Guys give the dance team a hand during pep ... - Holt High School

amparts
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 5 HOLT HIGH SCHOOL FEBRUARY 2012
Saddle up,
Cowboy
Guys give the dance team a
hand during pep assembly
page 14
Seniors Nick Worden and
Chris Mee perform with
the dance team in the
Winterfest Pep Assembly to
a mix of country songs.
Photo by Zahra Ahmad
Holt Senior High School
5885 West Holt Rd.
Holt, MI 48842
Photo by Meg McKay
NEWS:
Next year brings changes
to the normal school day.
Students will return to
semesters starting for the
2012-13 year.
PAGE 4
FEATURES:
Gauges and tattoos: two
trends that help students
express themselves.
PAGE 8
Photo by Dalton Gibson
SPORTS:
Fifteen senior athletes
take part in the Signing
Day celebration.
PAGE 16

2
News
FEBRUARY 2012 Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
F.Y.I. Art showcase exhibits student talent
�NHS APPLICATIONS
Applications are available in the
Counseling Office. The application
requires a letter from someone
who the applicant has done
community service for, six teacher
recommendations, 20 hours of
community service and an essay
saying why the applicant wants to
be part of NHS. The deadline for
the applications is February 28.
�BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The Student Council will host
tryouts for Battle of the Bands in
late February or the beginning of
March. They’re looking for garage
bands. At least half of the band’s
members need to be HHS students.
So if you think you’re good,
look for signs in the hallways for
more information. The Student
Council also needs financial sponsorship
for Battle of the Bands. If
you think you can help, contact
Student Council advisor Grant
Melville in E120.
�BILLY DEAN CONCERT
Country singer Billy Dean will be
performing at HHS on Saturday
April 14. His much anticipated
performance is scheduled to
start at 8 p.m. in the Margaret
Livensparger Theater. For reserved
seats the price is either $20 or $25.
To order tickets go to http://holt.
tix.com.
�WINTERGUARD
Winterguard spins flags and rifles
to music competing against other
schools in the state. They practice
every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6
p.m. Their next competition is on
March 16.
�STUDENT SUCCESS
ROOM
The Student Success Room
is a place where students can
go and study, do homework,
or sign up for a tutor. It is held
Monday-Thursday in the library
and lasts from 2:45-3:45. Any 10-
12 grade students are welcome
to attend. Students must have
their own transportation home.
Contact Student Success Coordinator
Joann Weil at 699-6423
with any further questions.
MSUFCU holds
artwork contest
for students and
school
codY SHAttUck
news editor
The MSU Federal Credit Union
(MSUFCU) held the MSUFCU
Student Art Exhibition for the
fifth consecutive year this month.
Throughout the month of February,
visiters could vote on their favorite
art piece.
150 art pieces were entered
into the contest from 15 area high
schools. Participating schools
included Holt, DeWitt, East
Lansing, Mason, Okemos and
Williamston. Students in grades
9-12 were allowed to enter their
artwork.
Categories featured at the
exhibition included paintings,
sketches, 3D pieces and
photography. Each school
submitted the 10 most promising
and creative pieces for the contest.
“The three art teachers along
with the interns choose 10 pieces
we thought had the best chance
of winning. We are proud of all
our students and their work,” art
teacher Heidi Irvine said. “It’s a
great example of what the new
generation is creating. It’s also a
showcase of Lansing’s talent.”
Out of the artwork entered, three
types of awards are given to the
students in the contest.
The Juried Award is an award
which is given by the judges that
determine the winner by reviewing
the art to make the final decisions.
Three students are picked for this
award.
The People’s Choice Award
is given to the top three artists
with the most votes online and
at MSUFCU Headquarters in East
Lansing. Voters were able to cast
up to five votes for their favorite
individual pieces.
The School Spirit Award is given
to the school that receives the
highest number of votes total from
both voting types: online and in
person.
Prizes included $300 and a $50
gift card to Blick Art Materials
for the first place winner, $200
for second place, and $100 for
the third place winner. There are
also cash prizes for 10 honorable
mentions.
Irvine said that this is a great
chance for high school students
who want to get their work out in
the public.
“Art is a communication. This
is a chance for them to expose
and show art that they are proud
of,” Irvine said. “Art class helps
students to synthesize and
communicate their own creative
ideas about what is going on in
the world.”
Not only do students like to
communicate their work, they see
it as an honor to be entered into
the event.
“It means a lot to me. I don’t
necessarily think that I will win,
but knowing that mine got entered
in the competition at all is really
an honor,” senior Ashlee Bowden
said. “I would encourage students
to get involved in art now, so that
it will be something they will carry
on in the future.”
Other students were entered into
the contest by the teachers, but still
feel proud about what they get to
accomplish.
“It’s a great opportunity to
see other local students’ art. I
feel there are some really good
pieces in the contest,” senior Joey
Buckland said. “There are a lot
of interesting works, with unique
ones with different colors and
contrast.”
Senior Meghan Klauka hopes
to continue her work with art in
her free time as a hobby. With the
artwork that was submitted into
the contest, Klauka hopes to raise
awareness of problems within the
world.
Klauka said her piece was
inspired by friends and people
that go through difficult times in
life. The piece she created was one
that illustrated self-harm.
“I don’t really have any goals
for a career in art. But I want to
continue it as a hobby,” Klauka
said. “I have been involved in art
and art class my whole life. What
makes this special is that we can
bring awareness to situations that
people face.”
The showcase is not only a good
way to see artwork of various
students. It’s also a way for the
voice of students to be heard,
Irvine says.
“Several people in the
community feel that the voice of
the young generation is important.
We want to see and hear their talent
and ideas,” Irvine said. “Some
people made this opportunity
happen, with a lot of volunteering.”
Artwork by Meghan Klauka
Inspired by the issue of self-harm, senior Meghan Klauka designed her painting for the MSUFCU Art Exhibit to raise
the awareness for such problems. Klauka was one of ten students who were entered into the contest.
Artwork by Ashlee Bowden
Featured Artists
Featured artists in this year’s Art
Exhibit at the MSU Federal Credit
Union included six seniors, two
juniors and two sophomores.
Ashlee Bowden, senior
Joey Buckland, senior
Casey Harkema, senior
Madison Hayes, senior
Zoe Howard, junior
Whitney Howe, sophomore
Meghan Klauka, senior
Jenna Lu, sophomore
Lexi Waldrop, junior
Nate Workman, senior

News
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
SADD brings awareness to issues
Club members focus
on teen issues in the
month of February
AnnA pAvlik
feature editor
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
took the initiative in the month of February to bring
awareness to three issues in the high school. During
the past month, the club has organized events and
activities to promote and inform students about
the importance of friendship, dating violence and
eating disorders.
“We help teens in all aspects of their life,” SADD
advisor Kellie Sweitzer said.
SADD continues to bring awareness to many
different topics throughout the school year.
“If we can help one student in one area make
a better decision then that’s a really good thing,”
Sweitzer said. “That’s success.”
SADD is sending members to a “Most Teens
Don’t” campaign in Eaton Rapids. The idea is social
norming, which means they are trying to find out
what the real facts about teenagers are compared
to what the stereotypes are.
“I hope to learn new information that we can
share with the school,” sophomore Melodie Wright
said. “ We want to show that some choices aren’t
cool and even though people think that most teens
do, in reality most teens don’t.”
Friends For Life
Friends caring for friends was the focus of the
Friends for Life campaign. Senior Lauren Maier is a
member of SADD and was in charge of the Friends
for Life campaign planning.
“I made a banner for people to sign that vouches
you will be a good friend,” Maier said. Members
also passed out candy Smarties and Dum Dums
at the event to symbolize making smart decisions
over bad ones.
During this campaign, SADD wanted to stress
the importance of making good decisions, and
PALs perform skits on bullying
Washington Woods
students learn about
the issues of bullying
mckEnnA gliSSon
staff writer
Bullying is just a something many children
experience, but not all of them know how to handle
it and need to learn.
The Peer Assistance Leadership (PALs) members
Photo by McKenna Glisson
Last spring the members of SADD created a banner for students to commit to never drinking and
driving, which resulted after the accident last year in January. It hangs in the center commons to as a
reminder to the students of what they agreed to do.
how each choice that you and your peers make
can affect each other.
“I feel many people in high school have certain
friends for the wrong reasons,” Maier said. “I want
people to know that no matter what, it’s never too
late to make a new true friend and that you are
never alone.”
Sticky notes were placed on the mirrors of
the boy’s and girl’s bathrooms with tips on how to
be a good friend as a reminder of the right way to
treat friends.
The campaign went on during both lunches on
February 22, 23 and 24 in the center commons.
Fliers were placed around the school to help bring
awareness for the event.
Teen Dating Violence Prevention and
Awareness Month
Nearly 1.5 million high school students
nationwide experience physical abuse from a
dating partner in a single year according to the
SADD website. During the month of February,
SADD brings awareness about a very common
problem for teenagers: dating violence.
have come up with scenarios called bully skits that
they narrated at Washington Woods. The students
at Washington Woods acted them out.
The choir and Men of Holt S\students will also
be performing at Washington Woods after spring
break.
High school students have joined PALs to help
people in every way and to send a positive message.
“I want everyone, including younger kids, to be
more aware of bullying and how to take a stand in
a bullying situation,” senior Amanda Lester said.
These skits were situations that the PAL’s have
experienced or witnessed at some point in their life.
SADD members will make announcements
next week at the end of the day over the intercom
stating one fact about teen dating violence.
“Our hope is that if we can draw attention
to one person about the severity of dating
violence, then we can help someone get out of
get out of that relationship and help them realize
they deserve so much more,” Sweitzer said.
National Eating Disorders Awareness
Week
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes
place from February 26 to March 3.
“I feel like people don’t pay attention to this
problem,” Wright said. “I hope to draw attention
to it so that they can get help.”
Wright, who is organizing the event, plans to
sell T-shirts during the week in center commons.
Everyone is welcome to join SADD and help
bring awareness to the school about the problems
teenagers face.
SADD meets Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. in
Sweitzer’s room E116.
“It is to show that HHS students have learned
from those experiences and now want to share
with the younger students how to deal with those
issues in an effective way. The main goal is to teach
students how to deal with these conflicts to reduce
the occurrence of bullying and victimization,” PAL’s
advisor Rebecca Fredrigo said.
HHS and middle school students sang a song
about bullying that goes along with Washington
Woods bullying curriculum. The counselor from
Washington Woods, Matt Bliton, spoke at the
assembly. Officer Hall also spoke out against cyber
bullying.
In Brief
3
FEBRUARY 2012
�ACT/MME TESTING
The ACT and the Michigan Merit
Exam (MME) are scheduled for all
juniors in March. On Tuesday, March
6, juniors will be taking the ACT.
Only juniors will attend school on
Tuesday. On Wednesday, March 7
and Thursday, March 8 juniors will
take the MME and Work Keys.
Sophomores and seniors will have
late start both days. The ACT and
MME are mandatory graduation
requirements for all juniors. Students
need to bring identification, either
driver’s license or student ID, and
are reminded to leave cell phones
at home. Information and practice
ACT problems can be found at www.
actstudent.org
�BLOOD DRIVE
The National Honor Society (NHS)
and American Red Cross will give
students and staff the opportunity
to donate blood on March 19. In
order to donate you must be at
least 17 years old, meet height and
weight requirements, and be in
good health. Be sure to bring donor
card or a government issued photo
I.D.
�TRI-COUNTY’S GOT
TALENT SHOW
Tri-County’s Got Talent for Alcohol
Awareness is a talent show that will
be held on Saturday, April 21 in the
Dewitt High School Auditorium at
6 p.m.
Students that live in the tri-county
area can audition for the show on
Saturday, March 3 and Saturday,
March 10 at Imagine This Church
in Grand Ledge. Performances can
include singers, musicians, dancers
and other acts.
�SCHOLARSHIP PACKETS
Seniors can pick up scholarship
packets in the Counseling Office.
Only Holt High School graduates
have access to these 15 scholarships
that are sponsored by many local
businesses. All requirements for the
scholarships must be turned into
the Counseling Office by March 29
at 3 p.m.
�DECA
Students from the Retail Marketing
class compete in this annual competition.
Going up against students
across the state, our event winners
will be competing Friday, March 2
and Saturday, March 3.

4FEBRUARY
2012
In an effort to balance the budget, Holt schools will be
returning to semesters next school year. During a faculty and staff
in-service on January 16, Principal Brian Templin announced
that the change would occur next school year with the hopes of
saving the district $100,000.
The change was formally announced to parents at Parent
Information Scheduling Night on Monday, February 6. It will be
included in the proposal to the school board on March 19 that
will address ways of cutting costs for the upcoming school year.
By going back to semesters, students will have fewer
spaces in their schedules to take elective courses. Although
Superintendent Dr. Johnny Scott declined to interview for
Ramparts, he stated in an article in the Holt Community News
that he thought the change was a way “to help college bound
students” while “making the school more efficient.”
With trimesters, students have more half days with an
additional set of exams, causing additional planning throughout
the district. The fact that there will be three fewer exam days is
projected to save the district a significant amount.
Junior Sherye Bradley thinks it may be hard to transition
credits from trimester form to semester form, but was happy
with the change.
“It’s a good thing because there are less finals and cramming,”
Bradley said.
Some students are worried about how they are going to do
academically based on the amount of information they will
have to retain.
“It’s a bad thing because there will be more to remember for
exams,” sophomore Courtney Bagley said.
Because there will be complications with maintaining enough
credits to graduate, while taking four years of some electives,
for example band/choir or languages, the district has decided
to count some of the elective credits attained in eighth grade.
Students who begin a language in eighth grade, for example,
will be allowed to use the credit they receive as part of their
credit at the high school level.
Spanish teacher Karen Holman-Cevera said that
communication is a key to learning a language. She acknowledged
that with any big decision there are pros and cons, and she said
News
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
Administration chooses to return to semesters
Preparing for the 2012-2013
school year, adjusting to a
2x6 schedule
mEg mckAY
editor-in-chief
Photo by Meg McKay
Psychology teacher Russ Olcheske’s class plays the plunger game as review for an upcoming test. Because Psychology is
an elective class, it is in jeopardy of having fewer enrolled students as a result of the cutback in number of elective spaces.
she liked the opportunity going back to semesters provides.
Some new classes that were added this year may also be in
jeopardy. Advanced Psychology was started to be an extension
to the regular Psychology course. When the district changed
to a 3x6 schedule and the hours were shortened, classes like
Psychology had to cut a large amount of content.
“It’s a simple math problem; less kids will have space to take
it,” Psychology teacher Russ Olcheske said.
In Olcheske’s opinion, the changes are being made to simply
save the district money, which can sometimes be frustrating.
The budget will be better predicted once the school knows
exactly how much money they will receive per student from
the state.

News 5
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS FEBRUARY 2012
Spring musical brings up story about sexism
Great acting, singing and
dancing are in the upcoming
production “9 to 5”
AnA moncAo
staff writer
A comedy that, behind its smart humor, critiques the
sexist way women were treated a few decades ago, is the best
description for this year’s spring musical “9 to 5.” The story is
about three women who go out to work and find themselves
working for an unbearable boss. As the musical goes on, they try
to get even with him because of his mistreatment in the office.
“The plot takes place in the 1980’s, and it’s about three
secretaries that are poorly treated by their boss and they plan
on killing him, but they end up kidnapping him,” said junior
Megan Myers, one of the leads in the show.
The cast promises to keep the audience entertained by funny
and clever lines, great dancing, at least 15 songs, and of course,
excellent acting.
The students are excited about the musical, especially
because they had to work hard to get their funds back. The
district froze funding for the show earlier this year. After a
group of students went to the school board meeting and gave
speeches to prove how important the arts are for students, the
board reinstated the musical.
“We fought hard to be able to do this musical, and everyone
will get to watch their friends dancing, acting and singing great
music,” junior and ensemble participant Shyanne Conerly said.
The original production went off Broadway in 2009. It is based
on the movie “9 to 5” starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily
Tomlin as Doralee Rhodes, Judy Bernly and Violet Newstead,
respectively. The students who play the main characters are
sophomore Emily Hadick (Doralee), junior Megan Myers
(Judy), freshman Makayla Kost (Violet), with junior Collin
McCarthy as Franklin Hart, their boss.
“He’s kind of like the bad guy. He is sexist, he treats them
badly, and that’s why he gets kidnapped and everything,”
McCarthy said.
Guests will enjoy a great story performed by 36 students
showing their acting, dancing and singing skills, directed by
the Vocal Music Director Monty Bishop. The production also
includes a pit orchestra, and two magic boxes that are going
Photo by Ana Moncao
Senior Brian Thering, freshman Makayla Kost and sophomore Emily Hadick practice in the band room for their roles in the
upcoming musical “ 9 to 5 “. The cast has practice every day of the week to improve their chemistry and their performances.
to rotate to change the scenery. One side is painted for the
bullpen and the other one for Hart’s office. There are a total of
four scenes on the boxes.
Performances will be held in the Margaret Livensparger
Theater Thursday, March 22 through Saturday, March 24 at
7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on March 25 at 2 p.m. The
production is open not only for students but for everyone that
would like to watch it.
“Besides students, I think parents would like to watch it
because they can relate to that time,” Conerly said.
The entrance fee is $6 for students and $8 for adults. Tickets
are available through the Community Education office or at
the door.
Spring Musical “9 to 5”
Thursday, March 22, Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March
24 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m.
Entrance Fee: $6 for students and $8 for adults.
Starring Emily Hadick, Megan Myers and Makayla Kost as
Doralee Rhodes, Judy Bernly and Violet Newstead
� �

6 Viewpoints
FEBRUARY 2012
Our View
Semester scheduling brings change
The Class of 2012 hasn’t dealt with semesters since junior high and
once they graduate, every class behind them will experience changes
within the school. Next year, the school is going to go back to a
semester system in order to save money from budget cuts made by the
government. This change is expected to save $100,000.
Schools around the area have already felt cutbacks with less money
coming in from the State of Michigan. The school is anticipating the years
to come and money must be saved in order to be financially stable.
Teachers always complain about cramming material into a trimester
because they feel like they’re being rushed. By going back to semesters,
teachers will be able to go more in depth with their material that was
intended for a semester. Exams will also be timed well because instead
of having exams before every holiday, students can enjoy their breaks and
come back to focus for exams. During a semester schedule, exams will most
likely be placed around January and at the end of the school year.
The reason why the school went to a trimester system was to open up
space for all students to take more classes. The problem with semesters
is that there are only 12 open time slots to fill classes. With only 12 slots,
language and art classes will be impacted again because core classes already
take up eight slots within a student’s schedule. Only seniors will enjoy their
semester schedules because only one English, math and economics credit is
required and students may fill their nine slots with any electives they please.
Students only have to take two semesters of their core classes, but the
drawback behind this is that exams will cover more material and possibly
be longer in length. Students may need to put the extra time and effort in
order to do well on exams. If students are struggling in their classes, the
benefit of having semesters is that students will be given more time to raise
their grades and get help from their teachers.
Next year, semesters will bring abrupt changes into everyone’s lives. Some
of these changes will benefit certain individuals and other changes will
impact them in a negative way. The semester scheduling is a scary first step,
but the decisions that were made will be taken into effect no matter what.
ramparts
Editors in Chief:
Managing Editors:
News:
Opinion:
Features:
Hot Spot:
Sports:
Staff Writers:
Adviser:
Chloé Henley
Meg McKay
Cody Shattuck
Tori Frailey
Anna Pavlik
Ben Blanck
Michael Hua
Zahra Ahmad, Maya Fews, Dalton Gibson,
Zack Gilliland, McKenna Glisson, Hannah
Marsh, Ana Moncao, Daniel Yu
Amy Clark
Editorial Policy: Ramparts is published by the Journalism class of Holt High School.
The newspaper serves the students and staff of Holt High School and as a connection
to the Holt-Dimondale community.
The objective of Ramparts is to publish a factual, informative and entertaining
newspaper, and to provide a forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints.
The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the
administration, the adviser, or all Ramparts staff members.
The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or
poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment.
Ramparts prints letters to the editor and guest editorials as space allows. Letters
must be typed, less than 200 words in length and signed. The editorial staff reserves
the right to edit for length. Ramparts will not print letters that are obscene, libelous
or that target an individual.
Advertisements that are obscene, misleading, or illegal to minors will not be
printed. Ramparts reserves the right to reject any advertisement. To place an ad,
contact the adviser or the Ramparts staff at (517) 694-2162.
Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus
High School Newspaper Service.
Your View
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
Athletes are underappreciated
Some sport
teams aren’t
getting glory
they deserve
Anna Pavlik
It’s amazing how many people
fill our stands during a football
or basketball game. An entire
section is dedicated to the students,
filled with fun activities, a cool theme
and a lot of cheering. Not only are
the stands packed with students,
but parents, community members,
alumni and friends also join together
for these big events. It’s amazing how
supportive we are of our teams.
That’s when I first thought about
how many sport teams we have in all
different seasons. There’s a lot more
than just the boys basketball and
football teams.
When I think about the other
teams’ record and all of the other
Segregation hasn’t changed
Dear Editor,
After several years of racial
segregation and even after electing an
African-American man as president,
there is still racial tension between
black and whites in America. I recently
watched a news broadcast in Detroit
and one of the stories talked about
how a teacher gave an assignment
where the African-American students
had to act, talk, walk, etc. like slaves
and had to write journals explaining
what their masters looked like. These
African-American students said that
they felt embarrassed to be black. As I
watched, it led me to think about the
real reasoning behind African slavery.
Many years my people have fought
for equal rights and even in today’s
world, as those rights are given, we
are still reminded of the harsh past
that our ancestors once faced. Why
still discriminate if we claim to be
one of the greatest countries in the
world? Why is it okay to break down
the human spirit of a person? These
questions run through my mind
sports that we have in the school, I
realized how twisted the reality of
student support is. The gymnastics
team has an amazing record of 7-1.
The varsity softball team that I am
on has been league champions the
past three years in a row with an 11-1
recurring record.
It’s not just girls sports teams
that don’t
get students’
attention. The
boys swimming
team has a
record of 7-1, yet
the bleachers
are not filled
with students.
When was the
last time you
went to a Holt
football league
“ Comparing these
teams’ records with those
sporting events that have
hundreds of people in
the stands, I realize how
underappreciated some
of the sports team are at
our school.
”
championship game or basketball
game? How about a district
championship game in either of
those sports? Fans hardly ever get to
experience a district or league title
game in football or basketball, yet for
the past three years softball has had
both district championship games
and league title games. Comparing
these teams’ records with those
sporting events that have hundreds
of people in the stands, I realize how
constantly, but I am a witness to
racism. The best healing from this
hurt is to hold my head high, know my
right and purpose in life, and to never
let another person break me down
because of the color of my skin. This
issue is still common but yet ignored.
We as all people should help each
other and work together, not separate.
Melissa Carter, sophomore
Judged on standardized testing
Dear Editor,
Over the years it has been debatable
whether standardized testing is a good
way to judge the students’ ability to
learn and understand the material. In
my opinion standardized testing isn’t a
good method to use because it doesn’t
show the creativity and critical skills of
the student, but rather if the student
can memorize the dates and facts that
don’t mean anything to the student.
Most students are missing out on the
“out of the box” kind of thinking that
is very key when you’re in college and
working when you get older. What’s
the point in teaching the material if
it’s all about memorization and not
about understanding of the reasons?
Teachers can get caught up in having
underappreciated some of the sports
teams are at our school.
How many students are in the
stands at these sports events? I know
from experience that there’s not a
whole lot. The stands are smaller
and the student section is nonexistent.
But why? Gymnastics, boys
swimming and softball all tend to
have a better record
than the football
team and the
basketball team. It
doesn’t even cost
anything to get into
some of the other
sporting events,
such as softball,
yet students pay $5
every time they go
to a football game
and basketball
game.
I understand that overall, this is a
football and basketball loving nation.
It’s not just in our school that these
sports get more attention, but it’s all
over the country.
I’m certainly not saying to stop
supporting our more well-known
teams, but instead show more
support to our underappreciated
sporting teams, too.
to base the material on the tests the
students will have to take and not
helping them gain the real world
knowledge that will help them succeed
in life.
Standardized tests can also put a
great deal of stress on not only the
students, but the teachers, too. Stress
can cause students to think negatively
about school and learning in general.
Students become worried about how
they will do on the test, which never
helps them to do better. Children and
teens almost become numbers. People
can judge us by the number we get on
the test.
I think that they will always be some
sort of standardized testing, but there
are other ways to test a student’s ability
and understanding through ideas like
verbal tests where the students are
forced to explain why the answer they
gave is right.
Zach Hulliberger, sophomore
Express your view
If you’d like to comment on an
article in Ramparts, or any issue
in the news, write us a letter to the
editor of 150 words or less and e-mail
it to us at ramparts@hpsk12.net.

Viewpoints 7
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
Striving for school supplies
Limited supplies
affects the
student body
Meg McKay
Stacks of paper, boxes of tissue;
rolls of tape, containers full of
staples: the beginning of the
school year always brings a count of
what supplies will be needed for the
year. But, this year it appears that
we’re already running low.
Why is this, you ask? Well, who
really knows the answer to that
question? At the start of each year
we are told to be sparing with the
resources we use and how much
we actually need. Budget costs have
clearly been seen this year. But, have
we gone too far now?
During cold season, students as
well as teachers appreciate having
nice soft tissues. When our sore
runny noses are bright red from
constantly wiping and blowing them,
all we want is a tissue to help. But we
can’t even have the scratchy tissues
at best anymore.
Because very few classes actually
have textbooks, all the work students
do come on white printer paper.
Trying to do school work without
something to do it on, would make
it nearly impossible. When we have
to show our
work or practice
problems, it’s
necessary to have
scrap paper. Math
class without
scrap paper is
just as difficult
as English class
without scrap
paper.
Students are
“ Back in kindergarten,
as a part of our
school supply list, we
were asked to bring in
boxes of tissues and
wipes.
”
told things like ‘the school doesn’t
have any’ and ‘there’s none in the
building’. How is that possible?
Evidently, we have worksheets to do
each day and handouts to read, so are
we really that low with our resources?
I fully understand that there are
certain things in a budget. Some
materials schools just can’t go
without. But when paper and tape are
two of those materials, it’s absolutely
necessary to do something.
Back in kindergarten, as part of
our school supply list, we were asked
to bring tissues and wipes. Just like
then, maybe that’s what we need to
do now - make it a requirement of
students to bring in those supplies.
If paper and tissue are things we run
out of just after passing the half-way
point of the year, there’s a problem.
When a school budget can’t meet
the requirements to run successfully,
there’s a problem.
There are some easy solutions:
rearrange the
priorities and
get some extra
participation. Have
students bring
things in or require
teachers to have
things available in
their classrooms. If
we have participation
on a greater scale,
there should be no
way we can’t supply our year. We
could find cheaper ways to supply
our school with the necessities.
Some alternatives are to buy
recycled paper, let students use
devices for notes, or take tests on the
computer. These are just a few ways
to save paper.
While it may be fortunate for us, it
could be just as unfortunate, that the
school has found the money to buy
more supplies. Because we acquired
the money somehow, we have more
of the supplies we were low or out
of, but at what cost? Where did the
money come from? Let’s just hope it
the price we pay isn’t too great.
Cartoon by Chloe Henley
Hot or not?
Trimesters:
Three chances
to get in all the
classes we want,
18 classes a year.
This gives us
enough time to
get in our credits and take the
electives we’re interested in.
Speak up
Corrections
FEBRUARY 2012
Semesters:
Only two chances to get
in all the classes
we want. It’ll be
harder to get our
credits in and
harder to take the
electives we want.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and
why?
“I would want to be a kangaroo because I can
always put stuff in my pouch and hop around.”
Kaleb Akers, sophomore
“A cat because they sleep all day. Everyone
loves them because they’re so cute, cuddly
and fluffy.”
Morgan Burton, senior
“I would be a tiger because they’re just sweet.”
Phil Dietz, sophomore
“I would be a dolphin because they get to swim
really far and they are free. They have no worries.”
Allison Pingston, junior
“Panda bear because they are chill.”
Sanda Vazgec, junior
Ramparts is committed to printing news that is both
informative and accurate. If we get it wrong, we want to put
it right. If you are aware of any errors of fact in our reporting
please contact us in room E221 or send an e-mail to ramparts@
hpsk12.net.

Features
8FEBRUARY 2012 Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
Students display personalities and expression
Unique body art is form of
expression for students and staff
toRi FRAilEY
opinion editor
Walking through the school halls, you notice students’ forms of expression
in a variety of ways: bright colors, long socks, hats, glasses, jewelry and more.
We all express ourselves however we see fit to our personalities.
Some forms of expression can be permanent, such as tattoos and
piercings. Tattoos and piercings have been a common form of expression
dating back thousands of years. Mummified bodies have been found with
tattoos that could be traced all the way back to 3300 B.C.
Tattoos are a common custom used in America to express personal beliefs
or expression. A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in the skin, that’s
filled with ink. It is made by penetrating the skin with a needle and injecting
ink into the area, usually creating some sort of design.
In some cultures, like Africa, stretching or piercing the skin is a popular
form of expression, particularly the lips. According to www.ezakwantu.com,
a gallery of African art, in some African cultures, it is customary to pierce the
lower lip and then stretch the skin out with plugs made out of wood, ivory,
clay, bone, shiny metal or even shell. The size of the plate represented social
or economic importance.
A more common form of piercing in America is known as ear gauges.
Gauges are similar to the African lip plates except in place of the lip being
stretched, the earlobe is stretched to a desired size. The smaller the number
of a gauge, the bigger the piercing size and jewelry.
MSU English intern Brett Robb has gauges and plans on keeping them
at their current size.
“I have always wanted to get my ears pierced, but it never seemed like
that big of a deal to me,” Robb said.
Expressing yourself can take many forms, some of which can stay with you
Photo by Tori Frailey
Junior Annie Boyd displays the tattoo she has on her foot. Like many
other students at the high school, Boyd uses tattoos and piercings to
represent who she is through body arts.
Photo by Tori Frailey
Senior Jacob Zajac has a tattoo that represents his family. The Polish
emblem and his last name on his right shoulder are presented.
the rest of your life. No matter how you choose to express yourself some of the
results can be permanent. Knowing the risks and dangers is also something
to consider before running out to get tatted up or pierced.
“You need to make sure you really love it before you go do it,” senior
Lauren Stubblefield said.
Stubblefield made sure she knew the risks and considerations to be
informed of before gauging her ear.
Some risks of getting a piercing, especially gauges, include infections, foul
odor, or in the worst case, if the lobe is stretched too quickly, the ear could
become permanently damaged and stay stretched out forever.
Tattoos can also leave a lifelong lasting form of art on the body. The
effects include, allergic reactions to tattoo dye or ink, bacterial infections
within the skin, or inflamed areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
These are all things to take into consideration when contemplating lifelong
body art such as a tattoo.
Another result of tattoos is permanency. When ink is injected under the
skin; it is being placed into the underlying layer of connective tissue, the
dermis. Cells in the dermis layer are not regularly shed and replaced. Once
the ink is in the dermis, it stays there.
“I think you should wait until you are fully grown before getting something
tattooed on your body,” junior Steven Liddell said. “Unless it is something
of great meaning that you won’t regret.”
The only way to “remove” a tattoo is through laser removal, light therapy
or special medicated creams, which are costly.
Knowing the risks and procedures of these body arts is vital to the personal
decision of deciding on what type of permanency is right for you. If care
instructions are followed correctly, and if it is a definite choice being made
by the one getting the art, and only them, then should there be no
reason for your form of expression to not be stated.
Whose ear is whose?
1. English intern Brett Robb
2. Junior Jenna McNamara
3. Senior Lauren Stubblefield
4. Junior John Murphy
A.
C.
Photos by Tori Frailey
B.
D.
Answers: 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D.
� �

Features 9
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS FEBRUARY 2012
double trouble
Twins at HHS share out the benefits and consequences of being born in multiples
cHloE HEnlEY
editor-in-chief
Seniors Lindsay and Lauren Strong
Eldest twin: Lindsay, by one
minute
Pros: “You always have a best
friend with you wherever you are
and you’re never alone. It’s pretty
much like a best friend that lives
with you,” Lauren said.
Cons: ”You have to share everything,”
Lindsay said.
Do you ever feel as if you can read each
other’s minds?: “Yes, we say each other’s
sentences, have the same dreams and
always talk at the same time,” Lauren said.
Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather
than an individual?: “Yes just because we always have to have
our birthday party together, but I like it like that sometimes,”
Lauren said.
“Not at all. We are more individual people,” Lindsay said.
What ways are you different from your twin?: “I like more
girly things,” Lindsay said.
“Everything. Like our tastes in guys, clothes, sports and
Juniors Martin and Michael Welch
Eldest twin: Martin, by 16
minutes
Pros: “I can always
blame him for stuff,”
Michael said.
Cons: ”It’s not any
different from having other
brothers or sisters. You just
have to share things,” Martin
said.
Do you ever feel as if you can read
each other’s minds?: “No, but we
know if something is bothering the
other, just like you would with a
close friend,” Martin said.
Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather
than an individual?: “Sometimes. People often expect us to
be doing the same things,” Martin said.
What ways are you different from your twin?: “We are
fraternal, and he is four inches taller than me. Michael has
blonde hair with blue eyes and is more open to try new
things,” Martin said.
Interesting fact: Michael said that most people don’t believe
that they are even related.
From sharing clothes to sharing friends, children born in multiples seem to have the best of both worlds. However, being a twin comes with many disadvantages.
According to multiples.about.com, it is said that the chance of having twins are about three out of every 100 births. Multipes at HHS talk about their experiences.
Photo by Lindsay Strong. Used with permission.
Seniors Jenna, Alex and
Nick Payne
Eldest triplet:
Jenna, followed by
Alex and then Nick
Pros: “Their hot
friends,” Jenna said.
“There is always
somebody else to
drive when you don’t
want to,” Nick said.
Cons: ”People are
constantly comparing us.
We are different people,”
Jenna said.
Do you ever feel as if you can read each other’s minds?: “Yes,
that is why we are so smart,” Jenna said.
Do you always feel as if you are seen as a package deal rather
than an individual?: “Yeah, sometimes. We are always viewed
together as triplets rather than just as ourselves,” Nick said.
How can people tell you apart from one another?: “Nick and
I have the same smile, but other than that, we look different,”
Jenna said.
Photo by Jenna Payne. Used with permission.
Sophomores David and Daniel
Nguyen-Tran
Eldest twin: David, by
seven minutes
Pros: “It’s fun to confuse
people, and you always
have a best friend. We can
talk in Vietnamese about stuff,
for example, people,” David said.
Cons: ” We get the same presents
for Christmas and our birthday.
Everyone always expects you to
be the same and best buds,” Daniel
said.
Do you always feel as if you are
seen as a package deal rather
than an individual?: “Yes, because we mostly do
the same things together, and we feel weird without the
other twin,” David said.
What ways are you different from your twin?: “David prefers
to dress nice, and I like to dress comfy. Also, David likes spicy
food and I don’t,” Daniel said.
How can people tell you apart for one another?: “You can
tell us apart by our hair because my hair is longer. We are
fraternal twins but people still can’t tell us apart,” David said.
Seniors Lauren and Travis Potter
Eldest twin: Lauren, by two
minutes
Pros: “It’s nice
to have similar
situations going on agewise,
such as starting high
school,” Lauren said. “There
was always someone to play
with when we were little.”
Cons: “We had to share our first
car,” Travis said.
Do you always feel as if you are
seen as a package deal rather
than an individual?: “No, since
we are boy/girl twins. We are more
seen as individuals,” Lauren said.
What ways are you different from your twin?: “Our
appearances, hobbies and sports are all different,” Lauren said.
Photo by Lauren Potter. Used with permission.
Sophomores Kristi and Carly Harless
Eldest twin: Kristi, by one minute
Pros: “You can share clothes, and you
always have someone to be around to
help with homework because we have
a lot of the same classes,” Carly said.
Cons: ”People are constantly asking
us if we are twins wherever we go
somewhere, and it’s kind of annoying,”
Kristi said.
Do you ever feel as if you can read each
other’s minds?: “Yeah. Sometimes she will
be singing the same song that’s in my head
in another room,” Carly said.
Do you ever buy matching clothes?: “Not as much as
much anymore. We used to all of the time when we were little,
but now if we do buy the same clothes, they are
usually different colors,” Kristi said.
What ways are you different from your twin?: “I am the more
outgoing and loud twin,and my twin, Carly is always telling
me to calm down and is more reserved,” Kristi said.
How can people tell you apart for one another?: “Carly has
a rounder face and longer hair. I have a beauty mark on my
cheek, and our personalities are different,” Kristi said.
Photos of Welches, Nguyen-Trans and Harless’ by Chloe Henley

10 FEBRUARY 2012
Holt
It’s in the genes
Anna Pavlik
Bouquet of hope
As I walked into my house, I
greeted my mom with a smile
and a kiss on her cheek. “Who’s
this for?” I asked, looking at the box on
the table. “For you! Open it!”
Although many say that high school
is the best time of our lives, many have
found out that it’s also some of the
hardest times.
While going through a particularly
rough patch, I was faced with the
question that we all have from time to
time: “What the heck do I do now?” My
mother reminded me of one thing, “You
always have family.”
I still moped around and threw
myself a pity-party (it wasn’t that great
of a party), wondering how people
could do this to me and why people
were doing this to me, but I tried to
remember what my mother told me.
After about a month later, I had
enough. My true friends and my family
members had told me that it was time to
forget the ones who brought me down,
forgive and move forward.
So I engaged myself in beneficial
activities. I joined a youth group
and started going to church more.
I constantly studied outside of my
nursing class, determined that one day
I will be the pediatric emergency room
nurse that I want to be. I hung out with
my best friend for endless hours. I did
everything and anything I could. I was
lost in happiness and focusing on the
right things, with my amazing family
and friends by my side who slowly
watched me become myself again.
This is when the box caught me
off guard. It wasn’t my birthday or a
holiday or anything special, it was a
normal Tuesday. So when I opened
the box to find a big bouquet of fresh
flowers. I asked, “What are these for?”
“Read the card,” my mom said.
It read: “These petals of the iris
represent faith, hope and wisdom.
These are gifts that are wished for you
every day. You are special and we love
you! Love, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Kenny.”
They knew what I was going through
and watched me go through it. In the
middle of my little mess, I forgot how
blessed I was to have family.
I called my aunt choked with tears,
endlessly thanking her. In my head I
was silently thinking, “Thank you for
believing in me, and thank God for my
family.”
Features
HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
The 2012 mythical end of the world gets closer
Students share
“last day” plans
for 2012
ZAck gillilAnd
staff writer
The myth that the world is going to
end on December 21, 2012, according
to the Mayan calendar, is one of the
world’s many controversies.
Now just because the Mayan
calender said the world would end
on this day doesn’t mean it will. The
Mayan calender was like the modern
Gregorian calendar, which is 365 days
long. The Mayans also measured time
in two different periods.
There was a “short-count” and
“long-count.” The short-count is
52 years long and the long-count is
5,125, which is coming to an end on
December 21. After that calendar
ends it would start over the next day,
December 22, just as if our calendar
would end on December 31, and start
over January 1, the next year.
A myth also says that gravitational
effects from the planets lining up with
each other this year will somehow
affect the Earth. According to
NASA the planets won’t line up on
December 21.
According to junior Ryan Phillips,
the world is not going to end at the
end of this year.
“If I could do anything on the last
day, I’d spend time with my friends
and play video games we love to play,”
Phillips said. “I’d also go to Chuckie
Cheese’s.”
Phillips also said that if, by the
small chance the world does end,
As the Earth rotates,
it burns as the
end of the world
unfolds. The world
is rumored to end
on December 21.
he would like to go to Italy because
he is part Italian, or go to Wrestlemania,
because he enjoys watching
wrestling.
Solar flares are a myth that have
been predicted to cause the end of
the world. When a solar flares slam
into Earth, they create auroras and
can cause damage to satellites and
power lines. They do cause damage,
but the damage inflicted isn’t long
lasting.
Back in 1859 a “super storm”
occurred that caused a lot of damage
for the time period. That damage,
however, would be much greater
during our day because we are so
dependent on technology.
Should people dwell on the fact
that it could happen? Probably not.
But if it does happen, we should all
�
Photo by istock.com
do something that we normally do on
a regular old day.
Junior DaVon Harris is one of the
many non-believers in the “2012”
myth.
“We have had so many judgment
day predictions, and I have always
had great days on those days, so I
don’t believe in the myth,” Harris
said. “On the very slim chance that
the world does end, I’d sit at home
eating burritos, drinking Slurpees
while playing my Xbox 360 and PS3.”
Harris also said he would visit
every state in the United States
because he hasn’t been in them
all and would like to experience
different ways of living.
Senior Alexander Argenta is also
one of the many who don’t believe
the myth, that the world is going to
Fact or fiction?
A Ramparts survey of 154
students was conducted to
see what students thought
about the 2012 myth. Is the
2012 myth true or false?
Source: Ramparts survey
end.
“I don’t believe the world will end
this year, but I’m hoping for a zombie
apocalypse, if it does happen,”
Argenta said. “I think that would be
the best way for the world to end.”
Argenta also said that he would
like for this to happen, so he can do
something that he normally wouldn’t
do.
“If this does happen, I’d rob a bank
in 30 seconds or less, even if all I stole
was a pen or the plants they have,”
Argenta said.
There are many speculations about
the world coming to an end at the end
of this year but according to NASA,
none of the “predicted” dooms-days
are going to happen-at least not in
our time.

Features
11
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS FEBRUARY 2012
Shake, Shake, Shake it up!
Ramparts visited fast food restuarants to review the most popular and nutritious shakes
Photo by Michael Hua
micHAEl HUA
sports editor
Would you like fries with that shake? A perfect addition to any
greasy fast food meal is a shake. With so many different dessert
options, what makes a shake worth the extra money? A shake is
unique because it serves as a dessert, but it can be consumed while
eating the main course of a meal. Many people compare a shake
to ice cream, but there’s a unique difference.
“Shakes are the perfect dipping sauce for fries,” senior Elizabeth
McKerr said.
Unlike a shake, ice cream is heavier and has an icy texture to
it. When someone tries to eat their ice cream with their food, it
doesn’t taste right because dessert is meant to be ordered and
eaten after a meal.
McDonald’s Shamrock Shake (medium 16 oz.)
�����
(550 calories, 13 g of total fat, 13 g protein):
This seasonal shake is only available from the beginning
of February to early April every year. In honor of St.
Patrick’s Day, this special shake was created and became
a hit during a few months of the year. When taking the
first sip of the shake, there’s an exciting minty flavor
that goes into your mouth. It’s nothing like mint
chocolate ice cream, that most people expect it to
be. There’s no mint chunks that overwhelm your
every bite.
“I love the Shamrock Shake because I’m part Irish and
the taste gets me every time,” McKerr said.
Wendy’s Original Chocolate Frosty (medium 16
oz.)
�����
(420 calories, 11 g of total fat, 10 g protein):
The original chocolate Frosty is the healthiest shake by
far. You may argue that a “Frosty” is a mix between a shake
and ice cream because a Frosty is a little thicker than a shake,
but it just tastes right with a meal. Either way, people treat
a Frosty like a shake because it pulls together a perfect meal.
The chocolate Frosty is creamy and is sweet enough to go
well the salty fries.
“Wendy’s Frostys are healthier which makes it so good,”
Harris said.
“Shakes are a better dessert because they’re easy to drink while
eating,” junior Kayla Valles said.
Shakes are available at most fast-food restaurants because they’ve
gotten so popular. From young teens to the elderly, everyone loves
to enjoy a delicious shake when going out for fast food.
“Shakes just add something sweet to a meal,” sophomore Averie
Harris said.
It’s obvious that shakes are delicious, but what restaurant has the
best shake? A mission was set to test and review different shakes
in the community. The following list orders the shake from best to
worst, using a five star system.
Steak and Shake Peanut Butter Cup (regular 20 oz.)
����
(1030 calories, 113 g total fat, 23 g protein):
Steak and Shake is one of the most popular places to
purchase a shake, (hint: “Steak and SHAKE”.) The Peanut
Butter Cup is one of the most popular, according to some
waitresses. A mixture of Reese’s and Snickers are combined
into a very thick shake. Without a doubt, the shake is delicious,
but eating the shake with greasy food can be too much to take
in. The average person should take in 2000 calories a day and
consuming this shake takes up half of your daily intake, which
makes the shake very unhealthy.
“I only get the shake once in a while, but it’s delicious and
goes well with their burgers and fries,” Valles said.
Maggie Moo’s Cookies and Cream (regular 20 oz.)
����
(1076 calories, 63.6 g of total fat, 16.8 g protein):
Maggie Moo’s is known for their ice cream. The ice cream
is creamy and there are many unique flavors, ranging from
pistachio to cotton candy. They can take any ice cream flavor
with toppings and mix it in a blender to serve it as a looser shake.
Many people love their Cookies and Cream shake because it
tastes exactly like the ice cream, but can be consumed simply
through a straw. The only downfall is that the shake also takes
up 1/2 of your daily intake of calories.
“Maggie Moo’s is the ice cream Ukai,” senior Dalton Stiles said.
Arby’s Jamocha Shake (medium 16 oz.)
���
(506 calories, 13 g total fat, 13 g protein):
Arby’s is known for their curly fries and roast beef sandwiches, but they also
are home to their shakes. The flavors vary from chocolate, vanilla and their most
famous and advertised, Jamocha. The Jamocha shake is a perfect combination
of chocolate and coffee flavors blended together to make a thick and creamy
beverage that will go perfect with any meal, or for any daytime snack. Arby’s is
not usually the first place that comes to mind when getting a quick bite, but with
curly fries, the Jamocha shake can be a good addition to your meal.
“I love chocolate and the Jamocha shake is extra chocolately,” junior Sean
Bulkowski said.

12 The Hot Spot
FEBRUARY 2012
America
More singing competitions
give opportunity to
unknown talent
dAniEl YU
staff writer
Singing competitions have gained popularity all over the world
during the past few years. With shows like “American Idol,” “The
Voice” and “The X Factor,” more people have the opportunity to
take a shot at making it big. Even though the odds of winning
are slim, viewers enjoy the thrill of the competition and many
true stars are born. These shows give the audience the choice
of who will win by voting for their favorite singer or singers by
calling, texting or voting online and people continue watching
to see who will make it to the end.
The X Factor
“The X Factor” is a singing competition which was created
by Simon Cowell, the former “American Idol” judge. Unlike
“American Idol,” groups can audition and the show has no upper
age limit. Once contestants pass the auditions, they are split
into four categories: boys 12-29, girls 12-29, individuals over 30
and groups. Four judges mentor each group, and they compete
against the other judges while viewers vote for the winners.
“There are more bad contestants on “American Idol” which
is why I like “The X Factor” more,” senior Chelsea Pentz said.
Pentz says that the good singers get recognized more and that
she voted for the winner in the last season.
“These shows are good. They give people the opportunity that
they normally wouldn’t have,” Pentz said.
Last year’s winner was Melanie Amaro. It was the first season
of “The X Factor” in the U.S., and Fox announced that they have
changes coming for the next season.
Auditions for the next season of “The X Factor” begin
September 21.
Photo by Ian Derry / FOX
Simon Cowell was a former judge on “American Idol.” He created
“The X Factor” and is also a current judge on the show.
American Idol
One of the most popular and oldest singing competitions,
“American Idol” set the bar for future shows to try and surpass.
Contestants audition for judges who pass them into the finals,
and then the voting system allows viewers to send multiple votes
through phones or the Internet for their favorites. The winners of
the show get a recording contract with a major music label, and
the top ten finalists get the opportunity to go on tour together.
Past notable winners of “American Idol” include Kelly
Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, David Cook and
Scotty McCreery. Many finalists also become famous and get
recording contracts, like Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert.
“I don’t really watch the show, but they’re cool because it’s
about discovering talent,” junior Jason Daman said. “Some of
them are stupid, but once you get down to the finals they’re all
good singers.”
One must be a United States citizen and between the ages
of 15 and 28 to compete in “American Idol.” Although many
people are able to compete, some don’t believe the show is a
good representation of music.
“These shows take music and make it about ratings instead
of the true human experience,” senior Brian Thering said.
“There are students in this school with a better grasp of singing,
composition and music theory, who are actually capable of
using music to convey a message, and none of them will ever be
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
chooses its next star
Photo by Rick McKee / FOXs
Thousands come to auditions for “American Idol” in North Charleston, South Carolina. Out of all the people that compete, only
one singer will be crowned the next American Idol and be rewarded with a contract with a major record label and a cash prize.
recognized because they haven’t sold their soul to pop music.”
“American Idol” is currently airing on Fox at 8 p.m. on
Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The Voice
“The Voice” is another new singing show in the U.S. and
has a unique concept that the other shows don’t have. Four
celebrity judges act as coaches just as in “The X Factor,” but the
competition is based entirely on “the voice” of the contestant.
The judges have their backs turned as the contestant sings, but
viewers at home are able to see who is performing and if a judge
likes the voice then they turn around. By turning around, the
judge picks that singer for their team, and the four judges train
and compete against the other teams like in “The X Factor.”
“I like ‘the Voice’ TV show because it’s a really unique way of
choosing who’s in, and I do vote,” sophomore Whitney Howe
said.
The four celebrity artists that judged last year’s show were Cee
Lo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera.
The winner of the show gets $100,000 and a recording contract
with Universal Republic. Last season’s winner was Javier Colon.
“I’m not sure if I’d go on. I don’t do a lot of singing, but it’d be
a great experience,” Howe said.
“The Voice” is currently airing every Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

The Hot Spot 13
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS FEBRUARY 2012
My Tunes
Taking home the gold
It’s that time of year again: award season. This year, the students
have taken over the votes. Who will rise to the top?
HAnnAH mARSH
staff writer
February is the month for awards. A survey was distributed to HHS to
see who would win at the Grammy’s if students could control the votes.
Best New Artist/Best Alternative Album
The best new artist, Bon Iver, also won the award for best alternative
album with his album Bon Iver.
“I love his mellow tunes,” junior Rachel Dillingham said. “It’s easy
listening, and it can always set the mood. I like that he’s growing more
popular, like being featured in songs by popular artists.”
Nominees
Nominations for the Grammy Awards, with the students’ choice in bold.
Album of the year
Adele 21
Foo Fighters Wasting light
Lady Gaga Born this way
Rihanna Loud
Song of the year
Kanye West “All of the
Lights”
Mumford & Sons “The Cave”
Bruno Mars “Grenade”
Bon Iver “Holocene”
Adele “Rolling in the Deep”
Best Country Album
Jason Aldean My Kinda Party
Eric Church Chief
Lady Antebellum Own the
Night
George Strait Here for a Good
Time
Taylor Swift Speak Now
Best Rap Album
Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch the
Throne
Lil Wayne Tha Carter IV
Lupe Fiasco Lasers
Nicki Minaj Pink Friday
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark
Twisted Fantasy
Photo by Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/MCT
Best Pop Album
Adele 21
Cee Lo Green Lady Killer
Lady Gaga Born this Way
Bruno Mars Doo-Wops &
Hooligans
Rihanna Loud
Best Pop Solo Performance
Adele “Someone Like You”
Lady Gaga “You and I”
Bruno Mars “Grenade”
Katy Perry “Firework”
P!NK “F---in’ Perfect”
Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex
Best Alternative Album
Bon Iver Bon Iver
Death Cab For Cutie Codes
and Keys
Foster the People Torches
My Morning Jacket Circuital
Radiohead The King of Limbs
Best Pop Album/Solo Performance, Album of the Year
“Someone like you” and 21 put Adele at the top of the charts this year
for album of the year, best pop album and best pop solo performance.
“Adele’s a really good singer,” junior Hailee Butler said. “She has really good
lyrics. I like her songs because she doesn’t need inappropriate lyrics to get
everyone’s attention, she’s just good.”
Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times, MCT
Song of the Year
Song of the year goes to Kanye
West with his hit song “All of
the Lights” from the album My
Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
“I love Kanye,” junior Katie
Patterson said. “He’s a lot different
than other rappers because he has
style, and his ego makes him fun
to listen to. He has good beats.”
Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times, MCT
Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times, MCT
Best Rap Album
Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV won
the prize for best rap album. The
album includes popular songs
such as “How to Love” and “6
Foot, 7 Foot.”
“Lil Wayne’s music is so fun to
listen to. I love listening to it in
my car, singing into the steering
wheel and learning the raps,”
junior Maci Palmer said.
Photo by Hanh-Khayat/Abaca Press/MCT
Best Country Album
HHS’s vote went to Jason
Aldean with My Kinda Party for
best country album this year.
The album includes songs such
as “Dirt Road Anthem” and “My
Kinda Party.” Aldean’s album was
ahead of popular votes such as
Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum,
but walked away with the title of
Best Country Album.
We’ve selected two people to interview
and find out what music they love this
month.
What’s stuck in
math teacher
Heidi Misaras’
head?
Style of music: “Most consistently I
like country. I like to listen to it when I
ride my horse.”
“Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson
“It’s an easy listening song.”
“House that built me” by Miranda
Lambert
“Chicken Fried” by Zach Brown
Band
“I enjoy listening to country while
riding my horse, and these are just
two of my favorites.”
“We are young” by FUN
“My body” by Young the Giant
“They’re good work-out songs.”
What’s stuck
in sophomore
Averie Harris’
head?
Style of music: “Country and pop
because it is very uplifting.”
“Chances” by Five for Fighting
“I love to listen to it when I’m down.”
“God gave me you” by Blake
Shelton
“It makes me think of the people I
love.”
“Next to you” by Connor Maynard
“This is just a really good love song.”
“You can” by David Archuleta
“It makes me really happy when I
listen to it”.
“Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
“I like all of his music and this is my
favorite.”
If you’d like to tell us what songs
are stuck in your head, e-mail a list
of five songs and your comments to
ramparts@hpsk12.net

14
FEBRUARY 2012
The Press Box
�BOYS BOWLING
record: 7-4
league standing: second place
season highlight: “Definitely
Jackson, we lost by one game.
Everyone there was really loud,
and we didn’t play our best
during the last game,” senior
Scott Reid said.
in their words: “I’d like to see
more girls join because we
have been having problems
with having enough players,”
junior Martin Welch said.
� GIRLS BOWLING
record: 0-12
season highlight: “Definitely
bowling the first match of
the season and scoring that
first point, because you know
you’ve worked hard to earn it”
sophomore Katelyn Lander
said.
in their words: “We are
working hard this year and
becoming closer as a team,
constantly trying to improve.
We hope to do better this
season and continue to
build a team, “ senior Jenny
McClumpha said.
�CHEERLEADING
record: n/a
season highlight: “Christmas
party we decorated cookies
and afterword went to
Applebee’s, “ junior Maci
Palmer said.
in their words: “Making sure
we are a team at the end of the
day no matter we feel about
each other”, junior India Heard-
Benford said.
�GYMNASTICS
league placing: Third place
season highlight: “ The
team Christmas party,” senior
Christina Lueder said.
in their words: “Always having
fun no matter what we are
doing,” junior Teryn Henderson
said.
�HOCKEY
record: 6-5-1
league standing: fifth place
season highlight: “Playing
with your friends and going on
road trips,” junior Zach Carey
said.
in their words: “Winning in
overtime against Portage
Northern,” junior Zach Bertram
said.
The guy-girl dance took place at the annual
Winterfest pep assembly. The preparation for the
dance was a new experience for the boys that had
signed up. Guys that have participated in previous
years assure those dancing for the first time it’s hard
work but a lot of fun.
The dance is held by the dance team as a break
from the competitive season. Girls ask the guy of
their choice if they are willing to participate in the
dance. If the guy agrees, they attend practices and
prep for the performance which was held February
10 in the high school’s gym.
“I’ve been in the guy girl dance since the tenth
grade and it’s never easy. As long as you go to the
practices and put some effort in it you get the hang
of it,” senior Christopher Mee said.
Although it may be a slight struggle for the guys
who agreed to the dance, for the members of the
dance team it is meant for fun and a break from
competing. Missing a small step at practice isn’t
going to cause much harm to anyone.
“It’s just something more fun and lighthearted
it give us a break from the competitive season,”
senior Alyssa Robinson said.
Although the dance isn’t meant to be taken too
seriously, both the dancers and their partners hope
for a good reaction from the audience. For those
who are participating for the first time in the dance,
missing a step is what they worry about most.
“I’ve been doing the dance for two years now,
and every year one of my friends asks me to do it
with them,” junior Aaron Mull said. “I just hope the
crowd likes the dance because the girls and guys
put a lot of work into it.”
Gearing up for the dance both the guys and girls
attended practices early Wednesday mornings.
Practice was based around getting some experience
in for the guys who had never participated in such
an event.
“Practices are much slower and easier, just to
make it easier on the guys, so we do things simple,”
Robinson said.
For guys who are participating for the first time
in the dance, remembering the routine is key for
a great outcome.
“My personal goal is to do good and remember
all of my steps especially since this is my first year,”
senior Nick Worden said. “I’ve always known that
Sports
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
Wild West dancers hit pep assembly
Annual guy-girl dance
takes on country
theme
ZAHRA AHmAd
staff writer
With a salute to the crowd, seniors Anna Pavlik, Audrey Soblesky and Holly Eastman finish the dance.
The dance team plans on using this dance for a competition later this season.
dance was hard and it’s really tough to remember
the entire routine.”
This isn’t the first time for guy dancers. It is also
the first for some girl dancers as well. For senior
Kelsie Schafer, this is the first guy girl dance she
has participated in.
“This is my first year on dance so the guy-girl
dance is new to me,” Schafer said. “I just hope the
guys enjoy it, and that I don’t miss a step during
the performance.”
Experienced or inexperienced, many of the
guys that do agree to do the dance can conclude
that all the work put into it is worth it in the end.
The dance team also held the guy-girl dance later
on at the boys varsity basketball half time show.
Success puts teams in the spotlight
Stand-out teams have
caught attention due
to a successful season
mAYA FEwS
staff writer
As college basketball heads into the second half
of the season, teams prepare to add to their win
column and improve on crucial mistakes in hopes
of making it past the first round of the National
College Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament
known to fans as March Madness. Based on the
games played so far, some teams have displayed
traits that will help them go far in the tournament.
Some fans are willing to say that these teams will
make it to the Final Four.
Skilled sophomores: Ohio State currently
holds the number one spot in the Big Ten
conference and is ranked within the top
five of the nation. With key wins over Duke,
Florida and Kansas, the young Ohio State
Buckeyes have proven they can compete with
some of the best teams in the nation. Lead by
sophomores Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger, the
Buckeyes have a balance between passing and
shooting that allows the team to be successful.
“It takes true talent and hard work from players
and coaches to be in the top 25 for like ten years
straight,” junior Shane Chandler said.
Unexpected ranking: The Ohio Valley
conference is not seen as power conference
compared to others, due to the strength of teams.
Currently ranked number seven in the country,
the Murray State Racers were once an unknown
team and are now ranked in the top ten in the
country.
“It’s tough to determine how good Murray State is
because they don’t play as tough teams compared to
the power six conferences,” junior Austin Carr said.
Photo by Zahra Ahmad
Murray State has been called the Boise State of
college basketball because the two teams have
been ranked within the top ten of the nation
without having a strong schedule.
Nation’s best: With only one loss in the season,
it is no surprise that Kentucky is the number one
team in the nation. Like Ohio State, Kentucky is
also young. Recruiting seems to be a strength of
Kentucky with a skilled freshman class.
“Coach John Calipari is a good recruiter and
they get a top five recruiting class every year,”
junior George Edelman said
Controversial team: With controversy over
Syracuse’s assistant coach, the Syracuse Orange
have not used that as an excuse to play poorly,
with only one loss to Notre Dame. The Orange
are currently ranked number two.
“I think they will probably be a number one
seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament,”
Edelman said.

Sports 15
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
Bowling teams react to mixed season
Varsity team
takes aim for
states
BEn BlAnck
entertainment editor
The Holt Ram bowling teams
are back on their feet setting goals
and hoping to do well in this year’s
season with their new head coach
Cliff McClumpha and qualifying
the boys team for the regional
tournament in early March.
So far the boys team record is
7-4, but they hope to get as many
more wins as possible and live up
to the standards set by the teams
in past years.
“We’re doing good, not quite
like years in the past because we
still don’t have the same type
of chemistry in the team as we
have in the past years. A lot of
the team graduated, but we are in
the process of getting closer and
becoming better as a team,” senior
Scott Reid said.
Several seniors on the team
agreed that there have been a lot
of changes and re-adjusting in
the past few years, but this team
has a lot of new talent and fresh
chemistry to work with for future
seasons.
Bowling requires strategy both
for the single player and as a team
effort. Many different positions
exist on the team such as an
anchor, who is the last to bowl
and tends to be the most consistent
bowler on the team.
Another important role for the
team is the lead off bowler, who is
the first to bowl and is a good and
enthusiastic bowler with the goal
of setting a positive tone for the
match. Also a complicated scoring
system involved to determine who
goes home with the win.
“Each individual player on the
team plays against each other for
their point, then you add the whole
team’s points together to see who
wins the game overall,” senior
Zach DeBar said. “Then you play
to Baker Games after that. A Baker
game is where you have five players
bowl one game as a team.”
Each member of the team
had something certain that they
enjoyed the most about bowling.
These ranged from having fun with
friends to eating the pizza at Mason
City Limits, their home lanes.
“Competition is my favorite
part of bowling because that’s
where the all of the excitement
and adrenaline is,” said senior
Zach Bailey, “The cheering and
the chants would be enough to
get anyone going no matter what
sport it is at.”
The bowling team, like most any
other competitive team sport, has a
major rival in their league.
“I would say that Jackson is
probably our biggest rival. It is
always an intense and close match.
We are usually the two best teams
in the league fighting each other
for first,” coach Cliff McClumpha
said.
The girls, despite hard efforts,
have not won a match yet, but are
making it their goal this season to
become true competitors and are
0-12. They are hoping to get their
first win and end their losing streak
and get back into the competition.
Photos by Ben Blanck
(Left) Senior Lauren Strong throws her second ball and tries to pick up a spare against Everett for the team. It is her last year on the team, but she wishes
the girls luck next year. (Right) Junior Steven Liddell aims to get the strike at the match between the Holt Rams and the Everett Vikings.
“We’re doing alright, but could
definitely be doing better. We are
becoming closer as a team, and
having fun which is important to
us,” senior Jenny McClumpha said.
Many of the girls on the team
have a lot of experience in the
sport, both on the school teams
and outside of the school on their
own time.
“The best part about bowling
would be the feeling you get when
you beat your opponent. I chose
bowling over any other sport
because I have been bowling
for many years, and it’s a family
tradition that I got into,” sophomore
Katelyn Lander said.
The girls on the team say that
their biggest rivals are Mason and
Jackson because they are always
the closest matches. They say
these are always the hardest teams
to beat.
Both of the teams home lanes
are in Mason City Limits Bowling
Center and they are thankful for
the support they receive from the
community. They always welcome
more fans from the student body.
FEBRUARY 2012
The Press Box
�BOYS BASKETBALL
record: 3-7
league standing: Fifth place
season highlight: “I want the
team to learn how to start great
and finish great. Okemos and
Sexton are big rivals. I would like
to see us beat them,” sophomore
Collin Jones said.
in their words: “I think we are
improving a lot, and people are
underestimating us. I hope we
can finish the regular season
strong, win districts and move
onto playoffs,” senior D.J. Hull
said.
�DANCE TEAM
season highlight: “The girls
are getting closer and working
better together this year. We
have a lot of team chemistry
and I think we’ll do well this year
and continue to work hard and
improve,” senior Audrey Soblesky
said.
in their words: “The guy-girl
dance is one of the best parts of
the season because we get to
do something different that a lot
of other schools don’t,“ senior
Kelsie Schafer said.
�BOYS SWIMMING AND
DIVING
record: 7-1
league standing: Second place
season highlight: “The Okemos
meet was our biggest because
it was the battle for first place,”
senior Mike Ramer said.
in their words: “I feel that we
have done really good since our
class has reached this year. We
are excited to see how we will
finish,” senior Dan Kalchik said.
�GIRLS BASKETBALL
conference record: 5-2
league standing: Second place
season highlight: “East Lansing
is always a big game, and we
have lost to them many times,”
sophomore Emma Sluiter said.
in their words: “I hope to see
the team work better as a team
in certain scenarios, making the
last shot or play better defense,”
senior Shaleen Williams said.
�WRESTLING
conference record: 12-12
league standing: Second place
season highlight: “Grand Ledge
is our biggest meet because
they are our biggest rival,” junior
Dominick Trevino said.

Sports 16
Holt HigH ScHool RAmpARtS
FEBRUARY 2012
Senior athletes celebrate success on Signing Day
Athletes
celebrate with
friends and
family
dAlton giBSon
staff writer
Every year at the beginning of
February, student athletes who plan
to play at the college level sign to their
future schools and celebrate their
accomplishments. Fifteen senior
athletes participated in this year’s
Signing Day celebration on February
2 in the John W. Chi Library
Most of the athletes already signed
to their college before this date, and
the day was just a celebration, but a
few athletes actually did sign with
their college that day. Senior Skylen
Powell signed with Saginaw Valley to
play soccer.
“I signed with this college because
the school is new and clean. Also
the soccer team is really awesome.
I love the coach and the dorms are
amazing,” Powell said.
Some of these student athletes
have been dreaming of this day for
a long time. Now that they are with
the team they have worked so hard
for, they want to give back and give
their best for their team.
“I have always wanted to play
football for Michigan State University.
I’ll put forth my best effort, and I will
sacrifice myself for the team,” senior
Evan Fischer said.
Signing Day was a day to recognize
all of these athletes, and their family
and friends came to take pictures and
watch as each player was announced.
Each player stood up said their
name, sport, what college they’re
Don’t Miss This
Boys Varsity Basketball
March 1
They will play Lansing Catholic Central High School next Thursday at home,
starting at 7:30 p.m. Come support the team before the district tournament.
The theme of the game will be a “Hawaiian Out.”
Hockey
February 25
The team will play against Jackson High School tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. A
win tomorrow will move the team up the CAAC standings.
Boys Swim and Dive
February 25
They will compete at the Conference Finals tomorrow at 2 p.m. at East
Lansing High School. Holt and Okemos will compete for the honor of
conference champions.
attending, and then they gave thanks
to everybody who has helped them
get to where they are today.
After they were announced and
took pictures, they ate food, snacks
and drinks. Many of the student
athletes said they are excited to start
going to college and be on campus.
“I am very excited to play lacrosse
in such a competitive atmosphere. I
am also excited to meet new people,”
senior Jenna Payne said. Payne will
attend Detroit Mercy to play lacrosse.
Not only are these students going
to college for sports, but most of
Photo by Dalton Gibson
Fifteen seniors take part on Signing Day and sign to their colleges on February 2 in The John. W. Chi Library. The
seniors had friends and family come out to support them on this day and they all celebrated their accomplishments.
them already know what they want
to major in. Some know what they
want to do, but others are undecided.
These students will major in subjects
like exercise science, criminal justice,
psychology, radiology, pre-med,
insurance and risk management.
For most of the student athletes,
college will be a long drive from
home, and they won’t be able to see
their family as much. Ben Steward
and Dan Romigh are going to Bowling
Green and Findlay, which are in Ohio.
Others will only be a short drive
from home at schools like Lansing
Community College.
The students say they will keep
in touch when their families visit
on weekends to watch the athletes
play. They will also stay in contact
by calling family on the phone a lot
and using Facebook.
Even though some students are
anxious and a little bit nervous to go
to college, other students are excited.
“I’m excited to be in college to
start becoming independent and to
learn how to do things on my own,”
senior Tayler Peiffer said. She is going
to be playing volleyball at Jackson
Community College.
These students might be a little
stressed living the college life because
not only do they have sports but they
must keep up with their studies.
“I am excited to get on with my life
and play football at Bowling Green
State. I’m also just ready to have some
college fun,” senior Ben Steward said.
These 15 student athletes are ready
to stand up and conquer all of the
challenges that the college life has
to offer.
“I am ready to be in the college
atmosphere and to start a new
chapter in my life,” Romigh said.