BUCS' BLADE OCTOBER 20, 2017

the halloween edition

“In the 12 years we have done this we have made some really cool friends and we have gotten to do a lot of things that I would never ever have thought of doing before.”

GRAND HAVEN GHOST HUNTERS p. 10-11

October 20, 2017 Volume 73 Issue 1

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

www.bucsblade.com

staff 73 EDITOR IN CHIEF Maddie Brockmyre

letter from the

NEWS EDITOR Jack Nicholson

EDITOR

SPORTS EDITOR Chris Hudson Jack Reus LIFE EDITOR Caitlin Shampine PHOTO EDITOR Julia Drabczyk Maddie Monroe BUSINESS MANAGER Wyatt Eikenberry Caleb Berko REPORTERS Al Bishop Caitlyn Cooling Jaime Cowman Morgan Dreese Maddie Fogg Nick Garvale Xavi Golden Savannah Hankinson Sophia Jaeger Kelly Klouw Paul Moffett Lauren Morgan Carlos Rappleye Gabe Rutherford Ryan Tongue Lucy Toppen Ashton Voorhees Alexis VanSingel Kiley Williams Ayebah Wilson Sam Woiteshek Morgan Womack

Dear readers, Welcome.

For those of you who are seasoned readers of the Bucs’ Blade, thank you. Thanks for sticking with us. Every year we cycle through a new staff and we have all of these great ambitions but unfortunately, much like your own “new year, new you” pledges, things don’t always go as planned. Thankfully, both myself and some of my fellow returning editors have learned from our mistakes and this year we’ve got a really good group that wants to work hard for you — the readers.

For those of you who have never picked up a print edition of the Blade, also, thank you.

Thanks for letting us share our passion with you for the very first time. We hope you find something you enjoy and decide to continue reading what we put out.

As the year goes on, I want all of our readers to know one simple thing: we write for you. It’s a fundamental that we start teaching our reporters on day one. We are students creating content for other students, as well as for Grand Haven faculty and community members. There’s a reason why we send out polls and get student voices. We want this paper to be about you, about Grand Haven, about those that deserve to be recognized and the topics that need to be talked about.

One of the most frustrating things I come across as editor in chief is the criticism, but not for the reason you think. As much as it blows to be told the paper sucks, it blows even more when I’m not told why. When I’m not given a reason, or a solution, or a suggestion. The Bucs’ Blade’s purpose it to serve the students, so when the students have a problem with the paper, I want to know about it — and hear any ways to fix it.

Obviously we can’t do everything. But I will genuinely listen to what students want to see in the Blade because that is why we write what we write. So please, remember that you have a voice and if you want something to change, tell us. And tell us how. We will always listen.

Enjoy the following spooky stories about the greatest holiday of all time.

Again, thank you for reading.

@bucsblade

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

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

2 INDEX

@bucsblade The Bucs’ Blade Maddie Brockmyre Editor in chief

www.bucsblade.com

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

ON THE COVER

By Caitlin Shampine Local paranormal research group, G.R.A.S.P.P., poses in the Grand Haven cemetery.

Contents

NEWS

p. 3 Clubs p. 4 Briefs p. 5 Poetry

LIFE & ARTS p. 13 DIY Costumes p. 14 Reviews p. 15 Fall fashion

SPORTS

p. 16 Sam’s corner p. 17 Conner Lund p. 18 Family in football p. 19 Sports updates

INDEPTH

p. 8 Ghost Haven p. 9 Staff editorial p. 9 Cultural appropriation p. 10 G.R.A.S.P.P. p. 10 Student ghost tales p. 12 Take or Toss

October 20, 2017, www.bucsblade.com

clubs

the extracurriculars the school has to offer

By Jack Nicholson

Court case day 20, the homicide case gains new evidence that could possibly blow the whole thing wide open. The prosecuting attorney slaps down the manila envelope containing most — if not all of info needed to put the perp in jail, another day for the pros here. “If students like to argue, debate, think at a deep level, mock trial club is for you!” club adviser Jason Duram said. Students compete against other schools.

When: November, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.

Where: Jason Duram’s class, 1105

The goal of DECA is training entrepreneurs and leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality and management within our own community. “Essentially there are 3 components to DECA,” club administrator, Chad Jettner said. “There is a philanthropic component, leadership, helping students develop some of the leadership qualities that can be helpful in business, but in any other facet of their lives.

When: Once a month during Lunch, $20 via check or cash.

Where: Chad Jettner’s room, 0122

While both earth science classes and the geology course offer great insight into the world of minerals and understanding about the earth, this is the next step forward. “I want them to see what the field really is, what the field of geology really is,” club adviser Jason Hunter said. “I don’t think a lot of students have the opportunity to get out… the dunes, the lakeshore, the river, gravel pits. There’s things that we can do around here.”

When: Alternating Fridays, after school.

Where: Jason Hunter’s room. 5213

ALL CLUBS After School Social Art Club Ambassador Club American Sign Language B.A.S.S. Fishing Club Baking Club BOSS Calling All Colors Casual Club Catalina Club Cereal Club

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

Chess Club DoRAK (Do Random asks of Kindness) Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) First Priority First Robotics Grand Haven Prod.

G.R.E.E.N. Club InterAct Club Just a Safe Place

LGBTQ-Straight Alliance Literary Club Model United Nations Political Views Club Power of Peer Support (POPS) Thespians Writing Club Young Democrats Young Life Young Republicans

NEWS 3

briefs

what’s new and what you missed

This week workers finished installing new LED bulbs on the parking lot light towers.

According to Facilities Coordinator Justin Zysk, the LED lights are brighter and more cost efficient.

Further upgrades are scheduled for interior lights.

“Right now is the perfect time to get the best bang for the buck,” Zysk said.

Maddie Fogg THE BUCS’ BLADE

WALK FOR LIFE

by Maddie Monroe

Ryan Tongue THE BUCS’ BLADE HEATED WORK: Students finish up their ceramic pieces outside of their classroom.

CERAMICS FIRE UP The Ceramics 1 class worked outside on Friday, Oct 13 completing the finishing stages of their current sculptures. As directed by their teacher, Sheri Greene, they took their pieces to the flames in a process called firing.

According to Greene, the process is called a reduction firing. This is a method

Do you have a plan?

Applied Week hits high school

4 NEWS

By Ryan Tongue

of adding a gradation effect of light to dark to a ceramic object by a pot of fire.

The smoke will build up within the pot and be absorbed into the art piece.

“We are making small pinch sculptures that are supposed to be like Zen sculptures for a moment of contemplation,” Greene said.

What it is...

Applied Week’s goal is to get seniors to start applying early to colleges, take a look at different post-secondary pathways and have them fill out the FAFSA.

“Love a Buc, Help a Buc Walk” a walk for suicide prevention and awareness will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. In order to help those in the community who continue to struggle with the effects of mental health issues.

“We have three main reasons for the walk, one is to honor the students we have lost, the second is to raise awareness for this issue and to show that we are not turning our backs on it,” junior Natalie Koetsier said. “The third is to support the students who may be currently struggling.”

The walk is completely free, those who Savannah Hankinson THE BUCS’ BLADE go will walk seven laps around the school to honor the seven students lost to suicide. The walk will also be featuring a uniqe speech from Pastor Tim Taylor from Hope Reformed Church.

“I am really excited to see the impact that this walk has,” said Koetsier. “A lot of people struggle with mental health or at least know someone who does so I think an event like this just really brings everyone together and can have a really positive impact.”

Applications from last year reported about more than one fourth of the whole senior student body either applied to a college or got their FAFSA completed during Applied Week

Goals of this week are to allow students the opportunity to work with counselers and college representatives as well as assist them in setting up their collee applications.

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

MORE THAN JUST WORDS Naomi Long Madgett explains her works of poetry to students

By Jack Nicholson “I think people write poetry when they are under extreme emotional pressure,” Award winning African American poet, Naomi Long Madgett said. “And that’s the way to get it out of the system.”

Naomi is currently 94 years old, she provides light on her experiences in life through her lens from the early 30’s up until her recent poetry collection, Connected Islands: New and Selected poems, 2004.

Recently, she has performed about an hour and a half long event that occurred on Oct. 6 in the PAC. She, along with a few others, read her poetry to students and explained her certain reasoning behind the writing.

“I can’t just not write a poem when something inspires me,” Madgett said. “It might be something that someone says or, or something I see on the news, or anything might inspire a poem, but it isn’t necessarily about that.”

Along with reading out loud, a pianist,

after a certain poem, would begin to play the same piece in song version, completed with singing, too. The auditorium was relatively packed during the time and expressions brought upon by others, whether it be small tears falling or wide grins, littered the crowd as Long Madgett and her troupe, put on a show.

“The message she sent was a true representation of what life is all about,” Junior, Wyatt Buckingham said. “The impact she left for me was, experience life as yourself and no one else... she talks of love, pain, and wisdom, her poetry truly portrays her thoughts.

While also reading, she would provide context to the upcominng poem and explain her thought processes while writing the piece.

Often times she would connect her bold experiences to her poetry, depicting the events from the start of her life to the present.

“My poetry did never follow trends… black poetry was all rage and hate-whitey,” Madgett said. “I never went that way and I got criticized by some people because they thought poets — black poets, were supposed to fight the battle through their work. I don’t believe that. No one has the right to tell me what to write about.”

Julia Drabczyk THE BUCS’ BLADE IN THE MOMENT: In the middle of her sentence, Madgett explains her reasoning behind the upcoming poem. Madgett spoke to an audience of roughly 200 students drawn from English classes on Friday, Oct. 6. “I can’t--just not write a poem--when something inspires me,” Madgett said. “It might be something someone says or, or something I see on the news, or anything might inspire a poem but it isn’t necessarily about that.”

EXHIBIT COMING SOON: COURAGE WITHOUT FEAR: THE RED ARROW DIVISION IN WORLD WAR I

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

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

The Snuggle Is Real - Sherpa - Available Now Visit www.gliks.com to find your nearest location

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

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

SAT & SUN 12:00 PM -5:00 PM 200 Washington Ave. tri-citiesmuseum.org 616-842-0700

NEWS 5

Blast to the spooky past

In the spirit of Halloween The Tri Cities Historical Museum holds a haunted museum event along with authentic Victorian decor.

By Maddie Monroe On Saturday, Oct 21, the Tri-Cities Historical Museum will be holding a “Haunted Museum” day. The event is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will have numerous activities for all ages.

“There are a bunch of different things going on, dancers from the Spotlight Dance Academy and they are going to do three different performances,” Education Curator Kevin Geary said. “We have kids activities like arts and crafts and games, and for the last hour the band Prevailing Winds will be playing spooky music.”

Story-time will be available for younger kids, along with two power point presentations about local ghost legends and Victorian Halloween customs.

Those who attend are also welcomed to take a tour of the Victorian house exhibit, which will be decorated for Halloween.

“During the Victorian house tours there will be docents staged in Victorian clothing to discuss the customs of the era, we have decorated the Victorian house with period correct Halloween decorations, they are actual authentic decorations from the Victorian era,” Membership Coordinator, Abbei Monroe said. “It’s a great way to bring the community together and celebrate Victorian Halloween traditions and modern ones.”

6 PHOTOSTORY

DINING ROOM (LEFT ABOVE): Every October the TriCities Historical Museum decorates for Halloween. “We have decorated the Victorian house with period correct Halloween decorations, they are actual artifacts from the Victorian era,” said Membership Coordinator, Abbei Monroe. On Oct 21 the Museum holds a “Haunted Museum” which includes a tour of the Victorian house with an explanation of the different decorations.

LIVING ROOM (ABOVE): Each room in the Victorian house exhibit has a different theme of decor, so each room is unique. “The parlor room has the typical decorations from the time period, the dining room is about seances and spiritualism rituals, and the kitchen is about Halloween parties and customs,” said Education Coordinator Kevin Geary Most of the decorations were actually made during the Victorian time period.

BEDROOM (LEFT): It also includes other artifacts not just decorations. “The Victorians were really passionate about mourning clothes, so the bedroom of the Victorian house includes a lot of examples of those,” said Kevin Geary Curator of Education. Mourning clothes were often worn by the wealthy, who could afford extravagant outfits. They were also to show how a person was feeling, they were black to symbolize spiritual darkness and often made of silk and velvet. www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

the

H A LL O W EE N ED IT IO N p. 8 Haunted Haven: where to go if you want to see something spooky p. 10-11 Grand Haven Ghost Hunters Local group researches paranormal occurrences, builds name for themselves in community

By Maddie Brockmyre p. 12 Take or Toss: Which Halloween candies to treasure and which to trash

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

INDEPTH 7

Hallowed history

The Kirby House Rumor has it that a young girl haunts the restaurant, employees reporting that the phone rings but there is no caller and people hear voices upstairs when they are closing.

Learn about the origins of Halloween’s scary traditions

By Gabe Rutherford

GHOST HAVEN

In the mood for a ghost hunt? Here are some of the places in Grand Haven rumored to be haunted

By Julia Drabczyk

American Legion

disclaimer: please remember to be courteous of the building’s rules and owners’ wishes

The elevator seems to open and close on its own with the power off, unknown noises are heard throughout the upper floor, including vivid footsteps, and other reported experiences have occurred at the

Must Love Dogs According to G.R.A.S.P.P., The owners reported that they hear the sounds of product moving, basement door closing when they are both upstairs and employees feel like they’re being watched when working.

Halloween is a fun day in which you can be anything, have an un-guilty day of eating candy, and decorate to your heart’s desire. For this is the way this tradition has been for decades. But Halloween goes a lot farther than any of that. It’s historically very deep It’s thought that Halloween originated from the Celtic tradition of Samhain, a celebration in which people dressed up to ward off ghosts.

Trick or treating may have stemmed from a medieval term called “souling”. “Souling” was a custom in some parts of the British Isles, which consisted of the poor knocking from door-to-door on the first day of November to trade food for a prayer to the dead. This day was called All Hallows Day . The night beforehand was All Hallow’s Eve, which was later changed to Halloween.

By 1846, many immigrants flooded to America due to a number of environmental reasons, such as famine. These immigrants helped to merge culture, and celebrations together, which was when America was first introduced to the idea of Halloween. People started to dress up in costumes, knocking on doors, and ask for either money or food. At this point, the holiday was centered around heavy subjects like death, and more dark subjects. Towards the late 1800s, religion and more serious undertones were stripped away from the celebration.

It wasn’t until World War 2 that we saw Halloween in the form it’s in today, like trick-or-treating with candy, and zany costumes, as told by LiveScience. com.

All of these small acts slowly formed Halloween into the fun celebration as we see it today. It’s estimated that Americans spend $6 billion per year on the general holiday of Halloween, ranking it as the second most largest commercially successful holiday.

310 Fulton St.

YOUR AD HERE contact us at bucsblade@gmail.com

8 INDEPTH

109 WASHINGTON, GRAND HAVEN 616.607.8944 www.facebook.com/adornkids/

Consignment shop SECOND IMPRESSION www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

Halloween isn’t an excuse: stop stereotyping

By Ayebah Wilson

Many people highly anticipate Halloween, because it is the one time of year you can express yourself unlike any other holiday. Halloween provides an outlet for people to dress up as they please. However many are unaware, or may not even care, about how the costumes play off negative stereotypes of different cultures and people around the world.

Most who celebrate the holiday do not realize its origins. It is widely believed to have originated from Celtic harvest festival of Samhain which celebrated the end of a harvest and was seen as a

time when the boundaries between this world and the spiritual world could more easily be crossed. People would dress up to ward off evil vengeful spirits that were believed to lurk that time of year. The link to the original paranormal beliefs is what lead to dressing up as ghosts, goblins, or other supernatural beings to fit the theme. However, the choices have expanded to people dressing up as celebrities, cops, politicians, and other meaningful figures. Everyday life gets turned upside down and inside out, hierarchies dissolve, the sacred becomes profane. Somehow making people get the impression that you can “be whoever you want” for a day. Although this may be true, it is also something that reinforces cultural appropriation.

Minorities already have to put up with so much every day of their lives (discrimination, hostility, structural violence and exploitation), so it is far from positive to then go out on Halloween and everywhere they turn are people making fun of their culture and using terrible stereotypes. Can you imagine being mexican, and hearing our own president call all mexicans rapists and criminals, and then seeing guys partying in sombreros on Halloween, or being a Muslim and not be able to get on a plane

without being pulled out of the security line, and seeing someone dressed up in a fake turbin as a ‘terrorist’. Or that oh-socommon dressing up as Pocahontas, taking the whitewashed version of a whole group of people that have been victimized and abused in their own land. All of those costumes are playing off stereotypes of minorities, and we know stereotypes have negative impacts. It impacts me and people I know on a daily basis. It’s not just because we’re being “overly sensitive,” it’s because costumes like that are highly offensive and incredibly hurtful.

As we get closer to Halloween, don’t be scared to be creative, but be thoughtful of what kind of costume you are wearing.

Stop and think. might someone be suffering at the hand of your public display of dress-up? Costumes are meant to be fun or scary. Most cases of cultural appropriation is not done with the intent to offend, it really just comes from a lack of ignorance and carelessness. Keep in mind that playing off of someone culture is not an appropriate costume. And when in doubt, just go as something mythical, or representative of your own life and culture, not someone else’s.

COSTUMED CONFIDENCE STAFF EDITORIAL Editorial Board 7-0

Sexy costumes are here to stay -- and we’re for it As we get closer and closer to halloween, so does the inevitable debate regarding women’s costumes, which of course raises the controversial question, when is it too sexy? Or some would say, is it sexy enough?

Halloween is full of fun, creative costumes and decorations. People go all out to have the flashiest outfits and houses. The great thing about halloween is you don’t have to be a youngster to enjoy it. Contrary to popular belief, there are many halloween parties and not just the classic middle school trick or treat fest. We’re talking 18 and up, adult parties. Crazy stuff.

At these parties, one may find a wide variety of decorations, crazy people and of course… sexy costumes. These women and sometimes men, if they’re feeling outgoing, let it all hang out. They don’t hold back and they feed off the attention of the crowd.

After all, isn’t that what halloween is all about, looking the most peculiar and turning the most heads.

Us here on The Bucs Blade are all for sexy costumes, just in the right setting. Our stance is, you do you. If you aren’t afraid to show off your wonderful body then good for you. Being confident about your body image is a great thing and no one should let the fear of not having “the good body” get in the way of your creativity and happiness. www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

However, there are some situations where a skimpy, sexy costume would not be appropriate. For instance, trick or treating with your kid and his/her friends. It is extremely inappropriate to be wearing ill-advised costumes in front of little kids and can be interpreted as very offensive to some people.

A situation where it would be appropriate to express yourself and dress as you please would be with an more mature crowd. A crowd full of your friends Sexy costumes have become all the rage and quite the fashion statement. At the end of the day, it’s unavoidable. People will dress how they want to dress and others will judge them. We here at The Bucs Blade are all for positive body image and freedom of expression, just within certain boundaries.

INDEPTH 9

sensitivie

a person who is especially receptive to paranormal activity

EMF

electormotive force; voltage developed by any source of electrical energy

EVP

electronic voice phenomenon; voices recorded with no physical explanation

paranormal conductor

an element or object that some researchers have theorized increase paranormal activity

B

ill and Connie Jones were sitting on their couch at their first home in Nunica on Halloween night waiting for the neighborhood trick or treaters to arrive, a dramatized paranormal show playing on their television when an idea struck.

They decided to go on a ghost hunt.

12 years later, they’re still hunting for ghouls, travelling around Michigan and investigating the paranormal.

After that first night in the Nunica cemetery in 2005, the Jones and their friend Jay sent in their pictures to a paranormal investigation group asking for their advice. According to Bill Jones, they responded with irritation, telling the novice hunters that they didn’t have anything, they didn’t know what they were doing and they should stop bothering.

“They were right: we didn’t have anything, we didn’t know what we were doing and we didn’t bother them anymore,” Bill Jones said. “But the research part of it got the bug in us, you know, and we started doing more and more, and it got to a point where we were like, you know what, there are other people around here that have questions and if they’re getting the same kind of answers, that’s just not right. So we decided to start the group and we based it on helping people understand what really is going on.”

Together, the three friends founded Gathering Research And Stories of Paranormal Phenomena, or G.R.A.S.P.P., to shed a light on the world of spirits and help others understand their experiences. The group soon grew from three members to five, then 10, and now hovers around 15 to 20 investigators.

Most of G.R.A.S.P.P.’s work is done free of charge, assisting individuals or businesses that call them with a suspected haunting,

“We were in Nunica cemetery and all of our windows were up and the radio was off, and all of a sudden a window rolled down and the radio turned on and was all fuzzy like, no stations could be recognized.”

10 INDEPTH

“

WE WANT EVERYONE’S OPINION. WITHOUT HAVING EVERYBODY’S VIEWPOINT, YOU WILL NEVER FIND THE TRUTH. G.R.A.S.P.P. Co-founder Bill Jones but they also host events like ghost tours in places like Elks Lodge and investigate famously haunted places.

They are currently planning a paranormal convention at the Grand Haven Community Center on June 29 and 30. G.R.A.S.P.P. graciously welcomes those on all sides of the paranormal belief spectrum to attend their events and give them feedback.

“We try to keep a balance,” Bill Jones said. “We investigate on a scientific basis, so we try to keep skeptics and sensitives, believers and nonbelievers around us. We want everyone’s opinion. Without having everybody’s viewpoint, you will never find the truth.”

Despite not being paid for the 30+ hours of personal time invested weekly in G.R.A.S.P.P., the members agree that it’s rewarding work. Whether they stumble across paranormal evidence or can ease a client’s conscience, the ghost hunters find satisfaction in the small things.

“For me I look at it as, they really think something is happening,” Reynolds said. “Whether it really is or it can be explained, they have a fear. In the end, we’re either like, ‘Yeah there’s something here, grandma hasn’t gone,’ or whatever it is, you know, or we’re just like, ‘Okay, you have a really crummy furnace.’ Whatever it is, I look at it as I am helping someone get the relief they need.”

Finding the truth is the main focus of G.R.A.S.P.P.’s work. Unlike television’s overexaggerated ghost-hunters, the team works to debunk as much potential evidence as possible before turning to the explanation of ghosts. Their investigations last around three months with members

STUDENT Emma Veldhuizen SENIOR

conducting in depth interviews with clients, extensive research of the location and its history and hours of sifting through video and audio recordings.

Preliminary research will include hours at the library researching the building or location’s past, learning about the lives of previous owners and events that took place there. Clients will fill out several forms about their experiences and have interviews with G.R.A.S.P.P. members. After that, the group goes to the location and records potential evidence with machines like EMF and EVP detectors, as well as cameras for videos and photos. Then, members take home around four to six hours worth of evidence to sift through and dissect, evaluating the possible reasons for each unusual noise or EMF reading.

In Bill Jones’ experience, he says most “hauntings” or strange occurrences can be explained with logic. It’s when the things that don’t have a logical explanation that the group begins to consider the paranormal.

“If we feel it’s paranormal, we help them to understand what’s going on and they should not fear,” Bill Jones said. “When you have fear, it’s an emotion and the one common factor we find in every haunting is a strong emotional connection, good, bad, otherwise, it don’t matter. Having a strong emotion is the key.”

According to Bill Jones, strong emotions like love or grief are paranormal conductors, as well as things like water, lay lines and certain minerals. Once, at the site of a school bombing in Bath, Michigan, Bill says that he was able to outline the shape of a man above a piece of the old foundation using his EMF detector.

G.R.A.S.P.P. had done research previously and knew there were no physical paranormal conductors -- only the strong emotion that remained at that place.

If someone has a situation in which they believe they might have a haunting, G.R.A.S.P.P. recommends that

“There is a family of ghosts that live in my grandparents house and every time we take a picture in their house, these orbs show up in the photo. The ghost will also move things around in their kitchen and drop pots and pans in the middle of the night.”

October 20, 2017, www.thebucsblade.com

they evaluate all of the possible logical explanations for the event or events, control their emotions and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“Don’t have fear, don’t have anger,” Bill Jones said.

“Acknowledge what you think might be the presence and establish your place in your home. Don’t hide from it. Do not show strong emotion.”

Often times, G.R.A.S.P.P. members say, the spirits hanging around are unaware that they are deceased, and need to be acknowledged before they can rest. Their energy is restless, and the intense emotion can heighten the power of the energy, which is why they recommend staying collected in the situation of a haunting.

Having strong emotions isn’t always a bad thing, though. Evidence editor and reviewer Rocky Frees says that in order to become a skilled and successful ghost hunter, having the interest and motivation to do so is important.

“You have to have passion,” Frees said. “But don’t let your passions get ahead of you. The average person is going to believe what they’re seeing and let their emotions get the best of them. That’s why you have to have control over that.”

After doing this for 12 years, Bill Jones and his fellow G.R.A.S.P.P. members have kept that controlled passion and they know they’ve got a good thing going.

G.R.A.S.P.P. has survived longer than most paranormal research groups and has made a name for itself in the ghostly community.

“We’ve got something that works,” Jones said. “I can’t explain it, but I wouldn’t change any of it. We’re serious about what we do but we have a lot of fun doing it. In the 12 years we have done this we have made some really cool friends and we have gotten to do a lot of things that I would never ever have thought of doing before.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit their facebook page or their website G.R.A.S.P.P. Paranormal Investigations www.graspp.org

38%

of students say they believe in ghosts

Caitlin Shampine THE BUCS’ BLADE SHOWIN’ OFF THE SHIRT (ABOVE): G.R.A.S.P.P. Cofounder Bill Jones proudly totes his t-shirt that reads the organization name and slogan.

HAVEN HUNTERS (LEFT): Rocky Frees, Heather Reynolds, Connie Jones and Bill Jones pose next to an old gravestone in the Grand Haven cemetery.

24%

of students say they have had a paranormal experience

170+

paranormal television shows have been created in the past 10 years

5,660 books are under the “Ghosts & Hauntings” category of Amazon

Caitlin Shampine THE BUCS’ BLADE

GHOST Jenna Ray SOPHOMORE

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

STORIES

“I'm 99.99% sure my house is haunted because all the time I will see a shadowy figure walk across the hallway from my mom's room to my brothers room. Also there is a lot of random noises that happen that no Morgan Gundy SENIOR one can explain.”

INDEPTH 11

TAKE OR TOSS: Halloween Candy Know which candy is worth your time and which you should dump to the trash with our guide to the value of sweet, spooky treats.

By Maddie Brockmyre

1

2

3

5

4

1 Lemonhead

2 Skittle Pack

3 Super Bubble

4 Dum-dums

5 Reese’s

TOSS: Trade immediately, these are good for the first two seconds but things quickly turn...sour. And not in the good way. Trick your little sibling into trading you five Lemonheads for one Hershey’s mini bar. They’re fools -- a Hershey’s mini bar is obviously worth at least seven Lemonheads.

TAKE: Duh. You’re getting more candy-per-package than other dyed round candies like Sweetarts or Sprees, plus Skittles have flavor options like original, tropical and sour. They’re also good bargaining chips for some chocolate-based sweets like Twix or Snickers when you’re in the mood for those.

TAKE: Cheap bubble gums aren’t considered winners or losers. They lose flavor faster than seniors lose motivation, but it’s worth it for the insane bubbles you can blow when you shove three pieces in your mouth.

TOSS: If you happen to get some in your bag, don’t worry. While they aren’t great for the post-Halloween “Let’s see how much candy I can eat without dying” festival, they’re good for stashing in your car, forgetting about them and discovering months later when you’re desperate for some pure sugar.

TAKE AND GUARD WITH YOUR LIFE: Reese’s are the supreme candy to begin with, but the holiday shaped Reese’s are to. Die. For. The peanut butter-to-chocolate ratio in the holiday sweets is measured to perfection, earning the title of the Holy Grail of Halloween Candy.

12 INDEPTH

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

CRAFTY

COSTUMES

Costumes are a staple of Halloween, but sometimes they are too expensive for a one night wear. Here are some DIY ideas straight from the thrift shop, so you won’t break the bank on your night of fright.

By Gabe Rutherford

Rosie the Riveter

Show your strength dressed as this vintage icon.

Goodwill: Red bandanna ($2) Denim button-up ($5) Blue jeans ($5) Black/ Brown boots ($7)

Caitlin Shampine THE BUCS’ BLADE

Greaser

Bring out your inner Danny Zuko with these Grease-esque duds.

Goodwill: Leather jacket ($5-7) Blue pair of jeans ($5) White T-shirt ($3) Black belt ($3) Walgreens/Meijer: Hair gel ($5) Comb ($1)

1

Cactus

Anybody can look sharp and veg out in this easy-to-make ensemble.

Maddie Monroe THE BUCS’ BLADE

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

2

Goodwill/Meijer: Green shirt ($3) White pipe cleaners ($2)

3 Step 1. Bend pipe cleaners in half, and cut to the length of your liking.

Step 2. Hot glue gun the pipe cleaners on the shirt. Put as many or as little as you need.

Step 3. Enjoy your night!

LIFE 13

reviews what to binge on this month

NETFLIX

STRANGER THINGS DIVES DEEPER INTO THE UPSIDE DOWN

By Jaime Cowman

Crisp fall weather calls for apple cider, pumpkin scented candles and of course, binge watching TV until your eyes are heavy.

If this scene sounds familiar, and you’re currently searching for a new show to get into while avoiding homework, then consider Netflix original series Stranger Things.

Through humor, lovable characters, action and the occasional jump scare, it doesn’t take long to get addicted to Stranger Things.

There’s good news for new and old Stranger Things lovers alike. On Oct. 27 of this year,

Netflix will release its second season.

After premiering last July, the show took the internet by storm. Viewers loved the perfect mix of science fiction, drama and horror; and not to mention the catchy theme music and aesthetically pleasing opening screen.

The plot in short includes an alien-like creature named the demogorgon that escapes its holding cell and is out to capture and kill people in a small Indiana town. One character, a young boy named Will Byers is claimed as the monster’s first victim.

Throughout the eight thrilling episodes, the

boy’s best friends, parents, and a mysterious girl named “Eleven”, who seems to have some connection to the monster, work to solve the mystery of wherever Will disappeared to.

I got into Stranger Things around this time last year, mostly because I wanted to be able to relate to the tweets about it that were overflowing my timeline. I can promise it doesn’t disappoint. The show had me laughing at the characters, on the edge of my seat with anticipation, and wishing for the next season as soon as I shut off the final episode.

The creators and cast haven’t spoiled too much, but it is expected that the second season will start from where season one left off.

The show gave fans a sneak peak by posting a series of movie posters that resembled old horror movies, hinting that the new season would be as exciting and scary as the last. “It only gets stranger,” they announced on their social media platforms. The characters will continue to pursue the demogorgon to get justice for its victims and the city. Cast members have hinted that the second season will be more horror based than the last, perfect for a Halloween based Netflix marathon.

Clowns certainly made their presence known in 2016, and thanks to director, Andrés Muschietti, they’re making a comeback again this fall. The movie “IT” hit the theaters on September 8, and it has been terrifying audiences ever since. The film is a remake of the 1990 movie based on the novel

by Stephen king. It’s a truly spine-tingling tale, with elements of a darker, deeper meaning teased throughout.

Based on the trailers, I thought that this was going to be one of those horror movies that leaves you traumatized for weeks after.

But surprisingly, this was the opposite. Now don’t get me wrong, watching a murderous clown run around and eat children didn’t exactly leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, however I can confidently say that I’m still able to walk into my basement with little to no fear of what’s lurking around the

corner.

Between the razor-sharp teeth, erratic movements, and the eerie sound of its voice, I can guarantee that Pennywise is one of the most spine-tingling predators to date, but terms of a horror movie, this film isn’t the scariest or even the goriest, and I’m someone who gets scared fairly easily. So if you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for something to make you practically leap out of your seat, this probably isn’t the one for you. However, if you’re looking for an eerie, suspenseful, and unique scary movie experience, then I’d highly recommend this one.

Between the simplicity of the plot, and the intensity of every moment, I can sincerely say that this was definitely one of my favorite movies in 2017. I also love that this flick is perfect for even those who haven’t read the book. It’s important for films, es-

pecially those based off of a book, have the ability to entertain not only the readers, but to reach all audiences.

In addition to the overall scare-factor of the film, the flick goes above and beyond the typical standards of its’ genre to highlight a more important meaning. The show promotes the idea that our fears have power over us only if we allow them to. Finding the courage to face those fears is the only way to ensure that they don’t control our lives.

It isn’t often that films of this genre are able to incorporate such a lesson, in fact, in most cases, movies focus on the gore so much that they lose sight of the true integrity of the story.

So butter up that popcorn and strap in tight, because this cutting-edge film brings a whole new meaning to the classic horror movie. So is “IT” worth it? I’d say definitely.

IN THEATERS

‘IT’ is worth it

By Caitlyn Cooling 14 LIFE

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

fashion fresh favorites for this fall

By Julia Drabczyk

HOOP EARINGS: Simple yet noticable. It is a popular trend that you will most likely see students wearing them around school. Hoops can go with any outfit. Whether that’s wearing smaller ones for a school day or bigger for a night out.

Best place to buy : Claire’s Price : $2-6

PLATFORM SHOES: Heels may be a little overkill for a casual day, but getting high wedged sneakers or sandals is an easy way to add some height and style.

Best place to buy : Urban Outfitters Price : $50

MIDI DRESS: Instead of short and flowy style, people are looking for a little longer length. Some of these can be loose or slim fit. Lengths can be just above knee length or below the knee.

Best place to buy: Urban Outfitters Price : $40 - 50

T-SHIRT DRESS: Long and slim fitting is a new trend going around. Nothing is better than being comfy yet modern.

These t-shirt dresses can be paired with leggings or loose fitting pants.

Best place to buy : Free People Price : $30

EMBROIDER: Many have recently become more creative by making their style their own. Embrodiering is a simple way to do this. Clothing can be store-bought or self-designed with just a simple lesson on how to embroider.

Best place to buy : Goodwill Price : $5 - 10

www.bucsblade.com, October 20 2017

FASHION 15

PARDON MY TAKE

“We don’t really take days off. We’re just a team that isn’t afraid to get scrappy.”

Sophomore Joe Costello

Sam Woiteshek Before I begin, let me just say that I credit this column to my brain. My brain allows me to write this column fluently and smoothly, not misspelling words or using an incorrect one.

No, my brain is the reason you are reading this.

The brain is one of the utmost, important organs in our body. It allows us to react to things, feel emotions and objects, obtain memories and it allows to think. These days it is common for brains to be damaged and eventually wasted. Why? Football.

I probably just ruined your weekend by telling you that the majority of your favorite team’s players probably have had at least 2 concussions and are still suffering from concussion symptoms.

The NFL has been sweeping these concussions under the rug. Most notably, the NFL has unconcerned themselves with the brain disease called “chronic traumatic encephalopathy”(CTE). CTE occurs when the brain experiences a trauma that is caused by concussions or severe hits to the head.

In a recent study by Boston University researcher Ann McKee, 110 out of 111 brains of former NFL players, were found with CTE… Staggering.

CTE affects the brain in many ways such as impaired judgement, dementia, aggression and depression. But the biggest impact CTE has had on the NFL is one that cannot be predicted.

Death.

CTE has been noted as the catalyst for the suicides of linebacker Junior Seau, wide receiver Andre Waters and most recently tight end/ murderer Aaron Hernandez.

Wait, murderer? Perhaps the impacts of CTE go beyond suicide, which is hard to do.

That’s not the worst part.

The league and the fans are so ignorant that all they care about is if the players generate money for them, or how their fantasy teams perform.

Take Jim McMahon, former Super Bowlwinning Chicago Bears quarterback. According to Newsday, the CTE-diagnosed player “couldn’t remember where he was”, and he “had to carry around his girlfriend’s cell phone number in case he forgot”, and also “he’d plan to go to the store, but then a half an hour later he’d be home wondering why he wanted to go out.”

The scariest part was that McMahon “stayed in bed for several days at a time because he couldn’t get out of it.”

It’s easy to point at our favorite NFL players that we idolize, but the real impact CTE and concussions have had is on our youth.

We start children out with Pop Warner football and think nothing of it. They’re just kids right? Let them have fun. Then they go to middle school and hits get harder as testosterone increases. Then to high school, where football is life. Each day of the year you’re lifting weights, practicing, and playing. Hit after hit.

I tend to think there are more important things than sports in life, and I certainly don’t think a sport is worth dying for. If we as a society don’t want to be rattled by suicides and concussions then we have do something about it, We have to take our kids out of football, we have to encourage ejections for helmet-tohelmet hits like college football does and we have to create new technologies for these consequential hits to the head. Primarily we have to realize the disease and not ignore it.

The sport of football is a great game and I am hooked on the it.

But the dangerous, life-threatening impacts of CTE aren’t fantasy. They’re reality.

16 SPORTS

Savannah Hankinson

Savannah Hankinson THE BUCS’ BLADE

HARD HITTING (ABOVE): Buccaneer linemen making their blocks. The line has been one key component in the team’s 8-0 start.

TOGETHER AS ONE (LEFT): The boys join each other on sideline for the national anthem. “We’re almost like one person,” sophomore Adam Strom said. “All the different personalities come into one.”

SAILING TO SUCCESS JV Football turns hard work into a memorable season

By Ashton Voorhees The team brims with leaders and playmakers. The hours spent in the sweltering summer sun have materialized on the scoreboard. The football team is 6-0, a perfect, unblemished season.

The student section isn’t roaring and the crowd is limited to family and close friends. That doesn’t phase them, they chip away at their goals no matter who is watching. They are the JV team.

“So far the season has been pretty good,” fullback and defensive end Connor Worthington said. “We’re pretty upbeat.”

This team didn’t storm to victory straight out of the gates. Their labor took time and growing pains during their freshman season before it could manifest into wins.

“As freshmen, we lost our first game because we switched to a new offense,” quarterback Adam Strom said. “Since we had a new coach we had a whole different way of playing, and we weren’t really prepared for our first game. When we were back at Lakeshore we had two teams, so we didn’t really know how good we could be. But since we combined teams we realized we have a lot of potential, and that makes us focus more in the offseason.”

That offseason brought a certain hunger to the group.

This hunger was where the building blocks for their JV season were laid.

“Much of their success can be attributed to the work players put in during the offseason,” coach Steve Oele said.

“Many players put in many hours in the weight room and it

has paid off for us on Thursday nights. Numerous players have stepped up and played new positions from last year.”

The team had six wins a year ago, one loss and two ties as a freshmen team. This formed their goal: wipe the losses and ties clean of their record next season. The group strived to achieve their goal, working painstakingly at it together.

“We don’t really take days off,” running back Joe Costello said. “We’re just a team that isn’t afraid to get scrappy.”

The group is not the biggest group physically and not the most talented group. Their hard work is paired with unity, and togetherness to achieve success.

“We have a pretty small team with a lot of different personalities on it, but when we get together in a game, we’re almost like one person,” Strom said. “All of the different personalities come into one.”

To get all players moving in the same direction requires strong leadership. This team is full of esteemed leaders.

“There’s a lot of leaders on our team, a lot of people step up,” Worthington said. “Everyone respects them.”

The ability to get behind one goal and fight for it together is what makes them a strong force. When all of the team’s personalities gel with each other, it makes the outcome on the field positive.

“One of our greatest strengths as a JV team is that we do in fact buy into the team concept,” Oele said. “I am proud of them that all of their hard work in the offseason and preseason has resulted in a successful season so far.”

The team’s togetherness on and off the field helps them overcome their disadvantages, making the on-field product much more special.

“We’re a family,” Worthington said. “We work together, we don’t give up on each other, we support each other, just like a family. We spend so much time together, so we’re just one big football family.” www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

Morgan Dreese THE BUCS’ BLADE SHAKE AND BAKE: Senior Conner Lund carves through the midfield during a major conference match against Rockford in the last home game of the regular season for the Bucs. “When I pass Conner the ball, I know he’s going to do something special with it,” senior teammate Tavin Ardell said.

“Conner is the type of forward to always help on defense, to constantly pressure all over the field, to score goals and he does it because he’s just that good,” senior Tavin Ardell said.

Professor finesser

With mastered soccer skills, senior Conner Lund sparks team for postseason

By Chris Hudson

L

ethal.

This may be the best way to describe the so-called “Professor Finesser” working in his lab, which is inundated with rubber pellets and artificial grass, marked with painted lines and extends for 110 yards in length, giving him plenty of space to complete his next experiment at the cost of his opponent, sparking a positive reaction all around.

No, this isn’t rocket science. It’s simply senior Conner Lund playing soccer on the pitch, living up to the nickname “Professor Finesser” that the student section gave to him earlier in the season.

“I’m pretty sure Owen Jennings, the [student section] leader, came up with the nickname and it stuck,” Lund said. “I’ve always liked to finesse defenders and now it seems like I’ve been deemed a professor of the finessing, a title I will always cherish.”

How Lund has perfected this special skill to slice past the back lines of opposing teams and dice up opposing goalkeepers is fairly elementary and basic, balance.

“I always try to stay upright and on the ball,” Lund said.

This strategy has been a major success this www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

year, as Lund has totaled a staggering 20 goals, which is seventh all time in a single season, many coming from his refined fundamentals and stability, something that coaches throughout the sport rarely see.

“I’m continually in awe of his ability to accelerate, change direction, and ball handling,” Head coach Aaron Dean said. “He moves like no one I’ve ever coached before.”

Lund’s one-of-a-kind play has been extremely beneficial to his teammates, simplifying the game and creating more opportunities for the Bucs to score another goal.

“He gives [our team] a very dynamic and explosive play maker,” Dean said. “It allows the rest of the team to focus on what they do best and we’re not searching for goals from anywhere. We all feed off that energy.”

Not only does Lund bring fresh energy, he also adds relentless play that can be crucial in order to pull out another win.

“At halftime in Forest Hills Central the score was 1-1,” senior teammate Tavin Ardell said.

“Conner comes out of the half and scores two goals right away. He scored another two goals against Portage Central [No. 2 team in the state] and he continues to dominate and beat down other teams defenses.”

His electrifying athleticism is only one piece of many that Lund brings to the table in hopes to motivate the squad toward a victory.

One of them is being able to light up their emotions.

“I try to only have positive thoughts and words for my teammates,” Lund said. “Adding in lots of clapping and motivational words and hopefully I can get that momen-

tum to swing.”

Leading the team with explosive play and an encouraging mentality, Lund is able to bring everyone together and perform as one whole unit, seamlessly.

“My teammates and I have had a lot of fun this season because we have such good chemistry between us,” Lund said. “To keep our solid play going all we need to do is stay focused and play to the potential that we know our team has.”

Lund has received a tremendous amount of respect from his coaches, which can go a long way for the team in the future.

“Anytime you can get a combination of talent and leadership it’s a benefit for your program,” Dean said. “He’s someone the other players can respect because of his talent but look up to because of how he carries himself on and off the field.”

Lund always stays honed in on what’s best for the team and will risk everything to accomplish such.

“Scoring goals and helping the team in anyway possible is my main focus,” Lund said. “I work hard every chance I get and I think that our guys see that and have been responding well to it.”

The “Professor Finesser” continues to give the sport his all, yet he can’t predict how this season will conclude. He and his teammates can only pray that it goes their way throughout the playoffs.

“So far this season the shots have been going in the net and all I can hope for now is that it continues throughout the rest of the year,” Lund said.

“I think the amount Conner has improved each year shows just how committed he is to practice and effort it takes to be a player of his ability,” Dean said.

“Putting in goals helps gain respect but I’ve always known I had the respect of my mates because I have always respected each one of them,” Lund said.

SPORTS 17

UNBREAKABLE BOND

Savannah Hankinson THE BUCS’ BLADE TALK IT OUT: Head coach Joe Nelson and son Adam Nelson get on the same page during a home game. “[Coach Nelson’s] not afraid to tell me what’s on his mind, what I’m doing wrong or pick me apart,” senior Adam Nelson said. Having this strong relationship between them has been influential for both during this season.

Senior quarterback Adam Nelson and Head coach Joe Nelson are connected by more than just a sport

By Jack Reus There are not many relationships in sports as strong as a bond between a quarterback and his head coach. Typically, the quarterback is the head coaches right hand man going into battle, attacking every challenge together while maintaining trust for one another.

This relationship is even stronger on the Grand Haven varsity football team this year. Head coach Joe Nelson is in his first season and his starting quarterback, senior Adam Nelson, is his own son.

“It’s just awesome having him out there,” coach Nelson said. “Just having him around is a huge deal for me. Having Adam around is something I have always looked forward to, ever since he was little.”

Adam and his father are as close as can be. A common theme that came up while interviewing Adam, coach Nelson and Kristin Nelson was that the two of them are so strikingly alike. Not just in appearance, but in mentality.

“The way we approach problems and things is very similar,” coach Nelson said.

The two have many inside jokes and simply love being around each other.

“At home, it’s so funny they are so alike,” Kristin said. “They truly enjoy one another’s company and the rest of us in the house laugh at them because they are the same person.”

Kristin and coach Nelson met each other at age 18. Adam will be 18 in about a month and is a spinning image of his father according to Kristin.

They have many of the same mannerisms and share the same passions.

A common love is obviously football, but the most important goal in these two individuals life is being the best person they can be, doing whatever it takes to get there.

“I hope that being kind as much as possible would be being the best person I could be,” Adam said.

18 SPORTS

Adam understands the leadership and responsibility that goes into being the starting quarterback and makes it a priority to be a positive role model for the youth.

“When we go to Rosy Mound to read to [the kids], they have no idea how the season is going,” Adam said. “The way the kids look at me is worth being the QB is on an 0-7 team.”

For these two, winning is not necessarily the most important thing.

Though winning is most definitely a goal for both of them, teaching life lessons is more significant in the end.

“We wanna make sure that we’re producing men of character and teaching kids how to persevere through adversity and all that,” coach Nelson said. “That’s why we do what we do.”

Despite the team’s struggles this season having not won a game yet, Adam and coach Nelson’s bond is stronger than ever and continues to grow as the season comes to a close.

“We are going through this together and [coach Nelson] keep on talking about what we could do to change it,” Adam said. “Being together everyday after school just made our relationship better.”

In life, some quit when life throws them a curveball but to the Nelson’s, perseverance is key in times of adversity and coach Nelson has no plans of leaving the program.

“I’m not retiring anytime soon,” coach Nelson said. “I love teaching, I love coaching. I don’t think ones as much fun without the other and I’m lucky I love my job. It’s busy, It’s crazy but it’s like my hobby is my job. I just wanna make sure that these kids are treated right.”

Having his dad as the head coach makes Adam much more comfortable and gives him a sense of assurance.

“Now we have a guy who is not leaving anytime soon, who can put in his philosophy and let it stick for the kids who are on the rise,” Adam said.

“I’m just proud to say that guy is my dad.”

For some kids, it would have been seen as a burden to be coached by a family member, yet for Adam, that is not the case.

“The best part [about having his dad be head coach] is being able to talk to him about everything and growing the relationship even more when I didn’t think it was possible because we were already so close,” Adam said.

All in all, these two individuals have been through the thick and thin but will always have each others back. They make each other better.

“We know that we can trust each other,” Adam said. “It’s just a good thing to have.”

Even after a rough first year, Nelson is in it for the long haul The trust factor is crucial for an athlete and his/her coach.

For the Grand Haven football program, there has been a definite lack of trust between head coaches and athletes due to the multiple coaching changes.

With this crazy, mixed up coaching carousel that has occurred, it really damages the guys self confidence.

“Every single year we would learn something new then forget about it,” coach Nelson said. “The other teams we play against, it’s like they’ve had this system since they were young and sometimes I forget that those other teams don’t need to learn something new.”

On top of the many coaching adjustments, overall football numbers are down. Many athletes are abandoning the football program. So much so that there wasn’t even enough guys out there to assemble a junior varsity team last year.

“They’ve been dealt a poor hand that was out of their control,” coach Nelson said. “I’m their fourth head coach, that’s a hard thing for them as far as that you try to communicate and teach loyalty and high expectations and follow through and never have that example.”

Fortunately now the Bucs have someone at the helm who has no plans of leaving the program and he has made it clear his mission is to put the kids in the best possible conditions he can.

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

Boys Cross Country Record: Tied for 1st in the O-K Red Conference Key Players: Senior Jack Nicholson, who recently set the school record with a time of 15:30, freshman Cole Rowden, who has posted impressive times and junior Andrew Ireland, the second top runner behind Nicholson.

They Said It: “We’ve had a great season,” Ireland said. “We have a strong team. All of our top seven [runners] are under 18 minutes.”

What’s Next: The team competes in the MHSAA Regional on Saturday Oct. 28.

Boys Water Polo Record: 23-8

They Said It: “We’ve been playing pretty well,” junior Jackson Hamn said.

“I think we’re going to do well in the postseason.”

Key Players: Senior Mason Fritz, the focal point of the offense and scoring leader; senior Grant Ruster, the squad’s fastest Hamm wimWhat’s Next: The mer and a vital cog in the defense; team travels to West senior goalie Matt Ottawa High School Beals, one of the for the O-K Red best goalies in the District championstate. ship on Saturday Oct. 21.

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP Boys Soccer Record: 12-3-2 Key Players: Senior Conner Lund, one of the top players in the O-K Red consistently creates scoring opportunities from his forward position. Senior Tavin Ardell,an experienced, hard-working component in the midfield and junior Jack DeKlyen, who assists the rest of the midfield with his outstanding defense and prolonged stamina.

They Said It: “We’ve been doing alright, we’ve could’ve been better,” senior Trent Perkins said. “We really came together as a team. We’re really excited for districts. I think we have a good chance to make it far.”

Record: Regional Champions, finished 4th in state competition on Oct. 14.

Paige Beland and senior Cassidy Ryder, both of whom are very solid riders.

They Said Key It: “We’ve Riders: been Junior doing reAshlynne ally good,” McKee, sophomore whose Wolff Alexa Wolff horse was a said.

“We dominate baby last year but the class and we now has improved usually place first, so that it’s wellsecond, third, and rounded in all areas sometimes fourth.” and sophomore www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017

Key Players: Junior Gabby Hentemann, the best runner and second-best in the O-K Red, senior Emily Mattson, who is the second-best runner of the group and junior Abby Buitenhuis, a key leader for the team.

What’s Next: The squad ventures to Allendale for MHSAA Regionals on Saturday Oct. 28, where the varsity seven will compete.

Boys Tennis They Said It: “We’ve been really united as a team this year, more so than Key Players: other years,” Sexton Sophomore Noah said. “Spencer, Riley Bachmann, who and I qualihave fied been for playing states toas an gether indisince vidual, sixth senior Sexton grade.”

Spencer Sortman, senior Riley Wilton and se- What’s Next: The nior Nathan Sexton, tennis season is over for the Buccaneers, who all consistently except for Bachwin their respective mann, who will go flights in tournaonto to State comments with strong petition alone. play.Record: 3-3 on the season

Football Record: 0-8, 0-6 in the O-K Red Key Players: Senior Adam Nelson, who works hard each day, senior Malic Love, who is fast and agile and senior Charlie Young who runs hard are vital for the Bucs.

They Said It: “We’ve been doing pretty decent,” senior Charlie Brown said. “We push each other everyday in practice.”

Girls Golf

Record: 4th in the O-K Red Conference

They Said It: “We’ve been off to a slow start so far,” Mattson said. “This is an exciting time of the year where people drop times.”

What’s Next: The regular season is over, but districts began Tuesday at Fruitport.

Last year the Bucs advanced to the district finals before falling to Grand Rapids Union 3-2.

Perkins

Brown

Equestrian

By Sam Woiteshek

Girls Cross Country

What’s Next: The Bucs will be away to face off against Grand Rapids Union in their final game of the year on Friday Oct. 20.

Girls Swimming

Record: 5th in the O-K Red Conference

Record: 2-2 in O-K Red, 3-4 overall

Key Players: Senior Bekah Schraeder, qualified for the state tournament as an individual. Senior Audrey Reus and junior Ally Kingma, who consistently scored in the low-to-mid 90’s for 18 holes.

Key Swimmers: Sophomore Kathryn Ackerman, who smashed school records and is a top swimmer in the region, freshmen Ocean Veldhouse and freshman Georgia Basil, who round out a solid Bucs team.

They Said It: “We started pretty rough, we only had one or two players score well,” senior Audrey Reus said. “But now we’ve gotten better, we’re more consistent and we’re starting to place better in tournaments.”

They Said It: “We’ve got a pretty strong team this year,” senior Katalin Kovach said.

“We have a lot of freshman with knowledge of the sport and they provide a lot of depth.”

What’s Next: Schraeder heads to the state meet on after finishing second in regional competition with an 87.

What’s Next: The Bucs host their final home meet on Saturday Oct. 21 against the Hamilton Hawkeyes.

Volleyball Record: 27-12, 2-3 in the O-K Red. Key Players: Senior Olivia Boeve (330), and Sophomore Ashley Slater (275) lead the Bucs in kills. Junior Ashlyn Hall, averages 6.5 assists per set and Junior Baby Hang has 327 digs.

They Said It: “The beginning of the season was rough, but we finally clicked and we’re playing pretty good right now.” sophomore Ashley Slater Slater said.

What’s next: Double round at Caledonia on Oct. 21.

SPORTS 19

ROW AFTER ROW (ABOVE): Bethke Farms has over 40 acres of pickyour-own pumpkin patch. “The whole idea is to come get a cart and find your perfect pumpkin right out in the field just where we grow them,” Rachel Bethke said.

They also have many pumpkins already picked for convenience.

COME BACK SOON (RIGHT): The farm has been in the Bethke family for a long time. “I’ve been on the farm all my life,” John Bethke said.

“It was my parents farm and my grandparents farm, so it’s over a hundred years old and we have been doing the pick-your-own pumpkin patch for about 35 years.”

Fun on the farm Family owned Bethke Farms offers a wide variety of low cost activities

By Maddie Monroe for fall.

WELCOME TO THE FARM: Bethke Farms is a family-owned, family-run, pumpkin patch located on 136th Avenue in Grand Haven. They are open weekday nights from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. “We are typically very busy on weekends, on a good day we could have a thousand cars come through here, so it’s always better to come on a weekday if you can,” Rachel Bethke said. They have an array of activities perfect for fall including a corn maze, hayride, kids play area and pick-your-own pumpkin patch.

HAUNTED HAYRIDE: Another activity the farm includes is an exciting yet “spooky” hayride.

“The hayride is $3 per person and is about a 15 to 20 minute ride around through the field and woods, we have a bunch of decorations set up along the route which makes it a lot of fun,” John Bethke said. The hayride mostly runs on weekends when it is busier but does make trips occasionally throughout the week.

CORN-FUSED: The farm also includes a fun corn maze. “The corn maze is about two and a half to three acres,” John Bethke said.

“There are ten questions placed throughout the maze so as you walk through it you find each question and answer all of them to finish it.” The maze is $3 per person and open any day of the week. All of the activities on the farm are very low cost in order to make it affordable for families and teenagers. They also do not charge any entrance or parking fee.

20 PHOTOSTORY

www.bucsblade.com, October 20, 2017