December 2019

looking back on the memories of the last ten years while embracing the future p.12

1000 Idaho Ave. Portage, MI 49024

volume 50 issue 3

www.portagenorthernlight.com

Contents Staff Ed: Looking Forward

People of the Pack

Best of the Decade

The staff of the Northern Light share their hopes and expectations for their acheivements for the end of the next decade.

Dr. Houston, a favored substitute at Portage Northern, has gained even more appreciation during the recent sub shortage.

There are so many things that defined the culture of the 2010’s, find out what the top things in each category are.

07

Northern Dark: Airpods Pro The third installation of our satire column is about how Air Pods define people’s position in the heirarchy of life.

14

Special Olympics Junior Maxwell Zigterman, was diagnosed with Autism at a young age and has been a part of Special Olympics since he was 9 years old.

17

09

On the cover Photo by Kellie Miles

A celebration in honor of the end of the decade. Our photographer, Kellie Miles, and Editorin-Chiefs, Snigda Narisetty and Malcolm Gaynor put together a light box with the title, and went down to the band hallway to create this cover photograph.

News Staff Editorial

04-06 07

Opinion

08-11

Feature

12-15

Sports

16-19

Entertainment

20-22

02 Contents

20

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

Thank you to our sponsors and buisness partners!

Gabe Flota

Brenda Marsh and family

Kylie Clifton

Rathco Safety Supply

Creative Editor Feature Editor

Astrid Code News Editor

Arushi Mithal Opinion Editor

Cerena Read

Entertainment Editor

Liam Fagan Sports Editor

Brianna Neuhouser Digital Media Manager

Natalie Grinder

Assosciate Digital Media Manager

Abby Vanderberg Business Manager

Kellie Miles Photographer

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

Scan to follow!

September 2019

Jersey Giant Subs UTan Lafayette Creamery Y’Opa Portage YMCA Bookbug Dear readers...

Our staff is so excited to bring you the third edition of the PN Light!

This edition we decided to focus on the turn of the new decade. We feel this is a very significant occasion to all students at PN. In our staff ed, we wanted to look back on who we were throughout the 2010’s, and acknowledge who we are now.

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!

We have many talented new members of our Journalism 1 staff, who have already been publishing articles Design by Snigda Narisetty

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!

Sincerely, Cerena

About 03

Huskie Headlines Ark Services for Youth offers help for students in crisis

By Astrid Code

You may have seen in the announcements that the Ark Services for Youth is offering help at the Portage District Library. Even though the Ark is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week serving youth and their families in nine counties across southwest Michigan. The Ark helps youth and families who are in crisis become stable, develop strong and healthy relation-

ships, and develop positive, achievable goals for the future, and works with runaway and homeless youth in crisis.

“As counselors, we utilize this service when students need a respite from their situation or when they are no longer living at their home,” explained counselor Shari Smith. “Students need to feel safe and secure...they need to know that they have a roof over their

heads and food in their bellies...and when this isn’t happening at home for a variety of reasons, the Ark helps them during their crisis in the hopes of reunification with the family.” If you are in crisis (or know a youth ages 10-22 who is), please contact them at 269-381-9800 or at www.ccdok.org/ the-ark-shelter.

Forensics team prepares for new season

By Abigail VanderBerg

Forensics season is kicking off with the team the biggest team Portage Northern has had since 2016, comprising of 69 members participating in tournaments in their own event, presenting pieces chosen and cut in December. Many members from previous teams returned with year auditioned for many different events to November 21-22nd. The period between Thanksgiving break and holiday break, students met with their captains to choose pieces. January will continue as pieces are beginning to 04 News

be memorized and blocking, movement that goes with the piece, will be developed. Cecilia Weeks, head coach of forensics, says, “January is prep time. Pieces are chosen and students begin working on them. We have our Practice-a-thon on Jan 25th which is a full day of practicing and competing in team bonding events.” The very first tournament will be held at Grand Rapids Christian School on March 7th. More information about forensics and other events in the drama department can be found on pndrama.org.

Design by Astrid Code

Sophomore Kalolli Bhatt shows first year broadcasters the basics of cutting a script.

From left to right: Abbi Kelly, Sam Koffler and Levi Tucker. Photo by Kylie Clifton.

Portage Northern Light

Kalamazoo welcomes new mayor David Anderson

By Astrid Code

On November 11, David Anderson was sworn into office as the new mayor of Kalamazoo. Anderson received 5,879 votes (59%) compared to candidate David Benac’s 3,094 votes (31%) in the complete unofficial tallies posted by the Kalamazoo County Clerk’s office. Anderson replaced Kalamazoo’s longest-serving mayor Bobby Hopewell, who decided not to run for reelection after 12 years of service.

Hopewell endorsed Anderson and actively campaigned for him. “There’s

only a few mayors that are still around that understand the responsibility we have,” said Hopewell in a speech after Anderson’s victory in a video on WWMT, referring to Anderson as his friend, neighbor, and big brother.

“For fourteen years, twelve of those as mayor, I’ve had my good friend to help guide everything that I’ve been able to do with these amazing people. Tonight is about a leader who understands that this is about all of us.” He then passed the torch to Anderson, who made an

acceptance speech. “The theme of this campaign is building a Kalamazoo that leaves no one behind,” Anderson said. “And do it with kindness. We do not have kindness in this country right now. As an antidote to how things feel in the world right now, I intend, with every pore of my being, to do it with kindness. And I hope that we do that together because I think it’s so important.”

PN Drama presents She Kills Monsters for winter play

By Brianna Neuhouser

Portage Northern’s winter play, She Kills Monsters, opens on January 17th.

The cast and crew is made up of a total of about 50 students. The play follows two sisters through a Dungeons and Dragons campaign to teach the older sister about the younger sister’s life

and hardships. “I think this is a critical time to be highlighting the struggles that LGBTQI students face.” says Director Cece Weeks. “This play parallels reality and fantasy and that acts as a metaphor for our main character’s life.

There is the reality of being a 15 year

old lesbian and then there is the fantasy she gets to create as an escape.”

The show runs from January 17th to 26th at the new Portage North Middle School black box theater.

Scan Me! with your phone camera to read additional articles online (not Snapchat)

portagenorthernlight.com

December 2019

Design by Astrid Code

She Kills Monsters actors listen intently to sophomore Mia Pellegrini’s monologue as her leading character, Tilly Evans. Photo by Brianna Neuhouser.

News 05

PNHS Adopts SAVE, a New Program to Prevent School Violence

Subheader

By Gavin Stevens This school year, Portage Northern High School has adopted a new program to ensure school safety and provide its students with opportunities to apply their leadership skills by discussing and implementing proactive approaches to preventing school violence.

SAVE, as this program is called, stands for Students Against Violence Everywhere, and has been adopted in several schools across the country.

Lindsey Wangler, an english teacher at Portage Northern High School believes very fervently in these clubs.

“One consistent thing that we hear about the schools that have experienced an attack is that the student(s) who follow through with these attacks were isolated, bullied, or even just felt like an outsider,’’ Wangler explained.

“I think the more students follow an ideology of kindness and inclusion, the more likely we are to see prevention in our own halls.”

A SAVE Prom-

ise Club can stand alone or be integrated into other clubs whose mission it is to prevent any kind of violence and/or victimization--clubs such as SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving), civic clubs, or even Student Senate. Eve Bradley, a senior at Northern High School is one of the thousands of ambitious students who joined a SAVE club. “I decided to join the club because it revolves around making everyone feel included and supported at school, which has always been a goal of mine,” Bradley said. SAVE Promise Clubs allow students to apply their creative talents to finding ways to stop violence before it occurs. This organization was first formed after the devastating attack that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, where 20 children and 6 adults were brutally shot and killed by a school intruder.

The club was organized by administration. “I think the SAVE program is a great initiative intended to help improve the school

culture and make the overall school environment safer,” said assistant principal Nate Ledlow. “With this program, we can work collaboratively (student body and staff) towards building a more positive school culture at PNHS.” Seven students attended the first meeting, held in December. “Overall, I think this program focuses on the much more important issue of violence in schools, the mental health of students,’’ said S.A.V.E. member senior Hunter Smith. “Feeling like an outcast or being bullied can really take a toll on someone’s mental health and maybe even cause them to act out.” In joining, Smith and other students hope to create an inclusive school environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, and as acts of violence continue to dominate today’s news, more schools across the nation are sure to join in the SAVE efforts.

Students of SAVE club gather for a picture for their first club meeting, alongside assistant principal, Mrs. Kelly Hinga and Officer Brannon Pierman.

Photo courtesy of

06 News

Design by Cerena Read

Portage Northern Light

Katie Knight, Junior Ten years from now, I hope to be working abroad, in a United States Embassy.

Looking forward: What the Portage Northern Light staff would like to achieve by the end of the next decade.

By The Staff

Brianna Neuhouser, Senior I hope to be back at PN teaching English and journalism alongside the teachers that Natalie Grinder, Gavin Stevens, changed my life.

Junior Sophomore In ten years I want to be In ten years, I will have gone working with animals in to WMU for about five one way or another, years and be enlisted in Cerena Read, Kylie Clifton, whether it’s a zoo the U.S.M.C..

Junior Junior keeper or a vet.

I want to be teachWhen I’m twenty-seven, ing highschool students in I definitely want to be done math, English, or art and with college, and on track also have a place and Malcolm Gaynor, Kellie Miles, to lead my own or possibly someone to Senior Junior someone else’s comshare it with.

I want to have graduated I hope to have my own pany. from Kenyon, and hopefully business in being a successI have a career in a field that ful photographer, alongside I enjoy and am starting my best friend, Connor Carrie Jacobson, Snigda Nariestty, to think about a Clark.

Sophomore Senior family!

I hope to have attended I hope to have finished either Colombia University my undergraduate and or New York University an graduate degree and be Melissah be working as a physical Astrid Code, completing my resiMorris-Adkins, therapst or in the art Sophomore dency after medical Junior department.

In ten years, I hope to school.

In ten years from how have gone to University of I want to have a steady job Michigan and have a career that has something to do in journalism or writwith writing or whateving. er I change my mind Liam Fagan, Arushi Mithal, Junior to.

Junior I hope to be an actor, either In ten years, I will be twenonstage in New York, or ty-six years old. I hope that living in California purKomalpreet Kaur, I will be working in the suing acting in the Senior biomedical sciences Abby Vanderberg, movies or on TV. In ten years, I hope to field.

Sophomore be a successful makeup artIn ten years, I’ll be twentyist and also be able to make five. Hopefully I’ll be workpositive chanes in the ing towards/in a career I field of psychology. love.

December September2019 2019

Design Designby bySnigda Gavin Narisetty Stevens

Staff Editorial Feature 07

Stop assuming everyone hates snow

By Astrid Code

It’s November. The first snow of the year falls in all its glory: big, fluffy flakes that cover the ground and coat the air with a soft silence.

I breathe in the crisp, cold air and bask in the beautiful stillness.

“It’s too early,” someone breaks the silence. “The first snow?

Already? I hate snow.” Suddenly, the snow-haters are everywhere: at school, at work, on the news. Even the weather reporter apologizes for the “horrible weather.” The effervescent joy is ruined.

Snow has gotten a bad reputation. Every year without fail, whenever it snows, all I hear is people complaining about how they hope the “bad weather” clears up.

Even the weather reporter, whose job is to deliver facts, has to offer their opinion and their assumption of my opinion about snow. Yet every time it is sunny and hot, people are overjoyed at the beautiful weather.

Why is warm and sunny assumed as the default “good weather”? What constitutes “good” or “bad” weather is entirely situational. Are you driving? Then yes, lots of snow or ice would be bad weather. Did you want to go ski-

December 2019

ing that weekend and it snowed a lot? Perfect weather. Most people assume that snow is bad weather because it can cause accidents and make it harder to drive, and indeed be deadly. However, according to the National Weather Service and NOAA, heat was the number one cause of weather-related deaths for the past 30 years on average, with 108 deaths in 2018 alone. Meanwhile, cold and winter-related deaths only average at around 32 and 27 per year respectively.

Another way that good or bad weather is situational is the normal climate of an area. In Michigan, snowy and cold weather is completely normal from the end of October to the beginning of April.

It is healthy for animals who expect it and the overall climate for snow to be regular during these months. Unfortunately, because of global warming, snow has become very irregular, with the polar vortex of last January and many other months of the winter left with very little snowfall. In Michigan, regular snow is just a reminder of a healthy climate, and the absence of snow is a cause for alarm, not celebration.

Finally, snow is beautiful and

Design by Arushi Mithal

fun. It creates the potential for skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. It is a creative dream: snow can be shaped and molded into anything, and many elaborate contests celebrate just that. Even if you stay inside, it makes everything warm and cozy, and even cancellations from school and work can give a chance to relax with friends and family and enjoy nature. The truth is, snow can be just as beautiful as a sunny summer day. Heat can be just as uncomfortable as the cold.

Going to the beach can be just as enjoyable as playing in the snow or skiing. It all depends on the type of person, and what they are expecting of the weather.

For me, just seeing the snow fills me with joy. But I’m not saying you need to share that opinion. I understand, it’s dangerous to drive in the snow. You may not like the cold. But let’s face it, snow is part of life in Michigan. So at least let the ones who enjoy snow do it in peace without getting constantly reminded by complaining people about how much they hate snow.

Believe me. We know.

Opinion 08

SATIRE

Congrats! You’re Broke Again!

By Liam Fagan

Whether you have AirPods, AirPods 2, or no AirPods at all, I’m sure that you, like me, are feeling rather broke this holiday season. It’s not because of how much money we have, or because of our mental health. It’s because of the newcomer to the headphones game: AirPods Pro. We have lost all status we once claimed to have because of these new headphones.

And why not? With active noise cancellation, audio transparency mode, water/sweat resistance, and an in-ear design with three sets of tips, these new pods are undoubtedly the peak status

symbol of the in-ear headphone game. Even Santa’s elves, with all of their magical powers and toymaking skills, are put to shame by the sheer perfection of these pods. Even if they had all year to try, those elves couldn’t hope to make something that comes even close to the utter beauty and sheer cool exuded by the AirPods Pro. It would be simply December 2019

impossible. They make all other headphones look like garbage.

No Raycon, Powerbeats, or any other headphones come close to the glory of the Apple AirPods Pro. I know I certainly feel broke as I walk down the halls with my ears empty, not listening to any sweet tunes. When I look around the halls, I see people w i t h the

ult i mate h e a d phones in their ears and I can’t help but envy them. They exude high status, and everyone around them pales in comparison to their sheer swag. So if anyone reading this is looking for gift ideas, or something to put on their wish list, look no further. Give the gift of status and superiority. Give the ability to walk around knowing that you are quite possibly the single coolest person to have ever existed. Give AirDesign by Gabe Flota

Pods Pro. And sure, they may be ridiculousl y ex-

pensive at about $250, but why not?

For the level of cool and swagger that udes those these c a l in, a to

e x from all that pop magiearbuds $250 is small price pay.

I would pay thousands of dollars to have these wonderful pieces of plastic. I would stop eating, drinking, going out, or having friends if I knew that in the end, those glorious Pods would be mine for the taking. But, don’t give them to me this year. Knowing Apple, they’ll soon be obsolete garbage. I’ll wait for the AirPods 3, thank you very much.

Opinion 09

By Arushi Mithal Road work ahead, uh yeah I-. Look at all those-. I don’t need a degree to be a-. If you can finish at least one of these sentences you must be familiar with the iconic app: Vine. As the popularity of the new app TikTok constantly grows, users gain a platform to earn fame and early success. But as the decade comes to an end, one can’t help but look back on the formerl y Tw i t t e r owned app called Vine, and there is reasoning to proclaim that Vine had a better impact on people’s lives than TikTok. Vine created so many trends and inside jokes that brought instant laughter and was a source of joy for this generation.

The app was launched on January 24, 2013 as a free app for iOS devices, followed by an android version introduced five months later. The purpose of the app was to cater to the incoming desire for fast, quick humour.

Viners were limited to creating 6.5 second videos, requiring top notch editing and quick thinking.

On January 17th, 2017, Vine officially shut down and popular Vine stars were forced to resort to providing content on other forms of social 10 Opinion

media such as Instagram or Youtube.

The death of the app brought great devastation for many active social media users. There are many reasons why Vine’s impact and legacy will never fade away.

There are a plethora of content creators that got their start to fame on Vine, such as David Dobrik, Rudy Mancuso, Liza Koshy, and more.

Vine helped these influencers gain fame in order to be recognized as things such as comedians, actors, or musical artists.

It is quite diffi-

cult to start a career in the entertainment world and Vine was a way for uprising influencers to gain a following of some kind.

Vine encouraged normal people from around the world to express their Design by Gabe Flota

creativity and uniqueness by posting these short videos on the app. It gave people a chance to make connections with others, and provided enjoyment to millions of viewers from various backgrounds.

It was a temporary escape from the stress and apprehension that took over young people’s lives. According to Statista, in 2014, “Vine had more than 40M registered users” and on average “5 vines were tweeted every second.” In addition, according to DMR Business statistics, as of 2015, there were over one billion vine loops played daily. These statistics show that Vine had a sizable impact on people’s lives and added just a little bit of brightness to a world filled with cyber negativity.

Instead of an addiction, Vine was a great social media site which excited and intrigued users on a daily basis.

Even today, people quote famous Vines within their friend groups whereas TikTok trends are temporary and easy to forget about after some time passes. Although it is gone now, Vine remains a defining aspect of the early to mid 2010’s.

Portage Northern Light

By Snigda Narisetty The evolution from Vine to Musically to TikTok has been taxing and now Vine and Musically are long gone and are part of the 2010’s history. TikTok, however, is going to be social media’s future, the app of the 2020’s.

It is already the most downloaded app on the iOS app store and is on its way to making it to the top in Android play stores.

This app, which is a remodel of Musically, has been entertaining teens and adults alike all over the world.

It has become a go to app to create funny videos and post them on the internet. However, unlike the popular app Vine, TikTok allows users to interact with others from all over the world. “You can duet videos and make the original video. People can use audios the others have created and make a meme about it,” says Junior Derek Halloran.

“The community is very open with other groups and vine didn’t have that as much in my opinion.”

The TikTok addiction has hit fast and hard. So many teens who first downloaded the app as a joke have been sucked into the entrancingly hilarious videos that endlessly play on the ‘for you’ page. “Honestly...there is an addiction to TikTok in high schoolers,” says junior Matthew Doan, “...but I feel like it is a stress reliever. In a long week of school work, tests and projects it’s nice to be able to go on your phone to watch videos to pull yourself from everything temporarily.”

December 2019

TikTok is not only a way for students to relieve their stress by distracting themselves, but it is a way for them to express their creativity. One of the biggest obsessions about the app is the chance to become ‘TikTok famous’. Teens all over the country are making videos on top of videos with the hope of making it onto the ‘for you’ page which will allow users all over the world to view

your video and interact

w it h it.

Halloran, has actually become very popular over the past few weeks.

With 168.5 k followers and 6.0 million likes, Halloran’s TikTok fame has been an interesting experience for him. “When I first started doing TikTok all I did was dancing stuff, I think Design by Gabe Flota

I stared with like 30 followers, then I made some videos that could have hurt me badly and that got me going,” Just as Vine started the careers of so many social media influencers such as Brent Rivera and David Dobrik, freshman Chloe Clarke-Philipp says, “I think it [TikTok] has the potential to give careers.”

The phrase ‘Tik Tok boys’ has become very popular over the last few months and there are so many other groups that form the diverse community of TikTok. “There’s so many groups that use the app, people all around the world make videos and share with others, and there aren’t very many social media platforms that really do that,” says Halloran.

“Nowadays TikTok is being referred to almost everywhere at school and this comes to show that the future of social media is always changing,” says senior David Le. Not only has TikTok become a part of students personal lives but it is also being incorporated into their school lives. In an article by the New York Times, it was revealed that a school in Winter Garden, Florida, West Orange High School has a TikTok club. Senior Aliza Garcia also says, “Some schools make projects that the objective is to make a TikTok. There is a lot that can be learnt from the app.”

The future is TikTok and although Vine played a big role in defining the last ten years, TikTok will have a bigger one defining the next decade.

Opinion 11

Farewell to the decade: looking back on the memories of the last ten years while embracing the future.

By Kylie Clifton, Arushi Mithal, and Komalpreet Kaur

Decade is ending

clowns were actually chasing people down. Either way, the kids of this decade can definitely agree that the last ten years have shaped them in one way or another.

Students born in the late 2000s were the last group to be able to experience and actually remember the rollercoaster the 2010s were. This group of students essentially grew up within the last ten years, with most completing some elementary school, middle school, high school, and going into the first years of college. Looking back ten years ago, these students would remember a completely different version of themselves, a kid. Now as they view themselves and their accomplishments, they are adults ready for the opportunities of the next decade. Senior Trinity Dalton says, “If I were to have seen myself ten years ago I would not have thought to change into the person I am today; I have changed both personality wise and interests, but that’s a good thing to me.” Growing up came with new interests and several events that shaped Dalton and her peers to be the way that they are. She also said, “I think a lot of other people likely feel the same, we looked through our old Instagram bios and Facebook pages, and we talked and laughed about how

People from far and wide of all different backgrounds press in close. They wait with bated breath as the thousands of lights flare. Ryan Seacrest’s voice rings out across Times Square and television screens across the globe.

As the crowd shouts “3...2...1...Happy New Year!” and Jenny McCarthy kisses a random man in the crowd, within moments a new year has begun, but these moments aren’t ringing in the new year, but a new decade. No one knows what to expect from this decade and what it will entail, but many hope that the 2020’s will somehow promise a new, exciting adventure.

Lives are changing From 2010 up till this point, the lives of students have changed in drastic ways, positively and negatively. For most students, the last ten years have had some pivotal points for the way that they have grown up. For some, the most memorable part of the decade would be the fact that they got to experience some of the best technological advancements of the decade.

For others, it could be chilling memories, like Halloween in 2016 when

2010

The first iPad was released by Apple, it was a turning point in household technology.

12 Feature

2011

The first royal wedding in over a decade, between Prince William, and Kate Middleton happened.

2012

The first Avengers movie was released this year after Iron Man’s immense success.

Design by Snigda Narisetty

much we’ve grown.”

Having grown up significantly within a single decade, students also feel that this decade created the generation of empowerment. One of the monumental changes in these students’ lives was the use of their voice and increasing empowerment to fight for what they believe. One of the significant examples being 16-year-old Activist Greta Thunberg and her fight for a cleaner planet. Even in terms of students at Portage Northern, they can agree that changes that are being voiced now, are essential for generations to come. Senior David Le said, “This decade has molded me into the way that I am and the way that I think, I believe this decade is the beginning of change for many things. These changes our generation has voiced will be remembered by future generations.” Furthermore, Senior Trinity Dalton agrees, “We are an objective generation, we speak what we believe in like our protest of gun violence and global warming.”

Defining the decade But what words should one use to summarize this decade? There is sim ply so much that happened, ranging

2013

House of Cards, the first Netflix original was released, popularizing ‘Netflix binge cultue’.

2014

The ‘selfie’ rose to fame after Ellen DeGeneres and others took one at the 2014 Academy Awards.

Portage Northern Light

from the rise of iconic artists such as Ariana Grande to life changing movies like Zootopia.

For example, Dalton says, “I thinkwe will remember our mad obsession over Tik Tok, and I think we will remember where we started like shows like Wizards of Waverly Place to Thirteen Reasons Why. From our obsessions over crazy bracelets to scrunchies, and from weird music to music like Boogie wit da Hoodie.” Junior Grace Park says, “A lot of good things have happened, but so did a lot of bad things, including disagreements about global warming, the build of the wall, countless school shootings, and clowns who had chased people which we will never forget.”

But there is no doubt that technology played a huge role in what characterized this decade. “The rise of social media has defined this decade because now everybody has social media” says junior Lola Winn. Dalton explains, “While other generations curse us out for being on our phone all the time we can find comfort within watching the funny videos or finding relatable memes.”

The popularity of social media has certainly grown immensely over the years. Senior Sonam Raghubanshi says, “Now people are on social media all the time, whenever something is trending online, it starts to come into our lives, like AirPods”. She elaborates, “We make social media a physical part of our lives and our decisions as we

2015

2015 was a big year for the LGBTQ+ community since gay marriage was legalized on June 26th, 2015.

December 2019

2016

try to adapt what’s on social media toselves instead of being okay with the way we already live our lives.”

Through constantly developing social media platforms, extravagant strides in pop culture, in with the new and out with the old, the 2010’s have been an extremely memorable decade which will be difficult to say good-

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

bye to. English teacher Scott Crocker, who has been teaching long enough at Portage Northern to witness these changes, says, “I think PNHS has adapted well to our ever-changing society. We constantly look at ourselves and assess what we stand for, and we embrace that uniqueness.” All of these recent events in pop culture, politics, and more have all worked together to

The Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. It was the first time it was held in South America.

2017

As women across the world started coming forward with their stories, the #METOO movement gained fame.

leave an exclusive legacy that we call the 2010’s.

What’s in store

It’s a brand new decade, a new start with a fresh coat of paint. With unanswered questions regarding the future, it’s crucial to look to what came before. Only two years into the 2010’s, the Mayan calendar rocked the world with fear of the end. According to National Geographic, “It’s true that the so-called long-count calendar—which spans roughly 5,125 years reaches the end of a cycle on December 21, 2012.”

Of course, the world still stands today, but this phenomenon inspired fear driven reckless behavior. As well as the Britney Spears single “Till the World Ends.” Aside from the world nearly ending, thirty years after the release of the second “Back to the Future” film.

Leaving people’s minds flooded with nostalgia on aforementioned holiday “Back to the Future Day” October 21st 2015. As for the 2020’s many things are left unanswered. The decade will start off with a Presidential Election, leaving an institutional impact on the 2020’s.

Decade upon us The ball has dropped, the confetti has been blown, and a new decade is on the horizon. Three thousand, six hundred and fifty days are in store.

Each one filled with a new adventure and new promise for the 2020’s.

2018

Facebook, fell into a huge scandal when it was revealed they took and sold the data of millions of users.

Design by Snigda Narisetty

2019

The news about the ollege admissions scandal, including actress Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, broke.

Feature 13

Shortage of subs: Dr. Houston s impact

Junior Corss Hartsell (left) is being guided by Houston (right) on his missing work. Photo by Kylie Clifton.

Efforts recognized: Dr. Houston (left) cares for the PN student body, recognizing their brave efforts and individual path. Dorah Stephens (right) is the recipient of that very recogniztion: the 2019 Dr. Houston Award. Photo Courtesy of Cameron Myers.

While Mrs. Meyer has fallen ill, Houston prepares the class with an episode of Undercover Boss. Photo by Kylie Clifton.

14 Feature

“A man who cares for his students and tries to show each student they have the potential to do anything they want in this world. They way he treats people is the way I want to treat people. He has made a huge impact on my life,” says senior Hannah Thomas Perez. “I don’t know what I would do without him!”

Thomas Perez describes a person who is not just a pivotal influence in her life, but a mainstay in PN culture: Dr. Jim Houston.

Houston serves the school in many different capacities, including Empowered Club co-leader, Black History Month helper, DECA helper, IB exam assistant, and substitute teacher.

“He’s an incredible sub. He connects well with the students, he’s extremely knowledgeable, he’s just a great addition to this building, when I see him he smiles at everyone,” says business teacher Jeanine Patterson.

Houston’s impact reaches beyond the classroom when it comes to his passion for empowering students of color to succeed.“He always has such a great spirit in the morning and helps lead conversation during empowerment club meetings,” says sophomore Dra’Noscha Jett. “We met through me being in the BHMA but ever since he has been so much of a help. Last year when I considered dropping for the assembly because of insecurities, he helped me pushed through.”

Thomas-Perez reflects on the first time she met Houston. “I met Dr. Houston freshman year and ever since then I have always looked forward to seeing him in the hallways. I always recommend to freshmen to talk to him and get to know him because he is truly so wise and will help with any-

Design by Kylie Clifton

thing,” she says.

Houston recalls how he came to be a Huskie: “I came to Portage Northern about ten years ago at the urging of a friend (Mrs. Nott) who was teaching at Northern at the time. I was subbing at most of the high schools in Kalamazoo County, and at the urging of Mrs. Nott, I came and substituted at Northern,” he remembers. “I liked it here!”

A decade later, Houston is still needed at Portage, especially now.

Amidst a shortage of substitute teachers in Portage, impactful substitute teachers like Houston are in greater need. “The shortage this year at PN seems to be more prevalent than last year,” explains administrative assistant Kim Loiselle. “Many jobs will sit open in the system and never get picked up, potentially leaving classes without adequate coverage, thus meaningful learning and student success is compromised.” Houston fills this need regularly, subbing every day that he is able.

“The greatest impact for me has been the increased requests for days to substitute. I like to substitute as much as I can,” says Houston. “I am busy subbing during the months of January through May, which is when IB, AP, SAT, and ACT exams are given.” This creates a conflict for Houston, because he loves to help with those assessments in any way that he can, usually calming students’ nerves before testing.

Whatever capacity he is serving in, one thing is for certain: Houston is changing students’ lives for the better.

“I feel like we have the best substitutes here at Portage Northern. It’s subs like Dr. Houston who make me forget we have a shortage in the first place,” says Thomas Perez.

Portage Northern Light

Possible impeachment of President Trump

2 2 President Trump’s election and his Presidency has sparked much debate over the course of his term. There have been many claims of alleged collusion between the Trump Administration and Russia during his campaign.

This was later investigated and addressed in the Mueller Report. On September 24th, House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, launched an impeachment inquiry.

A complaint was filed on August 1st to the inspector general of the intelligence community after a July 25 call to the Ukrainain President, Volodymyr Zelensky. News outlet The Guardian says “Trump speaks on the p h o n e with Zelenskiy, reminding him that “the United States has been ver y, very good t o Ukraine” and then asking for a “f a v o r ”’ in their timeline article. The favor being to launch investigations into Joe Biden, a Democratic Candidate for the upcoming 2020 election. This sparked concern for “the whistleblower”.

In October through December, impeachment inquiry hearing are taking place, and there are mixed feelings

and the effects on the

Election

By Abby VanderBerg

about the hearings. Freshman James Asher, share his own views on the topic. “His words are borderline, illegal.” he continues, “However, there is not sufficient evidence to correlate the connection between the halt of aid and the Biden Inves-

2020 election. “I think that with all of this impeachment stuff, Donald Trump will be re-elected,’’ says sophomore Mason Milks. In December, there were 15 candidates running for the Democratic nomination, where there were only three running for the Republic nomination. In the past, presidents have gotten reelected for their second term when the economy was thriving. For the past 12 years, the United States has staved off an economic recession. Like a ticking time bomb, a recession is bound to happen. This will impact the election and the future President’s administration.

Overall, President Trump’s possible impeachment may affect his campaign and how the 2020 election goes. There are many factors in the upcoming race, such as the economic status, but the Impeachment trials are the most important. They will affect his ability to run, and may damage his credibility if he isn’t impeached, making it harder to run a campaign in the 2020 Presidential Election.

e l i m p e a c h e d c t i o n 2 0 2 0 tigation, therefore it is not an impeachable offence”. Each day, witnesses are called up to the stand to determine whether this is an impeachable offense. Amber Dixon, a Social Studies teacher at Portage Northern simply says, “All sides must be investigated and heard to inform the public before full decisions are reached make the best decisions”.

According to USA To d a y, “A n N P R / PBS/Marist poll this week showed that 49% of respondents approve of the impeachment inquiry, while 46% do not approve”. A majority of people see this as a necessary action, gaining public favor Trump’s possible impeachment will have quite the impact on the

As of 12/12/19, 47.4% of Americans support impeachment. (according to fivethirtyeight.com) 47.4% Support 45.6% Don’t Support

December 2019

Design by Gabe Flota

Opinion 15

By Malcolm Gaynor Huskie baseball coach Chris Andrews knows that in athletics, culture and success go hand in hand.

“Culture is the single most important thing for a team,” he said.

“Having a culture in which the team members play for each other is a huge factor to achieving success.

When players have a purpose that goes beyond their own selfish reasons great things tend to happen.”

And great things have happened.

Last season, the baseball team won its first state championship in school history. But the successes didn’t end on the baseball field. In the past two seasons, the football team secured the first two district championships in school history. A strong championship culture has been the driving force in the baseball and football team’s historic success.

“A positive culture is an absolute if any organization wishes to achieve what they are capable of achieving,” said head football coach Pete Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn has found a way to instill this positive culture the last two seasons. “Their ability to believe in the process down to its smallest detail and stay focused where their feet are chasing perfection relentlessly in everything they do,” Schermerhorn said, describing what made his district champion teams so special. “The results will take care of themselves.”

Senior Greg Lapetina plays linebacker and fullback on the football team, along with playing third base on the baseball field. Through his ex16 Sports

perience on both teams, he has seen the type of culture that has propelled both teams to championships.

“I think the biggest similarity between the football and baseball team was the brotherhood we had,” he said. “We all worked together and all wanted each other to succeed.”

For Lapetina, mental toughness is also a major part of developing this championship culture. This toughness has been built during intense football practices in both hot and cold weather conditions, along with during the daily routine of a mental conditioning program that the baseball team partakes in every day before practice.

“Coaching is also a big part of the success we’ve had because the coaches push us to be the best we can be every single day,” Lapetina said.

For Andrews, setting up a culture of success is his job, but it is up to the players to embrace it. “Highperforming teams are coach fed but player lead,” he said. “The coach provides the outline for what the team

M alc o

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m

Sp

it h

w

How strong team culture has powered the historic success of the Huskie baseball and football teams.

e ut

Championship Culture

ts min r o

wants to accomplish, but the players are the ones that make it happen.”

Junior pitcher Xander Morris agrees that it is up to the players to adopt the championship culture put in place by coaches. “The key parts to culture is everyone needs to buy in or believe that what is happening is for the better of them and the team,” he said. “Everyone needs to understand their role. When that happens the team runs smoother and unified as one tight knit family.”

This tight knit family exudes all of the characteristics that Andrews has worked hard to teach. “The biggest reason for a recent success is that our players play for each other, meaning they are selfless,” said Andrews.

“They have understood that the process is the most important thing to focus on. You need to show up every day and work your butt off because Success looks like a lot of hard work.

Last year‘s team understood these things and then put everything into action.”

The Huskie baseball team celebrates on the field after winning the 2019 state championship

Design by Malcolm Gaynor

Portage Northern Light

Maxwell Zigterman: runner, Special Olympics athlete, advocate

By Carrie Jacobson

While many athletes are prepar- community he can relate to and be a ing to participate in upcoming sports part of.” Hinga has been volunteering this winter, Junior Maxwell Zigterman with Area 16 for almost 9 years, and continues throughout the year, taking describes how, “as soon as I could see whatever opportunity he has to get the joy in the athletes eyes and smiles out and run both in school and in the on their faces, I was in hook, line and community, and even taking part in sinker!”

Special Olympics.

Throughout the years, Zigterman At a young age, Zigterman was has achieved many accomplishments diagnosed with Autism and told he as a runner, such as how his 5K time would be unable to do certain things started at over 35 minutes and is now other kids would, but he didn’t let down to 20 minutes. Along with that, that deter him. When talking about Zigterman’s ½ marathon time is now his inspirations, Zigterman says what sub 2 hours. In the future, Zigterman’s motivates him is, “that I get to be able ultimate goal is to run a few marathons to run cause doctors told me when I and qualify for the Boston Marathon, was little I was never gonna walk or do and his friends and family are all his anything I think of [...] it amazes me biggest supporters when it comes to every day that I can walk and go for a him reaching those goals. Justine Corrun every day.” da, Zigterman’s good friend and a PorZigterman became involved in tage Northern alumni, expresses how Special Olympics when he was just dedicated Zigterman is to running, 9 years old, participating in Area 16, and how he always, “gives it his all and and is now currently a part of both the then some. He pushes himself to be Northern Cross Country and Track better than his best! I think it’s awe& Field teams. Although the athleti- some how driven and focused he is cism is a big part of Zigterman’s drive when it comes to reaching his goals!” to run, he also says that, ”my biggest Zigterman isn’t just a Special Olyminspiration about running is that I go pics athlete: he is also an advocate for out in the community and meet other the organization. This winter, he will people that don’t know me.” be participating in the Polar Plunge, Not only is We could never be in this situation a Special Special OlymOlympics pics about years ago. When Max was young fundraising the activities they gave us a very different out- event. The offered, but come. We say a lot, but if only they Plunge is a as Zigtertradition for could see him now! man’s mother, Zigterman, -Gretchen Hinga Gretchen Hinand Hinga ga explains, proudly “Special Olympics is a community mentions how he, “has been the top for the families too. [...] participating athlete fundraiser for two years in with Special Olympics year round has a row,” and that “anyone who wants given Max an opportunity to be Max to join Max on a PN team, the Polar and come out of his shell— he has a Plunge is February 22nd at Bells.”

December 2019

Design by Melissah Morris-Adkins

Sports 17

On left, the PN Varsity Huskie football team storms the field in preparation to beat another team during the 2019 season. Photo courtesy of the PN Touchdown Club twitter. On right, Superfans Riley Shoemaker, Andre Walker, and Ben Geyer cheer on their peers while decked out for the Orange Out game. Photo courtesy of the PN Superfan twitter.

Brothers on and off the field

By Malcolm Gaynor

For senior Alex Walker, his last season of Huskie football reminded him of many childhood memories, especially with his brother, Andre, leading the superfans in their support of the team.

“We used to play together before he fell out of love with the game,” Alex said. “So having him up there took me back to when we both played together.”

The support of his brother is just one aspect of what makes the superfans so crucial for Alex and the rest of the football team. “At the end of the day coming out to a huge crowd of people with high energy has an entirely different feeling than just us on our own,” he said.

For Andre, leading the superfans was about more than just supporting his brother, even though that is a great plus. “I knew that being a leader was something I really wanted to do, regardless of my brother playing or not,” Andre said. “But, it was nice to

18 Sports

see him out there while I was cheering. It also gave me a reason to go out and support him since he claims that I ‘never come and watch him.’”

Leading the superfans isn’t the only thing Andre does to support his brother through football. “My brother is very forgetful and I’ve had to bring his football equipment to him multiple times before a game,” Andre said. “Football is just a normal part of my routine.”

Although they are so different, they each have each others backs, -Brecka Berth-Walker

Brecka Berth-Walker, Andre’s mom, has seen firsthand how the brothers support each other through their differing interests. “Although they are so different, they each have each others backs,” she said. “They are both very passionate, especially about PN football games. This year

Design by Brianna Neuhouser

I saw this amazing side of Andre where he’s so into it and has so much school support. He took it so seriously, he was involved in all of the dress up days, and he was real excited, so when we lost those couple of games he was I think almost as devastated as Alex.”

And this devastation also represents another way in which the brothers are different. “Alex is a little bit more reserved, and he wants to be left alone when he loses, you can’t talk to him, he won’t discuss it, you have to give him like two days to process before talking about what happened.”

Years after the two have played on the same team, Andre’s role with the superfans has once again connected the brothers through football. “Of course it’s not the same, but we both were doing whatever we could to support the football team to a win,” said Alex.

Portage Northern Light

The leaders of Huskie Country

By Brianna Neuhouser

The Friday night lights are The PN Cheer experiblurred by rain and the spec- ence extends well beyond the tators are wrapped in more football field. There are two layers than can be counted. separate seasons for many Morale is poor because atten- of the cheerleaders. There is dance is sparse on this rainy their sideline season, where night. But from the track students and parents see below the student section, them at football games, helpwith shining smiles and bare ing to lead the team to victory arms and legs, a cry of ‘Let’s and keep the crowds excited. go Huskies, let’s go!’ rises Then, from November to up from the varsity Huskie March, many Huskie cheercheerleaders. leaders move to the competiThe cheer team is an tive cheer season. Senior, and integral part of any football four year varsity starter, Madgame, whether it be varsity or die Blubaugh does both seaJV. The amount of time and sons of cheer and she says, “I passion required to keep mo- love the adrenaline and pasrale up at the end of a losing sion I feel on and off the mat.” game is a skill many When you re competwill want to keep into their adult lives. There ing, you have to know the is passion and hard cheers. Feel them inside of work in competitive cheerleading as well. your heart and love what “As someone who you re doing to really put does both cheers I feel all effort in. To win. To be the biggest difference the best. is the level of hard -Jazmin Horton you have to go. When you’re competing, you have to know the cheers. Feel Not everything in cheer them inside of your heart and is the perfect stunts students love what you’re doing to re- see at pep assemblies and at ally put all the effort into it. football games. Blubaugh, at To win. To be the best,” says the beginning of the compesenior Jazmin Horton. The tition season, was dropped team works diligently to performing a stunt and in meet this goal: “If anything consequence, she missed we push harder and train multiple days of school due harder than any other sport. to a concussion. The varsity But people don’t believe that. flier says “we were doing an Which is kind of a ‘step into extension sponge extension my shoes and try it then and and the second extension got then tell me it’s so easy’ type out of control. Accidents hapof thing,” she says. pen.” Cheerleading is one of

December 2019

the leading causes of injury in the United States and causes a high rate of emergency room visits.

While many students are used to seeing their cheer friends just on the sidelines of football games, these girls have so many othe r talents and have their own team to support.

Cheer Coach Rachel Prowse says, “I choose to be a cheer coach because I love the sport, the motivation and determination it brings out in athletes, and getting the opportunity to be able to coach some amazing kids song the way!”

The cheer team competed for the first time on December 13th at _location_, placing 3rd out of 20 teams. “It’s so cool to see all the other teams cheer!,” said sophomore A’Mya Newson.

They are in action next at Grandville on January 4th.

Senior Ver Nyshia Blackwell stands proud atop an extension at the Homecoming pep assembly, held by seniors Jazmin Horton and Alyssa Eidson. Photo by Brianna Neuhouser

Design by Brianna Neuhouser

Sports 19

Best of the Decade

By Natalie Grinder, Cerena Read and Melissa Morris-Adkins

Artists

Movies

#1: Taylor Swift

#1: Avengers: Endgame

Over the last decade, Swift has worked on changing her music genre and has produced so much new music. At the American Music Awards this year, Swift was also awarded the artist of the decade.

This movie was very anticipated by its fan base.

With an insane plot and heart-wrenching enddecade ing, it’s no doubt the best of the decade.

Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mentions

Ariana Grande Ed Sheeran Shawn Mendes

Hunger Games Fault in Our Stars Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Apps

Memes

#1:Vine

#1: SpongeBob

Vine was big when it came out in 2013. At the time of its release, it was a very popular app and also helped to kickstart some of the stars we know now.

There are many different SpongeBob memes; they’re relatable and people can’t get enough of them.

Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mentions

Instagram Snapchat Minecraft

Distracted boyfriend The dress Arthur’s fist

December 2019 20 Entertainment

Design Designby byKatie KatieKnight Knight

Portage Northern 20 Light Entertainment 21

Holiday Recipes Ready-made Treasures

Sugar Cookies

Honey Glazed Ham

Cinnamon Rolls

Home-baked Goodness French Toast Casserole You’ll Need: 1/2 cup real butter 12 slices white bread

1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon 5 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk

December 2019

Directions: 1. Melt butter and pour into a 9 by 13 baking pan 2. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together.

3. Whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla together.

4. Layer the bottom of the baking pan with half of the bread.

5. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar mix over the bread.

6. Layer the second half of bread on top.

7. Pour the egg mixture over all and then sprinkle the remaining brown sugar mix over top.

8. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

9. In the morning, cover the pan with foil and bake at 30 degrees for 30 minutes.

10. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes to brown the top.

11 Top with your favorite topping and serve.

Design by Katie Knight

Entertainment 21

22 Entertainment

Design by A. J . Chambers

Portage Northern Light

September 2019

Design by Malcolm Gaynor

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