The flash vol 54 issue 4 2014

Fraser High School-34270 Garfield Road, Fraser, MI 48026 - Volume 54 - Issue 4- June 2014

Captive Breeding By: Josephine Morenski Happiness is...

By: Laurel Kraus Behind Blue Band By: Starria Coppins

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Fairy Doors Leading to a Safe Place prohibit somebody’s whose handicapped: someone

Amy Weed Editors-in-Chief

If you see a miniature door hidden in the folds

of a tree’s roots, it’s probably home to a magical creature like a troll or a fairy. However, if you see a small, vibrantly painted door sitting at the base of your neighbor’s tree, it probably came from the Fraser First Booster Club’s “Art In the Garden’s Doorway To Play.”

«There›s a project that Fraser›s First Booster Club, headed by President Vania Apps, has been working on, which is to build a barrier-free playground in the community. This is the third year Fraser High School has been involved; Emerson students have also been involved,” Art Teacher Mrs. Susan Dipace said. “Do you know what barrier free means? There’s nothing to

who’s blind, someone who is in a wheel chair, someone without limbs, someone with a diminished mental capacity. There’ll be something for everyone to do there.”

The endeavor for the barrier free park has been going on eight years. For Fraser, every year Fraser

Photo Credit: Amy Weed

First Booster Club picks out a new art project to auction off. Year one was a garden tile auction. Year

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two was a fantastically decorated chairs auction.

«This year we did doors. There are three different sizes of doors. The elementary kids did small fairy sized doors. High school kids did troll doors, and there are a couple of larger sized doors also,” Dipace said, “We’ve done 60 fairy doors, 22 troll doors, and two giant doors.”

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This years auction took place on Wednesday, April 22 and raised a whopping $2,500. After eight years of fundraising: grants, donations, and Fraser’s auctioning, they have raised over half the money to start building this year, a total of $300,000. The reason for the high cost is for the playground’s foundation, which will be a special blend to be durable and safe to take a fall on.

«It›ll be built at the site of the old McKinley Park on Flint in Fraser,” student representative Robert Falenski said, “The project will cost $650,000. I think we raised $350,000, and we got a $300,000

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grant accounting for most of our funds. Total Fraser Public Schools raised $50,000.”

Barrier free playgrounds throughout Michigan total to roughly 150. Fraser will soon add one more to that number and help 25,000 Macomb County children have a safe place to play. The new park will have incorporated elements of the fundraiser itself: garden tiles and doors that have been saved.

«Between the mentoring and being involved in the project we hope it bonds them to this. We want them to be proud of this park, and know that they had a hand in creating it,» Mrs. Apps said.

Soon on its way, the barrier free park will give an opportunity to play safely for thousands in Photo Credit: Amy Weed

Macomb County.

Visit The Flash online at: www.fhstheflash.com

Editors-in-Chief Laurel Kraus Amy Weed Former Editors Starria Coppins Savanna DiStefano Josephine Morenski Design Editors Laurel Kraus Amy Weed Flash Reporters Karoline Asdal Lauren Carbonara Ashley Derry

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Emily Drumn Rachel Moore Jessa Stallsmith Anna Stemmler Courtney Winnie Business Manager Erica Kloski

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

Informative Feature 3 The Debated Drug: Caffeine

May 2014, Volume 54, Issue 3

Emily Drumm

Flash Reporter

Varsity soccer player Casey Denys

Bull, and Gatorade allow me to do

downs a five-hour energy and pops

that,” Conklin said.

some Gatorade chews into her

Although studies have been

mouth while waiting on the side

inconclusive, many competitors

of the field. Her coach hands her

believe that caffeine intake also

a drink to replace electrolytes lost

increases mental stamina, reaction

in sweat. The referee blows his

time, and focus. In popular five-

whistle signaling Denys to go onto

hour energy commercials, the

the field. Facing her opponents,

product is said to make consumers

energy is surging through her

feels more awake and energized.

blood- shocking her veins on the

“I have never really had side

way to her brain- preparing her for

effects, well, bad ones,” Conklin

the game.

said. “It only helps me play a better

“The soccer season just started,”

game because I am more focused

Denys said. “So I just began

and have more energy to play

drinking five-hour energy again. It

harder and longer.”

has caffeine in it to keep me awake

That said, caffeine alters the

and energized.”

mind, which may be the reason

Caffeine for athletes is like a boost

it was originally banned in the

of energy. Supplements containing

Olympics; controversially, the

caffeine are used to enhance the

caffeine ban was later lifted due to

body’s roles, giving an edge and an

lacking results.

advantage over other challengers.

“It’s like a cycle for me. I

When caffeine enters the

don’t usually have extra energy

bloodstream, the body responses by increasing pulse rate and blood pressure.

“I don’t think that caffeine affects me in a bad way, I think that athletes benefit from it,” Denys said.

The frequency and dose of

supplements, but it’s important Photo Credit: Emily Drumm

for me to have them during the

supporting the link between

benefit users in endurance sports

North High School baseball and

season,” Denys said. “We have

caffeine and long-term heart

such as football, cycling, baseball,

football start Trevor Conklin thinks

practice or a game every day, so it

disease.

and soccer. Take appropriately,

otherwise. Conklin is preparing to

is hard for me to keep up- mentally

caffeine allows contestants to work

play college football, so he trains

just as much as physically. It is

harder for longer periods.

everyday and regularly attends

really straining on your body.

camps to ensure his spot on the

Caffeine helps me stick it out.”

“I do not know of any short term side effects brought on by strenuous caffeine intake except of course the

“I don’t support caffeine intake

caffeine use escalates after a while

“crash” the user may experience.

to enhance athletic performance

as users start to build tolerance

Once the stimulant (caffeine) starts

in high school. The combination

against it. For athletes using

to wear off, the user may start to

of proper nutrition and training

superstition to use energy drinks or

Athletic Director Brad Robinson

enrichment products every day, the

experience extreme fatigue,” Fraser

should be what all high school

chews to help me be on my game.

thinks student athletes should use

body can start to crave and even

Health and Physical Education

athletes need to successfully

I work really hard and play sports

caffine in moderation and look at

go through periods of withdraw;

teacher Lori Guolla said.

perform,” Guolla said.

year round, so I need to be able to

the reasearch. Athletes should know

keep up with the pace. Coffee, Red

what is going into their bodies.

however, there is no evidence

Caffeine has been known to

On the other hand, L’Anse Creuse

team.

“As an athlete, it is sort of a

While there is no policy on caffine drinks or chews for athletes,

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Features Captive Breeding

Josephine Morenski Former Editor

Walking into the zoo on a sunny day, thousands of kids smile as they see their

Baltimore zoos are like a sanctuary for animals.

“Sometimes the laws that are put into

favorite animals not knowing what goes on

play to protect people can also protect the

beyond the stonewalls. Captive breeding is

animals as well. They are unpredictable,

a huge part in today’s culture, many zoo’s,

strong, and they belong in the wild where

sanctuaries, and wildlife reserves use captive

they’re from. There are some zoo’s like the

breeding as a way to repopulate a specific

Detroit and Baltimore zoo’s where captive

animal whether it is endangered or not. So,

animals can go, kind of like a sanctuary.

what is captive breeding? Captive Breeding

They take in animals that have been

is the practice of breeding a species in

overbred,” Carron said.

a human controlled environment with

to be one for captive breeding. Having a

have the power to help the community

number of different breeding programs,

better understand and appreciate nature and

the Detroit zoo is also a part of cooperative

wildlife.

programs with other zoo’s being a part of a

“Zoos are apart of our culture, they’re

larger population, managed genetically and

apart of our community and many other

demographically. With that said, the Detroit

communities. We have an obligation to

zoo is home to 3,300 animals and 280

the people that come through our gates

different species.

to help them understand wildlife, to help

“Zoo’s used to exist just to entertain

them appreciate nature, and hopefully help

people and animals came from the wild

them change their attitudes and behaviors,

whenever we needed more animals, and

so that they are, like all of us, try to be less

now both because its just not possible to

impactful on the environment which is better

restrictions. While others may agree with this process, many do not. Daniel Carron, a PETA Outreach Coordinator, happens to be one of them. Carron’s job is to help others with coordinating protests on the East Coast

for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an

“Something that misleads people into

Gorilla diverts his nostrils from a nasty smell. Photo Credit: Thaddeus Jurkowski

Research is the most important thing

thinking they are helping a species is by

someone can do. Daniel Carron encourages

breeding them into captivity when really it is

others to do the research on animals and

a way to make a profit,” Carron said.

captivity. It is easy to make a difference.

Animals are unpredictable at all times

“I always encourage people to do the

and can put somebody in serious danger,

research. Animals that are born in captivity

people should not be interacting with exotic

are not doing anything normal to them,

animals whether it is in a circus or zoo,

and animals in zoos are not doing anything

there’s no telling what could happen, and

natural to them. We have the power to end

under no circumstances PETA does not

zoos, and roadside zoos. All we have to do is

support zoos, or anytime someone is trying

stop supporting them financially; it’s really

to make money off an animal. Supporters

that simple,” Carron said.

are encouraged to boycott zoos – but Carron believes that zoos such as the Detroit and

for animals in the long run. If we are going

the wild, and also

to do that, if we are going to be successful at

because ethically

this mission we have to be responsibly and

many of us believe

ethically breeding animals in captivity,” said

we shouldn’t be

Carter

taking animals

and Mexico. PETA, also known as People

animal rights organization.

get animals from

Scott Carter, Chief Life Sciences officer for the Detroit Zoological Society, happens

Breeding is a natural thing to do for

from the wild. “

animals but it is extremely easy for a species

Carter said “We

to become overpopulated, especially in the

have to rely on

wild. The Detroit Zoo uses birth control in

breeding animals in captivity to sustain zoo

their captive breeding program so it is easy

populations. For many species of animals,

to manage who is breeding and how often.

this is also necessary because some of these

Though some agree and some do not, Scott

species could go back to the wild, that’s not

Carter believes that captive breeding is

true for many species in captivity but for

important if done responsibly and ethically.

some species it could end up repopulating

But, it is always important to do the research

the wild,” said Carter.

before hand.

Not all zoos are bad; many of them play a vital role in conservation and saving a species that are at risk of extinction through captive breeding.

Although zoos are not a natural home for exotic animals they

Photo Credit: Thaddeus Jurkowski

Features 5 Happiness Is...

May 2014, Volume 54, Issue 3

Laurel Kraus

Editor-in-Chief

is that we don’t spend enough time with our families so we lose touch with what a person is

Happiness is one of the most beautiful and complex concepts in the world. It is amazing

really going through like issues in their lives or other problems. When people have to deal

how much meaning one word can pack in. It is contagious giggles, peaceful contentment,

with things on their own it makes it much more difficult to fix,” Psychology teacher David

and pure bliss. It can be the simplest activity, lying lazily in the summer sun. Or the most

Kuppe said.

immense, like holding your child for the first time. It can be tears of joy, or small, shy smiles.

“Happiness is self-acceptance,” English teacher Lauren Durkin (formerly known as Ms. Kuppe) said.

“The biggest issue in today’s world is that we don’t spend enough time with our families so we lose touch with what a person is really going through.”

There are about a million ways to bring people joy. Some are the beings around us, such as family, friends, and pets. Some are the items we possess, like books or movies. And finally, some are what we do.

“We are a very selfish society. We look at ourselves all the time. The best way to find joy is through helping other people. It’s like a ripple effect,” Durkin said.

Music is one of the major influences on moods with today’s teenagers. With lyrics that

“Rain makes me happy because it shows that the past can be washed away.”

The vitamin D in sunshine is something else that has been proven to enhance people’s moods whether they are 12 or 72. In fact, lack of sun can even cause one to fall into a deep rut of sadness that is clinically called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is also well known as “the winter blues” since it is most common during the season when people are rarely outside.

“I have been diagnosed with SAD. When it comes to the seasons where it’s gloomy, I get very bummed out and my motivation is shot. When it comes to summer time, I swear, my happiness is at its peak,” Mikolowski said.

It is a big debate whether people have the ability to create their own happiness or not.

Major mental illnesses such as depression make it seem unlikely, but the human brain is a very powerful instrument.

“I absolutely believe we have the power to create our own happiness. Whenever I get

many feel explain them in ways they are unable too, the songs draw the teens right in. In

down I simply look at my blessings, I look at what I do have and it changes things. Watching

times of hurt, sad music helps express their deeply felt pain. Music also has the power to

sloth videos on YouTube also helps,” Durkin said.

change that sorrow into delight. Some songs are so upbeat and catchy that even when one is in the worst of moods, they can’t help but to at least crack a smile.

“Music is probably the one thing that brings me the most happiness because it manipulates

One’s outlook on life can certainly affect their cheerfulness level. Optimism is often wrongly associated as being happiness for just that reason. In reality, optimism leads to happiness, but it is possible for a person who sees the best in everything to still be miserable.

your emotions and I know it will always be there. Almost every song has an effect on

That being said, having the ability to look at something that is normally perceived as bad

me and it’s hard to pinpoint a song, but one that makes me happy for sure is “Skulls” by

and being able to pull out the positive points is a wonderful skill to have.

Bastille. I could listen to it for days on end because the band gives off such a positive vibe,” junior Madi Mikolowski said.

Family is another area that largely affects people’s moods. There is something so comforting about having people in one’s life who they know will always love them no

“Rain makes me happy because it lets you see that beauty is everywhere and ongoing and it reminds you that life still moves forward. Rain shows that the past can be washed away,” junior Jaycob Yang said.

Happiness means so many different things to so many different people. To some it is the

matter what. Sadly, this is not always the case. While some families are close-knit and

special times, and to some it is a way of life. The only thing we know for sure is that true

communicate often, others simply find themselves too busy to bother.

happiness, the kind that seems to radiate from one’s very core, is one of the absolute greatest

“In the true sense, a family is a support system. It’s being there for each other. It’s the one thing in your life you should be able to count on. I think the biggest issue in today’s world

joys in this world.

Photo Credit: Google

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Features

Behind Blue Band

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Starria Coppins

Former Editor

“When you’re finished with your work, put your heads down so I’ll know who’s finished.” Many teachers say this commonly used line, which leads most students to take a short nap or play on their phone afterwards. However, senior Andrew Sokolowski doesn’t take a nap or play on his phone. Instead, Sokolowski makes plans for his upcoming TV series called “Wayside Revolution.” When finished with his work, Sokolowski plans out shot lists and storyboards using different color highlighters to keep all of his characters organized. Sokolowski started making short films in fifth grade and his passion for filming and directing struck from there.

“The first film I made, I would just take pictures and put a bunch of them on the screen: I would try to tell a story with just the pictures. I would set up action figures to tell the story and just put dialogue up under it, but it wasn’t actual film, it was still photography. I

Andrew smiles with his Award for Excellence from the NATAS. Photo Credit: Thaddeus Jurkowski

wants to send a new message out to people about how you don’t need super powers just

called the series Power Ups,” Sokolowski said.

Not knowing that he would develop a passion for film, Sokolowski continued his still photography which later grew into broadcast. When Sokolowski started high school, he took a broadcast class and loved it. He realized that this was what he wanted to do, for it

to do the right thing.

“The idea for blueband films stemmed from the idea of the show. So we thought about it and said that if we were going to do things right then we would need a production company so producers will be interested,” Sokolowski said.

was a more advanced version of still photography.

“Filmmaking is a way for people to daydream and show people what they see in their head. It’s the only way that people can literally show their thoughts. Steven Spielberg once said, ‘I dream for a living.’ I believe that it’s so accurate because it’s basically just taking your dreams and putting them on a screen. It’s the ultimate way of

Sokolowski ran into people and started networking. He met Dylan Suel, a writer, at an MPI (Motion Picture Institute) workshop. They worked well together and grew an instant connection.

“I always wanted to be a director. It’s amazing how everyone can come together to bring the directors dream to life. The director has the ability to take what they have in

communication,” Sokolowski said.

Sokolowski started bringing his dreams to life in middle school, and didn’t want to stop.

He continued making short films his freshman year, and started to grow from there.

“I wanted to get a production company going. It was one day after I did a 48 hour film challenge, I thought about what I wanted to do next. It’s always been my dream to do a superhero movie. I talked to my writer and we decided that I should do something about a guy without superhero powers. I wanted this character to go out and try to save the world, but failed,” Sokolowski said.

Adding a twist to the normal superhero stories will be a Andrew directs a shot at the zoo. Photo Credit: Thaddeus Jurkowski challenge for Sokolowski. He

their mind and show it to people: it’s so amazing to me,” Sokolowski said.

Sokolowski’s passion is to turn his dreams into reality. With drive and dedication, he has already started his own company, Blueband Entertainment. He has set goals to air at least one short film a month with along with behind the scene clips throughout the month.

“You have to have a story worth telling. You learn and you get better. I’ve made mistakes that I can’t do in the future because I’ve learned to not do them again,” Sokolowski said.

Not everyone has the passion to go out and start living their dream; however, it’s never too early to start planning out what you want your future to be.

“We all strive to feel like we’re benefiting the world in some way or we’re doing something to change the world: artist, musicians, all kinds of talented people. I guess I don’t want to be one of those people who, after I get out of high school, and by the time I die, is looking back and thinking that I didn’t do anything with my life. What I want in life is to make my dreams come true and everyone else’s,” Sokolowski said.

Entertainment

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The Cross and the Light dressed as ancient Israelites, sing with joy. The excitement and wonder of

was given a gift to sing; however,

Blood streamed down his body.

the actors is genuine. Looking down onto the stage, I felt transported back in

voices of cast members Ashley

His face was contorted in pain. The

time. Every line was spoken naturally and effectively throughout each scene.

Rozanski (Mary Magdalene), Beth

recreation of this image of Jesus

Seeing Beth Lackey (Mary) weep at Jesus’ feet as he was nailed on the cross

Lackey, and Kenny Watson (Jesus)

and his death was illustrated in the

strangled my heart, urging me to run and comfort her.

were mesmerizing and unique from

Savanna DiStefano

Former Editor

the others. Every group number was

traveling play The Cross and the Light, which was brought to Detroit

Though the stage decorations remained unchanged a majority of the play,

smooth and harmonized.

Music Hall April 10-13. The Cross

colorful strobe lights and booming sound effects brought the theater to life.

and the Light was first performed in

The most powerful and realistic scene is of Jesus nailed to the cross. Streams

Joshua Gronlund (Peter), Tim

2002 with the passion to serve as an

of blood glaze over his skin from head to toe, and his agonizing voice springs

Bowman Jr. (Thomas), Tom

illustration of Jesus’ crucifixion. The

goose bumps on viewer’s arms and leads them to tears. This is the heart of

Shilakes (Pontius Pilate), Bradley

play reenacts the final days of Jesus

the play.

Ellison (Judas), and LaRonn Dolley

Other leading roles included

from the Passover feast through the

The play ends with the resurrection of Jesus. His empty tomb is found,

discovery of the empty tomb when

and the word is spread about his reappearance. The anecdote of Thomas is

was created by Kelly Nieto (former

he rose again.

visited, connecting with the audience as they relate to his doubt. The play

Miss Michigan) and co-directed by

closed with the ending number “He’s Alive,” which quickly gets trapped

Brian Leduc. For more information,

inside one’s head. Overall, the play remained true to the Bible.

visit crossandight.com.

The play opens with Jesus coming to Jerusalem. The townspeople,

Nearly every scene includes one to three musical numbers. Each performer

(soldier).The Cross and the Light

Photo Credit: Savanna DiStefano

Movie Review: Lone Survivor

Emily Drumm

Staff Reporter

I have never been a fan of war movies: the perspiring, grotesque men scurrying around a dense forests, marshes, or mountains firing guns and cursing at each other. However, when the first Lone Survivor preview came out, I was drawn to it.

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel, this true account takes you through the failed covert mission in the eyes of four Navy SEALS officers. The assignment, given to SEAL team 10, was to take out al-Qaeda in enemy territory in Afghanistan.

Not knowing what they were

getting themselves into, Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), and Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson (Ben Foster) found each other isolated and surrounded by Taliban. They had a choice to make: surrender or battle their way out.

Outnumbered, out-gunned, and unable to receive help from their base, the four make a pact to stay together and overcome extraordinary odds. Through blood, tears, strength, and courage, they show their true American colors and tough it out to the end. These men lost their lives fighting for our country

and should be rewarded. Lone Survivor makes me proud to live in this country. This film is one that brought me to tears and stopped my heart all at once.

Countless times I found my stomach full of metal butterflies; any movie that can do that to a person is worth seeing.

This modern American war film was directed

by Peter Berg and grossed over $118.4 million in North America alone on its premiere date in

January. Based on its ratings from IMDb, Lone Survivor received 7.8 out of 10 stars, and according to Rotten Tomatoes movie reviews, 90% of the audience liked the film. This is a classic must-see movie. Photo Credit: Google

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Sports Photo Story

Sarah Uddin stepping back to kill the ball.

“Not on my watch,” third-baseman said.

Tabitha Reamore hits it with her best shot.

Batter ready for the fast ball.

Angela Fiordilino winds up her arm for a strike.

Dominic Mielke is ready for the ball.

Vincent Maiale jumps ahead of the competition.

Gravity doesn’t apply to vaulter Matis Elston.

Isiah Faraon isn’t listening to music: he’s throwing weights.

Jason Querro pitchs a fast ball.

Kane Walenciak soars over the bar.

Heather Maracle dashs for the ball.

She can go the distance~