FEATURES
My brother, Adam, was born when I was five years old. I was excited to have a little baby brother who I could take care of. I never thought anything was different about him back then; however, now when I look back, Adam exhibited signs of autism early on. He never made eye contact with anyone, he didn’t respond to his name, he would wander away and he didn’t start talking until he was three years old.
My family didn’t find out Adam had autism until he was four years old. I had never heard of autism and I had no idea how common it is. It felt good to have an answer to what was causing these symptoms; now we just had to learn how to incorporate it into our lives.
One of the things my brother would do was run away. He would ride his bike when no one was watching and go into other neighborhoods. Adam’s communication skills weren’t great, so if someone else found him before my family did, they wouldn’t have much to go off of. We had to call the police a few times to help us find him. The scariest episode was when Adam was in first grade: during his recess, he ran away from the school and went into a neighborhood he had never been to before. The PARApros assigned to him didn’t realize he ran away and my family didn’t know until a Canton police officer called my mom to tell her he was at the police station.
After Adam was diagnosed, my family had to step up. My siblings and I had to be prepared to chase after Adam when he tried to run away. We had to learn how to involve him better in our activities. When my mom had surgery, I had to stay home from school so that I could take care of Adam.
Adam’s social skills started improving once he started going to the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) classroom at Tonda Elementary. Once he got better academically, Adam was able to move to Bird Elementary School when he was in fourth grade and be in a general education classroom. Since then, he’s been learning alongside peers his age, with a little adjusted work, and has been getting along with his peers well.
Growing up with my little brother has made me see autism in a different light. I remember the days when he couldn’t talk to anyone; when I see him now, I see how much he’s improved. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have seen Adam playing hockey and soccer, learning tae kwon do, or getting ready for general education at middle school. I don’t know what the future holds for Adam, but right now, it seems bright.
Growing Up with an Autistic Brother
By: Hannah Saad
News Editor
Thursday, May 5, 2016
British born racecar driver Andy Pilgrim spoke to many of P-CEP’s population in hopes to enlighten them on the risks of distracted driving as well as the risks of being a vulnerable driver.
Pilgrim was born and raised in Nottingham, Great Britain until he saved up enough money from his current job at the time, being computer programmer, to move to the United States with approximately 100 dollars in his pocket, hoping to escape Britain’s unwelcoming weather. From childhood, Pilgrim has had a love and fascination for cars and driving so making the decision to become a racecar driver wasn’t the worst idea in his case. His professional racing career began in the year 1996 when he made is 24 Hours of Le Mans debut. He later joined the Chevrolet factory team in 1999, becoming an American citizen only a year prior; Pilgrim has been racing ever since.
Besides possessing the love of driving, Pilgrim has also grown a big heart for teaching all ages, including parents, about the importance of safe driving and how it affects you or how it is going to affect you in the future. “I originally became interested in the idea of helping people from a young age. My mother used to drag me along to these things she went to so we could feed the homeless. I was raised with the mindset to help people,” said Pilgrim.
He has started his own program of speaking to younger children about the risks of unsafe driving and even speaking to parents about children following in their footsteps of how they drive, saying how children at young ages will pick up the driving habits of their habits, whether it is texting while driving or not wearing a seatbelt.
Pilgrim showed students his videos and statistics on unsafe driving, providing our minds with a different mindset on this spreading epidemic. Students were shown the insanely huge number of car accidents taking place in the US in the year 2015 as well as the rate of accidents in other countries such as Germany and the UK. The difference between the countries compared to the United States truly blew the listeners away; putting the facts directly in front of the students’ faces was exactly what Pilgrim was aiming to do during his presentation. “I am a fast driver with a fast car, I am very lucky I haven’t gotten myself into an accident yet or someone else in one,” says Salem senior, Loai Shehadeh.
“I do not think these accident ratings are going to improve in the future, well at least not right away. It is going to take a long time before people will actually make a change,” says Pilgrim. With increasing technology amongst drivers and cars paired with an incredibly easy drivers test, drivers of all kinds are possible of falling victim due to the distraction of a fellow driver.
Pilgrim’s safe driving presentation aimed to give students a different point of view on their driving and how others drive, showing them short promos and videos with distracted drivers claiming innocent victims, who to some degree Andy says, would have to be distracted as well based on the fact they didn’t see a vehicle in their lane or coming their way. Ryan Hames, a Canton senior, said, “I always see teens on their phones while driving, especially on campus. We’re basically all potential victims.”
Teens are all familiar with the risks of texting and driving but unfortunately posses little motivation to change. Pilgrim says, “How many people have to die for others to realize something needs to be done?” Luckily, individuals sharing the same passion for safety as Pilgrim are all around us, filling our minds with the facts and raw truth about where we are headed regarding our safety on the roads.
Andy Pilgrim Comes to P-CEP
By: Allison Pascalo
Features Editor
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Finishing high school is considered a big step in life; however, your first year at college is possibly more nerve-wracking than graduation. You aren’t alone when it comes to entering college, completely unaware of how it’s going to be. The people that have graduated from P-CEP before you are just the right people to ask about how things may go in the future, and how different things are from high school.
Despite everyone going to the same high school, or high schools in our case, each person has a different college experience. College is seen to be a learning experience not only for educational purposes, but also for life. 2015 Plymouth graduate Jacob Bugajski went on to study music at Western Michigan University after years of marching band and drumline here at PCEP. “College is a fresh start,” Bugajski said. “It’s a chance to forget about the blunders and screw-ups you had in the past. You’re independent all the time. You learn a lot about yourself that way.”
As much as college is good for life lessons, it is also a good time to socialize and meet new people. “College has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have been able to have so many opportunities at Michigan to network with so many people and make friends that will be with me all my life,” said Katie Kleabir, 2015 Canton graduate. Kleabir had gone on to go to school at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Despite good experiences, college should never be seen as an all-around fun time. It all requires effort and determination if you want to continue your experience. “A lot more responsibility is placed on your shoulders,” said 2014 Canton graduate Mohammad Iskandarani. “Because of this it leaves more room to make mishaps in your grades as well as less time to get your classmates in class, inhibiting socializing because you’re behind.”
As the school year comes to a close it’s a good time to look toward the alumni for advice. As much as you may feel stressed it is good to keep in mind that college is old news; every single year there are students just the same who have the struggle of getting used to a new part of their lives. Soon enough you’ll be the ones giving the advice that you’re getting.
Wise Words From Alumni
By: Amy O'Brien
Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Mother’s Day is an annual celebration of mothers and a chance to let them know that everything they do is appreciated. Even though they may not receive gratitude each and every day, this is a time to let them know they are loved. Many P-CEP students do different things to show this gratitude.
Salem Junior Lianna Claypool said, “I love my mom, of course I want to show her appreciation! My whole family put together a brunch for her and she really liked it; it made her happy.”
Many students did different things to surprise their moms this past Mother’s Day.
“My Family went to church and then we visited my nana, we bought a cake for her birthday and Mother’s Day. We had a big family party at my aunt’s house and my uncle prepared a big Mexican dinner for all the moms in my family. The next day I took her out to eat for a special time together,” said Malaya Phillips, a senior at Plymouth.
“Mother’s Day is important because your mom does a whole lot for you,” said Salem senior Jake Kurth. “It’s important to show your appreciation for everything your mom does for you. We had a family celebration for all the moms in our family this year. We bought her flowers because she really enjoys those and my sister bought her a Pandora charm for her bracelet. I appreciate my mom because she cares for me no matter what and has sacrificed so much for me over her life.”
Maddie Dameron, Canton senior, recalls her day, “Every Mother’s Day we go kayaking in Ann Arbor. It’s fun to get out and just spend time with her doing things we both enjoy. I appreciate my mom so much for everything she does. She’s always there for me and she’s very understanding.”
Sometimes things you do with your mom don’t have to be everyday and average to show her you care.
Different Mother's Day Celebrations
By: Liz Perry
Sports Editor
Friday, May 20, 2016
This academic year, the first International Baccalaureate diplomas will be issued to certain P-CEP students during graduation. But these degrees are not just random nor are they regular diplomas. These diplomas come with years of hard work and extra studies than most students would go through. Here in Plymouth-Canton, students can begin working to earn their I.B. diplomas as of freshman year.
By the time junior year rolls around, students begin working on their extended essays, which are extensive research papers on one broad question. There is also a seventh course added called, “Theory of Knowledge,” or T.O.K., taught by Gretchen Andridge in Plymouth. There, students learn to broaden their horizons. Many may think the I.B. program is simple and easy enough, but there is more behind the scenes work than anything else.
“The I.B. program is pretty secluded from the rest of the Park, there are over 6,000 students here and we will have only really known 60 of them,” said Manish Rajendran, Plymouth senior. “But the people that you do meet end up being lifelong friends. Ninth grade was hard because the program itself was unorganized so many students dropped out of the academy, but everyone that stayed really enjoys each other’s company. We feel the love.”
However, some others had a different opinion. Salem senior Anisa Kadiu said, “I felt like it was really confining, I wasn’t able to experiment with other classes, to find what I liked and what I didn't like. In a way, it’s hypocritical because they want you to broaden your horizons but yet there are strict schedules of what you can and cannot take. And everything was so competitive between students.”
Hunter Gibbons, a Salem senior that left the program, said, “It was too stressful for me and time consuming. I already committed to a university to play soccer, it was unneeded.” However, Gibbons said he doesn’t regret joining the program his freshmen year. “I was still taught some great life lessons, like to study hard, and I some great friends. I wouldn’t want that to change.”
But if the I.B. program isn’t beneficial to some students, is it beneficial to the masses?
“It is said that you’re told that you have a higher chance of getting into schools with higher academic credibility, like U of M Ann Arbor, but that’s not really the case. It’s about the same,” said Rajendran.
But in some cases, the work has paid off. Canton senior Srey Narayanan said, “I could still get some college credit from I.B. classes and it’s a great experience. I.B. definitely isn’t for everyone; some people don’t like how limited the class options are or they just can’t work that way and need to change up their schedule every now and then, along with something outside the realms of the I.B. schedule, like more athletic or creative courses. But I am still getting the credits I need and I enjoy it, it works for me. I’m going to UC San Diego and I’m getting a bunch of elective credits.”
In order to receive an I.B. credit, an exam has to be passed at the end of the school year, just like an Advanced Placement course. And at the Park, I.B. classes are open to any upperclassmen that are willing to stick to the course for two years. Each class is conveniently placed in Plymouth (unless it is an art credit) and due to the length of the Plymouth-Canton school year and the advanced material taught, these courses have been extended from one year to two.
Students Weigh in on IB Program
By: Liz Perry
Sports Editor
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Teachers: They’ve been in our shoes and have decided to dedicate their lives to helping us on our journeys to a successful life. Teachers imbue students with the knowledge they will need later in life. Teachers know their subject through and through, but more importantly, they know life lessons that we’ll need to take us through life.
Some teachers understand that students’ lives are busy, and try to have students practice and study the material they learn without the students feeling overburdened. Sydney Jacks, a Plymouth sophomore, said her favorite teacher is Kenneth Fistler, a Plymouth math teacher. “We only turn in one assignment per unit. He also lets us come in during lunch and before school to work on our assignments,” said Jacks.
Some students like teachers who will take challenging material and teach it in an understandable manner. “My favorite teacher is either Mr. Ignagni or Mr. Guinta. When I took their AP courses, there was a lot I had to learn from their classes, and they both broke down the material so I could understand it,” said Anastasia Bell, a Plymouth senior. Patrick Ignagni teaches social studies at Canton, and Mike Guinta teaches math at Salem.
Teachers also have the tough job of keeping students alert in class. Derek Southwick, a Salem social studies teacher, uses humor to keep his students engaged. Hayley Martin, a Salem sophomore, said about Southwick, “He’s flipping funny. His meme game is on point.” Allie Duck, a Salem senior, also pointed out the style teachers use to teach. “Madame Rokakis is my favorite because the way she teaches is very lively and she keeps it interesting.” Kathy Rokakis teaches French at Salem.
Some teachers serve as inspirations to students, and encourage them to chase their passions. Katie Kress, a Plymouth sophomore, said choir teachers Jennifer Neumann and Valerie Said are her favorite teachers. “They’re just great,” said Kress, “They encourage us to love music. They also have a good balance between working really hard and having really chill days.”
Every student needs someone that he or she can look up to, and for many, that role model is a teacher. Teachers can have a great impact on a student’s life; for every type of student, there’s a teacher out there who can accommodate to that student. Here at the Park, there are so many teachers a student could end up having for a class, so finding a teacher who students can look forward to seeing everyday is all the more joyful.
Favorite Teachers Around the Park
By: Hannah Saad
News Editor
Monday, May 23, 2016
Lazy, cheap and entitled: Millennials. Born from either Baby Boomers or Generation Xers, Millennials make up the generation now entering adulthood. They’ve caught the media’s attention with their narcissism and taste for technology, but before thinking too hard on the attached stigma; consider the minds of those who labeled them as so.
Since there have been no distinct birth dates since the Baby Boomers (1946-1964,) generation boundaries are a fluid concept. Such categorizing is a product of culture and although fuzzy at first, they firm up over the years. The three prominent generations are the Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials.
Baby Boomers grew up post-war. Their households were lead by the Greatest Generation, those who endured the Great Depression and World War II. Boomer values were community driven and goal-oriented. With an increase in opportunities, many of them were able to advance educationally or socially. Now, they are entering the age of retirement.
Following the Boomers, came Generation X (1960-1980). Gen Xers were “latchkey” kids, often met with daycare and divorce. On the crossroads of family neglect and an untrustworthy government (i.e. Watergate), Gen Xers are a group of skeptical men and women who came to be generational naming’s middle child.
Next in the spotlight are the Millennials: those who are entering or have entered adulthood since the 2000s. For starters, they’re tipping the scale in population numbers. Surpassing the Baby Boomers, they make up the largest generation by population. However, many attribute their biggest asset to society as their lack of any asset at all. This generation is stuck in the muddy waters of indecision.
As opposed to their parents, many Millennials partake in a gig economy, where income is derived from either temporary jobs or self-employment. However nice this self-paced schedule may seem, it leaves a certain degree of ambiguity and perceived low work ethic: according to the 2012 Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults. In consequence, this generation has been called lazy and unmotivated.
Though, is it exactly laziness, or a lack of direction? No motivation or not knowing where to start?
Jack Kerouac's 1957 book “On the Road” named the Beat generation of the 1950s. In the book, frontman, Sal Paradise, spends his early adulthood as a struggling author, while still living at his aunt’s house. After meeting his counterpart, Dean Moriarty, Paradise, embarks on a three year journey. Through the colorful array of characters, new scenes, and personal development, Paradise finds his calling. The book received so much praise because it translated the mood of a generation. Between the end of World War II and early starts of the Civil Rights Movement, dawdled a youth composed of restless idealists, with a distaste for the bland conformity enveloping them. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, not every problem can be solved by a spontaneous road trip. But like their 1950s counterparts, Millennials are stuck in a vicious cycle of wanting more, but not knowing where to go.
According to a poll taken in 1992 by the Families and Work Institute, 80% of people younger than 23 wanted to one day have a job with greater responsibility; 10 years later, only 60% did.
Unlike their parents, Millennials aren’t so caught up in profit-driven success; it’s general happiness and comfort that they value.
“We simply want to be happy with what we’re doing, not just going through the motions to earn a couple bucks,” said Howard Zhang, Canton senior.
Millennials, in fact, are a kinder breed. More accepting of minority groups, the new youth has shown a level of tolerance that would have been unheard of even a decade ago.
Despite the criticism, Millennials aren’t necessarily “bad.” They’re different. “I think everyone struggles with a purpose; not just our generation. I’m sure every generation comes and goes having the same problems,” said Trevor McKinney, Salem senior. “And the adults look down on them the same way they were looked down upon growing up.”
New ideals will always be challenging old, and new generations will always be faced with criticism from the latter. As humans, we learn new things about ourselves every day. Our morals, goals, and norms have fluctuated in the past 100 years and will continue fluctuating for the next few.
“Times are changing,” said Plymouth senior Maddy Hanton. “It’s hard to predict how this change in the youth’s attitude is going to play out in the future.”
Millennials: Who They are and Why They're Different
By: Natasha Pietruschka
Art Director
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Here at the Park there are many unique classes and opportunities for our students. Along with basic education; P-CEP offers automotive, computer graphics, design, fashion, business, health occupation, human body systems, engineering, and many other various classes that prepare students for a specifically selected future.
Plymouth Senior Jessica Lutkenhoff said, “My favorite thing about health occupations is the opportunities it brings to school that other classes don’t offer. We have the ability to learn skills like sterile technique, urinalysis, taking vital signs, and dissection of animal organs such as the heart and brain.” Lutkenhoff is also a member of the Health Occupation Students of America Club; she also competes in nursing competitions with the knowledge she learned in class. Health occupations is a two hour block where students learn the human anatomy and many useful skills and background knowledge for anyone looking to continue their education in the medical field.
Hailey Katulski, a senior at Salem in honors zoology, said, “Zoology is very hands on and you’ll be able to dissect and hold all different kinds of animals.” Honors zoology is a yearlong class where students learn about the first animal cells all the way to modern human life. They get to dissect and get to meet animals like baby armadillos
Thurday, May 26, 2016
Unique Classes Around the Park
By: Jordan Anheuser
Staff Writer
Ryan Ross is a senior at Salem who participates in the engineering class for the STEM program. In the class groups of students choose a project to essentially create for the entire year. Ross said, “My favorite part of the class is being able to decide what your own project will be.” Ross’s project is designing a warning system for cars for when an emergency vehicle is approaching.
Not only are unique classes like this at the Park fun, they also help prepare students for the future. Ross said, “My engineering class prepares us by allowing us to see the whole process of product design and development.” Katulski said, “Zoology has helped me prepare for the future because you learn how simple living things slowly turn into complex beings-like us.” Lutkenhoff added, “Health occupations can give insight into what health care careers involve. It is an awesome stepping stone to see if the medical field is really for you. The knowledge we cover over the year is extensive, and the terminology is applicable to everyday life. It helps you understand what you may not have known before, especially in a setting like a doctor's appointment.”
So, whether you are interested in becoming a mechanic, veterinarian, brain surgeon, or fashion designer, there is a class that the Park that can help you gain experience and put your foot in the right direction of reaching your goals. Take advantage of the opportunities P-CEP has to offer; if you find a class interesting, the work load will be more tolerable, and it will pay off in the long run.
Photo by Jessica Lutkenhoff
Jessica Lutkenhoff, Jordan Anheuser and Monique Gifford hold a deer heart in Health Occupations, a unique class offered at the Park
Right here in Plymouth, children with disabilities are receiving the chance to play on a baseball team with the Miracle League of Plymouth. Their motto is “Every Child Deserves the Chance to Play Baseball,” and every weekend over the spring and summer they achieve that goal.
Every Saturday through May and June and into the fall, games are held at Bilkie Family Field in Plymouth, where children with disabilities from across the Metro Detroit area can come join their teams to play baseball. Disabled kids ages five and above share the experience of teamwork and achievement, as the Miracle League does an outstanding job of making every player feel like a winner.
The beauty of what the Miracle League does is best witnessed in person. I recall the first time I volunteered with the Miracle League a few summers ago; my mom came to the game with me to see what it was like. On our way into the stadium we witnessed a boy in a wheelchair speeding ahead of the rest of his family, so eager to get to the field. When the boy’s dad asked why he was going so fast, the boy responded, “I see my team. I’m going to be with my team.” This simple moment caused tears from both me and my mom, as we both realized on the spot that this organization is doing something truly special.
The Miracle League of Plymouth needs over 100 volunteers every game day to help make the experience, and my time working with the Miracle League has opened my eyes to the beauty of what sports can really do. It has also done the same for other P-CEP students who have spent Saturdays being player buddies. Buddies help a player in any way possible, whether it’s hitting, fielding, or running the bases. Being a buddy is a truly rewarding experience getting to see the smiles on their faces as you run the bases by their side.
Other P-CEP students have shared this experience of being a buddy as well, and feel the effects of how rewarding it is. Plymouth senior, Conor McElroy, has volunteered as a buddy several times, “The best part about being a buddy for the Miracle League is the smile on the players' faces. You can tell how happy and grateful they are that they get to play baseball.”
Being able to help the kids play baseball and experience the love for sports is something truly special. “I have been volunteering since sophomore year and I continue to come back as much as I can because it’s really rewarding at the end of the day to see their smiles,” said Plymouth senior, Bailey Zmuda.
Everyone deserves the chance to play baseball; and at the Miracle League of Plymouth, the dream that may seem impossible for some, is achieved all summer long.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Miracle League a Great Opportunity
By: Michael Adzima
Sports Editor
Coming into high school, almost every individual is familiar with the pressure we receive from our family and friends to “get connected” or “be involved” with things going on around campus. Typically, those involvements include joining a sports team and improving on your athletic abilities. Although that is an awesome way to make new friends and to gain school pride, what if catching a football or hitting a puck just doesn’t suit your style? Fortunately, P-CEP has an outlet for almost every type of person: clubs.
Being a part of a club is a perfect way to meet new peers with the same interests as you, learn new information about a topic you enjoy or to expand your horizons and maybe step out of your comfort zone by trying something you’d never thought you’d do.
With a campus as large as ours, the opportunities are limitless when it comes to clubs. Robotics club, gourmet club, anime club, aria club, apps club, mythology club, you name it! P-CEP has got you covered.
Plymouth senior Kyle Heestand says, “Our robotics team is all about learning teamwork skills and helping each other out. “ Robotics club deals with the science end of things by creating their very own robots with people who share that same passion. This club gives students opportunities to win scholarships for their accomplishments as well as internships with some of the most well known corporations in the world.
Have an interest in anime? Here at P-CEP, the anime club has about 100 members who would love the opportunity to share common interests with new comers. Katrina Smith, Salem sophomore, says, “This club will let you meet everyone and anyone; it’s just fun.” Not only are you introduced to people you’d never thought would be into anime, but this club also hosts one of the biggest high school anime conventions with more than 5,000 people coming to attend.
Possessing a love for music is a common trait seen on campus, but possessing that same love for music without the instruments is a little more unique, but nowhere near shy of talented. Aria club is an environment designed for female singers interested in a cappella. Canton senior, Sarah Whitehead, says, “We make our own music and incorporate cool music with our voices.” Joining a club like this is an inevitable path to create lifetime bonds with a feeling of reassurance and trust with its members.
When you hear the word “mythology” most of us think of Gods and Goddesses, but what about cultures and religions? Mythology club talks about just that. These students learn and discuss topics such as Christianity, Judaism, Greek, and Roman history tying it back to mythology.
These are only just a select few of the many, many clubs here at P-CEP. Whether you’re an underclassman or an upperclassman, an introvert or an extrovert, you are sure to find a group of people who want to share their same hobbies and passions with you.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Make Your Mark at P-CEP
By: Allison Pascalo
Features Editor
It’s almost time for prom, a day many seniors look forward to all year. It’s one last time to get dressed up and have a good time together as a class, and it can be stressful to find the right dress.
Prom fashion is always slowly evolving, and every few years there are new trends. From year to year the changes are subtle, but just think about how much the styles have changed over the past few decades, we’ve all seen our parents’ prom photos with the ladies sporting poofy satin dresses with huge shoulders. So what’s “in” in 2016?
Poofy is out, straighter or tighter dresses are in. Theses dresses accentuate long lines on the body and create an elegant look. There’s a lot more to it than simply poofy versus straight though, and it's all about preference and what you're most comfortable and confident in.
This year while shopping, you are likely to see a lot of neutral colored dresses like tans, whites and blacks. These allow for lots of unique and colorful accessories such as colorful shoes, glitzy jewelry, or fun handbags; it is more difficult to pair accessories with bold dresses so more neutrally colored dresses can be fun to personalize.
The trend of showing a little extra skin in a prom dress has become popular over the past years and 2016 is no exception. Prom dresses have always been known to feature cutouts on the sides or back, but there are other styles that show some skin.
Two-piece prom dresses have been rising in popularity and have been dominating the racks of prom dress shops. Prom dresses are often a one-time wear, which can be sad to both us and our wallets, as spending so much on something that will only be worn once is disappointing, but two-piece prom dresses are versatile and can be broken up and worn separately. An option is to dress it down by taking the top piece and wearing it with a more casual, shorter skirt.
Deep V-necks have also become popular. Deep V-necks are elegant and goddess-like, but it’s important to keep comfort in mind, and remember that you’ll be dancing all night. If you fall in love with a dress with a deep V-neck, you may want to look into getting it re-enforced with skin-colored mesh to keep you comfortable and secure.
One last trend on the rise this year is high, fancy neckline. The neckline of a dress is the first thing you’ll see when you look at the dress, so highly embroidered, jeweled, or lace necklines create a big statement for your look.
These are just a few of the popular prom trends in 2016, when shopping for your own dress though, try not to get stressed out, and remember that in the end it’s all about you and what will make you happy on your last high school dance.
Popular Styles for Prom this Year
By: Lauren Flynn
Photo Editor
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Illustration by Lauren Flynn
A few of the styles that are popular this year for prom dresses including two-piece dresses, a low neckline and high, intracate neckline.
As many people prepare to move on to their senior year and begin to make decisions for their life post high school, many people question if college is the only option. College is the option that is held as the best compared to all of the alternatives, but it is not the only one. There are multiple that your counselors, teachers and parents may have failed to mention.
1.) Take a gap year to weigh your options and rest your brain. A gap year is a year off from education between high school and higher level education. It has been said time and time again that taking a gap year prevents students from going onto higher education; however, it can be helpful if you don’t exactly know what your next step is to take. It can help relieve the stress of high school, as well as the stress that comes with deciding your life path at 18. It is also a good time to explore hobbies you may not have not been able to make time for during your high school years. Gap years are fairly common around the world. Former Plymouth student Jazzmyne Cansler said, “Gap years are cool because after being in school for a straight decade, you need to refocus and take a moment to either take some time for yourself or prepare yourself for the rest of your life.”
2.) Travel to places you have never been. This is one of the best times to travel. After being sheltered in one country, state, or even city for your life thus far, experiencing different countries and cultures can impact your view of the world for the rest of your life. By immersing yourself in these cultures and traditions it can allow you to have a better understanding of people and how to work with many different personalities. Travel can be very beneficial later on in your career. Not only that but it is an enriching experience because you gain knowledge of things you could not learn in the classrooms of Plymouth, Canton and Salem High School. Salem Junior Julia Wicker said, “Travel helps you broaden your horizons and learn about many other cultures so you aren’t ignorant about the world around you.”
3.) Go to college abroad. Going to college in a different country is a great for the same reasons traveling is great. It does have its added benefits also. Universities abroad are usually cheaper than American universities; some European universities are also free to attend. Not only that, but it is a great way to experience a new infrastructure different from that of the United States. The most important thing to know when considering this option is that degrees from universities abroad are not as valued in the American workforce, so this option could require a permanent move.
4.) Join the armed forces. This is a great option if you have a lot of pride in your country as well as want the opportunity to travel around the world. This option is only best for those who don’t mind having to defend their country no matter what that requires.
“In the Marines you devote a few years of your life to becoming something better. Those few, tough years make your life easier in the long run. For example, you have less debt than those who attend a traditional university, your bills are paid and you are able to study in a field you are interested in,” said former Canton student Marcel Young-Bean.
5.) Work full time. This is best for those students who have financial problems that would make it hard to attend college or those who want to rack up the least amount of student debt as possible. Working full time can allow you to save money during a time in your life when you don’t have too many bills if any. Mapping out your savings goal and following it thoroughly can help ease the burden of college debt while subsequently making sure you can provide as much money towards your education as possible. When taking this option this would be a great time to get the higher level positions at a job you have worked at since you were 16 or to find a better paying one altogether.
Five Alternative Options for After High School
By: Victoria Hall
Business Manager
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Class can sometimes get hectic with one teacher and 30 plus students. Catherine DePentu, a Canton teacher in Phase 3, deals with even more than that on a regular basis.
The music teacher beloved by many students at the Park has been teaching for 34 years, helping students learn the art of guitar, piano and string orchestra. Along with four high school classes during the day, she teaches Advanced Orchestra during first hour, a class that consists of 140 middle school students.
That's right, 140 middle schoolers in one room, all armed and dangerous with musical instruments. DePentu, unfazed each morning, tames them all.
Depentu originally marched in band during her high school and college years, mastering the oboe, but chose to teach orchestra, guitar and piano at P-CEP after five years of teaching band in Detroit.
When asked why she didn't become a band directed instead, she responded with, "I marched in band during college and it paid my tuition, but I didn't really like it. I couldn't see that holding the whistle would make it all that more appealing. I just love Orchestra."
Even though she watches over the string players during fourth and fifth hour, she does have the chance to conduct full orchestra, which invites top band members to play alongside violins, violas, cellos and basses.
Besides putting on breath-taking concerts, DePentu participates in conducting the pit orchestra for many productions put on by students at the Park, including Nine and Westside Story.
"I think this was my 16th year," she said, marking just how long and hard she has worked for many years to help produce brilliant music for others to enjoy.
Pieces like Star Wars, Alice In Wonderland, and A Night on Bald Mountain from Fantasia are just a few of the hundreds of musical selections practiced and preformed by DePentu's symphony and concert orchestras. Each concert draws many classical and contemporary lovers alike, and DePentu helps show that not all music played by a classical violin is strictly spiffy and neat.
"She's the best music teacher I've ever had," said Brianna Essien, Salem senior. "She's amazing, truly dedicated, and awe-inspiring." The cello player, like many of DePentu's students, has known her for longer than her four high school years.
Saniya Kale, a Canton junior who has played the violin since sixth grade, also said DePentu is an amazing teacher. "She's really nice, and she can be strict at some times. But that always makes us better," Kale said.
No matter how hard a piece, no matter how long it takes, DePentu is dedicated to her job and to the students she so dearly loves to teach. Managing nearly twice as many kids than a normal class is no walk in the park, but DePentu makes it look like a piece of cake.
"I like what I do," she said. "You know, there's a lot of stuff I don't like about public education, but the nitty gritty of what I get to do every day is pretty special."
Catherine DePentu: Playing All the Right Cords
By: Katherine Kehoe
Guest Writer
Thursday, June 2, 2016