January 2009

The Bolt Edsel Ford High School Dearborn,MI

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

Comparing Educations pg. 4 Conflict in Gaza pg. 7

 Current Events
January 2009 Edsel Ford High School Page 2

New: The Bolt Website

I
By GABBY TOUPIN
f you can’t get your hands on a paper issue of The Bolt, there’s no need to worry.
The newstaff team is coming out with a web version of The Bolt. All of the articles that are featured in
The Bolt can be found on the website.
As of right now, The Bolt
staff is in the process of building
and updating the page with new
information daily. We hope to
have it up and running with all
of the bells and whistles added
within the next few weeks. In the
mean time come check us out at
http://thebolt.dearbornschools.
org.
In order for The Bolt staff to
make this web page the best that
we can, we need your feedback!
Feel free to send us your sugges-
tions.
“This website is going to put The Bolt ahead of the average high school newspaper. There is so much poten-
tial for this newspaper to grow and become the main news source for Edsel students,” said Donovan Golich, 11.

The 44th President of the United States

B
By HANAN MURSHED
arack Obama was officially sworn in as the
44th president of the United
States of America on Jan. 20,
2009.
President Barack Obama and Vice
President Joe Biden and their families
participated in the traditional inaugural
ceremony. After president Obama gave
his inaugural address he escorted former
president George W. Bush out of the
ceremony, finally marking a new presi-
dential term.
January 12 was the last press confer-
ence for former president George W.
Bush. He admitted some of his mistakes and apolo-
gized. The banner that said Mission Accomplished
on the aircraft carrier was one of the mistakes that
Bush apologized for and said it sent out the
wrong message for the war in Iraq. He also
said that not finding the weapons of mass
destruction was an extreme disappointment.
On the eve of the inauguration the 2009
Presidential Inaugural Committee hosted a
series of bipartisan dinners honoring Mc-
Cain, Powell and Biden. These three din-
ners took place at the National Building
Museum, Union Station and, the Hilton
Washington.
The day after the inauguration Obama
did not only attend the Washington Cathe-
dral for the traditional inaugural prayer but it was also
his first full day as President of the United States.
 Current Events
January 2009 Edsel Ford High School Page 3

Mock Election Winners

The 2009 Flight yearbook staff would like to formally announce the winners of the 2009 Mock Elections.
Winners were selected by the senior class and will be in the yearbook. Congratulations to all!
BEST BODY BEST SMILE CUTEST COUPLE
Danny Licata Yassar Sufyan Joey Martinez
Rosie Hartshorn Lindsey Weclowski Hannah Steen
MOST MUSICALLY IN-
BEST LAUGH MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED
CLINED
Devin Poisson Jonathan Frantz Dustin Goncharoff
Emily Rodman Dania Berjaoui Annika Doner
MOST LIKELY TO BE ON
MOST ARTISTIC BEST EYES
BROADWAY
Louis George Nick Candea Mikey Wall
Marissa Johnson Kim Mattern Katie Jesulaitis
COUPLE MOST LIKELY TO MOST LIKELY TO BE LATE
MOST ATHLETIC
BE TOGETHER IN 10 YEARS FOR THEIR OWN WEDDING
Austin Masalskis Danny Licata Kyle Tomalak
Michelle Gaedke Lauren Houghan Gina Clem
BEST DRESSED FAVORITE TEACHER TEACHER’S PET
Cedrick Gulley Mr. Tyler Joshua Morrison
Iraqiah Musaad Mrs. Reiter Madeline Grendel
BEST HAIR BEST SENSE OF HUMOR MOST SCHOOL SPIRIT
Andrew Main Jonathan Frantz Andrew Lyon
Amanda Roush Katrina Koehn & Kelly Mihalik
Roudah Almujahid

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

Conflict Continues in Gaza

H
By DEANNA SULEIMAN—EDITORIAL
ow do we solve the problem that is Then Israel breaks ceasefire, wreaking havoc on the
Gaza? Palestinians. And what does the
With tanks, United States say? Negotiation?
bombs, and guns? Apparent- End the violence? No, more like
ly so. It seems that the deaths “go get them.” Hamas is blamed
of hundreds of Palestinians entirely and Israel is innocent
and the violence going on in while less than a half of the
the large prison that Israel amount of Israelis die in com-
has created in parison to the amount of Palestin-
Gaza is going unnoticed. ians. Not to mention the fact that
I refuse to believe that a large portion of the bombs and
Israel is just defending itself be- weapons have “U.S.A” stamped on
cause the bodies left to die are them and every politician echoing, “We
Palestinians, because the civilians will not tolerate terrorist behavior.”
standing outside in below freezing While all the while Palestinians, young
weather due to their homes having and old, say prayers preparing them-
been demolished are Palestinians selves for death. But if Hamas was as
and because the bombings done by lethal as everyone made them seem,
Israeli soldiers in largely populated then I would not blame Israel in the
areas are not done by Hamas but by least. But comparing the weapons that
Israeli soldiers “protecting” them- Hamas is using to the weapons that
selves from Hamas. Israel is using is like comparing fire-
I do not support Hamas in any- works to an atomic bomb— there is no
way but Americans and the rest of comparison.
the world should look at the Again, I do not support
facts before judging. Hamas in any way. But what do
First, the United States Israelis and the United States
pushes for democracy upon expect? They practically strangle
Palestine and it is all good civilians in the Gaza strip, block-
until the people they least ing them from food, water and
wanted to win, do: Hamas. most importantly hospital care.
Then they completely strip Civilians are massacred by the
democracy away from them hundreds daily while politicians
because the choices the Pal- argue over who are right and
estinians made did not benefit wrong. We are facing a humani-
themselves or Israel. How is that supposed to make the tarian crisis and no one cares.
Palestinian people feel? They no longer have control This is no way to handle Hamas— no matter how
over anything in their lives, even the person running dangerous. Israel has no excuse for killing so many
their country. civilians, and the United States has no excuse for al-
lowing it.
 January 2009
Editorials Edsel Ford High School Page 8

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Hits the Box Offices
By KAFAH HUSSEIN—EDITORIAL

“
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.