On Feb. 10, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill that will ban the use of cell phones and other personal technology in schools for the 2026-2027 school year, in the hopes of improving mental health and prioritizing academics.

   Many people have accepted the fact that cell phones are a distraction in schools. Lakeview has rules in place to limit the distraction that cell phones create, which is what this new law will do.

   This bill will ban the use of  cell phones during class time, statewide. This is a common statewide law, Michigan was the 35th state to implement this policy. The bill does make exceptions for medical devices and cases of emergencies.

   According to this bill, the ban will take place from kindergarten to 12th grade. Students will still be able to have their phones at school, but not during class time, to prevent distractions in class, and hopefully improve grades.

   Assistant Principal Michelle Anderson said, “We really hope our students will do the right thing … and I’m hoping that they understand the ‘why’ behind this, and that the culture of learning takes precedent over the culture of Instagram followers.”

   This new cell phone law will mostly affect schools that do not already have laws in place, so Lakeview’s cell phone policy will not face a drastic change. But even students can recognize the fact that cell phones pose a great distraction.

   “I think cell phones are very tempting, so when there’s a cell phone in front of you, you're more likely to be focused on the phone rather than the schoolwork,” said sophomore Abbey Garant.

   This bill will not only prevent the use of cell phones in class, but other devices as well. The law is not specific about what devices this bill includes, but new cell phone policies statewide will be most strictly enforced.

   Health teacher Carrie Yurenka said, “Although our school has had a policy for a long time, it is nice that the state’s on board now.”

   On November 5th, 2025, Mary Sheffield achieved a remarkable victory, becoming the first woman elected as mayor of Detroit, receiving an impressive 77% of the votes. 

   Born and raised in Detroit on the west side, Sheffield holds a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Wayne State University. 

   Sheffield entered politics because she believes the government should help people where they live. This includes helping them find a place to live within their community. This belief has guided her work and is an important part of her plans as mayor.

   A member of the Democratic Party, she has served on the Detroit City Council since 2014 and has been its president since 2022. 

   The election results have left many citizens of Detroit ecstatic at the results.

   “So proud to be able to witness history with Mary Sheffield as mayor,” said Detroit resident Ashley Nicole, “it’s a beautiful moment.”

   Most favor Sheffield’s policies coming to Detroit. Sheffield supports the focus of lowering property taxes for residents, offsetting potential revenue losses from tax reductions, and penalizing, or imposing higher taxes on, blighted properties to discourage holding vacant land. She’s focused on housing and community development, aiming to create a city where all Detroit residents can succeed.

   Sheffield has expressed her great commitment to the citizens of Detroit. 

   “My commitment, Detroit, is to build on the foundation that has been laid, working with Mayor Duggan and our council,” said Sheffield,” by expanding opportunities, strengthening our neighborhoods, and making sure that Detroit’s progress reaches every block and every family of this city.” 

   Duggan endorsed her, calling Sheffield “the most qualified person, the best prepared to be the next mayor.”

   Sheffield also references Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, stating, “every man and woman, every boy and girl was born into this world to do something unique and distinctive.”

   Sheffield has impressed and made her family and supporters proud. She made history in Detroit.

  The Detroit Cookie Company, located on 10 mile and Harper Ave. in St Clair Shores, has been a cookie establishment since 2014 and opened in the city during 2022. 

   They are known for their specialty cookies like the 8 Mile Mix, which is a mix of milk chocolate M&M’s, and their B-Special, which contains cinnamon flavors and crushed Oreo bits.  

    Detroit Cookie Company has been talked about wildly around the town, and some say that the shop is the most underrated among cookie places.

   All of the cookies were ranked in categories of taste, what makes them worth the price, and how sweet they are. Sophomore Vivienne Isbey explains how tasty their cookies are and she even gives a recommendation of her favorite flavor. 

   “I love soft cookies and those are the cookies that they sell. I’m not the biggest fan of other cookies that are soft because they are sometimes underbaked, but theirs are baked so perfectly. The price is definitely worth it as they have unique and different flavors;  they are a cheaper place than some other cookie places. You also have to have a sweet tooth if you want these cookies - a flavor like smores, which is my personal favorite - I recommend getting that,” said Isbey, ‘27. 

   Others explain as well that the cookies are better than other places that are more popular and get more recognition. Rachel Isbey claims her love for the cookies and just how expressful the cookies are. 

   “Their cookies are also cheaper than some of the other spots which is a reason why I like them so much,  and they have a ton of amazing flavors. Although some of the cookies aren’t my complete favorite, I do enjoy all of the flavors and they taste super great for the price. They overall just taste better than Crumbl Cookies in my opinion,” said Isbey, ‘25. 

   The texture of the cookies are in a state to the point where they are just right. They are not too thin, and they also aren’t super thick but they have a base consistency. Student Kirra Poirier explains how she enjoys the texture and soft middle of the cookies. 

   “I really enjoy how the cookie isn’t too much, like it isn’t just a big blob of sugar and flour thrown into the oven and called a cookie. I love how soft the middle is, and how the second you bite into it it has such a good amount of sweetness and it doesn’t crumble instantly. My personal favorite is the Double Chocolate Coffee Toffee, the coffee flavor is so prominent,” stated Poirier, ‘27. 

   To place an exact review of this cookie establishment can’t be placed into one statement or sentence, but you can see that this place has the hearts and taste buds of the people of Lakeview.

  Michigan civic groups are discussing upcoming voting law updates and legislative actions expected for 2025. Promote the Vote, a nonpartisan organization aiming for advancing Michigan residents’ voting rights, hosted a press conference on Wednesday, March 26 to discuss the future of voting in Michigan. 

   In the future of policy changes, members of the Promote to Vote focused on the reform that has been passed by the state legislature and signed into the law already. One of the upcoming law election changes is a firearm ban at polling election sites. Melanie Macey, Promote the Vote’s policy and government affair director, stated election law taking effect this year aims to enhance voter registration, ballot return passes. election security, and administrative procedures. 

   “Voters who have May elections will already have greater peace of mind at the polls with the firearm restrictions,” said Macey. “And starting in July, individuals without a Michigan driver's license or state ID will be able to register online using the last four digits of their social security number, making voter registration more accessible.”  

Science Teacher Stephanie Givinsky explains the importance of this law coming into place and what’s so important about it. 

   “I think this is good because as somebody who struggles with time, I get busy and I forget about deadlines. This is a really great law,” stated Givinsky.

     Starting after March 20th, there will be automatic voting registration for residents of Michigan. This can result in a lot of residents’ mixed opinions on the importance of voting.   Also that will be starting in June, automatic voter registration will be extended out to states, federal, or tribal agencies that collect information needed to vote, modifying the process. Michigan will become the first state to start the law, and as well as automatic registration, election offices will also be able to print more ballots when necessary after April 2nd, and ballot printing systems are now only allowed for early voting. 

   “Voting is an important subject, so if this gets more people to exercise their vote then I am for it. I think it’s important that everyone has a chance to vote, and make sure there’s enough ballots at each location,” said Givinsky.

   Paula Bowman, co-president of the League of Women voters of Michigan, argued that one of the most significant election laws that will change for the year is voter recounts. Bowman also states the importance of the change for election administrators and Michigan taxpayers.  “Now, election officials will no longer be required to waste their time on frivolous recounts and we, the taxpayers, won't be required to pay for them,” stated Bowman. 

   In summary, these new upcoming election laws set some ground rules for voting and take into account better voting in the future for Michigan. These laws help create a more effective, private and secure environment for the voters of Michiganders.

During the Prohibition era between 1920-1933, the Detroit area played a major role in smuggling alcohol into the United States.

   Because of southeast Michigan’s proximity to Canada, along with its access to the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, “rumrunners,” were able to easily transport liquor across the border by boat.

   The transportation of liquor from Canada to Michigan made Detroit a national hub for illegal alcohol distribution.

   With its prime waterfront location, Blossom Heath Inn became a convenient landing point for rumrunners to visit.

   Law enforcement records and oral history suggests that the inn was used by bootleggers as both a storage and distribution site for alcohol. The private docks provided a discreet access point where illegal liquor could be offloaded and later distributed to various destinations.

   Blossom Heath also operated as a speakeasy, where patrons were able to enjoy alcohol and gamble in hidden rooms and other private areas. The second level had roulette tables and other gambling paraphernalia where people could gather to engage in drinking and other activities.

   St. Clair Shores resident William Nearon is fond of learning about the city’s history. While coordinating events at Blossom Heath, he took time to explore the historical markers and signs displayed at the inn.

   “You can still see the peephole over the entrance door where the guy with the shotgun would sit and watch everyone that would come into the building during gambling hours,” Nearon stated after touring the building. 

   Members of the local organized crime group Detroit’s Purple Gang are believed to have used the inn as part of their broader smuggling operations. Local accounts suggest that these groups helped the flow of alcohol throughout the region.

   Other gangs and wealthy Detroit/Grosse Pointe families are also rumored to have been involved in the bootlegging business during the Prohibition Era.  Their large houses and private docks were also used to store and distribute liquor beyond the Detroit area.

   After Prohibition ended in 1933, Blossom Heath transitioned into a legitimate entertainment and dining venue, retaining its historic charm and status as a landmark in St. Clair Shores.

   Although Lakeview doesn’t include Blossom Heath’s history in its curriculum, some students, such as Alaina Lamilza, ‘26, do believe it should be taught.

   “I think history classes at Lakeview and even surrounding schools should teach about Blossom Heath. It’s our town and we should learn about its roots,” she stated.

Detroit Institute of Arts Museum is one of the biggest museum institutions in the United States that collects and exhibits invaluable artworks from around the world. With more than 65,000 artworks, over 600,000 people visit the museum annually.

   A lot of visitors of DIA are students from the school. Among 600,000 annual visitors, 50,000 people are students. One reason for its popularity for students is that DIA provides an adequate environment for the field trip.

   “It is a fairly easy field trip because DIA usually provides transportation, and there’s no admission charge,” said English 4 teacher Madison Cooper.

   On March 5, 2025, the students of English 4 class in Lakeview High School visited DIA as a field trip. They were reading a novel ‘Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit’ by Colby Cedar. The story follows the experiences of an American-born daughter of immigrants living in Detroit during the 1930s.

   In the center of the museum, Diego Rivera’s monumental artwork, Detroit Industry Murals, surrounds the grand marble court. And one of the poems in the book specifically describes it.

   “I chose the DIA for the field trip because it is the background of the novel that we read,” said Cooper.

   “Through comparing excerpts from the novel to the actual painting itself, students could make some connections and look at different perspectives to communicate with the artist,” she added.

   The painting mainly represents the process and structure of a manufacturing company in Detroit, which played the main role of producing automobiles over the years.

   “What I liked about the Detroit Industry Murals was that it has a lot of details and symbols,” said Trevor Peters, ‘26.

   With 140 years of history, the museum contains 100 galleries of art. The collections are generally encyclopedic and extensive, including ancient Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Mesopotamian, and Egyptian material, as well as a wide range of Islamic, African and Asian art. A lot of painting, sculpture, furniture and decorative arts from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century give valuable insights into American history.

   The artworks in DIA clearly provide students different perspectives and knowledge that are not typically common in their daily experiences.

   “I learned how different cultures work and how they connect with each other sometimes,” said Peters.

   “I could learn from artworks how artists tried to express themselves in their artworks,” Garrett Lefevre, ‘26 said.

   “I expect students to make their own opinions about what makes good art and learn why we have certain cultural artifacts that we preserve,” said Cooper.

   Aside from exhibition, DIA is also progressing various kinds of programs, including guide tour, drawing, concert, and student showcase. The programs are generally easy to apply and participate by visiting the website.

   “The DIA strives to be the town square of our community, a gathering place for everybody and create experiences that help each visitor find personal meaning with the art,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, the director of DIA.

When the Detroit TIgers clinched their AL Wild Card spot on Sept. 27, Detroit Tigers fans had already started to celebrate. 

   “At the very beginning of the season I thought they were going to be good this year, or better. But by August I was all on board,” Jamie Donoghue, an art teacher of Lakeview, said enthusiastically, “I put five dollars on the Tigers to win the World Series at the beginning of August when they started winning.”

   While some expected this season for the Tigers, others didn’t.

   “Did not expect it to happen. I thought they were done.” Michael Binge voiced his opinion on what was expected from the Detroit Tigers. 

   In game two of the TIgers versus Astros series Hunter Brown, a former Lakeview student and graduate, pitched for the Houston Astros. While he pitched nine strikeouts, it wasn’t enough to get past the Detroit Tigers. 

   Since the Tigers haven’t won the World Series since 1984, the fans have high expectations after they swept the Astros in the 3 game series.

   While there were many assets of the team who helped them make the playoff spot, there are a few people of the Detroit Tigers that are expected to make more of  an impact.

   “AJ Hinch, he’s hitting all the right buttons and he’s thinking outside the box … and I think he will be the guy who gets us there.” Donoghue said.

   “It’s so hard to pin it on one guy, I think moving forward Someone like Spencer Torkelson,  if he heats up…I think that will be really important to help the offense generate some runs.” Binge expressed.    

   The Tigers versus Astros viewership averaged 3.19 million viewers. Which is an increase of 44 percent from last season. 

   “I’ve watched every playoff game,” said Binge.  The Detroit Tigers have come a very long way since August, and they are continuing to use the players they have to make an impact.

   The restaurant Eastside Bagel is the only one of its kind in St. Clair Shores. Located off of Harper Avenue, the store brings in a plentiful amount of customers on the daily due to its unique set of goods provided to the public. 

   Eastside was established in 1994 as a family owned business and has been serving high quality food ever since. The friendly service topped with the yumminess of their food has allowed for a steady stream of residents to continuously roll in.

   The selection of bagels customers have to choose from is extensive. Plain, onion, raisin, everything, parmesan, blueberry, and feta bagels are just a few of the choices available. Of course, you can add cream cheese onto any of those as well.

   While they primarily serve bagels, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Deli sandwiches, salads, mac-n-cheese, and chicken tenders are some of the other favorite items purchased at Eastside. And don’t forget all of the beverages and smoothies offered!

   People of all ages are drawn towards Eastside’s smell of fresh bagels, but the demographic of young consumers is certainly present there. The food is tasty, cheap, and readily available which is more worthwhile than other restaurants.

   LHS Senior Chase VanAssche said, “If you’re getting a bagel, you have to get the cinnamon one. And obviously you have to get the orange juice on the side.”

   Lakeview students not only buy food from Eastside, but they also work there. Senior Ava Prasnjak has been working at Eastside for almost an entire year. She’s adamant about how positive of an environment the restaurant is.

   Prasnjak stated, “I love working at Eastside because it’s fun and I get to eat lots of delicious bagels. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a good meal, no matter what time of day it is.”

   Halloween is right around the corner and if you’re anything like me, you’re ready to get into the Halloween spirit. To help with that, here are some of the best haunted houses in the Metro-Detroit area to get you ready for the season. Some may be more scary than others, and some may have higher pieces, but that will all be included below. 

#1: Azra Haunted House Chamber of Horrors

   Azra Haunted House is located in Madison Heights, so not too far, and it seems to be worth it. General admission is around $30, with available fast-pass upgrades. Separate chambers bring different terrors to life. Lines move fast, and they have a DJ which makes the lines move even faster. Lakeview alum Grace Wisniewski said, “I love Azra, it was so much fun when I went. The actors were so good and I can’t wait to go back.” 

#2: Erebus

   Erebus is well known to be one of the scariest haunted houses in the area, and its reputation precedes itself. Located in Pontiac, the four-story haunted house is one of the longest walk-through haunted houses in the world, and also one of the scariest, at around $30 per ticket. You must sign a waiver to be allowed to enter the haunted house. And for a fun little treat, if you’re one of the first 200 people to arrive each night, you get a free T-shirt!!

#3: Eloise Asylum

   Eloise Asylum is in Westland, and it is one of the most haunted places in America. You have to sign a waiver to enter this one as well.  They do tours, investigations, haunted houses, and escape rooms. Tickets start at $45, but again, can be upgraded with more perks. Senior Talia Sokolitz said, “I loved it, the whole place was so cool and would totally recommend it to anyone who’s interested.” 

#4: Scarefest Scream Park

   Scarefest Scream Park is in Lenox, and is one of the best parks in the area. They include attractions such as a hayride, haunted house, forest walk, and a terror maze, all of which vary levels of scariness. Single attractions are $15, and you can buy a package to go to all four. They also have many concessions and games that keep you busy while you wait. This is definitely one of the best parks in the Metro-Detroit area. Lakeview alum Emily Lingerfelt said, “I love Scarefest so much. All the attractions are really good, and it’s what I look forward to in the Halloween season each year.”

#5: Scream Machine

   The Scream Machine is located in Taylor, and tickets are priced at around $26. They include a haunted house and two escape rooms. There are always small changes to the attractions, so nothing is ever the same if you go twice. The large area it’s on offers a large area for big scares.

   South Lake High School opened a bistro about 11 years ago, allowing culinary art students from South Lake and Lakeview practice and show off their culinary skills to the locals.

   South Lake decided to open this as a way to reach out to the students and help them learn more about working in a  kitchen.

    “It is my steadfast belief that hands-on minds-on learning is the best way to reach most students. Having the opportunity to share my passion for hospitality and food has made this the best job of my life; I am truly blessed with the best students,” said culinary teacher/Chef Darrel Shepard.

   The bistro is open Wednesday through Friday from 11:30am - 2:30 pm. It is located at South Lake as its own location in the highschool.

   The menu for the bistro changes every week. Students and the head chef Darrel Shepard brainstorm and choose what is on the menu for each week. They usually use some of Chef Darrel’s recipes or even some family recipes. Popular items from the menu always come back around and pop back up the menu.

The students prep the food on Mondays and Tuesdays and then serve the food for the rest of the week. 

   St. Clair Shores resident, Janice Nearon, finds the food very good and the price of it reasonable.

    “ Lunch with a dessert is very cheap and it’s been my experience that the lunch is very good,” said Janice. 

   An entree alone is $5.00, soup and desert is $2.50, and a drink is $1.00. If you order a full meal it is $7.00. 

   The bistro can be very beneficial for the students taking the class since it is hands-on and a way to get familiar in the kitchen. It is similar to working in a restaurant. The only difference is that they are doing all of this work for a class.

   “ I think that by taking this class, it will really help me in the future to get a job since I will already have the experience I need,” said culinary student Riley Marrocco ‘23.

   The South Lake Bistro is a great way to help fund the school's culinary program and try new foods made by their students. The bistro helps the students learn how to cook different types of food and expand their kitchen knowledge. 

   A student from Lakeview High School, Arianna Buckman, ‘23 came in second at the Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show on March 11, 2023 and won a cash prize of $250 along with best portfolio.

   Buckman won the award for best portfolio with the help of her Art teacher Keith Rayner and her two mentors in Africa; all of her pieces were inspired by her trip to Africa. She went for a total of 12 days and while she was there she went on many game drives, walking safaris, and she also went into the rural areas of Africa to meet locals.   

   Buckman’s portfolio consisted of pictures she took of animals in Africa which were turned into cyanotypes. A cyanotype photograph can be made in one of two ways: by using a photo negative, or by placing an object on a paper covered in chemicals that will turn blue when exposed to sunlight. Once the cyanotype is done developing, tea or wine can be used to change the tone of the photo.

   “We were looking at two different ways of printing them (photos) up: through the color copier, or making them into negatives and processing them as a cyanotype,” Rayner stated.

   The process took a while for Buckman to sort through all of the photos she took in Africa. She also had to edit them and turn them into cyanotypes. 

   “Took around probably three weeks to sort through the thousands of photos I had and to turn them into cyanotypes,” Buckman expressed.

   Buckman was Rayner’s second student to win the award that she did, so it was an exciting event for both of them.

   What inspired Buckman the most was her trip to Africa. She based specific pieces on moments when she went. For example she went to visit an elephant orphanage in Lusaka, Africa and that inspired her to base a lot of her pieces on elephants. 

  “ My favorite one in my portfolio was these elephants standing around a baby elephant protecting it,” stated Buckman.

   It took Buckman a few days to actually pick out the cyanotypes she wanted to include in the portfolio she was to display at the show. She had to make hard choices on what to include and what not to.

   “The hippo one was very last minute and we didn’t include it until the week before,” Buckman remarked.

   If you ever drive on Harper past 10 Mile, you may have noticed painters working on an older building. Detroit Cookie company is coming to Saint Clair Shores! It is opening on Monday, Dec. 19 and their hours are from 10am to 7pm. 

   Before the cookie company, there was actually another bakery in its place. It was called Harper’s Bakery and was owned by an older couple who decided to retire. 

   “I used to go to Harper’s bakery every week with my grandkids, and I’m sad to see it leave,” stated Werner Schienke, a Saint Clair Shores resident.

     The new business’s owner is named Lauren Roumayan. She went to Wayne State for fashion merchandising but started to be called the “cookie lady,” because she baked so much in college. She decided she wanted to pursue a baking career instead. This is the fourth location her and her team have opened. 

   Ironically, while being called the Detroit Cookie company, there are actually no locations in Detroit. The locations are Ann Arbor, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, and now Saint Clair Shores.

  The menu consists of more than twenty-five different flavors of cookies, from peanut butter volcano to a cap’n crunch cookie. They also serve ice cream, brownies and blondies, and cinnamon rolls on the weekends. 

   Emma Ottinger, a student at the University of Michigan has visited the shop in Ann Arbor because it’s basically on campus. 

   “Getting these cookies is a guilty pleasure of my friends and I. One of my favorite cookies to get is the raspberry oreo cheesecake, I’ve never had a cookie like it,” stated Ottinger. 

   With this new business comes new job opportunities. Students at Lakeview can apply to work if they are over eighteen. 

   “I have applied to work and I hope they respond soon. I think it would be a cool job and there will be a good amount of customers since it’s so new,” stated Mackenzie Stein, ‘23. 

   Definitely plan to make a trip to try these cookies over Christmas break.

   If you’re looking for a new hobby you may want to try pickleball. Pickleball is a mix of badminton and tennis that can be played on indoor or outdoor courts. 

   At Lakeview, pickleball is a unit in the individual sports class. The middle school's gym classes also started to play this year. 

   Salem Herr, a gym teacher at Lakeview who teaches individual sports, stated, “ We included pickleball as a unit about three years ago. From the feedback I get from students,I can tell they enjoy it. It’s a slower game than tennis and less physically demanding.”

   If students really enjoy the unit, they can continue playing in their free time at the Saint Clair Shores civic center or at Spindler park. 

   A student in the individual sports class this semester, Sam Chernisky, ‘23, stated, “Pickleball or tennis are definitely my favorite units so far in individual sports. I would play outside of school with some friends.” 

   The middle school gym classes just started to include pickleball as part of their classes this year. 

   “Mrs.Thibodeau teaches pickle ball and I would say I’ve gotten good at it,” stated Lillian Cornwell, ‘29. 

   Surprisingly, more older people are playing the sport than teenagers. It is a common hobby that adults are now picking up to increase exercise and because they find it fun. There are leagues that you can join where you play different teams in the area. 

   The only downside of pickleball is the equipment can be expensive. Students are lucky they can use the equipment the school already has. 

   Coronavirus and RSV cases are yet again rising, disrupting classes, and overwhelming hospitals in the United States. This new strain of Covid-19 is leading the country into a surge that may end up killing hundreds or maybe even thousands of people.

   Once the weather started to turn cold, hospitals in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are nearly hitting their limit because of these rising cases. In Michigan alone, about 28 percent of hospitalizations and 24 percent of deaths were people who were fully vaccinated individuals. There had been hope that the vaccination would help stop the spread of Covid-19. 

   This rapid increase is concerning many health officials because the holiday traveling will only make this issue worse, especially if you are unvaccinated. There have been some effective treatments that can help reduce the chance of becoming hospitalized. One way to help treat Covid or end up being hospitalized is Monoclonal antibody therapy. This treatment relies on monoclonal antibodies and will help lessen the severity of your illness.  

   The increase in RSV is also a very concerning problem. RSV, also known as respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that causes infections of the lungs and the respiratory tract. RSV is most common in babies, especially those under 6 months of age, because their lungs are much smaller.

   Hospitals are now seeing a significant increase in RSV cases. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, like mask mandates and social distancing, RSV cases dropped in 2020. As restrictions relaxed, the rate of RSV hospitalizations has spiked and is on the rise again.

   The Van Dyke School System in Macomb County had closed last week on Friday, December 9 due to Covid-19, RSV, and the flu. The parents of these schools are happy that they are taking precautions. 

   In an interview on ABC7, one parent said, “It’s so much going on after Covid that right now it would usually be the flu, but now there is so much going on that the whole district had to close.” 

   Lakeview High School has been having a slight rise in Covid-19 cases. If more and more people start to become sick, the Macomb County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services may possibly mandate masks or enforce online learning again. 

   “I do not have a plan in that we follow the direction of the Macomb County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. If they should decide that hospitalizations have increased again, we will follow their procedures and protocols. The Lakeview Board of Education would then take their recommendations into consideration,” said Lakeview’s Principal, Scott Kapla. 

 On Saturday Dec. 3, the Michigan Wolverines (13-0) took the title as the Big Ten Champions for the second consecutive season after beating the Purdue Boilermakers (8-5). 

   Michigan beat them 43-22, which sealed their No. 2 spot in the College Football Playoffs. Prior to their game against the Boilermakers, Michigan had to go against Ohio State and beat them on their own field to reach the Big Ten title game.

   Michigan will now make their way to the playoffs in hope to win the National Championship. Their next game is against TCU on New Year’s eve. The last time that Michigan won the National Championship was in 1997 when they beat the Washington State Cougars. 

   During the first half of the game, it was a very close score with Michigan having 14 points and Purdue 13 points. In the second half, Michigan rebounded by scoring 29 points while Michigan’s defense held Purdue to 9 points in the second half.

   Michigan’s starting running back, Blake Corum, was injured during the first half of the Illinois game. He sustained a left knee injury that requires him to be out for the rest of the season, including playoffs.

   Even though Corum is out for the rest of the season, his back up, Donovan Edwards, has filled in his role very well. During their game against their Big Ten rival Ohio State, Edwards rushed the ball 22 times for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. Against the Boilermakers, he had 25 rushes for 185 yards and a touchdown. 

   Edwards has emerged as a weapon for Michigan’s offense, making sure that losing Corum won’t devastate the team.

“With Blake Corum going down, anybody in that backfield looks really good, so if Michigan can run the ball I think they’re gonna win the game,” said Matthew Stimac, ‘26.

   In addition, JJ Mcarthy has been has been playing very well as of late and had an amazing performance against Ohio State. He went 12/24 for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns against Ohio State. Against the Boilermakers, he went 11/17 for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. 

   Even though his numbers weren’t quite as high in the Big Ten title win, his performance was still important for keeping Purdue alert during the first half of the game.

   Many Michigan fans are confident that they can reach the National Championship game with Edwards in Corums place. 

   “I feel pretty darn confident that the Wolverines can beat any of those other 3 teams,” said teacher Anthony Savalle.

   Gretchen Whitmer is a member of the Democratic Party and was elected as Michigan's governor in the 2019 state election. She ran for reelection in 2022 and won against Republican candidate Tudor Dixon.

   Whitmer has a plan called “Sixty by 30.” Her goal is to increase Michigan’s percent of postsecondary degrees or certificates to 60% by 2030.

   This plan has four main steps to expand education beyond high school. Create a college-going culture, depict multiple postsecondary schooling pathways for smoother transitions, improve college affordability, and support credential completion.

   Momentum towards this goal has been building. Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate has increased from 36 percent in 2010 to about 45 percent in 2019. 

   Nicole Rakozy, history and English teacher at Lakeview High School, believes that Whitmer’s plans will increase success in Michigan.

   “I think anytime you improve access to education it will better the realities, wages, and lives of people. Education is a key for success,” said Rakozy.

   Whitmer is planning for an $18.4 billion education budget to make investments in student learning, mental health support, and to attract people into the teaching profession.

   Public schooling is very important to many people. About 1.5 million students are enrolled in public schools throughout Michigan.

   “I think public schooling is extremely important and impactful. Without the support for public schools, many people will lose access to education. Not all families can afford to pay for private education,” stated junior student, Celeste Armstrong.

   Education needs to be accessible to everyone. It is a very important stepping stone to be able to meet requirements for jobs and opens up many opportunities.

  “It’s a priority. These kids are our future and we definitely need more resources to get them the best education possible,” said Kristine Hill, science teacher at Lakeview High School.

   Since 2006, Scarefest Scream Park has been held in Lenox, MI. People of all ages attend and enjoy the 4 main attractions they provide. It plays a large role for high school students and their idea of Halloween. 

   Scarefest starts in late September through the last weekend of October, open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Many students from high schools all around Metro Detroit attend, despite how far away it is.

   Lux Cieslinki, ‘25, who has gone to Scarefest the past two years said, “I would say anyone who hasn’t gone should definitely go at least once. I’ll probably end up going this year, too.”

   Not everyone enjoys Scarefest, despite the booming success they gain during October. Isabella Tiseo, ‘25, attended in fall of 2021 but didn’t entirely enjoy it. 

   Tiseo said, “I enjoyed the Hayride the most, but I didn’t really do anything else. I didn’t like it as much as people say they do.”

   The main attractions at Scarefest are the Hayride of Doom, Castle of the Dead, Forest of Darkness, and the Terror Maze Zone. These main attractions also include food trucks and different games in the area, like basketball hoops. They also provide haunted camping, nightly bonfires, bands/djs, and a large movie screen. 

   Scarefest has a number of actors that walk around the main area and interact with the consumers. These actors are dressed up with makeup as characters like clowns, zombies, nurses, etc. 

   The elaborate planning and months of preparation that goes into Scarefest is applauded by many. The Scarefest Scream Park instagram includes some of the things they do to prepare the workers and actors, such as makeup and orientation, where they practice their scaring abilities.

   A -attraction ticket it is $15, $25 for a speedpass ticket, and $80 for a VIP wristband, which includes speedpass entrance for every attraction as many times as you want. 

   “It’s definitely a bit overpriced,” said Cieslinski, “but it was worth it. I had a lot of fun with some of my friends.”

   Many would agree that Scarefest has changed the culture of Halloween in Michigan. People of all ages from all around Michigan drive out to Lenox to experience the horror of the amusement park.

    Up until October 2, Cathy’s Homemade Goodies will be selling ice cream tacos every Tuesday to raise money for charity. This promotion was initiated by the Impromptu Rollers Cycling Group, who is fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

   $1 of each sale of the ice cream tacos, which are $5 each, is donated to the group’s fundraiser. Each taco is made from a warm waffle cone shell, a choice of ice cream, and any sundae topping.

   Cathy’s Homemade Goodies owner Catherine Mazey is grateful for the support this fundraiser has brought to her business.

   “I’ve definitely noticed a lot more people have been coming on Tuesday’s to get their tacos. I think it’s a fun idea and I’m happy to raise money for charity,” said Mazey.

   Besides their fundraising aspect, the tacos are delicious and well-liked.

   “I’ve gotten one before. It was actually so good. The waffle cone is homemade and it was still warm, plus all the ice cream at Cathy’s is delicious. I would recommend these to anyone,” said Giuliana Vico, ‘24.

   The Impromptu Rollers Cycling, a group of bicyclers, is a huge fan of the tacos. They plan on riding their bikes to Cathy’s every Tuesday until it closes just so they can buy a mouth-watering taco.

   Greg Tarver, part of the Impromptu Rollers Cycling group, initiated the whole fundraiser.

   “I’ve been coming to Cathy’s for a while, so I know Cathy pretty well at this point. I asked if we could promote my fundraiser at her business, and she kindly said yes. I made a couple of flyers to put up in the windows and I’ve been telling all my family and friends to come. I think it’s so important to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I’m so grateful that Cathy is helping me raise money for my cause,” said Tarver.

   Anyone who wants to join the Impromptu Rollers Cycling group is welcome to ride bikes with them to get an ice cream taco, but all are welcome to come and support the fundraiser, whether they walk, drive, or ride their bike.

   The last week that Cathy’s is open, up until October 2, ice cream tacos will be available any day of the week to purchase.

   Before Cathy’s closes for the season, be sure to stop by and buy a delicious ice cream taco and support Breast Cancer Awareness month any day of the week.

   The Faster Horses festival is a country music and camping event that will be held in Brooklyn, Michigan on July 22-24. The festival consists of games, live music, camp sites, food, and more. 

   General admission passes are typically $225. There are also a variety of VIP passes and packages that range from $449-$699. 

   Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, and Eric Church are a few of the country artists performing. 

   Over the course of the festival, games and activities such as cornhole, foot races, water slide races, dances  and many others are enjoyed. As live music plays, fans and participants can enjoy themselves and meet new people. 

   “I’ve heard about it and it sounds so fun,” said Isabel Radtke, ‘24, “people I know have gone, and they all say it was such a good experience.”

   Every year since 2013, the Faster Horses festival has been held in Brooklyn, Michigan. However, the past two years have affected the typical procedures. Although the festival doesn’t require vaccination proof, they strongly encourage vaccination, testing, and safety precautions. 

   Last year, there were approximately 17 covid cases resulting from the festival. 

   Theresa Pack, ‘24 said, “I was going to go last year, just to see what it was like, but I ended up not going because of covid.”

   Last year’s festival managed to attract about 40,000 people, the largest gathering at one event since covid had hit sixteen months prior. 

   “I plan on going next year because covid will probably be a lot more subtle, and it will give me more time to figure out all the performances and events,” said Radtke. 

   The Faster Horses festival is a favorite amongst, not only country fans, but anyone who loves live music. The exciting, adrenaline-boosting activities and popular artists bring people together and provide a great opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the summer.

      Spam calls or spam risk calls are a form of corrupt activity with the attempt to steal your money or information.

    These types of calls mostly dupe elderly people or younger kids. Unfortunately, these types of calls are common, but they are avoidable. 

   Most scam calls usually have the same tactic but there are still different types of calls. There are threatening calls from the IRS, lottery scams, bank fraud scams, website password requests, and more. These scams seem convincing to a lot of people, that's why they fall for these calls.

  Three most common types of scam calls are Health Insurance calls, "You won!" contest calls, and IRS tax fraud calls.

  If you answer health insurance calls or insurance calls, an automated voice will say something like "ABC Insurance is still accepting health insurance enrollments" or "Sign up now before you miss out on our best deals". 

  Contest calls and IRS tax fraud calls are similar, they both have automated voices and leave some type of message. That's how you can tell if the call is a scam.

  If you ever unknowingly pick up a spam call, there are numerous ways to outsmart them or avoid them. Don't list your phone number or any other information, the scammer could take your information and potentially use it in an illegal way. If there is an unknown number calling you, don't answer it, let it go to voicemail. Another option is to enable the spam-block setting on your phone to completely avoid them. 

  Spam calls are inconvenient and dangerous, but if you try your best to avoid them, your information is least likely to be at risk. Anyone can be fooled by these calls, so don't fall victim to spam calls.

   On March 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer took to social media to announce that potholes will be filled faster. 

   The decision will direct the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to use overtime pay. MDOT will also partner with locals to locate and repair the potholes. 

   Since Governor Whitmer took office, she has initiated the repairal of 13,000 lane miles of road. She’s also repaired over 900 bridges. However, there’s still a lot of roadwork to be done in Michigan. 

   “I hit about a dozen potholes a day. Driving down Eleven Mile is pretty bad because there’s just so many potholes,” said science teacher Kristen Hill. 

   “This directive will help us get it done,” Whitmer wrote on Instagram.

   Potholes are especially common in Michigan due to the inconsistency of cold, harsh weather. Because of this, Michigan roads are considered some of the worst roads in the country.

   One-third of fatal car crashes are results of dysfunctional road structure, such as potholes. Michiganders typically spend around $539 annually on repair costs. 

   “I tend to swerve around potholes so I don’t cause any damage to my car,” said sophomore Autumn Trottier. “I think it’s good that they’re filling potholes faster. It’ll make driving a lot safer.”

   Autumn is one of many students who just received their drivers license. With new drivers on the road every year, roads and side streets become more worn down making roads more dangerous.

   Whitmer’s executive directive won’t only fix potholes, but it will also lead to many more road, sidestreet, and highway repairs and improvements. 

    The Saint Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee looks for new volunteers for their upcoming projects.

   Their upcoming projects include drain stenciling initiatives, an annual Darth Day clean up, nautical coast cleanups, 1-94 ramp cleanups, Kyte Monroe cleanups, Kyte Monroe bioswale maintenance, and mini beach cleanups.

   Their drain stenciling initiatives are from 10am-1pm on June 25 and Sept. 24. Locations are still yet to be determined.

   The annual Earth Day clean up is located at Blossom Heath beach on April 24 from 10am-12pm. 

   The nautical coast cleanup is from 8am-1pm on May 22. The meeting point is at Jefferson Yacht Club where registration takes place. Volunteers are then shuttled to the beaches with lunch to follow the cleanup. 

   I-94 ramp cleanups are from 10am-12pm on May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, and Oct. 8. The meeting location is at the northeast corner of I-94 at 10 mile. 

   Kyte Monroe cleanups are from 10am-12pm at the north lot of Kyte Monroe on June 19 and Aug. 13.

   Kyte Monroe bioswale maintenance volunteers are needed 10am-12pm at the Kyte Monroe North lot on June 12, July 30, Aug. 27, and Sept. 24.

   Mini beach cleanups are 10am-12pm at Blossom Heath Beach on July 17 and Sept. 11. 

   The SCS Waterfront Environmental Committee, “ Is committed to the conservation, protection, safe use and enjoyment of Lake St. Clair for our current and future generations,” their mission statement says. 

  Chairman of the committee Mark Balon said, “We’re fortunate to have many volunteers, donors, and resource members who help keep us going.  Together, we make a difference in our community and for Lake St. Clair. Come visit us at our regular interactive meetings.  You'll see how we get so much done on a very small budget.”

   The committee also has scholarships available for high school students. A kayak will be awarded to one student based on their volunteer hours with the committee, along with various other things. The deadline for the application is April 22 by 4pm and all application materials must be sent to the SCS city clerk’s office at 27600 Jefferson Circle Drive. The kayak will be awarded at the annual nautical coast cleanup on May 22 during the opening ceremony. 

   There is also a $500 scholarship for a class of 2022 senior who lives in or attends high school in St. Clair Shores. The deadline for the application is April 26 and the form can be downloaded from the official website at www.scswec.org. There is more information located at this website about additional projects and opportunities. 

   The committee recently welcomed Lauren Elya ‘23 as a new student liaison from LHS to report about the committee projects back to the school. 

   Elya says, “I joined the committee because of the opportunity it offered. I love the environment and have a passion for protecting what makes Michigan beautiful.”

   If interested in protecting the environment and helping the city retain its natural beauty, please check out www.scswec.org to get involved. 

     The MTV channel, airing in 1981, was one of, if not the most popular TV channel of its time. 80s kids adored the many different shows on the channel including Remote Control,Total Request Live, Turn It Up!, Lip Service, and Sandblast. While the channel slowly declined in terms of young viewers over the years, some teachers here at Lakeview were avid MTV viewers in their time.

  Art teacher James Donoghue watched the channel as he grew up.

   “Of course I watched MTV! TRL (Total Request Live) Forever,” said Donoghue. “I watched it all through highschool and probably stopped watching the channel around the time I started college, '' added Donoghue.

   English teacher Nicholas Gwozdz also was a fan of the channel.   

   “I watched MTV for a while growing up. I stopped around the time Carson Daly left Total Request Live,” said Gwozdz.

   The TV channel’s reported downfall began early 1992, supposedly because of “the rise of real television.” Eventually towards the 2000s, the channel began to drop shows and their brand of music and music videos began to fade out. These teachers agree and have some other theories to add on.

   “I'm not exactly sure why MTVs downfall was so rapid. My best guess would be the rise of the internet,” said Gwozdz. “I'm not well versed on this, but I think MTV used to be a place where people could discover new music. As boy bands and bubblegum pop started taking over in the late 90s and early 2000s, MTV programming was less about music exploration and more about appealing to the masses. They also started moving toward reality tv around the same time. This all led to people looking elsewhere, like the internet, for new music,” expressed Gwozdz. 

   MTV started live streaming annual music awards on television in 1984, and still continues yearly. The music awards consist of the best music videos of the year, features live performances from top artists, and much more.

    “I think the biggest thing is that MTV got away from music... When was the last time you turned on MTV and saw an actual music video?” questioned Donoghue. “I think when I was in high school MTV had a sort of renaissance of pop relevance. Obviously in the 80's music videos were huge... less so in the early 90's. But by the end of the 90's, early 2000's MTV started targeting younger viewers with shows like Real World and Road Rules. These were examples of some of the very first reality TV shows... Unfortunately, I think that early success sorta led to the downfall of MTV in the long run, as they leaned into reality type programming and away from music in general,” said Donoghue. 

   With the rise of real television, the loss of love for music videos, and the improvements of the internet, the MTV shows people loved as kids will live on in their memories. If the channel could ever make a full comeback is the lingering question. 

     With food banks and stocking companies opening up volunteering opportunities, this gives students and adults alike more ways to connect with each other. 

   “Covid put us behind on the workload due to losing volunteers, but we are getting caught back up now.” explained Forgotten Harvest leader Ms. Tee.

   Volunteering doesn’t just help the community, it can also help people feel connected and better about themselves.

   Studies show that a person averages fifty-two hours a year volunteering, that is with the help of having to volunteer through schools or companies. 

   “I love to see so many familiar faces return and we have many loyal volunteers.” stated Ms. Tee.

   With businesses needing to catch up on their yearly profits, volunteer opportunities are on the rise. 

   Places people can volunteer include food banks like Forgotten Harvest, churches, or animal shelters like Misfits Angels Dog Rescue and Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption. 

Volunteering not only helps those who need it, like the homeless or poor, but can also help those who are just looking for something to do on a regular basis. 

   “Volunteering makes me feel good since it gets me out of my house and with others several times a month”, explained Sue Morton, who donates her time to local churches.

   It gives people the chance to connect with others in the community who all share the same drive to do good. 

   “I try to spread the word to others in my assisted living community to donate time also, as it is good to get out and do good things,” added Morton.

   Sometimes joining a small organization like the Honors Society can give the extra push that is needed to get the volunteers out there. 

 Although some school clubs expect service hours to be completed, and some citizens that have committed crimes must complete community service hours, others enjoy the feeling of donating their time for nothing more than wanting to do good for their community.

   While doing volunteer work through an employer still gives charities more volunteers, that doesn’t have to be the only time people get out and volunteer. Volunteers tend to enjoy the experience even more without the stress of having to match somebody else's requirements.

   Going out on your own time also gives people a sense of self worth and satisfaction, feeling as if they did something good without being told. 

   Volunteering should not be something that anyone should shy away from. It should build inner strength while helping connect with the community through banning together for a good cause. 

      If you think music is only meant to be used for entertainment, then you are extremely mistaken. It brings a new perspective to things and frees the mind to be used as a way to escape. 

   Our brain triggers particular emotions, memories, and thoughts while listening to music , which often leads to more positive effects on one’s mental health. 

   The rhythmic and repetitive aspects engage the neocortex of our brain, which calms us and reduces impulsivity.

   Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain, as well as improve sleep quality and overall mood.

   Some people might question how much listening to music will affect their learning in school, but it’s said to actually enhance intelligence and focus. As well as one’s immune system, self-esteem, and confidence. 

   Studies show that having background music while doing an activity or task helps performance.

“I play my music all day. I think it helps me relax and focus on what I need to get done,” Sophomore Alina Biafora said. 

   A lot of the time, people use music as a way to calm down after something stressful. It’s a very common way of meditation.

   Music has a way of touching everyone differently. No one piece of music will have the same effect on everyone.

“Music can help anyone through a hard time, especially if it has a meaning that they can relate to,”Sophomore Mason Martinessi said.

   Studies have shown that when people listen to music, their emotions fluctuate, and the effect is to change their behavior. This heals people’s pain or trauma temporarily, which helps mental stability.

   Everyone uses music to feel something different ,whether it’s to relax, have fun, or get emotions out. It’s a quick mood changer that can be changed with a play button.

   Music therapy is an intervention used by therapists that is starting to become more well known now that we are learning about the benefits music can have on mental health.

   Sophomore Lia Runion said, “Music therapy is teaching people struggling with their mental health to use music as an outlet for any negative emotions.”

   Scientists say that music activates nearly every region of the brain. This shows how truly powerful music is to your life and wellbeing.  

     IHeartDogs is a rescue center taking care of all types of dogs until they are adopted by a loving family.

   Because dogs and puppies are kept separately, all puppies are held in the Puppy Pavilion. 

   Abigail Kempski, a regular volunteer at IHeartDogs, explains what the Puppy Pavilion is, “It’s like a little puppy apartment.”

   Kempski also explained the difference of taking care of puppies in litters, “Litters are commonly kept together[in the same kennels] because when they grow up, they like having their siblings around. Also, litters are kept together because if they come in sick, they won’t get the other puppies sick.”

   Considering their cute nature, puppies are adopted very quickly. Before puppies are adopted, IHeartDogs do the hard work of caring for them.

   “A lot of the work is keeping kennels clean, making sure they get lots of treats, giving them food, giving them clean water, giving them lots of toys, giving them warm blankets, and playing with them,” stated Kempski.

   Kempski went on to say how the puppies get adopted, “People come in to meet them and if all goes well, they get to go to their brand new home. The puppies get adopted pretty fast. They are normally not there longer than a few weeks.”

   From their cute appearance to their loving personality, there are many things to enjoy when taking care of a puppy.

   Estella Baker, a long time lover of dogs, states what she loves about taking care of puppies, “I enjoy taking care of dogs. I like petting them and playing with them because they are really cute. Their puppy-dog eyes are absolutely adorable. They trick you into staying with them for even longer every single time.”

   Despite their cuteness, puppies are extremely hard to care for. Many challenges can come when caring for a puppy. With the Puppy Pavilion holding multiple puppies, helping can be exhausting. 

   Kempski commented, “Puppies can be gross and really loud sometimes. You have to be able to put up with that.”

   IHeartDogs are always looking for volunteers to help with the puppies and so are other pet rescue centers.

   Kempski explained what to do if you want to volunteer, “It is a good idea for people to find their community rescues and talk to the people who work there and the people who run it. People can make donations or help out with volunteer work.”

   Baker commented if she would ever help volunteer at the Puppy Pavilion, “I would Abso-freakin-lutely volunteer for the Puppy Pavilion. That would literally be like a dream come true- playing with puppies.”  

     Animal shelters are trying to get rid of all the dogs and cats from the shelters, no matter how long they have already been there, due to the massive amount of animals returning this holiday season.

   Shelters are facing a big problem with this, though. People shouldn't be giving animals as a Christmas present. 

   People, especially children, share this dream of waking up to a puppy or kitten under the tree. Yet people shouldn't do this unless everyone in the house knows how to handle a dog or cat properly. 

   "I got my puppy, Ribbon, for my seventh Christmas. I honestly had no clue how to take care of a dog that young," stated L'anse Creuse North Senior Katlyn Simon.

   Many shelters have to stop taking pets in because by the  week after Christmas, everybody brings their new pets back. People get a puppy or kitten to fill their child with joy, yet soon the novelty wears off and they no longer want it. 

   People also don't realize how time consuming and expensive taking care of a pet is. Children often think of animals as a toy, and not as another living being. 

   "At the moment I was very happy, but within a week he had 'puppy-nipped' me and I was begging for my parents to send him away," stated Simon.

   Animal shelters are trying to find a way to get people to adopt pets, but also make sure they are willing to keep the animal. If you want to give a puppy or kitten, give them more as a family decision. 

   It's also been a rising controversy of whether or not you should get an animal from a pet shelter. Some people are scared of the disease the animals may carry from sitting in a shelter, and feel that a pet store is the cleaner route. 

   Many shelters struggle with this stigma, when in reality studies show that most animal shelters are cleaner. Not only is this because many people walk through a store a day, but shelters also have a better understanding of what products to keep both people and animals safe. 

Yet, if an animal doesn't get sold from a pet store, they get taken to the shelter. Most of the time, to be put down.

   "The shelters are jammed packed, it's unreal," said Karen Vickers, volunteer at local animal shelters.

   Animals in the shelter have a bad stigma of being abused and that the animals mis-behave. Even though a large amount of dogs and cats are there for that reason, many are in there just because their owner couldn't take care of them anymore. 

   Fostering is also a good thing to look into. It takes an animal out of the shelter, and helps the animal get used to people. It also helps because even if the animal doesn't get adopted from you, at least they still have a roof over their head. 

   This doesn't mean you can't give a pet as a present. Try something smaller and easier to take care of, like a lizard, hamster, guinea pig, or even a fish. 

   "It always pains me when I see the surplus of dogs and cats coming back after Christmas, I honestly think we shouldn't take them back in anymore," added Vickers. 

   Now's the time to add to your families, however, dogs and cats still should be something that brings a family joy, yet the joy should be lasting for both the family and the animal. 

     Cat calling, or verbally harassing women, usually in a sexual way, is a big problem facing young women today.

   Catcalling can include whistling, shouting, honking, or making degrading or sexual comments to women. Most women do not appreciate these comments and feel demeaned.

  Sophomore Malia Ceane was cat called at work at the Detroit Golf Club.

   “A 72-year-old man came up to me and told me I was very young and pretty. It made me very uncomfortable since I was 15 and he was 72. He showed me his muscles and I was so creeped out,” said Ceane.

   Freshman Sophia Stanton was cat called while she was walking down Little Mack.

   “I was just walking down the street and guys were rolling their windows down and yelling stuff at me. I felt weird and invaded,” said Stanton.

   Senior Anna Peterman was walking down the street in downtown Royal Oak when she was cat called. 

   “I was literally just walking down the street when these two older guys started whistling at me and asking for my number. I was so annoyed honestly,” said Peterman.

   Sophomore Emma Dell said that she gets cat called almost every single time she goes running.

   “Old guys like to whistle at me as I’m running by. A lot of guys honk their horns if I’m running on a main road. Some old guy came up to me and told me I was hot. I was so grossed out,” said Dell.

  Young women deal with being cat called in different ways.

   “I usually just flip them off so they leave me alone,” said Sophomore Avery Gates.

   “I would be careful doing this though, because someone followed me home after I flipped him off for cat calling me. Nothing happened but it was very scary,” said Gates.

   “I usually just try to ignore them and pretend like nothing happened. Usually, they stop talking to me,” said Ceane.

   “I just straight up told the guys no and to leave me alone. They weren’t very happy with me but they shut up,” said Peterman.

   “I just have to keep running. I try and focus on what I’m doing. I can’t let their comments mess with me or disrupt my running,” said Dell.

   “I just made a really ugly face at them to look as attractive as possible. They drove off very fast,” said Stanton.

     TK Pritchard, the public education manager at the Waterloo region's sexual assault support center, describes some strategies to help deal with cat calling.

   “Give ‘the look.’ Maintain direct eye contact and a neutral face with the person or persons harassing you,” said Pritchard.

   “Put your hand up and raise it in front of you to signal stop and show your boundary. Use ‘I’ statements to communicate your message across while maintaining a neutral face and tone,” added Pritchard.

   Being cat called is a big problem facing many women every day. They can deal with it in different ways, including ignoring them, telling them to stop, maintaining eye contact, keeping a neutral face, and just carrying on. Hopefully, these methods work and men will finally learn to leave women alone.

     Some new drivers' first instinct is to stay inside more when winter hits, but driving in the snow is not that difficult if you prepare ahead of time.

   When getting ready to drive in the snow, the first tip is to prepare your car for the harsh weather it’s about to endure. 

   Check your antifreeze in the car beforehand, start your car a few minutes before leaving it, get it running, keep it warm, and make sure your heater is working properly.

   The second tip is to carry a shovel in your car at all times.This is useful when you need to get the snow off your windows in the morning, or just to make a pathway for your car to get out of the driveway. 

    It is also recommended that you keep an ice scraper or brush to clear your windows. Making sure you have clear windows is extremely important during the larger snowfalls.

   Michigan is known for its heavy winters,which also comes with the icy roads. For new drivers who are nervous to drive on the ice, practice driving slower and making sure the brakes on your car are functioning properly .

    Sophomore Madeleine Yonkers said,”You have to make sure you break early and slow down.”

   The roads are way more slippery in the winter, so it’s recommended to try to drive slower, which can also help with breaking.

    Accidents during this time of year tend to increase because of the roads being so icy and hard to manage. Every year about 76,000 people get injured in traffic accidents, making it a very scary time for new drivers. 

   The key to safe driving in snow is being smooth with your steering wheel, gas, and brakes. Icy roads do not do well with jerky movements, so every turn of the wheel, push of the brakes, and movement needs to be as gentle and gradual as possible.

    Aqua-Tots is a swim school for children ages 2 months to long into their teenage years, looking for quality employees during these stressful times. I work at one of the establishments, which is located in Sterling Heights, on the corner of Hayes and Hall road. 

   Aqua-Tots Swim Schools prepare children for the safety they need to be in a body of water.

   There are 8 levels in the curriculum; Tadpoles, Minnows, Leapfrogs, Seahorse, Starfish, Seals, Sharks, and Stingrays. Each level consists of a different set of skills the instructors teach the kids. 

   I have only taught a few level 1 Tadpole classes, because many parents do not sign up for these. The parents get into the water with their children and I direct them on what to do, such as; safely submerging the child, getting them comfortable on their backs, manipulating kicks, and triggering their epiglottis; a skin flap at the back of the throat that separates the lungs from the mouth. This level is not much actual teaching for me, rather, it is for getting the child comfortable in the water. 

      Level 2 Minnows are the most common baby classes . The parents are taught more about submerging their kids, having them kick on their own, setting boundaries, and learning to float on their backs and roll over. The babies become much more comfortable in the water and very cute and talkative at this stage. The babies are always excited to throw the small plastic fish and get the plastic ring from the bench, and they love to give me high fives. I really enjoy these levels, it’s always fun to see the babies smile while you sing songs to them while teaching a skill. 

   Level 3, Leapfrogs, is the first level for kids to do without their parent with them. This is my favorite level to teach kids. They learn that as long as they have air, they float! Many parents like to take pictures and videos of their children while they are in class. The kids in this level are just learning to talk too, which can always result in fun conversations in the class. 

   Level 4, Seahorse, is focused on making the kids more independent. This is my least favorite level to teach, as none of the skills flow into each other and you never have time to have fun with the kids because you are too focused on teaching them. Also, most of the kids have a really hard time learning to be independent and not having the coach hold them at all times, so this is the level with the most crying and screaming. 

   Level 5, Starfish, is a very simple level to teach. Kids work on side breathing, backstroke, and learning breaststroke. This one gives a lot of time to talk to your class, so I always have a fun time getting to know my kids. Many of the kids at my work are from different countries, so it is always fun to learn about where they came from, as well as the kids teach you some words and how to say them in their languages. 

   Level 6, Seals, are really fun to teach. I don’t have many because this is a higher level, but the ones I do teach I always have fun with. They work on the timing of all of their strokes as well as putting their breaststroke together. The kids in this level are always having fun and splashing, which makes it more enjoyable as a job. 

   Level 7, Sharks, and Level 8, Stingrays, are fun, however there is not a lot of teaching. These levels work on endurance and get them ready to swim competitively. These classes are still fun to do however, because at the end I always race the kids, and when you let them win they always get really excited. Aqua-Tots is looking for people who are excited to work with kids.

   Working at Aqua-Tots can always be fun, as long as you have the right attitude. 

   “To me it’s not a job, it’s like charity work I get paid for. Sure it’s about teaching these kids to swim but I want to teach them that they can do it, they can do anything,” stated Nikolas Szpotek, Water Safety Instructor at Aqua-Tots. 

   If you would like to work alongside an amazing set of people, call (586) 884-3633. 

   For the class of 2022, they feel like they were just little sophomores. As life returns back to normal, the realization sets in that they are no longer children and are ending their high school career. With this in mind, the stress of wondering what they are going to do for the rest of their lives sets in. 

   This year's seniors have not had the type of preparation for college others have experienced. Many colleges did not have open campus tours, and schools did not host career events. With all the restrictions in place since the pandemic, it is difficult to meet face to face with an advisor to discuss future plans.

   As a result, many seniors are figuring out how to do this all on their own, and it can be very overwhelming.

   “I have gone through the common app website to start applying. It’s easy because it provides a detailed outline, but it is very time consuming. My mom has been helping me because she wants me to have the most opportunities to get scholarships. I don’t think I’d be able to do it without her, it’s a lot to take in all at once,” explained Allison Anastas, ‘22.

   The biggest issue frequently said is how time consuming the application and waiting process is. Along with not having many resources available, which means students have to do a lot of research on their own. 

   “I’ve done extensive research on each university and exactly what they offer. I used the common app and applied to University of Michigan, University of Illinois Chicago, and Wayne State University. It took me a few weeks to apply to just three schools because I had to find time between school, work, and other things to do it. It’s not something you can just throw together in 15 minutes, it takes a lot of thought and time to properly complete,” stated senior Reese Mueller.

   Although college is not for everyone, there are plenty of other careers out there that do not require any schooling and one can be very successful doing. Schools push going to college and spending your money, but it’s important to know there are other options out there.

   “A piece of advice I would give to someone trying to figure out their future would be to go to a less expensive college and do gen Ed if you aren’t sure what you want to do. Fill out all the common app info early that way you have it on hand, because that takes longer than the actual essay you need to write”, added Mueller. 

   Two most valuable things in this world are time and money. But happiness and overall well-being is just as important. If you are struggling with planning your future don’t worry, you have plenty of time. You can always change your mind later on. 

   College is a stressful time, but you aren’t alone. Reach out to those around you for help and guidance if needed.

   With Halloween ending and Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, there's a lot of controversy as to when people should start getting into the Christmas spirit.

   On Nov. 5, Christmas music started playing on 100.3 WNIC. This started a conversation about how Christmas shouldn’t be celebrated right now, but others said it was a good thing they are playing this music early. 

   Sophomore Claire Ottinger said, “ Even though Christmas music is my favorite, I think that they are playing it way too early in the season.”

   Christmas is a favorite of most, but when you should start getting in the Christmas spirit seems to be something no one can agree on.

   Sophomore Leah Runyon said, “I think people should celebrate whenever they want because some people really like Christmas and it brings them happiness.”

  Others have very different opinions on when to get in the Christmas spirit.

Ottinger said, “ The 26th of December through 31st of December because you should not have Christmas decor and music during Thanksgiving.”

  People's opinions on why they celebrate Christmas when they do all vary for different reasons.

   Sophomore Mason Martinisi, who is against celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving, said,       “Celebrating Christmas early would be making Thanksgiving less special for everyone.”

   Runyon said, “If Christmas makes them happy then why try stopping them from something that makes them happy . Likewise if you don't like Christmas you don't have to celebrate early and you can celebrate when you want.”

   Everyone’s opinions on when to start getting in the Christmas spirit vary person to person. Some think right after Halloween is the right time while others think after Thanksgiving is the right time. Whenever the right time is, it is up to you and your own opinions.

   St. Clair Shores is now home to over 58,874 people. The city covers 14.28 square miles with 11.62 of those miles being land and the rest covering Lake St. Clair. The city is first known to be inhabited by French settlers as early as 1710, but it was called L’Anse Creuse at that time.

    From 1843 until 1911, the city was part of Erin Township, which covered today’s cities of Eastpointe, the Grosse Pointes, and St. Clair Shores. The name was changed to Lake Township in 1911 and stayed that way until 2009 when residents on the Grosse Pointe Shores voted to incorporate as its own city. 

   After World War II, St. Clair Shores changed rapidly from a resort community to a suburban city and became the United States’ largest village.

   This “village” is filled with several marinas that were built in the 1950s and is widely known today for it’s “Nautical Mile,” a strip located on Jefferson Avenue between nine mile and ten mile roads. Before these marinas, the strip included its own amusement park named Jefferson Beach that opened in 1927. The park featured the longest roller coaster in the U.S. Unfortunately, this park went up in flames in 1955. When trying to rebuild it, the owners decided it would be best to take the remaining buildings down and build marinas that are still here today.

   St. Clair Shores is also recognized for the connection to Detroit’s famous car manufacturing and its exceptional hockey association. The yearly Harper Cruise and The Shorewood Kiwanis Harper Charity Cruise has each been held August since 1994 and features some of the earliest automotives made in Detroit. As for hockey, St. Clair Shores has more state championships than any other rink in the entire state of Michigan. In fact, Lakeview High School hockey dominated the competition in 1975 being undefeated with a record of 31 wins to 0 loses winning the state championship.

Schools

   The oldest high school of St. Clair Shores is Lake Shore High School founded in 1923 and the second official high school is Lakeview High School founded in 1954. Lakeview did not  begin accepting students until the beginning school year of 1955, and the district we know and love as Lakeview Public Schools was not named until this same year. Before, the district was named Lakeview-Wheat Schools. The faculty at Lakeview also started off relatively small and the school only contained about 152 students at the end of the 1955-1956 school year. Today, Lakeview contains over 1,000 students and Lake Shore triples that amount since St. Clair Shores is becoming an increasingly more popular place to live for the good education levels, safe environment, and friendliness. The city has truly gone from a small colonist town to a relatively large suburban city. 

  If you live in the twenty-first century, chances are you use a form of social media. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, or Pinterest, you have probably noticed a common theme; everything always looks perfect. 

   After spending a decent amount of time on social media, looking at people's perfect lives, you’ll most likely end up feeling jealous. Most people feel bad about themselves for not having what people on the internet have. 

   “I spend like 4-6 hours on social media apps a day. Sometimes I’ll see something that I don’t have and it changes my mood, into a bad mood. I feel jealousy,” said freshman Raegen Oliveri. 

     According to a report from the Education Policy Institution, teenagers' mental health is being damaged by heavy social media use. The report stated one in three girls was unhappy with their personal appearance by the age of fourteen.

   Sophomore Isabel Radtke claimed, “I’ve wanted to change my looks because of what I see on Instagram.”

   One of the most popular social media apps, Instagram, is found to be most damaging to mental health, such as users feeling like they’re missing out on events, and high levels of anxiety. The app has also caused a lot of body image and self confidence issues.

   But not only teens are affected by social media use. The Pew Research Center stated that 68% of adults who use social media regularly have experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, dissatisfaction, and isolation. 

   In 2018, the University of Pennsylvania did a study that suggests limiting time on social media can change one’s mood. A group of 143 people from ages 15-32 were separated into two groups. One group had 10 minutes a day for each social media app, while the other group had no restrictions, and went on social media like they regularly would, for three weeks.

   The restricted group showed a drastic difference in mood, like depression and loneliness, compared to the group who used social media how they regularly would, through those three weeks. 

   I believe everyone should set limits to the amount of time they spend on any social media. Too much of it can affect your mental health regardless of your age.

  Taking your road test to get your license can seem like a very scary thing, but there are ways to calm your nerves and make sure you pass.

   Sophomore Jessica Abdenour took her road test on Oct. 18 through Michigan Driving School. She offered some advice on how to prepare. 

   “Know what to do in a head-on collision in case they ask you. You have to know when and how long to stop at stop signs and when to turn on your blinker,” said Abdenour.

   If you’re asked what to do in a head-on collision, say that you would rather crash into a garbage can than a tree since it’s softer and will leave less of an impact.

   It’s always helpful to know what to expect on the test to help better prepare you.

   “You can expect to be really nervous, but it goes away. You’re going to have to parallel park, which was so scary for me. You’re only allowed to make 6 mistakes on the parking section and if you get over that, you fail and can’t even go on the road,” said Abdenour.

   The most common mistakes made on the road test happen during the parking section. Hitting a cone is one point off, and you only get 6 points off before you fail. 

   Sophomore Roman Nowaczewski took his road test on Oct. 16 through Elite Driving School. He wasn’t that nervous because he prepared well enough.

   “Make sure you practice driving and parking a lot, especially parking. I probably wouldn’t have done that well if I didn’t go to the Civic Arena parking lot and practice parking in spots and parallel parking,” said Nowaczewski.

   Senior Abby Miller took her road test in March of 2020 through Elite Driving School. She was super nervous for her test, but found a way to calm those nerves.

   “I had never been more nervous for anything in my life, but it turned out to be one of the easiest things I’ve done. I just reminded myself that if I fail, I can always take the test again. I just took a deep breath and did my best,” said Miller.

   Senior Anna Peterman took her test in June of 2020 through Elite Driving School. She found a way to ease her anxiety by talking with other people.

   “I talked to a bunch of people that I knew that had already taken their road test and asked them for advice and what to expect. It was really helpful to me because I was able to know exactly what to do, and practice for it,” said Peterman.

   If you’re taking your road test soon and you’re nervous, just remember that there are ways to prepare. Practicing, driving, and talking to friends and family that have taken the test will help you get ready and calm your nerves. 

  With the pandemic hopefully coming to a close, people are starting to get together more. Yet, we all seem to forget that the risks are still present. 

   Studies have shown that the more people get out, the less likely they are to be affected by the virus. Yet some people are still hesitant to get out into the public. 

   “Less people attend social events nowadays,” said Junior Sarah Perrin. 

  The lack of social interactions between people outside of range can be dangerous for some people. Studies have shown that depression rates are higher this year. 

   “I haven’t been getting out as much,” stated junior Sydney Dubay.

   There are many ways to stay safe out in public, including wearing a mask and getting our vaccines. Some of the simplest things to do are:

Keep the guests down to just family or trusted friends.

If you have a lot of people attending, make sure you set up in an open space.

Try to limit the amount of parties you throw to just the ones you view as important. (Holidays, birthdays, family traditions, ect…)

If you feel even a little sick, stay home or cancel. (Don't take the risk)

Try to keep the amount of "grab what you want snacks" down.

   The virus can linger in an area for up to two days, so make sure you take time to disinfect your party space days before and after. 

   The people showing up at the party can also be a big factor on how safe your party could be. 

   A large amount of people in a room will just be a giant incubator for spreading. 

   Also try to keep the amount of snacks down. Don't leave any food bowls laying out on the table for people to stick their hands in.

   Bigger food items are fine, since people are able to grab one at once. But avoid things like chips, pretzels, or candy.

   Try using tongs or toothpicks as a way for people to pick up food without having to use their fingers. You can also give food in slices, allowing people to grab what they want. 

   And the biggest of them all, stay home or cancel if you are sick. 

   “More people and more excitement around them,” Perrin stated. 

   There's ways to have fun without putting anybody in harm's way. 

 Scarefest Scream Park continues to be a popular place for people to have fun with friends and get a scare at the same time. This year, Scarefest really upped their game with their attractions and proved their name. 

   Scarefest Screampark in Lenox, Michigan opens this year on Sept.17 and will be closing on Oct.31.

   With Covid-19 being present, it affected Scarefest‘s 2021 opening. The Terror zone Corn maze and The Castle of the Dead Haunted House were both closed Sept. 17-18 due to workers having covid-19.

   To prevent further Covid-19 issues, Scarefest has been practicing social distancing and making other modifications to make their park a safer place. 

   Sophomore Leah Runyon said, “When I went to Scarefest, they were making sure  social distancing was happening and recommending you to wear a mask.”

   Something to expect when going to Scarefest is the virtual queue system, which they are using to further practice social distancing. You access the virtual queue system and choose the attraction you want. You will then be added to the virtual line. When it’s your turn in line, you receive a text message to go to the attraction.

   Covid-19 has also affected the amount of people they can have in attractions and the park at once,limiting how many tickets they sell, so they recommend you buy tickets online before entering the park because tickets can sell out fast.

   Tickets online are being sold for their 5 attractions. This includes the Hayride of Doom, Castle of the Dead, Forest of Darkness, Terror maze zone, and their newest attraction, Escape room Novi.

   “My favorite attraction is the Forest of Doom because you get to go in with groups of your friends and not just random people. It’s also my favorite because the workers do a really good and funny job scaring you,” said Sophomore Giana Fett.

   If being scared isn’t your thing, that is fine because Scarefest offers more than just scare attractions. They have movies playing all night, a beer tent, a live band, and a variety of good food.

   Scarefest is a great place for people with all different preferences. From live bands and movies to haunted hayrides and forests of darkness, There are options for everyone. It’s a great place to hangout with people and have fun.

 Cancer. One word that can change your entire life in an instant. Actually it takes a moment, at first it doesn’t seem real, then you feel like time stops, you float out of your body a bit, and then you come back to earth and it all sets in. 

   From that moment on you feel like you can’t catch your breath. It’s constant doctors appointments, phone calls, medications, and then surgeries and treatments. It wasn’t me who experienced these things, it was my mom, and honestly I feel like that was worse.

   October is breast cancer awareness month, and what's a better way to bring awareness to the illness than sharing my own personal experience. 

   In March of 2021 my mom went to the OBGYN for her normal mammogram, due to covid she hadn’t gone in 2 years. At this appointment they noticed something and asked her to come back for another one. After that appointment, they confirmed a lump and had to do a biopsy. The wait for the results felt like it took weeks, but it was only a few days. My mom viewed online that she had cancer before a doctor even called her to let her know. 

   From then on my mom was on the phone with doctors everyday or in their offices, they had to decide how to treat the cancer and fast. They decided that the best option was a mastectomy. 

   On May 10, 2021 my mom underwent surgery. Due to covid restrictions no one was able to be with her, so she cried in pain and terrified all night alone in her hospital room. She came home the next day where she would spend the next few weeks sitting in a chair with special pillows, drain tubes, and lots of medication. 

   During this time, my brother had just started a new job, and my sister’s fiancé was also diagnosed with cancer and he fell very ill. My mom told her to focus on him so responsibility fell on me. 

   Every day I took care of my mom, cleaned the house, cooked dinner, went grocery shopping, and catered to any need. My phone was constantly blowing up with messages from people asking how she was doing, and our house smelt like a funeral home with how many flowers we received. 

   After a few weeks my mom was mobile again, but time never slowed down. She had to go once a week to the hospital to get checked, and at one of her appointments they broke news to her that surrounding areas of her breast still had cancer cells. She was devastated because she felt as though she went through all that pain for nothing. 

   After countless more doctors appointments, they decided that radiation would be the best and safest option to go. For 6 weeks, 5 days a week my mom received radiation. This resulted in painful burns all over the right side of her chest, neck, and underarm. Even just the slightest touch from her clothing was enough to make her eyes water. 

   On the last day of radiation I went with my mom to the hospital and watched her ring the bell. It was a joyous moment for everyone. It felt as though the past 7 months of our lives have been absolutely consumed by cancer, and for once we had a break. 

   My mom is now healthy and doing great, she is supposed to have her final surgery in March of 2022. Although even after that she will still have frequent doctors appointments and have to take medication every single day. 

   Cancer is emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. But my mom is the strongest person I have ever met. There’s so much to this illness that you never realize until you experience it yourself. 

   My mom said if she could give any piece of advice to anyone, it’d be to not live in fear and stop taking life so seriously.  And to all the women out there, please get your mammograms. Be safe. My mom is considered a lucky one.

 It has been over a year, since the world was shut down after the first case of Covid-19 was detected in the U.S. Almost a year later the first Covid-19 Vaccines were given.

    On Dec. 14, one of the first  Covid-19 vaccine doses was given and doses became available to front line and essential workers.  After essential workers were vaccinated, the vaccine eligibility opened up the doses to  people over 60,teachers,  and people who have underlying conditions. It wasn't until Apr. 19 that everyone 16 and up were eligible to receive their Covid-19 vaccines.

   The object of the vaccine is to reach herd immunity which means that most of the people in the community are immune to the disease, which makes it less likely to be spread. One way to reach herd immunity is through the Covid-19 vaccines.

   The two main Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers are Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. A third one by the company Johnson and Johnson, was released later, and  it  only requires one dose instead of two.

   After getting the vaccine, some people reported flu-like symptoms along with a sore arm which can last up to a few days after receiving the vaccine.

   Senior Sydney Phillips stated, “ I got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The next day, my arm was sore, and it felt like I had the flu but after that I felt fine”.

   Pfizer-BioNTech is the only one out of the three that is available to 16 years old and up, for the other two, only 18 years old and up can receive it. 

   Covid vaccine appointments could be scheduled at the health department or at Macomb Community College.

   Senior Jennafer Huber explained, “I got the Pfizer vaccine. I went to Macomb Community College; it was very organized and quick, the longest I had to wait was 15 minutes which is the required time you have to wait after getting the shot before you can leave.”

   Since Pfizer and Moderna consist of two shots, the second shot must be scheduled three weeks after the first and experts say that after two weeks from their second dose, recipients are fully vaccinated and don’t have to quarantine if they are first contact with someone who test positive unless they are showing symptoms. 

   The Pfizer vaccine is the only Covid-19 vaccine that is available to ages 16 and up.

   Senior Riley Maison said, “I had to get the Pfizer vaccine because I am not 18 yet, but I went to the Macomb County Health department and it was organized well.”

   Since the vaccine eligibility has opened up to everyone 16 and up, many Lakeview Students have the opportunity to get the vaccine if they want.

 With sports being mostly fully reopened, the new guidelines require students to be tested for Covid-19 once a week. This means a set time and day for each team during the week to test themselves for the virus as an extra precaution. But, what is the procedure and how do student athletes and coaches feel?

   Junior Abby Mazawey, who plays varsity softball for Lakeview, says the test wasn't nearly as bad as she expected.

   “I've been tested multiple times before this, but each time is different so I was nervous. Turns out it was super easy,” said Mazawey. “We did the tests ourselves and only had to put it up in our noses a little bit.”

   Each different sports team goes into Lakeview at set times to complete their Covid test Sunday between 3 and 7pm. The test itself takes only a few seconds, and the results take only 15 minutes to show. 

   Track runner Anna Peterman, ‘22 agreed with Mazawey. 

   “We have to test every single week in order to practice and go to meets, but I don't really mind. It didn't hurt and was super quick and easy to do,” said Peterman. 

   Lakeview Track coach Dan Cheney, explained the protocol for the testing situation. 

   “If an athlete tests positive, they have to quarantine for 10 days, or if they want, they can get tested at their doctor’s office and if that test is negative they are free to come back, ” said Cheney. “I am not a fan of testing asymptomatic kids, but we have to follow the rules set by the state.” Coaches are not required to get tested. 

   Some of these athletes have never needed a Covid test before these new guidelines came out.  Junior Gwen Archibald, who plays lacrosse for Lakeview, completed her first Covid test ever last Monday at school.

  “I was so nervous to take a test since I’ve never done one before, and I assumed it would hurt or sting,”  said Archibald.” I was so nervous when I arrived to get tested, but once I did it it really was not as bad as I expected. It really just tickled and made me sneeze, but it was so quick and efficient that I don't even mind having to do it again.”

   How long these weekly Covid tests are going to last is still up in the air, but for the first two weeks, they've proven effective in lowering the amount of exposure from player to player. The future of school-sports testing rests on case numbers, vaccinations, and CDC guidelines. 

   Looking back on Mar. 1, 2020, cases started to rise by the thousands according to Statista’s stats. In one of the most traveled states for spring break, Florida, cases surged from parties on beaches and caused hundreds of new spreadings. According to the governor, he had tried limiting the amount of people gathered as well as closing bars. However, this did not phase anyone as trackings from phones during the break showed almost 5,000 people along Fort Lauderdale beach.

   On Thanksgiving, there were 167,839 reported cases from the New York Times map count. They reached over 200,000 in the course of a few days. Almost one million people in the United States travelled to other residencies for Thanksgiving according to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) checkpoint numbers.

   During Christmas break people were limiting their groupings although the virus was still rapidly spreading. About 30,000 new cases were confirmed and more than 14,000 were found daily in the United States. More than 200 deaths occurred over the two days as stated in the New York Times posts.

   Recently new strains of the virus have been found which are becoming 50% more contagious than the original disease. Furthermore, the cases are increasing which means deaths are also increasing. 

   Costs of flights are decreasing in order to earn money, as a lot of people are afraid of flying during covid. This has allowed many people to buy these tickets for the low priced flights to popular spring break areas. Other countries such as Europe, China, Iran, etc. are banned from travelling to and from the U.S.

   When students travelled last break, they brought the virus from where they visited to the campus and spread it to their peers. Because of this, most schools are cancelling spring break in the effort of trying to stop the surges in cases. 

   Although, people are wondering how this will affect college students’ mental health because of the cancellation. To try and encourage students to stay home, schools are enforcing psychologists and other ways to treat them with their stress.

   If people do travel, they have been warned to wear double masks and stay six feet apart with smaller gatherings. Unfortunately, they’re ignoring these, putting themselves and others at risk. 

On Saturday, Feb. 27, the Lakeview Dance team attended their first competition of the season. The Pom Classic competition was held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The team competed in two dances: one in the pom category and the other in the hip hop category. The team was competing in the small varsity division for pom.

   Doing a pom dance requires technique, strength, and precise formations. The Huskettes placed fifth with their dance. 

   Their hip hop dance placed third. When doing hip hop, judges look for a balance of looseness and hard hitting moves. 

   Something that has been different for this competition is that dancers had to wear masks. There was also no showmanship category and the judging is harder.

   Dance team coach Katlyn Zerillo stated, “The judging was different this year because they eliminated the showmanship category and divided those points up into other categories such as execution, formations, and technique. As dancers, it’s engraved into our brains to overly perform on your facials. I would say it’s definitely harder this year without that showmanship category to supplement points at the competitions.” 

   There were many other talented teams competing like Dakota, Brighton, Holly, and Seaholm High Schools. The first place winner in pom was Dexter High School, and the first place winner in hip hop was Milford High School. 

   Most teams were very thankful for the chance to compete at all this year. 

   Coach Zerillo stated, “I did not expect to have a competitive season or even be permitted to perform at the halftime of both basketball and football games so I was really excited when we got to enroll in some competitions.”

   Chloe Atkins, ‘24 competed in her first competition with the dance team. 

   “I feel we did good as a team, and I’m hoping we can do even better at the upcoming competition; now the freshmen on the team know what to expect so we won’t be as nervous.” 

   Hailey Stone. ‘23 also has hopes that the team can place even higher at the competition occurring on Saturday Mar. 6 at Dakota High school. 

   She stated, “I feel we can possibly receive third or fourth place in pom and second place in hip hop.” 

   Overall, the team was very grateful to compete and they have high hopes for the next competition.

   Many people are looking forward to finally having a spring break. Even so, some of their plans may have to be rearranged due to the Coronavirus. According to the Travel Market Report, on average about 2 million Americans travel for spring break and over half of them are students. 

   Due to the overwhelming amount of travelers during this pandemic, some colleges are even cancelling the break to limit their students from traveling, reported the Washington Post. 

    Most people recommend staying at home but people are eager to travel normally again. The travel restrictions in place may alter people’s choices about vacationing.    

   According to the CDC, travelers 2 or older must test negative within three days of leaving the country. 

   Most Lakeview students and staff most planned to stay inside the country, with the most popular destination being Florida. There are mask rules put in place to keep people safe but wearing a mask in the heat can be challenging. 

   Science teacher Kristine Hill stated, “I think everyone has to do what they’re comfortable with and follow the precautions to stay safe.” 

   Students seem to feel the same way. 

   “Last spring break my trip to Florida was cancelled and this year I’m going to Navarre beach,” stated Mackenzie Brown, ’22. “We’re driving instead of flying and staying in a condo so we have our own living space.” 

   These are just a few examples of precautions people are taking this year when traveling for spring break. 

   Many people have to change how they normally vacation and travel to avoid the risk of contracting the virus. Like Brown stated, her trip was cancelled last year, just like so many others. Many trips being taken over spring break are not new plans; they are postponed trips. 

   Some trips have been planned almost a year ago and still haven’t been taken. 

   Carly Denbaas, ‘23 stated, “It’s been really disappointing because I’ve had to cancel two trips to Florida.” Denbas is going to southern Florida this spring break. People are eager to travel because they’ve been stuck in their homes and towns. 

   Having family in another country or state can also be tough. Traveling to see family members is important because people can feel lonely only communicating through screens. Face timing and calling has been used more and more but people have also felt more alone because they don’t have human interaction. Being able to travel and see family could impact someone’s mental health for the better. 

   Whether or not to travel during the pandemic is a tough decision for people to make. They want to stay safe but they also long to see family or get away from their day to day routines.  

   Spring break this year will have a significantly less amount of travelers and those who do travel will take precautions.

   The coronavirus has caused many small businesses to shut down due to financial issues, but one Lakeview student has found a way to start a new business. 

   Senior Genevieve Kimber has created her own small business called “Genevieve’s Jewelry”. She creates her own handmade wire wrapped jewelry and sells it to friends and family. The items she sells include rings and earrings. They go for $5 per item.

   There’s many perks to owning your own business, whether it may be having pride in your own success, seeing enjoyment of others, or making extra money. 

   “I thought it would be a fun way to make some money on the side,” said Kimber. “I started my business because I had so much interest in them. When I started showing them on my social media, I decided to dedicate an instagram account to selling them.” 

   Since she created the Instagram account, she has gained dozens of followers, and made dozens of sales. Her instagram handle is “genevieves.jewelry”.

   An important part of owning your own business, or having success in any aspect of life is staying motivated. Kimber says she gets a lot of orders, and she enjoys seeing people happy so she uses that as her motivation. This is also one of her favorite parts of owning a business. 

   “My favorite part of running the business is making all my friends rings and seeing them wear the rings in person or on social media in their pictures,” stated Kimber. 

   Since her business delivers the jewelry to each customer through mail, it is much easier to continue selling items even with the coronavirus affecting the economy. 

   “I plan to keep doing this as long as I keep having orders coming in.”

   Her story of her new business is a great success story as the world is dealing with many hardships. 

 IndyCar is a form of open-wheel car racing. As of October, the IndyCar schedule was announced, and for the first time since 2018, the Detroit Grand Prix will be raced at Belle Isle on the street circuit. This will be the 21st grand prix held at Belle Isle.

   Although Detroit will be a new track as of 2018, IndyCar has raced at many very popular tracks, including: Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Mansville, Ohio, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These are three of the most popular tracks visited during the season. 

   The Belle Isle track is a 2.35-mile track with 14 turns and many braking points. It is a much smaller circuit compared to tracks like Road America which is 4.048 miles long. 

   Motor racing in the city of Detroit though will always be fitting, as the city's nickname is “The Motor City.” Many races have been held here and many legendary drivers have visited over the years including Ayrton Senna with Formula 1 or Scott Dixon with IndyCar. The only difference between IndyCar and Formula 1 racing in Detroit is that IndyCar races are on Belle Isle, while Formula 1 used to race through the streets of Detroit.  

  The grand prix at Belle Isle is a double header, meaning there is a race on Saturday and Sunday. The last few winners of the Detroit Grand Prix were all parts of great success stories. In 2018, Scott Dixon won his 42nd Grand Prix by 1.8249 seconds and tied Micheal Andretti for third on the all time win list in race number one of the weekend. In the second race of the weekend, Ryan Hunter-Reay broke a 42-race winless streak and beat his top competitors. In 2017, Graham Rahal became the first driver to sweep the weekend at Detroit. 

   The return of IndyCar to Detroit could be great for the city in many aspects. Mackenzie Doolin (Class of 2021) said,  “Having IndyCar back in the city will be good for many reasons. It’ll be good for tourism and that will bring in lots of income. It’s always cool seeing race cars in Detroit because it is the Motor City.”

   The race in previous years has generated roughly $45 million. While this is an extravagant amount, the race welcomes thousands of people from all over the country.  

   The favorites for next year's Detroit Grand Prix will be Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, and Colton Herta.   

 Cider Mills continue to be popular to attend in the fall season. Two of the most popular cider mills in Michigan are Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill and Yates Cider Mill. The question is which one is better; Blakes or Yates? 

   Yates Cider Mill has been open since 1863 and has welcomed in so many guests. Being one of the best cider mills in Michigan, Yates has continued to please their guest by offering free admission and free parking.  Open year round, Yates offers cider, donuts, and different types of apples. Like a gala apple, honey crisp, Golden Delicious, Mcintosh, and more. Many have applauded Yates for their great service, delicious food, and their amazing trail that is nice and peaceful. 

   Brooke Kline, ‘24 stated, “I like how Yates is pet friendly. They make me feel like I can bring my dog without me having to worry about anything. They also supply dog treats which makes me want to bring my dog every year.” 

   Despite the good things, there are a few people who think that they are an overrated cider mill. Some dislike how it can be too overcrowded, how the prices for things are too high, and how the walk around the Clinton river was only half a mile and ended with a barbed wire fence. 

     Another popular cider mill is Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill. Even though you have to pay for admission, it comes with various activities for adults and children. You can pick your own apples, purchase a funland pass, which allows you to gain access to the haunted barn and black hole, hayrides, pumpkin bounce house, various corn mazes, and so much more. They even have some haunted attractions. A lot of people have been going to Blakes since they were a child. They still love how you could sit by the fire and enjoy your cider and donuts, how well organized it is, and that it’s still a nice place to bring your family. 

   Ava Quainton, ‘24 stated, “I like how efficient they were when it came to getting in lines for things, but I disliked how they made you pay for bags to put your apples in.” 

   Despite the pros of coming to Blakes there are also some cons. Many people dislike the fact that for kids to get a full Blakes experience, you have to pay an extra $40 per child for the playground. When it comes to apple picking, you can’t pick them out while on a hayride or train. Instead, you have to go on another trip in your own vehicle to pick apples. 

      If neither of those seems like the right choice for you there is another pumpkin patch that me and my family went to this year. It was called Debuck's Pumpkin Patch. They too had many fun activities to do. We got to go through a maze, go pick pumpkins on a hayride and go down a big slide. My nephew really enjoyed the slide and the hayride. He was super excited to pick out his little pumpkin. They did enforce social distancing which made you feel a bit safer.

    Despite our circumstances this year, many still have been able to enjoy themselves and make so many new memories. Now, on which one is better, you can go take a visit and figure it out yourself. 

   In 1907, the Detroit United Railway operated a combined 587 miles of combined interurban and streetcar service. Today, Detroit has roughly 9.5 miles of railway transit between the QLine and the People Mover. The transit in Detroit faced a long, slow decline. 

   Interurban service dwindled in the 1910’s with the rise of the automobile industry. It would never again come close to the peak it reached around the turn of the century. With Detroit becoming the home of the Ford Motor Company and the affordable automobile, it was inevitable. 

   However, streetcar service stayed a fixture of Detroit through the next three decades. The last trolley was replaced by bus service in 1956. 

   There was a similar decline in passenger rail. Losing money as a result of the rise of cars, continuing passenger service was a financial burden on most railroads.  In 1970, Amtrak, a government owned passenger railway, was created to take over most passenger trains in the U.S., save for certain commuter lines. One such line was the Grand Trunk Western Railway’s Detroit to Pontiac commuter service. The Chesapeake and Ohio and Penn Central railways also offered commuter service. 

   In 1974, the GTW route became operated jointly by the GTW and the Southeastern Michigan Transit Authority, or SEMTA. SEMTA offered three rush hour trains, with an additional evening train evening rush hour trip to Birmingham. There were plans to expand commuter rail to include the former Penn Central service to Ann Arbor, commuter service to Port Huron, and feasibility studies into trains to Lansing. They also intended to expand the service to Pontiac, as well as create rapid transit lines, bus rapid transit lines, and a People Mover. The only of these to ever come to fruition was the People Mover.

   In 1983, SEMTA had a 16 million dollar budget shortfall, an aging fleet, and lack of funding. They estimated that the trains as they were would cost one million dollars a year to operate, and they were unable to secure funding from municipalities. Passenger service ended Oct. 17th, 1983, and the equipment was sold to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Amtrak expanded their trains to Pontiac in 1994. 

   Little remains of Detroit’s disintegrated transit infrastructure. There’s only the People Mover, sold off trains, the scattered remnants of buildings, and hauntology. 

   Hauntology is a concept defined as the shadows of a future that could have been. It is the opposite of nostalgia. Riley Quinn, host of the podcast TrashFuture, stated, “[Hauntology] is projecting what could have been, whereas nostalgia is remembering what never was.” 

   Remnants of Detroit’s public transit systems are “hauntological”. They are pieces that symbolize a future we could have had where Detroit had reliable, widespread public transit. 

   If you’ve ever been to Wahbi Park, you might remember the trolley tracks and the historical marker accompanying them. Those would be hauntological. The same applies to the surviving SEMTA equipment still in use today. Even the Detroit People Mover could be considered hauntological, as the only working piece of SEMTA’s grand plan to improve public transit in Detroit. All of them are remnants of a possible step forward, instead of the city’s continued transit woes. 

   There is a tangible impact to this lack of public transit. In 2017, Amazon announced that it would be searching for a place to build it’s HQ2, an additional corporate headquarters. Detroit, in conjunction with Windsor, submitted a bid. For better or worse, Amazon didn’t choose Detroit as a finalist. One of the major reasons cited was Detroit's lack of reliable mass transit. Detroit did not have the robust mass transit system Amazon wanted. 

   Amazon’s rejection of Detroit’s bid is not the only effect of this lack of transit, nor is it the most pressing or the worst. Air pollution, bad traffic, and even lack of social mobility are cited as results of mass dependency on cars. 

   The death of public transportation in Detroit and the problems it left will continue to haunt us unless we work to fix them. The good news is that we are.

   In 2009, the Southeast Michigan Council of Government conducted a study into operating commuter trains along Amtrak’s Michigan Line, which is owned jointly by Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation. 

   Plans to establish commuter service from Detroit to Ann Arbor have moved forward, with MDOT purchasing equipment and surveys for these prospective routes, in addition to upgrades to the existing track. This plan was folded into the Regional Transit Authority’s master plan in 2016, alongside plans to create bus rapid transit and other forms of transit. The first thing to come out of that plan was the QLine. 

   It is refreshing to see actual forward progress; however, it is grindingly slow. As of 2015, the train MDOT bought for the planned Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter route was called a boondoggle, “The Train to Nowhere”. In 2016, it was estimated that service could begin in 2022, although this doesn’t seem very likely now. 

   It is frustrating, and services like this are easy to lose and take an enormous effort to recover. The Qline, from study to opening, took eleven years for 3.3 miles of streetcar. Amtrak stopped serving New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, promising the restoration of service would happen soon. It still hasn’t returned, despite continued pressure from the city. 

   However difficult it is, to get, public transit is important. Hopefully, this new chapter in Detroit’s public transportation leads to a brighter future. 

   Teens, or people in general these days are constantly on their phones, whether it is for school, work, entertainment uses, etc. But you would not believe the amount of time some people spend on certain apps throughout the week.

    It was discovered that out of my friends, almost all of them said that it was Tik Tok that consumed most of their screen time, right above the second runner up Snapchat. 

   Freshman Maddy Yonkers, ‘ 24, said Tik Tok is 100% the biggest time consumer on her cell phone for the week.

   “My screen time is ridiculously high, almost 35 hours last week,” said Yonkers. “ I just like watching the videos and reading other people’s funny comments.”

   With almost 800 million users worldwide, Tik Tok is number four on the charts on the app store.

   Sophomore Maddie Rimkus also said that Tik Tok is her most used app, and that it easily consumes all of her free time. 

   “When I’m not playing volleyball or doing homework, I open Tik Tok every spare second I get. My weekly time wasn’t as high as I expected though; only 6 hours a week,” said Rimkus. 

Rimkus also said,    “I know I’m addicted to my phone, and to be honest I think we all are.”, says Yonkers.

   We all need to take a step back and realize the world around us and lower our screen time, that's for sure.

On October 3rd, you walk into the store and find a Christmas section that already dwarfs the Halloween goods. Christmas themed coffee creamer sneaks onto shelves. Then, on October 12th, you find the department store is already playing Christmas carols. 

To many, it feels as though, despite the irritation with Christmas encroaching inexorably further into fall, it keeps happening sooner and sooner with each passing year. 

This phenomenon has a name: Christmas Creep. It isn't new, either. The term was coined in the mid-80’s, and Charlie Brown specials satirized it as early as 1973. 

The phenomenon isn’t unique to Christmas either. Stores will put out merchandise for the next big holiday before the current one is out the door. However, Christmas stands out as the biggest example by far, with Christmas merchandise overshadowing Halloween by early October.

Some people aren’t too bothered by this. Jacob Roy, ‘21, and Matthew Candey, ‘23, both said that they weren’t fussed over it, though Candey added, “It does seem unnecessary.”

Senior Hailey Elwarner, on the other hand, said, “It irritates me because it’s the Spooky Season, not Christmas.” 

Why does this happen?  Well, the answer is, perhaps quite predictably, profit. 

The holiday season is the most profitable time of year. The holiday season brings in money for stores far more than Halloween and Thanksgiving can. 

Another facet of this is Thanksgiving’s relative unpopularity. Thanksgiving has a rather lukewarm at best reception among many. It’s considered more as an excuse to eat and watch football than something to be anticipated and revered the way the holiday season is. 

However, some retailers have actually tried to put the brakes on Christmas Creep. In 2017, Target made the decision not to display Christmas merchandise before Thanksgiving, stating they wanted to give thanksgiving its time in the sun.

For those irritated by Christmas Creep, this sounds great. The issue is that one store’s actions won’t necessarily change a longstanding market trend.

Unfortunately, abstaining from purchasing holiday merchandise until Thanksgiving won’t help much either. Many others don’t hold the same compunctions about buying Christmas gear pre-Thanksgiving.

Roy, confirmed “Yeah, I have.” He certainly isn’t the only one. As long as people buy, they’ll sell, so it might not be worth keeping a stiff neck. 

While one might express private irritation at the bombardment of Christmas apparel or relatives and friends taking advantage of early sales, there isn’t much to be gained from it besides some ruffled feathers. Enjoy Halloween while it lasts, and try your best to ignore the jingling bells until you’re ready to go all the way.