October 2018

Huskie Highlights

BY CAMERON MYERS

New Orchestra Teacher:

At the start of this school year, Sean Brennan accepted the position as the new Orchestra teacher for the music department. “I really like Mr. Brennan because he’s willing to go the extra mile for us to make sure we are understanding how the system of orchestra will work” sophomore Mason Wice exclaimed. Brennan was born in Missouri, then moved to Michigan during his childhood, then attended Western Michigan University. After graduating from Western in 2013, he first went to grad school in Pittsburgh. After receiving his Masters, he taught at Battle Creek Lakeview in 2016, then Portage offered him the job of teaching at PNHS. “One of my favorite things about PNHS is that the communication through the Portage District is perfect for my new transition” said Brennan.

Clubs:

Portage Northern provides fun clubs and activities that are developed by students in your grades. One of the clubs is Interact Club helps others and promotes service to the Portage Community. In April, the club is hosting ‘Together for Tuleeni’, a week long fundraiser to help promote education of Tanzanian orphans.

Starting this year is International Club, where students help the foreign exchange students make a smoother transition into American culture. Senior Roxanne Brown explains her understanding of what activities they do in the club: “We get all the foreign exchange students together and pretty much do American things for each season, such as sledding, Thanksgiving, and Secret Santa.” These clubs meets every other month for one day, but there are no specific dates yet. Pay attention to the announcements for the lates information.

Homecoming:

This year, Portage Northern had it’s first homecoming on Home Turf and the Student Senate prepared our first ever parade. Haverhill Elementary donated floats for clubs and sports to decorate. The parade was successful, unfortunately the rainy weather caused less amount of supporters. After the parade, the football team won against Niles High School, with the score of 28-6. During half-time, the homecoming court walked out on the track, with senate announcing this year’s 2018-2019 homecoming winners. For the freshman: Zander Crooks and Isis Singleton, sophomores: Kyle McMaster and De’Shana Brown, juniors: Andre Walker and Gracie Poulson, seniors: Dante Chastine and Anna Rabe. “When my name was called, I was really embarrassed because I’m really shy and I thought other girls deserved it more than me,” The junior winner Poulson said.

“But I was really happy and felt heart warmth from my peers.”

Summer Trips:

During the summer of 2018, several different departments took a week trip to different parts of the world. The Spanish Department traveled through the cities of Spain, such as Madrid. “I decided to go to Spain is because I got to learn more about the culture hands on, including it helped build my language using real life situations,” said senior Lea Hodgson. In the Art Department, Sarah Nott and a couple volunteers visited Tokyo, Japan with other schools such as Loy Norrix and Mattawan, learning more about the artistic culture within the beautiful country. Lastly, the Music Department traveled throughout Ireland, performing classical music in churches, cathedrals, and castles. The department played music to show the love and learning the differences in music in each country.

To the left is the Spanish club students traveled to multiple cities in Spain, which were gone for a week and a half. The location of this photo is on the cliff of Toledo, overlooking the entire city, as the entire group takes one big picture. To the right are the Superfans, excited to be able to walk in the parade and show off their school spirit friday night. “I thought it was fun to represent the superfans and I think it should be a tradition that we keep but we need to expand it and make it more of an occasion next year,” said senior Zaid Ahmed. “For being the weather this year, I get why there weren’t that many.” Photos by Cameron Myers

DESIGN BY CAMERON MYERS

OCTOBER 31, 2018

3

two Huskies share their MOVING TO A NEW BEAT: how passion for music

BY ARUSHI MITHAL

The 2018-2019 school year started without a familiar face in the music department: band director Josh Bartz is taking an indefinite leave of absence while he works through significant neurological issues. However, that doesn’t mean the band is without leadership; stepping up into Bartz’ large shoes is assistant band director and North Middle School band director Melissa Holso.

The nature of the program has presented some challenges for Holso, but she has embraced them head on. “The program has been so successful because we delegate out facets to the marching show and the program at large to staff, students and volunteers. I have never had to be involved in the behind the scenes of making it work. Now in this new role, I am having to back track and identify the 5 steps that happened to make particular areas of the show come together,” she says. Holso now has a proper schedule that she follows in order for everything to work out according to plan. With the absence of Bartz, Holso looks at her role as band director with a determined, studious attitude.

While Holso is new in the lead role, she is well-loved by students. “Mrs. Holso loves teaching students especially who have a passion for playing instruments,” says freshman Abby Kamm.

Holso herself enjoys the Middle School-High School band connection: “I have a passion for teaching marching band and middle school students, especially beginning band. My job allows me to start at square one with opening the case of an instrument all the way to sitting on stage as they play their final concert at graduation,” she explains.

The marching band has welcomed Holso in her new role with open arms. “It’s really cool to be part of something so big, and it is very cool when everything is all put together,” says sophomore Lola Wynn.

Holso reciprocates the affection: “There are dozens of parents and incredible student leadership that keep the train moving forward. It truly takes a village and everyone involved is giving 110% to the process,” she says.

BY LEXI DOLL

February of senior Keegan Bach’s (aka KBeaZy) freshman year, rapper Future dropped his “EVOL” album and Bach instantly fell in love with music. Bach’s friend, Class of 2018 graduate Brendan Duffy, tried to convince him to make beats, but he wasn’t into it. That soon changed: “Over time, I started to pull all of my time into it, and I just became obsessed with trying to become good at making beats,” says Bach.

Bach grew a fan base bigger than what he could have ever imagined as a high school student: the 17-year-old producer has over 52,000 subscribers on Youtube and over 15,000 followers on Instagram.

Bach has produced hundreds of beats, but he is most proud of his collaboration with artist Chief Keef. The song is titled “I Need More,” and the drop date as one of the happiest moments of his life. “The hardest part of being a producer is not knowing whether or not the songs you produced will come out. I had to wait all the way until June for the song to drop. I found out 6 hours before it came out that I had made it on the project. I cried tears of joy for the first time that night,” he says.

One of Bach’s goals is to have a number one song.

“Until I go number one, I will never be satisfied, and even then, I will want to go number one again,” he says.

Bach also wants to potentially open a free music production school someday so those living in poverty can “change their lives with music.”

Bach has always stood by, “you can’t expect other people to believe in you if you don’t even believe in you.” He is always perfecting his beats and never accepts failure. “I think self-belief is the most powerful thing in the world,” he says.

Bach is currently working with an artist name Chiefer and is excited for everyone to hear his new music.

DESIGN BY MARGAUX GENDRE

4

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

YOU ARE ENOUGH a sign of hope when it comes to mental illness, suicide, drug addiction, etc..

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255

BY THE STAFF

We have created a society where, if you’re anything less than “perfect,” you’re not good enough.

The amount of people that wake up every morning feeling worthless or that they’d be better off dead is uncomfortably high, and that is a reality that extends to students, too. If you’ve ever felt like this, take heart: Tomorrow needs you.

Mental illness is something that tears down the lives of too many people. These illnesses carry discouragement and instability, causing people to shut out the people that mean the most to them, just because they don’t know how to handle what they are going through properly. It’s hard to see the good in life after all of that.

Seeking help is much harder than it’s thought to be, and instead of being taught to get help, we are taught to ignore the bullies, toughen up, or be gritty. We are expect-

ed to not rely on others for help, that you can only truly help yourself. Contrary to what we’re told, it is crucial that we advocate for ourselves, and that we also help others in their time of need. We need to go out of our way to spread kindness and let everyone know that they are wanted, and that the negative thoughts inside their heads can be silenced and aren’t in control.

Tomorrow needs you.

Depression is not just sadness; it is a feeling of being lost that can take over your entire life. It is not something you can choose, and mental illness is just as valid as a physical injury or illness. Without help, depression will only get worse, and thoughts of self harm or suicide can enter your mind because you have no other place to go. According to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, there

ILLUSTRATION BY HAILEE CLARK

OCTOBER 31, 2018

are 123 suicides per day. In 2015, around 500,000 people visited hospitals due to self harm. Boys die from suicide 3.53 times more than girls because society tells guys that being open about their feelings shows weakness, and that they must maintain their “macho” persona at all times. If you are struggling with depression or other kinds of mental illness, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is to look for a coping method that is healthy and works for you, and if you are feeling suicidal or feel like you may be a threat to your own health, it is imperative that you seek help. That is not something that you can or should have to face alone, and you have people that love and care for you.

Tomorrow needs you.

You are not your mental illness. Your inner demons and flaws do not define who

you are as a person. You are enough. You have a reason to stay. You have a purpose.

Even if you don’t feel like you are enough, it is important to know that you impact the lives of others more than you can ever know. You are worth so much more than what words can say about you, so much more than what people think about you. Don’t give in and don’t give up, you are worth way more than a name on a grave stone or a “RIP” hashtag on twitter. The struggles you endure don’t define you.

You are only still in high school. It gets better. No matter how much you are going through, taking your life simply isn’t worth it.

Find a passion, read a book, take a walk, paint something random. Stop existing and start living, because you deserve to.

Tomorrow needs you.

DESIGN BY KEEGAN TENNEY

5

The plastic straw debate is an argument that gained more steam in late summer this year. Many people who don’t want to ban plastic straws are seen as people who hate the environment, however there are so many reasons that plastic straws are necessary. There are certain disabilities, such as essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and innumerable other diseases that cause limited movement.

Having worked in an assisted living facility, there are times when the staff has no straws where the residents there have to attempt to drink their tomato juice or ginger ale and end up spilling all over themselves. It’s honestly sad to see and all that had to be done to fix it is have straws available to them.

It is a general idea that paper straws or reusable straws are another option, but on the flip side, Adam Merran, the CEO of PacknWood, a leader in eco friendly packaging, claims that paper straws will cost “about two and a half cents, compared with a half-cent for plastic straws.”Unfortunately, in this economy, many companies would rather spend less than save the world. Alternatively, for the restaurants purchasing straws, they can either purchase five hundred paper straws for $3.19 from WebstaurantStore. com, a restaurant supply company, or from the same company, they can purchase ten thousand plastic straws for $9.19. Using whole dollars (three and nine respectively), for six dollars more, restaurants can purchase nine thousand and five hundred more straws.

When companies have to spend more money on products, these products also have a price hike in the attempt to make the company break even in their pricing. The hike may not be much, but even the smallest amount will add up in the pockets of consumers.

The argument, however, has not stemmed from financial cost, but rather environmental cost. While plastic waste is a massive problem in the world’s oceans, much of this waste comes from plastic bags, plastic rings on bottles, plastic bottles, and all other sorts of plastic packaging. These things help no one, whereas straws can help the elderly, the disabled, and veterans. Using straws will also save consumer’s teeth from stains and the wearing away of enamel. If people really want to save the earth, start recycling, buy organic products, use reusable water bottles instead of straws, stop the plastic packaging.

Let the people who need straws use their straws. If perfectly able bodied people want to stop using straws, that’s perfectly valid. But don’t push a ban on these items that make so many other people’s lives easier.

6

Nobody wants to destroy their planet. Today the average life expectancy is 78-81 years, and many hope to leave a lasting change or to better the world. The unfortunate reality is that they’ve done far more than they care to realize when it comes to damaging the Earth.

According to the U.S National Park Service, a person’s use of plastic is in extreme amounts: “Americans use these disposable utensils at an average rate of 1.6 straws per person per day. Based on national averages, this equates to each person in the U.S. using about 38,000 straws between the ages of 5 and 65.” It doesn’t stop there, things such as plastic ware or plastic straws are one use only.

This means every time someone went to see a movie, went out to eat, went to a gas station, watched the game at a bar, went on vacation, they’ve likely used far more than a few of these tube shaped pollutants.

Marvin Stone patented the concept of straws in 1888, when a use of long tubes of varying metals was used among fermenting beverages. Why not stay true to the original intent on using precious metals in place of destructive plasticware? To put it into perspective, let’s say one night you go and treat yourself to a two hour movie, the movie only lasted two hours or less, but how long will your waste? The Independent explains, “Plastic straws are thought to take up to 500 years to decompose.” One might ask, “what does this all mean? Why should I care?” Everyday citizens should not only care about the wellbeing and future of their planet, but the health and safety of those in which they share their planet. According to GetGreenNow, the effect on the wildlife is detrimental, “Each year, 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from ingesting plastic.” To put the big picture into perspective, the world is using far to much disposable-use waste products. Plastic straws aren’t simply the smallest of the plasticware phenomenon, GetGreenNow expresses: “Plastic Straws are the 11th most found ocean trash in 2017.”

Certainly, an environmentally conscious individual might wonder if there is anything that can be done to at all adverse the epidemic of plastic waste. Fortunately not only is a movement forming among everyday citizens, but big offenders of said waste are taking action. According to BBC, “Starbucks will eliminate plastic straws from its stores worldwide by 2020 to reduce environmental plastic pollution.” The coffee retailer will phase out single-use straws from its more than 28,000 locations, cutting out an estimated 1bn straws each year. Nobody wants to destroy their planet, so perhaps think twice before using your next liquid vessel of waste.

DESIGN BY BRIANNA NEUHOUSER

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

Saved by the bag

Rumors surface regarding the right to carry a backpack

BY GABBIE BYERS

With the new school year ringing in, students fill the hallways with many different characteristics and attributes, but all being able to bond over the same circumstance: the joy that they still have their backpacks.

At the end of last year, rumors were spreading through the sea of students that the same no-backpack policy that plagues Central students would be enacted here, too. This brought a lot of different emotions, mostly anger and annoyance. Fortunately, this policy did not come true, and it’s allegedly up to teacher discretion as to whether or not backpacks are allowed.

The issue of whether or not to allow backpacks should never be on the table again. Most students rely so heavily on backpacks that they don’t even know where their locker is. “I don’t even know how to use my locker,” senior Gabe Fields says. One of the perks of moving up from middle school to high school is the privilege for students to bring their backpacks to each class and not have to go to their locker.

Teachers have their reasons for not wanting backpacks in classrooms. Science teacher Sarah Kozian has tripped over a bag and actually had an injury from doing so. “I would love for students to leave them in lockers, but its too far away for most students and it’s just not possible,” she says. Navigating a three-story school is already difficult enough, let alone trying to find time to go to a locker, which may or may not be on the way to a student’s next destination.

Clearly, the administration would not consider this new rule to punish, but to help protect, and specifically to help protect staff and students from guns.

Hypothetically, a student could keep anything in their backpack and no one would even know. The fear of school shootings is still alive and living deep within nearly every person attending a school. Eliminating backpacks might not help solve that risk, though: It doesn’t matter where we put our backpacks, if they are bringing a gun in then it doesn’t matter where they put it.

They can just as easily go grab a gun from their locker,” says senior Jalen Huntley. Backpacks haven’t even been a factor in many of the worst school shootings, and even when they were, backpacks haven’t been banned.

After their tragedy, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School didn’t pass a backpack ban, they required that all backpacks be clear: a compromise between safety and student needs. Whatever course administration takes on this topic in the future, one thing is for sure: incorporating student voice and working for that compromise will result in a policy that benefits everyone involved the most.

My culture is not your costume

How many are turning a blind eye to culturally offensive costumes

BY ANAI FREEMAN

The whole topic of cultural appropriation has spiraled to the forefront of our consciousness, but at Halloween everyone seems to turn a blind eye.

Culturally offensive costumes seem as if they are a norm today as they are plastered all over your local Spirit Halloween and other costume shops. On the night of Halloween, you get praised for your afro wig, sombrero, and “great Spanish accent,” meanwhile, everyday people of color are told to straighten their hair or ‘speak American.’

A hashtag slowly breaks mainstream media every year but then slowly diminishes.

“My Culture Isn’t A Costume” is the one on this topic, and as clear as that might sound, confusion still arises. The solution is, if you do not know what is deemed as “culturally offensive,” just ask! You cannot get mad at someone for trying to correct a problem and if you are not willing to help then the problem will never get fixed.

DESIGN BY ANAI FREEMAN

An average consumer spends $86.13 on Halloween candy, decorations and costumes according to CNN, yet all that money being spent on a “Native American” look alike-costume could be wasted when it’s deemed offensive.

Cultural appropriation, a word many know yet still find a “fashionable” way to reverse. The textbook definition is “the adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture.” From blackface to rude racial stereotypes, it seems as if people still refuse to get the message that at the end of the night they get to take off that “alternate persona,” yet the person from the actual culture represented lives with that same stereotype everyday.

OCTOBER 31, 2018

7

treatment

suicide

adderall

injection

rehab

relapse

marijuana

substance abuse

toxic

cocaine

drugs

dependence

opioid

death

overdose

harming

disease

heroin

emergency

health

ADDICTED

BY KOMALPREET KAUR AND SHEILA MWANDA

Nationally, 49% of teenagers report using some kind of drug recreationally. Teen drug overdose death rates for adolescents aged 15-19 declined through 2014, but then increased in 2015 and have been on the rise every year since. Most tragically, 80% of the teen deaths due to drug use were ruled as accidental. Why is recreational drug use so common, and what are the dangers?

OCTOBER 31, 2018

8

In 2017, more than 72,000 people have overdosed in the US alone

Behind the numbers A total of 49% of teenagers nationwide reporting some kind of recreational drug use is a significant number, but the severity of the outcomes of this drug use is far beyond what can be quantified numerically. No statistic can paint the picture of what drives a student to use serious drugs as a coping mechanism, or how many students use drugs simply because they are an increasingly important part of the social teenage landscape. In a survey of 200 Portage Northern students across all four grades, 35% of students reported that they or their friends use drugs recreationally, which, while less than the national average, is still notable. 63% of that same sample of students responded affirmatively to the question, “Do you think celebrity drug use influences high schoolers’ drug use?”

Freshman Faye Scott-Farnsworth said, “A lot of teenagers look up to celebrities, and so if celebrities are doing drugs, teens might think it’s cool to do too.” Junior Syed Daniyal agrees, saying, “Celebrities definitely have a massive influence on teenagers in anything they do, whether it be fashion or drugs. For example, rappers talk about things like ‘lean’ and ‘xans’, and that exposes teens to things they might have not known about.”

Also, 53% of surveyed PN teens indicated that they felt like high school drug use was “normal.” Sophomore Maya Daniels has a hypothesis as to why this is the case: “Even if you don’t use drugs, it feels like a lot of the people around you do because they’re always talking about it or posting about it on social media,” she says. Sophomore Cora Bigelow expands on her classmates’

9

survey responses: “Even though I would say it seems like a lot of people are doing it, I don’t think it should be something that is considered normal. Common and normal shouldn’t be the same thing, because if we think of it like that, more people will want to try it.”

While teenage recreational drug use seems to be becoming more common, the peer pressure to do so doesn’t appear to be a large factor, at least at Portage Northern: only 16% of the survey group indicated that they had ever been socially pressured to try drugs. “People seem to not care if you do it or not, it’s more of a personal choice for them,” senior McKenna Bugg explains.

Senior Kylee Ewert elaborated: “Everyone that I have ever known who used was really supportive in the decisions of others to use or not; it was something they did, but not something they needed others to do.”

It is imperative to compare how Portage Northern’s statistics measure up to county data. After reviewing data from the 2018 Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force Community Report, Northern’s survey respondents reported drinking at a rate which is 2.7 times higher than the county percentage for high schoolers, and they reported using marijuana at a rate that is 2.8 times higher than the county average.

A “minor mistake” One of the biggest issues is that many teens view drug use as a minor, repentable mistake, or not as a mistake at all. “I had been doing drugs for fun for a year before I hit rock bottom,” said a former Portage Northern student. “Just taking or doing ‘one’ [substance] keeps leading to the next, it’s not worth starting.”

Whether the substances are being used to cope with a person’s specific life situation or for fun, there comes a point where the high isn’t enough anymore, ambitions die, goals vanish, and the meaning of life becomes less clear. High school is a time for thriving and learning about the world and the opportunities in it; pills, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol might all seem like harmless and effective ways to ‘deal’ with issues like stress and anxiety now, but the problems at the heart of the issue only escalate later.

PACKAGE DESIGN BY KEEGAN TENNEY

“It’s like a sick trap laid by some puppet master” - A Portage Northern Graduate

“Many of my friends don’t have a reliable source, much less, a safe source to buy weed from” - Anonymous

200 Student Survey

100

Percent of Students

In a report published by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2015, 39% of high schoolers had reportedly used marijuana, 5% had used cocaine, and another 5% used prescription medication for non-medical purposes. A 2017 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse determined that 1 in 9 teenagers used prescription drugs non-medically in the last year. While many see these statistics as just numbers, behind each of these numbers is a person, each with a unique story, a different perspective, and an important message.

80

60 40 20

35% Students that recreationally use drugs

63%

53%

Believe that celebrities influence drug use

Believe that high school drug use is normal

16% Have been societally pressured

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

“A drug isn’t just a substance, it’s an entire community, with families, gangs, and violence at every corner” - Former PN graduate

The former PN student continued to explain her struggle to come back into the real world after trying to stay clean. “I missed so much school, didn’t get a job, and truly fell back in life, and truly stopped being able to relate to any of my peers. I still sit here and struggle during school because I truly don’t understand most of it because of those years that I was under the influence,” they reflected.

Getting trapped Many teens underestimate the complexity of a life involving drugs. “It’s like a sick trap laid by some puppet master,” said a Portage Northern graduate who has consistently struggled with addiction. “I’d give my everything to have the will to say no, but the cravings I have for those substances are worse than hunger.” Even when they wanted out, it wasn’t as easy as just not indulging the cravings or saying no when drugs were offered. “A drug isn’t just a substance, it’s an entire community, with families, gangs, and violence at every corner,” the graduate said. This web of negativity impacts every aspect of a user’s life: “I haven’t had a job for 2 years after trying my first hard drug and I still cannot muster up the motivation or overcome the anxiety to find a place to work.”

Choosing to deal In contrast to the previous users’ stories,

10

there is another perspective: the one of a dealer. The stereotype is that people deal drugs for the money, but this isn’t always the case.

“I distribute cannabis...[because]...many of my friends don’t have a reliable source, much less, a safe source to buy weed from,” a source who wished to remain anonymous said. Being a dealer is a dangerous lifestyle: “Getting stopped with a large amount of weed, or getting robbed,” are daily sources of anxiety for this person. In fact, there have been a few times when their fears have become a reality.

“I have been robbed multiple times, once at gunpoint,” they shared.

“Cannabis is a very misrepresented industry.. [it can be an] all natural alternative to so many conditions, but it’s shunned because of the way people like money over helping others. By selling, I can one by one show people what the effects are, the good ones, safely,” the dealer explained. The sale and distribution of cannabis is on the rise as it is decriminalized and even legalized in many parts of the nation as it may be used to treat several conditions, however if not prescribed, recreational use can go from helpful symptom relief to harmful dependency through misuse and overuse.

The deadly side effects Many students do not consider or underestimate the possible short and long term conse-

quences of drug use. In the immediate, there are both school and legal consequences. Page 40 in the Student Handbook details the consequences for illegal substance possession, drug intoxication, and alcohol intoxication in school, and all of these feature suspension and referral to the police as the disciplinary action for a first offense. For a second offense, the school can recommend expulsion, and they can also recommend expulsion for a first offense drug transfer/sale. As if these consequences weren’t enough, research shows that teens who use drugs recreationally now are exponentially more likely to abuse substances as adults.

From a health perspective, there are countless risks that come with recreational drug use.

The use of tobacco, cocaine, and marijuana all lead to cardiovascular (heart-related) problems, such as increased heart rate, the possibility of collapsed veins, and an irreversibly enlarged heart. Drugs such as heroin, marijuana and steroids all have negative effects on the respiratory and neurological systems, in addition to causing and making preexisting mental health problems worse. Drugs are especially devastating to the high school brain because the body’s neurological systems are still developing throughout adolescence.

However, long term health effects are not the worst consequence of drug use: death is. Ac-

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

cording to a study published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), “[teen drug use increased] from 1999 through 2007, and drug overdose death rates for adolescents aged 15-19 declined through 2014, but then increased in 2015.” This shows the upswing in drug overdose deaths as recreational drug use becomes more socially acceptable in teen social circles. Predominantly through the use of opioids, the number of teenage deaths due to overdose has continuously risen every year since then.

One of the most important parts of that statistic is that the NCHS goes on to report that 80% of the teen deaths due to drug use were ruled as accidental. One of the biggest risk factors for suicide is substance abuse: the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that, on average, 46% of suicide victims are either drunk or high at the time of their death. The statistic splits down the middle: 23% of suicide victims test positive for excessive amounts of alcohol, and 23% test positive for opiates.

Transformations Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers explain how accidental overdose deaths happen: “Illegal and illicit drugs, prescription or non-prescription medications and alcohol have one main thing in common: they trigger some sort of change in the normal function of the human body. When a person is in an altered state of mind, they can lose track

OCTOBER 31, 2018

of the amount of the substance they’ve already consumed.Too much of these substances can cause changes that are too great for the body to tolerate and can lead to loss of function in vital organs such as the lungs, heart and brain.

People affected by severe overdoses can very easily die from disrupted breathing, brain damage or other causes if they don’t receive emergency medical intervention.” Transformations emphasizes that the risk of accidental death by drug overdose only increases as teens grow more and more impassive to the dangers of drugs and more desensitized to the idea of using recreationally.

While many teens feel like recreational substances help them mask the pain or give them a relieving high, it can take years to recover what was lost over the years to substance abuse, and some things cannot be recovered. It’s important to seek help to help end substance abuse and addiction and to get the physical and emotional support required to treat the root cause of the turn to illegal substances in the first place.

Getting help The Portage community has many resources for helping teens with substance abuse issues. “There are treatment programs that that kids can go into, but that there’s also a lot of opportunities for help from your school, and

also from community organizations,” explains Prevention Works staff member Ashley Bergeon. Prevention Works is a community organization that provides teens and families with support groups and substance abuse resources.

They have four main programs including Too Good For Drugs and Too Good For Violence.

These evidence-based programs teach young people positive ways to cope with stress and other life situations instead of turning to substances. Participants are also taught to find an encouraging support system that reenforces low-risk choices, and they learn and practice substance resistance techniques. The main goal of all the Prevention Works programs is to teach people that there are other alternatives.

“The focus should be their personal values.

Values help us in all prevention messages and help us guide the choices that we make,” says Program Director Lola Amos.

Another resource the Kalamazoo Community has is Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health (SWMBH). The goal of SWMBH is to provide mental, emotional and developmental help to those who need it, in addition to providing support to those with struggling with substance abuse. For substance abuse treatment, they can be contacted at 800-781-0353, and the crisis hotline is 800-675-7148.

11

Llompart Babler: Senior Foreign Exchange Students Miguel From the Balearic Islands in Spain, Miguel Llompart Babler,

BY SNIGDA NARISETTY

With over 50 different languages spoken in schools across the district, Portage is already a very diverse learning community. This year, there are 11 foreign exchange students from 6 different countries adding to the mix of cultures and ethnicities at PNHS. Gemma Barker: Senior Gemma Barker is from Tauranga, New Zealand and came to the U.S. excited to spend the school year here. “I like it a lot [in the US]. I like trying new things,” she says. She came here on August 31st, right before school started, and she has already found that America is a place she will come to love. She is living with the Ernst family, and her host sister, Caroline Ernst, is a junior here at Portage Northern.

“She’s very outgoing, so I get to try a lot of new things with her and meet a lot of new people,” says Barker.

Lucia Bordes Segovia : Senior Lucia Bordes Segovia arrived in America on August 31st, just in time for school, from Alicante, Spain. She has been enjoying experiencing all the things that are different from Spain. “The high school and all the activities in which you can participate have stood out to me, they are so different from Spain,” says Segovia. She is especially looking forward to experiencing some of the American ‘traditions’ such as Prom. She also can’t wait to graduate.

Although at home she is an only child, she has two host siblings, one brother in 8th grade, and another sister in 10th grade. Her host sister, Caitin Sullivan, also attends Portage Northern.

12

Iga Gryn: Senior Iga Gryn, from Warsaw, Poland is absolutely in love with Michigan. “Michigan is a beautiful state,” she says, “There are so many trees and wild animals around my house in Portage…” One thing she doesn’t quite like about America is that people drive everywhere instead of enjoying the beauty of the nature on a walk. Gryn plans on spending her time in America wisely and making it one of the best years of her life.

She has a host brother, Sean Kellogg, who is a junior this year.

Her host family has actually had two other exchange students in the past, and are very open and interested in other cultures.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to stay with them as my host family because every day they make sure that my exchange experience is great, and it really is,” Gryn says.

another one of the Spanish exchange students, came to America on August 21st to meet his host family. Even though he misses his family, he has been enjoying his time in the US and thinks it is very pretty here. One thing he says he would want to do before he goes back home, is visit his brother who lives in Washington. His life in Spain is much different from life in Michigan. “In Spain, I live on a small island where there is not much to do,” he says, ”I have two brothers and as a tradition in the summer, we have huge parties every weekend.” Llompart Babler’s host family also took in another exchange student, Manuel Calleion Wortmann.

Ana Haurie Ustaran: Junior Ana Haurie Ustaran, another student from Spain, is from Sevilla. Unlike all the other exchange students, Haurie Ustaran is a junior. She will still graduate with the rest of the students at the end of the year, but with a different diploma. She is looking forward to celebrating Halloween and plans on dressing up as either a witch or superhero. “Two of my sisters who are in university now, were exchange students as well,” she says.

She misses her family a lot, and although is enjoying her time here, she can’t wait to see her family again. Due to her original host father’s job, Huarie Ustaran had to find a new host family after the first few weeks. Currently she is staying with Portage Northern Junior, Isabel Reid’s family. She finds her new family amazing, and is happy to be staying with them.

Isabel Fiol Roig: Senior Isabel Fiol Riog, from Mallorca, Spain came to the U.S. not knowing what to expect. Although she has only been here for a short time, she loves it. “It’s so different,” says Fiol Riog, “here you do not care what people think about you...all the people are so nice.” Back home, Isabel played volleyball, and her favorite part is the dynamic that she has with her teammates. She also loves the relationship she has with her family. Fiol Riog grew up with her two older brothers, parents, and her dog. She mostly misses her grandmother’s cooking as well as her family. Her host family, the Diggs, have two children, Hannah, a Junior at Kalamazoo Central, and Jackson, a freshman at PN.

Malin Rackles: Senior Malin Rackles is a senior exchange student from Berlin, Germany. She hopes to be able to go to Chicago before she leaves America. Back home, she has two siblings, a brother and a sister, and a dog. “I heard that a lot of people have problems with their host families,” she says, “But mine is so nice. I am very lucky.” She has one host sister, a freshman at Portage Northern, Emma Cavalli. Rackles and Cavalli get along very well, and Rackles often goes to her sister’s cross country meets. “I am so glad to have such a great friendship with Emma,” says Rackles.

Subaru Kumada: Senior Subaru Kumada is the only exchange student that is from Japan this year. He is from the capital city, Tokyo, and he likes how everything in America is so big, and that everyone is kind. “I don’t like that we can buy pistols or guns,” he says. He hopes to leave America having made many friends bonded with his host family. Kumadu has 2 host brothers who attend Kalamazoo Christian and two brothers back home.

Manuel Calleion Wortmann: Senior Also from Germany, Manuel Calleion Wortmann lived in Berlin with his family of 4. He really likes Portage Northern, but he doesn’t like how materialistic the people here can be. Wortmann’s mother is from Spain and his is dad from Germany, so he was raised bilingually. “I feel way more German,” says Calleion, “Just because all the traditions we practice and our way of life is more German than Spanish.”

Jens Lutjens: Junior Jens Lutjens is one of the three exchange students from Germany. He is from Leverkusen and has been having a great time experiencing the American lifestyle and thinks America has a lot to offer. “Everything [in the US] is pretty large and overwhelming at times,” he says. Lutjens says he misses being able to speak his native language with his large family of his parents and three siblings. Lutjens will also graduate like Ana Haurie Ustaran, with a different diploma.

DESIGN BY SNIGDA NARISETTY

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

Edouard Delorme: Senior Edouard Delorme is from the countryside of France, a town near Paris called Cauvigny.

His home is on the countryside and he has animals like chickens and cows living around his house, almost like a farm. Since he’s arrived here, Delorme has been enjoying himself to the fullest. “I love it in America, I prefer this kind of high school...in France it’s totally different,” says Delorme. He has a host brother, Ewan Tiongson, a Junior at Portage Northern, and loves the relationship he has with his host family because it is so similar to the one with his own family.

OCTOBER 31, 2018

13

The Twitter Problem

BY MALCOLM GAYNOR After a historic first half, Milwaukee Brewers’ relief pitcher Josh Hader made his first career all star game appearance on July 17th.

However, that wasn’t why he made headlines.

Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic tweets resurfaced from Hader’s teenage years, putting Hader in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Hader isn’t the only rising star whose online presence has created backlash. Tennys Sandgren, a tennis player formerly known by few because of his obscure name, gained recognition after shocking fifth ranked Dominic Thiem and ninth ranked Stan Wawrinka at the 2018 Australian Open. Similarly to Hader, Sandgren’s abrupt rise to stardom lead to increased social media scrutiny when old tweets revealed homophobic language and ties to right-wing conspiracy theories.

Laremy Tunsil, Trae Turner and Sean Newcomb are among a growing list of high-profile athletes burned by their hateful Twitter pasts.

Star athletes have a huge platform, and everything they do and say is displayed for the world to see. This harsh reality has the ability to paint athletes as both heroes and villains to those who will never truly know them. However, despite athlete’s platforms and attention, athletic prowess and fame does not correlate with being a good role model.

Today’s teens have again and again been warned about social media and the backlash just one negative comment can create.

However, other generations have not had the luxury of this warning. According to Statista, Twitter has grown in popularity by about 400% since Hader’s infamous tweets in 2011, and has grown 1000% since 2010, just a year before. In the years of Hader’s tweets, Twitter did not have the same power as it does today, where tweets arguably have more power than words. These facts do not justify the hateful language Hader, among other athletes, used.

However, it can help us understand how a person who tweeted using racist language was, according to the Washington Post, publicly supported by his teammates and even called “a great guy” by African-American teammate Lorenzo Cain.

But forgiving an athlete who has previously said, or rather Tweeted, racist, homophobic, and simply hateful things does not mean what was done is acceptable. Josh Hader’s life should not be ruined for what he tweeted as a 17 year old, but being young also does not excuse him. Any Portage Northern student would be held accountable for saying what Hader tweeted as a high schooler, so it is more than reasonable to hold him accountable.

For example, according to the student code of conduct, a PN student who was caught “making remarks that are overtly discriminatory” would face detention or suspension.

For an athlete, this would most likely result in missed practices at the very least, which often leads to missed game time per specific team rules. The only punishment Hader received for his offensive tweets was sensitivity training, which did not interfere with baseball. At minimum, professional athletes should be held equally accountable as high school students, which currently is not the case.

Athletes are simultaneously under the microscope and on a throne. But before an athlete is considered a role model or a hero, increased attention is necessary. Not all athletes are deserving of the praise they receive.

It is important that athletes and young people in general are careful. As veteran pitcher Jon Lester tweeted: “If you’re on Twitter, please spend the 5 minutes it takes to scrub your account of anything you wouldn’t want plastered next to your face on the front page of a newspaper. Better yet, don’t say stupid things in the first place. Too many young guys getting burned.”

S

M s i nut t r o e p

Wi th Malcolm

Brewer’s lefty Josh Hader is most known for his dominating slider, and his racist tweets as a teenager. (Photo courtesy of John Fisher/CSM/Zuma Press/ TNS)

DESIGN BY MALCOLM GAYNOR 14

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

Pictured above: (Left) Jared Riesgraf prepares to hit a ball; (Top right) Sophomore Alex Wooten, juniors Jackson Graham and Graham Holley, and senior Keegan Bach show off their medals; (Bottom right) The whole team poses for a photo. Photos courtesy of Jared Riesgraf.

BY LEXI DOLL

M

en’s tennis is on fire this year and they don’t plan on cooling down anytime soon. The team is currently undefeated after a win over Portage Central for the first time in school history. “We have never beaten PC in the history of our school, so beating them was super exciting,” says senior Keegan Bach. The team is in the top 6 of the state and won the Greater Kalamazoo tournament for the first time by sweeping all the single flights, they won by over 7 points.

The team is very close and it is going to be a hard goodbye for some seniors. “This being my

last season it feels pretty rough because I enjoy being able to hang out with people while doing something I enjoy,” says senior Jared Riesgraf.

Bach says, “It makes me sad to know that this is my last season. Our team is super close, so I will miss all my teammates and our coaches.”

Coach Lee Cornelius is proud of his young team and how they have developed throughout the season. “Half of our varsity team is new (to the team or school) this year. Many were strangers on the first day of practice. Building a competitive team is a process. It takes time, trust,

buying in and willingness to put self aside in order to become P.A.C.K. strong,” says Cornelius.

On Saturday September 29, the team competed in their conference championship, singles being at Mattawan and doubles competing at their home court of Portage Northern. Overall the team took 3rd and juniors Graham Holly and Jackson Graham and senior Bach won their flights. “The boys have embraced their roles and have entrusted me to be their coach. They listen, they respond and their sense of team is second to none. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?” says Cornelius.

DESIGN BY GABE FLOTA OCTOBER 31, 2018

15

Water polo team strives for success despite lack of recognition

BY JIMMIE COSBY

Portage Northern Muskies sophomore Rowan Compton (Pictured right) takes control of the match by striking the ball from his opponent’s attempted block. Photo from the Portage Muskies Water Polo Instagram Page.

What comes to mind when you think of a fall sport? Football? Maybe even soccer, but not water polo.

Water polo is a type of a sport like none other where players are throwing, swimming and treading water all at once. Water polo may not be the most well known sport; in fact, it is very underrated. Despite this, it is gaining a lot of popularity as it’s actually one of the fastest growing sports in the 21st century.

High school water polo is particularly growing: women’s water polo has grown about 8% since 2011 and men’s water polo has grown about

6% since 2011 as well.

During a water polo match, players work as a team by a putting the ball into the opposing team’s net, and then the goal is scored. Like many team sports, the object of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team, resulting in a win.

It’s not unusual to see high scoring games, with each team scoring over 20 goals each.

The team is a mix of students from Portage Central and Portage Northern high school. The crosstown rivalry could impact the team’s dynamic, but that hasn’t been the

case. “[The team dynamic] is okay,” says sophomore Rowan Compton (the player on the right), who really enjoys being a member of the team. “[Water polo] is a really good workout and fun at the same time,” he says. Junior Ewan Tiongson says the team dynamic is not split between sides of town, but between levels: “The JV players stick to themselves and all the varsity players stick to themselves,” he says.

When it comes to the mechanics of water polo, the sport involves four basic motions: players swim, throw, tread and block the ball from getting

into your goal. Water polo is considered very tiring, because players continuously tread water to stay up above water, and that takes a ton of energy, tires athletes quickly, and is a very good aerobic workout.

The varsity team is currently 3 and 4 on the season, with victories coming against Grandville once and Chelsea twice.“My favorite game of the season so far was against Grandville,” said junior Ewan Tiongson. “It was his favorite because it was their first game in the new pool”, and there’s no better way to celebrate a new win than in a brand new facility.

DESIGN BY KYLIE CLIFTON

16

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

Men’s soccer finishes strong

Huskies grow as a team leading up to the post season

BY JACKSON GRAHAM

Just over a year ago, Portage Northern unveiled their brand new soccer facility, Huskie Field. Northern had a spectacular 2016 season in the old stadium, even ranking top 10 in the state and making a good run at the district tournament, reaching the finals. Hopes were high for the upcoming season as the Huskies looked to continue their winning ways on the brand new field.

The Huskies finished the 2017 season with an 10-8-3 record, and although they finished with a winning record, the Huskies had hoped for a better debut season at Huskie Field.

The Huskies second year in Huskie Field went much better.

They have finished the season with a 12-7-1 record, including wins over Lakeshore and St. Joseph, who they lost to last year.

With things looking much better early this season, the question is: what caused such a rapid turnaround?

The team’s starting lineup features many returning players, including junior Jonah Pilnick who is playing his second full season on varsity. The majority of this year’s team has played together for a while and have built up great chemistry. Pilnick also credits the team’s recent success to their chemistry. “I believe that our team chemistry is better as many of the players have played with each other in the past. I think that this translates to the soccer field allowing us to work together” said Pilnick.

The team also features some newcomers on the varsity lineup.

Junior Christian Shaman also commented on the team’s growth and newfound ability to work together on the field. “The main difference between the two years is how we worked together as a team. This year, none of our players are selfish and we would all rather have a win for the team rather than a goal for ourselves.

The varsity team shows their newfound team chemistry as they warm up together before the game against. “My favorite part of the huddles is when we cheer our chant,” senior Jacob Shufelt said.

Junior centerback Michael Mattison shows off his ball handling skills against an opposing defender. Photo courtesy by huskiesoccer.com

When we play as a team we ultimately do better which is why we have been doing so good” said Shaman.

Even though some of these players are new to the varsity lineup, it is clear that the team spent the past year developing the chemistry that has lead to their recent success. The newcomers have had no problem fitting in and some have even joined the starting lineup. One of the more compelling stories of the new season is Henry Lewis, who is the only freshman who played on varsity for the entire season.

“As the only freshman who plays on the team, it is a true honor for me,” said Lewis. “I’m thrilled to be on the team and didn’t fully believe it when I saw my name on the roster at the beginning of the season. I look forward to every game and practice and am having a great time overall.”

Lewis has been welcomed to the team by the upperclassmen and talked about how they, along with the coaches have helped him adjust his game to the different style of play he has seen as a varsity player. “As a freshman, I’ve had to seriously adjust to playing against faster, stronger, and older teams. The style and speed of the game is so much quicker and it’s definitely harder than any other soccer I’ve played. But, with all my great teammates and coaches, I’ve gotten much better and am comfortable with my game,” he said.

After a promising start to the season, with several compelling stories and experiences already under their belt, the Huskies took 3rd place at the district tournament before a loss to Jackson to end the season. The season may be over, but the Huskies will take the many improvements made this season and use them to carry on their success in the future.

DESIGN BY CAMERON MYERS

17

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

BY SHEILA MWANDA The only thing about fall that beats the pretty leaves and the fresh apples is the plethora of new TV shows that premiere.

For the pilot edition of Sheila’s Showdown, we’re taking a look at two shows hot off the production line: “Manifest” and “A Million Little Things”.

The trailer for “A Million Little Things” (ABC) gave me a warm and homey feeling. Starring David Giuntoli, Lizzy Greene and Romany Malco, a family-like group of friends explore the meaning of life and friendship following the suicide of one of their friends. Based on the trailer, I got a “This is Us” (NBC) vibe, as the show follows several characters in order to tell one story.

As a fan of “This is Us,” I was curious to see how this family-centered show would be portrayed as I watched the trailer. However, the trailer did not establish a concrete plot that the show would follow for the rest of the season.

While the pilot of the show kept me engaged, it did have me a little confused. The episode introduces several characters, but does not do a good job of developing them well enough, thus making it hard to differ-

entiate between each of the characters. In addition to not building up the characters well, the episode did not establish a concrete setting for the show. Another thing that I disliked about the pilot is that it did not provide any new conflicts that built upon those introduced in the trailer. Pilot episode for new shows are always a hit or miss and this one was definitely a miss in my book.

So far in the show, I believe that ABC wanted their own equivalent to NBC’s “This Is Us”, which was not a smart move. “This Is Us” is already an established show and if “A Million Little Things” does find a spot at the Emmys, it will end up losing once it goes head-to-head with “This Is Us”. Because of this, and that the episode only had 5.07 million viewers, I do not see “A Million Little Things” being renewed for a second season.

“Manifest” is the second show I was excited for this TV season. Similar to “Lost” (ABC), it stars Jeff Rake and Matthew Fernandez. Five and a half years ago, a plane with over 100 passengers disappears with no evidence or explanation. After a dramatic turn of events,

these passengers finally return to their families, who presumed them dead. The passengers soon realize that while they’ve been gone for over five years, no time has passed for them. The plot of the show got me interested, and once I watched the trailer I was hooked! While I am not a fan of mysteries, the trailer kept me engaged and extremely invested. From the trailer, clear plots and conflicts that would be portrayed this season were shown.

After watching the pilot, I became even more invested in this show. While there are several characters that are introduced, the writers did a good job ensure that each character and their personalities shine throughout the episode. The pilot episode also introduced new conflicts and mysteries that left me demanding answers.

Based on the nature of the show, and the 10.7 million views it got on its premiere night, I predict that “Manifest” will air on TV for at least three seasons.

Weeks into the fall television season, we can clearly declare “Manifest” as the winner of this episode of Sheila’s Showdown.

DESIGN BY SHEILA MWANDA

18

PORTAGE NORTHERN HS

OCTOBER 31, 2018

19