The Paw Print
Novi Middle School's Student Newspaper
Volume 23/Issue 3 - February 2023
Local Happenings
MSBOA All-State Program
By Ellie Chen
Every year, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) hosts a program, The All-State Auditions. Students from Band and Orchestra can participate in this Audition in October. The Audition takes place at different schools at different months based on the districts. Michigan is divided into 16 districts in total. The schools in District #4 come from parts of Oakland and Livingston Counties. Novi is in Oakland county, so we are considered as District #4.
Five ensembles are selected from recorded auditions: a Middle School String Orchestra, a Middle School Band, a High School Full Orchestra, a High School Band and a High School Jazz Ensemble.
Students must prepare a required etude, a series of scales, and sight-read during each 10 minute recorded audition. Each audition is submitted using only an identification number with no reference to the student or school, which means that the judge will not see you playing in person. The auditions are evaluated by professional judges and placed in order. The required number of instruments is selected to fill each section. An average of 2,500 students audition each year for the 400 seats in All-State’s five ensembles.
In January the students assemble for two and a half days of rehearsal with nationally recognized conductors. A concert is held on the Saturday of the Michigan Music Conference.
For District #4, the auditions were held on October 22 & 23, 2022 at the Walled Lake Northern High School. Students that passed and were selected went to Grand Rapids to perform. They got there on Wednesday, January 18, and started practicing and rehearsing for their performance on Saturday. On Saturday, January 21, they performed at the Michigan Music Conference (MMC).
8th grader Chris Oh from Orchestra was selected to perform with the All-State Middle School Orchestra. 8th graders Della Kwak, Iris Cao, Jiyong Choi, and Hiroaki Kimishima were selected to perform with the All-State Middle School Honors Band.
I prepared questions and decided to interview my friend, Hiroaki Kimishima, who plays the trumpet. He was one of the 4 8th graders that were selected. I would like him to share some information and his experiences for students that are interested in the audition.
Ellie : What made you decide to enter this audition?
Hiroaki : I saw my brother play his trumpet back in November of 2021. It was a competition that was held at Ford Field where all of the good marching band high schools come together and compete to see who is the best. He was very good at the trumpet and he was the trumpet leader for the Novi High School Marching Band. At that exact moment I knew that I needed to surpass him and play even better than my brother. To do that I needed to go to All-State and learn more from the other trumpet players that made it.
Ellie : Did you think that you would pass the audition?
Hiroaki : NO!! NOT AT ALL!!! I definitely knew that I was going to fail. I had the skill but I got super nervous when it came to play in front of the camera. I blanked out for a second because of the stress that I had, and that really screwed me up. But somehow I made it.
Ellie : How did you feel when you got the message that you passed?
Hiroaki : I was so surprised that I had no reaction. It took me a second to realize that I made it in. After that, I ran around the house yelling “YES!” (Kind of embarrassing to say that but it is true).
Ellie : How did it feel playing with other students in the rehearsals?
Hiroaki : I felt like I was super bad at the trumpet. Everybody was super good at the trumpet, it felt like I was very horrible at the trumpet.
Ellie : How did the band practice? (How long the band practiced every day, deciding the solo parts)
Hiroaki : On the first day, we rehearsed for 5 hours which was pretty insane. During the 5 hours I wasn’t able to keep up at all because our teacher, Chip De Stefano, was just fast at everything. He explains the mistakes that we made super quickly, and instantly he makes us play the part we haven't really rehearsed. The second day was just as bad as the first day because we had about 7 hours of rehearsal which was so much that I passed out when I got to the hotel.
Also, I had a solo and how it was decided is what chair we are in. The 1st chair of the 3rd trumpet was going to do the solo, which was me.
Ellie : How did this experience feel overall? Would you recommend it to Orchestra and Band students?
Hiroaki : Overall though, I will say it is a pretty good experience. I got to meet a lot of new friends and learned a ton of new things and techniques. The hotel that we stayed at was the best. Also, I was able to eat out with the Novi High School student that made it to the All-State as well, and I became friends with them as well.
I think I will recommend it to the Orchestra and Band students. At first it may be rough and tiring but if you can get used to it you will 100% love it. You just need a gut to play for a total of more than 12 hours. :)
Ellie : Are there any suggestions/tips to help students that want to participate in this audition? (How to practice, practice for how long each day)
Hiroaki : You definitely need to take private lessons. Not just any private lessons. You need a teacher that has a lot of experience on your instrument. For example, I take private lessons and my private lesson teacher has a ton of experience with playing the trumpet. So, without the help from your private lesson teacher it will be super rough. Also, I think you need to practice at home a lot more than what your teacher said. My band director, Adam Ronning, said to play like 15 minutes 5 days a week. But that may not be enough. My recommendation is to play no less than 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. For me, I did 1 hour a day 7 days a week. But don’t overwork it so much that you will die.
Ellie : Would you want to participate in this audition next year, when you are in High School?
Hiroaki : Yes, I would like to participate in All-State next year. The reason is because this year I made it but didn't get placed in a very good chair. I will try to get 1st chair next year and be even better than my older brother.
In Conclusion, it seems like Hiroaki recommended the Audition. Thank you Hiroaki, for letting me interview you.
Sources:
For the Class of 2028: 7th grader's Dilemma
As 7th graders are getting their schedule forms, some students are in a dilemma about what to take in 8th grade. As you read on, find out what electives are there and what classes are there. (This is purely my opinion as an 8th grader and based on my experience as an 8th grader). As everyone knows there are 4 core classes you must take: Science, History, ELA, Math. Then there are electives. These are the ones that are extra. If you have an interest in learning a language; which are year-long courses and high school credit courses; then there are 4 languages you can take: Japanese, German, Spanish & French. Then you can also take the Music side: Orchestra, Band, Choir, which are all year-long electives. Integrated Studies and Core Reading is also a part of the year- long electives. The 18 or 9 week electives. STEM, Art, Computer Coding, Media Technology (18 week elective), Drama, Health, Foods, PE, Team & Individual sports, Peer to Peer There are many clubs you can join as you may have seen their advertisements in school but some clubs don't. The clubs are But there is one more club but I don’t think of it as it comes periodically or twice a year: Theatre, they only meet twice a year, For the Fall play and the Musical. There are after school activities too like sports when they play their seasons. One other great thing about this is you can test out for Math to get into Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2. As our school offers these many opportunities it is hard for us to pick but I assure class of 2028 you have have a wonderful years ahead of you Hope you best of luck!
Art club, Dance club, Chamber clubs, Coding club, Game club, GSA club, Golf club, Jazz Band, Math club, Paw Print, Science Olympiad, Ski, Student Council, Yearbook Photography club.
Self- Care and Mental Health in the Winter Months
By: Saanvi Budhiraja
Taking care of yourself is very important, especially in the winter months. After the jolly Christmas season passes, all that’s left behind is the dreary cold. How do you take care of yourself during these bitter cold months? Here are some tips and tricks.
One of the most important, and most obvious is to wear warm clothes. Wear woolen and flannel based clothing. Always keep an extra jacket or cardigan if the temperature dips when you’re traveling.
Another thing to do is make most of the sunlight you are getting. Light has a profound effect on mood regarding the shorter days and lessening sunlight throughout the colder months. If you can’t get out for fresh air, make sure to open up your curtains, blinds, and maybe windows(if it's not too cold) to let in the sunlight.
You should also get some exercise. Try to go outside, and if you can’t then exercise inside. Regular exercise is good for your body and mind, even if it's just 15 minutes a day.
The cold weather doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck inside. You can bundle up and go for a walk to get some fresh air and Vitamin D. Whether outside or inside, getting daily exercise is one really good way to keep your body and mind fresh during the winter months.
It's also important to stay hydrated .https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2021/02/are-you-more-dehydrated-in-the-winter/ says that you may feel irritable, foggy headed, and fatigued. You might have a mild case of seasonal affective disorder, but the real culprit might actually be winter dehydration.Your chance of dehydration actually increases during the winter months. In lower temperatures, bodies also have to work harder under the weight of heavier clothes, and your sweat evaporates quickly into cold, dry air. “When it’s cold outside, people forget about hydration,” Elizabeth Hill, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Intermountain Healthcare told KUTV News. “They find they’ve gone all day without drinking much water. Beverages like coffee, sodas or hot chocolate don’t help with hydration, and actually can dehydrate the body more than drinking nothing at all. We drink a lot of hot drinks over the winter, so it is really important to stay hydrated. The American Heart Association has said even minor dehydration can account for difficulty concentrating ,poor memory, and bad moods.
These winter months you might have been feeling more isolated, unmotivated, or even stressed. While these tips can help you take care of yourself, and keep your mental health in check, you may have a more serious disorder. If you have any of these signs, you may need to call your doctor.
Feeling depressed most of the day
Changes in weight and appetite
Feeling worthless, hopeless, or really guilty
Difficulty concentrating more than usual
You have strong mood swings
Thoughts of death, suicide, and harming others
These are all some tips and tricks to keep your mental health in check over the winter months. Keeping yourself healthy both physically and mentally is very important. Do you take care of yourself well?
Citations:
https://selecthealth.org/blog/2020/01/winter-got-you-down-boost-your-mood-with-these-self-care-tips
https://balancethroughsimplicity.com/30-self-care-ideas-for-winter/
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The Industrial Revolution
By: Jyotsna Swaminathan
We can measure human history in many qualitative timelines. Prehistoric ages can be classified qualitatively based on tools used by humans. The first time period was the stone age, where humans used stones to develop tools and weapons needed for their everyday survival. The stone age took place for around 3 million years, ending at around 4000 BC to 2000 BC. The stone age was a huge milestone in human development. After the stone age was the bronze age, where bronze weapons, armors and shields gave birth to kingdoms, then the iron age, as an abundance of iron was found, helping empires flourish. After the Iron age, we had the classical era, medieval era, early modern era, and finally, the modern era, in which we are today.
The industrial revolution was something that early humans had never dreamed of. This revolution was when we developed technology, creating a huge impact in society. There are 4 stages in the industrial revolution.
The 1rst stage of the industrial revolution took place from 1784 to 1870. Through this time, people developed the first means of technology. In this stage, steam engines were created, reducing the usage of horses, donkeys, and other animals used for travel. It was also the beginning of mechanization in countries such as North America and Europe.
The 2nd stage of the revolution was the one that took us from 1870 to World War one. In this stage, we began to use electricity as an energy source, and we produced goods in large amounts. This helped reduce the amount of time it took to produce an item, and helped us conserve energy.
The 3rd industrial revolution took place in 1969, being the beginning of computers and other automations. It was the start of the electronics we use today, such as the computer, TV, tablet, smart watch, phones,etc.
The 4th stage of the industrial revolution is where we are today. It includes creations such as the cyber security system, the internet of things, and network. This is the stage in which we are making history, creating things that our ancestors would have never even dreamed of, like the 3D printers.
We are currently heading towards the 5th stage, in which humans and AI will live harmoniously, and together. In this stage, people and AI will work together to solve world issues. We will probably depend on AI to do many daily chores and activities. The 5th revolution is going to change the world forever.
These are the different stages of the industrial revolution, and the changes that will happen in the near future.
Sports & Entertainment
Wildcat Sports Wrap, But Better
Many sports events happen in the month of February. These events include the highly popular Super Bowl which will take place Sunday, February 12th, at 6:30 PM. This year, in Super Bowl 57, the two teams that will face off are the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Both of these teams tied at the end of the regular season for the best record (W-L) in the entire league. According to ESPN analytics, they each have a 50 percent chance of winning. Students in the building aren’t old enough to bet, but the spread for the Eagles is -1.5, and the O/U is 50.5. Since the spread is negative, the Eagles are expected to win. If the total score of both teams is over 50.5, then fans watching will be in for a treat. If it goes under, hopefully you don’t see something as bad as Super Bowl 53. The NBA is also set for an All-Star game in Utah, on Sunday February 19th, at 1pm. The two teams will be led by captains Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. This year, teams will be drafted at the game, instead of in advance. The starters will include Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Donovan Mitchell. Recently, Kyrie Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith. We will continue in March to see who is most likely to become the MVP, who is probably going to play in the NBA finals, and more.
Book Review: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
By: Charley Weaver
This book is an amazing book about a boy who was eleven and was from Sudan, Africa. When he was eleven years old, he was in the school tent of his village when there were gunshots throughout the village. Salva fled into the bushes and did not see his family until 25 years later.
After the village was raided, he fled with others who were seeking safety and he walked almost half way across Africa. But it wasn’t until chapter 6 when he met his uncle that he hadn’t seen for two and a half years. When they reached the akobo desert after walking from Sudan and crossing the Nile River, then his uncle was killed with his own gun by a gang. Salva reached Ethiopia without his uncle and stayed in many refugee camps. He then led more than 1,500 boys to Kenya. He kept going until he met an Irish aid worker named Michael who taught him a little bit of English. He then flew out to America where he stayed with a foster family at the age of 25.
It was hard living in America and he had to learn how to speak English. There are also lots of surprises that were not in Africa because there were lots of differences in culture. The alphabet and grammar were different, and the food was different.
You should read this book because it is interesting, it teaches you about African culture, and it teaches you a lot. It is called A Long Walk to Water because Salva had to walk miles to get water, and there wasn’t a lot of water on the desert continent of Africa. Sometimes they had to dig for it, find moldy water ponds, and it was extremely difficult. This book is based on the true story about another boy who went through similar things. I hope you get a chance to read this wonderful book.
Tik Tok’s Bad Side
By Jemie Chow
There are over 834.3 million monthly users of TikTok as of January 2023. It’s the 3rd out of the top 5 worldwide social networks(Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter). But as much as you love gaining followers and watching shorts in your free time, there are quite a number of flaws that pose a danger to teenagers and young TikTok users..
At first glance, TikTok appears like an app that will teach you how to cook or make you laugh. But there is much more to it than meets the eye. Dr. David Barnheart, a mental health counselor in Alabama, says all social media platforms can impact how someone views themselves. Within minutes, however, users are exposed to dozens of videos, activating the reward pathway in the brain. Young users can become addicted and may seek stimulation constantly. In addition, Barnheart says that young users are exposed to fuel body dissatisfaction, appearance-related anxiety, exercise addiction and more. “They begin to get this view of themselves compared to other people and the more of that we see, the more distorted our view is of what it’s like to be the best,” Barnhart said. “We don’t have an awareness of what we’re doing to our own brains.”
The term ‘TikTok brain’ is used to describe negative aspects associated with the platform. Too much time spent on TikTok can be problematic and lead to addiction. This app’s short form videos grew increasingly popular quickly. As a result, teens and young users struggle to focus on a wide variety of activities from reading books to watching a full length movie. Every time users watch a video on TikTok, dopamine is released in the brain in a way that mimics the use of drugs. Young people are more vulnerable to addiction because their brains are not fully developed until they reach around age 25-30.
Studies from a Chinese high school found that those with addictive tendencies towards TikTok had higher rates of anxiety, stress, and depression than those that didn’t use the app frequently. In addition, research found that 13 year old teenage girls who used TikTok 2-3 hours daily at the start of a 10 hour study and gradually increased their usages over time were at a higher risk of suicide as an adult. Other effects of TikTok include disrupted sleep, neglected hygiene poor school performance, family conflict, and social isolation.
So, are you convinced? How long do you spend on TikTok everyday? Now that you know the effects this app can bring, you can take action so you can control your time on TikTok rather than TikTok controlling you.
How does screen time affect your ability to think and focus?
Technology is at its highest point right now then it has ever been in the billion years that the world has been there. We have a lot more technological advancements (being in the 20th and 21th century) than the ones made a century ago. Even though technology has made life easier in a trillion different ways, there have been some major changes or setbacks that have affected kids now more than ever. I’m a student right now in the technology age and there are many behavior changes, mainly after getting a personal phone. I noticed that every time I am in the room with my phone, I get this urge in my brain telling me to pick it up right now to see who messaged me. Everytime I hear the notification sound, I lose focus on WHATEVER activity I am doing, to go pick it up. On the bus, I used to think about multiple things or “scatter-focus” but after the phone, I am listening to music every morning which is good for your mental health but too much of anything can become bad. Though electronics are great to communicate with others and to keep safe in some aspects, a recent study by the National Institutes of Health stated that kids who spend two hours or more on electronics score lower on language and thinking tests. Also, kids who spend more than that show a thinning of the brain’s cortex, which manages thinking and reasoning skills. This data proves that the use of too much electronics CAN affect how you think and solve problems in your life. If you are overusing electronics, you might feel more angry, when faced with issues or become impatient. This can also affect your ability to focus on one task at a time, with or without your phone being in the room. Due to the increase of electronics that make life easier such as calculators, the ability to think and focus nowadays is becoming a very underrated skill. To focus and to think go hand in hand. To ponder and think about a topic for 15 minutes without getting distracted is ACTUALLY really hard in general and with constant interruptions via devices (phones) makes this even harder. I have a lot of electronics but none of them seem to distract me as much as phones do but then again, there are some people who just might not get distracted by their phone as much as other people. After looking at a TEDtalk from Ann Makosinski, I decided to try going with only 45 minutes on my phone everyday and no social media. I did this to try to figure out if phones affect focus and the ability to think. Though results didn’t come immediately, I started focusing more quickly than usual resulting in me becoming more productive. Obviously, it took me some time to get used to this rule and I did end up breaking it a few times, but it helped me realize that this was the way I do things best; with no distractions. I will definitely continue to pursue this challenge; I hope you start too.
The Future of Computation
What is Computation? In short terms, computation is the art and process of calculation. According to Oxford Languages,¨Computation is the act of mathematical calculation¨ (Oxford). Computation is mainly about taking input and giving an output. Your brain performs computations by taking input from the body's sensors (eyes, ears, tongue, nose, and sensory receptors) which sense by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling. Your brain uses that information to learn about what is around you, and outputs the actions that you are going to do. This is what computation is. Anything that performs computation is a computer. Computers include things like the abacus and radios, to things like cars, laptops, personal computers, and etc. Before we get into the future of computation. We have to learn just a small summary of the history of computation. History of Computation: Evidence of computation has existed for 520 million years!!! The Alalcomeus is an ancient organism that is the ancestor of horseshoe crabs and scorpions. It is known for being the first organism that was ever found having a nervous system. And, technically, nervous systems do computation, where it inputs information and outputs more information, or actions. The first computational tool was the sumerian abacus. It was a stone with numbers carved in the Sumerian sexagesimal or base sixty number system. This computational tool was invented in ancient mesopotamia around 2500 BC. The earliest records of the base 10 number system (the one that we use), dates back to the 6th Century CE in the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. Now, let’s fast forward to 1820. In this year, the Babbage Difference Engine was invented by Charles Babbage. This computer was hand-cranked, where you would input something, and get an output.
Novi Middle School
Email: jacqueline.kaschyk@novik12.org
Website: https://ms.novi.k12.mi.us/
Location: 49000 West 11 Mile Road, Novi, MI, USA
Phone: (248)-449-1600