NORTH GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
SINCE 1968
INCOMING FRESHMEN EDITION
POINTE NORTHPOINTENOW.ORG
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019
IDEAS
2 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – North Pointe
Welcome home, freshmen By Syeda Rizvi & Sofia Ketels
The feeling in your stomach right now is probably similar to the one from when you first set foot into middle school. At a glance, North may seem a little discouraging. After all the struggles you overcame in these past few years in middle school, you are in the same position again. A new door is about to open, full of the uncertainty of a new lifestyle and all that it entails. There is probably a lot that you are worried about, from the pressures of a higher education to who you will sit with at the lunch table in the cafeteria. As juniors, we lived through the same experience. Welcome to Grosse Pointe North High School, where you will spend the next four years of your life. Don’t worry about sitting down and elaborately planning exactly what you want your high school experience to look like. While you think you may have a plan, trust us when we say high school will throw things your way you didn’t even imagine you would have to deal with. From projects that make you question the bane of your existence to test questions
that have words like “oxidative decarboxylation” in them; we’ve been through it all. For some, the best way to deal with this stress may be to stay up all night long and contemplate over what your life seems like it’s turning into. But for us: we find that true comfort is in realizing that the people in this building have your best interest. Although it seems like your math teacher is throwing problems at you because they think it’s fun, as a teacher you are motivated by the pride you see in students after they accomplish something, no matter how small. Your teachers are here to see you succeed and we - the upperclassmen - are here to support you all the way. As you begin this new chapter of your life, our advice to you is to literally remember that this is a new chapter of your life - you have a clean slate. That test you might have failed in science last year has no significance, that fight you got into with your best friend in seventh grade and that time when you got a nosebleed in class, none of it
has any significance. As you walk through these doors, remember you are a Norsemen. There should be nothing of your past experiences weighing you down. This is your moment. Take classes that will challenge yourself. Sign up for that club you’ve always wanted to be in but never had the courage to join. Take chances. These are the prime years to discover yourself, to find out what you really want and what you really hate. Don’t waste this chance. Congratulations on making it this far but we cannot guarantee that these next years will be easy. You will struggle. You will (probably) cry. You will inevitably fail in one aspect or another. But we are Norsemen and we overcome. So, welcome to high school. Welcome to Grosse Pointe North. Always remember that no matter what you need, help is closer than you think it may be. Over these next four years, you will have the ride of your life, but remember, to be a Norsemen is to strive for excellence.
YOUR TURN: What advice would you give to the freshmen next year?
“Keep on top of your homework because I didn’t do that this year and I kind of messed up with that.”
Ian Ballinger (‘22)
9 tips for 9th grade By Ray Jason
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Don’t worry about the small stuff, like friend groups or a bad quiz grade. It’s not going to be relevant by the time you graduate; don’t let it consume your thoughts.
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Dress in layers. The temperature in this building fluctuates a lot; one classroom can be freezing and the next can be boiling, and it changes from day-to-day.
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Use your locker if you can. Take the books you need for the first half of the day with you in the morning and switch it out at lunch. Trust me, you don’t want to hurt your back with a heavy bag.
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Bring a water bottle. According to the United Kingdom National Health Services, you are more likely to be energized and more likely to be in a good mood when you are hydrated. Every little thing helps when you’re having a long day.
Budget your time. There’s a lot going on during the school year. It’s important to make sure you leave enough time to take care of yourself along with taking care of your work at school.
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Eat a full lunch. While hydration helps, eating will vastly improve your mood in the day and it’s easier to focus on school work when you aren’t focused on the fact that you are starving.
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If you have a question, ask. The only thing you are doing is hurting yourself if you don’t, and if you have a question, it’s likely that you’re not the only one who needs help. Any upperclassmen, teacher or counselor would be more than happy to help you out.
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Pack a spare pair of earbuds. They always get lost, and that’s just a stressful situation waiting to happen. One less thing to stress about this year will make a big difference.
Find a good group of friends. There are so many places to find people who have similar interests as you such as clubs and teams. So much happens in the school year, especially as a freshman, so it’s good to have a good group of friends who have your best interest at heart.
“I would say make sure that you choose your friend group and start to get to know a lot of new people.”
Rhoby Rausch (‘22)
“Just that it’s a lot like middle school. It’s pretty much the same thing with maybe a bit more homework.”
Ryan Spiteri (‘22) By Amelia Nowicki
HOMECOMING
3 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – North Pointe
LOCO FOR HOCO// 10 things to know for Spirit Week By Emily Widgren
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EVENT// PEP ASSEMBLY
On Friday morning, the entire school gathers in the gym for the annual pep assembly. During the assembly, fall sports teams are introduced, the class homecoming courts are announced, students play games, cheer on their class and much more.
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CLOTHING// SPIRIT PACKS
EVENT// FRESHMAN SPIRIT DAY
Every year, your class will receive a homecoming spirit pack. It includes the class homecoming shirt that pertains to the theme as well as assorted items such as beads, candy, bandanas and more. To order yours, talk to your class advisor, who you will meet during summer orientation. The shirts are worn during freshman spirit day and on pep assembly day.
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EVENT// FLOAT BUILDING
Along with stairwell decorating, your class also builds a float based on the Homecoming theme. Dates are determined by your interim class counsel and advisers. Much like the stairwell, floats are also voted upon by the teachers and the winner is announced at the Homecoming football game on Friday night. SYDNEY BENSON AMY RANDAZZO
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EVENT// SENIOR TOGA DAY
Senior spirit day is a little different than the other class spirit days. Instead of wearing their shirts to school, seniors make togas. After taking their class photo, they then run around the school. Make sure to come in early that day to watch the seniors run, and to stay out of the way to make sure you don’t get trampled.
The final event of spirit week is the homecoming dance. This is held at North on Saturday night. Tickets must be bought in advance and are sold outside of the student union for around 20 dollars. Tickets can not be bought at the door and need to be presented when going in. One out of every ten students will be randomly selected to do a breathalyzer test before entering the dance. Every year, one grade is awarded the spirit jug, which is given to the class that exhibits the most class spirit throughout the week on spirit day, and during the parade and the assembly. Judges award points to classes who win the stairwell and float competitions, as well as the classes who win the games played at the pep assembly. The winner of the spirit jug is announced during halftime.
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After marching in the parade with the freshmen class, the North varsity football team plays in the homecoming game. There are many festivities during halftime, including a tugof-war and the introduction of the homecoming court. Each class wears their homecoming shirt and gear found in the spirit pack.
EVENT// PARADE
On the Friday before the dance, students from all grades meet at Monteith Elementary School to walk in the annual North homecoming parade with their class. The parade route starts at Monteith, goes up Cook Road, down Morningside Drive and into the North parking lot. This then leads to the football field where the Homecoming game starts soon after your arrival.
COMPETITION// SPIRIT JUG
ELIZABETH TORAKIS
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EVENT// STAIRWELL DECORATING
Help your class design the stairwell based on your class’ homecoming theme. The dates are determined by the Student Association and throughout the week, teachers vote on their favorite stairwell. The winning class is announced during the pep assembly on the Friday before Homecoming.
EVENT// FOOTBALL GAME
EVENT// DANCE
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Show your class spirit by wearing your class homecoming shirt to school. Make sure to get to school early to be a part of the class picture, which takes place in the gym the morning of your spirit day. Feel free to wear the other items in your spirit pack as well, such as the bandana or beads, if given.
PEGGY BONBRISCO
ALYSSA SANDOVAL
4 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – North Pointe
ACTIVITIES
N RTH BUSINESS
CHOIR
For incoming freshman, North has various athletic opportunities in the fall, winter and spring seasons so freshman can quickly become a part of the North Family. You must obtain a gold card and pay the participation fee before the season starts to be able to participate. For more information go to www.gpnorthathletics.com.
Run by North’s business teachers, DECA is a great opportunity for those that are interested in business. Members compete in State, National and International levels. In addition, there are various business classes for students such as marketing and accounting.
The choir program run by Ben Henri has various levels including Norseman, Treble Choir, Choraliers, Pointe Chorale, AcaFella and Counterpointe. These groups depend on their level of difficulty and gender. There are many different concerts throughout the year from the fall to spring for the different levels to showcase their skills. For more information go to www.gpnorthchoirs.org.
Diversity Club, run by social studies teacher Dan Gilleran, helps with celebrating students’ backgrounds. The club covers controversial topics and has open discussions.
INTERACT CLUB
JOURNAL
KNOTS
LINK CREW
Hosting events such as packing bagged lunches, coat drives, and helping the homeless, Interact Club centers around giving back to others. The club revolves around charity work at their meetings.
A good way to get exposed to art and literature is through Harbinger. Harbinger is the residential literary magazine at North. Open to submission from all students, Harbinger accepts art, poetry, short stories and other kinds of writing.
KNOTS offers opportunities for peerto-peer connections with special needs students at North. Students volunteer to spend lunch periods with them, which prevents them from eating lunch alone and creates lasting friendships.
At the start of freshman year, each student is paired with an upperclassman who is their Link Crew leader for the school year. They assist the freshmen with getting acclimated to North and adjusting to their surroundings. Sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply to become leaders.
QUIZ BOWL
ROBOTICS
TUTORIAL
Run by choir director Ben Henri, Quiz Bowl provides students an opportunity to compete against other teams and see who can answer trivia the fastest.
The conjoined North-South robotics team, the Gearheads, are tasked with building robots to compete in different conferences at different levels. For many members (of all grades) it’s a great way to connect with other students and build friendships.
STUDENT COUNCIL
ATHLETICS
During the summer before freshman year, 9th grade students are given the opportunity to join interim council, which is a precursor to student council, made up of class councils and Student Association. The council helps with class homecoming activities and other events throughout the school year.
DIVERSITY CLUB
Unlike middle school, tutorial is offered at North. This doesn’t count towards credits, however it allows students to get a jump start on homework while also offering a break somewhere in the school day. Tutorial is offered both semesters.
ACTIVITIES
A TO Z
ENVIRONMENT
Students Against Violation of the Environment (SAVE) works to help conserve nature. SAVE is an environmental group run by, science teacher Christopher Skowronski, that helps make choices that will improve the campus and support green initiatives, such as recycling and cleaning waste.
Clubs and electives allow students to explore interests and meet new people HCIC
FRENCH CLUB
GERMAN CLUB
French Club is an alternative way to continue learning and connect to the French language. The club studies various aspects of French culture and offers opportunities for students to travel abroad if they’re heavily involved in the language.
German Club, which is advised by German teacher Susan Sipos, allows students to expand on their views and enjoyment on German. They’re able to gain more valuable insight outside of the school day, such as learning about German culture.
NORTH POINTE
ORCHESTRA
PEP BAND
Led by director Noah Zogas, North offers a class for students where they can continue (or begin) their pursuit of music. Consisting of five ensembles, students audition and are placed in the one that matches their skill level. Orchestra members compete in Solo and Ensemble, performing various concerts throughout the year.
A crucial element of any sports event, the Pep Band, led by director Tom Torrento, helps to get a home crowd excited. The Pep Band can be seen at home basketball and football games. All band students are eligible to join.
WILLOW
X-RAY
Willow is the perfect opportunity for girls to become strong leaders and make new friends. Willow is a female empowerment group and assists them with navigating through high school and events like homecoming.
If medical shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” have sparked your interest in the medical field, then the applied medical research class is the one for you. With monthly rotations and studies of the human anatomy, it’s a good way to get into the medical field as a student.
MUSICAL During the winter season those that are interested in musical theatre have the opportunity to audition for the winter musical. It offers opportunities for individuals who have a passion for singing, dancing, acting, stage crew, costumes and makeup.
5 – North Pointe – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
North Pointe is a newspaper that is published for Grosse Pointe North students and for the community to read. Among others, writing, photography, design and leadership are all skills that can be accomplished in this co-circular class. North Pointe is a nationally ranked paper and offers lots of co-curricular opportunities.
UNION COOKIES
VALHALLA
For those interested in design, graphic design or photography, Valhalla, the A staple of North lunches are the school’s yearbook, is an all-year counion cookies. Available on Mondays curricular activity that requires some and Fridays for 50 cents during both out of school committments. Valhalla is early and late lunches, the money raised a great way to stay involved at North as goes towards the school and student well as learn and improve a multitude of council in order to help them make im- design skills. provements through student association.
The Health Career investigations Club is an opportunity for students to learn more about health care professions. Headed by science teacher Susan Spiers, the club hosts various different healthrelated speakers and assists students with considering their options in health.
YAF
ZOO
Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) is for students who are interested in politics, especially conservative politics. YAF is a great way to get politically educated and involved in the community.
Both the anthropology and AP environmental science classes take mid-year trips to the Detroit Zoo. They study different attractions at the zoo and use it as a way to connect back to what they’re studying in class.
By Adam Schwartz
SPORTS
6 - North Pointe – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
N O R S E M E N N A T I O N
Boys Soccer
Football
Girls swim
Boys soccer
Boys tennis
Boys/Girls
Boys swim
Boys/Girls hockey
Boys golf
Girls Softball lacrosse
basketball
Baseball
Field hockey
Wrestling Gymnastics
Girls tennis
SPORTS
7 - North Pointe – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
FALL
Girls golf
Volleyball Boys/Girls Dance cross country
Sideline cheer
Cheer
Sailing
Crew
Synchro swim
Dance
SPRING
Figure skating
WINTER
There are numerous sports in each season, and some sports have different levels of competition. For more information on the different teams and tryouts, go to gpnorthathletics.com.
Girls Boys/Girls Boys soccer track lacrosse ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
MAP
8 - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – North Pointe
GAME OF SQUARES Use this map of the school to navigate the square floor plans and locate key locations
KEY Stairwells Bathrooms Counseling office (first floor only) Main office (first floor only)
LINDSEY RAMSDELL
SCIENCE BUILDING
B-BUILDING
A-BUILDING
C-BUILDING
Just as the name suggests, this building is where you’ll find the science (and technology) classrooms. The science wing is one hallway with three floors. It can be accessed via the science stairwell or a hallway in the southeast corner of the B-building.
This is where you will find most of your classrooms. The B-building is shaped like three squares stacked on top of each other. Staircases are located in the corners of each floor. Math classes are on the first floor, social studies and language classes are on the second floor, and the third floor is mostly English classes. The third floor is also where freshman lockers are located.
“A” stands for arts and athletics. This is where you’ll find all arts classes (including foods and TV), the gym and the cafeteria. You can get to the A-building through two hallways—one in the front and one in the back—on the west side of the school.
If you are taking choir, band or orchestra next year, you will need to find your way to the C-building. To get there, you will go through the set of doors in the first floor science hallway. The C-building is not in the picture below because it is behind the Science Building.
GABE KORKMAZ