The Huron Emery Issue 3 December 2022

HURON EMERY

Navigating vision disability

ASHLEY KIM STAFF WRITER

For some people, reading a sign comes naturally. Sending a text takes a mere second. Cooking a meal is a simple task. Doing the laundry is easy. But for others it’s different.

All throughout the world, many people struggle with various disabilities. Disabilities can make people’s lives more challenging and can negatively impact the way they act, think, and live. Although it may not seem very common, about 650 million people in the world live with a disability. This includes some students in the Huron High School community.

Juniors Brandon Kim and Alex Harris both have a disability that affects their vision. Harris has a condition called visual snow. The cause isn’t currently known, but current information points to a neurological disorder of the visual processing in the brain cortex. Kim has a hereditary disease called stargardt’s. This causes exponential loss of his central vision.

“It’s not easy living with this condition,” Kim said. “Everything takes longer, whether it is school work or just simply finding and locating objects. My vision

also severely limits what I can do, whether that is just simply read a poster or look at a white board.”

Members of the Huron staff go above and beyond to help out students with disabilities. Bruce Popejoy is a Visual Impairment TA who works with Kim and Harris.

“Working with students with disabilities can be rewarding, very enjoyable and sometimes stressful,” Popejoy said. “ My job is to try to make it for Brandon and Alex to have the best education possible with the vision they have.”

Popejoy helps Kim and Harris by scanning in classroom materials, typing when needed, and being in class to help the teacher meet their needs. He also helps brainstorm ideas as needed for assignments or projects.

There are accommodations, such as striping on door mullions, lines on steps and special locks for lockers, for visually impaired students at Huron as well. Students also have individual accommodations, to ensure equity and to help disabled students succeed academically.

“Accommodations that I use are things such as extra time allowing me to do the same amount of work just with extended time,” Harris said. “I also use things like an iPad so I can enlarge any work

See VISION DISABILITY, PAGE 2

Illnesses sweep AAPS

MACK RESIGNS: HURON FOOTBALL COACH LEAVES AFTER THREE YEARS

ZACHARY PHELPS

STAFF WRITER

Huron football head coach Antaiwn Mack announced that he will be stepping down as head coach of the football program in an email to players and families in November.

“I’m truly blessed to have had the opportunity to build so many positive relationships with students and student athletes in such a

short period of time here a Ann Arbor Huron High School,” Mack wrote in his email. “I’m looking forward to pursuing my long time dream of coaching division one college football and spending time with my family.”

Mack turned around the program from a winless 0-41 stretch before his arrivin 2019. Mack posted a 18-17 in his four years with the program, which included three straight playoff appearances,

the program’s first playoff win and best record (8-2 in 2021 and an MHSAA top 10 team) which were both the firsts in two decades of Huron football. Even though he is no longer the coach, Mack will continue to help Huron’s football student athletes with their college recruitment before signing day on February 15th. Mack helped a total of 43

RIDHIMA KODALI & DANIEL LEE PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & NEWS EDITOR

On Dec. 2, the Ann Arbor Public School district announced in an email that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) community level has dropped down to “Low/ Green,” the lowest of three community levels.

“It just seems kind of normal now,” freshman Bea Harss said. “It seems weird to not be wearing a mask, or worrying about getting sick, or someone coughing.”

No less than a week later, on Dec. 9, the AAPS

district announced that the Washtenaw County community CDC level is at the Medium/Yellow community level, again, due to a rise of COVID cases and other illnesses.

Executive director of the AAPS community health division Jenna Bacolor and Superintendent of AAPS, Jeanice K.Swift released a district health advisory — by email — on Thursday, Dec. 15, due to an increase in illnesses in students and staff across the district. In fact, Burns Park Elementary closed the same day, due to the number of staff illnesses.

Burns Park closed again on Dec. 16, alongside

See SICKNESS, PAGE 2

Coach Antwain Mack speaks to the team during Huron’s loss to Saline on Sep. 1. PHOTO BY ZAIN CHARANIA

that I have been given. Plus, in some classes I choose to use a CCTV so that I am able to see the board and what teachers write and do on it.”

“Outside of Huron I struggle with everyday things such as transportation,” Harris said. “I am not allowed to drive a car, meaning that I have to find rides and learn about buses and other modes of transport. In the world, things such as signs, books, or paperwork are also big struggles. There are ways that things can be accommodated but a lot of the time it’s difficult to advocate on your struggles because a person often does not know how to accommodate and is not always willing to. It is something that people with disabilities often have to train for and spend part of their lives learning how to make the situation easier.”

Despite the difficulties, there are some features

SICKNESS |

FROM PAGE ONE

Tappen Middle School and Mitchell Elementary School.

On Dec. 19, A2 Steam K-8 at Northside and Tappan Middle School closed.

“We urge staff and families to take the following precautions to reduce risk and support each other,” the email reads.

Illnesses include the Influenza (flu) COVID, the common cold and other communicable diseases. Since late September, Washtenaw County has been retaining the “Medium/ Yellow” level. This means that masks are encouraged to be worn at school.

Camille Sanchez, a certified nurse practitioner at Trinity Health has noticed an increase in patients in the school year.

“Some people aren’t handling the common cold as well as they used to,” Sanchez said. “We always test for flu and COVID in the office but sometimes they don’t test positive for them and they become sick for weeks and come in with com-

made to help people with disabilities.

“Talking signs at crosswalks is a big help since it essentially lets you know when to cross,” Kim said. “Also having braille on signs is helpful, so I can know what things say.”

HARRIS, 11

There are even educational opportunities that teach them how to be independent in the future. For example, Kim and Harris take Visual Impairment (VI) Mobility. This is a course taught by Michele Danelowicz where they learn how to go out in public. They are taught how to take the bus, walk with canes and shop or make appointments so they can live independently once they finish school.

Although Kim and Harris may not be able to do everything that others can, this doesn’t stop them from doing hobbies and extracurricular activities. Harris is on the Huron water polo team, and both Kim and Harris are

mon cold symptoms thinking they have something more.”

Sanchez sees various cases of COVID, Influenza, Respiratory syncytial virus (the RSV) — a virus that affects the lungs and respiratory track — and nonspecific

on the Huron swim team.

“For water polo and swim and dive there are always unexpected situations since they’re sports and there is no script or plan to meets in water polo,” Harris said. “I very often have to make sure we have enough lighting alongside using the standard bright yellow balls. This allows for better visibility and so that I’m able to catch and throw them. For swimming and diving, again communication is the biggest piece of the puzzle alongside you as an athlete

said. “Kids also aren’t getting vaccinated like they used to be so they are susceptible to many viruses. Kids with asthma are also getting hit hard because there is a higher risk for complications with things like the flu and other upper respiratory infections.”

Bacolor and Swift recommend district families to monitor themselves for any signs of illness and to stay home if ill. They also encourage staff and students to wear masks at school.

The district has increased air ventilation, monitored and will continue to monitor illnesses, and initiated additional deep cleaning and disinfection in classrooms and schools.

understanding what your level and ability is. Something that I use is the fact that I need to be able to see the clock so I position myself in a lane that is right next to it.”

Harris also participates in theater, and Kim plays saxophone in the Huron band.

“For band, I have to memorize all my music, but listening to recordings of the music helps me memorize with the added fact I can pick it up by ear and also look at the sheet music,” Kim said.

Both Kim and Harris’ disabilities aren’t much noticeable to people who don’t know them. This can make it difficult because people aren’t aware and can’t provide the help or attention they may need.

“It very often takes me longer to figure out things or to do things,” Harris said. “It’s not because I’m not smart, it’s very often because I cannot see everything all at once and it takes a lot of time to enlarge to the point where I can see it.”

upper respiratory infections. These three illnesses are also known as the “tripledemic.”

She says that Elementary school kids are suffering the most with Influenza.

“Their immune systems are weaker,” Sanchez

“Our primary goal is to maintain sufficient staffing and district operations to protect and preserve in-school learning on every day possible, and enjoy a healthy holiday break,” the email reads.

Additional Reporting by Madeleine Pale and Robert Lynn

MACK RESIGNS

| FROM PAGE ONE

years with the program and he leaves behind a program that is ranked in the top 20 by MHSAA.

Huron will now look to hire a new coach sometime this winter before spring and summer practices start.

“All the positions have been posted and we’re waiting for candidates to apply. The good news is that candidates are applying,” said Huron Athletic Director Tony Whiren. “Hopefully by mid January we’ll set up our interview dates to interview for the new

head coach. We’ll pick our top candidates by early-mid February.”

After a decision is made at head coach, JV and Freshman coaches will be filled with input from the new coach.

Other accomplishments for Mack included MLive division 1-2 AP coach of the year (2021) and Detroit News All Metro Coach of the Year (2020 & 2021).

“

It’s difficult to advocate on your struggles because a person often does not know how to accommodate and is not always willing to.”

ALEX

Coach Antwain Mack addresses his team during a timeout. PHOTO BY ZAIN CHARANIA

GRAPHIC BY ANITA GAENKO

According to the CDC, nearly three percent of children, under the age of 18 are visually impaired or blind PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SANDRA FU

More than just jewelery More than just jewelery

GRACE PANG STAFF WRITER

Throwback to your middle school summer camp - it’s time for arts and crafts.

The counselors pull out some tape and a large bucket of colorful thread. The perfect materials for friendship bracelets. That’s right. Friendship bracelets. To some, it’s a tedious and complicated process that produces a small piece of jewelry. But to others, it’s so much more.

Senior Aico Miao’s journey with friendship bracelets started like many others - a middle school summer camp. “I

with a choice activity for the kids to do,” Miao said. “And in true summer camp fashion, we decided on friendship bracelets.”

A choice activity meant that the campers needed to pick one of three activities. The counselors of each activity needed to give a presentation to excite the campers into choosing their activity.

Making friendship bracelets is like another love language. It creates a special bond and is a way to express your appreciation to someone.

AICO

MIAO,

““For our presentation, we performed a very bad cover of “Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen, replacing the ‘marry me’ with ‘make a friendship bracelet with me,’” Miao said. “Though very off-key with around 10 minutes three choices.”

don’t even need to be gifted in order to have meaning. The time spent together is enough to leave a lasting impact.

campfire making bracelets,” Miao said. “It was just a real ly meaningful experience.”

many different variet ies and types of brace

lets, with various patterns ranging from simple chevrons to intricate dinosaurs.

“Making friendship bracelets is like another love language,” Miao said. “It creates a special bond and is a way to express your appreciation to someone.”

It starts with choos ing a pattern and colors. Then cutting the string and secur ing it with a knot and tape.

“For one of my friend’s birthday, I made a special bracelet as her gift,” Miao said. “I haven’t giv en it to her yet, but I know she’ll smile when she sees it.”

Anyone can experience the community of friendship bracelets. There are thousands of easy tutorials out there. Once you understand the basics, the rest is smooth sailing. Or technically smooth knotting. And even if there are a few bumps

mishaps, don’t worry. Each bracelet is unique in its own way.

So, grab a couple of pieces of string, some tape, put some good music on. It’s time for

Huron senior Aico Miao poses with her artwork

PHOTO BY JACKSON POLLARD

GRAPHICS BY SAMANTHA GOLDSTEIN

Scan to view Turner’s YouTube channel.

Left-Behind: A reflection on my gap year in Singapore

JAMIE TANG STAFF WRITER

In the fall of 2019, I made a crazy decision to take a gap year abroad.

I stayed at Nanyang Girls’ Boarding School, a student hostel in Bukit Timah, Singapore, an affluent area known for elite schools. I shared a room with two international students, one from Hong Kong and the other from Vietnam.

I was shocked when my supervisor explained that most students at the hostel were Singaporeans attending Nanyang Girls’ School, the best-ranked secondary school.

Later, I learned that some Singaporean families spent millions of dollars purchasing homes near elite schools to help their children ensure admission.

Every day, I peered out the window to see a row of Singapore’s elite schools: Nanyang Girls’ School, Hwa Chong Institution and Hwa Chong International School, among others.

in an affluent area and studying in a non-elite public school, I interacted with students from different cultural and economic backgrounds.

Every day as I headed for school, I would walk past the front gates guarded by a security guard. On the first day, she asked me about my age and school. I told her I was 16 and attended Sec 2 Express, the Singaporean equivalent of eighth grade at Whitley, which means I was two years older than most students

“Stop being lazy,” she said, shaking her head. “You must study hard and catch up.”

Whenever I passed the gates she would remind me to 'stop being lazy' and 'catch up.' I gave up trying to explain that I struggled academically.

JAMIE TANG, 11

Last September, two months before the final exams, I started attending Whitley Secondary School, one of the lowest-ranked secondary schools in Singapore. Locat ed in Bishan Town, nearly an hour away by bus from my hostel, it was the closest school willing to admit me.

Whenever I passed the gates, she would remind me to “stop being lazy” and “catch up.” I gave up trying to explain that I struggled academically and repeated kindergarten twice, unheard of in Singapore. Instead, I bobbed my head and moved on. Singapore’s education system values grades and rote memorization over creative thinking.

Schools in the United States encourage students to pursue their interests and passions outside of schoolwork. By contrast, Singa

porean schools only permit students to participate in one heavy-commitment co-curricular club (CCA), and students are discouraged from switching clubs. I n elite junior colleges, students undergo competitive application processes to get into their preferred CCA.

At Whitley Secondary School, the Sec 2 students were already studying complex algebraic word problems, geometry and calculus. However, in the American education system, students of the equivalent grade have only begun learning algebra.

No matter how hard I tried, I was still nowhere among the diligent students. My Hong Kong roommate,

prep school from Mondays to Saturdays from 5-11 p.m. She commuted for two hours every day to her tutoring sessions. She would burst into our dorm room past midnight, flopping onto her bed before slurping down a bowl of instant mala ramen, her dinner. My Vietnamese roommate shared stories of the education system back home: the camaraderie with her sleep-deprived classmates and the weekend when she slept for two days straight.

On the rare occasions my roommates had spare time, they would stare at their phones for four hours straight, listening to Korean pop music or scrolling through TikTok. It was their salvation—a break from a relentless routine of tutoring and tests.

On the surface, the Whitley students seemed carefree — playing badminton, cracking jokes and queuing at the Malaysian and Chinese food stalls during lunchtime — but deep down, they were the product of a system that did not believe in their blossoming potential.

Many came from financially struggling families. One of the girls in my Chinese class pulled her chair beside me and told me she had “given up a long time ago.”

Her parents and teachers had long told her she could not amount to anything. I remember the student with his jagged scars — a new one each passing day — running

along his forearm. I remember listening to the other students playing the half-broken piano in the school canteen, the music pouring out with a pinch of anguish.

Just as I thought my situation – preparing for nine final exams with two months to learn the curriculum – could not get worse, it did. The Ministry of Education rejected my application for exemption from taking the Chinese exam four days before the final exams.

“You need to study hard,” the school clerk said after informing me of the MOE’s decision.

I rubbed my reddened eyes in the open-air school hallway, dressed in a typical Singaporean school uniform: white shirt, white socks, white shoes, black hair tie and kneelength skirt.

The clerk later told me that as the officials at MOE learned that my dad was Taiwanese, they assumed I was lying and knew Chinese. In reality, I had never learned the language.

One day the security guard questioned me about my academics and age for the hundredth time, and I had enough. I smiled my brightest smile ever.

“I received perfect grades in all my classes, and I am going to the National University of Singapore next year,” I said.

After that, the security guard finally stopped telling me to be lazy. She waved goodbye when I left Singapore a few months later, ready to return home.

Tang walks on the Jubilee Bridge with her Vietnamese friend, Kathryn Pham. COURTESY OF TANG

This is according to Temple University for Survey Research American Gap Association National Alumni Survey. GRAPHIC BY SAMUEL KEREKES

Ann Arbor from a conservative: Is A2 open minded?

ZACHARY PHELPS STAFF WRITER

I am a conservative, which in today’s climate, is a dangerous thing to say. As our country becomes more and more divided, conservatives across America are looked down upon and silenced for having differing opinions. Never before has explaining that “I’m pro life” been a more polarizing statement that could alienate a room full of people. Conservatives today are labeled a stereotype of their political opinions and not by the content of their character.

As a swing state, Michigan is in the thick of the polarization of rural versus urban America. As soon as you leave urban areas like Ann Arbor or Detroit, you will see Trump flags scattered across rural Michigan along with other staples of rural America such as first roads, corn fields and tractors. This is obviously a stark contrast to the “black lives matter” signs, teslas and huge buildings found all over the urban areas. I always say, the tallest building you’ll ever see on a farm is either a barn, a windmill or a silo–never skyscrapers. To the majority of people reading this, Ann Arbor is a normal college town. However, from the conservative point of view, it’s very different.

I want to clarify some common misconceptions about conservatives that are spread throughout Ann Arbor and other primarily liberal areas. Contrary to popular belief and the increasingly

publicized, violent right-wing extremists, very few conservatives are eager to make enemies. I can tell you that very few conservatives read QAnon and wake up every day hating liberals with a burning passion. And while conservatives do have strong opinions on political issues, most conservatives simply love their country, and they want cheap groceries, low taxes and low prices at the pump. To this majority of conservatives, their emotions towards liberals are not anger and resentment, but fear.

Fear of being outright hated and ostracized, for simply disagreeing. They’re forced to hide their beliefs, which in America, is not something anyone should have to do. In places such as Ann Arbor, this needs to change. Open dialogue should be encouraged and disagreements should be celebrated instead of avoided.

In Ann Arbor, there’s at least a hint of liberal in nearly every classroom and lesson, and because of this it is easy for a conservative in Ann Arbor to feel singled out, or like a fish out of water. At times it is frustrating to go to school here. Students openly dismiss conservative views and act like there isn’t another side to a debate. Things like Fox News and former President Trump are mocked routinely. I get looked down upon because I have different belifes or termed a white supremist for, well, being white.

There is no room for open dialogue in a place

where it should be encouraged–the classroom. Labeling a white conservative as a white supremacist isn’t open mined. Instead, go ask why they’re conservative and have a conversation with them before labeling them one of the many overused and oftentimes false terms like racist and homophobe. These terms are not only hurtful, but it’s very frustrating to be called these things when they don’t apply to you. The problem is that honest, friendly, intelligent conversations are replaced by these hurtful words being blurted out. This isn’t an inviting environment to share your ideas, especially when your ideas are considered unpopular.

Our country is so great because we can have open dialogue about any

Staff Editorial: The pandemic is not over

Two years ago, we were all locked in our homes for four months. People were cleaning their groceries before bringing them into the house, wearing masks wherever they went out, and practicing social distancing. We were focused on staying safe.

So even after all of the precautions, why are we still getting sick?

With the Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus spreading through daycare centers, schools and hospitals it feels that. On Dec. 3, 2022, there were 215 new cases of Influenza in Washtenaw County. The sound of coughs and sniffles fills the hallways of Huron, as students cram for tests and work their hardest to understand the class material. As the tests

issue we choose, and while Ann Arbor boasts inclusivity, I don’t feel encouraged for free speech for all. Conservative views are oftne not even considered in classroom environments. No room is provided for criticism of things like being pro choice. Whether you agree wholeheartedly or grudgingly disagree, it’s a useful life skill to see the other side. I’m not disregarding that conservatives could also do a better job of this, they definitely should. At some point in everyone’s life, you will have to sit across from someone you disagree with. And you’ll have to work alongside them. Go around and ask teachers or your parents and see if they agree with or like everyone they work with. I guarantee I know what their

answer will be.

If you are a liberal, I challenge you to sit down and talk to the next conservative you can. Ask them why they hold certain beliefs.

Just because they’re conservative doesn’t mean they hold every single right leaning belief possible. I’m not anti vax nor am I religious in any sense. But you’d never know that if you didn’t have a polite and intelligent conversation with me.

I speak for a vast majority of conservatives when I say we don’t hate liberals by any means. We just disagree. And that’s okay, that’s the beauty of our country. At the end of the day we’re all Americans. We all stand under one flag. It’s about time we start acting like it.

According to Pew Research, 34 percent of adults in Michigan identify as Republican, while 47 percent identify as Democrats. 19 percent do not affiliate with any political party. GRAPHIC BY BRODY TURNER

The Most wonderful Time of the Year?

Christmas Pro: A season of joy

ANNA ESPER WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Music, family, decorations, tree farms, hot chocolate, candy canes, movie nights, and cookies all have one thing in common: Christmas. For however long you choose to celebrate, Christmas is a time that is surrounded by joy. If it is as simple as turning on a Christmas playlist or watching a movie, there’s something for everyone.

I grew up loving Christmas. I have looked forward to the Christmas season the day after Christmas. When the clock strikes midnight on Nov. 1, I have “It’s Beginning to Look like Christmas” blasting and my pine tree scent candle burning.

Ever since I was a little girl I have felt the excitement. I could tell as soon as the decorations on every street, store, restaurant, or house went up how everyone seemed to give a little extra into caring for others. Everyone that surrounds my life, through personal or outside sources, works to give back to people that are less fortunate than them.

To me, the holiday is not about gifts or Santa. Christmas is about giving back to the community and the people you love.

I am not religious, nor is my family. I have never known what it is like to go to church on Christmas or participate in different religious activites surrounding the holiday.

Growing up, I know that a large part of Chrsitmas was religious. Although I do not celebrate the religious aspect of the holiday, I think it is very special that a large group of people

can come together and spread joy.

Additionally, I am very close with my family. Celebrating with my family has always been something that I look forward to every year. If it is decorating the house filled with ornaments and knick knacks, movie nights, going to see Christmas lights, baking cookies, or more, there is always a memory created. Being able to remember things from the past while also making new memories is a highlight of the holiday season.

I am very lucky to have family and friends that are close to me and enjoy celebrating this time together. Being able to celebrate the holidays with the people that I love is something that I am very grateful for. Being able to make unique memories and not stress is something that I am very privileged to have.

Throughout my life, I have been able to donate to people in need. I have been a part of many teams and groups, and I have always seen people who want to make Christmas a special time for everyone. The season is not about getting gifts or peppermint-flavored treats, although that is part of the holiday. The season is about giving back and celebrating what brings you joy. That is the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Con: A season of pity

JACKSON POLLARD PHOTO EDITOR

Christmas in America is definitively the most pitiful time of the year. Overly religious, diminishing natural resources, and blatant classism. The Christmas spirit is in essence just the idea of fabricated happiness behind a great wall of monetary freedom based on the complex of commercialism.

My deeply rooted hatred for the holiday stems from the overwhelming romanticization of the Christian holiday. Every single television channel starts their Christmas themes the second Thanksgiving is over and then the force feeding of the holiday spirit commences.

Starting with food, peppermint is the most overrated Chrstmas flavor. It recieves an exceeding amount of hate over the course of the year when it’s found in foods like mint chocolate chip ice cream, but a peppermint mocha latte when it drops below 50 degrees just happens to be a Starbucks best seller. The absolute buffoonery that is the American Christmas promotion of everyday things with hot chocoate and a 50% flash sale on all items marked with a stupid red ornament sticker ruins the lives of re tail workers across the country as they sip on a peppermint mocha out of their free red cup from sStarbucks. Now

Happy Holidays: It’s not always about Christmas

GOLDSTEIN DESIGN EDITOR

Growing up, I always felt like Christmas was the “default” holiday, and I, as someone who doesn’t celebrate it, was part of the “other” category. I constantly found myself jealous of how my neighbors’ extravagant light displays lit up their front yards, just like the way my friends’ faces would light up every time a Christmas song came on the radio. My house, on the other hand, was like a black hole in a sea of colorful galaxies– not a Christmas

light in sight– and I didn’t know the words to a single Christmas song. So naturally, as an impressionable girl who always tried her best to fit in, I always felt left behind as the end of the year approached.

My holiday imposter syndrome began at a young age during a trip to Disneyland. I had spent all day looking forward to the parade, and finally, when the time came, I was ecstatic. I watched as all of my favorite characters rode by on their extravagant floats decked out in lights and flowers– Cinderella, Ariel, Mickey Mouse, and… an old

man with a beard and a red suit? At the time I had no idea who Santa was, or why it seemed like every other child in the park started cheering as his float passed by. Though it seems ridiculous now, it felt like everyone else was in on a secret that was intentionally being kept from me.

As I grew older, I learned that this “secret” was called Christmas, and though it appeared to be the only holiday recognized by much of society, it’s not even close to being the only holiday celebrated as each year comes to a close and a new one begins.

onto Santa. Of all the holidays with mascots and themes, why was it decided that a fat, caucasian, and surprisingly nimble cat burglar who, for some reason, knows everything about every child was chosen to be the face of Christmas?

Nothing about good ol’ Saint Nick screams Christian church, but the astounding amount of Virgin Mary and baby Jeses lawn statues could make a little sense.

The blanket of snow that never happens to fall on the day of Christmas is my favorite piece of Christmas misery symbolism. The thought of every broken-hearteed child waking up to a cold and barren wasteland that is modern day suburbia warms my heart.

Bratty American children who expect an unholy amount of presents under a tree that didn’t ask to be ripped out of the ground need to be humbled with bare ground outside their window and not a drop of hot chocolate waiting for them in the morning to go with the dry and over-frosted sugar cookie.

Incredibly lucky to grow up with a diverse group of friends, I learned many of the other winter celebrations that coincide with Christmas, like Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and of course, Hanukkah, the holiday I celebrate. However, while all my classmates received class parties and activities like Secret Santa catered towards their holiday, it seemed like Hanukkah wasn’t even given a second thought. While two weeks were given off of school for Christmas every year, my classes gave tests during Hanukkah.

Growing up, even as someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas, it has always seemed like Christmas was the most important holiday. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only holiday. Everyone is just one person in a sea of many different types of people and it’s extremely important to recognize and appreciate that. No matter what holiday you celebrate, the winter season is about coming together– nobody should feel left out.

SAMANTHA

GRAPHICS BY SAMANTHA GOLDSTEIN

Part of our curriculum in AAPS covers reproductive health, which focuses mainly on abstinence. However, in mainstream media, and according to statistics, some teens choose to be sexually active. For this edition of The Emery, our staff thought it would be important to cover the experiences of teens so that students know the narrative is not always the same for each person. Every person should have access to information to make their own choice, and no one should be shamed for what they decide. As there is a lot of stigma around this topic, there are some anonymous sources, as a staff we chose to respect their privacy as they shared their stories. We included resources and narratives to help continue to educate the community on how to make the most informed decisions around their sexual health.

My relationship with sex: A journey

Being naked in front of another person is weird. I think that’s something that people turn a blind eye to when thinking about sex. Sex is a fascinating and deep rabbit hole, but my experience with developing my perception and understanding of sex was a journey of obsession, maturity, and reconstruction.

Leading up to high school, there was always this underlying competition between all of the boys in my grade about the sexual experiences we had. Once the conversation started, it would be difficult to stop.

“How much have you done?”

“How far have you gone?”

“She said she’d do that with you?!”

Those are just a few among the many things that I have heard or admittedly said to others. I have found that in society today, the idea that is expected for teenage boys to be have sex or to be intimate with one or more partners is heavily perpetuated.

As a byproduct of this rarely spoken about

competition, I became desperate and obsessive to have sex or to experience intimacy. I began to connect sex with conformity over pleasure, and associate sexual prowess with social heirarchy.

I was only 12.

Now, I’m 17, and my thinking surrounding sex has severely shifted. But I don’t think that I’m a one in a million case. I would be willing to bet that many boys my age now struggled or continue to struggle with the same unhealthy dissociation with sex, and I wish I could tell them all that they are not as ready as they think they are. They just have a misconception about the meaning of sex. So many people have different definitions of being “ready” to have sex, and I think that it depends on the person what their definition of being prepared and mentally ready to face what sex truly is.

Because my obsession was with the idea of sex, and what it would mean for me socially, I never really processed whether I was even ready.

But maturing with the idea of sex was something that came from really thinking about what sex involves, and what having sex may mean for me and the person I’m having

it with. That’s what sex is all about, really. It’s about the fact that there’s another person involved. Sex is a natural biological interaction between two people, not one. So naturally, I didn’t expect to hesitate when I encountered a mental blockade.

“You mean to tell me, I have to let another person see me naked?”

Like I said at the beginning, being naked in front of another person is weird. It may not be bad or good, just a strange idea to wrap your head around. Accepting my personal image of my own body was extremely important in helping me become ready to have sex. The naked body is any human’s most authentic physical form, and I had to come to terms with exposing that vulnerable side of myself unequivocally to another person.

But it’s a matter of trust. I may or may not have been entirely confident with my own body before I had sex, but I trusted another person enough to know that even if I looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw, they still might. A lot of young men don’t understand that, and don’t think it entirely through that maybe they would rather

not have someone see them fully nude. That ties into probably the most important aspect of sex and the true catalyst in helping me develop a strong sense of sexual maturity: the other person involved. I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with a mother who allowed me to be independent and who gave me someone who I could always confide in. Naturally one day, we began to talk about sex and its meaning, and she said something to me that has stuck ever since I heard it.

“I don’t want your first time to be shameful or something bad to look back on, I want you to have a healthy and comfortable first experience with sex.”

I had asked her why she was okay with me and my partner being intimate in my room while she was home, and the reassurance in her response meant the world to me. But it also made me realize how much sex is stigmatized. Having sex for the first time is already a leap of faith above all leaps of faith, but having sex and having to make sure it’s hidden and it’s to no one’s knowledge makes it miles more complicated and unenjoyable.

When I had sex for the first time, it was in my room, in my house, and yes — my parents were home. I was lucky enough to have sex with someone I felt comfortable with and who was willing to be a guide, helping me establish my boundaries in the bedroom and let me figure out what made me comfortable.

One’s sexuality, comfort and boundaries are extremely tender and impressionable during an initial intimate experience, and sex should never be rushed or shameful.

Sex is entirely made meaningful by the compassion and trust instilled in the other party, and having a distorted idea of sex in one’s mind can ruin how special the experience can be.

Sex is scary, it’s intimidating, and it’s a part of human life. The biggest advice I would give to another person who is unsure of their relationship with sex is to make sure to be educated and safe with your body. For those who want to or are even desperate to have sex: don’t view sex as a milestone, view it as an enjoyable experience that’s entirely up to you to be ready for.

ANONYMOUS

GRAPHICS BY KELLY PARK

It’s time to unpack and deconstruct the stigma of sex

ZAIN CHARANIA SPORTS EDITOR

Growing up in a religious, South-Asian household, I had always thought that sex or learning the meaning of sex was taboo or a sin. In Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS), our first required instructional learning about sex is in the fifth grade when students are only nine or 10, with a curriculum in fifth grade regarding sexual education. I know parents who thought it was absurd to be telling nine-year-olds important things to learn about their bodies and how to protect themselves which enforces strong stigmatization.

Caitlin Van Cleve, a guidance counselor at Huron, has personally seen the effect on the students she works with when it comes to the norms that society places on women.

And how these norms are damaging and falsely represent society as a whole.

“In media, you see that when a woman decides to have sex the shaming increases,” Van Cleve said. “It further entrenches the stereotype.”

The stereotype is carried over and over throughout society specifically in schooling systems.

“Students come in all the time with relationship issues and from time to time the health of the relationship boils down to sex or the pressure to have sex,” Van Cleve said, “There is still a double standard between males and females.”

Each person has their own journey when it comes to making big decisions about their bodies and how much they want to share physically and emotionally. The best way to prevent pregnancy, STIs/STDs is abstinence. There is also an emotional side to being physical

with another person, which our great counselors are prepared to help anyone with.

Although parents do have to sign off in AAPS for elementary sexual education, some may think that is too early or the content was too strong to be teaching to kids. However, sexual education is not strong enough in some places, with school boards all over the country teaching abstinence-only sex ed and providing a negative stigma. The stigmatization of sex in school is the most damaging part, 75 percent of Huron students believe that sexual education is stigmatized in school according to an anonymous poll.

According to the National Library of Medicine study “Why We Need More Comprehensive Sex Education,” by author Virginia J. Vitzthum, who has been conducting research on reproduction for over 20 years, teen pregnancy rates directly correlate with the type of

teaching and conversations had regarding sex.

“After accounting for other factors, the national data show that the incidence of teenage pregnancies and births remain positively correlated with the degree of abstinence education across states: The more strongly abstinence is emphasized in state laws and policies, the higher the average teenage pregnancy and birth rate,” Vitzthum reported.

In states like Texas and Louisiana, this is very prevalent with teen pregnancy abnormally higher than in states with contraception sexual education. Although more states and educational systems are working towards contraception vs. abstinence education, they are not doing enough to educate and remove the stigma when it comes to sexual health. There are still some common myths portrayed in our lives daily about the stigma or construct of virginity. Many myths are portrayed in the media and society.

It is damaging as a man to see men “hype up” other men when they have sexual intercourse but then slut-shame a woman for participating in the same thing. I have personally seen so many instances where men are congratulated while women are shamed.

Don’t let others pressure you into something you are not comfortable with. And stand up for your peers. It is not ok to shame anyone for choices they make. Because until we become more supportive of others, the double standard is there no matter the choice: It’s hard to miss — almost impossible to miss.

JAMIE TANG STAFF WRITER

Where it started In the 19th century, sex education became a public issue as American soldiers and sailors acquired sexually transmitted infections (STIs). On July 9, 1918, the U.S. federal government passed the ChamberlainKahn Act to combat the spread of STIs. The Chamberlain-Kahn Act set the American Plan in motion during World War II when U.S. officials arrested tens of thousands of Americans — almost exclusively women — suspected of having STIs. The U.S. officials detained the women who tested positive in penal institutions and injected them with mercury or other arsenic-based drugs, the syphilis treatment at the time.

In 1964, Dr. Mary Calderone founded the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States to

promote comprehensive sex education. In 1981, the AIDS epidemic started — 84.2 million people worldwide acquired the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — changing the course of sex education in America. “There is now no doubt that we need sex education in schools and that it must include information on heterosexual and homosexual relationships,” Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said in a 1984 TIME cover story. “We must be as explicit as necessary to get the message across. You can’t talk of the dangers of snake poisoning and not mention snakes.”

According to Planned Parenthood, “Beginning in the 1980s, a debate began in the United States between a more comprehensive approach to sex education, which provided information about sexual health — including contraception — and abstinenceonly programs.

Education about sex and

sexuality in U.S. schools progressed in these two divergent directions. The former was based on the belief that medically accurate and comprehensive information about sexual health would decrease risk-taking behaviors among young people. The latter was based on the erroneous belief that medically accurate, comprehensive information would increase risk-taking behaviors among young people.”

Moving into the 2000s

In 2008, the McCain-Palin campaign released an ad titled “Education” critiquing Barack Obama for supporting “legislation to teach comprehensive sex education’ to kindergarteners” showing a longstanding debate over sex education. The ad referenced an Illinois state Senate bill that lowered the age limit for comprehensive sex education and mandated discussions for

kindergarteners to be “age appropriate.”

“We want to make sure that [sex education is] medically accurate and age-appropriate,” Obama said in a 2004 U.S. Senate debate.

Unpacking the extending history of sex education “

“One of the things my wife and I talked to our six-year-old daughter about is the possibility of somebody touching them inap-propriately and what that might mean. And that was included specifically in the law so that kindergarteners can exercise some possible protection against abuse.”

To support evidencebacked comprehensive sex education, the Obama administration redirected funds from the Community-based Abstinence Education Program to launch the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) in 2010.

The TPPP awarded 81 five-year federal grantees to teen pregnancy programs and research. In July 2017, the Trump administration recalled the grantees two years early and, in 2018, released a budget proposal to invest $277 million in abstinence-only programs. The Trump administration faced several lawsuits from Planned Parenthood chapters and eight other agencies over terminating the TPPP grants.

The Debate Goes On

“There is a kind of a cultural backlash these days against the idea that public schools are conveying more liberal attitudes,” History teacher Kathryn Jones said. “I went to high school in the early ‘80s when sex education was much more conservative, and what I was taught was not what my children were taught in the past 10 years.”

Between 1998 and 2016, the United States government invested over $2 billion in abstinenceonly-until-marriage policies and programs (AOUM), despite research suggesting AOUM programs are ineffective. AOUM programs focus only on abstinence while withholding information about human sexuality, including STIs, reproductive health, and sexual assault. A study by the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine shows that AOUM programs prevent sexually experienced adolescents from accessing “complete and accurate information about contraception, legal rights to health care, and ways to access reproductive health services.”

Furthermore, the study describes how AOUM programs stigmatize and isolate LGBTQ+ youths.

“[The LGBTQ+ community] should not be demonized,” said an anonymous Huron sophomore who identifies as

There’s a kind of a cultural backlash these days against the idea that public schools are conveying more liberal attitudes.

KATHRYN JONES

GRAPHICS BY KELLY PARK

DANIEL LEE NEWS EDITOR

According to survey data from The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one in nine girls and one in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual assault. However, only about 25 percent of those students disclose their experiences. Many high school students have a hard time sharing their trauma related to sexual harrasment, especially those who were or currently are victimized. Although students are not obligated to speak about their experiences, there are many possible reasons why they hesitate telling their stories to others.

Stop normalizing sexual victimization

goes against everyone else in the group. These socio-environmental influences often desensitize students

of sexual assault among teenagers is especially dangerous because students voluntarily force themselves to accept boundaries they are uncomfortable with and

Surrounded by a community of people around the same age, students are easily influenced by their peers and friends. Students often tend to conform to and mimic behaviors to prevent themselves from becoming the outcast that

unwanted physical contact from their peers, students tend to hesitate showing their discomfort thinking how their expressions could make them seem too sensitive and unfitting of their friend group.”

Despite the normalization of sexual assault among students, there are also students at Huron who are actively working to spread awareness about sexual victimization. As the Co- president of the SAAC, Nordin wanted to provide an open environment for Huron students to freely discuss and share their thoughts on sexual“Studentsvictimization. hide their

experience with sexual assault because they do not have a safe place to talk about it,” Nordin said. “Our goal is to prevent those students from thinking that it is their fault for what happened to them, because it is never their fault.”

The Sexual Assault Awarness Club meets every other Monday at room 4307. Along with the goal of providing a safe environment for victims of sexual assault, SAAC emphasizes the importance of educating all students on the topic of sexual victimization.

“Students should be responsible about the jokes and assumptions they make towards the people experiencing sexual assault,” Nordin said. “We cannot tolerate those behaviors that normalize sexual assault for the safety of all students at Huron.”

BY KELLY PARK AND ALLISON MI

GRAPHICS

You are not in the Queue: A fan’s worst fear

ANNA ESPER WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Nov. 15, 2022, Pre-sale began for Taylor Swift’s The Era’s Tour. After my dad and I received a pre-sale code, I wiped the worried tears away and started preparing for “war” the next day. As I texted family and friends about the plan for the next day, I had positive thoughts. Those quickly went away.

When Taylor Swift announced her upcoming tour, I was ecstatic. I ran towards the front of the classroom to my friends and teacher while reading Swift’s Instagram post. I couldn’t believe I would have the chance to see the artist that I have loved and stood by for almost eight years again. Then, I saw two of my favorite artists Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams were opening for Swift and I couldn’t control my excitement. I had to go.

For all concerts and sporting events, companies use Tickwetmaster to purchase tickets.

a raffle style, so the process is completely random.

As soon as the waiting room opened for Nashville May fifth tickets, it crashed. Before the sale had even started the website had already crashed. As chaos spread through my family, I started frantically spending texts explaining what to do.

Once the sale began, it seemed like every fan had 2,000 plus fans in front of them for tickets. The queue went frozen around an hour after the first hour of waiting. The queue continued to stay frozen for two more hours.

Ticketmaster tweeted that there was an “unprecedented demand with millions showing up to buy tickets to TaylorSwiftTix Presale.”

Ticketmaster were the ones who sent out the codes that gave fans the opportunity to buy tickets. They had all the numbers.

out of Dynamic Pricing, ticket prices were not the same as what was reported. When fans would go in to buy their tickets, ticket prices were not what they originally were. One example of this is that nosebleeds were originally supposed to be $45.00 but they raged to $99.00 or more.

This also means whole sections of seats would disappear while checking out.

ets coming from Ticketmaster first. Ticketmaster runs everything.

After waiting hours and hours, many fans who had boosts from Swift’s team, who have been fans for years, did not get tickets. Thousands of people were left with no tickets, but tears instead.

Wakanda Forever: A satisfying sequel

JAIA LAWRENCE STAFF WRITER

Ticketmaster uses

For events that have high demand, Ticketmaster gives fans the opportunity to sign up for Verified Fan or pre-sale. To sign up, fans have to select the dates that they want. The day before the presale begins, fans receive an email communicating if they were selected or waitlisted. If you get selected, you receive a code to be able to participate in the sale.

Ticketmaster were the ones who gave out the amount of codes. They should have understood millions of fans would want tickets to this tour. We aren’t talking about an underground artist, we are talking about Taylor Swift.

Around 1:30 pm, the queue was not frozen anymore, fans began to be kicked out of the queue and put back to the end of the line. For me, it took three more hours to get to the page to buy tickets. For some fans, it took longer.

Although Swift opted

Once fans (including myself) finally got tickets that didn’t get the pop-up notification that said “Sorry! Another fan beat you to these tickets!” some got kicked out and sent back to the queue or were told they couldn’t purchase the tickets on their device. I was lucky enough to find seats after experiencing this problem.

It is not fair to kick fans out of their cart, back to the queue, when they have already had their credit card charged. Money should not be the first priority. Ticketmaster’s monopoly should not be allowed.

In the ticket industry, Ticketmaster is the only company that is safe for fans to purchase tickets without being spammed. To add, everything revolves around Ticketmaster. The first place that you can buy tickets is on Ticketmaster. Additionally, Ticketmaster helps set the price for tickets. Ticketmaster doesn’t give other companies a fair opportunity to profit from tickets without the tick-

After Capital One’s presale the next day, Ticketmaster had to cancel the general sale. This meant that fans who got waitlisted or were able to get tickets before, do not have that opportunity anymore. This is not the first time Ticketmaster has made awful mistakes. I have experienced Ticketmaster’s issues many times, as someone who attends concerts frequently, but this was a different level of unacceptable. But with attempting to buy Taylor Swift tickets, this was the boiling point.

Swift responded to fans through Instagram. In Swift’s statement, she stated that she was extremely disappointed in the way that Ticketmaster handled the sale. Swift also apologized for the buying experience to fans who were able to get tickets, while also sharing that she will work to give real fans the tickets they deserve.

The way Ticketmaster handled the situation was unfair and outrageous.

By the end of the day, my face was swollen from crying all day. An experience that is supposed to be fun and exciting turned out to be heartbreaking and miserable.

Artists shouldn’t allow their fans to go through this draining experience. I was in line for tickets for six to seven hours. That is longer than the actual concert. Many fans and families took the day off work, skipped school, and canceled appointments for these tickets. Fans should not be a joke.

There needs to be a way where buying tickets is exciting again. It is not fair to the fans who were left in tears from this experience. Fans are people, and people deserve a fair opportunity.

Fans deserve better.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” directed by Ryan Coogler is a perfect homage to Chadwick Boseman. The film starts off with Shuri, played by Leitia Wright, trying to save her brother T’challa’s, played by Boseman, life. A vibrant funeral showcasing the celebration of life, rather than loss take place right at the start of the movie. Coogler’s creation of this moment was done well with incorporating the death of T’challa and the death of the actor. It felt like one of those movies where recasting someone else to fit into Boseman’s role wouldn’t have worked.

The plot of the flim is the nation of Wakanda faces multiple threats due to T’challa’s decision to share with the world the power of vibranium. Wakanda ends up being accused for the mysterious death of a crew looking for the precious metal. Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, the inventor of the device that found the underwater vibranium is being sought after by Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta and his people with the fear of his underwater kingdom being exposed. When it comes to setting, the city of Talocan was so beautiful. The colors and some of the effects underwater I found inspiring.

In typical Marvel fashion, you must wait through the entire credits. During the end credits scene it was nice to know that Shuri is not all that is left of her family. It also makes me wonder how did Queen Ramonda and Shuri not notice anything weird prior to Nakia leaving Wakanda. Shuri becoming the next Black Panther after the death of her brother made more sense. Wright does a wonderful job portraying the emotions during her scenes, especially since Shuri goes through so much in various scenes.

I highly recommend this film to anyone, even non-Marvel fans. Make sure you watch the first Black Panther movie before watching the sequel. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Huron English teacher Sarah Anton attempting to get Taylor Swift tickets COURTESY OF ANTON

One Bowl: A family-owned resturant in Ann Arbor

DANIEL LEE STAFF WRITER

You’re walking downtown on a cold and windy day and stop to enjoy a warm and savory bowl of pho noodles.

You’re surrounded by welcoming decorations and your close friends. You slurp some noodles with some broth and feel like you’re being wrapped up in a blanket, like you’re melting in a hot bath.

This special experience is offered at One Bowl Asian Cuisine, a restaurant in Downtown Ann Arbor that offers a variety of Asian dishes while also fostering a cozy and homey interior.

One Bowl serves dishes from Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese cultures, ensuring that there is a dish for just about anyone. Some of the most popular entrees include pho, Japanese ramen, as well as bulgogi and curry rice. The roots of the restaurant can be traced back to the owner, Unyeon Choi.

“One Bowl Asian Cui-

sine was born because I’ve always loved cooking and decorating, and because we believe that good friends share good food,” Choi said. “I’ve always wanted to make people happy by giving them a warm, homey, cozy place where they can eat and stay to meet friends or read a book.”

Choi, who lived in Korea until college, studied fashion design in Rochester, New York, until she got married and moved to Ann Arbor in 1999. She then worked as a waitress and housecleaner until opening One Bowl during the summer of 2016.

She already knew what it meant to take on a restaurant, and not only prioritized the food but also the interior design.

The experience that Choi had when opening up One Bowl explains why it’s such an amazing place to eat and spend time with loved ones.

“Food helps us make new friends and sustain old friendships,” Choi said.

Bread-breaking has

historically been known as a pillar for cultures across the world, connecting people and enabling them to enjoy good times together, and One Bowl is a business that holds this belief dearly.

What makes the food at One Bowl so comforting to eat is the fact that it’s made from a place of love and tradition. One Bowl also prides itself on having authentic Asian food, and Choi learned many of the recipes featured in the menu from her mother.

“Our dishes like our

Kimchi are made the traditional way, with my family’s old recipes,” Choi said.

The Kimbap featured on the menu is also a traditional Korean food that is handmade in the kitchen. Customers also appreciate One Bowl’s cozy and homey atmosphere.

The walls of One Bowl are filled with artworks and posters containing positive messages or quotes. Depending on the season or Holidays being celebrated, Choi sometimes stays at the

restaurant until early morning putting up new decorations.

“When all things are done with love, amazing things will happen,” Choi said.

One Bowl prioritizes the experience of its customers, offering a place for people to feel comfortable and at home.

Choi believes strongly that people should always find time for the things that make them feel happy to be alive. So if you’re ever downtown or looking to try some Asian dishes, consider stopping by One Bowl for a meal.

Lee’s family restarant “One Bowl” serves dishes from Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines. PHOTO BY DANIEL LEE

Food helps us make new friendships and sustain old friendships.

UNYEON CHOI

Fun & Frustrating: The Rise of Fantasy Sports

ZACHARY PHELPS STAFF WRITER

Since the 90s, fantasy sports have gone from fun with friends on the side to a full blown transformation of sports media consumption which involves millions of both dollars and people. You may have heard your family, friends or boss talk, brag or cheer about them, and to the nonsports fan, fantasy sports definitely make no sense whatsoever. This is fantasy football for dummies. What they are, why people play–and get so invested–and what is behind the rapid rise of fantasy sports.

WHAT ARE FANTASY SPORTS?

Each player, or manager, gets to draft their own team with players from every team. They’re called fantasy sports because each team is stacked with great players that would never actually play together on the field, thus allowing managers to make their own dream squads with all their favorite players. The amount of teams in the fantasy league as well as roster size usually depends on the sport of the league that’s being played. Fantasy football is by far the most popular, however fantasy basketball, hockey and baseball are available. The ladder will take a back seat, as they are more niche and not as mainstream. Fantasy teams then earn points for everything their player does. Yards gained, receptions, touchdowns scored, all of the above. On surface, it seems dumb. Why does anyone care about a fake roster with virtual points that doesn’t have any actual impact on the real game itself? Why would people waste their time getting invested in something so luck based that they have almost no control over?

WHY DO PEOPLE PLAY?

The simple answer is because it’s fun. But it goes beyond that for the majority of people. For sports fans, it’s the emotional factor. You get to draft your own team, with players that you think will play well, make trades and sign players from waivers. You get to be the general manager of your own team, and that is an absolute dream for almost every sports fan. It is a hard thing to understand if you don’t watch sports, but that’s part of the reason so many people play fantasy sports. Another aspect of it is that you can play it with friends and family. Many fantasy football leagues get together for the draft, which often includes a night of eating, bragging and trash talking. Anything with family, friends and trash talk is fun, and fantasy sports has those in droves.

FUN & FRUSTRATING:

Fantasy sports are fun and frustration all wrapped into one. The

guy who was absent during the draft and had the computer (auto-draft) make all his picks for him, can win the league. The new player who knows nothing about football? Yep they can win too. All while the guy who spent hours on draft preparation finishes last in the league. No matter how much research you do (or don’t do), most of fantasy sports comes down to luck. Whether it’s your opponent’s star player getting hurt in the first quarter, or you scoring the second most points in the league, only to be playing the guy that scored the most that week. Your star first-round pick could tear their ACL in week two, or you could pick the league winning running back in the seventh round. This luck aspect is what makes fantasy sports so fun when you’re winning, and so damn frustrating when you’re losing. And as sports as a whole, this roller coaster is what draws players in and keeps them playing season after season.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE RECENT GROWTH?

The growth of the NFL since the 90s is tied hand-in-hand with fantasy football and has primarily allowed fantasy football to grow as big as it has become. There would be no fantasy football without the NFL. The NFL has never–and will never–turn their backs to a dollar. Add two and two together, and you get the boom of the fantasy football market. The biggest way that the NFL has catered to fantasy football is rule changes. The league has made multiple rule changes that make it easier for offenses to go on productive drives and score touchdowns. Penalties such as the new roughing the passer penalty, making it almost impossible to hit the quarterback at all. Illegal contact and pass interference penalties also make it much more difficult for defenders to be physical with receivers downfield, thus giving receivers and offenses as a whole a huge advantage.

Fantasy sports are an interesting experience. If you don’t already play, try it out. It’s the best combination of fun and frustrating. Fun if you’re winning, and it sucks if you’re not. Some research is a good idea for players new to fantasy and be prepared for ruthless league mates who will try to gain every advantage they can. Enjoy the brutal fun that is fantasy football.

Defense struggles as River Rats men’s hockey falls 8-3 to Saline

ZACHARY PHELPS STAFF WRITER

The River Rats men’s hockey team dropped to 2-3 on the season, losing their second straight game, this time to Saline.

The Rats were behind from puck drop and never had a legit chance to pull through and win this game. Saline thoroughly dominated for three periods on their way to an 8-3 win. They mustered only 20 shots and had limited time in the offensive zone as two of the Rats’ three goals came in transition play.

D zone struggles.

The Rats spent the majority of this game on their heels in their own zone, and giving up eight goals is the unsurprising result. Huron allowed Milan sophomore goalie Nathan Bowman to be pounded with over 40 shots on goal because of this poor defense.

The Rats struggled to clear the puck out of their zone, and when they did, it always ended up right back in. If it weren’t for Bowman, the score would look even worse, but Bowman held firm when he had chances. Huron’s D

core just couldn’t contain the skill and finesse of Saline’s forwards, allowing attackers to toe drag and power by them on multiple occasions, which resulted in attackeron-goalie one on ones that are nearly impossible to stop.

Poor defense in front of him was the primary reason for Bowman’s .813 save percentage and 8 goals against.

A consistent attack was non-existent.

The Rats were unable to get any sort of consistent offensive attack going on this game. They were suffered by Saline’s D core and had extremely limited chances. Their entries into the offensive zone were sloppy and oftentimes resulted in pucks sliding to places where no Huron player was present.

The Rats looked out of sync in the offensive zone and because of this they never got quality o-zone time, even on the power play. When the Rats did have the man advantage, the special teams were stagnant and was never a real threat.

The special teams penalty kill was slightly

Senior Defenseman Thomas Hart crosses the puck up the rink during Huron’s loss to Saline on November 29. As of December 13, Huron Hockey now has a 4-4 record this season. PHOTO BY SANDRA FU

Huron basketball wins home opener against Grass Lake

GINA KO FEATURE EDITOR

Sophomore Saige Edmonson makes a pass to freshman Alia Anthony 2.

by three defenders, freshman Alia Anthony attempts to break free for a shot

Sophomore Saige Edmonson attempts a contested shot

Coach Scott Hunter talks to the players during a time-out

Two Rats scramble for a loose ball

Looking for an open teammate, junior Ariella Beal scans the court

On a full court press, junior Nyla Allen protects the ball from defense 8. Junior Kennedy Hutchings looks to penetrate the defense 9. Huron ended the game with a great victory against Grass Lake 41-38