Christmas break • School will resume on Monday, Jan. 7
Christmas break performances • Dec. 27,28 and 29 “The Believers” musical show in high school dance room at 7:30 p.m. • Musical Improv show Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. in the dance room. The show will be filled with scenes and songs created on the spot, using audience suggestions. Tickets are $5 at the door or $4 in advance in the choir office.
Shores students win big at Baker College Technology Challenge On Dec. 12 at Baker College in Muskegon, students competed in CAD and technology based challenges at the state wide competition. Top performers for Shores were junior Morgan Oneka, who took first place in document formatting and third place in a Microsoft Word event; senior Ben Szot, who took first in 3D modeling and second in autoCAD; and senior Colin Duca, who took 3rd place for web page design.
LOG the
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Volume 51 Edition 4 Friday, December 21, 2012
Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, Michigan 49441
FREAKIN’ OUT
Administration puts end to sexy dancing By Kayleigh Fongers
Center Section Editor It’s out with the old and in with the new – for the new dance expectation at Shores, that is. “The dance policy itself is not new,” assistant principal Walt Gawkowski said. “But the expectation has always been that students dance in a manner that is deemed appropriate by the adult chaperons.” Gawkowski said that recently, however, it was prevalent that students were dancing in a manner that the administration considered to be inappropriate. And that’s where the new enforcement came in. While teens across the country have been “freaking” for years, Shores admin“Frankly, it reached a point istration finally said “enough is enough.” When the Winter Dance took place where we could no longer Dec. 8, students had to sign the typical form about no drinking or drugs, but allow it to go on,” Gawkowski no inappropriate dancing was also included. (Warren Kent III)
said. “It” that Gawkowski is referring to is dancing that is referred to as “freaking,” which is when the male grabs a female’s waist from behind, the female bends forward, and they thrust their hips in unison to the beat. While this style of dancing is not new (one San Francisco Chronicle story references this style in a June 3, 2001, article titled “Newest teen dance is freaking out school administrators nationwide; some ban movements described as ‘sex with their clothes on’”), Gawkowski and other administrators said students had crossed the line at the Halloween dance. So for the Winter Dance, which was held Please see DANCING, page 10
students of the month November students of the month are seniors Taylor Groenhout and Kendall Sells.
random acts of kindness rewarded
The Student Recognition program recognized senior Danielle Reihl and junior Rachel Resterhouse with $10 Subway gift cards.
yearbook pictures online The yearbook can use your help in taking pictures. Upload your pictures at replayit. com. You can also view yearbook staff pictures.
next paper Next month’s edition will be out Feb.14.
index
p. 2-3 – editorial p. 4 – entertainment p. 5 – profiles p. 6-7 – center section p. 8-9 – feature p. 10 – news p. 11-12 – sports
monashores orchestra.org
monashores.net
monashoressports.com
In the face of technological advancements, Shores now offers numerous online resources that allow the community to stay connected. (Rachel Resterhouse)
Shores’ online resources keep community informed By Jake Bordeaux
Editor-in-Chief The days of school newsletters and phone calls are over. With the advancement of the Internet and the explosion of social media websites like Facebook and Twitter, educators, clubs, sports teams and students have been forced to adapt to new, easier methods of communicating with their members and the community. “Having a communication tool is crucial in presenting the school and our district to students, parents, and other agencies interested in Mona Shores,” Principal Jennifer Bustard said. “It is important even for prospective students and families in search of a new school – it is a com-
For a sampling of the websites available to help you stay informed to the Shores community, please go to page 10. mercial tool.” Along with the district’s official website, Shores has a multitude of websites and media representing all of the different clubs, organizations, and sports teams that make up the Shores community. The faculty at Shores uses websites like monashores.net, monashoressports. net, and monashoreskids.org to try and create sites that allow all of the school’s groups to be represented, but each group is also encouraged to create sites or social media pages for itself. For instance, the football team has
created its own Facebook page where all important football-related information is posted. “If I had a (regular) website, I knew that there was a good chance players wouldn’t check it every day,” varsity football coach Matt Koziak said. “Facebook is perfect because all people have to do is like the page and all of the information and updates will automatically get sent to them, and I know that they are way more likely to get on Facebook everyday than a separate website.” Everything from class information to when the next home wrestling meet is can be found from the comfort of that favorite Lazy-Boy recliner. The only thing left for people to do is get on-line and get connected.
get connected
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e d i t o r i a l
LOG the
Apocalypse Now?
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Volume 51, Edition 4 Friday, December 21, 2012 Mona Shores High School 1121 Seminole Road Muskegon, Michigan 49441 Editor-in-Chief
Jake Bordeaux
Editorial Editor
Andrew Kromminga
Entertainment Editor
Hailey Hrynewich
Profiles Editor Mandy Versalle Center Section Editor
Kayleigh Fongers
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
Fine Arts Editor
Kelley Wheeler
Feature Editor
Morgan Schwing
Sports Editor
Holly Fredericksen Cory Sander Photo Editor
Rachel Resterhouse Staff
Abby Bryson Annabella Olivares Abby Perterson Blake Robinson Miranda Shafer Rhian Williams Adviser
Warren Kent III 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: • www.thesailorslog.com (contains current stories, photos, etc.) • www.monashoressports.com (contains current Sailor sports information) • Facebook Fan Page: The Sailors’ Log (provides a means for the staff to communicate with its readers and vice versa) • Twitter: @thesailorslog (provides easiest way to get information to readers) • Email: kentw@monashores. net (provides readers with a way to communicate with the staff) Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the 10-person 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. The Sailors’ Log is printed by Hi-Lites Graphics, Inc., 1212 Locust Street, Fremont, Michigan 49412.
If world ends, enjoy our newspaper This will be the last newspaper article you ever read. That is unless you read the next newspaper article, or the world doesn’t end today. So you may be wondering what the big deal about today is. According to the Mayan Long Calendar, on this day and year (Dec. 21, 2012), the world will end. This calendar, which was predicted thousands of years ago by a civilization that is now gone, is believed to prove that the world will end. However, according to the SETI Institute (seti.org), the Maya calendar, which is made up different cycles of day counts, does not end this year. Rather, one cycle of
VOICE Our
144,000 days (394 years) ends, and the next cycle begins. OK, SETI stands for “search for extraterrestrial intelligence,” so the group can be trusted, right? This is not the first time the world was predicted to end though either, the Mayan Calendar alone has predicted the end of the world multiple times. Many students probably cannot remember Y2K, but it was when they predicted that the world would end at the changing of the millennium.
Many more people were fearful of Y2K than are of today’s date. Even experts were not sure if we would survive Y2K or not, but we made it. Yet, people still assure themselves that the world will end today. In fact, one man was so sure that he formed a group to survive this “apocalypse,” and they are camping out on a mountain in Africa to be safe. Well at least they got to see a nice view when they woke up this morning. So to all of those who thought the world was going to end today, all we can say is maybe next year. As the band R.E.M. says, “It’s the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine.”
Well, excuse me Students, teachers need to just get work done
F
Homework Excuses
ellow classmates, we have come a long way since the ever so famous excuse, “My dog ate my homework.” Since then, excuses have become more creative, and it is ridiculous how creative they have become. We now spend more time and effort into thinking of new excuses than we do our homework. We have gone from blaming our dog for our missing assignments to telling a threeminute story about how our baby sister drooled Andrew Editorial all our paper and then Kromminga Editor our mom threw it away. I know the excuse above is a little dramatic and it seems like no sensible student would use it, but that’s what excuses are starting to become. Because of the new and not so complex excuses teachers hear, teachers are starting to come up with new reasons why students should have their homework done. But we aren’t the only ones at fault with excuses; teachers give excuses to us just as much as we do to the teachers. One of the most popular excuses that a teacher uses is, “Your tests aren’t graded because I forgot to bring them home.” If a student told a teacher that they forgot to bring the assignment home, they would fail that assignment. Teachers should listen to their own advice; always do your work, turn it in on time, and never give excuses. Excuses are thrown around all day between teachers and us. It would be easier if we just did what we were assigned or if we just did what we said we would do.
Everyone knows the obvious excuse that “My dog ate my homework,” but what other excuses have Shores students used? And have they worked? “I told my teacher that I was volunteering for a whole day, but it was only part of a day. It worked, and she believed me.” – Frankie Kule, sophomore “I told my English teacher that I went to go off to fight a dragon with my backpack on, and everything in my backpack fell out, and the dragon burnt only my homework.” – Eli Bowers, juniors “It was just the weekend, anything could have happened, or I say it was in my backpack, and it was outside.” – Alexa Chrum, freshman “Football went late, or I went to the hospital, or I did it, but I left it at home and asked if I can turn it in for half credit.” – Jamall Lay, junior
Newspaper encourages readers to submit letters to the editor The Sailor’s Log staff encourages our readers to send letters. However, not all letters can be published, and the editorial board reserves the right to edit letters for clarity. Guest commentaries and
VOICE
stories may be included if the staff feels they enhance coverage of a unique topic. No material will be printed which is libelous, advocates illegal
Your
activity, or which is deemed to be in poor taste. Attacking our ideas is fine; personally attacking our writers is not. Remember, everyone has the
right to his or her own opinion, including you. Please sign and submit your letters to room 501, Mona Shores High School, 1121 Seminole Road, Muskegon, MI 49441 or via thesailorslog@ gmail.com.
e f i L g l n A i e R nt a R
Everyday situations are making me angry Grades, to an extent, do not reflect one’s intelligence, Einstein. • If two people are happy together, leave them alone. Gay, straight, bi, or even five years apart. The only two people who should be concerned about the fate of, or events in, a relationship are the people involved in said relationship. You are in no position to say any negative things, for you are not the one experiencing the love and passion that may or may not be present between the two. And you’ll never know because guess what? You’re not involved in the relationship. That is their business. So Photo knock it off, Sherlock. Editor • Stop posting sad statuses on Facebook, and then saying you don’t want to talk about it in a comment. Obviously you do; otherwise, you wouldn’t have posted it for everyone to see. As your friend, we care that you are upset. However, Facebook is no place for posting depressing statuses along with refusal to answer the age old question “what’s wrong?” That is what tumblr is for, love. • Just because I am a girl does not mean I cannot participate in sports just as well as the boy standing next to me in gym class. Everyone has their niche, and even though mine is not necessarily activities that involve hand-eye coordination does not mean I cannot play at all. Just wait for that timed mile run. You’ll see, kid. There. I’m done. My pointless ranting is over. But if you’ve read this far, maybe it wasn’t so pointless after all.
on e the wall... d
The Sailors’ Log staff has been eavesdropping on your conversations in the halls and the classrooms. So, we will be responding to those questions and statements. In other words, we have been a fly on the wall... “Ew, someone just peed.” – said in the hallway The Sailors’ Log: Did it smell like asparagus because this phenomenon has been known for centuries. French novelist Marcel Proust famously wrote in 1913 that asparagus “transforms my chamber-pot into a flask of perfume.” Perfume, eh? Those French people are weird. “Don’t lick my hand! Get out of my space!” – said in English class TSL: What if you taste like chicken? “I have the stuff for you. It is in my trunk.” – said in the Sailor Center TSL: What do you have, and do you have enough to share? “So when they checked for your concussion, they found a brain?” - said in the hallway TSL: Well, let’s hope that there is one in there!
versus
In each edition, a staff member of The Sailors’ Log will evaluate two similar products, items, etc. and let readers know which one is better
R e a l T r e e s
Nothing beats coming down the stairs Christmas morning and seeing that beautiful, green, full Christmas tree, which smells of pine and joy. Just seeing the tree makes that little spot in one’s heart fill with the spirit of the holiday. The appearance of a real Christmas tree is wonderful, but we all know that real Christmas trees are messy. But if one does not mind vacuuming a couple of times a week, then go for it. This is the area that most people are worried about. Real Christmas trees range from $25 to $120 depending on the type of tree and where it is bought. Many say that people who buy real Christmas trees are wasting their money and time. According to online articles, statistics say that in just three years of buying real trees, they could have already paid for their fake one. However, when one pays for real Christmas trees, he is usually supporting local businesses and jobs. Real Christmas trees are remarkable, but maybe some people have allergies to the tree. Some people get stuffy noses or coughs. They’re probably allergic to the mold or the type of pine that the tree is made of. But many places spray the tree down with water before they sell it in hopes that will reduce allergens.
Appearance Most people think of a fake-looking green Christmas
Price
Health
tree that smells of dust and a weird plastic smell, but nowadays, one can buy a nice looking artificial Christmas tree and just light a pine scented candle. Some of the “fakes” are decorated with lights and even have a spot on the tree where one can plug in an iPod or mp3 player and listen to Christmas music as the lights dance along with it. Nine and a half million artificial Christmas trees were purchased in 2011. Usually a decent fake can cost anywhere from $80-$600, but the good thing is they last forever. Fake Christmas trees are great and usually pay for themselves in about three Christmases, but keep in mind that 80 percent of them are made in China.
Most fakes are made of PVC plastic. First, PVC has been linked to cancer, neurological brain damage, and many other serious health issues. Next, the plastic used to make them is petroleum-based, so when people finally get rid of their trees, they go to a landfill and sit for years and years.
F a k e T r e e s
Nothing beats a real Christmas tree with its majestic beauty and homemade ornaments glistening in the lights. We have so many fake things in this world, why add Christmas trees to the list? With all the health concerns and their production based in China, I just would not buy a fake tree. However, having a Christmas tree that plays music does sound pretty cool. Opinion by Annabella Olivares staff writer
i t o r i a l The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
T
hese rants you are about to read are, for the most part, pointless. However, in order to maintain a sane mentality and spare throwing fireballs of words at an undeserving victim, they must be shared. • Stop telling other people to stop wearing makeup, or to put more on. It is not your face. I lose all respect for you if you speak words of judgment that belittle someone because they do or do not apply makeup when or where you would. Why do you care what they put on their face? Rachel If you do not like that specific style of simplicity Resterhouse or extravagance, I have the perfect solution: don’t wear your makeup like that. Though I must say, what bothers me most is when people judge someone for trying to look good by using makeup, then the next night you yourself are putting makeup on. Hypocrisy is something no one can pull off, darling. • Grades are evil. With that being said, I understand the importance of an education. What I do not understand ,though, is why so much emphasis is being put on earning a better grade. Just because I didn’t ace my final exam does not in any way mean I failed as a student, or that I had not learned anything in the class. If I am improving my ability to comprehend and apply what I have learned in the curriculum to real life I believe that to be a success.
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Sparks to Fly in downtown GR
e n McCartney highlights New Year’s Eve Party 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year! It’s time to get Rapids. Registration fee is $23 online through excited for this year’s New Year’s Eve party in downtown Grand Proceeds will support Spectrum t Rapids, where, for the fourth year in a row, the shimmering six- Thursday. Health’s Pediatric Oncology Resource Team, will drop. which helps families of children who have e footTheballevent is hosted by 105.3 Hot FM. Music acts by New cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Boyz, Jesse McCartney, Baby Bash, and local act Outer Vibe will Want to stay in town? Muskegon perform. There will also be national music acts by artists such as has a number of restaurants waiting r Downtown Fiction, The Ready Set, DJ Curtin Avison & DJ Justin for people to come visit them. The and The Romantics. These artists will begin at 6 p.m. on Lake House Waterfront Grill, 730 t King, Dec. 31. Terrace Point, is arranging an a la Last year, more than 35,000 people carte menu featuring a display of appecelebrated at this free event. This year, tizers, salads and entrees along with disc jockey a however, the concert stage will move and dancing from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Rosa Parks Circle to Monroe Docker’s Fish House, 3505 i Avenue. Marina View, will have a There are several other events that buffet and dancing to live Hailey Hrynewich will take place at the party besides by the Westside Soul n the exciting ball drop at the end of the Sight & Sound Editor music Surfers for just $40 for the m night.One of these events is the balloon drop. More than 250 col- entireFornight. $54.95, a orful balloons will fall on children and their families at the Grand group of four can Jesse McCartney Children’s Museum. Families must pay $10 to enjoy bowl for two hours at e Rapids snacks, drinks, face-painting, activity stations, and a radiant disco Northway Lanes, 1751 ball that drops as well. This includes n Do you like hockey? Celebrate the holiday downtown with the Evanston. shoes, an all-you-can-eat pizza and taco buffet, and pitchers Grand Rapids minor league hockey team where the Griffins will of soda. take on the Milwaukee Admirals at 6 p.m. At the game, fans will Finally, a dance, “Here’s to the Night,” will take place at 7 t experience West Michigan’s largest indoor fireworks show. p.m. to 12:10 a.m. in the North Muskegon High School Cafe, The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
Do you like to skate? Due to the new location at Monroe Avenue, glide away on the ice at Rosa Parks Circle this year. Are you into Motown? The Grand Rapids Symphony will perform classic Motown songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s at 7:30 p.m. in the DeVos Performance Hall. Along with this, guest singers will sing famous songs by the Temptations, the Jackson 5, and Smokey Robinson. Tickets start at just $18 online. Run, run, run! Participate in the Wolverine Resolution Run, which is a 4-mile run/walk around Reeds Lake in East Grand
1600 Mills. For $10 (the first 25 get in for $5), there will be snacks, beverages, door prizes, amazing lights, and great music. The event is exclusively for high school students from any school who must bring their school I.D. and is hosted by the Greater Muskegon Optimist Club. It is not long before everyone will be shouting “Happy New Year!” So talk to your friends and make plans to go to a couple of these exciting events. I know where I will be this New Year’s Eve, and that is downtown Grand Rapids.
Peer Perspectives
“My friends Alex Rakowski, Natalie Wiersma, Lexi Carlston and I are all going polar bearing.” Lizzy Groenhout, sophomore “I have to babysit my cousins for eight hours, and then I will probably go see a movie with my boyfriend, Reed.” Maddy Polinori, senior
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
Nifty and Thrifty
Homemade gifts that will make memories
“My best friend Alyssa and I are going to the downtown GR New Year’s Eve ball drop. I have gone every year since the start.” Kennedy Berry, freshman “I plan to just hang out with all my friends and watch the ball drop.” Kevin Witt, junior
COMING ATTRACTIONS Theaters
DVD Releases
If you’re like me, you’re probably strapped for cash and time. Do you want to find the perfect gift for that special someone but just don’t have a clue what to get them? Are you broke? Not to worry! You can whip something wonderful up in no time!
Grandparents
always a nice fall back option if nothing else. If you do any sewing, you could always make a personalized BBQ apron for that backyard cookout.
If you’re looking to spend next to nothing, look no further than your own home. Homemade Siblings gifts are perfect for that grandma who desperately Have a brother or sister? If they are young, wants to reconnect and still hangs onto that old quantity may be valued over quality. This being pine cone ornament you made in the first grade. the case, you could always peruse the toy To satiate their thirst to be your buddy, I aisle of the dollar store and find many suggest creating a small cookbook that small gifts. Also, you could make them has some of your favorite recipes and a sock puppet or a simple toy. If they are some cutesy saying in it that you know older than you, a good last-minute gift they’ll treasure forever and ever. You can you could pick up could be a gift create this with just a little bit of card to their favorite shop (you can work on the computer and minimal chose the amount on this so you costs. Rhian WIlliams don’t have to break your bank). If Mothers Staff Writer they have left for college, you could No idea what your mom wants for Christmas/Kwanza/Hanukah? Why not try a nice coupon booklet of favors? This could include such items as a clean house, clean dishes, a walked dog, a homecooked meal, or even a back rub. This book o’ favors really does make for a delightful surprise for mommy dearest this holiday season.
Fathers
I find that dads are always the most difficult to come up with presents for. I always run into the dilemma of trying to find something functional while still personal. What do they want? Honestly, I think that food is most appreciated. A nice batch of brownies tied up to look fancy and yummy is
Friends
even make them a scrapbook of your good memories.
Every friend is different, so it’s difficult to come up with a generic gift. You should not get them a generic gift or else they might feel cheap. You might think that they have everything, but often that’s not the case. Another possibility is a picture of the two of you in a nice frame. Remember, it’s the thought that counts! There are so many affordable awesome options out there for holiday gifts. If you’re still stumped, the Internet provides a plethora of options for the frugal gift-giver.
• Texas Chainsaw 3D Jan. 4, 2013 Summary: A young woman inherits a Texas mansion. She brings her friends with her to see it, only to find the many terrors that lurk in the basement. • Christmas Vacation Dec. 21 Summary: It’s Christmas time and a seasonal celebration must be planned for a family. Things, however, do not run smoothly, and the event becomes quite chaotic.
• House at the End of the Street Jan. 8, 2013 • The Inbetweeners Jan. 8, 2013
CD Releases
Concert
•Skrillex Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. Location: Palace of Auburn Hills • Zac Brown Band Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. Location: Joe Louis Arena
• Taio Cruz’s Ty O Dec. 31 Genre: Pop • The Mavericks’ In Time Jan. 29, 2013 Genre: Pop
L O V E KNOWS NO
Holding a picture of one of his adoptive brothers, sophomore Gerardo Smith was adopted by Becky and Don Smith when he was 9 years old. (Rachel Resterhouse)
BORDER
Sophomore shares inspiring story of his adoption Profiles Editor
Adoption
Facts
1. More than 60 percent (of children) spend between two to five years in foster care before being adopted. 2. There are 1.5 million adopted children in the United States, more than 2 percent of all U.S. children. 3. The age distribution of the children in foster care waiting for adoption is: <1 year — 4 percent 1-3 years — 26 percent 4-6 years — 19 percent 7-9 years — 15 percent 10-14 years — 20 percent 15+ years — 12 percent Information from childrensrights.org
Bathroom nightmare
Desperately needing to use the bathroom, senior Jonny Lawton saw something he wishes he could take back. “I was not paying attention because I was in a rush,” Lawton said. “I accidentally walked in on a teacher going to the bathroom.” Lawton admits that it was the most Lawton embarassing thing he had ever done. “I was screaming,” Lawton said. “Even worse was the fact that I had him as a teacher the following tri.”
Life flashed before her eyes
Junior Sarah Jones saw her life flash before her eyes at a Mount Pleasant softball tournament her seventh grade year. “My friend Baleigh Tharp dared me to eat shrimp because she knew I didn’t like it,” Jones said. Having never had shrimp before, Jones was unaware that she was allergic Jones to it until her throat began swelling up. “Thank God one of the parents was a nurse with Benadryl, or I would have died,” Jones said.
From age 7 to 9, sophomore Gerardo Smith spent every Saturday of his childhood climbing the mountains of Mexico. It was a tradition at Lily of the Valley, the Mexican orphanage where he lived when he was younger. “My friends and I would pretend that we were Indians climbing up a mountain,” said Smith, who was orphaned at age 3 because the police separated him from his mother. “The people that worked there tried really hard to make it as fun as possible for us kids.” When Smith was dropped off at Lily of the Valley, he did not plan on being a permanent resident. “When he was first taken to the orphanage, he thought that his mom was coming back for him,” said Becky Smith, Gerardo’s adoptive mother. “No one told him that he was staying. He kept thinking she [his biological mother] would be coming back for him.” Like most, Smith did not have his best life experiences in the orphanage. “Being in that orphanage was a horrible experience,” Smith said. “I did not have any siblings with me, and when you don’t have siblings, you get picked on. I often thought about leaving, but something always made me stay. In the end, I don’t know that I even had the courage to get up and leave everything behind.” One thing Smith said he was reluctant to leave behind was his best friend Fabian, a boy who lived at the orphanage with him. “Fabian was my best friend,” Smith said. “When Becky and Don, my adoptive parents, came down to visit me at the orphanage, he would pretend that my mom was his mom. He called her ‘mi madre’ [my mother] and everything.” When Fabian was removed from the orphanage by his grandmother, Smith lost touch and has never heard from
FAB 5 In each edition, The Sailors’ Log will
feature five random students and teachers who have an interesting story to share.
Official at cheer competitions
Math teacher Kristia Whitaker spends her free time as an official for competitive cheer. “I cannot judge anything related to Shores,” said Whitaker, who used to be the competitive cheer coach at Shores until she resigned in 2007 when she gave birth to her son. “Therefore, I have to do a lot of traveling.” Whitaker “I judge with my former co-coach, so being an official is a way for us to reunite,” Whitaker said.
him since. Smith said he has also never heard from or met his father, and he does not know of any biological siblings. However, Gerardo did gain five new siblings when he was adopted: Christy, Josh, Tammie, Chad, and Tania. Since he had no siblings, Smith’s years before the orphanage were spent just with his mother. “I was put up for adoption so I could be given a better home and a better life than the one that my mom gave me,” Smith said. “My mom and I wandered around a lot. Being from an Indian tribe, we didn’t have very much. From what I can remember, we lived with my mom’s boyfriend in his house. But when he was drunk, he became abusive, and one night, my mom gave me the choice to stay with him or leave with her. I chose my mom.” Later on in his childhood, Smith was put up for adoption when police separated him from his mother at age 3. “My mom went out drinking with her friends one night and brought me along,” Smith said. “We were in an abandoned building or somewhere where we weren’t supposed to be, and the police caught us. They took my mom away and told her that she wasn’t doing her job as a parent. It was then that I was put up for adoption.” The years that have passed have made Smith forget his early years in the orphanage; however, other memories seem to come naturally for Smith. “I can remember almost everything from my childhood,” Smith said. “I think that I could go on for hours about all the memories I have.” His favorite memory is one of him spending time with his mother at the Mexico-U.S. border, which most people would paint with guns, border patrol, and a fence. Smith, however, sees it as a place of beauty. “There was this huge field of dandelions there that I would spend all day playing in,” Smith said. “It is my best memory.” Smith has not been back to Mexico since he was adopted. He said he plans to go back with his new parents soon. “Part of me is afraid to go back to Mexico,” Smith said. “I don’t know Spanish very well anymore, and I don’t know that the people there would accept me.” Smith, who only knew Spanish when he moved here, now speaks English fluently and has little knowledge of the other language. Along with the obstacle of learning English, Smith has been forced to face significantly more Please see ADOPT, page 10
Falls through a table
At the age of 7, sophomore Quinn Kendra was hanging out with his friend Julia Lakos when an accident involving dancing occurred. “I was clearly dancing too much because the table broke, and I fell through it,” said Kendra, who was dancing to the song “Lip Gloss” by Lil’ Kendra Mama. “Thank God I didn’t hurt myself,” Kendra said. “That would have been even more embarrassing.”
Slides under car on crutches
Having surgery in 2010 required freshman Chloe Cook to be on crutches during winter. “I fell on the ice and almost my entire body slid underneath a car,” Cook said. Cook had just come off of surgery and was on her way to school the morning that she fell. Cook “My mom was driving me so she had to come and pull my body out from underneath the car,” Cook said.
p r o f i l e s The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
By Mandy Versalle
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c e n t e r s e c t i o n
L E H
m a n y m
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
? What’s in a name ection, For this center s Staff The Sailors’ Log h on did some researc es the variety of nam that make up body. Shores’ student ith the From students w elebsame name as c with rities to students as the same name poteach other, we s ue lighted some uniq ve students who ha ng stories that go alo . with their names
Common Names
the The following are st most common fir ts in the names of studen oys, high school for b neutral. girls and gender Boys Jacob - 22 ec - 20 Alexander/Alex/Al Ryan - 16 Nicholas - 16 Andrew - 12 Justin - 12 Michael - 12 Girls Megan - 17 Emily - 15 Samantha - 14 Maddison - 12 Rachel - 12 Kailey - 11 Morgan - 11 Gender Neutral Jordan - 16 Taylor - 12 Logan - 10 an - 7 /D Devin evon/Dev Riley/Rylee - 6 Bailey - 4 Jamie/Jayme - 3
Same Namthee ssame name as someone
igh school share h e th t a ts s, n e d u s cause problem e At least four st tim e m so n ca hool. This t is else in the high sc the wrong studen d n a , le b u o tr in t ame. the two might ge mind sharing a n t like when one of o n o d y e th id sa ost of them, they e I got her locker It’s funny becaus notified, but for m
h , there wasn’t muc In middle school gh hi to ce I got confusion, but on started to get ng hi yt school, ever for the wrong confusing: passes for the wrong Kayla, detentions lockers. – Kayla Kayla, and even Schulte, junior
have the same I think it’s cool to because it name as someone n. te I’ve gotten doesn’t happen of ats from freshmen texts and Snap ch they thought I was though because Smith. – Morgan the other Morgan Smith, senior a lot of confusion. There has been us the same ID The school gave t of lunch money number. I ran ou my al, and they told faster than norm sa he nc lu ving two parents I was ha se. ca e th t tally no day, which was to or ni ju , er – Elizabeth Mill it makes you It’s cool because e y people have th wonder how man ed us nf co u. I get same name as yo e last year when lik t, lo with her a l messed up and our lockers got al – rs agenda books. we got each othe e or om d, soph Caitlin Sherwoo
use for the It’s annoying beca famous most part, he was adults so , before I was born the e lik always say, “Oh, have ly ab prob director, but you .’” is at no idea who th phomore Kevin Smith, so rector
Kevin Smith, di
osed to have my when I was supp ar. use it’s senior ye own locker beca used. I also got I was really conf y house. – Kayla her mail sent to m Schulte, senior y cool actually. Man I think it’s pretty e, ses will look at m people in my clas n r the senior Morga though, wheneve e mentioned on th Smith’s name is it’s e m su as They announcements. ith, freshman Sm n ga or me. – M , ty cool. It’s weird I feel like it’s pret ded up with the though, that we en e. We don’t have exact same nam so ther or anything, any classes toge er, – Elizabeth Mill it’s not confusing. freshman use nd of weird beca I guess it’s just ki e m sa it’s at the out of all places t etimes when I ge m so school, and t no it’s , e office] called down [to th for her. – Kaitlyn it’s – really for me or Sherwood, seni
Famous N It’s pretty cool. ver I introduce Although whene , ladies, myself to people m that same they ask me if “I’ ie.” guy from that mov “No.” y, pl Sadly, I always re nior Chris Evans, se tor Chris Evans, ac
e When parents giv e, their child a nam most likely they do not know that name could r one day be simila on. to a famous pers nts These five stude share their name with someone who is known ecial. for something sp
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7
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Middle Names
? e m a N a n i s ’ t a Wh chosen.
lain how their Six students exp
first names were
not even Most students do middle names, know their peers e unique ones m so re a re e th t u b four students out there. These es. shared their stori e,
an and Polish, My name is Germ one nality, and it was which is our natio . mes also of my relative’s na freshman r, – Katrina Herde
e of my dad’s nam My name is a form r te af e med m (Doug), and he na med Dugan Fife. na er ay a basketball pl erg, sophomore – Dugan Dieselb
my siblings’ and My parents picked t us e they did not wan my name becaus else. names as anyone to have the same freshman – Dava Lakatos,
sister’s Anne, and my twin My mom’s name is us both ed nt ne. My mom wa middle name is An ne in An ve r names, so I ha to have Anne in ou or ni ju e, nnen Ston my first name. – Ra
should y dad what they My mom asked m d pick, said that she coul name me, and he elled it e Corinne but sp so she named m DeWitt, senior wrong. – Corinne
Names
that a I really didn’t know y name, m d ha amous person etty cool. but I guess it’s pr ony...then I’d Unless she is go don’t know prefer that people me. that we share a na or arah Jones, juni tress
Sarah Jones, ac
the same I don’t like having s person name as a famou at because I wish th in ig al. my name was or Ashley Brown, that I had I didn’t even know as a former the same name ll player. et Olympic bask ba at cool. I don’t think it’s th hman
Ken Davis, fres
1972 Olympic Kenneth Davis, er basketball play
freshman
Ashley Brown,
Broadway actress
is Bunting, My middle name chose and my parents my it’s it because e. n nam It’s grandma’s maide glish. – also Welsh and En freshman Lauren Wegner, is Breeze, My middle name it ed and my dad pick e th es because he lik es off breeze that com Nichelle – Lake Michigan. e or Hulka, sophom is Panici, My middle name eshman and my brother [fr it too. It Sam Bondy] has aiden was my mom’s m ondy, name. – Mariel B junior is Cougar, My middle name after and I was named ncamp le el M John Cougar er). – ng si ck (American ro nior ju , er ng Cade Messe
Just Like Dad re named These students a . after their fathers
eshman Terry Frye III, fr III, sophomore Robert Gardner , sophomore Donald Morris III e s Jr., sophomor Kenneth Peggue e or om ph so d Jr., Antonio Richmon or ni se n II, Randall Johnso
led Information compi itor, rs, center section ed by Kayleigh Fonge staff writer and Abby Peterson,
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
d the name onlin My parents foun ly name and it was the on ree on. ag d ul that they co , freshman – Nolan Kladder
s e c t i o n
Favorite Christmas Cartoon?
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f e a t u r e s
Grinch steals hearts of viewers By Morgan Schwing
Feature Editor
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas is a time of festive cheer and childlike wonder. When one thinks about what movie amps up Christmas spirit, six classic cartoon movies come to mind. Which movie, however, is the favorite of Shores students? When students were given the options of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), A Year Without a Santa Claus (1974), A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), Frosty the Snowman (1969), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970), lines were drawn in the sand as to which was the best. “My favorite Christmas cartoon is How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” junior Miles DeVoogd said. “It’s a classic, and it’s funny. I also love the Who’s.” The heartwarming tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas seems to be a favorite among Shores students across the board. “Definitely, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is my favorite,” senior Kenzi Main said. “I loved reading Dr. Seuss when I was little, and considering he wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas, it was inevitable that it would be one of my favorite Christmas movies.” How the Grinch Stole Christmas also provides
when
who•what•
When is Allegretto Notte?
The annual Allegretto Notte workshop takes place Jan. 18-19. This workshop provides children from third grade-ninth grade the opportunity to work with the Shores Allegros over two days and perform a show that Saturday night. This year, the Allegros in charge of this program are seniors Megan Boerema and Tyler Patrick. The high school Allegros will be performing Fame: The Musical on March 22, 23, and 24.
•where•why•how
When is scheduling? Class of 2014 The assembly will be Jan. 28, and the actual scheduling will be done on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
When was Shores founded?
hope to students. “The reason I like How the Grinch Stole Christmas best is because it is truly and inspiring story,” sophomore Sandra Yacoub said. “He went from living a life full of hatred to a life full of love and compassion. It shows that there is hope for everyone, no matter what.” Although How the Grinch Stole Christmas seems to be the most popular, there are many who still love the other choices as well. “I like Frosty the Snowman the best,” sophomore Cassie Hansen said. “Every Christmas, I would watch it, and I remember crying every time Frosty melted in the movie. I guess somewhere along the way it became my favorite.” The fun Claymation and fun characters also factored into which was a student’s favorite. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was my favorite because he was just a cute little reindeer, and no one believed in him, and then he showed them all up,” senior Alexis Porter said. “Clarice was also a pretty reindeer.” No matter what cartoon was chosen, all options seem to increase a student’s Christmas spirit. “These stories help get you in the Christmas spirit because they are the classics that we don’t get to hear modern re-tellings of,” senior Molly Schaub said. “You watch these movies when you are little, and Christmas is most magical when you are a kid, so it brings back all the memories of when you would wake up and Santa had just been there.”
Class of 2015 The assembly will be Feb. 4, and the actual
For the six issues of The Sailors’ Log, this section will attempt to answer questions based on the five W’s and the one H. That’s right, we will be answering the who, what, when, where, why and how’s that we think will be important to the student body.
schedualing will be done on Feb. 7-8.
Shores opened on Aug. 1, 1962. There were 650 students in ninth and 10th grade in the school. When the school opened, there were 35 teachers under principal C. William Hanichen. Shores was put into motion because the board of education members and school administration were looking for a way of providing an improved educational system for the students of the district.
When did band, orchestra, and choir win their first awards?
Band: The Marching Band won state titles in 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003 as well as a USSBA National Championship 2006. Orchestra: Won at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in1998 (Overall Winner) and 1995 (First Division Winner) and won a Championship in 2006 Choir: They were invited to perform at the White House in 2002, and the Singing Christmas Tree was featured on TLC and The Travel Channel.
Class of 2016 The assembly will be Feb. 11, and the actual scheduling will be done Feb. 13-14.
When is yearbook stuff do? Senior pictures are due Feb. 14. To submit a senior picture, send it via email to kentw@monashores.net. Also, you have three days to order your yearbook at $60. On Dec. 24, the price of ordering a yearbook will increase to $65. To order a yearbook, go to www.jostensyearbooks.com.
By Morgan Schwing
Feature Editor
Cancer hits Sailor Family
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Science teacher returns following breast cancer surgery
By Kelley Wheeler
Feature Editor
Breast Cancer Facts in the United States Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death among women. Each year, it is estimated that more than 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year. SYMPTOMS & SIGNS Early warning signs of breast cancer may involve the discovery of a new lump or a change in the breast tissue or skin. HOW TO PERFORM A BREAST SELF-EXAM Women should perform a self breast-exam each month and any changes or abnormalities should be discussed with a doctor or physician. Information from National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.
English teacher, cancer survivor, now realizes life is precious By Miranda Shafer
Staff Writer Nobody thinks they will get diagnosed with cancer. It won’t happen to them, they will say, but expect the unexpected. Before February 2007, cancer wasn’t even in the mind of English teacher Pat Walsh. “Facing the word cancer was the hardest part,” Walsh said. “Cancer, to me, meant Walsh death.” Walsh was diagnosed with breast cancer February 2007 and said she was in shock to hear this news. She said she found a lump in one of
her breasts in December 2006 and finally went to Hackley Hospital on February. “I thought it would go away,” Walsh said. “I had just recently got a mammogram, and nothing was found.” When she went to Hackley, she was immediately sent to a surgeon at the Hackley Cancer Center to get a biopsy. Within three days, she knew she had breast cancer. Her usual life was drastically changed from teaching English one day to battling breast cancer the next day. “This was all unexpected,” Walsh said. “They say 1 of 4 people gets breast cancer, and my sister got it a year before. I thought I was in the clear.” Two weeks later, the doctor told her news she didn’t want to hear. She would have to be put on chemo-
therapy, which has many side effects, including hair loss. “It was when I was in the shower when my first pieces of hair lay on the floor,” she said “I went in to my hair dresser to get it all shaved off.” The first time seeing herself with no hair hit her hard. Some people couldn’t imagine living without hair, but Walsh kept on going. “When I first looked in the mirror, it was a bit of a surprise,” Walsh said. “I wouldn’t let this define me though.” It took one year to fight for her life. Eventually, the breast cancer was not cancerous anymore. Even though Walsh has had this happen to her, she said this would not define her. Her support of her family and friends helped her through these difficult times.
“My advice is to stay positive and lean on the support of your family and friends,” Walsh said. During the difficult times, people find out who their close friends really and how important family is, especially how fragile life can be. “I’m much more mellow and appreciative now,” Walsh said “This made me stop and smell the roses. I will not take anything for granted now.” Even getting cancer didn’t bring down Walsh. When something negative happens, she said, turn it in to a positive. “Cancer to me doesn’t mean death (anymore); it means you are a fighter,” Walsh said. “I believe everything happens for a reason. When something bad happens, you just have to fight through it and not let it define you.”
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
When biology teacher Jennifer Adams was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, math teacher Carrie Helmer knew Adams would tackle the disease head on. “She is a warrior,” Helmer said. “She is a fighter and has had a positive attitude through this whole thing.” This mental toughness allowed Adams to return to school on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after a fourweek recovery period. “Every time someone would walk through the door, they would have a smile on their face,” said Adams about her return to her Adams classroom. “My students just kept hugging me. I was excited to be back. This is where I belong.” A close friend of Adams, Helmer took charge to help Adams during her time away from school. “I made a food calendar, and teachers rose to the occasion and signed up to bring food to her family for the whole month she was off so she could focus on her recovery,” Helmer said. Helmer also wanted Adams to feel welcomed back when she returned to school. Helmer created “Mona Shores Team Adams” T-shirts to show support for Adams. The $10 T-shirts sold out by the day Adams returned, and students and teachers wore the pink shirts with pride. Helmer said $2 from each shirt will go toward the Relay for Life walk. Adams said she was filled with joy when she was welcomed with faculty and students wearing the supportive T-shirts. “I saw somebody wearing a T-shirt, then another teacher with one, and I knew Mrs. Helmer had something to do with it,” Adams said. “I’m glad I saw the shirts before I walked into the (teacher’s) meeting (before school on Dec. 12) because I would have been overwhelmed, in a good way, to see most of the faculty wearing them.” Helmer said it was important for her to do something for Adams because of the strong bond they have. “She is one of my best friends. We started teaching together 19 years ago,” Helmer said. “There is a lot of history between us.” While Helmer and Adams have a strong history, cancer has a history in Adams’ family.
Her father passed away from leukemia three years ago, and her mom is an 11-year ovarian cancer survivor. In a journal she began once she was diagnosed with cancer, Adams wrote that seven of her family members have had cancer. Adams became the eighth person in her family to have cancer. She said she felt a lump in one of her breasts in mid-October, and with her instinct to be proactive about her health, she called to make an appointment but was unable to receive an exam until January. Once, Adams decided it was not safe to wait that long, she scheduled herself to see a physician’s assistant. “(The PA) was, and continues to be, a godsend,” Adams wrote in her journal. “As soon as she reviewed my chart and saw my family history, she ordered a battery of tests from ovarian cancer screenings to the mammogram.” After days of anticipation, Adams was contacted by her PA with shocking news. The lumps Adams discovered were cancerous tumors that indicated she had Stage I Breast Cancer. Luckily, it was caught early. For Adams, she said the most difficult part of this ordeal was telling her loved ones. The first one to know was her husband. “The biggest emotions at this point were nerves and fear of the unknown,” Adams wrote. “Neither one of us cried. We just really didn’t know what to do. We were in shock.” Adams next told her mother, a cancer survivor. “She is the strongest and most amazing woman I know, but I knew this news was going to be difficult for her to hear; that her only daughter had cancer,” Adams wrote. Her surgery was performed at Hackley Hospital on Nov. 16, and it went extremely well. “I don’t think I have to have chemo,” Adams said. “We think we got it all since there was no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes.” Being a biology teacher, Adams has repeatedly taught about cancerous cells and the details of cancer. Now, Adams has experienced the process and hopefully never will have to again. “I want my Sailor Family to know how much I appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, smiles, messages, calls, food, and cards,” she said. “I have never really cried about having cancer, but the kindness being shown to me by so many has brought me to tears on more than one occasion. I will never be able to express how much all of the love and support being sent my way has meant to me.”
f e a t u r e s
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p r o f i l e s
Get Connected to...
Get Connected to...
www.monashores.net
www.monashoressports.com
www.monashoreskids.org
sailorhockey.pucksystems.com
Shores has its own district website, where anyone with a computer can access information ranging from the daily schedule to specific teachers’ blog pages. The Mona Shores Education Foundation is a group dedicated to helping the district with funding for various projects. Its website includes information about who they are, what they do, and how to get involved.
moodle.monashores.net
Two years ago, Sailor athletics found a home for all sports at Shores. This website is solely dedicated to sporting events. Updated daily, the site provides schedules, match results, and roster information. Shores’ hockey program went away from faculty blogs but did not move toward social media. The hockey team has its own personal website complete with team rosters, coach information and game schedules.
Facebook groups & blogs
The Mona Shores Moodle page is a site that allows teachers to post class information, videos, and homework. Students may then register with their class and keep up to date with the teacher’s posts.
Traditionally, many coaches use their faculty blog page to post information about their respective sports. There are a number of coaches who have chosen to create Facebook pages dedicated to sports. These can easily be found if “Mona Shores [insert sport here]” is typed into the search bar.
Get Connected to...
Get Connected to...
get connected
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
www.replayit.com
The yearbook takes thousands of pictures, but, at the end of the year, only a fraction make it onto the pages the yearbook. Jostens has created an online home for all pictures relating to the school year. Anyone can upload pictures after registering, and all pictures can be viewed by the public.
sailorslogonline.wordpress.com The downside to printing a monthly school newspaper is the difficulty of providing recent information. This website, which will be active after break, allows us to keep up to date with the happenings around Shores.
Facebook groups & blogs The majority of clubs and organizations have made the jump to Facebook. Once a member of the group, students get notifications for any updates made. However, some club heads still use their faculty blog for club info.
ADOPT Continued from page 5 challenges than most his age have had to face. “I always worry about falling behind in my grades,” Smith said. “I’m in the tenth grade, but I feel like I could be in eighth grade with how much I understand everything. Even though I’m practically fluent in English, the vocabulary is still crazy to me.” One thing that Smith is not worried about, though, is ending up back in an orphanage. “My family wouldn’t do that to me,” Smith said. “They are incredible.” Don and Becky Smith filed for Gerardo’s adoption at the age of 7; however, Smith was not adopted until half way through the age of 9. Smith said that the seemingly unending process was due in part to the endless background checks and forms that had to be filled out. He also said that the indecisive Mexican police played a part in when he was allowed to leave. “We made five trips to the orphanage before we got to bring him home,” Becky said. “It was so hard to leave him each time. Many times, we would go back just to reassure him that we hadn’t forgotten about him and that we were still working at bringing
him home.” During the waiting period, Don and Becky would come to the orphanage and visit Smith, which gave him hope, but always left him wondering. “Every night after their first visit, I would run to a little wooden house and stand on the roof,” Smith said. “I wished that every car that passed would be my parents coming to visit me again. I never knew if they would come back or not.” Although a strenuous two and a half year process, Smith did describe his entire adoption experience as being exciting. Smith was luckier than most others his age. Oftentimes, older children are not considered for adoption. Most children, if adopted, are adopted as a baby. “I would encourage all parents who are considering adoption to go through with it,” Smith said. “It’s an amazing experience. Not only does it change the parents’ lives, but it changes the kid’s life as well.” Adoption has certainly changed Smith’s life. He said that he now realizes that there is more to life than what he originally thought. “Being adopted gave me a reason to live,” Smith said. “If it wasn’t for the Smith’s, I would either still be in that orphanage or I would be wandering the streets of Mexico alone.”
monashoresorchestra.org
The orchestra at Shores has its own website separate from the district site where information about upcoming events and concerts are posted.
www.monashoresband.org
Shores’ highly acclaimed and nationally recognized band has its own website. Here, the band has information on all of their upcoming performances for both concert and marching band. Also, any other events like fund raising efforts are posted.
Facebook groups & blogs
Other performing arts groups like the choir, allegros, and players can all be located from Facebook or teacher blogs. The blogs may be accessed through www.monashores.net.
Smith said it took Smith approximately one year to adjust to his new lifestyle in America. Even though he spent little of his essential younger years with his Don and Becky, he says that it has never been awkward. “My family and I connect on so many levels because we like many of the same things,” Smith said. “My dad and I used to have pillow fights when I was younger, and I remember him tickling me until I screamed like a girl. My mom is also a ton of fun. She is so easy to talk to, and she helps me with the important things like school.” Don and Becky have also experienced drastic life changes by having Gerardo in their lives. “He brings a lot of joy into our home,” Becky said. “He is a very happy kid, and we just love his smile. He also keeps us young. We are starting all over again with going to soccer games, the Singing Christmas Tree, and Pop Go the Sailors. He is also one that is grateful for everything that he has. He is so compassionate. He loves people. It’s a privilege to have him and to help him succeed in life.” Smith said that Don and Becky were the best parents he could have asked for. “The experiences that they have provided me with are incredible,” Smith said. They both do so much to make me a better person.”
DANCING Continued from page 1 Saturday, Dec. 8, students had to sign a form that said they would dance appropriately with “face-to-face and leave some space” as the dictum. The reaction from students has been mixed. “I have never fully enjoyed dances because of the inappropriate dancing that I found to be foul and unnecessary,” senior Danielle Riehl said. “The school made a smart decision to enforce (the policy) because the inappropriate dancing had gotten way out of hand.” Others, like junior Ragen Cooper, did not find the Winter Dance to be as enjoyable because chaperons were instructed to focus on the students dancing. “The dance was not a success this year,” Cooper said. “It could still be fun even with the face-to-face policy if school authorities weren’t staring us down every way we turned.” Gawkowski said the new enforcement came with positive intentions. “The goal of these events is make sure that everyone has an enjoyable evening and feels comfortable attending our high school dances because that has not always been the case,” Gawkowski said. Many students did, in fact, say they felt more comfortable. “I enjoyed myself at the holiday dance because I didn’t feel like everywhere I turned I would be forced to watch repulsive actions,” Riehl said. Ticket sales for the Winter Dance this year were at an unusual low level
– approximately 300 tickets were sold, a stark contrast from the usual 500. “As far as accounting for this difference, I imagine that many would point to an expectation by the administration that the dancing no longer be ‘suggestive,’” Gawkowski said. “But that is speculation on my part – I cannot say for certain why more students did not attend.” Despite some complaints, Gawkowski said students seemed to handle things well. “There were a few warnings issued, but overall, the students were respectful,” Gawkowski said. “In general, I was very proud of the way our students conducted themselves.” Those who had complaints still had positive things to say about the dance. “On the plus side, the decorations and the music were great,” Cooper said. The rule isn’t something that is intrinsic to Shores, Gawkowski noted. “I can tell you without hesitation that nearly every school in our area and beyond struggles with this same issue,” Gawkowski said. “They all have introduced their own procedures to deal with this issue.” The way that Shores has chosen to deal with the issue is intended to help the students have fun and feel comfortable at all of the dances, Gawkowski said. “It would be a miscalculation to assume that every student feels safe and comfortable attending our dances when the style of dancing is not appropriate,” Gawkowski said. “The goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable evening for all students.”
Behind the Bench
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s p o r t s
Rabbitt takes over as hockey head coach
ice,” Rabbitt said. “There are valuable life lessons that can be learned through playing sports. This is something that is worked on over the course of the year by talking about certain principles, maintaining those concepts by reinforcing the Pat Rabbitt has had this feeling before. The excitement, the right actions and attitudes and trying to be an example.” anxiety one feels before the game. Only this time, he’s behind The new head coach said he is looking to drive some things the bench. home this year with his team. “I have a passion for hockey and working with young “We need to be a discipline team that outworks our oppopeople,” said Rabbitt, the industrial arts teacher at Shores who is the new varsity hockey coach. “I was excited and intimidated nent every game,” Rabbitt said. “That is the foundational core for our team to be successful.” all at the same time (about being named head coach).” Senior Reed Hrynewich said he is Rabbitt, who began his profesenthusiastic about having Rabbitt sional hockey career in his hometown as the new head coach. of Merritt, British Columbia, with the “Coach Rabbitt is very knowlMerritt Centennials, was drafted in 1980 edgeable and experienced in the by the St. Louis Blues of the NHL. Coach: Pat Rabbitt game of hockey and is focused Although Rabbitt never made it to the Last Year’s Overall Record: 16-10 on making each player the NHL, he played minor league hockey Last Year’s Conf. Record: 5-7 best they can be,” for teams in Montana (twice), Kansas, No. of Returners: 17 Hrynewich said. and Wisconsin before finally settling Key Newcomers: Senior Cole Junior Nate in Muskegon, where he played for the Shafer; juniors Alec Sturr, Cory Rabbitt also said Lumberjacks from 1984 to 1986. Sander and Ben Essenberg the new head Rabbitt’s hockey experience also Strengths: Work ethic and skill set coach is steering includes a stint as head coach at them in the right Muskegon Catholic Central. direction looking ahead in the season. “I have been fortunate in having played under and worked “I like what he’s doing because we are with some great coaches over the years,” Rabbitt said. doing lots of conditioning and footwork which He said he will look to take the things he has learned from will pay off late in the season,” said Nate Rabbitt, past teammates and coaches in his journey to his position as who is also the coach’s son. head coach for the Sailors. Nate Rabbitt is used to seeing his dad on the ice And Rabbitt said he understands the rich tradition of hockey working with him day in and day out. at Shores. The hockey program has a state championship title “He has been an assistant coach for every team in 2000; was state runner up in 2004, 2007, and 2009; and won I’ve been on since seventh grade, so I’m used to eight conference championships, including six since 2003. being around him,” Nate Rabbitt said. “Plus, we “The Shores program is rich in its history and traditions,” Rabbitt said. “I hope that I can continue to build off of the ones make a pretty good father-son team.” Coach Rabbitt said he is excited and ready for that were at the helm before me.” this season behind the bench. Developing these student-athletes into exceptional hockey “I’ve been please with our willingness to work players would be considered an understatement. Rabbitt said he hard and being committed to our team goals,” is looking for much more when working with these athletes. Rabbitt said. “I’m looking forward to this year.” “I am after developing young men both on and off the By Cory Sander
Sports Editor
The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
Hockey
Winter Previews Competitive Cheer Coach: Amanda Heethuis Last Year’s Highlight: City champions Last Year’s Conference Place: 3rd No. of Returners: 15 of 22 Key Newcomers: Sophomores Julia Mocere, Shayna Hoch and Timyia Riley; freshmen Kennedy Ryan, Morgan Roberts, Lucy Tibbetts and Mackenzie Lund Team Strengths: Excellent jumps and tumbling, positive attitudes at practice From the Coach: “Coming back strong, this team is ready to prove themselves in Division 1. Our theme for sideline was ‘Ignite the Flame,’ and that’s exactly what the girls did.”
Wrestling Coach: Al Weber
Boys’ Swim Coach: Matt Schuchardt
Last Year’s Overall Record: 10-9-1 Last Year’s Conference Place: 5th Key Returners: Senior Colin Duca (130), Juniors Taylor McPhail (135 pounds) and
Last Year’s Overall Record: 4-7 Last Year’s Conference Record: 0-4 Key Returners: Seniors Kyle Willson, Keith Otto, and Tyler Otto; juniors Pat Taylor, Joey Paul, and Chris Evans Key Newcomers: Freshmen John Hunt,
Adam Pawlowski (140)
Chase Ledsworth, and a great group of eight
Team Strengths: Good practices
other freshmen
From the Coach: “The team has been step-
Team Strengths: Our key returners are all talented strong and hard working From the Coach: “(We are) lean and mean.”
ping up their practices.”
Boy’s Basketball
Girls’ Basketball
Boys’ Bowling
Girls’ Bowling
Coach: Nick Bronsema Last Year’s Overall Rec.: 6-15 Last Year’s Conf. Record: 3-7 Key Returners: Seniors Adam Rayner and Dmitris Demetriou; juniors Logan Smith and Adreon Billips Key Newcomers: Seniors Collin Adams; juniors Logan Haugh, Marquon Sargent, Cam Matthews, Jamarius Williams, Julian Loera and Marcus Tumblin; freshman Kobe Burse Team Strengths: The ability to play any player From the Coach: “We are going to be unselfish. We look to win every time we step on the court.”
Coach: Bradley Kurth Last Year’s Overall Record:15-8 Last Year’s Conf. Record: 8-2 Key Returners: Seniors Meredith Smith, Morgan Smith, Corrine DeWitt, and Brooke Ledsworth; juniors Jasmyn Walker and Saddie Vela Key Newcomers: Juniors Amy Gillings, Sarah Jones, Rachel Anderson, Kortnie Heining Team Strengths: Guard play From the Coach: “This team returns some starts from last year’s team that challenged a lot of great teams in the area.”
Coach: Greg Schmeling Last Year’s Overall Rec.: 20-0 Last Year’s Conf. Record: 8-0 Key Returners: Seniors Jake Sherburn, Grant Gillard, Mitch Davignon, Hunter Carlson, Dakota Hanson, and Chris Sherburn; sophomore Dan Ribbink Team Strengths: Experience and execution From the Coach: “Going on my fourth season with this group of kids, my expectations of the seniors are high.”
Coach: Greg Schmeling Last Year’s Overall Rec.: 20-0 Last Year’s Conf. Record: 8-0 Key Returners: Seniors Alex Beall, Jill Klein, and Ashley Cory; juniors Magann Dykema, Kalynn Hannahs, and McKenna Birch Team Strengths: Experience and execution From the Coach: “The goals are simple: win the OK Black Conference, defend our regional titles (both boys and girls) and win a state title in our hometown and try to stay undefeated in the year in match play.”
By Abby Bryson
Sports Editor From Lebron’s chalk clap to the Red Wings’ octopus, world-class athletes have found many ways to get their mind ready for competition. But preparing mentally is not exclusive to world-class athletes. Many athletes at Shores also have a way to get into a prepared mindset. Girls’ cross country coach Heather Hall, who also teaches psychology, said having a completely focused and prepared mind can help physical performance. “(Mindset in sports is) totally important. You can’t have distractions to the goal you set if you plan to be successful,” Hall said. “You can’t have any negative thoughts or not be confident in what you’re about to do.” Sophomore Chase Baker, who was the starting catcher on the varsity baseball team last year, said, “If I don’t do (my routine) exactly right, I am thinking about it the entire game. (Then) every time something goes wrong, I blame it on what I did differently that day.” To jump-start his game, Baker said he has an intricate set of movements. “Before every single game or practice, I stretch and warm up properly,” Baker said. “I put my right sock on first every time and my right cleat first every time. When I am catching, I always put my left knee pad on first and then my right. My shoe laces have to be double knotted. Before I bat, I put my right batting glove on first, then my left. I take exactly three practice swings every time because I am No. 3, and I make the sign of the cross on home plate before every pitch.” However, Baker said he does not believe his routines help him physically. “It’s all a mental standpoint,” Baker said. “I believe it truly doesn’t make you physically any better of a baseball player, but you convince yourself it does. You think it
makes you better,” Baker is not the only one at Shores with a pre-game routine. Senior Renee Tardani, who is a varsity sprinter, also said having a set routine will affect her performance. “I’ve accidentally let a race sneak up on me, and I’ve run without proper preparation before,” Tardani said. “It was rough, and I didn’t perform well because physically warming up my legs makes a difference, and with the wrong mindset for an event like the 400, I give up halfway through the race.” Sophomore Jake DeRemer, who plays varsity soccer, said if he stopped his routine, his game would suffer. “I would say (a routine) helps me mentally because it puts me in the mindset to be focused on the game that I’ve prepared for,” DeRemer said. “I think my performance would change because when I do listen to music and put my stuff on in my order, I know I have set myself up to do my best.” To prepare her body, senior Serena Gale-Butto, who holds the girls’ cross country record, always drinks water the night before and day of a race. “Physically, drinking water helps me because it helps keep me hydrated,” Gale-Butto said. “If I didn’t drink water, I know my performance would change because on the days I didn’t, I could feel it during my race. It makes it a lot harder to run.” Baker said getting his mind focused is an important part of sports and will even affect his physical game. “I think if I didn’t do my every-day routine, my performance would not be good because of the mental standpoint of it,” Baker said. “It gets in my head, and I think too much.” However, Hall said that one does not necessarily need to do the same thing every time to become prepared. “Some people think it helps,” Hall said, “but as long as you’re getting your mind prepared, you don’t need a ritualistic routine.”
How much of your sport is mental?
Wrestling: “It’s probably about 50 percent because you have to believe in yourself before you can find success.” Adam Pawlowski, junior Cheerleading: “I’d say it’s at least 70 percent because if you don’t get rid of your fear, you won’t be able to do anything.” Kenzie Lund, freshman
Basketball: “A lot is mental because if one of us gets down, it brings everyone down, and it affects how we all play. ” Brooke Ledsworth, senior Hockey: “Hockey take a lot of mental toughness, and you can’t let your emotions control you.” Nate O’Neil, sophomore
Experts share psychological impact on sports By Holly Fredericksen
Sports Editor It seems so easy. We’ve all been there. We’ve all sat in the stands at a football or basketball game. We’ve all looked over to our friend and criticized a mistake one of the players made. It seems so easy from up there. We’ve seen the disappointed look in the fans eyes, thinking that the situation the player is in is easy. Maybe we’re watching a professional game on TV. We’re sitting there thinking, “Why have those athletes been so successful?” Contrary to popular belief, there is more to sports than physical ability. The mental world of sports is big, and some experts say it contributes to more than half of the overall game. Athletes battle mental blocks everyday during training and games. Anxiety and physical impairment are two things that could be a reason for an athlete to not perform at their peak. For some, overcoming these obstacles is quick and easy, but others m a y seek help
the
from a professional. Sports psychologists and performance coaches are options that benefit players. “(As a coach), I help with anything that may be blocking them,” said performance enhancement coach Phile Towle, via a phone call Nov. 29. “Just a couple of the reasons are self-doubt and anxiety. I try to help people fill their greatest potential and find out what psychological reasons are holding them back.” Towle, whose website is philtowle.com, has worked with elite performers, such as Olympic swimmers, business leaders, bands, actors and actresses, and has a Super Bowl ring from working with the St. Louis Rams in 2000. “I work with people who have to be at their best,” Towle said. “I help people who put themselves in difficult situations manage themselves better.
Sometimes, people have personalities that haven’t caught up to their talent, and they become successful before they even realize it.” Through visualizations, deep breathing practices, and many more techniques, performances coaches, such as Phil Towle and Ryan Blanck, can use to assist athletes in overcoming mental obstacles. Blanck, the founder of Deviate, is a performance-improvement consultant who said that with the help of extraordinary leaders that performers strive to their highest potential. There is no blanket answer on how to help an unique individual though. “During the process, I try to help them create harmony with themselves,” said Blanck during a Nov. 29 phone call. “The most important thing is that they find a piece of mind.” Many athletes go through mental phases where they might be burdened and feel the need to be perfect; they feel it’s not OK to be imperfect. “Asking tough questions helps someone come up with the best answer for himself,” Towle said. “I believe everything is already inside of us. I’m just here to help them find their own breakthroughs. T h a t ’s what the process is all about.“
Mental Game of Sports
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High school athletes rely on routines to perform
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The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 21, 2012
Athletes find ways to transition between sports By Blake Robinson
Sports Editor For many multi-sport athletes, one sport season is directly followed by another with no break in between. First-time multi-sport athletes may become frustrated when making this transition as their mental attitude is not conditioned for the change. On the other hand, athletes who have gone through this change for several years know how to mentally prepare for the transition. “I have found that this transition really has gotten easier with more years of playing the sports,” said senior Colin Duca, who moves from cross country to wrestling to track. “The change starts to come almost naturally.” Coaches often have techniques to help athletes make the mental transition easier. “You need to get them excited,” varsity boys’ basketball coach Nick Bronsema said. “We begin our preseason by watching a Michigan State boys’ basketball practice at the Breslin Center. We were able to see how hard they work, meet the coaches and players, and then hang out in their team room. Keeping them mentally excited keeps them confident with the sport.” Athletes, too, have their own ways of changing their mentality and getting from one sport to another. “Conditioning is a big part of sports,” said junior Pat Taylor, who runs cross country, swims, and plays baseball. “It’s a pretty big change from cross country to swim, working out different muscles, so conditioning is really important.” Even though this transition may become rough, an athlete needs to keep strong mentally because it will become more fluid, Duca said. “(Newer multi-sport athletes need to) stay confident,” Duca said. “The transition gets easier with time.”