The Emery Issue 3 2017

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2727 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105

The Emery

Volume 3 Issue 3 December 2017

The Student Publication of Huron High School

News Briefs #StopSpencer Speakout at Michigan Huron stacks up well among other high schools Jack Harrison | Staff Editor The U.S. News recently conducted national high school rankings. They first examined 28,496 public high schools across the nation, and the number was then reduced to 20,487 after certain schools did not have high enough enrollment numbers to be considered. Schools were then ranked on their performance numbers as well as how sufficiently they prepare students for college. Schools would then be given a gold, silver or bronze medal based on how well they meet these criteria. If they scored very low, it would be possible to not receive a metal. The selection process consisted of four steps. According to U.S. News.,“The first three steps ensured that the schools serve all of their students well, using their performance on the math and reading parts of their state proficiency tests and their graduation rates as the benchmarks.” After high schools passed these steps, a fourth step was used to determine how well a school prepares students for “college-level work.” Huron High School ranked 1173 best high school in the National Rankings of the 20,487 high schools and earned a silver medal. Since Huron received a medal, it was considered for state ranking. Of the 1,097 public high schools in Michigan, Huron ranked #29.

A poster given to Huron for being awarded as one of America’s Best High Schools. Photo taken by Jack Harrison.

Mosaic made for Huron’s upcoming 50th Anniversary Samantha Ruud | Staff Editor To celebrate Huron’s 50 year anniversary, the students are giving back to the school. A mosaic company was employed to have students work together as a community to build a mosaic for the hallways of Huron. This particular gift is special because the students had a chance to contribute to it. All day on Friday, Dec. 1, students could place tiles on the mosaic. It has two phrases: “remembering our past” and “inspiring our future”. “The idea of this mosaic is that when people graduate, the school gives so much to them, and they should be able to leave something behind and give something back to the school,” they said. “By leaving something in the building, you’ve left your mark and it is a way of saying thank you.” Students also felt like they were leaving their mark on the school by adding to the mosaic. “I felt like I was leaving a mark,” sophomore Kate VanEe said. “It was cool because all the students were contributing and coming together.”

Students add tiles to the mosaic for Huron’s 50th Anniversary. Photo taken by Samantha Ruud.

Upcoming performances Jack Harrison | Staff Editor

Next week, several groups will perform in Meyers’ Auditorium. On Monday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 the Huron Bands will perform their winter concert. Varsity Band will be performing “Escape From the Deep,” by Brian Balmages; “Suite Francaise,” by Darius Mihaud and arranged by John Higgins; and “Melodious Thunk,” by David Biedenbender. Concert Band will performing three tunes: “Folk Song Suite,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; “Fortress,” by Frank Ticheli; “Joy Revisited,” by Ticheli. Symphony Band will also be performing three selections: “October,” by Eric Whitacre; “First Suite in E Flat,” by Gustav Holst; “In This Broad Earth,” by Steven Bryant. Not only will the band be performing, the Huron Choirs will also, on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30. Bel Canto and Acapella will be performing three tunes together: “Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone” by John Williams; “Let There Be Peace on Earth” by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson and arranged by Mark Hayes; “A Holiday Sing Along” arranged by Audrey Snyder. Every year many of Huron’s clubs come together to showcase their talents at the show known as Multi-Culti. An assembly is held during the school day, but a performance is always held during the evening to allow parents and friends to attend. This year, Multi-Culti’s evening performance will be held on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.

Gena Harris| Staff Writer In response to the possibility that white supremacist Richard Spencer could speak on their college campus, University of Michigan students organized a #StopSpencer speakout at the U of M Diag. Nearly 100 protesters showed up to the event on Nov. 28, 2017 to pressure college administrators against allowing Spencer to give a speech in defense of their safety and well-being. In recent cases, Spencer had been denied from speaking at Michigan State University and Ohio State University. However, denying Spencer a space to speak is technically violating his First Amendment rights. The university could reasonably argue that there is too much safety at risk in allowing Spencer, and possibly his violent followers, onto college campuses. U of M President Mark Schlissel announced on Nov. 22 that the university would meet beforehand with Cameron Padgett, Spencer’s speech coordinator, to determine whether the speech’s content is detrimental to students’ collective health. On Thursday Dec. 8, the decision was announced that Spencer will speak at U of M during spring break between Feb. 24 and Mar. 4. “I will also encourage everyone to stay away from areas where the presence of his supporters might contribute to an unstable situation, which will help to keep our community safe while at the same time standing up for our values,” Schlissel said. “The University of Michigan is home to our nation’s strongest and best academic community – with students, faculty, staff and graduates who care deeply about their fellow Wolverines and who strive to lead in a better world. No one who rents space on our campus can take that away from us.” Still, Spencer’s arrival could put the community and campus at risk for violence to occur, especially considering highlights ongoing racial issues at the university. Earlier this fall, racist acts of vandalism on the U of M campus unleashed a fight outside campus. Three black U of M students were targeted with racially derogatory language on name tags in the West Quad Residence Hall. “N*****” was written below their name tags on their dorm room doors. The crime is not only vandalism but a hate crime. On Sept. 2, 2017, hateful words

“I feel really exploited by this university, because they(administration) assume after years and years of student activism that it’s on us(students) to call out white supremacist bullshit for what it is, and to educate our peers and professors who are supposed to be more educated than us, “ University of Michigan student Darien. “We shouldn’t have to do this in 2017. All Richard Spencer is doing is talking to his white supremacist brothers to come to place where he will find support and he knows he will find 1,000 followers at this institution.” Photo illustration by Gena Harris.

were written on the University Rock. According to The Michigan Daily, President Schlissel addressed the issue during his speech at new student convocation. “Rigorous discussion of conflicting viewpoints is one way we learn, but hateful displays by anonymous provocateurs do not enhance learning in any academic environment,” Schlissel said. He also welcomed students of all backgrounds and noted the importance of

having a diverse community on campus. “We are proud you have decided to pursue your education at the University of Michigan. You make us a stronger university and enrich our community and nation by your many talents, hard work, and the diverse perspectives and life experiences you bring to campus.” While U of M will defend each individual’s right to free speech on the campus, these attacks that target individuals or

groups still exist. The university’s purpose is to create a safe learning environment that is free of harassment, and students feel its message valuing equality and individuality is inconsistent. The community is looking for Schlissel to say no to Spencer and show his support for racial equality at U of M. *Indicates word was not spelled out due to its meaning.

Ann Arbor Mayor Chris Taylor on serving the community

Julie Heng | Staff Editor From the front row, it was easy to see that Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor’s enthusiasm was infectious. After every statement, he would bounce on his heels, smiling. It was hard not to be inspired by the simple conviction with which he spoke. Nearly every other student in the library was anxiously jotting down details about the new universal access playground in Gallup Park. On Nov. 27, Mayor Taylor spoke to interested Huron students about the importance of serving the community. His visit was hosted by HHS’s Interact Club, the youth branch of this area’s Rotary organization. “Volunteering is the best way to initiate change in the status quo,” Taylor said. He stressed how volunteering allowed people to “enact social change and positive social benefit.” Mayor Taylor also fielded questions from dozens of Huron students, explaining developing projects around Ann Arbor and giving his opinions on everything from couches on fire to his favorite local restaurants (Tomokun, Blimpy, Spencer, Mani, and Detroit Street Filling Station). He was very vocal about his opinion that Ann Arbor is an incredibly unique place with highly successful academics in the University of Michigan and the public school system, and he praised the resources available in the city that allowed such growth. He said the factor that allowed Ann Arbor to diversify its interests was the absence of systemic poverty in the city. His proudest achievement to date is contributing to a Washtenaw Coun-

ty millage supporting climate action, mental health, and affordable housing, for which he plans to build 2800 new units by 2035. Taylor said his biggest focus for the city’s future lies in infrastructure. Recent and upcoming major undertakings include managing downtown traffic, fixing streetlights, preserving street trees, and adding 1000 new saplings to the urban forest annually. Some plans to clear up downtown traffic include building a protected bike highway, creating two-way streets from existing one-way lanes, encouraging the use of the city bus system, and changing the crosswalk near Kerrytown’s farmers market. In general, Taylor’s outlook on the city was optimistic, even though he could not feel the same about the country at large. According to Taylor, however, “[i]n [this] difficult and, I think, shameful time, we have an obligation” to speak up about what we stand for. When asked about the hot topic of sanctuary cities in the United States, Taylor emphasized the city’s principles as a “welcoming” city with citizens who advocate for safety for all people. Ann Arbor has expressly declined to honor detainer requests. “We are a welcoming city, a city that affirms the value of pluralism,” he said. Furthermore, he condemned “loathsome” ideology of the likes of Richard Spencer, calling his remarks “disgusting” to the point of being a “national disgrace.” These views, of course, are not shared by all, and as mayor, Taylor has to endure criticism from constituents. “Public criticism bothered me a

Between working as a lawyer at Hooper & Hathaway and informally singing in community theaters, Chris Taylor occupies a part-time job as Ann Arbor’s mayor. Here, Mayor Taylor speaks to Huron students about the importance of volunteering as social change as well as personal fulfillment. “Honestly, just do it,” he says. Photo taken by Rithvik Kodali.

lot in my first two years in City Council: 2008, 2009, 2010,” he admitted. But he has learned that he can’t help or please everyone. “[Now], I can even read the comments section and nasty things [people say] about me.” At the end of the day, it all comes back to the people of Ann Arbor and the culture and changes they embody. “I like Ann Arbor the way it is,” Taylor said. “We are doing a lot of things that are good and positive. But all successful cities change… and grow. Some change, some disruption is of necessity.” To disillusioned students who feel like they

cannot be agents of change in their communities, he said not to fear. Even if taking on a task alone may seem hopelessly daunting, it is crucial to gather together with other similarly disillusioned students and to work together towards a common purpose. “Volunteering can be very satisfying, and it really makes people start to feel like part of the community,” he concluded. “It’s a chicken and egg thing.” If there’s something that falls below our standards, it is ultimately our responsibility to “peacefully, but forcefully” address the issue and make things right.

Getting ahead of the game: middle schoolers attend Huron Ritvik Jillala | Staff Writer For around the past 10 years, middle school students have been taking advanced courses at Huron High School. From Geometry AC to AP Computer Science, these students have been competing with high school students and expanding their knowledge. At Huron, there are currently three students, two 7th graders and an 8th grader, from Clague Middle School attending classes here. A few years ago, when some math courses were not offered at the middle school, Huron would sometimes receive a bus full of middle school students taking Geometry AC or other classes, according to Huron High School teacher Kevin Behmer. Now, the number has decreased due to the addition of high school classes at the middle schools. There are numerous ways that these students become so advanced. They can take placement tests or take short online classes through various universities.

Transportation is not an issue either for these students. Most of them carpool to the high school and then take a bus to their middle school in time for second hour. However, some of the students may not actually belong in these classes. “It’s tough,” said Huron high school teacher Kevin Behmer. “Sometimes, we as math teachers, wonder ‘What’s the rush?’ We are not sure the students really understand the full consequences. You can see a difference between kids that are superstars [and those] that just had things done to them,” said Behmer. The students maturity level could also cause problems, but may be improved by the high school environment. He or she may not be mature enough to handle the extra stress, workload, and responsibility that are part of high school classes, but it is possible that he or she could grow into the maturity level that is needed. However, the student may also break from the pressure. “There are situations where you are less than

mature, then the older students may call you [out] on that,” Behmer said. “It may play a negative effect on how students feel about themselves or their ability to contribute to class. Sometimes we establish that pecking order.” On the other hand, students could also grow with critiques. “With every change of levels, there is a heightened expectation of individual responsibility,” Behmer said.

Seniors Rosie Li and Kevin Tan were once eighth graders taking Accelerated Geometry at Huron and answered some questions about their experience. How did they reach this level? Li: She reached this level after testing out of sixth grade math in middle school and followed this pathway up the system. She explained that she decided to test out because her parents introduced her to this option and

because she felt math was easy. Tan: He reached this level after testing out of sixth grade math in middle school and followed this pathway up the system. He explained that since many of his peers were testing out of their math levels, it prompted him to do so as well.

Was transport an issue? How did that work? Both Li and Tan took the a bus along with other Clague students to and back from Huron every morning. How much effort was required in the class? Li: She did not notice much of a change in terms of workload. However, she does recall taking her first quiz and it being challenging. Tan: Since he was in a class only made up of other Clague eighth graders, he did not notice any change in terms of the classroom environment. In fact, he explained that it felt no different than a typical classroom at Clague.


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