The Bark Online

Graduating Senior: Allison Donth

2012-02-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

Written by: Allison Donth '12

Quick! It doesn't seem like it when you walk though the doors freshman year, but high school flies by and graduation pops up out of nowhere! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in freshman connections and now I'm applying for scholarships, getting my EDP ready, and going to college orientations! I've worked really hard all of high school, taking AP classes and maintaining good grades, but it all paid off receiving my acceptance letter from Michigan State University. It's going to go by so fast so don't fall behind but live it up! My biggest regret is not slowing down and just enjoying all of the fun high school has to offer. So don't forget to live, love, and laugh while it lasts!

The most popular New Year's Resolutions of 2012

2012-02-01T05:23:00.000-08:00

Written by: Mariah Rochester '12

New Years is an opportunity for people to set new goals for themselves and to start over in a new, positive way. Though resolutions are easy to set, sticking to them isn’t always easy. People set resolutions in order to make goals, or simply just to make everyday life more organized. New Year’s resolutions vary in what they are and why they are set, but many resolutions stay the same throughout the years.

Losing weight and getting in shape is the top New Year’s resolution that people have. By following through with this resolution, there is more to gain from physical activity. Some people want to lose weight for themselves, their family, or because of the potential health risks that being overweight creates.

Regular exercise can slow or reverse the trend of chronic disease and can show benefits for those who already have a chronic condition. Setting a resolution to lose weight and get in shape is the easiest way to make sure the goal is met.

Developing and sticking to a budget prevents overspending and ensures peace of mind. Sticking to a budget is one of the most difficult things to do and takes much self-discipline. The longer people stick to a budget, the easier it gets.

Reducing debt is a big goal for people nowadays, but many people don’t know where to start. The first step to reducing debt is to stop using charge cards and get financially stable. The best rule to follow is: if you can’t pay cash for it, you don’t need it.

Keeping a diary of all money spent will help figure out where cash is being spent and where spending needs to be reduced. After figuring out where money is being spent, people can then work towards creating a budget and getting out of debt.

Jobs tend to take up a lot of people’s time and energy, and time spent with family and friends is often reduced. In order to make more time for family and friends, people must consciously decide to work on improving their family situation every day. Business activities may have to be rescheduled for there to be more time. Parents can help their children to set and achieve goals and set aside one hour everyday for family.

Finding love is something everyone wants to do in their life, and making sure that happens is becoming more common. Soul mate relationships are the romantic relationships that people have dreamt about since they were young. They are loving and erotic, committed and inspiring, and lasting.

People can now search for love in ways that weren’t around before. Internet chat sites, smart phones, and dating sites now give people the opportunity to meet new people from different places.

Quitting smoking is a life changing and life saving decision that anyone can make. There are benefits of health, relationships, finances, vitality, the environment, and self-esteem. Quitting smoking creates a longer life and the ability to enjoy the finer things in life. It is a Do-It-Yourself decision that is worth making.

Many people want to find a better job for different reasons. The salary might not be enough, it’s not what they wanted to do, or sometimes they just don’t know what they want to do. The question to ask when considering a new career is: does you current job match core interests, beliefs, values, needs, and skills? Many people get stuck in a career and don’t know how to get out, but if they ask themselves that questions, figuring out where to go becomes a lot easier.

Everyone learns something new everyday. People learn throughout their life cycle; from cradle to grave. They learn in different environments, formally, and informally. People can learn new things by getting a new career, through a new language, learning to play an instrument, anything. Learning something new is one of the easiest, most motivating, and beneficial resolutions to keep.

Volunteering gives the people the feeling that they just did something selfless and beneficial for someone else. Helping others benefits the person who needed help and the person who provided help. Spending time helping out at a local library, mentoring center, or helping build a house are things that can be beneficial for many people. People become successful by contributing.

Hectic work schedules, children, and other errands make being organized difficult, and often take time away from being able to get organized. Planning days, reducing interruptions, cleaning off a desk, saying “No”, and making detailed lists are good first-steps towards organization. Being organized allows people to save time, reduce stress, and be more productive.

Every year, people are given the opportunity to set new goals in order to make a change in their life. The reasons for these goals can be simple, complex, or there may not be a reason. Setting a resolution is the first step, starting or keeping the resolution is the harder part, and sticking to goals makes setting them worth it in the end.

UNKOWN ARTIST: The Horrible Crowes

2012-02-01T05:13:00.001-08:00

Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14

The Horrible Crowes have a captivating sound that pulls you in and makes you want to listen to more. A two-man band of Brian Fallon and Ian Perkins have traveled around the world playing music together.

Their first song as the Horrible Crowes, “Behold the Hurricane”, was released and streamed on RollingStone.com on July 13^th. They have one album called Elsie, which after 17 days of recording, was finally released by Side One Dummy Records on September 6^th, 2011. Their album includes 12 songs and one song was even featured on iTunes as a free song of the week; Go Tell Everybody. As well as their first song “Behold the Hurricane”, their album Elsie is also streaming on RollingStone.com.

Shortly after their release of their album Elsie, Ian and Brian headed over to Europe for the Fall Revival Tour. The Revival Tour was the first tour where Brian and Ian actually played together live as the Horrible Crowes.

Currently they don’t have any shows booked for 2012 but The Crowes have many expectations. Their expectations would include playing in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the U.K.

Their first shows ever were just in September. On September 8^th they played in NYC at the Bowery Ballroom. Their second show was Troubadour in LA on September 14^th. At their first two shows they played the whole album of Elsie as well as a mixture of covers.

Brian and Ian hope 2012 will be as successful as 2011 and hope to excel farther in their music career together as the Horrible Crowes.

UNKNOWN ARTIST: Michael Henry and Justin Robinett

2012-02-01T05:10:00.000-08:00

Written by:Michael McElwain '12

Michael Henry and Justin Robinett are two amazing vocalists who have come together to record mesmerizing cover songs which range from Adele’s “Someone like you” to Maroon 5’s “Never Gonna Leave this Bed”.

Both Robinett and Henry had an interest in fine arts from a young age, Robinett was able to play piano, guitar, and the drums by age 13, and Henry had taken a couple years of piano lessons, as well as being able to play the drums in his high school’s band.

Although Justin and Michael both displayed a passion for music, neither of the two had ever explored their talent for singing, which suddenly changed during their two years they spent at Texas Tech, where they would share a dorm and play for the school’s drum line. Justin had received some equipment to record amateur songs and Michael, being slightly curious, asked Justin if he could have a go at things.

Out of pure luck, the two decided to record a song and post it to YouTube, where it would become an instant hit. They had originally uploaded it for their friends and family to check out, but soon found that YouTube users worldwide instantly became fans.

Although the two remain unsigned, their popularity has continued to grow. Robinett and Henry have created a wide range of cover songs in response, as well as sharing a few pieces of their own. Michael and Justin recently started a website where fans can stay updated, www.mhjrmusic.com. As well, Robinett and Henry have also announced that their songs are now being published and distributed via iTunes.

Athlete of the Month: Jaedin Sklapsky

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14

How many freshmen wrestlers have a record of 26-1? One: Jaedin Sklapsky. Jaedin Sklapsky is a 15 year old freshman on the varsity wrestling team. He’s been wrestling since he was five. For ten years straight wrestling has been Jaedin’s number one sport, although he also plays football. Throughout Jaedin’s wrestling career he’s had four coaches; Mr. Warriner, Troy Nault, Dave Milheim, and Bill Dorner. The one coach that has stuck with him has been Troy Nault.

Troy Nault has coached Jaedin for seven years and is part of the reason why Jaedin is as successful as he is now. “Troy has been the most fun coach I’ve had. He’s been with me the longest and he’s just fun to be around,” says Jaedin. Another factor to Jaedin’s success is his family. His parents have always supported him in anything he does and his brothers, being wrestlers themselves, always set high expectations for him. Jaedin looks up to them and sees them as his role models. They inspire him to do more. He hopes that soon he’ll be better than both of them.

The two main differences between middle school wrestling and high school wrestling are coaching, and talent. “The talent and competition is at a lot level in high school. The coaches work you harder and push you to be your best”, says Jaedin. Jaedin’s transition into high school was fairly easy. Balancing school and sports is no obstacle for him. He works diligently in class to get his work done. Like many of us, Jaedin enjoys high school more than middle school. Jaedin says, “Yeah high school is way more fun than middle school, even though the classes are stricter.” During his free time Jaedin likes to do the same things as many high school boys do. Eat, sleep, and hangout with friends.

Jaedin has many goals for his wresting career. The goals that he has set for himself for this year are to beast the Most Wins record. The goals that Jaedin has for his full high school wrestling career are to win leagues all four years, break all of the wrestling records, and to win states his junior and senior year. After high school Jaedin would like to attend a Division-one college and wrestle. After college Jaedin would like to become a wrestling coach at a high school.

Jaedin’s favorite wrestler is Anthony Robles. He’s a graduate from Arizona State University and is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Arizona State history. His interests are in Michigan State University, Iowa University, and Penn State University. They all have extremely good programs and Jaedin plans to work hard during high school to reach his goals. Jaedin’s greatest accomplishment in wrestling was when he was in seventh grade. Jaedin went down to Orem, Utah and won his weight class at Nationals. Jaedin is very excited for the rest of his high school wrestling career and beyond. In his future he hopes to reach all of his goals.

30% of athletes overcome debilitating condition to compete

2012-02-01T04:55:00.001-08:00

Written by: Carly Darrow '12

The statistics aren’t good; as an extensive amount of people are affected by asthma, make that 18.7 million people. It also accounts for an ample amount of hospitalizations for kids and kills nearly 5,000 people every year.

You would think a condition that includes the symptoms of chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and breathlessness wouldn’t exactly coincide with sports. In actuality, many athletes deal with this disease on a day to day basis. Medically known as “exercise-induced asthma”, it occurs when people typically breathe through their mouths, inhaling colder and drier air. The muscle bands around the airways contract due to the changes in temperature and humidity.

Although asthma restricts those who suffer from it, it does not mean that people or athletes should stop physical activity. In fact, physical activity when done right with medications and inhalers can help those with exercise induced asthma. The fitter someone is, the less air they need for a physical task, because your cardio respiratory system grows more efficient resulting in less strain on your bronchial tubes.

Precautions while exercising are always necessary. Inhalers should only be used before exercise but always on hand while exercising. Not only are attacks random and potentially deadly, but nothing can really be done to help someone with an asthma attack other than an inhaler or medical personnel.

Despite this many athletes, famous Olympians even, have not let asthma keep them from competing. NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman, Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, NFL Pro Bowl running back Emmitt Smith, and Olympic medalist swimmer Amy VanDyken, are all examples of athletes who don’t let asthma run their lives.

“Having a full on asthma attack is something that you can never imagine without having experienced one,” states senior athlete Anna Archey. “It is like drowning with air all around you that you just can’t breathe in. When I was first diagnosed with asthma in middle school, I didn’t work hard enough to control it and that showed in my athletic performance up until last year.”

Many people are still undiagnosed of asthma; and most athletes will not even display signs of asthma or symptoms. Athletes can help counteract the effects of asthma by working with medical personnel, taking an inhaler 15-30 minutes before sports, and making sure to do a warm up and cool down with stretching before and after working out.

“It’s wonderful when my asthma isn’t acting up and I can perform to my full potential,” says Archey. “It takes a lot of medications, exercises, shots, and doctor’s appointments to make it there. When I do jump my furthest and run my fastest, it just makes the moment that much better knowing what I overcame to make it there.”

The hard nosed truth with Garrett Dubya

2012-02-01T04:53:00.001-08:00

Written by: Garrett Johnson '12

On December 8^th 2011 James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers laid a controversial helmet to helmet hit on quarterback Colt McCoy of the Cleveland Browns. The National Football League suspended Harrison from the Steelers game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Harrison was not fined for the hit, but was docked one game check, which amounts to roughly $73,500.

This is not Harrison’s first tangle up with fines and penalties due too flagrant head to head collisions. But honestly what is the game that we have all grown up watching and loving coming to? It’s the hits that people like James Harrison have on opposing players that fill the stands; the same hits that are shown over and over again on shows like NFL’s top 20 players to highlight the talents of previous great NFL players.

Sure I will agree concussions are a major issue involving the sport, but then again doesn’t everyone know the risks when they step onto the grid iron?

These are men ranging from the ages of twenty to almost forty years old. Can they not comprehend the dangers of the game of Football? I’m not going to knock the league but honestly let men be men.

“Football is a sport of collision, emotion, and ferocity.” - Kanon McVicker. Not a game to limit the brutality of one player to another. In my opinion James Harrison was in the right and always has been. Let men be men and let the men try to prove dominance on the grid iron without a bunch of spectators crying about the dangers of the game.

If you don’t like what you’re seeing… don’t watch, because when you cringe I smile.

The World According to Blake

2012-02-01T04:47:00.000-08:00

Click photo to enlarge

Mrs. Sagaert: Feature Teacher and wildlife volunteer

2011-12-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Written by: Jessica Allen '13

Mrs. Sagaert has been teaching for 26 years, ten of which have been at ERHS. She worked in an elementary school in Ionia, Greyhound Intermediate, and the Eaton Rapids Middle School. Sagaert has been working with Special Education for 20 years.

She attended Grand Valley for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in teaching. Sagaert knew she was going to be a teacher at age five, “When I was in the basement with all of my friends, I was always the kid at the blackboard being the teacher.” Many people in her family were teachers as well. Her grandfather was a professor and her aunt was a teacher, which helped show her that she could do it also if she wanted.

Her favorite part about teaching is seeing the growth of her students over the four-year period she gets to spend with them and her favorite class to teach is math. Students know that she is very loud and ‘out there’ about everything. She shares her stories with anyone who will listen because she hopes that someday it will help someone.

She decided to work in the Special Education program when she helped out during high school. She worked one summer in a program for mentally challenged children and continued going back every summer after that.

Mrs. Sagaert’s grandmother and mother gave her the love she has for animals and taught her about making a commitment to something. Her mother has been a nurse for 50 years, and is still going strong in her profession. Her mother plans on continuing nursing until the day she dies and Sagaert says, “I’ll probably be a teacher until I pass as well!”

Sagaert always had a strong love for animals and had she not become a teacher, she would have been a veterinarian. When asked about it, Mrs. Sagaert said, “I do sometimes wonder what it would have been like to be a veterinarian, but when I was little no one told me that I could be a vet, I thought it was only a job for males. At age 30, I thought about going back to vet school, but decided that with my career already started and my wildlife rescue it would be too much.”

Her hobbies include taking care of wildlife and her pets and hanging out with her house full of animals. She owns 12 indoor cats and has three dogs as well. Sagaert was in Florida recently for an international wildlife conference. It was two days long and she learned oil spill training and disaster planning. She plans on attending the trip to Costa Rica with Mrs. Nutt and Mrs. Brantley in the summer of 2012 to experience some of the other wildlife around the world.

Sagaert is known for her love of animals, along with her willingness to help anyone, or anything that needs it. As a result, she runs a wildlife rescue in Eaton Rapids three miles south of town called Wildside Rehabilitation, which admits around 1,000 animals every year. The rescue opened 16 years ago on the corner Bellevue Hwy. and Houston Rd. and now has three rooms to house animals in. There is a mammal, songbird, and raptor room. The rescue currently has eight non-releasable animals that are used for education. These include a horned owl, a red-tailed hawk, a short-eared owl, a screech owl, a North American beaver, and a woodchuck that only has bottom teeth and hangs out with cats.

There are many colorful animals with big personalities at the rescue, many of which are present just long enough to get healthy and be adopted or released back into the wild. The rescue is fully funded by donations and veterinarian bills are paid out-of pocket by Sagaert and her volunteers. Student volunteers are accepted, but it is a large commitment and a big responsibility.

Sagaert has much dedication to her students and her wildlife. She is a great teacher and mentor. Mrs. Sagaert will continue her teaching career for many more years at ERHS.

Where are they now: Scott Smith

2011-12-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '14

We all know “Old” Mr. Smith and “Young” Mr. Smith. They’re some of the friendly faces we see in the hallways and classrooms at our school every day. If you’re lucky you have or have had one or both of them as your teacher. But, what about the other Mr. Smith? Where’s Scooter?

He used to walk the halls of Eaton Rapids High School as many of us do today. Just like most of us have and will, Scooter made many great memories here at ERHS. One event that he will never forget includes his track squad winning the Regional Championship in 2003.

He liked all of his teachers here, but his favorite would have to be his Dad, Old Mr. Smith. “He made economics exciting and digestible for a 9th grade audience. His teaching inspired me to pursue a business degree”, says Scooter. Some of his favorite classes were Economics, Retail Marketing, Global Issues and Spanish.

Scooter thoroughly enjoyed high school here at ERHS. Some of his best friends in high school are still his best friends today. Though most all of them have moved away from Eaton Rapids, they still keep in touch and try to see each other whenever possible. Scooter graduated from ERHS in 2003 and later attended Michigan State University. He majored in marketing and obtained his undergraduate college degree in 2007 and then his MBA in 2011, also from MSU.

After graduating college Scooter worked at Hormel Foods as a sales representative. While working at Hormel he was presented with many opportunities and new life experiences. He was able to live in two major US cities, Atlanta, GA, as well as, Minneapolis.

Scooter saw his time employed at Hormel well spent and a great life experience and learning opportunity. After gaining work experience at Hormel Foods, he is now currently the Associate Product Manager at Arden Companies. In his role at Arden he is in charge of managing the product portfolio for their new business division. Scooter’s job is going extremely well and he loves that he is constantly learning and continually improving while being put in situations to succeed.

Scooter loves spending time with his wife and going out socializing to local places with his friends. He also enjoys watching Michigan State athletics and visiting new places. Scooter is still unsure exactly what his future holds, but is looking forward to finding out what it does hold.

He seems to view all aspects of his life as an adventure and embrace the experience, whether professional or personal. Some advice that Scooter would like to give to us, high school students, would be, “What you know today, is less than you know tomorrow and what you know tomorrow pales in comparison to what you will know a year from now. In order to succeed, you should never become complacent. You should always aspire to learn more and improve as a person.” This is profound advice, which will hopefully resonate with all of us for years to come.

Mayan Calander raises questions for 2012

2011-12-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

Written by: Isaiah Bellville '12

A civilization that has astounded anthropologists for years due to their unexplained disappearance in history is now instilling more confusion in fear into people around the world. How can a civilization that made their grand exit so long ago have such a tight grip on today’s culture?

The Mayan calendar was a complex system, based on mathematics and astronomical calculations. The calendar was complex, with cycles upon cycles with the largest unit of time measurement being a “ba’ak’tun”, set at 394 years. The end of every 13 ba’ak’tuns culminates a “new world”, making people believe that on December 21, 2012, the world will end; December 21, 2012 being the end of the current “world”. However, scientists argue that nowhere in Mayan scripture is there any indication that the end of 13 ba’ak’tuns would be an

apocalypse. In fact, some scientists argue that it may have been a cause for celebration.

The misconception may lie in the interpretation of Mayan literature, seeing as

records have become distorted and hard to read. Michael Coe wrote in 1966 in “The Maya” “there is a suggestion ... that Armageddon would overtake the degenerate peoples of the world and all creation on the

The idea of an apocalyptic prophecy seems to be just an invention of over active minds in a time where people see peril in the most insignificant places.

final day of the 13th (ba’ak’tun). Thus ... our present universe (would) be annihilated (in December 2012) when the Great Cycle of the Long Count reaches completion.” Mark Van Stone, a scholar who specializes in Mayans, said “The notion of a ‘Great Cycle’ coming to an end is completely a modern invention.”

Christmas traditions and celebrations celebrated worldwide

2011-12-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

Written by: Mariah Rochester '12

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated worldwide and in a number of different ways. The traditions in different places around the world give each culture its own definition of Christmas.

The Christmas season in the United States begins in the end of November and ends in the beginning of January, but Christmas is celebrated in December 25. The traditions in the U.S. are similar to those in

England

During the Christmas season, the weeks leading up to Christmas, the exterior and interior of homes is decorated with lights, Nativity scenes and other various decorations, and a Christmas tree. The tree can be real or artificial and is decorate with lights, garland, and ornaments. The Yule log in a firebox has remained a tradition for some time.

On Christmas Eve, stockings are usually hung and children are sometimes allowed to open a few gifts from their family. Santa Clause is said to visit homes while children are sleeping on Christmas Eve. It is a tradition to leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk out for Santa and carrots or oats for Santa’s reindeer. Gifts from Santa are opened on Christmas day.

The traditional Christmas dinner is made up of turkey, ham, or roast beef, and Yorkshire pudding. A variety of sweet pastries and egg nog is commonly served for dessert. Christmas dinner can be held on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, depending on when families wish to have it.

Other Christmas traditions include a special church service the Sunday before Christmas and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A re-enactment of the Nativity of Jesus sometimes takes place at different churches.

Local radio stations may temporarily play Christmas music, and many family Christmas movies are aired on television, as well.

In Nigeria, Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Various festivals of singing and dancing take place, including masquerades. Gift giving in Nigeria often involves money and the flow of gifts is typically from the rich to the poor. Sometimes money is thrown into the air to be grabbed or stuck on sweaty foreheads of dancers.

Rather than sweets, Nigerians tend to prepare different kinds of meat in large quantities. In the South, Jollof rice is served with stews of various meats, boiled beans, and fried plantains. In the North, rice pudding is served with various meat stews. Mainly alcoholic drinks are served and children and women are served locally-made soft-drink equivalents.

Christmas in Ethiopia is celebrated in January 7 rather than December 25, and is called Ganna. On Christmas Eve, Christian priests carry a procession through town carrying decorated umbrellas, and the procession ends at local churches where Mass is held.

On Christmas morning, gifts are opened and outdoors sports are played to celebrate. Typically the wealthy share a feast with the poor.

Bangladesh celebrates Christmas on December 25, and it is called Borodin, or Great Day. The day celebrated in remembrance of Jesus’ birth. People greet their family and friends by saying, “Shubho Boro Din,” or “Greetings of the great day”. Traditional sweets are offered, also.

Homes are decorated in a variety of different ways, and artificial stars are hung on rooftops to signify the Star of Bethlehem. Various festivities are held throughout the day to celebrate Christmas.

In the People’s Republic of China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. It is designated as a public holiday in China’s special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

In the mainland, a small percent of Christians, usually unofficially or privately, observe Christmas, while others who don’t consider themselves Christians celebrate Christmas-like festivities.

Sending cards, exchanging gifts, and hanging stockings are some of the traditions for Christmas. In Hong Kong, many buildings facing the Victoria Harbour are decorated in Christmas lights.

Israel is a Jewish state with strong emphasis on religious freedom. Jewish Israelis do not celebrate Christmas, but instead celebrate Hanukkah, which falls approximately at the same time. Israeli Arabs are Muslim and also do not celebrate Christmas.

A minority of Christian Israeli Arabs celebrate Christmas. Some celebrate with Western churches on December 25, while others celebrate with Eastern churches on January 7. The pattern of Christmas observance by Palestinians is similar to that of Israeli Arabs.

Christmas is important in both areas due to the region’s significance as a place where Jesus lived. Bethlehem lies in the West Bank, with the Church of the Nativity being a prominent symbol for both Christian and Muslim Palestinians.

Jerusalem is associated with the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus and tends to focus pilgrimage towards Eastertide.

Christmas is recognized as a national holiday in South Korea. Christian and non-Christian Koreans celebrate some holiday customs such as gift-giving, sending cards, and setting up decorated trees in their homes. Children have embraced Santa Clause, whom they call Santa Halabuji, or Grandfather Santa.

Local radio stations play Christmas music and television stations play Christmas films and cartoons popular in Western countries.

Churches hold Christmas pageants and conduct special services on Christmas Eve, as well as Christmas day.

In Central Europe, the main celebration date for Christmas is on Christmas Eve, December 24. Christmas Eve is a fasting day and children are told that if they fast until after dinner they will see a golden pig. When evening comes, preparation for Christmas dinner begins.

Some dinners have up to twelve dishes. After dinner, gifts are opened and gifts are commonly attributed to Christkind. Many people go to Midnight Mass celebration on Christmas Eve, after gifts have been opened.

In most areas, Santa Clause does not come for Christmas. Instead, he visits families earlier, on the dawn of St. Nicholas on December 6. He leaves gifts and candy bags in the polished shoes of well-behaved children. Santa is usually accompanied by a servant named Krampusz who gives birches to badly-behaved children. All children get gifts and birches, no matter how they behaved.

Christmas in Russia is a mainly religious event that is celebrated on January 7 and is a national holiday. On Christmas Eve there are several long services.

Royal Hours and Vespers are combined with the Divine Liturgy. After these services, families return home for the “Holy Supper”.

The dinner consists of twelve dishes; one to honor each of the Twelve Apostles. Devout families then return to the church for the All Night Vigil and again on Christmas morning for the Divine Liturgy of the Nativity.

In Italy, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 is a national holiday. December 8 is the day that Christmas decorations and the three are put up. Christmas is celebrated similar to Western European countries with a strong emphasis to Christian meaning and celebration by the Catholic Church. It is common for people to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Not eating meat is a practiced custom on Christmas. Dinner traditionally consists of seafood with the Feats of the Seven Fishes followed by typical Italian Christmas sweets.

Christmas on December 25 is celebrated with a family lunch. An ancient festival called Ndocciata is celebrated on Christmas Eve in Molise with a parade of torches leading up to the “Bonfire of Brotherhood”.

December 26 is a public holiday is Italy, and festivities extend to the end of the year, then to Epiphany on January 6.

On January 6, decorations are taken down and in some areas female puppets are burned to symbolize the end of the Christmas period and the death of the old year and beginning of a new one.

Christmas day in New Zealand is a statutory holiday. A mix of United Kingdom and North American traditions are practiced.

The traditional Christmas tree is a standard in New Zealand, along with traditional symbols of holly and ivy that are sometimes replaced by the Pohutukawa tree. The Pohutukawa tree is often called the “New Zealand Christmas tree”.

Winter-styled hot food is served for Christmas dinner, and Christmas desserts are served after. House decorations are common and there are several Christmas-themed parades. The most popular Christmas parade is Auckland’s Santa Parade.

In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated as a religious occasion. Presents are brought by “El Nino Jesus,” or Baby Jesus instead of “Papa Noel”.

The unofficial start of Christmas festivities is after the celebration of “Feris de la Chinita”, in the second half of November.

In many cities, neighborhoods get together for “patinatas” night festivals. The festivals are usually sponsored by the local churches. Children write request letters to Baby Jesus. Gifts are sent by Baby Jesus at midnight and most people have parties that go until sunrise.

Head2Head - The world will NOT be ending in 2012

2011-12-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

specific theory the planets core will not heat up and explode.

Since the beginning of time there has been superstitions and civilizations that have predicted the end of the world numerous times, yet here we are. But so many still believe these consipiracy theories. Why would citizens honestly believe the Mayans and that our society, our world, will end this year when we have already survived so many dates they already predicted that we wouldn’t?

There are numerous assumptions made about 2012 being the end for the human race. These assumptions come greatly from the Mayans Calendar. Since the calendar ended on December 21, 2012 people now believe that it really will be our last day on earth. What they don’t realize is that how would the Mayans keep a calendar going if they died off? They simply can’t.

The reason why the calendar ended is because they didn’t continue it when there religion all died off. In 2000 and 2003 the Mayans also predicted that our world as we know it was going to end and the human race would die. So why would you believe this calendar? Something as miniscule as a calendar can’t predict something as big as life as we know it ending.

Movies have a great factor in why people begin to believe that we will die in 2012. The movie 2012 states that there will be increased solar activity and it will heat up the planets

core with neutrinos.

Despite the fact that neutrinos pass through the earth everyday but wont interact with anything. Scientist even put detectors underground to detect any reaction of the neutrinos, but nothing came of it. So in this

The world ending in 2012 has become too much of a hype and people continue to talk about the situation and what may or may not happen. As many try to convince others it will end, people begin to believe the very unlikely scenario. Rumors about why the world will end are becoming far fetched, and exaggerated beyond belief.

People tend to also believe everything they are told, read online, see in magazines, and on T.V. If you want to believe the world will end read about it, don’t hear about it. You will see it is all just a superstition, and theory was created because of the Mayans calendar abrupt end.

2012 being are last date alive is all just a conspiracy. Many people, like the Mayans, try to predict turning points for the future so that those in the future can prepare for them. People like to believe it’s true just because of the past recorded extinctions, like the dinosaurs.

There will no doubt always be crazy people who believe the world will end. I believe that we will not being dying December 21, 2012 and am looking forward to December 22, 2012.

Head2Head - The world WILL be ending in 2012

2011-12-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

Written by Kaylee Heinz '12
5 reasons the world will end in 2012: Scientific experts from around the world are genuinely predicting that five years from now, all life on earth could be well finish. Some are saying it’ll be humans that set it off and others believe that a natural incident will be the cause. The religious persons are saying it’ll be God himself who presses the stop button. We may never know until that day comes.

My first reason is the Mayan Calendar. The first mob to predict 2012 as the end of the world were the Mayans, a bloodthirsty race that were good at two things: Building highly accurate astrological equipment out of stone and Sacrificing Virgins. Thousands of years ago they managed to calculate the length of the lunar moon as 329.53020 days, only 34 seconds out. The Mayan calendar predicts that the Earth will end on December 21, 2012. Given that they were pretty close to the mark with the lunar cycle, it’s likely they’ve got the end of the world right as well.

Another reason is sun storms. Solar experts from around the world monitoring the sun have made a startling discovery: our sun is in a bit of trouble. The energy output of the sun is, like most things in nature, cyclic, and it’s supposed to be in the middle of a period of relative stability. However, recent solar storms have been bombarding the Earth with so much radiation energy. It’s been knocking out power grids and destroying satellites. This activity is predicted to get worse, and calculations suggest it’ll reach its deadly peak sometime around 2012.

A Third reason is the atom smasher. Scientists in Europe have been building the world’s largest particle accelerator. Mainly it’s a 27km tunnel designed to smash atoms together to find out what makes the universe tick. They’re predicting all manner of deadly results, including mini black holes. So when this machine is fired up for its first serious experiment in 2012, the world could be crushed into a super-dense blob the size of a basketball.

The Bible says, if having scientists warning us about the end of the world isn’t bad enough, religious people are getting in on the act as well. Interpretations of the Christian Bible reveal that the date for Armageddon, the final battle between Good an Evil, has been set down for 2012. The I Ching, also known as the Chinese book of Changes, says the same thing, as do various sections of the Hindu teachings.

My fifth reason is the super volcano in Yellowstone national park in the United States. The reason for this is simple.. It’s sitting on top of the world’s biggest volcano, and geological experts are beginning to get worried. The Yellowstone volcano has a pattern of erupting every 650,000 years or so, and we’re many years overdue for an explosion that will fill the atmosphere with ash, blocking the sun and plunging the Earth into a frozen winter that could last up to 15,000 years. The pressure under the Yellowstone is building steadily, and geologists have set 2012 as a likely date for the big bang.

NBA work stoppage ends

2011-12-14T05:47:00.000-08:00

Written by: Travis Spitzley '13

After 149 days the NBA lockout has finally ended. The owners and the players agreed to terms on a new deal, and the first games of the season will be played on Christmas day, which is historically one of the most competitive days of play during the regular season.

The normal 83 game schedule will be shortened to only 66 games this year, the first coming on Christmas. Players will only miss about two pay checks, and shouldn’t suffer much financially. Getting back on the court is what most players have been looking forward to during the lockout. Some players have played overseas, while others like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have played a number of street league games in their hometowns and across the country.

Many players signed overseas to play during the lockout, and most of them should have no problem getting back to their NBA teams and out of their contracts with non-NBA teams. However, some players that signed contracts with Chinese teams will have a little more trouble, but should be able to get back to training camp on-time.

The NBA is hoping that they haven’t lost fan support after a successful last season. TV ratings from last season were some of the highest the league has ever seen. Part of this is due to the large number of superstars in the NBA right now, ranging from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, both of whom were vocal about getting a deal done during the lockout.

The Christmas day schedule includes some of the best teams across the country going head-to-head from coast to coast. The marquee matchup would have to be the NBA Finals rematch from a year ago, as the Miami Heat try to beat the defending champions of last year, the Dallas Mavericks. Another game with big names is the Chicago Bulls against the Los Angeles Lakers. Two of the top MVP candidates from last year, Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose - the winner of the award - will face off in L.A. The Boston Celtics look for another good start to the season as the face the emerging New York Knicks. The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Orlando Magic, a game that will feature last years scoring champ and defensive player of the year in Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard respectively. The last matchup is the Los Angeles Clippers against the Golden State Warriors, in a game of in-state rivals.

Coach K becomes all-time wins leader

2011-12-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

Written by: Travis Spitzley '13

This year college football had a new Coach take over the top spot as all-time wins leader, and now, so has college basketball. On November 15, Coach Mike Krzyzewski beat Michigan State to win his 903^rd game, moving him past his former Coach and mentor, Bob Knight. Coach K is in his 37^th year as a head Coach, winning 830 games at Duke, and another 73 with Army.

Coached by Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski was a point guard at Army, but was always meant to be a Coach. He’s always had a great knowledge of the game and once he got his chance at Coaching he took complete advantage of it. Now, after winning game number 903, he passed his mentor and former Coach. Coach Knight was announcing the game and mentioned that he wouldn’t be more honored to be replaced by anyone else as the winningest Coach in NCAA men’s basketball. After the game the two met by the scorer’s table and shared a few words and a hug. Both men display an obvious respect for each other as Coaches, as well as people.

As head Coach of Duke he has won four national titles and has gone to eleven final fours. He has 79 tournament victories, which is also a record, and was elected to the Hall of Fame after the 2001 season. One of his other impressive accomplishments was as Coach of the 2008 Olympic team, where he led them to a gold medal. He was an assistant Coach on the 1992 “dream team” which also won a gold medal. With all of his accomplishments, Coach K’s greatest feat may have come after passing his former Coach and friend Bob Knight for the most career wins.

Greyhound swimmers excited for upcoming season

2011-12-14T05:36:00.000-08:00

Written by: Sean Mills '12

After finishing 3^rd at the league meet last year the boy’s swim team is hopeful that this year will be much better. “Many of the guys have done club swimming in the off season,” says Coach Jackson, and team captains believe improvement can already be seen. “I think this season’s going to be good, we’ll have a much better chance of succeeding due to the new league,” says Austin Doolittle.

Swimming has one of the longest seasons of all the sports offered in high school going from November to March, plus with three hour practices all season, things can seem to drag on for the team. “Three hours is long and tiring, but it’s the only way we’ll get better,” says Mitch Poyer.

As with every sport, each year teammates must say goodbye to graduating seniors. “We lost some depth last year when Robert Baker and Andrew Benkovsky graduated,” says Doolittle, “but we’re also gaining new swimmers that already have some swimming experience, which will bring more opportunity for victories.” The team is welcoming a new diving coach as well, Lena Wileczek, who will help the team gain pivotal points throughout the season, giving them a better chance for success. With two returning divers that attended the regional meet last year, things area already looking bright for them.

Fewer people have come out for the team this year however, which worries a lot of the boys because in previous years there have always been too many on the team, this year there will be trouble finding people to fill every event. “We’re going to have the best times in a while,” says Jackson, “with more ‘A’ level swimmers this year, we’re just going to have to wait and see what the new league brings us. I’m even changing my coaching style this season, making it tougher”

The boy’s team is optimistic that they will succeed. With the help from the new coach and returning members, this season has the potential to be very rewarding.

Boys basketball is ready for a successful season

2011-12-14T05:35:00.000-08:00

Written by: Jacob VanVliet '13

December has finally come around the corner and now it is time for the Eaton Rapids varsity basketball team to undergo a long and wintery season. The boys have been working hard all year long for this time. The team participated in the summer ball league and the fall ball league hosted at Lansing Eastern field house and Aim High. They played many tough teams throughout the two seasons, along with practice through June, and workouts during the fall.

With all they have done in preparation for the 2011-12 season, expectations are high. Second year head Coach Luke Brown said, “I expect the boys to win and compete at a high level in every game we play.” Goals that the team and Coach Brown have are high but attainable for this year’s season. “Compete in the league and make a good run in districts” says Jacob Masteller about his goals for the year. Another senior Craig Wells simply says “prove all the haters wrong.” As we all know it is easier said than done, but Coach Brown says he feels good about this year’s team and that they surprisingly may be better than last years team when they had senior point guard Travis Wells, leading all there games in points and many other stats as well.

Returning varsity forward and junior Ta’Ron Gentry says, “A goal that I want our team to accomplish this season is to make a name for our program by winning at all cost.” The 2011-12 season will have a lot in store for them, and they are striving to accomplish goals and get better every day. Come out and support you’re Guys Varsity basketball team this season. Winter fest is January 2^nd versus our rivals the Charlotte Orioles.

ER Wrestling: A tradition of excellence

2011-12-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

Written by: Kanon McVicker '12

For many years, Eaton Rapids has been well known for a skilled wrestling program. In November 2011, the wrestling team began practice in preparation for another fantastic season, coming off of a district title last year.

Key returners this year expect to be significantly improved. In an interview, Jacob Stewart claims, “I believe my skills and work ethic have improved in the past year. My varsity experience helped me to find the things I needed to work on in the off-season, and I have become a lot better.” There are few seniors on the team. However, what they lack in numbers they make up for in skill. Jacob Epling is projected to have another successful season as a Greyhound wrestler.

Needless to say, Mr. Warriner and his wrestling team hope to reclaim the district title, as well as the regional title. He says that in order to do this, the team will need to “work hard, be tenacious, and believe in themselves.” This wrestling season is expected to be an exciting one, so come out and support the Hounds!

The World According To Blake

2011-12-14T05:16:00.001-08:00

Click photo to enlarge.

10 things you DIDN'T know about Mrs. Trudgeon

2011-12-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

1. I was engaged my senior year of High School, got married 3 months after graduation at the age of 18, and have been married 26 years.

2. I have lost 157 pounds.

3. I learned a lesson at an early age not to play in the road Easter Sunday. When I was 4 I was hit by a car. I was in the hospital for 30 days and then came home in a body cast for 6 weeks. They were not sure I would walk again but I proved them wrong.

4. I am one of 6 kids, I have 2 older sisters and 3 younger brothers.

5. I graduated from Waverly High School in 1985.

6. I spent most of my summers as a kid on Torch Lake, the 3rd most beautiful lake in the world.

7. I have been to Hawaii.

8. I have been on 2 mission trips to rural Kentucky.

9. I don't like to cook. I'm really good at ordering out and making reservations.

10. My grandparents are from italy, They came to the USA through Ellis Islands.

Guess the Senior

2011-12-14T05:04:00.000-08:00

1. What mock awards do you think you could win?
"Biggest blonde, Humorous, Spontaneous, Serious, and Ambitious."

2. What do you miss most about your childhood?
"Amusement of the littlest things."

3. What are some future plans?
"Succeeding in a degree. Therapist, and Dietition."

4.What do you enjoy most about high school?
"Failing, whether it's a teest or a class. You learn the hard way and see it as a benefit to yourself."

5. Favorite high school memory:
"Falling over a picnic table at Earth Day

Find the answer in the December Issue of The Bark!

Michigan parents now tracking their teen's driving

2011-10-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Written by: Mariah Rochester '12
With new programs and technology, Michigan parents can track the driving habits of their teens. Parents are able to track when their teens are pulled over and the location of the vehicle. They receive alerts when teens are rapidly accelerating or decelerating, they can set geographic boundaries, and they can keep track of how much time their teens spend behind the wheel.

The STOPPED program, which stands for Sheriffs Telling Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers, is a free program available to all parents with teen drivers. When a vehicle is registered with the STOPPED program, a sticker is placed on the inside of the front windshield and when a young motorist is stopped by a sheriff’s deputy, his/her parents receive a letter about the traffic stop even if a ticket is not issued.

Heartland and Pinckney High Schools in Livingston County require all students who drive to school to have vehicles registered in STOPPED.

The Michigan Sheriff’s Association says that more than 16,000 vehicles are registered in the STOPPED program. Parents can register a vehicle at http://michigansheriff.com.

Holland’s Crayon Interface’s wireless training tool, Copilot, is an innovative device that plugs into a standard port found in all vehicles built after 1995. Copilot tracks, in real time, the driver’s performance on everything from speed to location through the use of personal computers, software, and mobile devices.

Parents can instantly locate their teen drivers using an interactive map, they receive alerts when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating rapidly, they can set geographic boundaries for their teens, and they can track their teens’ time spent behind the wheel for verification of supervised driving time required by most graduated drivers licenses.

Copilot is about half the size of a deck of cards and plugs directly into a vehicle’s computer diagnostic port, which is normally located under the dash near the steering column. It costs $299 with an annual renewal service fee of $99 after one year.

Crayon Interface’s vice president of business development, Kevin Virta, says, "The goal of Copilot is to give parents a method of observing and teaching their teens safe driving without always being in the passenger seat of the vehicle." The company hopes to reduce the number of traffic accidents, which is the leading cause of teen deaths.

DriveCam is offered by The American Family Insurance Company as part of its Teen Safe Driver Program. DriveCam is a tiny, onboard camera that records when risky driving, including speeding, hard-braking, or swerving from lane to lane, occurs. The video information, which includes images from seconds before the event, is sent to safety analysts who provide a diagnosis and possible solutions.

Rusty Weiss, the director of the consumer division at DriveCam, thinks that having a camera in the car prevents driving habits that teens would not want to be caught doing.

Policy holders with American Family Insurance are eligible for a free one year subscription to the Teen Safe Driver Program, and DriveCam offers families with different insurance providers the technology for $899, including installation and a one year subscription.

Safe Driver from Lemur Vehicle Monitors is intended to be a ‘tattletale’ for parents to monitor how their teens are driving. Safe Driver records the distance driven, any stops that activate the anti-lock brakes, and the maximum speed reached by the car.

The Lemur system is about $60 and easy to install. The device plugs into the car’s OBDII port underneath the dash and transmits wirelessly to a key fob on the car’s key ring. If it is unplugged, parents will receive a "Tamper" message to know that their teen has deactivated the unit.

According to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, high tech devices worked best when a teen heard an alert and was given the chance to correct their behavior while driving. Driving ten miles per hour over the speed limit dropped almost 60 percent, and sudden braking and accelerating dropped almost 40 percent.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that unaccompanied 16 and 17 year-olds crash nine times more often than adults. When parents are out of the car, seatbelt use drops to less than 40 percent of the national average. Teens and teenager passengers are the most accident-prone group; except when their parents are in the car. Though few teens are likely to admit it, having a monitoring system in the car may be the "next best thing" to having parents riding with them.

Steve Jobs, innovator, is remembered

2011-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Written by: Isaiah Bellville '12

On October 5th, 2011, the world lost one of its greatest innovators and inventors. Steve jobs passed away at age 56; 6 years after his announcement to Apple employees that he suffered from pancreatic cancer. Steve Jobs was an iCon, a leader in a revolution that emphasized innovation and creativity. Jobs was always one step ahead of the competition in an industry that demanded originality, and wanted it now. Jobs is looked at as a role model.

He set the bar in the industry that he cared so much about.

Jobs was unique. His past didn’t seem like one that would make for a business giant. Jobs was an adopted child, born to then unmarried parents. He claimed that the couple who adopted "were his parents", a statement which readily portrays the close relationship he shared with his adoptive parents. Jobs attended college for only one semester at Reed College. There was a period shortly after dropping out that Jobs spent sleeping on the floor of friend’s homes, using the money he earned by returning pop bottles for food, and taking a free meal every week from a local temple.

Jobs co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976. Jobs resigned from Apple in 1985, and started his own computer company, NeXT. Jobs worked on NeXT computers until 1996, when it was bought out by Apple. The first NeXT workstation was completed in 1990, and was sold at a price of almost $10,000.

At Apple, Jobs received a yearly salary of $1. He made almost all of his riches through stocks that he had in Disney/Pixar and Apple. He bought "The Graphics Group", which later became Pixar.

Greyhound pair wins regional title

2011-10-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Written by: Blake Johnson '13

This season the Eaton Rapids 2^nd doubles team of Zack Laginess and Alex Arrington was very successful. They finished with a strong record of 18-2, (losing to Lumen Christi twice) and ended up winning the regional championship!

On their way to the title, Laginess and Arrington took out Haslett, Mason, and an undefeated Lakewood team; which was arguably their best match.

Even when times looked tough, they still found ways to pull through. For example, when an injury plagued Laginess early in the season, Tanner Jones (’13) stepped up and delivered an excellent performance to defeat Dewitt and to keep what had been an undefeated streak, alive.

Head coach Ryan Anderson felt that their success was due to, “A combination of team chemistry, their skill as individual tennis players, and the position they were in as second doubles players.”

Anderson also said that the rest of the team stayed consistent and strong around them to keep Zach and Alex in their positions through the whole season.

Even with the team behind them, winning consistently was quite a challenging thing to do. “Staying focused after three straight matches was really hard,” said Arrington when asked about the regionals. “You have to find ways to stay pumped up and ready to play.”

Luckily for them, all of that hard work paid off, and they became the only Eaton Rapids players to win a regional title this year. That title was an accomplishment both of them would agree highlighted the season and it is a memory they will have for a long time.

Athlete of the Month: Natalya Ferri

2011-10-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Written by: Jacqueline Mills '12

Cross country can be a very overwhelming sport, but for Natalya Ferri, it’s a piece of cake. Fall 2011 is Natalya’s first year of cross country. She has also participated in other sports in the past such as track and softball. She is a sophomore and for a first year cross country runner, she is starting off very well.

In track and field, Natalya would run short distances only. Her longest distance in track was 400 meters. This would require her to sprint for a short distance and would also make her push herself for a short period of time. This is why she was intimidated by the thought of joining the cross country team. She was not sure she would be able to run long distances such as 3.1 miles (5k).

During parent teacher conferences last spring, Natalya’s mom and Coach Smith had a very long and engaging discussion. It was about Natalya joining cross country for the fall 2011 season. They were determined to get her to join the team. After a while of Natalya’s mom nagging her about joining the cross country team, Natalya put aside her doubts and gave in. She had officially decided to join the cross country team.

Natalya’s first meet went very well. She ran 2 miles and placed 4^th among the Eaton Rapids girl runners. She kept working to get better times at practices and while running at home. Her practices consist of stretching and then running on the treadmill while listening to music or running down the road and back. Natalya says, “I make sure I’m all stretched out and then I run. What else would I do?” After long practices on the trails with the team and the practices at home alone, it started to pay off.

Coach Smith thinks that Natalya has a lot of determination. This could be an understatement. Natalya tries her best at everything. There is not one second when she is not trying her best. This doesn’t just apply for cross country, she tries her best at school and all the other sports she participates in as well. Due to her hard work, Natalya has become the number one runner for the Eaton Rapids girls cross country team.

During practices, Natalya kept giving her all. The girls would do practice runs and Natalya started to get the fastest times. So far Natalya’s best time is 20 minutes and 27 seconds.

Practices for the cross country team are not just a ton of running. Natalya says, “I like that we spend time together as a team and it’s not just all about running.” The team has gone out and got ice cream together and they just spend time together and talk. The team even sits around and does homework together before meets.

As a sophomore in high school, Natalya’s running skills are great. Her practices are paying off and she knows it. For a first year runner and a sophomore, Natalya Ferri has shown that it’s not size or age that matters, it is determination.

Greyhound gridders visit Michigan State

2011-10-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

Written by: Kanon McVicker '12

ERHS Varsity and Freshmen football players pose for a photo after tough practice

Practicing in a Division 1 College environment is a rare opportunity for any high school athlete. However, the Eaton Rapids football program was given the privilege to utilize this once in a lifetime experience. Anticipating playing on turf against Dearborn Edsel Ford on October 7^th, head varsity football coach Bob Ribby pulled some strings at his college alma mater in East Lansing. At about 5:40pm on October 5^th, the Eaton Rapids Varsity and Freshmen football teams piled on two buses and headed out to Michigan State University.

As they filed off the bus, each individual, including the coaches, seemed to have an altered mind-set. The atmosphere outside radiated with a new kind of focus and determination brought on by the sheer power and size of the MSU football facilities. The Varsity captains led both teams, two-by-two, into the Duffy Daugherty Building. This was far from just another practice.

Defense set the tone for the rest of practice, starting off the day with the usual warm up run and stretches. Getting used to the unbelievably flat and soft turf was tough at first, but soon the players seemed to be flying around faster than the day before.

The players definitely felt the change in intensity.

According to Jacob VanVliet, being in a college environment for football, especially a nationally ranked team like Michigan State really raised the intensity and level of everyone’s game. “Everyone was excited about going there to practice and play on the new turf. I feel it really brought the best out of everyone’s game and if we could we would practice there every day after school,” said VanVliet.

All in all, practicing at MSU was a great, once in a lifetime experience for the Eaton Rapids football players.

Head2Head - Students SHOULDN'T have part-time jobs

2011-10-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Written by: Janna Wing '12

Having a job takes a lot of time, effort, and responsibility. During the school year, your focus should be on your studies. As your senior year approaches, having great grades, attendance, and involvement in extra curricular activities are important in getting accepted into colleges. Student’s grades easily start dropping when the work load increases.

Although jobs could be beneficial, high school is a busy time in a student’s life and managing time can be very difficult when dealing with the pressure of a job on top of school work.

As students strive to find a part time job during high school they usually believe that they will work a limited amount of hours a week, but what they don’t realize is, as a minority, the employers often pressure them to put in more hours a week. During holidays, stores begin to also increase work load and as the stores get busy they will make the employees do a lot of extra hours to keep everything on track. With their already busy schedules filling up quickly, the time that students need for school work is decreasing rapidly. Students need to see that they are only part-time workers. Is it really worth getting a job that has low pay and requires little skill that does not stretch them mentally and teaches them little compared to school?

High school is much more then lessons. The best times of high school take place after school. The time that is not spent doing hours of school work should be spent hanging with friends, family and going to school events. We are still young and should enjoy our childhoods before we have to enter the real world where work is necessary. Having a part-time job will make you miss out on these opportunities and memories that can’t be remade.

A part-time job during the school year can be too overwhelming. During the summer would be a more appropriate time. Grades are too important for college. Students need time to experience life, grow up and become well-rounded individuals. Having a job can feel as if your being pushed into the world of work way to quickly.

Head2Head - Students SHOULD be able to have part-time jobs

2011-10-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

Written by: Kaylee Heinz '12
I believe that high school students should have a part time job of some sort. High school students have a part-time job for a number of reasons. A few of those reasons may possibly be necessary for the individual, desired and or required.

I feel that having a paid job is a normal part of growing up. For centuries teens were ordinary members of the workforce. And since education became essential, hundreds of millions of students have successfully combined school work with a part-time job. I have found that working a few hours outside school does not harm achievement, so there is no reason to veto the idea. Even if having a job did affect student’s education, teens are old enough to make that choice for themselves. It should not be forced on them by an official banning.

About two-thirds of high school students have jobs. Just under half of those students have jobs that money is dealt with under the table like babysitting or mowing the neighbor’s lawn. Therefore, money is not deducted due to tax purposes. Students who are on official payroll, about two-thirds work in food service or other retail businesses, such as beauty salons or grocery stores.

A major reason why high school students work is for extra money. Most teens work because they want the money, but a part-time job can have other benefits. I feel that high school students should have a job to be able to be independent, instead of relying on mom and dad for everything. Therefore, students might also even work to help their parents out economically. I think that you should consider having a job especially if you do not participate in any extra curricular activities after school. High school students that are considering their future may possibly even save money to attend a secondary school, Parents can also have a lot to do with why a student is working while in high school; they may force the student for the reason that it is able to give them work experience that everybody needs.

Communication, teamwork, and leadership skills among their peers can be more important than technical skills. Having a job can also lead to the student to start being more responsible and not having to rely on their parents for everything. It could make kids grow up and have a better outlook on his or her future. I believe people must trust us teens to find our own way in the world, deciding which opportunities we will take. For most students, getting a part-time job is an important way of gaining independence. If we keep students wrapped up safe at home and school, they will never develop an adult identity. The danger then is they won’t be able to cope when they have to go to college or leave home for the first time without their mom and dad.

Nusquam Abscondere

2011-10-26T20:27:00.001-07:00

Written by: Isaiah Bellville '12

The nice part about having my own column in the newspaper is that I can pretend like everybody cares about my problems, write about them, and have them published. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

I love being editor of the Opinion page too. I love listening to other people’s opinion on subjects. I’ve always wanted to have a special segment of the paper dedicated to letters to the editor, but we haven’t had enough feedback to actually keep it going.

The best part of people’s opinions, are that they sometimes conflict. I find it amazingly interesting to get the point of view of two different people on the same subject, especially when they are passionate about the subject. I find that listening politely to someone’s argument, whether you agree with it or not, is the best policy for effectively learning about both sides of a subject.

There are subjects, though, where people are a little too passionate. When people start talking about these arguments, I usually choose not to listen, and walk away. It’s the safest option sometimes. It’s sad that even bringing up these subjects can send people into a violent rant on the subject, and how wrong the opposing argument is. It’s perfectly acceptable to disagree with someone’s opinion, but to ridicule and belittle someone for their opinion is plain ignorant. It shows a level of immaturity that says that you aren’t ready to argue about the topic yet.

I find it disheartening that these topics cause so much unrest in people that I was told I would be censored if I even remotely mentioned them in this article.

I understand that people feel strongly about some topics, but the anger and hate that some people profess to having towards opposers of their beliefs.

When I was at a Grand Rapids Art Musuem festival, I met a Ms. Steele. Ms. Steele was an author, who wrote for magazines, but also had her own book on teaching. She told me that her favorite thing to study was the "Third Side". She explained to me that the Third Side is the part of the argument that neither other sides take into consideration. She told me about how silly it was for someone to completely disregard the points that the opposing side of an argument has, believing instead that you should listen to both sides of an argument, and then fromulate your own opinion.

Dictionary.com defines an opinion as: "A personal view, attitude, or appraisal." Personal. An opinion is personal. It is something that you hold to yourself, and believe by yourself. Not something others need to believe in. Dictionary.com also defines it as: "A belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty." Opinions are not facts. Everyone is entitled to believe what they wish.

Try to listen to someone else’s opinion on something today, and don’t judge them. See how it works for you.

This side of the net

2011-10-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

Written by: Carly Darrow '12

It’s that time of year again. The time of year where the leaves change color and slowly start to fall, where businesses start selling hot chocolate, pumpkin patches and cider mills are busy with customers, and the fall jackets start to come out of the closet.

Agreeably, fall is one of the most beautiful seasons, what with its leaves turning magnificent colors and hearing the crunch of them under your feet as you walk.

Or maybe that’s not your favorite part about fall? Cause it’s not my favorite part either. I adore Halloween more rather than the leaves or the cooler weather.

Scary movies, haunted houses, costume parties, free candy, and scary stories. Fall is eerie, and what could be better than getting scared and feeling that adrenaline rush?

Though most people don’t exceptionally love being scared like I do, there’s the costume aspect as well. The best part of dressing up is getting into it and “going all out”. It annoys me to see kids wear their street clothes on the night of Halloween and a mask or the girls wear cat ears as their costume and go door to door just to get the goods.

Don’t we remember what it was like as a kid? Sitting at home getting ready and having your mom take a thousand and one pictures of you. Watching it get darker and darker outside as you nag at your parents that you are ready to go. As the siren finally blares on that October 31^stnight signaling the start of trick-or-treating, and then it really begins.

You bound around dark streets while other children are running door to door and are comparing costumes. Your parents trudge behind you and tell you to slow down and remind you that there is time. And you do the most important job of all; making sure that every house in the neighborhood is hit, because none can be left behind until that siren blares again. You go door to door and say the phrase that has been engraved in your head and you have been waiting to use.

“Trick-or-treat!”

So what has changed since then? Amicably, your costume choices begin to change. Instead of picking you’re favorite superhero or being the prettiest Disney Princess, you begin picking what looks best, what’s more popular at that time or what may be more humorous to you and your friends. And then in middle school and high school some people stop dressing up altogether, a personal choice I suppose. But the costumes for girls the costumes get smaller and for most they begin to get less attention to detail put into them.

And when are you too old for trick-or-treating? I believe that being a senior this may be my last year attempting to trick-or-treat. After that I’ll retire, and take my kids one day to enjoy what I enjoyed once as a kid.

Granted, there was an incidence my sophomore year. I was dressed up as Sandra Dee from Grease, my friend Brooke was Raggedy Anne, and my friend Anna was little “dead” riding hood. We had a great time dressing up and doing our make up and hair and getting ourselves into character. However, at one house we were denied candy.

Denied candy? Who has ever heard of such a thing on Halloween? But we were, and the lady just stared at us coldly waiting for us to leave. We were too old she had told us. So maybe some think that as teenagers it’s time to hang the cap up.

But I believe that we only have a few years left until we’re adults, so why not dress up? Why not channel your inner adolescence and have fun with people you care about? Throw a scary movie marathon, go to a haunted house with your friends, try apple bobbing, eat too many caramel apples, throw a bonfire, tell a scary story, carve a pumpkin with that special someone, or play a prank. Why not?

Unknown Artist: Jen Sygit

2011-10-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Written by: Elizabeth Prieskorn '13

Jen Sygit’s music is a good blend of acoustic and folk. Jen is from Port Huron, Michigan and grew up in the small town of Marysville. Throughout her life, Jen has always had a strong love of music and musical instruments. During elementary, middle, and high school Jen could be found writing songs at any time throughout the day and playing them in her parent’s basement on their beat up organ.

Seeing her gift with music, her parents encouraged Jen to audition for the Interlochen Fine Arts Camp in Interlochen, MI. Jen was accepted and spent several years at the camp studying voice, visual arts, piano, and trombone. Interlochen is an outstanding music camp which has creative writing, dance, motion picture arts, music, theatre, visual arts, and academics. It’s quite an accomplishment to be accepted into the school and to study there.

In 1999, in order to attend Michigan State University, Jen moved to Lansing. She quickly surveyed the area and the musical scene that it had. She scoped out the top blue jams and open mics in the neighborhood; and soon enough had her first gig. She started out as a front woman for a band called Murdawg who played more blues-rock music.

During her time with Murdawg, Jen started working at Elderly Instruments; a world-renowned music store in Lansing. Most of the workers at Elderly Instruments are musicians so it was a perfect opportunity for Jen to make some money as well as to expand her knowledge of music and instruments. She worked there for three years and Jen enhanced her acoustic sound as well as learning how to work and play other instruments.

Jen has come a long way from playing the organ in her basement, and now has three albums, Here to There, So Long Pollyanna, and Leaving Marshall St. Jen is a well-known local at Dagwood Tavern in Lansing and has been performing there for a good five years. At this point, Jen is part of a band called Stella! They have been working on their new album in Brooklyn, NY. Stella! is a 4 person band consisting of Jo Serrapere, Tahmineh Guermany, Katie Grace and Jen Sygit.

Stella! has performed on Dave Marsh’s Sirius/XM show, ‘Kick out the Jams’. So Long Pollyanna was also played on the show.

Jen Sygit has come a long way since her childhood and is planning on a long continued career in the music industry.

Movie Quote of the Month

2011-10-26T20:21:00.001-07:00

"One, two. Freddie's coming for you.
Three, four. Better lock the door.
Five, six. Grab your crucifix.
Seven, eight. Gonna stay up late.
Nine, ten. Never sleep again."

- Nightmare on Elm Street

Welcome back Hounds!

2011-09-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

We from the Bark staff hope that you're first day of school was successful and wish those seniors good luck in their last year of high school!

Watch for this years first issue of The Bark on Monday Sept. 26th.

Two down, one to go!

2011-08-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Greyhounds! There's only one month left until we head back to school! Starting Sept. 6th, high school and middle school students are required to be in their classrooms by 7:34 a.m., the new start time. The new end time is 2:34 p.m.! Let's try and be prompt and punctual on our first day, so we can set the tone for a great new school year. Have a great rest of your summer Greyhounds! Be safe, responsible, and have fun!

Great Weekend for Greyhound Athletics

2011-06-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Greyhound Freshman Kathryn Mills became the girls' state champion in the high jump with a jump of 5 feet 6 inches. The girls' softball team are district champions and will continue to play on Saturday for the regional title. The girls' 4 x 400 m realy (Molly Dassance, Cassie McManus, Lindsey O'Leary, and Dani Wright) took 8th last Saturday to get All-State honors. The boys' baseball team was only one game short of being district champs. Good job Greyhounds!

Class of 2011 says goodbye

2011-05-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

Written by: Alisa Bennet '11

After four long years at ERHS, the class of 2011 says its final goodbye and begins on their journey into life.

Although the class of 2011 is just another alumni class that will be associated with the school, there are many characteristics that set them apart from classes past. The class of 2011 was the first class to have its educational landmark requirements changed. Math classes, for the first time, were a requirement for this graduating class to take all four years. However, despite this upset, many say that they are proud to be a part of the class of 2011.

“I am proud to be a part of the class of 2011 because I have grown up with everybody and I am glad to see all of us moving on to the next chapters of our lives,” said senior Courtney Wood.

In addition to the senior students being affected by the class of 2011’s departure, the younger classes also have feelings toward it.

“I’m going to miss the kids that I know but I am excited to be the new class of seniors for next year,” said junior Molly Salisbury.

“I think the seniors leaving is really sad because I have all senior friends and it’s going to be lonely once they are gone,” said another junior student, Carly Darrow.

Even though the last day of high school is an emotion filled day mixed with excitement, the seniors still have a lot to look forward to after that point. Graduation commencement ceremonies are June 5^th at3:00pm at the football stadium and many people are looking forward to wearing their maroon and white caps and gowns that they only got to see on other people prior to this point in time. In addition to commencement, many people have chosen to have a graduation open house to celebrate their achievements in high school and anticipate their futures at the college of their choice.

“I am having an open house because my mom is making me have one,” said senior Brenin Richardson. In Brenin’s case, his parents want to celebrate his graduation because he doesn’t like to throw parties for himself.

“I was excited about my open house because my uncle “the hot dog man” was making me hot dogs and I got a lot of money,” said Daniel Carter who already had his open house celebration.

Senior year is an amazing time in a teenager’s life and it’s definitely a memory that the students and their families will remember forever.

Are you ready for a zombie attack?

2011-05-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

Written by: Ryan Hayward '13

Published in 2003, this book has helped many average people worldwide obtain knowledge of zombies and how to survive if they ever were to take over your community, country, or even planet.

This book, making it onto the New York Times Best Seller List, has sold over one million copies and has received rave reviews from readers and critics.

It has everything you would ever want to know about a zombie takeover or “apocalypse.” It teaches you how to escape grapples, how to temporarily disable a zombie, and what kinds of weapons are best used for killing them. The crowbar is the best weapon, according to the book, to carry with you as a weapon. This is mostly because of its durability and its ability to be used in many different situations.

This book also gives you all details about how to prepare for a zombie takeover such as how to prepare your home, what vehicles are best suited and best places to avoid when on the run. It just so happens that the best vehicle to drive would be the dirt bike because of its ability to go off road, agility, and gas mileage.

I personally love books and movies about zombies and in my opinion, this is the best book for a lover of zombies to own. If I were to give it a rating from one to ten, I would give it a nine.

This book is available for purchase at several stores such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Shuler Book store.

Becca Waters

2011-05-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Written by: Izzy Bellville '11

Today is the class of 2011’s second to last day here at Eaton Rapids High School. I’ll dearly miss many of them, especially a select few.

I’d like to focus on Rebecca Anne Waters. Becca sat next to me in Newspaper this last trimester. I’m not sure how I will get through next year in Newspaper without her. Becca made Newspaper fun for me, with her small talk and antics. I’ve become accustomed to being smacked in the head with paper each morning, and I don’t know any other way that might get me ready for the day.

I’ve never needed an Ipod in that class, because Becca was incredibly good at singing “Pocketful of Sunshine”, and she showed that off during class. I was never bored, only having to wait for Becca to tell a story about her “Baby Hunter”. I was also treated to darling pictures of the puppy.

Becca was an expert at keeping me on task. Every time I started to dawdle, or talk about irrelevant subjects, she’d remind me to get back to work with her gentle and kind phrase: “Izzy, do you want to get punched in the head?” Who else will be so selfless and willing to remind me in such a polite in friendly way to keep to my work?

Becca wasn’t perfect, of course -Edit- But she was close (according to her). She may have been short with me at times, or taken extra time to belittle me, but I don’t think she ever really thought small of me, I think it was just one of the little things we shared.

Next year will feel a little emptier, without her pink and coral fleece walking in the door and yelling at me for some imagined crime. Also, she threatened me that if I didn’t put something about her boyfriend, he would come home and… (She trailed off there). Eric is an outstanding Marine and an even better boyfriend, from what I’ve heard. He’s built like a German tank, and I’ve been threatened many a time with “Eric is coming home in only___ days!”

ERHS students win competition

2011-05-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Written by: Ryan Hayward '13

Photo by: Elisha Savage

As anyone that has seen Transformers knows, the Decepticons want the All Spark. But who would ever guess it would be in our own high school? That’s right; the All Spark is now here.

Created by Gage Morris '13 and Trent Hurd '13, they built it with raw metal and their own blood and sweat. It took them from the beginning of Febuary to late last month to create this work of art. They had got the idea from making a paper box in art class and began to think, “What if…?”

“The most challenging part of the project would probably have to be welding all the pieces,” says Gage.

“This was an awesome project, it was fun to built just because of how big it was,” says Trent.

It is about 300 pounds of mean steel and measuring an amazing six and a half feet tall and 5 feet wide. It was entered in Mike’s Competition and won first place in both regional’s and state.

“Its great to see today’s youth using new machines and computer technology to create this art. The project is also very creative and interesting,” says Eaton Rapids Superintendant Bill DeFrance.

There is no certainty yet, but there has been talk by DeFrance and ERHS Principal Dave Johnson that it will be displayed outside in the courtyard next to the auditorium.

There's no business like show business

2011-05-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Written by: Mason Villanueva '13

A ballet is a type of show just like a musical or a play. It's very different from a recital, in a ballet you are given parts, a character, to portray to an audience. In most ways ballet's are much harder than a recital. In a recital usually there are breaks or at least quick moments of down time. Enough time to get a drink, or change for the next piece without being to rushed, and you only have to carry out a character for a couple of minutes.

In a ballet you must portray a character for a longer period of time and usually there is only intermission for down time. And during my show Thanksgiving weekend I didn't even have intermission and I had one quick change that had to be done in twenty seconds. But the show I just finished last week, Decades Moving Moments choreographed by Gregory M. George, was a lot of fun and not too much stress mentally at least. The hardest part of this show was that I still had school and lots of homework to juggle as well.

Every night we go through the same routines. Dancer call (when everyone has to be there) is two hours before the show, there is a half hour to prep for the show and then we have a forty five minute warm-up. Warm-up is all about focusing on yourself and how you are feeling, stretching out tight muscles, working on extensions, getting on balance, and preparing mentally for the task ahead.
After warm-up all of us hold hands and make a circle, Greg says something motivational and then we close our eyes. Greg squeezes the hand of a person next to him and they pass it on, the point of this exercise is to feel the passing of energy flow between all the members of the company, to help create a sense of unity.

There as a special feeling right before walking on stage. It is an addicting sensation. As your passing through the stage wings (the curtains on the side of the stage) walking on to the stage preparing to dance there is a nervous inspiration. You can hear your pulse as your heart rate speeds up, your head throbs; and yet, with this feeling there is a sensation of such adrenaline, power, and motivation to attempt the impossible, to flawlessly dance.

Then it is time to perform. I love performing and there are simply no words to describe the feeling of letting your body tell a story and the energy and thought a dancer puts into every lift of a finger every point of a toe. I do not perform for the audience I perform for myself.

The show is always done to soon and yet not soon enough. The hardest parts of a show is the in between moments when your not dancing when you notice the aching of your body, the ache of a parched throat, and the sweat dripping down your back. But for the most part the adrenaline can get you through those tough moments, and if it cannot you use the last thing you have sheer willpower.

Whoever said ballet dancers do not eat was not all mentally there. What did we dancers do during the intermission? Ate delicious chocolate chip cookies. We weren't worried about our bleeding blistered toes or soar tight muscles and in one case a broken thumb. We just wanted to sit down and eat a bunch of cookies and that is exactly what we did!
Though all the pain, sweat, and tears, there isn't a place on earth we would rather be than simply dancing. We all discussed one day how if we had to die tomorrow how we would want to die. Every single one of us, wanted to die dancing to the last beats of our hearts.

Negative side affects of high tech communication

2011-05-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

Written by: Jessica Allen '13

Some people say that texting is for the youth, but as it becomes increasingly popular, more of the “older” generation has been picking up the trend.

Students use texting to communicate with their parents, friends, coaches, and peers. Adults use it to keep track of their child, talk with friends, and talk with other parents about work and events. Even children middle school-aged and younger have cell phones now.

Most cell phone providers will not sell a plan without some form of text messaging package included. We pay the high fees and penalties for text messaging because the cell phone companies say we have to.

Texting is everywhere we look. People text message while walking across the street, sitting at a stoplight, waiting for their meal at a restaurant, and even while driving down the highway. What happened to talking on the phone? Not only is text messaging unpersonal, it can be extremely inconvenient at times and can lead to some serious side effects.

Has our society taken it too far? Teenagers send out over 14,000 text messages per month. Studies have shown that the amount of text messaging people do can and probably will lead to carpal tunnel and decreased eyesight from constant screen viewing. Because of the radio-frequency (RF) waves used by mobile phones, there are increased risks of brain tumors. Doctors recommend reducing the amount you use your cell phone for calling and texting, and if that is not possible, to use hands-free devices.

Also, some suggest to keep your cell phone away from your head while you sleep, so RF waves are not coming into contact with you while you sleep.

Other side effects from cell phone use include acne breakouts from the oil and germs that collect on your cell phone being transferred to the skin on your face when you talk on the phone. It is recommended that you hold the phone away from your skin when you talk on the phone. People with pacemakers should not store their phones in their chest pocket or near the pacemaker. Although there is no conclusive evidence yet, studies are being done to make sure the RF waves do not interfere with pacemakers.

If not because of the possible medical conditions, cell phones are dangerous in cars. Studies suggest that texting and driving is more dangerous than driving under influence. The driver is distracted and it takes 70 more feet to brake while texting and driving than for the extra four feet it takes for someone legally drunk at .08 to brake.

Cell phones are a great form of communication as long as they are used appropriately and at appropriate times.

Music Review: Tenacious D

2011-05-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Written by: Ryan Hayward '13

Tenacious D is a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1994 by two very eccentric people. Created by Jack Black (JB, Jables) the lead vocalist, and Kyle Gass (KG, Kage) the lead guitarist. They have released two albums and a rock opera movie. The albums include the self-named Tenacious D (2001) and Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny (2006).
Their music is described as vulgar, and innapropriate as they sing about drugs and their sexual prowess. Although that is not only thing described in their music, they also describe their unbreakable friendship and their battle against demons and even Satan himself. Almost all of their songs are short stories about something they have done or has happened to them or people they know.
"Tenacious D" was not their first and only band name idea, they had also thought of naming the band "Pets or Meat," "Balbo

a's Biblical Theatre", and "The Axe Lords Featuring Gorgazon’s Mischief"(supposedly Gass' favorite). While performing at a bar they had people vote on possible band names. "Tenacious D" did not win but was pushed through by JB and KG.
Unique as Tenacious D may be, they have been ifluenced by a few very popular bands including Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Tony Robbins. Tenacious D themselves, have influenced people such as All Shall Perish, The Lonely Island, and Kanye West.
If you would like to experience this unique band live, they will be performing this year in December at The Masonic Temple in Detroit.

Student of the Month: Andrew Verstraete

2011-05-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

Written by: Chanel Baldwin '11

You may have seen him on television or on our very own Auditorium stage, but none the less, Andrew Verstraete was selected by the staff of Eaton Rapids High School to be Student of the Month. Verstraete was specifically chosen for his responsibility with the qualities of homework being done, classroom promptness, completes assignments, works to ability level, and participates in class and many more.

Old Mr. Smith, who nominated Verstraete, says “I see him doing a lot of nice things. He’s very caring and empathetic.” The staff obviously agreed. “I like how he smiles while walking through the school,” Smith explained.

Verstraete’s most influential teachers are Mr. Baker, Mr. Gellis, and Mr. Rupp. “They deserve my best because they give me their best”, Verstraete . Most students would agree that the quickest way to work hard is have someone helping you and pushing you along.

Baker states “it is very satisfying to know that students appreciate your efforts.” Not only do the activities that Andrew participates in are hard, but they also take a lot of brain power. “Verstraete has always had a clear goal for his studies,” Baker says.

Memorizing musical notes and places to step for Marching Band, lines to the latest school production, and of course, all of the answers to the Quiz Bowl questions.

Attending Western Michigan University in the fall of 2011, Verstraete plans to study Aerospace Engineering, which, you guessed it, is the designing of aircrafts and spacecrafts. Most would say that planning to have a job anywhere near that of an astronaut or the spaceship it lives in while in space, is ridiculous; but Verstraete plans to expand ‘the skies the limit’ and prove many wrong.

If Verstraete could give any fellow students information it would be “It only ends once, everything before that is just progress.”

Head2Head - Senior goodbye

2011-05-06T09:21:00.001-07:00

Written by: Desiree Dunn '11
What is a senior? Some would say, a person heading to college, one with more experience, someone with higher rank, someone much older (also known as a senior citizen).

Our senior year has been full of fun, stress, and even some senioritis. We’ve grown together as the class of 2011, grown as individuals and as a graduating class. In four years we have grown up as young adults entering this new life ahead of us. In four years we have become close, leaned on one another, cried together, had happy times together, and even some of us grew apart. As our graduating date becomes closer and more real, I start feeling more anxious to see what life has in store for me and other fellow classmates. Where am I going in life? What’s my purpose in this world? What will be the difference I make? All of these big decisions lie before all the graduating seniors as big life changes, whether it’s going into the military, what college to attend, where to find a job, or what other decisions to be made. Entering adulthood has become a reality most of us look forward to all of our life. However, this new life will be filled with new jobs, new classes, new friends, and a new lifestyle. These big changes will change us; they will make us stronger, better people.

High school has taught me to be an individual in this world, not just another person, just you. As an individual, it is up to you to be the change, to make a difference in your own life. High school is a beginning, not an end. It’s the beginning of a new journey, one that will lead you places you have never been, teach you life’s lessons, and mold you into a new individual, full of new life. Goodbyes are hard, but must be said, a new school is also hard, but must be attended, and new teachers will be hard, but have to be liked, or tolerated in most cases. New people will be scary to meet, but may end up becoming your new best friends soon after. College will become a new life for most of us and a new challenge to overcome.

We will all be freshmen again, imagine that. Become the “new kids” in school, just like when we were entering the ninth grade. Now we’re leaving on top of the world, the Seniors of Eaton Rapids High School, everything in front of us. Our whole life and future is now up to us, not our teachers, not our parents, not even our friends, just us. We have to become these scary adults we never wanted to be and step up to the plate. Now it’s our turn to show off our wonderful selves and become everything we’d hope to be. Now, your mom might drive you to school to drop you off, maybe even pack a lunch for your first day, but now it’s on you. You are the future, you will make a difference.

Head2Head - Senior goodbye

2011-05-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Written by: Sam Morrison '11

How do I feel when I hear the words “senior year”? I, like most students in my position, get mixed feelings about those words. I know we are all counting down the days until our LAST day of high school and until the day we are handed our diplomas and we never have to look back at this place again, if we chose. But it’s more than that, we aren’t just saying goodbye to the classes and homework, we are saying goodbye to the building where we have made so many memories and choices in for the past 4 years of our life, goodbye to our friends, and goodbye to our teachers. As we walk out with our diplomas it’s going to force us to say those goodbyes we have secretly been dreading during our senior year.

I am ready to leave these halls and begin my new journey. People say “this is not the end, it’s the beginning,” but for me, this is the end, the end of something old, and next year will be the beginning of something new. Unfortunately, I am kind of scared and intimidated of what’s coming next. I’m going to push myself to do my very best, but what if I fail? I won’t have teachers there to let me turn in my assignment if it’s late and I won’t have my mom there breathing down my neck, telling me to do my homework. And I hated when my parents did it, but knowing it’s about to be gone, I’m kind of sad that they won’t be there pushing me to better every day. It’s time to grow up and start being fully responsible of myself.

This year I have befriended a lot of underclassmen and I’m leaving them back here in this place, and it makes me sad that I won’t be able to see their faces everyday while I’m off being an “adult”. I promised them that I will come visit as often as I can but I’m worried that I will be too busy with work and college to make the time to do so. My best friends will continue to be in high school for one to two years longer after I graduate, then they could possibly go off to a different college than me. So I have unfortunately realized that some friendships may be lost, but hopefully new ones will be made.

Senior year has been filled with many emotions. I’ve been angry with people and their drama, happy to hang out with new friends and begin a new relationship, sad knowing I’m leaving my friends soon, and excited for my new beginning. When I was little I always wanted to grow up, I remember playing “house” with friends and pretending that we were in college, could drive, and we would eat candy as if it were “aspirin”. But now, I am going to college, I can drive, and sadly I have to take pills for my back problems. It all used to be a fantasy for me and now it’s becoming real life to me, and that’s kind of scary. Some days I wish I could just go back to that young girl just “pretending to be grown-up” because the future can be so uncertain and intimidating. But none of us can go back in time, so Class of 2011, let’s say those unwanted and wanted goodbyes, and move forward and embrace our somewhat grown- up lives!

ERHS students travel to Costa Rica

2011-05-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Written by: Jessica Allen '13

In the summer of 2012, future AP Biology students and their families will be taking a trip to Costa Rica. ERHS science teachers, Mrs. Julie Brantley and Mrs. Pam Nutt, will be traveling with the students to chaperone their trip and make it a memorable one.

The idea of going on an Education First (EF) educational tour came up last year when Mrs. Brantley while talking to her Advanced Biology class. She was sharing with the class about her trip to Costa Rica with former Spanish teacher, Mrs. Ausel and a group of Spanish students. The students stayed with families living in the area. Mrs. Brantley’s Biology students thought it was a great idea and said, “We should go.” Since then, she has been working with the Education First Company to iron out details, and finally was able to get the trip scheduled. So far, 20 ERHS students, parents, and teachers have signed up for the life-changing experience.

Students will embark on a jam-packed 11-day trip on which they will see cloud forests, look into a volcano, visit hot springs, spend a day on a Biological Reserve, walk through the rain forest and plant a tree in it, visit a local school, go horseback riding, kayaking, and attend cultural events. Many of the students continue to convince Mrs. Brantley and Mrs. Nutt to set up a zip-line excursion.

Parents and family members are welcome to join in the learning experience and fun. They will be able to participate in all of the excursions the students do and will be able to discover new things as their children do. The trip will be a bonding experience for families, students, and teachers.

Mrs. Brantley hopes that students attending this trip will do better in the advance placement (AP) and advanced science courses. They will be expanding the classroom to another country in order to see the diversity in ecosystems and compare

Costa Rica

’s to our own ecosystem.

Senior AP Biology student Courtney Wood said, “I wish I had the opportunity to go on this trip when I was a freshman or sophomore. I would have gotten a hands-on experience and tangible information that would have been extremely useful for this class.”

Senior AP Bio student Samantha Schaeffer also wishes she got the chance and said, “I would have learned about diversity in species and I would have learned first-hand about environmental issues.”

Diversity, environmental issues, and biological concepts are just what Mrs. Brantley and Mrs. Nutt are hoping the kids will discover on the trip.

Mrs. Brantley wants the students to, “experience a totally different culture, practice their Spanish or at least be exposed to a foreign language, get better prepared for their future science courses, and make memories to last a lifetime!”

Osama bin Laden killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan

2011-05-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Written by: Alisa Bennett '11

On September 11^th 2001, the United States faced its largest and most devastating tragedy since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. An act of terrorism, formulated by Al Qaeda’s leader Osama bin Laden, in which nearly 3,000 American citizens were killed unjustly and soon became known as the largest terrorism assault ever experienced on American soil. On May 1^st2011, the United States of America reestablished their pride and reclaimed the title as the world’s most powerful nation. Osama bin Laden was found, and killed, by American military personnel after ten years of searching relentlessly.

"Justice has been done," said President Barak Obama during a late night video announcement to the nation.

The mission that was sought to capture and assassinate bin Laden took merely minutes to carry out and fortunately involved no American casualties. Although there was Pakistani involvement in the search for bin Laden, President Obama made it very clear on multiple occasions that the death of bin Laden was caused by American hands and efforts. Obama did make a point however to contact the president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and tell him that it was "important to note that [the United States’] counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding."

As the news of bin Laden’s death spread throughout the nation, there were few silent and unhappy voices to be heard. College campuses around the nation, including Michigan State University, were loudly chanting "USA! USA! USA!" in proud voices as more and more people filed into the streets to celebrate this momentous occasion. The White House also experienced its wave of chanters at close to midnight, and people were seen waving American flags and showing their appreciation to the nation’s president. However, the largest crowd of people could be found in New York City as people cried with joy and relief with the fact that the man who destroyed their city and families was no longer alive.

Even though there was much joy revolving around his death, many are concerned as to what may happen as far as retaliation by those who were in cahoots with bin Laden. Though many believe that the death of bin Laden will lead to an alleviation of troops overseas, Obama claims that American forces will still remain in Afghanistan, and various Middle Eastern countries, until the job that was started has come to a complete end. As CIA director Leon Panetta says, "bin Laden is dead, [but] Al Qaeda is not." Panetta was the head of the mission, which began on Friday, that finally put an end to Osama’s life and when word came back to headquarters that his team had succeeded, cheers broke out around the conference room.

Whatever the global consequences may be, the death of Osama bin Laden marks the end of a decade of the search for American justice and the beginning of the upward climb toward regaining strength as a nation.

Greyhounds attend MYLead

2011-05-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Written by: Carly Darrow '12

Michigan Youth Leadership conference, or MYLead for short, is a non-profit organization that does its best to instill leadership skills in Michigan’s youth today. Eaton Rapids High School has now participated in this program for 5 years.

MYLead takes part over three days; students arrive on May 13^thin the early morning, and depart on May 15^thSunday evening. MYLead includes over 400 high school sophomores from Michigan that come to the MSU campus for a weekend of life lessons that they won’t soon forget.

Past participants have been Lizzie Masteller ’10, Heather Lauck ’11, and Carly Darrow ’12; and attending MYLead this year will be Jessica Allen ’13.

Upon arriving at MYLead students walk to the dorm that they will be staying at for the weekend and are welcomed by MYLead alumni and Group Facilitators who are outstandingly exuberant. It comes as a very big surprise to some conference attendees as the staff comes running up screaming with noise makers. At MYLead, that’s what you would call a proper welcome.

One thing that kids learn at MYLead right away is using the word “stupendous!” to answer any questions about how you are doing. All other answers are not accepted by the staff because they try to keep a positive attitude throughout the whole weekend. As well as being exceptionally animated, those attending MYLead sing songs throughout the conference when waiting for a speaker to arrive or taking breaks. To some it may seem childish, but at MYLead it’s hard not to participate in the catchy camp-like songs.

This is not a place for the shy or soft spoken. MYLead’s main mission is developing future leaders. Participants also have the opportunity to interact an exchange dialogue with community and civic leaders throughout Michigan.

“I’m really excited to attend the conference and I hope to learn how to be a better leader,” says Jessica Allen ’13 who will be attending MYLead this year. “I’m planning on having a lot of fun and I want to meet new people and establish new friendships.”

MYLead is an experience that will not be soon forgotten, those 3 days spent on MSU builds the best of friendships and has and extremely positive impact on the sophomores that attend it. MYLead is motivating and enabling the youth of Michigan to make a positive impact on their communities through their leadership and service.

Girls Soccer

2011-05-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

Written by: Mason Villanueva '13

Though many sports cancel their games due to poor weather, but the Girls Varsity Soccer does not. Through the rain, wind, and storms the girls have persevered and have enjoyed a decent start to the season.

The Greyhounds’ Girls Varsity Soccer Team currently has a record of 3-4-1. So far not a bad season the girls won against East Lansing (1- 0), Portland (3 - 1), and Corunna (2 – 1). The girls lost to Holt, Mason, and Dewitt twice. They also tied with Jackson Northwest.

Annie Ford feels that, “The season has been going ok, we have gotten a lot better and have been working very hard. Lots of conditioning!” She laughs, she believes that to have an even more successful season that, “We just need to work on being a team and working together now.”

The team has several returning Varsity players are Annie Ford ’13, Leah Fast’13, Jessica Reinecke ’12, Michela Dilernia ’12, Brooke Benton ’12, Hannah Gellis ’12, Brittany Parker ’12, Erica Bartley ’12, Molly Salisbury ’12, Sam Gemalsky ’12, and Stephanie Scott ’11. The Team added two freshman, three juniors, and one senior to their team since last year. Erin Stevins ’12 says that throughout the season, “We have gotten better but we could still use some work as a team.”

If you cannot make it out to the soccer games you can review these games on the internet on MHSA.tv/eatonrapids.

Baseball

2011-05-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Written by: Cameron Warner '11

The 2011 Varsity Baseball Season started with opening day on April 2^nd at Carelton - Airport High School for back to back to back games against Airport, Southgate Anderson, and Pinconning. The greyhounds started the day against Airport where they played very well for their first game of the season it was tied until an inning where mental mistakes and inconsistent pitching took its toll on the team. The final ended up 14-4 Airport winning. The greyhounds would eventually drop 2 more that day but with a lot of positive things coming out of it.

The following Thursday a game at Alma was canceled and a week later it was time for the home opener against Lansing Eastern. Eaton Rapids won both games in that doubleheader 6-3 and 5-1, with dominant pitching in game one by Tommy Hollandsworth and game two by Zach Laginess.

In the nine days following three straight doubleheaders were canceled due to rain and cold. The Greyhounds picked it back up in the Jeff Rochester Tournament where the team showed up at 7:30 in the morning to get the flooded field ready by using water pumps and shop vacs to clear water off the field. 3 teams backed out of the tournament due to the conditions but Eaton Rapids was still able to play against Bay City John Glen and Troy, losing both games to the very talented teams.

The Greyhounds backed up the losses with a sloppy 10-7 win over Everett but a win none the less. The nightcap game of the doubleheader was called due to darkness after the 4^th inning so therefore it didn’t count, E.R was up 2-1 when it got called.

The Greyhounds are young but very talented and with a little more consistency from their pitching staff they are sure to make a run in districts at the end of the season. “I told myself at the beginning of the season that this was one of the most un-team teams I’ve ever coached” said Coach Zubal. Meaning that this particular group of guys haven’t played a whole lot together over the years.

Coach Zubal also stated “It’s my job as a coach to bring the guys together as a team and it’s going well so far, This team will go as far as the five seniors will take it.” The five seniors being, Trent Pell, Mitch Smith, Cameron Warner, Matt Althouse, and Andrew Benkovsky.

Eaton Rapids next home game is May 5^th against Portland High School

Boys Golf

2011-05-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

Written by: Matt Krakowiak '11

This season the Eaton Rapids Boys Golf team is carrying 15 players. There are 6 Varsity, 6 Junior Varsity, and 3 developmental players. In the Lansing State Journal Prep Preview, the Hounds were projected to take 6^th in the Capital Area Activities Conference Gold Division. The golfers and their coaches feel they are capable of doing much better than that, and could take as high as 2^nd.

The returning Varsity players are Matt Krakowiak ‘11, Conner McCreery ‘12, Shane Zimmer ‘12, and Jacob Malcangi ‘13. The team added two first year Varsity players in Ryan Tomlinson ’12 and Gavin Crawford ‘12. This year is the first year that the Hounds are experiencing a lot of depth throughout the entire varsity squad.

The team has been practicing since March 14^th. However, they did not have their first outdoor practice until March 28^th. This was a factor that hurt the Hounds but did not seem to effect them in their first scrimmage against Portland; which they won by 1 stroke. The teams home course; where they practice and play their home meets is Branson Bay, on Columbia Road.

The players are looking forward to a successful season. “I feel that we can have a very good season, we just need to stay strong and play our best,” says Conner McCreery.

The Hounds first league match was played on April 19^th at the Charlotte Country Club. They took 4^th out of 6 teams in the jamboree format of play, and only lost to Charlotte by a single stroke. Impressive scores were shot by both Matt Krakowiak and Ryan Tomlinson, with a pair of 43’s under some tough playing conditions.

Thursday April 14th Sports Update

2011-04-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Girls Track vs. Albion 101 - 34

Boys Track vs. Albion 62 - 74

Girls Soccer vs. Jackson Northwest 1 - 1

Girls Tennis vs. Portland 0 - 8

Softball vs. Marshall 9 - 1, 19 - 1

Baseball vs. Eastern 6 - 3, 5 - 1

Boys Golf vs. Portland 237 - 238
*Eaton Rapids scores in maroon.

Where are they now? Hard work pays off for former greyhound: Tim Kissman

2011-03-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

Written by: Isaiah Bellville '12

“There’s no substitute for hard work”, says Tim Kissman, Eaton Rapids High School class of 1990. If anyone understands the value of hard work, it’s Kissman.

Kissman graduated from Eaton Rapids with a 3.2 Grade Point Average, and attended Hillsdale College on a full ride scholarship based heavily on his abilities on the basketball court. “People still come up and tell me how fun it was to watch me play and how easy I made things look. They don't realize I sacrificed going out with friends, any kind of social life and shot basket after basket in my driveway.”

“I remember summer nights; all you could hear was Thump-Thump-Whoosh, almost into darkness, every night”, says Mr. David Johnson, former teacher and neighbor to Kissman. “He was the real deal.” Mr. Johnson spent the duration of the interview on Kissman nodding his head and smiling warmly. “He was the kind of kid who you always knew was going to be successful.”

Kissman’s success didn’t end after college though. Right now, Kissman is the creator and publisher of “Healthy and Fit Magazine”, a free monthly magazine printed right here in Michigan. Before “Healthy and Fit”, Kissman was working at a large State association, that ran a very successful magazine. He was in charge of a communications division, and was a national spokesperson. He disagreed with where the higher ups were taking the magazine, and: “instead of just complaining about what I'd do if I was in charge, I left the job and launched Healthy & Fit Magazine.”

Mr. Rick Smith was surprised by Kissman’s love for writing, but certainly not by his success. “He was a good student, very respectful”. Kissman left a mark on Smith’s life, just as he did Johnson’s. “It was always more than being a teacher, we were family friends.” Smith interrupted the interview at one point, and began digging in his desk. He pulled out a folder titled “My stuff”, and procured an article written by Kissman when he was attending Hillsdale.

The only negative thing said about Kissman came from Mr. Bob Ribby. Ribby was in Kissman’s graduating class. When asked how he would describe Kissman, he said “He’s a big Gump”. Ribby was only joking, though and explained that he and Kissman still talk on the phone frequently.

With all the things he’s managed to accomplish, Kissman must have some secret, some key to success. Could his academic success be linked to his father being his Drafting teacher? “I took his class for four years (never got an A though). Maybe he got his father’s basketball talents, from when his father played for a college in Wisconson? “I'd shovel the snow and shoot in the winter. Burn in the sun. I think I even shot in the rain.” So what is Kissman’s secret? “In business, sports, life, if you want to do something you have to learn what the heck it is your doing and do it over and over again until you become an expert, or the best.”

Practice. Hard work. Determination. Kissman is a self-made man, and these three things are the only tools he had to work with.

What advice does Kissman have to offer, besides work hard? “Going on through life without a goal isn't worth much. Dream big, set a goal to achieve that dream and pursue it.”

Governor Snyder's budget affects ERPS

2011-03-29T06:12:00.000-07:00

Written by: Ryan Hayward '13

Throughout the last ten years, public schools in Michigan have taken several cuts to their budgets and have found ways to still function with less money. It seems as if the state thinks, “what could another cut hurt.” The problem is that schools are already operating on an extremely tight budget.

New Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has proposed yet another cut to school funding for the 2011-2012 school year. If Governor Snyder’s plan makes it through the state legislature, where it may face stiff opposition, schools would receive an extra $300 per pupil cut added to the already proposed $170 cut to funds. The districts chief finance officer, Collin Smith, says that the cut would cost the district more than $800,000. Due to this cut, there is a probability that another ER school could be closed.

Eaton Rapids Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Bill DeFrance has been instructed by the Board of Education to create a budget proposal based around closing a building in the school district and reconfiguring existing buildings. The building most liable to close is Northwestern Elementary, which would only leave Lockwood Elementary and possibly Greyhound Intermediate School to hold the new flood of students.

After considering the cut to the budget and increasing costs to the district, the expected budget gap is somewhere between $1.1 million and $1.9 million. But from the bad news comes a little bit of good. Technology and curriculum purchases will not be eliminated. No plans for privatizing operations will be made. Athletics and fine arts will not be eliminated. Busing will not be suspended or eliminated due to the amount of students that live in the country and have no way to get to school other than by bus. And good news for fans of swimming, the swimming pool will remain open.

When asked about what his thoughts were about the proposal, ERHS Principal David Johnson said that the proposed cuts can affect the school by forcing a cutting of staff, paying more for playing sports, and eliminating elective classes, such as band, choir, and visual arts.

Cuts like these would be detrimental to the student body; students wouldn’t be receiving education geared toward what they want to do in the future, but instead would receive a basic education. With the present economy, it could be hard for many students to get into a college to learn these things that are currently offered. Cuts to elective classes could possibly cause an uproar with the students and make more students want to find a different school to attend, which in turn would cause more economic problems for the school.

Mr. Johnson believes the government is not placing the value in education that they claim to be. He says, “The present economic climate has forced governments to critically evaluate how much money can be given to important programs. Unfortunately, education has become an area where the government is seeking to save money.”

Secret Millionaire shares that giving back trend

2011-03-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Written by: Becca Waters '11

The television network ABC has picked up on the growing trend of giving. On Sunday, March 6^th, the network aired a new show: Secret Millionaire. Secret Millionaire is also shown in the United Kingdom and has been aired since 2006, with this year being the shows sixth season on the air.

In 2008 the television network Fox gave Secret Millionaire a try but the show was only able to produce an average of 6.7 million viewers so the network cut the show from its schedule.

ABC, however, has had a much more successful run with the show.

The title, Secret Millionaire, gives the plot away. Some of America's most successful, self-made millionaires will spend a week in the country's poorest areas and ultimately reward some unsung community heroes with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money.

The “secret millionaires” will reside in local housing on welfare-level wages, and will try to find the most deserving people within the community and reward them with the financial help that they need. In some cases the millionaires give money and items that some of the organizations are in need of.

The trend of giving, giving back, or paying it forward, as it’s been called, has become increasingly possible within the last three or four years. Many television shows have made a point of proving that good natured human’s still exists among the tragic and less sustaining ways of our nation.

As of March 20^th three episodes of the show have aired. Dani Johnson was the first millionaire, a self made millionaire who built two companies and manufactured and developed a nutritional product line.

Johnson donated money to The Love Kitchen, Joy of Music School, and Special Spaces. They were all organizations that Johnson spent time with learning about and bonding with people from each organization. Johnson gave a total of 100,000 dollars to the organizations in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Marc Paskin, the millionaire of the second episode. Paskin became a multi millionaire through real estate purchasing and selling. Paskin grew up poor and knows how it feels to struggle with finances; it wasn’t until his adult life that he came into money.

Paskin lives in San Diego, but he left the comforts of his beach house for the run down and suffering areas of Detroit, Michigan. Paskin is forced to live on less then ten dollars a day, the amount that an average single male on welfare in Detroit survives on.

Over the course of Paskins stay in Detroit he finds three organizations that touch his heart: The Man Network, is a group of volunteers that patrol Detroit neighborhoods to prevent crime; Young Detroit Builders, an organization that helps young adults transform their lives through schooling and by learning how to build homes; and Really Living, an organization that offers Detroit's uninsured medical patients free transportation to their appointments.

Paskin gives 110,000 dollars of his money to the people in Detroit that he spent his “secret” week with.

The third episode to air of Secret Millionaire was the millionaire James Malinchak. Malinchak became a self mad millionaire first as a financial advisor then a motivational speaker.

Malinchak resides near Las Vegas, Nevada, and for a week he lived in the steel mill town of Gary, Indian. Malinchak donated a total of 105,000 dollars and tools to the Adonia Community Service program; a non-profit organization that collects trash and picks up liter throughout the city Gary. Malinchak also gave to Urban Faithworks, an organization that provides a safe haven for children and teenagers after their school days.

The foundation that touched Malinchak’s heart the most though, was the Baylor Youth Foundation. Baylor Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment where at-risk urban youth are encouraged to develop their full potential through participation in athletic competition.

Through the journeys that the millionaires ventured through they were all able to realize things about themselves and the world in which we all are living. Giving yourself, your time, or your money for someone in need, is always an honorable feeling.

Student of the Month: Kathryn Mills

2011-03-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

Written by: Mason Vilanueava '13

Volleyball, varsity basketball, and track are just some of the things Kathryn Mills spends her time doing. Needless to say, her freshman year of high school at ERHS has been a busy year.

"Kathryn is a good student and her strengths are her organization and commitment to completing assignments, and her goal oriented characteristics,” said Whitmyer, head coach of the girl’s varsity basketball team and teacher at ERHS. “On most days it is enjoyable to have Little Scat in my class. But on some days she can be talkative and a bit too social.”

Mills regards Mr. Whitmyer as her most influential teacher because he is also her basketball coach and she looks up to him. “He also gives great advice, and I know if I have any problems I can go to him.”

Mills’ says she plans’ to attend Central Michigan University after high school and wants to be in the medical field and possibly as a brain surgeon.

"Hopefully I will go there on a basketball scholarship. I want to go there specifically because my parents both went to that school.”

As we all know, high school can be very challenging for some, especially for those who are involved in athletics. For Kathryn the hardest part has been keeping her grades up during sports, and getting ready for tests.

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do," by John Woodsen is one of Mills’ favorite quotes that she tries to follow and suggest that others do the same.

"To me the quote says that if you have problems don’t let them hold you back and interfere with your life,” said Mills. “Don't let limitations stop you from achieving your dreams."

Mills' favorite thing about ERHS has been the camaraderie between the student bodies and says that she has enjoyed her first year in the high school and cannot wait for the next three years.

“Kathryn deserves to be student of the month because of her consistency in turning in assignments, being a good kid, and creating a positive atmosphere in the classroom,” said Whitmyer.

Former greyhound makes another first

2011-02-25T08:18:00.000-08:00

Written by: Janaya Roes '11

It is not everyday that an Eaton Rapids graduate becomes a leader in his or her industry. Marla Terranova Vickers, an Eaton Rapids High School graduate, and a graduate of Central Michigan University, has recently been named the new general manager of the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team. With her new position, Terranova-Vickers becomes the first female general manager at the AA level or above. She has also become one of merely four women to serve as a general manager in Minor League Baseball, all of whom before her have been at a lower level.

Terranova-Vickers has been working with the Montgomery Biscuits since the beginning. She is even sometimes referred to as the first Biscuits employee.

Terranova-Vickers is not the only member of the family that has a connection to the team. In 2003, to come up with the name of the team the association held a contest. The team received almost 350 entries. Tripp Vickers, Marla’s newlywed husband, submitted the name “Biscuits”. When that name was pulled everyone loved it, and the name stuck.

Her new promotion came as no big surprise though, “It something we had been talking about for a while, I was just excited to start a new thing” said Terranova-Vickers. And everyone on the staff is ready for her to take on her new responsibilities. Her family is more than delighted for her “We were all so happy about the news,” said younger sister, Mallory Kunkel ’11.

Responses to the news, from past high school friends and coaches, about Terranova-Vickers promotion were everywhere, from in the hallways to the classrooms. “I was ecstatic, I had the biggest smile on my face,” said Mrs. Surato when she heard the news. “Marla Terranova is my life long best friend, classmate, and the girl I did everything with. I am proud of her, her new position is huge.” Terranova-Vickers was very involved in the student life at Eaton Rapids High School. She participated in school sports such as: the girls’ soccer team and basketball team. On top of that Terranova-Vickers held a good academic standing. Terranova-Vickers graduated with the class of 1999.

A former student here at ERHS, Terranova-Vickers is continuing to achieve greater things in life. The teachers, staff, and high school friends can all, with out a doubt, say they are proud of her immense accomplishments.

Terranova-Vickers has surely become a role model to all teens. Her accomplishments prove that when you set your mind to a goal, anything is possible; even taking the title as the first female general manager of a baseball team.

The failing economy forces more than homes into foreclosure

2011-02-25T07:59:00.000-08:00

Written by: Alisa Bennett '11

The Pledge of Allegiance clearly states “One nation under God…” But what happens when the nation just isn’t enough to support God?

It is not a secret that the current U.S. economy is in a slump, a 1.3 trillion dollar slump in fact. Small business owners and local family-owned chains are falling and dropping off the face of the earth one by one because they can no longer afford to keep a steady flow of income to pay for their mortgages and operating costs. Unfortunately, they are not the only ones. Churches around the country have been forced to close down and give up their sanctuaries because of lack of funding and government support.
“Religious organizations may be subject to the laws of God but they are also subject to the laws of economics," said Chris Macke, senior real-estate strategist at CoStar in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Michigan, along with other states such as California and Georgia, are the states who will be the most affected by these churches closings because they are among the list of states that are currently experiencing the highest home-foreclosure rates.

Even though churches are non-profit organizations, they still need a sum of money to run their services and partake in community-based services. A significant amount of the money churches acquire comes from donations provided by those who are members of the congregation and/or community. However, because of the economic crisis, a lot of people have significantly decreased the amount of money that they are willing to donate to the church because they have their own personal bills to pay.

Instead of completely shutting down their congregations, some churches have decided to merge together in order to help each other make ends meet.

Some banks try their best to help out churches and make deals with them because they don’t want to “foreclose on God.” Despite this fact, there are still churches who decide to just take the easier way out and just let the bank take their property.

Stretched to the limit, the pastors stopped making payments.
"I just told the bank to take it," said Pastor Oliver of the Family Christian Center. "If you're a church with a piece of property upside down and no one will refinance the loan or lend you more money, there's not really another choice but to walk away."

Luckily, people are still keeping their heads held high and a positive outlook in their minds.

"A building does not make a church. We will find a way to continue," Mr. Zapara, a Sacramento pastor said

Indeed, a building does not make a church, but will services be the same without the holy chapels? Only time will tell what will become of these sanctuaries.

Greyhounds team up against heart disease

2011-02-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

Written by: Amanda Farhat '11

The month of February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one killer in America, and a lot of people don’t even know it’s happening when they have a heart attack.
Eaton Rapids High School teamed up with the American Heart Association during Spirit Week and sold t-shirts to raise money for the organization.

        It’s important to know your own personal risks and signs of a heart attack so you’re prepared if it happens to you. Heart attacks aren’t exactly like we see on TV and in the movies; sometimes they are that dramatic but more often than not they begin mildly.
        Some signs of a heart attack include chest pain, discomfort in areas of the body such as arms, neck, and back, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, and lightheadedness.
       Warning signs of a stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking and understanding, trouble seeing, loss of balance and coordination, and severe headache. Many people who suffer from a heart attack or stroke don’t know it’s happening to them because they don’t recognize the signs. Early treatment is the key for minimizing potentially devastating effects of a heart attack and stroke.
        As teenagers, we do not often think that a heart attack can happen to people our age, and while it is rare, it certainly can happen. The American Heart Association recommends to people in their twenties that they should check their family history of heart disease, don’t smoke and stay away from secondhand smoke, choose birth control carefully, and drink in moderation.
        Your twenties may seem far away when you’re in high school, but they’ll sneak up on you faster than you think, and it’s essential to start educating yourself now about the risks you can choose to take or not.
        Heart attacks and strokes do not happen to just the elderly, and if you don’t learn about them now, you could suffer for it later.
        During Spirit Week, Mr. Smith and Mr. Warriner sold t-shirts in their classrooms to support the causes of the American Heart Association. The sales resulted in about $1,800 dollars, which is incredibly successful. Students who bought the shirts know that their $10 dollars went to a great cause and that joining together as a school has helped raise a substantial amount for an organization that has saved the lives of many people.
        Mrs. Surato, an ERHS staff member who largely organized the t shirt sale on her own, has been personally touched by the American Heart Association.
        “I am very thankful for the American Heart Association because without them my mother wouldn’t be alive. They taught me the warning signs for heart attack and stroke by sharing the stories of survivors. Heart attack and stroke are the biggest causes of death in the United States, and yet people still don’t view them as a major threat. I believe the students and staff did a great job participating in the t-shirt sale and has contributed greatly to the goal of spreading awareness and saving lives.”

Feature Teacher Couple

2011-02-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Written by: Becca Waters '11

Most high school students consider a long term relationship the few years they’ve experienced with their significant other. How does twenty-five years sound for long term?

Mr. and Mrs. Maurer will be celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary this August.

Mr. Maurer holds down the discipline in the front office as our Assistant Principal while Mrs. Maurer takes lead as the head of the math department. It’s not typical to see a couple sharing the same place of employment but The Maurer’s have found a way to coincide in the same high school, managing a work relationship as well as a relationship away from work.

Mrs. Maurer said that working together doesn’t cause any problems for them because they rarely see one another during the work day. Mr. Maurer said that he try’s to tell Mrs. Maurer that he is really her “boss” but he says that he knows that is not the case and Mr. Maurer really knows that she’s the boss.

Everyone always questions how a love story begins; The Maurer’s story began while they were out dancing with friends. You would never think that the main disciplinarian of our school would have admitted that he struggled to muster up enough nerve to ask for that first dance but he proves that everyone has a soft spot.

“We met while we were out dancing with friends. I had to get up enough nerve to ask her to dance and it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done,” said Mr. Maurer.

The Maurer’s soon expanded their family. They have three children and two grandsons. Cory, who blessed them with their two grandsons: Camden and Cannon. Their sons, Brandan and Shannan both attend Michigan State University.

Mr. and Mrs. Maurer made their decisions to become educators in very different ways. Mr. Maurer was a business owner for several years; he conducted seminars on safe chemical handling to law enforcement, fire departments, and farmers.

“Teaching was a fun challenge so I went into it for my second career,” said Mr. Maurer. Mr. Maurer was also our high school’s guidance counselor before he became the assistant principal.

Mrs. Maurer decided on a career as a math teacher because she likes math and she likes working with students. “I love to see students excited to learn,” said Mrs. Maurer. One perk of being a school teacher was that she was able to spend the summer with her children while they were young.

Some activities the Maurer’s enjoy together are boating in Grand Haven, traveling when they are able too, spending time with their family, and watching their grandchildren in sports.

After twenty-five years though they have learned that time for themselves is not a bad thing. Some activities Mrs. Maurer engages in to relax are being outdoors and gardening while Mr. Maurer takes a wilder approach. He says that he enjoys boating and scuba diving with his buddies but also says “we are seldom ever apart for more then a couple of days once or twice a year.”

It’s obvious that Mr. and Mrs. Maurer have found a way to make love last and enjoy all that life has blessed them with. Congratulations on twenty-five years.

Pledging to save lives with safe driving

2011-02-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

Written by: Becca Waters '11

“Driving is a privilege not a right.” Parents and educators remind their children and students, yet the privilege is taken advantage of more often then not, and consequently, the end result, all too often, is a motor vehicle accident with the possibility of a death.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2009, 3,466 teens, age 13 to 19 were killed in motor vehicle accidents. That number is actually a decline from recent years. 2002 recorded nearly 6,000 teen deaths that were related to motor vehicle accidents.

Although the numbers are decreasing the risk teenage drivers run is at an all time high. The root of the risk of danger seems to be the technology that the twenty first century has adopted.

According to a Nielsen study from 2009, a typical teenager sends about 80 text messages per day assuming that the same amount is received in a day as well.

A week day for a teen is usually spent at school, attending sporting practices or events, or working. Each of which, for most, would require some form of transportation to their destination. Most teens strive for independence and what better way to receive independence then driving?

The independence that comes along with having a driver’s license though also carries a long list of responsibilities. One very important responsibility that has been on the minds of law makers and enforcers across the nation is the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

In 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSA), an estimated 1.6 million teens drive while reading or writing text messages.

Caught up in the hectic pace of an average day, most people want instant gratification, especially teenagers. Texting grants the instant gratification that teens strive for. “I don’t like to call people if I don’t have to, I can text them without interrupting every part of the moment we both are in,” said Izzy Bellville ‘12.

Bellville doesn’t have his license but a lot of his friends do and he has found that they have a hard time putting their cell phones down and focusing strictly on the road, whether they have passengers or not. Proving that laws against texting and driving are necessary.

For a teen in Texas a law banning texting and driving could have been the factor that saved her life. Alex Brown from Lullbock, Texas was killed in a single car rollover accident that was caused by her own texting and driving in November of 2009. The result of her death left her family devastated. Through the devastation though, her parents decided to campaign against texting and driving by putting Brown’s wrecked pick up truck on a trailer and take the truck to high schools around Texas telling their daughters story in hopes of changing teens minds about texting and driving.

The Brown’s story was made public when the family was on ABC family’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. With the help of ABC a website for “Remember Alex Brown” was created. On the website, www.remeberalexbrownfoundation.com, people can sign a pledge against texting and driving. Carly Darrow ‘12 participated in pledging against texting and driving.

“My best friend and I both have cell phones and drive. After we watched Extreme Makeover we visited the website for Alex Brown and signed the pledge to not text while we’re driving,” said Darrow.

Browns parent repeatedly said that they don’t want to see another tragic and unnecessary death like their daughters happen. Parents of teens that drive can only do so much if the state they reside in doesn’t have strict laws against cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle but they can find information about safe driving at: www.KeeptheDrive.com.

Teens can also find information and statistics about safe driving at keepthedrive.com. There are also many ideas for teens to show the people in their lives that they care about them and want them to be safe drivers.

KeeptheDrive.com has many cool interactive ways to get involved with advocating against distracted and unsafe driving.

Wrestlers become District champs

2011-02-15T08:17:00.001-08:00

Eaton Rapids wrestlers beat out Waverly with a technicality to become District Champs! Good job ER wrestlers!

Head2Head - Age DOESN'T matter in a relationship

2011-01-26T08:31:00.000-08:00

Written by: Sam Morrison '11

Love is ageless, and age is just a number; so why should it matter in a relationship? Yes, a difference in age can cause some struggles; however, if you make it through them, your relationship will be that much stronger. If you truly love your significant other then it wouldn’t matter, for example, if you went off to college the following year while he or she stayed back in high school for a few more years. Regardless of the situation, two individuals who develop a love for each other should be allowed to be together without dealing with judgments and comments from others.

When one of you has to go off to college you may not like the fact that you are unable to see each other every single day in between classes, but hasn’t it been said that distance makes the heart grow fonder? Not seeing each other as often will make the time you are together more special and exciting. Don’t you go through the same problem when you are dating someone your age if you two choose to attend different colleges or if you live in different towns?

If you have a significant amount of chemistry with someone, love the person they are, or think they are cute, a difference in age should not affect the relationship. Every relationship has it struggles whether there is a contrast in age or not. Yes you may face a few different “bumps along the way” than a couple who were the same age, but if you have enough love for each other it is certain that you will make it work.

There is also the possibility that the younger person started “growing up” or maturing before the average person does, which means you two probably act the same age. So what if it is statistically proven that couples that consist of a college student and a high school student are less likely to get married or have a longer-term relationship than those relationships consisting of people the same age? There is always an exception to the rule. Love is love; there is no difference of love between a couple who is 2 years apart and a couple in which the individuals are of the same age.

“Love has no boundaries,” says Garrett Johnson (’12) when asked if age matters in a relationship. Can we not all learn from the example of the famous story of Romeo and Juliet? They did not let others’ opinions ruin their love even when it was the ones closest to them who disapproved, and we should all follow suit. Opinions, appearance, social crowds, and age should not create any boundaries when it comes to love.

        If you are so opposed to being in a relationship with someone of a different age then don’t date out of your age group. Your judgment should not hinder the relationships of others who are content with their choice in dating someone who makes them happy regardless of age.
        One possible drawback of dating someone of a different age is hanging in different social scenes. College students go to college parties and high school students go to high school parties. Is there a significant difference between those situations that could cause severe problems within your commitment?
        If there is trust within your relationship it wouldn’t matter, and you cannot have a successful relationship without trust anyway.

Head2Head - Age DOES matter in a relationship

2011-01-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

Written by: Desiree Dunn '11

Would you sacrifice your high school years just because you’re dating someone in college? Would you settle for a community college because your boyfriend or girlfriend is still in high school? Age does matter in a relationship, not just because of the number, but because of the things you are going through.

Dating someone older comes with extra complications and unnecessary drama. Someone older than you is likely to have more bills to pay, a job to upkeep, and more stress in their life. While you might be living it up your senior year, barely sleeping, hanging out with friends, and just sleeping the weekend away, your significant other is probably doing just the opposite.

If a high school student is dating a college student they usually have to rely on seeing each other over the weekends, (if that) and when they are on break. Maintaining a job and college life for him or her and trying to balance high school life and trying to mesh the two schedules together, is probably not that easy.

All those romantic dates and movies you hoped to go on? They are all replaced with cheap Kraft macaroni and cheese and flat diet coke in his parents’ basement or cheap apartment. Having his or her family fall in love with you and invite you to everything? Probably not likely either (unless you’re super lucky), his or her parents are probably uneasy about their son or daughter dating a silly, unpredictable high school student. Insecurity and unpredictability also come with dating someone older; while a high school student wants to hang out with friends, the older person is going to college parties, which makes some feel insecure and worried.

The younger person in the relationship may feel like they don’t measure up at times, which can also cause fights and lead to other various issues.

Dating someone younger also has its deal of problems. The maturity level may not be the same. Someone younger tends to be more selfish, less committed and overall “relationship ignorant”. Age of consent laws are also something to consider while dating someone younger, so check this website out first http://www.ageofconsent.com/michigan.htm.

Boys and girls who are younger don’t always know what they want and aren’t always going to take what you say or do seriously. One person may get hurt, due to the maturity difference, because you are just on different pages of your life. While you are going to college in the fall, leaving your boyfriend or girlfriend behind, you become lonely and sad because you’re used to seeing them all the time. And how would they understand how busy you are? You’re sleep- deprived and constantly working with no personal time! How in the world would someone younger understand your stress level with college classes and staying up all night for that final exam? They wouldn’t have a clue.

So, tell yourself, this is the time to be selfish and do what makes you happy, go out and just go for it!

And remember, if you babysit and they have kids, stay away! And if you have a full time job, and they get an allowance, also, stay away! Age is not just a number; it shows where you’ve been and your future ahead.

Michigan teens will soon face rigid driving restrictions

2011-01-25T16:54:00.000-08:00

Written by: Becca Waters '11

Many teenagers feel that obtaining their drivers license is a right of passage. You’re granted a new found freedom along with an abundance of new responsibilities and the state of Michigan, along with quite a few other states, have decided to enforce stricter driving restrictions on new teen drivers.

The restrictions will apply to 16 year old and some 17 year old drivers. The new limitations will include an earlier curfew and a confinement on the number of non-family member passengers allowed to ride in a vehicle operated by a new driver.

As of now, the curfew for a driver with a graduated level two license, which is usually sixteen year olds, is midnight to five a.m. Under the new restrictions curfew will be 10 o’clock p.m. until 5 o’clock a.m.

As for the number of passengers, there is no limit now unless your parents have placed one for you, but the state of Michigan has not put a limitation on the number of passengers allowed to ride with a driver with a graduated level two license-until now. Under the new law new drivers, with a graduated level two license will only be allowed one, under age 2 or younger, non-family member passenger unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or adult 21 or older approved by a parent. An exception is made for travel to school or school-sanctioned events.

Lawmakers and the states former Governor Jennifer Granholm approved the new limitations in the fall. They're part of a nationwide effort to restrict dangerous teen driving. Studies show drivers ages 16 to 20 are the most dangerous on the road, and the risk of crashes increases significantly if they have other teens in their vehicles.

The new restrictions will be effective around March 30^th.

Nothing has been said as far as teen drivers who have there level three, operator’s license, which gives teens full driving privileges with no restrictions but you are still considered to be under the state of Michigan’s “probationary stage” so you will be monitored by the state until you turn 18 at which age you are able to exit the graduated license system.

Sixteen year olds of Michigan are not the only ones who will have a curfew that begins at ten o’clock p.m. Ten other states participate in setting a curfew of ten o’clock or earlier for teen drivers age sixteen and some states even have curfews at ten o’clock or earlier for seventeen year olds. 39 States, including Michigan when the restrictions take effect, allow only one non-family member passenger at some point through the graduated license system.

The restrictions are not being placed in effect to peeve any new drivers but to make the roads safer and, in hopes, to make the new drivers of Michigan more independent drivers. Michigan teens have a few more months to take advantage of the midnight curfew and hopefully the summer won’t bring to much controversy to the table with the earlier curfew for new Michigan teen drivers.

Red Shirt Fridays

2011-01-25T16:27:00.000-08:00

Article by: Becca Waters '11

Now entering the tenth year of the War on Terrorism, too many of our fellow Americans have given there lives to let civilians rest their heads every night in peace. A great deal of Americans would disagree with the course the war has taken; some of those Americans may also be the ones directly fighting the war.

There are many big organizations that offer support to military personnel and military families but within the last three or four years a day of the week has been designated to show support for our men and women in uniform.

Red Shirt Fridays. Every Friday you would wear a red shirt of some sort to show your support. Don’t get confused though, wearing the red shirt on Fridays is showing support for the men and women in the uniforms, not the War on Terrorism.

Red Shirt Fridays is rumored to have been started by a man traveling for business. The man traveling for business had a Marine Corps Sergeant that had been invited to sit in first class placed next to him. The man noticed the Sergeant was traveling with a folded flag on his lap. The man made small talk with the Sergeant, and to be polite the man asked the sergeant if he was heading home. The Sergeant responded that he was "escorting a comrade home". The Sergeant explained that his fellow Marine was killed in the line of duty in Iraq.

As the plane landed the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow Marine. We will then turn off the seat belt sign." The story continues that without a sound, all had gone as requested and the man traveling for business noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane and realized how truly proud he was to be an American.

The man then decided that to show his pride for his country and his fellow Americans he would dedicate his Fridays to wearing some article of red clothing in recognition of the red blood the has been bled by those who have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, past or present.

The story has questionable authenticity but the sacrifice that American men and women have made fighting any war

America

has been involved in has never been questioned.

If wearing a red shirt on Fridays is a way to show thankfulness to those who make the ultimate sacrifice then let us dawn red to show support to those who sacrifice all for the American way.

All gave some. Some gave all.

Feature Teacher: Mr. Lounds

2011-01-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

Article Written by: Jessica Allen '13

Mr. Lounds is a relatively new teacher to ERHS, but he would, “love spending the rest of my teaching experience at Eaton Rapids.” In his short career of three years, he has taught Geometry, Algebra 1, English 9, 10, 11, & 12, Journalism, and Summer School. Of those, his favorite classes are Geometry and English 12 because, “I love the logic and practical application of Geometry and the mature discussion of literature in English 12.” He attended Baker College of Owosso for 5 years, majoring in Mathematics and minoring in English.

“I became a teacher because I wanted to be in a profession where I could impact the future generations,” says Lounds. “My mom actually convinced me to go to college to be a teacher, when I planned on taking a year off. If I had, I don’t know how many more years that would have turned into. My mom is definitely the person I admire the most because she dedicated her life to helping me succeed. Her example of sacrifice and caring for others is a big part of who I am today.” If he hadn’t become a teacher, Mr. Lounds wanted to be an engineer because, “I like to build things.”

This year Mr. Lounds has taken on a new challenge, as the monitor of the ZAP after-school program. ZAP (Zeroes Aren’t Permitted) is a new program intended to improve freshmen success at ERHS; 9^th grade students who do not turn in an assignment or come to class unprepared are required to call their parents and stay after school that day to complete their work. Lounds’ countless hours have helped many freshmen be successful this year.

Last year, Lounds helped coach the JV Girls Basketball team. “My favorite part about coaching is teaching the fundamentals and getting to know students on a deeper level than just the classroom,” says Mr. Lounds.

Lounds was a part of the recent baby boom at the high school, and now has a two-year-old son, Nolan, and a 9 week old daughter, Kinsley and has been married to his wife, Mallorie, for almost four years. “My hobbies include reading, writing, around the house projects, playing and watching sports, and being with my family,” he says. Perhaps one of the most interesting facts about him is that Lounds was homeschooled.

Even though he hasn’t been at Eaton Rapids High School very long, Mr. Lounds has made an immense impact on students of all grades and staff members.

Winter Sports Preview

2011-01-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

Boys Swimming

“The team’s goal is to place 2nd or 3rd in the league and score more points at the league meet than we did last year,” said Coach Dave Jackson. This year there are a lot of new, inexperienced swimmers who need to be trained in the various strokes and techniques involved in swimming. Luckily, there are quite a few strong swimmers that returned from last year’s team and tons of new potential. Top contributors this year will be Robert Baker (‘11), Andrew Benkovsky (‘11), Nicholas Mead (‘13), and Caleb Brinson (‘11).

Wrestling

“This year we are very inexperienced in the lower weight classes, as the season progresses, we expect to improve and hope to be a contender for the League and District titles in February” Warriner said. The lack of depth in the lower and middle weight classes is a major problem. However there is experience in the upper weight classes. Key contributors for this season’s team include Randy Rowley, James McCormick (‘11), Nick Yerden (‘11), Blake Marsh (‘11), Trent Hurd, and Jason Kibiloski (‘11).

Boys Basketball

Coach Luke Brown is not shy about setting his sites on a league title in his first year. He believes that this year’s version of the boy’s basketball team has the ability and desire to contend for the top spot in the CAAC Gold Division. Coach Brown believes that his team has a lot to offer this season. “Our strengths for our new team are transition offense, quickness, and rebounding,” says Brown. Unfortunately with every team there are weaknesses as well. The Greyhound may struggle due to their size and with their outside shooting (though if they get hot from the outside, it may aid them in winning games). The key contributors for the Greyhounds are expected to be Travis Wells (’11), Derek Morris (’11), and Kyle Price (’11).

Competitive Cheer

“Our goal is receive higher scores than in the past, and improve on our skills as a team and as individuals,” says one of the fellow Eaton Rapids competitive cheer girls. Their strengths are getting along well and being able to push each other to work hard, improve, and do their best. Their weaknesses are talking too much and not taking criticism well. Key contributors this year are Becca Ford (‘11), Jessica Dormer (‘12), Alisa Bennett (‘11), and Chanel Baldwin (‘11).

Head 2 Head

2011-01-01T01:05:00.000-08:00

Written by: Same Morrison '11
You have to wonder why all these girls are in such a hurry to get out of high school and go off to college when you get on Facebook and see so many status updates that say “Graduation Countdown: 175 days! I can’t wait until I’m out of this place.” It is startling just how many girls have gone home upset at least once since they have started high school because another girl gave them a dirty look, said something rude under their breath, or started a rumor that has everyone staring as they walk down the hallway. If you are oblivious to that fact, then how many times have you been the one dishing out the “Mean Girl” act?

Guys and girls alike agree with the statement “All girls are too dramatic and start unnecessary drama.” Everyone knows it’s true; girls thrive off of drama, at least a little bit. “GAH!!!! I hate drama!” has come out of every girl’s mouth at one point, yet we still feel the need to start it. The drama may just be giving someone a dirty look as they pass by you on the way to class, or it could be to the other extreme, spreading around a nasty rumor that may ruin some girl’s reputation and send her home crying after school. We’ve all been a part of it. Each and every one of us has allowed a rumor to continue being told. You may not be the creator of the story but did you repeat it to the person standing next to you? Those who keep the rumor chain going are just as bad as the one from whom the rumor originated.

The problem is that many girls think they are the “queen bee” and every other female is below them. Is that true? Is there one girl in our school that is better than us in everything that we do? But there is not one girl who deserves that. Not everyone wants to hear what you think of her outfit, her hair, or her boyfriend. The irony is, we all know this, we all don’t care what the next girl has to say and we know they don’t care what we have to say, yet so many of us run our mouths continuously.

We are supposed to have each others’ backs, but not with knives; stop stabbing other girls in the back unless you are willing to have someone do the same to you. Can’t we all just get along? You don’t have to be best friends with everyone or even acquaintances at that, but we can be civil with each other. There are going to be people who you have to associate with that may get under your skin or you might not like who they are, but you have to be able to put that behind you and act civil. When we start drama we just look immature and that gives other girls just another reason to talk about you. If we all come together and stop gossiping about each other maybe, just maybe, we could make high school more enjoyable for ourselves. With that, Facebook statuses might start saying “Graduation Countdown: 175 days! I’m going to miss this place.”

Many women end up unhappy because they were too worried about pleasing everyone else in their life before themselves. If saying “no” or standing up for what you believe in is being “mean”, then I think all girls should be mean, in order to get what they deserve. So, ask yourself, are you going to be that girl who ends up unhappy? Or that girl who will strive for what you really want out of life?

________________________________________________________________________

Written by: Desiree Dunn '11

Are girls really too nice to each other? Girls are not too mean to each other, in the way that girls need to stand up for what they believe in and take their own stand. And by being mean, is not promoting violence simply meaning if standing up for yourself against the crowd may be seen as “mean”.

Too many girls in high school are worried about fitting in with the “in crowd” in order to just be normal. The media has ingrained the perfect female in many young girls’ minds in who they should be. A perfect woman has the ideal job, the wonderful husband, beautiful kids, and a great lifestyle. And how did this perfect woman get all these things? She probably had a horrible internship (like the one in “The Devil Wears Prada”) where she did anything and everything for her less, than worthy boss, and getting burned out, and again, was too nice to say anything because she really wanted the job.

The wonderful husband? She attended her state’s university to get her “MRS. Degree” (as Mrs. Penski calls it) and fell in love with a broke, average college student, and decided to settle down with him because she didn’t want to become an old maid. This woman also had a low self-esteem to believe she deserved better, but never took a stand.

Her kids and lifestyle? That wasn’t always so glamorous either, she had kids, which slowed her career down and didn’t finish college for another five years or so and was broke for that whole time. So, think again, is this the “perfect woman” to you?

High school is where it all begins for most people, girls want to go to college and get a degree, because they “want it all”. Girls are so willing to do whatever their friends tell them, because they’re afraid of “going against the grain”. “Why don’t you date that guy?” would be what a girl would say to another, even if that girl thinks that guy is ugly and underachieving, she will most likely date him anyways, just because her friend told her too. Or your parents are both lawyers and the pressure to be a lawyer is pretty high, just because they are, would you be too nice to say “I want to be a chef.”

Feature Teacher: Mr. Jackson

2010-12-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

Written by: Jessica Allen '13

For the past 20 years, Mr. Jackson has been teaching at ERHS, where he has been available to students for extra help, tutoring, and even counseling. He always has a story or interesting joke to tell in order to brighten a child’s day.

The need for unique experiences drove Mr. Jackson toward becoming a teacher. “I switched from the paint industry to teaching because as hyper as I am, I couldn’t do the same thing every day. Teaching has allowed me to have different interests. And I like that I’m always meeting new people, the students and classrooms are ever changing.” Jackson teaches because he likes interacting with all kinds of people and helping students learn while having fun.

During his career, Mr. Jackson has taught Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science. “Although I like all my classes, my favorite class to teach would have to be chemistry because it’s fun for me to make something difficult to get, easy for kids to understand.” Even teachers like Mr. Smith, Mr. Debow, Mr. Fransen, and Mrs. Surato studied under Mr. Jackson during their high school experience.

He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, Master’s of Science Teaching, and a Teaching Certification from MSU and LCC, where he spent 3 years at each. “My favorite class in college was probably chemistry because I became very close friends with my professor. We have gone on many outdoor trips together,” says Jackson.

In his free time, Mr. Jackson goes camping, fishing, backpacking, bicycling, and anything that involves enjoying the outdoors with his family. He has a wife, two sons, and two daughters, each set 10 years apart.

Mr. Jackson also coaches the boys swim team. “I like swimming because it’s an individual and team-oriented sport. You could do not so hot, but your team can still win. It also works the other way around, your team could lose but you could have swum your best time. I like that outstanding swimmers can be recognized and awarded for their hard work.”

The person who has inspired him the most is Jesus Christ or “J.C.” as he has been nicknamed. “I admire J.C. because I’ve seen the most rewards by hanging out with him.” Mr. Jackson has a whole book full of stories, literally. His book, Encountering the Kingdom, is filled with real-life experiences of his life. There are stories about God, demons, and his life as a preacher. So far, 500 copies have been sold. You can pick one up in his room for $5, or online at www.windingroadminitries.com.

Mr. Jackson is a man full of stories, life experiences, and jokes. He always has others high on his priority list and is a great mentor for his students. Even kids he doesn’t know receive a hello from him in the halls, teaching them that kindness can take you very far.

Cody's Wish

2010-12-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

Written by: Janaya Roes '11

            December is the season of giving. Giving toys to children, gifts to love ones, and to those in need. Cody Chapman, an Eaton Rapids alumnus, began the program that soon became known as “Cody’s Wish.” Chapman made a proposal to Interact, detailing his idea about providing Christmas gifts to children in our local community that otherwise would not have any gifts, and to help people out in their time of need during the holidays.
          “I started Cody's Wish when I saw my Mom bring home one of the Salvation Army angels and thought it was a really cool idea,” said Chapman. “I wanted to do something like that for Christmas and thought getting something like that started at the school would work really well.” This once little idea, has worked out so well that the Eaton Rapids High School has continued this program now for four consecutive years.
           The name of the project was exactly what Cody did, he made a wish to help others, but Chapman believes the name should be changed. “If I were to change anything I suppose it would be the name. As much as I love my name, I think it would be better and last longer with a name more related to the project,” said Chapman.

         Interact decided to keep the name being that Chapman was the one who initiated the idea and the group feels he should receive the credit.
           The impact of Cody’s Wish was huge in the school. As word spread, sports teams, clubs, and individuals took a part in giving back to the community. Some of the groups involved this year are: The Bark, Yearbook, Student Council, and the High School custodians. Members of these groups chose a child from Mrs. Trudgeon our librarian, donated a couple dollars each, and then bought items that the child had asked for. Everybody remains anonymous with their gifts and to who they are going too. In a way, its like Secret Santa.
            As head of Interact, Mrs. Stacy Surato plays a big part in helping, organizing, and colleting the gifts. She compiled lists of all the children in need and created sheets with each child’s age and the gifts they wished for. “It honestly wouldn't have happened without her,” said Chapman. Surato was the right person for Cody to go to with his proposition. She was able to get it started in the right direction.
            Chapman hopes the giving will continue in our school and feels that as long as someone has the notion to pick up the idea and carry it forward, Cody’s Wish will continue on for years to come. Though he is no longer at the high school he is proud of what Interact, the students, and the staff’s efforts continue to do. Many kids in the Charlotte and Eaton Rapids areas have received presents from one honorable students’ wish.