December 2021 by Portage Northern Light

“Devious licks” p.5

THE TEENS OF TODAY A letter to our teachers p.7

p.11

Fall sports commits p.16

Kamm’s retirement p.13

Little Shop of Horrors p.19

THE NORTHERN LIGHT 1000 Idaho Avenue, Portage, MI 49024

Volume 52 Issue 2

FROM THE

EDITOR Dear Readers, For this edition, we chose the theme “The teens of today.” Groups of students from every grade were surveyed on what word they would choose to describe this generation. Our team went through all those responses and chose three to focus on: revolutionary, lost, and unique. Overall, we wanted to explore different aspects of this generation, as well as the positives and negatives of being a teen in today’s society. For the editorial, “A letter to our teachers,” we compiled the responses of what each staff member most wanted to say to the teachers at PN. It is a piece on how teachers can better help all of the teens of today learn best. Finally, the cover of this edition represents the many different words PN students used to describe this generation. The entire NL staff is so excited to share this edition with you, and we are extremely grateful for everyone who supported us through subscriptions and donations. However, most importantly, thank YOU so much for reading this edition that we worked so hard on! Sincerely, Astrid Code Editor in Chief

NL POLICIES

The Northern Light in print and online is the student-produced newspaper for Portage Northern HS. It is an open, designated public forum for student expression, and the newspaper provides staff members with independent reporting opportunities and individual evaluation. Writing is based on a wide variety of research for a broad and diverse audience and topics of coverage are decided by the staff and editorial board with consideration to what is timely, relevant, compelling, educational, and important to the student body. In accordance with best practice for student media, the Northern Light is not prior reviewed by administration. Building and district administration do, however, reserve the right to oversee the paper if necessary to ensure that the mission and vision of Portage Public Schools and the safety of students and staff are maintained. As a MIPA, JEA, and NSPA publication, the Northern Light adheres to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Photos, art, and other visual elements are created by Northern Light staff, formally designated for free use, or part of the public domain. In rare circumstances, we may use other media with the owner’s written permission. It is our desire that our readers join the discussion on our published work. We welcome letters to the editor and guest contributions, and the Northern Light will publish online all pieces received provided that they include the author’s full name and are appropriate for publication in a school setting. Letters to the editor are limited to 150 words in length and guest contributions are limited to 350words in length. Pieces can be delivered to Amanda Thorpe’s room, 3.129, emailed to pnhsnorthernlight@gmail. com, or mailed ATTN: Portage Northern Light to Portage Northern High School, 1000 Idaho Avenue, Portage, MI 49024.

About

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Portage Northern Light

IN THIS EDITION CONTENTS 4

STAFF Roua Algahtani Mitchell Barnard Annabelle Bartz Jaclyn Brubaker Madison Campbell Mariana Delgadillo Zade Elrod Temperance Guyeska Abigail Hosler

Spencer Kadlec Alexia Keene Benjamin Knight Kayla Malaski Ella Morofsky Jericha Root

Careless destruction Many students have heard about the destruction of the boys’ bathrooms at school, however, not everyone knows the whole story. Staff writer Abigail Hosler explores the consequences and actions administration has taken. Staff ed: A letter to our teachers From being more understanding to offering more engaging learning opportunities, the NL staff opens up on how our teachers can best help us learn.

The teens of today We are revolutionary. We are lost. We are unique. We are a generation that has gone through recessions, nationwide civil unrest, increased school shootings, a pandemic, and the effects of climate change. What defines Gen Z? Matt Kamm’s retirement Staff and students reflect on the influence that retired woodshop and STEAM teacher Matt Kamm has had at PN for the past 20 years.

Evan Stacy: becoming an athlete Junior Evan Stacy shares his experience as a varsity member on the cross country team who had a breakout season this year.

book[ish] Associate Editor Avery Bogemann reviews Circe by Madeline Miller. Despite being rooted in past Greek myths, the novel contains valuable lessons about women in society today.

NL STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF Astrid Code ASSISTANT EDITOR Brie Quick ASSOCIATE EDITORS Miles Slocum Avery Bogemann Jackson Barnard

December 2021

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Contents 02

Huskie Headlines Spanish, English classes hold winter fundraisers By Ella Morofsky

For many people, the holiday season represents a time of giving. Different clubs at Northern are holding drives and fundraisers to benefit students and the Portage community. The Venus Foundation held a drive called “Baby it’s Cold Outside,” where people could donate gently used winter clothing. These items were donated to the homeless in the Kalamazoo and Portage area. English teacher Amanda

Thorpe donated to the foundation and got students to donate as well. Thorpe offered a free day pass to students who donated. The pass allowed students to take a day in class to relax and work on other subjects, or students could skip out on a homework assignment. In addition, the Spanish Club is selling Poinsettia flowers from Panse’s Greenhouse. “The poinsettia is a Christmas flower and there is a legend about it

in the Spanish language,” said Spanish teacher Christy Rath. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Spanish classes and club at Northern. “I don’t know the exact amount of years, but it has been more than 10 years with this fundraiser,” Rath explains. “We will definitely be continuing this fundraiser in the future!”

Econ students prepare to host fair By Ella Morofsky

Econ students are selling products they have created. The Econ students have been working really hard on their products. “I am making bracelets for Econ,” sophomore Avalin Tooley said. “We all have to make 15 pieces of something, and these were easy for me to make,” she explains. Students have done lots of research on the mar-

ket, production cost, and advertising. These products will be sold to the government students. Government students will buy a pass that will allow them to miss their second hour classes on December 2nd. The proceeds made from the Econ fair will go to a charity that the Econ students will vote on.

Sophomore Avalin Tooley works on bracelets to sell at the Econ fair on December 2nd. Photo by Amanda Thorpe.

News

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Portage Northern Light

Vendor event showcases student businesses By Mari Delgadillo

The student vendor show, the firstever opportunity of its kind to showcase student businesses, will be taking place after school on December 7th from 3:00 to 4:30pm in the community rooms on the second floor by the main office. Business teacher Amy Meyer will provide help and set up booths for applicants who wish to participate in this event. Meyer feels it’s important to

support the students here on a larger scale than as just one customer. “I love the idea of students showcasing their talents and providing them a market to share their products and services,” she says. Meyer herself owns a little business on the side apart from being a teacher, selling Thirty One bags. Student vendors that will be present at the event include:

Diego Arias Jasmine Crump Atlas Kaeding Sofia Decker Kylie Pennington Ethan Halsey Lauren Shaman Sierra Kuhns Luke Rathburn Carter Batt Anaya Fernando Addison Munn

Shoe Knight Summerside Shoppe Quilling it! Decker Prints Pennington Creations The Rock Shop TLexpress Woodshop Teacher Portage Northern Woodshop Portage Northern Woodshop Sugar Sweet Bath and Body Treats TheYarnHall

Elle Mun Aubrey Rowlson Owen Seiple

PinkBear One Smart Cookie BlueSkyInc

Robert Haworth

Robert Haworth Engravings

December 2021

Photo by Astrid Code.

Resell shoes, clothing, and other memorabilia Stickers, phone cases, etc. Paper Quilling Decorations/art pieces. 3D printed and laser engraved objects Holiday/season specific decor/gifts Rock Minerals Fossils Resin coasters, cups, keychains, and bracelets. Cutting boards Laser engraved cups, Granite tiles Handmade earrings, Handmade candles Body butters, sugar scrubs, lip scrubs, bath bombs and etc. Knit and crochet items such as hats both bucket and winter, blankets, shirts, stuffed animals, dish clothes and rags, or special orders Crochet products- right now only crocheted mushroom ornaments Variety of cookies, bars, and other sweet treats Handmade clothing, mostly t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeve shirts, and some jackets. Laser engraved cups and laser cut and engraved key chains on acrylic and wood

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News 04

Careless destruction: Careless destruction: TikTok-inspired bathroom vandalism leads to extended restroom closures By Abby Hosler

On September 15, the 3rd floor boys bathroom was closed due to vandalism. That was the first of many closures, some extended, that resulted in severely reduced bathroom access for male students. “I was late to class several times because I had to find a bathroom that was actually open,” says sophomore Cam Myers. The incidents weren’t isolated: they allegedly started as a nationwide TikTok challenge called “devious

licks” where students would steal or break something at school while recording it. “We have had vandalism before TikTok, but never at this level,” says assistant principal Nathan Ledlow. Regardless of the motivation, what some students viewed as harmless fun quickly escalated into the careless destruction of school property. Soap dispensers were ripped from the walls and shoved into toilets or destroyed to the point

“The influence is another concern, if people are willing to do things that are illegal and destructive just to follow a social media challenge, what are we becoming, as a society we are only as good as how other people manipulate us.” -Jim French

Photo by Mitchell Barnard 05 News

that they were no longer functional. Due to pandemic-related supply shortages, replacement materials took longer than usual to arrive, and without soap dispensers, the bathrooms had to be closed for sanitary reasons. The bathrooms were also vandalized in other ways. The task of cleaning things up fell on building custodians April Tanner and Cameron Mellinger. “I feel we have nice facilities here at Portage Northern for staff and students,” Tanner explains. “I was very disappointed and felt upset that social media causes kids to do these terrible acts.” PPS assistant superintendent of operations, Johnny Edwards, adds to Tanner’s disapproval: “It’s disappointing because the district could use Design by Abby Hosler

our resources (time and money) on more pressing matters than vandalization,” he says. Aside from apprehending guilty students and holding them accountable to the consequences outlined in the student code of conduct, the school has plans to start releasing a series of public service announcement videos on various topics, including cleaning up the lunch room, taking pride in our school, not vandalizing the restrooms, and treating others with kindness. “We want to engage students through a video platform, trying to help them take more pride in things going on at school,” Ledlow states. As of publishing, all of the bathrooms were open again.

Portage Northern Light

or the past 55 years, Breadlift has raised money for the March of Dimes. Last year, funding shifted to Cradle Kalamazoo, and this year the recipient will be the ChadTough Foundation. The ChadTough foundation focuses on pediatric brain cancer, targeting DIPG, which is aggressive and difficult to treat. “I wanted to participate in the tradition and help kids who have to deal with this terrible sickness,” said freshman Lizzy Rzepka. The Portage community has deep ties to pediatric brain cancer: Portage Central student Sophie Varney passed away in 2020, and Portage Northern student Haylee Lewis passed away in 2017.

Above, Mason Milks follows his group around while he keeps the car warm for everyone. Below, PN students gather before setting out for the morning shift for 2021 Breadlift.

Funds were raised through advance sponsorships, online donations, and the traditional “Breadlift” event, which took place on November 20. With just sponsorships, the PN senate raised $7,860 to donate. “That personal connection led to a huge commitment by both Senators and Sponsors to support the Breadlift Sponsors went above and beyond and gave dollar amounts that were sometimes 2 to 3 times larger than before,” said senate advisor Joseph Wood. “Raising over $8,000 in sponsorship all ties back to the commitment our community has to the cause of fighting childhood brain cancer.”

PACK strong &

ChadTough

Breadlift raises $18,000 for DIPG research by Brie Quick

Senior Mason Milks said, “I did it [Breadlift] because I had a great time my freshman year. It was really fun to not only help out people in need but to hang out with my friends.” By the end of the day, Breadlift was able to raise $20,121.22 to donate to the ChadTough foundation. “Breadlift is successful on a yearly basis due the longstanding tradition of commitment towards breadlift demonstrated by the PN community,” said assistant principal Nathan Ledlow. “Northern takes a lot of pride in breadlift and I feel that everyone involved feels an intrinsic desire to help those in need.”

At right, Lizzy Rzepka and Lauren Pernie go house to house asking for donations in exchange for bread. All photos by Brie Quick.

December 2021

Design by Brie Quick

News 06

Illustration by Spencer Kadlec.

the same time. A lot of students Dear teachers, Education isn’t one size fits all. play sports and have jobs, it can get Things that work for one person hard to balance everything out. The school always claims it won’t work for another, and those the system doesn’t fit end up getting understands that things pop up, lost in the cracks, repeating rather that “life happens,” but many of than learning, and playing the their actions don’t reflect this. It is game of the public school system true, we definitely need some time limits and due dates, but sometimes rather than absorbing material. As teenagers, we all have a lot of teachers can make due dates too stress and pressure as it is, school is early. Simply giving students a few extra days just adding maybe more stress Please, teachers, just listen to and it on top of your students and ask what making it. Teachers due over the you can do better. weekend can need to save a lot of remember that students have six other classes. stress and grades, because students Students try to get all of the work have stuff after school and need to done but over time the large be well-rested for the next school workload can wear them down and day. When students fall behind discourage them from doing the for reasons they can’t control or work all together. In some classes even reasons they can control, it’s we are getting so many different necessary to give them a break so assignments that are all due around that the commitment does not 07

Editorial

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become overbearing. Teachers need to make things for fun and more interactive for students. What best helps us learn is having more class engaging activities. As students, we find ourselves too often doing busy work assignments that anyone could easily just look up and truly not learn anything. Having class activities should keep the majority of students engaged and on task. Teachers need to understand that students learn differently and require different things, so teaching the same style of learning for everyone is going to work. On top of the homework we are given daily, not being able to understand what’s happening can be such a big issue for students. So please teachers, just listen to your students and ask what you can do better because at the end of the day, we as a student body need your help. Portage Northern Light

A Helping Hand

By Jaclyn Brubaker

take is to find out what organizations exist around you. Here at Portage Northern High School, we have the Interact club. The Interact Club is a great organization that encourages community service. This club was started several years ago, with a mission of “service above self.” Their goal is to serve locally and meet needs around the world. You could also find organizations in our community, such as Twelve Baskets, a food bank here in town. If you would like to extend your reach to people outside of your community, you could also find some international organizations, such as Good News Church in Belunga, Uganda. This organizaThe mission of the tion, led by Pastor Solomon Mwe“I’m too young.” sige, houses many projects to help Interact Club the people of Uganda, such as the “I don’t have enough money.” “There’s nothing I can do.” Feed the Hungry project, a school for refugee children, and the Good Water project. There is something you can do, and it starts with If you don’t have much money to spare yourself, acknowledging the power you have in the distinct you could use your time or creativity to help othareas of your life. We are all set in a time and place ers around you. You can also take the time to listen with resources that no one else has. You are in a to others’ needs and respond accordingly. Only you know what about you will make a difposition to do something that no one else in the world can do! ference. Make an effort to show empathy and supNow that you know you can make a difference, port in every aspect of your life. Just one helping what can you do about it? There are many ways to hand can make all the difference for someone else. get involved in your community. One step you can You have resources. Whether that be time, money, or passion, you have resources. It is important that everyone finds a way to use these resources to better the lives of others around them. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people are constantly hurting and are in need. Fortunately, people can do something about this. They can spend time volunteering, donate their money and resources, and they can show care. This has to start with you. I know, it can be hard to take that first step. After all, what can you do to help? What kind of lies have been stopping you from reaching out to others?

“Service above self.”

08 December 2021

Photo and design by Jaclyn Brubaker

Portage Northern Light

The problem with the turned off water fountains By Annabelle Bartz

t is hard to remember everything that needs to get out the door with you in the morning. As long as the bare necessities are in the car, that morning counts as a win, but just because those few items made it doesn’t mean that everything necessary for a successful day is on its way to school. By government mandate, drinking fountains are closed due to Covid-19. What happens when, in a rush out the door, the water bottle that was supposed to come is still on the counter? Not having access to the drinking fountain means there are two Covid-safe options: getting one out of the vending machines in the lower commons or getting one with lunch. Both

options cost money; despite lunches being free, bottled water isn’t part of that deal. To get a basic human need costs $1.25, leaving students who don’t have that kind of money or those who just forget to bring it out of luck. Luckily, for every problem there is a solution, and this one is simple: disposable cups. Putting cups and/or a cup dispenser at every drinking fountain, or if there are concerns about that, giving cups to teachers or putting them in classrooms, would make it so that no student would have to go without access to water during the day. This might seem like a mundane problem, but with drinking fountains closed for at least six more weeks while the youngest students get vaccinated, 8 hours is a long time to go without any water.

Students say... “Now, you have to try to find a cup or buy a water, and I don’t keep cash on me like that. Besides, I think water should be free.” -senior Joniya Garrett “I don’t have time to fill up my water bottle on passing time because it turns on and off and sometimes it won’t turn on at all.” -senior Leah Heintz 09

Opinion

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Portage Northern Light

Whether friend groups are good or bad is ultimately up to you By Kayla Malaski

Especially coming off of a year where students have been socially distanced, friend groups, also known as cliques, can be pivotal to new students in their journey to make new friends to fit in with the atmosphere of a new school. While friend groups can be totally accepting most of the time, these groups can also be intimidating to new students entering a new environment. Friend groups make it so many people have different groups where they can feel accepted and be with others who share traits alongside themselves. These groups do everything together, and people will typically stay within their friend groups or whoever they’re comfortable with. New students come into PNHS and face a tough situation: either to conform to whatever group you want a part of and work to get into it, or to attempt to make your own and find your own friends. Friend groups can be very very large and it’s easy to find connections inside groups of people. When I first entered the school and made friends, it was very easy to find a group of people who I fit in with. After the initial awkwardness of a new school environment, friends can make school life so much better. However, there are always downsides to these seemingly amazing friend groups. Friend groups can be very nosey and invasive at times with group members always wanting to know what you’re up to or who in the group you’re going to hangout with next. In the same sense, friend groups typically stick together and its common for all the members to make decisions together, which can lead to dumb decisions being made because one person thought it might a good idea. For example, if a few people start yelling in the halls, other members might join in to conform and feel a part of the group. Another downside to these groups is that because of the conforming environment it’s easy to feel disincluded because some members are hanging out

December 2021

without you. Also, if someone thinks one of your actions are wrong, they’ll spread the idea and you’ll have to build your way back up the social status of the group. When someone knocks you down like that just because they don’t agree with what you did, it doesn’t feel great and can be emotionally very hard on people having to experience the feelings that nobody wants to talk to them for a while. The groups can feel very unfair and having all your friends in one basket creates room for losing many friends at once and having no one to support you. There may be a lot of downsides and things to be scared about with friend groups, but overall, the upsides outweigh the downsides. While friend groups can be a center for toxic behavior, they can also be a center of happiness and joy. Friend groups provide a group to talk about your issues and laugh and share interests, which is always a good thing. These are the people you may spend lunch with so you feel a bit less alone in this world. You might be able to meet up with them every morning before school or have people to walk with to classes and continue to be a bright spot in each other’s day, but this all depends on who your friends are with. You yourself can monitor your friends and decide who is toxic to you and do something about it before things get out of hand and you feel drowning without anyone to care for you. You have the power to make the choice on who to be friends with and get yourself out of toxic situations. We are meant to grow, and sometimes people are not meant to grow with us, and that’s okay. We need to remember that we always have people that care about us and we will always have the opportunity to build relationships no matter how we might feel. While you may be in a toxic friendship now, there are always friend groups that may be smaller or less popular, but will always make sure to care and be good friends like everyone deserves.

Design by Kayla Malaski

Feature

the teens of today By Roua Algahtani, Astrid Code, and Brie Quick

Revolutionary

more classes. There are many who have extracurricular activities to attend, and you cannot forget about the ones who work overwhelming amounts of hours just to have some money so they can still go out and be teens. “There is a lot of pressure put on being successful and being a good person,” junior Elle Ahrens said. Teens now are also drawn into technology so much that they tend to lose themselves in their social media lives over the real world. “Social media in particular gives us a false hope for perfection on both male and female perspectives and sets expectations, which can cause a very negative mindset and cause a lot of mental issues,” said junior Chloe Clarke-Philipp. Day after day, more and more parents are giving into their kids’ technological needs and not making them live their lives in the real world. Not only are people losing themselves in technology, many are losing themselves mentally. “Their [teens’] constant need and want to impress others and be seen as someone who they aren’t,” said junior Addison Bobbio. According School, work, extracurriculars, to Mental Health America, 9.7% and more. The teens of today have of teens have been medically so much more going on than any diagnosed adult could realize. By “There is a lot of pres- with some the time people are of sure put on being suc- kind barely sophomores m e n t a l in high school they cessful and being a good h e a l t h are going to school person.” problem, full-time and have along with - Elle Ahrens homework for five or MHA data

wasn’t for our generation because This generation is what many if you looked out into the crowd, it would call unlucky. Even at a was mostly kids of our age or kids young age, the teens of today have probably in their 20s,” she said. According to a PEW study, 37% of already gone through a recession, Gen Z said that addressing climate nationwide civil unrest, increased change was their top concern, school shootings, a pandemic, more than all the and the effects of “When I think about other generations climate change. PEW S o m e t h i n g Gen Z and the teens of polled. stated that Gen Z that sets this today, I think about the generation apart is fact that we will be what was “talking more about the need our drive to fight our parents are now, at for action on back. Gen Z is climate change; some point in the constantly rallying among social forces to protest future.” media users, either online - Dra’Noscha Jett they are seeing or in person more climate against systemic change content online; and they racism, the climate crisis, or other are doing more to get involved with humanitarian crises. “When I think about Gen Z and the issue through activities such as the teens of today, I think about volunteering and attending rallies the fact that we will be what our and protests.” Gen Z is also more parents are now, at some point in likely than any other generation the future,” said senior Dra’Noscha to want an activist government, Jett. “I just think of all the positive with 70% saying the government things that we have put together should do more to solve problems that a lot of other people were in another PEW study. scared to have done.” The teens of today are driven, determined, and understand the power of collective action more than any other generation. For example, our generation was one of the driving forces in the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement, said Jett. “Ater the Breonna Taylor murder, I feel like it was that that kickstarted it, but I don’t think it would have really taken place if it 11

Feature

Lost

Design by Roua Algahtani

Portage Northern Light

people with different fashion styles and different mindsets. Everyone is different in their own way, how they speak, think and wear and how they identify themselves and so much more. “Something that makes us unique is probably One word that describes Gen Z is our lack of fear for change,” said unique, because of how diverse the sophomore Kearston Carr. “We’re generation is and how independent not very resolved so we just like they are. According to a PEW to do things on the spot, and just research study, Gen Z “represents really have a fun time while doing the leading edge of the country’s it, so we don’t really care about the changing racial and outcome as long “Something that ethnic makeup.” as we care about A bare majority makes us unique is the experience.” (52%) are non- probably our lack of The teens Hispanic white, one of today are fear for change.” in four Gen Zers are unique, diverse, - Kearston Carr Hispanic, 14% are and accepting. Black, 6% are Asian Like any and 5% are some generation, there is a wide variety other race or two or more races. of personalities, beliefs, and Our generation has come so far backgrounds. Even though there by accepting different kinds of is a sense of community in this showing over 60% of the children and teens diagnosed with a severe mental health problem did not get properly treated.

Unique

generation, we can’t be defined by a single word. We are followers, we are unique, we are lazy, we are motivated, and we are the future.

What’s stressing us out?

According to the American Psychological Association, these are the top news events that Gen Z has on their minds.

What you said... We asked PN students in their English classes to describe their generation in one word. The words are in the wordle on the cover, but the most frequent responses were: 1. Lazy - 8 times 2. Different - 6 times 3. Depressed - 4 times 4. Unique, Innovative, Interesting, Soft, Stressed, Confusing, Weird - 3 times

December 2021

Design by Roua Algahtani

Feature 12

Wood tech teacher Matt Kamm retires after 20 years with the program

By Abby Hosler, Jericha Root, and Zade Elrod

Pictured here, Kamm works with his students during his last week in the shop. Photos courtesy of Jim Leander.

Feature

“Sometimes people didn’t know how to understand him, but he usually was a few steps ahead of everybody,’’ says principal Jim French, referring to woodshop and STEAM teacher Matt Kamm, who retired from teaching on October 29 after running the shop for 21 years. Kamm was a teacher who truly cared about everybody who entered his shop; he respected his students and they respected him, and it was obvious that he wanted them to be excited about learning and working in the shop. “He liked to do what got students fired up and excited,” says French, recalling his teaching style. He wouldn’t just assign students work so they would have work to do, he wanted the students to be passionate about their projects. They made what they were eager to make, not what they were told to. “He wanted kids to be excited about exploring [and] learning at the shop. That was something he remembered as a kid and he wanted to provide that opportunity to the kids,” French adds. He was also well-respected outside of the PN community. The Woodworkers Guild of Southwest Michigan came to visit the shop in 2019, and recapped the visit by writing in their newsletter, “Matt empowers the students in every way imaginable. Old school veterans of vocational trades will say that can’t be done, but Matt has proved them wrong. He has set up a system of badges, certificates, emblems and colors to denote a students ranking, and he has student administrators that manage all aspects of the shop.” This student-centered approach to class leadership was a significant contributing factor to the thoughtful, distinctive nature of his teaching style. “His teaching style is very unique, as is the setup of his shop!,” shares art teacher Sarah Nott, who became close friends with Kamm during their time sharing a hallway. “His upper level students are responsible for guiding underclassmen through new tools and experiences, and it’s a really neat cooperative structure.” The shop can be a dangerous place, and because of that, managing it requires a certain intensity. As a teacher, Kamm is known to have intimidated a student or two at first, and even some of his colleagues. “I was intimidated by him when I first met him!,” she recalls. “He’s so intense with his classes I thought he might be the same way with colleagues. I was wrong of course,” says Nott. Students quickly learned if he was harsh it was because he cared about their success and their safety. “His students have to toe the line, but he is such a kind and supportive colleague,” Nott adds.

Design by Abby Hosler

Portage Northern Light

Above: members of the social studies department dressed up as Matt Kamm for Halloween. “We were just brainstorming as a dept a group costume that we might all have at home. Wood suggested Kamm to celebrate his last day,” she explained. “Searing contacted HR to get us the ID badges. Kamm had no idea. He got a little emotional when I showed up and asked if he needed a twin, then the rest of the dept showed up and we all shared our best wishes.” Photo courtesy of Greathen Derenne. Below: Kamm is at home in the shop in this photo courtesy of his shop manager Sierra Kuhns.

December 2021

Senior Carter Batt describes what makes the shop a special place. “For me, it was just the ability to get away from school itself,” he says. “In the woodshop, you can just be yourself. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what you like or don’t like, everyone in the woodshop is created equal and everyone has an equal opportunity. It’s just a safe place to be yourself.” As if the way the shop ran wasn’t astounding enough, Kamm did it for the last eight years while recovering from a traumatic brain injury that he incurred when he was struck by a van while riding his motorcycle. “My first goal was to make it into the shop again, next it was to work every day,” he said. “Due to the love, support, and strength of my girls and wife, that goal turned very quickly into making it 5 years. With a tremendous amount of work, support, and love, my family helped me make it out the front door for a total of 8 years now.” In addition to being able to be well enough to teach, one of Kamm’s great joys was being able to share the shop with daughters Bailey (class of 2020) and Abby, who is now a senior. “I have fought long and hard to see both my daughters choose to make “dad’s” shop their home base. We have been able to eat most lunches together and I couldn’t have asked for more.” Abby liked having her dad as her teacher. “It was awesome,” she says. “I love my dad so much and it was so nice to be able to see him in the morning and to go home and be Design by Abby Hosler

able to spend time with him during his job and my school. It was very nice. Despite the fact that she will be finishing the year as the only Kamm in the building, Abby is still tremendously grateful for the time that she had. “Well, it’s a little sad [that he is retiring],” she shares. “My dad and his shop have always been just amazing in my eyes, what he’s been able to do and how he’s been able to help students and create a home for so many kids.” When Kamm addressed his colleagues to let him know of his departure, he shared, “Life is great. . .I have loved my job. Now it’s time for me to find a new path.” In his absence, his students are making sure the shop stays running smoothly. “We’re trying to run things just as if he were here,” Batt explains. “We’re still a student-run, student-led shop, so we’re just carrying that on. We have departments (different areas of expertise), so the seniors right now are working on teaching the underclassmen what those departments are like and how they can carry it on once we’re gone. We’ve been working really hard to teach them as much as we can about not only running the equipment, but running the shop itself.” Aside from teaching woodworking, Kamm is also a luthier and fishing rod maker, hobbies that he will no doubt have more time for at his shop at home now that his students are carrying on his legacy in the shop at school. Feature 14

Hard Hitting:

Volleyball Team Advances to Regional Finals

What better feeling is there than winning the big game? The game you and your team worked so hard to get to, the game that could determine your team’s fate? The varsity volleyball team got a taste of this experience after their win against St. Joseph High School in the District finals on Thursday, November 4th. The Huskie hitters soundly defeated the opposing team by a final score of 3-1, finishing the regular season with an impressive 34-15-2 record. Results like this do not transpire without hours and hours of dedication. “I think it’s just how hard we work everyday in practice and everyone has the goal of wanting to get better,” said senior Lyse Bates. Junior Jada Clomon attributes a majority of the team’s success to their team retreat. “At the beginning of the year we took a team retreat to Saugatuck and ended up with one goal of becoming a family with one another,” she says. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team.” “I’m super excited and proud of how far we have all come,” shared senior Lucy Sielatycki, “especially for the seniors that had not yet experienced winning districts.” The girls looked to keep this momentum up as they took on Byron Center in the first round of the regional

tournament on Tuesday, November 9th. In an exciting fashion, the Huskies pulled off the victory against Byron Center by a final score of 3-2. The energy there was unmatched and it allowed them to further advance into the regional finals against number 3 ranked Hudsonville. During the finals, the girls were capable of staying in reach of the opposing team. However, Hudsonville’s size, effort, and overall play was enough for them to defeat the Huskies; as they secured the title and advanced to the next round. It was certainly a tough departure, but that does not discredit their utmost effort and determination. “Our team dynamic was super strong and that was evident on the court because we all played extremely well together,” said senior Fatimata Deme while reflecting upon their season. “I’d say the season went very well. We won our conference along with the first district championship the schools had for volleyball in 14 years,” she added. Though the season may be over, the Huskies did not go down without a fight. The fact that they even made it that far further proves that this year’s team was definitely something special.

By Jackson Barnard

The team celebrates their district win over St. Joseph high school on November 4. Front row L to R: Josie Carlisle, Lucy Sielatycki, Izzy Dacoba, Bela Griwatsch, Lyse Bates, Alia Mastromatteo, Fatimata Deme. Back row L to R: Eleanor Adams, Payton Atwell, Jordyn Hughes, Keira Sims, Sydney Bates, Jada Clomon Photo courtesy of Chris Riker.

15 December 2021

Design by Jackson Barnard

Portage Northern Light

Alia Mastromatteo committed to Mercyhurst University for volleyball “because of the location, distance, wonderful coaches and teammates and an overall pretty campus.”

Colin Gibson chose to commit to McKendree University because, “the campus is amazing, classes are small, the swim team is competitive, and the team is very supporive of the people” inside of it.

By Mitchell Barnard “I chose Oakland because of the team culture and high level they play at as well as the family atmosphere on campus,” said Annelyse Bates, who commited for volleyball.

Angelina Baker has commited to Oakland university for swimming for their “amazing swimming and nursing program combined with there beautiful atmosphere filled with OU pride. Oakland’s swimming program is what really drew me in because they have a phenomenal coaching staff and a remarkable team culture.” Not pictured but featured on the Northern Light instagram are baseball player Dawson Gaynor, who committed to Carthage College and lacrosse player Camden Luyczx, who committed to Aurora College. All photos on this page are provided by the athletes featured.

December 2021

Design by Mitchell Barnard

Sports 16

“It feels good to be considered a varsity athlete, I mean I never really thought I could make it,” shares Evan Stacy, a junior on the cross country team who had a breakout season this year. Stacy’s high school running career hasn’t necessarily been filled with greatness. “In my first two years I wasn’t good at cross country, but I wasn’t necessarily bad at it either,” he shares. “I kind of just ran. I mean I never really tried.” This year, that changed. Stacy dropped over two minutes off his personal best time, making it on varsity for the first time. Cross country has a smaller amount of varsity athletes than many other sports: 7 runners represent the team, and only the top 5 score. His efforts did not go unnoticed by coach Matt Kolodzieczyk. “He performed very well this season and crushed his personal bests from last season,” he said. “He worked hard and was dedicated to improving his running.” Stacy’s best time this year for the 5k was 18:18, which he ran on Portage’s home course at West Middle School at the Portage Invite. While he is the 7th runner on the team, he still has a lot to celebrate. “I gained confidence and I was able to stick with my goals for the season,” he shares. Like many student athletes, Stacy wasn’t just focused on being fast this season: he had to balance academics, too. He experienced his fair share of troubles with eligibility, but tried to stay on top of his school work. “School comes first. I mean if I don’t do school, I can’t do sports,” he shares. Stacy is happy with how his season went and is excited to continue his success during the track season. 17

December 2021

Becoming an athete:

XC runner Evan Stacy has a breakout season

By Ben Knight

Above, Stacy competes in the Lakeview Invite in Battle Creek. The Battle Creeck course is a fast mostly flat course. At right, Stacy races in The Cougar Falcon Invite in Grand Rapids. This course is filled with twists and turns and a very not so fun steep hill. Photos courtesy of Evan Stacy.

DID YOU KNOW?

Even as a cross country runner gets faster, they don’t always log progressively faster times during the season. So much of a finish time is dependent on the course on which it is run: some courses are flatter and faster, and others are hillier and slower. Stacy’s season times reflect this: Date Course Time Aug. 24 St. Joseph 19:56 Sept.11 Lakeview 18:48 Sept. 17 MSU 18:48 Sept. 25 Calvin 18:39 Oct. 6 St. Joseph 18:53 Oct. 9 Portage 18:18 PR Oct. 23 Linden Grove 19:11 Oct. 29 Portage 18:19

Design by Ben Knight

Portage Northern Light

Bowling team prepares to strike out the competition By Alexia Keene The varsity and junior varsity bowling teams are a safe space where all diﬀerent kinds of people show up and do something fun with new people and make friends. Almost every Saturday morning, varsity boys and girls go to a match. “While bowling can be an individual sport, bakers help in building the team feature of the game,” said the girls’ coach Micheal Schneider stated. “For high school, the bakers show that it takes every player to be successful in the baker style of play.” After the bakers, they go to regular matches. “In regular matches, each person has an opponent they are going against where they are going to have to try and beat each other to get one point for their team,” says varsity bowler Jasmine Keene. JV bowler Grant Tooley also loves the sport. “My favorite thing about bowling is the team in general, but also bonding with all the players and the amount of energy everyone brings to practice everyday,” he said. Once an athlete joins the team, they will always have someone there for them, even when the season is over with. Even when people graduate, they are still a part of the program even though they are not there anymore. Class of 2020 team member Jordan Myers illuminates this: “Not sure how

December 2021

to explain it, but I was close to the coaches and to all of the girls that we became a family and bowling is my passion,” she said. Bowling first started out as a club sport, but about 12 years ago, the school changed it to a varsity sport. There are three teams, boys junior varsity, boys varsity, and girls varsity. The girls only had one team because there were not enough girls to make two teams. The girls varsity coach, Michael Schneider, originally started oﬀ as a girls varsity coach back in 2013 and 2014 school year. “I personally get excited when bowlerss get new personal high games and pulling out individual and team wins,” he said. The boys junior varsity coach, Randy Rowlson, has been coaching for about 5 years. Randy started coaching bowling when his son, 2020 graduate Adam Rowlson, was a Freshman. Micheal Schnieder, the girls varsity coach, has been coaching for about 13 years, since his daughter was a sophomore. He became head coach during his 10th year. This season, the bowlers will face oﬀ against their opponents from Vicksburg for the first time on December 4th at Eastland at 12:00 pm.

Design by Alexia Keene

“The best part of bowling is probably just getting to do something I love to doing and the mental toughness that is has given me because bowling is a game of 90% mental and 10% physical.” - Brady Louthan

Sports 18

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posuere, leo in congue ultrices, ipsum lorem cursus sapien, dapibus auctor elit est vel est. In ut maximus tellus, cursus scelerisque urna. Quisque sem mauris, luctus maximus nulla id, pellentesque tincidunt dui. Nulla facilisi. Curabitur consequat tincidunt turpis, eu imperdiet magna elementum ac. Vestibulum a ex sed orci facilisis facilisis. Sed in turpis ac turpis facilisis elementum. Sed sem libero, accumsan id turpis ac, iaculis laoreet odio. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur June 2020

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Little Shop of Horrors

completely monochrome set, a giant talking plant, and a laughing gas addicted dentist, these all have one thing in common being they are some of the things that make Little Shop of Horrors such a fun show to watch. Funny the music to the dancing, I loved watching this musical and here’s why. The set and costumes: The show opens to the completely colorless set and actors with matching costumes. The first thing with any amount of color is Audrey Two, the plant that sets the plot in motion. The scenery, props, and costumes gradually get more and more colorful as the show goes on, a fun detail but also shows the effects it has on the community, until the end of the show where everyone is in full color, including the urchins who were in sparkly dresses that I still can’t get over.

By Annabelle Bartz

The story: This musical is full of surprises that aren’t expected at the start of the musical. Though the premise is pretty dark and definitely not for the faint of heart, it perfectly melds the comedic aspects with the more horrific aspects of the show. Although there are some moments that were very hard and frankly disturbing to watch, especially a scene between Audrey, her abusive boyfriend, and Seymour. In the scene Audrey’s boyfriend goes between a light-hearted, giggle person and being angry and abusive towards Audrey, a scene that could ring true for some people in the audience and was frankly one of the most terrifying scenes in the show. The show does handle it well, making a point to show that it isn’t okay, even killing her boyfriend because of it, but it is a very dark theme in an otherwise light

hearted show. The musical numbers: The show had wonderful music helped along by a wonderfully talented cast. From the urchins to Audrey’s song “Somewhere that’s Green” there was no lack of musical talent or wonderfully meaningful lyrics. As this show does so well it mixed the comedy with the often dark lyrics and there was no shortage of physical comedy within each number. To conclude, this show was wonderfully comical, slightly bone chilling, and had no lack of amazing production on the part of the cast and crew. I wouldn’t suggest it to anyone who is easily scared and there are definitely some trigger warnings that should be attached, but I personally would go see this show any day of the week.

Photos by Spencer Kadlec.

19 December Edition

Design by Annabelle Bartz

Portage Northern Light

Women have been held to a dif- it shows her relationship with her ferent standard in society for centu- family and how that affected her ries. Circe by Madeline Miller takes for the rest of her life. It shows her this fact and shows how it was rel- issues of self-worth at a young age evant in Greek mythology with the and her thoughts on her looks. It’s tale of the witch goddess Circe. The reminiscent of how some young book begins with her start in life, girls feel today, with the rise in sohow she was considered ugly for a cial media perpetuating the idea goddess, and how that negatively of the “perfect body” and “perfect affected her life. In media, women looks” with harmful things like are told by men—and sometimes diet culture. It can make some peoeven by other women—that being ple feel unworthy and not pretty pretty is the most important thing enough, which are thoughts Circe that you can be as a woman. Circe also has in the book. is slapped in the face with the reTaking up most of the second half ality her value of the book, Circe’s as a woman is romantic relaI love this book; it was lessened simply tionships are also because of her my favorite summer read very important. It looks. this year. I couldn’t stop shows how men Circe is not her took advantage of turning the pages and I her and left her family’s favorwas grasping for more alone after getting ite: they dislike her for not what they wanted. and more. conforming to It shows toxic rethe beauty stanlationships and dards of Olympus and the Gods. men being creepy, but also true This can hold true in reality also: love. All of these are things womit is not uncommon for women en deal with. On her island, Circe to be disliked simply because of is visited by many men, some of their looks. The book leans heav- whom only want what Circe can ily on this fact and shows how it offer them. Some of those things affects Circe and her relationships. Circe didn’t want to give, and it Despite that, the book shows that made them angry...which then led just because you look a certain way to her turning them into pigs: their doesn’t mean you can’t be confident true form. People in real life can do in yourself. If other people aren’t those things too, and expect to take going to love how you look, you things from us even when we say should. You only have one body; no. This book shows those instancappreciate it as much as you can. es and how Circe deals with them. Circe’s relationships are the main There are some men who come focus of the book. In the beginning into Circe’s life who genuinely care December 2021

Design by Brie Quick

and love her, such as Odysseus and Telemachus, who think she is an amazing woman. They treat her well, which shouldn’t be applauded, it should be expected. In this book though, that’s a rarity in men apparently. The end of the book details her life and experiences with these two men. It shows what she deserves with love, and it shows the heartbreak that comes along with love she truly wanted to keep. I love this book; it was my favorite summer read this year. I couldn’t stop turning the pages and I was grasping for more and more. Circe is an amazing character who you root for every single page of the book. While her dating life is weird, it’s interesting and pitiful. The sadness I felt reading her story and the joy I felt at the happy ending can’t even be described in words. I was so entranced by this book that I felt like I was in her world right alongside her. Everything that happened hit hard. It was a 5/5 stars: it’s beautifully written and the story is one that sticks with me even months after reading it.

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December 2021

Feature 22

By Jackson Barnard

YOU ARE ENOUGH

Illustration by Spencer Kadlec

You are enough. Three words that are oftentimes disregarded within our society. As communal standards keep rising, it is common to see someone give up on their goal due to them thinking that it is unreachable. Sometimes we all need to step back, take a breath, and relax. The abnormal amounts of pressure that we put on ourselves is not healthy to endure. Whether it is grades, work, or life in general, individuals frequently adopt the mindset that they are not meeting the standards set to satisfy their friends, family, and most importantly, themselves. Life is too short to be worrying about every little thing every single day. Everybody faces adversity. What differentiates people is how they deal with it. Instead of giving up, embrace the obstacles that are being thrown your way, and do your best to overcome them. Too many people simply tell themselves that they are not enough. Despite the unreasonable requirements that life seems to present, know that you don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself. If you are doing things the right way, you will eventually be rewarded with the outcome that you initially wanted. Life is filled with distress, do not surrender to the challenges you undergo, but rise up and conquer them knowing that you are certainly enough.

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