Everyone at Lakeview knows that Spanish teacher Jeffrey Kaspari has an interesting obsession with cats and Monster Energy drinks. Kaspari’s fondness for cats is definitely no secret. When entering his classroom, students and teachers are met with a part of his wall completely covered in different colored cans of Monster.

   “Tiffany Niemann and I went to his class during passing time and he had a bunch of monster cans in the corner… we just started stacking them because there were too many,” stated Amber Samuel, ‘25.

   From cat posters to owning a faux cat, his room is a reflection of some of his favorite things. Every single one of his students knows how big his obsession with cats is. 

“Growing up I had 28 different cats in my life… one of the best cats I had was named Cheetah,” said Kaspari.

   Besides Kaspari’s interesting obsessions, he also has a passion for teaching Spanish and history. Through a blend of interactive activities and lively discussions, he creates an atmosphere where learning can sometimes feel like less of a chore. Each of his classes is an opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of Spanish.

“Mr. Kaspari makes learning Spanish a little more fun than it usually is… it helps me look forward to coming to this class a little,” said Laci Dayble, a student in his Spanish III class.

   Students find him as not just a teacher, but also as a mentor and guide who inspires them to take on new challenges. With his infectious enthusiasm and bubbly personality, he has become a loved figure in Lakeview’s community.

   AP students, with their unwavering dedication, work tirelessly throughout the year to prepare for their monumental test. But what emotions do they grapple with as they approach and emerge from this challenge?

      From May 6-17, the nation was immersed in the world of AP testing. However, let's shift our focus to the Lakeview’s and explore their individual journeys. 

   AP exams require grading scales and a curriculum that is way more extreme than your average exam. The pressure of expectations can make students suffer in their confidence when preparing for the exam. 

   Undoubtedly, every student taking an AP test is bound to feel nervous. But do they genuinely believe in the adequacy of their skills to earn credit for this test? 

   Even after doing exceptionally well in their AP classes, their test scorer is not the teacher they know and love when it comes to the exam. 

   AP Lang & Composition and AP US History student Noah Loizos, ‘25, who has consistently performed well in his classes, said, “Going into the test, I felt like I was going to get a -6.”

   While most students fit the stereotype of feeling unprepared, some feel they can make it through the test without a problem. 

   “I felt pretty confident going into the test, and afterward, I felt like they were easier than I thought they would be,” said Cole Donaldson, ‘24, AP Gov, Bio, and Calc student. 

   The whole point of an AP class is to prepare students for the test that gives them college credit. So, feeling confident in your performance would hypothetically happen after practically studying all year. 

   “The test had hard and easy parts, but I felt I wasn't prepared for some,” said AP Lang student Amber Samual, ‘25. 

   All tests come with a little shock once you take them, but using preexisting knowledge and trying your absolute best is what makes you succeed. Having self-confidence in yourself is not just a bonus, it's a key to success. Lakeview students, with their hard work and dedication, can do it!

        As the school year comes to an end, so does the career of a teacher loved by all. Susan Culver will be retiring at the end of the 2024 school year, and many are crushed.

   Culver started off as a substitute teacher when her children were in school, but she has been teaching at Lakeview for 25 years.

   “Lakeview was my first full-time teaching job,” said Culver.

   After 28 years of teaching, the beloved teacher has a beautiful retirement plan set in place the second she takes off! Culver plans to travel, spend time with family, and volunteer to help the community.

   “I want to help with homeless dinners, addiction recovery,  and the women’s shelter,” Culver explained.

   Students at Lakeview, even those who haven’t had Culver as their teacher, are devastated to hear the news of her retirement and will miss her dearly.

   “It’s sad to know that future students won’t have Ms. Culver to brighten their day,” said Senior Lauren Walker.

   Many students appreciate Culver and all that she has taught them. They’ve said that she is an excellent math teacher that has distinguished her own style of teaching over the years.

   “I’m happy to have had her as a teacher,” said Junior Connor Kubiak.

   Although Culver is choosing to retire, this decision makes her equally—if not more—sad as the staff and students. 

   Teaching has provided Culver with many great memories and opportunities that she will forever cherish. 

    “Truly, I couldn’t have had a better job. I’ll miss my students and teacher friends that I’ve made,” Culver stated.

   While she loves her job, Culver makes note that there are more important things in life than working. She wants to take time fufill what she believes is her life’s purpose.

   “You have to make sure in life that you help others and spend time with the ones you love,” said Culver.

  Coming in hot! On April 16th, 2024, Starbucks unveiled its new version of refreshers, now with a spicy kick.

   Indulge in the new spicy lineup, featuring a dragon fruit refresher, pineapple refresher, strawberry açai refresher, and a zesty, spicy cream cold foam. There’s something for every spice lover!

   What makes this drink so uniquely spicy? It's the Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend. But the real question is… what does it taste like? Let your taste buds explore a new sensation, but maybe a not-so-good one. 

   “It tastes like I swallowed a spoonful of tajin,” said Meglan Pinder, 25’.

   Pinder was not the only one with negative feelings about this drink. 

   “It was fine in the beginning, but the aftertaste was so nasty,” said Lucy Maison, 26’.

   While the majority found this drink to be not very enjoyable, there were those who discovered a new flavor they loved. It's clear that this new sensation caters to specific taste buds, and your opinion could be part of this diverse mix. 

   As a fellow Starbucks enthusiast, I couldn't resist trying this intriguing new drink. However, adding spice seemed a little intimidating. My favorite drink is a strawberry açai refresher, and I was too intrigued to not try its new addition.

   As Maison said, the initial taste was pretty good, but when the spice got to the back of my throat, it was not pleasant anymore. The spice was way too much at once. 

   While Starbucks had an innovative idea when making these drinks, a better combination of sweet and spicy was needed. The spice was extremely overpowering.

   Price also plays a significant factor in my decision. Just a tall of each spicy refresher at Starbucks is $5.25. I do not find that worth it!

   It's safe to say it's a unique experience. If you're a fan of spicy drinks or mocktails, this drink is a must-try, but I would not suggest it if you're a bland gal like me. 

   Go find out if the drink is tasty for yourself!

   As spring flies by, the weather is getting warmer and schools are coming to an end. The Cold Cow workers must prepare for the craziest time of the year, summer.

   The employees must train those who are new to the job and ensure they are all ready for the rush hours and night shifts they are about to experience for a couple of months. Though it does not seem that stressful to some, it happens to be very stressful for the employees.

   “I mostly focus on mentally preparing myself because it’s like the same thing all year round, but it just gets so much busier,” said Lucy Maison ‘26, “It’s very overwhelming. Especially during night shifts, they’re super busy and you don’t necessarily have time to take a break and relax since there are so many customers.”

   Since the weather has been so nice, they’ve been having more and more customers, helping them prepare for those stressful times and get used to it. 

   “I usually start to show up to my shifts early and I just make sure everything is in tact and ready for the night,” stated Sophia Stanton ‘25, “If I’m working the night shift, I feel the need to make sure everything and everyone is ready for the night.”

   Due to the busyness, there are constantly full lines both at the front and the drive-thru, causing more stress for the employees.

   “I absolutely think it’s stressful. It gets so busy and we have a whole line at the front and a whole line through the drive-thru,” spoke Stanton, “ I think it makes it more stressful because there’s two different lines, and sometimes people have to jump from window to window. It’s a very high-intensity environment.”

   With the new season rising, they hired new employees, bringing in new people to help them out through such a stressful time.

   “I’m training this weekend to prepare for this job,” states Lexi Dayble ‘26, “I feel ready even though I’ve never worked with ice cream before, but I think I’ll be fine after having my training. I am a bit nervous to start working but I’m excited.”

   Although being a new employee can be scary for newcomers, it is a great way for Cold Cow to feel more prepared for such a busy season. It will increase the amount of people making the ice cream and take orders which will decrease the wait time for customers.

   Jennifer Findlay’s African American Literature class recently embarked on an enlightening journey to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The trip wasn't just about visiting a museum; it was a voyage through time, where literature and history intertwine to paint a vivid picture of the African American experience. 

   The “And Still We Rise" exhibit took you through ancient Africa, the tragedy of The Middle Passage, The Underground Railroad, Paradise Valley, The Civil Rights Movement, and so much more. They were also greeted by a plethora of artifacts, each whispering stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph.

   “The trip was very eye-opening,” Senior Lauren Walker said, “seeing the actual artifacts made me realize how much my ancestors went through. We had just a read book called Stamped and a lot of the stuff that was said in the book we saw during the exhibit,” 

   Stamped, a book by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi, shined a light on the many insidious ideas of racism throughout history. Many students were able to connect the authors’ ideas through the exhibit. 

   “I found that there were a lot of connections between the exhibit and what we read in class. It’s one thing to read a book that a lot of students found engaging but it’s another to be completely immersed in the artifacts and the realm of history,” Findlay said.

  As the students boarded the bus, the field trip had not only enriched their understanding of African American literature but had also ignited a passion for learning and a desire to continue exploring the rich heritage of African American culture. 

   The Lakeview staff gets a treat delivered straight to their classroom door every Friday thanks to the Fuel Your Friday program.

   Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing instructor Shannon Verhelle helped the children start a program that teaches  leadership, organization, and common business skills. 

    “The kids get to learn many skills while in this program,” said Verhelle.

   Fuel Your Friday raises money for the deaf and hard-of-hearing organization at Lakeview High School. The money goes toward furniture, classroom devices, and other things that the kids may need. 

   “Since starting, some students have gained more independence,” Verhelle noted.

    Senior Katie Collins is one of the students who takes the lead on Fuel Your Friday. She counts the money that they’ve earned from teachers throughout the week.

   “This is awesome and one of my favorite parts of school,” said Collins.

   Recently, they have started a takeout system where teachers can come in throughout all hours of the day and purchase items straight from the classroom. This includes sodas, chips, candies, and more.

   “We didn't think it would be this big; teachers seem to love it!” Verhelle exclaimed.

    According to Verhelle, they’ve made a great profit this year and have yet to spend any of the money. 

    Going forward, the Fuel Your Friday program may advance and be presented to a larger audience. Verhelle and her students hope to expand their shop to the Wheat Building and to the students of Lakeview.

   On April 19-21, the Lakeview Husky Guild had three successful performances of Matilda. Each day the play was performed to a full audience in the Robert H. Shaublin auditorium. In all, more than 2,000 tickets were sold. 

   The lead of the play, 4th grader Anne Sheinke, did a wonderful job preparing and carried out her role as Matilda very professionally. Being that she is only in 4th grade, she left a lasting impression on many of the audience members. 

   “I thought that Anne was just spectacular, and she was just too cute,” said Sarah McDade, a Lakeview parent who attended the show. 

   Each of the performers from all age groups did their best to have consistent performances each night. For many who attended the play, it was interesting to see the culmination of different age groups who came together to put on the performance. 

   There were some issues with sound throughout each performance of the play, but each night the staff worked to address the issues that arose. Due to the known issue with sound in the auditorium, on the first night of the performance the first seven rows of seats were blocked off. This was done in an attempt to be sure that everyone would be able to hear clearly.  

   Many members of the play's leadership team performed in plays themselves throughout their education, so being a part of this production held a special place in their hearts. 

   “Knowing that we provided our students with an opportunity to form meaningful connections and find a place of acceptance as they created something beautiful together made all the hours of preparation worth it,” said Madison Cooper, a member of the play’s leadership team. 

   Students who took part in the play got the opportunity to work with people of all age groups. 

   “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends I would never have known otherwise,” explained high school cast member Heidi Schienke, ‘26. 

   Lakeview has a multitude of clubs for many different audiences. From the Green Club which promotes green life preservation and sustainability, the Auto Club for those who either already have or would like to learn a lot about cars, or the Book Club for those who would love to share a love of reading with others, there are many options available. One popular option is the Diversity Club, where students can expand their knowledge about various cultures and grow their appreciation for cultural diversity. 

   The Diversity Club meets once a month to discuss the various ethnicities and races in the world. The club members also get to partake in field trips to multiple places to learn more about culture, such as the DIA and the MISD. As well as that, the Diversity Club also presents its work around the school. The bulletin board that presents many different races and ethnicities, for example, is a shining example of what the Diversity Club stands for.

   The Diversity Club is quite appealing, giving students the opportunity to learn more about various cultures.

   Junior Kimora Blakely said, “We have a lot of different people with different backgrounds that you can learn about.”  

   Junior Noah Loizos provided a great example as to why he joined and why others should consider.  “I joined diversity because I think diversity is one of the most important things in a society, you can't have a functioning one without proper understanding of everybody’s individual cultures.”

   Comparable to Loizos, Junior Aaliyah Register said, “I like seeing different stuff–like, when we go on a field trip, we go to museums and stuff. I get to see different artwork and cultures.” Register continues with an activity she liked, “I remember this one activity, it was with our names and the background of our names and why our parents named us that and the culture behind it, I thought that was pretty cool.” 

   Tanner Anastas is a senior at Lakeview High School, and you cannot miss him when he pulls into the parking lot. Anastas’s vehicle of choice is a 2014 Nissan Cube in Bali Blue. His Cube is one of the most unique cars in the Lakeview community, and it is well known by many of his peers. 

   “Tanner has a very noticeable car, whenever you see him on the road there's no questioning whether or not it’s him,” said Isabella Tiseo, ‘25.  

   Anastas bought his used car in Ypsilanti, Michigan on May 13th, 2023. He was 17 when he obtained it, but he had been dreaming of owning this vehicle since he was 13 years old. He has selected the name “Cubert” for his dreamy cube car. 

   Although the car may seem small when compared to other standard-sized cars, no one should be fooled by the small appearance of the outside. The inside of the cube is actually quite spacious, and that is one of Anastas’s favorite features. 

   “There is a surprising amount of space in Tanner’s car, we can fit all of our friends in there without being squished,” said one of Anastas’s friends, Max Szawronski, ‘24. 

   There are 10 cup holders including one that is placed right next to the steering wheel, which is optimal so that Anastas may enjoy his beverage of choice while driving around the Shores. 

   Anastas has put the cube through quite a lot within his first year of owning it. 

   “I’ve hit one car, one massive curb, two people, been pulled over once, and been pushed around by my friend's truck in it,” explained Anastas. 

   Due to these incidents, Anastas’s cube does have some body damage, and that is something he would like to fix in the future. Anastas has already made some adjustments to his car by changing the car's rims to 5 spokes.

   When people hear the term “ghost kitchen”, they think there is an actual ghost in some kitchen, but that is far from the real definition of it. For people who order food through delivery services like doordash, they are able to pick from lots of options but some of these places don’t even have a restaurant.

   It's not a scam, and these companies do exist, but what people don’t know is that some of these restaurants work through what are called ghost kitchens. 

   Ghost kitchens are kitchens that allow multiple menus of different brands to be made and sold to the public at the same time and any restaurant's kitchen can be used as a ghost kitchen if they agree to it. The Company that owns the kitchen and hires the employees lets another company use their kitchen in exchange for a percentage of the sales they receive from the food.

   It is a win-win for everyone involved: as the owners get more money from letting another company’s food be made, the company using it as a ghost kitchen does not have to deal with the wages of the workers of the maintenance of the kitchen itself and still make a nice profit.

   Restaurants like TGI Fridays, Wingstop, and others are shifting over to using ghost kitchens and seeing if they can reap the benefits. The menu of these restaurants will stay the same with the same ingredients with the restaurant with the menu supplying the ingredients.

 Most people don’t know that ghost kitchens exist and were just thinking that when they order their food online that the company has their own place for making the food.

    Evangeline Salvatore, ‘24 said, “I used to use doordash a lot and I never knew that ghost kitchens existed. It just never came to mind that something like that would be a thing.”

   Ghost kitchens started in the 90s and for the most part has been a resounding success but there have been some problems in the past. People have complained about terrible consistency in quality over time with some people saying that even the ingredients have changed from day to day but these have not been problems with many places.

   With doordash and other delivery services having a big impact on today’s world, ghost kitchens will become more and more popular. The future might lay in ghost kitchens but there is still a lot of work to be done if this will be a lasting thing in the restaurant industry.

   Waterwars has been a Lakeview tradition for an extremely long time, but the logistics of this game change from year to year. 

   Water Wars involves seniors and sometimes juniors on separate teams, typically 5-8 people. Each week, you battle against one specific team, and you have to squirt your opponent with a water gun and get video proof of an elimination to make it count. Students keep their locations on Snapchat to find their next opponents. 

   Last week, applications for teens were opened, and most were made, but applications close on April 15th. Around 120 kids have already applied, but there was some debate over whether juniors could participate; juniors eagerly wanted to, but some seniors had other opinions. 

   “Every other school in the area does water wars, and it is usually a senior-only game—that's kind of the whole point of it, but Lakeview has included Juniors every other year,” said Water Wars organizer Dominic Pasella, ‘24. 

   In previous years, seniors felt like juniors had dominated the game, which was supposed to be a last hoorah for seniors. But since so many wanted to join, Dom felt like having a limited number of juniors on each team would be a nice compromise. 

   “I’m pumped to play in the game this year and have a good time with my senior buds before they are gone,” said Ryan Moise, ‘25. 

   If dealing with the participant issue wasn't hard enough, water wars also needed some new safety rules. 

   In previous years of the game, problems with cops and safety among students were an issue while eliminating players. A new list of guidelines and rules is now on the Lakeview Water Wars page on Instagram. These rules would include limitations like no eliminations at school or houses to prevent these types of problems from happening again. 

   “I tried my best to make water wars run the smoothest and safest this year to stop issues from happening like before,” said Pasella. 

   Water wars are an exciting and fun experience for Lakeview students, even with inconveniences. “This is my first and last year playing, and I think it's going to be really fun,” said Maria Decker, ‘24. 

So many students want to participate in this year's game and keep Lakeview's tradition alive. Water wars will continue to grow in greatness with each year!

    On Feb. 23, the LHS student council set out to Grand Rapids, MI where they were to spend the entire weekend learning about leadership skills, listening to speeches presented by students from other schools, and following the instruction of representatives from the Michigan Association of Student Councils (MASC).

   The conference is held each year with the intent of allowing a wide expanse of students from all over Michigan to collaborate with one another in a unified environment centered around the growth of knowledge on the topic of leadership. 

   The experience that students acquire and retain in relation to the field of leadership during their stay in Grand Rapids reflects the information they will learn and apply in the LHS student council when they get back from their trip.

   Chloe Atkins, ‘24 said, “ The goal is that we learn about things we can apply to our own school. There are keynote speakers who talk about what leadership is and how they learned to apply it. There’s also little seminars held by other schools that talk about how they raised money for themselves.”

   Each individual student has a role to play at states. They are to pay attention attentively to the seminars, speeches, and activities so they may relay this information to those in positions of authority at Lakeview. 

Maddie Geib, ‘25 said, “I was able to get new ideas that we can possibly implement into Lakeview in the coming year! A huge goal for us students was to get out of our shells and learn ways that we can become better leaders!”

      While states is a mainly educational function, the students are involved in different recreational activities that allow them to meet new people without the expectation of only talking about leadership topics and their student council. 

         Lucy Maison,‘26 said, “My favorite part was definitely the student celebration! It was so much fun. Everyone was into the music and dressed in a theme!”

   It’s Friday night, students are rushing out of the Lakeview gym after watching the LHS boys basketball defeat yet another opposing team. These students are drained from cheering for their friends, and they are hungry. What’s the easiest way to satisfy that hunger: fast food. Luckily, there is a wide variety of fast food restaurants in St. Clair Shores. Because if these kids don’t get some grub into their stomachs, there will be a major disturbance in the Shores.

   The closest fast food restaurants, with good options, are Taco Bell and McDonalds. While Taco Bell is popular because it is only one mile away from LHS, McDonalds is a worthy contender despite its 2.7 mile distance from LHS. 

   What’s so special about these restaurants? Both of them have different savory foods and sweet drinks for all people to enjoy. The biggest problem students face is deciding what craving they should give into. Will it be the crunchy chicken nuggets, crispy fries, and spicy sprite offered at McDonalds? Or will it be the sugary baja blast and crisp tacos from Taco Bell?

   Lakeview Senior Ava Prasnjak argues that McDonald's is undoubtedly the better choice  between the two fast food chains.

   “McDonald’s is obviously superior,” Prasnjak stated,” they have fries and adopt me Happy Meal toys.”

   However, her claims are challenged by LHS Senior Camara Knighton, who believes that Taco Bell is way better than Mcdonalds.

   “Taco Bell gives us the variety Mcdonalds can’t,” Knighton stated, “I don’t see Mcdonalds dropping new items like the bell does.”

   The battle between the LHS students who prefer Taco Bell and the ones who prefer Mickey D’s is one that may rage on for a long time. At least there are no students going hungry.

   Throughout summer of 2023 and the entire first half of the school year, construction has been going on in the courtyard. Most days of the week, there are construction workers from the Barton Malow construction company in the courtyard from the time school starts to the time it ends. 

   In the classrooms that surround the courtyard, the noise is sometimes distracting during lessons and class discussions. The noise coming from the various vehicles and tools that are needed can be quite loud. 

   “Sometimes it is hard to focus on what the teacher is saying when I hear the construction,” said Dominic Pasella, ‘24. 

   For teachers whose classrooms are located right on the edge of the courtyard, construction during the day is not ideal. Many have reported that they can feel their classrooms vibrating due to the machinery that is being used. 

   “There were days that I left work with a migraine because of it,” said art teacher, Sharada Sharp. 

   These changes to the courtyard have also affected the amount of light that is getting let into these classrooms because the new building obstructs the sunlight. Having less natural light in the classrooms causes these rooms to feel more gloomy.

   “I think that having more natural light makes people happier throughout the day, and when you take that away the classes just feel sad,” explained Chloe Atkins ‘24. 

   Students have even noted being able to hear the construction workers talking and playing their music. 

   “When I’m in Mr. Donoghue’s room, I can hear them playing music, usually it’s country,” said Maria Decker ‘24. 

   Although the chaos in the courtyard has been distracting to some students, others have enjoyed seeing the process. Over the course of the past couple weeks, the new building has started to take shape. 

   “A couple weeks ago when I looked out the window there was nothing noticeably different, but when I looked out the window the other day I saw the beginnings of a building,” stated Isabella Tieso ‘25. 

   The goal of the construction is to add much needed classrooms to Lakeview, and although the construction is not ideal, the outcome will be worth it. Several teachers are in need of bigger classrooms that will comfortably accommodate all of their students. 

   2023 Lakeview graduate Stewart Delange recently made the USA Deaflympic Ice Hockey team. The Deaflympics is organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf and provides an opportunity for deaf athletes to compete on an international level.

   During his time at Lakeview, he played for the unified hockey team that has members from Lakeview and Lakeshore High Schools. 

   “I didn’t play hockey with him, but when you watch him, you would never expect him to have a hearing deficiency. He never let it stop him from being a great player,” said Brennen Lenk, ‘25, who also plays for the Lakers.

   The Lakers played a game on February 12th, and Delange was honored by local city politicians for his achievements. 

   “They gave him a plaque to commemorate his honor, because hockey is a tradition in St. Clair Shores,” said sports enthusiast Dominic Pasella, ‘24. 

   Funding for athletes is provided by the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association through private donations and support from the USA Hockey Foundation. Players are required to fundraise a portion of their expenses. Delange was given a check from state senator Kevin Hertel and mayor Kip Walby.

   “They gave him a check for $500 to help him with his funding,” Pasella said. 

   The Deaflympics takes place in different locations throughout the world every four years. This year it is in Buffalo, New York. 

   Open try-outs are held the summer before games begin. Delange tried out for the team in August and was selected to be a part of the team. 

   Irv Tiahnybik started this program for his son, who is hard of hearing. He wanted to create a safe space for people with hearing deficiencies to learn without the pressure of learning from people who do not understand their struggles. 

   “I’m excited to play and am looking forward to it! I'm a little nervous!” Delange said. 

   Spongebob Squarepants, an award-winning animated television series created by marine biology educator Stephen Hillenburg in 1999, follows the life of the title character—a yellow sea sponge living in a submerged pineapple on the floor of the Pacific Ocean—and his sea creature-filled town.

   Throughout the early 2000s, the series became a multimedia franchise and Nickelodeon’s highest-rated, longest-running show. Over a decade later, it had produced over $13 billion in merchandising revenue.

   Despite the series’s success and availability, some critical parents continue to prohibit their children’s exposure to the show and claim that Spongebob Squarepants threatens learning ability due to its “unsuitable content”.

   A 2011 study from the research journal Pediatrics suggests that young children who watch  “fast-paced programs” displaying unrealistic storylines may risk “overstimulation” and slow the development of executive function skills, such as attention or memory. 

   While this study remains inconclusive due to its small sample group, a Nickelodeon spokesman responded to the survey, stating that Spongebob Squarepants is “intended for children ages 6 to 11.”

  Unlike these results, I grew up watching unrealistic, “fast-paced” kid’s cartoons—Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Test, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and, of course, Spongebob Squarepants. My parents rarely monitored the quality of the media I consumed, let alone considered its “educational value.” 

   Whether or not avoiding these shows would have changed my learning habits will remain uncertain. However, for me and many others, Spongebob Squarepants has continued to be a staple in my life, with numerous episodes still vivid in my memory. 

   The lessons conveyed throughout the series have directly translated into my real-life childhood experiences despite their “impracticability.” For instance, Spongebob Squarepants teaches children the significance of friendship through Spongebob’s amusing bonds with characters Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, as well as the weight of imagination (Season 3, Episode 4: The Idiot Box).

   As society advances and normalizes technology usage, many parents rely on television or the Internet to entertain their children. It is important to note that moderation is key when it comes to any television show, especially for developing minds.  

   While each parent is entitled to their own values and beliefs when it comes to raising their children, it is crucial to remember that these shows themselves, like Spongebob Squarepants, are not the enemy.

   English teacher Nicholas Gwozdz was first acquainted with rock climbing during a backpacking trip to Utah. There, he observed other climbers and quickly became captivated by the sport. What started as a brief interest, eventually became an exciting hobby. This fascination drove him to conduct online research. 

   Around a year later, a friend of his decided to open a now-popular climbing gym located in Detroit, known as DYNO Detroit Climbing. “I felt like the universe was talking to me,” Gwozdz stated, “so I started climbing at the gym when it opened.”

   Gwozdz participates in two styles of climbing: bouldering and lead climbing, both inside and outside the gym.

   Bouldering, a popular form of free climbing, is normally performed on 10 to 20 ft rocks/walls without the use of ropes. This style of climbing involves specific routes, known as “problems,” that are typically shorter and require around 5 to 15 moves. 

   Lead climbing, on the other hand, consists of more challenging routes—measured in pitches commonly between 60 to 100 ft. While lead climbing, Participants must rely on a partner to belay them by rope as the climber, or leader, clips into the rock.

    “Due to the longer lengths and more things that can go wrong, climbing lead requires more stamina and ability to overcome fears,” Gwozdz stated.

   Gwozdz has since become an active part of climber communities that share outdoor climbing locations. He and his girlfriend now base their vacations around ideal climbing spots, having recently climbed at Joshua Tree National Park during Christmas break. However, the list is extensive, including places such as Red Rock Canyon, Red River Gorge, locations in British Columbia, and more. 

   His latest goal is to conquer multi-pitch routes that can go for thousands of feet before summer.

   Rock climbing often is compared to “playing chess with your body,” meaning it is a full-length exercise that involves the brain. Although climbing can be a physically demanding activity, the mental challenge of problem-solving is what sets it apart from other sports. “Figuring out how to solve a boulder problem requires thinking about your body, weight distribution, and other variables in a way that is mentally stimulating,” Gwozdz added

   While rock climbing can be a dangerous sport, most find that it can be more beneficial than a traditional workout. Because it requires much of your focus, it can also be meditative. 

   Peyton Miskelly is a really good student and volleyball player at Lakeview,  but she had a small traumatic experience during her childhood.

   When Peyton was 5 years old, she was sitting on her couch in her living room on an early Saturday morning. Her and her twin sister, Jordan Miskelly, were messing around in their living room while their parents had still been asleep.

   Peyton noticed a cute butterfly flying around outside of the window, so she leaned into the window to try and get a better look. When she leaned into the window, she pushed on the window screen. It then broke making her fall out of the window onto the rocks waiting for her right outside of the window.

   “Now that I look back at it, it’s kinda funny that I fell all because of a butterfly,” said Peyton.

   After Peyton fell out of the window, Jordan had no idea what to do. She ran into their parents bedroom and yelled, “Pey fell window!”

   Jordan doesn’t remember this incident.

    “I don’t even remember anything besides yelling at my parents to try and tell them Peyton fell out of the window.”

   Their parents didn’t understand at first what Jordan was trying to tell them, but once they finally understood they rushed out of their bedroom and ran outside to see Peyton laying there, outside of the window, on the rocks.

   Peyton was then brought back inside the house to get cleaned up from the fall. While she was getting cleaned up, her parents noticed a big cut in her head due to her fall.

   Peyton busted open her head all because of a cute butterfly she wanted to see closer up.

   Peyton was rushed to the hospital, where she then received 20 staples in her head. She didn’t have any other injuries from the fall other than her busted head.

   When they got back from the hospital her parents took extreme precautions. They went out to the store to get screen protectors for the windows and they made sure to keep the windows permanently locked so this accident would never happen again.

   Valentine's Day is for spending time with your significant other, which is typically spent at an average dinner. But what are the student couples of Lakeview doing to spice things up?

   Since there are not a lot of activities in Saint Clair Shores to partake in, couples have to think outside of the box to find something enjoyable to do. 

   “Usually, it is really hard to think of things to do around here because the city is quiet,” exclaimed Abigail McDade, ‘25. 

   Some Lakeview students have been taking inspiration from TikTok trends to implement more festive activities into their social lives. As a result, lots of inspiration has gone into Valentine's Day gifts and plans. 

   After seeing a TikTok, Sophia Stanton, ‘25 described her date as,” putting lots of blankets in my girlfriends trunk, making it cute, eating snacks, exchanging gifts, and just being together.”

   Even something as simple as making a fort in a trunk can help change the scenery and make things a little more exciting for teen couples. Not to mention, it's completely affordable. 

   Sometimes, it's okay to spend some time inside; not everything has to be a big planned event. The most important thing is that you've shared valuable time with your person.

   Maria Dietz, ‘25 is one of many Lakeview students who like to stay home and enjoy the company of their significant other, detailing their Valentine's plans as, “We were debating whether to spend the day playing games or going out to eat. But in the end, we decided to bake cute heart-shaped cookies.” 

   Some may want to enjoy the beauty of nature with the beauty of their partner. This could call for a hike, trip, zoo, etc. Lux Cieslinski, 25’ said, “The aquarium is the place to be on Valentine's Day.” 

   Seeing new and different things with your person can only make the heart grow fonder.

   While the options for Valentine's activities are limited for Lakeview’s couples, they are still thinking of fun ways to spend their time. Put your imagination to the test and make memories with your loved ones!

   Earlier this school year, Lakeview High School sadly lost one of their beloved history teachers, Mr. Paul Goike. Through the months of November to late December, Goike was replaced by a temporary substitute teacher, Mr. Conklin.

   A couple weeks before break, Jason Machalak was introduced as the new history teacher. Machalak worked at Clintondale High School as their U.S. History teacher. He was also a coach for their baseball team. 

   “It was a difficult change to learn everyone’s names. Whether it was the students’ or staff’s names, it was a bit difficult. It was tough to get used to the procedures but overall it has been a great experience,” said Machalak. 

   Moving away from your old work place can be a very difficult change, and sometimes even very inconvenient. 

   “The change was not that convenient since I had been teaching at Clintondale for eighteen years. I was comfortable there and knew everyone. It was a bit uncomfortable changing here at first, but I can feel myself getting more and more comfortable everyday,” stated Machalak.

   “I really liked him. He was very nice and a really good teacher,” said Addy Franz, ‘25, “I really liked how laidback and easy his teaching style was. It was easy to learn things and I never had any problems with it. He’s really different from Mr. Goike, his teaching style is completely different from Goike’s. It was the same topic so you got the same lesson out of it.”

   “I think he brings a lot of experience, a good attitude, he’s committed and interested,” said U.S. History teacher, Nicole Rakozy, “I think he makes a tremendous addition to the department, he’s perfect for the role.”

   “I’m getting excited about getting to know the student body better and the teachers better. Being able to become more involved with the community,” said Machalak, “I really like my classes, the students are phenomenal and I feel very lucky to be here.”

   “I think the school culture is a lot better here than at my old school. The students are a lot more focused on their academics. I’m able to teach a lot better and more efficiently than my last job.” stated Machalak.

   Machalak is very passionate about his job. He loves to teach the students about something that he himself is passionate about.

   Four years ago on January 6th, 2020, senior Neva Aredyan was admitted to St. John’s ER after experiencing double vision in her first hour advanced English class. The rest of the day she and her mother eagerly waited for results after multiple tests were taken. The doctors finally came in to tell her family the terrible news- she had a brain tumor due to a p53 mutation.

   The news gave a scare to all those close to Neva. Her best friend Emily Dreffs, ‘25 heard the news after coming home from soccer practice.

   Dreffs commented, “Her mom texted mine about the situation. The whole drive home my mom was silent, and I was like ‘what is going on?’ We got home, and they said ‘we need to talk with you.’ I thought someone died. They were telling me about it, and of course, I started crying. I went to my room and didn’t come out for the rest of the night.”

   On Jan. 10, just four days after being diagnosed, Dr. Sood successfully removed the brain tumor after ten hours. Traumatic situations like this can put the brain into a recovery mode where the person will stay asleep until the brain has healed enough of itself to wake up. Aredyan was asleep for over two full days and stayed a month in the hospital for recovery.

   Aredyan stated, “I was depressed before, but I’m more depressed now. I can barely attend school, and I had to quit figure skating. I had to get seven more brain surgeries and regular MRIs.”

   “People say ‘you're so brave and you're so courageous.’ But I didn't have a choice. It was either have surgery or die. I didn’t have any other option. Now what gets me through it is that I'm too fabulous to die,” added Aredyan.

   Dreffs said. “I saw her every two or three days that she was there. I would visit her all the time. I, of course, only did it to the best of my ability with school, soccer, and cross country. I became closer with her through it.”

   Aredyan’s family along with Dreffs’ annually celebrate her tumor-veresary, which is to celebrate the removal of the brain tumor and to celebrate Neva not having another tumor. Although they usually just go out to see a movie and to eat at a fancy restaurant, it doesn’t make it any less of a celebration.

   Aredyan replied, “Usually, my parents get me a present. Two years I’ve had cakes shaped like a brain. But every year I just cry because it's happy and sad. Happy I’m okay, sad that it happened.”

   With all that happened, Aredyan is fighting to make sure no one else has to experience the pain and suffering she went through.

   “I’m a huge advocate that in yearly check ups people should get brain scans because this could have been prevented. If they would have caught my tumor before it grew, I wouldn’t have a shunt or seven more brain surgeries. I always tell people if you have consistent headaches, get a head scan. You have to tell your doctors ‘I want one. I need one.’”

   The LHS 2024-2027 graduating classes all have access to individual Snapchat stories indicated for their own class where they can publicly post anything they want. These stories allow for the communication between current students of Lakeview High School to expand and include anyone that joins the story groups. Anyone that has Snapchat downloaded on their mobile device and attends LHS can be a part of these stories and post on them.

   The goal of these stories is to help connect people in the school and increase school spirit. These school stories aren’t limited to the LHS community. Other schools such as Lakeshore High School and L'anse Creuse High School also have them for their own students. Snapchat created this new feature so that more students could be linked together and receive news about their school’s campus in a modern way.

   LHS Senior Claire Wyckoff stated, “I like looking at the stories because I’m able to see what stuff went on in school that I wasn’t aware about!”

      What really makes these stories stand out is that anyone from LHS can be a part of them. If any student of Lakeview was wondering when the next school assembly would be, all they have to do is post a quick snap onto their graduating classes story and wait for someone to slide up with an answer!

   For the students of LHS, these stories have become pretty popular among the different classes. They are a new way for students to connect with the people around them who they may have never even talked to before.

   LHS teacher Anthony Savalle said, “Without knowing much about how Snapchat works, I think the stories have the potential to bring the community together.” 

   For the 23-24 school year, Lakeview public schools decided to get K9s within the schools. Milo started late October 2023 after our first dog Gator left. Milo was hired in the job of searching for firearms and explosives within the school. 

   The district and building leadership teams decided to get the dogs. With Michigan releasing a grant for school safety, the grant allowed Lakeview to contract them. 

   “Milo has been a value asset to LHS. Not only does he conduct the task he was hired to do, but he also acts as a support dog for many students,” stated Principal Scott Kapla. 

  While Milo does what he is hired to do, he also acts as a great support system for the students and staff when he is not searching for what he is trained to detect. During passing time and during classes, Milo is in the halls walking around. 

   Dawn, Milo’s Handler said, “My favorite part working with him would be going to all the different schools within the Lakeview Public Schools and interacting with the students and staff and seeing how much joy he brings to people, and he's just a really good temperament, fun dog.”

  While we see Milo inside of school all the time, what does Milo do outside of school?

Milo stays with Dawn after school hours. Milo is a big sleeper at home getting his downtime outside of school. At school all he does is work so he has high energy and is alert. He also likes to play with the other dogs in his home.

   Milo has helped many people in school feel safe and calm. Not many people were happy about dogs coming in the school, but since Milo came, He is much more accepted. 

  During Milo’s first semester in the Lakeview district, he has been a good boy and done exactly what he needed to do. 

   Most of the students at Lakeview High School know and love Physical Education Teacher Julie Humphries. She is a popular teacher who is always busy and on the go. 

   Many students first meet Humphries in their freshman year during PE class, which is one of her courses. Some students know her from the "Independent Family Living" class, which is meant for upperclassmen to prepare them for life after graduation. 

   Very few students even know her from the overlooked class of PE Dance Explorations, even though this is one of her favorite classes to teach. 

   Since Humphries does not have a designated classroom, she usually runs around in the halls like other students during passing time. 

   "I'm usually in about four different classrooms a day," said Humphries. 

   Many students enjoy having Humphries as a teacher because of her enthusiastic and positive energy. 

   "Mrs. Humphries has always been one of my favorite teachers because she always has a positive attitude," said senior Lillian Goulette. 

   To stay energetic, Humphries sometimes goes outside for a walk or just to get some fresh air to keep herself motivated and on her feet. 

   This semester, Humphries only has a 45-minute prep hour, but she still manages to get a lot of work done in this short amount of time. 

   "Typically during my prep, I grade papers, print out assignments, create teams for my gym classes, update my attendance, etc," Humphries explained. 

   Although she teaches many students and classes throughout the day, Humphries does not have a favorite. Her students make her day and inspire her to keep up the good work!

   As it’s the most wonderful time of the year, many individuals are becoming increasingly concerned with the lack of snow on the forecast and its possible risk to global warming. What many are unaware of is the vital influence of seasonal snow and the likelihood of winter changing as we know it.

   Snowfall is globally declining due to an increase of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere—which is contributing to climate change. As the planet heats, snow will be dominated by rain, resulting in a short and warmer winter.

   According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, because snow cover’s reflectability helps regulate Earth’s surface temperature, the absence of it can cause the ground to absorb about four to six times more of the sun's heat and energy.

   Snow can also have crucial effects on global food supplies, water supplies, and infrastructure design; therefore, it can have a great impact on dependent organisms. However, less snowfall does not directly contribute to national water availability. It depends on other factors, such as geographical location, and the amount of water contained in snow.

  A white Christmas—meteorologically characterized by having at least one inch of snow on the ground by 7 am—is seen as the classical Christmas weather aesthetic that sets the tone for the winter holidays. Fortunately this year, Christmas in Metro Detroit is predicted to be rainy and relatively warm. Some conclude this factor depends on what is called an El Niño year, a year in which warm water accumulates along the eastern Pacific equator and allows humid air to rise and generate rainstorms; this effect was last observed in 2018-2019 and is estimated to take place this year.

    Without snow, senior Chloe Atkins is unable to enjoy skiing. “I’m really sad that there’s no snow; it hurts my soul,” Atkins begins. Without snow, ski resorts use artificial snow to produce the same effect. “It’s not authentic or the same.” On the other hand, junior Stella McMurtrie rightfully enjoys the snowless season. “Snow is cold and makes me uncomfortable. I also dislike driving in it.”

   From my perspective, snow is a necessary nuisance. Winter is a cold, dead season, and snow tends to exacerbate this fact. Nevertheless, the thought of discontinued snow due to human-related climate change concerns me greatly.

   The Student Council’s Executive Board implements stricter guidelines and volunteering and meeting attendance requirements.

   In a bid to enhance the student involvement and foster a more engaged school community, Lakeview’s Student Council has implemented stricter guidelines regarding volunteering and meeting attendance. This move aims to encourage students to contribute while developing essential skills such as leadership and teamwork skills.

“Before Covid we used to be pretty strict about attendance… Now that we’re in the end-demic we’re trying to get back to Student Council being a responsibility and a privilege,” said Student Council advisor, Stephanie Givinsky.

   This year's E-Board consists of only Juniors. The Juniors on E-Board are Addison Franz, Alizabeth Loisel, Madison Geib, Lux Cieslinski, and Kailee Smith. 

   “Because we are being so strict on attendance, this encourages people to show up to the meetings and become more involved. Especially when it comes to things such as States and other events we do,” said E-Board member, Madison Geib.

   There are over a hundred people in the Student Council this year. The recurring question is ‘who genuinely loves participating and who is using it solely for the title?’ Many people take advantage of student council during their Junior and Senior year so they are able to wear the purple cord during graduation and put it on their college applications. 

   “I’m glad people are joining, but we care about you actually helping us with things like growing leaders and homecoming, rather than just showing up to the meetings,” said Addison Franz, Vice-President of E-Board.

   Jamie Donoghue, Lakeview art teacher, has always had a liking for legos. He liked it so much that he decided to build a lego city in his own home. His daughters and son helped him build, putting their own lego collections into the city.

   “I don’t think it was one thing that made me like lego’s over the years,” said Donoghue, “It just kind of built up over the years. It’s like you get excited but it’s also nostalgic; you get to play like a little kid again.”

   “It’s not only that you’re building things, but there is also a creative aspect to it,” stated Donoghue. As an art teacher, Donoghue finds the art in everything, seeing it from a creative aspect unlike most people.

   Junior Rachel Isbey said, “Mr.Donoghue was actually doing legos in class today. It’s funny how much he likes legos.” 

   “Mr.Donoghue shows the class pictures of his legos; it’s actually really cool. It’s quite impressive what he does.” said Leland Ozee ‘25.

   “I’m very fast at building,” exclaimed Donoghue, “I think if I could find someone to keep up with me and be my partner, I could be on Lego Masters.”

   For those who don’t know, Lego Masters is a show where contestants must build lego structures and compete against other master builders for a cash prize. 

   “I’ve spent probably over hundreds of hours on building legos," said Donoghue, “I have a 4,000 piece set at home; that set itself is going to take maybe 40 hours to build. That set is amongst a whole bunch of sets that are also that size.”

   “I think it’s really cool to see what Mr.Donoghue has built so far. It’s quite funny but it’s nice to see him doing something outside of school. I really like seeing his progress,” stated Isbey.

   “My wife hates it,” stated Donoghue, “she’s very supportive, like she lets me display my lego throughout the house and spend the money on lego sets, but I think she’s slowly starting to regret allowing me to do it.”

   “My kids love it, especially Ben. They all help me and contribute their own sets. Evie is into lego friends. Maggie is into lego Star Wars. Ben is into all the constructional stuff.” said Donoghue.

   Kristine Hill has been a teacher here at Lakeview for fifteen years. Hill teaches Earth Science,Chemistry, and runs The Green Club. 

   She is passionate about the earth and tries to push for more green systems throughout Lakeview High School, such as paper recycling which we often use and empty weekly. More recently, Green Club has been pushing for plastic recycling. 

   “I originally became vegan for my health but continued for the environment,” Hill explained. She continued, “Being vegan isn’t hard for me at all. I enjoy cooking so much more than I have in the past, I have discovered many more delicious foods.” 

   Hill and her husband are vegan, but her adult children aren’t. However, they are very supportive of the vegan community and enjoy many vegan foods regularly. 

       Hill commented, “The reason I stayed vegan is because I have a passion for the Earth, other humans, and animals.” 

   Hill runs a weekly green club meeting where they discuss ways to improve recycling throughout Lakeview, making the courtyard clean and accessible, as well as other activities to improve the school. Years ago, Green Club put garbage cans for plastic in many hallways, but many people put trash in them so they were removed.

   Hill is still faithful to future movements of the Green Club. 

   She commented, “I would love to see us find ways to reduce waste, especially plastic water bottles.” 

  Many people in the Green Club have voiced their opinions on how people freely waste plastic, more specifically plastic water bottles. 

   Hill hasn't only been making improvements to the environment, she has been making improvements to herself. She previously mentioned that she became vegan for health reasons but she kept the stride going. 

“I have seen many improvements in my day-to-day environment, I am also extremely grateful and lucky to be as healthy as I am today.” 

   Sophomore Mya Zani also commented, “I want people to stop wasting plastic water bottles, I think green awareness is important. I would like to see Lakeview evolve.”  

   Mirella Mascarenhas joined Lakeview in August and unknowingly became Lakeview’s First female foreign exchange student. 

   Mascarenhas lived in Brazil before coming to the United States. She explained that doing a foreign exchange year in the US was something that she always wanted to do.

   “I wanted to do an exchange because ever since I was a little kid, I always loved all the American movies and I wanted to live like them. I also want to go to college here, so being here for high school is perfect for helping me reach that goal,” said Mascarenhas.

   In August, Mascarenhas joined the volleyball team at Lakeview. She played with the JVA team for the rest of the season. 

   While playing with JVA, she met Sophomore Ava Garofalo. Garofalo said that Mascarenhas was a very nice person who just wanted to learn more about life in the US.

   “I met Mirella when she first joined my volleyball team. She was a very sweet person to talk to. She was very fun to talk to and I enjoyed when she talked about her life back home because it was really interesting,” said Garofalo.

   Back in Brazil, Mascarenhas described her life as so much more tense because of school, but better because of her friends.

   “I would say my life was a little more tense before coming here because of the pressure I faced from school. But I also had more friends, got to spend more time with my family, and got to hang out with my best friends all the time,” Mascarenhas stated.

 Mascarenhas said that the adjustment from her life in Brazil and her life in America was really hard. She said that it was hard to make friends and she really had to push herself outside of her comfort zone in order to do that. 

   Despite this, Mascarenhas said that she is finally beginning to feel like home in the US and is super excited to have new experiences here! 

   During the 2023-2024 High School year, Teacher Cadet Externs are celebrating the upcoming holidays in their classrooms at elementary schools they travel to.

   One of the Externs, Jacqueline Goulette ‘24, has helped her kindergarten students make gifts for their parents. The children made ornaments with their names and snowmen and gift bags with reindeer on them.

   “I helped the children in my class finger paint snowmen on ornaments, and I wrote their name,” said Goulette.

   Another present that was made for the parents was little gingerbread cookie ornaments and the Teacher Cadet Extern Arianna Birchall, ‘24 helped with that.

  Two weeks leading up to Winter break, the staff is going to have a spirit week and the children are going to have the following week to dress up. For the week leading up to Christmas break, the elementary schools are celebrating with spirit days and class parties. 

“Some spirit weekdays are elf day, red day, and grinch day,” stated Birchall.

  Goulette has helped create a festive spirit this holiday season in her classroom by reading the children books regarding the current holidays. She has also had the opportunity to help lead activities.

   “I have put some holiday books on Storyline Online for the children and they absolutely loved it,” stated Goulette.

   Birchall really enjoys this holiday season because she and her teacher are able to dress up and the students really love to see them dressed up.

   “I am really glad to dress up and it helps get the children into the holiday spirit if they aren’t already,” stated Birchall.

   Goulette and Birchall are both having a lot of fun in their classrooms this season because it reminds them of when they were younger and celebrating the holidays at school.​​

  As we enter the height of the holiday season, many people are listening to Christmas music to get into the holiday spirit. 

   There are many classics to listen to and spread holiday cheer, but one album, in particular, has had many people hooked for the past 12 years. Justin Bieber's Christmas album, "Under The Mistletoe," is 37 minutes long and contains 11 songs, all following the theme of Christmas.

   This album has numerous features, including Usher, Boyz II Men, Busta Rhymes, The Band Perry, and Mariah Carey. With such a variety of collaborations, the album caters to various audiences. 

   Surprisingly, the album has more of an R&B vibe to it, which is unexpected because Justin Bieber was known for his popular pop music at the time. Many people who typically aren't fans of Bieber, and some who have never given this album a listen, seem to favor this piece due to its unique R&B sound.

    Sophomore Layna Daniels was skeptical at first, saying, "I'm really not a fan of Christmas music or Justin Bieber." 

   However, after listening to the album, she ended up loving it! "This isn't a cliche holiday song at all, and I will definitely listen to it on Christmas," she stated. 

    When surveyed, most people said they didn't even know about this album. The majority only knew the song "Mistletoe" due to its popularity. 

   Sophomore Isabella Hollis was never a huge fan of Justin Bieber during his prime. However, after listening to a few songs, she got pretty into it! 

   "The song 'Christmas Eve' is really good! I think it's my favorite next to 'Drummer Boy,'" said Hollis.

   All of the Beliebers seem to love this album; in fact, it's one of their favorite pieces he's released.

    "This album is wonderful! All of these songs are great for getting you in the mood for the holidays," said Senior Ava Pinter. 

   She even made note of 'Fa La La' and how the collaboration was completely unexpected, with the group Boyz II Men, especially with Justin only being 17 at the time of this album's release.

   Overall, the girls and I were all in agreement that "Silent Night" was our least favorite song on the album due to its extremely slow tempo.

    Next time you're looking for something to put you in the holiday spirit, give Justin Bieber's Christmas album a listen.

   15-year-old LHS student, Rayna Porter, lived in Shanghai, China from 2013-2018 because her father was offered a job opportunity there. Originally, her family was only supposed to be there for 3 years, but her father’s work was extended and she spent her early years growing up in a foreign country. This means her education was provided in a different format than it would’ve been in the U.S.

   “I went to an international private school that included kids from all over the world. School was a little different there. We didn’t learn things like history or science; instead, we were taught English, math, and lots of life lessons,” Rayna stated.

   Rayna had an exciting social life in Shanghai. She made loads of friends in school and played with other kids who lived in the same apartment complex as her. Outside of school, an all boys basketball team accepted her into their ranks and she played ball the entire time she lived there.

   Despite the language barrier she faced in Shanghai, Rayna didn’t have much trouble communicating with people because she had a Mandarin class in school. On the other hand, she was often stared at because of her bright blonde hair since it was not a common thing to see there.

   Before she knew it, Rayna was moving back to the U.S and was introduced to the public education system. She entered into the 5th grade, and transitioning was tough for her.

   “That was a hard year because I had to adapt and some teacher’s didn’t understand,” Rayna stated.

   Now, she excels in school and has been able to make an extensive amount of friends. She actively participates in events at school and hoops for the JV girls basketball team.

Cecilia Decker, one of Rayna’s friends, said, “Rayna is super nice and makes me laugh a lot.”

   Certainly, Rayna’s experiences in Shanghai, China have helped shape her into the lovable, young lady she is today. The various people she grew up with and different living styles she was surrounded by broadened her view on the world.

   “I got to see many different cultures and I grew to find a new respect for life,” Rayna said.

   In the summer of 2022, junior Liam Griffith discovered his innate ability to train wild yard squirrels. It started as the standard feeding routine; he brought the squirrels tree nuts, and the group grew. Around a couple weeks later, Griffith and the squirrels' relationship blossomed into an unexpected bond.

   Griffith, an overworked student, looking to find a new pastime during the summer, began feeding a group of about 4 squirrels every morning at 7am. At around 2pm, Griffith and the squirrels would sit in the shade of his awning and eat tree nuts. Eventually, the group of 4 became around 7 and they fought with each other over the food Griffith provided. 

   Since Griffith has always lived without privacy—growing up in an overcrowded household and being forced to share a room—he chose to spend most of his schedule outside or at work as a getaway. “Whenever I had free time, I would sit on the porch and feed the squirrels peanuts, cashews, and almonds. I thought about taking them in.” Griffith stated. 

   In order to effectively train a wild squirrel, the handler must condition the squirrel to associate their scent with “feeding time” by putting different foods (such as fruits or nuts) out everyday. Eventually, the squirrel will begin to establish trust.

   After extensive weeks of training, a particular black squirrel - he named Hank - trusted Griffith enough to perch himself in his hand and eat the provided peanuts. Hank was special in the sense that even if Griffith did not have food, he would continue to approach him and attempt to mount his leg. 

   This continued throughout the summer and a portion of the fall until Griffith realized they were all on borrowed time. He began to barely see the squirrels; in the cooler seasons, squirrels spend less time foraging outside their nests/dens.

   Today, Griffith assumes his squirrel-family has passed as he has not been approached by any of the group nearly two years later. Some believe animals approach those who transmit “higher energy levels,” and being approached by wildlife should be considered an honor.

   In the midst of the multi-holiday season, there has been considerable controversy around Christmas music being played before the festive season. Many Christmas jingle-enjoyers are being accused of prematurely rushing the season despite public outcry.

   To me, an avid holiday enthusiast, there is no timetable for Christmas celebrations. I enjoy listening to Christmas music year-round, and believe the interval between Halloween and Christmas is meant to be a combined season. I also appreciate food chains releasing their holiday menu before Thanksgiving. 

   The merchandising phenomenon known as Christmas Creep refers to the gradual lengthening of Christmastide done by retailers to maximize seasonal profits. Some radio stations decide to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving in order to begin the season early. Although the general consensus around Christmas songs is that they are only acceptable to play after Thanksgiving, some consumers and companies argue against this.

   Many people refer to the end of the year as “the holiday season,” incorporating all holidays from late November to early January into its own category and excluding Halloween. Instead of seeing these festivities as something separate, I argue that the idea of back-to-back fall/winter holidays is to express community and generosity throughout the end of the year.

   Junior Tiffany Niemann remains neutral. “I feel like people can listen to Christmas music whenever they want, but if it is played publicly by an establishment, they should wait.” Niemann stated.

   Because most popular Christmas songs, like “Last Christmas” by WHAM! can typically be categorized as pop music, it should not matter how early (or late) these songs are played. Refusing to listen to Christmas music before the Christmas season is inherently disrespecting the holidays.   

   Stephanie Givinsky and Nicole McKay have held the position of student council advisors for the past several years at Lakeview High School. However, at the end of the LHS 2022-2023 school year, they decided to resign from their positions. After informing LHS Principal Scott Kapla  and members of the student council, they stepped down from their pedestals and passed the torch on to whoever was willing to take up the job, or so they thought. As the 2023-2024 school year approached, both teacher’s realized no one had volunteered to take on their past roles. 

   Being a student council advisor is no easy feat. They are responsible for organizing all of the events the student council hosts. This includes, charity weeks, homecoming, blood drives, spirit weeks, pep rallies, and wellness weeks. Realistically, those are only half of the duties the advisors are in charge of undertaking.

   “We are also responsible for keeping records of which students attend which events, helping get volunteers registered for district events, managing all of the finances, supervising and mentoring EBoard, and taking our students to multiple conferences and trainings throughout the year,” Givinsky stated.  

   While it is amazing for the school to experience all of the events provided by the student council, Givinsky and McKay can be overloaded with work. This is due to the fact that they aren’t only advisors, but teachers as well. They have to deal with all of their general teaching responsibilities on a daily basis along with their council responsibilities. Furthermore, they have their own personal problems to deal with outside of school.

   “It makes every day a little crazy and frazzled, but also very rewarding,” Givinsky voiced.

   Despite their original plans to resign, Givinsky and McKay dutifully filled the roles of student council advisors for another year. Many members of the council are grateful they get to experience another year with their favorite mentors. Lakeview has certainly reaped the benefits that come with the extended assistance of these veteran advisors. Nevertheless, the position for student council advisors may be open to change in the future. 

   Hand Foot and mouth disease is rapidly spreading around Michigan schools and daycare centers.

   Hand Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) is a common children’s virus that causes sores in the mouth and a rash on hands and feet. The disease is spread from person to person through direct contact by discharge from an infected person’s nose, throat, or fluid from blisters.

   HFMD most frequently occurs in children 10 and under. However, there has been a recent rising volume of HFMD in more teenagers and adults. 

   “I think it is a terrifying disease and I hope that if it were to spread, the school would be able to do something to help prevent it from spreading even more,” said Amber Samuel ‘25. 

   Because this virus is slowly spreading throughout some schools in Michigan, some are wondering what would happen if it were to get out of hand. 

   “When it comes to any illness we take clear direction from the Macomb County Health Department and the state health department,” said Scott Kapla, Principal of Lakeview High School.

   Some students at schools like Lakeview High School, Warren Woods Tower High School, and Fraser High School have been affected by this disease.

   HFMD is a prevalent viral infection. Unfortunately, if left untreated, HFMD has the possibility of turning into something much worse. It can lead to Encephalitis, a serious condition that causes brain inflammation. In some cases, this infection can even be life-threatening.

   If you are looking for resources for any illness, one of the best places to look is the Macomb County Health Department’s website.

 Jehovah’s Witnesses are a religion dedicated to Jehovah, their god. They do their best to imitate Jesus and regularly preach the teachings of the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for not celebrating any holidays. This confuses many due to the abundant love of holidays in America. 

   Willow Allen, a baptized Jehovah’s Witness, said, ”I don’t celebrate the holidays because so many of them have origins that include idol worship, the appeasing of evil spirits, or misinterpretations of parts of the Bible. I try to follow the Bible standards of what is right. Even smaller holidays would compromise my political neutrality (ie. Veterans Day). I think that it is important that I understand where each holiday comes from, so I can truly have my reasons for not partaking in something that would go against my faith.”

   Thousands of schools celebrate the holidays and birthdays when they are around the corner. This causes unnecessary problems for the Jehovah’s Witnesses that attend those schools.

   Junior Madison Woolman replied, “When they do holiday-themed worksheets it makes me feel guilty. My teachers will say it's just decoration and ignore it. They also do santa word searches or watch a Christmas movie. At those times, I just don't participate and ask for a different worksheet because it's too much pertaining to that holiday.”

   Schools nowadays have thousands of children in them. Not all of those children celebrate the same holidays or worship the same gods. When schools devote their time to celebrating holidays that the majority celebrates, the minority feel left out and abandoned.

   Woolman commented, “When I first came to Greenwood, it was someone's birthday. They kicked me out of the classroom, and I just sat in the hallway. I still heard them singing and laughing; I felt so left out.” 

   Woolman continued, “If teachers are going to do holiday-themed work, they should have two assignments- one with the holiday stuff and one that just has a winter, fall, or summer theme. That would make things a lot easier.” 

   Jehovah’s Witnesses try their best to maintain their faith during this holiday season. The world is submerged in holiday spirit which makes living as a witness a struggle.

   Allen, who works at a preschool, stated, “For kids, holidays are a huge deal. Because so many of the activities change to be holiday based and I am there to assist the teacher, there are times when this stuff becomes a part of my job and refusing to take part could bring my work ethic into question.”