The University Liggett School Journal • Volume 1, Issue 4 • May 2009

The Second WorldBy Drew BrophyParag Khanna’s first book, The Second World, focuses onthe role that developing countries play in a three-way race forpower that is happening before our eyes. According to theyoung foreign policy expert, three “empires”—the UnitedStates, the European Union, and China—are going beyondtrade relations or military empires to build infrastructure andprovide services to foreign governments and their people.Khanna’s book, which was published before the globalfinancial crisis and before Hillary Clinton became Secretaryof State, provides valuable insight into the struggle to gainpolitical influence in nations he defines as the Second World.Khanna’s global awareness is unquestioned having worked forthink tanks, the World Economic Forum, as a senior geopoliticaladvisor to United States Special Operations Forcesin Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently as an informaladvisor to President Obama.The “second world” has traditionally been defined as theSoviet Union (and now Russia), the People’s Republic ofChina, and the states that formerly had or still have Marxist-Leninist regimes. Khanna defines “second world” countriesas those falling between industrialized and under-developedParag Khanna is Director of the Global Governance Initiativeand Senior Research Fellow at the New America Foundation.Drew Brophy exchanged e-mails with him asking him abouthis book The Second World.DB: Th e c e n t r a l i z at i o n o f Eu ro p e h a s ag a i n been calledi n t o q u e s t i o n w i t h t h e r e lu c ta n c e t o p rov i d e f i na n c i a lcrisis a i d t o Ea s t e r n Eu ro p e a n EU m e m b e r s . Will t h eEu ro p e a n Un i o n s t i l l r e m a i n o n e o f t h e t h r e e “empires”yo u ta l k e d a b o u t in Se c o n d Wo r l d?PK: The centralization of Europe should not be called intoquestion since it never existed. Europe’s model is a more postmodern,diffuse mode of multi-country leadership dependingon the issue. If the European Central Bank had the resourcesto act alone in bailing out Eastern European countries, thenindeed it should have, but in this case different West Europeancountries had very different levels of exposure to theEast. Irrespective of how this crisis turns out, East Europeancountries remain highly dependent on the West and the EUas a whole and thus it remains very much an empire.Yawps!nations. In the midst are some seventy countries in Latin America,Northern Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet bloc,Eastern Europe, and the Pacific Rim all searching for the bestway in which they can become industrialized regional powers.China’s battle for influence and resources in Russia and alongthe Silk Road, why Turkey is still an epicenter of internationalcontrol, and the battle between US and Venezuelan influencein Latin America are just a few of things that Khanna explores.While the American public may not seem too interested inthese subjects, it is worth noting that the book reads more likeBill Bryson’s travel works—explorative and lively. This makescontinued on the next pageDB: Th e Ec o n o m i s t p o rt r ay e d i n t e r nat i o na l o rg a n i-z at i o n s a s t h e To w e r o f Ba b e l, a n d t h e r e h av e beenc o n c e r n s t h at n at i o n s a r e b e c o m i n g m o r e isolationist inresponse t o t h e g l o b a l recession. Sh o u l d i n t e r nat i o na lo rg a n i z at i o n s l i k e t h e IMF, t h e WTO, t h e Wo r l d Ba n k,e t c. be c h a n g e d, a n d if so w h at d o yo u see a s t h e f i r s ts t e p o f r e f o r m?PK: There are literally hundreds of international institutionstoday, most prominently the IMF/World Bank, United NationsSecurity Council, WTO, etc. Each was in dire need ofreform prior to the crisis, and even more so now. They willonly help prevent isolationism/protectionism to the extentthat they can sustain mutually verified openness across thekey economies such as the G-20. So far, things don’t look sogood since at least 17 of the 20 have enacted some form ofprotectionism. The first step to longer-term reform will be todetermine a new division of labor among these bodies so thatthey do not duplicate each other’s tasks in a wasteful manner,nor overlap too much with what many states may already bedoing more efficiently.continued on the next page

continued from the previous pageDB: On Ch a r l i e Ro s e, yo u ta l k e d a b o u t t h e difference betweent h e Wa s h i n g t o n Co n s e n s u s a n d a “Eu ro p e a n m o d e l .”Wh at r e f o r m s t o t h e Wa s h i n g t o n Co n s e n s u s need t o bem a d e a n d h o w w o u l d r e c o m m e n d t h i s d i a l o g u e be s ta rt e d ?PK: The Washington Consensus was a set of policy prescriptionsfor emering markets and under-developed countries. In theory,it made sense, in practice it elevated foreign creditors and laissezfaire interests over domestic social and developmental needs.The European model, for those that can afford it, is sensitive towelfare demands and therefore maintains these even in times ofcrisis such as today. This is why even though Europe’s economicrecession is worse than America’s, European communities arenot crumbling like America’s are. The state has for decade had astrong hand in Europe, while in America we are just rediscoveringthis option.continued from the previous pagesense as Khanna has traveled to over one hundred countries.The only drawback—beyond any disagreement the readermight have with Khanna—is that books cannot be automaticallyupdated. The hardcover version was released in early2008 with a paperback copy released with a new preface earlierthis year. Some events like the Russian invasion of SouthOssetia may be fairly easy to interpret within the contextof The Second World. Since the book’s publishing, fallingoil prices have suppressed the political success of certaincountries, while the financial crisis has left the developedworld in crisis, the developing world on the verge of collapse,and international organizations (such as the EU) in question.Though the book may seem a little out of date, The SecondWorld remains a very strong introduction to our world’s strugglefor political something, whether that something be order, justice,or freedom.With American hegemony in decline (according to scholars andmedia), with a new administration promising a fresh strategy forAmerican foreign policy, and with what Khanna calls a new “Europeanmodel” of nation building, it is now more necessary thanever for people to understand foreign relations. Just as Nazismwas birthed at least partially out of an international financialcrisis, the scale of today’s crisis may create and destroy politicalforces throughout the world. Khanna’s book provides its readerswith a better understanding of a global landscape that is still beingtransformed.Detroit Must Be SavedBy Cat VatsisFor most of the 20th century, Detroit was a thriving city,thanks mainly to its booming automobile production. The carindustry created millions of jobs for men and women, not onlyin Michigan, but across the entire country. After the Japaneseattack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the city ofDetroit played a pivotal role in protecting our country. DuringWorld War II, the three major automakers, General Motors,Ford, and Chrysler, retooled their factories for wartime, andDetroit became known as “The Arsenal of Democracy.” TheAmerican automakers provided resources to our military andbuilt necessary equipment such as tanks, airplanes, and armor.Ultimately, the support of the automakers allowed the Allies toprevail in the war. Detroit still plays a role today in supportingour military by providing necessary weapons including the M1Abrams tank, presently manufactured in the Detroit suburb ofWarren.The rise of the American middle class commenced in 1913with Henry Ford’s announcement that he would pay $5 a dayto his workers. Workers lined up on Woodward Avenue by thethousands to be hired by Ford Motor Company. The old Fordplant still exists today, although it is not in use. From that pointon, untold millions of Americans and immigrants migrated toDetroit to find jobs in the automobile factories. This is one reasonwhy Detroit to this day is such an ethnically diverse region.As a result of the rise of the automobile industry, there hasbeen a growth of other ancillary businesses. For instance, therise of the steel industry in Pittsburgh, the rise of the tire industryin Akron, and the rise of the petroleum industry around thecontinued on the next page

continued from the previous pageworld are results of the car industry’s ascension here in Detroit.Businesses such as repair shops, gas stations, dealerships,and car rental agencies are all offshoots of the car industry.According to CNNMoney.com, the failure of the Americanautomobile industry would result in as many as three millionlost jobs. Additionally, the Big Three have traditionally donatedtremendous amounts of money to cultural and educationalinstitutions and have enhanced community life. Essentially, theeconomic stability and security of the United States are still relianton the success of the American automobile industry. As aresult of the automobile industry’s success over the last century,American society has prospered and the industrial might it createdhas preserved American democracy and freedom aroundthe world.It is evident that our present economic recession is largely toblame for the decline of the automobile industry. Its effectsare felt not only in our region, but around the nation andthe world. The question of how this crisis can be resolvedis complicated and is subject to much debate. Not even thewisest politicians or economists can agree on a solution tothis lingering problem. A shift in American consumer attitudesfavoring the purchase of American manufactured vehiclesis of prime importance to the survival of the Detroitcar companies.Detroit must be saved to preserve the millions of jobsdependent upon the car industry and just as importantly, topreserve the economic vitality and prosperity of our regionand nation. We must all work together to preserve Detroitand the industry that fostered it.Do You Remember...By Megan AmicucciI walked away from the concession stand with my handscompletely filled, toting a dripping wet, ice-cold, sticky,blue-raspberry snow cone in one hand and my brother’s RedWings towel dragging behind me in the other. I slowly mademy way to the parking lot where my mother and cousin werewaiting. I had on my favorite, purple 101 Dalmatians bathingsuit, and my hair, damp from hours of swimming, wassticking up everywhere. I didn’t care. I noticed a blue silveryline of liquid dripping down my hand. In fact, the blueliquid was on my arms, my face, the towel, and even a drop ortwo had found its way onto my bare feet. “Put something onyour feet besides your toes,” my dad had always warned. AdviceI never heeded. And now I was paying for it as I beganhopping across the scorching surface of the black parking lot.I quickly placed my wet towel upon the hot leather seats as Ihad done so many times before and jumped into the car. Mymother, not saying a word, merely offered a knowing glancein the rearview mirror and started the engine. My cousinwas already inside the car, writing her name in the windowwith her finger. As we pulled away, the sun billowing into theopen sunroof, I rolled down the window, stuck my hand outand slowly waved up and down, letting the cool wind rushthrough my fingers and sweep across my blue-stained face. Iwas eight.With only days left in our high school careers, we havestarted to look forward. To grow up. To leave. We’ve heardthe questions more than a hundred times. Where are yougoing to college? Are you excited? What are you going tostudy? What, and more importantly, who are you going to be?With all this looking ahead, I thought it might be fitting totake a look back. At a time when we are taking on our first realresponsibilities and making our first hard decisions in life…let’spause for a moment…and take a trip down memory lane to atime of snow cones and swimsuits and absolutely no responsibility.Do yo u remember…The Spice Girls. Hours after hours of painstakingly perfectingthe dance moves. Which one were you? Posh, Mel C, Mel B,Sporty or Baby?“Backstreet’s Back, Alright!” Ok, so maybe they won’t beback anytime soon, but who can forget how much they loved theBackstreet Boys? Or were you an NSYNC fan?“Move it football head!” Helga Patacki, Gerald, and the restof the Hey Arnold! gang.Do yo u remember…Gameboy. Sega. Nintendo 64. Ah, the magical world ofvideo games. How many hours did you spend with Mario,Luigi, Toad, and Donkey Kong?Dunna nana na na na na na, Inspector Gadget! Dooo do dodo do do dooo do do. Doug!Spending time curled up in the library or in your bed readingthe likes of Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Winnie the Pooh, EricCarle, and of course, J. K. Rowling. Still waiting for that letter.Do you remember…One fish, two fish, red fish, and a million Swedish fish!continued on the next page6

continued from the previous pageCooling down running through the sprinklers. Warming upon the sun-soaked driveway.Bike riding with no hands. Squirt guns. Slingshots. And lotsof scraped knees.Do yo u remember...Blank Check. Heavyweights. A Kid in King Arthur’s Court.Richie Rich. Rookie of the Year.The fabulous world of preteen fashion. Jean skirts worn overleggings. Reebok tennis shoes with the three stripes. Bell bottompants. Oh, and the Doc Marten fad.Collecting Barbie dolls. Pardon me, make that Pokemoncards.Turning the underside of the coffee table into a secret fort.Or the family mini-van into a full blown NASA spacecraft.“Check one, Check two, we are a go captain,” Pull back on theDr. Pepper throttle rising up out of the cup-holder and it’s“warp speed ahead.”Do yo u remember?I never w a n t t o f o rg e t .Battle of the Sexes:Should Boys and Girls Go to School Together?By Kathryn LaLondeAs the principles of society change, so do the goals and objectivesof education. A century ago, no one would have debatedwhich system, co-ed or segregated, were better at the highschool level. As we go further in time, social perspectives andopinions seem to be changing about the matter. Some cling topast values while others believe that having males and femalesin the same school is best for the growth of a child. Religion,economics, and neighborhoods have a large role in this decision,but the future will bring no significant change in the matter ofcoeducational schools. As society adjusts, more of the populationwill continue to send their children to co-educationalschools.Same sex schools have been around for decades, but are theyreally the best choice? Socially, same-sex schools are emotionallyeasier on students. They allow students to speak up and to bemore outspoken without worrying about impressing someoneof the other sex. Girls become more competitive when theydon’t have to worry about a boy teasing them. On the otherhand, boys become less competitive because they don’t have tobe concerned about girls’ opinions. This freedom builds confidencein young students and allows them to concentrate morebecause it removes the distractions of co-educational socialpressures. With these benefits- better behavior, academic success,and a variety of academic classes- it’s no wonder that there hasbeen a revitalization of the single-sex school in recent years.Although same sex schools have some advantages, co-ed schoolshave proven to be the better choice for the well-being of manystudents.A co-educational environment is a good atmosphere forstudents to grow together, share activities, and expand theirtalents. There are several benefits to enrolling a child in a coeducationalschool. The academic and cultural life is far richerin these schools, and the sporting and the social dimensionsadd to this richness. In the co-ed classrooms, fewer stereotypesdevelop because there is a wider range of academic strengths andweaknesses and more intellectual challenges. Boys and girls arevery different in many respects, but they need to be given equalopportunities. A major advantage in these schools is that boysbecome aware of girls’ abilities and vice versa, and this makes iteasier for them to work together later in life.For optimal success, co-educational schools build and worktowards a better future. These schools are more similar to workingin the “real world.” The connection in these schools thatgrows between boys and girls makes it easier in the future toadjust to a mixed society. By being with the opposite genderand working with them, a bond grows and will be maintainedthroughout life to make the working world a much more functionalenvironment. These types of schools open up career opportunitiesand give students a more balanced education. You’llcome across boys and girls studying side-by-side and learningmore about themselves and each other in the process.In the long run of things, co-educational schooling is the bestchoice for society. A co-educational environment is obviouslymore reflective of the general public. The atmosphere of theseschools is neutral and healthier. The co-ed school lets children beexposed to differences in race, gender, and religion, an exposureto diversity that is a necessity later in life. Academics, social life,and emotional growth are just a few areas in which people maturein co-ed surroundings. Some will continue to dispute over whichschool is best for their teenager, but which education will youchoose? Will you make the right decision?

SportsWhich One to ChooseA Look at College Sports RecruitingBy Dominic JamettIn recent years there has been more attention focused on high schoolbasketball players and more recently middle school players. The NCAAhas many rules that coaches must follow when recruiting a player. Theyare not allowed to contact a player until his junior year in high school.If these rules are broken, severe penalties are handed out. Recently,some players who have just finished their freshman season have committedto play for a college. In most cases, if a kid wants to play DivisionI basketball then they must play foran AAU team. If a kid is good enough hewill play for multiple teams and be treatedlike a king. There are also premier campsfor players of all ages. If a player performswell at one of these camps; he will receiveattention from not only colleges but shoecompanies like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok.Basketball players being recruited at such ayoung age and being treated like superstarsis a shocking and appalling thing.The National Collegiate Athletics Association,often referred to as the NCAA,is some college coach’s worst enemy. TheNCAA has many strict rules and enforcesthem no matter what the situation. Anexample of this took place when RickMajerus, coach at Utah, broke a rule. Oneof his players, Keith Van Horn, was withhim when Majerus received some unsettlingnews; Van Horn’s father had died. Majerus was the one who wasto tell his player this news. As the story goes Majerus bought VanHorn a meal at a deli before telling him the news. Another time oneof Majerus’ players needed to talk with him after the player’s brothercommitted suicide. Majerus bought the kid a bagel to calm him down.Majerus violated NCAA rules and regulations by buying a player foodwhen he wanted to make his player more comfortable in a moment ofneed. The NCAA brought Majerus to justice. The NCAA penalizeda coach for trying to relax his players in a situation when his playerswere feeling lost and confused; imagine what they would do if theyfound out someone broke the rules when there was not a dead familymember involved. Recently, a story broke that the University of Connecticutcommitted recruiting violations in the recruitment of one oftheir players. The penalties for the violations have not been announced,but many experts predict that they will be very severe. One rule that isrumored to be broken very often is the rule which prohibits coaches tomake calls or write personal letters to players before the end of theirsophomore year in high school. The only way that they can contact aplayer is by sending a questionnaire to signal their interest in a player.The reason that this rule is often thought to be broken is that kids arecommitting to colleges very early in their high school or sometimes latein their middle school careers. However, there is a loophole. A collegecan host players at one of their on-campus camps. There is a possibilitythat a heralded player might show up at the camp,and at this time a scholarship can be offered butonly after the conclusion of the camp. Some peoplemight wonder how colleges know about theseplayers if they are in the seventh grade. The answerto that are Junior Phenom camps. These camps areoften hosted by Adidas, Nike, or a privately runorganization dedicated at developing players toget to the next level. These camps are often filledwith people who make their living ranking playersaccording to their skill level. The ranking usedto be exclusively for high school players but theynow include sixth graders. Coaches are often onthe look out for players who are highly ranked bythese people. If the highest ranked player comesto the camp, and the coach is interested in himthan he can give the player a tour of the facilitiesand there might be a scholarship offered at thistime. The commitments that the players make arenon-binding until they are put in writing during aplayer’s senior year. The rules that the NCAA have put into action areobviously in need of change and need to focus on the commitments ofplayers who are so young.The class of 2010 had 13 players who committed to colleges at theend of their freshman seasons. All of these players have committed tocolleges who play in a major conference. Also, most of the colleges areconsistently one of the best teams in the country. The commitmentsof these players have fueled the argument on whether players shouldbe allowed to commit so early. In the Southeastern Conference, knownas the SEC, the trend seems to be the younger the coach the less ofa problem they have with a player committing so early. The youngestcoach, Arkansas’ John Pelphrey, has no problem with a player committingearly, “I have seen a couple of eighth-graders that if they wantedto commit to Arkansas. I’d certainly let them.” The coach from Auburn,Jeff Lebo, feels the exact opposite, “I didn’t even know how to go tothe bathroom in eighth grade so I don’t know how I could have madecontinued on the next page

continued from the previous pagea decision to go to college. I was trying to get into the ninth graderather than trying to get into college.” Although some coachesmay not agree with it they might not have a choice. The nature ofcollege basketball is that people involved have to be able too adaptand change. The coaches are forced to recruit at such a young agebecause their opponents are doing it. They only way those coacheswill be able to stay competitive with their competition is to recruitthe same type of players, no matter what the age. Tennessee’s BrucePearl makes a very good observation by saying that recruiting a playerat so young of an age is bad for their growth, “If they commit reallyyoung they can just think, ‘Hey I’ve made it, I’ve arrived.’” Pearl isright; as soon as a player receives a scholarship offer then they feel asif they do not have to put in as much effort. After all, they receivedan offer to play basketball at the highest level possible and they didit all before coaches can legally contact them. It also puts a lot ofunneeded pressure on a player. They are put under a microscope assoon as they commit to a college. If they have a poor performanceeveryone will question whether they are good enough to play at theDivision 1 level. The early commitments also are bad for the colleges.Most schools have a limited number of scholarships and they donot try to sign a lot of players, usually 1-5. The earlier kids commitLacrosse Previewthe less likely they are to stay committed. The players are so excited toreceive a scholarship offer that they commit to the school too quickly toactually make the right decision. Also, the player might receive a betteroffer later in time that is better suited for them. Most of the time assoon as a player verbally commits to a school; other colleges usually stoprecruiting this player. This might not be the case if a player commitsreally early in their high school career. Coaches might feel that if theymake a good enough impression on this player then they will decide tocome to their school instead. This is bad for the coach that the playerhad originally given their commitment to. By the time they learn thattheir star recruit has decided to leave the program; it might be too latefor them to sign another high quality prospect to replace the one thatthey just lost. A player committing early can be a bad thing for theplayer and also the college.The recruitment of players who are still in middle is absurd andridiculous. Coaches should not pressure a player into making a decisionand a player should not make a decision to go to a college after theirfreshman season. Most students do not make the decision until theirsenior year and even then they transfer to a different college after theirfreshman year. A player committing to a college that early is bad for theplayer and also bad for the university.By Jack FisherUniversity Liggett lacrosse has seen its ups and downsover the past few years, however with the incredible successof last season’s 2008 campaign (11-3), a difficult pastseems to just disappear. Holding the Grosse Pointe titleby defeating North and South was unprecedented, alongwith other memorable wins over L’anse Creuse and OrchardLake St. Mary’s. Moving from an overall ranking of 45thin Michigan to 19th (not to mention third in Division II)by the end of the 2008 season, the program has flourished.The team of that season was marked by unbreakable chemistry,overwhelming talent, and a competitive nature thatcould not be suppressed. As the 2009 season begins to getunder way, the pressure is on, and the expectations are great.The new team must now cope with a coaching change andthe loss of many key players, yet the prospects are promising,and the team is in a position to continue the success oflast season.One of the major challenges the Knights will face thisyear is the loss of one of the best coaches in all of highschool lacrosse, Chris Hartley. As Liggett’s Varsity Lacrossecoach for six years, Chris Hartley built the program fromthe ground up with fierce intensity and a relentless workethic. He will be greatly missed, but he will be replaced bytwo young and experienced coaches—Coach John Bartoyand Coach Eric. Each has played college lacrosse and has asolid understanding of the game.Although the program has faced the loss of a few lacrossetitans such as, Steven “Dirty” Coval and legend Michael“Calves” Burchi, the players that make up the core of the 2009squad are exceptionally talented. Rory Deane will start his secondfull season in the cage, after a break-out performance in the2008 season. Also players such as Dan Zukas and Jake Goldberggive substantial bolster to the offensive and defensive aspects ofthe game. Also with a large freshman class, some talent is likelyto be present. With a solid amount of skill coupled with masssupport from the student body, the University Liggett schoollacrosse program has set the stage for the 2009 season.

Hope CollegeMary-Kate NeilsonJacob DombrowskiAlma CollegeAlex BollGrand Valley State UniversityAndrew MalaskiWestern Michigan UniversityErik LitchMichigan TechnologicalUniversityBrandon AltimoreWayne State UniversityBianca AvolioAziz JanPavan PolicherlaJill TinesBrandon WoodsOakland UniversityHiram FairclothSteven MorrisAlbion CollegeRaymond BrownUniversity of MichiganMegan AmicucciMichael McLaughlinQuinn ScillianCatherine VatsisAkshay VermaMichigan State UniversityAndrew CallewaertJohn GeorgeJeremiah ManningMegha PatelMorgan StinsonWhere the Class of 2009 isGoing to CollegeUniversity of Notre DameKate ShannonBeloit CollegeDanielle KressUniversity of ChicagoJanaya GripperDepaul UniversityCharlotte WaldmeirNew York UniversityChristian ReddingUniversity of RochesterCristin MasonHobart and William Smith CollegeDanielle MasiBrown UniversityClaire PeracchioPrinceton UniversityChristopher BrownellGeorgetown UniversityTori JovanovskiCorcoran College of Art & DesignJessica LancasterUniversity of VirginiaDrew BrophyUniversity of RichmondKristin PetersonJohn Carroll UniversityAlana BryanCase Western UniversityRachael FarberCapital UniversityJessie FosterMiami UniversityDrew AmatoWhitney BaubieBilly CostelloJack FisherTracy GrayUniversity of DaytonClarke DirksenKyle KeithArizona State UniversityBlake ChouinardSavannah College of Art & DesignMargaret Mary FitzgeraldAve Maria UniversityTommy GravesUndecidedMegan BrandonMarc Hames11

Point/Counterpoint: Administration IssuesStudent AdvocacyBy Alex BollMany complaints have surfaced over the administration’s effortsto turn over a new leaf. Some of these complaints may be seen aspetty, but to some they are a big deal. The administration has beenundergoing changes as there is now a new headmaster, principal,and dean of students. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind thatchange needed to occur, but the real question is what kind ofchange and to what extreme. As enrollment numbers decreased andstudents and parents voiced their dissatisfaction, a red flag poppedup to provoke a necessary change. Change is sometimes necessarybut not always for good.When I revealed my article idea to Mr. Mock, he asked me ifI were looking for trouble and wanted to get expelled for writingthis. Let me tell you now that I am not writing this article to bashthe administration or to belittle anyone. I am writing this articleto reveal the views and opinions of students and teachers currentlyattending ULS. I asked various ULS students the simple questionof what the ULS administration is doing wrong, and a shockinglycommon response was “everything.” Other complaints ranged fromthe changed Liggett logo to the assumption that Spirit Week willno longer exist on the ULS calendar.Our administration prides itself on the community and theco-involvement of the staff, students, and parents. According toPrinceton’s Dictionary, a community is a group of people withan agreement regarding goals. With this definition in mind, wemust ask what goals guide our community. It seems that studentsaren’t sharing the common objectives of the adults running ourinstitution. If the students are such a vital part of this institution,shouldn’t our thoughts, concerns, and opinions influence thedecision-making? One would think so. Students here feel that theirvoices are not heard and that their opinions mean nothing.The logo change was a big issue earlier this year. Many studentswho have attended ULS for a long time felt disrespected and belittledbecause they weren’t consulted. If we, the students, are paradingaround with the logo on our clothes, mugs, ties, etc., we shouldhave some input in the choice of what logo represents Liggett. Ourcomputer policy is another controversial issue. This policy mandatesthat we use computers solely for academic-related work. Tosome who play on YouTube and Facebook during their long freeperiod, this is upsetting. This rule is intended to teach students tomore constructively and effectively use their time and the schoolcomputers, but really it just teaches students to master where Mr.MacKethan stands and which computers are visible to him.Another issue is the restriction on the use of the hot chocolatemachine. When informed of this new rule, senior Aziz Jan stated,“I have witnessed the same junior put his coffee cup behind booksin the library twice this year.” This action reveals that some of usshould be enrolled in the 1st grade. But this is high school. To me,getting our privileges revoked is very frustrating. We have beenwaiting four years for these rights. I feel that not all should bepunished for the wrongdoings of a select few. I think that themajority of the students and staff know who the real culprits areand who is hiding the cups.The issue of signing out is also worth mentioning. As a seniorstudent who does not have privileges but signs out often with mymother’s consent, I don’t see a problem with my actions, but Liggettdoes. If I want lunch and decide to go buy a five dollar pizza,why shouldn’t I be able to do so with my mother’s permission?Liggett’s argument is that they are responsible for every studentfrom 8 AM-3 PM every day. My rebuttal is that my mother is atall times is responsible for me, and in fact the umbilical cord wasattached from her to me. If my mother calls the school office andsays that her daughter may go to lunch for an hour on a certainday, then I should be able to do that. I have faced many issueswhere the office disagrees with this, and I have served countlessdetentions due to this situation.This brings me to my next issue, detentions. Every Wednesdaymorning if you walk into Room 200 at approximately 7:00 AM,you will see on average 4 or 5 students, usually seniors, staringinto space, dosing off, or shaking there legs in anticipation of 8AM. I will bet that almost all students who have served it finddetention absolutely pointless. What lesson am I being taughtwhile I sit and stare at a wall, not doing my homework, not sleeping,and not listening to music? I could sit and stare at the bookcovers for hours in Mr. Butzu’s room. I have served detention afterdetention, week after week, and I have yet to learn a lesson. I thinkit would be much more constructive for the troublemakers to cleantables, sweep floors, clean the library, or even wash a teacher’s car.Senior Marc Hames, who is late for homeroom every day andholds a record for the most detentions, is a perfect example. WhenI asked him what detention means for him, he responded with,“That reminds me, I have detention tomorrow morning.” Uponfurther reflection, he replied, “Ms. Boll, I have to be honest, itdoes nothing for me and makes me miserable and saddened atthe thought that these people that allegedly care for me put methrough such frivolous activities before the sun arises.” I thenasked him if it teaches him a lesson. He stated, “Well, if it isconstructed to teach me a lesson, I have yet to learn it.” I think myinterview with Mr. Hames sums up the feelings of many towardsthe pointless Wednesday morning detentions.With this discussion of school policies, it is important toreturn to the definition of a community. We have establishedthat a community is a group of people united by common goals.What exactly are Liggett’s common goals? The teachers, staff, andadministration might all share common goals and ideas, yet manyof the students enrolled here at ULS do not agree with them. In acommunity, everyone should be equal and should interact togetherin a healthy and civil way. What is a community where many in itaren’t happy and disagree with the rules?Several times students and their representatives on the

Student Council have challenged a policy implemented by the administration, and the result is nothing other than a pointless argumentas the students’ voices are ignored. When the students were notified that they had to wear dress code for exams, they were incensed.Many expressed their outrage to the Student Council, where this was communicated to the principal. Even though our student bodypresident highlighted and cited the rule stating that the students have free dress during exams, he was still shot down. The StudentCouncil was told that the rule was changed, but the fact is that the students’ opinion was not sought, and the new rule isn’t even in thehandbook. Even with the handbook supporting the students’ position, the administration said that this doesn’t matter.What kind of example is this setting? The administration can just arbitrarily decide to change this rule, and it will now be changed.What about what the students want? To some, this may be seen as a petty example, but to the seniors, especially those who have beenhere for countless exams over the years, it is unfair and simply unwarranted. I heard a joke last week by the coffee table when Mr. Breenand Mr. Alpert were talking about Megan Brandon, a senior and a Liggett lifer. Mr. Alpert said, “Ohh, here is a Liggett Lifer,” andthe response from Megan was, “Yeah, lifetime sentence without parole.” This quote reveals the lack of satisfaction and confidence thatsome students have regarding our school.I am happy that I graduate very soon and end my chapter here at Liggett to begin a new one at college. The point of my argument forthis article is that maybe the administration should listen to the students a little bit more and stop simply doing what they want to do.Give the students a voice, and for once let them choose how their time at Liggett will be spent under the Liggett rules.A Call for AccountabilityBy Megan BrandonIt is no secret that Liggett has had problems in the past withdisrespectful behavior from members of the community, rangingfrom property destruction to attacks on fellow students todefecation on the floors and walls of bathrooms. For a group ofstudents that so desperately want to be treated with more respectfrom the administration and have more freedom they really aren’tdoing anything to earn it. One of the biggest mistakes studentsat this school make is believe that they are entitled to everythingaround them.But guess what – you’re not entitled to lunch privileges, you’renot entitled to free periods, you’re not entitled to wear whateveryou want to school, to show up to school whenever you want,or to take things that don’t belong to you. What students don’tunderstand is that this is not a public school; we have a dress codeand other rules and regulations that don’t apply at a governmentrunschool. When your parents sign you up at University Liggett,they sign a contract of agreement, and when you attend a privateschool, you don’t have the same rights as someone in publicschool. If your phone is taken from you, the administration hasevery right to go through its contents – so if you have a problemwith that then don’t have your phone out during school. If youdon’t want to be sent home to change during school because you’reout of dress code, then don’t wear patch pockets and Uggs. If youseriously want to be treated like an adult then you must act like anadult; college is right around the corner and it’s time to grow up.Recently something happened during lunch that really upset alot of people – a group of freshman stole all 24 of the cartons ofchocolate milk from the lower school students. Talk about stealingcandy from a baby. What kind of person would do something likethat? Who exactly do you think you are? Did you honestly thinkthat behavior was anywhere near acceptable? This little stunt ofyours cost the entire Upper School chocolate milk privileges. Andalthough I don’t agree with the means of punishing the whole forthe acts of a few, I can understand that an lesson needed to becontinued on the next pageThe Views and Opinions Expressed byScrivener journalists are not necessarilythose of University Liggett School, the editors,the English Department, other writers,or the faculty advisor.We welcome letters to the editor and anytype of submission, but we cannot guarenteeits publication. It may also be edited forlength or content.If you are interested in submitting an articlefor The Scrivener, please contact Mr. Mockby e-mail at smock@uls.org or see him inroom 202.

continued from the previous pagetaught. Time after time, students are pushing the limits of whatis and is not acceptable behavior, and frankly, I am tired of beingembarrassed by this school and the people in it. The fact that anyonewould defecate on the floor of a bathroom and spread it on the wallsis ridiculous to me. Who thinks of things like this? Most likely, it ispeople that need counseling. If you’re so bored during the day thatyou feel the need to go mess things up, then use that time and go talkto Dr. Ondersma.Most schools don’t give its students the opportunity to have freeperiods; they have study halls where students have to sit and dohomework and don’t get the option to relax and talk to friends. Soif you enjoy the freedom of your aptly named free periods I highlysuggest you not ruin it because it would be even easier for the administrationto stick us all in monitored study halls. Or even easier, theycould put cameras in the school to watch what we were doing. If youwant this school to be like a prison, keep pushing because I’m tellingyou it could become one.Another recurring problem is a lack of respect for other people’sbelongings. For example, if you leave your bag in the hall or yourlocker unsecured at schools like Grosse Pointe South, your stuff willbe stolen and you won’t get it back. At Liggett, we are thankfully ableto do both these things without really worrying about it. We knowthat when we come back from lunch, our bag will still be there witheverything still in it – for the most part. On more than one occasion Ihave gone into my backpack or my locker and a single book has beentaken. This should be clear: if you forgot your math book at homethat’s not my problem and you have no right to take mine. Chancesare good that if you ask around someone will be willing to lend youtheir book. But why should anyone else suffer from your own lackof responsibility? Now that we are on the subject of backpacks, Ishouldn’t forget to mention the phenomenon of tacoing. Really?Tacoing? You can’t be serious. For those of you that don’t know whattacoing is, it is when everything is taken out of someone’s backpack,the backpack turned inside out, then zipped back up with the booksAn Overdosed NationWhile I was watching TV, I noticed the vast number of pharmaceuticalads that Americans are exposed to every day. It seems that anyminor health concern results in a script needing to be filled by a nearbypharmacy.One example of this trend is the increased diagnosis of AttentionDeficit Disorder/ Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADD/ADHD).According to statistics revealed by the Child Trends Databank, approximately10% of children ages 12 to 17 are diagnosed with some form ofADD or ADHD. The concept that Americans are being over-diagnosedand over-medicated for exaggerated or even made up mental disorders hasnow become one of the significant problems of our time. Some of themost common diseases diagnosed among people are depression, ADD,ADHD, eating disorders, and sleeping disorders. Many of the medicationsthat are used for these diseases cause more harm then good as aresult of their problematic side effects.A recent study conducted by two New York University researchersexposed the fact that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry spends double themoney on promoting medication through advertising that they spendon researching and developing their products. In 2005, the Journal ofthe National Medical Association sampled different doctors’ offices toinside. Even Mr. Cassidy can agree that on a certain level, tacoing canbe funny, but problems begin when the things that were in the bagdisappear. Nobody thinks before they do stuff like this. You neverknow what kind of day someone has had before you do this to them.So many times, people at this school feel like they are being constantlycriticized and treated badly. We get it – it’s high school and this stuffhappens, but there’s always a time to back off. You can only be so selfcenteredand rude before it gets old really fast. Mr. Cassidy believesthat apart from learning academically, we are here at Liggett to learnhow to become a better person, to care for others and look beyondselfish interests. Although we do have programs like Casa Maria, howmany people would still go if they didn’t get Community Servicehours for attending?Sometimes, the rudeness I witness from some of the students is stillamazing to me, even after 15 years at the school. On inauguration day,I sat in the front row and had to listen to people behind me mutteringand laughing about the smallest things, consequently ruining amomentous occasion in history for those of us that actually caredabout what was happening. However, this kind of behavior is not newto many of these students. During class they refuse to stop talking,compelled to continue their conversations even when they have beenasked repeatedly to stop. No matter if it’s a regular day in class orexam review, they keep challenging the teachers with their incessanttalking and horse play. And no amount of ADD medication couldhelp anyone focus through their distracting behavior. Students complainedthat the former science teacher, Mr. Beamer, was out of linefor kicking students out of class for this behavior, but in actuality thisis exactly the type of punishment the teachers should be enacting. Ifyou don’t want to learn and you want to be distracting then you shouldleave. If you miss ten classes and don’t get credit for that class then youshouldn’t have been distracting. This was so helpful to those of us thatactually needed to be able to focus to do well. And surrounded by asmuch disrespectful behavior as he was, his actions were very commendable.Students at Liggett should take note of this kind of reaction, asthis will be what they are faced with when they enter the real world.By Alex Bolldiscover that the magazines in the offices had an average of 12 pharmaceuticalads per magazine. According to the government, approximately44% of Americans are taking prescription drugs. The odds are that halfof the people reading this article are medicated, and according to thegovernment, one in six Americans take three or more prescriptions a day.Taking unnecessary and excessive medications for non-existent medicalissues is very dangerous. Pharmaceutical companies are doing promotionswith 2 weeks free or free samples, encouraging people to get aquick fix for their latest problem. Last year the pharmaceutical industry’sincome was about 250 billion dollars. Another statistic reveals that lastyear 125,000 people died from the negative side effects of pharmaceuticaldrugs.It is sickening that companies are advertising medication to the publicthat can possibly be fatal. There needs to be greater regulation andoversight of the pharmaceutical industry to diminish these risks to theAmerican public. It would also be beneficial if the government limitedthe free trials that could have negative results. The over-medication ofAmerica is a serious issue that must be addressed before pharmaceuticaldependence causes our society to deteriorate beyond medical intervention.

Our WorldEating Disorders: The New EndBy Whitney BaubieThe number of people with eating disorders has skyrocketed inthe past ten years. In the past decade, the “perfect” body imagehas changed dramatically. The extremely skinny look portrayed bycelebrities and models seems to be what people with eating disordersstrive for. In the past, when society has embraced women withcurves, eating disorders barely existed. Now that skinny is in, onein every hundred girls will suffer from either anorexia or bulimia.Most who hear that figure would barely think twice, but mostpeople do not seem to understand the seriousness of this disease.If people do not think twice about eating disorders, how are theysupposed to be prevented?The opinion of a beautiful woman has drastically changed overtime. From the 1940s through the 1950s a perfect body wascurvaceous, not skinny. A very curvaceous Marilyn Monroe was themovie icon in the 1950s, and every woman dreamed of having herbody. Most would say that Marilyn seemed overweight in comparisonto modern day celebrities. How does this transformation ofbeauty happen? It seems that a new icon, whether it be a model oran actress, enters the entertainment scene and brings a new look. Inthe 1960s supermodel Twiggy entered the scene portraying a verythin body and a boyish haircut. Instantly she became the new rolemodel; women went to their salon asking for the “Twiggy haircut.”In ten years, women’s role model changed from Marilyn Monroe, awoman with a lot of sex appeal and curves, to an extremely skinnyboyish-looking teen. How can these two extremes occur so closetogether? The answer is the media; they hold the power to definebeauty.It is obvious that women’s role models are celebrities. No matterwhat look is considered beautiful at the time, women will strive forit because in modern times image is very important. Most currentwomen in the public eye portray the skinny look, and since womenaspire to resemble women in the media, they want to lose weight.The majority of women are not naturally skinny so it causes themto work hard to achieve this look. Though there is a healthy way tolose weight, most women are losing weight dangerously. In the pastdecade, eating disorders and “fad dieting” have become very common.These “fad diets” can be very unhealthy with some of themcutting out whole food groups. Women are feeling the pressure ofmodern society that only accepts a certain body image. The pressurehas caused women to become desperate and go to extremes tolose weight. This desperation has started the popularity of eatingdisorders.People do not “catch” an eating disorder; it is a serious,complex disease that causes consequences in a person’s health.Anorexia and bulimia are psychological diseases, but are seriousconditions that also affect the person’s physical health.With anorexia, self-starvation starts causing the body to bedenied of essential nutrients it needs to function normally.Therefore, the body is forced to slow down its process ofconserving energy, resulting in serious medical conditions.These medical conditions include: higher risk for heart failure,reduction of bone density, severe dehydration which leadsto kidney failure, muscle loss, and hair loss. In the case ofbulimia, the binge-and-purge cycles affect the entire digestivesystems that lead to chemical imbalances that affect the heartand other organ functions. How are eating disorders cured?More importantly, how can they be prevented?Since eating disorders are so common, there are many doctorsand programs that can help cure the disease. Treatmentinvolves a nutritionist, to advice on eating and diet regimens,but is very challenging as a result of the metabolic changes inthe patient. A psychotherapist is also involved to offer emotionalsupport and re-establish the patient’s relationship withfood. Curing the disease also involves psychological medication,usually an anti-depressant. Though there are effectiveways to cure patients with eating disorder, it is necessary tofocus on prevention.The ultimate prevention is to change the opinion of themedia. Some will say showing all the negative effects of eatingdisorders will prevent women from developing one. However,this does not seem to be true. The media has shown theserious effects of eating disorders, but women are developingthese diseases nonetheless. If society changes the way theyview women, women will change to conform to their opinion.This has already occurred in history, and will happen again.The media needs to stop showing skinny as beautiful andembrace women who are more natural. Instead promoting anunattainable ideal,, the media should celebrate average women.It seems ridiculous, but Hollywood needs more “normal”women, those who can show beauty without being a size zero.Once the media switches its opinion on beauty from skinny tonormal, the frequency of eating disorders is bound to drop.

goingGREENGlobal WarmingBy Whitney BaubieGlobal warming is a controversial problem throughout theworld. Some believe that the problem is exaggerated by the mediaand the government and that it is not as serious as it is made outto be. However, with most scientists concerned, it seems necessarythat we have open minds.Global warming is the increase in the average temperature ofthe Earth as a result of rising amounts of greenhouse gases inthe atmosphere. Global warming is closely tied to the greenhouseeffect, but the greenhouse effect is a natural process while globalwarming is not. The greenhouse effect occurs when sunlightreaches Earth’s surface. Some sunlight is absorbed and warms theearth, and the rest is reflected back into the atmosphere, where itis absorbed by the greenhouse gases water vapor, carbon dioxide,and methane. Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases result inmore heat energy being reflected back to the Earth, which raisesglobal temperatures.The greenhouse effect is not a negative process, but it can leadto global climate change. The largest contributor to the increasingtemperature is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal andoil, which become carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The currentamount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is already above thethreshold that can potentially cause dangerous climate change.The GREEN RevolutionBy Steven Morris“Going Green” – it isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a way of life.“Going Green” simply means helping the environment by reducingemissions and finding alternative and clean energy sources.Detroit – and Michigan as a whole – are catching on to the greenrevolution by making public transportation more available, buildinghouses with the ability to use renewable energy and houses withfewer drafts to keep the heat/cold in.For being a powerhouse in the mass production of cars, Detroitis known as the Motor City. With The Big Three in our backyard,driving is just what we do, like cooking pasta to Italians. Unfortunately,cars release massive amounts of carbon dioxide, and sincemillions of people drive their own cars without carpooling, theyhave become a major source of pollution. Michigan is trying to“go green” and have less people drive themselves and more peopletake public transportation. Granted, hybrid cars and electric carsare better than gas-guzzlers, but they are not the cheapest or easiestsolution right now. Detroit already has the SMART Buses, butthese alone will not be enough. The city is planning to fix the raillines between Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Chicago to accommodatefaster and more efficient trains in the hopes of making publictransportation an attractive option for more people. Another planSome may still ask why we should care about global warming.What are the consequences? Since the problem of global warmingemerged, many changes have occurred in temperature and precipitation.In addition, there has been an increase in the intensity andfrequency of extreme weather such as floods, droughts, tornadoes,and hurricanes. Many species have suffered habitat destruction andhave become endangered or extinct. Learning of these problems,most ask, is there something that I can do to slow the process? Theanswer is yes, there are many things each person can do that willmake a difference.• Drive less—bike walk or carpool whenever possible• Consider buying a hybrid or an electric car• Replace light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescents thatuse fewer watts for the same amount of light• Choose energy efficient appliances when time to buy newones• Unplug electronics when not in use; even appliances thatare plugged in and not in use still use energy• Run dishwashers/washing machines only with a full load• Recycle as much waste as possible• Use reusable canvas grocery bagsto make Detroit green is to put in light rail trains (about thesize of a bus) running on rails throughout major parts of thecity such as stadiums and theaters. If all of this planning isexecuted well, public transportation should take metro Detroitby storm, reducing emissions, traffic, and stress while hopefullyhelping the economy.Public transportation is not the only way Michigan isgoing green. Governor Granholm is trying to create more than100,000 houses with better insulation in the hopes of protectingthem from the elements and reducing energy costs. She isalso trying to build more than 1,000 houses with the ability touse renewable energy. These plans will help citizens break awayfrom their growing dependence on coal-burning power plants,which are harmful to the environment.There are many ways to go green and help the environment toprevent further global warming. Actions like car pooling with afriend, turning off the lights when you leave a room, or simplyrecycling all help clean up the world and make it a better placeto live.25

December 21, 2012By Steven MorrisEveryone has heard of what might happen on December21st, 2012. Some people see this date as the end of the world, aday when everything will be chaotic and when natural and manmadedisasters will bring about complete destruction. However,others think of this date as a global transformation and awakening.Both optimistic and pessimistic people think something is going tohappen on this date.These predictions mainly rely on the information from theMayan Long Count Calendar. The Mayan Long Count Calendaris not like the normal 12-month calendar. It is a calendar that theMayans made for the inscription of calendar dates and the recordingof events. This calendar is capable of being extended to referto a date in the past or in the future. Most of the calendar’s eventsare determined by lunar phases. The calendar has a 584-day Venuscycle, which tracks the rising of Venus and has predicted warfareand other catastrophes. The Mayan calendar is the most accuratecalendar, which is why most people believe in the end of the world.December 21st, 2012 marks the date when the MayanLong Count Calendar ends. This date coincides with the wintersolstice and the predicted galactic alignment, the moment whenour solar system passes through the galactic equator. Many expertswho have studied the Long Count Calendar agree that the world iscoming to an end, but now the question is “How?”Possibilities for how the world might end include a 40-mile-long mudslide, a tsunami going from Key West, Florida toMaine, and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake. Many point to the Earth’shistory in defense of these doomsday scenarios. Geologistsbelieve that the tsunami in 2004 is a precursor for huge tectonicplate movements that could cause an earthquake and anothermassive tsunami. It is believed that the 40-mile-long mudslidewill occur in the state of Washington. Major tectonic shiftscould cause the rocks and mud of Mount Rainier to form amudslide big enough to put thousands in peril.For optimistic people, December 21st, 2012 doesnot mean the end of the world where everything just dies, butrather, it is seen as a transformation. People who believe thishave valid reasoning and should not be considered crazy. Thesepeople point to the convergence of all Mayan calendars on thisdate, and they say that the last time this occurred was 13,000years ago when the Earth underwent significant atmosphericand geographical changes.Their reasoning is based on the peculiar weather patternsthat have been occurring recently: stronger and more frequentstorms and irregular temperatures. Along with the Earthphysically changing, it is believed that humans are changing too,and this is visible in the bigger gaps between religions, ethnicgroups, and countries as well as in the new ideas and inventionschanging the way that we live.December 21st, 2012 is a mysterious date. Manythings may happen, or maybe nothing will happen at all. It alldepends on if you think the glass is half empty or half full. It islike Y2K: only time will tell.Beyond the Gender BinaryBy Raymond BrownAdolescence is the time for self exploration and searchingoutside of existing conditions to consider other options.Many individuals may play a new sport, adopt a new image,or do things outside of their comfort zone. In this pursuit ofself-actualization, one aspect of society has been a source offrustration for me. Many times adolescents hear from peers,family, or society that they can’t pursue a certain action, activity,or method of expression because it is designated for the oppositesex. This gender binary has been so well established in ourculture that it may be unfathomable for some to consider thatsome people fit outside the two proscribed choices for genderexpression: masculinity and femininity.Gender is a social construct that dictates the actions of anindividual based on their biological sex. Gender encompassesphysical expressions such as wearing makeup and dresses forwomen and wearing ties and short hair for men. These roles mayalso dictate how one should behave, walk, or cross their legs aswell as speech patterns, how they express emotion, mannerisms,jobs that they may perform in society, et cetera. Society dictateswhat is considered masculine and feminine, and these labels maychange over time.While most people accept and embrace proscribed gender roles,some people choose to ignore these distinctions and to pursuetheir own methods of expression, whether they comply with thesegender roles or not. One who is ambiguous when it comes to thesubject of gender and does not try to suppress one’s self by tryingto fit into gender stereotypes could identify as gender-queer.This method of self expression is often for the benefit of theself. Others are free to have their own interpretations of the person’sgender expression. Some may feel that it is vulgar and othersthat it is avant-garde. Everyone has a different reality, and thuseveryone’s interpretation of gender and gender-queer individualsmight be different. The important thing is that one shouldexpress gender for themselves and not impose one’s own interpretationof how things should be on others.

Tales of a Spring BreakSomethingBy Claire PeracchioIn recent years, Spring Break has become somewhat of arite of passage for America’s youth. Images of bikini-clad coedsfrolicking on tropical beaches and the ensuing debauchery areenough to make Bill O’Reilly wag his finger in defense of familyvalues and to generate viewers for MTV’s always enlighteningSpring Break special. Yet recently, many students have decided toforsake the stereotypical revelry of Spring Break for a very differentvacation. Touted as an “alternative” Spring Break, studentsvacation not to sunbathe, but rather to engage in volunteer work.The goal of this new community service is to foster a more informedoutlook on the global community and to make a positiveimpact in needy communities.On the vanguard of the alternative Spring Break movementis Break Away, a nonprofit founded by two VanderbiltUniversity students in 1991. According to the company’s website,Break Away grew from a university-sponsored program toa national network of 100 chapter schools, over 400 nonprofitpartners, and hundreds of individual members. Break Away connectsmembers to viable community service programs and evenoffers leadership boot camps called “Alternative Break citizenshipschools” to train program leaders in the basics of facilitatingcooperation and personal growth. By providing resources andnetworking opportunities for those interested in this new breed of“voluntourism,” Break Away is an essential conduit in galvanizingvolunteers for important causes.The most prominent community service organizationshave been quick to capitalize on this welcome trend. After garneringattention for its 2006 partnership with MTV to help repairthe damage of Hurricane Katrina, United Way has continued tooffer variety of popular Spring Break volunteer opportunities.This year, United Way is sponsoring three programs designedfor young adult volunteers that span a three week period fromlate February to mid-March. Potential participants can choosebetween reconstructing the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, repairingflood-damaged homes in Wabash Valley, Indiana, and assistingnonprofits catering to children and families in Detroit, MI. In today’scash-strapped times, the $150 fee for United Way’s programsmakes an alternative Spring Break a recession-friendly vacationoption for students.Yet United Way is not alone in offering opportunitiestailored to young adults. Since its inception in 1989, Habitatfor Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge has allowed over 150,000students to build homes across the country. In order to accommodatethe different vacation dates of various schools, theCollegiate Challenge offers one-week trips for a reasonable $100cost throughout the year. For those seeking more exotic optionsand not deterred by a steeper price tag, i-to-i Volunteer Traveloffers international programs in Africa, Latin America, the SouthPacific, and Asia. In an effort to appeal to volunteers looking forsun-kissed fun without the overtly hedonistic trappings, i-to-i evenoffers group packages as unique as building homes in Hondurasand teaching elementary school children in India. In a particularlyrevelatory offering, i-to-i advertises sea turtle conservation with thetagline: “help save some of Costa Rica’s most endangered animalsthen reward yourself with adrenalin-packed surfing lessons on thecountry’s spectacular beaches.” The company’s 40-50% annualgrowth rate in student volunteers proves that more and moreSpring Breakers are opting for service over empty celebration.Those seeking the positive effects of an alternative SpringBreak need look no further than their own backyard. For thesecond year in a row, Alternative Spring Break Detroit 2009 partneredUnited Way for Southeastern Michigan and about 50 collegestudents to build wheelchair ramps and volunteer at the service organizationsVista Maria, the Lighthouse Path, and Franklin WrightSettlements. Though they sacrificed days in the sun to volunteer,these students have made the lives of many Detroit residents andtheir own a little brighter.One “Big Texas” Too Many.27

FictionAwkwardosity HappensBy Megan AmicucciEver had someone walking toward you in the hallway and notknown where to look? Or when to look? Or how long to look?Ever get caught on the toilet with no toilet tissue? When you’re at someoneelse’s house?You know those uncomfortable moments in life that are usually followed bythe phrase, “That was awkward?”Well, that’s awkwardocity.Life is full of awkwardocity. And it can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone.If you doubt it, just see if any of this sounds familiar.•Having someone wave to you and you wave back only to realizethey’re waving to someone behind you.•Watching TV with your parents only to be treated to a Viagramercial.Viva awkwardocity.•Tripping over, well, air.•Having the dentist engage you in the art of conversation whenyou have a mouthful of dentist.•Asking or being asked to prom or homecoming. “Der…Uhh…”•Flatulation Impersonation. When an object, such as your shoeor leg chair, does its best “fart” impersonation. And pins it onyou.•Anticipating the greeting. When you anticipate that someone isgoing to greet you with, “How ya’ doing?” And youanswer, “Fine,” only to realize that all they said was, “Hello.”•The Hallway Dance. “You go this way, I go that way, We bothgo the same way...cha, cha, cha.”•Someone has something on their face. Do you tell them?Maybe, unless that something is coming out of theirnose. Yuckwardocity.•Zipper down. Self-explanatory, not to mention self-expository.•Laugh when you shouldn’t. At a funeral. During class.•Freshman awkwardocity. Sorry guys, but you are the most awkward. Don’t worry though, it gets better.•Someone calls you by the wrong name. Who’s Margaret?•You can’t remember someone else’s name? “Hey, man…”•Pinning or being pinned with a corsage or boutonnière.Caution: may result in flesh to flesh contact.•Sitting in a crowded backseat. Trying not to touch eachother. Whose armrest is it, anyway?•Getting caught talking to yourself. Or singing to yourself.Or dancing…all by yourself.•And speaking of getting caught, how ‘bout getting caughtwith your finger up your nose, say, while driving. Uhm…just scratching.•The “I love you” phone reflex. You know, when, out ofhabit, you end a phone conversation with “I love you.” Ugh,that wasn’t my mom, that was my coach.•Hiccups.•Elevator psychology. Eye contact or no eye contact? Talkor don’t talk? Best just to stare at my shoes.•Eating something you don’t like. Mmmm…good.•Getting left alone with your friend’s parents. Thoseawkward gaps in conversation.long•Getting beat to the “thanks.” If I say thank you now, theywon’t think I’m sincere. But if I don’t say thank you, it’srude. “Der, thank you.”•The courtesy laugh. He-he-he, yeah, that was wit-tastic.•Someone asks you a question and you realize you didn’thear a word they just said.Yes, Awkwardocity can pop up anywhere, anytime, and without anywarning. It even behaves according to it’s own rules. In awkwardocitytime, seconds can feel like minutes. And minutes can feel like hours.So what do you do when confronted with awkwardocity? Not muchyou can do. Except smile, and take comfort in the fact that somewhere,someone else is watching a feminine hygiene commercial with their dad.Or pretending to like a birthday gift they’ve already been gifted. Or tryingto get that chair to repeat the flatulation impersonation…but it justwon’t cooperate.Awkwardocity. It happens.

DancingAn excerpt from a possible novel by Danni KressMaria Lemanski’s heels clicked briskly against the floor as shemade her way through the naked hall. The Offices always gave peoplea feeling of a nightmarish asylum, but to Maria, it was a safe haven.The nothingness of the muted white institute was a welcome reprievefrom her work at the Symmetry.She stopped at the tenth door to the left, resting her knuckles onthe painted wood as her eyes moved over the familiar gold letters.BRIGADIER GENERAL SETH LOCKHARTOnce her eyes adjusted to the sudden change of light to dark, shenoticed that, as always, he sat at his giant desk. The computer screenwashed his face in a sickly glow, his green eyes glinting oddly in thelight. “Haven’t you heard of knocking?” he asked, the tapping keysnever losing their momentum. “It’s rude to interrupt one’s business,especially uninvited.”Most people would have been taken aback at his abrupt, clippedtone, but Maria simply rolled her eyes and pushed his laptopdown. “I thought you could use a distraction from your mundanepaperwork. Was my assumption wrong, sir?”“You’ve finished your duties at the Symmetry, I hope.”“Of course I have,” she sighed, gaze traveling around the room.Big, but relatively sparse. Maps, a bookshelf, a guest couch….andthe thick curtains that allowed absolutely no light to filter through.She was at them in three quick strides, pulling at the heavy material.“Small wonder you’re so pale. You sit here in the dark all the time.”“I’m afraid the Aristelian Offices lack tanning beds. I will,however, file a complaint for His Majesty’s consideration.”Maria glared at him before pinning the curtains back, allowingthe afternoon sun to spill inside. “I’m sure the King has moreimportant matters to attend to.”“Hmm.” The Brigadier General opened his laptop. As soonas Maria heard the clicking keys, she whirled around, her fingertipsclosing the computer before he could get a full sentence in. Heblinked, then slowly looked up, his slate-blue eyes skewering her. “Ido hope there’s another reason you’ve come. I do so dislike pointlessvisits.”“Well…” Maria bit her lip, trying to tear her murky-green gazefrom his, to no avail. She twisted her honey hair nervously. He tiltedhis head slightly, unblinking.“Yes, Maria?”“A know-it-all like you can be incredibly clueless,” she said afteran uncomfortable silence.“Lucky for me I don’t claim to hold the secrets of the universein my palm,” Seth replied dryly. “Everyone else is simply tragicallyunaware.”She groaned, wanting to throttle the arrogant jerk. “I wish Icould hate you,” she went for instead.Seth gave a bright, enthusiastic – and completely fake – laugh,flipping his black bangs out of his eyes with a casual flick of thewrist. “I’m delighted to know that I’m simply too charming!”“You’re something, all right,” Maria muttered, finally looking away.“Well, unless you state your purpose, I’m afraid I’m going to have toask you to leave. I am a busy man, after all.”Maria scowled. “Just…hold on!”“Oh? It must be important, then, if you’re disrupting my work. Ihave quite a bit to finish before the State Reception tonight.” A slow,predatory smirk spread as he caught the look on Maria’s face. “I see,”Seth drawled, feigning an epiphany. “You’re asking the most dangerousman in the country of Aristel how to dance? I’d no idea you would beattending toni—”“Shut up,” Maria snapped, feeling her face warm considerably. “TheSymmetry asked their best soldiers to attend.”“Which is why I’m so surprised.”“You sonnuva—”“Tsk, tsk, watch yourself. It’s not becoming of a globalmediator to assault one of the problem countries.”Maria lunged anyway, swinging her legs over his desk in a smoothmotion. Before she could completely right herself, her wrist waswrenched behind her back so forcefully she had to stand on the tips ofher toes, quivering. “You are such a jerk.”“Now, ” Seth sighed, sounding sincere enough to fool anyone else,“why would you do that when I specifically warned you not to?” Whenshe didn’t answer, he spun her around, resting her feet on his, an armaround her waist. “Hmm? If you answer nicely I’ll quickly teach you.”“I don’t need your help,” she reminded him. “I have other friendswho can teach me.”“I doubt they’ll be able to prevent you from making a fool ofyourself in front of some of the most influential people in the world.”Hearing her sigh in defeat, he gave a dazzling, insincere smile. “SinceI’m such a gracious person, I’ll teach you anyway.”She looked up at him hopefully, only to give an alarmed squeak asecond later as he spun, carrying them both before lightly shoving heroff. She stumbled and landed in an ungainly fashion on the couch,readjusting her short dress and blushing furiously. Seconds later a lowerofficer walked in, giving a brisk salute. “Brigadier General Lockhart!Uh…are you busy, sir…?”“Not at all. Sergeant Lemanski was just returning to the Symmetry’sAristelian Headquarters.” Thoroughly humiliated, Maria stood, saluted,and turned sharply to leave as Seth spoke. “And Sergeant,” Seth calledafter her, “the trick is to let the skilled one lead!”She slammed the door behind her.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Aristel’s Grand Hall most definitely looked nicer after the just-legalMaria had a glass of champagne. It wasn’t that she was that much of alightweight. The act of standing in a corner looking occupied, however,was enough to allow her to get her bearings and scope the place out.Grandiose, most definitely. Breathtaking as well. But Maria wished therewasn’t so much glass everywhere. Chandeliers dripping with jewels shotcontinued on the next page

continued from previous pageprisms on the giant sheets of glass that covered three of the four walls in them.”the reception hall.“Why?”Soldier’s instinct tended to kick in at the most inconvenient times. “…I’m not sure.”Then again, nobody was suicidal enough to attack the capital city of “Why is he walking towards us?” Skirts rustled and heelsArelis.clicked as the younger girl moved back.“Pardon me.” A voice floated past Maria’s ears. Looking around, “He’s not going to kidnap you, Young Lady Sorbitalia, pleaseshe found it belonged to a beautiful young girl, a petite hand holding a relax. He most likely wishes to speak with me.”fluttering fan.“I-I believe I’ll wait here.”How…dainty. Then again, Maria noticed as she glanced around, the Maria nodded and walked out to meet Seth, who gave a mockmen are going for it. “Can I help you?”bow. “Sergeant Lemanski. You look more ravishing than usual.”“Have you seen the Duke of Sorbitalia? I seem to have lost him…” Ravishing? Maria cursed inwardly as he face heated of its ownThe girl looked around quickly, biting her lip, dark curls whipping from accord as she glanced at her dress, which was far out of her comfortside to side.zone. She was suddenly all too aware of how the back plungedSorbitalia? Wow…everyone really is here.drastically, how itchy the halter felt against her neck, how the slit up“Excuse me?”the side was a bit too much higher than she liked. She was sure byMaria blushed, realizing she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. “Sorbitalia now she was as deep red as her stupid dress. The Brigadier Generalis a small country, after all. They usually don’t send any ambassadors.” simply laughed.“Really?” The girl tilted her head. “This is my first time out of the “I’m unsure as to whether I should feel flattered or harassed,mansion, you see. Father was loathing exposing me to ‘the corruption sir,” Maria responded finally, locking eyes with him. That was alwaysand dangers of frivolous politics.’ But it’s ever so lovely here.”a mistake. Her face heated more and she barely bit back a curse.Locked up your entire life? “I’m afraid I don’t see him,” Maria Don’t embarrass yourself, come on. Social events are not your thing,replied after a moment of searching the cluster of dresses, suits, and but you can handle it. Do not try and punch him.smiles. “You’re more than welcome to accompany me until you find him.” There was a gloved hand held out for her. “Would you care for“Thank you so much,” the girl sighed, hazel eyes brimming with a lesson, Maria?”tears.…I really, really hate you. She took his hand and nodded. “I’m“Of course,” Maria replied, slightly taken aback.grateful for such a privilege, sir.”“May I inquire as to your name? What country are you from?” Once again, he pulled her onto his feet, an arm encircling her“I’m a member of the Symmetry.”waist. “Don’t fall now.”“My, what is that?”“Shut up, Seth,” she muttered. He snorted softly, then movedShe wasn’t kidding… “There are two superpowers of the world: his foot—Aristel and Maltia.”The next thing she knew she was flat on her back, instinctively“They have conflicts with each other, yes?”keeping her head from cracking against the floor. There wasMaria nodded. “Yes. The Symmetry is a faction formed to maintain screaming, and sure enough, glass shards were raining down on thestability between the two countries. I work in the Arestelian branch.” crowd. I really, really hate glass walls. Maria pushed herself up“So you’re stationed here. Is the head present?” The girl finally enough to see Seth darting off, a long-handled axe held loosely inmoved her delicate frame, standing on her tiptoes and peering around her. one hand.“Yes, he is, but he’s busy with other leaders now. It’s more than likely “Maria!” Her head whipped around to see the girl from earlier.that your father is with him.”“Beasts! This was planned!”“My goodness…”I didn’t tell her my name…“What is it?” Maria glanced at the girl and caught her surprised The image of the girl wavered and slid to the floor, fading.stare.Maria did a double-take.“Who is that man?”“Lilith?!”Maria followed the girl’s gaze and held back the urge to smack her “I’m a bit disappointed you couldn’t see through the Conceal.head right into the pretty glass window. There was Seth, ambling toward I didn’t even make myself taller.” Lilth stretched, then adjusted herher with a pleasant smile on his face. She recognized that smile, and she black shorts and tank top. “Well hurry up, don’t make Brigadierknew she could expect an infuriating conversation. “That…is Brigadier General Sadistic do all the work!”General Lockhart.”Seth, that’s right. Her hand slipped to her thigh, pulling herThe girl’s gloved hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my! Are the rumors crimson Jewel out of its holster.true?”Technology had made leaps and bounds after the last nuclear“Which ones?” Maria couldn’t keep the dry tone from escaping. war a few centuries ago. Enough that it could almost pass for magic.“H-He’s vicious, isn’t he?”Almost. Maria gripped each end of her Jewel, twisting. The two“In a way,” Maria agreed.halves – which looked like one to anyone else – ground against each“All of those awful technologies…he invented them, didn’t he?” other, sparking a current and setting off a chain reaction. Soon,“Yes.” The sergeant felt a twinge of annoyance. “He also forbade

Maria held a staff in her hands, the precious stone resting between twonastily curved prongs. Without a word, she and Lilith sprinted into themayhem.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~The problem, Seth though idly, was that he’d discovered he hademotions other than boredom, annoyance, and anger. That’s all his lifehad ever required, and going on thirty ensured that he was well-past hisdevelopmental stages of life.Then an insignificant little Symmetry soldier had waltzed into hislife and did more than simply turn the tables. Maria had flipped themwith a powerful kick, scattering the order his life had consisted of. Sethwasn’t quite sure if he was grateful for it.There was tiny Lilith, fists pounding into any and all Beasts shecould get her hand on, energy crackling around her hands, braidedhair flying. She had always been a good result, when he’d been intothe human experimentations. She didn’t need technology or a Jewel tochannel her energy: Her fists were vessels enough. It was too bad she wasa rogue thief now. He wasn’t particularly inclined to arrest her, but itwas his job. Granted, at the moment she was saving his life, so he let itslide and continued fighting his way to the door, clearing a path for thepanicked leaders.“If your Graces would please move in a quick fashion to the door,”he called, gesturing to the clear path with a flourish. “And I cannotemphasize enough the meaning of quick.”“When we get out of this,” Lilith yelled over the roar of themutated attackers, “I am going to kill you for dreaming up thetechnology that created these things!!”“I’m afraid I had no part in their creation or breeding,” Sethreplied, as if pandemonium were an everyday thing. “I simply createdthe foundation of the technology before forbidding it. It’s not as if Iwalked away from my past unscathed, Lilith.” He glanced at his arm,at the exact spot where the needle had gone in, where a foolish youngscientist believed he could inject himself with the power of a Jewel. Theconsequences had forced him to abandon his research, but landed him inthe military for penance. And here he was, many years later.“Still your fault!” Another roar was cut short with a nasty thud, andLilth landed, then sprang for the door. She was out of the door fasterthan Seth could blink, clutching a folder and vanishing as she melted intothe crowd. He swore, taking down the last Beast, then checking himself.Bleeding from his leg, a gash on the forehead, and numerous bruises.Not bad for a surprise attack.His eyes found Maria sitting against the wall. Her arm was bleedingand she looked like she’d taken a beating, but the irritation on her facewas what made him walk over. “Something the matter?”Of course he knew what was wrong: Her face screamed it. Lilithhad been her friend. Seth was behind her sudden disappearance in theirchildhood, behind Lilith’s genetic mutation, behind the unease betweenAristel and Maltia. Her anger, however, was directed at the unknownforces that had taken Seth’s abandoned work and twisted it, turning histechnology into an even deadlier weapon. She was torn between hatinghim and loving him, and it seemed that lately she’d gone with a mix ofboth. It was only fair; Seth knew he was also the reason she joined theSymmetry in the first place. A neutral faction was the perfect placeto make friends with either country. She looked up at him, smokygreen eyes tumbling with emotions he didn’t know, and thereforecouldn’t pinpoint.“I hate dancing.”Sketch by Charlotte Waldmeir31

The Wall: Chapters 2-4By Katarina Goitz and Mariah PatrickClara woke from her dreamless sleep with a start. She sat upso quickly that she became dizzy and felt as though shards of ice madeup her spinal cord. Confused by it at first, she felt her back, trying tosee what it was. Then she realized what she was feeling. Clara smiledand cracked her old bones. She knew exactly what it was.Her smile widened even farther as she remembered how longit had been since she’d felt the energizing terror of the wall. She closedher eyes and settled down on her bed again, watching the happeningsplay in her mind’s eye…~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Rachel whipped her head around…or at least she wouldhave liked to…but whatever just breathed on her neck had physicallyparalyzed her with that single breath. All that she could move were hereyes…although they did not help much in seeing behind her.Huh-uhhh. Huh-uhhh. The breathing continued, each breathparalyzing her already immobile body more and more. It even seemedthat the breathing and pulse were on the same beat, though Rachel justlearned never to trust any of her former instincts. She longed to runaway from the chilling behind her, but her frozen legs would not budge.Rachel then felt the freezing breath creep from the back of her neckand slowly rotate its chill towards the front.Rachel would have been sobbing by now if the room and herbody weren’t devoid of water and oxygen. All she saw was the deep redof the ground below and the stars above. The only sound that filled herears was the thumping…thumping…thumping.Looking around, she was met with the same scene of nothingnessas before. Looking down, the ground appeared miles below her.She couldn’t see her feet – couldn’t see her hand in front of her face.She couldn’t feel it when she smacked her hand onto her face. But didher hand even move? She couldn’t tell.Traveling through the wall had evaporated each of Rachel’ssenses and replaced it with the endless, infinite, deep, bass rhythm. Itshook the stars that didn’t move and made a sound too loud to hear. Ithollowed out Rachel’s mind and tossed its contents away.After the cold had completely encompassed her, the next thingRachel knew, she was opening her eyes again. She didn’t know howlong she was out, or if she ever was…she still had no senses. The abysswas dark as before. The blood-red stars glared down on her warninglyas they shivered…as if taking deep breaths.A faint chill slipped across the back of her neck. It was gonea moment after she noticed. Suddenly, she felt it again…more potentthis time. She turned sharply and all of the stars winked out at once asif the terror had become too much for them to watch.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~Rachel strained to see with her uncooperative eyes, but theirstrength proved stronger than hers and would not give way. Althoughshe continued to plead with them for sight, their persistence forced herto give up the struggle. How could she be fighting the will of her owneyes…or did eyes even have a will? She was supposed to have completecontrol over them, but it seemed that nothing followed the rules here.The eyes would not grant her freedom from the darkness.She could see nothing, not even the very blackness of night. Thelonger she stood without light, the less energy she had inside. Shefelt strength painfully fading from her body as the dark minutesslowly passed. She felt herself fall to the ground…but shecouldn’t feel anything…or see at all.As the last ounce of energy made its way out, Rachelsaw Clara flash into her vision. She snapped out of sight as soonas Rachel was able to comprehend what had just happened. Asshe left, however, Rachel’s sight and some of her strength returnedimmediately.Rachel began to wonder about this incident but did nothave long to ponder as she realized that, although she could see,all that was visible was a black darkness surrounding her. Shecould see, but there was nothing to view. Rachel felt different,nonetheless, from when vision had completely abandoned her.Now she could see black nothingness as something entirely visible.The mysterious sensation was somehow peaceful and calming toRachel although she almost desired to question its reality.As soon as normality had somewhat been achieved, thefloor fell from beneath her…if it had ever been there at all. Allof her senses suddenly abandoned her as she fell through darkness.As she fell, Clara appeared to be there…as if she was fallingas well. As her friend disappeared from sight, so did the light andeverything else sensible, plunging Rachel into what felt…althoughshe could not feel…like a black hole.After what seemed to be centuries of senselessness, imagesonce again began to appear all around her. The encompassingsights were, however, unpleasant and therefore unwanted byRachel. She could not push them away in the same way that shecould not move. Rachel longed to be rid of the horrifying, blurryimages of darkness which would not leave her.She could not glimpse any distinct sight but couldperceive through her mind and terrifying senses that hauntingthings surrounded her…if they were even there…but she couldfeel that terrible figures hovered around her, and there was no wayto escape. As they pressed in on Rachel, her life and senses feltpressed and pushed into her as well. Her feelings of instabilitydid not improve either but instead constricted all that told hershe was still partially in contact with her surroundings. Rachel’sentire body was compressed like a gas, shrinking to whatever spacethere was allotted.As they continued to bear down on Rachel, one of theshapes became slightly defined. It was Clara! Although it was notcompletely clear, Rachel had a strong feeling her old friend wasone of the pressuring images. What was Clara doing here onceagain?Before time presented itself for contemplation on thismatter, Clara’s face raced towards Rachel’s frightened soul, envelopingall other sight before thrusting her away…far away…fromall the other images until they could no longer be seen. Blacknessfilled the air, but Rachel knew she was still flying backwards. She

continued to soar until her back slammed against somethinghard…causing her to lose all sense and black out.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~When Rachel’s senses finally returned, she realized shewas on the floor…solid floor. The sense of stability had finallyreturned. As her eyes fluttered open, Rachel could see she was inthe science wing again, sitting on the ground with her back restingon the wall. Clara also came into view…standing over herbut not hovering.Rachel realized this wall was the very same one whichhad caused all her suffering and quickly jumped away from it,falling back to the ground from the tiredness of her legs. Theyhad been asleep and were now sending prickly sensations up anddown from their inactivity. Her story outside of the wall hadfinally begun again.Looking at Clara and finally regaining focus on all thathad happened, Rachel’s heart began to pound as she breathlesslyquestioned, “How did you save me? How did…?” She left herquestion hanging and stared into Clara’s perplexed eyes, wonderingwhy they looked this way.“Rachel,” Clara responded with a puzzled tone, “Whatis up with you? Why are you freaking out? You know I was justkidding about that story I told you this morning.”Rachel objected in disbelief, unable to comprehendwhat was happening, “Wha-? But wait…I...I went in there! Andit was nighttime and you told me not to…but I did! And the…the darkness…and the stars…they were-”Clara interrupted in a concerned voice, “Rachel. Doyou need to go talk with our counselor?”“I…no…but…Maybe.”Rachel walked away, shaking her head. Clara hung backand watched…with pity and worry in her eyes. Once she turnedthe corner, however, Clara’s lips played at their edges. A smilecrept onto her face…a chilling, all-knowing smile…………….The ScrivenerThanks Those WhoHave Helped Makethis First Year aReality, especiallyMr. Mock.HOOVERDaddy, why don’t Negroes go to school with us anymore?Diana Ross bleeds into Eric Clapton on WOMC,bleeds onto the leather seats.Because, sonhis bearded face aged with liquor & factory work,jeans reeking of plastic.Because, we’ve left that part of townthey drive three miles northbound, from 9 Mile to 12in a paneled Buick.Stoplight at 12 Mile, facing a trickleof oncoming traffic. Becausethey invaded. The Buick glides,past Warren Woods Party Store where Mr. Szczepanskiand his refugee friends buy kirsch year-round,watermelons in August & paczki in March.Daddy, the windows roll down and a spring breeze swirls inand the boy’s blonde hair stands straight.I miss them.The white men & white women came in gangsplanting shingled Methodist churchesand veteran’s halls on flat concrete planesnew one-way divets that poked out from Hoover Ave.whites-only pawn shops and ethnic deliswith kielbasa and salamidangling behind their tinted windowsand synthetic Christmas trees during December,Maypole sagas as Fitzgerald Highzoning laws that read, in the finest printthat NEGROES and JEWS should not be offeredproperty between Dequindre and Schoenherr.The men around herewhite European and white American auto bumswho came home with kerosene stainsand whiskey attached to their tongues,were born in shtetls or bungalowsin Northwest Detroit, or maybethe Balkans, and somehow cherished the promiseof a green lawnthe size of a stamp.-Ben Gellman33

FootstepsBy Hiram FairclothDull, hollow footsteps plague the vast corridors ofmy mind. They creep, indistinguishable from dreams—eventhoughts—and I fear with their ever quickening proximity that Iwill indeed become mad.I cannot—no, I will not—accept so heinous a fate.Such is my resolve, to end this daunting insanity before it begins.Dear reader, please do not think ill of me for myactions. I was not always of such comportment. There was atime, long ago it seems, though undoubtedly recent, when I waslike you, content in my ignorance of the malign monstrosities,which ravage our repugnant planet.It was a cold night in December. The twenty second,if my degenerating mind does not deceive me, when a tentativeknocking disrupted my evening studies. As I opened the heavy,oak door of my flat, I was greeted by the face of a rathercorpulent man. The dull leather satchel that he carried and thesmall bit of paper grasped between his fingers alerted me to hisprofession, a messenger. I took the telegram from him, bid himgood evening, and returned to my desk.The feverishly scrawled pages of a tome dating backto approximately the 14 th century, along with my notes andtranslations, occupied a great deal of the space there. A softcreaking marked the descent into my chair as I opened thesealed item. It was from one of my colleagues, a professor ofancient antiquities by the last name of Ward. He was a uniquefellow, for he had an odd obsession with artifacts relating toancient religious practices and the occult. Quick to excitement, Ipredicted that he had written the letter as nothing more than aninvitation for me to aid him in deciphering some obscure glyphs.Though not markedly different than his usualhandwriting, the letter contained a sort of urgency about itand bid me to come visit him at his abode not more than amile trek down the road. Thinking it better to ease my friend’sexcitements, I stood from my lax position, obtained my overcoatfrom the hanger beside the door, and stepped out into the foggychill of the gas lit streets.The cold air bit at my exposed skin as I carefully mademy way up to Ward’s door. My hand rose and then made itselfto fall against the painted hardwood until the door was swungopen with a start before I had even begun. Mouth agape, myeyes looked downward at the short and aged man. He seemedpale. “Good evening, Professor, are you well?” I had said in myusual, cordial manner.“Well? Why yes, yes. I’m quite well, Mr. West, thankyou for asking. You received my telegram I take it? Oh, well ofcourse you did, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. I assure whatI’ve gotten my hands on this time is something to be lustedafter.” He paused. “Oh, forgive me. Please, come in, come in.Take a seat by the fire and warm yourself. There’s quite a chill inthe air, isn’t there?”“Thank you.” I smiled momentarily and made my wayinto the small living room, obtaining the seat closest to the fire.The closing of the door, closely followed by the turning, latching,and clasping of various locks accompanied my movements. Oncesituated, I looked toward Ward once more. “So, what it is it thatcaused you to become so elated?” In no less time than it tookme to finish my sentence did the aged academic advance into theroom, pulling a small wooden chair from its place at a writingdesk beside my own. In a rough motion that displayed the frailtyof his age, Ward reached to the aforementioned desk and graspeda medium sized leather bound journal, which he then presentedto me.“This, my dear friend, is the holy grail of the occult. AUNTITLED #1At a time for first stepsof independence and thought.As children, we hidbehind Mother’s kneefrom a great, big world.We face that same great, big worldbut now with a willing stride in step,to leave that familiar shelter.As we go, tearful friendships that one knew inside outare cast away, forgotten.Occasional views of our past arise,but soon dissolve back into the woodwork of ourminds.Finished a chapter.Soon to start anew.With summer air, the pages turnand into early fall, we read the introduction to thenovel of our lives.Stories of what we are to become, of who we will be.-Jessica Lancaster

magical grimoire which is said to contain incantations capable ofconjuring creatures from distant planes and returning those longthought dead back to new life.”“You don’t mean to say that what you have in your handis—”“I do mean to say it, Mr. West. In fact, I believe I will.What I have here my friend is The Necronomicon.”I could not help but laugh at my colleague’s words. “Thatis indeed very humorous, Herbert.” This statement, however,only seemed to evoke indignation from him. “Certainly youdo not believe that such a thing is real? It is simply myth, TheNecronomicon does not exist.”“But it does exist, Charles. I have it here in my hand. Ifyou do not believe me, then look for yourself, Open the first pageand glimpse at the author.”I sighed, quickly growing impatient of his ravings. “Fine.”Taking the book from him, I observed its cover. It was bound insome sort of leather, heavily wrinkled, and worn by the ages. Itsbinding was a yellowish color, perhaps an ill-kept ivory. My fingerstraced over the forward surface before opening it, my eyes findingsomething there that they were not expecting.Before me, on the first page, written in a dull crimson inkwas the signature, in Arabic, of the author. I swallowed quietly,only to find that my mouth had at some point grown dry duringmy previous discourse, and my fingers suddenly tingled with the alltoo familiar sensation of skin and bone.“Amazing isn’t it?” Ward chimed in, obviously noticingthe change in my demeanor. “I’ve gotten through some of it,though many parts are unclear. I’m unfamiliar with so early ascript, you see.” There was a noticeable pause before I responded tohis statement“Yes. Yes, I can see how you may have had trouble. Isthere any specific page that you had wanted me to translate?”During my brief respite I had reassured my self that the tome inmy hands was nothing more than that, a tome. It held no specialpower nor did it contain any reality-altering incantations. It wassimply a book, nothing more, nothing less.“Ah. Straight to the point, as always, eh Charles? Yes.Well, I found page 28 to be particularly interesting.” His handreached outward, carefully flipping the pages until they hadreached the desired destination. “There.” One of his gnarledfingers passed over a select passage.“Allow me a moment.” The script that lay beforeme, as previously mentioned, was written in a color all tooreminiscent of blood. Furthermore, it was old. So old that itbore distinct similarities to a much older writing form. After myinitial observations I began to translate it, slowly at first, thougheventually I could not help but quicken my pace. It was only thenthat I noticed the strange urgency with which the author wrote andthe abrupt strokes that plagued his scrawling. Upon completionof the selection, my attention returned to Herbert. “Are youcertain you wish me to read this aloud? The Arab’s language here israther— disconcerting.”“I’m certain, Charles. Just be on with it, will you?”And so I began, “The suffering of life ends withdeath and the beginning of death ends the ecstasy of life. Fearnot my child, for you need not face either of these things. Fallprostrate before the greatness of us, the Old Ones who governthe universe and dictate the risings and fallings of men. Rejoicein the paradise that is pandemonium. Bleed your flesh dry andfill your stomach with the innards of innocence. Only then willyou achieve a synergy of life and death that brings immortality.So sayeth the Old ones.”“Halla, nos, nema.”Ward’s atrocious agreement with those wicked,fantastical deities sent an all too disturbing chill down my spine.I closed the book, stood from my seated position, and madefor the door. Upon crossing the threshold into the parlor, Iprecariously placed the journal onto a small, pedestal-like endtable. My index finger throbbed, as if in pain, though I paidit no attention attributing it to my already aggravated physicalstate. I fondled with the various locks and clasps of the dooruntil I became so frustrated that I averted my gaze to the floorand focused on the throw which lay there.The trapping felt out of place with the rest of theotherwise elegant décor. Never before had I noticed its drab, redcolor, neither earlier that evening, nor the week before.The door opened outward into the night and I quicklyexited. “I must apologize for my abruptness, Professor, but Isimply do not feel well, not well at all.”“You need not worry about it, Mr. West. These strangethings that we read even grip me on occasion.” He chuckled.I attempted to return the display, though all I couldconjure was a stifled cough. The temperature had not risenin the slightest since my discussion with the Professor hadbegun, and I suddenly felt a warm stickiness on my right indexfinger. Raising the appendage toward the gaslight, I witnessedsomething ever so peculiar: the glimmer of dark crimson againsta pale, yet penumbral background.My sleep that night was fraught with nightmares. Onlyone, however, was peculiarly haunting. In the terror, I wouldbe sitting at my desk. Then, from the hallway, I would hearthe distant sound of footsteps. My attempts to investigate thesource of the sound would always produce the same conclusion,the conclusion that no one was present. Again and again wouldthis sequence reoccur, and I none the wiser to its cause.Days passed, and the terrors persisted. Days turned to weeks,and weeks became months. The unresolved actions thatconstantly played over again in my subconscious appeared tomanifest themselves in my daily life, as I became irascible, andill-disposed to work on anything at length for fear I may beunable to complete it perfectly.Sometime during my affliction, Professor Ward hadfallen victim to a heart attack and died. The funeral, as I recall,continued on the next page35

continued from the previous pagewas satisfactory: not too large, not too small,free from any religious procession- he was anatheist, you see.He had left me a surprisingly largequantity of his personal effects, old books, andholy items, most of which were from his privatecollection. I had them transferred to my studysoon after the funeral, for as much as thoseitems disturbed me, I could not help but beintrigued by them. A short time later I noticedthat my affliction was growing worse, for now Ifancied that I heard and even felt the footstepsas I lay awake in my bed.They grow closer now. I wait forthem to stop, but they continue. Perhaps, I amnot mad. Perhaps, these things which I hear arereal. Yes, I am no longer inclined to believe thatthese sounds are the fabrication of the mind. Ihear them now and I feel them, stronger than Iever have.I lunge for the door, flinging it ajarand my face loses all recognizable color asblood leaps away from it. My breath growsshort and my eyes tremble with an apparentstrain in their attempts to focus what lay in mydoorway.I find myself now in a padded roomwith no recollection of the means of my arrival.Only a very small portion of my personalaffects seem to have been released to me. Iassume that I have been placed in an asylum ofsome sort.Perhaps this is for the better; for Imust indeed be mad to believe any of what Isaw this past night. I believe it was this pastnight, at least. I cannot be certain, however.What does it matter if I reveal toyou that which I saw? You will not believeme, but rather cast me aside as another oneof the deranged and invalid. I retreat now, tothe farthest corners of my mind, where thefootsteps seldom reach me with their warpedechoes and where I may seek refuge from theface of a man, once friend, now bent, twistedand otherwise distorted by a book bound inhuman flesh and written in blood.The book! Do my eyes deceive me?NO, No, God no. It is here, in this very roomwith me. I must distance myself from it! What!?The footsteps? When? Where?Swatting at the fliesIncessantly, they approachGroping out of wantCold and very slowTime is lasting far too long,This quiet SundayToo much on my mindCan you keep out of my head,Though I’ve welcomed you?Novitiate MeThinking on expectationsCommitting to lastOpen space abroadStuck in quiet reverieWithout any traceToo much lamentingSlumping about without endOver such nothingWanting to wake upFrom the dream I wished to haveSuch terrible thingsQuieted from spiteAbiding to placid lawsWith a strong grimaceSet on changing jetsWhirling for lack of a rockStanding on myselfDreaming is long gone.Stark realities are nowThen were only hopesOverly Romantic Haiku ChainExpensive desiresOnce obtained are much less freshWhy do I still want?Thinking once againHaving no real notionAs to its regardsDirtied letters dipAs I press them o’er againWith my apathyWanting to commitHaving no real rewardHow can I relateShould it be ok,To want to do the right thing,Yet never to try?When am I correct?Is it true that I am wrong?Are you really right?To the lost abodeI do wonder what remainsNow it is not home.Striking from afarDrawn out to the oblique maxLetting loose the will.Weaponry clashesPurity within their soundOnly at impactClustered in a bunchWithout tongues they droll their wishOut across flowers-Brandon Woods

Lighter FareDon’t Be like Kyle KeithBy Kyle KeithIf I remember correctly, apathy andlethargy were both vocabulary words ina lesson I didn’t look at and on a test Ididn’t study for. What I can be sure ofthough, is that those were two of the fewI got right on that test. It wasn’t because Ihave a vocabulary so doused with grandiositythat I could make F. Scott Fitzgeraldreach for his dictionary a few times duringa conversation. It’s because those twowords have been showing up on every oneof my report cards in the teacher commentsfor the past seven years.I was a decent student in middleschool and even finagled my way onto thehonor roll once or twice, but I still didn’twork up to my full potential. Then highschool started, and decently so. I had ahalfway decent 3.3 grade point averagefor the first quarter of my freshman yearand applied to Swiss Semester under theassumption that I was a shoo-in.Both my brothers did the programtwo and four years before I applied. Sowith a GPA that I knew was the same as astudent’s who got in the year before, and astrong legacy, I sat back and waited for myacceptance letter.Alas, I was rejected on the groundsthat I “wouldn’t take it seriously.” It waspresumptuous, but keen of the SwissSemester admissions board; there wasno way I was going to go there and workhard.There couldn’t have been a moreportending start to my high school career.Maybe it was for the better. Maybe myparents realized right away that I was goingto be on cruise control from there onout rather then seeing me off to Europe,thinking my career would be one successafter another.I wrapped up my freshman year with a(technically) above average 2.9. Up untilthen, I don’t think my parents knew thatGPAs went down to the twos. I brushedthis off after being told by just about everyuntrustworthy source that colleges don’t careabout your freshman year grades as long asthey see improvement from then on.I satisfied those desires by wrappingup sophomore year with a mediocre 3.1.Improved? Yes. Good? No. Each teachercomment seemed like it was copied andpasted from the one above: “Kyle, blah blahblah … you can do better.”Then junior year rolled around, and Itold myself I would really apply myself asit would be the most important year onmy transcript. Apparently I enjoy lying tomyself. Junior year was jam packed withhours upon hours of Halo 3. Although Igot pretty good at Halo, my grades weren’tso lucky.I earned my worst GPA of high schoolin the year that mattered the most, a 2.6. Ithink that year my teachers just got the finalcomments from my previous year’s teachers.It was déjà vu all over again as I read “youcan do better than this” for the umpteenthtime.It was again, keen of my teachers. I couldhave done better so easily. I don’t think I didone full night’s worth of homework once, orstudied for a test so thoroughly that I wentinto it knowing I was going to get an A. Mybackpack found a home in the back of mycar until I had to lug it around school for 7hours with no intention of unzipping it.I relied on my natural ability whichturned out to be mediocre at best. I foundmyself applying to colleges with a cumulativeGPA of 2.7. I think the only thing thatgot me into college was my ACT score thatwas 10 times my GPA.I never cared. I never tried. I never succeeded.Now I have just over two weeks tomake my decision on where I’m going to gonext year between schools a lot worse thanthe ones I could be deciding on if I haddone maybe 2 hours of work each night.I’m confessing all of this because I knowthat there are a good number of kids justlike me who aren’t applying themselves.Cruise control is no way to go throughhigh school. I wasn’t even on cruise, though,I idled.There’s really no good reason not to try.I came up with plenty of bad ones, though,but those just landed me where I am now:my computer, writing an article that willprobably be late, and not even thinkingabout other assignments that are probablydue tomorrow. At least now I can blame iton senioritis, but it’s hard when I’ve alreadyhad freshmanitis, sophomoritis, and junioritis.You’d think I’d have developed some sortof immunity by now.So basically, don’t be like me.Try.

W • I • F • IPublic Service Announcement from Charlotte WaldmeirWhat began as an innocent exercise in new student interviews resulted in a sordid unveiling of a deep, dark,family secret – namely the frighteningly supernatural mental powers of the “Klene Clan.” For the first Wifi contest,Spencer Klene emerged as the winner – a groundbreaking victory, yet within our expectations. However, with SloaneKlene’s disturbingly quick winning response for the second Wifi contest, it is clear that more sinister forces are atwork. Never before has Grosse Pointe witnessed such frightening examples of telekinesis in the wrong hands. Afterhearing of this phenomenon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued the following warning to the citizens ofthe community:THIS IS NOT A TEST!Caution: Contents of Klene very hot.Use Klene on single outlet only.Keep Klene away from children.Contains flammable gas under pressure.Do not keep Klene lit after 30 seconds.Klene will combust if exposed to heat above 120degrees.Do not operate heavy machinery while under the influenceof Klene.Based on recent intelligence, there may be additionalKlene attacks within the United States andagainst United States’ interests over the nextweek. The national security threat level has beenraised to ORANGE.No not consume raw or undercooked Klene.Klene is sealed for your protection.Severe Klene Advisory remains in effect until 7 PMCDT this evening.Klene will continue from the northwest today at 15to 25 mph with higher gusts.Klene will diminish across the region by 7 PM thisevening.If Klene lasts more then four hours consult a doctorimmediately.The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of Klene is illegal. Criminal copyrightinfringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI andis punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of 250,000.Side effects of Klene may include combustible hair follicles, jimmy hands, and avianspeech patterns.Do not take Klene if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant.Machine wash warm. Gentle cycle with light colors. Tumble dry low. Warm iron.

How To DriveBy Kyle KeithBecause I spend just about every waking moment onFacebook, I can’t help but notice that more and more of my friends(and I use that term loosely) have been celebrating their birthdaysrecently. I have also noticed that a good number of them have beenturning 16. While these kids have probably learned what driver’straining has to offer, there are certainthings that everyone needs to know beforedriving without a parent or DonSchmaltz in the passenger seat. Mostof this knowledge is gathered withinthe first couple of months of havingyour license, but some of it has to beforced on you.One skill that is absolutelyvital to being a good driver is the abilityto shoot it off the line. As a formerMustang owner, this was somethingI learned to do and enjoy quickly. Ihoped to hit red lights so I could blowby the patient person stopped next to me. I saw it as a favor to theperson behind me, too. What’s worse than being stopped at a redlight behind someone who’s eating a Big Mac or looking for a CDon the ground?Now, with gas prices relatively low, there isn’t a better timeto jump off every line. It’s a little trickier to get out of a red lightquickly when you have to stop behind someone, but there are certaincars that are only driven by maniacs with lead feet. Camaro drivers arethe most likely to floor it as soon as the glare in their Oakleys changescolor. Old vans and trucks tend to gun it also. Alternatively, old cars,hybrids, and all Volkswagens take their sweet time.If you find yourself stuck behind one of these buzz kills,tailgating is the way to go. Get as close as you possibly can to their backbumper, and if it’s nighttime, flash your brights. Most drivers care toomuch about their cars to brake check, but be wary, some people will getfed up with your antics, leave their vehicle, and threaten you with death.Living in Michigan, we have theluxury of icy roads 11 months out of theyear. Incidentally, losing control of yourcar is pretty much the most fun you canhave without going to a live taping ofOprah. When the roads get slick, be sureto drift every turn and fishtail on everyopen road. Empty parking lots are perfectvenues for donuts, but full ones work fineif you can’t find one that’s vacant.Probably the most useless thingsever invented are speed limits. I’ll be theone to tell you that, in Michigan especially,you can add at least 10 to every speed limit sign and be completely finetraveling at that speed. On I-94 I generally travel about 112 miles perhour and have only received five tickets and one license suspension.Driving is a privilege. It’s a privilege that easily can be takenadvantage of by doubling speed limits, running red lights, and takingthe occasional shortcut over sidewalks. These tactics have been workingwell for me for the past two years, and this is why I’m passing them onto anyone who wants to join me in some bump drafting on 696.Cartoons!The sensory overload experienced when your nose is two inchesaway from your favorite sugared cereal, and Tom and Jerry is about tostart is about as good as it gets on a Saturday morning when you’refive years old. Let us take a trip down memory lane. It is back in theday, 1995 to be exact, and is it is a sunny Saturday morning. You rushdownstairs, fix yourself some Cookie Crisp, rush into your familyroom, and plop down on the couch. It’s 6:59 AM, and the anticipationof viewing Dexter’s Laboratory, Doug, Rocket Power, The WildThornberries, As Told by Ginger, and Hey Arnold for the next threehours has reached a fever pitch.Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about. I know thatall of you, probably even you freshmen, experienced these fabulousearly morning soirees when we woke up at an ungodly hour to watchcartoons and eat Fruity Pebbles. I know I am not alone when I saythat I truly believe that those mornings were my childhood and thebest cartoons ever produced to date. Certainly everyone has theirfavorites. However mine were a mixture of new and old. What aboutScooby Doo, you know? Shaggy and the gang. What about Recess?Spinelli taught all of us how to stands up against bullies, or the lackthereof. And let’s not forget The Magic School Bus. How Ms. Frizzlemanaged those ridiculous field trips in that tiny bus will always amazeme.But the real question is: what happened to the cartoons of myBy Margaret Mary Fitzgeraldyouth? Why did they disappear, and how did these new “cartoons”win the battle? This was truly a golden time of my youth: the TV tomyself, a quiet house, and a morning of endless cartoons.Although many of these shows had violence in them, they alsotaught us valuable lessons. From Franklin teaching me how to count bytwos, tie my shoes, button buttons, and zip zippers to Arthur encouragingus all to pick up a book and read, these cartoons were engagingand educational for the most part. Nowadays, these “new cartoons”are filled with violence teaching one kid how to nuke another andhave lost absolutely all educational value. Have you ever even heardof Squidbillies? Well just to get you acquainted, it’s a show aboutanthropomorphic hillbilly squids. Pardon me? Kids have lost interestin enjoying the simple cartoons like Tom n’ Jerry and have opted for anaddiction to technology and video games.At age five I had no conception of the telecommunication age ofpagers, cell phones, AIM, or Facebook. However, now when I lookaround, it disgusts me to see kids who are nine years old texting theirBFFs on their new iPhone. While the children of our generation usedtheir imagination as a playful device, kids nowadays are too enthralledwith the Internet, text messages, and videogames to experience thegreatness of childhood. Consequently, modern children’s programmingis either very simplistic or very advanced, which completely neglectsthe wonder and naiveté of a happy childhood.

Dysfunctional Teen RoleBy Cat VatsisModelsEveryday they are found on the front pages of newspapers andmagazines and are featured in the media headlines. One cannot buya loaf of bread at the supermarket checkout counter without beingexposed to these individuals. One cannot turn on the televisionwithout being bombarded by the storylines of these people. The imagesof these individuals permeate every aspect of American culture.Who are these people and why are they on the cover of every magazinein every checkout counter in every supermarket in America?More importantly, why and how are they making such a big impacton our culture? These are the mass-marketed celebrities who arepromoted by the advertising media to impressionable youth. Theyhave become so popular that they captivate the imagination of nearlyevery teenager seeking to emulate their appearances and personas,both good and bad. However, reality differs greatly from the glamorousimages of these celebrities promoted by the mass media.Most recently, a plethora of teen role models have been in thenews, but they have not been portrayed in a favorable light. Theseindividuals have been scandalized for their illegal and inappropriatebehaviors such as drug abuse, steroid abuse, domestic violence,unwed teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse, and eating disorders. Menand women such as Mary Kate Olsen, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton,Lindsay Lohan, and most recently, Michael Phelps, Alex Rodriguez,and Chris Brown demonstrate this point.Mary Kate Olsen, the former child star, has gained notoriety forher alleged use of drugs and the eating disorder that prompted herto enter a rehabilitation program. Britney Spears, so admired by millionsof teenage girls for her beauty and talent, clearly got caught upin the fame. Her first marriage lasted an astonishing 55 hours beforebeing annulled, and she lost custody of her children from a subsequentmarriage and divorce. She also wound up in a psychiatric wardand drug rehabilitation program, strangely shaved her head, and totop it all off, was photographed sans underwear.Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton is another individual who has engagedin reckless behavior. She has no particular skills and is said to befamous just for being famous. Nonetheless, this socialite has alsogarnered the attention of millions of teenage girls for reasons thatremain inexplicable. Her behavior is equally embarrassing. She hasreceived a D.U.I. and has spent time in the L.A. County Jail. Anotherone of her sidekicks, Lindsay Lohan, is also a regular on thecelebrity party scene and is known for her illegal behavior includingdrunk driving and substance abuse.In recent months, there have also been stunning revelations aboutsuperstar athletes and pop artists. Michael Phelps, an 18-timeOlympic Gold Medalist, was photographed at a fraternity partywhile allegedly inhaling marijuana from a bong. This behavior was inaddition to a previous D.U.I. arrest when he was only 19. Furthermore,baseball star Alex Rodriguez has tainted his image through hisadmitted steroid use. This behavior has tarnished his reputation as aworld-class athlete. And last but not least, is the most recent accusationagainst singer Chris Brown. He allegedly beat up his girlfriend,fellow pop artist, Rihanna, and left her with visible facial injuries.He was consequently placed under arrest for assault and battery.These role models, who are emulated by millions of teenagers, areneither setting the proper example nor sending the right message.Young and easily influenced teenagers are being exposed to theinappropriate behaviors of these celebrities. No matter how muchparents and adult figures try to prevent these outside influencesfrom impacting young and malleable minds, these wayward rolemodels nonetheless have a great impact on the thoughts and behaviorsof young adults. There appears to be a direct link between thedysfunctional behavior of superstar role models and the behaviorof the average teenager. As kids grow up and search for their ownidentity, they often look to the idealized images of the men andwomen who the advertising media inaccurately portrays.The media is having a greater impact on children at youngerand younger ages. Kids are left to make sense of what they hear,see, and read in the media. In today’s generation, young people areoften more influenced by these idealized personalities than they areby their own parents. Adolescent aspirations are being distorted bythe dysfunctional behaviors of these celebrities. It’s no wonder thatmore and more teenagers follow the paths of these celebrities andengage in underage alcohol and drug use and delinquent behaviors.It is important that teens look to more positive role models, such asparents, teachers, and other authority figures for guidance.What’s HotWhat’s NotTaco-ingSnowingBig Texas Cinnamon Buns PoptartsSleeping InHomeroomCrosswordsSudokosChicken PattiesGrindersSenior CommonsJunior CommonsSenioritisHomeworkOld School LogoNew School LogoJimmy JohnsSubwayDeparting School Prior to 3 Attending SchoolSmart BoardsChalkboardsThe Scrivener (ULS) The Tower (Southnewspaper)Visitor ParkingIce Rink ParkingSoccer FieldFootball FieldFree PeriodsClassSeniorsJuniorsStarbucksSchool’s CoffeeSenior ProjectsSchool-Alex Boll

Female ChauvinismBy Clarke DirksenFor centuries, women have been making powerful stridesto become equal to men. Today, I believe it is fair to say thatwomen have come a very long way and are indeed equals. Astime has progressed, women have protested their formerlyinferior condition and have gained just about every right that aman has (excluding the right to have a membership at AugustaNational Golf Club of course). They have been grantedsuffrage and have a very respectable position in the workplace.It would be an outrage if they were still expected to havedinner and a clean house ready for their husbands right whenthey arrived home from work. Women have rightfully earnedtheir spot in society, but after everything past and present thatwomen activists have fought for, it seems as if they still believethat they are not equal. These activists feel that they need moreand even possibly want to be viewed as superior to males.Female chauvinism is just as universal as male chauvinism.I am not sexist, nor am I writing this to bash the othergender. I present this point as a result of recent and manypast observations that I have made. Not too long ago, afew of my peers and I were gazing through a magazine, andon this magazine’s cover were two young, attractive femaleslicking an ice cream cone. Harmless, right? Well one of mypeers happened to be a female and noticed the cover. Shecommented, “how male chauvinistic!”At first I thought nothing of it, but then I thoughtabout what she had said. I wondered how this is in any waychauvinistic. Though the picture could potentially be perceivedas a little provocative, these two girls had obviously agreed todo this harmless photo shoot. Why is this chauvinistic? Thenanother thought occurred to me. It is female chauvinisticfor her to think this is male chauvinistic. For all she knows,no male had anything to do with this cover. A woman mayhave thought it up, picked the girls to be in it, and shot it allherself. Why does she feel compelled to say that it is “so malechauvinistic?” Comments like these lead me to believe thateven though women have been granted all the same rights asmen, they still feel that they have not and believe they deservemore.I often hear or read about cases where women aredemanding more respect. They say things like “I want to betreated like a man” or “I am not a piece of meat,” which areboth very understandable and reasonable things. Then youturn on the television or open up a magazine, and there is yourfavorite female athlete posing in a skimpy bikini for the SportsIllustrated Swimsuit Edition.Take Indy car driver Danica Patrick, a woman who hasmade a tremendous stride for all female athletes by being achampion female driver in a sport that is almost completelydominated by males. She has earned a remarkable amountof respect from everyone, including the male Indy car drivers.Once the media realized that she was not too hard to look at,she immediately did sexy photo shoots with Maxim, FHM, andSports Illustrated.I have been hearing comments from women for so longabout how magazines like Maxim and Playboy are “degradingto women” and how the men who read them are such “pigs.”But think about it, look who is posing in them: Danica Patrick,a woman who is a trendsetter for all female athletes and forathletes in general. So, is it really fair to say that men aredegrading women and are pigs for looking at magazines suchas these, or is it chauvinistic for a woman to even make such aclaim?This is not my way of bashing women (I happen to lovewomen). I am voicing my opinion based on several observationson the subject. Maybe women have every right to make thecomplaints that I have mentioned above, but I think that it isunfair to males that we are so often considered chauvinists whenthere are just as many female chauvinists out there.

GAMES PAGE!By Quinn ScillianWith Help from Chris BrownellCrossWordAcross1. Feeling down4. Amongst7. Caesar, Cobb, or Greek9. Excluding info.11. What MIMS and 50 Cent do12. Clinton’s home st.13. US-based airline, acquired by American15. In a state of ___16. Borders Georgia, Azerbaijan17. To anger or annoy18. Essay format loved by the ULS faculty20. Johnny Cash’s home st.21. Fictional College which Carleton Banks and Will Smithattend23. The Jayhawk st.24. Nursery Rhyme “______” Jacques.26. “_____” a good living!27. In soccer, to stop the ball with your chest, knee, or foot.SudokuDown1. In baseball, to intentionally tap the ball into play2. U + ME = ____3. “Lend me your ‘______’”4. ULS Girls field hockey foe, abbrev.5. The Chesapeake st.6. “Double _____” hosted by Marc Summers8. Original “Lady Marmalade” Artist Patti _____10. Grammy, Emmy, Oscar12. Mandy Moore film, “_____ to Remember” (2 words)14. Most are 30 cubits x 50 cubits x 40 cubits, hold well in strong storms15. What to do when you play assassins.17. Belle ____, former home of the Detroit Aquarium19. Stat.21. Gaylord Focker hit one of these with a champagne cork22. “Mrs. Robinson” duo, Paul and ____24. www.lelouvre.“__”25. The place Billy goes after jumping off a balcony, abbrev.Tic-Tac-ToeWord Searchbackhurstbriarcliffbutzucassidycookdwaihyfacebookgatsbygooglegrossepointehawthornehealyhellebuyckknightslacrosseliggettmeranzemockobamasoccertilapiatwitteryahoo

The Scrivener Staff in 10 yearsForecasted by clairvoyants Kyle Keith and Mr. MockDrew Amato - Busboy at Olive GardenMegan Amicucci - Double agent in LebanonWhitney Baubie - Caring?Alex Boll - Internship at Fox NewsMegan Brandon - Runner-up at the South Queens Borough beauty pageantDrew Brophy - Answering the Red PhoneBlake Chouinard - Being served a restraining order from Nine-Inch NailsClarke Dirksen - Calling in sickJack Fisher - Holding hostages for a re-count at the local hot dog eating competitionMargaret Mary Fitzgerald - Still deciding where to go to collegeMarc Hames - Junior LPGA tour’s #1 FanAziz Jan - Riding a magic carpetKyle Keith - Strangling hecklers at the Laugh FactoryDanni Kress - adding…suspense…to…dialogue…Jessica Lancaster - SighingErik Litch - Developing a new ADD drug that tastes like chocolateSteven Morris - Wearing moccasins to workClaire Peracchio - Speechwriter for Ann CoulterQuinn Scillian - Chained to a redwood in CaliforniaCat Vatsis - Asking for helpCharlotte Waldmeir - Fighting in the UFC (male division)

THE SCRIVENERUNIVERSITY LIGGETT SCHOOL1045 COOK ROADGROSSE POINTE WOODS, MI 48236Jessica Lancaster