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ALSO INSIDE:

1000 Idaho Ave Portage, MI 49024

www.portagenorthernlight.com

2 CUT PAGE / TOC

Nov. 2017 3

FROM THE EDITOR

contents

DEAR READERS,

I am, yet again, thrilled to pres- dent is not often real. I feel that it ent you with another edition of is important to talk about weight The Northern Light! I personal- in this sense, because so many ly am most proud of this issue. teenagers struggle with apperFrom the designing to the writ- ance, regardless: and weight is ing, I think you’re in for a treat. something hard to hide.

What I am most proud of, If you have thoughts on this though, is our cover story about article or any other piece that we the role of weight in students’ publish, please contact us! All inlives. I personally feel that stu- formation on how to reach us is dents are frequently told that in under “Policies” on the right. order to be physically healthy, A HUGE thank you to everythey need to be in perfect shape. one who makes the NL possible: On the other hand, students are our interviewees, sponsers, and encouraged to love themselves readers. A special thanks to the and accept one another, regard- staff and its advisor for working less. This almost seems contra- extra hard while I was gone. dictory, and thus we wanted to Choose kind, drink plenty of explore just how the supposed water, and read The Light! discrepency between being healthy and being body confi- - LILY ANTOR | editor-in-chief

issue 3, volume 48

HIGHLIGHTS

04

bhm assembly prep

07

forensics team

11

valentine’s day

16

sports scandal

23

upcoming movies

empowerment club prepares for the 2018 black history month assembly

the state award-winning competitive speech team begins a new season

2018 NL STAFF

reasons why this traditionally romantic holiday is a treat for everyone

how to handle the gravity of the Larry Nassar scandal as an MSU fan

get an overview of the best movies (from all genres) that 2018 will bring

LILY ANTOR

18 design by LILY ANTOR

overcoming injury senior varsity swimmer Marco Pastrana celebrates his strong return after breaking his collarbone

LILY ANTOR editor in chief BEN LEWIS chief designer ISSRA SAID feature editor LEXI GAVLAS creative editor MEREDITH ABLAO news editor CARTER LANDIS sports editor DEMI JENSEN opinion editor

POLICIES AT THE PN LIGHT 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 350 words 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.

KOMALPREET KAUR LEXI KAVA entertainment editor staff writers: ALLISON MCKEZIE LAURA KOSCINSKI business manager MANNY TSANG GABRIELLE BYERS MACKENZIE BREY LEXI DOLL media manager CAMERON MYERS MALCOLM GAYNOR MARGAUX GENDRE photographer SARAH MANISCALCO MEGAN RINOCK SNIGDA NARISETTY illustrator BRI NEUHOUSER associate editors: KYLIE CLIFTON ANAI FREEMAN SHEILA MWANDA KEEGAN TENNEY

LIAM FAGAN TRINITY WOODRUFF

4 NEWS

Below left, senior Lexy Anderson focuses on preparing slides to play while the singers are on stage.

Below, senior Will Otieno discusses his performance piece with Melissa Harrington of Face Off Theatre.

At right: Program coleader junior Dorah Stephen works with junior Carleah Johnson and sophmore Jasmine Barnes to research their presentation on stereotypes.

Bottom: Senior Daijana Labon and junior Makaylah Kidd bond during a rehearsal. The crew spends a large amount of time together and a family atmosphere usually develops.

What’s the buzz?

Black History Month assembly preparations are underway

by KOMALPREET KAUR It has been 54 years and counting since the famous "I Have A Dream" speech was delivered by American Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. in hopes of igniting the country with a new spark to drive out segregation, racism and inequality. The cast of this year’s Black History Month assembly hopes to do many of these same things when they take the stage on Thursday, February 22nd with their 2018 program, “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.”

The students who create the assembly are passionate about the ongoing movement for equality, and this passion drives their desire for knowledge about both the history and the modern issues to be more widespread. “[The assembly] educates people and talks about what everyone is afraid to ask about the black culture,” said junior Dorah Stephen, who will be an emcee and a dancer at the assembly. The gathering is also an opportunity to show the entire school all of the diversity that is present in the PN student body. “It is important to represent all minority groups in the school and an assembly is a good opportunity to join together and connect with these people,” said senior Isaac Reid, who is in charge of the musical element of the show.

The event is anticipated not just by the participants, but by the audience members as well. “I’m excited to see this year’s group," said sophomore Scotty Fargo. "[This event] widens all of our horizons and we can become more aware of the diversity at our school."

This year’s production is also highly anticipated as it will feature a keynote speech by PNHS alumni, a U of M football national championship team captain, and Johns Hopkins University professor Dr. Eric Mayes, who is coming all the way from Baltimore, MD to attend.

photos and design by MACKENZIE BREY

Feb 2018

5

6

NEWS

Issra Said wins city award

The senior was awarded the Dr. Lewis Walker Award for Civil Rights

LILY ANTOR Above left, Issra poses with her award and Dr. Lewis Walker on her left and Mayor Bobby Hopewell on her right. Above right, Issra gives an acceptance speech for her award.

by LILY ANTOR Issra Said, a senior IB student, was honored for her civil rights work at Kalamazoo City Hall on Tuesday night during the City Commission meeting.

Said was presented the 2018 Dr. Lewis Walker Social Justice Youth Award by Dr. Walker himself, a longtime local activist, and Bobby Hopewell, the Mayor of Kalamazoo.

The honor is given out annually in honor of Dr. Walker’s work and is awarded to a student between the ages of 12 and 19 from the Kalamazoo Community who has demonstrated achievements in racial justice, community service, volunteerism, and leadership.

Said said she was “honored” to not only win the esteemed prize, but to be nominated for the award by teachers Amanda Thorpe and Ben Neal, along with Principal Jim French.

Four other Kalamazoo County teens were recognized as well, but Said was the overall winner of the award. She was awarded a plaque signed by the Mayor, a monetary prize of $200, and a year-long student membership to the Kalamazoo Chapter of the NAACP. English and social studies teacher Amanda Thorpe, one of three people from the school that nominated Said, said that when she found out about the award, who to nominate was a no-brainer. “Issra is so involved with civil rights work in so many ways, from how she spends her free time to her forensics pieces to what she writes about for the Northern Light to Empowered Club,” she said.

Thorpe has taught Said for the past three years and runs the Empowered Club that Said is actively involved with. “She really walks out her passion for equality and education about racial issues,” she said.

As a member of our school newspaper staff, Issra writes a recurring column called “Culture and Society” where she discusses the intersection between culture, society, and race. In her non-column writing, she also tackles tough topics that deal with diversity and under-represented groups.

She is a dedicated reporter who does thorough research and is professional in her approach, predominantly writing about social justice issues and using the Northern Light as a platform to not just raise awareness, but to give a voice to traditionally marginalized groups. She also uses her own story to empower others: the personal narrative that she wrote about Islamaphobia and wearing her hijab even won her a state championship

from the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association last year.

As a co-leader of Empowered Club, which serves as a positive, safe space for students of color and their advocates, she hosted a school wide fundraiser for The Advancement Project, and this year hopes to support our local branch of the NAACP. She also set up a tutoring framework where students in EC volunteer to be “experts” in a subject area and then their peers sign up for subject-area tutoring. She prepares and leads discussions for Empowered Club meetings and also serves as the co-director and spoken-word segment leader for the school-wide Black History Month assembly. She has also lead by example, attending civil rights presentations in the community, bringing their messages back to Empowered Club, and encouraging her peers to go as well.

The forensics team is another platform for Issra’s civil rights message. In her competition category of Oratory, she has placed at state in each year of competition so far, and every year she has chosen a topic that concerns social justice. Her sophomore year, she talked about global bias in media coverage and finished fourth in the state. Her junior year, she discussed color discrimination within minority groups and finished in fifth place. The forensics season is just starting this year, but her senior year piece deals with fast fashion and how it contributes to modern-day slavery.

Issra has also championed cultural issues within her community service and volunteer work. She has been an ESL tutor at the Kalamazoo Islamic Center for Syrian refugee preschoolers as well as a private tutor for an Arabic-speaking student at Western Michigan University, where she provides help with English courses and also facilitates understanding in other classes. She was also and intern and then volunteer for the Dinner Table Documentary, a national organization that aims to change the representation of women of color in the media.

Issra writes articles for their website, works with teams to complete social media initiatives and special projects, and organized the new campaign video that will be featured on their website this year.

As for Said, she described the ceremony as a “thought-provoking experience.” For her, it was very flattering to hear herself being praised by the people who had read her nomination. “I never thought of myself in the way that Dr. Walker and the mayor spoke about me,” added Said. For her, the recognition was an honor.

I never thought of myself in the way that Dr. Walker and the mayor spoke about me.”

-Issra Said

design by MEREDITH ABLAO

Feb. 2018

7

Students begin the forensics season

Team members choose and refine pieces; prepare to compete

by MEREDITH ABLAO 2018, a new year filled with new adventures and successes. For some students at Portage Northern, 2018 is a year for more rigorous competition and challenge. Not only do spring sports kick into gear, but an event called Forensics kicks into full swing. Portage Northern's Forensics Team consists of 71 students, participating in 14 different events, and throughout many years the team has won multiple championships. It takes place all across the state of Michigan and within the walls of Portage Northern as well. With the help of dedicated participants, family, and a loyal coach, the students are capable of reaching the highest levels once again this year. Celia Weeks, the team’s coach and Portage Northern High School’s English and drama teacher, greatly enjoys the art form. She says, “I love the individuality of the events and how I get to work with so many different students one on one.” She starts the year of with excitement as she announces the list of captains for both categories. Then, the participants start preparing.

On January 27th, the team gathered together on the third floor to participate in their first major task. This is the “practice-a-thon.” The students there, from 10-3, dive in head first into their scripts, visuals, and memorization.

Then, the team is broken up into their categories, and that is when they begin the long process of forensics.

In the category of Dramatic Interpretation, senior students Audrey Everett, Elliot Hoinville, Jillian Bowe, Olivia Gross, Ashlyn Suloff, Lily Antor, Ryan Daniel and Isaac Reid were chosen to be the captains, along with one junior captain, Trinity Posey. Posey has had successful seasons each year, in events such as Duo and Dramatic Interpretation. She has won several competitions and taken home first place many times. She enjoys forensics for many reasons, however, the most rewarding reasons are the ways she feels praised after a hard competition. “It’s so cool and rewarding to have judges praise som-ething you have been working so hard on,” she says.

Portage Northerns team doesn’t end with Dramatic Interpretation, there is also the category of Public Address. Senior captains are Kushi Matharu, Nirvisha Singh, Mackenzie Farmwald, Lexi Gavlas, Issra Said, and Austin Vanderweele. These seniors have had extensive practice and drive to hold these positions. These captains are thrilled to be leaders for one last round. “We have some really talented people on this team," says Kushi Matharu, a second year captain for the event, Broadcasting. "I’m very excited to be captain again this year."

As time speeds up, the first competition is Saturday March 3rd, called the Menchinger Invitational, held at Northern.

This day consists of many schools from the state of Michigan commuting to the school at around 6am. With judges, competitors, parents, friends, and school faculty members, this invitational will provide a smooth reveal of how the rest of the season will be. “I love to see the growth made by each student both with their coaches on their own,” says Weeks regarding what she looks forward to this year.

Juniors, Haley Jaxson and Trinity Posey before the start of their duo during a weekly rehearsal. They are unable to touch or look at each other during this.

Sophomore Ellie Mancina actively prepares her impromtu speech as she gets ready to preform for coach Celia Weeks during a rehearsal.

all photos by CAMERON MEYERS Sophomore Carter Wells, prepping for his preformance in public address. He participates in Impromtu 9/10.

design by MEREDITH ABLAO

8 OPINION

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design by BEN LEWIS

ere I eat.”

Feb. 2018 9

When The Song Never Starts The harsh reality that high school has no resemblence to the Zac Efron flick we know and love

by MEGAN RINOCK Picture it: a young freshman girl walks into PNHS for the first time in her entire life. she clutches her backpack close to her, heading down the hallway to what is supposedly her first class.

She’s not afraid of fitting in or finding friends, not at all: she’s been completely prepared for high school since 2006 by High School Musical. Her biggest concern today is when the first musical number will start. She stops short, knowing that she’ll be the star of this song. She has to prepare herself. She takes a deep breath, then steps forward. Nothing happens.

Confused, she takes another step forward. No one starts singing or dancing. The marching band doesn’t file majestically out of the classrooms to start the scene.

Instead, some junior

boy rams his foot into the wall by accident and drops a high C f-bomb.

Confession time: that girl was me, and I’m still waiting for that song to start.

I still sit in a classroom and begin humming in hopes that someone else will pick up the song and we’ll begin humming together, and then another person will join in. And another, and another, until the entire class breaks out into song and somehow previously practiced synchronized dance.

But maybe I’m looking at it wrong. Maybe the melody here is different from what I was expecting. Maybe I need to look at it in another way. Perhaps the groans of “not this again!” from the other students is a melody.

Maybe it’s the chorus in a song, since I hear everyone saying it so much. Is slouching over, looking

dead tired and exhausted the new synchronized dance? I should practice it if I want to fit in. Are the fights that break out actually choreographed dance battles between two competitors?

I think I’ve been looking at it all wrong. This place is exactly like what Disney said it would be.

Our music is the sighs and sobbing in the bathrooms, the wailing of alarm clocks going off much too early, and the ranting about teachers, school, and life. Our dances are the slouching, the daydreaming of freedom, the struggle to get up in the mornings because we know today will be like yesterday. Clearly, music is all around.

It’s even the, “we’re all in this together,” even if “this” isn’t quite what we were expecting. .

design by MACKNZIE BREY

10 OPINION

Can money buy you happiness?

PRO

by LEXI GAVLAS The idea that money can buy happiness isn’t as flawed as it called up to be. But don’t jump to conclusions just yet the possession of large sums of money won’t automatically bring sustained happiness. In order to better understand how to spend money to become happier in the long run, what exactly it is that brings happiness into life has to first be recognized. When someone puts money towards things that benefit people outside of themselves such as giving to charities and buying “experiences” rather than tangible things, the cash flow can bring happiness in unexpected ways.

Sorry Lexus, but your catchy ad slogan “whoever said money can’t buy happiness clearly isn’t spending it right” is only partially true. With reference to shiny cars and instant happiness, this type of materialistic spending isn’t necessarily the way to go. People cannot get

caught up in the happiness that they envision a brand new car will bring them; but instead understand money should be invested in experiences such as a spontaneous trip or dinner with a loved one.

Knowing how to spend money to make life easier and ultimately contribute to a higher quality of life. Spending money on time-saving purchases like house cleaning, lawn mowing, etc. can promote happiness by alleviating the time-famine of modern life. Putting money towards outings with family and friends can also help strengthen relationships, and giving money to charitable causes can make a person feel better about themselves and eliminate the association of greed and money. Having more than enough money to get by allows people live independently and to allows them to fulfill any goals or dreams they might have that would otherwise be unavailable.

CON

by MANNY TSANG From philosophers 500 B.C. to the modern day, people have argued whether or not money can buy happiness. Regardless of what people believe, money won’t make anybody happy.

Happiness cannot be achieved through material gain. While plenty of people believe that purchasing desirable objects will make them happy, it only fulfills a temporary desire. It doesn’t sustain one’s emotional needs.

Whatever was bought will only fill that desire until something newer comes out, something that’s seen as better. This leads to a constant cycle of desire, purchase, desire. This need to derive happiness from materialistic possessions is unhealthy. Buying is not a reasonable way to make anyone truly happy.

When people try to find happiness through material gain, they are more likely to find negative emotions over positive ones.

When it comes to money,

design by BEN LEWIS

people often worry about it so much that the stress and anxiety from it often becomes a giant issue in some people’s life. Money, in reality, has no real value. People work jobs that make them miserable, but if they worked a job that paid less and made them happy, their quality of life would increase. When society exaggerates money’s value, people worry about money more than they should, and it leads to this stress and anxiety that overcomes people.

Money is not the key to achieving happiness.

When someone tries to buy happiness with money, the feeling will only be temporary. True happiness is achieved through success and fulfillment.

Whether one finds that sense of purpose in family, traveling, or simply doing something that they love, happiness will be gained in a manner that will allow it to stay for a long time.

Feb. 2017

11

Valentines day:

a holiday that can also be celebrated by singles

by LAURA KOSCINSKI February 14th: the day filled with bouquets of red roses, chocolates, ship and didn’t want to take part in Valentine’s Day. “It’s just an allove notes and fancy restaurant dates. Most importantly, it is the day ternative Valentine’s Day for single people. Some people celebrate of reminding others how much we love them. it on Valentine’s Day some the day after.” said senior Ella Bischof.

Over the years, most people have all come to recognize Valentine’s While it is perfectly fine to celebrate being alone and loving yourDay as the holiday specifically for celebrating self, it is also important to show loved ones really how romantic relationships. Couples celebrate much we appreciate what they do for us. together by going out and exchanging But if you are still one who doesn’t particularly sweet gifts. While a lot of people go on like the holiday, it is the perfect month to indulge as if it is any other day, others take adin a ton of chocolate. While walking out of Tarvantage of it and participate in all of get, hands full with bags of chocolate, there’s the cliche activities, such as reserving no need to feel ashamed, not just because it’s a table at an expensive restaurant and cheap, but because most will assume it’s all for giving flowers. a friend. “No one judges you for how much Most teenagers would probably tell chocolate you buy on Valentine’s Day, even if you that they don’t really pay the holit’s just for yourself,” said Rork. iday much attention, at least not in the What most people fail to recognize is that it is typical lovey dovey way. Instead, many perfectly fine to not have a date on Valentine’s teens show their appreciation for their Day. The true meaning behind the holiday is friends and siblings. “I take Valentine’s day to appreciate those who are always there for as a day to show love to anyone,” said you, whether it is your friends, family, or senior Kaelin Rork. “I usually make significant other. heart shaped cookies for my best Valentine’s Day wasn’t originally friends.” Arriving to school and havcreated for the romantic gestures, but ing your friends shower you with over the years the focus has shifted thoughtful gifts will make to displaying love towards othanyone feel appreciated. ers. Even to those who just Some people who aren’t make each day a little betin a relationship actually ter it is thoughtful to show take part in SAD (Singles them that you appreciate Awareness Day) to celewhat they do. Ultimately, brate the fact that they have Valentine’s day is meant no significant other. Out of for everyone to enjoy no humor it was created for those matter who it’s enjoyed graphics by KEEGAN TENNEY, LEXI who aren’t in a romantic relationwith.

GAVLAS and ALLISON MCKENZIE

design by KEEGAN TENNEY

12

Nov. 2017 13

FEATURE

IS A NUMBER WORTH THE .

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NANCY ABLAO

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NANCY ABLAO

LOVING YOUR BODY

HOW SIZE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF STUDENT HEALTH OR SELF-CONFIDENCE

by LILY ANTOR It is wrapped around our eyes, faces, and hearts. Sometimes it can be heavy, always bearing a non-metaphorical physical weight.

Weight is much more than a number, yet our physical heaviness is characterized by a single numerical figure. By looking past the scale, skin, and insecurities, though, one can begin to understand that standard numbers are no indication of who someone is and how beautiful a person can be. Despite the idea that a discrepancy exists between being healthy and being body confident, that is not often the case.

Few people know this better than sophomore Haily McCoy. “Growing up I was always a larger kid,” said McCoy. “But everyone else in my family is actually really thin, so I just never understood: why me?”

That question stretches far beyond the mind of this single student. PN students can be found looking in bathroom mirrors and taking selfie after selfie, critiquing every possible flaw they have and trying to get the picture of them that looks “just right.”

It is harder, though, for those who cannot hide their insecurities with

layers of makeup or a snapchat filter.

“Both my parents were very thin as kids, so it’s probably genetic,” said junior Miranda Kornowicz on her lithe figure. “I have also always had digestive issues, which contributes to my size.”

Kornowicz personally struggles with the judgements of fellow students simply because of her weight.

“I get asked all the time, even by people who do not know me, if I have an eating disorder,” she said. As a teenage girl, the constant criticism of her appearance can be overwhelming. “It makes you feel sad at first, but over the years you learn how to explain that you are not anorexic, and that you are just naturally a thinner person.”

This obviously is a problem for more than those who cannot ‘size up’ when stepping on the scale. “It can be such a struggle because everyone is so judgemental, no matter the exact number,” said McCoy. “Everyone has something to say about other people’s weight.”

For many, the struggle is being considered too heavy. “I always have stood out because of my weight,” said

McCoy. “I just feel like I take up too much space.”

Even though McCoy is known for being confident, she often becomes self-conscious during choir concerts or while talking in front of an audience. “I am a very strong public speaker, and I am for sure a people person, but what bothers me is that

judged by adults in her life. “I have a teacher that is a health nut, and a few weeks ago when I was eating CheezIts in her class, she actually came over and gave me a lecture about how my snack was not healthy,” said McCoy. It was not a private, one-on-one conversation, but one that could be heard by other peers. “She made me

“when I step on the scale I turn around; I have enough numbers dictating my life and that’s one I can live without.” -HAILY MCCOY I feel as though people are staring at my body when I speak rather than caring about what I actually have to say.”

While McCoy has never experienced explicit bullying, she has felt

design by LILY ANTOR

feel so guilty for even eating,” added McCoy. Another time, when McCoy was much younger, a friend’s mom would not let her play on their playset. “The mother started reading the weight re-

strictions and asked me how heavy I was,” she said when reflecting on the incident. “When I told her, she said that she did not think I could play on the playset.” McCoy remembers thinking that if everyone got on it, it would not actually matter if she got on or not. She still ended up watching her friends from the ground.

Kornowicz has also felt judged by adults and peers on her eating habits.

“Sometimes there will be a situation where I have already eaten, and then I’ll be asked if I want some food,” said Kornowicz. “I always feel obligated to eat, just because I don’t want questions about it.”

What many students struggle to recognize is that different bodies process food in a variety of ways. As senior Jillian Bowe said, “It’s not fair to critique someone based on their metabolism, because it’s not something they can control.”

Furthermore, Bowe said, people’s dietary and fitness habits do not always reflect on their figures. “Some of the heaviest people I know eat really healthy, while some of skinniest people I know eat lots of junk food,” she said. “It can be as simple as nat-

ural genetics.” In a school the size of Northern, we have almost as many body shapes as we have students, and it is unfair to judge someone on their outward appearance.

“We all have body fat,” said Krista Proksch, a senior who has struggled with body confidence in the past.

“We just carry it in different places.”

This is a principle that McCoy and others have come to agree with, too.

“When I go to the doctors, I take note of my blood pressure because I care about my health, but when I step on the scale I turn around,” said McCoy. “I don’t know what I weigh, because I have enough numbers dictating my life, and that’s one I can live without.” McCoy explained the only thing she truly cares about is that her doctor thinks she is healthy.

All in all, most students who have struggled with their weight have come to the same conclusion: it does not have to dictate one’s well-being.

“On the inside, outside, emotionally, mentally, and physically, taking care of yourself always leads to a happier you,” said Proksch. “Because you are beautiful despite any number.”

by MEREDITH ABLAO Standing in front of a mirror, washing my hands, I see someone I don’t know, someone I don’t like, and I’m not alone. According to a University of Washington study, nearly 78% of girls at the age 17 are “unhappy with their bodies.”

Body positivity is an aspect in my life that I have struggled with my whole high school career. I did not understand how to love my own body for what it was.I had late nights of contemplation involving some harmful and hurtful thoughts. I spent time questioning myself and what I wanted to look like. I thought my physical appearance reflected on how “cool” and “perfect” I was.

I believed I wasn’t worthy of anything because I did not mirror the models I saw in magazines and on television.

I spent weeks working out, eating less, all while checking my weight every single day. I was trying to fit a mold that I was not meant to fit in. I was trying to be “perfect.”

I am not perfect. Now after practicing lots of self love, I am comfortable with who I am and who I am becoming. I learned how to treat myself with respect and care. I used painting as a stress reliever. I started getting involved in certain activities (like forensics) to help my self confidence. I began doing lots of yoga to relieve stress on my body. These activities taught me how to correctly cope with the self-deprecating thoughts in my head.

I’ve come far, yet, I am still growing. As a maturing girl, I learn to understand that bodies change with time. Today, my mentality about my body and myself as a whole has become such a positive aspect of my life and has taught me that it is 100% important to love who you are. You are not alone. Your body is your temple. Take care of it. Water it, clean it, feed it, love it. Let it grow.

design by LILY ANTOR

14 FEATURE

Seasonal Depression Everyone’s favorite not-so fair-weather friend

by DEMI JENSEN

As the weather grows colder, some look forward to the holidays, warm sweaters, and spending time with their loved ones.

While it is fairly easy to be excited about the changing weather, for some, the cold brings stress, depression, and anxiety.

Seasonal depression is an extremely common and devastating type of mental illness, so why is not it openly discussed as a normal problem?

Unlike the depression that can affect people year-round, seasonal depression sneaks up on some like the common cold. Whether the cause be the weather, increa singly stressful academic pressures, or the anxiety surrounding holidays, seasonal depression can be just as hurtful as other forms of depression.

Just like “normal” depression, seasonal depression unfortunately carries a stigma that depreciates those who experience it. Some believe this illness is simply a “trick” of the mind, something that is made up by those who experience a greater amount of stress during the holiday season. However, seasonal depression is a very real mental illness that is otherwise known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” This disorder commonly affects people around the colder months, draining their energy and causing mood swings. “They just sort of need to find something that they enjoy to do during the winter time,” said sophomore Oscar Trombley. Participating in activities that one enjoys or distracts them could help; however, there is a science behind why some people just cannot escape the

winter funk. According to Nimh.nih. gov, research has suggested that people produce more melatonin (the hormone that makes us

Morrison. If someone is experiencing seasonal depression, they may think it is not serious enough to see help; however, this is simply not true. Getting help for illnesses such as anxiety or depression can make a major impact in getting through day-to-day life, and the same goes for seasonal depression. According to Psycom.net, if an individual is experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, they can seek treatments such as l i g h t therapy, psychotherapy, or medication. If t he r ap y o r medication are not the right choices for an individual, there are always alternative methods of coping, such as a Happy Light. Simply sitting by this light while doing homework or watching tv can help improve one’s mood. While this may not be for everyone, it’s definitely worth a shot. “It actually helps,” said Bammert, “A lot of people think it’s fake, but I like it. It helps me.” This light is available at Bed Bath and Beyond, and it could help with feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

Seasonal depression is nothing to be ashamed of. It is estimated that ten million Americans experience Seasonal Affective disorder, according to Psychologytoday.com. So although it may not be talked about, or be seen as “real”, no one is alone in what they are experiencing.

Winter does not last forever, and neither will seasonal depression.

“I think just as people it would probably good to be more sympathetic.”

-Noah Morrison

sleep) during the winter due to shorter days, and in return, they become more tired and groggy.

These symptoms make it difficult for those who e x p e r ie nc e it to enjoy things such as family time, school, or hanging out with friends.

Due to the stigma that surrounds seasonal depression, those who experience these symptoms often find it difficult to talk about the problems that stem from Seasonal Affective Disorder. This disorder has a greater impact on individ- u a l s than what is visible on the surface, as the symptoms can be d e v astating yet difficult to see. “I think just as people it would probably good to be more sympathetic,” said junior Noah

design by MACKENZIE BREY

Feb. 2017 15

CuLture & society It was a weekend afternoon and I was working on the sales floor at Macy’s. A woman approached me and asked me if Macy’s carries a plus size line in stores. I had to think about it for a moment, but then I saw it: a small, practically non-existent section tucked into the back of the Women’s section. I pointed her in the correct direction.

Afterward I began to reflect... I thought about how exhausting it must be to go into stores, half-expecting the store to not carry your size. I thought that this was just another pattern of exclusion, although implicit, found in our society.

Why should it even be a question whether or not a store caters to all body types? This becomes a challenge for people who exclusively wear “plus size” clothing to find items in stores that not only fits them, but also complements their figure.

The fact that “plus size” sections exist as a separate department in a store contributes to this idea that “plus size” lines are extra and unnecessary. It is not very justified when plus size clothing is not universal. It almost makes it seem like being “plus size” (size 10 and up) is something different and unique, yet wearing below a size 10 is normal. This ideal exists despite the fact that the average woman in the US wears a size 14 in clothing.

Separating the departments contributes to body shaming because this separation allows for the otherization of “plus sizes.” Fashion companies should consider the idea of inclusion of all sizes. For instance, Old Navy’s sizing ranges from XXS to XXXL. This reduces the struggle that women who exclusively wear “plus size” clothing face when shopping in stores. “Plus size” clothing should become normalized to the point that every company carries these sizes and that this size-range is no longer called “plus size” anymore - it will just become like any other size on the market.

ISSRA SAID A portion of Macy’s plus size line is pictured. Macy’s has a plus size section with select brands and styles. This picture was taken at the Crossroads Mall location in Portage.

design by ISSRA SAID

REBEL CIRCUS Forever 21’s plus size section is available in select stores.

Their plus size line is also available online.

16 SPORTS

candal

Weathering the MSU controversy as a Spartan fan

by CARTER LANDIS In one of the most demented and disgusting things in the sports world since Penn State and Jerry Sandusky, a recent ESPN Outside The Lines report found that the sexual assault culture at Michigan State goes far deeper than just the scandal regarding Olympic and former MSU gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

The report found sixteen different cases of sexual assault, or some form of assault, in both the football and the basketball programs, since 2009. It comes as a shock to many that this would happen under Tom Izzo, but is not as surprising under Mark Dantonio, as a detailed history of different assaults in his tenure are well documented.

One of the most recent cases being the sexual assault in late January of 2017 when three Michigan State football players were kicked off the team. Star cornerback and wide receiver Donnie Corley, safety Demetric Vance, and defensive end Josh King were the players named in the incident.

Vance and Corley have since enrolled at Coahoma Community College.

One of the more shocking cases in the last few years under Dantonio was when an undisclosed player was accused of sexual assault and Dantonio’s only punishment for the player was making him talk to his mother about it, and nothing else.

As a lifetime fan and aspiring future Spartan, I am incredibly conflicted. If the reports are true, and Dantonio and Izzo have been covering up multiple different sexual assault cases, then burn it all down. In fact, I’ll be the first one to pour the gas and light the match. If they’re guilty, they need

There is another important question to be asked here, and that question also has me conflicted, but this time as an aspiring sports journalist. The stories included in the OTL report, most notably a story about former player Travis Walton punching a woman in a bar, were already things that had been previously

“If the reports are true, and Dantonio and Izzo have been covering up multiple different sexual assault cases, then burn it all down.”

- Carter Landis to be held accountable, they need to be fired, and the systems that enabled them need to be gutted and rebuilt. As unfortunate as it would be to lose two of the greatest coaches in their respective sports, it is completely unacceptable to prioritize winning in sports over doing the right thing in life.

reported and treated by the media in the moment just as “casually” as MSU is being perceived as treating them now. I’m not saying that I condone what Walton did in the least, but what motive does ESPN have to bring it up again now? If it was truly about getting justice for the victims and holding the university accountable, wouldn’t

design by KEEGAN TENNEY

ESPN have made that a priority when they first reported on it, not just jumped on the bandwagon now while the nation is already holding MSU over the flames over the Nassar scandal? At the risk of discrediting a news organization that I wouldn’t mind working for someday, this makes the OTL piece feel more like a convenient witch hunt than a quest on the moral high road, and their subsequent reporting keeps confirming my instincts. They’ve since discussed how Travis Walton stole a bike in 2005, before he was even at Michigan State. The stack of pre-college misjudgements of players nationwide is probably a mile high and likely includes things that are much worse, but they will never come to light in the way Walton’s did until their university’s come under a microscope like MSU has.

It’s not just me that’s calling for fair reporting. Multiple important sports figures, like Jay Bilas, have backed Izzo and Dantonio, claiming the investigation needs more facts. I stand behind the best moral judgement of whatever those facts are. If the allegations are true, everyone needs to go. If they’re not true, ESPN needs to own up to their bad reporting.

Either way, someone is in the wrong, and they need to own up to their wrongdoing before any more lives are senselessly damaged.

Feb. 2018

17

Pin and Win: Every move matters for jv & varsity wrestlers

Team members anxiously wait their turn to thake the mat against Niles, “As I prepare myself before every meet by listening to music and normally never eat heavy meals the night before I compete.“ said junior Robert Fries, who wrestles in the heavy weight class of 285 Ib, is pictured above looking up.

by LEXI DOLL Portage Northern Wrestling is making their mark on PN’s athletic legacy and learning life lessons along the way.

“I want my wrestlers to be good students, work hard and make sure that I do everything that I can to ensure that when a child leaves our program they are a success in life. I would also like to win a state title along the way,” says wrestling coach Chris Furlong. A main focus recently was to beat rival Portage Central on January 31st. Though their goal was not achieved, the team remaned optimistic about the rest of the season. “What is keeping most of us going is us trying to win districts and continuing to try to make it to states” says junior Alex Cox. The team trained hard, with up to three morning practices a week.

“I like morning practices, I think they bring us closer as a team,” says junior Cam Migs. Migs’ favorite moment of the season so far was during the first tournament of the season in Vicksburg when the team went 5-0. “I am hoping to make it out of districts and end with a positive record,” he says.

The wrestlers competed at districts on February 7th and had a big win against Loy Norrix 46-16 before going on to lose to Kalamazoo Central. “It was a great team effort but we just fell short,” Furlong said.

As a team, the Huskies are done for the season, but individual members still have a chance to advance to the state tournament by advancing through the upcoming individual distict tournament.

To the left, senior Frank Bravata stops competitor from taking him down. To the right, junior Alex Cox begins his first match with a handshake.

design and photography by CAMERON MYERS

18 SPORTS

Feb. 2018

MARCO PASTRANA

19

Success is not from intellegence, it is from hard work - Halle Escher

Leading the team after an injury

by KEEGAN TENNEY IN THE BEGINNING

“

Marco is one of our two top swimmers on the team.

I am expecting him to qualify for the state finals in two events.

“

Senior Marco Pastrana has always liked swimming. For him, it just came naturally.

His passion for the sport started when he was in second grade, when he first joined a team. The inspiration to start swimming came mostly from his family: his grandpa swam competitively, and his parents thought that joining the sport would make him a stronger swimmer overall.

It wasn’t until Pastrana became good friends with future Huskie Theo Peristeridis, who already swam at the time, that he finally took the dive and convinced himself to give swimming a shot.

-Coach Jim Long

COMING BACK FROM AN INJURY Pastrana broke his collarbone snowboarding over winter break last year. He was messing around with some of his friends in the terrain park when a wrong move resulted in an injury.

At that point, swimming had become an inherent aspect of Pastrana’s life: he never realized just how important the sport was to him.

Therefore it wasn’t until he broke his collarbone and couldn’t swim for 3 months that he realized just how much he would miss it.

While his recovery was not too bad, supporting his teammates at swim meets made him wish that he could compete and swim alongside his friends, instead of watching them from the pool deck.

As soon as the doctor said he could get back in the water, he jumped right in. While coping with an injury was no picnic, breaking his collarbone made Pastrana more determined to come back and work hard. After a long recovery, he wanted to prove to himself that he still had it in him to compete.

SENIOR YEAR

all photos by CAMERON MEYERS

Despite losing those 3 months of training, Pastrana has been feeling strong this season and is excited to see how he’ll do in the end.

He feels as though he has been doing fairly well this year, considering that he had broken his collarbone last season.

Pastrana is about at the skill level he was at before his season got cut short his junior year. Regardless, though he has been making the most of his last season as a Huskie.

His senior year has differed significantly than in seasons past: along with having to work extra hard to come back stronger than before his injury, this has been the first year he has been swimming without the now-graduated teammates he had swan with since he first started.

Now Pastrana has started to be a responsible member of the team in order to set a good example for his underclassmen teammates. Thanks to a unbroken collarbone, though, he is sure having a good time thus far.

design by BEN LEWIS

HALLE ESCHER

The Team

Cheerleader now, pre-med later

20 members

on the team, 4 seniors

Did you know MLive has a list of Kalamazoo area boy swimmers that are eligible for an all-state season and you were in the running?

“I did not, but I know they’ve done that in the years past.”

There have been There are

5

7

meets

meets left

by ANAI FREEMAN

The stereotypes that surround cheerleading do not apply to the Huskie cheer team. In fact, a future brain surgeon, junior Halle Escher, is leading the Varsity team as captain. Balancing school, work and sports can be one of the most stressful things for a high school student on top of balancing time for friends and family, but she still manages to do it all.

Escher currently participates in competitive and sideline cheer, and in that way she said, “it’s basically year round.” That essentially makes practices directly after school until five o’clock a daily task for Escher. Sometimes her practices go as late as seven in the evening. After a long day of school and cheer, she rushes to Noodles and Company to begin working a four to five hour shift. After she finally finishes at her job, she makes

the 30 minute journey back to her home in Plainwell, where she ends her night doing her homework for her IB courses, only to wake up the next day to do it all over again. Not to mention she sits in the 33rd class rank position out of 322 students with a high GPA 4.52.

Her involvement in cheerleading started sophomore year. She started off as a member of the JV team and within the same year advanced to varsity. “I knew once I first started that this is what I was good at; I knew this is where I wanted to be,” she said. Unfortunately, that year, Escher suffered an ankle injury that caused her to sit out for many competitions, including a large division SMAC (Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference) meet. For a passionate athlete like Escher, this was much harder than managing a hectic schedule.“I felt as if I was

no help to my team, but I knew I still could encourage them and still push them to win,” she said.

When she’s not working hard supporting her teammates as back-spot, Escher is involved in the Health Science EFE, which is an off campus course offered at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She signed up to take the class so she could get a head start in her medical studies to hopefully become a neurosurgeon one day.

Escher said that she is often not taken seriously, despite her dedication to her studies. “Many people doubt me, especially since I seem like a happy, giddy cheerleader,” said Escher. Then they see me with my scrubs on and call me a nurse.”

Escher is determined to prove to people that the cheerleader stereotypes are wrong. “I just laugh and tell them [that they are] looking at

design by BEN LEWIS

a future female brain surgeon,” she said. “They are always shocked by that.”

Escher is also socially-conscious.

As a feminist, Escher likes the idea that she can empower other women. “The future is female,” she said.

“It’s important that women, specifically young females, don’t live up to what society limits them to, we need to try hard to keep pushing for our goals but with that we need to encourage each other.”

School can be tough, and adding hard classes, work, and sports to her plate doesn’t make it any easier. Nevertheless, Escher manages to balances her time every single day, proving time and time again that she is a smart, bright female ready to conquer classes, the Huskie sideline, and the world.

20 ENTERTAINMENT

Y

A look into the lastest nerdy entertainment news

up, you guessed it, here comes another issue of Nerd Alert and there’s tons of entertainment news to discuss. First on the movie agenda, the trailer for the highly anticipated Marvel movie Avengers Infinity Wars has finally been released to the public and it has sparked mad excitement for fans of the Marvel Universe.

The trailer confirms that every single Marvel character to ever be seen in a movie will play a part in this film. That means on top of the entire Avengers team themselves, the fans will also get to see Loki, Doctor Strange, Spiderman, The Black Panther, and even some of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters. It is definitely a super cast for what is looking to be a super movie.

In the Star Wars fandom there have been recent teasings of an upcoming film capturing the story of young Han Solo. It’s official name is Solo: A Star Wars Story and it will hit theatres May 25th, 2018. The movie will star Alden Ehrenreich (Beautiful Creatures) as the title character. Other leading actors in the movie will include Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games), Donald Glover (The Martian), and many more incredible performers. The film is said to be one of the longest Star Wars movies, right after The Last Jedi. It will have close to two and a half hours of screen time.

To take a step back from the ultra nerdy fandoms, one movie that has many non-superhero fans excited is the film adaptation of the classic children’s book A Wrinkle in Time. It stars Oprah Winfrey and Chris Pine and is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 9, 2018. It looks like it will take the story to a whole new level.

Some more major blockbusters coming out this year include Venom, Deadpool 2, Love Simon, Black Panther, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Oceans 8, Red Sparrow, Rampage, and so many more. This is definitely going to be a great year for movie fans.

Well, that’s all for this round of Nerd Alert! Stay nerdy mis amigos.

8 weird movie facts you have to know

by MEGAN RINOCK

DISNEY

EXORCIST

JURASSIC PARK

REUTERS

After the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog was released, more than 50 children were hospitalized with salmonella from kissing frogs.

Talk about creepy movie curses! The original Exorcist movie was so cursed that the set burned down mysteriously and a priest was called in to help.

In Jurassic Park, when the T-Rex breaks into the vehicle and breaks the glass, the children’s screams are real. The T-Rex wasn’t supposed to break the glass.

O.J. Simpson was considered for the title role in The Terminator. Producers opted for Arnold because they felt O.J. was too nice to depict a cold blooded killer…yep.

GHOST BUSTERS

GETTY IMAGES

HALLOWEEN

DISNEY

The original title for the 1984 film Ghostbusters was going to be Ghost Smashers.

Very glad they changed it, quite honestly.

Peter Ostrum, Charlie from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), never acted again and is now a veterinarian.

The famous Michael Myers mask worn in the Halloween movies is actually a Star Trek Captain Kirk mask painted white.

101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan are the only 2 animated Disney movies in which both parents are present and don’t die.

design by LILY ANTOR & LEXI KAVA

Nov. 2018

21

CAMILA CABELLO

by BRIANNA NEUHOUSER

F

ifth Harmony fans were torn apart when member Camila Cabello split from the group, but with her newest album, Camila, the fans are back in love with the Cuban pop star. The first single, “Havana,” climbed the charts rapidly, peaking at the number two spot in the country just behind the soundtrack of the popular movie The Greatest Showman.

With catchy beats, slurred speech, and a verse by Young Thug, “Havana” was like an appetizer to an amazing pop dinner. Some fans claim the song “Real Friends” is attacking her sisters in Fifth Harmony, and there appears to be some validity to this claim: Cabello, when she left the group, detailed in an extensive tweet that there had been a lack of communication within the group and these themes can also be found within the song. Besides that, her album mixes dance tunes such as “Havana” and “She Loves Control” with soulful ballads like “All These Years.” Some songs are fun, simple, and easy to dance to, such as “Inside Out,” while others are complex and soul baring, such as “Consequences.”

The album is perfect for any mood or situation, whether it’s on a playlist for a dance or to just cry to, Camila is an album sure to please all. Fans of Fifth Harmony are still upset at the singer’s departure, however, this album will opened their eyes to the Cabello’s future and where she could be going in the exploration of themes that would never have been allowed had she remained a member of her girl group. Her album is a definite departure from the more mainstream pop of Fifth Harmony: her first song on the album even references the use of hallucinogens. This seems to follow the trend of other group departures in the music industry, such as Zayn Malik leaving One Direction and immediately releasing a song with more mature themes.

Sales of Cabello’s new music have validated her solo career.

She sold nearly 65,000 copies of her album within the first few weeks. Many speculate that when The Greatest Showman is out of theaters, Camila will come in to take the number one national slot.

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Feb. 2018

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‘SKIE-FLIX

23

Movies to look forward to this year

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22 ENTERTAINMENT

by MACKENZIE BREY

Feel-good flicks

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2018 offers us some well-deserved affection with these three upcoming stories of love of self, friends, and significant others. Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again gives us the beautiful mesh of past and present with the same music from ABBA featured in the first film that we have been waiting for since 2008. Isle of Dogs lets people in on the story of a young boy’s search for his stolen dog and dogs ARE better than people, right? Love, Simon explores the journey of a modern gay teenager and his path through virtual and actual love. All of this promise of happy endings gives hope for the year to come.

Rating: Containable, but can’t wait.

Childhood staples As the rest of 2018 comes into view, it’s easy for anyone to get more and more excited about animated masterpieces to come a.k.a. The Incredibles 2. Mind you, nobody can deny the magnetic power of the newer and cuter lil’ green guy in The Grinch, or the obvious allure of yet ANOTHER chapter of the Hotel Transylvania story in Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.

Nobody can. But for anyone who grew up dreaming of looking like Elastigirl or perfecting the intonation of their impression of Frozone saying “Where’s my supersuit?” can agree that above all, The Incredibles 2 is the movie to see this year.

Rating: VERY excited.

Action packed, drama filled Action and drama: two words that never fail to attract the American viewer. With the effortless intrigue of Alita: Battle Angel, viewers will be left with a feeling of strength in their bones.

Speaking to the extra modern scientific exploits of Annihilation, viewers can expect the feeling of unexplainable fear all around, and with the blunt and seductive allure of Red Sparrow, movie lovers everywhere will be left stunned, speechless, and all in all shook. More than the others, Red Sparrow gives an almost feminine Jason-Bourne-eye-view into the world of spies. Needless to say, all eyes will be glued to Jennifer Lawrence.

Rating: Nervous? Yes. Excited? YES.

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The superheroes and intergalactic stars featured in this years spotlight hero films might just take the cake for 2018. Solo: A Star Wars Story features Alden Ehrenreich in a prequel, giving further context to the Star Wars franchise. The second adaptation of Deadpool gives us more content that mothers will most definitely have to shield their eyes from. But above all, Black Panther D-E-L-I-V-E-R-S! It guarantees a delivery of black excellence that the film industry lacks to represent.

The direction and acting in this film present in such a stunning way that it will surely leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

Rating: When can I buy tickets?

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