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The Lancer
The student's news, the student's voice.
Hunger Games impresses fans with visual effects
Lisa Ruge
Executive Editor; Newspaper
Senior director Francis Lawrence really outdid himself in the filmmaking of the second part of the Hunger Games trilogy Catching Fire. The book itself sold more than 23.5 million copies, and presales on tickets are quickly selling out at local theaters. With the first movie making an astounding $150 million, Catching Fire is presumed to double or even triple these numbers.
After seeing the film for myself, I understood why. I was quickly taken aback by the amazing graphics and the chillingly realistic scenes the actors were involved in. Not only are we immediately surprised by Katniss’s hardening demeanor, but things are also heating up in the dastardly love triangle that now has Peeta, Katniss and Gale struggling to keep their heads and families out of the path of the raging peace keepers.
As in The Hunger Games, there are many particularly hard scenes to watch as the film roles on. Through the emotion of Katniss and the other lead roles, I found myself almost connecting with the characters themselves. You can see the pain and heartbreak in Katniss’s eyes as once again, her name is drawn from the bowl; This time under much harsher circumstances. For these games were specifically designed to eliminate her.
All lead roles including Grammy Winner Donald Sutherland as President Cornelius Snow, fantastically stepped up to the plate and let their blood run as one with their formative characters just as author Suzanne Collins had imagined while writing the dramatic serious.
I would not call Catching Fire movie of the year because it truly is not a movie I would allow anyone younger than 13 view. It has a large amount of hard emotion as well as bloody scenes that may scare a younger audience.
I will say that those who are behind the scenes of the making of this film truly made it seem real. As a realist I will say that there is true art behind the costumes, scenes involving the districts as well as bringing the games themselves practically to life.
Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Reviews
Tuesday talks with Tina
Your ACT scores don’t define who you are.
As we all know, schools put a lot of pressure on students to do well on their ACT. For us students, it is an outstanding pressure that is always lurking in the back of our minds. We feel as if our future is at stake without a high score; in fact, it is really the complete opposite. While the ACT may play a factor in which college you will be attending, it in no way defines who you are as an individual.
Your ACT may reflect your test taking skills, but not knowledge. A standardized test is meant to be difficult (after all, you’re supposed to give these tests your full attention and brain power) so you’re not always meant to get it. We are all different, we have different strengths and weaknesses. And a handful of people have testing anxiety. In regards to that, people can end up with poor ACT scores.
The ACT is now one of the main determining factors for college entrance. Although it is crucial for colleges, many high schools make a strong effort to help students practice for this huge test and get their ideal score.
All in all, I feel we put too much pressure on ourselves for a high ACT score. While the ACT is for sure important, it’s not the end of the world. There are a lot of online resources, and even available help in your community. Take a deep breath and realize that we are not defined by a number. Make yourself look as best as possible on paper. If you succeed, your happy future awaits you.
ACT HELP SITES:
Buy a yearbook, Ad or Proud Parent Ad
Shield Staff
Yearbooks are still on sale for $50! Yearbooks are on sale until April 1st. You can pick up order forms from room 129 during first hour or from Mr. Allen’s room (201) throughout the rest of the day. You can also order online at www.yearbookforever.com
Proud Parent Ads are also for sale! Proud Parent Ads are for parents to buy a space in the yearbook to show your student how proud you are of them! You can write a special message and include pictures! Forms are available from room 129 during first hour or from Mr. Allen’s room (201) throughout the rest of the day. Proud Parent Ads are on sale until March 17th.
Do you own a small business? Do you know someone who does own a small business? Then you should think about taking out an ad in the 2014 Shield! Ads are available in various sizes and prices. Information is available in room 129 during first hour or from Mr. Allen’s room (201) throughout the rest of the day. Advertisements are on sale until March 17th.
Posted in Announcements
Pep Rally rescheduled for the second time
*This is a developing story, expect in-depth follow up coverage shortly.
After brown outs on Friday, February 14th forced the SnowBall Pep Rally to be rescheduled to the 21st, it appears that it will have to be moved again. The staff estimates that the Pep Rally will be postponed until after the ACT/MME testing dates in March.
Posted in News
R5 brings back the boy band, with a twist
Above: R5 album art for their new album “Louder.”
Khadajah Williams ’16
Staff Reporter
R5 is an amazing mix of rock and pop. R5 brings back the rock and roll/pop boy band style. The band consists of four brothers and sisters; Ross, Riker, Rydel, and Rocky Lynch, and one close family friend, Ellington Lee Ratliff.
One thing I truly love is the fact that their sister is in the group. She shows girls all around the world that to rock roll is not just for boys. Ratliff proves to the world that girls can do the same thing as boys, including play any kind of music.
Thier album ‘Loud’ has 15 songs on it. Pass Me By is my favorite song because of its upbeat and fun nature. This album is made up of many great songs such as Love Me Like That, which is my second favorite choice hands down. The title track, Loud, was their first single for the album.
I will say that this band is still young, their music is innocent and can sometimes lack meaning. But with experience, R5 can improve on their songwriting skills and make even better music.
With this album, R5 is becoming one of the country’s fastest-rising pop/rock bands. I enjoyed listening to their music and overall would give R5 4 out of 5 Shields.
Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Reviews
High School students sent home
*This afternoon the South Lake High School building administration was informed of a potential threat to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Emergency procedures were immediately followed as the administration worked with the St. Clair Shores Police Department to determine the validity of the information. Although authorities did not believe there was any credibility to the threat, the administration determined it was safest to send all South Lake High School students home at approximately 2:00 p.m. District buses transported those students without transportation to South Lake Middle School at 21621 California, St. Clair Shores, MI. These students may be picked up by parents/guardians between 2:00 and 3:15 p.m. Please contact 586-435-1300 if you have any questions regarding those students transported to South Lake Middle School.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates as more frequent news becomes available.
*Statement officially published by district administration.
Posted in Announcements
Anatomy offers real world experience
Khadajah Williams ’16
Staff Reporter
While most students were getting ready to shut down for the holiday break, Anatomy students were gearing up for their most challenging test of the year, the annual Bone Practical.
The Bone Practical is an assessment where students must identify over 200 bone structures in the human body. “One and done” is science teacher’s Paul Cusumano’s theory for the exam, giving students only one minute to answer three to four questions at each table. Each table represents a section of the test with a total of 27 sections in all.
To keep students from seeing the structures early, they had to wait outside the classroom until the exam began. With so many bones and so little time to remember each of their anatomical names, students prepare weeks in advance for the test, and some even utilize the wait time before the exam to quiz each other on the hallway floor.
Cusumano runs the class as a college course, and believes he challenges his students through tests, rigorous assessments and detailed projects that make his students explore the complex human body.
This can be shown through senior Nick Nieto’s advancements in broadening his study techniques. Nieto has taken the initiative to use the one device that he carries with him every second of everyday to help him study, his cell phone. He found an app called Quizlet to help him study no matter where he was. Nieto shared the the resource with his fellow students providing them with an interactive way to study.
Senior Patricia Ader ‘14 felt more than confident about this exam. “It was the biggest test/exam I have ever taken. The timing couldn’t have been anything but difficult.” said Ader. “ I didn’t feel too rushed, I had a few bumps in the road but I kept it moving.”
When the test was finished most students waited anxiously for their results which were given to them two days following the exam. For many seniors the bone practical is the biggest exam they have ever experienced, and it definitely challenges them in the areas of study, concentration and memorization.
Anatomy is offered to South Lake juniors and seniors as well as Lakeshore students who attend class each day before heading to their home school.
Senior Niki Aronis who scored a 96, the highest of the 47 students who took the practical, has a word of advice for those considering Anatomy in the future, “Just reading about the test might put fear in your eyes, but we not only have an amazing teacher but many resources outside of class.”
Euro Challenge offers a unique opportunity for students
Alyssa McNamara ’16
Lancer Editor
European economics might sound like a boring subject, but when you’re competing for scholarship money, a trip to New York, and possibly a trip to a European Embassy, it’s all worth it.
The Federal Reserve Bank sponsors a competition called “Euro Challenge”. Freshmen and sophomore teams from all around the country get the opportunity to make a 15 minute presentation about an economic problem that a country in the Eurozone faces. The team must come up with a solution to the economic problem, and also relate the country back to the United States. After making the presentation to a panel of judges, they get to spend 10 minutes asking your team questions and bringing up flaws in your presentation. The judges are extremely intimidating and include professors from major universities and representatives from European nations.
Last year was South Lake’s first year competing in the Euro Challenge Competition. It was an honor to be a part of such an elite group as a freshman. Now as a sophomore, I as well as the rest of the sophomore members, Emily Athey, Cassidy Bernard, Stephanie Cardno, Alyssa McKay, and Robert Swetlic have a better idea of what to expect this year during the competition. Our topic this year is focusing around the aging populations in Germany. We, along with teammate Ryan Thompson will devise a way to help Germany deal with the challenges of an aging population.
The Federal Reserve building is such an amazing place to have the opportunity to tour. We get to see billions and billions of dollars, and all that’s separating you from it is a glass window. Keep in mind of the fact there is an in-house SWAT team that will put a stop to any suspicious behavior.
Another benefit about the competition is they have amazing food, and if you don’t like what they’re serving you get to choose whatever you want from the cafeteria for free.
This is more than just a competition for a scholarship, we get to learn so much about foreign countries and the economic policies they employ. Euro Challenge prepares us for the real world by giving us a unique opportunity.
Posted in Feature
Boys Varsity Swim Team wins cities
For the 5th year in a row the Boys Varsity Swim Team has beat the competition from Lakeview and Lakeshore at the St. Clair Shores City Meet. The team is coached by Special Education Teacher Amy Way with Alumnus Assistant Coaches Matt Holtz and Joe Crachiola. Team Captains are Logan Holtz, Ben Denys ’14 and Liam Steen ’15. See below photos from the meet. Expect a full swim gallery to be up soon. Select one of the photos below to read more information.
