2014 IN REVIEW:

Ebola, ISIS, Mike Brown Make Headlines

Artwork by Parrish Pierce

Artwork by Parrish Pierce

The world experienced great tumult in 2014. Here’s a roundup of what happened this year on a worldwide and a level:
THE BIGGEST STORIES
The world faced the Ebola virus, which made its appearance again in West Africa, but this time it traveled to the United States killing two people.
The ISIS terrorist group surfaced with a vengeance, beheading captives and posting videos of the beheadings on the Internet.
The Olympics took place in Russia, leaving the United States in fear of possibly being bombed.
The U.S. Economy added 74,000 jobs. These jobs helped to employ many Americans and further decrease the unemployment rate.
SPORTS NEWS
The Seattle Seahawks won their first Superbowl in franchise history.
Running back Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens knocked his girlfriend out with a heavy punch and faces severe criticism from America.
The University of Michigan fired football coach Brady Hoke after three years of poor team performance.
NOTABLE DEATHS
Maya Angelou died May 28. Angelou was a world renown poet, writer and actress. One of her biggest accomplishments was the book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Mrs. Doubtfire was laid to rest. On August 11, actor Robin Williams, also known by all ages as Mrs. Doubtfire, took his own life by hanging himself.
Similar to the Trayvon Martin shooting of 2012, black teen Mike Brown was killed August 9 by a white police officer, sending Ferguson, Missouri, into a racial uproar. Rioters and protestors filled the streets, demanding an end to the violence.
Eric Garner, 43, died July 17 during a choke hold from police for selling loose cigarettes. The death sparked cries of police abuse and racism.
No more animal crackers in her soup, Shirley Temple died February 10. America’s little princess died after years of being a child actress.
Comedian Joan Rivers died of cardiac arrest during a medical procedure on September 4.
ENTERTAINMENT
Guardian.com named Legos the number one movie of 2014.
Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song reached the number one spot on the Hot 100’s billboard.
Rapper T.I. and professional boxer Floyd Mayweather had a heated altercation that drew headlines.
Diddy argued with Drake at a Miami nightclub in an argument over a song they were supposed to record together.
Jay Z fought with Beyonce’s sister in an elevator and the video of their scuffle went viral.
FUN STUFF

The Shmoney dance craze sweeps America, along with the Nae Nae dance, and the phrase “Hooah,” said while doing the Nae Nae.
Females put down their tweezers in 2014 and opted instead for threaded eyebrows.
Apple launched its iPhone 6 in two sizes – regular and Plus (a larger size).
And who can forget the videos of 2014: the “apparently” kid who had never been on live TV before, the “I’m legally blind” lady who said she did not drive the getaway car, and the “What’s 9 + 10? 21” video?
BLUE JAYS MAKE HEADLINES
Former Southfield High School student Malaya Watson made it to the top 10 finalists on TV’s American Idol, bringing pride to all Blue Jays.
Malik McDowell, a graduate of The Class of 2014, became a member of the Michigan State University Spartan football team and was deemed an All-American football player.
Fellow Class of 2014 graduate Lawrence Marshall joined the University of Michigan’s football team.
This year’s Blue Jay football team earned the title of Division 2 Regional Champions, and 13 team members so far have football scholarship offers.
The school switched to digital textbooks in core classes and allowed students to use their own electronic devices in classes for educational purposes.
Team work make the dream work at Southfield High in 2014, where, for the first time in school history, four organizations teamed up to lead Charity Week.
For Charity Week, the National Honor Society donated gift cards for food to homeless families in Southfield; Scholars Plus donated kitchen items to families in Southfield; Southfield Student Congress held a canned food drive to help feed families in Southfield as well, and Principal’s Council helped increase literacy by reading to elementary children in the Southfield community.
Security guard Andrew Hage resigned to change careers, and security officer “J.B.” Bowling announced he, too, will depart, effective Jan. 1.