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The Wiz preview
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FEBRUARY 2013
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Right to work pg. 6
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www.lahserknightlife.com
Cheating Quick Facts
75%
of high school students admit to having cheated at least once in their academic career.
53%
of high school students consider cheating to be “no big deal”
98% of high school students allow other students to copy their homework and do not consider this act an issue of cheating.
33%
of high school students admitted that they have sought online resources when writing a paper and have commited some act of plagiarism.
Statistics credited to the University of Stanford; http://www.stanford.edu/class/engr110/cheating.html; http://www. schools.com/visuals/academic-dishonesty.html
Erin Antonishen Editor In Chief
Teacher Experiences
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nock knock. Is anyone there? But wait, this isn’t a knock knock joke. This is an eloquent “morse code” that students use to enable incognito communication during testing. Shockingly, a series of knocks or clicks is enough to relay the answers between students- one knock for A, two knocks for B, so on and so forth. As education continues to become more and more competitive, students are reaching new extremes to get an upper hand on test taking and cheat their way to an undeserving A.
I once caught a student rolling his eyes upward into the brim of his baseball cap where he had carefully written the answers to a vocabulary quiz.
With advancing technology on the constant up rise, cheating has become more readily available than ever. As Lahser embraced a new cell phone policy at the start of the 2012 school year, concerns over insincere test taking are only increasing in the classroom. Lahser Principal, Charlie Hollerith, comments on the effect this newly implemented policy could have on cheating, “Modern technology certainly places students in an undetectable zone for cheating." He continues, "On the flip side, this policy encourages teachers to stray away from test forms that easily accomodate cheating and provide students with tests that require open-ended thinking."
A student once wrote all of the answers to a test on the back of his milk carton. Whenever he would take a sip, he would carefully inspect the back of the carton. --Mrs. Thav
Alternative methods of cheating will undoubtfully continue to flourish into the future. All that can be done to help unravel this academic dishonesty is to continue to encourage students to instill complete sincerity within their academics and beyond.
--Mrs. Griesbeck
In an attempt to call a paper his own, a student once copy pasted an entire paper from the internet and placed it all within quotation marks. He figured the quotations made it acceptable. --Mrs. Twomey
Syrian Revolution hits road block Knights with Syrian ties reflect on the current turmoil plaguing the Middle-East. Ryan Moonka Staff Writer
were killed in
region.” Jr. Abdul Harris, whose parents grew up in the city of Hama, Syria, remarked, “The western nations had a chance to step in, but it’s too late for them. It’s the Syrian people’s fight now.” Harris, who still has close ties with the country, continued, “I felt as though this war was coming a long time ago.” He asserted, “From here on out, what happens is up to the Syrian people. But al-Assad must be forced out.” Yet the war drags on, with rebel victories one day and government victories the next. The smoke that rises over crumbling cities such as Aleppo serves as a reminder that the war is far from over.
From here on out, what happens is up to the Syrian people.
The U.S. & U.N. should have interviened. This situation is only going to get worse before it gets better.
Amal Rass
strikes on the University of Aleppo, and at least 180 people were killed “in an alleged mass killing carried out by government troops at a petrochemical university in central Syria,” according to the Washington Post. With an estimated 60,000 deaths so far and no end to the civil war in sight,
many question the US’s refusal to intervene. President Obama remarked, “… we also have to recognize that… for us to get more entangled militarily in Syria is a serious step,” a step that would provoke intense political and international scrutiny. Obama continued, “…we have to do so making absolutely certain that we know who we are helping, that we’re not putting arms in the hands of folks who eventually could turn them against us or our allies in the
Abdul Harris
Ravaged buildings line the debris-cluttered streets of Aleppo, Syria as fighter jets streak across the skies. Gunshots echo across the war torn city. Once a symbol of Syrian culture and unity, Aleppo is now nothing more than a war zone. The Arab Spring- the driving effort to topple despotic leaders, the engine of reform throughout much of the Arabic world, the movement that has shocked the world- has hit a roadblock. Syria, a nation divisively split between those that support the government and the ways of the old regime, and those that support the rebel cause and political reforms, has been involved in a civil war that has claimed 60,000 lives, according to the United Nations. With no signs of peace returning to Syria anytime soon, many influential world leaders have agreed that Bashar al-Assad, the autocratic President, must go.
“The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way,” President Obama remarked in 2011. The heads of state from Germany, the United Kingdom and France released similar statements. Despite the opposition of world leaders to Assad, the war drags on. In the past month alone, at least 80 people
FEBRUARY 2012 | PAGE 2
Editor in chief goes out for Survivor
Knight Life editor, Michael Gawlik, sends in audition tape in hopes of achieving life longs dreams of being a Survivor contestant.
Michael can name every chpater title of the Harry Potter series. Michael has a strange hand clapping talent.
Keen senses, quick reflexes, and a strong will to succeed: these are just a few words to describe Knight Life’s Editor in Chief Michael Gawlik. Ever since he was a young lad, the reality series Survivor had held a strong place in his heart. Surviovr reserved a special place within Gawlik’s heart in 5th grade, when Survivor: Guatemal (one of Gawlik’s personal favorite seasons) aired. With the help of Sr. Abby May, Gawlik compiled a video (screenshots pictured above) to send to CBS for consideration as a contestent for the upcoming season of Survivor. Within this video, Gawlik showcases all of his notable atributes that make him the apt candidate for the show. If Gawlik were to be chosen for the show, it would make him the youngest competitor in the history of Survivor. With his broad range of talents and smart witted personality, it is no doubt that Gawlik would be fierce competition. With other contestants of previous seasons as his role models, Gawlik hopes to make it on the show to combine the successful stradegies of the season’s past to make him the ultimate player. His personal favorite seasons are Survivor Pearl Islands, where his all time favorite competitor, Sandra, came out on top as well as Survivor Guatemala. Gawlik is likely to attend the University of Michigan this upcoming Fall, but Gawlik feels that serving as a competitor in Survivor this summer would only prepare him more for what college has in store. Gawlik considers this a lifelong dream, “I’ve wanted this since my youth; it is my destiny.” He continues, “Winning survivor would not only bring a million dollars [laughs], but would give me the mental strength and resilience to overcome any challenge to cross my path in the future.”
MARCH 5
Michael aspires to travel to Asia when is he older.
MARCH 13
Michael can run two miles in 9 minutes and 57 seconds.
FEBRUARY 22-25 FEBRUARY 14-16
FEBRUARY 14
Getting to know
NEWS YOU USE Can
NEWS
Valentines’ Day Lahser musical performance of the wiz
Mid-Winter break
MME Week begins Lahser & Andover Variety Show
ONE FINAL CURTAIN
(Pictured above and to the right: members of the cast) Lahser theater plans to put on its final musical performace Februrary 14th-16th at 7 pm in the Lahser auditorium. The Wiz will be the last ever Lahser musical performance, so be sure to buy your tickets and come out and support the cast in their final curtain later this week!
Fox to represent Lahser at Journalism & Media Conference
Lahser junior, Mollie Fox, recieves nomination to represent LHS in D.C. Colby Gillette & Brendan Eathorne Staff Writers Lahser junior Mollie Fox received a nomination to be a National Youth Correspondent for the 2013 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University. She will be representing Michigan in a nationally selected group of 250 sophomore and junior students in Washington D.C. from July 7th to 12th. The conference involves an intensive study of political journalism and media led by Newseum Vice President Susan Bennett as well as distinguished journalists and authors. The correspondents will be attending National Media Club events as well as other proceedings, including meeting with prominent media figures. “I was pleasantly surprised to receive the nomination,“ Fox said delightedly. “It’s an honor to represent Lahser as well “It’s an honor to as the represent Lahser as state of well as the state of Michigan.” Michigan.” Fox learned of her nomination after she was contacted by NBC Political Correspondent Chuck Todd. She was selected by one of her Knight teachers to attend the prestigious conference for her interest in government analysis as well as journalism. Fox wrote for Knight Life for one semester, and has excelled in her english courses throughout her high school career. She hopes these accomplishments help her achieve her dream of possibly one day being a political analyst for a major media corporation. “I love MSNBC, I watch it nearly everyday,” Fox explains. “I truly enjoy both politics and writing, so I hope the conference will help me incorporate both in my future endeavors.”
WINTER SAFETY When talking on a cellphone...
Of all fatal car accidents are caused from icy, snowy, or slushy road conditions.
23X
More likely to get in a car accidnet.
31%
Win ter Dri vi
40%
When driving in snow, ice, or rain, chance of accident increases by
Caroline Cooke Staff Writer
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
ng
Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival. Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
M
Tip s
any teens are unaware and inexperienced when it comes to the severity of winter driving. Conditions are not always perfect, especially in Michigan. Of course, we have known about the almost hormonal Michigan weather since we were children. So what makes us invincible only 10 years later? The winter weather has not changed, and neither should our cautious nature. Especially after witnessing accidents, hearing news stories, and seeing death tolls from winter accidents. Not only is driving in the winter a haphazard, but we have an endless supply of distractions, preventing us from focusing on the icy roads and growingly unclear lane lines. As a favorite song comes on the radio and an incoming call from your mom rattles your brain, your chances of an accident increase further with each additional distraction. When texting and driving, the chance of an accident is 23 times more likely than when you are not texting and driving. That, on top of the 40% chance of a snow/ice/rain accident puts winter drivers at maximum risk. However, there are many ways to prevent these bad circumstances and decrease your chances of another Michigan weather related car accident. Published by AAA, here are some tips to keep you safe in the winter:
OPINIONS
FEBRUARY 2013 | PAGE 4
Too Ambitious to Work The Knight Life staff is concerned that Bloomfield Hills High School’s new layout overestimates students’ maturity. Staff Editorial Welcome to Bloomfield Hills High School: new school, new ways of learning, and new opportunities to lose focus in class. Sure, Bloomfield Hills High School may bring us out of the dark ages and into the big league with all the rest of the brand new Oakland County schools, such as Troy, Seaholm, and Lake Orion, but the plan for the new school seems a tad too ambitious. Andover High School will no longer exist in three years, but some parts will survive as remaining science labs and classrooms. This costly project will completely demolish and renovate the old school, turning it into a brand new building. Nontraditional, spacious, and open, Bloomfield Hills High School intends to propel students into the next century. But just because it intends to do so doesn’t necessarily mean that it will. With seven new “learning communities” and teachers without an assigned classroom, the new school may quickly descend into chaos. Allowing kids to roam wherever they please, use their own devices at any time, and force teachers to wheel around
carts all make the new innovative idea of a learning community seem, well, not so innovative. Don’t get us wrong; the new high school looks incredible. But it’s hard to agree with the future way of teaching. Learning communities seem like an easy opportunity to skip class and not pay attention. With the “B.Y.O.D.” (bring your own device) policy, most students will be doing a lot of focusing on their devices, and not on their teachers. If students can hardly stay focused in Advisory this year, how can they possibly be expected to stay focused all day in the future? Video games and social media websites will consume each student’s day rather than math, science, and history. Allowing high school teens not yet mature enough to have this sort of technological freedom is a disaster waiting to happen. Glassy-eyed, mush-brained students will be leaving the school everyday, not smarter, and certainly not more determined students. What’s more is that the term teacher no longer even will exist at Bloomfield Hills High School. Instead, they are to be called “class advisers”, Teachers aren’t going to command the attention of their students
anymore, but rather texts from friends, Wikipedia, and Pinterest will. The “class adviser” is going to sit back and struggle to keep their students in their “community” and focused on school related subjects. It makes sense how colleges can operate with a “learning community” style. With eager to learn, focused students in attendance, that are required to pay for their classes, learning communities allow them to enrich their education in a different way. However, with the immaturity of some young high school students, who don’t understand the importance of paying attention in school, these communities being as successful at the high school. The traditional ways of teaching have proved beneficial in the past, so why fix what isn’t broken? Teens will be headed off to college dependent on the Internet to help guide them through each of their courses. But the minute a textbook is set down in front of them and must be read, students are going to be utterly confused. The objective of high school is to prepare students for college, but with how the new style of Bloomfield plans to teach its students, college will be one big, harsh slap of reality.
SOUND OFF:
What are students saying? “I think it will be a very distracting. I wouldn’t be able to focus or get work done in that setting.” -So. Niko McGinnis
“The whole idea seems very weird to me. I don’t think I like the thought of learning communities.” -Fr. Sarah Holmes
Knight Life Staff Editors in Chief
Junior Editors
Staff
Erin Antonishen
Austin Burchill
Daniel Bordener
Martez Jones
Courtney Eathorne
Julia Lee
Caroline Cooke
Jordan Ricarte
Michael Gawlik
Ryan Moonka
Regina DiMaggio
Madeline Rohr
Editors
Annie Reed
Brendan Eathorne
Chase Smith
Jazmynn Croskey
Jacqueline Shandler
Chris Garcia
Emily Steig
Reilly Manz
Advisor
Colby Gillette
Matt Webster
Mrs. Thav
Ross Hall
I Will Never Forget You, Rural Juror 30 Rock’s conclusion sadly confirms America’s lowering standard for entertainment. By Michael Gawlik Editor in Chief “Blerg” was all that came to mind several months ago when I learned that 30 Rock’s seventh season would be its last. My frustration didn’t stem from the fact that one of my favorite comedies was coming to an end; it was more the product of the fact that the smart, savvy, and incredibly under appreciated 30 Rock died before debaucheries like Two and a Half Men and Teen Mom. Tina Fey’s brainchild was in a class of its own. It was creative. It had exaggerated and hilarious characters. It featured cameos from the likes of Oprah and Conan O’Brien. It satirized things like Kony 2012 and the Democrat-Republican power struggle while never taking on a level of crudity like that of South Park. It had clever plays on words and twisted conventionalities with its screwball style. And even though the premise never really changed over its seven year run, the show never felt dry or unoriginal. That’s why it amazed me when I learned that the show was coming to an end. For all its genius, 30 Rock simply could not attract the audience necessary to sustain its life on NBC. I’ve come to the conclusion that the show was simply too smart for the American public. It refused to conform to the standard of baseness that governs TV comedy and unforetunately paid the price for doing so. Unlike many of its prime-time rivals, 30 Rock requires a moderate to high IQ to be fully understood. Seriously, watch it with someone dumb. They won’t understand much of the humor that makes the show so unique. It’s sad that to survive a comedy must resolve to be purely average. Take Two and a Half Men; the jokes are stale. It’s run its course. Unlike 30 Rock, which has maintained the same ensemble through its entire run, it has resorted to picking up big name C-Listers like Ashton Kutcher (which, in and of itself, is a dealbreaker). It’s a shame that Americans have lowered their standards so much as to no longer appreciate humor when it smacks them in the face. Shows like 30 Rock and Happy Endings, which may soon be canceled, are penalized for their unconventionality. Their jokes are funnier and the laughs from them are louder, but the problem is that their audience is smaller. In a society where quantity is everything and quality is nothing, they stand no chance against the unsophisticated likes of 1600 Penn. So in closing, know this beloved Rural Juror: I will never forget you, or America’s Kidz Got Singing, or Meatcat, or “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah”. I will never forget that TV need not be contrived or gimmicked to be funny, and that jokes can be smart in addition to funny. I’ll always be thankful to Tina Fey for showing that dysfunction is amazing, and for making me realize that putting together the newspaper may not be so bad after all (the set of TGS bears an uncanny resemblance to the editing room of Knight Life). Even though your time has ended, 30 Rock, it will be a long time before I stop appreciating and lizzing (look it up) at your ingenuity and originality.
OPINIONS
FEBRUARY 2013 | PAGE 5
THE FUSS OVER THE BUS Bloomfield Hills High School will implement a new policy in regards to transportation- one that will make the system complicated and difficult By Brendan Eathorne Staff Writer Listen up underclassmen. Drop that Geometry textbook and throw away those APUSH notes. We’re talking transportation. That’s right, transportation. Specifically for the transitional phase of 2013-2015. Starting next September, school parking passes could belong exclusively to the senior class. Due to the absorption of an entire student body from Andover next year, the limited parking spaces may only be available to Blackhawk seniors, meaning the rest of the school would have to resort to other means of transportation. Parent drop-offs? Highly discouraged. Your own parking space? Fuggedaboutit. So, looks like you’re about to be cozying up to the cold, foam seats of the school bus. No, this isn’t the first phase of some cruel conspiracy against underclassmen, but instead is a part of a projected plan set up by Bloomfield administration in order to reduce traffic around the temporary consolidated high school at Lahser’s site. This
plan includes not only the parking cutbacks ficulties in transport and timing, instead but also changes to the morning start-times of utilizing the inter-school shuttle system for grades 10-12 at the Lahser location and that is already set in place and runs flawthe freshman academy, and the resulting lessly. bussing situations. With the freshman academy completing These scenarios would encapsulate a their final classes at 3:15, athletics and excommon or a staggered start time with the tracurricular activities would be delayed upper high school and the freshman acad- or disconnected. Sports teams will strugemy, where either both schools start bright gle with stragglers coming in late from the and early at 7:25, or grades 10-12 start at academy, delaying practices and frustrating their usual time while the coaches. Furthermore, freshmen start a pleasant “It would throw off and com- staggering the start 45 minutes later. plicate any forms of transpor- times would further isoThe latter option tation or collaboration be- late the freshmen from a would mean separate true high school setting, tween the two schools.” bus routes for high adding further needless school and the freshman complications to this alacademy, while the common time scenario ready arduous transition. would have regular routes for all grades, No matter the scenario, today’s underand express shuttles to the two campuses, classmen would need to swallow their pride the stations for which being located at the and accept their seats on the school bus if middle schools. administration’s plan is to go swimmingly. The original plan of staggered start Whether or not this endeavor is successful times seems plainly illogical, as it would relies on the cooperation of students and throw off and complicate any forms of parents, and traffic will likely be hectic and transportation or collaboration between the delayed anyways. two schools. Students who attend classes Frankly, the assumption that all driving at both schools will have unnecessary dif- students are entitled to parking spaces at
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the school sites would be irrational. Students have been fortunate enough to have their own spaces while at their respective schools, but during the next couple transitional years, student parking would have to be limited if they are to retain some organization in the frenzied rush that starts the school day. Of course it would be disappointing to not be able to flaunt your beloved hot rod in the showcase that is the Lahser parking lot, but adapting to new challenges and routines is what administration sees as a forte for Bloomfield high schoolers. Chances are most underclassmen will be riding the bus every day. And chances are transportation for the next couple of years is going to get chaotic. And chances are that less than half of you who started to read this article are still reading it now. But the entirety of Bloomfield Hills High School, students, staff, administrators and all, must be willing to work together and collaborate if we are going to find any order in this very difficult transition. In the end, controlled chaos is just the same as absolute chaos.
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Lahser Girls: Stop Waiting! Next year, girls need to pluck up the courage to ask their dates to Sadies early before missing out By Caroline Cooke Staff Writer February is the month of love. Pink and red consume all aspects of life; roses and teddy bears are everywhere; girls all over the world are stuffed to the brim with chocolate. But for Lahser, February isn’t just another holiday season. The Sadie Hawkins Dance becomes an obsession for many girls, and secretly boys, as they plan for the event. The reality of the Sadie’s Dance, however, isn’t always all that glitters. Attendance drops to about half of abundance of students who danced the night away at homecoming. Teenagers love to dance and the whole shebang is exciting, so what is the cause of the dramatic decrease in attendees? Boys can’t wait to get asked, wear their khaki pants, and realize that there’s nothing better than such, as the old song goes. Even if boys press their ears to the girls’ bathroom door to overhear who will be asked, they love the surprise. Plus, it’s a nice break from having to ask a girl, and pay for her dinner, at Homecoming and Prom. But while boys are getting giddy over their argyle sweaters, girls are shying away, too scared to be rejected.
The absence of a significant other, a busy schedule, and fear of rejection are some of the excuses Lahser girls use to get out of asking a friend, boyfriend, or acquaintance to Sadie‘s. Even with the dances informality, cheaper dinner choice, and dress shopping excitement, many girls are still too shy or busy for the February dance. “Homecoming is a dance that everyone goes to which makes it more fun,” said Sr. Lauren Lockwood. “Sadie’s is super couple-y and it’s nerve-racking asking a boy since they usually do it!” When other girls were asked about their reason for skipping the dance, they all felt the same. But why not ask a close guy friend or grab a group of your best girlfriends and hit the dance floor? The drink station is always open and tables are always set up if you aren’t feeling up for an awkward slow dance. For most Sophomores and Freshmen, Sadie’s will be the last dance of the year for them. As for everyone, this is the last traditional Lahser Sadie Hawkins Dance, why miss out on a great night? Next year, Lahser ladies ought to ask their dates early. Set the nerves aside, because all it takes is 20 seconds of extreme courage for you to have the best dance yet.
OPINIONS
T
FEBRUARY 2013 | PAGE 6
his past December, Gov- teachers who will actually want to teach in When asked if the union would continernor Rick Snyder and these conditions? ue to be relevant, Learmont answered yes. Michigan legislatures With public education in Michigan in “Where there are [people] there will be dispassed a bill making as bad of shape as it is already, Learmont agreements,” she said. “Unions are there Michigan a “Right to continued to say that within the next de- to represent people during these disagreeWork” state. The bill’s cade we can expect to see the state govern- ments. foremost effect is that unions in Michigan ment privatizing public education, cutting “I follow [politics in Michigan] like will now be unable to require union mem- pensions and health care for teachers being some people follow sports,” said Learmont; bers to pay union dues, which were previously required if (and only if) one elected to be a part of a union. So why does this bill have union members, including some educators at Lahser, up in arms? Well simply put, this bill will greatly hurt the power of unions and the benefits that member’s draw from being a part of them. “It’s like living in a city and not paying your taxes,” explains Donna Learmont, Ph.D, a teacher of 27 years and Lahser faculty member. “But then when your house catches on fire, expecting the fire department to show up and put it out.” As a result of these non-paying members receiving benefits, less money will be contributed to unions all across the state of Michigan. This means the unions will have significantly less power to fight for the rights of union workers. So it’s no wonder that in a largely unionized state like Michigan, these union workers are angry with the state government meddling with their organizaUnion workers protest Right to Work in Lansing in December 2012. tions. Workers in Michigan have a long history of fighting for their rights in the workplace, greatly affected. and just as any avid fan would, Learmont and they will continue to be proud and acWith these issues troubling teachers followed the Right to Work movement all tive members in the political process. around the state, how are educators in the way to the steps of the capitol in LanLearmont went on to say that as a result Bloomfield dealing with the additional sing in the protests during the days before of the unions being weakened, both wages stress and chaos caused by the consolida- the bill passed. and safety would be lowered in the work- tion of the two nationally accredited high So how do the unions plan to regain place; these are two problems that unions schools in the district? their once powerful political position? have always worked hard to prevent. Charlie Hollerith, principle at Lahser, According to Learmont unions will need And who’s to say what this bill will do to was unavailable for comment on the mat- to focus more so on putting politicians our schools in Michigan, which are strug- ter. But both parents and students alike can in power that will take a stand for labor gling enough as is. Take a look at Detroit; only imagine how the district will continue unions across the state as opposed to simwhere, with salaries being lowered and class to attract the high level of educators it has ply raising more funds in order to make up sizes being increased, are we going to find in past years. for the coming budget cuts.
For the unions, the key to success in their campaign for their rights will lie in their ability to gain influence through electing the right public officials concerned. But what do the opposing corporate politicians have in store for the Right to Work “war” of the future? In a state literally driving the American auto industry, corporate lobbies’ seem to pose an almost undefeatable opposition for the unions in both size and wealth, especially after the Right to Work bill. With organizations like ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) driving the conservative economic agenda in Michigan, the unions certainly have will be fighting an uphill battle in years to come. Michael Banerian, a Lahser senior and avid Republican activist, stated that there are three points driving support for the Right to Work movement. Firstly, it makes it so that unhappy member’s aren’t paying dues towards causes they don’t support. Secondly, he claims that it gives incentives to companies moving into Michigan by making more non-union workers available for employment. And lastly, it makes it so workers can bargain for individual benefits. So how exactly does the Republican movement plan on keeping their proudest achievement in active legislation? Banerian says, “ We need to show that our way of doing things is better than [the Democratic Party’s] way.” As is true with any effective political strategy. Though there is validity to his statement, it is undeniable that Right to Work will have a profound effect on the state’s education system and the Bloomfield Hills School District. It’s frightening to think of the many problems Right to Work will bring, and only time will tell if Michigan’s public education will be able to rise above this catastrophe.
THE WAR ON WORKERS
By Reilly Manz
OF THE EVENT
Jesse Jackson
State Capitol
Dr. Learmont
Courtesy of Dr. Learmont
States with the Best Public Education
States with the Worst Public Education
1. Massachusetts 2. Maryland 3. Colorado 4. Connecticut 5. Vermont 6. New Jersey 7. Virginia 8. New Hampshire 9. New York 10. Minnesota
1. West Virginia 2. Mississippi 3. Arkansas 4. Kentucky 5. Louisiana 6. Alabama 7. Nevada 8. Indiana 9. Tennessee 10. Oklahoma
Source: FoxBusiness.com
Highlighted= States with Right to Work
NIGHT AT
THE MOVIES
Lincoln leads audiences on an emotional and powerful history lesson directed by the famous Steven Spielberg. Set during the peaks of the Civil War and the heated debate over the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day Lewis) is seen as one of the most important figures U.S.history. Supported by family and friends many viewers will recognize outside of history garb; A-Listers Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sally Field, and Tommy Lee Jones, make up the ensemble cast as Lincoln’s son, wife, and a radical Republican. Lincoln does not just present the audience with two hours and thirty minutes of riveting content, but instead presents a dramatic, believable, and humorous story. While there’s humor that may fly over some viewers heads if they aren’t paying attention, it’s a dramatic look at the Civil War and the toll that it had on families and the U.S. that should be the focus. Trying to keep his family together and the his country together, Lewis acts out Lincoln so well that the audience will start forgetting that he is only an actor portraying the 16th leader of the free world. Lincoln is not boring, it is not just meant for people that are substantially older than the average high school student. It’s clear the film was created with a mature audience in mind, with many famous historical references and events. 150 years ago Lincoln had to make some of the hardest decisions in his life, and the only difficult decision viewers will have is deciding how many times they want to see this film over again.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a movie that portrays mental illness for what it is: a single piece in the wide scope of an individual’s being. This, perhaps more than anything else, is what makes David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook so impressive. The film, which follows an alternately manic and depressed rhythm, follows Pat Solitano’s (Bradley Cooper) attempt to regain control of his life while suffering from bipolar disorder. In his way is his Obsessive Compulsive father, Pat Sr. (Robert De Niro), whose infatuation with the Philadelphia Eagles makes any chance of normality possible, his friend Ronnie (John Ortiz), who fails to understand Pat’s situation, and his ex-wife, Nikki (Brea Bee), whom Pat remains committed to winning back. But in Ronnie’s nymphomaniac, widowed and depressed sister-in-law, Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), Pat finds an ally. Her dark humor and dry wit serve as a foil that brings Pat back to Earth and realistically aims to help him. Lawrence perfectly portrays the character’s haunting pain and looks into the soul of a woman at times possessed, but never consumed by her illness. In a whirl of football, ballroom dancing, and meds, Playbook simply never feels slow or rushed. It’s a comedy about love that never seems maudlin; it’s a comedy about mental illness that never seems forced or uncomfortable. It’s blunt. It never tiptoes around the touchy topic at hand; it attacks it, and in doing so finds power and honesty. We’re all crazy, Russell seemingly says in his triumphant film; we just need to find someone crazy enough to put up with us.
By Michael Gawlik|Opinions Editor
This movie defined the meaning of tragically beautiful. Les Miserables has all components of a great film; the heartbreaking stories about fighting for survival and sung with such passion provoked my tears, the direction of the movie was highly applauded, the contrasting attitudes between Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe made me think, and Sacha Baron Cohen made me laugh. This movie left you satisfied after it finished, with empathetic tears, good laughs, and a compellingly breathtaking story. Furthermore, it was an excellent idea for the director, Tom Hooper, to have all the singing cuts be made live. This allowed every unique story to be even more personal and touching. Though many people argue that the voices were not amazing, it is important to realize that this is not the musical, but a movie, and need to judge actors based on their acting abilities and nothing more. If I was asked about the French Revolution before seeing Les Miserables, I wouldn’t have a word to say. Now, however, I feel as though I was there, and that every soldier’s life fighting for freedom I had a connection to. It is everything in one movie, and I wouldn’t even call it a movie, but rather a production in itself. I expect Les Miserables to win an Oscar for Best Picture and it deserves an honor as high as that.
By Jackie Shandler|Staff Writer Photo Credtis - imdb.com
By Colby Gillette|Staff Writer
Argo, is a riveting representation of our efforts to rescue staff from our embassy in Iran during the 1981 hostage crisis. Iranians rioted and attacked the embassy in outrage that the United States provided asylum for their recently overthrown leader. A CIA agent played by director and actor of the film, Ben Affleck, is sent to Iran with a plan of creating the image of a film crew, integrating the hostages as film crew. Everything that can go wrong absolutely does in this film. Many obstacles are thrown into the path of the film crew throughout the movie, making it that much more suspenseful. The film is so accurately cast and directed, that each moment has its own feeling of importance. The urgency of the whole situation is really displayed in an incredible way. Each character hast heir own ways of dealing with the situation and the stress that it causes them. A knife could sever the tension throughout the movie, which could literally be felt by the audience. The spurts of great humor and iconic elements of the 1980’s add comedic humor and lightheartedness when necessary, which is often. The scenery and architecture of Iran is stunning and really brings the whole film together in a nostalgic way. Ben Affleck not only directed but stared in this production, which resulted in a fantastic film that grips the audience until its final moments. Bravo Mr. Affleck, you have outdone yourself.
By Ross Hall|Staff Writer
Directer Wes Anderson should be crowned. His “Kingdom” is the most recent of his films, including The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox, and is easily one of the best. The critically acclaimed director has created an eccentric, quirky masterpiece filled with humor, emotion, and a marvelous cast. Starring Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, and introducing youngsters Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman, this artistic movie breaks the mold of most typical Hollywood projects. The green grass of summertime, the khaki brown of boy scout shorts, and plenty of heartwarming red make up the colorful and fulfilling canvas of the film. Moonrise Kingdom is about finding happiness and love in unexpected places, and when a violent and short-tempered girl runs away into the wilderness with a self-exiled khaki scout in the summer of 1965, the scantly populated New England coastal island is flipped upside down in the search for the young lovers. Anderson’s success stems from the unspoken gravity of the film. Though humor and drama are intertwined in Moonrise Kingdom, none of the actors play to get a laugh. Instead what we receive is genuine emotion, whether elation or sorrow, that brings us closer to this fantastical place. And what a place it is, where happiness thrives, love endures, and the kingdom is yours for the taking.
By Brenden Eathorne|Staff Writer
Arts
FEBRUARY 2013 | Pages 8 & 9 Both artists didn’t completely fall off the face of the Earth. The stars used their “breaks” to enjoy some milestones and explore other talents.
The return to center stage
By Caroline Cooke Staff Writer
Justin Timberlake and Destiny’s Child ready to return to the music scene With the New Year, come many new exciting surprises, especially within the music industry. Artists are always looking to recreate their sound and increase their audiences. But in this New Year, the music industry is truly experiencing something exciting: the comeback of both Justin Timberlake and Destiny’s Child. Sexy is back in town. For six years, we have patiently awaited the announcement of a new album from Justin Timberlake, and it has finally come. Via twitter on January 10th, Justin Timberlake wrote “#JT2013” and released a video clip of the artist entering a music studio, saying, “I’m Ready.” The world sure hopes he is. Since his last album, Future Sex/Love Sounds, in 2006, Timberlake has taken a break from the music industry. His never-ending time away from the industry led many to question if he would ever be back. Speculations of torn vocal cords surfaced, but the truth is still unknown. In his video, Justin Timberlake states, before stepping in front of a microphone, “I don’t want to put anything out that I feel that is something I don’t love. You just don’t get that everyday. You have to wait for it.” We’ve waited six agonizing years; six more would be a breeze just knowing that a new album from the artist is finally coming, finally. Unfortunately, after the release of “Suit and Tie”, a single on his new recod, the heightened anticipation has decreased. This upbeat jam, considered a disappointment in comparison to his past work, left fans unsure of the quality of the new songs. However, hope for the rest of the album remains. With artist such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Drake predicted to appear, Justin Timberlake’s album, produced by Timbland, is undoubtedly going to regain his title as “King of Pop.” But Justin isn’t the only one looking to make a comeback in 2013. At the end of January, the group that defined the ‘90s, Destiny’s Child, is releasing a new album. After the Super Bowl Halftime show, Destiny’s Child has made their way back into our hearts with the announcement of a new album, titled Love Songs. Even though the album is mostly a “greatest hits” compilation, it will contain at least one new song
Kelly Rowland had a successful solo music career and starred in Tyler Perry’s Think Like a Man in early 2012.
titled “Nuclear.” Before the group’s new album has even hit stores, iTunes has experienced a wave of deprived fans downloading their singles. They have suddenly experienced a spike in their chart position, hitting spots as high as 85. Considering the group has been absent from the chart for about 8 years, they have encountered extreme success, already. For all of those ‘90s lovers, excitement is an understatement. Belly shirts and bedazzled headgear may be in style again. Open that old dress up bin and pull out those old costumes, because this album is sure to bring back the Destiny’s Child obsession. Since the group broke up in ’04, no hope for a comeback was even imagined. But after that performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, who knows how successful the group will be. Pull out that bedazzle gun and great ready for a potential reunion tour.
Did you know? • Timberlake took a hefty break from music and channeled some of his creativeness into designing. He launched a denim line called William Rast, which produces everything from jeans to jackets. • He tried his hand at producing for other artists, such as the likes of Madonna, T.I., and 50 Cent. • Though Destiny’s Child parted in the early 2000s, they shocked the world with their return to the Super Bowl stage to share a moment with Beyonce during her set. • Itunes sales for the group have skyrocketed since their Super Bowl performance.
Michelle Williams starred in the Broadway revival of Chicago as murderess Roxie Hart.
The break-out hit film The Social Network was first to feature Timberlake after his hiatus from music.
The rock of the group married longtime love Jay-Z and gave birth to daughter Blue Ivy last January.
How far would you go to get the attention of your favorite celebrity? Would you tweet at them everyday for a month? Stalk them all the way to Hollywood? Sneak onto the red carpet of their movie premiere? Yet, would you go as far as harming yourself to prove your devotion? A leaked picture of pop star Justin Bieber smoking marijuana had taken some fans to the extreme to express their disapproval of the star’s poor choice. #CutforBieber was a trending topic on twitter for over a week after it appeared on the trend boards. Following the release of photographs suggesting that Bieber was
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smoking, fans followed the lead of a fellow “Belieber” and posted tweets of slashed arms, blades and razors while hashtagging “cuttingforbieber”. The desperate fans pleaded with Justin to stop smoking marijuana, saying they would not stop harming themselves until he did. However, the supposed “fans” who started the trend were actually traced back to 4chan, a forum website which is known as the “a**hole of the internet”. The trend began as a joke, with the website posting the fake posts and pictures. While the originals were all fake the hashtags, they began trending nationally in only a few hours. Many
fans believed it was real and began making jokes about people who really do self-inflicting harm to themselves. This drew attention to a far more serious issue currently affecting much of the teenage population. Serious mental-health and self-esteem issues were brought into light as a result of the incident, and self harm is not a joke. With over 3 million Americans having self-harmed, many celebrities feel that the severity of this prank must be made known. Accounts such as @OfficialCANCER and former teen queen Miley Cyrus spoke up on the issue and how pathetic the campaign is. Miley retweeted the tweet “#cutforbieber? Cutting is NOT something to joke about. There are people who are actually suffering from self-harm, this is so disrespectful.” It is unfortunate for someone like Bieber who has such a young and impactful fanbase to be such a poor role model to his fans.
Photo Credtis - fanpop.com
Pop star Justin Bieber lands himself in hotwater This drew attention to a far more serious issue currently affecting much of the teenage population
He showed off his comedic chops on multiple stints on NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
Photo Credtis - hot97boston.com, provocateuse.com, tqn.com, usmagazine.com, bwwstatic.com, media-imdb. com, helloonline.com, rackcdn.com, wordpress.com
A cut below the rest By Maddie Rohr Staff Writer
Timberlake married the love of his life, Jessica Biel in October of 2012 in Italy
Can’t catch ‘em all By Daniel Bordner | Staff Writer
Photo Credits - technobuffalo.com
Popular video game franchise trying to milk the most money out of consumers Only months after the release of the much controversial Pokémon Black and White 2, it seems Nintendo is insistent on shaking the hornet’s nest once more. Instead of ruffling PETA’s feathers, Nintendo has managed to upset their own fan base. Set for the October line up of this year, Pokémon X and Y was just announced this past January through Nintendo Direct, a video streaming service for anything Nintendo wants public. A week later they released the first trailer for the game, revealing a plethora of surprising new features. The most controversial feature of all was the platform. This isn’t the first time Nintendo has ungraded hardware, but the difference this time is the harshness of the transition. Back in 2004 when the DS was first released, Nintendo made the transition for the Game Boy Advanced as painless as possible, giving the DS backwards compatibility, as well as releasing one of their game, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, which was a multiplatform. On the other hand, their other Pokémon releases for the DS, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, were only available on the DS. But, there is still a big difference between these advances. While the DS massively changed their cartridge shape, the 3DS shares an identical style. The only barrier for DS users then must be the 3D mechanics, and this is where things get really heated. After thorough investigation it’s quite clear what people consider the least useful and most poorly implemented tool, the 3D. The reason is there isn’t one. The 3D, though fully functional, doesn’t do much, the only thing it does to most games is slow them down. As the hardware effectively has to render all the graphics twice it cuts frame rates in half. The only games that supposedly gains any benefit is racing games, as it does enhance depth perception, unfortunately, Pokémon isn’t a racing game, making the 3DS a pointless purchase, which begs the question, why?
On just has to look at 3DS sales figures to see, though not terrible, the 3DS sold less than expected, not good for a company as large and as powerful as Nintendo. Many people claim the new Pokémon games are designed to save the 3DS, forcing fans to buy the system to play, and a system that can cost upwards of $200. Fans remain loyal, echoing across the Internet, they will purchase the 3DS, if only for Pokémon. Also, through the trailer it’s clear to see the design choices made were deliberate, as to justify this single-platform release. The video revealed a shocking chance to game-play, specifically the camera angle. Though a seemingly small detail, the camera has been completely reworked, ditching the old top-down style in favor of a more traditional third person experience. Another big chance is combat, or how the game is played; now being designed to give attacks more weight. It gives Nintendo another excuse to purchase a completely new game console just to experience something that may not even be different than a previous game. These changes, though controversial for their own reasons, are inappropriately implemented. Rather than just a chance of perspective, this new camera angle and combat is Nintendo’s excuse for the 3DS exclusivity. The reality of this though is that Nintendo is resorting to desperate measures to try and sell a product that faltered. The Wii U, their new interactive console, is also doing quite poorly, though its most successful game Super Mario Bros has about 1.4 million copies sold. While that sounds like a lot, keep in mind how much it costs to run a company as large as Nintendo. All in all, things look shaky for this once invulnerable company. How it will play out however, is yet to be seen.
Lahser’s final act
Photo Credits - cdnds.net
By Ryan Moonka | Staff Writer
Closing the curtain on Lahser’s final musical The Wiz- the funky, upbeat, urban version of The Wizard of Oz- hits the Lahser theater this week! The musical features not only the phenomenal cast of Lahser students, but also elementary and middle school students from across the district. Much like the original play, the musical focuses on the adventures of Dorothy and friends as they set out to find the Wiz.
Meet The Actors
Dorothy Sr. Michaela Jennings plays Dorothy, the young girl lost in the world of Oz. Taking after the likes of Whitney Houston, Jennings is the star of the play- singing, acting, and dancing her way through every scene. Not only is she the lead, but this also is her first ever play. Jennings explains, “I’ve never done something like this. I know lots of people are working really hard and I know this is Lahser’s last ever play, so I really want to make this a good production!” As for after graduation, Jennings hopes to continue developing her singing skills. She remarks, “ I’ve never been comfortable singing in front of people so I want to continue growing my confidence. Hopefully ill be able to sing in college or in a group later on.”
The Wiz Sr. Benzie Deriveau plays the Wizard in the musical, the character sought after by Dorothy and company. He explains, “ My character is kind of wacky- he’s a little cocky at first, and I’m always playing tricks on people.” Deriveau remarks on this year’s musical, “This is really an amazing cast that I’m honoured to work with. I’m especially sad that this is Lahser’s final musical, so I want this to be Lahser’s best. ” After graduation, he hopes to continue singing, taking classes at Oakland. He remarks, “I really hope to go to Columbia in Chicago to sing sometime in the future!”
The Lion Sr. Michael Banerian plays the Lion, Dorothy’s cowardly companion in the musical. Banerian explains of his character, “I try to act tough in certain situations, street tough, but it really isn’t the same exact character as the original.” Banerian, who has also been in Hairspray, Annie, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, remarks, “The musical is really time consuming, but it’s a great play and I’m trying to make it as best as I can.” Banerian, who plays one of the lead characters, uses acting as practice for a hopeful political career. He says, “The acting helps a lot because I have stage fright so doing a musical in front of hundreds of people has really improved my speaking.”
Arts
FEBRUARY 2013 | Page 10
Ellie Goulding “lights”up the stage
British chanteuse Ellie Goulding brought her electro-pop dance party to Royal Oak on January 28, and her infectious dance hits with her. Playing at the elusive Royal Oak Music Theater, fans from all walks of life flocked to the concert for a night of dancing, singing, and spectacular lights show. Goulding, who hails from Britain, brought along her band for their multi-city tour around the United States to reach out to the songstress’ American following. Goulding opened with a crowd favorite “Don’t Say a Word” and continued to blaze through her set list, but slowed things down a few times to interact with fans. It was clear that Ellie wasn’t on
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What was really impressive was that Goulding really knew how to bang around on the drums
stage to have full conversations with the crowd like many big name artists do, but to come and see what we had paid for- to hear her sing. She got the crowd going with a pounding rendition of love anthem “Figure 8” and slowed it down with her fantastic guitar skills on “Guns and Horses” and an Elton John cover of “Your Song”. What was really impressive was that Goulding really knew how to bang around on the drums. She would stop singing in the middle of a song and start playing away at the personal set the stage crew had laid out for her when she felt like playing along to her songs. It was almost eerie how her band knew to stop
Photo Credtis - gwhatchet.com
By Jazz Croskey Arts Editor
Photo Credtis - josepvinaixa.com
The British sensation rocks Royal Oak
playing along to her singing and scale back when she wanted a moment to shine on the instrument she played with ease. Her set list was a seamless transition from song to song and she brought the small theater to their feet with her mega popular hits “Anything Could Happen” and crowd favorite “Starry Eyed” which had just about everyone on their feet dancing like crazy. Goulding closed her amazing show with her number one U.S. hit “Lights” and thanked her fans in her sweet British accent for taking a chance on her and coming out to see her perform.
Chasing the dream
Thrift shopping to success
The U.K.’s newest all-girl band is ready to rock
Chronicling The Music Star’s Rise To Success Photo Credtis - blogspot.com
By Regina DiMaggio Staff Writer
By Jazz Croskey Arts Editor
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The group had stated many times that they were grateful for their success in the industry, but felt they had another one to break
The British invasion continues! The talented lot from across the pond have brought us hit makers such as Adele, One Direction, Jessie J, and Cher Lloyd to the U.S. music charts. Now, the Brits are hoping that another music group can break the American Scene with their beauty and singing abilities. Wildly successful The Saturdays are the U.K.’s English-Irish girl group who have dominated the U.K. music scene and are hoping they can make it big in the land of opportunity. Consisting of five members, Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, and Vanessa White, the talented women formed the group in 2007 signing with a major record label in their home country. After many years of success in U.K. with multiple hit albums, books, and even a clothing line. The group had stated many times that they were grateful for their success in the industry, but felt they had another one to break. 2013 was going to be
By Regina DiMaggio Staff Writer
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Photo Credtis - musicblog.com
a big year that The Saturdays were going to make even bigger. E! network premiered their very own reality show Chasing The Saturdays on January 20, which chronicles the group’s break out into the American scene. The show follows Saturdays as they count down to their release of their American EP The Chase and of course the drama and success that comes along with being a pop star. The Chase dropped on January 27 to mostly positive reviews from critics, and hit singles that are sure to be hits. The album only featured four of group’s top ten singles, not wanting to put out too much that wouldn’t potentially sell. The lead single off the album “What About Us” solidified the group’s success, with million of hits on YouTube and the their reality show dominating the Sunday night time slot on E!. The Saturdays have found their footing in the American market and it is safe to say that they will too achieve the success of their equally famous counter parts.
When you hear that beat, you already know. Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” insanely catchy tune has taken over the music charts the few weeks. With a number one hit and a chart topping album The Heist, it is safe to say America is obsessed with the rising star, Macklemore. Macklemore has been debuting his works of art since 2005, but finally hit it big with his first full length album The Heist, with listeners grasping onto every word he has to preach about in all 15 incredible songs.The album is unlike anything else on the charts these days. The controversial rapper takes pride in the fact that his songs aren’t like what most rappers have put out recently. Macklemore brings something new to the music scene, the fact that he truly is a lyrical genius, stringing lines together with a pained but powerful delivery, giving the listener a haunting impression from some songs. On one of the more intriguing tracks on Heist is “Same Love”, which takes a jab at anyone who is anti- gay. This brilliant piece provokes the listener to see the issue of gay marriage completely different. With the powerful line “a world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are”, Macklemore stresses on the fact that we truly become numb to what we say to people we do not “approve” of, especially gays. Attacking others for just simply being themselves in their own right, Macklemore says in other words is just sick and disgusting. However, “Same Love” is not the only song that is quite political on the album. Every song on this record has a deep message that goes beyond the amazing beats that haunt your thoughts. His lyrics
that are accompanied by crazy instrumentals equal the recipe for greatness. The Heist is so unlike any other thing that is out musical world right now and it only makes you appreciate it even more. Aside from the beautiful melodies, hooks, and verses, Macklemore has produced beats to match them perfectly. We must applaud Macklemore for putting out an album that is not only so personal, but for also shining light on subjects that some artists are too cowardly to touch on. He has stated in recent interviews that he wrote these songs on his album to get through to society; he wants everyone to see the flaws that our corrupt society beholds, which is a great definition of what music really is.
Music’s best to rock Detroit Snag a ticket to your favorite artists musical revue
The winter chill has settled in the air for good, and while everyone gets over the mental abuse from finals, it’s finally time to relax. It’s the start of a new semester and time to enjoy the transition into the spring. In the coming month, Detroit will play host to many musical guests, appealing to everyone from country, pop, and rock fans. If you’re looking to get away from the mundane “go to a movie in Birmingham”, tickets are on sale now to see the industry’s best rock the Motor City for an evening.
Maroon 5 with Neon Trees and Owl City Feb 14 – The Palace of Auburn Hills
Photo Credtis - examiner.com
Upcoming Concerts 2 Chainz - February 20 - The Fox Theatre Muse - March 2 - Joe Louis Arena P!nk - March 5 - The Palace of Auburn Hills Rihanna and A$AP Rocky - March 21 - Joe Louis Arena Colbie Caillat - March 21 - Motor City Casino Hotel Alicia Keys and Miguel - April 17 - Joe Louis Arena
Lady Gaga February 16th The Palace of Auburn Hills
Photo Credtis - kicktickets.com
Imagine Dragons March 1st The Fillmore Detroit
Photo Credtis - imaginedragonsfans.com
SPORTS
FEBRUARY 2013 | PAGE 11
Record Breaking Knight
Future College Athletes By Reilly Manz Editor
By Jacqueline Shandler Staff Writer The scream of the buzzer and celebration of the Lady Knights basketball team marks a special victory for Lahser Sr. Suzanne Miller. The Knights defeated Hazel Park 66-23 and Miller broke the old record for assists in a single game, which has been in place since 1999. The record was broken in the final moments of the game when Rachel Passer took the pass and scored the final, buzzer beater shot. Miller tells Knight Life, “It really is an honor to have my name forever be put in the Lahser record books. It has been a goal of mine since taking over the point guard position my Sophomore Year. However, I can’t take all the credit, an assist needs a shooter.” Miller continues, “Going into the game against hazel park, We knew it would be a good game to go after it with. We have always beaten them by a significant amount over the years and everyone was able to play
some big minutes.” Miller reflects on breaking the record, “What I’m most proud of is that the record was broken with everyone playing and contributing. After we secured the lead, the other starters went out and Coach Lisa and Alexis held the remaining assists needed after each bucket.” Point guard is a difficult position that requires playing time throughout the entire game. However, in all sports, team camaraderie is necessary for success and Miller gives her final thanks to the basketball team, “I’d like to give a special shout-out to Rachel Passer who helped me get to 15 assists by hitting a buzzer beater jumper at the end of the game, and a super-man celebration. I couldn’t have done it without my team and the encouragement of my coaches. It’s good to be a Knight!” Miller and the Lady Knights look forward to the concluding games of their season and set their goals even higher.
Sr. Andrew Gikas looks to make a tackle. He will be taking his talents to The Air Force Acedemy
Lahser has a long history of churning out college bound athletes, but this year, the Knights will be boasting an exceptional trio of Division I bound players in three different sports. From lacrosse, cross-country and football, this year’s scholarship winning athletes are truly impressive characters. Gikas was a three-year varsity starter for both the football and basketball teams, as well as a captain for both teams during his senior year at Lahser. Early in his senior year, various Ivy League schools and other universities began expressing interest in him as a prospective talent on the football field. But ultimately Gikas chose the patriotic option at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. “It was an easy choice after seeing all the opportunities [the Air Force Academy] could offer me.” But Andrew didn’t always think he’d be playing football in the NCAA. “When I was a little boy I always dreamed of being a pilot, not a football player. It’s funny how things work out I guess.” Gikas not only shines on the field, but off the field in the classroom and the community, holding a 3.95 GPA and many hours of community service, Gikas will continue representing Lahser as one of the best.
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When I was a little boy I always dreamed of being a pilot, not a football player. It’s funny how things work out I guess.
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Liestrong By Annie Reed Junior Editor As a young girl, I knew very little about the sport of cycling and couldn’t give you a definite answer as to what Le Tour de France even was. All I knew was that Lance Armstrong was a considered a hero; a man battling cancer and prevailing against all odds. I’m sure many of my classmates at Lahser would agree - Lance Armstrong was our role model. Unfortunately, this all has changed. Instead of being inspired by the pageantry of Armstrong’s heroics and being proud to flaunt my yellow “Livestrong” bracelet, I have become disgusted. To find out an athlete so cherished by this nation had cheated, lied and destroyed anyone prepared to reveal his secrets is devastating. So my question is: why is this overshadowed by a college football player and the death of his imaginary girlfriend? The sensationalist nature of the media gravitated nearly all of its attention to the Manti T’eo hoax, where the Heisman candidate was tricked into believing that he was dating an actual person online. The heart wrenching news of his “girlfriend” Lennay Kekua’s death broke the surface this season and captured the attention of
many. Not only college football fans, but casual observers as well. Ultimately, the entire story was a hoax, and Manti T’eo its victim. I’m sure that this controversy was appealing because of the compelling and heartwarming tale, as well as the uncertainties surrounding the story. This in turn generated more attention than that of Armstrong admitting his usage of performance enhancing drugs and adamantly lying to the world for years. Not only this, but Armstrong forced his teammates to take performance enhancing drugs with him and threatened and plotted against all who dared to question him. People were captivated by the lies surrounding Armstrong and T’eo, but there is a defining difference. While Armstrong’s lies deceived the world and hurt his fans, charity and professional sports, the lies surrounding T’eo only hurt the Notre Dame Linebacker- himself. It does not seem fair that T’eo has received most of the criticism as Armstrong glided smoothly under the public radar. While the media may be all too concerned about an imaginary woman, I know one thing for certain. Lance Armstrong is no longer a hero and idol to my generation, but a man of a forever tarnished legacy.
Sr. Margaret Metzger cradles the ball in a game agaist Regina High School. Metzger will be attending the University of Michigan where she will play lacrosse.
Sr. Elena Miller runs towards the finish line in an invitational last month. Miller signed a letter of intent last Wednesday to run cross country at Northwestern University
Starting as a freshman on the women’s varsity lacrosse team at Lahser, Margaret Metzger had always created a buzz on the field. Attracting attention from fans and scouts alike, Metzger made the decision to play lacrosse at the University of Michigan in early November of this year. As a kid Metzger says her passion was dancing, and that’s what she thought she would do for the rest of her life. After that she went on to explain, “But when I first grabbed that lacrosse stick in the 6th grade, it just felt right.” And her passion for lacrosse hasn’t faltered since; she hung up the dance shoes for a pair of cleats and never looked back. Sticking with this years tradition of college bound athletes Metzger has maintained a 4.0 GPA and various other academic honors throughout her years at Lahser. For Miller, running was always an after thought, coming behind her academics, until she started receiving letters from various prestigious universities recruiting her as a cross-country runner. And on the 6th of January, Miller made the commitment to run at Northwestern University. “Truthfully I probably wouldn’t have wanted to run at any other school than Northwestern; it’s my dream school.” Though Miller plans to continue her pursuit of the athletic and academic success she established in high school, she clarifies that in 10 years she sees herself living in Colorado as a clinical psychologist. Principal Hollerith wishes these students the best of luck with their future endeavors, and encourages them to continue to remain model citizens, as they have been for all of us here at Lahser.
By Austin Burchill Editor
Pre-Season Top 20
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. New York Rangers 3. Edmonton Oilers 4. Vancouver Canucks 5. Boston Bruins 6. Los Angeles Kings 7. St. Louis Blues 8. Carolina Hurricanes 9. Chicago Blackhawks 10. Minnesota Wild 11. Philadelphia Flyers 12. Detroit Redwings 13. Phoenix Coyotes 14. Nashville Predators 15. Colorado Avalanche
18. Washington Capitals 19. Ottawa Senators 20. Winnipeg Jets
FEBRUARY 2013 | PAGE 12
The Pond Lifestyle By Austin Burchill Sports Editor “Yo dude, pond today?” The question started to surface early this year, due to the cold temperatures this winter season. The ponds seemed to freeze in no time. The excitement was evident, as players were getting ready to once again lace em’ up and skate on the ponds of Bloomfield. For these boys, winter is spent out on these ponds in weather anywhere from 30 F – 10 F degrees. After interviewing many of the players, it was obvious they didn’t mind the extra chill winter has to offer. “I mean it gets pretty cold sometimes, but I love being on the ice too much to even care”, Senior Matt Ramin says about the the heavy dose of cold weather. “ Personally, I’m more worried about the warm weather.” As you can imagine, warm weather is devastating to these players and their ponds. Once it gets above 30 F, it seems as though the ponds become softer and slushier with every minute that passes. Not only does the ice become at times unplayable, but these players put their lives at risk when they walk onto a soft pond. They have all heard stories of people plunging in to the ocean-like water that lies under their sheet of ice, yet they still don’t mind the slight risk. Parents and other students may think it’s stupid to put yourself in danger, but to these boys, it’s just what they do. Their parents understand that and no one really questions their judgment. This was all true up until last year. Last year, as you may remember, was one of the warmest winters we’ve had in years. Due to the warm weather, ponds were softer and unsafe as ever. Nonetheless, pond hockey was played all winter long. Senior Michael Blumenthal recalls, “The ponds where almost just slush last year and it just wasn’t good ice.” When asked about the safety of the ice last year, Blumenthal answered laughingly, “ They weren’t safe. There are no buts about it that they weren’t safe.” Blumenthal, a pond
hockey legend himself, continued, “ To me it’s worth the risk. I started my hockey days on the pond and now enjoy my time playing for the Bloomfield Chargers Varsity team.” This being said, last year the Bloomfield Police Department made it clear that skating on the ponds was at your own risk and they would be, like every winter, informing the public when the ice is safe enough to skate on. That announcement has yet to have been made this year. For those who don’t want to put their bodies at risk, you still have some waiting to do until the ice is safe. As for those die hard pond players, they are probably skating on the ice as you read this article. Senior Bo Babcock said “It’s a way of life for us. Hockey can be a risky game, and it takes a lot of guts to play it. Same can be said for stepping out onto the ice.”
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“ They weren’t safe. There are no buts about it they weren’t safe. “
Fans rejoice as lockout ends By Chase Smith Staff Writer Depressed and angry, Detroit hockey fans drag themselves to Auburn Hills to watch the Pistons against their will. The baseball season ends with an anticlimactic loss in the World Series and Detroiters are left in the cold of the winter with only one thing to look forward to; one thing to rekindle the spirits of a broken city and bring light to the grey dark winter days. This highly anticipated event is hockey season. As Michigan residents pack up their baseball gear and start taping their hockey sticks in anticipation for the NHL, their attention was brought to devastating news that the season would be delayed on September 15, 2012. At first Michiganders were slightly annoyed thinking that it would only be a short delay, but days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and a resolution wasn’t reached until January 6th! This nightmarish delay can be attributed to the owner’s desire to reduce the percentage of revenue cuts that the players received as well as adding various
contract restrictions when signing players. Stubborn and greedy, neither side would budge which left NHL fans around the world sour with the feeling of betrayal and disgust. Nonetheless, fans are more excited than ever to watch their team take a shot at the cup. The normal 82 game season has been revised to only accommodate 48 games. This late start also means that the Stanley Cup playoffs may not be finished until late June! This year there a have been a few important changes for the Detroit Red Wings. Perhaps one of the biggest is the potential plan to build a new arena in downtown Detroit. Mike Illitch who is the current owner of the Joe Louis arena heads this movement. Recently, legislation has passed his plans for the 650 million dollar multi purpose arena. Promises of creating 8,300 jobs and generating a revenue of nearly 2 billion dollars makes Detroit hopeful of this expenditure. An important change made within the team is the choice of replacing retired captain Nick Lidstrom with Henrik Zetter-
burg. Zetterburg is highly popular among his teammates and is a little more vocal than his humble preceding captain. Despite failing to obtain some very talented NHL studs like Ryan Sutter and Rick Nash, the Wings have a European recruit Damien Brunner. Brunner is a young gun that will potentially be placed on a line with Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Even though Holmstrom’s aggressive playing style in front of the net helped the Red Wing’s top line, he is nearly 40 years old and doesn’t have the speed and skill to keep up with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. The addition of Brunner may create an offensive line that is among the best in the NHL. Fans are overjoyed and welcome the drama and action that accompanies the season. Although feelings are bitter towards the owners of the NHL teams, it’s comforting to know we will still be watching the Red Wings battling their way to the Stanley Cup when Detroit is warm and prosperous in June.
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Bloomfield Charger weighs in on the Wings Upcoming Season...
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“The Wings are going to have a hard time adjusting this year because of the loss of both Nick Lidstrom and Thomas Holmstrom. Damien Brunner needs to step up and play extremely well early if the Wings want to make a cup run.” Kevin Barnett