Dec. 21, 2018

LOG

the sailors’

Volume 57 Edition 4 Friday, December 21, 2018

Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, Michigan 49441

Emotional Ending

Defensive coordinator David Check consoles senior Jacob Wahlberg after the Sailors lost the Div. 2 state championship Vaping is becoming problematic football game 29at Shores, and administrators along with 16 to Warren De La the school resource officer are trying Salle. – p. 16 to curb its use. Additionally, a health teacher weighs in on the topic. – p. 8-9

editorial

2 Dec. 21, 2018

The Silent Destroyer

Toxic relationships can damage mental health

N

oticing a toxic relationship isn’t as simple as it seems.

One may think a toxic relationship would be easily detectable, but in reality, a toxic relationship, a friendship or a relationship that is bringing one or both Column people down, by Jaylene typically goes Davis, overlooked editorial because of its editor not-so-subtle signs.

Every toxic relationship hides behind a different mask. To outsiders, the mask simply looks like an average friendship or relationship.

But, beware, in today’s world, nothing is as it seems at first glance.

I have learned after evaluating my countless past friendships and relationships the first step to noticing a toxic relationship is seeing its signs, which are different depending on the person or relationship.

For example, some toxic relationships are caused by an abuser. This can be seen when one abuses the other, verbally or physically. One may say abuse could be a mistake, but if the abuse is prevalent on many occasions, the relationship should have some looking into.

During my sophomore year, I had a friend who conEditor-in-Chief Caitlin McCombs Adviser Warren Kent III Editorial/Review Editors Morgan Cathey Jaylene Davis Feature Editors Kali Jend Sammie Ladegast Sports Editors Chris Horvath Paige Judson

stantly reminded me of my flaws verbally and even over posts on social media. She would mock things I did and my appearance and post it to her many followers. She also got physical with me easily.

If I didn’t do what she said, she would threaten me, kick me or shove me.

But because she was my closest friend, I overlooked her abusive behavior and convinced myself that she did mean things because she cared about me. The simple solution was looking at our friendship and deciding for myself if it seemed like she wanted me to excel in life or if she just wanted to be better than me.

This taught me that some friends do not always have the best intentions.

True relationships consist

Page Designers Emma Lee Bennett Emmalee Dykstra Bailey Graham Erick Hannahs Mieke Hart Gabby Lopez Erin Powers Sarah Roman Timmy Schneider Marisa VanderMolen

of people wanting the best for each other, but if someone’s personal issues get in the way of helping each other, then what even is the point of that relationship? Relationships are not for personal gain but for the development of companionship.

Other toxic relationships can be controlling, both physically and mentally. These relationships can be identified because someone is isolated from the outside world and other people who care about them just hold the person back from true happiness and their full potential.

This can be seen when someone blocks all of their partner’s friends on social media and does not allow them to communicate with others.

But, some controlling toxic

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relationships aren’t as easy to see because the victim is being controlled in their mind.

I had a relationship where my partner knew exactly what to say to make me fall for him. It was difficult for me to realize our relationship was toxic because I had been manipulated to believe everything he said.

It took me a while to I realize he didn’t deserve my company, and I was not going to waste my time with him anymore.

But after I noticed our relationship was toxic and finally started separating myself from him, I felt less tortured and slowly became more content the more I saw how much better life became without him.

When I finally escaped his trap, I found something better and actually real when I least expected it.

Sometimes, relationships are toxic not because of the people but by the way the people treat each other.

These toxic relationships are easiest to see outside of the relationship.

I commonly see this between couples who play games with each other’s feelings (like lying) and do toxic behavior together like use illegal substances. This type of relationship is difficult to come out of because both people like each other but still continue to hurt each Please see TOXIC, page 6

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The Sailors’ Log

staff editorial

Use the two-week break to replenish, relax, refocus Christmas break is approaching.

After a long, first trimester it is important for students to replenish themselves.

With an almost two-week break starting tomorrow, there are many things one can do to relax during their break from school.

Sleep.

Get back on a steady sleep schedule in order to get rid of sleep deprivation. Sleep in when you can but also get a steady amount of sleep each night in order to keep it consistent.

Get away from (school)books.

Actually, take a break.

Don’t do homework or stress about things you have to do when you return to school.

Hang out with your friends and family. Spend time with the people you love and make the most of it.

Put the electronics down and enjoy the Christmas season.

Go ice skating, sledding, skiing, etc. For example, most students complain about not having money, but sledding at Lake Harbor Park is free; you just have to bring your own sled.

Take time to disconnect and truly relax because before you know it, we will be back at school.

Hitting the books and carrying on with the second trimester. So enjoy every moment of break.

Replenish, relax, and refocus.

Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editorial board of The Sailors’ Log. Your Voice, the letters to the editor section, is the opinion of our readers. All letters to the editor must be signed.

This edition of The Sailors’ Log was printed by The Argus-Press 201 E. Exchange St. Owosso, MI 48867

editorial WTF is wrong with swearing?

Dec. 21, 2018

The Sailors’ Log

3

Swearing has become a large part of teen culture

I

n today’s world, swearing has almost become as common as the word “the.” Is that such a bad thing?

It seems that there is a large divide over swear words. A lot of people seem to think that swear words are too vulgar and too improper and believe that these swear words are so bad that no one should be able to utter them.

The other side of the argument would say that Column by Morgan every word only means Cathey, what you want it to mean editorial and that words are just editor words.

In the past, when people were more conservative and people often were trying to make themselves look as proper and perfect as possible, swearing was not allowed, especially by children and women. Mostly, the people who are against swearing today are the people who are older and were raised to behave and think in that way.

In addition to the group of older people, parents specifically, schools carry the same belief that children should grow up not swearing, and this one of the big arguments for the side that dislikes swearing.

Though half of the divide believes that

swearing should be allowed, most can acknowledge there is a time and a place for everything, and swearing does have its place.

Despite that, swearing really is not as bad as it is made out to be. Every swear word originates as a word that meant something and was then taken out of context to mean something else.

According to the Huffington Post website, the infamous F-word, which everyone believes to be so awful and disturbing, originated as a word with a whole other meaning. It has a Germanic origin, related to Dutch, Swedish, and German words, and it meant “to strike” and “to move back and forth.” That doesn’t sound nearly as vulgar as it’s thought to be.

The word was later turned into something to be negatively looked at when a monk took it upon himself to use it as an insult against his abbot.

We all know that the “a-word” originated as a way to name a donkey, and the “b-word” was a name for a female dog. History is not what really matters, though; what matters is how the words are used.

Information collected from a survey conducted by 9Round Kickbox Fitness showed that a majority of people swear in order to relieve stress.

“My favorite tradition is gathering with family and spending time with the people that mean the most to me. Also, (I like) unwrapping gifts; however, the important thing is giving what you can to cheer up someone else’s holiday.”

– Blake Freeman, senior “My favorite holiday tradition is decorating the tree. Every year, my grandma and I add a new ornament to the tree: some thing that’s personal to us. It helps us bond in the weeks leading up to Christmas.” – Carter Milan, junior “My favorite holiday tradition is doing Elf on a Shelf; even though I know it’s not real, sorry if you didn’t know that, we still hide them, and it’s always fun. I still refuse to touch them so they don’t lose their magic.” – Jake Trygstad, sophomore “My favorite holiday tradition is opening gifts with my family, eating food together, and just hanging out together around the piano. Basically, (it’s) a normal Christmas.” – Keith Woolery, freshman

Other people swear because they simply grew up swearing and the words were never meant to be anything more than just that: words.

Others, according to Science Alert, choose to swear in different contexts and for different purposes: for linguistic effect, to convey emotion, for laughs, or perhaps even to be deliberately nasty.

They say that the swearing and intellect connection can even go as far as to say that the more fluent a person is in

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Q

the big

In each edition of The Sailors’ Log, eight students will be asked their opinion about a current topic.

swearing the more fluent they tend to be in the English language.

So, whether the person swearing is trying to relieve stress or simply trying to convey how they are feeling, people who swear are not using the words to be vulgar or improper, they’re using them for their own reasons.

There is nothing wrong with swearing; it has become a perfectly normal part of our society, and people should not get upset over a few stray “swear” words.

“My favorite holiday tradition is performing with my friends in the Singing Christmas Tree. It’s something that the community can connect over and is such a fun experience.” – Skye Lowe, senior “My favorite holiday tradition is always getting a tree after Thanksgiving and making sure the whole family is there to decorate it. Since I have a younger sister, we also love to put out cookies and on Christmas Eve every year.” – Savannah Bush, junior “My favorite holiday tradition is baking cinnamon rolls with my mom right after opening gifts on Christmas morning. We’ve done it as long as I remember, and I’m going to carry the tradition on with my children.” – Liz Swainston, sophomore “My favorite holiday tradition is building a gingerbread house with my mom. Together, we always have a blast listening to Christmas music and building our gingerbread creation.”

– Noelle Elzinga, freshman

review Baby, it’s cold outside, so watch a movie

4

Dec. 21, 2018

The Sailors’ Log

Hallmark Channel brings holiday spirit to viewers through films

I

have never been a big fan of Christmas movies.

If that makes me a “Grinch,” I’ll take the title if it means I never have to sit through that movie again.

For the longest time, my holiday movie queue consisted of only three movies: Elf, A Christmas Story, and Home Alone. This was until I came across the Hallmark Channel.

Within minutes of watching my first movie, I was whisked into some sort of perfect world where every person is Movie attractive, every house is beautifully Review by decorated, and every conflict is resolved, Mieke Hart, culminating in the perfect Christmas. page editor Sure, it’s cheesy.

One could even argue that the storyline of each is the same: some woman is faced with an obstacle (usually, she loses her job or her boyfriend) around Christmas, fate collides with some attractive man, and after winning some sort of competition, whether it be cookie baking or snowman making, she falls in love; and her issues resolve right as Christmas approaches.

Either way, the heart-warming and feel-good qualities of these movies give me something to look forward to watching as the holidays commence.

Over the years, I have watched countless Hallmark movies. Each year, beginning as early as October, Hall-

mark begins a marathon of holiday movies that occupy the entirety of the channel’s airtime.

During this period, I spend the majority of my free time perched in front of the television. I cannot help but feel extreme excitement when the channel announces the premiere of one of the several Christmas movies it churns out each year.

Again, I will acknowledge these movies may not be the most original, the greatest quality, or even cast skilled actors and actresses. Regardless of these aspects, a Hallmark movie is something that can be enjoyed by all.

Few movies have made me cry as hard as I cried

while watching Toy Story 3. This level of tears was reached while watching Hallmark’s Christmas Homecoming, a 2017 movie starring Julie Benz and Michael Shanks. Never have I been more engrossed in a movie than when I was watching A December Bride, starring Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowndes, in which Lowndes’ fiancé is stolen by her cousin and must attend their wedding.

While many may not have recognized any of the aforementioned actors and actresses, notable people have starred in Hallmark films. Lacey Chabert, better known as Gretchen Wieners (yes, from Mean Girls), has acted in more than five Hallmark movies. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, a new member of the British Royal Family, has starred in two Hallmark movies. That surely must give people reason enough to spend the day watching Hallmark movies.

I love Christmas as much as the next person, but I have always struggled to enjoy the holiday movies everyone seems to love. Regardless of whether someone is a diehard holiday movie fanatic or a self-proclaimed holiday movie hater, like me, anyone can enjoy the endearing plots of Hallmark movies.

If you’re like me and don’t like Christmas movies, you don’t have to be a complete Grinch this Christmas.

With holiday break approaching, now is the perfect time to reform your ways. Get into the holiday spirit by watching a Hallmark movie today.

Home Alone Best Holiday Flick A Christmas Story “Every Christmas Eve, my family watches A Christmas Story, and then, we go look at Christmas lights around our neighborhood. The family tradition that goes with it is what makes it my favorite.” – Camden DeRuiter, junior National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation “Every Christmas my family watches National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while we are decorating our Christmas tree. It is a great classic Christmas movie that is super funny, and it just really gets you in the Christmas spirit.” – Cherish Mendez, freshman How the Grinch Stole Christmas “I grew up watching The Grinch, so it has always been my go-to Christmas movie. I love the part at the end where all the whos are singing around the Christmas tree.” – Samantha Saari, freshman

Home Alone was chosen as the favorite holiday movie – non-cartoon – by 59 students (32.1 percent), in a survey distributed by The Sailors’ Log and completed by 184 students. The top five movies also included Elf (21.2 percent; 39 students), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (14.7; 27), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (9.8; 18) and A Christmas Story (6.5; 12).

Home Alone I like how the movie (Home Alone) shows family importance because at the beginning Kevin hates the rest of his family, but in the end, he misses them and sees how important they are. I also like how funny it is because of all the traps he places. – Trevor Baker, senior Elf “I watch it all the time around the holidays. We like to make a lot of popcorn, hot chocolate, and occasionally cookies for our movie nights. It is a tradition that has been happening for years.” – Hannah Clark, junior

news

The Sailors’ Log

Dec. 21, 2018

5

By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-Chief

Shores provides financial help

Four weeks after a car accident, sophomore Cameron Cisneros is up and walking at Mary Free Bed. “Cam is doing pretty well right now; he is healing nicely and making big improvements,” his mother Kelly wrote to The Sailors’ Log on Dec. 7.

Kelly Cisneros also said Cameron has many steps to take toward his recovery.

“Cam’s next steps are to continue his speech, occupational, physical, and recreational therapy sessions and hopefully be back home by Christmas,” she said. “Even after getting home, he will Cisneros most likely still have some outpatient therapy.”

The Shores community has been supporting the family through fundraisers, such as a GoFundMe page and Coffee House, which Kelly Cisneros said is much needed and appreciated.

“We cannot possibly begin to thank everyone in the Mona Shores community for their outpouring of love and donations that have been given to us directly or through the GoFundMe page,” she said. “You guys have gone above and beyond anything I can imagine. Makes us even more proud and thankful to be a part of this great Sailor Nation.”

With everything being done to help the healing process from Cam, his mother said he was able to go on an outing

Senior awarded with the VFW scholarship

By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-Chief

By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-Chief

Sophomore recovering from accident After an accident sent a sophomore to the hospital with serious injuries, the Shores community stepped up to support him and his family.

At least three fundraisers have been started to help the family of sophomore Cameron Cisneros as he recovers from being hit by a car on Nov. 7.

First, a GoFundMe page was created by business teacher Chelsea Hall. She said she started the page because it is one of the easiest ways to raise money.

Hall said she has no personal connection with Cam, but she knows that when these things happen, time doesn’t just stop, and there are bills to be paid and she wanted to help.

“Strangely enough, I was just finishing up a book about a man who led a toxic lifestyle then turned his life around to start a charity that provides clean water to millions of people in Africa,” Hall said. “His book was incredibly inspiring.

It’s always important to help those who need it, especially if you have the power and means to do so.”

A second way Shores helped was through the annual Coffee House production, showcasing the musical talents of Shores students.

“We just felt it was a way we could help as something so unexpected and tragic for a family is so overwhelming to deal with,” choir director Shawn Lawton said.

“Adding in the expenses that are incurred from travel, food, lodging and medical make things that

with some patients at Mary Free Bed. “He wants everyone to know he is okay and getting better every day,” Kel-

ly Cisneros said. “He just wants to be home and is looking forward to the day he can come back to school as well.”

Winter driving can be dangerous

By Emma Lee Bennett Staff Writer

In Michigan, especially Muskegon, winter driving could almost be an extreme sport. With icy roads and snow banks blocking the way, high school drivers better buckle up for this winter.

Jared Passchier, the school’s resource officer, said he recommends students slow down and look out for the upcoming winter months.

“Besides road conditions, you don’t have has much traction, so you can’t turn as fast or stop as fast,” Passchier said. “You can start as fast, but you still have to be able to slow down.”

Junior Sarah Anton, who has been driving for nearly a year, learned that about a month ago.

“I was slowing to a stop at the end of the street, and I almost slid into the curb,” Anton said. “I ended up stopping though. Additionally, students are going the same

much more difficult.”

Coffee House was able to raise $960 plus a $50 gift card to Wesco. They acquired this money from ticket sales, concessions, and they also made a donation box for the cause.

Another fundraiser happening at the school comes from the front office. Each year, the front office adopts a family for adopt a family, where they buy Christmas gifts for a family that cannot afford to.

This year, after everything that has happened with the Cisneros family, the front office decided to adopt them for Christmas.

Principal Jennifer Bustard said, “If this act of kindness can take a burden of the Cisneros family and help them focus on Cam, then we want to do everything we can to help.”

speeds they would if there wasn’t ice on the roads. Students need to slow down in the winter months.”

Additionally, it may seem really bright out because of the snow, but you can’t see other cars coming unless you have your headlights on. Don’t rely on the auto-light, just be mindful to turn them on.”

“Students, Passchier said, should plan ahead for driving in winter weather.

“Plan time to get to your destination, make sure you have warm clothes in case you slide off,” Passchier said.

“If you do slide off, it is recommended to stay in the car; it’ll be safer than getting out in case more cars start to slide.”

Also, once students reached their destination, like the school parking lot, Passchier said can have its own challenges.

“In our parking lot, it’s a challenge of parking in an orderly fashion,” said Passchier, who added that it can be difficult to see the lines.

Senior Maddy Gleason was recently awarded the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship.

“I am grateful that they chose me for the award,” she said.

The Voice of Democracy Scholarship is an essay program that provides high school students with the opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.

Gleason, who said she Gleason heard about this scholarship from her stepdad, wrote a 3-5 minute speech about “Why My Vote Matters” and recorded herself speaking it.

She then had to turn in an application, a printed essay, and an audio of her speech.

She said she applied because she wants money toward college.

This scholarship offers up to $30,000 to college if a person competes at the state level and then reaches the national level in Washington, D.C. For winning the local competition, Gleason received $200 from the local VFW post and another $1,000 from the local VFW post for being the Muskegon County district winner.

In January, Gleason’s speech will move onto the state level before, hopefully, making it to the national level in March.

Tips to Safe Driving

• Slow down; adjust speed to conditions • Always wear seatbelt • Keep mirrors, windows, and lights clean • Always keep lights on • Keep gas tank at least half full • Make sure to have extra mittens or gloves, socks, a warm cap, and rain gear • Don’t pass other vehicles on or near a bridge • Watch for other vehicles having problems with the road conditions • If you don’t feel comfortable driving, pull off road and park at the first safe place • Always have a flashlight with extra batteries • Always have jumper cables in the car (information provided by Jared Passchier, Shores’ school resource officer)

6

profiles

Dec. 21, 2018

The Sailors’ Log

A n a ng el is born

Senior Lauren Jensen (left) became the 36th Angel in the 34-year history of the Singing Christmas Tree.

2017 - Noah Patterson 2016 - Charles Poole III 2015 - Jamie Gibbs, Madison Strait 2014 - Maxwell Oldaker 2013 - Katie Beemer 2012 - Sebastian Obzut 2011 - Nicholas Kurburski 2010 - Chelsea Boynton 2009 - Stevie Hendrick 2008 - Christopher Kahrs 2007 - Ricky Ware

2006 - Rebecca Greer, Krystal Wagner 2005 - Amber McKee 2004 - Jim Larson 2003 - Josh Groeneveld 2002 - Daniel Cebulla 2001 - Craig Franklin 2000 - Nicholas Smith 1999 - Sarah Fields 1998 - Rebekah Sierfert 1997 - Krist Kenney 1996 - Mark “Rocky” Thompson

1995 - Doug Cowles 1994 - Sarah Grill 1993 - Becky Austin 1992 - Tamra Talmadge 1991 - Tammy O’ Grady 1990 - Kari Kendall 1989 - Shannon Wade 1988 - Rachel Logan 1987 - Tammie Snider 1986 - Kendra Scott 1985 - Patricia Whittaker

From introvert to role model, senior shines

By Marisa VanderMolen Page Editor Every year a star is born, and an angel rises from the depths of the Shores Choir program.

Being the angel means being at the top of The Singing Christmas Tree, the world’s largest, and recognition through the community.

And senior Lauren Jensen was this year’s angel when she topped the tree for four performances from Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Frauenthal Theatre.

“I’ve always been very shy and quiet, and it wasn’t until junior/senior year that I started branching out more” said Jensen, referencing why she believed she was chosen as this year’s angel.

Shores choir director Shawn Lawton agreed that Jensen came out of her shell and rose to where she is now.

“Lauren, firstly and most importantly, came into the choir program as the most shy, introverted young lady, and even though she was like that, every time there was an opportunity to audition for a solo or Allegros or Coffee House, she auditioned,” Lawton said. “She was horrified in the early years… but yet she kept do-

TOXIC

ing this year after year.”

But then, Lawton said he saw her growth and potential.

“I watched this person blossom into a much more confident person, she still gets nervous like we all do, but she grew so much” he said. “This year, she is the captain of the color guard in band, and she has just emerged as a leader. To me, that said, ‘Look every freshman in choir, you might be scared and shy right now, but if you keep putting yourself out there, you could end up at the top of The Singing Christmas Tree’.”

Additionally, Jensen takes multiple AP classes, but she can usually be found in the fine arts hallway as she is in the top choir and a part of the band for two years, where she was color guard captain this past marching season.

Later this year, Jensen will have a lead role in the Allegros production of The Little Mermaid.

But it is her role as angel that even her friends are glad she was able to hold.

“Lauren is always so positive and puts all of her into everything she does,” senior Julia Uganski said. “She can really be herself in choir, and she really deserved to be the angel.”

Continued from page 2 other and bring each other down.

When people suspect they’re in a relationship like this, they need to ask themselves if they would want to hurt each other if they really loved each other and realize that good relationships are built on love and trust, not payback and dangerous behavior that could get everyone hurt.

Toxic relationships are not limited to these signs, but these are the ones I see among people every day.

I frequently have people come to me about their rela-

Senior Lauren Jensen, who was the angel for the Singing Christmas Tree, is also captain of the color guard, take multiple AP classes and will have a lead role in the Allegros performance of The Little Mermaid. (Photo by Coy Lakatos)

tionship problems, and most of the time, the person just needs to take a step away from the relationship.

“A break,” as it’s commonly called, is always a good idea if a relationship seems toxic. During a break, people can evaluate their intentions, their partner’s intentions, and where the relationship is going.

A good question to ask oneself is: Is this relationship bettering both of us or breaking us down?

Noticing the signs is one thing, but taking action toward bettering my life was the most difficult challenge.

For me, after I realized my relationships were toxic, I slowly started distancing myself from situations where I could be abused or taken advantage of with these toxic people.

And slowly, I found different relationships with the right intentions, and I found myself enjoying life more and more.

Today, I do not have to worry about what I share or do with my close friends in fear of being humiliated, and I’m in a relationship where we are both honest about how we feel 100 percent of the time.

I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t easy cutting off my toxic friend, and I experienced a lot of lying, harassment, and fake apologies. But it was definitely the right choice after I saw how easily she could bully me. I knew right then that she didn’t deserve my friendship.

And honestly, making the change about who I surrounded myself with made all the difference in my life.

feature

The Sailors’ Log

Dec. 21, 2018

Behind the Scenes

7

Seniors James Gilbert and Amauri McIntosh

Daily announcements allow creativity to flow

By Gabby Lopez Page Editor Ever since Dave Droski, the adviser of Shoreline Broadcast News (the school’s video announcements), was at Central Michigan University, media has always called to him.

“Media is something that I have always been intrigued by,” said Droski, who also teaches English, mythology, and critical aspects of film. “Growing up, my best friend was HBO, and getting a VCR was a game changer for me. That was what I grew up with, and it’s what I love and enjoy. When I got to college and took my first film class, that’s when I was like ‘Okay, I’m all into that.’ It is something that is a lifelong love, and then, finding the intellectual side along with the production side was the last piece to the puzzle.”

Since broadcast speech takes up so much time and effort, there are a lot of components that go into mak-

“It does not quite feel like a class; it’s more like a team. You’re given a lot of creative control and power in figuring out what you would like to air.”

Sydney Smith, junior (left)

ing the show, which is filmed first hour and shown to all classes at the beginning of second hour.

One of those components is the staff and each person’s role.

“I pick who does what depending on the group that I have,” Droski said. “This year, I have a really, really good group of kids. With that, I am able to say ‘Hey, figure this out,’ and they will. This year’s group is good with saying ‘Hey, I’ll do talent on this day’ or ‘I’ll do talent on that day.’ Sometimes on special days, such as Halloween, it can get a little bit dicey, but for the most part, they have been really good about deciding what days they do what. There are sometimes where I will need someone or a group in particular to do something that needs to be done.”

Droski said he believes that when students want or show engagement in something, that’s when he sees the most out of his students as opposed to him assigning a task to be completed.

“For the most part, I give creative control to the

“It has offered more to me than any other class. I have learned to become a better leader and work within a team to accomplish tasks.”

Brandon DePouw, senior

“I like the fact that I can, hopefully, make other students laugh, especially while giving them news about the school while being in a fun program.”

Patrick Wiltenburg, senior

students,” Droski said. “It has to be school appropriate, of course. I try to let them make the show their own because that’s the best buy-in when students are allowed to express themselves.”

Taking away the main concept of any class is something that any teacher would want to have a student achieve. For Droski, he said he wishes that students will take away the importance of a team.

“I want them to know what it is like to work in a team as professionals,” Droski said. “Not that my students are professionals, but I treat my classroom as a workplace. They understand that it takes a team in able for the show to come together and that there are a lot of people that go into it. That mentality, no matter what they go into after high school, that people depend on them and they have to get their job done and that they have to get a job done on time is the most important lesson that they learn. My class, Broadcast Speech 2, is one of the best, most real-world example of that in the school.”

“It’s a way to be creative while also having your own role. It’s a great feeling to see people enjoy things that you have done while also putting your ideas out.”

Curtis Munson, senior

“Broadcast is studentrun for most of the class. It’s cool because we get to put news up for everyone in the school to see.”

Seth Koeller, senior

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center

Dec. 21, 2018

Game 1 – Shores 48, East Kentwood 38

The Sailors’ Log

Game 2 – Shores 35, Bay City Central 0

Senior Sincere Dent scored five touchdowns (8, 1, 3, 11 and 2 yards), gaining 233 yards on 28 carries.

Junior quarterback Caden Broersma connected with senior James Gilbert for a 75-yard touchdown.

Broersma finished with 216 yards passing and one touchdown on 7-of-9 passing while Gilbert had 159 yards receiving on five receptions.

Junior Tre’Shawn Hatcher had a 38-yard rushing TD. Seniors Ke’Sean Sandifer and Da’Varius Carter each had an interception while Hatcher had a fumble recovery. Senior Jordan Calloway (pictured) had three tackles. Record: 1-0

Shores, which was led onto the field by senior Tyler McDonald (pictured), scored on four of its first five possessions and forced Central into four turnovers.

Junior Caden Broersma completed 13-of-15 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 78 yards and another score. Broersma started with a 24-yard keeper for the game’s opening score three minutes into the first quarter. The Sailors added a 13-yard touchdown run by senior Sincere Dent, and Broersma connected with sophomore Keondre Pierce for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Dent, who had 73 rushing yards on nine carries, plowed into the end zone on a two-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to put the Sailors up 28-0. Dent added a 1-yard TD with 19 seconds remaining. Senior James Gilbert had six catches for 91 yards for the Sailors. Record: 2-0

Game 9 – Shores 57, Fruitport 38 The Sailors had 281 yards on the ground with six touchdowns spread out among five players. Junior Tre Hatcher had two touchdowns of 7 and 67 yards. Solo rushing touchdowns were gained by junior Caden Broersma (4 yards), senior Ke’Sean Sandifer (51), senior Anthony Richards (7) and sophomore Brady Rose (3). Broersma also had two passing touchdowns, one to senior Andrew Swick for 6 yards and one to senior James Gilbert for 29 yards. Senior Christian Johnson and junior Cam Sobish (pictured) combine on a tackle. Record: 8-1, 4-1

Districts – Shores 34, Forest Hills Central 28 Shores scored on the first play of the game with a 93-yard kick return touchdown by senior Ke’Sean Sandifer. The extra point made it 7-0. The Sailors increased their lead to 14-0 on their first offensive possession, which ended with a 4-yard touchdown run by senior Sincere Dent with 9:08 left in the first quarter. After FHC cut the deficit to 14-7, Shores responded on its next possession with an 80-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by Dent. That gave the Sailors a 21-7 advantage with 8:03 left in the second quarter. The Rangers scored on the ensuing kickoff with an 84-yard touchdown return to cut Shores’ lead to 21-14. The Sailors regained their 14-point edge just three plays later on a 17-yard touchdown run by Dent.

Shores led 28-14 at halftime. The Rangers cut the deficit to 28-21 on their first possession of the second half, but the Sailors responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass from junior Caden Broersma to senior James Gilbert; Shores failed on the extra point. FHC cut the deficit to 34-28 with 6:07 left in the third quarter. The Sailors, which had 362 yards rushing, some behind senior Colt Stout (pictured) were led offensively by Dent with 149 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries while junior Tre Hatcher ran for 110 yards on 14 carries. Broersma rushed for 104 yards on 12 carries and threw for 75 yards on 4-for-6 passing. Shores was led defensively by the senior Jacob Wahlberg with five tackles. Record: 9-1

Game 3 – Sho

Shores jumped out to a 2 QB Caden Broersma of 21-7, Broersma hit senio for a 40-yard TD pass an halftime lead. The teams two touchdowns in the th with senior Sincere Dent a two-yard run and Broe a 51-yard TD pass to Gil final TD strike was a 75Broersma to Gilbert. Bro with 234 yards on 6-for-9 rushing for 77 yards on 1 Gilbert caught five passe 200 rushing yards on 18 (pictured) had seven tac

Game 8 – Muskegon 55, Shores 35 Muskegon, which had 660 yards total offense, had a 28-7 lead after the first quarter. Shores’ lone score was a 1-yard run by senior Sincere Dent. The Sailors scored twice in the second quarter, a 27-yard pass from junior Caden Broersma to senior James Gilbert (pictured) and a 32-yard pass from Gilbert to senior Andrew Swick, for 28-21 halftime score. Shores scored twice in the third quarter on senior Ke’Sean Sandifer’s 1-yard run and Broersma’s 2-yard run; however, Muskegon took a 41-35 lead into the fourth quarter before adding two more scores for the final margin. Broersma finished with 196 yards passing and 63 yards rushing. Record: 7-1, 3-1

Information c designed by Rob

Districts – Shores 49, Jenison 10

In a rematch, Shores held Jenison to 175 total yards. After the Panthers took a 3-0 lead, Shores scored on a 35-yard touchdown run from senior Ke’Sean Sandifer to take a 7-3 lead. On the first play of the second quarter, senior Sincere Dent scored on a 5-yard run, and Shores had a 14-3 lead. On their next series, the Sailors took a 21-3 lead when Dent scored from 19 yards out. Junior Tre’Shawn Hatcher scored from 45 yards out, and Shores had a 28-3 halftime lead. In the second half, junior quarterback Caden Broersma connected with sophomore Keondre Pierce (pictured) on a 45-yard TD for a 35-3 lead with 8:07 left in the third quarter. After a senior James Gilbert interception, Broersma scored on an 8-yard run to give the Sailors a 42-3 lead. Hatcher scored on a 3-yard run with 11:06 left in the fourth quarter to make the score 49-3 before Jenison finished off the scoring with 5:20 left in the game. Shores finished with 452 total yards with 382 coming on the ground. Broersma finished with 154 rushing yards on 12 attempts, Hatcher had 82 yards on five carries, and Sandifer added 56 yards on four carries. Broersma was also 2-of-3 passing for 70 yards. Senior Jacob Wahlberg led the Shores defense with eight tackles, sophomore Brady Rose added six and Dent finished with four. Record: 10-1

ores 49, Reeths-Puffer 35

21-0 lead on three TD runs by junior 7, 6 and 6 yards. After Puffer made it or James Gilbert nd a 28-7 s each scored hird quarter t scoring on ersma tossing lbert. Shores’ -yard pass from oersma finished 9 passing while 12 carries. es for 224 yards, and Dent had 8 carries. Senior Jacob Wahlberg ckles, including a sack. Record: 3-0

y

Game 4 – Shores 33, Rockford 14 Shores took a 14-0 lead in the second period. Junior Caden Broersma hit senior James Gilbert for an 18yard touchdown. Broersma then scored from three yards out. After halftime, senior Sincere Dent had three rushing touchdowns (64, 55 and 11). Broersma finished 12-of-18 passing for 146 yards and rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries. Gilbert finished with five catches for 61 yards.

Senior Jacob Wahlberg led the defense with 11 tackles. Senior Ke’Sean Sandifer (pictured) caught four passes for 30 yards. Record: 4-0

Game 7 – Shores 49, Jenison 42

compiled by and page bby Swanker, page editor

d

center

The Sailors’ Log

Shores scored the winning touchdown with 17 seconds remaining after the Wildcats came back from a 42-26 fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game at 42. Junior Caden Broersma scored his fourth touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run to keep the Sailors undefeated.

Broersma ran for 134 yards and four touchdowns and was 8-for-9 passing for 125 yards and a score. Senior James Gilbert had six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Tre Hatcher ran for 69 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Keondre Pierce had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Senior Jacob Wahlberg led the defense with 14 tackles. Junior Kolbe Trovinger (pictured) added five tackles. Record: 7-0, 3-0

Dec. 21, 2018

9

Game 5 – Shores 41, Kenowa Hills 0 Senior Sincere Dent (pictured) scored three touchdowns (5, 33 and 8 yards) and had 90 yards on 12 carries. Junior Tre Hatcher scored on an 11 yard run, and senior Ke’Sean Sandifer had a 13-yard TD run. Junior quarterback Caden Broersma added a sevenyard touchdown run.

Senior receiver James Gilbert had 151 receiving yards on eight receptions.

The Sailors totaled 423 yards of offense with 251 yards arriving on the ground.

Broersma was 11-of-13 passing for 172 yards. Record: 5-0, 1-0

Game 6 – Shores 56, GR Union 0 Shores scored 42 first-half points. Junior Cam Sobish led Shores with 79 rushing yards on four carries and two touchdowns from 22 and 45 yards. Junior Tre Hatcher had a 11-yard rushing TD while senior Josh Hill ran in a TD from 1 yard, and senior Colt Stout added a 4-yard TD. Junior Caden Broersma finished the game 2-of-5 passing for 51 yards and two TD’s. Broersma connected with senior James Gilbert for a 16-yard TD and with senior Da’Varius Carter (pictured) for a 35-yard scoring strike. The Sailors had 318 total yards while holding Union to 39. Record: 6-0, 2-0

Road to Ford Field...

Regionals – Shores 58, Portage Northern 28

Junior Caden Broersma finished with 210 yards and three rushing touchdowns while adding 109 yards and two touchdowns on 5-of-8 passing. The Sailors piled up 443 yards on 41 carries. Portage Northern scored first, taking a 7-0 lead 1:25 into the game.

The Sailors responded quickly when senior Ke’Sean Sandifer raced for a 59-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:15 left in the first. After a fumble recovery by the sophomore Brady Rose, Broersma found senior James Gilbert with a 30-yard touchdown pass, putting the Sailors on top for good.

On the following possession, Broersma scored from 57 yards, giving Shores a 20-7 with 2:37 left in the first quarter. The Huskies made it 20-14 early in the second quarter. On the following possession, Broersma scored on a 17-yard touchdown run to put Shores up 26-14.

The Huskies would score once more before the half to make it 26-21; however, four plays into the second half, Broersma hit Gilbert on a 42-yard touchdown pass, giving the Sailors a 32-21 lead. On the following possession, senior Sincere Dent had a 22-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 38-21. The Huskies pulled within 10 points early in the fourth, but Shores extended its lead to 51-28 after a 4-yard rushing touchdown from Broersma and a 32-yard TD run by Dent. The final Sailor score came with 1:38 remaining when junior Tre Hatcher scored from 57 yards out. Senior Jackson Neely (pictured) had six tackles, including a sack. Record: 11-1

Semifinals – Shores 49, Midland 28

The Sailors rebounded from early mistakes and a 14-7 deficit to run away from Midland. Senior James Gilbert caught three touchdown passes of 26, 50 and 61 yards from junior quarterback Caden Broersma, who totaled 291 yards passing and ran for two touchdowns. The Sailors struck first on an 8-yard score by Broersma.

The Chemics eventually took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter, but Gilbert’s first touchdown reception knotted the score at 14.

With nine seconds before halftime, Broersma and Gilbert hooked up for a 50-yard TD play to give Shores a 21-14 lead. After Midland tied the score at 21 in the third quarter, senior Ke’Sean Sandifer scored on a 75-yard touchdown run for a 27-21 lead. After that, Broersma found Gilbert for another score, covering 61 yards this time, then Broersma ran for a 38-yard score to make it 42-21. Junior Tre’shawn Hatcher tacked on the final score for the Sailors with a 44yard touchdown run with 2:25 to play. Gilbert had 159 yards on five catches while Dent ran for 118 yards on 13 rushes. Seniors Josh Hill and Nathan Crane (pictured) look over to the sideline. Record: 12-1

feature

10 Dec. 21, 2018

The Sailors’ Log

Home for theHolidays

Military brothers reunite with their families

By Kali Jend Feature Editor Many people have heard the Christmas song “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” but may not know what it truly means to be reconnected with a loved one during the most important time of the year.

At Shores, many students have family in the military or armed forces and yearn to have them home for the holidays.

Junior Jordyn Huston, whose older brother Erik is in the Air Force, said he will be home for Christmas for the first time in four years.

“It means so much for me to be able to have my brother home on Christmas to open presents with him again,” Huston said.

“Seeing him in person is so much better than sending him packages for the holidays.”

Huston said she and her brother Erik were close before he left for the military years ago.

“Erik and I used to have a close relationship before he left when I was in seventh grade,” Huston said. “Having him come back makes me super happy

When Hunter Ladegast graduated from Naval Bootcamp in August 2018, he was greeted by his family which includes his mom Stephanie, sister Sammie and brother Tristan. (Courtesy Photo)

because I have my brother/best friend back.”

Huston added that her brother coming home has an impact that affects the rest of her family just

as much as it does her.

“My mom has five kids, and we all see each other pretty frequently, but her not being able to see her son brings her down,”

Huston said. “The happiness she gets when he is home is going to make my family have a better Christmas this year.”

Huston and her family are not

Shores receives $1,000 award for Wall of Honor for military

By Kali Jend Feature Editor

The Wall of Honor was created by the Student Leadership class to honor Shores graduates who are in the military. The Wall of Honor recently received $1,000 through the Thanksgiving in Action Award. (Photo by Kali Jend)

the only Shores family that gets to spend the holidays with a military family member.

Senior Sammie Ladegast had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving and will be spending Christmas with her brother Hunter, who left for the Navy in May. Hunter was sent to South Carolina for A School in August after his graduation from bootcamp at Great Lakes Naval Academy.

“It meant the world to me that I got to see my brother after three months,” Ladegast said. “It really made it seem like the holidays having him back home.”

After being able to spend three days with her brother for Thanksgiving, Ladegast said she is anticipating his homecoming for Christmas when he will be home for 10 days.

For Ladegast, the time her brother is away does not have an effect on their relationship.

“Despite him being away from home for so long, it feels as though nothing has changed when he comes back,” Ladegast said.

Last May, the Student Leadership class completed a Wall of Honor, which is located near the Sailor Center, in order to recognize Shores graduates in the military.

This November, the class and the school-wide Sailor Salute football event were recognized for its efforts with a $1,000 check through the Thanksgiving in Action Award.

The money from the award will go for further additions to the wall, which is located near the Sailor Center as the years go on, and to helped pay for the fallen heroes part of the display case in the wall.

“I’m excited to keep this project go-

ing,” Helmer said, “everytime I get information about a graduate, Mr. Basse helps my make the dog tags once we get the names.”

The idea of the wall, which has cost $6,000, began two years ago when the class went to a leadership conference and were given a goal to make a lasting legacy on the school.

Before finally seeing their tribute take shape last May, Helmer and her many students, through the last couple years, have spent months researching and reaching out to the community to find graduates who have served our country since the start of Shores’ time.

“We are so proud of the way the wall turned out and are looking forward to being able to keep it up to date,” Helmer said.

feature

The Sailors’ Log

Dec. 21, 2018

OH, DEER

11

Teacher, son bond over bucks

By Erick Hannahs Page Editor

For social studies teacher Ken Rose and his son Brady, a sophomore, hunting season is not all about the kill.

For them, it is about a father and son bonding.

“Hunting has strengthened our bond by being with each other every weekend,” Brady said, “and sitting in a ground blind this year when he is the only other person that is there for me to talk to for a few hours keeps us close.”

That time together includes scouting, putting up trail cameras, preparing shooting lanes, putting up stands, and patterning deer.

“Hunting has become a passion of ours,” Mr. Rose said. “It’s awesome in the fall to see the fruits of your labor.”

For this year’s deer season, the Roses, along with the Wahlbergs and the Flowerses (two other Shores families) went to deer camp north of Mount Pleasant in Isabella County.

“I look forward to going to our camp and hunting” Brady said.

“I also like to listen to all the sto-

ries everyone has when they get back from their hunting spot after each hunt. Then, we will go to a nearby restaurant every Saturday night to watch football.”

Mr. Rose echoes those sentiments.

“Our hunting camp is a special place with awesome friends and a lifetime of memories,” Mr. Rose said. “We love to hunt, fish, enjoy the outdoors, and it’s amazing when you can do all that with people that you truly love.”

This year, Brady was lucky enough to harvest a buck not only on opening day but with his father right there next to him to witness it all happen.

“During bow season, we split up and hunt different stands, but during rifle season, we usually sit together,” Brady said. “On this hunt, my dad and I had put up a ground blind for an east/southeast wind overlooking a bean field that we see a lot of deer in.”

With his Thompson Center 3006 in hand, Brady was ready, and his buck finally showed himself around 8 a.m.

“We first saw the buck on the edge of a bean field we were sitting on about 100 yards away,”

Brady said. “I wasn’t able to shoot it as soon as it came out because of a ridge in the field. I had to wait about 15 minutes until it moved farther into the field.

As soon as I shot, it dropped in its tracks, and we didn’t have to track it at all.”

His father was also impressed with the shot.

“He was very patient to make the right, ethical shot,” Mr. Rose said. “I kept asking him if he wanted me to grunt to move the buck along a little. He kept whispering to me, ‘No, he doesn’t know we’re here. Let’s just wait.’

He made a fantastic shot. It was a super awesome hunt to sit with Brady for his first buck trophy buck.”

Whether they shoot a deer or not, the Roses love spending time together outside of school, and hunting has been one of the keys to their close-knit bond.

“We get to spend a lot of time together in hunting season,” Brady said. “From talking in the truck or jamming to music to just sitting and patiently waiting for ‘prime time’ during a hunt, each year, I just want more stories, laughs, and time together.”

Sophomore Brady Rose and his father Ken, a social studies teacher, bond over hunting. (Courtesy Photo)

BANG FOR THEIR BUCKS

Junior Morgan Baker, who shot her first deer at age 12, has bagged nine deer since then.

This year, she was able to harvest two bucks in Mason County, an 8-pointer and a 10-pointer. “(During youth hunt), the 8-point walked in with two smaller 6-points, and I had to wait for the right shot,” Baker said. “I was shaking like a leaf in my blind, but I was still able to get a clean shot off behind the shoulder when the time came.

On Nov. 17, the 10-point came in only 30 minutes after I had made a joke to my dad about shooting a big 10-pointer that Morgan Baker night.”

Kolbe Trovinger

Deer season brings much excitement to junior Kolbe Trovinger, who began hunting at age 10 and has bagged three deer since then. Trovinger, who said he hunts in Muskegon County, harvested a 9-pointer this year during bow season.

“I shot my buck this year at the beginning of the rut,” Trovinger said. “I had seen him chasing some does the night before, but he never came in for a shot. I decided to hunt the same stand the next night, and he showed up again, but this time, he was on a runway only 20 yards away. He gave me a perfect broadside shot on my 20-yard runway, and I nailed him right in the shoulder. He didn’t go more than 60 yards before he fell over.”

Tyler Leenhouts

Freshman Tyler Leenhouts was one of many to miss school for the opening day of rifle season on Thursday, Nov. 15. And it paid off for him.

Leenhouts, who began hunting at age 11, said he shot a 4-point buck on a 40-acre lease in Muskegon County that he hunts with his dad on opening morning.

“My dad and I were sitting in a ground blind on our lease, and the buck came in at 9:45 chasing a couple does,” said Leenhouts, who has now bagged two deer. “He finally stopped at about 70 yards, and I got a shot off. The bullet passed right through the deer hitting both of the lungs.

He only ran 20 yards before he dropped.”

12

feature

Dec. 21, 2018

KNIGHTS

The Sailors’ Log

for a

DAY

Seniors become Kenowa students to break stereotypes

I

f one were to ask some Shores students what they thought of Kenowa Hills students, one may get the following answers: hicks, stuck-up, and students who think they are better than everyone else.

However, many students at Shores couldn’t comment because they claimed they only knew of Kenowa when it came to sports.

Emmalee To find out the truth Dykstra about what Kenowa Hills High School and its students are really like, we decided to become “Knights for a day” on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

During our day at KeSammie nowa, we followed two Ladegast students, senior Claire Coretti and junior Kaya Bolthouse, to their classes, lunch, and social interactions.

The day started with leaving Sammie’s house around 6:30 a.m. From there, we went to get our necessary Starbucks fix and set off for KHHS. The drive was slightly longer than our normal commute: 35 minutes rather than 10. We arrived just in time for the school day to begin, and we met our guides and Brett Zuver, the principal, in the office before getting to class.

The school bell rang, indicating the start of our day, and we went on our separate ways with Sammie shadowing Claire and Emma shadowing Kaya. Walking the halls to our first Kenowa class, we listened as Mr. Zuver came over the intercom for the daily announcements, a slight change from Shores’ daily video annoucements.

In our first hours, we noticed halfsheets of pale green paper on many desk.

To our surprise, it was “voucher week.”

If students received signatures from all six of their teachers, it wasn’t required that they attend school on Wednesday, which was a half day. This “voucher day” happens once a month on a half-day Wednesdays.

The day continued normally; however, many of our classes included no lecturing, and we spent most of our time chat-

Over the next few editions of The Sailors’ Log, we expect to have reporters travel to additional schools to experience a day in the life of their students and find out what it’s truly like. A Division I school, a private school, and a rural school are all anticipated to participate in this series.

Seniors Sammie Ladegast and Emmalee Dykstra (middle) became “Knights for a day” at Kenowa Hills High School on Nov. 13, shadowing junior Kaya Bolthouse (left) and senior Claire Coretti (right).

Shores

Kenowa

Blue & White

School colors

Sailors

Mascot

Knights

Trimesters

School Year

Semesters

1217

Total Enrollment

939

7:40 to 2:50; 5 classes, 74 minutes each

Daily Schedule

7:45 to 2:40; 6 classes, 60 minutes each

Open Campus

Lunch

Closed Campus

4 Honors, 17 AP

Classes

10 Honors, 9 AP

25 Varsity Sports

Athletics

24 Varsity Sports

4 Elementary (Ross Park, Churchill, Lincoln Park, Campbell), Middle School, High School

Schools

Early Childhood Center, 3 Elementary (Alpine, Central, Zinser), Middle School, High School

ting and introducing ourselves to the other students who, unlike the preconceived notions, were much like Shores’ students and seemed genuinely inviting.

After third hour, lunch was next, where we had several options to choose from: burgers, hot dogs, tater tots, wraps, and

Black & Gold

salads. Despite their closed campus, it was an ordinary lunch. We sat around a table, ate mediocre school food, and gossiped for about 30 minutes before walking to our next class.

Unlike at Shores, Kenowa has a second story of classrooms, so we often

found ourselves trekking up and down stairs. Though only five minutes was awarded for passing time, the seemingly less crowded hallways due to almost 300 fewer students and more hallways allowed us to reach our classes with plenty of time to spare.

Luckily for us, our last class of the day, sixth-hour AP Psychology, was spent together. The teacher talked through a few slides and then set the class loose to work on an online assignment. It was about halfway through class when students from the opposite side of the classroom noticed the two new additions to their class, which triggered some laughter and a few confused expressions.

We ended the day the same way we started: all four of us in Zuver’s office.

After a quick debrief of how our day went, a picture for their school newsletter, and a rather heart-wrenching goodbye to our two new friends, we set off for home.

For the first time in our lives, we had to attend a school where we knew no one.

We had to enter classrooms without familiar faces and where we weren’t greeted with friends.

Despite all of this, we walked out of those doors with heavy hearts knowing we wouldn’t be returning and that these students were classmates for only one day.

Everything Shores students believed about Kenowa students seemed untrue in our eyes after our experience at their school.

Kenowa Hills presented such a welcoming atmosphere that it was difficult to leave knowing the next morning we wouldn’t awake and travel that same 35 minute path to school, but we were beyond thankful for the eye-opening and fun experience.

feature

The Sailors’ Log

Nov. 16, 2018

Inside The Box

13

CrossFit offers fitness, health, friendships

By Sydney Fetters Page Editor

When junior Ava Bentley decided in eighth grade that soccer wasn’t for her, she realized that she still needed an outlet for staying active.

Her process ultimately led her to CrossFit, which is a fitness regimen that began in 2000 in Santa Cruz, Calif.

According to its website, CrossFit is “constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity.”

And now, Bentley is one of many who participates at Muskegon CrossFit (575 W. Sherman).

At the box, or gym, one can expect to see most everything. It is not a typical borish gym experience where one goes and does the same thing everyday with the same old equipment. Workouts are constantly varied with a new plan each day. These include a basic mix of weightlifting, cardio, gymnastics, rowing, running,

Learn the Lingo BOX

The name for a CrossFit gym

PR

biking, and even swimming into training.

“Our membership includes more than just equipment to use like a typical ‘Globo-Gym’ Facility,” said Russell Mock, owner of Muskegon CrossFit and a coach. “We provide coaches to assist in technique, a program to follow rather than whatever you happen to find in a magazine and a community of positive people with a health conscious mindset to surround yourself with.”

For Bentley, though, getting started was something of a challenge.

“I’m not going to lie, after my first week, I wanted to quit,” Bentley said. “I was so sore, and everything seemed so hard. A couple months passed by, and I started to get the hang of it and wouldn’t be so sore after every day (don’t get me wrong, I still get sore sometimes, but that just means you’re working hard). I would say if you are just starting out, push through those first few months, I promise it gets way more fun and enjoyable.”

Although it may be portrayed in the media that CrossFit is only for the big and strong, it’s quite the contrary.

“I started off with little to no strength or endurance,” Bentley said. “It was tough at the beginning, but I have improved tremendously and can do things I never thought I could do before.”

Once Bentley gained confidence, she was able to enter some competitions. During Bentley’s first CrossFit Open in the spring of 2017, she placed 650th worldwide in her age group; a year later, she placed in the top 100. She has also been able to do other things like competing in a weightlifting competition and had to the opportunity to travel to Madison, Wisc., to watch the CrossFit Games.

Bentley’s progress proves that anyone can do it, even moms.

“I started out here by trying a week challenge,” said Amy Fetters, who has two daughters at the high school. “At first,

Personal Record

WOD

Workout of the Day, which is always different.

Most have human names, others are hero WODs that are named after members of the military, police, and even firefighters. These special WODs serve as a reminder of the sacrifice they took and are normally more difficult than a normal workout.

Crossfit Open

A five-week worldwide/online competition where one is ranked based on points earned for one’s workout placement each week. If times and weight qualify, one is able to earn a spot competing at the national CrossFit Games.

Junior Ava Bentley is one of many in the community to take advantage of all that Muskegon CrossFit has to offer. (Courtesy Photo) being a runner I was told CrossFit training could help me improve. I joined about six years ago while training for a marathon. The members were so welcoming to a newbie like I was at the time. The coaches are also backing you the entire way such as critiquing form, cheering you on, and recommending modifications.”

Like Bentley and Fetters, Muskegon CrossFit has something for everyone, including workouts for middle schoolers all the way through masters, all at different levels. Everything is scalable and coaches tend to everyone’s specific needs.

Unlike other gyms, Bentley said CrossFit provides the chance for one to meet others and build friendships.

“Everyone is there to cheer everyone on until the last person finishes the workout,” Bentley said. “Every single competition or qualifier workout I’ve ever done, there was always someone to push me to go a little faster and/or heavier.”

OTHER PLACES TO GET FIT Planet Fitness

Waters Edge Fitness

Family Fitness Center of Muskegon

MCC Lakeshore Fitness Center

Norton Pines Athletic Club

Peak Training Academy

West Village Plaza, 2520 Henry St. (231) 747-6541

3480 E. Apple Ave. Phone: (231) 777-7070

1350 Judson Road Phone: (231) 865-6911

2465 Lakeshore Dr. Phone: (231) 375-0671

900 W. Western Ave. (231) 722-9322

1000-1028 5th St. (231) 722-9019

sports

14 Dec. 21, 2018

Committed to the Game Athletes play year-round via travel teams

By Bailey Graham Page Editor Travel sports are becoming increasingly popular around the area. Multiple athletes at Shores not only play sports for the Sailors but also play for travel teams.

Travel sports are filled with athletes from other schools, so meeting new friends is inevitable. While playing, athletes get to play with some people who share the competitive edge for a sport they love.

“I play to meet new people who have become my close friends, and I love the competitive side of travel soccer that matches the competitiveness in my personality,” sophomore Jami Mikesell said.

Travel sports give more than just an athletic advantage that an athlete can have playing; there are also many lessons. Travel ball isn’t always the easiest thing and different challenges come up, but the more an athlete deals with them the better they get at solving life problems.

“A positive of travel is the life lessons you go through,” said freshman Elizabeth Savacool, who plays travel

Elizabeth Savacool playing softball for her travel team, West Michigan Sabercats. (Courtesy Photo) softball. “You have to deal tournaments,” said sophowith things that you don’t more Brennan Dethloff who usually have to deal with in plays hockey. life. You are put in situations Travel sports are not only a where you have to decide one time commitment, but are also thing or another, and travel a financial commitment too. sports put you in that position “It’s very expensive, and where you have to deal with you have to buy equipment people you don’t like and peo- more often because you use it ple you do like, and you really more,” Savacool said. learn to play as a team.”

Dealing with teammates Even though travel sports and coaches can be a positive and programs can be great, or a negative. there are downsides to them. “(Sometimes), you meet “A negative to travel sports people that are on your team is that you miss a lot of that you just don’t like,” school, and you don’t have a Savacool said. “Also, you lot of free time because you could have a coach that makes are gone during weekends at you step back a little, but you

have to deal with it because you’re stuck with him for a year, but the negatives are outweighed by the positives.”

Some of these players use travel sports as a door to play their sport after high school in college. That is what senior Emma Lynn does.

“I play travel volleyball because I hope to play college ball, and travel ball keeps me in shape and ready for college exposure,” she said.

While there are athletes who use travel sports for college exposure, there are a lot of athletes who play travel just because they want to play more of the sport they love.

“I know some people play travel ball for college exposure, but I play for fun,” said junior Nolan Kasher who plays baseball. “I like the people I play with, and I have a great time out on the field.”

If there is an athlete who wants to get better at the sport they love, it is highly recommended to give travel sports a try.

“I recommend travel sports because they have made me the player I am today, and I have met a lot of my close friends through them,” Mike-

Coaches’ Takes on Travel

“Travel is the best of things and the worst of things sometimes. It is a great opportunity for kids to play sports at a higher level. Overall, it’s a good thing for the level of play. There are some negatives, like the lack of time for social life, and the money that it costs is a lot. Athletes involved in travel sports need to take a big-picture look because a lot of kids when they get done, look back on what the missed out on. What was their opportunity cost? Time, money, and missing out on a social life.”

Jason Crago, softball coach

“When an athlete wants to pursue a sport, travel is a good way to fine tune their skills. It definitely works on getting better at specific positions in volleyball; like if you want to be a setter, then there will be more practice and drills at it, and the same goes with the rest of the positions.

If you don’t touch a volleyball from the end of the season all the way to next season’s tryouts, that’s a long time to not do any volleyball, and that isn’t great because volleyball is a skill sport where the practice is needed.”

Jim Vanderwall, volleyball coach

“My feelings about travel baseball would be a mixture of like and dislike. Under the right circumstances, travel baseball can be extremely beneficial for kids. They have increased opportunities for additional reps, and if the teams sign up for the right tournaments, they can face some really good competition.

There is no doubt there is a benefit to our kids playing games and getting better.”

Brandon Bard, baseball coach

The Sailors’ Log

Player says goodbye to travel softball

M

y experience with travel sports started the summer of sixth grade.

I had been playing softball for a couple of years by then, and everyone told me that I needed to join a travel team because it would make me a better player. As a naive 12-year-old, I decided I should join in with the craze that was travel softball.

I went to one tryout for Riptide and a couple of weeks later, I was ecstatic to find out I made the team Opinion by and was set to begin my Bailey adventure with travel Graham, ball.

Paige Editor After four years of playing ball, I have decided to put expensive jerseys and summer weekends filled with playing ball in my past.

Through those four years, I met some amazing people, and I made great memories.

While I do have fond and positive memories with travel ball, there was another side of it that was a huge part of the reason why I decided to stop.

Travel ball is expensive and time-consuming. I can’t even count the number of times I missed hanging out with my friends or having to stay up late studying because of practices and games. Travel ball was not only a summer commit but was also a year round commitment.

Travel softball is great for a competitive edge, and it pushed me to be a better softball player.

As I continued with travel softball, I realized my goals were much different from my teammates and other girls playing. They all had college ball on their mind, and travel softball was their gateway to that.

I love the game as much as those girls do, but I honestly have no interest in continuing to play after high school. With that in mind, I ultimately decided that travel was no longer for me and that I should stick to high school ball.

I will always be thankful for travel softball memories. When summer comes around, I’ll miss being on the diamond with my teammates, but my time in travel softball has come to end, and I have no regrets.

sports

The Sailors’ Log

Dec. 21, 2018

Like Father, Like Son

Exchange student plays varsity hoops

By Paige Judson Sports Editor Almost 30 years after his father was roaming the halls of Shores, Australian foreign exchange student Charlie Rolfe is following in his father’s footsteps and playing for the same varsity team that his dad did.

“I am thrilled that Charlie has made the varsity team and has such a supportive coach and teammates,” said Marcus Rolfe, Charlie’s dad. “It feels special that he is able to realize some of my own basketball ambitions some 30 years later on the other side of the world.”

While at Shores, Charlie’s dad, who also played tennis (doubles with Gary Nelund), was a forward on the 1987-88 varsity team. Marcus said the thing that stood out to him was his minimal playing time and the one point that he scored on his final night in America.

“The standard of play at Mona Shores was significantly better than what I had been used to in Australia, and I was nowhere near as good at basketball as Charlie,” said Mr. Rolfe, who makes light of his playing ability as a high schooler.

The Nelunds, proving that some things come full circle, is now the host family for Charlie.

“Charlie is a great kid and a very dedicated student,” Nelund said. “He is so excited to play basketball for Mona Shores and beat his Dad’s scoring mark. It won’t be hard because Marcus only scored one point (a free throw) in his very last game. Marcus was carried off the court after he scored.”

Charlie said he always heard stories from his dad about his time at Shores on the basketball team, and that sparked interest in Charlie leading to his decision to come to Shores and try out for the basketball team.

“We visited Muskegon a few years ago on a family holiday, and Charlie was very taken with the place,” Marcus Rolfe said. “He has loved playing basketball for many years in Australia and had a dream of playing in the USA where it is a much more high profile sport.”

Charlie said he is having a great time on the basketball team and is enjoying getting to know his new team.

“I like that my teammates are fun off of the court,” Charlie said. “Then, when it is time to be serious and lock into game mode, they are serious, and they take a game day approach, and they aren’t going to be messing around like we get to do

Charlie Rolfe is at Shores playing for the same basketball program that his dad did in 1988. (Photo by Coy Lakatos) off of the court.”

Overall, Charlie said he is looking forward to making new memories and to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

“Honestly,” Charlie said, “I am just really excited to be here just like my dad and experience all of the same things and make some similar memories.”

New boys’ b-ball coach ready to build program

By Paige Judson Sports Editor New boys’ varsity basketball coach David Chana said he is looking forward to being able to build not just a successful team but one that will allow the program to grow throughout the years.

“I am looking forward to building relationships with the kids,” Chana said. “(I am also looking forward to) getting the youth program going and have a system to bring kids up and teach them to play the game the right way.”

Though being new to Chana Shores, Chana is not new to the OK conference. Since 2010, Chana has been coaching at Kenowa Hills. He was an assistant coach until three years ago when he took over the program as head coach.

“I always thought that Mona Shores has been a diamond in the rough,” Chana said. “With the hardworking athletes that we have, we could really build something special here. It will take time, obviously, but you look at everything from the facilities to the community support and the athletes that we have, and I think that with time it is going to be special.”

Chana, who replaced Doug Burse, said he is ready for the season and to be able to build up the program in his own way.

“I have always dreamed of being in a position like this,” Chana said. “It is exciting to see what we have coming and where we could be. It’s going to take some time and a lot of work, but right now, we have got almost 200 kids playing within our youth program, and we have kids working a ton in the gym. I am just really excited to see what happens.”

Former JV coach ready to take reigns of varsity girls’ basketball program

By Paige Judson Sports Editor

Mike Phillips, who spent the past five years as the JV girls’ basketball coach, knew he didn’t want to coach anywhere else.

So when veteran varsity coach Brad Kurth stepped down after last season, Phillips applied and was named the new coach.

“Mona Shores girls’ basketball is my passion,” said Phillips, who has three Phillips daughters (grades 8, 6 and 2). “There is nothing that I want more than to see our girls have a

successful experience, both on and off the court, while they are part of our program. I have been involved in the program since 2006 and can’t imagine myself being anywhere else.”

Over the past 20 years, Phillips has coached both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, ranging from middle school to varsity assistant, and has most recently coached the JV girls’ basketball team at Shores from 2013-17.

“I look forward to the new challenges, from scouting to planning to building a program with a new identity,” Phillips said.

Phillips said he is grateful for all of the hard work that Kurth put in to build this program up, but he is excited to make the program his own.

15

“There will probably be a change with just about every aspect of the program,” Phillips said. “Coach Kurth built a very successful program around his core values and beliefs, and although the expectations won’t change, how we go about them will.”

In the end, Phillips said he is looking forward to getting to know his new team and to be able to work hard to get the girls to be the best they can be.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be the next girls’ varsity basketball coach,” Phillips said. “We have a great group of girls, parents and coaching staff, not just at the varsity level, but all the way down to our youth program. The sky’s the limit if they are willing to put in the work necessary to take the next step.”

sports

16 Dec. 21, 2018

The Sailors’ Log

Coming up Short

Player Football team finishes as state runner-up Reactions

By Chris Horvath Sports Editor The football team’s journey to Ford Field actually began last November after Shores lost 2821 in the district championship to Forest Hills Central.

“I got the feeling that this team could win the state championship and make it to Ford Field after losing to FHC last year,” head coach Matt Koziak said. “We had a lot of juniors on that team, and a lot of our players were really upset with that loss. This year’s team was very motivated by that loss.”

As fate would have it, the Rangers were the Sailors’ first playoff opponent on the road to Ford Field this year. In the Div. 2 district opener, Shores beat FHC 34-28.

Following wins over Jenison, Portage Northern and Midland, Shores made it to the state championship game for only the second time in school history, and despite the disappointment of not taking the championship trophy, Koziak said the experience is still worth it.

“The best part of the experience is having our kids walk down the Ford Field tunnel, in front of that huge crowd,” Koziak said. “For the kids, that’s something that they’ll remember forever. That’s what sticks out the most to me.”

Heading into the Nov. 25 contest against Warren De La Salle, whom the Sailors lost to in the

In the state championship game at Ford Field, junior Caden Broersma scores from two yards out to tie the game at 7. Unfortunately, the Sailors would lose 29-16 to Warren De La Salle.

(Photo by Warren Kent III) state title game four years ago, Koziak said he was optimistic about the Sailors’ chance at redemption.

“I felt good going into the game,” he said. “We were healthy, and I felt we had the best shot we could have. Back in 2014 going into the championship, we were kind of limping a little bit, and I felt that was different from this year.”

Despite the 29-16 loss to

Boys Tennis The Sailors earned Academic All-State honors, and senior Andrew Swirczek was a first-team AllState selection.

Boys’ Soccer Senior George Deveau, who led the team with 20 goals, verbally committed to Davenport University.

the Pilots, Koziak said he saw similarities between this year’s squad a the team that lost 44-8 in 2014.

“Something I saw that was the same was that our best players were our best kids,” Koziak said. “When your best kids have the best work ethic and are your best kids off the field, everybody kind of falls into line. It raises everybody’s game. I’ve had teams that our best players

were not our best kids, and we didn’t accomplish everything that we wanted to.”

This year’s championship game started as a defensive battle as both team’s scored once in the first half. The Sailors’ touchdown came on a two-yard run from junior quarterback Caden Broersma.

“It was just a battle in the first half, and our defense helped us get a takeaway right before half, which let us score,” Koziak said.

In the second half, De La Salle scored on its first possession before junior Logan Hekkema hit a 24-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10.

Again, the Pilots responded to take a 21-10 lead before Broersma hit senior Da’Varius Carter for a 14-yard TD to make it 2116. However, De La Salle close out the scoring to make the final 29-16.

“I expected nothing different from De La Salle,” Koziak said.

“They are who they are – big and physical and well coached. Yes, we came up on the short end, but it was a great high school football game.”

Koziak said that playing for a state title will always be the focus of the football program.

“Our goal will always be to get to Ford Field, and this year, we had a lot of senior leaders and underclassmen who would step up so that we could accomplish that goal,” Koziak said.

“I’m most proud of this team for their fight and their grit.”

Sports Briefs

Girls’ Golf The team was seleected Academic All-State with senior Taylor Keessen being named academic all-state as an individual. Junior Logan Potts earned honorable mention All-State status.

Volleyball The Sailors were named Academic All-State. Junior Suriya VanderOord broke the school record with 568 digs.

“Football means a lot to me. These last four years were great. I created friendships with people that I will never forget.

Ford Field was a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m glad we made it.”

James Gilbert, senior

“My favorite part about going to Ford Field was just being on Ford Field and knowing you made it there; that feeling is unbelievable and amazing.

Cam Sobish, junior

“My favorite part about going to Ford Field was coming out of the tunnel and hearing and seeing the fans cheering for us.”

Nick DeYoung, junior

Winter Sports Over Break Tomorrow, hockey travels to Reeths-Puffer. On Dec. 27, boys’ basketball is at GR Christian; on Dec. 28, wrestling is at the Montague Invite; on Jan. 4, girls’ basketball travels to Fruitport and hockey host Reeths-Puffer (8 p.m.); on Jan. 5, girls’ basketball hosts Calvin Christian (7 p.m.), both bowling teams will be at the Fruitport Invite, boys’ swim is at the Spring Lake Invite, and the cheer team will be at the Comstock Park Invite.