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The Student Press of Grand Blanc High School features an inside look inside the Bobcat suit.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

bannerbannerbannerbannerbannerthe volume 48, issue 2

student store pg 7 - water polo pg 11 - hair tutorial pg 17

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pause with paws pg 13

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Want more Banner?Head to bobcatbanner.com for the latest news, Banner-sponsored events, and stories not featured in this edition.

Editors-in-ChiefVictoria Karatza

Emily Higham

News EditorsJulie Nichols

Brianna Buzzell

Sports EditorsTyler Fee

Griffin HowellKirsten Holz

Feature EditorSara Diesel

Opinion EditorAashima Sarin

Entertainment EditorPedro Marin

Design EditorAnna Konieczy

Photography EditorOlivia Mitchinson

Media EditorRylie Daniels

Staff Listing

The Bobcat Banner is produced by Nick Popadich’s fourth hour class.

West Campus EditorKayla Robinson

Copy EditorsJake Young

Sarah Strickland

Morale ChairWhitney Whitehead

ColumnistsKyle Goldstein

Daniel NorthrupMarta Werbanowska

PhotographersMegan Buck

Morgan HerzogDahjuanna JonesKelsey Rodriguez

Staff WritersAusten Boillat-ClineStephanie MarceauChristine Pittenger

Amanda ThompsonAbigail Perry

12500 S. Holly RoadGrand Blanc, MI 48439

Have an opinion?Send comments, sug-gestions, or letters to the editor to [email protected]

bannerbannerbannerbannerbannerbanner

pg 6 - Michigan Takes The Pledge

pg 10 - Hail to the Victors

pg #16 - Conservative Lunacy

the

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What is different about Grand Blanc High School from the school in California you were at?

Wyatt Grahn, senior

The dress code is a little stricter, but the cell phone/iPod policy is more lenient.

How did your job differ at your school in California versus here?

Brianna Klaus, sophomore

My other job, I was in charge of athletics, clubs, student govern-ment, and all other fields of those types. Here, I’m in charge of special education, and discipline, and other things of that nature.

Seeing as how you were athletic director, were you sporty in high school and college?

Stefan Velbabovic, sophomore

I played volleyball, softball, and basketball in high school. I went to college on a softball scholarship, so yes, I was athletic in both high school and college.

What is your favorite game to watch?

Stefan Velbabovic, sophomore

College football is my favorite sport to watch; I’m a big Notre Dame fan, and we’re finally good this year!

Why did you move your family to Michigan over any other state in America?

Carly Satkowiak, senior

In LA, you can get a tiny place for a lot of money, but here, you can get a big place for a lot less that you could in LA, and plus my husband is from here.

What do you miss most about California?

Autumn Baker, senior

The weather. In a month or two, or three, or four, I will sadly be missing the weather. I love fall, but winter . . . we’ll see.

Anything you like more about Michigan yet?

Ashlyn Bowie, sophomore

What I like more is, I enjoy fall and I’m looking forward to buying a house and having a big backyard for our son to play in.

What do you enjoy most about your new job?

Maliya Fransioli, senior

At my old job I did a lot of work with adults, but at my new job I get to work a lot more with kids. I like working with kids because kids are a lot more fun than adults.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

Sergio Mendoza, junior

The hardest part of my job is that you never know what’s going to walk through the door.

How do you feel about students’ negative responses to the new and reinforced dance rules?

Zac Hesse, sophomore

The dance rules, of course there are people who don’t like them. Those who stayed had a great time. There is a time and a place for everything and if you want to dance like that [grinding], then you can do it at your house. I felt like we said it a lot of times, so I didn’t feel as bad, but I still didn’t like how couples forced me to kick them out because of their refusal to listen.

New assistant principal shares thoughts on past job, sports, the danceMEET TRISH POELKEJournalism | Guest Writers

Mrs. Poelke poses for Mr. Popadich’s 6th hour journalism class for an interview

Photo:Banner/Popadich

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Page 6: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

NEW

S Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law a bill stating that there must be an American flag in every classroom and there is another bill waiting for approval requiring every school to say the Pledge of Allegiance. While many believe that this law is just an in-nocent attempt in bringing the country together, it potentially cre-ates an awkward situation for the non-Christian students. Fami-lies of other religions are uncomfortable with their child reciting the line “One nation, under God.” Indeed, the state House Education Com-mittee strongly debated whether or not a law should be passed. Reactions from students at GBHS were mixed. “I think it is a fair law,” sophomore Keonta Williams said. “If they live in our country and go to our schools then they should have to say our pledge.” Thomas Tucker, also a sophomore, believes

otherwise. Tucker doesn’t think that either of the laws are all right

stating, “I don’t think we should have to say it because some people don’t believe in God. I don’t think we should have to have the flags either because not everybody likes our country.” Many are saying that this law is giving students the “opportu-nity” to say our nation’s pledge. Opponents of the new law say that the more “patriotic” Ameri-cans say the pledge whenever they please,

but now the govern-ment is forcing this patriotism on all the

other students. On the other hand, supporters say that the government is just try-ing to bring the country together.

For some at the high school level, the seems like something that

is important to instill at an early age, but not something that needs to be mandated for all students. “Why do we have to even say the pledge?” Williams asked. “We did that in elementary school.” High school students are crossing the line from child to adult and many of the students are able to vote which means that they are paying more and more atten-

tion to the politics of this country.

“I don’t think we should have to say it because some people don’t believe in God. I don’t think we should have to have the flags either be-cause not everybody likes our country.” -Thomas Tucker

MICHIGAN TAKES THEP L E D G E

Kelsey Rodriguez | Photographer

Governor Snyder’s mandate for Pledge under review

Phot

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Michigan law will mandate that classrooms need to have an American Flag. Hall monitors recently visited each class to see how many are needed.

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THE BOBCAT DEN Student store opensWhitney Whithead | Morale Chair

The wait is now over. Wednesday Oct. 10 marked the much awaited opening of this years student store and the return of their infamously delicious cookies. Posters with simply the word “Wednesday” written on them lined the hallways advertis-ing the opening and created quite a buzz around school. This year’s store opened significantly later than it was expected to. “We just wanted to make sure every-thing was perfect and even better than last year,” senior Andrew Gerbasi said. The theme for the store this year is GB Pride and is decorated with different sports equipment donated by student athletes.

“It started out as a back up plan to another theme we wanted to do,” senior Aaron Thompson said. “But it just ended up making the most sense seeing that we have eight varsity football players

in the store this year and that everyone else in the store are big supporters of our student section.” The store has a new selec-tion of apparel for sale this year including a North Face inspired black fleece with the Grand Blanc logo, Nike sweatshirts, and crew necks. Continuing the theme, the store has been offering free deals for those who knowthe scores and the team they

played to encourage people to watch games. Also different is the group unity this year’s store mem-bers feel. “From what I’ve heard the attitude we had going into this year was different from classes in year’s past,” senior Carly Satkowiak said. “We really came together as a group and we’re all really close.”

Photo: Banner/Whitehead

Photo: Banner/Whitehead

The GBHS Student Store is located on the far side of the East Campus Cafeteria. The

store sells Grand Blanc apparel such as shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and

jackets. Open during all lunches, the store also sells

candy and snacks.

The store prepares for the next wave of students adorned in GB Pride. The store even offers free deals for students who support their teams by knowing sports scores.

Employees spend their fourth hour working the store.

Page 8: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

SAY HELLO TO SYNERGYGrand Blanc Schools make a rough transition to a new system

Julie Nichols | News Editor

How was yourexperience “without grades?”From a survey taken at all lunches, it ap-pears that students were in favor of being able to see their grades.

After six weeks without online grades, the new grading program Synergy was opened to students, replac-ing the old system Jupiter Grades. The switch in programs has left many with unanswered questions. Specifically, what Synergy is and why Jupiter Grades was no longer effective. “Jupiter Grades is no longer being used because Grand Blanc joined the 18 of 21 districts in our county deciding to switch all informa-tion over to this new system,” Herb Wansitler, technology architect at Cen-tral Office said. Synergy was chosen because it can merge together students records, a gradebook, and attendance all into one system. This separates Synergy from Jupiter Grades because, “Jupiter Grades was being used as a stand alone grade book,” Wansitler said. However, despite the improvements, some students like senior Alexis Jones think Jupiter Grades was better because it didn’t share as much personal infor-mation as Synergy. “I don’t like how the medical record are shown when you log in,” Jones said. “They don’t need to know all that.” Wansitler went on to say that Synergy is an overall better program

because it has the option of Parent Vue and Student Vue, which allow for easy access for both students and their par-ents (hence the the names). “Both (Parent Vue and Student Vue) can be accessed via smart phone technology, parents can view all stu-

dents from one log in instead of multiple log ins (one for each student), and a lot more information is provided in these views,” Wansitler said.

While the new program may be a better fit for the district, the fact that it took over a month and a half since the school year started to be implemented has left some students frustrated. Senior Shay Brooks found it irritat-ing that students had to wait so long. “When you have upper-level classes like I do, you need to have access to your grades,” Brooks said. The main problems in transitioning over to Synergy have been training the staff to use the program, getting the report cards set up properly at the el-

ementary level, completing the overall set-up involved with the program, and cleaning up the 8,800 records in the system to insure the information is all correct. When asked why it took so long to install Synergy, Wansitler had this to say: “Honestly the better question is, ‘Why didn’t it take longer?’ This infor-mation changeover is normally com-pleted in 11-18 months. Our district has completed the process in five months. That’s why it hasn’t been as smooth as it should have been. Until you get involved in the process you would have no idea how much time is needed to do something of this magnitude.” Everyone (students, staff, and par-ents) can expect Synergy to be running at full capacity any day. “We will get there, but it will take a lot of patience and cooperation from everyone,” Wansitler assures.

“When you have upper-level classes like I do, you need to have access to your grades” -Shay Brooks

I Hated It 67.7%

I Loved It 32.3%

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Page 10: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

SPOR

TSHAIL TO THE VICTORS

Wolverines defeat Spartans in bitter rivalry gameGriffin Howell | West Campus Sports EditorTyler Fee | Sports Editor

Much controversy surrounds the game for The Paul Bunyan Trophy, the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spar-tans. Despite this, this year’s game was not too exciting. Both teams played poorly on the offensive side with two total interceptions and one touchdown be-tween the two of them. When the game started off, absolutely nothing happened. The score remained 0-0 until 10:20 remained in the second quarter when Brendan Gibbons nailed a 24-yard field goal to put the Wolver-ines on the board first with 3-0. Both teams had poor offensive execu-tion. Michigan kicker Matt Wile added a 48-yard field goal with the half winding down. The teams headed into

the locker rooms with Michigan leading 6-0. The third quarter started off with the only touchdown of the game as struggling quarter-back Andrew Maxwell was able to string some completions together and find tight end Paul Lang on a 2-yard touch-down pass to put the Spartans ahead 7-6. Teams traded punts leading into the fourth quarter, which was the most thrilling of them all. Gibbons split the uprights in the begin-ning giving Michigan the lead 9-7. With his team trail-ing and the offense not getting the job done, Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio called a fake punt that caught everyone off guard. Punter Mike Sadler rolled out to the right with three blockers and went 26 yards

untouched to keep the drive alive. Riding the motiva-tion, Spartan kicker Dan Conroy made up for his 38-yard missed kick earlier in the game and gave the Spartans the lead 10-9 with a 19-yard field goal with 5:48 remaining. Michigan’s ensuing drive stalled around midfield when head coach Brady Hoke chose to punt with just over three minutes remaining, putting it all on the defense; and they handled the pres-sure well. MSU went three and out and punted away to Michigan with exactly two minutes left on the clock. Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson picked up a vital third and short just inside midfield. With 18 ticks left, Robinson found wide receiver Drew Dileo

downfield, setting up a 38-yard field goal for Gibbons. Mark Dantonio called a timeout at-tempting to “ice the kicker,” but nothing was getting into Gibbons’s head as he barely put it inside the right upright, winning the game for the Wolverines and bringing the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to Ann Arbor. This was also a huge win for the Michigan Wolverines, giving them win number 900 overall, and making them the first team in the NCAA to achieve such a feat. The overall series record between the Wolverines and the Spartans now stands at 68-32-5 in favor of the Wolverines as they snap Sparty’s four-game win streak.

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If you ask a random person in the hallway what water polo is, they might say “Basketball inside the pool,” or “a mix of soccer, swimming, volleyball and basketball.” The fact is, not that many people actually know what it is. Most people say they know what it is, but their answers were nothing near a real description of a water polo game. A few responses to our survey included “a sport played in water with a ball,” or “polo, just in water.” The object of water polo is to get the ball into the net. This is where the soccer aspect comes in. There is a goal at either end of the pool, and a goalie for each team, giving it the ap-pearance of a soccer field

in water. The other posistions, however, are quite different. There are wings, a centerback and a hole set. You might wonder how some people got into the sport, since it is so uncommon and unknown. Junior Andrew Morgan said, “My cousin played, she convinced me to do it.” Family connections aren’t the only way people start playing. “I got into water polo through friends,” said sopho-more, Caleb Clor. The same is true for freshman, Bradley Miller.

Why do few people know about water polo? You al-ways hear about football and basketball games, why not water polo? The fact of the matter is, water polo is just not as pop-ular here in Michigan as it is in other places. If you lived in California or Europe, you would hear about water polo

all the time, because it is more common there. The boys won their game against Walled Lake at Districts with a score of 8 to 6. They played Ann Arbor Skyline and ended their season, losing 9 to 3. Although the boys’ season is over, the girls’ team begins its season in March.

“WHAT”ER POLO?Megan Buck | Staff WriterOlivia Mitchinson | Photography Editor

Team goes to Districts despite lack of recognition

Daniel SullivanPosition: Hole Set/ SprinterFavorite Thing about Water Polo: It’s fast pacedHow Long He’s Been Playing: 5 yearsBest Memory: Beating Groves

CAPTAIN SPOTLIGHT

Ryan ScannellPosition: CenterbackFavorite Thing About Water Polo: WinningHow Long He’s Been Playing: 4 yearsBest Memory: Buzzer beating shot at Groves

Sophomore Caleb Clor blocks shot in a game against Troy AthensPhoto: Banner/Mitchinson

Photo: Banner/Buck

Photo: Banner/Buck

Seniors Daniel Sullivan

and Ryan Scannell share some of their

experiences on the Grand Blanc Water Polo team

after being captains for

2 years.

Page 12: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

FEAT

URE

Ah, the bow-tie. Once associated with aristocrats and crazy English professors, this quirky little statement has found its way back into the subculture of nerdy-cool. Here are two of many ways to sport your love for the bow tie:

Sara Diesel | Feature Editor

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Photo: Banner/K onieczny

with Sara DieselTHE 810 CRAFTY

Select your fabric, and cut two rectangles ~2 to 5 inches~, one slightly smaller than the other.

Fold over each edge just enough to glue down for a finished look.

Fold the larger rectangle in half hamburger style, with one end overlapping the other and glue in place.

Do the same for the smaller rectangle, then glue the smaller to center of the larger.

Pinch in center, wrap thin section of fabric ~2 inches long~ around center, and glue closed.

Grab a box of farfalle ‘bow-tie’ pasta.

Scavenge the tool box for a drill and the smallest drill bit you can find ~5/64 inch~.

Drill two holes in both upper corners of each noodle.

Paint noodles desired color(s).

Select chain necklace and string through the drilled holes.

FOR HIM

FOR HER

Idea submitted by Meredith Joseph

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The football team suits up for the big game, the cheerleaders prepare to pump up the crowd, the pom girls perfect their dance routine for half time, the student section makes posters and shakers to support the players, but Paws does it all. He suits up, pumps up, and represents everything Grand Blanc stands for. He is the face of GBHS, he is a part of the “Tradition of Excellence”, he is Paws the Grand Blanc Bobcat.

PAUSE WITH PA SVictoria Karatza | Editor-in-Chief Morgan Herzog | Photographer&

Q: What is it like being in the suit?A: It’s either really nice or really dreadful. It can be an oven at times.

Q:What do you bring as aid for the games?A: Ice cold water for sure, change of clothes, and a towel to wipe my head.

Q:What is your main focus during the games?A:I just try to be as presentable as possible and do as much as I can to draw people’s attention.

Q: How did you acquire the job of Paws?A: I acquired the job by filling out an application and try-ing out. It’s super easy becoming Paws, but it isn’t easy to be right for the job.

Q: What is the best part of being the mascot?A: My favorite part is definitely having the crowd react to my presence, it makes me feel special and one of a kind.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do at the games?A: My favorite thing to do is definitely the Noise Machine with the Student Section.

Q: Do you have a favorite game that you can recall?A: It’s hard to choose a favorite game because they’re all incredible, but my favorite memory is hearing people say I did a good job.

Q: Would you ever being a college mascot?A: I don’t know, I think the secrecy thing would kill me. That’s why I’m open about being the mascot now.

Q: Do you get any special privileges being mascot?A: The only privileges I get are the ability to park in the rear entrance, and I get myself, and other people into the game for free.

Q: Do you enjoy being Paws or sitting in the Student Section more?A: While I miss the Student Section so much, I would choose Paws nine times out of ten.

Q&A with GBHS’ Austin Cruzen, otherwise known as Paws

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THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK

Tropical Smoothie is my favorite restaurant.I listen to a lot of music, mostly electronic.

I like long drives.

Lights Poxleitner is my celebrity crush.

Monster is my favorite bever-age. Ever.

Quick facts about Austin Cruzen

Paws does some push-ups in the heavy Bobcat suit with the varsity cheerleaders after a touchdown

Paws gets ready to take on his job of pumping up the crowd.

Page 14: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

WELCOME TO DRAMA CLUB

To act or to build, that is the ques-tion. The Drama Club puts on

many productions every year, but who makes the sets? Technical Theatre is a class taught by Denise Botzki, where students draw designs of sets and turn them into real-ity. On the other hand, Drama Club is where actors are allowed to audition to attempt to be in a production. There are also several drama classes, all taught by Botzki. Throughout the years, many students have believed that there has been a rivalry between the actors and techni-cians of the plays. This rumor has been busted. The Drama Club seems to make a big family when put together. The actors are always excited to be on the stage, and

when they see a huge set, they always wonder how the technicians are able to pull it off. Junior Luke Mantos says that the technicians create amazing set pieces that will “blow your mind.” Former technician, Lindsay Covert, senior, says that “Without the techies (the technicians nicknames) we'd have no set, lights, sound, or props. Every-one in a production has to pitch in it in order for it to run.” The technicians, also seem to enjoy the work of the actors.

Ashley Reyes, junior, likes the actors and says “I see them as very talented people, and I admire them because I believe they are very strong. I gotta give them a lot of credit for doing what they love.” On the other hand, senior Marc Payne believes that there is a tension between the actors and the technicians, especially during the final weeks of rehearsals. But in the end, they each get their own way. Actors do have many differences compared to technicians. Actors love

to be on the stage, while the technicians generally like to be backstage to make sure everything is going well. In the end, both sides end up making a spectacular production to put on for the school, regardless of their differ-ences.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Actors vs. Technicians

Q: How long have you been at Grand Blanc?A: I think I started in the fall of ‘97, so 16 years!Q: What are your special talents? A: Probably recognizing the potentials of my students and

helping them grow.Q: When did you first get interested in drama?A: Probably the first time I saw the “Wizard of Oz.” I was more interested in the char-acters of Dorothy’s compan-ions than her.

Q: What is your favorite musical/ play?A: “Guys & Dolls” and “Thoroughly Modern Milly.”Q: Who is your inspiration?A: My students.Q: What do you love about drama?

A: The relationships between all of the performers. Espe-cially the Drama 3’s and 4’s. Also the truth we can find as a community and the joy we receive by searching for it.

Drama and Technical Theatre teacher, Denise Botzki.

with Denise Botzki

Pedro Marin | Entertainment Editor

Aashima Sarin | Opinion Editor

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Page 15: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

OPINIONAsk Angie

Dear Angie, I can vote this year, but my parents are voting for the can-didate that I don’t want to vote for. Should I just vote the way that my parents are? Anonymous

Anonymous, Being allowed to vote is the most beautiful thing about this country. It’s one of the few powers we’re allowed as young Americans, so use it wisely and to your advantage! Keep up with the debates and issues and the way that both candidates will be aiming to solve them. Listen to your peers and elders for their opinions, but if they try to change your vote, then shut them down. It is YOUR vote. In all honesty, no one has to know who you plan to vote for, so if you don’t want to even deal with anyone else’s preferences, then don’t tell them! Votes are anonymous for that reason! Do what you want, really. It’s your first time voting, just be sure you are voting for what you want to support. On another note, if you can vote, use that power! We are one of a handful of countries that gives citizens the right to vote on who is in office. We have the power once we turn 18 to basi-cally rule our country, but we only have this voice every four years. Are you disappointed with how our country is being run? Then listen up. Find out about political flaws, see how you can change or improve those flaws, and vote! Do it!

Angie

Wet willies, toilet swirlies, and wedgies. All clichéd examples of bullying that no one ever sees. In our technologically advanced world, it is much easier to harass someone when you don’t have to see their face. On the other hand, more stan-dard bullying techniques still exist, such as verbal and physical abuse. The school’s primary domain of authority is located here. However, bullies aren’t stupid. They know physical bullying is easier to discover, and rely on the other aforementioned methods: verbal and technological. Technological is outside the schools range, unless the bullied party reports it, which can be difficult to do because of fear of retaliation. This leaves verbal bully-ing, which I believe is too often over-looked by staff as “jok-ing around”

or goes unreported by the victim due to again, fear of “payback.” Even when they remain anonymous, the victim is often under the impression that the bully will know that they reported them. This inability to identify

true bullying and to report it leaves an otherwise powerful incentive against bullying, OSS,

ineffective. This is where we by-

standers come in. Report what you see or hear, make

someone’s life a little better.

No, you aren’t tattling, you’re

doing what should already be done. Take a stand.

Jake Young | Copy Editor

Jake Young, Copy Editor

Photo: Banner/Konieczny

The online bullying report form on the GBHS website

THE MODERN BULLY Figuring out the difference

between jokes and bullying

Page 16: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

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No one has the right to dictate who can or cannot get married. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will be of the same opinion this fall. During its current term, the Supreme Court is going to review the Defense of Marriage Act, which says that any state can refuse to recognize gay marriage from another state. If the act is declared unconstitutional, it would end the ban on gay marriage in every state that does not allow for it. This could be a tremen-dous achievement in equal rights. Marriage is a funda-mental right and shouldn’t be denied simply because it’s two men or two women. Marriage is between two people who love each other, and it doesn’t matter if those two are homo or hetero-sexual. My objections to the ban on gay marriage is simple

logic. There is no statisti-cal evidence that allowing gay marriage is harmful to society. This includes gay parents. Despite people like Rick Santorum, who says that having a father in prison is better than having two mothers, the American Psychological Asso-ciation states that gay parents are actually better than straight parents. It’s because gay parents have to choose to become parents, while as much as 50 percent of straight parents become parents by accident. And to those who are against gay marriage: Why? Why is the fact that people can marry who they want to so horrible? An argument

I hear is that homosexual marriage will ruin straight marriage. How would that happen? I feel that there is no logical argument that can be made against gay mar-riage. That includes being

against gay marriage if it’s against your reli-

gion. Separation of Church and State destroys any argu-

ment support-ing the ban on gay marriage because it goes

against a person’s religious beliefs. If gay marriage is passed, no one is going to hold

straight people at gunpoint and force them to have a gay wedding. To be frank, hating homosexuals because it goes against your religion is like hating a fat person because you’re on a diet. What goes

on between two consenting adults pertaining to mar-riage, is their business. What I don’t understand is why the Republicans, who despise government inter-vention, spend so much time trying to “defend” marriage. Republicans claim to be against big government, but what government is bigger than the one that attempts to dictate who can get married? It’s completely hypocritical, but that’s nothing new for the Republican Party. I hope that the Supreme Court overturns the Defense of Marriage Act. Everyone has a right to be happy and no one should be able to deny that right. The U.S. prides itself as the land of the free, so doesn’t it make sense that people should be free to marry who they love, no matter the gender?

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o: B

anne

r/Kon

iecz

ny

CONSERVATIVE LUNACYA take on banning laws against gay marriage

Daniel Northrup | Columnist

Daniel Northrup | Columnist

In the last article of the banner, Daniel Northup wrote an article criticizing the Republican Party, titled “Conservative Lunacy.” In this article, this misinformed, biased columnist makes many mistakes. For example, Northup writes “The various ideas that the Republicans states, such as an anti abortion amendment... are absurd and only help the richest people of our country.” I would like to hear how an anti-abortion law only aids the rich in this country. Even though this mistake was more than enough to warrant the article not being published, he makes many more mistakes. Northup writes, “Paul Ryan accuses President Obama of causing numerous economic problems that were actually caused by the Republican-led Congress.” What problems is he discussing? How did the Congress cause these problems? Northup makes numerous assertions which he does not back up, effectively misinforming every person who reads this article. He states numerous debatable facts without the cour-tesy of presenting examples which support his assertions. Lastly, Northup states that Theodore Roosevelt was a Republican, where he was only a Republican for part of his career, T. Roosevelt was actually the first Progressive politician. While he makes this inaccurate comment about T. Roosevelt, Northup finished his column with criticism about the Republican Party no longer being the party of change- change that Northup criticized the Party for attempting to make earlier in his column. With the numerous mistakes that should not have been included in a column of The Banner, I felt it necessary to bring the absurdity of the column to the attention of the editors. Hopefully this feedback will prevent a column with similar mistakes to not be published in the future. Dillyn Foy

A letter to the Editors...Dillyn Foy speaks out on previous 'Conservative Lunacy' article

Page 17: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Fall is one of the most popular seasons for trends. With the weather changing everyone is layering up and trying to stay warm. This doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to suffer; you can look great and stay warm with this fall’s lat-est and greatest trends. Time to put away the sandals and say hello to boots. UGGs are still ever present in the halls of GBHS, but riding

boots have made their debut this year. Made of leather, these riding boots go great with vir-tually any kind of pant and come in lengths such has knee-high and mid-calf. Stores like Macy’s and Bakers are popular venders for these boots, with prices ranging from $40-$150. A fall favorite that never seems to fail are scarves. Scarves come in all shapes, sizes, and colors making it easy

to find one for almost every outfit. Websites like Youtube give qual-ity tutorials on different ways to wear scarves which may help when you’re looking for that little “something” to add to your outfit. Every outfit can be completed with a good hair day, and a good hair day only comes once in a great while if you’re anything like me. A simple and quick hairstyle that can work

with curly or straight hair, and has been popular this fall, is the bow bun (see tutorial). This bun can work on second day hair (when you sleep in) and goes great with fall clothing such as scarves and sweaters. With these trends in mind, stay warm this fall and don’t be afraid to layer up.

5. There you have it! The bow bun.

1. Grab hair and hold as if you were put-ting it into a high pony. Take out a small section of hair toward the middle.

2. Secure hair into a bun, leaving the sec-tion of hair out.

3. Split bun down the middle by grab-bing both sides and pulling apart.

4. Take section of hair that was left out and put it through the part in your bun and secure with a bobby pin.

COLDER WEATHER, HOTTER TRENDSSarah Strickland | Copy Editor

Sarah Strickland | Copy Editor

Fall fashions that can work

for everyone

BOW BUN TUTORIAL

Photos: Banner/Strickland

Page 18: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

18 banner2012//@BobcatBanner

‘FIFA 2013’Austen Bolliat-Cline | Staff Writer

Worldwide, millions of children and adults alike gear up to play the some of the world’s most popular sports daily. From football to fútbol, soccer may not be as popular in the U.S. as it is across the world, but American affinity for video games and the soccer franchise of FIFA has bridged an international gap and brought the differing cultures closer together. Soccer has reigned as a favorite in countries like the United Kingdom, along with many countries in Europe. However, if anything is

going to make Americans love the sport, it may as well be the hit video game “FIFA 13” by EA Sports. The 2012-2013 install-ment in the FIFA 13 series features many new modes and is available on a bundle of consoles so that everyone will have access to the game. The cover of “FIFA 13” features Lionel Messi, the star of the FC Barcelona team. Messi is also the most famed, rare, and expensive player in the most popular FIFA game mode. Ultimate team has suc-ceeded once again and has a

new and improved Auction House feature where players can once again bid, buy, trade, and sell the players from their respective clubs. The career mode is very similar to last year’s, but playing both as a player and a manager, the game gives you an option to play or manage for both a club and international team in the same season. The game mode that I am most excited about is the online friendlies matches. You can play your friends with any team, club or inter-national and play out a five

game season against them. The game keeps record of goal differential. On the Xbox version of the game, there is an achievement called “Still Friends?” that is unlockable when you win a season against a friend. The new EA game is sure to be a hit with all fans, from the die-hards to the newcomers. The game costs anywhere from $40-$60 depending on your preferred console.

New video game satisfies many

“I hate it, but I love it.”"Best game ever, I play it all the time."

"’FIFA 13’ is my favorite sports game. There is so much to do and it never gets old."

"It's amazing, I just wish I had time for it."

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os: B

anne

r/H

erzo

g &

Kar

atza

-Michael Puro

-Stefan Velbabovic

-Sharbel Massoud

-Mohammad Ali Tahboub

How GBHS students feel about ‘FIFA 13’

BANNER REVIEW

Page 19: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

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Page 20: Bobcat Banner -- 10/2013

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