Kiss didn’t name the song “Detroit Rock City” for nothing. Detroit is going to see some huge names come to town for the summer season concerts this year. From John Mayer to Lady GaGa, some of the biggest names in the business will be coming close enough for you to see them.

Since for most high school students summer is the time to hit up as many concerts as possible before that school bell rings again in September, this is just a preview of some of the shows that will be lighting up arenas like DTE Energy Music Theatre, Meadowbrooke, the Palace of Auburn Hills, and the Fillmore.

With this many concerts accessible, the only thing that should worry most students is how they are going to afford all these tickets. Students will have the opportunity to see everything from guitar god Eric Clapton, and country superstar Brad Paisley, to hard rock festival Carnival of Madness.

Alternative Rock legends U2 will be playing Spartan Stadium and students can see actress Zooey Deschanel at Royal Oak under the moniker She & Him. There’s no one like the Scorpions, and they will be touring for the very last time this summer, so if you’re a fan this is your last chance to see them live.
But whether you like rap, pop, or country Detroit is definitely the place to be this summer, don’t miss out on the chance to hear your favorite music live.

May
22- Imogen Heap at the Fillmore
29- 50 Cent at Chene Park

June
6- She & Him at Royal Oak
11- Brad paisley at DTE
13- The Music of Queen at DTE
14- The New Pornographers at the Crofoot
15- The Bamboozle Festival at DTE
16- MGMT at the Fillmore, Jordin Sparks at Royal Oak
18- The Backstreet Boys at DTE, Adam Lambert and Orianthi at Royal Oak
19- Sheryl Crow & Colbie Caillait at DTE
20- Blake Shelton at DTE, Jeff Beck at the Fillmore
23- Dave Matthews Band at DTE
24- Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Bret Michaels at DTE
25- Passion Pit at Royal Oak
27- Styx, Foreigner and Kansas at DTE
30- U2 at Spartan Stadium

July
1- The Scorpions at DTE
2- Modest Mouse at Royal Oak
3- Eric Clapton at DTE
11- Iron Maiden at DTE, Hole at the Fillmore
14- The Doobie Brothers and Chicago at DTE
15- Boyz II Men at DTE
20- Jack Johnson at DTE
21- Lilith Fair at DTE
22- Tom Petty at the Palace
24- Justin Nozuka at the Fillmore
28- John Mayer at DTE
29- Brooks and Dunn at DTE
30- Vans Warped Tour at Comerica Park
31- Kings of Leon at DTE

August
1-Beach Boys at DTE
7- Carnival of Madness: Shinedown, Sevendust, Puddle of Mudd, Chevelle at DTE
15- Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston at the Palace, Paramore at Meadowbrook, Lady Antebellum at the Midland County Fair
20- REO Speedwagon & Pat Benatar at DTE
22- Rihanna and Ke$sha at DTE
21- Blondie and Cheap Trick at DTE
23- Green Day & A.F.I. at DTE

September
1- Jonas Brothers at DTE
4- Lady GaGa at the Palace
17- Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Deftones
18- Sugarland at DTE

Disaster has struck once again in the world, first Haiti and now Chile. On Saturday Feb. 27, 2010, Chile, a Latin country located in the south west of South America, was struck by a scale-topping earthquake of 8.8 on the rector scale, along with 120 aftershocks and multiple tsunamis. So far they have reported deaths of about 279 people.

What shocks me the most is the lack of aid from the rest of the world, especially the U.S. Not long ago, horrible earthquakes occurred in Haiti, and the whole world jumped to its aid, including Chile. In fact, Chile was the first country to offer aid to Haiti. So why has the rest of the world not jumped at the opportunity to help the Chilean people? After all, Chile has always helped any nation in need, including the U.S.

Helping Chile is also helping us. Chile is the worlds’ leading supplier of copper, which is used to make air conditioners work to death in the summer; without Chile’s copper we would not have an affordable way to cool ourselves down. Also, when you are eating fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter, they were most likely imported from Chile. Even the gold medals won by America in the Olympics– where do you think the U.S. ski team practices in the summer?

Yes, it’s true that Chile has the best economy in South America, but their stability has been a huge benefit to the United States. And even someone with the best economy needs help when it comes to having over $30 billion in losses and more than 279 casualties.

Chile needs help; if America really wants to show the world how generous and benevolent we are, than we should aid in the recuperation of Chile.

Every year, through out the United States communities get together to walk through the night, sometimes for even 24 hours, to raise money to help fight against cancer. The Relay for Life is an event that was created by the American Cancer Society to celebrate the people who have overcome the disease, to remember all the loved ones we have lost, and to find ways in which we can battle this life threatening disease.
The relay consists of three parts, celebration, remembrance, and fighting back. During the process of celebration survivors of cancer walk together to show their strength and how they have overcome this disease and to show others that they can do the same. In the evening participators get together and remember all of the loved ones they have lost to cancer and celebrate the lives that they still have. Finally the participants make even simple vows to live by that will help stop the spread of cancer.
By participating in Relay for Life one is making a life changing commitment to stop the spread of cancer and help find ways in which we can treat current victims of the disease. Donating one’s time and energy to this event can make a difference for people affected by cancer everyday.

English teacher Valerie Bellil has participated in the Grand Blanc relay to raise money for the past few years.
“I feel that by giving some time and support to help the lives of the people and families affected by this disease is the least that I could do,” she said. “I believe that everyone should do his or her part to participate in the relay. It’s a great way to help out the community and change the lives of those suffering from cancer.”
The Relay for Life this year for the city of Grand Blanc will be held on June 12-13, 2010 at Grand Blanc High School. If you would like to participate in the event you can contact English teachers Valerie Belill or Allyson Stanley along with receiving more information about the event.

Attempting to raise spirits for the annual Sadies Dance, an entire week was dedicated to different events. However, little attention was paid to any of the matters. Whether it was having no school spirit or just forgetting, Spirit Week wasn’t the biggest hit.

Beginning the week on Tuesday, a new day was included to help those without a date for the dance possibly find one last minute. Students wore red if they had a date, green if they didn’t have a date, and yellow if they were undecided.

“I don’t think anyone really found a date this way,” junior Lindsey Spees said. Hopes didn’t seem high for this late attempt, but the week had just begun.

Adding to the “fun,” Wednesday was “College t-shirt Day.” Wearing a favorite college t- shirt would seem to be a popular idea, but again didn’t lift off. “What’s the point of that day?” junior Abby Winters asked. The confusion was made aware throughout when barely anyone participated.

As Thursday came around, red was supposed to be worn to support the disaster in Haiti. Such a great cause should have surely attracted lots of red, but other factors made it hard for any to be seen at all. “I would’ve worn red, but I forgot,” senior Steve Basinski said. “It wasn’t advertised enough.” Although student council made announcements and hung some posters throughout the school, it was common that students simply forgot.

Finally, Friday came and everyone was anxious to start the weekend, making it hard to concentrate on anything to do with school. Instead of wearing red, black, and white to support Grand Blanc, the main focus was planning for Saturday night. “I guess I got caught up in thinking about the dance and forgot to do anything for Spirit Week,” senior Jessica Haggerty said. Maybe next year Spirit Week will be more like a Spirit Day where students can choose which event they take part in so it will be hard to forget. Overall, when the dance finally came and spirits were at an all time high, it was clear that Spirit Week had been a success.

While Toyota is being interrogated in the courts, after their recent recall, others may be getting off the hook with the court systems. Toyota’s recall might just be the factor that determines between the guilty and the innocent, the free, and the imprisoned.

Recently Toyota has recalled nearly 8.5 million vehicles that pose a threat of uncontrollable acceleration, as the acceleration pedal has been known to become stuck in the wide open position. The company has identified that there are two problems at stake, a problem with the floor mats interfering with the acceleration pedal, and a problem with the pedal itself.

This very recall may just set Koua Fong Lee, of St. Paul Minneapolis, free from prison. In 2006 Koua Fong Lee’s 1996 Toyota Camry failed to stop on an interstate ramp, resulting in the death of three people. In 2007 he was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Lee’s once “closed case,” and many cases like his, have been drawing new attention with the possibility that vehicles involved in the incidences may have been affected by the acceleration. It is not for certain if the case will be reopened but the odds are certainly in Lee’s favor. In the meantime Lee, a father of four, is remaining very hopeful that the Toyota recall will be his very own get out of jail card.

Men and women around the country find themselves in the same position as Lee, convicted of vehicular homicide, and convinced that they did everything in their power to control their out of control Toyota vehicles. As unfair as it may sound, it is the reality. Due to the mistakes made by a company like Toyota innocent men and women sit in prison convicted of crimes they did not commit.

Families who once persecuted people like Lee for the deaths of their loved ones are now filing lawsuits against Toyota, to earn justice for those who were killed. In the past several weeks Toyota has kindly shown great remorse for those killed by result of their faulty automobiles, giving apology after apology. It is with high hopes that Toyota, and the justice system, also recognize and give justification to those whose lives have been ruined in a different way. A great deal of justice is needed to be served to those victims or conviction due to Toyota’s big mistake.

As many were unaware, last week there was a recall on beef. After speaking with Karen Smith, the recall in and always was under control. For precautionary measures, all the beef that the school possessed was removed, yet none of the meat and GBHS had any of the containments that the recall was based off of.

“I really didn’t even know that they recalled the beef,” said senior James Freeman. “It is a good thing that none of the meat here was contaminated though.”

According to the USDA, the recall was in affected because Hallmark/Westland because they didn’t properly inspect their cattle before they slaughterer them. Although, no contaminated meat had been found and there have been no sicknesses that have been linked to this beef.

Does learning have to be done in the classroom using a book? According to English teacher James Stuck it doesn’t. On Feb. 24 and 25 he tried out a new way of applying what his students read in the book Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. His first and third hour Honors English 10 classes participated in a nerf war, using strategies they got from the book.

Each battle was between two teams, each started out at a “gate” at opposite ends of the gym. When they were told to go, each team raced into the gym and took cover immediately behind rollable trash cans; their goal was to get three people into the opposing team’s gate. If a person was shot they were frozen for a minimum of one minute. After the one minute passed they could be unfrozen when someone from their team tagged them, but not before then.

When asked about what the point of the whole experience was, Stuck said, “[The nerf war was] a practical application of the text. [The students] were supposed to take ideas from the text synthesize and apply them to the game.” He also said that it was most about the intrapersonal issues about learning to work with a group and leadership skills; and that most groups ended up being surprised at the capability of the group.

According to sophomore Lindsey Bryant the useful strategy was that, “It helps if your team gets along” and in relation to the book, “[The main character] Ender had to learn to get along with everyone.” Teamwork is an important lesson that you’ll need throughout your life, whether it is now, in high school – or later on in the workplace – working together can always prove to be difficult, especially if you don’t learn to do it early on.

While the nerf war may not seem to be educational to all people, the students actually had to write two separate essays about the whole experience. One essay was comparing and contrasting the book, the nerf war, and an article about actual military tactics. The second essay was about obedience in relation to how they technically broke school rules, while following Stuck’s.

Although the essay most likely weren’t too fun for the students there were memorable moments through out the game. The most memorable moment sophomore Kelsey Carson said, “[Was] Laura falling out of the trash can.” (As part of their team’s strategy they hid people in the trash cans and rolled them towards the gate that they had to capture).

Sophomore Virginia Choe said that her most memorable moment was when her team was trying to capture the gate, but the opposing team was blocking the doorway with a human wall and everyone was pushing trying to squeeze in and ended up falling.

Members of the Grand Blanc area were given an opportunity to meet the man who hopes to be Michigan’s next governor, Rick Snyder, last Monday night. Snyder’s team sponsored a meet-and-greet event at Brickstreet Grill on Grand Blanc Road. The event was free and gave local citizens an opportunity to hear Snyder’s pitch and ask him questions.

Snyder started the event by talking about his “10-point plan” to reinvent Michigan, which basically consisted of creating jobs and fixing the “broken government” in Lansing.

Goodrich senior Tyler Owen attended the event and said, “I agree with his politics and I think he could be good for the state.”
Snyder’s “10-point plan” also includes reforming Michigan’s health care and educational systems, protecting the environment, controlling urban sprawl, and a strategy to keep Michigan’s youth from seeking job opportunities in other states. All these aim to create what Snyder has termed “Michigan 3.0,” the “era of innovation” that will improve Michigan’s national image.

Snyder completed college at the University of Michigan, and received his MBA and law degree by the time he was 23. With the experience of serving as CEO and Chairman of Gateway, Snyder is promoting a reputation as an entrepreneur capable of fixing Michigan’s economy and creating jobs as “one tough nerd.”

Snyder has been running a 60-second commercial proclaiming that what Michigan needs is a nerd. However GBHS junior Shantrice Woollolk said, “Calling himself a nerd doesn’t seem very smart, that word just has a negative connotation.”

The other talking point that was heavily pushed at the event is the fact that Snyder is not a “career politician.” Snyder has extensive experience in the business world as a venture capitalist and has never run for office before.

“Michigan needs someone who knows how to create jobs and will rise above partisanship and political bickering to focus on the public good,” said State Representative Paul Scott. “Rick is that man.”

With Representative Scott’s endorsement, Snyder joins Attorney General Mike Cox, Congressmen Pete Hoekstra, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, and State Senator Tom George in the 2010 race for the Republican Gubernatorial nomination.

Everyone does it. Stick gum to the underside of desks. Write “Jeff was here” on a bathroom stall or call someone a name, hoping the now-degraded person walks in to the bathroom and sees it. But this is not the case with a 12-year-old girl in Forest Hills, New York. This girl, Alexa Gonzalez, had written, “I love my friends Abby and Faith, Lex was here 2/1/10″ on a classroom desk with a green marker. What was the punishment? Two police officers handcuffing the girl and escorting her out of the school in front of all her teachers and classmates, across the street to a police precinct. One would expect maybe a conference with her parents or with just her teacher.

The girl is no longer facing a suspension but people are still concerned that the policies of zero tolerance for some schools may be too harsh. One of the first cases referring to this zero tolerance issue was in 2007 when a 13-year-old girl was handcuffed and arrested for writing “okay” on her desk. She wasn’t the only one; several other students were also handcuffed and arrested for placing stickers on the wall of the classroom. Many advocacy groups are voicing their outrage at this and are pushing for schools to roll back these policies.

This also brings up notable concern here at home about whether or not, over the past few years here at Grand Blanc High, our own policies have started to become zero tolerant. Our own cell phone rules have jumped, the first offense being a warning from an administrator to an automatic ISS. Clothing rules – girls have been hit the hardest with the skirt/finger rule, attendance/tardiness becoming harsher with the new passing times and the hall sweeps , 18-year-old adults no longer to be able to sign themselves out, come on they’re adults! We find rules around GBHS becoming stricter and the only thought I have is: Will it ever stop? Will the rules here continue on becoming stricter and stricter? Where do you draw the line? No, seriously. Where do you draw the line?