September 2015 - Mercy High School

70
YEARS
tradition. faith. mercy.
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL | 29300 W. 11 MILE ROAD, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48336 | Volume 70 | Issue 01 | 09.25.15
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Staff
Editors
4 Allia McDowell
Editor-in-Chief
4 Alana Sullivan
Associate Editor-in-Chief
4 Lilly Blake
Design Editor
4 Paisley Sutton
Photography & Art Editor
4 Theresa Benton
Copy Editor
4 Katie Birecki
Web Editor
4 Kristen Hiser
New Media & Promotions Editor
Senior Staff Reporters
Bridgette Conniff
Simone Rhodes
Zaynah Siddique
Cailtin Somerville
Chanel Taylor
Staff Reporters
Katherie Colleran
Sydney Hughes
Emma Kruse
Karina Lloyd
Molly Lyons
Brooklyn Rue
Jasmine Williams
Advisor
Lynn Waldsmith
Mission
The mission of the Mercy
High School student produced
Newsprint is to report
noteworthy events, recognize the
achievements and address the
concerns of the Mercy student and
broader school community while
also remaining an entertaining
paper that is pleasing both to
read and look at in order to
help promote an atmosphere
of awareness, inquisitiveness,
concern for others, and pride in
one’s school.
2 |INDEX | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
22
16
4/5 13
6
NEWS FEATURES
14/15
OPINION
Additions to the Mercy family
High school oceans away
16/17 5X5/INTERACTIVE
STUDENT LIFE
18/19 HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Race against time
Pope calls for compassion as refugee crisis
worsens
6/7 8/9
STUDENT LIFE
Meeting the challenge
Battle of the sexes
Three clubs you may not know about
10/11 12/13 Crocs: the revival
Work out your bod in a mod
20/21 22/23 ART AND FOOD
Norma G’s on a roll
The great juice debate
FEATURES
Mercy celebrates 70 years of excellence
The original Mercy girl
The evolution of the kilt
ENTERTAINMENT
Disney’s new take on old favorites
Podcasts . . . the Netflix of radio
SPORTS
Mercy girls tackle the powderpuff debate
Getting the saddle
Making the lasts last
It takes two to tango, but boys always take
the lead
Taking the right course: interests vs.
acceptance
24
LAST LOOK
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | INDEX | 3
Race against time
ALANA SULLIVAN ASSOCIATE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
T
elevision ads sing their praises, often accompanied
with a snappy catchphrase or sign off. News anchors
and political analysts bicker over their immigration
policies and social media conduct. Considering the intense
media and news coverage devoted to scrutinizing presidential
candidates and discussing their odds, one would think election
day was just around the corner. But with people not heading
to the polls until November of 2016, it may seem strange to
already be so deep into presidential campaigning.
Earlier starts to the campaign process seem to have
become the norm. For comparison, former President Bill
Clinton announced his candidacy in October 1991 for the
1992 election. Former President George W. Bush announced
his candidacy in June 1999 for the 2000 election, and
President Barack Obama announced his in February 2007
for the 2008 election. The earliest declared candidate for the
2016 election? Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush announced
in December 2014 on Facebook that he would “actively
pursue the possibility of running for president”. Former
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee quit his TV show in January
MERCY MOCK
ELECTION
Newsprint surveyed 100 students
to find out who they would elect if
they were 18 and the election was
tomorrow.
35%
Unsure
15% Carly Fiorina (R)
15% Hillary Clinton (D)
2015 to explore a presidential run, but the earliest definitive
announcement was Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in March 2015,
according to The Atlantic.
The most compelling explanations for the increasingly
earlier campaign starts seem to be the pressure to “keep up
with the pack” and the mad dash for donors and monetary
support.
The presidential race could be seen as a game of follow the
leader. Once the first serious contender has thrown his or her
hat into the ring, announcements from other hopefuls tend to
follow soon after.
While money may not be an issue for billionaire Donald
Trump, for most candidates funding is life or death.The major
suppliers of this money are individual donors, political action
committees (PACs), and super PACs. Getting support—and
therefore funding—from these groups typically does not
occur shortly before the election, but rather earlier on. In the
two weeks following Jeb Bush’s mid-June campaign kickoff
he raised $11.4 million, according to The Washington Post.
Finally, what has really pushed early campaigning from
both parties is the lack of a clear frontrunner, meaning nearly
any of the candidates has the ability to nab the nomination
for their party. This is not to say, however, that
popular candidates in the polls do not exist; they
do, but so early in the election process,
frontrunner status is constantly
subject to change.
Originally thought
of as the surefire
Democratic
?
candidate, former Sec.of State Hillary has only a slight
national lead over her major competitor, Sen. Bernie Sanders
from Vermont. However, according to recent polls, she is
actually trailing slightly behind him in key states like Iowa
and New Hampshire. Rumors that Vice President Joe Biden
may run abound, although he has not made a decision. As for
the Republicans, Donald Trump is currently number one in
the polls at 32%, according to CNN.
Does an earlier campaign start necessarily mean a
candidate’s chances are better? AP Government and Politics
teacher Mrs. Cindy Richter believes it may not be such a sure
bet.
“It’s a tricky thing,” said Mrs. Richter. “If you go in too
early are you going to run out of steam? Are you going to
run out of money? Are you going to wear out the American
people?”
With all this drawn-out campaigning, one would think
come election day people would be heading to the polls in
droves. The United States, however, has one of the lowest
voter turnouts of any Western nation. Only 53.6% of those
eligible to vote exercised the privilege last election, according
to the Pew Research Center. Interestingly, Germany and the
United Kingdom, whose voter turnouts are 66% and 61%,
respectively, have campaign start restrictions as well as far
more regulated advertising. For example, Germany allows
candidates one 90-second TV ad and the United Kingdom,
unlike the U.S., has restrictions on how much candidates can
spend on campaigns.
“We sour to these long campaigns,” said Mrs. Richter. “I
think that affects voter turnout. I think it’s a lot of things but
you cannot discard the idea that campaigning starts so early
and we just get sick of it.”
While this does not mean imposing far stricter
campaigning rules in the United States will increase
the American public’s desire to vote, it seems
that a shorter, less expensive campaign
does not necessarily spell disaster for
those wishing to call the White
House home.
11% Bernie Sanders (D)
9% Ben Carson (R)
5% Marco Rubio (R)
3%
Jeb Bush (R)
1%
Scott Walker (R)
1%
Ted Cruz (R)
4 | NEWS FEATURES | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
Photo Credit: MCT Wire
5% Donald Trump (R)
Pope calls for compassion
as refugee crisis worsens
ALANA SULLIVAN ASSOCIATE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THERESA BENTON COPY EDITOR
T
Common Refugee
Pathways
U.N. has been vocal about the need for European countries
and Gulf States to take in their fair share of refugees and
offer them aid. Unfortunately for many refugees, some Gulf
States, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, are not
legally obligated to take them in, as they never signed the
1951 U.N. treaty regarding refugees and their rights.
As for the United States, the Obama administration
announced that it will increase the number of refugees it
will take in from 70,000 to 75,000.
This announcement comes a few weeks before Pope
Francis’ first visit to the U.S. In early September, the Pope
expressed his desire for each Catholic parish, family, and
community in Europe to take in a refugee family. This is
an act he sees as especially important and relevant as the
Catholic Church prepares for the Jubilee Year of Mercy,
which begins in December. Vatican parishes have already
taken in two refugee families.
The addition of religion into the crisis, however, has not
just acted as a catalyst for
greater global hospitality
and compassion.
Unfortunately, it
has complicated the
issue of solving the
refugee crisis and
has added fuel
to an already
volatile fire.
With so
many of the
refugees being
Muslim,
leaders in many largely Roman Catholic countries,
like Hungary, have voiced concerns over accepting so
many Muslims into their countries. This, as Hungarian
Prime Minister Viktor Orban described it, put Europe’s
Christian identity at risk. Slovakia has directly banned
the acceptance of any refugees who are not Christian. In
Australia, Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher called for
Australia’s acceptance of a “Christians-first” plan when
bringing in refugees, which has gained some support in
the Australian government. Many countries though, like
Germany and Austria, have completely rejected these
sentiments and are taking in Christians and Muslims alike.
It is unclear how and when the near-constant stream of
refugees will end, but one thing is certain: the number of
refugees will continue to grow for the foreseeable future
and Europe and the rest of the world will have to deal with
the repercussions.
Graphic Credit: Theresa Benton
housands of refugees continue to flood Europe as
they escape the war-torn Middle East and Africa.
The refugees, most of whom come from Syria and
Afghanistan, risk their lives to make the trek. At least 2,800
have died or disappeared on the journey according to the
United Nations (U.N.).
The refugees are seeking asylum in countries such as
Turkey, Lebanon, and Germany, but many are hitting a
roadblock in Hungary– the country they must pass through
in order to enter the rest of Europe.
Authorities in Hungary blocked the train station in early
September to prevent the refugees from boarding the trains,
even though some of the people had already spent their
life’s savings on train tickets.
Some refugees stayed to protest the blockage, but others
decided to find their own way out of Hungary by following
the train tracks through the countryside, assuming that the
tracks lead out of the nation. This proved futile as well,
though, as police blocked the tracks and forced refugees onto
buses. These buses were then driven to camps on Hungary’s
border with Serbia where the refugees are allegedly forced
to stay in inhumane conditions until Hungary decides what
to do.
In mid-September, Hungary closed its borders completely
and used tear gas on hundreds of refugees who were hoping
to pass through the country.
Most of the refugees, however, are not interested in
staying in Hungary and are instead on their way to Germany,
where 800,000 will begin a new life. Austria has also agreed
to take in a large number.
These countries will not be able to keep up their generosity
forever, though. Germany and Austria began closing their
borders in mid-September due to the influx of refugees. The
1
2
3
5
1 Germany
2 Austria
3 Hungary
4
Map data from BBC
4 Syria
5 Afghanistan
Refugee pathways
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | NEWS FEATURES | 5
Additions to the Mercy family
SIMONE RHODES STAFF REPORTER
Mrs. Andrea Kowalyk
M
eet Mercy’s new, bright-eyed pastoral
minister, Mrs. Andrea Kowalyk.
Mrs. Kowalyk has been married to her husband
Karl for 12 years, and has three daughters named
Katie, 10, Meaghan, 8, and Anna, 5.
Born and raised in Farmington Hills, Mrs.
Kowalyk graduated from Mercy in 1992. Later, she
went to Alma College where she earned a masters
degree in counseling. She then worked as a high
school counselor in Troy.
Outside of school, Mrs. Kowalyk is a huge Red
Wings fan, Coca-Cola connoisseur, avid picture
book “reader,”’ and animal lover.
“People who know me at school know me [as I
am] at home [and they] know me at church,” said
Mrs. Kowalyk. “I am the same person all around.”
Always true to herself, she stays consistent in
her morals, faith, and lifestyle. A large part of that
is Mrs. Kowalyk’s involvement in her community
where she volunteers ample amounts of her time.
“That’s just who I am, and I want to foster that
in girls,” said Mrs. Kowalyk. “That’s Mercy –women
who make a difference.”
Being back at Mercy has caused Mrs. Kowalyk
to reminisce about her own years spent here as
a student– having classes with Mrs. Witte as her
teacher –and has her excited for the opportunities
to come.
“[Mercy is not] the same, but it’s not the same
in a good way,” said Mrs. Kowalyk. “I don’t think I
would have wanted [Mercy] to be the same because
the world has progressed so much, and the school
needed to grow along with that.”
Mrs. Brandi Lavely
A
lready accustomed to the water, lifelong
swimmer Mrs. Brandi Lavely has
officially become a Marlin.
Mrs. Lavely currently teaches Health, the swim
portion of Swim/Gym (also known as “surf and
turf ”), and will be teaching Advanced Swimming,
Weights, and Lifeguarding next semester.
Swimming has always been a part of Mrs.
Lavely’s life. She swam in high school, and has been
teaching lifeguarding for eight years at various
camps.
Mrs. Lavely went to Eastern Michigan University
where she got her undergraduate degree in physical
education, adapted physical education, and health.
She later got a masters degree in educational
leadership from the University of Michigan
Dearborn. Mrs. Lavely taught for six years at an
Islamic private school in Dearborn, and taught last
year in the Utica community schools.
Mrs. Lavely and her husband Jason of five years
have their hands full with a one-and-a-half year-old
son, Jacobi, and their Dalmatian, Oreo.
Aside from her love for swimming, Mrs. Lavely
also loves the outdoors, reading, dalmatians,
kayaking, crafting, scrapbooking, taking pictures,
and nightly walks with her family.
Mrs. Lavely enjoys volunteering, and has
recently been getting involved in her new parish
community and its service projects.
Although the building, crazy schedules, and
overall Mercy life is taking some getting used to,
Mrs. Lavely has fit right in and found a new home
at Mercy.
“The students and the staff were all very
welcoming,” said Mrs. Lavely. “Probably the best
reception I’ve had at a school, and I’ve been in
quite a few schools. Everybody is just true, nobody
has changed their colors since I’ve been here.
Everybody is just very welcoming, that just seems
like the community here.”
6 | STUDENT LIFE | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
Ms. Isabelle Moore
O
nce again finding a home at Mercy, Ms.
Isabelle Moore has returned as Mercy’s
new drama and English teacher.
After graduating from Mercy in 2010, Ms.
Moore continued her education at Alma College,
double majoring in English and History for
secondary education.
Outside of school Ms. Moore enjoys reading,
writing, singing, performing arts, rock-climbing,
and horseback riding.
Although Ms. Moore had always known she
wanted to be a teacher, she believes Mercy was the
catalyst for her teaching career.
“I never imagined I’d be back at Mercy quite so
quickly upon graduation,” said Ms. Moore. “But, I
have never been happier to find such a good home,
and such a wonderful staff to work with.”
Ms. Moore is excited to return to the performing
arts department at Mercy as well. During her time
here Ms. Moore’s passion for theatre was ignited on
the very stage that she may one day direct on. Ms.
Moore plans on shadowing Mrs. Kathy Sill as she
directs upcoming shows, so that she may learn how
to foster the love of the theatre in her own students
as it once was instilled in her.
Ms. Moore currently teaches Myth Tale Legend,
Speech, and British Literature. She is also a
moderator for the International Thespian Society.
“Mercy’s mission to teach girls to be strong
leaders, to give back to the community, and to serve
generously is really valuable,” said Ms. Moore. “I
really want to get behind that, and do everything
that I can to ensure that that is still the mission that
is being met every day, that girls leave this place
and graduate feeling purposeful and understanding
that they can make a difference in the world.”
High school oceans away
SYDNEY HUGHES STAFF REPORTER
I
t’s no secret that Mercy High School is one of the
most diverse girls’ school in the area. Different
ethnicities, religions, and nationalities represent
Mercy’s accepting environment and make it easy
for students from all different backgrounds to feel
comfortable. A unique part of this well-known diversity
is credited to the annual arrival of international students.
The process of transferring many of these students is
complex, starting with a company Mercy partners with
called Cambridge. Cambridge provides assistance for
Chinese and Korean students to be properly placed into
a suitable school environment. Girls interested in all-
Weyinmi Eda
female schools apply through Cambridge
and later Skype with the administrators of
their requested schools.
The Skype call consists of the staff in
Mercy’s Admissions Office, Ms. Jennifer
Stark and Ms. Maureen Weiss, asking a series
of questions to learn more about the student. In
each student, the Admissions Office is looking for
a strong ability to comprehend and speak English,
the student’s interests, favorite subjects, and reason for
applying to Mercy.
“[During the call], some of the girls seem to have
memorized a whole script in English,” stated Ms.
Stark. “The ones who actually attend Mercy, however,
are comfortable with having [an easy-flowing] English
conversation.”
According to the Admissions Office, after the student
has been deemed strong academically and proficient
in her English speaking abilities, she is accepted into
Mercy.
The amount of international students at Mercy varies
from year to year, but currently there are 10. This
year also has one of the most diverse groups of girls to
join the Mercy community. In addition to China, this
new set of girls has come from extraordinary places
such as the Bahamas and Nigeria, which is the furthest
any international student has ever traveled to become
a Marlin. There are many benefits of attending a
school with an internationally diverse student body. It
ultimately helps each student to develop an appreciation
Ayobami Adebowale
Danielle McDonald
for different cultures and immerses her in worldwide
cultural knowledge.
“I think that one of the coolest things about Mercy
is how diverse we are compared to other schools,”
stated freshman counselor Mrs. Trish Brown. “[The
international students] just [add] to the wealth of various
backgrounds of students.”
The new international additions to the student body
do not only have an effect on students, but ultimately
teachers as well. English teacher Mr. Steve Morgan, who
currently has two international students in his classes,
shared his journey of adapting to the new situation.
“I find myself going over to [the international student
in my class],” stated Mr. Morgan. “[It is just to make]
sure she. . .understand[s]. . .the pace with which I talk,
[because I know] sometimes things can be missed.”
Mr. Morgan has developed a new understanding of
how he can benefit from teaching foreign students.
“I think [having international students in class] will
make me better [as a teacher],” stated Mr. Morgan.
“It will make me realize that maybe I should be more
aware of pacing in general, and not just for the benefit of
international students, but others in the class as well who
prefer a more methodical delivery of things. . .[during]
discussions.”
Though the process is nerve-wracking and the
transition may be challenging for the international
students and their teachers, Mercy’s diverse and unique
community welcomes all students with open arms.
Xinyi (Lee) Lu
Jiaying Zheng
Home: Delta State, Nigeria
Home: Lagos, Nigeria
Home: The Bahamas
Home: Nanjing, South China
Home: Shaolxing, South China
Reasons for coming to
America and Mercy: “[I came]
because [I decided that] I
was going to an American
university. I wanted to get used
to the system.”
Reasons for coming to America
and Mercy: “I have no idea [why
I came]. I heard about [Mercy]
through my mom’s friends,
[but]. . .I don’t want to stay. .
.[because] it’s really quiet here.”
Reasons for coming to America
and Mercy: “ [I came] for school,
for scholarships to colleges, [and]
for sports, [but I came to Mercy]
because my cousins [go] here.”
Favorite thing about America:
“[I like] volleyball, [but] at Mercy
[I like] the people [because]
everyone is all smiley. [I also
like] the way they teach [here].”
Favorite thing about America:
“Well I don’t really have a favorite
part, but I like that the teachers
are willing to help. . .[I also like]
the school activities like the
dances.”
Reason for coming to America
and Mercy: “[I came to America]
because I think Americans can
get more chances [in life and] I
can improve my English because
English is very important to
communicate with people. . .[I
came to Mercy] because the
school is suitable for me.”
Reason for coming to America
and Mercy: “[I came to America]
because my brother [just] started
at Michigan State University,
[but I came to Mercy] because
Mercy has a [good] learning
environment.”
Favorite thing about America:
“[My favorite thing is] the shopping!
And the worst [thing about being
here] is the weather.”
Favorite thing about America: “I
like the [education] and I can have
more freedom, [and at Mercy I
like]. . .the school environment,
the teachers, and the students.”
Favorite thing about America:
“[I like that] we can go to
different
classrooms,
meet
different classmates, and have
many different activities. . .[also,
in America] the people are so
friendly and outgoing.”
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | STUDENT LIFE | 7
Meeting the challenge
BRIDGETTE CONNIFF SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Photo Credit: Bridgette Conniff
Freshmen are drawn to Mercy because of its attractive
programs and other qualities. Although smaller, the
freshman class is excited to carry on Mercy’s rich tradition.
F
or 70 years now, Mercy has been “educating
women who make a difference.” That tradition
continues, despite a challenge facing all public
and private schools in Michigan today: a declining birth
rate.
“The demographics of this area have a huge impact on
class size,” said freshman counselor Ms. Trish Brown.
“Around the time this year’s class was born, there was a
significant decrease in the birth rate.”
According to the organization Data Driven Detroit,
there were 117,309 births in Michigan in 2009,
representing a 23% decrease from 1990. The city of
Detroit experienced a staggering 53.6% decrease during
the same period.
It should be no surprise then, that the new 2015
freshman class is smaller than the other grades. With a
class size of 163, the freshman class is the smallest class
Mercy has seen walk through its doors in awhile.
“Elementary Catholic schools have declined in
enrollment,” said President Dr. Cheryl Kreger. “So,
[Mercy’s] general feeder system has [also] declined.”
Public schools are grappling with declining student
population as well. The Farmington district is just one
example of the demographic challenge in the Oakland
County school system.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Farmington
Public Schools is considering closing six of their schools,
including the very large Harrison High School.
“[The] difference [in enrollment] is so large that
[Farmington] doesn’t see the point of keeping that many
schools running,” said Associate Principal Ms. Colleen
Rozman.
Yet Mercy continues to enjoy its status as the largest
all girls high school in the state and is positioned to
remain so going forward, thanks to its strong Catholic
values, reputation for academic excellence, innovative
recruiting strategies, and more.
“Our diversity, Apple distinguished school status,
and the way we integrate technology is huge,” said Dr.
Kreger. “There are so many things about Mercy that are
very attractive to people.”
Dr. Kreger explained that Mercy’s proactive approach
to recruiting includes special shadow days that include
meeting the principal and president, along with a
breakfast to attract freshmen. A special, personalized
open house is also being offered for daughters of Mercy
alumnae.
Mercy additionally uses a variety of promotional
and advertising methods to attract students, such as
distributing attractive postcards and providing lawn
signs for students and alumnae to advertise open houses.
Mercy ads appear in several local Catholic publications
and Hour magazine, in addition to being heard on radio.
The recent addition of new classes, new clubs, a new
dance team, and expanded bus service are also attractive
tools designed to enhance a Mercy education for both
current and prospective students.
“[Mercy] has examined [our] curriculum in order to
attract new students,” said Ms. Brown. “We have added
several honors and Advanced Placement classes.”
Not only do admissions representatives promote
Mercy at several events scheduled throughout the year,
but the school is working together with other area
Catholic high schools to organize large events, where
several schools can be showcased at one time.
“All of the Catholic high schools in Metro Detroit are
collaborating to offer several Catholic high school fairs,”
said Ms. Jennifer Stark of Admissions. “These events
are hosted in seven locations around Metro Detroit, in
order to make the opportunity to meet with admissions
representatives available for more families.”
Dr. Kreger emphasized that everyone plays a valuable
part in drawing new students to the school: students,
teachers, parents, alumnae, etc. “I look at recruitment as
an all school project,” she said.
Three clubs you may not
CAITLIN SOMERVILLE SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
GENES IN DISEASES AND SYMPTOMS (GIDAS)
After attending a program at the University of Michigan last
summer, junior Saveri Nandigama brought her new knowledge and
an opportunity back to Mercy.
“Different high schools have this club and I was given the option
of starting one,” said Nandigama who founded GIDAS last year.
Members of GIDAS meet once a week to do research on genes
related to a disease decided upon at the beginning of the year. Also,
there are opportunities to attend conferences, connect with professors
and scientists in the field, or even get an internship.
“This year I’d like to do a bake sale or something to raise money
to find a cure for cancer,” Nandigama said.
Membership is free and students are welcome to join anytime
throughout the year. If you have an interest in science, GIDAS is
the way to go.
YOGA CLUB
Brand new this year, Yoga club poses a new way for Mercy girls to de-stress
before the school day. This club is set to meet every other Wednesday morning
from 7:15 to 7:45 in the Drama Studio. Senior cofounders Calli Jansen, Paige
Bimberg, Catherine Grabowski, and Angela Steinberg will lead meetings, and
every once in awhile a professional yoga instructor will come in to teach.
“Everyone can come, [and] you don’t have to come every meeting. It’s chill,”
said Jansen.
Meetings are BYOM, or
“bring your own mat,” but
if you don’t have one gym
mats can be borrowed.
You’ll surely thank
yourself for practicing: namaste.
8 | STUDENT LIFE | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
Battle of the sexes
ZAYNAH SIDDIQUE SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Mercy events cancelled or rescheduled due to
overlapping programs with the boys’ schools
Photo Credit: Zaynah Siddique
W
ith all the events that come at the beginning
of each school year, it can be hard to keep
track of what is happening when and there
are bound to be clashes among schools regarding
scheduled events. This confusion has led to multiple
coinciding events between Mercy and the boys’ schools
in the area. Mercy has faced a few conflicts this year
regarding overlapping schedules with the boys’ schools.
According to Dean of Student Affairs Eleasha Tarplin,
a lack of communication and accommodation led to the
rescheduling of two events and the cancellation of one.
“Unfortunately, girls can’t compete with boys,” said
Mrs. Tarplin. “Girls are going to go to the boys’ events
regardless.”
This was the case with Mercy’s International
Thespian Society (ITS) icebreaker dance which was
originally scheduled to be held during the first week of
school. When it was announced that a Catholic Central
High School dance was on the same day, Mercy’s
icebreaker had to be canceled. CC’s dance guaranteed
that not enough students would attend Mercy’s dance to
raise a sufficient amount of money to benefit ITS.
The dance was a huge success last year, and this
year the money from the dance would have benefitted
DEAD POETS SOCIETY (DPS)
In contrast to Hollywood’s presentation of Dead Poet Society, this
club is open to all students who simply enjoy poetry.
“You can bring poetry, just sit and listen, or participate in
discussions,” said DPS President Summit Dempster. “You can show
up anytime. It’s really laid back.”
Meetings are held on a monthly basis for writers, readers, and
listeners alike to attend at their leisure. Each meeting has a theme
but isn’t restricted by it; members can share anything they like.
If you’re not sure it’s for you, there’s no harm in sitting in and
grabbing a snack.
“I heard about it on the announcements freshman year and went to
a meeting,” Dempster said. “I joined because I love poetry.”
Who knows? Maybe you could too.
Graphic Credits: Caitlin Somerville
know about:
ITS and the Forensics team. A portion of it would have
funded the haunted house in October.
According to Ms. Anne Eddy from the performing
arts department, the date of the dance had been set since
March, and the Mercy calendar was published at the
end of June. Ms. Eddy came to know about CC’s dance
through a parent and was not notified by CC.
“We had to [cancel the dance] because the girls will
go where the boys are,” said Ms. Eddy. “They go to the
boys’ football games and they go to the boys’ dances.”
Furthermore, Mercy’s prom and University of
Detroit Jesuit’s graduation were scheduled on the same
day. Once again, Mercy made the move and rescheduled
prom one day earlier to May 18 and U of D’s graduation
remains on May 19.
It is uncertain if the boys’ schools check Mercy’s
schedule or not, however, all of Mercy’s events had
been scheduled well over a year in advance. This
gave the boys’ schools plenty of time to work around
Mercy’s schedule, but Mercy has been the one to make
the changes.
“I don’t know what the boys schools are willing to
do but I know it hasn’t been done,” said Mrs. Tarplin.
Neither CC’s or U of D’s dean of students could be
reached for comment.
This problem, however, did not start just recently.
Last year, a big Mercy vs. Marian soccer game was
scheduled on the same day as St. Mary’s prom. This
resulted in senior Kacey Cerretani missing the very
important game in order to attend the prom.
Another big event of the year that has been pushed
around is homecoming. Last year, Mercy scheduled
homecoming on a Sunday because every available
weekend was scheduled with some other homecoming
or event. With most Fridays and Saturdays taken by the
boys’ schools events, Mercy was forced to schedule a
Sunday homecoming date. This year was no different.
“It is really frustrating that this had to happen twice,”
said senior Maureen McGough. “The ITS dance and
homecoming both had to be moved around.”
However, the schools and administrations are not
the only ones making the scheduling decisions. In fact,
many students advocated for a Sunday homecoming.
According to Mrs. Tarplin, multiple students were
complaining about homecoming being on a Friday or
Saturday due to football games and other events which
only reinforced the school’s decision to move the dance
to the only available day– Sunday.
Mrs. Tarplin agreed that in order to prevent clashes
in the future, the schools must be more aware of each
other.
“Multiple schools are moving a lot of dates around
so it’s difficult and inevitable for something like this to
happen,” said Mrs. Tarplin. “Communication will just
have to be more open.”
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | STUDENT LIFE | 9
Mercy girls tackle the
powderduff debate
KRISTEN HISER NEW MEDIA & PROMOTIONS EDITOR
M
ercy athletics has a wide variety of sports for
athletes to choose from. However, football, one
of the most popular high school sports, is not
offered as powderpuff for the girls at Mercy. Powderpuff is
a league of flag football or touch football that girls compete
in.
“I think a powderpuff team would be a fun activity,”
said senior Christina Schira. “It involves a whole bunch
of people from each class [coming] together in a friendly
competition.”
Because Mercy obviously does not have a football team,
Schira said it would be a very special event that girls would
look forward to every year.
Two of Mercy’s rival schools,
Marian and Regina, both
participate in a powderpuff
league. The girls at these
schools play against each other
on a day when school is not in
session. The students lead
the program, set up a tailgate, and
create shirts and chants for the day of the game.
Brother Rice football players are invited to be
the coaches of the team. The team starts practicing in late
July and the game is usually scheduled for mid-to-late fall.
Last year’s student council officers submitted a
proposal to create a Mercy powderpuff team to Mercy
Administration, but they were turned down.
“We were told that the answer was ‘no,’” said
former Student Council President Taylor Babcock.
“[Administration] thought liability could become an issue.”
While Mercy students seem very enthusiastic about a
powderpuff team, Mercy Administration has the opposite
opinion.
ME
RC
Y
Associate Principal Mr. Larry Baker explained that
every proposal is taken seriously, but not many people were
on board with involving Mercy in a powderpuff league.
“Creating a powderpuff team has come up periodically,”
said Mr. Baker. “We decided not to participate in a league
with Marian and Regina mainly because we are much more
interested in promoting our athletic programs rather than
promoting something like powderpuff, which is organized
more loosely.”
Math teacher Mrs. Valerie Sosnowski said that since
powderpuff is either flag football or touch football, there is
no cost to pay for football equipment.
“I think it would generate a lot of interest especially
because football is a very popular sport,” said Mrs.
Sosnowski. “It would be a fun, friendly competition [within
the Catholic League].”
Mercy has not completely shut down the idea of having
a powderpuff team, but it does not look likely to come in
the near future.
“We would never say ‘never’ or ‘over my dead body,’”
said Mr. Baker. “We understand why somebody would
want to experience powderpuff, but there is simply a lack
of enthusiasm [from administration].”
ap
Gr
hic
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10 | SPORTS | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
Getting in the saddle
KARINA LLOYD STAFF REPORTER
L
ike many other girls, growing up, junior Shannon
Stapp wished for one thing every year for her
birthday: a pony. On her fifth birthday, her parents
arranged to have pony rides at her birthday party. Her
dream of riding a pony had finally come true. For most
kids, this would have been the end to a phase but for Stapp,
it ignited her passion.
Ten years later, Stapp is the co-captain of the Mercy
Equestrian team. Horseback riding is a different kind of
sport. At the heart of it all is the unique bond that forms
between the horse and rider.
“You have to be in sync with your horse and understand
each other,” Stapp said. “You have to connect with it
on their own level and you just create this bond that’s
unbreakable”.
The key to a successful ride is relying on each other.
“Your horse can detect what you’re feeling,” explained
Stapp. “If you’re nervous, they pick up on that. They
become nervous. If you’re happy and calm, they love it”.
The team competes at Milford High School every year
for the first three weeks of September. Though the season
is short, the girls’ goal is to make it to Districts and States,
prolonging their season. For the first time, the equestrian
team made it to States last year. The win gave the new
team members something to strive towards, in hopes of
following in the previous year’s foot steps.
The teams are split into divisions based on the number
of riders. This season, Mercy was a B team, consisting of
nine riders and two grooms. Though the team is always
looking for riders, anyone who is interested in learning to
work with horses or has prior experience can become a
groom.
“They help out in other ways,” Stapp explained.
The grooms’ jobs include providing food and water for
the horses and assisting with saddling up.
“They keep the horses happy,” said Stapp.
Stapp recognizes her sport is not as common and
therefore not well understood by many. She explained that
riding has multiple disciplines, all stemming from two
main styles: Western and English.
“They have different saddles and bridles, as well as
seat position and even names that you call the different
speeds a horse can go,” said Stapp. “English is very prim
and proper and Western is a more relaxed way of riding.”
The girls compete in events, also known as classes.
What many of Mercy’s riders like about the equestrian
team is having the chance to compete in wide range of
events. At tryouts, head coach Karin Stayton and assistant
coach Marcie Kurcz decide which event the horse and
rider are best suited for.
Jumping
This event is strictly for
given a course or pattern
memorized before
to finding a distance
judge how many strides
jump. The rider has to
or slow down depending
needed for the jump.
their equitation which is
Patterns
English riding. The rider is
of jumps that must be
entering the ring. Similar
in golf, the rider tries to
away they are from the
ask the horse to speed up
on how many strides are
The rider is judged on
their
while form while riding.
Trail
This event mainly consists
Riders are given a course
gates and must complete
including opening a gate
seated in the saddle,
the gate and closing it,
obstacles, complicated turns,
poles, and going over ground
“It’s really challenging making the change [to a new
style of riding but] I would have never ridden [in different
style] if it wasn’t for equestrian team,” said Stapp. “It’s
just really fun learning all the specific things that go along
with a new discipline and then comparing it to your own
and making it your own.”
No matter what the discipline of riding, there is one
important concept that is consistent.
“It’s a constant mental checklist that you have to go
through every time you ride, especially when you show
because all that comes together to make a good [ride],”
said Stapp. “I’m double checking my leg position, hand
position, if I need to let up on the reins, if I need to shorten
them, if my back is straight enough, if my shoulders are
relaxed and back.”
These are some of the skills that will be judged during
the competition.
Riders will either compete alongside multiple
competitors or solo as they demonstrate their skills. A
judge will observe them, looking for the riders accuracy
in performing the given course or pattern, their form while
riding, as well as how well they work with their horse. The
top riders in the class are placed first to seventh (first being
the best), and the better the placing, the more points the
team will accumulate.
of Western riders.
containing different
certain
tasks
while remaining
walking through
riding
through
weaving around
poles.
This event is similar to
require the rider
Yet, pattern classes
on the ground;
These events are
different gaits –
Some of the patterns
eights (also known as
reversing, and gait
the jumping event, as they both
to memorize the assigned course.
are done “on the flat” or
no jumping is required.
centered around the
walk, trot, and canter.
include creating figure
serpentines) sharp turns,
changes.
Barrel Racing
Riders and their horses
barrels in a cloverleaf
over during the rider’s
second penalty. The
wins.
go as fast as they can around the
pattern. If a barrel is knocked
round, she will receive a five
rider with the fastest time
Photo Credits: Marie Camp and Karina Lloyd
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | SPORTS | 11
Mercy celebrates 70
years of excellence
The orginal ‘Mercy girl’
PAISLEY SUTTON PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
KATIE BIRECKI WEB EDITOR
“
I
f these walls could talk, they would tell a story.”
This famous saying is usually related to buildings
that have quite the history, and Mercy High School is
no exception. With a total 70 years under its belt, there’s
no question that many tales live on within its brightlypainted walls and the hearts of many.
In 1827, Catherine McAuley built a home for the poor
on Baggot St. in Dublin, Ireland using all of her inheritance.
She and two other women became the first three Sisters
of Mercy, and spread the Mercy values through educating
and providing shelter to young women in their community.
Fast forward to 1945, when Mercy High School opened
its doors on Southfield and Outer Drive in Detroit. The
local Sisters of Mercy order established the school to offer
young women a value-centered education. Girls from all
over southeastern Michigan enrolled to experience what is
now called the “Mercy difference.” With rapidly growing
enrollment, a new building opened in 1965 about 25 miles
away in Farmington Hills.
Of course, a lot has changed in the last 70 years. From
notebooks and pens to projectors and iPads, Mercy has kept
up with the latest advances in education and technology.
“When Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of
Mercy, she wanted to educate young women,” said
President Dr. Cheryl Kreger ’66. “She always used the
best and most powerful learning techniques, and I think
that those traditions have continued.”
Along with educational traditions, Mercy continues
celebrating its grand opening every 10 years.
“It’s a great way to get alumae back into the school,”
said Dr. Kreger. “We want to engage anyone who has
graduated and make them feel that they are still a part of
our Mercy education.”
The weekend of Sept. 24-27 is sure to be buzzing with
Mercy spirit. The festivities kick off with the Dads Club
annual bonfire, where students, parents, and alumnae are
all welcome. In addition, Friday night is the invitation-only
President’s Reception. The prestigious President’s Award,
given to an individual who has exhibited transformational
leadership to the school, is presented during this meeting,
followed by the blessing of the new history display in the
reception area. Saturday is known as the “main event” as
different classes will individually gather to meet up with
old classmates and friends again.
“All the benchmark classes ̶ those who graduated five,
10, 15 years ago ̶ will have a grand reunion,” said Dr.
Kreger. “Rather than having the classes hold their reunions
on some weekend, there will be activities for alumnae to
come back to.”
Mrs. Mary Jo Balcer ’65 is in charge of planning the
50th class reunion, which will be held at Mercy. She, her
friend Judy Lanciault Yrjanainen, and 10 other Mercy
grads have been preparing for this weekend since the early
months of winter.
“I was part of the 40th reunion committee 10 years
ago,” said Mrs. Balcer. “The alumni office approached me
and asked if I was interested in organizing the 50th, and I
agreed.”
Mrs. Balcer and seven other women contacted over
200 alumnae from their class. They received responses
from over 50 people, all of whom will attend the reunion
at Mercy.
“All of us have wonderful memories of what Mercy
was for us,” said Mrs. Balcer. “It has had a great impact in
L
12 | FEATURES | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
S
he’d waited so long for this moment. Her father and
brothers helped build the school, and her mother
encouraged her to be the first to enroll. She was the first
to pay the tuition of $50. At last, the first day of high school at
Our Lady of Mercy had arrived. The year was 1945. Although
nervous, Sister Camille Kelley was ready for all that the brand
new school had to offer.
“We were the first four-year class,” Sr. Kelley said. “The high
school had taken some sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but our
class was the largest with 104 students.”
Mercy’s first years sound strikingly familiar to today’s. During
her four years at Mercy, Sr. Kelley took biology, chemistry, Latin
and, like so many students, the dreaded geometry.
“The work was pretty balanced,” Sr. Kelley said. “I never felt
negative about school. I do remember getting appendicitis one
year and stressing out about geometry. A friend of mine tutored
me and helped me through it.”
Although there weren’t any sports, Sr. Kelley played the lead
role in school productions and attended a few dances, including
prom and A-ball. She remembers being the first to experience
treasured traditions such as Moving-Up Day and wearing a white
dress at graduation.
“As shy as I was, I made good friends as a freshman,” she
said. “They were very happy years. Growing up with four
brothers, the feminine side of me wasn’t as prominent, so the
greatest gift I got at Mercy was my womanhood.”
Sr. Kelley has always valued family and was close to all of
her brothers, especially her younger brother Paul. While her
older brothers all went to their parish, St. Francis DeSales High
School, Sr. Kelley and Paul were the only siblings that didn’t
attend a coed school. Paul went to Catholic Central, which was
located where the current Renaissance High School is today. The
old Mercy building was close by, on the corner of Southfield and
Outer Drive.
“I was too shy to go to many dances. I decided to go one year
with a friend and I asked my brother if he’d take us and bring a
Photo Credit: Paisley Sutton
BROOKLYN RUE STAFF REPORTER
ike fashion trends, Mercy’s uniform is often changing too. From vests to
jumpers, long sleeves to polos, and bowling shoes to Crocs, Mercy style has
gone through major transformations over the last 70 years.
Sr. Camille Kelley is a special member of Mercy’s community, serving as principal and as a Sister of Mercy, and
graduating from the first four-year class in 1949. Photo Credit: Paisley Sutton
Photo Credits: Mercy Archives
The evolution
of the kilt
our lives, and it has made us into the strong women that
we are today.”
Along with class reunions, a welcome assembly will
take place in the auditorium, featuring a performance from
former Mercyaires and Choral Director Mr. Larry Teevens
and several alumnae who took his classes. The rest of
the day will be dedicated to reconnecting to old roots.
One may want to take a self-guided tour and visit retired
teachers, enjoy performances from current Mercyaires,
Mimes, and Orchestra classes, or simply have fun taking
pictures in the photo booth and stocking up on Mercy
attire from the Marlin Shop.
One alumna, Mrs. Bridget Bohn ’82, is excited to attend
the Saturday event and relive her memories at Mercy.
“I’m excited to see the classmates that I don’t get to
visit very often,” said Mrs. Bohn. “It’ll be nice to see
friends from the classes before and after me and catch up.”
On Sunday, a special Thanksgiving mass will be held
in the auditorium in celebration of the Sisters of Mercy.
“There will be a ceremony held within the mass that
will be recognizing each graduated decade,” said Dr.
Kreger. “A representative from each class will walk across
the stage and place a red rose in front of the Our Lady of
Mercy statue.”
The anniversary weekend will end on Monday with
the annual Mercy Make a Difference Golf Outing at the
Western Golf & Country Club in Redford, with proceeds
supporting tuition assistance and the athletic department.
“It doesn’t matter which Mercy school you went to,”
said Dr. Kreger, “you will always be a Mercy girl.”
friend of his. This might have been prom,” Sr. Kelley said with a
laugh. “I did a lot with my brother and my friends, like bowling
and such.”
Sr. Kelley was inspired by her mother to attend Mercy
College (known today as University of Detroit Mercy) and major
in English. Her Canadian-born parents valued education and
encouraged her to go to college. Her mother worked as a teacher
while her father worked in a steel-manufacturing factory and
later for a construction company that built many of the Mercy
projects.
Becoming a Sister of Mercy simply seemed like the next step
for Sr. Kelley. After watching her aunt serve as a sister, and with
a strong sense of faith, Sr. Kelley decided to join the religious
order.
After college, Sr. Kelley’s love for literature and passion
for helping others led her to teach at an elementary school,
Muskegon Catholic Central High School, and St. Andrews High
School in Saginaw. Later, she was asked to come back and be the
principal of Mercy.
“In a way, I left part of my heart [at Mercy],” Sr. Kelley said.
“I was more scared than thrilled [to teach], but my love for Mercy
by comparison to the high schools I’d taught at showed me that
this was a fine high school. [I have never] not felt attracted to
the school.”
During her time at Mercy, Sr. Kelley worked with her staff
to transition the school towards more progressive educational
practices. With the help of the staff, she implemented mod
scheduling, senior release time, student self-evaluation instead
of report cards, and an energy-saving calendar that closed the
building on certain Fridays to conserve power. While the years
were challenging and not all of the new ideas stuck, Sr. Kelley is
satisfied with her time as principal of Mercy.
She is incredibly proud of all that the Mercy community
represents and hopes that every student experiences these four
short years to the fullest.
“Practice open-mindedness about all of life and be curious,”
Sr. Kelley advises. “Be open to change ̶ that was my theme as
principal ̶ build relationships, and develop a sense of awe.”
1940s
1950s -1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s-2010s
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | FEATURES | 13
Make the lasts last
ALLIA MCDOWELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A
ug. 18 was my last first day
of high school. Sure, content
wise, there are going to
be hundreds more days just like
the first day – minus all the syllabi
presentations, of course. However,
no day will compare to that last first
day. Before you know it, you will be
knee-deep in studying for finals, and
then you’ll be cruising right through Christmas break into all
your new second semester classes. And, for myself and the
rest of the senior class, you will start the last seven classes
you will ever take at Mercy High School. And then one day
you will wake up and it will all be over. You will put on your
cap and gown and walk across the stage, hearing a chorus of
claps as you receive a piece of paper that, in essence, says
“Congratulations, you survived,” and you will walk down the
steps of the stage, never to return again to those glory days
people call high school.
We remember the lasts, and we remember the firsts. But
lasts are different. I recently read a poem called “The Last
Time.” The unknown poet speculates that, “...you won’t even
know it’s the last time – until there are no more times, and
even then – it will take you a while to realize.”
The poet certainly gets this right. With only a few
exceptions – like your last first day of high school – most
lasts just happen. It’s only in hindsight that you recognize the
significance of the moment. This is sad, really. With firsts, you
can savor the moment. The first time you drive a car. The first
time you lose a tooth. Your first kiss. These are moments you
look forward to. But lasts aren’t like that. I don’t remember,
for example, the last time I had to sneak into my parents’
room at night because I had a nightmare. Or the last time I
had to beg them to let me have a playdate. Or even the last
time I held my mom’s hand as I walked into school.
What I do know, however, is that, in the moment, I didn’t
know these times would be the last times. I guess it isn’t
always easy to know they are. I wish I did, because I would
have savored them. I would have cuddled with my parents
a little bit longer, soaking in the warmth of their comforter,
the safeness of their arms wrapped around me. I would have
smiled as I cleaned my room for my last play date – maybe
even helped tidy the rest of the house. Well, maybe not, but I
would have savored the anticipation of waiting for my friend
to knock on my door.
And I definitely would have squeezed my mom’s hand a
little bit tighter, and let her hug me a little bit longer, before
I scampered into a room full of the people who have helped
shaped me to be the person I am today. One of those people
has been my best friend since we met on that first day of
kindergarten. We have experienced many lasts together, and
less than a year from now we will be experiencing our last
day of high school. I have 12 full years of memories with her
and, chances are, I don’t even remember half of them. I wish
I did, because the ones I do remember are always so great.
She and I still laugh together because we both remember the
exact moment we became best friends all those years ago.
We were playing with those paint dotters and both of us
wanted to use the blue one which, of course, was the only
color that we had only one of. Though we fought over who
got to use it first, we eventually bonded over our love of that
color. Who knew blue paint could lead to over 12 years of
friendship? A friendship that will hopefully never have a last
moment, because our bond is one that has the power to last
a lifetime.
I look ahead to this year and I reminisce about all those
things I did my freshman year that I will never do again. I
wish I could go back to my freshman self and take in my last
first year of high school. This is my last year of high school.
It is my last year of living at home and having my mom pack
me a lunch to bring to school. It is my last year of seventh
hour ice cream runs when I am having a bad day, and my last
year of trying to explain a block schedule to someone who
doesn’t go to Mercy. This is my last year of unbelievably hot
classrooms (I hope, though no college dorm I have visited has
had air conditioning). This is my last season of playing Mercy
Varsity Field Hockey, and my last season on the Michigan
Rush soccer team.
This is my last year of being a student at Mercy High
School. I spent years imagining the day I would go off to high
school, though I pictured it more like Disney’s High School
Musical than reality, and now my time left is short.
But I plan to remember all the lasts, both the official and
unofficial ones. I know I will remember the last day I publish
my first column because that day is today. I have finally come
to realize that life is much more about living in the present
than dwelling on the past or dreaming of the future.
Things you did and do often always have a last time. I
see this more clearly now, and I wish I could go back and do
it all again so that I could remember more of the wonderful
things that happened. Don’t turn a blind eye to the lasts that
we take for granted and don’t realize until it is too late. Take
it from me, it is worth buying a dress, finding a date (or not),
and going to homecoming freshman year because, very soon,
you will be putting on a prom dress and heading to your last
formal high school dance.
Lasts come and go so quickly. Before our eyes, nows
become lasts. I don’t want to spend my whole life looking
back and realizing the lasts too late. I want to look back and
be confident I made the most of each and every one of those
lasts. No matter what I am doing, I want to make sure my
mind is where my feet are. Life is too short to spend your
time planning for the future or dwelling on the past. It is so
easy to get lost in what might be, but while you worry, hours
of wasted time tick by. Don’t let the present slip through your
fingertips. Don’t miss out on any of the lasts. Each and every
day could be your last, so live them like they are. I pledge to
make the lasts last. This year will be the best year yet, and I
will remember it that way. Will you?
It takes two to tango, but boys always take the lead
BROOKLYN RUE STAFF REPORTER
T
here’s no question that
dances at Mercy— and at any
other all girls schools for that
matter— have revolved around the
schedules of boys’ football games,
clubs, and graduations.
This year, Mercy canceled its
International Thespian Society
(ITS) dance. It coincided with a
dance at Catholic Central that has
always been the first week of school as well, though Mercy
scheduled the ITS dance before CC scheduled theirs.
Realistically, not enough people would have shown up to
Mercy’s dance. Many would be at CC and in order to have
a dance boys are somewhat necessary.
Every time St. Mary’s, Brother Rice, Catholic
Central, or University of Detroit Jesuit has a dance, girls
understandably jump at the opportunity to go. Why,
though, do these boys’ school activities take precedence
over our own events? Are we prioritizing boys over our
own sisters?
Some of us who are overly organized may remember
jotting the date of homecoming into our planners as soon
as the 2015-16 school year calendar went up. The date
was originally Sunday Sept. 27— the weekend of Mercy’s
70th anniversary. This could have given us a long weekend
and time to rest after a busy night, but the date had to be
rearranged because of Boys Bowl. Boys Bowl is the CC
vs. Brother Rice football game that will take place Sept.
27 and CC’s homecoming will be after the game. It would
have been at the same time as Mercy’s.
Homecoming is usually a dance that celebrates the start
of football, so homecoming being after Boys Bowl makes
sense. Still, it shouldn’t take precedence over our own
school dance just because we don’t have football. Football
is typically a male sport and for homecoming to be so
revolved around this event is inherently sexist. It devalues
our events.
Seniors might also be heated because of the time and
date of prom, which was scheduled for the same time as U
of D’s graduation. U of D said that it was not able to move
graduation. This essentially means no Mercy girl can bring
a U of D boy to prom— clearly problematic. Again, the
administrators of Mercy have had to take on the burden of
rearranging dates to please not only the students of Mercy,
but also those of U of D who will want to attend Mercy’s
14 | OPINIONS | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
prom.
It seems our dances revolve around the schedules
of boys and what fits best into their calendars. The ITS
dance had to be canceled, homecoming rescheduled, and
at this point prom seems to be our problem to deal with.
Is this a surprise, though, considering most things in the
world revolve around men? It seems almost sexist that the
administrators of Mercy High School must take on all of
the hassle of moving dates, while the boys’ schools simply
say that altering their event is not an option.
Our dances have revolved around Friday football
games and sporting events for years, yet how many Mercy
girls have had to miss their own sporting events because of
Mercy’s homecoming or that of U of D or CC?
A simple solution for all the scheduling and rescheduling
chaos is for the administrators of the boys’ schools and
the girls’ schools to meet during the summer and plan
events together so they are convenient for everyone.
Women should not have to take all the notes, follow the
commands, and act as the secretaries. Women who make
a difference need to make sure our voice is heard and our
input is considered.
Taking the right course:
interest vs. acceptance
A
THERESA BENTON COPY EDITOR
fter staring at
my computer
for the third
consecutive
hour,
watching the small
blue
line
blink
mercilessly
over
and over again, it’s
easy to start asking
myself some of those
important questions.
One, do I really
have nothing better
to do on a Saturday
afternoon than to
fill out the Common
App? (Jeez, am I
lame or what?) And
two, have I actually exhausted my list of things to brag
about? That’s basically what the Common App– and college
applications in general– are for anyway. Counselors will
say countless times that this is the place to tell admissions
officers about how great you are, about how qualified and
independent and outgoing and generous and helpful you
are. What a stunningly involved and well-rounded student
you are. The list of positive qualities goes on and on. And
luckily (or not), so do the applications.
As I scroll through my list of activities, I can’t help but
wonder if I really care about some of these. Did I join this
club because I was genuinely interested in it, or for the
sole purpose of typing its name out on every application?
Unfortunately, those are pretty easy questions to answer.
The follow-up questions are harder.
Did I waste my time participating in these activities?
Should I have spent my time in clubs and groups I really
cared about, even if they may not have looked as good on
my application?
Should I have spent my time satisfying my own interests
instead of building a résumé?
This is the dilemma faced by nearly all high schoolers
today. So much is expected of teenagers that they feel
pressured to make decisions based on what will increase
their chances of being accepted into college, even if personal
desires have to be sacrificed.
A prime example of this is the AP classes students feel
the need to take, simply to be able to say they took them.
There’s nothing wrong with these classes, of course, but
a student’s geniune interest should be the deciding factor
when forming a schedule.
Junior year, I faced the decision of taking either American
History or the infamous AP U.S. History (APUSH). I didn’t
know what to do. On the one hand, I was not remotely
interested in pursuing any career having to do with history.
I plan to be a biology major. I don’t need an extensive
knowledge of the colonies (unless we’re talking about
colonies of bacteria, then that’s another story). On the other
hand, would the admissions officers cluck their tongues at
me for passing up the chance to take an advanced course?
That was my biggest fear. It kept me awake at night and
gave me near-constant stomach aches. I even became dizzy
at the mere mention of “George Washington.”
In the end, I decided not to take it, and I never regretted
it. I often listened, without a hint of interest, as nearly all of
my friends ranted about the long chapter readings while I
sat nearby, perfectly satisfied to record the mating dance of
the common fruit fly for my AP Biology homework. It made
me realize that, had I taken APUSH along with AP Bio, I
probably would not have enjoyed either of them. Due to
the fact that history is my least favorite subject– American
History being the even lower-ranked subcategory– APUSH
probably would have been much harder for me than it
normally would be. AP Bio, on the other hand, turned out
to be the best class I’ve ever taken. A big reason for that
was because I have a legitimate interest in biology. Would
APUSH have looked good on my transcript? Probably,
yeah. But I don’t think it would have been worth all the
suffering and stress I would have been put through.
Another aspect of college applications students often
struggle with is the dreaded essay. It is heralded as yet
another way to let the admissions officers meet the real you.
Aside from the fact that I usually don’t introduce myself via
a five-paragraph essay, this makes a lot of sense. It gives the
colleges a chance to hear the voices of students and maybe
see a side of them which is not reflected in the rest of the
application.
That’s why I was surprised to hear that some students
hire professionals to review and, in some cases, rewrite
parts of their college essays. Which, in my probably-notvery-qualified opinion, seems to defeat the purpose of the
essay. The moment someone else tries to voice my thoughts
for me, is it really me anymore? I don’t think so. At most,
professionals should be checking for grammar and spelling.
Colleges don’t want to hear a perfectly crafted essay from
an adult who has done this who-knows-how-many-times
before. They want to hear from us. They want to hear the
raw, clear voices of students. After all, it’s the students who
they will be admitting, not their professional assistants.
Now that the final year of my high-school career is
underway, I can’t help but wonder if my experience was all
it could have been, if I did everything I could and should
have done. There are definitely some classes I wish I would
have taken, ones that were sacrificed for the good of my
transcript. Now, it seems sort of silly that I made those
decisions. But hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it? At the time, I was
blinded by the need to have the most ideal academic record
in the hopes that colleges would fall at my feet, eagerly
stuffing my hands with acceptance letters and scholarship
offers.
I now realize that it’s much more important to take
classes and join clubs which are genuinely appealing,
even if it means leaving a spot on the activities page of the
application blank. Of course, there are some classes which
probably cannot be cut from the curriculum for the sake of
electives, but there’s always some wiggle room. After all,
you’re only in high school once, so why not enjoy it?
Math
English
Language
What type of class did you
sacrifice for your transcript?
Social Studies
Physical Education
Art
Drama
Science
Publications
0
10
20
30
40
*Results based on 196 Mercy students who responded to an online survey.
50
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | OPINIONS | 15
HUMANS
MERCY
ALLIA MCDOWELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
OF
Newsprint Puzzler
8
10
12
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
20
22
24
23
25
26
“I love Chicago. Whenever I think of my future, Chicago is
always a part of it. The first time I went was when I was little and
I went to the American Girl Doll store. Then I went freshman year
with my friend and I really liked it, and I didn’t go back until this
past summer. I forgot how much I loved it until I went back. I
want to go to college in Chicago. I don’t know which one, but
I know I want to go somewhere in Chicago. I don’t know what
it is. Maybe the skyscrapers? I don’t know, but it feels like home
even though I’ve never lived there. I’m very passionate about
Chicago. It’s just perfect.”
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
33
35
36
37
nd should you listen to?
Which rock ba
DOWN:
Do you prefer British boy
bands or music from the US?
british boys
are cuter
ll,
chi
Facial hair?
Do you listen to calm
music, or music you
can headbang to?
bro
peace
bea
rds
On a summer
night you . . .
mus
tach
es
y
Pla
s
ord
c
e
r
T h e B eat les
16 | INTERACTIVE | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 10.28.15
Do you prefer flower
crowns or bandanas?
go
to
con
cer
ts
Led Z e pp e li n
War or peace?
war
The Rolling Stones
Flower crowns
bandanas
remix
Do you tend to like
the original or the orig
ina
l
remix of a song?
usa! usa!
n!
2. This Mercy girl may or may not be guilty
in the Night of January 16th
3. In person
5. Only non-Alaskan city directly north of
Canada
6. Mercy Crest: Virtus et ______
8. To evade work
10. Ruth Handler’s daughter, whom Barbie
was modeled after
11. This insect helped Darwin prove his
theory of natural selection
14. This team finally secured its first win of
the season in its game against the Bears
15. This actor was bourne to play a martian
16. Author of The Notebook
17. This app was all the rage in early 2014
18. One of two Mercy seniors named
semifinalist in the 2016 National Merit
Scholarship
20. How ironic that the final installment of
this movie series gets served up right before
Thanksgiving
21. UGG country of origin
22. Subject of Hillenbrand’s Unbroken
24. The United States recently re-opened
relations with this country
29. Dunkable treat
30. This Mercy staff member was once a
priest
31. Catholic U.S. President
32. The fourth planet from the sun
36. Gus Gus’s whiskered comrade
ko
roc
1. Novel water type in the Mercy cafeteria
4. Apparition
7. 4-story haunted house in Michigan.
9. Pancake
12. The creators of Facebook went to this
university together
13. Developed the theory of relativity
16. Celtic festival from which Halloween
originated
19. These islands are home to the blue-footed
booby
23. Popular fall latte from Starbucks
25. Apple’s “Internet Explorer”
26. Frankie Valli and the Four _________
27. “Slow down you crazy child, take the
phone off the hook and _______ for a while”
-Billy Joel
28. Mercy Field Hockey All-Academic
winner 2016
31. This Mercy teacher was awarded Division
I Golf Coach of the year by Oakland County
32. Ex-member of One Direction
33. American Cancer Society suggests women
get this starting at age 40
34. D-Day invasion location
35. Hermione Granger actress
36. Coin-operated phonograph
37. Who can? Lar-kin! First name of Red
Wings rookie phenom 2015
ew, gross
ACROSS:
— Maria Pizzo ’17
R ed H ot
C h i li P e pp e rs
HUMANS
MERCY
ALLIA MCDOWELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
OF
Newsprint Puzzler
8
10
12
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
20
22
24
23
25
26
“I love Chicago. Whenever I think of my future, Chicago is
always a part of it. The first time I went was when I was little and
I went to the American Girl Doll store. Then I went freshman year
with my friend and I really liked it, and I didn’t go back until this
past summer. I forgot how much I loved it until I went back. I
want to go to college in Chicago. I don’t know which one, but
I know I want to go somewhere in Chicago. I don’t know what
it is. Maybe the skyscrapers? I don’t know, but it feels like home
even though I’ve never lived there. I’m very passionate about
Chicago. It’s just perfect.”
27
28
29
30
31
32
34
33
35
36
37
nd should you listen to?
Which rock ba
DOWN:
Do you prefer British boy
bands or music from the US?
british boys
are cuter
ll,
chi
Facial hair?
Do you listen to calm
music, or music you
can headbang to?
bro
peace
bea
rds
On a summer
night you . . .
mus
tach
es
y
Pla
s
ord
c
e
r
T h e B eat les
16 | INTERACTIVE | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 10.28.15
Do you prefer flower
crowns or bandanas?
go
to
con
cer
ts
Led Z e pp e li n
War or peace?
war
The Rolling Stones
Flower crowns
bandanas
remix
Do you tend to like
the original or the orig
ina
l
remix of a song?
usa! usa!
n!
2. This Mercy girl may or may not be guilty
in the Night of January 16th
3. In person
5. Only non-Alaskan city directly north of
Canada
6. Mercy Crest: Virtus et ______
8. To evade work
10. Ruth Handler’s daughter, whom Barbie
was modeled after
11. This insect helped Darwin prove his
theory of natural selection
14. This team finally secured its first win of
the season in its game against the Bears
15. This actor was bourne to play a martian
16. Author of The Notebook
17. This app was all the rage in early 2014
18. One of two Mercy seniors named
semifinalist in the 2016 National Merit
Scholarship
20. How ironic that the final installment of
this movie series gets served up right before
Thanksgiving
21. UGG country of origin
22. Subject of Hillenbrand’s Unbroken
24. The United States recently re-opened
relations with this country
29. Dunkable treat
30. This Mercy staff member was once a
priest
31. Catholic U.S. President
32. The fourth planet from the sun
36. Gus Gus’s whiskered comrade
ko
roc
1. Novel water type in the Mercy cafeteria
4. Apparition
7. 4-story haunted house in Michigan.
9. Pancake
12. The creators of Facebook went to this
university together
13. Developed the theory of relativity
16. Celtic festival from which Halloween
originated
19. These islands are home to the blue-footed
booby
23. Popular fall latte from Starbucks
25. Apple’s “Internet Explorer”
26. Frankie Valli and the Four _________
27. “Slow down you crazy child, take the
phone off the hook and _______ for a while”
-Billy Joel
28. Mercy Field Hockey All-Academic
winner 2016
31. This Mercy teacher was awarded Division
I Golf Coach of the year by Oakland County
32. Ex-member of One Direction
33. American Cancer Society suggests women
get this starting at age 40
34. D-Day invasion location
35. Hermione Granger actress
36. Coin-operated phonograph
37. Who can? Lar-kin! First name of Red
Wings rookie phenom 2015
ew, gross
ACROSS:
— Maria Pizzo ’17
R ed H ot
C h i li P e pp e rs
FIVE FIVE
by
How do you
work out?
In one word,
describe the
tradition of
Mercy.
What is your
favorite Mercy
tradition?
“The Little Mermaid.”
“I go to the gym
with my older sister
and run a 5k twice a
week.”
“Friendship.”
“Link Crew.”
“Beauty and the
Beast.”
“I’m on the cross
country and track
team.”
“Sisterhood.”
“I love Moving Up!”
“Chapstick, pen, and
a notebook.”
“Aladdin.”
“I am on the
volleyball team so I
practice every day.”
“Family.”
“My favorite tradition
is the Haunted
House.”
“I always have a
deodorant because the
school is very hot and
I sweat a lot.”
“Beauty and the
Beast, of course.”
“I play field hockey.”
“Mercy. Traditional.”
“I love the Christmas
pageant.”
“Aladdin.”
“I walk my dog and
mow the lawn.”
“Camaraderie.”
What are some What is your
‘must haves’ in favorite Disney
your backpack classic movie?
or purse?
Elizabeth Lyons
Class of 2019
Christine Di Ponio
Class of 2018
Jordyn Kreucher
Class of 2017
“My cell phone,
chapstick, and my
agenda book.”
“My iPad, gum, and a
pencil.”
Sarah Posa
Class of 2016
Mrs. Polan
Staff
“Blistex, a nail file
and clipper, 50 hair
ties, and always a
piece of smooshed
gum at the bottom of
my purse .”
“I really enjoy Make a
Difference Day.”
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | FIVE BY FIVE | 17
Crocs: the revival
CAITLIN SOMMERVILLE SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
M
aybe you haven’t noticed, but Crocs are making a comeback.
Thanks to the freedom of footwear clause in the Mercy handbook,
the halls have seen many different types of shoes this fall, provided
they are closed toed and ankle high.
For kids, Crocs are the go-to shoe: easy to slip on and appropriate for all
situations, not to mention customizable. For teens, however, these shoes are
often left at home while brands like Uggs, Nike, Vans, and Toms take the top
spot. Lately, Crocs have become a notorious fashion don’t, but that’s never
stopped Mercy girls.
“In public school, my friends have started to wear them as a joke,” said
senior Paige Bimberg, owner of three pairs of Crocs, which she has been
wearing most of her life. “That kind of offends me because they’re a very
good pair of shoes.”
In the midst of a two-year falling out, Bimberg came to Mercy and
reconnected with Crocs when the dive team bought them to wear on deck. It’s
been four years now, and Paige and her Crocs are still going strong. In many
ways, Bimberg has opened the doors for other Mercy girls’ return to Crocs.
“I don’t feel like a trendsetter,” she said. “[I’m] just enjoying my shoes.”
Like Bimberg, junior Julia Masson rediscovered crocs shortly after joining
the Mercy family.
“I’ve had [Crocs], but I didn’t wear them that much,” said
Masson, who transferred from her local public school last
semester. “Now I’m getting into [them] because they’re easy
and way more comfortable than my tennis shoes.”
According to its website, Crocs Inc. was founded in 2002
in Colorado as a simple, comfortable boat shoe named after
crocodiles for their ability to be on land or in water. They are
made with Croslite, which gives them their soft, lightweight,
non-marking, and odor resistant characteristics. Today
there are more than 300 different styles being sold in over
90 countries over the Internet and at company-owned
retail stores. For authentic Crocs, many Mercy girls go to
the official Crocs store at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, but
knock-offs, known as Frocs for “fake Crocs,” can be found
at multiple department stores.
“I think people are starting to realize that even though
they’re not the most fashionable [shoe], they are the most
comfortable, and people are making them work,” said Masson.
Work out your bod in a mod
SIMONE RHODES SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
1. Pushups: two sets of 10
Not enough time to work out? No such thing! All you need is one mod to squeeze in a rejuvenating workout that will get your heart pumping. Make sure to stretch before and after
working out to avoid injury.
2. Jump squats : two sets of 10
3. Mountain climber: two sets of 10
Switch your legs as fast
as you can.
Hold for 10 seconds.
Graphic Credits: Simone Rhodes
4. High knees: 50 in a minute
Keep knees shoulder width apart. Sit low in
the squat, then jump as high as you can.
5. Oblique twists: 25 each side
At the “top” of the
crunch, hold your abdomen in as you twist your
elbow to the opposite
knee.
6. Leg downs: three sets of five
Lower your legs slowly until
6-inches above the ground, hold
for 10 seconds.
Get your knees as high as you can.
18 | HEALTH AND BEAUTY | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
Freeing the fro
CHANEL TAYLOR SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
J
unior Lauren Jackson wakes up and undoes her bantu
knots, her auburn hair falling into spiral curls that
reach her ear. She ties a headband around her head
and proceeds to finish her morning routine. Upon looking
in the mirror, Lauren sees her natural beauty and is proud
to wear her hair in the springy curls she was blessed with,
because for a long time she struggled with loving her hair.
In modern society, natural hair is widely frowned upon.
Natural hair is wearing one’s hair without straightening
chemicals or heat such as a perm, hot comb, or blow dry.
It is often seen as “nappy” or “unkempt” and can be
viewed as unprofessional in the workplace. Even in the
Black community, some have a tendency to look down
upon those with shorter, kinkier hair.
As a result, self-acceptance is a struggle for many
African-American women especially concerning their hair.
Many factors play into this harsh self image like societal
pressure, and career opportunities. Black women have a
lot to consider when deciding their hairstyle; whether they
play a sport can determine if they straighten their hair.
Recently, however, the natural hair phenomenon has
gained support and popularity. The natural hair movement
seems to come in waves — it is fully embraced for a
period of time only to be forgotten for a decade or so
before emerging again. The last huge wave of natural hair
acceptance was in the ’70s when many males and females
wore afros. Then, as the trend progressed, perms became
popular in the ’80s.
A platform for the current era of natural hair has been
social media sites like Twitter and Instagram. There are
many Instagram accounts dedicated to natural hair such as
@Mini_Marley, @mahoganycurls, @Naturalchics and
@moknowshair. Many of the owners of these accounts
have YouTube channels and do natural hair tutorials.
On Twitter, there were many popular hashtags over
the summer relating to the experience of being a black
girl like #CarefreeBlackgirl, #Blackgirlmagic, and
#MelaninMonday. All of these hashtags were used for
Black girls to post pictures of themselves and uplift one
another. Many of the photographs posted showed girls with
natural hairstyles and much of the feedback was positive.
The natural hair movement is taking on more than
hair — it’s about fighting against the status quo and loving
oneself, regardless of society’s view.
“I was influenced by social media to wear my hair
natural,” said Jackson. “I feel powerful expressing my
culture through my hair because I didn’t think it was good
enough for a long time.”
Any girl has the liberty to wear her hair however she
wants. Senior Daitin Smith believes being confident and
disregarding mainstream opinions is what’s important.
“I’ve been wearing my hair natural my entire life,”
said Smith. “I embrace my hair and don’t see a need for a
weave or perm.”
More than being a statement of self-expression, the
natural hair movement has become a large industry.
According to market research firm Mintel, the Black
haircare industry was worth about $684 million in 2012
and that number is expected to grow to $761 million by
2017. A large portion of this lucrative industry is natural
hair products. Mercy alum Chris Tia Donaldson started
a natural haircare line called TGIN (Thank God It’s
Natural), which is carried at Target. Natural products such
as detangler or curl definer can cost more than $20 for a
16 oz. bottle. The industry is a cash cow for entrepreneurs.
More importantly, however, it continues to empower
women to embrace their natural beauty.
Tips for natural hair
• Instead of using a cotton
towel to dry your hair, use a
microfiber towel or t-shirt to
retain moisture.
• Sleep with a satin scarf, bonnet,
or on a satin pillowcase to
prevent tangling.
• Apply some type of oil
(coconut, tea tree, jojoba etc.)
daily to avoid dryness.
Photo Credits: Chanel Taylor
Kaitlyn Brown ’16
“I used to be ashamed of
my hair and wanted to look
like everyone else with
straight, long hair. I started
transitioning [my hair] in
January and have learned to
love my natural curls.”
Alma Owhor ’15
“My natural hair defines me.
My hair is not a statement. It
is the closest thing I can get
to being myself.”
Miriam Franklin ’16
“Because of my natural hair
I feel more in touch with my
culture and don’t see a need
to adjust for others.”
Asha McElroy ’16
“I feel closer to my ancestors
with my hair because that’s
how we started, with natural
hair. I feel empowered when
people admire my hair.”
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | HEALTH AND BEAUTY |19
Disney’s new take on old favorites
KATHERINE COLLERAN STAFF REPORTER
D
With many movie sequels coming out more than a
decade after the originals, Disney raises the question of
whether or not today’s children will receive the sequels
to their cherished films. Will the kids who love The Good
Dinosaur and Inside Out also see potential sequels to
these films in the next decade?
Additionally, Disney is set to produce old favorites
as live-action movies. After the success of Alice in
Wonderland (2010), Maleficent (2014), and Cinderella
(2015), the company is looking to remake more of its
classics. Alice Through the Looking Glass, the liveaction sequel to their 2010 live-action adaption will enter
theaters May 27, 2016, with Mia Wasikowska returning as
Alice. Other upcoming live-action Disney movies include
The Jungle Book, set to come out on April 15, 2016, and
Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson as Belle and
playing in theaters on March 17, 2017. Several more liveaction movies are also in development, such as The Little
Mermaid, Mulan, Pinocchio and Winnie the Pooh. Tim
Burton signed on to direct a live action movie of Dumbo,
and Disney is also planning to do a prequel for Aladdin,
called Genies.
The casting for the live-action movies can be tricky,
however. Some believe it may be better to use relatively
unknown actors and actresses to portray the animated
characters. Otherwise, will the audience truly see Emma
Watson as Belle, or will many continue to view her as
Hermione from the well-known Harry Potter movies?
The same can be asked of Tink, a live-action Disney
movie in development starring Reese Witherspoon as
Tinkerbell. Some praise Disney for casting Neel Sethi, a
young unknown actor, as Mogli in The Jungle Book. Many
believe it would be more effective to use less popular
celebrities to allow the audience to see the characters as
they have pictured them since childhood.
Alice Through the
Looking Glass
May 27, 2016
The Good Dinosaur
Nov. 25, 2015
Photo Credit: Fair use
isney has announced plans for a large number of
sequels and remakes of many beloved movies.
Interestingly, these new movies appeal not only
to children, but to teens and young adults, as well.
Many of Disney’s upcoming films, such as Finding
Dory, Incredibles 2, Cars 3, and Toy Story 4, are the
next installments of old movies popular with the last
generation of moviegoers, so it would not be surprising
to see theaters showing these animations filled with high
school and college students instead of younger kids.
Pixar’s Toy Story 4, for example, is set to come out on
June 16, 2017 – 22 years after the original Toy Story came
out. Many have grown up with the series, and it is unique
in the fact that Andy grows up with the audience in each
installment. Not only do the viewers learn a lesson from
the movies, but they are also able to relate more to Andy
in each one.
After a decade since the original was released, many
are excited to see Cars 3 debut. Although Cars 2 did not
receive the best reviews, perhaps third time’s the charm
and Disney and Pixar can regain the voice that made the
original film popular.
The director of Incredibles, Brad Bird, is expected to
come back for its sequel. Many Mercy girls are looking
forward to seeing the Parr family return to the big screen
after more than 12 years. According to IMDb, Disney’s
CEO is looking to use ideas that did not make it into the
original, along with new ones. Samuel Jackson is also
rumored to return as the voice of Lucius Best/Frozone.
Although Finding Dory will come out on June 17, 2016
– 13 years after Finding Nemo – many older teens are
interested in seeing the movie to learn what follows their
childhood story. While kids will certainly be interested
in seeing it, they will more likely be found in theaters
featuring Disney’s newer films, like The Good Dinosaur.
Beauty and the Beast
March 17, 2017
2016
2017
Cars 3
Estimated 2018
2018
Top: actors are pictured next to the
animated characters they will portray.
Above: several new Disney films are
coming out in the next few years.
The Jungle Book
April 15, 2016
Incredibles 2
Nov. 16, 2016
20 | ENTERTAINMENT | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
Toy Story 4
June 16, 2017
Podcasts: the Netflix of the radio
EMMA KRUSE STAFF REPORTER
O
n Jan. 13, 1999, senior Hae Min Lee disappeared
from her high school in Baltimore. Her body was
found in the woods three weeks later. The murder
case is still being investigated. As Romulus and Remus
are born in Italy, Rome is born. Snoop Dog ruins National
Bullying Prevention Month. These topics are not from
shows on Netflix; these are podcasts. Serial, The History of
Rome, and Psychobabble are some popular podcasts, just to
name a few.
On any Apple device, there is a purple app with a
microphone on it. Inside, there is a plethora of radio stations
at the user’s disposal, all free, with topics ranging from
science to health and beauty to mysteries. Behold, the
Netflix of the radio.
Like Netflix, the audience chooses when to listen to the
podcasts. On a normal radio, one would have to wait until
the time that a radio show airs to listen to it. Podcasts are
available at the touch of a button and have a larger variety
of shows to follow than the radio would.
Many Mercy students reported that they listen to podcasts,
including freshman Sarah Cassidy, whose mother runs her
own radio stations. Her mother runs stations owned by CBS,
and CBS makes podcasts as well. The podcasts have the
same names as their radio stations: 97.1 THE TICKET, 98.7
AMP RADIO, 99.5 WYCD, 104.3 WOMC and 950 WWJ.
Welcome to Nightvale and Psychobabble were frequently
mentioned podcasts in a survey taken by Mercy students,
and both are intriguing and amusing stations to listen to.
Welcome to Nightvale is about a fictional town called
Nightvale where mysterious things happen. Psychobabble
is a commentary on popular culture by the comical YouTube
star Tyler Oakley and others. “Psychobabble is always
funny and a great way to relieve stress,” said Junior Jordyn
Kreucher, who enjoys listening to Psychobabble on a
monthly basis.
Some students mentioned that Mercy teachers have used
podcasts before to help students in class. Podcasts can be
very useful in school because there are podcasts on virtually
every subject. Need help in science? There’s a podcast
for that. Need a history lesson? There’s a podcast for that.
Need help with languages? There’s a podcast for that, too.
Senior Kathryn Dunleavy and other AP French students
use the podcast One Thing in a French Day to help with
their studies. Podcasts can be fun, relaxing, educational, and
interesting. Instead of listening to music or the radio in the
car every day, try a podcast and find out what happened to
Hae Min Lee, how Rome was founded, why Snoop Dog
ruined National Bullying Prevention Month, and much,
mich more.
According to a
recent Newsprint
survey, 24
percent of Mercy
students have
listened to podcasts
before.
Results based on over 100 Mercy students
who responded to an online survey.
If you are interested in . . .
Science
Mysteries
Current
Events
Try . . .
Try . . .
Try . . .
1. Hidden Brain
1. Serial
1. This American 2. Sci Fri
2. Lore
3. Hello PhD
3. No Sleep Podcast
Life
2. TED Radio Hour
3. Stuff you should
know
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | ENTERTAINMENT 21
Norma G’s on a roll
Mercy father operates a successful food truck in Metro Detroit
MOLLY LYONS STAFF REPORTER
I
“
t was coming,” Ellie Gouvia said. “We all saw it coming.
He was unhappy and searching for something to revive
his soul.”
After Mr. Lester Gouvia, father of junior Ellie Gouvia,
chose to leave behind his long-time corporate job in May
2014, he did just that; he found his happiness through
cooking Caribbean cuisine and serving it from his shiny, new
food truck.
Rolling throughout Metro Detroit, the multi-colored
truck attracts people seeking a new, colorful taste. Since the
truck’s opening in May 2014, the business has expanded to
a full catering service and is a popular attraction at Eastern
Market, Campus Martius, and other private events.
“Our entire family supports him,” said Ellie Gouvia.
“He is doing what he loves and continues to make us proud
through his hard work, dedication, and passion for both the
truck and the family.”
The popularity of food trucks has risen over recent years,
as they offer convenience, uniqueness, and deliciousness.
Each truck carries its own distinct flavors, ingredients,
and stories. Mr. Gouvia’s story traces all the way back to
Trinidad, where he grew up and his passion for cooking was
rooted in the lively atmosphere and hearty cuisine.
The name of the food truck, Norma G’s, is a reference to
Mr. Gouvia’s mother, Norma, who taught him to cook and
encouraged him to pursue his passion for it.
“In the kitchen is where he belongs,” said Ellie Gouvia.
“It’s where he is most comfortable and truly happy.”
The menu of Norma G’s includes bursts of culture, flavor,
and passion. Although the menu changes frequently, the list
includes items like jerk chicken sliders, mac and cheese, and
curry. Dishes range from sweet and spicy to smoky and juicy,
keeping customers satisfied and smiling with every bite.
In an interview with Detroit Eater, Mr. Gouvia describes
his Caribbean flavor as “an eclectic blend of cultures…But
the food is not just a blend of flavors; it’s a feeling.” And as
any customer would agree, it’s a heavenly feeling.
Biting into the sensational food excites taste buds and
leaves bellies satisfied and stuffed. The food is cooked and
prepared to perfection and possesses a fusion of sweet and
savory, satisfying all customers, young and old.
Mr. Gouvia’s passion and kindness is evident every time
Mr. Gouvia prepares his meals to perfection.
Photo Credits: Molly Lyons
Mr. Lester Gouvia stands with his daughter, junior Ellie Gouvia, in front of his food truck, Norma G’s.
he hands a customer a plate full of Caribbean delight. With
a beaming smile across his face and a sincere “God bless
you” to go with it, Mr. Gouvia leaves customers happy and
wanting more.
At the end of the day, when the lights go off and the
window is closed, the mini Trinidadian flag still hangs from
the front mirror, serving as a reminder of his culture and
family. Mr. Gouvia is proud of where he is, where he has
come from, and where he is going.
Mr. Gouvia plans to expand his business into a fullservice, friendly restaurant within the next year.
“If everything goes as planned, a year from now I’ll
be serving food to tables, while also maintaining the food
truck,” said Mr. Gouvia.
With determination, positivity, and family support, Mr.
Gouvia continues his dream.
“My dad’s truck and business has flipped my family’s life
upside down, but in a really good way,” said Gouvia.
The truck has brought the Gouvia family closer together,
bonding them through the happiness food brings.
Take it from Mr. Gouvia—following dreams and pursuing
passions can open new doors and opportunities. In his case,
pursuing his passion led to the open doors of a food truck and
miles of opportunity to succeed.
Mr. Gouvia’s delicious menu includes jerk chicken, chicken
pelan, and macaroni and cheese.
The vibrant colors of the truck and unique menu attract
customers to Norma G’s Caribbean cuisine.
22 | ART AND FOOD | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15
The great juice debate
Y
ou’ve seen tons of posts with cute captions and many
overused fruit and vegetable emojis, countless tweets
sharing personal reviews, and an abundance of snapchats
with happy customers.What is this mysterious new food trend
taking social media by storm? Juicing. There are so many
different places to get juice, from juice bars to the local grocery
store. It is suggested that you consume three servings of fruit
and four servings of vegetables, which is nearly impossible for a
lot of people, so juicing is a great alternative. I chose two juices
from fresh-pressed juice bars and one pre-packaged juice to
review. My drink of choice was a juice that contained a majority
of greens.
After asking Mercy students, I found that one of the most
popular juice bars is Beyond Juice. I went to the location in
Birmingham, MI which is one of many in the metropolitan area.
The menu has an array of options to choose from. The
ingredients for each item on the menu are listed next to the
name. I decided to try a juice named “The Verde.” It is made
with cucumber, celery, spinach, kale, parsley, and lemon. It took
10 minutes for the juice to be made. While waiting, I was able to
find out that the produce used in the store all comes from Eastern
Market in Detroit. The juice was then served to me in a 20 oz.
cup and it cost $7.
Before taking a sip of the heavily fragrant juice, I took off the
lid to view its ingredients. The juice was an earthy green color
and had a very thin consistency. If you ask me, it tasted like the
cousin of an ice cold gazpacho.
Overall, the flavor of the juice was really earthy and savory.
The celery was the flavor I tasted the most. I struggled to taste any
of the other ingredients. The aftertaste of the juice was lemon.
The second juice company I tested was Drought juice. The
company is owned by former Mercy students Caitlin and Jessie
James. I went to the store located in Royal Oak, MI, which is one
of many. The store offers different types of green drinks, and I
chose the most popular called “Green number 3.”
The initial smell of the juice was a mix of a fruit smoothie
and freshly cut grass. I was put off by the odd mixture but the
cashier insisted I would be surprised when I took the first sip. I
was indeed surprised. Picture a delicious salad with apples, kale,
Photo Credit: Jasmine Williams
JASMINE WILLIAMS STAFF REPORTER
Although it is growing in popularity in the Mercy community, Beyond Juice does not live up to its name.
celery, cabbage, and lemon. Now throw it in a juicer. The texture
was smooth and the juice went down my throat smoothly. There
was no competition between flavors and everything was well
balanced. The juice cost $11.
The pre-packaged juice company I chose was Naked. Naked
Juice is sold nationwide in grocery stores. I chose the “Green
Machine” flavor because it was close to the others I’d had. The
smallest size cost $4.75 at my local Meijer and $2.50 in the
Mercy cafeteria.
The ingredients in the drink were apple, banana, kiwi, mango,
pineapple, spirulina, alfalfa, broccoli, spinach, kale, garlic,
barley grass, wheatgrass, ginger, and parsley. The label instructs
drinkers to shake the bottle so that the contents are mixed
properly.
The color was much lighter than “The Verde” and the
consistency was also thicker. When I took the first sip, I was
pleasantly surprised. The flavor was sweet, as I expect juice to
be, but I could taste hints of veggies. I was able to finish the
whole bottle with pleasure.
The verdict: I prefer the Naked juice. Its taste was more
enjoyable for my sweet tooth. Also, the pricing was more suitable
for my wallet. If you have spare time and a gourmet palate, I
recommend Beyond Juice. If you have money to spare and are
looking for a variety of flavors, go with Drought. But if you are
on the go and need a quick veggie boost, a Naked juice is the
way to go.
Juicing, a lifestyle
EMMA KRUSE STAFF REPORTER
Goddess Skin
Ingredients:
one cantaloupe
two to three peaches
According to Jolene Hart, author of
Eat Pretty, the fruits in this juice contain
vitamins A, C and E, and potassium. One
cup of cantaloupe has more vitamin A and
C than the body needs in a day. A and C
both prevent acne, sun damage, wrinkles,
dull skin, and dry scalp. This juice cools
the body and helps keep you hydrated all
day long.
Youth Juice
Ingredients:
10 stalks celery
1.5 inches of ginger
five carrots
four pink lady apples
one squeeze of lemon juice
According to Hart, celery maintains
electrolyte balance, helping to detox your body
of excess fluid. Apples, ginger, and carrots have
anti-aging properties, and carrots can lower the
risk of breast cancer. Lemon juice decreases
bloating and helps with digestion.
Sweet Escape
Ingredients:
3/4 of a watermelon
25 red or purple grapes
According to Hart, watermelon has an
incredible amount of benefits, including
healthy red blood cell production, UV- defense,
hydration, detox, heart health, and more.
Grapes are known to protect DNA and slow
aging, helping you live a longer life. Grapes also
boost energy. To turn it into a pospsicle, make
the juice, pour it into some trays, and pop them
in the freezer for an hour or two.
09.25.15 | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | MHS | ART AND FOOD | 23
25 Things Found in a Mercy Girl’s
Backpack
LILLY BLAKE DESIGN EDITOR
1. Crumpled D- Gruber paper
2. Old iPad stylus that has been used only twice
3. Framed photo of Ms. Harkness
4. Puppy/panda/white horse running through a meadow folder
5. Empty and crumpled plastic wrapping of caf cookies
6. Roughly 15 heavy textbooks despite having access to ebooks
7. Unsigned "Policies Contract" that was intended
to be collected the second day of school
8. Mascara and bronzer for the purpose of possibly
getting asked to a dance in the parking lot
9. More mascara and bronzer in case it happens to be a Boy Panel day
10. Week-old bagged lunch lovingly made by
mom but ignored due to Pasta Bar
11. Bundled up winter jacket due to lack of accessible lockers
12. Assorted crumbs from assorted caf lunches
13. $15 just in case another t-shirt or club membership needs to be payed for
14. Hand-held fan used during the first months of
school and again before any AP test
15. Pocket-sized Bible for any spur-of-the-moment biblical urgencies
16. Several packs of gum for the swarms of bad-breathed friends
17. Handy stick of deodorant
18. Tissues for any post-test tears
19. Old, unwashed gym uniform
20. Cartoon character lunch box
21. Array of past school IDs on the off-chance the lanyard is left at home
22. Tide-To-Go Stick for any stains Pasta Bar might bring
23. Perfectly decorated, labeled, and color coordinated school planner
24. CamelBak water bottle in case of sudden extreme dehydration
25. Extra copies of Newsprint
24 | LAST LOOK | MHS | NEWSPRINTNOW.NET | 09.25.15