The Bucs' Blade: The mindfulness issue

FEBRUARY 16, 2017 V o l u m e 7 2 I s s ue 3

Grand Haven High School’s student publication of community significance since 1927

www.bucsblade.com

What’s Inside

4

February 2016

28

Crossing party lines

Two students remain friends in spite of political differences

21

Artists of the month

Senior Mariah Evans, junior Kyle Nagy, junior Ian Dean and freshman Daniel Bremmer are showcased for their artistic abilities

Featured topic The Indepth topic for this edition is mindfulness, as this issue that has become more and more prevalent in our everyday lives here at the high school. It is easier to take the approach of thinking that mindfulness is meaningless and will not do a thing for you. This initiative though, is to help you see otherwise. Taking the time to actually listen to the lessons is worth it. These are things that can help you through your entire life.

Thank you for reading, The Bucs’ Blade Staff

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Volume 72, Issue 3

God’s got a plan

Senior Lynn Olthof plagued by injury, finds a new type of therapy in her final basketball season

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Bleached blond

As their season comes to a close, the boys swim team continues the tradition of bleaching their hair

SPECIAL FEATURE

Sophomore Kimberly Avalos-Chavez fled home country Guatemala in search of new life, faced dangers during three month journey to Grand Haven For the full package see page 8

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www.bucsblade.com, February 17 2017

THE BUCS’ BLADE 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.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

LETTERS AND SUBMISSIONS

Maddie Brockmyre THE BUCS’ BLADE

Our responsibility for refugees Dear readers,

Within this issue, you will come across a story about two students who fled from their home country of Guatemala to take refuge in the United States. We strongly encourage you to read it, and the paired pieces that accompany it in the special feature. The article reveals the struggle the young individuals went through to reach the place they now call home, a struggle that many of us can easily ignore.

In a time where xenophobia is raging throughout the country, molding minds, backing policies and winning elections, it is crucial that we remember the other side of the story. The side that has been shut out. The side that has been lost in the conversation. The side that has been a victim of abuse, of war crimes, of injustice. The side that has been denied asylum by its last hope.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there were 65.3 million displaced people at the end of 2015. In other terms, that is one out of every 313 people on this planet. Comparing that to our school, that would be seven individuals out of the about 2,100 students and faculty. There are 6 million displaced in Afghanistan.. 4 million from Syria. 3.7 million from Iraq. 2.1 million from Somalia. 1 million from South Sudan.

Tens of thousands from Central America and nearly 50 million of all migrants are children.

Many of those people turn to the United States. As one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world, it’s not hard to see why. This is the land of opportunity. The idea of freedom is the thick, unbreakable concrete that molds our flag to the ground.

The words “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” are engraved on the pedestal upon which the iconic figure of liberty rests, guiding newcomers with her light.

When we live in a world in which there are 65.3 million individuals who have no place to call home, we don’t have an option to sit back and pretend our hands are tied.

There is never an easy solution. There is a comfortable option, one in which we close our borders and turn our backs. This is the idea that propelled a large portion of President Trump’s campaign.

At a December 2015 rally he told supporters that he was “calling Godspeed,

for a complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.” As President he signed an executive order to suspend the US refugee program for 120 days and ban entry for any travelers to the United States from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Syria for 90 days. Syrian refugees were banned indefinitely and green card holders were barred, despite being legal residents. And although the courts have halted the effects of the travel ban and facts report that refugees have committed no acts of terrorism, the rhetoric that gave Trump the authority to enact an order that denied entrance to doctors, future students and children looking for a home still thrives among the masses.

But we believe isolationism is not the option. Its is our job as Americans to provide aid to those who desperately need it.

Refugees are people, and we need to start remembering that.

They are subjected to the highest level of security checks of any kind of traveler to the U.S. The vetting process includes multiple government agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center. It takes an average of two years to be accepted as a refugee. Let’s stop pretending that refugees are allowed to just step into this country without being evaluated and start looking for ways to help.

World Relief and the International Rescue Committee are just two of the various programs you can donate to. Both provide support to those in war-torn areas as well as help those who have been resettled. Consider contacting your state representatives, urging them to support refugee resettlement programs. Start fundraisers, donate your time and talents, contact shelters and ask what their needs are. Any form of assistance does more than you would believe.

In the end, our greatest strength is mind set. The moment we refuse to give in to falsehoods and fear-mongering is the moment we can rebuild ourselves as a nation. The Bucs’ Blade believes that refugees, from any country, are people that need our help. We hope that after hearing Kimberly’s story, your idea of a refugee has been changed. For the better.

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.

THE BUCS’ BLADE GHHS ROOM 0205 17001 Ferris Grand Haven, MI 49417

Editorial Board Maddie Brockmyre Sarah Jane Chrysler Karianne Turner Caitlin Shampine Alexis VanSingel Drew VanAndel Ben Werkman Aliyah Austin Chris Hudson

Editor in Chief Editor in Chief Arts Editor Life Editor News Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Ad Manager

Staff Anna Ackerman, Isabel Bird, Julia Drabczyk, Grace Glessner, Ysabela Golden, Jamie Gretzinger, Sawyer Hamm, Sam Hankinson, Abby Holman, Madison Holub, Ben Ingall, Anastasiya Kahanova, Kelly Klouw, Madeline Monroe, Jack Nicholson, Jack Reus, Talia Rosenberg, Sarah Sanders, Spencer Sortman, Macy Swiftney

FIND US ONLINE @thebucsblade

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Maddie Brockmyre and Sarah Chrysler bucsblade.com

www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

EDITORIAL 3

Across party lines Young Democrats and Young Republicans club presidents work together to reach common goals

By Alexis VanSingel

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eniors Sam Nelson and Jack Costello became friends their junior year, but have always had strong opposing political views. The two seniors felt so influenced by the recent election campaigns, that they decided to start their own political clubs, each focusing on one of the main parties. Jack Costello is the president of the Young Republicans Club while his friend Sam Nelson, heads the Young Democrats Club.

“It was just kind of something I was thinking about with a couple of my friends, because it’s no secret to anyone that this election is really different than a lot of other elections,” Costello said. “We just wanted to make sure that no matter what party anyone believed in, they weren’t going to be demonized by the other party. We just thought that maybe starting a political club would just be a good way to for us to kind of come together a little bit and really understand what being a part of a political party means, not so much destroying each other.”

Nelson has had a long-time interest in politics, and at the start of the year was actively involved with the campaign for Tim Meyers. After state and nationwide elections had passed, he decided it was time to make it official.

“Since the start of the school year, I’ve had people asking me, ‘So, are we going to get a Young Democrats Club together or something like that?’” Nelson said. “People just want to make change.”

Although Costello is involved with the opposing political party, he and Nelson happen to be good friends. The classmates got to know each other better after room-

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Maddie Brockmyre THE BUCS’ BLADE AGREE TO DISAGREE: Seniors Jack Costello and Sam Nelson shake hands in front of the American flag. Costello is the leader of the Young Republicans Club while Nelson heads the Young Democrats. The two friends met when they roomed together at Boys State during their junior year of high school.

ing together at Boys State, an educational reassure that we have a voice.” other. It’s not the way that works.” program of government instruction for juSenior Maiya Yu, an active member of With all the drama involved in this elecniors in high school sponsored by American the Young Democrats Club, approached tion, Nelson promotes joining a club as Legion.

Costello and asked if the Young Republiwell.

“He’s a really cool guy, and I rememcans would be willing to do a beach cleanup “I’ve taken on this de facto leadership ber mentioning to him when I started the alongside them and the Green Club. role and I hate party politics more than Young Republicans,” Costello said. “He was “That’s one of the things we want to anyone, but I think right now it’s important like, ‘I’m going to start Young Democrats,’ do just to show a service project in the to connect with potentially like-minded and I was like, ‘Go for it, that’d be great.’” community where there’s no political lines,” people, or even if there isn’t shared ideolThe Young Republicans schedule a Costello said. ogy there, just the fact that people care,” meeting each month to discuss and vote on Costello emphasizes that anybody can Nelson said. “It’s hard to tell exactly what’s service projects they’d like to do. get involved with the clubs, no matter their going to happen over the next four years, “It’s a pretty casual club which is pretty political views. and staying involved is the best way to deal nice, not too time consuming,” Costello “If you want to come out and help the with that.” said. “A lot of the people are committed community, come for that reason,” Costello Both clubs focus on doing their part to enough to come to the meetings and then said. “If you want to come and explore make improvements within our city, state, do the service projects, so that’s pretty your political beliefs, come for that reason. and even country. cool.”

I’ve talked to a couple fellows who were “Politically you should probably be a One of these projects inlittle bit more left and a little bit cluded handing out voter guides more progressive (to join the YOUNG YOUNG at the local GOP office during Young Democrats Club) but REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS the election. anyone that’s willing to put in a “We just went in there and little extra time to help our comWhen: Once a month, When: Second and said, ‘If you guys need any help, munity and maybe our country dates are yet to be fourth Wednesday of we’d love to help you distribute at large depending on how much determined every month some guides or something like influence we get,” Nelson said.

Where: Room 5212 Where: Room 1103 that,’ which is kind of a way for The clubs also bring an openus to kind of get out and do mindedness to politics and tolerAdvisor: History Advisor: History something and actually make ance for the opposing parties. teacher Eric Bye teacher Jason Klinger an impact which is pretty cool,” “It’s cool to have your beliefs Who to Contact: Who to Contact: Costello said. and there’s nothing wrong with The Young Democrats Club that and we’re going to get out President Jack President Sam Nelson is just starting out but aims to and we’re going to help the comCostello at at 21283@ghaps.org meet every second and fourth munity no matter what,” Costello 20201@ghaps.org Wednesday of the month with said. two meetings already under their The two friends plan to conbelts. Although they haven’t tinue with the clubs until they done any big projects yet, they have started saying, ‘I don’t really know much about graduate, and have hope that students will to set plans to do advocacy work. politics. I’m going to this club’s meeting stay involved and continue to accept new “I know environmentalism is huge and I want to come to your club’s meeting ideas even after the boys have left Grand for us, women’s health and you know as just to kind of get both sides.’ I said, ‘That’s Haven High School. students we’re all concerned about those perfectly fine with me.’ I encourage that.

“All too often we forget that across party rights and protections we have as students,” It is called the Young Republican’s Club lines, they’re not the enemy, they’re the Nelson said. “We’ll work on making sure so obviously there’s a little bit of a politiopposition,” Nelson said. “Over the next, everyone involved knows how to get ahold cal agenda there but I mean, truthfully it not just four years, but the duration of our of the representatives, how they should doesn’t matter. We’re not going to come republic, I hope that people can keep that communicate with them, and hopefully just in and say you’ve got to be one way or the in mind.” www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

“EVEN THE LITTLEST THINGS CAN MAKE SUCH A BIG IMPACT ON SOMEONE. SOMEONE’S LIFE COULD BE CHANGED, ALTERED AND SET DOWN A NEW PATH COMPLETELY.”

-Junior Megan Kostner on what she hoped students would get out of the Show Up assembly she organized with fellow junior Julia Drabczyk.

Jack Nicholson THE BUCS’ BLADE

Youtubers Unite transforms into Grand Haven Productions

Winter training for Rowing Club gets athletes into shape

YouTubers Unite, the club recently started by junior, Arthur Burke plans to introduce the official GHHS YouTube channel soon. The club has also decided on a new name, “Grand Haven Productions,” due to the wish to bring in more people interested in filmography.

The new name is also going to be given to the YouTube channel. The club is planning on producing several videos to start off the official school channel.

The club has procured two videos that have come into production phase, one of

Winter training for the Grand Haven and Spring Lake rowing club started on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The club trains every Monday and Wednesday at 5 p.m., and Fridays at 3:15 p.m for two months to not only increase physical fitness, but build up technique needed to row efficiently.

“Our conditioning program, working on indoor rowing machines, stretching and light to moderate weight resistance over the next two months, will get a student in very good physical condition,” Coach Paul Winter said.

The club is competitive against 25 other schools in Michigan along with other teams from Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. It was also one of 18 schools to participate in the State Rowing Association of Michigan Championship last year.

Although there is a lot of physical strength and endurance that goes into rowing, it is just as much of a mental sport and requires team effort.

“It requires all eight rowers synchronized to move the boat with speed and grace,” Winter said, “That’s a life skill that will carry over to their career, working together to accomplish a goal.”

Arthur Burke COURTESY PHOTO

which will involve the other school clubs.

Another one of the video topics will revolve around bullying. However, they are adamant about making a video that is not normally seen in other schools.

“The other bullying videos made by other schools are sort of generic,” Burke said.

“We’ve got to try to spice it up a bit so that people will actually watch it.”

The club currently takes place every Tuesday and Friday from 2:42 to 4 p.m. in the library computer lab. Burke can be contacted at grandhavenproductions@gmail.com.

By Spencer Sortman

AP exam registration forms due by Feb. 24 Registration forms for students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes are due by Feb. 24. Each exam costs $100 and a has check must be written out to Grand Haven High School with the student’s name signed at the bottom.

In addition, students have to find their own way to attend exams over at the community center since transportation is not www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

provided for these tests.

AP students must sign up for the exams to have the opportunity to receive college credit for the class.

“They’re putting in all the work, effort, and time going towards that goal,” AP Language teacher Holly Michelli said. “Why wouldn’t you want to get the college credit? I mean, that’s what you ultimately want right?”

By Jack Nicholson

By Spencer Sortman Jack Nicholson THE BUCS’ BLADE

NEWS 5

Katie Hohmeyer COURTESY PHOTO PRO-LIFE PROCESSION: Marchers swarm the streets downtown Washington D.C. Thousands of people showed up to protest abortion.

PARADING FOR PRO-LIFE

Two juniors gain knowledge and inspiration from participation in Washington D.C. March for Life

By Kelly Klouw

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alking shoulder to shoulder with thousands of people from all over the nation, Juniors Olivia Harvitt and Katie Hohmeyer made their way past the Washington Monument, down Constitution Avenue, and headed straight for the White House to raise awareness for one controversial topic, abortion. They got to experience this event on Jan. 27, known as the March for Life, first hand.

“It was very empowering to people who are pro-life and just to know so many people care for the little babies who aren’t able to stand up for themselves,” Harvitt said.

Pro-life represents someone with a belief to put an end to abortion. Thousands of pro-life advocates, including Harvitt and Hohmeyer, gathered in Washington D.C. to march peacefully and respectfully while informing the public of this cause.

“It was an eye opener to see that these people here are all my age, my generation,” Harvitt said. “Our generation comes off bad because most people say, ‘Oh we’re the ignorant age, and we are entitled, and don’t have patience,’ so it’s nice to see all those people there. It was really cool.”

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Olivia Harvitt COURTESY PHOTO CAPITOL COMPANIONS: Juniors Harvitt and Hohmeyer pose together in front of the capitol building in Washington D.C. The girls spent 3 days there after traveling to attend the March for Life.

this experience, I knew for sure I was,” Hohmeyer said. “The Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the march, marking the first time a vice president had ever made an appearance at speakers were really cool, when they would talk about it all it just made sense as to why my opinion is the right thing to the event. do.”

“It felt really empowering that Pence was there talking The event may have only lasted a weekend, but the words with us,” Harvitt said. “It’s really cool to have the vice presiand experiences will stay with the girls for a long time. dent on your side.”

“I use what I learned from With the thousands of pro-life the march daily to help people marchers that swarmed the streets FAST FACTS get educated on abortion of Washington, D.C. there were only before they made a statement three people that stood out from 1.

The first March for Life was saying they’re either pro-life or all the rest. These three people also held on Jan. 22, 1974. pro choice,” Hohmeyer said. wanted their voices to be heard by As for the march next year, using large black signs, and chanting 2.

The goal is to overturn the Roe both Harvitt and Hohmeyer “You are the antichrist” to the provs. Wade case decision to legalize they would participate again, life marchers. and in the future years to “It was very degrading,” Hohmeyabortions. come. er said. “They thought that they could “I am looking forward come out and stand in the middle of 3. Founder Nellie Gray attended to next year’s march,” Harall these thousands of people and 38 rallies before her death in vitt said.

“I want to go again chant at them that the Pope is the 2012. antichrist. It made me feel bad for because it was such a positive environment and the scenery them almost, because obviously they 4. An estimated 300,000 to was amazing.” have no idea of what’s actually going 400,000 have attended the march The 2018 March for Life is on and I think that’s sad.” in the past few years. currently scheduled for Jan. 19.

Marchers proudly walked past the “Stand up for what you protesters, reminding themselves of believe in because so many the reason why they were marching in people are afraid to get up and speak out for what they the first place. believe in, and the way they feel against an issue,” Hohmeyer “When I went, I’ve always known I’ve been pro-life but said.

I never was for sure one hundred percent pro-life, but after www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

MICHIGAN MARCHING

The Women’s March on Washington’s mission was to rally and march for the rights of women, people of color, Muslims, Native people, the disabled, and the LGBT community. On Jan. 21, an estimated five million people participated in 677 registered sister marches around the world. One of those marches was at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, MI

By Maddie Brockmyre

RAPIDS RALLIERS (above): Marchers stand downtown Grand Rapids reciting chants about women’s rights. People traveled to different cities to attend the marches near them, protesting Donald Trump’s presidency. The marchers walked all along the streets of the city.

LEADING THE PACK (top right): A woman stands in front of the crowd to start a cheer. Many individuals throughout the march started their own cheers to get the group excited. The chants varied from “This is what democracy looks like,” and “My body, my choice.”

VIEWS (right): Junior Nathan Sexton holds his poster in the air for all to see. The sign read, “Hate is not a policical view.” “I went [to the Women’s March] to support all of the women in my life as well as protest the hateful rhetoric of Trump,” Sexton said. “It was powerful to see so many people there, all protesting against the ideas of bigotry, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, racism and hate in general.” #BLACKLIVESMATTER (center): A man in attendance of the march holds raises his sign above the crowd in Rosa Parks Circle. Although much of the march focused on women’s rights, subgroups like Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ activists were encouraged to joined in. www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

PHOTO 7

SPECIAL FEATURE

the ROAD to REFUGE

Caitlin Shampine THE BUCS’ BLADE GUATEMALA TO GRAND HAVEN: Kimberly Avalos-Chavez and Edvin Carreto Bamaca escaped from Central America on Nov. 24, 2015 along with their mother and younger sister. They arrived in January 2016.

Sophomore Kimberly Avalos-Chavez fled home country Guatemala in search of new life, faced dangers during three month journey

By Aliyah Austin

C

rocodiles slithered towards the family paddling through the murky river on a worn-out inflatable motor boat. Their eyes glinted as they watched the boat float away, ready to attack.

Each crocodile possessed 24 sharp, yellowed teeth meant to grasp and crush its victim. Each wielded the power to apply 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.

Each was hungry. Staring into the jaws of the reptiles, the frightened family saw two options; kill or be killed.

After hiding from Border Patrol in the mud for 10 hours, muddy sophomore Kimberly Avalos-Chavez watched from the shore as the family tossed their baby off of the green boat and into the mouth of the shadow-soaked Rio Grande.

The crocs swallowed the child.

Bathed in the light from a white helicopter above her head, Avalos-Chavez, her

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brother, sophomore Edvin Carreto Bamaca, their mother and three year old sister Carrina waited for their turn to float from Mexico to the U.S. She was only 15 when their journey began in November, 2015 and they left Guatemala to embark on a trek similar to those taken by at least 59,692 other unaccompanied alien children (UAC) would take in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016.

Over the last 15 years, an increasing amount of families and UAC are fleeing poverty and violence in Central America. In 2014, Central Americans apprehended on the southern border outnumbered Mexicans attempting to cross for the first time and in 2016, it happened again.

Central America’s “Northern Triangle,” El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, consistently rank among the most violent countries in the world. In 2015, more than 17,000 homicides were recorded across the Northern Triangle, an 11 percent jump from a year earlier.

“I left because there were problems at home,” Avalos-Chavez said with caution.

She tugged at the sleeve of her bubblegumcolored hoodie.

Avalos-Chavez met her mother in a tortilla shop. At the time, she wasn’t her “mother”- she was a stranger, buying food for a family Avalos-Chavez had never met.

“I had so many problems going on with my parents not wanting me and giving me to my grandma and Edvin’s mom would talk to me about it and about all of my problems and one day I was talking about how I didn’t

want to stay with my parents anymore and Edvin’s mom made the decision to take me in.”

But despite Avalos-Chavez’s new home, their problems persisted.

It took two weeks of debating whether or not to leave when Avalos-Chavez and her family ambled out of their home in Guatemala on Nov. 24, 2015 and hopped in a car that would take them to the border of Mexico. It was the dry season and she couldn’t help but notice the sunshine and the warm breeze ruffling her dark hair. For some reason, it gave her hope.

“Things were not going so well and there was no hope for the future and then we got on the road, and it was more hopeful and I was thinking about all the good things that could happen,” Avalos-Chavez said through a translator. “But I was also scared- scared of the unknown and leaving my home.”

According to Ana Devereaux, Staff Attorney at the Michigan Immigrants Rights Center, one of the biggest factors that push children into migration from Central America are gangs. For young people, specifically young men, trans-national gangs that occupy their territory try to recruit them to join and if they don’t, they’re threatened or beaten.

Girls also suffer violence in the home. Without a foster care system or organizations dedicated to preventing domestic abuse, children are prone to familial violence. Many also suffer from a lack of basic resources.

After reaching the border of Mexico, they climbed into the back of a small truck that took them to a house where people

attempting to travel to the United States without proper documentation stay. They waited there for two days until their mom could borrow more money from their uncle.

After that, the kids climbed into the back of another vehicle.

“The trip to the Guatemalan-Mexican border was surprisingly easy,” Avalos-Chavez said. “There wasn’t really any fear until I got in Mexico and began the journey through Mexico to get to the U.S. border. That’s when the fear really kicked in.”

UAC either travel to the U.S. alone or with the help of paid human smuggler or “coyote.”. If they’re traveling by themselves, they risk the physical danger of riding on top of trains and they also face being targeted by gangs and police forces due to their vulnerability. UAC are susceptible to being robbed and raped.

Migrants traveling with a coyote typically have more protection. The coyote provides places for them to stay and a vehicle for them to travel in, but they can be the “swindlers” of human trafficking. When UAC cross the river and the Southwest desert, they face the danger of the elements and the physical hazards of walking without proper supplies and the resulting illnesses.

Avalos-Chavez and her mother decided to take their chances with a coyote.

“The coyote was supposed to be taking care of us and making sure we had food and that we were safe, but he wasn’t,” AvalosChavez said. “I had my little sister with me and we kept asking for a little bit of this or a little bit of something else and he just kept www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

SPECIAL FEATURE saying, ‘I don’t have it, you need to pay me, give me money otherwise I can’t.’

He just didn’t give us what we needed.”

Avalos-Chavez’s trip was a series of hopping from a truck to a house, where they would wait for a few days for another car or bus to arrive and bring them closer to their destination.

Cold, hunger and thirst were on her mind as they bumped along the mountainous terrain in the bed of the truck. The sun had set hours ago, but she didn’t need the daylight to feel rain splattering from the sky. The headlights flickered on and off and the driver was forced to pull over and wait. Each time after this happened and the engine began to rumble again, the soaked kids shook with the vehicle as they hit holes in the road.

“It sounds like underground railroad, so essentially they’re hopping from house to house and waiting for someone to pick them up to take them to the next spot, and it’s kind of just treacherous along the way,” student teacher Alayna Johnson said.

They arrived at the center of the city in Puebla, Mexico after spending two and a half days without food.

The life of the truck sputtered out and once again, all they could do was wait. When they arrived at the house they would be staying in, their clothes still sopping with rain water, they were crammed into a crowded space the size of a classroom. They slept here for four days. Each time they tried to leave, something else happened; the car didn’t work or the coyote didn’t deposit the money, so they couldn’t go.

“The houses we stayed in were very bad,” Avalos-Chavez said. “Sometimes they wouldn’t feed us or give us water to brush our teeth or anything and some of them wouldn’t give us beds, they just gave us cardboard. Sometimes the coyote would buy us food, but sometimes he would get drunk with the money. One day, we waited in a restaurant, had some food, not much, but a little bit, and then when the coyote showed up, he was drunk and had been drinking too much. And so even though we paid him to take us across the border, he was too drunk to do it. So he went home to sleep and we had to wait a whole other day because he spent our money on beer instead of getting us across the border.”

The group she was traveling with www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

place to shower. I felt a lot calmer and safer there than in other homes.”

But I was also scaredWhen family unit aliens scared of the unknown (children apprehended with at least one guardian and leaving my home. present) are detained at the Kimberly Avalos-Chavez border and fear returning to their native country, they undergo a credible fear interview. If the family meets split into two; one that wanted to be the standards required for asylum, the detained by Border Patrol and ones Asylum Officer at the border releases attempting to make it through the them into the U.S. to make a full case southwest desert. Avalos-Chavez for protection. As an alternative to needed to make it through the desdetention while immigration proert. The words of the coyote echoed ceedings take place, varying levels of through her head. monitoring are placed on the guard“Making it to the desert was one ian. Avalos-Chavez’s mother has a thing but getting there, they’d find GPS tether on her ankle, the highest people-” level of oversight.

“There’s a gang and if they see “We got clearance to stay because you crossing over, they’ll get mad and I had problems in Guatemala and my they’ll kill you there on the spot.” mom had problems in Guatemala,” She began to walk. Unsure of Avalos-Chavez said. “We proved that where they were heading, Avalosit wasn’t a good situation for us there, Chavez trudged through the desert for so they let us stay.” at least two hours until they reached After being boarded on buses, they the bus that was going to take them to spent a few days on the road until the southwest border. they got to Grand Rapid and eventualThey arrived near the Southwest ly ended up here because this is where border at 4 p.m. and hid in the mud her grandma lives. They are currently near the Rio Grande River until 1 a.m. staying in a migrant camp.

Avalos-Chavez watched as the croco“It’s always a challenge to put ourdiles swam away from the family in selves in the shoes of kids that have the raft. to do this to get to a place that’s safe,” After reaching the shore, they Spanish and English Second Language were alone. She couldn’t see much, so teacher Ben Lawrence said. “We just after a failed attempt at searching for have no idea that might be like. I the man they were told to find, they hope that people will understand the decided to wait at a bridge. He never journey, the plight, the challenges, of came. Stranded in a foreign country, getting here and being here.”

Avalos-Chavez began to hope that the Avalos-Chavez thought back to the U.S. Border Patrol would find them crocodiles, each one possessing 24 and take them in. sharp, yellowed teeth meant to grasp A few hours later, a white car and crush its victim; each one wieldpulled up next to Avalos-Chavez. ing the power to apply 5,000 pounds “Immigration asked where we were of pressure per square inch; each one from why we came here and they hungry. She knew that after witnessing asked her mom specifically if she that, she would not be the same. But knew what she was doing,” Avalosshe also knew that despite the chalChavez said. “That’s when they just lenges of the journey, it was worth it. took us.”

“I missed my family, my friends, The detention center in Texas was, school,” Avalos-Chavez said. “I Avalos-Chavez says, in the middle of missed school even though I didn’t nowhere. She didn’t know how many go very much. A ton of family lived days passed. with us and close to us, and I miss all “It was like jail where you don’t see of them. My grandparents and all the daylight,” Avalos-Chavez said. “You relatives in my town add up to about can’t tell how much time is passing 75 relatives in one little area. The danso you don’t know how long you’ve ger and fear was the scariest part, just been there. It’s like a freezer and we thinking that there’s danger around only had pants and a light sweater. the next corner, and that overwhelmWe just had the clothes on our back ing fear of being on your own.” at that point, but a weight was taken For more information regarding refugees and the United States’ immigration policies, see off of my shoulders because at least pages 10 and 11. that place gave us food, shelter and a

“

Q&A

with James Dorsett

Dorsett is the Director of the Office for International Students and Scholars at Michigan State University. Dorsett answered our questions about MSU’s statements regarding President Trump’s executive order that suspended travel between certain countries.

By Maddie Brockmyre Q: Who makes the decision to release a statement?

A: The situation can vary. If there’s a situation that affects a group or subset of international students, like a natural catastrophe, then in some cases I am at liberty to release a statement to the students and scholars affected by that particular calamity. In this particular instance, what happened was the University put together a task force that was headed by my boss, the Dean for International Programs, and their job was to be looking at all sorts of issues that could relate to just this population and also to the other parts of the University. I wrote the letter but it was then vetted by the Communications department and sent out on behalf of the University.

Q: Have you had any problems with students not being able to have access to the States after the travel ban was in effect?

A: Luckily we have not had that many issues. The only issue we’ve had that I am aware of is we had one student that was either from Iran or Iraq that was admitted late to graduate school and was not allowed to come [to the U.S] at first. We also had another student from Sudan that was trying to come back from visiting his family. Of course, both are back now since the executive order was put on hold by the courts.

Q: Do you think it is important for universities to come out with statements on things like this?

A: Yes, I do. I think it’s strongest impact is for the two groups affected, it lets them know their home away from home has puts itself on record saying, “We will do our best to support you.” for the full interview and link to statement, visit our website, bucsblade.com

NEWS 9

SPECIAL FEATURE UNITED STATES

MEXICO

Monclova

BY THE NUMBERS

Mexico City

Her journey lasted three months.

Puebla

Refugee travel paths See the likely route of Avalos-Chavez from Guatemala to the United States

She traveled about 2,200 miles to get to Grand Haven.

GUATEMALA

In 2008, there was an estimated 1.3 million Guatemalan immigrants in the U. S.

Refer to pages 8 and 9 for full story

The rights of refugees

Maddie Brockmyre THE BUCS’ BLADE

Attorney evaluates U.S.’s responsibilities and process for assisting asylum seekers

By Aliyah Austin

The US-instigated Southern Border Plan launched in 2014 after a “surge” of unaccompanied minors. The immigration plan intended to crackdown on Central American migrants and has made it harder to travel through Mexico. However, while that resulted in an initial drop in apprehensions, the number has started to rise. The amount of people apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 was 479,371.

After the Southern Border Plan passed, the number fell to 331,333, however, in FY 2016, the amount rose to 408, 870.

This has caused people to believe that President Trump’s controversial plan to build an “impenetrable physical wall on the southern border” won’t halt immigration, but force people to risk taking new routes through more isolated regions.

Resources along the southwest border are already significant. There were 18,156 Border Patrol agents stationed along the southwest border in FY 2014, and the an-

10 NEWS

nual Border Patrol budget stood at $3.6 billion. Border Patrol also had a wide variety of surveillance technologies at their dispense, including cameras, motion detectors, thermal imaging sensors and helicopters.

In Trump’s inaugural speech, he stated that “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.”

He then asserted that America must protect our borders from the “ravages” of other countries “making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.”

According to the American Immigration Council, there is little evidence to support the proposition that the border must be strengthened to deter immigrants. Treating the current situation as another wave of unauthorized immigration misses the policy and humanitarian concerns driving migration. In fact, many women and children are turning themselves over to Border Patrol agents and aren’t attempting to escape apprehension.

“We have a legal obligation to accept refugees because of treaties we’ve entered into,” Ana Devereaux, Staff Attorney at the Michigan Immigrants Rights Center said.

“As a country that was built on many refugees throughout the generations, historically we’ve believed that individuals have varying situations which create a need for them to

seek asylum here and for us to accept them.

Who’s allowed to come is much more difficult and complex than most people have any idea about and a lot of individuals have this idea that some people are not abiding by the law so they shouldn’t get in or we shouldn’t provide them relief and yet forget that the law is unfair and forget about the humanity of these people. I am personally a Christian and a lot of other faiths as well call on individuals to care for those who are in need and refugees exemplify the greatest need. There’s nowhere in their country that they can get it and so they come here as an alternate to being persecuted.”

The international refugee system, constructed after World War II, has enabled millions of refugees to find safety in other countries. The Refugee Convention was adopted at a special UN conference on July 28, 1951.

The treaty defines who is a refugee, the rights they’re entitled to and the responsibilities of states that grant them asylum. It states that a refugee is someone who has “a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, (or) membership of a particular social group or political opinion,” in their own country. The treaty states that refugees have the right not to be sent back to a country where they face threats to their life or freedom.

At the height of Holocaust, as millions of Jews, homosexuals and others were ex-

terminated, the U.S. remained isolated. The Refugee Convention of 1951 was meant to ensure that the world never again turn refugees over to their executioners. Trump’s labeling of many refugees as “dangerous” has been compared to the way America did in the 1930s and 1940s when Jews were deemed “security threats.”

There are more refugees and displaced persons in the world now than there have been at any time since the Holocaust, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Over 65 million people have fled persecution in search of safety and freedom for themselves and their families.

“The one thing about immigration that people need to have an awareness about is that the system is not equal,” Devereaux said. “It was built, if we’re going to be frank, on a system that, like others in our nation, were built with white supremacy ingrained.

When you look at it now, people kind of take the system for granted, think that it’s good or maybe that something needs to be fixed but don’t examine the fact that it was made to promote a certain way of life, a certain people that isn’t representative of all of the people that wanted to come here and their needs, so when we use the term ‘illegal immigrant,’ for example, it doesn’t really examine the fact that the laws were set up in a way that systematically excludes people who are marginalized, and especially people of color.” www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Travel ban recap What you need to know about Trump’s controversial executive order

By Ysabela Golden

One of the latest in a series of many executive orders, President Donald Trump has suspended the US refugee program for 120 days, and banned entry for any travelers to the United States from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Syria for 90 days.

Syrian refugees have been banned indefinitely and green card holders were barred.

The travel ban is Trump’s delivery on his promise to defend the United States from terrorism. The countries banned are responsible for seven percent of terrorist action on American soil, three of 43 such attacks.

Notably, the countries responsible for the other 93 percent are absent from the list.

Terrorists from Saudi Arabia, for instance, made up the majority of the 9/11 attackers, and are responsible for the deaths of 2,369 Americans. The countries on Trump’s list are collectively responsible for zero American deaths, only injury and damage to property.

In November, Trump (and all likely presidential candidates) filed a financial disclosure

SPECIAL FEATURE

with the Federal Election Commission. In these records, he is listed as the owner and president of two companies in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second largest city.

The other measures of Trump’s executive order include prioritizing refugees who are a religious minority in their country of origin (a policy that would prefer Christians to Muslims in countries endangered by ISIS), and capping the influx of all refugees at 50,000, a significant drop from the 85,000 President Obama accepted in 2016.

The executive order has recently faced potentially fatal court decisions. On Thursday, Feb. 9 a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily suspended all effects of the travel ban, citing that “The Government has pointed to no evidence that any alien from any of the countries named in the Order has perpetrated a terrorist attack in the United States.” Since the court’s decision, President Trump responded, tweeting “SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!” White House policy adviser, Stephen Miller, told Fox News that different options are open for the executive order and the Trump administration is considering to revise the travel ban.

Whether policies like this will protect American soil from future terrorist attacks or merely incite formerly neutral parties into allying with America’s enemies remains

EXECUT

IVE ORD

ER

an, NO: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sud Lybia, Yemen, Somalia

Maddie Brockmyre THE BUCS’ BLADE

YOUR TURN: What are your thoughts on the travel ban?

Evan Yu Freshman Overall, I think we do have a problem because there is a large influx [of refugees] but personally I think it’s wrong because there are families that have been waiting a long time to get into the US. They are living in a warzone so I think it’s messed up that [Trump] just cut them off completely. If you put yourself in their shoes, you would be terrified living in a warzone. www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Paige Essex Sophomore I feel like it can be good, but there are also negatives to it. We don’t know if these people are going to attack us. There are so many what-ifs.

Matt Fahey Junior On the front of the Statue of Liberty it talks about people who are oppressed, who are victimized by their own governments or people that America is a place for those people to come to and be free. I think we should be taking in refugees. It’s easier for a terrorist to just buy a ticket and come over here versus going through being a refugee because it takes roughly two years.

Mason Behm Senior I agree with it because right now we have been having terrorist attacks across the country and shootings and bombings and it’s all been Islamic people, I’m not saying all Muslims are bad but until we figure things out, we can’t have those people be coming over. We also don’t have enough jobs to support more people.

NEWS 11

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The Sanders Family COURTESY PHOTO (ABOVE) FAMILY DANCE: Tonja and Raymond Sanders pose together at a father-daughter and mother-son dance. They’ve been married since 1998 and have two children, Sarah and Matthew.

(LEFT) BIRTHDAY BASH: Sarah, her grandmother Shirley Gray and Sarah’s younger brother Matthew celebrate Gray’s 82nd birthday together at the Sanders household. Gray lives with Sarah and her immediate family, sharing a close bond. Gray’s parents didn’t approve of her ex-husband, who was African-American.

The Sanders Family COURTESY PHOTO

FINDING BIRACIAL BALANCE

Battling against borders of identity, family values reveal that race is not just black and white

M

y family is different. When we go to a restaurant the waitress always asks us if we are paying together. I suppose the puzzled look that our servers often have when bringing out the check makes sense -around the table sits my black dad, my mom who could pass for white, my brother and I who are somewhere in the middle, and my white, blue-eyed grandmother. It can be confusing.

When I was in elementary school all of my classmates always asked me,“Are you adopted?”

I guess I never realized that I don’t look like my parents until I was constantly reminded of it.

However, as the years have gone by, I have learned to accept and love the diversity within my own household.

An individual that is biracial is someone who has a parent or grandparent of a differing racial group. People often claim the label of biracial simply because they may have a Native American or minority great-great-great-grandparent. However, because that person is so far removed from actually being of mixed race, they will never completely understand what it means to be truly biracial.

14 OPINION

The tension within their extended family will not be present and they will never have to face the fact that they don’t completely fit into one specific “race.” Mixed race individuals often have difficulties with their identity. We are forced to answer the question of, “what are you?” Society believes in clear cut boundaries for race when in reality, the line is blurred. Biracial individuals are forced to choose one ethnicity over the other and it feels like choosing one parent over the other. I see this everytime I take a standardized test; I have to ask myself what I’m going to bubble in once I get to the section for “race and ethnicity.”

Filling in “black” feels like rejecting my mother, while filling in “white” would be untrue.

And filling in “other” feels as though I’m confused about my racial identity-- I am in no way confused.

I am proud to be biracial. Growing up, my parents made it a priority to raise me as “biracial” rather than “black.” Knowing fully of “what I am” has helped me to have a healthy view of my identity.

My mother’s story is different.

Despite her father being black, she was forced to identify as white during her childhood. With her

darker complexion and thick curly hair, she didn’t look like the rest of her family and her differences were constantly made clear to her. When she was young, interracial relationships were not tolerated and her family didn’t want to deal with the social consequences that went along with my mother’s racial identity. To them it was my mother’s fault, even though it was out of her control. Her grandparents wanted her to reject her father and be “white” because that was easier for them. They never realized it was painful for her.

Luckily, my parents wanted me to accept every part of myself. My diverse family has impacted my worldview and has allowed me to relate with a wide range of people.

As annoying as it is to constantly be asked about my racial makeup, or receive weird looks from strangers when my family goes out, I wouldn’t change any of it. Its unfortunate that our society still does not accept others for who they are, focusing on the superficial things instead. My family has helped me to learn not to let skin color dictate who I choose to identify with. The amount of melanin I have in my genetic makeup- whether “too much” or “too little”- may define “what” I am but it does not define who I am.

Opinion

SARAH SANDERS

www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Making life mindful

Students ask for help to manage stress and anxiety, GHAPS delivers through a mindfulness initiative taking place in all grades

16-17

Main story Mastering Mindfulness

Into the Magic shop: Book Review Book on mindfulness Stressed out How stress and anxiety impact the sexes differently Apps for the mind Smartphone applications for mindfulness www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

18 Staff Editorial Managing to be mindful Their thoughts Opinions from a student and teacher

19

Mindful classroom Directed study takes time for mindfulness Opinion Improve school improvement INDEPTH 15

Mastering mindfulness

Book proves mindfulness is scientific

By Sarah Sanders When James Doty was 12 years old he was really interested in doing magic tricks. One afternoon he’s riding his bike and he sees this magic shop that he hadn’t been to before.

When he got into the store he met a woman by the name of Ruth.

“I like that I am in control. Whether the trick works or it doesn’t is only up to me.

It doesn’t matter what anyone says, does or thinks.”(Into the Magic Shop) Doty was talking about magic tricks when he said this to Ruth. However, mindfulness fits very well into this description. Sitting in stillness allowed him to be able to control his thought and emotions, and it didn’t matter what anyone else thought or did.

Over the next few weeks after initially meeting, Ruth worked with him on breathing techniques and other ways to quiet his mind. It wasn’t until later that Doty realized the scientific side to what Ruth was

Sarah Jane Chrysler THE BUCS’ BLADE

practicing. As a neurosurgeon he learned about the effects mindful practice has on the brain and heart.

Practicing mindfulness can be uncomfortable. Especially during the school improvement lessons when you’re not sure if the other people around you are also closing their eyes. A lot of the things that you have to do when quieting your mind can be awkward.

If you’re not completely sold on the fact that mindful practice can help you, then this may be a book you should check out.

How stress impacts the sexes differently

Everyone gets overwhelmed and deals with it differently, but girls and guys have most disparity Photos and story by Ben Werkman

Girls

• Report higher stress levels than men • More likely to acknowledge that they’re under stress • More likely to use a multitude of methods for dealing with stress • More likely to say they have reduced stress in the past five years • More likely to report that psychologists have changed their behavior

Guys

• Say they are doing enough to prevent stress • More likely to play sports as a stress reducing method • More likely to report that their stress has had little affect on their physical health • Less willing to do anything about stress • More likely to have high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes

*Information found through the American Psychological Association

16 INDEPTH

Sarah Jane Chrysler THE BUCS’ BLADE MINDFUL MOMENTS: As Spanish teacher Kirsten Montroy presents the school improvement lesson that she wrote, her students are nothing less than interested and engaged. She works to bring ideas of mindful learning and living into the classroom to help her students learn in a more positive way.

Local mental health epidemic has left GHHS searching for ways to help students. School takes on new initiatives to manage stress

By Sarah Jane Chrysler and Ben Ingall In the last five years GHHS has lost at least one student per year to suicide; each one striking the community and helping to uncover the fact that a mental illness epidemic has struck the area. In an attempt to combat this, local schools have asked students what would benefit them, in terms of helping to reduce

stress and Spanish teacher Kirsten Montroy is leading the way.

“Our original thought was to just introduce this topic of being present in one thing at a time and learning how to practice that,” Montroy said. “It started off as destresser ideas. Then somewhere along the way we came

Apps for the mind Teenagers spend a significant amount of time mindlessly scrolling through social media on their smart phones. There are now applications to make that time more meaningful

By Sarah Jane Chrysler

across the concept of mindfulness.”

The school improvement board of which Montroy is a member, stumbled upon the idea of mindfulness after gathering a list of ideas from students, to see what they wanted help with, and how they could help.

“I think something important to remember is [that] mindfulness does not equal yoga, it does not equal meditation,” Montroy said.

“Mindfulness can be practiced by anyone in anyway.”

When thinking of the concept of mindfulness many people imagine a typical yoga pose or someone meditating for hours on end. Practicing mindfulness, is about being aware, not about how flexible you are or how long you can sit still.

Although yoga and stretching seem to be the most trendy ways to focus on mental and

physical well-being, there is more science than ever proving that mindfulness is more than just a trend. Oren Mason M.D. of Attention M.D. often advises his patients to work on practicing a more mindful lifestyle.

“At a center for mindfulness at UCLA they began to investigate it in a real rigorous way,” Mason said. “It turns out that it is very effective across a wide variety of conditions.”

From attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) to just plain old stress, there is now evidence pointing toward the fact that even just being mindful of your actions can help daily mental health.

“This time around it is not just a ‘fad’ but it is actually backed by facts and science,” Mason said. “People are looking at it [mindfulness] as not just as a wave of enthusiasm, but saying ‘this stands up to rigorous study.’”

The positive results of this research has made it a concept that schools are starting to implement into students’ lives. This mindfulness movement has taken hold in Grand Haven, at more than just the high school level.

“The elementaries buildings are working with the kids to teach them how to react, asking how they feel,” GHHS principal Tracy Wilson said. “We want to teach them to avoid those freak-out situations.”

With the events of the last five years, and the loss of high school students to mental illnesses, it has become a bigger priority than ever to take action against these issues. The goal is to stop the problems before they happen.

“We as a district, when we started digging in as a mental health advisory board,

mindfulness kept coming up as a practice,” Wilson said. “A proactive and preventative measure for mental health issues instead of a reactive.”

The goal of these school improvement lessons on the topic are meant to help guide students toward a healthier lifestyle, know where to get help if it is needed and to break down misconceptions about mindfulness being only a spiritual thing.

“The concept of mindfulness is not meditation,” Montroy said. “Mindfulness is learning how to be present in one thing at a time and I’ve been really, really considering it in my everyday life.”

Students are craving stress relief, that is not just limited to GAPS. The district is working harder than ever before to help students and teachers maintain positive mental wellbeing.

App: Calm: Meditation to Relax,

App: Insight Timer - Meditation

Why we like it: This app is at a

Why we like it: This app offers a variety of different meditations from nature to chanting and relaxing music.

Focus & Sleep Better

very beginner level. It is a guided meditation every day, that can be individualized in multiple ways.

App

INDEPTH 17

Managing to be mindful Students feeling overwhelmed by school could be practicing wellness techniques

students there is no telling how many attempts that is.

Students have been asking for ways to help manage the stress that is put on them by the rising core curriculum standards and this idea of mindfulness is what we’ve been presented with.

Now the issue is getting students to take it seriously. As we’re being handed tools to deal with the stress, anxiety and overwhelming pressures high school Mindfulness is a word that has been presents us with, we tend to laugh off thrown around the school for the past lessons and let them go couple of months with in one ear and out the the school improvement other. lessons. It is something There is no straight we’re encouraged to work cut solution for on practicing, but more teachers to make us than anything it seems as listen and use concepts though it is just some time that apply to our own consuming thing that we mental wellbeing so can all manage without.

STAFF it is entirely up to us We’ve made it 16, 17 or Editorial Board whether we do or do even 18 years without it Support 8-0 not. We have to choose right? to listen, take these Actually, this movement lessons seriously and is more than much needed. use the resources we’re given or not to.

At school we’ve been struck by a mental This is our chance though. Our illness epidemic. We’ve seen more suicides chance to develop skills that we can in the last five years than ever in the carry through our entire lives. This is the school’s history, and for every successful opportunity to take something more than suicide there are, on average at least core curriculum away from high school.

10 attempts. In a school of over 1,800

Their thoughts: Mindfulness from the perspective of a student and a teacher

By Sarah Jane Chrysler

Angel Dean, English teacher Each morning, English teacher Angel Dean, focuses all her attention on word that is different every day. Aware of her breath-

18 INEPTH

ing and posture, she thinks through the meaning and application of her word for the day she is about to begin.

“It’s a concept that I have been familiar with for most of my life,” Dean said. “As a kid the church I went to was really alternative, it was kind of a lot of hippies, and we did meditation. We did mindfulness practice, we didn’t call it that then but that’s basically what it is.”

Since she was a teenager, Dean has worked hard to ensure that she is aware of her thoughts and mindfulness has become second nature.

“Peacefulness, humility makes you a stronger, better person,” Dean said. “You can only accomplish that by sitting still, being calm, being quiet, listening to yourself.

Madison Ray, senior As senior Madison Ray sits in class her mind wanders and she begins to think ahead to her next class, what her friends are doing or even simply of what she is having for dinner that night; anything but the class she

is sitting in. Keeping her mind from drifting off into anxiety is the reason she wants to live a mindful life.

“I guess I have to focus on being in the moment, that’s kind of why I got into mindfulness,” Ray said. “Even during tests, I get test anxiety sometimes so it helps to just take a second and calm down and refocus.”

Ray has made an effort to bring practices of mindfulness into her everyday life. In school she works to focus on her breathing and in class she works to stay off of her phone. It has become such a normal, daily practice that her younger sister, Jenna, now joins her.

“My sister and I do stretching at night which is kind of like yoga,” Ray said. “That’s when we kind of try to [practice mindfulness]. that’s just when it is easier for me.” www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Making class mindful Class takes time each week to practice mental wellbeing techniques

By Sarah Sanders Towards the end of last school year teacher and social worker Emily Berry sat in her office going through the feedback she received from students regarding the topics that the student body wanted to hear about.

There was an interest in learning about stress and skills to help cope with it.

“There is such an increase in anxiety, depression and stress that what types of techniques can help with that,” Berry said.

“So that’s what I’m trying to give these students, a couple of other tools that they can try to see if it can help, improve their lifestyle and health.”

This year the school is piloting a mindfulness curriculum. It started with an 18 week program from Mindful Schools in the guided study classrooms. The course took place once a week at the beginning of the hour, each lesson was 10 to 20 minutes long and it focused on a different aspects of mindful practice each week.

“Really, I think the goal that I’m trying to get across with the guided academic students when I’m teaching it, is really giving your mind a break from all of the distractions,” Berry said.

Along with Berry, Heather Pease also taught mindfulness classes. She had one class at the high school and for the rest of the day went to Spring Lake High School, Peach Plains Elementary and Central High School.

“The lessons are very simple because

asking someone to sit quietly and just focus on one thing is not simple, it’s hard,” Pease said. “I love the lessons for mindfulness because they are quite simple so you can feel like you’ve mastered them in a sense.”

Students in the class have been able to take these simple lessons taught in class and apply them to the stress that they confront in their own lives.

“Definitely around exam time I had a lot going on so I would just sit in my room and play some music and just do what [Berry] taught us with my breathing,” freshman Isaac Cook said.

It was hard at first for many students to adjust to sitting in a room without talking and to just focus on their breathing.

“With everybody in the classroom, just close your eyes and just think about if anyone is looking at you- because not everyone feels comfortable enough to close their eyes yet,” Cook said. “Ms. Berry helped because she wasn’t judging.”

Students have begun to see the benefits of mindful practice in dealing with anxiety, and stress from school. About 75% of the 40 high school students from Central high school and Spring Lake high school reported they were able to calm down when they were upset easier after taking the course.

“It’s good for mental health, and it’s good for focus. So really when you’re thinking about school and you’re trying to focus, or [dealing with] testing anxiety it’s really a fabulous practice for that because we all have that to some extent.”

From the data collected in classes the district will then decide who, as far as grade level, could benefit from this course the most.

“I really hope that the district gets to decide and maybe the students have a say in that and that they take it somewhere.”

Sarah Sanders THE BUCS’ BLADE CLASS TIME: Students practice being mindful during their directed study hour. www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE

Improve school improvement

Lessons on mindfulness appreciated but go too in depth Last week’s school improvement lesson The only problem I have with it is that was a follow-up of the previous lesson that the topics are covered a little too in depth. discusses mindfulness. It consists of a 64 Despite the presentation being divided slide presentation along with two videos that into four parts to minimize length, I still are 10 minutes and six minutes. To save time found myself losing focus during the and give students a choice when it comes to lesson. It’s a little ironic that I lost my focus what they want to focus in mindfulness, the considering the whole point was to work on slide show is split up into four sections and staying focused. There was nothing in the teachers are to choose what they want to presentation as a whole that was grabbing cover with the students. This saves time for my attention and I felt myself slipping away both students and teacher so that nobody rather easily during the videos and following has to pay attention to 64 slides. It is one thing slides. to give a few facts and I enjoy that the lesson statistics for support, puts facts behind the but another thing to concept of mindfulness. reveal the whole study.

Instead of a seemingly There is quite a bit of unachievable ideal, information to give mindfulness is a real about mindfulness since solution that is capable it is a relatively new of helping people and is topic being introduced attainable through practice. to the student body, The focus of this lesson but too much is being is to teach how a student given at once. Small can practice mindfulness doses of knowledge is while driving, while eating a more effective way Opinion and while studying in to get across a possibly a typical day, a guided life-changing concept Ben Ingall meditation session, videos such as mindfulness, to show the science in and throwing everything mindfulness, and what mindfulness is and at once onto the table just makes for blank isn’t. These four categories are important stares and over-crowded minds. and vital parts of the average teenager’s Looking past all of that, I still think life, and I think it is an excellent thing that that the lesson last week was powerful. I they are covered in this follow-up lesson on mean that in a way of not instantly making mindfulness. My class chose to watch the every student an expert on what it is to Ted Talk video which was a generic, “What be mindful and tuned in to the world, but is mindfulness?” and how to recognize when as having planted a seed. A seed that will one is not being mindful. The video was hopefully eventually grow in a prospering interesting but it lacked the specificity I was plant of all things good that comes from hoping for in follow-up school improvement students connecting to the world, as long as lesson; to me it seemed as though it belonged we remember to come back and water the in the first lesson. mindfulness seed that has been planted.

INDEPTH 19

2016

GOODBYE

2016 was no one’s favorite year (excepting maybe a few homicidal clowns), but it did do us the favor of leaving behind a pile of interesting media for us to sort through in the new year. So while you’re waiting for 2017’s summer blockbusters to finally arrive, here’s a couple picks you might have missed during The Worst Year Ever to enjoy in the meantime.

LISTEN READ WATCH

By Ysabela Golden

20 ARTS

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

THE OA

STILETTO

THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL

This show is Inception, if IncepA one-eyed twelve-year-old’s quest tion was dialed up to eleven, kidto kill his grandfather. Before you napped by mad scientist with crazy interior-decorating skills, sent to judge, keep in mind that gramps is trying to take his other eye, and a course on interpretive dancing, then hurled face-first into weird is also an all powerful god with side of Michigan suburbia. By far a pretty high body count of his the strangest thing Netflix has ever own. Like any movie made by Laika (see: Coraline, ParaNorman), produced. And Netflix produced Stranger Things. you can expect both surprisingly child-unfriendly murder.

Daniel O’Malley’s equally snarky sequel to The Rook, Stiletto is a political drama in which all the players are inhuman abominations, fighting over who is the more monstrous through a combo of snide passive aggression and straight up murdering each other.

But they’re British, so they’re polite about it.

THE MOANA OST

Show a man Moana, and he’ll have the songs stuck in his head for a week. Give a man the Moana soundtrack, and he’ll have the songs stuck in his head for the rest of his life. And he’ll thank you for it, because those songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and they’re amazing.

Doreen Green is your average university student, except for her tangentially squirrel-related abilities (like super strength and having a tail), the fact that her life is a very snarkily narrated comic book, and how most university students don’t have the immortal devourer of worlds following them on Twitter.

THE ADVENTURE ZONE: TAZ

This podcast documenting the

bizarre adventures of dwarven cleric Merle Highchurch, human warrior Magnus Burnsides, and elven wizard Taako Taaco. It’s three brothers playing D&D with their dad. It’s also made me laugh so hard my brother thought I was choking to death.

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

The angriest and oldest member of the Blue Man Group learns English by watching Star Trek, gives four strangers makeovers, then sets out to destroy the world with the power of friendship.

Sadly for Evil Papa Smurf, a bigger group of friends decide destroying the world is bad, so they evaporate him. I need to know if I hallucinated it or not.

FALLEN LONDON

A darkly humorous mobile choose-your-own-adventure, play and all shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well. All shall be well and all shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well. Shall be well. Shall be well.

Shall be well. Not postponed. Not in the end. Not for long.

THE HAMILTON MIXTAPE

A compilation of songs by popular artists (such as Wiz Khalifa, Sia, and Regina Spektor) that sample or cover tracks from the hit musical Hamilton. If you liked Hamilton, this is a must. If you didn’t like Hamilton… what’s that like for you? Seriously, I’m curious.

www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH Senior Mariah Evans

Visual What brought you to this?

We think it runs in the family, because my grandma would draw a lot. She would do more portraits and my mom does landscapes

By Karianne Turner

Junior Kyle Nagy

Theater Junior Ian Dean

What keeps you drawing?

I want to see the reaction of people, what they think of it, the wow factor.

Who has had an impact on you?

When I took graphic design last year at the careerline tech center. My teacher Sally had a big impact and showed me a lot of graphic design. It was a really fun class.

What’s your favorite thing to draw?

Weird things, usually pencil. I like fine point pens.

What you suggest to people who want to better themselves at art?

I watch videos on how to draw things so I can learn my own way. Practice.

What keeps you performing?

The friendliness and open hearts that everyone has.

Favorite thing?

Just the ability to do something I love.

Why do you enjoy it?

Working behind the scenes and just enjoying the passion around me

Band Band

What keeps you playing?

If it wasn’t for my sister, I don’t think I’d still have an interest as much in it Favorite thing?

I like the feeling of all of us coming together for the same purpose.

Why do you enjoy it?

I like all the different styles of music, but I also just love playing as much as I can.

Freshman Daniel Bremmer

What keeps you singing?

The atmosphere, there are a lot of fun people.

Favorite thing?

The people and just having a good time.Why do you enjoy it?

I made a lot of friends and improved in singing.

Do you plan on continuing this after highschool?

Yes, I got accepted to The Art Institute of Chicago and I’m going for a bachelor’s degree in art and graphic design.

Choir To join the award-winning

WE WANT

YOU!

BUCS’ BLADE STAFF For an application go to room 0205 or email sikkengac@ghaps.org

www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

ARTS 21

Benjamin Rodgers Couresty photo LOVE THE WIN: Julia Fullerton (far left), Geogre Fullerton (middle left) Bob Fullerton (middle right), and Mary Fullerton (far right) celebrate his performance in 2016, earning a spot in the State Honors choir.

“I started choir in 5th grade because it was required, but I really started enjoying it in the 7th grade, when it wasn’t just a required class anymore,” Fullerton said. “I enjoy performing in a choir.”

TALENT BEYOND HIS YEARS Freshman George Fullerton becomes only student to make State Honors Choir from Grand Haven High School

By: Ysabela Golden Laying back on one of the curved couches in the back of the library, I checked and rechecked the email that confirmed the interview time between glances at the door, waiting for someone who looked like they could be a freshman honors choir student to walk through, and starting to regret not having looked up a picture of George Fullerton before arriving.

When I finally looked away, I was surprised to find that not only was the student on the couch directly across from me doing the same back-and-forth that I was, but that he had actually gotten there before I even arrived. After I started asking questions, I was surprised again to discover that I hadn’t known the extent of Fullerton’s accomplishment: it

22 ARTS

wasn’t that he had managed to make the state honors choir in his freshman year, but that he was the only Grand Haven student to make it to the state honors choir at all.

“I know there are other schools with more kids in Honors Choir, and they learn songs in a class together, but I’m the only one in my class here,” Fullerton said. “I really enjoy the songs I’ve been learning for honors choir, and it’s been fun learning them by myself.”

According to his choir teacher, Benjamin Rodgers, Fullerton’s class of one was recently a class of no one at all.

“We did not have any students make it to the state level last year,” Rodgers said. “We have had students in previous years, but last year no one advanced past the regional honors choir.”

Fullerton himself wasn’t expecting his advancement when it happened, though he knew that his chance was better for being a male choir student.

“With my audition, when we recorded, I wasn’t expecting to make it, my voice didn’t feel like it was in a good spot. But I know they need guys more than they need girls.”

And unlike various Grand Haven choirs, the state honors choir actually gets the male singers that they need. Fullerton might be the only student in his sixth hour, but when he goes to meet honors choir members from all over the state, his choir gets a lot more crowded.

“I like being in a choir with a lot of guys,” Fullerton said.

“It’s more 80 guys to 80 girls than a school choir, which is

more 80 girls to 20 guys. It’s nice to be able blend with other guys when we’re singing.”

Though he’s especially enjoying the Honors Choir, Fullerton has appreciated his choir classes for a while now.

“I started choir in 5th grade because it was required, but I really started enjoying it in the 7th grade, when it wasn’t just a required class anymore,” Fullerton said. “I enjoy performing in a choir - I feel a lot more confident when I’m singing on stage.”

On January 21, he had a chance to perform again with the Honors Choir at the Devos Hall in Grand Rapids.

“I really enjoyed the concert; it was much like the Regional Honors Choir. It was fantastic to sing with a large group of singers again, and put weeks of hard memorization work into a full group performance, which went really well.”

For Fullerton, the highlight of the evening was the song City Called Heaven.

“It’s a gospel piece that, while it’s not the most exciting thing to sing in my part, was incredibly meaningful to me and friends of mine, and to sing it with all of the other parts was amazing.”

In the future, he plans on continuing to sing on his stage with his friends.

“Since 7th grade, my teachers - especially Mr. Payton, my 7th grade teacher, and Mr. Rodgers, my teacher now - have encouraged me to stay in choir,” Fullerton said. “And that’s what I’m planning to do.”’ www.bucsblade.com, February 16 , 2017

JULIA DRABCZYK BUCSBLADE

Balance is key: Jack Nicholson hloding a basket of nutricious items, which should be part of your daily intake along with exercise and plenty of water. All of this plus healthy sleeping habits will prepare you for daily struggles and challenges

Healthy diet, healthy mind Maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn’t as hard as you think with these simple tips

B

By Julia Drabczyk

efore the sun even rises the dreadful sound of the alarm goes off. Sophomore Gabby Hentemann slips out of bed to start her day with the most important meal. She fills her body with a source of protein, carbs, and anything she can find that powers her throughout the day. However, this has not been a lifetime habit. By the middle of 8th grade she started to pay attention to what was actually on her plate to improve her running career as well has her overall well being and she has continued with this habit since.

“I went from not feeling good when I woke up in the morning to having too much energy when I go to bed,” Hentemann said. “Now I wake up in the morning and I feel refreshed. In the middle of the day I am not getting sick or tired, and when I go to bed I am ac-

www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

complished.”

It was as simple as adding healthy meats, vegetables, and less package foods into her meals. She admits that workouts were challenging with no motivation and the urge to quit, but with switching to healthier foods it fuels her fire.

As the new year continues and the countdown to spring break arrives the thought of being “bikini ready” slips into mind. Remember, a strict and fast diet that practically starves oneself is not the answer. Local MA licensed professional counselor, Dana Hood believes that balance and basics are two important components to a healthy lifestyle. Balance in the means of not overloading certain components of your life, and basics as in sleep, exercise, and eating.

“For food, always have healthy snacks [ like nuts, cheese, crackers, dried fruit] on hand for when you do become hungry and maybe would choose a candy bar over a healthy snack,” Hood said via email.

According to Hood, it’s important of to be aware of the choices that are made in everyday life. In place of a soda or other sugary drink, carry a water bottle around. Make sure to decrease on the caffeine intake.

Keep in mind to limit package and processed food because most often they contain unwanted sugar and sodium that does not benefit the body.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Jacqueline Destrampe, a 2012 GHHS grad, suggests setting a realistic goal for yourself in a timely manner.

“At the end of the week evaluate your success at achieving your goal and if you didn’t do so well that’s

okay,” Destrampe said via email.

According to Destrampe goals can be as simple or as complex as you make it, so if you do not reach the goal then it may alter to fit the individual needs. Some ways to keep track of your goals is to keep a log or a journal. Another helpful tip is to have a partner that holds you to accountable for showing up for a planned workout.

At first it may be difficult to get into the healthy habits of working out and being mindful of what you put into your body, but after a few weeks that habit is formed. After some time you will recognize the adjustment your body has made, and most likely will feel better physically and mentally.

“By eliminating the diet mentality we can free ourselves from food cravings, battling negative body image and feelings of exhaustion,” Destrampe said.

People often think starving yourself is the solution, but it negatively affects not only your physical health, but also your mental health.

“An important factor is the neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates our appetite, mood and sleep,” Destrampe said.

Our body needs essential vitamins and nutrients and by eating unhealthy foods it does not provide enough for our body. When a person exercises the body also releases chemicals that help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and allows the person to get better sleep.

A healthy plan should include proportions of fruits, vegetable, whole grains, and low fat dairy.

“One positive lifestyle change only produces more

FIVE HEALTHY HABITS 1. Go to bed in a quiet room with your phone flipped over at a reasonable time.

2. Always have a bottle of water with you and limit the caffeine intake. Aim to drink half as much of your body weight in ounces a day.

3. Make the palm of your hand your portion size guide when choosing chicken breast, beef, pork and fish.

4. Be mindful of adding exercise in every day. Even as simple as taking the stairs or parking further back in the parking lot.

5. Meals should be balanced with nutrient rich food and beverages each taken in moderation. down the line,” Destrampe said.

“Going into competitions or even tests, you have so much more confidence because you know that you prepared your body for this. Even if eating cake the night before and instead eating yogurt doesn’t physically affect you, it affects your mind because you have so much more confidence,” Hentemann said.

LIFE 23

All About Albaugh

Albaugh uses her unique spunky attitude to get kids excited about learning

CAITLIN SHAM

ADE PINE BUCS BL

By Anna Ackerman

24 LIFE

The novice high school students sit down with beady eyes and excessive energy. The enthusiasm radiates from a warm hearted and emotional teacher, Dacia Albaugh.

An English 9 teacher, known for her compassion, dedication and her emotional appeal is not one students often forget.

“I just adore her,” freshman Sophia Bates said. “She’s awesome.”

Her capability of having a young spirit is acquired through her students. She is very theatrical and her actions enable her to connect with students. Her energy radiates through the room. She is always smiling, dancing telling jokes and flat out having a good time. One of Albaugh’s strengths is her ability to develop strong and lasting emotional bonds with her students especially those who are struggling with issues that go beyond academics.

It’s Albaugh’s nature to recognize an issue and lend a helping hand.

“My favorite thing about teaching is hands down the connection that I get with the kids” Albaugh said.

Albaugh’s students seem to

share a special connection with her, that not many teachers can achieve.

“She is always there for us.” sophomore Abigail Homan said.

“She would always put us before her. She’s really inviting.”

Albaugh believes that most times when students come to her, it’s important to take off her teacher face.

“I cry too,” Albaugh said. “I have bad days too. When I make myself vulnerable to them and I open that up I think that trust comes naturally.”

Many students in our school face challenges on a daily basis.

“Kids can sniff out a phony,” Albaugh said. “Kids see that you are putting their grade aside and academic focus aside to say are you okay? Is everything alright?”

Communicating with her is different because she really cares about the students. Sometimes it’s not even her own students that want to have a conversation with her.

“I see a lot of kids who are strug gling,” Albaugh said. “They have very difficult home lives and they come from very sad backgrounds www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Q&A

Q: What was your dream occupation?

A: I wanted to work on The Today Show.

Q: How did people describe you in your high school yearbook?

A: I won most gullible my senior year, and I won best smile.

Q: What’s one thing on your bucket list?

A: Once my kids have graduated I want to teach in another country.

Q: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

CAITLIN SHAMPIINE BUCS BLADE A: A bear, because I am proConversing and Connecting: Dacia Albaugh as she’s talking with her freshman students about a funny event that transpired the other dayin the cafeteria. tective of my kids but I love perfect home life, and not everyone different side to school, that’s what I a good nap. and school could either be one more place that adds more sadness to them or it could be a place of reprieve.”

One student in particular has a bond like no other with Albaugh.

Albaugh and sophomore Faith Morey have a particularly strong bond, in part because of their similar personalities.

“I personally think we are both outgoing,” Morey said. “We both really don’t care of other people’s opinions.”

However Albaugh has more life experience.

“She has been through a lot more than I have.” Morey said.

They first met at the beginning of Morey’s eighth grade year.

“I didn’t really have that good of a personal life,” Morey said. “I was struggling a lot and she saw that and she was one of the first teachers that took a handle of it.”

Not everyone comes from a www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

want to do. I just want to make their comes to school ready to learn experience here a memorable one, a or even with a positive attitude. very memorable one.”

She displays to her students that everyday is a new day.

A great connection is hard to achieve but even harder to maintain.

Morey goes to Albaugh for “Students open up to me advice and emotional support. She specifically because has dealt with “I don’t care if I’m up of the content I many challenging here humiliating myself, obstacles. When teach” Albaugh said. confronted with embarrassing myself. If I can bring it to life and make them Much of her thoughts of see a different side to school, English class is self harm after that’s what I want to do.” spent reading and her boyfriend Dacia Albaugh writing personal committed suicide stories, the trust and connection she consulted to Albaugh.

Morey felt comfortable to share almost comes naturally. Her emotional demeanor and emotional these things with Albaugh because personality is one of a kind and of how real she presented herself. could potentially be the reason why “Reading and writing can be her students are capable to develop boring to kids” Albaugh said. “I just think why not present it in such such a strong bond with her.

“I think [talking to her was easy] a passionate way that I don’t care if I’m up here humiliating myself, because of the fact that she like the first time I ever met her she was so embarrassing myself. If I can bring bubbly and so open,” Morey said. it to life and make them see a

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: I like The Office, American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Deadliest Catch, and Seinfeld.

Q: If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

A: I would go back to Austria because that’s where my family is from. My grandpa was born in Austria.

Q: Where did you meet your husband?

A: At a bar, up at CMU. We were set up on a blind date and I already had a boyfriend at the time.

LIFE 25

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www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Leaving as a leader

Senior Zac Holman leads with cool demeanor and selfless actions as his last season with the team is coming to a close

By Chris Hudson

B

eing a leader.

That’s the only role that matters to senior standout guard Zac Holman when he is on the basketball court. He takes on the position by choice in his own proactive nature. No one tells him to be vocal during a game or in the locker room. It is in his own awareness to act in that way- not playing to pad personal stats, but playing to get the team closer to what really matters, a victory.

This season, Holman has the chance to do what few others have done, to repeat as a O.K. Red Conference champion. It is a big goal to accomplish. But, he has never been more hungry to help lead the group to prominence once more.

“This year we all believe a little more and we will get it done,” Holman said.

It hasn’t always been easy from the beginning of this season. There were growing pains and typical adjustments for a new team. Changes that can be awkward to get through. Holman helped make the process easier by forming bonds with new players and getting everyone on the same page. Their chemistry skyrocketed.

“I knew there was going to be a jump- we were not that close at the start,” Holman said. “We have a ton of talent and looking it at it now, we have become really close as a team. We really gelled and figured out a lot of our roles.” www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Julia Drabczyk THE BUCS’ BLADE SMOOTH STROKE: Senior Zac Holman shoots a contested jumpshot against Mona Shores earlier in the year. Holman helped lead the team to victory that game. “I have to put a lot of time in the offseason to work on my shot- to make it faster so that I am able to play at the next level” Holman said.

All the little things that Holman has done this year, being fully invested in the team, has resulted in teammates developing their game more than imaginable. All in all, improving the odds of winning another conference title for the program. Guys like sophomore Bryce Taylor, who is on the varsity team for the first time this year, feels he would not be where he is today without the help from Holman. Vital lessons for Taylor’s future.

“What makes Zac a great player is that he willing to do anything for anyone,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned from him this year to play at the pace of a varsity game and making smarter decisions. He has taught me so much this season.”

JV Assistant Coach Cam Hewitt also perceives Holman as a major component for the growth of this young team. Hewitt, who has known Holman since elementary school, descirbes Holman as calm and confident when he comes to mind..

Two skills that are key to becoming a great basketball player.

“The thing that makes Zac stand out is his incredibly cool and poised demeanor,” Hewitt said. “The guy isn’t shaken up by much. He remains calm under pressure

and is confident in his abilities. This is the greatest skill he possesses. In a losing game, he is inside his mind planning the comeback. In a winning game he is relaxed and focused on continuing to spread the lead.”

Hewitt also remarked on Holman’s ability to adapt easily.

Last season’s starting point guard Drew Hewitt graduated in the spring and was very close to Holman. Yet, the bond that Holman has with starting sophomore point guard Casey Constant looks as if nothing ever changed.

“I loved watching his (Holman’s) and Drew’s chemistry last year,” Cam Hewitt said. “He understands where players are going and how to make the right pass to get the ball there. I was a little nervous that Holman might miss this chemistry and reliability that he had with Drew, but Mr. Casey Constant came in and immediately filled that gap and it’s really like not much else has changed.”

Nevertheless, Holman’s basketball career at Grand Haven is coming to a close at the end of this season. All of his focus is on what happens in the next couple of weeks for the team. Still playing for this

team, not playing to impress a future one.

But, he does plan to play basketball at whatever school he chooses to attend next fall. It has been his biggest apiration ever since he was a little kid, shooting hoops on the blacktop court of Peach Plains elementary.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play a college sport and I can see myself playing college basketball,” Holman said.

“I still haven’t decided where I’m going.

I’m down to my final three in no certain order- Wheaton, Alma or Calvin.”

Family, close friends and especially his team have given him great support to wherever he feels is best for him down the road.

“They have given me a ton of advice, one thing that sticks out is they just say follow your dreams and everything will work out,” Holman said. “Also to make sure to enjoy the process along the way.”

Holman will be missed immensely by the program and the community when that final buzzer comes on his high school career.

The lessons he has taught his teammates in these past few months, will be the ones that live on for years to come.

SPORTS 27

God’s got a plan

By Abigail Holman and Anna Ackerman

Senior Lynn Olthof, plagued by injury, finds a new type of therapy in her final season as a Buccaneer

A

s a little girl shooting baskets in her driveway, Lynn Olthof could not comprehend the impact that basketball would have on her life.

For as long as Olthof remembers she has had never ending days in the gym with her mom.

“I was in the gym when I was little because my mom was the Fruitport middle school coach,” Olthof said. “I was born in March and that was basketball season, I was in the gym all the time. I have always really had a ball in my hand.”

As she grew up, her love for the sport grew with her. Even when Olthof was in fourth grade, varsity basketball coaches showed interest in her, and her sister sophomore Kelly Olthof.

“I started coaching Lynn and Kelly eight years ago,” varsity girls basketball coach Katie Kowalczyk-Fulmer said. “When I am seeing these Olthofs play I’m thinking when Lynn is a senior and Kelly is a sophomore that’s going to be a nice little high low punch.”

As a seventh grader, Lynn still had everything going for her. She excelled in both basketball and softball. On a brisk Friday night right out of the school year, Lynn was pitching in a softball game. As Lynn released the ball she heard a dreaded pop in her shoulder. She continued to pitch the duration of the game, it was a double header so she played shortstop for the next game. After the game she had an X-ray and an MRI and the diagnosis was pronounced dislocated. (Cont. on page 29)

SISTERLY LOVE: Senior Lynn Olthof embraces her younger sister Kelly Olthof gets ready to start in a game earlier in the year. Lynn, has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury in her senior season and has taken up coaching as an alternative.

Maddie Monroe THE BUCS’ BLADE

28 SPORTS

www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Maddie Monroe THE BUCS’ BLADE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR: Senior Lynn Olthof has taken up coaching as way to compensate for her inability to participate in playing. “You can either let the situation define you, or you can define the situation,” Olthof said. Her positive outlook on the situation has driven her passion even further.

(Pg. 28 Cont.)

Unfortunately, her shoulder kept dislocating. So the doctors pursued surgery to add anchors and tighten the capsule to hold the shoulder in place.

Lynn had her first surgery during her eighth grade year. She was able to come back and play her eighth grade season in a brace.

Entering her first year of high school, she had an opportunity to try out for the junior varsity team.

“I was really excited for tryouts,” Olthof said. “but I was completely out of shape, from being out all summer due to rehab.”

Lynn enjoyed a great junior varsity season, and was in line to get pulled up to varsity for districts. Olthof, with the varsity jersey and a spot on the district roster, Kowalczyk-Fulmer informed her of this before her second to last junior varsity game.

“We were at Grandville, I went up to shoot and (my shoulder) got ripped back and it tore again,” Olthof said.

She received a MRI from the doctor who did her first surgery He told her there was nothing wrong and the pain was something she just had to live with.

Later her family took the MRI to a new doctor who looked at it for less than a minute and found a tear in the labrum which seemed to be on both MRI’s. www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

The process was all too familiar. Surgery, rehab, and eventually back on the court.

She felt horrible that she couldn’t finish her junior varsity season with her team and obviously still wanted the opportunity to play in the district tournament. Unable to return for her final games of regular season, Lynn was determined to not let go of the opportunity to be a part of the tournament. Lynn went to visit her therapist who told her that she could play as long as she could withstand the pain.

“There was no doubt in my mind, I was going to do it,” Olthof said. “I ended up getting to play four minutes against Union. I hadn’t had the opportunity to practice with varsity at all, so coach just kind of threw me in there. We then played Mona Shores and I was able to contribute 15 minutes which was a good experience for me. I had surgery two or three weeks after that to repair the torn labrum.”

As a junior, she became one of the key players on the team. They were playing against Rockford, an intense rivalry game, Lynn was all in as she went up for a rebound.

“I was going back up and (my shoulder) was hit down and back,” Olthof said. “It just ripped everything out in the front. All the anchors got ripped out in the front but thankfully the recent labrum repair looked

clear.”

Her shoulder was now more vulnerable than ever.

“I had come out of recovery,” Olthof said. “(The doctor) came to talk to me and my parents and he said we would have me back in six or eight months. In my head I’m thinking back to basketball. I was being recruited by five colleges at the time so I emailed all the colleges letting them know that surgery went well and I was expected to be back for my senior year.”

She went in for her six week checkup to follow up with the doctor.

“I asked when I could get back into the gym to shoot with my left hand.” Olthof said. “(The doctor) goes ‘you’re done’. And I just lost it, basketball is pretty much everything to me.”

She was devastated because basketball was her life and now it was something that was taken from her.

“I was super sad for her, super sad for our team,” Kowalczyk-Fulmer said. “obviously she was one of our best players.”

The whole situation was difficult for everyone. It was hard to comprehend that Olthof would never play in a game again.

“At first I was in shock” Olthof said. “I didn’t really know how to react. All I knew was this was going to change my life as I

knew it. I truly just couldn’t get over the fact that I would never play the game I had dedicated so much time toward again.”

In this time of hardship Lynn learned her way of dealing with the injury was turning to her faith.

“I really turned to the Lord,” Olthof said. “ He has more than ever become the strong hold in my life and now I have been blessed with a ministry.”

The Lord guided her, calming the disbelief, and trying to let it all sink in.

“After the shock kind of sunk in I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with basketball” Olthof said, “At first I just wanted to get away from it because even now every time I walk into the gym it brings back so many memories that I wasn’t ready to face. After a few weeks of kind of hiding from the facts I knew the only place for me was back in the gym and that was where I went.”

After long talks with Kowalczyk-Fulmer, Lynn decided what she was going to do with basketball, she was going to coach.

She began assisting the junior varsity girls team.

For her it was a great opportunity to still contribute to the program even though it was in a different way. She has been able to share her knowledge of basketball through coaching. Lynn also has a great way of making the players want to work hard as well.

“She’s really good at motivating us and pushing us to be better,” junior varsity player Grace Veldhuizen said.

Lynn’s teammates push her daily and motivate her to keep going. She is extremely grateful for her team and she knows that she couldn’t have gone through this if it weren’t for them.

Now that she’s adjusted it is easier to see the positive outlook that changed the situation she was faced with.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Olthof said. “Be grateful for the things you have because you just don’t know when they’re gone.”

Looking back on her struggles Lynn is glad she has turned this negative situation into a positive one.

“You can either let the situation define you or you can define the situation,” Olthof said.

Even though Lynn’s life was turned upside down, she turned it back around with the help of coaching and walking with God. Olthof knows that the situation will not change, so she has learned embrace the things she has done and the things she has gone through and has enjoyed them while they lasted. It is all about trusting in her faith and looking on the positive side of life for Lynn.

“God’s got a plan,” Olthof said. “I think that’s the thing I’ve fallen back to the most.

Finding that plan and if one way doesn’t work out finding the other way.”

SPORTS 29

WINTER SPORTS ROUNDUP

Boys Basketball RECORD THUS FAR..

12-3 (6-2 Conf.)

Girls Basketball RECORD THUS FAR..

10-6 (4-4 Conf.)

Hockey RECORD THUS FAR..

9-10 (7-3 Conf.)

KEY PLAYERS: Senior duo Zac Holman and Ross

KEY PLAYERS: Sophomore Alli Keyser showed out

KEY PLAYERS: Senior Alex Franczek leads the team

QUOTE: “We are overall improving throughout the

QUOTE: “We are a young team and we started off pretty strong and then kind of stumbled,” Senior Andrea Shumaker said. “But we got back together as a team and we’re playing really hard and playing really well together.”

QUOTE: “Season’s going really well,” Franczek said.

WHAT’S NEXT: As March draws near, the Bucs’ look to close out a strong season with an even stronger postseason run. Hoping to finish atop their district with a potential win against powerhouse school Muskegon.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Lady Bucs’ will host Hudsonville this Friday as they wrap up the rest of conference play.

This game serves as a little bit of revenge as they dropped the first contest 43-34.

WHAT’S NEXT: Hop-

Koella are averaging a combined 29.1 PPG, while grabbing 12.6 RPG.

whole year, I think the best is yet to come,” senior Zac Holman said. “Down the stretch we just gotta work hard and hope for the best.”

30 SPORTS

once again, scoring a team high 21 points in a loss against East Kentwood last Tuesday.

in points with 15 goals and 13 assists, placing him third in total points in the conference.

“We’ve been growing and building together as a team, each week, and it’s fun to see the progress and how we’re coming together.”

ing to finish the season strong, the Bucs’ travel to Caledonia and then host Reeths Puffer and Traverse City Central to round out the regular season schedule before playoffs. www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Season Spotlight:

Wrestling RECORD THUS FAR..

10-8 (3-2 Conf.)

KEY PLAYERS: Senior Drake Morley placed first at

Competitive Cheer HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON THUS FAR: “We got our highest round one score a week and a half ago and we’re about 8 points away from beating our school record.” Senior Natalie Mulder said.

the district tournament in the 215 weight class, propelling the Bucs’ to a fourth straight district title.

KEY PLAYERS: Mulder, who has just recently perQUOTE: “We really improved as a team throughout the year,” senior Jared Laughlin said. “We’re doing really well I thought for how young we are and how young we’ll be next year.”

WHAT’S NEXT: As the

WHAT’S NEXT: The girls will be preparing for the upcoming district competition being hosted at Caledonia on Feb. 17. The Bucs’ will attempt to improve their scores and break the school record.

Buccaneers complete the district tournament, their eyes are now focused on the state tournament.

Julia Drabczyk THE BUCS’ BLADE FOUR-PEAT: Wrestling is the highlighted team of the season thus far, winning their fourth straight district title last week Thursday.

Boys Bowling RECORD THUS FAR..

6-1

Girls Bowling RECORD THUS FAR..

fected her back handspring and hopes to apply that to a running tumbling move. She hopes she can add new moves to her repertoire that her team can use this in a routine before the end of the season.

2-6

Boys Swimming RECORD THUS FAR..

2-7 (1-6 Conf.)

KEY PLAYERS: Senior James “Jimmy” Mitchell leads

KEY PLAYERS: The Bucs’ are led by senior Megan

KEY PLAYERS: Junior Grant Ruster has been swim-

QUOTE: “We just have a lot of room to improve,”

QUOTE: “We’re really working well with the other

QUOTE: ““We’ve been grinding all season,” junior

WHAT’S NEXT: As the

WHAT’S NEXT: Batka

WHAT’S NEXT: The bleaching of the hair means that conferences are just around the corner. The boys are hoping to swim well and improve their times next week at East Kentwood.

the way for the Bucs’ throwing a 220 average on house shot and 210 on sport shot.

Mitchell said. “It’s good but there’s a lot of room to improve.”

top bowler at Grand Haven high school, and on of the top bowlers in our region, Mitchell hopes to be competitive at this year’s state tournament coming up in the next few weeks. www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017

Batka, who helped the team claim first place at an invite on Feb. 4.

two new members and trying to get them used to everything,” Batka said. “They’re a little nervous, so we’re kind of still working on their throwing.”

is preparing for the regional tournament and hopes to qualify for the state tournament. As one of the lead bowlers on the team her success is important and inspirational to the success of the team.

ming well all season long, gliding his way to a state cut time in a meet against Spring Lake earlier in the year.

Grant Ruster said. “We’re getting better every day, everyone’s having fun and that’s the good thing about the team: we all have fun together and we all work hard together”

SPORTS 31

Bleached blond

1

As their season comes to a close, swimmers continue the tradition of bleaching their hair before conference meet

Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE

2

Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE (1) SIDE BY SIDE: Two swimmers sit together and bleach their hair.

(2) IN LINE: Junior Brigham Thornock waits in line to get his hair bleached.

(3) SNAP A PIC: Max Curtiss shows off his new hair.

(4) GET SET: Swimmers wait together for their hair to finish bleaching.

(5) SALON STYLE: Senior Sam Hankinson gets his hair bleached along with the rest of the team.

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Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE

4 Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE

5 Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE

Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE

Chris Hudson THE BUCS’ BLADE

32 PHOTOSTORY

(Above) BREAKING BLOND: Volunteers and swimmers’ parents mix bleach chemicals to put in swimmers’ hair.

(Left) CHEER SQUAD: Swimmers cheer on their teammate in freshly bleached hair.

Ben Werkman THE BUCS’ BLADE www.bucsblade.com, February 16, 2017