Sparks Issue 2

Sparks1400 N. Spring St., Gladwin, MI 48624Gladwin High SchoolVol. 95, Issue 2

January 27, 2011

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Sparks

207 Industrial Drive Gladwin, Michigan 48624www.gladwintank.comPhone (989) 426-4768 Fax (989) 426-2777

It is my senior year, and there is nocheerleading, I am going crazy! I havedone cheer for three years. During thesummer we got the news that cheer andpom were combined, by going to thegames I see no cheer at all.

Sitting in the stands looking out atthe players and seeing no cheerleaders isheart beaking. My hands and legs aremoving in the motions of cheers. I feellike my body is twitching, but I amreally not. I am doing the moves too, butdon’t notice it really at all until someonesays “Aarika, what cheer are youdoing?” I am not embarrassed, butshocked, because I truly don’t realizethat I do it. When someone does thatthen you know that they are passionateabout something, and I am.

Going to the two football games I didattend were the worst for me. While Iwas there I felt like I lost something.Something that has been part of my lifefor so long, it was like someone stolesomething away from me. The thing Ilost was something I was very passion-ate about, and that was cheerleading. ILOVE it! It’s not easy at all going togames and not cheering and just sittingthere. At those two games I did go, I hadto cheer. I did crowd cheers andsomething came back into my heart. Ididn’t do it by myself because thatwould be embarrassing.

Jamie Hollon (11) was there to cheerwith me, and the crowd was amazingand cheered back. Thanks to you all. Itwasn’t the same but it felt great.

Going to the first boy’s basketballgame was hard as well; I sat there andjust shook my head, and I truly wantedto cry. It may sound crazy, but if you areas passionate about a sport as I am withcheerleading, you would understand. Somany things were going through myhead that night; memories, nicknames,and sleepovers that were at RoxieGreenman’s house.

The only good thing about no cheersenior year is we still have our pomgirls. To those girls I just want to say,“You are doing a great job, keep up thegood work.”

By Aarika Mathis

“No cheer senior year”

My heart is torn

“Let’s go Gladwin, let’s go!”

January 27, 2011 Sparks 11You know you’re a

You have memorizedevery poster picturedecoration

when...

You show up toclass in the sameclothes you woreto bed.

You know the short way to every class, but you go the long way to socialize.

You know exactlythe number ofdays left until thelast day of school.

You think to

yourself, “Why am I

here?” more than

four times a day.

You’re often seen

in the hallway

with marks on

your face from

sleeping in class.

You find theneed to go toyour lockerand bathroomat least twicea class period.

it’s going to be over

secretlyYou

moment every

soon.because youknowof high school

cherish

Concentrating on onething is physically impossible.

You’re not sure whetheryou’re getting wiser or

losing brain cells.

The word “graduation” instills both fear and excitement.

You walk downthe hallway andfeel old.

You don’t care aboutYou don’t care aboutYou don’t care aboutYou don’t care aboutYou don’t care about

getting perfectgetting perfectgetting perfectgetting perfectgetting perfect

attendance anymore.attendance anymore.attendance anymore.attendance anymore.attendance anymore.

a week.

Youwearsssss wwwww e ae ae ae ae a t p a nt p a nt p a nt p a nt p a n t st st st st s at least twice

senior

You see freshmenwalking through thehalls and think toyourself, “Aretheynew?”

You hit snoozeat least fourtimes beforegetting up.

You begin a majority of your

sentences with “This is the last

time…” or “Remember when…”

You voluntarily set aside a day to work on college applications, and then sleepaway the three days after submitting it.

Caffeine becomes anecessitynecessitynecessitynecessitynecessity for stayingawake in class.You pity freshmen.

You put off yourhomework until thelast possible minute.

By Melanie Smalley

January 27, 2011 Sparks12

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By Lucas Allen

Sean McDonald (12)“...snowmobiling definitely.Snowmobiling you can go wherever you want as long as there issnow. You can go way faster on a snowmobile too. It’s so fun to ridethrough the trails and in the U.P. Snowmobiling is way better.”

Andrew Kruske (12)“In my personal opinion, snowboarding is the superior activity. There’s just somuch more you can do on a snowboard, jumps, rails, half pipes, or just cruisearound. A snowboard is strapped to your feet, and it feels like it’s a part of your

body and soul man! There’s no other sport on snow where you can hit a 40 foot jump andthen board slide a massive rail on the same run. I know you for sure cannot do that on asnowmobile, besides, snowmobiling is more about what brand of snowmobile you have andhow fast you can go on it, blah, blah, blah. Snowboarding is all about skill, and that’s themain reason I like it.”

CJ Alward (12)“Snowboardingis the winner inthis one,snowmobiling is

a rush and all but there’sa much better feeling insnowboarding thansnowmobiling.Snowmobilers andsnowboarders are twodifferent people.

We love the feeling of flying helplessly in the air. On a snowmobileyou can go for miles, while on a snowboard go to a big enough resortand you can go for miles and get a workout in. Not sayingsnowmobiling is bad but it’s more of a preference to snowboarding.”

January 27, 2011 Sparks 13

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Libby Zelt (11)“Over spring break myparents’ friends are flyingmy family down toFlorida. While we aredown there, we are goingto be building them ahouse!”

Ashleigh Caudle (13)“Over spring break a couple offriends and I are going to go toFlorida. We are going to just goand relax, lay out, go swimming,eat and walk around and enjoythe weather. I have been therebefore, but I was little. I don’tremember much. We will bestaying in the Holiday Inn closeto a beach.Hoping tomake lots ofmemories.”

Jamie Hollon (11)“I am hoping to go the Florida withmy best friend and her parents. Mybest friend and I will be in a diffrentcar following her parents. I myselfhave never been there but she hasbeen there a few times. We will bestaying in a hotel, hopefully. If not,then we’ll stay with her grandma. Wewant to go to have fun and make alot of memories for our senior yearand visit her grandma.”

herehereherehereherewewewewewecomecomecomecomecome FloridaFloridaFloridaFloridaFlorida

Spring Break 2011

For spring break, I amflying to Florida withMorgan Mitchell (11),CameronCroutch(11),andKaitlin Farling (11).We will be staying atMorgan’s friends houseand hopefully stayingat least one night at aHoliday Inn, baby!”

Kasie Dicken(11)

By Aarika Mathis

Lyle’sOrder ahead for free Valentine delivery to thehigh school on Monday, February 14

Don’t forget flowers for your

Valentine

January 27, 2011 Sparks14Dude, what are you doing?!?Everyone has a smart little comment when they see a funny picture. People laugh when they see this picture. So, with his permission,we decided it would

be funny to have some students write some of the comments they thought of when they saw this picture.

“Justin Greer (11) watchesintently as Justin Greenlick(11) digs for some gold.”

-Melanie Smalley (11)

“Justin Greenlick (11)is thinking real hard.”

-DakotaHamilton (12)

“Justin Greenlick (11) pre-tends to be a submarine thatis aiming the torpeoes at anenemy ship.”

- Jacob Pleiman (11)

“I told him not to shove thequarter up his nose, but no,he wouldn’t listen to me,good going! You’re going tobe digging for a while.”

-Katie Burrill (11)

“Justin’s not pickingboogers. That’d bedisgusting. He’s justitching hisginormous brain.”

-Alex Iciek (11)

“Justin loves atasty treat beforelunch. Someboogers andsnot.”

-KeganSmith (11)

“There’s nothinglike the taste ofsnot in the morn-ing.”

-JeremyCrosby (11)

By Becky Noteboom

Favorite seasonby Alex McArthur

“Winter! I love fresh snow andthe chilly air. My husband and Ilove to ski, snowshoe, and beoutside. Plus, there’s Christmas.”

“Summer. I love the warmweather and beach. I go to thebeach, play volleyball, and hangout in the sun.”

“My favorite season would haveto be summer. I can actually wearshorts and tank tops withoutgetting cold. I love to go runningand swimming during the summerbecause it’s fun, and it also keepsme in shape.”

“My favorite season would haveto be spring. In the spring it isperfect weather; not too warm,not too cold. Also, in the spring,track season begins, and I can’t,wait to start pole vaulting again.”

Lynn Heil, Spanishand Englishteacher

Amber Harper, mathand computersteacher

Olivia Pleiman(14)

Mallory Willford(12)

January 27, 2011 Sparks 15Tattoo Stories

“On my side I have a tattooabout my mom. She passedaway from cancer. On my back, Ihave a cross, and later down theroad I’ll put someone’s name byit.”

“It took a little while to convince my parents to let me get a tattoo.I had to promise I wouldn’t get anything big, and it had to besomewhere you couldn’t see. My parents didn’t want it to affect anyof my future job plans. Ever since I was a little girl, I have alwaysloved butterflies, I think they’re beautiful. So I drew my tattoo andwent to Black Ball in Midland. There was a very good looking manwith an English accent who made some changes to my tattoo andredid it. I got it on my right shoulder-blade. I knew nobody in theworld would have my tattoo, it’s unique. It makes up part of who Iam. I don’t believe I will get another one because I don’t want toregret having them in the future, but I love the one I have!”-Dayna Bunton (11)

“The story of my tat starts in mykitchen with my mom. I said ‘Mom,can I get a tat?’ She said, ‘No.’ so Isaid, ‘Fine, I’ll wait two months andget it when I’m 18.’ So she said‘Fine, I’ll go with you.’ We went tothe tat place and got my tat. I gotmy last name on my left arm. Thatthing hurt so badly. I’m nevergetting another one.”-Mike Nash (11)

“My brothers and I weregetting tattoos, and we alldecided to get the same ones.We all got the Chinese symbolfor brother. I got mine on myleft wrist, and I got a cross onmy right hand in between mythumb and my finger.”-Rowdy Grigsby (11)

“I have a lot of tattoos, but myfavorites are the chest piece, andmy last name on the back of myarm. They’re both meaningful, butthe back of my arm tattoo meansthe most because it’s my last name.It may be just a name, but it is aname that’s been passed down fromone generation to the next.”-Josh Johnson (11)

“My husband loved eagles; hewas in a leadership scoutingorganization; they were namedThe Eagles. At the cemetery,after he died, a bald eagle flewabove the service. So, I decidedon Rob’s birthday, I would get atattoo of an eagle flying over theocean. I got it on my ankle, and Ihave had it for six and half yearsnow.”-Kathy Cunningham (teacher)

“My father and I went to a gunshop to put a scope on a rifle.After that, we visited a tattooshop just to see what was there.I ended up getting a tattoo of adragon crawling up my rightarm. It didn’t hurt that bad.This was done at Addictive Inkin Sanford.”-Santana Molinari (13)

“The date is for the day myfriend died, and the reason Igot animated diamonds wasbecause my friend said it wasthe first tattoo he wantedbecause it’d be sweet. I got thison my left shoulder-blade.”-Courtney Kowalski (11)

By Jordan Armstrong


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By Stephanie MoggMitchell Woods (13) is currently

writing a fantasy book, Legacy ofAgnelus, a fantasy story about a smithwho gets caught in an unfinished warbetween the king of an ancient empireand three forces known in history as,the Dark Ones.

Woods has an old styled weaponcalled a claymore. “It’s a weapon usedin the olden days to fight off unwantedvisitors. It has a leather or cloth handleand metal hand guard, sometimesengraved with the clan’s name thatforged the weapon. It has a very longblade like an obelisk.”

Woods aspires to be a writer andpublish his very own fantasy collec-tion. So far he has nine pages in hisbook.

“I get my inspiration from sourcessuch as books, games, and Norselegends. For example, one of the moresignificant plot points is the revival of

Hel, the Scandinavian goddess ofNiflheim, an equivalent of the under-world. The story is currently ninepages long, with only the most basicelements of the exposition completethus far.”

To write, Woods aims for quietfocus. “I usually find a secluded roomon the weekends in which to write ormeditate on what to write about. Thelatter is what happens more often,because I hold myself to a fairly highstandard. If a sentence doesn’t flowlike quicksilver, it won’t see the light ofthe day. I also employ the technique ofthinking several sentences ahead ofwhat I’m planning, and this makes thewriting process slow but interesting toread. Of course, a hint of natural talenthelps. I really enjoy those hours alonewith my thoughts. It’s my whole-hearted belief that such is my calling.”

By Stephanie MoggIn her mind, Kristen Bully (11) can see

her future perfectly clear. She willgraduate from high school this June andbegin pursuing her career in the culinaryarts.

“I’m going to MMCC for the first yearor two of college. Then, I plan onattending a university. However, I am notsure which university I will be attendingor want to attend. I’d one day like toopen a high-end restaurant.”

“I want to open a restaurant in a largecity. I’m not sure which city yet, but Iwant to open it in a city, because thereare more people, which means morepotential business.” In preparation, Bullyis enrolled in the CTE Hospitality andFood Services class offered at BeavertonHigh School. She attends with 6 otherGladwin students five days a week forthree hours a day.

Legally blind with very limited sight,Bully explained it may take her more timeto create her dishes, but taste doesn’trequire sight. Though some kitchen skills

are a challenge, Bully doesn’t shy awayfrom any of them.

“Cooking looks easy from a distance,but in reality, it really isn’t. Being blindmakes it a difficult task. It’s even moredifficult when I can’t see the numbers forthe measurement on the measuring cups.It makes the preparation process takelonger than most of the students in theclass. It also takes longer for me to readthe ingredients because of the small printon the box. I mess up a lot, and I have toredo some of the ingredients for thefood.”

“All this is would be simple enoughbeing able to see,” but not seeing hasnever stopped her from doing what sheloves to do.

“I get frustrated because it takes melonger to finish the food I cook for anassignment, but I try not to let the timingget the best of me.”

Bully will continue to chase her dreamof becoming a chef and owning her ownrestaurant.

Getting to know Mitchell Woods

authorstudent Kristen Bully

and her dream to be a chef

aspiring

January 27, 2011 Sparks 1740 WordsFight ForA Comeback..

TrogolodyTesomeone or something that lives in a cave

Sialoquentspitting while speaking

Ranivorous

frog eating

Kerfufflenonsense, balderdash

Hobbledehoyan awkward of ill mannered young boy

Furphy

Bumbershootan umbrella

Abibliophobiathe fear of running out of reading material

Gongoozle

to s

tare

at

Mugwump

an independent polititician

OocephalusSnollygosterSnollygosterSnollygosterSnollygosterSnollygoster

Phyl

acto

logy

the

scie

nce

of c

ount

er e

spio

nage

Quaeritate

to ask

Nubivagantmoving through clouds

the act of an icicle falling from a house

Mulomedi

c

relating to the medical care of mules

Floccinaucinihilipilificationthe estimation that something is valueless

slimikinsmall and slender

Viliorate

to become less good

a portable water container

Wallydraga completely useless personEr inaceous

Er inaceous

Er inaceous

Er inaceous

Er inaceous

Misdoctakleidist

Cachinnate

Flib

be

rtig

ibb

et

Nudiustertian

arachibutyrophobiae

tortiloquy

unremacadamizedegroteto feign an illness

to laugh noisely

the day before yesterday

a dishonest speech

a person who dislikes practicing the piano

Have you ever heard a word that was so crazy, you couldhardly believe it was English? One so mind boggling, toungetwising, that your brain couldn’t even process it? Well, here’sa list of my favorite brain scattering words. Most of thesecame from these awesome sites:

*Savethewords.org*Worldwidewords.org*Weirdwebsites.info

By Alex Reeds

an egghead

someone who can’t be tru

sted

like a hedgehog

having not been repaved with macadam

a silly, flighty, or scatterbrained person

the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth

Stiricide


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Nathan Jarosiewicz (11)“I stopped drinking pop, but Idon’t know, because, man, I lovepop!”

Brittani Feuerstein (11)“...running every day. Who am Ikidding? I never keep my NewYear’s resolution.”

Alicia Coats (11)“My New Year’s resolution is I’m notcomplaining and I’m striving to bemore positive about my situation. Weall could use some extra positively”.

Caitlin Simpkins (11)“I stopped eating at fast foodrestaurants because it is really badfor you.”

Jenna Hilts (11)“I’m stoppingprocrastinating andbeing lazy at times.”

Lance Dimond (11) “My resolutionsfor this year are: find a job;snowboard at least four times aweek, no pop and continue to noteat fast food at all. I’ll try myhardest to keep these goals”.

My New Year’s resolution was… By Katelyn Govitz

January 27, 2011 Sparks 19FFFFFriends friends friends friends friends for lifor lifor lifor lifor lifeeeee,,,,, w w w w we call oure call oure call oure call oure call ourselvselvselvselvselves Saes Saes Saes Saes SavvvvvaaaaagggggesesesesesBy Melissa Jakubczak

Savages. Yes, Savages.A savage is defined as “a person

regarded as brutal, fierce, or vicious.”We go way back Katelyn Govitz (11)

and I.We first met in seventh grade, and

that’s when it all began. Ever since thenwe’ve been Savages, attacking peopleleft and right making up crazy sayingsand noises. We have been inseparable.

We were born two days apart, her onNovember 11 and me on November 9. Ourmothers just so happen to be two daysapart, too.

We were destined to be Savages.Savages have an odd but purposeful

way of life. We say strange things like“Gutta gutta gutta,” “Ahhhhh yessssss,”“Shaaat up,” “K, cya bye.”

We’re pretty much a big deal.We’re always running around attacking

people out of no where. One of our mostcommon attacks is saying, “Ahhh, yesss,

People all over the world are forced tolive with countless irrational phobias. My“phobia” is a kind of papyrophobia, orfear of paper. More specifically, wetpaper.

Yes, I know, it’s completely ridiculousand makes absolutely no sense, but it’strue. It’s not so much that it scares me, itjust frustrates the crap out of me, and itmakes me incredibly fed up to even writeabout it. I don’t really know why, but itjust annoys me, beyond belief.

I realized this a few years ago. I alwaysknew it bugged me, but I thought I waskind of normal. But one day, I had a bookthat got some drops of water on it, and I

fear exposed...

as simple as the paper this is printed onjust could not even stand to hold it, lookat it, or even think about it. Needless tosay, I did not finish reading it. I just kindof freaked out about it, and everyonethought it was pretty strange.

And that’s because it is strange, Iknow it’s weird, but I can’t do anythingabout it.

But it’s not just books or magazines;it’s even more than that. One of the worstthings is when those price stamps arestuck on shampoo bottles. It’s just soaggravating; they get all flaky anddisgusting, especially after they are in theshower for months. They just fall apartand stick to random parts of your shower.

It just feels absolutely repulsive to touch.It’s so gross! It gives me shivers justthinking about it.

I’ve had several traumatic experiencesbecause of this strange fear. Once, I wasjust sitting around in my driveway withone of my good friends, Brandon Lagalo.There was a soaked paper towel stuck tothe driveway, and he noticed I wasavoiding it. So what did he do? He pickedit up and chased me with it! How horribleis that? I still remember how it felt whenhe hit me in the back of the neck. It stuckthere.

Another bad experience I’ve had withthis was at a friend’s house. His brother

papyrophobiaBy Andrew Kruske

is kind of a spaz, but usually it’s enter-taining. He took a sheet of paper andshoved it inside his glass of water. Afterletting it soak for a few minutes, he threwit at me. But the worst part was that hedrank the water after that, even with allthe stray pieces floating around in it! Itwas straight up white! He didn’t care; hedrank it.

So, you should take two things awayfrom this article. First, people all aroundthe world all have extremely strangephobias, and most of the time, they haveno explanation, so get used to it. Second,get that stupid wet paper away from me.It’s straight up nasty.

gutta, gutta” with our fingers pinchedtogether and an evil grin on our faces.

Someday you might be privilegedenough to see it, and you’ll know.

Even when my fellow Savage and I areapart, I still feel her presence and call heron the phone and attack her.

Although we are the only Savages,there is a leader to our little pack. Hername is Mrs. Katie Hintz, and we like torefer to her as Sasquatch! Fortunately forus, she is with child and that little babewill soon be a Savage just like us!

Sadly, one of our group moved away.Everyone else called her by her humanname Ms. Chrissy Hager. We inductedher into the Savage life and she becameone of us. Not just anyone gets to be inour group, but we saw something specialabout her that we just couldn’t resist. Shewas an original psycho, and we loved herfor that. Unfortunately, she left us at theend of the year, so it’s just us three again.

We have attacked many people in our

time of being Savages, but our biggestrival that we have yet to attack success-fully is Govitz’s older sister MandyGovitz (08). She’s a psycho and is alwaysalert and on to our little plans to attackher. But one daywe will besuccessful andcatch her offguard, muahaha.Also anotherinnocent bystandard would be Manny Sheets (12)better known as Rico, gets attacked by uson occasion, but he’s learned to copewith our craziness.

Our theme song is “Check it out, byNicki Minaj” because it’s awesome andobnoxious just like us.

A few quotes we like to live by are:“Life’s a beach, and I’m just playing inthe sand;” “If you even dream aboutbeating me you better wake up andapologize;” “Champions aren’t made in

the gyms. Champions are made fromsomething they have deep inside them —a desire, a dream, a vision,” “I used to belegit. In fact, I was too legit. I was toolegit to quit. Now I’m not legit. That mustmean I must quit. Peace out stay sweet!”

Don’t let me fool you, the Savage lifeisn’t easy. Not just anyone could handlebeing one of us, but don’t be jealous; it’snot for everyone.

Go join some other club.

S4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 LifeS4L: Savages 4 Life


SparksEditors in Chief:Editors in Chief:Editors in Chief:Editors in Chief:Editors in Chief:

Advertising Managers:Advertising Managers:Advertising Managers:Advertising Managers:Advertising Managers:

Sports Editor:Sports Editor:Sports Editor:Sports Editor:Sports Editor:

Advisors:Advisors:Advisors:Advisors:Advisors:

Business Manager:Business Manager:Business Manager:Business Manager:Business Manager:

Stephanie Blonde, Jodi Brothers, Jade Cameron, Sean Campbell, Brandon Dadacki,Tiffany Delamater, Darin Dupre, Rebecca Flynn, Austin Greer, Megan Gross, Jaime

Hoffman, Sarah Hollobaugh, Caleb Hortop, AJ Jewell, Andrea McAulay, AlexisMcIntosh, Mike Nash, Penny Price, Kirsten Rhodes, Rashell Vorachek, Matt

Wilson, Jenna Woodruff

Lucas Allen, CJ Alward, Danielle Anderson, Jordan Armstrong, Garrett Buzzell,Sean Campbell, Jeremy Crosby, Katrina Croutch, Mallia Cuddie, Brandon Dadacki,

Emerald Eagle, Josh Elston, Justin Emeott, Katelyn Govitz, Megan Gross, Eric Height,Melissa Jakubczak, Kristin Keen, Andrew Kruske, Aarika Mathis, Alex McArthur, StephanieMogg, Becky Noteboom, Justin O’Laughlin, Alex Reeds, Timothy Sandridge, MelanieSmalley, David Welke, Ashley White, Hunter Young

Lucas AllenMelanie Smalley

Becky FlynnSean CampbellAJ Jewell

AJ Jewell

Jaime HoffmanBecky Noteboom

Dale BraggJeff Goodwin

7th Hour:

1st Hour: Editorial PolicyEditorial PolicyEditorial PolicyEditorial PolicyEditorial PolicySparks is a publication produced by the Gladwin High

School Newspaper and Publications classes at 1400 N.Spring St., Gladwin, Mich. 48624.

Sparks provides a journalistic learning experience forstudents and is intended to inform and entertain readers.

Stories are researched as fully as possible to provideaccuracy. Any errors will be promptly corrected.

Letters to the editor are welcome and should bedirected to members of the Sparks staff. The editorialstaff will use discretion in editing letters and guesteditorials for grammar and clarity. All letters are subject tolaws governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption ofthe school process, as are all contents of the paper.

Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of thestaff, nor should any opinion expressed in a publicforum be construed as the opinion or policy of theadministration, unless so attributed.

Timothy SandridgeJosh Elston

Copy Editors:Copy Editors:Copy Editors:Copy Editors:Copy Editors:

Readers who have avoided the schoollibrary thinking there was nothing good toread there can think again. For many years,GHS library has been in dire need of newbooks. There haven’t been any majoradditions to the library since the high schoolmoved to the new building. SuperintendentRick Seebeck and the School Board agreedthat it is time for a change. Before theupgrades, hundreds of books had beenuntouched for years. Now librarian JackieGilliam is dusting off those out-of-datebooks and replacing them with brand newones.

With a $100,000 budget, big changes arecoming. About 4,000 new books were

By Melanie Smalley RenovationsCheck it out!

Advisor’s Assistant:Advisor’s Assistant:Advisor’s Assistant:Advisor’s Assistant:Advisor’s Assistant: Brandon Dadacki

Library1. Lunch in the libraryfeaturing student musi-cians/vocals (once amonth on Thursdays).First one is scheduled forJanuary 27th.2. Flying G Film Festival-student produced films,movie classics shownduring lunch of film-festweek.

Events being plannedin the library:

bought for the library.“I am really excited about getting all of the new books and

getting all the old volumes off the shelves,” Gilliam said. “I’malso excited about the new look; it’s so open now. It’s all soexciting!”

Other additions to the library include new shelves, newcounters for the computers, two new display cases, and threenew tables. Because there is not a comfortable place to read inthe library, eight new lounging chairs and four new coucheswill be added.

“Our goal for the library is to give students a nice place toread and do their work,” said Superintendent Rick Seebeck.“We’re trying to get more of a Barnes and Noble feel to thelibrary so students will want to be in there.”

To create that atmosphere, new artwork is being added witha Flying G flair. Replacing the Columbia spaceship mural, athree-dimensional Flying G will be created.

Gilliam is hoping to get all of the changes done bymid-February.

“I’m looking forward to being organized and having afresh perspective on the ‘media’ center,” Gilliam said.

A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!


MENS, WOMENS & KIDSHaircuts • Perms • Coloring & Highlights

Shampoo & Style • Conditioning Treatments

940 State St. • Gladwin(989) 426-4848

And so much more!JoAnne Ware, Owner & StylistBecki Richmond, StylistSheri Dimond, Stylist

A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!A place to BE YOU!

FreestyleFreestyleHair SalonHair Salon

Graff Gladwin, located off M-61 in Gladwin, offersgreat low prices and specials for all New Chevrolet,Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, & used cars to all ourneighbors in the the Gladwin area since 1987.

989-426-9292

Graff Motors

Being a senior most definitely has nothit me yet. I can still remember myfreshman year. I can remember how I feltwalking into Gladwin High School, sonervous I didn’t know what to do. I didn’tknow where anything was and barelyknew the majority of upper classmen.Seems like just yesterday, but in realityit’s been about 3 and a half years.

Now, being a senior, I know whereeverything is at, I am not nervous tocome to school and have made morefriends. It has been a big change fromfreshman year to now.

For me high school has been anexperience; life lessons, some for thebetter and some only to learn from. Iknow I will most likely miss high schoolafter I’m graduated; the dances, footballgames, and other little things that I

wouldn’t think I’d miss, but I really willwhen it’s all said and done. Yes, I canstill attend football games but it won’t bethe same. Sometimes you hear thatpeople don’t keep in touch after highschool, I hope that doesn’t happen to me.

After high school I do plan to furthermy education in beauty. I’m going to goto a cosmetology beauty college close tohome. I don’t want to move too far awayat all. I love this little town we callGladwin. After cosmetology school, Iplan to take business classes, so one day Ican manage my own salon. Hopefully Ican fulfill my dreams, become a hairstyl-ist and succeed. My advice to underclassmen would be to enjoy your highschool experience. Get involved so you’llhave memories to cherish. You’ve allprobably heard it before, but I’ll tell youagain, it goes fast!

By Jordan Armstrong

On being a senior...On being a senior...On being a senior...On being a senior...On being a senior...

~2011~~2011~~2011~~2011~~2011~

T h e B o s c oS t i c k sBy Justin O’ Laughlin

Oh, Bosco Stick, I miss your cheesy goodness. I thought we would gothrough high school together. I thought I would enjoy you each and every dayuntil graduation. I thought we had the perfect relationship; symbiotic. I lovedyour deliciousness, and you fulfilled my black hole stomach. We were perfecttogether. Then, lunch changed.

One bite and you have a cheesy mouthful of delicious goodness. A year agothis was my dream, to go to school and get my hands on a bag of cheese-filled- Bosco-stick goodness. Oh, how I miss those days. There was no gettingtired of taking a Bosco stick and dipping it in honey mustard. People maythink that it is gross, but you’ll never know until you try. From time to time Iwould mix marinara and ranch as well.

I have a story for you, Bosco Stick. “Once upon a time there was a littleboy, lost and confused, until one day he stumbled acrossed a building filledwith people. The little boy took one waft and fell to the ground with extremehunger. Then, someone helped him up. It was a strange fellow, tall, skinny,with no arms, legs, feet, or hands, nothing. Then it took the boy to a short lineand this lady handed him a bag of three sticks filled with cheese. ‘This iswhere you will find all your answers and dreams,’ it said, disappearing into amist. When the boy took a bite, his face went aglow and he started to cheerbecause he was so happy. He told everyone about these amazing things calledBosco Sticks. That boy soon went to other buildings like the one he was inand told stories of this Bosco Stick who had saved his life.”

You can buy Bosco Sticks at Gordon Food Service at 1511 Joe Mann Blvd,Midland.


Go ’s

Gladwin Driving School LLCSegment I and Segment II classes at

Gladwin Community Arena

(989) 426-7815or

Asbestos, mold, and lead abatement contractor

Pat and Brenda Airbets

www.gladwindrivingschool.com

Not busy Thursday mornings?

try Art Club!By Melanie Smalley

21 crazy things to do in the mall By Katelyn Govitz

1. Walk in a single-file line, in step with the person in front of you.

2 When you come to the benches in the middle of the mall, walk on top of them instead of going around them.

3. Ask the salespeople in the stores where the uniforms they wear can be bought (for example, in Bath and Body Works askwhere you can buy their vests)

4. Ride a hobby-horse around the mall, holding the reins and yelling, “Whoa Betsy!”

5. Talk in third person at all times.

6. When walking down the center of the mall, point at nothing and start laughing hysterically.

7. Wear camouflage and sneak around like you think no one can see you.

8. Be a still model in the store that doesn’t sell clothes.

9. When asked if you need help continue yelling out “WHAT?!?!”

10. Wear a fake sheriff badge and carry around a stack of Post-it notes, writing up tickets and warnings to people walking down the mall.

11. Randomly throw temper tantrums 12. Walk 5 feet behind someone at all times. When he/she enters a store wait at the entrance of the store until he/shecomes back out.

13. When walking, walk in a perfectly straight line, only turning at 90 degree angles.

14. When asked “May I help you?” bow or curtsey.

15. Accuse someone of stealing your bag.

16. Say punctuation out loud. For example, say, “Ma’am comma would you please help me find a pink comma red comma and blueshirt question mark?”


Endless Journey Internet

www.ejourney.com

851 James Robertson DriveGladwin, MI 48624

989-426-3610

18. Ask the cashier if you could ring your purchase up.

21.Carry a rubber ducky with you. Pet him, talk in a baby voice to him, and set him down gently on the counter when you pay.

19.In the food court ask if this seat is taken and then walk away.

20.Sing opera-style everything you would normally say.

17. Buy one jelly bean at the candy store and have them weigh it.


CJ Alward (12)1. I love it because it’s fun to know what’s up in the lives of people.2. I hate it when people “like” stupid posts.3. There are too many to come back to.4. Not much, just kind of go around and see what’s up.

Justin Greenlick (11)1. I love it because some of the stuff people say.2. I hate it when it doesn’t load.3. Everything I post is serious business.4. Never, that’s creepy.

Megan Strait (12)1. I love Facebook because of all the drama. There’s nothing like logging in on a Sunday afternoon to

catch you up on the latest drama. 2. I hate it when people post emo statuses, and when someone asks what’s wrong, they reply with, “I

don’t want to talk about it.” Obviously you do or else you wouldn’t broadcast it to everyone you know.Also, the fact that my mother has Facebook and thinks it’s an open opportunity to play 20 questions witheverything that’s going on in my life…awkward.

3. The funniest thing I’ve ever posted are probably movie quotes that are too inappropriate for theschool newspaper…classic.

4. Every day. It’s not like you get 23 notifications a day, so what else are you suppose to do? Apps aresketchy, so I just see what everyone’s doing, in a non-creeperish way.

Becky Flynn (11)1. I love it because I can talk to my friends and family that live in a different city or state and also talk

online with friends when I have questions or am bored.2. I hate it when people fight on Facebook or go on and on about how bad their life is, also when people

stab you in the back with what they say on it.3. I’m not sure. I don’t post a lot of stuff because people don’t need to know what I’m doing all the time.4. Not a lot. I get bored and just go looking at friend’s profile, but I do it maybe every other week, if that.

Stephanie Blonde (11)1. I love it because I love just talking with my friends on it, and I can communicate with my family

from different states that I never see.2. The only thing I dislike is when people start or put drama on their walls or others’ walls.3. Well, I don’t think I have ever written anything funny, but my friend Katelyn Govitz wrote a very,

very long story on my wall basically talking about random things.4. I hardly ever Facebook stalk, only if I am bored.

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The Dying By Marena Dassay

The saddenedThose who stand aloneThe ones who only fear to live longerThis is all they knowThey are the dyingWaiting for the curse of the end to take themThey wish not to be bothered by the livingOnly want to reside in their restingTired of life they had onced livedThey watch as it passes byCalling out to the reaperThat will bless them with deathAs a cold hand of their last breath passes overTheir dead eyes will remain openWatching both life and death for eternityForced to see the grief of othersAnd the gates of evil before them.

POEMS

Unholy GhostBy Andrew Anderson

Faith has now left meI no longer grasp hopeNo god to protect meMy mind cannot copeWith this reality that has left me so coldA merciless wastelandSo dead, so darkI can feel my soul leave meInto a ravine without endMy eyes turn to blackDue to the pain I am inMy heart has stop beatingI’m neither dead nor aliveI’m but an unholy ghosttrapped forever in timeForever in timeI am destined to stayWatching those around meThe hunters, the preyThose who fear deathand those who fear lifeand those who are trappedThose plagued by strifeI watch for eternityEach day without restWith no one beside meI shall bear this crestThe crest of deathDeemed by the reaperTo those who shall never leave this placeThe crest of deathWorn by the seekerTo find someoneTo love, to holdI’m but an unholy ghostGiven no chance at dreamsStricken down to my very own hellAn unholy ghost found not by the reaperBut by the realitythat I have found so coldA nightmare to most, dreamt by fewIsolated and scared by painNo longer with soul, no longer with loveAnd forever played by hate.

How far would you follow me? By Andrea McAulay

How far would you follow me?Into the depths of the seaWhere you can no longer breatheThe light fades from your eyesYour body’s cold next to mineHow far would you follow me?Into the flaming fireWhere it’s burning so brightThe flames are there to console the fearYour screams echo in the nightHow far would you follow me?Into an absence of all timeWhere feelings fade one last timeThe pains erased from your mindYour struggle over, along with mineHow far would you follow me?Into the abyss, that I seeWhere you fall endlesslyThe ground expanding in your wakeYou reach toward the sky, a good-byeHow far would you follow me?When death is my eternityIn the end you will seeThis is how I kill youIn the process of killing me

Light By Katie BurrillAs I lay awake for timeless nightsI sit and think in the surroundingSilence as you enter my life the sunRises over the horizon the ice encirclingMy broken heart begins to meltA burning warmth suddenly engulfsMe as I bask in its light for thisIs exactly what I have been searchingFor you have given me a purposeFor I’m no longer left feeling lowYou have broken the silence I nowHear the music you brought me lightWhen I could not seek it on my ownYou were daring enough to fit the pieces of my iced andBroken heart back togetherYou are my savior you are my heroI don’t know how I will ever repay you, but I can give youMy heart and everlasting love.

Collected by Penny Price


January 27, 2011 Sparks 25Slave rideBy Jessica Lewis

Ahh, the setting off her colors of gold,Ahh, the wind blowing, bringing smells from home,Ahh, the water splashing, ‘round the edges of our boat,Ahh, the night, closing our day like a coat,Ahh, how the birds o’er the water sail,Ahh, how the sound matches the name of the whale,Ahh, how we dream of things well beyond our grasping,Ahh, how yet it’s not enough to keep our dreams from lasting,Ahh,when white men talk, it is time to hold our tongues,Ahh,when we get blamed for what others have done,Ahh, when God’s grace does deliver us through,Ahh, when our ‘masters’ cannot tell us what to doAhh,yet we dream and wish upon our stars,Ahh, yet through our troubles, we find comfort through each other,Ahh, yet all around, our ‘duty’ is our bundleAhh, still after whipped, we continue with a grudge,Ahh, still every day we work in the sludge,Ahh, still we’re treated with respect from our kind,Ahh, still a decent white man, none could ever find,Ahh, the sun setting off her colors of gold,Ahh, the wind blowing, bringing smells from home,Ahh, the water splashing ‘round the edges of our boat,Ahh, how this sentence brings my story to a close.

Two of a Kind

It feels like my life is just a matching gameGoing from one place to anotherEverything is exactly the samePeople and places are the same as each otherThen there was youI thought I’d never meet another oneBut it wasn’t trueYou and her same pain, same story, not doneLike herYou have a broken family, depression issue’sAll a blurYou and her in my mind are one not twoI felt the gaping hole in my chestAs I ran, fled from the scene, my home, my nestYou’ll never understandI saw all your painTried to help you but I tried in vainThere was nothing I could doI let you in hoping to take your pain awayTo close to meI know you were but there was nothing left to sayAnd now you seeEven though now I am fineI still cried my heart out deep insideI was strung up in twineBut it broke and slowly diedNow I am back and strongerStill but there’s a problem hereI won’t break my will, I refuse to cry another tearBecause although you two are the sameThere’s one difference nowMe, I’ve changed and your to blameStill you sit there and wonder howBut it doesn’t matter to meYou two are the sameThat’s all I can seeNothing to claimShe smile’s like youShe laugh’s like youShe cry’s like youShe looks at me like youSo the only different is meAnd it has to be enoughBecause my heart can now seeIt only breaks for love and stuff

My heartBy Lisa Crandall

My heart is everlastingit only grows in strength.To see the love I have for you,and to know you love me too.

By Laura Perry

His eyes make me tingle,His smile brightens my day,His hugs make me warm,But his laugh makes me laugh.I love the way he is good with kids,I love the way he is awesome with my family,I love the way he loves me,But his love is the most amazing thing.It’s amazing when he speaks his mind,It’s amazing that he pays attention to me,It’s amazing the way he holds me close,But it’s most amazing when he doesn’t let go.I like the way he buys me flowers,I like the way he tells me I am beautiful,I like the way he thinks I am funny,But I like the way he is good with animals.

POEMSCollected by Penny Price

by Dan Menzies


Dr. Steven Trombley

• Oxygen • CPAP / BiPAP • Nebulizer & Respiratory Meds •Power Wheelchairs • Wound Care Supplies • Overnight Pulse Ox. Testing

Respiratory ServicesSetups & Follow-Ups

By Tespiratory Therapists

202 E. Cedar Ave.Gladwin, MI 48624(989) 426-8272

Gladwin Optometric

We tried the jock thing first.Track, one lap, one lap too many.Basketball, but we couldn’t jumpthat high. Coach suggestedbaseball.Here’s the pitch. The swing. Leftthere with a black eye.In the end, we triednonathletics, for safety.Pep squad, do you know howhard it is to be happy and peppy24/7?So we knew we wouldn’t last.Science Club, goggles, formulasand lab coats.But mistakes weren’t fixed witherasers.Choir, we got minor parts.Dogs howled, cars honked, anda little old ladies threw theirshoes.We figured it was time to quit.Band, drums, way harder thanthey look.We tried theater club, we’d bethe stars.But we froze in front of a crowd ofthree,We’d die in front of a crowd offive hundred and three. Popularity, perfect hair, fashionmagazines.The trend setters, the sociallyaccepted.That dream fell, couldn’t bepopular.Class skippers, not too hard.One more day, would have beengrounded until we were 40.Debaters, who doesn’t know howto argue?But it’s not ‘yes,’ we say ‘no’‘Black,’ we say ‘white’Explaining and reasoning, ouranswers weren’t funny.Chess Club, not quite nerdyenough.So what was left? We needed tobe ourselves.For we’re not like everyoneelse.Cliques, and stereotypes don’tdefine we.It’s better to be me.

by Andrea McAulay

INDING

PLACES

F

It’s not always the easiest to go tohigh school ....and be you.

January 27, 2011 Sparks 27we m

ust make

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By Megan Gross

“I plan on going to MidMichigan College tostudy interior design andpreparing to transfer toanother college to finish mydegree.”-Marissa Shooltz(11)

Where will you be a year from now?

“College for sure. Iwould really enjoy goingout of state for school,maybe Tennessee,

Kentucky or Florida. It would bea blast! I plan on going forgeneral dentistry or sportsmedicine. Both occupationsrequire 4 years plus more at aspecial college that handles thatdegree. Dentistry is 3-4 moreyears and sports medicine is 2-3more years. It will be hard inschool but fun inthe environment.”-Travis Greer (11)

“A year from now, I willbe at SVSU taking classesfor elementary education.I will be in a dorm roomstudying for exams. I willbe playing volleyball for a club.”-Whitney Plude(11) “I will be in Slovakia

repeating my last yearof high school. I thinkin this time I will bestudying for mygraduate exams, or maybe more.”-Bronislavia Francova(11)

“A year from now I willbe in college for pre-med. I either want to goto CMU or Wayne StateUniversity. I will

hopefully become ananesthesiologist in eight years.”-Amber Wright (11)

By Becky Flynn

Alex Iciek(11)“I’m not going to college. Come April and my 18th

birthday, I’m signing up with the United States Marine Corps!Unfortunately, it won’t be until the following March that I’ll be inbasic training. I’ll be stuck in Gladwin for another year, but I’mlooking forward to the day I arrive at Parris Island and finallystart my life.”

Andrea Harris(11)“I’m attending MichiganState University. My parentsthought it would be a great

college. After checking it out, Ifell in love with it! I will bestudying either pre-med, pre-dentistry, or nursing.”

Kaleb Harris (11)“I think I am

going to attend SVSU andstudy to become a nurse.This decision was hard, butit was the best out of thechoices I had, and it’sclose to my mommy.”

Kaila Kirbitz(11)“I plan on attending KirtlandCommunity College. My mom wentthere and thats how I learned abouttheir program. They have one of thebest Criminal Justice Programs inMichigan.”

Mariah Quick(11)“I am attending MMCC

in the fall, and in two yearsI’m transfering to Ferris State.I chose them because they’regood colleges for my futurecareer, which is criminalpsychology.”

Oh the choicesOh the choices


139 W. CedarGladwin, MI426-5001

Mr. M’s Pizza

Your Casual Dining Place!Your Casual Dining Place!Your Casual Dining Place!Your Casual Dining Place!Your Casual Dining Place!

Good luck girls’basketball teams!

Go Blue!

Whitney Plude (11)“I would rather have a koalabecause they look so cute andcuddly. I love them!”

WWWoui,f

Which would makethe better pet?

Hayden Hager (11)”I want a Kangaroobecause I would keep it like adog on a leash so I can walkaround and have it kick thecrap out of random people onthe streets, like a trained dog.”

Crystyn King (13)“I would like a kangaroo!They are not legal to have,so I am planning on buyinga wallaby.”

Heather Govitz (14)“I would rather have akangaroo as a pet becausethey’re just better thankoalas. I would be scared thata koala would eat me.”

Kansas Jankowski (13)“I would rather have akoala than a kangaroo becausekoalas are soft and cute and theydon’t jump all over the place likekangaroos. Plus, koalas aresmaller and would probably beeasier to take care of.”

AJ Jewell (11)“I would rather have akangaroo so he could fight offthe ravid evil monkey in mycloset. Then I wouldn’t have tosleep with the light onanymore.”

Libby Zelt (11)“I would rather have a koalabear so I could have a pet tocuddle around my neck. Theyare so cute!”

By Sean Campbell

koalakangaroo

or


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in school in school in school in school in schoolBy Katrina Croutch

Freshman year, quick? Nokidding! So far my freshmanyear at GHS has gone by veryfast! The teachers are niceand are always willing tohelp. I have learned that you

absolutely cannot slack off as we allseemed to do in previous years. Once youget behind, it is very challenging to getcaught back up. Seniors would always tellme how fast it goes by, and I never reallybelieved them, until now. I am already halfway done with freshman year, and I’mfinally realizing that the seniors were right.I’m growing up. I’m learning new things.

And even though it’s tough, I love everyminute of it!!

A few words of advice from seniorsare to make good impressions on yourfirst day; if you act up the first dayteachers expect that from you the rest ofthe year. Be involved in some sort ofextracurricular activity, even if it isn’twith friends. Be organized! No matterwhat, if you are not organized, you willget majorly confused! Lastly, don’t rushbeing a freshman! This is your last yearto finally be a “kid,” but we still need tofocus on grades, no slacking off! I havetaken this advice very seriously because I

A freshman perspective on...A freshman perspective on...A freshman perspective on...A freshman perspective on...A freshman perspective on... survivingsurvivingsurvivingsurvivingsurviving and and and and and thrivingthrivingthrivingthrivingthriving

have seen failures, and the way their liveshave turned out, and that is not what Iwant as a future.

High school used to seem so exciting,but now it is just another school, onlywith a lot more people. Everyone wouldalways say that these are supposed to bethe best four years of your life; so farthey are right, minus the little bits ofdrama. As a freshman, I have learned thatseniors are the bosses of school, becausethey are the oldest and have been here thelongest so they get to run the school.People never get trash canned, andeveryone makes mistakes, just be sure

you learn from them rather than repeatthem!

If there was one thing I could changeabout high school it would most defi-nitely be all of the cliques. Everyone hastheir own little groups to sit at with lunch,and when we have our passing time thecliques are always together. Peopleshould make friends with people outsideof their comfort zones. Don’t stick withthe preps, nerds, jocks, etc. Make somenew friends! You will most likely regretnot doing it later.

Can yCan yCan yCan yCan you see tou see tou see tou see tou see the difhe difhe difhe difhe difffffferererererences?ences?ences?ences?ences?

Can yCan yCan yCan yCan youououououfffffindindindindindttttthem?hem?hem?hem?hem?

There are 10There are 10There are 10There are 10There are 10differences...differences...differences...differences...differences...

Answers:1. Marena Dassay (12) doesn’t have the “G”on her cheek anymore.2. The girl with a clarinet has paint takenoff her face.3. A silver band is taken off the clarinet.4. The “S” on the Larry Reed’s (10) hat istaken off.5. The “A” on the Arctic Cat coat is takenoff.6. The hairband on Olivia Pleiman’s (14)wrist is missing.7. Alex Gamicchia’s (13) “G” on heruniform is gone.8. Nettie Richard (13) has a button missing.9. The girl with clarinet has the “D”missing on her shirt.10. The bottom button on ShawnTownsend’s (12) uniform is gone.

By Alex McArthur


Office Hours:Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

7:30 am - 4:30 pmTuesday 8:15 am - 12:00 noon

Closed Thursday

1139 E. Cedar Avenue Office: (989) 426-8461 P.O. Box 367 Fax: (989) 426-2121Gladwin, MI 48624 [email protected]

1851 Schoettler RoadPost Office Box 1065

Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065

NEMCSA Head StartServing Gladwin & Beaverton Located in Gladwin Elementary School

No Cost Preschool Program for3 to 5 year olds who qualify.

Call 989-246-3177 for more info.

In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution isprohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, age, or disability.

Winter Driving Tips

Tips from AAA at http://aaapublicaffairs.com/main/Default.asp?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=55

· Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

· Make certain your tires are properly inflated.

· Always look and steer where you want to go.· Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

· Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry.

· Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

· Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

By Ashley White

· Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).

· Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icyroad. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

· Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

· Take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

· If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.

· Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

Tips


By Katelyn GovitzThe sound of a crowd of people came from the stands

and all around the outside of the track. It’s a thunder-ing noise of people cheering for my relay team, and I’mat states for the thirty-two hundred meter relay. I’m upfirst on my relay team; here I go as hard as I can. Othersare pacing against me, so I look up.She’s ahead of me, I only have the onehundred meter stretch to go now. Myheart is beating out of my chest. I can’tbreathe. Every moment my legs feel asif they’re going to give out. I just wantto give up. I can’t. I must go, and hereI go starting to pick up speed. Anothergirl on my left is racing hard with me.We’re racing for second and boom; Iwake up from my dream….

Since my freshman year in track,I’ve always dreamt of the day that Iwould go to states for track and field.Being young, I didn’t know what goalto aim for in track, except that Iwanted to improve my times and beatthe upperclassmen. Toward the end, I would listen to theseniors talk about states and think how badly I wanted tobe there with them when some of them went. I decidedafter my freshman track season, for the rest of my highschool career my goal would be going to states. As theyears went on I was improving my times for track, butwas not making it to states. It’s so complicated becausein track, you fight against other runners and yourself.

In track, whether you are a weak or a strong runner, Ibelieve, is determined by your self-concept (what youbelieve about yourself). Which is, in turn, established byyour record of past performances, your body image(what you honestly believe you can achieve in sport),and the attitude that the significant people in your life(such as your parents, partner, friends, and coaches)have toward you and your participation in sport. I canbe both a weak and a strong runner. I have meets whereI say to myself, I can’t do this, and I start thinkingnegative thoughts. In the end, I would fail, and when Ifailed, I lost all interest in believing in my talent. That’swhat I’ve thought to myself over the last few years. Idecided this year I don’t have the time to get down andgive up on myself if I want to do something extraordi-nary. All the time in track we say, “If you can do thisyou’re a ‘beast,’” and that’s what my goal is to be beforemy season is done: do anything I can to make sure Imake points for my team: to please my coaches, and,better yet, do something grateful for myself.

I’m going to rewind and take it back to last year’strack season; I was a junior in high school runningeverything in distance and long jumping. I had a chanceat states last year and didn’t realize it until the end. Atthe Beaverton invitational 2010, there were about twelveteams at the meet, and it was the meet where everyoneon my track team that didn’t qualify yet, had a chance toqualify for regionals. The meet started to move on and

the preliminaries for the hurdles had started. First callfor the thirty-two hundred meter relay was made. This isthe first race I was in, the relay in which I started off therace for my relay team of Mallory Willford (12), SarahMcIntosh (12) and Ashley White (12).

My team and I got a move on, andI started to rush around grabbing myspikes and water bottle so I wasprepared to warm-up. “This lookslike a good spot,” Ash White said.We all sat and started to put on thespike shoes. A man came on theloudspeaker saying, “Second call:thirty-two hundred meter relay.” Asmy relay team and I walked up to thefinish line, my coach pulled me asideand said, “Govitz, you need to put allyou got out there on the track.”

I nodded my headto her and said,“Coach, I can’t dothis. I feel sick. Look

at how many teams there are, and theyare way faster than us. There’s no waywe can win this race.”

My coach looked at my team and me,and said “Girls, this is what I need tosay to you: you girls are busting buttevery day. This is what you’ve beenworking for all year, for an excellenttime. Just think when you’re running:‘I’ve been working for this.’ If you girlsgo fast, then I know what you’rethinking is paying off for all those hard days of prac-tice.”

Inspired and ready, a yell came from the track girlsthirty-two hundred meter relay line up. The order of ourrace is me, Mallory, Sarah and then Ashley as anchor. Iwas thinking in my head: “All I’ve been working for is

what I need to race for today.” The gunman yelled,“First runners, take your mark.”

Oh my goodness, my heart was beating. “Get set.” I’mready. BANG! The gun was off. Runners were all off,and all I could think was it’s show time. I was out infront of the pack for the whole two laps and handoff toMallory. We did well. All the girls finished strong, andwe won that race. At that meet we all cut our times, andthey were all under two minutes and fourty seconds. Wewere five seconds away from state qualifying time, sowe were all confident for states.

When regionals came around, it was the big day, timefor us to shine. This is what we had been working for forthe last two to three weeks. We all warmed up and gotready to go, and it was already third call for the big race.The four of us jogged down with the other teams, andthey told us, “Just the first runner on the track, ladies.”

It was the same situation as the Beaverton invitational.My heart’s racing, but this time evenharder, it felt like it was pounding out ofmy chest. I was nervous. I felt sick, andthen it hit me this was our chance. Iturned my nervousness into focus; thegunman yelled, “Ladies, take yourmark.” Bang!

Here we go. I went two laps hardaround, my whole relay team did, but inthe end, we didn’t make first, second, orrun a state-qualifying time. It was just alot of pressure all at once. We didn’tmake it to states.

This is my last year to do somethingamazing, and I can’t wait to do it. I’m

going to work harder than ever this season and work myway to states. I want to make myself proud by achievingthis goal. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long timebecause before I know it, my years to shine in highschool will end.

looking ahead to

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The Gun

The Model 870 has many features,some include: a bottom loading, sideejecting receiver, tubular magazine underthe barrel, dual action bars, internalhammer, and a bolt which locks into anextension in the barrel. Many otherpieces of the gun resemble the model7600 series. Several parts of the 870 willinterchange with the semi-automaticmodel 1100 and model 11-87. Althoughthe first Model 870 came with a fixedchoke, the 870 now comes with inter-changeable chokes.

Its History

It all started in 1951 when Remingtonfirst came out with the first of fourmajor shotguns. It started off withfragile Model 10, made by JohnPederson. With the help of JohnBrowning, Pederson helped developthe Model 17. The Model 17 served asa base for the Model 31, and althoughthe Model 31 was well liked, itstruggled in the shadow of theWinchester Model 12. So Remingtonsought to make a better model by 1950,and they did, by making the 870Wingmaster. Remington sold 2 million870s by 1973, and they sold their 10millionth gun on April 13, 2009. The870 holds the record for the bestselling shotgun in history.

By Hunter Young

To the average onlooker, it’s just a gun,but to me it’s more.

Simply 7 pounds of forged steel and carved wood?Yes, but you can’t weigh memories and when some-thing is as important in your life as my gun is to me,you can’t measure that either.

My Remington 870 pulls so much better than anyother gun I’ve shot; it seems like an extension of myarm. I named my trusty little buddy Remi.

I have taken Remi through the muck and the mud,and he hasn’t rusted a bit. When Remi made me mad, Ihave thrown him across the goose field (which I’m notproud to admit), and I have picked him up, cleaned him,and he worked like brand new.

I shoot this gun for everything, whether it wouldbe just target shooting or out in the swamp wingshooting, I have shot it all. The most recentadventure with Remi was a very epic duck huntingtrip with my grandpa who gave me the gun.

I love using this gun because my grandpa gaveme Remi; I cherish every moment with this gunbecause it was a special gift from my grandpa and Iknow he won’t be here forever, so I want to make asmany memories with the gun as possible. When Iget older, I am going to hand down the gun to mychild so they can have as many memories as me, ifnot more.

January 27, 2011 Sparks 33Adrenaline and determination

By Danielle AndersonNearly 30 trophies are proudly

displayed in her home. More than 50ribbons signify her success. Three beltbuckles show she is a winner.

But sadly, Nicole Holder’s (11) barrelracing season ended early this year due toinjury. On August30th, 2010,Holder andSavannah Grant(13) decided thatthey were goingto go on a trailride. Holder wasriding her four-year-old gelding,Wall-E, andGrant was goingto ride Nicole’sfourteen-year-oldgelding,Commanche.

“After we get all tacked up then headto the road for a nice trail ride, I couldhave never imagined it ending the way itdid,” Holder said. “As both of us wereracing down the road, going at full-outpace, approximatly 35-45 mph, my horsedecided that a driveway to the left of theroad looked like a good place to turn.Well, his legs didn’t react as fast as hethought they would, since he was runningfull tilt. But after he turned, his feet wentout from underneath of him, and we bothwent down sliding sideways across theground, while I was still on top of the1200-lb animal. As my foot and leg gotcrushed between the gravel and the hugehorse, I managed to stay on as he hoistedhimself to his feet. I still had a hold of thereins, and as he left me there and startedto move forward, it pulled my brokenfoot to the ground and applied pressure.It didn’t seem much different. I could tellthat I had hurt it, but at the time didn’trealize how bad it was, so I startedlimping home. After about a mile and ahalf, I had reached my house and couldbarely get my boot off. I then realizedthat my arm was bleeding everywhere, soI got a wet rag and cleaned my wound.After calling my mom, she hurried homfrom work and took one look and told methat it was broken, but I argued that Icould walk on it, so it wasn’t broken.After visiting the hospital and finding outthat it was indeed broken, we were toldthat we needed to see a specialist, so we

headed to a doctor in Detroit. X-rayswere taken, and it was concluded thatthere were eight different broken bones inmy foot. I had ruptured both ligaments inmy ankle, crushed five toe bones,dislocated my ankle, and broken my

fibula up tomy knee.After eight toten trips toDetroit, twosurgeries andfour screws, Iam healed tothe way I’msupposed tobe.”

Prior to herinjury thiscompetitionyear, she

earned two trophies and nearly 20ribbons, only a portion of what she hopedto earn.

“Barrel racing has been a huge part ofmy life. But it didn’t happen overnight, itstarted when I was 2 years old, when mymom and dad got me my first horse. Ilearned everything on her. When I wasabout 9 years old, barrel racing caughtmy attention. Going to a trainer up north,where she had put me on the back of abarrel horse, I got to experience the thrilland excitementthat you get onthe back of a1200 lb horse.Ever since thatexperience, Ihave beenracing withhorses that Ihave trainedand done wellwith.”

Being inthis sport youhave to trainfor a very longtime to do well. But, Holder has beendoing this for practically her whole life.

“There is not just one thing to lookforward to in this sport. I look forward toanything from friends to showingeveryone that my horse and I are a teamthat is out to win, and we prove that. Theother thing that I look forward to is theawards that you earn at the end of the

season. But, I would have to say that theone thing I look forward to the mostwould have to be the friends that youonly get to see at the few barrel competi-tions.”

In barrel racing, pre-season preparationis as key as it is in any competitive sport.

“Pre-season practice is the mostimportant part of the whole season. Weusually start working out a month or twoahead of our first competition; this periodof time is critical. If you don’t get yourhorse in shape for the sport, it can lead toa horrible season. Just like if you aregetting ready for a school sport, youwant to start conditioning before thepractices start so you’re not so sore.Horses are the exact same way! Aftergetting fat all winter long, they have tostart slow in the spring. And if you don’tget the horses properly in shape, they areat a higher risk to tear muscles, get sorefoot, or even develop joint problems.”

Holder’s past preparation and traininghave afforded her the abililty to competeat state and national levels.

“The amount of competitions that Irace per month always depends on thecircuits that I run on. There are usuallyfour main circuits that I am a part of. Thetwo main ones would have to be NBHA(National Barrel Racing Association) andthe Rodeo circuit (Super Kicker). The

mid-Augustcompetitionrequires rides tohave earnedpoints duringyour showseason. Peoplecome from allaround the stateof Michigan tocompete at thisone competition.From eachcounty, they canonly send threepeople to the

competition. In my class that I competedin, there were anywhere from 40-70people in the class. (You are onlyallowed to compete in a maximum offour classes) All four of the classes that Icompeted in, I got in the top five, earningan award for each time.”

a barrel racer’s preparation

Nic

ho

le H

old

er


3982 W. M-61, Gladwin 989 426-4442

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Monday through Thursday, 8 am - 8 pmSeptember - May each yearNew students accepted in September and January

Gladwin Adult Education

It’s Never Too Late

“If I was in a band, I would probablybe lead guitarist, or lead vocals,because they get the most ladies, plusrock and roll is always a good time.”-Josh Johnson (11)

If you were in a If you were in a If you were in a If you were in a If you were in a bandbandbandbandband, what would you , what would you , what would you , what would you , what would you play?play?play?play?play?bass, drummer, guitar, keyboardist, singer?bass, drummer, guitar, keyboardist, singer?bass, drummer, guitar, keyboardist, singer?bass, drummer, guitar, keyboardist, singer?bass, drummer, guitar, keyboardist, singer?

By Justin O’ Laughlin

“If I was in a band I think I wouldswitch between the drums and theguitar. Those instruments are thecoolest and are my favorites on RockBand and Guitar Hero. Plus, I want tobe able to play all the awesome songslike ‘Through the Fire and Flames’ byDragonforce!” -Dakota McLean (14)

“I would want to be thedrummer because a drummercan take any rhythm andmake a beat out of it. I havea drum set, but I don’t to getto play that often.”-Trei Herbster(13)

“I would play the guitar if I was in a bandmostly because you can make some reallysweet noises with it.” -Dustin Easlick (14)

January 27, 2011 Sparks 35 Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Why do we say we that slept like a baby when they wake up every twoWhy do we say we that slept like a baby when they wake up every twoWhy do we say we that slept like a baby when they wake up every twoWhy do we say we that slept like a baby when they wake up every twoWhy do we say we that slept like a baby when they wake up every twohours?hours?hours?hours?hours?

If overalls are held up at the

top by snaps, why do they hav

e belt loops?

Why do doctors call what they do “practice”?

Who decided that a round pizza should be put in a square box?

Why do they call a building a building when it’s already been built?

Why is abbreviate such a long

word?

Can you cry underwater?Can you cry underwater?Can you cry underwater?Can you cry underwater?Can you cry underwater?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?Bread is square, so why is lunch meat round?

If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast??





What came first, the chicken or the egg?

What does a bald guy put for “hair color” on his driver’s license?





Why does Goofy stand upright, and Pluto is on all fours?





Is IT Possible for a zombie to starve to death?

Why do dogs get mad when you blow in their face, yet they stick their heads out the





window when they go for a car ride?





Sources:www.jokesclean.comwww.keepersoflists.org

By Katrina Croutch

crisis

identity

Get your friends together and markyour calendar for Saturday, March 12th

for the 8th Annual 4 on 4 CoedVolleyball TournamentFundraiser. Whether youenjoy playing in the backyard or on a real court, allplaying levels arewelcome to join the fun.The first match willbegin at 9am at theGladwin High Schoolgym.

Coed teams must have atleast two girls on the court at atime, but can have as many people on ateam as they want. Players must be atleast 14 years old. The tournament isbetween high school sports seasons soall students can participate. Type of


Date set for 8th annual 4 on 4

tournament play (round robin, etc.) will depend on thenumber of teams entered. Prizes will be awarded to

first and second place teams.Players have two different options

as far as the cost of the tournament.Players can pay $20 each OR teams canpay $10 per player and find a sponsor(business, group, or individual) tosupport their team by contributing$50. The sponsors will receive a free

t-shirt, have their name listed on theback of the tournament t-shirt,

displayed at the tournament and in thenewspaper. Regardless of which option

a team chooses, each participant will receivea free t-shirt with their entry.

Over the past several years, we have hadseveral businesses as well as private sponsors,including: Gladwin Adult Education, Gladwin CountyClerk Laura Brandon-Maveal, Schuster Tax Service,

Graff Motor Sales-Gladwin, Burkhart-PresidioInsurance, Hunters Pub-Bar-Tavern, Real Estate One,Rollin and Onalee Greer Farms, Greg and DanielleAlward, Patt Chiropractic, Endless Journey Internet,Alward Electric, Inc., Village Flowers and Gifts,Create-It, Simpkins Insurance Agency, HallKokotovich Funeral Home and F.E.D. Corporation.We appreciate their support and hope the communitypatronizes these generous sponsors for supportingGladwin Volleyball. Proceeds from this year’s coedtournament will off-set the cost for those volleyballplayers attending this summer’s team camp whootherwise may not have been able to attend.

This tournament is a lot of fun for players as well asspectators, and benefits a great and growing program.If interested in playing, being a sponsor, or havequestions, please contact Katrina Shearer at 426-3655or [email protected] as soon as possible, orbefore March 1st.

Volle

ybal

l Tou

rnam

ent

coed volleyball tournament

1. Katie Burrill2. Kegan Smith3. Joe Gagne4. Lexis Keil5. Eric Height6. Lucas Allen7. Elena Meyer8. Tyler Pratt9. Emily Zelt10. Lauren Damitz11. Kaila Kirbitz12. Kasie Dickens13. Greta Schuessler14. Tyler Donn15. Danielle Anderson16. Stephanie Blonde17. Allyssa Kory18. Mark Trueblood19. Raven Koontz20. Jaime Hoffman

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By Becky Flynn


identity crisis

By Becky Flynn

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21. David Welke22. Nathan Jarosiewicz23. Courtney Kowalski24. Travis Greer25. Storm Cole26. Marissa Shooltz27. Hunter Young28. Morgan Mitchell29. Kari Tucholski30. Jodi Brothers

31. Andrew Anderson32. Cameron Croutch33. AJ Jewell34. Brandon Lagalo35. Andrea Harris36. Taylor Hover37. Jordan Armstrong38. Kaylynn Becker39. Chris Richard40. Devin Lake

41. Brian Brennan42. Kim Davis43. Alicia Coats44. Caitlin Fitzpatrick45. Samantha Kamber46. Mike Nash47. Katie Govitz48. Melanie Smalley49. Caitlin Hinderliter50. Sean Campbell

51. Joanna Govitz52. Desirae Taylor53. Dominic Lake54. Dustin Hager55. Brittani Feuerstein56. Zachary Schulz57. Pat Ritchie58. Vanessa Batterbee59. Jill DeShano60. Timmy Sandridge

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989-426-8164

My favorite song is...My favorite song is...My favorite song is...My favorite song is...My favorite song is... By AlexisMcIntosh

A. “Starry Night”Artist: Chris August“It has the power pack kick of Sunny Dand makes you want to dance!”

B. “My Kind Of Party”Artist: Jason Aldean“It’s a really great song that can relate toalmost anyone, especially the real countrypeople!”

C. “I listen to a lot of everything. My favoriteartists are John Mayer and Jack Johnson. Thereason I don’t have one specific favorite song isthat I have a new song to constantly listen toeach day. It depends on how or what I feel thatday. I listen to everything from country to rap.I’m very diverse!”

D. “You and I”Artist: Ingrid Michaelson“This song expresses a lot of passion and happiness. Ithas a great voice range and I love the beat. Ingrid isan amazing, very talented composer. I got hooked onher music when I went to the Interlochen ArtsAcademy this summer. I fell in love with IngridMichaelson’s voice from the moment I heard hermusic.”

E. “Just A Dream”Artist: Nelly“It’s my favorite song because a veryspecial person dedicated it to me; andeven though a guy sings it, I have relatedto this song somehow many times.

Zelinko (12)

Katie

Gorman (13)

Desirae

Taylor (11)

Braxtin

Muma (14)

Makenzie

Nash (13)

*A. Desirae Taylor (11) *B. Braxtin Muma (14) *C. Katie Gorman (13) *D. Elena Zelinko (11) *E. Makenzie Nash (13)

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Elena


MotherMotherKnows

BestKnowsBy Megan Gross

Transferring to a new school is a very difficult thing to do; transferring from homeschool to high school would be even harder. For many people this holds true, but notfor Cayleen Diffin (11). Her transfer from home school to high school was somewhatof a blessing.

“I like public schools better. I’m a people person. I like to do things; home schoolthere was just me and my brothers. Boring!” Sure, public schools have their ups andtheir downs, but can you imagine your siblings being you’re only classmates? Welove them, but all day every day can be a little extreme when it comes to bondingtime.

Have you seen the new girl? Who is she? What school did she come from? Thesequestions may have crossed a couple peoples’ minds her first day, but for the mostpart she was well known before she had a chance to introduce herself.

“I played sports and stuff, so I knew people from here. It helped a lot; I’m horribleat meeting new people. I would have eaten lunch alone forever but Alicia Coats (11)was all, ‘Come sit with me.’ Hero!”

Being homeschooled for so long then switching to regular schools can really take atoll on a person. For Diffin, having rosy red cheeks and a quiet little voice was herdownfall. “I was mighty shy when I started school. Classes were a little easier here;my ma was a slave driver, well, not that bad.”

Best

By David Welke

Becca Ballard (12)

Courtney Verellen, English and social studies teacher

Justin Greenlick (11)

Marena Dassay (12)

Kyle King (11)

What are you looking forward to most this winter?

“...playing outside with my sons. This is the first year they’re old enough to really play. I want to take themsledding and make a snowman. We may try to throw a few snowballs at Mr. Verellen too!’’

“I’ve already gone out and bought my new skates! Many times in thepast I’d go out on the ice and stay out on my pond all day. I look forward to gliding on thefrozen pond, falling and getting back up again!’’

“I’m really excited to go sledding and party it up at David Welke’shouse. It’s a blast! I’m also looking forward to being able to drive myself to school andnot worry about being late for the bus.”

“Snowboarding!”

“This winter I am looking forward to going to Mr. David Welke’s house to do some extreme sledding. When Isay extreme sledding, I really mean extreme sledding: taking truck seats, welding them to car hoods and attaching them to theJeep then ride them in the field. Yeah, that’s extreme. If you haven’t experienced extreme sledding at Mr. Welke’s house, then youare missing out big time. It’s a blast! Also, I am looking forward to going snowmobiling. I’m hoping to hit the trails this yearsince I never got to last year. This winter is going to be legit! Bring on the snow!’’

transitioning from home school to public school

Cay

leen

Dif

fin

Think of all the differences between being homeschooled and going to a regularhigh school. Your mom and dad are not your teachers; you have to wake up early to goto school; you can’t talk whenever you want; there are more people; there are differentrules; you can’t eat whenever you want; you can’t just go on vacation whenever youwant and not worry about missing school; the list goes on and on.

Out of all these differences and which one does she pick out? Pajamas.“I can’t wear pajamas! And like if we go on a trip I can’t take school with me, we

have to plan around that now. Oh, and we took a lot of field trips when I washomeschooled.”

Pajama issue aside, Diffin finds much to enjoy about public school.“My favorite part is the people, there is always something new going on, a new

adventure every day.”Then there are our least favorite parts, “Drama and cliques.”“Regular school is way different. If you like change then do it. Home school is way

more chill and laid back. I’d pick public though.” Diffin says..Just because you grow up being taught differently doesn’t mean a thing. She is just

like all of us. She runs through the halls like superman, crams herself into lockers,picks on people for being normal, and goes to a regular high school full of regulardrama just like the rest of us.


Winterby Garrett Buzzell

Wonderland

What HIGH SCHOOLJanuary 27, 2011 Sparks40

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Was

Like ForYo ?u“High school was fun for me. I don’t knowthat I fit into any one group. I playedsports, but did well in all the academic stufftoo. I participated in a lot of the clubs, aswell, like Spanish club and ski club. I was

also in band until my senior year. In a word, Isuppose high school, for me, was BUSY!”- Mike Verellen (Beaverton class of 1997)

“High school was a great four years for me. There were50 students in my graduating class and approximately200 students in the entire high school. Fortunately, wedidn’t have titles like “preppy,” “geek,” or “jock” backin the day at our school. Everyone knew everybody in all

the grades. I was fortunate enough to graduate Salutatorian, I wasactive in sports, had a part-time job, and was involved in thecommunity. Back in the day, cars were a status symbol for guys andmy 1967 Cougar was special. I worked all summer and mostevenings were spent getting the “cat” ready for my senior year. Thefour years went too fast! I enjoyed high school and the memories.”- Kevin Brott (Baldwin class of 1974)

By Jodi Brothers

“High school was a mix of many things for me. I fit ineasily with most social groups and had close friendsfrom every click. If there was a party being thrown itwas usually at my house. If I had to choose one of the

categories though, I’d choose “creative preppy geek”category. The only one I didn’t fit in was jocks. I still hadmany sporty friends though and went to as many games aspossible. High school was fun for me!”- Amber Billman (Farwell High school class of 2003)

“It was fun! I was in band,volleyball,track, and cross country!”-Lynn Heil (North Branch Class of 1993)

January 27, 2011 Sparks 41The lives of four families changed forever

because of texting. Four simple texts of “Yeah,”“LOL,” “Where r,” and “Where u at,” were thereason their lives became changed.

A girl looked down to see that her sistertexted, “Yeah,” when she looked back up shesaw that she had clipped the median, her truckflipped and she was ejected. That sister, whosent the text, regrets sending it and would giveor do anything to see her sister again and sayshe was sorry.

A boyfriend is texting while driving homewith his girlfriend home. All the text said was asimple, “LOL.” He only looked away everycouple seconds he looked back toward the road.During that text he heard a loud scream comefrom his girlfriend. When he looked up, he sawa bicyclist crash into the windshield. The manwas pronounced dead on the scene. He looksback now and thinks if someone asked him toclose his eyes for five or six seconds whiledriving, he wouldn’t do that.When he was sending thattext it pretty much was thesame thing. It takes your eyesa couple seconds to focusback on the road after youhave looked away.

“Where r,” changed the lifeof a teenage boy. He wasn’tdriving or texting. His friendwas the one who sent the textwhile driving. The boy is now mentallychallenged, can barely walk, and has slowspeech. He can’t drive anymore or hold onto hisold job. He has to take physical therapy to keephimself moving. He and his friend were goingto the movies and the car ran into a tree. He hithis right temple on the tree and was pronounceddead three times on the site. He lives, but hislife isn’t anywhere near what it used to be.

A teenage girl was driving to watch a boy shemet play baseball. “Where u at,” was the textmessage that took this young girl’s life. Her cartraveled across the express way median andstruck a bridge. The police officer noticed hershoes and instantly knew it was a young girl. Hethen saw the cap and gown still in the car. Itwas the day before her graduation. Her cap andgown were in the car with her when it hap-pened, but she never wore them. She neverofficially graduated high school. Her family andfriends celebrated her 19th birthday even thoughshe was gone.

I tell these stories not for sympathy for thefamilies. I’m not saying you can’t give it, butrather you should think about what couldhappen to you or your friends. As told by thesestories, you can be the driver, riding, or even apedestrian and be killed or hurt. You may say,“Well, I will neverdo it with someonein the car,” but itdoesn’t alwayshurt someone in

By Becky Flynn the car. Think about the man killed on a bicyclebecause someone our age felt the need to text. Itmay or may not be important, but if it feels likesomething that can’t wait, get off the road, callthe person, and get that thing taken care of. Youcan get on with your journey, and they can geton with theirs, and no one gets hurt or killed.

Needing to stay informed and clued in isn’tthat important when it comes to riskingsomeone’s life. What is so important aboutneeding to stay in touch when you are chancingnot only your life, but everybody’s around you?Texting and driving is the number one killer ofteens. Out of the 1.6 million crashes per year,200,000 are while someone was texting.

Look at the last text you sent while you weredriving, or even better, look at all of them. Wereany one of them worth taking a chance on yourlife, your passenger’s, other driver’s orpedestrian’s? No, not even close to having areason to risk someone’s life.

Remember last year when we watched thevideo made in the UK to show in their schoolsthe danger of texting and driving. That mayhave been a fake video, but the effects wouldbe the same if it was to happen to you, yourfriend, or your family member. If you don’tremember or weren’t in this school, go toYouTube and look up UK texting and driving.It really makes a difference when thinkingabout putting someone’s life in danger just for atext.

The results of the video are so real andgruesome that it’s really not a pleasant video towatch. It really is very graphic and not forchildren.

I also watched a video someone published onYouTube from Dr. Phil. This teenage girlthought she was a good enough texter that shedidn’t need to put down the phone whiledriving. No, she didn’t die, but she almost hitsomeone while her little sister was with her. Shehit a curb because she forgot to shift whiletexting, and caused $3,000 damage. There wasa $164 ticket for going 80 in a 55 zone. Shewas texting and didn’t notice the change andalso drifted forward and hit a guardrail.

She did all this in a four monthperiod, which is as long as she had hadher license. She made excuses forevery single one of those and therewasn’t a single excuse that wasjustified. She didn’t tell her mom thetruth, but said, “Oh, mom, you know I don’t usethe phone in the car.” She just wanted to stayclued in about what her friends were doing andthe new gossip.

While reading this you may say, “Well, Ireally am a good texter. I only need to look

down right before I send it just to make sureit’s right.” Well, all I can say is: Good for you!Why are you so proud about that. You aren’tthe only person who has thought that, but theend result there was a death, either their life orsomeone else’s; it doesn’t matter becausesomeone died just so they could talk about the

latest gossip.I have personally ridden with someone who

texts and drive. It scares me because I amwatching the car swerve between the lines. Shewon’t stop because she says, “I am a goodenough texter. I don’t need to look at theletters, just check it over to make sure its ok.”

I have had to take my friend’s phone awayand make her let me text for her. She may notlike it, but I don’t care because I don’t want todie. If it is really important or she doesn’t wantme to read it, then she can call them later orstop, pull over, and take care of it then. She candeal with me not liking her texting, even if sheis good.

The cops and families of deceased memberdon’t care how good you are. It’s illegal andyou will go to jail if you kill someone, or if youget caught before you kill someone, you willget a fine. Think about, if someone you knewwas texting and got into an accident, how youwould feel?

I agree with the law because I don’t want todie, and I don’t want anyone I know to dieeither. We all know staying in tune is great andwe don’t like being left out. But, if it is only forless than an houryou will be fine. Ifit’s longer, pullover and saveeveryone trouble.If you try to usethe excuse thatyour parents weretexting you, don’t. We all know our parentswould rather wait until its safe for you tocontact them. When our life is on the line justto talk to them, they won’t care. If you feel itsimportant, pull over where its safe and talk tothem. When you’re done, get back on the roadand back to driving. The text may be short butfacts say that most accidents happen threeseconds after the driver is distracted.

According to a survey by The AllstateFoundation, 82 percent of teens claim to usecell phones while driving, and 49 percent

consider texting very orextremely distracting whiledriving. Roughly 1.6 millionteens drive while reading orwriting text messages. Youmay think that hands-free cellphones are less dangerouswhile drving, but you are

wrong because the conversation is the majordistraction itself. Just think, when you aretexting, you have the reaction time of seniorcitizen, even young adults. Drivers are asimpaired as drunk drivers when talking on acell phone. For more information on thedangers of texting and driving go towww.KeeptheDrive.com.

Ask yourself this question, “Is texting whiledriving worth killing yourself or someoneelse?” Don’t just look at how it will affect you,think about everyone who knows you or theperson you hurt.te

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Staff M ck ElectionsJanuary 27, 2011 Sparks42

By Melanie Smalley and Andrew Kruske

B e s t F r i e n d s

Josh Shattuckand Tyler Foor

AltheticAll-Stars

MostFashionable

Best Hair

Best Smile

Prettiest Eyes

NextBillionaires

Rockstars

Shyest

Chatterboxes

Funniest

most Organized

Emily Coté andJill Keefer

Josh Shattuck andJill Keefer

Mike Verellen andKathy Cunningham

Tyler Foor andCourtney Verellen

Mike Verellen andKatie Hintz

Mike Evans andKathy Cunningham

Kevin Brott andShelly Vasher

Dale Bragg andKatie Hintz

Todd Woodburyand Andrea Kistler

Dale Bragg andKathy Cunningham

Tim French andShelly Vasher

Andy Kesonand

Michelle Seiser

January 27, 2011 Sparks 43Most Optimistic Most Memorable Laugh

most Spirited

Most Likely To Be Ona Reality Tv Show

Most Likely To RunFor President

Most Outgoing

Little Bit ofEverything

Friendliest

Strictest

Most InterestingLecturer

Most PassionateAbout His/Her Job

Most TechnologicallyAdvancedhomecoming King/Queen

Dale Bragg andCourtney Verellen

Dale Bragg andAndrea Kistler

Josh Shattuckand Emily Coté

Josh Shattuckand Katie Hintz

Mike Evans andJill Keefer

Jerome Smalleyand Emily Coté

Dale Braggand

Stacy Woodbury

Pat Raymondand

Linda Stodolak

Jerome Smalleyand Andrea Kistler

Mike and CourtneyVerellen

Chad Donahueand

Katie Hintz

Chad Donahue and Michelle Seiser

Andy Keson andShelly Vasher


&

“When Pokémon Black and White come out I’ll probably get White, even though I want the whitedragon and with the White game I’ll get the black dragon. I’ll probably be able to trade with someonewho wants the black dragon. The thing I’m looking forward the most is the better graphics so every-thing can look more 3D! Also, I’m looking forward to collecting even more new Pokémon. The onlybad thing about these games would be that the made the starter Pokémon a pig. A PIG! Who doesthat?”

Marena Dassay - 12

Andrew Anderson - 11

“…White. I’m looking forward to the new battlestyles. It’s anticipated that there will be about two orthree new battle styles including triple battles. Notto mention, I can’t wait to see the new legendariesand starters.”

Black Or White

“... White just because of the initial color,but then later Black for the full experience. Iwould normally be looking forward to newEevee evolutions, but the Pokémon Companydecided that wasn’t a good idea so, I guess Iwill just be interested in all of the newPokémon.”

Nathan Kistler - 11

Joseph Chavez – 11

“…White, so I can get the blacklegendary. I’m looking forward to theover 150 new Pokémon and what theelite four will look like and whatthey’ll use.”

Aaron Kopacz - 11 “…Black, because of thefact the legendary Pokémonlooks like he can dish outsome damage and the reasonwhy this one sounds epic tome is because there’s morebug-type Pokémon which iskick butt.”

&

2,637,285.That’s how many copies Pokémon Black and White (for the

Nintendo DS family of handheld systems) sold on their openingweekend when they were first released in Japan. To put it bluntly,this was the most amount ever sold of any video game in thecountry. Quickly sold out in many stores, the demand exceeded theunits in stock and some fans had to wait an additional week to pickup their coveted copies. And with 1.7 million copies of the gamespre-ordered, Black and White broke another of Japan’s records ofsales. By November, the number of sales almost doubled. Black andWhite were a massive success in their country of origination, andthey are sure to continue their momentum when they are released inthe United States on March 6th.

The Unova region is the setting for the series’ new installment.This location is separated from those of the previous games by thevast sea, giving it a completely unique ecosystem and new Pokémon.Over 150 new Pocket Monsters appear in this new generation,making it not only the largest installment to the games, but alsomaking it exceed the original’s content.

Starting out with the standard Pokémon storyline, the playerquickly receives his/her very first Pokémon and starts out on a grandadventure to catch Pokémon and challenge the Gym Leaders. Soonafter starting your quest, you’ll encounter the villainous gang knownas Team Plasma. Unlike the original mafia-like Team Rocket whosimply used Pokémon as a means to get what they wanted, thisgeneration of villains have quite a different goal in mind; to free allPokémon from people so that humans and Pokémon can be treatedas equals. Sounds half-way decent, right? However, it doesn’t takelong for the game’s characters to realize that something is a littlefishy about the Plasmas. After getting further through the PokémonGym circuit and closer on your way to challenging the PokémonLeague, the evil team begins to threaten all people who don’t seeeye-to-eye with them as they prepare to free all “enslaved” Pokémonby force (by hypocritically using their own captured Pokémon, ofcourse). It’s up to you, the player, to defeat Team Plasma and showeveryone that people and Pokémon can live and work together asfriends. And with some shocking plot twists built in, even the olderplayers will be surprised after unraveling all the secrets!

PokéBlack

What’s new aboutBlack andWhite?

The Pokémon franchise’sgame play has been massivelyexpanded through numerousnew features brought into theseries through Black andWhite. Graphically, the gametakes a step into a three-dimensional world; the firsttime ever for a handheld

Pokémongame, thoughthe fourthgenerationgames didhave a sort of“two-and-a-halfdimension”thing goingon. In battles,the attackingcommands areconvenientlyplaced on the bottom touch screen of the Nintendo DS. The top screenshows, for the first time, a full picture of the back of the player’sPokémon as well as a full front view of the opponent’s. Additionally,the Pokémon are constantly moving and shifting their stances, evenwhen they are not attacking. All the old attacks look cooler than everwith the better graphics, and plenty of new techniques were created aswell.

Triple Battles

When it comes to battling, the most significant change introducedin this new fifth generation is the addition of “triple battles”; a newbattle method that you can use to challenge your friends and some in-game trainers. These battles consist of sending out half of the player’ssix-Pokémon team at once and having them work together as acohesive team. The placement of the three Pokémon matter as well.The Pokémon in the middle of the three sent out can attack any of theopposing trainer’s three Pokémon. However, those that are on the leftand right cannot attack the opponent’s Pokémon that is farthest awayfrom it. Therefore, having a Pokémon on the left or right side of thefield will make it more defensively orientated, while having one in themiddle will make it more offensive.

For use within both double and triple battles, brand new “combina-tion attacks” have been added into battles. If two certain moves areused by the same Pokémon team in the same turn, an added effect isunlocked that benefits the user of those certain moves. The list ofthese techniques that create a special synergy is rather short; only aselect few attacks beneficially combine. However, the added effectsthat the certain attacks create when used consecutively give the user asignificant edge in battle.

“Rotation battles” make their debut as well, working somewhatsimilarly to triple battles. Both players (or the player and an in-gametrainer) send out three Pokémon. However, one Pokémon is sent outto the front of the field, while the other two are placed behind it. Onlythe Pokémon in the front can attack or take damage.Before each turn, the player has the option of switchinghis or her front Pokémon with one at the side, and thenthe switched Pokémon can make its move. Rotating a

Pokémon does not consume a turn. Think of it as a game of“rock, paper, scissors”, but instead of playing with rocks, papers, orscissors, you get to pick any three Pokémon. Basically, the object ofrotation battles is to predict which Pokémon your opponent willattack with and switch to the one of your three that you think can dealwith the situation the best.

Seasonal Update

Expanding on the morning, day, and night aspects previouslyincorporated in the series, Black andWhite introduce all four seasonsinto game play at both cosmeticand functional levels. The routesand cities appear differentlydepending on the active season. Eachseason only lasts a month of real-life time, allowing each in-gameseason to occur three times a year.

Certain Pokémon will appear in thewild only in a specific season. Otherschange their appearance based upon thecurrent season. Areas that are blocked offin one season may become accessible in another one. Inwinter, for example, snow drifts may connecttwo hills and form abridge that the player can walk across. Some characters also makeappearances in Black and White only in a certain season. A few ofthese characters are from previous games in the series, allowingnostalgia to enter the minds of the older players who remember them.

The High Link

When in range of a wireless network or another DS with an in-serted copy of Black or White, the multiplayer option known as theHigh Link becomes available. This allows you to join a friend’s

&

Thestarters;Snivy,Tepig,andOsha-watt

January 27, 2011 Sparks 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mon :White&

game and interact with him, her, or any other players that arevisiting the host. The players can then walk around Unova togetherand complete certain missions. After six missions have beenaccomplished, the host alternates to a new player in the group.

The Global Link and Dream World

In Black and White, the player can upload one Pokémon from hisor her game to the Internet. With a computer and a wireless Internetconnection, the DS can communicate and sync up with the user’saccount on the Dream World website. The Pokémon from the game is

then sent online to the Dream World, in a similar fashion to how aPokémon was sent to the PokéWalker inPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.Once in the Dream World, various minigames are available to be played onlinevia the computer’s Internet access.Additionally, through the computer the

player can capture Pokémon from theprevious generations that are notfound within the game. All of these

Pokémon have unique abilities thatessentially increase their usefulness in battle back on the

Nintendo DS. Through syncing your DS and computer again, you cansend any Pokémon caught in the Dream World back to your owngame.

The Dream World also includes a miniature house that can becustomized via the computer. The house functions much like thesecret base from previous games, with the added benefit of beingonline. Rather than battling with other trainers, however, the playercan trade items with others. Additionally, ouside of your Dream Worldhouse, berries can be grown in patches.

When playing through the Dream World, dream points will begained. These points allow you to perform various functionsthroughout the area. Sending Pokémon from the Dream World to theDS is the primary task that players will use these points for.

Version Differences

Difference Black White

ExclusivePokémon

ExclusiveLocations

ExclusiveTrainers

Black City; a largecity focusing on theaspects of technology.It is a locationexclusive to Pokémon:

Black Version and aplace to battle strongtrainers that use fullyevolved Pokémon fromthe previous genera-tions.

White Forest; a forestfocusing on the aspectsof nature. It is a locationexclusive to Pokémon:

White Version and a quietplace to capture certainfirst-stage Pokémon fromthe previous generations.

???; an unknownmale trainer that leadsthe eighth PokémonGym.

???; an unknownfemale trainer that leadsthe eighth PokémonGym.

You, the player,are a morematuredcharacter thisgo-aroundthan in all ofthe previousgenerations. Inthe past, the

playable characterhas always been rightaround 10 years old.However, in Unova,your character is aconsiderably olderteenager of about 16.

This change hardly has animpact on game play, but it is still a nice littleadjustment that is appreciated by the millionsof Pokémon fans that aren’t elementary-aged.

By Josh Elston

“Hmmm… Honestly, if I had to choose between Pokémon Black and White, Idon’t know which game I would choose. In every installment of a Pokémongame series, all the games have similar qualities. I haven’t played a Pokémongame since Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald came out, which was a while ago. ButI love Pokémon. My brothers are fanatics, and I grew up watching them perfecttheir gaming skills. Anyway, I guess I would choose Pokémon Black. Soundscool to me. Maybe I’ll take this installment as an opportunity to get back intoPokémon once again.”

Kimberly Davis- 11

Justin Greer - 11

“I plan on buying both versions ofPokémon Black and White. I’m lookingforward to beating the game, capturingthe legendaries, and figuring out howDream World works. I am also thrilledabout the 5th generation metagame andall the Pokémon battles that will takeplace. Another aspect that is quitespectacular is the new moves comingout, including more physical electricattacks, which were highly needed. Inall, I think this will be a great game thateveryone who enjoys Pokémon will beecstatic to play.”

Andrew Davis - 13“… White, because it

is my favorite color. I’mamped about all the newPokémon. I’m lookingforward to getting anOshawatt.”

Which Version Are You Getting?By Timmy Sandridge and Josh Elston

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January 27, 2011 Sparks46Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Review

By Timmy Sandridge

By Josh Elston

The world’s most popular electric mouse volt tackles its way into the Nintendo Wii as the star of PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure.

Summary: The PokéPark used to be a place for friends and fun forall of the Pokémon. That was, at least, until the Pokémon leaders ofthe park got in a feud and isolated themselves from one another.Friendships ebbed away, resulting in the shattering of the Sky Prism,a former symbol of the park’s well being. The shards scatteredthroughout the park, and if they’re not reunited soon, the Sky Pavil-ion above the park will collapse! Play as Pikachu and stop the disas-ter by promoting friendship among the Pokémon!

Anyone who grew up watching the Pokémon series will appreciate the effort that Nintendo put into making this fully three-dimensional video game. Sure, the plot of the game is still meant for school-aged kids, but it is sure to cause pleasantmemories of past years to resurface when played. A lot has changed in video games since the original show aired ontelevision and the Red and Blue versions launched on the Game Boy, and the Pokémon Company successfully updated andmodified the childhood excitement of Pocket Monsters into this fully up-to-date experience.

The game is played with the Wiimote held horizontally within both hands, and without the nunchuck controller. This shiftsthe directional pad to the left and the main buttons to the right, creating a very similar feeling as to playing the ol’ hand heldGame Boy. When playing attractions in the PokéPark (minigames that are held so that the Pokémon can play together), thecontrols often change to utilize all of the different functions of the Wiimote. So that these control differences needn’t bememorized, the game prompts how to play each attraction before it begins.

Making friends with the other Pokémon is a primary concept of the game as Pikachu tries to gather the Sky Prism pieces.This is done by playing “skill games” with the Pokémon that are encountered. Tag, Hide-and-seek, and battling are the maingames played to befriend the other Pokémon. The battles that do occur happen in real-time with the ability to move thedirectional pad and jump to dodge the opponent’s attacks.

Playing through the story is a bit simple. The simplicity, however, keeps the game moving at a fast pace and allows the funto keep on coming. It may not be massively in-depth, but at least it is entertaining. Playing through the different attractionsallows for more variety; however, it makes the game basically a collection of minigames. Each attraction and skill game is quitefun, but they are just a little disjointed from each other. Nevertheless, the game sticks to its main idea well as Pikachu focuseson trying to restore friendships and fix the Sky Prism.

When it comes to video games, spin-offs are almost never as good as the original material.Pokémon, on the other hand, has actually been pretty lucky with the polish and high-qualitygameplay of titles like Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Puzzle League and the lesser-known PokémonTrading Card Game for the Game Boy Advance. Heck, even the Pokémon Ranger series isn’t allthat bad. That’s why I continue to be surprised at the lackluster Pokémon Mystery Dungeonseries. It’s not as successful as the rest of its siblings, and any fan can tell it tries really hard tostand out. Maybe one day, it’ll grow into its place, butExplorers of Sky is just a re- minder that day hasn’t come yet.

For people who don’t know, Mystery Dungeon is the series with the following plot: “I’ve lostmy memory and turned into a Pokémon!” Moreover, Explorers of Sky is the remake of the second round of games in this series, Explorers ofTime & Darkness. After you take an introductory personality test to determine what Pokémon you’ll awaken as, you begin a journey as partof a Pokémon guild, which is exactly what it sounds like: you embark on epic adventures to help fellow Pokémon, seek out treasures, andbattle other Pocket Monster trouble makers over hours and hours of semi-addictive dungeon crawling. People make a lot of comparisonsbetween this and Shiren: The Wanderer, but I prefer to think of it as Final Fantasy XII’s Monster Hunts — with Pikachu instead ofChocobo. But the question is, as a Pokémon fan, is Explorers of Sky even worth your time?

Well, that depends on the type of Pokémon fan you are. Explorers of Sky does bring a few new game elements into play that weren’t presentin the last two titles, like new starter types, a bigger roster of playable Pokémon, more plotlines involving different characters, tweakeddifficulty, and adjusted gameplay rules (for example, you no longer lose all your loot if you crash and burn in a dungeon romp). But in theend, these are all minor improvements and add-ons that don’t address the real problem of Mystery Dungeon — it’s just not a compellingdungeon experience. In fact, the main problem I had with the last few Mystery Dungeons is that the core gimmick — the actual dungeons — are the worst part of the game. Ifyou’re the kind of player that draws Pokémon fan art and prints out the characters on computer paper for your scrapbooks, I’m sure that you’re probably not going to mind thebland dungeons, cookie-cutter missions and repetitive combat.

Pok ePark W i i : P i k achu ’ s Adv e n t ur ePok ePark W i i : P i k achu ’ s Adv e n t ur ePok ePark W i i : P i k achu ’ s Adv e n t ur ePok ePark W i i : P i k achu ’ s Adv e n t ur ePok ePark W i i : P i k achu ’ s Adv e n t ur e R e v i ew R e v i ew R e v i ew R e v i ew R e v i ew


What do you want to do before you die?“I want to swim with dolphins because I’ve alwayswanted to do it since I was a little girl.”

Katrina Croutch (14)

“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to swim withsharks, so I think I’d want to do that. The reason why isbecause I want to know the true feeling of vulnerability.”

Julie Lester (13)

“Before I die, I want to meet Magglio Ordonez becausehe’s my absolute favorite player for the Detroit Tigers.”

Samantha Caffrey (13)

Emily Govitz (13)

“..skydiving because it’s a crazy thing to do, and I’vealways wanted to.”

Alexandria Rowley (13)

“I want to climb a mountain, but not Mount Everest because that’s abit extreme, just a small little mountain would be fine. I want to do itbecause it’s not too risky but yet it seems like an adrenaline rush!”

eV

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By Alexis McIntosh

Congratulations to the2010-2011 Publications & Newspaperstaff of GHS for their outstandingwork on the SPSPSPSPSPARKARKARKARKARKSSSSS Newspaper.

Clothingstarting aslow as $10!

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Right: Trevor Roberts (11) plays some good defense.Below: Travis Greer (11) steals the puck and goes for the

goal.Next contests: January 29, Bay Area Reps;

February 2nd, Nouvel Catholic.

Varsity Boys Basketball

Varsity Girls Basketball

Below: Trevor Camanse(12) stands on the charitystripe for the G’s.Left: Coach Kirk Taylorhuddles with the teamafter a time out.Next contests:January 28, Harrison;February 1, Tawas.

Above: The girls locks hands andlisten to the national anthem.

Right: Melanie Smalley (11) warmsup before the game.

Next Contests: January 28, Harrison;February 1, Ogemaw Heights.

win

ter

spo

rts

Varsity BowlingLeft: Dakota McLean(14)keeps her cool and throwsthe ball.Below:Kirsten Rhodes (11)approches the line throws theball and hopes to get a strike.Next contests:January 29, Gladwin;February 5, Farwell.

Left: As the pomteam gets readyto perform theyawait the music.Below: The pomteam just startsthe routine.

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Junior Varsity

Above: Coach MikeVerellen plans the

sub strategy.Right: Billy Rhodes

(13) plays tough.Next Contest:

February 1 at TawasHigh School.

Above: The Lady G’s wait for the free throw.Above right: Coach Toyna Anderson duringa timeout tells the team the game plan.Next contest:February 1, against Ogemaw Heights.

Junior Varsity Girls Basketball

Freshman Boys Basketall

Above: Lucas Schwager (14)looks for one of this open

teammates.Right: Camryn Vanderbush (14)

hopes to sink his free throw.Next contest: February 1 at

Tawas High School.

Girls BaketballW

restling

Boys B

asketb

all

Left: Jake Roza (14)struggles to win the match.Below: Andrew Gatz (11) pinshis opponent.Next contest: Febuary 5 atRoscommon.

Fres

hman

Right: Dani Balzer (13)drains her free throw

to put Gladwin up.Below: The girls walk

over to Coach JeromeSmalley during a

timeout.Next Contest: February

1 against OgemawHeights.


A year ago, these two were sitting inperhaps the same desks you are today,thinking about graduation, thinking abouttheir last high school sports games, theirlast goodbyes before college.

Now, a year later, they have their firstcollege semesters completed, andMeredith Rosin (10) and Ashley Ford(10) have already lived a college experi-ence they couldn’t have even imagined ayear ago. These best-friends-since-birth(literally, they were born on the same day,in the same hospital, and their momswere friends) room together on campus atSaginaw Valley in Living Center South.

You think living with your best friend,maybe you would get sick of her, butRosin says, “Living with Ashley is neverboring. That is for sure, she is on the runall the time, and I do my best to keep up.A lot of people said that you don’t reallyknow a person until you live with them,and they are probably right, but I stilllove living with her. Things are neverdull. That is for sure.”

Ford also seems to love living with herbest friend, saying, “Living withMeredith at college is probably the best/biggest adventure of my life. A lot ofpeople told us that it wasn’t a good ideato live with each other. They were wrong.It’s a lot easier, I think, knowing whatreally annoys Meredith and having mybest friend with me rather than someone Ididn’t know.”

What do you think college is all about?What do you imagine it to be like? Rosingoes on to say, “It’s probably better thanI expected. It’s a little like summer campbecause you’re always meeting newpeople all the time, and there is alwaysstuff to do around campus. One thing Idid not expect was the amount ofhomework and study time that is neededto get good grades.”

Ford said, “It’s exactly what I ex-pected, crazy awesome! We can dowhatever we want pretty much wheneverwe want. Within some reason.”

Ford is studying social environment,but she will eventually become anathletic trainer of which she said, “I willbe qualified to run with scissors.” Rosinis studying to get her masters in occupa-

still best budsBy Ashley White

tional therapy. We all wonder how tough college

actually is Rosin said, “My first semesterwas just a lot of adapting, I had to getused to the amount of time I needed toput into each class. My toughest classwas probably English just because mysenior year I don’t think I had to write asingle paper and then I had to adjust towriting papers. Also, my math class waspretty tough just because they assignedso many problems that were never duefor credit, but you had to do them toknow what was going on.”

Ford said, “Biology has been mytoughest so far, but it isn’t overwhelmingor anything.”

Already making college memoriesRosin said, “I have had a lot of collegememories so far; so much has happenedin so little time; it’s crazy. I think playingintramural volleyball was probably oneof my favorite memories, or having adance party in the middle of the court-yard on campus. It’s so random. Collegeis all about just getting up and going...somany random trips to the store oncampus or walks around late at night.”

Of her favorite memories, Ford said,“That’s tough to narrow down, collegeoverall is a lot of fun. There are peopleand friends everywhere and they willprobably be upfor anyadventure youhave thoughtup at anytime.”

For many,going off tocollege seemsto be a toughthing to do, youwould miss somuch. Rosinwent on to say,“I miss highschool a lot. Imiss the lack ofhomework. Imiss volleyball more than I could haveimagined. I had so much fun my senioryear, and I wouldn’t give it up foranything, but because it was so fun, I justhate not being able to play in front of that

home crowd. I miss all the friends andthe people that I took advantage of seeingevery day. Honestly, I never thought Iwould miss high school. I wish I couldtake back all those days I complainedabout it and enjoyed the time I had. Don’tget me wrong, college is great, andmeeting new people is great, but highschool is different. I even miss theteachers! I never thought I would missmy family as much as I do; I tookcomplete advantage of them. They did somuch for me over the years, and now thatI am gone I can see really how much theydid. I miss seeing people you knowwherever you go. I miss people stoppingto talk to you at the store or congratulat-ing you after a good game when you seethem at the gas station. You know thatsmall town feeling we all complainedabout…yeah, I miss that. I miss themovie nights and the fall bonfires.”

Ford misses other aspects, too. “I missseeing certain people daily and knowingeverybody, and roaming the halls duringclass and walking around town wheneverI wanted and being about five minutesfrom anywhere you could possibly wantto go.”

Ford’s advice: “I wish that I under-stood that college isn’t that much moredifficult than high school if you apply

yourself. Goto class everyday, do yourwork; maybeeven studyhere and there,and you aregolden.”Rosin’s adviceis: “Takeadvantage ofthe scholar-ships and theopportunity togoing to Mid.I really wish Iwould have

gone to Mid through high school and gotcollege credits for free. I wish I wouldhave applied more for scholarships…theopen house money goes real fast!

Flying G alumsturned Cardinals

January 27, 201150

*You took plastic cartoon lunchboxes to school*Rubber pencil grippers were the new thing*You wore scrunchies*Dippin’ Dots were really the “ice cream of your future”*You played and/or collected Pogs*They still produced VHS tapes*You owned at least one Tamagotchi or Giga Pet*Yellow, red, and blue Pokémon were the only versions made*You even know what a Walkman is*You have ever ended a sentence with PSYCHE!*You remember when it was actually worth it to wake up early on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons*You still get the urge to say NOT! after every sentence...not...*You owned a trapper keeper*You still say “I know you are, but what am I?”*Beanie Babies were the biggest craze*You owned a Skip-It or Pogo Stick*Hot Wheels were what everyone was collecting*You can finish this sentence: “Ice Ice, .”*Mrs. Frizzle and Bill Nye taught you something*Everyone wanted to be on Slime Time*Decisions were made by “eeny meeny miney moe” and “bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish”

You know you’re a nineties kid if...

*You owned a Bop It*You remember watching Ahh! Real Monsters, Doug, Rugrats, Pinky and The Brain, Hey Arnold!, and The Angry Beavers*A paper cootie-catcher ever predicted your life*You wore stick-on earrings and slap bracelets* MASH told told you who you would marry, what type of house you would live in, and how many kids you would have*You wanted to find Waldo*Every girl you knew had a Barbie and Ken*Your parents owned a bag phone*Warheads were a substantial contributer to your cavities*You owned the original Gameboy*You ate Lunchables*“Talk to the Hand” was enough said*Paying $1 for gas was A LOT!*Everything was “da bomb!”*You remember the Super Nintendo*Sega was still a console manufacturer*The original cast of All That! was still there*You remember the original Batman*You remember Wonderballs

What do you miss most about the nineties?By Jaime Hoffman

“I miss the Ninja Turtles show. Theold classic show is totally better thanthe new one! I would always wake upon Saturday morning and start myday with anexciting eopisodeof TMNT. It’s oneof my favoriteshows and I stillenjoying everyonce in a while.”-Emily Zelt (11)

“Oh, the 90s. What do I miss most? Wow, there is a lot to miss butI would have to say the cartoons and Tang. The cartoons wereawesome! Hey Arnold!, Doug, Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, AngryBeavers, Ahh! Real Monsters, Pink and the Brain; the list goes on andon. Those quality cartoons. They are way better than the horriblestuff we have now. Now Tang was the best orange flavored drinkknown to man. Enough said. End of story. We need to bring theseback!”-Cayleen Diffin (11)

“The sweet cartoons andKool-Aid! It was circulatedmore in the nineties. I missthe low gas prices eventhough I didn’t pay for gas.”

-Lucas Allen

“The boy bands! I miss the Disneymovies. I also miss movies not beingin 3-D. They’re so expensive! (Notthat I paid for movies as a child, butstill!)”-Melanie Smalley (11)


By Lucas AllenDo you think you get enough sleep? Do you often hit the snooze button multiple times

as if it was the face of your worst enemy? How about stay up all night playing videogames, listening to techno music or, gasp, studying?

If you have, chances are that you are part of a growing trend of not only teenagers butpeople of all ages who do not get enough sleep. According to the experts, there is no“magic number” of hours of sleep people need as it differs from person to person;however, it is a generally accepted theory that children and teens need more sleep thanmost adults. For a few of those who have experienced some of the aforementionedscenarios, here are their stories…

Tyler Henry (11)“I don’t get much sleep but I go to bed around 12 every night and wake

up between 6:22 – 7:20. On average I think.I get like 7 or 8 hours of sleep per night. There is no way that is enough for

me, I need like 11-12 hours at least.The longest I have ever slept consecutively? 16 hours, it was the best

thing ever! I’ve pulled a few all nighters in my day,I had no reason for it, just wanted to do it.”

Andrew Gatz (11)“I usually seem to fall asleep around10:30 p.m., then, for some reason, Ialways wake up at 2:30 a.m. and then 5:30a.m. to pee. That happens every night.Then I like to wake up around 9:00 a.m.because I’m hungry. On average I think Iget around 8 hours of sleep…yeah 8sounds about right. Of course I think thisis enough! Also, the longest I have everslept in a row would be 12 hours. I evenwrote that down when it happened. Thatwas a great night. Yeah, I’ve pulled allnighters. Why? Because it was just oneof those nights.”

Andrew Gatz (11)

Michael Verellen,Science & Psychologyteacher

“I definitely don’t sleep as well or aslong as I should. School pretty muchdictates when I get up, but I’m usuallynot in bed until around midnight. Also,with the addition of my sons I get alittle less sleep when they need thingsin the middle of the night. On average Iget about 6 hours, but almost never allthe way through. There is no way thatis enough for me though. One time Iremember being so sick that I basicallyslept through an entire day. I havepulled an all nighter; one time was whilestudying in college and then back inthe day playing video games throughthe whole night.”

Alicia Coats (11)“I like to sleep in the cold wrapped up in a cozy blanket. Usually I read a little before I fall into a deep

sleep. I sleep through the night and don’t wake up too easily. I have to set two alarms to wake up, yet onceI am up, I always stay awake. It has to be dark for me to sleep. I cannot take naps. I get maybe 7 hours ofsleep every night but I think that is enough because I am able to function. The longest I have ever sleptwas 14 hours consecutively. I’ve also pulled all nighters; one of the reasons for them was to go BlackFriday shopping with my sister, Marina.”

The DThe DThe DThe DThe Daaaaay Ay Ay Ay Ay Awwwwwaaaaayyyyy.....Sleeping

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Chuck Norris (12)“I would rather spend the day in the mud pit mud bogging.I mean, come on, you have trucks, mud, adrenaline andfriends.”

WWWWWould yould yould yould yould you rou rou rou rou raaaaather…..ther…..ther…..ther…..ther…..Spend a day in the mud pit orSpend a day in the mud pit orSpend a day in the mud pit orSpend a day in the mud pit orSpend a day in the mud pit or

aaaaat the mall?t the mall?t the mall?t the mall?t the mall?John Herbster (11)“I would rather spend a day in the mud pit mud bogging. Bigtrucks, lots of people, family and friends with trucks all muddy.Who wouldn’t? You can play in the mud, watch people slidingall over and see whose truck can stand the mud pit thelongest.”

THE MIX UPWhen one name is called over the announcement, two show up. Walking down any of the four halls you are bound to pass Kyle Keen (14), Kyle King (11), Cristyn

King (13), or Kristin Keen (12). More than likely you never think twice when you see any of them, but there is a true annoyance in having one of these names. “KristinKeen please come to the main office. Again Kristin Keen please come to the main office. Thank you.” This is the common announcement that you hear in betweenclasses. Yet the hard thing about it is Cristyn King actually will probably be the one that comes to the office, since Kristin Keen thinks it’s the other Cristyn they’recalling. This is the same dilemma for both of the Kyle’s also. So here are some basic facts about each of these four so you won’t get them mixed up also.

• I would like to attend a music school forvoice.• The New York Yankees are my favoritesports team.• My favorite leisure activities are singing andhanging out with friends.• I used to own a flying squirrel namedScooter.

• I would like to pursue racingwith my motorcycle.• MSU is my favorite sportsteam.• I don’t have a professionalfavorite team.• I enjoy riding my dirtbikes andhanging out with my friends.

• I intend on joining the Navyafter I graduate from school.Once I finish that career, Iwould like to either go intoteaching with photography onthe side, or just photography.• I would have to say MSU isby far my favorite team.• Riding dirtbikes andbabysitting my niece is aboutall I do anymore.

Becky Flynn (11)“I would rather be playing in the mud than shopping anyday.Ever since I was little I have loved playing in the mud. Gettingdirty head to toe, covering the jeep or starting a fight. It’s totallyworth it.”

Anthony Ballard (12)- “ Well honestly I have neverbeen mud bogging! So I guess shopping would be thesame old thing. Trying new things is always one of mygoals. So really I would want to try mud bogging allday for the first time.

By Kristin Keen

By Kristin Keen

• I would like to go to SVSU or Ferris andmajor in graphic design or journalism.• My two main favorite sports teams arethe Colts and the Lakers.• I like to hang with my friends, go to themovies, play some video games and chillon Facebook.• I went to Europe in 6th grade for aStudent Ambassador Program and I vistedFrance, Italy, and Malta.

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It all started back in January, 2010.My neighbor, Cody Bevins (08) and Iwere sitting in the house, thinking ofsomething to do in the middle of thewinter. We had anold car hood lyingaround, and wedecided to try anduse it for a sledbehind my mother’sJeep.

After putting afew miles on that, Ihad a fantasticidea: attach abench seat out of acar on it, throw ahelmet and goggleson, and ride. It was instant entertain-ment!

That next weekend we had a fewfriends over. It all went from there. Fivefriends turned into 15, and 15 turnedinto 30. Everyone had a blast includingmy parents at every party I had. Wehad up to 3 sleds going at once andover 10 cars and trucks in the field.

Proud to be an AmericanBy Jodi Brothers

The funny thing about Americans is weall have double standards. We thinksomething is right when only we,ourselves, do it. But when anothercountry does what they want we go inthere and try to change what they dobecause we are rightand they are wrong.

Have you evertalked to someonethat was complainingabout the presidentor the governor andyou ask them whothey voted for andthey didn’t evenvote? According to gwu.edu, in lastyear’s presidential election, only 62.3% ofAmericans eligible voted. Do they reallyhave the right to complain? I don’t thinkso. If you couldn’t get off your lazy buttand drive a couple miles to vote, thenstop complaining!

We say that we are fair and just, yetgirls don’t have the right to fight incombat! Does that seem fair to you,honestly?

We are hypocrites... we say any race orculture is allowed to come to America andbe Americans, and in the next breath tellthe Iraqi’s that they need to go back towhere they came from!


When it got late, to see what wewere doing, I brought a light towerhome from work that lit up the wholefield. The second party I had, SeanCampbell (11) and Devin Lake (11) had

an epic fail at sledriding.

After the first trial,with Sean and Devinas the test dummies,they couldn’t holdon. They went flying.The best part was wegot it all on video.Luckily, no testdummies wereharmed in the testingof that sled.

This year, Codyand I built a new sled, with safety inmind. It has a full roll cage, bucketseats with seat belts, full windshield,plenty of padding, and cup holders.Yes, cup holders.

This year is the seniors’ last realwinter to have fun before moving awayto go to college and grow up, so we’regoing to make it the best one ever.

By David Welke

Can’t wait to go extreme sledding!America is a just country, but we put

innocent people in prison every day.According to research news.osu.edu,there are about 10,000 people sent toprison each year that were wronglyconvicted. Is that just? I think NOT! Weare so proud to be a democracy that we

go to other countries anddemand that they become ademocracy as well. We justdon’t know how to mind ourown business!

We tell people not to beprejudiced when in factparents in America teachtheir kids not to talk to

strangers, to assume that everyone isbad unless you know them, but isn’tthat being prejudiced?

Americans put people in prison forkilling people, yet the government payssoldiers to kill people every day! Maybeit is helping our country, but soldiersare still killing people, sometimes eveninnocent people. Since the war in Iraqhas started 98,170-107,152 Iraqi civilianshave been killed by United Statessoldiers according to wikipedia.org.

America is perfect. We are the best,and everyone wants to be like us.

WELCOME TO AMERICA

Go ’s

Gladwin Driving School LLCSegment I and Segment II classes at

Gladwin Community Arena

(989) 426-7815or

Asbestos, mold, and lead abatement contractor

Pat and Brenda Airbets

www.gladwindrivingschool.com


Who is your Detroit Tiger?By Hunter Young

AJ Jewell (11):“My Tiger is Brandon Inge. Heis an all around good player, he

plays third base just like me, is adecent hitter, and is also a team leaderlike me.”

Landon Grove (13) “My Tiger is Miguel Cabrera. Hehits like a flat out monster.

Cabrera is an all-star every year, and heis always in the races for the batting

Tyler Pratt (11):“Justin Verlander, hands down,is the best pitcher on the roster,and he can almost throw as fast

as me. I try to keep under 120…lefthanded, backwards, underhand, on

Having the opportunity of helping atthe Gladwin Co-op preschool Christmasprogram was a great thing. I am placedin Kristie Bittner and Tina Raymond’spreschool for my CTE placement. Since

I was working there around Christmas time, I wasable to help with it. I helped with songs and practicedthe songs and dance moves with the kids.

The program was to be performed in the highschool cafeteria on the stage. Before the program, Icame and helped decorate. When the kids startedarriving, I helped keep the kids under control and sitthem in their spots. When one of the three-year-oldsarrived, she didn’t want to be on stage by herself, soMrs. Kristie asked me if I would be willing to sit withher while on stage. I was pleased to help our, and Iagreed to sit on the stage with her. Since I wasalready sitting with a three-year-old, I was in chargeof the three-year-olds’ side. At first I thought tomyself, Oh great, this is not going to be fun.

The kids I had in my section were very wellbehaved. There was only one problem. When theBear song came on, one kid stood up and slowlyeased his way out on the stage, and, well, he wasn’t

supposed to. After a few seconds went by, we couldsee a few more kids going out there, and then a fewmore, and not long after, all the three year olds wereout on stage.

I was jokingly instructed to “Grabthem and have them sit down.” Iwasn’t about ready to try to get allthose kids to sit down. So believe itor not, it helped with them standingup; they were able to move aroundand do the moves a lot better.

This is a thing they do every year,and this year was a good turnout.There are other things that they doat the program; they have the kidssing and dance. Between perfor-mances, organizers auction offquilts that are made that havesilhouettes of the kids on them. Theteachers and pre-school board alsosponsor a silent auction in the backof the cafeteria. In that auction were wreaths that camefrom all different businesses around Gladwin. Afterthe program, cookies and milk are served. The money

ByAarika Mathis

Gladwin Co-op preschool Christmas Program

they make goes back to the Gladwin Co-op pre-school program because this program is all fund-raiser based.

I have appreciated being placed withKristie Bittner and Tina Raymond.

Being with them and being a part ofthis program have reminded me howmuch I enjoy working with kids. Intheir class, I have a variety of responsi-bilities. I am in charge of variousstations which change all the time. I alsohelp with writing, math work, differentarts and crafts, and playing games thathave to do with the main focus of theweek. Some days I am not in the roommuch because I make copies for whatwe are doing for the week. Soon I willbe placed in their class for three days,which means I will be able to work withfour-year-olds and do different activi-ties. I like that I am the one to start these

children in their learning.I have wanted to work with kids for many years. I

thought being placed in a preschool program wasgoing to be too much on me, but really it helped me.

Reminds me why I want to work with the youth

Tyler Donn (11)“My Tiger is Austin Jackson.He led almost all rookies inevery category and he was on

the verge of a gold glove in his first

Emma Miller (12)“My Tiger is Joel ‘zoom-zoom’Zumaya. He throws so hard,

topping a hundred almost every time he

Certified in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation120 Commerce Court * Gladwin, MI 48624

(989) 426-6121

Vasher’sCountry

Gardens“Home Of The Fruit And Vegetable”

Contact Richard “Leo” Vasherat (989) 426-2301

What do you prefer..

looks OR Personality?

“What I look for in a guy is someone who lovesyou just the way you are, a person who caresabout your feelings, and who will stick with youeven when you’re being grouchy. I want someonewho’s funny and doesn’t have to act like they’retough; a little sensitivity to things that matter is agood personality to me.”~Kelsie Nichols (12)

“What I look for in a guy is personality; you don’t want to date someone that’stotally boring. I like funny guys; they may not be the hottest in the school, but atleast they’re not full of themselves. Looks are important, too, though. You have tobe attracted to one another to like each other, just make sure you don’t date a guywho acts like he’s God’s gift to women.”~Dayna Bunton (11)

Mid - Michigan ChiropracticAlbert P. Sawaya, D.C., C.C.S.P.

“I would choose personality over looks,but looks do help! I like it when guys arefunny, outgoing, and easy to talk to, andthey actually try and get to know me!”~Mallory Coté (13)

By Jade Cameron

“I would go with personality; you can’t just pick a guy becausethey’re amazingly hot and they have the worst personality ever. Youshould get to know them and like them for who they are. It isalways going to be a plus if they’re hot on top of their awesomepersonality!”~Morgan Reid (13)

“I would choose personality because looks aren’teverything, I would want a guy who would have things incommon with me, treat me well, and care for me. If he had agood personality and good looks then that’s just a plus, but Iwould definitely choose personality.”~Ashley Schaudt (12)


January 27, 2011 Sparks 57BestBestBestBestBest, WorstWorstWorstWorstWorst and WackiestWackiestWackiestWackiestWackiest Christmas PresentsBy Becky Noteboom

Best

Wackiest

“The past three Christmases havebrought the strangest gifts. Last year Igot a cowbell, the year before I got atriangle (the instrument). Then the yearbefore that I got a spatula; at that timeI didn’t even know how to cook.”

“I got a pie plate from my grandmabecause I made a pie forThanksgiving. I really don’t likemaking pies. Then, as a joke my unclegot me a hunk of coal; he also got methe karaoke machine I wanted, whichmade up for the coal.”

- Chris Richard (11)

- Katie Burrill (11)

There is much skepticism overwhether bowling is a sport or if it is justa hobby. In bowling, the basic game-plan is that you throw a ball down thelane to knock down up to 10 pins atonce. Yes, you can get good scores ifyou just chuckit down there,but for peoplewho are intobowling andthe sciencebehind it, it ismuch morecomplicatedthan that.

There arethings calledbreakingpoints,Brooklyn, thePocket,picking up spares, strikes, splits,balance, marks, oil patterns, hook on theball, and approach. The people whobowl regularly have most of these termsdown, so they know how to compensatefor oil conditions, know the breakingpoint on a lane so they can changewhere they throw or their position onthe approach to make the ball reach thispoint, and know how their ball hooks sothey can manage it.

Bowling: Sport or not? Matter of opinion?By Becky Noteboom

Worst“For Christmas this year mymom bought me a pink HDTV.When I opened the box I said,‘Oh my gosh, it’s pink.’ I knewI got a TV, but I didn’t know it

was pink. It was an amazingChristmas.”

-Autumn McDunnah (12)

“When I was twelve, all ofmy family came over forChristmas. Looking backnow, it was the bestChristmas ever because it

hasn’t happened since.”-Jessica Gildersleeve (11)

“Every year my grandma buysme these extremely ugly shirts.Some have ruffles or even puffysleeves. They all seem to

mysteriously disappear.”

“One year for Christmas, myparents bought all of us kids a go-cart. Well, I was around 5 and mydad decided to let me drive it.

After that day, no one got to ride itbecause I put it in the ditch.”

-Cristyn King (13)

-Raven Koontz (11)

First, you must get your approach down.You keep your head up, put the ball atyour side, bend your knee, and take a deepbreath. Depending on how many steps youtake, you may start to move your ball onyour first or second step. You bring it

straight out andbring it back andas it comesforward releaseand let your armfollow throughon the move-ment that wascreated by theball. When youare done, youshould bestanding at thefoul line. Payattention towhether or not

you can stay in the position you end in fora few seconds. If you can’t, you’re notbalanced, which generally means you needto bend your knees more when you’rebringing the ball forward.

After you have all of that down, and doit consistently, you need to figure outwhere you should stand on the approachand where your mark is. At the localbowling alley there are seven dots on alane with five boards in-between. The dots

on the approach line up with what peoplecall their marks. These are arrows on thelane that people try to shoot at to try toget their ball to go in the pocket. Thepocket is the area just right of the head-pin, for right handers (for left everythingis opposite to my explanation), Brooklynis the area just left of the head pin.Brooklyn gives you strikes too, but youare much more likely to get some nastysplits when you shoot over here.

Once you can throwthe ball at the same spotmost of the time, it’stime to work on spares.These are the pins leftover when you don’tknock all of the pinsdown on the first shot.There are magazinesthat give you expertadvice as to how far onthe approach to move tohit the pins. Splits are adifferent story. Splitsare when there are twoor more pins that are atleast one pins spaceapart. Generally for splits you shoot atthe easiest, or the most pins on the lane.The seven-ten split is the worst. It’s thetwo corner pin in the back on oppositesides. To pick it up you must shoot at the

ten pin and hit it hard enough on the rightside to send it across to hit the seven pin.

Once you become more advanced youbegin to worry about breaking points andoil patterns. Breaking point changes atevery set of lanes you go to. A breakingpoint is the point on the lane where theball begins to hook just enough to get theball to go in the pocket. Oil patternsrange from oily, so the ball doesn’t hookas much, to dry, where it hooks as much

as it can possiblyhook.

Not all sportsare contactsports; some aremore a headgame. That iswhat bowling is.It takes a lot ofthinking to bowl,and bowl well.

There willalways beskeptics as towhether bowlingis a sport, but tome, it is because

it does take hard work, just not the kindthat makes you sweat.


By Jeremy CrosbyMy whole junior year, I hated

being here in Gladwin, attend-ing Gladwin High School. Ihated knowing that I kneweveryone that walked down thehallways in this school. Idecided to move out of mygrandparents house to go livewith my mom. I had my mindmade up: I was going to

transfer to Beaverton High School.I remember my mom telling me, “Just because we

live in Beaverton, it doesn’t mean you need to changefor your last year of high school.” I told her that Ididn’t want to go back to Gladwin.

Yes, I have friends, but there are still those peoplethat have to either make fun of you for who you are orput you down so they feel good. I am the type ofperson that doesn’t care who you are, but if you’re

going to judge me, then I don’t care to talk topeople like you.

Life is way too short to judge people. This issomething I was told by my aunt. She says, “Whoare you to judge? There is only one true judge,and that’s God.” So why do people think that theyshould judge you for who you are?

I thought I’d escape judgement by changingschools, but I didn’t. I honestly hated attendingBeaverton. I wish I would have never transferredthere. It seemed to me people there were way morejudgemental than Gladwin. They just judged mebefore they even knew who I was or what my namewas. My best friend who went to Beaverton wasthere for three weeks, and then she got sick of thedrama of people wanting to start confrontationswith her over ridiculous stuff. Honestly, there wasdrama the second week of school. I mean, comeon, the second week of school and there’s teenagedrama already? My best friend dropped out of

Beaverton because of the drama and not havingenough credits to graduate. I wish she would havejust tried to work and stay in school, but drama is a lotof a teenager’s life in high school.

People need to understand that kids come toschool for friends and to learn, not to be put down bypeople that think they are better. I understand howshe felt because that’s how it is for me in Gladwin.Just because people think that they are better thanothers doesn’t make it fair. Some people come off asdifferent. So what.

My grandmother always told me growing up, “Ifeveryone was the same, then it would be a very dullworld, don’t you think?” Just because some peopleare different, maybe it’s a good thing they want to bedifferent. Transferring to Beaverton and back taughtme so much. Just because some people put me downdoesn’t mean I should try to move away from that. Ihave just as much right to be here as they do.

By Emerald Eagle My first car accident was the most frightening

occurrence that I had ever experienced. It was June 2,2010, a Tuesday afternoon. My cousin Cayleen Diffin(11) and I were riding through the countryside on theway back from her house. We had to get her clothes forher track banquet she was attending. We decided totake this road that we always go down that had a bighill on our way back to town,but it was a wet and rainy day.

I had my little mermaidblanket with me because I wascold and I was wearing a t-shirtand shorts. I also didn’t haveany shoes on because I hatewearing shoes, and I figuredthat we were just going toCayleen’s, then back to myhouse to finish watching‘Resident Evil’ but that didn’thappen.

I remember Cayleen wasdriving and we were listening to music, having a greattime.Then we went down this road that had a bunch ofchatter bumps. We didn’t have control of the car as itwas, but then all of a sudden we hit a soft spot in theroad, and we just lost it from there.

We fish tailed it in the ditch then flipped it. I remem-ber holding on to the passenger door screamingCayleen’s name while we were going sideways in theditch. I was out of it; I could barely hear anything thatshe was saying to me. I remember her asking me if I wasalright, then I looked at the dashboard. I unbuckled myseat-belt and crawled out of the shattered passengerwindow. I grabbed my little mermaid blanket and startedgoing up the ditch to find Cayleen to see if she was hurtin any way. She had to grab her phone from under thedriver’s seat to call my aunt Shari (her mom) and mymom to tell them what happened.

I was bleeding everywhere; I had blood running

down my left hand and my right knee while I was pullingglass out of it. Cayleen wrapped my finger with a shirtshe had on over her tank-top, and we walked up adriveway that was right next to ditch and startedknocking on the door to see if anyone was home. Noone answered, so we walked back to the car.

Then, I just lost it.Seeing that car flipped in that

ditch knowing I was just in thataccident made me lose it. Cayleencalled her mom and told her that wejust flipped the car and we neededan ambulance, so AuntShari told her to call 911and tell them where wewere. While we werewaiting for the ambu-lance to arrive, we came

across about three different people that stopped andtried to help us.

The ambulance showed up about ten minutes later,and I wanted Cayleen to ride to the hospital with mebut they wouldn’t let her because she had to stay andtalk to a police about what happened. Later, I found outthat she got a ticket for careless driving. On our way tothe hospital, I kept thinking that I was going to diebecause I thought I lost so much blood. Before I knewit, I was at the hospital on a bed waiting for a doctor toarrive, so I could get the rest of the glass out of myknee and see what was up with my finger.

While I waswaiting, Cayleenwalked in the roomand started crying,saying how sorryshe was and howshe had thoughtshe killed me andhow scared shewas for me. Thedoctor finallyarrived and told meI needed ninestitches in my knee,and I had no skin

on my left middle finger. They numbed my leg and thatwas the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life; thatbig needle going in my knee burned so badly that Iwanted to punch the doctor, but it was all over soonenough. I got to go home about two or three hourslater. Trying to sleep that night was horrible not onlybecause my anxiety was still so worked up, but alsofact that I had to sleep knowing I was just in a caraccident about five or six hours before.

Needless to say, I hope this was my first and last caraccident, and there certainly were lessons to be learnedabout safe driving.

Surviving a dangerous rollover wreck teaches life lessons

Changing schools my senior year wasn’t all I thought it could be


you want to. For example, if you wantedto make a character with a lot of health,just buy one of the manyhealth items. Same goes fordamage, or anything else inthe game. It’s just a level ofcustomization that just pushesthis game above a lot ofothers. There are also runesyou can buy, which perma-nently boost certain abilities,and masteries, which slightlyincrease certain traits oractions.

I know, it sounds incrediblynerdy, but it’s not! Tons of people play it,and just because it’s not flashy like BlackOps or Halo Reach, doesn’t mean youshould bash it without trying it. As lameas it sounds, it actually gives you anadrenaline rush to plan out somethingwith your team and execute it flawlessly.So, just go home and download it, playthe tutorial, and play some games. Whenyou understand just how deep the gameis, you’ll be hooked. It’s free, what doyou have to lose?

different than the last. First off, there area huge variety of characters to pick from,and each with a different skill set. Eachof the 65 champions requires a differentstrategy, so the perfect way to switchthings up is just to play as someone else.And with new champions being addedevery two weeks, running out is unlikelyto ever happen. One of my personalfavorite champions is a chick namedAkali. Akali has 4 abilities that areunique to her, and a specific role on ateam. She is considered to be a MeleeDPS character, which basically justmeans she has to be close to hit enemies,and she excels in doing as much damageas possible in a small amount of time.But this also means she has lower healththan some champions, so she has to becareful. All 4 of her abilities do some-thing completely different, and one ofthem even makes her invisible for acertain amount of time. Sounds sweet,doesn’t it? That’s because it is!

But that’s not all. To even furtherdifferentiate between players in the game,there’s an in game shop that you can buyitems from with money earned fromdefeating enemy units. All the items dosomething completely different, andallow you to build a character any way

Have you ever been sitting around,thinking, “I really wish I had somerandom strangers to throw knives at.”Well then, I have just the game for you!What is this mysterious game? It’s calledLeague of Legends, and it’s currentlyavailable on the Internet for the low priceof absolutely nothing! That’s right folks,free! It’s like the Coke Zero of videogames, if Coke Zero had a fountain of joycoming out both sides and fiery pyrotech-nics that blow the lid off when you lookat it. In other words, it’s free, it’s enter-taining, and it’s intense.

But why is it so spectacular? Let mebreak it down for you. The only thing itcompares to is kind of a hybrid ofcapture the flag and other objective basedgames, but you really have to play it tounderstand it. You start out in teams of 5,and you are assigned one side of the map.The object is to destroy the opposingteam’s defensive towers and main basebefore they get to yours. This simpleobjective requires a complex balance ofattack and defense, and basically,whoever can multitask the best will win. Iknow, it sounds boring, but it’s not!There are tons of things unique to thegame that will ensure that every game is

PC Game “League of Legends” deliversaction packed escape

Who has had the biggest impact onyour career and why?

“My dad and Mr. Smalley. They wereboth my coaches all the way up until highschool while I was at sacred heart. Theyhave both taught me a lot about thegame.”

What is the most important lifelesson that you have learned fromplaying basketball?

“...teamwork. You can be the bestplayer ever, but if you don’t worktogether as a team, you won’t everaccomplish anything. The same goes inlife, whether it’s a job or anything else,you have to be able to work with otherpeople and be productive.”

A lot of people would say you are thebest basketball player in the JPC thisyear. How does it feel to have thatrecognition?

“I say that it’s an honor. There havebeen a lot of great players in thisconference and to be put on the samelevel with some of them, well, it’s adream come true.”

What are your goals for your seniorseason of basketball?

“Win the Distract Championship, thenRegionals and maybe make it into the1,000 point club.”

Kegan Smith (11) is known around the JPC as a force on the hardwood floor.As a two time captain as well as a four year varsity player, Smith is someone whonot only has the talent but the drive and leadership required for those who wish tobe known as simply “the best.” SPARKS recently sat down with Kegan anddiscussed his basketball career with him.

By Andrew Kruske

Kega

n Sm

ithLTD: Living the dream on the court

By Lucas Allen


Let’s Keep OurYouth Drug Free.

Mike SheaGladwin County Sheriff

501 W. Cedar Ave

(989) 426-92841-800-426-0911

Keep safety in mindthis winter.

For me, switching schools was quiteexciting. I went from having a class offive students to a class of 150 students. Itwas quite a change for me. Beforeattending Gladwin High School, I went toSkeels Christian School. Not only isSkeels way smaller of a school, but it’s

way different in many ways.At Skeels, the high school ranges from 7th grade to

12th grade, totalling 30 some students. Here atGladwin, that many students could be in a classroom atone time. The whole school district of Skeels is also inone building.

Skeels was like one huge family, everyone knew oneanother, everyone was great friends, and everyoneknew everything about everyone else’s business. Forone class we would have to combine grades: 7th and 8th

together, 9th and 10th together, and 11th and 12th

together. So each year you would move up a gradewith your classmates, whom you had grown to knowvery well.

The big difference for me switching schools was thesize of the school. At Skeels, there was one hallwayand four classrooms, and here it seemed there were somany classrooms and teachers and people, I couldeasily get lost. I was not used to this many peoplecoming at me in the hall at all directions. It wasridiculous!

Also, at Skeels there were no locker coms, so gettingthe hang of using a locker combination again was kindof difficult. Even though it was quite difficult to adjustto the new environment I was in, Gladwin High Schoolhas welcomed me greatly and I am very thankful that Icame back to attend school here.

When I look back to the days when I was a youngchild I think of all the great memories I had, but theone memory that sticks out the most actually wasn’tso great. This was the day I found out my mom hadcancer.

The word still hurts when I hear it, cancer. Iremember the day very well, like it was yesterday.My mom came home from the doctor, my dad withher. I knew something was wrong by the pain in theireyes. I was only eleven years old at the time, but Iknew something was wrong. They sat me down, tearsrolling down their cheeks, as they spoke the wordsthat would soon change our lives. “Your mother hasbreast cancer,” my dad spoke.

Those words were ringing in my ear for quite sometime before I spoke. When I finally did speak,nothing would come out. Tears streaming down myface, I closed my eyes and just hugged my mom. Iwill never forget that sad moment, it will be foreverwith me. Days later my mom started her chemotreatments. Doctor appointment after doctor appoint-ment, it seemed like that was our life at that point. Itseemed like my mom was always sick, day after day,not feeling good. It hurt me so badly to see her likethis, but there was nothing to do but keep fighting.

The day my dad shaved my mom’s head was theworst. Each day I could see her hair thinning out, andI knew the day would come when finally she wouldhave none at all. I came home from school one day,and I saw my mother, sitting in the chair with no hair

On being thenew kid in school...

By Mallia Cuddie

Cancer can affect anyone...The day it affected

my familyon her head. I knew she was miserable, she hatedbeing bald. But each day we told her she wasbeautiful the way she was, to help her through thehorrible time she was going through.

For me the days felt like weeks, and the weeks,years; I can only imagine how my mother felt. Manychemo treatments and doctors appointments later, mymom is free from cancer. Though looking back onthose days still hurts, I know that I won’t have toworry about it anymore because she is now healed.


By Matt WilsonFor the first time ever, you may have heard the

rumbling of tractors from industrial hall gettingready for the tractor pull. This tractor pull was firsthour versus seventh hour of the Small Enginesclasses. These two teams worked on their tractorsjust to see who had the better tractor and ability tofix a tractor from the beginning of the year. It allcame down to who could pull the other tractor overthe taped line.

There were three rounds and the one that beatthe other one two out of three times was to be thewinner. In the first round, seventh hour took anearly lead, but it wasn’t over and first hour wasn’tready to give up. The crowd was so pumped up tocheer for both teams, you couldn’t tell what teamthey were cheering for.

In the second round, seventh hour won again,but just because they won doesn’t mean theycouldn’t do the last one just for fun. Out ofnowhere, first hour won the final round.

The ring leader of this tractor pull was theindustrial arts teacher, Andy Keson who said, “It isalways a worthwhile lesson when students canactively collaborate on a project and have awonderful experience in the process. Next year, Iplan on changing the tractor pull to a juniordragster competition.”

Office Hours:Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

7:30 am - 4:30 pmTuesday 8:15 am - 12:00 noon

Closed Thursday

1139 E. Cedar Avenue Office: (989) 426-8461 P.O. Box 367 Fax: (989) 426-2121Gladwin, MI 48624 [email protected]

1851 Schoettler RoadPost Office Box 1065

Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065

NEMCSA Head StartServing Gladwin & Beaverton

Located in Gladwin Elementary

SchoolNo Cost Preschool Program for

3 to 5 year olds who qualify.

Call 989-246-3177 for more info.

In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution isprohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin,

sex, age, or disability.

‘Small Engines’ tractor pull gets the lead out

pull


“My favorite movie quote is from the movieGrownups. It’s when the little girl says, ‘I wantto get chocolate wasted.’ I just couldn’t stoplaughing when she said that. Grownups is by farthe funniest movie ever! I loved it!”~Allie Keys (11)

“It’s not a purse, it’s called a satchel,and Indiana Jones wears one.”The Hangover~Jessica Gildersleeve (11)

“My favorite quote is from TheHangover, and it’s when Stu says, ‘Ilook like a nerdy hillbilly,’ and whenhe says to Alan, ‘You are too stupidto insult.’ I don’t know why it’s myfavorite, but it’s a good quote from agood movie.”~Brandon Lagalo (11)

by Darin Dupre

“You don’t say that!”

“Do or do not. There is no try.”Jedi master Yoda~Andrew Keson

Step Brothers~Justin Greenlick (11)

June 4, 2010, was thebiggest track meet of the year,states. This is where the topathletes all gather up tocompete against each other tosee who’s the best of the best.

It’s also the most nerve-racking meet ofthe year and it’s a big opportunity to beable to make it there. It’s not every daythat you make it to states for a sport sowhen you’re there you want to do thebest that you can and have fun with it tooeven though it’s a competition. I wasfortunate enough to make it, but I missedmy race.

Yes, missed my race.Missed it.Missed the one event I had trained so

hard for.All year round I was waiting for the

chance to make it to states. I practicedhard all year and finally the chance came.My time kept improving through theseason, and I was getting pumped. It wasa long road to the state competition.

Regionals came so fast, but I knew Iwas ready. I had to run the preliminaries,semi finals, and then the finals. Then thetime came for the 100 but I wasn’t

thinking of the race as the race to makeit to states; I just thought of it as anynormal race. Before we started, I wasmore nervous than ever, but I knew that itwas time to give it my all. When the gunwent off at the start, I was out of myblocks and all I remember is thatRasheed from Bridge Port and I were inthe lead, and him having 2 steps ahead ofme. In the end, he got 1st and I got secondbut I was still happy. When the 200came, it started to downpour and theymade us run it because the storm wasgetting worse. It was the most amazingrace that ive been in because of all therain, it was night time, the lights were onus, and this was the race to states. I camein fourth place in the end but I wasn’tmad because I got to run against awe-some athletes and that I gave it my all. Iwas also excited that I made it to states inthe 100.

After the loss to Rasheed, it made mewant to practice harder than ever becauseI knew I was going to have to run againsthim at states and I didn’t want himbeating me for a second time. Well afterregional’s, we had 2 weeks before states.I went out on the track everyday so Icould get prepared for states. All I

wanted to do is be able to make it in atleast the top 3 finalists and that was mymain goal at this point. The last time Itimed myself in the 100 meter dash I ranan 11.0 and I knew that that was going tobe good enough to place at states. So atthis point I was more confident in what Icould run and I knew that when I got tothe point of the race I would be able torun faster than that because of all thecompetition. When you have a lot ofcompetition in a race, you tend to runfaster and lower your time.

The day before the race I decided togo on the track and run a little bit morebefore the big day. I practiced for aboutan hour then I went home because itstarted pouring. I went to map quest toprint off the directions to Comstock HighSchool. Falling asleep was not an easytask that night, all I could think about wasstates, than the big day was here. I wentwith my mom and we went to pick upKyle King (11) and it was about 5:30 inthe morning, and we had about a two in ahalf hour drive until we got there. So herewe were, Grand Rapids. When we gotthere on time, nobody was there and wethought that the meet just got canceled.There were a few people there and we

asked were the state track meet was. We talked to a lady that was there and

she was going to go watch her son run.She called her son, and he said that theywere in Kalamazoo not Grand Rapids.We were 50 miles away from where wewere supposed to be, and I knew at thispoint there was no way that I was goingto make it. I didn’t expect that I wouldmiss this opportunity like this all becausewe typed in the wrong directions. Wewere supposed to go to Comstock ParkHigh School not Comstock High School.All that hard work for nothing, I said tomyself, just because of bad directions.We still went to the track meet andwatched it for a little bit. We saw a fewpeople from Gladwin there, and I talkedto some of the athletes that I knew thatwere there competing and wished themluck.

From all of this, it made me want totrain harder and be better than I havebefore so that next time I go, I actuallymake it to the race and do better thanever before, and hopefully come out ontop.

Oh, yeah, and I won’t miss the race.I promise.

By Eric Height

My favorite movie quote is...

Missing the race of the year

January 27, 2011 Sparks62County’s manger scene ignites unnecessary controversy

Small towns across the United States, including ourhometown of Gladwin, have displayed typical andquaint Nativity scenes on their courthouse lawns fordecades. According to a recent Fox News poll, 87percent of Americans don’t have a problem with aNativity scene in a public city area. This poll alsoshowed that 96 percent of Americans celebrate Christ-mas. Politically, there is hardly even a divide, as 94percent of Republicans support a public Nativity scene,while 84 percent of Democrats and 82 percent ofIndependents share the same support. So why dogroups like the Wisconsin based “Freedom FromReligion Foundation” continue to pick on little townsand bring in legal brawn? I found myself asking thesame question.

Most people understand that an issue from this out ofstate organization mailed a letter expressing an allegedconcern of a Gladwin citizen regarding the privatelyowned Nativity scene on our courthouse lawn. Theyclaimed that it was against “religious liberty” for theNativity scene to be placed on the lawn, even as it sattoward the corner near the sidewalk. As a person whoattended the commissioners’ meeting regarding thisissue and stood peaceable in defense of the Nativity, Iassure you that this organization was doing all theycould to pressure the local commissioners to set a spur-of-the-moment policy in fear of an FFRF lawsuit.Constitutionally, I would say that the Nativity was alocal expression of religious liberty, as it is privatelyowned and maintained and represents the views of localcitizens. If a local citizen of the Jewish faith wanted aMenorah on another part of the lawn, then let them.That is religious liberty; not the prohibition of allsymbolism. Complete symbolic prohibition would be thecounter-liberty, tyrannical view point.

This year, Gladwin’s privately owned and permitted

Nativity scene stood firm throughout the Christmasseason. The Gladwin county commissioners are workingon a policy of tolerance and continued liberty ofpeaceable expression on the lawn, similar to a policycurrently in place in Midland. With a policy, they believeconflicts in the future will be avoided and citizens cancontinue to be represented on a basis of protocol.

After looking into the website of this organization, itis apparent that the take pride and purpose in barringany form or display of any Judeo-Christian symbolism.They apparently have annual “conventions” in whichthey bloviate and rally around their funded legal team torun around the country to strip our nation of anythingChristian and values oriented. So if all of these peoplerefuse to acknowledge a divine power, why do they careif some of us in Gladwin do? It’s not as though ourchurches are running around putting crosses andcovering public lands in agnostic areas. We live in acommunity where over 95 percent of populationcelebrates a holiday marking the birth of the Christianmessiah, and we have a humble symbol reflecting thathistory and the views of our community, until a groupwith nothing better to do in another state tells us wecan’t? I don’t think so. I think that we, the people ofGladwin, can decide for ourselves what we want on ourcourthouse lawn!

What is the solution the FFRF has for us? They havetheir trained legal team to win the way values-omitting,anti-popular-sovereignty institutions always win - thecourts. From rural Indiana to Gladwin, they havebrought in their big money legal teams that our commu-nity cannot afford to combat to take our heritage andtaken-for-granted community symbolism away. Howabout we have a vote instead? How about the people ofGladwin have the chance to rise up and make their owncommunity decisions!

If we back down in Gladwin over the Nativity scene,this “foundation” will already build upon their ground-work to ban things like the National Day of Prayer. It’salready a link on their website. Last I checked allreligions “pray,” and in a nation with, according to post-gazette.com, over 90 percent of the populous whoregularly pray, I would say it is an appropriate andestablished day on our calendar. Certainly you do notneed a respective day to do something as simple aspraying; it does serve as a reality check to keep ourheritage and national perspective. Remember the day’sorigin, right after September 11, 2001, the largest terroristattack on U.S. soil. On that daunting day in our history,you didn’t see organizations throwing a tantrum over aNativity scene or a cross on a public or private lawn.You saw a nation wounded but banded together. As ayoung kid in elementary school, I remember the horrorfollowed by a renewed national hope. Only in our valuesoriented nation, the United States, can something sotragic and terror striking bring a nation arm-in-arm andpraying together. That is why we have the National Dayof Prayer and use symbolism that reflects the views ofour nation on days like Christmas!

Legally, from what I understand, public lawns arethere to reflect the views of their citizens. Last I checked,the Nativity scene reflects the views of more than 95percent of Gladwin citizens. Perhaps a percentage ofcitizens celebrate Hanukkah, another Judeo-Christianholiday. That’s fine; they can display a menorah orsymbolic gesture reflecting their views. The point issimply that displays on public lawns reflect the mindsetand values of the constituents dwelling in the commu-nity, and for the City of Gladwin, our Nativity scene isjust fine.

By Caleb Hortop

November 15, 2010, started out asone of the best days of the yearbecause, first, there was no school.Second, it was the official opening dayof deer season. Sadly, it didn’t end asgood as it started. Little did I know,events would land me in thehospital.

My day started pretty normalfor not having school. I got uparound 10 a.m. and ate break-fast. Normally I don’t eatbreakfast, but I planned ongiving blood so I needed agood breakfast. After breakfastI did my chores for the day.Then it was time to give bloodso my mom and I went up to theHarrison VFW hall where Michiganblood was doing their blood drive. After donating and everything goingas expected, we headed back home.

Since I couldn’t lift anything heavyor anything like that when I got home, Idecided to change the license plate

Fainting incident turns into a hospital visit, burns and bandagesBy Penny Price lights on my mom’s tracker. After

being irritated with the lights, I askedmy dad to come help. He left the leaffire with my mom and came to helpme. Letting my dad take overchanging the light, I thought I wouldgo help my mom with the leaf fire.

Watching the firegot kind of boring, so Ileaned on the top ofthe pitch fork, justwatching the leavesburn. The next thing Iknew I was on theground being sprayedwith a hose. I passedout and face plantedinto the burning leaves

I was watching. As the story goes, Iwas leaning on the pitch fork andthen in slow motion I started to fallforward. My mom tried calling to meso I would get up and out of the fire,but I didn’t answer. That’s when shecame over and dragged me out of thefire. She called to my dad who was

working on the tracker and told himto grab the hose. He just stood therestunned for a few moments not quiteknowing what was going on. Afterrealizing what just happened, hebrought the hose to my mom. Shesprayed me from foot to head withwater so that the coals on me wouldgo out. As I came to, I started tostand up and bat the water out of myeyes. I got stood up and my mommade me go into the house. Gettinginto the house she made me go intothe bathroom to clean up my faceand hands so she could see howbad I was burned.

Seeing that I had first and seconddegree burns on my right hand andupper lip and passed out my mommade me go into the emergencyroom. It really didn’t hurt that bad,but when I put a cool wash cloth onmy hand and lip I could barley feelthe warmness from the burn. Well inthe questioning area of the ER Istarted to pass out again, so the

nurse gave me orange juice and tookme back to a room. She took my vitalsagain and my blood sugar, they saidall of them looked fine. Then thedoctor came in and asked a bunch ofthe same questions the nurse didearlier like what’s your birthday,how’d this happen, on a scale one toten how much does it hurt. They allsaid I have a high pain tolerancebecause on a scale one to ten my painwas about a two. By the time I couldleave the ER I didn’t really didn’t needthe cool cloth as much.

The next week was interesting. Ihad a second degree burn on myupper lip that made it look like I had afat lip, a large bandage on my neckfrom where we think the pitch forkhandle gouged me, and for the firstcouple days my right hand was allbandaged up.

Needless to say, it was an interest-ing experience that I’ll never forget,and for now, I have the scars toremind me.

January 27, 2011 Sparks 63Outdoor Adventures

By David Welke and Hunter Young


rockin’rockin’rockin’rockin’rockin’ flyflyflyflyfly kicks?kicks?kicks?kicks?kicks?a.) b.)

c.)

d.)

f.)

e.)

g.)

h.)

1.) Emma Miller (12)

2.) Andrea Harris (11)

3.) Nathan Jarosiewicz (11)

4.) Tyler Henry (11)

6.) Andrew Kruske (12)

7.) Allyssa Kory (11)

ANSWERS:

5.) Andrew Gatz (11)

7.) Jonah Brown (13)

1) d2) h3) b4) e

5) g6) f7) c8) a

65By Caleb Hortop

Bimonthly this club meets in CourtneyVerellen’s room before school, as otherclubs of the same nature meet in highschool around America. At the end of theday, what is this “club” set out to do? Is itsome high school secret society orpeculiar gathering of people withcollections of keys? The answer: neither.

Key club is the oldest and largestcommunity service program for highschool students in the United States,predominantly student led. The group hasa standard council and is a high schoolbranch of Kiwanis International.

While many teenagers are out focusingon self-life issues and having public pre-conceived notion of being hooligans, themembers of Key Club are restoring theteenage label. Key Club members are thehigh school student you see around thecommunity ringing the Salvation Armybells at local businesses, selling lemon-ade at lunch for cancer research, hostingwalking/bowl-a-thons for cystic fibrosis;the list goes on.

Most people would assume that youthey wouldn’t meet the requirements ordon’t have time for such an active

organization. This would be an invalidresponse however, as anyone with agenuine desire to give a little back totheir community is welcome to join andbe a part of Key Club. No members canbe involved in every initiative, but theycan make an effort to do their partwherever they can. This year, GHS hasaround twenty members contributing theKey Club organization members had theopportunity to explain why they serveand how Key Club has affected their life.Why don’t you check out a meetingbefore school some Wednesday?

“Being a member of Key Clubgives me a great opportunity toserve the community and workwith friends from school at thesame time. I currently serve as thesecretary and regularly makemeeting agendas.”~Brittney Roggow (12)

“This is my first year in KeyClub and I have helped with Alex’sLemonade Stand at lunch andattend the meetings. I’m lookingforward to next year!”~ Allison Kistler (14)

“I am currently treasurer of KeyClub and have participated inbell ringing for the SalvationArmy nad Alex’s LemonadeStand. I’m looking forward tocontinuing to be a part of thisservice organization through mynext year.”~Caleb Hortop (12)

8th Annual Co-ed Volleyball8th Annual Co-ed VolleyballWhen: Saturday, March 12th (between sports seasons)

Where: Gladwin High School GymCost: ONLY $10 with a paid sponsor *(see below)

OR $20 per player without a sponsor (and either way you get a free t-shirt!)

Time: Play begins at 9 am for most teams

Age: Must be at least 14 years old

Deadline: Teams must register and pay by March 1st

Each team needs at least 2 girls on the court at a time. Volleyball rules apply. Type of play (round robin, etc.) depends on the

number of teams entered. There is no cost to enter for spectators.

*If your team decides to pay $10 each and get a sponsor: A $50 donation will get the sponsor’s name on the back of the

tournament t-shirt, their name displayed at the tournament and in the local newspaper. Sponsors also get a t-shirt! Sponsors can

be a business, group or individuals.

If interested in playing, being a sponsor, or have questions, contact Katrina Shearer at [email protected] or (989) 426-3655 (H)

Proceeds benefit Gladwin Volleyball

Tournament!!!

Please join us for thePlease join us for the

Tournament!!!

Key Club mid year review: Why they serveKey Club mid year review: Why they serveKey Club mid year review: Why they serveKey Club mid year review: Why they serveKey Club mid year review: Why they serve

January 27, 2011 SparksAnswer Key: 1. L, 2. H, 3. E, 4. F, 5. M, 6. B, 7. N, 8. K, 9. A, 10. G, 11. I, 12. J, 13. C, 14. D

A. Kathryn BeckinsaleB. Stephen EmeryC. Emma WatsonD. Natalie HershlagE. Hugh JackmanF. Monroe RathboneG. Olivia CockburnH. Ryan KwantenI. Anna PaquinJ. Holly Marie CombsK. Scarlett JohanssonL. Toby HemingwayM. Sam TrammellN. Robert Speedman

Do you know these celebritiesby their real names,

By Kirsten Rhodes

not their characters?

Who are we?1

23

4

5

7

6

8

10

11

13

14

9

12

66

January 27, 2011 Sparks

By Timothy James Sandridgeand Joshua Elston

67


“Adversity draws men

together and produces

beauty and harmony

in life’s relationships,

just as the cold of

winter produces ice-

flowers on the

window-panes, which

vanish with the

warmth.”

Soren Kierkegaard

By Brandon Dadackiacrestuffwhite fluffy

ics section. So, again, I began the all too familiar walkto the parking lot empty handed. At this point I was very

dejected, to say the least. The whole pointwas to get Christmas presents, and I hadnothing to show for it. I was going to giveBest Buy a run and leave.

However, there was still a huge line outsideof the store. That was the last straw.Black Friday had beaten me. I turnedaround and left, making the drive homewith nothing. The irony of my story liesin the following weekend. I decided I atleast had to go back to get my shoppingdone at the regular price. To my

surprise, I found everything I needed still at discountprices. I wasted a whole day, gas, and sacrificed sleep toget stuff I couldn’t get at the time when I could’ve wenton any old Sunday. Now isn’t that a fun way of learningthat Black Friday isn’t fun at all?


I can sum up my Black Friday experience quitesimply; it was absolutely abysmal! Going shopping onBlack Friday was a terrible mistake. If you enjoy asleepless night and waiting in long linesfor hours on end, then Black Friday isjust the thing for you. With absolutecertainty, I can say it was an absolutelyawful experience. It’s definitely notsomething I’m going to repeat anytimesoon, if ever.

I arrived in Midland at 5:00 a.m. Thefirst stop was going to be Target to getthe great movie deals. By the time Iwalked in the store there were seven cash registersopen, all of which had lines of shoppers windingthrough every aisle to the back of the store. Even so, Imade a quick search only to find nothing. I reallywanted to hit Best Buy and get some stuff for mycomputer, but there was a line of people backed up

A Black FridayBy Garrett Buzzell

outside of the store. Seeing this I went to the one place Ithought would still be good, Wal-Mart.

Sadly, Wal-Mart was no better. Itlooked like a tornado camethrough the place. It kind ofreminded me of Times Square theday after New Year’s Day. Still, Ithought just maybe I could findsomething, anything to make thetrip not a wasted one. No suchluck. Leaving Wal-Mart ratherdisappointed, I was still hoping togo to Best Buy, but there was still a line outside

the store. Not wanting to miss my chance at Best Buy,I decided to kill some time at Meijer.

I was a little encouraged when I entered; there wasnobody to be seen. My optimism was very short lived.The reason there wasn’t activity in the front of the storewas because there was a horde of people in the electron-

By Justin EmeottTo me, Guitar Hero is one

of the best games ever. Itcan definitely be challeng-ing. People might think thatI’m not good at it, because Ican’t see. Well, I play itdifferently than most people.So, that might be another reason why people think Ican’t play. The way I play it is instead of playing withfive fingers, I play with only two. That might soundimpossible or unbelievable, but it’s true. Now it may notbe like I could be the best or one of the best. However, Ican still take on anyone and have a good chance ofbeating them. My favorite Guitar Hero game is GuitarHero Metallica. The game is fun. I think that someof the songs are hard to get good scores on. Oneof the hardest songs I think is “Battery.” Itis probably one of the hardest tobeat. If you’re on expert, thehardest is “Through the Fireand Flames,” by DragonForce. The song is fast, andthere is a lot of hammer onand pull off.

Two months before Christmas, I was looking atguitar amps on guitarcenter.com, and I found theperfect amp for me that was decently priced. Itwas a Peavey Vypyr 30 wattamp. I was asked what Iwanted for Christmas, and Imentioned the guitar ampand told my parents theyshould talk about it. Well, Iwas told that we had to gosome time during Christ-mas break to Guitar Centerin Saginaw. I read somereviews on the amp, and itgot 5 out of 5 on 30 out of32 reviews; the other twowere 4 out of 5. Now,since I have the amp, I can give my own review.

When I first saw the Peavey Vypyr I wassurprised on how big it was. It was ten timeslarger than my other amp. It is big! Then, I

By Justin O’ Laughlin

The Amp present review!

nightmare

I got game

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plugged it into an electrical outlet and turned it on.Next it was time for a little light show that it putson. That caught my attention right away. When I

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Good luckLance, Essence andElizabeth Dunning!

Did you agree with thechoice of Cam Newton?

Who did you think would winthe Heisman trophy?

I had confidence that Cam Newtonwas going to take home the trophy.

Cam Newton!

Yes, he put up monster numbersevery game of the season.

Yes, he was the best player incollege football this year withwhat he did on the field.

Did Newton really deserve theHeisman?

Numbers don’t lie; he’s the truth,Oregon had a tougher schedule, andthey were the better team between thetwo.

Until it is proven that there waswrongdoing on his part, I think hedeserves it. Again, on the field hewas the best player out there.

What is your opinion on CamNewton?

He’s the real deal, he had the AuburnTigers on his shoulders but needed asurrounding cast like Oregon had.

I think he is a great dual-threatquarterback that just has a knackfor making key plays.

Cam Newton Legacy

Reflecting on the Heisman

Josh Shattuck AJ Jewell (11)

The Walking SensationBy CJ Alward


The earliest memory would have to bewhen we all went to Omer suckerfishing on Aj’s 13th, 14th, and 15th

birthday.

That it has been awesome!

AJ Jewell - Loud - because he’s AJTyler Donn - Ox - he always worksHunter Young - Hunter- because he isalways in the woodsTyler Pratt - Rocker - because he isalways playing the guitar

I don’t really remember because it’sbeen so long. But I would imagineschool.

When we took that awesome picture inthe middle of Main Street onhomecoming day.

My favorite thing to do is just havefun, and laugh.

Nicknames for the guys?AJ Jewell- AgeTyler Pratt- T.P.

If you 5 were stranded on an islandwhat do you think you 5 would do?Talk about hunting and fishing

When Tyler Pratt was at my house,Mike and I were playing catch with abasketball, and Tyler Pratt was ridingmy scooter. We threw it at him and hithim in the head. We all died laughing.

We are all close friends, and we havedone a lot together.

Tyler Pratt - Singer - because he hasalways sung and can lighten the moodwhen singing.Mike Nash - Comedian - because he isalways cracking a joke.Tyler Donn - Best Friend: We havebeen neighbors for my whole life.Hunter Young - Hunter: He is alwaysdoing something in the woods.

We were trying to rob a bank at the ageof 5 individually. It was weird becausewe all met at the same bank. It went sosmooth we decided to split the moneyand have been friends ever since.

We all went to Omer sucker fishing formy birthday.

Hunt, fish or shoot something at eachother.

Nicknames?Tyler Pratt - TP or T-Pizzel,Tyler Donn- T.DMichael Nash- Mikey or MikeWhat was the most embarrassingmemory with your friends?We were all in Omer and I was walkingdown a hill and I fell in the water.

Sitting in first grade with Mike,talking about hunting and fishing (ofcourse). Also playing together sincetee-ball. I always had at least one ofthem on my team.

What isn’t to enjoy? Everyone ishilarious. Also, it seems like we aredoing something every weekend.

Tyler Pratt - Musician - he can playany instrument with ease.Tyler Donn - Worker - he can never doanything because he works all thetime.Mike Nash - Hilarious - enough said.AJ Jewell - Attention-Getter - alwaysdoing something to draw attention.

Just having classes together andplaying on the same baseball teams.

Going to Tyler Pratt’s and playing Xbox and just chilling.

How long have you guys beenfriends?

Just sit around and talk, also hunt andfish.

Nicknames?Tyler Pratt - TP, Mike - Smash,Tyler Donn - DonnIf stranded on an island, what do youthink you 5 would do?We wouldn’t be stranded; we’dconquer the island with our outdoorskills.

The earliest memory I have with all ofus together is when we all wentfishing at Omer for Aj’s B-day

We all like to do the same stuff so wealways have a fun.

Tyler Pratt- ChilledMike Nash- DorkAJ Jewell- HyperHunter Young- Laid Back

I believe we all met through sports.

Baseball season.

How long have you guys beenfriends?

Our favorite thing to do is just hangout and do guy stuff.

What was the most embarrassingmemory with your friends?I don’t really have one. They’re myfriends. I don’t get embarrassed infront of them.

theboys

1 friendship5 guys1 story

What is your earliestmemory or memorieswhen you were allgrowing up together?

Tyler Donn Hunter Young AJ Jewell Tyler Pratt Mike Nash

What have you enjoyedabout your friendshipwith each other?

Describe each one ofthese guys in one wordand describe why?

The earliest memory I have had is whenwe all played t-ball together. Everyyear at least three of us were on thesame team.

...everything about our friendship.Each of us have distinct personalitiesthat all seem to go great together.

AJ Jewell - Unforgettable – How couldyou forget AJ?Tyler Donn - Hilarious – He alwayshas something funny to say.Hunter Young - Outgoing- Alwaysbeen there for me, and always wants todo some hunting.Mike Nash- Ridiculous – This kiddoes some goofy crap.

T-ball and Baseball, we all share a lovefor the game. Me and Mikey have beenbest friends since we were littlebabies.

Having all the boys out to my houseto hang out and play Black Ops.

Our favorite thing to do is tick eachother off. There’s nothing funnier thanmaking AJ freak out. Tyler Donn, hewould just sock you.

Nicknames?I call them Pumpkin and Cupcake.Embarrassing memory with yourfriends?Stepping off the ab machine androlling my ankle, but it’s hard to beembarrassed around these freaks.

How did you starthanging out with theseguys?

Name a coolhangin’- out-with-the-guys memory.

What’s your favoritething to do when youhang out?

One, or two, morequestions...

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Sparks Issue 2