EF Drama Department
Brings Les Misérables to Life
E
By DANIELLE AGUIRRE—EDITORIAL
dsel Ford’s
Performing
Arts Depart-
ment worked extremely
hard this year to give
everyone a magnifi-
cent production of Les
Misérables—School
Edition.
The musical is based on
a novel by Victor Hugo.
Les Misérables is an “epic
story which recounts the
struggle against adversity
in 19th century France.”
The participation to pro-
duce such a story was
overwhelming. Students The Cast of Les Miserbales
of Edsel Ford were not the only ones involved in the
play. Students from DuVall, Whitmore-Bolles, and Valjean, who was in a constant struggle to live an hon-
Stout worked in this production, many making their est life. The relentless Inspector Javert, played by Eric
debut on stage or just adding another production to Vega, 11, makes a perfect villain in contrast with the
their young resume. noble Valjean. Candea and Vega made an amazing and
Along with the incredible orchestra, directed believable “hero vs. villain” pair.
by Mrs. Voelkner, and the extravagant set design, Along with the classic battle of good vs. evil, a
the spectacular cast made the epic plot come to love story arises between Valjean’s adopted daughter,
life, all with the direction of Mr. Doyle. Nick Can- Cosette, played by the talented Amanda Roush, 12,
dea, 12, played the remarkable ex-prisoner Jean and Marcuis, played by Bruce Brown, 10.
continued on pg. 3
Winners of the Mock Election pg. 3 Girls Basketball pg. 6
Les Misérables
continued from pg. 1
As a love sick Eponine, played by the also talented another, yet we stick together. We become a family in
Kim Mattern, 12, longs to have a way. Everyone has a good time and
Marcuis for herself.
In contrast to the more seri-
“Everyone puts a lot it’s always great to see all our hard
work and time pay off,” says Madi-
ous roles, the colorful Thénardier of energy into the son O’Rouke, 11.
couple, played by Christian Ryan, And becoming like a family is
11, and Kathryn George, 11, musical.” what seems to have made this pro-
added a touch of humor. duction of Les Misérables so remark-
“Everyone puts a lot of energy into the musical. We able. All in all the play can proudly be called a suc-
get tired, frustrated and lose some patience with one cess.
January 2009
Features Edsel Ford High School Page 4
Our Schools
I
By MEGAN FILIPOWSKI n 2006, only 17.5 percent of Zambian stu-
dents completed grades one through twelve
compared to the 70 percent of students that
graduate high school in the United States.
While I was there I spent some time trying to get to
know the high school aged people that I encountered.
Before jumping into the “do you know Jesus?” talk we
would try to get to know the people that we were talk-
ing with. In doing so, I asked a young man what his age
and grade was and his answers shocked me. He was
18 years old and in grade nine. At first I just let it blow
over, not thinking anything of it, but when I returned
Sign for the University of Zambia to the hotel that night and really thought about what he
told me I was close to tears. Mathematically, I would
graduate college before he would graduate high school.
This young man had high aspirations and wanted to go
to the seminary to become a pastor, just like his father.
The hardest part was knowing that the life expectancy
is around 37 years and that this boy may not live to
achieve his dreams.
To most students school is not the place that they
want to spend their time. Our education has been gra-
ciously given to us by the government and it costs stu-
dents nothing. The one time we have to pay for school-
School boys and myself ing is if we choose to go to any post-secondary schools.
There are a few expenses to purchase our own supplies,
but its nothing too outrageous. In Zambia, it can cost
up to $350 a year for any student to go to school with
inadequate supplies that are worse than the Pre-Calc
books that have missing covers and pages. The govern-
ment cannot afford to pay for education so families are
forced to pay and when they can’t their children suffer.
Most students don’t even make it past grade seven.
We are used to having buses coming and picking
us up for school, if there is no other possible way for
students to get to school. Buses are supplied to school
districts so that they can transport students to school
Another member of the team talking to some boys from the outermost communities in their district, giving
about soccer the opportunity of an
January 2009
Features Edsel Ford High School Page 5
...or Theirs?
education to everyone. Those who don’t have to ride
the bus have a short drive or walk. Some students in
Zambia have to walk at least five miles, one way, just
to get to school. Not only are they embarking on a
long trek to obtain an education, but they are doing
it without shoes on unpaved roads. They put truth in
the saying, “I had to walk 10 miles barefoot just to
get to school.”
There is often complaints about how there is no
one-on-one time with class sizes that are reaching the
mid-thirties. Comparatively, in 2005 Zambian class
sizes were approaching 50 students per one teacher.
Imagine how little one-on-one time those students Children gathered in the courtyard of their school
are getting. The classrooms that we find ourselves in
for six hours a day can be spacious enough to have
thirty or so people in one room. The classrooms that
the students in Zambia are forced to learn in are
about half the size, if not less, than ours. We also
have the wonderful benefit of temperature control in
each room.
The teachers and administration have to make a
decision about if we get to go into the next grade
or not. Zambian students must pass a test at the end
of the year and if they don’t do so they must repeat
the grade. Most students will repeat the grade until
they can pass the test, however the longer they are More children gathering around for a picture
in school, the more money that their family is go-
ing to have to pay. Pressure is put on the students to
pass the end of the year exams and the teachers use
the whole year to prepare for this test. It seems like
our final exams, but it is more than that—these tests
determine their future and if they will succeed or not.
Its one test, pass or fail, no other grades are averaged
in, what you get is what you get and the students
don’t have the power to change that.
If the class of 2009 was in Zambia only about
21 of the 351 students would have completed their
education through grade twelve.
A school’s all girls choir sings for our group
January 2009
Sports Edsel Ford High School Page 6
Girls B-Ball
Brings the Heat
Monroe
By NINA TOUPIN
Meltdown
C
hristmas break was Next, the girls would have
By MIKE BOETTGER
T
nothing short of excit- to play against their long time
ing for the varsity girls rival, Dearborn High for a shot he girls’ varsity basketball team
basketball to win the city played one of the toughest games
team and title for the of the season, against last year’s
their partici- second year in Mega Red Division champs, Monroe
pation in the a row. High School.
Second An- “We all re- Both teams brought the intensity.
nual Mayor ally wanted to Monroe drew first blood but did not
Guido City end up play- hurt the Edsel Ford girls any. The game
Basketball ing against remained close all the way until the end
Tourna- Dearborn in where Monroe took it home with a final
ment. the first place score of Edsel 55, Monroe 59.
In the game because “We knew it was going to be a tough
first game we don’t get game. They were the defending Mega
of the to play them Red champs,” said Coach Smith.
tournament, anymore and it Charisse Carr led the team with 17
the girls was the team points on the board, Michelle Gaedke
competed that we wanted added 13 points, Olivia Amend and Lori
against last to beat most of Boettger both put up 12 and Danielle
year’s city all,” said Rosie Cowart added five.
title holders, Hartshorn, 12.
the Di- Going into “We knew it was going
vine Child halftime the to be a tough game.”
Falcons. Thunderbirds
Charisse Carr stretches for the tip off
The game were in the lead Monroe accomplished the victory with
was close from start to finish, by a significant amount and the some good free throw shooting. They
but the Lady Thunderbirds Pioneers were left with a score went 11 for 14 in the fourth quarter. Their
were able to come out on top of less than ten. This same trend shooting also contributed to their victory.
and take the win, leaving the continued through the remain- “We knew they had good shooters but
Falcons to compete for the third der of the game, and the Edsel we left them open. We brought good de-
place spot. girls ended up with their first fensive intensity but they went to the free
“It felt so good to beat DC, city title. throw line too many times,” said Coach
we were all so pumped up to “Beating Dearborn is always Smith.
play against them after losing to so exciting, especially this time The season is far from over and the
them in the first place game by since it was in the city tourna- girls are still looking good with a strong
so little in the tournament last ment and it is my senior year,” record of 10-2.
year,” said Olivia Amend,11. said Michelle Gaedke, 12.
January 2009
Editorials Edsel Ford High School Page 7
“
I was born under unusual circumstances…” and so begins the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the latest box office hit, staring Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button
and Cate Blanchett as Daisy.
Based off the 1921 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tells the story
of a youngster born as an old man who ages backwards. After his mother died giving birth to him, Benjamin is
abandoned by his biological father when he finds the infant to be shriveled and horrifying. Benjamin is found
by Queenie, an employee at the nursing home where Benjamin is raised. It is here he meets the love of his life,
Daisy, the granddaughter of a resident of the nursing home. Despite their age difference, they get along and stay
friends through letters and postcards. In the meantime, Benjamin joins a crew on a boat during the war, and
Daisy takes on ballet in the hopes of becoming a famous dancer.
As Benjamin grows younger and Daisy grows older they seem to meet in the middle and from there their
love story begins. Benjamin, the not so ordinary man, is faced with quite the dilemma of growing young alone.
He has to watch as his friends and family die and he lives on. Along his path of discovering himself, he meets
new people, finds true love and learns the meaning of sadness.
The difficulty of their relationship is revealed as Benjamin ages backwards and Daisy gets older with each
day. Pretty soon, the age difference is hard to ignore and Daisy is forced to make a difficult decision. Melan-
choly, love, and derangement are twisted into a memorable movie that will touch all kinds of viewers leaving a
daunting, yet pleasant reaction.
“This movie was awesome, I enjoyed every minute,” says Roxy Musaad, 12.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has it all, a heartwarming romance, drama, and of course, Brad Pitt.
STAFF 2008 MISSION STATEMENT
Head Honcho: Rydzik The Bolt staff is committed to bring the Edsel Ford student body and administration
Editors in Chief: Megan Filipowski, Lauren Vallee newsworthy articles that will inform, educate, and entertain in a reliable and timely fashion
Copy Editor: Deanna Suleiman while maintaining the district wide core values and contributing to the overall pride of our
Managing Editor: Lindsay Finnerty school.
Sports Editor: Amber Kolts
Layout: Megan Filipowski, Donovan Golich, Scott Werth Editorial Policy for Letters to the Editors
Reporters: Danielle Aguirre, Rana Alhadi, May Askar, Mike Boettger, The Bolt welcomes your opinions on stories or editorials featured within the paper. The
Emilee Curran, Alyssa Girardi, Kafah Hussein, Safa Kaid, Andrew Lyon, editorial staff reserves the right to print and to edit letters. Authors of edited letters will be
Cari Moore, Hanan Murshed, Gabby Toupin, Nina Toupin contacted before final printing. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.