The Sailors' Log

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Senior Livi Holliday, like many other Biden supporters, was glad when former Vice President Joe Biden seemingly won the 2020 Presidential election, meaning that current President Donald Trump will be leaving office in January.

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2 November 19, 2020

editorial

our voice

The Sailors’ Log

Newspaper accused of pushing Trump agenda

Publication only trying to cover news event

S

hores is a racist a** school and community.”

“WHAT ARE YA’LL TEACHING OUR CHILDREN??

Why think for themselves when the school will tell you how to vote!”

“I’M DISGUSTED IN THIS!!

Mona Shores YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS!! If my son wasn’t graduating I would take him out of this racist school!!”

“This is embarrassing, mona shores why you do this just say you want segregated schools again.”

“HA, remember when the BLM resolution was removed because they said they wanted to keep politics out of the school? Interesting, so the school now allows political stuff, but only tailored to one side? Mona shores is really digging itself in a hole.”

“Love these pics! Blessed that the President of the United States came to our city! Sick of reading all of these negative comments.”

These are a just a few of the 82 comments that bombarded the Mona Shores Publications’ Facebook photo album labeled Trump Rally, which featured 46 photos like the three on this page.

A majority of the comments were backlash upon the publication and the Mona Shores School Administration.

Despite the negativity the post received, the album reached 18,619 Editor-in-Chief Bailey Graham Managing Editor Emily Kuznar Staff Holli Brus Delaney Buckner Maya Cooper Mia Dickson

people in comparison to the 100-200 people the publication page typically reaches.

Over the past few weeks, The Sailors’ Log has faced intense criticism over our coverage of the Trump rally that occurred in Muskegon on Oct. 17 (see news story, page 6).

This isn’t the first time that this publication has covered controversial topics, but as a news source, we felt that it was our obligation to cover this event that happened, regardless of our own political views.

The Trump rally, though it was for his political campaign, brought the sitting President to our school district, and a number of Shores’ students attended the rally.

With this being the fourth time in history that a President has visited Muskegon, this event could not have

been ignored.

A Sailors’ Log representative gained a press pass and covered the event by taking photos, which later were posted to the publication’s Facebook page. This simple post sparked a lot of fire within our community and gained a lot of feedback.

While the photos were in no way endorsing the President, many of the comments viewed our coverage of the event as us advocating for the rally.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

If Democrat candidate Joe Biden had come to the area, you can be sure that a member of The Sailors’ Log staff would have been there covering that event too.

And that coverage would not have been an endorsement of him for President; it would have been our newspaper doing its job – covering a

Mike Meekhof Olivia Nunnery Grace Opsommer Maddox Schaner-Follett Ali Sewick Samantha Sewick Brady Whalen

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

Adviser Warren Kent III

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 to the editor must be signed.

news event.

Despite the differing opinions that make up the staff, The Sailors’ Log had a responsibility to cover this event, strictly from a news perspective, just like any other news outlet.

At the end of the day, we decided to keep the photos we had taken posted in order to set the precedent that negative comments won’t dictate what we as a free press can do.

While the negative reactions were a shock, we believe that everyone can learn a valuable lesson from the judgments that we faced.

We don’t have to necessarily agree with someone’s opinion, but human decency and respect is still a must.

It’s easier said than done.

We don’t often see it from political leaders today, so it can be difficult at times.

At the end of the day, we’re all human. Not everyone is going to agree with each other all the time.

While it seems like common knowledge, sometimes that’s hard to remember.

Nowadays, instead of having civil conversations, we accuse, name call, and hate people when we disagree.

This is extremely counterproductive.

Instead of striving to take down others of different political opinions, we, as a people, should let our differences bring us together and have a mutual understanding that differences make our country better; we also need to have kindness for others no matter what and promote the peace we all crave in this crazy world right now.

And we, The Sailors’ Log, will continue to cover the news.

How to communicate with the staff: • Email: kentw@monashores.net • Website: www.thesailorslog.com • Facebook: Mona Shores Publications This edition of The Sailors’ Log was printed by the Argus-Press 201 E. Exchange St. Owosso, MI 48867

The Sailors’ Log

Way of YOUR Future

editorial

November 19, 2020

AP classes offer students chance to excel

D

ear Future AP Class Taker, AP classes are the way of the future.

I’ve taken a few different AP classes, including AP Human Geography, AP Government, and AP Seminar, and in all that time, I’ve decided that it is definitely a worthwhile experience.

Taking an AP class is a great opportunity.

A lot of people have probably said some discouraging things about AP, so you’ve probably heard “It’s way too hard” or “There’s so much homework,” when in reality, it is a great chance to get an advantage before college.

You’ll be ahead of the game in your first year of college, and your classes will be a

By Maddox piece of cake.

SchanerAP classes are becoming Follett increasingly important Staff Writer when it comes to college admissions, so it is strategic to look toward AP to get some good marks on your school record when you apply to colleges. AP classes are there to ease you into college courses and help you better prepare for entering the real world.

These classes also offer you the chance to work with students you may have never met before, which also prepares you for the real world. In life, it will not always

be your circle of friends, and AP classes frequently remind you of this.

These classes are engaging, taught by master teachers with interesting material, and give you cause to think on a much deeper level (especially with big projects).

It is important to know, however, that not every assignment or test will be a home run. In my experience, teachers have told stories about how even students who study well can score low on the class quizzes, so everyone is on a level playing field.

AP classes have also been abundantly rewarding. One instance in particular is the AP test at the end of the year, which tests you over everything you learned that year.

They give you cause to put your new skills

“One positive of wearing a mask is staying warm when I’m outside.” – Camille Zuidema, senior

“It keeps you surprisingly warm and protects both yourself and others from exposure. For some, it’s even another form of expression with what they choose to put on the mask itself.” – Emma McCaskey, junior

“One positive thing about wearing a mask is nobody can see your acne.” – Arielle Palmer, sophomore

“One thing I love about wearing a mask is that when I see people in public I know, they don’t recognize me, so I don’t have to talk to them.” – Brooklyn Graham, freshman

to work, and there is nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment after completing an AP test.

The end goal of the class is ultimately the AP test, but if you learn well in the class, you can apply all those skills in the real world. If you study your hardest, there is no possible way to fail. The most comforting thing is knowing that you have done everything you could possibly do.

While all AP classes pose different challenges, all of them bolster your strength and confidence in your abilities and help build you into who you want to be. There is an AP class for everyone, and if you love the one you took, there is always another one to sign up for next year.

What is the most positive thing about wearing a mask?

Q the big

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

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For those who are interested in social studies, math, and science, there are plenty of options as well For science, you have classes such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics, as well as their accompanying CP and honors classes. For math, you have AP Calculus and AP Statistics. If you’re a social science person, you’ll likely want to select AP Human Geography, AP Government, AP Microeconomics, or AP Psychology. If that’s not your style and you’re more fond of history, you should select AP World History.

Of course, if you’re an English person, Shores is offering the AP Capstone program, in which you must take both AP Seminar and AP Research. But those aren’t the only English AP courses if data gathering isn’t your jam either.

AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition are both focused on the reading of classic works of literature.

For those who are most interested in art and music, Shores does offer AP Music Theory and many other great music classes.

At the end of every year, you’ll end up missing the teachers you had and the classmates you worked with.

You’ll always remember what you learned in the class, and whatever life skills you gained will be with you always.

“I guess the most positive thing is that it helps keep everyone safe. I miss being around friends because we have to social distance.” – James Olsen, senior

“A positive of wearing a mask is that no one can tell I’m chewing gum. What I miss most is not being able to go to big gatherings.” – Aidan Parsekian, junior

“The obvious benefit of wearing masks is that you reduce your chance of receiving or spreading the coronavirus.” – James Patterson, sophomore “A positive is that it reduces the possibility of spreading COVID. What I miss most that I cannot do because of COVID is go to school a regular five days a week.” – Zachary Leibrandt, freshman

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November 19, 2020

GERMAN

review

CULTURAL CUISINE

Hot dogs originated in Frankfurt, Germany, where they were referred to as frankfurters.

The Sailors’ Log

EUROPEAN

While most people associate pierogies with Poland, they are also associated with other central and eastern European nations.

new food. new places.

Hot dog restaurant will bowl Polish restaurant serves patrons over with fun flavors pierogies stuffed with love

A

new hot dog and sandwich restaurant has opened up in the Sherman Bowling Center.

Slappy’s Slaw Dog and Sandwich (1531 W. Sherman Blvd.) offers fun items, such as the Empire Dog (above, second from left) and the Firecracker Dog. The Empire Dog, which is bacon-wrapped with slappy mustard, grilled onions, beer cheese, bacon bits on a pretzel bun is $8 while the Firecracker Dog with kimchi slaw, ghost pepper cheese, garlic bread bun, special Restaurant yummy sauce, and ramon’s review by hot salt is $8.

Olivia Additionally, the restauNunnery, rant offers an Original Italian staff writer Beef Dog with slow roasted prime rib sliced with hot giardiniera peppers for $10. The Slappy’s Slaw Dog (above, left) a 100 percent beef hot dog, slappy mustard, and tangy coleslaw will set

a person back $7. A Plain Hot Dog is $5.

Fries or tater tots can be added for $2.

They are also soon adding Slappy Salad Wraps with choice of grilled or crispy chicken with a fresh spring mix if you want a lighter option.

While I just purchased a plain hot dog with tater tots, it was still a great choice that brought complete satisfaction with every bite, and it is something I would recommend to all who go there.

Also, a plus to going to Slappy’s Slaw Dogs and Sandwich is the welcoming and friendly environment that takes place there.

Just by walking in, one can tell that they take pride in what they are making and can’t wait to serve you.

Not to mention if one had the “spare” time and wanted to go bowling, it’s easy since the restaurant is in a bowling alley.

Whether you’re in the mood for a Plain Hot Dog or a Firecracker Dog, Slappy’s Slaw Dogs and Sandwich is certainly somewhere that can satisfy your needs.

F

illing the space formerly occupied by the beloved Max & Marley’s Hot Dog Restaurant, The Pierogi Shack (1950 Lakeshore Drive) recently opened to quench the Muskegon community’s desire for Polish food year-round.

The restaurant got its start when owners Dawn and Jeff Jacobson, along with their friend Josh VandenHeuvel, debuted their Polish fare at the 2019 Muskegon Polish Festival.

Dawn Jacobson hails from Hamtramck, a city renowned for their Polish culture and Restaurant cuisine. The respect and review passion the group has for

by Brady Polish cuisine is evident in Whalen, their offerings. staff writer The Pierogi Shack’s signature dish is obviously the Pierogi (above, third from left), which is essentially a Polish dumpling. The Shack offers traditional pierogies (6 for $11 or 3 for $5.50)

stuffed with potatoes and cheese, as well as a sensational sauerkraut stuffed pierogi.

Sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage utilized frequently in Polish dishes, has a sour, biting flavor that made the pierogi pop.

Additionally, the restaurant showcases other Polish dishes that Muskegonites may be less familiar with, such as the $9 Golabki (above, right), two cabbage rolls stuffed with ground beef and pork, rice, and topped with cabbage and tomato gravy.

The sauerkraut and sausage platter ($6.50) the Pierogi Shack serves is divine as well. Authentic Polish sausage with a beautiful casing is topped with slow cooked sauerkraut that is sure to tingle tastebuds.

For those wanting a callback to American cuisine, the Pierogi Shack offers Klupskie sliders, a Polish cheeseburger that reminded me of meatloaf in its texture and flavor.

The Pierogi Shack offers something new and culturally-enriching to the Musekgon community. If you’re looking for a unique experience, The Pierogi Shack can provide.

review

The Sailors’ Log

BAKING with

Sweet Potato Casserole I remember watching a show on Food Network a while

back. Two southern chefs were competing, and for their final dish, they were asked to bake a pumpkin pie. Both of them looked at each other in confusion before explaining that they were only familiar with sweet potato desserts.

As an avid fan of pumpkin, I knew I had to try something sweet potato related for the south. This dish, sweet potato casserole (pictured above) was, in essence, baked mashed potatoes that had been flavored with dessert seasonings.

The amount of sugar and butter the recipe called for seemed inadequate and made for bland sweet potatoes, so I abandoned my measuring cups and went to town, adding half the spice rack in the process.

After dumping an entire bag of mini marshmallows on top, I threw it in the oven and watched. When the marshmallows were a gorgeous golden brown, I knew they were done.

Topping the dessert with extra marshmallows, I put the blowtorch on full power to get that s’mores effect on top.

Due to my expert seasoning, this casserole was a hit. My entire family devoured it.

It was similar to a pumpkin dessert, but the natural sugar of the sweet potato stood out because it caramelized in the oven, creating flavor not found in pumpkin pie.

For Thanksgiving this year, this one will definitely be on the table at my house.

Brady Saucing Up Sides Three Sailors share their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes “Corn is my favorite side. I’m not a picky eater, but I don’t like mashed potatoes, stuffing or cranberries.” – Lauren Hylland, sophomore “Turkey is dry, bland and basic, so apple pie is what I always fill my plate up with on Thanksgiving.” – Cole Branch, senior

Clam Dip Unfamiliar with cooking

most seafood and unsure of the availability of some ingredients, I went with a simple dip for my side dish hailing from New England.

Cream cheese and canned clams comprised the majority of this dish.

The cream cheese had to be tediously mashed with a fork until it became light and fluffy, almost like a cream cheese frosting but without the sugar.

The next step involved adding a good amount of the clam juice, which had a mysterious cloudiness

Regional Thanksgiving dishes bring flair to table

to it and the ever-so-slightest tinge of blue.

From there, a healthy splash of lemon juice was added to increase the acidity of the dip and give it

“I really like mashed potatoes.

Nothing else can compare to the silky texture and taste of them.” – Simon Mui, junior

some bite, followed by a heavy dosage of hot sauce for flair.

Finally, the star of the dish itself, the canned clams, were added to the mix. The canned clams suspiciously looked like bacon bits that had been rehydrated, but I trusted the ethics of the canned seafood industry and tossed the clams in for what they were.

Served with potato chips, this dip was salty, spicy and sour. As I tasted it, I could imagine the scent of salt water as the canned clams took me to the Atlantic coast. Although an acquired tasted, for any seafood fanatics,, this dish is a must try.

November 19, 2020

5

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to create some regional Thanksgiving dishes.

Most people around the country feast on turkey every fourth Thursday of November, but side dishes are where the regional tastes and traditions are showcased.

The Southern United States is well-known for its unique cuisine and way of life, so its famous sweet potato casserole was a nobrainer when it came to choosing dishes.

In New England, seafood reigns supreme, Food review so I decided to highlight a briny clam dip

by Brady that folks in the region will whip up and Whalen, serve as an appetizer on the big day. staff writer Wanting to bring one more region into the fold, I settled on the Southwest United States. Its proximity to Mexico results in fiery cuisine that is sure to leave one’s taste buds tingling.

Each dish I prepared was a journey into the unknown, as I made new recipes but also used ingredients I had never used in the past. Enjoy!

Cornbread Stuffing Inspired by Tex-Mex cuisine and southwest baking, this

cornbread stuffing was something completely different from the typical Stove Top Stuffing I am used to. A few days in advance, I baked the cornbread, which gave it a chance to firm up and ensured that the stuffing would not become soggy when baking.

The key to building the heat in this dish was the variety of peppers. I utilized jalapenos, Anaheim peppers and poblano peppers, all of which left a residue on my hands that burned my eyes as I removed my contacts afterward, but that is besides the point.

Being a spice fanatic, I not only doubled the amount of peppers in the recipe, I also left the ribs and seeds in, which is where a majority of the heat comes from. I sautéed the peppers so that they would not be too crunchy and create a strange textural component in the dish, then proceeded to assemble the stuffing.

To bind all the cornbread and peppers, I blended eggs and corn, then mixed it together to keep it all congealed.

After baking in the oven for an absurdly-long hour, I took the stuffing out and proceeded to douse it in hot sauce. With a dollop of sour cream added for good measure, I dug in.

In hindsight, I probably should have removed the seeds from the peppers. My first bite involved a sizable chunk of jalapeno, which, when coupled with the hot sauce, left my tongue numb for a few minutes.

When I had the chance to take a proper bite, the subtle sweetness of the cornbread was a bit funky next to the blazing heat of the peppers. Perhaps this stuffing would complement a turkey nicely, but if served by itself, I would be happy to forget this one in the back of the recipe book in the future.

center section

6 November 19, 2020

The Sailors’ Log

The Sailors’ Log

center section

Trump supporters speak out

Trump addresses Muskegon area about law enforcement at Muskegon International Airport. (Photo by Bailey Graham)

President holds rally in Muskegon

By Bailey Graham Editor-in-Chief For the fourth time in history, a sitting President visited Muskegon when President Donald Trump came to the Muskegon International Airport on Oct. 17.

“It was incredible seeing all these people there,” senior Mason Klos said. “It was crazy; there were Trump flags and signs everywhere.

Even as I was driving with my buddies to the rally, there were tons of Trump flags flying from cars. We waited for hours in line to get a good spot for the rally. It was super cold but totally worth it. It was great to talk to all the other Trump supporters, watch Air Force One fly in, and obviously see the President speak in person.”

New voters were able to get a special chance to see a candidate and the sitting president, which will make for a great first voting experience.

“I went to go show support for my President in his campaign for reelection,” Klos said.

“I have believed in the President throughout

his term, and the results have been promising, and having actually heard him speak in person only proved to me more how much he deserved another four years and my firstever vote in an election.”

Plenty of students who are ineligible to vote also found this as a unique opportunity that most high school students wouldn’t be able to say they have experienced.

“It isn’t often you get to see your President in person,” junior Jenna Baker said. “When I heard he was coming to our town, I knew I had to go. It was a once-in-alifetime opportunity to see the President in person.”

President Trump spoke to thousands of people, and in his speech, he covered a lot of topics and gave Shores’ students more knowledge of important issues that affect voting.

“My favorite thing was listening to him speak about the working class,” senior Jaden Zitka said.

“President Trump made a lot of good points about how he will prioritize those in the lower and middle class who are working for their families.”

Biden supporters speak out “I support Joe Biden because of his support of the Black Lives Matter Movement, his support of the Affordable Healthcare Act, and his support of the passing of gay marriage. I hope that he can fix the current division in this country. However, I feel much safer now having a leader who I can trust to do and say the right things.” – Heriberto Butts, freshman

“I support Trump because I think he truly cares about the country.

I was disappointed with the results of this election, but I think things will be alright. I hope our country settles down and stops being so divided.” -Grace Hopkins, freshman “I like Trump because he supports many of the same policies as I do, such as being pro-life, tougher immigration laws, the economy, etc.

I believe he stays true to his word. I hope Americans will unite and that all of the division will stop.” Luke Opfermann, sophomore “I like Trump because I like the way he chooses to run the country and his views on many issues. Although he may not always say things in the correct way or offend people, I think he has good intentions. I’m not the happiest about Biden being elected, but I’m not going to be mad about it. I hope everyone just gets along in the future.” Anabeth Hylland, junior “I support Donald Trump because I like the way he tells it like it is. I also like him because he runs the country like a business, which benefits the economy.

Donald Trump puts America first.

Biden would not be my first choice, but he is who the people chose, so everyone has to agree to that.

People have to realize that even if they may not like him or his policies, he is the President and leader of our country.” - Harrison Nelund, senior

November 19, 2020

“Personally, the main reason I support Biden is because I wanted Trump out of office. Kamala Harris is also one of the reasons I’d hoped he would win. There’s many things that Biden has done or said that I don’t agree with, but I believe that he was the better candidate between the two. Overall, I was just glad that he had won and made history with Kamala.” – Brooklyn Bailey, sophomore “I support Biden because, to keep it simple, he’s not Trump. I think with Trump in office, the country is divided and is running on money and discrimination, rather than respect and pride. I’m hoping Biden can introduce new policies that help everyone, not just the upper class. I have to say I’m more relieved than anything.” – Diego Luna, junior Photo via Shutterstock

Biden set to take over national leadership

By Emily Kuznar Managing Editor

It may not be official until Dec. 14, but for now, America is looking at a new President beginning in January of 2021.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, according to the Associated Press, leads in both the popular vote (50.7% vs. 47.7%) and in projected electoral votes (290217) over President Donald Trump as of Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Two states – Georgia and North Carolina – have not concluded its ballot counting, and President Trump has not conceded the election, so until each state’s Electoral College elector officially votes on Dec. 14, nothing is set in stone.

However, that didn’t keep Biden and his Vice-President Kamala Harris from declaring victory on Saturday, Nov. 7, in Wilmington, Delaware.

“The people of this nation have spoken,” Biden said. “They delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory. Tonight, we’re seeing all over this nation, all cities and parts of this country, indeed around the world, an outpouring of joy, hope, and renewed faith in tomorrow.”

In this speech, Biden also addressed his No. 1 priority, which is assembling a task force to combat COVID-19.

“Soon, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts to help take the Biden-Harris COVID Plan and turn it into a blueprint,” Biden said. “This plan is built on bedrock science and constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern.

I will spare no effort to turn this pandemic around.”

Biden also addressed his plans to unify the nation and said he will work as hard for those who voted against him as those who voted for him.

“The demonization in America ends here and now,” Biden said. “Refusal of Democrats and Republicans cooperating is not a mysterious force. If we can choose to not cooperate, we can choose to cooperate.”

Throughout his campaign, Biden has reiterated the idea that he will restore the soul of the nation.

For social studies teacher Kyle Mireles, he said he is just relieved that the election is over, and America can return to normalcy.

“A decision has been made by the American people,” Mireles said. “While there are always hiccups in getting clear results, I don’t see any situation in which the results will be overturned. I hope that common sense is returned to the country.

We all need to take a collective deep breath and realize that there are more important

things.”

Biden said his main goals aside from the pandemic are rebuilding the economy, addressing race relations, addressing the climate crisis, and improving our healthcare system.

Among Biden’s supporters is junior Alden Crago, who appreciates Biden’s experience in politics and believes he can unite the country.

“I hope that even though Biden is pretty moderate, he’ll push hard for progressive policies, such as police reform, healthcare for all, LGBTQ+ protections, and addressing income inequality,” Crago said.

While there’s lots of work to be done, Biden said he is hopeful that he can fix our divided country and unite American citizens once again.

Among Biden’s many critics is sophomore Amelia Schwer, who says that while she may not agree with Biden and Harris, she hopes the country can still improve.

“I support Trump, because I believe he has changed America for the better,” Schwer said. “I felt a little upset when they announced that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had won, but at this point, I’ve accepted it. I hope America will flourish and keep growing into the great nation

that it is.”

It is safe to say that this election has proven to be one of the most nail-biting elections in years because of intense political partisanship and because of mailin-voting, which was made prevalent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Presidential election has resulted in the greatest voter turnout in history with nearly 161 million people casting their votes. Given this increase in voter turnout, Biden received a record-breaking 75 million votes, with a large percentage of them being by mail.

Since the mail-in votes were overwhelmingly in favor of Biden, the question of fraudulent voting was brought up many times by both Republicans and President Trump. Many states had varying laws regarding mail-in-votes, when they could be counted, and when they could be accepted.

While Biden and his supporters pushed for all of the mail-in-votes to be counted, Trump and his supporters want to stop the votes from being counted, due to alleged voter fraud.

Ultimately, the election came down to the results of the battleground states. One crucial element to Biden’s win was his ability to win Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

“I support Joe Biden because uses unifying and peaceful rhetoric in order to achieve collective goals. I believe that while he may be ultimately unsuccessful because of the damage already done to our political climate over the past four years, he will try to unify America once again. I was insanely relieved and happy when Joe Biden won. It gave me hope and made me feel safe for the first time in four years.” – Elizabeth Keessen,

senior

Shores Mock Election Results The Sailors’ Log polled students to find out who they would vote for this Presidential election. All together, 383 responded.

According to the results, Biden won our mock election.

Biden: 203 (53%) Trump: 132 (34.5%) Hawkins: 6 (1.6%) Jorgensen: 6 (1.6%) Kanye West: 23 (6%) Other: 13 (3.4%)

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8 November 19, 2020

BOOK SMART

“Reading has always been a part of my life. It was something my mom and I used to do together.

She would read to me and she really sparked my love for books.”

– Isaac Powell, senior

profiles

Academic expertise inspired by mother

By Samantha Sewick Staff Writer Ask any student: academic inspiration is everywhere.

It can be found in teachers, classmates or even famous people.

However, senior Isaac Powell didn’t even have to leave his house for his academic inspiration.

“My mom is a huge academic inspiration to me,” said Powell, whose mom went to the University of Michigan and graduated at the top of her class in mathematics. “When I was younger, that’s exactly where I wanted to go, and hearing about it from my mom really gave me this drive to do well to get there.”

While Powell’s college plans are still undecided, his mom’s University of Michigan legacy still plays a factor in his future and continues to inspire him to push himself further.

“There are some great programs that offer really generous scholarships for my grades and my PSAT score,” said Powell, who plans to continue his education studying computer engineering. “I just want to go to college, further my education, and use my intelligence to do some good in our world.”

Powell said his drive also comes from within because his intelligence and natural curiosity has only been building since he was a kid.

“My past really pushed me academically,” said Powell, who reached the set 216 points needed to be in the running for National Merit Scholar in Michigan. “Even in elementary school, I never wanted less than an A. That drive really carried over into middle school and high school where my grades started to count toward college.”

Even with putting pressure on himself to get an unweighted 4.0 and a weighted 4.225 GPA in his seven AP classes throughout high school, Powell also spends his time like any other student: goofing off just a little bit.

“I’m not the best with time management,” Powell said. “I play games when I should be studying. But when it comes down to it, I’ll get done what I need to. Even if I’m crunched on time, I’ll find a way.”

Powell’s secret to success isn’t overly complicated; the push you give to yourself sets your course.

“Your drive is everything,” Powell said. “If you want something bad enough, you don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. But you need to be the most willing to learn. That’s how you’ll succeed.”

STUDIOUS SAILORS “My academic inspiration is my dad. He is a smart man who is really good with numbers. I strive to be more like him. Also, I have been inspired by all my teachers throughout my school career because they have been kind and supportive of me, and that made me want to do the best I could at everything I do in school.” – Matthew DuRose, senior

The Sailors’ Log

“My academic inspiration is definitely my dad, Mansour Yacoub. He not only had to prove himself as an academic, but as a citizen who could contribute to American society. Despite dealing with the rigorous immigration process to the United States and studying medicine in English, a foreign language for him, my dad was able to overcome all odds and obtain his medical degree. He has instilled a hard-working attitude within me, and I hope to follow in his footsteps, graduating from medical school and obtaining my medical license as well some day.” – Matthew Yacoub, senior

1. Organize your study space.

2. Give yourself enough time to study.

3. Use flow charts and diagrams.

4. Practice on old exams.

5. Explain your answers to others.

Teach to learn.

STUDY TIPS

You might not be a Merit Scholar finalist like senior Isaac Powell, but if you are preparing for an exam, here are 10 tips to give you the best chance to succeed.

6. Organize study groups with friends.

7. Take regular breaks.

8. Snack on nutritious brain food.

9. Plan your exam day.

10. Drink plenty of water.

List compiled by topuniversities.com

Six students qualified for the Commended Merit Scholar, an award just below National Merit Scholar. In Michigan 2020, it takes a Commended Merit Scholar 209 points total to qualify.

“My academic inspiration in life are my parents. They have taught me the importance of school and learning from a young age.” – Brady Whalen, senior “My academic inspiration is my dad.

He's one of the smartest people I know, and he is constantly reminding me to do my best. He pushes me to be the greatest that I can be in school.” – Nova Crays, senior After multiple emails, senior Willow Scott did not respond to any form of communication but is still a National Commended Merit Scholar.

“I absolutely wouldn't be where I am without my family. I'm lucky to have a mom who isn't constantly breathing down my neck and has allowed me to make my own choices in life. This lack of pressure has helped me tremendously in school. My brother has also played a huge role in my academic life; while he didn't finish high school, he knows more than most people I know and always challenges my thinking. He taught me to love learning and take full advantage of my education.” – Olivia Abraham, senior

features

The Sailors’ Log

At least three students (senior Rayne Quinn, sophomore Ali Trautner, and senior Lily Fisher) have made a job for themselves making jewelry during quarantine.

November 19, 2020

9

A Thing

For Bling Stories written by and page designed by Grace Opsommer, staff writer

Eco-friendly jewelry personalized for customers • Instagram raynedrop. jewelry • Pay through Venmo, PayPal, or cash • DM for custom orders

Surrounded by art and creativity her entire childhood, it was almost inevitable that senior Rayne Quinn would someday create art of her own.

She expresses this art gene through Raynedrop Jewelry, her small business.

“Within my family, there are a lot of artists; my grandma actually has an art gallery,” said Quinn, who sells her jewelry on Instagram. “I grew up looking at all of the handmade jewelry that was in her shop, and I have just always found it interesting.”

However, Quinn doesn’t tie herself down to just one type of jewelry.

Instead, she said she leaves it up to the customer to decide what they want, and she will make it happen.

“I make all kinds of jewelry like earrings, rings, anklets, bracelets, and all kinds of other accessories,” Quinn said. “I really like to leave it up to my customer to decide exactly what they want so I can make their visions a reality.”

Along with her customer service, Quinn makes it a priority for her

Designs for earrings inspired by cousin Unlike those who sell their jewelry online, sophomore Ali Trautner sells her earrings in her cousin’s Chalet shop in Downtown Muskegon.

“The shops are really popular; people can easily come from the Farmers Market or other stores to the Chalets where my cousin’s shop is and where I sell,” Trautner said. “I think it’s easier for me to sell someplace where people can walk in and look at stuff compared

to selling online.”

Trautner said she finds her inspiration for Rosey Posey Art through her cousin, who has had her own business making bracelets since 2017.

“My cousin Macey has her own small business, and she sort of inspired me to start making my earrings,” Trautner said, “Macey’s bracelets are made with lava beads and essential oils. The lava rocks absorb the essential oil which

• Instagram _lilypaddesigns • Logo designed by Jess Lawton • Pay through Venmo, PayPal, or Cash DM for info.

can have a lot of benefits, such as helping with anxiety or just smelling good. Because of Macey, I also use lava rocks for some of my earrings.”

As for the future, Trautner said she has bright plans.

“Someday, I want to have a shop of my own for my earrings,” Trautner said. “I might even take over my cousin’s shop in Downtown Muskegon once she opens an actual store.”

business to be eco-friendly.

“One thing I have really strived for is to become a more eco-friendly business,” Quinn said. “I switched all of my bags from plastic over to reusable bags, and I try not to buy all of my beads completely new. It can get tricky with reusing jewelry, but if I can tell it hasn’t been worn or they are vintage beads, I try to use them first.”

Quinn ultimately strives to run her business in favor of both the environment and her customers.

• Instagram roseyposeyart • DM for information or shop in Downtown Muskegon

Hobby of making jewelry leads to business venture Senior Lily Fisher has always found it fun to create.

She recently began creating jewelry as a fun hobby, but little did she know that she would soon turn this hobby into a business.

Lily Pad Designs is run mostly through Instagram; however, Fisher said that she hopes to expand her business and make business cards in the near future.

“I’m currently a very small business, and I want to grow and reach more people,” Fisher said. “In the summer, I sat at garage sales in the hot weather

making sales to get my name and my business out there. I want to continue to do things like this so that more people get to enjoy my work.”

With being a small business, Fisher goes all out to make her jewelry unique through using a wide variety of materials.

“There are the basic materials you need to make the earrings like pliers and French hooks. As for beads, there are plenty of options at any old craft store; however, I like to get my beads from different places all over the country because they are

more unique than anything I can find in Muskegon,” Fisher said. “These beads, although fun, tend to raise my prices a bit because I have to pay for things like shipping.”

Fisher has a lot of support for her business from family and friends. She has found a way to turn her hobby into a business, a business that she can share with those around her.

“I’m not doing this for the money,” Fisher said. “I’m doing this because it makes me happy, and I love to see other people happy when they post pictures in my jewelry.”

10 November 19, 2020 Audrey White, senior Countries lived in: Germany, Czech Republic “My favorite memory of living overseas was being able to learn other people’s cultures. I attended an international school where we would have students from all around the world.

We would have culture festivals in our school where we would share our home cultures, delicacies, and stories. I loved hearing about other people’s ways of living. This experience allowed me to become more open-minded about people all around the world. I had learned at a young age that my American lifestyle is completely different from my friends from Korea, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and more.”

Keira Dickson, sophomore Country lived in: England for five years “My favorite memory, I would have to say, is visiting London. We took a train there, which I remember being really cool for some reason. After arriving in London, we were able to see a lot of the famous monuments and even walk across the London Bridge with my family. London is a really nice city with some pretty cool architecture and stuff to see. It really has stuff for everyone.

I really want to go back someday.”

features

The Sailors’ Log

Senegal sojourn brings special memories

By Mia Dickson Staff Writer While junior Ibrahima Ndiaye was born in America, he holds a special place in his heart for Senegal, the country where his parents are from.

Ndiaye, who was born in Cincinnati and lived in Muskegon from 2004-2008, moved to Senegal with his sister Amy to visit family and experience life in his heritage.

“My experience of moving was scary to begin with,” said Ndiaye, whose parents stayed back in the United States. “I was new to my culture and my roots, but as time progressed, I had gotten comfortable with my family, my community, and my heritage. It was an exciting opportunity to get, but deep inside, anxiousness took over as moving to a new country without my parents was a scaring thought.”

After a brief adjustment period, Ndiaye said he learned to love life in Senegal.

“Life in Senegal was way different than life in the United States,” Ndiaye said. “In Senegal, we’re all one big family rather than a stranger to one another. We understand each other’s pain, suffering, laughter, experiences, hopes, dreams, and way more than others can

While he was born in the United States, junior Ibrahima Ndiaye, holding a soccer shirt from Senegal, spent four years in the African country. comprehend. Our culture and roots run deep in our veins, and I guess you can say there’s no way to escape other than just enjoy the spectacular experience. Life in America, on the other hand, is adventurous. Unlike Senegal, the American lifestyle is one of the dreams that many Africans want to go through.”

Ndiaye, who is proud of his culture, said that it is easy to make assumptions about Africa, but

most people’s ideas are far from true.

“Senegal, overall, isn’t how people in the movies or the world see it,” he said. “People stick to the one-sided story that Africa is only dirty water, villages made out of sticks, hunting, etc. It is a beautiful continent that offers many things. Hopefully one day, I can make the world see the same vision and experience I went through.”

Throughout his journey, Ndiaye has picked up three languages in the process.

“I speak French (half decent) and Wolof (fully fluent),” he said. “The important thing is I can use my knowledge of the languages that were taught to me to fully communicate with other parts of Africa in the world that speak either French or Wolof. It also gives me multiple opportunities as a trilingual individual.”

Ndiaye, who returned to Muskegon in 2012, said he enjoys both America and Senegal.

“The biggest difference between both countries I would say is obviously their lifestyles, their culture, their way of expressing themselves and economic development,” he said. “I miss everything Senegal has to offer.

I miss the food, playing soccer under that hot sun, the concerts, music, my family, my friends, etc.”

Honduran adapts to new life in United States

By Mia Dickson Staff Writer Junior Jessana Sorto-Gavarrete has been through a life experience that not many will ever have the chance of experiencing.

After spending 15 years living in her birth country of Honduras, Gavarrete moved to Michigan to reunite with her mom who moved to the state when Gavarrete was 9 months old due to the lack of jobs and other opportunities in Honduras.

Gavarrete, who grew up living with her grandma, leaving Honduras was for the better.

“We moved here for better education and the infinite opportunities for being successful,” she said. “It was a trip full of emotions and a lot of intrigues to be able to finally meet (my mom in person) and not from a screen, as well as very difficult

After spending 15 years living in Honduras, junior Jessana SortoGavarrete is adapting to life at Shores. (Photo by Samantha Sewick) since I had to leave my grandma.”

Just like anything worthwhile in life, Gavarrete said her journey has not always been easy.

“Challenges are always present in some way or another, but that does not mean that they cannot be overcome,” Gavarrete said. “(In Michigan), I had to get used to waking up earlier, to the weather

change, to be the one who saw my grandmother on a phone when I used to actually always be next to her.”

One of the most difficult challenges of her move, she said, would be to adapt to the school system.

“My old school was always traditional, so using technology for everything was somewhat difficult,” Gavarrete said. “I had to work very hard to know how to create, open, or use a document or enter a page among other things.”

However, along with the challenges, Gavarrete said the positives outweigh the negatives.

“Here, a person can dream, and students are encouraged (to do so),” she said. “(Students) get help and support whenever they need it with the purpose that each student can enjoy the infinite benefits education has. In my school, I never saw improvement

in my grades to the point where I knew I had done well. My selfesteem was always crushed over and over again to the point I had to act strong or it would keep being crushed.”

Gavarrete, who is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish, said that learning both languages at a young age helped her in the transition between school in Honduras and school in the United States.

“Speaking English was a great advantage since, other than helping me communicate, it helped me understand the lessons taught day by day,” she said. “I started to learn English from the age of 3. I had a great opportunity because my biological mother was always aware of me even from a distance working hard to give me a good education. I spoke English, but only in class, my language for the rest of the day was Spanish.”

sports

The Sailors’ Log

Sophomore earns cross country conference title Sophomore Robyn Hunt was not expecting to win the OK Green conference meet, but she charged ahead taking home first place in the cross country championship.

“It was exhilarating,” Hunt said. “The win took a long time to actually set in.”

Hunt finished with a time of 19:54 at Zeeland East on Oct. 14.

“Robyn has worked tirelessly since well before the season, even in the spring during quarantine,” head coach Kyle Mireles said.

“She came to race, and just before the two mile, she broke away taking a commanding position in the race. It was all effort and preparation.”

November 19, 2020

Tennis player makes it to state finals as freshman

The fall season brought multiple teams and individuals of Sailor Nation to

The Winners’ Circle including four OK Green conference titles (three team and one individual), a district crown and one player making it to the state finals.

Hunt

11

Hackney

Stories written by Delaney Buckner and Maya Cooper, staff writers

Few freshmen get a chance to lead their varsity sport; however, Drew Hackney not only led the boys’ tennis team to a City title, but he also qualified for the state championship at No. 1 singles.

At the Div. 2 state finals at Lansing Waverly on Oct. 21, Hackney, the No. 7-seed, lost his first-round match.

“I did pretty well this season and made gains both mentally and physically,” said Hackney, who was named All-State. “It was great qualifying for state because before the season started, we did not even know if we were going to have a season, but we made it all of the way through.”

Boys’ soccer wins first district in 15 years

By Maya Cooper Staff Writer

For the first time in 15 years, the boys’ soccer team captured a district title, defeating Rockford 1-0 on Oct. 21, at Grandville High School.

After a shutout from both teams in the first half, senior Hayden Yaros scored the only goal at the beginning of the second period.

“The leadership of this team has driven us this season, everyone works well together and they accept their role to help the team win,” said coach Mike Apostle, who led the team to an overall record of 14-4-1 after the Sailors bowed out of the state tournament with a 5-1 loss to Traverse City Central in the regional finals. “The entire senior class has been huge for us throughout the season; they work well together and accept their role to help the team win.”

Senior David McNiff said a lot of the players on the team have been playing

GIRLS’ GOLF

During the district finals, senior Hayden Yaros scored the game’s only goal, leading Shores to a 1-0 victory over Rockford on Oct. 21. together for 10 years. He said this has led to a great team bond, and that urgency to win.

“It was this team that won districts

The girls’ golf team, which placed 15th at the state meet, became the first Shores team to win a championship in the new OK Green conference.

“I wasn’t sure how well we would do this year being in a new conference, so it felt great to win,” junior Olivia Kasher said. “I was really proud of our team. We have some really talented golfers, and we came together well throughout the season.”

After winning conference, the Sailors placed third at regionals with a score of 408, qualifying for the state finals, where senior Riley Trygstad was the only Sailor to break 100 with a score of 98 as Shores placed 15th.

because we didn’t have bad attitudes, and always worked hard,” said McNiff. “We had the best team chemistry that any Shores

Conference crowns VOLLEYBALL

Overcoming obstacles like playing with masks and limited spectators, the volleyball team pushed through to win the conference championship.

“Winning conference means so much to me and is extra special since it is my last year playing,” said senior Brooke LeRoux, who saw the Sailors defeat Reeths-Puffer 3-0 in the finals of the OK Green tournament at home on Oct. 27.

“Our team has worked hard and deserves this honor.”

The team won all 10 of its matches in the OK Green Conference.

FOOTBALL

team has had in a long time.”

With the victory, senior goalkeeper Keegan DeKuiper broke the school record for number of shutouts with 28.

“After we were presented with the District trophy, my coach told everyone I broke the shutout record. I was in utter disbelief,” said DeKuiper, who wasn’t told he could break the record this game. “I realize that my name is going to be on the record board, but I had an incredible defensive line that played out of their minds this season, and that record is more theirs than it is mine.”

The rest of the game was tight, so the Sailors had to fight until the very end.

DeKuiper said that after Yaros scored that first goal, it felt like the longest half of his life.

“When there was finally a break to think about what had just happened, I collapsed to my knees,” DeKuiper said. “All I could think was that it was finally over, and we did it.”

The Sailor football team went undefeated (4-0) in the COVID-abbreviated conference action.

“It felt good to win a conference championship since it doesn’t happen that often,” senior Karsen Marihugh said.

“We have really strong players this year and work very well as a team.”

Coach Matt Koziak said winning the OK Green is always a goal.

“Winning conference is always one of our goals, so it felt great to achieve it,” Koziak said. “We wish we would have had the opportunity to play everybody, but we handled the cards we were dealt.”

sports

12 November 19, 2020

The Sailors’ Log

AB Cs of

An alphabet primer for a star quarterback in the making

Senior quarterback thanks football for the tight-knit bond The name Brady Rose is not new to anyone who has been keeping up with high school football over the past two seasons.

But for this senior, who is a Mr. Football candidate, it is less about the game itself as it is the people he spends numerous hours a week striving to be the best with. “(My teammates) genuinely are my best friends,” said Rose, who led Shores to the state championship last year. “They make it what it

is. I couldn’t imagine doing any of this without them.”

While most of the world felt separated and distant during the COVID pandemic, Rose said the team bonded over the sense of normalcy that was brought to them.

“Football brought us closer together during the dark times our world was facing,” said Rose, who has rushed for 827 yards and passed for 797 yards this season for the No. 1-ranked Sailors.

A

H

P

B C

I J K

Q R

is for ambitious “When he has a goal in mind, he doesn’t stop until he gets there. When there is a goal within his reach, he’ll give it everything he’s got.” – Demitri Roberson, junior is for bright “He knows every play and makes quick decisions when he is put into tough situations.” – Karsen Marihugh, senior is for composed “He has composure on the field. He does not get rattled easily or out of his game easily. If something goes wrong or he makes a mistake, which is not often, he moves on to the next play. He doesn’t get down on his teammates, and he doesn’t show that he is upset. He knows it was he who made the mistake and owns up to it.” – Bryce Sikkenga, senior

D E

is for diligent “He always gives it his all, and it shows on the field.” – JT Foster-Thomas, sophomore

is for encouraging “When we go out to kick an extra point or sometimes before a kickoff, he just gives me a few words of encouragement to help me focus and raise my confidence.” – Keegan DeKuiper, senior

F

is for focused “He hates losing and always wants to outwork everyone, and he loves to see others succeed. He also always seems to know what to do, no matter the circumstance.” – Reid McAvoy, senior

G

is for gritty “Even when he falls down, he gets right back up and keeps going until he gets it right.” – Landon Thalman, junior

is for humble “He is always someone that is good to have around because he doesn’t gloat about his success.” – Octavio Alvarado, sophomore is for integrity “He is not only a good person but a great athlete. He applies himself outside of practice, and it pays off.” – Brayton Conrad, sophomore is for jack of all trades “He is good at everything. Even when he’s doing something for the first time, he won’t stop until it’s perfect.” – Gary Humphrey, senior is for kind hearted “He always does everything out of the wellness of his heart. He is always pleasant to be around and always is a good person to talk to.” – Ryan McNiff, junior

L

is for leader “He’s a leader on and off the field. He’s hard working both academically and athletically. He’s also one of the most athletic kids in the state but still very humble.” – Minh Nguyen, senior

M N O

is for motivated “Brady always gives everything he has in whatever he is doing, even if it is just warming up.” – Andrew Grimm, sophomore is for nonchalant “He is a quiet person, but he lets it be known when he is for real and it’s time to get serious.” – Keondre Pierce, senior is for outgoing “He constantly goes out of his way to help every single person on the team.” – Brandon Bankard, sophomore

“Going to practice brought us a sense of routine and brought us away from what was happening.”

Rose said that Shores, which is 9-0, has benefited from trust.

“Our friendship really does help and affect not only the way we play, but the way we interact on the field,” Rose said. “On the field, the biggest key is trusting in each other. I know that they’ll always have my back and that really pays off during games.”

is for perseverance “No matter the circumstances, Brady is always fighting and coming out the other end stronger than before.” – Jonathan Gemzer, junior is for quick-thinker “He knows the game and is great at thinking on his feet. He is always prepared for every outcome.” – Chloe Rose, sophomore (sister) is for resilient “Brady shows his resilience as a way to lead. He refuses to give up. Brady has a mindset that not many other people have that just won’t let him stop. He has to give his all in the toughest of times.” – Luke Emmons, freshman

S

is for sensible “Brady is practical and sees things as they come. He doesn’t underestimate the teams we play because he knows the reality – it can be anyone’s day.” – Khyree Hamel, senior

T U V W

is for trustworthy “I know that he’ll always have my back, and that really pays off during games.” – Elijah Johnson, junior is for unbelievable “He’s crazy. He’s undersized and he does what a 6-3, 210-pound guy does.” – Diego Pena, junior is for versatile “Every time Brady is on the field, he makes the team better. It doesn’t matter where he’s playing.” – Matt Koziak, coach is for willing “He’s willing because he will do anything no matter the circumstances to win in anything he does.” – Mason Klos, senior

X Y Z

is for xenial (hospitable to visitors) “Brady goes out of his way to be nice to the other team and to be a good sport.”

– Kemper Millis, junior is for young-at-heart “Brady has a huge spirit and is always insanely positive.” – Kewaun Farnum, sophomore is for zeal “He has such a passion and commitment for football that genuinely shows when he steps onto the field.” – Sam Wahlberg, sophomore page designed and info gathered

by Ali Sewick, staff writer