By Caroline Darr

The three main components of finals at Dexter High School

By Caden Koenig, Truman Stovall, Gigi Saadeldin & Nick LeBlanc

Test-Taking

Test-taking is hard enough, especially with all of the pressure of final exams; nevertheless, being confident in an answer should be all it takes for you to fill in the bubble “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or even that unsavory “E.” Sadly, this is not the reality students are met with during tests due to individual thought processes, especially on finals week.

Too many consecutive answers have been a problem with multiple choice tests since their creation. Every time you fill in the same letter, your brain begins to think that the chances of the next one being that letter diminish exponentially.

Continue reading The Anatomy of Finals →

A hard-hitting fact: Increased awareness of concussions has caused controversy, forcing sports to adapt

By Conor Van Dusen & Caden Koenig

When thinking about the recent Michigan vs. Michigan State game, it’s likely the first thing that comes to mind is the spectacular and unexpected finish that left some devastated, others satisfied, and everyone surprised. However, the game winning “punt-six” wasn’t the only controversy surrounding the widely watched rivalry game.

The concussion controversy took center stage in the first half when Michigan senior linebacker Joe Bolden was ejected for falling head first onto Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook. Bolden was ejected from the game for targeting, a rule implemented in 2008 designed to discourage players from initiating helmet-to-helmet contact.

Continue reading Concussion →

By Michael Bradshaw & Hannah Wing

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We all know these words. We all know their importance to our country. Why doesn’t 65 percent of the student body stand up for the pledge every day then? Is this a result of declining patriotism among teens?

Although the majority of students don’t stand up for the pledge there are still a select few that openly display patriotism. Dexter High School junior Randy Gesell is one of these remaining students who feel a strong sense of pride for their country.

“Patriotism is important and pledging allegiance to the flag is something everyone should do,” Gesell said. “I think people are just lazy and they don’t see it as important as it really is. They don’t want to be judged by standing up and that’s a big reason.”

Continue reading Patriotism levels are on the decline among today’s youth →

It is a disease affecting the nation. Everyday, thousands of rape cases go unnoticed and hundreds of rapists go unprosecuted. With an American citizen sexually assaulted every 107 seconds, Rape Culture has stepped into the light as a serious problem.

By Claire Ward & Gigi Saadeldin

“No one is asking to be violated. There should be a ‘yes’ before anything happens.”

In Transforming a Rape Culture by Emilie Buchwald, Rape Culture is defined as “a society where violence is seen as sexy and sexuality as violent. In Rape Culture, [people] perceive a continuum of threatened violence that ranges from sexual remarks to sexual touching to rape itself. A Rape Culture condones physical and emotional terrorism [as the norm].”

Sexual assault can be classified as any sexual activity performed on a person who has not given consent. Giving consent means saying the word “yes.” Consent can not be given if the victim is unconscious, severely under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or in a forced situation. Sexual assault ranges from an inappropriate touch to unconsented intercourse. Merriam-Webster defines rape as: “[forcing] (someone) to have sex with you by using violence or the threat of violence” with the archaic definition of “to seize and take away by force.” It is sexual intercourse between two or more people when one person does not agree or want it to happen.

Continue reading Rape Culture →

Senior Aaron Kelley’s mom is a strict parent and is proud of it. She likes to know where her children are and what they’re doing at all times. In Jill Kelley’s mind her strong parenting style is a way to insure that the character of her children is at the highest standard possible.

“My mom used to be really mad at me when I didn’t text her where I was even if it was at school,” Aaron said. “There also have been times when I have to tell my friends that I can’t hangout because I haven’t been home enough that week.”

Continue reading Hovering overhead →

Backpack weight

After weighing five random students and their backpacks, four of these five backpacks weighed over 25 pounds and all five students’ backpacks weighed more than 10 percent of their personal body weight. According to the American Chiropractic Association, this situation is dangerous to students’ health.

This situation also concerns Michelle Rabideau, a physician that specializes in family medicine, who suggested to DHS administrators that something needed to change in regards to students having to carry backpacks around school every day.

“I probably see an average of one a week with back pain, neck pain or headaches – but I find more if I ask at routine physicals,” Rabideau said. “Mr. Kit Moran stated that the interval between classes is sufficient for students to use their lockers, because some students figure out how to do it.

Continue reading #FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS →

Jeremy Hannich, a youth minister at Dexter United Methodist Church, sat at the pew, praying for a safe trip as his assortment of church-goers were prepared to save some lives.

Hannich, who is an adult adviser of the trip, and a handful of high school students from Dexter UMC are headed to Belize for a mission trip. From April 4 to April 12, these students have decided to donate their spring break vacation to conduct a medical mission in one of Central America’s most long-suffering countries.

“I don’t really know what to expect. It’s my first mission trip, so it’ll be different to interact with some of the kids, our age, down there,” senior Olivia Stagg said.

Continue reading Seeking alternatives →

Obsession. It runs rampant through the world of teenagers and trends. They become hooked, quickly, easily. From expanding social networks to popular restaurants, the obsessions continue to grow.

Chipotle
Senior Jen Bondie said she has been “obsessed” with Chipotle ever since the sixth grade.

“Starting in sixth grade my dad would take me to the Chipotle in Arborland and ever since I’ve loved it,” Bondie said. “There was a time in my life that I would go to Chipotle at least once a week.”

Continue reading Hashtags and cilantro lime rice →