March 22, 2019

LOG

the sailors’

Volume 57 Edition 6 Friday, March 22, 2019

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

D E D N E P S U S N O I T A M I AN Shores a r o f t s r e A fi ctors, lik a , n io t c will be i, produ k s n a g lia U senior Ju with wires for ed suspend ion of The Little uct age 7 p , the prod y r o t s . See Mermaid

editorial

2 March 22, 2019

YES or NO?

Consent needs to be a required part of schooling

W

hat do eight out of 50 states have in common? I’ll give a hint: They share this commonality with D.C. as well.

Well, what is it?

They have no required mention of consent in their sexual education programs.

California, Oregon, Hawaii, West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District Column of Co1lumbia are the by Morgan only places in the United Cathey, States that, in 2019, editorial require consent to be editor mentioned, and do not even require a thorough lesson.

Why is that? One would think that in today’s world, one full of accusations, rape, and tough conversations, people would start the conversations earlier as a way to avoid the possible negatives to come.

As of now, that is not the case. But shouldn’t it be?

In sexual education courses, students are taught about STDs, different forms of protection, and abstinence. In almost every class across America, however, consent is nowhere to be found.

Though they differ on personal opinions on the topic, teachers at Shores do make a point to mention consent in multiple forms.

“It needs to be taught in schools.” health teacher Roberta Edwards said. “It is vital for students to understand what consent is. We do not want our students harming other students. This could negatively impact a person’s future relationships in many ways. We also do not want our students to unknowingly commit a crime. It is important to know the laws regarding consent.”

Consent needs to be taught and not Editor-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

just mentioned or brushed over because according to educationpost.org, statistics say that “Six percent of all high school students report having sexual intercourse before age 13,” and in addition to that, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), says, “Young teenage woman (age 16 to 19) are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.”

So it’s known that younger and younger teenagers are having sex, and it’s known that younger and younger girls are becoming victims of rape, so why have the laws on the education of consent not changed?

According to Teachconsent.org, education on the topic would be simple and quick.

The simple “ASK. LISTEN. RESPECT.” line that is repeated over and over and over on the website makes the idea becomes drilled into one’s mind.

The site features simple videos and

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

instructions created for tweens and teens ages 11-16 to show concrete examples of how to ask for consent; what enthusiastic, verbal consent looks like; and how to respond to “no” respectfully.

With the knowledge of how easy and accessible lessons on consent are, there are no valid reasons for them not be taught in schools. People should want to take the steps that are needed to prevent heinous acts from being committed.

For many teens, this topic is intensely important. For one girl, she wished it had been more talked about. After making out with a boy for some time, he moved to the natural next step and despite her being uncomfortable with the scenario, things continued onward.

Though she never explicitly said “NO,” the fact that silence could be taken for consent is just wrong.

In addition to being wrong, it is also completely avoidable. The idea that consent is somehow not important enough to be taught is ridiculous and outdated.

The Sailors’ Log is a public forum for student expression distributed freely to students and faculty of Mona Shores High School.

The Sailors’ Log can be found at the following on-line sites: • Email: kentw@monashores.net (provides communication with staff) • www.thesailorslog.com (contains current stories, photos, etc.)

• Facebook: Go to “Mona Shores

Yearbook 2018-19” (provides photos after every Shores event) NOTE: You may only view this page if you have bought a yearbook.

• Twitter: @thesailorslog (provides easiest way to get information to readers) • Instagram: @thesailorslog (provides Picture of the Day and story sneak peeks)

The Sailors’ Log

staff editorial Amidst multitude of breaks, students must not forget about testing days

Mid-March is such an interesting time of the school year.

Spring Break is just around the corner, and it seems almost too good to be true.

First, winter break, then the snow-day break, and finally Spring Break. The school has even decided to make the Thursday before Spring Break into a half day.

Despite all these breaks, students, especially juniors, cannot forget that the SAT’s, and PSAT’s are following close behind. The school has provided ample teachings and supplies to use to study outside of school.

Things like Khan Academy and College Board are waiting, readily available for practice as April 9 approaches.

The pressure is on, but even though it may seem like even the breaks aren’t worth it with the tests on their way just when we’re finally recovering from the second trimester exams, after that, summer break is only a couple of months away.

So we at The Sailor’s Log, wish all the students luck and encourage you all to study on and think of the breaks to come.

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 When my Life is Falling Apart...

The Sailors’ Log

March 22, 2019

3

I realize that things are actually falling into place

S

ometimes, I feel as though my life is falling apart. It seems with time I lose more relationships, let myself down more and things just don’t go right anymore.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that nothing falls apart but rather falls into place.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and every time someone walks out of my life, they are replaced by someone better.

Column Everything unfolded

by Jaylene so quickly it seemed one Davis, moment I was surroundeditorial ed by my past friends editor and the next I had been surrounded by people who really care about me.

It was refreshing to finally have people who pay attention to how I’m doing and notice when something is wrong.

But the best thing I received from my new friends was that I didn’t have to feel as if I was going through everything alone.

Thankfully, the trigger moment for all of this was losing my old friends, and eventually, I was blessed with something unimaginably better.

I’ve learned for every relationship

that breaks, the rubble reveals their true intentions, and I am left with a long-lasting lesson. I know now that things naturally break down, even relationships.

Over time, flaws become more apparent, and there are more signs pointing me into another direction. I do not take these broken pieces of my past as defeats but rather successes because of all of the knowledge I gain through the

experience.

Like when I lost my old friends, I didn’t think about losing a big part of my life; I thought about all of the warning signs I learned about toxic relationships and patterns of typical teenager actions.

I found that teenagers naturally worry about themselves and feel as though they need to protect themselves from

everything and everyone. This can get in the way of being happy in situations and being kind to people. Understanding this has made me gradually more humble and better at accepting things as they come.

I have also become aware that every opportunity that didn’t work out led me to a better one.

This thought has let me become more patient; now, I can let time do its job since I have learned time is the healer of all things.

After something goes wrong, I challenge my fear of rejection from other people and even myself. I like to tell myself that I do not need to dwell on mistakes but rather accept that some things work out and some things don’t.

It’s not like I have control over how everything happens, and that is why patience is key to healing and feeling better overall.

All of these ideas come together in this saying, “What is coming is better than what is gone.”

Because it’s true. If one keeps the belief that everything happens for a reason, one can move on from every broken relationship, expectation, and opportunity.

Time is my friend, it brings me better people and opportunities but most importantly it heals.

letter to the editor

Impact of border wall on American safety overstated

Dear Editor: When reading Feb. edition, an opinion piece got my attention: “Border wall will protect Americans.”

I noticed some inaccuracies with fact and reliability.

Here I intend to make plain what is truthful.

“We need this border wall; it is a necessity” – We do not need a wall; it is not a necessity. The president takes advantage of popular prejudices against undocumented immigrants in an act of security theater, which is created when the illusion of security is created in order to satiate the fears of people. In this case, Trump uses fear mongering to demonize undocumented immigrants.

“Republicans are asking for 5.1 percent of the money spent on Obamacare to fund a necessary border wall…” and “Democrats [say] that $5.7 billion is ‘too much to waste on a border wall’ while from our point of view, you wasted almost 20 times that for Obamacare” – Conflating Trump’s wall proposal with Obamacare, which has given coverage to 20 million Americans, is in bad taste. Additionally, pitting people

against each other by using accusatory language like “Us” and “You” creates what is commonly called an “Us versus Them” psychological trap.

“The government shutdown was the Democrats’ fault.” – Trump has said in the past that the President is the one responsible for a government shutdown.

The article frequently mentions that border wall will lead to a safer America because it would stop undocumented immigration. If not put so plainly, that is the intent. I will play devil’s advocate. Let us say that undocumented immigration is a “National Emergency.” Building a wall would not solve problems about undocumented immigration because most instances of people coming to our country illegally happen through overstayed visas, where a wall would have no effect.

The opinion piece is confused about how somebody could view the President is racist. Trump takes people of color – in this one instance of many, Mexicans – and paints them as if they were dangerous villains.

He would have you believe that the vast majority of Mexicans are “rapists, murderers, and many illegal

drug dealers,” when in reality, most undocumented immigrants are good people. Therefore, stating that “[The GAO] estimated illegal immigrants committed 25,000 homicides, 42,000 robberies and nearly 70,000 sex offenses” over the span of 18 years grossly exaggerates the data. A more accurate representation looks at the frequency of these crimes. For example, immigrants tend to commit crimes far less than people born in America.

As for Trump keeping campaign promises: Who cares? Trump came into politics with half-baked, impractical figments of bad ideas, and that is what they stayed. Trump offers no real solutions to real Americans. Instead, he plays poker with fear and anger.

I have always believed there is more that keeps us together as Americans than that which tears us apart.

What America needs is a president who will bring us real, practical solutions that benefit the nation – not just forward the agenda of a single, selfish, bombastic demagogue.

Jason Fitzpatrick, senior

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March 22, 2019

Wild Ride

editorial

Surgery to remove brain tumor brings emotional roller coaster

I

t was like waiting for a roller coaster to get to its highest peak. You wait and wait and wait, and finally you fall from the hill.

There were two seizures that started it all, a month apart. At first, I figured the first one was a fluke because of a new medication I had taken.

Almost exactly a month later, however, I had another seizure. I don’t remember anything from before, during or postictal, the altered consciousness Column by after a seizure.

Emma Lee I remember waking up Bennett, in an ambulance and being staff writer checked into the hospital.

In August of 2018, I was diagnosed with generalized epilepsy. In September of 2018, I found out I had a brain tumor.

In January of 2019, I had said brain tumor removed.

Pre-surgery was a huge process. I had to have an MRI and a four-hour psych evaluation, all within the first weeks of the new year.

The surgery date happened to be the day just before my 16th birthday. Jan. 15, 2019, will go down in my book as the oddest pre-birthday celebration.

Surgery day was the day that everything finally resonated with me.

I was 15 with a brain tumor and about to go through possibly the biggest operation of my life. I wasn’t scared or nervous to have surgery.

I was excited.

I wanted a potential threat to my future gone and both literally and metaphorically out of my head.

Just before surgery, my grandma on my father’s side talked with me and told me she was extremely proud of me for never giving up.

My mom wept with me just before they rolled me out because I was her baby girl going through something awful.

I only ended up crying because my mom did. I didn’t want her to worry that I wouldn’t be okay. I would be, and I’d be OK because of and for her.

After surgery, I was set up in the ICU for recovery; I slept and stayed medicated for quite a while.

Around midnight, a nurse came in to wheel me away for an MRI to make sure they got all the affected areas removed properly.

When they pulled me out and sent me back to my room, they wished me a happy birthday and a speedy recovery.

At 8 a.m., I was moved from the ICU to general rooming. I was gifted a giant teddy bear and a happy sweet 16 poster

The Sailors’ Log

Sophomore Emma Lee Bennett had a brain tumor (white circle, upper left) removed on Jan. 15, the day before her 16th birthday.

as well.

Later in the day after school ended, a few of my friends made the trek to Devos and brought me gifts.

It was relieving to have normal conversations and just hang out without talking about my health for the majority of the time.

The wish for speedy recovery paid off as the next day I was released and sent home.

I don’t think I’d ever been that excited to see the four walls I had constantly stared at. I quickly got over that as I was stuck in bed for weeks and had little

social contact.

Of course, things always get worse before they get better. The day after I got home I contacted some sort of stomach bug and slept on my bathroom floor for a good while.

When I finally went back to school, my mom wasn’t quite sure if I was ready, but God, did I need to get out of my house. Although it felt like I had a constant headache, I pushed through it and was once again back to myself.

This entire journey has been a roller coaster, but of course, roller coasters always come to an end.

Instagram? More like Insta-Negativity

Social media assists, promotes unwanted online aggression

I

n these past couple months, my life has taken a turn for a negative. While thinking about what went wrong, I came to one conclusion: social media.

From passive aggressive Instagram posts about me to screenshots of other individuals that I don’t even know bashing me for something that’s none of their business, I was swimming in a pool of pain and despair.

Typically, I’m not a person to be in a center of drama, so this extra negative attention affected me in the worst way possible. column by I’m used to only seeing the kindness Bailey in people, and seeing those posts and Graham, snaps about me tore me apart inside. staff writer I would open Instagram to see posts about me calling me appalling names. All because I did something that was none of their business.

I was just living my life minding my business not

doing anything wrong but something so minuscule angered so many people.

Instead of addressing me directly, individuals went behind my back and made passive-aggressive posts.

I wasn’t as upset about what the words said about me but the way it was done by throwing shade without any explanation.

Even though I find these posts and snaps appalling, I fell into the trap and used social media as a platform to get back at people the same way they did to me.

I was hurting, and I wanted everyone to know that what was happening wasn’t OK. I know I’m not the only individual to whom this has happened. Social media can be great, but used with harmful intent, it can turn into something nasty. There are several of my close friends’ other classmates who have experienced my pain in different degrees, most of them even worse than what I had to go through.

Even though no consequences were reached, I’ve

learned that what was happening wasn’t OK. All of this cyber attacking led me to delete my Instagram accounts and to use my Snapchat to only talk to my close friends. I deleted all my negative posts and left it at that.

If other teens are suffering like me, I suggest that they log off and say goodbye to social media, a weapon in disguise.

My advice to prevent others from pain caused by social media and causing others pain is logging out and shutting off.

If a person is not willing to give up Instagramming and snapping, then that person needs to pause before he or she posts. People need to think about what they really want to say, what is being actually said, and then think about how it will affect others.

Just being considerate of others feelings and really thinking about what a post means will produce a more positive and safe social media environment.

news

The Sailors’ Log

March 22, 2019

LUCKY 13

Athletics (male)

James Gilbert, senior Throughout high school, he has played football, basketball, and track.

“I am honored to represent the school. It shows that all my hard work is paying off.”

Each year, students are chosen to represent their schools for the West Michigan Showcase in the following topics: academics, athletics, literary arts, performing arts, and visual arts. The students chosen for their achievements compete against other students in their respective categories. This year’s showcase will take place on April 10-11 at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon.

Digital Media Arts (group)

5

Athletics (female)

Julia Tierman, senior Throughout high school, she has participated in basketball and soccer.

“After all the hard work I put into every year and every season, I feel like it is just time for my turn.”

Academics

Visual Arts seniors Brandon Depouw, Nolan Duff, Seth Koeller, and Charlie Milek These seniors created a film, which is about them coming up with ideas to make the movie, but stopping themselves because it is not “PG.” “It is a chance for me to show my filming skills.

I get to actually put my work in front of someone and get it judged.” – DePouw

Ben Kendall, junior “I am excited to represent Mona Shores in Showcase. I am glad people will be able to see my artwork.”

Clark Meston, senior “I’m excited for Showcase because it gives recognition to students who work really hard academically when the culture seems to be so focused on athletic success at this school.”

Performing Arts (group)

Literary Arts

Performing Arts

Connor Fritz, junior He wrote a poem on self worth.

“It is pretty cool because I only did the assignment for extra credit and ended up becoming a nominee.

It is also cool that my work means stuff to people.”

seniors Maddy Gleason and Carlie Shaw and junior Matthew Yacoub Matt will be singing Sam Smith “Fire on Julia Uganksi, senior Fire” while Maddy and Carlie dance.

She will be singing “I know a lot of other people had to “The Girl in 14G.” audition to even be able to represent the “It’s really special to me to be school, so I think it is a really big honor chosen as the solo representative for Maddy, Matt and I to represent Mona because my sister won Shores at Showcase.” – Shaw Showstopper for the solo act when she was a senior; therefore, I feel grateful and proud.”

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR After going above and beyond for the students at Shores, teachers and staff members deserve to be recognized for their excellence.

For the fifth year, we, The Sailors’ Log staff, is giving an opportunity for students to show their gratitude and appreciation for staff members with the student-selected “Educator of the Year” award.

Last year, former math teacher Kristia Whitaker was the winner based on a letter by current senior Isabella Baker.

Other previous winners include social studies

teacher Steve Morell (2015), nominated by then-senior Katey Fritz; English teacher Roxanne Schaner (2016), nominated by then-senior Julia Kwapiszewski; and science teacher Chad Martin (2017), nominated by current senior Clark Meston.

Any student of Shores may nominate any staff member (teacher, counselor, custodian, etc.) through a letter to the editor.

Letters will be judged on content, not on number of nominations per staff, by the editors of The Sailors’ Log.

Requirements for the nomination letters are as follows: 1. Letters must be positive in nature and outline the qualities that make the staff member an excellent educator.

2. Letters must be signed.

3. A Google form will be emailed where students can submit a letter and nominate a staff member.

4. The last day letters will be accepted is Friday, April 26, and the winner will be announced in the May 28 issue.

6 March 22, 2019

feature

The Sailors’ Log

Hotly Debated Topics

Institution of LGBTQ+ curriculum should not be a big deal

I

n an attempt to make education more inclusive for students, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill that mandated the inclusion of LGBTQ+ topics in school curricula.

As with any action taken by the government, there has been opposition, especially since homosexuality is a highly debated topic alone.

The main argument furnished by the opposed concerns the prohibiting of religious teachings in public schools and the belief that implementation of LGBTQ+ topics is equivalent to doing the same with religion; however, it Column by seems as though many are not aware of Mieke Hart, the actual conditions and implications of page editor the statute.

According to the bill, beginning with the 20202021 school year: “A board of education shall include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the [Core Curriculum Content Standards] New Jersey Student Learning Standards [in Social Studies]” (S1569) Simply, schools are being instructed to include factual information about disabled and LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.

In written law, this is no different than how religion

is already presented in schools. The discussion of these topics is merely the presentation of facts to students rather than any persuasion toward identifying as a homosexual or with a certain religion.

“I always say ‘we teach to inform, not to convert.’

We can teach about religion in a secular manner in a way to instill understanding, tolerance, and respect for other individuals. In world history, we teach religion in a historical context to develop an understanding about the development of the world and the people in it,” said Shannan Conrad, social studies teacher at Shores.

Having been a student at Muskegon Catholic Central for five years, I can personally attest to the differences in teaching about religion at a public and at a private school.

At MCC, religion was as much of a class as math or science. Lessons were about what we were to believe, how we were to act, what our principles or morals should be based on our religion.

At Shores, religion is discussed; however, rather than stressing our compliance with the religion’s beliefs, we are simply presented with the history, characteristics, and objective aspects.

It is left completely to the student as to whether he or she will identify with that religion. This absence of persuasion exonerates the teaching of religion of controversy.

Therefore, while some find it morally questionable to identify as anything other than “straight” -just as some disagree with the religion of others- this same objective

Ten Books that Have Been Challenged by Schools These books have been banned from being read in school for their content.

1. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger 2. The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck 3. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee 4. The Color Purple, Alice Walker 5. Beloved, Toni Morrison 6. The Lord of the Flies, William Golding 7. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck 8. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley 9. Animal Farm, George Orwell 10. Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut Source: American Library Association

and unpersuasive manner of teaching can be applied to LGBTQ+ topics without controversy.

There is no denying that the following individuals have contributed to history. World-renowned author Oscar Wilde, popular television talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, and iconic musician Elton John, among other LGBTQ+ identifying individuals, have greatly influenced our society.

Why is it that many are more comfortable with teachings about the Nazi Regime or Conquistadors, with whom many of us can also closely identify with, but not LGBTQ+ contributions to society?

While I would not agree with a teacher’s advocating for or against homosexuality, which is my stance with regard to religion as well, in theory, an objective presentation of the facts would create a broadened perspective of history and create a more welcome environment for students of all identities.

Similarly, Conrad says, “Speaking in general terms, I think teaching about social issues is a must. It helps students develop empathy and understanding for others. It also allows for discourse, which is a skill all people need to learn to develop.”

It is true that in action this mandate may be manipulated by teachers to convey an agenda; however, this cannot be judged until the 2020-21 school year.

Until then, we must hope that factual information is dispersed to students as to best give recognition to an overlooked group in our history to create a better school environment.

Sexual Education Debate exists over which curriculum should be taught in schools to best benefit students’ sexual health.

Abstinence

Comprehensive

• taught in 34% of school districts in the U.S. • abstinence is only option presented to students • contraception information is either prohibited or limited to a mention of its ineffectiveness • morally compliant

• taught in 66% of school districts in the U.S. • provide information about contraception, such as condoms and birth control pills, as well as about other practices that fall in the safer-sex category • benefits of abstinence are not stressed • More practical based on statistical evidence

Source: Web MD

Evolution

Different beliefs with regard to evolution causes conflict about how evolution should be taught in schools.

• Creationism: Belief that the creation • Darwinian Evolution: First articulatstory in the Old Testament is literally ed by Charles Darwin, life on Earth true and is akin to a scientific explana- has evolved through natural selection for the creation of the Earth and tion, a process through which plants the development of life. and animals change over time by • Intelligent Design: Belief that life is adapting to their environments. too complex to have evolved entirely • Theistic Evolution: Belief held by through natural processes and that some religious groups, including an outside, possibly divine force must the Catholic Church, that God is the have played a role in the origin and guiding force behind the process of development of life. evolution. Source: Pew Research Center

feature

The Sailors’ Log

March 22, 2019

Under the sea, up in the sky

senior Jamelle Sargent flying as a sting ray

junior Sebastian Barnett flying in his Scuttle costume for the first time Senior Julia Uganski transforms from a mermaid to a human Ariel while junior Jenna Bitzer and senior Skye Lowe, eels, perform the spell.

Info What The Little Mermaid Where Auditorium When Tonight at 7 p.m.

Tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets $10 for balcony seating $15 for floor seating Buy tickets online at Showtix4u.com or at the door Plot A mermaid princess, Ariel, falls in love with a human prince, Eric. She gives up her voice to the sea witch Ursula in order to gain legs and meet this prince in an attempt to marry him.

Throughout the show, her friends Scuttle, Sebastian, and Flounder do their best to help her get true loves kiss.

All the while, the evil sea witch Ursula and her henchmen Flotsam and Jetsam, do everything they can to stop that from happening.

7

Director excited about bringing flight to auditorium stage

Cast List

ographer, opened her 21st show last night with the spectacle of onstage flight.

Ariel Julia Uganski, senior

After 20 years of directing musicals at Shores, Molly Lawton, director and chore“I’ve wanted to do a flying show forever, but every year, it gets put on the back

burner because it’s so costly,” she said. “We had to do an inspection of the auditorium and hire the dudes to fly it, which together runs about $10,000. But when you do The Little Mermaid, there’s not really anyway around it. So we approached the school board, and they agreed to foot the bill, so I am very thankful for that.”

Flying 17-year-old students isn’t a stress-free feat, Lawton said.

“It’s very stressful for my all of my tech people because they lose batons to hang light fixtures, microphones, and set pieces on, and they won’t know what batons are available until Friday the 15th when the fly gear gets hung,”she said. “And batons are these large metal bars that hang from the catwalk above the stage that are used to hang lights, mics, set pieces, and now, fly gear.”

While this is the first show Lawton has directed with flying, she’s performed in flight gear herself.

“I flew my senior year in high school, 1984, as Peter in Peter Pan,” she said. “We were one of the first high schools in West New York to fly. The actual feeling of flying is absolutely unreal. Flying above all those people while your singing is just fantastic.”

And Lawton said the flying will make this show unique.

“Seeing the little mermaid swim through the air is truly just as magical and flying through the air yourself,” she said. – Timmy Schneider, staff writer

Pilot Jamelle Sargent, senior Prince Eric Isaac Varela, senior Grimsby Spencer Klairter, junior Flounder Jessi Lawton, sophomore Scuttle Sebastian Barnett, junior King Triton Noah Zimmer, senior Sebastian Matt Yacoub, sophomore Ursula Miah Lipps, junior Flotsam Skye Lowe, senior Jetsam Jenna Bitzer, junior

8

March 22, 2019

... ziplinined in Costa Rica It was 2014 when sophomore Charles Eyke was 9, and his family took a trip to the seven provinces of Costa Rica.

When Eyke and his family visited Cartago, Costa Rica, they had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They got to go on a zipline course that was three miles long and had seven secEyke tions, Eyke said.

“I was so nervous and anxious. I knew it was going to be something really cool, but I was still scared,” Eyke said. “During the zip line, all the

center

anxiousness and worry vanished, and I just enjoyed the view.”

Costa Rica has many volcanoes, rainforests and sights to see. Eyke said he was lucky enough to enjoy those sights from a bird’s eye view.

“There was a volcano right next to the zip line, which was so cool to see,” Eyke said. “When I was on the zipline, birds would fly next to and around us.

There were so many different birds, and that’s something that I won’t forget.”

The Sailors’ Log

i T e h T

en an iconic part of m be s ha el nn ha C y ne Dis ents of sto gm se tle lit y an m e th r may remembe as something w its sk d an s ie or st e One of thos telling a story abo n re ild ch g un yo of t segmen ng an adopted sis tti ge or rt ta t ui fr a g in mak for Sh “The Time I,” it’s time

By the time this picture was taken, sophomore Neya Monroe had already completed his climb up this cliff in New Mexico.

ior Kate This is the view that jun ke saw as she loo d out th

... rock climbed in New Mexico He was 15 years old when sophomore Neya Monroe went rock climbing during the summer in New Mexico.

“My family had a ranch in New Mexico, so in the summer, I would go to a camp there,” Monroe said.

“It’s called Camp Loretta. They had so many activities there.”

Some of the activities were white water rafting, zip lining and rock climbing, which was one of the Monroe newest ones, Monroe said.

“I didn’t have experience with rock climbing before, so it was a little nerve-wracking,” Monroe said. “I did it with a ton of my friends, and

we had a lot of fun.”

Monroe said he went rock climbing multiple times while he was at camp, and after the first couple times, it gets less scary and more fun.

“It was this really high cliff that we would climb,” Monroe said. “We would be harnessed in, and there was a path to climb to get to the top.”

Monroe explained that there were obstacles and different things he had to avoid and reach while climbing.

“It was really fun. The views were really nice once I reached the top,” Monroe said.

“It’s definitely something I would do again.”

ar of heights ... conquered myamfe s crying and shak ong people, but “I wa fear Heights. It’s a common conquered that fear on her junior Katelyn Zaagman shington, D.C. during the eighth grade trip to Wa plane trip. ts for as “I was scared of heigh ber,” Zaaglong as I could remem vous about man said. “I was so ner r, but my flying because of my fea .” parents pushed me to go y came for Zaagman all fin e tim the When plane, she Zaagman to take off in the nds for moral support. had to sit between two frie t the window, so I made “I didn’t want to look ou d. ddle seat,” Zaagman sai sure that I was in the mi

friends just kept telling everything is okay.”

Trying to ease a cry tempted to coax her in the plane.

“They continued to the window, but I ke want to see how high “They finally convinc and it was early morn beautiful sunset. I tol that scary if I got to sunset.”

. . .

I e im The Sailors’ Log

center

days. Some people od ho ild ch s er ag en te t mos ercial breaks. m m co e th g rin du its ories and sk a minute-long as w ch hi w I,” e m Ti he g called “T growing a garden, e lik d, di ey th ng hi et out som el no longer does nn ha C y ne is D ce in S ster. e theirs. hores students to shar

ts, quered her fear of heigh elyn Zaagman, who con ngton Monument. he window of the Washi

my king. I was so scared, and t tha and ing cry p sto g me to

s atying Zaagman, her friend ow of nto looking out the wind

out badger me about looking didn’t ept refusing because I said. h up we were,” Zaagman ndow, ced me to look out the wi I saw a ning, so when I looked, ren’t ld myself that heights we that see a view as amazing as

They sting, and they are flat like a pancake.

But that didn’t faze Evan Gergen, a freshman, who was 13 when he swam with stingrays in the Caribbean.

“We were on a cruise for about two weeks,” Gergen said. “We went to places like Saint Lucia and other islands in the Caribbean.”

Gergen said he had to take Gergen a bus to bring him, his grandmother, parents and brother to the place they would board the boats, so they could go to where the stingrays were.

“It was a stingray reserve in the ocean,” Gergen said. “We could pet them, swim with them and feed them.”

9

Gergen said that he was nervous and scared but excited to swim with them because he didn’t want to get stung, but he knew it was going to be a cool experience.

“You had to do one of two things. You either had to drag your feet or you had to tread water because you can’t step on the stingrays,” Gergen said. “The thought of getting stung was what made me scared, but it turned out OK.” Gergen not only swam with stingrays but he got to see the amazing and colorful coral that covers the ocean floor.

“Seeing the coral was really cool, but my favorite part was getting to hold the stingrays,” Gergen said. “It’s something I won’t forget, and I like looking back at the pictures and remembering this experience.”

Seniors Lily Tilden and Julila Uganski, sophomore Jessi Lawton and junior Sophie Recknagel helped promote the Singing Christmas Tree on radio and television.

... sang on television and radio

an conquer her fear of That sunrise help Zaagm heights. views and wasn’t held She got to enjoy amazing ger. back by her fear any lon of the Washington Monu top the to “We got to go t no and ow nd wi k out the ment, and I was able to loo ,” ws vie the oy enj actually be scared of heights and got back from DC, my we r fte “A Zaagman said. nt took me to an amuseme friend and her parents I m. the ed lov and rides park, and I rode all the ento e abl s wa I fear, and wasn’t held back by my e to before. Now I just abl t sn’ wa I t joy things tha scared of heights in the ask myself why I was so first place.”

d page Stories written by an

... swam with stingrays

March 22, 2019

man, page editor

designed by Sarah Ro

Choir students Julia Uganski, Lily Tilden, Sophie Recknagel and Jessi Lawton had an amazing opportunity to sing on television and radio.

The foursome, called The Quarter Notes, sang on Fox 17 and the radio station 100.9 to promote the singing Christmas Tree.

“The Quarter Notes have been a quartet around for about a decade,” said Uganski, a senior.

“It started with four girls, and when a senior from the quartet graduates, they are replaced with a different girl.”

The girls were given this opportunity to promote The Singing Christmas Tree through choir director Shawn Lawton.

Tilden, a senior, said they went on the radio in early November, and the television appearance was late November. During the radio session, the quartet sang as Lawton talked about the Tree.

On Fox 17, the foursome sang “Winterland” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and were interviewed, explaining some history of The Quarter Notes.

All four girls were nervous, but some were nervous about the television more than the radio and vice-versa. Lawton, a sophomore, said she was more excited than nervous, but the nerves still got to her.

“I think I was more nervous for the radio than the TV,” said Recknagel, a junior. “But I was nervous about standing awkwardly on television, but it all turned out OK, and it was a fun way to promote The Singing Christmas Tree.”

feature Eleanor Hopper and Alex Breuker

10 March 22, 2019

The Sailors’ Log

Ben Rosenthal and Zoie Willeke

Juniors

“Ellie and I are opposites, but that’s why we work so well together. Just like a magnet, we are attracted to each other. We do have a good amount in common, but that division between us allows us to stay bonded while not getting involved in everything in one another’s life. Ellie and I both respect each other’s social and family life to avoid being clingy. Our relationship is the best thing I have, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Before Ellie, I was confused about my future, but now with help from Ellie, she pushes me to be the absolute best person.” – Breuker

Seniors

“We started dating on Oct. 17, 2014, when we were in eighth grade. We balance each other; he balances my attitude, and he’s nice. He calms me down when I need it, and when he gets on edge, I calm him down.

We talk about things when they bother us, and we don’t talk about it over text or social media; we go on drives and talk face-to-face.” – Willeke

Sailor SWEETHEARTS High school relationships are often labeled as temporary, and teens are told that their “high school sweethearts” won’t last. These couples, and many others, have defied the odds and managed to stay in long-term relationships while balancing high school social life, education, and extracurriculars.

Page by Emmalee Dykstra and Erick Hannahs

Jacob Campbell and Sarah James Sophomores

“We started dating on Halloween of our seventh grade year. We tend to argue a lot, but eventually, we just get over it and realize that we have to love each other.” – James James’s favorite memory is riding on Jacob’s grandparents’ quad while Campbell’s favorite memory is their first kiss, which was shared while watching a movie together.

Kolin Jackson and Grace Norris Freshmen

“We started dating in fifth grade. In middle school, it didn’t really feel like we were in a relationship because we didn’t hang out all of the time, but last year and this year, we started hanging out more.

Our favorite memory is watching the Michigan vs.

Michigan State football game together, which is a tradition that we started last year.” – Norris

The Sailors’ Log

feature

March 22, 2019

Helping Honduras Simple living is

From Feb. 15-25, the Rotary Club of Muskegon took 10 high school students from the area and five adults from the club to build latrines and pilas and install walter filters in Honduras through the El Ayudante mission. Four Shores seniors (Erin Powers, Kevin Kim, Marisa VanderMolen, and Clark Meston) were fortunate enough to experience this needed service.

“I enjoyed the fact that these people had so little yet seemed so content with their situation.” – Clark Meston, senior

“I loved the sense of community that we got to experience while working in the mountain villages.

We went there to do work for the people and they were eager to help us in building their latrines and pilas.”

– Marisa VanderMolen, senior

“I really enjoyed getting to know some of the workers there and I still stay in touch with one of them.”

– Kevin Kim, senior “It was truly a humbling experience to be able to help people that had so little but were still so grateful. It has made me more aware of how fortunate I am, and I want to be able to continue to serve other people in my community and around the world.” – Erin Powers, senior

Sense of community important

T

he United States of America is a time-driven country. America focuses on schedules and punctuality; as Americans, we are not as worried about making quality relationships, and we are more worried about what needs to be done and by when.

Going to Honduras, we had, or so it seemed, a rather strict itinerary regarding work times and places. Breakfast at 7 a.m., leave to go work at 8 a.m., come back for lunch at noon, leave to go work again at 1 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and Column by Marisa lights out at 10 p.m. was what VanderMolen, was written on paper.

To my surprise, content, and staff writer relief, the schedule was not half as strict as it was first stated to be because Honduras is a relationship-driven country. Hondurans focus on what can be done for their neighbors and guests.

If Hondurans are early for an event, then the event will begin. If Hondurans are late for an event, the event will begin late with no judgments or repercussions.

Driving down the streets and seeing every villager wave and smile toward us was… weird. We’re not used to it; we don’t drive down the streets on our way to school honking and waving respectively to every car we pass.

Eventually, I think we all began to love it. Or at least I fell in love with the sense of community and love that the Hondurans had for everyone.

For two hour-plus truck rides, we would wave constantly to the villagers who would return the gesture with even bigger smiles.

It was humbling to be in a country that loves and respects everything that we were doing for them.

Never in my life have I seen people so grateful – and it is difficult to wrap my brain around the idea that there is nothing in my life that I will ever be as grateful for as the Hondurans are for the work that we did for them.

We are able to do so many things that these people are unable to do and can never dream of doing – they know this, and instead of resenting us for this, the Hondurans gave us what little they had in gratitude for the work we were doing for them.

11

eye-opening As Americans, we often overlook the simplest actions of our daily lives that seem insignificant to us, but in many other countries, these simple things are a luxury for most.

I was able to experience some of these major discrepancies while in Honduras for the InterAct trip.

From the second we got into the airport in Honduras, the privileges we have in the states Column by Erin were apparent; Powers, the first thing we learned was that we staff writer could not flush the toilet paper down the toilet anywhere.

We had to throw it into a trash can by the toilet, and in many homes where we were working, we had to pour a pale of water into their makeshift toilet in order to “flush” it.

I can honestly say I have never thought anything of being able to flush a toilet and the privilege of having a septic system, but it was just the start of the differences between Honduras and the United States.

A difference that I was prepared to encounter was the lack of clean water in Honduras, but I did not truly understand the impact until I was able to see it first hand. It is easy to talk about how much of a privilege it is to have clean water, yet we use about 80 to 100 gallons a day without thought.

The families in Honduras would filter about 5 gallons of water every day for their whole family to use. I struggled to remember that I can’t just turn the faucet on to brush my teeth and be conscientious of how long my showers were.

Living in these conditions for a week and seeing how the Honduras families valued clean water made me incredibly grateful for clean water.

Basic infrastructure was another category where I found great discrepancies between the United States and Honduras. I was not

expecting to go there and see mansions with pools in their backyard, but I was also not expecting to see houses that were barely big enough to stand in (and I am 5 feet 8 inches) with a packed layer of dirt for their floors.

It was extremely eye-opening to walk around and see so many houses that didn’t even have doors much less furniture. The houses were filled with simple chairs and hammocks for beds.

I can honestly say that before the trip I never truly considered what living without something as simple as a door.

One of the biggest differences between the two countries is the education system. In the United States, public education through high school is accessible and required for everyone, but in Honduras, many children do not get to go beyond the sixth grade.

This is because the public schools in Honduras have computers and require online homework, and it is almost impossible for the majority of students to access a computer outside of school. So, they are unable to finish their homework because they can not get to a computer, which means that they fail their classes and drop out.

This fact blew my mind; Honduran kids could not get a complete education because they did not have a computer, and I go to a school that provides one for every kid.

As I live my daily life with unrestricted amounts of clean water and basic infrastructure in a safe place, I can not help but think back to the Honduran people and how much different their daily lives are.

It was difficult to grasp that there is a part of this world where most people are hungry, uneducated, and unprotected until I saw it first hand.

I will forever be in awe of the differences between the United States and many other places around the world, and I hope I can continue to work to bridge the gap between the first and third world.

feature

12 March 22 2019

The Sailors’ Log

Rural school proves good things come in small packages

B

igger is not always better, and Montague High School is living proof that this is true.

On Wednesday, March 6, we experienced a day in the life of a Montague High School Wildcat.

We began our day in the office, making conversation with various school personnel and awaiting the arrival of the students we would be following.

Madison, Kali’s guide, arrived first, and Macy, Sammie’s guide, showed up shortly after. After casual introductions, we set off to our first class as Wildcats.

We both agreed that the classes were relatively small compared to Shores; only about 15-20 students per class at MHS while Shores can have upwards of 30.

First hour began with the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements over the intercom.

Kali started her day in marketing.

Sammie’s first hour was English, and since Macy is a junior, they spent a majority of the hour on SAT practice.

Walking to our second hours, we both noticed constant staring directed our ways.

Since Montague is only about a third of the size of Shores, it was obvious when new students were roaming the halls.

Second hour was fairly average. Sammie went to Algebra, where they spent the hour taking a quiz, and she spent the hour sitting on her phone, and Kali went

Shores

Bringing the

Kali Jend

CITY to the

COUNTRY

to peer tutor. Though students are prohibited from having their phones at any point throughout the day -- their policy is that phones stay in lockers from 7:30 a.m.-2:35 p.m. -- the teachers allowed us to have ours.

Classes went by fairly quickly, so before we knew it, we were already onto third hour.

In between each class, Madison and Macy would walk back to their lockers since carrying backpacks isn’t allowed at MHS. Fortunately for us though, our guides’ lockers were right across the hall from one another, so we frequently got to check in with each other.

Third hour, English for Kali and economy for Sammie, was when we really began to realize the kinds of students who attended MHS. From flannels

Montague Royal & White

Blue & White

School colors

Sailors

Mascot

Wildcats

Trimesters

School Year

Semesters

1217

Total Enrollment

445

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

Daily Schedule

7:30 to 2:35; 6 classes, 55 minutes each

Open Campus except for freshmen

Lunch

Closed Campus

4 Honors, 17 AP

Classes

2 Honors, 5 AP

25 Varsity Sports

Athletics

18 Varsity Sports

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

Sammie Ladegast

Schools

Montague Area Childhood Center, R.R. Oehrli Elementary, Nellie B. Chrisholm Middle School, High School

and cowboy boots to sweatshirts and leggings to Patagonia and Vera Bradley lunch boxes, there was a wide range of styles to choose from.

Next came lunch, and although we had different lunches, our experiences proved to be similar. Since it’s a closed campus, everyone either brought a lunch, got hot lunch, or simply ate nothing. By the time lunch was coming to a close, the cafeteria was almost empty as everyone had migrated to the commons area, a large empty room with benches where students can gather and interact.

Fifth hour was after lunch -- now, you might be thinking, “they skipped fourth hour,” but nope, we didn’t forget.

Students at MHS actually consider lunch its own hour, so in this case, it was Sammie’s fourth hour. So yes, we are now onto fifth hour, which was lunch

for Kali and physics for Sammie. This also means that, despite having only six classes, they have seven “hours.”

Kali’s sixth hour was chemistry, and Sammie spent the hour in yearbook. The class was like ours; the teacher reminded certain students of their upcoming deadlines, and those who didn’t, like Macy, worked on homework or did whatever.

Before we knew it, we were walking into each of our final classes. They proved to be ordinary Spanish and math classes, and at 1:35 p.m., we ended our day. Normally, MHS gets out at 2:35 p.m.; however, every Wednesday school releases an hour earlier for teacher meetings, kind of like a reverse late start that happens every week.

Walking out of Montague proved to be the hardest part of our whole day.

The atmosphere at the high school was the friendliest and most welcoming we’ve ever experienced, and neither of us wanted to leave at the end of the day.

Every single person we encountered was kind and funny, and we never spared a moment without a smile on our faces.

Though the number of students at Shores far exceeds that number at MHS, we felt more included and made more conversation throughout our day than we normally would at Shores.

So we thank you, Montague High School, for providing us with a truly unforgettable experience and for proving that great things really do come in smaller packages.

This is the third installment of reporters from The Sailors’ Log visiting other schools. Previously, we visited Kenowa Hills and West Ottawa. A private school is anticipated to participate next in this series.

Seniors Sammie Ladegast (second from left) and Kali Jend (second from right) traveled to Montague High School on Mar. 6 for a day, shadowing juniors Macy Hain (left) and Madison Moore (right).

feature

The Sailors’ Log

Where?

Although Fricano’s Place was a hit at last year’s Prom, this year’s will be held at the Trillium Catering and Events Center in Spring Lake (17246 Van Wagoner Road, Spring Lake) on May 4. The reason why Prom will be held at the Trillium is due to overlapping dates with other events going on during the month of May at Fricano’s. Prior to last year, the previous 20-plus Proms were held at the Trillium.

Theme?

This year’s theme will be the Renaissance Era. Think Italian painters, gold candlesticks, burgundy drapes, long tables, and an overall, a Beauty and the Beast feel. Do not think giant beasts, talking clocks, dying roses that lead to an eternity of loneliness, or crazy huntsmen who want your hand in marriage.

March 22, 2019

13

Who?

Hopefully, you! Bring a date, your friends, your dog or cat, maybe even your fish, or even your cool aunt or uncle that you only see at Thanksgiving. Come out to boogie down to some music with your besties and make memories that will last a lifetime. Tickets this year will be $25 and not sold at the door; the party starts at 7 and goes till 10. You also cannot bring your dog, cat, or fish; that was a joke, sorry.

Prom 2019 MUSKEGON

The Hearthstone Restaurant $$-$$$ – 3350 Glade

St., 231-733-1056 / Although these dishes can be a little bit more on the expensive side, you are most definitely getting your bang for your buck.

Their award-winning cuisine stretches across the board with soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a lengthy entree list. The atmosphere gives the perfect aroma for the night to come.

The Station Grill $-$$ – 910 W Broadway, 231759-0633 / The Station is a well-known restaurant for its delicious burgers and nachos. Feeling some straight American foods before dancing the night away? This place is the one for you.

Although it does not have the atmosphere of The Hearthstone and is more casual, this place is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat. Just make sure you don’t spill any sauce on yourself. Don’t forget, The Station does not take reservations, so make sure you arrive early or have a backup plan.

Fricano’s Place $$ – 1050 W Western Ave., 231722-2600 / Known for its famous pizza, Fricano’s serves as one of the best places to catch dinner.

Being located right by Muskegon Lake adds to the mood of the restaurant. Again, it is a little bit more on the casual side but makes for a great place to start the night.

Where to eat?

A major question surrounding pre-Prom planning is usually, where are we going to eat?

The areas restaurant scale can go from chicken wings to snails on a plate. If you’re looking to eat locally or closer to the venue before heading out on your big night, think about these places before calling for a reservation.

Money Signs $ - Not that expensive $$ - Kinda expensive $$$ - Very expensive

SPRING LAKE Two Tonys Taverna Grille $$ – 723 East Savidge St., Suite E, 616-844-0888 / If you’re looking to step outside of your regular cuisine and looking for more of an exotic feel, Two Tonys has a selection of Mediterranean entrees with a dash of Italian elements.

Jack’s Waterfront Bistro + Bar $$ – 940 W. Savidge St., (616)-846-1370 / Jack’s is located within the Holiday Inn, which gives it more of a casual setting. This restaurant offers a menu of American foods with entrees and sandwiches along with soups and salads.

GRAND HAVEN Snug Harbor $$ – 311 S Harbor Dr., (616) 846-8400 / Located on the Grand River, Snug Harbor gives a beautiful view for dinner.

Seafood is one of the options here but not the only option as they have regular American selections as well.

Snug Harbor also gives a wide variety of different sushi types along with oysters if you are looking for more of a seafood dinner.

Kirby House $$ – 2 Washington Ave., (616) 846-3299 / Separated into three venues (Kirby House, The Grill Room, and K2 Pizzeria), you cannot go wrong if you pick one of these restaurants to kick off the night.

The Kirby House is perfect to grab a bite to eat and give great impressions for the night to come.

The Grand Seafood and Oyster Bar $$-$$$ – 22 Washington Ave., (616) 844-5055 / Owned by the same owners of Sung Harbor, The Grand is fantastic if you are looking for an all-seafood option before Prom. With its vintage, speakeasy vibe, The Grand offers many different types of sushi, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and an oyster bar. Don’t forget to check out the aquarium along the bar.

14 March 22, 2019

sports

The Sailors’ Log

On the Move

Softball, soccer teams to be displaced this spring

By Sydney Fetters Staff Writer Both soccer and softball programs will not have any “home” games for their upcoming seasons.

Instead, because of the $93 million bond passing, these programs are being displaced from their usual home fields on Seminole Road and will be forced to play at Ross Park Elementary.

More specifically, of all of the bond proposals that are unique to the high school, soccer and softball complex improvements will arguably contain the largest of changes. This includes new archways for both fields, new concession stands, new bleachers, various field adjustments, etc.

But with any progress, there will always be periods of chaos or pause.

Ground broke this month, which means home fields for both girls’ soccer and softball will have to be temporarily moved elsewhere for the season as well as for the boys’ 2019 soccer season next fall, for the grass needs critical time to regrow.

But before athletes begin competing at Ross Park, some challenges have to be corrected. For soccer, field adjustments and other small issues such as the lack of bleachers, lack of a sound system, and the lack of lights are being addressed.

“We are trying our best to meet varsity field standards, but Mona Shores soccer was first built and born on the stadium complex behind the elementary, so to me, it was a natural sort of place to go and felt it right to have it be used as our replacement,” athletic director Todd Conrad said.

When it comes to the team itself, there

Before the softball team gets the chance to see the artist’s rendering above, the team, along with the soccer teams, will have to play this season at Ross Park Elementary while construction takes place. are mixed emotions seen, due to the sud- would degrade our performance during den relocation. games,” Eckerman said. “The atmo“There are always going to be rip- sphere is definitely going to be a big shift ple effects with projects like this. Being from what we have grown to be familiar at Ross Park gives us an opportunity to with, and that is going to take some time showcase our program to some of the to get used to. No matter where we end youth teams that play and practice there up this season, we will have a fantastic daily,” girls’ varsity soccer coach Dylan time and hopefully fulfill our potential.”

Darga said. “Our mindset is now shifted When looking at team dynamics, one to competition, and that is all we are go- can see that this year’s girls’ varsity socing to worry about for now. The seniors cer team is made up of 13-plus seniors. and past players can smile knowing that For most, walking across their soccer because of their successes they were an field during parent, senior, and teacher instrumental part of getting this new fa- appreciation nights as a senior themcility built.” selves was something that was always Senior Madeline Eckerman also said looked forward to. she feels hopeful for the success of the “Overall, this really sucks. It’s my seseason. nior season, and I wanted to play at my “Our team is full of individuals who field,” senior Nora Brown said. “We do are to adapt and persevere through almost get to have a couple big games on the anything, so I don’t think a different field football field, but the rest of our home

Boys’ Basketball Under first-year coach David Chana, the Sailors lost 59-45 to Reeths-Puffer in districts to finish the season 5-15, 4-8 in the OK Black. Senior James Gilbert was the leading scorer in 15 games with a season-high 29 points twice.

Girls’ Basketball In coach Mike Phillips’ first season, Shores ended its season in districts with a 48-36 loss to Reeths-Puffer, ending its season 5-15, 5-7 in the OK Black. Julia Tierman was the lone senior.

Sports Briefs

Boys’ Bowling Freshman Dylan Goryl finished 13th at regionals while the team placed 11th at regionals.

games are at a soccer field that I played on when I was 6. This definitely isn’t the place I want to spend my senior season of soccer playing at.”

When it comes to softball, there was only one field that stood out above others, and that was Ross Park as well. Along with soccer, tiny tweaks are being made to prepare for varsity level play, but the most concerning is the lack of dugouts.

“Not having dugouts means we won’t really have a place to hide from wind, rain, and possibly even snow, but the other team won’t have access to them either, so that can’t be a factor that will determine whether we win or lose games,” senior Shelby Savacool said.

Above all, timing seems to be of the largest inconveniences concerning this season. There was much confusion among athletes as to why construction was to be done during scheduled play instead of during the summer when the facility is rarely full of use.

“I am happy that the class of 2020 and beyond will have a new field for senior year, but all of the memories of softball were at the original field,” junior Madison VanEtten said. “Overall, the idea of a new facility was great, but the timing overall was not the best decision.”

At the end of the day, Conrad said, Shores will be receiving one of the best facilities in West Michigan thanks to the community that has continuously continued to invest into student athletes and their education.

“Seasons this year definitely won’t be what we’ve had in the past, but from here now going a year into the future, (the complex) will be better than what we’ve ever had, so that’s just the price of progress,” Conrad said.

Hockey The Sailors won their regional-opening game 10-5 over Manistee before losing 7-3 to Petoskey in the regional finals. Shores finished 6-20-1.

Girls’ Bowling See story about the team’s fifth-place finish at state as well as junior Lindsay Cross’s state performance, page 16.

Boys’ Swimming See story about senior Tommy Cotner’s state final diving performance, page 16.

Competitive Cheer See story about team’s fourth consecutive appearance at the state finals, page 16.

Wrestling See story about senior Josh Hill’s second straight appearance at the state finals, page 16.

sports

The Sailors’ Log

March 22, 2019

All-American Boy

15

Sophomore plays on U.S. Sled Hockey Team

By Chris Horvath Sports Editor While sophomore Tag VanderMolen cannot play regular ice hockey, he is still pursuing his dream of being on the ice.

VanderMolen, who has cerebral palsy, is a member of the U.S. Men’s Development Sled Hockey Team. He is one of the youngest players on the team at the age of 15.

He plays goalie and has been playing since the age of 7.

“I got involved with my home team through a sports camp run by Mary Free Bed, and then over the summer, I was invited to a select camp for some of the best players leading me to tryouts for a developmental national team which is one step beneath the Paralympics,” VanderMolen said.

Traveling is a big part of being on the team for VanderMolen.

“With my home team, I play in Grand Rapids, but with my national team, we play all over,” he said.

“We’ve gone to Plymouth, North Carolina. I’ll be playing in Nashville in a few weeks, and then all the way to Montreal at the end of the season. I love being able to travel all over because it shows me new experiences that most people don’t get to experience.”

Vandermolen said he enjoys the traveling part as well as growing his skills on the ice while being on the U.S.

Sophomore Tag VanderMolen is one of the youngest players on the U.S. Men’s Development Sled Hockey Team. (Courtesy Photo) Sled Hockey Team.

“Traveling and meeting new people, all across the world, and then building your skills and maybe even make it to the Paralympics has been a dream of mine for a long time,” VanderMolen said. “From there, you could even go to places like China or Russia.”

VanderMolen’s story started when he first started playing at the age of 7.

“It’s been a long, rewarding journey for me ever since I started,” he said.

VanderMolen’s goal is to eventually make it to the Paralympics when he is able.

“I feel really accomplished because I’m following my dream,” VanderMolen said. “My goal is to make it to the Paralympic team, and now, I’m one step away. I feel like I can actually accomplish what I want to do with my life, so it’s a really good feeling.”

Challenging himself is one of VanderMolen’s favorite parts of being a part of the national team.

“When you’re up to the national level, there’s harder shots and more talented players,” he said. “You’re challenged more, and you have to work harder, and from there, you grow your talent and get better.”

Being a part of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team is rewarding, Vandermolen said.

“When I was three years into playing, the Paralympic goalie held a camp where he would train certain goalies, and I went there to see what it was like,” he said. “He was truly a role model to me, so after that camp, that’s exactly what I wanted to do, just like him.”

VanderMolen really was given a chance to walk in his role model’s shoes. He’s following his dream and hopes to complete it fully one day.

“After a couple of years of working with him, I got called to go to a special camp, and that was really amazing to me,” VanderMolen said. “I didn’t expect to make the team at all. But after they told me I had, that’s when I thought I could accomplish my goals.”

New look for the boys’, girls’ lacrosse coaching staffs The new boys’ lacrosse coach is no stranger to the sport.

Murle Greer, a 1995 graduate of Keene (NH) High School, played college lacrosse at Quinnipiac College in southern Connecticut, which at the time was an NCAA Division II school.

Greer, who played high school football, decided not to play college football, so his father bought him a lacrosse stick as a graduation gift. He had some friends show him some basic skills, and he worked hard over the summer to get ready to try out for the team in college.

“I made the (college) team as a walk-on and ended up playing third line mid for most of the season that year,” said Greer, a former Hope College assistant coach. “The stick for my father turned out to be the best present anyone had ever given me.”

Greer, who replaces Rich Glinski who coached the Sailors in its inaugural season, is the owner/operator of Westside Lacrosse, which offers travel lacrosse programs for both boys and girls, indoor leagues, private

lessons, camps and tournaments.

“I accepted the job at Mona Shores because I was excited to build a new program,” said Greer, a former head coach of a national runner-up team at GVSU. “Mona Shores is known to have great athletes and good athletic programs, and I wanted to take those tools and my experience and build a competitive and successful lacrosse program.”

One thing that Greer said he is going to focus on is building a culture. He knows the team is new, so he wants to install it in the kids and turn Mona Shores into a lacrosse powerhouse.

“I believe that structure, accountability and communication are the foundation of a successful program,” Greer said. “Lacrosse has been played for thousands of years, and it was used by Native Americans to help teach young men how to be warriors and hunters. The game still has many lessons to teach, and it can help has learned how to be good athletes and better people.” – Robby Swanker, staff writer

Murle Greer Boys’ Lacrosse

The girls’ lacrosse team is going on its second year, but the coach is on her first.

Hope Brege, a 1993 graduate of Muskegon High School, is new to the sport of lacrosse but will take over the reins from Aren Stout, who led the Sailors in its initial season..

“Prior to last year, I had not coached lacrosse before, but I have several years experience coaching soccer through Fruitport Fury league, and I am a past softball player, so I know what it takes to coach and play a sport,” said Brege, a worker at Every Women’s Place Brege said she became involved with lacrosse because her daughter wanted to play last year. She knew that since it was a new program that they would need some coaches, so she volunteered to be an assistant last year.

“I got into coaching the lacrosse team because I wanted to make sure the girls that wanted to play lacrosse

able to play a sport Hope Brege were they enjoy,” said Brege, Girls’ Lacrosse a mother of three. “La-

crosse is a new and upcoming sport and finding someone to coach girls lacrosse is challenging, especially in an area where the sport is just beginning to take off.”

She said understands that the team is new to the sport, so she is motivated and excited to see what the future of this team has in store.

One thing that Brege said she is focusing on this year is to teach the girls to be versatile in the positions that they play. That way depending on the team they play, they will be able to change their strategy to match their opponents.

“It is my hope that the girls learn something about how to play as a team, how to support one another, to step out of their comfort zones, and to take each game as a learning lesson, not only in the sport, but in life,” she said. – Robby Swanker, staff writer

sports

16 March 22, 2019

The Sailors’ Log

Sailors at State

Cheer team returns to finals for the 4th consecutive year

By Paige Judson Sports Editor

Senior Olivia Curtice only knows one way to finish the competitive cheer season – at the state finals.

As the only four-year member on varsity, Curtice has been on teams that have finished in the top seven for the past four years, including third place this year.

“Being at the state finals is my favorite part of the season,” said Curtice, who helped lead Shores to seventh, third and fourth places in the previous three years.

“All of the teams there are so amazing, and it just a great experience to have been a part of such a high-level competition for the last four years.”

This time, the Sailors tied the school’s highest finish with third place at the Div. 2 championships at the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids on March 2. Gibraltar Carlson won the title with 791.40 points while Shores finished with 777.92 points.

“It was a great experience to be able to go a step up from last year,” Curtice said.

“It was nice to be able to move up in the places and I loved that I was able to place 3rd in my last state finals competition.”

Prior to the state finals, the team placed first in 10 out of 12 regular season competitions, winning the City and conference titles. They also placed second at regionals before the third-place state

The Sailors, including seniors Zoie Willeke and Sammie Ladegast, placed third at the state meet with 777.92 points. (Photo by Taylor TenHove) finish. two, but we did not perform round three “While a state championship will al- as well as we had hoped to, but we did ways be our end goal, our ultimate goal have super good round one and two for Saturday was to have our best per- scores, so we were just hoping for the formances of the season,” head coach best,” senior Erica Dakin said. “Though Amanda Heethuis said. “We were thrilled it was disappointing, I know that all of to hear our name called within the top the seniors were excited that we did betthree. It’s a true testament to how strong ter than last year.” these girls really are.”

Senior Taylor Keessen said, “It is honDespite falling short of a state title, estly a feeling that’s really hard to exmany of the girls know what they accom- plain. You already know that you’re one plished. of the top eight teams in the state, which “We were pretty nervous going into is amazing in itself. We put in so much awards because we really wanted top work during the season, and it is nice to

Senior dives to sixth place

Junior rolls to 15th-best bowler

After placing 10th at the diving state finals last year, senior Tommy Cotner finally got a chance to prove to everyone that he can do better.

“I felt so-so about my performance for the day, but it got me sixth, which is higher than I have ever placed at state so I was happy with it,” Cotner said.

He finished with 393.50 points at the Div. 1 state finals at the Holland Aquatic Center on March 9.

“It was good to see that the work Cotner I have put in throughout my swimming and diving career was worth it,” said Cotner, who also placed 32nd as a freshman and 14th as a sophomore. “It just felt good to see of that hard work finally pay off. It felt good to end my dive career on a good note because it was my last high school meet.”

Not only did Cotner place sixth at the state finals, but he also received All-State Honors.

“I have always wanted to be All-State for diving, and it was amazing that I was able to get that during my final diving season.”

At the bowling state finals on March 2, junior Lindsay Cross placed 15th in the state, a day after the girls’ team placed fifth in the state.

“Lindsay Cross is an amazing high school bowler,” coach Ron Bacon said. “This year, she really stepped up to the plate. She stepped right in when the team needed her and performed.”

At the tournament at Century Bowl in Waterford, Cross made the 16-player bracket, but lost in the first round.

Cross “It was a really cool experience since none of the girls since I have been on the team have placed in the final 16,” said Cross, who placed 28th in the state as a sophomore. “It was just a great experience to be bowling with such great bowlers.”

In addition to Cross, two other Sailors qualified for the individual state finals. Senior Marisa Bacon placed 49th while junior Krystina Richards was 51st.

In the team event, Shores made it to the round of eight, where the Sailors were defeated by Charlotte, 1,1197-1,118.

see it pay off.”

Senior Leah Dobb said it has been cool to be a part of the past three years.

“Every time you hear of new teams coming to state you always see them getting 7th or 8th and it is just an experience for them but with us, we really stepped up our game one year and were able to make it to state as well as place third that year, and it is really cool that all of the years we have gone we have done so well,” she said.

For some of the cheerleaders, it was their first time competing at state.

“It was my first time ever competing at state, so it was a really energetic and emotional experience to be one of the top eight teams in the state and to be able to compete against other top teams in the state and to be able to place top three was just absolutely amazing,” senior Zoie Willeke said.

In the end, Heethuis and the team are honored to have been able to compete with such high-level teams and to be able to perform so well with such high-level teams.

“We were so humbled and honored to represent Mona Shores on that state finals mat,” head coach Amanda Heethuis said. “It is the result of hundreds of hours of hard work, months of dedication, and the right recipe of personality within the team.”

Senior wrestles way to fifth

For the second time this school year, senior wrestler Josh Hill had the chance to win a state title at Ford Field.

In the fall, he was on the Div. 2 runner-up football team that lost to Warren De La Salle, 29-16. On March 1-2, Hill had a chance to win the 215-pound weight class for Div. 1.

After two long days, he was able to place fifth in the state after placing fourth as a junior. Hill went 3-2 over Hill the two days.

“It was cool to go back, and it is a great experience,” Hill said. “There are a lot of people with some really high level wrestling, and I’m just grateful that I was able to do as well as I did.”

The only downside to the day was that he wasn’t able to perform as well as last year.

“It was kind of disappointing,” Hill said. “I was hoping that I was going to place a little higher than last year, but I guess that happens when bumping up a weight class.”