Sept. 3, 2020 Edition

Volume 58 • Edition 1 • Tuesday, September 3, 2019

T H E

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

SPARKING CHANGE Construction at the high school began last spring with the creation of a new soccer complex. Over the summer, construction on a new front entrance (pictured), which would provide better security, was began. – page 5

EDITORIAL

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SHOTS FIRED

from the editors New year brings changes to newspaper

Mass shootings become far too prevalent

I

’m scared. I’m scared for you.

I’m scared for your friends, my friends, and I’m scared for myself.

Why am I scared? Just recently, we have seen mass shootings at a WalMart, at a church and even at school. I fear every day about gun violence because of how prevalent mass shootings have become.

What is a mass shootColumn ing? According to the by Morgan Everytown Research Cathey, official website, a mass executive shooting is an incident editor in which four or more people are shot and killed, not including the shooter.

In America alone, from Jan. 1 until now, there have been 255 mass shootings. That number should worry every American.

As a country, America has been conditioned to believe that this is a normal fact, but it is not. Journalist Keith Edwards made a statement involving statistics on mass shootings in 2019; the statement declared that there Executive Editors Morgan Cathey Paige Judson Gabby Lopez Staff Jenna Baker Holli Brus Aidan Cook Jaylene Davis Mia Dickson Sydney Fetters

are countries that have not had a mass shooting at all during 2019. The statement also read that the country with the highest number of mass shootings in 2019, other than the United States, is Mexico, which only had three.

While this statement was said to rely on a broad definition of mass shootings, the fact that the United States has 255 is indisputable and saddening.

Not only is the number of general mass shootings startling but increasingly saddening facts on the number of school shootings are worsening by the day. According to data from the Official Education Week website, during the 2018 American school year, there were 24 school shootings with 114 student/teacher/staff member deaths or injuries. These things affect students. These real-life stories get into people’s heads and scare them.

Shores has never had a mass shooting. Does that make the fear go away?

No. With shootings on the rise, the likelihood of a mass shooting feels more and more threatening. Students do not feel safe anymore. Even in Sophia Fisher Bailey Graham Chris Horvath Emily Kuznar Sarah Roman Samantha Sewick Kye Sieffert Robby Swanker Adviser Warren Kent III

The Sailors’ Lo

a school with police presence and locked doors, the fear still lingers.

The people in charge, really in charge, such as lawmakers and all government officials, are choosing to do nothing in the face of their fellow citizens’ fear.

Currently, there are no laws that effectively control guns. There have been thoughts, prayers, hopes, dreams, rallies, protests, but no actual solution.

In the face of tragedy, America’s leaders have left the innocent defenseless and hopeless. Legislation to counteract the violent outbursts that continue to occur in America is greatly needed.

The number of mass shootings across the country in 2019 has surpassed the number of days so far this year. This should be enough to make every single person in the United States ready to stand up and fight for the place that we call home.

How this statistic is not enough, at least not yet, will never cease to be a telling description of the current life of the American people. This epidemic is killing America’s mothers, fathers, and children, so when will someone do something about it?

Hi all, and welcome back to school. We are excited to announce that there will be three executive editors this year bringing you all of your news and updates via The Sailors’ Log. We hope that you have enjoyed your summer and are at least a little bit ready to come back for another great school year. We hope you didn’t forget any of your school supplies even though you’ll definitely need some new pencils in about a week.

Whether or not you have all of your school supplies, though, we will be here to make sure that you get all of your entertainment, reviews, and sports news throughout the year. However, we will no longer be delivering to classrooms.

We know how hard it is to ignore the temptation of reading our amazing stories, so instead, you can pick up your newspaper in the Sailor Center lobby or in the front entrance area. We will also be delivering to different local businesses this year.

You might find us at Biggby, the Norton Shores Library, Toast ‘n Jams, even your dentist.

The whole staff has been working tirelessly to bring you this back-to-school edition. We hope you enjoy the wide variety of stories that we are bringing to you in this edition.

We are so happy with the wide variety of writers that we have this year with their wide range of interests and knowledge.

We have many different people bringing so many things to the table, and we could not be more excited with the variety of stories that we are going to be able to bring you this year.

Speaking of new writers, we also have a brand new section going into our newspaper. It is going to be called our “Special Section,” and it is going to be a mini pull-out newspaper with four pages written all about one topic.

The special section could be about anything from a whole Valentine’s section to a section about our yearly blood drive.

We are just excited to have the room to elaborate on things that we feel are important, something that our staff just can’t seem to stop writing about.

In all, we are just ready and looking forward to our senior year and to be bringing you all things that you might want to read. – Paige Judson, Gabby Lopez and Morgan Cathey

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

How to communicate with the staff: • Email: kentw@monashores.net • Website: www.thesailorslog.com • Facebook: Mona Shores Publications

Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editorial staff 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

The Sailors’ Log

Times Are Changin’

EDITORIAL

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Life’s transformations provide opportunities to appreciate possibilities

C

hange is scary to many people because it’s new, but it doesn’t have to be because change is always an opportunity to learn more and progress as a person.

Every now and then, I find myself stuck in a routine where life seems normal and easy.

Even though it’s easy, it is not completely happy and peaceful because there is always a shadow in the distance reminding me that Column by change is inevitable and this Jaylene routine is not forever.

Davis, The weird thing about staff writer change is that it happens suddenly and can leave someone feeling lost in their new surroundings.

Personally, a big change leaves me feeling helpless and missing my past whether it was good for me or not.

I recently went through a big change after time with the closest person in my life came to an end. I worried that no one would fill the empty hole left in my heart.

Everyone can experience losing a relationship differently, but I found myself switching between unstable highs and lows.

The highs were when I was thinking of the positives of the change. I thought, ‘change is always for the better, happens for a reason, and is an opportunity to grow myself personally.’

But the lows had me lying in my room, isolated and missing the few happy moments I had with him and worrying I was lost without my partner.

Time paired with constant reminders that I was strong, beautiful, and capable from myself and the people who care about me helped me learn I was whole before I met this person and I am whole as long as I have myself.

“My favorite summer memory was going to Las Vegas, L.A. and San Francisco. What I enjoyed the most was going over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter when I was in Las Vegas.” – Marvin Cisneros, senior “My favorite summer memory was attending the Young Americans Summer Camp. This year was special to me because I was awarded a scholarship. They chose someone who they think represents what it is to be a Young American and a young performer.” – Jakari Carson, junior “My favorite summer memory was going to Georgia. I had a baseball tournament there. I went with my dad, and it was good to spend time with him.” – Aaron Piasecki, sophomore

“My favorite summer memory was being able to hang out with my friends a lot. We liked to play basketball. It was also nice not having to worry about school or anything.” – David Wu, freshman

Slowly, my moods become more stable the more time I spend by myself with my positive thoughts enough to overpower the negative, so I could understand the meaning of self love.

Self love is my life raft in the flood of change. Without self love I was lost, but the more I understand my worth, the more I realize I don’t need to jump from relationship to relationship when I can get into the

Q What is your favorite summer memory?

the big

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

routine of loving myself.

For a long time when the shadow of change came in my relationships, I ran from it and found someone new.

This coping mechanism was unhealthy and left me feeling worthless and lonely by myself. I was constantly worrying about how other people felt and never thought about the ultimate goal of change, which is to become a better person.

I believe the difference between changing for the better and running from change is having self love and needing to be loved.

One which is healthy and the other which can cause big setbacks in someone’s progress in changing for the better.

For some people, change doesn’t have much to do with their relationships and has more to do with a change in their routine.

A change in routine can leave someone as lost and alone as with any other change.

I feel this especially around this time of year, because school is starting again. As a senior, I dread the pride awareness, the slow moving classes, and losing all of my summer free time.

But at times like this, I continue to remind myself that change is inevitable and as fast as school came upon me, it will leave me.

That’s the crazy thing about the real world. Change and time happen so fast, but the best one can do is appreciate and love the possibilities that the future holds for us.

“My favorite summer memory was unplanned. I had nothing to do one day, so I met up with my best friend. We just drove around, got to know the city a bit better, talked and caught up, and met some pretty important people in my life. We also swam for a bit.” – Maggie Escobar, senior “My favorite summer memory was when my family and I went to North Carolina. We go every year, but this year I got to take my friend Payton Silk. It was super sunny and hot, but it was so fun.

We laughed a lot.” – Mia Bowers, junior

“My favorite summer memory was sailing on Lake Michigan with my dad. It was super fun.” – Zoe Fetters, sophomore

“My favorite summer memory was going out on the lake with friends. We would go on boat rides and go tubing.” – Ava Dunn, freshman

REVIEW

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Phase One

Phase Two

Iron Man: The start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) (2008)

Iron Man 3: This movie shows Tony Stark with PTSD-like symptoms. (2013)

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Thor (2011)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Captain America: The First Avenger: A movie that takes place around 1942 during WWII (The first prequel to enter the MCU). (2011)

Avengers: Age of Ultron: Some Avengers become outlaws for the destruction of a city in a fictional country (2015)

Marvel’s Avengers (2012)

Ant-Man (2015)

The Sailors’ Log

Phase Three

Captain America: Civil War (2016) Doctor Strange: This movie introduced the mystical or magic parts of the MCU. (2016) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Ant-Man and the Was (2018) Captain Marvel (2019) Avengers: Endgame: Endgame is the end of three characters in the MCU; it also introduced the Multiverse into the MCU (2019)

Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Black Panther (2018)

Spider-Man: Far From Home: End of the “Infinity Saga” as well as end of Phase 3 (2019)

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

MARVEL-OUS MOVIES

What will Phase 4 bring in 2020?

W

ith Thanos dead and the Infinity Saga having been resolved, many people are wondering what is going to happen in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the removal of many MCU characters, including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans) and a couple others.

We know that Marvel Studios likes to hide things in their movies hinting to what is going next with their post-credit scenes. At the end of the majority of their movies they are always hinting Column by Kye Sieffert, to what’s next. staff writer I’ve always been a Marvel fan, and I have been looking forward to Phase 4 since the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home.

The Marvel movies are taking a break until 2020. With anticipation for the movies to come, many, including me, have theorized what will happen next in the MCU. Some think that a character by the name of Namor McKenzie, due to a single line said by Danai Gurira’s Okoye, will be one of the next villains. Okoye mentions that there were earthquakes off the coast of Africa in a throwaway line.

Namor’s mother was killed due to earthquakes in the comic books, and Namor blamed people for not doing anything to help them, but this is just a theory. We don’t know if this will actually come to pass.

What we do know is that Marvel has announced some movies that are to be released in 2020 as well as 2021. The movies that have been announced are listed below.

Eternals (2020) – stars Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, and Don Lee. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse for Madness (2021) – Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2021) – Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, and Natalie Portman.

Black Widow (2020) – Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz.

Blade (TBA) – Mahershala Ali. There is one character that has a high chance of not returning to the MCU due to a dispute

between Disney and Sony. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man may not be returning to the MCU at this point due to Sony not wanting to do a 50 percent split of profits with Disney since Sony owns the rights to Spider-Man. Disney wants to split the expenses of making the films as well as the profits made, Sony doesn’t want to do that even though the Spider Man movies have been the most profitable out of all of the movies that Sony has made.

If Disney and Marvel don’t resolve their disputes and come to an agreement, we can say goodbye to our beloved Spider-Man. But there is still a lot to look forward to.

The Marvel movie universe has exploded since 2008 with the first Iron Man movie.

Phases 1 through 3 gave audiences 23 movies.

Phase 4 will begin in 2020.

NEWS

The Sailors’ Log

5

This year’s theme highlights importance of respect

By Bailey Graham Staff Writer

Principal Jennifer Bustard knows the importance of team.

As a former girls’ basketball coach and the leader of the high school, Bustard has used her share of mottos to motivate people, and for the past 10 years, she has applied a motto for each school year.

Starting today, the 2019-20 school year will revolve around “Honor your Team,” which builds off of last year’s “The Power of Team,” which, she said, dove into what it means to be a part of a team and putting the greater good before oneself.

Bustard said this year’s theme will single in on the importance of recognizing achievements and the respect that comes with them.

“The theme ‘Honor your Team’ means that you are respecting students’ and staffs’ success not only through congratulations but by recognizing their hard work to get to that point, success is not by chance but by the effort put in,” Bustard said.

Each year, Bustard said she goes through the previous year’s statistics and listens to the advice of teachers to come up with an important theme each year that will make Shores better.

“I selected the theme ‘Honor’ to build upon the excellence we had last year here at Mona Shores and to have a better understanding that great achievements happen, but we can always be greater,” Bustard said.

Bustard also gave a goal for the student body to accomplish this year.

“I want students at Shores to honor their teachers for their work towards the best education, to honor your classmates and teammates on their achievements, and to honor

HONOR Your Team Davarius Carter (left), a 2019 graduate, celebrates a touchdown with James Gilbert (right), also a 2019 graduate, against East Kentwood last year at Grand Valley State University.

your world so that great Sailor Pride can help make the world a better place,” Bustard said. “It’s really all about personal respect.

As a principal, I am trying hard to build upon character values to make each student the best they can be before they are sent out into life outside of high school.”

Not only does Bustard have goals for her

staff and students; she also has a goal to meet every day in her position as principal.

“Everyday in my work, I plan to reflect honor. My job is to raise students and staff up to celebrate their effort and success,” Bustard said. “I want to recognize and honor the determination that the Sailors have in the classrooms, gym, on the playing field, or

wherever.”

Assistant principal Kent Higgs said he has a lot of excitement for the upcoming school year and believes that the theme will build upon the greatness at Shores.

“The new theme is something I believe Sailors are already doing, but by emphasizing honor, it will highlight students and staff’s work,” Higgs said. “Honor to me is the idea of being stable and sticking to morals and integrity associated with being a Sailor. This year’s theme will help strengthen Mona Shores Sailor Pride.”

Junior Keegan DeKuiper said he thinks it is important to show honor.

“In sports, at school, and even with my family, I’ve already been showing honor,” DeKuiper said. “I am so blessed to have so many opportunities at Shores, so I plan on spreading the message of honor by conducting it through myself as a student leader and showing all the qualities that come with the theme.”

Bustard said she is proud of the success at Shores and will be cheering on staff and students this year as their determination helps them to obtain achievements. Hopefully, the respect that will come along with this will motivate others to put just as hard work in to make Shores have once again another amazing year.

“We need to honor classmates and staff’s time and hard work while also celebrating the achievements that come with it and letting that motivate each individual to work harder and do amazing in anything they choose to set their minds too,” Bustard said.

“There is a lot to honor at Shores; the list goes on and on. I have no doubt that our Sailors will take this goal and use it to make amazing progress. It’s a Shores thing.”

Sailors say ‘hola’ to Spanish teacher

Construction progressing smoothly

New Spanish teacher Nathanael Johnston didn’t have to travel far from his previous job to Shores.

As a matter of fact, it was merely nine miles from Western Michigan ChrisJohnston tian, where Johnston taught for three years. Now he is here at Shores, where he replaces Suzi Potter, who retired.

“I am excited to be a part of the awesome world language department,” John-

When the $93 million bond passed last November, the Shores School District was going to see changes at all six buildings.

Over the summer at the high school, a secure vestibule was installed in the front entrance. The new entrance also will include a waiting area for guests and visitors and a seating area for students after school.

“We take security very seriously, and as designs were unfolding, it made perfect sense from the architects and from law enforcement that you have the very best secure vestibule,” principal Jennifer Bustard said.

The improved front entrance and lobby area will have an area for students to charge their phones or sit on a bench and wait for a ride.

One thing Bustard said she is personally

By Bailey Graham Page Editor

ston said. “I love working with other teachers and learning from them. In the past, I have built several programs from the ground up, so it is exciting to join one that is thriving.”

Johnston, who is a graduate of Northwestern (Orange City, Iowa) College and has been teaching for six years, said he discovered that he had a passion for teaching before college.

“I decided to teach because I had awesome teachers in high school, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Johnston said.

“I also worked at a summer camp in high school, so I knew that I had the patience

needed to be a teacher. I also got to see how rewarding it was to give back and invest in students’ lives.”

Johnston, who also plays the guitar, keeps himself active with running and family; he is currently racing around to take care of a new addition to his family.

“I train for triathlons, and I’m involved in a local running club. I also like to cook and read books to practice my Spanish,” said Johnston, who has his son Leo with his wife Emma.

“My wife and I try to go to the lake as much as we can.

I am also changing a lot of diapers right now because we had a baby in June.”

By Morgan Cathey Executive Editor

excited about it the new walk off carpet, which will help alleviate slippery hallways, especially in the winter.

‘Now, the slush gets sucked into the carpet so kids don’t slip,” Bustard said. “I’m very excited.”

In addition to the new entrance updates, there will also be a new sidewalk and crosswalk from Padelt to Norton that was formed from a partnership between the Mona Shores Public Schools and the City of Norton Shores which applied for a federal grant.

“We really need to encourage kids to use it because if they don’t use it, then it’s not going to do what we want it to do –keep kids safe,” Bustard said.

High school construction began last spring with the new soccer complex, which also includes the softball fields too.

Athletic Director Todd Conrad said the Please see CONSTRUCTION, page 9

CENTER

6

The Sailors’ Log

CENTER

The Sailors’ Log

MEET THE STAFF

For this edition, we decided to allow you to meet those who worked on this paper and will for the rest of the year.

Additionally, there will be others through the year who will contribute.

Executive Editors

Morgan Cathey Favorite movie? I have four favorite movies that are all different genres, so they all suit different moods and situations. For example, one of my favorite movies is The Fantastic Mr. Fox, which is a really weird and funny movie, so whenever I’m feeling like I need to laugh, that is my go-to. If I want action, I watch Super 8; if I want drama, I watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower; and if I want horror, I watch The Conjuring. I cannot pick just one favorite because I love them all equally, just with different parts of my personality.

Why newspaper? I chose newspaper as an eighth-grader, which is a unique experience, but that’s only because I knew that I wanted to take the class from the beginning. My brother was in newspaper when he was in high school and was a senior when I was just an eighth-grader, signing up for all my first high school classes. I’d read his articles and loved writing just as much as he did, so he recommended that I sign up for the class. After his recommendations, I had to go through a whole extra process of going to the middle school counselors, begging for a chance, and then receiving permission from my English teachers. After all that work, I guess, I just couldn’t let it go, and so now, I’ve taken it all four years.

Gabby Lopez Favorite sport? My favorite sport is definitely baseball. Ever since I was a kid, baseball has been all I’ve ever known (along with soccer), especially when it’s all my dad talked about. My dad, being the biggest Tigers fan there is, raised me to love the team and everything in between. Soon, I started to realize that the Tigers aren’t as good as my 7-year-old self thought. I switched teams to the Chicago Cubs where I now know every single player and try to make it to a game every summer. Let’s just say that my dad isn’t so happy, but my uncle (who is a mega-fan himself) is extremely happy, to say the least.

Why newspaper? I chose newspaper because I have always loved writing. I love creating stories and sharing experiences with others. When I found out newspaper was a class, I knew I wanted to start. Starting as a sophomore in newspaper was a scary experience.

The computer programs were difficult, I didn’t really know any upperclassmen, and I did not have one single clue on how to write an article. However, the more I learned and started to branch out, the more I started to realize that journalism is something that I love. Being in the newspaper class has allowed me to express my ideas and let not only mine but others’ voices to be heard.

Paige Judson Favorite sport? My absolute favorite sport definitely has to be hockey. I grew up going to the Fury games with my parents where I would originally just sit and color the whole time, but as I grew older and the Fury became the Lumberjacks and turned into a USHL league, I began to pay more attention and grew to love watching the games.

Now, I go to as many Lumberjacks’ games as possible with my dad and watch the Red Wings while I sit home doing my homework. It’s just a fast-paced and intense sport that easily catches my attention, and the game itself just holds so many memories for me of time spent with my family.

Why newspaper? I chose newspaper again this year because over the past two years I have gotten the chance to talk to all different people who I may have never had the chance to talk to before. Newspaper pushes me outside of my comfort zone and forces me to talk to lots of people with many different perspectives on life. The class is also a great way to make friendships and bond with people in class who all have vastly different interests and experiences.

It’s just a great way to make different and interesting friendships.

7

The Staff

Chris Horvath

Samantha Sewick

Sarah Roman

Favorite TV show? Survivor. I am what you’d call a “Superfan,” and hope to be on the show one day.

Why newspaper? I’ve met so many new people and tried so many new things I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d do. I’m very thankful for newspaper and Mr. Kent.

Favorite place to visit? Tahquamenon Falls Why newspaper? It is a great way to not only develop a greater skill when it comes to writing but also get involved in my school and everything that goes on in and around our community.

Favorite place to visit? Boston Why newspaper? I thought it’d be a fun thing to do, and some of my friends were planning on doing it. I also wanted to have Mr. Kent as a teacher again because I enjoyed having him during my previous year of English class.

Sydney Fetters

Bailey Graham

Holli Brus

Biggest pet peeve? When bike riders ride on the road instead of the sidewalk.

The temptation to honk or give them a love tap with my front bumper is almost extreme. 10 points!

Why newspaper? I didn’t choose the newspaper life; the newspaper life chose me.

Favorite season? Summer because I love going to the beach and getting to hang out with my friends all the time.

Why newspaper? I chose newspaper because writing has always been fun for me. Also, I really like Mr. Kent and heard it was a chill class.

Favorite sport? Soccer Why newspaper? I chose newspaper because the class and environment overall seemed very fun and inviting.

I also loved the idea of giving me and other students in the school a place where their voices can be heard.

Sophia Fisher Favorite food? Grilled chicken Why newspaper? I wanted to get more involved with the school and I heard how good the class was and how much fun it was to take.

Jenna Baker

Favorite food? French fries Why newspaper? I chose newspaper because it had always seemed intresting to me.

Jaylene Davis Favorite food? Alfredo sauce on anything.

Why newspaper? I joined newspaper because I wanted to express myself and thought it would be a fun class to take.

Robby Swanker Favorite movie? The Heat Why newspaper? I chose newspaper because I wanted to be a part of something where you can share what’s important to you and express yourself through writing to the whole school.

There’s no other class where you can do this.

Mia Dickson Favorite TV show? Friends Why newspaper? I chose newspaper this year because I wanted to try something new, outside my comfort zone and get more involved.

Emily Kuznar

Favorite sport? Dance Why newspaper? I took newspaper to try something new and also get a break in my day from regular classes.

Kye Sieffert Favorite song? “Where Dragons Rule”

by Dragonforce Why newspaper? I chose newspaper because I thought that it would be fun and an interesting experience.

FEATURE

8

Su m mer o f S h aw n

Mendes’ performances enjoyed by all

By Holli Brus Staff Writer

S h aw n Fa c t B ox

When musical artist Shawn Mendes made two appearances in Michigan this past summer, many Shores students made sure they were in attendance.

Freshman Lauren Hylland said she had an amazing opportunity of seeing Mendes, whose more popular songs are “In My Blood” and “If I Can’t Have You,” perform at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on June 24.

“It was such an amazing experience, especially for my first concert,” Hylland said. “My favorite part was when he first came on the stage with all the lights and color-changing because it made everyone really excited for the concert to begin.”

Sophomore Dezmin Merwin also attended the concert in Grand Rapids.

“I’ve always loved his music, so it was just really cool to get to see him in person,” Merwin said. “It was definitely the best experience I’ve ever had. The way he included the crowd with every song was amazing as well as the energy he gave off.”

Sophomore Anabeth Hylland saw Mendes perform live in Detroit on Aug. 5 at the Little Caesars Arena.

“What made the concert so exciting was that I went with my best friend, and we both love Shawn Mendes with all our hearts,” Hylland said. “We had looked forward to the concert since Christmas. My favorite songs he sang has to be a tie between both ‘Fallin All in You’ and ‘If I Can’t Have You.’ Another lucky sailor was junior Riley Trygstad, who saw Mendes in Grand Rapids, said she

Birthday: August 8, 1998 Biggest Hits: Both “If I Can’t Have You” and “Senorita” peaked at Billboard’s No. 2 Favorite hobbies: He enjoys working out and cooking Instruments he can play: Guitar and piano His biggest influence: Ed Sheeran

Photo by Riley Trygstad had an amazing time getting seats on the floor, being extremely close to the stage.

“The concert was really wicked,” Trygstad said. “I liked how we had light-up bracelets that changed for different songs. My favorite song was probably ‘Señorita’ because I just really like that song a lot.”

Even though Mendes has a mainly female audience, there are still plenty of boys who enjoy his music and performances.

Senior Cooper Sabourin didn’t attend either of the concerts but wishes he could have.

“I like him because he is fun to sing along within the car with my friends,” Sabourin said.

“And my favorite song is definitely ‘Stitches.’”

Senior Meghan Adams, is a fan of Mendes as well, and went to his Detroit concert.

“My favorite part of the concert was right when he came out on stage,’’ Adams said. “Everyone got so excited and started screaming.

Plus, just seeing him in person was so cool. I’ve been a Shawn Mendes fan for years, since his Vine days. I like him a lot because he’s really attractive and has a super good voice.”

C onc er t C o u ntd o w n While Shawn Mendes seemed to have the go-to concerts of the year for teenagers, other concerts were hits with students too.

Information compiled by Mia Dickson, staff writer

Senior Connor Fritz attended Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon from Aug 7-10.

“My favorite part about Unity is the environment. It is filled with love from everyone.

Not many places can you walk around carefree, and Unity is definitely one. To me, that’s awesome. It’s love.”

Junior Olivia Holiday saw Tame Impala at West Riverfront Park in Detroit on July 29.

“It was for sure the best part of my summer.

When it started, the feeling of the bass in my chest made me feel like I was on top of the world. When the confetti cannons shot off, that was for sure the best part. I’ll for sure be going next year.”

Junior Payton Silk went to see Khalid at the Little Caesars Arena on July 28.

“I loved absolutely everything about it. I loved how he played songs he knew that the audience would enjoy and be able to sing along to. He would take time and not only sing but speak to us just about life and motivation.

Overall, it was a really unforgettable night.”

Senior Olivette Balzer attended Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago from Aug 1-4.

“Lollapalooza was a total blast.

I got to go with all my friends, which made it even more fun when we all saw everyone that we wanted to see.”

The Sailors’ Log

Concert becomes night to remember

N

ot only did numerous Shores students describe Shawn Mendes’ concerts as wicked and worthwhile, but I can also attest to the fact that his performances are unlike any other.

I attended the Detroit concert on Aug. 5, and I had one of the best nights of my life. My best friend, Anabeth Hylland, and I went, and we had been waiting since Christmas to see our celebrity crush perform.

Walking into the arena, I was surprised and overwhelmed by how big it was, and how many people were there.

Everyone got cool light up Column by bracelets, but sadly, Holli Brus, Anabeth’s didn’t staff writer work.

We sat to the right of the stage and about 20 rows up. In other words, our seats were pretty good.

Once Mendes ran onto the stage, we couldn’t contain our excitement. His opening song, “Lost in Japan,” was one of my favorites.

The music was extremely loud and Mendes’ voice echoed through the arena. I was singing as loud as I could, but I still couldn’t hear myself.

Mendes performed an amazing show by having high energy and involving the crowd. I could tell how much Mendes enjoys singing, and he sounds just as good live as on the radio.

My favorite song he performed that night was “If I Can’t Have You.” Even though that isn’t my all-time favorite song by him, that song was the most hype during the concert.

This was one of his newest songs, so everyone was excited to hear him sing it live.

The grand finale was awesome because he jumped up, and when he landed, a confetti cannon shot off. Everyone started screaming, and it was extra exciting because I got it on video.

After the concert, my voice sounded super scratchy because I had been singing my heart out the entire night, but I didn’t mind. It was totally worth it.

August 5 was definitely a night that I will never forget.

FEATURE

The Sailors’ Log

Students give back by volunteering at summer camp

By Sydney Fetters Staff Writer

Sophomore Zoe Fetters said, “Even though I was only a CIT and there were two of us counselors, the amount that we got to connect with our camper and interact with them was so humbling and was just such a great experience seeing the joy on their face.”

At both of Camp Sunshine’s Michigan locations, there are various activities that one can participate in. Activities such as karaoke, arts and crafts, swimming, basketball, and even blueberry picking can be found.

“I was challenged by one of the campers to a half-court shootout while playing basketball,” Allen said. “The camper won, so I had to do as many push-ups as he wanted me to, which was pretty funny.”

Although the stay for both counselors and campers may have flown by, numbers were

in g o k l a

exchanged and communications between campers and counselors have in many cases been kept up.

“During the first moments I was on campus, a camper named Matt befriended me and always wanted to be by my side,” Fetters said. “By the end, he wrote down my number because he wanted to make sure he could talk to me outside of camp. Since then, he and I text along with his fiancée because he also invited me to their wedding.”

Senior Chloe Knowlton, who volunteered from June 30 to July 3 at Camp Henry, also enjoyed the experience.

“I believe that everyone should go to camp if they can; it was one of the most perspective-changing experiences I have ever had,” Knowlton said. “It really helped me learn to enjoy the little things in life.”

n

w

A handful of students found themselves wanting to utilize their summer free time in meaningful ways by volunteering to counsel at one of Camp Sunshine’s Michigan locations – Camp Henry in Newaygo and Camp Blodgett in West Olive (near Grand Haven).

Camp Sunshine offers campers, ages 1250 with developmental disabilities, a chance to attend summer camp in an exceptionally inclusive and safe atmosphere.

Senior Anthony Allen, who was a counselor from July 29 to Aug. 1 at Camp Blodgett, said he heard about the camp through his wrestling coach who has had a history of involvement with the camp for some time.

“At first, I wasn’t planning on going, but

my coach called me and asked if I could fill in for someone who didn’t show,” Allen said. “It sounded fun, so I thought, Why not?”

After this year, Allen said he hopes to attend multiple sessions next summer.

On Camp Sunshine’s website, in big letters, one can see the phrase, “You are loved.

You shine.”

The camp’s unique 1:1 camper/counselor ratio ensures that no one is left out during a camper’s four-day stay, and instead, the camper feels loved and special.

Volunteers below the age of 16 may apply to be a CIT, or counselor in training, where they only stay one night instead of three.

Additionally, they are paired with an already set up 1:1 camper/counselor group making the group a trio.

9

SUNSHINE

Senior Anthony Allen (left) helps one of the campers from Camp Sunshine with his basketball skills while sophomore Zoe Fetters (right) shares a light moment with a camper named Matt.

Working with special friends makes impact on first-time counselor

P

eople with special needs don’t have disabilities, just different abilities.

I am not sure I truly believed this until I had the opportunity to be a counselor at Camp Sunshine this past summer.

Column Camp Sunshine, by Robby a camp for people Swanker, with special needs, staff writer is a place where everyone can have fun, be themselves, and most importantly, be loved.

For me, Camp Sunshine is a

place where people with all different strengths and weaknesses can come together in a welcoming place and have a great four days.

From July 29 to Aug.1, I had the opportunity to work with some of the kindest people on Earth.

Looking back, Camp Sunshine has been one of the most beneficial weeks of my life.

This camp and the campers taught me many life lessons, like to make sure to love, to care, and to include everyone.

The first day of camp, I didn’t know what to expect. All of the counselors lined up around a

CONSTRUCTION Continued from page 5 updates will include a new grass field for soccer, and the installation of the sod was finished on Aug. 8.

“It is currently being watered in order to create the root structure needed for play in the spring,” Conrad said in early August. “The stadium itself will also get a complete

carpet as these amazing campers entered Camp Blodgett, located just south of Grand Haven.

To see the smiles, the joy, and happiness on their faces as they walked in was moving. It was at this point, just 20 minutes in, that I knew this was going to be a great four days.

Once my “special friend” walked down the carpet, I got to meet him and his mother. This was his first time to camp as well.

We were in this together as we would learn everything along the way with each other.

Throughout the camp, we did many activities, such as swim-

ming, archery, arts and crafts, and blueberry picking. They kept us busy all day, so the days went by fast. I had to learn to value every minute there because this is a yearly camp, and I would have to wait another year to come back.

I know the camp is all about the campers, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t learn some things about myself as well. It was a big experience for me. It taught me to be patient and not rush everything.

These campers don’t move on the fly as much as I do, so it really gave me a chance to appreciate every moment.

It has also taught me to care for

overhaul with new bleachers, concession stands, bathrooms, press box, locker rooms, and team benches. Additional parking has also been created as well as a new ticket booth and fence around the fields.”

According to all players and coaches, the drainage on the field has been a decades-old issue, which, time and time again, has caused the cancellation or postponement of games. The new fields are something that will transform the experience of a Shores home game.

people. I’ve always been a big people-person, but taking care of someone by myself for four days was much different. I learned how to deal with difficult situations and how to help people get past their bad times.

I have also made many new friends with both campers and counselors. Without this camp, I would not have met some of the most compassionate and caring people in the world.

I would encourage anyone who would like to try something new to get out there and put four days aside to not only change your life, but also to change someone else’s.

“While the soccer community has worked hard to update the field, it was not a stadium,” Conrad said. “It provided little in the way of shelter for our athletes and had very poor sidelines for our fans and event workers. The game-day experience for our players and fans will be completely transformed.”

Conrad says that construction is expected to be completed by the end of the upcoming fall season, leaving the new complex ready for play in the spring of 2020.

PROFILES

10

LYRICAL

Freshman Chloe Nelund’s favorite style of dance is lyrical.

“I love lyrical because of the feeling you get while dancing and how your body just flows to the music,” Nelund said.

Nelund, who has been dancing for 11 years at Lakeshore Dance Academy of the Arts, said she has benefitted in many ways by taking dance, and it is one of her biggest passions.

“I love dance because it lets me express my emotions in a positive way,” Nelund said. “It’s a form of art that not many people our age create anymore, and I have made many friends from dance.”

BALLET

Sophmore Ryan Neve has been dancing at Flat River Dance Company for 12 years. Her favorite style of dance is ballet.

“I love ballet because it’s challenging. You have to have balance, skill, and memory to do it.”

Neve has loved dancing since she started at the age of 4, and she is extremely dedicated to her team.

“I love to dance in general because it’s an art form that allows me to express myself, along with challenging myself.... and when I dance with the girls in my class, we become a family.”

JAZZ

S

CONTEMPORARY

Senior Gypsy Bates has been dancing at Lakeshore Dance Academy of the Arts for 11 years. Of the numerous dance styles that exist, Bates’ personal favorite is jazz dancing.

“I love this style because it has so much expression,” Bates said. “I love dancing because I have grown so much as an individual, and my strength has obviously grown. I also have created such an amazing group of friends that support me throughout other life experiences.”

In the many years that Bates has danced, she said she has loved it from the start.

“I love dancing because I have grown so much as an individual, and my strength has obviously grown,” Bates said.

“I also have created such an amazing group of friends that support me throughout other life experiences.”

In the opposite corner is junior Elora Bolthouse, who trains at Lakeshore Dance Academy for the Arts and has been dancing for six years, who says contemporary is her favorite style.

Contemporary is a style of dance where the movement is not as defined.

It’s a category of crisp and fast-paced movements that can transition into soft, graceful movements throughout the routine.

“I love dancing because dancing isn’t something you can just do,” Bolthouse said. “Dance isn’t dance without the story and passion behind it. Contemporary is my favorite because it’s not about how perfect your technique is or how high you can kick your leg; it’s about feeling the music and telling a story.”

T S J U E! C N ” A n o i s D er V r o “Sa il

Sophomore Grace Opsommer spends most of her free time practicing her favorite style of dance, tap, at Dream Makers Dance Company.

“I like to dance because it is a fun activity that is unrelated to school where I get to have fun with my friends,” Opsommer said. “I like tap dancing because I feel like it is a style of dance that not a lot of people do well with. It’s one of the things that I think makes my studio unique because we train in all styles of dance.”

Stage becomes home away from home

ince the age of three, the dance world has been everything to me.

I love the competitions, the stage lights, the make-up; it is practically my home.

My world revolves around a small dance company and counting music for hours on end. As I continue to grow up, competing is all I have ever known.

Like any other sport, the dance scene can be brutal. Every routine is judged by three judges, each giving up to 100 points each. The judging is based on difficulty, Column by skill, and technique.

Samantha Although everyone Sewick, wants to achieve a Staff Writer perfect 300, it’s rare that anyone can achieve such a fiet. There is constant pressure to outscore numerous teammates five minutes before walking onstage to dance as a cohesive group, since competitions include both group and solo divisions.

While everyone competes under the studio, like how you would compete for a school, soloists compete in their division independently. Entering a group routine in a competition, however, requires all dancers to compete at the

The Sailors’ Log

top of their game and be in sync when dancing on stage together.

It is especially challenging to grow up competing as a soloist in an age division that includes your entire team.

Sometimes, that pressure can be a lot to handle - dancers grow almost accustomed to transitioning between friend and rival in a single competition weekend.

As a trained dancer of 13 years, I have experienced all of the different emotions and situations that come with being on a team in a competitive sport: the constant pressure to win, the quitting teammates, the days where I would honestly rather do anything else.

I have competed on injured muscles and bruised feet. Like any other athlete, I have had the best competitions of my life and the worst days ever at practice.

Yet, 13 years later, I am attending national competitions across the country and practicing for five hours a day to improve the most I can.

Although anyone can dance and let loose, it takes a true athlete and artist to be a dancer. Since it is not a common sport, dancers do not get much recognition for being able to perform a piece with skillful attention to their technique while also being able to portray a story

TAP

Dancing allows self-expression

F

Sophomore Samantha Sewick has been dancing for 13 years. (Courtesy Photo) the audience can relate to.

However, the most important thing I’ve learned from my time as a dancer is that it is not how high I can kick, how many pirouettes I can do, or how graceful my leap can be, but it’s about connecting with the audience and tapping into the truest part of myself.

or me, dancing is a necessity. It’s one of the few things that I can’t live without. I have danced for 13 years, and I have competed for eight. I currently dance for Dream Makers Dance Company.

I began dancing at the age of 3, mainly because my parents wanted to give me something to do. Over time, I got more involved, and I developed a strong love for it. Once I got into competitions, my life changed for the better.

My favorite style is tap. Not only is tap fun, but it also challenges me at the same time. It is a style that our studio specializes in, and it is entertaining to Column watch onstage.

by Emily Dancing is a form of self-expression, Kuznar, and it helps take my mind off any stress Staff Writer I might have.

I can block out the outside world and focus on just dancing. It is also where I get to train 5 hours a night with my biggest supporters and my best friends.

What most people don’t realize about dance is the dedication that it takes and how difficult it really is.

We train for years, and yet we’re never perfect.

We train, condition, and practice just like any other sport.

Dancing is my passion, and I can’t live without it.

I hope to make it apart of my life forever, and I will remember everything that dance and competitions has taught me.

I would encourage anybody to at least try dancing, no matter your level of talent because of the amazing impact it can have on one’s life.

SPORTS

The Sailors’ Log

a perfect match

11 Actually, there are two as Kathy Hellmann and Britni Gielow join the varsity coaching staff at Shores. Hellmann takes over as the volleyball coach while Gielow, who helped the girls’ golf team to four state tiles at Shores, returns to her alma mater as the girls’ golf coach.

Volleyball is family affair

4-time state champ returns to course

By Jenna Baker Staff Writer

By Chris Horvath Staff Writer

For the Hellmann family, volleyball is a family affair.

Literally.

Because without volleyball, new varsity coach Kathy Hellmann would have never met her husband Jeff while the two were playing beach volleyball.

Jeff is the head coach of the boys’ club volleyball team at Shores. Their son Kayden, a sophomore, plays on the club team, and their younger two daughters, Kyann and Kourtlynn, both enjoy the game.

Now, Hellmann has a new family to watch over, and she said she is excited for the season to begin.

“I feel like every girl (and boy) I have coached are part of our family,” Hellmann said “I consider myself very fortunate and blessed. I really see the potential in the young ladies in the

Football

Coach Matt Koziak Goals “Some of our goals for this season are to make the playoffs, win the OK Black, and finally win a state championship.”

Top returners?

“Kolbe Trovinger, Treshawn Hatcher, Caden Broersma, Blake Bustard, Cooper Wieringo, Keondre Pierce, Brady Rose and Tre Word.”

What makes this team interesting?

“Their effort. They are tremendous workers.”

program. I want a program that Shores is proud of and produces not only great volleyball players but class act young ladies.”

Hellmann’s playing career began in seventh grade and continued through high school at Blessed Sacrament in Belleville, Ill. While she didn’t play volleyball at Purdue University, where she gained her master’s degree in teaching, she worked in the athletic department and began coaching soon after.

She coached middle school volleyball in San Antonio, Texas, for two years before spending five years at Kokomo (Ind.) High School as a coach at the JV level and as varsity assistant.

Eventually, she made her way to Shores, where she was the varsity assistant before coaching the JV for two years. She took a hiatus from coaching when her children were young but returned to the JV program three years ago.

“I want to improve every

Boys’ Tennis

Coach Nate Kunnen Goals “We want the City tournament and a respectable regional showing.”

Top returners?

“Grant Hylland, Ezekiel Powell, Brady Whalen, Austin Grimm and Chris Horvath.”

Top newcomers?

“Kayden Hellman and Bobby Wasserman.”

What makes this team interesting?

“We have such a variety of athletes.”

Kathy Hellmann, coaching at a pre-season scrimmage, takes over the volleyball program at Shores. (Jenna Baker) match. I want to win our conference. I would like to set the goal to win districts for the first time in 19 years,” Hellmann said. “I expect us to play outstanding defense. We are not going to let anything touch the floor on our side. We have some great potential. We have outstanding athletes, so I expect us to do really well.”

Britni Gielow knows what it takes to be a state champion; after all, she was a member of four state championship girl’s golf teams at Shores from 20092012.

Now, Gielow returns to Shores as the new head coach of the Gielow girls’ golf team.

“I’m very excited to be back at Shores,” Gielow said. “My career at Shores was incredible. My career as a player helped me learn to love the game of golf. I’m very grateful I get to be the Shores varsity coach.”

Gielow said those years at Shores should benefit her now.

“Being an alumnae of the girls’ golf program, I believe will help me relate to the girls as their coach,” Gielow said. “I’ve been in their place, and I know what it’s like to juggle school as well as being an athlete. I hope I

Fall Previews

Girls’ Volleyball

Coach Kathy Hellmann Goals “We want to win our conference and City.”

Girls’ Golf

Coach Britni Gielow Goals “My goal is to have the team make it to the state finals.”

Top returners?

“Suriya VanderOord and Meghan Adams, being our libero.”

Top returners?

“Logan Potts, Chloe Knowlton, Morgan Ralston and Riley Trystad.”

Top newcomers?

“Grace Norris and Anabeth Hylland.”

Top newcomers?

“Olivia Kasher and Taylor Quick.”

What makes this team interesting?

“My team is the best. They will give me everything they have.”

What makes this team interesting?

“I think our sport makes us interesting because we play as a team, but the girls play as individually.”

Information compilled by Sophia Fisher, staff writer

Girls’ Swim

Coach Mick Homan Goals “To work towards being better each day both in the pool and in the classroom.”

Top returners?

“Caroline Carlson and Alana Morin.”

Top newcomers?

“Michaela Sander, Katie Cree, Samantha Nye, Robyn Hunt, Lauren Sander and Olivia Hogston.”

What makes this team interesting?

“The team brings a lot of hard work.”

can use my past experiences to help them be the best players and students as they can be. Winning four state championships in my four years with my friends on the team was so special to me. I’ll never forget my time as a Shores golfer.”

Gielow will get her first look at this year’s team on Aug. 19 at the Traverse City Invitational.

“I’m very excited for the girls to compete in tournaments this fall,” Gielow said. “I think we have a great tournament schedule for this fall, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we do during our matches.”

Winning multiple state championships may have been in Gielow’s past, but that isn’t always her No. 1 goal.

“Ideally, I would love for the team to get to the state finals this season,” Gielow said. “More importantly, though, I want the girls to have fun this season. The team aspect and them having fun is very important to me as well as having a successful season.”

Boys’ soccer

Coach Mike Apostle Goals “Our team goals are to have 10 shutouts and win conference.”

Cross Country

Coach Kyle Mireles Goals “Win the City championship.”

Top returners?

“Hayden Yaros, Cooper Sabourin, Ethan Brown, Keegan DeKuiper and Luis Zambrano.”

Top returners?

“Jackson Helmer, Aidan Cook, Ben Kendall and Kaylin Meyers.”

Top newcomers?

“Alex Eckerman Joshua Breen, Tyler Leenhouts and Gavin Cheatum.”

Top newcomers?

“Caleb Branch, Abe Freye, Destiny Douglas, Cecilia Conrad and Robyn Hunt.”

What makes this team interesting?

“Jordan DeKuiper; he’s amazing.”

What makes this team interesting?

“What I’m most proud of is the diversity of our athletes.”

SPORTS

12

The Sailors’ Log

Reaching New Highs

2020 grad becomes 22nd Shores athlete to win state title

By Paige Judson Executive Editor After competing at the Division 1 state finals track meet, senior Libby Knoll is still feeling the high of jumping a height of 5’6” during the high jump event which allowed her to take first place at East Kentwood High school.

After taking first at conference, City, and regionals, and training hard the months leading up to it, Knoll was finally able to take first at the state finals after placing second her freshman and sophomore years. Knoll’s coach Holsey James was more than ecstatic to have been able to be apart of her win.

“Libby truly is a fighter,” James said. “She is quiet, but she is really driven, and she has the heart of a lion and a no-quit mentality in school and in athletics. The sky is definitely the limit for Libby. It felt really good to see Libby finally reach that goal. I also felt relieved, considering that she finished runner-up the past two years. It was good to see all of her hard work and determination really pay off.”

Knoll was also more than excited to have finally grabbed that first place win.

Senior Libby Knoll took first place at the Div. 1 track state finals in the high jump event at East Kentwood High School. (Courtsey Photo) “It felt very refreshing to take first,” Knoll said. “It was a very long day with multiple lightning delays, and I felt as if I needed this win after two years of getting second.”

James also said the preparation to get to the state finals last spring became more vigorous and specific to jumping.

“The preparation for getting to the state finals was definitely ramped up for this year since it was already her junior year,” James said. “We did loads of technical work and a lot of run-throughs and foot placements and specific high jump drills. We did mat work with backbends to help with flexibility and a lot more weight training and squat work to attempt to put more muscle on Libby to help to make her stronger.”

Knoll has worked hard to make it to the state finals for the past three years, and she said she could not have done any of it without her boyfriend, senior Josh Kim. “I think Josh is my biggest supporter,” Knoll said. “He’s always taking videos of my jumps and run-throughs and saying what I could change, and he’s always saying how good I am and bragging to everybody else about me even while I’m there.”

At the end of the day, Knoll was just really grateful to be back and to be feeling better than ever for the day’s events.

“It felt a little like deja vu going back again,” Knoll said.

“But I knew I was much more prepared and ready.”

Previous state titleist from over the years

1977: Girls’ Tennis – Junior Annette Bouchard and sophomore Jeanne Parks won the No. 3 doubles flight to win the Div. 1 state title.

1978: Wrestling – Ken Liupakka won the 165-pound weight class to take home the Class A state title.

1979: Girls’ Track – Rhonda Filius won the high jump with a jump of 5’ 5.5” to win the Class A state title.

1981: Girls’ Track – Cathy Fitzpatrick won the 100-yard dash with a time of 10.8 seconds to win the Class A state title.

1989: Golf – Sophomore Jason Bricker shot a 72 to win the Class A state title.

1990: Track – Amy Hornik, Heather Swinburne, Julia Jorgenson, and Kristen Crouch won the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 9:31.8 to win the Class A state title.

1991: Gymnastics – Becky Swelnis won three individual titles (all-around: 37.80, beam: 18.90, floor: 18.95) at the Lower Peninsula Open Class state finals as Shores also won the team title.

1991: Gymnastics – Aimee Goff placed first on the uneven bars (19.05) at the Lower Peninsula Open Class state

“Winning doesn’t just happen on the day that you win the title. The blood, sweat, and tears during practices and workouts with my brothers and sisters (teammates) is what I remember the most. I would have never been a champion individually if it weren’t for my great teammates and my awesome coach. Track is very much an individual sport, but the team is what is truly most important.” – Eric Caruthers, track champ

“Winning a state title is something that 20 years later I am still proud of. We won twice, once in 1997 and once in 1998. Going into the state finals, we were just trying to make the semis because none of the boys’ players had ever made it to the second day before; even our 1 singles told us we couldn’t win. We also had another motivation though. We were seeded, but no one even knew who we were.”

– Joe Infante, tennis champ

“I continued competing gymnastics at Western Michigan University.

Competing at the collegiate level had been a goal of mine throughout my gymnastics career, and it was a wonderful experience. My gymnastics improved tremendously, and I gained lifelong friends. It was a privilege to represent the Western Michigan University in the sport I loved, while I was earning my college degree.”

Becky Swelnis, gymnastics champ

“I continued playing tennis at Spring Arbor University. The work ethic I learned in high school carried through to college where it was just as competitive but required performing at a consistently higher level. My coach was also a professor of psychology, so he helped me become more strategic and mentally tough, which helped me get that slight edge over opponents.” Dave Lassanske, tennis champ

finals as the Sailors also won the team title.

1991: Boys’ Golf – Senior Jason Bricker shot a 72 to win his second Class A golf state title.

1991: Girls’ Tennis – Senior Mary Amy Hornik and Deana Harper won the No. 1 doubles flight to take home the Div. 1 state title.

1992: Gymnastics – Heather Schneller won all-around with a score of 37.90, on the vault with a score of 18.95, on the bars with a score of 19.35, and on the floor with a score of 19.25 to win four Lower Peninsula Open Class state titles and play a prime part in her team’s ablility to take home a team state title.

1992: Gymnastics – Becky Swelnis won on the balance beam with a score of 18.80 to win the Lower Peninsula Open Class state title.

1997: Boys’ Tennis – Joe Infante and Dave Lassanske won the No. 2 doubles flight at the state finals to take home the Div. 1 tennis state title.

1997: Boys’ Track – Lemar Courtney won the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.81 to fin the Class A state title.

1998: Boys’ Tennis – Joe Infante and Dave Lassanske won the No. 1 doubles flight at the Div. 2 tennis state finals to be able to take home their second state title together.

1998: Boys’ Track – Lemar Courtney won the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.82 seconds to take home the Class A track state title 2000: Boys’ Golf – Steve Mogdis shot a two-day total of 153 (79 the first day and 74 the second day) to win the Div. 1 state title.

2001: Boys’ Track – Eric Caruthers won the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.92 minutes to take home the Div. 1 state title.