The Crystal May 2017

may

lakeview high school • volume 80 • issue 5

• 2017 •

C

the rystal the

school safety- what now? pg. 3 • MSU coach trials pg. 5 • how not to prompose pg. 7 • Ryan Hopkins pg. 8 • a pet’s purpose pg. 12, 13 • DECA and YIG pg. 14 • running routes pg. 16 • healthy food facts and fiction pg. 18, 19 • dating in high school pg. 21 • upcycle pg. 22 •

2 NEWS

School safety- What now? pg. 3 Transgender bathroom pg. 4 Hallway smells pg. 4 Kids Coalition Against Hunger pg. 5 MSU trials pg. 5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Brothers Grimm pg. 6 How to (not) get a date pg. 7 Hastings jazz festival pg. 8 Ryan Hopkins pg. 8

FEATURE

Couples of the year pg. 9 Who inspires you? pg. 10, 11 A pet’s purpose pg. 12, 13 Club update pg. 14 Renn Faires pg. 14

Table of Contents SPORTS

Running routes pg. 16 Body image pg. 17 Healthy foods: fact, fiction pg. 18, 19

OPINION

Crystal Point: Value in the field pg. 20 Spirit week participation pg. 20 Pro/Con- Dating in high school pg. 21 Something old, something new pg. 22 Conservatism is back pg. 22 March Madness pg. 24 Cover Photo: by Emma Morey Anna Harrell walks her dog, Fluffy. Walking your dog has many health benefits (pg. 12, 13). It is far more fun when in a good location (pg. 16). Additionally, time outside in the spring can be beneficial in the classroom (pg. 20).

Letter from the Editor

sums it up very nicely in Because of Winn Dixie. “He was kind of limping like something was wrong with one of his legs. And I have to admit, he stunk. Bad. He was an ugly dog, but already, I loved him with all my heart.”

And if my family doesn’t love my dog, who will?

It goes with people, too. Sometimes, people stink.

On occasion, literally. More often, though, they stink figuratively. Humans can and will be repeatedly disrespectful to us when we show them nothing but kindness. Humans are limping around, completely unaware of their own annoying habits, obnoxious distancing and below average intelligence. They get scared and run off, leaving us clinging to the edge of a cliff wondering where our belayer went. By any normal measure of the word, they are unlovable.

My dog is not a nice dog. In fact, she’s actually pretty mean...don’t look at her wrong. Don’t try to pet her.

Don’t move too quickly. Yes, I know you’re a dog person. Just don’t. She’s an English Springer Spaniel, which means long, floppy ears prone to chronic infection. Basically, she reeks.

Not only is she not nice, she can be dangerous. She’s bitten countless people, sometimes unprovoked.

Mostly, she just gets nervous far too easily.

People have asked us why we don’t just put her down, and now with her graying face, failing hips and halfblind-and-deaf senses, it’s beginning to be difficult to see why we don’t. Why do we even love her? Then, she pushes that freckled nose into my hand, asking for a bite of my sandwich or rolls over asking for a bellyrub, and I lose all sense of reason (she can be a sweetheart when she wants to be...key: when she wants). Why don’t I put my dog down? Kate DiCamillo

Are you thinking of anybody yet?

Yet, not a single person on this planet can be let off the hook from being that person. We were all once stray dogs who were limping around, reeking of trash and feces, craving a bath, a warm bed and a full belly.

Maybe that is who you still are. I know I am to some people. But if we fail to take compassion, to take love, and open our hearts to the least of these, who will?

It takes a great deal of strength to love people who intentionally hurt you. It takes strength to forgive them and move on with your life. It takes strength to act like we minimally like people, when in reality it is painful to see them walk through the door.

Thankfully, we don’t love because they deserve it. We love because we were first loved. • Truth and mercy, Jessica Hughes, Editor-in-Chief

Crystal Staff Adviser: Jodi Darland Editor-in-Chief: Jessica Hughes Assistant Editor: Taryn Snyder News Editor: Haidyn Markos Feature Editor: Taylar Coyer A&E Editor: Autumn Babas Sports Editor: Jerry Haadsma Opinion Editor: C.J. Foster Photographers: Rose Bridges, Erin Kahn, Alyssia Peak, Emma Morey Reporters: Lacey Campbell Meredith Carpenter Taylor Church Olivia Crowley Lindsey Fisk Lauren Hawkins Karlie Kucharczyk Kailey Lemmons Shayna Lewis Lauren Portteus Mackenzie Ryder Sidney Schiller Elise Smith Abigail Yott Business Managers: Ava Cook, Mason Evans Administration: David Peterson - Superintendent Jeffrey Bohl - Principal Stacy Helmboldt - Assistant Principal Shannon Walker - Dean of Students Editorial policy: The Crystal is a self-funded student publication distributed free of charge to all Lakeview High School students and staff with a total press run of 500. The publication is an open forum for expression and a two-way communication for both the school and community. The editorin-chief and staff are solely responsible for the content. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of the staff or the administration of Lakeview High School.

The mission of The Crystal is as follows: to inform and entertain audiences of Lakeview High School and surrounding communities by providing diverse, relevant stories. The Crystal strives to remain objective, accurate and truthful while increasing school and community awareness of timely issues.

Businesses are encouraged to advertise in The Crystal when their ads adhere to the specified guidelines available in the publications room.

Members of The Crystal staff can be contacted by calling the publications room phone at 269-565-3731 or emailing at thecrystal@ lakeviewspartans.org.

To view The Crystal in full color, visit: issuu.com/thecrystalLHS

The Crystal is printed by: The Argus-Press Company 201 E. Exchange St. Owosso, MI 48867 The Crystal is a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. The 20042005, 2005-2006 and 2013-2014 Crystal won a MIPA Spartan award.

Lakeview High School 15060 Helmer Road South Battle Creek, Mich. 49015 269-565-3700 lakeviewspartans.org

N take two News 3

School safety: Wednesday, Feb. 1

A threat directed towards Lakeview was sent anonymously via Lakeview’s email system, warning the school would be These shot up if it was not threats weren’t canceled the next day. the only ones during Lakeview closed its the 2017-2018 school schools district wide on year.

Wednesday Feb. 1 in Back in November, order to assess the threat.

Lakeview closed its

doors due to a bomb threat.

“I’m really proud of the students and staff. How Lakeview handled the evacuation came off really well.”

Jeffrey Bohl, Lakeview High School principal

“We’ve been asking the question, what constitutes a creadible threat, and at that point when is evacuation necessary?”

Training: The BCPD Bomb Squad is FBI certified As reported by the FBI and ATF, approximately

95%

of all threats are hoaxes

Friday, Feb. 3 Two days after the threat on Feb. 1, a voicemail was left for the high school Thursday night, and was not heard by administrators No suspect until Friday morning after has been school began. High school and apprehended middle school students were for either then evacuated from the incident school and bussed to First Wesleyan Church where they could be picked up and taken home. • Written by Abigail Yott Reporter

4 News

Transgender Bathrooms Laws, Lawsuits, and Lawful Threats

Transgender bathrooms and the controversy surrounding them have been making headlines all year. This human rights debate has created a lot of tension and is creating strain between the government and some communities. The issue garnered new momentum roughly a month ago after freshly elected President Trump rescinded the rules on bathrooms for transgender students.

In the Boyertown Area School District student Joel Doe is suing his school. His claim is that their policy regarding bathroom usage for transgendered students has violated his right to privacy. Since the changes to Barack Obama’s rules took place, it is now being left up to each individual state to decide how to govern the usage of public bathrooms.

Other communities, like Oklahoma City, are split and refusing to compromise in much the same way. A small Oklahoma restaurant has been criticised for posting signs in their front window reading messages such as:

1960

Gender reassignment surgeries have been in practice since the 1960s and began at the Johns Hopkins University.

700,000

According to the Williams Institute over 700,000 adults identify as transgender

“We do not have a transgender bathroom.

So don’t be caught in the wrong one.”

Some locals have adopted a bury-their-head-in-the-sand logic. They advert their eyes and don’t cause a fuss because it doesn’t affect them directly. Others feel directly threatened, afraid of what consequences may face them because of their discomfort in the opposite gender’s bathroom.

Regardless of which side of the battle you find yourself standing on, it is easy to see that both sides are passionate and not particularly willing to compromise in their beliefs regarding the laws on the issue. Tensions are clearly building and many are in agreement that future legislation looming in the background could lead the nation to an eruption from either side. •

What’s that

smell?

Foul odors in Arbor Trail are not the concern students think they are.

There is nothing like coming to school early in the morning and getting hit with the smell in Arbor Trail. The smell is constantly there and is often times strong. Many students can feel turned away from school because of how bad it can be.

“I think the smell is awful and gives a very wrong impression to visitors here at the high school,” principal Jeffrey Bohl said.

The actual cause of the smell has not yet been identified. However the school board believes that the drain system is what is the cause of the smell.

When the water at the bottom of the drain system

dries up, it causes the smell to come up the pipes. The smell has shown up sporadically through the high school over the past 11 years, with some years being worse than others.

“I wish we could all walk around with pocket size Febreze and spray it when the smell gets worse throughout the day,” Bohl said.

Numerous contracting and plumbing companies have come into the school to identify the problem and figure out the best way to solve it.

The most frustrating part to the staff is the complaints of the smell. Custodians at

the school check the floor drains monthly to make sure the water has not dried up, but have now identified that may not be the problem.

“Fixing the problem would be the ideal thing, but because we are still unsure of the smell, the most we can do is try to air out the building to eliminate the odor,” Director of Operations Martin Pessetti said.

Students can rest assured they are not being exposed to raw sewage smell, and the school is focused on finding the cause of the smell and on curing it. The hope is that the smell will be cured and not a concern for the 2017-18 school year. •

Written by Shayna Lewis Reporter

Q:

How does the smell in Arbor Trail affect you?

A: A:

“The draining water in Arbor Trail makes me feel sad, I’m worried it’s going to get into the fibers of my 100 percent cotton sweaters,” social studies teacher Jake Zimmerman said.

“It fries the fibers of my nose hairs,” junior Aries Snyder said.

in the

Community

Fight

Uniting

a

May 2017 5 Against

Hunger

“The best part of today was being a part of the assembly line because you were with your friends, and you made mistakes but it was fun,” Key Club member sophomore Co Nguyen said.

Key Club collaborates with Kids Coalition Against Hunger and the community to package over 10,000 meals.

On March 25, 2017, members of the school and community came together with Kids Coalition Against Hunger, KCAH, with a goal of packaging 10,000 meals. Key Club has been fundraising for nearly two years for this event, as holding it costs $2800.

“Raising the funds to bring Kids Coalition Against Hunger was the most challenging part,” Key Club adviser Katie Newburn said.

Last year the club did not reach that amount and was unable to host the event.

With the help of grants, fundraising and donations they were able to raise enough to cover the cost of bringing the event that will ultimately feed hundreds of families in need. The majority of the money raised came from grants from the Battle Creek Community Foundation and the Key Club International Youth Opportunities Fund as well as a donation from the Lakeview-Urbandale Kiwanis Club.

“Our goal is to feed starving children and their families both locally and around the world,” KCAH director of Southwest Michigan Chuck Bailey said.

Of the meals packaged, one third are sent to third world countries such as Haiti.

Another third of the meals are disbursed to local food banks and school programs, while the last third are stored for disaster relief.

“Our current goal for the state of Michigan is to get over 8 million meals per year,” Bailey said.

With a goal of 10,000 meals in mind, the event at LHS exceeded expectations. Fiftythree volunteers packaged 10,022 meals within a span of two hours.

“Only god knows how many lives we’re actually saving today,” Bailey said. • Written by Elise Smith Reporter

Key Club adviser Katie Newburn worked with Kids Coalition Against Hunger director of Southwest Michigan Chuck Bailey to bring the event to Lakeview. “Our club goal was to package the 10,000 meals and give back to our community and have fun,” Newburn said.

DEVOTION TO THE CAUSE Key Club Treasurer senior Shawnia Valencia packages meals with Kids Coalition Against Hunger and volunteers from the community. The treasurer helped the club raise the $2800 needed to host the event that packaged 10, 022 meals. “The name of it just got me,” Valencia said. “ I was really determined in making this happen.”

“You’re helping your community and you’re helping people around the world,” Key Club President Jenessa Rivera said.

Visit the coalition’s website for more volunteer opportunities www.kidscoalitionagainsthunger.org

Michigan State University Balances Sexual Assault Allegations Michigan State University is well known for its athletic programs, but the integrity of those programs was put into question as multiple sexual assault allegations arose. One of MSU’s top sports doctors, Dr. Larry Nassar, has been faced with 25 charges of first degree criminal sexual assault of women all under age 18.

Former gymnasts and patients of his have come forward with allegations of Nassar assaulting them when he was treating them, resulting in at least 60 girls from USA Gymnastics, MSU Gymnastics and

Twistars gymnastics club. He was arrested by the FBI who found over 37,000 pictures and videos of child pornography, including one of himself assaulting young girls in a swimming pool.

In relation, the former women’s gymnastics coach at Michigan State University has been suspended on allegations of her advising multiple athletes who have come to her regarding Nassar’s assault not to report Nassar’s actions. Nassar is being held without bail and will be arraigned for the new charges.

Sources: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/larry_nassar_sex-abuse_case_up.html ,http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/02/17/nassar-trial-sex-sault/98047024/

UPDATE: According to Sommers Schwartz Blog, “In a letter dated March 2, 2017, Michigan State University Athletic Director Mark Hollis sent a letter to 2,900 current and former female student-athletes with instructions on how to contact the MSU police department if they were sexually assaulted by physician and trainer Larry Nassar.

For the full blog entry visit: www.sommerspc.com/ blog/2017/03/msu-letter-female-student-athletes-larry-nassar Written by Ava Cook Business Manager/ Reporter

A&E 6 Arts & Entertainment

Once upon a time

A modern twist on traditional tales

O

The bickering narrators (juniors Gwen Trautman and Ashlynn Hutchins) greet the audience and open the show.

The Devil (senior Nick Hileman), the Enchantress (senior Pravallika Chirumamilla), Rumpelstiltskin (sophomore Brendan Barnes) and Rapunzel’s mother (sophomore Kylie Ohrt) argue back and forth over Rapunzel (senior Alyssa DeNooyer).

“How many deals did you make?” Rapunzel said “Just three...” replied her mother.

Hansel (senior Caleb Robbins) and Gretel (junior Abbey Bailey) look for a way out of the evil witch’s house before they get eaten.

n March 16, 17, 18 and 19 the fairy tales took over Lakeview High School.

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon had taken weeks of preparation and was finally performed several times over the March weekend. The cast and crew came together to display their talents and dedication for the fairytale play with a twist.

The play was a mash-up of many different Brothers Grimm fairy tales such as Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and more. Each fairy tale had a diverse cast and a brand new modern version of its original. Every member of the cast had a special role in the performance. Each character worked to pull each scene to its full potential.

“Its really sad because this is my first and last show,” senior Pravallika Chirumamilla said.

“This was a lot of fun, and I really hope I can be a part of something like this again.”

Chirumamilla relives her experience as the Enchantress, the witch who took Rapunzel away and hid her in a tower, touching back on many happy experiences shared between her and the rest of the cast and crew.

“Its very emotional because I’ve grown around a lot of the same people,” senior Alyssa DeNooyer said. “High school theater is so different and more connected than in college, so I need to make the best of this last performance.”

As narrators, juniors Gwen Trautman and Ashlynn Hutchins energetically included the audience with chants to say throughout the play. Whether it was one part of the audience breathing heavily or the other yelling “Don’t go in there!” each audience member was included and in tune with every moment of the performance up until happily ever after. •

Written by Lauren Hawkins Reporter

“The frogs are talking... The frogs are talking...” the Princess (sophomore Taylor Lepird)

At the Talking Fish show with the Talking Fish (senior Josephine White) and the Host (senior Bryer Magnuson), senior Beth Murray (as herself) fights the Elf (junior Daniel Cooper).

Cinderella (sophomore Isabelle Hammond) argues with her evil stepmother (senior Athena Owens) and evil stepsisters (seniors Shelby Boggs and Cecilia Carmicheal).

“Can I come?” asked Cinderella.

“Of course you can... Not!” said her evil stepsister.

Little Red ( junior Eryn Everest) fights with the Wolf (junior Daniel Cooper) after he ate Little Red’s grandmother.

“We’ll make it there. Even though I can’t legally drive.”

the Devil (junior Myles Hoenes) Photos by Lauren Hawkins

Promposals

1 10

May 2017 7 With the end of the school year quickly approaching for the seniors, we need to start thinking about prom. What to wear, who to ask and, especially, how to ask them. If you’re struggling to come up with a fun and creative way to ask your person to prom, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s some of the BEST ways to ask someone to prom

by Taryn Snyder this season. • Written Assistant Editor

Make a sign It’s not bland. Black and white is super tasteful.

Ask them using a fun letter collage from old magazines

This super cute and creative way to ask your special someone is not at all creepy or serial killerlike. Leave this note in anyones locker and you’re sure to be considered crazy in love.

Deep fry everything Tape “prom” across your chest or back then fry yourself to a crisp.

Have someone ask for you Preferably your mom. or their mom. You can’t say no to moms.

They don’t allow it.

Have a lit promposal Pour some gas in their front yard to spell out prom then light it on fire.

There’s no need to even ask Tell them that you’re going to prom together then walk away before they have the chance to turn you down.

There’s no way you won’t get a date this way.

8 Arts & Entertainment Ignorance A sweet word, and brimmed with joy To not know the only impermeable form of happiness, save for knowledge’s sharp dagger The gift bestowed to all the new and the old and the stupid which must be destroyed For the rest, a goal achievable only by death or intoxication Knowledge An ugly word, containing only malice A spotlight on Ryan Hopkins That which provides the owner with contempt for the world’s Creative writing isn’t emphasized in English courses, but junior Ryan hypocrisies, thereby the world Hopkins finds a way to incorporate it into his everyday life. Hopkins’ The prison which prevents its captives from seeing anything but inspiration is driven by his personal emotions. He does not necessarily impending monotony Serving only to isolate its prisoners from those imprisoned by its write for people to see his work but to document how he is feeling in a therapeutic way. Hopkins, like the rest of us, suffers from being bogged antonym down or distracted by the challenges of everyday teenage life. His Ignorance solution? Writing.

Though still a person, disguised by its prisoners to be paradise “If you’re looking to write better, think better, or just for a new For only the ignorant and the dead may remain entirely aloof to hobby, it’s certainly something I’d recommend,” Hopkins said. the boredom inherent in life His favorite topic is human conditions. He is interested in their They slave away their lives, uncaring for the soulless nature if their growth in both emotions and aspirations. He also considers social topics work For they may achieve that green paper from it, the purpose of like conflict and mortality. existence “I find it fascinating how easily we allow our existence to be

a t a g ointin

P

poet

determined by seemingly random, aimless drives to achieve what amounts to nothing but a little more time to do whatever it is we do,” Hopkins said.

He credits his interest in creative writing to his eighth grade English teacher Teri Bussler, who encouraged him to explore new directions in Graphic by Rose Bridges writing. • Written by Kailey Lemmons Reporter

Knowledge Those unanswerable questions How is it not as terrifying to give our lives to capitalism as to murder?

At least with murder there is a fighting chance to overcome the attacker At least there is that final scream of resistance, final moment of adrenaline Ignorance How I miss you

Written by Jessica Hughes Editor-in-Chief

Lakeview students spend a day surrounded by a unique form of art

Hastings, Mich. was voted as one of the best small other talented artists also working on perfecting their towns in America, for good reason. Full of energy craft. and life, Hastings lies 45 minutes from Battle Creek, “When we get to Hastings, we can walk around the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids and hosts a variety of town,” Cook said. “There’s tons of stuff to do. There are small festivals throughout the year. One of these, the bands playing everywhere, there are restaurants open, Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival, is attended by and special things going on all around town.” multiple ensembles from Lakeview High School.

This is the first year that Lakeview has two jazz “This non-competitive “Instead of being in wind ensemble and instrumental ensembles festival puts education attending. Typically, they playing classical music in a classical perform sometime midand jazz promotion and music setting, it’s more laid back. It’s morning and enjoy their day appreciation at its core,” according the Arts Council in Hastings. just enjoyable.” website.

Lakeview’s jazz ensembles -Caleb Cook, senior This idea of education is meet twice a week in the exhibited throughout the festival. For instance, when evening to experience a music genre different than ensembles perform, they are watched and critiqued by they normally get. a professional who then works with the band on site.

“Jazz band is really a way for people to really “I think it helps us get more of a feel for the music express themselves and play different types of music that we’re playing,” senior and trumpet player Caleb than what they are normally used to playing,” Cook Cook. “It really helps us more with expression things said. “Instead of being in wind ensemble and playing more than technical things.” classical music in a classical music setting, it’s more To add, Lakeview students get to enjoy a day full of laid back. It’s just enjoyable.” •

May 2017 9

STATUS: In a relationship How long have you two been together?

e & am c a a P Gorh n A dly Bra

Three years

How did you meet?

They took the same classes since fifth grade and got to know each other more in sixth grade.

What do you think makes your relationship as strong as it is?

We are committed to each other and we don’t get bored of each other.

We take our relationship more serious than others.

We are opposite types of people, but we have a good balance.

CJ Fo ste Brean r & a Ben tz

How long have you been dating?

One year and three months

How did you meet and start dating?

Met in AP World History and sat next to each other.

What makes your relationship as strong as it is?

Commitment and unconditional value. No matter how the other person treats you, we always treat the other one really well and with a lot of respect.

How long have you been dating?

Nine months

How did you meet and start dating?

We met during her freshman year and my junior year in our weight training class.

What makes your relationship as strong as it is?

We have a lot of fun when we are together.

We balance each other out.

We are not afraid to go the extra mile for the other person.• Written by Haidyn Markos News Editor

y& e l ow ett r C rr a i v r Pe i l O ylo Ta os

P

t ho

by

a mm

y

re

Mo

E

*After surveying students, the surveyed portion of the Lakeview student body voted for these three couples as the cutest couples.*

F

10 Feature

Who Inspires

You?

Written by Karlie Kucharczyk Reporter

Written by Jerry Haadsma Sports Editor

We all have our reasons we wake up in the morning. For some, it may be school, work or even travel. Despite our possessive and boring lives, we all have that one person who we look up to. That one person who may not even know how much they mean to someone. An inspiration can be devised as a person, place or even thing. As teens, when it comes to our inspirations we are very self imposed as to what we love or do.

Having an inspiration is not only self imposed, but can sometimes be very personal. • Photo by Emma Morey

Tyler Grossman junior

Devotion to the stage

Q: Who Inspires you?

Andrew Troskey

Q: Why does Andrew inspire you?

He is interested in singing and acting, and he is a really good friend.

Q: Do you have any dreams based around Andrew?

I would like to go to Broadway, but I have to work really hard for that.

Q: What is one thing you would hope Andrew knows about you?

I hope he knows that I’m trying to get better at acting and singing.

Q: When did you meet Andrew?

I met Andrew freshman year in biology class.

Q: What is your best memory with Andrew?

I would say the cast parties. We have a lot of good times there.

Q: If you could go one place in the world with Andrew where would you go?

That’s a tough one. Probably go back to his house and hang out.

Right, junior Tyler Grossman poses with his inspiration, senior Andrew Troskey

Who else?

Gavyn White, sophomore. Inspiration: Dad Mitchell Turner, sophomore. Inspiration: Jake Zimmerman, social studies teacher.

Abbi Brown, sophomore. Inspiration: Mom Chloe Baum, sophomore. Inspiration: “Ranch, because I be dressin.’”

Brigitte Colquhoun, sophomore. Inspiration: “Alexis Warren. I like how she travels everywhere.”

Colin Johnson, senior. Inspiration: “Roberto Clemente because he based his life around helping people and we need more of that in our society today.”

Nettie Chane, junior. Inspiration: “Mrs. Mathis because she wants me to expand my artwork.”

May 2017 11

Autumn Dorsey

Nick Eckstein English teacher

Inspiration: Grandfather

freshman

Passion to educate

Q: Why does he inspire you?

He worked in education for 42 years. He also started the football, basketball and baseball programs at Pennfield. He sees students now who thank him for all he did and I see that as an inspiration.

Inspiration: Mom and Music

Desire to play

Q: Why are they your inspiration?

Music helps me express myself and tell my story. My mom inspires me to be stronger.

Q: When were you first intrigued by music?

Q: What do they inspire you to do?

Since I was four.

Q: How has he inspired you outside of teaching?

My favorite instrument is the piano.

Constantly making myself a better person.

Great Christian man. Family first, always. He did what was best for other people, especially in our family, before even considering himself.

Q: What was your best memory of this person?

Golfing. He’s 90 and still can beat me when we golf.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world with this person, where would you go?

Q: What is your favorite instrument?

Q: Is there anything you want to do because of your mom?

I would like to go to Africa to help children there.

Q: What has your mom done in Africa?

She hasn’t gone but she has always talked about how she wants to go and set up hospitals.

Q: How has music influenced you?

Music helps me feel calm and helps with internal problems. Music also helps if you’re angry, instead of taking it out on someone you can just listen to your music.

Q: Do you have any dreams based upon music?

Myrtle Beach. That’s where we did a lot of our golfing.

I want to be a concert pianist.

Q: Are there any values you’re committed to because of your mom?

Q: What do you think you have the most in common with this person?

My mom and I are Christian and that’s really engrained in my life.

Photo Courtesy Autumn Dorsey

Passion for helping others.

Photo Courtesy Nick Eckstein

Keegan Aimesbury sophomore

Like father like son

Freshman Autumn Dorsey plays her favorite instrument, the piano.

Photo Courtesy Keegan Aimesbury

Q: Who Inspires you?

My dad

Q: Why does your dad inspire you?

He inspires me by always makes sure I’m doing the right thing. He always pushes me to work my hardestand he knows at the end of the day how to make me feel good about myself.

Q: Is there anything you do because of your dad?

I always do my best in sports and outwork everybody on the court.

Q: Do you have any dreams based around your dad?

I would like to play sports in college.

Q: Are there any values you’re commited to because of your dad?

I am honest and trustworthy.

Q: What was your best memory with your dad?

Our best memory would probably be our long hikes in Zion National Park.

Q: What do you have most in common with your dad?

We both have short tempers.

12 Feature

ALWAYS THERE

Through thick and thin pets are always there by your side Pets can leave positive impacts on your life which makes them beneficial to have. They not only can cheer you up by licking your face or putting their paw on your lap, but they can teach you many lessons.

Junior Carina Molina has experienced this firsthand with her bunny Bella.

“She has taught me responsibility,” Molina said. “I take care of her poop that gets everywhere along with her hair. It is hard work, but definitely worth it.”

Taking care of a pet keeps you busy and gives you something to do. When having a pet of your own it gives you something to look forward to, especially when coming home and seeing their happy face.

It brings people joy to know they personally own one and have the privilege to have fun and play with them. They keep you entertained when you are bored whether this be tugging at your leg, running around or rolling on the ground.

“She is so energetic and she always wants to play,” Molina said. “She puts me in a good mood, especially when I throw her green ball around and she chases me.”

READY TO POUNCE Junior Carina Molina is all smiles with her bunny Bella. She is always entertained by throwing her green ball and watching him chase it.

“She always brings me joy from her playful personality,” Molina said.

When making relationships like this you become close to your pet and they become like a member of the family.

According to Humana, playing with your pet increases the levels of the feel-good chemicals serotonin and dopamine in your brain. You become attached to them and don’t want to leave them. Senior Jaleah Austin feels this way with her turtle Gus who has been in their family for as long as she can remember.

“He taught me how to love,” Austin said. “I had to care for him, feed him and keep him happy.”

One thing that animals always do is show love. They love unconditionally and this gives you the good sensation of knowing they care about you. They make your soul a little brighter by this.

“She brings me joy from her playful personality,” Austin said.

Pet’s are always around and they bring a sense of joy in your life and memories that you will forever hold onto.

FOREVER FRIENDS Senior Jaleah Austin holds Gus life long friend.

Her turtle is surprising fast unlike most turtles.

“Gus is the reason why my days are better,” Austin said.

Companion animals may improve heart health by lowering blood pressure

Written by Autumn Babas Arts and Entertainment Editor Written by Lauren Portteus Reporter

3 out of 5 people have a pet

May 2017 13

Reasons you should have a pet

SNACK TIME Junior Carina Molina’s bunny Bella snags a strawberry out of a cup. She eats these regularly as a snack.

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PICTURE PERFECT Sophomore Mel Coloma’s dog sits up straight for the camera. He always run’s over when he see’s Coloma and gives her slobbery wet kisses.

nimals bring a happiness into our lives. When relationships are formed we become close to them they make our lives more enjoyable.

Sophomore Mel Coloma has experienced this with her dog Princess.

“She is like my best friend,” Coloma said. “Even though she doesn’t understand me I vent to her and it helps me get my feelings out.”

Pets are the one source that you can always come to and they won’t judge you. According to a study published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology pet owners had greater self-esteem and were better able to bounce back from rejection. Pets are always there by your side and can sense your emotions.

1

LOOK OUT Junior Carina Molina’s cuddles her life long friend Bella.

They provide hours of entertainment

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They comfort you “She kisses me when I cry and cuddles with me at night,” Coloma said.

“She can tell when something is wrong.”

Along with sensing your emotions, pets comfort you in serious times of need and are always there to cheer you up and make you happier.

“She helps and supports me by putting her arms around me even though she doesn’t understand,” Coloma said.

Along with Coloma’s dog she also has many other pets including three piranhas, six tarantulas and two turtles.

She says that they make her life a little more entertaining and a lot more enjoyable. •

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They bring happiness to your life

They can sense a biological change in your body

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4 They are like a friend and part of the family

Most Common Pet Award:

RELAXING TIME Sophomore Mel Coloma takes a break and chills by her dog’s side on her bed. Princess always comforts her, especially when she needs someone to just vent to. “Even though she doesn’t understand me I vent to her and it helps me get my feelings out,” Coloma said.

DOGS

14 Feature

Find your future...

DECA

DECA is an organization of students that have an interest in business and compete at DECA competitions, at all different levels.

Senior Jaylyn Taylor is an active member of DECA who competes in a Start Up Business Plan event. In this event Taylor creates a product/service and he talks to a financial investor and tries to get the investor to partake in the investment.

“The people in DECA are a lot of fun to be with and you can also learn while having fun,” Taylor said. “Learning about business and DECA gives me a big opportunity that I wouldn't have if I wasn’t in DECA.” This year DECA traveled to KVCC for districts, Detroit for states and will travel to

YIG

Anaheim CA for nationals.

Senior Alexa Swalwell is a four year DECA member. Swalwell has traveled to Detroit, Nashville and this year Anaheim with DECA. “I recommend DECA to anyone who likes business or competition and people who are comfortable presenting in front of people,” Swalwell said.

DECA helps many students with their future plans.

“Now I know the aspects of the business world,” Swalwell said. “I want to go to college and graduate with a degree in Business Marketing and Advertising.”

If you would like to join DECA please see advisor Myra Bost.

Thou Shalt Attend Ren

Renaissance Faire, or as the cool kids call it Ren Faire, is usually held in the United States, and recreates a historical setting for the amusement of its guests. Depending on the fair, there will be costumes, settings and props relevant to the time period. For example if the era is medieval, there would be things such as castles, fire eating and sword fights.

Although these are national events, there are quite a few in Michigan cities such as Holly and Augusta. Lakeview students attend Ren Faires for a variety of reasons whether it be the excited feeling when observing and participating in a joust, or the simple appreciation of such a unique time period.

“I’ve seen someone actually get knocked out during combat. The guy hit him in the head thinking it wasn’t that hard but the vibrations from the impact went straight to his head and

Youth in Government, a mock government for the students in Michigan, includes all of the aspects of government.

As YIG members, students write a bill at home and get it approved by the advisors. After the bill is created the YIG members attend a mock government session where they try to get their bills passed through every aspect. If their bill gets passed, it actually gets sent to the governor.

Sophomore Catherine McDevitt was a part of the House of Representatives and she wrote a bill in Lansing, about organ donations. Her bill got passed in the committee but failed in the house.

“I recommend YIG to anyone who is passionate about a topic and is good at arguing the topic,”

Faire

knocked him out,” junior Tyler Rodriquez said.

Attending Ren Faire can not only be exhilarating, but bring out the appreciation of our modern day culture. Today many people may enjoy the benefits of electricity, running water, and free public education, but do not understand the journey that has been taken to reach this point. The journey taken to get to today is just as remarkable as what goes into making a Renaissance Faire successful.

“I was an actor and created a character to go along with a storyline. I spent 9a.m.- 10p.m. with a couple breaks interacting with people at the faire and making the place more realistic,” senior Elizabeth Murray said.

Costumes, shields and props have to be made by hand. Attendees and workers must pay for their own costumes and other entertainment they would like to contribute. On the upside

McDevitt said.

After traveling to Lansing for a bill about changing Columbus Day to Native Day, sophomore Cody Batterson came home with a new bill.

Thinking about the future many may want to go further their career in government. For Batterson, being in YIG will help with his hope of going into the government.

“YIG is a good experience to be a part of and you become more politically aware of the process,” Batterson said.

If anyone is interested in being a part of YIG, see advisors Jake Zimmerman or Leah Sleight for more information. • Written by Haidyn Markos News Editor

people get to share their skills and creativity with a large group of people with similar interests. Being in a place that allows people to be themselves has also been rewarding.

“The people you meet are amazing,” Murray said. “Working there and attending are two different things. While working you gain an appreciation for the people you meet. The highlight for me was when I talked to a little boy dressed as a pirate and his parents came up to me and said thank you because no one has ever gotten him to open up before I came.”

Renaissance Faire allows people of all ages to actively engage in history, enter a whole different world and find a place where they can be themselves and not the expectations society has. If you would like to attend a faire there is one in Holly, Mich., in August 2017. The date has not been confirmed yet. • Written by CJ Foster Opinion Editor

May 2017 15

 Accepting new patients  Massage therapy available  Conveniently located across

from Meijer on Helmer Road

Call 753-0302

To Schedule Your Appointment 15189 S. Helmer Road Battle Creek, MI 49015

S

16 Sports

Running Routes

Helmer Rd.

In Battle Creek

“Time to say goodbye to winter; the season used as an excuse for cooping up inside.

Time to say hello to spring; the chance to bloom.”

Written by Kenzie Ryder Reporter

1

School to Battle Creek Family YMCA “I love to run from here to the YMCA, because it’s down hill the whole way,” social studies teacher Dawn Goodman said.

Goodman used to run marathons with business teacher Myra Bost.

“The number of miles in the marathons I ran got me in shape,” Goodman said.

From school to the YMCA, the run is a total distance of approximately five miles.

Make your way down to 182 Capital Ave Northeast, Battle Creek, MI 49017. The YMCA offers sports such as soccer, basketball and baseball, more than 60 fitness classes, swimming lessons, family workout time and family swimming.

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2

Ott Biological Preserve Junior Logann Haluzska’s number one running spot is the Ott Biological Preserve. She enjoys running with her friends, sophomore Avery Truex, junior Taylor Watson, sophomore Hannah Lyon and senior Sarah Lyon. “[My favorite memory of a running route was when] a car almost hit a dog and I yelled at the car, then it stopped. We thought the car would cone back so we started running,” Haluzska said.

Located on Alrington Avenue, the preserve includes 300 acres of green and two lakes with rustic pathways. It is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m and offers free admission.

4

Linear Path Downtown

Neighboorhood Roads

Social studies teacher Jake Zimmerman’s top third running spot is the Linear Path Downtown. “I like running downtown by the river,” Zimmerman said.

His number one running zone is actually around Goguac Lake. The Linear Pathways offer 18 miles of paved pathway with wooded areas, open fields, parks and commercial areas.

If you’re into keeping your progress, marker posts let you measure the miles or kilometers you’ve traveled. The path is open from 5 a.m. to a half-hour after the sun sets.

If you’re also craving something good to eat, you can check out: Clara’s On The River, Schlotzsky’s, etc.

Sophomore Avery Truex usually runs in the neighborhoods near Gethings and Helmer. She enjoys running in the woods where there are grass-like features. “[A memory I will remember is] when I went on a run with Hannah Lyon and Taylor Watson. It was therapeutic,” Truex said.

A common area where runners go is 28th Street past Prairieview. During running season, Haluzska and Zimmerman run around Westlake. Sometimes, even the runners run indoors on the track upstairs in the gym when the weather is more than chilled. •

May 2017 17

Thank you to this month’s sponsor: Insurance Network Agency

Battle Creek

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Body image can have positive and negative effects

Body image is a concern for a lot of men and women in the United States. Many men and women feel that their body is not cut out for society’s standards.

According to Heart of Leadership, more than 90 percent of girls 15 to 17 years want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, with body ranking the highest, and up to 12 percent of teen boys are using unproven supplements and/or steroids. This is an ongoing problem that just keeps increasing.

Society is the biggest critic of physical appearance. Good looking people are, on magazines, on TV commercials, on social media and on billboards. It’s hard for men and women to be in love with their body when a magazine says that a tall, skinny, blond haired, blue eyed model is the definition of the “perfect body,” or when a TV commercial is advertising cologne and they get a tall, tan, buffed, sexy looking guy to stand on a beach and look “hot.”

Of course we all like to look at these

people, but in society not everyone looks like that. People come in all different shapes and sizes, some people hate it, and others love it.

“It’s pretty fun and cool being bigger. It makes you stand out in the crowd,” junior Cameron Wirtz said.

Others do not like the height that they are or the weight that they are.

“I hate being tall, because I get tall jokes all the time,” junior Karlie Champion said. “At Meijer, people ask me all the time to get things off the top shelf for them because they can’t reach it.”

The way you view yourself, can affect the way you feel about yourself through your whole life. If you don’t learn how to embrace who you are, and what you look like, you’ll never get to have the good and bad memories.

“Being this size pretty much my whole life has its advantages and disadvantages,” Wirtz said. “In middle school and high school I always got to start for football because of my size, but when I was 7 I couldn’t

Written by Meredith Carpenter Reporter

go on a little kids ride at Cedar Point because I was too tall.”

Body shaming is something that doesn’t start in high school or further into adulthood; kids in elementary school are being picked on daily about what they look like. Ac-

cording to statistic brain, 42 percent of girls first through third grade wish they were thinner.

Whatever size or shape you might look like, embrace it. Be you.

You only get one life to live. Live it to the fullest. •

80%

women who say the images of women in the media make them feel insecure

91%

women who are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting

43%

men are dissatisfied with their bodies

18 Sports

Healthier

Lifestyle

Dismantling healthy food fads, new sweet recipes and the most delicious and healthy superfoods of 2017.

Healthy Snack Recipes:

Spiced Pita Chips-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl. Add pita wedges and toss to coat.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until pita is brown and crisp.

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Protein Balls-

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Stir oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate, flax seeds and protein powder together in a bowl until evenly mixed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Scoop mixture into balls.

Keep cold until serving.

Written by Taylar Coyer Feature Editor

4

3

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, stir chickpeas in olive oil, make a mixture of salt, pepper, crushed red pepper and minced garlic. Then stir chickpeas in mixture. After mixing in the spices, put in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Asparagus- Saute with

oil in pan, add minced garlic into pan and place asparagus in. Once tender, add lemon juice and a little bit of salt and pepper.

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Cucumber and HummusSlice up half of a cucumber, choose your favorite hummus and enjoy! Cucumber is 90% water, so it also keeps you hyrated and full.

May 2017 19

10 Sweet Superfoods Eggs- They are low in calories 2. Tomato Sauce- Lycopene is 1.

3.

in most tomato sauces and it keeps your heart healthy

Prunes- Boost bone density 4. Walnuts- Has Omega 3 fats which help improve memory and coordination

5.

Brussel Sprouts- Prevent

cancer and detoxify your body

6.

7.

Apples- Reduce your risk of lung cancer Steel Cut Oats- Steel Cut Oats are less processed and keep you full longer, which means eating less

8.

Avocados- Have healthy fats

9.

Spinach- Includes a lot of

and help absorb other nutrients

vitamin K which helps reduce blood clotting and builds stronger bones - Loaded with 10. proteins, fiber and flavonoids.

Flavonoids help your arteries stay relaxed

Black Beans

Healthy Food Misconceptions Granola Most granola is cooked in oil/butter and fat, which has a lot of sugar. A half cup of Nature Valley’s Oats ‘n Honey granola is 210 calories.

Smoothies

Blending fruits in your smoothies cuts out the fiber, which is an unbalanced amount of sugar and fiber. Eating salad or pears/apples with skin on it will help maintain that healthy balance.

Granola Bars

Fiber One, Cliff and Luna Bars often have chocolate or yogurt coating which includes many chemicals and artifical sweetners.

Fiber One bars contains about 20 ingredients including corn syrup, sugar, food dyes and palm oils.

Coconut Oil

Typically, coconut oil is seen as a healthy alternative for any cooking oil, but in reality it has a significant amount more of saturated fats.

Reduced fat peanut butter Contains more sugars to make up for taste. Eat natural full-fat peanut butter as an alternative to maintain a healthy lifestyle. •

O

20 Opinion

Crystal Point One Staff, One Opinion: Educational value in field trips

For several decades, students have piled onto buses and traveled to a nearby museum, or historical place for an educational trip. However, recently, many schools no longer have field trips for their students.

Schools should have field trips because they are educationally rich and can teach students in a fun way that they will be able to remember for several weeks, or years, later.

Many schools no longer have field trips due to either the lack of funding, or teachers do not see the value in field trips. If students do not take school field trips seriously, field trips are pointless.

However, if students actually pay attention on their field trips, they can learn a lot about whatever topic that trip is on, and they can have fun while doing so.

The U.S. Travel Association conducted a survey with 400 adults, where half of the adults had taken a field trip in their youth.The study found that the adults who

went on field trips in their youth had 59 percent better grades, 95 percent higher graduation rates from high school and 12 percent higher income than the adults who had not taken a field trip when they were young.

Field trips connect lessons to the real world, and students are able to learn something that they normally would not in school. Learning should be fun, and enriching, which is exactly what field trips offer students, and many students are able to retain the information they have learned several weeks after the field trip.

Educationnext.org found that teachers who have more than 15 years of experience are more likely to see the value in field trips, and the educational opportunities, whereas less experienced teachers see field trips as more of a reward, or enjoyable trip.

Field trips provide less-advantaged students, who are less likely to have these experiences, with a chance to go on an

educationally rich field trip.

“Enriching field trips contribute to the development of students into civilized young men and women who possess more knowledge about art, have stronger critical-thinking skills, exhibit increased historical empathy, display higher levels of tolerance, and have a greater taste for consuming art and culture,” the researchers wrote in Education Next.

Students are not the only ones affected when they do not go on field trips.

Recently, museums have seen a decline in attendance. Because of this, most museums are creating more curriculum based exhibits, and are offering more guided tours to try and bring schools in.

Field trips do not have to be expensive to be educational. Trips to a local park, a fire station, doctor office, or many other places will be an inexpensive place to still have an educationally rich field trip that will benefit students. •

Show your Written by Abigail Yott Reporter

S

pirit Week at Lakeview consists of a full week of dress up days and two to three assemblies where students can participate in class games. At Lakeview, Spirit Week precedes Homecoming and Winter Formal. These activities are really important and beneficial for students at Lakeview. It allows them to engage and participate in festivities with their peers and go a little out of their comfort zone. Spirit Week provides students with a fun escape from all that stress of school, and students should just enjoy.

The points systems with class games and dress up days encourage friendly competition between grades and promote a sympathetic atmosphere, having a lasting effect.

Student government member sophomore Brendan Barnes is particularly passionate about students taking risks and showing their Spartan pride.

“The entire goal is to bring the school closer together,” Barnes said. “Just put yourself out there and have some fun.”

The idea of Spirit Week is that everyone else is doing it too. When participating in Spirit Week, you aren’t left out, rather brought even closer together with the school in its entirety.

“With Spirit Week, you are able to participate with friends and and have that sense of community,” Barnes said.

Thinking Spirit Week is unnecessary now might cause

Spirit some future regret all because getting involved in Spirit Week isn’t ‘cool.’ You cannot logically worry about being judged when the rest of the school is partaking in it too.

Spirit Week means more than wearing purple and white.

To me, Spirit Week gives me, and the rest of Lakeview, that much needed break from school and allows us to just enjoy the festivities. I’m able to get imaginative with the dress up days and get away from the everyday school routine.

Participation in Spirit Week is crucial for students, and the benefits far outweigh the opposition. Spirit Week allows for friendly competition between grades and with that a fun ambience, setting the tone for the rest of the school year.

Show off your creative side with the dress up days and most importantly become closer with fellow Spartans. With all of this in mind, I urge you: get out, have fun, and you won’t be able to regret it later in life.•

May 2017 21

PRO

Dating In High School

Written by Lacey Campbell Reporter

Imagine a world where you have a best friend to tell everything to. Where they will always only want what is best for you and will always be there to cheer you on. That is exactly what it is like to be in a high school relationship. When you are in a relationship with someone you are intimate with, you will become best friends.

Not to mention, if you want an identity check, just go get yourself an intimate relationship in high school. Nothing can help you find yourself better than getting to know someone else on an extremely deep level that no one else understands. This deeper connection can help you realise what you want in life. It can also help you realise who you want to be as you get older and what you are interested in.

On top of that, you will learn your major strengths and weaknesses.

You will never experience anything quite like a high school relationship once you are out of high school. This once in a lifetime experience truly teaches you so much. These experiences help with boundary settings. For example, you understand the appropriate way to behave and talk to a significant other and you get actual experience and understanding of how an intimate relationship should be.

Having a relationship in high school gives you a thorough understanding of what you want in a person and what qualities you look for in a significant other. This gives you a head start, rather than waiting until after high school to try and start looking for a real relationship, and having no real idea of what you enjoy in another person. Just like anything else, with no prior experience you will not know what you doing or what you are looking for.

According to Penn State University’s Science in our World and Controversy, over 90 percent of high school couples end up getting married. Being in a relationship and having the opportunity to grow with a person allows teens to become a more socially competent, experienced, and functional person. Growing together, getting this together time allows for you to meet a lot of new people. Meeting your significant other’s friends and having positive relationships with their friends allows you to do more of the things that the other person likes to do together and be able to extend your connections with new groups of people. Learning to do things with others.

Another reason that dating in highschool has positive impacts on teenagers is because it helps boost self esteem. Having a best friend who; is always there, watching you mature, and experience a lot of different change throughout your relationship, helps boost your self esteem in many ways. One example would be being the relationship all the other students look up to and thrive to be. From my past experience with relationships in high school, I have learned a lot and I believe it definitely has helped me mature and grow as a person.

So even if the relationship does not end in a happily ever after, it definitely helps shape you into the person you will become. One of the most important things I have learned in high school is that even if your relationship with someone is, a friendship or an intimate relationship, it is crucial to make those types of relationships to help you communicate later in your future.

CON

Written by Erin Kahn Reporter

There are seven billion people in the world and I can guarantee you that your soul mate does not attend Lakeview High School. Our society is deeply fixated on love and dating, we encourage relationships at a young age through media. Dating in high school has easily been one of the biggest stress producers in my life. I had a very steady boyfriend throughout my sophomore and junior year. When I say steady, I don’t mean we were functional. We just stayed together for two years, which is a pretty long time considering the average high school relationship at Lakeview High School lasts two months.

I also want it to be known that who I dated is a wonderful person but I want to stress the fact that sometimes wonderful people meet at the wrong time in life and we were just too young. Having such a close relationship with someone at that point in life is difficult. At 15 I didn’t know myself well enough, but I put so much time and effort into knowing someone else. A common reason why teens feel a relationship is necessary is due to loneliness.

It is extremely common among high schoolers to feel attention deprived. A survey conducted by pamf.org asked students “What issue about your mental health most concerns you?” the leading answer was ‘loneliness’ with 34.2 percent. Many high schoolers believe that they need validation from others to fill the gaps within themselves. Entering into a relationship with someone who is also struggling with common problems related to adolescence such as flaws with their integrity, honesty, and commitment make it even harder to have a lasting and fulfilling relationship.

Dating in high school has been shown to subject young men and women to physical and emotional abuse. Loveisrespect.org claims that “One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence”. Emotional immaturity in an adolescent relationship causes a much higher propensity for violence. Victims of abuse are more likely to substance abuse and eating disorders. “Among female victims of intimate partner violence, 94 percent of those age 16-19 and 70 percent of those age 20-24 were victimized by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend.” Girls and boys are far less likely to report violence within a relationship, for fear that the abuse could worsen.

If you really like someone what is so wrong with being their friend? Getting to know them intellectually creates a stronger bond than anything physical you could do. While dating might make you feel more mature, it has little purpose besides the preparation of marriage.

The reason behind dating is to find a partner in life. If you feel like you are unable to shoulder that responsibility as of now, then what is the point to dating? Why subject yourself to more possible heartbreak, when you could be using that time and energy on bettering yourself throughout high school. •

22 Opinion

Monetary Value

U

Environmental Effects

Second life

sed clothes are a hot topic now a days. Purchasing used clothes are beneficial for the earth, the community, and your wallet.

Second hand clothes can be bought locally at Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Plato’s Closet. These stores benefit the community by creating job opportunities in the Battle Creek area, and by decreasing the amount of waste that the community produces.

Prices of name brand clothes are skyrocketing. Used clothes are much cheaper than buying branded clothes fresh off the shelf. Stores that sell used clothes often carry name brand clothes.

For example, my family personally owns two Patagonia jackets that were purchased for $15, compared to the average price of $150 per Patagonia

jacket, at a goodwill store.

Not only are used clothes cheap, but they are in fashion. Websites like keep. com show used clothing that match the style of today’s clothing. Name brand clothes are not the only things on the shelf, there are plenty of things at thrift store that would be considered cute or in style.

The fashion world has slowly been harming the environment. Articles of clothing are often worn by one person for a certain period of time then thrown into a landfill. 193,000 tons of clothing end ups in a landfill every year. Clothes are made with microfibers, and 40 percent of clothes that are put into landfills make their way into oceans and fill the waters with microfibers and end up poisoning the marine life.

Community Benefits *North Dakota University 2010 study

Buying second-hand clothing has a variety of benefits

The average American spends

3.8% of their annual income on new clothing*

Anyone looking to save money, give back to the community, stay in style, and protect the environment should look into purchasing used clothes as opposed Written by Sidney Schiller to new clothes. • Reporter

Fashion Statement Photos by Emma Morey

May 2017 23

lle Mi

nnials: An unlikely

gener ati

on o f cha nge in American politics

I am a Millennial and I am a conservative.

I realize that the majority of my peers disagree, and that in many opinions, Bernie Sanders is the Messiah they have been waiting for (personally, I’ll keep my income, individual liberties and American exceptionalism, please and thank you very much).

Millennial is a term often associated with “basement dwellers” and “politically inexperienced” Sanders supporters.

Not my words, folks. If you ask an older person, a Millennial is a triggered hippie who lives in their parents’ basement, hoping they can continue leeching off of the tax money from everyone else, craving some utopia that simply cannot reasonably exist.

Like all good bullies, the generations ahead of us take truths and twist them into something else entirely.

While the number of young adults living with their parents remains at a 75-year high (CBS), Millennials are more likely to be conservative than Baby Boomers and Gen X at the same age, according to a study done by NORC at the University of Chicago.

So while my fellow conservatives and I have felt like the political minority, it turns out to be by a smaller margin than we originally thought. Part of this, of course, is due to the very fact that we had a Democratic president for the past 8 years, and sadly, I am sure that my liberal peers will feel some of this same pressure.

What has traditionally been maintained as important in the conservative ideology holding fairly true- The Washington Times awards a 53 percent majority to pro-life stances among Millennials.

While this is encouraging, social issues’ importance

is being superseded by measurable statistics- a strong economy, a free market and limited government. When surveyed, young people supported- with a 63 percent majority*- openness and innovation in the marketplace over Washington regulation. This places 63 percent of Millennials, to perhaps their own dismay, on the right side of the political spectrum.

In fact, it is this Washington regulation that has let Millennials down. The American Dream of growing up, providing for yourself and your family, owning a house and most importantly, a dog, is near dead to us. Student loan default rates are obscenely high and the cost of living is off the charts.

When combined with the political socialization of growing up in the middle of a financial crisis, only 45 percent* of Millennials consider themselves to be a risk taker.

The American Dream isn’t gone, but Millennial faith in Washington DC, hard work and the ability to overcome failure is.

Growing up with failed solutions on all sides of the spectrum is why the Democrats’ margin of victory shrank by five percentage points among Millennials from 2012 as reported by NPR. Conservatives, especially from the Millennial generation, see the pain of our parents working two or three jobs and not being able to afford rent. We feel the weight of student loans and the grunginess of America’s inner cities. Believe me, we know. It’s not as if conservatives and liberals disagree on the problems; we simply disagree on the solution.

Millennials are ready for change- the real kind. The kind of change that empowers rather than subjugates and the kind that gives power back to the people. It’s been too long. •

Usually, conservatives and liberals don’t disagree on the problems; we simply disagree on the solution.

Written by Jessica Hughes Editor-in-Chief * from Growing Up GOP

24 Advertisements

The Big Dance January, February, Madness, April. Tarheels ram their way to victory

UNC Tournament Leaders

Record: 26-10 Made Tourney: 8x 0 Championships

APG: 7.6

South Carolina 73 vs.

71

76

77 Lonzo Ball

RPG:12.6

Record: 36-1 Made Tourney: 19x 0 Championships

Gonzaga*

Caleb Swanigan

PPG:20.8 Frank Mason

UNC* 77 vs.

Record: 31-7 Made Tourney: 47x 5 Championships

65

Gonzaga

Oregon

Record: 33-5 Made Tourney: 13x 1 Chamionship

Quick Tourney Facts: • The odds of filling out a perfect bracket are one in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (that’s quintillion) • The first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was held in 1939 and consisted of only eight teams.

• The lowest seed to ever win the NCAA Tournament was Villanova as a No. 8 seed in 1985 • Written by CJ Foster Opinion Editor