Inside this Issue:
Feature: DECA Districts pg. 2
January 2017
Brown brings Little Victors a Christmas they will remember
Rachel Matuszewski
Editor- in-Chief
Remember when having an Amer-
ican Girl Doll was the best? Kids
could customize one to look exactly
like them, from hair color to outfits
that reflected their favorite hobbies.
American Girl hit the mark with
more than 40 different combina-
tions. But they seemed to be miss-
ing a number of childhood cancer
patients who could not relate to the
dolls provided-until now. In an ef-
fort to give every girl a doll just like
them, American Girl Doll came out
with another Truly Me doll; a doll
without hair with customizable eye
and skin color.
American Girl Doll was not the only
one to recognize these kids, so did
senior Bailey Brown. After seeing
an ad for the dolls, she thought it
would be a great idea to give to lo-
cal kids who are sick.
Then they could have a doll they
Solo and Ensemble take the stage
Carolann Plank
Staff Reporter
January 13th and 14th are very
important dates for the students in-
volved in band and choir. Solo and
Ensemble is one of the most antic-
ipated events of the year for these
talented students. Those involved
have been working hard for 12
weeks to prepare for the big event.
This year district Solo and Ensem-
ble will be held in Brighton. Scoring
is done on a scale from 1-5 (1 being
the highest ranking and 5 being the
lowest). The students who scored a
1 or 2 from the district judges move
on to the state level of the compe-
tition. Once students conquered
states, they will move on. Each level
is more difficult than the next. The
students are very excited as the big
event approaches.
When you get to states you do
have to scales and sight read at a
certain level but you get to chose
where you start at, senior Isabella
Silver said.
Like band, anyone can participate,
but registration and a small fee is
required. After the fall concert the
Band festival in full swing
Bailey Rudberg
Public Relations
Football has the Super Bowl, soc-
cer has the World Cup, and baseball
has the World Series. Brighton high
school band has festival.
This time of year is crunch time for
all band members as the practice
and conquer their new high level
musical material.
Key to success would have to put-
ting in the effort inside the class-
room and out and getting their job
done, senior band member Alec
Gillis said.
Festival has been hosted here
for the past 5 years, but its always
7878 Brighton Road, Brighton MI Volume 45 Issue 4
could relate to, Brown said.
In an effort to grant Christmas
wishes for everyone, she posted
her idea on Facebook and the re-
sponse was overwhelming. Family
and friends donated and shared her
post, reaching out to people across
the country. People she didnt even
know donated, putting her words
into action. She raised over $5,000
dollars and purchased 48 dolls (with
and without hair), hundreds of toys
for boys, clothes, and books.
I was not overall surprised (at
Browns decision). Shes a good sis-
ter and she definitely touched and
inspired people to be giving and
go out of their way to help others,
sophomore Maddie Brown said.
At the Motts Childrens hospital,
Brown volunteered at the holi-
day store to help families shop for
Christmas for free. Browns toys were
on the shelves too, and she was able
to personally give them to the chil-
dren.
But Browns experience was far
Phil Johnson displays choral trophies.
students begin preparing for the
big event. The choir participants
prepare two classical songs, one
of which is usually in another lan-
guage. The Brighton choirs never
seem to disappoint. Last year Bel
Canto received the highest possible
score. The ensemble Armonia did
exceptionally well the previous year
as well at states.
This is a classical Solo and En-
semble so typically what you would
work on is taking voice lessons,
a great way for Brighton band to
showcase its great facilities, staff,
and bulldog spirit. Preparation is in
full swing as well as key leading up
to festival, the band normally prac-
tices 3 high level pieces of music
over the course of the month prior
to the event.
As well to the performing prac-
ticed pieces, there is also a sight
reading portion where the band is
tasked to play a piece of music they
have never played or practiced be-
fore. This is a difficult and strenuous
period for the band, requires a lot
of mental focus and unity between
members.
Although its of a high level dif-
ficulty, the sight reading is also a
Sports: Bowling team victory pg. 3
Info: A day in the life pg. 4, 5
Opinion: Senioritis outbreak pg. 6, 7
Entertainment: Best Album 2016 pg. 8
from over, when she later was rec-
ognized by principal Henry Vechioni
at the Board of Education meeting.
Vechioni nominated her as a Shin-
ing Star award recipient. Her work
was acknowledged by the members
of the board with applause and con-
gratulations.
She didnt do it for us to recognize,
she did it for the kids, Vechioni said.
Vechioni was right. Her only hope
was to brighten kids days and to
take some stress off their parents
during the rush of the holidays. She
plans to continue helping children
in the future by studying to be a
doctor in pediatrics at Oakland Uni-
versity next year. She hopes to in-
spire others to give back to children
or to do something similar.
I felt overjoyed knowing that I
touched so many little girls and
boys and their familys lives. It was
an amazing feeling knowing that I
made a difference in the surround-
ing communities, Brown said.
Brown with donated dolls for Motts Childrens Hospital. Photo by Motts Childrens
THE
LOWDOWN
February 8:
NHS Meeting
February 6-10 :
Winterfest Week
February 10:
Winterfest Game
Photo by Carolann Plank
Choir teacher Phil Johnson said. people arent excited about per-
and Dance
Choir soloists will be performing forming on their own, they really
along side an accompanist. The en- have to force themselves to do that,
sembles can stretch from two to 20 Johnson said. February 11:
performers. Although some of the
participants are excited for all eyes
After the talented choir and band
students of Brighton blow the judg-
ACT Test
to be on them, there are some who es away at districts, they will be
struggle not to let their nerves get training for the next two months
the best of them. Each performer is for states on March 18th. Those in- February 13-17:
unique in their strengths, weakness-
es, and talent.
volved in choir and band will show-
case their musical abilities and blow
Kindness Week
For some people its a victory just the judges and competition away.
to walk through the door. Some
February 16:
great way for the band as a whole the best they can, and although all
Choir Concert
February 21:
to progress both musically and as a bands get scored and there is com-
team. petition between school districts, Band Concert
It can be a very nerve-wracking the emphasis seems to be definitely
during the performance, but once on showcasing each bands talent
we finish and get our scores the and abilities. February 22:
mood lightens considerably, Senior In addition to that its seemingly
band member, Grant Saxman said. as if there are no winners nor losers Junior vs Senior
If Festival was to be compared to only the celebration of music and Volleyball
something other than major sports the growth of each member indi-
events, Id say its most similar to a vidually. Brighton hosts the festival
dance or gymnastics competition - on February 25th, 2017 and the
really anything that judges give you Bulldogs are looking forward to a February 24-25:
a score on, said Grant Saxman. successful performance Band Festival
The main difference is the fact that And getting straight 1s on our
festival has an emphasis on person- performance, senior band member
al and team achievements rather Nick Quebbeman said.
than competition.
The band programs work to play