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C MPASSthe

w i n t e re d i t i o nVol. I, Issue 2

A Publication of Traverse City West High School

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06 We are West ByArianaBurk

08 Life as a Teen Mom ByMeganBezemek

10 We Art West ByStevenStarlin

12 Hoopin’ it Up ByKeriBeaudri

14 Skype By Ari Burke

18 Lucky Jack’s ByArianaBurk

20 Fiddlin’ with the Family ByCompassStaff

26 The Pit for Phantom By Steven Starlin

28 Kendama Takes the Trend By Odyssey Staff

Foreign exchange student

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CONTENTS06

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Mrs.HansenAdvisor

Ihavebeenadvisingpub-licationsfornearly10years.I

startedasayearbookadvisorfortheMapleLeafyearbookinAdrian,

Michigan.Ihavebeentheadvi-sorfortheWestOdysseyyearbooksince2003andTheCompassonlinemagazinesince2010.Ihavebeentakingmaster’sclassesatMSU

injournalismandalsowriteforFamiliesFirstmagazine.

TaelerAspenleiter Writer/Photographer/

LayoutEditorIamaSenioratTCWestSeniorHigh.Iabsolutelylovejournal-ismanddesignbecauseIamabletotellstoriesothersmightnotbeabletotellbythemselves.

ThisismythirdyearinyearbookandIhopetogetadegreeinEnglishandGraphicDesign.

MeganBezemekWriter/PhotographerI’montheTitanCheerlead-ingteam.Itakealotofartclasses,myfavoriteisdrawing.CurrentlyItaketwoadvanceddrawingclasses.IliketoplaypianobutIamnotthebestatit.Iwritesongsandplayguitar.IhaveworkedfortwotrimesterswithTheCompassMagazineasawriterandphotographer.

StevenStarlinWriter/Photographer/GraphicDesignerI’maprofessionalgraphicsde-signerandIevenstartedmyownbusinessinprintingT-shirtswithmytemplatesonthem.IplanongoingintocollegeforaMaster’sDegreeinBusiness.Ifyouwouldliketoorder,pleasevisitmyblogatwhitefangim-pressions@charter.net.

ArianaBurk Editor-in-ChiefIamsoexcitedtohavetheprivilegeofbeingtheeditorforTheCompass.WhenIgradu-ateIhopetopursueacareerinmedicinealongwithjournalism.Tellingstoriesisawaytoopensomanydoorsandopportunities.Oncesomeonehearsthetriumphsandtrialsothersface,theywillrealizetheycanconnectwiththeworld.

Dedicationisatraitmanyknowofandmanyposses.Here,attheCompass,wearetruelydedicatedtoour

passion.Thatis,servingourcommunity.Thisissuewasdevelopedbyastaffoffive,whichwasnotasimple

task.Wehaveacommitmentanddedicationtosharingourschool’sexperiencesandeventswithallofourviewers.Thisparticularissueismuchsmallerthenourfirstis-sue,butthatisduetothefactthatthisCompasswasnotofferedasaclass.Lastissue,wewereblessedtohavealargerstaffinaclassduringtheschoolhours.However,sincetheclassdoesnotexpandtothecompletethreetrimesters,fivededicatedstaffmembershavein-dependentlybeenworkingondevelopingthisissue,justforyou.Wehopeyouenjoyourcreationandbecomeen-

couragedtobeapartofthecommunity,calledWestSeniorHigh.

KeriBeaudrieWriter/Photographer

IamcurrentlyinWestSe-niorHighs’schoolnewspaperandjournalismclass.Ihavetaken

photographyfor3yearsandphotojournalism.Iamalsoinvolvedinwebpublishing.WhenIgraduateIhopetobecomeaphotographerbecauseitwouldbeagoodthing

totakeoninmylife.

NotefromtheEditor

d4 Staff

W h a t ’s H a p p e n i n g a t We s t

d5What’sHappeningatWest

Checkoutourlatest,greatestachievements:

TCAPShelditsfirstFuturesofLearningSummittodis-cusshowtobestservestudentsandkeepupwitheducationaltrendsaswemovetowardaglobalandtechnicallydiversefuture.Parents,students,teachers,administrators,andbusinessownerscametogethertodiscussthegoalsforourdistrictandbrainstormnewwaysofreachingourschoolandlocalcommunityinmeaningfulways.Moresummitswilltakeplaceasthedistrictmovesforwardinplanningfortheup-comingyear.FreshmanandsophomoreswillreceivetheirownNetbooksinearlyMarch.Studentswillpay$20annuallytousetheirper-sonalcomputers,whichwerepaidforthroughfundsthatcameinatechnologymillage.

TheMMEandACTtestswilltakeplacethelastweekinFebru-ary.Examswilltakeplacetheweekafter.

PracticesareunderwayforThePhantomoftheOpera.TCWestwillbethefirstschoolinMichigantotakeonthelongestrunningBroadwaymusical.

ThedrumlinemarchedintotheStateTheatredowntownTra-verseCitytoannouncetheopeningofthemovieStep&Close.ProducedbyOneUpWeb,themoviewasaboutthemarchingbandandthededicationrequiredfrommusicstudentstoformaunitedmarchingteam.

WecompetedagainstCentralinafoodcandrivetosupporttheFatherFredFoundation.Webeatourbiggestcrosstownrivals,supplyingmorethan2,000canstotheorganizationwhichsuppliesfood,clothing,andsheltertoareahomelessandtheneedy.ThefooddrivewassponsoredbyNHS.

TheKeyclubheldacollectiontobenefitLeukemiaandLym-phomaSociety.Intotal,theschooldonatedalmost$2,000tobenefitcancerresearch,andMrs.Batcha’sclassbroughtinthemostmoney,$430.HerclasswillberewardedwithpastapartyfromtheOliveGarden.

What’supwithourpaststudents?ElizaFoster(2010)hadaspreadfeaturedinMSU’sINGMagazine.ShewillworkasMan-agingEditorofthemagazineinhersophomoreyear.ShewasEdito-in-Chiefforthe2010Odysseyyearbook.JordanWag-ner(2008)announcedonherFacebookpagethatshewillin-ternfortheBritishParliamentwhileattendingTheLondonSchoolofEconomics.DavidGuthrie(2002),afterservinginAfghanistan,justwona2011CorvetteCoupeatBurgerKing.AmyRushlow(2002)isnowtheonlineeditorforMen’sHealthMagazine.SheservedasEditor-in-ChieffortheOccidentalistNewspaperhersenioryearatWest.

are west

Are We st

are west

Counterclockwise:Thedrumlineperformsforanassemblyinfrontofthewholeschoolbody.AstudentinMrs.Keck’sclassmeltsametaltobegintheprocessofcreatingjewelry,fortheMetalsandJewelryclass.Intheclass,studentscreatejewelrybymeltingdifferentclassesofmetalsintofineworksofart.Manystudentsweartheirpiecesaroundschoolasaneverydayac-cessory.MembersofthenewlyestablishedCol-oringClub,colorapicturetogether.Manynewclubshavebeendevelopedthisyear,includingthePhotoClub,theGreenClub,andevenaQuid-ditchclub.ChloeF.,KaylaS.,KaitlynP.jumparoundoutsidewhileshowingofftheirindividualfashionstyles.CaseyV.warmsupbeforepreform-ingfortheHolidayMusicConcertonthexylo-phone.Amusicstudentexpressesherindividual-itywhileplayingthepiano.Currently,therearemanypracticeandwarm-upmusicrooms,whichareequippedwithpianos,toassistsingersandmusi-ciansinbecomingmorepreparedforperformances.By Ariana Burk

d7WeareWest

asateenmother

Main:Cuddlingwithaflower,Sophiaadoreshermother,whosebehindthecamera.Above:Playingthepopulargame,‘airplane’,Daniholdsherbaby.Beforefallingasleep,Sophiawelcomeskissesfromhermother.Right:David,DaniandSophiaposeforafamilyphoto.Photos:DaniHernendez

d8 LifeasaTeenMom

LifeHighschoolissupposedto be about dating, parties,homework,andjusthavingfunbeing a teenager. However,Dani Hernendez experienced aneventnotmanyanyhighschool-ersimagine;givingbirth. “I never thought that Iwouldbetheonegettingpreg-nant,”Danisaid. Whenparentsofteenagersfindouttheyaregoingtobegrandparents, their reactionsarenotgauranteed.“Mydaddidn’ttalktomeandDavidforatleastaweek,”Danisaid.Dani,whowasaju-nior,wasnotkickedoutofherhouse, as many predict wouldaccur. Whenagirlfindsoutsheisapregnant,awaveofeveryemotion, thought, and actioncrossesthroughhermind.ForDani,herfirstthoughtswere

aboutherhighschoolcareer. “Ithought,‘WhatamIgonnado?WillIgetkickedoutofschool?’,”Danisaid. Beingateenagegirlinhighschoolisscaryenough.Withallthegossip,stressofgrades,socialresponsibilities,andextra-curricular committments, there is alreadyplentyforagirltohandle.Addingapreg-nancytotheexperiencemakesthingsalotmoredifficult.Whenagirldiscoverssheispregnant, there are constant reminders ofwhatothersthinkandmostgirlsdon’tbragand tell everyone when they first discovertheyarecarryingachild. “TheyearIwaspregnantandatschoolpeople did say horrible things about me,”Dani said. “They said stuff like I woulddrinkeverynightwhileIwaspregnant,butotherswereexcitedforme.”Itisnotuncommonforatheyoung,soon-to-befathertodisapperatthediscoveryofapregnancy.However,Daniexperiencedsome-thingcompletelydifferentwhenshetoldherboyfriend,David,thatshewaspregnant.

asateenmother “BeforeItoldDavidthatIwaspreg-nant,Ithoughtthathewouldbeoneofthoseguysthatrunawayfromtheirproblems,”Danisaid.“Butthankfully,hestuckthroughev-erythingwithme.” Thehardestthingabouthavingachildatanyageisthelossoffreedomthatcomeswhenyouhavetocareforanotherlivingbe-ing.Freedomisagiftmanyteenagerstakeforgranted. “Thehardestthingaboutbeingateenmom is not being able to hang out with myfriends,” Dani said. When a girl becomespregnantsheaddssomethingtoherlife,butherfreedomisalsotakenawayasherloveand time becomes concentrated towards herchild. The loss of freedom may meen regretsforsome,butforDani,herpreciouslittledaughterisworththethingsshewillhavetosacrificeovertheyears. “IwouldhavelikedtohavewaitedbutIstilldonotregretanything,IloveSo-phia.” Sophia was born September 24th. SheisanexcitingadditiontoDaniandDavid’sfamilies. David and Dani may be working alot harder than most to finish their highschoolcareerontime,buttheyarestillontrack to finish their education. They knowhow their education is important for theirdaughter’sfutre.TheyareluckytohaveasupportivefamilythatareessentialpartsofSophie’slife. “Every thing is going great,” Danisaid.“MyparentsandDavid’sparentsadoreSophiaandsamegoeswithmysisterandDa-vid’sbrothers.” Life doesn’t giveyou advice and a guidebook on things likewhattodowhenyourpregnantorhowtoraiseyourchild.Justlikelife,nooneknowsthefuture. For Dani, she wants to ensure herdaughterlearnsfromherexperiences. “IwantSophiatoknowthatitisnotgood to get pregnant at an early age. ButalsoknowthatnotforoneseconddidIthinkaboutgivingheraway.”ByMeganBezemek

d9LifeasaTeenMom

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1.Bandmembersplaytheirclarinetduringtheholidayconcert.

2.AlexaM.transformsawetanddirtypieceofclayintoamasterpiece.

3.BillyB.,astheBeast,inBeautyoftheBeast,contemplatesaplantowoothebeau-

ty.4.RobertM.‘12listenstohisiPodwhile

sketchinginartclass.5.KaylaS.expressesherartisticsidewhen

presentedwithabluewallanddaisies.

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3d4 titlenamed10WeartWestme

We Art West

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d11WeartWest

Hoopin’ It UP

Thescreamingfans.Thescoreboardbuzzing.Thescreechonthewoodenfloor.Theanxietyofthenextpass.Thebounceofthedrib-ble.Theseexperiencesdescribethenoisysportofbasketball. Eachnewseasonbringsnewcheeringfans.Basketballseasonisatimewhenallwhoareloudandproudcanencouragetheirfavoriteteamwhentheyaredribblingonthecourt.BleacherCreaturethemedfannightsincreasetheamountofex-citementandenthusiasm. “Iliketogotothebas-ketballgamesandcheertohelpthemwinthegame,”AlyssaWolf‘12,said.“It’sfuntostandinthebleacherswithallmyfriendsandwatchmyschools’teamwinthegames.” Therearetimeswhentheloudchantingcanbecomeadistractionfortheteamhowever,andplayerssometimesfeeltheyareloosingcon-troloftheirfocus. “WhenwehaveagameagainstanotherschoolItrymybesttostayinthegameandbringourteamtovictory,”JackFlynn‘11said.“Ashardasthatmaybe,it’ssomethingalltheplayerstrytodo.” Whilecheersarechantedfromeverysideofthegymnasium,playersmaketheirlastmovesandtheopposingteamstartswiththemindgames.Thesedistractionsare

apartofeverygameandwhenthefateofthegamerestsinthehandsoftheballcarrier,pressureisbroughttoawholenewlevel.GraemP.,aseasonedvarstiyplayerknewthisalltoowell. “IrememberwhenIfirstbe-camepartoftheteam,”hesaid.“IgotmyheadoutofthegamebyallthefanscheeringformebecauseIhadtheball.Then,whenIwenttopassit,theotherteamendeduptakingit.EversincethatdayIremembertostayfocusedsoIdon’tlosetheballfortheteam.” Cheeringandchantingmaybeadistractionforeveryteam,butwithoutthecrowdtheteamswouldn’thaveanaudiencetoperformfor.TheplayersdefinatelyneedtheirfanstomotivatethemandsometimestheBleacherCreaturesdrownouttheop-posingteam’srantsandchants. There’sasaying,‘Doyourbestandwhateverhappens,happens’.Thisisamottotheplayersliveandpreformby.However,whenitcomestowinning,there’satimewhentheamountofteamworkdeterminestheoutcomeofthegame. “Itsnotallaboutuswin-ning,eventhoughitwouldbenicetowin,”CoachGrahamsaid.“Icareabouthowourteamisworkingto-getherandbecomingastrongerteameverytimeweplayagame.”ByKeriBeaudrie

Fan distractions become a destiny developer

d12Hoopin’itUpname

During a time out, Coach Graehm, discusses the next play the team is sup-posed to carry out. Running towards the basket for a lay-up, Julius M., concentrates on making a basket. The team sits on the bench while the coach deliberates with them. Running around the three-point line, Marshall

d13Hoopin’itUp

d14Skype

skypevirtual video is viciously vanquishing the Internet

Eventually,thepersonreap-pearsandthecallbeginsonemoretime.SincethereifnocostwhenusingSkype,eachcallisentirelypriceless.Peoplefromalldiffer-entstates,citiesandcountriesaretakingadvantageofthistech-nologyinordertocommunicatewithlovedoneswhomarefaraway. Skypeisnotonlyhelpingpeoplestayclose,ithasworkeditswayintotheclassroom.Mrs.Hansen,aSpanishteacher,foundawaytomakeSkypeworkforherstu-dents.Recently,astudentwhowasstudyingtobeaSpanishteachercametoherclassroomtoworkwithherstudents.HewasleavinglaterthatweektostudyabroadinArgen-tina.HeusedSkypealotandMrs.Hansen’sstudentsaskediftheycouldSkypewithMr.RankewhilehewastheresotheycouldlearnmoreabouttheArgentineancultureandhearthelanguagefromnativespeakers. “It’samazingtomehowmuchmystudentsknowabouttechnlolgy,”Mrs.Hansensaid.“Manyoftheal-readyuseSkype,soifIrunintoproblems,theycanhelpmeout.Itisamazingtomehowtechnologyischangingthewaywelearn.Ithasopenedupsomanyopportunitiesformystudents.” Mrs.HansenalsoplannedtouseSkypewithtocommunicatewithanotherschoolinMexico.

Itwasn’tlongagothatinkandpenwerealloneneededtosay“Hello”.Butthetimestheyarechangingandtechnologyisenvelop-ingsociety.TheabilitytoaccessFacebook,thelatestnewsonapps,andgamesandentertainmentareallaccompaniedbyonemoregrowingtrend;Skype.Therealitythatonecanphysicallyidentifythepersonontheothersideofthereceiverhasbecomeaninfectioussensation. HighschoolstudentscanusetheconvenienceofSkypetogiveandreceivehomeworkadvicewhilebeingabletoviewtheirpeerswork.ForLaurenBell’11,Skypeisawaytocommunicatewithfriendsandfamilywholivefaraway. “IuseSkypewheneverIneedtotalktosomeonewhodoesn’tliveinTraverseCity,”Laurensaid. AlongwithLauren,manymenandwomenwhoserveoverseasuseSkypetocommunicatewiththeirfamilieswhileaway.Collegestu-dentscankeepintouchtheirfriendsandfamilyontheothersideofthecountry,andexchangestudentsareabletostayclosertofamiliesbackhome.However,justlikethereiswitheverypieceoftechnology,thereareunforgettabledefectswithSkype. “Iwouldchangetheinternetconnection,”Laurensaid.“Some-timesthepicturesblackoutandyoucan’tseethepersonyouaretalk-ingto.It’sfrustrating.”

skypevirtual video is viciously vanquishing the Internet

Above:RachelG.pullsupherSkypeaccountonherlaptop.Shehasbeenus-ingSkypeforoverayearnow.Shestartedusingitbecauseherbestfriendwasgoingtocollegeandtheywantedawaytostayintouch.“It’sagreatwaytokeepintouchandIalsouseitforstudy-ing,”shesaid.“Ihavefriendsthatliketostudyoverskype,sothenwecanbevisualandverbal.”

d15Skype

Freshman, Owen W. is old-school preppy in his argyle sweater and red converse shoes. His style was comfortable, relaxed, and hip.

Senior, Megan B. shows off her signature style by wearing knee-high argyle socks with high heeled patent leather shoes.

Junior, Betsie S. is stylish-hippie in her flowered dress and emboidered boots. “I usually dress comfortably, but some days I try to look good, too,” she said. “In winter I mostly dress warm and i dress nicer than I do in summer.”

Winter Wearable Wondersstyles in the winter of 2011

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Junior, Betsie S. is stylish-hippie in her flowered dress and emboidered boots. “I usually dress comfortably, but some days I try to look good, too,” she said. “In winter I mostly dress warm and i dress nicer than I do in summer.”

Senior, Calvin B. is preppy-grunge in his sweater, shirt, jacket layered look. His signature style was fresh, regardless of the season.

Foreign exchange student from Norway, Ane Elia-sen learned to keep warm in the Northern Michigan winters by bundling up in a waist length, warm coat. Luckily, winters in Norway are similar, so Ane came prepared.

Winter Wearable Wondersstyles in the winter of 2011

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lucky jack’s

Justwhenweneededtoberevivedfromthewinterdul-drums,anewfunlandopenedtoboostourspiritsandentertainusduringthecoldlongmonthsofwinter.Filledwithneonlights,upbeatmusic,andinteractivegames,LuckyJack’soffersabrightspotwherestudentscanrelax,hangoutwithfriends,andfeelrejuvinated. LuckyJack’smayseemnewbythename,butinrealityithasbeenaroundalongtime.Infact,ithasbeenfamilyownedandoperatedbytheMohrhardtfamilyfor50years.Mostwouldrecognizeitbyitsoldname,TimberLanes.Whilethebowlingteampracticedandcom-petedthere,fewexpectedthemajorchangesthatcamethiswinter. Thereissomethingtodoforeveryageatthe

newhotspot.The12,000squarefootarcadehas80gamesandaredemptionstorewherewinnerscanspendtheirwinningstopur-chaseWiiandXboxgames,clothes,giant-sizedstuffedanimals,lavalamps,neonlights,andhouseholditmeslikecookware.Thelasertagroomisfullofobstaclesandblacklights,andisachallengeforallwhoenter.Aftereachgameplayersreceiveaprintoutoftheirscorestouseasbragging

rights.Studentscanalsotesttheiragilitybycompet-inginthelazermaze.Theobjectofthisgameistogetfromoneendoftheroomtotheotherwithoutbreakinganylaserbeams.Thereare8billiardtables,33lanesofbowlingandtheregion’sonlybumpercars. Friendsaresuretoenjoythisgatheringplacewithallthespecialsthatareoffered.LuckyJack’shasglowbowlingfrom9pmto1amonFridaynights.Thereisalsoa“friendlyspecial”wheregroupscangetapizza,10wings,pitcherofpop,andtwo$5LuckyJack’sFunCardsfor$39.99.Friendscangatheratcomfycouch-esatoneofthenewbowlinglanesandorderfromthediverseandaffordablemenu.LuckyJack’salsohaspartypackagesavailableforbirthdayorgraduationparties.

A New Fun-in-One LandThe Old Timber Lanes takes on a new look. An added game room,

laser tag, bumber cars, a laser maze, additional bowling lanes,

and eatery have made this one wild hangout with lots to do.

d18LuckyJack’s

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Anaddedbenefittothegameroomisthereloadablefuncards.Playerscanaddmoneytotheircardstouseinthegameroom,bowlingalley,lasertaggames,andrides.Thecardskeeptrackofwinningsthatcanbespenttopurchaseprizesintheredemptionroom.Earn-ingscanbetradedinforWiiandXBoxgames,hugestuffedanimals,neonlights,lavalamps,candy,andevenhouseholditemslikecookwareandclothes.Thear-cadefeatures80newgames,includingskeeball,basket-ball,GuitarHero,toycranes,airhockey,and3Dridesandtargetgames.Anewbowlingalleywasaddedwithcouchesandhightableswhereguestscanorderfoodanddrinkstohavewhilebowling.Themenuisdiverse,withallthepartyfavorites-pizza,wings,burgers,hotdogs,salads,andsandwhiches.AfunnightforstudentsisFridayNightGlowBowl,wherethelightsareturneddown,blacklightsareturnedon,andplayersuseneoncoloredballstoknockdowntheirpins.Thebowlingal-leyhostspartiesforlargegroups.Thebusinesshasbeeninthefamilyforfourgenerationsandthefamilyvibeisstillveryprominent.Infact,DavidandBenMorhrardtbothattendWest.Itiscomfortableareaforeveryonetohavefun,regardlessofage.

d19LuckyJack’s

SophomoreSavannahBuisthasmanytalents.Manyknowheraroundschoolforherneonbluecoloredviolinthatsheusestoplayinschoolconcertswiththeorchestra.Whatmanydon’tknowisthatherviolinturnsintoafiddlewhensheplaysandsingsfolkmusicwithherfamilyatlocalvenues. Savannahstartedplayingviolininsixthgradewhenitwasarequirementformusicclass.Shealreadyhadalittleexpe-riencewithmusic,though.Herparentswerebothmusicians,andSavannahtaughtherselfhowtoplaythepianoatagefour. Itwasnoeasytaskgettingherpar-entstoletherjointheband,though.Shestartedaskingearlyon,andhermomkepttellinghertowaitanotheryear.Shefi-nallyworehermotherdownandshestartedplayingwiththefamilybandwhenshewas

13yearsold. Savannah’sfamilyband,Summerson,isamixoffamilyandfriends.Itbringstogetheraneclecticandenergeticmixofdrums,piano,guitar,cello,violin,andvocals.Whileonlyhermomanddadalsoplayintheband,Savannahreferstootherbandmembersasfamily,too. “LukeandLauraarelikemysiblings,andMattislikemyuncle,”shesaid.LukePurcellplaysdrumsintheband,MattMan-sfieldplaysguitar,andLauraplayscello.Hermom,Amberplaysguitarandsingsandherdad,Rick,playspianoandalsosings.Playingwithherfamilyhaditsbenefits,too. “Ilikeitwhenwe’reactuallyplay-ing,”Savannahsaid.“Whenwe’rejam-mingout,wedon’tworryaboutthelittle

d20Fiddlin’withtheFolkFamily

Fiddlin’ With the Folk Family

things.” WhilejamminggavetheBuistsqualityfamilytime,makingmusicalsomeantwork,whichaddedchallenges. “Reahearsalscangetdifficult,”Sa-vannahsaid.“Aswellasprioritizingforgigs.” FanscaneasilyspotSavannahatcon-certs.Whethersheisplayingwithherfam-ily,oramongstalargegroupofstudentsintheorchestra,itishardtomissherneonbluecoloredviolin,whichshenick-named,“Red.” Whetheritwasthecolorofherin-strument,orthepurequalityofthesoundshemadewithit,Savannahearnedherposi-tionasfirstchairinorchestra.ShealsoearnedherseatsittingnexttoMomandDadonthefolkstage.

Savannah warms up with her violin before the holiday concert.

d21Fiddlin’withtheFolkFamily

Fiddlin’ With the Folk Family

WE ARE WEST

d22WeareWest

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GlynnisP.performsinBeautyandtheBeastfortheTheaterArtsClass.

JessiegetsreadyforanotherbowlingframeatLuckyJack’s.

PagieB.,AnglekiaD,andBriannaS.havefunintheirnews-paperclasswheretheykeeppeopleuptodatewiththeon-lineissue

AllisonB.playsGuessWhoduringlunchintheNAPprogram.

DavidL.installswiringforthedrivesysteminthenewRoboticsclass.

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TheTitanhockeyteamlinesupforthethebiggameagainstTraverseCityCentral.

IanK.‘12dancestoshowhisschoolspiritatthepepassemblyfortheWestVS.CentralBasketballgame.

RichardB.celebratesavictoryinhiswrestlingmatch

ShainaS.‘12getsreadyforapieeatingcontestatafootballgamepepassembly.

ClanceyH.preparesforacrosscountryracebywarmingupandstretch-ingout.

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W e C a r ed24WeCare

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FarLeft:RonnieS.Donatesbloodduringtheannualblooddrive.Studentsenatesponsoredtheblooddriveinthenewgym,whichwasfilledtheentiredaywithdonors.TheblooddrivesupportedMIBlood,anorganizationcommittedtosupplyingbloodtohospitcalsaroundMichigan,andalsotoplacearoundthecountryintimesofneed.GrantB.andLoganH.pickupgarbagearoundthepark-inglotinMrs.Hansen’sadvisoryclass.Studentswantedtohelpcleanuptheschooltoshowtheirsupportfortheschoolwidecommunity.KayleeVandMykalaFcountcansfortheNHSfooddrive.Studentsdonatedmorethan2,000cannedfooditemsfortheFatherFredFoundation.WebeatCentralHighSchoolincollections.BryneE.fromtheKeyClubcountschangeddonatedforthePen-niesforPastacollectionwhichbenefitedtheLeukemiaandLymphomaSociety.Intotal,theschooldonatedalmost$2,000,andMrs.Batcha’sthridhourclasswonthepastapartyfromOliveGardenforcollecting$430.RachelB.sellsbakedgoodsforafundraisertobenefitasoftbalplayeratElkRap-idsHighSchool.Themembersofoursoft-ballteamwantedtohelpaplayer,MichelleCook,atwotimecancersurvivorinneedofadoublelungtransplant.Theteamde-cidedtoholdabakesaletohelp.Theteamprovedthatcompetitiononthefieldmaybefierce,butcompassionforfellowplay-ersiswhatreallymatters.ErikaG.takenotesinaGreenClubmeeting.Thegoalofthegroupwastomaketheschoolagreenerplacebyrecyclingandrasingawarenessofenvironmentalissues.Thegroupwasplan-ningtospruceuptheoutdoorclassroomthatwaslocatedoutsideofthetheater.Photos;OdysseyStaff

d25WeCare

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lin

MacTempleton‘12pickedupanin-strumentwhenhewasfouryearsold.Thepianowastheharbingerofhismusicalfutureanditopenedthedoorstomanyopportunities.Oneofwhichwasplayingtheclarinet. “Ididn’tchooseit.”Whenhewasinfourthgrade,MacjoinedtheInterlochenPathfinderSchoolWoodWindsEnsemble. Hedecidedtotryhishandatplayingtheclarinetpartintheup-comingmusicalperformanceofPhantomoftheOpera. “PhantomoftheOperaisoneofmyfavoritemusicals,”Macsaid.“It’sgoingtobealotoffun.” ThePit,asit’scalledinmu-sicalperformances,istrickyinthecaseofPhantombecauseofthefastpacedtempoandtheoddnotations.Themusicalnoteshavealargerange,tocoverthevastdifferencebetweenSoprano(thehighestnotes)andLowBase(thelowestnotes). Despitewhatmostpeoplethink,thereisno‘lead’clarinetist,oranyparticularinstrumentthatismoreimportantthantheothersinamusicalpit.Theyallneedtoworkinperfectformtoenhancetheexperi-encefortheaudience.Themusiciansarenotplacedatacertain“seat”becauseofthedifficultyofapiece.Rather,theyareplacedtherebe-

causethat’swhat’sneeded. Thesingersaren’ttheonlyonesthatworkhard;ittakesalotoftime,andeffortforthemusi-caltobereadyforopeningnight.Everyonehastheirowninstrument,whetherit’stheirvoice,clari-net,aspotlightorasoundboard.They’reallequallyimportanttohavingasuccessfulopeningnight. Maclovesthemusicinthisyear’smusical,butmorethanthat,helovesthecharacters. “IlikeRaoúl,buthe’snotmyfavorite.”RaoúlistooniceforMac’stastes,andthoughagoodperson,he’snotquiteasintrigu-ingasthecleverlypredictablePhantom.“He’sawesomebecauseheentrancespeoplewithhisvoice.” ThoughPhantomishispres-ent,Mac’sfutureissurpris-ing.He’sthinkingaboutdroppingtheclarinetpossiblyafterhighschool,andjoiningatruefree-stylebandthatencompassesallofhisinstrumentssuchasguitar,piano,saxophoneandmaybeevenalittleclarinet.d26ThePitame

FOR

The Pit

Counterclockwise;MacT.‘12playsboththeclarinet,andthebaseclarinetinthePhantomoftheOpera.BrittanyV.‘12istheotherverytalentedclarinetistinthePhan-tomPit.ThoughDaphneC.‘13playsviolininOrchestra,shereachedoutandgotapartinthechorus.Ms.Jonesistheorchestrateacherwhoconductsthepitcrew,Shealsoplaysviolinthroughouttheproduction.

d27ThePit

TheJapaneseskilltakesovertheschoolKendama

sociationlists101differenttricksforthetoy.However,playershavedevelopedthou-sandsofvariationsontheoriginalmoves.

Whilemanystudentshavebeenplayingkendamaforfun,students

arebecomingquitecompetitiveinmasteringtheskillbytry-ingtoout-doeachotherintricks.Thereareevencom-petitionswhereplayerstrytoourperformeachotherbyperformingasequenceoftrickssuccessfully.AschoolwidecompetitionisscheduledforlateFebru-ary,wherethewinnerwillrecieveaGoldenSunriseKendama,oneofthebestskill-balltoysavaial-able.

Inthedaysofdigitalgames,electronicdevicesthatmezmerizeandturnthebraintomush,itisnicetoseesomanyyoungerstudentsplayingan“old-school”gamethatrequiresaskillbeyondmovingthejoystick.

WhyhasKendamabeensopopular?Drewhashisownideasaboutthis. “It’slikearumor,”hesaid.“Itgrowsbiggerandbiggerasmorepeoplegetinvolvedwithit.Also,It’schallenging.Whemyouwanttobegoodatsomething,youwanttobethebest.Becausesomanypeoplearedo-ingit,youwanttofeellikeyouhave

themostskills.” Drewiswillingtoaccepttheblameforintroducingtheaddictivegametoeagerstudents,andheisalsowillingtoadmitthatheisoneofthemoreexperiencedplay-ers,simplybecausehehasbeenpracticinglongerthanmost.

It’shardtoignorethewoodenballs“clackety-clacking”inthehallways,thecommonsandevenintheclassrooms.AnewtrendistakingoverandstudentscanthankDrewHoltforbringingKen-damatoourschool.HefirstsawthetoyontheInternet,andsoonstartedplay-ingitwithfriendsatschool. “It’satimekiller,”headmittedaboutplayingwiththetoy.“Itdis-tractsme.” KendamaisatraditionalJapanesetoywhichconsistsofawoodenhammer-likeobjectwithaballconnectedtoitbyastring.ThegameoriginatedinJapanasasimple“skillball”toythatwasusedtodevelophandandeyecoordination.Thegoalofthegameistocatchoneobjectwithanother,wherebotharejoinedbyastring. Toplaywithakenda-ma,aplayergripsthetoyandusingonehandonly,jerkstheballsothatitmaybecaughtinoneofthecupsorimpaledonthespike.Moread-vancedtricksincludeflippingtheballovera360degreeloopandstillcatchingtheballonacup.Playerscanachievehighranksformasteringmoves,andabookpublishedbytheJapanKendamaAs-

28Kendamad

“ken”=stick“tama”=ball

TocompeteinKendamaplay-ersmustsuccessfullyper-formtrickstoshowtheirmasteryofthegame.Playersearnpointsforcompetingthetricks,andmoredifficulttrickscanearnaplayermorepoints.Herearesomeofthetricksaplayermightuse:

Swing-flip-lighthouse

BirdFlyOvertheValley

SlipGripSpecial

AroundtheCosmos

Slip-on-Stick

EarthTurn

SwingCandle

AccordingtotheJapaneseKendamaAssociation,toqual-ifyforanygivengrade,youhavetenattemptstoachieveeachtricklistedthere-quirednumberoftimes.

Kendamaismadeupof:

kensaki=spikeken=mainbodyozara=largecupkozara=smallcup

}Kendama

Twisting the Tricks & facts

Top:ConnorP.,KyleP.andOctavionW.playKendamaintheirfifthhourSpanishclass.Bottom:GrantB.andLoganH.showoffafewtrickstotheirAdvisoryclass.

JanK.,aGermanExchangestudentleavestheschoolonacoldwinterdayinFebruary.

WINTER

EVENTS