“Miss Universe” hurts the misses of the universe

Kathleen Isenegger, Arts & Entertainment Editor • February 6, 2015

Sunday Jan. 25 Paulina Vega was crowned Miss Universe in the 63rd annual pageant. As winner, Miss Columbia will receive an undisclosed salary, a luxury apartment in New York, a wardrobe, a plethora of beauty products, and a one year scholarship from the New York Film Academy. This 22 year old business administration student has been self declared to represent the women of today, but due to to the problematic nature of beauty pageants, I completely disagree.

Michigan standardized tests may switch from ACT to SAT in 2016

Jada Boprie, Feature Editor • January 29, 2015

The Michigan Department of Education left the state bewildered January 7 when it announced that Michigan’s main college admissions exam will switch from the ACT to the SAT. Since 2007, students have been given the ACT as an achievement test to measure what they’ve learned in school.

Corrupting the nation with TV

Kaylee Hamilton, InDesign Editor • January 23, 2015

Every Sunday, millions of folks across America anxiously await their TV guides in the mail. For the rest of the population, they have the proclivity to search the guide on their TV from which their cable provider provides. The daily watching of television is plaguing our society. By Kaylee Hamilton

Transgender teen’s death draws attention to LGBTQ community

Kathleen Isenegger and Kyra Moen • January 22, 2015

On December 28th 2014, 17 year old Leelah Alcorn ended her own life due to the struggles she was experiencing as a transgender girl. Alcorn was frequently active on the social media site Tumblr and scheduled her suicide note to post after her passing. In response many people have felt compelled to speak out against the mistreatment of the transgender community. By Kathleen Isenegger and Kyra Moen.

Balancing school and personal life – how do students do it?

Megan Killop, Business Manager • January 22, 2015

To say that students nowadays have a lot on their plate is an understatement. Really, how do students do it? We are required to spend 7 hours at school, plus the demanding load of school work now required for students to get into a decent college, in addition to the expectations of actively participating in clubs and extra-curriculars. By Megan Killop

ACT prep and tips

Jordan Pudvay, Social Media Editor • January 13, 2015

For students around the country, ACT testing is coming up fast. For Howell High School, it is normally the first week of March and that hits us quick as it’s already the first week of January. Preparing and studying for the testing is a rough and long process because unless you buy the practice booklets, there is not much you can do to prepare. Here are some tips to help you during the test (from the ACT website and my own experiences.) By Social Media Editor: Jordan Pudvay

Jack Frost’s slow start

Ian Stone, Staff Writer • January 12, 2015

For some, the young winter of 2015 has been all they've hoped for. For others, it has been their worst nightmare. The lack of cold and snow until recently has been a stark contrast to 2014's winter with its record snowfalls and polar vortex that plunged temperatures into subzero territory. But is this year's relative warmth and lack of snow a good thing? By Staff Writer: Ian Stone

Parking lots at HHS worry student drivers

Jordan Pudvay, Social Media Editor • December 8, 2014

As Michigan’s weather is starting to hit and more student at Howell are getting their licenses throughout the year, Howell High School’s parking lots are getting even crazier to get in and out of before and after school. Students make their own parking spots, don’t park in the lines or are driving huge cars that don’t fit in the parking spaces. This year alone, there have been two accidents in the parking lots and more than enough accidents that have almost happened because people don’t watch where they’re going. By Social Media Editor: Jordan Pudvay

Self and selfie

Lindsey Saba, News Editor • November 14, 2014

The word “selfie” is everywhere in our society. It is often heralded by a hashtag, been immortalized in a pop song, and has even appeared in the latest version of Webster’s Dictionary. However, selfies themselves are disliked and often stigmatized; it is said that the people who take them are vain and “trying too hard”. Snickers and snide comments are prevalent when certain people come across another’s selfie. By News Editor: Lindsey Saba

Who has the right to die?

Michael Gottschalk, Staff Writer • November 14, 2014

Should we be able to decide when we die? Do we have the right to die? This topic is now being debated around the nation because of Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old terminal cancer patient who took her own life on November 1st. Maynard became the poster child for the right to die movement, which is for people who are terminally ill and wish to end their suffering on their own accord. By Staff Writer: Michael Gottschalk

Pro/Con: feminism video sparks controversy

Kathleen Isenegger, Alexa Skonieski, Kira Cleer, Jackie Keranen, A&E Editor, Social Media Editor, Staff Writer, Staff Writer, • November 12, 2014

On Oct 21, a feminist group released a video on YouTube and their website called "Potty Mouth Princesses". The campaign is called F bombs for feminism. The video was of several 6-13 year old girls dressed up in princess costumes talking about how women get treated poorly compared to men. By Editors and Writers: Kathleen Isenegger, Alexa Skonieski, Kira Cleer and Jackie Keranen

Senior year comes at a price

Rachel Cichon, Editor-in-Chief • November 11, 2014

As an underclassmen, whenever I imagined my senior year I pictured myself chanting “senior power”, taking thousands of photographs and sobbing over complicated college applications. Although all of these things are unquestionably present, I didn’t realize that the thing I would do most as a senior is spend money. By Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Cichon