Issue 1 by The Tower Newspaper

TOWER the

In loving memory of Katie Ecclestone September 3, 1971 - August 15, 2015

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 Volume 88 Issue 1 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

New superintendent brings administrative changes JENNIFER MAIORANA ’16 // Editor-in-Chief r. Gary Niehaus officially became superintendent of the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) on June 1 and has been adjusting well to the Grosse Pointe community and lifestyle since, he said. “It’s been a great transition,” Niehaus said. “I was able to be a part of both high school graduations, and I got to meet my whole administrative team before they left for summer.” The GPPSS administration has already been able to learn from the new perspectives and ideas that Niehaus has, Deputy Superintendent for Educational Services Jon Dean said. “Dr. Niehaus has been doing this work for a long time, and he really knows how to connect with people,” Dean said. “He knows how to come in, assess the situation and make good, sound decisions. I’ve only been working with him since June 1, so a little less than three months, but I’ve been really impressed.” One decision the GPPSS administration has already made for the upcoming school year was to reassign Debbie Redlin to Parcells as an assistant principal and Steven Wolf to South as an assistant principal, essentially switch-

ing their positions, Dean said. “We looked hard at it and felt that it was in the best interest of the school district to make that decision,” Dean said. “Grosse Pointe Public Schools are fortunate enough to have outstanding teachers and certainly outstanding administrators.” Redlin had prior experience being a middle school administrator and Wolf had worked at a high school in North Carolina before Parcells, Dead said. “I know both of them do a great job with relationships,” Dean said. “I think that Ms. Redlin will make great relationships at Parcells and really connect with those students and teachers and the same with Mr. Wolf.” It’s of interest to me to know what can I do as a superintendent to support what your needs are as a student. DR. GARY NIEHAUS SUPERINTENDENT

Redlin said she was assigned to Parcells as a district decision and did not know much about why she was moved. Despite this, she said she was going to make the best of the move.

“Parcells is a wonderful school, and I am excited to be there,” Redlin said via e-mail. Principal Moussa Hamka said he did not want to comment on whether or not he was part of the decision to switch Redlin and Wolf. However, he said he is looking forward to working with Wolf. “Any time you lose somebody who has been in an institution for years and developed relationships, it’s always a loss,” Hamka said. “There’s always going to be an acclimation period where you’re transitioning, however, I’m very confident in Mr. Wolf ’s skill set. I look forward to him taking what Ms. Redlin has done and extending it to newfound heights and successes.” Wolf said he is excited to be at South and looks forward to working with high school students again. He said his strengths are best suited to benefit high school students. “At the middle school level, I felt that I had to find my niche in terms of how I connected and built relationships with the kids, where at the high school, it felt more natural; it’s who I am, and it didn’t take much effort to do that,” Wolf said. “My biggest asset will be supporting students and their beliefs.” Senior Class President Marga-

GETTING INVOLVED // Dr. Gary Niehaus was the invited speaker at the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club meeting on Monday, Aug. 24. Niehaus was a rotarian at the Charleston Rotary Club in Illinois before moving to Grosse Pointe.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. GARY NIEHAUS

ret Sohn ’16 said she values when administrators such as Wolf make an effort to listen and connect with students. “One of the most helpful resources are the students when it comes to education,” Sohn said. “We are the ones going through it and we have a strong view on what needs to be changed and

what doesn’t.” In regards to Wolf entering South and Niehaus entering the GPPSS, Sohn said she remains optimistic and hopes these changes will improve faculty to student relationships. And Niehaus said he hopes to reach out to students and build relationships by attending foot-

Student network password changes cause short-term confusion, long-term security LAUREN PANKIN ’16 // Supervising Editor The username or password is incorrect. Back to school means new books, new threads, and new... passwords? For the first time in more than three years, student network passwords have been updated, Technology Director Steve Woloszyn said. Although the district’s auditors encourage password changes on a periodic basis, the school system did not issue new codes for several years because the process was not yet set up. “It (not issuing new passwords) was a lack of effort on our part, since we ran out of time to implement the change with proper notification,” Woloszyn said. Last spring, staff members were notified that they would have to personally update their passwords twice a year, Woloszyn said. In the future, students will receive new passwords annually at registration. Network passwords are linked to many different student resources, including Gmail, Naviance, Outlook, Google Drive, MyStar, Pinnacle for parents

as well as students and general school computer However, John Bornoty ’16 said that he would access, Information Systems Supervisor Kevin Kur- rather learn a new password than have his online kowski said via e-mail. security compromised. “We felt it made the most sense if each student “With technology advancing, students especially only had to use one password for everything, and who use technology the most are capable of more that it might actually be more confusing if students and can access more things without people knowhad to also keep track of their old ing,” Bornoty said. “Changing the password just for Naviance,” Kurpasswords may have been very necI have used it as kowski said via e-mail. essary so that things stay secure for my password for othCurrent seniors have used the students.” er non-school related same passwords since freshman Counselors and teachers will things. Changing it year, which could potentially cause help students and parents adjust to a slower adjustment time, Maddie the new passwords, Kurkowski said will be very hard. Thompson ’17 said. via e-mail. If a student does get conMADDIE “I think that it is a disadvantage fused about which password to use THOMPSON ‘17 to most of the students, especially for Naviance Family Connection, some of the juniors and seniors,” the login page has a “forgot your Thompson said. “I have had the password?” link. Enter the persame password ever since 8th grade, and since I sonalized “student number”@students.gpschools. have used it for so long, I have used it as my pass- org school email address, and the password will be word for other non-school related things. Changing e-mailed to the student. it will be very hard.” With contributions by Jennifer Maiorana ’16.

COMMEMORATE: Young Americans for Freedom to stake flags in remembrance of the 9/11 victims this Friday

JON THEROS ’16 // Staff Writer Commemorating every life lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, South’s chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) will stake 2,753 flags on the front lawn on Sept. 11 as part of its Never Forget project. Since 2003, South’s chapter has joined other YAF organizations around the country in this annual ceremony, Vice-Chairman Lindsay Stanek ‘16 said, adding that she encourages students who aren’t members of YAF to come out and help put flags in the ground. “It takes about four hours to place over 2,700 flags on the lawn,” Stanek said. Chairman Julia Fox ‘16 said she sees this commem-

oration as something Americans should do every year out of respect. “We believe we have a responsibility as Americans to remember that day in respect for this country and those who died, and we believe the best way to do that is to represent each of them with a flag in our memorial,” Fox said. Along with the flags, a moment of silence is scheduled for 9:11 a.m. during class and YAF members give out buttons to teachers and students in remembrance. “I want to remind everyone that each flag represents a life and to remain respectful while they are in the lawn this year,” Stanek said. YAF meetings are held in room 198 after school on Thursdays. The first meeting on Sept. 10 will include more information on how to get involved with the 9/11 project.

GRAPHIC BY LIZ BIGHAM ’18

IN THIS ISSUE Traveling Abroad Head to page 4 to read about summer trips and students’ favorite memories.

Fall Sports Flip to pages 6 and 7 to find out about the fall sport teams’ plans for this season.

ball games, walking through the halls and attending club events. “I’m open to people coming and talking,” Niehaus said. “It’s of interest to me to know what can I do as a superintendent to support what your needs are as a student.” See NEW SUPERINTENDENT BRINGS ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES on Page 3.

Back-to-School Night to be held next Thursday KATHARINE KUHNLEIN ’16 // Staff Writer South’s annual Back-to-School Night will be held Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. “Parents will have the opportunity to meet their child’s teachers first face-to-face before hopefully continuing communication throughout the year,” counselor Beth Walsh-Sahutske said. Back-to-School night is a vital avenue for communication, and it is important to attend, according to math teacher and parent Beth Bornoty. “If I wasn’t a teacher in the building, and didn’t already know all the teachers, I would want to go and meet them and hear how they plan their courses,” Bornoty said. Bornoty said it is important to walkthrough a student’s schedule so the parents know what their child’s day looks like. Parent Linda Mlynarek agrees, and said by experiencing the student’s daily routine, it can help form a solid relationship between students and parents. Also, by attending parents meet teachers face-to-face and hear about the different courses. Students also see the benefits of their parents attending, as they can meet teachers and know what their child’s day is like from start to finish, Benna Ames ‘16 said. “I encourage my parents to go, so they can meet my teachers and learn about the classes I’m taking,” Ames said. Ames said she thinks all parents should know how their child’s education is progressing and how to keep in contact with teachers. Walsh-Sahutske agrees and hopes parents will learn how to check their student’s grades and become more aware of the different rules each teacher has pertaining to tardiness and late work. “I encourage all parents, especially those new to South, to attend because Back-toSchool Night is a great way to meet the teachers and other parents,” Mlynarek said.

Senoritis Check out page 8 for funny senior I.D. photos.

opinion // 2

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

New superintendent should bring improvements with school safety, technology, communication With the beginning of a new academic term and the arrival of Superintendent Gary Niehaus, we expect many improvements in safety, technology and communication. Safety is always a concern at school, especially with the ever-present threat of school shootings. Protecting students should be the administration’s top priority. One of the main safety concerns at South is the easy access to the building. At any given point in the school day, at least one door is open and not heavily monitored. While it is convenient for students and parents to have easy access to the building, anybody could enter and potentially harm students or staff. Dr. Niehaus experienced a school shooting in his previous district, and we hope that he will use what he learned in this situation to further improve safety drills at South. His interest in having a safety team run practice drills is a great idea. We would also like to see the district introduce safety ideas promoted by safety organizations such as ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate). The traditional lockdown drills where people turn off the lights and hide in a corner of a room actually put students and faculty in more danger, according to ALICE. The new active shooter model of school safety involves things like running away if you can, hiding quietly in a safe spot if you cannot and as a last resort, distracting and attacking the shooter to reduce casualties. As for technology, we are appreciative of the improved infrastructure changes implemented this summer. However, the school is still far behind on updating computers and other software when compared to peer districts. Many districts provide a computer or laptop for

OUR VIEW // EDITORIAL

ILLUSTRATION BY HALEY VERCRUYSSE ’16

every student, which allows more ready access to technology on a daily basis. South could benefit from a program like this or even from simply having more computers accessible to students. While students at South have access to the library computers, computers in certain classes, tutorials and after school, these may not be always be available. There is no guaranteed access to computers on a daily basis for every student, which is difficult for students who might not have access at home. Lastly, student committees that communicate

Senior surprised at diversity among Ivy League universities The Tower will be printing a weekly column with information and perspectives from seniors going through the college application process

MY VIEW JD GRAY ’16

NEWSPAPER

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TOWER

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Harvard. Brown. Yale. Princeton. Columbia. University of Pennsylvania. What do these schools all have in common? Besides being some of the most-selective schools in America and members of the Ivy League, the biggest thing they all have in common is their variety. This past July I went on a tour of the six schools, and I was surprised at the incredible diversity of each school. While Brown gave me the freedom to pioneer my own major and study almost anything, Columbia values the well roundedness of their students so highly that no one can graduate without passing a swim test. I went to Harvard first, and it is definitely the most classic “Ivy League” education. It has a unique system, supposedly only rivaled by Hogwarts’. After freshman year, every student get assigned to one of 12 different houses. Each house has history and pride associated with it, and the first question any Harvard alumni will ask a current student isn’t what their major is, but what is the best house on campus. Brown is similar to Harvard, but instead of being right outside of Boston, it is next to a little town with many hole-inthe-wall bookstores and independent coffee shops. I took a picture with the Brown Bear statue, and unsuccessfully attempted a leaning tower of pisa perspective picture of me holding it in my hand. Yale has the best campus. Its buildings are big, gothic cathedral-like, and from the World War II era. I was attracted to the conservative atmosphere of the campus. It’s well known that the Ivy League schools are some of the most liberal schools in America, but Yale felt a little more like the rich, preppy Grosse Pointe feeling than the others. Sort of. Although these might not be Grosse Pointe’s most

COLLEGE

CONFIDENTIAL

enviable traits, it was strangely comforting to not have a complete atmosphere change. Princeton is ranked the number 1 school in America by US News and is proud of its food-centered campus where all student live in a different food-themed dorm. It honestly felt a little dorky to me, I’m not overly concerned with my meal plan. And because I have never read the Harry Potter series, I didn’t appreciate the annual Quidditch tournament as much I should have. Columbia is unique because its campus is right in the heart of New York City. It definitely has the smallest campus, and it offered discount tickets to its students for everything from Broadway shows to New York Knicks games. Because my cousins live in New York City, I already know that Hillsong United is the church I would go to, and that only tourists run when the hand turns red on the crosswalk. I am familiar with the city, and if I ever needed a home-cooked meal and some TLC (tender loving care), their apartment is only a taxi ride away. I liked the University of Pennsylvania (U Penn) the most. Its campus is second only to Yale’s, and its education is not liberal arts, but it does forces students to leave time in their schedule to take classes outside of their major. U Penn also has some dual programs where students can earn two degrees. I specifically thought The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, or M&T, program where a student can get both a business and an engineering degree in four years was interesting. I have always been interested in studying engineering and working in business, so this program is a perfect fit for me. I want each of my school choices to be unique; when it comes time to make my decision, I don’t want all my options be clones with different name tags. That is why I am interested in the Ivy Leagues.

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

Online Associate Editor Preston Fossee* ’16

Online Copy Editors Lindsey Stanek* ’16 Lily Kubek* ’17 Online Social Media Directors Abigail Warren* ’16 Emma Andreasen* and Zoe Evans*, both ’17

with the head of the district on a regular basis would greatly improve relationships between administrators and students. Allowing select students from grades ranging from middle school to the high school level to be part of such a committee would enable students to share their thoughts about what is happening and what can be improved within their school. We support the idea of the hashtag OneGP that Niehaus has brought to the district and hope it will be used as a tool to unite our community for sporting events, academic competitions and other

school events. In addition, #OneGP could potentially have a unifying effect during times that have historically been polarizing for our community, such as the North versus South rivalry game. As we embark on a new school year full of renewed potential and promise, we are anxious to reap the benefits that result from Dr. Niehaus’ admirable efforts thus far. We hope he can sustain this momentum for the long term. After all, regardless of where we live within our community or what level school we are entering, we are all #OneGP.

Being hit by car with no serious injuries makes senior grateful After school ended, I sought a summer routine. Without seven-hour educational days, there was a lot of time back in my Brendan Cauvel ’16 hands, and I didn’t want any of it to go to waste. Searching for a hobby, I found myself standing in our musty garage, staring at my old road bike, caked in dust and cobwebs. Seeing the scratches and general wear, I thought back middle school when those two wheels were everyone’s lifeline. Feeling like a 50-year-old in a nostalgic crisis, I quickly swept off the dust and hit the road. Cruising down Lakeshore with wind in my hair and music in my ears, I realized this could be a serious hobby. After 10 miles of heavy breathing and dodging power-walking moms who couldn’t hear me say “on your left,” I laid the hunk of metal against my house and smiled. After that first ride, catching the sunrise and feeling the cool air became a regularity in my life. After a couple rides, I slowly built on my route week-by-week, moving up to 15 miles, 18, 20, 25. After a month, I reached my goal of 30 miles; a true “Tour de Grosse Pointe” as I called it. Feeling on top of the world, I looked ahead at senior year and my future in college, and felt as if nothing could bring me and my newfound determination down. And then it hit me. Literally. Seeing Jeep Wranglers around Grosse Pointe every day, they begin to blend, becoming as common as the shrubs lining the street. Feeling as if this one snuck up on me, I found my body wrapped around the front bumper, and within a split second, I was lying in the intersection in front of the Woods park, watching clouds from the sizzling pavement. I didn’t think about my injuries or the crowd of people stepping out of the cars around me. All I could hear was my mother’s nagging voice, “wear your helmet,” “you’re not invincible.” Coming back to reality, I dragged myself up and let everyone around me know I was OK, knowing that injuries were lurking beyond my body’s numbness. I threw my bike up over my head and walked down the street to 7/11, nothing on my mind but a Vernor’s Slurpee. At that point, I thought there was no way my day could sink any lower, but sure enough, the Vernor’s Slurpee tap had the infamous red light flashing, so I turned back reluctantly and sat in the parking lot. Looking at the blood streaming down from my hands and feeling my whole body ache. Yet somehow, I walked away from that intersection only with deep bruises on my left side, never having to see a doctor. Despite my fitness craze for the month prior to my accident, I was infuriated--not mad at my failure to look both ways (although the driver blew the red light), or for not taking the situation seriously enough to call in a police report, but for the way I had been looking at life before I was lying in the middle of Jefferson Avenue with gravel digging into my back. Sure, I had been spending every day improving my health, but never did I live as though I could be gone at any moment. My bike may have been totaled, but I couldn’t be happier with the fact that my body wasn’t. It shouldn’t have taken a serious accident for me to realize, but every day is a privilege, especially in this opportunity-filled community we call home. I have faith in others and faith in God, but I know that not everyone in that situation would be as lucky as I was.

MY VIEW

Staff Writers 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, Ava Majoros, Bridget Driscoll, Cam Francis, Charlie Denison, Claire Hubbell, Emma Russell, Gillian Eliot, Jack Froelich, Jack Roma, Jacob Applegate, Kaitlin Malley, Mac Welsher, Madeleine Glasser, Mary Grace O’Shea, Michael French, Olivia Sheffer, Sydney Stann and William Muawad, all ’17 Abigail Due, Arianna Paganette, Blair Cullen, 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

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.

SOMETHING THAT’S ... Inspiring In Maine there is an 87-year-old ambulance driver that has been an EMT since ‘78. She has been volunteering at the fire station for 37 years.

Fishy A sinkhole in Detroit that has been abandoned for four years has been turned into a community fish pond full of blue gill, carp and goldfish.

Kind Florida firefighters got a call of an old man experiencing a heart attack and when he was in good hands the firefighters finished his yard work.

Scary

A phony police officer was roaming I-696 driving erratically. The State Police describes the incident as road rage.

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 obscenitry. 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 adverising is sold at a rate of $7 per column inch, with discounts for large or frequent advertisers. Advertising ma 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

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

Solar Car team travels to Texas, places eighth in competition Paul Attard ’15 said the students on the team are great and capable “That happened the night before scrutineering even started, and when it happened, I thought our chances of racing were over,” Rose The Sun Devils, South’s Solar Car team, traveled to Fort Worth, kids. “For next year, one thing the current team could improve on is said. “But instead of using that accident as an excuse to not race, we Texas in July to compete in The Solar Car Challenge, a national having far more testing. This year, we tested the car a week before the worked even harder, fixed our car and raced with our car functioning competition held at the Texas Motor Speedway. Twelve members of the team participated in the almost week-long competition, but that really wasn’t enough to see the full capabilities as well as it possibly could.” of the car at hand,” Attard said. “It takes a lot of Next year, instead of going around the speedway in a circle, Solar event. They were pitted against 17 teams hailing work to build the car, but getting it done on time Car Challenge teams will travel America from Dallas to Minneapolis. from all around the country in the Classic to allow for this would only help in the long run.” “Since next year’s race is a cross-country race from Dallas to The 12 months of work Division to see whose solar car could travel the Sam Hoffman ’16, the other co-captain of the Minneapolis, we want to have the car done early so we can test it leading up to the race had furthest over the course of the competition. team said they are starting from scratch with the on the road before the race,” Rose said. “Also, since the race is much finally paid off. The Sun Devils finished in eighth place, new car. longer, this year our fundraising goal is $40,000, which we hope to putting them above all of the other Michigan MICHAEL ROSE ‘16 “Next year we are achieve before spring, so then we can focus all of teams including the Detroit-based Heroes’ SUN DEVIL MEMBER building a whole new car,” our attention on making the car the best it can be Alliance, according to the Solar Car Challenge Do not be afraid to try to Hoffman said. “The new for the race.” website. make your vision for the solar car will be lighter and more Hoffman encourages all students that are Co-captain Michael Rose ’16 said the best car a reality. interested to join Sun Devils, no matter their moment of the event was when the team passed the scrutineering efficient than cars in the past. For members level of expertise. He said that the solar car team phase, which requires teams to review and comply with a 32-page rule next year, new ideas are always taken into SAM HOFFMAN ‘16 SUN DEVIL MEMBER consideration. Do not be afraid to try to make is an experience like no other. book. “Not very many high school kids get to race “My favorite moment this year was after two days of scrutineering your vision for the solar car a reality.” It wasn’t all smooth sailing when they got to on a professional race track or race across the hearing the ‘OK’ that our car was approved for the race,” Rose said. “Those words meant so much more than just we would race, but the 12 Texas, as the team helplessly watched its car take off on its own and United States in a car that they built,” Hoffman said. “You should join if drive right into another team’s minivan, Rose said. you want to learn, have fun, build and be with a great group of people.” months of work leading up to the race had finally paid off.” JACK HOLME ’17 // Page Editor

SUN DEVILS // The South Solar Car team travelled to Texas this summer. They placed eighth in the national competition, above the other Michigan teams. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GROSSE POINTE SOUTH SOLAR CAR TEAM FACEBOOK PAGE

New superintendent brings administrative changes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Along with being a more active member of the community, Niehaus said he has four main focal points for this fall: enrollment, special education, the North/South dynamic and the failed technology bond. Enrollment in kindergarten and first grade classes is down due to the lowered birth rates during the recent recession he said, but he said he has begun to work with the Chamber of Commerce in addition to the city managers and the mayor to discuss new advertising tactics. “We are trying to figure out how to bring new families into Grosse Pointe to bring these-aged kids into the school system,” Niehaus said. In regards to special education, Niehaus wants to increase co-teaching and get more students with special needs back into traditional classrooms with their peers, he said. “We want to spend some time at the high school level with our 19-26-year old students,” Niehaus said. “We are working with Full Circle to begin to evolve and develop work programs so that kids can

have full time jobs once they have finished the Full Circle program.” Along with this, Niehaus said he strives to create a more cohesive community by promoting #oneGP on social media. “There’s a perception that there’s an issue with North and South, but honestly the results show that they’re both producing good-quality high school education,” Niehaus said. Lastly, the recent technology bond failing is also an important matter to consider, he said. “We’ve got to come back, look at and analyze our needs and wants from the tech(nology) bond and determine whether we can go back with our needs versus our wants and whether we can get the community to buy into the now-called building infrastructure,” Niehaus said. In addition to these four areas, Niehaus plans to improve security and crisis management at the schools. “We are pretty insular in a lot of ways, but there are people that penetrate this from time to time,” Niehaus said. “What I want to do somewhere along

the way is explain to our kids that we really do want unexpected situations. to keep them safe and secure.” “I don’t want to go through it again,” Niehaus At his previous district, Niehaus actually said. “And if I do, I want to make it just as practiced experienced an active shooter. as last time. We got kudos from law enforcement, “We had been in school for 12 days, and the the newspaper and others because we executed it teacher (of the shooter’s class) had been hired four fairly well. But, there were an awful amount of God days before the start of school. moments in that day, too.” Three out of four administrators Moving forward, Niehaus There’s a at the high school were in their said he plans to increase perception that there’s first year,” Niehaus said. “When communication among the an issue with North and the student shot four shots students, staff and administration South, but honestly the into the ceiling, it puts you in a in order to make effective results show that they’re position where you’re kind of like changes. both producing good ‘oh.’” Administrators are looking quality high school There were no injuries, but forward to stronger collaboration eductation. this incident was an eye-opener and the new ideas Niehaus brings for Niehaus and the school to the table, Hamka said. DR. GARY NIEHAUS district, he said. Nobody expected “He has a way of looking at SUPERINTENDENT anything like this to happen in a things with a different vantage community similar to Grosse point, a different view, and it Pointe, so Niehaus plans to bring helps us reanalyze what we are in a safety team to conduct a complete evacuation doing to make sure we are being effective in all of of the high schools in order to prepare students for our practices,” Hamka said.

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feature // 4

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

There’s no place like Homer ...

Amid financial crisis, Greek relatives, friends struggle for stability

EMILY FLEMING ’16

I had been planning this trip for years. My youth group decided when we were in seventh grade that we would travel to Greece for our pilgrimage, and it was meticulously planned. I feel like we anticipated every possible obstacle--from minor injuries to getting lost--except what to do if the currency suddenly switched and we had no way of spending money. We left for Greece 13 days after it defaulted on its loans to the International Monetary Fund, and there was a constant string of uncertainty regarding both the currency and the safety of the area. It was seemingly impossible to be ready for a trip when we had no idea how we would pay for things. Banks were limiting withdrawals, protests were breaking out in Athens and the state of the European Union was completely undecided. Our parents were rightfully concerned to send us to a place with so much happening, but I ended up learning more than I could have possibly imagined. The unrest among civilians was less apparent on the smaller islands because they are so heavily reliant on tourism, but it became extremely evident when we got to Athens. Everywhere I looked there was some form of graffiti protesting the government in its handlings of the debt crisis. Every major statue and landmark was covered with scaffolding 15 feet high to prevent vandalism, but that didn’t stop local street artists from protesting all over sidewalks, benches, buses, houses and anything else they could get their hands on.

“It was very interesting for me to hear all of the different ideas of why Stonehenge was made and how people did it but also fun to think about because the true purpose is still a mystery.”

Tanzania, Africa

Turin, Italy

HAILEY MARTIN ‘18 “Helping the locals, playing with the kids and being completely immersed their culture all impacted me the most.”

“We looked out over the whole city of Turin and saw the sunset as well. The food was so authentic, and it was just an amazing time.”

Madagascar

Dominican Republic

HALLE MOGK ‘17

“It felt like all of the pain and stress climbing up had just disappeared in the blink of an eye. We could finally just relax and enjoy the view.”

KITTY MCKAY ‘16

Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska

MARGARET BRENNAN ‘16

Arpino, Italy

LUKE BOVE ‘17

“We had no intention in finding any family, but when we were walking around the town, we passed a guy and my dad recognized him and went up to him and showed him a picture and asked in Italian if he knew the man in the picture. And he responded saying it was him.”

England

Where South students went this summer ...

MY VIEW

On my trip, I met a man named Garo who makes a living making beautiful, hand-crafted instruments called bouzoukis. Each instrument ranges from 500-15,000€ ($562-16,873)and each one requires over 300 hours of work. Because of the financial crisis, many people are not able to spend money on nonessential goods like bouzoukis, and it is taking a serious toll on his business. This was when it really hit me for the first time that I was in the middle of something major. I had read about the financial crisis in Greece countless times before leaving, but it suddenly seemed different when I was actually there. Every single day I read headlines depicting some kind of turmoil and unrest in a different part of the world, and they are all equally tragic and important. But I had never really taken the time to realize that these were real people facing a real problem that heavily impacted their day to day life. Garo is an independent business owner among thousands of others struggling because of the financial situation in Greece. A job that was considered an art merely months prior to the heat of the debt crisis may now become obsolete, and there’s next to nothing he can do about it. It was easy for me to read an article on a world issue and not be able to fully comprehend the magnitude of the situation. From far away, I looked at it on a broad scale, and never thought of people like Garo or the people so desperate to protest that they spray painted their own homes. Being in Greece in such a prominent time taught me invaluable things about the world around me. These crises that I heard about in the news have direct effects on real people, an effect that I could only ever imagine until I was able to witness it first hand.

ADDISON ENDERS ‘17

to find jobs in the current economic situation, she said. “It’s scary for the younger generation because they have little to no economic stability to build on. They have no idea if they’ll be able to save money or find a job in the future and that’s really concerning,” Niforos said. After a summer filled with constant economic instability, there is some hope after Greece received approximately €3 billion ($14.4 billion) in new aid from other Eurozone countries, according to the New York Times. This aid allowed Greece to pay back part of the money due to the European Central Bank. The aid package has also brought strict guidelines for the Greek government, with many changes geared toward improving the functioning of its economy. The majority of the aid, however, will be used to repay existing debt. The aid will allow many Greek citizens to deposit money back into the banks, as the threat of a currency change has gotten increasingly smaller. Katopodis said, “they are hurting financially CRISIS // (top) Graffiti on for sure, and there was storefronts in protest of the a sense of resignation debt crisis. (bottom) Major among the people, but statue in the city center of they also believe they Athens covered in scaffoldwill survive this.” ing to prevent graffiti riots.

KATE SATTERFIELD ‘17

EMILY FLEMING ’16 // Associate Editor ver the summer, Greece repeatedly made headlines for almost being the first country to leave the Euro amidst a major financial crisis. Now, after months of back and forth, there may be hope for stability. In June, Greece became the first developed country to default on its loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The loan was worth over €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion), and was the largest missed payment to the IMF on record. Earlier this year, former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis promised that the government would “squeeze blood out of a stone” to avoid defaulting on their loans to the IMF, according to the Daily Telegraph UK. Many citizens were enraged with the government’s lack of reliability and have taken to the streets in anti-austerity protests, according to the National Public Radio. “The people blame the politicians in the past for bad decisions and corruption. They think politicians stole a lot of money,” teacher and Greek native Harry Katopodis said. The financial crisis has made it increasingly difficult for many citizens to go about their day-to-day life. Over €40 billion ($46 billion) has been withdrawn from Greek banks since December, forcing the government to limit civilian withdrawals to €420 ($480) a week. “The financial crisis is very frustrating for my family in Greece. My aunt couldn’t even get money from her usual bank so she had to go out of her way to access her money from other banks,” Alex Niforos ’16 said. The debt crisis has been damaging to many small businesses as well, Garo Agopian said. Agopian handcrafts bouzoukis (Greek instrument, similar to a mandoline) at a small shop in central Athens. Each instrument requires at least 300 hours of work and costs anywhere from €50015,000. With limited withdrawals, many citizens are opting to budget money and spend only on necessities. With this, Agopian’s business is struggling to survive. “The business is the first thing that got affected from the economic crisis and because my profession doesn’t cover necessary demands, people won’t spend easily their money on musical instruments, they would prefer to save their money,” Agopian said. The problems with the economy have been particularly damaging to the middle class and younger generations. Niforos’ cousins have recently graduated and are struggling

Visit to Greece brings new outlook, perspective to senior

“Learning how to ride a motorbike in the dark was quite the experience because half the time you couldn’t see. It taught me how to be more calm in stressful situations.”

“Meeting the locals and the students was incredible. Seeing how they live in that situation but still make the best of it was really humbling.”

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Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

‘Go Set a Watchman’

Controversial companion to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ reads less like a novel, more like a rough draft

MY VIEW

LAUREN PANKIN ’16

“Lawyers, I suppose, were children once,” is the Charles Lamb quote which opens “To Kill a Mockingbird.” But for “Go Set a Watchman,” Harper Lee’s newly-published second work, the epigraph should read, “Authors, I suppose, were children once.” Although the novel picks up 20 years after the events of “Mockingbird,” “Watchman” was not written as a sequel--it was created as a rough draft, Lee’s novelistic first try. Because of this, it is less standalone novel and more companion piece to “Mockingbird.” Characterized by choppy, immature writing, “Watchman” is the crude oyster in which the pearl of “Mockingbird” developed. Set in the 1950s, “Watchman” follows 26-year-old Jean Louise Finch (née Scout) as she returns to Maycomb from an office job in New York City. As Jean Louise discovers, in demographic composition, structural form and social hierarchy, Maycomb has changed unsettlingly--as has its storied inhabitants. Skip the next paragraph if you’re averse to spoilers. Jem, the “cooler-than-thou” older brother? Dead of a heart attack. Dill, the impish prankster and Scout’s summer love? Gone to Europe--permanently. Atticus, revered crusader for equality before the law? An arthritic codger in his 70s and a former member of the KKK. As someone who has read “Mockingbird” three times and loved it more with every reading, these headline spoilers almost dissuaded me from picking up “Watchman.” I didn’t want the world of midnight shenanigans, Boo Radley ghost stories and profound life lessons sullied. I didn’t want the happy ending ruined, the childhood ended. Likewise, Jean Louise stomps her feet at the prospect of change. She resents the surprising novelties of technology, long-term boyfriend Henry Clinton’s marriage proposal, Atticus’ Donald Trumplike views on citizenship and American identity. Teenagers on the cusp of adulthood will strongly identify with Jean Louise’s paradoxical struggle to preserve her past while mov-

ing into a future full of harsh realities. Like so many adolescents, Jean Louise must undergo the painful civil war in which the teenager’s conscience secedes from their parents’. However, the conservative forces of Atticus, Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Jack are just as determined to prevent Jean Louise from upsetting the apple cart. In an attempt to explain the resurgence of old guard Maycomb racism, Uncle Jack compares the oppression of blacks to medieval England’s feudal serfdom, with the takeaway that the Southern way has simply always been the way. Thankfully, Lee’s way of writing in “Watchman” was not the way in “Mockingbird”. The rough draft quality of “Watchman” is evident in a soap opera-like triteness that often overshadows serious discussions of race relations, feminism and economic division. Also, Lee leans too heavily on the crutch of judgmental and pretentious ‘telling’, instead of employing action-based ‘showing’. Sections detailing Maycomb’s history are almost as pedantic as Uncle Jack’s affected ramblings. Stylistically, Lee’s writing is choppy, with jarring transitions from third person to inner monologue, and the dialogue itself sounds largely contrived. Perhaps the most critical problems are the distracting flashbacks to Jean Louise’s childhood. These scattered stories made it seem as if Lee was compiling an anthology, not a cohesive novel. Glimmers of “Mockingbird,” from Tom Robinson’s trial to summer revels with the boys, appear in the novel, and these anecdotes are the most vivid, well-crafted elements of “Watchman.” It is clear that the story Lee attempted to convey in “Watchman” began in her 1930s childhood and not in the ‘50s. To develop “Watchman” into “Mockingbird,” Lee needed to

undertake one of the greatest challenges of semi-autobiographical fiction--writing from a child’s perspective with an adult’s technical strength and clarity. Like Jean Louise, Lee needed to revisit her roots to find the real story. Despite these flaws, “Watchman” is worth reading, even if only academically. It will serve readers seeking to better understand Lee’s intentions in writing “Mockingbird,” and it serves as a rare opportunity to witness an overhauled revision process. Ultimately, all great authors were children once--in ability, as well as experience.

Atticus Reinvented

The portrayal of Atticus Finch in ‘Go Set a Watchman’ will affect how ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is understood in English class SHANNON MCGLONE ’16 // Copy Editor Written in 1955. Rejected in 1957. Resurrected in 2015. Just as controversial as its predecessor, Harper Lee’s second novel turns one of American literature’s most iconic characters, Atticus Finch, on his head. The forgotten ancestor of “To Kill a Mockingbird” was discovered in 2011 by Tonja Carter, attorney for the estate Lee. Her manuscript, the biblically titled “Go Set a Watchman,” was finally released on July 14. Completed three years prior to the publication of “Mockingbird,” “Watchman” was shot down by Lee’s editor, Tay Hohoff, who described the document as “more a series of anecdotes than a fully-conceived novel.” The next three years were spent working with Lee to reformulate “Watchman” into a narrative that would one day win the Pulitzer Prize and the contempt of many parents and students across America-- it was eventually labeled a banned book. “Mockingbird” has been taught in schools since shortly after its publication in 1960, according to The National Endowment for the Humanities. Focusing on the alleged rape of a white woman by a black man, and its frequent usage of the n-word, the subject matter was considered too controversial for middle and high school required reading. Despite the contention,“To Kill a Mockingbird” has remained an educational tool, and it is required reading for South’s Honors Freshman English. “Watchman” is set 17 years after the end of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and centers around

Scout Finch coming to terms with her father of Maycomb’s own Citizen’s Council-- a white Atticus’ stance on segregation and the racial supremacist organization-- and opposes the tensions in her hometown. NAACP and integration in Southern schools. According to English teacher Katie Parent, “He’s more of what he’s like as an everyday however, the information in “Watchman” will person and not as a parent. You see the effect not affect the way she teaches her freshman the time has had on him, how life has changed classes. for him,” Whitaker said. “I wish “It takes place after TKM, how I felt about Atticus hadn’t thus the events in GSW did not changed, but I think it added a I wish how I shape the characters in TKM. It’s lot of depth to ‘To Kill a Mockfelt about Atticus the other way around, actually.” ingbird.’” hadn’t changed, Parent said, via e-mail. She isn’t the only one. but I think it added Even though characters are Alyssa Campbell `16 formed a lot of depth to “To all of her opinions about Atticus the same people in both books, Kill a Mockingbird.” preceding events could not and the book’s characters prechange how “Mockingbird” is “Watchman”. AUDREY practically taught, she said. “In TKM, (Atticus) was very WHITAKER ‘19 Although Audrey Whitakmoral and defended black socier ’19 has not yet taken Honety, but in this book he’s the opors Freshman English, she read posite,” Campbell said. “Who is both of Lee’s novels. Atticus?” “When I read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ I Campbell, who studied “To Kill a Mockloved Atticus,” Whitaker said. “But (‘Watch- ingbird” her freshman year, also said she was man’) really changed how I thought about the shocked to learn a companion novel would be whole thing. I wasn’t expecting Atticus not to published, especially one that features such a be the good person he was before.” starkly different version of Scout’s father. Despite the fact that the “Watchman” takes Here, in a quote pulled from “Mockingbird”, place after the first novel, she can’t help but Atticus explains to his daughter why he disapquestion his sincerity, and if, perhaps, this is proves of the expression “n----- lover,” calling who the Atticus truly is, Whitaker said. it a “common, ugly term,” but conceded “It really shows you who they are as adults, that he was one just the same. and how they changed just like the world has “I certainly am. I do my best changed,” Whittaker said. to love everybody ... I’m While Whittaker said she is excited to study hard put, sometimes-“Mockingbird” in class, her experience will baby, it’s never an be different after reading its new companion; insult to be namely the knowledge that Atticus is a member called what

somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is. It doesn’t hurt you.” Whereas in “Watchman,” he says this of the black community: “Do you want Negroes by the carload in our schools and churches and theaters? Do you want them in our world?” This has led Miles Dearing `19, to question the character’s true motives. While Dearing will study “To Kill a Mockingbird,” for the first time in his English class this year, he is aware of the background surrounding both books, as well as the Atticus controversy. Dearing said the knowledge from reading “Watchman,” will impact how he learns “Mockingbird,” because he will have more questions to ask about the time period, race relations, etc. “When you read a book, you really fall in love with a character, as it goes on you feel like a part of them. But with this new book, you can’t really buy into what he’s saying,” Dearing said, glancing at the copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in front of him. “Because in the future, he’s not the same person.”

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It’s a tradition at South for seniors to take funny ID photos. These are some of The Tower’s favorites. TOP ROW // Marshall Vyletel, Haley Vercruysse, Matthew Wholihan, and Gabi de Coster, all ‘16.

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Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

SENIOR IDS

SENIOR IDS sse Pointe Sou o r th G

2ND ROW // Margaret Brennan, Michael Calcaterra, Madelyn Fabry, and JD Gray, all ‘16. 3RD ROW // Michael Rose, Natalie Engel, Max Portwood, Madeline Arkinson, all ‘16. 4TH ROW // Beth Coyle, Griffin Murray, Lindsay Stanek, and Claire Young, all ‘16.

GET LINKED Going on its fourth year, Link crew helps to unite the freshmen class at orientation

RAY HASANAJ ’18 // Page Editor Entering its fourth year, South’s chapter of Link Crew is and foremost socially,” Borowicz said in an e-mail. “We want trying new methods to help freshmen adjust to high school to make South a place where every student can feel comfortlife. able and accepted and most importantly happy.” This year for the first time, freshmen had registration Susie Moesta ’18 is a new addition to Link Crew on August 26, the same day as their orientation. Link Crew this year. She said that she is glad to be a part of the club and leaders showed them around the school, looks forward to assisting freshmen by relating to answered questions and talked about their them. high school experiences. “I like to think that the fact that I’m a sophoBy doing Advisor Dennis Pascoe ’98 saw the ormore in Link Crew gives me a leg up on helping this I hope ganization as a way to make his alma mater the freshmen,” Moesta said in an e-mail. “I was that all a better school, he said in an e-mail. The in their position just last year. Since I’m only one freshmen program was introduced to Pascoe when he year older than most of them, it will make me feel safe and was a teacher at De La Salle. When he came more approachable and easy to talk to.” supported at back to the school he attended as a teen, he Pascoe’s goal for Link Crew is to make sure the South. decided to propose the idea. leaders and the freshmen have a strong relation“I went to South and grew up here my ship, he said in an e-mail. DENNIS entire life,” Pascoe said in an e-mail. “I think “By doing this I hope that all freshmen feel safe PASCOE anything that we can do to help make every and supported at South, allowing each incoming LINK CREW student feel like they are part of the comstudent to reach the best of their ability,” Pascoe ADVISOR munity and help them succeed is worth it.” said. Third year member David Borowicz ’16 Pascoe thinks people should join Link Crew if feels that everyone struggles in school some way and that is they want to help mentor younger students. why Link Crew is important, he said in an e-mail. “We want great people, Link Crew has nothing to do with “Link Crew is trying to make South a better place first grades, only a person’s ability to help others,” Pascoe said.

MIA TURCO ’19

Balance your schedule and be involved with different clubs, but school comes first.

ALLISON FRAZER ’19

Try everything and make a lot of friends. Don’t be shy and be open to new things.

YOUR VIEW what’s the best advice a link crew leader has given you?

LUCAS EPSTEIN ’19 Stay calm through the chaos

WILL LEONARD ’19

Keep up with your homework and you might have a couple bumps in the road but it will be alright.

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Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

SENIOR IDS

SENIOR IDS sse Pointe Sou o r th G

GET LINKED Going on its fourth year, Link crew helps to unite the freshmen class at orientation

MIA TURCO ’19

Balance your schedule and be involved with different clubs, but school comes first.

ALLISON FRAZER ’19

Try everything and make a lot of friends. Don’t be shy and be open to new things.

YOUR VIEW what’s the best advice a link crew leader has given you?

LUCAS EPSTEIN ’19 Stay calm through the chaos

WILL LEONARD ’19

Keep up with your homework and you might have a couple bumps in the road but it will be alright.