Feb 23, 2009 - Detroit Catholic Central High School

Issue 3, February 23 , 2009, Volume 33
Detroit Catholic Central High School
5 stars for
Gran Torino
Review on
page 6
Battle
of the
Bands
photos on
page 8
CC hockey moves into playoffs ranked #1
Payback. CC Hockey celebrates after a goal. With all of their key players dressing this time, the Shamrocks made quick work of U of D, 5-2.
Neil Nypaver `11
Staff writer
team, new leaders, and a new wave of support from
the Shamrock student body.
The state title is closer than ever, and everybody is
pumped with anticipation.
Leadership isn’t the only thing this year’s team
has. Brent Darnell `10, CC’s top scorer, has 12 goals
and 19 assists this season.
Also, goalies Cisek and Pankow have been great
(aside from a few flukes). Cisek and Pankow have
save percentages of .880 and .830, respectively.
Cisek is tops in the state with 13 wins.
CC is NOVI
With a record of 16-3-2, including wins against
Orchard Lake, Brother Rice, Northville, Trenton,
and Culver, Coach Todd Johnson’s CC hockey team
is in a great position to bring the first State Championship home to the Novi campus.
They have strong leadership in their seniors this
year who are out to take back what is theirs.
The team’s skill shined as they swept Culver,
which was ranked #2 in the nation. The ability to
win big games on the road has obviously not been a
problem for the team this year.
Before their loss to DLS (three of CC’s top players didn’t dress), the Shamrocks were #1 in the state.
(Northville was #2.) That’s not a problem; a little
humility is always good to refocus the team.
The Shamrocks are looking to redeem themselves
in the playoffs, and not blow it like last year against
Northville.
This year, however, is different. There’s a new
Shamrocks march for life in Washington
March for
Life
fast facts
March held on
January 22,
2009
250,000 people
walked for life
Demonstrators traveled
to Washington
from all 50
states
19 students and
two teachers
represented
Catholic Central
Dave Cobb `09
Managing editor
Every year, thousands upon thousands of
people from across the nation come to fight
for the rights of the unborn.
They come to fight against abortion.
Multitudes descended on our nation’s capitol Thursday, January 22nd, the anniversary of
the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling.
People from coast to coast came, some in
wheelchairs, some with canes, some with babies on their backs.
Before the march, a number of guest speakers talked about the issue that so many travelled so far to protest.
Testimonials from women who had abortions showed the lasting effect of their choices
and how they wished they could go back and
change their decisions.
The Right to Life March of 2009 saw over
250,000 people from all 50 states come to let
new president Barack Obama know that they
won’t stand for his pro-choice views.
He endorses the Freedom of Choice Act that
will make it easier for women to get an abortion.
This act is very radical; it even lowers the
medical qualifications needed to perform an
abortion.
photo by
Anthony Thibodeau
Nineteen CC students went to Washington,
D.C., to fight against the FOCA.
They listened to pro-life congressmen and
senators speak about their plans to push the
pro-life movement, plans which include incentives for mothers that choose adoption over
abortion, attempts to cut funding to Planned
Parenthood clinics, and efforts to stop FOCA.
“Abortion is a crime against humanity,” senior Jerry Yono put it. “It condones the murder of the innocent.”
Think about it: what if your parents decided
they didn’t want you? If you don’t think the
unborn is a life, then think about that question.
The trip to Washington put that into perspective.
“If life doesn’t begin at conception, then
when does it begin?” asked Jack Nelson `09.
“Biology proves that the baby starts growing
in the womb at conception.”
Senior Nick Landry said, “This trip was an
experience of a life time. I honestly can say I
will never forget what I have learned.”
“The Right to Life Movement is the civil
rights movement of our time,” said Mr. Michalik, senior theology teacher.
As senior Bryan Raycraft put it, “One step
is all that is needed. Step up for what is right
and stand up for God-given life.”
No team scores on us with ease. Along with the
solid goaltending, the Shamrock defense has put opponent’s offenses on lockdown.
Senior captain Kyle Nelson has played strong defense all season. He leads the team with his desire
and his heart.
The Gatt brothers, Nick and Mitch, have also been
strong at the blue line.
Juniors Steven Hensley and Ryan Obuchowski
have both skated well for the Shamrocks.
The offense has had great balance this year. Dan
Brown `09 had a big goal against Northville. Captain Tony Thomas has 11 goals and 18 assists, including 2 goals and 1 assist against Grosse Pointe
North. David Swierszczyk, a four-year starter on
varsity, has contributed 5 goals and 3 assists.
In typical CC Shamrock fashion, the captains refused to be interviewed individually, but rather as a
whole.
The interview went as follows:
Q: Do you think this year’s team has got what it
takes to win a State Championship?
Captains: “Definitely. We feel that we’ve got the
team to do it this year. Our talent and work ethic
will bring it to us as long as the rookies pick up the
slack. Ha-ha.”
(Is that a Tim Tebow promise I hear?)
Q: As captains, what responsibilities do you guys
have?
Captains: “Keeping the team focused on our
goals has been our number one priority all year.”
Q: How do you recover from losses to the likes of
U of D and DLS?
Captains: “Each loss is a lesson, and we build on
each one. We always just focus on the next game.”
Q: Why do you think you lost to DSL?
Captains: “Rooks…”
Q: What’s the team’s pump-up song?
Captains: “Has to be ‘Womanizer’ by Brittany
Spears.”
Q: Who do you want to beat the most?
Captains: “Whoever is next…but mostly U of
D.” (U of D was soundly whipped 5-2.)
At the recent high school hockey showcase in
Trenton, CC was huge. In their first game, they beat
Marquette 3-2. Goals were scored by Mike Zylik,
Eric Winkler, and Darnell.
After that win, they handled Grosse Pointe North
easily 5-1. Darnell, Winkler, Thomas (2), and Chris
Waterstreet all put in goals.
Despite all that’s gone wrong in our state, one
thing hasn’t changed, and that is CC hockey.
Left: CC sent 19 students and two faculty members to Washington for March for Life
2009; above: Seniors Nick Landry, Pat Lewis, and Karl Parker sacrificed a day of school
to show their dedication to a meaningful cause.
M
photos by Dave Cobb
adej
Fast
Facts
Alfred Hitchcock did not have a
belly button.
A pack-a-day smoker will lose about
two teeth every ten years.
More than 50% of us have eaten a
spider in our sleep.
Peanuts are one of the ingredients of
dynamite.
Just 20 seconds worth of fuel remained when Apollo 11’s lunar module landed on the moon.
Termites eat wood twice as fast when
listening to heavy metal music.
2 Presidents’ Day Survey
Five shamrocks give their picks for the
Best and worst U.S. Presidents
Shane Joychan `09
Staff writer
photos by
Anthony Thibodeau
In celebration of Presidents’
Day, the Spectrum sent out a
survey to select staff and students, asking them to name
and explain their picks for best
and worst U.S. Presidents.
The results were varied, but
the older folk unanimously agreed that Franklin D.
Roosevelt was the best Chief
Executive.
As for the worst, it seems
the do-nothing presidents are
not fondly remembered.
Time will tell how President
Ranalletti will shape up during this year’s Drive.
Mr. Anderson
I think Franklin D. Roosevelt
was the best president because of
his leadership through the Great
Depression and the New Deal. I do
not agree with all that he did or how
he accomplished his goals, but he
was the right man at the right time.
There have been a number of
presidents who were not very good.
The two worst presidents would
have to be Calvin Coolidge and
Warren G. Harding. They exhibited a lack of leadership, and a lack
of action. Sorry, Carl, not George
Bush.
Mr. Weiss
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the
best president because he guided
America through both the Great
Depression and World War II. He
did not solve the Depression, but
he retained America’s faith in the
system under the Constitution.
James Buchanan was the worst
president. Essentially, he did nothing while in office and left a mess
for Lincoln.
Mr. Kolka
I would have to select Franklin
D. Roosevelt. He led us out of the
Great Depression and to victory in
World War II. He accomplished
both missions, unlike the last president.
Tough call. I always considered
Nixon to be the worst. He blatantly
lied to the people. However, the
last eight years under Bush have
been just awful.
Louie Ronayne
In my opinion, Ronald Reagan
was the best President of the United
States. His direction of foreign
policy during hostile times in the
world was excellent. Times were
great in this country under his administration.
In my opinion, Jimmy Carter
was the worst president. He failed
to adequately handle a number of
problems, such as the energy crisis,
gas shortages, and the Iran hostage
debacle. He also failed with the
economy during prosperous times.
His replacement by President Reagan proves his failure.
Mike Dompierre
Lincoln was the best President
because of his perseverance and
character. His support for our
Union in the midst of hardship and
pitiful national mood embodied
his presidential spirit. Through the
Emancipation Proclamation and the
Gettysburg Address, he guided our
nation to its true destiny to espouse
the belief that the American government is of, by, and for all people.
The worst President of the United
States preceded the best President:
James Buchanan. Watching the
Southern states secede and form the
Confederacy, he did very little to
avert civil war. He had pro-slavery
sentiments, and he put up no fight
for the truth. His lack of direction
was truly remarkable, as he let the
Union break in two waiting for Lincoln to assume office.
Editorials 3
Edwin David `09
Editor-in-chief
Terror
strikes
the
Gaza
Strip
Mothers screaming. Children crying.
Houses exploding. People dying.
These are the images that are horribly apparent in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The area of strife is the Gaza Strip, a coastal block of land
that is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the
other three sides.
“ ”
Contrary to the reports made
by Hamas, which put the death
count at 1,300, it has been
found that only 500 to 600
have actually died.
With 2009 comes new hope for
honesty in politics
Matt Nicholas `10
Staff writer
year.
Forget the hypocritical New York governor
who encouraged prosecution of law-breakers
by day – but solicited prostitution by night.
Forget the governor of Illinois who betrayed
the trust of his people to fill the pockets of his
wallet.
Forget Senator Ted Stevens, who was indict-
Now we start the new year: 2009.
Now we have a new hope, a fresh start to
politics.
Now we hope to leave behind the corrupt
Here in Michigan we know a thing or two
ways of politics and to petition for a new polabout corrupt politicians.
icy.
When the former governor of New York,
Where have the politics of old gotten us?
Eliot Spitzer, was forced to resign amidst a
Heavily in debt, burdened by war, and teescandal, Michiganians shook their heads distering on the edge
appointedly.
of mass unemployWhen the nation
ment!
was in an uproar
It’s not the fault
over Governor Rod
of Republicans or
Blagojevich, who
Democrats – it’s the
was accused of sellfault of those who
ing Barack Obama’s
made the wrong
Illinois Senate seat
choices for the
to highest bidder,
wrong reasons.
Michiganians said,
I’m no Dante
“Kwame a river!”
Alighieri.
We’ve
had
I don’t believe that
enough problems
we can condemn any
here in our own
man to political Hell
home state.
forever.
The 0–16 Lions
Someday, Kwame
aside, the biggest
will walk the streets
disappointment of
of Detroit again. No
the past year was
longer a mayor – just
the disgrace and
another citizen.
fall of the ex-mayor
Maybe he will be
of Detroit, Kwame
a changed man –
Kilpatrick.
maybe not.
Remember him?
Either way, you
The mayor who
can still hope for him
lost the city over
to have a change of
$15 million after
heart. You can still
unjustly firing two
hope that all the new
police officers to
politicians who are
cover up his own
The corrupt political practices of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
trying to break from
personal affairs?
brought much-publicized shame to the city.
the ways of their
The man who
spent millions of city money trying to hide his ed on a federal grand jury for taking $250,000 predecessors will succeed in creating a new
method of politics.
own affairs and scandals while Detroit col- illegally.
Forget former presidential candidate John
Pray that 2009 will be a better year than
lapsed?
Edwards, who was caught having an affair 2008.
Of course, you remember him.
with a campaign videographer.
And pray that the Lions are better next seaBut now, I am telling you to forget him.
Forget their legacies! But remember their son.
Forget the man whose texting scandal was
plastered upon every Michigan newspaper last lessons.
Hamas, an Islamic Palestinian political and social organization, assumed administrative control over this area in 2006.
Since Israel views Hamas as a terrorist group that must be
dismantled, it imposed a blockade on the territory, prohibiting all exports and allowing only enough goods to avert a
humanitarian outcry over a health crisis.
The problem, however, is that the Gaza Strip is one of the
most densely populated areas on earth.
Almost half of the population in this area is made up of
children aged 14 or younger.
Most of these people lack the bare necessities.
Hamas, which really doesn’t care for its people and is more
concerned with the destruction of Israel, launched rockets
into the country.
Hamas purposely places its military units in the most
densely populated areas of the Gaza strip to make it seem that
Israel is the real bad guy by killing innocent civilians.
Israel has no choice but to bomb these areas to ensure the
safety of its own country.
Though this has been occurring for some time, Israel has
warned Hamas on multiple occasions to stop the rocket fire.
Finally, on December 27th, Israel let hell loose.
Operation Cast Lead was put into action when 50 fighter
jets and attack helicopters entered Gaza, killing more than
225 Palestinians and wounding more than 100,000.
A few days later, Israel released its ground forces into Gaza
to secure areas within the Gaza Strip from which rockets had
been launched.
The U.N. has called for an immediate ceasefire, but Israel
will stop only when it succeeds in ending rocket fire from the
Hamas-ruled territory. Israel is just showing genuine concern
for its people.
While Israel may be justified in trying to protect its country, a truce needs to be settled quickly before the death toll
gets out of control. Eliminating Hamas would be a daunting
task, but maybe that is the only way for the attacks to stop.
One can only hope that the new U.S. President, Barack
Obama, can have some influence in stopping this conflict.
Contrary to the reports made by Hamas, which put the
death count at 1,300, it has been found that only 500 to 600
have actually died.
A look at Obama’s first
100 days in office
New president
sets the tempo
at allegro
Brett Harrison `09
Guest writer
ver since Franklin
Roosevelt’s
bold
actions to end the
Great Depression, any new
President’s early success has
been judged on the achievements of his first 100 days in
office.
And it has been a very busy
start for Barack Obama.
The energetic Commander-in-Chief took Washington
by storm.
In the first 12 days of his
young presidency, he was
able to pass more legislation
and take more decisive action
than former President George
W. Bush had in his last twelve
months.
In his first week, he signed
a collection of executive orders aimed at returning the
United States to a firm footing on the moral high ground
by ordering the closure of the
Guantanamo Bay detention
facility, applying the Army
Field Manual’s standards
of torture to all government
agents, and ordering a review
of the cases of all those who
were detained in the war on
E
terrorism.
Continuing at a break-neck
speed, he signed into law the
Ledbetter Act (which expands the rights of women in
seeking equal pay from their
employers).
Obama also passed a massive economic stimulus package (often referred to as a
spending package) through
the House.
Then, he created a middleclass task force headed by
Vice-President Joe Biden.
This is a major initiative targetted at raising the living
standards of middle-class,
working families in America.
In less than a month, the
new President has launched
a campaign of legislation
and executive orders that rivals the legendary efforts of
FDR.
He has waded chest-deep
into the toughest issues confronting our country from energy to civil rights to national
security and everything in
between.
If the first few weeks are
any indication, this is going
to be a good 100 days for
President Obama.
4 Drive 2009
photos by
Anthony Thibodeau
Drive means more
than just Cash
Mike Crawford `10
Staff writer
The Wikipedia page on Detroit Catholic Central High
School lists three traditions. One of these is the Drive.
Drive `09 is based on the song lyric: “I put on for my
city,” written by singer-poet Young Jeezy.
Each grade has been assigned a region in the U.S.
The seniors are the West Coast, juniors are the East
Coast, sophomores are the South, and the froshlings are
the Midwest.
Each homeroom has chosen a city “to put on for”
from their region.
Students have their work cut out for them to match
the two magic numbers from last year.
These, of course, refer to -- first of all -- the total
amount of “dough” brought in 2008: $300,947.13. (Mr.
Magni, triskadekaphile and legendary track coach, contributed the 13 cents, as he always does.)
More importantly is the number that students care
most about: free days. And last year’s Drive earned 13
days off for sophomores and juniors and 14 days off for
seniors and freshmen.
But sometimes parents and those outside the CC family can’t see beyond the assemblies and free days. It is
often hard for them to understand the uniqueness of the
Drive. We are used to it, we experience it every year,
and we expect it to be all that it is. But looking from the
outside in, others don’t see the assemblies or experience
those days off. They merely see a number, quite a large
number in fact. Like 100 large . . . or 200 large . . . or
300 large.
It is the amount of money that CC students manage to
raise each year that defines the Drive for outsiders.
To raise more than $300,000 in just over a week is an
epic event.
But is this the reason why students regard the Drive as
unique? Is it just the money?
No, the students draw from it an aura of excitement,
camaraderie, and the Magic Box.
The hype preceding the Drive has, by early February,
caught up with everyone.
For freshmen, just about every day holds a new experience. And for other students who have already experienced the Drive, the event is still memorable.
New skits, new themes, new faces.
Perhaps it is better that the uniqueness of the Drive
for students is not derived from a monetary value. In a
society dependent on material wealth, the tradition of
a fundraising effort that can mean more than money is
unique in itself.
(Clockwise from top): At each day’s assembly, students
will experience the excitement of the magic box; for some
unfortunate students, the suspense will build as the wheel
spins; President Father Ranalletti is backed by the CC Secret
Service; the President addresses his subjects.
Phobia goes recon
at the faculty Drive luncheon
Phobia `29
Ghost writer
With the students of CC caught in the excitement of Drive, I, Phobia, decided to check on
what the faculty was up to (mainly because if
I heard another high-pitched freshman squeal
then I would probably explode).
Trying to seek shelter from the constant
bombardment of midget excitement, I came
upon the teachers’ lounge and floated on in to
catch the teachers at their faculty luncheon.
In the corner of the lounge, I spotted Mrs.
Fanning skipping right past lunch and going
straight to the dessert table.
“This carrot cake is awesome! No! It’s
awesomely awesome!” Mrs. Fanning exclaimed to no one in particular. Then, perhaps
Spectrum
Staff
Editors-in-chief
Scott Sansovich
Edwin David
dissatisfied with her assessment of the cake,
she added (in an even more excited voice):
“This carrot cake is the most awesomiest!
Yay!” Quite pleased this time with her decision, she proceeded to take part in a small victory dance which involved a few somersaults
and an interesting take on “Thriller.”
I could barely think over the screaming of
Ms. Ana and Ms. Lefforge, who seemed less
than thrilled that they had not met the height
requirement to get into the teachers’ lounge.
Already bored after five minutes, Mr.
Babicz decided to start up a little two-on-two
touch football game, which ended as abruptly
as it began when Mr. McMichael was stiffarmed into the punch bowl by Danderson,
who shared a discreet high-five with Babicz.
In the opposite corner of the room, Mrs.
Stock was curled up in a ball, muttering to
Associate Editor
Daniel F. Wardle
herself: “Maestro? Maestro? Maestro? He’s
gone! Forget him! I’m the new Maestro!”
In the kitchen area, Mr. Weiss was trying
to engage a seemingly disinterested crowd in
conversation.
“I don’t see what all the hype is over Madej.
I mean the guy draws a stick figure enjoying
a smoke, and the kids go crazy over it. You
know what we used to do to jokeshows like
that in `Nam? We’d take a couple of bamboo
rods and a rope and…”
At that point, Mr Jones had obviously had
enough. He pushed his chair back and said, “I
gotta get outta here. I gotta get me over to Target’s, fo sho.”
I decided I had had enough of the teachers for one day. If Drive had made them this
crazy, I didn’t even want to know what the students were like.
Danderson stiff-arms a Babicz wanna-be.
Photographer
Staff Writers
Anthony Thibodeau
Mike Crawford
Shane Joychan
Rahul Kodali
Matt Nicholas
Neil Nypaver
Steve Pyzik
Matt Thompson
Richard Thompson
Tom Voutsos
Louis Walters
Business manager
Managing Editor
Jacob Hostetler
Dave Cobb
Advisor
Mr. Petrovich
artwork by
Scott Hoffman
Drive 2009 5
Seniors take fourth straight
hallway decoration title
Dan Wardle `09
Associate editor
The Drive is a time of many
interesting things around the
school: skits, assemblies, no
homework.
But perhaps the most visible
of these is the hallway decorations.
For years now, going back to
Breakfast Drive, the school has
been outfitted to fit the year’s
Drive theme.
At one point, this even included a car in the lobby of the
Redford campus.
The class of 2009 is very
proud of the fact that no other
class has won the hallway decorating contest here in Novi.
And Senior Hallway Committee Chairman Nick Landry
intends to complete the sweep
this year.
It takes a lot of creativity to
win the hallway decorating contest.
For Drive 2006, the hallway
was put together by an impromptu group led by then-class
moderator Mr. Polzin. The
theme that year was the Winter
Olympics XX at Torino. The
sub-categories for each class
were arranged by continent,
“The domination
started freshman year with
Bill Scanlon and
has continued
through the efforts of Nick
Kristock and myself.”
Nick Landry `09
with each homeroom receiving
a country.
The freshmen assignment
was Africa. In what many at the
time considered a controversial
ruling, the freshmen hallway
won for its jungle atmosphere in
front of the main stairway.
One year later, Student Council President Scott Scrimscher
declared the Drive theme to be
music.
The sophomore assignment:
the 1960s.
Class-moderator Mr. Dent
was a driving force behind the
victory that year, with a psychedelic look in front of the Media
Center, including silhouettes of
the Beatles.
Eric Alamat, reflecting on that
year’s look, said, “It was my
idea to put colored Saran Wrap
in the lights. That really made
the whole thing work.”
Last year, the school’s firstever co-presidents, Khalil and
Houska, developed the highly
popular theme of NCAA sports.
The junior class was given
basketball, the second-most
popular college sport.
This time around, the class
moderators sat back and watched
as the juniors asserted their maturity and self-reliance.
Again Alamat recalls saving
the day: “That Saturday we noticed the seniors had put down
astro-turf. We knew that what
we had done was good, but it
didn’t stand a chance against
that. I took it upon myself to
solve the problem and came up
with the now-famous faux-hardwood floor, ensuring that the
class of `08 would never out-do
us.”
The preparations for Drive
2009 were intense.
And Nick Landry left nothing
to chance.
He will not be remembered as
the one who let his class down.
Alamat, however, had plenty
to say regarding his “exclusion”
from this year’s hallway committee.
But Landry explained it this
way: “This was a complete
fallacy. There was no exclusion from the hallway committee. Everyone has always been
welcome. Eric Alamat has been
valued member of the committee since he was 14.”
On the fated day of Tuesday,
February 17th, Mrs. Sharkey
announced that the seniors completed the sweep, winning the
Best Hallway for four consecutive years.
The Drive sans Fr. D
We are still the
“mighty shamrock salesmen”
Steve Pyzik `10
Staff writer
his own pocket.
For many years he has donated a large
amount of his own money to the total of the
senior class.
However, this year the seniors will not receive a donation from Fr. Donoher.
This will be the first Drive in which Fr. D
When the entire student body wore “Ned
Head” T-shirts on the final day of the Drive
last year, it was easy to see how much Fr.
Donoher has done for the Drive, let alone so
many other contributions he has made to
Catholic Central.
Father D’s enthusiasm for all things CC
is what has made the
Drive such a successful event each and every year.
Over the last 40 to
50 years, he has done
everything imaginable
to benefit the Drive,
from writing the
theme songs to (back
in the 70’s) selling bagels after school.
His zeal for selling “Drive tickets!”
was infectious, and
it inspired many CC
students to go well
beyond the imposed
It’s easy to see how inspiring Fr. D’s spirit can be.
quota of that year.
As Mrs. Valant says, “Fr. Donoher always will be absent from all the assemblies.
Senior Class President Chris Nemes rehad a look of great intensity during the Drive.
He sometimes would even go as far as call- flects, “Fr. D was to the Drive as Michael Joring out the students when they weren’t putting dan was to the Bulls. Everyone could always
count on him to lead the charge, step up when
enough effort into selling tickets.”
His contributions to the Drive have not just it counted, and show great enthusiam throughbeen from his spirit and energy, but also from out the process. As I contemplate the days of
providing
cable television
high speed internet
digital phone
Fr. D, I am reminded of a smiling man whose
passion defined a generation.”
Which leads to the question: Will excitement for the Drive be lower than usual because of the lack of Father D’s presence?
“I think everyone will do their best,” says
senior Bill Scanlon, “and the spirit of the
student body will be
great as it always is.”
Junior Tom Voutsos
adds, “Days off are
always a huge motivation, but it will be
different without Fr.
D. Although he won’t
be here, his presence
will be felt with every
sale, cheer, and assembly.”
Fr. Donoher would
expect to see this spirit from the school, and
he especially would
want to see it from the
seniors, as they are the
last class ever to have
had him as a teacher.
This might lead a
few to wonder if Fr.
Donoher’s influences
on Catholic Central
and the Drive have run their course. But almost all would say that the traditions he started run as strong as ever.
He may not be here in person for Drive
2009, but his spirit and traditions will be alive
and well, when the mighty Shamrock salesmen
“get greenbacks for the White and Blue!”
Top 10 rejected
Drive themes
E
very year, scores of possible drive themes are
proposed to the student council by cc’s “special”
minds. Here are a few that
failed impress neither the officers nor the shark attack
herself. Mrs. Nanni, however, said, “these ideas are intriguing, honey.”
1. Ryan Seacrest TV Shows
2. Overweight, Opinionated, Female Talk
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6 Sports & Entertainment
Tom Voutsos `10
Staff writer
Within the last year, Governor Granholm signed into
law a bill that gives large tax rebates to films made in
Michigan. This bill has generated a growing film industry in Michigan. Films like Gran Torino, Miss January,
and Whip It have been filmed in Michigan in the last year.
The movie bill gives tax rebates of up to 40% to films
which exceed $50,000 in expenditures, and an extra two
percent to films made in one of the 103 “Core Communities” (as defined by the Michigan Film Office). Granholm
signed this bill in order to try to diversify and spark growth
in a stagnating economy. The bill has come under some
harsh criticism from those who say tax rebates are wrong
for a financially strapped government. State Senator Nancy Cassis says, “…due to the payouts to film companies,
the credit will reduce the Michigan Business Tax revenue
that year by $127 million -- for a net loss of $110 million.”
However, many have come to believe that, although some government revenue is lost to the rebates, the investment in Michigan outweighs that loss.
Allen Park is getting close to a $100 million deal with a Hollywood company. This deal would build a movie studio complex on a 115 acre site that was formerly occupied by an auto
parts supplier. The new complex would include retail and a
place for film production crews to reside. Current estimates
say that the studio will take a couple thousand workers to
build, and the finished studio will create 3,500 permanent jobs.
Allen Park is not the only Michigan city the film industry is investing in. An entertainment company announced last August a three-phase plan to build motion
picture soundstages and production facilities in Ann Arbor
and the Grand Rapids-Grand Haven area. 10 West Studios is planning on building a facility in western Michigan.
When films are produced in Michigan, many of the extras they
use are from Michigan. The film crews and actors buy products
from Michigan stores while they stay here. The local population
is helped by the boost in sales, along with the state government
which receives more revenue from sales tax on these items.
When Granholm signed the first film incentive package into law she said, “We’re going to grow this industry
and in the process, grow our economy and create jobs.”
Eastwood film made in Michigan
Tom Voutsos `10
Staff writer
Clint Eastwood appeared on movie screens
across the nation recently in his film Gran Torino. He produced and starred in the film, which
brought in roughly $30 million on its opening
weekend. Audiences have not been disappointed. Gran Torino is a great film, full of suspense
and drama.
This film takes place in a Highland
Park, Michigan, neighborhood dominated by
Asian immigrants. As the movie opens, Walt
Kowalski (Eastwood) is attending the funeral
of his wife. Kowalski is a traditional man with
traditional values. A former Ford factory worker, he is short-tempered with his two sons and
grandchildren, who lack the respect for his traditional values.
Much of the film is spent developing the characters. The audience learns a great deal about
Kowalski’s next-door neighbors, specifically
Thao and his sister, Sue Vang Lor.
A local gang, headed by Thao’s cousin, wants
Thao to join. Thao’s battle against involvement
in this gang creates a majority of the action. Conflicts between Thao and the gang and Kowalski
and the gang are exciting and keep you on the
edge of your seat.
Walt eventually becomes a father figure for
Thao. Thao learns a great deal from him, but
Kowalski also learns a great deal from Thao.
The acting in the film is phenomenal. You can
feel Kowalski coming to terms with the world as
he nears the end of his life, and Thao’s fear as he
tries to escape gang life.
Playing Walt, Eastwood once again plays a
tough, good guy in a bad neighborhood. His
characterization shows us how one man, with a
lot of experience and a good heart, can make a
difference in people’s lives, even in the worst of
situations.
Will Iverson be “The Answer” for the Pistons, too?
Dave Cobb `09
Edwin David `09
Standing at 6’0’’ and 180 lbs, 1st overall pick of the 1996
NBA draft, former league MVP hailing from Georgetown
University is The Answer, more commonly known as Allen Iverson. This king of crossovers has made Detroit his
latest stop. The Pistons acquired A.I. in a blockbuster deal
for Mr. Big Shot (Chauncey Billups), Antonio McDyess,
and Cheikh Samb.
The Pistons, who have made it to six
straight Eastern Conference Finals,
have finally decided to shake up the
core. This move has freed up much
needed salary-cap space. Now they
can go after the superstars who will
be available in 2010, such as LeBron
James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade. This
trade also has opened the door for the up-andcoming talent, Rodney Stuckey. But was this the
right move?
Since making this deal, the Pistons have fallen
to the middle of the pack and would be the 7th seed if the
playoffs started now. Meanwhile, in Denver, the Nuggets
have quickly become one of the elite teams in the Western
Conference.
The Pistons have struggled with A.I. in the line-up and
seem to have problems adjusting to the drastic change in
playing style. He has always been a slashing, scoring type
guard, not a pass-first guard; whereas, Billups is more the
ideal point guard.
Also, Iverson’s attitude is atypical for Detroit. The
Pistons have never had a superstar and have always had
a team-first mentality. Iverson’s “me first” thinking
goes against what has been established here. If he
were team-first, he’d go to practice.
Joe Dumars felt that the team needed to be broken up. He felt they were stagnant and lost their
hunger to win. Iverson, who has never won a
championship, is supposed to provide that hunger. His drive to get a ring and his dominant
play could take the Pistons to the level of the
elite. But it hasn’t happened so far.
In Denver, Billups has immediately improved
the Nuggets. His leadership has contributed to
taking the young Nugget team and turning them
into a contender in the West.
The Nuggets are excelling while the Pistons are falling. Iverson hasn’t brought the scoring the Pistons had
hoped, and now they struggle to right the ship. However,
Denver reaps the benefits that Chauncey brings as they
stand at the top team in their division. So far, Denver got
the better end of the deal.
Sports 7
Congratulations to our eight Seniors on signing day
(L to R) J.J. Szmadzinski (Bucknell University -- golf), Steve Harding (Hillsdale College -- football), Shea Hasenauer (Cornell University -- wrestling), Gordy Hao (Johns
Hopkins University -- baseball), John Dwyer (Univeristy of Detroit Mercy -- lacrosse), Chris Nemes (University of Detroit Mercy -- lacrosse), Steve LaRouere (Columbia
University -- golf), and Nick Landry (Hillsdale College -- football).
Winter Sports Section
Skiing
This year’s varsity ski team consists of 15
high-performing members. They finished 1st in
four of seven invitationals. They won the competitive Mount Brighton League title. Also, they
took the Catholic League Championship, edging
out both co-defending champs, Notre Dame Prep
and Brother Rice. “It’s a great accomplishment.
This is the first time that CC has won the Catholic
League. No one expected us to do well this year,
but we surprised a lot of people,” said Spencer
Hicks. Getting all-league honors are Damon Rottermond, Derek Turowski, and Hicks. These three
skiers, along with Greg Barilovich, also received
All-Catholic honors.
-- Ian Weichbrodt `11
Swimming
The 14-time Catholic League Champion swim
team showed great potential to be a challenging
opponent for other high school squads, winning
two out of their first three meets this season.
This year’s team has a higher number of participants than any team of the past with just under
30.
The first meet of the season was a double dual
against two highly-ranked squads: Cranbrook
and Country Day.
The Shamrocks edged out both teams in the
season opener. Leading the way for the Shamrocks were senior Derek Turowski and junior
Brady Small. Small took 1st in the 200m Free
and the 400m Free Relay, dominating the competition with times of 1:51:17 and 3:30.31, respectively.
Turowski followed in Small’s footsteps with
two 1st place finishes of his own: in the 200m
Medley and the 50m Free. He took charge in the
50m Free with a time of 23.50, just edging out
fellow Shamrock Colin Bonathan.
Joe Brinkman `11 and Small each have two individual state cuts. In addition, the team will be
sending two relays to the state meet.
-- Rahul Kodali `11
Wrestling
Under Coach Hancock, the wrestling team is
currently ranked 4th in the state with five individually ranked wrestlers. This year, the Shamrocks
are led by senior captain Trevor O’Connor, wrestling at 152. He took 1st at both the Kent County
Classic and the Observerland Tournament. Superfrosh Alec Mooradian remains undefeated and
is ranked 1st in the State at 112. He has already
defeated two previous state champs. Todd Melick, 4th in the state, has placed 1st at the CC Invitational, Kent, and Observerland. However, it
takes more than a few great wrestlers to win a
State Title. It takes depth throughout the lineup.
With individually ranked wrestlers like Mike
Kinville, Doug Eldridge, and Justin Melick, and
other upcoming wrestlers like Gerid Gee, Kevin
Sullivan, Avery Hasenauer, and Charlie Joseph,
the Shamrocks compete at every level.
-- Matt Thompson `10
Basketball
This year has seen a revival in the varsity basketball program, which now boasts a record of
12-4.
Led by captains Brett Smith, Tim Dezelski,
and Steve Harding, the team has gotten key victories over Catholic League opponents U of D
and DeLaSalle, who had proven formidable opponents in previous years.
The team’s starters include the three captains,
senior Jamie Morris, and freshman Matt Doneth.
The next two players to come off the bench are
seniors John Dwyer and Chris Barnas.
The starting five have played consistently
throughout the season. Smith averages 14 points
and 2 steals -- most on the team. Harding averages 12 points, 4 boards, and 4 assists. Dezelski
averages 11 points, 9 rebounds, and team-leading
3 blocks. Doneth averages 6 points and 6 boards.
Morris averages 4 points and 5 rebounds.
As a team, the Shamrocks average 52 points
a game.
The team started Catholic League play with a
key win over DeLaSalle. This game was crucial
for the team’s confidence.
“This win against DeLaSalle shows we can
play with anyone,” says Smith.
CC’s ability to perform under pressure would
be tested again in a tight contest at Orchard Lake.
But the Shamrocks did not crack under the pressure, as Smith sank four free throws late in the
contest to give CC the edge.
Arguably one of the biggest wins for the Shamrocks this year was on the road against Cubs of
U of D. Harding led the charge with 21 points.
Smith added 17 points and Tim “The Deez”
dropped 14 points.
The team swept rival Brother Rice, most recently with a 14 point win at home. Leading the
way for the Shamrocks were Smith and Dezelski.
-- Scave Cobbovich `09
Nike:
Reality Check
Ryan Shinkel `12
Guest writer
Let us, as a school, look beyond our own
suffering.
According to UNICEF, about 159 million
children are engaged in child labor.
It has been reported that Nike and Reebok,
two of the world leaders in sports apparel, are
exploiting weak child labor laws.
Child labor is quick and easy. Children
have small hands and can handle certain materials better than adults. Global companies
can contract supervisors and plants that can
employ children whose families are poor and
cannot defend themselves.
Then the companies can claim that they had
no knowledge of what was going on. Child
labor prevents children from having an education and getting out of poverty. So the cycle
continues.
We have to ask ourselves as a society: Is it
truly moral to allow this modern slave trade
not just to survive, but to thrive?
You may ask: How did people allow the
slave trade or segregation or the holocaust to
exist? But aren’t we hypocrites if we accept
this as we accept abortion or the genocide in
Sudan?
But how can athletes look themselves in the
mirror and still sign a contract with a company
like Nike? Only a major boycott in the U.S.
could have an effect on legislation.
Nike tells us to “just do it.” Do what? Buy
products made from the sweat and blood of
seven-year-olds?
Tell me to just do it? How can we watch
these athletes sponsored by evil corporations
which employ child labor and just sit?
8 Battle of the Bands
Brian
Buck
and
What
a
show!
Sez:
Buck and Brian sure are right! The Battle of the Bands
certainly was an exhilarating event.
photos by
Joe Conder
The Battle: A Recap
Louis Walters `11
Staff writer
This year’s battle of the bands was quite an
event. The bands played like it was Woodstock, and that made for a great show.
The first band up was a new group called
Soundstream, consisting of sophomores Danny Van Zandt on guitar and vocals, Louis Walters on bass, Brandon Kosinski on drums, and
junior Chris Boomer on guitar.
The next band was Los Calos, consisting
of juniors Alex Flood on guitar and backing
vocals, Jimmy Paul on drums, Inney Prakash
on guitar and vocals, and Nigel Hemmye on
synthesizer.
The group definitely put on a show.
Flood performed in leopard print tights, a
mini skirt, and a pink fedora. Paul performed
in what appeared to be a graduation gown. On
top of the outfits, the band also put cardboard
boxes on the stage for a reason that probably
wasn’t acoustics.
However, the visual show was in no way
compensation for a lack of talent. The band
achieved some of the most original sounds of
the night through the use of the synthesizer.
The next band up was last year’s winner:
The Rising Crisis. They more resembled a
rock orchestra than a band, with five members, including a saxophonist.
The band itself consists of Shaun Sova on
lead guitar, Scott Sansovich on rhythm guitar
and lead vocals, Bill Scanlon on saxophone,
Chris Kaszuba on drums, and Tia Dmuchowski on bass.
The lineup was an overhaul -- only two
members remained from last year’s TRC.
This time around they covered Los Lonely
Boys and Hootie and the Blowfish instead of
The Black Keys and Black Crowes as they did
the year before.
Despite their new style, the band still took
first for a repeat win.
Cherry Citrus Beverage, which came in second place last year, played next. They consist
of Dan Wall `08 on vocals, Chris Kaszuba on
drums, John Riley `08 on guitar, and Matt
Kaczor `08 on bass.
They played with a very original style, including slap bass and Rage Against the Machine-esque rapping. In the end, they were
awarded a well-deserved second place.
The next band up was Some Say Stereo.
They had the most members of any band,
coming in with six. But only one was a CC
student -- freshman Colin Cubr who played
bass. Other members of the band were Joshua Giancola on vocals, Ryan Kerr on guitar,
Ben Skillman on synthesizer, Nate Shaw on
drums, and Jonny Walker on guitar.
The last band was The Uncalled For. This
was their fourth consecutive year; however,
this time with just two members (down from
three last year). The two were Ronnie Marsh
on guitar and vocals and Evan Garber on
drums.
They performed with a very heavy blues
style. Marsh also had a very loud stage presence, often falling to the ground during his
solos. They ended up with third place, thus
placing in the top three for every year they
have attended CC.
Clockwise from top: Dan Wall `08 takes a dive off the stage to crowd surf; John Riley `08 rips out a vicious guitar solo; Scott Sansovich does some
pickin’ and a-singin’; Bill Scanlon avoids the paparazzi; Ryan Kerr works the crowd with his Gibson SG; Ronnie Marsh gets ready to unleash his glory.