TOWER the
In loving memory of Jeff Nardone Aug. 23, 1965 - Nov. 3, 2013
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015 Volume 88 Issue 7 thetowerpulse.net
A WEEKLY TRADITION SINCE 1928
@thetowerpulse
Gross e Pointe S outh, 11 Gross e Pointe B oule vard, Gross e Pointe Far ms, Michigan 48236
Varsity soccer takes home district title
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ADAM CERVONE ’17 // Pulse Section Editor ith a score of 1-0, the varsity boys soccer team won the third round of MHSAA Districts last Saturday, Oct. 24, against De La Salle Collegiate High School. The team entered the district championships following a 7-0 win against Roseville last Thursday, tri-captain Garrett Weidig ’16 said. During the first three min-
utes of the game, the team scored three goals. “After an easy game on Thursday, we knew that there needed to be some mental changes with our game,” Oliver Livingston ’17 said. “The team needed a good night of rest on Friday and a good warm up the morning of the game.” Tri-captain Jackson Rosati ’16 said the district finals
could have been the last game of his high school career and he, along with the other seniors, were ready to give everything they had on the field. “We came into this game knowing that it was going to be a level of play that we were not used to,” Rosati said. “All of our players came out with the highest energy possible, hoping to surprise the skilled
De La Salle team.” The game remained tied at 0 for most of the first half, with both teams competing for the title of District 12 Champions and an opportunity to advance to the Regional Semi-Finals. “There was no point throughout that game that we thought we were going to lose, we knew we were the superior team,” Kotas said. Livingston cut the tie with only seconds left in the half, taking a shot from 25 yards away that curved to the top right corner of the net, giving the team a lead of 1-0. “The bench
was alive,” Ryan Kotas ’17. “It was one of the best shots from the team this whole season, and with it being with only seconds left in the first half it gave us a much needed mental edge for the rest of the game.” Goalie Morgan Clevenger ’17 recorded a shut-out for the game. “It was an amazing feeling,” Livingston said. “It could not have been any better, but the best part was that my team was right there beside me, working hard for a chance to go to states.”
NUMBER ONE // Varsity soccer teams takes a picture with their trophy from their 1-0 game. The semi-finals take place today against Canton.
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COMING SOON:
64 new security cameras to improve school safety
JENNIFER MAIORANA ’16 // Editor-in-Chief people to think it’s not safe. I don’t want parents All of the 64 outdated security cameras to say, ‘What do you mean you can’t see things,’” throughout campus will be replaced with new, Hamka said. “I don’t want to create turmoil, but multi-functional cameras within two months, I always want to say, ‘Yes, there is a need’.” Administrators use security cameras at Superintendent Gary Niehaus said. “They can shoot four ways and zoom off of school to verify cases of vandalism, hallway inthem; whereas the other ones are mono-cam- fractions and accidents, Hamka said. Cameras eras, which means they can only shoot in one are not inside classrooms or in other private direction,” Niehaus said. “These newer versions areas. “It’s always helpful to allow you to zoom in and have cameras -- that extra zoom out while taking a 360 set of eyes -- to corroborate degree picture.” It’s always helpful to stories,” Hamka said. “With As part of the recommenhave cameras -- that a building our size and the dation from Complianceextra set of eyes -- to large student population that One, the district’s contracted corroborate stories. we have, it’s an integral part security team, Niehaus said of what we do here.” the security cameras at both MOUSSA HAMKA In fact, on Tuesday, Oct. North and South will be rePRINCIPAL 20, the administration team placed. caught a case of vandalism Principal Moussa Hamka in the bathrooms using the said the improved cameras security cameras. will help secure the school more effectively. “We were able to retrieve the footage from “After the rewiring project, we have had a few cameras that have not been operational due the cameras and identify the student,” Hamka to technical difficulties,” Hamka said. “Tech- said. “The student has admitted responsibility, nology has evolved and at this point in time, will be paying restitution and will be suspendwe need to look for an upgrade. How do I let ed.” To clarify, Assistant Principal Terry Flint people know that what we have is working, but we need to be better? We are always looking to said the cameras are not inside the bathrooms, improve, but we don’t want to send the message rather, pointed towards them to monitor activity outside. that we aren’t safe.” “When it (an incident like this) happens, we Along these lines, Hamka said school securilook at our camera,” Hamka said. “Some weeks ty is a delicate balance. “I don’t want to freak people out. I don’t want it happens more than others. Sometimes we go
a month without anything. There were stretches last year where we went two or three months with nothing. And then sometimes, there’s a period of time where activity is heightened.” However, some perpetrators have not been identified with the current cameras, Elizabeth Calcaterra ’18 said. “If stuff is stolen, like in the team rooms for cross country, we have no idea who did it.” Calcaterra said. “Clearly, the cameras don’t really work.” Calcaterra said it would be beneficial to have more high definition cameras to fix this problem. Outside of the school day, the cameras are used to monitor the activity of the building after hours, Hamka said. Some examples of this are responding to an alarm that goes off at night and monitoring community groups that enter the school for activities. “Our building is an asset to the community, and we need to be able to protect that asset. Just like an office building or business, you would have cameras,” Hamka said. “We hope that we never need to use them, but it’s better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.” Upgrading the cameras puts the administration in a better position that can help them enhance the overall safety of South, Hamka said. Hamka said, “I’m hopeful that the new set of cameras will improve our safety and our ability to monitor activities in the building. It’s a much needed and welcomed improvement.”
3:18:12
THIS WEEK AT SOUTH
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Varsity soccer plays in the regional semifinal today against Canton at Dearborn Heights HS at 7 p.m.
Full Circle will host a fundraiser at the Roostertail at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday <see page 5>
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Hotline cards added to bathrooms RILEY LYNCH ’18 // Pulse Section Editor Bathrooms and classrooms at South now feature stacks of cards providing students with crisis hotlines. The cards display phone numbers and websites for school counselors, depression hotlines, drug and alcohol hotlines, the Domestic Violence Helpline, a 24-hour Crisis Line and the Eating Disorder Crisis Line. The cards, reading “You are important. We are here to help,” were funded by Beaumont Hospital and the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, according to the card. They were encouraged by the Beaumont Community Health Coalition and the Students Electing to Respond to Volunteerism through Education (SERVE). “To help with (awareness), we are creating a group of school professionals and mental health professionals to assist us in implementing a prevention program in the high schools to assist with giving more information and awareness and resources and build resilience,” Anne Nearhood, director of the Community Health Coalition, said. Having participated in the 2015 Out of Darkness Walk, a 5k supporting suicide prevention, Abby Hurst ’18 believes the cards will help. “I didn’t notice the cards until a few days ago,” Hurst said. “I wish that they were a bit more visible.” By placing the cards in bathrooms, students will be more likely to take the cards and seek help, school social worker Doug Roby said. “So someone might walk in here and ask, ‘Can I have one of those cards, Mr. Roby?’, thinking that I’m going to ask them questions,” Roby said. “I know they’re putting them in the bathrooms at school so they can anonymously take one if they so choose.” Alicia Carlisle, director of SERVE at South, helped with the placement and creation of the cards. Carlisle said that this is not the first time the cards have been used in the district. “This year, I said the focus needs to be on community health support,” Carlisle said. “I don’t think there’s enough of it, and we have the resources, so we need to pool together experts and create a system that offers wonderful support for the whole community.” As a teacher who promotes positivity at South, Student Association adviser Laura Distelrath said she is passionate about suicide prevention. “Sometimes in life we get caught up in comparing ourselves to others or focusing on the things that challenge us,” Distelrath said via e-mail. “But every single person in this school has value. And every day each of us has an opportunity to communicate with the people around us ‘you are someone that matters, and here’s why.’”
The first varsity football playoff game is at Sterling Heights HS Friday at 7 p.m.
opinion // 2
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
Spotlight on mental health: strategies for support Adjustment to Adding crisis hotline cards in the bathrooms at South sheds a necessary light onto issues that are typically kept in the dark. In a school where excellence is expected and struggling is infused into everyday life, these cards are a first step towards providing a safe environment for students. Before the cards popped up, there was no steady acknowledgment of mental health among students. The reality is, the South and Grosse Pointe communities have lost far too many people to suicide over the past six years. While the sense of camaraderie and togetherness of the school skyrockets after we lose somebody, it seems to disappear after a few months. If we acknowledged mental health more consistently, it could create a safer environment for all students. Administrators do a commendable job providing grief counseling when we lose a student or community member, however, it is not enough. There should be some sort of preventive measure that increases awareness and sense of community before it’s too late. For instance, in years past, Project Smile has created positive posters and cards that they scattered throughout the school. The reassuring and comforting phrases could provide struggling students with one of the only positive messages they hear all day. In addition, the cards put on lockers by Project Smile that read “give this to somebody who … ” could spark interaction and support between peers. More positive and inclusive activities like this should be implemented at South throughout the school year. Some ideas are to create a safe space where students can go to de-stress throughout the day or to create specific events once a month that are centered around mental health awareness. The school could utilize Link Crew or other school groups to set up these events. In order to maintain the academic excellence South boasts, mental health issues among students need to be addressed. With highly-ranked academics, sports teams and extracurriculars, South is a place where students can be over committed. However, their struggling is sometimes envied and coveted by other students; it is almost a battle of who can do the most. This
life as an only child proves to be a challenge MY VIEW
Abigail Due ’18
CARTOON BY ABBY FERRY ‘16
stressful mindset can be detrimental and should be addressed more frequently. Some ideas to resolve this tension are to set up time management sessions before or after school where students are taught how to handle all of the pieces of high school concurrently. Also, there are many de-stress events held on college campuses that might be beneficial here, like bringing in puppies every once in awhile. However, student actions are as equally important as administrative changes. High school is a notoriously gossipy and cliquey part of life, which often causes internal turmoil. Each student comes to school with a unique set of circumstances that cannot be seen on first glance, and it is easy to judge somebody before getting to know them. Next time you open your mouth to spread a
OUR VIEW // EDITORIAL
negative rumor about somebody, we challenge you to think about the plethora of circumstances that are unknown to you and think about how you can impact their day. You control what type of message you send; you choose whether your words are supportive or destructive. In addition, being conscious of social media’s effect on others is important in today’s society. Before posting, think about whether you would say those words to the person’s face or whether you are just hiding behind a screen. Instead of scrolling past, pay attention and remember the impact your responses can have. Between administrators and students, each individual controls the type of message they send. It is vital to strive for a more inclusive environment for all students so that South can be a not only excellent, but comfortable and safe place for everybody.
COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL
Moving as a child helped prepare for living in new environments
MY VIEW
Lindsay Stanek ’16
I’ve moved four times throughout the course of my life,due to my Father’s job. At 5, I moved from Grosse Pointe to Minneapolis, Minn. A year later, I moved three hours away to
NEWSPAPER
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STAFF
rural Victoria, Minn. Three more years would pass before I moved to Mason, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. Five years later I moved back to GP, where I’ve now lived for three continuous years. I’ll admit I hate moving. Losing your friends and your home, you lose a part of yourself, because moving changes you. You have to adapt to a completely new environment. But moving also gives me an advantage when it comes to college. Lots of kids want to get out of “The Bubble” and go to a college states away, blissfully counting down the days until they’ve graduated and gone, without realizing that even though they go to college in the same country, it’s a completely different place, with a completely different culture. Just moving from one state to the next creates a massive culture shock. Minneapolis is a “Twin City,” sitting opposite it’s counterpart of St. Paul, divided only by the Mississippi River. It’s a system of towering high-rises with sky bridges providing a sanctuary from the cold that the seldom-used crosswalks cannot. Victoria was in the middle of nowhere, with the first snow coming in October and lasting through April. Yet it was beautiful in a way that only a place that’s been, for the most part, untouched, can be. Mason was the stereotypical American suburb, with a bit of Southern mixed in. You’d only get about six inches of snow a year, country music was incredibly popular, and communities revolved around football. However, it was incredibly large, with over 1000 students per grade and a high school the size of most small colleges, and an entire medical building on campus for athletes. Grosse Pointe is preppy, spoiled and extremely traditional, with access to drugs and alcohol ten times easier and more common than anywhere else I’ve lived. Whereas other students who go to college far away will be in for a massive surprise when they realize the culture, values and just about everything is different from what they’ve always known, I’ll have the advantage of already knowing how to make myself comfortable in a place where I know no one. Moving taught me that as eager as I am to leave, I’ll also miss home
CONFIDENTIAL
more than everything. As much as people say they hate it here, it’s still their home. The first time I moved, I thought I would never fit in like I did here, but after coming back nine years later, I didn’t fit in here anymore. The first move seemed like the worst thing in the world at the time, and at five, moving was still something unheard of, I was the first of anyone I knew my own age to do so. That was when I had to figure it all out. How to adapt and make friends, the different trends and mannerisms. The biggest issue was missing my best friend, Elizabeth Coyle ‘16, who I had never been apart from before. She was the girl who lived across the street whose family was close with mine, and we spent everyday growing up playing together. Luckily, by the second and third moves, I hadn’t lived in the places long enough to really miss anyone like that. For my third move, I wasn’t upset, just defeated. Moving three times in four years at such a young age made me feel like I was stuck in this cycle where there was no point trying to belong because we would just pick up and leave again. However, after that third move when we ended up in Mason, it stopped. I had still considered GP to be my true home, but it changed. Mason was the longest I could remember living in a place. The fourth move was by far the hardest. It was completely unexpected, and I had under a month notice. In mid-July we were informed my father was being transferred to Detroit, and by August we were living here. Mason had become home and I always expected to graduate there. I miss Chick-Fil-A, and Kings Island Amusement Park, and the Cincinnati Reds. Moving in high school was different. Kids were older and less trusting, less open to new people and things. In elementary school, the new kid was a shiny toy everyone wanted. In high school, I felt like an outcast, everyone had been together their whole lives, and while I had been born here, I didn’t feel like one of them. I didn’t want to adapt. I didn’t want to dress different or stop saying y’all. I liked who I was and I didn’t want to change because I wasn’t what people here expected. I still consider Mason home, and I miss everyone and everything more than I like to admit. But I don’t hate it here anymore, and I don’t hate my parents for moving me around. Whether you like it here or not, this is your hometown. Going to college far away may be an escape, but you will miss GP, and sometimes, you’re going to wish you could come back to being a senior here. In college, everyone is new, some just come from nearby, and some far away. But now that I’m older, I know that moving has given me a distinct advantage in knowing what it feels like to be in a place where you feel like an outcast, and learning how to make it work.
Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Maiorana* ’16
Photo Editor Jennifer Toenjes* ’16
Associate Editors Brenna Bromwell* ’16 Emily Fleming* ’16
Business Managers Alexis Motschall* ’16 Asst. Mackenzie Harrel* ’17
Supervising Editors Gabi de Coster* ’16 Haley Vercruysse* ’16 Lauren Pankin* ’16 Sydney Simoncini* ’16
Online Editors-in-Chief Allyson Hartz* and Olivia Baratta*, both ’16
Page Editors Maggie Wright* and Zoe Jackson*, both ’16 Claire Yeamans*, Erykah Benson* and Jack Holme*, all ’17 John Francis*, Liz Bigham* and Ray Hasanaj*, all ’18
Online Section Editors Scarlett Constand* ’16, Adam Cervone* and Ariana Chengges*, both ’17 Riley Lynch* ’18
Copy Editors Brendan Cauvel*, Hannah Connors*, Julia Fox*, Juliana Berkowski* and Shannon McGlone*, all ’16 Rachel Harris* ’18
COLLEGE
Online Associate Editor Preston Fossee* ’16
Online Copy Editors Lindsay Stanek* ’16 Lily Kubek* ’17 Online Social Media Directors Emma Andreasen* and Zoe Evans*, both ’17
Staff Writers Abigail Warren, Blair Shortal, Callie Zingas, Christina Ambrozy, Elizabeth Coyle, Gennie Martin, Griffin Brooks, Hadley Diamond, Hailey Murphy, J.D. Gray, Jessica Whitney, Jon Theros, Katharine Kuhnlein, Lily Patterson, Lindsey Clark, Mac Cimmarrusti, Madeline DesNoyer, Olivia Frederickson and Olivia Wouters, all ’16 Abby Ottenhoff, Anton Mikolowski, Bridget Driscoll, Cam Francis, Charlie Denison, Claire Hubbell, Emma Russell, Gillian Eliot, Jack Froelich, Jack Roma, Mac Welsher, Madeleine Glasser, Mary Grace O’Shea, Michael French, Olivia Sheffer, Sydney Stann and William Muawad, all ’17 Abigail Due, Arianna Paganette, Brennan Zihlman, Cameron Smolen, Chase Clark, Elena Rauch, Evan Skaff, Grace Brandon, John Standish, Kaitlin Nemeh, Katherine Bird, Lauren Thom, Maren Roeske, Margot Baer, Mollie DeBrunner and Liam Walsh, all ’18
My whole life has been consumed with my brother’s activities. Especially when I was younger, my life revolved around what Zach was doing. I always attended his games and any other school events. I didn’t get the same attendance at my events, but I never realized it, nor did it ever bother me. While Zach has been away at University of Kentucky my life has changed enormously when I only think about what I have to do. This can be difficult because I want to know what he’s doing, but I also don’t want to be a clingy younger sister. My house is so much more quiet without him, which is depressing at times, especially when my parents have something going on, and I’m home alone. I usually invite my friends over to seize the silence, but it’s not the same. My brother and I bonded the most when my parents were gone because that’s when I told him what was happening in my life. Zach always said something funny to make my day better or told me an outrageous story that didn’t seem real. However, with him gone, I have noticed I can get my homework done faster. Zach was always interrupting me with questions or making a funny comment about his day. Zach has never been a morning person, not even when we were young. So as he got older, waking him up only became harder. Every morning his alarm would go off for 45 minutes until he woke up and turned it off, i he even woke up. If not, one of my parents had to wake him up which basically consisted of them screaming at him until he got out of bed. Zach not being able to wake up led to him being late to school almost every day, and his major case of senioritis caused him to skip classes too. Every day, when I came home from school, I’d be greeted with a voicemail from South. By now I think I’ve memorized it. “Hello, this is an attendance call from Grosse Pointe South High School. Your child has been marked absent/ tardy in 1 or more classes … ” Without that craziness, my life seems simpler, but I really didn’t notice the small things he did to improve my day. As for being an only child now, I do get a lot more attention which can be really annoying when there’s a lot of family around. Before, I would endure the 20 questions about our lives from my relatives with Zach’s help, and it was something we could laugh about later. My parents aren’t consumed with both of our lives and when I ask them for them to do something they don’t deny me as often. Also my parents have became a lot more attentive with school and asking me about my grades. Last year was a big year for Zach because he was applying to colleges, so they weren’t as focused on my grades .Though, when I need something the attention isn’t so bad. My parents aren’t consumed with both of our lives and when I ask them for them to do something they don’t deny me as often. When summer was ending and Zach was about to leave, I was expecting to have a hard time maintaining my social life. I assumed my parents would be having a hard time with Zach leaving and would want me to fill that gap in their lives. Surprisingly, they haven’t been that strict with me hanging out with friends and going out on the weekend’s. I think they’re conscious of not being overbearing, so they try to lay off a bit. Additionally last year the biggest reason I couldn’t go out was to make my brother stay home. My parents knew Zach wouldn’t stay in if his little sister was going out, so my mom would guilt me into staying home. I definitely took him for granted, so if you have a sibling leaving next year, enjoy the time you have with them now. Especially if you’re the youngest last child, the house is a lot quieter when they leave, and it’s really weird at first. Though it gets a lot easier, it never feels the same as it was before. It’s so strange how I no longer take for granted hanging out with my brother, but I’ve only spent a weekend with him since he left for UK in mid-August, so I’m sure I’ll get irritated with him when he comes home for a longer period of time.
Adviser Rod Satterthwaite “The Tower” is the weekly publication of the Advanced Journalism classes at Grosse Pointe South High School. It has always been a designated public form of student expression. The Tower is located in room 142 in Grosse Pointe South High School. Please contact us at 313-432-3649.
Errors Factual errors will be corrected on the opinion page or in news briefs written upon request and verification.
Letters Letters to the Editor are encouraged and will be screened for libel, irresponsibility and obscenity. The Editorial Board may edit or shorten letters as long as the meaning is Opinion Pieces unchanged. All letters must be signed and Editorials represent the majority opinion of include a telephone number for confirmation. the Editorial Board and are left unsigned. Request to withhold the writer’s name Columns represent the opinions of individual from publication for good reason will be staff members and outside contributors. considered. Letters can be sent to the above email address, or dropped off in “The Tower” Editorial Board Room. An asterisk * denotes Editorial Board editors. Advertising Display advertising is sold at a rate of $7 per column inch, with discounts for large or frequent advertisers. Advertising may not advocate illegal activities or contain libelous, irresponsible or obscene material.
Professional Associations Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll, the Society for Newspaper Design and the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association.
news // 3
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
Independents’ Day:
New third party club launched at South
PHOTO COURTESY OF YEARBOOK
COMING TOGETHER// Students gather at one of Book Club’s meeting last year. Ethan McComas ’17 is the president this year and hopes that it will receive more recognition.
Clubs provide literary opportunities
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MAREN ROESKE ’18 // Staff Writer omewhere in between hockey and musicals fall the various literary-based clubs at South: poetry workshop, book club and the literary and art magazine “Looking Glass”. Almost 11 years ago, South teacher Harry Campion and student Tom Budday ’98, a member at the time of Detroit Slam Poetry team, founded poetry workshop. “It actually grew out of kids requesting more time to work on their poems,” Campion said. “More one-on-one both with Tom and with me.” Students still love the extra time spent working with Campion on their poetry. “Campion is just fantastic. He’s awesome,” poetry workshop participant Kate Mollison ‘17 said. “The atmosphere is so friendly and no one ever puts down anyone. It’s a place you can go and explore your creativity.” Previously, poetry workshop only happened before slams, competitions based on the reading of poetry, Campion said. “We would meet up ahead of the poetry slams to work on it,” Campion said. “And then the kids wanted to meet all the time.” Campion and Budday agreed with these students, and then workshop became a regular event, he said. “We went over the summer and kept it going, and then it became a weekly thing, and it never stopped,” Campion said. One of the other literary activities students can participate in is “Looking Glass”. The staff of “Looking Glass”, South’s literary and art publication, meets regularly on Wednesdays in adviser and English teacher Danielle Peck’s room. “Obviously the magazine is what we publish, and we do one publication a
year,” Peck said. “The other part of it besides doing the publication is meeting together and forming a community where we can talk about and promote art and literature at South, which is a great place for students to be if they are interested in that sort of thing.” “Looking Glass” takes online submission and reviews them anonymously, Peck said, which is one of the new changes since she became adviser in her first year teaching at South in 2012. “I think that every year -- as any club or organization should-- there is something we have improved on,” Peck said. “It’s all the students doing. Which I think it’s neat, that they see what they want to improve on and are able to do that.” One of the more recent changes in “Looking Glass,” Peck said, is the use of a theme to unify the magazine. This year’s theme is “reflections” and was selected by the student staffers. And no, Peck said, students don’t have to be an artist or a writer to be on “Looking Glass” staff. If writing isn’t a student’s forte but they enjoy literature, there is Book Club. Peck is also the adviser of South’s book club, founded by Morgane Flournoy ’15 two years ago. A relatively new addition to the extracurriculars offered at South, it still deserves merit for its importance. President Ethan McComas ’17 said Book Club is important because of how underrated books are today. “The act of reading is unappreciated,” McComas said. “People walk around in the hallways, saying things like, ‘I hate reading,’ or, ‘I don’t read.’” The purpose of Book Club is to invigorate interest in books by simply reading according to McComas. They do that by, Peck said, reading.
“Well true to its name, we read books,” Peck said. “But the way that we do that is students are totally in charge. They pick the book we are going to read. It’s pretty informal so students can just talk about what they liked, what they didn’t like and if they have questions.” It isn’t like an English class, Peck said. Book Club is for the enjoyment of reading. “Book Club is the perfect place for students to come who love The atmosphere is so b o o k s ,” friendly and no one ever Peck said. puts down anyone. It’s For Mca place you can go and Comas, explore your creativity. Book Club is a place KATE MOLLISON ‘17 to share his love of reading with others. “Reading has been an integral part of my life since I was little,” McComas said. “And having the opportunity to share and discuss literature is a wonderful gift. Also, I bake damn good cookies, which will be available at meetings.” For both “Looking Glass” and Book Club, Peck encourages interested students to join. “You can still join,” Peck said, “It’s only October, and even if you’re just minimally interested in it, come see what it’s about. We would love to have you.” Poetry workshop and Campion also welcome new members. “We are very accepting and inclusive and that no one is going to criticize you,” Campion said. “There’s a difference between a critique and criticism. I think we can make poetry fun for everybody.”
Professional development workshops held after school for teachers Teachers have the ability to share assignments on Google Drive LILY PATTERSON ’16 // Staff Writer Librarian Courtney McGuire will hold weekly professional de- and send out Remind 101 text messages to students to make invelopment workshops for teachers Wednesdays and Thursdays after formation more accessible. By enabling his students to read what they need to for class online, Provenzano eliminates the need for school starting October 28. Teachers get one hour of professional development credit per students to haul their large text book home every night. Provenzano said Professional Development workshops are benworkshop attended. These hours can be applied towards a grad eficial, and follow up is needed to ensure teachers are using these credit for salary advancement. “As you further your craft in education, you learn about new new tools effectively. “Professional Development sessions are an important first step, trends, new apps, what the research says,” McGuire said. “This is but the next step is continuing to support those teachers however really just for teachers to feel more comfortable with technology.” In past years, McGuire held workshops on MLA format and you can,” he said. “Teaching a student one thing in one class and navigating the databases such as Opposing Viewpoints, Literature then walking away and expecting them to remember it forever isn’t Resource Center, and many others. This year, she will be teaching the best way to do something. Just sitting teachers down one day, teachers how to use tools such as Zaption, Google Drive and Google showing them a bunch of stuff and saying OK now do it also isn’t helpful.” Forms. Provenzano said it is key to have someone to help teachers along “Zaption is really cool,” McGuire said. “You can take any downloadable online video … and the teachers can edit it, chop it and the way. He has no scheduled class fourth hour so he can go to teachers and give them extra help with their technology. embed questions and put clarifying key points in it.” Some teachers in the building aren’t as tech savvy as ProvenzaMcGuire said that within the next few years she sees both stuno, making it difficult for them to incorporate technology into their dents and teacher transitioning from PowerPoint to Zaption. lesson plans. She also views Google Drive as a useful tool “For the older teachers it’s not intuitive like it that many teachers don’t know how to take full As you further your craft is for the younger ones,” history teacher Christine advantage of. in education, you learn Norris said. “I find that I’m very happy that I know “Some of the teachers seem overwhelmed about new trends, new my subject area so well because this technology between the difference between My Drive and takes me so long to learn.” Shared With Me, and quite frankly, I see that apps, what the research South tries to provide a variety of different rewith the students.” McGuire said. says. sources to help teachers in this area. She said she hopes to help teachers navigate COURTNEY McGUIRE “At South, we’re very lucky to have a system that Google Drive and Google Forms better through LIBRARIAN supports the teachers in ways beyond just sitting these professional development workshops. them down for three hours and showing them “(Google Forms) can be used to survey stuthings,” Provenzano said. “That’s where you get the dent understanding, whether it’s just to get a baseline and see if they are getting the basic concepts or to have an value out of it. You show them and you support them. You don’t just show them and wash your hands of it.” understanding of their interest,” McGuire said. Both McGuire and Provenzano feel that Professional DevelopEnglish teacher Nicholas Provenzano said utilizing these tools and other forms of technology benefits students and teachers in the ment is an important step to help teachers embrace the new technology that is available to them. classroom. “I think it’s important to embrace new things and to try new “I think teachers can utilize technology to make lesson planning easier and faster,” Provenzano said. “It allows the teacher to focus things whenever possible,” Provenzano said. “Not all tools work for more specifically on the curriculum and their lesson plans, making everyone, but it’s definitely an important part in preparing kids for their future.” them stronger and fine tuning them.”
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LAUREN PANKIN ’16 // Supervising Editor To the members of South’s new third party political club, The Campaign for the Enlightenment of Political Minorities, left and right are not the only directions guiding the modern American electorate. Although the inspiration for this club was sparked last spring, it was officially approved on Oct. 13 by South’s administration, club co-founder Michael Kolesky ’16 said. Despite several delays, including lost application forms and a change in adviser, the club will start hosting regular biweekly meetings beginning this week. New adviser Chris Booth, who teaches American history, said he was pleasantly surprised that Kolesky approached him. “I never had Michael as a student, and I was intrigued that he came to me,” Booth said. “He came up to me and said, ‘Hey, would you mind sponsoring a club for a viable third party candidate for the political process?’ and I said, ‘Absolutely!’” With only 0.64 percent of Wayne County voting independent in the 2012 general presidential election, according to the county clerk website, the majority of Grosse Pointe votes for either Republican or Democratic candidates -- a pattern Kolesky said he would like to see changed. “I just want to bring more attention to independent parties,” Kolesky said. “I feel like a lot of people in the area don’t recognize all the varieties in the parties there are.” Low voter turnout, even in presidential elections, is an indication that the country is unsatisfied with the current dual party system, Booth said. “Americans are not really happy with the political process in this country, regardless of if you’re a Republican or a Democrat,” Booth said. “Without getting too political here--that’s not my job, my job is to be a sponsor--I think we need to examine issues of why we don’t have more than two viable parties.” The average person is stuck in the belief that the political spectrum consists solely of either mainstream liberal or mainstream conservative viewpoints, co-founder Dan Luberto ’16 said. “South needs this club because the students need to look at the political issues at hand in a different manner,” Luberto said. “I think it’s necessary for people to consider other ways of doing things with a greater common good involved.” Currently, the only other official political club at South is the conservative group Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), which has been at South for five years, and reached national attention when they invited former presidential candidate Rick Santorum to speak in 2013. It was with YAF’s conservatism in mind that Kolesky decided to create his third party club, he said. “At first, we thought Young Communists for Freedom would be a funny name for our club, but we ended up going with the more serious route,” Kolesky said. This serious route entails discussion of all third parties and all political expressions, including socialism and libertarianism, Booth said. “If there is a YAF, then there can be a club like ours,” Booth said. “I don’t think this (club) is the other end of the spectrum--this isn’t a Communist type of party. I don’t think this club is about being all the way on the left, I think it’s about our political process being broken and talking about how we can fix it, and how students at this school should have a voice.” Although YAF Chairwoman Julia Fox ’16 does not agree with the political views of the third party club, she said she agrees with Kolesky in that students need increased political discussion and exposure. “There’s a lot of people telling you what you should believe, instead of asking you what you think you believe and having a discussion about it,” Fox said. As the first teacher approached to support the third party club, Crosby Washburne said he was unable to officially advise the club due to competing interests, including running the Paranormal and UFOlogy club. During his time at North, Washburne served as adviser to their chapter of YAF. “It’s kind of like Voltaire: I might not agree with what you’re going to say, but I’ll defend your right to death to say it,” Washburne said. “My advice would have been to the (third party) club to stay organized, and to know what their focus is going to be.” Meeting in room 186 before school most likely on Tuesdays, the third party club will be largely discussion-based, Booth said. “If you’re unsatisfied with our political process in this country, come be a part of our club,” Booth said. “You have a voice.”
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feature // 4
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX
Sex education holds important role in teenage sexual safety
The Tower aims to spread awareness about birth control methods and sexual safety.
MAREN ROESKE’18 // Staff Writer On the Internet, cable TV and in the hallways, people are always talking about it. Sex. And right along with it are the risks. Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a present harm to
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Spermicide is a birth control method that halt the movement of sperm using chemicals in creams, foams gels, and suppositories. To use, insert the spermicide deep within the vagina shortly before intercourse. When the substance blocks to the cervix, sperm is generally unable to reach the egg. When always used as directed, spermicide has an 85 percent effectivity rate. This method costs roughly $8 per package.
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ABSTINENCE
This is a complete preventative measure for pregnancy and STDs. Abstinence is sometimes described as not having It is very vagninal sex hard when speficially. you have the same sexual W h i l e feelings as others. abstinence, CATHY again, is the COLLINS only way VICE PRESIDENT OF ACNM to prevent pre g n an c y and STDs 100 percent of the time, many people, especially adoles cents, find it difficult to do. Ab s t i n e n c e only education is widely used in schools across America, but has been criticised due to a high correlation with teen pregnancy and birth rates, according to the United States National Library of Medicine.
PILL
The birth control pill is one of the most popular contraceptives. Women must take these pills (consisting mainly of progestin and estrogen), daily in order to prevent ovulation. They also t h i c k e n the uterine lining, impeding sperm from possibly reaching the ovaries. “The Pill,” is 99 percent effective The pill is one of the if always most popular taken as contraceptives. directed. H o w e v e r, it does not protect against STDs, so it is recommended to that the consenting parties also use a male or female condom. *All percentages of effectiveness refer to the method when used alone and properly. These are only a select few methods available for protection. Careful consideration is ideal for selecting the methods best for you.
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SPERMICIDE
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Y
PU
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percent effective
Condoms are a plastic or latex, capped-sleeve worn around around the penis in order to prevent pregnancy a n d sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They are an accessible b i r t h control option, costing roughly $1 each, and available at drugstores, Planned Parenthood health centers, and some supermarkets. A well-crafted condom is 98 percent effective. Female condoms work similarly (a small pouch inserted into the vagina), but are more expensive, roughly $4, and are 95 percent effective.
GRAPHICS BY GABI DE COSTER ‘16
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percent effective
CONDOMS
percent effective*
98
percent effective
SHANNON MCGLONE ’16 // Copy Editor
WITHDRAWAL
The withdrawal method is the act of removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. This method is 73 percent - 96 percent effective when done correctly. However, the man must know precisely when he will ejaculate, and is thus more effective in those who are sexually experienced. Young women are especially fertile, thus it is not encouraged to rely on this method as an effective form of birth control. As well, experts believe that pre-ejaculatory fluid (or pre-cum) can carry enough sperm left over from a previous ejaculation to result in pregnancy. If semen is spilled on the vulva, pregnancy still remains a possibility, even if the penis has been completely removed.
Abstinence-centered sex education proves harmful MY VIEW
Riley Lynch ’16 I was in fourth grade when my teacher sat down a room full of girls and told us sex existed. Naturally, I was practically scarred for life (albeit not as scarred as when the teacher bluntly dropped a box of tampons on my desk). Keep in mind, that reaction was coming from a kid who was disgusted at the mention of the word “sex.: No way I was gonna subject myself to that kind of content at the tender age of 9. Flash forward four years-eighth grade. This year, our health ed class was a mixture of boys and girls, a concept new and almost humorous to us chatty adolescents.
But by the end of the class, none of us were laughing. The teacher had dropped the bomb about rape, assault, STDs and the horrors of an unwanted pregnancy. The only solution she provided for those? Complete, utter abstinence from any activity that could lead to sex. As soon as the a-word dropped from her lips, I knew the class was most likely going to a load of nonsense. Abstinence-only sex education puzzles me--what exactly are they trying to teach us? To be terrified of sex? To shield ourselves from the horrors of reproduction? It’s natural to be freaked out by sex when you’re 9. But I was 13 when this happened. I was capable of knowing about sex and how to protect myself from STDs. Instead, I had to find out practically everything I know about staying safe from the Internet, which is a tragedy in itself.
The truth is, by teaching kids the only way to stay safe from STDs is by never even thinking about it, kids only seem to get hurt. When teachers don’t provide information about Planned Parenthood, condoms or birth control, disasters can come, whether it’s pregnancy or not having any resources to rely on or people to reach out to. Even if a teenager doesn’t want to be sexually active in their youth (yes, asexuality exists), I can’t stress how important it is for us to receive quality sex education since not all sexual encounters may be welcomed or invited. Rape in America is the cause of approximately 32,101 pregnancies each year, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. By being aware of birth control, Plan B, morningafter pills and abortion, people can attempt to aid themselves, despite
living through a traumatic ordeal that nothing can fully cure. Education about having safe sex is a basic right for the youth of America. In fact, towns with a comprehensive sex education are 60 percent less likely to have teenage pregnancies, according to “The Washington Post”. By refusing to teach about safe sex to kids who are mature enough to handle it, health teachers and specialists are doing teenagers a disservice and putting them in harm’s way. Rather than telling us to be terrified of having sex, we should be able to learn about methods that could prevent unwanted pregnancies and where we can get the materials for prevention. We should learn our material in worst-case-scenario style where the teacher of the class should tell us instructions for what to do if we get an STD or get pregnant.
teens, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Over 250 thousand become pregnant every year. Nearly half of all newly reported cases of STIs are those of teenagers, and an estimated one in four high school girls have a STI. The high statistics make sense given that 47 percent of high schoolers have engaged in sexual activities according to the CDC. “We realize that teenages are sexually active,” health teacher Nicole Westfall said. “But we want them to be safe.” And safety comes from education, Dan Griesbaum, former South health teacher current Co-Chair of the Human Sexuality Advisory Board (HSAB), said. The sex education curriculum in Grosse Pointe covers the use of contraceptive pills and condoms as part of the protective methods
students should use. “We do discuss condom use, as well as other risk reduction methods,” Griesbaum said. “But it is still stressed that Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method in preventing unintended pregnancy and STI. Once a person crosses the line of abstinence, they start to take risk, because no contraceptive method is 100 percent effective.” Sex education is also an opt-in curriculum, meaning parents and students decide whether or not they want to learn parts of the curriculum, We believe that our students need medically accurate information. DAN GRIESBAUM CO-CHAIR OF HASB
Westfall said. If a student decides to opt-out of a lesson they simply do not participate class on the days it is taught. “I could count on one hand the amount of students whose parents, in 30 years, elected to opt their sons or daughters out of any portion of the instruction,” Griesbaum
said. “I feel that this happened because they trusted the curriculum and the individuals teaching it. They trusted the professionals to do their job and we are doing it well.” That job is hard though, Griesbaum said. “The statistics are getting better in the U.S. as well as in Michigan,” Griesbaum said. “But the fact still remains that unintended teen pregnancy and STI in the U.S. is higher than most all of our counterparts in other countries.” And the statistics agree with Griesbaum. Nearly 70 percent of all documented cases of Chlamydia occur in young people according to the CDC. “It only takes having sex one time with someone with STIs for you to catch them,” said Cathy CollinsFulea, the division head of midwifery at Henry We realize that teenagers are sexually active, but we want them to be safe. NICOLE WESTFALL
HEALTH TEACHER
Ford Health System and vice-president of the American College of Nurse Midwives. “Strong medications can be taken that decrease the level of the viruses, but they can not be cured. These medicines need to be taken for life. If you stop taking them, the virus starts to grow again.” Besides infection, pregnancy is always a risk when having sex. Using protection can decrease the risk of STIs and pregnancy and there are steps to take if there is a chance one may be pregnant or have a STI, Collins-Fulea said. “First consider talking to your parents,” CollinsFulea said. “They may get mad but they will help.” Counselors at South are also available for advice in cases like these Westfall said. They may be able to helped find a medical provider for students to contact. There are also other facilities for treatment available. “There are confidential clinics where you can receive treatment for STIs,” Collins-Fulea said. “For example, Planned Parenthood, or you can see you own health care provider for evaluation and treatment. If you have sex without using any kind of birth control, you can get something called the Morning After Pill. This must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex for it to be effective.” With increased awareness, education and treatment, cases of teen pregnancy and STIs are going down but there is a long way to go said Griesbaum. “We can only improve that through education,” Griesbaum said. “We believe that our students need medically accurate, age-appropriate information and getting it from their school, as well as parents, is much better than getting it from their friends or the Internet.”
feature // 5
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
The door that’s always open Senior greets others at the Fisher Road entrance as a way to serve
WORKING HARD // Jimmy Gallagher ‘16 focuses on keeping up with his studies. Gallagher has come a long way in overcoming his disability since he started at South.
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ABIGAIL WARREN ’16 // Staff Writer f a student ever finds themselves walking into the South Fisher doors in the morning with arms full of books up to their chin, one thing they won’t have to worry about is how they’re going to open the door. This is because James, otherwise known as Jimmy, Gallagher ’16 is often there, holding the door wide open, welcoming all students. Before school and during his lunch hour, Gallagher takes on this role of holding doors open for hundreds of students walking in and out of South, especially at his favorite door facing Fisher road. Greeting everyone is a job Gallagher said he takes very seriously. In fact, the first interview with Gallagher was pushed back a day because he didn’t want to miss his opportunity of holding the doors. He is that dedicated. Gallagher was born with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is a group of complex disorders in brain development, according to Autism Speaks Foundation. For his condition specifically, his biggest trouble is with communication. He understands a lot more than what people may think, but just has a hard time expressing it, his mother Joan Gallagher said. “I think he expresses what he can through holding the doors,” Joan said. “He can’t give a lot but gives what he can through this.” In fact, Jimmy said helping other people is one of his favorite parts
about holding the doors for people. He said he also loves seeing and meeting all the different students he interacts with. “Whenever he holds the door open for me, I always talk to him and thank him,” his Peer-to-Peer lunch buddy Molly Walsh ’16 said. “It always brightens my day to see him.” Holding the doors is a privilege for Jimmy, special education teacher Deanna Plotzke said. Before he is allowed this privilege, however, he must complete whatever work is needed to be done for the day. This door is almost used as a motivation for him. “I think he is overcoming his disability in this way (holding the doors),” Jimmy’s special education assistant Bob Kelly said. Plotzke said he finds Gallagher to be the class clown. He always playing jokes, of course, in a loving manner. “Sometimes during lunch he tries to shut the door on a student, like he is playing a joke. We give him warnings, and Jimmy listens because he wants to stay at the door,” Plotzke said, laughing. Gallagher is technically a senior this year, but since he loves South so much he may stay another year or two, Joan said. When Jimmy started as a freshman, he had a little more of a struggle at school then he does now, Plotzke said. “I’ve noticed such a change in Jimmy the past three years I’ve been working at South,” Plotzke said. “He has come so far from where he started.”
PHOTO BY ABIGAIL WARREN ’16
Both Plotzke and Joan said they thank South students for being so appreciative towards Jimmy. It’s not only the aspect of being kind, but it also affects Jimmy personally, since it gives him a sense of purpose. “This has given Jimmy a feeling of acceptance,” Joan said, “something that may not be the easiest to find due to his disability.” In fact, Jimmy’s tradition has now spread out of the realms of just South, his mother said. When they go shopping now, Jimmy runs to get the door for customers, making sure he is there to hold the door for them. Of course, just like the students, they rave with appreciation, Joan said. But Jimmy doesn’t only spend his time helping others. He’s adept with any kind of technology, Joan said. He’s always on his iPad or PS4. Anything that has to do with technology, Jimmy loves. And, he is quite skilled in this department, Plotzke said. “When the other teachers aren’t here and I need to get the projector out and running, I rely on Jimmy. He knows what he’s doing with that stuff,” Plotzke said. Most importantly, his mom said, Jimmy Gallagher is beloved by his two sisters, Meghan and Becca, and mother and father. His sisters take good care of him, Joan said, and she said he brings a lot of joy to their family and to the South student body. She said, “Jimmy is good as gold.”
An evening under the stars: a night to remember
Full Circle and GPPSS hosts charity event for individuals with special needs CLAIRE HUBBELL ’17 // Staff Writer Dinner, wine, live entertainment and dancing. The Full Circle Foundation will host a charity event, An Evening Under the Stars, Oct. 29 at the Roostertail from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Full Circle is a fully accredited charitable organization working in conjunction with the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) to provide opportunities for increased independence for individuals with special needs in the Grosse Pointe community, according to the Full Circle website. They are staffed by special needs students, who work in shifts after school in an effort to gain experience in business. Full Circle is a resale clothing and shoe boutique.
Administrative Coordinator of Full Circle Foundation Sue Banner said, via email, that she thinks the event will be a big hit. It is almost sold out, with only a few seats left. Community members can purchase the tickets on the Full Circle website (fullcirclefdn.org), under events, or at 17006 Mack Ave in Grosse Pointe Park. “This is our first Evening Under the Stars event and we are very excited,” Banner said. Tickets are $125 each and will include an opportunity to see the Full Circle fashion show, showcasing clothing by Roma Sposa of Birmingham. Men’s Wearhouse and Village Palm (clothing) will be modeled by members of the Grosse Pointe Full Circle community, Mary Fodell said via phone,
the founder of Full Circle. “We hope to raise money to continue our current programs and develop new ones,” Banner said. “We need a social or recreational program and support job coaches so our young adults and interns can develop their own micro-enterprise business or be successful in a community employment position.” Proceeds will maintain the Summer Activities Program, where they will learn gardening, culinary and laundry skills at the Full Circle Foundation. There will also be a silent auction featuring highend prizes such as a vacation to an Italian villa, a cabin in Colorado and a condo in Harbor Springs, among others. “It’s basically a nice nice dinner, there is going to
be a fashion show, and an auction. They (the students) will be performing,” Full Circle volunteer, Julia Hoffman said. “The Silent Auction has something for everyone,” Banner said. “We have gift cards to many restaurants, Tiger tickets, fitness packages, salon packages to places like Edwin Pauls and more.” The event is sponsored by Art Van. “They do so much for me; my connection is with the students,” Hoffman said. “They’re just so wonderful and I’m excited to go out and sing and dance with them.”
reviews // 6
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
HAND PICKED MUST-VISIT CIDER MILLS AND APPLE ORCHARDS
KATHARINE KUHNLEIN ’16 // Staff Writer So far this season, I’ve been to three apple orchards/ cider mills. To my surprise, they all don’t provide the opportunity to pick apples straight off the trees. At the start of the season, I went to the Franklin Cider Mill, located in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I would describe it as an apple-themed market with many different vendors that set up in tents outside and sell all different, fall-related products. They also sell the usual cider and doughnuts. Plus it is only about 35 minutes away. Unfortunately, I thought I was going to pick apples, and because I didn’t realize it was a cider mill and not an apple orchard, I was let down. They didn’t have much seating or room around the property, so I had to drink the cider and doughnuts in the car. The cool part however, was that I could see the apples being pressed into cider. The cider was my favorite compared to Yates and Stoney Creek, you could taste how fresh it was. However the doughnuts were sub-par, not only were they cold, but they didn’t have the cinnamon sugar outside. The next stop was Yates Cider Mill, in Rochester Hills, MI. Yates has fall activities including a riverwalk and different booths to buy food items. On the weekends they have The First Michigan Colonial Fire and Drum Corps marching around the grounds. The atmosphere was great, however their so-called apple cider could have been bought at Kroger with a label that read “Apple Juice.” It didn’t have the apple cider taste and had the translucency of juice. However, I liked these doughnuts much better, compared to Franklin’s doughnuts, because they were warm and had an option of getting cinnamon sugar. Yates provides more attractions compared to Franklin, with many different booths selling cider, doughnuts, fudge, hot dogs and ice cream. There is a much larger moving river than Franklin, giving customers the opportunity to wander while enjoying their treats. Yates can be made into a day trip exploring the many things they have to offer, including the scenery, and is about 40 minutes away. I longed for an opportunity to pick and taste apples right off the tree, so I headed an hour away to Romeo, MI. Stoney Creek apple orchard is my favorite of the three. It is relatively inexpensive compared to the other locations’ prices for doughnuts and cider. The property is simple, consisting of a little donut and cider shop featuring many different types of warm doughnuts, hot/ cold cider and even a cider shake. The simplicity adds to the experiencing, allowing one to get what they want out of it. There is an opportunity to take a hayride back to the orchards where one can pick and eat all the different kinds of apples they like. For a chance to pick apples, while enjoying fresh doughnuts and cider, this is the place to go. Stoney Creek also has a sales room, selling bags of apples, candies, and fudge. For a small price one can take a hayride to the orchard area and pick fresh apples from varying types of trees. Depending on the amount of time you have this season, all three of these cider mills and apple orchards are worthy of your time and taste buds and you can’t make a bad choice.
RED DELICIOUS // Apple orchards and cider mills are popular destination for fall weekends and days off. Katharine Kuhnlein ’16 reccommends Yates, Franklin and Stoney Creek. PHOTOS BY HALEY VERCRUYSSE ’16 & KATHARINE KUHNLEIN ’16
halloween // 7
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
NTED HOUSES HAU MOLLIE DEBRUNNER ’18 & GRACE BRANDON ’18 // Staff Writers As Halloween inches closer, people search high and low for the perfect scare. There are all different levels of haunted houses ranging from easy to intense. Some places like Mr. Williams haunted garage on Mack Ave., the haunted house at Blake’s Big Apple Orchard and Erebus in Pontiac are examples of haunted houses that are on all different levels of the scaring spectrum.
GRAPHIC BY HALEY VERCRUYSSE ’16
MILD BUT WILD FRIGHT Haunted Garage Productions
For those students who are seeking a calmer experience, Mr. Williams Haunted Garage on Mack Ave. would be the place to go. Mr. Williams, a Maire Elementary School gym teacher, opens his house to the public after first transforming it into his own haunted house. Williams has spent years collecting items to continue to improve his haunted garage. While the intended audience is elementary school students, adults and kids from K-12 all attend, Williams said. “We take away the fear of being chased and being terrorized,” Williams said. “We put on a high quality show which is very visual at an affordable price.” Williams changes the scenes each year to ensure returning customers have a new experience. This will have been the eighth year of the Garage Productions Williams’ passion for the haunted garage is what motivates him to create this popular community attraction. “I know this is worth the time and space taken up when a child asks me in August if we have started to set up.”
HAIR-RAISING HAUNTS ULTIMATE FEAR FACTOR Blake’s Haunted Attractions
Erebus Haunted House
Blake’s Apple Orchard has been running a haunted hayride at night for multiple years, open to all ages. Haunted barns and mazes are also available at Blake’s. “I usually go to haunted houses three or four times in October, and I’ve been to Blake’s,” Ella Turnbull ‘18 said. “I think that they are fun because even though you’re scared, it’s the adrenalin pumping that makes you feel fearless, and then someone pops out of a corner and you’re scared again.” Attractions include Blake’s 3D make, haunted hayride, and zombie paintball. Visitors also have the option of walking through a three story haunted barn which features live actors and a black hole simulation. Blake’s Apple Orchard is about 50 minutes away in Armada, Michigan, and tickets range from $10 to $20 depending on the attraction. Children’s tickets are less expensive for all attractions, excluding the haunted maze and zombie paintball. Children’s tickets are not available for either of these attractions.
If you’re seeking a more intense haunted house experience, many students would recommend visiting Erebus, one of Michigan’s largest haunted houses. Students must be willing to suffer through the anxieties as they walk through this four story attraction. Sinister sound effects, lighting and live actors intensify the experience and leave people coming back for more. Erebus is about 45 minutes away and tickets range from $23 to $28 throughout the week. “Southeast Michigan is the haunted attraction capital of the world! The competition here is pretty stiff, because of that fact we build 90% of everything in-house,” Edward Terebus, co-owner of Erebus said via email. “We are very creative and we think outside the box, we come up with new and innovative ways to scare and entertain people,” Terebus said. “Tens of thousands attend Erebus every year.” High intensity horror attractions like Erebus attract big crowds looking for the most realistic horror experience around.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PHOTO BY MADELEINE GLASSER ’17, PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANNIE RINKE ’18, SAM RIVARD ’17
Revealing Halloween costumes can provide outlet for self-expression MACKENZIE HARRELL ’17 // Business Assistant Sexy Donald Trump ... sexy clownfish ... sexy Buzz Lightyear ... yandy.com offers all of these thigh-baring, low-cut Halloween costumes. The online vendor’s target market? Young adult girls. The growth of these costumes is due to the lack of judgment associated with Halloween, said Emily Tujaka ’16, Ava Boutrous ’18 and Megan Michaels ’17, all in agreement. “I feel the reason they have become well-liked is because it is OK to dress how they desire,” Michaels said. As students start to prepare their costumes for this Saturday, girls are left with the option of sexy or modest ensembles. Although If I see a girl in an not all will alluring Halloween choose to be costume, I’m just glad provocative for her if she feels t h i s amazing and confident. Halloween, judgment does EMILY TUJAKA ’16 not have to be a large factor either, Tujaka said. Tujaka said she would never wear a sexy costume, yet she does not pass judgment. “If I see a girl in an alluring Halloween costume,
I’m just glad for her if she feels amazing and confident in it,” Tujaka said. Along with most things in life, there are different extremities to these sexy costumes, meaning a “slutty” costume is something different to everyone, Boutrous said. This causes people who choose to dress sexy to take it to a level they are comfortable with. Several different varieties of an appealing costume can make others feel as if some of the costumes are too outrageous “I think provocative costumes are OK to an extent,” Boutrous said. “When costumes get to the point where they are extremely inappropriate is when I think they are bad.” Tujaka also feels costumes can get too inappropriate and become extravagant. “The level that some sexy costumes are going towards seems a little far these days,” Tujaka said, “I saw a sexy Ebola nurse costume once, and I was like, ‘Really?’” However, Carrie Calcaterra, Courtney Calcaterra’s ‘17 mother, feels that costumes are fun as long as they are appropriate. “I would let my daughter wear whatever she thought was fun and in spirit for the season,” Carrie Calcaterra said. While sometimes a sexy costume can generate a buzz, all students are not out to gossip. Although some would assume that a skin-baring costume could ruin a reputation, students are more forgiving
than expected, Michaels said. “Dressing provocatively does not affect my opinion about people because it does not matter how people dress, considering it will not affect me or others,” Michaels said. S e x y costumes Everyone has their taking the own style and way of spotlight can expressing themselves. sometimes It’s a matter of personal cause girls to forget that preference. it’s not the AVA BOUTROUS ’18 only option, Boutrous said. With a wide vary of costumes, students can be sure to find one that represents their personality properly. “Everyone has their own style and way of expressing themselves,” Boutrous said. “It’s a matter of personal preference.” The most important factor of Halloween, costumes or not, is to have fun. It should be a great time where students can express themselves, Tujaka said. “It’s (Halloween) an opportunity to have fun and be crazy with what you wear, and the kind of costume that makes some people happy is a provocative one,” Tujaka said.
GRAPHICS BY HALEY VERCRUYSSE ’16
sports // 8
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015
Athletic injuries can lead to students falling behind
LINDSAY STANEK & CALLIE ZINGAS, BOTH ’16 // Pulse Copy Editor & Staff Writer ast spring, shortly after returning to South soccer after a torn ACL, Margaret Sohn ‘16 experienced the injury again. “A girl’s knee ran into my knee when I was turning in an awkward position, the knee to knee collision is what caused my ACL tear and both sides of my meniscus to tear.” High school athletes account for 2 million sports injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations per year, according to The Centers For Disease Control. These injuries most often result in a temporary leave from the sport, but can also result in a more severe academic consequences. Garrett Weidig ‘16, a central defender for the boys soccer team got a severe concussion his sophomore year, which resulted in missing school, the first blow to his grades. “I had to miss four days of school, but I definitely should
GRAPHIC BY RAY HASANAJ ’18
L
have been out a lot longer,” Wei- when I got back because it was dig ’16 said “I wanted to come still really uncomfortable to back to school because I did not bend and concentrate when my want to miss a lot of the class- knee was in pain,” she said. “My room stuff.” grades were affected even when W h i l e I got back to many teachers “It was really hard to school.” were underSohn recfocus when I got back bestanding, one o m mends cause it was still really unteacher forced shifting focus comfortable to bend and him to take to try to minconcentrate when my knee two tests right imize impact was in pain. after coming on grades. back, both “I would MARGARET SOHN ’16 of which he recommend failed, which just to keep led to him dropping the class, putting your grades first, focus on Weidig said. school instead of sports, don’t let Similarly, Margaret Sohn ‘16 the injury get to your head. Go to ended up struggling due to her physical therapy so you can hurry absence. up to get better,” Sohn said. ““Each time I missed about Another tactic is to look to two weeks of school, so four in teachers for support and lenience. all, and I probably did worse,” Lauren Hunwick ‘17 said she Sohn said, “My teachers were also tore her ACL, and her teachpretty lenient with me making up ers helped her get back on track. school work, but it still affected “My teachers were undermy grades.” standing. They let me take off fiAnother way the athletic in- nals,” Hunwick said. “They knew jury can affect students is their I was tired, and it was really hard ability to focus. going around South with a huge “It was really hard to focus brace and crutches.”
High school sports are responsible for 2,000,000 injuries,
500,000 doctor visits and 300,000 hospitalizations
1/3
of parents do not have their children take the same safety precautions at practice that they would during a game
Information courtesy of www.stopsportsinjuries.org and www.swata.org Information Compiled by Christina Ambrozy ‘16
Social studies teacher and football coach Chad Hepner said he has helped students with injuries by keeping in contact with them and making sure they understand what they’ve missed. “It is important to make sure they have all the materials they miss, give them appropriate amount of time to get caught up and make sure they understand what’s expected of them,” Hepner said. “It’s really not that different from any other student who is sick or misses time for vacation.” Hepner also stresses communication about due dates and material missed between the student and their teachers. The constant communication between the student and their teachers after the injury will help make the transition easier, Weidig said. “Ask for extra time on stuff. Don’t be ashamed of the injury,” he said. “I know I was. I felt like I needed to get right back into things, but I know that most of my teachers if I had asked for the time they would have given it to me.”
62%
~8,000
percent of organized sports-related injuries occur during practice
children are treated in emergency rooms every day
Cross country team pursues yet another difficult but successful season
MAC CIMMARRUSTI ’16 // Staff Writer Out of breath. Chest closing in. Blurry vision. Throat filled with mucus as air seems to be locked out of the body permanently. Cross country is a true test of how strong an individual’s will is. At the level South’s girls cross country team performs at, the difference between first and second place can be decided purely on the basis of who wants it more. Four years ago, the duo of Hannah and Haley Meier both ‘13 carried the team to multiple state victories as they dominated each race. “For about four years our team had absolute super stars, not only at the state level but at the national level,” head coach Stephen Zaranek said. “Our team was ranked the top cross country team in the entire nation.” But times change and teams have to adjust to talent level. Though odds seemed to become increasingly against them, the team has just completed yet another undefeated season Because of the lack of super stars, the team has looked into different team-oriented strategies and has adopted the idea of “Pack Running,” according to Natasha Boelstler ‘16.
“We no longer have runners who keep up with faster groups in front of can win us meets all by themselves,” them, said Zaranek. Boelstler said. “Pack running is strategy “During meets when you are dying we have employed to counter losing D1 at the second mile, the group you are runners such as the Meier twins.” running with motivates you to keep In cross moving at a faster rate than countr y, you think you can go,” said For about four years our Anna Carmody ‘16. teams win by team had absolute super receiving the With 37 years of coachstars, not only at the state ing under his belt, Zaranek lowest score. level but at the national has changed the sport’s The place each level of a team’s top popularity at South. Growfive runners ing the team size from eight STEPHEN ZARANEK comes in is girls in 1979 when he first CROSS COUNTRY COACH the number started to 125 girls this of points they year, Zaranek has not only will score for their team. The number brought in State titles but numerous five and six runners work to push back girls to run for the team. opponents top-five in order to run up the scores of the competition. “It is quite clear girls at South have “One of the strongest aspects of bought into the unity because of the cross country running is putting your large number of four year veterans the runners in groups,” Zaranek said. “You team has every year. This is very rare have teammate support before during because most teams don’t have any four and after each race. We focus on the year veterans,” Zaranek said. team unity and because of that it helps Zaranek’s tradition of winning at us win pretty much everything, from South is not nearly as impressive as the league titles to regional titles to state 1200 percent increase in girls who run titles.” for South now versus when he started This strategy is not just advanta- coaching, according to the teams webgeous to the team as a whole, it push site. However, his 338-31 record from themselves to the next level in order to 1979-2012 is something to marvel at.
RACE TO THE FINISH LINE// The boys cross country team competes for first against multiple schools. They endure a rigorous terrain in meets, including hills.
PHOTO BY STEVE ZARANEK
SPORTS UPDATE
SPORT // Girls swim and dive Record: 5-4 Expectations for the season: “For divisions I definitely expect that we can win. For states, we have some great chances of score individually and if our relays come together we can definitely do something as a team as well,” - Brigit Jogan ‘16 Captain’s Quote: “As a team our freestyle events have been really strong. Overall our lineup is coming together really well for divisions and for states.” - Brigit Jogan ‘16
SPORT // Football Record: 6-3 Expectations for the season: “We expect to win every week until we can’t win anymore. We have to bounce back from last week and start rolling again. We expect a State Championship, nothing less,” - Andrew Trost ’16 Captain’s Quote: ““We’re a bunch of bada--es who are going to dominate whatever team we match up with.” - Andrew Trost ‘16
SPORT // Volleyball Record: 5-5 Expectations for the season: “We are working hard to do well in districts and regionals.” - Kate Satterfield ’17 Captain’s Quote: “I think our season could have gone a little better, but now we are finally playing as a team and are beginning to make up for the six seniors we lost last year.” - Kate Satterfield ’17
INFORMATION COMPILED BY ABI DUE ’18, CAMERON SMOLEN ’18, AND JONATHON THEROS ’16 PHOTOS BY JEN TOENJES ’16, JENNIFER MAIORANA ’16, AND COURTESY OF LEXI KOHUT ’17