HURON EMERY THE brat
The intersection of a TikTok trend and politics
ISHA SAVI ZINE/COPY EDITOR
“brat” was born in the heat of the summer.* The blown-out black lowercase letters against a bright, almost obnoxious green showed the world exactly what the album meant to creator Charli xcx: defiance. Defining this album as her “most aggressive and confrontational record,” Charli combined her hyperpop sensibilities with piercing vulnerability and created a worldwide phenomenon that has seeped into everything from pop culture to the 2024 election.
If one wants to understand brat, they have to understand its marketing. One of the first tactics used was the brat wall in Williamsburg, New York. Charli kicked off her album release with a live performance in front of the infamous green wall. Since its release, the wall had been revamped to promote new remixes and deluxe versions until its final message “ok, bye!” was posted on July 2. If you have been online since its drop, you have undoubtedly seen this same concept on a smaller scale. Charli’s audience has been using the font and coloring of the album to do everything from making fun of it to informing city residents about heat safety. Charli fed this by creating an official brat generator that allowed her audience to participate in this mass inside joke. Her
tongue-in-cheek participation in the world of brat left a giant mark on pop culture, creating something much bigger than itself. On an overall scale, the biggest factor that made brat as influential as it is was the phenomenon known as “brat Summer.” brat Summer has proved itself to be the antithesis of everything the early 2020s have stood for so far. In a world of clean girls and neutral tones, brat summer revived the vibrant, messy vibe that Charli was known for in the 2010s. She brought Internet it-girls like model Gabriette and influencer Quen Blackwell onto her music videos and made iconic remixes, giving her audience exactly what they would’ve hoped for. The album itself is chock-full of pop culture references from the line “I’m everywhere, I’m so Julia” in reference to the prolific Julia Fox to the heartfelt dedication to artist Sophie on “So I”. Charli describes a brat as “that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes, who feels herself, but then also maybe has a breakdown, but kind of parties through it.” She created an escape from enforced perfection and created a space for her audience to go feral.
So what does this have to do with the election? Charli posted her infamous “kamala IS brat.” tweet on July 21 of this year, being the catalyst for what would become a
deeply memeable campaign. Soon after the tweet came out, Harris put up a Twitter banner that read “kamala hq” in the renowned brat format. Both Harris and Charli indulged in the defining trait of Gen-Z humor: meta-irony. Meta-irony describes a joke format in which a statement or bit is layered with so much irony that the true meaning is essentially gone. The statement “kamala IS brat.” reads as meta humor because of three layers: brat culture being built around partying, Harris being in a dire, nonpartying type of position, and Charli, the creator, being the one making this statement. Calling a person in Harris’ position brat is ironic, and Charli being the one calling her brat makes it almost sincere, creating a convoluted joke that the Internet has loved. This type of humor is a pillar of Gen-Z culture, making Harris’ choice to lean into brat culture all the more savvy. Her participation dropped a bomb on Internet culture; it allowed her to connect to younger voters in a way that didn’t feel phony.
The issue arises when support for Harris comes from meme culture rather than her policies. In the whirlwind of memes about the matter, many young voters seem to have forgotten that voting for Harris also means voting for her ideals. It seems as though a lot of her policies are yet to hit the Internet, meaning that the public’s perception
of her is skewed to an extent. For example, many young voters seem to be unaware of Harris’ stance on the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Those who criticized Biden for his complacency and unwavering support of Israel are not doing the same for Harris, simply because they do not know her politics and only her for her brand.
As the weather cools, brat summer comes to an end–kind of. On July 25, Charli posted screenshots of various magazines claiming that brat Summer is dead with the caption “oh ? see u next week :).” The day after the post, she released a recording of her DJ set with Boiler Room titled “PARTYGIRL Ibiza.” A week later, she announced a remix of her song “Guess” featuring Billie Eillish which blew up within hours of its release. brat summer will turn to brat fall as Charli takes on the “Sweat” tour with Troye Sivan starting this September.
Voting season is quickly approaching as this new era of brat comes to a head. This election has been very aimed at young voters, and it will be interesting to see how the election plays out–how young voters may be pushed to vote a certain way in November. This album’s influence is undeniable and although it seems like it is coming to a close, Charli shows no sign of stopping. “brat summer is only just beginning :)” the singer wrote on X.
*this article is an analysis
2024 Tiny Film Festival is one to remember
EMILY HU WEBSITE-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
For those who have always dreamt of being the next up-and-coming director and crafting their own movies, the Ann Arbor District Library had just the opportunity. This past weekend, filmmakers young and old, gathered together to celebrate the 2024 Tiny Film Festival, the third of its series. Filmmakers were asked to make a short movie, 60 seconds or less in length. However, despite these films being short in duration, they contained rich storytelling, demonstrating the power of creativity of these filmmakers when given constraints.
On Aug. 25, as part of the Summer Game
Over Gala, winners of the Tiny Film Festival were announced in a red carpet event. Films were judged in three categories based on age groups: grades 5 and under, grades 6 to 12, and adults. AADL staff
reviewed each submission and awarded prizes in each category for Highest Honors, Second Place, and Honorable Mention.
Within the Downtown District Library lobby on the day of the event, families gathered for a transformative experience. As the buttery aroma of popcorn filled the air, children clustered around, eager to get a bag of the savory treat. A red carpet was rolled out in the front of the room, ready to welcome the winners of the Tiny Film Festival. Excitement and anticipation could be felt throughout the entire lobby. Starting with the Adult Category, the films of the winners were showcased to the audience. Some films were humorous, others deep and thoughtful. The crowd reacted with applause, laughter, and moments of reflection. Upbeat, triumphant music thundered across the room as the winners gracefully walked the red carpet to receive their “tiny” trophy. The winner,
A fresh start for Lori Wojtowicz in her post Huron teaching career
SATVIKA RAMANATHAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On former Huron teacher Lori Wojtowicz’s first day teaching African American Literature, she realized that she had never been the minority in her whole life.
“I did more learning than the students ever did, for sure,” she said about teaching that class. Wojtowicz became interested in equity issues from that class.
“I saw so many powerful students succeed and go onto schools like Harvard, but then I saw a lot of students get into college and drop out, and I had to start asking, ‘What are educators, including me, doing wrong?’” Wojtowicz said.
This year, 47 years after she started teaching at Huron, Wojtowicz published her second book, “Listen to the Truth They Bring.” The book talks about equity
from the perspective of 22 of Wojtowicz’s former students.
When Wojtowicz started teaching in 1977, she said she had been very naive.
“I did
“I was a very idealistic white teacher who absolutely believed education was fair and for everyone,” Wojtowicz said.
thinking more about how equity is important to society.
“Equity to me means that you are seen, you are heard and you are respected,” Wojtowicz said.
more learning than the students ever did, for sure
Lori Wojtowicz
Around 10 years into teaching, Wojtowicz realized that her classes — mostly honors — had predominantly white and Asian students.
“In the hallway, I’d see all this great diversity, but where were the African American students in my classes?” Wojtowicz said. Since then, she’s started
Grace Kim, produced the film Confetti Ball.
“I just never made a film before, and I thought it would be fun to try it out,”
Kim said. “I have a 5 year old kid and I felt this would bring exposure for him to an artistic side of things.”
She happily exclaimed that it was a great experience and recommended other families who want to try something new over the summer. They get to have some fun both creatively and artistically.
But the festival wasn’t just about the winners. Every film submitted was a winner in its own right, and all entries were celebrated for their creativity and effort. At the end of the awards ceremony, all the films were showcased for the audience to enjoy.
The Tiny Film Festival is so much more than just a great event. Its purpose conveys a powerful message - it’s the smallest stories that leave the biggest impressions.
When she was a teacher, she worked to bring her values to the classroom.
“I went into teaching because I thought my high school experience was so boring, and I thought, ‘It has to be better than this,” Wojtowicz said. “I love that I would never know what a day was going to look like. The real excitement that comes from students and their amazing intelligence pushed me all the time to want to be better.”
Wojtowicz feels happy with the message of her book.
“The book is about the power of students and that educators really need to respect that power,” she said.
“Listen to the Truth They Bring” is available on Amazon for purchase.
ISHA SAVI ZINE/COPY EDITOR
On any given day people might see more students wearing Michigan gear to Huron that River Rat swag. However, on Aug. 16, the M Den, the official store for University of Michigan merchandise, filed for bankruptcy due to up to $50 million in liabilities, the largest being $8.8 million debt to Michigan’s athletic department for royalty payments. Three locations closed as a result of the company’s financial difficulties.
The Ann Arbor M Den store finds a new path to success after struggles
Legends has partnerships with the likes of Ohio State and Indiana University and have expressed their enthusiasm for adding Michigan to the list.
The M Den is now under the leadership of Legends Global Merchandise on a 10-year partnership.
“Legends is honored to partner with U-M to deliver their passionate fans an enhanced, seamless shopping experience,” Kirta Carroll, president of Legends Global Merchandise, said in the release. The partnership will extend from inperson shopping to online with a focus on a holistic shopping experience.
“We are excited to begin this new venture with Legends,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a release.
Graphic of Wojtowicz. GRAPHIC BY ANNA LEE
GRAPHIC BY JULES HESKIA
In-progress construction efforts at Huron in 2024
SAMUEL BUTLER STAFF WRITER
As the new school year begins, students and staff can look forward to several construction projects nearing completion, while a few others continue to progress. The school administration recently provided updates on the status of these projects, sharing news about completed tasks and new deadlines for those still going on.
First on the list is the Greenhouse Masonry & Glass Dome Storm Damage Repair, which has now been completed. Following a series of storms earlier in the year that caused structural damage to the greenhouse, the school prioritized its repair to ensure it could be used for educational and extracurricular activities. The finished repairs mean students will have access to the greenhouse for science projects and other uses
without any further delay.
Another completed project is the Kitchen Servery Equipment & Electrical Improvements.
After months of planning, these upgrades have been finalized, providing the kitchen staff with modern equipment and an improved electrical system. This project aims to improve food preparation, allowing the cafeteria to serve students more efficiently. The enhancements are expected to improve the quality and speed of meal service, contributing to a better lunchtime experience for everyone.
Currently in progress is the Exterior Masonry Restoration. This project focuses on restoring the building’s outer walls, ensuring they remain sturdy and good-looking.
The restoration work is set to be completed by the end of September, though the timeline may shift slightly depending on weather conditions. The team has been working diligently, but rain or cold temperatures could delay some of the masonry work.
“The biggest challenge for the Exterior Masonry Restoration was the production and delivery of brick,” said Bernard Rice, head of AAPS Physical Properties and Capital Programs, in an email. “Because we are trying to match the existing brick, the colors are specific to Huron High School. The brick manufacturer created a specific color pallet and kept pushing the production of the brick because of the limited quantity needed compared to other big projects.”
The brick delivery
took approximately ten weeks longer than expected. Finally, one of the most anticipated projects is the Pool Monorail Installation & Pool Filtration System Upgrades. These improvements are essential to maintaining a clean and safe environment in the school’s swimming pool, which has been closed for the duration of the upgrades. The pool’s reopening is scheduled for Sept. 27. Once completed, the pool will have a new monorail system and a stateof-the-art filtration system, ensuring students can once again enjoy water sports and activities in a more efficient, safe, and hygienic space.
“A challenge encountered at the pool happened once work began and the pool was drained,” Rice said. Further inspection showed the pool needed regrouting, and the decision was made to regrout now while the pool was already empty. Once the grout is applied and completed, it requires 21 days to cure, which delays the project.”
Despite this, with most of the major construction work on track for completion, students and staff can expect minimal disruptions and look forward to an improved school environment by the end of September.
Huron DAY’s continuous efforts to emphasize and support Asian Culture
KIKI CHOI
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Founded in 2020, Dear Asian Youth (DAY) is a national effort that describes themselves as “an organization of Asian youth dedicated to uplifting and promoting the Asian community through intersectional activism.”
In October of 2023, Vietnamese-American Huron student Salem Dinh brought the organization to Huron when they, along with three other students, started a chapter of DAY at our school. Now a junior, Dinh is the chapter lead of Huron’s DAY club.
“We at Huron’s DAY, strive towards creating a safe community for Asian youth and allies through school community work, fundraising and events, and educating through platforms,” Dinh said.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the club is implementing a new addition to their meetings called “Around Asia.”
“In these meetings, we will be creating food from different countries in Asia together,” Dinh said. “Creating food together is a staple in many Asian households across the world, and is seen as a bonding experience.”
The club aims to encourage connection throughout Huron’s Asian American student body through their “Around Asia” program, as cooking diverse foods together at club meetings is something that is easily accessible.
“We’re making tanghulu first, on Oct. 7,” Dinh said. “We’re also making [foods] like Vietnamese spring rolls and hwachae on other days.” Tanghulu is a popular
candied fruit that originated in northern China and hwachae is a Korean snack that combines various fruits and sodas to make a refreshing, sweet drink. By making and eating such diverse Asian foods together, Huron’s DAY hopes to further connect the school’s Asian American community. Their plans, however, go beyond just their Around Asia project. They plan on working with Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang on passing the TEAACH (Teach Equitable Asian American Community History) Act, which would enforce the teaching of Asian American history in classrooms and regulate Asian representation in textbooks. The act was first passed in Chicago, and has continued to be passed in other states such as California.
“Asian American representation is so important,
especially for our youth,” Dinh said. “This act will help the Asian American community connect better with each other and educate other groups about our history and struggles.
DAY holds meetings every Tuesday in room 6204. For more information, refer to their Instagram, @ dearasianyouth_hhs.
All of DAY’s members posing for a group picture in front of Room 6204, where they meet every Tuesday from 3-3:45 p.m. PHOTO COURTESY OF DINH
Exterior masonry restoration work, which involves repairing and replacing bricks on exterior walls, outside of Huron’s cafeteria. PHOTO BY SAMUEL BUTLER
Construction areas outside Huron’s cafeteria blocked off by tall metal fences. PHOTO BY SAMUEL BUTLER
English Tomlinson’s journey to the the Olympic trials
ROWAN GRENIER SPORTS EDITOR
It was late in the Boston Marathon as people started to burn out, but Slauson Middle School teacher English Tomlinson was determined to finish strong. They turned left onto Boylston street and saw the finish line in the distance. They took a look left and then right, noticing all of the people lined up watching. They took one more look at all the fans and the rush of adrenaline from the final stretch of running gave them a great idea.
They started making signals with their hands hyping up the crowd like a defensive lineman in a home game on third down, and the crowd started cheering loudly as Tomlinson continued interacting with the crowd. It got very noisy as they cupped their hand to their ear, signaling they couldn’t quite hear the crowd, egging the spectators on for more support as they crossed over the finish line.
“It was insane and I get chills talking about it,” Tomlinson said. “It was so crazy that I was in control of it, because they weren’t cheering and then [the noise] was just piercing. It was like straight out of a movie and it definitely affected me and that will live in my brain forever.”
Early on in Tomlinson’s life, they experienced many of the same issues that others did
with being a student athlete and a sibling. They ran in high school and also had the responsibilities of an older sibling, and taking care of their younger brother and sister. They were both a committed student and runner, and consequently did not have much free time. Although Tomlinson was having some of these common difficulties that many student athlete teenagers often have, they also had a lot of unique moments that shaped their journey.
When Tomlinson was in high school one day, they had to take care of their brother and bring him to the bus for school. After he got on the bus and left for school, Tomlinson went back home. Tomlinson was severely dehydrated and hadn’t drank enough water. They suddenly lost consciousness due to dehydration, and ended up hitting their head on a bookshelf in their house “I woke up and my head was in a pool of blood,” Tomlinson said. “I took my phone out and went to Snapchat to look at my face and there was a huge cut. I immediately started to panic and I called my parents.”
This memory caused Tomlinson to learn a valuable lesson that they take with them everyday through life. Tomlinson said they now drink lots of water everyday and realizes the importance of staying hydrated especially
as an athlete. This is just one of those things that has shaped Tomlinson’s path to be unique to them.
After going through education at James Madison University, Tomlinson now teaches science at Slauson Middle School. As well as teaching, Tomlinson also coaches a running team that they founded. Their competitive nature inspires the middle school runners and Tomlinson pushes them to do their best everyday. In Tomlinson’s free time, they run and train on their own, running about 95 miles a week.
Tomlinson competed at the Olympic Trials for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Although they did not qualify, they surprised many people with their impressive effort. Coming into the trials, Tomlinson was ranked low in the predicted finishers, but ended up finishing well above where they had previously ranked. Tomlinson really enjoyed running this race because they performed well and on top of that had an awesome moment in the middle of the race.
“It was around mile 18 and it got super loud,” Tomlinson said. “I was like, what’s going on and then I heard people chanting ‘Jenny.’ This was someone that I knew and looked up to in high school, and I just passed her.”
Jenny Simpson, an Olympic Champion, was Tomlinson’s idol and always looked up to her. She was someone that Tomlinson waited in line to meet and talk to. Tomlinson patted her on the back as she passed by her offering encouragement and Tomlinson went on to beat her. Tomlinson felt that it was a very cool moment and feels that these are the types of moments they live for
when following their passions. Although Tomlinson does not make much money running, they would not trade it for the world.
Through sponsorships they are able to continue their love of the sport.
Tomlinson continues to train and compete with a goal of qualifying for the next Olympic games in four years.
Northside bookstore Booksweet changes ownership
SATVIKA RAMANATHAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Local Ann Arbor bookstore Booksweet opened a new chapter this past summer as the owners since 2021, Shaun Manning and Truly Render, handed the store over to a new team, consisting of Darcy Rhoden, her husband Casey Thacker, Rhoden’s sibling Louis and Rhoden’s dad Del.
Manning and Render bought Booksweet, then known as Bookbound, in the middle of the pandemic, which came with a series of challenges. But they were able to use the unique opportunities Covid presented to create a space that reflected their own personal values.
“We’re really, really proud of what we were able to build, in terms of creating a welcoming and affirming space where people could not only find the books that they were looking for, but also discover things that they might not have known about,” Manning said.
On April 30 of this year, Manning and Render posted a notice saying they were looking for new owners, and they had their first request for
a meeting within 15 minutes.
“We took a couple bad calls,” Manning said. “I took a call from one company that basically wanted to absorb it into this regional chain. After talking for about five minutes, it was not something that either of us were interested in.”
That’s where the Rhoden/ Thacker family came in.
me, also doesn’t have any bookstore experience, said we should take a meeting and see what happens.”
Manning and Render came out of their first meeting with the Rhoden/ Thacker family with an overwhelmingly favorable impression.
“Booksweet was my local bookstore,” Darcy Rhoden said. “The former owners sent an email out, and the title of the email was, ‘Are you Booksweet’s new owners?’ I called my dad in a panic because I thought my local bookstore was closing, and I was really sad that an independent bookstore was going out of business, potentially. My dad, who, like
PHOTO BY SATVIKA RAMANATHAN
“We came out of that meeting and really hoped that the next owners would be them, that they would make an offer,” Manning said. “They were personable, they were energetic, they had some business experience. And they talked to us about books, which not everyone did.”
The Rhoden/ Thacker family’s perspective on that meeting was also extremely positive.
“We really, really got along with Shaun and Truly, and we were really inspired by
their vision for the bookstore,” Darcy Rhoden said. “We just really loved what they wanted the bookstore to continue to be after they moved on, and so we put in an offer. And luckily, they vibed with us, too.”
Moving on from the bookstore was bittersweet for Manning and Render.
“It was sad because we built this thing,” Manning said. “I still feel very close to it and personally invested in it. But as far as working with the Rhoden/Thacker family and sorting out logistics, it was very smooth. It was very comfortable. It was
“We are really lucky that we’ve had support, not only from Shaun and Truly, but this community has been so great,” Darcy Rhoden said. “When you’re taking over a business, and you’ve never done this before, you don’t know a lot of things, and the community around us has been awesome. Book people are just the nicest people.” Darcy Rhoden said that the atmosphere of Booksweet is something that she and her family really loved from the beginning.
“When you walk in, you can see that they focus on
Booksweet owner Darcy Rhoden stands in her store. She and her husband took over the shop this summer.
GRAPHIC BY ISHAAN KAMAT
Ann Arbor middle school teacher and high school running coach English Tomlinson running at the US Olympic Team Trials in Orlando this past summer. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOMLINSON, PHOTO BY JUSTIN YALL.
The Misfits
THE EMERY STAFF
EDITORIAL BOARD: Maya Fu 314166@aaps.k12.mi.us
Satvika Ramanathan 405293@aaps.k12. mi.us
Ashley Kim 316519@aaps.k12.mi.us
Anjali Nadarajah 424587@aaps.k12.mi.us ADVISER
Badalamente Emily Hu, Ishaan Kamat, Kasia PhanWebsite Editors-in-Chief Julya Mae Jones & Kiki Choi Social Media Editor-in-Chief
Ann Arbor in motion: Unveiling the latest Huron changes
MAYA FU EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The retirement of Mr. Sumerton:
After 25 years in public education assistant principal, Michael Sumerton, annouced he would be leaving AAPS.
“The district announcing layoffs pushed me into a situation where I had to start applying for jobs just in case,” Sumerton said in an email.
“I had never considered looking for a job outside of Huron until that happened.”
Sumerton helped start a homeschool co-operative 10 years ago, which services 400 out of the roughly 1500 homeschool students in Ann Arbor. For the past 3-4 years, his work in this cooperative has been focused on creating a rigorous trade program for homeschoolers – a project started to combat the fact that these expensive programs are funded through tax dollars in public schools, meaning that there are often no trade programs for homeschoolers.
“The carpentry work has really
I can teach math and run the school,” Sumerton said.
“Teaching has always been a dream job for me, and what I am best at. My move into administration was made for financial reasons with a big family, but I have always been a teacher at heart.”
Sumerton aims to build and sell a house each year to fund the construction of school buildings – which he hopes the students will be the ones building. He is also currently working on building a team of staff members, and getting students enrolled in the program. A math curriculum, including subjects like construction geometry, are also in progress.
However, despite all the excitement for the future, leaving Huron wasn’t easy.
“Packing up my office was deeply emotional, [along with] walking through the halls and thinking through all of the students I have worked with and memories of all that has happened in the last 15 years for me at Huron,” Sumerton said. “I miss Huron, the students, the staff, and the families I have grown close to.”
Sumerton plans on being at graduations, games, MultiCulti, and remaining involved in the Huron community.
and conquer those fears.
“Sometimes in life, you have to choose what’s hard, and I think sports is a template for that,” Bullinger said. “So anytime that I’m dealing with a transition in life and it’s stressful, I rely on that skill set, perhaps more than any other.”
Bullinger’s love for working with highschool students stems from valuing individual connections with this particular age group.
“I’m so passionate about that point in a person’s social clock, or in a person’s human development, trying to figure out what [their] life is going to be and where [they’re] going to land, and answering the difficult questions that are coming up for the first time,” Bullinger said. “They have big, essential questions, and they’re wrestling with them for the first time.”
As an administrator, Bullinger believes that she can affect systems on a
“My own two kids had Mr. Carter as their principal, so I’m familiar with his work,” Bullinger said. “I’ve really valued his contributions to Ann Arbor Public Schools.”
However, it was the last several years that made Bullinger really start to pay attention to Huron.
“I felt that Huron provided an opportunity for me to have a role supporting curriculum and curriculum design that was consistent with my way of being as a teacher,” she said. “Pioneer is not an IB school, and over the years, project-based curriculum became less of a focus.”
After being interviewed in various schools over the summer, and working in other districts, Bullinger notes that AAPS stands out in many ways.
there’s this culture of a Huron family, and I’m loving that about the school. I’m really happy to be here.”
boomed for the students, who have built barns and other major additions over the last year,” Sumerton said.
After the layoff announcement in the spring, Sumerton ran a fundraiser that successfully funded the program, in addition to several properties to build full houses on. It was during this process that he was asked to run the school in Ann Arbor.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, although I figured it would come after retirement as the finances for such an endeavor are usually a big barrier,” Sumerton said.
“To have a school with a less hierarchical structure, less red tape, and more deliberate focus on what’s best for students. To structure a learning experience for kids that is less restricted, and more formative.”
A large factor in Sumerton’s decision to make this transition was to return to the classroom.
“With a small school,
“I will never forget my time at Hurononce a River Rat, always a River Rat.”
Ms. Bullinger transfers to Huron:
After being a teacher, administrator, and assistant golf coach at Pioneer for 26 years, Jodi Bullinger will be taking over as an Assistant Principal at Huron in Sumerton’s stead this year. She has backgrounds in both sports and psychology, having both played D1 Golf at the University of Michigan and reconstructed Pioneer’s Psychology program, adding more than 8 sections of Introductory, Applied and AP Psychology to the school. Many of her philosophies as an educator stem from this unique history; she understands how to work with an unfamiliar team, manage time, learn how to be scared
bigger, more impactful level, but she intimately knows the special impact teachers can have on students.
“It’s a little bit harder when you’re not seeing somebody every single day to make the same kind of progress,” she said. “And that’s one of my goals at Huron: to see if I can make the same impacts I did as a teacher, but from a more systematic perspective.”
Huron’s unique IB program is something that caught Bullinger’s eye for this very reason.
“When I taught psychology, we really focused on a project that ran the last half of the course,” she said. No matter where they were going – whether it was a career, college, trade school, or the military – Bullinger was able to help the student find an individual project that matched a relevant point in their life, which she believes aligns closely with IB values.
“One of the things that makes Ann Arbor particularly special is you can teach a class and you can have students from all over the world,” Bullinger said. “If you create an atmosphere where students from different cultures, places, and perspectives can all participate, that is a learning experience unique to Ann Arbor. It is hard to manufacture anywhere that kind of exposure to authentic first person narratives from other cultures and other points in the world,”
Bullinger is excited to work with 10th graders on their Personal Project and support the systems that make it an incredible experience. Her goal is to find something that connects to every student’s life in order for them to understand the reasons that they’re being taught what they are.
“I’m feeling inspired, and I have immense gratitude to be a part of what’s going on at Huron,” Bullinger said.
“My first impression of Huron so far is that
Shaping success: The impact of Huron’s athletic directors
ROWAN GRENIER SPORTS EDITOR
Athletic directors are tasked with the job of setting up all the athletics at schools and along with being involved in the school day as an administrator. The former Huron athletic director Tony Whiren has moved on from his position at Huron as he is now teaching outside of the AAPS district. Whiren left his position just prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year and Bob Wellman (who retired from AAPS) has now stepped into that role as he is just now settling in for a short run while a new AD is hired. Athletic directors are often thought of as just being involved with their schools athletic programs but that is far from the truth.
During school days, Whiren said he focussed on helping in a role of an assistant principal but sometimes had to do athletic duties to prepare for sporting events after school. Whiren said his day would start at 8 in the morning and wouldn’t end until nearly 9 p.m. so it was a long and tiring job with many things to do to help support the Huron community. Although it was a difficult and time consuming occupation to work, Whiren really enjoyed taking on the athletic director role.
“I enjoyed working with the student-athletes and the coaches, getting to know the coaches and them knowing me was significant for two-way support,” Whiren said. “The friendships I made were priceless. Success came at more than wins many times for all of us. Just wanted them all to know I was there for all of them. Many parents, staff, and community members
will be missed as well.” Whiren set many goals in his time at Huron but he felt his biggest goal was to continue building a positive climate and creating an environment in which everyone would want to be around. Although he felt that there were many programs at Huron that had these positive climates, he feels that there is always room for improvement for every program. Everytime he doubted the cultures set up in programs, he would watch the coaches with their student-athletes and be reassured again that there was still a positive culture.
“There is always room for improvement and growth,” Whiren said. “Helping to improve sports of struggle, lower numbers, wins, or culture improvement were some areas I worked hard on to support growth and change. Other sports already have a strong culture,so the goal was to continue to support their needs to continue to represent Ann Arbor Huron and use them as models for others to look at for support. It took a community to help improve in these areas and there were some who did not see it;
however, the majority did.”
As Wellman takes control of this impactful role in the Huron community, he looks to continue to develop the strong and positive cultured programs that live in the communi - ty of Huron. Whiren feels that the best piece of advice is to stay in touch with the people around you because they can always pro - vide an avenue for helping you.
“Ask for help, share thoughts with other ADs, and know you will not make everyone happy,” Whiren said.
“It is easy to get caught up in the circle of chaos; be careful. Set expectations at all levels and know that the support in your inner working circle is crucial. I’m always a phone call away if help is needed.”
As our 2023-2024 school year came to a close, our community was faced with the announcement of a $25 million debt. Classrooms and schools were soon filled with rumors, blame, and anger.
At The Huron Emery, we’ve seen firsthand how the spread of information is detrimental to the truth. It is extremely important to maintain an open mind and stay vigilant about what sources you are receiving your information from. Every member of this school district is entitled to their opinion, but we need to remain on the watch for the truth.
In the age of social media, misinformation has a way of spreading rapidly, often without proper context or
verification. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter make it easy for rumors to circulate, sometimes creating a false sense of urgency. Last year, rumors swirled about drastic budget cuts that might affect our students’ extracurricular programs or teacher salaries. These rumors, while alarming, often lack a foundation in verified facts. It’s vital to remember that not everything we hear or read reflects the actual situation. By focusing on credible sources and seeking out factual information, we can avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and contribute to a more informed and supportive community. Now, as rumors spread, we have a collective responsibility to halt their progression. Instead of perpetuating claims that may not be grounded in truth, take a step back and ask, “Is this helpful? Is it accurate?” By resisting the urge to engage in
speculation, we contribute to a healthier, more informed school environment. Our words carry weight, and in moments like these, it’s crucial to use that power wisely.
To help you out, here are some trustworthy sources. For information on the happenings in our school district, check out these resources:
The Huron Emery, AAPS Board of Education webpage, emails from the Superintendent, The Communicator These sources are committed to delivering clear and accurate updates, helping you cut through the noise of rumors and speculation. By relying
on these trusted channels, you can stay informed with reliable information and engage in conversations rooted in fact rather than unfounded claims. Remember, this situation affects everyone in our district—families, teachers, students—and it’s important to approach it with empathy and understanding. Before reacting or jumping to conclusions, think about the impact your words might have. If you hear a rumor, take a second to ask yourself if it’s really based on facts before sharing it. We can all help stop misinformation by simply not spreading things that aren’t confirmed. In these uncertain times, let’s focus on supporting each other instead of adding to the confusion. We’re all in this together.
Despicable Me 4: Is the new movie worth the watch?
HEMANTH TAVANE BROADCAST EDITOR
The latest installment of the Despicable Me franchise, “Despicable Me 4,” brings back the familiar antics of Gru, his interesting family and the Minions. Directed by Chris Renaud who also helped the first two films in the series, this movie promises a fun time through an engaging mix of humor and heart that has made the series a global phenomenon.
Picking up shortly after the events of the third movie “Despicable Me 4” focuses on Gru and his wife Lucy as they continue to navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. Their three daughters are now dealing with their growing pains including teenage drama. But just as Gru begins to settle into the rhythms of family life a new addition shakes things up Gru Jr.
As adjusting to life with a toddler wasn’t enough Gru finds himself face-to-face with his old school rival, Maxime Le Mal, who resurfaces after years of plotting. Maxime, an exaggerated French supervillain with a refined but absurd personality, holds a grudge against Fru for past slights setting the stage for a series of comedic, actionpacked events that threaten
the Grus family and the world.
As with previous films in the series, “Despicable Me 4,” excels in its comedic timing and visual gags. The humor runs both silly and sophistries making sure that both children and adults find something to enjoy. The minions as always are the source of much of the film’s chaotic comedy from their bad plans to their endearing misunderstanding of human behavior. Gru’s attempt at balancing his secret life with fatherhood provides their share of laughs as he struggles to manage the simultaneous demands of saving the world and changing diapers.
Despite the sometimes chaotic pacing, “Despicable Me 4” manages to maintain a lighthearted tone that keeps the action fun rather than overwhelming. The film balances its more intense moments with heartfelt scenes that emphasize the importance of family and friendship, a recurring theme throughout the franchise.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of “Despicable Me 4” is its abundance of cameos and Easter eggs. The film is a treasure trove for dedicated fans with numerous nods to previous installments and other Illumination films.
From brief appearances by
“Despicable Me
characters from the Minions spinoff to subtle callbacks to Gru’s earlier villainous escapes, there are plenty of hidden gems to discover.
Visually “Despicable Me 4” continues the franchise -- a tradition of vibrant, colorful
animation. Each scene is filled with rich detail from the city streets to the intricately designed villain lairs. The minions’ various gadgets and various inventive contraptions are brought to life with a playful energy that keeps the
action fresh and engaging.
The character designs remain consistent with earlier films but the introduction of the new minions keeps the world of “Despicable Me 4,” feeling fresh and exciting. The animation team has also pushed the boundaries of slapstick comedy using exaggerated movements and reactions to maximize the film’s visual humor.
Pharrell Williams returns as the film’s composer and brings his signature upbeat style to the soundtrack. The “Despicable Me 4” music is catchy and energetic, perfectly completing the film’s playful tone. Pharrell’s score enhances the emotional beats of the story there is a tender moment between Gru and his daughters or a high-octane action scene.
“Despicable Me 4,” is a vibrant and chaotic return to the world of Gru, his family, and their loyal minions. At the same time, the narrative may feel haphazard the film more than makes up for it in its humor, heart, and highenergy antics. Fans of the series will not be disappointed as the movie stays true to the elements that made the franchise a floral sensation.
Huron’s favorites: The most popular movies of the summer
“TORI SUTTON, 9 “Barbie” “
I thought it was very summery and it was pretty chill. I liked that it had an overall message of woman empowerment, and I really related to it.
I watched
ANJALI
NADARAJAH CHIEF CONTENT EDITOR
Advertised to be the scariest movie of the year by the Washington Post, Nicholas Cage’s “Longlegs” was unsettling and frightening to say the least.
The premise of the movie is anything but uneventful; the families of young girls who are born on the 14th of any month are gifted a doll on her ninth birthday. Upon the reception of the doll, the father immediately becomes possessed, killing himself
REBECCA BANG, 10 “Despicable Me 4”
I watched it with my friends when it came out, so it created a lot of good memories for me.
“COLE MASSIE, 11 “Arrival”
I liked that language was a key aspect and the way to keep humanity alive in the movie, and I thought that was pretty cool.
“WILMER LAZO-GARCIA, 12 “Deadpool & Wolverine
It’s funny, and I love Marvel.
“Longlegs”: Here’s everything you need to know
and the entire family. Who is creating and sending these dolls? Longlegs, the tall, satan-worshiping, puffy and pale faced man.
The movie was adjacent to The Silence of the Lambs. The story follows FBI agent Lee Harker, who is investigating the many cases of murders related to Longlegs. I left the theater frightened, but I was also confused and a little disturbed from the last line of the movie, “Hail Satan,” which is declared by Longlegs, further confirming his ties to the devil.
“Longlegs” trailers were extremely eerie. There were bright flashes of red, unnerving music in the background and the voice of Longlegs ominous words. It perfectly previewed the film in a way that gave zero spoilers but left viewers craving more. Their marketing tactics stirred even non-horror fans.
Nicholas Cage, who plays Longlegs, drew inspiration from his own mother, who suffered from schizophrenia. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he states, “It was a deeply personal kind of performance
for me because I grew up trying to cope with what she was going through,” he said. “She would talk in terms that were kind of poetry. I didn’t know how else to describe it. I tried to put that in the Longlegs character because he’s really a tragic entity,” So before you buy your tickets, know what to expect. While critics say this is the scariest movie of the year, I wouldn’t hold that sentiment too dearly. Bring your friends, your popcorn, but maybe not your childhood doll.
“Longlegs” came out to theaters July 12, 2024. PHOTO CREDIT: Red River Horror “Longlegs (2024)”
4” came out to theaters July 3. It has been a big hit since its release, making a total of $88 milliion. PHOTO
CREDIT: Poster Salon “2024 Despicable Me 4 He’s Going Undercover”
Huron students break down their summer outfits
KASIA PHAN WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Street-Style with Mikey Lagrand
Hair - “I originally had in two strand twists, so this was the result of me taking them out and picking the roots a bit.”
Necklaces - “One of them I bought when I went to New York city, from a designer named Edward Bess. The other one I bought at an art fair. It kind of feels like Homer, Frank Ocean’s jewelry brand.”
Sweater - “This was on my birthday so I wanted to try something a bit more dressy,
Staying Timeless with Lauren Rustia
Top - “I saw this top at Urban Outfitters over the summer and decided to buy it after recognizing the brand. I also really liked the overall design and the way it fit on me. I thought the open back was super unique so I was even more compelled to get it. “
Shorts - “These shorts are a favorite of mine that I got from Target. I wear these all summer long and I even have this same pair in another color. I really like how the black pairs with
the neutral color of the shirt.”
Socks - “I always like wearing cute crew socks with my outfits. I got these from Aeropostale and they have cherries on the sides which I think are very cute and make the outfit more fun.”
Shoes - “I got these when I was on vacation with my family in Paris. I knew I wanted a pair of shoes from this brand because I always loved the designs and various colorways. Although they
don’t really go super well with this fit, I still really like them as they’re my favorite color.”
Accessories - “I always wear this gold cross necklace and these golden hoop earrings that my mom gave me. I think they add a nice touch to any outfit and are very versatile. I also always like to carry around a bag. I really like this one in particular from Uniqlo because the color matches this outfit quite well and it can carry a bunch of stuff.”
so the sweater I stole from my dad. I got the idea of brown from a Hirono figurine I liked. I had a hard time figuring out how to wear colors outside of black and white when I was younger so I spent a lot of time figuring out what colors pair well together and what works well with my skin tone.”
Pants - “I wanted to go for a monochrome look while still having some variety, so I wore a pair of thrifted carhartt pants, to keep the
brown palette going. A lot of my friends had gotten into thrifting throughout my junior year and it’s become one of our favorite hangouts ever since. I don’t always find good clothes but this one was one of my favorite finds.”
Shoes - “I chose Air Forces just because I needed something to pop, and white goes with everything. With baggy clothes, I like to have shoes on with a large silhouette as well.”
Casual and Comfy with Jerry Thornton
Hair - “My hair is in its natural state, I usually have a curly afro that is slightly picked out but it is not included in the picture.”
Necklaces - “The piece of jewelry I have on is bought from Depop. It is a black Rosary necklace that blends in with the color scheme of my outfit.”
Hoodie - “The hoodie I have on is a slightly cropped
Sweet Bohemian with Salem Dinh
Top - “The shirt on top I thrifted from the Salvation Army and the one on the bottom is a random white tank top I got super long ago and just continues to be reused. Together they remind me a lot of the y2k dress and denim jeans combo, but I think it’s more comfy and great for hotter weather.”
Bottom - “I got the cargo jorts from Yesstyle. Denim and white is honestly one of
my favorite combos because you cannot go wrong and it always looks super cute but not overwhelming!”
black hoodie with two zippers. The hoodie is slightly cropped and includes small details such as four buttons on the hood. I had bought the hoodie from Mnml.la”
Shirt - “The shirt I am wearing is a very comfortable black Hanes shirt. I feel like the shirt makes the comfort stand out because of its basic look.”
Pants - “I wanted the outfit to have a comfortable/
calm aesthetic, so I had put on my wide leg striped sweatpants. The pants stick out in the outfit because of the designs it included.”
Shoes - “Since I was trying to go for the comfortable look I threw on my gray fuzzy slides. The slides kind of make the outfit stand out as a comfort outfit.”
Shoes - “I got these shoes from T.J. Maxx as just some comfy walking shoes that can go with any fit! They’re white so it keeps a neutral color.”
Accessories - “The fanny pack adds another color so that it’s not white on white on white, and I got it from another random store in Spain.”
Hair - “I wore my hair down and just styled it with a straightener and hair roller here. For the color, credits to my friend Hamhee. We just kinda put random dye colors on my head in a highlights format and prayed. I pushed my hair back a bit with some white sunglasses from a random shop in Spain.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF LAGRAND
PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSTIA
PHOTO COURTESY OF DINH
PHOTO COURTESY OF THORNTON
Huron’s JV football wins against Flint Kearsley High School
1
On Aug. 28, 2024, Huron High School’s JV Football team competed against Flint Kearsley High School. Being the first game of the season for them, it was the freshmen’s first high school football game ever. Poor weather conditions led to a rain delay, and lightning paused the game for an hour. Nonetheless, the Rats took home the win in a 24-8 game.
1. Celebrating after recovering a fumble in Huron’s win against Flint Kearsley is captain Keenan Waller. After being asked about how he felt about the win, Waller said, “It felt pretty good. It was my first win in my high school career, so I was definite-
ly happy after the game.” According to him, their coach Luke Milne was the most excited. “He used to coach there. This was a win against his old team.”
2. Captain Arron Darkins runs through 3 Kearsley defenders for the first down, before being taken out of bounds.
3. Huron ready at the Line of Scrimmage and ready for the next play. Captain Rhys Harmon ready to snap the ball.
4. Benjamin Tarnutzer, tight end and defensive end, taking down a Hornet with the ball. PHOTOS BY BRODY TURNER
Huron Girls’ Golf takes on Northern Michigan’s golf courses
ANJALI NADARAJAH
CHIEF CONTENT EDITOR
Bonding over bonfires, hitting biodegradable golf balls into Lake Michigan, and most importantly, braving a whopping 45 holes of golf in just three short days. On Aug. 16, 2024, Huron’s Girls Golf Team embarked on their trip up north to New Era, Michigan, for a weekend of golfing in some of the state’s best courses. Staying at our teammate Emma Schneidewind’s cottage, we started our first day of the trip at the picturesque White Lake Golf Club, where we played 9 holes.
Celia Brown, my teammate and a rising junior at Huron really enjoyed this course. Even though she didn’t think she played her best, the company and the beautiful sights made the experience worth it.
“I liked this one especially because we weren’t keeping score, which is something we never really get to do,” she said. “I didn’t play too well to be honest, but I had just got new clubs and this was the first time I’d use some of them so it was a great opportunity to use them.”
With the sun beaming over
Lake Michigan, we woke up in the lakeside cottage on Saturday morning to play at our next course, Oceana Golf Club. This course was filled with hills and difficult greens. While this was a bit different from our home course, Washtenaw Golf Club, we learned a lot from the experience.
“This one was my absolute favorite course we played on,” Brown said. “It’s because we got a cart so we didn’t have to walk the 18 holes. It was super hilly and beautiful. Our home course, Washtenaw, is nothing compared to this course. We would driving to the next hole for at least a minute, watching the scenic, uphill views.”
That night, we decorated biodegradable golf balls into the lake next to the cottage. We each had a few balls to write about our goals for the season, and our favorite memory from this weekend. Celia’s goal was to improve her shortgame. While I was hitting my “goal” ball, which was to have a more consistent swing, the head of the driver broke off, mid swing. I guess that’s a goal I really do have to work on. For others however, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
“This was an amazing experience,” she said. “One of the golf moms bought them for us as a surprise on our final night on the trip. Hitting them into the water was a super cool experience. It was a little hard because the ground wasn’t solid and a few of us lost our balance but it added to the experience! It was super therapeutic and I highly recommend it to anyone who plays golf.”
Our last day was Sunday, where we played 18 holes at a shorter course, Benona Shores Golf Club. Walking the hills for this was tiring, but it made for the best way to end the trip on a good note. We packed up our bags and said goodbye to the cottage we made our home for the weekend.
“Our golf team was already super close to begin with, but the trip for sure made us closer,” Brown said. “Being around each other 24/7 was a fun experience, besides someone stealing my charger and taking my shower spot. Staying up late at night eating snacks, talking, and making Tiktoks was super fun. It felt like one big sleepover. Being on a team is so special because everyone is in different grades, and you get
to hear a variety of stories from different people. Overall the trip was great.”
Huron’s first match of the season was on Aug. 22, 2024, against Bedford High School.
us.
Our varsity team won, with my teammate Emmi Conrad placing first on the leaderboard. We expect a great season ahead of
Emma Schneidewind (front right), me (front left), Tia Tarnal (back right) and Ellise Baidel (back left) walking to the first hole of White Lake Golf Club. PHOTO BY EMMI CONRAD.
Spain memories: Huron Band and Orchestra’s trip to Spain
The orchestra’s first performance for the community was at the Plaza Mayor Alcaster. Numerous people from around the neighborhood gathered at the center of the square to hear the beautiful pieces. The composer of Dos Miniaturas Andaluzas, Joaquín Rodrigo, who grew up in this very square, also came to direct the orchestra as they played the piece he wrote.
Students were given the opportunity to stroll across the narrow walkway of the aqueduct. The Aqueduct, built in the 1st century A.D. was first used as a means to supply the city with water. Now it stands as a great monument for us to remember the great technologies of the past. The view was quite cool, because it was surrounded by a lot of trees. It was also interesting to think that a few decades ago, there was water running down the aquaduct.
-senior Will Sutton
You could see people come out onto their balconies to hear us perform. Despite some initial rain and wind, it was nice to play for such an appreciateive audience.
- senior Alice Choi
In Valencia, students also visited The City of Arts and Sciences. This is one of the 12 treasures of Spain. There, displays of various sculptures and art pieces from modern artists can be seen around the complex.
Montserrat was a surreal experience. I enjoyed the view from high elevation and learning about
Photo by: Emily Nelson
Photo by: Donald Yung
Photo by: Lauren Ojeda
Split into chaperone groups, students were able to go off and enjoy the remarkable views of the Mediterranean Sea and remains of what used to be the Roman Colony of Tarraco.
Photo by: Emily Nelson
Right before leaving, the students visited The Montserrat. Tour guides took the students around La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter to get a glimpse of the rich culture of Spain, providing a memorable conclusion to their journey.
the monks’ lifestyle.
-senior Lianne Liu
Photo by: Emily Hu
Graphic by: Yuanchen Zhao
The final performance was held at the Auditorio Nacional de Music de Barcelona. The entire auditorium was filled with local citizens that wanted to hear the melodic tunes of the Huron Bands and Orchestras. And with a concluding note, the performance put a beautiful end to the musical journey in Spain.
Photo by: Donald Yung
We were all surprised by the audience turnout in Barcelona, but we were happy that so many people came. -senior Myra Jamin