November 2019

How standardized testing is sealing the fate of students’ future: one bubble at a time P.12

Also in this edition: Are high school kids too old to trick or treat? - P. 08 Light mode VS Dark mode - P. 10 Tennis team gets into full swing in tournament play - P. 17 One Direction may be making a come back - P. 21 1000 Idaho Ave. Portage, MI 49024

volume 50 issue 2

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Contents Staff Ed: The perfect test

People of the Pack

Netflix takes on controversy

How the classic standardized testing envirnment can be altered to best set students up for success.

Senior Sean Kellog explores his experiences with Syneshtesia, which allows him to experience colors along with sound.

many recent Netflix original series have been taking some hard hits because of their controversial nature.

07

Northern Dark: Kindness is a waste of time In the second edition of our satire column, we explain why many kind gestures are actually worthless.

14

The Offseason How differnet athletes tackle the unique challenges of offseaosn training in their specefic sports.

Featuring basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer.

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09

On the cover Photo by Kellie Miles Illustrated by Snigda Narisetty

This cover is portraying a student who is taking a standardized test, but is sleeping instead of being engaged. This shows how standardized tests test more than just the students intelligence and how thye aren’t a fair measure of a well rounded student.

News Staff Editorial

04-06 07

Opinion

08-11

Feature

12-15

Sports

16-19

Entertainment

20-22

02 Contents

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Policies at the NL 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 Design by Gabe Flota

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.

Portage Northern Light

NL Staff

Snigda Narisetty Malcolm Gaynor Editors in Chief

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Creative Editor Feature Editor

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Opinion Editor

Cerena Read

Entertainment Editor

Liam Fagan Sports Editor

Brianna Neuhouser Digital Media Manager

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Assosciate Digital Media Manager

Abby Vanderberg Business Manager

Kellie Miles Photographer

Komalpreet Kaur Katie Knight Carrie Jacobson Melissah Morris-Adkins Gavin Stevens Staff Writers

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November 2019

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Dear readers...

We’re all so excited to bring to you the second edition of the PN Light!

After much deliberation, we have focused this edition on standardized testing. We believe that standardized testing adds so much stress to the lives of high schoolers. There’s also so much weight given to it by colleges.

In our staff ed, we explored what an ideal testing environment would be for multiple types of testers.

We hope that this issue resonates with you, and we would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions about anything you read in this edition! Contact us at PNHSnorthernlight@gmail.com, and we’d love to publish your comments either online or in our next edition!

Design by Malcolm Gaynor

We have many talented new members of our Journalism 1 staff, who have already been publishing articles on our website, portagenorthernlight. com!

Finally, we thank you all for reading! All of us here at the PN Light have worked so hard to produce this edition, and we can’t wait to start working on the next one! See you all next edition! jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjSincerely, jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjllllBrianna jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjDigital Media Manager

About 03

Huskie Headlines

By A

strid

Cod

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Wind Ensemble combines sight and sound in first concert

By Astrid Code

The Wind Ensemble plays “Prayers for a Troubled Nation” by Jack Stamp, along with a images of the Statue of Liberty and words from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. Photo by Astrid Code.

On October 17, the Wind Ensemble had its first concert of the year. The 7th and 8th grade band opened the concert, and then the W.E. played “Prayers for a Troubled Nation” by Jack Stamp and “Scherzo for X-Wings”

by Star Wars composer John Williams.

“The composer was working with a new technology company to do a new video sync with band piece,” Bartz explains of “Prayers for a Troubled Nation. “ “The cool thing about this piece was that the person creating the video was also working with the composer. The two are interlinked, so there are key moments that are intended to be together.” Both the piece and the video are based on a

poem called “The New Colossus”

by Emma Lazarus, written for the building of the Statue of Liberty. While the band played, words from the poem and images of the Statue of Liberty, an American flag, and immigrants showed on a screen behind them along with words from the poem, creating a very powerful visual and aural piece.

“Art as a rule follows culture, and speaks to culture and speaks to things that are going on in a way that other mediums can’t, ” Bartz says. The Wind Ensemble will be performing next at Collage on December 14 and 15, along with the PN Choir, Orchestra, and other ensembles.

National Art Honors Society hosts first of monthly movie nights

By Astrid Code

On October 16, the National Art Honors Society (NAHS) hosted a showing of Beetlejuice as part of their monthly movie nights. Freshman Mariah Gresham was the one who suggested Beetlejuice for the club’s first movie night. “I felt like the movie had a lot of iconic moments, and a lot of people hadn’t seen the movie.

04 News

There’s also good visual arts for it, since this is an arts club, there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff, ” Gresham says. “Normally the movie that has the most behind the scenes stuff is the one that we pick,” senior and co-leader of the club Ana Luisa Decaro Pinto says.

“Its just to get people to experience art outside of drawings and paintings Design by Astrid Code

and going to the cinema,” Decaro Pinto says. “There’s other movies that are very artistic that deserve a lot of recognition that a lot of people don’t know.” The National Art Honors Society will be hosting a movie night every month with previews on the school announcements.

Portage Northern Light

Seniors start Investment Club

By Malcolm Gaynor

Seniors Zach Lewis and Graham Holley are creating a brand new club focusing on a skill many high schoolers know very little about: investment.

“Our goal is to teach other students more about what investing is as many people our age have no idea,” Lewis says. To do this, Lewis and Holley plan on using an app to help students learn in a hands-on manner. “The main activity at our meetings would be using an app that allows students to practice investing in the stock market

in a completely risk free way,” Lewis says. “You’ll start off with around $20,000 and can use the money to buy and sell stocks based off the actual stock market.” This hands-on stock market experience along with the risk free nature of the app is how Lewis and Holley hope to educate students and prepare them for the future. As seniors, they will only be able to be a part of the club for one year. However, their age had a big impact on the reason they started the club. “Graham

and I were talking about all the clubs we had done over the course of high school as he was filling in his common application and we both thought that it would be sweet if we made our own club,” Lewis said. The future of the club is unclear, and any underclassmen who join would have a large influence on the direction of the club when Lewis and Holley leave next year. Stay tuned for the date of Investment Club’s first meeting.

Lunches for Lives supports Portage families

By Astrid Code

During lunch on October 18, students walked into the decorated cafeteria with the chance to help improve someone in the community’s life with just a few dollars. Although this may be the first time that new students have heard about this event, Lunches for Lives, hosted by Interact Club, has been going on since 2004. “In December of that year a tsunami destroyed much of Asia, and thousands of people died and millions were displaced from their homes,” club leader Bryan Hill says. “Interact Club students came up

with the idea of Lunches for Lives as a way that our school could send money to support the rescue efforts, and we have had a Lunches for Lives event every year since.” In the first five years, Lunches for Lives supported people in need internationally, and since about 2010 they have used donations to ‘adopt’ underprivileged families in Portage. This year, interact club raised $1936.22. The seniors had the most with $669.50, sophomores brought in $445.25, freshmen gave $243.04, the staff had $218.13, and juniors gave

Interact Club prepares quesadillas to be sold for a donation of $3 or more. “We can put all that money together and make a significant impact on the lives of others.” says Bryan Hill. Photo by Snigda Narisetty.

$142.25. “Through fundraising and donations, Interact Club purchases all the food for the event, so that every penny goes to those in need.” Hill says.

“In December, Interact Club will go shopping at Kohl’s and use the money to buy needed personal and household items for over 20 individuals, who have applied for assistance through the Portage Community Center. We will then wrap them so these families can have a brighter holiday.”

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portagenorthernlight.com November 2019

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News 05

PN’s first career fair: health care

By Gavin Stevens

On October 23, 2019, Portage Northern High School hosted a career expo in the Igloo to allow students in grades 9 through 12 to learn about the job roles and responsibilities of a range of professions. Several trained professionals from the fields of Health and Human Services as well as branches of the U.S. military came to represent their career and give students a glimpse of what these jobs entail. This event was held during second, third, and fourth hours, and its primary objective was to give students the opportunity to explore a myriad of career choices by listening and interacting with trained professionals who agreed to speak about the demands and rewards of their everyday job duties. An additional goal of the event was to help students learn and practice networking skills which might prove beneficial in acquiring future apprenticeships as well as opportunities for job shadowing. In addition to

representatives from the U.S. Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy, there were also professionals presenting on topics relating to fire science, law enforcement, and chiropractic care, to name a few.

Senior David Le is one of the many students who attended the fair in hopes of learning more about professional opportunities. “The station that

most interested me was anesthesiology,” he said. “I want to be a nurse anesthetist in the future, and the speakers were really good presenters which furthered my interest.” Le had very positive remarks to say about the fair overall: “It strengthened my interest in doing something in medicine, and I am very thankful I had the opportu-

nity to do so.”

Junior Mckenzie McDaniel’s experience also proved beneficial as it helped her discover another profession she might like to explore.

Once interested in the nursing field, after exploring a variety of career options at the expo, McDaniel now thinks she may want to become a paramedic. “I went with an interest in nursing,” she said, “and while that is still high on my list of possible careers, I am also now interested in becoming an EMT. I haven’t ever had a sound decision of this is what I am going to do, but as long as I am helping people, I know I’ll be happy.”

All in all, a total of 124 students and 30 presenters attended, in addition to parents and PNHS staff members, and the next career fair will be held in the same place on December 11, and will be focused on skilled trades, construction, and architecture.

Students enaged in a lecture about Chiropractic care. Photo courtesy of Jim French

Students learn about what being a funeral director really means. Photo courtesy of Jim French

PN Huskies attentively listen to the details of a career in pet grooming. Photo courtesy of Jim French

06 News

“...as long as I am helping people, I know I’ll be happy.”

-Mckenzie McDaniel

Design by Snigda Narisetty

Portage Northern Light

The Perfect Test By the staff The ideal testing environment varies from person to person, but for most high school students, it is NOT at 7:40 am. In general, standardized testing is very stressful for any student. Especially in this society where the score you get can define your future and how much you can possibly succeed. It is so important that students are well rested and prepared for their test in order to perform their academic best. However, because of circadian rhythms, teenagers are more inclined to stay up later and have a harder time waking up earlier, making it extremely hard to focus and perform well on a very important test.

On top of having to take a life defining exam early in the morning, students are forced to sit through three and a half hours straight of it (with maybe two 5-10 minute breaks).

Taking the entire test in one session can lead to mental fatigue and stress, which would also affect a student’s performance. Even breaking up the test in two parts on two different days would be a good idea, because it is very hard to take such a demanding test with only a couple minutes

November 2019

of breaks. This way, students will be mentally refreshed for both parts of the test, and possibly score higher as a result.

Another issue with the test that is issued by the school is that it is administered the day after spring break ends. While some students may argue that this timing may allow them time to prepare over spring break, that last minute preparation does not really help. After a week off from school, students are accustomed to sleeping later and waking up later and the sudden change leaves them more exhausted at 7 am than usual. In addition, if the test were to be administered before spring break, it would give the students a well deserved mental break after months of preparing for and taking the test. On the other hand, some people may point out that if the test were administered before spring break, the students would really only have their vacation on their minds instead of the test at hand. So is there really a perfect time to take a standardized test?

Now, how can the school make this mentally draining and stress filled

Design by Arushi Mithal

process even worse? They force the students to go to school after they take this three hour long test. We shouldn’t have a day of school after the test. If students are worried about other homework or classes, they won’t get as much sleep or be able to focus during the test which brings us back to the issue of lack of sleep and fatigue.

Offering a free SAT for juniors, along with free PSATs for freshmen and sophomores is extremely helpful to students and can help save time and money. However, there are numerous ways to make this testing process more effective and efficient.

Staff Editorial 07

Fall fun has no age limit

By Brianna Neuhouser

Trick or treating is a rite of may have had their childhood passage that all kids look for- stolen. Some kids had families ward to as soon as the tempera- who didn’t have the money to ture drops below 70 degrees. ‘waste’ on Halloween costumes their It’s an iconic part of October when they were little, but now chronand it leads perfectly into Tur- that they’re older, things are ological age. It might not be key Season. But high schoolers better. Senior Adrienne Plesco noticeable at first glance, and across America learn that when falls in this category. Her father to combat the prejudice they someone is over the age of 13 never saw the value in Hallow- might face for being “overage” and over the height of 5’6, older een. He thought it was easier to trick or treaters, parents are generations believe they should buy a big bag of assorted candy starting to give their autistic not be out trick or treating. and eat it at home. Soon, how- teens a blue basket for trick or The question must be raised: ever, her father came to real- treating. why? Where is the harm in a ize how important hanging Even beyond these reasons, 15 year old dressing up as a su- out with friends and celebrat- there is nothing wrong with perhero and asking for candy? ing something so fun, was to a high schoolers wanting some “We teenagers can fun and candy and still have fun with “People should not be getting upset over to be children in a the little kids, dress teenagers trick or treating because there world where they’re up, and get candy,” often expected to says senior Andre are bigger things in the world to be upset act like adults at about.”

Walker. earlier and earlier Many teenagers ages. The stress of - Andre Walker with younger sibhigh school is allings may get roped ready so much: for into taking them around the high school student. Now that one night, it’s okay to want to neighborhood while their par- Plesco is able to trick or treat be a different person. “People ents either work late or stay at properly, “There are some peo- should not be getting upset home to hand out candy. Senior ple who want to keep and hand over teenagers trick or treatLena Lukowski, who has an 11 out the candy to the smaller ing because there are bigger year old brother and used to and younger children. I would things in the world to be upset take him out every Halloween, get a few weird looks and com- about,” says Walker. Out of all says getting candy wasn’t nec- ments because here I am a high the things to take issue with, essarily a problem, “but I defi- schooler still dressing up and a teenager in a superhero cosnitely receive less candy than trick or treating,” she says. tume asking for Hershey kisses my brother every year.” Clearly There are also innumerable shouldn’t be one of them. teenagers want some of the mental and cognitive differThe moral here is that adults candy they were forced to help ences in children of all different who don’t give candy to teens their siblings get, espe- ages that would lead to them because they’re too “old” should cially when it’s typi- wanting to justifiably trick or check themselves. Today’s teens cally freezing dur- treat. For example, there are an deserve candy just as much as ing Halloween in abundance of teens with autism the four year old dressed as a the Midwest and and Asperger’s, and the Autism/ princess. If a 17 year old boy taking the young- Aspergers Network (AANE) was at the door dressed as a sters around is a says that these conditions often princess, he should get even real act of service. make the mental age of teenag- more candy.

Other teenagers ers up to four years younger than 08 Opinion

Design by Brianna Neuhouser

Portage Northern Light

SATIRE

Kindness is a waste of time

By Kylie Clifton

If you were born in a time with a basic level of civilization, perhaps no life threatening diseases, or even a reigning dictator, you’ve likely been burdened with being taught the “art” of kindness and respect. You may even have been told that these were lifelong skills would help us get a job, be treated how we desired to be treated, and accomplish our dreams. Supposedly what all started with “please” and “thank you” would lead to eternal selflessness and a satisfying life spent serving everyone but yourself.

Honestly though, what good could uttering the simple words “please” and “thank you” even muster?

If actions speak louder than words, then all of the “good manners” things that we’re supposed to say are just dreary rituals that that waste precious seconds each day. It is a waste to give the unoriginal “you’re welcome” after holding the door for a random stranger who probably won’t even say thank you. Instead, try this: slam the door upon their arrival. While at first this may seem cruel, you’re actually giving November 2019

them a much greater gift than holding the door. You’re giving them the feeling of accomplishment of doing something for themselves, and you get bonus points if they’re currently pregnant.

Yo u were not born to serve others unless that is your paid profession, and we respect the selfishness of a hustle, but otherwise don’t live your life at the expense of others. The World Health Design by Gabe Flota

Organization estimates an average life-span of just seventy two years for those of us here in the greatest country on Earth. We all know seventy years lasts like two seconds. Why waste any second of the limited years you have left on anything but yourself? Why be so focused on manners, respect, and the made up concept of kindness when there’s nothing in it for you? If you exercise good manners, what do you get?

There’s a little chance you’ll even receive a “thank you,” let alone the kind of recognition you deserve... their first born child, a donation to your reckless lifestyle, or at least a new car.

At the end of the day, in the limited time you have on this earth, live for yourself and embrace your selfishness.

Drop kindness like a bad habit.

Do you know how to get rid of bad habits? You stop it in its tracks. Today is your day. Stop tipping your waiters, apologizing, investing any energy in others, and most of all, never hold a door for anyone ever again.

Opinion 09

LIGHT M DE

By Natalie Grinder

The popularity of dark mode has been growing tremendously in the past few months. Even though it is a very popular and widely used feature, it is not safe to use and does not help eyesight. Most apps are designed in light mode, so it allows you to see them how they were intended. Overall, light mode is just far superior to dark mode.

Light mode is the only way to protect your eyes. There are blue light filters built into almost every phone that work on light mode. When the background is light and more light is lit, one’s pupils contract, smaller pupils create a wide depth-of-field. On the other hand, less light causes one’s pupils to widen, which makes the focal point shallower. Dark text on a light background allows the text to appear with crisp edge, creating a better experience for the viewer.

Especially with the light text on a dark background, the edges appear blurry to the eye, which can make words difficult for the eye to focus on. Blurriness can cause eye strain that can lead to eye problems. The best way to prevent eye 10 Opinion

strain is to refrain from using dark mode.

Apps were invented, designed, and produced in light mo d e.

This is h o w t h e y were originally meant to be seen. While p h o n e viewers think they prefer to consume their media in a darker setting, professional designers were

creating lighter visuals for years.

As dark mode soared in popularity, designers rushed to keep up and throw their darker designs into the mix. The years of tinkering and thought that built original light d e signs are lost when a user switches to dark mode.

While some view light mode as a revolution, a change to how apps are viewed forever, light mode Design by Gabe Flota

is the powerful dictator that will stamp out the fad of dark mode given due time. Dark mode is just popular now because it’s new. In the end, every dark mode junkie will come crawling back to old faithful, the original, the best: light mode.

The brightness of light mode is also important because of the symbolic positivity of lightness in general. These days, especially on social media and online, positivity and brightness seems to be in short supply. The transition to dark mode further emphasizes this trend.

However, this is just another dark, negative influence looming on social media. Light mode provides the brightness and clarity integral in maintaining a positive presence and experience when plugged in.

Sure dark mode makes your battery last longer, but is it really worth it? Light mode is the classic, dark mode is just a fad. Light mode is more positive, and it may seem like dark mode is taking over the world of phone visuals. Who needs more darkness in our lives?

Nobody!

Portage Northern Light

S

S

DARK M DE

Nowadays if there’s an app, the chances are it has a dark mode.

Changing screens from bright white to solid black has become the new stan- dard for technology companies.

Many devices and apps include a dark mode, much to the delight o f conscientious consumers who believe that dark mode offers a variety of benefits which make it a healthier and more efficient background option.

Those who support the use of dark mode do so because it acts as a shield against the harmful light that screens emit. The structure of the human eye allows almost all visible blue light, the kind emitted by devices, to pass through the cornea and into the retina. What results is computer vision syndrome, an umbrella term used to describe the various conditions which arise as a consequence of exposure to blue light. Doctor Gardiner, an ophthalmologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, says that overexposure to blue light, “can exhaust your November 2019

By Katie Knight

eyes’ ability to focus.” The dangers of computer vision syndrome are known to many technology users, who use dark mode on their devices to prevent against it. They believe that screens with a darker shade give off less blue light, therefore reducing eye strain and promoting healthier eyes.

As well as providing protection for the eyes, dark mode saves battery power. Many devic-

es have Organic Light-Emitting D i o d e (OLED) displays.

This means t h at each pixel on a screen is individually lit, and black pixels are not lit at all.

The majority of the pixels remain unlit when devices are put into Design by Gabe Flota

dark mode, reducing the amount of energy used and saving battery power.

Not only is dark mode able to save battery power, it is useful when a phone needs to be used in a dark setting. Dark mode gives little light in comparison to a dark on light design. This is especially useful in low-lit settings as it allows users to access their device without disturbing those around them with the light that their device emits.

Dark mode is able to reduce the amount of blue light emitted by

screens as well as save the battery on devices with OLED displays and allow technology users to access their devices in dark surroundings without disturbing others. These benefits make dark mode a useful addition to the world of technology.

Opinion 11

T E S

T E

D

By Kylie Clifton, Komalpreet Kaur, and Arushi Mithal 12 Feature

Sweaty palms, persistent sniffling, the condescending ticks of an old clock, the burning eyes of your test proctor.

These are all things that everyone who has taken a standardized test is more than familiar with. Standardized testing is an aspect of every student’s life and has many pros along with cons. But in recent years, various colleges have began to drift away from looking at an applicant’s SAT or ACT scores.

and more. This has been up for debate, many left stuck and confused, as to why math and English are the strongest focus for these tests.

“It’s appropriate to emphasize student achievement on math and reading tests because these are the building blocks for success, and far too few students attending public schools today adequately possess these basic skills,” says writer Marcus Winters of the New York Times.

The Value of Standardized Testing

The Impact on Students

On various different levels, stuStandardized testing follows stu- dents have been mentally affected by dents throughout their lives. Accord- these assessments that seem to be iming to Valerie Strauss of the Wash- perative in order to eventually mainington Post, “The average student in tain a proper career. But in addition to America’s big-city public schools takes students, teachers are also impacted some 112 mandatory standardized by the sizable amount of pressure tests tests between pre-kindergarten and such as the SAT and ACT entails. the end of 12th grade — an average of “The environment itself is stressabout eight ful, sitting a year.” for hours These taxing your tests conbrain withsume a bulk out many of a student’s breaks, time, energy says his-Rick Searing and thinktory teacher ing. When looking at these statistics, Greathen Derenne. “I understand the the question is clear: why do students need to evaluate schools, teachers and take standardized tests? students is important but I wish there “Standardized tests such as the was a more holistic approach.” It is a SAT or ACT are a necessary evil,” notable wish for schools to start ussays Portage Northern’s IB Coordina- ing more comprehensive strategies to tor and History Teacher Rick Searing. assess a students academic level of ca“We must comply with state and fed- pability. “I do not think the scores on eral laws which require us to admin- these tests define students, some stuister them as a public school -- our dents are natural test takers and others funding and reputation as a suitable are not. I think there is a lot we can do school are at stake and tied to students to prepare for the test so we can do our scores.” best, but I don’t think they give a clear Standardized tests like the SAT picture of the whole student or what often have a strong focus on math and they are capable of,” Derenne adds.

English, intertwining science, history There is a common misconcep-

“Standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT are a necessary evil.”

Design by Snigda Narisetty

Portage Northern Light

tion that is prevalent within a plethora of teenagers: Test scores completely define students. Test anxiety and apprehension is common within many teenagers and is difficult to get rid of. “It (the PSAT) can be confusing mentally for a few reasons,” -Greathen says junior Colin Carrol. “I don’t think it that it is very fair that there are two correct answers and one is the best option, and I also get confused because there are always things on there that I have never learned.”

But there are also many students who don’t let possible anxieties affect their mindset before taking a test.

“Taking the PSAT was not too bad for me,” says senior Arjav Patel, who scored within the top 1% in the country on the NMSQT last year. “I’ve taken a lot of tests throughout high school and the PSAT covers the topics very generally so I was not too worried. I can’t think of a better solution to fairly test every student in the nation, so I understand why they are used.’’

some of the pressure that is placed on the student over one booklet they are required to sit in front of.

Other universities are becoming test-optional, with Wake Forest also in North Carolina and the University of Chicago being examples of this change.

Derenne In regards to this change, Searing also said that, “nearby, Kalamazoo College follows this model.” He goes on to state, “the recent college admission scandals in the news makes it even more questionable as to why we place such high stakes on one particular exam,” giving even more reason to decrease the prevalence of standardized testing.

Though standardized testing is not an aspect of the country’s education system that can be diminished overnight, there has been progress in recent years. There is a growing number of universities taking steps forward in order to find more fair and accurate ways to assess a student’s standing in subjects like math, English, and science. Programs like the IB Program test students through essay testing that allows more space for the student to think critically rather than get a question right or wrong. Part of the program is the IB learner profile that asks students and teachers to be inquirers, open-minded, knowledgeable, caring, thinkers, risk-takers, communicators, balanced, principled and reflective.

As programs like this begin to expand

“I do not think the scores on these tests define students.”

The Future of Standardized Testing As for the direction that standardized testing will take in the future, many universities are starting to take a step in favor of the students. Institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are evolving the way in which they evaluate student scores and their impacts on the admission of students. They delineate on their first-year application page that, “We’re certainly not going to base our judgment of your application on a single number.” This can alleviate

November 2019

Design by Snigda Narisetty

throughout more and more schools, the future of standardized testing will gradually evolve. The country is moving in a direction to take increasing action on making the education systems in place more efficient for both students and administrators.

Feature 13

A new arrival: how a new stage manager will affect crew

By Abigail VanderBerg

The fall musical is a big event at cian in various roles in between, for a Portage Northern, and a big part of it total of more than 200 theatrical prois the behind the scenes crew. It takes ductions and more than 100 concerts many people to make a show run and special events in the last 20 years.” smoothly, which is where crew comes Senior CallieBea Bowers, another in, running everything from lights to assistant stage manager for the promoving props. “The stage crew plays duction, has optimism about working a major role in the production,” says with Philips. “I think it will create a director Denene Mulay Koch. “If the more professional learning environshow itself is the ment for the picture, the crew younger crew is the frame.” kids,’’ says BowThat frame ers, “ as well as will be even an inside look at stronger this how professionyear: for the first als in this industime, the crew try work.” This will be accompaopportunity will -Denene Mulay Koch nied by profesbring many new sional stage manfactors for crew, ager for this upcoming fall musical, especially when it comes to how crew Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” will run.“I think it’s going to be helpful “This year we have Carrie Philips since me and Callie haven’t done stage as stage manager,’’ says assistant stage managing before,’’ Randall says, “so it manager junior Naomi Randal. This will be good to have some professional will be new, as there have only been direction.” students as stage managers in the past.

It was director Mulay Koch’s call “For a couple years, we had Sydney to acquire a more experienced stage Kruggel [class of 2019] doing it, and manager. “Normally, a stage manager I think she went to Michigan to learn can call those cues by themselves,” she how to be a stage manager for real,” says. “but this show has many more Randall says. cues called at a time.” Philips is excited Carrie Philips, who will be stage for this show in particular. “Spamalot manager, has worked on past NHS is one of my favorite musicals,” she productions and theatre has been a says, “and I’m happy to be doing it for heavy part of her life. “I helped build a second time, especially with such a my first set at 9, stage managed my fun group of students.” first show at 20, did my first lighting The production’s opening night will design at 24,” Philips says. “I spent be November 8th and tickets are $10time both as a performer and techni- $20 depending on preferred seating.

“The stage crew plays a major role in the production. If the show itself is the picture, the crew is the frame.”

November 2019

Design by Katie Knight

Feature 15

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By Malcolm Gaynor The minute a blatant pass interference no-call cost the Saints a trip to the Super Bowl last season’s NFC Championship game, it was clear the NFL was going to make a change. And they did. This season, the NFL has made more plays reviewable than ever before, including pass interference. The MLB, on the other hand, has gone in a completely opposite direction. While the NFL is slowing games down with more penalties and reviews, emphasizing getting the calls right, the MLB is currently doing everything it can to increase the pace of play and increase fan viewership.

While rule changes in sports can often be polarizing, there are fans who understand that these changes are being done for the right reasons.

“To me more flags isn’t always a bad thing,” said senior NFL fan Mitchell Getting. “It means that the game that’s being played is being reffed how it’s supposed to be in order to make the game fair.” MLB fan and PN baseball

player Dylan Butler agrees that increasing the pace of play doesn’t harm the sport. “It’s still the same game just more efficient,” he said.

Another interesting facet of the changing rules is the different paths each sport takes. Both the MLB and the NFL have similar issues in long game lengths, missed calls by officials (which are present in all sports), and injuries. However, while the MLB is focussing on game length, an issue important to buildingw a younger and larger fan base, the NFL is rewriting rules to decrease injuries and limit missed calls, an effort to make the game fairer and safer for players.

The MLB is attempting to create a newer, quicker, and more energetic version of baseball. This is not only evident in rule changes that limit the number of mound visits or require pitchers to face at least three batters, but also in the marketing.

The postseason slogan this year is “We play loud,” and postseason advertisements display today’s young

M alc o

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Sp

The NFL and MLB are heading towards oppsite directions. But who is making the mistake?

ts min e ut

Pace of play

or

stars in old, black and white footage, stating that the game is now “faster, younger, harder” than it ever has been in the past.

On the other hand, the NFL is striving for a safer, smarter, and fairer game. After Aaron Rodgers, the superstar quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, was injured on a thenlegal hit, a new rule was implemented the next season disallowing defenders to land with their weight on top of quarterbacks. Also, according to the Washington Post, concussions on kickoffs decreased 35% when the NFL made changes regulating what was then the most dangerous play in football.

It is natural for these sports to change in response to dynamic fan demographics and modern technology. While this change can be problematic and imperfect at first, both sports are heading in the right direction and will figure it out along the way.

By the numbers Game length

Reviews per game 3.08 hours

NFL MLB

NFL 0.58 reviews

3.23 hours

Data courtesy of mirror.co.uk and baseball-reference.com

16 Sports

1.57 reviews

MLB

Data courtesy of usatoday.com and mlbreplaystats.com

Design by Malcolm Gaynor

Portage Northern Light

Tennis team gets into full

SWING

in tournament play

By Melissah Morris-Adkins Tennis team ends season with historic regional win, appearance at the state tournament.

The Huskie tennis team captured the school’s first ever win at the regional tournament on October 11th.

Going into the regional tournament, the team’s goal was to qualify for state, a goal that was achieved with the regional victory. “Going into regionals, we all knew it what be hard, but our goal was to win it all for the first time ever,” said senior Zach Lewis. “At every tough match over the year, we had risen to the occasion so we knew that if we all played how we knew we could play, winning was very possible.¨ Coach Diana Smith was proud of the way her team played. “Everyone worked really hard and played their hearts out,” she said. ¨We ended up winning the regional tournament with 15 points.¨ The Huskies used the regular season and playoffs to prepare for the regionals. However, reaching this level is a brand new experience. “Not only is there more pressure and motivation but there is so much on the line knowing that if you don’t perform well, your season could be over,” said Lewis. ¨I would say there is a lot more pressure in a win or go home situation, especially considering that I’m a senior so

November 2019

if I lose my high school career is over,” echoed senior Jackson Graham.

The Huskie tennis team had a strong showing at state, with many singles players making it far into the bracket. Lewis made it to the quarterfinals at 4 singles, Graham made it to the semifinals at 2 singles, and junior Alex Wooten made it to semifinals at 1 singles. The team’s best finish of the day was senior Graham Holley, who was state runner-up at 3 singles. He started as the 2-seed and slugged his way through a grueling two and a half hour finals match. “I got really tired, but going into the third set, it really became apparent to me that I could actually win a state title. Coming up a little bit short, it’s obviously heart breaking,” he shares.

The experience of being at the state tournament overall was rewarding. “All the other teams there knew each other because they are regularly at states, and then there’s this weird Portage team that no one really thinks of when they think about the state tournament,” Holley says. “Overall, I thought it was a great experience for both the team and me specifically. It was cool for the three Portage players to actually be there on the second day.”

At right, senior Graham Holley walks away from the net after a point at states. Photo by Jenna Kaiser.

Design by Melissah Morris-Adkins

Sports 17

Off season Offseason Off season Offseason Off season Offseason How Huskie athletes take on the unique challenges of offseason training

By Malcolm Gaynor As winter sports begin, it is a time player, she has to decide how to balmany athletes need to start preparing ance preparing for the season with for the daily grind of the season. For resting her body. This is especially difothers, this kind of hard work lasts all ficult in the spring, as there is a quick year round. This offseason training turnaround between the basketball creates unique problems and chal- and softball seasons. “Either I get sulenges for student athletes that often per busy for the last couple weeks of go unnoticed or are overshadowed by basketball, practicing both sports, or I the hectic schedule of the season. go into tryouts fairly rusty on my softComing off of a state champion- ball skills,” she said. Despite this issue, ship winning baseKamm doesn’t have ball season, Senior any problem tryJack Beffel is now ing to get in shape focused on preparfor softball season. ing for next spring.

“Transitioning right However, it can from basketball to sometimes be hard softball is almost a for athletes like break for me,” she Beffel to stay mosaid. “I actually see tivated when the basketball as a con-Jeff Wilson season is still so ditioning of sorts for far away. “There is a whole lot of work my softball season.” While Kamm’s but no opportunity to play,” he said. unique experience with little time beHowever, the baseball team is able to tween seasons can limit her preparedcome together as a group to maintain ness for softball in some ways, it also their work ethic throughout the entire helps in others. year. “It’s easier to be able to stay in Senior Jonah Pilnick doesn’t this routine of school, baseball, home- have to worry about quick offseason work, and sleep when you have other turnarounds, as the high school soccer teammates right beside you doing the season in the fall and club soccer same thing,” Beffel said. “I could see season in the spring are separated how badly they wanted to reach the by breaks in the summer and winter. same goal as I did last year, and that However, this situation leads to other played a huge role in our success.” challenges. While Pilnick is able to Junior Bayleigh Kamm faces dif- set a rigorous running schedule to get ferent challenges during her offsea- himself into shape for the high school son. As both a basketball and softball season before school starts in the

“I’m serious about my craft and I know it’s what I have to do in order to make it and succeed at the next level.”

18 Sports

Design by Malcolm Gaynor

summer, he does not have this luxury before the club season in the winter. “I find it harder in the winter offseason because I’m busy with school,” he said. This challenge can lead to a busy winter schedule for Pilnick, even if it is his offseason.

For senior basketball player Jeff Wilson, his experience has helped him overcome the challenges of staying motivated this offseason. “In the past it was definitely hard for me,” he said. “But now it’s not because I’m serious about my craft and I know it’s what I have to do in order to make it and succeed at the next level.” Wilson and his teammates have been shooting and doing four player workouts two to three times a week, along with individual weightlifting and ball handling work. Even still weeks away, Wilson has had his senior in mind throughout the offseason.

“This season is going to be great for us,” he said. “Can’t wait to have the schools support behind us during our journey and can’t wait for my last two rivalry games vs PC.” While many people understand the hard work athletes go through during the season, athletes also each face unique challenges they must work to overcome during the offseason.

Portage Northern Light

First year golfer Kit Schaefer qualifies for state competition

by Liam Fagan

Photo courtesy of Kit Schaefer

November 2019

Women’s golf has wrapped up their season this year, finishing in “about the middle of the conference” according to coach Chris Andrews. “We were at a little bit of a disadvantage because we only had 5 girls, whereas everyone else had 6.”

Even with their small team, the Huskies put together an impressive season, even tying for first at one of their tournaments. One member of the team even qualified for state as an individual golfer: sophomore Kathryn (Kit) Schaefer.

This is Schaefer’s first year on the women’s golf team, but she is far from inexperienced. “I’ve been golfing since a little girl and it has always been a fun competitive sport for me,” she says. “This year was my first year playing on the women’s golf team as last year I played with my brothers on the men’s team.”

Schaefer shot an 80 on 18 holes, and qualified her for states. When asked what sets Schaefer apart from the rest, Andrews had one answer: “She’s very consistently good.

She’s played most of her life.”

One person who witnessed Schaefer’s journey is her sister, Class of 2017 PNHS alum Cam Schaefer.

“Over the years, it has been a true gift to witness both the personal and athletic growth my sister has achieved. Pride fills me to the brim when I think of how hard Kit has worked to compete at such a Design by Kylie Clifton

high level in the sport,” she says. Scahaefer has also witnessed her sister overcome adversity on the curse to improve her game. “One vivid memory I have of Kit playing golf is when she was on her 2nd or 3rd hole of the Boys State Tournament last year.

She pared the first two holes and then got to the third hole and double-bogied. Clearly she was disappointed... but she moved on and played some of the best golf I have seen her play,” she recounts.

“While I was watching ...I overheard two men who appeared to be coaches for another team bad-talking Kit’s game and also saying ‘why is there a girl out here?

Shouldn’t she be playing on the girls team?’ As it turned out, she scored lower than every single player on that coach’s team.”

In Kit Schaefer’s mind, becoming better at golf is purely due to repetition and mindset. “Stay focused, practice often, and make sure your mental game is good.

Always have fun even if you are playing bad and make sure the bad shots don’t get it your head during the round,” she says.

Schaefer played well this year, and hopes to continue succeeding before she graduates in 2020. She plans to pursue golf at the college level, and hopes a state title in her future can help that dream come true.

Sports 19

takes on controversy

By Snigda Narisetty Netflix has been producing original movies and shows left and right.

Most of them have been well accepted by the public, but a handful have been deeply criticized.

Insatiable, meaning an appetite or desire which is impossible to satisfy, is a relatively new Netflix Original which has sparked loads of controversy in

the past year. On the surface, the show is about a previously overweight teen, Patty Bladel (portrayed

by Debby Ryan), who is seeking revenge on her bullies now that she is skinny. The underlying focus of the show is Patty’s binge-eating disorder and how becoming skinny has not solved any of her problems. Despite the fact that the original intent of the

show was to set aside the stereotypes for body size in our society, it merely reinforces them. Patty was terribly bullied when she was overweight, but as soon as she loses it all, she became the center of attention at school, and every boy is after her. Even the camera focused on Bladel’s body at times, and it almost screamed that even the audience should be appreciating the character solely for her looks.

20 Entertainment

Another original show that was under fire for a while is Atypical, a coming-of-age comedy about a high school senior, who is on the autism spectrum, and his family. While Netflix tries to be inclusive to sensitive topics such

come under fire is the hit series On My Block, a teen comedy-drama centered around 4 inner-city teens growing up in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood. The popular show stirred up a controversy not

as eating disorders and mental disabilities, they evidently struggle with offensive stereotypes and misrepresentation. The main issue with this show was the lack of representation of autistic people. In a Teen Vogue Op-ed, Mickey Rowe, currently the first autistic actor to play a lead character who has autism, writes that he hoped that Atypical “would be able to offer a glimmer of representation,” but was let down with the lack of input of people who had autism both on and behind the screen. Other people like Alex Plank, founder of Wrong

through the content of the show, but rather due to a casting decision. On the show, one of the main characters, Olivia, is a girl of Mexican descent whose parents are deported. She is played by actress Ronni Hawk, which has drawn strong criticism due to Hawk being a non-Latina playing a Latina role. On top of this, Hawk has publicly expressed her support for Trump, causing further outcry as it was clear that her views did not align with the message of the show. Other celebrities such as Jenna Ortega, a Latina and former colleague of Hawk’s, expressed their disappointment with Netflix’s decision to cast her in the role. Amidst this controversy, Hawk’s character ended up being written out of

Planet, an online community for autistics, feel that the show could have portrayed the main character Sam, with better accuracy if the directors had asked a person with autism to help the actor, Keir Gilchrist, with learning the tendencies and common facial expressions of autistic people.

Finally, the last Netflix Original to

Design by Gabe Flota

the show, remaining only for the first season.

Portage Northern Light

One Direction may be making a come back

By Cerena Read

After a four-year hiatus, it seems the beloved boy band One Direction has been hinting at coming back together. In the past two months, all of the five boys have released a new single. This is solid evidence of their possible reunion in 2020, which has been confirmed in past interviews with Liam and Niall. Additionally, their last album before breaking up, Made in the A.M., was never toured. This gives even more reason to get back together and go on tour.

Lights Up - Harry Styles

Lights Up is very emotional. The video is beautifully made and fits well with the songs tone. This song was definitely a hit with his fans, it sticks with his theme from his album Harry Styles.

Kill My Mind - Louis Tomlinson

Louis’ voice isn’t very appealing in this song. The video is a bit boring but it does work nicely with the song itself.

Stack It Up - Liam Payne

The song is legit just about money, it makes Liam sound quite cocky. His voice sounds great though and it goes well with Boogie wit da Hoodie’s rap verse. The video has a lot going on, but goes well with the song.

Nice to Meet Ya - Niall Horan

From the start of the video it’s got some playful humor when Niall sticks his head out of the window and says “Well she’s not very good at this, she’s left her phone behind”. The song and video are cute and upbeat, and portrays Niall in that way.

Trampoline - SHAED & ZAYN

The two collaborated on this song and share the artist credits, Zayn is more of a background vocal. There is only a lyric video for the song with animated drawings.

The song is really good and popular on the radio.

November 2019

Design by Brianna Neuhouser

Entertainment 21

22 Entertainment

Design by A. J . Chambers

Portage Northern Light

September 2019

Design by Liam Fagan

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