LOG
the sailors’
Volume 57 Edition 2 Friday, October 12, 2018
Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, Michigan 49441
ACE of the COURT Senior Andrew Swirczek became a three-time City champion for the boys’ tennis team when he won his second consecutive No. 1 singles title on Saturday, Sept. 29. Swirczek also won at No. 4 singles as a freshman. – page 15
editorial Representation Matters 2 Oct. 12, 2018
TV, movies need to reflect diversity of culture
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n today’s world, there is nothing more important than seeing other people who look like you. When I was growing up, I lived in a town where hardly anyone else looked like me, and if they did, they were probably related to me. Black people, like me, were uncommon in the small town where I grew Column by up. Morgan It felt weird; I felt like Cathey, an outsider because it editorial seemed everyone but me editor had something in common. When I moved to Muskegon in the sixth grade, I realized there were people who looked like me; I was just looking in the wrong places. Part of my problem was that in the shows and movies I watched, there weren’t many people who looked like me either. There would be a school full of white characters with one black friend. TV has gotten much better just in the past few years with shows like Blackish, Empire, and On My Block becoming mainstream media for teens like me to consume. There are few shows that feature diversely populated casts. By diverse, I don’t mean four straight white friends and their one diverse friend. I mean shows that feature characters who are all different and actually represent the population of the show’s viewers. When the same skinny, straight white actors play every character, it makes finding someone to identify with difficult. The industry has come a long way; movies like Black Panther, Love, Simon and Crazy Rich Asians would never have been popular 10 years ago like they are today. Editor-in-Chief Caitlin McCombs Adviser Warren Kent III Editorial/Review Editors Morgan Cathey Jaylene Davis Feature Editors Kali Jend Sammie Ladegast
In a world where media is everything, representation grows increasingly important. “The moral argument is self-evident. Stories matter,” said Micheal Morgan, a former University of Massachusetts professor. “Stories affect how we live our lives, how we see other people, how we think about ourselves.” In 2011, at Indiana University, a longitudinal panel study was conducted where a group of nearly 400 children, consisting of black boys and girls and white boys and girls, were exposed to TV. The researchers were looking for changes in self-esteem levels, and after watching, the only group that did not experience lowered self-esteem was
Sports Editors Chris Horvath Paige Judson Page Designers Emma Lee Bennett Emmalee Dykstra Bailey Graham Erick Hannahs Mieke Hart Gabby Lopez Marisa VanderMolen Camille Zuidema
white boys. The effects of media on self-esteem and character start young. Though there are a few movies, such as Coco, most children’s movies are the same as adult media – very white, and very straight. In early 2018, YouGov conducted a survey and found that only 35 percent of people who responded thought black people had enough roles in Hollywood while Latinos stood at 23 percent, Asian people were at 21 percent and LGBT people landed at just 18 percent. It is clear that people know things need to change, so it’s time that we make it happen. When watching shows that feature diverse casts, I feel happy, happy that the world is evolving and changing to be more open and accepting of others. I know that we still have a ways to go, but the progress is exciting and inspiring. When I saw Black Panther for the first time, it was incredible. Seeing all different kinds of black characters owning their craft and saving the world was iconic. That is why whenever I see good representation in the media, I try and support it. This is the first step to the hopeful equality of the future; it will just take some time for all of us to get there, together.
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
Bond important to entire district
What would you do with $93 million? More importantly, what could the Shores School District do with $93 million? To find out, citizens in the district need to vote yes at the Nov. 6 bond election. For the high school, the bond’s update of HVAC will help keep the school a steady temperature. Therefore, students can dress comfortably. There will also be improvements to the high school’s performing art center, such as dressing room improvements and replace the stage floor. Another feature that most students are looking forward to are the updates on the soccer/ softball complex, which many have been waiting for, for years. These new updates to the complex will allow growth in the softball and soccer programs. For those high school students who can vote, make sure you check yes. For those high school students who can’t vote, implore upon your parents to check yes. The bond will also not affect property taxes. The taxes will stay constant for the next 30 years. This vote is important to the whole district. Imagine what $93 million can do. 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
The Sailors’ Log
Oct. 12, 2018
3
Self Help
Here’s a message to anyone who feels like giving up
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or the longest time, I only saw black and white. Life was either good, or life was bad. There was no in-between. However, I have found after the lowest of lows comes the highest of highs. It may sound cliche, but if I needed to tell myself anything when I was struggling, it would be: “Hope is real; help is real.” Because the truth is this: in the moment, everything seems black Column and white, but in reality, life is full of many shades by Jaylene Davis, and colors that can only editorial be seen when people take editor a step back and choose to open their eyes to the true colors hidden within situations. When I was suffering from mental illness, I always thought things were never going to get any better. Since everyone saying that life was going to get better didn’t understand how I felt, I just thought that was how life was going to be, miserable and intolerable, “Of course,” I thought, “Mrs. Sunshine is telling me it’s going to be
alright, but what does she know?” I am much happier now; I wasn’t before. Here is that dark story. One day about two years ago, it was like a flip switched, and I stopped talking to everyone, even my family, because I didn’t want them to be a part of my life; in fact, I didn’t want my life, and it was to the point where it was so extreme I spent about eight weeks in hospitals over the course of a few months. So, I know how life can be, and when I say this, I do not mean I am like any other high schooler struggling within. I have experienced many things that changed my entire character and changed the way I look at the world completely that has set me apart from the other students who are struggling with depression and anxiety. Freshman year, previous issues with my parents that I had bottled up were paired with the new stress of high school, and that put me over the top. While I was growing up, my parents were more distant than my friends’ parents, but I never thought of it as a problem because I liked the simplicity Please see MESSAGE, page 6
“I haven’t heard about it, but it is great to think before you post something because it can be used by future employers.” – Ryan Heethouse, senior ‘It shows that teenagers need to think more about what they post on social media, which is a good idea. “– Kyle Berry, junior
“I think the Pause B4 You Post campaign is a good thing because it forces kids to think about what they’re posting before they post it.” – Andrew Taylor, sophomore
“I dont really know what Pause B4 You Post is, but I think it is a good message about thinking before you post something in today’s world.” – KeShawn Brown, freshman
What do you think about the “Pause B4 You Post” campaign?
Q
the big
In each edition of The Sailors’ Log, eight students will be asked their opinion about a current topic.
“I think it is good at giving awareness about social media and the long-lasting impact of posts.” – Ashley Melton, Senior
“I have seen the posters around the school, and it is really something people need to think about, and is overlooked, because of future jobs.” – Sydney Fetters, junior
“I have seen it on the windows and posters, but I haven’t heard much about it. It’s still a good idea, though, because students should definitely think more about their posts.” – Livi Holliday, sophomore “I believe it is a good idea because if you post something stupid, someone can screenshot it and keep it forever, and you can’t take back posts once you post it.” – Lilly Miller, freshman
4 Oct. 12, 2018 review Nutritious trio make experience worthwhile My trip to Lakeshore Nutrition (4851 Harvey St.) was the best experience among the three locations. I was greeted warmly by two baristas and a welcoming atmosphere. I ordered, after being provided with many samples, Skittles-flavored tea, a chocolate-Oreo-cheesecake protein shake and a shot of cranberry-flavored aloe. This came as package deal totaling $8. The Skittles-flavored tea, although sounding somewhat unappetizing, was surprisingly good. The flavor was nearly indistinguishable from red-flavored Skittles. It was served cold, and this gave it a refreshing quality. Although it yielded a bold flavor when I first tried it, I grew to enjoy it. I would not have known it was tea if I had not been told. As a person who does not particularly like tea, I was happy to be able to receive the benefits of drinking tea while not having to deal with the taste. The chocolate-Oreo-cheesecake protein shake is
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another beverage I would recommend from Lakeshore Nutrition. It tasted similar to a chocolate milkshake but was loaded with protein and had fewer than 250 calories. This combination of health benefits and good-tasting flavor difficult to find in protein shakes/ smoothies. Often the taste may be good, but it ends up being extremely unhealthy. Conversely, the shake/ smoothie may have several health benefits, but it tastes disgusting. This shake had a good balance between flavor and health benefits. The cranberry-flavored aloe was considerably strong, and of the three beverages I ordered at Lakeshore Nutrition, this was my least favorite. Lakeshore Nutrition is definitely going to be my new go-to for protein shakes/smoothies. The moderate pricing ($8 total for all three beverages); the stellar customer service; and the overall quality of the tea, protein shake, and aloe cannot compare with the competitors in the area.
Lakeshore Nutrition
Living a healthy lifestyle can be challenging when easily accessible and inexpensive foods are the ones that are unhealthy. However, several health-food establishments that provide both healthful and delicious alternatives exist in Muskegon. The following are my experiences at three popular health-food stores in the Muskegon area: Health Hutt, Lakeshore Nutrition, and Rootdown Yoga-Juice-Greens.
HEALTHY
living Food Review by Mieke Hart, page editor
Can’t go wrong with smoothie, wrap
The Health Hutt is both one drawback is that it is a health-food grocery store quite pricey for a 16-ounce that sells health and/or local smoothie. food along with dietary The chicken ranch wrap, supplements and a deli that $9, is my favorite food serves both freshly prepared item at the Health Hutt. food and pre-made food that The Health Hutt has several can be purchased from the vegetarian options; however, deli case. I prefer the meat-inclusive My go-to order at the wraps. Health Hutt (3112 Henry The chicken ranch wrap is St.) is the Mango Madness served on a chili shell with smoothie and the chicken Applegate chicken, cheddar ranch wrap. cheese, red bell peppers, To quote junior Alexa romaine, tomatoes, and Musk, “The smoothies (at ranch dressing. My favorite the Health Hutt) are dank,” component of this sandwich Chicken ranch wrap and I agree. is the fresh vegetables. The The Mango Madness tomatoes, romaine, and red smoothie, $6, never disappoints. It contains bell peppers have so much flavor. banana, dates, orange juice, lemon juice, and, Overall, while the Health Hutt does serve of course, mango. It is the perfect smoothie delicious food, it is not a practical restaurant to to purchase after a workout because it is not go to often, especially for high school stutoo sweet and the citrus is refreshing. The dents.
Health Hut
t
Skittles-flavored tea, a chocolate-Oreo-cheesecake protein shake and a shot of cranberry-flavored aloe
True health nut will love this Rootdown is an establishment I would go to if I wanted true health food. The target crowd of Rootdown (333 W. Western Ave.) is definitely the true health food fanatics – not those looking for a healthier alternative to a slushie after working out. While I personally enjoyed the Kokomo smoothie and warrior salad, I would recommend Rootdown the least to the average student. The Kokomo smoothie, which costs $7.50 for 16 ounces, includes banana, organic peanut butter, Michigan blueberries, organic cacao, and almond milk. While the flavor of the peanut butter stood out a little more than the rest, there was a good balance between the rich peanut butter and cacao and the fruity flavors of the blueberries and banana. I must mention, however, that this smoothie does not have the sweetness one may expect. It was quite bitter due to the lack of added sweeteners, which may not be appealing to the average student. One aspect of the Kokomo smoothie I enjoyed was that the fruit in the smoothie was fresh, and several are local and/or organic. I could see exactly where the ingredients came from, and I knew I was getting a quality product. The warrior salad, $8.50, contains romaine lettuce, tomato, red onion, quinoa, carrot and was
Warrior salad
Rootdown Yoga-Juice-Greens
served with a honey balsamic dressing. Again, the vegetables were all fresh, and it was prepared right in front of me. I am a big fan of quinoa; however, this may be something the average student may not necessarily want in a salad. The honey balsamic dressing was tangy and slightly sweet. This would be a safe bet for any student looking to order something healthy. There was definitely a focus on the health qualities of the food rather than appealing to a huge crowd as Rootdown draws in hardcore health food fanatics. While they may not taste similar to a milkshake or the sugar-packed smoothies of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, rest assured the smoothies at Rootdown are a healthy option in both the organic nature of the ingredients and the health benefits that the smoothies provide.
The Sailors’ Log
news
Bond, Shores Bond
Vote could generate $93 million for district-wide improvements By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-Chief The bond for the Mona Shores School District, originally scheduled to be voted on in May of 2018, is now being voted on in November. The bond vote, which will take place Nov. 6, will affect the district’s four elementary schools, middle school, and high school. The bond will ask the community for 5.8 mills in the November election. Superintendent Bill O’Brien said, “This bond is vital to Mona Shores because it can generate $93 million without increasing the debt levy for homeowners in our community. This will help set up our school for the next 30-plus years in terms of infrastructure.” This means that homeowners will pay what they are currently paying without an increase. These new improvements to the school district have many students and staff excited. Principal Jennifer Bustard said, “(I am most looking forward to) the improvements that will be completed at the soc-
cer and softball complex. This is a much-needed area of improvements for bleachers, bathrooms, and storage.” Bustard also said the improvements to the high school’s HVAC systems throughout the building will be much needed. “I am excited for our District as it is an opportunity to enhance the four elementary school buildings that have not been fully renovated since the ‘60s.” she said. “Our students and community deserve to have the very best.” Senior Madeline Eckerman said she is excited for soccer complex updates even though they will come after she graduates. “We have a very successful soccer program, and it could grow a lot in the future, so having a better complex for girls and boys to work together and learn and grow in would be a great addition to the school,” Eckerman said. “It would also give an opportunity to host district and regional championships, which will bring more attention to Mona Shores and its great environment.”
Oct. 12, 2018
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Potential Updates High School
Secured entrance Interior/finishes/windows/doors Drinking fountains Miscellaneous piping replacement Classroom unit vents Receiving addition Paving, surfacing, and misc. field improvements Sailor Center vestibule Soccer/softball complex improvements Track replacement Press box, storage, and sound improvements
Middle School
Interior/finishes/windows/doors Drinking fountains Miscellaneous piping replacement Classroom unit vents Locker additions Paving, surfacing, and misc. improvements Stadium field and track replacement Press box and concessions building
Elementary Schools
Gymnasium/Auditorium additions Classroom Additions Roof replacement Office and lobby additions Media center additions Auditorium Gymnasium/ auditorium Parking improvements Technology and furniture New exterior windows and door Add fire protection system Replace HVAC New lockers Bathroom/plumbing updates
HOCO 2018
Seniors Diego Stark and Sammie Ladegast were voted Homecoming Sophomore Kennedy McKing and Queen. Senior Ashley Krueger Combs is pulled by sophon Camo vs. Neon Day. omore Keondre Pierce at the Homecoming assemTo see more Homecoming photos, go to the Facebook bly. Sophomore Christian Banks playSeniors Cam Stout and Kaylee page titled “Mona Shores Yearbook 2018-19.” However, ing the drums in the homecoming Holman dance at the Homecomyou must first purchase a yearbook to have access. parade. ing dance.
6 Oct. 12, 2018 Pescatarian Lifestyle
feature
For senior Hannah Scholtens, the decision to become a pescatarian was easy. “As a kid, I never really liked the taste of meat,” she said. “Since I dislike the taste of meat, I chose to be pescatarian over vegetarian because I needed to get protein somehow and don’t mind the taste of seafood.” A pescatarian is someone who consumes fish but not other meat, so their diets mainly consist of seafood and other plant-based food items. Pescatarians often choose this lifestyle for health reasons or for the distaste of meat. Besides being a great source of protein, pescatarian diets cut down body fat, promote glowing skin and hair (think fish oils) and are better for the environment than eating
meat. One of the other benefits to becoming pescatarian is that one doesn’t have the urge to eat meat because that desire for meat is filled with fish – a much more nutritious substitute. Eventually, the human body begins to reject land-animal flesh because it is filled with toxins whereas fish is not. A diet filled with fish and leafy greens is also much more hearthealthy than a diet filled with fatty meats. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish) lower the risk of cardiovascular disease along with other things. A pescatarian diet which is filled with iron, omega 3, zinc, vitamin D, etc, is certainly one of the most powerful lifestyle diets.
Senior Isaac Varela made the choice to become a vegetarian when he decided he didn’t want animals to sustain his appetite. “I find it odd that humans think it’s necessary to take a life for fuel,” said Varela, who has been a vegetarian for more than seven months. “After viewing meat like this, I sort of just turned my lifestyle around.” A vegetarian is someone who is mainly plant based but does consume animal products, such as eggs, cheese, yogurt, etc,. Vegetarians do not eat meat from any animals, including fish. Two of the most typical reasons people become vegetarians are for health and animal equality.
“I became a vegetarian after learning about all the negative effects of meat production,” Varela said. “The production of meat adds to the water crisis, and most of our meat includes chemicals, hormones, and other added substances.” When thinking about becoming a vegetarian, an individual needs to look at his/her lifestyle. Many people do need meat if they have an iron deficiency, and athletes often argue that it is the most beneficial source of protein. However, some scientists have found that the human body has evolved to effectively support a vegetarian lifestyle and that it can even provide many health benefits.
Meat Free Zone
Vegetarian Lifestyle
MESSAGE
Continued from page 3 of our relationship. I always listened to them, and we were always on good terms and never talked about serious issues to keep the peace. They divorced when I was young and never told me why, so I always believed deep down that I was the problem that led to their demise. It was difficult growing up around parents who couldn’t talk to each other without yelling, and it made me feel like life would be less complicated and my family would be more content without me around. Combined with the stress of new high school relationships, I couldn’t hold in the pain, let alone live with myself
Some students at Shores have made the decision to eliminate red meat and poultry from their diets. Here are three non-meat alternative lifestyles. Information by Marisa VanderMolen, page editor
in this world that was suddenly not so perfect. The thing is, nothing is perfect. I wish I understood then that perfection is an illusion, and just because things are far from perfect doesn’t mean they should be life-ending. High school is new to everyone their freshman year, but for some reason, I felt like I was completely different and experiencing everything more extreme than the other kids. The truth is, I wasn’t crazy or overreacting; I was just making BIG mistakes and learning from them for the first time in my life. I remember getting severe feelings, like a storm surrounding me, when all I had seen growing up were sunny skies, and I was never prepared to survive a storm. But is anyone, really prepared for growing up? When I started seeing a therapist for
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Vegan Lifestyle One never knows how powerful a movie or TV show can be, but for junior Brianna Fields, one documentary changed the way she eats. “I made the decision to become a vegan after I watched the documentary Forks Over Knives,” said Fields about the film that explores how people changing their diets from animal-based to plant-based could help eliminate or control diseases like cancer and diabetes. “Also, my stomach is paralyzed, so I am unable to break down animal products.” At that point, Fields became a vegan, people who do not consume or use any animal products; they do not eat meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or dairy products. Vegans also live a plant-based lifestyle; this means that they do not eat, use, wear, or own any animal-made products; they avoid using animal products such as fur, leather, wool and other products made from animals. “I’ve be vegan for a little over a year now, and it was difficult at first, but now it’s a lot more easy with meal planning,” Fields said “I totally recommend it; it can work for anyone.” Many vegans are also animal activists – protesting the equality of animals and that the animals that humans consume are somewhat cognitive beings. Humans have used meat and other animal products to fuel their lifestyle since the dawn of time but vegans question how immoral it is to kill to survive. The term “survival of the fittest” was necessary way-back-when, but vegans believe humans can survive without killing animals. Vegan diets promote easy weight loss, “good” gut bacteria, more long-term energy, reduced risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease, better bone health, and a sense of moral contentedness.
my problems, it seemed like I wasn’t making much progress during the hourlong crying sessions. But what I didn’t realize is that the beginning years of therapy were a time for me to break through my shell that had formed over my heart after years of not talking about my feelings. From middle school until now, I’ve had about five different therapists and tried a mountain of pills to stable my mood. And I’ve learned that growth is not about my doctor or medications but about my own willingness to grow myself and form a trusting relationship with my therapist so I could finally cope with my feelings in a healthy way. Everyone struggles at some point in her life, and trying to skip over the process of growing one’s character is irresponsible.
Today, struggling is looked upon as weak; when in reality, a struggle is just someone’s character blooming from within, disguised as a mental illness. Once someone finally sees themselves bloom, they can learn to move forward, scars and all, and finally be content. Because of course, struggling seems like someone’s falling apart; but with time, the right coping skills, and an effort to feel better, they can realize that they’re not falling apart but actually finding their self under the broken pieces. Just remember, bad times are just times that are bad. Even though it seems things are falling out underneath me sometimes, it will all be okay. The bad times will pass, and the good times will shine in like the sunrise after a dark night.
feature Why were parking pass prices increased?
Oct. 12, 2018
The Sailors’ Log
Since parking passes increased from from $15 to $20 this year, many students are questioning the reason. Principal Jennifer Bustard said parking passes are used to ensure that no one other than students and teachers park in the school parking lot during school hours. “It is important to the safety of Mona Shores students that we know who is parked in both lots at all times,” Bustard said. Shores parking passes have similar prices to surrounding Muskegon area schools such as Muskegon Catholic Central ($25), Reeths-Puffer ($20), and Fruitport ($20).
Bustard said, “We have some of the lowest-priced parking passes in Michigan. I’ve seen some schools charge up to $50+ to have student parking.” For example, West Bloomfield, a school near Detroit, has a $100 fee for student parking. Bustard added that there are no more price increases seen in the future. “In all the years that there has been student parking, this is the first price increase there has been, and I don’t think there will ever have to be another,” Bustard said. The $20 students pay goes back into the parking lot, Bustard added.
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“Money from the passes cover next year’s production of passes,” Bustard said. “It also goes toward cones and equipment needed to direct traffic during events at the school.” Additionally, parking pass money covers the cost of the security in the parking lot. The parking lot needs to stay safe and used respectfully daily, Bustard said. “Student parking and off-campus lunch are privileges here at Mona Shores,” she said. “Students shouldn’t take advantage of these privileges, and hopefully, they do the right thing when it comes to using the parking lot.”
Every day, students question the things around them – things in the school, in the community, and in the world. While The Sailors’ Log can’t answer every question, we can answer a few. This page is dedicated to answering what questions we can.
Why can’t freshmen leave school for lunch? At Shores, there are many lunchtime policies, but one that seems to get the most attention or questioning would be, “Why can’t the freshmen leave for lunch with everyone else?” The answer to that question is not as oneand-done as it seems. Joe Shaffer, one of the assistant principals, said the idea behind the policy is to keep students in the building in order to try and prevent future complications. “Though it’s not heavily enforced because we don’t have monitors checking IDs (at the doors) or anything like that,” Shaffer said, “we try to prevent the freshmen from leaving the building as more of a hope that they don’t end up getting hurt when they leave or that they will make it back to class on time.” In order to try and enforce this, monitors from the cafeteria are told to stop anyone they see leaving that they know are a freshman, and if it becomes common knowledge that a freshman is leaving, the situation will be handled. “It’s all about personal responsibility,” Shaffer said. “We set expectations, and if there is a problem or an issue, we’ll have to fix it.” Although the freshmen aren’t supposed to leave the building, the administration has been trying to find new places and new ways to make students who stay in the building feel
Why does Student Senate not poll students, seem elite?
School policy says freshmen, like Caleb Morgan, are not allowed to leave the building for lunch. Administrators say the policy exists for is in place to eliminate complications. (Photo by Morgan Cathey) more comfortable while eating lunch. “We are trying our best to make sure that during lunchtime every student has their own comfortable and relaxing environment,” Shaffer said. “That’s why we now allow students to eat in the LMC (library) as well as the cafeteria.” As long as an area has set adult supervision, students are allowed to eat wherever they feel most comfortable and relaxed. “In addition to adding the LMC to places students can eat, we’re looking at getting new seating in the cafeteria that will hopefully feel more like a booth-style seating where you’re not so out in the open with everyone’s sound waves bouncing in your face,” Shaffer said.
Although people in America love to hate things that aren’t completely and totally perfect, the things that are being hated are typically good for them. Student Senate is one of the things that seems to be hated for no real reason. One question some students ask is, “Why does student Senate not take in consideration what other students want/think/believe?” There are solid reasons as to why Student Senate members do not poll students when making decisions. Assistant Principal Kent Higgs, who is in charge of Student Senate, provides the reasoning. “We would typically have to (poll students) through their emails, and most students don’t read their emails,” he said. “We don’t want to overload them with information because we want to send them important information only.” In addition to not polling, students love to hate on Senate because they think that only “the elite” get in. However, this is also not true. “In May, we do forms that stu-
Student Senate is meant to represent students. Senior Clark Meston presents key policies. (Photo by Erick Hannahs) dents have to fill out,” Higgs said. “Once they fill out the application, the student has to have five recommendations (from teachers saying) that they are qualified. We look it over, and as long as they fit all guidelines [No suspensions, 2.5 or higher GPA, No grades below C-, and no more than seven absences], we put them in. It’s fairly easy. They just have to be a leader, and (they have to be) responsible.” All in all despite hate from students, Senate isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
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Oct. 12, 2018
NEW
center
The Sailors’ Log
’ Munchin in
With each coming year, chan the restaurant business in Muskegon h as new restaurants have opened u and a city favorite has com
Dickey’s Barbeque 3035 Henry St. A family-owned barbecue restaurant chain serving several kinds of meat. “One thing I like about Dickey’s s how you can choose a one-, two-, or three-meat meal.” Brendan Cierlak, junior
Tropical Smoothie Cafe 5220 Harvey St. They specialize in smoothies though they sell various food items. “I like that their smoothies are a healthier option than traditional fast food.” Sydney Shepherd, freshman
IHOP 5220 Harvey St. IHOP serves a variety of pancakes and other American breakfast and dinners. “IHOP has the best syrups; there is always a good variety to try on your pancakes.” Samarie Lewis, senior
Lombardo’s Pizza 1697 W. Sherman Blvd. Lombardo’s has crafted their signature family recipe for Sicilian pizza. “I especially enjoy their dollar slices of pizza from 11-2 on weekdays.” Connor Fritz, junior
Hot dog restaurant closes after By Sammie Ladegast Feature Editor A piece of Muskegon has officially left. After nearly a decade of operation, Max-nMarley’s Doghouse, 1950 Lakeshore Dr., shut its doors for the last time on Sept. 30. Despite the restaurant’s popularity among Muskegon residents, owner Kyle Buris said changing circumstances prompted him to make this difficult decision. “I have always leased the building we have operated out of, and the building is now for sale,” Buris said in a Facebook post on Sept. 4. “After much thought, Rondi [his wife] and I have decided not to buy the building but to simply close the operation and move on. We walk away at peace with this decision.” Though Buris will no longer own his restaurant, he will forever be grateful for the memories he gained from it, like the day he realized all his hard work finally paid off when he opened Maxn-Marley’s on May 1, 2009. “I had a lot of worry before opening the business because I didn’t know at the time if it was the right thing for me to be doing,” he said. “Once it was finally up and running, I couldn’t have been more proud of what I’d accomplished.” Despite his dedication into getting the business started, Buris said he wasn’t intimidated. “I was raised in the restaurant business because my grandfather started US 31 Bar-B-Q (located at 151 W. Muskegon Ave.) in 1939,” Buris said. “I’ve had other jobs throughout my life, but my blood always brought me back to what I’m good at and what I wanted to do, which is owning and operating a restaurant.” He clearly understood what it took to be successful as Max-n-Marley’s quickly became a favorite spot for many; however, Buris said he didn’t immediately recognize this success. “It wasn’t until about 3-4 years into it that I realized the success of my business,” Buris said,
Kyle Buris, owner of Max-n-Marley’s Doghous ness on Sept. 30 after nearly a decade of operat “and until that point, I didn’t take one penny out to use for myself because I didn’t want to take too much out of the business, and I wanted to make sure everyone else was taken care of first.” Max-n-Marley’s, which is named after Buris’ two Yorkshire Terriers, aroused its success and attracted customers by selling their famous “gourmet” hot dogs. “I think what made Max-n-Marley’s stand out was how we used an all beef dog and how we had a large range of toppings,” Buris said. “We always had unique and delicious combinations
The Sailors’ Log
center
Muskegon
Oct. 12, 2018
9
RELOCATED
nges occur. In the past year, has undergone some of these changes up, previous ones have relocated, me to a heartbreaking close.
r nearly decade of operation
se, made a difficult decision and closed his busition. (Photo by Kali Jend) for everyone to try.” Those unique dogs include the Chiwowaa Dog with grilled onions, sport, jalapeño, banana peppers, and Frank’s Hot Sauce; and the Ripper Dog, which is a deep-fried hot dog with the family-invented relish on a toasted bun. Not only was it a fun place for customers, senior Patrick Wiltenburg, who worked there for almost two years, said it was fun for workers too. “It was easy because the customers were always nice,” Wiltenburg said, “and my manager allowed us to mess around a little when we
weren’t busy or working on something else.” While working there, Wiltenburg said his fondest memory was just after college football began. “We had this tradition where, after college football started, all the employees would wear their favorite college team to work,” Wiltenburg said. “We all watched the football games on our phones whenever we could, too.” Senior Emma LaFever said Max-n-Marley’s provided fond memories for her also. “My family used to be family friends with the Buris’s,” LaFever said. “We used to hang out with them, and we were thrilled when we found out they decided to open a restaurant. We stopped by several times during the construction process, and we were there for the grand opening. I remember that it was very busy, and many people were excited about trying their food.” Along with seeing the birth of Max-n-Marley’s, LaFever has now also witnessed the end. “I am sad to see it go because it was one of my favorite restaurants, and I had a lot of memories there,” LaFever said. “It feels like a piece of Muskegon has left that we will never get back.” Despite the heartbreak of losing this beloved Doghouse, Buris said he will forever be grateful for all that this opportunity has taught him. “It’s important to know that you can be successful at anything you put your mind to as long as you have a passion for it,” Buris said. “However, you must be willing to put in the work. Not every day is going to be a great day; you have to be able to work through the bad days and look toward the long-term goals.” As Max-n-Marley’s waved its final goodbye, Buris thanked the community for its support. “It has been an honor to serve this community and I am grateful to our many customers who have graced us with their business over the years,” Buris said in his Facebook post. “On behalf of the Buris family and from the bottom of my heart, thank you Muskegon.” No, thank you.
Domino’s Pizza 3275 Henry St. “I like that the new location is closer to my house. They have a nice area with comfy chairs where you can wait inside for your pizza.” Emma Lynn, senior
Jimmy John’s 3445 Henry St. #200 “The addition of the drive thru is a definite plus to the new location of Jimmy John’s; plus, it brings in more business.” Erin Carroll, senior
Wendy’s 801 W. Norton Ave. “I like the new place for Wendy’s because it is closer to the school, so it makes it easier to go there at lunch. I like the look of the new building; it’s a very open and chill environment.” Sean Flanagan, sophomore
Pizza Hu t 2747 Henry St. “I work at Pizza Hut. My favorite part of the new location is that there are seats right next to where we make the pizzas so people can watch us make their food, which I think is really cool.” Kaylin Meyers, junior Photos taken by and information gathered by Kali Jend, feature editor
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10 Oct. 12, 2018
Ignoring responsibilities is an epidemic By Bailey Graham Page Editor
The Sailors’ Log
Q&A
with teachers....
Now, one might notice that senior Shelby Savacool is a bright and bubbly student with a drive to get better as a student and athlete, especially softball. However, Savacool hasn’t always been so driven. As a freshman, Savacool suffered from procrastination. Procrastination does not only affect Savacool; according to a survey done by The Sailors’ Log, 66 percent of 215 students surveyed admit to being procrastinators. Three years ago and new to the high school life, Savacool said she decided to push school work off and do things that seemed less stressful and more interesting. “I thought I could mess around and push back school work and still get A’s just like middle school, but then, my grades started coming in and everything flopped,” Savacool said. Beginning her freshman year, Savacool, an honors student and athlete, was given large amounts of school work and little time for procrastination. “I would just not do my work so I could go to sporting events and do stuff that seemed more interesting to me, this caused me to get behind in classes,” Savacool said. As she continued to let her work ethic go down, so did her grades. Behind in classes, she tried her best to raise her grades and keep up with work, but the
Procrastination can hit students, like senior Shelby Savacool, hard. Savacool said she would push things off when she was a freshman, but now, she has worked hard to overcome this. (Photo by Bailey Graham) workload that she kept pushing off was just Savacool finally tackled her procrasitnation too heavy. This caused an extreme amount of issues all because of one teacher. stress to rest on Savacool’s shoulders. “The biggest turn around point for me was “There was times that I would just look at AP Gov,” Savacool said. “(Teacher Steve) my agenda book and tell myself that I can Morrell gave me and the rest of the class wait to do an assignment, but then, I would the ‘scared straight’ speech on how hard the remember the assignment last second and class was going to be, and I guess he pushed rush to get it done,” Savacool said. “This me to try really hard in the class and to typically resulted in really bad work, and I not slack off on assignments and studying. ended up getting really bad grade.” After that, I was convinced that I would try Even though Savacool suffered through my best to get my work done when it needs procrasitnation in her freshman year. to be done.” Going into sophomore year, . It’s not ish something fin to ng yi la last second, n is the de Waiting to the . ts Procrastinatio en grade ud st s getting a poor ost Shore m up to ng ar di ili en m d fa e. un ne, an ents’ school lif t something do ugh many stud ro rushing to ge th y an ns ru in ru at to pattern th that threatens is a constant pling disease ip cr a is n io Procrastinat ach. s that it can re student’s GPA
I T S A R C PRO N O I T A N
tor a in t s ra c ro P of a what it’s like a day in her life Day in the Life ares
ke, sh auren Janetz Sophomore, L ling up nator... d stress bubb n a s e y e as a procrasti y m r an AP h bags unde . to study for .m a 2 l ti n u p “I wake up wit u ek ago. Barely ight, I stayed e n w t s a a d L e . e rt m ta s e insid ; how uld have hours of sleep quiz that I sho e t v fi n e n a m th rn e s v s o ,I le G school with h my classes g to u le ro b th m h tu s s I ru , I awake this? As re due ke a test like put off and we ta e v to a g h I in t o a g y I th am yself home. M veral projects m e s g ra re d a re lly e a n th fi find out en ly, and I goes by slow ould have gott y w a I d If y -. M B y. a a d is e that r my classes osed to be, lif p fo p e u g s n re ra e e w d y hen the r. overall gra dying done w ole a lot bette tu h s w d e n b a ld ts u c o je w my pro grades asier and my e t lo a e b ld u wo
Two Guided Academic teachers, Rachel Drelles and Ken Rose, provided their perspectives about procrastination with staff writer Bailey Graham. Q: How do you think procrastination affects students? Rose: “A lot of students who struggle procrastinate, and it makes students feel overwhelmed. It gives them an anxious feeling going into an assignment, test or quiz. That anxious feeling that comes with procrastination will cause students to not do their best work.” Drelles: “When students get behind, what could be difficult is when the assignments they are given receive late credits or zeros. So it can be difficult to catch back up, and this causes a lot of stress in a student’s life.” Q: What advice do you give to your students to help them prevent from procrastinating? Rose: “There are all kinds of study tips and tricks on the Internet that I share with my student, but one is that if you know that you have a test or if you know something is due in two weeks, then look at your schedule to proactively decide when is the best times to work on the project or study for the test.” Drelles: “We talk about keeping an agenda and a priority list to make sure important things are done first. I tell my students they should focus on one thing at a time.”
feature Mackinac Island Destination: Michigan
The Sailors’ Log
Most people living in the United States can’t say what proud Michiganders can: one can travel statewide and find beauty everywhere from the deep blue lakes around the perimeter to the spunky cities and rural farms in between. Everyone has traveled somewhere within the Michigan borders, and Shores students have fond memories of some special Michigan adventures. Here, we have highlighted some personal stories that have made these places so memorable.
The Upper Peninsula
Oct. 12, 2018
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Sophomore Harrison Nelund: “I like the fact that you ride your bike everywhere, and there are no cars, and it’s very laid back. An interesting story is when my family and I were biking around the island, it started thunderstorming, and we had to hide under a tent and ride back soaking wet.” Senior Marisa Bacon: “My favorite thing about Mackinac Island is that cars aren’t allowed on the island, so we had to take bikes to get around the island. Fort Mackinac is an old abandoned British and American fort from the late 18th century, and an activity they do there when you visit is using an old cannon to shoot balled-up tin foil over the water, which is cool to see.”
Sophomore Alexandria Drost about Tahquamenon Falls: “The waterfalls are beautiful. It’s serene and had a calming effect on me. My cousins, my sister, and I were in the river, and there was a waterfall nearby. The water in the area was deeper than we were used to. So, while we were messing around on a rock, we almost fell off into the water, where we could’ve gotten injured.” Sophomores Rachel Farrell about Pictured Rocks: “It’s beautiful. I went when I was 11 with my grandparents and my family, and that was my first time up north, and that was the first thing we did. (On a boat ride), we got to see the rocks, and they’re pretty.”
Traverse City
Senior Diego Stark (right): “My favorite thing about Traverse City is the Cherry Festival held every summer. The atmosphere is so friendly during the festival, and so many people find creative ways to incorporate cherries into their dishes and have everyone try some. The summer going into my sophomore year, I went on a three-week biking trip where I biked from Muskegon all the way to Traverse City. After a week of biking, we finally reached Traverse City. When we got into town, the Cherry Festival was going on. We ate a pound of chocolate covered cherries that day. We spent our time going water jet-packing and walking around the festival.” Freshman Ella Buikema: “My favorite thing about Traverse City is the bay shore area because it is a fun place to stay with family. The last time I went to Traverse City was at a soccer tournament, and I had an awesome time with my friends and family.”
Grand Rapids
Freshman Ana Ivanov (above): “I like the arts community down there, like the Devos Place where they have all the musicals, and performances, and symphonies, and stuff like that. We saw the Blue Man Group. My mom gets the seasonal tickets for the musicals, so I’ll see some with her. (There are) a lot of opportunities there. Other than just the city itself, my family will visit outside of the city to this store we like. My dad is from another country, so we like this European-Mediterranean store a lot and we get a lot of different food from there.”
In a survey sent out by The Sailors’ Log, Shores students’ favorite Michigan destinations include: 1. Mackinac Island 2. The Upper Peninsula 3. Traverse City 4. Grand Rapids 5. Detroit
Information compiled by and page designed by Camille Zuidema, page editor
Detroit
Sophomore Brenden Claycomb: “I like going (to Detroit) with my friends because I wrestle, and that’s where the state tournament is. Last year, I got to go (to Detroit) with some friends, and we got to go watch our buddies Josh and Tristan. We got to ride eight hours (to Detroit) and back in the car.” Junior Brook Wilks: “I just like going to the Red Wings and different sports. Last time I went down (to Detroit), I went for a Lions’ game, and I met a few of the Lions’ players.”
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profiles
Oct. 12, 2018
The Sailors’ Log
RUN THE SCHOOL (GIRLS) In homage to Beyoncé’s hit song “Run The World (Girls),” we take a peek into who really runs the school: girls (with the exception of a few custiodial staff members). These females take on the dirty jobs; the jobs that no one else would want to do. They show us what it takes to run the school.
Custodian loves, is loved by staff and students By Emmalee Dykstra Page Editor When arriving at Shores, one is almost guaranteed to know a household name around the school: Ms. Renee. Renee McCormick, affectionately called Ms. Renee, has been working at Shores for six years. In those years, she has touched the hearts of many students and faculty. “I have never met a school worker who is as caring and selfless as Ms. Renee,” senior Zoie Willeke said. “She genuinely enjoys what she does and you can see that because she always has a smile on her face that can brighten anyone’s day.” One may say that she is “just a janitor,” but those at Shores can object; she is beyond more than that. Each day, one can expect to see Ms. Renee in the hallways, talking to students, and doing all she can to help better the school’s environment. There is one thing that each person at Shores can agree on, and that is that Ms. Renee loves her job. “The staff and the students are my favorite part of job because I love being here for everyone and helping everyone,” Ms. Renee said. “The reason I stay here is because I think the world of the students and the staff, and I have made so many good friends.” In the halls, one can see Ms. Renee greeting staff and students by their names, just as though she’s known them for a lifetime. In a school with more than 1,200 students, Ms. Renee said she manages to learn as many names as she can. “I’ve learned students’ names whether they’ve helped me out, or I get to know a lot of students through siblings,” Ms.
Carri Skocelas
Main Office Secretary “I have loved seeing the integration of the PRIDE matrix in our students’ daily lives and them, in turn, passing it on to others.”
Deb Klein
Affectionately called Ms. Renee, custodian Renee McCormick is passionate about Shores and its students, who describe her as caring and selfless. (Photo by Emmalee Dykstra) Renee said. “During registration, I will see new kids and introduce myself and ask for their names, and I try really hard to remember their names since they’re new to the school. Sometimes, I’ll hear names, and I just try really hard to learn as many names as possible just because I think it’s much nicer to address students by their first names, and that’s why I am out in the hallways a lot.” Not every day is easy, though, she said. There are days filled with hard jobs, like heavy packages to deliver around the school or large messes to clean up, tiring hours, and moments where it’s hard to continue the job. Despite all of this, Ms. Renee said students at Shores are what keep her going when the going gets tough. “I’ll be having a bad day, and I get kids asking, ‘Ms. Renee, how are you?’ or I get kids simply hugging me out of nowhere,” McCormick said. “That’s what makes it all worth it.”
Food Service Staff Bethany Taylor-Moore Lynne Butler (lead cook) Kathy Wheeler Vickie Ohs Shelley Marks
Secretaries
Deb Knight Terri Heibel Norma Plant Doreen Brown Jill Ward
One memory in particular sticks out in her mind of when a student made her day easier. “(Senior) Jordan Calloway would always ask if I needed his help,” McCormick said. “One day, I was cleaning up after a Pride Zone Party, and I was struggling with a rack of chairs and he said, ‘Miss Renee, I’ve got that for you!’ and he just pulled it along, pizza in one hand, a rack of chairs in the other. It’s those little moments that just make it easier.” It was not difficult for Ms. Renee, through tears, to explain what motivates her to get up and come to work every day: students. “You know what the biggest thing is?” she asked. “Some days, it’s really hard. I’ll say to myself, ‘I hope there are no huge disasters of any sort,’ but, when I see kids saying, ‘Ms. Renee, you’re my favorite custodian!’ or ‘We missed you over the summer!’ and I get those big hugs; that’s what keeps me going here.”
Attendance Secretary “The students here at Shores are my favorite part of my job.”
Sandi Hirvo
Athletic Secretary “My favorite part about my job is that it is very active, and things are different every day.”
Judy Neiser
Administrative Assistant Counseling Office/Registrar “My favorite part about my job is scheduling.”
Custodial Staff Char Lockhart Nikki Vanderswaag Craig Myers Nicole Wydeck Paplo Williams
Rick Cherry Roxanne Erickson Tyler Rudicil Laura Johnson
Dana Colcleasure
Assistant Principal Clerk “My favorite part about my job are the Sailors at Mona Shores.”
feature
The Sailors’ Log
Brain Teaser
One in 26 Americans are diagnosed with epilepsy. At Shores, at least two students know they have epilepsy, which is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. Here are their stories.
Sophomore says epileptic seizures affect sleep patterns, memory By Emma Lee Bennett Page Editor Epilepsy affects everyone differently. Not even doctors are too sure how it can affect everyone differently. Some deal with grand mal seizures, rather violent muscles contractions and a loss of consciousness, or petit mal seizures, only a lapse in attention. There’s focal epilepsy when a certain part of the brain triggers the seizures, or just generalized epilepsy, where the seizures are triggered by no particular part of the brain. One student who has had to deal with seizures due to epilepsy is sophomore Rayne Quinn. “I was diagnosed with epilepsy about a year ago, and it was very shocking because I never knew you could just ‘get it’ in a sense,” Quinn said. Which is understandable because epilepsy isn’t often mentioned or brought up in daily conversations or even in media. People believe it’s something that’s contractible, which isn’t the case at all. It’s most commonly caused by genetics or a serious brain injury like a stroke. Epilepsy can affect everyday life in the simplest or most complex ways possible, but it’s easy to feel like the disability really does disable some aspects of life. “I feel like it truly does (affect my every-day life), and I never thought it would,” Quinn said. “I get really embarrassed because once someone finds out I have epilepsy, they tend to tiptoe around me and think I can just seize at any moment. They also assume that everyone who has seizures are triggered by flashing lights which is very, very untrue.” Quinn said the disease also affects her sleep habits. “Having epilepsy ameans that I get no sleep,” she said. “Being a student who takes honors and AP classes is very rough when your normal sleep is almost nothing.”
Sophomore Rayne Quinn sophomore was diagnosed with epilepsy a year ago and is still dealing with it to this day. (Photo Illustration by Emma Lee Bennett) Quinn also mentioned how she has to take medication certain times in the day and night, and that if she doesn’t it can cause serious repercussions. Seizures are dependent on the person they affect. There are those who have excruciating and violent seizures or those who have short disassociating lapses. “All of my seizures have been while I’m asleep,” Quinn said. “When I wake up, I am extremely confused and disoriented.Having the type of seizures I do and the length of them actually give me brain damage each time. I’ve noticed my memory has gotten worse, and I am always tired.” Despite the diagnosis of epilepsy, Quinn continues to attack every day head on – with a little help. “Every day, I have to take medication,” Quinn said. “No matter what I am doing, I have to stop and take them; oterhwise; it messes everything up.”
Famous People with Epilepsy
Vincent Van Gogh Lil Wayne A famous Norse painter. Famous American Most well known rapper. Lil Wayne is for his painting well known for his song Starry Night. “How to Love.”
Prince Famous American musician. Well known for his song “Purple Rain.”
Neil Young Canadian musician, Well known for his song “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
Oct. 12, 2018
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Seizing the Day Disorder forces writer to deal with it daily
L
et’s address the elephant in the room – I have epilepsy. I’m still perfectly normal, as normal as anyone with epilepsy can be. Epilepsy is common and not all that scary when one puts it into perspective. Brain nerves like to act up with everybody, but mine act in a harsher way. When my brain nerves over-react, I lose consciousness and start shaking uncontrollably. This is known as a grand mal seizure. The first of these seizures happened this past June. I was in no way prepared for the wrecking ball of diagnoses that were about to come my way. When I arrived at the hospital, I was told I had a seizure. I thought it was a fluke, a one-time deal. I was wrong. In the middle of August and after spending the night at a friend’s place, I had another seizure. Things were serious after this. I already had an EEG appointment set Personal up at Devos Children’s Hospital for Narrative October, but they wanted to move it by Emma up to Aug. 30. Lee Bennett, When the time came for the EEG, page editor I was petrified. I’m the type of person who has to Google everything and checked to see if I could die. Quite obviously, I didn’t die during the EEG, but during one of the tests, the one where they flashed lights at me while my eyes were closed, I told the doctor I felt twitchy and I was worried it was going to induce a seizure. At the appointment afterward with the neurologist, I was officially diagnosed with generalized epilepsy. Of course, I thought that was the end of it. I’d start taking the medication I was prescribed and be done with this whole seizure thing. Like all appointments, I was given the time of my next visit, but this was for an MRI. MRI’s are completely horrendous, except for the fact that I got to watch the Justice League while laying there for about half an hour. I was told I wouldn’t be aware of the results for a few days, but the next day, I was pulled out of school. Leaving school early two days in a row, fun. Leaving school early two days in a row for doctor’s appointments, not fun. What’s also not fun is finding out I have a brain tumor. Luckily, the tumor is benign, and it won’t kill me, but it’s still slightly scary knowing there’s this lump in my brain. Staying 24 hours in a hospital is also the worst way possible to spend a Saturday. However, if it means I get to hear my brain is performing just fine under day-to-day activities, I’ll deal with it. Epilepsy is common, it’s not something to be scared of. So for now, I am just going to “seize” each day.
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14 Oct. 12, 2018
The Sailors’ Log
Stress controls students’ minds By Gabby Lopez Page Editor
Sophomore Katelyn Zaagman finds stress with the amount of homework given to her in any given week. (Photo by Gabby Lopez)
No one wants to be stressed out; it’s just a way of life. Everyone has their ups and their downs. However, stress is something that people can’t ignore. For junior Katelyn Zaagman, her main source of stress is school work. “This year, I am taking AP Language and Composition, AP World History, AP Environmental Science, Spanish 4, and Algebra 2,” Zaagman said. “They’re all pretty difficult classes, which means I’m going to have a lot more homework and an addition to my stress levels this year.” Zaagman is also involved with extracurriculars, such as Student Senate, which can sometimes add to the stress. “Once we get into the school year and get the ball rolling, everyone kind of stops anticipating ev-
erything,” Zaagman said. “That’s where I’m at right now, which means that I’m not very motivated to do much right now. At this point in the year, I am also losing sleep to get homework done.” It also affects everyone differently. It alters how they study or how they think. “When I get stressed out, it fogs up my brain,” Zaagman said. “When it fogs up my brain, it makes me not be able to think. Therefore, I can’t get anything done.” Stress isn’t just something that affects those who are taking more difficult classes. It’s something that carries onto the sports or other clubs students are involved in. Sophomore Keegan DeKuiper, who is a goalkeeper for the varsity boys’ soccer team, is learning how to juggle his classes along with two-hour long practices. “It’s mainly homework, friends,
sports, and just life in general that cause my stress,” DeKuiper said. “My main source of homework and stress is definitely my AP Government class.” Balancing both school and a sport is something that many student-athletes have to conquer during their high school years. “Soccer practice sometimes makes me less motivated to do my homework because I am so tired,” DeKuiper said. “But then if I don’t do it, then it leads to more stress in the end.” For some, stress feels as if it is walking right behind you or affects how you interact with others. “Stress makes me feel like I have a big weight on my shoulders that will never come off,” DeKuiper said. “When I get really stressed out, everything annoys me, and it makes me think negatively. I don’t think about what I say or do, which leads to me snapping at my friends or family.”
VS. Peers share methods of how to relax from the week By Gabby Lopez Page Editor After a long week at school, for many students, nothing feels better than to close the Chromebook and relax for the rest of the night. Not only does it relieve all the challenges of the past week but prepares one for the week to come. For freshman Zoe Fetters, the week’s build-up of homework and a test is best to let go by relieving all stress. “When I get stressed out, I tend to get really tired and exhausted,” Fetters said. “People say that when I get like that, I tend to get really sassy and cranky.”
Fortunately, Fetters has a way to stay calm and focused during the school weeks. “I will normally try and tune everyone out when I get stressed,” Fetters said. “If that doesn’t work, then I will listen to music.” For senior Diego Stark, the endless nights of homework lead to a lack of getting a full eight hours of sleep at night. “I spend a lot of my nights doing homework, which means I get very little sleep,” Stark said. “Most of my assignments I get are long and tedious, which makes me less motivated to do them.” Sometimes, study habits can
contribute to how much one stresses over a test or assignment. “I study all the time,” Stark said. “I start studying as soon as I can. I think I sometimes study too much, which causes me to be stressed because I use up a lot of my time.” Stark said he has his own methods and tips of relieving stress during the hectic school year. “My favorite stress-relieving activity is bike riding,” Stark said. “Bike rides are very tranquil, but if the weather prevents me from biking, I like to do yoga. When it comes to tips for relieving stress, I recommend freeing After stressing, sophomore Katelyn Zaagman finds relief by your schedule and try to do more taking a break, jumping on her phone and connecting with fun things.” friends. (Photo by Gabby Lopez)
sports
The Sailors’ Log
Oct. 12, 2018
Making a Racket
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3-time City champ leaves positive impact on team By Paige Judson Sports Editor For senior Andrew Swirczek, tennis practice is for more than just improving his game. Swirczek also uses this time to learn more about the game and to teach his teammates the importance of practice. “He is the biggest leader on the team,” junior Austin Grimm said, “and he shows us how to get better as a player and as a teammate.” For the players on the team, Swirczek is more than just a tennis player. He is someone the boys look up as someone who is not only a tennis player but an example for them. “He is a great teammate,” junior Grant Hylland said. “He is a leader to us, on and off the court, and we all look up to him.” Swirczek, who has been playing since age 8 with a brief respite to play baseball, not only pushes his teammates but pushes himself to be the best he can be too. He proved this recently by winning his third City title Saturday, Sept. 29 at Reeths-Puffer. Previously, Swirczek won at No. 1 singles last year and at No. 4 singles his freshman year. “The last match was agonizing,” Swirczek said, “I was up in the beginning but then ended up losing two games, which was extremely frustrating, but it was exciting to win again.” Swirczek won 6-0, 6-2 in the finals
against Jackson Van Bergen of Whitehall. “It felt good to win again,” Swirczek said. “It was a long day, but it all paid off in the end.” His work ethic and drive has not only helped him on the court but has rubbed off on other teammates, and even his coach sees how dedicated he is to the sport. “Everyone knows he’s head and shoulders above them in terms of ability,” coach Nate Kunnen said. “Yet, he shows up every day to practice and is ready to help them with their mental and physical skills from spots 2 to 19, the whole team.” Swirczek is more than just a leader to his teammates, but he is a great example to his coach too. “I’ve learned so much from him,” said Kunnen who is the first-year coach of the Sailors. “He’s going to be an incredible coach someday if he chooses to be. He’s being a great example of how and when to be a calming and motivating presence when needed.” Swierczek has been more than just a teammate to the boys. He has been a role model. Someone the boys will look back on after high school for reasons greater than tennis. “He has definitely taught me some stuff about tennis, but more than that, he has taught me to try my hardest and prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to,” Grimm said.
Boys Tennis In addition to senior Andrew Swriczek winning a City title, freshman Kayden Hellman (No. 4 singles) and the No. 3 doubles team of Max Spagnuoulo and Brady Whalen also won City championships for the Sailors (10-6-2 overall, 7-5-2 OK Black). Girls’ Golf Junior Logan Potts has consistently led the team, shooting her lowest, a 37 at the GR Union Jamboree, and finished fifth at the City meet. Boys’ Soccer Senior George Deveau has led the way with 19 goals, including a four-goal game against Kenowa Hills (8-4-3, 7-2-2).
Senior Andrew Swirczek has been more than just a teammate to those one his team. He has been like a big brother to them teaching them more than just tennis.
Sports Briefs Boys’ Cross Country Senior Nick Dennison led the team for all seven meets heading into today’s City meet at University Park. His best time was 16:56.4 this past Saturday at the Portage Invitationals Girls’ Cross Country Throughout the season, senior Mieke Hart, who will lead the Sailors into today’s City meet, has led the Sailors in six of the seven meets. Her best time of 20:58. Volleyball En route to its 9-19-3 record (5-2 OK Black), the Sailors have been led by juniors Megan DeLong (assists) and Suriya VanderOord (digs). .
Football The Sailors head to Muskegon tonight in a game of two 7-0 teams. Shores, which has three shutouts, has been led by junior quarterback Caden Broersma and senior running back Sincere Dent, who scored five touchdowns in the season-opening win against East Kentwood at Grand Valley State University. The Big Reds have outscored their seven opponents 363-96 while the Sauilors have a 311-129 advantage. Girls’ Swimming The team, which is a co-op team, has raced out to a 7-1 overall record (3-1 in the conference).
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“I am a Michigan fan because my family has been long-time Michigan fans, and I am carrying on that tradition. I also love the stadium and experiencing game time in Ann Arbor. Past players like Charles Woodson and Denard Robinson were players I loved watching as a child.” – Payton Silk, sophomore “I became a Michigan fan back in elementary school. One of my good friends invited me to go to a Michigan game with him and his family. A win would guarantee us a trip to the Rose Bowl. When they won, the crowd went CRAZY. I worked hard in high school, and I was lucky enough to be accepted. As for October 20th, I think it is going to be another great game. We have one of the best defenses in the nation, and we have a lot of experienced players. That’s why I believe we will prevail on 10/20.” – Ross Rosenthal, math teacher
sports
T he Great Divide The rivalry between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University dates back to 1898 when the Wolverines won 38-0. Overall, U-M has a 69-36-5 edge. More recently, the Spartans, who will host the Wolverines Oct. 20 in the 111th meeting between the two teams, have had the upper hand, winning eight of the past 10 games.
At Shores, the rivalry also has an impact. In a survey of 215 students by The Sailors’ Log, students were nearly split in their allegiance. Michigan had 85 supporters 39.5 percent) while MSU had 81 fans (37.7 percent). Forty-nine students said they rooted for neither team.
The Sailors’ Log
“I am a Michigan State fan because both of my parents attended and graduated from MSU, so I grew up in a Michigan State household. Michigan State will beat Michigan because we are 8-2 against them in the last 10 years, and every time we are the underdog against them, we always seem to win.” – Brenden McNarland, junior “I am a Spartan fan because I graduated from MSU in 1985; yes, before most of the teachers here were even born. Also, because it is one of the best times of my life. I met so many great people, including my husband and had some amazing experiences. I am proud to be a MSU fan because I actually went to MSU – unlike the majority of the Wolverine fans. I am proud because there is a great community of Spartan fans and a great history of success.” – Sue Potter, Spanish teacher
Siblings have ‘house divided’ over football rivalry By Chris Horvath Sports Editor Family rivalries aren’t uncommon or unheard of. But some family rivalries have meaning and a long story. Junior Grant Hylland and freshman Anabeth Hylland have a house divided. Their dad, Ben Hylland, a Shores graduate, attended the University of Michigan, while their mom, Sam, attended Michigan State University. Anabeth sides with MSU and her mom while Grant sides with U-M and his dad. “At times the family rivalry can be hectic,” Grant said. “Half of my family roots for Michigan and half of my family roots for Michigan State and it’s a fun rivalry.” Anabeth said their family rivalry doesn’t dictate a lot of what they do and only matters on that one day every year. “I feel like the only day the rivalry really matters is when Michigan State is playing Michigan,” Anabeth said. “Otherwise, my mom would root for Michigan, and my dad would root for State. However, they feel much more passionate about their school than the other.”
Junior Grant Hylland and freshman Anabeth Hylland have a house divided. (Photo by Chris Horvath) Grant started rooting with his dad for the maize and blue when he was young, and that spawned from wanting to stand with, in his eyes, the majority instead of standing with the minority. “I choose to root for Michigan over Michigan State because I always felt like there were more Michigan fans and wanted to be with the majority,” Grant said.
Sibling rivalries aren’t uncommon or unheard of either, and a little bit of Anabeth rooting for the green and white is because of her brother rooting for the opposite. “With my brother being on my dad’s side with the rivalry, I normally am against them and root for Michigan State. Sibling rivalry of sorts,” Anabeth said. This year’s game is just another for their family’s record book, and both students have opinions on what is going to happen. “I think Michigan is going to win this year because I think they have a much better team, and I think Michigan State is really overrated,” Grant said, “My favorite memory for the rivalry was in 2016 when Michigan killed Michigan State, so I got to rub it in a little bit. I hope that happens again this year.” Obviously, Anabeth sees the outcome differently; plus, she just enjoys the company on game day. “I don’t know a lot about football, but I think Michigan State is going to beat Michigan because they have a good defense,” Anabeth said. “Defense wins games; offense buys tickets. We always have a party, and I have friends over to watch the game, and I always look forward to that more than the actual game sometimes.”