, in addition to an array of others. Soon the seven hour day came to a close. The sea of people started to disperse, and Warped Tour 2010 at Comerica Park was over. If warped could be summarized in one word it’d be, amazing!
Bottom: Four Year Stong Photo: Taylor Conley
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News
The Flash online: http://my.highschooljournalism.org/mi/fraser/fhs/
BP: oil spill
Jacob Blazejewski Flash Staff Reporter
The BP spill was approximately 574,000 tons as of August. When Oil is spilled into waterways and the ocean, it spreads very quickly with the help of wind and water currents. A single gallon of oil can create an oil slick up to a couple of acres in size. The BP oil slick spread over 580 square miles in just three days. When the oil starts mixing in water, it can change composition and become what’s known as “mousse”. It’s made out of petroleum, air, sea water, and anything else that was caught up in it when collected [according to gallery. usgs.gov]. It’s a sticky substance that clings even more to whatever it comes in contact with. Other animals often ingest oil when trying to clean themselves.
The oil can resemble food. If oil is ingested it can poison the animal, make it extremely, sick, and create a level of toxins in its system that then causes poisoning further up the food chain. This will cause a global effect of gas prices to rise. “This may impact Fraser by increasing gas and sea food prices” Mr. Woods said. Even once the oil appears to have dissipated, it can still lurk beneath the surface of beaches and the seabed, severely affecting marine organisms that burrow and come in contact with the mousse. Many marine animals don’t know how to avoid a slick, some fish may be even attracted to such as crabs. These burrowing creatures are also food for other animals, so the cycle of poisoning continues for many years.
Right: Photo: Amanda McCoy MTC Campus
Alyssa Ayris Flash Staff Reporter
Everyone’s heard the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but how many of us actually do it? Since elementary school, it’s been drilled into our minds to do so, but why isn’t recycling as stressed today? If you didn’t already know, green is in. Not the color green, but keeping the Earth green. Fraser’s very own Go Green Club is making a difference and helping to put a stop to the 2.5 million plastic bottles that are thrown away every day. It’s no secret that Luke Woods loves taking care of the Earth, so during the 08-09 school year, students expressed
their concern of the school’s lack of an environmental club. Since then the club has gained about fifteen active members that truly love what they do. “I love being a member. It’s a great way to give back to the community,” junior Amanda Rogers said. The club meets one Thursday a month at 2:30, and during the first seminar of every week, they collect and sort recyclables and returnable items. All recyclables are taken to Great Lakes Recycling located on Groesbeck. The returnable items are taken to Meijer or Kroger by members for the deposit. The club gains an estimated amount of $15 per week. “With these funds, we’re hoping to
eventually obtain an orange recycling bin for every classroom in the building, and would like to buy and plant some trees on our campus,” Luke Woods said. According to recycling-revoloution. com, recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to run a television for three hours. To print the weekly Sunday papers 500,000 trees must be cut down. If everyone in America would recycle one-tenth of their newspaper, we would save about 25,000,000 trees a year. Even the foil on Hershey’s Kisses is recyclable. One of the club’s main purposes is to get the students at Fraser to understand the importance of recycling and going green. “I feel the club is making a difference because when people recycle in class, they’re more likely to recycle at home. Every little bit helps,” junior Dema Iskander said. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Repeat. We don’t hear it as much as we should and it’s the least of society’s worries. The Go Green Club is trying to change that. If everyone would help, the Go Green Club could change the world.
Alex Keeling Flash Staff Reporter
The story of Hurricane Earl is a short one, filled with fear and apprehension, but also relief. Hurricane Earl, downgraded to Tropical Storm September 4th, left a path of minor damage across the east coast of the United States and Canada. Several weeks ago, it swept across the east coast; causing power outages, road closures, and other problems in effected cities. Anthony Carbien a Boston resident said, “We had a very quiet night. We lost power for a few hours and some roads were blocked up with tree branches, but it was a lot better than we thought it would be.”
Earl was headed northeast at about 30 mph, packing winds of 70 mph. Parts of Nantucket, Massachusetts received three to six inches of rain. Large swells from Earl continued to pound the east coast from New Jersey northward for several days after the storm had passed. “Losing power was an inconvenience, but it’s better than what could have happened if the storm had been worse,” Timothy Gould said, an Air Force cadet visiting Maryland when the storm passed through. The storm passed through the east coast area with relatively minor effects before moving into Nova Scotia, affecting a large portion of the eastern Canadian province.
News
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Sept.- Oct. 2010 Volume 51, Issue 1
Fraser Preforming Arts Academy
Jennifer Blair Flash Staff Reporter
For some teenagers, music and theatre allow them to escape from the stressful lives of everyday high school students into a perfect world where they can be different people. The Fraser Performing Arts Academy allows students to be those people and further their passion in the performing arts. “Music is my everything. It’s a way to express my feelings and get away from the crazy world we all live in,” sophomore Bridget Falenski said. The Academy is for students who excel in the performing arts and plan on pursuing careers in theatre or music. This program offers students a chance to promote their knowledge in music, acting, or theatre production in a world where there is no time for them to really pursue their passion. All students hoping to participate in this after-school program had to go through an extensive application process and tryouts. Music students had to prepare a solo and exhibit advanced musical skill. Theatre students had to prepare two contrasting monologues; theatre production students had to submit a portfolio including pictures of past productions that they participated in. Once students got news that they were accepted into the Academy, there came the task of picking classes. Some options included music concept and string method. When planning their classes, students added a 9th and 10th block to the end of their day. Some juniors also had the option of taking an English 11 class that is based around the performing arts, taught by Charlene Barla. “We focus on the same skills as regular English 11, but our reading and text is centered on the performing arts,” Mrs. Barla said In this special academy English class, all students are passionate about the arts and are given chances to reflect upon their choices on going into the Academy, and why they chose to make a living in the performing arts. “When we reflect, we gain batter understanding of ourselves and others,” Barla said. These amazing opportunities help Fraser students stand out when applying for colleges, and give them a chance to express their passion for music. “Music is life. To be able to study something I’m so passionate about
Bridget Fakenski and other students prepare to take a quiz in their Music Concpets class. Photo: Jennifer Blair
really makes my life remarkable,” senior Megan Janusch said. For seniors like Janusch, this is truly a once-in-a-life time chance to prepare themselves for college. This helps them get into better schools with a better change of acceptance. “I really want to follow a career in music and this is a great chance to better prepare myself for college,” Janusch said. Some students even transferred schools in order to participate in the academy because their school didn’t offer in-depth performing arts classes. Even though they had to leave their friends behind, they all believe its worth it. “I transferred schools because I could learn more stuff, and get an opportunity to learn more about music that I wouldn’t have at my old school,” freshman Clara Stine said. Some teachers are even looking to the future of the Academy hoping
to see more students enrolled and the possibility of a string orchestra. Performing arts department members are also talking about creating an online Academy English class for seniors. Some people are questioning whether all this is really necessary. Do we really need this whole extra Arts Academy? Some argue we should be helping all the students who are barely passing their classes and need the extra help, instead of giving all the extra help to the students who already know what they are doing. What about the kids who want to go into a career of science, math, or visual arts? Where’s their special after-school program? The visual arts classes are also totally ignored, the classes where kids are free to express themselves in a world where that is hard to do. Many community members and students here at Fraser think that the Academy is no more
than “a joke.” “The visual arts. The arts where the special needs kids are, and where they can express themselves in an open environment. Why ignore something like that? Visual arts teach kids that what you put into something is what you get out, such as with a painting, or even with life. In instrumental classes, you’re told what to play. Inspiration is lost,” sophomore Alison Sunklad said. With visual arts such as sculpting and photography you are free to express yourself and be inspired by your surroundings, and your life. It lets you get your emotions out and even better inspire others. “It’s not just ‘doodling’ It’s taking life in its rawest stage, or most upsetting stage, and turning it into whatever you want, Giving life its pizzazz.” Sunklad said. Said students enrolled in the academy and teachers taking part in it say that
it’s a truly amazing opportunity. That it’s just what this school needs, and what the performing arts students need to excel and give this school a whole new public image. “In my opinion the arts need more focus put on them in our school. If a student at Fraser High School wants to major in science or other academic classes they have the option to take honors and AP classes that we don’t have without the academy. There is only, for me, the basic band class, varsity, concert and symphony band, and even with those classes the students who want to have a career in music are not learning everything they need to prepare themselves for college,” Falenski said. So whether you agree with the focus of the academy or not, plenty of students and staff are committed to it, and it’s here to stay.
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The Flash online: www.my.hsj.org/mi/fraser/flash/
Entertainment “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger,
In Your Dreams Bevin Thomas
Flash Staff Reporter
Mind blasting! Ever think your dreams could become a sort of reality? Think about controlling and bending your dreams – like you were setting up a game or a trap. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an extractor, a skilled thief who travels in people’s dreams to find out their most valuable secrets. Inception is the process of putting This movie serves up a feast for the eyes, as well as the mind. Photo: Warner Brothers
an idea into the mind of a person. Dom is trying to find his way back home to his children and
darling.” Leonardo DiCaprio puts on a convincing role as Dom Cob, an extractor. Photo: Warner Brothers
to get away from his record. He negotiates with a strong business leader for his trip back home and a clean record, and the deal is Inception. IMDB rated Inception “9.1 out of 10 stars”. As for my own opinion,
I thought it had a good plot and the effects were amazing. The outcome of the movie was a mindbender. You really had to think about what was explained in the process. When I saw Inception, I didn’t understand it right away;
Last Girl On Earth Amanda Prekaj Editor-in-Chief
Emily Rooney Flash Staff Reporter
Are you getting sick of ridiculously beautiful, improbably powerful supernatural beings who frolic plotlessly in meadows? Are you a fan of the series that jumped to mind when you read the previous sentence? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then you’ll probably like Catherine Jinks’s The Reformed Vampire Support Group (Harcourt, 2009). So, what’s it actually about? Well, a support group for reformed vampires—vampires who have sworn off blood and instead live on animals. Specifically, they live on guinea pigs, which they breed for the purpose. The reformed vampires (and the priest who runs the group and provides it with a meeting place) discuss such subjects as whether vampirism is just another form of humanity, how not to dress in such a way that one
Marie getting in touch with her vampire side. Photo credit: Emily Rooney
looks like an evil Eastern European aristocrat, and their frequent bouts of vomiting. “Contrary to popular opinion,” says the inside front cover, “vampires are not sexy, romantic, or powerful. Vampires, in case you hadn’t noticed, are dead.” Dead our protagonists may be, but that doesn’t stop them from investigating when a member of their support group is murdered. Unfortunately, it’s hard to be a super-sleuth when you have to sleep all day and aren’t allowed to consume anything but rodents. Jinks walks a fine line between deconstructing and affectionately skewering the vampire genre and telling a serious story that’s compelling on its own merits. Nina Harrison, the narrator, is definitely believable as a fifteenyear-old, even one who’s been a fifteen-year-old since 1973. She complains about her mom’s lousy haircutting skills, she socializes on the Internet, and she sneaks peeks at her cute friend Dave during support group members’ rants about how their toenails keep falling off (dead, remember?). Don’t worry about crushes taking over the plot, though: it’s not gonna happen. The Reformed Vampire Support Group is not high literature, but a fast-moving mystery, drily humorous narration, and a fleshed-out world and cast make it well worth a read for fans of supernatural fiction, teen lit, or both.
A sea of Rihanna and Ke$ha looka-likes roamed the DTE Energy Music Theater on August 22. At 7:30 p.m Ke$ha performed the opening act, pumping up the crowd with hits such as “Blah Blah Blah,” “TiK ToK,” and her newest single, “Take It Off.” After what felt like forever, Rihanna finally made her grand entrance with a compelling performance of “Russian Roulette,” and the 70 minute wait was definitely worth it. The pop diva strutted on to a flashy stage armed with lasers and lights.
Rihanna looked less like a pop star and more like a rock star with a new look, and even a new sound. Draped in elaborate costumes, and flaunting an edgy, blazing-red hairstyle, Rihanna displayed a new side of herself to the world. If the look wasn’t enough, her music also had a more rock ‘n’ roll sound, which had a positive impact on the show and the reaction from fans. The theme of the show, dubbed as a dream, was somewhat unoriginal and a tad dull. However, Rihanna’s charisma and unique performances made up for it. These performances consisted of sitting on a pink tank
Rihanna performing one of her many hits on stage for all of her fans. Photo credit: Amanda Prekaj
it took me a while. Basically, it tells a story about what a father does to get back with his family and what kind of risks he takes. This movie is out of the ordinary! Nypost.com said, “The mind-blowing movie event of the summer arrives. It will be called many things such as James Bond meets The Matrix.’’ for “Hard,” Destroying a car with a baseball bat for “Shut Up and Drive,” and even playing the guitar and drums. Many of her performances quickly became sing-alongs, such as “Take a Bow,” “Hate That I Love You.” Fans kept fingers crossed throughout the night for a surprise guest appearance by Eminem to perform his successful duet with Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie.” They were unfortunately let down after Rihanna briefly sang a verse and then teased the crowd by singing the chorus of “Airplanes,” by B.O.B. The show finished off with an encore of none other than Rihanna’s signature, smash hit, “Umbrella.” Despite the long delay, the concert ended in a collective melody of cheer and applause.
Sports 11 On the right track?
Sept.- Oct. 2010 Volume 51, Issue 1
Megan Molloy
Flash Staff Reporter Crossing the stage or crossing the finish line: which is more important to you? Over the past several years, Fraser High School’s graduation date has conflicted with the state track meet in early June. Newly appointed superintendent Dr. Dave Richards is working seriously to address this issue. Students and parents have both shown deep concern for the predicament this year. Students are being forced to decide between a state team event or being at their graduation ceremony. Track members feel students are being forced to choose between two extremely important events. “It’s unfair. Our whole high school career we work so hard and look forward to graduation, but at the same time our track athletes put in extra time and work to be able to make it to the state meet,” senior Makenzie Frodle said. “They are two once-in-a-lifetime opportunities on the same night. I just feel it’s a decision nobody should have to make.” It has been proposed that students who are at the track meet have a special commencement ceremony the night of graduation at the all-night
party. Administrators argue that it’s difficult to move graduation because it can easily conflict with other district or state events. Also, the all-night party is the night of graduation, so although Sunday would be fit for graduation, parents and some students may have work conflicts that Monday. “I feel like it’s a kind gesture, but it isn’t a fit substitute for actually
attending the graduation ceremony,” Frodle said. This idea is a nice thought; however, students may still feel they are missing out. “It’s unfair to make us choose between the two. If I had to pick one I would feel I was missing out. If I chose track I would feel like I was missing a walk I worked four years for and if I chose
graduation I would feel I’m missing an event I, as well as my teammates, have worked hard for,” senior Taylor Papiernik said. Choosing whether to graduate with your classmates or compete with your teammates is an extremely difficult decision to make. In one case several years ago, a girl chose to attend graduation and speak at her ceremony. Her team was disqualified because she was a relay runner. In another case, a boy chose to run track over graduation and received a scholarship he wouldn’t have received had he attended graduation. Choosing between the two is a decision no one wants to make. Administrators are working hard to solve this problem, but if they can’t, this decision is one each student will have to make based on his or her individual priorities.
“They’re two once-ina-lifetime opportunities on the same night... Its a decision nobody should have to make” Photo: Siefloff Photo
Photo Illustration: Megan Molloy
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The Flash online: http://my.highschooljournalism.org/mi/fraser/fhs/