Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 56 no. 3

Skelletones Strikes Back

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

Music venue reopens after a 12-year hiatus

GV, West Michigan remember 9/11 attacks COMMUNITY | A8

GV Football starts strong, winning season opener against Colorado State-Pueblo FOOTBALL | A11

T U E S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 1 3 , 2 02 1 // VO L . 5 6 N O. 4

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE

The GVSU community has had a cumulative total of 3,561 cases since Aug. 1, 2020. The university’s update for this brief was from Friday, Sept. 10.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 86 current active cases including two faculty members, six staff members, five on-campus students, 42 “off-campus Ottawa” students, 28 “off-campus Kent” students and three “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 92,531 tests overall since August 1, 2020, for a cumulative positivity rate of 1.13% from the latest update as of last week. A total of 1,510 tests were performed over the last seven days.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/ Spectrum administered programs of randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups, and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters.

A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/ exposure tests administered by Spectrum.

Vaccination: GVSU encourages all students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.

All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by Sept.30, barring a medical or religious exemption or postponement. According to the COVID-19 data dashboard, 80% vaccination rate in the GVSU community is required to reach herd immunity and minimal virus transmission.

Currently, approximately 63% of students report being fully vaccinated, while approximately 87% of faculty and staff reports being fully vaccinated.

Virus Action Team shares vaccination update In an update posted on Sept. 9, the Virus Action Team (VAT) said approximately 4,000 members of the GVSU community have not indicated their vaccination status in their online self-assessment. The deadline for students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated is Sept. 30, and the deadline to apply for a religious or medical exemption or postponement is Sept. 15.

SEPT. 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

FINANCE

GV receives $1.2 million for TRIO Educational Opportunity Center

BY JACOB DEWEERD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s TRIO program has received a $1.2 million federal grant to establish the Laker Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) on campus. The Laker EOC will provide resources and support for Kent and Muskegon County adults 19 years or older that are currently not attending post-secondary education institutions.

The grant, which was written by GVSU TRIO-STEM Director Dr. Nykia Gaines, Mike Messner, Linda Rettig and Tim Marroquin with support from Sarah Keranen-Lopez and Leslie Vaas, will allow TRIO to offer financial and academic assistance to adults who want to pursue a college degree. Throughout the fiveyear grant period, around 850 adults will be served annually.

TRIO’s services are aimed at first-generation students, limited-income students and students with disabilities - three groups that are vastly underrepresented at most higher education institutions. The program aims to eliminate career and education gaps for those groups.

“The goals for the eight programs we host at GVSU are to assist participants to progress through the academic pipeline up through earning a terminal degree,” Gaines said. “The Laker EOC staff will work to break down barriers which include limited financial and economic awareness, career readiness and access to postsecondary institutions.”

OPPORTUNITY: The Laker EOC will be the first GVSU TRIO program to focus on adults in Kent and Muskegon county adults who are not already pursing a post-secondary education. GVL | ARCHIVE

The Laker EOC will be the first TRIO program offered by GVSU focused on outreach to Kent and Muskegon County adults that are not already in college. While the program’s area of effect will stay fairly local for now, the center could expand to cover other areas of the state, including Detroit.

“We have the potential to apply for another grant in other parts of Michigan,” Gaines said.

“We have our Detroit Center in the heart of Detroit, along with neighboring communities in West Michigan are always considered when researching and understanding the needs for these communities.”

Dr. William Washington, Director of GVSU’s TRIO program, is looking forward to the

new center because it expands the program’s reach beyond the educational pipeline.

“This program can give hope to those that may have thought that their chance of improving themselves through an education was over,” Washington said. “This program will also cross all kinds of cultural barriers and bring resources to communities of people that may have not had access because of their situations. This excites me because the goal is to not leave anyone without an opportunity to further their education if they so choose.”

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STUDENT SENATE

GV student senators weigh endorsement of key university

BY JOSH ALBURTUS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

GV NAMED ‘BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK’ AMONG MIDWEST INSTITUTIONS

GVSU has been named one of the “Best Bang for Your Buck” among schools in the Midwest by Washington Monthly. This is the sixth consecutive year that GVSU has received the designation.

DISCUSSION: GVSU Student Senators more information before endorsing the Reach Higher 2025 initiative. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

In their second general assembly of the semester on Sept. 9, Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate heard from representatives of the university’s Reach Higher 2025 initiative and began considering its potential endorsement.

The new strategic plan, set to guide the university over the next four years, is now in its second phase of operation. The current phase includes honing in on values, strategies, and commitments for the university, as well as establishing a vision and mission to guide the university’s operations.

Hearing from representatives of the initiative’s Steering Committee, student senators asked questions and sought clarifications in search of a full understanding of the plan.

Laying out the initiative and taking senate feedback, the presenters aimed to leave key impressions on the governing body.

“Hopefully we left with them the impression about how important students are to this process, to us, (and) to this university,” said Janet Winter, Associate Dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing and co-lead of Reach Higher 2025’s Steering Committee. “I’m hoping that they understand how integral they are to any kind of strategic planning process.”

Speaking from their personal views, senators expressed differing perspectives of the initiative’s progress so far. Senators like Jasmyn Pearson welcome the initiative’s goalsetting but are ready for it and the university to include more specific action. “(The goals and methods) do seem adequate in their language, it’s just in their implementation that I am worried about,” Pearson said.

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SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS FINANCE

| A2

OPINION

| A4

ENVIORMENT

| A5

SPREAD

| A6&7

COMMUNITY

| A8

EDUCATION

| A9

PERFORMANCE

| A10

FOOTBALL

| A11

SOCCER

| A12

VOL. 56

NO. 22

Lan thorn Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief ZACK GOODROW Associate Editor MARY RACETTE

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO

A3 | NEWS CONVERSATION

Rapid bus fare enforcement sparks discussion online

BY LAUREN FORMOSA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University students riding the Rapid’s Route 50, which connects the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses, have voiced concern on social media regarding enforcement from The Rapid’s Fare Enforcement Officers.

Route 50 or the Laker Line, which is operated by The Rapid, requires students to show their GVSU student IDs to The Rapid’s Fare Enforcement Officers (FEOs) in order to ride the bus route. The student ID acts as a valid bus pass and a form of payment for the bus fare, which would otherwise have to be paid beforehand.

“This is the standard for how Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) works across the country,” said Bill Kirk, communications manager for The Rapid. “This standard policy creates equitable regulations and expectations for all Rapid riders, and it is critically important to treat all riders equally, whether they are GVSU students or members of the public.”

This is not a new policy for the Laker Line or other bus routes run by The Rapid, as some students may have suspected. Since The Rapid began its partnership with GVSU,

BUS: GVSU students concerns have been discussed on social media about the Rapid’s Route 50 identification policy. Without a GV ID, students can be fined on these buses. GVL | AUBREE L. WAGNER

their standard policy of ensuring all passengers have a form of valid payment has been in place.

“The policy may be more noticeable recently due to the fact that more students are riding, including new students that may be unfamiliar with The Rapid’s transit service,” said Kirk.

Nevertheless, students have expressed their frustration with the policy and its enforcement on social media. While it has been met with understanding from the majority of

the campus community, some students feel it was not communicated to them well enough.

“I think that the Laker Line requiring students to have IDS is understandable and a good way to ensure that unwanted guests are not present,” said GVSU student Shay Gilland. “The issue I have is not letting anyone know about this policy until they are on the bus.”

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News Editor ADVERTISING STAFF AUDREY WHITAKEN Advertising Manager Sports Editor JOSH HENGTGEN HOLLY BIHLMAN

EXECUTIVE

Laker Life Editor BUSINESS STAFF SABRINA EDWARDS Business Manager A&E Editor RACHEL MCSOWELL

Search continues for new provost

MARY DUPUIS Image Editor MEGHAN LANGREN

with faculty, staff forums

Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

BY PAYTON BRAZZIL NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

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.

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STAFF: GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella continues her search for a new Executive Vice President and a new Provost. GVL | ARCHIVES

Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantellla has commenced a nationwide search for the new Provost and Executive Vice President. After the previous provost, Maria Cimitile, fulfilled her threeyear term of service, GVSU is on the lookout for the next.

As chief academic officer, the Provost would ensure that GVSU’s vision of academic distinction, policies, student affairs, along with many other responsibilities, is properly executed.

Currently, Chris Plouff is Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for the Academic and Student Affairs Division.

According to the GVSU website, Plouff continues a tradition of collaborative leadership, shared governance, excellence in teaching, innovative scholarship, strategic planning, high-impact learning experiences, and purposeful academic service to the community.

GVSU’s search to find a new provost is taken very seriously. The search committee

is being co-chaired by two faculty members, Dr. Felix Ngassa, Chair of the University Academic Senate and Professor of Chemistry and Dr. Paul Stansbie, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Community Innovation and Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Stansbie said that the committee partnered with a search firm called Storbeck Search. Along with an outside organization, the committee consists of many people from the GVSU community.

“We have our own search committee that reflects our many voices and administrations like deans, faculty, staff, administrative support staff, and people from financial aid,” Stansbie said. “The goal being we can look at this position from multiple lenses, look at future candidates and ultimately try and find someone that’s going to be a great fit for this really quite an important chapter in the next stage of Grand Valley’s history” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

A4 | OPINION GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Xavier Golden

EDITORIAL

As the vaccine mandate deadline nears, new questions arise

A

09/13/21

editorial@lanthorn.com

Letter to Editor

Student Treatment at Lubbers Stadium Dear Campus Community, My name is Rae Tull. My fellow students and I experienced an incredibly sour experience from the football game on September 11, 2021. Myself, my husband, and hundreds of others went to attend tonight’s game. We knew going into the game that if we exited Lubbers stadium we could not re-enter. Which is totally fine! However there were security guards standing underneath the exits from the stands that went directly to concessions. If we left our seat to get water, we were not allowed to go back to our seat. Specifically, they were blocking the underpass that is in the middle of the student section that goes under the bleachers.

On top of this, they weren’t telling

students until after they had “left” that they couldn’t re-enter.

Upon my exit (because my husband got stuck out from the stands) I heard two security guards being incredibly disrespectful to two students. They were (reasonably) upset, but still courteous and had asked “we can’t even get water” and the disrespect they were met with from the security staff was astronomical. Their response was “you can do whatever you want but you can’t get back in” with eye rolls and scoffs littered within their sentences. Their body language was aggressive.

They did not convey this expectation to students. We are not being permitted to access concessions (which are within Lubbers stadium), but also

being treated disrespectfully and not being given information until it is too late. Again, we knew that if we left Lubbers stadium we would not be allowed to re-enter. We understand and agree with this for safety concerns. But not being able to access concessions or bathrooms and not being allowed back to our seats is unacceptable.

If I had not been there, and my husband left and gotten up as happened tonight, he would not have been able to grab his hoodie that was holding his seat.

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This Week in Film: Remake, Remake, and Another Remake

BY MARYBETH STANZIOLA SOPHOMORE UNDECLARED EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

The film industry consistently favors remakes and franchise continuations, hanging independent filmmakers out to dry. Indie film studios such as A24 and

Annapurna Pictures exist – but without pre-established cast and director recognizability, these films are often shut out of extensive theatrical runs to account for billion-dollar companies instead.

Last week exemplified this claim as three remakes’ releases took center stage: “Candyman,” “Cinderella,” and “He’s All That” (changed from 1999’s “She’s All That”).

With each conquering a different platform (theatres, Amazon Prime, Netflix), the constant bombardment of advertisements for these films feels unavoidable.

Meanwhile, original films, like David Bruckner’s “The Night House” (Phantom Four productions), are struggling to reserve multiple showings per day in theatres. Celebration Cinema in Grandville currently has one showing of “The Night House” scheduled each day versus

Nia DaCosta’s “Candyman” (Universal Pictures) with six – despite the two being released within the same week.

Skewed budgets and advertising privileges aside, many modern-day remakes tend to lack in technicality and critical acclaim. Both Mark Waters’ “He’s All That” and Kay Cannon’s “Cinderella” fall – or plummet – into this stereotype. The two have more similarities than differences: each stars a celebrity with little to no prior acting experience, attempts to modernize their adaptation, and contains multiple editing mishaps.

“He’s All That” centers around TikTok superstar Addison Rae, who rose to fame in 2019 by posting dance covers on the video-sharing app.

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www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

ccording to Grand Valley State University’s Data Dashboard, there are currently 86 active cases of COVID-19 in the GVSU community, including two faculty, six staff, and five on-campus student cases.

But those numbers may begin to rise.

Days after the first GVSU football game of the season, and a week after students returned from their Labor Day excursions, COVID-conscious members of the Grand Valley State University community might be wondering where the numbers are going and what the consequences will be.

One of the best safeguards against cases skyrocketing, and the Virus Action Team subsequently raising the alert level (which is currently at Level 2), is the GVSU community achieving herd immunity. Over 80% of the GVSU community needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, and students and faculty must be vaccinated by Sept. 30. However, as of Sept. 9, only 68.65% of students have self-reported receiving the vaccine.

As the community approaches the Sept. 30 deadline, the remaining 32%

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 orbeliefs. 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.

of unvaccinated students will hopefully attend one of GVSU’s upcoming vaccine events on Sept 20 and 23. After the deadline has passed, unvaccinated individuals will be subject to weekly COVID tests. But there are students who won’t need to be vaccinated by the deadline; students seeking a medical exemption or a religious exemption.

The religious exemptions to vaccine mandates have been a topic of national debate, with the New York Times interviewing someone who cited the research around COVID-19 treatments and vaccines that involved cell lines produced from a fetus that was aborted decades ago.

(But, as an Oct. 2020 article from the Times points out, Trump received-- and praised-those treatments when he contracted COVID-19.)

The Lanthorn interviewed a student seeking the religious exemption, and they cited their family’s lack of belief in vaccines in general.

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Letter 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 500-650 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: 0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

ENVIRONMENT

GV community collaborates on local waterway cleanup

BY GRACE SMITH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is partnering with the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) and the Ottawa County Parks Department for the 18th Annual Mayor’s Grand River Cleanup.

On Sept.13 local Anishinaabe leaders from the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians will perform a traditional water ceremony alongside the banks of the Grand River starting at 4 p.m. Representatives will also deliver an oral history about Owashtanong, meaning far flowing waters, and its significance to the Anishinaabe community.

“The ceremony is sort of a thank you to the river for bringing sustenance to our community,” said Peter Wampler, a collaborator on the project through the Frederik Meijer Honors College. “We are a part of a bigger world that involves more than just ourselves.

We all have our separate lives, however, we are all connected by the benefits received from the river.”

Eventually, Wampler said he hopes to make the river cleanup an annual GVSU event supported by a formation of a new

campus club centering around campus waterway sustainability.

The event is part of the 18th annual Mayors Grand River Clean-up, which is taking place Sept. 11 through Sept. 18. Gloves, trash bags, and other necessary materials will be provided to event participants, as well as means of trash disposal. Kayaks will also be provided by the Ottawa County Parks Department. Event coordinators suggest wearing clothes that can get wet or dirty.

The evening will conclude with light refreshments and closing remarks from the GVSU Groundswell staff and Lin Bardwell of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Those interested in attending are encouraged to fill out a free registration form on the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ website.

The program brings together individuals from six communities around Grand Rapids for the health benefits of the water systems that are universally valued and depended upon by locals. According to sources, this event has removed approximately 200,000 pounds of trash from the Grand River since 2004, making this event the largest organized river cleanup in Michigan.

For the safety of others in regards to COVID-19, the WMEAC has opted to

PARKS: GVSU works on river clean-up with West Michigan Environmental Action Council and Ottawa County Parks Department for 18th annual Mayor Grand River Clean-up. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

continue their deconstructed event model, allowing the event to span over a week for those wishing to participate individually.

Beginning Sept. 11, volunteers are able to participate in the event by cleaning up trash in their neighborhood, focusing on areas such as storm drains, streets, and proximal tributaries.

Those interested in volunteering outside of the GVSU scheduled events are asked to

fill out a free registration form through the city of Grand Rapids on Event Brite. WMEAC also asks participants to download the Clean Swell app to track how much material is collected and disposed of during the event.

Site adoption along the Grand River is also available to groups of less than five people.

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VOLUNTEER

Students organize first zero waste football game of the season

BY SARA COLLINS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

SUSTAINABILITY: Student Environmental Coalition organizes first “zero-waste” football game at GVSU’s Lubber’s Stadium. GVL | ARCHIVES

In efforts to continue Grand Valley State University’s sustainable practices and maintain the amount of waste entering the landfill, the Student Environmental Coalition (SEC) planned to ensure that the first football game of the season followed a “zero waste” guideline.

Volunteers from the club stepped foot into Lubbers Stadium on Sept. 11 with full motivation to guarantee the waste was sorted properly and no trash was left behind after the football game ended.

Jacob Torok, vice president of The Student Environmental Coalition, said that initiatives like the zero-waste football game are an important way for GVSU and its students to make a difference and dedicate themselves to sustainability.

“We could really set a huge example for every university. Not only in the country but

honestly beyond,” Torok said. “It will be a perfect start. I love seeing small things grow.”

For Torok personally, he hopes to leave this planet and everything around him better than how he found it-- and that includes GVSU. The football game was an opportunity to help lessen the waste at GVSU, but also to educate fans. Volunteers at several waste stations help attendees organize their trash when throwing it away to ensure that items are organized and separated correctly in three separate bins: compost, landfill, recycle. At the end of the game, the volunteers made laps around the stadium, picking up any trash that was left behind and making sure it gets into its rightful assigned bin, Torok said.

“It’s about people picking up after themselves, being responsible for the waste they produce, making sure it’s not only taken care of but done in a sustainable way,” Torok said.

While GVSU and the SEC are consistently and actively pursuing ways to help the environment, the club is in need of more volunteers.

Torok said that in a GVNext article from 2012, there were over 100 volunteers for a zero-waste football game at GVSU. Now, he says that there are five volunteers, six if he includes himself. Torok said that volunteering with the SEC has been a great learning experience and hopes more students will join them in the future.

“We have all the resources necessary, we just need passionate people to care and to implement that,” Torok said. “It’s a way for me to dedicate my time to making a difference around me, and it’s also great for networking with and getting to know other like-minded people.”

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SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

A6&7 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

An all ages venue for a new generation

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

After a successful run from 2000-2009, the live music venue Skelletones in Grand Rapids went on hiatus when owners Mark and Annette Leech wanted to settle down and start a family.

Three children and twelve years later, Skelletones has returned for a grand re-opening, and it’s back and better than ever.

On Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m. the doors to Skelletones were opened once more, and people flooded into the all-ages venue for a night of live heavy metal and punk rock performances.

Mark was excited to see the doors reopen.

“It certainly feels like a homecoming,” Mark said. “This weekend a lot of the bands that are playing are all guys who grew up at Skelletones.

Now they’ve matured and their bands are really good. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter in our life. Even though it’s an old chapter it’s like a full circle.”

When Skelletones first opened in 2000 it was a fully functioning coffeehouse with a cafe and live music. Leech said they realized quickly that there was not only a space issue, but that no one was as interested in the food as they were the performers.

After closing in 2009 the Leeches sold the coffeehouse to friends, whose business didn’t go as planned, and it closed once more.

Now, Skelletones is located in the basement of this coffeehouse where there is plenty of room for the band and those that come for the show.

There is a bar area but it is only used for light refreshments such as Coke, Redbull and water.

No alcohol is served at the venue.

Leech said Skelletones is purposefully

geared towards high school and college students so that younger people can have a place to come that is “safe and yet still cool.” He said they decided to re-open the venue because he noticed the lack of this type of venue in Grand Rapids.

“We didn’t know if we would ever pick (Skelletones) up again and honestly if we hadn’t it felt complete to me,” Leech said. “It felt like we went for something, it worked, we got to be a part of something bigger than us, and I was okay moving on. It really just became over the last two or three years my wife and I both felt like there was such a need again for an all-ages venue.”

He said while he loved the music, it is not as much about the show as it is the venue itself.

“I think what always motivated us wasn’t the music as much as trying to give young people a safe place to go on the weekends,” Leech said.

“Especially because we target a demographic like myself growing up, a lot of them come from broken homes, a lot of them from very atrisk situations. So, for us to try to be a positive voice or a listening ear at a stage of life when a lot of young people could be making very destructive life decisions is important.”

Leech said growing up his stepfather was physically and verbally abusive, so as soon as he could leave the house at ages 15 and 16 he went in search of music venues to spend his nights -- even if they weren’t safe for him.

He said most of the time he found himself at punk and metal shows hosted in sketchy clubs where he was exposed to drugs, alcohol and scandalous behavior -- all of which was normal for the people in attendance.

“On one hand that sounds cool, but, if I’m being honest, when I was 15 or 16 years old going into those situations it felt really intimidat-

THE VENUE: Skelletones is now in a newly renovated basement with colorful lighting. GVL | MARY DUPUIS

ing,” Leech said. “It felt very unsafe. I pretended to act hard and tough on the outside, because you have to, but on the inside, I remember thinking ‘Oh my mom wouldn’t like this,’ and, ‘I don’t feel safe here.’”

Leech drew from these experiences to create Skelletones, a safe haven for kids just like him.

“I think a place like Skelletones would’ve meant a lot to my younger self because I would’ve loved the community of broken people like me without the add-ons of some of the negative garbage that can come along with that,” Leech said.

In addition to the shelter that Skelletones provides, Leech also hopes that it can be a place of open conversation and connection between people who normally wouldn’t get along.

“What I want is a community where people who see the world differently, people with opposing worldviews, whether it’s spiritually, politically, whatever it is, can come together,” Leech said. “You don’t have to think like the person on the other side of the table, you don’t even have to agree with them, but, I love situations where you actually have to get to know somebody who thinks differently than you, and at least understand why they think the way they do.”

Leech said in order to foster this type of environment he will often have bands with different views play on the same night, hoping to create a connection greater than opposing beliefs.

“We kind of do that on purpose because we want to get both of them out of their bubbles just to see the bands sitting at their t-shirt tables, becoming friends with each other,” Leech said. “I love when I see those connections happen instead of people just shouting at each other on social media. I just think we can have

better conversations.”

While many of those in attendance at Skelletones shows are of high school and college-age once more, Leech said he hopes that returning Skelletones members will help to make it feel as welcome as it did when they were younger.

“Two years ago there was a Skelletones tribute show at The Intersection at Grand Rapids organized by a bunch of our former regulars,” Leech said. “Towards the end of the night before the last band went on I got up and I said it’s a lot of fun to look back at something we all had when we were younger, but I really challenged them.”

The challenge in place: “don’t get stuck looking back, look around.”

“I said, ‘The thing that meant something to most of you at Skelletones beyond the music was that somebody took you under their wing,’” Leech said. “‘Somebody a little bit older than you was kind to you, didn’t treat you like the ‘stupid 15 or 16 year old.’ Now, go do that, go be that for somebody else.”

Leech said it is his hope that the Skelletones community will be around for another 10 years, and he will pass on the torch to a new generation.

“I am getting older so there’s only so many years of running around with the young kids that I can do before I probably have to start slowing down,” Leech said. “I would love to leave it in the hands of someone that could carry it on past me, and probably even do it better than me. That would certainly be a win 10 years down the road.”

Skelletones’ next show will be Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $5 and proof of vaccination with a photo ID, a clear COVID test, or a mask are required. Guests are able to choose what they prefer.

MERCH: Crowds gathered at the t-shirt tables to grab some homemade merchandise. GVL | MARY DUPUIS

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A8 | NEWS COMMUNITY

GV, West Michigan remember 9/11 attacks

BY GILLIAN HANTON NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

In memoriam of the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids community have devoted a series of events to remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

On GVSU’s campus, Student Senate organized a flag display. For several years, the organization has taken on the responsibility of making certain that the fallen are recognized and honored. This past Saturday, their memorial of 2,977 flags was available for viewing on the East Kirkhof Lawn, with each flag representing a life lost in the attacks.

“We acknowledge that this memorial has become more than only commemorating the lives lost, but also recognizing the lives that are still impacted today by 9/11,” said Student Senate Vice President of Public Relations Eldon Pearson. “We stand in solidarity with the family and friends who lost a loved one in the attacks and those who continue to suffer today with 9/11 related illnesses and injuries.”

This year commemorated the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, strong sentiments arose for GVSU students, staff, and faculty. Yet, the Student Senate body continued to remain confident in the community’s capacity for support, unity, and compassion as the process of

REMEMBERING 9/11: Volunteers from Grand Valley Student Senate placed almost 3,000 flags on the lawn near Zumburge Pond to honor each life lost in 9/11 attacks in 2001. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

reflection took place.

“Each year, new students transition into both Grand Valley and the Student Senate body, and yet each year, students from across the campus community come together and create an opportunity to reflect and remember the lives lost in these events,” Pearson said.

Additionally, prior to the home football

game on Saturday, Sept. 11, Student Senate Vice President of Diversity Affairs, Kyle Gineman, and Vice President of Educational Affairs, Faith Kidd, ran a table outside Lubbers Stadium at which students could write letters to military veterans. Students who wanted to play a more active role in paying tribute opted for this choice, as their contri-

bution would make a direct impact on someone who defended the United States.

In the Grand Rapids community, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosted the 2021 Memorial Stair Climb, an annual event to honor the firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers who served on 9/11. The event took place on Saturday at the L.M.C.U Ballpark, where single participants and multi-person teams undertook the challenge of climbing the equivalent of 110 stories, the same height as the World Trade Center.

However, the foundation did not stop with just a physical tribute. With the help of over 300 participants and roughly the same number of donors, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) raised a total of over $29,000 as of September 10th, 45% more than their original goal of $20,000 according to the NFFF website.

Among the largest donors were corporations such as the Superior Foods Company, Michigan residents Carl Perrin, Mary Perrin, Roger DeHaan and Mike Vogt, and a generous anonymous donor who claimed the second-largest donation slot. In addition, the top team effort donations consisted of fire departments from all over West Michigan, including Walker, Grand Rapids, Algoma, and Lowell.

Proceeds from the event will be used to subsidy local firefighters and provide for the families of those who lost a loved one in the attacks.

LAKER EFFECT

GV students make a difference for Michigan high schoolers

BY KAY KELLER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Many students have fond memories of extracurricular activities that they did in high school. Whether it was sports, theatre, robotics, Model United Nations, or debate team, these activities helped enrich the lives of students.

Unfortunately, not all students have the opportunity or funds to participate.

In June of 2020, a group of Grand Valley State University students and local volunteers set out to change that. Led by GVSU senior Eric Siegrist, this group founded a nonprofit organization The Michigan Youth Education Foundation (MiYEF).

Founder and current Executive Director Eric Siegrist was on the Model United Nations team in his high school. His senior year, the team lacked the funding needed to attend their final conference. Instead of allowing months of hard work and dedication to fizzle out, Siegrist set to work fundraising for his team.

Even without support from his school or any available funds to help him, Siegrist was able to secure about $1,000 from local businesses. In the end, the entire team was able to attend their final conference.

Fueled by this experience, Siegrist decided that he wanted to be able to help students in similar situations. With help from a few friends

and community members, MiYEF was born.

“I was really big into Model UN and student activities in high school and knowing the cost of that is really expensive,” Siegrist said. “Students shouldn’t have to pay for it all themselves.”

MiYEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on giving K-12 students access to experiential learning outside of the classroom. The organization aims to provide grants to students and student organizations that lack the funding necessary to participate in extracurricular activities.

The nonprofit has two types of grants that can be applied for, one aimed at students and the other for groups. The student grant is for up to $250 while the group grant is for up to $750. So far, MiYEF has given out two grants, but they hope to get those numbers up.

“We have targeted areas that we’re looking at, so we’re really focusing on branching out from the metro-Detroit area,” Siegrist said.

With a background in the area, he has connections that can make branching out easier.

Even though the organization is starting on the east side of the state, they are also planning to reach out to schools in Grand Rapids and nearby cities on the west side.

MiYEF President Madeleine Samuels along with another board member will be focusing more on West Michigan.

ENRICHMENT: Extracurricular activities are an important part of high school, but not all student are able to participate due to financial barriers. The GVSU students seek to change that. GVL | ARCHIVES

“We’re going to start trying to work on getting more outreach to the west side of Michigan so that we can target different bases on both sides of the state, and then also working towards schools in the U.P. as well,” Samuels said.

Though the organization is largely focused on outreach and spreading word of mouth, they are also turning their focus

to fundraising. All of the board members and people working for MiYEF are volunteers, so all of the donations they receive go directly to the students that they are trying to help.

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A9 | LAKER LIFE

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

ARTS AT A GLANCE FINDING INTERNSHIP CONNECTIONS Tuesday Sept. 14 Grand Valley is hosting a nonprofit volunteer and internship fair at both the Allendale and Pew campus. These events will be held in the Kirkhof lawn and the Devos Courtyard. There will be approximately 60 different nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers or potential interns.

This event is a good opportunity for students to make connections with West Michigan businesses. The Community Service Center and Career Center are hosting this event. Preregistration isn’t required to attend the event, however, students can RSVP on LakerLink.

Resumes are also not required and there isn’t a dress code for the event, but students may want to dress more business casual if they’re looking for internships. These events will last from noon to 3 p.m.

GVSU HOSTING COMEDY SHOW

GV Stand Up is hosting another comedy show on Friday Sept. 17 from 8- 9:45 p.m.

This event is free to attend and will be held at the Cook Dewitt Center. This will be hosted

by Andrew Zonca and there will be seven comedians in attendance. Dalton Clifford, Colton Beveridge, Patrick McFarland, Donte Lillard, Damian Gonzalez, Kevin Key and Douglas Henry. Students can RSVP for this event on LakerLink.

MAYORS RIVER CLEAN-UP

Along the Grand River riverbanks students and community members can go to help clean up the rivers. This event is in collaboration with the Native American heritage celebration and the Ottawa County Parks Department. There will be a water ceremony, a brief history of the Anishinaabe and other guest speakers. The initial program will be from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and the cleanup will start after that and last until 7:30 p.m. This cleanup has occurred since 2004 and now includes Grandville, Kentwood, Wyoming, Walker and now East Grand Rapids. Due to this around 200,000 pounds of trash has been removed from the Grand River. Free trash bags, gloves and other resources will be provided for all registered volunteers. The event will take place at Grand Ravines North, which is located at 9920 42nd Ave in Jenison. For more information about registration, cleanup sites and hot to obtain cleanup supplies visit wmeac.org/mayors-cleanup. This event will be taking place on Saturday Sept. 18.

EDUCATION

GV “iChange” pursues diversity in STEM

BY YSABELA GOLDEN LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

It’s not a secret that the United States places particular importance and prestige on the fields of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The acronym is a frequent buzzword in conversations about education, politics, and economics— and for a clear reason.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for those employed in STEM fields is almost $90k, over double that of non-STEM occupations. Employment in STEM is also projected to experience more growth than other fields over the next decade. The question is, who exactly will get the chance to be a part of that growth?

Historically, not all students in the U.S. are given equal schooling in STEM subjects. According to 2019’s National Assessment of Educational Progress, students who were eligible for the National School Lunch Program scored 10% lower on the science test than those who weren’t. Similarly, Black students and Hispanic students scored 11% and 8% worse than White students, respectively. In higher education, women also face challenges.

In 2019, the Society of Women Engineers reported that over 32% of women pursuing STEM degrees switch out of those fields before graduating, and of those who stay, only 30% of women who earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering are still working in the field 20 years lat-

SCIENCE: GVSU and The Aspire: National Alliance for Inclusive & Diverse STEM Faculty are looking to diversify the STEM student body and faculty. COURTESY | VIRGINA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

er. “Organizational climate” is an oft-reported reason for this exodus.

The Aspire: National Alliance for Inclusive & Diverse STEM Faculty is looking to tackle this issue on a number of fronts (institutionally, regionally and nationally), driving towards their end goal of helping more underrepresented groups succeed in STEM fields through inclusive teaching practices and diverse faculties.

“If we want to diversify STEM writ large,

then if you don’t have a diverse faculty who are teaching in these disciplines, then you have less of a likelihood of attracting a diversified student body,” said Dr. Christine Rener, Grand Valley State University’s Vice Provost for Instructional Development and Director of the Faculty Teaching and Learning Center.

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LAKER EFFECT

Student Senate seeks to fill open seats

BY KAYLA WORTHY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

As the semester continues, many groups, clubs and organizations are still looking to recruit new members. One of those organizations is Student Senate who now have open seats after their election in April.

Student Senate is an organization that strives to make the university a better place by creating a bridge of communication between the student body and representatives.

CAMPUS MINISTRY HOSTED BEACH NIGHT

On Friday Sept. 17 Campus Ministry will be hosting a beach night at Holland State Park. They will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, playing spikeball and watching the sunset. This event is free to attend and if students need a ride carpooling is available.

For carpooling students are asked to meet at Java City, Kirkhof’s coffee shop, at 4:30 p.m. For those who are driving themselves, Campus Ministry will have a flag flying to mark where they are located at the beach.

The event will run from 5 to 8 p.m.

CONTENT CREATOR: Student Senate is accepting applications. COURTESY | ANNABELLE ROBISON

“Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate works to ensure that the student’s voice is continually heard by the university,” said Executive Vice President Emma Suchecki.

Every April they have elections to fill up 44 of their 50 senators’ seats. Due to this, interested candidates will have to apply for the remaining six open positions.

“Each of our 50 senators serve on one of six different committees: Senate Resources, Public Relations, Campus Affairs, Educational Affairs, Diversity Affairs and External Relations,” Suchecki said. “Six senators from our body also sit on the Appropriations Funding Board and assist with the allocation of the Student Life Fund.”

The Student Senate offers a wide variety of opportunities for all students regardless of major or interest. Though the applications are only for the remaining open seats in the six various committees this year, there are still opportunities to move up to these more esteemed positions listed above through the election in April.

Not all the roles have to deal directly with one of those committees, there are multiple opportunities. Elvin Pearson, the Vice President of Public Relations, shared that his role consists of running all of their social media aspects, including the monthly newsletter.

He is also the website coordinator with goals to create opportunities for feedback and keep the student body informed.

Student Senate is looking for people who possess certain qualities that make them a good fit for this kind of organization. One of those qualities is wanting to be active within the community.

“It’s as much of a time commitment as you want it to be,” Pearson said. “Something I really like about it is that there are some required time commitments, but your involvement in making the university better is up to you.”

The time commitments include being free from 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays for their general assembly, two office hours and two hours of general assembly. Students also are required to have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and attendance at a general assembly meeting before being interviewed.

“It’s a very relaxed environment for the interview and only takes about five to ten minutes,” Pearson said.

Students that are interested in applying can visit https://www.gvsu.edu/studentsenate/ LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

A10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE GV ART GALLERY WILL DISPLAY ARTPRIZE PIECES This year the Grand Valley State University Art Gallery will serve as a venue for two stone sculptures for ArtPrize this Sept. 16 through Oct. 3.

During this time Jason Quigno’s “Infinity Cube” will be displayed outside of the L.V. Eberhard Center and Jose Marcelino Valdez and Gerson Valdez-Cordon’s “Mayan Stelae Of King K’ak’ Tiliw Chan Topaat” will be on view outside of the L. William Seidman Center.

An interview with Quigno to learn more about his artistic process and the creation of “Infinity Cube” can be found on the GVSU Art Gallery’s YouTube page.

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS PREPARES ANNUAL FALL CHRYSANTHEMUM EXHIBITION The team at Frederik Meijer Gardens is busy at work preparing the displays for their 23rd “Chrysanthemums & More!” exhibition.

This “annual celebration of autumn” is the largest one in Michigan and will feature vast chrysanthemum displays across more than 158 acres, family-fun activities, and fall foliage.

Made to be part art and part science, the exhibition dives into how the interplay of light and shadow transform the “Autumn Glow” theme at the park. Fall plantings are placed to explore texture and mood as their look shifts throughout the day from when they are in bright sun versus dimly lit afternoons.

Other plantings showcase the beauty of the chrysanthemum through the visions of numerous designers, including the Gardens’ horticultural staff.

The exhibition will be on view from Sept.

17 through Oct. 31.

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS TO HOST HERB AND GOURD FEST The world of herbs and gourds is being explored through family friendly fall events at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Guests are invited to come and learn the different ways to grow gourds and use herbs for the best of their healthful properties.

Michigan Gourd Society members will also teach groups how to create gourd art using locally available supplies. Decorated gourds will be available for purchase at the event, from jewelry to vases and bowls.

Classes taking place for the festival will be a “Decorative Gourd Bowl” class on Sept. 18 and “The Art of Herbal Teas” class on Sept.

19. Fees will be included with admission.

GV RA STARTS “JAZZ LAB” FOR STUDENTS Grand Valley State University Resident Assistant Tréondris Snodgrass (RA Tré) from Pickard Living Center has created a new event for students to enjoy jazz while being productive.

Every Monday evening from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the Pickard Lobby students are invited to attend the “JAZZ LAB” hosted by RA Tré. A bluetooth speaker will be playing soft jazz for students to study, relax, or hang out with friends to.

While some nights jazz will be playing through the speaker, RA Tré has hinted at live performances to come in the future.

If you are a resident from a different building in Kirkpatrick, Pew, Pickard, DeVos, and Copeland (KPPDC), students are asked to reach out to RA Tré by email at snodgrat@ mail.gvsu.edu or speak to their own RA. Students are also encouraged to RSVP to the event on LakerLink.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

PERFORMANCE

The Grand Rapids Symphony’s BRAVO! Awards return

BY MARY RACETTE ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

A night of celebration, performance and honor will be held Wednesday, Sept.

15 at the DeVos Performance Hall. The Grand Rapids Symphony will be performing the work of American composer George Gershwin.

“The Idea of BRAVO! is to honor organizations or people in our community that have gone above and beyond to really make the arts flourish as well as give back to those who are less fortunate,” said Vice President of Development of the Grand Rapids Symphony Michael Naess.

ASM Global is one of the organizations that will receive the honor of the BRAVO! Award. They are the company that manages the DeVos Performing Hall and they have helped the symphony with production, booking and other responsibilities that have to do with the building.

The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/ Arena Authority (CAA) is the other organization that will be receiving a BRAVO! Award. This is the board that administers DeVos Performance Hall among other West Michigan facilities.

“When you get a BRAVO! Award it is because you have gone above and beyond to do something for the community and both of those organizations have allowed us to keep

CELEBRATION: The Grand Rapids Symphony brought back their BRAVO! Awards to recognize those who have made significant efforts to support the arts in the community. GVL | JONATHAN LANTIEGNE

performing,” Naess said.

In addition to the BRAVO! Award, one community member will be receiving the Nancy and Ray Loeschner Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award. The Loeschner’s were influential people to the Grand Rapids Symphony and were dedicated to giving back to the community by their generous donations and frequent volunteering at a range of local organizations. This award is given to someone in the community who has shown similar energy towards bettering their community through acts of service.

Suellen Bandyk is the 2021 Nancy and Ray Loeschner Outstanding Volunteer

Leadership Award recipient. For the last 50 years, Bandyk has been actively volunteering and donating to the West Michigan community. Among her many acts of community service, she has housed and fed musicians and volunteered at the Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital Gift Shop, West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place and the Grand Rapids Friends of the Opera.

Awards will be presented in between pieces. Every piece performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony will be the work of Gershwin.

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STAND UP

GV faces off against MSU in a comedy showdown

BY AYRON RUTAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

In collaboration with Spartan Stand Up of Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University Stand Up hosted “MSU vs. GVSU,” a free comedy show that took place at GVSU’s Cook-Dewitt Center.

The show featured a stacked line-up of comics from both GVSU and MSU, including Faizan Malik, Sam Batali, Ritwik Verma, Yas-

JOKESTERS: GVSU and MSU faced off against one another in a comedy battle to fill the Cook-Dewitt Center with laughter. COURTESY | ANDREW ZONCA

meen Guzman, Damian Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzgerald and Kyle Maclean.

GV Stand Up describes themselves as a walk-on based comedy troupe that performs stand-up comedy monthly on campus and at comedy clubs all around Grand Rapids. The troupe is open to any GVSU students who want to join and have a love for stand up comedy.

The group was started by GVSU student Andrew Zonca after a previous stand-up club dissolved.

“There was a stand-up club at Grand Valley before COVID,” Zonca said. “That club closed down due to lack of membership and everyone on the board had graduated. Nobody wanted to pick it up so I picked up the pieces and totally re-built it.”

Zonca said he founded GV Stand Up in an attempt to resurrect the old club and fuel his other interests by doing so.

“I was a theater kid for a little bit in high school,” Zonca said. “So being on a stage and being loud in general has always been something I have enjoyed. I actually tried standup because I really enjoy writing. I’m on the

Anchored In Poetry team too, even though I’m an IT major.”

“MSU vs. GVSU” was actually born out of a friendship between Zonca and another comic from Lansing, Fazan Malik (President of MSU’s stand-up club). Zonca said that they met due to the friendly dynamic of stand-up comedy in Michigan.

“There’s Grand Rapids comics, Lansing comics, and Detroit comics,” Zonca said.

“Grand Rapids comics and Lansing comics intermingle with each other because we’re only an hour away. While in Lansing I ran into Fazan and we’ve been close ever since.”

When Zonca spread the word about GV Stand Up’s first event, Malik jumped on the opportunity.

“When I announced that I was going to be doing this open mic, Fazan said that he wanted to be a part of it and that he could bring his MSU boys,” Zonca said. “ LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

A11 | SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS

FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL ANNOUNCES FIVE FALL GAMES The conclusion to last season for the women’s softball team ended in triumph as they made it into the College World Series for the second year in a row, falling to no. 1 ranked Augustana University on the third day of the tournament. The Lakers now step up to the plate for five games this fall season with three of them at home. Their first games took place in Westfield, Indiana on Sunday Sept. 12 against Marian University and Northern Kentucky.

This Sunday, Sept. 19, Muskegon Community College and Valparaiso University will play the Lakers on the GVSU Softball Field, also facing off against each other in between GVSU’s doubleheader games. Finally, the Lakers will finish off their fall season on Oct. 1 against Aquinas College.

Several returning players, including senior pitcher, Hannah Beatus, will be using their extra eligibility this season, aiming to make it into the College World Series for a third year in a row.

GLIAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CATE BROWN

Last week, the GLIAC Players of the Week included junior defender, Cate Brown, on the women’s soccer team. Brown contributed to an impressive freshman year at GVSU, appearing in 20 games her first season, making history by now allowing any goals past her in the regular GLIAC season.

Brown’s defensive skills helped the team to their 13th straight GLIAC Tournament crown in a row and their sixth National Championship. Last year, the season was cut short due to COVID-19, but Brown still clocked 175 minutes of game time and went to their 14th straight GLIAC Tournament title.

Under new coaching staff, Jim Conlon, the Lakers hope to maintain their successes and redeem themselves after a year lost to the pandemic, bringing home another GLIAC title.

GV ALUMNA, CHELSEA BREHM, HONORED AT WHITECAPS GAME

Over the Labor Day weekend, Chelsea Brehm, a Grand Valley State University alumna and leader in women’s sports, was recognized as one of four women who have made a difference in sports. On Sunday, Sept.

5, the Whitecaps audience took a moment to snap a few pictures of Brehm with Roxy the River Rascal as she accepted flowers.

Brehm graduated from GVSU in 2010 with a B.A. in Physical Education and an emphasis in Sport Leadership, later getting her M.Ed. in Adult Higher Education to work in the GVSU Sports Management department for a few years. She also worked at Grand Rapids Community College and Wester Michigan University for various teaching jobs in the sports department.

The Whitecaps honored Brehm for her advocacy for women in sports, as she is the organizer of the National Women and Girls in Sports Day at GVSU which has been celebrated on Feb. 2 since 1987 after the progress made by Title XI. Brehm currently holds the head coaching position for the FarOut Volleyball Club after playing volleyball and basketball as a kid.

RETURN: In their first game back on the field in over a year, the Lakers dominated Colorado State-Pueblo with a score of 34-14. GVL | LAUREN SEYMOUR

GV Football starts strong, winning season opener against Colorado State-Pueblo

BY SHAWN ROBINSON, SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

For the first time in almost two years, Grand Valley State University is playing football again and finally, with fans in the stands. No. 14 ranked GVSU opened their season against no. 19 ranked Colorado State-Pueblo on this past Saturday, Sept. 11, for the Stars and Stripes game at Lubbers Stadium and won 34-14.

GVSU is celebrating its 50th season of football in 2021 and will honor specific decades at home games all season long.

“660 days since the last day we stepped on the field together,” said sophomore linebacker, Abe Swanson. “Obviously there’s

a lot of emotion that goes on during that time, experience a lot of things and a lot of practices against each other. When you’re going up against one of the better offenses in the nation every single day, it’s going to raise your level of competition. To finally be out there and play someone else that’s not wearing Grand Valley, the emotion that runs thru you right there, it shows what we did on the field today.”

GVSU got off to a fast start in the first quarter, as their opening drive resulted in a 16-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback, Cade Peterson, and GVSU took the lead 7-0.

“The key to the game was the opening drive of the game,” said head coach,

Matt Mitchell. “They won the toss and deferred, we took the ball, and they took the wind. We started on the 25 and went down the field and I think it was a key for the confidence of our team.”

The Lakers then came out on defense and forced a quick three-and-out. With the Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves forced to punt on fourth down, senior wide receiver, Juwan Johnson, returned an 80-yard punt to the house and extended the Lakers lead 14-0.

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VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball finds their rhythm at Capital Classic

BY JUSTICE STEINER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

After opening their season 1-3, the Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball team traveled to Springfield, Illinois to compete in the Capital Classic Volleyball Tournament.

First-year head coach, Jason Johnson, said heading into the second tournament of the season, he was more focused on developing the team chemistry and growing as a team, rather than wins and losses.

SPIKE: GVSU traveled to Illinois to compete in their second tournament. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

Johnson and the Lakers haven’t had an easy schedule by any means to start the 2021 season.

The team had their first match of the tournament Friday morning, Sept. 10, against Northwest Missouri State, who’s ranked eighth in the AVCA Division II coaches poll.

Although NWMSU is ranked inside the top 10 in the nation, the Lakers did not back down from the challenge. GVSU took the first set of the match in a nail-biting 32-30 victory. After falling short in the second set 19-25, the Lakers took a 2-1 lead over NWMSU, winning the third set 25-19.

However, on the brink of being upset by the unranked Lakers, NWMSU fought back and won both the fourth and fifth sets, winning the match, 3-2.

“We have had four matches versus top 25 opponents this year and have gone 1-3, two of those losses were in five sets,” Johnson said.

“While I love to find the positives to take away from matches, we are still trying to figure out how to find our identity within these matches and finish the job.”

Leading the way for the Lakers was sophomore Sarah Wight, who tallied 18 kills and

eight blocks. Junior Erin O’Leary added 27 digs in the effort to upset NWMSU. Following the hard-fought first match, the Lakers took the court against McKendree University for their second and final match of the day. GVSU didn’t have much of a struggle, sweeping the Bearcats in three sets (25-23, 2519, 26-16).

“I think we are getting closer, I love how hard our team plays, I love how connected we are as a group, but making the plays under pressure is something we are learning about ourselves,” Johnson said.

Helping lead the way for the Lakers were a pair of juniors, Ali Thompson and Abby Graham, who had 15 digs each. Junior Karlie Kucharczyk chipped in with 15 kills and sophomore Jaelianna Primus added seven kills and five blocks.

“Although we don’t feel like tonight was the best game we’ve put together so far this season, we continued working and playing together from start to finish,” Thompson said.

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SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS SOCCER

Women’s soccer continues win streak in Missouri

BY JOSH CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

TEAM: GVSU continues their winning ways against in Missouri. GVL | jONATHAN LANTIEGNE

After a hot start with back-to-back wins, the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team and new head coach, Jim Conlon, continue to add to the win category with a 5-2 victory over Northwest Missouri State.

The team traveled to Missouri for a weekend of non-conference pool play, and after such a long road trip, Conlon is happy with the turnout.

“I think the women are taking every adjustment that we make,” Conlon said.

“They are really implementing it. I think a lot of the credit goes to the team that is working selflessly for each other and making the adjustments and doing what’s asked of them.”

The Lakers opened up the scoring in the first half with a goal from senior forward, Catie Baron, and an assist from the senior defender, Cecilia Steinwascher, in the 32-minute mark of play to put the Lakers up 1-0. Shortly after, Steinwascher found the back of the net on a penalty kick in the 41 minutes mark to extend the lead 2-0.

In the second half of play, the Lakers continued to put their foot on the gas

with a goal from sophomore forward, Kennedy Bearden, putting the Lakers up 3-0. The Bearcats didn’t want to go down easily and cut the lead to two in the 63-minute mark, making it 3-2. The Lakers quickly answered with a goal just five minutes later from redshirt sophomore, Chantel Carranza, giving the lakers a three-goal cushion once again.

The Lakers scoring was capped off by freshman forward, Alicia White, in the 71-minute mark of play, making it 5-1 in the Lakers’ favor. The game’s last goal came from the Bearcats in the 79-minute mark, but it was too late to make a comeback, and the no. 3 ranked Lakers are now 3-0 for the season.

After a long road trip, Conlon was more than pleased with how his women handled it and attacked the Friday matchup.

“Obviously, you have to manage the long road trip,” Conlon said. “I thought we did a good job taking care of our bodies and making sure we stayed mentally tuned in on what the objective is for the trip. The players put together a great performance; that Northwest side was a very good side, and I think we were able to play a good back-and-forth game and find the back of the net on occasions that really swung the momentum in our way.”

Although they’re coming off a win, the

weekend is not over as the number three Lakers will have a Division II top ten matchup on Sunday, Sept. 12 against number seven ranked Central Missouri, but Conlon and the Lakers are ready for the test.

“We expect Central to be a very good team,” Conlon said. “They’re the host of this four-team pool that we are playing in, and we expect them to be a formidable opponent. They looked good yesterday in their match against Minnesota State. We are looking to just come out here and continue executing what we have been doing to finish the learning process in the non-conference play as we get into GLIAC play.”

On their day off before the matchup, Conlon said that it’s going to be a lot of making sure his team’s minds and bodies are regenerated for their matchup on Sunday.

“Today [Saturday, Sept. 11] is really focused on body recovery and study time,” Conlon said. “There is a lot of study table, personal, and academic time put into today while they regen their bodies.”

The Lakers will hope to continue their win streak on Sunday, Sept. 12, in their ‘far from home’ matchup against a top ten opponent in Central Missouri, hopefully returning to Michigan maintaining that perfect record.

GOLF

Men’s golf secures victory at the Arendsen Invitational

BY JAMES HERRICK SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University golf team started the 2021 fall season on a high note on Saturday, Sept. 5-6. GVSU hosted the Arendsen Invitational at Meadows Golf Club where they defended their home course by winning with a 54-hole combined team score of 848 (-4).

This score left a wide margin between GVSU and the runner-ups, the University of Findlay, who shot an 862 (+10), and in third was the University of Indianapolis with a score of 870 (+18). Some other notable schools in the field were GLIAC rivals Ferris State and Saginaw Valley State, who finished in seventh and eighth places respectively.

This impressive team performance was led by redshirt freshman Charlie DeLong.

DeLong finished the Invitational with a score of 207 (-6) which was low enough for him to finish in first place individually.

“Hitting good tee shots is pretty important and I did that fairly well,” DeLong said.

“I kept it in play; I really didn’t take any penalty shots. Not shooting yourself in the foot was a pretty big key. And I putted pretty well

and when you make a lot of puts it’s hard to shoot that bad of a score.”

DeLong was not the only Laker near the top of the leaderboard. Another redshirt freshman, Nick Krueger, finished in fourth with a score of 211 (-2). Rounding out the scoring golfers were redshirt freshman, Drew Coble, and junior, Eric Nunn. Coble tied for eleventh with a score of 216 (+3) and Nunn was only one stroke back with a 217 (+4), which resulted in a tie for 13th.

“That is definitely the way we wanted to start,” said DeLong. “We have pretty high expectations and goals. We know we are good enough to beat anybody. Doing it right off the start is fun. Our whole deal here is that we are trying to win a national championship. If we are going to do that we have got to be able to win, week in and week out.”

The golf team also competed in the Al Watrous Tournament on Sept. 11-12 in Bay City, taking home a score of 286 (-2), right behind Findlay after the first round.

The difference with this tournament compared to the Arendsen Invitational is that it’s only a 36-hole event in comparison to last week’s 56 holes, and it was hosted at

Saginaw Valley Public Golf Course.

“I hear it (Saginaw Valley Public Golf Course) is fairly short and narrow,” said DeLong. “So what I have heard is if you can keep it in play there are some opportunities for some low scores.”

The team had time to play a practice round before the tournament, so each player had some knowledge of the course heading into round one. Another positive is that this type of short and narrow course design is nothing new for the Lakers since Meadows Golf Course, GVSU’s home course, also demands high-quality play off the tee. So the course design should play in the Lakers’ favor.

“Going into any tournament we are trying to win as a team,” DeLong said. “If we just stick to the same things I think we will see similar results here coming up.”

As the golf team carries this momentum into the Al Watrous Tournament, they’re hoping to see similar results in round two and for the remainder of their fall season. Sept. 20-21, the Lakers will be traveling to the Doc Spragg Invitational in Findlay, OH for their penultimate tournament of the season.

GREEN: Charlie DeLong finished strong at the Arendsen Invitational last week. GVL | ARCHIVES