O L I R A S’ S
Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, MI 49441
Volume 60 Issue 3
T H E
LOG
For the second year in a row, sophomore Drew Hackney qualified for the state finals. Both years, he made it to the quarterfinal round. See story, page 16.
making a
RACKET
Thursday Nov. 18, 2021
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No Beefin’ Around
e d Becoming vegetarian makes world better i fter watching a slew of Netflix documentaries, I became t increasingly interested in becoming a vegetarian. o Once I did further research, the idea of eating meat disturbed me r immensely. Being vegetarian was something initially rejected by my parents due i to their fears of protein and vitamin and an inconvenience to a deficiencies their meat-eating lifestyle, but once I to them I would be fine, they l proved reluctantly agreed.
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The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
I was vegetarian for about a year starting in eighth grade, then started again the summer after sophomore year, so about three years total now. The change was initially difficult since my entire family were all meat-eaters. Just like the average American family, meat was a regular staple at our dinner, so it was a big change. It took extra planning to find what recipes I liked, but after the initial adjustment period, it became easy. What I found most interesting about this journey was the fact that I have don’t miss meat I know if I ever wanted to eat meat, it would be always easily accessible, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat meat again. From a young age, I have always cared for the well-being of animals, but it wasn’t until later in my life where I took action to support these animals. After becoming vegetarian, I felt like I was in a lifestyle that truly aligned and reflected my values, and it brought me immense pride and joy. After seeing footage from documentaries like Forks over Knives and Cowspiracy that highlighted the abuse and neglect that occurs in large-scale slaughterhouses, I couldn’t look at a plate of meat the same way knowing the price the animals had to pay. Animals in large-scale slaughterhouses are packed together in inhumane conditions. Many are pumped
Artwork by Grace Opsommer
a column by
Mi a Dick son
staff writer with steroids, and their only purpose is to die. The numerous health benefits prove the necessity of cutting out meat in a nation with sky-high healthcare prices. Up to $180 billion in medical costs can be saved in the United States from going plant-based (Statistica). According to a study by Medical News Today, a plant-based diet lowers the risk of blocked arteries by 91 percent. Becoming vegetarian also comes with a 12 percent lower mortality rate and a reduced risk of many other illnesses. In a world where global gas emissions continue to increase and climate change continues to become a growing threat to humanity, reducing
meat intake can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from between 30-90 percent. Based on the same information from the Good Food Institute, plantbased meat uses 70-90 percent less water than normal meat. More people ditching meat can potentially help solve widespread droughts that have plagued some parts of the world. In today’s society, the industry of “fake” meat has grown tremendously, making going vegetarian easier than ever. Without sacrificing the life of an innocent animal, one can still buy products that taste exactly the same as meat but are made out of plants. While I can not force anyone to, I would highly encourage people to cut out meat at least once a week for numerous health, environmental, and ethical reasons. Even one day without meat a week can have lasting effects. I never knew the impact one small decision could have until I became a vegetarian. Now, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Editors-in-Chief Emily Kuznar, Samantha Sewick Staff Eliana Bement, Simar Dhillon, Mia Dickson, Elizabeth Eckerman, Madden Flanders, Estella Larsen, Mike Meekhof, Grace Opsommer, Haley Sandberg, Maddox Schaner-Follett, Ali Sewick, Jersey VanderWall Adviser Warren Kent III
our voice
Academic integrity needs to be No. 1 As exam week approaches and the stress of preparing begins to creep in, it is crucial to remember the importance of academic integrity. It can be tempting to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out. Whether that’s sneaking a peak at your neighbor’s scantron or searching for the answer key for your upcoming test, remember that keeping a clear conscience is more significant than earning that A. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming. We’ve all been in a position where we have considered taking the unethical route in order to achieve an A. It can be incredibly tempting. Studying is exhausting, and caffeine can only do so much. It is critical to remember that everyone is in the same boat. Exams aren’t an easy time for anyone, and they are not the endall, be-all to your existence. It is more important to maintain your integrity and ethicality than receiving a grade you are undeserving of. Remember: one grade is only a minimal piece of the much larger puzzle that is your life. While it’s much easier said than done, a grade is just a grade. As cliche as it sounds, it does not define you or your worth as a person. You don’t want to be known as a person who achieved great things by cheating their way to the top. Because eventually, your luck will run out. So, as test dates get closer and the anxiety sets in, review those notes, ask those questions, and make those Quizlets. Because remember, nobody likes a cheater.
Look here:
Here is your chance to win a $5 Biggby gift card. Simply put the answer to this question along with your first and last name on a 3x5 notecard. Bring it to Room 501 before the end of the school day on Friday, Nov. 19, to be entered into the drawing. Which flavored Red Bull was rated the best in this issue?
The Sailors’ Log is a public forum for student expression distributed freely to students and faculty of Mona Shores High School.
How to communicate with staff: • Email: kentw@monashores.net • Facebook: Mona Shores Publications
Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editorial staff of The Sailors’ Log. Your Voice is the letters to the editor section. All letters must be signed.
This edition of The Sailors’ Log was printed by the Argus-Press 201 E. Exchange St. Owosso, MI 48867
A Life Flipped Upside Down Teen girl struggles with a life-changing illness
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of attacking the strep, attacks the basal ganglia, the part of the brain that controls emotion, as well as motor learning and control. PANDAS took my worst fears and made me obsess over them, making me feel that I needed to do irrational things to control my fears and to make sure that they did not come to life. An example of this is I would turn around every object in the house so that they wouldn’t face the basement stairs because if I didn’t, I would want a column by to end my life downstairs, E ST E L L A and no one would be able L A R SE N to hear me. I was so scared and staff writer upset. I felt so broken. I feared my family wouldn’t want me. I feared I was a terrible person. One of the things that I would never want to do was sexually harm someone, so my OCD took that fear and made me worry that I would harm someone I loved. I feared I would want to kill myself and no one would be there to stop me. These were all of my disturbing OCD thoughts. To keep my fears from happening, I would constantly complete compulsions (acts like turning everything away from the basement) that I thought would save me from the thoughts in my head), sometimes
“My favorite Thanksgiving memory is going over to my cousin’s house and having a big feast, and we always play a big family soccer game.” – Lauren Davis, senior “Every Thanksgiving, I love spendiing time with my family and having dinner with my loved ones.” – Jala Vorgias, junior
“My favorite memory is going to see my British grandparents for Thanksgiving and making lots of new memories with them over the holiday.” – Madison MacLachlan, sophomore “I love playing pool with my cousins. I never actually learned how to play, so I would just hit the pool balls with the pool stick like it was a game of golf.” – Lia Baldwin, freshman
In September 2021, sophomore Estella Larsen received her IVIG (Intraveneous Immune Globulin) treatment for a third time to help treat her PANDAS. in the form of tics, to control my fears. Since I was so afraid of being sexual, I couldn’t write because I was afraid that the letters would look sexual in nature which would mean I would want to be sexual. I would constantly say no and stop to myself and the overwhelming thoughts in my head. I physically couldn’t be left alone for fear of hurting myself. I ended up staying home from school the second half
What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
Q e bi g h t
In each edition of The Sailors’ Log, eight students will be asked their opinion about a current topic.
of the year because of how difficult it was. Eventually, I visited a PANDAS specialist in Chicago who provided me with three life-changing treatments, all called IVIG (Intravenous Immune Globulin). IVIG resets the patient’s immune system so that it can not be manipulated by the strep. I had my first in March 2019, my second in May 2020, and my third in September 2021. Today, I am about 95 percent better and am enjoying time with my friends and family and preparing for the wonderful life ahead of me. Although I am much better, I still experience my OCD fears, but they hardly affect me anymore. I can read and write, learn math with ease, and spend quality time with my loved ones. My symptoms are limited and should stay that way as long as I keep myself healthy and away from strep. As long as I keep myself safe, I shouldn’t have to receive any more treatments. My life has changed a lot over the past few years. PANDAS severely affected my mental health, ruined my friendships, and completely turned my life upside down. Finally, I am at peace. My mental health is much better, I have made wonderful new friendships with amazing people, and my life is finally settling down. Although my life has come with a lot of difficulties, I held on, I kept fighting, and I made it.
“I really enjoy getting to spend time with my grandparents. My aunt comes home from Louisiana, and my other aunt and uncle come from Chicago, and we all meet at my Grandparents house in Spring Lake.” – Mike Meekhof, senior “My favorite Thanksgiving memory is definitely going to my grandma’s for Thanksgiving and everyone getting along while we have a huge bonfire in the back.” – Donaven DeKuiper, junior “Back in elementary school, I loved drawing hand turkeys. The food and the football are great and all, but hand turkeys are untouched.” – Zack Keesen, sophomore “When I went to Mexico with my family over Thanksgiving, it was the best. Completely unforgettable.” – Gavin Collins, freshman
e d i t o r i a l The Sailors’ Log • Noivember 18, 2021
mere three years ago, a whirlwind of medical problems sucked me in and flipped my life upside down, pushing me down a dark path for almost two full years. At the beginning of seventh grade, everything changed. I became a completely different person, no longer the fun-loving, worry-free kid I was before. I woke up one day with severe OCD (performing irrational tasks that a person believes will control a worry), severe anxiety, tics, age and developmental regression, separation anxiety, depression, and the inability to write and to learn math easily. This literally happened overnight; one day I was “normal” and the next I was a completely different person. What happened? How had I turned from a happy kid into someone consumed in sadness and doubt? The answer is PANDAS. PANDAS is an acronym for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. It affects 1 in 200 children under the age of 12, according to anxietyocdflorida. com. Strep in the body disguises itself as the brain so the immune system, instead
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KICKIN’ IT
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e n t MONSTER e zero ultra are a classic energy drink, r Monsters and the Monster Energy: Zero Ultra is a solid choice. This is definitely a good go-to flavor that tastes like an t invigorating mix between the lemonlime in Sprite and the grapefruit in a Squirt. In a pinch, the availability of White Monsters is insanely widespread. i Whether you’re at a fancy-dancy Wesco or a middle-of-nowhere convenience n store, you’ll likely encounter a Monster. This no-sugar added energy boost sits m in your stomach lightly and does not make you feel like projectile vomiting like some. e n t
WITH CAFFEINE Some days, you just need a quick pick-me-up. Whether you need the extra focus for that difficult AP Calculus test or the annoying dog next door kept you up late, these drinks will give you a burst of energy to get you through your day so that you will no longer feel sluggish and fatigued. Read on to find out which drinks we would recommend. Page designed and compiled by Grace Opsommer, staff writer, and Samantha Sewick, Editor-in-Chief
BANG strawberry
This tasted like someone held open our mouths and forcefully made us drink a horrendous mixture of melted strawberry gum and strep throat medicine. Drinking this almost indefinitely ends with projectile vomiting. The 300 milligrams of caffeine has close to no effect thanks to the deathly illness that comes from this felony of a drink. This drink is a crime against humanity, and Bang Energy should feel ashamed for ever releasing this to society. Bang Energy is essentially mass selling a harmful laxative, and we are not here for it. Caffeine: 300mg Calories: 0
Caffeine: 160mg Calories: 10
The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
ROCKSTAR blue razz
Caffeine: 300mg Calories: 10
Caffeine: 300mg Calories: 120
Blue Razz is always a goto flavor, in our opinion, and this energy drink is no exception. If you’re a fan of the deliciousness that comes in the form of the mysterious fruit blue raspberry, give this Rockstar a go. Bursting with both flavor and caffeine, this drink will keep you going for hours. True story: one time after drinking a Blue Razz Rockstar, we ran a marathon, worked for eight hours straight, and then proceeded to stay up all night cleaning the entire house. So, if you’re wondering if the caffeine in this drink really has any effect, we are here to say it does.
RED BULL peach-nectarine
Caffeine: 114mg Calories: 160
If you’ve never had this, RUN - DON’T WALK - to the nearest store and buy the entire store’s stock. Essentially, just rob the stock boy. You deserve it, sis. Red Bull has lower caffeine levels than some other energy drinks, but its glorious taste makes up for it. We could drink this beverage every day for the rest of our lives and genuinely not get tired of it. The peachnectarine fusion deserves not only a Grammy, but an Emmy and an Oscar. Might as well give it the Nobel Prize. If you want an energy boost that will give you copious amounts of not only joy but love, then this is the drink for you.
ASHOC acai berry
With 300 milligrams of caffeine, this drink definitely makes you the life of the party. Whether it’s a rager or an all-night study session, this drink is sure to keep you going. The acai berry flavor is truly unlike any other; its juicy and vibrant array of tanginess makes for the perfect quench of your thirst and fatigue. Anytime you need a quick pick-me-up, pick this up. This drink’s luscious taste is the reason for its perfect 5/5 rating and our continuous recommendation of this dream of a drink.
Blue Plate
Specials
Cuisine provides flavorful experience Lakeside Cafe, 1384 W. Laketon, was formerly a house that was converted into a restaurant. The menu was filled with all the breakfast fixings. The service wasn’t fast, considering the fact that it was 3 p.m. with only two tables to serve. Their house specialty and local favorite is the Spicy Mexican Omelette. This dish, which costs $7.29, is made with chorizo, green peppers, onions, jalapenos, salsa, cheese, and tomato. It also came with an order of bread with butter and a side of hash browns. If you enjoy omelettes that have an authentic Mexican taste with a spicy kick start to your day, then I would highly recommend this dish.
I took the first bite, and a vast amount of jalapenos made it four times hotter than I expected. There wasn’t enough cheese, but the rest of the ingredients had a perfect amount. The consistency was a little mushy and spongy. The best part about the omelette was how it was cooked evenly through and prepared. It was a simple omelette with simple ingredients. Makes for something better, rather than doing too much. Lakeside Cafe gets 4 eggs.
Mexican Omelette with a side of salsa and sour cream from Lakeside Cafe (Madden Flanders)
Vintage environment, affordable cost highlights croissant meal
Nashville Kickin’ Chicken Benedict from Brunch House (Madden Flanders)
California Dreamer with a side of bacon from Toast ‘n Jams (Madden Flanders)
When I walked in the front door of Toast ‘n Jams (3462 Henry St.), I felt the vintage vibe. Antiques cover the wall, and a painting of Route 66 with an old red Camaro is displayed clearly. I received my food quickly, and the service was great. I ordered a house specialty: The California Dreamer. It consists of scrambled eggs, tomato slices, and avocado prepared as a sandwich in a tender grilled croissant, with a side of bacon. The bacon was cooked to perfection: thick and not too salty or greasy. The best part about the sandwich
was the scrambled eggs, cooked to perfect, and fluffy. I do prefer overeasy eggs over scrambled eggs. The only cons were the croissant was soggy, and the scrambled eggs were slippery like a water slide. There were way more eggs compared to the size of the croissant, and I didn’t like how the avocado and tomato came on the side. For just the small price of $6.89, Toast ‘n Jams gets 3 ½ eggs.
Atmosphere does not make up for mediocre taste The atmosphere of Brunch House (3065 Henry St.) was dazzling, and it was pretty busy for being 2 p.m., which is almost closing time. As soon as I walked in, I was immediately greeted by the friendly staff and the aroma of bacon. I ordered a Brunch House specialty: the Nashville Kickin Chicken Benedict. It is served with Nashville hot chicken over biscuits with poached eggs, gravy, and Benedict sauce on top: with jalapenos, $11. The food was presented formally between the Benedict sauce and the biscuits with eggs on top: 10 out
of 10 for the presentation aspect. The biscuits were crumbly and dry. The eggs were cooked well. The hot chicken was the best part with its flaky, crunchy batter. The side of potatoes did taste like chemicals from the pan, and there was so much Benedict sauce that I couldn’t see the biscuits or eggs. Don’t let the decor fool you; $11 for the food was overpriced. For what it included, Brunch House receives 3 eggs.
e n t e r t a i n m e n t The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
Staff writer Madden Flanders was curious to try three specialty breakfast meals from local restaurants that are known for their breakfasts. The three restaurants are Toast ‘n Jams, Brunch House, and Lakeside Cafe. Each meal was rated between 1-5 eggs with 5 being the best.
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Introduction of new activity sparks creativity for seniors
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n e w s
By Emily Kuznar Editor-in-Chief
The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
Senior Desi Burns customizes her parking spot after this project was implemented by seniors Olivia Sobczak and Avery Johnson. (Linden Gentzkow)
Senior year brings about many exciting opportunities, events, and most importantly, traditions. This year, a new tradition was introduced by seniors Olivia Sobczak and Avery Johnson: parking spot painting. “We wanted to implement this new project because we have heard this is something seniors have wanted to do,” said Johnson, who completed this project with Sobczak for their Advanced Composition senior project. “We wanted to implement a new project, and we figured this was a cool way for students to express themselves and their personality by what they paint on their spot.” Because this tradition has been done by other schools nationwide, Sobczak and Johnson were able to connect with other schools in the area to find out the logistics of this project and then presented a proposal to principal Jennifer Bustard. “Mrs. Bustard was extremely helpful in helping guide us and modify our plan in order to gain approval for the project,” Sobczak said. “Ultimately, we allowed seniors to pick any spot
New eSports team provides alternative outlet for competition
Revival of disc golf club yields success
By Emily Kuznar Editor-in-Chief
By Emily Kuznar Editor-in-Chief After a less than successful upstart in the fall of 2019, the Disc Golf Club, under the supervision of math teacher Ross Rosenthal, is back up and running. “This Disc Golf club originally was started by Mr. (Warren) Kent; however, due to the pandemic, we never were able to restart after the shutdown in the winter,” Rosenthal said. “This year, several students were inquiring about getting it started back up. I knew Mr. (Scott) Lautenschlaeger and Mr. (Andrew) Basse were avid disc golfers, so I asked them to help out too.” Rosenthal said he wanted to provide students with an alternative to the traditional sports route. “I think disc golf is a great hobby, and it’s one that many students have yet to experience,” Rosenthal said. “Even in West Michigan, there are tons of courses available for players. It’s a great way to get outside and have fun with friends.” While it may not be an official school sport yet, Rosenthal said he has high hopes for the future of this club. “I could see disc golf one day becoming a school sport one day,” Rosenthal said. “Having a school team where they compete in tournaments seems like a fun idea that we could get many students involved in. The sport’s rapid growth makes me hopeful for its future popularity.” Additionally, Rosenthal said that this club is super accessible and anyone is eligible to join. “We understand that everyone can’t make it to
of their choosing, and they would pay $25 to paint a spot. We set basic guidelines as to what could and couldn’t be painted: nothing promoting drugs, alcohol, politics, or profanity. We printed posters to put up around the school in an attempt to get the word out, and we also put it on the announcements. We set our painting date as Sunday, September 26, and students just needed to fill out a google form in order to be eligible.” Despite a seemingly executable plan, there were a few bumps along the way. “We had multiple weather delays due to rain which was really frustrating,” Johnson said. “However, once we got around that, we ended up having a great turnout. We had roughly 20 kids show up, and we raised $400 in total, which we will be donating to the Be Nice program.” While this activity may just be getting its upstart, both Sobczak and Johnson hope that this will stick and eventually become a tradition. “We hope to have created a legacy at Shores that each senior class will be excited to take on,” Sobczak said. “As the project grows, I am certain that the turnout will get bigger every year. We hope upcoming classes are just as enthusiastic as we were”
Senior Sam Uptigrove practices his disc throwing techniques. (Ila Kinnucan) every meeting, and that’s okay,” Rosenthal said. “We allow anyone to join at any time. We currently have twenty members, and we are hoping to grow the group from there. All they have to do is send me an email to join. We meet Tuesdays from 3:305, typically playing at the courses at Ross Park and McGraft Park. We teach techniques to newer players, while also providing more experienced players the opportunity to go out for a round. In the future, I hope we can create an on-campus course if the club continues to grow.”
Times are certainly changing, and the upstart of the eSports team, otherwise known as competitive gaming, is a prime example of the role technology plays in our lives. Inspired by his son, broadcast teacher Dave Droski sparked his idea to bring the club to Shores. “My son started the eSports team at (Grand Rapids) West Catholic, and I’ve been trying to do the same for roughly four years now,” Droski said. “This year was finally the year, and we have 29 members who actively compete in competitions.” Esports is defined as an organized form of competition using video games, often done in individual or team formats. With a variety of game options available to players, each game meets once a week to practice. With simple requirements to join, Droski said that this new team is accessible to everyone. “All students need to do to join is send me an email,” Droski said. “There is a great variety of games offered to compete in, so there’s something for everyone. We practice once a week, and we compete in matches once a week as well. I provide all the necessary materials like computers and headsets, but students can also bring in any additional equipment they’d like. We currently are in the middle of our season, but our next season is starting in January.” While it may not contain the physical aspect of other sports teams, Droski said that this group offers many elements of a normal sports team. “Members get the thrill of competition that they’d get on any other sports team,” Droski said. “They have opportunities for scholarships now at the collegiate level. Not only that, but they also learn teamwork and camaraderie.”
Twins at Shores SENIORS Ella & Ethan DeYoung Aiden & Dani Mack Konnor & Kameron McGinley Sam & Luke Uptigrove JUNIORS Theo & Cecilia Conrad Mia & Hannah Geoghan Lauren & Thomas Hylland
Twins are the most common type of multiple pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), twins occur in 32.1 per 1,000 live births. Triplets or higher multiples occur in 87.7 out of every 100,000 live births. Most people know “twins” means two babies and “triplets” means three babies. But what if you’re expecting more than that? Here’s the proper terminology: Quadruplets is for four babies. Quintuplets is for five babies. Sextuplets is for six babies. Septuplets is for seven babies. Octuplets is for eight babies. Nonuplets is for nine babies.
Twins at Shores SOPHOMORES Anna & Alex Eichorst Lucious & Xavier Maldonado Makenna & Matthew Oneka FRESHMEN Ezra & Micah Carefelle Hannah & Kelsey Fekete Brady & Nathan Tilden Information compiled by Maddox Schaner-Follett, staff writer
Petersens
Brooke Kathleen Sarah own best friends, and it’s really nice that we have each other now that we’re in high school,” Sarah said. This bond not only extends through their academic career, but into their extracurricular activities as well. “We usually do similar extracurricular ac-
3’s
company?
Having one set of triplets in a school is unique, but Shores has three sets of triplets roaming its hall this year. Two sets of juniors (Sarah, Kathleen, and Brooke Petersen and Ella, Lauren, and Brayden Morea) and a senior trio (Jeremiah, Brennan, and Jameson Borgman) make up nine of the more than 1,200 students at the high school.
3’s
a crowd? To the Borgmans, who are seniors, brotherhood is far superior to material belongings. “Being a triplet is kind of like sharing everything,” Brennan said. “You don’t really own something, it’s kind of a community item. “If you could think of it, it could probably be shared, like any normal house item.” Each triplet is apart by one minute from each other at birth, with Jamison being the oldest, followed by Brennan, and then Jeremiah. To the Borgmans, being a triplet and having two brothers in the home is a community affair. “It’s nice because you can share
tivities,” said Kathleen, who is the youngest. “In ninth grade, we all did cross country.” Another similarity is their personalities, which is outgoing. “We all are social, and we like to talk to people,” Brooke said. “We all want to do our best, so we’re hard workers and really determined.” The sisters’ most important thing, which stems from their sisterly bond, is their uncanny ability to read each other’s emotions. “We all know what each other’s thinking,” Sarah said. “If Kathleen is worried, then she paces, and then I know that she needs to talk about something. If Brooke’s worried, she rambles, so then I help her with calming down.”
While the Moreas are triplets, and is left-handed,” Lauren said. that was not what their parents Brayden said that while he is thought would be arriving. the only boy in the trio, it works “Brayden and I were supposed for them. to be twins at first, but Ella was “I wouldn’t say that we have fertilized separately,” great sibling team Lauren said. “My power,” Brayden parents thought they said. “I would just were having twins, say it’s more of a but at the very last second, good friendship. We all (the doctors), said ‘Oh, do our own stuff. Lauren actually, you’re having and Ella hang out more triplets.’” than I do (with either of And Lauren was the first them).” Ella one to arrive. Contrary to popular “We were separated by a belief, the triplets do few seconds, which is not not actually have a that big of a difference, but social hierarchy among it’s kind of cool to say I’m themselves; however, the oldest one,” Lauren their distinct personality said. “We all have unique traits do lead others to Brayden personalities, and we all believing in such an idea. play different sports too.” “Lauren is the most Of the junior trio, influential, she always has Lauren and Brayden share an argument,” Ella said. a number of physical traits, “She’s the one who alway and though Lauren shares goes for it. She’s just a close bond with her more vocal about certain sister, she sees herself as Lauren opinions.” more similar in appearance With numbers on their to her brother. side, the triplets feel as though “It’s kind of interesting they are stronger together. because Brayden and I have “I feel like we’re a pretty good curly brown hair and are right- team,” Lauren said. “We do a lot handed, and Ella has blonde hair of things together, but we’re still
Borgmans
Brennan Jamison Jeremiah everything, whatever is my brother’s, I can also use,” Jeremiah said. “You can help each other with homework, and anything you would need help with. There’s just always someone there to help you.” This attitude toward sharing extends to nearly everything the triplets own.
Moreas
“We don’t share phones because we all have our own, but chargers are a big one throughout our whole family,” Jamison said. “People lose theirs, then there’s arguments about who’s charger is who’s because there’s no names on them or anything.” The three recall memories of needing to share their game consoles when they were younger, citing incidents where they would argue about whose turn it was to play. “We used to fight over the game consoles,” Brennan said, “but now it’s like ‘Oh, you’re going to work? You can play for the next four hours,’ or, ‘Oh, you’re going to soccer? You can do this now.’ Somebody’s always gone, so there’s always an open console somewhere.”
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f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
Multiple Birth Facts
The Petersen sisters share a close bond over classes, homework, and grades. “You always have someone who can help you with homework and someone to talk to, and you basically have built-in best friends,” said Brooke, who is the middle sister. The sisters, who are juniors, share their wealth of knowledge with one another and often help each other when they require assistance with their classwork. “It’s nice because Brooke is like my builtin tutor, and she’s very helpful and kind to me, and she’s my best friend, and so is Kathleen,” said Sarah, who is the eldest sister. Their bond as friends has only strengthened as they’ve gotten older. “As we’ve grown up, we have been our
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c e n t e r s e c t i o n
BETWEEN THE
Purpose is found in time, not labels By Samantha Sewick Editor-in-Chief High school is difficult enough without searching for one’s identity as well. For freshman Fynnley Long, this was a real day-to-day struggle. “Ever since I came out as non-binary, I’ve taken a more androgynous approach to things, which feels really good to almost break out of the binary,” said Long, who uses they/them pronouns. “Most people grew up with the idea that blue is for boys and pink is for girls, but it’s so much bigger than that.” The struggle with gender identity isn’t a one-time Long struggle; it’s a growing process with some pains along the way, Long said. “I really tried to not put myself under one label too fast,” Long said. “I needed to recognize my feelings, but not jump to conclusions. It was difficult because everything seemed so black-and-white that I thought I needed to be just a boy or just a girl.” Even though there was experimentation with she/her and he/him pronouns, Long ultimately decided those weren’t for them. “I often switch between more feminine
and masculine appearances, so I thought I needed to fit into one of those boxes,” said Long, whose parents support their decision to come out as non-binary. “It just didn’t suit me. I’m more complex than that.” Having family involved in the “Rainbow community”, those a part of LGBTQ+ and the non-binary, as well has made the transition easier. “My uncle, who is gay, welcomed and supported me throughout my journey which has been really nice since he also had to go through a similar experience when coming out,” Long said. “My friends and teachers were also all really supportive and open to calling me a new name and using new pronouns, which is Fynnley and they/them.” As Long found out about more options, they also encourage others to research the same. “Being non-binary is something that people should be more aware about because it really breaks the stereotypes,” Long said. “There are so many more options than just male and female. It’s not just black and white.” Long said they have found that not only are they feeling more confident, Long wants to share that feeling. “It’s not about being like everyone else,” Long said. “It’s about being who you are inside. I finally feel like I truly am myself and that’s the most important thing.”
people whose identity doesn’t fall into one of the two binary genders, male or female, synonymous with genderqueer.
Genderqueer: umbrella term for those who do not identify with binary pronouns, synonymous with non-binary
THE BINARY BREAKDOWN
people in the U.S. identify as non-binary
1.2 Million
When most people think of pronouns, they think of the binary. The immediate answers would be she/her/hers and he/ him/his for singular pronoun usage. Nowadays, young adults have broken the traditional binary pronoun usage and have started to explore the use of they/them for a single person. Read on to find out more about current students who are exploring these new options.
39% of non-binary adults have attempted suicide
BY THE NUMBERS 94% of nonbinary adults have considered suicide
52%
of non-binary adults are between 18-29
82%
of nonbinary adults faced emotional abuse as a child
of non-binary adults were bullied as a child
Statistics according to williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu
Experimentation leads to clarity Page designed and compiled by Grace Opsommer, Staff Writer, and Samantha Sewick, Editor-in-Chief
Neopronouns: category of new pronouns (xey/ xem) that are increasingly used in place of “she,” “he,” or “they” when referring to a person.
76%
Genderfluid: people whose gender is a constantly changing spectrum of masculine and feminine.
Cisgender: someone whose birth gender matches that of the one they identify with.
By Grace Opsommer Staff Writer It can take a long time to understand and come to terms with one’s identity. Sophomore Ghost Cowell knows about this struggle first hand. “I’ve always known that I didn’t quite fit within the regular binary pronouns like she/her,” Cowell said. “I don’t really fit within being a girl or a boy; however, I’m also not in between, I feel like I’m outside of all of that, not identifying with either.” When male and female Cowell is all that is taught, it can be confusing to figure out one’s identity, Cowell said. “I went through a bunch of different labels at first because I wasn’t sure of what fit me; now I identify as nonbinary,” Cowell said. Although Cowell has now settled on a label that suits them, they still continue to experiment within that label. “I’m experimenting with neopronouns, like xey/xem, at the moment. It’s not something I’m identifying myself with quite yet, but more just experimenting with.” Cowell
said. Neopronouns are meant to serve in place of a pronoun, but completely avoid expressing a gender. “They/them pronouns fall outside of the gender binary but still a part of it because they’re more widely known,” Cowell said. “Neopronouns, on the other hand, feel like they’re on a whole different spectrum that people aren’t usually familiar with. This makes them feel really safe for me to use.” Experimenting with something as important as one’s identity can be difficult to go through by oneself, Cowell said; it’s important to have a strong support system. “It was easy for me to come out to my friends because a lot of them actually use different pronouns as well,” Cowell said. “It’s comforting to know that if anything ever happens, I can just go talk to them about it.” Cowell clearly advocates for testing out different identities to find one that fits how each person feels inside, as they did this themselves. “It takes a lot of time and experimenting to figure out what you identify with,” Cowell said. “It’s okay to go through a bunch of different labels if you’re not sure.”
c e n t e r s e c t i o n The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
BINARY
Non-binary:
9
PUNJABI BY NATURE
10
f e a t u r e
While many may assume those of Indian descent see themselves as Indian, the following five students at Shores recognize themselves as Punjabi, meaning they belong or relate to the region of Punjab located in India and Pakistan.
Senior proud of ethnic background By Simar Dhillon Staff Writer
The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
An individual’s cultural identity plays an important role in how a person defines themselves. For senior Simran Tumber, being Punjabi is what makes her who she is. “The culture of Punjab is all about inclusivity and celebrating life,” Tumber said. “Our Punjabi ancestors have been involved in farming, so there is a big association between celebrating the joys of crops, feeding one another, and equality.” Tumber said that being Punjabi is about living a life of service and selflessness. “A lot of what being Punjabi is aiding others that might need help no matter what their religion, caste, societal status is,” said Tumber, who is the current presidential advisor of Interact Rotary Club. For a first-generation American, learning to fall in love with all aspects of one’s ethnic background starts off as a bit of a struggle at first. “I was never ashamed of being Punjabi, but more so, (I was ashamed of) the language barriers that were present,” Tumber said. “Since my parents were immigrants, they had difficulty in communicating, and that caused insecurity and struggles in my day-to-day life.” Tumber said she later discovered that speaking two languages is something to be proud of. “I truly do regret feeling that way,” Tumber said. “Having another language under your belt allows you to reach out to more people. America is about freedom, and it’s about knowing one another religions, cultures, and
Senior Simran Tumber wearing traditional Punjabi clothing for cultural festival (Courtesy Photo) languages. It’s a gift to share, not to hide.” Tumber said her favorite aspect of being Punjabi are the bonds it creates. “I love how connected family and friends are,” Tumber said. “In other cultures, I don’t
believe you see that as much as you do in Punjabi. If you have some conflicts in your family, no matter what the conflict may be, you always show up. You give them time and whatever they may need. It’s about being there for one another and being a family.” The state of Punjab has also dealt with many struggles, one of them being the Farmers Protest. Punjab is the breadbasket of India, and this past year the Indian government had passed three laws that affect the livelihood of farmers. These laws caused local farmers to not find adequate demand for their produce, and corporations not paying a fair price to farmers for their produce because of a farmer’s lack to afford a long-standing legal proceeding or even negotiating. “It is unfair for senior citizens to be slayed on the streets, getting killed daily trying to fight for the money that is rightfully theirs,” Tumber said. “It is disgusting when Bollywood celebrities who have so much influence in India, don’t say a single word about the farmers, yet post about issues in America, which isn’t even prevalent to where they live. They post things about equal pay for men and women, but what about equal pay for farmers as well?” Tumber said she hopes to teach her children about the protest and the overall culture of Punjab. “I really am so proud of my roots, and I would love for my future kids to have Punjabi in them, to be able to learn the language, and be bilingual,” Tumber said. “I want them to know the many struggles my community has gone through, and the fights Punjab has fought. I want them to be proud of their roots, and understand what makes us, us.”
EMBRACING ONE’S ETHNICITY
“Like most Punjabis, I am a Sikh. I am not a Hindu, and I am not a Muslim. I feel like not very many people know we exist, and many people misinterpret who I really am, and I would like to change that.” Veer Saini, freshman
“I wanted to clarify that it is not mandatory for me to wear any form of a turban to be a Sikh or to be Punjabi in general. I am proud of my culture. We are social, energetic, and very close, and I don’t need a patka (head covering) to prove it.” Harshul Singh, sophomore
Being called ‘Indian’ offensive to columnist
“Where are you and your family from?” asks a woman at the Target check-out line. As soon as I hear those words, my immediate response is my home state, Punjab. While that may be what I think is right, my thoughts revert to what the “proper” response should be. “So wouldn’t that make you from India?” the woman says. I’ve always hated being called Indian. Being associated with a country that has put my people through so much exasperates me. The Punjabi community in India
has remained invisible to its government. Whether it be the aftermath of the 1984 Riots, where a series of attacks were planned in hopes of killing innocent Sikh adherents, or the Column current farmer’s by Simar protest, where Dhillon, more than staff writer 400 farmers have died protesting the unjust laws created by the government
threatening the farmers’ livelihood, we have received no empathy. The Indian government has hurt my community continuously. Punjab gets the least amount of water in the country, yet the water is in our territory. Punjab is forced to promote Hindi as the primary language, yet Punjabi is our mother tongue. The people of Punjab are currently being thrown in jail cells for peacefully protesting, yet those who slaughtered
Punjabis during the 1984 riots walk free. Knowing this, how could I want to be called “Indian”? We should not have to feel like second-class citizens in a country Punjabis fought for, worked for, and cared for We shouldn’t have to be shut down on every move of retaliation. We shouldn’t have to rethink our answer said to the woman at Target. We shouldn’t have to accept the title of “Indian” when we know in our hearts what we really are: Punjabi.
“After 9/11, many hate crimes were committed against Muslims and those wrongly perceived as Muslims, including the Punjabi and Sikh community. We are very helpful, kind, and hospitable people. The color of our skin or the turbans on our heads does not mean we are terrorists.” Noor Saini, junior
Freshman Bella Miller lived on the island of Oahu in Hawaii from 201419. “The culture there was so different from anything I’ve ever experienced. It felt like such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it was strange to be there for a few years. Everyone seemed so in the moment and the pace was much slower there. I learned to really appreciate that. In school, we had to learn how to play the ukulele and how to speak.”
Sunshine & Palm Trees
Sophomore Taylor Byers lived on the island of Oahu in Hawaii from 201419. “My family and I got mistaken for tourists a lot, and in my first year of school there, I had multiple people ask me how many months I was staying or where I was visiting from which was something that was also weird to me. I loved the culture there, and everyone was adamant on the whole, ‘We live in paradise. Don’t waste your time, just enjoy yourself.’”
Sisters move to Shores after growing up on Mackinac By Alison Sewick Staff Writer Mackinac Island is a travel destination widely known by Michiganders for its unique qualities and beautiful characteristics that separate it from the rest of the state. Though most would know it as a tourist destination, freshman Rachael Arbib and sophomore Luna Stamy, who are sisters, are much more familiar with the island than most could ever imagine to be . “I’ve lived there ever since I was 4 years old,” said Stamy regarding her time on Mackinac, in which she spent 13 years living the island life. “It was so weird moving here and seeing so many students in one place. Even using cars has been a huge adjustment for me because on the island we only used bikes.” Living on such a small island, Stamy had the unique experience of sharing a classroom with four other students in her grade. On the island, everyone K-12 shared a school which made Shores seem incredibly big in comparison and was slightly overwhelming to Stamy at first. “I loved the everyone-knows-everyone mentality that made living there so fantastic,” Stamy said. “It felt so special to grow up somewhere that was so tightly
Luna Stamy (left) with sister (right) spending time outside snowmobiling over Lake Michigan during winter months. (Courtesy Photo) bonded. I could walk outside and visit my neighbor if I wanted. That is a dynamic that is very unique and something you don’t find anywhere else.” Not only did Stamy love the dynamic between the people, but she said she loved the activities that she was able to do, no
matter the time of the year. “In the summer, I could walk out the front door and go swimming and even though it is similar here because of Lake Michigan, it doesn’t feel the same,” Stamy said. “In the winter, I could walk across the street and go snowmobile riding
across the lake to the mainland, which was unbelievably fun. In fact, I miss that a lot.” Arbib, though only spending eight years on the island, found it strange to live on a place that many people thought of as a vacation rather than a town where people lived year-round. “We call all of the tourists ‘fudgies,’” Arbib said. “It was such a unique experience to have people visiting from all over the country to a place I called home. I don’t think I ever really got used to people always coming and going.. However, I did love having that feeling of belonging.” Not only does Arbib love the vibe from her hometown, but she said she has come to love how her family made it home. “My dad and both of my aunts owned stores on the island,” Arbib said. “I basically grew up moving in between all of them.” The sights in Mackinac are something Arbib said she’ll never forget and has missed since she moved to Shores. “It’s so beautiful on the island,” Arbib said regarding the nature she got to grow up around for many years. “Not to say it isn’t here, but sitting there, especially in the fall, just taking in the sight and the slow pace of life felt like a dream that I got to live.”
f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
LIVING THE ISLAND LIFE
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12
f e a t u r e
Tasty Treats Sophomore starts business to donate money to charity By Elizabeth Eckerman Staff Writer
The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
amount of money to donate to Project Rescue. She stated that she has a goal of $2,000 for the year, and so far she has earned more than $1,600. “Project Rescue has a mission of combating sex trafficking and sexual Sophomore Lydia Carefelle will never forget the one time it snowed slavery which is really important to me,” Carefelle said. “I chose this in her kitchen. charity because I think that people need to hear more about these topics Well, the precipitation was powdered sugar, but nonetheless, her so that they can do their part to try to combat them. The more money I kitchen was a winter wonderland. donate, the more people will be freed from sex trafficking.” “I was making an order for some cupcakes and had to use The prices of Carefelle’s cupcakes are $15 for a powdered sugar in the recipe. I forgot to mix the powdered half dozen and $25 for a dozen. Her cookies sugar in a little bit at a time and ended up pouring it all in at are $10 for a dozen. However, larger orders once, causing it to explode everywhere in the kitchen,” for events have negotiable pricing. Carefelle said. “It Carefelle said she has many options went absolutely of flavors to choose from when ordering everywhere. her cookies and cupcakes. Her cookie I had to flavors are chocolate chip, sugar, take each peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate, appliance off oatmeal raisin, and M&M. Her cupcake the counter and flavors are chocolate, vanilla, lemon, clean them individually. strawberry lemonade, hot fudge sundae, It took me forever to get blueberry lemon, salted caramel, and everything clean again.” peanut butter cup. However, she is Sugar Cookie Recipe Despite this miniopen to experimenting with new flavors •2 3/4 cups all purpose flour glitch, Carefelle has kept upon request. She also has a seasonal or moving forward, and after weekly option that changes constantly. •1 tsp baking soda her first sale, she realized “My favorite cupcake flavor to •1/2 tsp baking powder how much money she could make is salted caramel while my least make if she kept it going. favorite to make is hot fudge sundae. •1 cup unsalted butter, room This led her to transform It is a very tedious process to make the temperature her hobby into a full-fledged hot fudge sundae cupcakes because •1 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar business so that she could so many things go on top of them,” donate more money to Project Carefelle said. “My favorite flavors to •2 tbsp light brown sugar Rescue. eat, however, are lemon and coconut •1 large egg And so, Confections by Lydia because I love the taste of them.” was born. Carefelle said she hopes to stick with •2 tsp vanilla extract “I was originally going to call her business in the following years •1/4 cup sugar (additional for rolling) my business Flour and Bloom, and make it an actual store. She would but decided to go with something like to have a team of people working more simple so that people would with her to create her tasty treats in the be able to remember the name better,” Carefelle said. “On my larger future. sales, I have my mom and friends help me out in the kitchen. The “Deciding to turn my hobby of baking into an actual business is one largest order we had to make was 600 cupcakes for a fundraiser of the best decisions I have ever made,” Carefelle said. “Being able to for Project Rescue.” support one of my favorite charities while also having fun in the kitchen Through orders like this, Carefelle has earned an immense is something I love to do.”
COOKIE CONFECTION
Sophomore Lydia Carefelle opened her own business called Confections by Lydia.
TEEN TYCOONS
Sophomore Abigail Silvis bonds with her grandpa over quite a unique thing: buying and reselling vintage cameras. “When my grandpa retired, he picked up the hobby of thrift shopping and that eventually condensed into vintage camera shopping,” Silvis said. “It was passed down to me and now it’s something that we enjoy doing together.” Silvis plans to stick with this hobby because it promotes a special bond between her and her grandpa. She has made around $300 from the two years that her and her grandpa have been practicing this hobby.
Freshman Ariana Bejarano creates and sells homemade stickers on her Cricut. “I started selling stickers in second trimester of last year because I needed to pay off my Cricut since I borrowed money from my dad,” Bejarano said. “Since then, I have been doing jobs for teachers as well as people that I have random connections to.” Bejarano has made about $600 in total. “I like making stickers because it’s fun to personalize them,” said Bejarano. “I may stick with it in the future, I don”t know yet.”
Sophomore Nathan Opfermann has been buying and selling sports cards for over 10 years. “I really started to get into buying and selling sports cards when I was about five years old,” said Opfermann. “Now it’s something that I love to do and plan to stick with.” Opfermann owns around 2 thousand cards because he only sells the most valuable ones. “I love collecting and selling cards because of the joy it brings me,” said Opfermann. “It’s so much fun searching for rare cards, and the feeling of finding them is indescribable.”
OTHER HOBBYISTS
Emma Fox, junior “During quarantine in 2020, I was really bored, so I looked around my house for something to do. I picked up a Rubik’s cube that we had in the basement and decided to learn how to solve it. I can solve a 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, and Coin Tetrahedron. The 4x4 is my favorite one to solve, and I almost always have at least one of my cubes with me.”
Oscar Justain, senior “The summer that COVID started to happen, we got ponds from some of our neighbors and put fish in it. I decided to see what would happen if I put plants in it. It just went down the rabbit hole from there. We caught bluegill from Mona Lake and put them in the pond, and I put lettuce and strawberries from my garden in the pond as well. Currently, I have a pond with 20 perch in it.”
MASTER
Freshman finds voice through ventriloquism By Haley Sandberg Staff Writer Freshman Roxy Vanderwall has many different friends: a mouse, an alligator, a grandma, and a little girl are just a few. It may seem difficult to talk to a mouse or an alligator, but not when one has the unique talent that VanderWall does. Ventriloquism has captivated VanderWall’s interest ever since she saw a performance from Darci Lynne Farmer, who is a ventriloquist that made her debut on America’s Got Talent. VanderWall said she has been intrigued by ventriloquism ever since and started her own ventriloquism journey with a Mickey Mouse show puppet. “It definitely took a little bit to learn how to do it; looking back, I did an imovie with my Mickey Mouse puppet that didn’t turn out well,” said VanderWall, who has been working on her skill for two years. “It took a few weeks to perfect it, especially with the B’s and other letters where your lips touch, but eventually, I got the hang of it.” In her past two years of ventriloquism, VanderWall has obtained a total of four puppets,
Freshman Roxy VanderWall interacts with, Sarah, whom VanderWall considers to be her favorite. (Haley Sandberg) three of whom have their own unique personality to separate themselves from the others, giving VanderWall different reasons to like each one. “My first real puppet, Sarah, is a little girl I based off of Darci Lynne’s puppet and made her have more of a diva personality,” said VanderWall, who has also
bought a puppet from out of state. “My second puppet was Bernard, an alligator I got from New Orleans. He has a lower voice that I try to make as low as I can.” VanderWall even continues to get new puppets today. “I also have Violet, who I got
recently,” Vanderwall said. “I try to give her a grandma voice.” VanderWall says she finds it hard to pick just one favorite out of all her puppets, but if she did, it would have to be Sarah because she uses that puppet most often. “Sarah was my first show puppet, and I’m most comfortable using her because she was my first real puppet that I used rather than practiced with,” VanderWall said. VanderWall said she tries to find different ways to share her unique talent with more people rather than just her friends and family. “I use them most when I hear there’s a talent show coming up. I think they’ll be fun to use,” said VanderWall, who likes getting creative with her puppets. “I’ll just create a skit with them for fun.” Vanderwall said she uses these puppets as an outlet of fun and something to distract herself from her busy school and social life. “I usually do it to have fun,” VanderWall said. “If I ever get bored or need a distraction, I just grab one and have fun practicing voices with it.”
f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
Jack Boes, junior “I started mountain biking six months ago because half of my family goes mountain biking, so I usually ride with a group of my family when I go. I try to go once a week, and I most often go to Mosquito Creek Trails, but I would like to go to Boyne Highlands in Petoskey. The trails are downhill there, so I really have to trust my brakes.”
PUPPET
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Out with the Old..
s Swim coach steps down to work at college level p By Jersey VanderWall Staff Writer o Swim coach Mick Homan is stepping down after 13 r seasons at Shores. With the Sailors, which is a co-op team, Homan t ends with a record of 61-25 in seven years with the girls’ swim team and a record of 8-51 six years with s boys’ swim team. The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
“On one hand, I am truly sad and will miss coaching at the high school level and all the great student athletes and coaches I have worked with and all the great relationships I made along the way,” said Homan, who will be heading to Aquinas College to coach. “On the other hand, I am very excited to get to pursue a goal of mine to coach at the college level.” Homan has also coached at Muskegon, Grand Haven, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, and the MCC and North Muskegon co-op. “I will truly miss working with all the student-athletes no matter their ability,” Homan said. “It’s always been about helping student-athletes become better and helping them become stronger both physically and mentally. I try to teach them life skills they can take with them on a daily basis. I want them to strive to be better people-leaders each and every day and push themselves beyond their doubts and limits.”
First Ironman completed after 4 months of training By Emily Kuznar Editor-in-Chief
Coach Mick Homan, pictured with senior diver Katie Cree, is stepping down to coach at Aquinas College. (Courtesy Photo)
. .In with the New
Wrestling to begin season with new coach
By Jersey VanderWall Staff Writer
Brandon Pastor will be taking on the responsibilities of being the head coach of the wrestling team. “It has always been a dream of mine to coach at Shores,” said Pastor, who replaces Patrick LeMay who posted a 30-63 record
over five years. “When I first started wrestling (at Muskegon), Shores was by far the best program in the area. Being a part of a Pastor program
with such great tradition is an opportunity anyone
FALL ING
Boys’ Cross Country Shores, which was led by junior Caleb Branch, finished its season with an 11th-place finish at the regional meet. Branch and sophomore Aidan Kreps were AllConference. Girls’ Cross Country See story, page 16. Football For the first time in three
After 15 long hours of competing, senior Jackson Helmer completed the Ironman Waco after just four months of training. (Courtesy Photo)
would love to be involved with.” Pastor has coached for 20 years, including at Muskegon, Fruitport and Forest Hills Eastern. “I love coaching in general, but wrestling is just what I know the best,” Pastor said. “Making a positive impact on the lives of kids is something that’s al-
seasons, the Sailors will not make it to the state final game. Shores (8-3 overall, 6-1 OK Green), the two-time defending state champions, lost in the district finals to Caledonia. Boys’ Tennis See story, page 16.
into Boys’ Soccer The Sailors lost 3-1 in the district opener. During the season, junior Kaden Pulaski led the Sailors with 11 goals and five assists. Shores finished with an 8-7-3 overall record, 5-2-2 in the OK Green.
ways been special to me.” Pastor said he learned to love wrestling during his high school career. “I love wrestling; it can transform you as a person, and I’ve seen it give people purpose,” Pastor said. “One thing I tell kids is if you’re going to believe in someone, you should always believe in yourself.”
Girls’ Swimming Senior Katie Cree qualified for the regional meet but did not place. Junior Robyn Hunt was named to the OK Rainbow Tier 1 All-Conference team. Shores finished with a 6-5 overall record, 3-3 in the conference. Volleyball After beating Muskegon in the opening round, the Sailors bowed out of the state tournament, losing in the district finals to Grand Haven, 3-1. Shores finished 16-22-1 overall, 5-5 in the OK Green.
sports
Few people would dare to try their luck at completing an Ironman triathlon, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run (a full marathon). For senior Jackson Helmer, this dream of competing in one became a reality. “I had never even competed in a normal triathlon before, but I have always had a love for running, so I figured this was something I could do,” Helmer said. “I got the idea to do this from Youtuber, Nick Bare, who also did an Ironman as his first triathlon.” Through following an intense training regime, Helmer was able to prepare for the race in just 4 months. “The training was by far the hardest part,” Helmer said. “I had done cross country and track before this, so the running section came pretty naturally. The swimming and biking was what I needed to get used to. Eight-hour bike rides became a regular part of my routine.” While Helmer said he faced many people who doubted him, they ultimately ended up being his biggest source of motivation. “I was told by nearly everyone that this idea was crazy,” Helmer said. “Even many of my close friends and family members told me this was a bad idea. However, I wanted to prove them wrong, and they all ended up supporting me in the end.” On Oct. 23, 2021, Helmer and his family traveled to Texas compete in the Ironman Waco. Even after months of training, not everything went according to plan. “The hardest part was the weather and course conditions,” Helmer said. “The weather was predicted to be in the low 70s, but it ended up being 88 degrees. Nearly 400 competitors could not complete the race. Many people either didn’t make their checkpoint times, or the heat became too much. Not only that, but the course was a lot more hilly than what I had trained on.” When Helmer crossed the finish line after 15:17.46, feelings of relief and accomplishment were all that came to mind. “It was a very emotional experience for me, and I broke down at the end because I was so happy to be done,” Helmer said. “I placed 468th out of 1000, which was better than I expected. This race was one of the most physically painful things I’ve ever done. I’m so proud that I was able to complete it and put all of my training to the test. I am certainly tougher mentally now because of this experience.”
to the
EXTREME
s p o r Thrill seeker jumps t from great heights s
Skydiving is an infinite roller coaster By Eliana Bement Staff Writer
By Eliana Bement Staff Writer
Senior Jason Anderson floats in the air after his parachute was deployed. (Courtesy Photo) Anderson would now choose it any day. “Doing activities like skydiving and cliff jumping just push me out of my comfort zone,” Anderson said. “You never know if you like something until you try it.” Anderson said his favorite part of the skydiving experience was the jump. “It’s just you and the wind,” Anderson said, “and the guy strapped to your back.” Going skydiving is one of the many things that Anderson has done to push his boundaries. Anderson said he believes that people should do what they can to push themselves and go out of their comfort zone. “After doing something like skydiving, you feel like you can accomplish anything,” Anderson said. “You see all the little things you haven’t done in life, and they don’t look that hard anymore.”
When senior Alexis Durek stands on the edge of a cliff, she can feel the excitement rush through her. Through the last three years, Durek has been cliff jumping about five times and has loved every minute of it. “The first time I ever went was when my friends and I made the impulsive decision to cliff jump,” said Durek, who has gone cliff jumping at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park and a few other places in the Upper Peninsula, “It was super exciting because I had never done it before.” Durek said her favorite part of cliff jumping is the adrenaline rush. She has Durek jumped from a height of about 24 feet into the cold water of Lake Superior. “The scariest part is the anticipation beforehand, but once you jump all the fear that was built up just goes away and is replaced with pride and achievement,” Durek said. Durek is not new to the adrenaline rush involved with extreme sports. She grew up surfing and continued for five years. “People should go outside of their shell and experience life,” Durek said, “Now that I’m realizing how much fun I can have, I never want to stop going and experiencing new things.”
White water rafting leaves family with fun memories
By Eliana Bement Staff Writer
Crashing through rolling rapids may seem intense for some, but for junior Cienna Billingsley, it was a challenge she was willing to tackle. During Spring Break 2021, Billingsley and her family went white-water rafting at Pigeon River in Tennessee. “Leading up to boarding the raft, I was nervous,” Billingsley said. “I didn’t know what to expect.” Billingsley, with her five family members, boarded a bus to place where the raft is launched. Billingsley said her anticipation started to rise once she could see the rapids they were going to travel down.
“We got into the raft, and the instructor led us through both calm and rough rapids and taught us how to maneuver through them,” said Billingsley, who rode through Level 4 rapids. “I thought we were all doing well until my sister Miah fell out of the raft into the rapids.” After that, Billingsley said she was rattled. “It took me a second to register what was going on,” Billingsley said, “I was scared, but thankfully, the instructor pulled her out of the water pretty quickly.” Although the ride was rough at times, Billingsley loved the experience. “White water rafting was a new and exhilarating experience,” Billingsley said, “I was definitely worth it and I hope to go again one day.”
Junior Cienna Billingsley (middle right) paddles through the rapids at Pigeon River in Tennessee. (Courtesy Photo)
The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
As senior Jason Anderson stepped out of the plane, fear and excitement rushed through him. With only air rushing below, the free fall began. On Oct. 10, 2021, Anderson was able to experience the thrilling adventure of skydiving at Skydive Grand Haven. “It was exciting,” said Anderson, who jumped with five others including his dad Jeff and the six instructors who were strapped to the jumpers backs. “I’ve always loved cliff jumping, and I assumed skydiving would give me that same thrill.” Anderson went through training, which took about 10 minutes. In training the instructor walks through what to expect, jump process, climbing to altitude, exit, canopy control, and landing. The training also teaches the proper function and use of the skydiving gear. After training, the group of jumpers suits up and starts boarding the plane. When boarding, Anderson said that’s when he realized there was no turning back. “When the plane reached an altitude of 14,000 feet, the instructor attached to me counted to three and then grabbed the outside of the plane and pushed,” said Anderson, who added he was mostly excited to experience the free fall. “He told me to cross my arms, and then after three seconds, I was able to spread my arms and feel like I was flying.” Anderson described the free fall as a never-ending roller coaster going straight down. When he reached a certain height, the instructor pulled the parachute. “That was the most painful part,” said Anderson, as he described the parachute being pulled. “You are moving so fast, and then the parachute stops the momentum of the fall suddenly.” After the parachute was deployed, Anderson said that he could only hear the wind and the instructor telling him what direction they were going to go. “The view was incredible,” Anderson said, “I could see Lake Michigan clearly from above.” Most people don’t choose free falling as an activity, yet
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Hackney’s season also included winning a conference title and a City title for the second time. “As a team in the overall season, we did better than we did last year,” Hackney said. “We were one point away from making it to state as a team with tough competition at regional. Not just me, but our entire team improved over the off-season. For me, I worked on my conditioning for long games during the off-season.” Throughout the season coach Traci Hackney, his mother, said the season was turning back into a normal tennis season. “Last season, he could only have a coach and a parent watch the state finals, and the location of the finals was at a middle school in the middle of nowhere,” coach Hackney said. “This year, it was a different atmosphere, with a ton of people and a ton of drama. I was very happy for him to get this opportunity this season because it gave him a more real experience of what states are like.” Even though he came up short of winning a state title, coach Hackney said she couldn’t be more proud. “He didn’t have as high of competition during the season, and then he had to adjust during the state tournament,” coach Hackney said. “He did a very good job, and he was just a few points away from making the next round.”
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The Sailors’ Log • November 18, 2021
Since he was little, all sophomore Drew Hackney has known was the world of tennis. This year, Hackney made it to the state finals for the second year in a row. “I was very excited to be in that situation to be at state,” Hackney said. “I felt very supported by family and friends. It was a very close match, and I fought hard and enjoyed the experience.” With an overall record of 27-3, Hackney lost in the quarterfinals at the state meet. He had a bye in the first round and then won his opening match, 6-4, 6-0, over Zachary Kleinerman of East Lansing in the round of 16. Hackney then lost 7-5, 6-4, to No. 4 seed Nolen Kovan of Birmingham Groves in the round of eight. “It’s nice to have two quarterfinal finishes because I felt like I did a good job my freshman year,” Hackney said. “This year though, I improved a ton, and I kept working hard through the state quarterfinals and came up a little short.” Hackney qualified for the state meet by taking second at regionals. “It’s amazing to qualify for state again because it gives me and my team the best positions to do well for our tennis program,” Hackney said. “It was also amazing to play against more people than last year. I felt that I did better this year even though I placed the same because I had to work harder to get to the quarterfinals.” Story by Jersey VanderWall Staff Writer
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For the second straight year, sophomore Drew Hackney qualified for the state meet, where he was defeated at the quarterfinal level for the second time. (Eliza Bepristis)
Girls’ cross country team wins City title for first time in 9 years By Jersey VanderWall Staff Writer
Juniors Destiny Douglas, Robyn Hunt, Cecilia Conrad led the Sailors to their first City championship since 2012. (Sheila Hunt)
For the first time since 2012, the girls’ cross country team won the City title. The Sailors, behind juniors Robyn Hunt, Destiny Douglas and Cecilia Conrad, finished with 41 points at Oak Ridge Golf Course on Oct. 16. Second-place Whitehall had 59 points. “We knew it was going to be close,” Conrad said. “We found out the day of the race, West Michigan Christian’s second runner isn’t running. After that, we knew we could win and hearing it at the end was just amazing.” With Hunt (third in 20:33.4), Douglas (eighth in 20:57.08), and Conrad (ninth in 21:04.96) leading the way, coach Kyle Mireles said he couldn’t be more proud. “They are our front three runners who have all been running together since
freshman year,” Mireles said. “They have been the core of the team that we have built off of. They have been the drive behind the continued improvement of themselves, but also the recruiting drive that has been picking up new runners each year.” Mireles said the weather benefited his squad, which likes running in colder weather. “If you ask any of the girls on our team, they will tell you we run better in the cold,” Mireles said. “Most people do anyway, but our team in particular is a cold weather team. Once the weather turns for us, we are able to turn on the gas.” In addition to the top three, junior Cienna Billingsley (12th in 21:27.08) and sophomore Lilly Houle (18th in 21:53.22) rounded out the scoring. “Everyone was super excited, jumping around, and waving the flag,” Douglas said. “It was just an amazing experience.”