Winter Weather Effects Students Lives

Feature

By Curtis Tallmadge

Husky Herald Reporter

  It’s that time of the year again, January, the time when we usually get the most snow and the most severe cold weather.

  It’s that time when the roads are covered in snow and ice with temperatures that are below freezing. We can always hope for a snow day, but those can be far and few between, so how do the students of Port Huron Northern deal with this dilemma?

  For a lot of students, they are standing outside in sub-zero weather occasionally waiting for their school bus to arrive, depending on how quickly the bus is going that person could be outside for a very long time.

  Then there are other students who either drive themselves or get driven to school, they don’t have to worry about standing in the cold, but they do have to worry about the condition of the roads, especially if they live on a back road that doesn’t get plowed or salted. It can be a difficult drive for some students depending on where they live.

  “I live on a main road that gets plowed and salted pretty regularly and even if it didn’t, my truck has four-wheel drive so I would  have no problem getting to school in some really severe weather,” said Russell Tenbusch (‘15).

  “I have to get out of my house and walk to my bus stop at around 6:30 in the morning, it’s a pretty long, cold, walk every morning, and sometimes I end up waiting a very long time for my bus. It’s pretty annoying when it’s as cold as it is out, I end up wearing a lot of layers that I have to take off when I get to school because it’ll be too warm,” said Travis Sparks (‘15).

  “I get driven and picked up from school by someone everyday so the weather doesn’t affect me personally, I live on a main road so it’s usually cleared by the time I have to leave for school,” said Jason Russell (‘15).

  It is important to dress warm and drive carefully during these couple months when we have severe weather, it is always better to arrive late then to not arrive at all.

  

Huskies Watch College Football

Sports

By Steven Dolinski

Husky Herald Reporter

This year was one awesome year in college football and we saw everything from unbelievable comebacks and last second wins to heart breaking defeats and upsets. It was also the end of the BCS era and the beginning of the long awaited 4 team playoff era.

  The season started with reigning national champs Florida State University hungry for a repeat and to keep their impressive win streak alive. Number 2 was the powerful Alabama team and their tough defense. Number 3 was the high flying high scoring Oregon Ducks looking for a title. Number 4 was Oklahoma and their powerful offense.

  Over the season the rankings remained nearly the same with Oklahoma falling out of the rankings being replaced by a surprising Ole Miss team. Mississippi State was named the new number one after upsetting Alabama. Oregon suffered a devastating loss to Arizona as well.

  But the Mississippi State Bulldogs playoff hopes were crushed as they dropped 3 games near the end. At the end of the season the rankings were final. Alabama, Florida State, Oregon and Ohio State were going to the very first college football playoff.

  Alabama was to play Ohio State and the Seminoles were to play the Ducks. The underdogs Ohio State and Oregon won their games and were off to the National Championship Game.

  Ohio State completely dominated and went on to win 42 to 20. Securing their first title since 2003.

Northern Switches Wardrobes for the Weather

Feature

By Kimberley Dunkin

Husky Herald Reporter

With the weather being at an all time low, how does one stay warm yet fashionable?

  Staying warm in the winter is important to keep from getting sick and staying healthy, but staying in trend at the same time can be tricky. What’s in and what’s gonna keep you warm doesn’t always coincide.

  However, winter fashion has risen over the past few years. Women can easily find coats, vests, and boots fashionable and ready for the cold.

  Both for women and men parkas have recently become very popular. The long, thick winter jackets that keep your entire upper body warm in the chilly winds also have a very high fashion statement.

  “I’ve worn my Uggs for the past 3 years, they keep my toes warm and go with everything I wear!”, said Chelsea Granger(‘15).

  A popular winter footwear for mostly women is Ugg boots. These boots have been popular for a few years and still remain at the top of the charts for winter footwear.

  As for guys, just recently Timberland boots have become extremely common for everyday footwear. “I love timbos, I can wear them with sweatpants and bum it or jeans and look casual”, Michael Triebwasser (‘16).

  The NorthFace brand is one of the most popular winter apparel brands all over the world. For men, women and children the brand carries fleece, parkas, rain coats and many other jacket styles to keep warm.

  How to dress fancier in the winter? Easy. Knit tights have become really common for women to wear with dresses or skirts. This way, ladies can still dress up in classy clothing and not freeze to death.

  Oversized, fuzzy sweaters are super cute and keep you feeling warm and snuggly all day. Pair one with leggings or jeans for a comfy yet cute look for girls.

  “Layering is perfect for this kind of weather!” said Mr. Jerrod Black. It’s always a good idea to use layering in the cold. Layer a puffy vest with a long sleeve tee so the vest keeps the cold off your chest outside and if it’s too hot indoors taking off a layer is no problem.

  So don’t use the cold as an excuse to be unfashionable and keep up with this seasons trends!

  

Northern Meets Burpo Family

Feature

By Elena Nguyen

Husky Herald Reporter

  A trip to heaven and back? The Burpo family has experienced this all too well when their son Colton went to heaven and came back while during an emergency appendectomy.

  At just four years old, Colton Burpo had an experience that would last a lifetime, and changed his entire family’s life. And this experience made an impact on people’s lives everywhere.

  With a movie and book about their son’s experience, the Burpo family made an appearance at Port Huron Northern High School. There were two separate events at Northern, one where the family spoke to the students during their lunch hours, and the other a movie event in the PAC where you could watch the movie then ask the family questions after.

  “These events were a great way for the students to interact with the family,” says Mr. Farnsworth. And if you wanted something more, the family did a live performance at Landmark, which went more in depth with the story.

   Of course this opportunity was very inspiring to many people. “This really inspired me, how this kid could go to heaven and come back and tell the story all over again,” says Cole Galbraith (‘18).

  Meeting the family was also very exciting, “I felt amazing, it felt so nice meeting the family, it’s like they’re famous,” says Alexis Cribbs (‘17). “When I met the family, I realized that these were really nice people for who they are,” Galbraith (‘18) says.

  Being able to talk to the actual boy who went to heaven in person was a very great experience for some students. “I was excited to meet Colten because he is the actual person who witnessed heaven himself, I can’t believe he can even describe the angels,” Cole Galbraith (‘18) says.

  Not many schools would be able to have this opportunity to do something like this, so it’s amazing that Northern did. Many students appreciated this opportunity.

School Wagers Who Will Win the Super Bowl

Sports

By Tanton Elliott

Husky Herald Reporter

  NFC and AFC championships are big games in the NFL. This weekend there will be four teams battling for their chance to go to the superbowl. We took a tally of who our students think will win.

  Our first tally came out that the Patriots will win over the Colts. It was not a close tally, only one voted for the Colts. “The Colts are going to shock the world.” Mike Mahaffy(16)

  “I think the Patriots will blow out the Colts and go to the super bowl and win in overtime. I like the Patriots because Tom Brady went to UofM,.” said Brett Manis(17)

  The other matchup is between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. Our tally came out that the Seahawks will win that game. “I like the Seahawks because they have played in big games like these before, plus Marshawn Lynch is a beast.” said Spencer Vasbinder(15)

Are next tally is who will win the superbowl, it was a close race between Seattle and New
England. New England is favored to win.  

Student Reports on Upcoming Movies

Feature

By Joshua Haight

Husky Herald Reporter

 In the many decades of cinema, there have been only a few precise years that stand out as the biggest years in cinematic history. Years like 1984 with titles like The Terminator, The Karate Kid, Footloose and Ghostbusters, and 1994 with The Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction stand out most prominently in this category.

  In the dawn of these years, the box office success of their films depended upon marketing through magazines, television commercials, and critics’ reviews. There were no internet marketing ploys and not much was known about the films that were coming out until they hit theaters.

  In the past twenty years much has changed in film. Internet was integrated into marketing and buzz/excitement became expressed through social networks.

  In a big box office year like 1984, there was no definite slate as to how many films would come out that year or what they would be. Though a myriad of film attributes have remained the same, we now know what films are being released, when they are released and have a rough guess as to what they will be about.

  Revolutionizing the box office year, 2015 stands to be the next legend in cinema. It seems that every movie studio has joined the competition for box office hits during this year. Why is that? Well, I think that films predetermined with this release year stood in their position and other films began to jump on the bandwagon and closely follow.

  In about 2012, the makers of franchises such as Star Wars, The Avengers, Fast and the Furious, and Jurassic Park arranged far away release dates for the purpose of production time. It all started with those arrangements and faded into a stuttering competition.

This competition led to the year 2015 becoming the base ground for high budget comic book/ action film franchises to sink their teeth into box office dollars. Though these films are welcomed with open arms, competition will be steep in terms of how much money will be earned, as opposed to actual quality of film.

  And I’m not saying these movies will be unsatisfactory. All I’m saying is that people can get confused with the difference between quality and explosions, which it looks like a lot of 2015 movies are going to have.

  I think filmgoers will have to be open to new, strange, and ambitious movies of this year and let go of the movie stereotypes implanted in their brains because a myriad of different films , ranging from the
Wachowskis’ Jupiter Ascending to Neill Blomkamp’s Chappie, are sure to confuse and amaze audiences everywhere.

We, as filmgoers just need to keep an open mind in order to enjoy our movie experience. So sit back in that theater seat, open your eyes, and open your mind because 2015, possibly the biggest and greatest year in cinematic history, has already begun.

Seniors Make Tough Decisions

Feature

By Anu Nandi

Husky Herald Reporter

  Some will go off to college. Others will join the military, or the workforce.

  The future is quickly approaching, and seniors have some important decisions to make that will easily affect the rest of their lives. The Class of 2015 has been struggling with the reality of leaving the bubble they've lived in for four years.

  Several students have already submitted their college decisions. Gabby Bynum (‘15) immediately sent off her enrollment deposit as soon as she was accepted to Michigan State University.

  “It feels like a relief knowing that part of my life is completely decided, at least for the next four years,” Bynum said.

  Michigan State University was the most applied to college in Port Huron Northern this year, according to college-access coordinator Mr. Murphy. Almost a hundred applications were sent in.

  Others are waiting to receive offers to continue high school athletics in college. Two members of Port Huron Northern’s star track team have already signed to Division 1 and 2 colleges, while three others still wait for offers.

  Kenzie Shell will pole vault at the University of Oklahoma and Brad Mallory will run at Oakland University.

  Members of Northern’s volleyball and basketball teams wait for offers as well, as Brenna Murphy and Becca Richards have also made plans to continue their athletic careers.

  Some students still face the fear of waiting for their dream colleges to send out acceptances. Nerves have set in for several seniors.

  “I’m definitely scared about my future. It’s nerve racking when you get deferred and you can’t plan anything while you wait,” said Jessica Ankley (‘15).

  Other seniors have quickly realized the error of not applying to safety schools and had rapidly been sending out more college applications before their January 1st deadlines.

  Some students are also joining the military and others have chosen to continue their future by working.

  While some students rejoice for their newly decided futures, parent begin to worry about letting them out of the house.

  “My mom is honestly freaking out about sending me to the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)! It’s only a two hour drive, but for parents it’s a rapid adjustment as well when their first child leaves for college,” said Megan Burns (‘15).

  Students have been applying for scholarships like crazy as soon as FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) came out on New Year’s Day.

  Wherever the future may take them, Port Huron Northern’s Class of  2015 will continue to strive in life and plan for the road ahead.

Favorite snow day activity?

Chatbox

By Jake Schott

Husky Herald Reporter 

Noah McNutt ('18)

"I love to get out on the pond and play some hockey with my friends"

Allie Fleet ('15)  

"I love to get a group of friends together and go sledding, or just lay in bed"

Brooke Hulett ('16) 

"I honestly just love to stay in and watch Netflix, or go bowling with friends"

Kathleen O'Connor ('17)

"Definitely sleeping in!"  

Ferguson Talk Spreads Through School

Feature

By Kelsey Alexander

Husky Herald Reporter

It has headlined almost every TV station and newspaper in the nation. The Ferguson riots over the death of Mike Brown. 
These riots are taking place because a young officer, Darren Wilson, shot a suspect of a convenience store robbery six times. Eye witness reports and evidence seem to be conflicting the case and confusing the nation.
It looks as if the nation is divided into three groups at war.
One group, in summary, believes that Mike Brown was murdered on reason of race and the officer who shot him deserves justice. Another group thinks that the case was handed fairly and the officer was defending himself.
The last group seems to believe that the facts are too unclear and that there really isn’t enough evidence to form a case against the officer in question.
So it seems only ideal to see how the young adults, the future of our generation, feel about the riots being held.
“I think the riots are a little extreme but I think it’s great that people are actually recognizing that racism still exists and are doing something about it,” said Artez Hadley (’15).
Others like Garrett Corry agree with Artez. “This is just the beginning of another racial movement,” said Corry (’15).
The other extreme viewpoint seems to be taken mostly by adults.
“The whole situation is getting out of hand,” said Mr. Jamison, “Innocent people’s property is being destroyed.”
You can find a few students that agree with Mr. Jamison though.
“What is going on in Ferguson is not okay. The officer was doing his job and people are blinded by the hearsay, not the actual cold, hard facts,” Said Tommy Lees (’15).
Most students have chosen the grey area however.
“I believe that people need to stand up for what they believe in but not at the expense of other happiness,” said Tina Nandi (’15).
“There are ways to do this (protest) peacefully,” said Varun Nandamudi (’15).
All and all students are pretty diversified in their opinions on these riots taking place. We can only hope that peace is brought to the streets of Ferguson soon, whether it is justice for Mike Brown or Darren Wilson.

Northern To Battle Exam Week

Feature

By Olivia Reinhard

Husky Herald Reporter

Study Study Study! That is the motto leading up to and during exam week. It is a very dreaded week for the students of Port Huron Northern. Some students spend every waking moment studying for their hardest math or science exam; while others such as Kelsey Alexander  (‘15) have the motto “I’m a senior” and do not study at all.

  Teachers at Port Huron Northern do not feel the same way. When asked what substitute teacher Mr. Redfield thought about exam week he responded, “I think it is a necessary evil and I do not feel bad. The students must be tested on what they learned.” However some students will argue that exams do not even cover material that we learn in class and teachers just like to test our studying skills.

  A big plus about exam week is that the days are only half and students do not attend school on Friday. It is a teacher records day, or as some like to think of it as “payback” for the teachers. Seniors who got a one or two last year on their MME as a junior do not have to participate in exam week.

  Sophomore Jenna Koppinger (‘17) is not stressed out by exam week. She says, “I know what I know, exam week doesn't phase me. If you have good grades then your exam grade should not really impact your final grade.” If only everyone had this same thought process about exam week maybe it would not be so horrifying. Similarly Abhishek Tekumulla (‘17) says, “If you go into exam week with an open mind and pull through with good grades exam week isn't so bad.”  Tekumulla says, “Exam week is not the tough week to prepare for, it is junior ACT week that gets you.” However that is a whole nother story.

  Exam week is a stressful time however looking back on it, very helpful and well worth it. It gives you good test taking skills to prepare you for the ACT and MME so maybe you do not have to take exams your senior year! Test taking is a skill you will use your whole life and studying is something us students must get in the habit of!

Students Talk on Phone Apps

Feature

By Zachary Sommers

Husky Herald Reporter

 In today’s world, society is overpowered by technology. Almost anything you can imagine is either invented or is in the process, excluding time travel of course.

  Aside from all the big inventions, just about everyone has a smart phone. Whether it’s an iPhone or and Android, just about everyone has them.

  Those who do have them flood their phones with many apps, useful and useless. After all, there has always been that saying: “There’s an app for everything!”

  Many people spend just about all day on their phones, so what could they be doing that whole time? “Many of my apps I use throughout the day, mainly when I’m bored” says Tony Ayers (‘17).  

  Where as some people use very many, some use very few. “I only use iFunny, YouTube, and Instagram, and I use them everyday” says Alyssa Kippen (‘16).

  It’s weird, some apps people use all days, and others people only use for about a half an hour everyday. “I’ve noticed that I go on Facebook all the time, but I only go on iFunny for about a total of a half hour a day to check the featured section” says Tony.  

  Some app usage varies, “I could either use Netflix for a half hour, or all day. There isn’t a pattern” says Tony. With that, we can only wonder what makes the usage vary.  

  Almost everybody uses their phones in their free time, “When I’m bored I just load up Twitter or Facebook on my phone” says Nolan Richards (‘15). It’s clear that people would go crazy if their phones weren’t there to cease their boredom.

  Phones and their apps also provide some actual use, “When I miss a game, I can go on NHL Center Ice to look at the game highlights and stats that I missed” says Nolan. So phones aren’t as useless as presumed.

  “I’ve even went on the internet on my phone to apply for a college, then checked my email on my phone for a reply and received an acceptance email!” says Nolan. There it is, a good use of technology, using it to further one’s education.  

Coffee Sold In School

Feature

By Elena Nguyen

Husky Herald Reporter

  For a high school student, getting up in the morning can be tough. With all the things students are expected to do such as schoolwork, sports, a job, and managing a social life, most students don’t get a sufficient.amount of sleep at night.

  Many students turn to coffee to help them wake up and get going in the morning. Some students literally have trouble staying awake in the morning without coffee. “Coffee really helps me to wake up  and the caffeine in it gives me energy in the morning,” said Dakota Huffman (15’).

 Selena Squires (16’) also agrees. “School starts so early that I need coffee,” said Squires.

 So this poses the question, should coffee be sold in school? “Yes it should. We need it,” said Dalton Mckinstry (15’).

 Dakota Huffman also agrees. “Almost every student in Northern drinks a coffee in the morning so why not, plus the school would make a ton of money,” said Huffman.

 Students could also save a ton of money in the morning as well. With popular places to get coffee such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons, it can get pretty expensive to get a cup of coffee in the morning. Not to mention how time consuming the lines can be in the morning.

 “As long as it’s cheap and good with different flavors, I think selling coffee in school could be a great idea, especially because it would be convenient and take less time,” said Squires.

  Selling coffee could also make a lot of money for the school. The money made could definitely be used to benefit the school in many different ways such as put into improving the school, or put into various clubs or sports. The teachers and other staff of the school could also benefit from this in various ways as well.

Dalton Mckinstry has some ideas of his own about how the coffee should be sold in schools.

“It best be good coffee, and freshman are not allowed to have any, they're already hyper enough,” said Mckinstry.

“As long as it’s quality coffee, I think it’s a great idea,” said Huffman (15’).