Torch December 2015 by Plainwell Schools

THE TORCH December 09, 2015

BFF <3 Of Mice and Men is so boring... I know, I’m reading The Torch instead. The center spread is interesting.

It’s on page 8-9. I’ll go read it now.

Matt Miller ‘16 on his phone in class--an increasingly common sight at PHS. Photo by Hannah Arendsen.

PLAINWELL HIGH SCHOOL 684 STARR RD, PLAINWELL, MI 49080 ISSUE 2 , VOL 66

02 opinion The Trojan Torch Volume 66, Issue 2 December 09, 2015 Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Bommer Opinion Editor: Ashley Widner News Editor: Kaitlin Rietkerk Feature Editor: Emily Totten Online Editor Michael Carroll Photo Editor: Maiah Lesher Staff Writers Hannah Arendsen’16 Logan Bundle’16 Alivia Conn’16 Grant Harrison’16 Haley Holly’16 Lisa Hough’16 Trent Joynt’16 Alyssa Lovdahl’16 Chase Marshall’16 Katie Mcmahon’16 Angela Millar’16 Quinn Newland’16 Maya Pell’16 Kaitlin Ristau’16 Joshua Rumsey’16 Nathen Scott’16 Chloe Selner’16 Leslie Shaw’16 Tyler Smith’16 Austin Topp’16 Derick Weckerle’16 Allison Zyzelewski’16 The Trojan Torch serves students, faculty of PHS, and members of the community through informing, educating, interpreting, entertaining, and advertising. All members of the community and students are free to contribute stories, photos, and/or drawings to The Torch. We do reserve the right to edit or reject your work as we see fit. If the story submitted is anything other than editorial, The Torch requires all sources to be identified in order to continue its tradition as a credible news and information source. The Torch staff also reserves the right to accept or reject the purchase of any advertisement. To purchase advertising, or to submit a story, photo, or letter to the editor, please send it to: Plainwell High School Attn: Marilyn Hess 684 Starr Rd. Plainwell, MI 49080 269-685-9554 ext. 1544 mhess@plainwellschools.org Some material courtesy of the American Society of News Editors/MCT Campus news service.

december 09, 2015

the trojan torch Index Opinion.....................................2 News..........................................5 Feature......................................8 Lifestyle...................................11 Advertisments.......................13 Sports......................................14

trojantorch.com

Online Stories: Current articles: reviews on new movies, policy update on leaving campus, and holiday specials. Check out these articles to be posted later this week: Plainwell polls, musical cast listing, and more reviews.

Keep or dump Donald Trump BY TRENT JOYNT AND QUINN NEWLAND STAFF WRITERS

KEEP

Donald Trump, notorious speaker of the mind? Racist hypocrite? Whichever you prefer to say, credit’s due where credit’s due when it comes to being brutally honest Brutal honesty is few and far between when it comes to today’s society; regardless of his opinion’s validity, I still respect when someone doesn’t skew their own opinion just for the sake of someone’s feelings. I believe that this kind of honesty could be both a good and a bad trait in a president. Honesty the ability to feel strongly in your own opinions will lead to Trump doing what he feels is right for the country rather than just conforming to the opinions of his party. On the other hand, the brutality in his honesty could lead to foreign relation issues when dealing with hostile governments or fragile foreign policy; like relations with Russia right now for example. When it comes to Trump, the first thing that should come to mind is wealth. It is hardly arguable when it comes to saying Trump is not a great businessman. He is the owner and creator of one of the world’s greatest realestate businesses and it seems the type of president needed is one without huge political ties, and more of a successful mindset

which Trump possesses. As a country we need to stop worrying about all these social issues and deal with problems at hand; such as the nation’s $19 trillion debt. As technology progresses mass media’s grip on the people and the spread of moral opinions into federal government is frankly an epidemic, not suited for judicial debate and should be left to the states for further discussion. I believe that with Trump in office, this country will go back to economic success, simply by delegating the moral issues to the states to decide independently. This is why Trump in some aspects, is the right man for the job. With less of a focus and or care for mundane social complication, there’s more time to fix more pressing issues as foreign affairs, the debt crisis, and America’s economy.

DUMP

Donald Trump is an unintelligent, racist, homophobic, incestuous creep, with no respect for America or its people. While his campaign originally started off as a funny sort of almost-joke, it has become actually serious, and to a large degree extremely frightening. Someone needs to “fire” Donald Trump before it’s too late. My biggest problem with Trump is his main platform is based around a general xenophobia.

Having made remarks that Mexican immigrants “are rapists,” and commenting on the removal of Muslims with “we’re going to be looking into that.” He seems to be a very ignorant and racist man. Certainly someone like that is not fit to run what is known as the melting pot of the world, especially concerning its already pre-existing problems with racism. Sexism is undebatably a hotbutton issue in today’s society. Whether or not you believe it is a prominent and horrible part of society is one thing, knowing that Trump is himself a beacon of sexism is a completely different thing. It is absolutely clear he has no respect for the opposite sex when his responses to women disagreeing with his policies are things like “she had blood coming out of her whatever,” or comments about his female opponents are “Look at that face! would anyone vote for that?” Even comments about his own daughter, “She does have a very nice figure. I’ve said that if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps, I would be dating her,” are just downright creepy and disrespectful. All in all, Donald Trump is not even fit to be deemed anything besides a raging sociopath with a penchant for racism, sexism, xenophobia, and horrible hair piece choices. Don’t give this man your time, your thoughts, and especially not your vote.

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@thetrojantorch Photo drawn by Megan Thorp.

Trump speaking at a rally. Photo taken from donaldjtrump.com.

december 09, 2015

Our Voice STAFF EDITORIAL

Stop complaining about technology It is no secret that technology has taken over many things in our society. Legos and Barbies have been replaced with iPads and cell phones. Many find this disgusting; some even say they wish they could go back to a time that had no technology at all. But how different would a time without portable laptops and smartphones be; if people knew, would they really want to go back? Not only has technology made communication easier, but it has dramatically changed the work force. Many different careers have been positively affected by the use and invention of new technology. The health field, customer service field, and research fields have benefited from new technology. And careers in Information Technology have exploded. Surprisingly enough there are even apps you can click on when you are in need of medical help. The Red Cross has made an app called “The Universal First Aid.” It can give people critical information when there are hurricanes, tornados, wildfires and earthquakes. I know I am not the only one that has seen what looks like a little computer sitting on your table when you are going out to eat. These devices vary in name, but what they allow you to do is put in drinks, appetizers, and desserts. This I found a little scary; are waitresses soon going to be a thing of the past and people are just going to order everything through a computer? Like it or not, technology is taking over things as simple as waitressing; things you wouldn’t even expect. But technology isn’t all bad and ‘take over the world’-like.

It has brought many jobs; the IT field employs people that have very different careers from each other. Some of the top jobs according to experience.com are web developer, health IT specialist, and computer forensic investigator. The increase in technology not only benefits those in the work force but benefits our economy as a whole. Technology gives people jobs and makes things easier and cheaper. So when people say they wish they could go back to a “simpler time,” I really don’t think it would be all that simple. How easy is it these days to look up and see if your favorite restaurant is open or text your best friend and ask them to hang out? Americans are lazy. You take technology away not only are you taking away jobs and huge advances in research and health care, but you are taking away what you spend most of your day doing. It is a fact that young people today spend an average of 7 hours and thirty eight minutes using some sort of technology according to dailymail.com. But not all this is contributed to social media like most would think. Cell phones and laptops are useful for many other reasons other than just checking up on your friends instagram. Computers also contribute to this amount, many schools now require ipads and computers to do your work on. So it isn’t all play. Unless you want to walk miles to figure out if a store is open, or have someone die because there aren’t x-ray machines; stop complaining about technology. Tell me where you would be without it.

opinion 03

the trojan torch

Absence Policies

Since when does students’ health come second? BY ANGELA MILLAR STAFF WRITER

Swine flu, pneumonia, bullying, family death, surgery, panic attacks. Are these serious illnesses and family emergencies not worthy of more than seven days worth of absences? According to the Plainwell High school student handbook, “ Any student absent eight (8) days in the same class, whether excused or unexcused will need to apply for credit restoration to make up the work or credit may not be granted. …” I say, if a student needs to be gone for any reason they should not be penalized. Why? Because sometimes the world hits you with a load of bricks and you are not able to make school your first priority. I hate being gone for a period of time when something serious happens and then you walk in the next day and the teacher only cares about you making up a test or late homework. Why is that your first question

is regarding my missing school work? The well-being of students is so unimportant to this school system. When did my grades begin to be more important than my state of mind? “Last year I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Last week I had a panic attack and had to leave the school. I didn’t need eight days to get better, but I find it absolutely disgusting that we only get seven days a tri to have issues in our lives” said Paige Siver ‘16 I find the number of sick students who come to school simply because they don’t want to go through credit restoration terrifying. If a student needs rest they can’t get it at school. Unless teachers want to start allowing sleeping in class. And although the fact that they can simply get a doctor’s note to prove it’s true it is not the answer; believe it or not all students do not have insurance. Meaning, they can’t get a sick

note from a doctor. So what happens to them? Chronic absence is a thing. According to attendanceworks. org, low-income students are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others. For reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care. This issue could be solved so easily by simply allowing more absences. “We need to work out a system that when we miss school we don’t miss out on an education,” said Siver. If people abuse the right of absences then they are ruining their own chance at an education. If the rule is changed there will be people who abuse this rule and that is something we will have to deal with and come up with repercussions. We shouldn’t enforce rules based on the percentage of students that will abuse it but rather the students who need it.

Number of days students absent per trimester

Poll from 100 Plainwell Students.

04 opinion

Where did all the musical talent go?

Most Popular Christmas Songs

BY CHASE MARSHALL STAFF WRITER

music”, said Jeff Marshall, who is just shy of 40. “It just gives me a headache and makes me angry.” I can understand where peoThe generation of music ple of his generation are comwhere a few guys would have a ing from when they listen to our jam session in a garage for hours music and think it is nothing but has gone and passed. The era of random noises and auto tuned electronic beats and computer- vocals, because even if we don’t want to admit it, that’s what it is. ized vocals has just arrived. When did music lose it’s Years from now when your kids ask what kind of music you real meaning? Music used to be listened to when you were a about rebelling against society teenager what are you going to and individuality. Now a days if you can play say? I know I wouldn’t want to admit to listening to the music one rock song, then you can play all of them! The of our age. same goes for other Music of this Everyone will genres of music. day and age isn’t It would be hard timeless. When remember bands like to find a rap song, people of our Guns ‘N Roses, made from the generation grow Journey, and the year 2000 on, that up they aren’t doesn’t have some Beatles because going to show reference to drugs, their kids Taylor those musicians alcohol, or women. Swift and Fetty made a real impact Country music Wap. on the world. is no different. If But everyyou find a recent one will rememcountry song that ber bands like Guns N’ Roses, Journey, and The doesn’t talk about trucks, Jesus, Beatles because those musicians alcohol, or the South then that made a real impact on the world. song isn’t recent. The sad thing about this is I personally like electronic music like dubstep and EDM, that most people don’t even nohowever even I can admit that it tice that every song is the same. Don’t get me wrong, there are takes much less musical talent to create music from pre created some bands and musicians out there that passionately create beats and rhythms. It takes true musical genius unique music. But meaningful lyrics and to compose a song that can stand originality are becoming the test of time. “I don’t understand why any- increasingly rare in modern one would want to listen to that society.

Old School: The Beatles jammin. Photo taken from thebeatles.com.

december 09 , 2015

the trojan torch

New School: Dizzy Wright rapping. Photo from myfunkvolume.com.

according to a poll of 100 students

1. Jingle Bell Rock 2. All I Want for Christmas is You 3. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer 4. Silent Night 5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Jingle bells, jingle bells, early Christmas music smells BY LOGAN BUNDLE STAFF WRITER

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season is once again upon us. Halloween has come and gone Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away. But you can already turn on many radio stations and you can find 24 hour a day Christmas music being played. Thinking this is a bad idea doesn’t make me a Grinch. Several stations begin this practice the first day of Nov and continue through the New Year. It seems that other holidays especially Thanksgiving, are completely overlooked.

It is true that there are no Thanksgiving songs to play but that doesn’t mean Christmas music should take over the radio stations before the turkey is even cooked. “It should be played just in the same month of Christmas,” said Mitchell Britton ‘16. There is also a rather limited amount of Christmas songs which means you basically hear the same songs over and over again in various forms by different artist. The song that most people listen to when it comes to music is Jingle Bells Rock. It’s not a bad song, but two months of this is way too much. Some people obviously disagree. “It gets me hyped for Christmas,” said Ahmir Lewis ‘17. Getting hyped is a good thing,

but there should be a law that no Christmas music is to be played before Dec. 1. The only exceptions would be for subscription stations where you actually choose Christmas music. Public airwaves should be Christmas music free until after Halloween and Thanksgiving are over and the turkey is digested. Another reason Christmas music should be played early is because Christmas music can annoy people, and or they might not be into that religion. This is America let’s keep our holidays like our branches of government: separate and equal. That way people don’t end up becoming annoyed with Christmas music or even Christmas itself.

december 09, 2015

news 05

the trojan torch

New LINKS program making an impact on students Connor Wood enjoying music ih the hallway. Photo by Hannah Arendsen. BY HALEY HOLLY STAFF WRITER “One time last year I had lots of problems.. I had a crush on a girl and my LINK friends always knew what to say to make me feel better. I don’t need a girlfriend, I just need my buddies,” said Conner Wood ‘18. Because of his old habit of serenading fellow classmates at the top of his lungs as he accompanies the music in his headphones, Conner is well-known in the school. It’s also not a secret that he has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The prevalence of ASD (1 in 68 children in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control) is a call to action to help support those living with it. Plainwell High School is now offering an opportunity called LINKS that Wood among others has taken advantage of to do just that. LINKS is a volunteer peer to peer support program that was designed and started in Michigan to assist students with ASD. It began on the east side of the state, and has expanded to over 300 schools.

Students with ASD are ‘linked’ haviors, like rocking, pacing, or with peer volunteers who are in specific hand movements, that their classes or at lunch. indicate anxiety. “These ‘links’ help model “Then he’ll start talking quisocial skills, which in turn pro- etly, reminding the student that motes independence,” said everything’s okay. I’ve seen it Special Education Teacher and and it works so well; much betLINKS advisor Margaret Sibert. ter than if the teacher gets inAccording to Sibert, volun- volved,” said Sibert. teers are asked to help their Student volunteer Zach “link” orgaMoore ‘17 is a nize their student heavfolders, reily involved in “We are a role mind them LINKS and the of positive of classroom smile on his face procedures, reinforcement, so when he talks gently get about it is proof them back we have to be good of how influenon track with the program role models. They tial a task, and is. demonstrate “We are a are the center of good behavrole of positive the program and reinforcement, ior. “I have we want them to be so we have to be one volungood role modteer, for ex- themselves without els. They are the ample, who of the judgment, but we center helps to calm program and we also want to help want them to a student who becomes be themselves them succeed.” a n x i o u s without judgwhenever a ment, but we change occurs during class. Fire also want to help them succeed,” drill, shortened schedule, assem- said Moore. bly, etc,” said Sibert. The most used word in referThe LINKS volunteer has ence to LINKS is “friend”, and learned to watch for certain be- three year participant, Nate

Vanderboon ‘19 can attest to that. “You are there to be their friend and to encourage them to stay on track and to participate in what is going on around them. It’s all about helping out,” said Vanderboon. To get involved in the program is simple. There are pamphlets available in the office that also serve as permission slips to get signed by a parent or guardian. Meetings are twice a month during RTI time, and are broadcasted on the morning announcements ahead of time. “Once you’re signed up, I look at your schedule to see if any students with ASD who are involved with LINKS are in any of your classes or during your lunch period. I would talk with you and any other LINK volunteer who might be working with a specific student, about that student’s needs,” said Sibert. Volunteers are then provided with training. “Links” are not expected to do anything they are unsure of or uncomfortable with, as the teacher within the class is always aware of the ASD student’s needs and how to handle potential issues if there is anything they can not or will not do.

“The LINK student is just an extra helper and a friend who often can deal with stuff quietly before it becomes an issue,” said Sibert. Sibert explained that links have been able to “save the day” on multiple occasions. “It’s awesome to know that you can help,” said Leah Brady ‘19, who is also a long-time LINKS member. The focus of the group is to improve the livelihood of the students with ASD, but volunteers benefit as well. Everyone involved can take something away from their experiences in the program. “It’s not about telling Autistic students what to do, it’s about being a friend. It’s about kids connecting with kids so that everyone involved can grow and succeed,” said Sibert. Volunteers learn leadership and problem solving skills, and while increasing their understanding of individual differences, they learn to relate to people with different needs. That promotes responsibility and tolerance. “Students with ASD learn appropriate social skills in the natural settings from their peers, and this promotes independence,” said Sibert.

06 news

the trojan torch

Dear Freshman Friday is censored

december 09, 2015

News flash News that is kinda important, yet not important enough to warrant its own story

Local:

Quinn Newland ‘16 and Liam Ridgeway ‘16 doing their signature handshake. Photo b y Alivia Conn. BY JOSH RUMSEY STAFF WRITER It isn’t often that controversy in Plainwell schools blows up. Especially when it affects the entire student body, and how they voice their opinions. But that is exactly what is happening with attempted censorship of a recurring feature on BluNews. Quinn Newland ‘16 and Liam Ridgway ‘16 are the regular hosts for the Friday morning announcements, in a program commonly known as ‘Quinn and Liam in the Morning.’ Throughout their morning news show broadcast, they inform students of current events and add a twist by inserting their own comedy routines. One of their most popular sketches is known as ‘Dear Freshman Friday.’ During this sketch, Newland and Ridgway banter back and forth about funny freshman stereotypes and what not to do as a freshman in high school. The skit has received praise from faculty and students alike, including the freshman class. However, they have recently been given information that some faculty members do not approve of the “insulting” jokes, and wish that the skit would be either toned down or shut down. One anonymous detractor chose not to comment when written questions were submitted to him or her through TV adviser Keven Badalamente. This attempt at censorship has found several of the newscast

members offended themselves, and many students are finding it downright blasphemous. “It’s ridiculous that anyone thought that insult-based comedy could go anywhere other than offending people,” said Ridgway, the morning news show reporter. “The jokes were intended to be a funny way to give advice to freshman, in a way that they would actually listen to it.” Many faculty and students do enjoy the sketch. It isn’t an actual attack on freshman, but a stab at the freshman stereotypes that have gone on for years and years prior. “Its funny, but it doesn’t exactly apply to everyone,” said Riley Wood ‘19. “It’s just a stereotype joke.” Some freshman even find it funny to the point where they want to add their opinions to it. “Film sketches of students doing the stuff,” said Bethany Benton ‘19. “Direct callouts would be pretty funny,” said Avery Peters ‘19. However, there is something to be said about jokes and how they affect others. Out of 32 randomly selected freshman, 21 students loved the sketch. Nine students didn’t really care for the sketch, and two people were offended. The school is always trying to provide a positive atmosphere. Even some of the students who didn’t like the skit to begin with provided feedback, which would make it less antagonizing by changing the approach and causing them to like the skits again.

“The entire sketch could be changed to go after the other classes, or underclassmen in general,” said Craig Riley ‘19. “Sometimes it only relates to one crowd of freshman,” said Isavelle Cervantes ‘19. “It would be funnier if it were aimed at multiple groups instead of one.” As far as offensiveness goes, the jokes weren’t sharp insults aimed at specific individuals. Everything that has been poked fun at has been stereotypes set long before the students in question were even high schoolers. However, the problems with society today indicate that even taking a stance or stating an opinion, including a joke, will offend at least one person or group. Although this wasn’t their intention, it seems to be the case. “It’s supposed to be humor,” said Rachael Bosch ‘19. “People shouldn’t take offense to that, or really even take it seriously.” This attempt at censorship may still be lingering, but Ridgway and Newland have given no signs of stopping their popular twists on the news. Along with Badalamente they considered the complainant’s request and decided to continue the skit, although with an attempt at making a more friendly tone. “Freshman and faculty love it, and they even want to help make it better. They are even giving us more ideas to carry on the joke,” said Ridgway. “Look forward to tuning in this Friday, and every following Friday until Quinn and I retire.”

30th Annual New Year’s Fest WHO - All ages WHAT - Music (bands, tribute artists, and theatre), comedy, magic, exhibitions, food, fireworks, and ball drop. WHEN - 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Ball drop and fireworks begin at midnight WHERE - Downtown Kalamazoo (various venues) HOW - Admission buttons available starting December 15 at any Harding’s Store and Marketplace, and The Kalamazoo Public Library for $5 or can be purchased for $10 in Bronson Park starting at 5 p.m. on the day of the event (children under 3-years-old or younger get in free). STUDENT REVIEW: “I had a good time! The best parts were the lights and the music. You could walk around to different buildings to see what events they had going on, you could get hot cocoa, and you could get tons of different food from the venders. I would go again for sure” said Jaidin Clemens ‘18. For more info visit www.newyearsfest.com

State: 400 gallons of raw sewage was coming through a manhole opening in Kalamazoo on Saturday. Officials are saying that kitchen grease was blocking a sewer line. The foul-smelling mess spilled onto the pavement at the corner of Ravine Road and Douglas Avenue.

National: At least 14 people were dead and another 17 injured in a shooting last Wednesday, in San Bernardino, California. The two gunmen opened fire during a function at a center for people with developmental disabilities. Investigators are still trying to determine a motive, but have not ruled out terrorism. The suspects fled the scene and hours later, police found what they believed to be the getaway car in the nearby city of Redlands, California. When the car left a house there, they followed it and a chase ensued. There was an exchange of gunfire and two of the suspects were killed. Early Thursday morning, police identified them as Syed Rizwan Farook, 28 and Tashfeen Malik, 27.

december 09, 2015

news 07

the trojan torch

Students, residents give back in annual tradition BY ALIVIA CONN STAFF WRITER

Stacks of toys organized for different ages, tilting like a game of Jenga, bins with wrapping paper sticking out like a bouquet, tape, and scissors, hallways lined with food and needed household items, and volunteers scurrying everywhere, supporting, participating, and watching in awe to see the amount of people who come together to make a difference in the lives of families in their community. The Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project is a local organization that helps those who reside within the Plainwell Community Schools district, by supplying non-perishable food items, household supplies, and personal hygiene items to supplement the pantries of recipients and their families during the winter holiday season. They also strive to provide gifts for each child who is 17 years old or younger. All the food collected during the fifth hour food drive this week will go to the Christmas project. In addition, the Student Senate and staff members each adopt a family for which they buy gifts. The organization receives referrals from local agencies, such as Department of Human Services, Christian Neighbors, and the Plainwell school district. Sometimes they receive referrals from those who have been helped in previous years and know of someone in need of a little extra assistance.

“Since 2011, our group has helped a total of 615 families, which includes 2,332 people, and 1,213 children,” said Project Director Anne Conn. Laura Jones ‘17 and her family have been a big part in the production of the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project for many years. “My family has helped out every year for as long as I can remember. It’s like a family tradition of ours,” said Jones . Fundraising efforts and private donations provide 100 percent of their funding and donors can be assured that 100 percent of their donations stay in the community. If a local business provides food, that business knows their donation goes to a family in the Plainwell community. The Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project relies on community members to pull together to make the project happen. Many individual volunteers and scores of businesses, community groups and organizations join forces each year to support this unique community project. Volunteers from Plainwell Schools, local churches, and families volunteering together, help to sort food, wrap gifts, build food boxes and distribute items. The 15 board members, whocome from all over the community, take great joy in having so many people coming together to help. Volunteers have started helping out as young children and continue helping as adults. Some even bring their own children as

soon as they are old enough to wrap a present or sort cans. Some high school students began helping in order to fulfill community service requirements, but keep coming back to help, long after they have met the graduation requirement. “We have also had past recipients come back to us years later, offering to adopt a family, because they want to give back to an organization that helped them during a particularly difficult time,” said Del Beier, one of the board members. While most students seem to think this is just something that happens around Christmas time so they can receive their community service hours, some have made helping this organization a part of their life every winter season. “I’ve been volunteering for a few years now. I enjoy knowing that I’m doing this for people that are less fortunate than I am,” said John Clark ‘16. Student Senate also volunteers every year, and has been doing so for quite some time. “I think it’s a great thing for our community. It never ceases to amaze me how well people come together for a good cause,” said Advisor Andrew Hansen. For more information on the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project and ways you can help, donate, or even if you feel your family needs a little extra help this holiday season, feel free to contact project board members at (269) 720-1069, or by letter to P.O. Box 156, Plainwell, MI 49080 or by e-mail at plainwellchristmas@yahoo.com.

08 feature

december 09, 2015

1973

Our lifelines

Bad 10%

The First Cell Phone is Tried

Good 90%

In the real world, are cell phones in general good or bad for people?

Bad 19%

STUDENTS

1983

The Cell Phone Goes Public It took ten years for the

The Flip Phone 1989 is Introduced Motorola came out with a new design where the mouth piece flipped over the top of the keypad. It was the first flip phone.

1993

A Teacher’s Perspective

Check out pages 3 and 12 for more on cellphones

Dr. Martin Cooper invented a portable hand-held phone that didn’t need to be powered through a car. He was the first person to make a mobile phone call.

technology that Dr. Cooper invented to become available to the public. The first public cell phones were put out by Motorola.

feature 09

Good 81%

TEACHERS

Little device, big effects BY LESLIE SHAW STAFF WRITER

People rarely take their face out of their phones even if they’re with friends, family, or a significant other. The popularity of cellphones has grown significantly in recent years, especially since the first iPhone came out in 2007. Smart phones changed the game and gave people endless options of things to do on their phone. The very first cell phone came out in 1973, but only gave people the option to make phone calls without a wire. “Car phones were nice because you could use them for emergencies, but they were huge and had terrible reception,” said Math teacher Tim Rieman. This was a big technological advancement, but it didn’t necessarily draw people to spend hours making phone calls. Smart phones, on the other hand, gradually took over our and made people feel like they wouldn’t be connected to the world without one in their hand. “I think that people nowadays are distracted by different things than they used to be now that these phones exist, but I don’t think it makes people pay less attention in school since you can use phones to take notes,” said Rieman. Texting, social media, games, and a quick search on the internet are just a few of the ways people spend time on their phones. Relationships are a lot different because of social media and texting. “People aren’t as sincere when they communicate because they can hide behind their phones when they say things,” said Kendylle Wolthius ‘18. “Likes” on pictures have become a form of flirting, and instead of approaching someone you are interested in it is common to “slide into the dms” which is when you directly message someone and start a conversation. “I got my first cell phone in 8th grade as a reward for being good. I used it for texting and taking pictures,” said Nikki Allen ‘16. It is inevitable for people to be on their phones a lot more now that so much can be done on them, but it is hard to predict where they will take society next.

Text Message is Developed

Developers in Europe came up with a way to send written messages over the phone. It was called texting.

A Camera Phone is Made

2002

A company called Sanyo made a phone that could snap pictures. Later the user could download the pictures to a computer to be printed.

Dear Student, Hey! Yes, you, in the back. The one on your phone. I see you! I admit it feels like a slap in the face to be in the midst of an eloquent explication of Hamlet’s soliloquy and then look up, only to see you eyeball deep in a Twitter argument. It feels like a waste….not just of my time, but of yours, too. I could go into a strongly worded lecture about how cell phone usage lowers IQ, lessens attention spans, and affects grades, but if you are in my class, you’ve probably heard all that. Instead, I’m going to take a different route here. I get it. Life is swirling around you. You have a job, and you really need the cash. Your boss is demanding. Your parents’ expectations feel like sandbags on your shoulders. Your athletic schedule looks like an Olympic training calendar. I have been there. I remember trying to balance honors classes, violin lessons, swim practice, and still eek out some social time with my boyfriend and my friends. High school is hard...and I would venture to say it is harder today than it was 16 years ago when I was your age. No one here is trying to minimize the struggles of the high school student. But while I can commiserate on your busy life, there is something I just don’t get….the technology tether. When I was in school (yes, I realize I now sound like your mother), no one had cell phones. There was a random pager here or there and, get this, a pay phone at the front of the school for emergencies. Parents could call the office and have notes delivered, but throughout the day, we really were on our own. We didn’t know what we were missing, and looking back, I truly believe that ignorance WAS bliss. Back in that day, I could have a raging argument with my so-called best friend, but then I would go to physics and have an hour of lecture and lab, and by the end of that time, she and I had both cooled down and gained some perspective. Not only did I pay better attention in class, but I also had better relationship boundaries. If my boyfriend decided to cancel our date for the evening, I didn’t have the distraction of stewing over it in art class. I had to wait until I got home to have my monumental breakdown, in the privacy and comfort of my own home. Bullying probably happened throughout the school day, but those poor students who were victim to it were safe when they left the shared walls of public school. There was no technological fist following them home and beating them down all evening and night. Allow me a moment to give you a personal example, as someone who lived B.C.P. (Before Cell Phones) and A.C.P. (After Cell Phones). Before cell phones, I didn’t know how big of a house my classmate lived in, or who was meeting up with whom after school. I knew that some other students did not like me, but they didn’t have much of a platform to rant about their hatred of me. I had the luxury of some ignorance. And looking back, that allowed me some freedom from jealousy, pain, and judgment. Now that I carry an iPhone with me all day, I see constant

reminders of what other people have that I don’t, constant interruptions to my thought processes, occasional angry emails or passive-aggressive FB posts that I then worry might be about me. My emotional and relational life is amplified by constant connection to an extent that I find harmful to my thought life, my emotional state, and my ability to concentrate. I can only imagine this feeling is the same for you, maybe to a greater extent because you are currently surviving an alreadyheightened emotional time of your lives. You can argue that technology has moved us forward as a society. I admit that I love Facebook to catch up with old college friends, or Twitter for reading culturally relevant humor. I even research many of my literary connections for class using the Internet. But I can’t say that I am more fulfilled today than I was those years ago when I was truly tech-free. You phone and iPad junkies truly are doing YOURSELVES the disservice when you are hiding your phone under your desk to text your best friend or catching up on Twitter during group work. You are doing yourself the disservice of distraction, but furthermore, the inability to decompress after an argument, to protect yourself from relational pain, to have meaningful discussions and interactions with those in your immediate physical presence. School used to be a safe zone because of the disconnection, and no matter how much we try to recreate those lost days of innocence, until you learn how to step back for a moment, for an hour, for a day, you will never understand the freedom that comes with unplugging from the outside world and truly valuing each moment you find yourself in. When you are misusing your technology, you will likely get worse grades, or at least miss important moments in the classroom, and you will probably have more relational drama than is necessary or healthy for a developing teenager. We teachers can cajole you, punish you, pester you, and sometimes force you to put away the technology, but we cannot teach you the freedom that some of you have never truly known of being unplugged. You must decide the value for yourself, and although you can roll your eyes at my old-fashioned notion of technology freedom, you can’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! Sincerely, Mrs. Wingle

2002The First Smart

Phone is Invented

The smart phone could send and receive emails and messages, but it didn’t have a speaker or microphone. This meant it needed a headset to work.

TEACHERS Help 31% Hurt 69% Do cell phones hurt or help the education process?

Hurt 35% Help 65%

STUDENTS First Finger Print Recognition Phone

2013

In 2013, the iPhone 5s introduced fingerprint recognition as a means of unlocking the device.

The First Apple I-Phone is 2007Released It featured a touch screen and allowed people to do almost anything they could do from a computer, which basically changed the way people lived.

12 feature

e n o h Cell p s ct addi BY ALYSSA LOVDAHL STAFF WRITER

december 09, 2015

the trojan torch

Garrett McCormick ‘17

Natalia Morayta ‘16

Becca Leroy ‘16

Samuel Krizik ‘16

Mitchell Lawerence ‘17

Team Android or team Iphone?

“Android.”

“iPhone.”

What app do you use most?

“YouTube.”

“Whatsapp.”

“Instagram.”

“Facetime.”

“Instagram.”

What is your favorite emoji?

“The shark.”

“The smiley face.”

“Poop.”

“Laughing face.”

Who do you text the most?

“My mom.”

“My best friend.”

“Lisa ‘Hoof’.”

“My best friend.”

“Logan Gritter.”

“3 or 4 hours.”

“4 hours.”

“3 hours.”

“8 hours.”

“2 hours.”

How much time do you think you spend on your phone each day?

The unforeseen friendship between French and math Boven and Newell have bonded BY ALYSSA LOVDAHL STAFF WRITER Students wouldn’t expect to see a math and French teacher hanging out and chatting every day of the week in their high school classrooms and hallways, but if you walk down to Foreign Language Teacher Sarah Boven’s room at the end of the day you will find the two in the middle of a conversation. Boven and Math Teacher Samantha Newell met in 2001 as they both began their teaching careers at Plainwell High School. “We were acquaintances at first and over the years it’s built up,” said Newell. The two spend every lunch walking the halls together to get their daily exercise in while spending quality time together.

Most of the time, their interaction is during normal school days or at school events. “I wish we lived closer to each other so we could see each other more often,” said Newell. It’s obvious that these two share more than their lunch hour together. They love to do things together any time Boven isn’t occupied with her husband and two children, Lucas and Sadie. “Mrs. Boven has been there for me through a lot of stuff. Especially when my mom had her accident,” said Newell. Both teachers have been there for each other through the thick and thin. “She was there for me when I lost both of my parents,” said Boven, “and she buys presents for my kids on Christmas and

their birthdays.” Over the years, they have done some fun things together. Being the advisors for the class of 2016, they planned prom together last year. Over the summers, they used to get breakfast at The Red Barn in Martin, but now that it’s permanently closed they may have to find a new breakfast nook. Even though they see each other nearly every day they still talk on the phone almost every night. “Mrs. Newell goes to bed at eight and sometimes she won’t answer unless she knows it’s me,” said Boven. Surprisingly they haven’t gotten sick of each other during the 15 years of their friendship. “We’ve become like family,” said Boven.

Boven and Newell take their daily jog around the halls during lunch time Photo by Hannah Arendsen.

december 09, 2015

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lifestyle 11

Hannah’s declassified school survival guide BY HANNAH ARENDSEN STAFF WRITER

SSES A L C P

1. Don’t procrastinate - Putting off work will cause more stress in the long run. Procrastinating only causes build up. 2. Study - Students may not have to study in core classes to receive an A, but AP classes don’t come as easy. Therefore studying is essential!

3. Spend quality time on assignments - By doing this, the student increases the likelihood of understanding the material and doing well on the test. 4. Turn everything in on time(easy points) - Tests can bring down your grade, but staying on top of your homework can keep your grade alive. 5. Don’t miss a lot of days - Missing days will cause the student to fall behind and it’s harder to catch up in a fast pace class. 6. Pay attention in class - This may seem like a given but getting off task can cause the student to miss important information. 7. Stay organized - Losing work or important papers can be a problem when it comes time to study or turn in papers that are not there. 8. Don’t worry about the grade too much(its weighted) - In the long run the AP test is more important to focus on than the letter grade because its weighted. 9. Ask questions - Asking questions is necessary to further understand and give clarity to the concepts of the class. 10. Drink LOTS of coffee - Students may need a morning pick-me-up to stay awake through the class and to recover from many all-nighters

classes Freshman in AP ture- 1 AP English Litera AP Calculus- 1 AP Spanish- 0 AP Chemistry- 1 AP Biology- 0 0 AP Government0 AP PsychologyHistory- 0 AP United States

classes Juniors in AP rature- 3 AP English Lite AP Calculus- 4 AP Spanish- 20 19 AP ChemistryAP Biology- 8 t- 10 AP Governmen 12 AP Psychologys History- 0 AP United State

in AP classes Sophomores rature- 1 AP English Lite AP Calculus- 0 AP Spanish- 1 0 AP ChemistryAP Biology- 10 t- 0 AP Governmen 0 AP Psychologys History- 55 AP United State

asses Seniors in AP cl ture- 64 AP English Litera AP Calculus- 46 AP Spanish- 8 AP Chemistry- 8 AP Biology- 1 13 AP Government19 AP PsychologyHistory- 0 es AP United Stat

10 lifestyle

december 9, 2015

the trojan torch

Christmas fever what to do and what to buy

Watch Christma s movies

BY HANNAH ARENDSEN AND KATE MCMAHON STAFF WRITERS

Go toy Cande Can e Lan

Sing as stm Chir ols Car

Bake

Wear Ugly rs Sweate

ret c e S ta San

Go Ic e Skati ng

Go Shop ping

Decorate a Tree

nd: For girlfrfrieame -Picture lry -Jewe -Shoes

For mom: -Perfume -Candle -Jewelry

a Build Snow man Go to a Lig ht Show For younger siblings: -Legos -Books -Puzzles

Go ding Sled

For dad: -Socks -Grilling equipment -Hunting gear

For ts: d n gra pareng in -Anyth homemade

For boyfriend: -Handmade blanket -Watch -Clothing

december 09, 2015

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the trojan torch

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14 sports

december 09, 2015

the trojan torch

Varsity numbers on the board

Transformation Tuesday, students make big changes

out of 38 at State for Women’s Swim and dive team.

in the district for Men’s Soccer.

place in conference, Women’s Volleyball

out of 238, Mya Veen Cross Country

in state, Maddie Tran Women’s golf

1/4

finals, Connor Jezdimir and Aaron Cox Men’s Tennis

place in state, Abby Ernst Women’s Swimming

Garrett George ‘16 putting the muscle he’s gained to good use. Photo by Ethan Bolda. by Kaitlin Ristau Staff writer Countless hours in the weightroom. Bucket loads of protein supplements. Personal training on top of sports practices. A select few of students have gone through a great deal of hardships to achieve a great transformation. Chase Bryant ‘16 started his fitness journey his freshmen year. Knowing he wasn’t living to his full potential, he wanted to make a change mentally and physically. Since then, Bryant has found ways of staying in shape by playing Varsity football, lifting weights, and going for distant runs. “My favorite way to stay in shape is to go for long runs. Not worrying about my speed and just going. Before I was in shape I couldn’t run at all and now it’s my favorite thing,” said Bryant. For anyone looking to start working out in the weight room or lifting weights Bryant has some advice. “No matter where you are at you can always do it. Even if you start with something as small as cutting pop out of your diet there is always something to do to help,” said Bryant. Veronica Klein ‘16 had the same urge to change as Bryant. “I wanted to be the best me I

could be and I was tired of not liking what I saw in the mirror,” said Klein. Through changing her diet and swimming Klein has gained a new self confidence and a stronger body she didn’t see possible before. “It wasn’t so much about the weight for me, it was more about how I felt about myself,” said Klein. Klein also hired a personal trainer to push her to her full potential. Isaac Shaw ‘16 had gone through middle school being picked on for carrying extra weight compared to others. Getting tired of the fat jokes, Shaw decided to make a change. “I just started doing everything I could; running, crossfit, lifting weights. Also I played football which helped a lot,” said Shaw. “I never thought it was going to be easy but when I started seeing change I gained motivation,” said Shaw. “By setting small goals and accomplishing them I gained pride

in my workout sessions and gained pride in myself,” said Shaw. “Having the determination to stick with a plan wasn’t something that came easy. I had to develop that by myself,” said Shaw. Wanting to gain weight instead of loose, the opposite problem as Shaw or Bryant, Garrett George’s ‘16 transformation has looked incredibly different. “I was known for being kind of timid and was a little skinny freshman,” said George. “I hung out a lot with some sophomore guys and they were always working out and they had gained a lot of muscle since their freshman year and they constantly were telling me that I should join them and that I could get bigger if I wanted to,” said George. This friendly encouragement was the push George needed. George went to Repz Gym in Plainwell where he got started with a workout regimen and a meal plan. George also was encouraged

“Just strive to get healthy, however that may look.”

and motivated by the gym teacher, Doug White. As George gained more muscle he gained more confidence and this became his source of encouragement. “I saw how much I could change in just one year and that just blew my mind,” said George. “As I got more in shape I started to be able to be better in sports and that made me happy,” said George. White would encourage everyone to take care of themselves, but not just to look good. “Your body’s a temple, take care of it now and it will be there to take care of you in the future,” said White. Being a teenager everyone feels the pressure to be the best looking they can be, but Klein combats this thinking. “Don’t let working out consume you or change your personality too much. You are not striving for perfection. Just strive to get healthy, however that may look,” said Klein. The stern words hanging in PHS’s weightroom explain the dream of Plainwell’s exercise leaders in hopes it will become your reality. “Tough love is in effect here… We will not accept you as you are. Instead, we will show you a vision of what you could be and help you achieve it.”

december 09, 2015

sports 15

the trojan torch

Sliding through life:

Vanslambrouck is ready to take on winter

Luke Vanslambrouck ‘16 shows off many of the tricks he’s mastered after years in the park. Photos courtesy of Vanslambrouck. BY Austin Topp staff writer

“I want skiing to be a part of my life, even my career, until I die.”

Times of shoveling driveways and battling gusts of winds are among us. To most, this setting is disgusting. For others, such as Luke Vanslambrouck ‘16, winter is absolutely gorgeous. “The thing I love about Michigan most is the long winter because it gives me so much time to practice what I love,” said Vanslambrouck. Vanslambrouck has been skiing the slopes since the age of 5. “I got my first pair of Atomic skis for christmas when I was 5 years old. I look at them now and they only come up to my waist,” said Vanslambrouck. Skiing became a habit for Vanslambrouck, attending ski resorts known as Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, and Boyne Mtn every weekend. “Every friday after school Luke would come home, take off his backpack, and put on his snow pants, ready to go to Timber Ridge,” said Vicki Vanslambrouck, mother of Luke. Vanslambrouck made his way from the bunny hill to the black diamonds in a matter of a couple years. “By the time I was 7 years old I

hit my first black diamond. Then I decided to go try out the freestyle park,” said Vanslambrouck. Now a master of maneuvering the slopes, Vanslambrouck had the confidence to push his limits as a skier. “I remember when I got my first freestyle, twin tip skis when I was 9. I went right out to Timber Ridge that night and rode in the park for at least 5 hours,” said Vanslambrouck. Vanslambrouck went skiing at least 3 out of the 7 days in a week, gaining new tricks and skills with every day. He continues to do so. “I did my first backflip off of the twenty five foot jump at Timber Ridge when I was thirteen,” said Vanslambrouck. As his performance steadily increased, Vanslambrouck began to take his talents to some of the most well known ski resorts in the country. “I went to Park City, Utah for Spring Break when I was fifteen years old. It was the best week and a half I have ever had,” said Vanslambrouck. Skiing doesn’t require a resort; Vanslambrouck even began to grind rails in the streets of Kalamazoo. Advancing into new tricks, ski resorts, and urban areas of

increasing difficulty was something that Vanslambrouck thrived in. He began making videos on YouTube and started to gain attention. “I got the mail one day and there was a letter to Luke coming from a California address with a Monster Energy logo on it,” said Vanslambrouck’s mother. Luke received sponsorships from both Monster Energy and Spy Optics, supplying him large discounts on products. “Luke hands out Monsters to us at school like they are candy because he just gets cases of them for free,” said Caleb Winenger, ‘16. Gaining sponsorships was a huge deal for Vanslambrouck; his dreams were on the right track. “I won first place in the Big Air Competition at Cannonsburg Ski Resort last year, but I only got a t-shirt and a pack of stickers, it’s okay though, I still won,” said Vanslambrouck. “I want skiing to be a part of my life, even my career, until I die. I hope to move out west to like Utah or Colorado once I graduate highschool, I just love the atmosphere out there,” said Vanslambrouck. Soaring fifty feet in the air upside down is second nature to Vanslambrouck, and his best

trick is impressive. “I’d say that my best trick right now is a cork 720, pretty much a front flip with a 720 spin,” said Vanslambrouck. Exploring backcountry mountains and launching off jumps have become Vanslambrouck’s addictions. “Now that he has a car, I am sure he will be out skiing much more often than usual, and I am all for it,” said Vanslambrouck’s mother. “This winter I plan to ski after school on most days, either at Timber Ridge, Bittersweet, or some fun spots in the streets. I hope to make another video so I can maybe get some more sponsors,” said Vanslambrouck. Vanslambrouck sets out on his skiing adventures with his friends on the regular. “Skiing with Luke is fun because he can throw down and I learn a lot from just watching him,” said Alex Chappie ‘16. The way Vanslambrouck skis is unique and inspiring to skiers around him. Thriving in the bitter days of winter has become a lifestyle for Vanslambrouck. “I will always have winter sports to go to when I am feeling down, it allows me to free my mind and push my limits,” said Vanslambrouck.

december 09, 2015

Can you guess what these words are? The pictures behind the words are hints

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16 photo

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