THE @THEHURONEMERY
HURON EMERY HURON HIGH SCHOOL, 2727 FULLER RD., ANN ARBOR MI 48105
SEPT 2026 VOL. 12, ISSUE 1
Rotting at the core: inside the sudden teacher outflow ANNABELLA MI, SAANVI KULKARNI, MIA LIN PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, FEATURE EDITOR, WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF For math teacher Adelaide Barcalow the end of the 2024 school year was just supposed to mark of the start of another year. Instead, on the last day, she learned she would not be returning. Barcalow began teaching at Huron during the 2023-24 school year after completing her student teaching at Skyline High School. Barcalow is one of many stories behind the reasons teachers are leaving Ann Arbor Public Schools. Much revolves around the District’s budget. “Mr. Edmondson didn’t tell me that I was being moved until the very last day of school, so I had already said goodbye to all my students, and I’ll see you next year, and make sure you say ‘Hi’,” Barcalow said. She did, however, note that this was not. Edmondson’s decision; it was one from the district itself. “He was very upset to tell me,” Barcalow said. “And originally, I was going to be moved to Ann Arbor Open, and I am not a good middle school teacher. And I ended up being able to switch to Community over the summer, so still not ideal, but I had to do what I had to do.”
While teaching there, she learned that the Huron administrators had found a way to create a full-time math position for her. However, the process was complicated by the district’s use of full-time employment (FTE) positions. Huron did not initially have a full-time opening available, despite the need for math instruction. “I was absolutely
devastated when I heard the news,” Huron math teacher Lauren Taube said, who was Barcalow’s mentor. “It felt so unfair. Ms. B [arcalow] is an outstanding educator who excels beyond her years at connecting with students and reaching them where they are. When I learned she was officially heading back to Huron, it felt like the balance in the universe was restored. I’m so happy she’s back.” Taube, although
not pink-slipped, has a story of her own. “I want to be clear that teaching at Huron was incredible,” she said. “I loved my time there and will always feel that River Rat pride.” However, she saw better opportunities in Washtenaw Technical Middle College (WTMC). “The chaos in AAPS certainly made it easier to press ‘submit’ on my job application, but truly wasn’t the main reason that I applied,” Taube said. “When I left, I felt an equal mixture of excitement at the new opportunity, and a deep sadness at what I was leaving behind.”
district following the teacher’s contract issue. Having expired in December 2025, a new proposal, a tentative agreement, surfaced — one that 99.6 percent of the Ann Arbor Education Association (AAEA) voted against. According to the Ann Arbor Observer, Superintendent Jazz Parks said, “the tentative agreement … represented a genuine, good-faith effort to address the priorities raised during negotiations while also meeting our responsibility to ensure the district’s long-term READ THE FULL STORY ON THEHURONEMERY.COM
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educator departures were recorded in AAPS Now, as Taube enters her third year postHuron, she continues to hear about the AAPS contract situation. “I feel very grateful that my current role involves much less uncertainty around my contract and salary,” Taube said.
Statistics from MLive
56%
of Michigan teachers are debating leaving within 5 years
The second bite: Geiger’s departure from Huron Following former Huron math teacher Eric Geiger recent Instagram post, he announced his departure from Huron High School and joined the growing number of educators retiring or leaving the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) district. “It was a hard choice,” Geiger said. “I love Huron. I love all the programs. I love just how diverse of a school we are. There’s something for everybody.” Several such decisions are being made across the
Statistics from ChalkBeat
32%
of Michigan teachers feel fairly compensated
Statistics from Mid-Michigan NOW
GRAPHICS BY KAYLA FU
FEATURE PAGE 4 GLP-1: MORE THAN JUST A WEIGHT LOSS DRUG?
HURON PAGE 7 HOW TO SURVIVE HURON 101
DATA CENTER PAGE 8&9 A FIELD GUIDE ON THE TEXTILE ROAD DATA CENTER
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
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Huron parent runs for Ann Arbor City Council KAYLA FU PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF As a double University of Michigan graduate and mother of three through Ann Arbor Public Schools, Sandy Aldrich of Ward 2 made the decision to run for Ann Arbor City Council after witnessing the changing political state of the country and how it was impacting her city. “Now with the state of the global political environment, I feel like it’s my responsibility to try to bring some consistency and some balanced thinking to Ann Arbor,” Aldrich said. “I’ve been doing my own thing for so many years and was asked a few times if I was going to run but never had any time, but now I think it’s my civic duty to run.” She hopes her graduated children will one day be able to live in Ann Arbor again independently, thus inciting her work for lower housing and
rent. As a previous startup owner, she bases her platform off of feedback from her community. Most importantly, however, Aldrich aims to address core issues of inclusivity and affordability through three main goals: mindful growth, seamless services and overall community well-being. “For mindful growth, something I’m looking at right now is a plan that the council recently approved regarding zoning or rezoning of Ann Arbor, and the vision has been approved but the planning commission and the council needs to put it into ordinance or actual law,” Aldrich said. “Seamless services are just basic services like water, sewers, streets, plowing and other things. Because we pay such high taxes in Ann Arbor, I believe those services should just happen, and I’d like to ensure that that is a priority. For community wellbeing, I’m a big advocate for the
arts and easy access to parks and natural environments.” Aldrich, having lived in Ann Arbor for so many years; owned a startup in the city; pursued an undergraduate and Master of Business Administration degree through the University of Michigan; and raised Aldrich posing with several Huron students and Ann Arbor residents. COURTESY children OF SYDNEY ALDRICH through the to bring more of a balanced discourse in order to have city’s public schooling system; perspective.” growth in the best interest of references her background As a potential member the city. and identity extensively of the Ann Arbor City Council, “I want to have the throughout her political Aldrich hopes to bring people trust the city again platform. mindfulness to how the city and have people be civil “Ann Arbor is is run through consistent with each other even when completely dear to my heart,” feedback from those she is they disagree,” Aldrich said. Aldrich said. “I love this city. dedicated to serving. Through “That’s one of the most So with all of those different emails and feedback, Aldrich important things to me.” life experiences I do want plans to prioritize civil
Q & A with AAPS school board candidates FRANCIS BADALAMENTE STAFF WRITER This November there are five seats available for
the Ann Arbor Public School Board. There are 12 running for four 4-year terms and one 2-year term. The Emery
reached out to all candidates for a Q and A. Here is what those who responded said to the question: “How would you
make sure students parents and teachers have a say in the school board decisions?”
READ THE FULL STORY ON THEHURONEMERY.COM
Jennifer Oldharm
Aaron J. Puno
If Ann Arbor voters elect me I pledge to use my listening ears just like they taught me at Bryant and Pattengill. I’ll ensure that parents have a say in school board decisions by reinstating speaking slots at board meetings for important community groups; these were taken away by this current board over the objections of the community. I’ll hold frequent town hall meetings and office hours sessions that anyone can attend so I can hear directly from the community.
If elected, I will have regular listening sessions at Ann Arbor libraries, as well as be accessible by email and phone. I will encourage district leadership to have committees that tap into community expertise to address challenges facing our schools and to make the hard decisions that face our district only with meaningful public engagement on a school by school basis.
Becca Hogan
I aim to build bridges for true community engagement. The first thing we need to do is move all Board of Ed meetings back into the schools, where our students, teachers, and community members already gather. This will also ensure every meeting is accessible by public transportation. Next, I want to move quickly to create new committees that include student, staff, and parent/caregiver representatives. We have so many talents and diverse experiences in this district -- we should all be doing the important work together.
Community engagement has been one of my priorities throughout my time on the Board. I believe it has to be more than giving people an opportunity to speak after a decision has already been made. It means building relationships, listening consistently, and making sure people understand how their input shaped the outcome. Going forward, I want to continue using listening sessions, forums, and direct conversations with families, educators, and students.
Brandon Smith
This goes hand in hand with my previous answer. Students, parents, and teachers are the ones who are interacting with our school system every day. While board members are deeply invested and care immensely about AAPS, they aren’t in the classrooms and hallways… you are! I will make sure I am accessible to these groups. If anyone would like to discuss their experiences or bring up specific issues, please reach out to me at brandonfora2schools@gmail.com. I want to learn from you.
Communication is one of the pillars of my platform. To that end I have many policy proposals to ensure all members of the AAPS community are heard from. I wish to expand communication from district leadership. I will advocate for a rotating board meeting location schedule that will allow all members of the community equal access to board meetings. I plan to advocate for the creation of a standing student representative(s) to the board. I hope that, as a result, decisions will be made with constant feedback directly from students.
Rima Mohammed
Lyndon Dibbie
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
3 | NEWS
Contract dispute: clubs look toward a return to normal AMY YANG AND ISHAAN KAMAT MANAGING EDITOR AND PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Since the beginning of 2026, Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) teachers have worked without a contract. While negotiations between the Ann Arbor Education Association (AAEA) and the AAPS administration took place, in protest, teachers no longer supervised after school clubs. This meant that the majority of clubs came to a halt in the second half of the 20262027 school year. Facing this change, students had to adjust
accordingly. “I had to adapt to life without these clubs and without the work put into them,” said junior Helena Levchenko, who is now copresident of Huron Model United Nations (MUN) and secretary for BioGIDAS. In April of 2025, the first tentative agreement was reached, but as superintendent Jazz Parks noted in an “AAPS Teacher Contract Update,” the agreement was not ratified by the AAEA. Facing the continuous negotiations and bargaining, some student leaders utilized locations outside of school
for club meetings and digital technologies as alternative solutions for facilitating club meetings during negotiation stalemates. “For one of the [clubs], we had Zoom meetings probably once every month,” Levchenko said. “But that wasn’t the same as meeting in person, and it basically didn’t require anyone to show up.” Issues with AAPS teacher contracts in the past year have left teachers and students alike adjusting to new circumstances and new working and learning environments. But as the new school year approaches, there will likely be change regarding
Teachers hold up posters at a rally on June 3. PHOTOS BY MIA LIN
AAPS teacher contracts and student extracurricular activities. According to
READ THE FULL STORY ON THEHURONEMERY.COM
Food for thought: lettuce recall raises food safety concerns LAKSHYA JAIGANESH WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Taco Bell food is often jokingly described as a source of explosive diarrhea. It was only recently, however, that it was discovered to be somewhat true. On July 17, Taylor Farms initiated a recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, the same lettuce that is often served at restaurants like Taco Bell. This was a result of its link to Cyclospora infections (cyclosporiasis), a microscopic parasite that often leads to frequent diarrhea
when ingested. “It appeared to be a multi-jurisdictional event that initially led us to think that this is more likely related to a food product or ingredient,” Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) senior management analyst Angela Parsons said. “A lot of foodborne illnesses that we deal with are with a particular restaurant or facility where there would be a more limited number of people.” Though it may have been difficult to predict the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the WCHD and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services were able
to handle the aftermath and provide resources to the community in a timely manner. “Our local health department monitors the cases and the hospitalizations of this. They have a finger on the pulse and of when anything ever comes out and they’re always backtracking and looking at better ways to keep our community safe,” Huron school nurse Patrice Gage said. “So I have good faith in our health department to help us navigate this.” Food safety is often perceived negatively when outbreaks like these occur, but they are typically unusual events and serve as outliers when considering the
food safety practices of our community. “There are a lot of measures put into place to try to protect our food supplies. Things like this unfortunately do happen and are going to happen,” Parsons said. “That’s why it’s important to have surveillance and monitoring and requirements in place because not everything is going to be perfect all the time. It’s those steps we take next that are really critical.” With the cyclosporiasis outbreak becoming more widespread, it is more important than ever to be aware of food hygiene practices. “The best [food hygiene tip] is just using soap and
water to wash your hands and drying them with a paper towel,” Gage said. “That’s the best way, but if you don’t have that available to you, then you should for sure use hand sanitizer before and after eating.” Though the cyclosporiasis cases are still rising in the Midwest, Parsons believes that our health departments have been able to handle them well and assist the community. “I feel good about what’s happening here in Washtenaw County and the overall safety of food in our country. I do feel pretty confident about that,” Parsons said.
GRAPHIC BY ISHAAN KAMAT
THE EMERY STAFF ADVISERS Sara-Beth Badalamente Theresa McKelvey EDITORIAL BOARD: Annabella Mi 403008@aaps. k12.mi.us Ishaan Kamat 435293@aaps. k12.mi.us Kayla Fu 321984@aaps.k12. mi.us Lakshya Jaiganesh, Mia Lin Website Editors-in-Chief Johnathan Pryor-Mcadam Social Media Editor-in-Chief Amelia Bai Chief Content Editor Amy Yang Managing Editor EDITORS Jenny Zhang Copy Editor Jaewon Lee Production Manager Joseph Sung, Andrew EtchIll News Editors Will Ye, Saanvi Kulkarni Feature Editors Esmie Salinas Opinion Editor Sofia Reyes, Yara Al Qahwaji Arts and Entertainment Editors Anaya Spero Maloney Sports Editor STAFF WRITERS: Ali Abufarha Ahmed Aboelnaser Abeda Ahmadi
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THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
GLP-1: more WILL YE FEATURE EDITOR Over the course of the last few centuries, science has progressed at an accelerating pace. With this progression, many discoveries have been made that reshape the human perspective of the world. However, in terms of clinical success, few come close to the recent developments around GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have recently seen widespread use due to its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. Dr. Shelly Flagel is a professor studying the underlying brain mechanisms that control motivation, such as addiction, at the University of Michigan. Flagel also works on GLP-1 and studies psychological changes related to GLP-1 receptor agonist usage. Flagel speaks on recent developments regarding said usage. “As GLP-1 receptor agonists increased in popularity, people taking these drugs started reporting effects beyond weight loss,” Flagel said. “This is what piqued my interest in
4 | FEATURE
than just a weight loss drug?
studying these medications. For example, individuals taking these drugs reported decreases in appetite, but also decreases in addictionrelated behaviors like smoking, drinking, pathological gambling, etc.” Flagel continues to describe the current state of research beyond the weight loss application of GLP-1. “I was surprised to find that very few studies have investigated the effects of “chronic” administration of these drugs, even though humans are taking them for long periods of time to maintain weight loss,” Flagel said. “We know very little regarding the actions of these drugs, especially beyond their weight loss effects. Since these drugs are now being considered for the treatment of other diseases and disorders, including psychiatric conditions, it is important to
better understand how they are affecting the brain and basic motivational processes.” Flagel explains how recent developments in GLP-1 receptor agonists may result in the development of new drugs targeting different diseases. Currently, there are already some shown health benefits outside of weight loss. “These drugs have been considered a ‘miracle drug’ for their effects beyond weight loss,” Flagel said. “Perhaps not surprisingly, with decreased weight comes lower cardiovascular risk, reduced risk of obesity-related cancers, and improved kidney and liver function.” Along with the currently known health benefits, there are additional benefits. “Researchers are also studying how these drugs might also be used to treat addiction and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease,” Flagel said.
“However, more data is needed before we can conclude that these drugs are safe and effective outside of weight loss.” GLP-1 receptor agonists have seen great success in promoting weight loss. Despite the current success of drugs, it is important to be wary of possible untested long-term effects of drugs. “It is important to note that these drugs were approved for patients with obesity and/or who are overweight with related health conditions,” Flagel said. “I do not think they should be taken casually or for a small or cosmetic weight change. Further, things like age and growth, nutrition, mental health, and medical history need to be considered before taking these medications. It is also imperative that these drugs are prescribed to you and that you are not buying them from an unverified source.” Flagel also states some societal
changes particularly in how obesity is perceived by society. “One good thing that has come from these medications is that obesity is being recognized as a chronic biological disease rather than a failure of willpower,” Flagel said. GLP-1 receptor agonists have seen astounding clinical success. Currently, there are many people using GLP-1 receptor agonists to achieve weight loss goals that they were previously unable to achieve. There have been reports of many healthy side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist usage. Despite the recent clinical success, Flagel states that caution should be taken when taking these medications. It is important to note that GLP-1 does have negative side effects, although not as severe as other drugs. It is due to this property that GLP-1 has been labelled a “miracle drug”. The development of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications may bring on great scientific advancement and societal changes.
GRAPHICS BY MIA LIN
The Huron High School Marching Band starts off the season with Interlochen ANAYA SPERO MALONEY AND JENNY ZHANG SPORTS EDITOR AND COPY EDITOR
of marching band is how well the leadership students teach us freshmen and how they make sure you know what your doing,” Hovelson said. “I’m most excited for the performances because I think everyone will love our music
we’re playing.” This is just the beginning of a great marching season for the Huron marching band students. Everyone is looking forward to the great performances and routines they will showcase this fall.
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the music anyways,” Lee said. “Usually I’ll just mentally walk through my positions in my head before performances.” As incoming freshmen are joining the marching band, they’ll start to learn and experience many new things. One big change for them are the daily routines they now have to fit into their schedule. “Getting used to the schedule might be the most annoying part because of the shift from having a free summer to being at school from seven to nine,” freshman Finn Hovelson said. Marching season is full of fun memories and performances. Each person has their own favorite thing about marching and has something they are most excited about for the upcoming season. “My favorite part
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Before the official start of the school year, the Huron High School Marching Band is already hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. While everybody is at home enjoying the last of their summer freedom, the band students have already stepped onto the field getting ready for a strong year. “We begin preparation before the end of summer with pre-camp, which are three evening rehearsals before Interlochen where we go over the basics and techniques of marching,” junior Deborah Song said. “Although the color guard and drumline start earlier in the summer to rehearse.” This year, there have been a few small changes in regards to preparation for
the upcoming season. “The band has added a couple of small meetings to help smoothen future processes, such as a drill reading session — important when finding our coordinates on the field —” senior Caleb Lee said, “as well as a new-member meeting and two leadership meetings.” Choreography is such an important part of marching band. At first, it may seem like a challenge to remember all the footwork and positions for each song. Students, however, have developed their own tricks and tips to help them remember the different placements and movements for each song. “Making sure you’re pretty solid on the music helps me to focus on the footwork, so I try to start memorizing the music as soon as I can, and we eventually have to memorize
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
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New chapter opens for the Huron River Rats Huron welcomes Claire Federhofer as interim head principal LAKSHYA JAIGANESH WEBSITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF On July 23, Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) announced that Claire Federhofer has been appointed to serve as the interim principal of Huron for the 2026-27 school year. Federhofer previously served as the assistant principal for Huron, leading the students and staff alongside former principal Ché Carter. These experiences, along with growing up in South Africa, have shaped who she is today and what
she offers to the Huron community. Federhofer’s teaching journey began in South Africa and took her to a private pre-university program that focused on preparing students for university, while also teaching them entrepreneurial and leadership skills. “It was a place where diverse voices gathered and debated the challenges that many countries face after the process of decolonization,” Federhofer said. “It was eyeopening for me to work with the students and arrive at feasible solutions for some of
the challenges faced across the globe.” Through this program, she was able to teach students from all over the world, all with different stories and backgrounds. “Leading within diverse educational communities strengthened my ability to build systems, develop leaders and create learning
environments where students and staff flourish,” Federhofer said. Today, Federhofer takes these experiences into account as she learns to navigate conversations with students. “It became important to create safe spaces for students to share [their stories] with me, to create places to have conversations about what that means for everybody,” Federhofer said. Federhofer believes that, as an administrator, it’s important to
understand that everyone has a different perspective on things. “I like to know people’s stories,” Federhofer said. She emphasizes that outstanding schools are built through shared leadership, equity, innovation, and an unwavering focus on students. “My opportunities in the U.S. have opened my eyes to the disparities between places, things and people,” Federhofer said. “I want to help students navigate these complicated worlds and experience as much as possible.”
Claire Federhofer is Huron High School’s interim head principal. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNABELLA MI
Making the summer months count: what River Rats did during the break JONATHAN PRYOR-MCADAM AND KAYLA FU SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF This summer started very gray with smoke migrating into Michigan from Canada and random rainstorms. But this didn’t stop river rats from spending the summer the way they wanted to. “My favorite activity I did this summer was hanging out with my friends, because they bring so much energy and excitement to anywhere and anything we do,” sophomore Yuri Kim said. Spending time with friends is a key part of summer, but so is spending time with family. This summer, Kim went to Seoul, South Korea, where she celebrated her quinceanera, a Latin American celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday. Apart from travel and prioritizing fun, Kim also made sure to incorporate productivity into
her schedule. “I felt really good about this summer. It was a lot more busier than expected because of sumeer classes, volunteering, sports and lessons.” Kim also spent her summer travelling a lot. “I went to Seoul, South Korea to visit family. And I went to Chicago, Illinois for Lollapalooza.” Junior Kelaia Ashford chose to spend her summer immersed in the arts, partaking in a musical
production of Chicago. Instead of travelling, Ashford prioritized other interests at home, breaking typical routine and spending time with theatrical hobbies. “Being in Chicago was my favorite because it kept my voice warmed up throughout the summer, and I really enjoyed being part of the show,” Ashford said. “I didn’t travel anywhere this summer because it was more of a stay-at-home summer.”
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“I went on three cruises this year, I went to Aruba, Jamaica, Curaco, and Dominican Republic with my family.”
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Junior Kelaia Ashford participating in the play, Chicago. Courtesy of Ashford
“I went to D.C. and I did a lot of walking. And we want to go see all the Smithsonian Museum, and we saw the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.” PRICILLA PRALAV FRESHMAN
Kim traveling in South Korea for her quince. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM
The most exciting thing I did over the summer was that I went down to North Carolina for a week.
BRUCE POPEJOY LIBRARIAN
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“I really just stayed home and played a bunch of games on my PS5. I also went shopping a lot, and I slept and I grew.” G-HYE PARK SOPHOMORE
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This summer I went up north with my cousin for our annual cousins trip, and we went to Boyne Falls and we went to Mackinac Island for like five days. NGHIA VAN SENIOR
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
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DATA PARASITUS RAWSONVILLUS A field guide on the data center taking shape on Textile Road ISHAAN KAMAT & ALEX GEBHARDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & STAFF WRITER The University of Michigan’s planned research computing center in Ypsilanti Township is getting closer to construction, but residents and local officials are still questioning what
the project could mean for the community. U-M confirmed Aug. 11 that it plans to build the $1.25 billion high-performance computing center on 144 acres along Textile Road near the Huron River. The project is being developed with Los Alamos National Laboratory and is expected to support research in areas such as artificial intelligence and medicine. The plans include a 240,000-squarefoot federal research facility and a roughly 50,000-square-foot academic research facility. The project is also expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and after the center opens. For Ypsilanti Township resident Charla Arning, the possible jobs are not enough to outweigh her concerns about the site. “Um, it was a no from me,” Arning said. Arning pointed to the Huron River and the environmental problems she already sees in the area. “I think that the benefit would be jobs,” she said. “Now I don’t know that the carbon offset of the jobs is worth the decimation of what is already our garbage water.” Water has become one of the biggest issues surrounding the project. In April,
the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority approved a 12-month pause on new water and sewer service commitments for data centers and other high-demand computing facilities. An earlier estimate from a U-M official put the project’s possible water use at up to 500,000 gallons per day, according to Planet Detroit. U-M has said it is still considering different cooling systems and that the center will not take water from the Huron River or use local groundwater. Sarah Mills, an associate professor of practice in urban and regional planning at U-M, said the cooling system will affect how much water the center needs. “The cooling technologies that use less water use more energy,” Mills said. “There’s a trade-off.” That choice is only one of the questions communities have to consider when a large development is proposed. “On the positive side, development tends to come with different amounts of jobs,” she said. “They come with different amounts of property tax revenue.” Mills said the importance of each impact depends on the community. “I often think about, like, what is the
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
immediate, what is the impact on that local place, positive and negative?” Mills said. For Mary Busse, a high school teacher who lives next to the proposed site, those effects could be felt close to home. Busse is worried about the Huron River watershed and the effect another major development could have on it. “The Huron River watershed is massive and interconnected and Lake Erie already has so many issues with pollution,” Busse said. “The last thing that we need is additional pollution being involved in that watershed.” Noise is another concern for Busse because of how close she lives to the proposed site. “I’ve heard data centers are insanely noisy and I’m kind of concerned that that’s going to affect me because I do live close to where it’s being built,” she said. U-M said the facility is designed to operate quietly and that the waterfront portion of the property would remain natural open space. Busse also does not believe the potential economic benefits outweigh the concerns. “Absolutely not,” she said when asked whether she thinks the jobs and economic benefits outweigh the environmental and community impacts. An Ann Arbor resident with 25 years of utility experience who wished to remain anonymous, sees more potential benefits from the project. She said advanced computing could support research and create opportunities in the region. At the same time, she wants residents to have more information before the project moves forward. “My biggest concern is whether the
community has enough factual information to fully evaluate the project’s longterm impacts,” she said. Without more information, she said it is difficult to decide whether the project is worth the potential costs. “I really don’t think we have enough publicly available information to answer that question definitively,” she said. She added that, the issue is not simply supporting or opposing the center. “It’s not a simple yesor-no question,” she said. “It’s a question of conditions, safeguards, transparency and ultimately accountability.” Some residents are also frustrated by how much say the township has over the project. Because U-M is a public university, the center does not have to go through the same local zoning process as many private developments. Arning said she does not think residents have had enough of a chance to influence the project. “Every person I see and speak to about this is really, really mad,” Arning said. Township officials have taken steps to push back. The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority approved the water and sewer moratorium in April, and on Aug. 18, the township Board unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on major electrical infrastructure connected to high-energydemand developments. The new moratorium comes as the center’s electricity needs have also become part of the discussion. U-M plans to build a new DTE substation specifically for the center. Mills said local residents should have a role in deciding what matters
most when a project like this is proposed. “What’s most significant is really, in my mind, up for the community to decide,” Mills said. “What matters in one place could be different than what matters in another place.” For her, that also includes whether residents feel they are getting something back from a major development in their community. “The other thing that just generally communities want is a fair deal,” Mills said. “If the land use is seen as a burden, they are bearing the burden of this land use, that they are getting a fair share of the benefits of it.” U-M has said the project will bring research and economic benefits to the region while preserving natural areas on the property. The state of Michigan has also committed up to $100 million to the project through its Strategic Site Readiness Program. For Busse, the discussion goes beyond the data center itself. “Why are we trying to consistently and constantly value economic growth and progress over environmental stability and safety and quality of life of your local residents?” Busse said. U-M is scheduled to hold another community town hall Sept. 9. As the project moves forward, residents are still looking for answers about what the center will require and how much say they will have in what happens next. For more information: University of Michigan’s Los Alamos National Laboratory project FAQ, available at research.umich.edu/researchat-michigan/lanl-faq/
9 | DATA CENTER
Population An estimated 57-79 Data Parasitus currently inhabit Michigan, with more appearing yearly; the population is expected to grow by 26 over the following years. The overall population across the entire United States is approaching 5,400 as of 2026.
Habitat Populations of Data Parasitus tend to cluster around major metro areas like Detroit and Grand Rapids, former industrial or agricultural sites, and regions with strong access to cooling water necessary for its survival.
Prey The Data Parasitus sustains itself with a steady supply of electricity, advanced cooling systems, and high-speed network connections in order to run smoothly.
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEBMER
ANNABELLA MI AND ISHAAN KAMAT PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Tonic: Annabella My mom paused the flowing sink tap and plugged out her Beats headphones. Our house was silent to both of us. “I have something very sad to tell you,” she begins. And I can only enumerate the atrocities possibly committed. But somehow, what she said to me was worse. On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Interlochen Center for the Arts, a prestigious institution, sent an email at 6:12 p.m. to more than 116,000 student alumni. The subject was ambiguous: “An Important Message from Interlochen.” It’s gripping to understand what this 2549 worded confession in an email could promise us. Interlochen to the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) is our tradition. Every August, the high school band, choir, and orchestras hold our sandy reunions on the Kresge stage. It’s our oral history. However, in September 2024, Interlochen commenced its external investigation with the Sanghavi Law Office. It was to review a reported sexual harassment case pinned to one perpetrator. In June 2025, Interlochen decided to expand this case in what would reveal six decades of sexual misconduct within 47 perpetrators. In two years, the external investigation had finally been published. In two years, what had been a
singular abnormality was a recurring yet vile cliché. But between the redacted victims and deceased respondents, I’m unsure to call this emotion justice or betrayal.
10 | OPINION
haunting reports, I realized these anonymous sufferers are not far from people I know. And in my way, these tragic truths feel as if they had happened to me.
Accelerando: Annabella In 2024, I attended the Interlochen Arts Camp at the prelude of the external investigation. Inside the Intermediate Meadows camp division, I spent three weeks of my July in cabin 158. 50 years ago, prominent Interlochen donor and sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, also spent his summer at Interlochen in cabin H1B. At my time of arrival,
did disclose the harassment to Interlochen faculty were often neglected. Instead, their exploitation was diverted to the victim’s self. The external investigation covers the time period from 1950s to 2010s. However, I am keen to believe that sexual misconduct had started before that and, to our regrets, likely after it. The 2010s cutoff loosens the full connection to the current cohort of Interlochen attendees. But like we saw with reports from seven decades ago, these violations are still present and likely have not ceased because of this intervention.
D.C. al Coda: Ishaan When I first started reading through the external investigation, I was not really sure what I was looking for. I had already read Interlochen’s email and calculated the basic numbers, but seeing the actual accounts going through the report made it feel visceral. It was difficult reading something so serious while also knowing that so much time had already
involved were deceased, so they could no longer be contacted. While death is not under our authority, it is inevitable with cases that had happened nearly 80 decades ago — with no action taken then — cannot give full answerability. Still, the 180 interviews in the investigation are now part of Interlochen’s history, whether the institution or its students are comfortable with it or not Acknowledging this history does not mean students no longer care about Interlochen. The ones who know Melody Freeze and the chamber music huts, spent their summers in an
the Green Lake Lodge, formerly named as the Epstein Lodge from his 200,000 dollar donation as well as two full student scholarships, was still present before its demolition this concurrent summer. I was part of the 116,000 alumni who had directly received an email from Interlochen regarding the external investigation. Additionally, I was also a recipient from Huron orchestra director Timothy Krohn’s acknowledgment of Interlochen’s findings. The most severe part of this investigation was to learn of these 72 victims who had undergone the irreversible. For the majority of accounts, no one was aware of the illicit conduct from faculty, trustees, division directors and academic staff. The alum who
From Interlochen’s transparency, we have learned these few things: even when an Interlochen faculty member committed sexual misconduct numerous times, their personnel file rarely reflects such behavior. In an institution geared towards the youth, it is significant we tally what the adults have done too. The name “external investigation” is too detached from people involved with Interlochen, like me and possibly you. It is anything but external. The story of Title IX persists, and these 72 dialogues have certainly occurred inside of Interlochen. These innards remains constant: I have personally honed familiar bonds to Interlochen. As an avid harpist, most of my teachers are alumni or have even taught there. Reading these
passed. I don’t think of it as just an institution with a long history; rather, I think of it as a place connected to music, summer programs, performances and students from around Michigan and beyond. For many students, it is somewhere they look forward to going to every year. That reputation is a big part of what makes Interlochen so memorable from the typical school or summer program However, this also made the report uncomfortable to read. The same history that makes Interlochen so well-known also means that there are decades of stories behind the institution, including stories that were not part of the version most students knew. This investigation is not our triumphant fanfare. In most cases, the respondents
undoubtedly valued memory. These Augusts do not become covered because of what was uncovered. The external investigation was the right thing to do. But it was too late. We are seeking the truths with offenders who have already deceased and Interlochen personnel files that remain unfound. As a school district, when we trek up-north to Interlochen, it is unnerving to be more familiar with the corruption we want no affiliation with. Interlochen is going to continue to be a place where students make music and create memories. I don’t think the investigation changes that. However, with these heartbreaking discussions of Title IX and the external investigation disclosure, it will always be a matter we seek our participation in.
Staff editorial: we are not listening to these wildfires For two weeks, Detroit was yellow. A quick stop outdoors was equivalent lung damage to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes; harsh air quality was a near death sentence for all struggling with pre-existing breathing conditions. Smog clouded the streets like thick, sour pollen, filling the air with the scent of smoke, dust and waste. Just a mere half-hour from Ann Arbor, people could not go outside without seriously risking their lives. More than just an inconvenience for those in Ann Arbor, the wildfire smoke was a health hazard for cities near Canada
and — to no surprise — another reminder of how blind we have become to the threat of climate change, even when the distance begins to close. The question is no longer whether the planet’s deteriorating state exists, it is how close we will let the danger come before we start to care. Critical symptoms of climate change are easy to brush off as just another bad summer, another smoky week, or another wildfire season. Every year we hear about wildfires spreading across forests and communities, yet somehow,
with each experience we hear, it becomes easier to dismiss. Our orange skies turned quickly into jokes online, normalizing the worsening state of the planet. The effects reached beyond health. Things people look forward to every year have either stopped or become nearly impossible to engage in — the Ann Arbor Art Fair, for example. Though it did not close, many people were not able to go due to the air quality conditions, despite it being an event almost the whole city looks forward to. Staying inside was no longer a preference but became a
necessity, cancelling activities that bring a community together. We’ve become more tone-deaf to climate change than we think. The more we see such incidents happening, the more normal they begin to feel, and though the jokes might seem harmless, they contribute to a culture where climate change is treated far more lightly than it should be. If we keep laughing off every smoky summer and recordbreaking fire, we’ll never actually take the problem seriously. Wildfires also stand as a reminder that our actions
aren’t in isolation. Something as small as a spark can contribute to a disaster affecting thousands of people, making awareness ever more important. Climate change isn’t, and should not feel, distant when Detroit turns yellow. It doesn’t feel abstract when people can’t leave their homes. We’ve seen how close the consequences of the climate crisis have come, and it’s time we recognize them for what they are: a warning we can’t afford to ignore.
GRAPHICS BY KAYLA FU
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
11 | ENTERTAINMENT
Money into music, not politics: the price of putting on a show U-M shouldn’t be inviting artists like Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen AMELIA BAI CHIEF CONTENT EDITOR In September of last year, hundreds of thousands of audience members streamed into a sold out Big House in giddy anticipation of country singer Zach Bryan. In addition to the fact the concert took place at the Michigan Stadium, the largest sports venue in the U.S with a capacity well over 100,000 people, this performance marked the first ever music concert to take place at the Big House in Ann Arbor history. While Bryan’s appearance pleased many, it also caused confusion amongst residents, such as myself. Ann Arbor has been a hub of education since the University’s founding; with its strong emphasis on education comes liberalism, with the town especially becoming a counter-culture mecca in the 60s and 70s. Although Ann Arbor’s liberalism has arguably died down since then, it still remains a large cultural center and has consistently voted blue, with over 80% of the population identifying as Democrat. Bryan is a country singer, a genre that coincides heavily with right wing, Republican, and often MAGA politics due to its origins in the white South. This isn’t to say that every country singer is
politically affiliated a certain way, though there is a heavy overlap. Although the bar is low, Zach Bryan does seem to be one of the “better” country artists. This isn’t to say he hasn’t escaped his fair share of controversy — he’s been accused of abuse from his expartner, as well as arrested for obstruction of investigation. For many, Bryan’s “quiet” controversies were enough for his appearance to escape any backlash from Ann Arborites. Yet in July of this year, U-M invited yet another country singer — this time, with a hefty amount of controversies and a problematic image — Morgan Wallen. As one of the most influential and popular country singers in the U.S., Wallen headlined two soldout nights at the Big House as a part of his tour “I’m the Problem.” The title is ironic, because Wallen does indeed seem to be the problem. In 2021, he was recorded saying the n-slur, which led to a temporary suspension by his label and removal from public radio. Yet in less than half a year, he was charting again and streaming on major platforms without any issue. He’s been known for violence both on and off stage; across the past few years, he’s thrown chairs off bars, flipped pianos on stage, and thrown phones while performing. He’s also been arrested numerous times
under different charges, platform to their advantage. A privilege to do so, such as from public intoxication recent example is Daisy Chain Zach Bryan and Morgan to reckless endangerment. Fields, an inaugural music Wallen, who have never Overall, Wallen seems like festival held by Olivia Rodrigo explicitly stated their political he could care less about his dedicated to fundraising for beliefs. However, in a society public image, and often makes non-profit organizations that where politics has become no remark on his careless support women, including increasingly difficult to ignore, behavior. education, healthcare, it is a statement to avoid There is no doubt that U-M, and advocacy. The saying or doing anything for a lack of a better term, festival held its first at all. When things are left is in it for the money. With show on Aug. 30th, unsaid, it is up to us both artists selling out the and featured to read in between Big House, Michigan’s dozens of female the lines, and Athletic Department musical artists. U-M does seem generated $1.7 million dollars Being political to be making a in net revenue for the Zach is a “choice” statement by Bryan concert and more than to many, inviting double that amount from especially to singers Morgan Wallen. The need for those who like Zach revenue is understandable, hold Bryan and but U-M could have chosen Morgan from a plethora of other Wallen options. The argument that to fill the only these artists could largest have sold out the Big stadium in House is highly untrue — the country. other major artists would have undoubtedly not only sold out the stadium, but also better represented Ann Arbor’s views as a whole. The role and responsibility of a musical artist to make a political stand is debatable, but I believe music is political. Everything is political. Ideally, musical artists should speak up for what they believe in, and use Country singer Morgan Wallen headlined two nights at the Michigan their resources and Stadium in July. GRAPHIC BY AMELIA BAI
The Odyssey: Nolan’s newest masterpiece ESMIE SALINAS OPINION EDITOR
been adapted and interpreted countless times, came to theaters this summer with The Odyssey, an a new take on the legendary ancient Greek story that has journey home. The 2-hour, 40-minute film directed and written by Christopher Nolan was filmed exclusively on custom 70mm IMAX cameras, with only 25 US locations holding proper viewing formats. Even so, I never felt like viewing it in normal IMAX or regular theatres took away from the film’s impressive visuals, as it still captured the scale and beauty of the The Odyssey’s movie poster for theaters. journey in a way COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES
that made the screen seem almost too small to contain it. Instead of watching Odysseus get home, it felt as though I was traveling with him. The basic root of the story is simple, so it is not necessary to know the whole story before watching The Odyssey. Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, wants nothing more than to return to his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus, after years spent at war. Instead, he and his crew face many obstacles on the journey back home, including legendary creatures such as the cyclops and sirens. At the same time, the movie follows the struggle going on at home, where his wife and son attempt to wait for his return while suitors push to become the next king. This added suspense in the movie of not knowing what Odysseus will come upon when he arrives back to Ithaca created a build in tension that kept me wondering what will happen to him, or the others, when he finally makes it home. At first, the movie was a bit difficult for me to follow. Having not read the
book, the many names, places, and events that were quickly introduced before the bigger picture became clear made it hard at first to figure out how everything connected. As the story progressed, though, those pieces started to fit together as I got taken back through the entire journey, while also jumping into the present. By the end, the early parts of the movie made much more sense as everything was tied together, making it feel like the story was being slowly revealed rather than explained all at once. What stood out the most to me was how the movie looked. Each shot felt surprisingly real and immersive while sitting in the theatre. The landscapes, water, ships and fights were especially impressive, as the unique camera work often made the characters seem much smaller than the world they were traveling through. The camera would spread across an ocean or island, emphasizing the vast space around the men as if they really had no control over what was happening to them,
as if Ithaca was not a place but always something in the distance that kept getting pulled away from them. My favorite scene of the film was when Odysseus and his crew stumbled upon the island of the giants. As the giants marched toward Odysseus ready to attack, the camera angle and actors chosen made it seem like the giants were truly more than two times the size of him and his crew. This specific shot was also featured as one of the posters for The Odyssey, and was a key representor of the way Nolan used different techniques to bring the movie to life, which I thought was one of the most interesting parts of the movie. These types of shots gave the movie an even bigger scale without making every scene feel like it had to be an action sequence, which I appreciated because while cool to watch, some were very overwhelming whether it was the loud sounds, flashing lights, or READ THE FULL STORY ON THEHURONEMERY.COM
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
12 | ENTERTAINMENT
Spider-Man: Brand New Day: an emotional new feel ESMIE SALINAS OPINION EDITOR Spider-man came back to theatres this July with the biggest box office opening so far this year. With a record-shattering domestic opening of 360 million dollars, SpiderMan Brand New Day has quickly become one of the biggest movies of the summer and a huge success for Marvel. The film follows Peter Parker as he tries to adjust to life after SpiderMan No Way Home. With the world having forgotten his true identity, he continues to help New York while trying to figure out what it means to be Spider-Man when the people closest to him no longer remember him. However, his attempts at creating a new chapter in his life don’t last long as new threats push him back
into action, along with constant reminders of his old friendships. Brand New Day had a bit of a different feel compared to the previous Spider-Man movies, as to me it had a more emotional story while also being tied in with the action that every audience loves. With Peter Parker growing up while his friends were away at college, he had to deal with the mental struggles of being alone while going through changes unbeknownst to him. Knowing how common these struggles can be, especially amongst people my age, made the movie seem like it connected to myself and others at a much deeper level. These quieter moments gave Peter’s character more depth. Meanwhile, the film’s visual effects,
camera movements, and cinematic lighting enhanced the action scenes, making them feel immersive and visually impressive. While watching the movie, I recognized the fighting and swinging scenes from a familiar game I had played in the past. After watching the movie, I found out that these action sequences had direct inspiration from Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man video game series, which helped produce familiar shots and entertaining fight and swinging scenes for people like me familiar with the game. The movie also introduced a new character to the series, whom some may know from the X-Men movie or comics. This character would be revealed in the movie to be
Jean Grey, a familiar face to longtime Marvel fans. Her introduction added a new connection to the larger Marvel universe while also giving the movie an extra layer or surprise for fans who already knew her character, with some wondering whether she will appear in one of the upcoming Marvel movies. For longtime Spider-Man fans such as myself, Brand New Day feels like a fresh start without forgetting everything that had made the character so likeable in the first place. Knowing this film was going to have to touch on a side of Peter Parker that hasn’t really been seen previously, I felt like it did a good job with adding in that emotional aspect while still representing his core character. With Avengers: Doomsday and more
coming up in the following years, I look forward to seeing how this character will develop more along with what is to come next for this series.
GRAPHIC BY JESSICA MILNER
Lost in the clouds with Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “Atmosphere” SAANVI KULKARNI FEATURE EDITOR “Bravery is being unafraid of something other people are afraid of. Courage is being afraid, but strong enough to do it anyway.” This distinction, offered early in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere: A Love Story, serves as the novel’s moral compass. It’s an acknowledgement that the most significant human achievements— whether navigating the vacuum of space or the complexities of loving “differently”—aren’t born from a lack of fear, but from the deliberate choice to move through it. In this meticulously researched historical drama, Reid explores the environment of 1980s NASA, specifically what it was like for a woman, weaving a narrative in which the laws of physics collide with the often clandestine boundaries of the human heart. The narrative orbits Joan Goodwin, an astronomer with a PhD
in magnetic structures. When NASA begins recruiting women for its groundbreaking Space Shuttle program, Joan leaps into the “brutalist, boxlike” landscape of the Johnson Space Center. She’s a relatable character, at least for me—“bookish” and somewhat accustomed to the shadow of her more effervescent sister, Barbara. She finds familiar peace in going unnoticed, finding more companionship in the stars, viewing the romantic rituals of Earth as being “essentially no different from eating a cracker. But then she meets Vanessa Ford, an aeronautical engineer and pilot who carries herself with a “Cool Hand Luke” detachment—effortless, aloof, and striking, she’s essentially everything Joan isn’t. Their initial encounter at a NASA orientation is marked by a mutual recognition of being the only two women in a room
full of “dorks and soldiers,” but it’s their subsequent meeting at a dive bar over steak and salad that cements what will later become a very deep connection, throwing Joan’s peaceful world off kilter. I really liked the juxtaposition of physics and the granularities of human life; the central tension is as much about societal inertia as it is about escape velocity. In 1981, NASA operated under the shadow of the “Moral Majority,” where any appearance of “sexual deviation” was viewed as a security risk, raising the stakes for Joan and Vanessa’s growing bond. Then there’s the matter of Joan’s relationship with her niece, Frances. They’re very close, especially as Barbara’s negligence leaves Frances adrift, and Joan realizes that while she’s spent her life
looking up at the stars, her true purpose requires her to be “the ground” for the child. I loved the format of this novel, overall; it begins straight with the heart of things with a mission that places Vanessa in a precarious situation in orbit while Joan remains on the ground, before the narrative recedes into the past, tracing the development of their connection from their first meeting to the depth of their relationship. By the time the story returns to the crisis—with Vanessa serving as the sole conscious pilot in orbit—the symbolism is evident, heartbreakingly so: Vanessa is suspended among the very stars that Joan has spent her whole life being fascinated by. The tension of watching them both grapple with the possibility that the universe might take Vanessa as well was
agonizing; as they’re operating under the scrutiny of thousands and the restrictive social climate of 1984, they resort to references of old conversations and metaphors, denied the luxury of an explicit confession and thus a proper goodbye. I came across this book at a store by chance, and I didn’t expect much going into it, but now, I can confidently say this is a five-star read, and can be found in almost any bookstore. There are some adult themes, however— while this book is widely accepted as a read for 15/16+, it is technically listed as adult fiction, but if you’re comfortable with the themes in this book, which include grief and mild sexual content, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
13 | ADS
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
14 | SPORTS
Huron varsity football prepares for the 2026 season MAX FINE SPORTS EDITOR After a largely mediocre 2025 season for Huron football, where they went 4-5 and did not reach the playoffs for the second year in a row, the program is working to make a leap in production this season. From weightlifting workouts all throughout the winter and spring to position groups working out on the field as soon as it was warm enough to go outside, the team has been preparing for this upcoming season since before most students were thinking about the summer. This dedication shows how much both the coaching staff and the team really want to win this season. The workouts for the team transitioned smoothly from the springtime to when school was over with regular practices continuing throughout June. The first 7-on-7 scrimmage was against Lincoln High School in late June, where the players then had a break until the first full week of July. For most of July, practice was held four times a week with a focus on making sure players were staying in shape for the upcoming season while also improving their fundamentals with plans to build on them later in the preseason. The team had more 7-on-7 joint practices and scrimmages throughout the month with local high schools such as Chelsea and Ypsilanti to give the players a chance at more realistic, game-like reps while also presenting different concepts and play styles to them from different programs. Unfortunately, there were a few obstacles that
caused disruptions in the summer workouts during July. In mid-July, there were multiple days where there were temperatures peaking above 90 degrees, making it difficult and possibly unsafe for practice to continue, and as a result there were multiple practices canceled. There were also extreme issues with the air quality in Ann Arbor towards the later part in July due to the Canadian wildfire smoke drifting south to Michigan, again making it unsafe to hold practice or even be outside, causing more workouts to be canceled. The team got back on track in late July though, being able to hold a regularly scheduled week of “pre-camp” where focus was slightly shifted to the mental aspects of the game, such as learning formations and making the correct reads. August 1st through 9th was a MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) required “dead week”, meaning that no high school sports activities could be run by any coaches, essentially giving the players a week off before the season officially starts. August 10th marked the official start of the fall sports season, but for football it was more of a transition period. Instead of working to stay in shape and practicing with minimal contact, the focus shifted towards a big milestone in any football season; putting on pads. The practices schedule also shifted to having two sessions a day, having a mix of offensive and defensive periods on the field while also incorporating weight training into the schedule. After a player attended three full days of practice, they were allowed to put on shoulder
Running onto the field is the varsity football team.. PHOTO BY ANAYA SPERO-MALONEY
pads for their next practice. The River Rats will continue to prepare for their first game with a week focused on preparing for their first scrimmage. On Friday, Aug 21, Huron Football Huron varsity footbal playing in their first home game. PHOTO BY MAX FINE will par“One thing that excites man/sophomore year,” junior ticipate me most about this season defensive lineman Nathan in a four-way scrimmage at is that since it is my junior Phillips said. Lincoln High School to cap off season and I am now recruiTo check out the full their first week wearing full table, I’m very excited and schedule for the team, head to pads, which starts on Monday blessed for the opportunity GoRats.com Aug. 17. This scrimmage will to be recruited by all the high also work as a build-up to the level programs that have been season as well as a source of looking at me since a freshexcitement for the players.
Sports registration: how to register for winter/spring sports FRANCIS BADALAMENTE STAFF WRITER 1. Online Registration Parents or gurdians must complete the online registrtion 2. Both parents or guardians along with the player are required to sign the Code of Conduct section 3. Registration must be completed on a laptop, desktop computer, or ipad. You can not use a phond due to erros. 4. Upload yor current Physical Signed by a physician and dated after Apr. 15, 2026. This is a MHSAA requirment 5. Paper copies will not be acccepted. All documents must be uploaded during the online registration process.
6. Upload your Rec & Ed receipt showing payment of the $265 insurance and Pay-toPay before your student can be approved for Monday, Aug. 10 Tryouts. 7. If you already have a Rec & Ed account, please use that same account to registure your sudent and pay the fee.
11. If your family was approved for Free or Reduced Lunch last school year, those benefits remain active for the first 30 days of the new school year. However, all families must reapply by Oct. 1. We encourage you to complete the application as soon as possible.
8. Important: If you select the Club Sport option for a sport that is not a club sport, your registration will be denied. 9. Students may not participatre in try outs until their online registration. Both Physical and Rec & Ed receipt have been uploaded. 10. All registration materials have been reviewed and approve.
Register for sports by scanning the QR code.
GRAPHICS BY KAYLA FU
THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
15 | SPORTS
Sophomore Maribelle Kofahl beyond the finish line AMY YANG MANAGING EDITOR Recently featured on MLive as one of the “Top 10 Ann Arbor girls cross country runners to watch 2026” was sophomore Maribelle Kofahl. Kofhal’s freshman season of Huron Women’s Cross Country team was successful, with many personal records set and many races well ran. But accomplishments such as placing 43rd at D1 state finals aren’t what defines running for Kofahl. Since her first season of running in fifth grade, Kofahl has been passionate about the sport. Now, at Huron, Kofahl is a part of the Huron Women’s Cross Country team
where she found a supportive community of runners and coaches. “Everyone is so nice and welcoming,” Kofahl said. “I think a reason for this is that because cross country is such a hard sport, it’s easy for us to bond together knowing everyone is pushing to their limit to get better.” Through Mondays practices on elevated hills, summer runs to Washtenaw Dairy, and the team mascot Chunky making appearances at meets, members on the Huron Women’s Cross Country team have had the opportunity to bond and support each other. Kofhal especially notes the memorable mentorship
of Leena Shelgikar, who was previously captain of the Huron Women’s Cross Country team. “She really mentored me throughout the season and gave me lots of advice and confidence to keep pursuing my goals,” Kofhal said. “I still really value that relationship.” As with many sports, a challenge constantly faced by runners is injury, oftentimes resulting in missed practices, meets and even entire competitive sports season In fact, over 65 percent of regular runners get injured each year, with an injury sustained every 100 miles ran For Kofhal, fracturing her foot during freshman year led to her not being able
to run for eight weeks. In the face of such challenges, Kofhal notes the importance of gratitude. “Running is such a big part of my life, and not being able to do it is brutal,” Kofhal said. “That experience has shown me to be grateful for the fact that I can run, even if I might not be able to go super fast or win every race.” In the current cross country season, Kofhal will continue to run with the Huron Women’s Cross Country team.
Sophomore Maribelle Kofahl running in a meet. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIBELLE KOFAHL
JV White soccer team takes on “beast mode at practice” IZZY YIP STAFF WRITER
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1. Before the school year started, the JV white soccer team started their season. Freshman Zander Handelsman works on techincal skills. 2. Looking to score, sophomore Jamil Kasham scrimmages at practice. 3. Fighting for the ball during is freshman Sergia Vasquez 4. Completing “beast mode” techinical training is sophomore Angel Rayon.
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THE HURON EMERY | ISSUE 1: SEPTEMBER
PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH RICHARDS
16 | FIRST DAY
In honor of our=-class of 2027 beginning their last first day of school, we are doing a nostalgic throwback to their first first day. We collected entries from a Facebook post to show who they were now and then. GRAPHICS BY ANNABELLA MI
“It definitely feels surreal after watching all of my friends graduate last year, but I’m ready for it to be my turn and just get this semester going.” Annika Richards
“I’m happy that I’m almost done and I look forward to hanging out with my friends throughout the year and graduating.”- Gabe Findling
“I’m excited about hanging out with everyone this year before we all go out into the world, and I’m looking forward to experiencing college life next year.” - Leaf Diem
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN FINDLING
To see more featured seniors, scan this QR code!
PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGHAN SULLIVAN