North Pointe-Volume 51-Issue 10 - March 6, 2019

INSIDE PAGE 5

Featured reviews on Avril Lavigne's new album "Head Above Water," Disney's remake on "Kim Possible" and film "Alita: Battle Angel."

POINTE YOUTUBE.COM VITALTHRILLS.COM

EONLINE.COM

NORTH WIKIPEDIA.ORG

GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

INSIDE

"IT IS

FOOLISH OF US TO

ASSUME THAT

NOTHING WILL HAPPEN IF WE KEEP OUR EYES

CLOSED

TO SCIENTIFIC FACT." PAGE 3

"YOU CAN FIND THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED

VICTORIES AND DEFEATS SIMILAR

"GET

TO YOURSELF.

INFORMED AND MAKE NEW EXPERIENCES YOUR VOICE THAT CHANGE HEARD. WE YOUR OPINIONS, CANNOT AND YOU CAN AFFORD HOPEFULLY TO LOSE POSITIVELY YOU CAN LEARN...

THEM."

AFFECT OTHERS." PAGE 7 PAGE 2

ZV RI A ED SY

By Michael Hartt PAGE EDITOR Juniors Nia Crutcher and Naudia Hargress are hoping to tackle issues of diversity by starting the Black Student Alliance this spring.

Crutcher said the BSA will be a place for African American students to meet and discuss problems they face in their daily lives.

“We want to create a place, to be able to have a voice,” Crutcher said. “We want to talk about the struggles we go through and educate others, while having fun and building a community.”

Though the name of the club includes the description of only one group, it is open to all students, regardless of race, to advocate for the rights of African Americans Clubs that advocate for the awareness of specific minority groups have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Universities in Michigan have numerous student-directed clubs revolving around minorities of all kinds. For instance, Wayne State University has the Muslim Student Association, the University of Michigan has the KoreanAmerican Scientists and Engineers Association and Michigan State University has the International Student Association. The rise in minority-inclusive groups has been spreading down to the high school level. Sophomore Connor Rossman

said he has heard of many schools in the area that have clubs similar to the BSA, promoting the awareness of diversity.

“I know that Liggett, Cranbrook, and South all have similar clubs to the BSA, so I am honestly surprised that North doesn’t already,” Rossman said.

“

We want to talk about the struggles we go through and educate others, while having fun and building a community.

Nia Crutcher JUNIOR

Although there is already a Diversity Club, Crutcher said she and Hargress wanted to create one specifically about African American students because they make up such a large portion of the student body. In addition, Crutcher said she does not feel that African American students have a place to talk openly about the problems that they face, especially in community like Grosse Pointe, where according to www.statisticalatlas.com, the

percentage of the total population that is white is 89.9 percent, while blacks make up a mere 2.1 percent.

Spanish teacher Michael Spears said he is excited a club like the BSA is starting, and he thinks that it is much needed.

“I am very glad to see this (organization form),” Spears said.

“I think that the African American students in the school can greatly benefit from it and I think that the school can benefit from it as well.”

While Crutcher said the BSA is still in its early stages of becoming a full-functioning organization, it has been on her mind for a long time. In order to start, Crutcher said she and Hargress have a few more things to take care of, including the need to find an advisor who would be willing to guide the students as they start the club. They also plan on filling out paperwork and getting the club officially approved. Once approved, the two can start posting messages on the announcements and recruiting students.

To Crutcher, the most surprising thing about working to start the BSA is that no one has already done it.

“I do believe that somebody should have created this a while ago, whether it was a teacher or a student, but maybe the climate just wasn’t right,” Crutcher said. “With all the tension that’s been in the media and politics

Research explores effectiveness of video games, brain training platforms on adolescents

By Hannah Zalewski & Farrah Fasse PAGE EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER Over the past year, the entertainment industry has been enthralled with video games notorious for their actionpacked plotlines, such as “Fortnite,” “PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds” and “Red Dead Redemption 2.”

Despite some parents chastising their children for playing these games too often with claims of "they’re rotting your brain," english teacher Katie Maki feels that exposure to video games can have positive effects on the minds of adolescents.

“I think it’s a good way for students, or just anyone who plays, to develop strategy skills. A lot of video games require strategybased skills in order to figure out your next step,” Maki said, “especially with puzzle or quiz games.”

According to research done this year published on www.sciencedirect.com, some video games have been proven to help adolescents’ development of executive brain function. Executive function can be described as the processes one uses to manage themselves such as emotional control, organization and memory.

However, this study does not include all video games. In fact, it cited that action or off-theshelf video games such as "Mario Kart" or "Fortnite" do not significantly improve cognitive function. Instead, it was found that puzzle games, like “Portal,” directly challenge

@thenorthpointe www.northpointenow.org

an executive function, and are more likely to improve adolescent abilities.

Math teacher Kelly Maisel, an avid video game enthusiast, agrees that only some games are beneficial to brain development.

“I feel like (video games cause) some good and some bad. If you surround yourself with video games, it can be slightly hurtful,” Maisel said. “But there are video games that help you problem solve, and you’re trying to learn reasoning and logic. I think developing those skills are very beneficial.”

Freshman Paul Ciaravino, who spends his days playing “Clash of Clans,” believes there is a fine line between playing for entertainment and playing with an academic purpose.

“I think it’s true,” Ciaravino said. “Some games help you learn more than others. Some are just for fun.”

While this study shows that games like "Fortnite" would not be cognitively

“

I really love

the ability to kind of lose yourself in

a world that isn't real.

Kelly Maisel TEACHER

VOLUME 51 | ISSUE 10

AMELIA NOWICKI

Thursday, March 14 from 5 - 8 p.m.

Students soon-to-attempt creating new club promoting African American rights

“

CONFERANCES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019

A possible addition?

“

PARENTTEACHER

I

EVENTS

BLOOD DRIVE Wednesday, March 13 from 8 a.m. 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center

NORTHPOINTENOW.ORG

Black Student Alliance:

UPCOMING SAT TESTING Saturday, March 9 at 8 a.m.

SINCE 1968

beneficial to students, it signifies the emergence of focused computer games in the classroom that could lead to an increase in students’ cognitive functional skills.

However, there is no evidence that supports the effectiveness of targeted brain training games such as "Lumosity."

Maki believes that in addition to improving brain function, video gaming consoles can also aid in giving students experience working in teams, which she believes is an important skill that transfers to many students’ day-to-day lives.

“For me, I really like video games because they’re interactive, you can play with almost anyone, and I think it’s a good way to relieve stress. I also think that it’s helpful with reasoning skills,” Maki said. “It gets you more involved with other people.

It’s good team-building, if you’re playing with others. It’s better to play a game with others than by yourself.”

Maisel, however, focuses more on the entertainment factor than the academic intent. She said she enjoys being able to shed the stress of her day and discover things that are unfamiliar to her alongside her friends.

“I really love the ability to kind of lose yourself in a world that isn’t real.

I think it’s cool to explore things that aren’t typical,” Maisel said.

“I really enjoy playing games like “Super Smash Bros” or “Mario Kart,” so I can play with my friends. It’s kind of a way to get everybody together. It’s a good time.”

News Life

DECA goes to States, members prepare for upcoming competition

By Maggie Carron & Arzoo Chhaya PAGE EDITORS For junior Annabel Schlachter, who has been a member of Distributive Education Club of America since her sophomore year, going to States is something she is looking forward to while trying to exercise as much caution as she can.

“I’ve never been to States before, so I’m excited to experience it for the first time and maybe meet new people,” Schlachter said. “I am nervous because it can feel like a lot of pressure when presenting and competing against so many other people, but I'm just going to present myself well and just seem confident even if I’m not.”

DECA is a club that incorporates different aspects of business such as marketing, advertising and customer service. With the goal of giving students real life experience in different scenarios, DECA helps to prepare students for common experiences like job interviews and meetings. It strives to help high schoolers understand policies they may be unfamiliar with in the business field, helping them to find a career decision based on their interests. Students also learn how to present themselves in a professional manner while gaining knowledge on marketing and advertising concepts. Schools all over Michigan meet and compete to demonstrate their capabilities in specific categories. This year, States will be held on March 8-10.

To junior Hannah Davis, a member of DECA since freshman year and a previous State attendee, DECA has proven to be very helpful in widening her horizons. Davis said she has already been exposed to many life lessons and real-world situations.

“DECA has taught me a lot about the marketing world, which is specific to me since (in) all three of my years so far I have been involved in marketing-related categories (in competition),” Davis said.

“It also has given me somewhat of public speaking confidence and experience, and even though I’m only presenting my thoughts to one or two judges in a span of a few minutes, it has taught me how to seem poised and collected, even if I’m super nervous.”

Senior Hunter Adelson is preparing to go to States for the second time, and appreciates both the social and educational aspects of being involved in DECA. “(It) has been a great learning and a fun experience each time,” Adelson said. “You get to meet many people with similar interests to you from all over Michigan.”

There are three competitions that DECA competes in annually: Districts, States and Nationals. At each one, students participate in a timed test and a judged role play. During the role play, they are given a scenario of an issue regarding their category (for example, apparel and accessories marketing) and are given 10 minutes to create a presentation on their solution to the problem and present it to the judges.

“The test is just a multiple choice test revolved around business. The role play is what DECA is truly about,” Adelson said.

“For example, my event was apparel and accessories, so one of my scenarios was how to make a company's pop-up shops more successful.”

Through DECA, Adelson, Davis and Schlachter have become accustomed to different aspects such as the working business world, and feeling prepared to take it head-on in a few years.

Adelson said that by participating in this club, he has learned essential life skills that he is confident will be used in his near future.

“I'd say the most important thing I've learned is networking,” Adelson said. “It is one of the most important things you need to do in order to be successful in life.”

1 Editorial 3 Reviews 5 2 Indepth 4 Sports 6

By Hannah Zalewski & Kylie Duke

LIFE

2 - North Pointe – Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Let’s go thrift shopping!

A look into what seems more than just a passing trend By: Amelia Nowicki STAFF REPORTER

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE MIECZKOWSKI

THE FASHION OF FINDING| Sophomore Joe Mieczkowski regularly visits thrift stores to find trendy clothes from a bygone era. “The 80s and 90s are back in style,” Mieczkowski said, “so you can find stuff like that in a thrift store.”

As the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Based on recent statistics and new stores popping up nearly every day, thrift shopping appears to be becoming more than just a passing trend.

Popularized in the media through self-care Twitter threads and video hauls on YouTube, thrifting has been on the rise in recent years, and is predicted to grow in the future. According to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, the number of resale stores has grown 7 percent each year for the past two years and — due to the economically diverse group of consumers and environmental awareness spreading across the nation — numbers will likely continue to climb.

For sophomore Joe Mieczkowski, resale stores offer low prices and a unique opportunity to explore different time periods and cultures.

“There’s a wider selection and you never know what you’ll get,” Mieczkowski said.

Many students say they thrift simply because of the affordability of the products. For many young people, including Mieczkowski, lower prices allow them to shop with a more open mind without having to worry about coming up short when purchasing an item.

Statistics from America’s Research Group state that 16-18 percent of Americans will shop at a thrift store at least once each year. In comparison, 11.4 percent shop in outlet malls, 19.6 percent shop in apparel stores and 21.3 percent shop in major department stores.

Lifeskills teacher Marianne Modlin, a former resale shopper, is aware of the trend among students and appreciates the different things one can find in a thrift store. In addition to lower prices and product diversity, Modlin also sees a professional opportunity for students. “(For a job interview) you always want to have two outfits,” Modlin said, “One for the first

interview and one for the second interview, and (resale) will be a great resource to go and buy a skirt or a jacket or a pair of dress pants — or even a pair of shoes — that you can purchase specifically to put together a professional look for the job search.”

Along with Mieczkowski, freshman Paul Ciaravino goes to thrift stores a couple times a month on the lookout for casual, everyday clothes and low prices. However, he’s often surprised when discussing thrifting with some of his peers.

“Whenever I mention it, people don’t seem to like thrift stores,” Ciaravino said, “which I don’t get.”

But why is it trending?

For Mieczkowski and Ciaravino, thrifting is all about lower prices and finding something straight out of another decade, finding interesting pieces along the way. Despite the benefits Mieczkowski sees, many people don’t enjoy the idea of thrift shopping as they may see it as ‘paying for handme-downs.’

“It’s used (items) but I’ve found stuff with tags still on,” Mieczkowski said.

In addition to the low numbers on the price tags, recent fashion staples from the 80s and 90s have made a comeback. For many people, including Mieczkowski, thrift stores are a great place to find pieces in order to embrace the trends.

In addition, Modlin sees clothing as something beyond the price tag. As a teacher at both North and South, she believes that some students at both schools put more thought into their outfits than others, and that a student’s overall look is often an expression of their individuality.

“It may be something that’s vintage or retro versus something that they would go and pick up off the rack,” Modlin said, “so they’re gonna create a specific look for themselves.

Because clothing, in human behavior, is a form of self-expression. What we put on everyday says something about who we are.”

Possible link between social media, depression: fact or fiction?

By: Syeda Rizvi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Some theories of technology’s detrimental side effects are severe enough to make most people want to tuck their cell phones away forever.

However, according to a research report published on Jan. 29 under the Association for Psychological Science, “Social media use does not predict depressive symptoms over time for males or females.” Instead, a link was found in which an increase of depressive symptoms in adolescent females may lead to an increased use of social media.

In other words, the study found that using social media does not induce depressive symptoms, but teenage girls are more likely to use social media if they have been medically diagnosed with depression. Sophomore Brittni Braswell sees social media as a fuel to depressive attitudes, but does not believe it necessarily causes or helps with depression. “(Online networking) offers the opportunity for you to compare yourself quite often, and that can contribute to depressive thoughts, like lack of hope, things of that nature, because it’s such an idealized version of people you tend to see on social media,” Braswell said. “So, you tend to compare yourself to that standard and that can contribute to a lack of confidence for your current situation. But if you don’t have that perspective going into it, then the outcome will be different. It’s based on perspective.”

Braswell believes social media is a factor that contributes to having a negative perspective, as long as the

Buy a yearbook now! Scan the QR code to purchase your very own.

SYEDA RIZVI

disposition for it is present. But to senior Morgan Semack, the key is found in monitoring the amount of time spent on technology. To Semack, depressive attitudes derived from social media are dependant on how it is being used.

Junior Audrey Cho said she witnesses a toxic, depressive culture online, and has even seen instances where users push the notion of selfharm onto others. These parts of an internet atmosphere can encourage depressive states, but Cho believes the overall benefits of social media use outweigh the disadvantages.

“If you’re aware of the dangers online, you can explore what life is like for others and (this) can help you make more factually informed opinions,” Cho said. “You can find those who have experienced victories and defeats similar to yourself. You can learn new information too, new experiences that change your opinions, and you can hopefully positively affect others.”

While Semack [“definitely doesn’t think social media causes depression,”] she thinks it is important to be aware of how online platforms are being used, and ensure that they’re not used too much. She said in extreme cases, cyberbullying is definitely a factor in inducing depressive behavior, but the average user needs to be careful of knowing the difference between fantasy and reality.

“I think being on social media too much will cause you to fall into an imaginary world that’s not reality,” she said, “because people put fake things on social media that will make their life seem happy when it’s really not.”

EDITORIAL POINTE Why soft subjects always need more recognition than they get

North Pointe – Wednesday, March 6, 2019 – 3

NORTH

EDITOR'S DESK EMILY WIDGREN

MY TURN SYEDA RIZVI

“Grosse Pointe Public School administrators and teachers are responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of expression and freedom of the press for all students, regardless of whether the ideas expressed may be considered unpopular, critical, controversial, tasteless or offensive.”

BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY Syeda Rizvi EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Hartt PAGE EDITOR

Emily Widgren PAGE EDITOR

Sofia Ketels MANAGING EDITOR

Abi Murray STAFF REPORTER

Hannah Zalewski PAGE EDITOR

Maggie Carron PAGE EDITOR

Adam Schwartz PAGE EDITOR

Amelia Nowicki STAFF REPORTER

Brooklyn McWhorter Arzoo Chhaya PAGE EDITOR WEBMASTER Our editorial represents the opinion of the North Pointe Editorial Board consisting of the editors above. Members who have a conflict of interest with an editorial topic do not partake in that meeting or vote.

AMERLIA NOWICKI

OUR EDITORIAL

Nutrition cannot be below academics We l ive i n a world whe r e it s e em s e a sy for st ud ent s t o l ive u nd e r st r enuous r out i ne s t h r oug hout a n i m men s ely long scho ol we ek .

W h i le t he choic e of he a lt hy a nd u n he a lt hy fo o d a nd l i fe st yle opt ion s a r e p r e s ent e d , it’s up t o us t o pick t he most ap p e a l i ng choic e s t h at w i l l b e st su it us i n t he end . But most st ud ent s a r en’t cho osi ng t he he a lt h ie r pat h. W het he r it’s by st ay i ng up t o o lat e e a ch n ig ht or b ei ng ca r ele ss a b out nut r it ion , st ud ent s a r e not c on sc ious enoug h of how t he d e c ision s t hey m a ke i mpa ct t hei r ove r a l l he a lt h.

We, a s a so c iet y, ne e d t o st r e ss up on t he he a lt h ie r a sp e ct s of get t i ng t h r oug h d a i ly l i fe.

Eve r yone, r ega rd le ss of age, shou ld b e lo ok i ng at wh at w i l l b e t he most b enef ic ia l i n t he long r u n. A st ud ent’s nut r it ion , level of physica l exe r c is e a nd sle ep sche du le a r e a l l e ss ent ia l t o t hei r a ca d em ic suc c e ss. St ud ent s ca n’t a f ford t o t r e at t hei r b o dy p o orly, a s it obv iously caus e s b ot h physica l a nd ment a l h a r m , but t h at’s b e c ome a n u n for t u nat e r e a l it y for t he m ajor it y of us. Ac c ord i ng t o w w w.he a lt hych i ld r en.org, at le a st 30 p e r c ent of h ig h scho ol st ud ent s do not e at br e a k fa st on a d a i ly ba sis, wh i le w w w.apt a . org fou nd t h at ne a rly 73 p e r c ent of h ig h scho ol st ud ent s get i n su f f ic ient a mou nt s of sle ep. It’s ig nor a nt of us t o a ssu me t he s e a la r m i ng r at e s d epict i ng a la ck of s el f- ca r e won’t c ome ba ck a r ou nd t o s eve r ely i mpa ct b ot h ou r physica l a nd a ca d em ic l ive s.

Sle ep is e ss ent ia l i n t he p r o c e ss of le a r n i ng.

Yet m a ny st ud ent s st ay up lat e i nt o t he n ig ht eit he r doi ng homework or st udy i ng. Wit hout enoug h sle ep, st ud ent s won’t b e fo cus e d on t hei r scho ol work but t he r isk is much g r e at e r t h a n just get t i ng a si mple que st ion w r ong on a t e st or qu i z . T he fa ct t h at st ud ent s a r e d r iv i ng t o scho ol i n st at e s of s eve r e sle ep d ep r ivat ion shou ld b e enoug h t o enc ou r age us t o br i ng mor e at t ent ion t o t he ne c e ssit y of p r op e r s el f- ca r e.

T he A me r ica n Aca d emy of Sle ep Me d ic i ne fou nd t h at of a l l ca r c r a she s i n wh ich a p e r son wa s hospit a l i z e d , 13 p e r c ent of t hos e a r e due, at le a st i n pa r t t o, d r owsy d r iv i ng. A nd st ay i ng up a l l n ig ht i n a n ef for t t o c r a m i n t hos e la st s et of f la shca rd s is d ef i n it ely not t he a n swe r t o br i ng i ng t h is st at ist ic dow n.

D u r i ng t he d ay, a st ud ent s’ nut r it ion is c r uc ia l t o m a i nt a i n i ng he a lt h. H av i ng enoug h wel lba la nc e d fo o d t o e at is a not he r la rge pa r t of a ca d em ic suc c e ss. Ac c ord i ng t o w w w.a r t icle s. ext en sion.org, h ig he r qu a l it y d iet s ove r t i me r e su lt e d i n b et t e r p e r for m a nc e s on exa m s. Wit h t he p r op e r sle ep a nd nut r it ion for eve r y st ud ent , i nd iv idu a l suc c e ss h a s t he p ot ent ia l t o cl i mb ve r y r apid ly.

W h i le h ig h scho ole r s h ave a r e sp on sibi l it y of t a k i ng ca r e of t hem s elve s, t he scho ol shou ld t a ke up just a s much i n en su r i ng st ud ent s h ave t he p r op e r m i nd s et a nd k nowle dge on t he i mp or t a nc e of nut r it ion a nd he a lt h. I f it b e ca me r out i ne for us t o c on st a nt ly le a r n a l it t le mor e a b out wh at p osit ively i mpa ct s ou r he a lt h , even t h r oug h a s somet h i ng a s sm a l l a s a d a i ly a n nou nc ement on t he Nor s emen News, we wou ld b e helpi ng t o sh ap e t he f ut u r e of l it e r a l ly mor e t h a n a t housa nd k id s d a i ly. A he a lt h ie r st ud ent a l lows for mor e i nd iv idu a l suc c e ss, a nd scho ols ne e d t o help en su r e t h at st ud ent s a r e a ch iev i ng t hei r level b e st .

Soft subjects — the arts, literature, philosophy and those of the like. As students, we focus on advocating for emphasis on non-academic classes simply because it is wrong to assume hard subjects, like math and science, are a standard every student should live up to, because not everyone can be good at everything, or even because they’re considered to be low-stress classes. I’m not saying soft subjects aren’t important — we’ve just been looking at it with a completely wrong perspective.

We tend to focus on academically challenging careers because they are in high demand. The world needs more doctors to take on cancer research, more scientists to find a solution to global warming and more politicians to end the war on terror.

Naturally, we assume that taking harder classes will lead to a job that will guarantee good money and a good lifestyle. But, eradicating the importance of soft subjects is directly correlated to ending what seem like the most serious global crises.

When you live in a community as privileged and secluded as Grosse Pointe for so long, you forget what it’s like to encounter serious issues on a daily basis. I’m not trying to undermine the severity of issues that are a big deal in this community — like mental health — but when we are so isolated from the rest of the world, and bear in mind that the lack of cultural diversity in Grosse Pointe doesn’t help us a bit in this case, our only exposure is through soft subjects. Without this, there is no chance that we can learn about the severity of major global issues, so then how will we ever know that there is a need for more doctors or scientists or generals?

Subjects like philosophy are often taken as a joke of subject. After all, how exactly will contemplating about the existence of mankind help us solve the issue of a rising carbon footprint? Or perhaps, when the oceans are all drying up, no one will be paying attention to the true beauty of literature or poetry.

" I think it is a dif ferent crowd. In honors classes, the students take the class more seriously."

But this is a flaw not in the soft subjects themselves, but in our mindset of being conditioned to value only the things that society deems significant. Because philosophy is “a way of thinking about the world, the universe and society,” or matters that concern mankind as a whole, it teaches us that we are more similar to each other than we realize. We share our victories and we share our problems. If that doesn’t convince you to spread some more good in the world, what could be more motivating?

If philosophy is too much to wrap your head around, perhaps literature is easier to relate to. Literature provides us the chance to experience what life is like around the globe without moving an inch. “The Kite Runner,” a bestseller that discusses the heart wrenching story of the war in Afghanistan, offers information at the back of the book on where you can donate to help. Vivid poetry pulls at heartstrings like nothing else, countless writers use their platforms to emphasize the need for humanity. “As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and one for helping others.” Maya Angelou publishes more than just quotes about helping others. Authors like Khaled Hosseini and Markus Zusak have inspired generations of passionate readers. Readers that, because of them, have learned the severity of war, terror and famine, all things we need to be addressing as a society today.

We need to be devoting our time to subjects that can inspire students in school — the future leaders of our generation — just as much as we focus on strictly academic subjects. We need the influence of diversity in thought, experience and creativity if we plan on moving one step forward, and we most definitely are not going to get that diversity by sitting in Grosse Pointe and solely devoting our time and energy to subjects as academically nuanced as AP biology and AP calculus.

Bryce Mcneary

'I have a mix of honors and non-honors classes. I ask honors class students for help, but I do tend to hang around with people who don’t have honors classes."

Liam McEnroe

"I don’t think it really affects the way you are with other people except the fact that you’re kind of in a different atmosphere with different kinds of people.It shouldn’t affect your friends or who you’re friends are."

Tiara Cherry

SOPHOMORE

SOPHOMORE

SOPHOMORE

YOUR TURN: How do honors classes affect students' social groups and/or lives?

"People in honors classes act different because they take it more seriously.

Also, the teachers in honors classes treat the students better rather than a normal class."

Joe Hamooda JUNIOR

"People in honors classes seem to hang around with people more focused on school."

Nathan Trust SENIOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Syeda Rizvi MANAGING EDITOR: Sofia Ketels BUSINESS MANAGER: Victoria Wittenberg WEBMASTER: Brooklyn McWhorter PAGE EDITORS: Maggie Carron, Arzoo Chhaya, Michael Hartt, Adam Schwartz, Emily Widgren, Hannah Zalewski STAFF REPORTERS: Colin Duffy, Kylie Duke, Farrah Fasse, Ray Jason, Julia Magnan, Abi Murray, Amelia Nowicki INTERNS: Giacobi Bush, Niklas David, Ray Hamilton The North Pointe is edited and produced by Advanced Journalism students at Grosse Pointe North High School and is published every two weeks. It is in practice a designated public forum without prior review.

"Honors classes affect students’ social lives, because if you have one honors class you likely have more than one, and you are around a lot of the same students, making new friends."

Tayler Elliott SENIOR

Comments should be directed to the student editors, who make all final content decisions.

The views expressed are solely those of the authors or the student editorial board and do not reflect the opinions of the Grosse Pointe Public School System.

We are a member of the Michigan Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Student Press Law Center. We subscribe to McClatchy-Tribune Information Services and iStockphoto.com.

One copy is available free to all community members. Additional copies may be purchased.

Our editorial policy and advertising rates are available online at northpointenow.org. The North Pointe is printed on 100% recycled paper.

CONTACT US 707 Vernier Road Grosse Pointe Woods MI, 48236 Email: gpnnorthpointe@gmail.com Phone: 313.432.3248 Twitter: @TheNorthPointe Website: northpointenow.org FACULTY ADVISER: Allison Dunn

Straight to all our veins In our ever growing a nd evolving society, scientists a re tr ying to f ind new ways to cure diseases that could potentially k ill those infected. Vaccines a re vital to our health a nd have been the ma in reason lethal vir uses, such as polio, have been eradicated. In recent yea rs, however, some have been boycotting the vaccination of their ch ild ren because of repor ts that state vaccines cause more ha r m tha n help.

T hese repor ts a re clea rly falsif ied, a nd refusing to vaccinate thousa nds because of them is becom ing a problem in moder n society that could th reaten m illions.

People have fea red vaccinations since the 170 0s, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Infor mation. Most of that fea r ca me from religious leaders, but in the m id 180 0s, we sta r ted to see a la rger brea kout of fea r for legal or political reasons. For exa mple, after Br ita in passed a law saying all ch ild ren had to receive vaccines if capable, a n a nti-vaccination league ga ined suppor t, saying that the gover nment was revok ing personal liber ties.

In recent yea rs, th is movement has ga ined popula r ity because of the spread of false infor mation a nd resea rch. In one study, a doctor found a lin k between vaccines a nd autism spectr um disorder. T h is was found to be fa ke, a nd the doctor who conducted the study lost their license. Much of the a nti-vaccination movement is built off of false infor mation that could potentially ha r m us in the future a nd clouds the cor rect a nd impor ta nt infor mation, specif ically benef its of vaccines a nd how much they have saved us in the past.

With that being sa id, there a re still justif iable reasons to refuse a vaccination, especially in the case of health disorders that could pose a th reat to the patient.

T here a re also ma ny different religious reasons that call for natural treatment of diseases.

T hese cases, however, do not a mount to the m illions of fa m ilies who choose not to vaccinate their k ids.

Multiple diseases, such as measles, have been eradicated due to the impor ta nt a nd extensive work done by medical resea rchers — work that has been done for the well-being of society’s health. We a re now seeing new outbrea ks of preventable diseases — measles included — that were ignited because of a ch ild who was not vaccinated. T h is puts ever yone at r isk.

Ch ild ren who do not have vaccines that they a re capable of receiving a re at a greater disadva ntage. If there is a n outbrea k, those ch ild ren will be h it the ha rdest, a nd the r isk of death is h igh. T here is absolutely no reason to why a pa rent should put their ch ild at r isk based on false infor m a t io n , putting the rest of the population at risk of spreading already eradicated diseases.

Our world is growing a nd the population is increasing rapidly, ma k ing diseases easier to spread. We have a way to f ight aga inst them, a nd they a re there for our use a nd benef it. It is foolish of us to assume that noth ing will happen if we keep our eyes closed to scientif ic fact —we need to shed as much light on th is subject as possible, ensur ing the safety of ourselves a nd ever yone a round us.

IN-DEPTH

4 – North Pointe – Wednesday, March 6,2019

Hesitation to Vaccinate

Statistics showing significantly decreased vaccination rates among young children spark health concerns Junior Michelle Bodnariuk has always been afraid of needles.

She looks away at the sight of them being injected into her arm, and gets nervous at the doctor’s office when she’s told it’s time to receive any sort of shot, poke or vaccine. Despite her personal worries, Bodnariuk strongly believes that everybody, fearful of the outcome or not, should get their immunizations, as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as their flu shot every year — just as she does.

“I’m terrified of needles, but at the same time you know, everyone needs [vaccines],” Bodnariuk said. “I guess it’s one of those things where it’s like, you gotta do it.”

While Bodnariuk works through her fear of needles every year in order to get her immunizations, many do not share her belief that vaccines are an important method of fighting disease.

In the past seventeen years, children who are fully vaccinated have decreased significantly. According to the Federal Health Data, the amount of children under the age of two who are not vaccinated has quadrupled since 2001.

This is concerning to junior Lyndsay Kluge, who also receives immunizations every year, and firmly believes that vaccinations play a significant role in maintaining public health.

“There’s more pros than there are cons for getting the vaccination,” Kluge said. “It’s a really big deal to get all your shots.”

As the 2019 flu season continues on into spring, the debate over whether or not to get vaccinated remains heated. Viruses, such as the flu, have vaccines preventing it but there are still hundreds of cases in the United States yearly. During the 20172018 flu season, roughly 80,000 people died due to the virus.

One of the most common factors leading to the decision to not receive vaccines is the worry about adverse effects that could cause harm to the recipient, according to a study from the U.S National Library of Medicine.

Many immunizations have been known to contain toxins like aluminum and formaldehyde. According to www.publichealth. com, one chemical specifically scrutinized by many is thimerosal, which is a mercury-based compound. Though proven to not have any effect on children when given in small amounts, it is toxic to people when given in large doses. According to the CDC, thimerosal was to prevent the growth of bacteria in

vaccines. The use of thimerosal was lessened in vaccines in 1999 after the American Academy of Pediatrics, a group that makes vaccines, decided it would be best to lessen its use for precautionary measures.

Though many still fear that thimerosal, and the use of other chemicals in vaccines makes them unsafe to use, Bodnariuk stresses that in general, the amount of those chemicals in vaccines are so insignificant that they do not make vaccines themselves unsafe in any way. Agreeing with her is Dr. Ruta Sharangpani, who works with the Wayne County Health Department.

Sharangpani also added that the Centers for Disease Control

“

I’m terrified of needles, but at the same time you know, everyone needs [vaccines]. I guess it’s one of those things where it’s like, you gotta do it.

Michelle Bodnariuk JUNIOR

“

By Sofia Ketels & Julia Magnan MANAGING EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

continually collect data on vaccines and their potential adverse effects in order to regulate them.

“I think that vaccines are in general very safe and effective.

Like all medications, there are side effects, most of which are mild, such as pain or redness at the sight of infection,” Sharangpani said via email. “I also know that millions of people have been vaccinated for decades now without adverse effects.”

As for another cause of the rapidly declining vaccination rate for children in the United States, Sharangpani gives credit to how effective vaccines have been at essentially eradicating a number of lethal diseases that are most commonly vaccinated against.

Because of that success, many parents of this generation never witnessed the severity of the disease firsthand, or knew how contagious they could be.

Diseases Preventable by Vaccination

While she does believe that each family has the goal of making the best possible decision for their family members, Sharangpani said the decrease in children getting vaccinated is concerning, given 90 percent of people need to be vaccinated in order to prevent diseases such as the measles from making a comeback this century.

Both Bodnariuk and Kluge also feel that one should consider the safety and health of others when deciding whether or not to receive vaccines. To Bodnariuk, it is a necessity that parents not only consider themselves and their own children, but also those around them.

“It’s a community event, vaccination,” Bodnariuk said. “it’s not just about your child, it’s about the community.”

Though there are no laws saying that a person has to be vaccinated in the United States, there are laws regarding the administration of vaccines in students who attend public schools.

In Michigan, the only vaccination required to get from ages 1318 is the MCV4 vaccine, which protects against four types of meningococcal disease, or meningitis, a severe bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

While Kluge personally feels that every child should be vaccinated if they are physically able to, she believes that it is best for people to be allowed to determine that on their own accord, and respects the fact that there are no federal or state laws that require every child to be fully vaccinated.

“We actually talked about (vaccination rates) in government class. I feel like it is an individual right to be able to. In the United States, I feel like as a citizen, you should be able to make your decision,” Kluge said. “I mean, they are getting somewhere, but it can’t be completely required.”

While it may not be required by law to get them, Sharangpani strongly recommends that people get vaccinated, whether it be for the flu or a much more serious disease. According to her, an unvaccinated person is at a higher risk for contracting the disease that the given vaccine was meant to prevent, which can develop into complications of pneumonia, meningitis and various birth defects. In addition, as Bodnariuk also stressed, not being vaccinated also increases the risk of passing the given disease on to an individual who is much more vulnerable to it, such as the elderly, infants and those with compromised immune systems.

“I do recommend vaccines to everyone who is eligible to get them,” Sharangpani said via email. “They are the best way to protect yourself and others against these diseases.”

REVIEWS

5– Wednesday, March 6, 2019 – North Pointe

AXE: Alliance vs Empire Generates Striking Features

By Adam Schwartz PAGE EDITOR

By: Adam Schwartz PAGE EDIOTR

Recently released “AXE: Alliance VS Empire” is a combat game that allows users to play in a world with a character they have created, fighting against enemy dragons and other villains.

Before the beginning of the first battle, new users are able to customize their very own character — which is surprisingly very rewarding. They can pick and choose the clothing, color and hairstyle of their character before heading off into battle.

In addition to the personal flair of customization, the soundtrack is very intense which gets the user in the zone for the game as many types of challenges await.

It utilizes the determined and heroic themes to induce the intensity of a gaming experience and ends up accompanying the journey perfectly.

The game itself is very remarkable with many amazing features. Kicking off in a training camp, users learn how to control different types of battle techniques such as fighting with fire powers, a sword or a bow and arrow to defeat enemies. When it comes to battle training, wooden targets are used for practice and preparation, which end up becoming a must-use feature to build strength.

In addition to thorough preparation, the game supplies an endless amount of incentives to the user. There are multiple upgrades that can be given to one’s character when playing and all characters start out at level one, allowing them to progress and unlock more as they continue. Characters can earn upgraded equipment and increase their level from one onwards, to make them the strongest possible.

Although some opportunities cannot be unlocked until a certain level is reached, it teaches the user the concept of what it means to keep working hard to reach a goal.

Even further, users must learn to master battle training if they want to be successful.

Battle training is where all of their skills are tested by a higher ranking official before they go up against the real masters and offers users a better chance to fully understand what’s coming up against all of them. This competitive edge also keeps players interested and motivated to conquer their enemies in order to further their progression through the game.

Once the training is complete, the real challenges begin. Facing scaly creatures such as snakes and dragons, the game gets tougher. Mirroring that of real-world situations, each level forces the user to demonstrate their successes or failures in battle training and evaluate whether or not they can execute what they learned.

Since the game builds on itself, users will have to develop and master a variety of skills in order to move on, thus proving the game’s intensity and development.

“AXE: Alliance vs Empire” is a great example of a game that gives various options to gamers. It offers unique customizing options while also giving users time to understand the controls, unlike some apps that just throw players into battle and leave them hanging very high and dry. For anyone who needs time to understand a game “AXE: Alliance Vs Empire” is the perfect choice as it requires gamers to take time, but also offers adaptable controls and explicit instruction.

"AXE: Alliance vs Empire" (2019) App DROIDGAMERS.COM

MOVIE

ALBUM

BOOK

MOVIE

ON THE COME UP

KIM POSSIBLE

HEAD ABOVE WATER

BATTLE ANGEL ALITA

Avril Lavigne has gathered mixed reviews since her debut in 1999. With notorious songs such as “Sk8er Boi” and “My Happy Ending” under her belt, it WIKIPEDIA.ORG is no surprise that people have been looking forward to her new album “Head Above Water.” Her last single was released in late 2018, so naturally this album was long awaited for — but it did not meet the high expectations, to say the least.

The first song on her album, “Head Above Water,” was meant to be an uplifting song, but has a rather cold tone to it. The rock-esque theme her music holds is still prominent throughout the album. As the playlist continues, you can hear the same bland tone of voice throughout every single song. As soon as I heard her sing, I could tell that the album was not going to change through its entirety. Her vocal range hasn’t changed at all since her early 2000’s grunge phase, and her vocals are very plain compared to the music on the radio today.

Though the songs on the album are basic, there is one song on the album that stands out from the rest of them. “Dumb Blonde,” a song featuring Nicki Minaj, is a taste breaker. Even though it is different, the song still is not well written or sung. The vocals in that song, at least the ones by Lavigne, do not fit the lyrics well. I had much higher expectations for this song, as it was written with such a current artist, and was let down fairly quickly within the first thirty seconds of listening.

Not only is the music bad on its own, but the way the album was arranged made it seem less professional, giving the impression that they were randomly placed without care.

The songs will switch from slow to sped up throughout the album, and will take you off guard if you play the album in order.

Overall, Lavigne’s album did not pass any expectations I had. When I heard about the albums release, I would have thought that the album would be way better than it actually turned out to be.

“You told me the story of the war when the ground shook and the sky burned. Of the ones that survived, who awoke to a different world, where the powerful can prey IMDB.COM on you. But that’s not the way it has to be,” exclaimed Alita (Rosa Salazar), as she took justice into her own hands during the climax of “Alita Battle Angel.” Directed by Robert Rodriguez, “Alita Battle Angel” is a film notable for its intense visuals, recommended to be watched in 3D to enhance your visual experience.

Told through the eyes of Alita, who is a robot, the film provides a one-of-a-kind story, giving it a fresh “rebuild.” Watching the film gives an outstanding visual experience. Personally, it was the best 3D film I have ever seen, supplying incredibly realistic optics.

Set in the year 2563 in Iron City, this is an interesting film that tells a story of accepting yourself and others for who they are.

At the centre of the film, Alita is comfortable with her true self and chooses to embrace it instead of masking her identity. Hugo (Keean Johnson), a character who is drawn as a friendly guy around the neighborhood, ends up befriending Alita.

Eventually, however, she discovers that Hugo hunts robots like herself. Alita chooses to ignore the depth of the situation, and chooses to save Hugo from a group of deadly bounty hunters.

In another unforgettable scene during the film, Alita plays a street sport game for the first time and excels, showing up the locals. Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz), who “raised” Alita gave an amazing performance in the film. The cast picked for this movie was perfect overall, and they played their roles flawlessly.

Although the acting for the movie was superb, I do think the story could have had more depth, given the 122 minute run time. This nearly guarantees a sequel, especially considering how the film ended on a cliffhanger.

The cherries on top for this film were the perfectly chosen soundtrack that amplified the intense scenes, and Alitas mesmerizing outfits which impressed the audience by combining intricate details and functionality.

This film will appeal to all teens and adults, as it uses little to no inappropriate language, and the beauty of the animation cannot be overlooked.

It is hard to imagine that Angie Thomas could outdo herself after receiving critical acclaim for her debut novel “The Hate U Give,” but HARPERCOLLINS.COM Thomas did just that with her new book “On the Come Up.” The story follows 16-year-old Brianna Jackson of Garden Heights, the city still recovering from riots in response to the murder of Starr Carter’s brother at the hands of a police officer in “The Hate U Give.” Garden Heights’ residents are often caught in the crossfires of local gang violence, which Jackson has personally fallen victim to, through the murder of her underground rap legend father, Lawless.

Admittingly, I was apprehensive when I started “On The Come Up.” It’s not the type of book I’d usually pick up off the shelf and I have yet to read “The Hate U Give,” however I was blown away by the characters Thomas crafted. Jackson is a character like no other, and I quickly became very attached to her passionate voice.

Listening to her, she felt undeniably familiar. Between going out for lunch with her friends, fangirling, endlessly teasing her older brother and experiencing the constant pressure to study for her ACT while also looking for excuses to skip it when she can, Jackson was a character I consistently enjoyed and identified with throughout the book.

More than anything, this book has been a learning experience for me. I have always been able to recognize that the treatment between me and some of my fellow students can be starkly different because of the color of our skin. However, after reading this book, I have a much more contextualized understanding for exactly what these differences are, that I’m not totally sure I could empathize with before hearing and experiencing them through Jackson.

I strongly recommend “On The Come Up” to anyone reading from a distinctly teen perspective, or someone with a love for hiphop. I know I will be reading “The Hate U Give” as soon as I can get my hands on it after reading this book, and I definitely look forward to more reads from Thomas.

Disney’s new live action film, “Kim Possible” left viewers very disappointed. The movie is based off of the animated cartoon series that many fans loved WIKIPEDIA.ORG from the early 2000s, but the now young adults that greatly enjoyed the show as kids are dissatisfied about the introduction of the new character.

Athena (Ciara Riley Wilson) was never seen in the earlier show, and made old fans confused and upset when she showed up out of nowhere.

She appears as the new girl in town and has no friends, but little do her new peers know she is a robot built by the evil villains Dr. Drakken (Todd Stashwick) and Shego (Taylor Ortega) The purpose of Athena is to try and beat Kim Possible, the protaganist of the series.

This plot point is too basic. Viewers know what is going to happen at all times, and the predictability of the film could have been prevented had the producers added something fresh.

Most of the time, an integral part of any “action” movie is obviously the stunts, so when viewers distinguish what’s real vs. what’s not, things are going to seem a little off. The only people that would not be able to tell are the little kids that don't pay that much attention. Throughout the movie, the excessive number of fights and stunts ruined the entire thing for many.

Additionally, the story line is different from that of the show. This was a very big disappointment, as viewers were thinking that it would mirror the original because it’s a live action reboot. Possible plays soccer in the movie, but cheer in the show. Despite the insignificance of this detail, viewers wanted a cheerleader hero, not an equipment manager for the soccer team.

Although the movie was meant for a new generation of kids, they could have integrated the old show more to make it better. With the new line of live action reboots of their classic films, it was a surprise to see that Disney didn’t follow this theme. "Kim Possible" was a missed opportunity, and that's the sitch.

"Head Above Water;" 2019; Available to buy on iTunes

"Battle Angel Alita;" 2019; Available to watch in theaters

"On The Come Up" 2019; Available to buy at Barnes and Noble

"Kim Possible;" 2019; Available to watch in theaters

By Julia Magnan

By Giacobi Bush

By Abi Murray

By Kylie Duke

SPORTS

6 – Wednesday, March 6, 2019 – North Pointe

UPCOMING GAMES GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL Home game against Fraser High School on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m.

BOYS VARSITY LACROSSE Away game against L’anse Creuse High School on Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m.

One for the record books Girls basketball coach Gary Bennett celebrates 600 career win

TWITTER.COM

THE REAL PRIZE | Bennett poses with the girs varsity basketball team after an away game. He believes that the true success of a season is not judged by the record, instead, the true measure how well the team bonds together. “It’s how much fun the kids have,” Bennett said, “how much they enjoy playing together.”

By Colin Duffy & Nik David

Home game against University of Detroit Jesuit High School on Monday, March 25 at 4:30 p.m. at the baseball field

GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER Home game against Lake Shore High School on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the turf field

WINTER SPORTS AWARDS NIGHT Tuesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center

STAFF REPORTER & INTERN

“Our team word is “urgency” which Coach Bennett is all about,” “Mr. 600.” Coach Gary Bennett, who some call the father of the girls Kohler said. “Mr. Bennett wants 110 percent effort at all times.” basketball program, does not take credit for the team’s record breaking wins.

To play well together, Kohler and Bennet alike believe a team must “You get to 600 wins because you have great kids,” Bennett said. “It’s have good chemistry, meaning the girls must have good relationships not my wins, its their wins.” both on and off the court. Bennett tries to accomplish this through Bennett has been with the basketball program though its worst and team activities outside of practice such as a weekly pasta party and an best moments, and everything in between. Although most people love occasional trip to Gleaners Food Bank. following an undefeated or a championship team, Bennett does not base Senior Julia Ayrault has played for Bennett since her freshman year, success on whether or not the team is winning and will continue her basketball career next year or losing. Instead, he focuses on four goals: at Michigan State University. Although she will work ethic, the ability to play together, caring be playing for a different coach, Ayrault said she for one another and being a team that is fun to will always value one of Bennett’s principles in watch. Using these as standards, Bennett works particular. to create a unified group.

“Something that Coach Bennett taught me that “I emphasize that every year, whether our I will always keep a part of my game would be to record is 20-0 or 10-10 we can accomplish those always push myself even when it feels like I can’t,” goals,” Bennett said. “Our crux is working hard Ayrault said. “He uses a phrase often, “sustain your and being fun to watch and I am proud to say effort,” if I can keep that mentality through my that we have accomplished that.” career it will help me if things get tough or if I need Bennett laughed when asked if he thought that extra burst of energy.” he deserved the title of “legendary” that According to Ayrault, Bennett has shaped great Gary Bennett students and staff have used to describe him, relationships among herself and her teammates, COACH but as numerous players continue to carry out as her best friends are also on the team. This is Bennett’s practices at the college level, many something she said she hasn’t experienced with any believe he clearly deserves the title. other coach, and Ayrault believes that it’s a great Sophomore Maddie Kohler weighed in on her relationship with thing for a coach to be able to do for their players.

Bennett, as she believes he has shaped her into a better player throughout “Playing with Coach Bennett was different from playing for other her time on the girls basketball team. coaches because while playing for him, you really learn how important “Mr. Bennett is all about the team, so he does not put a lot of attention your relationships with your teammates are,” said Ayrault. “I’ve come into a specific person at practice,” Kohler said. “But outside of practice to realize that my best friends are the girls on the team, because of the I have worked with him on my shot.” bond we’ve created playing together.”

Kohler has played under Bennett for the past two years, but her work To the girls on the basketball team, Bennett’s ability to create a towards earning a starting position was not easy. Bennett stresses upon comforting and welcoming environment is a value that has ultimately having fun while playing, but also makes it clear that players need to contributed to the program’s overall success over the years and, work for it. along with Bennett’s record-breaking 600 wins, a staple of his career.

“

Our crux is working hard and being fun to watch and I am proud to say that we have accomplished that.

“

BOYS VARSITY BASEBALL

TWITTER.COM

TEAM OF CHAMPIONS | Bennett poses with the girls varsity basketball team after becoming MAC champions at the Febuary 23 championship game. Bennett said he does not measure the success of his team in number of wins, but in how much his players have fun and enjoy the game. “Right now were having a really successful year because we’re working hard, fun to watch, they’re able to play together and share the ball,” Bennett said.

COURTESY OF TERESA BENNETT

TWITTER.COM

SIX HUNDRED | The varsity team celebrates Bennett’s 600 career win with a party. This victory placed him 7 in the state in terms of career wins. “Our crux is working hard and being fun to watch,” Bennett said, “and I am proud to say that we have accomplished that.”

COACHING FOR RELATIONSHIPS| North graduate and former math teacher Gary Bennett has spent years giving back to the community as a coach. “Playing with (Coach) Bennett was different” Aryault said, “because you really learn how important your relationships with your teammates are.”