Post on 20-Feb-2016
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C MPASSthe
w i n t e re d i t i o nVol. I, Issue 2
A Publication of Traverse City West High School
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20
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06 We are West ByArianaBurk
08 Life as a Teen Mom ByMeganBezemek
10 We Art West ByStevenStarlin
12 Hoopin’ it Up ByKeriBeaudri
14 Skype By Ari Burke
18 Lucky Jack’s ByArianaBurk
20 Fiddlin’ with the Family ByCompassStaff
26 The Pit for Phantom By Steven Starlin
28 Kendama Takes the Trend By Odyssey Staff
Foreign exchange student
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CONTENTS06
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Mrs.HansenAdvisor
Ihavebeenadvisingpub-licationsfornearly10years.I
startedasayearbookadvisorfortheMapleLeafyearbookinAdrian,
Michigan.Ihavebeentheadvi-sorfortheWestOdysseyyearbooksince2003andTheCompassonlinemagazinesince2010.Ihavebeentakingmaster’sclassesatMSU
injournalismandalsowriteforFamiliesFirstmagazine.
TaelerAspenleiter Writer/Photographer/
LayoutEditorIamaSenioratTCWestSeniorHigh.Iabsolutelylovejournal-ismanddesignbecauseIamabletotellstoriesothersmightnotbeabletotellbythemselves.
ThisismythirdyearinyearbookandIhopetogetadegreeinEnglishandGraphicDesign.
MeganBezemekWriter/PhotographerI’montheTitanCheerlead-ingteam.Itakealotofartclasses,myfavoriteisdrawing.CurrentlyItaketwoadvanceddrawingclasses.IliketoplaypianobutIamnotthebestatit.Iwritesongsandplayguitar.IhaveworkedfortwotrimesterswithTheCompassMagazineasawriterandphotographer.
StevenStarlinWriter/Photographer/GraphicDesignerI’maprofessionalgraphicsde-signerandIevenstartedmyownbusinessinprintingT-shirtswithmytemplatesonthem.IplanongoingintocollegeforaMaster’sDegreeinBusiness.Ifyouwouldliketoorder,pleasevisitmyblogatwhitefangim-pressions@charter.net.
ArianaBurk Editor-in-ChiefIamsoexcitedtohavetheprivilegeofbeingtheeditorforTheCompass.WhenIgradu-ateIhopetopursueacareerinmedicinealongwithjournalism.Tellingstoriesisawaytoopensomanydoorsandopportunities.Oncesomeonehearsthetriumphsandtrialsothersface,theywillrealizetheycanconnectwiththeworld.
Dedicationisatraitmanyknowofandmanyposses.Here,attheCompass,wearetruelydedicatedtoour
passion.Thatis,servingourcommunity.Thisissuewasdevelopedbyastaffoffive,whichwasnotasimple
task.Wehaveacommitmentanddedicationtosharingourschool’sexperiencesandeventswithallofourviewers.Thisparticularissueismuchsmallerthenourfirstis-sue,butthatisduetothefactthatthisCompasswasnotofferedasaclass.Lastissue,wewereblessedtohavealargerstaffinaclassduringtheschoolhours.However,sincetheclassdoesnotexpandtothecompletethreetrimesters,fivededicatedstaffmembershavein-dependentlybeenworkingondevelopingthisissue,justforyou.Wehopeyouenjoyourcreationandbecomeen-
couragedtobeapartofthecommunity,calledWestSeniorHigh.
KeriBeaudrieWriter/Photographer
IamcurrentlyinWestSe-niorHighs’schoolnewspaperandjournalismclass.Ihavetaken
photographyfor3yearsandphotojournalism.Iamalsoinvolvedinwebpublishing.WhenIgraduateIhopetobecomeaphotographerbecauseitwouldbeagoodthing
totakeoninmylife.
NotefromtheEditor
d4 Staff
W h a t ’s H a p p e n i n g a t We s t
d5What’sHappeningatWest
Checkoutourlatest,greatestachievements:
TCAPShelditsfirstFuturesofLearningSummittodis-cusshowtobestservestudentsandkeepupwitheducationaltrendsaswemovetowardaglobalandtechnicallydiversefuture.Parents,students,teachers,administrators,andbusinessownerscametogethertodiscussthegoalsforourdistrictandbrainstormnewwaysofreachingourschoolandlocalcommunityinmeaningfulways.Moresummitswilltakeplaceasthedistrictmovesforwardinplanningfortheup-comingyear.FreshmanandsophomoreswillreceivetheirownNetbooksinearlyMarch.Studentswillpay$20annuallytousetheirper-sonalcomputers,whichwerepaidforthroughfundsthatcameinatechnologymillage.
TheMMEandACTtestswilltakeplacethelastweekinFebru-ary.Examswilltakeplacetheweekafter.
PracticesareunderwayforThePhantomoftheOpera.TCWestwillbethefirstschoolinMichigantotakeonthelongestrunningBroadwaymusical.
ThedrumlinemarchedintotheStateTheatredowntownTra-verseCitytoannouncetheopeningofthemovieStep&Close.ProducedbyOneUpWeb,themoviewasaboutthemarchingbandandthededicationrequiredfrommusicstudentstoformaunitedmarchingteam.
WecompetedagainstCentralinafoodcandrivetosupporttheFatherFredFoundation.Webeatourbiggestcrosstownrivals,supplyingmorethan2,000canstotheorganizationwhichsuppliesfood,clothing,andsheltertoareahomelessandtheneedy.ThefooddrivewassponsoredbyNHS.
TheKeyclubheldacollectiontobenefitLeukemiaandLym-phomaSociety.Intotal,theschooldonatedalmost$2,000tobenefitcancerresearch,andMrs.Batcha’sclassbroughtinthemostmoney,$430.HerclasswillberewardedwithpastapartyfromtheOliveGarden.
What’supwithourpaststudents?ElizaFoster(2010)hadaspreadfeaturedinMSU’sINGMagazine.ShewillworkasMan-agingEditorofthemagazineinhersophomoreyear.ShewasEdito-in-Chiefforthe2010Odysseyyearbook.JordanWag-ner(2008)announcedonherFacebookpagethatshewillin-ternfortheBritishParliamentwhileattendingTheLondonSchoolofEconomics.DavidGuthrie(2002),afterservinginAfghanistan,justwona2011CorvetteCoupeatBurgerKing.AmyRushlow(2002)isnowtheonlineeditorforMen’sHealthMagazine.SheservedasEditor-in-ChieffortheOccidentalistNewspaperhersenioryearatWest.
are west
Counterclockwise:Thedrumlineperformsforanassemblyinfrontofthewholeschoolbody.AstudentinMrs.Keck’sclassmeltsametaltobegintheprocessofcreatingjewelry,fortheMetalsandJewelryclass.Intheclass,studentscreatejewelrybymeltingdifferentclassesofmetalsintofineworksofart.Manystudentsweartheirpiecesaroundschoolasaneverydayac-cessory.MembersofthenewlyestablishedCol-oringClub,colorapicturetogether.Manynewclubshavebeendevelopedthisyear,includingthePhotoClub,theGreenClub,andevenaQuid-ditchclub.ChloeF.,KaylaS.,KaitlynP.jumparoundoutsidewhileshowingofftheirindividualfashionstyles.CaseyV.warmsupbeforepreform-ingfortheHolidayMusicConcertonthexylo-phone.Amusicstudentexpressesherindividual-itywhileplayingthepiano.Currently,therearemanypracticeandwarm-upmusicrooms,whichareequippedwithpianos,toassistsingersandmusi-ciansinbecomingmorepreparedforperformances.By Ariana Burk
d7WeareWest
asateenmother
Main:Cuddlingwithaflower,Sophiaadoreshermother,whosebehindthecamera.Above:Playingthepopulargame,‘airplane’,Daniholdsherbaby.Beforefallingasleep,Sophiawelcomeskissesfromhermother.Right:David,DaniandSophiaposeforafamilyphoto.Photos:DaniHernendez
d8 LifeasaTeenMom
LifeHighschoolissupposedto be about dating, parties,homework,andjusthavingfunbeing a teenager. However,Dani Hernendez experienced aneventnotmanyanyhighschool-ersimagine;givingbirth. “I never thought that Iwouldbetheonegettingpreg-nant,”Danisaid. Whenparentsofteenagersfindouttheyaregoingtobegrandparents, their reactionsarenotgauranteed.“Mydaddidn’ttalktomeandDavidforatleastaweek,”Danisaid.Dani,whowasaju-nior,wasnotkickedoutofherhouse, as many predict wouldaccur. Whenagirlfindsoutsheisapregnant,awaveofeveryemotion, thought, and actioncrossesthroughhermind.ForDani,herfirstthoughtswere
aboutherhighschoolcareer. “Ithought,‘WhatamIgonnado?WillIgetkickedoutofschool?’,”Danisaid. Beingateenagegirlinhighschoolisscaryenough.Withallthegossip,stressofgrades,socialresponsibilities,andextra-curricular committments, there is alreadyplentyforagirltohandle.Addingapreg-nancytotheexperiencemakesthingsalotmoredifficult.Whenagirldiscoverssheispregnant, there are constant reminders ofwhatothersthinkandmostgirlsdon’tbragand tell everyone when they first discovertheyarecarryingachild. “TheyearIwaspregnantandatschoolpeople did say horrible things about me,”Dani said. “They said stuff like I woulddrinkeverynightwhileIwaspregnant,butotherswereexcitedforme.”Itisnotuncommonforatheyoung,soon-to-befathertodisapperatthediscoveryofapregnancy.However,Daniexperiencedsome-thingcompletelydifferentwhenshetoldherboyfriend,David,thatshewaspregnant.
asateenmother “BeforeItoldDavidthatIwaspreg-nant,Ithoughtthathewouldbeoneofthoseguysthatrunawayfromtheirproblems,”Danisaid.“Butthankfully,hestuckthroughev-erythingwithme.” Thehardestthingabouthavingachildatanyageisthelossoffreedomthatcomeswhenyouhavetocareforanotherlivingbe-ing.Freedomisagiftmanyteenagerstakeforgranted. “Thehardestthingaboutbeingateenmom is not being able to hang out with myfriends,” Dani said. When a girl becomespregnantsheaddssomethingtoherlife,butherfreedomisalsotakenawayasherloveand time becomes concentrated towards herchild. The loss of freedom may meen regretsforsome,butforDani,herpreciouslittledaughterisworththethingsshewillhavetosacrificeovertheyears. “IwouldhavelikedtohavewaitedbutIstilldonotregretanything,IloveSo-phia.” Sophia was born September 24th. SheisanexcitingadditiontoDaniandDavid’sfamilies. David and Dani may be working alot harder than most to finish their highschoolcareerontime,buttheyarestillontrack to finish their education. They knowhow their education is important for theirdaughter’sfutre.TheyareluckytohaveasupportivefamilythatareessentialpartsofSophie’slife. “Every thing is going great,” Danisaid.“MyparentsandDavid’sparentsadoreSophiaandsamegoeswithmysisterandDa-vid’sbrothers.” Life doesn’t giveyou advice and a guidebook on things likewhattodowhenyourpregnantorhowtoraiseyourchild.Justlikelife,nooneknowsthefuture. For Dani, she wants to ensure herdaughterlearnsfromherexperiences. “IwantSophiatoknowthatitisnotgood to get pregnant at an early age. ButalsoknowthatnotforoneseconddidIthinkaboutgivingheraway.”ByMeganBezemek
d9LifeasaTeenMom
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1.Bandmembersplaytheirclarinetduringtheholidayconcert.
2.AlexaM.transformsawetanddirtypieceofclayintoamasterpiece.
3.BillyB.,astheBeast,inBeautyoftheBeast,contemplatesaplantowoothebeau-
ty.4.RobertM.‘12listenstohisiPodwhile
sketchinginartclass.5.KaylaS.expressesherartisticsidewhen
presentedwithabluewallanddaisies.
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Artistic Articulations
3d4 titlenamed10WeartWestme
Hoopin’ It UP
Thescreamingfans.Thescoreboardbuzzing.Thescreechonthewoodenfloor.Theanxietyofthenextpass.Thebounceofthedrib-ble.Theseexperiencesdescribethenoisysportofbasketball. Eachnewseasonbringsnewcheeringfans.Basketballseasonisatimewhenallwhoareloudandproudcanencouragetheirfavoriteteamwhentheyaredribblingonthecourt.BleacherCreaturethemedfannightsincreasetheamountofex-citementandenthusiasm. “Iliketogotothebas-ketballgamesandcheertohelpthemwinthegame,”AlyssaWolf‘12,said.“It’sfuntostandinthebleacherswithallmyfriendsandwatchmyschools’teamwinthegames.” Therearetimeswhentheloudchantingcanbecomeadistractionfortheteamhowever,andplayerssometimesfeeltheyareloosingcon-troloftheirfocus. “WhenwehaveagameagainstanotherschoolItrymybesttostayinthegameandbringourteamtovictory,”JackFlynn‘11said.“Ashardasthatmaybe,it’ssomethingalltheplayerstrytodo.” Whilecheersarechantedfromeverysideofthegymnasium,playersmaketheirlastmovesandtheopposingteamstartswiththemindgames.Thesedistractionsare
apartofeverygameandwhenthefateofthegamerestsinthehandsoftheballcarrier,pressureisbroughttoawholenewlevel.GraemP.,aseasonedvarstiyplayerknewthisalltoowell. “IrememberwhenIfirstbe-camepartoftheteam,”hesaid.“IgotmyheadoutofthegamebyallthefanscheeringformebecauseIhadtheball.Then,whenIwenttopassit,theotherteamendeduptakingit.EversincethatdayIremembertostayfocusedsoIdon’tlosetheballfortheteam.” Cheeringandchantingmaybeadistractionforeveryteam,butwithoutthecrowdtheteamswouldn’thaveanaudiencetoperformfor.TheplayersdefinatelyneedtheirfanstomotivatethemandsometimestheBleacherCreaturesdrownouttheop-posingteam’srantsandchants. There’sasaying,‘Doyourbestandwhateverhappens,happens’.Thisisamottotheplayersliveandpreformby.However,whenitcomestowinning,there’satimewhentheamountofteamworkdeterminestheoutcomeofthegame. “Itsnotallaboutuswin-ning,eventhoughitwouldbenicetowin,”CoachGrahamsaid.“Icareabouthowourteamisworkingto-getherandbecomingastrongerteameverytimeweplayagame.”ByKeriBeaudrie
Fan distractions become a destiny developer
d12Hoopin’itUpname
During a time out, Coach Graehm, discusses the next play the team is sup-posed to carry out. Running towards the basket for a lay-up, Julius M., concentrates on making a basket. The team sits on the bench while the coach deliberates with them. Running around the three-point line, Marshall
d13Hoopin’itUp
d14Skype
skypevirtual video is viciously vanquishing the Internet
Eventually,thepersonreap-pearsandthecallbeginsonemoretime.SincethereifnocostwhenusingSkype,eachcallisentirelypriceless.Peoplefromalldiffer-entstates,citiesandcountriesaretakingadvantageofthistech-nologyinordertocommunicatewithlovedoneswhomarefaraway. Skypeisnotonlyhelpingpeoplestayclose,ithasworkeditswayintotheclassroom.Mrs.Hansen,aSpanishteacher,foundawaytomakeSkypeworkforherstu-dents.Recently,astudentwhowasstudyingtobeaSpanishteachercametoherclassroomtoworkwithherstudents.HewasleavinglaterthatweektostudyabroadinArgen-tina.HeusedSkypealotandMrs.Hansen’sstudentsaskediftheycouldSkypewithMr.RankewhilehewastheresotheycouldlearnmoreabouttheArgentineancultureandhearthelanguagefromnativespeakers. “It’samazingtomehowmuchmystudentsknowabouttechnlolgy,”Mrs.Hansensaid.“Manyoftheal-readyuseSkype,soifIrunintoproblems,theycanhelpmeout.Itisamazingtomehowtechnologyischangingthewaywelearn.Ithasopenedupsomanyopportunitiesformystudents.” Mrs.HansenalsoplannedtouseSkypewithtocommunicatewithanotherschoolinMexico.
Itwasn’tlongagothatinkandpenwerealloneneededtosay“Hello”.Butthetimestheyarechangingandtechnologyisenvelop-ingsociety.TheabilitytoaccessFacebook,thelatestnewsonapps,andgamesandentertainmentareallaccompaniedbyonemoregrowingtrend;Skype.Therealitythatonecanphysicallyidentifythepersonontheothersideofthereceiverhasbecomeaninfectioussensation. HighschoolstudentscanusetheconvenienceofSkypetogiveandreceivehomeworkadvicewhilebeingabletoviewtheirpeerswork.ForLaurenBell’11,Skypeisawaytocommunicatewithfriendsandfamilywholivefaraway. “IuseSkypewheneverIneedtotalktosomeonewhodoesn’tliveinTraverseCity,”Laurensaid. AlongwithLauren,manymenandwomenwhoserveoverseasuseSkypetocommunicatewiththeirfamilieswhileaway.Collegestu-dentscankeepintouchtheirfriendsandfamilyontheothersideofthecountry,andexchangestudentsareabletostayclosertofamiliesbackhome.However,justlikethereiswitheverypieceoftechnology,thereareunforgettabledefectswithSkype. “Iwouldchangetheinternetconnection,”Laurensaid.“Some-timesthepicturesblackoutandyoucan’tseethepersonyouaretalk-ingto.It’sfrustrating.”
skypevirtual video is viciously vanquishing the Internet
Above:RachelG.pullsupherSkypeaccountonherlaptop.Shehasbeenus-ingSkypeforoverayearnow.Shestartedusingitbecauseherbestfriendwasgoingtocollegeandtheywantedawaytostayintouch.“It’sagreatwaytokeepintouchandIalsouseitforstudy-ing,”shesaid.“Ihavefriendsthatliketostudyoverskype,sothenwecanbevisualandverbal.”
d15Skype
Freshman, Owen W. is old-school preppy in his argyle sweater and red converse shoes. His style was comfortable, relaxed, and hip.
Senior, Megan B. shows off her signature style by wearing knee-high argyle socks with high heeled patent leather shoes.
Junior, Betsie S. is stylish-hippie in her flowered dress and emboidered boots. “I usually dress comfortably, but some days I try to look good, too,” she said. “In winter I mostly dress warm and i dress nicer than I do in summer.”
Winter Wearable Wondersstyles in the winter of 2011
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Junior, Betsie S. is stylish-hippie in her flowered dress and emboidered boots. “I usually dress comfortably, but some days I try to look good, too,” she said. “In winter I mostly dress warm and i dress nicer than I do in summer.”
Senior, Calvin B. is preppy-grunge in his sweater, shirt, jacket layered look. His signature style was fresh, regardless of the season.
Foreign exchange student from Norway, Ane Elia-sen learned to keep warm in the Northern Michigan winters by bundling up in a waist length, warm coat. Luckily, winters in Norway are similar, so Ane came prepared.
Winter Wearable Wondersstyles in the winter of 2011
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fd17WinterWearableWonders
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lucky jack’s
Justwhenweneededtoberevivedfromthewinterdul-drums,anewfunlandopenedtoboostourspiritsandentertainusduringthecoldlongmonthsofwinter.Filledwithneonlights,upbeatmusic,andinteractivegames,LuckyJack’soffersabrightspotwherestudentscanrelax,hangoutwithfriends,andfeelrejuvinated. LuckyJack’smayseemnewbythename,butinrealityithasbeenaroundalongtime.Infact,ithasbeenfamilyownedandoperatedbytheMohrhardtfamilyfor50years.Mostwouldrecognizeitbyitsoldname,TimberLanes.Whilethebowlingteampracticedandcom-petedthere,fewexpectedthemajorchangesthatcamethiswinter. Thereissomethingtodoforeveryageatthe
newhotspot.The12,000squarefootarcadehas80gamesandaredemptionstorewherewinnerscanspendtheirwinningstopur-chaseWiiandXboxgames,clothes,giant-sizedstuffedanimals,lavalamps,neonlights,andhouseholditmeslikecookware.Thelasertagroomisfullofobstaclesandblacklights,andisachallengeforallwhoenter.Aftereachgameplayersreceiveaprintoutoftheirscorestouseasbragging
rights.Studentscanalsotesttheiragilitybycompet-inginthelazermaze.Theobjectofthisgameistogetfromoneendoftheroomtotheotherwithoutbreakinganylaserbeams.Thereare8billiardtables,33lanesofbowlingandtheregion’sonlybumpercars. Friendsaresuretoenjoythisgatheringplacewithallthespecialsthatareoffered.LuckyJack’shasglowbowlingfrom9pmto1amonFridaynights.Thereisalsoa“friendlyspecial”wheregroupscangetapizza,10wings,pitcherofpop,andtwo$5LuckyJack’sFunCardsfor$39.99.Friendscangatheratcomfycouch-esatoneofthenewbowlinglanesandorderfromthediverseandaffordablemenu.LuckyJack’salsohaspartypackagesavailableforbirthdayorgraduationparties.
A New Fun-in-One LandThe Old Timber Lanes takes on a new look. An added game room,
laser tag, bumber cars, a laser maze, additional bowling lanes,
and eatery have made this one wild hangout with lots to do.
d18LuckyJack’s
,
Anaddedbenefittothegameroomisthereloadablefuncards.Playerscanaddmoneytotheircardstouseinthegameroom,bowlingalley,lasertaggames,andrides.Thecardskeeptrackofwinningsthatcanbespenttopurchaseprizesintheredemptionroom.Earn-ingscanbetradedinforWiiandXBoxgames,hugestuffedanimals,neonlights,lavalamps,candy,andevenhouseholditemslikecookwareandclothes.Thear-cadefeatures80newgames,includingskeeball,basket-ball,GuitarHero,toycranes,airhockey,and3Dridesandtargetgames.Anewbowlingalleywasaddedwithcouchesandhightableswhereguestscanorderfoodanddrinkstohavewhilebowling.Themenuisdiverse,withallthepartyfavorites-pizza,wings,burgers,hotdogs,salads,andsandwhiches.AfunnightforstudentsisFridayNightGlowBowl,wherethelightsareturneddown,blacklightsareturnedon,andplayersuseneoncoloredballstoknockdowntheirpins.Thebowlingal-leyhostspartiesforlargegroups.Thebusinesshasbeeninthefamilyforfourgenerationsandthefamilyvibeisstillveryprominent.Infact,DavidandBenMorhrardtbothattendWest.Itiscomfortableareaforeveryonetohavefun,regardlessofage.
d19LuckyJack’s
SophomoreSavannahBuisthasmanytalents.Manyknowheraroundschoolforherneonbluecoloredviolinthatsheusestoplayinschoolconcertswiththeorchestra.Whatmanydon’tknowisthatherviolinturnsintoafiddlewhensheplaysandsingsfolkmusicwithherfamilyatlocalvenues. Savannahstartedplayingviolininsixthgradewhenitwasarequirementformusicclass.Shealreadyhadalittleexpe-riencewithmusic,though.Herparentswerebothmusicians,andSavannahtaughtherselfhowtoplaythepianoatagefour. Itwasnoeasytaskgettingherpar-entstoletherjointheband,though.Shestartedaskingearlyon,andhermomkepttellinghertowaitanotheryear.Shefi-nallyworehermotherdownandshestartedplayingwiththefamilybandwhenshewas
13yearsold. Savannah’sfamilyband,Summerson,isamixoffamilyandfriends.Itbringstogetheraneclecticandenergeticmixofdrums,piano,guitar,cello,violin,andvocals.Whileonlyhermomanddadalsoplayintheband,Savannahreferstootherbandmembersasfamily,too. “LukeandLauraarelikemysiblings,andMattislikemyuncle,”shesaid.LukePurcellplaysdrumsintheband,MattMan-sfieldplaysguitar,andLauraplayscello.Hermom,Amberplaysguitarandsingsandherdad,Rick,playspianoandalsosings.Playingwithherfamilyhaditsbenefits,too. “Ilikeitwhenwe’reactuallyplay-ing,”Savannahsaid.“Whenwe’rejam-mingout,wedon’tworryaboutthelittle
d20Fiddlin’withtheFolkFamily
Fiddlin’ With the Folk Family
things.” WhilejamminggavetheBuistsqualityfamilytime,makingmusicalsomeantwork,whichaddedchallenges. “Reahearsalscangetdifficult,”Sa-vannahsaid.“Aswellasprioritizingforgigs.” FanscaneasilyspotSavannahatcon-certs.Whethersheisplayingwithherfam-ily,oramongstalargegroupofstudentsintheorchestra,itishardtomissherneonbluecoloredviolin,whichshenick-named,“Red.” Whetheritwasthecolorofherin-strument,orthepurequalityofthesoundshemadewithit,Savannahearnedherposi-tionasfirstchairinorchestra.ShealsoearnedherseatsittingnexttoMomandDadonthefolkstage.
Savannah warms up with her violin before the holiday concert.
d21Fiddlin’withtheFolkFamily
Fiddlin’ With the Folk Family
WE ARE WEST
d22WeareWest
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GlynnisP.performsinBeautyandtheBeastfortheTheaterArtsClass.
JessiegetsreadyforanotherbowlingframeatLuckyJack’s.
PagieB.,AnglekiaD,andBriannaS.havefunintheirnews-paperclasswheretheykeeppeopleuptodatewiththeon-lineissue
AllisonB.playsGuessWhoduringlunchintheNAPprogram.
DavidL.installswiringforthedrivesysteminthenewRoboticsclass.
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TheTitanhockeyteamlinesupforthethebiggameagainstTraverseCityCentral.
IanK.‘12dancestoshowhisschoolspiritatthepepassemblyfortheWestVS.CentralBasketballgame.
RichardB.celebratesavictoryinhiswrestlingmatch
ShainaS.‘12getsreadyforapieeatingcontestatafootballgamepepassembly.
ClanceyH.preparesforacrosscountryracebywarmingupandstretch-ingout.
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FarLeft:RonnieS.Donatesbloodduringtheannualblooddrive.Studentsenatesponsoredtheblooddriveinthenewgym,whichwasfilledtheentiredaywithdonors.TheblooddrivesupportedMIBlood,anorganizationcommittedtosupplyingbloodtohospitcalsaroundMichigan,andalsotoplacearoundthecountryintimesofneed.GrantB.andLoganH.pickupgarbagearoundthepark-inglotinMrs.Hansen’sadvisoryclass.Studentswantedtohelpcleanuptheschooltoshowtheirsupportfortheschoolwidecommunity.KayleeVandMykalaFcountcansfortheNHSfooddrive.Studentsdonatedmorethan2,000cannedfooditemsfortheFatherFredFoundation.WebeatCentralHighSchoolincollections.BryneE.fromtheKeyClubcountschangeddonatedforthePen-niesforPastacollectionwhichbenefitedtheLeukemiaandLymphomaSociety.Intotal,theschooldonatedalmost$2,000,andMrs.Batcha’sthridhourclasswonthepastapartyfromOliveGardenforcollecting$430.RachelB.sellsbakedgoodsforafundraisertobenefitasoftbalplayeratElkRap-idsHighSchool.Themembersofoursoft-ballteamwantedtohelpaplayer,MichelleCook,atwotimecancersurvivorinneedofadoublelungtransplant.Theteamde-cidedtoholdabakesaletohelp.Theteamprovedthatcompetitiononthefieldmaybefierce,butcompassionforfellowplay-ersiswhatreallymatters.ErikaG.takenotesinaGreenClubmeeting.Thegoalofthegroupwastomaketheschoolagreenerplacebyrecyclingandrasingawarenessofenvironmentalissues.Thegroupwasplan-ningtospruceuptheoutdoorclassroomthatwaslocatedoutsideofthetheater.Photos;OdysseyStaff
d25WeCare
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The PitStor
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lin
MacTempleton‘12pickedupanin-strumentwhenhewasfouryearsold.Thepianowastheharbingerofhismusicalfutureanditopenedthedoorstomanyopportunities.Oneofwhichwasplayingtheclarinet. “Ididn’tchooseit.”Whenhewasinfourthgrade,MacjoinedtheInterlochenPathfinderSchoolWoodWindsEnsemble. Hedecidedtotryhishandatplayingtheclarinetpartintheup-comingmusicalperformanceofPhantomoftheOpera. “PhantomoftheOperaisoneofmyfavoritemusicals,”Macsaid.“It’sgoingtobealotoffun.” ThePit,asit’scalledinmu-sicalperformances,istrickyinthecaseofPhantombecauseofthefastpacedtempoandtheoddnotations.Themusicalnoteshavealargerange,tocoverthevastdifferencebetweenSoprano(thehighestnotes)andLowBase(thelowestnotes). Despitewhatmostpeoplethink,thereisno‘lead’clarinetist,oranyparticularinstrumentthatismoreimportantthantheothersinamusicalpit.Theyallneedtoworkinperfectformtoenhancetheexperi-encefortheaudience.Themusiciansarenotplacedatacertain“seat”becauseofthedifficultyofapiece.Rather,theyareplacedtherebe-
causethat’swhat’sneeded. Thesingersaren’ttheonlyonesthatworkhard;ittakesalotoftime,andeffortforthemusi-caltobereadyforopeningnight.Everyonehastheirowninstrument,whetherit’stheirvoice,clari-net,aspotlightorasoundboard.They’reallequallyimportanttohavingasuccessfulopeningnight. Maclovesthemusicinthisyear’smusical,butmorethanthat,helovesthecharacters. “IlikeRaoúl,buthe’snotmyfavorite.”RaoúlistooniceforMac’stastes,andthoughagoodperson,he’snotquiteasintrigu-ingasthecleverlypredictablePhantom.“He’sawesomebecauseheentrancespeoplewithhisvoice.” ThoughPhantomishispres-ent,Mac’sfutureissurpris-ing.He’sthinkingaboutdroppingtheclarinetpossiblyafterhighschool,andjoiningatruefree-stylebandthatencompassesallofhisinstrumentssuchasguitar,piano,saxophoneandmaybeevenalittleclarinet.d26ThePitame
FOR
The Pit
Counterclockwise;MacT.‘12playsboththeclarinet,andthebaseclarinetinthePhantomoftheOpera.BrittanyV.‘12istheotherverytalentedclarinetistinthePhan-tomPit.ThoughDaphneC.‘13playsviolininOrchestra,shereachedoutandgotapartinthechorus.Ms.Jonesistheorchestrateacherwhoconductsthepitcrew,Shealsoplaysviolinthroughouttheproduction.
d27ThePit
TheJapaneseskilltakesovertheschoolKendama
sociationlists101differenttricksforthetoy.However,playershavedevelopedthou-sandsofvariationsontheoriginalmoves.
Whilemanystudentshavebeenplayingkendamaforfun,students
arebecomingquitecompetitiveinmasteringtheskillbytry-ingtoout-doeachotherintricks.Thereareevencom-petitionswhereplayerstrytoourperformeachotherbyperformingasequenceoftrickssuccessfully.AschoolwidecompetitionisscheduledforlateFebru-ary,wherethewinnerwillrecieveaGoldenSunriseKendama,oneofthebestskill-balltoysavaial-able.
Inthedaysofdigitalgames,electronicdevicesthatmezmerizeandturnthebraintomush,itisnicetoseesomanyyoungerstudentsplayingan“old-school”gamethatrequiresaskillbeyondmovingthejoystick.
WhyhasKendamabeensopopular?Drewhashisownideasaboutthis. “It’slikearumor,”hesaid.“Itgrowsbiggerandbiggerasmorepeoplegetinvolvedwithit.Also,It’schallenging.Whemyouwanttobegoodatsomething,youwanttobethebest.Becausesomanypeoplearedo-ingit,youwanttofeellikeyouhave
themostskills.” Drewiswillingtoaccepttheblameforintroducingtheaddictivegametoeagerstudents,andheisalsowillingtoadmitthatheisoneofthemoreexperiencedplay-ers,simplybecausehehasbeenpracticinglongerthanmost.
It’shardtoignorethewoodenballs“clackety-clacking”inthehallways,thecommonsandevenintheclassrooms.AnewtrendistakingoverandstudentscanthankDrewHoltforbringingKen-damatoourschool.HefirstsawthetoyontheInternet,andsoonstartedplay-ingitwithfriendsatschool. “It’satimekiller,”headmittedaboutplayingwiththetoy.“Itdis-tractsme.” KendamaisatraditionalJapanesetoywhichconsistsofawoodenhammer-likeobjectwithaballconnectedtoitbyastring.ThegameoriginatedinJapanasasimple“skillball”toythatwasusedtodevelophandandeyecoordination.Thegoalofthegameistocatchoneobjectwithanother,wherebotharejoinedbyastring. Toplaywithakenda-ma,aplayergripsthetoyandusingonehandonly,jerkstheballsothatitmaybecaughtinoneofthecupsorimpaledonthespike.Moread-vancedtricksincludeflippingtheballovera360degreeloopandstillcatchingtheballonacup.Playerscanachievehighranksformasteringmoves,andabookpublishedbytheJapanKendamaAs-
28Kendamad
“ken”=stick“tama”=ball
TocompeteinKendamaplay-ersmustsuccessfullyper-formtrickstoshowtheirmasteryofthegame.Playersearnpointsforcompetingthetricks,andmoredifficulttrickscanearnaplayermorepoints.Herearesomeofthetricksaplayermightuse:
Swing-flip-lighthouse
BirdFlyOvertheValley
SlipGripSpecial
AroundtheCosmos
Slip-on-Stick
EarthTurn
SwingCandle
AccordingtotheJapaneseKendamaAssociation,toqual-ifyforanygivengrade,youhavetenattemptstoachieveeachtricklistedthere-quirednumberoftimes.
Kendamaismadeupof:
kensaki=spikeken=mainbodyozara=largecupkozara=smallcup
}Kendama
Twisting the Tricks & facts
Top:ConnorP.,KyleP.andOctavionW.playKendamaintheirfifthhourSpanishclass.Bottom:GrantB.andLoganH.showoffafewtrickstotheirAdvisoryclass.