KnightVolume 54 Issue 4 Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo, Mi LifeApril 2014 knightlifenews.com They Are More Than Just “Shoes” The Life of a Sneakerhead at Loy Norrix

Jared Graves Morales said, “My parents don’t like it, Sports Editor they think its a waste of money, so I have to use my own money.” For a sneakerhead who spends The alarm goes off and the clock reads hundreds on shoes, it only makes sense that they 2:00 a.m. You get dressed and head out towards have a urge almost even craze to clean their the mall, ready to purchase the pair of shoes shoes daily. you’ve waited for all year. At the mall there is “I usually wait a few weeks before I clean already a line of 30 plus people, and you think, a pair of shoes, unless they get dirty that day “Will I be able to get my size?” then you have to treat the problem quickly or it Hours later the mall finally opens and you will ruin the shoe,” said Morales. run towards your favorite shoe store only to Many people that are outsiders to the hear those dreadful words, “We’re out of that sneaker community find it hard to comprehend size.” These words are what no sneakerhead that some sneakerheads clean their shoes daily. wants to hear. Nobody wants dirty clothes, so why is cleaning A sneakerhead is someone who collects, shoes so different. Sneakerheads spend a high admires or trades sneakers for a hobby. The price for shoes and will do anything to keep sneaker collecting community has grown over them from getting dirty. the past five years. Norrix students have grown accustomed to the sneaker collecting culture over the past few years. Being a sneakerhead is Every sneakerhead has a love for shoes, “ but some of them collect for their self- becoming more of a lifestyle recongnition, while others only collect to fit in and less of a hobby. or be popular, also known as hypebeast. -Luis“ Morales Sophomore Luis Morales is wearing his Air Jordan Fire Red 4s. The Fire Red 4s were Morales’ first pair of sneakers, he usually Senior Aaron Davis said, “I started getting wears them when he dresses in sweats. Photo Credit/ Jared Graves into shoes around the summer of my sophomore year, I just loved the way certain shoes looked.” “I use Jason Markk and a toothbrush,” said Davis has collected around 13 pairs so far and Morales. Many sneakerheads clean their shoes his favorite pair is the Air Jordan Raptor 7s. daily, others wait for them to get dingy before “I started to getting into collecting shoes taking care of the problems. If people think that last year. I’m an artist so I have a good eye of cleaning shoes daily is madness, imagine the how colors and things should look together and number of time a sneakerheads were to clean shoes just caught my eye, ” said sophomore their Holy Grails. Luis Morales. Morales’ favorite pair is his Air Holy Grails and no, not the song by Jay-Z. Jordan Cav 4s which is one of his 11 pair of Someone’s Holy Grail is a pair of shoes that sneakers. they have an insane desire to own but low Just like any other collecting hobby, chances of obtaining. acquiring the item is the hardest task. How a “I really want the Air Jordan Golden sneakerhead buys their shoes can tell you how Moments pack or the Air Jordan Hare 7s,” said important the shoe is to them. Either they can Morales. Aaron Davis is looking forward to try and buy the shoes online or spend hours purchasing the Air Jordan Carmine 6s or Air waiting in line for hours for the mall to open. Jordan Hare 7s. Morales said, “I have never camped out Being a sneakerhead is more than just a for shoes, I have connections in the stores so I hobby, it’s a way of life. don’t have to wait.” Being a sneakerhead comes with a great deal of judgement from other people, especially parents. Teens struggle convincing their parents of many things, now imagine asking parents to Luis Morales favorite pair of sneakers in his collection are the Air Jordan Cav 4s , which is shown in the picture above. Morales spend a hundred or more dollars for shoes. wears these shoes whenever he wants to reignite his passion for shoes. Photo Credit/ Jared Graves

Air Jordan THE HOLY GRAILS Nike Air Mag Air Jordan Carmine 6 Golden Moment Pack 6/7 Air Jordan Hare 7 Air Jordan Dorenbecher 9

Shoes

Retail Price N/A $125 $350 $125 $175 Ebay Price* $7,990 $600 $1,120 $270 $999 Year Released 2011**/2015*** 1991 2012 1992 2012

* Highest price ** Year auctioned off for charity *** Expected release year Peace Jammers Help Improve Reading Skills of Edison’s Fourth Graders buses and so they have enough time to read Jessica Rodriguez with the students. They go six times in total Staff Writer and on the last day they take a field trip to the Binder Park Zoo, excluding last year The Literacy Project is an event where when the students went to Shedd Aquarium Peace Jammers help improve the reading instead. skills of fourth grade students. Peace Jam is With the books collected, Peace an organization that helps their community Jammers finally have a book fair after the by doing various activities held by advisor, field trip. Sveri May. Current senior, Brianna Day started Before the project started in 2009, May the Literacy Project her sophomore year and students noticed a lot of the younger and has enjoyed helping kids improve their classmates didn’t understand what they reading. were reading and most of them came from “I like knowing I can help them,” said Edison Elementary. Day. At first, the principal from Edison It’s something anyone can do and still didn’t want Loy Norrix students to be there, enjoy. but in the end May was able to convince the “I liked it but I don’t think we did principal of Edison. it enough times to fully help with their When Peace Jammers meet with their reading,” said senior Lian Wardrop. students, the child usually chooses a book Even though the Literacy Project is and they begin to read, sometimes even short, most students have fun and join taking turns. If the student has trouble again. pronouncing a word or knowing what it After the Literacy Project, Peace means, a Peace Jammer helps them figure Jammers meet up with fifth graders and it out. go to Western Michigan University. They Throughout the process, the Peace take a tour and then do activities in the Jammers gather up books for kindergarten engineering building. Jammers continue through fifth grade to have a book fair. this every year to see their former Literacy Senior Sarah Stevens works with two Edison students at the Literacy Project. Some people buy the books at a Project elementary students. They read in the classroom where other students chose to read in the hallway cheap price or donate used books so the Anyone can join. All they need to do is or the library. Photo Credit / Sveri May elementary students can choose to have any go to Claudia Witt’s classroom, room C19, book for free. on Thursday mornings and you’re part of Peace Jammers leave 10 minutes the team. This year, the Literacy Project before school ends on Fridays to avoid the will be starting after spring break.

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2 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM News Black Days of Ukraine Revolution that Took the Lives of the Residents of Ukraine

all over Ukraine (88 of them in Kiev.) The Ex-president of Ukraine, Viktor oldest person was 73 years old, the youngest, Yanukovych, was searched. A criminal case 17. There were 780 injured people. Among was opened because of his connection with them were famous Ukrainian people: killing people. Yanukovych is still in hiding. singers, actors, journalists, doctors, nurses It’s very possible that he is in Russia. and volunteers. More then 300 people can’t A Ukrainian peninsula, Crimea, has a be found. We can’t be sure that they are not large population of Russian people there. dead. After all of the change in Ukraine, a Governments of countries of the European large amount of Russian people started to Union and the United States started to react protest there. They required from Crimea’s to the situation, while Ukrainian president, government to separate from Kiev’s Viktor Yanukovich, was hiding in his parliament and become part of Russia. As far residence and didn’t act towards the peace at as we know, government refused. all. On February 26th, Russian president, On the evening of February 20th, the Vladimir Putin, sent his troops to Ukraine. government called a second truce. As a result, troops surrounded mostly all On Febraury 22nd, all of the government of the military bases and borders of Ukraine officials met to decide the most important on the 3rd of March. Police of Crimea issues. Victor Yanukovich was removed preferred the Russian side. Fortunately, the from the post of the president of Ukraine and military of Ukraine was updated every day. the Constitution of Ukraine from 2004 was All of the countries from the European returned. The following days were declared Union along with the United States asked as days of sorrow. the Russian government to stop. They are People had decided to convene the putting sanctions on the country to prevent national assembly for approval of the new the war. government. Chamber was held from the “We thought that after changing our On January 22nd, an unknown woman asks soldiers to stop protecting a government that kills 23rd to 26th of February. A new parliament government, war would stop, and it people. Hundreds of women were doing that during protests in Kiev. Photo Credit / Gleb Garanich was elected. Alexander Turchinov was stopped,” said a Ukrainian that wished elected as a commander of the military to remain anonymous. “But then Russian Anna Yudina forces of Ukraine and was appointed to troops came, and we don’t know what to Web Copy Editor were killed outside of the capital. That event perform the duties of the president of expect.” made government cancel the ten laws. Ukraine until the presidential elections, War always scares people. But how scary Protests dispersed widely. All the regions which will be held in May. Information is current as of March 3rd. could it be when the government shoots were trying to stop the Ukrainian president citizens of its own country? Ukrainians and parties that were on his side. Beginning experienced exactly that this winter. on the 22nd of January, protesters started Ukraine had a number of protests that to capture local and regional administation began on November 21st. They took place buildings all over Ukraine. because the Ukrainian president, Viktor The government has been acting out Yanukovych, refused to let Ukraine enter towards people since that time. Promises had The European Union. This provoked been given. Protesters believed and left all disagreement and people started to go into of the administrations on Febuary 16th. On the streets. These protests were called “Euro the 17th of February, protesters made public Maidan.” statements about “general mobilization” The center of the protests was located on because of the “Peace Offensive.” the main square of the country in Kiev, the Around 8:30 a.m. on February 18th, capital of Ukraine. Bigger masses of people protesters gathered on the main street of started to come there from all over Ukraine Kiev, and a column, headed by deputy after the government used force to oust opposition groups and members of national people from the square on November 30th. self-defense detachments, marched to the After this event, people started to want to building of the Verkhovna Rada (main change the Ukrainian government. administration of Ukraine). Their goal was 4405 S. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Protests became very powerful. A majority to return to the Constitution of 2004 and to TEL: 269-381-8889 of the politicians joined in. People started to ensure the punishment of guilty people of protest all over Ukraine. On the other side bullying activists on the Euro Maidan. of political parties, Partiya Regioniv and the As a reaction to the Peace Offensive, Communist Party of Ukraine were trying to special unit “Berkut” used grenades, rifles stop the protestors. These parties paid people and shotguns against demonstators. to come to their side. They were sponsors of From February 18th to 20th civil war creating Anti Maidan (protests against Euro raged in the capital. The government, special Maidan). unit “Berkut” and corrupted people were Prices During the protests, on the 16th of fighting against protestors and everyone Lunch - $6.99 January, ten laws decimating democratic who shared their aim. Firearms, water rights were created. Some of them were cannons and grenades were used by the Dinner - $9.59 restrictions on freedom of peaceful “governmental” side. Snipers were killing assembly, restrictions on freedom of people. Both of the sides were suffering. Restaurant Hours expression in the media and the internet, Fireworks and Molotov’s fire bottles were Sunday - Thursday prohibition of gathering information used by protestors for setting fires. Main 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. about the financial position of judges, law buildings of the country were captured enforcement officers and their families (they again. Everything was on fire. Blood was Friday & Saturday didn’t want uncorrupted journalists finding everywhere. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. information about them). People from all over Ukraine were After that, people became more intense shocked by the situation in Kiev. They in their actions. On the 19th of January, started to protest in their cities and towns. tens of thousands of people combined their Regional administrations were surrounded power. Gradually, a peaceful event turned by protestors. Monuments of Lenin were into strong opposition from the police and destroyed all over the country as a symbol Interior Ministry troops. On the 22nd of of destroying tyrannical, Russian-directed January, named “Bloody Sunday,” three government. people were killed in Kiev and two more During these days, 94 people were killed Located at the conner of Westnedge and Kilgore

News KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 3 Humans Stand at the Language Varies in US and Helm of a New Mass All Over the World Extinction

Sam Bower Chief Copy Editor

Throughout history, the Earth has carnivore that was hunted due the stood witness to five mass extinctions, risk it imposed upon the livestock the causes of which are still not fully of farmers in Australia. The explained. Some theories include introduction of dogs and cats into collisions with extraterrestrial bodies, its habitat is also cited as a reason global climate change or reduction in for its extinction. However, there sea levels leading to the extinction of are people who believe that the many ocean species. Tasmanian Tiger still exists and In modern times, global climate some have even admitted to seeing change is significant in many the animal. Yet, no evidence exists. scientific circles as the newest risk to global life and a major component of Passenger Pigeon a sixth extinction. This extinction is (Ectopistes migratorius) caused not by an asteroid or flooding, The passenger pigeon was but by humans, whether intentionally regarded as the most plentiful bird or unintentionally. on the planet until its extinction in NASA reported, “Ninety-seven 1914. It was said that their flocks percent of climate scientists agree that could stretch up to 300 miles long climate-warming trends over the past and were one mile wide. The birds century are very likely due to human were so numerous that hunting them activities, and most of the leading became commonplace in the society. In this picture we can see the different areas in which the U.S. is divided, depending on the dialects and accents that scientific organizations worldwide People would shoot them out of are used. Every single colored region shows the diffent accent and dialects which are used in U.S. and they all have have issued public statements the sky whenever a flock passed differences between them. Photo Credit / Jeff McNeill endorsing this position.” overhead. country, people use the term ‘you they are talking about more than one Alba Tizon Quinteiro Increased output of greenhouse J. J. Audubon described the guys’ but ‘you all,’ ‘you,’ and ‘y’all’ person, although in Spain that word Staff Writer gases such as carbon dioxide, pigeon while they were still alive: are also used in different parts of the is used only in formal occasions. In methane, and nitrous oxide, are “When an individual is seen gliding The ability of speaking a country. Brazil they also find a big difference raising the amount of heat being through the woods and close to the language is one of the most amazing These are differences that affect between the north and the south like trapped within the ozone layer observer, it passes like a thought, things that humans can do. There are big areas but there are also cases of in U.S. above the earth. All this extra heat and on trying to see it again, the eye an estimated 67 hundred different small areas who use a different word “They use different words for is continually heating the earth. The searches in vain; the bird is gone.” languages all over the world, but than the rest of the country. If you ask objects and one word at one place earth cannot keep up with the surplus we can also find variations in any for a long sandwich in any part of the can mean a totally different thing in of gases being produced through Great Auk language itself. Not all people who U.S. you will call it a‘sub’ except in another.” said senior Laissa Reis, an deforestation and the burning of (Pinguinus impennis) speak a language speak it the same a small part of Pennsylvania, where exchange student from Brazil. fossil fuels. However, deforestation A large seabird, the great auk way. A person in the state of Texas they call it ‘hoagie’. In Slovakia dialects are also is leading to the possible extinction went extinct in the middle of the doesn’t speak the same way as a Words also change between common. “Every region has their of multiple species in another way as 19th century. It was about 33 inches person from Michigan. A language countries that speak the same own dialect, for example I am from the environment these species need tall, and weighed about 11 pounds. can be subdivided into any number language: British English and south part and I don’t have a dialect is being destroyed for commercial This bird swam in the oceans with of dialects which each vary in some American English, Spain Spanish and but people from west part have totally purposes. great skill, although it stumbled way from the parent language. Mexico Spanish, Brazil Portuguese strong accent,” said senior Kate around on land. Its extinction was One good example of how our and Portugal Portugues. Here we use Bolova, our exchange student from Tasmanian Tiger caused by European explorers who language changes depending on the the words elevators, soccer and french Slovakia. (Thylacinus cynocephalus) used it as food or fishing bait. Its area is found in the word that people fries, while in Britain they call them Languages change, they aren’t A native to Australia, the down (feathers closest to the skin) use to ask for a beverage. In most lifts, football and chips. only different between countries, they Tasmanian Tiger was reported to be was highly prized as well. of the northern part of the country, Dialects aren’t found only in the change in any country itself. People extinct by 1982. It was a marsupial See EXTINCT on page 19 people use the word ‘pop’ whereas U.S., most of the world languages and situations change them and make in the Northeast people call it ‘soda’. have their own dialects. In the a big variety. Which is not bad after Moreover, in some states in the South of Spain, for example, people all, it makes languages stronger and South they use the word ‘coke’ for pronounce ‘c’ like ‘s’ which is also more diverse and despite the small every single soft drink. Even if they used in most areas in South America. differences, we keep understanding are asking for a root beer they will Some people also talk without each other and learning new things always use the word ‘coke.’ pronouncing the last ‘d’ on words about our cultures. People also use different that finish in ‘-ado’ or ‘-ido.’ In most expressions when they call more of the countries of South America than one person. In most of the people use the word ‘ustedes’ when Language Fun Facts • According to the Huffington • Latin is used in cash • Basque is the only language Post, there are 50 thousand machines in Vatican City. that is not related to any characters in the Chinese other language and is language. • Studies have shown that spoken in Spain. if babies hear foreign • There are 22 hundred languages, they will have • There are 830 languages in languages in Asia. an easier time learning Papua New Guinea. languages. • The largest alphabet has 74 • Frisian is the easiest foreign letters (Cambodian) • French and German have language for native English been determined as the two speakers to learn. The Tasmanian Tiger was a marsupial carnivore which lived on the • South Africa has 11 official best languages for job- continent of Australia until its extinction in 1936. Its extinction was caused languages. seeking graduates to learn. • The smallest alphabet has 11 by settlers who believed it posed a threat to their livestock. Photo Credit / letters (Rotokas). Wikipedia • Polyglot is the name for a • Accents can also be found in person who can speak or sign language. • The oldest written language write in different languages dates back to 4500 B.C.

4 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Feature Interpretations of the Most Common Dreams

“I’m walking home, I turn “I was naked, but I thought around and there is an army I had clothes on because I of gorillas, riding horses, walked out of the house, following me.” passed my mom and went to school.”

Junior Katie Srodes dreams about tornadoes chasing her and her dog. Photo Illustration / Jordan Liddle Carlos Escamilla Havier Hill-Roller

Jordan Liddle in an actual, physical accident.” pressured by time management, what peers dogs are loyal. Dreaming about a dog could be a Photo Editor The dreamer can take the accident in their think and trying to reach a goal. person thinking about the people in their life and Dreams are the images and thoughts going dream as a sign or purpose or just take it as the The fourth most common dream is about if they are loyal or not. on in a person’s head while they are sleeping. mind running free while sleeping. teeth falling out, which typically means a person “I’ve literally woken myself up out of the There are many theories on dreams and what According to Katie Couric, of ABC News, should not have communicated something and dream by jumping up so fast in my bed, but I’ve they mean. Some theories suggest that there is the 7 most common dreams are, one, your mate should have kept it to him or herself. also had it where the falling doesn’t ever seem no purpose to them. is cheating, which can mean there is a third The fifth regular dream is tornadoes. to stop and that’s pretty scary,” said junior Katie Some researchers believe dreaming is wheel in the relationship, a third person or thing. Tornadoes show worries, anxiety and the feeling Srodes. essential to mental, emotional and physical well- Second is being chased, which can mean there that a person is spinning out of control. being. Dreams can be interpreted in many ways. is something you are trying to avoid in reality. Dreaming about cars is the sixth most According to Dream Moods, “to dream Chasing dreams can be a representation of common dream. This signifies a person who is that you are in an accident signifies pent-up coping with situations like fear and stress. thinking about maneuvering to get to a goal. guilt in which you are subconsciously punishing Third is dreaming about being back The seventh most common dream is about yourself over,” or it can be “your fears of being at school, which means a person is feeling dogs, the reasoning behind this dream is because

Feature KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 5 Students Taste-Test Bizarre Foods Loy Norrix Students Leave Comfort Zones for Foreign Foods

Lian Wardrop Feature Editor Kids may eat bugs, but Loy Norrix High School students have by far eaten a wider variety of bizarre foods than many of us may guess. Despite Norrix being located in a midwestern, medium sized town, there are many students going out of their comfort zones and sampling things Americans might not deem “edible.” Here are some of the foods that Norrix students have sampled:

Balut (bah-loot) Shark Fin Soup

Balut is an egg that has been Shark is often served as shark fin fertilized and then boiled to reveal a soup. Sophomore Zhi Nee Wee tried little bird embryo that people eat. this when she was really young and visited her family in Malaysia at a Senior Daniel Michael said it tastes local restaurant. “like sulfur and satan.” Wee said, “It’s the best thing ever Michael was told by his mother that because it tastes really good and it “it is healthy,” so he ate it. Michael was spicy.” later lamented, “I stopped trusting my mother after that.”

http://upload.wikimedia.org http://upload.wikimedia.org

Steak Tartare Ceviche (seh-bee-chay)

Steak tartare consists of raw cow Ceviche is made with fresh seafood or horse meat, which is minced or that is cured with citrus juice and ground. It is often seasoned with then spiced. There is raw seafood in onion, capers and spices. this dish, so it is served very fresh to reduce the chance of food poisoning. Senior Meaghan Newhouse has eaten this dish since her dad had Senior Elijah Merritt said, “It was just done the same when he was growing really tiny crustaceans, but you eat up. He continues to make it for the them whole and all.” Merritt said it family. tasted like crustaceans. Newhouse said, “It’s actually really good. You just have to get used to it because it’s raw steak.” http://upload.wikimedia.org http://upload.wikimedia.org

Bumble Bee Larvae Chicken Bones

Bumble bee larvae is served Chicken bones are served as soups fried. Senior Doungbagai Leo or main dishes. The bone is cut tasted the bumble bee larvae at horizontally in order to expose the her grandparents’ house. They bone marrow. Then it is cooked. had gotten the larvae as a gift from friends in Laos. Senior Helayna Barrett said, “I was in Sicily at Martina’s friends house Leo said, “It wasn’t bad, but I and he had learned how to cook it don’t like it.” Leo described the in Mexico.” Barrett admitted, “it was taste as “grainy and nutty and really intense” and “it was kinda weird slimy.” to eat bones.”

http://upload.wikimedia.org http://upload.wikimedia.org

6 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Feature Lizards and Pigs and Spiders Oh My! Loy Norrix Students Reveal their Unique Critters Reed Zapf Web Copy Editor There are some animals that we would normally call pets such as a dog, cat or goldfish. There are other animals that people might not consider a pet because of either societal norms or even evolutionary fears (fears of snakes or spiders) that was essential to our ancestors survival. These strange and exotic animals need love too. From lizards to pigs, many people find comfort in animals that might not have much hair or can’t regulate their body temperature, yet these owners still feel the same pride from owning that “exotic” animal. Though some animals might be outside of our societal norms there are students within our school that love them as much as other people might love their cats and dogs. Cynthia Diaz’s bearded dragon, Chanell Scout Richaardson’s turtle, Olive

Is she hard to take care of? Is she hard to take care of? She’s not very hard to take care if. She just needs to be let out for space and watched No, all I have to do is change the water frequently and give her a lot of lettuce. over. They can grow big. Where did you get Olive? Where did you get Chanell? My friend knows a guy that collects lots of things that he finds at Woods Lake, and I got her from an old friend. she was brought to me in school in a Tupperware container that I had to carry around all day. Any interesting stories? She poops every time you let her out because she doesn’t like doing it in her cage and Any interesting stories? licks everything and everyone. The first day I got her I let her run around my living room, and she climbed my curtains. I lost her at first but then was surprised to see her in my curtains. Why this animal instead of a more common animal like a cat or dog? A bearded dragon because my family doesn’t like cats and to them, a dog is too much Why this animal instead of a more common animal like a cat or dog? work and money, but I love both cats and dogs a lot. If it’s a sunny day, she will lay They are more interesting to keep and not high maintenance. next to the window for hours or next to the heater in the winter. She hates bananas and likes to sleep with people. Photo Credit / Cynthia Diaz Photo Credit / Scout Richardson

Maddie Olech’s micro-mini pig, Joy John Gettys’ tarantula, Chili

Is she hard to take care of? Is it hard to take care of? Yes, she’s a drama queen! She wants a lot of attention and always wants to eat. No he just eats crickets and you don’t have to clean the cage. All he needs is a heating pad in the winter. Where did you get Joy? Somebody’s house in parchment and then we went and picked her up. Where did you get it? As a gift from the petstore. Any interesting stories? Pigs squeal when you pick them up. Joy ran into my neighbor’s yard, and she scared Any interesting stories? them when we picked her up. When she molts her skin, it freaks people out because they think there is two of them in there. Why this animal instead of a more common animal like a cat or dog? Well, I have two dogs but I really want a pig, like I always wanted one. Why this animal instead of a more common animal like a cat or dog? I like having my spider because it’s a good conversation starter. Can you walk her like a dog? She walks like a dog with a harness on her and she trots down the street. Yes people stop and ask if will it bite me. Photo Credit / Maddie Olech Photo Credit / John Gettys

Feature KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 7 LN Grad Goes From Local to Global

“Knight Life”. Though it is not anything that Lori Umbanhowar pushed his career later in life, it was a good start Comic and Graphic Editor to be getting into the public eye. This was a way for him to wet his feet in the art industry. Sizer said, “It was an opportunity. I think In the long list of Loy Norrix graduates comic artists have to be self-motivated because there are a great number of people that have you have to make your own opportunities made something of themselves. One of because a lot of universities don’t have, say, the people who have turned out to be very comic art unless you are at a place like Savanah successful is Paul Sizer, who graduated in 1982. College…You gotta kinda make your own Sizer is a self-published author and comic artist curriculum, which is what I did at Norrix.” who has designed many logos, including the By taking this initiative, Sizer was able Loy Norrix Knight Head and the Kalamazoo to do the same thing in college. While at College Hornet. Western Michigan University earning his B.F.A. While in high school, Sizer drew a few (Bachelors in Fine Art) he drew a series of small comics for the Loy Norrix newspaper, comics for the “Western Herald.” His series “Bill the Rabbit” won him a few awards. While these awards did not get him great recognition, he pursued jobs that allowed him to continue to do his art. “Well, right out of college I worked at the Sign Shop for a year, then I worked at a banner Paul Sizer does all of his comic art digitally, in programs like Adobe Photoshop, which gives his art its company, in the art department of all of these unique flair. Photo Credit / Paul Sizer places and, again, learned these skills for how I was going to survive. But in my spare time I As well as creating his own comics, Sizer still did comics,” Sizer said. owns his own printing brand. Café Digital Press Sizer is currently the production manager is what he uses to print his comics like “Little in the Frostic Design Center at Western White Mouse,” which was his first series, along Michigan University. He has worked there since with his other two comics “Moped Army” and 1992. Here he gets to share how he creates “B.P.M.” Sizer is in the process of writing and comics and teaches graphic design to students. developing his next comic series, though there is While talking about Paul’s teaching at no release date. WMU, it came up that his father, Jack Sizer, Sizer’s comics may be more popular, not was also a teacher, but taught at Loy Norrix only for their diverse storylines, but because High School. As well as an English teacher, Jack each comic has a strong female lead character. Sizer had been both the head of the Yearbook This is what could appeal to a wider group of and the “Knight Life” advisor at Norrix. readers. All of his printed works are available “I’ve gone to him a couple of times. Like on his website Paulsizer.com for purchase or at every once in a while I’ll ask him how to handle your local comic book store. Sizer’s first published series of something. Back when I was starting out at Because of his work in the graphic comics [Little White Mouse] were Western for example, I’d ask ‘how do I handle community and his comics’ popularity, Sizer printed as individual comics before this class that is rowdy or doesn’t want to has brought diversity to the list of Loy Norrix being compiled in the Little White learn?’ What I really took away from talking to graduates. Sizer is one of the many people Mouse Omnibus. Photo Credit / him was just seeing how dedicated he was and who is making a global impact from the local Paul Sizer how passionate he was.” community. Poster design / Paul Sizer Comics

Comprehension

Constance Williams

8 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Feature What’s Your Story, Parker Fields? Claire Domanick Copy Editor The star athletes, the “oh so popular” kids, the class clowns: these are the students usually featured in the newspaper. This time around, it’s a little different. The series “What’s your Story?” will focus on one student per issue who is randomly selected to be featured in Knight Life’s print edition. The first student to be featured is Loy Norrix High School sophomore, Parker Fields. Parker Fields was born in the quaint town of Marshall, Michigan in 1998. Through the years, he moved many times and attended countless elementary schools in Michigan and Indiana, although he will always consider Marshall to be his hometown. With the exception of a short time in prison, his mother, Brenda Ojeda, has been vital in his life. His parents divorced shortly after he was born, and he had little contact with his father. Fields mainly relied on his mother and grandparents to raise him until a welcomed addition came to his family. Fields’ mother married Lupe Ojeda. Fields, along with his younger sister, Stacia, and mother, moved to Indiana where his stepdad part-owned Sophia’s House of Pancakes. A couple years after the wedding, while living in Indiana, his family decided to move to Kalamazoo, MI and open a Sophia’s on Stadium Dr. Luckily for Parker, it didn’t take much to get a job there. Working with close family may seem like the dream job, but Fields sees it a little differently. “When my boss is demanding, my mom tries to stick up for me, but I tell her not to Parker Fields leaves Sophia’s after a long day of work on Saturday, March 22nd. His shift because I won’t have her with me for every job I started at 7 a.m. and lasted until 4:30 p.m. Photo Credit / Breonna Burnside What’s something most people don’t know have,” said Fields. about you? Still undetermined about his future plans, “About 40% of my family is Jewish. I What events have changed or shaped your Parker notes some of the great memories Fields notes he wants to eventually own his don’t see them often but I like learning about life? he had with his grandpa, including a time when own business and follow in the footsteps of his some of their traditions when I can.” parents. “My mom going to prison was a hard a bird flew right onto the dashboard of their adjustment for me but I had my grandparents car and just sat there looking at the two. Parker What does The Kalamazoo Promise mean What obstacles have you overcome? who I lived with and they helped a lot. and his grandpa kept quiet until the bird flew to you? “Starting to actually care about school has Especially my Grandpa Dukeman, who passed out and then all of a sudden his grandpa started “I’m happy that I get The Promise, but at been hard because I used to not come a lot but away in 2012. He was my father figure and screaming and letting out a few choice words. the same time I don’t know if I want to go to then I realized that I really need to so I’ve been when I was little he would take me hunting and Fields looks back on that memory and smiles as college yet or even stay in Michigan, but still, working on it.” fishing.” he remembers the great times they had together. it’s a great opportunity to have.”

Aaliyah Barns-Fogle

Feature KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 9 High School Students Pop the “Big Question” for Prom Jay McIntosh Web Sports Editor Asking someone to prom seems like it would be not that big of a deal, but to couples across the nation it means everything. The typical question, “Will you go to prom with me” used to be either assumed or asked privately has now taken a public approach. Suddenly it almost seems like asking someone to prom has turned into a 100m dash. Who looks the best, who goes to the best restaurant, or even what group you attend the festivities with is being planned months ahead and students want to know who their date is as soon as possible. Asking your future prom date to go to prom with you, in the best way you can think of, to make them feel special is important to set the big night right. Junior Taylor Wade asked her prom date Angel Moore even with the doubt in her mind that things may not go how she wanted. Wade said, “She told me the only way that she would go to prom with me is if I asked her in a cute way, and that’s what I took time to come up with to do. I asked her in front of the fans at the basketball game even though the principal told me I wasn’t allowed to, I wanted Senior Peter Kettner filled Senior Mara Timmeney’s room with balloons to show how much he wanted her to attend prom with him. Kettner spent over four hours making sure the room to do it for Angel.” was set up perfect for when Timmeney came home from her vacation. Other prom dates in the past have also Photo Credit / Peter Kettner taken a public approach with the big question. Last year, Tinashe Chaponda now a college The nervous alum Tinashe Chaponda said, “She called me and said it was the best tuxedo and a ticket to the dance. Prom is taken freshman took a more modern approach by “I didn’t care what other people thought. I just thing she could have ever came home to in her as some sort of competition, who can spend going to prom with someone he wasn’t dating. didn’t want to disappoint my date and that’s room, which made me feel like all the work I more, who look better and who impress more Chaponda organized the school drum line to why I was doubting myself.” did was 100% worth it,” said Kettner. people? play a song outside the doors at the four corners Senior Peter Kettner took another approach New ways to impress a girl on a prom Freshman Biology teacher Chris Komar exit at the end of the day in his way of asking by asking privately. Kettner filled senior Mara night comes with a much higher price. These said, “Back in my time he would’ve gotten Audrey Meyers (also a college freshman) to Timmeney’s bedroom with balloons and days kids are renting luxury cars and spending lucky to borrow his parents’ car and drive to prom. Spelled out on the front of the drums was, streamers while she was on vacation and had upwards of $500 on the night just to impress prom.” “P-R-O-M?” PROM? posted as a question in her room. their date with a nice dinner, an eye popping

10 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Feature The Fight for the Right to Practice

Rachel Wheat Assistant Web Editor This winter has had extremely harsh conditions, with an abundance of snow days, icy roads, and mounds of endless snow, winter seems never ending. Spring sports have started and are in full gear, but the weather has a big inpact on the teams and their playing fields. “We cannot practice outside yet because of the snow, and it is really hard to find time in the gym because of the other spring sports,” said lacrosse player, Autumn Ackerson. Because of the amount of snow and the frigid temperatures, the indoor space is extremely valuable to every spring sport team fighting for practice space. Spring sports at Loy Norrix consist of women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, baseball, men’s golf, track and field, and women's tennis. All of these team members have to share two gyms if weather is not permitting. Loss of practice time could lead to a rough start to the spring sport season, training, conditioning, and pre-season is a crucial factor in the success of the team, and without these, Loy Norrix sports could be hit hard. With the lack of practice space and practice time, sports will get a late start really effecting The track team has to strech inside the school due to the cold and snowy weather. The team runs through the hallways because of the snow covering the track. the way that they play and their ending statistics. Photo Credit / Rachel Wheat Loy Norrix won't be the only school affected by this weather; Kalamazoo Central, Portage Public Schools and the surrounding schools have all been negatively affected by this crazy Michigan Winter. We are going to have to cancel“ our first couple games because we can’t just shovel the field. “ -Lauren Dougherty Many athletes are expecting practices to be cancelled. Games will also have to be canceled and then rescheduled, creating a big mess for the athletic director, players and coaches. “This weather not only affects our preparation, but is also affects us financially,” said Athletic Director Andrew Laboe. According to Current Results the average Michigan temperature this January was 19 degrees. It has been a brutal winter which will possibly affect our spring and summer. Catchers Griffin Conley, freshman, The golf team does not necessarily and Leif Schenimann, freshman, condition, and it’s pretty hard to play with two practice in the big gym because feet of snow on the ground. the baseball field is not yet ready. Indoor space is constantly in demand Photo Credit / Rachel Wheat and renting tennis courts three times a week is extremely expensive. The track team cannot shovel the track so they are stuck indoors, and the lacrosse team practices in the back parking lot. “We won't be on the course until early April at the earliest,” said golf player Andrew Blinkiewicz. Michigan weather changes every day, snow, rain, ice, sun. This winter has been especially icy, cold and snowy and it looks as if it is going to carry into the spring, affecting spring sports.

Freshman Lin Guo Drizek is practicing at the YMCA due to the snow on the courts. Senior attackman Henry Cousino shovels off the lacrosse field so that the Practicing indoors limits the team to only two courts. Photo Credit / Rachel Wheat men’s team is able to practice outside. Photo Credit / Reed Zapf

Sports KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 11 From Rags To Riches then Back Again players’ salary in the NFL is $1.9 million per year. With an average career length around six years, a player could make a total of at least $12 million dollars. If invested and spent wisely, this amount of money could sustain someone for the rest of their lives. However, retiring athletes aren’t being wise with their money. Pro athletes are their own victims of overspending. They spend money on luxurious cars, oversized jewelry, and fancy clothes, all of which are highly unnecessary. “It is hard, when you are making a lot of money and you are a young guy, not to buy an expensive, nice car. It is hard not to pick up all the meals for your family and friends. It is hard not to give expensive gifts,” said Doug Dawson. Dawson spent eight years in the NFL and is now a wealth management advisor. Most professional athletes are too young and uneducated to make wise monetary decisions. A young 22 year old rookie is Louis Mitchell going to spend his money once he sees that Layout Editor first paycheck worth thousands of dollars. He Vince Young tries to evade opposing defenders in the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl. Young spent six seasons in the NFL, doesn’t know any better. playing for the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was then cut from the Buffalo Bills in 2012 He is flat out broke. Where does six The NFL has taken steps to try and and the Green Bay Packers in 2013. Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia seasons in the NFL take you? Vince Young educate rookies about good financial and many other pro athletes are finding out decision making. The National Football monotonous speaker. Young players either is hard for them to live the next 40 years of the hard way. League Financial Education Program tries don’t listen to the advice they are given, their lives after retirement. Even someone It’s hard to believe that 78 percent of to educate players so they can maintain long or are too ignorant to believe they will go who is responsible with his money would NFL players become bankrupt or encounter term financial stability. They hold seminars broke. have a tough time doing this. financial hardship within only two years of for players to learn about cash management, Once retired, many pro athletes continue The Entertainment and Sports retirement. Vince Young made about $34 insurance, taxes, investments, retirement their spending frenzy even though they Management Network (ESPN) has a sports million in his six year career. He has now funds and many other financial topics. don’t have an income anymore. This lavish documentary series called “30 for 30”. One filed for bankruptcy, less than a year after Even though there are educational lifestyle is unsustainable. The bank account of the episodes looks at how pro athletes lose being released by the Green Bay Packers programs to keep players informed on how dries up quickly when you have a mortgage their money so easily. “Broke” shows some and two years after starting three games with to use their money wisely, the stats show on a million dollar house and payments on of the less obvious ways great sports stars the Philadelphia Eagles. As unreal as it may that they aren’t working. Too many retired four different cars. wind up in big money trouble. These include seem, bankruptcy is a common epidemic players are going broke. Why? Imagine NFL players only have a short span of high tax rates, paying for their lawyers and with all major professional athletes. sitting through a long, boring seminar, time to make their money. With such a small agents and having to continuously start over According to Yahoo! Sports, the average with topics that put you to sleep, and a window to make their lifetime earnings, it in new cities upon being traded.

Requiem for Your Team: Why the Heat are Killing Fanhood However, the hype was brought to another manufacturing town. The last Cleveland markets” in the basketball world, are having level due to the fact that the Heat already had team to win a major sports title was the 1964 above-average seasons and may likely Dwayne Wade, a future Hall-of-Famer and Cleveland Browns. However, on May 22, make the playoffs. Yet on any given night, 2006 NBA Finals MVP. 2003, a game-changing event seemed to put nearly one in six seats in these cities will be Three superstars on one team? It was a the city in line for sports success and provide empty. The Suns, Timberwolves and Raptors bandwagon fan’s dream. This is why I won’t relief from real life for fans. average a crowd equivalent to 84 percent of be making many friends when I say that the On that date, the Cavaliers won the their arenas’ capacity. Miami Heat are the worst thing that could Draft Lottery, which meant they would Where are all the small market fans, possibly happen to the sport of basketball. have the first choice in the upcoming 2003 you ask? Check Miami’s American Airlines Before continuing, let me clarify that NBA Draft. While the #1 pick is always Arena, which draws more than 100 percent Maxwell Evans in no way are the Heat bad for the National ideal, this year was special. The Class of of its capacity nightly. Yes, that means more A & E Editor Basketball Association. Love them or hate 2003 was one of the greatest draft classes people pack in to watch a Heat game than the Sports Opinion them, Miami gets fans talking, and fans tend of all time, including Knicks star Carmelo stadium is built to seat. to put money where their mouth is. Because Anthony and two other familiar names, Chris It’s sometimes hard for me to dislike “Not one, not two, not three, not four, of this, the NBA is raking in record amounts Bosh and Dwayne Wade. Not only that, the the Heat. When you look on SportsCenter not five, not six, not seven…” - LeBron of revenue. According to Forbes Magazine, projected top pick was being touted as the and see LeBron dunking all over some poor James during the 1989-90 season, the 27-team next Michael Jordan. The icing on the cake? sap, guard Ray Allen hitting a buzzer-beating league as a whole brought in $1 billion. Fast The heir to “His Airness” was a local kid, shot, or center Chris Andersen flaunting his Someone who hasn’t heard this phrase forward 23 years, and the NBA is doing so 18-year-old LeBron James. His hometown, rainbow-colored neck tattoos, it is incredibly in the three years since it was uttered well that a single team can top that number. of all places, was nearby Akron, Ohio. exciting. What isn’t exciting is seeing the probably has a rabid dedication to not The New York Knicks had an estimated 2013 Flash forward to 2011, and the dream Heat completely dominate media coverage following sports. LeBron’s 2011 rant about value of $1.1B. was swiftly crushed. LeBron abandoned when 31 other teams are working just as the number of NBA championships his No, the Heat aren’t damaging the league his promising team, which had reached the hard (or harder, without the benefit of three Miami Heat would win has been overplayed at all. They’re damaging the fun of watching Finals in 2007, as he was about to enter his superstars) to put on a fun show for their more than Robin Thicke’s song “Blurred the sport. Fans are abandoning their local prime. As of April 15, the Cavaliers are 32- quickly-shrinking fanbases. Lines” was last summer. teams in favor of the almost-guaranteed 49 on the season. They have not been able to Write me off as a bitter, biased fan of a There’s some background to the quote, victories of the Heat, who have reached the win 50 percent of their games since James team nobody cares about, and you’ve done in case one hasn’t heard. In 2011, the Miami NBA Finals every year since the superstar left, let alone go on a title run. Fans have nothing but prove my point even further. You Heat made global headlines by bringing in signings. To show how much the Miami Heat abandoned their once-loved Cavs; nearly would be completely right: nobody cares the best basketball player in this lifetime, have damaged fanhood, one only needs to one-quarter of the team’s tickets to home about my star-less, boring, above-average LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers. look at LeBron’s former team, the Cleveland games went unsold in 2012. Toronto Raptors. This signing came two days before the Cavaliers. The Heat haven’t just burned Cleveland, And it’s because the Miami Heat, Heat signed superstar Chris Bosh from my Cleveland is a sad city. Unemployment, they’ve been a problem for nearly every in all their star-studded, exhilarating, beloved Toronto Raptors. A team with two poverty and awful sports teams paint an team from a less relevant NBA city. Phoenix, championship winning glory, are taking the stars would have excited NBA fans enough. accurate picture of the once-prominent Minneapolis, and dear Toronto, all “small fun out of being a true fan.

12 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Sports Kalamazoo Growlers Norrix Athletes Sign General Manager Recruits for a Bright Future Students to Sell Tickets Emily Feenstra roster this year. Web Photo Editor Stout said, “We want to be Kalamazoo’s Shane Stout is the assistant general only source of entertainment this summer.” manager for the Kalamazoo Growlers. The Stout’s job is to make the team’s dreams team is the newest member of the Northwood’s come true. He strives to put fans in the seats. Baseball League. Kalamazoo has been without There are no free tickets. baseball at Homer Stryker Field since the semi- Stout said, “This makes it so there is value pro Kalamazoo Kings left after the 2010 season. to our tickets.” The Growlers have a five-year agreement with The Growlers have a program for high the city of Kalamazoo. school students to sell tickets. This helps This winter he visited Atiba Ward’s Sports students gain professional experience. The Management class to talk to students about what tickets are 15 dollars and include a hot dog, he does and to encourage them to come to a chips, and a drink. Five dollars go back to the Growler’s game this summer. school. Stout is in charge of making the team’s Ward said, “Selling these tickets is a great dreams a reality. The players do not get paid opportunity for us.” because they are still under NCAA regulations. Ward is starting a group at Norrix called Ward said, “I think it’s really nice that the BPA (business professionals of America.) professionals will take their time out of their The group will travel to different cities like busy day to come talk to us.” Lansing and Detroit and the profits from selling The Growlers also own the Battle Creek these tickets will fund that. team. The Battle Creek team turned down one Opening day for the Growlers is May 30th. thousand players that tried out this year. They will play 72 games in 75 days. The Growlers season is from May until Stout said, “We want to slowly making August. Their league makes it so the players can press releases to build up the momentum play year round. They play for their school the to opening day so there will be a lot of rest of the time. Both of the teams have a full excitement.”

Jay McIntosh signs contracts for Indiana University during his signing party while his mother Melinda McIntosh and sister Brooke Davvis, watch with admiration. Photo Credit / Emily Feenstra

Tatiana Berquist Shane Stout speaks to Atiba Ward’s sports managment class. He is the assistant manager to The Growler’s. Feature Editor Photo Credit / Emily Feenstra While some of us may be undecided about watch the student officially sign the necessary our plans for college, other students are going forms followed by a delicious cake. to universities to pursue their athletic dreams. McIntosh had his signing party on February Seniors Jay McIntosh and Amanda McGrail, 5th. With teammates, peers, and all those who along with Davis Crocker, who has already supported him watching, the excitement in the graduated and is now going to his chosen room was incredible. Seeing McIntosh sign to school, have signed to play for universities play was like watching someone take a literal know for their atheltic programs. step towards success. Signing to play for a school means that Although McGrail has not had a signing said school is giving you money as a result of party, it is being scheduled to take place after you playing on one of their teams. This can be spring break. in the form of receiving a tuition break. “Even though I know where I’m playing, McGrail will be playing women’s I can’t wait to celebrate it with the traditional softball for Jackson College next year. Being signing party,” said McGrail. asked to play by a school is an incredible McIntosh will be attending Indiana accomplishment for student athletes. University in the fall to play men’s soccer. “It felt really good to sign because playing “When I got signed it felt like I was taking in college was always a goal I wanted to reach my life to the next level”, said McIntosh. but didn’t think I was going to have the chance Both McIntosh and McGrail are eager to to”, explained McGrail. get to their respective schools are start playing. To congratulate students that accomplish Although Norrix will certainly miss these two this, Norrix organizes a signing party where dedicated players, they’ll be sure to thrive in friends, family and close faculty gather to their future endeavors.

Sports KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 13 Knight Life Publication Policy Staff Editorial Got opinions? Disagree with something we’ve said? Just want to get your say in College Going Culture Ignores Individual Needs the paper? Write us!

Direct Letters to the Editor to: The push to go to college The lack of focus “college- Knight Life Loy Norrix has always been present in going culture” shows on students’ 606 E Kilgore teenagers’ lives. Parents say that individual needs is embarrassing. Kalamazoo, MI 49001 they expect the most from their Our most important laborers are children and so the kids deserve underpaid, our students are pushed Submit to Room K6 [email protected] the best education that they can to do things they don’t care about, get. There is no denying a mom and most of us can’t even decide Guidelines: or dad’s desire for their child to what to do with our lives. 250 words or less, must contain persevere, but now a “college- Part of solving these deeply author’s name, third period, and ID going culture” is promoted by Loy embedded cultural problems is number. Norrix, along with other schools raising the minimum wage and and institutions. part of it is getting students to Right to Withold: College-going culture is think about their futures. Above If space permits, guest columns, the idea that all kids should all else though, the key to helping personal opinions, contains libel or obscenities, disrupts school have the mindset of achieving a teenagers prepare in order to live environment, invades privacy of higher education. This implies happy lives is offering information others. that anyone with a head between about alternatives to going to their shoulders is cut out for college. Notes to reader: universities or otherwise. Given that at least a high Any photography that has been Education can impact us school degree is necessary for manipulated will be labeled as a to do significantly important most jobs that make decent photo illustration. things with our lives, ranging money, we ought to show from the credentials for a good teenagers how important a high Knight Life will publish a formal job to lifelong, fulfilling careers. school diploma is. The best way to correction of any factual error made However, these are not always the do this is by providing facts about in a previous issue. careers that hold the foundation of high school graduates. Scaring society together. students with facts like the 60 Working class laborers like percent of dropouts that spend janitors and farmers allow us to time in prison may provoke a KNIGHT LIFE keep things running smoothly. reaction, but it does nothing to get EDITORIAL BOARD These are jobs that do not typically Lori Umbanhowar them on track to create a plan for require a college-level education. By their future. promoting a culture where everyone go to college is a sweeping An important thing that plays According to CNN, a nine month Tatiana Berquist gets the education necessary to do the generalization, which is the last thing into this is where our focus goes computerized numerical control Sam Bower work of an architect, we are saying teenagers who are deciding what to when planning for the future. Many certification program (a type of Breonna Burnside that we don’t need people to construct do with their lives need. If we tell young people will jump straight into trade school) had a 100 percent job Claire Domanick the actual building. everyone to do the same thing, we deciding which college they want to placement rate for one of their recent Benjamin Dunham However, this is not to say that are enforcing the importance of go to. With all this concentrated effort graduating classes. This highlights Maxwell Evans we are in short supply of blue-collar assimilation and having a one-track on ACTs and grade point average, the incredible rates at which students Emily Feenstra workers. Our country’s undervalued life. it’s obvious that the prestige of the who undergo vocational training are Jared Graves laborers may be numerous enough Some students know that they college attended is what people care typically employed at. Doesn’t this Brandilyn Greig to keep things afloat, but that doesn’t don’t want to go to college or are most about. Why is this, though? seem like a more effective thing to Jake Heasley mean their jobs are properly respected intimidated by the thought of going College is where you spend two tell students? Leslie Hemenway or are at all lucrative. According to school for another two to eight to eight years of your life getting an We should be encouraging Emily Jackson to MSNBC, a single person needs years after graduating. This is why education, whereas a career is what students to find options that will be Jillian Ko about 14 dollars an hour to sustain we should put more emphasis on you channel all of your passion into most suitable and beneficial to them Jordan Liddle themselves. However, Michigan’s figuring out what will work best for your whole life.The quality of a as an individual. Telling everyone to Jay McIntosh minimum wage is 7.50 an hour. It is for a paticular student’s future, person’s education is important, but go to college is like saying we should Alexis Meinert worth noting that half of minimum therefore encouraging students to there are other things to consider. all have sports cars; what if someone Ben Miller wage workers are over 24. This wage properly manage their goals. Also, the Fifty percent of college students who needs to haul something? Louis Mitchell complication shows us how little our advantage of making a personal plan declare their major will change it. Audra Penny essential workers are valued. is the prospect of doing something This shows the lack of thought put Irving Quintero To say that everyone should you enjoy or are cut out for. into career choice before college. Jessica Rodriguez Joe Santamaria Sarah Stevens Alba Tizon Quinteiro Lori Umbanhowar Lian Wardrop Rachel Wheat Anna Yudina Letters to the Editor Reed Zapf Tisha Pankop, Advisor Dear Editor, because it has a good amount of information to bring attention to more important things I liked the article on page 7 where of this subject. for Boggan than keeping crumbs off the floor. it showed what teachers of the school have Not many students know how much Need more Knight Life? Why can he limit our eating but does nothing done job wise when they were in high school. better Loy Norrix use to be. Students will about does nothing about bullying? Eating Check out the Independent Voice It gives more input on their lives than just probably be influenced to make changes after of Loy Norrix High school at is the least of our problems, and yes, eating asking them on your own. reading this article. Hopefully many good is necessary for life. He should focus on more knightlifenews.com Dagnija Tomsons, Freshman things will come out of this article for students important things than a wrapper on the floor of Loy Norrix. that takes three seconds to throw away. What Dear Editor, Mason Sonneville, Junior about the emotional damage from other I read your feature on The Knight Life students? The leaders of our school have called “Loy Norrix Remembers Programs of the Dear Editor, better things to focus on. Past. It was very interesting to read about what I have read your article “Cuisine in Rayna Myers, Senior Loy Norrix used to be like a long time ago. Class.” I agree that we should be able to eat Hearing about things that Loy Norrix used to when we are hungry. No matter if we are in be from older people that used to go here is class or the cafeteria. I also agree that a clean fun to listen to. This article is very nice to read school is better than a dirty school, but I’d like 14 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Opinion Knights A Critique of IDs: Speak Education Versus Enforcement How do you think loy norrix benefits from the id existed in the past, it’s now just a nice way day and then not for the next two weeks procedure? of saying the students will serve an in-school confuses students and makes a joke out of detention. This outdated terminology is proof the rule. Teachers that do attempt to enforce that the ID procedure needs some revisions. the rule typically get frustrated. For instance, Chase Watkins Junior Connor Zook, who dislikes the the ID machine was down durinf the last two Freshman requirement of student ID badges, expressed weeks of March, making it a little difficult for the same sentiments and said, “Most teachers students to get a new ID. “It doesn’t benefit because no don’t even enforce the rule.” Of course, there’s a difference between one uses their ID.” Teachers are supposed to regularly accidentally forgetting your ID one day and check for IDs and send out any student constantly refusing to comply with the rule. Leslie Hemenway who refuses to cooperate but as Zook stated Students should only be penalized when Web Feature Editor above, that rarely happens. they’ve forgotten their ID multiple times in English teacher Anne Lewis only asks a row. Even then their punishment shouldn’t her students to wear their IDs when they interfere with their classes. A Critique of IDs: Education Versus leave her classroom. She understands the History teacher Matt Porco, who enforces Enforcement Lashenik Webb purpose of the rule is to keep students safe the rule in all of his classes, said, “When we Junior Loy Norrix, like any other high school, and believes it positively affects some parts don’t enforce IDs, we send the message that has many rules which most of the student of the school, but Lewis also said, “I will rules are optional.” “It lets people know who body questions. Based on the arguments not let a plastic card dictate whether or not I This is completely accurate. However, I’ve witnessed between students and everyone is and keeps bad teach a student.” while IDs are potentially a good way to things from happening security guards/teachers, I think it’s safe to More teachers should follow Lewis’ improve behavior and ensure the safety of say the most universally hated rule is the because everyone could come lead. Students shouldn’t miss out on a day’s students through the display of one’s name, and cause problems.” requirement of ID badges. According to the worth of education simply because they the lack of enforcement renders the rule Loy Norrix Handbook, students must wear forgot their ID; their education should be pointless and ineffective. Also, students their ID around their neck, above the waist, more important than whether or not they shouldn’t miss an entire day of school for and it must remain clearly visible have a tiny piece of plastic with them. forgetting their ID one day. If a student forgets Lamya Tipton throughout the day. While it’s really not a hassle to put on their ID four or five days in a row, they should Freshman When a student forgets their ID, they an ID badge every day before school, it’s receive an after-school detention. That way have two options. If they happen to have difficult to obey a rule when most of the the rule is enforced but doesn’t interfere with “It keeps everyone safe, five dollars with them, they can purchase a teachers neither follow nor enforce said rule. a student’s learning. new ID in the guidance office. If they don’t, provides security and makes Most teachers that do check for IDs do IDs are a good idea and I believe Loy us more identifiable.” they must remain in what the LNHS so on random days throughout a trimester. Norrix should mandate them, but IDs need to handbook refers to as the “Reclaiming This sporadic schedule is, to put it nicely, be enforced without getting in the way of a Center.” While this “center” may have annoying and illogical. Enforcing IDs one student’s education. Rico Takahashi Senior Steroids Should Be Mandatory in the Major League “The first time I heard about it I thought it was a cool system, but now it’s bothering The athlete’s job is to entertain, seats to see a stadium full of them. me because I can just forget and steroids can help with just that. On Also the hormonal imbalance causes it at home and it’s hard to steroids, athletes feel less exhaustion and aggression called “roid rage.” Aggression get into school. I understand muscle fatigue, due to the means fights and confrontations. Viewers that it’s very important, but it opiate-like effect. Anaerobic exercise love to watch fights. The major league really bothers me.” becomes effortless, so the game becomes would become reality television or a less focused on physicality and more on long-standing drama show. Or even better skill. The sport becomes expressed in its a real life action movie. Imagine the truest form. entertainment value of “roid rage,” the Danny mailoux Major league games become much number of viewers would be through the Freshman more entertaining and marketable for roof. This is show business, not morality. Daniel Michael everybody, not just fans. Steroids can All that matters is money. Logically “If you don’t have an ID, Guest Writer mess with hormones, and hormonal speaking, the athlete’s health is secondary they’ll assume you are not anomalies are what show business is here. Here in America, money can heal from this school. So they’ll ask all about. These “anomalies” can cause these wounds. How many celebrities get you to leave.” The crowd sits in awe, and players breast development in males, and this off scott free from crimes, how many sweat it out in the field. Every move would make sports appeal to many more business just pay fines for reparations becomes a struggle to keep going, but viewers. Crowds go to the circus to see from terrible damages caused instead of there is a solution. Anabolic steroids are just one bearded “lady,” so imagine how actually helping? This is the American Marie Portei the answer! many people that would fill the empty mantra, just throw money at the problem. Junior “ I don’t think it benefits us because many people don’t follow procedure anyway. Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Even when teachers enforce it, I read “Miley Cyrus is a Genius. ” “Power Walkways Provide Clean Applause goes to the author of the students don’t really care.” When I first saw the title I disagreed, Energy.” The title (and picture) caught “Sex in Youth Culture” article. It brought but once I started reading the article, I my eye. The opening sentence was up statistics, good points, and the social realized that she isn’t as bad as I thought great, and it kept my interest in the effects (such as girls being ‘attacked’ she was. I ralized that she is just trying to article. for their own choices regarding sex). break out of the name “Hannah I would suggest mentioning the Juan Paz Overall, it was a well written article and Senior Montana.” She had to do something negatives of piezoelectricity (along with I’m glad to have read it. drastic to get people’s attention as Miley, the benefits/positives!). I was interested Jennica Stanley, Senior not Hannah. I still wouldn’t call her a in the negative aspects too, and they “There is no benefit. It’s just a genius, but she knows what she’s doing weren’t mentioned. But other than that, waste of time and money.” with her life, and her plan worked to get great job on this interesting article! people to notice her as Miley Cyrus, NOT Emma Greschak, Freshman Hannah Montana anymore. Alaina Cook, Freshman

Opinion KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 15 Justin Bieber’s Dumb Moments may get him Deported Yeater filed a lawsuit against Bieber for is making, he could get deported to Canada. over and over again, he is obviously feeling getting her pregnant after having sex with Based on all the events Bieber has been that because he is famous there isn’t going him when she met him backstage at on of accused of participating in, the debate is to be any real consequences. There needs Bieber’s concerts. After finding out that to be a huge consequence, like being faced Yeater made all of it up, Bieber wanted to with deportation, that will make him notice sue her. Instead, Bieber wrote a song about Now she’s in the magazines that he can’t get away with everything. her explaining his side of the rumor: “on TV, making a scene According to latest YouGov polls, 52 “Now she’s in the magazines/ on TV, oh she’s crazy, crazy in love percent of Americans want Justin Bieber making a scene /oh she’s crazy, crazy in deported. love/And she’s all over the news/ Saying and she’s all over the news everything but the truth/ She’s faking, Saying everything but the truth Breonna Burnside faking it all.” He released it in his album She’s faking, faking it all. Photo Editor Assistant “Believe.” “ On January 23, 2014 Justin Bieber got -Justin Bieber Scooter Braun and Usher discovered arrested for a DUI. He was charged with Justin Bieber, a young Canadian boy whose driving under the influence, resisting still on for whether or not this should be dreams were to become a famous singer/ arrest, and having an invalid license from deported. If he does stay in the U.S he will songwriter in 2008. Little did they know Georgia. During his arrest Bieber had to do continue making music, but the sound of his that soon after signing him to Raymond a drug test. The police released the video of music will continue to change to more of Braun Media Group then to Island Records, Bieber’s drug test. Now police are saying a rap sound instead of pop. He has already he would become just another celebrity to they will take the shot out where Bieber’s done this new sound of music with Maejor hit rock bottom. genitals are showing. Ali, Juicy J and Chance The Rapper. On October 2011, 18-year-old Mariah With all these convictions that Bieber If Bieber has made all these mistakes Prom is not worth Smashing your Piggy Bank

Spending nearly $1000 isn’t necessary to Some guys plan a perfect way to ask, and crowning moment of the King & Queen. have one unforgettable night. the girls reject them. Just like girls, some The popularity contest truly comes into The first part of prom is actually being guys will be able to find a group and attend play in this part of prom. Since students get asked to the dance. All girls want to be that way, while others don’t even attend. to vote for who they want to be their king asked to prom by their crush, but let’s think The next part of prom is the “perfect and queen, you usually know that it will be realistically here. Some of the girls won’t prom night.” Most girls, being fantasy the popular kids of the school. Since when be asked. driven people, of course want the night have you ever heard of a nerd or unpopular Being asked to prom is usually the to be perfect. That means girls have to be kid winning a prom except for in those feel- most exciting part because it’s the very perfect. Girls spend their whole day before good movies? Rarely, if ever, in real life. beginning of the process of prom, but what the evening of prom getting their nails, hair, Prom can be a fun night, but it can Audra Penny happens to those lonesome souls that don’t make up, EVERYTHING done. also be a night of staying at home watching Business Manager get asked? Some are able to create a group Then there’s finding the perfect dress. Netflix and eating junk food. Prom is meant with other girls or mix a group of guys and We spend a lot of time searching online, to be a great night and one of the most girls together and go as friends, but others going back and forth between stores, meaningful high school experiences, but have to decide if they even want to go. squeezing into a variety of different dresses, how great will it really be if you blow a ton As dress shops prepare to open their However, let’s not forget about the guys in just to find the perfect one for that one of money just for a few hours of fun? doors to an endless sea of fancy dresses, this “lovely” beginning part either. night. one can only presume that it is finally that In a “New York Times” article written season again, prom. by Merri Rosenberg, manager of White Ah, prom, the one night where high Between my date and I, we spent House/Black Market, Elizabeth Fragale schools all over the country host a dance for “ around $500. said, “Fifty percent of our business right their upperclassmen. The students attend “ -Abbi Danek now is prom.” the dance but not before spending the Girls aren’t the only ones going through whole day getting ready for this supposed The guys have to go through planning everything to make prom perfect; we still “night of their high school career.” on how they are going to ask their special need the guys. So why is prom considered the “night girl, and they try and make sure it is perfect Since they are gentlemen, they’re of the year” for high schoolers? Is it based in the eyes of their girl. Many guys spend usually the ones that have to spend the off of the excessive money spent? hours trying to find the right idea, and money on everything. They have to make Senior Abbi Danek said, “Between my once they have it, they have to put it into sure the transportation, dinner, corsage, and date and I, we spent around $500.” action. This means making arrangements to all other expenses are fully paid. Usually In a survey conducted by USA today surprise the girl, and planning to make the the girls don’t have to pay for anything on the spending of prom, “Midwest way they ask her perfect. That’s not even except for their attire and a boutonniere for families will spend an average of $696 and the stressful part. The stressful part is seeing their date. Photo Illustration / Lori Umbanhowar up to $744.” if the girl will actually go with him or not. Last but certainly not least, the

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor, I think there should have been more I liked the article called “Regrets of the I read the article about safe sex and I really did enjoy reading about the about freshman in the newspaper. When Past School Years.” It was well thought out I agree with it. I think that if teenagers past of Loy Norrix High School and how sophomores, juniors, and seniors see and relatable. It’s very true how we make are being taught so much about safe sex, much better of a school that it once was themselves in the school newspaper decisions that we later regret. I would’ve then why do they ban it from websites? and I also did enjoy reading about the it doesn’t really matter, but when liked it better though if more people Students will never know how to make the freshman to senior year article. It’s pretty someone on their first year in high school were questioned. It would’ve been more right decision if they block all ways to get obvious that things will change for the (freshman) see themselves in the school interesting. good information on the topic. I think the good or bad but this article could be a newspaper for something good matters to Kendra Curtis, Sophomore school should realize by now how many wake up call to a lot of people who may them, it makes them feel more welcome students have sex. So students should be need it. Keep up the good work! and it represents all freshman at Loy able to go online if they want to receive Mark Peterson, Freshman Norrix. information about it. So if somebody gets I’m not just saying this because I’m pregnant, the school could be somewhat a freshman, I’m pretty sure sophomores, at fault for that. juniors, and most seniors would agree too. Claudia Ely, Freshmen Nazir Rogers, Freshman

16 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM OPINION Suicide is Not a Joke Insensitive Humor Has Inintended Consequences overwhelming. played a sport knows what a “suicide” is. It’s some people this could bring up unpleasant All of my teachers knew about what a common term used in workout routines that memories. had happened and I could tell through every has absolutely nothing to do with the actual According to the Centers for Disease interaction that they were trying to be very word itself. However by the end people think Control and Prevention over 38 thousand people sensitive. As I continued through my high the name of the workout makes sense, simply die of suicide yearly. This number doesn’t school experience, I knew that I’d still be because of how much pain the athletes are in. include all of the people that have attempted affected, but in truth I never realized how suicide. This number doesn’t include the friends frequently the word would be tossed about. Even the word suicide itself and families left behind. This number doesn’t You may think that you and the people “ became overwhelming. include the teachers and peers that are affected. around you have never been affected, that This number doesn’t even get close to the Emily Jackson “ suicide is an issue that hasn’t reached your number of people that are affected each year by Co-Editor-in-chief sphere yet. In reality, you never know. Most -Emily Jackson suicide. “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you people who have been affected in some way or Suicide isn’t the only issue that people meet is fighting some kind of battle.” another are not comfortable letting other people Unfortunately, students who have been affected are beginning to take lightly. How can we as a -T.H. Thompson and John Watson know. They may not say something for fear of by suicide have to go to practice and hear the society prevent offending people when we don’t being judged, or treated differently. word just thrown about, like it doesn’t matter. know their situation? As a society we need to Over the past few years, every story They may be afraid about how other people Phrases dealing with suicide are also a start acting like everyone is going through or about suicide, simply the mention of the word will react to finding out. They may even be big part of today’s culture. The most common has gone through something drastic in their has struck a chord in me. In my sophomore afraid of their own reaction to the situation. phrase I hear is when a person is in a bad lives. year of high school a family member of mine Suicide is not an easy topic to discuss, thus it position and they’re making it worse, they This means that we need to be more committed suicide. When I got back to school, shouldn’t be something that people try to make are said to be “digging themselves a grave.” sensitive towards each person we come across. every time the topic was brought up in class funny through their jokes. According to The Free Dictionary, the phrase No more jokes about issues in our society, no (like with “Hamlet”), every joke a classmate It’s true that suicide isn’t just talked means “to do something stupid that will cause more tossing about phrases that could hurt the made, even the word suicide itself became about in a joking way. Anyone who has ever problems for you in the future.” However, to people you are around.

Investment in Renewable Energy is Key in the Modern World atmosphere. natural gas and oil according to the Society for that climate scientists falsified climate change While the earth naturally goes through Mechanical Engineers. While this time may statistics. While it is always possible, it seems cycles of heating and cooling, the post- seem very far away, consider the economic highly unlikely that there is a massive scientific Industrial-Revolution world has seen warming and social ramifications of completely running conspiracy to push the agenda of global that far exceeds the previous cycles. climate out of our main source of energy. Catastrophic warming. This general disbelief of scientists in change is often attributed to the heating of would be putting it lightly. America can be attributed to the fact that news the earth, but that is only a part of what it When the majority of appliances in the media does not show climate scientists nearly as means. The surge of natural disasters that have United States run on coal or fossil fuels, running often as it shows climate change skeptics. happened in the past years can also be linked to out of those resources would be disastrous. Even if climate change is a myth and there climate change. However, with investment in renewable energy, happened to be a massive conspiracy throughout Jake Heasley Many people like to joke about climate an economic catastrophe could be averted the scientific community, there is no point Web Opinion Editor change by pointing out harsh winters, but it and the world would not have to build an in fighting renewable energy. As I have said does not do the issue justice when only a single infrastructure based around renewable energy before, climate change or not, it is a fact that we This winter has been one of the harshest part of the overlying problem is considered. while at the same time, experiencing a major will run out of fossil fuels in the next 50-100 winters in the last decade. With 113.5 inches of Deliberately ignoring part of the issue will only energy crisis. years. There is nothing that will prevent that and snow since October it is very easy to forget that create ignorance and will do nothing to help the It should also be noted that oil isn’t the only thing that can be done to help prevent some places around the world are experiencing problem. just used for fuel. Plastic is a byproduct of international disasters is to invest in renewable the direct opposite. During the Winter There may be a consensus on climate petroleum, a fossil fuel. Petroleum is also used energy. At best, climate change deniers can be Olympics, the snow in Russia was melting, and change in the scientific community, but that in chapstick and other products. When we run happy that they were right and then will face Australia just experienced one of the hottest consensus is almost non-existent in the political out of oil, we will also run out of petroleum, an economic catastrophe. And at worst they summers on record. While many people use the arena. Oil and gas companies spend around 140 which means we can have extreme difficulty will experience the predicted effects of climate cold as a point against the existence of Global million dollars per year on lobbying in congress, making plastics and other petroleum based change as well as an economic catastrophe. climate change, one must look at the entire while environmental lobbying expenses peaked substances. While short term gain can be lucrative world to get an accurate measure of the climate, at 24 million in 2009. The fact is, oil and gas Oil companies stand to directly gain for businesses considering the expense of not just Michigan or the United States. companies have more money and people to from not investing into renewable energy and some renewable energy sources, surely when While climate change is one of the most lobby the government than environmental that is why they lobby so hard in congress. considering the long-term consequences heavily debated topics in politics, in the agencies do. Environmental lobbying can do nothing to fight of not investing in renewable energy, the scientific community the debate is one-sided. Renewable energy is one of the most back from the massive amount of money poured comparatively minor cost of resources like wind According to NASA, as many as 97 percent of important aspects of fighting climate change. into lobbying from oil companies, and this turbines and solar panels seem like a better climate scientists believe that climate change While installing solar panels and other monetary gap directly hurts the people who are scenario. (and the general warming of the earth) can appliances can be costly, rooftop solar panels not told the facts about renewable energy. be attributed to human activity, specifically can cost 12 thousand dollars, they are vitally A 2011 poll from Rasmussen Reports the output of greenhouse gases like exhaust important when considering that in the next stated that 69 percent of adults in the USA from cars and fumes from factories into the 50 to 100 years, the world will run out of believed that it was at least “somewhat likely”

Dear Editor, bring the art back to the mainstream society. usually want to be on court. Why? I don’t know. change to call the young popstar a smart I just want to express my appreciation to And the features were mad crazy also. I heard so many people say “I don’t care if I person for income and attention. Thank you Maxwell Evans, the editor of the article entitled Jalil Johnson, Sophomore don’t win I just want to be on court or get the for approving it, even though no one else “Diamonds in the Rough.” Specifically the free ticket to the dance.” In my eyes I think they wants to hear any more on her and twerking. portion about Mac Miller’s album Watching Dear Editor, really do care. If they don’t win I’m sure there Reading the article written by Joe Movies with the Sound Off. I felt as if people I do understand where Alexis Meinert is would be some bashing here and there but Santamaria, “Cuisine in Class: Students slept on this album way too much. Honestly coming from. I do feel as though many people never a congratulations. I do feel like it should Bellyache over Food Policy” made me realize I didn’t like Mac Miller very much, but that run because they believe it’s a popularity be more fun than competitive. But many how irresponsible some LNHS students really album gave me second thoughts about his contest, they would feel better about people don’t think like we do. are and how they were raised lazy. That if the range of talent. He broke away from the themselves. But I have also been nominated Alexis Word, Senior entire student body knew how dirty the school mainstream spotlights of hip hop and did for the 2014 Winterfest court. No I did not do can get when you throw your trash wherever, what he wanted to do. This album was never it for popularity or because “I just know” I’m Dear Editor, we could make a difference. The article stayed about the money or sells, it was about the art. going to win. I did it just to have fun! It’s me I fell in love with the article by Lian on topic, was very well written, and had much Yes, it’s nice to be rich and have great assets, and my boyfriend’s last year why not just run Wardrop “Miley Cyrus is a Genius.” The side evidence to convince. but don’t forget the reason you started in the and try to win. of someone who loves her and doesn’t call Laura Martin, Freshman first place. This album was simply made to People that do get nominated they just her a dirty slut every five minutes was a good

Opinion KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 17 TV Shows that Nobody Will Miss “Breaking Bad” Sets the Standard for Good Television

Ben Dunham Web Editor-in-Chief

With AMC’s “Breaking Bad” coming to “Lost” seemed to start off as such a Seasons 1-3 of “Arrested As a genuine fan of the show, it pains an end last year and the final season recently great show. The first episode left viewers Development” were incredible, and way me to add “The Walking Dead” to this list. becoming available for Netflix instant with so many questions that they couldn’t ahead of their time. The show was witty, The first season of “The Walking Dead” streaming, we are reminded of what a truly help but come back. As the show went on, fresh, and had so many long-running jokes was awesome. I mean, who wouldn’t want incredible show “Breaking Bad” was. however, Lost started to become like an that watching episodes over again just to watch a TV show about the zombie The plot became more and more interesting argument with the worst kind of person: made them funnier. The characters were so apocalypse? Admit it, you have a plan in from season to season. The stakes were getting all of our questions were answered with over the top that it was impossible NOT to your head in the case of a zombie breakout. so much higher that we couldn’t help but come more questions. Things started to get so fall in love with them. Each character had “The Walking Dead” gave us exactly what back for more. As the show gained popularity, confusing that it appeared as if the writers hilarious quirks about them, like a magician we wanted -- a show where we could live the plot became more complex. What started off gave up at some point and just started to who hardly knew magic and the son of a out our zombie apocalypse fantasies. as a small, clumsy operation ended up with an make things up as they went along. The billionaire who couldn’t afford to live in However, after the first season, the organized meth empire. show got so complicated that it was almost anything better than a model home. show really seems to go downhill. I don’t The characters were all interesting and impossible to keep up with everything that It was a very sad day when the remember a single thing that happened in complicated, and everyone who watched the was going on. If you don’t believe me, just cancellation of “Arrested Development” season 2. Something about a farm? Season show had a favorite who they rooted for. go to the Wikipedia page for “Lost” and was announced, but even in what was 3 picked up the action and really drew me Finally, “Breaking Bad” came to an end read through the synopsis. If that makes any supposed to be the show’s last episode, back in, but along with that action came a that seemed too soon, but at the same time sense to you, you deserve a cookie. there were still hilarious jokes being told at deep-seated hatred for Lori, who made me was so satisfying that it was okay. Our favorite What started off as a show about the show’s expense. want to throw something at the screen every characters were left in a good place, and all of survivors on a spooky island ended up with Then Netflix came along and brought time she made an appearance. Her character our questions had been answered. a mess of confusing events that included it back to life by adding a fourth season didn’t add anything interesting to the plot, Looking back, it’s easy to tell that flashforwards, devices that move islands last year. I was ecstatic about this at first. I and took all the excitement out of anything “Breaking Bad” ended at a perfect time; the and travel through time, and a light that wanted to fall back in love with “Arrested that was going on by adding in a useless, action had come to a climax but had not gone represents all goodness in humanity. I had Development,” and be brought back to the uninteresting story that had nothing to do on so long that the it felt forced. Other shows, to re-watch the last season in order to truly days when I started watching it… But in the with what was actually going on. however, are not following this example. Let’s understand how it all fit together, and even end, the Netflix reboot just falls short. Finally, we arrive at the current fourth take a look at some shows that could benefit now I still don’t feel satisfied with the Yes, the new season has its moments of season. Although I have to admit that this from taking a page or two from the book of answers I was given to all the questions I hilarity, especially when everything comes is the most fun season to watch yet, the “Breaking Bad.” had. together in the last few episodes, but as a only thing that is really driving the plot is All in all, “Lost” started off as a great whole it’s just not the same. A combination heartbreak. There is a ton of action, but in show with lots of interesting questions but of the aged actors and a plot that was hard a show like “The Walking Dead,” action ended up leaving the viewers with one big to follow made me wish that “Arrested means death. Countless main characters are question: What? Development” could have just rested in being killed off or otherwise taken from us, peace, remaining in my head as it was in the and I can’t help but think that eventually first 3 seasons. we are just going to run out of people to lose. Hopefully, I’ll be proven wrong and the series will really take a turn for the better, but as of right now I would be happy if things were brought to an end soon. Make Believe vs. Reality What the Movies Have Compared to What We Don’t begins almost immediately. moment of unadulterated clarity to solve their Now, when thinking about these unreal Once their obnoxious laughter fades down problems. schools, one thing comes to mind: cliques. the hallway, you break into a song that conveys One main difference between these Jocks, nerds, skaters, preps, the list goes on. the hurt you feel. That is until you wake up fictional high schools and the ones in reality Cliques were big in movies like “Mean Girls,” in bed, with the thought that maybe you’ve is the “bad boy” illusion. Yes, we all know “The Breakfast Club,” and even “High School watched one too many high school movies. You that one person that seems to get into constant Musical.” push yourself up, chuckling, and prepare for a trouble but that number seems to double once Sticking to the status quo was huge and day of crowded hallways, annoying classmates you become a sophomore. treading the water outside of one’s safety zone and never-ending classes. A good, “bad boy” movie based in high would result in a complete social downfall Alexis Meinert Real life is never the same as our favorite school would be “Heathers,” starring Christian within these lines. But in reality, we all mingle Copy Editor movies or TV shows seem to portray. No matter Slater and Winona Ryder. Slater plays the with one another. The group or groups we how hard we wish for it, our lives won’t be rebellious bad boy who tricks Ryder’s character, associate ourselves with tend to not only include You reach out and slam your hand down on one giant party or an endless musical. Even Veronica, into killing off the popular students. all types of people, but also accept them. We the snooze button to silence the buzzing. With with that thought in mind, we continue to love In fictional high schools, such as appear to be more diverse than “High School a groan, you push yourself out of bed already these movies and watch them as if they were Westerburg High from Heathers, there only Musical’s” own East High. dreading the day. The jocks will most likely on repeat. High school based movies, like “The seems to be a single bad boy. Sometimes they Speaking of “High School Musical,” spend the day shoving you into lockers or walls Craft,” “Clueless,” or “Mean Girls” usually rule the school, and sometimes they’re at the there’s an example of one thing freshmen and throwing the contents of your backpack on have musical numbers, giant parties or huge bottom of the heap. However, that doesn’t seem the floor. Of course, you’re right and the torture revelations in which the protagonist has a to be the situation in reality. see REALITY page 19

18 KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM Opinion Caravan Palace Ushers in a New Genre of Electrtronica group had all instruments covered album was released in 2012, titled Joe Santamaria for a good ol’ fashioned swing band. “Panic,” as well as another album Web A&E Editor There were endless directions the “Panic in the USA,” with a few bonus sound could go, considering most tracks, aimed at picking up more of Combine the smooth, fluid flow members of the group also do some an American audience. This long- of early twentieth-century swing amount of programmation (digital awaited release followed the release with the hype, energizing beats of the editing) or machine work. of their singles “Rock it For Me” and modern “house music” and let the From 2006 to 2007, they spent “Dramophone.” product bounce and hypnotize. One a year touring around France and As they anxiously wait for of the leading players in this hot new secured their first festival appearance the next album, fans speculate why genre of electroswing is a group by at the Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival it takes four years to drop. Every the name of Caravan Palace. in 2007. As the bibliologist for member of the band works in his own The songs of this Parisian put it, “they start musical lab before exchanging files “Gypsy Jazz” group, at first, sound touring long before they even think at night. Every song is excruciatingly like a new house music, sampling the about releasing an album.” After this edited down to a beat, and although nostalgic, lucid tones from the roaring appearance, the group was signed to it may not sound precise, the way twenties to create some rockin’ hits. the Wagram Music record label, of it sounds is exactly the way it’s It’s not until an utter auditory Paris. supposed to sound: foggy, flowing, dissection or a miraculous epiphany In 2008, the Caravan Palace fast. that the realization strikes; these are released their carefully crafted, On April 1 of this year, Caravan people actually playing instruments. self-titled debut album, “Caravan Palace embarked on their first US Every melody is being played by Palace,” following the release of their tour, with shows in Boston, and New either Charles Delaporte on double single “Jolie Coquine.” In their native York, then Chicago, but not before bass, Arnaud Vial on the guitar, or France, this album reached a peak stopping in Pontiac, MI. That’s Hugues Payen on violin, with an position of #11 on the French albums right, Pontiac. Just two hours away. added percussive, modern flavor. chart for 68 consecutive weeks. Tickets were eighteen dollars, so i Delaporte, Vial, and Payen This first album was composed recruited some friends, and took my are the three original members of percussive head-banging beats, chance to feel the energized sound of Caravan Palace, who got their flawless arpeggios, smooth strings, of this revolutionary group as a beginnings with “The Succiona and Chapi’s bright reed flare. The recording cannot replicate. Pichulas-Lagarto,” a small songs are some one might hear About three or four songs into entertainment agency that provided waiting in an elevator at one of the set, a friend of mine at the concert the soundtrack to silent pornographic J Gatsby’s lavish parties, as the remarked “[I]t’s like I’m hearing films. The trio recruited Antoine soundtrack to Luigi’s Haunted music again for the first time.” These Toustou on trombone, Zoé Colotis Speakeasy, or something heard artists have the musicianship and on additional vocals (backup to blasting out of a basement in the the ability to create an astounding, Delaporte and Vial), Camille student ghetto. pure, original flow, and a sound that Zoé Colotis of Caravan Palace singing “Jolie Coquine” at their concert in Barbier on vibraphone, and brushes. With the additional use of fifteen caracterizes one of the newest, most Pontiac, MI Photo Credit / Joe Santamaria With these newest members, the vintage keyboards, the group’s second intrguing, and catchy genres.

REALITY from page 18 the heap. However, that doesn’t seem cafeteria or a car the next. The people EXTINCT from page 7 leaves. This means less food for the to be the situation around them either join in or act like marsupial. don’t experience walking through in reality. it’s nothing new, but let’s be honest. Black Rhinoceros The Australian government said, “… the doors of their new school. Now, when thinking about these In real life we’d be getting some (Diceros bicornis) koala populations in some parts of Nobody spontaneously bursts into unreal schools, one thing comes to pretty weird looks. The black rhinoceros is not coastal Queensland and New South song. Movies such as “High School mind: cliques. Jocks, nerds, skaters, Despite all these differences, extinct yet, although its status Wales face an increasing threat from Musical” or even “Grease” will be preps, the list goes on. Cliques were there is one thing that fictional high according to the World Wildlife Fund urban expansion, disease, habitat nothing but dialogue one moment, big in movies like “Mean Girls,” schools have in common with the is critically endangered. The horns loss, vehicle strike, and predation then they’re dancing around the “The Breakfast Club,” and even ones in real life: finding out who we are prized in North Africa and the by dogs.” Steps are being taken in cafeteria or a car the next. The people “High School Musical.” Sticking to really are and growing up. Growing Middle East for uses in medicines Australia to prevent the koala from around them either join in or act like the status quo was huge and treading up isn’t easy. Some of us have to or as ornamental dagger handles. becoming endangered. it’s nothing new, but let’s be honest. the water outside of one’s safety zone do it quickly while others take their The animal’s horns are cut off, while In real life we’d be getting some would result in a complete social time and some do it without noticing. the body is left to rot. There are an The National Wildlife Federation lists pretty weird looks. downfall within these lines. “Clueless” is a sweet, romantic estimated 5,055 black rhinoceroses five ways in which the protection Despite all these differences, But in reality, we all mingle with comedy in which protagonist Cher, left in the wild. of endangered animals is being there is one thing that fictional high one another. The group or groups played by Alicia Silverstone, has achieved in the United States. They schools have in common with the we associate ourselves with tend to a sudden epiphany that she’s spent North Atlantic Right Whale are, “defending and strengthening ones in real life: finding out who we not only include all types of people, too much time acting like a child. In (Eubalaena glacialis) the Endangered Species Act, really are and growing up. Growing but also accept them. We appear to “Sixteen Candles,” everyone forgets The north Atlantic right whale’s holding federal agencies and others up isn’t easy. Some of us have to be more diverse than “High School that it’s Samantha Baker’s, played by habitat lies along the coasts of North accountable, advocating for increased do it quickly while others take their Musical’s” own East High.Speaking Molly Ringwald, sweet sixteen. She America and Europe in the northern funding for private landowner time and some do it without noticing. of “High School Musical,” there’s spends her day acting younger than hemisphere. Its population used incentives, protecting and restoring “Clueless” is a sweet, romantic an example of one thing freshmen she really is and has an idea of who to be large until whaling for its oil habitats, and reducing threats comedy in which protagonist Cher, don’t experience walking through she wants to be, only to realize that’s increased. Current climate change has to wildlife.” In our community, played by Alicia Silverstone, has the doors of their new school. not what she wants at all. resulted in the dwindling populations recycling remains an important aspect a sudden epiphany that she’s spent Nobody spontaneously bursts into In reality, it’s easy to become of plankton—a major source of its of keeping waste out of landfills, too much time acting like a child. In song. Movies such as “High School lost in what we want to be rather than diet—further reducing northern right as well as reducing the amount of “Sixteen Candles,” everyone forgets Musical” or even “Grease” will be who we are. With all the comparisons whale numbers. Its status is critically land that needs to be taken up to that it’s Samantha Baker’s, played by nothing but dialogue one moment, one could make, growing up seems to endangered according to the New accommodate a greater amount of Molly Ringwald, sweet sixteen. She then they’re dancing around the be the most relatable. England Aquarium with a population waste. spends her day acting younger than estimated to be between 300 and 350. she really is and has an idea of who she wants to be, only to realize that’s Koalas not what she wants at all. In reality, (Phascolarctos cinereus) it’s easy to become lost in what we Koalas are iconic to the world want to be rather than who we are. for being the cute, fuzzy marsupials With all the comparisons one could from Australia. Although the koala is make, growing up seems to be the not officially endangered, the species’ most relatable. habitat is slowly being demolished, In fictional high schools, such as and climate change is affecting the Westerburg High from Heathers, there health of its only food source, the only seems to be a single bad boy. eucalyptus tree. Rising carbon dioxide Sometimes they rule the school, and levels in the atmosphere lead to the sometimes they’re at the bottom of eucalyptus trees producing fewer

Arts & Entertainment KNIGHTLIFENEWS.COM 19 Loy Norrix Picks Favorites Esteemed Books, Movies and TV Shows Among LN Students and Faculty Jillian Ko News Editor Books The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling Divergent by Veronica Roth The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 1984 by George Orwell The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks Digital Fortress by Dan Brown A Dog’s Purpose by Bryce Cameron Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzwell Going Bovine by Libba Bray English teacher Steve Griffin follows the yellow brick road with Dorothy and the gang. Photo Illustration / Jillian Ko

Movies The King’s Speech The Wolf on Wall Street Inception Ender’s Game The Proposal I Love You, Man 21 Jump Street Cool Runnings Catching Fire 300 I am Legend Friday We’re the Millers Divergent The Heat The Hangover This is the End Pulp Fiction Ride Along Fight Club She’s the Man The Sandlot The Lorax Into the Wild Spirited Away Up Where the Wild Things Are The Notebook The Wizard of Oz Bad Grandpa Momento Schindler’s List Finding Nemo The Grand Budapest Hotel Senior Kayla Dekoekkoek is the man. Photo Illustration / Jillian Ko TV Shows Downton Abbey Scandal The Walking Dead Grey’s Anatomy Breaking Bad SportsCenter Sherlock American Pickers New Girl Pawn Stars Pretty Little Liars The Vampire Diaries Modern Family Lost The Office Spongebob Squarepants Gossip Girl Phineas and Ferb Avatar: The Last Airbender Revenge Community American Horror Story Game of Thrones Bates Motel Parks and Recreation Orange Is the New Black Alongside Dory and his turtle friends, Senior Tom Rupp listens intently to Marlin’s tale. Photo Illustration / Jillian Ko

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