Sept. 4, 2018

LOG

the sailors’

Volume 57 Edition 1 Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, Michigan 49442

HAVING A BALL Dodgeball, here being played by junior Connor Fritz, is just one of the many activites at Planet 3, an extreme air park on Sherman Road, that opened in June. – page 8

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editorial

Year-Round Schooling

Shores should adopt year-round schedule

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oming back to school every year always starts off in the same way in every class: the review.

According to the official Oxford learning website, the equivalent of one month of learning is lost over summer vacation each year.

This is why students tend to spend weeks reviewing topics and ideas that they should already know.

One way to prevent long reviews that can go on for up to six weeks at the beginning of every Column by school year would be to Morgan shorten summer breaks Cathey, and, therefore, the time editorial that causes students to editor forge, by instating yearround schooling.

To most, summer break is precious, and one would rather lose an arm than give any of it up, but year-round schooling doesn’t really take away summer break; it simply disperses the days we get off differently.

Year-round schooling isn’t actually year-round: it’s balanced calendar schooling, which still has the same 180 days of school but with more breaks in-between.

It’s a trimester system where students attend school for three months and then get one month off.

This allows students to have three months off overall and still give everyone nine months of education.

Every year I’ve struggled with readjusting to school life.

In addition to the forgetfulness that plagues every student, I find that it’s hard to get back into the habit of waking up early and going to bed early too.

In my opinion, the installation of a balanced calendar school program in our school would be nothing but beneficial.

Editor-in-Chief Caitlin McCombs Editorial/Review Editors Morgan Cathey Jaylene Davis Feature Editors Mieke Hart Kali Jend Sammie Ladegast Sports Editors Chris Horvath

Schools that take part in this program have found multiple benefits.

Countries like Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, France, Iran, Kenya, and South Korea all participate in year-round schooling.

Even schools in Michigan participate as well; Ann Arbor Public Schools, Davison Community Schools, and Kalamazoo Public Schools are just a few examples of all the schools that participate.

One of the benefits these schools have found is that low-income families tend to benefit from the year-round aspect.

This is due to the shorter breaks that help with retaining information which

Paige Judson Page Designers Emma Lee Bennett Emmalee Dykstra Charles Eyke Sydney Fetters Bailey Graham Erick Hannahs Kevin Kim Gabby Lopez Lexy McCann Sarah Roman

Robby Swanker Marisa VanderMolen Camille Zuidema Photoraphers Kate Roossien Isaac Varela Adviser Warren Kent III

sets kids on a more successful path.

Another bonus to year-round schooling is that children who advance more quickly can simply move ahead when they are ready due to the better flow between years.

Year-round schools have been shown to have positive effects on children’s education and that’s why Shores should adopt this form of schooling.

This would be highly beneficial in order to cut out review time and learn curriculum more quickly.

Therefore, we should adopt the practice as its the same amount of time spent in school only used more efficiently.

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

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

The Sailors’ Log

from the editor

Get ready for the best year ever I hope you enjoyed a fun and eventful summer. I am excited to be the editor-in-chief of The Sailors’ Log. This school year, you can expect intriguing and exciting stories written by our talented staff. We plan to report on all Caitlin the biggest events McCombs, and positive things editorthat will happen in-chief throughout the school year.

If anyone has any story ideas for The Sailors’ Log, feel free to contact me or adviser Warren Kent III in room 501.

In addition, let’s make this the best school year yet. With hard work and dedication we will be able to accomplish all of our goals this year whether that’s in academics, sports, or performing arts. As long as we stay focused and prepared, we should be able to make this school year one of the best.

My advice to incoming freshmen and returning students is to enjoy every second of high school. Although many of us spend time complaining bout how much we dislike high school, it is truly the best years of our lives. Make sure to take it all in because the four years go by quickly. Make sure every moment counts.

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

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

Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editorial board of The Sailors’ Log. Your Voice, the letters to the editor section, is the opinion of our readers. All letters to the editor must be signed.

This edition of The Sailors’ Log was printed by The Argus-Press 201 E. Exchange St. Owosso, MI 48867

editorial

The Sailors’ Log

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Today's Relationships

Teenagers need to be wary of ‘true love’

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hate you, I love you” is a song by Gnash. This song perfectly depicts the modern teenage relationship.

I don’t have very much experience with relationships but in my short time experiencing and observing young love, I’ve noticed many things.

Most young relationships start with two people who are interested in each other.

Contrary to high school life, I think the best relationships do not come Column from two people being

by Jaylene interested in each other.

Davis, In my experience relaeditorial tionships are everything editor but that simple.

A very common relationship at this age can consist of one person loving another, and the other not returning the feelings or other complicated things like manipulation of feelings for the other person’s personal gain.

This is commonly known as “playing.”

I have experienced this too, as with many teenagers.

I met this guy who knew his own charm and used it to keep me with him.

He told me the first time I met him that I was going to fall in love with him, but I didn’t realize what a large red flag that is.

When he asked me out I was so happy, but that happiness was crushed when he told me he changed his mind but still wanted to keep me around.

This hasn’t just happened to me.

Many males and females in this century have experienced this manipulating behavior, and personally, I find it repulsive.

Modern toxic relationships are not easy to leave and even harder to realize

“Band Camp was the best part of my summer because I got to play music and hang out with my friends.” – Abbie Ginman, senior

“I got to visit my best friend Ava. She moved away last summer because her dad got a job in Colorado. I stayed there for 10 days, and we did a ton of fun things.” – Kiley Jackson, junior “Working at Michigan's Adventure; I had to get up early, but working for a corporation like Cedar Fair is a nice way to teach me responsibility. And what other job can you have that when you get off you can ride rollercoasters?”

– Braxton Jones, sophomore “The best part of my summer was reading new books and getting to learn new music for band.” – Tamia Williams, freshman

what is happening.

When someone is charmed by another’s behavior they can be blinded by their own emotions.

When I was with the same guy, he waited until I told him I was done with the toxic relationship to tell me he “loved” me.

I wish I could say I didn’t fall for it, but I did, and it wasn’t until he left me “on read” when I asked if he really meant that he loved me when I realized I was being manipulated.

This behavior is completely unaccept-

What was the best part of your summer?

Q

the big

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

able.

No one deserves to be locked in a hurtful relationship.

A real relationship should benefit both people and should grow each person into a happier, healthier human.

Although, I have not found much love yet, I have found that the best romantic relationships stem from friendships that are strong.

A real, happy relationship will create true love from true friendship where both people appreciate, trust, and respect each other.

It is inappropriate to believe the perfect relationship will come from two people falling for each other from the beginning.

Like everything in life, relationships should start slow with a strong foundation.

When someone makes their friend their boyfriend or girlfriend, it builds off the friendship and creates a stronger relationship. Together, the friendship and the relationship make a stronger bond between the two people, creating love.

A real relationship should blossom like a flower in the morning sun. And true love should warm the heart, not create hateful feelings.

“The best part of my summer was when my friends Nathan and Josh and I went to their cabin, and we did nothing but fish and play card games. I really got to bond with them and realize how close we are as friends.” – Noah Zimmer, senior “Going to Camp Sunshine because it's the happiest place on Earth and for me. It was a life-changing experience because in three days, you form a bond stronger than any other.” – Joshua Kim, junior “The best thing for me this summer was the growth I had as a person at the Grand Rapids Pride Center as well as gaining so many valued friends." – Everett Mabry, sophomore

“The best part of my summer was when I went to my cousin's quince and got to stand up in the court." – Cruz Torres-Cabrera, freshman

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review

The Sailors’ Log

New barbecue restaurant has good food, but a bit pricey

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o you like barbecue? What about free ice cream?

If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 3035 Henry St., may be the restaurant for you.

Dickey’s opened in June and serves smoked meats, including beef brisket, chicken breast, polish kielbasa sausage, turkey, pork (pulled and ribs), in the form of sandwiches, tacos, or just plain.

Meat can be purchased as a plate deals which come with two sides and a Food Review roll. Some of the sides include mac and

by Mieke cheese, waffle fries, barbecue beans, and Hart, staff fried okra. In addition, Dickey’s has free writer self-serve vanilla ice cream.

In terms of the food, I have eaten at Dickey’s on multiple occasions and have tried several of the items on the menu. I have had both the brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. For anyone who has not eaten there, it is important to note that you must put the barbeque sauce on yourself. The restaurant does not do that for you.

The brisket sandwich is a bit dry (even with barbecue sauce); however, the brisket served plain has a better consistency. The pulled pork sandwich, on the other hand, was not dry at all. When paired with the sweet barbecue, the pulled pork sandwich is my favorite item on the menu.

The regular barbecue sauce’s flavor is a bit flat

in comparison to the sweet barbecue, my preferred choice.

Of the sides, I have tried the waffle fries, mac and cheese, and green beans.

The waffle fries are well-seasoned and cooked fresh for each customer, something worthy of notice at a fast-food restaurant.

The mac and cheese is another one of the more popular sides and did not disappoint. Although it does seem to be made with cheap ingredients, this does not seem

to affect the overall flavor. The mac and cheese is my favorite of the sides.

I did not, however, care much for the green beans as they were too spicy and watery.

As a person who loves free stuff, I always treat myself to some of the FREE self-serve vanilla ice cream.

The ice cream is neither too hot nor is it too cold and has a strong vanilla flavor.

In terms of the restaurant set-up, Dickey’s has both indoor seating, outdoor seating and a drive-through; however, patrons are not waited on inside of the restaurant. One must walk down an assembly-line type counter where he/she orders both his/her desired meat and sides.

The food, except for the sides that are fried, is pre-prepared and is ready by the time one pays at the end of the counter. As it is a fast-food restaurant, I was never disappointed by the fact that I had to walk through the assembly line, especially since nearly all of the employees have stellar customer service skills.

Every time I walk into the restaurant, I am greeted with a “Hello, welcome to Dickey’s!” and a smile.

Almost all of the workers whom I have met working up front have been friendly and welcoming.

My one criticism is that the prices are quite expensive for a fast-food restaurant. Dickey’s is a bit pricey for the average teen working a minimum wage job.

The food is good, but there is nothing particularly special about it that would make it worth the price if one were to become a regular patron.

news

The Sailors’ Log

Theme for 2018-19 emphasizes togetherness

By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-chief

Each year, principal Jennifer Bustard chooses a theme that the school year will revolve around.

Last year, she focused on the theme of TEAM, which stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.

This year, Bustard is taking it one step further. The theme for the 2018-19 school year will be “The Power of TEAM.” “We are going to build upon our momentum and focus on all the pieces and parts and how we get the work done on behalf of one another for kids and as a faculty to be the best TEAM Mona Shores,” Bustard said.

By focusing on “The Power of TEAM,” Bustard said she believes all students and faculty will be able to achieve all of their personal and team goals that are set for this school year.

“The Power of TEAM” does not only include one student, one athlete, one performer, or one staff member, but all of them working together, which senior Diego Stark said he believes “The Power of TEAM” is important.

“For me, ‘The Power of TEAM’ means not only working together with your peers but to work alongside the staff and use the bountiful

This is an example of TEAM Mona Shores from last year’s end of the school year field day. Principal Jennifer Bustard cheers on the teach tug of war team lead by Spanish teacher Josh Reister. (File Photo) resources that our school provides us,” Stark said. “Like everyone says, ‘here is no I in team,’ so we should work collectively and take all our amazing resources and staff members into consideration to get the task at hand finished.”

Spanish teacher Susan Potter

said being part of the Shores team means a lot to her.

“Even though we are apart of a small team, what we represent is much bigger than us,” Potter said.

“If you think of just the offensive line, the varsity squad, the relay team, the executive board and do

not consider the whole team that you are representing, you will not be successful. ‘The Power of TEAM’ to me means to think beyond yourself, beyond your little squad, beyond your graduating class, beyond your school, beyond your community.”

Shores welcomes familiar face as superintendent

By Emmalee Dykstra Feature Editor

When superintendent Greg Helmer resigned last fall, Bill O’Brien, the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Mona Shores Public Schools, took over as interim superintendent.

After serving the rest of the school year, O’Brien applied for the full-time superintendent position and was hired in late July.

“The incredible people in O’Brien Mona Shores was one of the main motivations (for applying),” O’Brien said. “Whenever I think about Mona Shores, I immediately think

about the amazing kids, community, staff, and school board that I am fortunate to get to work with.”

O’Brien didn’t step into his position as interim superintendent at an easy time, though.

After Helmer’s resignation following bullying and harassment complaints, O’Brien stepped up and took charge.

Handling the situation, he says, was possible by remembering what was important.

“There are hardships anytime a colleague leaves a position,” O’Brien said. “Mr. Helmer had a great influence on me, my career, and certainly on our district. At the end of the day, my job is to do what is best for Mona Shores kids, staff, and community, regardless of the situation. That is the lens that I filter all things

through.”

Doing the best for the Shores community is exactly what O’Brien said he plans to do with his new 90 Day Plan.

The plan consists of five focus areas over the next three months in the Shores community.

O’Brien said they include enhancing relationships and partnerships, increasing the use of relevant data, establishing a “team first” culture, fostering community engagement, and ensuring staff support.

Taking on this job is one thing he is prepared and excited for.

“I look forward to working with the incredible community of Mona Shores to help continue to make it the greatest district it can possibly be,” O’Brien said.

New hat policy in place

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By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-chief Many students are saying, “Hats off,” to the new policy that allows students to wear hats.

“I am looking forward to the new hat policy and believe many students are too,” junior Robby Swanker said. “It gives the students a little more freedom.”

The policy will allow students to where hats throughout the school day as long as the teacher approves.

Assistant principal Mr. Shaffer said, “At the end of the year last year, we pulled together our staff and asked if the staff would be in favor of allowing hats to be on campus because it has been an issue students have brought up to us several times. A majority of the staff said they would be open to making a change to the hat policy.”

This new policy simply states that hats/ headgear are allowed at Shores only if they do not disrupt the educational environment and at the discretion of staff and administration.

This is similar to the current cell phone policy.

Staff reserves the right to have the student remove any hat/headgear for any reasonable cause including classroom policy of the teacher.

Hoods, however, are still not be allowed.

“I am glad to see a change to the hat policy because it will allow all of the students to be able to express themselves in a different way than just clothes,” junior Sydney Fetters said.

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center

The Sailors’ Log

Six ne Justin Sarns, band

New band director Justin Sarns knows the impact a teacher can make.

“I realized that I wanted to be a teacher in eighth grade,” said Sarns, who is making the move from elementary to the high school. “My band directors made a strong impact on me, and I wanted to be able to do that for others.”

Despite that, Sarns said that at first his family was not keen on him going into music, so for his first semester at Grand Valley State University, he majored in biomedical sciences.

He realized that wasn’t the path for him and auditioned for the music program. As soon as he was accepted, he put all his effort into music and took every opportunity along the way.

“I have wanted to be a band director since I was in junior high, but life took me to the elementary world for a few years,” Sarns said. “I have worked with the Mona Shores Band program for the past four years as an instructor, and when the opportunity to become a director occurred, I jumped at it. I loved teaching elementary and choir, but I am really excited to finally make my childhood dream come true and to work in such a great program.”

His background is also majorly related to instrumental music.

He’s been playing saxophone since he was in sixth grade and was a part of the Traverse City West Band. When he was studying music at GVSU, he was a member of the Laker Marching Band, Drum Major and teaching assistant.

No matter how his day is going, Sarns knows there is one thing that keeps him going.

“The students, hands down,” he said. “We have a great group of kids here at Shores, and they are the reason that I love my career. I get to share my love of music with some of the best people I have ever met, and I could not ask for a better job. I don’t feel like I ever go to work, because I enjoy coming to school each day.”

While this is his first year at the high school, Sarns said he has some goals.

“One of my biggest goals this year is to rebuild the guitar program and add some new elements,” Sarns said. “I will be introducing ukulele to the guitar class this year, and I think that is going to add a lot to the program. I also want to work with the other music faculty to continue the tradition of excellence in the arts that Mona Shores is known for.” – Emma Lee Bennett, staff writer

Aaron Sa social stu

As a teacher, Aaron Sa portance of making con “What I like most abo the relationships I get t said. “The day-to-day g dent is amazing. From to the end of one, I like students achieved in the He also said he enjoy ry with his students so h make connections from And that love began w “I would have to say tors and reasons why I AP U.S. History teache expected perfection and it. His love for history Santa Maria, who’s joi time this year after bein year.

“I also got involved school as being a part o ciety. I was heavily invo enjoyed seeing students got a concept. That car I also helped tutor stud School.”

Santa Maria grew up next door to Detroit, but the west-side of Michig work along the lake sh now live his dreams as “One major goal I ho is to incorporate more lessons,” Santa Maria sa However, he has goal teaching.

Santa Maria said he h at the school. He hopes competitions, start som maybe even show up t Tree or the occasional p staff writer

Four wh

Kristia Whitaker (ma Kevini Terpstra (mat Matthew Sedatole (b Mary VanderMolen (

The Sailors’ Log

center

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ew teachers enter Shores’ classrooms

Beverly Petersen, anta Maria, Rebecca Morse, math For new math teacher Rebecca Morse, Shores is home.

“I grew up in this community and am an alumni of Mona Shores,” special education udies she said. “It feels like home, and I’m excited to be here.”

anta Maria knows the imnnections with his students. out my role as a teacher are to build with students,” he growth I get to see in a stuthe first day of a trimester to look back on how much eir time with me.” ys sharing his love of histohe can open their eyes and m way back when to today when he was in high school. y one of my greatest mengot into education was my er, Mr. Eovaldi. He always d wouldn’t stop until he got was second to none,” said ining the Shores’ staff full ng a full-time substitute last

in education back in high of the National Honors Soolved in tutoring and really s eyes light up when they rried on into college when dents at Ottawa Hills High

p in Clinton Township just t he said he fell in love with gan. He longed to live and hore. He’s grateful he can a reality. ope to accomplish this year hands-on projects into my aid. ls that don’t just pertain to

hopes to get more involved s to attend some of sports me after-school tutoring and to The Singing Christmas play. – Emma Lee Bennett,

ho left

Morse also values the relationships she gets to build with her students, as she believes respect leads to success.

“I love teaching math and building relationships with my students,” she said. “It’s the most rewarding job out there. I enjoy watching my students grow as the year progresses, and it’s an honor to share in their successes.”

Morse said she knew when she was in high school that she wanted to teach.

“Teaching was always something I wanted to do from a young age,” she said. “While I was a student at Shores, I had the opportunity to tutor fellow classmates in math, and I was able to help them make progres.”

Morse said she also says she loves to share ideas, concepts, and strike up productive conversations in her classroom.

“My ultimate goal is to be involved,” Morse said.

She said she hopes to be involved in her students extracurricular activities as a spectator but also would like to coach someday.

“Being a coach or adviser enables me to show enthusiasm and a side of myself to students that they may not always get to see inside of the classroom,” Morse said. – Emma Lee Bennett, staff writer

Desiree Medina, math

Desiree Medina took an indirect route to becoming a math teacher.

While she wanted to be a math teacher her whole life, Medina first worked at Russ’ Restaurant and the Hearthstone restaurant and eight years at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Education-wise, she first started out in college taking accounting classes, then switched to elementary education, and then switched again to secondary education.

“I believe math is very important, however, all subjects are very important,” said Medina, who loves to paint, travel, spend time with family, and shopping at Home-goods. “I believe no matter what subject is being taught every teacher should be teaching students how to be positive community members. Students should learn how to interact with others in a positive way, be active listeners, always wanting to put forth their best effort, and just have fun learning.”

Medina said she tries to create a positive, homey, and fun environment for her students.“I want students to feel comfortable coming to talk to me and hope they all become lifelong learners,” she said. – Alexis McCann, staff writer

ath) to Reeths-Puffer as elementary assistant principal th) to middle school as Student Success Adviser band) to University of Texas to continue his education (special ed.) finished year as full-time substitute

When Beverly Petersen had the opportunity to watch a boy who had a disease that affected his social and learning skills, she said she connected to this boy and knew that special education was what she wanted to pursue.

“Working with him was so rewarding, and he and I seemed to have a special connection with one another,” she said. “It was through my work with this amazing young man that I realized I wanted to become a special education teacher and help students with special learning needs to be successful and independent.”

Now, Petersen, who was a long-term sub at the middle school last year, will be working full-time with students with cognitive impairments in a new special education position at Shores.

“I love working with students with special needs, and it is truly a blessing and a privilege to help my students learn and grow,” she said. “I can’t think of any other job I would rather have.”

Petersen did state that the hardest part of being a special education teacher is meeting each and every one of the students personal requirements.

“I try to create a classroom environment in which all students feel comfortable learning and growing together in a positive ‘classroom community,’” she said. “I think it is important that students feel they truly belong. They need to feel safe and happy in their classroom so they can focus on learning and reaching their maximum potential.” – Alexis McCann, staff writer

Rebecca Purdy, Special Education

When Rebecca Purdy was a little girl, she said she would dress up her stuffed animals and create her own classroom.

Purdy, who has taught at Boulder Creek High School in Arizona, Bursley Elementary in Jenison and Jenison High School, has evolved from stuffed animal classrooms to being the new special education teacher at Shores in a position that was filled by Mary VanderMolen as a full-time substitute last year.

Pretending she was the teacher, she said, helped develop her nurturing and comfortable classroom setting that she provides.

“My teaching style is very similar to other teachers. I teach students to become caring, successful adults and to contribute back to our society.”

Another key factor to her realizing she wanted to be a teacher was when she volunteered for the Special Olympics in Colorado.

“I aim to create a fun and safe environment. One where everyone feels welcome and is encouraged to participate within classroom discussions.”– Alexis McCann, staff writer

feature

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The Sailors’ Log

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“I went to Planet 3 with a day camp I was volunteering at called Catch Camp. It’s just a great place to give back to the community, and we all had so much fun while we were there. I walked in and immediately thought the color scheme of the whole place was cool. My favorite part was the slack line, which is essentially a tight rope, and if you fall off, you fall into a foam pit. The only downside is how it shows you how out of shape you are.”– Connor Fritz, junior

Hours Mon-Thur 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sun 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

New air park proves fun for students

By Sammie Ladegast Feature Editor Shores students now have a local place to get extreme.

Planet 3 Extreme Air Park opened June 9 in the former Target building, which had been vacant for 11 years, at 1740 E. Sherman Road.

Planet 3 is now the first trampoline park in Muskegon, and senior Shelby Savacool said it’s a raging success.

“On one of the rainy days that we had this summer I decided to go to Planet 3,” Savacool said. “We had so much fun, especially since there were so many different things to do, like dodgeball, trapeze, foam pits, an obstacle course, and more.”

Another trampoline park relatively close to Muskegon is Sky Zone, located in Grand Rapids; however, Savacool says her experience at Planet 3 has been more enjoyable than when she’s visited Sky Zone in the past.

“I’ve been to Sky Zone a few times before, and although it is fun, I feel like there are way more rules that can kind of hinder your enjoyment,” Savacool said.

However, despite being out-of-thisworld fun, Planet 3 still has a few drawbacks.

“One of the things that I liked least

Senior I’Yania Brown, a “lifeguard” at Planet 3, resets the dodgeball pit. (Photos by Kali Jend) about my experience was the number of little kids that were running around,” Savacool said. “Although that might have just been because of the time I went, it still got a bit annoying since I had to constantly watch out for them. Also, the lines got lengthy at times.”

Sophomore Sebastian Barnett had a similar enjoyable experience as Savacool at Planet 3.

“I think Planet 3 is a great place to spend a few hours if you need something to do,” Barnett said. “It has a large assortment of things to do, not just the typical trampolines and foam pits.”

Although the Extreme Air Park has

more than 15,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines and a facility totaling 25,000 square feet, Barnett said it still felt slightly small.

“One of my least favorite things was how the trampolines did get a bit cramped at times,” Barnett said, “but it was nothing too horrible and me and my friend Christian Banks still had a blast.”

To ensure these rules are followed and jumpers remain safe, Planet 3 has what they call lifeguards, with senior I’Yania Brown being one of several hired for their grand opening.

“I’ve worked at Planet 3 since we opened,” Brown said. “It’s different from other jobs since I have to be paying attention at all times since I’m watching other people’s children and keeping them safe while jumping.”

Although an added weight is placed on Brown’s shoulders while working at Planet 3, she says she still thoroughly enjoys having the opportunity to witness children having fun while working.

“I think so many people enjoy coming here because Muskegon doesn’t really have too many places to go for fun,” Brown said. “It also helps that it’s air-conditioned, making it a great way to get out of the scorching heat of the summer.”

Prices Ages 7 and up: $14 for 1 hour $17 for 1.5 hours $20 for 2 hours Ages 6 and under: $11 for 1 hour $14 for 1.5 hours $17 for 2 hours

“For my birthday, I went to Planet 3 with one of my friends from out of town. It was somewhere I hadn’t been yet, so I thought it’d be cool to check it out.

I thought it was fun, and I’d love to go with a bigger group of friends next time. While I was there, I actually lost my phone in the foam pit, but fortunately, I found it.” – Lauryn Jackson, sophomore “There are many activities, so it’s unlikely for someone to get bored at Planet 3. My favorite part was being able to get a decent workout while having fun. However, many people were breaking the rules without consequences. I often found myself with another person jumping next to me, which is against the rules. There weren’t many employees monitoring the area, and if they were, they were doing it nonchalantly, which made things a bit chaotic at times. But it is a great way to spend a few hours.” – Noah Kinnucan, senior

feature

The Sailors’ Log

Spain trip allows culture exploring

pa sspor t to

eu rope Stories by Gabby Lopez, staff writer

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Traveling to a different country can be exciting and nerve racking all at the same time, especially when visiting five cities in eight days.

But that is exactly what Spanish teacher Susan Potter and 10 students did from June 18 until June 30 as they visited Barcelona, Montserrat, Zaragoza, Madrid and Toledo.

Potter said traveling to Spain made students want to explore the culture more.

Based on the reactions Potter saw during the trip and the connections students made with people and places, she said she sees a spark of interest in her students to travel and experience more.

“I wanted students to explore a different culture to spark an interest in all cultures and to be more understanding of people different than them,” Potter said.

For some students, this was a chance to explore outside of our neighborhood of Norton Shores.

“This was definitely a once-in-alifetime opportunity,” senior Ke’Sean Sandifer said. “I’m extremely glad I took advantage of this, and I will never forget the time I had. I built some great relationships with people at our school and even those from other schools out of state over the course of the week.”

The trip made students want to

Spa i n & F ra nce

During the summer, the language classes went on not one but two trips of a lifetime. Students compared textbook pictures to real-life experiences and lessons.

For some, it was not their first time out of the country, and for others, it made them want to travel again.

They met new people and tried new foods. Some went to museums while others went to hike in the mountains.

Others learned how to jump of the bridge. The trips showed the true culture of both Spain and France along with enhancing the minds of the students.

At Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain, junior Megan DeLong and seniors Mieke Hart and Josie Deveau take in the scene. (Courtesy Photo) explore more of the culture.

“I want to explore Spain more because there was a whole different aspect there,” junior Megan DeLong said. “The difference between the United States and Spain is mind blowing. Even little things, such as soccer games, are much different.”

It also made students want to expand their knowledge of the language.

“The Spain trip made me want to travel more,” junior Abigail Parmer said. “I didn’t know how much

Spanish I would actually understand and how much more comfortable I’d be there with only having two years of Spanish.”

Spain was an eye opener when it came to seeing more of the world.

“I would describe the trip as enlightening,” junior Eliana Hardy said. “It really opened my eyes to see that there is so much out there to explore and so many places to go.

It was really fun to learn so much about a different culture but also see some similarities.”

French students experience amazing adventures

“Bonjour” and “Au revoir” are both things French students had the opportunity to use on the trip to France from June 15 until June 26.

French teacher Melissa Brown took six students on a trip of a lifetime to France, starting in the French Riviera and ended in Normandy and Paris.

Along the way, they stopped in Pont du Gard, Provence, Avignon, Lyon, Loire Valley, and Chartes.

“It’s one thing to learn a language in class, even if it’s highly interactive,” Brown said. “It’s another thing entirely to be sitting in a cafe in Paris and interact with the server entirely in French and get what you wanted.”

For some students, the trip motivated them to learn more about the country and language.

“Without a doubt, the trip fed my interest and love for the language and culture,” sophomore Mia Newman said. “It’s hard to practice and stay motivated to learn the language when you’re not immersed in the culture itself. So, from the moment I boarded the plane and heard the French flight attendants speak French, I fell in love with the language

again.”

Throughout the trip, Brown encouraged her group to take new risks and expand their comfort zone.

“Adventure is generally my favorite word, but the entire trip is all about saying ‘yes’ to little adventures every single day,” Brown said. “We went to the Pont du Gard, had a picnic there and then jumped of rocks 15 feet in the air into the river running under the aqueduct. Jumping off those rocks set the tone for the whole trip; whenever someone was hesitating to try something new or take a risk on the trip, the response was always, ‘Just jump off the rock.’”

The experience as a whole is something that Newman says it should never be something that one should pass up on.

“If you have the opportunity to go on this trip, I would highly recommend that you go,” Newman said. “ It’s an amazing opportunity to meet new people, immerse yourself into the culture, practice your French skills, and have the trip of a lifetime.

Another plus: the food there is incredible, and you just really can’t pass that up.”

One place French students, including sophomore Mia Newman, French teacher Melissa Brown, 2018 graduate Kate Olson, 2018 graduate Autumn Skantz, 2018 graduate Taylor Strandberg, 2018 graduate Julie Antcliff, and junior Katelyn Knowlson, visited was the Eiffel Tower. (Courtesy Photo)

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profiles

The Sailors’ Log

Divin’ Right In

Sophomore enjoys scuba diving in Hawaii

By Camille Zuidema Staff Writer Sophomore Audrey White’s desire for travel and freedom led her on a summer journey to the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and the Big Island, where an activity unfamiliar to most, scuba diving, is second nature.

“I wanted to attend this camp (Wilderness Adventures, a program that takes youth from the United States traveling all over the world) because I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and become a little more independent,” White said. “I wanted to travel with people my age with the same hobbies as I do.”

Despite the trip being her first to Hawaii, it was not White’s first time scuba diving, which was a main highlight of the trip.

White began scuba diving in sixth grade when she took classes and became a certified open water diver during a vacation to Mexico. For three weeks this past end of June to beginning of July, White found herself using those acquired skills once more while in Hawaii.

“My favorite part about scuba diving in Hawaii was probably working very hard on the online classes at home and finally seeing the ocean after waiting for six months,” White said.

Four whole days were dedicated to scuba diving, where White and her peers (kids from all over the United States, including Texas, Wyoming, and Rhode Is-

While attending Wilderness Adventures in Hawaii, sophomore Audrey White, who has been scuba diving since sixth grade, had the opportunity to dive for three weeks this past summer. (Courtesy Photo) land) delved into the open central Pacific Ocean with tanks of oxygen strapped to their backs, wetsuits clinging to their bodies, and rubber fins replacing their feet.

“When I am scuba diving I become so relaxed, all you can hear is your breath.

We rely on simple sign language movements to communicate with each other,”

White said. “My favorite animals I saw were sea turtles, pufferfish, manta rays, and eel.”

All the enjoyment White experienced on this trip has inspired her to continue this hobby. Her interests for the future include the South Pacific islands of Fiji and even Lake Michigan waters.

“My goal in the future is to scuba dive

at least once a year. I heard you can scuba dive in Lake Michigan at some of the shipwrecks which sounds very interesting and cold,” White said.

At the end of camp, White could not be happier with her memories of scuba diving and Hawaii.

“Overall it was the best three weeks of my life,” she said.

Two Others Who Scuba Warren Kent III, English teacher “My wife (Rachel) and I began our certification process 2009 through Scuba Zoo on Holton Road. We completed our process in Orlando during spring break of 2010. We have been scuba diving multiple times in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico: Antigua and in Mexico”a near an island called Isla Mujeres. We have even gone in Michigan a few times. I like being up close to creatures that most people never get to see unless they go to a zoo or an aquarium.”

Ryan Heethouse, senior “I did my open water test in Cancun. The following day I traveled to Cozumel with family to do three dives. The first dive was around 60 feet deep; it was just my brother and me. Ten minutes into the dive, I thought I saw a plastic bag floating around, so I went to snatch it. As I was reaching for it, my brother yanked my arm back and told me, after we ascended, that it was a jellyfish.”

sports

The Sailors’ Log

11

Tennis professional takes over boys’ tennis team

By Chris Horvath Sports Editor While he may be the new tennis coach, Nate Kunnen sees the sport as a combination between chess and boxing.

“It challenges you both mentally and physically all the time, constantly,” Kunnen said. “You don’t necessarily learn about the game as much as you learn about yourself. The game forces you to dig deep and figure out if you actually want something, and that’s the same in life – if you want something bad enough, you’d push yourself and work hard to get it, like how many people are on the tennis court.”

Kunnen, who is a tennis professional at Norton Pines Athletic Club, replaces Steve Erny who resigned.

Kunnen’s tennis career almost didn’t happen. In high school at Grand Rapids South Christian, he wanted to play golf and basketball; however, he was cut from both teams.

An aunt then told him that the tennis team needed

first match I stayed mentally focused during the entire thing,” Kunnen said. “It was the conference championship my senior year, so it took me four years to get to that position. I focused on just a few single mental things while in the match that I struggled with before, and I was able to win the match.”

Eventually, Kunnen attended Ferris State University but not to play tennis.

He decided, instead, to obtain a degree in tennis management.

As for coaching, Kunnen’s career has consisted of teaching at different tennis clubs for the past seven years and teaching all different ages. This will be his first coaching job at the high school level.

“I’m excited to see what this season will bring,” he Nate Kunnen (right), the first-year coach for Shores’ said. boys tennis team, discusses strategy with junior Kunnen said he is excited for the opportunity.

Grant Hylland. (Chris Horvath) “For me, it’s about seeing improvement, seeing a proplayers. gression,” Kunnen said. “I like seeing a player at a cer“I instantly fell in love with it,” he said. tain point, and then two months later, seeing them at a “My best tennis memory as a player was probably my much better point, it’s very fulfilling to be a part of that.”

EASY AS

Three new coaches for will be guiding varsity teams this fall: Nate Kunnen (boys’ tennis), Kyle Kurant (girls’ golf) and Kyle Mireles (cross country).

Social studies teacher become cross country coach

By Erick Hannahs Staff Writer Kyle Mireles, a social studies teacher at Shores, lways wanted to coach.

“Part of the reason I got into teaching was to have the ability to coach,” said Mireles who takes over as head coach for both teams, replacing Bob and Katie Jazwinski, who both resigned after last season. “I love cross country. This is a sport that has given me so much, and I’ve only ever wanted to continue to be around it as much as possible. When the oppor- Mireles tunity presented itself to coach the varsity team at the high school, I jumped at it.”

Mireles said he plans on making big changes to the team this year to ensure success throughout the season.

“I plan on reorganizing the cross country program to work as one unit,” he said.

“Our newest sixth-grade athletes through to our departing seniors should feel a pro-

gram mentality and see their place in a continuous machine that wants to see everyone improve athletically, better themselves as human beings, and ultimately to win races.”

Mireles said he has high expectations for his runners going into the season after coming up short of a City or conference title last year.

“One major challenge I have put to the team is to take the City championship,” he said. “The (City) meet on October 12 will be a major focal point for our season.

Both boys’ and girls’ teams have been in striking distance the past few years but have fallen just short.”

Mireles also said he would like to create uniformity as a team and have his runners be in the best condition possible before meets and team invitationals.

“At Stanford, they call it the Machine; at Colorado, they call it the Wetmore factor,” Mireles said. “Whether it is based on the successes of the past or the belief in a coach, we collectively have to by into this team as one unit. The best teams

take care of their own by building a culture of care, a culture where every runners works for every other runner. The simple phrasing of my expectations for my runners would be, everybody works, nobody quits.”

Sophomore Ireland Gill said she is excited and happy with the new head coach.

“Mr. Mireles has been a good coach this year, and even though the season just started, he really has pushed us to do better for our own personal goals,” she said.

“I think that we will be really successful, not that we haven’t in the past, but I hope that we could be even more successful than we expect to be.”

Junior Kaylin Meyers also has high expectations for this season’s cross team.

“Mireles has really been trying to make the cross country team a serious force,” she said. “The main focus has been more mileage and pace training, which is pretty different from last year. And he is much more serious about the sport, our performances, and even our appearance as a team.”

Retired teacher takes over girls’ golf program

By Marisa VanderMolen Staff Writer After being in a district for 25 years, it is difficult to leave such a great place behind.

Just ask Kyle Kurant.

Kurant, who retired from Shores five years ago as an eighth grade social studies teacher, returns to Shores as the varsity girls’ golf coach.

“I really didn’t have any plans on coaching again, but after seeing the great group of girls, I decided to help out,” said Kurant, who was varsity volleyKurant ball coach for 20 years, varsity football assistant for 13 years, varsity baseball coach for three years.

Kurant had known a few of the girls through volleyball and knew how great of people they were, and they encouraged him to get back into coaching.

“He has got a unique edge,” senior Emilee Carlson said. “He is super competitive and enthusiastic which is very contagious out on the course; he has a great positive mental attitude,” Junior Chloe Knowlton said she loves his passion for the game and the team.

“He helps us a lot with our personal game and is determined to improve our score as a team and get to states,” she said.

12

sports

you can go

The Sailors’ Log

Q&A about direction of athletics

Sports editor Paige Judson sat down with new athletic director Todd Conrad to ask him about the state of the Shores’ athletic program.

a g a i n Familiar face returns as AD

By Paige Judson Sports Editor

Some say, “There’s no place like home” while others say, “You can’t go home again.”

Luckily for Shores, Todd Conrad believes in the first one.

Conrad, who taught English at Shores for 14 years from 2001 to 2015, returns to Shores as its athletic director after a three-year stint at Reeths-Puffer High School as an assistant principal.

“If there is one predominant factor for the reason I applied for this job it is that this school is my home,” said Conrad, who also coached football and track during his time at Shores.

“My wife teaches here, my kids go to school here, I have a long professional history here. Three years ago when I left, one of the possible realities that I had to accept was that I would never see my children walk down the hallways of my school.”

Conrad replaces Ryan Portenga, who stepped down June 7.

Conrad’s wife, social studies teacher Shannan Conrad, said she is looking forward to having him in the building.

“It will be great to see (my husband) in the halls and working with the kids and families in our community that we have established relationships with for the last 20 years,” Shannan said.

High school principal Jennifer Bustard, who was a part of the committee who hired Conrad, said that through

What are your goals for this year?

5 years? 10 and beyond?

“Year one, I just want to learn. I want to get the ins and outs of this job figured out.

Five to ten years from now, what I would like to see is that we are giving a consistent experience from age 7 to age 18. We want to control the experiences these kids have so that they are prepared when they come to the high school in ninth grade. We don’t want our athletes to develop bad habits.”

What are your expectations of coaches and athletes?

“We want someone who leads with the best interest of the student athletes in mind. Not necessarily what the athlete wants, but what is going to be the best for them in the long run. We want the athletes to get the most out of themselves and to not settle for a mediocre version of who they could be. We want them to leave Mona Shores being the best possible version of themselves.”

What changes do you plan on making?

“Right now, I am not thinking in terms of what do we need to change right now. Year one, I want to learn. To understand what needs to change, I need to get a better understanding of who we are, and right now, I think who we are is pretty good.”

Todd Conrad returns to Shores after a three-year stint as an assistant principal at Reeths-Puffer High School. Conrad will be the athletic director, replacing Ryan Portenga, who stepped down at the end of last year.

(Paige Judson) all rounds of interviewing, Conrad rose above and beyond all other candidates.

“Mr. Conrad’s approach to high quality leadership experiences for student athletes and his leadership approach to supporting students, parents, coaches and community members was what set him apart from others,” Bustard said.

With being new to the athletic program, Conrad said he is excited to learn all there is to learn and to get his bearings in this new environment.

He said he is not looking to make many changes in his first year as he is still understanding all that the athletic

programs already offer.

“My biggest goal in year one is to learn as much as I can,” Conrad said.

“A year from now, I hope to be able to look back on the 2018-2019 school year and know that I lived up to the standard of excellence that has become the norm at Mona Shores.”

Conrad said he is looking forward to connecting with the staff and students of Shores.

“I’m most looking forward to reconnecting with students and staff at MSHS,” he said. “The real rewards of this job are the relationships you build in the midst of committing yourself to a worthwhile endeavor.”

Do you have any big ideas?

“The Sailor Salute is a tough one to top, but what I would like to see is that level of excitement and attention happen at an event of one of our sports that doesn’t always get that attention. That attention is just as important to a kid who runs cross country or plays tennis as a football player when they get to run out on the football field in front of all of those people.”

Shores only has one female head coach for its varsity teams. What do you think about the disparity between male and female coaches?

“My take is regardless of if a coach is a male or a female I think that a coach can be effective in any role whether they are a male or a female. That being said, as much as possible, I would like to see female athletes coached by female coaches whenever possible. I absolutely want to go in that direction.”