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photo by taylor PARKER

9.18.2009 haslett high school 5450 marsh road haslett mi 48840 volume 15 issue 1

Pure Haslett

Senior Ian Culver watches theHaslett-Corunna football game from

the student section.

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Why was the master scheduledelayed so much?

With all of the budget cuts, the master sched-ule ended up coming out late and delayed the

[scheduling] process.

-associate principal Darren Ferguson

2 September 18, 2009 newsMeridianHigh shuts

down forgoodby emma CLAUCHERTY

For the past 13 years, Merid-ian High School provided asecond chance for Lansing areastudents who needed an alter-native form of education.

(MHS) was something theBoard of Education was veryproud of in Haslett. It gave usthe ability to offer a second

chance for students, Superin-tendent Mike Duda said. Wedid have a number of successstories there. However, it be-came financially difficult to of-fer that opportunity.

Last September, state budgetcuts caused all 12 schools ex-cept Haslett to pull their fund-ing from MHS. The HaslettBoard of Education was morethan willing to continue withthe program if the other school

districts helped pay their costs,Duda said. Haslett was goingto take care of their studentsand the expectation was theother districts would fund theirown students. Districts werereceiving less money fromthe state though and they justdidnt have the money to sup-port the program.

The board of educationplanned to keep the school openbut could only fund Haslett stu-dents. The teen parent programwas cut as well.

Plans for MHS changed dras-tically again last winter whenthe Board of Education decidedto shut down the school com-pletely. It was a result of lack

of funding, Duda said. TheHaslett Foundation receivesabout $7,400 from the state ev-ery year for each student. Toeducate an alternative student,it cost us $4000 more due tosmaller teacher-to-student ratios.

The teen parent child care pro-gram cost us another $2,500 ex-tra. With only $7,400 a studentyou can see we were starting tolose money there.

In addition to lack of fund-ing, the state high school re-form was a major factor in theshutting down of MHS. Thehigh school reform increasedthe number of credits it took tograduate high school. A lot ofthe classes offered at Meridianwould not be suitable to receivea diploma and we couldnt offerthe classes they needed to grad-uate. Duda said. In essence,they wouldve been forced atsome point to cross back into ageneral high school.

Back to School Answers in Black and White

After the decision to closeMHS was reached, the HaslettSchool District made sure stu-dents who wanted to finish orcontinue their education wereassisted. We were able to fin-ish up most students with either

a diploma or G.E.D., Dudasaid. There were less than fivestudents at the end of the yearwho needed additional classesto finish their education. Someof them are enrolled at HHS while other students exploredother opportunities such asLansing Community College.

Sophomore Nathan Lo-pez transferred this year fromMHS to HHS full time. Itsmore of a challenge. We didnthave homework at Meridian,Lopez said. Id rather be atHHS though because its a bet-ter education and Im with myfriends.

MHS teachers understandthe reasons for closing the

school, but still see it as a veryunfortunate event. I under-stand (MHS) was closing dueto budget problems, but thereis a need for a program of thattype, science teacher LauraVickery said. Both Vickery and

social studies teacher Russel Ol-son teach at HHS this year aftermore than a decade of being atMeridian. The school board was trying to make the bestdecision for the Haslett commu-nity at large, Olson said. Itsreally sad for the young peoplewho dont get to take advantageof the school, though.

Despite no longer having analternative school, the schooldistrict is still searching for toolsto help educate alternative stu-dents. East Lansing, Haslett,Okemos and Williamston arecurrently exploring programsthat will benefit our students inthe future, Duda said. Onesuch alternative high school

program we are looking veryclosely at is called Ombuds-man. Waverly Public schoolsis currently using this programand experiencing a lot of suc-cess with 88 percent of the stu-dents enrolled graduating last

spring.Staff members do not believethe increased graduation re-quirements increase the need foran alternative high school. Lastyear at Haslett High School, wedidnt send any students to Me-ridian High School, Duda said.That really is a tribute to thestaff in terms of trying to find dif-ferent ways to meet the needs ofstudents who have struggled inthe past.

As more people are chal-lenged, more people will wantto drop out, Olson said. Butpeople in education are inno-vative. They are going to findways within the system to helpstruggling students.

Superintendent learns to be careful of what he saysby elizabeth YOUNG

Superintendent Mike Dudawas supposed to meet with Vi-king Longboat editor-in-chief

Emma Claucherty for an inter- view when he strode into thefifth hour journalism class Sept.9.

But a call to his cell phonechanged his plans.

Emma was in the back ofthe room and the phone callthat came was from somebodywho had noticeda story that John Schneider was workingon, Duda said.

Senior Liz Baker remem-bered what happened next.

He was fired up and hecame to the front of the classand he said, This is a learningmoment, Baker said.

The superintendent decidedthat this was the perfect oppor-tunity to teach the journalismstudents an important lesson.

My intentionwas to say tothis journalism class, This was

what my intention was, but thisis why you gotta be careful withsomething that you print, some-thing that you write, Dudasaid. And this is the landminethat Ive kind of fallen into.

The landmine Duda re-ferred to was his decision to in-corporate an audio clip called Australian School AnsweringMachine into a recent staffpresentation. The clip a sa-tirical take on the types of callsmade to a school office wasintended to balance the seriouspresentation with some light-heartedness.

We had just gone through

a period where we had laid offeight teachers, actually nineteachers, Duda said. And theeconomic outlook for the futureis very, very dim right now inthe state of Michigan, not verypositive. So the entireaudio-video slide presentation was anattempt to provide some humorinto what could be described

otherwise as a pretty down sub-ject for people.

However, not all of the staffmembers found it humorous.

The clip begins by saying:To lie about why your child

is absent, press 1.To make excuses for why

your child did not do his home-work, press 2.

It then continues on thatthread. But the final line which tells people who needanother language to move toa country that speaks it iswhat made some people angry.Soon enough, the blog on Sch-neiders Lansing State Journal

article was choked with com-ments as people rushed to ei-ther criticize or defend Duda.

After Baker read the last lineof the audio clip, she could seewhy it was controversial.

It was not worded well,Baker said. If it was taken asa jokebut he was in a profes-sional setting, so its just ques-

tionable.Senior Casey VanDenBerg

understood Dudas intentions,but agreed that the clip could

have used some editing.I can see him wanting to

add humor, VanDenBergsaid. I certainly cant argue with that because Id imaginethat staff meetings can be alittle dry. But that is somethingthat, perhaps the last line couldhave been left out.

However, both VanDenBergand Baker agreed that the com-ments posted on the blogs weresevere and ill-founded.

I think that its pretty clear

that those people tend to judge very quickly and that beforepeople comment on things,they should probably have alittle better understanding ofthe situation because anybodycan see that Mr. Duda didntmean it in a derogatory man-ner, VanDenBerg said.

Some of the stuff was just

harsh, Baker said. They dontknow that person on that sortof level, they dont know whattype of man he is. So how canthey go say hes an idiot orsomething? Its not right.

While Duda doesnt read theblogs, he sees this incident asan important learning experi-ence.

Its an opportunity for my-self and for others to take alook at perhaps some of theways that they approach every-day life, Duda said. I havehad more than many, manyconversations over the last 10days with folks when I say

different people, Ive been con-tacted by different press peopleand outside organizations thatare not affiliated with HaslettPublic Schools how they per-ceive this [incident].

For example, Duda believedthat comedic sitcoms may haveinfluenced the way certainwords and phrases are viewed

today.I think if you were to watch

Seinfeld or South Park orsome of those things that are

very, very offensive, you mightbecome desensitized to whatothers are feeling, Duda said.

Since the incident, Dudahas taken action to reach outto other staff members and touphold the school districts val-ues.

First of all, I take full re-sponsibility for this, Duda said.Secondarily, I have apologizedto the entire staff and they havereceived an email from me,an email with an invitation to

come and see me if they wantto talk about it further.

And Im very heartfelt inmy sincerity about this. Thisis a school district that hasembraced diversity, is proudof the things we have in placehere. It was hurtful that some-one would think that was myintention.

Why did the athletic fee andathletic pass costs go up?

To avoid cutting $35,000 from

the budget we raised the ath-

letic fee $50 in order to make

up for it. Athletic pass costs

went up to raise more funds for

the sports teams.-athletic director Jamie Gent

The cost for producing the book increasesevery year. We havent raised the price in at

least five years so we raised it this year in

order to cover those rising costs. We still have

one of the least expensive yearbooks in the

area. -yearbook adviser Julie Price

Why did the yearbookcosts go up?

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3 September 18, 2009 sports

What does four seasons in a year have to do with soccer?Were not talking weather here, were talking soccer.This is the new head soccer coach Bill Boyles approach to

coaching the varsity boys team this season.We are breaking down our soccer season into four different

seasons, Boyle said. Each season is divided into four games perseason.

Boyle has broken it down so the players can see how they im-prove and progress through the season. Along with helping theVikings recognize their improvement, Boyle has stressed the im-

portance of chemistry and communication on the field.Communication is a weakness for us, Boyle said. When we

dont talk, we give up a lot of goals and lose.During practice, Boyle makes sure the team constantly chats

with each other on the field. When the boys dont talk, it meansdoing pushups. Senior captain Cody Little has seen the successthrough interacting with his teammates.

Communication has been vital to our team development,Little said. We arent yet to where we need to be but we arecontinually growing. We talk to each other on the field more andmore which allows us to operate more effectively in matches.

Boyle is the former soccer coach at Olivet College. This sum-mer, he got a student teaching job at Sexton High School andwas looking for an actual high school position. Boyle found that

job over the summer by becoming the new Haslett varsity soccercoach.Boyle also had an advantage with these players because he

knew many of them from the soccer clubs and knew the talentthey have. Players on the team have given positive feedback onhis coaching.

New coach and new

tactics motivate soccer

team this season

Football team puts 2008 season behind it

Coach Charlie Otlewski is enforcing a new mantra to thevarsity football team this fall.

Our theme for the year is to not be like 2008, senior captain

Jamie Burns said. Coach [Otlewski] wants us to be a family anda united team.

Many of the players and coaches felt as if the team from 2008only played for themselves to put up their statistics, rather thanbeing a team and winning as a team. This was the reason for thetheme this season. Players were able to get the idea of being ateam this summer after they attended Camp Tapico for a week.Players felt that it helped them get to know their teammates bet-ter.

We spent five days with each other, junior Steve Lott said,People we didnt know we got to meet them.

Junior Jake Schaibly also felt like the camp was good to getto know his teammates better.

Other than practice at camp, we pretty much hung out and

got to know each other, he said.One of the big differences on this team is that there are only12 seniors. This is one of the smallest senior classes Otlewskihas had since he became the coach in 1994. It may seem thatOtlewski would take a different approach in handling things thisseason. In reality, he hasnt changed tactics at all.

You dont handle things differently, Otlewski said, We arejust younger at more positions.

Even though there is a small number of seniors on the team,many of the underclassmen have seen the seniors step up becometeam leaders. They see it on and off the field.

[The seniors] get on our case when we dont do well, juniorAndrew Heinz said. They also pump us up before games.

They work hard and they are vocal leaders. sophomoreBilly Hastings said. Hastings is one of only three sophomoreson the football team this season and is impressed by how driventhey are.

One of the critical pieces for success to this team is being a

family. Each Thursday night, the team has a dinner at a playershouse and every Friday morning, the team has a team breakfast atBlondies Barn. They also do some bonding after practice.

On Wednesday, we watch game film after practice, Burnssaid. Afterwards, we usually go hang out, get some pizza and

play ping pong.So far, the Vikings are 2-1, including a big win at East Lansing.Coach Otlewski gives the credit to the teams confidence, but italso goes to the players individual work ethic.

Everyone is working hard, Schaibly said. Everyone is wor-rying about what they have to do and they are making sure every-one is stepping up.

Our hard work is better than other teams and we hit harder,Hastings said.

The team still has a tough road ahead. Four of the next fivegames are away including at Fowlerville and at Williamston, inwhich the team will face two former teammates, Reggie Duncanand Ryan Oberg. But all the players are confident that they willdo great in the season and even go far in the playoffs. They alsoexpect to improve each and every game.

Our ultimate goal is to be state champs, Burns said, Hasletthas never won a state championship in football and we want todo that.

by jerry EASTWOOD

[Coach Boyle] is a good guy, senior captain Hawken Hannasaid. He pushes us to get better and has a lot of knowledge onthe game. He is a soccer-minded person.

Another senior captain, Kyle Levine, also has seen the contribu-tion Boyle brings to the program.

[Coach Boyle] is a good coach, Levine said, He has broughtdifferent techniques and he has a better sense of the game.

Boyle has helped his players grow confident in their skills andas a team in general.He has made a great atmosphere and has what we need to win

states this year, senior Mikey Manuel said.Boyle has been a vital role to the teams success with the new

tactics he has brought. This has gotten the players attentionthroughout the season.

We have learned new ways of defending and attacking the ballthat will increase our efficiency, Little said, It has definitely madeus better than our competition.

Coach has taught us a different way to play the game, Manuelsaid. He has new formations to help the offense and defense.

Coach Boyle also emphasizes the importance of chemistry to ateam. He knows that it is critical to the Vikings success on andoff the field.

The team has been focusing on interacting with each other sincethe start of two-a-days this summer. Players would run togetherand practice for over four hours a day, six days a week for twoweeks. During the season, they have team dinners and captainpractices where the captains, not the coaches, call and run thepractices. Many of these players have also been playing togetherfor a long time.

The amount of time spent together by the players on this teamand the experience we bring to this team is unparalleled, Littlesaid, The seniors have been playing together since elementaryschool and have experience playing together, which helps usgreatly on the field.

The Vikings so far are 9-1, which includes winning the HaslettInvitational over the summer and huge wins against Grand Ledge

and Williamston. With four games remaining in the regular sea-son, the team is excited for the playoffs.

We will go to districts and we have the best shot at states wehave had in years, Little said. We are confident under our newcoach and new game plan.

Scoreboard

by jerry EASTWOOD and lexis GUARNACCIA

Some quick hits on howthe fall sports are measuring

up so far this season

The Haslettfootball teamwalks to thelocker roombefore theirgame againstCorunna.

photo by taylor

PARKER

Girls GolfRecord: 3-0Key Returning Starters: Senior Kristin Choi, juniorMaddy Brown, sophomores Erin Lawrence andChelsea RootPlayers on the Rise: JuniorPaige Grettenberger andsophomore Daisy YonkusWhat are your goals for this year: We hope to goundefeated and place higher in leagues this year.Junior Maddy Brown

Cross CountryRecord: 0-0 but Boys placed 3rd in the Bath Invita-tional and 5th in the Corunna Invitational and theGirls placed 5th in the Bath Invitational and 7th inthe Corunna InvitationalKey Returning Starters: SeniorsIan Hancke and JohnRoehr, sophomores Alex Vancamp, Jordan Strick-ler and Tara MahonPlayers on the Rise: SophomoresEllen Corder and

Travis Stirewalt Freshman Sierra BaneWhat are your goals for this year: We want to makeit to states and establish ourselves as one of the

best teams in the area. Sophomore Ryan Beyea

Girls Swimming and DivingRecord: 2-0Key Returning Starters: SeniorsTiffany Oricchio,Louise Harder and Bailey McMillan, sophomoreVictoria BishopPlayers on the Rise: FreshmanJenny Jess and Chris-tine HarderThoughts on the Team: We have great captains this

year who rack up points for our meets. JuniorErin Gorman

Boys TennisRecord: 10-1Key Returning Starters: SeniorsPaul Lucas, RyanCyzman, Connor Davis and Brennen OBerskiPlayer on the Rise: Sophomore Zach Bepler andfreshman Aaron LatchThoughts on the Rest of the Season: We expect togo undefeated for the rest of the season. We alsothink we are going to win regionals. Senior Con-

nor Davis

by jerry EASTWOOD

VolleyballRecord: 13-1-2Key Returning Starters: SeniorsKimmy Schmid,Emily Bird, Molly Stephens and Dana Alexander,

junior Molly DudaPlayers on the Rise: JuniorsMorgan Patterson andAllie HorstmanThoughts on the Rest of the Season: We have manyreturning players and weve already improved alot since the beginning of the season. Were really

looking forward to what we can accomplish as ateam. Junior Miranda Rogers

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Bottom left:Junior Liz Ringlienand the rest of theHaslett Band playsmusic for the crowdbefore the DeWittgame.

Top left: The varsityoffense lines up be-hind junior centerCory Smith.

Members of The Cone Squad, seniors Jerry Eastwood, Brennen O Berski, Dylan Oxender,Ryan Cyzman, Wes Silkworth, Josh Headley and Scott Thrun, show their spirit at the DeWittfootball game Sept. 11.

Top right: Junior ShelbyWilson and the varsitycheer team work to getthe student sectionrevved up for the DeWittgame.

photo story by Taylor PARKER graphic by Andrew BEAUMAN

Bottom right:Juniors Allie Horstman,Courtney Black andMichelle Schimpke rooton the football team .

Game Day!

1

Games to go

until Ford Field

11

September 18, 20094