Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 55 no. 11

‘I’m Getting Goosebumps’

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

Van Tubbergen looks forward to senior season with GV Basketball

President Mantella remembers late Peter Secchia IN MEMORIAN | A5

GV Theatre Department battles technical issues, physical boundaries in preparation for fall play DRAMA | A9

M O N D A Y, N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 02 0 // VO L . 5 5 N O. 1 1

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE Since GVSU began conducting random testing on campus Aug. 27, the cumulative total COVID-19 cases since August 1st is 1,105. The university’s update of data used for this brief was from Friday, Oct. 30.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 79 current active cases including 8 faculty member cases, 10 staff members, 10 on-campus students, 34 “off-campus Ottawa” students, and 14 “off-campus Kent” students, 3 “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 19,364 tests overall since August 21, for a positivity rate of 0.28% from the latest update as of the last week.

SHOTS FIRED, SEVERAL VEHICLES HIT IN ALLENDALE APARTMENT COMPLEX SHOOTING

According to reporting from WOODTV, on Sunday, Nov. 1, Ottawa County Sheriffs responded to a call of shots fired in Allendale early Sunday morning.

Police say deputies arrived at Enclave Apartments around 2:53 a.m. and found that 8-15 shots were fired and four vehicles had been hit by bullets. Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department said that they have interviewed witnesses and collected evidence at the scene to identify and locate suspects in the shooting, but no arrests have yet to be made.

No injuries happened as a result of this incident, and it remains under investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s detective bureau.

The Lanthorn will be following this story as it develops.

MDHHS RELEASES GUIDELINES FOR VOTING SAFELY

To ensure Michigan voters remain healthy and reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the Nov. 3 general election, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released recommendations for voters, poll workers and election officials.

All registered voters may vote early by visiting their city or township clerk’s office through Nov. 2. There they can request, fill out and submit an absentee ballot all in one trip, or take their ballot home to fill out and sign the envelope before returning it to one of their jurisdiction’s ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Nov 3. Election workers, who are required to wear masks, will ask voters to show photo ID.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

IDENTITY

GV celebrates Asexual Awareness Week

BY LAUREN FORMOSA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

During the week of Oct. 19-23, Grand Valley State University’s LGBT Resource Center held it’s third annual Asexual Awareness Week celebration. While asexual and aromantic identities are celebrated throughout the year with the student-run club Ace of Clubs, the Center holds a celebration near the end of October specifically targeted towards asexuality.

Under normal circumstances, the celebration would be held in person and include educational games and activities for attendees to participate in while enjoying cake at the end. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the center hosted a Zoom meeting on Oct. 20 to discuss and celebrate asexual and aromantic identities.

“Regardless of platform, the goal is to provide a fun opportunity for all members of our campus to learn more about the asexual and aromantic community — to become familiar with the terminology and concepts related to the asexual/aromantic community and to learn to identify and interrupt harmful myths and stereotypes about asexual and aromantic people,” said Marla Wick, Associate Director of the LGBT Resource Center.

This then sparks a question for those outside of the LGBTQIA+ community: what is asexuality and what is the importance of celebrating this identity?

RECOGNITION: Asexual Awareness Week, celebrated Oct. 19-23 and led by GVSU’s LGBT Resource Center, helps increase asexual and aromantic identities on campus. GVL | JONATHAN LANTIEGNE

“In the glossary we have compiled in the LGBT Resource Center, we use the following definition (of asexuality): ‘A sexual orientation generally characterized by having little or no sexual and/or romantic attraction or desire for partnered sexuality. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity,’” Wick said. “I would add that asexuality also functions as a sort of umbrella term in the initialism (LGBTQIA+) that includes a broad range

of experiences with sexual and romantic attraction.”

The asexual and aromantic communities are often marginalized or even erased within and outside the LGBTQIA+ community. There seems to be a common belief that a “good” or “healthy” relationship must include some form of sexual or romantic connections.

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LAKER EFFECT

Padnos/Sarosik Civil Discourse program to host post-election campus conversations

BY JACOB DEWEERD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Padnos/ Sarosik Civil Discourse Program is holding several post-election Campus Conversation events, which will be focused on giving participants a space to talk about and process election results. These conversations will be held Nov. 4, 6 and 9, with one conversation each dedicated to GVSU staff, faculty or students, respectively.

Elections can be the climax for lots of new emotions, and during a year filled with much more stress and uncertainty than usual, professor Lisa Perhamus, Director of the Padnos/ Sarosik Civil Discourse Program feels that there is a need for safe spaces that students can utilize to process the feelings that come with new election results.

“All the students I’ve been talking with are walking around on pins and needles with frayed, raw nerves,” Perhamus said.

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DIALOGUE: In a new post-election conversation series, facilitators will lead conversations between participants who want a better understanding of what will be our political world. COURTESY | GVSU

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS IDENTITY

| A2

EDITORIAL

| A4

IN MEMORIAM

| A5

BASKETBALL

| A6&7

LOCAL MUSIC

| A8

VISUAL ARTS

| A9

ELECTION

| A10

ATHLETICS

| A11

COMMUNITY

| A12

VOL. 55

NO. 11

Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF

Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

Editor-in-Chief NICK MORAN Associate Editor KELLEN VOSS

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN News Editor OLIVIA FELLOWS Sports Editor ZACK GOODROW Laker Life Editor YSABELA GOLDEN

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager SHANE MCATAMNEY BUSINESS STAFF

A&E Editor MARY RACETTE Image Editor MEGHAN LANDGREN

Business Manager RACHEL MCDOWELL Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

A3 | NEWS ELECTION

Complex history of voting boils to unprecedented 2020 election

BY OLIVIA FELLOWS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

With election day just around the corner, spectators have touted that this year’s presidential run is one of the most important elections in modern United Stated History.

After over 500 days of campaigning since their candidacy announcements, incumbent President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are in for the showdown of a lifetime.

While the presidential race may look different today, it’s pertinent to reflect on the history of the iconic democratic practice and how our past shaped the way we vote today.

With almost 87 million Americans having cast their early votes for the 2020 election as of Oct. 30, it’s easy to see how far voting participation has come. Looking back at the first presidential election in 1789 that saw George Washington become the country’s first president, only 43,782 individuals voted in the Federalist and Anti-Federalist elector parties.

According to MountVernon.org, Washington’s campaign also cost him $0, he did absolutely no public campaigning and even cast doubt on whether he would take the job if elected.

The history of voting rights also tells a story of early American democracy begrudgingly slowly bestowing rights to individuals they previously held as non-citizens. In 1776, voting was controlled by individual state legislatures, and only white men aged 21 and older who owned land could vote.

In 1780, the 15th Amendment eliminated racial barriers to voting; however, many states continued voter discrimination practices. Poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud and in-

DEMOCRACY: While the community rallies itself to vote if they haven’t already, many forget the winding, dynamic history of voting that got the country to where it is today. GVL | KATHERINE VASILE

timidation still prevented many from voting, and Indigenous peoples were still denied the right to vote. By 1924, the 19th Amendment had been ratified, guaranteeing women the right to vote and run for office, and the Indian Citizenship Act finally granted Indigenous people’s citizenship and voting rights.

Flash forward to 1964, which saw the passage of the federal Civil Rights Act that ensured all men and women aged 21 of older, regardless of race, religion, or education, would have the right to vote. In the 1964 election, 109 million individuals were registered to vote, and voter turnout was 62.8%. Today, there are over 5.4 million registered voters in the state of Michigan alone, making it the third highest state with voter registration at 71.9%.

In 2020, while the law may state that everyone has the right to vote regardless of race, minority communities still face high levels

of voter suppression in many states. Today, there are new battles to fight in terms of protecting voter’s rights, and many that occur at the polls.

According to the Voting Rights Alliance, there are over 60 different types of voter suppression that have been recorded, including strict voter photo ID laws, early voting cuts, halting Election Day (same day) registration, polling place relocations, running out of ballots at polling sites, failure to accept Native American tribal IDs, failure to place polling sites on Native American lands, refusal to place polling sites on college campuses, police at polling places, deceptive practices like robocalls and flyers, voter intimidation at the polls, and partisan gerrymandering.

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LAKER EFFECT

Panel of history scholars discuss Allendale’s Civil War monument

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

BY KELLEN VOSS ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it.

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MEMORY: A handful of scholars discussed how understanding the Civil War shapes our perception of modern statues. COURTESY | YOUTUBE

The Kutsche Office of Local History at Grand Valley State University hosted a webinar on Oct. 26 titled ‘Deconstructing Confederate Monuments’.

The webinar, which can be watched in full on the office’s YouTube page, featured distinguished scholars in University of Dayton history professor Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, American Civil War historian Kevin Levin and Mountain Top Vision CEO Dina Bailey who discussed Confederate monuments in the U.S. and their impact on American history.

The speakers offered their expertise in dis-

cussing the monument commemorating the American Civil War in Allendale, relating it to broader conversations occurring nationally about Confederate memorialization and offering advice to communities grappling with discussing Confederate monuments.

Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, thought the three speakers did a great job at making the conversation digestible for college students.

“The three speakers contextualized how Lost Cause mythology shapes understanding of the Civil War and Confederacy in particular,” McKee said.

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A4 | OPINION GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Lauryn Syrba

EDITORIAL

Students replace ostriches as heads in sand become Halloween norm

S

11/2/20

editorial@lanthorn.com

‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ showcases reality through absurdity

BY SIMON WAGNER JUNIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Though at times you may question the motive behind the obscenity of Borat, what is never in question is the sheer brilliance behind the character.

Sacha Baron Cohen puts back on the

gray suit and beige tie in his latest portrayal of his most iconic character. Set 14 years after the release of the first Borat film, we see our main character has been banished and shamed for making his home country, Kazakhstan, a laughing stock. After doing manual labor for these subsequent years, the government of Kazakhstan has called on their infamous journalist to go back to America, and deliver Vice President Mike Pence their most prized monkey.

I really hope if you are reading this that you have seen the first Borat film because if you haven’t, you probably think I dreamed this plot up.

But the film isn’t about the plot. It’s about the many characters you stumble upon that give you a glimpse into the reality of our country. What is so perfect about this movie is that our main actors, who are in on the joke, don’t necessarily know what is going to happen next. It

makes you feel like you are on the same roller coaster, and each 90-degree drop is just as surprising to the actors as it is the audience.

What makes Cohen so brilliant at what he does, is his ability to bait people into a comedic trap. Some may call what he does exploitation, but I’d say he is exposing a side of our nation that needs to be shown.

Nothing is more true than his interactions with the far-right. Not only does Borat get these people to say what he wants them to say, but he makes them feel proud of what they’re saying. Deep down, this shocking comedy is more about the extreme lack of empathy and judgment that plagues the many parts of our nation.

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Are you finding “the one” or are they finding you?

BY EMILY EATON SENIOR POLITICAL SCIENCE EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Picture this: you’re dressed up in the most radiant, risqué cocktail dress ever woven, with a plethora of men before you all stepping out in their shiny shoes of an even shinier limo. They all have one goal

on their just-recently-fully-developed mind, and that’s to swoon you.

You’re the Bachelorette and this world of men is your oyster, with you as the opulent pearl. But that very same night, instead of spending the following weeks going on lavish dates with a bunch of beautiful men, you look at one, fixate on him, and say “that’s my husband.” The spoilers are all over the internet, so look it up if you want to be disappointed.

This season of the Bachelorette has had us all in turmoil for this very reason, but it got me thinking. Is this seasons’ Bachelorette totally wrong or is she painstakingly right? Can she trust her judgement that she has found “the one,” despite the amount of men also applying for the position? Can any of us?

I’ve made it to the one-year mark in my own relationship, and that mark

makes you start thinking about whether or not it’s for the long haul or doomed.

You look to your left and someone just proposed. On your right, someone’s five years in and still won’t utter the “m” word.

Everyone is doing something different than those next to them, and it’s difficult to figure out the direction for yourself. I’ve often heard, “you just know” in reference to finding the person you’ll spend forever with, but finding your soulmate cannot possibly be that simple.

The reason it’s not that simple is because after centuries of young lovers being screwed over by completely undeserving partners, it’s quite easy to get wrapped up in the “what-if ’s” of dating. You can be blinded with the “I’ve found the one!”

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tudents, this is a time for some of us to seriously reconsider our attitudes towards the pandemic.

This past Saturday, on Halloween, selective groups of students-- both on campus and off-- partied all night long, festively drinking and showing off impressive costumes. In apartments, around campus and on Snapchat, college students were celebrating everywhere.

It felt normal and familiar, but the world isn’t normal or familiar anymore, and students can’t bury their heads in the sand just because it’s Halloween. Whether it be a stress-prompted dash toward a shred of normalcy or willful ignorance, there is no justification.

This partying is understandable, if inexcusable.

It’s a Saturday night, it’s Halloween, and this one of the last weekends before the harsh Michigan begins.

It must have seemed like an ideal time to don a Joe Exotic costume and invite a few pals over.

We are calling on GVSU students to be more responsible post-Halloween. Children all around the nation stayed inside and missed out on one of the most exciting nights of the year in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus; if a kid can miss out on trick or treating, you could have missed

out on an evening of socializing with your friends.

Grand Valley was under a Stay-At-Home order only a few weeks ago. We covered it as the story broke, and it was picked up by The New York Times. This is a national issue and we’re a part of the trend.

It’s obvious what this could lead to; Grand Valley State University has been through a two-week Staying in Place order and a two-week Staying Safe order. The last time we saw a surge of socialization and travel, it led to a spike in local cases, which affected not just students, but the Allendale community.

The GVSU community could certainly see another spike that is directly caused by the irresponsibility of those with less self-control than elementary school students.

Expect to see a spike in cases after this weekend in Michigan, as on the afternoon of Halloween, Michigan reported it’s new high of single-day COVID-19 cases, with 3,792 Michiganders being diagnosed on Hallow’s Eve. For the safety of fellow students, let this be the last major partying weekend of the calendar. With the shift to online classes on the horizon, students don’t have much time left on campus. We shouldn’t spend it in lockdown.

GVL OPINION POLICY The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by— nor do they necessarily represent those of—the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty

or staff.

Letters to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

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NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

IN MEMORIAM

GV President Mantella remembers late Peter Secchia

BY ZSOLT PALMER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

On Wednesday Oct. 21, Peter Secchia, a longtime Grand Rapids businessman and philanthropist, passed away at the age of 83 from complications related to COVID-19 and other underlying health conditions.

Secchia leaves behind a rich legacy of generosity, having supported the education and economic growth of West Michigan throughout his life.

Secchia was known around several states, involved politically in the state of Michigan and nationwide. Though he grew up in New Jersey, West Michigan was his home, and here he is best known for being a dedicated philanthropist and successful entrepreneur.

Community leaders from across the state reacted with sorrow at the news of his death. Grand Valley State University’s own President Philomena Mantella called him a “Grand Valley icon,” who played an influential role in the growth of GVSU. “He believed he had a responsibility, that if you had a lot, you gave a lot,” Mantella said. “That is literally who he was as a man, so some of that was reflected in his public service, and in his philanthropy.”

It was also reflected in the role he played in GVSU’s growth.While active at the university, he served on the advisory cabinet of the Grand Valley University Foundation, provided the lead gift for one

of the downtown living centers at GVSU, and had Secchia Hall named after him, in honor of his generosity.

“He really understood education as an essential part of the region’s economic development, and saw the support of Grand Valley as important for the students, and for the development of the region,” said Mantella.

She stressed his generous support of GVSU as an investment into the future of our university and for all of the West Michigan community.

In his later years, Secchia spent several years in Italy as an ambassador. His international experiences in Italy and elsewhere inspired him to create the Ambassador Secchia International Studies Scholarship, which helps give students at GVSU the opportunity to study business and public administration in colleges across the world.

“He was a person who was very well traveled internationally, of course as ambassador to Italy, so international study was very important to him,”said Mantella.

Secchia was also an active supporter of the Seidman College of Business. The Secchia’s were recognized for their gifts to the L. William Seidman Center with the Peter F. Secchia Family Wing. They also helped create the “Peter F. Secchia Lecture Series,” to highlight national and regional leaders of business who discuss trends and current issues. Secchia served on the committees for

REMEMBRANCE: GVSU president Philomena Mantella remembers the late Peter Secchia fondly, as the businessman positively impacted a lot of people across West Michigan. COURTESY | MIBIZ

the Grand Design 2000 and Shaping Our Future campaigns.

“He tried to ensure that we were at the front edge of thinking, of the changes that are happening in our society and in our community,” said Mantella.

Secchia’s investments into GVSU and West Michigan helped give the Grand Rapids area some of the strongest economic indicators in the state. His goal was always to help the region thrive, to be known nation-

ally and globally.

“He did everything with a zest for life and passion. He had an incredible energy, and just an overflowing passion,” said Mantella, placing a special emphasis on his generosity, and his relentless goal to buildWest Michigan into the best that it could be.

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GRAND RAPIDS

Seeds of Promise uses community-first approach to help Grand Rapids

BY KELLEN VOSS ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

HELPING THE COMMUNITY: Seeds of Promise looks to help locals across GR with a community-first approach that the non-profit hopes can be replicated nationally. COURTESY | PAULA COLLIER

A non-profit organization that often partners with Grand Valley State University is looking to help residents all over Grand Rapids with a bottom-up, community-first holistic approach to charity work. Seeds of Promise is a Padnos/Sarosik non-profit organization based on the south side of Grand Rapids looking to help those struggling within the city.

Paula Collier, a Seeds of Promise board member, has been very involved with the organization, which is looking to make a replicable model to help those in poverty increase their knowledge with applicable resources so that those struggling are not relying on government assistance.

“If we teach people how to fish and not give them a fish, it allows people to be independent and not dependent on public resources,” said Collier.

With a focus in many fields like health and wellness, housing, jobs, entrepreneurship and ministry, Seeds of Promise are giving members of Grand Rapids the tools they need to dig themselves out of financial holes.

Collier believes that part of the reason why Seeds of Promise will flourish is that it is led by people in the Grand Rapids community who truly care about helping folks in the city they love.

“The community organization Seeds of Promise is led by residents, so that means the bottom-up is where the voices come from,” Collier said. “We need to hear the voices of the community and hear what they want to see happen, what outcomes they need, what areas they need to resolve issues at. We try to help them find the resources they need, and we work collectively to make that happen.”

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A6&7 | SPORTS

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

BASKETBALL

Van Tubbergen talks upcoming senior season, COVID-19 precautions, plans after school

BY KELLEN VOSS ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State basketball’s Jake Van Tubbergen was honored by Basketball Times last week, as the senior was named a DII Preseason All-American.

Van Tubbergen is coming off an impressive junior campaign, as he averaged a double-double last season and surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his GVSU career.

The Holland, Michigan native averaged 18.4 points and a GLIAC-best 10 rebounds per game, including dropping a career-high 39 points to lead the Lakers to a double-overtime win at Northern Michigan; the most points by a Laker in a single game since 1997.

Van Tubbergen said he is honored by this award — which comes off the heels of him being named an All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches last season — but still wants to live up to the preseason hype.

“Obviously it’s a cool honor and everything, but at the end of the day, it is still a preseason award,” Van Tubbergen said. “It doesn’t really mean I’ve done anything this year, so I guess that means I got to live up to that expectation and come out and perform this season.”

Van Tubbergen said his biggest issue in his first two seasons was consistency, and after getting a lot more collegiate reps under his belt and gaining confidence, he is happy to now be a player the Lakers can consistently rely upon on both sides of the floor.

“A couple of times, I would have a rough stretch when I was a freshman or sophomore and I would kind of hit a slump,” Van Tubbergen said. “But I think especially now, in my junior season and building up to that, I feel like I’m a lot more confident in my abilities. If I’m not having the best game, I can find other ways to impact the game that can help the team besides scoring with the ball.”

GAME FACE: Van Tubbergen has taken over mentoring new freshmen during practices. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

LEADING LAKER: A powerful weapon in the Laker toolkit, Van Tubbergen flaunts a GLIAC-best 10 rebounds per game. On top of being named a DII Preseason All-American by Basketball Times, he holds a handful of GVSU honors between scoring the most points in a single game since 1997 and surpassing the 1,000-point mark on his Laker tenure. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Van Tubbergen and his Laker teammates have not gotten a chance to play 5-on-5 in months, as they’ve split into two groups for workouts to properly social distance and work on improving individual skills instead. While the senior said it felt great to be back in the gym, it does feel strange to not be able to fully practice with his teammates again.

“It definitely does feel abnormal, and one of the bigger things is wearing masks in practice, which obviously affects your conditioning level,” Van Tubbergen said. “As far as everything else, it’s just kind of weird. We haven’t even gotten our schedule yet or anything along the lines for that. Right now, I guess were just trying to prepare for anything.”

After his group finishes their portion of practice, Van Tubbergen stays after to watch his new freshmen and transfer teammates’ practices in an effort to get a feel for their game and identify their tendencies on the hardwood.

The senior views that as one of his responsibilities as a leader on this year’s team. It hasn’t fully set in to Van Tubbergen that this may be his last year playing for GVSU. “It does feel strange calling myself a senior,” Van Tubbergen said. “I feel like it was just yesterday that I was walking around campus as a freshman, so time has definitely flown by.”

If the 2020-21 basketball season gets cut in length or fully cancelled, Van Tubbergen is unsure if his final year of eligibility would carry over to next season, so he is trying to make the most of this uncertain season.

When his successful GVSU career does ultimately come to an end, Van Tubbergen is hoping to keep pursuing his dream of playing professional basketball, whether he gets a chance to do it in the U.S. or has to travel overseas for it.

Living his West Michigan for his entire life, the thought of traveling to the other side of the world is a little daunting for Van Tubbergen, but that travel is ultimately worth it for the senior if he gets to continue to pursue his dream.

“That’s been my dream since I was a kid, so I’m going to try to chase that dream,” Van Tubbergen said. “It is going to be a little scary at first, but I’ve been (in West Michigan) about 22 years, so being able to get outside and travel and do something I love while getting to see other parts of the world, I think that in itself is a great opportunity that I don’t think I can pass up.”

Van Tubbergen was one of the Lakers who took last year’s postseason absence the hardest, as despite helping GVSU to the most wins in a season since 2007-08 and going 23-7 to earn a GLIAC South Division championship, the Lakers were snubbed of a

ticket to the DII NCAA tournament.

Before chasing his professional basketball dreams, Van Tubbergen is hoping the combination of young talent and veteran leadership can help GVSU to a lengthy postseason run in what might be his final season playing college basketball.

“I think if you look at our roster and what we return, we have a lot of veteran guys and some new guys that are very talented,” Van Tubbergen said. “I think with the combo of those two things — if we can find a way to shape that into what we want for this coming year — I think we have a really good shot to win the conference, if not even make a deep run in the tournament if there is one.”

Even if Van Tubbergen only gets to play a couple of games for GVSU this season in front of a limited crowd, he is just excited to finally return to the hardwood and pick up right where he and the Lakers left off last season.

“I can’t wait, honestly,” Van Tubbergen said.

“Once they release some sort of schedule, I’ll be counting down the seconds. It was tough because they told us with the social distancing that basketball wasn’t one of the activities you could do, so realistically, I haven’t played a full 5-on-5 game in months. For a basketball player, that’s a long time.

I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.”

GETTING BIG: Van Tubbergen gets in the face of a Northwood player looking to shoot. A huge player on the court and a leader for the team, Van Tubbergen said he is hopeful that there will be some sort of basketball next semester. When that announcement is made, he will be “counting down the seconds.”. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

A8 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE DRACULA PERFORMED LIVE ON HALLOWEEN

The Grand Rapids Civic Theater (GRCT) returns to the stage to celebrate Halloween.

Inviting audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their own vehicles, GRCT performed “Dracula” live in the DeltaPlex parking lot.

This drive-in theater experience ran through the holiday weekend, Oct. 30-Nov.1.

To make sure the event was socially distanced and well organized, the capacity was capped at 100 cars. Tickets charged $100 per car.

Radio was used to carry the audio from the live stage into each individual car. All audiences were required to do was tune their radio to the right station and they were able to hear all of the action happening on stage.

The acting and sound effects were all picked up on the radio, and everything else was able to be seen on the stage. This family-friendly show provided safe Halloween entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

GVSU SYMPHONY OFFERS FALL CONCERT ONLINE The Grand Valley State University Symphony Orchestra livestreamed their fall concert. The concert was streamed live on Oct. 30, but the full concert video is available on the GVSU Music Theater and Dance website. The livestream was free, as is the recorded video online.

The Symphony Orchestra strings opened up the concert at 8 p.m with John William’s “Prayer for Peace” (from “Munich”).

This was followed by Antonin Dvorak’s “Serenade for Strings, Op. 22” and Aaron Copeland’s “Hoedown” from (“Rodeo”).

After the strings, the concert took a break to do virtual trick-or-treating. At 9 p.m. the concert resumed with the chamber strings performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “IV. Finale: Andante” from “Allegro con spirito Serenade for Strings, Op. 48.”

STUDIO PARK HOLDS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION

The Grand Rapids community was invited to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos at Studio Park. On Nov. 1, Studio Park charged $20 for groups of four to come and enjoy the festivities. Disney’s “Coco” was shown in both Spanish and English, with subtitles for both. Along with “Coco,” there was food and other activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Dia De Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that translates to “Day of the Dead.” It is celebrated in Mexico as a day to remember loved ones who have passed away. The Studio Park celebration was sponsored by a variety of community organizations including Studio Park, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Hispanic Center of West Michigan and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

LOCAL MUSIC

The Heiden Underground rediscovers love for West Michigan

BY MARY RACETTE ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Upon moving back to Grand Rapids, a city that he missed while he was away, Luke Vande Heiden started his solo project, The Heiden Underground. Since its creation, Vande Heiden has been building his catalog with releases of two songs at a time as he awaits more opportunities to perform live.

Vande Heiden describes the Heiden Underground as eclectic rock, however, his songs pull from a range of genres like funk and folk. “Monday’s Heroes” and “Walk of Shame” are his most recent releases from September. His music has local roots, as Vande Heiden grew up in Grand Rapids and was inspired to write “Monday’s Heroes” after feeling nostalgic while driving around his old high school.

Drums were what sparked Vande Heiden’s initial interest in making music. After playing percussion in middle school, Vande Heiden played in a band in high school and fell in love with rock and roll.

“I consider myself first and foremost a drummer,” said Vande Heiden.

While he hires other musicians to play bass and guitar solos in his songs, all of the percussion and rhythm guitar in The Heiden Underground is played by Vande Heiden.

After graduating from Central Michigan University with a theater degree, Vande Heiden moved to Chicago and primarily

COMING HOME: Since its creation, Luke Vande Heiden has been building his catalog with releases of two songs at a time as he awaits chances to perform live. COURTESY | THE HEIDEN UNDERGROUND

worked backstage on theater productions.

But he never stopped playing music. After a few years of playing on his own for fun, Vande Heiden decided to buy a $50 drumset off of Craigslist and reintroduce music as his main creative outlet.

He joined the band The Dirty Miners, playing shows at House of Blues Chicago and other local stages.

While he enjoyed the experience of being part of a band, he got to the point where he

was writing songs that did not fit the band’s sound, and he was confident enough in his songwriting and singing where he felt like he could start a solo career. Along with his decision to pursue music independently, he was starting to grow tired of Chicago and he craved the scenery and slower-paced lifestyle of Grand Rapids.

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PERFORMANCE

Trent James performs interactive digital magic show for students

BY ALLISON RAFFERTY ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Haunted Week at Grand Valley State University caps off October and gets students in the mood for spooky season. The week-long celebration began Tuesday, Oct. 27 with magician and comedian Trent James performing an interactive magic show via Zoom.

GVSU students had the opportunity to sign up to attend the show online. From 7-8 p.m., those in attendance were entertained by a talented and well-known magician in the college market.

VIRTUAL MAGIC: Trent James virtually performs for GVSU students. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

Over the course of the hour-long performance, James conducted sleight of hand magic tricks and illusions, and even taught attendees how to perform some simple magic tricks with items that could be found around their homes.

James, who also performed at GVSU’s Sibs and Kids weekend last year, said that the magic tricks done in this show were some of his favorites to perform.

James said that his favorite part of any show comes from interacting with the attendees.

“Throughout the show we had some awesome students come on to try some mind-reading magic,” said James.

For those who enjoyed his show, they have James’ father to thank for starting it all. Every show, James kicks off his act with the very first trick his father taught him as a kid.

“My father was an amateur magician and he got me into magic when I was 5 years old,” said James.

So far this year, James has performed at over 60 college campuses. James said that as a 23-year-old, he can’t think of a better time in his life to show off his talent to college students at their universities.

“This is who the show is made for,” said James.

James said that those in attendance really enjoyed the last magic trick of the night. Moments like that always feed into spectators questioning what is real and what isn’t.

“The best reactions seem to come from the ending to show, where we make someone’s imagination into a reality,” said James.

Regarding the importance of his profession in the current state of the world, James said using entertainment like his as a way to escape has never been more important.

“I think entertainment is needed now more than ever,” James said. “It’s very important to be in touch with what’s happening in our world, but everyone needs some time away.”

In a time where everyone is feeling a little down, it’s important to keep spirits up, which is why James keeps performing.

“I hope my show can be a distraction of sorts,” James said.

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NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

A9 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

VISUAL ARTS

Local artist uses her craft to encourage voting

BY CHAVALA YMKER ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

To Carol Johnson, one of America’s biggest problems is the idea that “it’s not my problem.” In her recent exhibition, “Attack on Democracy in America,” Johnson attempts to challenge that assumption by subverting the expected.

A few weeks ago, her exhibition showed at her offices at the Emerging Voices Center For Healing in Grand Rapids. The images layer the Black Lives Matter movement with representations of democracy to create images like a knee on the neck of the Statue of Liberty. Johnson hopes her art encourages people to vote to bring change, especially as she uses art to more directly confront her audience.

“When you have something in your face, it makes it more of a reality,” said Johnson.

One of her images depicts a Black person with a target on their head — a blunt representation of a grim American reality.

“I can ask, ‘Are you safe?,’” Johnson

said. But see a person with a target on their head, and now when you say, ‘Are you safe?’ there’s a possibility that you aren’t safe.”

As the great-great-granddaughter of Sally, a slave who was freed at the age of 12, Johnson’s own life brings into focus how close the U.S. still is to the existence of slavery. In her own lifetime, she remembers not being allowed to enter restaurants. Now, she sees the pattern of violence against Black people as it continues.

However, with the Civil Rights Act, Johnson points out that voting helped change the blatant segregation. She still believes that voting can continue that change.

“I still have faith that we can make it,” Johnson said. “We can do it.”

Johnson was disturbed by so many taking for granted their right to vote.

“We have the ability to change through a non-violent way called voting,” said Johnson.

She was inspired by how long people in South Africa waited in line when they

were first allowed to vote. One of Johnson’s pieces focuses on a raised fist, and one of the ways she believes we can raise that fist is through voting.

“When we stand together and raise our fist, no matter what color or age or gender, that is a symbol of unity saying I don’t like what I’ve got,” said Johnson.

Art is a global language to Johnson.

It’s also a medium that continues to speak through the ages, as Johnson pointed out with cave paintings. She also finds art allows her to speak without people judging her message based on appearance.

Johnson hopes people consider how easy it is to vote and how important it is that a majority of Americans actually use their voices.

Her art calls out many of the challenges we are facing from police brutality to the pandemic and she reminds us, “unless we change by voting it will continue on in this manner.”

Johnson’s art can be purchased as prints or on t-shirts at carol@creativelinesllc.com.

GET OUT AND VOTE: Carol Johnson encourages democracy through artwork. COURTESY | MLIVE

DRAMA

GV Theatre Department battles technical issues, physical boundaries in preparation for fall play

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Preparations for the Grand Valley State University Theatre Department’s livestreamed production of “The Revolutionists” are well underway. This year’s fall play is a comedy that follows four women during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror and how they go about changing the world through it.

Rehearsing for up to four hours a day, five times a week, the cast and crew are working to make this modified version of their typical fall

play one to remember.

Even though there is only a week left to finalize the production, plans were put into motion well in advance to maximize the amount of time available for everyone involved to adjust to the new virtual setting the production will be taking place in. In July 2020, when the university itself was still undecided as to which route it would take to welcome students back to school, director Karen Libman knew exactly how she wanted to proceed to make the play a reality.

“We wanted to make sure that no matter what there could still be a production — even

REVOLUTIONISTS: The GVSU Theatre Department is preparing to ring in their first fully-digital fall play. Everything from auditions to rehearsal has been overhauled. COURTESY | GVSU THEATRE DEPT.

if everyone had to perform it from home,” Libman said. “We wanted to keep one of the things that makes theatre so unique the same, which in this case is its liveness. So, we decided to do a livestream as opposed to a recording.”

Prior to auditions, bits and pieces of the script were posted for students to look over and decide which part caught their attention. Then, the auditions were held over Zoom.

Cast member Anna Compton said the audition process was as simple as it could have been.

“The audition itself was basically like hopping on a Zoom call meshed with the typical cold read audition style,” said Compton.

Madison Williams, another cast member in the show, felt the same way. She said it was one of the easiest auditions she had ever taken part in.

“The audition itself was the most peaceful and calming audition I have ever done,” Williams said. “Karen, the director, has a very welcoming and calming energy that immediately made all of my nerves slip away. I think it also helped that I had a class with her in the past, so I was pretty comfortable with her. I read my lines, sang a song and just like that it was over — very quick and easy.”

Following auditions, rehearsals were held online. The cast would practice at home on Zoom almost every day from about 6:30-9:15 p.m. Now, as the date of the livestream ap-

proaches, the cast is meeting at the Thomas and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts.

In order to remain as safe as possible, each cast member remains in their own dressing room during rehearsals. Inside the dressing room is a green screen for the performer to act in front of, their props and their costumes.

As smooth of a process as it sounds, being physically separated as well as being faced with consistent technological issues has made rehearsals quite the uphill battle. Williams has found most of the challenge to be in the physical separation between herself and her castmates.

“The hardest challenge so far has definitely been figuring out the blocking for the show,” Williams said. “Since we are all confined to our own dressing rooms and cannot physically be in the same space, we had to come up with a way to give the audience the illusion that we are still acting with each other, rather than at each other.”

Libman said technological errors such as Zoom lagging, microphone echoing and buzzing noises have all been important struggles to overcome during rehearsals.

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A10 | LAKER LIFE LAKER LIFE BRIEFS RECREATION AND WELLNESS PARTNERS TO OFFER STD TESTING In order to help combat the potential consequences of undiagnosed STDs, Grand Valley State University’s Recreation and Wellness Department is partnering with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health to provide free and confidential testing on campus. From 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, tests will be available in Holton-Hooker room 107A.

CAB HOSTS MAGICIAN, MENTALIST MARK TOLAND On Thursday, Nov. 5, Grand Valley State University’s Campus Activities Board is hosting a night of virtual entertainment with a performance from Mark Toland. A professional magician and mentalist, Toland’s show involves “reading the minds” of the audience members in attendance.

Those interested in watching this display of Toland’s talents can RSVP for the event online over LakerLink

LEARN ABOUT HEALTH CARE DURING COVID GVSU has long hosted monthly Health Forums of West Michigan in collaboration with community partners and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, but in 2020 their discussions have become more relevant to the public than ever. As the world enters into the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, GVSU is hosting doctors from all over West Michigan to speak on a panel discussing the delivery of health care during a pandemic.

The online forum will be held over Zoom from 8-9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, and is free and open to all members of the public.

Those interested in attending can register through the Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research Center’s website at www.gvsu.edu/miperc.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

ELECTION

GV community to celebrate Election Day

BY AUTUMN PITCHURE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

This year there is a groundbreaking election between two very different political figures: current President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. A primary factor in this 2020 election will be the turnout of young voters in the college-age demographic. To highlight the impact students have as voters and get them engaged with the election, Grand Valley State University’s Community Service Learning Center is hosting an outside Election Day Celebration on the big day of Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“We are really trying to create a day of excitement and celebration,” Melissa Baker-Boosamra, Student Life Associate Director said.

“We are encouraging students to get out there and exercise their right to vote.”

The celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cook Carillon Tower on the Allendale campus. Kicking off the festivities from 10 a.m. until noon will be giveaways, a photo booth and plenty of music.

“This is the big day,” Baker-Boosamra said.

“We are already seeing nationally, as well as in the state of Michigan and locally, numbers that indicate voters have already voted through early voting and absentee voting.”

From noon until 1 p.m., GVSU President Philomena Mantella will join in on the celebration with a talk about voting.

Joining her in speaking about the election will be Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and Student Senate Vice President for External Relations Joel Pagel.

“Our (GVSU) President has great commitment towards encouraging full student voter participation,” Baker-Boosamra said. “She has also signed the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.”

VOTING WITH A PURPOSE: GVSU students learn more about voting and democracy at a table run by the Community Service Learning Center ahead of the 2016 presidential election. GVL | ARCHIVE

After the remarks made by Mantella, Roebuck and Pagel, GVSU’s marching band will perform with some special surprises. Students, Faculty, staff and others are welcomed to join the celebration by following the marching band for a walk from the clock tower to the Kirkhof Center Satellite Clerk’s Office.

“Students who are residents of Michigan and live in Allendale can use that service at that time to register, request an absentee ballot and vote,” said Baker-Boosamra.

GVSU’s Dance Team will be shimmying the day away to live music and bringing the excitement in for Lakers. To keep the day lively, refreshments and yard games will be taking place.

Students are welcomed to participate in whatever they please.

Louie the Laker will make a visit to hang out with all the students and celebrate this one-ofa-kind election.

“This is Election Day,” Baker-Boosamra said. “This is a really important and exciting time for us to both celebrate the fact that this is the most fundamental right we have in our democracy; and to celebrate the work that student leaders have done to really elevate student voices.”

On Election Day, the Satellite Office will be open until 5 p.m. To find more information on voting, students can go to www.mi.gov/vote. Here, students can find answers if they don’t know if they’re registered, don’t know where their polling location is or if they aren’t sure where their absentee ballot is in the process.

VIRTUAL EVENTS

CLSC discusses food insecurity with Tea Time

BY KATHERINE ARNOLD LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

TEA TIME: GVSU’s CLSC talked food insecurity via IG Live this week. GVL | KATHERINE ARNOLD

Every other week, Grand Valley State University’s Community Service Learning Center (CSLC) hosts a virtual dialogue event they call “Tea Time.” From the controversy around absentee ballots and mail to the challenges of voter suppression, Tea Time seeks to cover a variety of hot topics with this new event series.

“Tea Time is an informal, Instagram Live series produced by students, for students, about relevant topics that the GVSU community cares about as we approach this year’s election,” said Kayla Sosa, Executive Producer of Tea Time and CSLC staff member.

Their latest Tea Time feature was Oct. 29, discussing food insecurity at GVSU — what

food security is, what it looks like on a university campus and what that means for the community. The host for this episode was Carson McCready, a junior majoring in communications. This live interview featured two speakers, the first being Alex Murarescu, a senior and third year Resident Assistant (RA) at the Holton Hooker Living Center.

Last year, her friend, who was involved in Student Senate, put forth an official resolution on the topic last year. The legislative call-to-action for GVSU planned that by fall 2020, an income-based meal plan would be available for students.

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A11 | SPORTS

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS GV WELCOMES NEW BASKETBALL RECRUITS

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at GVSU have a new pair of commitments. Heritage forward Parker Day has verbally committed to being a Laker. Day chose GVSU over other offers from Central Michigan, Saginaw Valley, and Lake Superior State.

Byron Center guard Avery Zeinstra has committed to the women’s team.

Last season Zeinstra led Byron Center to a 19-2 record as she averaged 16 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. In the past two seasons, Zeinstra was named an OK Green All-Conference player. Last year she was named to the Grand Rapids Dream Team.

GV ATHLETICS APPROVED FOR MAKE-A-WISH REVEAL

GVSU is one of three schools to have the opportunity to host a NCAA Make-AWish reveal.

The Student Athletes Advisory Council raised $10,000 in 2019 for donations to Make-A-Wish. Last year, Division II schools raised over $205,000 in donations collectively. Since 2003, the total has been more than $6.4 million and DII schools have granted over 760 wishes.

The contributions made by GVSU in 2019 were the third highest among DII schools and was the highest in the GLIAC. Someday soon, GVSU will have a chance to reveal a wish to a deserving child.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCORES

Hudsonville 52, East Kentwood 14 Rockford 41, West Ottawa 7 Lowell 35, Byron Center 28 Grand Rapids Christian 28, Wayland Union 21 Caledonia 21, Jenison 14 Forest Hills Eastern 42, Allendale 0 Grandville 61, Grand Haven 26

FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS QB: Kyler Murray 195.58, Russell Wilson

177.3, Patrick Mahomes 170.46, Josh Allen 167.12, Deshaun Watson 154.5 RB: Alvin Kamara 170.4, James Robinson 133.6, Ezekiel Elliott 129.8, Derrick Henry 126.4, Aaron Jones 115 WR: DeAndre Hopkins 143.4, Tyler Lockett 141.2, Calvin Ridley 148.1 (played Thursday), Stefon Diggs 126.3, Amari Cooper 125.6 TE: Travis Kelce 118.1, George Kittle 92.2, Darren Waller 90.5, Jimmy Graham 74.4, Mark Andrews 74.3 KICKER: Randy Bullock 71, Joey Slye 69, Rodrigo Blankenship 63, Dan Carlson 63, Harrison Butker 62, Graham Gano 62, Jason Sanders 62 DEFENSE: Baltimore Ravens 76, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 67, Indianapolis Colts 67, Kansas City Chiefs 65, Pittsburgh Steelers 56

ATHLETICS

Fans weigh in on barren fall sports season at GV

BY ZACK GOODROW SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

There is little doubt that the fall 2020 semester at Grand Valley State University has felt foreign to many students and teachers.

With many classes online and social distancing limiting students’ ability to meet and converse, it doesn’t even feel like a normal semester at college.

This feeling of isolation and even despair hasn’t been spared on GVSU athletics.

Perhaps the most consequential decision brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic was to cancel fall sports. Many articles have been written about student athletes adjusting to no longer having a season or how they practice in much different circumstances then they’re used to. While student athletes and coaches have been affected the most by a lack of sports, there’s still another question to be asked: What about the Laker fans and students who love GVSU athletics?

“It’s a lot quieter walking to class or to work,” said junior Caleb Biel. “I wouldn’t say depressing, but the overall atmosphere is just down. The pandemic has certainly impacted the school in a negative way.”

There’s little argument to be made about how walking around on campus is different now. It’s no longer lively. There’s no signs in

VACANT: Sports fields and bleachers are lacking the normally vibrant scenery that would have when sports are in full swing. Instead, fans reflect on a very quiet season. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

the grass promoting a big basketball or football game. This semester, there are no games to go to and much fewer events to attend with fellow students.

Biel is like many other student fans at GVSU. He enjoyed going to football and basketball games. He enjoyed participating as a fan in the atmosphere of a game and being a

part of something with his fellow GVSU students. That’s not an option this year.

“It just kind of stinks,” Biel said. “I love going to games and especially football games.

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GOLF

GV golfer extends collegiate eligibility

BY JOSHUA CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

In early 2020, college athletes were informed that their spring seasons were cancelled due to the risk of contracting COVID-19. The pandemic has caused the NCAA to grant those athletes another year of eligibility. This means that all college athletes will be able to opt into playing an extra year of their sport.

Charlie DeLong, a member of the golf team at Grand Valley State University and the GLIAC Freshman of the Year recipient, will be one of

RETURNING: GVSU golfer Charlie DeLong can play another year. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS

those players benefiting from the ability to opt into another year of college play.

“All of us are almost looking at it like a blessing in disguise,” DeLong said. “We are a very young team, so it gave us sort of a warm-up season in the fall. This spring, we should have four freshmen in our starting lineup out of five, so it’s pretty cool we got a year to warm-up and get into college golf.”

The extra year that Delong will get for his eligibility is going to be a good time to put in work for what he hopes to succeed in for his future in golf as well.

“Coach always says practice as if you were at the next level,” DeLong said. “This will give us time to focus on getting as good as we can the next four years, and then hopefully pursue golf afterward.”

DeLong also said that because he has an extra year of competition ahead of him, he now has more flexibility in his schedule with academics. Although Delong won the Freshman GLIAC of the Year award last season as well, he will essentially be considered a freshman for

this upcoming year, but he will not be eligible to win the award for a second time.

With this decision of granting an extra year of eligibility, although it can benefit current players on the rosters for spring sports, GVSU golf coach Gary Bissell points out some things that can hurt some incomers for the future.

“As great as it is, and I’m glad those guys got a year of eligibility back, we recruit two to three years in advance,” Bissell said. “So now, we have all these guys able to come back that we didn’t expect to be back, and it’s not like they gave us more scholarship money.”

Bissell also noted how tough it is right now to be a high school senior athlete wanting to compete at the next level due to more limited roster space on college athletic teams. College athletic teams will now have to deal with things such as budgets, equipment and scholarships going forward.

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NOVEMBER 2, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A12 | COMMUNITY

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The impact of America’s broken immigration system

BY ANONYMOUS GVSU STUDENTS EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

What follows is one of four letters from four anonymous students at GVSU, who have all been directly impacted by America’s immigration system. Please visit www.lanthorn.com to read the full letter series.

Dear GV friends, classmates, faculty, and staff, As a current Allendale resident and a proud Laker, I am sure we have many things in common. Enjoying the beautiful colors on the leaves throughout campus as we transition through the fall season, being a part of the crowd in a game, cheering on our Laker athletes; but there is one thing that sets me apart from you, and that is my family.

In early 1992, my mom and dad selflessly made the decision to leave their hometown, and travel over 2,000 miles away to a new country to start a new life and begin what some call “the American dream.” This meant leaving all of their family and friends behind and starting a new life, in a place that not only was a different culture but also spoke a foreign language. My parents like many others came from, very poor families. You see,

what we take for granted– like running water, natural gas, and transportation– my parents didn’t have access to. The small town they come from didn’t have running water, natural gas was a luxury, and had only two busses that ran into the nearest city but even then, those buses were not reliable. This town, along with many others didn’t have any sources of income. The only thing people live off is the land they are able to harvest off of, besides that it’s nearly impossible to make money.

Leaving their home and comfort zone didn’t come easy, but my parents knew the future wasn’t looking bright if they stayed. So they packed up their belongings into two backpacks and my older sister who at the time was only 11 months old and headed over to what would later become their future home.

Fast forward 28 years later, my parents who are now grandparents and have raised 3 proud Michiganian children are still in the same situation from 1992– that is living undocumented.

As a child, I quickly learned that as much as I was privileged, at the same time I wasn’t. My parents did as best they could to try and give my siblings and me the most normal childhood possible, but that quickly deteriorated. As a child in

grade school, I developed anxiety and depression. While many times kids my age were thinking about recess and toys, I was constantly worried about coming home and my parents not being there or them being detained by Immigration while at work.

When I turned 13, I turned into what my family jokingly calls “the youngest Uber around.” You see, my parents don’t have access to driver licenses because of their undocumented status. At the very young age of 13, my dad showed me how to drive; This turned into me being the primary driver for everything. This ranged from doctor appointments to grocery shopping, and even sometimes dropping off my parents at work if their ride canceled on them.

With all of this, I had to quickly grow up and become very mature in a small amount of time and at a young age. Looking back now I realize that having all these responsibilities helped shape me into who I am today, but I also feel like a part of me was never able to really be expressed. Most times when my friends were out at a football game on Friday nights, catching a movie on the weekend, or just hanging out most times I couldn’t because I had to be at home waiting for my parents to

get out of work or with them somewhere since they couldn’t drive.

During this most recent presidential administration, my family’s fears have skyrocketed. Not knowing if this will be the last holiday season together as a family is something that keeps me up at night and worries me more than anything. As a daughter of undocumented immigrants, I have lived and seen a lot more than many of my peers. I am here today to not only share this small part of my story but to urge every single one of you reading this letter that if you have the ability and privilege to vote, please do.

Your vote is more than just a ballot with filled-in bubbles; It’s your voice choosing the future leader of this country. When voting you are not only performing your civic duty but also speaking up for those who can’t. So this November 3rd, vote for equality, vote for human rights, and most importantly vote for our undocumented friends and families whose futures lie in the hands of the voters.

Sincerely, Your Laker Peer.

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