The BoltEdsel Ford High SchoolSeptember 2008 Dearborn,MI

Back in Action: EF Link Crew

By KAFAH HUSSEIN

What better way to get stu-dents to meet each other than kicking them out of

their comfort zone. Everyone loves their comfort zone; it’s where one can feel like oneself without any doubts or insecurities, but how is one going to meet new people or make new friends? Link Crew was adopted by EFHS last year, and with posi-tive outcomes and feedback, it’s back for a second year. For those who don’t know Link Crew, is a men-tor program for freshmen where they are grouped up with 10-12 other freshmen and two upper class-men Link Leaders who show them around. Link Crew helps close the gap between freshmen and the rest of the school. This year, Link Crew is off to a great start. “This year has been great so far, since over one-third of our lead-

ers are in their second year of Link Crew. Our new members are so enthusiastic about Link Crew, and this program is getting better and better all because kids are caring for others,” says Link Crew coordinator

Mrs. McAuliff. Link Leaders met this summer for train-ing and preparation; most of the training was done for the fresh-men orientation. When the main gym doors opened Aug. 27, the Edsel Ford band was playing our school song and cheers were all that was heard. As the freshmen walked through the gauntlet and into the gym, the expressions on their faces were priceless. There were some

who were confident and excited, some who seemed shy and scared, and others who were just wondering what was going on. “I remember last year’s gaunt-let… when I walked through the gym doors and heard the upper classmen cheering and the band playing, I wasn’t sure what to do … cheer with them or walk faster,” says former freshmen Zamzam Alawi, 10.

Math MishapBy MEGAN FILIPOWSKI

Not only did the counselors have to deal with all of the usual issues that students face at the beginning of the school year, but on top of

that they had the added pressure of solving a problem involving the senior class and Algebra 2. Over the last few weeks schedules have had to be revised because some seniors were told that they would have to fulfill the Algebra 2 math requirement and need-ed to take a math class this year in order to graduate. The Dearborn Board of Education increased the re-quirement of math credits from two to three, including Algebra 2. As of right now, the math department offers accelerated and honors Algebra 2 1A, 2 1B (the first year) and Algebra 2 2A and 2 2B (the second year). The seniors that are affected are a small group that began the Algebra 2 two-year program last year that needed to complete it this year. This group of select students will be placed into an Algebra 2 class that will cover the two-year class in one year. It is not required for this year’s seniors to take a math class so most students created schedules with an extra elective instead of math. The students that started Algebra 2 last year quickly learned that they would have to finish the Algebra 2 class. They were told that they were going to be taken out of their elective and placed into a new math class to finish their Algebra 2 requirement. “[It will] deliver the content of Algebra 2 in a format where we utilize more technology, more applications and more hands on experiences ensuring that our stu-dents get the entire curriculum of this class and fulfill the graduation requirement. They still have to pass the class to graduate,” says Edsel Ford principal, Mr. Jaafar. A teacher was hand picked to provide the seniors extra support, so they can realize the success they need to have to pass. This new Algebra 2 class will not affect the rest of the school. This year’s sophomore class has to have four years of math including Algebra 2; if planned properly the graduation requirement by the state will be fulfilled. “[This class is a] very good move,” says Mr. Jaafar. continued on page 3

Sports pg. 4

Juniors ace the ACT pg. 3 2008 election survey pg. 6

A group of freshman and leaders sitting back to back

Page 2September 2008Current Events

Edsel Ford High School

Welcome Back to Edsel!By DONOVAN GOLICH

It’s a new year here at Edsel Ford High

School, and if you haven’t already noticed, there are many new teachers in the building. Ms. Sue Beck, who has been teach-ing for 17 years, came to Edsel this year after being shifted around many schools in the district. During her first years of teaching, Ms. Beck primar-ily taught at the high school level at Cabrini in Allen Park. Soon after that, she came to the Dearborn Pub-lic Schools district, starting out right here at Edsel Ford High School. She taught a total of two years before being laid off by the dis-trict. Later, they reinstated her at Dearborn High School, followed by Clara B. Ford at Vista Maria, and soon after that, Stout Middle School. After all the chaos, she ended up back here at Edsel Ford this year. Ms. Beck is extremely happy to be back at Edsel. “I love Mr. Jaafar. I’m so excited to work here. I’m back with all my favorite girls and guys (teachers),” said Ms. Beck. “There isn’t a better group of teach-ers at any school in the district than here.” She teaches eleventh grade Language Arts and Yearbook. Upon entering Edsel, they told her that she would be advising the yearbook staff. At first, she didn’t like the idea, but after having the class for a few weeks, she changed her mind. According to Ms. Beck, there

are many goals for the yearbook staff this year. She noted that “every student will be in the yearbook this year.” One of her primary goals, however, is to win a national award for the yearbook. Last year, they received a regional award for the 2008 edition of Flight. But Ms. Beck isn’t only a teacher, she’s a coach. The reason she got into teaching in the first place was so that she could coach softball. Under her close watch, Cabrini High School’s softball team won two consecutive state champi-onships in addition to becoming one of the top ten national teams. Ms. Beck has yet to marry and as far as children go, she says, “I have 138 children I see every weekday, those are my children.” She received her Bachelor’s in Journalism at Ball State and her teaching certification at Eastern Michigan. As you may have noticed, Ms. Beck is a very accomplished woman. Her love of teaching is evi-dent and her commitment to things is everlasting. Welcome, or, should I say, welcome back Ms. Beck to Edsel Ford High School.

This year at Edsel there won’t be as many students failing or just skating by thanks to a new computer program called NovaNet.

What is NovaNet? NovaNet is a digital com-puter learning program. There are pre-tests, notes, tests, and more offered in NovaNet. According to Mrs. Nolan, she made the decision to bring NovaNet to Edsel. “It is used as an intervention for students with trouble in the classroom. It lets them go at their own pace,” said Mrs. Nolan. As of last year 191 students failed three or more classes second semester. If those students are still struggling after three weeks of this school year, they will be put into NovaNet. There are many courses offered through No-vaNet. “Any course in the Michigan merit curriculum can be taken,” said Mrs. Nolan. However, not all electives can be taken through the program. Health and reading are just two of the electives offered. Because NovaNet is being used almost as a last resort for some struggling students, one question comes to mind - what will happen if a student is not succeeding or improving while using NovaNet? “The only way you can’t pass NovaNet is if you don’t do it,” Mrs. Nolan said. The student must master the material or else the program will not let the student move on and continue to the next level.

Introducing...

NovaNetBy GABBY TOUPIN

Ms. Beck helping a student in her yearbook class

The sign outside of the NovaNet room

Page 3September 2008

Current EventsEdsel Ford High School

Edsel has had some less than perfect test scores in the past, but last year everything changed. Last year, when the class of 2009 was juniors

they excelled on the ACT. Edsel beat out Fordson and Dearborn High in having the highest scores on the ACT. “I think we were more prepared than the students that came before us”, says Fatimah Ahmad, 12. “We studied, we did the workshops, and teachers were more prepared and warned students.” Something must have been done because the ACT scores were significantly higher than last year. Last year, 10 percent more students met standards in reading and writing than students the year before. 11 percent more met standards in language arts and science, while 12 percent more met standards in math-ematics and 4 percent more met standards in social studies. All the excitement is causing teachers and students to work towards having another successful year. Mrs. James said, “As soon as we get the broken-down test we will begin preparing students.” “I really hope we can do as well as the juniors before us. I bought an ACT book to study; all I can do is work hard and hope for the best,” said Gharam Ahmad, 11. Edsel’s students and teachers should be pleased with themselves and with all their hard work. Including Mrs. James, who with a sparkle in her eye said, “I couldn’t be more proud.”

Mastering the ACT

By DEANNA SULEIMAN

Lack of Leadership - Class DismissedBy AMBER KOLTS

With no leadership class, stu-dents are worried that they won’t have enough time to

raise money for their class prom, espe-cially the class of 2009. The administration said they needed a budget cut, so they cut leadership. Lead-ership was one of the main periods the class officers utilized to get things done. Not having leadership makes everything much more difficult to raise money, hold a dance, have a sale, or even sell tickets for a dance.

For example, most of the officers have the same lunch, so there is no way to sell tickets for a dance in B lunch unless we miss part of our fourth hour class! When dances come around, students are going to have to be school-related often and miss more classes, which in turn can make their grades suffer. To have meetings, students are required to meet after school, but most leadership officers are all involved in extra curricular activities after school, like sports, clubs, and part-time jobs.

This makes it hard for everyone to get together at the same time, and if certain people are missing, nothing gets done. If things were like last year, then more things could get done in class, and all these problems wouldn’t exist. Leadership is also a big part of school spirit and making events happen that contribute to the overall pride of our school. Without leadership nothing can get done, dances could get cancelled, prom will be a mess, and Edsel’s school spirit will suffer.

Link Crew continued from page 1

The new freshmen had no clue what was in store for them. As the orientation began, everyone sat with friends and fellow class-mates, and then the Link Crew advisors began the activities. Most of these activities were ice breakers, and others were just for getting to know one another. “I remember my first time playing these activities during training. I had no clue what they were for, but there were deeper meanings to these activities,” says second year Link Leader Najat Nahshal, 12. After the activities and tours, there was a closing ceremony,

and surprisingly everyone sat with new friends—perhaps a clue that Link Crew is reaching its goal! After the ceremony there was a BBQ and that was the end—it was a blast. Link Crew gets students to step way out of their comfort zone, become active, and figure out what kind of person they are. Like Mrs. Haddad always says, “There are three kinds of people: people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who wonder what just happened.” This year, Link Leaders are making things happen.

Freshman walking through the gauntlet

Page 4September 2008

SportsEdsel Ford High School

FH Repeat Champs?

Since the end of summer, the girls’ field hockey team has been working hard to have another division win-ning season.

The team has thirteen returning seniors, most of which have played on the varsity team since their sophomore year. This has helped to make the team stronger, because each player knows the rest of their team’s strengths and weak-nesses. Three of the returning players include senior captains Lauren Vallee, Lauren Houghan, and Adeline Estrada. “I feel that the team is much stronger this year than last, mostly because we have all played together for three years,” said Estrada. This year’s team has already set the bar high for them-selves by achieving a winning division record of 3-1-1, not including a 3-0 sweep at the East Grand Rapids tournament. The team’s one division loss was against rival Ladywood. The final score was 1-0 and the Blazers scored on a penalty corner. “The game was close but we still have another shot to beat them later on in the season,” said goalie Haley Bowers, 12. The girls have set many goals to achieve as a team this season. One is to definitively beat cross-town rival Dear-born High, and the other is to win the division for the second year in a row. “We were division champs last year, and even though the divisions have changed this year we still want to come out on top,” said senior forward Katie Jesulaitis.

By NINA TOUPIN

Fantasy FootballBy ALYSSA GIRARDI

With unexpected vic-tories and a growing fan base, the Edsel

Ford football team is starting the season off on the right foot. Even though the players were expected to lose three out of the four games that they’ve played so far, they managed to not only beat the odds, but destroy them. A favored 41-6 win over Lincoln Park was just the way to prepare for a 32-12 victory over Ypsilanti and a 28-12 conquer of Melvindale. Despite a recent 41-7 loss to Inkster, previous triumphs have undoubtedly given Edsel Ford the confidence necessary to sus-tain an impressive seasonal record. Sophomore Hayden McDade says, “We have a really solid team this year starting at the offense line and going all the way to our backline. I

think we’re going to do well the rest of the season and make it far in the playoffs because we use everyone’s doubt as fuel to succeed.” Edsel Ford has started this year off better than most had an-ticipated, and it’s safe to assume that all players, coaches, and supporters believe in the team to bring home a winning record. “This team is going all the way,” says Austin Masalskis, 12.

A Lincoln Park player is brought down by a host of black jerseys

Mike Micallef kicks a successful field goalField hockey team gathers for a half time talk

Page 5September 2008

SportsEdsel Ford High School

One AllThe Edsel Ford boys’

tennis team is off to a bumpy start.

It all began when their first game was postponed due to weather conditions and then losing a tough match to the first place team, Trenton. The boys were look-ing for their first victory of the season and it came against cross-town rivals, Dearborn High. The team is under the leadership of returning legends Ryan Westra, Drew Wyden-dorf, and Jesse McIntyre as well as their returning coach, Coach Guy.

“We lost a few strong players, but other than that we are doing pretty well,” says Sean Seccombe, 10. The team has good chemistry, which helps with the difficult doubles matches. Chad Westra, 10, said, “We’re all pretty much good friends.” From last year’s victorious season, the tennis team was moved up a divi-sion and is now playing a bunch of new teams, making the season more challenging. This year’s team is playing on newly renovated courts that were added with the new turf football field. The new tennis courts have a new look this year. Instead of having the common green and reddish brown color like last year, the new tennis courts are green and blue. The new courts are located in the back of the athletic complex where the softball diamond used to be located and spec-tators might be scarce due to this new location. The tennis team will hopefully come back and make a charge to be repeat division champs.

By SCOTT WERTH

Soccer’s New Start

By MIKE BOETTGER

With a new soccer season, new field, and a new coach, the boys’ varsity soccer team is looking to have an enjoyable and winning season.

For the 2008 season, the boys’ team has a new coach, Lee Hunt, who has been coaching three different Dearborn Arsenal teams for many years. As a well-known referee, coach knows his soccer. He came into the season with high expectations for the boys due to the fact he knows most of the returning players’ talent. “The team has improved quite a bit from last year’s var-sity team,” said Scott Werth, the sophomore goalie. With some intense practices and well conducted drills, the boys’ soccer team is looking ready to finish off the sea-son with a winning record. “We lost a few games due to mental errors and just not being able to find the back of the net but the team will come out and show everyone we can do it,” said Jordan Hunt, a senior varsity captain and midfielder. A new coach isn’t the only thing the boys got this season. With a new turf soccer field at their feet, the boys look to tear it up with a record everyone can be satisfied with. “The turf is sweet. Last year’s field wasn’t too good, so running on the turf is a nice change in pace,” stated Stephen Eads, a senior defense-men. With all of the new things for the boys their season has been doing pretty good. With an overall record of 3-5-3 the boys are looking to improve to at least a .500 average. So with some new artillery the boys are looking to shoot for a great season.

Justin Malyn at a recent soccer game against Allen Park

Page 6September 2008

Election ‘08Edsel Ford High School

Facing Off: McCain & ObamaBy ALYSSA GIRARDI

This year, young people are getting involved in the presidential election more

than ever before. With support towards either Barack Obama and Joe Biden or John McCain and Sarah Palin, America’s youth is making their voice heard. Here at Edsel Ford there are many students that have a variety of concerns about the candidates and national issues. When 96 Edsel Ford students were surveyed, the results made it clear that the economy and the

war in Iraq are the two major problems facing our country today. While 70 percent of these stu-dents said they’d feel comfortable with a woman in office, they still think Obama is the safest, most qualified candidate who will bring the most change to our country. When asked who they would vote for in this election, 70 per-cent of students said they’d chose Obama and Biden, while 30 per-cent of students would stick with Republicans McCain and Palin.

Yes 70%

No 14%

Undecided 16%

Obama/Biden 73%

McCain/Palin 9%

Either 8%

Neither 8%

Are you comfortable with a woman in office?

Who do you think will bring more change to our country?

Who do you feel is more qualified?

Obama/Biden 45%

McCain/Palin 30%

Either 20%

Neither 5%

Obama/Biden 70%

McCain/Palin 30%

If old enough to vote, who would you vote for?

What do you think are the most important issues facing our country today?

How favorably do you feel towards John McCain or Barack Obama? Who do you feel safest with in office?

Obama McCain

Unfavorable 12% 45%

Somewhat Favorable 15% 14%

Indifferent 17% 20%

Favorable 22% 14%

Very Favorable 34% 7%

Obama 58%

McCain 26%

Either 7%

Neither 8%

Economy 36%

War in Iraq 26%

Oil 17%

Taxes 7%

Health Care 6%

Abortion 2%

Immigration 3%

Environment 2%

Gay Mar-riage 1%

All data is from a survey of a cross section of Edsel Ford students

Page 7September 2008

EditorialsEdsel Ford High School

Hassles in the HallwaysBy LAUREN VALLEE—EDITORIAL

1. Stay to the right of the hallway. It’s that simple. 2. If you feel the need to talk to a friend, it really annoys the people behind you if you just stop in the middle of the hallway. Some people are actually trying to get to class, thanks. Move to the side.3. Slow down when you go around corners, even if you’re in a hurry. You’ll thank me later when you see two people whip around a corner at top speed and smash their heads.4. Running through the hallways really won’t help you get to class faster. If you’re late, you’re late. When you run, not only are you late, but you’re being laughed at too.5. Backpacks shouldn’t be bigger than you are. When you have to lean forward to carry them, you know you should go to your locker more often. It’s what they’re for.6. If you’re walking up stairs, be sure to look ahead of you and not down at the stairs. If you look straight down, you end up running into the people who are trying to come down the stairs, and they will run you over.7. When you’re walking by the Library Media Center, re-alize that the doors fly open when people leave in a hurry. Nobody can see you, so leave a decent amount of space, or head injuries may result.8. If it’s not your locker, don’t stand in a huge group around it or lean up against it.9. Try not to walk in a group with more than two or three people. Our hallways are NOT big enough for four or more.10. Standing in a huge group while pushing, yelling, singing, or screaming will only make people hate you, not pay attention to you.11. Save your make-out sessions for after school. Not only after school, but far far away from our hallways.12. When in doubt, “excuse me” is always a good thing to say if you break any of the hallway commandments.

In my three years of navigating Edsel Ford, I’ve noticed certain things that go on in the hallways every single year that not only stop traffic, but irritate most students.

Here are a few guidelines to follow that will make the hall-ways move more smoothly, and everyone’s year less stressful in general. If you already do these things, good for you! If you don’t… beware of the seniors.

Misrepresentation?By SAFA KAID—EDITORIAL

Edsel Ford is a unique school with students that repre-sent various cultures and religions and have a responsi-bility to represent them to the best of their ability.

Looking around, I have noticed that some Muslims have been doing things that misrepresent our religion. They swear, disrespect their teachers and slack off. It just isn’t fair that the careless are ruining it for the many that are dedicated and devoted. Ever since the tragic day of Sept. 11, all sorts of stories were fabricated about Islam. All over the world Islam became a religion full of violence and immorality. Although the media can be biased, we Muslims play a great role in wounding the reputation of our way of life. And as they say, “you don’t demand respect, you earn it.” Have we forgotten that Islam comes from the word salam meaning peace? Peace is one of the solutions for humanity, yet a lot of us make this treasure look like garbage. Everything is about portrayal. For example, some of the restaurants that people consider the unhealthiest are popular and successful because they know how to reach their audi-ence. In Islam, you can find solutions for the world’s biggest issues such as war and murder and ideas that can form a better economy, society and be other major influences to the people. When you have all of these things to show to the world, you should show them off positively. As Muslims, we have work to do to help the rest of the world see what we are all about.

Students standing around a locker.

Page 8September 2008

FeaturesEdsel Ford High School

The Viking: RydzikEditors in Chief: Megan Filipowski, Lauren ValleeCopy Editor: Deanna SuleimanManaging Editor: Lindsay FinnertySports Editor: Amber KoltsLayout: Rana Alhadi, Megan Filipowski, Donovan GolichSeniors: Mike Boettger, Kafah Hussein, Nina ToupinJuniors: Safa Kaid, Cari Moore, Gabby ToupinSophomores: Emilee Curran, Alyssa Girardi, Hanan Murshed, Scott Werth

Newstaff 2008

Mission StatementThe Bolt staff is committed to bring the Edsel Ford student body and administration newsworthy articles that will inform, educate, and entertain in a reliable and timely fashion while maintaining the district-wide core values, and contributing to the overall pride of our school.

The Bolt welcomes your opinions on stories or edi-torials featured within the paper. The editorial staff reserves the right to print and to edit letters. Authors of edited letters will be contracted before final print-ing. Anonymous letters will not be accepted

Editorial Policy for Letters To the Editors

If you break out of the comforts of your daily life, you real-ize so much more about yourself and the world then you could ever imagine.

Could you live without your cell phone for 15 days? Have you ever had to boil water just so you could brush your teeth? Have you ever had to wash all your clothes by hand? Could you live for two weeks without your favorite food? Have you ever been to a place that doesn’t have toilet paper? Have you ever traveled halfway across the world just to hug a little kid? I have. This summer I experienced all of these things and more when I went to Africa with my church. The main purpose of the trip was to minister to the people of Zambia, Africa, but in the end the people taught me more than I ever thought possible. The things that I saw and the conversations that I had will never be forgotten. I saw the world through a different set of eyes this summer. I saw poverty and declining health. There were children without parents that were being forced to live out on the streets. I talked to kids who didn’t know English, yet thought you were the coolest person in the world because you came to see them. The United States is where we find safety and protection, but sometimes taking a risk and getting away from that opens up one’s eyes. Stepping out of the comforts of the United States and seeing a new side to the world just makes our planet seem so much bigger. I realized that the United States is a wonderful place to live, no matter what your situation may be. There are people in the world that have nothing and want to give everything, while we have everything (or close to it) and give practically nothing. This upcoming series will take you on a journey and give you the chance to experience Africa through my eyes and change your perspective on the world.

Out of AfricaBy MEGAN FILIPOWSKI

Crowd of people listening to music at the local soccer field

House on the way to a village, Mukulungwe