Gabrielle Kromer
Grand Ledge High School
When I was thinking about some possible ways to write my story and create my whole package, I was mainly thinking about where I would find someone that had an interesting story to tell. I decided I would walk around campus, mainly by the businesses, to see if I could find anyone that would fit my description. I passed many buildings before building up the courage to just walk right in and interview a stranger. I ended up walking into a bookstore-forgot the name of it actually, but that doesn’t matter-and asked an older looking lady if I could ask her a few questions. She said no. I asked another lady and she told me to ask a younger looking woman that was standing nearby. I asked her a couple of questions, wrote down some notes and found what I was looking for. She had said that her mom had found out she had breast cancer earlier this year and it was something that had changed her life. I wanted to ask her more, but a man walked out and said they needed to get back to work and I figured that was my cue to leave. I got some good information and was back on my way to the lab to create my package. Once I got going, it was fairly easy and I just have to remember the next time I have to interview a stranger, is that all it takes is a little time, patience and confidence.
By Rian Dawson
Grosse Pointe South HS
As a general rule, I’m always ready for the worst case scenario.
My computer crashed. I’ve got everything backed up on an external hard drive.
The airline lost my luggage. I’ve got two days worth of clothing in my carry on.
But the one thing I don’t think I’ll ever be able to prepare for is if my parents decide to move, whether it be while I’m still living at home or otherwise.
I’ve lived in Grosse Pointe all my life and I’ve lived in the same house, on the same street, on the same block. Moving away has never crossed my mind.
And when I meet people who have moved five, six—even seven times, I can’t imagine how they’ve adjusted or how they maintain relatively healthy social lives.
If I were to move away from the home I’ve grown up in, the city I’ve had so many first in—first drive, first bike ride, first day of school—I don’t know what I’d do—I don’t know if I would ever recover from severing such ties.
But somehow, somewhere, there are people who are able to do it. They leave everything behind. They start fresh somewhere else.
My respect for such people runs deep. I only wish I knew what their secrets are—to make new friends, to adjust seamlessly, to slip into a new community.
At some point, I’ll have to find out—I can’t live at home forever—I won’t live at home forever.
By Angela Haddad
Think about the four most important women in your life. It may be hard to believe, but statistics show that one in four women will be raped in her lifetime.
Now, think about the 33 most important men in your life. Men, just as easily as women, can be raped. Okay, so the statistics are not as high for men (1 out of 33) as it is for women, but it is still possible.
So, how can we fight these scary statistics?
Well, the only way to completely diminish rape is for attackers to stop attacking.
Because that will not happen any time soon, I have compiled a list of ways to fend of predators:
1. Go places, especially at night, in groups of 2 or more—attackers are looking for a person who is alone.
2. Buy a can of pepper spray.
3. Invest in a loud whistle key chain.
4. Do not accompany a stranger to a desolate location
5. Enroll in some Karate lessons and wear your black belt every where you go. (well, maybe the second part isn’t necessary, but attackers would definitely stay away from you if you did!)
How would you defend yourself from a predator?
My mother is the main reason I am who I am. She raised me well, and I can remember the lessons she taught me since I was a toddler: no lying on the kitchen table (as tempting as that is), always shake people’s hand when you meet for the first time and millions more. But one of the most important things she taught me was to help others. She teaches by example: she is a volunteer at a transitional housing system in Detroit three days a week. The men and women there are recovering alcoholics and drug abusers, and they often have children.
When I can I go down to work with her. I assist her with simple tasks like checking people in, making sandwiches, reading books to the children and moving boxes around.
One experience I remember was when I went down during the winter a few years ago and helped convince the drop-ins to get flu shots. I informed them of the possible risks and benefits of flu shots, while my mom actually poked them (don’t worry, she’s a doctor).
This one woman asked me who I was and why I was there. I responded, “Because I want to help you.” And she thought that was the most absurd reason. She couldn’t grasp why anyone would want to help her. I looked at her and with a stern face, told her that I cared, and then I wanted to make a difference.
Where do you do volunteer work? How will you make a difference? If you don’t, why not?
-Daniel D.
Grosse Pointe South High School
I interviewed Casey Maxwell today, a high school senior at Canton High School
Casey is such a cutie. Interviewing her was a pleasure. She has this way about her that makes you want to smile, a really big smile, a really really big smile. It was almost hard to focus because I just wanted to sit there and have a girl talk for the rest of the class.
It made me sad to hear about her struggles on the track team. She seems like a great athlete. I hope this year she really gets a chance to shine.
(300 word feature for my final assignment)
By Tess Haadsma
It’s seven-o-clock on a Wednesday night in downtown Chicago. While most high-schoolers are at home cramming for midterms, Danielle Shouldice is shivering cold outside, waiting for the doors to the Rivera Theatre to open.
She lives for nights like the one she has ahead of her tonight.
She lives for that moment when the band comes out on stage, and the crowd goes wild with shrieking and cheers.
She lives for the adrenaline rush of being caught in the middle of a mosh pit on the floor.
She lives for the smell that most people find revolting; the smell of so many sweating bodies rubbing against each other, the smell of their mixing perfumes and colognes.
She lives for the pulsation of the base–line through her body.
She lives for the thrill of being handed over hundreds of people’s heads to the front of the stage, and then brought safely back to the ground by the burly security guard.
She lives for the minutes in-between bands where she’ll say hello and share up a conversation with the fellow concert goers.
She lives for the moment when the band leaves the stage and the crowd goes wild, always eventually coaxing them back out for an encore.
She lives for the after-show events; the meet and greet of the band members, the sharing of a drink with a random boy she met.
She lives for the feeling that stays in her system, even after the concert ends. A kind of high, almost.
Danielle lives for all of this, every single piece of it.
So as she stands outside in minus-five degree weather, shivering cold, she thinks of what’s in store for her tonight and knows it’ll be worth the freezing cold wait.
Because, after all, she lives for nights like tonight.
(first person account of the interview with Danielle, the interviewee for my 300-word feature)
By Tess Haadsma
Like I mentioned in the print publication, Danielle has gone to my school since sixth grade. We knew each other by name and face, but had never really hung out much before. Danielle is a pretty outgoing girl and has a lot of different friends, and its easy to see why after talking with her, even over the phone. She’s really laid back and has an awesome sense of humor. She also tells a mean story, and the stories of her concert experiences had me in hysterics. After talking on the phone with Danielle, I think I’m going to try to be friends with her, not just acquaintances. (Like I mentioned in print, we’re planning on going to a concert in Detroit this September! Eeek, I’m so excited!) Hopefully, my 300-word feature piece showed the concert experience the way Danielle experiences it. (And the concert’s I’ve been to are pretty similar to those Danielle has been to.) I hope my piece showed the kind of enjoyment one can get from experiencing something they absolutely love, and how people really do live to do those things.
Jordan Hubbard – last MIPA entry 
I think that it is safe to say that we have all experienced tough and trying times in our lives or have seen someone go through those painful experiences. And while it’s okay to feel sorry for those going through it, I feel that pity is a reaction that should be eliminated altogether. Nobody likes trying to contain tears and seeing that one person just look at them like they are the exception to Murphy’s Law (anything that can go wrong will). Nothing more can happen to them, they are already at the bottom. So what’s the point of pity when nobody wants it? (Does anyone like pity?)
It’s annoying to try to move on from a bad situation or problem when everyone around you is making that face. The face that is half-grimace, half-”I’m almost about to cry, but at least I can go home after this and live my own happy life.” The face that is ever-present at funerals, after bad break-ups and during family tragedy.
But on the other end of the spectrum, what is the proper response to tragedy? I guess sincerity is key but only so many sorry’s can be said before the sympathy starts to sound fake and offensive.
So, after my long, run on train of rambling, what is the answer to pity and what are your thoughts on it?
As I was looking for someone to interview I came across a class trekking through campus. I ran to join up with them, but dawdled behind out of shyness and uncertainty. I started up a conversation with a student trailing behind them, assuming he was in search of someone to interview as well. When he revealed to me that his class was on their way to the computer lab, I knew I’d found the perfect subject.
He was easy to talk to and spoke with refreshing eloquence. Even though he wasn’t the esoteric college student I anticipated meeting and becoming fast friends with (naively), I discovered a hidden story that otherwise would have remained untold.
Sometimes it’s difficult to recognize inner passion. The responsibility of life and the pressures facing students today leave little room for self-discovery. The part-time jobs, the college applications and the AP classes are not only overwhelming, they consume time that could be used to realize personal potentials and uncover unknown talents.
Although it’s necessary to do well in school and become involved, many students neglect the personal opportunities unique to high school. Trying unconventional hobbies and pursuing activities that break the status quo can be essential in realizing hidden abilities.
Please comment if you’ve ever neglected joining a club, taking a class or anything that goes against your usual routine because you feel you need to focus on the one thing you specialize in.
