The Black & Gold presents . . .

Retrospective

Senior Issue Volume 91 May 15, 2012Traverse City Central High School

Photo: K. Raymond

Central Serves It UpINDEX

STAFF

PROLOUGESTUDENT SUBMISSIONSFUTURE PLANSSTUDENT QUOTESAWARDS & COMMENDATIONSADSPROMFROM THE TEACHERSTHANK YOUSTHE LEEK

34-5, 7-9, 11, 19-21, 24-2961012-1314-15, 22-2316-171830-3132

2 May 15, 2012 Index

Editor-in-ChiefJoe Murray

Managing EditorEmma Beauchamp

News EditorJoe Murray

Opinion EditorKatie Stanton

Feature EditorEmma Beauchamp

Arts & Entertainment Edi-torsJeannie LongtonKaitlyn McLintock

Sports EditorAshley Reed

Sports CollaboratorsMiranda WinowieckiShannon WeaverErin LippGarrett Kosch

Leek Editors-in-ChiefRico BastianPatrick Goodney

Photo EditorsAutumn HildenKatie Raymond

Business ManagerBryton Lutes

Graphics EditorMaddy Kachadurian

Production Assistant Kennedy Cullen

StaffIvy BaillieJeff Comerford Connor HansenSophie Hutchison Hunter KellyAlex KorsonGarrett KoschErin LippFiona MuhaNick MulvaineJake MyersDavid ReinkeElena RothneyHayley RozemaAllison Taphouse Gretchen TwietmeyerLia WilliamsBrianna Worthington

Being a lead in Grease has made me consider performing for people professionally. I

love the feeling of being on stage and getting the feed-back from the crowd. -Hannah Rider

3May 15, 2012 PrologueFrom the editors:

We chose our retro motif not for the nostalgia it evokes, but because it embodies what this year, our fleeting final days, is about. Looking to the past gives us the freedom and inspiration to launch. Retrospective, not just retro the latter is defined by relics: times and objects that we can reminisce fondly, but that wed rather view from the safe distance of time past; its been four years since we slunk in Centrals doors for the first time, heads down, eyes averted, schedule and map in hand. Of

course, now we are quick to brag about being the first freshman to brave the halls of our high school. But admit it in retrospect, you were ter-rified. These reflective revela-tions define our theme we look back in an effort to move forward. As the Fifties are synonymous with cool cars, greased hair, red lips and fluores-cent diners, we distill our time at Central into syn-ecdoches that represent four years which seemed so permanent while we were in their throngs but so transient upon reflec-tion in retrospect. We will remember mo-ments, conversations and people we were with dur-

ing these defining times games on the field and in the Super Fan section, dances where we sur-rendered ourselves to the music and didnt regret it for a second, conversa-tions that changed the way we looked at each other and our world. As that long-touted walk draws nearer, we stow away the moments that will define our high school experience and drop the extra baggage. In the pages that follow, we cast one last back-wards glance so we can go forth with liberating abandonment. This is Retrospective: look back, move forward. To the Class of 2012, this is for you.

Joe MurrayEditor-in-Chief

My, oh my, what a trip its been! Weve lived a virtual odyssey since the day high school began, as meek freshman. Weve made it through the projects and the papers, the icy roads and snow days, the pop quizzes and standardized tests, the wins and the losses, the drama and the heartbreak. Were done. But how does high school translate into the so-called real life weve heard so much about? Will there be a mathematical formu- la for happiness? Is there a way to analyze the symbolism in our

lives?

What will we become once we escape this place that has held us captive the last four years? While elementary school was for learning the ABCs and addition, and junior high was just about surviving puberty, high school is the time ones personality takes shape. Each day, a new guise is worn until the inner self emerges. These so called best days of our lives shape us for the future. Every minute we suffered through a dull lecture on the American Revolution or scratched our heads over some abstract calculus problem, we were told we were building character to prepare us for after high school. But now its over. Our first steps into the real world will be messy without our teachers holding our hands along the way. Into the work force, the military, to college, what will be next? No more Advisory to plan our futures, no more RTC to punish for tardiness, no more excuses. How will the cold slap of real-ity feel on our fresh faces? The Trojan way will follow us as we take the next step. What weve learned in these halls will last a lifetime, taking us as far as our ambition will go. With iNtegrity and Leadership at our disposal what can go wrong? Congratulations, seniors! Weve made it past these years of pomp and circum-stance, now were taking the plunge.

Managing and Feature EditorEmma Beauchamp

Senior year 2012, from beginning to end

FIRST DAY OF

SCHOOL SEP 6, 2011

When getting ready for

a game I want to look as rowdy as possible. It is

like a group effect; you have got to go over the top to get

everyone else to cheer.-Tyler Dohm

HOMECOMING SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

GREASE NOVEMBER 10-20, 2011

CENTRAL V. WEST GAME SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

PROM MAY 5, 2012

SENIORS LAST DAY

MAY 25, 2012

GRADUATION JUNE 3, 2012

ROBOTICS COMPETITION

MARCH 4-5, 2012

Blockers are crucial. That block can

determine a gain, or possibly even a touchdown.

-Ryan Verschuren

When I won Prom King, I didnt think it was me,

I just started cheering with everyone else. It took me a second to realize it

was my name that was called. -Mark Jordan

Photo: S. Hutchison

Photo: E. Cover

Photo: J. Myers

Photo: S. Hardin

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8Graphic: M. Kachaduiran

Traverse City Central

Self-imposed pressure is stifling. As the deadline of our Senior Issue looms, I struggle to write the first words of my last piece for newspaper. It has to be good. I remind myself that Ive been doing this for five years, but this is my capstone issue, my final byline.

I toyed with writing an ode to the people who contributed to who I am or describing a notewor-thy anecdote from the past four years, but previ-ous drafts seemed empty and predictable. Even though these people and moments are important, they are in the past, and I owe too much to our paper to go out with a whimper of nostalgia. This time in my life is all about the future, and while my impend-ing launch seems like an obvious topic, I cant write about what will

happen next year and beyond with any certainty, and therefore any sincerity. There are more important questions to answer than speculative what ifs. So that leaves the present, the now. Ill get honest about this transitional time in my life in an effort to write a fitting finale thats meant so much to me for four years. But this isnt for the newspa-per. Its for me. But Ill let you

read it. Im not sure how I feel about my impending college experi-ence. I recognize that the next phase of my life marks a time of boundless prospects, but until recently, prospects have been nothing more than possibilities, as daunting as they are exciting, for my far-off future. After the barrage of senior-year dead-lines that put this year on fast forward, there are only three months until these once-distance days will be my new reality. Im not sure how I feel about leaving my family and my home. I recognize that so much poten-tial lies beyond the boundaries of Traverse City, my sheltered town insulated by pristine beaches and picturesque water that will forever define the inno-cence and unadulterated joy of childhood. Sometimes, I long for a new culture, new people, a new way of life. Traverse City seems smaller and more confining than any twelve-by-fifteen foot dorm room possibility could. Still, leaving will be the hardest thing Ive ever done. There are moments when the

thought of pulling away from my house in a car stuffed full of dorm essentials is paralyz-ing. Avert mind, confront when absolutely necessary. I have a feeling my face will be pressed against the window whether the contents of the car force me up against the August-hot glass or not. Im not sure how I feel about leaving my friends, the best group Ive ever had. I recognize that keeping in touch is easy, but simplicity often lacks depth, and communication via telephone and text is no exception. Friend-ships nurtured in the physical realm of school hallways and downtown streets often make messy transitions to the electron-ic realm of abbreviated messages and faceless voices over the phone. Occasional rendezvous will be moments of bliss that break up the static, and I wont allow myself to lose the friends I have now, but Im realistic enough to understand that these relationships will change and thats scary too. Im not sure how I feel about leaving the Black & Gold staff, the

single most important thing I did at Central. I recognize that the paper is defined by transience high school is only so long, and its time for someone else to take the lead of this glorious thing. Still, my most striking memories here will always be the all-night deadlines I somehow grew ac-customed to. Edit, plan, react, Joe, I have a question, Joe, what do you think? I loved every second of it. I gave my all to a staff who I will always be passionate about. What we did is special, something few schools do. But I didnt spend the night at the school for the satisfaction of hot-off-the-press papers. More than anything, I hope that between the numbingly numerous list of production to-dos, I made my mark, I did. . . something more permanent than newsprint and late nights. I fostered a forum for your ideas, and place to showcase what is excellent about all of you. We told your story. Despite the uncertainty that inherently comes with change, apprehension only tinges my excitement, it doesnt stain it.

4 May 15, 2012 Submissions

I was flying, somehow defying physics and balancing on three inch tires as I whizzed down the road. Barely a month before my seventeenth birthday, I rode a bicycle for the first time. Sure, my parents had tried to teach me when I was younger, lighter, though as the days passed with little success, their patience and my determination waned. I was under the impression that someday it would just happen, like growing taller or falling in love. Physically, I grew, though I never got past my fault; some part of me remained the child with road burn on her knees walking a bike. My childhood encom-passed all the normal things: reading ex-cessively, running, swimming, everything, but the bicycle continued to amaze me. I watched cyclists float down the road on their thin, rubber tires in envy. In fifth grade, on the school trip to Mackinaw Island, I didnt join the class

bike ride around the island. In seventh, I was forced to ride tandem with my father on Drummond Island. This was getting old. At sixteen, in the privacy of my forested backyard, I creaked open the rusting shed doors and awkwardly wheeled out a devilishly red bicycle. It had a mind of its own, that bicycle. Saving my pride from the shame of publicly attempting to bal-ance on the Mephistophelean contraption, I teetered, scooted along with my feet on the ground. Grass makes for a much softer landing than pavement. I tried and tried again. Obtaining bruises, both on the body and the soul, my pa-tience swiftly dwindled and my frustration grew. My friends could not relate, they had learned on time, with ease. Riding this bicycle became my obsession that summer, though I refused to take my battle on the road, where prying eyes could view me. Finally, my lifelong friend, Joe Balog, offered to help me with my struggles. This bike riding lesson left the concealed haven of my yard and started on the

corner of my subdivision, a long stretch of road. Heat radiated from the pavement and crept under my precautionary jeans. Prior to the lesson, Joe evaluated my bal-ance by asking me to stand on one leg and then the other. What happens when you try to ride a bike? Joe inquired. I fall. Why? The simple question had plagued me for most of my childhood. What stopped me from performing the simple task? Deter-minedly, I mounted that damn bicycle and pressed hard on the right pedal. This is the point where I normally fell, but that day, my left leg landed on the left pedal and pushed. Followed by my right, creat-ing a rhythm. I was flying. Finally. Following this success, I bicycled every day, sometimes more than once. I intend-ed to make up for all the carefree days of my childhood I could have been bike riding. That frustrating phrase from my childhood,Its like riding a bike, finally related to me as I soared down hills and through the neighborhood.

Finally, it really is just as simple as riding a bike

Finding the now in a stark transition

Managing and Feature EditorEmma Beauchamp

Joe MurrayEditor-in-Chief

I dont really remember what I thought I was doing when I decided to come here from Germa-ny as an exchange student, but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I left everything famil-iar behind for one year and started a new adventure. And it really was an adventure. I remember my friends warning me before I left: Dude, watch out that you dont get shot in a gang fight. So when I ar-rived in small, harmless Traverse City, I was relieved that the only guns being fired here were Nerf guns. But as I would discover later, there was something true

about those gang fights. One day during Cross Country practice when we were running down-town, we decided to have a little scrimmage just for fun. All the sudden a group of worried adults hurried out of a store scream-ing: Stop it! Get off each other! Let it go! they thought we were really having a gang fight about territory with our cross-town rivals from West! Even simple everyday life is an adventure, especially with all the pitfalls of a foreign language. At first, nobody knew that I was foreign, but when your teacher tries to pronounce your name and

decides it is impos-sible, then everybody knows. Or when your classmates discover your Ger-man accent for the very first time. For ex-ample, when you take the hopeless approach to pronounce the word schizo-phrenia and your friends just smile at you and respond with a laugh:

Nice try, silly German. But I am glad that I can entertain my classmates with my innocence of English. But best was when I asked the person sitting next to me if I could use his rubber. The response, of course, was a huge laugh. Sure, you can borrow my eraser. I will take many great memories of school home with me: friends, teachers, dances, games, Home-coming and Prom. Thank you Cen-tral High School for making all of this possible! Auf Wieder-sehen.

You know your life sucks when even the band kids are making fun of you. Back in junior

high, I went to a dif-ferent school. Granted, the junior high, middle school years are miser-

able regardless--everyone is angsty, and no one has anything nice to say. But for whatever reason, I didnt handle it as well as other kids. Being told that if I died, no one would care made life a little rough. Before seventh grade, I never shut up; I could talk to anyone. But somewhere along the line, I stopped talking and I stopped expect-ing people to listen. I stopped knowing what to say and I stopped look-ing people in the eye. By the time I entered tenth grade, I couldnt take it anymore. Switch-ing to Central was one of the best decisions I ever made. Here I wasnt ridiculed daily. My pain wasnt provoked for the sake of laughter. My friends didnt belittle me for sport. I didnt feel horribly and completely alone. In the last three years, the wonderful people around me have helped

me rebuild myself. Be-tween students and staff, I have discovered people who respect me, people who care about me. Im not just a fixture in their lives, abused or ignored when it suits them. I still have to make a conscious effort to look people in the eye and meeting new people terrifies me. But I have learned to trust in the essential kindness of people. While there are bad days, even years, they dont last forever. If you decide to do something positive for your life -- leave toxic situations and forgive the people who have hurt you -- you wont regret it. It will be one of the best decisions you ever make. So even if the band kids are mocking you, even if you get staplers thrown at you in math class, even if you feel like you have no friends -- I promise, it gets better.

Submissions 5May 15, 2012 You know your life sucks when...Rachael HubbellGuest Writer

Guest WriterJuline Kotarski

Title of piece: SerenityFav aspect: Theater makeup- it made her eyes really dramatic,and went well with the cloudy sky. The wind in the picture made it look calm.

Inspiration: Modeled if off of a picture with a girl with writing on her back and heavy eye liner. I wanted to try something with makeup.

Title of piece: Many phases of happy facesFav aspect: I took photos of my friend Caroline (McMa-nus).Her facial expressions are just so whimsical and wacky, so I decided to put them all onto one photo.Inspiration: This photo shows Carolines true colors. She is such an outgoing and wild person.

Guest WriterValentin Kluesener

Adventure in America

Adrian College:Cady LewisMatthew Wynkoop

Albion College:Lauren Bensley

Alma College:Joseph ProkesDorothy Switzer

Alpena Community College:Brittany Bell

Arizona State: Delaney Stevenson

Art Institute of Chi-cago:Amanda Banton

Baker College:Tyler LautnerRebecca LitwillerCree McPhersonKirstie Fisher

Blue Heron Academy:William DevereauxCaleb Thompson

The Boston Conserva-tory:Connor McLarrin

Calvin College:Veronika Schultz

Central Michigan: UniversityKaytie BoomerAbbie BroadChelsey BrownBrianna BurkeRyan GemmellShelby HarrisKevin KelmJuline KotarskiTaylor OlsonBrock SandersonGretchen Twietmeyer Kaitlyn Vreeland Andrew West Annica Wyskochil

College for Creative Studies Detroit:Joe Cruz

College of Alameda:Olivea Cooper

Colorado School of Trades:Hayden Pruitt

Cornerstone Univer-sity: Joseph Irving

Davenport University:Tasha CunninghamAddison Wanlass

Denison University:Chelsea Saunders

DePaul University:Alexander Hushak

Fashion Institute of Technology:Kendall Corso

Ferris State University:Zachary DorerMax GoldenJordan HarnickCristina Isac-HugginsBritney JonesKevin LeahyJazmine OcanasKyle Schempp

Finlandia University:Samantha Rowan

Foreign Exchange students- Returning to homeland:Judith Beck- GermanyConstanze Blum- Ger-manyAdele Duby- FranceOliver Fahrni- Swit-zerlandValentin Kluesener- GermanyTuuli Linna- FinlandJahongul Noibshoeva- TajikistanHubert Procek- Po-landRebekka Rein- Ger-manyElisa Stueker- Ger-manyMayara Taglietta- BrazilMonja Veelders- Ger-many Issabelle Weller- Ger-many

Gap year:Olivia AllenWhitney Fulton

Grace Bible College:Josie BlakeMorgan Carlisle

Grand Rapids Com-munity College:Nicole PalmerKelly Wiseman

Grand Valley State:Chandler CobbGabriel CouturierMichelle HeimKatherine KnudsenAmanda LathamHannah LynchMatthew MedinaAlex PhilionDavid PhilionBrianna PodsaidNicolette SchweitzerJennifer SerrellReed SheaMadeline VanderVelde Hannah Weckler Hannah Wilson

Great Lakes Christian College:Kathryn Kushner

Great Lakes Maritime Academy: Gregory Walkowiak

Hope College:Kelsey CogginsAnna KruegerBoone Marois

Hyles-Anderson Col-lege:Adam Gagnon

Indiana University:David Pelizzari

Interlochen Arts: AcademyKin Kwan Chow

Johns Hopkins Uni-versity:Clare OKane

Kalamazoo College:Esprit AutenreithGregory Faller

Kendall College of Art and Design: Alyssa Zick

Kent State University:Alec Chereskin

Kettering University:Caleb KellyJoshua Norris

Lake Forest College:Margaret DeVriesNina Radakovich

Lansing Community College:Bryson Bondie

Lawrence Technologi-cal University:Brandon Busuttil

Lewis University: Ali Walker

Lincoln Tech: Kellen Winowiecki

Loyola Marymount University:Jessica Dancer

Miami University:Jake Meade

Michigan Institute of Aviation & Technol-ogy:Luke ChikasMacalester CollegeDylan Flesher

Michigan State Uni-versity: Kathryn AmalfitanoKeanen ArmourTia BarberaJenna BeckerChristopher CookKelsie CostelloKennedy CullenTyler DohmGarrett FrainJoseph FriedliBrandan GoodwinPhillip HanawaltSamantha KaufmanConnor KerndtEmma LairdAustin MaisonBrandon Mattarella

Mackenzie McKianGabriel MorcoteJames NewlandTravis PeckCari RiceGeoffrey RizorJack SidermanTanner Stewart Benjamin Tiefenbach Charlie Trubac Molly Walker Jaime Winters Tristan Worthington

Michigan Technologi-cal University: Rico BastianMorgan CrockerTate HanawaltPeter JuricaPatrick KoroJoshua Mazure

Muskegon Commu-nity College:Bradley KellerNicholas Keller

Northern Michigan University:McKenzie BradyLauren BrennanMark JordanMatthew MossCecily Olsen

Northwestern Michi-gan College: Knowl AdamsJonathan AsavaJustin AugustsonStephanie BadourKayla BakerStephanie BaklarzTommy BarberCameron BenakSonny BernhardtMarilyn BerryDavid BleshMadison BluemelWilliam BoursawDarin BuchanBenjamin BuckelBrittany BurleyKaitlyn BushWilliam ChallenderTyler ClarkMitchell ClementElizabeth CockfieldChloe ColangeloJazmine CompeauLogan Core

Hannah CramptonTatiana CrespoDorothy CroissantJon CulpLauren CutlerLouise DAquilaTabetha DauthrichErica DeBortoliOlivia DeBortoliKali DelaneyJaron DouglassRebecca DunlopJordan EricksonAndrew FeltonEva FilliezSawyer FleetLarry FranklinAdrien FreundlConnor GartlandGabriela GavaldonCourtney GibsonJohn GoodrichCody GuilbaultSamantha HallMadeline HanburyMathew HanleyEric HansenKendra HarrisThomas HazelwoodJozie HerreraJon HessChristopher HicksBenjamin HolstadKyle HubschneiderZachary JanigaCorey JonesMikayla KelleyAustin KellyEmily KelpMark KlugSara LaisureAustin LambertMckenzie LamieKatie LathropCaylee LautnerMadeleine LebelKayla LutkeThomas LynchJeramie MannGarrett MartekMegan MayfieldMadison McLainTrevor MeekAlexis MicunekPatrick MillerShelby MillerDesiree MorganKristine Niemi Sem NovikovBenjamin OConnorStevan OrtegaAlisyn Peck

Cyerra PiattShawn PrinceEmma RademacherMichael RandallJustin RayAlan RickerdHannah RiderDallas SanchezMicaela SchaubMiranda ScheerKia SchwertGarrett SmithRonald Steele Olivia Tubbs Edward Villagomez Landon Weber Dylan Werve Nicole Wolf Brooke Zeeryp Michael Zutis

Oakland University:Madeline KachadurianMiranda Belcher

Olivet College:Devin Blue

Penn State University:Quinten McGinty

Pursuing Sports:Seth Adams- HockeyKyle Froese- HockeyChristopher Leibinger- HockeyLucas Little- Hockey

Reed College:Alexander Chao

Saginaw Valley State University:Kaitlyn Green Dylan Waskiewicz

San Diego City Col-lege:Kodie Chupp

Savannah College of Art & Design:Nathan Barnard

Service:Theodore Dykstra-ArmyAndrew Groleau

continued, page 9

6 Future PlansMay 15, 2012 Seniors, we wish you the best of luck in your future plans. Congratulations class of 2012! Please note: Due to space limitations, we are unable to include students transfer plans or plans beyond next year

Gra

phic:

N. M

ulva

ine

Gra

phic:

M. K

acha

duria

n

Submissions 7May 15, 2012

We are never prepared for tragedy. It catches us off guard and we feel like weve been leveled by a train. We wonder, how can I go on? When we are knocked down, we have to get back up, we have to find the strength to carry on. We are young. Death is for old. The loss of three close friends from various area schools this year was very hard on us. Three great people left us too soon; all were gone within seven months. Each time I heard the horrific news, my heart sank. With each successive hit I became more broken, more lost. Just as I started coming to the other side of the light from the darkness, Id get slammed again. As reality set in, I came slowly to the terrible acceptance that they were gone and could not come back. Some mornings, waking up, Id hope that these tragedies were only nightmares. But no, reality was worse. Going to school, knowing that they wouldnt be there, knowing that you wouldnt be able to smile or laugh with

them ever again, was heart-wrenching. Some days we questioned whether it really happened. We spent our days in a haze of disbelief. Going through school and life, while being torn apart, is the hardest thing to experience. Giving up was tempting. Personally, I felt like I just couldnt go on anymore. But the times that we are broken are the times that we find out who are true friends are. When we cant get up on our own, our friends will pick us up, and help us find our way. And now we have three beautiful angels looking over us. Although we cant see them, we feel them; in thinking about them, we honor their lives. These angels are by our side, and remain forever in our hearts.

Three angels, for-ever in our hearts

Guest WriterCari RiceAfter standing in one place and

screaming at the top of my lungs for several minutes, telling myself that I was too good for the colleges Id auditioned for, and devour-ing several tubs of Rocky Road, I accepted that I wasnt going to be majoring in theatre my freshman year in college. Rejection is something that every actor experiences; even the Meryl Streeps of the industry have been turned down. I have been act-ing since I was seven, so I am no stranger to refusal. When I was ten, I got rejected from a play because I got up on stage, started bab-bling and then promptly froze. I didnt get into a musical because I sounded, I must be truthful, like a dying cat. Until this year, rejection has been a nuisance that I have dealt with, then dismissed. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an actress. It just made sense. When it came time to decide on college plans, I knew that I would go into theatre. The rest of my college decision, however, was not as easy. I went through several auditions for different theatre programs. I accepted my first rejection because of the programs exclusivity. It was the first one. They are elite, I

reasoned. I had others coming. After the second time I was turned away, I told myself it didnt mat-ter because I didnt really want to go there anyway. By the third time, I had to accept that maybe I needed to choose a dif-ferent path. A raw pain grew in my stomach every time I thought about abandoning my dream of becoming an actress. After a tumultuous six weeks, I convinced myself that I was not giving up, just achieving my dream in a different way. I dont want to downplay rejection, but Id be lying if I said that I cant find something posi-tive in all of this. The more I get passed by, the more I want to nail my next audition. I also had to admit to myself that perhaps my father was right, and for me admitting that he is right is a feat in itself. Perhaps there is more than one way for me to become an actress, there is more than one path to achieving my goals. For now, I plan to spend my freshman year with an undecided major. Maybe Im supposed to be on the other

side of the lens. Maybe Ill go on to film school. Maybe I will work with actors and maybe become one someday. The arts have dominated my life. What I know in my heart is the arts will be my career. In ten years, when my first film or TV show debuts, I will glance back at the colleges that rejected me and know that I got wherever I am because I am resolute.

From resignation to resolutionGraphics EditorMaddy Kachadurian

Name of piece: Nora Inspiration: Things in nature are never perfect, yet they are beautiful and have a reason for being the way they are. I wanted to show the beauty that comes with imperfection. A monster like Nora may never

truly exist, but I believe if it did, it would have imperfec-tions and a certain beauty to it.Favorite aspect: The texture and coloring of my piece are my favorite aspects. I believe they add to what I was trying to convey.

Guest ArtistTasha Cunningham

Name of Piece: Rosey Nose

Inspiration: I like explor-ing individuality from making portraits. Besides the image, there are always some mean-ings. Messages are shown in realistic style drawings. I hope to generate a dialogue between the model and viewers by invoking charcoal. This was a young model, but I made him old-looking to show his personal-ity, and for fun. The interesting thing about portraits is the need for drawing skill, and the skill of discovering the model by observing. The most price-less thing I have learned from drawing is how to observe others emotions, which actu-ally helps me to take care of others feelings.

Favorite aspect: I put a lot of effort into showing his pride from his lips and eyes. I also like the relationship be-tween the head, hair and background. It shows the depth. The value of the nose makes this portrait happen. I also like the proportion of the head structure.

Igniting with submission could Disrupt the big idea, that teen-age eyes Are up Or down, That hourglasses Blink.

Horizon Books, The Open Space Long scenes of epic quests. Each one of them could use the luck That might have stopped a reckless run But she is faithful Almost sure Downtown forgives our flaws, and I I grew up here. Ill speak.

Clubs? Youre either in or out But once youre in, youre free. We Hierarch to an extent, Outspokens arent immune. Surefootedness can pull you far As loyalty can run His fortune favors anyone To be out loud, to speak. Seniors, weve done more than that. Slipped on slews of connota-tions, Stalling Stripping down

To selves which will not, cannot hide. Alive and gaze down-cast, Gaps between your fingers move Guessing what to grasp, Your lack of acting makes you brave, were Vulnerable. Not blind.

We invented our-selves, this time. Going for reactions. We Are proud of this, this game of chance, The work weve shaped and sent, For cautious steps and stepped on feet In a dance that every-one says for us doesnt matter so

much. Youre gonna miss it, some-how Perhaps more than you think This mud embellished safety, Four guesses from the brink. Not so fast To clot this sooty march, this black- Secondary learning ends but So much else does not.Some common thread Unseen to them Come tangle up our crowds And categories. Grade divide, Three-quarters forehead to a desk Were quintessential birds to fly, Track shoes lonely on the roof Kicked from New York Citys prom Spun for us, for last.

Such is true to walk that stage, chuck this broken eggshell high Kiss goodbye Those what-to-knows Breath to rest, stale options gone Basket woven sandbags flung Look at us, were Free.

8 May 15, 2012 Submissions

Are you tired of classes like its a 9-5 job? Is Monday morning the bane of your existence? Are the gorgeous couples of TC Central making it to first base in front of the water fountain again? If you

answered yes to any of those ques-tions, youre probably either a freshman, or you have yet to

gain the knowledge of how to manipulate the system. Due to the varying choices I made and paths I took while at Central, it wasnt until this past fall where I

discov-ered the glorious avail-ability of NMC Dual En-rollment. To make a long story short, it is the ultimate excuse, while simulta-neously being a great invest-ment. I

had two simple entry level classes each se-mester at college, all the while taking a handful of classes at Central. Had I known about this earlier I would have taken advantage. All year I could go where I pleased and do as I pleased with the addi-tion of earning college credit. If an authority figure presented them-selves in the halls, and asked something along the lines of where are you supposed to be? I would gleefully respond NMC. Dual Enrolled. No gimmicks, no nothing, and I was free to go 100% of the time. In reality, I could have been on my way to the smoke-hole to remi-nisce about these past for years for all anyone knew. The manipulation doesnt stop here. I wasnt the only one who weaseled my way out of a five-day week at Central. The students

who always park in the hick lot do a fine job of accomplishing this. Career Tech Center, anyone? Muddin may not be my thing, but those guys over at CTC are rarely at Central. The students who let full trimesters captivate them for all four years in this building are slowly driven to insanity by the constant smell of 14-year-olds and mind-less, generic homework. You still have time to save yourself. Join a club, play a sport, and in general, find your niche so that you can relax for the rest of high school. Just showing up, going to class, and thinking well, on to the next one! will not put you anywhere. As my final farewell to the students at Central: dont be so damn sure you have it all figured out. Think outside the box a little and remember, those who play by the rules are hardly remembered.

Degrees of Freedom Working the system 101Guest WriterDavid Blesh

Guest ArtistKwan Chow

Guest WriterEsprit Autenreith

continued from pg. 6

Service, contd:Lily McCuien- NavyEmilio Medina- Army Jacob Russell- Air ForceLuke Stenke- NavyZachary Stoops- Air Force

St. Olaf College:Elizabeth Sigworth

Texas Wesleyan University:Nikolaj Brons-Pich

Traveling:Abbey Perria

Traverse City Beauty College:Tyler Telfor

Undecided:Shane BeardMichele BoomerVictor BrighamTalmage Bucco

Emily CookPatrick Davis-MercadoMary DormanAndrew DureckiMelissa FeuchtgruberRyan GreenDevon HainsTrevor HollingTara JeffreysMatthew JordanDylan KellyTucker KnowlesKyle LoridonPreston MartinZachary NagelvoortMicah OelzeEmily OvermyerKi Hoon ParkMary RaetzLogan ScottZachary SmithAustin SolemShawn TaylorBenito VegaAustin VelaRyan VerschurenCalob WalterMichael Weatherholt

Universal Technical Institute:Austin Grace

University of California, Los Angeles:Alannah OBrien

University of Chicago:Clark Belanger

University of Michigan:Emma BeauchampAbilene EmersonPatrick GoodneyRachael HubbellLaura JessmoreSophie KellyBenjamin LewisKatherine LyonIan McGrawBrandon McKeeJoe MurrayTrevor OsburnMadison TogrulAdam WaggonerMolly TompkinsMatthew Westerman

University of Minnesota:Kaitlyn St Charles

University of Notre Dame:Michael DruskovichCaroline Smith

University of Pennsylvania:Maxwell Lundmark

University of South Florida:Mackenzie OToole

University of Utah:Maxwell CollinsNathan MikulskiChristian Stone

Wayne State University:Andrew Sheridan

Western Michigan University:Jared BiehlMikisha DrogowskiKhanh Duong

Nico HagarParker HogarthNicole MillerJustin MooreLauren Truschke

WorkingAndrew BurkeJordan FloydMelissa JobsonNicholas LopezMykola PyshnyukJacob Robertson

Yale UniversityEllie Dupler-McClintock

The Young AmericansAlivia McCall

Student Art May 15, 2012 9Name of Piece: In the Dark about WarInspiration: I was walking down-town Chicago and noticed the inter-esting reflections in the buildings.Favorite As-pect: I really like the contrast in the buildings reflections. The flag is at half mast and its also in the shadows. It made me think about how we as citizens dont know about war, so were in the dark.

Guest ArtistKatie Vreeland

Name of piece: StacksInspiration: I had a dream of houses growing out of houses, then I decided that I needed to get that dream on paper. My pieces are usually made from sharpies, water color, and chalk. I like using vibrant colors and giving things a dreamy look.Favorite aspect: My favorite part is how original my pieces are.

Guest ArtistAlyssa Zick

Future Plans

10 May 15, 2012 MemoriesThe football game against West junior year was pretty big. There was so much hype because it was for the league title, and there was a huge audience. Even though we lost, it was one of the best games. - Boone Marois

In Chorale this year, we were working on our festival piece and randomly broke out in a big old rap. It was just a great moment. - Becca Litwiller

One of my favorite high school memories was the zoo-themed football game. I liked the chance to dress up like an animal and look fierce as a cheetah. - Alex Hushak

This one time, I asked former computer

lab assistant Mr. O for a high-five. I was immediately sent

to the closet for extortion. - Michael Zutis

Right now, my mom kinda babies me, and Im not afraid to admit it and Im really excited to be on my own. At college, its more every man for himself. Central feels so connect-ed. Ill miss that atmosphere. - Emma Laird

Underclassmen, take weights so you dont get beat up - Clark Belanger

During band camp, drum-line started saying Thats what she said after everything Brum-baugh said. Example: Theres a massive hole over there! and Geoff, we need your help! - Joe Friedli

My favorite memory is walk-ing into school on the first day and looking at the fear on the underclassmens faces as I walked down the hall.- Nikki Schweitzer

It was the night before our TCKSA talent show at Pyramid Point. TC West cross girls were having a dance party in the main building, so we snuck

over to their cabin and tore it up. The toilet paper was our main priority, spider-webbing it through the rafters and bunk beds. We finished up with the clothes-pin items, shav-ing cream smiley faces and the booby-trapped entrance. - Madison Bluemel

At an assembly two years ago there was a game of chicken, where the guys had an egg attached to their head with a pantyhose and the girls had to smash it with a fish. There was egg everywhere and it smelled like fish. - Tatiana Crespo

Be whoever you want to be, except the next Bill Gates. I call dibs on that. - Nicole Wolf

The Central-West hockey game was awesome - we took Super Fans to the next level. Everyone was so unified and we had so much team spirit. I think it was the biggest student section we ever had. All the hockey players told us that us being there helped with the win more than we could imag-ine. - Charlie Trubac

I had a lot of fun during Grease. Ive done a lot of musicals before at the Old Town Playhouse, but never Central, so it was cool to be welcomed into the musical group. The last show - although it didnt technically run well - had a lot of mean-ing. When I sang my last song, it was the most I had ever felt connected to it. The ending was bitter-sweet. - Hannah Weckler

Always park in F-Lot. Be Coach James friend, join basketball, and he wont get mad at you. - Katherine Lyon

Get involved - thats how you meet new people and experi-ence new things. You have to put yourself out there - you only have four years, you shouldnt waste them. - Caleb Kelly

During my time at Central, I have witnessed some all around bad behavior. Disrespect like littering, theft, vandalism and felonious destruction of prop-erty. These dirty deeds have inspired me, opened a pathway to my ideal job: Loose. Cannon. Cop. Throughout my four years here, hundreds of calculators have been kidnapped, and do we look for them? No! Not for long enough, anyway. In the stairwell of C-building vandals run rampant and they mercilessly ripped the handrail from its moor-ings, rendering the passage between classes unsafe. Not only does this subject our school to liability, its not nice. The floors have been taken prisoner too. They are strewn with half full milk cartons, candy-wrappers fluttering like so many dry leaves, chucked Gatorade and Mountain Dew bottles abandoned to the ele-ments. Do passersby bother to pick these up? No. Bad students leave these for the blind to trip over and mid-fall, they cant even grab the handrail to save themselves. Heartless students! All this criminal behavior has me wondering: if our small community has such a high crime rate, what about the world? We need - NAY - the world needs a hero! Said hero must of course be backed by the government, armed with a shiny badge. A big one, like a big stick. Which he will not hesitate to wield in the face of unjust hurling of a chocolate milk bottle. This hero will possess a very, very long leash, that he will use lasso-style, whenever a calcu-

lator goes missing. Herocop needs to be charismatic, unyielding, and good to the little children, a modern day Dirty Harry of questionable honor. That is why I covet the mantle of LooseCannonCop. I pledge to enforce the laws, break no rules. . . un-less I have reasonable cause, or a really, really good hunch. I am the long arm, and most of the chest of the law! I am Shane Beard.

Name of Piece: Birch Foot

Inspiration: I did a painting two years ago of an old man with a tree growing from his head. I enjoyed painting it so much that it inspired me to make the subject of my concentration (a series of twelve pieces that relate to each other for AP Studio Art) the interaction between the human body and plant life. This is one of the twelve related paintings.

Favorite Aspect: My favorite parts of this piece are the negative space created by the placement of the birch trees and the way the cool-colored background complements the warm-colored flesh.

There is a common misconception that high school stu-dents cannot make a difference in our community. I have made it my mission to prove this wrong. Throughout my years at Central, I have had the opportunity to make a difference through my work with Food Rescue of North-west Michigan and our very own FIRST Robotics team, the Raptors. Through these organizations, I have learned countless real life skills, which cannot be learned in class. Of these, the most valuable is my perspective that things can be changed for the better. Food Rescue is a non-profit organization, which acts as a delivery service for soon to expire food from local grocery stores, pantries and restaurants. In its four years of operation, we have rescued over 1.5 million pounds of food that was headed to the landfill, but instead was distributed to hungry people. Sophomore year, I helped expand operations to Antrim and Kalkaska counties. The first time I volunteered in a food pantry was shocking. I was surprised by how many

people needed our services and by their disposition. All were extremely grateful, and although they took little food so there would be enough to go around, it was ob-vious they needed more. After that defining experience, I was driven to ensure that we always had enough. At the end of my project with Food Rescue, I have helped triple its scale and reach. While food is a necessity, instilling passion for science and technology is the mission of FIRST Robotics. Both food and knowledge are essential to our community. Two years ago, Centrals Team 1711 created an event called Super Science Saturday. It is open to the greater com-munity and features fun and exciting hands-on activities. The Raptors believe so much in what we created that we are sharing it with every FIRST team in the world. A big thrill in my FIRST career was sharing our Super Science Saturday How-to Guide with the famous inventor and FIRST Robotics founder, Dean Kamen, who made a sur-prise appearance at states. Perhaps because I was wearing a kilt, I was a little nervous. I braved the swarm of nerds surrounding him long enough to hand him a copy and briefly explain our concept. He loved it. Super Science Saturday is going international. It has been a pleasure to work with such passionate and wonderful people in both of these organizations. The things you do locally affect the way the world works. Together we will make this world a better place.

Submissions 11May 15, 2012 Change the world

Guest WriterTristan Worthington

Crime and corruptionShane BeardGuest Writer

Guest ArtistLauren Cutler

12 May 15, 2012 AwardsCool it, Moms and Pops! You seniors have be-bopped your brains out winning all of these awards. From the hip hockey greasers to the neato nerds, you all have had your heels on fire makin this antsville a jumpin and jivin wonderland. We salute you hep cats for keepin it real and goin with the flow for the ginchiest four years this place has ever seen! Underclassmen, sneak a peak at this crazy list and take notes for next year

National Merit Recipients:

Publications:

Students of the Month:

Boy Scouts of America:

National Merit Recipients: Elizabeth Sigworth: National Merit Finalist Scholarship Award WinnerEllie Dupler: National Merit FinalistRachael Hubbell: Commended Scholar

Newspaper: The Black & Gold won a Spartan Award, the highest award given in the

stateIndividual Awards: Joe Mur-ray, Emma Beauchamp, Maddy Kachadurian, Kennedy Cullen, Pat-rick Goodney, Rico Bastian, Gretch-en Twietmeyer, Kaytie Boomer

Yearbook: Pines won a Gold Award, the second highest award given in the state

Individual Awards: Lauren Bensley, Juline Kotarski, Shelby Harris

State ChampionsDebate Honor Cord Recipients:

Clark Belanger, David Blesh, Molly Tompkins

Rotary Students of the Month: Ellie Dupler, Max Lundmark, Ian McGraw,

Molly TompkinsTrojans of the Month: Will

Boursaw Excellence, Austin Vela Tradition, Max Lun-dmark Excellence, Molly Tompkins Excellence, Jon Asava Tradition, Ian

McGraw Achievement, Josh Norris Leadership, Whitney Fulton Integrity, Joseph Murray Leader-ship

Eagle Scout Award Recipients: Justin Ray, Travis Peck, Ben OConnor, Tristan Worthing-ton, Max Collins

Model UN:Rachael Hubbell: Highest honors for partici-pation in crises simulations, second honors in the Special Political CommitteeClare OKane: Highest honors for participa-tion in crises simulationsAndy Sheridan: Second honors in the Science and Technology Committee

Mathematics:Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition:Qualified finalists: Rico Bastian, Clark Be-langer, Ellie Dupler, Elizabeth SigworthStephanie Badour: Family and Consumer Sci-ence Department Award

FIRST Robotics:The CHS Raptors: Qualified for State Finals, FIRST Robotics District Competition Finalist, Chairmans Award at Kettering, Entrepreneur-ship AwardSenior Team Members: Rico Bastian, Max Golden, Quinn McGinty, Nathan Mikulski, Josh Norris, Micah Oelze, Tristan Worthington

Underwater ROV:Won the Ford Family Innovative Engineering AwardSenior team members: Darin Buchan, Patrick Koro

Debate:

Kiwanis Students of the Month: Joseph Friedli, Clare OKane, Katie Knudsen, Patrick Koro, Rachael Hubbell, Joseph Murray, Kenne-dy Cullen, Ian McGraw, Anna Krueger, Geof-frey Rizor, Tristan Worthington, Devin Blue, Nikki Schweitzer, Clark Belanger, Sara Laisure

13May 15, 2012 Awards

Orchestra & Band:

Sports:

Art:NMC High School Art Competition:Alyssa Zick: Best in show, first and third place illustrationKwan Chow: First place drawingNMC High School Art Competition Winners: Alyssa Zick, Lauren Cutler, Logan Core, Abbey Perria, Jacob RobertsonTraverse Area Camera Club Student Competition: Kaytie Boomer, Juline Kotar-ski, Katie Vreeland, Logan CoreJoe Cruz: Merit Scholarship to the College for Creative Design Merit Scholarships to the Kendall College of Art: Alyssa Zick, Kwan Chow

Choir:Michigan School Vocal Music Associa-tion State Solo and Ensemble:Choral-Aires: Superior ratingChorale: Superior ratingVocal Majority: Superior ratingMen of Note: Excellent ratingSoloists receiving Superior or Excellent ratings: Tatiana Crespo, Tyris Byrd, Chelsey Brown, Hannah Rider, Sophie Kelly, Maggie DeVries, Megan MayfieldMichigan School Vocal Music Associa-tion Concert Choir: Excellent ratingChorale: Superior ratingChoral-Aires: Superior ratingMen of Note: Superior ratingLeadership Awards: Tia Barbera, Morgan Carlisle, Whitney FultonMusic Booster Award: Jaron Douglass, Tatiana CrespoIronman Award: Rebecca LitwillerQualified for the Michigan Verdi Opera Competition: Chelsey Brown, Megan May-fieldParticipated in the MSU Choral Leader-ship Workshop: Tatiana Crespo, Hannah Rider, Zack Smith, Sophie Kelly, Jason Doug-lass, Mark JordanChoir Senior Letters: Matthew Jordan, Alivia McCall, Whitney Fulton

Choir Senior Pins: Jonathan Asava, Tia Bar-bera, Marilyn Berry, Chelsey Brown, Tryris Byrd, Tatiana Crespo, Jessica Dancer, Louise DAquila, Maggie DeVries, Jaron Douglas, Mark Jordan, Emma Laird, Cady Lewis, Re-becca Litwiller, Hannah Lynch, Megan May-field, Alannah OBrian, Cecily Olsen, Hannah Rider, Zach Smith, Tyler Telfor, Hannah Weckler, Jamie Winters, Sophie Kelly, Whit-ney Fulton

Michigan School Band and Orchestra As-sociation District Festival:All TCC Orchestras: Superior ratingsAll TCC Bands: Excellent ratings2012 Senior Soloists with the TCC Or-chestra: Gabe Morcote, Connor McLarrin, Elizabeth Sigworth, Trevor Meek, Kelsie Costello, Michael ZutisMichigan School Band and Orchestra Association District Solo and Ensemble Festival:Band Members receiving Superior rat-ings: Morgan Crocker, Morgan Crocker, Connor McLarrin, Geoff RizorSousa Award: Connor McLarrinMichael P. Dendrinos Memorial Scholar-ship Award: Geoff RizorLouis Armstrong Jazz Award: Chris Cooke

FALL Boys Cross Country: BNC Runners-up, qualified for the State FinalsGirls Cross Country: BNC Champions, MHSAA Regional Champions, 7th in the MHSAA State FinalsEquestrian: Qualified for DistrictsFootball: 3rd in the BNCGirls Golf: BNC Champions, Qualified for the State Finals, 10th in the MHSAA Divi-sion 2 State FinalsBoys Soccer: BNC Runners-up, District FinalistGirls Swimming: qualified nine swimmers for the MHSAA Division 1 State FinalsBoys Tennis: BNC Champions, MHSAA

MHSAA Regional Runner-up, 9th in the MH-SAA Division 2 State FinalsVolleyball: 3rd in the BNC

WINTERBoys Basketball: 5th in the BNCGirls Basketball: BNC Runners-up, District FinalistBowling: B-Team Division 3 ChampionsBoys and Girls Cross Country Skiing: 3rd in the Nordic HS Ski State ChampionshipsBoys Downhill Skiing: 4th in the BNC, run-ner up in the MHSAA regionals, 4th in the MHSAA State FinalsGirls Downhill Skiing: BNC Champions, MHSAA Regional ChampionsFigure Skating: Qualified for State FinalsHockey: BNC Champions, won 4th MHSAA Regional title

Staff:Tami Grove: accepted into the MM Choral Conducting program at MSU, and sang in the MSVMA 75th Anniversary Choir at Grand Rapids 7th Annual Michigan Music Confer-enceAnna Kane: awarded the 2012 OPIE (Outstanding Person In Education) There are so many who deserve recognition - Im truly honored.Eric March: graduated from Michigan State University with a Masters in Educational Tech-nologyKatelyn Patterson: graduated from Grand Valley State with a Masters in Special Ed, will be taking on the role of AARI coach next school year I will be working with other TCAPS AARI teachers in efforts to grow the reading initiative district-wide in our elementary, middle and high schools. Thus far, AARI has yielded robust re-sults and I look forward to visiting new schools and helping other staff implement AARI into their classrooms! Pat Rutt: awarded the 2012 OPIE (Outstanding Person In Education) I was very surprised. It is really nice to know that I am impacting students in a very positive way.

14 AdsMay 15, 2012

Ads 15May 15, 2012

16 May 15, 2012 Prom

Laughing their way into the Grand Traverse Resort are Zac

k

Smith 12 and Abbey Kaufman 13. Beyond the dance itse

lf,

Smith was looking forward to making his last night with

his class the best it could possibly be. My favorite part of

prom was the preparation and dinner, Smith said. It was

fun to talk about experiences that others have had and th

e

possibility of the memories that we would make.

Courtney Gibson and friend Katie Bush, both 12, dance to one of the many songs they enjoyed at Prom. The music was really good and the DJ was probably the best we have had at our dances, Gibson said. Other than the music choice, simply having a girls night made the dance memorable for Gibson. Prom brought me back to my old friends who really care about me, and I care about them, Gibson said. It reminded me that they were there for me.

Cherishing her last high-s

chool dance is Kristine

Niemi 12 with date Jake

Stremlow. For Niemi, the

fact that Prom was the last

night to be with the

her senior class was part

of what made her night

so memorable. It was ha

rd, this being the last

big event of high school,

Niemi said. Next year,

everyone will be leaving

and Ill miss getting read

y

with all my friends for sch

ool dances.

Taking in their much-deserved new titles as Prom King and Queen, Molly Walker and Mark Jordan, both 12, bask in the perfect topper of their senior year. It didnt seem real at first, but then I was just so happy I started crying, Walker said. It definitely makes me feel really loved. Instead of shedding tears, Jordan cheered along with his classmates. I didnt expect to win Prom King at all, Jordan said, I started cheering when I realized that it was my name and was in complete shock and excitement.

Graphic: M. Kachadurian

Photo: S. Hutchison

Photo: S. Hutchison

Photo: S. Hutchison

Prom 17May 15, 2012

Sara Laisure, Tatiana Crespo, Max Lundmark, Tom Hazel-

wood, and Ian McGraw, all 12, congratulate Prom King

Mark Jordan 12. All of the guys would have been great,

Hazelwood said. I was really happy when they announced

that it was Mark because hes a great guy and he deserved

it. Being a member of the court himself, Hazelwood knew

the honor that Jordan felt being elected. I was definitely

surprised to be on Prom Court. I felt privileged that out of

three-hundred kids, I was one of five. It was an honor to be

paired up next to those guys.

Enjoying the dance atmosphere of the New York Nightclub are Tyler Telfor and friend Tia Barbara both 12. One of Telfors favorite aspects of Prom was the chance to dance alongside her friends. It will definitely be the dance I remember because of my dress and the before and after parties, Telfor said.

Unbuttoning his formal attire in the mosh pit, Brady Girard 13 slows down and gets comfortable for a slow dance with date Brittany Bell 12. Not having all the freshman crowding the floor made it a great last dance to kick off the end of the school year, Girard said. Getting the chance to dress up and seeing all of his senior friends at their last hurrah completed Girards night.

Taking in their much-deserved new titles as Prom King and Queen, Molly Walker and Mark Jordan, both 12, bask in the perfect topper of their senior year. It didnt seem real at first, but then I was just so happy I started crying, Walker said. It definitely makes me feel really loved. Instead of shedding tears, Jordan cheered along with his classmates. I didnt expect to win Prom King at all, Jordan said, I started cheering when I realized that it was my name and was in complete shock and excitement.

Graphic: A. Korson

Photo: S. Hardin

Photo: A. Hilden

Photo: S. Hutchison

Photo: S. Hutchison

18 May 15, 2012 Teachers

Special thanks to Clark Be-langer and Molly Tompkins for sticking with the debate team all four years. -Carol Roehrich, English =

One trimester I had Brad and Nick Keller, Ryan Ver-schuren, Kel-len Winowiecki, and Brandon Mattarella all in the same class. Between

the five of them, there

was never a dull moment. -Jeff Turner, Math

Lessons I have learned:1. Laughing always makes you feel bet-ter.2. It is okay to have a life.3. They are young adults and can accomplish so much with hard work. They prove it every time! -Ta-mara Grove, Choir Director

Its a huge transition. College is a real balance of the fun you can have and the incredible workload. Good luck, seniors! -Hal Lalonde, Math

Work harder and smarter. Never give up. Remember that some things in life will

always be difficult, but if you keep pushing and learn to persevere, the rewards are great.

-Marcie King, Chemistry

Teachers bid farewell to the seniors by sharing favorite memories, offering words of wisdom and wishing them goodluck as they dance away from their adolecent years

I think seniors should try every-thing, travel, go on every road trip they can and take a class

they didnt think they would like. -John Failor, Math

I have enormous faith in the future- knowing the people I know as they have progressed through-out high school. I am very heartened by this. The seniors are making a better world for my little girl and I am very grateful for their future. -Thomas Czarny, Biology

I always like to go to gradua-tion because Im happy for them when they move on. Its nice to see them and Ill just miss having them around. -John Sivek, Math

There are some of you that have convinced your counselor that you need to have photography every year and others of you have convinced them that you need it every tri. I am not sure what I will do next year without my full time photography students, you know who you are. Best of luck with what-ever you decide to do with yourselves in the future. I will expect to see some of your names in lights. -Jamie Sandy, Art

Ill say what I always say: hope for the best and prepare for the worst. - Joe Forlenza, History

Chris Leibinger edited my Span-ish commands table. And it was very funny... And very inappropriate. -Rebecka Rankens, Spanish

(Methinks) there is always a story to be sharedlife is a series of stories. What will be yours? OY! -Kathryn Shelley-Barnes, English Graphics: M. Kachadurian

I was born knowing exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. The world was my oyster and I yearned to ponder the mysteries of the universe in the company of historys great minds. I believed I was destined to have my name in the his-tory books with Newton and Einstein. The call of the teacher to come inside from recess didnt interrupt my incessant wonder. Even the hallmark of the school day naptime couldnt slow my mind. As I laid on the woven mats among my slumbering classmates, my mind was in the stars, racing at the speed of light. As soon as I was old enough to press my eye to a telescope with my chubby toddler hands, I was fascinated by the cosmos. I would sit for hours in front of the television, cross-legged, chin in hands, just hoping for a NOVA special to appear on the TV prior to afternoon cartoons on PBS. Being an astronaut seemed a little risky, the vacuum of space was intimidat-ing to even my star-gazing mind, so I decided that I would enjoy the view of the heavens from the comfort of my own

backyard. Thats when I knew with absolute cer-tainty that I would be an astronomer. I could even spell it my mother was so proud. She took me to my first visit to the observatory, where I stood on tiptoe, peering through the lens of a powerful telescope, feeling as though I could reach out and touch the stars. But the great mysteries of the Earth seemed expansive enough, so I made an executive decision to lend my budding talents to the discov-ery of the unknown here on Earth. At age six, I turned my attention from the universe above my head to the record of the ages below my feet. All I hoped for was to discover the newest species of dinosaur. Thats when I knew with absolute cer-tainty that I would be a paleontologist. I even researched the eras, from Paleo-zoic to Mesozoic, and was determined to sell my findings to the Smithsonian Institute and make a billion dollars. The years since my affair with the atmosphere had brought bigger aspirations but didnt deter my whimsical sense of reality. When I was ten, I continued my quest for knowledge from the astronomical to the cellular. I wanted to assist in the

mapping of the human genome. Ge-netics connected every facet of life that we learned about in fifth grade science class: plant, animal or fungi. The gargantuan books I held on my little lap held the key to a whole new perspective on the way of the world. I searched the seemingly mile-long index for pages filled top-to-bottom with diagrams of cell reproduction and DNA. Thats when I knew with absolute certainty that I would be a geneticist.I leafed earnestly through chapters about cross-pollination, dominant and recessive traits, and Darwinian concepts and decided I would be the next Gregor Mendel. At the end of my senior year, I have my feet planted on the terra firma, and when I gaze at the stars, I see what happened light years ago. Its so clear, so certain. But now I am not so cer-tain. I find myself surrounded by baffling decisions that seem to put the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have ruled out many professions, but there remains a plethora of opportunities. Instead of being with Newton and Einstein, I will be among the great minds of today.

Although I havent chosen a path, I have gained the privilege of a clean slate at MSU. I know with absolute certainty that every time I think of my future, I do so with the same childlike enthusiasm, the same sense of wonder as I had in my days of stargazing and digging for bones in my fathers garden. I still look upon the stars that shine with the same brilliance as they have for billions of years.

Throughout our four majestic years here at CHS, we have been subjected to enough struggles and enough fresh-men to last us a lifetime. So what better way to vent, than in a lovely feature in our senior issue that no one reads? We hereby present to you: Condescending Seniors. . .

-Wow! You know one verse of Lil Wayne? You must be from Compton. -Its lunch time and youre heading due north on the P? Good choice, the lighthouse has great sandwiches. -You dont get noticed enough? Just drive out of CPL squealing your tires, going 40 mph whilst blasting some Waka Flaka. -Oh, you take multiple AP classes? Please keep whining to everyone about how hard it is to copy the same four reductions of Catcher in the Rye. -Youre a freshman you say? We couldnt already tell by your head-to-toe Hollister ensemble. -You have a beat up Honda? You should throw some chrome rims on it and install some dope subs. Chicks dig it. -Whats that, youre a North Star? Wheel those bitties! -Oh, you just moved here? Please proceed to tell every-

one about how much you hate Central and how awesome your old school was. . . on Twitter. -You got accepted to U of M? Tell us more about how smart you are; we are truly impressed. -You have a miserable life? #TimeToTweet. -You walk to Little Caesars everyday for lunch? You are definitely not a freshman. -Awww, you want to start up assassins? Were sure that will go smoothly. -Whats that? You listen to dubstep? Basshead must be your favorite song. -You play hockey? We couldnt tell by your sick combo of unwashed flow and pea coat. -Youre going to throw a party? When you get caught be sure to rat out every senior there. Well love ya! -Youre attending an Academy event? Say hello from us to the two other students joining you. -Oh, if we dont do _____ youre going to threaten us with not walking at graduation? Man, thats going to be one short ceremony. -You wear Toms and rock the brony tail? Where do you park your long board? -Is that gum in your mouth? It must have been your

last piece. -Awww, you guys are in love? Continue to make out everywhere. Its adorable! -Oh, youre chillin at The Brew? Be sure to ask for extra hipster in your coffee. -You have school spirit you say? Keep showing up to the student sections in street clothes and continue to be as quiet as possible. We love that. -Oh, next year youre gonna be a senior? SYFI

Submissions 19May 15, 2012 Knowing with absolute certainty

Centrals condescending seniors

Kennedy CullenProduction Assistant

Alex Hushak &Nina RadakovichGuest Writers

20 May 15, 2012 Submissions

Senior articles, due May 11th... All we hear is senior article, do May 11th. We get it--Newspaper needs our stuff. Now. So although I didnt technically miss deadline, I apologize to the Black and Gold who, although they often misquote everyone, put in more hours than most around here. I randomly polled students who I can neither name, nor source (its top secret) how they would classify the Black and Gold. I was enlightened that they thought the journalistic standard was advanced, modern and new-age. Whatever the Black and Gold actually consider themselves, they stay up late compiling their stories because students pro-crastinate or the news changes. They should just make up stories and nick Facebook photos. This would get them home earlier. Then again, being interviewed four straight years, and always being misquoted, Im not so sure that they dont anyway. As long as high school students are still teenagers, procrastina-tion will still exist. Lets be hon-est, regardless of teachers scare tactics and threats of impending doom, doing assignments the night before they are due (do?) will be just fine. Most, you can take right down to the line, say, finish at lunch or during one

of those convenient free hours (utilize those well). Although you may already be filling your free hour with a nice napping schedule, or quick 7-11 runs, instead, you should use that time dedicated to minimal academic endeavors. It will free up the rest of your day for after school when all your friends can join you for whatever you please (a free third hour is optimal). Delaying school work will also give you time to mentally plan and edit the assignment. Then, when you receive a sub-par B+ on the paper (or F- - if youre in Lang), you politely ask if there is any extra credit. If youre successful, you should be able to talk your way out of doing anything extra. This shows that you care about maintaining your pristine GPA. Communication skills are key. Even after you manage to finagle your grade, your work isnt quite finished. Make sure you keep talking to all of your past teach-ers. Be polite, make small talk, show them how much youve learned. (If you think I mean academics, you still have a long way to go.) Because when your senior year rolls around, and you quickly lose the fight against senioritis, you need at least two teachers to still have some bit of respect for you for those recommendation letters. Luckily for me, over my four years, I was blessed with four different counselors. So when it came

time for any kind of counselor recommendation, I introduced myself, and enlightened them as to what I do with my life. All were amazed at my variety of AP classes, how I was in sports and am an avid musician. When I stated I was in almost every music group on campus, they were speechless. I wasnt sure if that was a compliment of my tal-ent, or if they thought I looked like a failure. They would try to figure out what I wanted to do by looking at my AP classes. Yet, these days, nobody really takes AP classes because they enjoy the subjects or want to major in them. AP Chemistry? As much fun as drawing arrows, dots, and other obscure things to classify electrons, or even trying to learn to pronounce ferricammonium-dihydrogenhypothioantimonite-hemihydrate (and you thought antidisestablishmentarianism was impressive...) may be, most take the class because of Mrs. King. Follow her Chemistry Twitter. Totally worth it. Make sure to invest in these AP classes, they sound difficult, but the teachers are quite experi-enced (Failor and Shelley-Barnes scores are through the roof) and also make the classes quite entertaining. The life stories and lessons actually apply (unlike Taylor Series). Plus B/C Calculus is the only class where you can take a highly difficult math prob-lem, and cover it up with your thumb and pretend it doesnt

exist (see Heavi-side). Also, the more AP classes you have, the less chance you have of missing one of those highly important required gym classes. When you miss gym, you have to fill out the yellow make up sheet. I personally feel terrible doing this, because its hard to match the effort and physi-cal intensity of a cardio day. (Shuffle 30 seconds, walk 90 seconds....Really?) The clos-est thing Ive found is carrying around the neglected textbooks in your backpack. Rumor has it that the Bio book is an excellent makeshift ironing board. But teachers know a lot more than you think. They know it is no coincidence that all of the cafeteria scholars in 5th hour, do far better than those in poor souls in 1st hour. Nobody believes you can get 100% on a quotes test over the entire book. They see you texting, and see you glancing down in despera-tion, up for inspiration, and to the paper next to you for all the information (Senora Lynch has X-ray vision and super-sonic hearing, as well as extreme drawsomething skill). So while we may think we know

it all, these teachers have seen everything. Youve got noth-ing new, and cant say anything they havent heard. (Unless you managed to spill acid and severely burn yourself. Im not sure if they have seen that one yet...) These teachers put up with the sass, senioritis, excuses, and drama year after year, but still are dedicated enough to help you, whether you deserve it or not. Ive learned a lot in my four years at Central. I would like to thank all of the students, teachers, coaches, and school community who have helped me through high school. I would love to see each and every one of you at graduation (assuming you can survive another year of Pomp and Circumstance).

An (aside) on the Art of Procrastination

Guest WriterGeoff Rizor

Name of Piece: Life ProcessInspiration: My sister asked me to be there for home birth and I thought it would be cool to capture the moment. I felt really bad, she was screaming and I couldnt do anything about it. But I cried

when I saw the baby, it was definitely a once in a lifetime moment.

Favorite Aspect: It makes a collage that tells a story of how it happened and the emotions that were there.Guest Artist

Kaytie Boomer

Name of piece: Frosted in a WineInspiration: I walked outside to my front yard and saw the glisten-ing frost on the leaves. It reminded me of sparkles.With the frost, the

leaves were turning from fall to winter and I thought the photo captured that very well. Favorite As-pect: I thought the colors were really vibrant, a pretty orange.

My fellow Trojans, I must have a word with you, Super Fan to Super Fan. When I was but a wee little freshman, I was shaking in my boots when I first experi-

enced The Zoo. The day that I saw our seniors moshing, chanting, and disregarding Leyndykes commands, I became completely infatuated in becoming a Super Fan. Never had I thought that one day, I would be coordinating the insanity. I was not thrust into the position of leading the student section alongside the legendary Tom Hazelwood and Ian McGraw, but I felt I had a duty to do such a thing. One must rise on such an occasion. And this is the fact that I stress to you all today. When you become a student at Central, you inherit a duty to devote your time into cheering for the Trojans. None can withstand the fury of the Trojans en mass, nor can any handle the collective roar of our voices bearing down upon their shoulders. We Trojans are known on a state-wide level for our student section. This is a hard-earned legacy that rivals the athletes we cheer on. SuperFandom fame comes from many hoarse voices, obsessing over

costumes, much purchasing of war-paint and bling, bruises, and the baring of ones naked skin in subzero tempera-tures. Friends, one must train to endure such a task. So now Brothers and Sisters, it is time for your senior brethren to pass the mantle. The tradition is now all on you. You are the leaders of tomorrow; the power and soul of the Super fan is now in your almost capable hands. Yet with great power, comes great responsibility. The pressure that comes with being a Super Fan is great, but excellence doesnt come quietly in the night; one must train for greatness. Nev-er Fear! Trojans do best under pressure. You will achieve excellence, and you will make us proud. This I believe.Super Fans, it is essential that you attend every game that you can to boost the morale of our Trojans as they defeat any who oppose us. Many of my athlete friends have described to me the posi-tive effect we have on our players and this needs to continue. So, Trojans, release the lion caged within. Let it roar. Let it shake the very ground beneath our feet. Never shall the Trojans be silenced, never shall they be contained.

Submissions May 15, 2012 21A call to arms, my fellow Trojans Limitless

High school is supposed to be a time filled with challenge and discovery, yet on the brink of my graduation, I am reminded just how much more I wish I would have done to reach my full potential. But my fear of pushing myself and ending up in failure held me back, whether it was academics, volun-teering, or being involved in more groups. It shouldnt be this hard to recall one pro-found moment where I really pushed past my limits. Im not saying I did nothing, because I wouldnt trade my time with the robotics and cross country teams for anything. I made great friends and learned how to push past some of my fears. But I should have done more activities like these. I worried a little too much about my limits. I should have volunteered more, done more outside of school. Not only did I not do enough outside of the classroom, I didnt challenge myself academically. I took an AP class, just one, because I was too worried about not being ready to handle more. A heavier load of those classes would have taught me how to manage time better, how to be a better student, how to break the barrier. I will be fine in college, but I just wish I was going in feeling little more experienced. Spending my last four years holding back has taught me that I will not just take the easy option. In confronting our fears, which always reside at our limit, in surpassing this, we find our true potential, and we surprise even ourselves.

Max GoldenGuest Writer

Tanner StewartGuest Writer

Name of piece: Lily

Inspira-tion: It was the colors of spring when they were first peaking out.

Favorite aspect: The color and the lighting of the piece are my favorite.

Guest ArtistEva Filliez

Guest ArtistNicole Palmer

22 AdsMay 15, 2012

Ads 23May 15, 2012

Graphic: N. Mulvaine

Graphic: N. MulvaineGraphic: R. Bastian

24 May 15, 2012 Submissions

Preparing for the future

The past four years at Central Senior High prepared me for the future education. I am ready for college because my family pushed

me to achieve. When my time comes to leave the nest, Ill fly high

beyond the clouds. My first leap will be col-lege at NMC where I plan to major in chemistry. Then I hope to transfer to either to Northern or Central for biochemistry. As I am about to jump into my future, my emo-tions are jumbled; at any given moment I feel happy, excited, and even wor-ried. Happy because I look forward to a better future, excited because I want to see how college will change me, worried because I know this will be different. Friendships change with distance; college is a leap into the unknown. What I do know is that Im going to make my college experi-ence memorable. School didnt really prepare me for the real

world but it taught me the value of education and here I also learned the value of real friendships.

Theyre the ones who are at my side through thick and thin. School taught me how to be organized with the deadlines, homework and extracurricular activities. My top secret strategy for handling homework is to first look at the assignments, next check the due dates and arrange them, and then I spread the workload throughout the week and complete it. Make sure that you have fun in between the assignments or youll become the Hulk halfway through the week. Between work and fun, spend time with your family. My family helped me become who I am today. We went through some rough times but we bounced back and made many sacrifices. My dad stopped going out to spend time with me and my brother. He helped us with our homework. What he taught me was to strive for greatness. School prepared me for more school, but my family and friends taught me how to live in the real world.

Name of piece: Photographers Reflection

Inspiration: Kyle Froese was my real inspiration, but being in Photography class was probably what pushed me to taking this photo. It was a fun day and by fooling around this picture just came out on a typical day in class.

Favorite Aspect: The reflection is the main focal point, it REFLECTS my personanlity.

Guest WriterAndrew Felton

Guest ArtistLucas Little

Precipitous path to ones dreams

I know they say, you cant go home again- I just had to come back one last time. -Miranda Lambert

As I approach gradua-tion, and the threshold of my adult life, I am burn-ing with anticipation and excitement. I have been blessed with the best of family, friends and educational opportunities. These are granite, golden, precious to me. Now, the world awaits, and I am ready. I have a dream. But there are some things I must take care of before. My second step to my-

professional life is earn-ing my Bachelors Degree in Industrial Design from an arts college, with a minor in music and per-forming arts. My first step is taking a gap year off between high school and college to allow time for season-ing, to gain wisdom, experience and employ-ment. These are neces-sary in order for me to grasp adult responsibili-ties. Also during my gap, I will get a taste of the rest of the world. I will travel, experience free-dom, smell things exotic, hear foreign tongues, embrace the unknown. These are the real work

of my career. Throughout my life I will continue my trips into Haiti to help the needy, and there I will return during my gap. My connection to this land is strong, as is my desire to make a difference, one child at a time. My dream is to have my own design studio within a few years of college graduation. My travels will inspire my future career--the main object of my gap. I feel that each foray into things foreign takes me farther from my home in more ways than geography, but such is the precipitous path to ones dreams.

Whitney FultonGuest Writer

Words of Wisdom:

Keep at your dreams, and number one, stay in school. -Tyris Byrd

Definitely invest in yoga pants. - Annica Wyskochil

Dont get ahead of yourself. Also, take ad-vantage of dual enroll-ment. - Kelly Wiseman

Those scenic drives on the peninsula that my senior class is so fond of is going to be both what I miss the most, and what I look forward to at NMC. - Stephanie Baklarz

I have only attended this school for one year. I grew up in Elk Rapids and went to school there until two thirds of the way through my junior year. On my first day, I came in late to a class. After announcing to the teacher and the class I was the new kid, out of nervousness I asked the teacher: Is there anywhere I should s**t? Of course, meaning sit the whole class, including the teacher, had a good laugh. Having only attended here for one year I cant say I have participated in anything other than required classes--not one sporting event, movie night, or dance. I am not attempting to be rebellious or anything, I just dont feel like I have found my place among the student body. From time to time, I still eat

lunch alone in the cafeteria. Not the ideal senior year. I wasnt the most productive student as an underclassmen but I am improving. My main focus is to get my diploma from this school and be on my way. Switching schools was an eye opening experience to the social world of high school. This society is an interesting system, and when you enter as an outsider you can really observe how things seem to work from a unbiased point of view. Overall I have met some really cool people, made some good friends, and was even reacquainted with some people from Elk Rapids. The most important lesson I have gained from my experiences here at this school is to be much more accepting of different people and what they may be going through.

Submissions May 15, 2012 25

Name: Whitney Fulton

Inspiration: I made these pieces is the idea if a girl walked out into the woods and made fashion items, what would she use? Im obsessed with nature, and leaves, and I wanted

to put that into my art.

Favorite Aspect: The colors and fairytale costume feeling.

Whitney FultonGuest Writer

Name: The Purple Leaf Handbag

Inspiration: I used two pieces that were connect-ed based on the Central ideas of nature. I wanted to represent being able to go into the woods and being inspired by nature.

Favorite Aspect: I liked putting in myself in the shoes of the nature girl scene. I had a lot of fun with that.

The senior year musings of a trans-fer student

Memories made, legacies left

Changing schools and moving away from home at just 16 was the last thing on my mind go-ing into my high school career. When I first found out I would be moving to Traverse City to play hockey, I was in shock. I knew I would be leaving all of my closest friends and family. However, I knew this would open a door to meet new people and advance my hockey career. After attending Central both my junior and senior years, I would not change anything but Central has changed me in many ways. I have made a lot of new friends and enjoyed all of my teachers. I have also become more independent since I live away from my parents.

When I first came to Central I noticed how people were always happy and more laid back than people at my old school. It was easy to make friends right away because everyone seemed very friendly, which also made it very easy to fit in right away. The legacy I want to leave at Central is being known as a good athlete who is easy to talk to, and a good friend. Being a North Star is part of my iden-tity, but its not the only thing I am because I also play on the baseball team. I also want to be remembered as ZD because that is what a lot of people call me. Central has been a lot of fun and it has taught me a lot of life lessons. I am very thankful for the opportunity to come here and finish high school. Central

has prepared me for my next step in life. I have learned a lot, and met a lot of great people and teachers who will influence me the rest of my life.

Guest WriterDevon Hains

Some hobbies I keep myself entertained with would be beat boxing, long boarding, and recently I have gotten into photog-raphy. Above: Perhaps one of my favorite photos I have taken yet.

Guest WriterZach Dorer

Title: UntitledInspiration: The inspira-tion for this piece was my back window. My inspiration for this piece was wanting something that captures the soul of my home.Favorite Aspect: It just kind of captures my home. I really like how it came straight from my heart.

26 May 15, 2012 Student Art

Title: Slice of Life

Inspiration: I knew the fruit was translucent and would loook interesting in front of light.

Favorite Aspect: I like how the light shines through the flesh of the fruit exposing the true colors.

Title: The Influence of the HolidaysFavorite Aspect: This piece investigates the possibility that the medias interpretation of holidays could morph Americas culture. Advertisement subconsiously controls our perception of tradition.

Title: NetInspiration: I play hockey for the North Stars team so thats why I took it.Favorite Aspect: It shows how much hockey really means to me and it represents who I am.

Guest ArtistLogan Core

Guest ArtistTatiana Crespo

Title: Mind and all its FriendsInspiration: Studying the ins and outs of the human mind pushed me to evoke what a functioning mind would look like in paint.

Favorite Aspect: Lines to create movement that represent the mind at work and colors to represent how individuals view the world.

Guest ArtistJoe Cruz

Guest ArtistKyle Froese

Guest ArtistJosh Norris

What to be, or not to be? To be a princess, a rockstar, a moviestar, maybe a professional soccer player, or even a veterinarian, or not to be. Now, that is the question. Hmm. If we launched our careers at the sage age of two, we wouldve already been through half a million dream fields by now. A princess? Really? I recall the day when I knew the color pink made me nauseous; when I saw it, I averted my eyes in disgust. Someone gave me a pink sweater, yep, I almost hurled on it. What princess doesnt like pink? Princess Pink. I think Martha Stewart has a paint chip in that hue. Being a princess is definitely NOT a job; its a title--something ones forebears did.

A rockstar? Ah, to arrive in a helicopter or a limo, to have men throwing themselves at me, to walk into a room and find out the party was supposed to start an hour ago, but because I wasnt there, they waited. Having the audacity to destroy an entire floor at the Ritz Carlton and then dispatch some minion to pay for it, ordering a $400 bottle of Cristal just to spray on party goers, spending my nights indulging in multiple bottles of 80 proof vodka, has its appeal. Yeah, I may have an occasional sore throat, or lose my hearing by the prime age of 28, but who cares? Id have the day to sort through fan mail and find $1000 pairs of Christian Louboutins on my doorstep.

A moviestar? Swanky red carpets prepared for my perfectly manicured toes and flashing cameras wherever I went--sounds nice, complete with paparazzi scaling buildings and stalking my latest boyfriend as their job. Being two feet away from a fan and watching as they pee their pants in anticipation to meet me. I like my privacy a little too much. No thanks. A soccer player? Ah, to have a six-pack, thighs sculpted like a marble Greco-Roman statue. That body, man. But I must have been in a coma when I thought of that one. I barely have enough coordination to play hopscotch, let alone a ball sport with rivals bearing down on me. To make a career out of that, no. And last, a veterinarian? Now, were getting more real. Yes, Id have to cut open the occasional gut, move the ol

intestines around, administer shot to a horse that just bit me, but Id also be working with cute cuddly critters. Still, not exactly what Im looking for. What I aspire to be is far less glamorous, far more practical. I want to be a translator and writer. Traveling the world, meeting new people, doing new things, now, that sounds like meaningful, interesting work. I will be one of those people who never stops learning. I want to connect with as many different foreign people as possible in their native tongue, to write, to express myself, to converse in multiple languages with people who have read thousands of books. That, I am certain of. The young girl who didnt know what she wanted to be dreamed big, and fell in love. . . with a different life.

Submissions May 15, 2012 27

Princess, rockstar, veterianian? What to be...?Guest WriterMadeline Vander Velde

From hardship comes valuable lessonsLast September sixth was finally here. OUR senior year. We walked through the doors hoping for everything it should bea time to take a breather, snag front row parking, have the legit excuse for senioritis. A year to rule the school. Thats what I was expecting, but not quite what I got. Since freshman year, I