The Bucs' Blade December 2018: Raising the age

the

blade

RAISING THE AGE

18

17 New bill aims to prevent 17-year-olds being tried as adults See p. 12-13

Volume 74 Issue 3, bucsblade.com

GRAND HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL

December 21, 2018

the

blade STAFF 74

EDITOR IN CHIEF Maddie Monroe Chris Hudson

NEWS EDITOR Caleb Berko

LIFE EDITOR

Morgan Womack

ARTS EDITOR Sophia Jaeger

SPORTS EDITOR Jack Reus Sam Woiteshek

PHOTO EDITOR Carlos Rappleye

REPORTERS

Mijan Ahmad Nizam Gabrielle Amores Kyle Bush Micayla Cramer Nick Garvale Paige Horist Emily Jarrell Mercedes Mancilla Paul Murin Nick Rice Elena Salik Amelia Schincariol Laura Slocum Nicolas Twa Lexi Tater Ashton Voorhes Addelyn Wachter

PUBLICATION POLICY

The Bucs’ Blade is a student-produced news publication that publishes information relevant to the times as well as material that is essential to the overall well-being of its readers. It is The Bucs’ Blade’s responsibility to cover school, city, state, national and international events and issues that affect the concerns of the campus, its students or its readers.

The Bucs’ Blade operates as a designated public forum for student expression. The Editorial Board consisting of student editors is the sole decision-making and policy setting body of The Bucs’ Blade and has final say over all content decisions.. The adviser and administration have a non-review role and may offer advice on sensitive issues and will offer criticisms as warranted after publication but the Editorial Board reserves all rights to determine what material shall be published. Editorials represent the collective opinion of The Bucs’ Blade staff.

2 INDEX

Season’s greetings readers!

A WORD FROM YOUR EDITORS

We want to start this out by first wishing all of you the best this holiday season. Even though it might sound like an intro to a Christmas card, we really do hope your holiday break is a memorable one - in the best of ways - with a copy of the Blade by your side.

But, in more serious terms, we wish a vacation of warmth and joy, though for the majority of us, these might be taken for granted and passed by without a second thought.

Always keep in mind those who may be less fortunate than you, especially in the winter months. As we are in the thick of the holiday season, many groups such as Student Senate, Pay-It-Forward and Bucs Care have reached out to these struggling families and provided aid.

Every year, Student Senate chooses to buy all kinds of goods and gifts for ten local families who don’t have the budget to provide their loved ones with presents on Christmas Day. With that in mind, Student Senate spends anywhere between $1,500 - $2,000 per family each year to stock them for the holidays.

Pay-It-Forward groups have also held many fund-raisers around this time of year, such as Operation Santa Paws: a pet toy drive to benefit the Harbor Humane Society. The group will be collecting donations for the entire month of December to give a helping hand to the dogs and cats that have not yet been adopted.

The Bucs Care food pantry and its volunteers have also been continuing their amazing work, most notably preparing students and their families for the long break by stocking them with extra meals while we are away.

Whether it’s been supplying food, buying presents or putting on charitable events, our student community has proven to be there for the underprivileged members of Grand Haven.

Now, we don’t want you to think of this as some ‘PR stunt’ for these clubs to look better in your eyes; rather, we just want to help you recognize all the people who have gone out of their way to give back and to possibly motivate you to spread your holiday cheer in a similar way.

We’d obviously love it if you spent your time off relaxing by the fire and reading the Blade each day, but we all know each one of us can always be doing more than just reading this issue. So as you enjoy your break, consider donating to one of these groups or another of your preference. If you rather don’t feel the urge to donate, just do something small - like volunteering for your church or helping your neighbor shovel their driveway - something that might be quick, but can leave a long-term impact.

Though it might sound stale, a contribution of kindness, no matter the size, is always valued, especially during the holidays.

Make your holiday memorable for yourself and others. It’s not that hard.

Godspeed.

The Bucs’ Blade Maddie Monroe CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF

Chris Hudson CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF

@Bucsblade @thebucsblade

Letters and submissions: Opinions expressed by individuals and in letters to the editor represent those of the author. Letters to the editor should be typed, double spaced and must include the author’s name, signature and class or position. Names of individuals may be withheld upon request, pending a vote of the Editorial Board. Letters may be submitted in hard copy to room 0205 at Grand Haven High School or via email at bucsblade@gmail.com. All letters are subject to review by the Editorial Board. Letters will not be edited except to fix space limitations. Should the Editorial Board deem a letter to be potentially libelous or containing content inappropriate for publication it will return the letter to the author with an opportunity for corrections. The Editorial Board is solely responsible for these decisions. Letters need to be received one week prior to print publication dates to be included in print.

CONTENTS OPINION 3. Why Michigan should raise the age 4. Invest early 5. Tattoos at work 6. Fast fashion

NEWS

7. Briefs 8. Millage 9. Adopt a family 10. Learning walk 11. The year in review 12-13. Raise the age

LIFE 14. Winter fashion 15. Daith piercing

ARTS 16-17. Reviews 18. Kensley Schenkel profile

SPORTS

19. Coach K profile 20. Cody Miller profile 21. Swim team Q&A 22-23. Sports updates

PHOTO 24. Spring Lake vs. Grand Haven Basketball game December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

TOO YOUNG TO BE CUFFED Bill dubbed “Raise the Age” attempts to make it so 17-year-olds are no longer charged as adults MICHIGAN

For more info see pg. 12-13

is one of

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states that automatically prosecutes all 17-year-olds as adults

In the last decade

20,000

17-year-olds have been convicted as adults for non-violet crimes with no prior criminal record

www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

This is something many teenagers are not even aware To every teenager, 18 is considered adulthood.

Once you turn 18, many of the “privileges” of be- of, so if you were to be found guilty of a crime at 17 ing an adult are unlocked: the ability to vote, enlist in the you may not even know the bigger consequences you are military, to buy tobacco, lottery tickets and fireworks, and facing.

Being charged in the juvenile court is a much differlegal independence from parents. However, one area has a notable difference. When it comes to being charged ent process, focused more on rehabilitation instead of jail with a crime, 17-year-olds in Michigan are treated and time, they may even offer community service. Juveniles are also prosecuted for delinquent acts rather than crimes, charged as adults.

As the law stands now, in Michigan 17-year-olds are so the sentences and punishments are often not as harsh.

Currently, only 4 out of 50 states charge 17-year-olds automatically charged as adults, and - when convicted as adults. The standard in the rest is 18. So if the majority are sent to adult jails, prisons, and programs.

They don’t have the freedoms that 18-year-olds re- of the country treats 17-year-olds as juveniles, why does ceive, but in court, they are held to the same standards as Michigan not?

It comes down to cost. The juvenile court system an adult rather than a juvenile. costs more than the adult court system The “Raise the Age” initiative could since there are more treatments and rechange that. A 17-bill package that inhabilitations factored into it. tends to change the law, raising the age But if Michigan government focuses of adult conviction from 17 to 18. The on the expense, larger problems emerge. bill would also establish funding to enStatistics show that not only are 17-yearsure 17-year-olds can access services olds who are sentenced as adults more available in the juvenile court system likely to face sexual assault, harassment, and would prohibit anyone under the STAFF and physical abuse, they are also more age of 18 from being placed in an adult EDITORIAL likely to re-offend. jail or prison.

Support 8-0 This creates a cycle of crime that But while the bill did pass through the state house committee, it is unlikely it will survive the takes adults out of the workforce and places them prison, lame duck session. So more support is needed for it to be producing nothing in tax dollars and instead requiring tax dollars to keep them incarcerated. A short-term fix for a reintroduced in the next session.

10 states have raised the age of jurisdiction to 18 since life-long problem is never a healthy solution.

The state of Michigan should move forward with rais2007, including New York and North Carolina because 17-year-olds are not adults. They have none of the same ing the age of legally being an adult to 18.

Why does the state of Michigan value lower temprivileges as adults, so they should not be charged as porary cost over doing the right thing? Any reasonably adults.

According to Youth Behind Bars, 60% of 17-year-olds sound person can come to the conclusion that it is not were charged with non-violent offenses and 58% had economical or ethical to try juveniles as adults in the long no prior criminal record. But since they are considered term. Trying them as juveniles is the only way to ensure adults, those crimes will haunt them for the rest of their fairness and resolve issues in the future. lives.

EDITORIAL 3

TAKE THE INITIATIVE, INVEST EARLY With advice from teachers and financial advisors, individuals our age should get into the market as soon as possible

Opinion Chris Hudson Five years. It equates to 1,825 days and for most of us teens, it’s almost ¼ of our current lives. Pretty big, right?

The same goes for fundamental investing: starting just five years earlier than at a later point will typically result in more money earned down the road.

It hasn’t been a major focus in our youth day-to-day hustle, but by finding a trusted broker, researching stocks, forming a portfolio and throwing your hat in the ring now - at let’s say the age of 18 rather than 23 - will bring you exponentially huge compounding benefits. In short, you might feel like you own a money tree in your backyard.

Why? Because time is money. And more time to be had means more money to be made.

The avenues that become available to you from going ahead and choosing to do more with your money gives you a hefty upper hand to millions of other investors across the globe.

According to data accumulated by stocktrader.com, young investors who begin the soonest they can will be able to avoid making money moves near or during their retirement, as well as having a less stressful quality of life during that same time period decades away.

Might be a shot in the dark here, but I’m guessing all of you wouldn’t want to go through that solo 401k or Simple IRA (Individual Retirement Account) hassle while unprepared at any age in your life.

Solution: educate yourself and join the investing game before someone else beats you to it. Early bird gets the worm; shown through projections by daveramsey.com - a person can earn almost $750,000 more by originally investing $2,000 at 18 years old rather than initiating the investment at age 23.

Just let that sink in. An average of $37,500 a year on top of your annual

4 OPINION

salary.

I’m definitely not advising to go in head-first and think that you’ve got nothing to lose - that’s how the Great Depression happened. Don’t want another round of that 100 years later, at least for you on a personal level, now do we?

I know I’m throwing a lot of bait out that makes it hard not to take a bite and buy some of your own stocks right now, but what’s crucial is that you do it right and know what you are getting into.

Investing early also improves your spending habits, which might seem like a paradox, but it’s true: you’ll learn to not overstep your boundaries with purchases and you’ll not be as prone to future debt by knowing how many important lessons investing can teach you. It’s an investor thing.

Take Aaron Smaka: he became an investor at 24, but still has expressed his regret of not investing early many times.

“Given today’s uncertainties with Social Security and pension plans, you have to plan for retirement, do it on your own and time is your biggest friend,” Smaka said. “Being able to do that as a young person, being 17 or 18 [years old] through a Roth IRA, I think it’s a good idea to begin sooner so that you can take care of yourself into your future.”

Smaka even acknowledged the specific scenario that I’m using in this piece - the time we currently live in today and how it will be different five years from now.

“A lot of people wait to start saving for retirement until they get a job out of college,” Smaka said. “But, that’s a five year period where even a little bit of money to put away can have a big impact when you get older.”

Hate to break it to all of you, but it’s the truth that we won’t stay in this comfortable high school bubble forever. When it bursts for us, don’t you think it’d be nice to have money to lean on for the unexpected that we don’t account for? Yeah, I agree.

Pushing past the anecdotal buying points, beneficial programs shared by Julie DeSanto at Grand Haven’s local Edward Jones firm solidify that there are definite long-term positives for getting into investing during the late high

Chris Hudson THE BUCS’ BLADE

school and early college years by using features right on the financial agency’s website (link tagged below).

“We have an online tool that calculates your retirement and it can factor in social security or not,” DeSanto said.

“You can plug in any number for your initial investment and see how much it’ll grow when you retire at 62 or 67 or whenever. The important thing is that more time you have to invest and put away that money, the higher return you’ll get back later on.”

DeSanto showed me multiple components that hammered home a common idea or what she referred to as “the road map”: with the key being to know where you are at point A and how you

will get to point B - when you pull out your returns and/or retire.

“When we talk to anyone about opening an account, we have a process about what’s going on today and what’ll be going on six months from now and so on,” DeSanto said. “Obviously, things will occur and possibly change the plan we had in place for the account, but one thing remains the same - you and I will stay on track and keep your investments where they need to be in order to meet your income or growth goals.”

Having an advisor like DeSanto by your side is what makes or breaks your investing experience and is what will help you get the greatest return you can

manage These are the few that will help you get into the market and will help you survive it at any age.

So think about that road map - we’ve all began our journey and with each day that passes, we inch closer to point B: the final destination.

To get started, visit EdwardJones.com and check out the different financial calculators using the search tool.

December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

FAST FASHION EPIDEMIC

8 TEAM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF #1

#2 #1 or #8

#2 or #7

#8

#7 SEMIFINAL 1

#4 #4 or #5

SEMIFINAL 1 SEMIFINAL 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

SEMIFINAL 2

#3 #3 or #6

#5

#6 Ashton Voorhees THE BUCS’ BLADE

PLAYOFF REIMAGINED: If the playoff expanded to eight teams, what should it look like? In my version, there are no automatic bids since there are more spots; winning a conference championship does not mean that a playoff spot is awarded.

THE MORE THE MERRIER: CFP

Opinion

Ashton Voorhees It’s the middle of holiday break.

We have opened our presents, ate our holiday ham, and spent time with our family. It’s nearing the tail end of our rest from school, where we’re struggling to find enough ways to entertain ourselves for an entire day without school to take up seven hours of our time. We could all use a time-waster to get through the final week of holiday break. College Football has got our back, and the College Football Playoff is here to entertain us during this holiday season.

It’s been four years since the College Football Playoff was introduced, and most can agree that proving you belong in the championship game is an overall improvement for the sport. My question is: Why not add more teams to the mix?

The best thing about the college basketball tournament, dubbed “March Madness”, is that there are so many games that probability states an upset is bound to happen. Upsets are exciting, and they eliminate a would-be contender that obviously didn’t have what it took to win it all. I think that expanding to at least eight teams in the College Football Playoff would have the same effect.

I know that it’s not realistic to have 64 teams line up against each other in

6 OPINION

such a short time. However, College Football’s division II already competes in a 28-team tournament, which destroys any argument the NCAA has from an academic or player safety standpoint. More representation in the form of a eight-team playoff would deliver exactly what America wants from the College Football Playoff.

There are teams each year on the edge of the playoff that don’t get in, and expanding will give them a chance to play out their own destiny instead of getting snubbed. I don’t think anyone will argue against that possibility. Many think that Georgia was deserving of a spot this year, and they have the next best shot at taking down Alabama this year. UCF has been snubbed two years in a row despite an unblemished record in both years.

UCF proclaimed themselves national champion last year due to their perfect record, despite the fact that they weren’t admitted into the playoff.

Imagine if they were included, stunned the field and won a national championship despite not being a traditional “power five” conference school. Their national championship wouldn’t be just a figure of speech, they would have been able to hoist the trophy in the championship game themselves.

But the self-proclaimed champions didn’t even have the chance to play that possibility out, only four teams could make it and the College Football Playoff committee didn’t deem them worthy enough to compete.

There’s definitely an argument to be made that including eight teams adds another element to competing for a national championship by emphasizing depth. By having to win four more games to secure a title, this means that your team will not only have to be explosive and talented, but your second,

third, and fourth stringers will have to be able to compete as well.

Football is frequently called “the ultimate team sport” because everyone on the field matters. Let’s make everyone on the sidelines matter too.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF BY THE NUMBERS APPEARANCE LEADERS Alabama - 5 apps.

Clemson - 4 apps.

Oklahoma - 3 apps.

Ohio State - 2 apps.

Georgia - 1 app.

Notre Dame - 1 app.

Oregon - 1 app.

Michigan State - 1 app.

Florida State - 1 app.

Washington - 1 app.

Ask any teenager what they spend their money on, and food and clothes are high on the list. Teenagers have become one of the largest groups of consumers in the world but there’s one thing many of them don’t know. They, along with the vast majority of the world, are contributing to the fast fashion epidemic.

Fast fashion is cheap, trendy, clothing that comes in and out of style quickly. A few major fast fashion brands include Forever 21, H&M, Zara and Topshop. Heard of these stores before?

These stores appeal to a huge market that demand “high fashion” at a low cost.

These stores play with your mind by constantly replacing items going out of stock with new items of a different style, causing your clothes to become “outdated” which makes you want to keep buying. This makes you not only waste money, but you’re also supporting and investing your money into a terrible industry. These companies are so engrossed in the money that they will do anything to find the “newest fads”, they even steal unique designs from independent artists.

These aren’t the worst things that this epidemic condones though. Sweatshops are also used widely in this industry. Sweatshops are factories and workshops where manual workers are employed and work for long hours low wages and poor conditions. Child laborers are often employed at these shops especially in Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Children are also employed as labor workers and earn about .60 cents for an entire garment. Not only are they paid these extremely low wages but these poor children are being exposed to toxins and carcinogenic chemicals. Much of the chemicals used to make vibrant colors and textures are dumped into lakes, rivers and streams polluting the nearby areas of water, that the people

Opinion

Gabi Amores and communities drink.

Fast fashion is not only dangerous, but fast fashion is so cheap and disposable, that it leads to consumers throwing their clothes away at an alarming rate.

75% of all landfill is textile based and its overproduction is a major concern for the earth. A recent report states that the textile industry releases more greenhouse gases than international shipping and aviation combined. This is a huge deal that is relative in our future.

So what can you do about it? How can you contribute to this cause? It might seem hard but it can be combated by just a few simple life changes.

Shopping at thrift stores is a popular trend that helps this greatly as it allows reusable clothes to be recycled without wasting and throwing them away.

Shopping “ethical” brands would help a lot too. Ethical brands are brands with strong morals of sustainability and eco-friendly items. Some of the most popular ethical brands out there are, “Everlane”, “Alternative Apparel” and “People Tree”. Some other popular ways to help the cause are to simply donate your clothes or upcycle them into your wardrobe. Recycling clothes should be one of your last methods solely because there is an overflow in clothing recycling, but is still ethical if you have no purpose for it. These are just a few, easy but yet effective ways to do to address this global problem and try to help better our country.

PLAYOFF WINS Alabama - 5 wins Clemson - 3 wins Ohio State - 2 wins Georgia - 1 win Oregon - 1 win CFP CHAMPIONSHIPS Alabama - 2 titles Ohio State - 1 title Clemson - 1 title December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

Dance team makes first performance WHAT HAPPENED:

The dance team just recently made its first public performance at the Boys varsity basketball game.

However, due to the power outage at Grand Haven High, the game was moved to Lakeshore, and this left the dance team with very little practice opportunity. Despite this setback, the dance team did not fail to impress, and the crowd reacted accordingly.

THEY SAID IT:

“Your peers are your biggest critics. We really have that push to be excellent so we look good not only for us, but the entirety of Grand Haven. It’s also really cool to see a routine go from the early stages of learning it all the way to the day we perform.”

This dance team did not have the easiest journey to startup however. “With every new team or club you’re going to receive some pushback. We got a little bit of resentment when the team was trying to get started, but the majority of the feedback was positive.”

-Junior Savannah Hankinson

WHAT’S NEXT:

There are four more upcoming performances. On January 11, they will be performing a jazz routine at the girls’ and boys’ basketball games. They are performing a hip hop routine on the January 25, February 1, and on February 15.

Carlos Rappleye THE BUCS’ BLADE

Ambassador friends busy helping The new Bucco exchange students find their way will be unveiled With help from Spanish teacher, Nathan Tap, Slater runs ambassador club, focused on embracing exchange students and helping them meet new people. They work together to give foreign exchange students a sense of peace and get them active in the community.

“Its weird to come to a school where you don’t know anyone, so it’s cool that they have something to get them on their feet,” said Slater, showing her understanding of the nerve racking feelings moving evokes.

Dinners and events are not all this club is about though, as many of the

SAVE the

DATE

www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

members make friends with the exchange students and help them daily.

“We try to give them rides to games and other events,” Slater said. “But we also bring them to volunteering activities and have dinners with them, we also meet with them sometimes to help them with their homework.”

Mexican exchange student Mabel Ledesma Farias appreciates the support she gets from the club and enjoys the shared activities.

“It’s very interesting, we do lots of games and activities together and try dishes from everyone’s country, it helps

Dec. 22-Jan. 6 Winter Break

Enjoy it while it lasts!

Check out the five things to do on a snow day story on page 10 for some fun ideas to try this winter break!

us understand all the different cultures and compare our school differences,” Farias said.

The club is a perfect fit for people who love to get out there, meet people and learn about different cultures all while making new friends. There are currently 20 members who meet the first Wednesday of every month before school. Anyone can join and new members are welcome.

--Laura Slocum --Gabriella Amores

Jan.16,17,18

Exams!

Two exams per day All half days 7:42 a.m. - 10:42 a.m.

Get some studying done over winter break so you’re not so crammed.

at the varsity basketball games on

Jan.

?

11, 2018

March 1, 2019

Due date for seniors to submit their GHACF scholarship applications.

If you want more information on these and more scholarships, stop into student services.

June 22-29, 2020 Belize Trip

Visit www.explorica.com/ striegle-5509 for more information. Mr. Striegle & Mrs. Portenga are planning the trip.

7 NEWS

GHAPS set to receive $1.4 million A new educational millage in Ottawa County will provide school districts with additional funding beginning next year

By Caleb Berko

T

he Quality Schools Quality Communities regional enhancement millage was approved by the voters of Ottawa County on Nov.7. This millage will provide .9 mills ($11 million) in additional funding for all the school districts within Ottawa County.

Community members will first start to notice the effects beginning in the 2019-20 school year.

GHAPS Superintendent Andrew Ingall says plans for the new revenue are already in the works.

“From a high school point of view, the plan is to add an assistant principal,” Ingall said. “We also intend to add school staff at the elementary level for social emotional support.”

Ingall mentioned the possibility of bringing school safety measures to the table for potential spending. The tentative plan is to update things like key card systems and film lining on windows.

Ingall was not able to provide any concrete details because the planning phase for these additional funds has not initially begun for GHAPS. “We have not set anything firmly in stone yet,” Ingall said. “We will be working on firming up specific plans in the second half of this school year.”

Additionally, Ingall said that district leaders have discussed implementing a career readiness program.

8 NEWS

BUCS’ BLADE FILE PHOTO CAREER CONTENT: Pictured are students at an iCreate event held last May, where students displayeyd their surfboards. iCreate is one of the many career-focused content classes that GHHS has to offer, and there may be more on the way with the new funding from the Quality Schools Quality Communities Regional Enhancement Millage.

A mill is a dollar figure used to represent the Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) will receive value of a property. To calculate how much a mill just over $1.4 million. is worth, you add up the taxable value of a prop“It’s the same millage rate [for all districts], erty or multiple properties and divide by 1000. but certainly different dollar amounts,” ISD SuThis is how property perintendent Peter taxes are calculated for Haines said. “Because homes and businesses.

Grand Haven is one According to Otof our larger districts, Mill - One-tenth of a cent. tawa Area Intermediyou’ll actually raise a Millage - A rate of taxation in ate Schools (ISD) Filarger proportion of mills per dollar. nancial Director Chris that money, but you’ll Lamer, this provides a also receive one of the Proposal A - In 1994, increased significant amount of larger payments besales tax rates from 4% to 6% in revenue for the ISD’s cause you have more Michigan to offset the cost of member schools. students.” schools from property owners.

“So you take $11 Haines expects ISD - A government agency billion dollars (the many districts to direct value of all the properorganized at a county level that funds toward increasties in Ottawa County) ing programs aimed at assists local school districts in and divide by 1000, and providing programs and services. linking schools to the that’s the amount of workplace. money you’re going to “A lot of [districts] be generating,” Lamer said. “In this case it’s a little were considering adding more career focused conover $11 million per year.” tent,” Haines said. “They want to be able to conThat money is collected by the ISD and then nect what’s happening in our schools to jobs and reallocated to its 11 member districts. Each district careers.” will receive approximately $226 per student. Grand This could be content similar to the things that

GLOSSARY

are offered to students at the OAISD Careerline Tech Center on Port Sheldon St. The millage is the first passed by the the ISD since school funding laws changed nearly a quarter century ago.

In March 1994, Michigan residents approved Proposal A which changed how public schools are funded by reducing property taxes and increasing sales taxes in order to equalize school funding. Part of the proposal changed the law so that individual school districts could no longer conduct millage elections for operating revenue. All such elections had to take place at the ISD level.

“What happened was some communities could raise money easily for their schools [before proposal A], and others really couldn’t,” Haines said.

“Proposal A was meant to equalize that. It also lifted a tax burden from property owners who were used to paying almost twice what they pay now.”

In the new model, which was designed for fairness, communities pay a percentage based on the value of the property they control for their community.

“We’re actually thankful we got this opportunity to support our locals,” Haines said. “We don’t keep the money, it all goes back out to them, but it’s one thing we can do to serve them.” www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

OPENING JANUARY 2019: ICEBOUND: THE ORDEAL OF THE SS MICHIGAN

Tri-Cities Historical Museum provides a full calendar of family fun each year!

To become a museum member or to find out more about our programs, exhibits, and events, please visit our website at www.tri-citiesmuseum.org.

Carlos Rappleye THE BUCS’ BLADE GIFTS: Pictured are the gifts for one of the families student senate is sponsoring this year. Students store them at their homes until packaging and delivery day happening on December 21,2018.

Senate Claus

WINTER HOURS

TUES - FRI 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

SAT & SUN- 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

On Sunday, December 9, 2018, student senators spent time shopping for the adopta-family project they participate in annually

By Mercedes Mancilla

I

magine you’re eight years old, your mother just got laid off and your father hasn’t been able to get a job for years. The holidays are coming up and all your friends are talking about what they want and the presents in their parents closets. Your parents don’t even have a closet.

You know that you aren’t getting gifts for Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate or don’t celebrate. You don’t even know if you’ll have enough food for three meals a day during the winter break.

Your family has been struggling for a couple months and it seems like nobody has noticed, but they have.

While your parents were wondering if they can afford a holiday dinner, the student senate was planning their annual Adopt-a-Family program.

For the past 20 years, this program helps families in the district with holiday expenses. They support around 12 to eight families each year, meaning that each grade in senate gets three families each.

On Dec. 9, student senate bought all the items that each family wanted and/or needs. Spending around $12,000 in total, each family will receive any or all of the things from their list ranging from www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

$1,000 and up depending on the size of the family.

The day before winter break, student senate will wrap and deliver the gifts.

“It is really cool seeing the families and where they lived and it was amazing to see their reaction,” Olivia McMullen, student senate treasurer said. “[It’s also important] to aid someone that’s not as well off as you are and I’m really glad that senate does this.”

Senior Ellen Stolarski, the vice president of student senate has been helping with this program ever since she joined student senate her freshman year. She explains that the program brings joy to not only the families but also all the senate members who help.

Stolarski explains that she feels so grateful and is filled with joy when she sees what she has and others don’t when senate drops the gifts off to people’s homes.

“Everybody who goes shopping feels so great after, and you just feel good knowing that you’re giving people things that they need,” Stolarski said.

“For the people who receive the gifts, every single year that we’ve gone somebody has cried and hugged us. It’s just an amazing thing to watch.”

9 NEWS

Five fun things to do on a snow day Make sure to check these things off your snow day list this winter

By Nick Garvale

Paige Horist THE BUCS’ BLADE ON TOUR: The community members on the tour that day saw the whole school. Pictured are Principal Wilson and those on the tour in the area between pods one and two. The community members loved seeing the school, and what it has to offer in terms of curriculum, extracurriculars, and support.

Walking with Wilson

Principal Wilson offers tours of the high school for parents and community members to see what a day is like in the building of 2,000

By Amelia Schincariol

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or six hours a day, five days a week and 36 weeks in a calendar year, students go to school. Parents send their children off and go to work. But does a parent really know what’s happening during the day? Principal Tracy Wilson wanted to show parents what actually goes on during a typical high school day.

“I feel there’s a lot of chatter in the community about the high school and the misconceptions about what a high school today is,” Wilson said.

To help educate the community, Wilson implemented a series of “learning walks” early last school year. She wanted parents to see the requirements, school goals, and have an honest conversation with them about what goes into the school.

The walk is a tour of the school. Wilson shows various areas depending on the group’s size and pre-knowledge of the layout of the campus. Generally, the music wings, gym, cafeteria, and classrooms are introduced.

On one November walk, Wilson led 3 parents

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through what a student’s daily schedule looks like.

The fluorescent lights of the office and telephone ring, newcomers enter the building.

Beginning at the brass pendulum that swings in the middle of the rotunda, Wilson led the group to the lunch room.

During a visit to the cafeteria, parents were able to see the students being loud and full of energy.

They were also impressed by the wide variety and selection.

“Breakfast for lunch?” said Kathleen Bush. “I would eat that every day!”

Next, the halls and pods were shown. The lock system on the school’s doors are aging and Wilson has new ideas for the school’s protection.

Onward to the outside, the greenhouse blooms and biology classes are held. The school’s garden deteriorates with snow and is left with dirt.

The heat pours out the doors that opened to welcome the group back in. iCreate’s foam is filtered around the room like

snow and surfboards are propped up against the wall. It’s not long until the boards will be auctioned off to hit the waves.

The media center is used every day from before school to after. Students read. Classes are taught.

Computers are used to print the latest draft of student’s essays. The large windows in the back are an escape for some, being able to see the campus and greenery.

“The high school is more like a small university,” noted Shanti Mandala. “I wished I had this 30 years ago.”

Wilson appreciates the parents that have participated but is also disappointed with the low turnout. She believes that the walk is beneficial to community members, but they must show up which they do not do. The infrequent groups have caused her to cancel monthly walks because no one is attending.

“Our school comes with problems, but you can’t forget the great things,” Wilson said.

Make a warm beverage: There are so many places to do this. Jumpin’’ Java, Coffee Grounds, or even home. However, there are some people who do not know the secret wonders of Aldea Coffee.

“I would suggest a mocha. Some nice chocolate and caffeine,” said Aldea employee Josh Manzer.

“Or a caramel latte, which is both a very good winter and warm up drink.”

Invest in a sled: Sledding is one of the most popular ways to blow off some steam when snowflakes are abundant. There is no better way to get mamed going down a hill than this. Some prime locations are Duncan Woods or Pigeon Creek in West Olive.

My personal favorite sled is the classic saucer. The compact little sled has the capabilities of catching air, and knocking down your enemies on the hill.

It’s the full package. According to Guinness World Records, the fastest anyone has gone on a sled is 83.49 mph by Guy Martin. So get on out there and try to beat his record!

Movie Marathon: Spool up your favorite streaming site or, if you’re feeling adventurous, go to the intersection of Park and South Beacon to find the Family Video. After this, stock up on snacks and drinks to feed on during hours of binge watching the selection of your choosing. I personally recommend that you watch ‘A Christmas Story’ or ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’.

“Just anything you can think of you can come in on a snow day and rent,” said Shelly Dykstra, Manager of Family Video.

Sculptures with snow: Build a snowman. Gather your not so favorite set of carrots, charcoal, a hat, a scarf, and maybe a pair of sunglasses. Roll balls one two and three of varying sizes. Stack ball two on top of the biggest, ball one, and repeat with balls two and three. Then add your accessories to make it your own. One nifty tool to aid your survival when engaged in a snowball fight would be the Paricon Snowball Maker, which is sold for just under $9 at Walmart.

Trek to the Muskegon Sports Complex: This all in one, day trip will leave you with your knees weak after partaking in the emporium of winter sports offered there. Ice skating, cross country skiing, and the only luge available east of the Mississippi River are all available for the time of your life. Luging is the thrill of going down ice on a sled, except its controlled by wooden tracks and skates. For more information, visit https://www.msports.org/. www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

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A quick summary of 5 influential events in Grand Haven, Michigan, and the United States.

With the school administration working along with Calling All Colors to bring speaker Calvin Terell to the school district, they accidentally stirred great controversy.

Both parents and students concerned by Terrell’s messaging and methods spoke out before the event, expressing fear that Terrell would sow divisions rather than expose and heal them.

Terrell spoke early in 2018, and his speech coincided with the Chalkboard Project, spurring social connection amongst students.

While Terrell’s effect has not had time to fully set in at Grand Haven, it created a long lasting discussion on race, bullying and suicide.

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2018 in review

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The Imagination Station has been a fixture of Grand Haven since 1990, and for nearly thirty years it was defined by a towering wooden structure upon a bed of gravel, sat below the dunes at Mulligan’s Hollow.

In an effort to make the structure more accessible to everyone, the playground was rebuilt in October to allow all children, including those with disabilities, to access the playground.

The project was funded by community grants and donations, and the playground officially opened on Nov. 1, 2018.

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On Nov. 6, 2018, millions of Americans headed to the polls and cast their ballots for candidates of their choosing. Turnout for the election was the highest it had been since 1914.

Michigan became one of 10 states, including the District of Columbia, to legalize recreational use of marijuana. The state also elected a Democratic governor, and the 2nd Congressional District that houses Ottawa county had one of the most competitive races that is has seen since the 1980’s.

Many students cast their first votes in this election, spurred by the divisive state of politics following the 2016 elections.

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NEWS 11

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New backpack and phone policies Many students came back to a surprise at the beginning of the 2018 school year: they would no longer be allowed to carry backpacks to and from their classes, and cell phones would be confiscated on sight.

The policies ignited some resistance in students, and even more questions. Lockers had not been regularly used in the high school since the 2000’s, and students were angry about the policies.

While the policy seems it will stand, the discontent in students has not died down.

After the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School, waves of student activism cropped up around the country, encouraging students to take a stand by walking out to commemorate the deaths of the students and protest gun violence.

Hundreds of Grand Haven students joined in on the protests, leaving their third hour classes to join other students around the nation in mourning and protest. A group of students also created a school sponsored event, held in the gym.

“I am extremely proud of our students,” principal Tracy Wilson said. “When they ever come up with a plan and determine something that they want to do, it’s always done very well. When they have a belief or mission, they get it done.”

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www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

MICHIGANDERS PUSH TO RAISE THE AGE

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Of the respondents, indicated they would not have sufficient services or programs available for 17-yearolds convicted

A local high school student speaks about their personal experience dealing with the current conviction for 17-year-olds being tried as adults and voices opinions on why the new “Raise the Age” Bill is a must for youth rights

By Carlos Rappleye and Elena Salik

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uring a late night drive last August, five local teens were reported to the Ottawa County sheriff’s department for use of marijuana. The teens were pulled over and the police officer knew right away that they were in possession. The officer asked to search the car and asked if there was anything they should know about. Christopher*, now a senior at the high school, admitted there was and gave the police officer the drugs.

“It was literally on my birthday, I had just turned 17,” Christopher said. “He was getting all my information, I told him my birthday, my age, zip code, my address. Then he told me I was going to go home with a ticket for possession of marijuana and he told me I was charged as an adult.”

Three of the other teenagers with Christopher on that night were under 17 and were not charged for anything at all.

According to Kevin Bowling, administrator of the Ottawa County 20th Circuit Court, 18 is the legal age of majority, but for the criminal justice system, once an individual reaches the age of 17, they can be tried as an adult.

Michigan is one of only four states to prosecute all 17-year-olds as adults, no matter their charge. However, in most other ways in Michigan 17-year-olds are not recognized as

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adults, except under special circumstances.

But, a package of bills introduced to the senate in 2016 is intended to change this fact. A 17-bill package, dubbed “Raise the Age” by supporters, is moving to increase the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to 18, along with providing additional resources for minors in jail and require counties to publish statistics regarding minors, which under current law they are not required to do.

The legislation is supported by a wide range of political advocacy groups, including the Michigan League of Public Policy, a liberalleaning group, and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative leaning group.

Although the bills are unlikely to pass during the “lame-duck” session after the recent election, they are expected to be reintroduced in the 2019 session of the state

issues and suicide. congress.

According to the Ottawa County Juvenile “What we know is that our brains [aren’t] Court director Sandi Metcalf, state legislators fully developed until we’re in our mid-20’s,” pushing the package of bills don’t undersaid Alicia Guevara of Warren, the Michigan stand the complexity of the issue on county League of Public Policy Kids Count Direclevels. tor. “If you have contact with the justice sys“This is a ‘feel good’ to some degree,” Mettem, we want to make sure that at a young calf said. “People in Lansing don’t know age, you are given the appropriate treatment -much about how and the services that the juvenile courts you need. Because function. And so as once we stick kids a consequence, it’s into the adult sysa constant effort to tem, it tends to cut ...We want to do this educate them and off your ability to right and we want to help them underaccess to health serstand the financial vices, education, all make sure that there’s picture. We want to those things that are no doubt in our mind do this right and we available in the juwant to make sure venile justice system that we have more to that there’s no doubt that can help you imoffer in the juvenile in our mind that we prove longer term.” have more to offer in Research done by court for a 17-year-old. the juvenile court for the MLPP shows -Sandi Metcalf a 17-year-old.” that 17-year-olds Metcalf says that who go into the Ottawa County meadult justice system ticulously provides are 34 percent more resources for those under 17, through risk likely to reoffend and are even more likely assessment services that determine what a to reoffend with violent crimes. Studies also youth offender needs. However, this is not show that juveniles in adult systems are more the case across the state. likely to be sexually or physically assaulted, “Kids who get put into the adult system, and experience higher rates of mental health

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December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

(Numbers according to Kids Count in Michigan 2018 Data Book) they don’t get access to education, or mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment,” Warren said. “They weren’t given the tools that they needed when they were in the system. They don’t know how to apply for college or apply for a job or those types of things, because they haven’t been given those tools.”

One of the major roadblocks for the legislation intended to raise the age is finances.

Under current law, finances for juvenile justice systems are split evenly between a state fund and county fund. However, under the proposed legislation, there is some uncertainty as to how and by who the additional caseload will be funded.

A report by the Michigan Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force indicated that the impact to juvenile courts would equal an additional $91 million. And according to Metcalf, the way this will be paid is not clearly laid out.

“The department Health and Human Services has ultimate control over the dollars through their published policies,” Metcalf said. “We want 68 percent, not just for 17-year-olds, we want 68 percent for all kids coming through,” if a bill requiring 17-yearwww.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

olds to be treated as minors were to pass.

Currently, funding is split evenly between the state and county for “eligible expenditures,” according to Metcalf. Metcalf says that within the court, there are multiple other expenses that can rack up, and for smaller counties that aren’t as advantaged as Ottawa county.

“The whole which is ultimately going to really impact how we provide services for kids.

If I’m saying yes, it has so many nuances to it,” Metcalf said. “And so we just want to be thoughtful and deliberate.”

In Ottawa county alone, estimates say that 300 to 500 additional cases would be added to the family court system, resulting in fewer juveniles tried as the adults they aren’t. Christopher could have been one of them.

“I thought the sentencing was harsh, I literally had two little nugs, they gave me 9 months probation,” Christopher said. “Why am I considered a minor to everyone else, but in the laws eyes I’m an adult when I just turned 17 on that specific day?”

Carlos Rappleye THE BUCS’ BLADE

*Name changed to protect identity

CUFF HIM UP: A 17-year-old student poses in front of a brick wall, locked up by handcuffs, representing an individual younger than 18 who would receive the consequences that are in place for these charges.

NEWS 13

WINTER WEAR

Junior Tahlia Lehmann shows off her functional and fashionable favorites that make a statement this season

By Morgan Womack and Gabi Amores Photos by Morgan Womack

FAUX FUR (RIGHT): “I don’t have any real [fur jackets], they’re all vegan,” Lehmann said. “They’re really comfy, it’s like I’m wearing a blanket at school.”

How to wear: Lehmann recommends pairing the jacket with leggings, comfortable jeans. If she wants to dress it up, she’ll wear a dress or skirt.

Best place to buy: TJ Maxx, Urban Outfitters Price: $30-$50 LOTS OF LAYERS (BELOW): Layering is essential for winter. Not only is it trendy, fun and easy to do, but it helps protect from the bitter cold.

How to wear: “I usually like to layer things,” Lehmann said. “I just wear some sort of fun jeans or pants. I also wear dresses a lot, but normally with tights in the winter.”

DOCS (LEFT): “I would say my staple would be my Dr. Martens,” Lehmann said. “They’re perfect for winter and fun.”

How to wear: Pair these trendy combat boots with ripped jeans and layers on top for a street wear look.

Best place to buy: Urban Outfitters, Free People, ASOS Price: $140 PUFFER JACKET (FAR LEFT): These warm jackets are in almost everyone’s closets this season. They can go with virtually any outfit for a polished, comfy look.

How to wear: “I love my puffy jacket,” Lehmann said. “It’s good for the winter.”

The jacket works well with almost any outfit and is great for going out in the cold.

Best place to buy: Calvin Klein, TJ Maxx Price: $60-$100

See more of Tahlia’s style and other fashion inspiration on bucsblade.com 14 LIFE

December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

Piercing provides relief from migraines

An alternative treatment for extreme head pain, using acupuncture techniques, grows in popularity

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unior Meadow White takes on her migraines in an unconventional way. Having dealt with severe migraines her entire life, she saw numerous doctors and neurologists and tried many different medications throughout her lifetime.

Finally, her freshman year of high school, her doctor recommended that she get a daith piercing. Although some of her relatives disapproved, her parents were on board and she went ahead and got the piercing done.

A daith piercing is a piercing that is located in the innermost cartilage fold inside of the ear. It’s goal is to go through a pressure point to relieve pain from headaches.

Eastern medicine suggests that there are pressure points within the body that can be pushed to relieve pain elsewhere in the body. There is no real science behind the piercing as no one has ever done any clinical trials on it.

By Elena Salik However it has been proved to be a valid enough approach for those who deal with migraines as an effective treatment.

Dr. Patrick Pavwoski, a trained neurologist from Muskegon, deals with numerous migraine patients every day. Pavwoski recommends different treatments for patients according to the severity of their symptoms ranging between many different pharmaceutical drugs and some other alternatives such as magnesium.

“I don’t ever recommend it although I don’t discourage it,” Pavwoski said. “I have my doubts about eastern medicine philosophies. When it comes to acupuncture, unless you are an acupuncturist, to be able to put a daith piercing in the exact place where you would expect it to go, would be really hard for someone who just does the piercing on a regular basis, but there is anecdotal evidence where

www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

Paige Horist THE BUCS’ BLADE QUICK FIX: White displays the daith piercing in her ear. After dealing with severe migraines, her doctor recommended that she get this piercing. “I’ve missed my own birthday parties [because of migraines],” White said. “[The piercing] helps a lot, I’m really glad I have it.”

people have said their headaches have gotten better.”

Tom Moss, a piercing artist at Crow’s Nest Tattoo shop advises to get it professionally done.

“It’s a tedious piercing,” Moss said. “You definitely don’t want to get it done at Claire’s or something where they just staple it through.”

However the piercing is pretty common as he performs anywhere from four to ten of them a week.

“It’s a cool piercing,” Moss said. “I think it is one of those things where people want it to work, so it works.”

For White, it has. She has seen a major decrease in the severity of her migraines.

“I’ve missed a lot of school and important events because of my migraines, I’ve missed my own birthday parties,” White said. “[The piercing] helps a lot, I’m really glad I have it.”

Proud supporter of Grand Haven High School LIFE 15

The perfect way to get into the spirit this holiday break is to settle in and reminisce on seasons past with old films.

By Sophia Jaeger

It’s a wonderful life is truly a Christmas classic. Filmed in black in white it’s near impossible to escape feelings of nostalgia watching this post-depression era film. George Bailey, the main character is a lovable banker that helps out everyone in his town his entire life making you immediately fall in love with his character.

When Christmas nears he is faced with a crisis of the emotional variety and is sent an angel to guide him to the right path.

The angle shows George an alternate reality to help combat his issues and leads him along a crazy path to a happily ever after.

It is truly a heartwarming story that is in many ways timeless, despite it being originally a sort of commentary on the depression.

Filled with both sorrow and joy it is the perfect Christmas movie to reminisce on the past while feeling empowered to spread some Christmas cheer by giving back.

There is honestly nothing better than Christmas movies but White Christmas definitely has an edge on a lot of them because come on, who can resist a Christmas musical. This film is filled by Christmas cheer and fun little performances with adorable choreography. Not to mention the glamorous outfits that are both exciting and eye catching.

Following the journey of a sister act Betty and Judy Haynes who join with singers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, the movie is all about spreading Christmas cheer as they perform their Christmas act in small-town Vermont. The small town vibe and glamorous musical numbers leave you feeling lighthearted and joyous.

Accompanied by the classic theme of giving back during the holidays this musical masterpiece is sure to leave a smile on your face and get you in the mood for Christmas.

This claymation film is full of fun north pole adventure accompanied by catchy musical numbers that make it the perfect Christmas throwback.

Santa gets sick before Christmas eve and he’s convinced he needs to call off the whole holiday but Mrs. Claus and his elves are determined to not let that happen. So they go on a crazy adventure across the entire world to in search of a way to save Christmas.

There are so many fun moments with songs that you have heard before like “Blue Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” Brimming with exciting characters like Snow Miser and Heat Miser it’s a both joyful and exciting watch.­ It’s easy to fall in love with it’s childish air making it a fun and lighthearted movie that is sure to become a Christmas staple.

If you haven’t watched this Christmas classic you are truly depriving yourself of one of the greatest Christmas films ever made. Filled with hysterical coming of age moments it’s the perfect film for a holiday movie night with friends or even with your crazy relatives.

The Parker family is both comical and oddly relatable and their Christmas season is filled to the brim with moments of pure hilarity sure to make you laugh so hard your abs hurt.

From leg lamps, to battles against the furnace there is not a single dull moment and the comedy just keeps coming.

Not to mention the fabulous sequences of Ralphie Parker’s wild and dramatic imaginings.

All these moments and scenes are not only funny but terribly enjoyable.

If you haven’t seen this film or even if you have this should definitely be on your Christmas watch list.

Released: 1946

Released: 1954

Released: 1964

Released: 1983

Rated: PG

Rated: PG

Rated: TV-G

Rated: PG

Find it on: Prime Video

Find it on: Netflix

Find it on: DVD

Find it on: DVD

Length: 2 hours 10 minutes

Length: 2 hours

Length: 47 minutes

Grade: B

Grade: A

Length: 1 hour minutes

Best way to view: With music lovers

Best way to view: With your family

Grade: A Best way to view: In black in white 16 REVIEWS

Walking into the theater with my friends to see Ralph Breaks the Internet, I wasn’t expecting much. I was just there for the popcorn. However, sitting there for the two hour run time, I regretted going.

Ralph Breaks the Internet is a sequel to Wreck-it Ralph. It follows the story of Ralph and Vanellope, two arcade game characters who travel to other games. One day, the arcade owner plugged in wifi and they wanted to explore the glories of the Internet.

They met many new people online and strengthened their friendship along the way.

It’s such a shame this movie was so terrible because it had killer representation of strong females. That was the only aspect I enjoyed.

First, there was Shank, voiced by Gal Gadot. She was a bad ass car racer in the game slaughter race portrayed as a protagonist mentoring Vanellope in racing, but also a positive role model.

Also, there was Yesss, the head algorithm of “Buzztube,” a social networking app. She was a powerful woman in charge, but unlike Hollywood’s usual, uptight portrayal of female bosses, she was feminine, fashionable and personable.

Although I enjoyed those beginning scenes of the movie, I found myself getting confused as the plot unfolded.

The whole friendship between Ralph and Vanellope was a bit creepy. In the first movie, it was, in a way, sort of sweet. However, in this movie, Ralph clung to Vanellope. He didn’t want her to participate in any of her own activities, he didn’t want to let her be independent and that made me uncomfortable considering the age gap.

His insecurity was discovered by a virus and his body was duplicated multiple times. These clones began to climb on top of one another to create a massive Ralph that was going to destroy the Internet. The second this horrendous monster appeared on the screen, I was mortified. I was immediately reminded of my traumatic childhood experience watching Coraline. His empty eyes and gaping mouth were far too similar to the claymation dolls that used to haunt my nightmares.

Flashbacks aside, I was overwhelmed watching this movie. Although the animation quality was top notch, the overabundance of stimulation gave me a headache.

My recommendation: don’t waste your money to see this train wreck in theaters.

Ralph breaks spirits

By Morgan Womack

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Grade: A+ Best way to view: With a group of friends December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

Five holiday picture books to transport you back in time

Book series to binge over break

There’s no better way to reconnect with the little joys of the season then by reading a holiday picture book

By Sophia Jaeger

By Sophia Jaeger

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When you hear polar express you most likely think of the animated movie with the infamous hot chocolate scene. But before it was made into to a holiday movie favorite it was a charming picture book that told the tale of a boy who learned to believe in Christmas again.

Although its glossy pages tell the same story as the movie reading, it brings a warmth that watching the movie lacks. You might even find yourself reminiscing on bedtime tail read aloud as snowflakes flutter past your window.

Sophia Jaeger THE BUCS’ BLADE

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There’s definitely something Auntie Claus is hiding from her niece Sophie in this unique christmas picture book. And Sophie’s determination to find out her eccentric aunts secret will lead her on an adventure to the north pole.

While it may be short this childhood story is an exciting read with fabulous illustrations.

It’s the perfect length to take 5-10 minutes and escape to a

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Sophia Jaeger THE BUCS’ BLADE

Another classic tale of giving back in the spirit of Christmas Jingle the Christmas clown is fabulously illustrated picture book with a heartwarming tale.

Its an adorable tale about Jingle the christmas clown who brings christmas cheer to the poor old folks in a village in Italy and is sure to make you smile. Reading this childhood story is sure to fill you with the spirit of Christmas

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Sophia Jaeger THE BUCS’ BLADE

in awe.

Being a longer story it is the perfect in between read to put you in the mood for Christmas.

Following the adventures of three kids and their travels to the north pole it is both exciting and entertaining.

www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

Sophia Jaeger THE BUCS’ BLADE

Carlos Rappleye THE BLADE

throughout books and have even left books unfinished because I just can’t stand being tossed into another perspective. The perspective shifts seamlessly lent themselves to the development of intrigue and structure in the plot of the story Allowing me as a reader to see characters from different perspectives and to experience a sense of wonder as multiple perspectives created seemingly unrelated threads of the story that eventually evolved into a magnificent tapestry.

This series is both well written, entertaining and the perfect gateway into a world of magic and monsters where nothing is truly as it seems.

Glossier leaves face glowing

By Laura Slocum

Sophia Jaeger THE BUCS’ BLADE

5

The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning and are sure to leave you

I originally began reading this series because of a suggestion on my Goodreads page and lets just say Goodreads really does know me because I absolutely love every book of the “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” series

by Laini Taylor.

Seriously though how could I not love something that is a seemingly effortless patchwork of complex character development and ingenious plot decisions. Not to mention the exciting clash of the human world with a captivating fantasy realm of Taylors creation.

From Karou the quirky blue haired art student with a secret life to Akiva the extremely attractive tortured soul type angle each character is unique and emotionally complex. This accompanied by unique back stories and endless plot shifts makes for a thrilling reading experience.

While most of the time I am peeved at perspective changes

The Night Before Christmas is the perfect classic to curl up with on a cold winter night. Coming in many adaptations each is uniquely illustrated and offers a slightly different holiday feel.

While it may seem childish it’s the perfect story you’ll find joy letting yourself be dazzled by the rhythm of the words and the glistening of the pictures.

Being a freshly new cosmetic company, Glossier arouse in 2010. With their products only being available on their website Glossier.com. Ranging from skincare to makeup, fragrance, and body care, Glossier has taken over with their minimalistic and chic aesthetic.

I personally have been using Glossier products for over a year now. I was originally curious to see what all the hype was about and my first order was boy brow in blonde, and cloud paint in dusk.

When the package arrived I was excited, the products came with stickers and a pink bag in an aesthetically pleasing baby pink cardboard box. After testing out the two products I fell in love and immediately ordered almost everything off their website.

If you’ve been wanting to

try out the trend and purchase something from Glossier, here are some of my favorite products!

The glossier boy brow perfectly sculpts your eyebrows and doesn’t leave them feeling stiff with gel, the milky jelly cleanser is great for people with sensitive skin, and removes makeup leaving my skin super soft and clean.

Last but not least Glossier balm dot com is the ultimate lip balm. My personal favorite flavor is cherry, it smells just like cherry candy and has a beautiful red sheen. The one product that was a thumbs down for me is the serums, which personally caused my skin more irritation.

Overall Glossier gives a look of healthy skin with makeup that just enhances your natural beauty.

ARTS 17

At home on the stage

Senior Kensley Schenkel finds herself at ease when preforming and hopes theater will be apart of her life for many years to come.

By Emily Jarrell

“Freeze!” yells senior Kensley Schenkel.

She runs from out of view and onto the stage.

She replaces someone from their current position on their knees. Her peers watch intently and wait to see what she does next. From what was once smile and giggles a few seconds ago is now replaced with a pained expression.

Her face scrunches up and the dramatic wails escape from her. Her peers watch in awe with smiles on their faces as Schenkel once again steals the show. But if you weren’t there you wouldn’t know that this was just a game she was playing in drama club. No real audience. The seats of the auditorium are empty.

“Acting is like an escape,” Schenkel said. “I’m kind of in my element here. I’m confident in my acting. I’m confident in my leading drama club. I’m confident in my singing and dancing.”

Schenkel is the president of the drama club and has been in 11 shows so far at the high school. She recently starred in The Little Mermaid as a mersister. She is applying to colleges and wants to minor in theater.

“I’ve poured my entire life at this point into drama,” Schenkel said.

“I’m going to college for this. Even if I end up getting another job I still want to keep doing it in the community when I’m older.”

Schenkel moved around the country often when she was younger because her dad was in the military, so she wasn’t able to join drama until eighth grade.

“I had always wanted to do it,” Schenkel said.

“My parents always told me I was an outgoing kid. And I was very loud as a child. So when I saw that there were auditions for a play at my middle school, I thought, I’m in drama class. Maybe I’ll do it. Then my friend dared me to try out for the lead.

So I did. And I got it. And that’s how I got into it.”

Schenkel found that not only could she act well, but she felt most at home on the stage. It was an outlet for her and a way for her to express her emotions.

“It’s really relaxing to me,” Shenkel said. “Which is weird because you’re going on stage in front of a bunch of people. I feel like the reason that I feel so relaxed acting is because if I’m angry during the

day I can’t tell anyone, you know. I don’t want to lash out at people. But then I am playing an angry character. During that one angry scene, I get to let out everything that I’m feeling.”

Being able to express her emotions isn’t the only thing acting has done for her. Acting has finally allowed her to find a home in the people around her.

“These are the people I see every day,” Schenkel said. “These are my best friends. It’s emotional outside of the drama program. I don’t have any friends. You know, I was the new kid in freshman year, and no one really talks to me. People think I’m kind of weird and I just, I’m kind of quiet outside of here. I’m really awkward. I don’t talk to people.”

Now that she feels at home, she is able to come out of her shell more she has become a role model to her peers.

Schenkel is very encouraging and a natural leader to the drama club and has high praises from her drama teacher, Rita McLary.

“There are lots of people who want to be the best themselves,” said McLary. “Kensley wants to do her best as well, but it’s her way of bringing out the best in others that I think not everybody can do and she does a great job and that makes her a natural leader.”

When Schenkel graduates this upcoming spring she won’t just be leaving. She will leave knowing there are people ready to step up behind her. Others know that with her gone, her legacy will remain.

“You can’t really replace Kensley,” McLary said.

“So you know that’s a loss when she leaves, but she also will leave that in such a way as to challenge the underclassmen That one’s going to pick up that leadership is going to carry that further.”

Schenkel’s life is acting. Outside of high school, she plans to minor in theater. It is her outlet and where she is comfortable. It is where she has found her friends. It is her second home.

“Acting is what I’m going to college for,” said Schenkel. “It’s what I’m trying to do. So it’s kind of my main purpose in life. Now and even in the future, all I want to do is theater. That’s what I look forward to in my day. If acting was taken from me I don’t know if I’d be able to function”

If acting “ was taken from

me I don’t know if I’d be able to function -Schenkel

18 ARTS

”

Paige Horist THE BUCS’ BLADE ACTING: Senior Kensley Schenkel acts on stage. She has been an active member of drama club since moving to grand haven and is now the drama club president. Schenkel loves acting and uses it as a way to express her emotions.

December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

GET TO KNOW COACH K Favorite food Pizza Favorite movie Shawshank Redemption One thing she can’t live without Basketball Dream vacation Hawaii Role model Sixth grade Caledonia coach Paul Peterman

Carlos Rappleye THE BUCS’ BLADE THE BASKETBALL WHISPERER: Kowalczyk-Fulmer addresses her team in the huddle in a game against Mona Shores. Kowalczyk-Fulmer prides herself on developing and maintaining relationships with her players, which can be partially attributed to her wildly successful tenure at Grand Haven.

BUILDING BONDS THROUGH BASKETBALL

Varsity girls basketball head coach Katie Kowalczyk-Fulmer doesn’t pride herself on victories nearly as much as the relationships forged along the way By Sam Woiteshek

E

ven on a chilly January night, there isn’t a place colder than outside the Grand Haven girls locker room. One by one, players walk out slumped and sweaty, their backpacks weighing extra-heavy on their shoulders.

With heads down, their bright phone screens reflect off of them, masking their emotions.

Despite the roars from the crowd as the boys game starts, one voice from inside the locker room rises above the commotion: the grand warden, Grand Haven girls varsity basketball coach Katie Kowalczyk-Fulmer. Yes, she says, they lost they lost a heartbreaker to East Kentwood in the closing minutes of the game, but she won’t let that deter her team.

This is where great teams are forged. Not by the buzzer-beaters or the convincing blowout wins, but in the moments we don’t see. Like this one, right now.

Outside the locker room, she gathers her dejected team and insists they beat the Falcons them next time, which may seem cliche, but isn’t. Especially when it comes from someone as passionate for the game as Kowalczyk-Fulmer.

In her 21st year coaching at Grand Haven, it’s clear that Kowalczyk-Fulmer is the dean of other coaches in the school; she’s the coaches’ coach.

In addition to that, Kowalczyk-Fulmer has thrust herself into Grand Haven coaching lore for www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

one simple reason: her continual encouragement of players. You won’t see her yelling on the sidelines or bad-mouthing her team. She chooses to motivate her players, focus on the good and builds off of that to fix the bad.

“She’s very encouraging,” senior center Esther Byington said. “She is a person who shows you how to be a leader and what a coach should be.”

They won’t always show it, but the players appreciate it. As a result, they’ve reciprocated Kowalczyk-Fulmer’s positivity, creating a special bond within the team.

“We put our trust into her,” Byington said.

“You don’t have to question any of her play-calling or her coaching styles. We completely trust her.”

Kowalczyk-Fulmer breeds these types of relationships with programs such as the “little sister” where varsity, junior varsity and freshmen players are paired together for certain activities in the hopes of introducing them to the Lady Bucs basketball culture. She also combines all three squads in practices so that everyone feels as if they’re on the same level, collectively forming one big team.

Perhaps Kowalczyk-Fulmer is best summarized as a players’ coach for this reason. She tailors the game to her players, not the other way around.

She’s adamant to admit that her first and biggest priority is the team.

However, Kowalczyk-Fulmer’s is more than

just her on-court presence. Perhaps her biggest influence is off the court.

“She acts as a mom,” Byington said. “She’ll gives us rides to places, she’ll drop off snacks after school. We all feel really comfortable around her and we know we can go to her with anything” It’s not just the current players who Kowalczyk-Fulmer has impacted, it’s the past ones too.

“The vast majority of players of kids that she’s coached have wanted to come back and see her, and I think that’s a tremendous sign as a coach,” Grand Haven athletic director Scott Robertson said. “I think that speaks volumes about what’s she’s about.”

For Kowalczyk-Fulmer, there have been several memorable instances in that department. Each one of them have been special.

“Mrs. Gervais played for me as a junior, she was my team captain as a senior,” Kowalczyk-Fulmer said. “I’ve had my son’s best friends as players that I coached. I’ve flown to Atlanta to go to Maggie Dwyer’s wedding. I’ve met a lot of good people through coaching.”

This has led to Kowalczyk’s involvement in the community, where she has largely built her reputation. She is truly dedicated to sharing her love for the game with the town, even outside of basketball season.

“She’s actively involved with youth develop-

ment,” Robertson said. “In particular, the B-Cubed program that impacts so many boys and girls. She coaches AAU teams out of season so kids have opportunities. [Overall], I think she’s been a part of the fabric of this place.”

However, for Kowalczyk-Fulmer the job is never done. Her determination to improve her coaching is something could lead to an increase in success for the future of the program.

“You’re never done learning, life is a process of learning,” Kowalczyk-Fulmer said. “I’ve been here 21 years and I’ve been coaching for 27 years, and I’ve had the opportunity to learn from college coaches and other high school coaches. I’ve always been learning.”

As far as her players, they’ve learned more from Kowalczyk-Fulmer than they could’ve hoped for.

“I’ll definitely [remember] her motivation and positivity,” Byington said. “We’re lucky to have her as a coach.”

As for Kowalczyk-Fulmer she’s learned more from the players than she could’ve hoped for, perhaps the greatest lesson to come out of the experience.

“It’s not about the trophies, it’s about the relationships you develop along the way,” KowalczykFulmer said. “I’m lucky enough to have the chance to coach this game and I have great kids. I’m really lucky.”

SPORTS 19

A LITTLE MILLER MAGIC Senior wrestler Cody Miller looks to advance the culture of the program by enriching its current minds with his wisdom, all the while trying to create his own legacy By Nicolas Twa

A

Carlos Rappleye THE BUCS’ BLADE LEADING BY EXAMPLE: With time winding down in his illustrious wrestling career, Miller has chosen to share his knowledge and act as a mentor for the underclassmen. Miller says that this is his greatest goal for the season and one that he feels will better the future of the program.

“

s described in Lord of the Flies, “he’s built like a boxer”. His big shoulders contrast with his blonde hair, with a slight curl in the front. He’s quiet and humble, but on the inside he knows he’s got game.

In the past, he’s been the kid no one knew about. Now, senior wrestler Cody Miller has come out of the shadow that past senior wrestlers cast on him, finding solace on the mat, all the while, leading the Bucs and becoming public enemy No. 1 in the O-K Red. There’s something about a person that sticks to his “family” and “competitive” mentalities all of the time. No matter the situation, whether it be during a game or just hanging out with friends, that person wants to succeed and make everyone else better.

Miller’s Instagram account states that “my record is a reflection of work”. He uses this mentality of work outside of wrestling, not just during his allotted wrestling times when he needs to be in the zone.

“I’m not scared to put the work I put in,” Miller said.

“Throwing it all out there while others cannot just shows that you want to be great and I want to be great.”

Being great is something that every athlete strives to achieve, but there’s just something about that motivation that keeps Miller going. Greatness is not the only factor that plays a role in Miller’s success. His past experiences as a younger wrestler also helped to build that foundation.

“Past captains have showed me what it’s like to grow up,” Miller said.

Experiences shared by those past captains and current coaches have shown Miller have helped him become the leader and overall athlete with the work ethic he has today, which has proved to be very a very important aspect of his success.

“He’s the same person at practice as he is in competition,” Gervais said. “He’s a vocal leader. He leads by example. He’s kind of been the catalyst for our team the past couple of years.”

Leading by example makes wrestling enjoyable for Miller.

He loves to help out the freshmen and the younger kids of the squad. This is what Miller wants for the team. He wants to help any way that he can, which helps make him better all the while.

“I help out the freshmen a lot, and I even help out the elementary school kids sometimes,” Miller said. “I’m known as the team dad. I help out everybody. I’m always there for ques-

He’s a big thrower, and my weakness is throwing. He [has] really helped me to improve my skills.

20 SPORTS

- Junior Trevor Rademaker

tions or advice.”

A leader isn’t someone who just wants to be good at what he does. Miller wants to be a leader by helping out others, just like a “team dad” would.

Junior Aiden Stellema is impressed by the way Miller took time to help him when he was struggling.

“My record wasn’t very good, but he helped me have a positive attitude still,” Stellema said.

For Miller, helping younger teammates grow is more important than individual success. He uses his status on the team to positively influence everyone, not just himself.

“I just want to show everybody that I’m there for them,” Miller said. “I honestly don’t care how my season goes. As long as the team does well, I just want the freshmen to learn respect and that hard work shows in your output.”

Those kinds of qualities are valuable and rare for someone who’s gone through what Miller has. Though it might be easiest to always keep to himself and focus on his own individual success, Miller uses his time on the mat to make the whole team succeed.

According to Miller, that sort of camaraderie makes the team special.

“It’s family oriented,” Miller said. “If someone leaves, they don’t lose us. They’re still part of the family.”

A group aspect is important for a team to create good chemistry, not only on the mat, but off of the mat as well. What Miller does for the wrestling team is not only for his good, but for the group’s good as a whole.

“Respect, honor and sacrifice,” Miller said. “I realized those things are a big part of life.”

Wrestling is something that Miller wakes up for every morning. Something that he looks forward to doing even when he’s had a bad day.

“Wrestling acts as that time that you get to say “Sweet, I get to go beat someone up and not get in trouble for it,” Miller said.

Something that gives Miller these special freedoms are one of the many reasons why Miller wrestles. They don’t go towards just winning. They don’t go towards his happiness. They go towards the betterment of the program and the people around it, no matter the situation.

“There’s always someone bigger, better, and stronger than you,” Miller said. “Never look at yourself as “Mr. Everything.”

“

Freshman year I started wrestling, and I didn’t know what to do. We practiced often and he helped me grow a lot.

- Junior Riley Rhone December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

Calling It Like I See It Sam Woiteshek

Root for righteousness Carlos Rappleye THE BUCS’ BLADE EAR TO EAR: Senior Griffin Kelly smiles in between laps at practice. The most enjoyable part about swim for the guys is being around their teammates, so they take advantage of their time together in the pool.

THE LAST LAP AROUND By Macayla Cramer Senior swimmers Jackson Hamm, Griffin Kelly, and Chris Akselberg are heading into their final season swimming together at Grand Haven High School. After many years of hard work in the pool together, they have created a strong bond with each other that extends beyond the pool. They were able to reflect on their favorite moments from swimming together and what makes the sport so special to them.

Q: Coming into your last season together, what exactly is going through your mind?

JH: “I’m just hoping it’s fun and it’s definitely one of my favorite things to do. So, I’m excited.”

GK: “We lost a lot of key players for our team. But I think we’re making it up with the depth.“ Q: What do you guys want to get out of the season this year?

CA: “Just have as much fun as we can with all the people.”

JH: “Yeah, states relay.”

GK: “Make it to states and do the best we can.”

Q: How do you separate having fun to being serious and working hard?

CA: ”You know what you got to do, and when you can have fun in between.”

JH: “You can’t talk when you’re swimming so you can’t like joke with your buddies, you’re just kind of going alone.”

GK: “There’s always an element of, like, you come in you’re having fun and www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

then you just know when to get down to work because you’ve given the set and it’s just, it’s there and you know you have to work to finish it.”

Q: What are you going to miss most about the swim team and why?

CA: “The people. You get so close with them, like, throughout the season.

You spend pretty much four months with each other. You see each other in the hallway you always just say “hi”.”

JH: “The boys.”

GK: “And most of these kids are coming from water polo we’ve already created that bond, but going into swim that bond, it just makes it stronger.”

Q: What will you guys take away from swim?

CA: “Yeah, definitely just the people. We’ve meant and I don’t know, Doug is just such a great coach, so to be able to be with him for the time we have it’s been great.”

JH: “I’ve made a lot of really good friends, I’ve had a really fun time, I’ve gotten to know myself and the people around me better and I’ve learned how to work hard and have fun.”

Q: What is different about swim then other sports?

JH: “The time together, we have to make it fun. So I think the team itself is a lot more lively and outgoing then other teams might be.”

Q: Favorite memory?

CA: “To see not only yourself but the entire team to do so well it’s just

great.”

JH: “And it’s a lot of fun to hear Doug say it at the banquet too, he tells us at the end of every season how much time we dropped from that second to last to that final meet and it’s normal ten or fifteen minutes total.

That’s crazy.

GK: “Conference every year. I love conference because you just get to put together the work that has accumulated this entire season and to see everybody have their best meet best at conference is really cool to see.”

Q: Favorite Quote?

CA: “The pain train is in the station, that’s usually when we put in our work. “Got to put the yard is the tank to get them out later.”

JH: “The pain train is coming to town.” “Fins up boys.” “For those that don’t know me, my name is Doug Thron.”

GK: “Yeah, that’s the quote we usually don’t like” Q: What do you hope to pass down to the underclassmen?

CA: “Yeah, you never forget the people. Even all the seniors when we were freshmen, we still remember all of them still see them around and still say “hi”. It’s just kinda the memories.

They look up to you, and may not think they will and they might want to be you.”

GK: “Probably just the memories.

We’re all just one family. You’re in here and you suffer through it together, but in the end, we’re just working together to our ultimate goal of getting better.”

We’ve all heard that Kendrick Lamar song. The one where he raps “I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA”. The track might be called “DNA,” but we all know the true, underlying meaning is about loyalty.

Fittingly enough, Kendrick Lamar popped into my head on cold, Friday night when I scrolled through my phone. A report from ESPN said Kareem Hunt, the star running back of the Kansas City Chiefs, had been released.

However, the reason why was even colder than a Michigan December.

Per video from TMZ, Hunt, at a Cleveland hotel back in February, not only shoved a 19 year-old woman twice, but kicked her after too.

Subsequently, the Chiefs cut him. For obvious reasons.

So, loyalty. It’s tricky matter; a double-edged sword. And does it matter anymore in sports?

As an optimist, I want to believe so. It should, but in reality, it doesn’t. At least from what I’ve seen lately.

Look at Hunt. The Chiefs were loyal, they knew something was awry in February, and trusted his word anyway. But then, the truth came out and cut him.

Live and learn folks because loyalty comes at a price. Good on the Chiefs for remaining loyal. But also bad on the Chiefs for valuing loyalty for eleven months.

Domestic violence has no place in sports and it only took the jeopardy of damaging their reputation permanently for them to notice that.

The NFL itself is commonly known as “Not For Long” because at any given moment, a top player could be on top and then unemployed at any given time.

No organization exemplifies the ups and downs of integrity quite like the NFL. Yet, here they are. They gave former running back Ray Rice only a two-game suspension for his domestic violence and current Bengals running back Joe Mixon got nothing for his. All they could do with Hunt is put him on the commissioner’s exempt list.

Mike McCarthy, the beloved coach of my Green Bay Packers, was fired in early December. The man has a Super Bowl, ten eight-win seasons and Aaron Rodgers. Yet, loyalty didn’t matter to the Packers apparently.

It even shows in basketball. LeBron James leaves Cleveland for Miami. Then leaves Miami for Cleveland. Then leaves Cleveland for his current home in Los Angeles. Clearly, loyalty is nothing to him.

A casual fan might say it’s a hopeless cause. You give your blood, sweat and tears just to be cast aside for someone else?

Well, misinformed sports aficionado, yes. That’s exactly it. But on a professional level.

College teams are built on tradition and the only way to achieve that is through loyalty. Michigan State has Tom Izzo, a mastermind who has coached in East Lansing for 23 years. Michigan has Jim Harbaugh, who, despite his slow start, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

And for you skepticists who remain, high school athletics are enriched by loyalty.

Look no farther than Grand Haven girls basketball. Coach Katie KowalczykFulmer has coached for 27 seasons, has won two state titles (back-to-back years), and consistently fields a strong, competitive team each year.

High school sports are built on loyalty, not legacy. Sure, Rockford dominates in a lot of things, but you can only breed a winning culture if you stick with it.

They’ve figured that out, whereas some schools haven’t.

And if nothing else, athletes and the people they play for - whether it is your school or a professional organization - should have the decency to have some integrity. If not, both sides are only doing themselves a disservice.

Loyalty is royalty. It’s in the DNA, just like Lamar said. Now if only I could get the Packers, albeit the Detroit Tigers, to figure that out.

SPORTS 21

RECORD: 3-5

HOCKEY

KEY ATHLETES: Junior Cooper Fox and senior Trevor Kalis are a dynamic duo with great chemistry heading the Buccaneer attack. Seniors Christian Forbes, Kyle Eveland, and junior Nate Beers also provide leadership and experience and allow the Bucs to play great team hockey.

THEY SAID IT: “We’ve been playing ok but we got some guys back from injury” senior Trevor Kalis said.

“We’re playing better now that we have them back and have more depth”.

UP NEXT: The team’s next home game is against East Grand Rapids on Dec. 29 at the Lakeshore Ice Arena.

WINTER SPORTS UPDATE BOYS BASKETBALL

BOYS SWIM

SKIING RECORD: The ski team has not yet had any meets due to the lack of snow, so they sit with a 0-0 record.

KEY ATHLETES: Junior Mitch Bosgraaf was the top state qualifier on the team last year, junior Jack Hardebeck is expected to be a state contender this year, and senior Ethan brown is the captain of the boys ski team THEY SAID IT: RECORD: 0-1 KEY ATHLETES: Seniors Jackson Hamm and Chris Askelberg are hitting the pool fast and hard at the start of the season. With only a few meets on record, these boys are looking promising for the swim teams leading competitors and leaders for this season. With Juniors Nick Wilson and Carter Brown are looking exceptional for taking those top scoring positions.

“I am hoping to have an extremely talented team this year and to qualify the whole team for states” says optimistic junior Jack Hardebeck

UP NEXT: Next ski meet is January 9 at Cannonsburg ski resort

RECORD: 2-1 KEY ATHLETES: Senior pointguard Casey Constant has led the way for the

THEY SAID IT:

“I’m just excited to see how we do this year, knowing that we lost some really good guys, that could pretty much do everything,” Senior Chris Askelberg said. “I’m just excited to see how well our depth does this year and I think a lot of people will be surprised at how well we do, and they think we might not be as strong this year.”

UP NEXT: The Bucs will make the short trip to Spring Lake’s pool Dec 20 for their next meet.

22 SPORTS

Buccaneers as he is the teams leading scorer, Senior guard Bryce Taylor looks to add onto a sensational season from last year and junior power forward Owen Ross has been outsanding both in the paint as well as beyond the arch .

THEY SAID IT: “I feel like we have a great starting five this year and also a lot of depth,” Taylor said.

Pictured: Jack Hardebeck

UP NEXT: The Bucs travel up to Traverse City to take on Traverse City West and look to continue their winning ways.

December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com

An in-depth look Seven Grand Haven on howteams eachqualify of sports for competitive postseason play the in a very entertaining Buccaneer winter fall sports season for sports teams are Grand Haven athletics competing in their respective divisons GIRLS BASKETBALL

GIRLS WRESTLING GOLF

BOWLING

RECORD: 7-1 on the season

RECORD: 0-0, No standing in O-K Red Conference

KEY ATHLETES: Senior Cody Miller leads the KEY ATHLETES: squad this season, hoping to capitalize on his state semifinals appearance from last season. Juniors Riley Rhone and Trevor Rademaker are emerging into young, reliable stars that bring their competitive mentalities every match

THEY SAID IT:

“Our season has gone pretty good,” Rhone said. “We’ve wrestled hard all year so far and we all work hard at practice. I think over the rest of the season the team will continue to get better and I think we will do really well the rest of the season.”

UP NEXT: The Bucs head to Grandville on Thursday, December 27 at 9 A.M.

Senior Jonathan Garland, and Sophomore Collin Prokopec. Garland can put a lot of revs on the bowling ball, and Prokopec has the ability to play really straight.

THEY SAID IT:

“We have iffy chances,” Senior Jonathan Garland said. “My mindset is we can win anything, but we just have to develop talents”

WHAT’S NEW: The bowling team is playing under a new coach in Max Golden. There is also a lot of promising new talent in the freshman class. They are also practicing at Sherman Bowling Center in Muskegon because of the demolition of Starlite Lanes

=

RECORD: 3-0 overall, have not started conference play.

KEY ATHLETES: Senior Alli Keyser, who recently set the school record for

steals, will look to finish her career in style for the Bucs as she will look to carry the load. offensively. Senior post players Kelly Olthof and Esther Byington are back this year after injuries, and figure to be a prominent part of the Bucs’ offense. Defensively, look for senior Dahlia Jerosvek to lead the way along with sophomore Mackenzie Gross.

THEY SAID IT: “Every day, it’s all about getting better,” Varsity girls basketball coach Katie Kowalczyk-Fulmer

NEXT GAME:

The Lady Bucs have a formidalble slate of opponents coming up, with the likes of Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Jenison and East Kentwood as their next three.

www.bucsblade.com, December 21, 2018

Over 60 Years of Service 100 North Third Street, Grand Haven

616/842.3030

www.scholtenfant.com SPORTS 23

WEST SIDE STORY

By Carlos Rappleye

Bucs achieve victory at Drawbridge Classic against Spring Lake due to strong defensive plays in high-energy match

IT’S EVERY DAY BRO: Senior Bryce Taylor takes a free throw against Spring Lake, while being compared to Vine star Jake Paul.

Both student sections brought signs that targeted the other teams players and prominent members of the other school’s section.

STORMING THE COURT: The student section rushes onto the court after the Bucs won 53-47. Carried by strong scoring from seniors Casey Constant, Mason Mahacek and Bryce Taylor, an even stronger defense in the first half, the Bucs’ glided into a solid second half. The game was defined by the energy between the two schools with chants, jeers and cheers overpowering the sound of the game.

LINING UP: Senior point guard Casey Constant lines up for a free throw. Constant carried the game for the Bucs, scoring 19 points, with six of those being free throws in the last quarter.

24 PHOTO

LAKE INFERIOR: Senior Gabby Henteman holds a sign and shouts towards the Spring Lake student section.

Much of the game was marked by the atmosphere between the two schools. “I think it gave us energy, and that’s what high school basketball is all about,” Bucs head coach Greg Immink said.

December 21, 2018, www.bucsblade.com