NORTH GROSSE POINTE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
SINCE 1968
POINTE
NORTHPOINTENOW.ORG
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019
INSIDE: PAGE 5
The annual pep assembly brings out the schoolwide performance and talent.
JULIA MAGNAN
Statewide teacher shortage impacts qualified candidates JULIA MAGNAN MICHAEL HARTT
@thenorthpointe www.northpointenow.org
News 2-3 Editorial 4 OnCampus 5
InDepth 6-7 Life 8 OnPointe 9
Reviews 10 Sports 11 VOLUME 52 | ISSUE 1
2 — Wednesdsay, Oct. 2, 2019 — North Pointe
NEWS
Michigan teacher shortage results in Italian classes canceled for students By Michael Hartt & Arei Swain PAGE EDITOR & INTERN
Weeks before the start of this school year, the teacher at the helm of the Italian language program resigned. The lack of available qualified teachers forced administration members to cancel the program for the year. This departure forced many students, including junior Molly Bennett, to take Italian language classes at South. Although Bennett said she is happy to continue taking the language, she has not completely overlooked her frustration. “It just made it difficult for a bunch of students who were in the class,” Bennett said. “They can’t do anything now about getting their four years of language.” Junior Sophia Vitale shared a similar frustrated sentiment. “I’m kind of upset about it because I was in Italian II, and I was going to take Italian III this year,” she said. “I wanted to go through all four years of Italian.” According to the Grosse Pointe Public School System’s Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources and Educational Services, John Dean, the resignation occuring in August and the lack of certified teachers who applied for the job made finding an Italian teacher unfeasible. Dean recognized the statewide teacher shortage as a part of the problem with filling teaching positions. “The State of Michigan has a teacher shortage that impacts all districts, including GPPSS,” Dean said via email. Vitale, on the other hand, attributed the cause of the administration not being able to find a replacement teacher to the difficulty of the Italain language. “I don't think the school was able to find a replacement because you need a really good Italian teacher to teach you because Italian is definitely more of a complex subject than Spanish or French,” Vitale said. “I think it is the hardest language to teach and also you really need to have skills.” The shortage is evident through the Michigan Department of Education’s critical shortage list, which includes teaching shortages in 38 different educational sub-professions, which includes world languages. Both Dean and Principal Kate Murray agree that the statewide shortage is the result of poor education funding and a lack of respect for the teaching profession. Less education funding over the past decade has resulted in the average inf lation-adjusted salary of a Michigan teacher declining by 12 percent from 2009 to 2019, according to the National Education Association’s annual rankings and estimates report.
MICHAEL HARTT
In addition, statewide changes in how teachers have to contribute to benefits programs has reduced Michigan teachers' take-home pay. Dean said initiatives like the district’s commitment to further develop skills in teachers and allow teachers to send their children to GPPSS have been important in attracting talent to the district. Michigan’s teacher shortage may be making it more difficult for other school districts to attract teachers, but Murray does not think it will prevent GPPSS from acquiring new faculty in the future.
“I think (we) continue to attract fantastic talent and that we are very deliberate about our recruitment and selection process,” she said. At the end of the day, Vitale said she hopes the Italian program can restart sometime soon. “I do think that this program should be brought back at North because I feel like we should have more language opportunities here,” Vitale said. “(It’s better than) North students having to go all the way to South just to take one class.”
NEWS
Keepin g it Brief
Budget spent on new lockers
By Gabrielle Bielak INTERN
New AP science class offered on roster This year, the class roster introduced the AP Computer Science and Principles class. Taught by science teacher Don Pata, it focuses on all things computers — ranging from online privacy to communication. “Whether it’s science, or engineering or math, or music, or fashion, or literature," Pata said, "This class is for you because it’s going to help you understand your world better.”
School closings add difficulties for students in other communities On September 3, Poupard and Trombly elementary schools began their final year of teaching. The decision to shut down the schools was made on June 24 by the Board of Education. Sophomore Maelisa Watkins, a Poupard alumni, said she is okay with the closings, yet believes some community members may be more upset about what the closing entails for transportation. “I feel bad for the kids that live in Harper Woods," Watkins said. "They now have to get a bus ride all the way to Grosse Pointe to get to school.”
AP registration system changes updated for convienence This year, the College Board introduced a new, online registration system for AP classes. Each class is given a code to login to the AP central website. “So, there (are) a ton of additional resources on there,” Gilleran said. “Practice tests, practice exams and help with the free response questions, all of those things.”
North Pointe — Wednesdsay, Oct. 2, 2019 — 3 MICHAEL HARTT
Building updates lead to disagreement over school spending By Amelia Nowicki, Jo Jackson, & Cassady Pierzinski PAGE EDITOR & INTERNS
Upon entering this school year, students noticed a major change in scenery: new lockers. Through additional funding, the school was able to clear out the previous rows of lockers and replace them with new ones. While many students were happy with this change, sophomore Elizabeth Johnson feels the money could have been better spent. She feels the district could be funding its own elective programs instead of having them rely on the generosity of sponsors and other fundraisers through each organizations booster club. “I agree that funding should go to the necessities rather than comforts, but what
they think is important and what we think is important as students are very different," Johnson said. I think the arts are just as important as anytwhing else.” Along with Johnson, senior Charlie Ramsdell believes the lockers shouldn’t have been the school’s main priority. “I didn’t really understand why [the lockers] were completely necessary,” Ramsdell said. “I feel like it could have been spent on some more resources.” In addition, Ramsdell believes security should be the school’s focus this year — not the lockers. However, unlike the funding used for these new updates, the goal of the bond is to restore the critical infrastructure of the district’s buildings.
Although it seems like no major changes are taking place, improvements regarding security are on the horizon. Beginning in summer 2021, phase one of this task will begin. According to Andrew Praedel, the building engineer, the district’s emphasis on the terms “warm, safe, dry and connected” are to bring changes to many of the schools, and improve the environment of students and faculty. “I mean, I’m looking forward to everything that was in the planning phase for the work,” Praedel said. “We’re going to have asbestos removal, we’re gonna get new lights, we’re gonna go from fluorescent lights to LEDs — they’ll be more reliable, they’ll be more energyefficient — more reliable heating and cooling systems (as well).”
Two new musical extracurriculars open for students By Victoria Wittenberg & Justin Vaughan BUSINESS MANAGER & INTERN
Last year, band teacher Thomas Torrento worked to organize something he felt was missing from the Norsemen musical repertoire — a marching band and color guard team. Similar to Pep Band performing at basketball games, from now on, Marching Band and Color Guard will play at all football games. "For me, (marching band and color guard is) a missing piece of the puzzle,” Torrento said. “That is a part of the package, (it) is what makes a fine arts program." The marching band, which is composed of 60 band and orchestra students, combines classroom instruction with a field show. Sophomore Stenphanie Westrick explains the field show as a routine based on cohesive instructions called drills, that tell the team where to move and where to stop.
Although marching band may seem similar to other musical groups, its dynamic is very unique, according to senior CJ Schwartz. "I'm the drum major of the band, which means I actually go up in the stands and conduct, which is something we've never had before,” Schwartz said. “Also, we have a halftime show on the field, which means we play music while moving and make different pictures where you can see it from up in the stands.” Although the marching band and color guard have already made their debut, it is still possible to become a part of this opportunity. “(Anybody interested) needs to reach out to me and have a conversation,” said Torrento. “Obviously, playing an instrument is somewhawt required, with the exception of the f lag core color guard. If (anyone is) interested in color guard for next season, they should talk to Miss Julie Pappas, who is the color guard instructor.”
COURTESY OF MIA CASSAR
MARCHING BAND LINE UP| The marching band performed at the annual pep assesmbly. Stephanie Westrick said that she loves performing as a part of marching band. "My main goal is to have a ton of fun," Westrick said.
COURTESY OF MIA CASSAR
COLOR GUARD COHORT| The five color guard members pose for a group picture. Left to right is Nia Crutcher, Sam Coscio, Olga Stathis, Mia Cassar and Tatianna Wright.
4 — Wednesdsay, Oct. 2, 2019 — North Pointe
EDITORIAL
Diversity is more than just black and white
Students commute to Grosse Pointe daily: A community which according to the last census is 93.2 percent white. When we look at our student body, this drops down to 64 percent white, seemingly portraying racial diversity. After all, 34 percent of our students are minorities. However, when we dissect this statistic, 28 percent of said minorities are black, leaving only six percent who are other races. This is by no means an attempt to call out the Grosse Pointe community for being composed of solely two main groups. Just a little further down Jefferson lies Detroit — a city that is 83 percent black. And as strange as this might sound to some of us, a higher concentration of black people does not equal diversity. These two cities lie so close to each other, yet are populated by a staggering majority of opposite races. This cannot be a mere coincidence. If anything, it proves we are still not moving forward from the historical racial divide within Metropolitan Detroit. Diversity is defined as “the state of being varied” so as long as we have more than one race, yes, technically we are diverse. But diversity is more than just black and white. Metropolitan Detroit, which includes Grosse Pointe, is often categorized into black or white and it is quite a stretch to say we have moved
passed the point of racial discomfort in these neighboring communities. This raises the question: Do we really have the right to call ourselves diverse? To a certain degree, this is completely understandable. Grosse Pointe is attractive to many because of the phenomenal school systems, so when people are trying to move to the community, they face the effects of the Grosse Pointe Point System. This was a method of assigning homes to new residents years ago. Though it is not a system upheld today, it prevented a significant opportunity for both communities to coexist. In this system, a realtor in Grosse Pointe would find a potential buyer, who was then studied under a private investigator. Their report would be turned into a committee of brokers who assigned “points” based on how “Americanized” the buyer was. SYEDA RIZVI Most notably, it included the person’s “swarthiness of appearance, friends, dress, religion, general standing, education, accent and use of grammar.” Done to target integration, anything frowned upon by these categories can harbor resentment even years after. We could say from that point we have progressed immensely, but the statistics about the races that dominate each community speak otherwise. These conflicts, which have quickly become a part of our everyday life, allow for other races to be overlooked. Our Asian, Latino, Hispanic and Middle Eastern residents are overshadowed. This does not mean our black residents are not deserving of the attention they deserve when facing any form of discrimination, but our other minority groups deserve the same. To truly accept ourselves as diverse, we have a long way to go. Not only must we address this divide between white and black, but we must address all the other races that fall in between. Living in a community that is not as diverse as the other ones around us, like Ann Arbor, Troy or Dearborn, it can be difficult to both remember and maintain; but something that is both as sensitive and significant as diversity cannot afford to be forgotten.
Mister Rogers’ group chat By Amelia Nowicki PAGE EDITOR After an isolated summer lacking meaningful social interactions, I realized something quite unfortunate: we are constantly surrounded by people, but a neighborhood is only as effective as the unity among its members. Only after realizing the rarity of dynamic neighborhoods was when I remembered the world’s neighbor, Mr. Fred Rogers. Despite “Spongebob Squarepants” raising much of my generation, the lessons taught in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” (1968-2001) have carried into our collective mindset: violence is bad, people of all demographics deserve respect and kindness goes a long way. Through an overshadowing theme of building relationships and community, Rogers was able to create a feeling of unity amongst millions of children. But this got me thinking: where has that sense of community gone? Nowadays, I feel that we only hear about the good in light of something horrible. We have become desensitized to the true meaning of a neighbor. As a result, being closed-off and hostile has become somewhat of our second-nature. I hate to be the person to blame social media for our problems, but the option of hiding behind a screen has created a generation unable to communicate in person. The thing about “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is that it wasn’t a television program with kooky characters and a zany plotline — it was a conversation. Rogers welcomed his viewers, introduced his friends and promised to see them again soon at the end of each episode. In contrast, our modern introduction rituals consist of Snapchat’s Quick-Add and ghosting, neither of which require true conversation. It seems binge-watching “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” instead of “Catfish” would bring forward reminders we all need to hear. As a generation, we need to re-learn the fundamentals of relationships to stop the pattern of breeding anger through unspoken words. We have to invite people in and reinstate that sense of communal harmony. To us, the world is a scary place. But we’re the ones who can change it. So today I ask you, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”
YOUR TURN: Is mandating transparent backpacks an invasion of privacy?
SENIOR KAMARIA CHAMBERS: “Yes. I feel like if a girl has personal items, like medicine or feminine care, she would not want the whole school to see everything.”
TEACHER MICHAEL SPEARS: “I think if that requirement were to ever become a thing, the situation requiring it would have to be pretty serious. I think it would have to be on a daily basis for sure.”
SENIOR ZARIA ROBINSON: “Yes, I think it is an invasion of privacy due to the circumstances of some students. I don’t think everyone’s business should be exposed. Weapons have never been a problem in the past but if it becomes a problem, we can solve the problem with the use of metal detection.”
By Kourtney Walk INTERN
TEACHER JAMIE HAINER: “I can understand the safety behind it. Student safety at my most concern, I could see why would we do it. But if I were a student I could also, especially as a woman and having personal hygiene products, see why it could feel as an invasion of privacy.”
ON CAMPUS
By Farrah Fasse PAGE EDITOR
North Pointe — Wednesdsay, Oct. 2, 2019 — 5
Pepping it up
Students sported their class spirit wear at the annual homecoming pep assembly on Friday, Sep. 20. The homecoming grand marshals were crowned, the sports teams rushed the gym, students and staff participated in competitions, Thor paid a visit and winners of the class competitions for the Spirit Jug, staircase and showcase were announced. Contributing: Hannah Zalewski & Hayley Zalewski
JULIA MAGNAN
JULIA MAGNAN
WATCH ME WHIP | This year, economics teacher Sean McCarroll participated in the teacher dance during the pep assembly. "It’s a little nerve-racking," McCarroll said. "I think, especially for some people who might be afraid to dance in front of everybody."
JULIA MAGNAN
READY TO POUNCE| The class advisers took on students in the Hungry Hungry Hippos competition. Freshman adviser Katie Maki was nervous to be in the spotlight, but during the game she was full of adrenaline. "I just took the initiative to do it. And, I can be very competitive," Maki said. "So I wanted to at least .... beat the seniors."
JULIA MAGNAN
WHO'S HUNGRY?| Junior Lance Peck JULIA MAGNAN said he enjoyed showing school spirit by SING YOUR HEART OUT | Senior Sydney participating in the pie eating contest. Agius and senior Clare Loch sang duets to Even though Peck is proud he won the Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and Dirty contest, he stresses that enjoying yourself Dancing hit "Time of my Life." While Agius is more important than worrying about has performed in public before, she says JULIA MAGNAN finishing first. “In the end, it’s not a matter performing in front of the whole student body TOUCHDOWN| Science teacher Andrew Pola, who won the football throwing of who’s the winner and who's the loser," was unlike any of her previous experiences. competition, enjoys the games because of the sense of community that they bring. "I Peck said. "It matters what you did and "It was really exciting, it was different, and I’ve want to promote the positive culture that I think it creates in the school, unity (and) how much fun you had doing it.” always performed," Agius said. "But, I’ve never togetherness," Pola said. performed in front of that many people."
6 — Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019 — North Pointe
IN-DEPTH
Taking cover with How the increased concern for student safety has effected the school enviornment
AMELIA NOWICKI
By: Julia Magnan, Robert Maddox & Emma Sanderson PAGE EDITOR & INTERNS
When shopping for school supplies, backpacks are a popular item found on the list of many students. Recently, there has been an influx of bulletproof backpacks in order to provide protection in active shooter situations. Many schools have attempted to install protective barriers for their students. Fruitport High School, for instance, is a school in Michigan that spent $48 million on constructing curved hallways that could provide members of the school community protection in the case of a shooting. To take matters into their own hands, families invest in bulletproof backpacks to provide some aspect of safety. The thing that differentiates these backpacks from your normal one is their unique water and bulletproof panel located on the outside of the bag. Junior Dellia Barragan believes that the addition of bulletproof bags would be helpful in a school shooter situation, but would have a lasting negative effect on society. “Obviously, it would be very good for (students), but it’s really sad that it’s come to this,” Barragan said. According to the New York Times, there has been at least eight reported school shooting in 2019 so far. Counselor Brian White believes that the bulletproof backpack investment isn’t something that should be taken to the extreme, though he does see clear backpacks as a more viable option for student safety. White said he does not believe a clear bag has the same severe psychological effect because the only new quality is its transparentness, and it is not directly related to gun violence. Clear backpacks, though not bulletproof, provide a different means of safety in schools. “It’s common practice at big sporting events; if you have a bag it’s supposed to be see-through,” White said. Having your things visible to administration, though, is seen as an invasion of privacy to some, who feel as though they should not have to show their belongings to their teachers and classmates without their knowing consent. Students are not required to carry transparent backpacks, however, Barragan said she sees some clear benefits, specifically because of the rise in school shootings over recent years. But making this a requirement, to her, is not the answer. “I don’t believe that (we should switch to clear backpacks as a requirement),” she said. “I think that the government needs to start cracking down on gun laws because that is the real issue. That’s the only way we can truly stop everything.”
North Pointe — Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019 — 7
IN-DEPTH
bulletproof backpacks handgun attacks, but when they were tested against rifles, they proved relatively ineffective at actually protecting anything. A study conducted by researcher James Fox in 2014 concluded that roughly
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I think that if my child were in a situation where I felt he could benefit from a bulletproof backpack, I would probably find another school before I bought him one. Michael Spears SPANISH TEACHER
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Spanish teacher Micheal Spears also holds the same view. “I think we need a complete ban on assault weapons. The government needs to buy them back because nobody needs one,” he said. “Assault weapons are stupid for the general public. I think we need extremely tight controls on who can buy a gun in terms of an application process. ” Michigan State law mandates a number of public school drills to be completed by specific times. For instance, in regards to fire safety, each school must have at least five fire drills throughout the year, and by December first, there must be at least three fire drills completed, with the other two taking place in the spring. During homecoming week, two out of the three fire drills were completed along with two lockdown, one tornado and one evacuation drill. While to some they may seem excessive, Spears believes all of these drills are essential for the safety of the school and its students “Because (anything) can happen anywhere. You look at the school shootings, they’ve happened in affluent communities. They’ve happened in inner cities. They’ve happened out in the country,” Spears said. “But at the same time, I think that if my child were in a situation where I felt he could benefit from a bulletproof backpack, I would probably find another school before I bought him one.” With the rapid sales increase in bulletproof backpacks, there is always room for concern on their effectiveness on actually doing what they are intended to do: stopping major injuries from a gunshot. Bulletproof backpacks have been proven effective against
25 percent of shootings are done while using semi-automatic rifles, while 62 percent were done with handguns of all types. Spears is sure these items do not guarantee security, especially because they leave the entire front open. These backpacks have
proven effective against stabbing, as well as handgun shots, and are meant more for personal protection against lesser attacks than mass shootings that use rifles. But as far as the general aura these bags can have on a school environment goes, he does not see the commotion in it. “I don’t think that (the bags) have caused any particular additional hysteria. I think most of the — well, I guess I take exception to the word “hysteria” because I feel hysteria implies an overreaction. And I don’t think that this country has reacted enough. So if they make people more aware and more willing to do something about it, then that is great.” Spears is sure these items do not guarantee security, especially because they leave the entire front open. These backpacks have proven effective against stabbing, as well as handgun shots, and are meant more for personal protection against lesser attacks than mass shootings that use rifles. But as far as the general aura these bags can have on a school environment goes, he does not see the commotion in it. “I don’t think that (the bags) have caused any particular additional hysteria. I think most of the — well, I guess I take exception to the word “hysteria” because I feel hysteria implies an overreaction. And I don’t think that this country has reacted enough. So if they make people more aware and more willing to do something about it, then that is great.”
Bulletproof backpacks can be purchased at retail stores and online at www.bulletblocker.com. BulletBlocker sells different types of bags for specific environments, such as: Suggested for elementary students
Features: -Removable, insulated lunch compartment
-Padded shoulder straps and back panel -Water repellant fabric
-Has transparent, zippered pockets to hold notes
Suggested for high school and college students.
Features: -Ballistic panel weighs 20 oz.
-Reflective areas increase safety at night
-Water repellant fabric
Suggested for school and workplace
Features: -Ballistic panel weighs 20 oz. and can have a customized color
-Clear material allows easy access for security measures
-Light and durable fabric is easy to clean
8 — Wednesdsay, Oct. 2, 2019 — North Pointe
LIFE
Science teacher brings green chemistry to the classroom Abi Murray & Marvin Robles PAGE EDITOR & INTERN Chemistry teacher Steven Kosmas believes the best way to improve the climate crisis is to start at the educational level. Kosmas is focused on incorporating the 12 green chemistry concepts, that emphasize the importance of waste prevention, efficiency and using environmentally friendly resources, into the lab setting. “I don't think it's something we have a choice about. I think that sustainability, whether it's the energy issue, whether it’s water quality, or whether it's dumping billions of pounds of plastic into the ocean or landfills, we have to have a plan. Starting in the K-12 environment is the best method,” Kosmas said. “You're creating the opportunity for a whole generation of individuals to be interested in the process. These are complex problems that need a lot of great minds working on the solution.” Kosmas strives to introduce these concepts to his students by getting involved with organizations like Beyond Benign, which have the same goal of green chemistry integration. He incorperates resources and labs from Beyond Benign into his class. One of these labs had students break down a polylactic acid cup made from corn that could be repurposed into a cleaning solution, as an alternative to single-use cups.
Alumni Michal Ruprecht is thankful for Kosmas’s approach which first exposed him to the green chemistry movement, encouraging him to give attention to outreach activities that often get overlooked in a standard chemistry curriculum. Ruprecht’s interest encouraged him to pursue a research project his junior year that created an environmentally friendly, easy-to-use and affordable ligand molecule that could remove harmful substances from water.
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You're creating the opportunity for a whole generation of individuals to be interested in the process.
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Steven Kosmas SCIENCE TEACHER
“It does make you have to plan a lot more when you have green chemistry in mind,” Ruprecht
said. “But in the long term, it makes a big effect on our planet and the way we're thinking about it.” New Chemistry Club member, senior Lyndsay Kluge, is excited for this upcoming year with Kosmas to dive deeper into the realm of sustainability in the lab. “To me, green chemistry is anything that will help the environment,” Kluge said. “It's recycling a different way, or composting, just finding a different way to handle waste.” Kosmas hopes to continue incorporating green chemistry concepts throughout the school year. He currently works on a recycling app, Bottles4Bucks, with the help of University of Detroit Mercy and Mark Supal. The app rewards users with coupons when they record their recycling habits. Kosmas looks forward to seeing increased participation from students in this movement and believes there is hope for the future when students take responsibility for a clean environment. “I really think it's important for high school students to get involved and be leaders and go out to conferences and get that exposure as soon as possible. I don't think there's any reason to wait,” Kosmas said. “Now what we're trying to do is start all the processes in advance, thinking, ‘How can we decrease waste or recycle things in the design process?’ It fits very well with the next generation’s science standards.”
ABI MURRAY
EXPERIMENTING WITH GREENER MATERIALS| Junior Akhil Mankad, a member of the Chemistry Club, tries out a more eco-friendly metalloid in a mold. This metalloid is healthier for the environment, due to it's low melting point allowing for conservation of energy. "It’s a combination of four metals," Mankad said. "It’s also easy to work with."
Seniors collaborate on musical and art promotion Farrah Fasse & Grace Cueter PAGE EDITOR & INTERN
JACKSON GREILICK
Senior Tyler Mulkey, whose rapper name is Anon, is featured on two major music platforms: Soundcloud and Spotify. Although rapping is Mulkey’s focus, senior Jackson Greilick makes the cover art for shis songs, a partnership that the two have come to cherish. “Jackson is insane at drawing,” Mulkey said. “All of the profile pictures that I’ve used on Soundcloud or any song that I put up has his artwork. It goes pretty well with it.” To expand their promotion, Mulkey and Greilick have used Instagram as a platform where others can keep tabs on their new work. Their accounts, @anon._.jpeg and @jacksongreilick, both feature the newest additions to their art collections. To further immerse himself into the artistic realm, Greilick has taken a plethora of art classes to improve his drawing skills, a style which he describes as “surrealistic.” “We (Tyler and I) have been friends for a
few years, and when he started doing music stuff, I had been drawing,” Greilick said. “It just sort of naturally happened where I gave him some artwork to use for his music that helped him. It helped me to promote my stuff.” However, for Greilick and Mulkey, cover art is only the first step in promoting their work. On Instagram, when Greilick creates cover art, Mulkey credits him for his work and encourages his followers to explore Greilick’s page. Social media promotion has advantages, such as being inexpensive and easy access to your targeted audience, but marketing teacher Soula Burns describes it as a “double-edged sword.” “It’s instantaneous. It’s not like a newspaper ad that is going to go in the garbage,” Burns said. “If it’s something negative about your product, it’s out there forever." According to Sprout Social, nearly three-quarters of people aged 13-17 have an Instagram account, allowing Mulkey to reach his preferred audience. When Mulkey posts Greilick’s art, he says he can get 50 or more bookmarks, and
that his music gets more attention from the eye-catching art he pairs with it. “...I would have to do it on my own or pay somebody to do it,” Mulkey said. “It definitely helps a ton with time.” Burns supports Greilick’s and Mulkey’s promotion of each other’s work, and describes it as a perfect use of social media. “When you’re helping each other promote art,” Burns said, “That is a good example of how it can be used properly. I think the benefits are kids are constantly on social media, you’re constantly reaching your people, your demographic, whoever that might be.”
Scan the QR code above to listen to Tyler Mulkey's (Anon's) song, "Without You."The song was released on Spotify in September.
On Pointe
What’s buzzing this month?
Hannah Zalewski MANAGING EDITOR
IDEAS
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Post Malone's third album “Hollywood’s Bleeding” has skyrocketed up the charts to number one on iTunes since its September 6 release. “Hollywood’s Bleeding” can be streamed 1on Spotify and Apple Music today.
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The adaptation of the comic “The Addams Family” premieres on Friday, Oct. 11. It follows Gomez (Oscar Isaac), Morticia (Charlize Theron), Wednesday (Chloë Moretz) and Pugsley Addams (Finn Wolfhard) as they encounter a tv show host who seeks to eliminate the family. IMDB.COM
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The second installment of this dark fantasy series follows Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) as she tries to assimilate into the royal lifestyle. Along the way, each will make new allies that test their mother-daughter relationship. “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” preTWITTER.COM mieres in theatres on Friday, Oct. 18.
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Grosse Pointe’s Haunted Garage Halloween opens on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. and will run through the end of October. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased online at hauntedgarageproductions.org.
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The adaptation the book “Looking for Alaska” will be available on Hulu this month. It follows Miles Halter (Charlie Plummer) who is at the center of havoc when he crosses paths with Alaska Young (Christine Forseth). “Looking for Alaska” premieres Friday, Oct. 5.
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“Batwoman” follows Kate Kane (Ruby Rose), a vigilante in the city of Gotham who seeks the same path as her missing cousin, Bruce Wayne. With her fighting skills and desire for justice, Kane works to rid the city of crime. “Batwomen” premieres Sunday, Oct. 6 on the CW.
Entertainment
BROWNGIRLMAGAZINE.COM
On Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., Melanie Martinez will perform at the Fillmore Detroit for her K-12 tour. Promoting her album of the same name, this tour is Martinez’s first performance since 2017. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and start at $36.
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Youtube icon Lilly Singh has joined NBC’s lineup of talk show hosts with her show “A Little Late With Lilly Singh.” New episodes premiere every Monday through Friday at 1:30 a.m. on NBC.
North Pointe — Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019 — 9
On Friday, Oct. 18 the annual North vs. South football game will begin at 7 p.m. at South. Fun activities will be offered for families to enjoy before the match and halftime will feature the iconic game of tug of war between seniors from both high schools. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the entrance of the field.
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American Horror Story is back. BLEEDINGCOOL.COM The season’s theme,“1984,” features a group of young adults who become counselors at ‘Camp Redwood’ while a killer is on the loose. Episodes can be watched on Wednesday evenings at 10 p.m. on FX.
REVIEWS
Mini Reviews
By Brandon Miller INTERN The only thing “Criminal” is guilty of is being one of the best Netf lix originals I have ever seen. The basic premise of the four connected series is about a team of inspectors who interview suspects each episode, trying to determine if they are guilty of a crime. Spread out into four different shows on Netf lix, each in their own different location, it brings us twelve different suspects across the three episodes in each area. However, each one has a different plot connecting all the episodes together. The locations include Germany, France, Spain and the UK, all filmed in their original languages; I recommend watching each in its own language, as it adds tremendous depth to the show. As far as acting, I cannot find a f law about any of the incredibly talented individuals working on this project. If I had to choose someone who shines above the rest though, I would give it to Nina Hoss, who plays Hartmen in the last episode of the German series. The script is tight and has some
of the most compelling dialogue I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. There are little to no plot points left hanging, unless you count endings that are up for interpretation, but those are done on purpose to leave viewers with something to think about. The anthology-style of the show definitely works to its advantage, allowing for quick stories that can be told in those three episodes rather than a whole series. The overarching plots that each location has makes the characters feel more real and relatable, rather than just people with a lot of questions for a suspected guilty party. As for the cinematography, it has a way of drawing in the viewer by creating shots that are just fun to look at. Every shot matches the tone perfectly, showing that this is not a place to joke around or take things lightly. The camera almost shows the gravity of the situation in each shot it uses. Even with all that seriousness, there are a few subtle bits of humor that only add to how entertaining this show is. Something this show is absolutely amazing at is how well it creates and
drops tension whenever it wants to. It almost feels like the show is completely in control of how you feel. One way “Criminal” does this is by fading the music in and out at the perfect times to great effect. There are, however, a few complaints that I do not want to leave unadressed. Even though the entire series takes place in four different countries, they all use the same location which I found to be very confusing but nothing that ruined the show. The other complaint I have is that Netf lix built up the inclusion of David Tennant, making it seem like he was a very important character, when he was only in one episode. Whether it was David Tennant or someone else, it feels like we were lied to when he was being used on so much promotional material. Even with that slight disappointment, I would absolutely recommend checking out “Criminal” on Netf lix in its entirety.
cosmopolitan.com
Does Saucy's really have the sauce? My experience of one of the newest pizzerias in Grosse Pointe, Saucy’s Pizza, will definitely go down as one of the best places for customer and food service. Walking in, I was greeted with a warm, welcoming “hello.” The slightly musty smell of an old structure set the overall vibe of the establishment and the expectations for the food. The wait time to get a table was fortunately quick, which was very much appreciated on my part. When getting seated, the menu given had a very aesthetic design with many different options, perfect for a picky eater as myself. For my starter, I ordered broccoli cheese soup and for my entrée I had a beef brisket. Though being at a pizzeria, I opted for the choices less known; hopefully this gave a more wellrounded assessment of the restaurant. Their broccoli cheddar soup was most definitely the best soup I’ve had in a while; the mixture of fresh ingredients like broccoli, differentiating cheeses, seasonings and the sparsely scorching temperature made for an enjoyable first experience of indulging in their cuisine. Just by that fact alone, I concluded that the entrée was going to be quite good. The platery was nice and appetizing, and the few slithers of smoke that emanated from it created for a more aesthetic feel. This gave me the impression that they hopefully make the food fresh and ready to go: which is a defi-
nite plus for those who fear the taste of stale food. The beef brisket wasn't the best one I have ever had, but it was decent. The sauce also wasn’t really my cup of tea. I prefer a quite neutral taste and the one provided was much too rich for me. Even though the plating was kind of messy, the taste of the meal outweighed the aesthetic. For the most part, the staff around was courteous and the restaurant was decently clean and sanitized. The cleanliness made the place have a more likeable aura. Its exterior was pretty unnoticeable, to the point that you may miss it due to the quaintness of it, but you’ll eventually find it after looking closely. I will say that the residence is homelike and has a jubilant and affable ambience. The sense of the slow and steady music along with the solemn miwlieu created a feeling of everla st i ng enjoyment. Inside, Saucy’s decor is sparse and nice enough to make
anyone feel at home with it’s ‘ just hitting modern, but actually quite boomer’ adornment. Eating there was definitely a privilege, but the customer service from individual waiters was more of a hit or miss situation: mine was a hit. All in all, Saucy’s Pizza is a definite destination to take yourself or other family members, for an enjoyable evening and meal.
Bloody-disgustang.com
"IT: Chapter 2"
About: The young children from the first “IT” movie become adults, only to have another showdown with the terrorizing clown. Good: The meaning behind the movie is a life lesson, a message reminding viewers their fears are only in their mind. Bad: Music was the only truly frightening element of the movie. Ratings: 4.5 stars
tvline.com
“Empire: Season 6”
About: Mama Cookie is returning to get back what’s hers for her three sons. She is willing to throw Empire under ground if needed to keep her family. Good : This show encompasses qualities of family, love and lessons on why blood is thicker than water. Bad: The cliffhangers are simply agonizing. Ratings: 5 stars
APP
By Phoenix Archer INTERN
By Syeda Rizvi, Hannah Zalewski & Zshaquira Boyd EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MANAGING EDITOR & INTERN
MOVIE
Criminal: Strangest season yet
SHOW
10 — Wednesdsay, Oct. 2 2019 — North Pointe
Fatherly.com
“Mario Kart Tour”
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About: Revamps the classic racing game on a mobile platform with new levels, courses and challenges, while bringing back beloved racers. Good: This app is very easy to navigate with minimal connection lag, which allows for smooth game play. Bad: The racing controls are not like a standard mobile racing game and can be difficult to get used to. Ratings: 3.5 stars
SPORTS
Wednesdsay, Oct. 2, 2019 — North Pointe — 11
Meet your COLOR GUARD By Michael Burns & Jessica Meyers
lot of fun if you put in the effort and try to do well.”
INTERNS
SOPHOMORE SAM COSIO is a master at spinning the flag as fast as she can. Cosio plans on continuing with the program through her senior year, hoping it flourishes. For incoming participants, she believes it is important to remember the demand for perseverance. “It’s very difficult in the beginning, and you’ll hit yourself in the head,” Cosio said. “But after you get the hang of it, it’s easy and really fun.” JUNIOR MIA CASSAR transferred from Pep-Band to Color Guard in hope to reignite the program with a close group. Cassar hopes to set a strong legacy for future Norseman color guards. “Do not be intimidated by putting in the time to learn,” she said. “It’ll be a
To answer your question: yes, cheer is a sport By Colin Duffy STAFF REPORTER
SENIOR OLGA STATHIS is familiar with the complicated process of flag twirling. She loves the team and doing the “Giant Swing.” Stathis encourages all who hear about the program to give it a shot. “Try it out,” Stathis said, “You’ll get tired and sore, but the sport and the people are a lot of fun.” SENIOR NIA CRUTCHER was inspired to join the team because it combined her passion of band and college-level color guarding. After attending practice, she sees the potential for the team and the skills they possess. “(The team is good at) being able to pick up new materials really quickly,” Crutcher added. “If you want to join, just join. It will be fun.”
SENIOR FOUNDER TATIANNA WRIGHT depicts the team as an experience “bigger than yourself.” Wright enjoys the halftime show as a color guard, but her favorite part is getting to connect with the student section during games. Joining the team was a new experience for her, and with football season progressing, she feels the color guard team is “truly magnificent.” MATH TEACHER JULIE PAPPAS is extremely excited about the start of the new team, being most fond of the comradery involved. She encourages everybody to come down and see what the team is about for themselves. Being a previous f laggett herself, Pappas is experienced in the arts of f lag twirling. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know,” Pappas said. “You don’t need any experience whatsoever.”
There is a looming debate in the athletic world: is cheerleading a sport or not? The word sport is defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual, or a team, competes against another or others for entertainment. Some might think this definition does not apply to cheerleading because of the false notion that cheerleaders do not compete against other teams, and that they simply cheer on the sidelines of organized sports games. However, cheerleaders do in fact compete in competitions, which clearly shows that cheer is a sport. There is no reason for cheerleading to be called anything other than a sport. Cheerleading checks off all the boxes to be considered a
FLAGS UP| In addition to a love for flag twirling, Stathis (middle) also likes what being in the color guard represents. "I wanted to try something new and exciting," Stathis said, "And then start a new tradition at North." Pictured left to right are Nia Crutcher, Sam Cosio, Olga Stathis, Mia Cassar and Tatianna Wright.
sport. As all other sports do: they compete to win. Cheerleaders are athletes who deserve the right to say they participate in a sport. Sports teams generally practice daily in order to prepare for their game. Cheer does the same. They practice every day in order to prepare for an upcoming sports games. At the game they do not just stand on the sidelines and root for their team alone — they compete to be the louder, more entertaining group as they matchup against the opposing cheerleaders. Cheerleading routines require a certain type of athlete. You must be diligent enough to be ready to protect your teammate at all times, and athletic enough to be able to perform all
the aerodynamic stunts cheerleaders exercise. The definition of an athlete is a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise. Cheerleaders work as hard as any other athletes. They have the same characteristics as any other athletes playing “sports.” Cheerleaders work out, practice, and have to deal and cooperate with teammates as many other sports do. There is no reason for cheerleading to be called anything other than a sport. Cheerleading checks off all the boxes to be considered a sport. As all other sports do: they compete to win. Cheerleaders are athletes who deserve the right to say they participate in a sport.
FIVE MINUTES WITH Math & science teacher Angelica Meli By Hayley Zalewski INTERN Although Angelica Meli is a relatively new staff member, she has the privilege of teaching two different courses: physics and college preparation geometry. Despite her busy schedule in school, she makes sure she has time to spend in the outdoors. “I love fresh air,” Meli said. “I love that peace that you feel when you take a nature walk, and just being outside. I love that feeling. I love taking walks in the woods and on trails. I love that feeling. I love trying to find different and new nature areas.” To fully grasp the experience of the outdoors, Meli’s favorite place to travel is Ludington, Michigan. She often hikes in the woods or on trails. Meli is keen on making sure she
QUICK HITS Varsity Football with Bryce McNeary
Varsity wide receiver Bryce McNeary believes the biggest change in his transition from JV to varsity this year was the intensity. “Varsity is very serious,” McNeary said. “JV was just a fun thing to do.” According to McNeary, the season is going well. He said the team can beat any other team if they put their hearts in the game and not let the score go to their heads. However, there are still skills he believes the team should work towards to help them win more games as a team. “I think we need to collaborate more and stop giving up so easily,” he said.
experiences the most of where she is, attempting to find new areas to explore. In addition to her intense love for nature, Meli makes sure she has an active role in her community by volunteering at church. To her, being involved in the neighborhood gives a sense of liveliness and she takes pleasure in working with the kids and teenagers. Despite the fact that Meli is a math and science teacher, she has a passion for English too. One of her favorite things to do is to read. She even founded a creative writing club at Wellesley College, where she attended. Despite being heavily involved in a multitude of subjects, to Meli, every single second spent on both of her classes is worth it. “It has been a little bit complicated trying to plan for both different classes,” she said, “But at the same time it has also been really enjoyable getting to work with so many different students and getting to work with both different departments here.” By Autumn Peck INTERN
Girls Varsity Cross Country with Jordan Foulkrod
NORTH
POINTE
707 Vernier Road Grosse Pointe Woods MI, 48236 northpointenow.org “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
OUR STAFF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Syeda Rizvi
MANAGING EDITOR Hannah Zalewski PAGE EDITORS Farrah Fasse Michael Hartt Julia Magnan Abi Murray Amelia Nowicki STAFF REPORTERS Colin Duffy
Victoria Wittenberg
INTERNS Phoenix Archer Gabrielle Bielak Zshaquira Boyd Michael Burns Grace Cueter Joleigh Jackson Lauren Link Robert Maddox Jessica Meyers Brandon Miller Autumn Peck Cassady Pierzinski Marvin Robles Emma Sanderson Areion Swain Justin Vaughan Kourtney Walk Hayley Zalewski
The North Pointe is edited and produced by Advanced Journalism students at Grosse Pointe North High School and is published once a month It is in practice a designated public forum without prior review.
Our editorial represents the opinion of the North Pointe Editorial Board. Members who have a conflict Four year cross country of interest with an editorial topic do not partake in runner Jordyn that meeting or vote. Foulkrod says her routine of runComments should be directed to the student edining two hours tors, who make all final content decisions. The views everyday with expressed are solely those of the student authors of the the team has not editorial board and do not reflect the opinions of the changed and that Grosse Pointe Public School System. they do a variety of drills regularly. The We are a member of the Michigan Scholastic Press workouts can vary from “easy Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, days,” which consist of running a slow pace National Scholastic Press Association and Student for three to four miles to “hard days” where Press Law Center. they run intervals at Vernier Hill. Foulkrod says her favorite part of the team is One copy is available free to all community members. the relationships that are built and the enAdditional copies may be purchased. Our editorial couragement her teammates give one another. policy and advertising rates are available online. “(We) constantly uplift each other,” she said. “We tell each other, 'Good job,' at the end CONTACT US of each run, and we make a little tunnel and Email: gpnnorthpointe@gmail.com high five.” Phone: 313.432.3248 Twitter: @TheNorthPointe FACULTY ADVISER: Allison Dunn