Flip to page 4 to get an in depth look at a volleyball game against Ogema Heights, Central’s new Athletic Director, and a boys’ tennis tradition
the
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September 30, 2014
Volume 94
Sports
Issue 1 Focus
Black Gold
Graph
2014 MIPA Spartan Award Winner
Photo: courtesy of K. Rodriguez
ic: E. S imon
For an exploration of summer adventures, turn to page 6
Traverse City Central High School 1150 Milliken Drive, Traverse City, Michigan 49686
Changing security protocols and infrastructure
As security hightens, TCAPS adjusts its Open Carry gun policy and adds classroom Boots and door Blast Shields
Andrea Bavikatty & Shaine Kearney Staff Reporters
Open Carry Last January, Grand Traverse County Commission candidate Andy Marek came to a TCAPS school board meeting openly carrying a firearm. This act has sparked a citywide conversation around open carry rights on TCAPS property. Michigan law MCL 28.425o states that if an individual has a Concealed Pistol License (CPL), that person has the right to openly carry a gun on school grounds. In order to comply with the law, TCAPS had to slightly change its policy. “If a community member or an individual owns a CPL, then they are allowed to openly carry a weapon onto our grounds,” TCAPS Interim Superintendent Paul Soma said. “We have to
have procedures on how we deal with that, but the law defines the fact that they can do it.” If someone were to open carry on Central’s campus, that person will be required to check into the main office just like any other guest. Their CPL will then be verified, and they will be asked if having their weapon is absolutely necessary. If they insist, then that person will be escorted by a staff member for the duration of their campus visit. The new possibility of someone carrying a weapon on school grounds has caused some staff to rethink their reaction. “[If I were to see someone with a gun at Central] like with any visitor, I would make sure they had a pass,” English teacher Dave Hendrix said. “If the person had a pass, then someone in the main office had talked to and addressed that personIf the person didn’t have a pass, which is very unlikely, I would automatically call my wing office and follow whatever
Photo: S. Kearney
Photo: S. Kearney
Remove the Boot from the wall
procedures from there.” The Boot TCAPS has also recently implemented a few more security measures in order to increase the level of safety for its students. “There seem to be different layers [of security] every year,” Hendrix said. One of these new “layers” is the installation of the Boot, a rectangular plate of steel with two pegs that inserts into the floor and therefore prevents it from opening. When properly engaged, the Boot can resist as much as 16,000 pounds of pressure. TCAPS board members were
Photo: S. Kearney
Insert the slab into the bracket
first introduced to the Boot during a conference last May. “The issue of safety and security came up, and we called up [the Lockdown Company—the producer of] the Boot,” Soma said. “When we analyzed it, we felt it was a material improvement to safety and security, especially when a lockdown is the right approach.” Central High School Liaison Officer Joseph Soffredine explains its merit. “If used properly, the Boot will provide a good locked room,” he said. “It’s a good idea and will significantly increase the level of security at Cen-
Guide the pegs into the holes
tral.” The Boot is not to be touched by students. Should a student be caught tampering with the Boot, disciplinary measures could include, but are not limited to, suspension or criminal charges. “It is similar to someone pulling a fire alarm,” Hendrix said. “If anyone were to modify it or carry it out of the room or prop a door open with it, if anyone touches the Boot for the wrong reason, this would cause some very severe consequences.”
see Security, pg. 7
New Early College program
Warehouse Sale
The Michigan Department of Education recently approved a program that allows for both a Central and NMC Diploma
Margo Hoagg Photo Editor
Photo: C. Brower TCAPS recently held a sale in order to get rid of old, unused equipment while generating revenue for the district. “This is two decades worth of stuff that has been accumulating,” Purchasing Director of TCAPS, Ken O’Brien (above) said. “We decided rather than let it sit and collect dust, why don’t we try to sell it?” This is the fourth sale the district has held. “We’ve gotten probably $30,000 this year from the stuff that we’ve sold,” O’Brien said. There will be one more sale on Oct. 24.
Early College has been implemented as a program for students who may start beginning the ninth grade with the goal of concluding their high school careers having both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in a major of their choice, at no cost to students. In their fifth year of the program students are required to take one class at Central. “As an Early College student, they will stay for a thirteenth year,” Director of Admissions for NMC, Cathryn Claerhout said. “Typically, within five years the student will graduate with an associate’s and up to 60 credits.” Early College has been offered in Michigan for over 20 years, and had 23 programs in the state. This year 30 more have been approved. It wasn’t until last year that a grant had been approved for TCAPS. “NMC and TCAPS have been working together for a long time,” Early College coordinator Lindsey Dickinson said.” Early College had been talked about previously. NMC and TCAPS applied together for the grant.” To coordinate the logistics TCAPS and NMC had to design a curriculum or majors. Dickinson said currently two programs are offered: the robotics program and the liberal arts program. “The liberal arts program has more flexibility, it’s great for a student who maybe wants to be a lawyer, or a journalist or a vet—you name it.” Both administrators and counselors agree that some students have difficulty keeping up with a college-level workload. Administrators frequently integrate more intense studies even before ninth grade to ease students into Early College expectation. “Students need to be able to test into college level work,” Director of Admissions, Cathryn Claerhout said. “We can give them building block courses earlier that will give them that level of support.” Freshman in Early College are not thrown as deeply into the work load until their junior and senior years, but have college classes gradually throughout their high school career. Students usually find out within the first few weeks whether Early College should be their academic career path.
Graphic: H. Lancashire
“Early College is a big commitment,” Claerhout said. “It would be very difficult for students to be engaged in sports or a lot of extra curricular activities. It’s a very academically minded program.” Students are held to all college level responsibilities, so the adjustment can be a little shocking. “I’m still 14, it will be more challenging than a regular high school experience,” first-year Early College student Paige Carrigan ‘18 said. “It will be intense.” The program first caught Carrigan’s eye when she was in the early phases of learning more about high school. “During freshman orientation the program just stood out to me and my mom, and we wanted to look into it more,’’ Carrigan said. For students up to the challenge, the benefits they reap are substantial. “Early College is a great opportunity for students both financially and for personal and academic growth,” Claerhout said. The program is recommended to high achieving students. “It’s a good opportunity for a student who has been doing well in the high school who may be able to exceed more,” Dickinson said. Students can gain a better understanding of the challenges they may encounter, which will help them make their way into the workforce with confidence. “It’s a good idea because of the money it saves, and to get a head start on college,” Carrigan said. “It will prep me for the real world.”
Briefs
Influx of transfer students
New exchange teachers
Central’s transfer student enrollment has increased over the past several years. “We’re up approximately forty to fifty kids from the previous school year,” Assistant Principal Jay Larner said. Larner feels the steady increase is due to Central’s diverse programming for students. “Part of the appeal of CHS is that we do offer a wide variety of educational opportunities,” Larner said.
This year TCAPS has recently changed its Chinese Student Exchange Program in welcoming two new staff members from the Confucius Institute of China. This institute promotes and facilitates Chinese culture exchanges throughout the world. Wei Lu and Yiling Liu have been assigned, possibly for up to three years, to teach Chinese I, II, and III at TCAPS for both Chinese exchange students, and any student interested in learning the
“That’s part of a comprehensive high school experience.” Career Tech Center, Advanced Placement classes, Sci-Ma-Tech, and classes in conjunction with NMC are a few of offerings. These programs are all part of a district-wide effort to attract students to TCAPS. “We are trying to become what we call a destination district, meaning families want to be here,” Larner said. “Traverse City is a des-
tination to come and raise a family, Graphic: C. Hansen and part of the attraction is our offerings at Central.” Transfer student Eric Brown ‘15 was drawn to Central for several reasons. “The proximity to the college is pretty neat. I’ve never seen something like that before,” Brown said. “Everyone is really friendly and it’s a good community feel.”
language. “TCAPS has not had Chinese teachers available, so its great to finally have them this year,” Hannah Hagarty ‘16 said. At Central Lu and Liu will teach all three levels of Chinese sixth hour. Lu said the diverse abilities of the students will be challenging, but manageable. “It’s hard to balance, but I don’t think it’s difficult to teach different levels,” Lu said. As to Lu and Liu’s Central
Photo: E. Simon
experience so far, both feel they are in the right place. “I love this city and I love these schools,” Lu said. “I ended up where I belong--that’s the feeling.”
2 Opinion
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold September 30, 2014
Keep guns out of school
Graphic: H. Lancashire
We look at the good and bad from the venerable and not so venerable public bigwigs
Erin Lipp
Editor-in-Chief and Sports Editor Leave it to Hermione Granger to manage the mischief of gender inequality. Hermione, turned Emma Watson, leveraged her Harry Potter celebrity in a venue assured to garner worldwide notice, the United Nations. There, Watson launched the HeForShe program, along with CNN correspondent Wolf Blitzer, to encourage males to join shoulder to shoulder with females against gender inequality. While many celebrities view any publicity as good publicity, Watson has more class. As a recent Brown University graduate and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, she used her “star power” for good. At a young age she began questioning gender inequality issues. While I cannot say that I am taking the same action as Watson, I do share her views. The fight for feminism has been controversial for fifty years, but it is often argued as women fighting against men and their need for ultimate power. I am a supporter of feminism to an extent, an extent that ends when women try reverse the roles and gain ultimate power over men. When Watson addressed the UN she stated, “I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.” By turning competition into cooperation, Watson has made feminism something that men can argue for too. An impressive magic trick, if I may say so myself.
John Minster
Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor
the Black & Gold
Bob McDonnell was a leading GOP figurehead. He gave the Republican response to President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union speech. He was a prime candidate to be Mitt Romney’s running mate in 2012. He was the Governor of Virginia. He was all that, but now he’s facing up to 30 years in prison. That’s a long way to fall. McDonnell was found guilty on 11 different charges of corruption, accepting gifts and loans from a wealthy businessman in exchange for helping his company. Now, I get that there’s graft in politics, and every now and again one of them does something so colossally stupid you’re left face-palming. I’ll admit, I’m a staunch conservative. Bob McDonnell would have been the kind of guy I would have supported over, say, former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. I looked to him. However, this corruption is disheartening, not just to politicians of both parties but to leadership in government. What bothers me most is McDonnell’s lapse in character. How about some ethics in our leadership? Politicians are supposed to be luminaries, not felons. These are people to whom we entrust nothing less than our security, our economy and our values. They are supposed to make the big decisions, because we have given them the honor of representing us. Integrity matters. It matters most at the top. But degenerates who masquerade as shining examples of moral integrity besmirch us all.
Editors-in-Chief Erin Lipp John Minster
News Editor
George Madison
Opinion Editor
Graphic: H. Lancashire
or not, they will feel uncomfortable, they will feel intimidated. This is supposed to be a learning environment, but before any learning can take place, students have to feel safe. Guns entering the school hinder that feeling. They create paranoia. We may not all agree on this issue, but we can certainly agree on one thing; kids are crafty. And when there’s a gun dropped into a building with 1,600 of them, there are endless problematic scenarios. Those possibilities wouldn’t even exist if guns were not allowed on school grounds in the first place. This law also adds much confusion for schools. Prior to this year, if there was a gun in sight, the school went into lockdown. No questions asked. Now, there are all sorts of questions that have to be asked. Does this person have a CPL? Does this person have business here? Did this person check in at the front Graphic: H. Lancashire office? And while we’re sitting here asking all these questions, an intruder could have completely surveyed If there is any place parents can send their the campus with no opposition. If the policy kids and have faith in them coming home confuses the staff and the public, there’s no intact, that place should be school. However, way students are going to know the difference recent events have created uncertainty. We between a visitor and a shooter. do acknowledge this kind of situation is very We do understand a person’s right to carry a uncommon, but we believe any chance of an weapon, but we question the judgement that unfamiliar person with a weapon entering the would lead them to do so in a school. school, even if it is legal, is an accident waitSchools should be a sacred entity in our ing to happen. society, an incandescent system where our That potential danger creates hysteria. future is nurtured. If students’ are to truly Especially in schools. If students see a perfocus on their learning and feel safe at school, son walking down a hallway clearly armed, we at the Black & Gold suggest guns have no whether he’s accompanied by a staff member presence.
I wouldn’t feel comfortable having someone in school carrying a gun. We can go about our day without them around. They’re not unecessary. -Gabi Looker ‘18
I don’t feel that nervous about it. They’re qualified enough to carry a weapon in public, so they’re qualified enough to carry it openly in school. -Dante Vozza ‘17
I’d be a bit nervous, but they have a license so they should know what they’re doing. Really, it depends on the person, not the gun. -Sara Borysiak ‘16
They have [the CPL] for a reason. They took a class to carry it. People think they’re wise enough to carry it, so they should be able to carry it. -Bradley Ray ‘15
Deadly driving age threatens teens
Driving age has long been a debated topic, though most have settled on 16 years of age. However, driving as early as 14 years of age has become commonplace and that is endangering young people all around the country
Baille Zipser Staff Reporter
They were all friends just having a good time. Three teens without a care in the world just cruising along, reveling in life, looking for excitement. The roads were bare except a few cars passing by. Some hills were in view. The thrill of jumping the car was finally there. This was their chance. The teens began to speed down the road, the fastly approaching hills calling them. They glanced at each other, and went for it. CRASH, the lights go black. Early morning August 24, two teens died from a car crash in Leelanau County. The 16 year old driving the vehicle was going over the speed limit when he crashed into a pickup truck after running a stop light. A week later, one of the teenagers in the vehicle succumbed from his injuries and passed away. Regret-
A&E Editor
Julia Vannatter
tably, this kind of thing happens all too often. In 2010, Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association recorded teen driving accidents. They found that 16 to 19 year old drivers were more likely to have an accident than any other age group, as 2,700 deaths and 282,000 injuries were recorded for 2010. Those accidents also totalled more than $19 million in motor vehicle costs. And yet, Alaska, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas and our state of Michigan all allow driving for teens as early as the age of 14. Teenage years are a time to make mistakes, but putting a young teen behind the wheel is risky business. Young people have clearly shown they don’t have the experience behind the wheel or the cognitive ability to
Business Managers George Madison Julia Vannatter
Sports Editor Erin Lipp
Focus Page Editors
John Minster
Hunter Kelly Hayley Rozema
Feature Editor
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Maddi Miller
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ible, we will talk to the person and ask for the CPL, and call Officer Soffredine to verify the CPL is legitimate,” he said. “Then, I will probably ask the person if they would proceed through the school without their gun, but, if they’ve done everything above board and they still want their gun, we would escort them to the location they’re going to until their business is done.” While we admire TCAPS’ efforts to assure student safety, our doubt still flickers. We at the Black & Gold believe firearms have no place in schools, whatsoever. Schools are supposed to be places of safety.
c: H .L a n cas hir e
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he last few years have been laced with issues revolving around firearms in schools. Whether it be school shootings or gun rights issues, there has been no shortage. They’ve spread like wildfire, and made their way to Traverse City. Back in January, a Grand Traverse County Commission candidate attended a TCAPS Board meeting carrying a pistol openly to the session, sparking much controversy over the legality of not just the open carry of a pistol to a board meeting, but more importantly inside our schools. After the smoke had risen and embers calmed, anyone with a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) may, in fact, open carry a pistol on our school grounds. Michigan law MCL 750.234d makes it a 90-day misdemeanor to carry a firearm into eight different apparently gun free zones, including schools; however, as with gun laws there are always exceptions. A few select groups, including those individuals with CPLs, may open carry in these areas. That is—a person with a CPL may carry a pistol freely in these areas if, and only if, the firearm is clearly visible on the owner. Oddly enough, CPLs do not allow concealed carry in schools, but firearms may burn brightly if they’re on a person’s hip. TCAPS schools were previously gun-free zones, with neither visitors nor teachers being allowed to carry; however, that policy has been amended to coincide with the law and not infringe on gun owners’ rights. But according to Central High School Head Principal Rick Vandermolen, stringent measures will be taken to ensure student safety. “If a person comes into the office, they’ve stated their business and their gun is very vis-
Gr
Firearms have no place in an educational atmosphere
Carl Rasmussen
Photo Editor
Emma Simon Margo Hoagg
Illustration Editor Henry Lancashire
foresee possible consequences. Beginning Drivers’ Ed would be more reasonable to start a year later. Teens are trying to grow up too fast; they should not be able to start the driving process so
driver. I find myself at times struggling with the idea of driving. There is an uneasiness that comes with such huge responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, getting behind the wheel of a car can be exhilarating. The sun radiating down as you nod along with your music and the wind tangles your hair. It’s an adrenaline rush. No doubt. But the excitement can lead to an early end for many, and most teens just don’t have the proper decision-making ability at the current driving age. The driving process is not taken serious enough. Graphic: H. Lancashire Going from a bike on the early. That extra time may seem sidewalk to 3000 pounds of steel insignificant, but teens mature cruising 60 mph down the highexponentially. The amount of way is a big change. These teens responsibility they can handle gamble their lives on 30 seconds increases, their problem-solving of thrill. Everything they have abilities develop, and those skills ever done, everything they have can be key to a safe and cautious see Driving, pg. 7
Staff Reporters
Noah Aulicino Andrea Bavikatty Kirsten Berkey Chris Brower Abby Harnish Carly Hernden Shaine Kearney Kristin McLintock Mitchell Mosley Bethany Pataky Nicole Rogers Hayley Scollard Alex Stern Baille Zipser
Send us an email at tccblackandgold@gmail. com or drop off a letter to the editor in room F-158
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold Sept. 30, 2014
Summer Camps
Students pursue various avocations at camps around Michigan this summer
Ferris Volleyball
Maddi Miller & Kirsten Berkey
Graph
Sweat pouring down her face, Hanah Asiala ‘17 reaches into the air, driving the ball to the floor. Her spike gets the kill, earning her team a point at the Ferris State Varsity volleyball camp. “I learned a lot about playing as a team instead of an individual,” Asiala said. “But the dorms made me feel like I was in prison, they were so small, hot and claustrophobic.” The dorms weren’t the only thing the Varsity girls struggled with at camp. They also played a painful amount of volleyball, leaving them with sore feet and exhausted bodies. “I spent about 10 hours a day on the volleyball courts and it was too much,” Katelyn Emmott ‘18 said. “When you combine heat with
imon ic: E. S
Feature Editor, Staff Reporter
Springhill
Encompassed in a world of green, Mary Armour ‘18 flies through an abundance of grand white pines and douglas firs; eyes wide open in a rush of fear and adrenaline as the zipline pulls her over Springhill summer camp, where she spent a week making new friends and learning lessons. “Springhill has taught me many important lessons that I carry into my life when I get back home,” Armour said. “I learned that you shouldn’t judge people because you don’t know their story. At Springhill you meet lots of people, many are not who you expected them to be.” The campers stayed busy, starting their days at six am, participating in four activities per day, including ziplining, blobbing, worship, community service, tubing and horseback riding, amongst many others. Bailey Versluis ‘17 marked her eighth year as a camper this summer. “We get to spend the whole day out on Rose Lake and the boat drivers
the amount of volleyball, we played it wears you out quickly.” The girls had three sessions each day; morning, afternoon and evening, with each lasting 3-4 hours. They covered many different skills like hitting, digging, passing and more. “My coach [at Ferris] taught me to not be afraid of the hit and to jump right into the game,” Emmott said. Over the four days, the girls competed in the Varsity camp as well as the team challenge tournament. “My favorite part was the Team Challenge at the end,” Asiala said. “We got to play real games instead of drills. By actually playing in real games I was able to get better at learning the game as a whole instead of just as an individual.” Each girl that participated in the camp took home new skills to use in their game, but the overall camp was designed to strengthen the teams’ bond and prepare the girls for the volleyball season. “We bonded throughout the week, sharing experiences like the coaches nerf gunning us at night,” Stevie Herbers ‘17 said. “I learned a lot about what it means to be a team player on and off the court.” are crazy,” Versluis said. “A girl in my sister cabin got a concussion and we even wear helmets while tubing.” To minimize distractions from camp and encourage new friendships, phones are banned and campers participate in group discussions to debrief each day. “It’s nice that people can’t contact you,” Versluis said. “It’s refreshing that you don’t have to worry about people starting any drama.” Spring Hill has given both Versluis and Armour the opportunity to learn and grow as people. “I learned that no matter what you do in life, you can always get back with God,” Versluis said. “It’s impacted my decisions and who I hang out with. You know that God will always forgive you, but you can’t take advantage of that forgiveness.” Going home is the worst part of the week. Versluis and Armor both wish they could return every summer, although senior year is unfortunately the last year allowed for campers. Versluis isn’t ready to say goodbye to Springhill, however, and hopes to become a camp counselor eventually. “It would be really cool,” Versluis said. “I’ve had counselors I still talk to who impacted my life. My counselor from last year is my best friend. I would like to impact people like that.”
Blue Lake Fine Arts
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Deep in the woods, Kaysen Chown ‘18 tucks her violin under her chin and sways to the music. Her violin echoes throughout the trees, harmonizing with her fellow orchestra while surrounded by new friends, enjoying every second spent doing what she loves at Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. “I don’t get a lot of time during the school year to fixate on my music skills, which is partially why I attended Blue Lake,” Chown said. “I didn’t have sports or school so I could focus my mind completely on my music.” Blue Lake offers students the opportunity to focus on their music or art specialty. Over the summer, Thomas Pettinato ‘18
focused on his singing and Chown focused on violin. The camp was a sanctuary for many students, but that didn’t make it easy. “The hardest part for me was probably learning the music because it was a lot harder than what we did in school,” Pettinato said. “There was a lot of music we had to learn that we hadn’t been taught previously in school. It got frustrating sometimes because it was so challenging and it left me without a lot of time.” Pettinato sang 4-5 hours each day, but regardless of all the extra work and practice, the campers still enjoyed their time. “I really liked having so many different teachers that gave me a lot of new insight,” Chown said. “I also got to meet a lot of new people from outside of Traverse City and my normal group of friends.” The campers also took quite a bit away from their time at Blue Lake, and highly recommend it. “From my experience at camp, I want to come back every year,” Chown said. “It was a fun and amazing place. I loved the environment and the feeling of the camp. It was very woodsy and we played outside a lot so you could hear music throughout the trees. It was magical.”
Feature
3
Lotions and Potions
Central students make their own homemade lotions while being full time students at Central High School
Nicole Rogers Staff Reporter
The aromas of lavender and coconut fill the cramped kitchen, as two young entrepreneurs bump arm against arm, stirring concoctions of scented lotions around their parents kitchen countertop. The business partners find themselves buried in a mess of shea butter while bottling their best selling product as quickly and carefully as possible. Anna Russell ‘15 and Erica Hall ‘17 are owners of Darling Deities, a company that sells lotions and body scrubs. “Our goal is to make a profit while making a good product and pleasing our clients,” Hall said. “We need to find the happy medium. You need to make sure that it is a quality product that you can sell.” Hall and Russell’s business is nothing without communication, and they also have to worry about time consumption. Businesses are hard to run and they’re a big responsibility. “We tried selling in stores but it’s a big job, we would have to meet with them many times before actually getting that business even somewhat interested in buying our product,” Hall said. Hall and Russell both prefer selling their product on a level they can interact with customers. They believe this is important because it allows them to know what the customers want. “Etsy is great because it’s a safe place to sell things online but it’s really difficult to get your products out there. Craft shows are my personal favorite because it’s a happy environment and it feels really intimate when we’re talking to a customer.” The two friends love working beside each other as business partners. Right: Anna Russell ‘15 and Erica Hall ‘17 have done many craft shows with themes but they also have regular scents as well. “We have quality products in many different fragrances,” Hall said. “We have coconut, lavender, and even a men’s body butter.” Below: The two entrepreneurs not only sell lotion, but they have pillows filled with lavender for merchandise too. “We like to have variety,” Russell said. “We have microwavable pillows that are filled with lavender too!”
Photo: E. Simon
Photo: E. Simon Photo: E. Simon
Diving to the next level
Divers Zak Collins ‘15 and Noah Batcha ‘15 have taken challenging classes and spent multiple hours working to achieve their diving certifications
Carly Hernden Staff Reporter
Sprinting to the edge of the dock, Noah Batcha ‘15 launches himself into West bay and drops 30 feet under the crashing waves. The adrenaline surrounds him as his instructor takes away his mask and regulator leaving limited time to find his dive buddy and make an ascent to the surface. Batcha, along with Zak Collins ‘15 have worked to become certified as rescue divers. “Being underwater at that depth and losing your access to oxygen can be extremely scary for anyone,” Batcha said. “Traveling to the surface from 40 feet without breathing and stopping on the way up could cause the air in your lungs to expand, damaging the lungs extensively by the time you reached the surface. I had the initial worry and ‘uh oh’ that most people would have, but it lasted for less than a second before I acted.” Batcha started diving when he was fourteen and took classes through NMC. Collins started diving around four years ago through the Boy Scouts and continued on family vacations. “When I dove in Turks and Caicos at a site called ‘Cathedral’, a five foot shark swam right above our dive group, probably within fifteen feet,” Collins said. “It was pretty cool.” After receiving his open water license at age fourteen, Batcha’s passion for diving only grew, leading him to go to the next level, successfully achieving his rescue dive license. “I just wanted that level of skills that puts someone above just having the standard open water diving license,” Batcha said. Open water certification is the background class required to move forward with diving. It is also the beginning of challenging courses and strenuous training. “It purely consists of the basic knowledge necessary to safely recreationally dive, usually with a group,” Batcha said. “You also learn basic self arrest techniques and surface tows.” Rescue diving gives you a broad knowledge of how to properly dive, rescue techniques, fitness requirements and medical consequences. You have to pass technical training and your first aid CPR within the last twenty four months before taking the course. “In order to complete the class and be granted your license, you have to pass all the tests in the class,” Batcha said. “Most of the course is an out of water classroom. It also requires you to have done at least twenty dives of at least forty feet, some of them being deep navigational dives.” Collins does not have his rescue diving certification but could
take the course at any time. He has worked his way to become a scuba diver. “I eventually want to get my rescue diving license,” Collins said. “It’s a great qualification for any career that has to do with diving.” There are many other certifications after rescue diving such as cave diving, wreck diving, and master diver. Batcha does not think he will gain anymore certification, but Collins wishes to use his diving skills in the future. “The best part of diving is looking up and being so far below the surface,” Collins said “I want to do marine biology and dive with coastal reefs. Anything with field research.” Photo: courtesy of T. Batcha
Right: Noah Batcha ‘15 gears up, ready to do a recreational group dive at West Bay “There’s a lot of gear required for diving including buoyancy vest, regulator, steel oxygen tank, and snorkel and mask. We also use an octo, in case your main regulator malfunctions,” Batcha said. Below: Zak Collins ‘15 dives with his dad in Turks and Caicos - this was his first time in salt water. “A lot of the experience is controlling your breathing and being comfortable underwater,” Collins said. Photo: courtesy of D. Collins
Selling their homemade products at the Maker’s Market is Anna Russell ‘15 and Erica Hall ‘17. “Craft shows are such a good place to interact with customers and thats one of the reasons I like them so much,” Hall said. The environment of craft shows is the best because everyone is interested in what we are selling and they all want to be there.”
“Personally, I like to be busy and to try different things and doing that with Erica is so cool,” Russell said. “We are so similar and that’s why I think we collaborate so well together and are such great partners; our personalities just kind of click.” Even though they love working together, it’s still a challenge and can become very stressful. “There have been many times our parents have helped us out when we were struggling financially,” Russell said. “Our parents have been super supportive. I can’t thank them enough.” Neither of the two want to let down the other, but more importantly they don’t want to let their business ruin their friendship. “Honestly we do get in little arguments just like all friends do, but we always come to a compromise,” Hall said. “Not to be cheesy or anything it makes us stronger and it makes me appreciate Anna more”. Both girls have enjoyed the time working with each other in such a professional setting. “Anna and I didn’t actually plan on having our shop for this long originally,” Hall said, “but now we have decided that we will be closing its doors shortly because Anna is going to college and we really just want to end it on a good note.” Even though they are planning on closing their shop, they are grateful for the circumstances that led to having a business with their best friend and sharing that life experience. “We both really enjoy having a chance for an opportunity to grow as with life experience and responsibility,” Russell said.
4 Sports
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold Sept. 30, 2014
Trojan girls take Falcons 3-1 Central girls volleyball team won against the Ogemaw Heights Falcons, losing only their third game
Graphic: C. Hansen
Aside from Central’s tradition of being successful, each team has their own traditions that continue off the competitive field. Here coaches and players discuss their traditions
Erin Lipp
Editor-in-Chief and Sports Editor Hayden Drury ‘15, throws a plate on the ground followed by war cry of “Fight, win, Trojans!” by the varsity Trojan boys’ tennis team. This, at least, is what the team is envisioning at the end of the season as they prepare for their most important day of competition. Every year the night before State finals, beginning in the late 90’s, the tennis team gets a plate from the restaurant they eat at and smash it; each team member then gets a piece of the plate with their name, the date, and a short saying. (Head Coach Larry Nykerk would like to clarify that they do not do this in the restaurant and they do offer to pay for the plate.) “This was a Greek good luck custom that Christina Stavros brought to Trojan tennis,” Nykerk said. “The Greeks also started the Olympic Games, and we hope the plate custom captures the good luck needed to carry the Trojans to an Olympic effort and great finish at States. There’s also the classic Greek story, Homer’s The Iliad, about the Trojan War, and the glory that was Troy. It all
Alex Stern
Staff Reporter
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The silence of anticipation that reverberated around Central’s gym as the Trojan volleyball team faced the Falcons was so tense, it was almost painful. Central’s student section intently watched the first serve. As the ball hit the floor on Ogemaw’s side, the fans erupted. The fans’ cheers were worth it. Central’s volleyball team won three heart-stopping games against Ogemaw, in a four-game match. Head Coach Kathleen Nance said the team brought everything they had. “The team played defense really well,” Nance said. “They were really moving well to the ball and they were talking.” Team captain Carissa Bartkowiak ‘16 said the team played well, but not their best. “We definitely had a lot of fun. When our energy is up, it really improves our play.” Half way through the first game, the Falcons managed to pull ahead of the Trojans, 10-5. When things were looking grim, Nance pulled the team aside for a brief timeout. After the one minute pep talk, the Trojans stormed onto the court. Sierra Fraser ‘16 helped pull the team ahead with a block, followed by a spike, leading to a score of 22-20 Trojans. After three more plays, the score was 25-20, with the Trojans dominating the first game. As well as having high energy, communication about strategy is vital. “It’s the only way to succeed on the court,” Nance said. “We had moments where our communication broke down, but the majority of the time we had very good and loud talking,” Frasure said. “That really helped us through our rough patches.” Bartkowiak agreed, but also values team chemistry. “When we get down on ourselves, she said, “communication breaks down, and that’s definitely a problem because it’s last thing you want to fail.” Central started the next game with another spike by Fraser; Trojans lead 1-0. Midway through the second game, the Trojans pulled ahead of the Falcons bringing the score to 13-11. After more dominating plays, Central still led, 23-18. When the Falcons attempted to regroup and called for a timeout. But both Central’s offense and defense were on fire, and Ogemaw could not pull it together in time. On the court both offense and defense are crucial. “They go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other,” Nance said. “Your defense transitions straight to your offense, so if you don’t play good defense, your offense never gets going. Your front line is crucial to your defense because they set the block up for you, which is how you establish good defense to begin with. So the way they work together is just a big circle.” In the beginning of the third game, the Trojans gained the first four points from serves. After tips, blocks and spikes, the Falcons fought
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They were on their toes, they were moving really well to the ball and they were talking. -Coach Kathleen Nance Photo: E. Simon
Fighting against his Cadillac oppent is Spencer Kroupa ‘15. “We ruined Cadillac,” Kroupa said. “We hit a lot of good shots and serves. We swept them 8-0.” Kroupa traveled to States last year and was able to experince the plate smashing. “It’s a cool tradition,” Kroupa said. “It’s a nice little good luck charm.”
seems to fit for the TC Trojans.” The team has made it to States for the past seven years. Once they make it to States, the players feel this tradition helps them clear their heads and embrace the camaraderie. “It helps to just get all the anger and aggression out,” team captain Drury said. “It symbolizes everything up to States and that we need to just break free and go on a tear.” The team feels the ability to be mentally prepared for tennis is what makes a winner, not just physical preparation. “They say it’s 90 percent mental, 10 percent physical,” Michael Meindertsma ‘16 said. “You can have the best skills on earth and lose to someone who has nearly none without the mental game.” Nykerk has noticed over the years that Trojan tennis players tend to be a certain type of student. “It can be a chess match, an endurance contest, a battle of wills,” Nykerk said. “It attracts smart athletes, and our Central teams invariably are Academic All State.” Drury has been a part of the plate breaking for the past three years and realizes how important it has become to prepare the team for the big day; he is ready for his turn. “It feels good,” Drury said. “It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to. All the hard work has paid off and it’s a good team to lead my final year.”
Graphic: C. Hansen
1. State Performance D1
-since 2007: 6th twice, 7th twice, 8th twice, 9th twice
2. Number of Players -12 Varsity, 12 JV Black
3. Average Training Time -2 hours every day after school; Wednesday 5:30-7 are Mentor Nights
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back and TC fell behind, 17-16. But the Trojans tied up the game 22-22. The Falcons took their first and only win, 25-23. Nance said in the following weeks the team with focus on communication, running new plays, and learning different defensive patterns. “So we can play a little stronger against teams that hit differently than we do and differently than what we’ve seen so far,” Nance said Game one foreshadowed game four: fast paced and high energy. With a dominant first half, the Trojans shut down the Falcons in final game
Photo: E. Simon
Madi Partak ‘17 receives a pass to set up the hitter for a kill. Partak took advantage of the game to tweak her skills and improve throughout the game. “I really tried to work on releasing from the back row on time,” Partak said. “It wasn’t great that game but I know what I need to do better now.” The team used the game to improve upon their communication. “I was really proud of us because we didn’t get down on ourselves,” Partak said. “We really stayed positive and kept our energy throughout all 4 games and that’s something we’ve been working on all season.”
winning 25-17 to cap off 3-1 win at home. “They fought until the end. They never gave up,” Nance said. “They had their energy up the entire time and it looked like they were into the game, giving it all they had.”
AD transitions from small school
After a transition from teacher to AD in Marquette, then AD at Glen Lake, Mark Mattson joined the Central community as new AD
Noah Aulicino Staff Reporter
Phones in the athletic office ringing off the hook and email boxes filling up; Mark Mattson is reminded how manic his new job as the Athletic Director at a large school can be. “I’ve hosted State finals before and this measured right up there in terms of the demand of time,” Mattson said. “The busyness of the Patriot Game week was more than I thought it would be. I didn’t anticipate it would occupy so much time that I felt that I almost shortchanged some other sports.” Mattson started as Central’s new Athletic Director in early July and is making the adjustment back to a large school after being Athletic Director at Glen Lake for five years. “I knew it was going to be a challenge,” Mattson said. “I knew there were going to be tasks ahead that would make me think, make me laugh, make me want to cry, and make me happy.” Mattson’s primary focus of his summer debut has been to iron out any issues with fall sports. “My focal points were to get here and learn the protocol and processes to make sure scheduling was in place, make sure transportation for the teams was in place, and double and triple check that,” Mattson said. With previous experience as an athletic director for Marquette, a large school, this was not a new skill but rather an adjustment. “Every school has a different way of doing things. I knew this would be totally different than what I had at Glen Lake, and totally different than what I had at Marquette,” Mattson said. “Learning how things are done at Central, or TCAPS for that matter, was my first order
of business.” Mattson faces the challenge of handling unexpected tasks that get added on to his already hectic schedule. “There have been a lot of meetings I get called into, or student conversations or that kind of thing that take me to the other end of the building for three hours or so,” Mattson said. “It’s just the everyday things that come that kind of prevent me from doing the phone and email things, and really trying to prioritize my daily schedule.” Outside of his struggle for finding time for everything Mattson has been tying up the scheduling of the winter sports. “Winter sports have some things that have yet to be scheduled, and thats going to be a focal point in the very very near future” said Mattson. On top of his busy schedule, Mattson is
making sure the Central athletic program is staying active both on the field and in the classroom. “We want student athletes to make healthy choices, be respectful citizens on and off the field, strive for academic success and do the best they can,” Mattson said. Mattson also wants students to understand the importance of keeping up in school and keeping their future in mind. “As you know, the research will show that a high, high percentage of kids aren’t going on to get a college scholarship for sports,” Mattson said. “Those that do, awesome, I want to help push them there, but they [student athletes] need to have some sort of vision for what they want to be outside athletics.” Mattson also expects the Trojan Athletic Program to be an excellent display of respect in the community. “High school sports is one in itself,” Mattson said. “My values are more such that we at least treat our opponent with respect. We treat our guests and our officials with respect, and treat each other with respect. Can we win state championships in every sport every year? No. Would it be nice to win one once in a while? Yes. Does that define school sports? Absolutely not.” As far as making any changes to the program, Mattson is content with the program for now. “I’m still in the pattern of learning the processes and how it’s been done and tying that in with how I’d like it to be done,” Mattson said. “I would like to take the forthcoming months to see what’s good and what could be revised. I want to put my mark on things and make it better for the kids, better for the school, and better for the community.”
A&E
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold Sept. 30, 2014
TCC drum majors take the field Focus: Central’s newest drum majors take on the lead role in directing the marching band towards a rewarding season
Photography Elizabeth Wiitanen ‘16
Kristin McLintock Staff Reporter
As Colin Huls ‘14 stands on the podium in front of 122 band members and hundreds of spectators, the idea of inaccuracy wedges its way to the front of his mind, and his nerves are overtaken with excitement with what he’s doing. “It feels pretty fantastic,” Huls said. “I think there is a lot of pride involved.” While directing alongside two other band majors, Bethany Pataky ‘16 and Tyler Sepanik ‘15, Huls focuses on the performance from a musical standpoint, checking to make sure the band’s tempo is correct and that everything is sounding good. It can be difficult, however, because the band plays multiple songs each performance. “The real challenge is training people to watch the drum majors,” Huls said. “Overcoming the physical limitations of sound in a spread out area.” For their normal half-time show, five selections are performed and about twelve songs are played in the stands alone. When directing, it is extremely important for each drum major to keep the tempo correct through the use of hand motions. Being that they are performing in front of such a large audience, the majority of which is made up of their peers, and that they are essentially responsible for the marching band’s success, that adds a tremendous amount of
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Photo: E. Simon
One of the three drum majors, Tyler Sepanik ‘14, stands prepared to direct the band during the half-time show. As Sepanik directs the band trying to keep the tempo of the music up, he repeats to himself over and over in spite of the band, “don’t slow down, don’t slow down, don’t slow down.”
pressure. “The band normally wants to slow the tempo down,” Sepanik said. “To constantly keep the tempo up, the band will follow my hand motions.” The hand motions are also key in keeping the band at a specific tempo. “Our hand motions are used to keep the band in time, us-
ing time signatures, and to let the band know what beats to play,” Sepanik said. Each band player learns coordinates to dictate which direction to move while performing, called a drill. The coordinates are where the band members go on the field. “Each song takes about, depending on how many sets
Marching band by the numbers • The total number of band members is
122 • 8 hours of practice goes into marching per week. 5 hours of the 8 are in class, 3 hours of the 8 are spent practicing at Thirlby Field
• The band has 20 different instruments 10 wind instruments, 4 battery
Lights, Camera, Action Julia Vannatter
there are, half of a band camp day to learn,” Sepanik said. “It’s just repetition, it takes a lot of time.” They also have to practice and prepare extensively for performances. The majority of the band’s prep comes from camp during the summer. During the school year how see Band, pg. 7
• 2010 band enrollment: 91 kids
• 2014/’15 band enrollment: 125 kids
• Out of the 100 plus band students, 2 or 3 of them major in music each year after they graduate
Sketching Out Inspiration Staff Reporter
As Shane Bagwell ‘17 repositions and readjusts the lights around his actors to get the perfect shot and rambles off ideas for upcoming scenes in the film, he realizes how significant his filmmaking hobby is to him. “I first became interested in filmmaking at 12 years old, when I signed up for Photo: E. Simon Mrs. Mackey’s broadcast journalism class,” Bagwell Shane Bagwell ‘17 films a said. “I started acting when scene for an upcoming I was young and I really en- short film. Bagwell invests joyed it and always watched much time into filmmaking and learns from previous films for the actors, but I mistakes. “Each time I look wanted to see what went back at my films, I evaluon behind the scenes as ate what I’ve improved on well.” and see how much I’ve Bagwell now spends his changed,” Bagwell said. free time writing scripts and producing short, comedic films using his professional Canon equipment with his good friends, John Pupel ‘17 and Jordan Fisher ‘17, as some of his main actors. “We use both memorization and improv for the scripts,” Bagwell said. “They are really good at making up lines as they go and they are willing to put up with anything I say. They trust that I will make something worthwhile.” Bagwell became so invested in filmmaking that he attended a Motion Picture Academy in Novi, MI with fourteen other students over the past summer. He was instructed by professional filmmakers during the academy and was tasked to create a short comedic film to be shown at a film festival at the Emagine Theater in Novi. During production of the film, Bagwell worked as a director, writer and a camera operator, while also lighting the scenes. “I liked seeing all of the professional filmmakers and what they found important were things that I had down,” Bagwell said. “I was able to kind of take control of the whole process for us because I had previous experience.” Bagwell is really looking forward to having his work shown at the film festival. “I’m just excited to see how the audience reacts to it, to see how something that I’ve created looks on a big screen,” Bagwell said. “I’ve only ever shown any of my films in front of five to six people at most, and now I have a big theater full of them.”
see Lighting, pg. 7
Charlie Kesner ‘15
(drums), and 6 front ensemble instruments
Bethany Pataky
A&E Editor and Business Manager
Name of Piece: Rising Moon Camera used: Nikon D7000 Techniques: “When I shoot landscape, I like to be level and usually on the ground. I take a lot of photos to make sure I get the perfect one.” Inspiration of Piece: “I wanted to try something different because it was right after sunset and everyone always gets the typical sunset pictures. The rocks and reflections in the water were really pretty.” Why did you choose this piece to be published? “Well, it’s definitely one of my favorite pictures, one that I’m proud of taking. It’s something I would want to show off.”
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As she physically Feelings, people, recreates the face she things, even trees is drawing, Yuk Kui Cheung ‘16 focuses on makes me the particulars of her want to draw. art piece, shading under the left eye of a woman. - Yuk Ki Cheung ‘16 “Artwork is the best way for me to show my ideas and emotions,” Cheung said. “It helps me remember what kinds of feelings I had at that time.” Cheung enjoys creating art and does it whenever she can. She draws, paints, sculpts and is always looking to expand her artistic repertoire. She pulls original ideas from her mind, and additional inspiration from her father, an artist in his free time. “When he would see any different kind of art, he would send it to me and talk about this idea with me,” Cheung said. “I get a lot more ideas and it has helped me learn more about drawing and other art.” Art is a nice distraction from the real world for Cheung and she gets her ideas wherever she looks. Cheung is originally from Hong Kong, China, but she is here in America for school. Much of her latest inspiration has been gathered through her experiences here. “Feelings, people, things, even trees makes me want to draw,” she said. Although some artists can be very picky, Cheung is more flexible with her work. “Some artwork that I make is what I feel, I don’t have to make it perfect,” Cheung said. “I’m happy to make a mistake because Photo: E. Simon sometimes that mistake may make the piece not as real, but more beautiful.” Varying her art techniques, Cheung likes to mix bubbles and paint, then blow the paint bubbles onto her canvas. She also uses tree branches and towels instead of paintbrushes. “You wrap the towel around your finger, dip it in the paint,” Cheung says, “then use it to make patterns and designs.” Cheung’s artwork mentally benefits her, although she does not expect it to become her career. “The reason I don’t want to do this as a job is because I want to Yuk Ki Cheung ‘16 works on an art let it be a part of my life,” piece in Mrs. Haper’s AP Studio Cheung said. “I don’t want Art Class. When Cheung isn’t sure to make myself feel like I how to confront her feelings using words, she uses artwork to express have to make art.” them.
Photo: courtesy of C. Kesner
Name of Piece: Night Light Camera used: Canon Rebel T3i Techniques: “I used the manual shooting mode and I waited patiently for the shot.” Inspiration of Piece: “I was determined to be at the right place at the right time, knowing how hard it would be to capture. This was my first time attempting to shoot lightning and I took 200 photos and only got three good ones.” Why did you choose this piece to be published? “It’s probably one of my best nature photos because lightning is a phenomenon that doesn’t happen very often and when it does happen, it’s not easy to capture.”
Alie Little ‘15
Photo: courtesy of A. Little
Name of Piece: Fly Camera used: Canon 7D Techniques: “I like to get celebration photos, like after a goal, or when someone gets hit, just a lot of action shots. I like facial shots, inside their helmets, I like to get a variety at each hockey game.” Inspiration of Piece: “When my brother was on the hockey team, I was in 7th grade. I began taking pictures and now it has just turned into a hobby.” Why did you choose this piece to be published? “People are familiar with Central’s hockey team and they would know what the photo was about.”
6 Summer
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold Sept. 30, 2015
Summer’s Hottest Topics
Page Credit: Hunter Kelly and Hayley Rozema
The past summer has been filled with things to talk about. Get the student’s reactions on all the hottest events of summer 2014
Hayley Scollard
ncashire
La Graphic: H.
Staff Reporter
Cherry Festival Lollapalooza
Smelling the cotton candy and walking around the midway with overpriced tickets in hand is Katie Olshansky ‘15, attending the National Cherry Festival this summer. “Cherry Fest is my favorite time of the summer,” she said. “It’s nice to have such cool things happen in such a small town.” Photo: courtesy of K. Olshansky This year the Cherry Fest had two new rides ‘The Freak Out’, which spins while swinging pendulum style, and the new Ferris wheel. “I love that we got new rides this year,” Olshansky said. “Riding the same rides gets kinda old, so it was nice to have more of a selection.” Rileigh Christenson ‘15 also appreciates the Cherry Festival but she can live without the ‘Fudgies’. “I’m not a fan of the tourists,” Christenson said. “There’s so many who don’t know how to drive in Traverse City, it’s annoying.” Olshansky hopes next year is even bigger, brighter and better than previous years and hopes it will make a lasting impression. “I want this next summer to be one I’ll hopefully never forget,” Olshansky said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what they have in store.”
Film Festival As the lights of the historic State Theatre dim to absolute darkness, Brooke Stocking ‘15 is busy taking photos of the Traverse City Film Festival patrons. Stocking was compiling shots for the following years’ brochure. “The way I found out about this opportunity was Miss Sandy,” Photo: courtesy of J. Sandy Stocking said. “She set up the photography volunteer sign up with a representative from the Film Festival.” When Stocking was not busy taking pictures, she volunteered at the concession stand and took ticket stubs to admit people into the film. “Taking the photos was a lot of hard work,” Stocking said. “This was such a new experience for me, not a lot of people get to go backstage and see all of the behind the scenes action.” Meeting new people and watching great movies was what she chose to do with her down time. “I enjoyed being able to interact with all of the tourists,” Stocking said. “They really gave off a good vibe, they were so happy and interested in what Traverse City has to offer.” The ‘Wizard of Oz’ was the biggest highlight of the festival for Stocking. “This movie is my favorite childhood movie,” Stocking said. “It was a real throwback, I also saw ‘Fishing Without Nets.’ It is a documentary, it was a very real movie and I loved learning about events that are happening in other countries around the world.” Stocking plans to return next year for Film Festival to volunteer again.
Emma Caldwell ‘15 is one of many who made the journey this summer to Grant Park, Chicago to attend the music festival Lollapalooza. “I mostly went to see Kate Nash,” Caldwell said, “My family and I have gotten the one day passes for the past two years, but this year we decided to go full monty and get a three day pass. We had a marvelous time.” Lollapalooza is one of the most popular music festivals held during the summer and this year it went from Aug. 1-3. “It was a fun groove, lots of sassy outfits,” Caldwell said. Caldwell’s favorite concert was Kate Nash, her feminist idol, but she also got to see other concerts like Vance Joy and Grouplove. “My sister and I pushed all the way up to the front to see Kate Nash,” Caldwell said, “We waited three hours but it was so worth it. She looked like she was having a Photo: courtesy of E. Caldwell great time.” Being at Lollapalooza with her family was especially fun for Caldwell, and after the festival she has seen just about everything. “My mom and I were walking around and mind you, my mom was witnessing illegality to an uncomfortable extent,” Caldwell said. “We were walking down the road and my mom is wearing her lavender tennis skort, and a shirt that has the coordinates of the smallest town in South Dakota on it with a quote ‘Don’t forget your roots’ across the shoulders and a black and white striped sun hat. We looked good, and we were sashaying down the road when we saw these two girls try to steal this shirtless guys balloon, and he was like; ‘Woah there, that balloon is attached to my weiner.’ And low and behold it was. The boy had tied the balloon around his genitals. The girls ran away, probably scared for their lives.”
Pyramid Point
Making the long, weekly venture to ‘Pyramid Point Trails’, Sam Crockett ‘15 and friends would travel the dense woods in search of the perfect hammock site. “It was a bit of a hike to get up to the point,” Crockett said. It was peaceful and away from the city crowds. “We would also just take hikes off the trails and see where we went,” Crockett said. “Sometimes we’ll just bring a football and throw it around.” Sunset is the most beautiful time to be at Pyramid Point because the bluff faces west over Lake Michigan. “We would set up our hammocks, watch the sunset and just hangout,” Crockett said. Pyramid Point draws locals like Crockett because it remains one of the best kept secrets from the summertime tourists. Photo: courtesy of S. Crockett
“When I heard about the Malaysian Airlines plane crash, I thought the airline was going through a hard time lately. The crash showed a real lack of confidence in Ukraine and our president. People need to take action and do something.” -Tyler Sepanik ‘15
“I like Iggy Azalea’s song ‘Fancy’ because, it has a really catchy tune. My favorite part of the song is the beat. No one really knew who Iggy Azalea was before, this definitely created her stardom.” -Abe Stone ‘18 “Germany played their game according to the plan. They controlled the midfield, which they have the best of in the world. That’s how they dominated the game.” -Alex Oliver ‘15
“Robin Williams was one of my favorite actors. I loved that he didn’t have a voice like a man would. It was really high pitched, that’s what made his work very unique and I’m sad to see such a talented actor pass away.” -Stephanie Loveland ‘15
Students exploring new territories
Taking advantage of the hot summer months, students traveled to places far, far away, from Berlin, Germany, to Florence, Italy Emma Simon Photo Editor
Graphic: H. Lancashire
Photo: courtesy of J. Chao
Venturing around Berlin, Germany, Jeremy Chao ‘15 strolled through the streets experiencing the inevitable adventure that comes with spending a summer in a foreign country. “I missed my brother who has been studying in Germany for a year, so I visited him for about two months,” Chao said. Interested in immersing himself in other cultures and politics Chao explored multiple realms of Berlin. “I traveled through sites abandoned by the German government,” he said. “I studied a lot about post modernism and the use of capitalism and its failure. It is a really active area, too much going on all the time.” After being in Berlin for about a month, Chao had
delved into things and places beyond common tourist attractions. “Because I was there for so long I was exposed to all of the underground things, the secrets Berliners don’t want the tourists to know about,” he said. “It was really cool to be a part of the city’s secrets. My favorite ‘secret’ was the food. I went on a food tour, alone, and ate all of the best cheap food around.” Despite being away from home for such an extended period of time, Chao found it hard to miss much in Traverse City, with a few exceptions. “The one thing I really missed when I was away was the freshwater we have here. Their water was really dirty,” Chao said. “I also missed the air. The air there was so dirty and full of polluted street grime. You could rub the skin on your neck and black stuff would come off.” There was no shortage of learning opportunities for Chao. “I am seventeen so I got into a lot of museums for free,” he said. “One cool experience I learned from was exploring a run down ex-Soviet military base. It was an entire abandoned neighborhood in the countryside. It was constructed by the Nazis and when Germany was divided the Soviets used it,” he said. Overall, Chao thought he took a lot out of going to Germany. “Berlin made me realize that Traverse City is a culturally hidden town, but it is a safe town,” Chao said. “Berlin is the most diverse and political accepting place in Germany. I think everyone should go there and I will be back.”
ing was absolutely beautiful,” Rodriguez said. “Sorrento was the best place we visited on our trip. There was water all around the city and really nice beaches, it kind of reminded me of Traverse City. The people there were so generous and happy, they really cared for all of the tourists.” Beyond spending time with her family, Rodriguez also enjoyed the variety of flavorful foods. “My favorite thing would probably be the pasta,” she said. “It is homemade, and you can taste the difference. Compared to our boxed pastas, it’s just so fresh.” Photo: courtesy of K. Rodriguez At times the language barrier was trouExploring unique shops along little streets, bling, but never caused any real issues. eating fresh Italian food and perusing “I kind of learned a little bit of their historic venues, Kendall Rodriguez ‘16 spent language, our tour guide taught us a couple two weeks traveling through Italy with her of words to use in restaurants and such,” mom, aunt and grandma over the summer. Rodriguez said. “Now that I’m back I hardly “It was a family girls trip, my grandma remember any of the language.” had always wanted to go to Italy so she took Returning home was refreshing for Rome, my aunt and my mom,” Rodriguez said. driguez, but she plans on returning to Italy “It was my birthday gift and a way for us to someday. bond.” “I missed seeing people especially because it While traveling Italy, Rodriguez ventured was summer time,” Rodriguez said. “Hopethrough multiple cities including Rome, fully sometime in the future I will go back. Florence, Sorrento, Campo dei Miracoli and Not any time soon, but I would like to expeMontecatini. rience it again, it was really enjoyable.” “There was a lot to see and the landscap-
Ads
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold Sept. 30, 2014
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Central Volleyball • Sept 29th Freshmen Quad 5pm • Oct 1st @ TC West (homecoming) • Oct 2nd V @ TCSF, JV & Fresh home tri-meet • Oct 8th vs. Cadillac • Oct 13th JV vs. TCSF • Oct 15th vs. Petoskey • Oct 20th vs Gaylord *all games except 10/2 start at 5:30pm Lights
Continued from pg. 5
4100 Park Forest Drive Suite 210 Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Security Continued from pg. 1 Blast Shield TCAPS board has also made plans to install Blast Shield Mechanisms on exterior campus doors, district-wide. “Any little thing we can do, including the Blast Shield, improves the safety and security of the people at this school,” Soffredine said. Without the Blast Shield, even when a door is locked, an intruder could shatter glass and reach
Following the Motion Picture Academy, Bagwell attended a real-life film set for United Methodist Communications for two days. He received this opportunity through a family friend who saw how evident his filmmaking passion was to him. While attending, Bagwell helped build the set the first day. The second day, he ran the stage using a headset while giving cues and commands to the actors and actresses as well. “It was crazy to be working on a set full of such knowledgeable people with just three years of experience,” Bagwell said. “They were all so willing to let me have such a big role in the making of this film. It was such a surreal thing for me.” Over the course of the summer, Bagwell gained a much
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Band
Driving
ever, students are required to practice outside of school and the majority of class periods are also spent practicing. The persistent practice and strenuous work load is most definitely proven worthwhile at the end of a show. “Honestly if everything goes well and the way we wanted it to, like at the Central versus West game, there are no words to describe how happy I am,” Sepanik said. “To lead 120 people to do something so orchestrated, it’s awesome.” Of all these tasks, Huls believes influence is one of the most important ones. “Having a good leadership team is really important to the band,” Huls said. “It is the glue that keeps the band together.”
ever have learned, and anything they could ever become can all disappear in a flash. Teenagers are very susceptible to peer pressure. It is easy for them to cave, most teens don’t know how to deal with pushy friends. Though most early driving is done with a parent, the extra year of social maturation will help foster the self-confidence needed to say no and they will be less inclined to attempt risky maneuvers or drive while impaired. Even the smallest amount of time can help to save a teens life. While a few months to a year may not seem like much when developing a skill, it makes all the difference when learning to walk, learning to read, and learning to drive.
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It was crazy to be working on a set full of such knowledgeable people ... It was a surreal thing for me.
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- Shane Bagwell ‘17
deeper passion for his, now decided, career. After working on real-life sets, Bagwell realized filmmaking is much more than just a time-killer for him. “It is not just a dream anymore. People really do see that I am committed to what I’m doing and the passion I have for this,” Bagwell said. “If I find something that is relevant to me and my life, and if I use my creativity and set my mind to what I’m making, then I’m going to create good work.”
through and unlock it, allowing easy entry. The Blast Shield Mechanism, made by the same company as the Boot, prevents this from happening on exterior doors. “The Blast Shield, or Ballistic Shield, is made out of a special aluminum that will not expand when a bullet penetrates it,” Soma said, “so they could shoot one bullet that will go through the shield, and the glass behind it, but then there is only one little hole. They would have to shoot many bullets in order to be able to open the door, allowing time for the school and police to respond to the situation and do what needs to be done.”
Funding The purchase and installation of the Boot and Blast Shield cost the district approximately $480,000. This was provided by TCAPS’ Contingency fund—an emergency or back-up fund that carries a balance of roughly $1 million for unforeseeable expenditures. Soma said nothing is more important to the district that safety and security of its students and staff. “It’s such an important issue. “It’s time to take this money that we have set aside as a Contingency and use it,” Soma said. “These are serious matters that we wish we didn’t have to deal with. But the reality is that world events
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are dictating that these situations are happening randomly all across the country.” Hendrix sees the security benefits, but stresses the importance of maintaining positive, welcoming campus for students and our community. “You can have procedure on top of procedure, Hendrix said, “but at the same time, you need to make sure that people feel comfortable when they are here and that we make sure that people feel safe. It is also the responsibility of the staff to make sure that we are creating comfortable, respectful environments in our classrooms so there is never mistrust in why we have all of these security measures.”
8 The Leek
Traverse City Central High School Black & Gold Sept. 30, 2014 real stories, real people
In the belly of the beast
Graphics: Christopher Brower
With a world shrouded in mystery, what can we believe in? The Leek discovers what horrors lie beneath our very feet
Disclaimer: Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Central is Safe! Chris Brower Staff Reporter
Carl Rasmussen & Mitchell Mosley
Leek Editor, Staff Reporter In recent news, strange reports have been coming from the depths of F-building, and as a Leek reporter, I deemed it my duty to investigate what the source was. This is my story… The first discovery I made was early in the morning when I followed witchcraftlike incantations emanating from down a dark hallway. Entranced, I stumbled toward room F-158, the Notorious P.U.B. Just as I was about to fling open the unbooted door, the sound ceased. Once inside I found what appeared to be 23 smiling faces; however, upon closer investigation, I found that the smiles were nothing but perverse grins. Their heads were cocked slightly sideways, their fingers twitching uncontrollably, and their eyes looked like the beginning of a Rhotos commercial. As I made my way across the room, I felt 45 eyes follow my every move, but as I made a final scan of the room I noticed a single eye out of place. The freshman boy trembled as I closed the distance between our two fragile bodies. I felt his warm breath against my neck as I leaned into him, I liked it. I targeted his derpy eye and traced its view directly to the entrance of the tunnels. The cryptic passage had been recently opened. Determined to go deeper, I contacted the school janitor. He told me to meet him at his utility closet during passing time due to its anonymity and surprisingly scream er... I mean sound-proof walls. “Well we locked up all the entrances years ago,” began the janitor (preferring to keep his name secret for legal issues). “However, while tidying up the Pub, I noticed that the musty, cobwebbed chastity of the pub’s tunnel had been violated. Violated, I tell you!” Catching himself raising his voice, he issued a terrified whisper, “You won’t tell, will you, this will be our little secret, eh?” Unable to make sense of the splurge of information that I had collected, I decided to bring my investigation to the ‘authorities’. “Oh that dusty old tunnel? I can’t imagine anyone who would even dare to enter that musky place,” Vandermolen began, as dark beads of sweat dripped down his obviously aging brow. Asking more
Some students and familys have become concerned regarding school saftey. Central beefs up security as a result.
about yearbook, he quickly responded “Totally a productive class. There’s absolutely nothing off track in there.” But, like a jew during christmas, I wasn’t buying it. My investigation was turning me to dead ends, so I went to the root of the hive. As I crept my way into the pub room, a pungent smell hit me and the air was as humid as a gentlemen’s club sauna. I was astonished to find that the purity of the tunnel had once again, been violated. Although we were in the prime of sixth hour, not one of the ‘yerds’ and their notable smell of “just incense” seemed to
be in attendance. No surprise there. Still, I felt it my duty as an esteemed reporter of The Leek to get to the bottom of this. As I descended into the chalky abyss, I followed the gnarls like a young boy following a trail of candy. Coming around a corner, I saw a light in the distance as a faint chant emitted. The scarce words spilled out of their blood filled mouths, now unable to form complete sentences. Creeping closer, I saw my companion Henry Lancashire, being carried in, all the while strapped to a skewer. Oh Henry, his innocent face, trembled with fear as he was lowered over a fire, shish kabob style. I could still see the glimmer in his eye fade as he was slow roasted, yearbook’s secret recipe. As he cooked, I glanced right, noticing her. She was sitting on her throne of yearbooks and bones. As she stood, contorting backwards, a shiver ran down my spine. As the rest of the cult observed her giving the classic “neck slash,” they all prawled on Henry like thirsty middle schoolers. I can still remember the way she chewed on his glasses, unrelenting, all the while grinning.
One office to rule them all
Mitchell Mosley Staff Reporter
The New Zealand general election is the culmination of a campaign that has profoundly shaken this mature, stable and successful country in many ways. With all of the major effects New Zealand has on the rest of the world, the corruption of
their small, mighty government will not go unnoticed. With this election, New Zealand ensures a fair vote, for if anything were to go wrong, our whole world could be at stake. This corrupt election has led to evictions of countless hobbits and their peaceful little homes. With election day closing in, all of middle-earth trembles at the impending chaos. The powers were delegated equally, to ensure a fair election. Three votes were given to the democrats. Immortal, wisest and fairest of all being. Seven votes to the independants, great minds and craftsman of the city council. And nine. Nine votes were gifted to the republicans, who above all else, desire power. For within these votes was bound the strength and will to govern each party. But they were all deceived, for another vote was made. In the land of the internet,
in the fires of MegaUpload, the dark lord Kim Dotcom forged a secret master vote, to control all others. And into this vote he poured his cruelty, his malice, his money and his will to dominate all life on New Zealand. One vote to rule them all. One by one the free lands of New Zealand fell to the power of the vote, and the money behind it. But Dotcom could have never foreseen the uprising that would soon ensue. The free lands of man, mer, and dwarf would not stand for this sort of tyranny. From his all seeing eye atop the council tower in Wellington, Dotcom sensed the impending danger. So he called upon the republicans for aid, knowing full well that only the lowest of lifeforms would conform to him. The battle rages on even as we speak, but who will be victorious and lay claim to the world’s modern day super power, New Zealand.
Headlines from around the world Gordon Ramsey’s secret ingredient is Ebola blood Apple’s iPhone 6 deamed the new standard on parental affection Dead ISIS solider: suprised to be in hell Jesus was Black Jesus was Black Jesus was definitely Black
Since the start of the 2014-2015 school year, Central has been overrun by freshmen wandering aimlessly through the hallways, scooter-bros selling peyote outside Little Caesars, and rednecks hosting their annual Confederate garage sale in hick-lot. “Man these children be trippin’ like Charlie Sheen on a friday night,” Central’s gate-lord James Brumfield said. “And this ain’t no one man show; I hope y’all remember the last time a colored man tried to stand alone.” Head Principal Rick Vandermolen responded by hiring some of America’s most respected security staff, Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice. “We thought that Peterson and Rice were a good fit for Central, mostly due to their professionalism and stellar respect for children and women,” Vandermolen said. Peterson and Rice have been inseparable since their childhood days in south-central Los Angeles, where they played classic child “hood” games like cops and robbers, get away driver and what drugs, sir? Since their discharge from the NFL, Peterson and Rice have devoted their time to freelance community work. “Me and Ray was thinkin,” began Peterson, “we was thinkin’ bout the best way to raise them standardized test scores fo’ the whole district. We needed ta make a civiliz’d plan fo’ all da stoodents.” Drawing inspiration from Red Army Guerrilla tactics and Chinese internment camps, the “7-Step plan” code named Domestic Violence, includes 7 “stoodent reformin’ steps.” Step 1: “Direct Fear” “Ya gotta put that fool in his place,” Rice said. “Let ‘em see first hand what happens when ya fumble the ball.” Step 2: “Slashing tires” “There’s nothing better den da feeling of stabbing a hole in the tires of cars that don’t have parking passes,” Peterson said. “Seeing da tears stream down dem faces as they come to grips with not being able to make a Paes’ run makes my little heart purr.” Step 3: “Elevator Rides” “Every once in a while some lil kiddie will jump up in ya face, start showin disrespect, ” Rice said, “and ya know that just ain’t gon fly. So we take em on a little ride up the elevator if ya know what I mean. Now I won’t say what happens up there, but what I will say is you practically have to drag them out.” Step 4: “Unexpected run-ins” “Imagine you’re in the bathroom and there is an empty urinal next to you,” said Peterson. “Now you don’t want no one to come over there, but me and Ray will do it anyways. Awkward.” Step 5: “The wife beater” This is Rice’s favorite. “If you try steps 1-4 and some white boy keep actin up, then there aint nothin better than a little public humiliation,” Rice said. “I make them disobedient kids wear a wife beater, nothing gets people’s attention better than a wife beater. This’ll help them know they’re the lowest of the low, like Xzibit or some shiz.” Step 6: “Locked out” “When a homie be gettin’ in our grill we aint bout that life. Ya best be gettin’ to class on time or else ya might find yourself locked out,” Rice said. Step 7: “The real boot” “Some homie peel up in the joint and can’t cop a visitor pass we gon drop the hammer on them and show them the real boot,” Peterson said. Since the implementation of Rice and Peterson’s 7-Step program at Central, administrators have been astonished by its success. “If we had known all along that all you needed to get kids to read “To Kill a Mockingbird” was a little coercion, we would have done that ages ago!” acting Superintendent Paul Soma said.
Excuses, excuses
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Sorry, somtimes I just get Sidetracked.
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Sorry, I had to go to a job interview.
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Sorry, I was visiting family all week.
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