Students embody the character of Kabookie
Mythbusters: By Lauren Vanden Bosch ’19 STAFF WRITER
N
ow in its second year, East’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme has proven to be divisive and controversial among the student body. The IB DP is an educational experience for high school juniors and seniors and is meant to foster an international outlook and encourage both personal and academic achievement. As IB is still relatively new to East, freshman and sophomores are experiencing anxiety over the
By Emily Bergstrom ’19 STAFF WRITER
impending IB decision in their futures, while non-IB juniors and seniors are feeling resentment at
“The students who chose to pursue the IB Diploma Programme at EGRHS are risk takers”
Heather McKinney IB COORDINATOR
perceived special treatment of the IB DP students. The way these students
are separated from the rest of the student body and the casual manner in which they throw around acronyms only they know additionally contributes to a frustrating feeling of elitism for those not involved in the programme. Heather McKinney, Coordinator of the IB DP, is wearied by the negative atmosphere. “Knowing our IB DP Candidates endure negative peer feedback sincerely disappoints me,” she told The Vision. “The students who chose to pursue the IB Diploma Programme
at EGRHS are risk takers who deserve our utmost respect. I’m not sure what students who say demeaning and critical things to our IB DP students have to gain.” In this issue, The Vision hopes to address the concerns of underclassmen and the criticisms and false assumptions of upperclassmen in regards to the IB DP with input from the IB DP students themselves. See IB MYTHBUSTERS Page 12
Assembly celebrates Dr. King’s life and challenges students to act
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
This year’s Kabookie week is getting a makeover. This year will be a year of change. Past Kabookie weeks have consisted of many positive activities and an assembly that took the time to recognize those who carry out the tradition of Kabookie. With the keeping the old traditions and adding the new, this year’s Kabookie Week will be more fun and interactive than the others. This year, the Be Nice Club is partnering with the group of students and teachers who attended the Renaissance meeting at Michigan State University. These people are a part of the “Renaissance Group” and their goal is to create a positive environment for everyone here at East Grand Rapids. These two groups are working in collaboration to make Kabookie week more effective. The activities will consist of volunteering here at school. The plan is that Kabookie Week will bring in some paper bags and food for the student body to be able to make sack suppers for those in need. This will be run by the well known organization of Kids Food Basket. During the assembly that Monday, John Nowak will be performing to set the happy tone for the week. Previous Kabookie weeks included activities that worked to make the high school a more inclusive place. The Kabookie assembly honors students in our school who have made efforts, whether consciously or unconsciously, to make the EGR High School a more welcoming place. Like last year, this year will consist of having a powerpoint that shares names of who have made an impact on our community. Some examples of last year’s recipients, are Clayton Fee ‘19, Kate O’Connell ‘18, and Mary Schumar ‘19. “I’m looking forward to all the fun activities that’ll be going on around school. I think it’s important to celebrate kabookie because he impacted so many people around him. His spirit has made East the awesome place it is today” Renaissance Group member Caroline Grin ‘21 said. “Our goal is to be inclusive of everyone in the school and to spread kindness throughout the halls of East Grand Rapids High School,” Be Nice Club president Judith May Ernest ‘18 said. If EGR can accomplish this easy goal, the high school will be full of new Kabookies striving to make a difference in our community. Kabookie was a man that changed East Grand Rapids for the better. He was someone who would never walk the halls without a smile on his face. With such positivity and energy, he is a man that should be honored here at our school. Even though everyday we should try to be like Kabookie, this upcoming week in January will be very special to all.
an inside look into the truths of the International Baccalaureate Program
By Ashley Ward ’19 NEWS EDITOR
PHOTOS BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19
This past week, students celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with an assembly led by students Ben Sagritalo ‘18 and Olivia Brown ‘19. The assembly included songs sung by the EGR choirs, a diversity skit led by improve group “Bs & Ps”, and a speech presentation by Julian Newman called “The State of the Dream: 2018.” Students are encouraged to keep Dr. King’s dream alive by promoting inclusivity.
We the People team brings home 15th state title
Michael’s 2017 top 5
Underdogs beat rival Black River High School in close competition By Paul Janes ’20 STAFF WRITER This past weekend the EGR We The People took their seats at the state courthouse to compete for the state title. After a disappointing performance at districts the team was looking to redeem themselves at the state level. However, they didn’t just vindicate themselves, but they also surpassed their own expectations along with those of everyone else who was watching. They took 1st place at states, which means that they now get to go and compete in Washington D.C. at the national level. “When they started to announce who won what, it was a big surprise. But looking back at it now, the students earned it.” Adam Horos said. This may seem like the norm for the We The People program, but due to recent change-ups in the teaching staff the transition wasn’t expected to go this smoothly. It has only been 2 years since former teacher. Janice Yates handed the program off to Adam Horos. In addition, one of the key contributors to the program,
Alexander Constantelos, left EGR last year to go and form a new team
year was the first year that we had substantial competition that prac-
PHOTO COURTESY MAURA BURNS ‘19
The East Grand Rapids We the People team celebrates as they capture their 15th state title. at Black River High School. “This year we had the hardest competition in Michigan since the program started,” Horos said, “this
ticed as hard as we did.” However, most of the burden rests on the shoulders of the students participating, and the student
A step by step process to a snowday
Entertainment 5
Focus 8
coaches. The state competition requires a great deal of hard work, and countless hours were put into preparation. “We prepared for states by working hard in and out of class, and with the help from great people like Michael Barnes” Ryan Distel ‘19 said, a member of this years team. However, now they have a bigger goal on their mind, and that is the national competition. Taking place sometime in April the competition brings the best team from each state to washington d.c. to compete for the title. “I’m looking forward to meeting high schoolers from other states, the hotel life, and chilling in D.C.” Distel said. With a long road ahead of them the weeple team is now anxiously waiting for the national questions to come out so that they can start preparing.
Sister chemistry lights up basketball court
Sports 11
Stop asking where I’m going to college Senior year is stressful, there’s no doubt about it. No matter what past Seniors have said, Senior year is actually likely more stressful than any year previous. And this is because of one thing: college applications. They are the root of nearly all my Ally Jackoboice stress and the cause for procrastinated 18’ homework and an increase in caffeine consumption. STAFF WRITER As the class of 2018 approaches the midpoint of our senior year, I’m sure we’ve all heard it a million times by now. “Where are you going to college?” It’s the dreaded question we hear from every parent, relative, and family friend. But the answer has remained the same since we were first asked the question Junior year. I do not know where I’m going to college yet. And neither do the majority of my peers. In fact, I likely won’t know the answer to that question until early spring. Yet, as Seniors, we are still bombarded with this question at every social gathering that involves adults. The college application process doesn’t even start until the fall of Senior year, yet I, along with the majority of my classmates, have been asked this question repeatedly for the better part of two years. It starts at the end of sophomore year with questions about where you are applying or looking to apply. Then, as Junior year begins, it slowly develops into parents asking where you have applied. And by the time Senior year hits, everyone is so eager to know where you are going, that the questions almost seem infinite. The application process alone is full of stress and months of hard work, and the constant asking of these college based questions just add to the insurmountable stress. So please stop asking me where I am going to college because the answer is simple. I do not know, and I will not know for months. And, in these several months I have to spend waiting for the denial or acceptance letters, I’d greatly prefer not to be asked these questions and reminded of my increasing levels of stress.
CARTOON BY ANNA VANDERLAAN
Should brands be promoting a political stance?
Bye to Healthy High Healthy High is an extracurricular day-long activity with the purpose of educating students on teen drug use, however is its message really effective? I have participated in Healthy High during my Luke Diehm freshman and sophomore 19’ years, and I enjoyed it a lot both times. STAFF WRITER They briefly educate you about the importance of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle, and then you spend the day doing fun activities both in and out of school. After whatever event in which you participated, you come back to the school and have pizza, play games with other students in attendance, and participate in a raffle. My freshman year I went to Sky Zone, and my sophomore year I went tubing at Cannonsburg. Both events were a lot of fun, and afterwards at the school I got to hang out with a lot of kids I probably wouldn’t have hung out with at another time. That was fun too. However, Healthy High will not be returning this year. Healthy High should return, because it has always been my favorite activity. It is not very effective at keeping students off of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, however it is effective at bringing students together in a fun way. Sra. Ibara has assisted in the running of Healthy High in the past and agrees with me. “I do not think that Healthy High has a direct affect on drug use,” Ibara said. “But the idea is more of a celebration of healthy lifestyles and healthy things to do. I think it is a good program to support healthy choices and provide students with an outlet to get together with students that they would not normally be with.” It is definitely not coming back this year, however the school should certainly make an effort to recreate it next year. Healthy High pushes students out of their comfort zone with fun activities and gives them an environment to make new friends. Also, because it is during the winter, it urges students to leave the warmth of their houses and get active. Getting active in the winter is far too uncommon, and Healthy High is very effective at doing this. The lack of other extracurricular activities, especially that are during the winter time, and how well it brings students together are main proponents of why Healthy High needs to return.
THE VISION
PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH In late November, the well-known American sustainable outdoor clothing company Patagonia reacted vehemently to the news that two National Park reserves in Utah Lauren Vanden were being drastically Bosch reduced in size in order 19’ to develop more land STAFF WRITER for industries such as fossil fuel and cattle grazing. Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, threatened to sue. North Face, the Canadian company Arc’teryx, and the Outdoor Industry Association, are also allying with Patagonia in attempt to challenge President Donald Trump’s plan. Patagonia is far from the only company that has taken a strong and visible political stance in recent years. Chick-Fil-A garnered much attention for its denouncement of gay marriage and Silicon Valley technology companies pushed back after the anti-immigration bill was passed as they are dependent on foreign talent. These companies have found that supporting a political cause, as long as it fits with the values it represents as a company, can gain the favor and trust of customers, contributing to increased sales. Research has shown that how effectively and quickly a company responds to a controversy drives public opinion and perception about that company. The cost of remaining silent on an issue is that customers mistakenly believe that they’re
“
deceitful and resent that they’re not upholding the values that they claim to represent. Brands don’t exist to advocate for certain political views; they exist to make money. The fact that they are making a profit from influencing politics and public policy is unacceptable. By catering to the political views of a specific group of customers, companies are reaping the benefits. In 2016, Chick-Fil-A appealed to the antigay community by hosting a “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day” that attracted over 600,000
Brands don’t exist to advocate for certain political views; they exist to make money
visitors. Companies also spend an exorbitant 2.6 billion dollars a year in lobbying ventures to promote their own interests (more than the 2 billion dollars used to fund the House and Senate each year). A 2012 California law permitted Patagonia to advocate for social and environmental controversies, showing that more and more legislation is being passed that allow companies to get away with more blatant political speech than ever before. It is certainly true that government corruption can be counteracted by the efforts of pri-
vate businesses and corporations; Patagonia’s attempt to preserve the beauty of the American wilderness for future generations can be regarded as such. PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH One must remember, however, that Patagonia and the U.S. government make decisions based around money. They’re only coming into conflict because their methods of obtaining that money directly oppose each other. Patagonia and other outdoor recreation companies depend on American national parks for their survival and future success in the same way the U.S. government depends on exploited land in order to further grow the economy. Even if companies did not have ulterior motives when advocating for political views, taking political stances is always incredibly risky. There are no hard and fast rules, and companies must be careful lest they suffer rather than benefit from voicing their beliefs about a certain controversial issue. However, sometimes doing so is unavoidable. The NFL attempted to punish their players for being politically outspoken, but they are now being pressured by the public to take on their players’ views. In this case, it may be necessary for the company to assume their views of those they are representing rather than suppress free speech. Ultimately, however, there are other better ways of influencing politics. Private advocacy groups, progressive organizations, and NGOs clearly and consistently advocate for certain issues and are without bias. They exist for the purpose of conducting political change, unlike major corporations.
”
How to stay happy during the winter season
PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19
Do you trust your zodiac? According to a Huffington Post survey published earlier this year, 33 percent of Americans believe in their horoscope -but how accurate are horoscopes, really? Grayson Powell ‘18 Breaking them down STAFF WRITER scientifically, it seems that there’s little reason to have faith in them: how probable is it that all of humanity can be broken down into 12 personality types? Those falling into that 33 percent -- myself included -- might take this moment to point out that an accurate astrological analysis takes into account not just one’s moon sign (the typically thought of zodiac sign), but also their sun and rising signs -- and still, that’s a maximum 1,728 combinations attempting to categorize the nature of not only everyone currently living, but everyone who has ever or will ever live. I’m nei-
ther a statistician nor a psychologist, but something about those numbers still just doesn’t seem all that likely. If those numbers alone aren’t enough, here’s further proof: while no formal studies into the legitimacy of horoscopes have been conducted in the past sixty years, online sceptics often site astrologist Dr. Geoffrey Dean’s 1958 “time twin” study -- a study attempting to prove the legitimacy of horoscopes that ended up turning Dean himself into a skeptic. Dean examined pairs of people born 18 minutes to 20 hours apart, thus sharing a complete astrological profile. Dean then graded the pairs on a variety of personality traits, finding that only between one and four percent of the “time twins” had traits that could be considered more similar than between two people selected by random chance. So, why do 33 percent of Americans keep faith in something that has been proven completely and overwhelmingly to be nonsense? Here’s my take: while it may be nonsense, if your horoscope says you’re going to have a great week and thinking about that helps you make it true, or if your horoscope says that this week
you should work on open communication and this is the push you need to be honest with your friends about something that’s bugging you, I fail to see the harm. While I’m not advocating anyone pin serious life decisions on the fact Cosmopolitan said it’s a lucky week for Capricorn (especially since Cosmo’s horoscopes are whatever comes to the mind of the journalist writing them and have no astrological legitimacy whatsoever, let alone scientific), if you do have a serious decision in front of you and your horoscope suggests it’s a good week to go with your gut, what’s so bad about that? Sure, it’s a pseudo-science at best and the mutation of primitive meteorology at worst, but even if these benefits are more confirmation bias than anything else (and honestly, I make no claims they aren’t), I think there’s something beautiful in the concept that however good or bad you’re feeling, you can never be alone in it -- 1/12th or 1/1728th of the world has felt the same way.
Letter to the Editor: It’s okay to be a “crier” By Mica Walter-Rooks ‘19 GUEST WRITER East Vision Staff, I am writing to address a particular article posted in the latest edition of the paper: “A guide to ‘spam’ accounts: the DOs and DON’Ts.’” I am particularly focusing on the part of the article describing so called “criers,” or those who express themselves emotionally through a spam account on Instagram. First I’d like to make it known that I hold no animosity toward the writer of the article, nor do I hold any toward those that commented, as the connection between emotional posting and psychology isn’t very well known. Despite this, the connection is extremely relevant, and the way the article spoke so negatively about “criers” was disheartening to me. You might have actually experienced this connection before without even knowing it. There are two coping methods in psychology
that are relevant to this: Sublimation and Compartmentalisation. Sublimation occurs when one takes built up, negative emotions and, rather than doing something destructive, instead channels those emotions into something that doesn’t hurt anyone, such as posting on Instagram. The other coping mechanism, compartmentalisation, occurs when a person takes the jumbled emotions in their brain and sorts them. Writing posts for social media can actually help a lot with that, as putting confusing things into writing has been shown to help with understanding. There are also other coping mechanisms this can tie into, such as emotionality and symbolisation, but I won’t go into those now. Other than being a coping mechanism, having a social media account where one constantly posts how they’re feeling is actually very helpful to those with mental illnesses and their therapists. They can use an account such as that
to track day by day the patient’s progression and regression in the context of their mental illness. A “crier”’s spam account can go as far as to help a bipolar patient know when they require certain medications. For people with depression, a psychologist can figure out which times of the day, week, month, or year a patient struggles the most and why. Accounts like these can also be a cry for help from those who aren’t yet diagnosed or treated. They can be extremely important in the lives of many people. Overall, the general negativity shown in the article toward these “criers” is demonising a coping mechanism, which is the last thing a mentally ill person needs. Again, this is not meant to incite confrontation, but simply to inform. Thank you, Mica Walter-Rooks ‘19
As many of us agree, Michigan winters are brutal. The bitter cold along with the heavy, wet snow are the two main factors that cause winter to feel like the Nick Van Hekken four longest months ‘ 19 of the year. Because of the STAFF WRITER gloominess and lack of sunshine during the winter months, it is common for people to have feelings of sadness or depression. Some people even have Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.” One factor that causes SAD is a deficiency of Vitamin D, which you get from natural sunlight. With sunlight being so scarce in the winter, it is not easy to receive Vitamin D. Two solutions to this problem are taking Vitamin D supplements, and going outside. Although it is cold and the sun isn’t always out, there are some rare sunny days. Take advantage of the sunny days by going on a walk, or just going outside and getting some fresh air. Another way to keep your spirits high during the winter is to be active. Even though the snow makes it difficult to do anything outside, it’s a good idea to exercise. Whether it’s playing a sport, going to the weight room after school, going on a walk, or even just doing pushups at home, exercising is a great way to get your energy level up. Staying physically active is important, but it is also important to stay socially and mentally active.To stay socially active, spend time with your family and friends. Going sledding, watching a movie, and ice skating are a few fun ways to get out of the house, and hang out with your friends or family. To keep your brain active, you can read a book, do a puzzle, or write about something that interests you. All of these things are great ways to stay active, which will make you feel happier and more energetic. Another way to feel better during the winter is to eat healthy. Eating junk food or food that isn’t very good for you is ok to eat once in awhile, but it is a good idea to try to eat healthier foods. To start your day off right, try eating a healthy breakfast, like oatmeal or a fruit smoothie. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it sets you up for how you feel for the rest of the day. When it comes time for lunch and dinner, even just adding a salad, fruits, or vegetables is a healthier alternative to french fries, and eating less greasy foods will make you feel better. Although Michigan winters are tough, there are several ways to make yourself feel better during the cold, snowy months. Doing all or some of these things will give you more energy and overall make you feel better and happier.
Easttalks: What is one thing you would change about your education?
PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19
PHOTOS BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
More “ opportunities
for real life classes that are easier to apply to real life. I also would like more advanced classes.
”
-Kyle ConradLoew ‘21
“
I would change it so you can have more flexibility in the classes you took so that you could focus on topics that interest you.
-Claire Montague ‘18
”
“
I would like less standardized testing by the state, and more days to study for tests and exams.
”
“
I wish I had less busy work so my homework was more meaningful and a more flexible schedule.
”
- Sophie Sears ‘19 - Joey Couvreur ‘20
What did happen to Healthy High? By Natalie VanderZyden ’18 STAFF WRITER After spending years of promoting a drug and alcohol free lifestyle, the Healthy High program has decided to take a hiatus this year to refresh and energize the program. Last year, Healthy High made a transition of taking place in the winter instead of in the fall. This meant that outdoor activities such as the high ropes course would have to be replaced by activities such as laser tag and snow tubing. Although there were still adventurous and entertaining activities for students, student turnout decreased immensely. So what exactly caused Healthy High to come to an end? Brielle Oosse ‘18, leader for last years event, explained the ending of Healthy High. “Healthy high took a hiatus this year because we felt like it had its run and people just didn’t seem very interested in it,” Oosse ‘ said. “Our team running it was burned out and we didn’t have the same impact we used to have.” Some students say that Healthy High wasn’t as energetic and exciting as it usually is. Oosse also elaborated on why the student turnout decreased dramatically compared to years past. “The reason we didn’t have the turn out we have in past years is because there were no open dates in the fall so we were forced to try something new and have it in the winter,” Oosse said. “This ended up being very unsuccessful because we weren’t able to have a fall kick off and everyone seemed to be very busy that time of year.” After Healthy High’s hiatus, the Healthy High Board hopes to make some adjustments by adding more exciting activities and setting it on a convenient date. Principal Craig Weigel talked about other activities and events that our school has to help promote a healthy lifestyle. “We have Kabookie Week coming up. We’re gonna take that week and celebrate students and celebrate the wonderful thing they do and promote the idea of kindness and what Jimmy Gerken stands for,” Weigel said. Weigel also discussed the activities they will have to help out the community. “There will be some community building activities that are centered around supporting our larger community such as working with Kids’ Food Basket and the blood drive” Weigel said. Healthy High will be returning next year but in the meantime, Weigel said he’s open to suggestions from the students and would like to hear about any ideas they have to help unite the community and promote healthy lifestyles for EGR students.
Climate change: By Grayson Powell ’18
facts, fiction, and why it matters
STAFF WRITER From the debates leading up to the Presidential election in 2016 to President Trump’s withdrawal of American support for the Paris Climate Accord, the politically-charged issue of global climate change has been all over news media and politics. “In the East, it could be the coldest New Year’s Eve on record,” the President wrote on his Twitter account last December. “Perhaps we could use a little bit of that good old Global Warming that our Country, but not other countries, was going to pay trillions of dollars to protect against. Bundle up!” Despite the apparent skepticism exhibited in this tweet, the existence of global climate change has been just about conclusively proven to be true: average global temperatures
have increased by 1.4 degrees in the past 140 years, and this statistic can be so much as doubled in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Russia, according to National Geographic. However, even with this proof, the President is far from alone in his belief: a 2016 poll suggests that only 49% of Americans trust climate change scientists to provide accurate results, and as few as 27% agree with the scientific claim that human activity plays a dominant role in instigating climate change. In many cases, this is because the impact of climate change is hard to observe on a local level. In fact, on a smaller scale, it can even seem like temperatures are cooling down instead of heating up.
This winter, as President Trump referenced, areas of the United States are seeing an increase in quantity and intensity of blizzards and snowfall. However, specialists actually believe that global climate change is responsible for this pattern as well, a fact often lost when the issue is simplified to the name ‘global warming’. Here’s how it works: as temperatures rise due to climate change, larger bodies of water become more likely not to entirely freeze over in the winter. This means that more water is available for evaporation, leading to an increase in quantity of snow. At the same time, the warmer air that climate change causes can hold more moisture than cooler air, and
since precipitation, like snowfall, happens only when clouds become too heavy that they have to release moisture, the suddenly more-frequent storms are also more intense. Through the combination of these factors, it’s easy to see how climate change might be responsible for the harsh winter weather the United States has seen in recent years, from the intense storms of January 2016 to Winter Storm Grayson currently assailing the East coast. Climate change has already and will continue to produce a variety of other devastating effects: shrinking glaciers, rising sea levels, and a global earlier spring time, upsetting the natural cycles of plants and animals.
GRAPHIC BY ANNA VANDERLAAN ‘19
The Waiting Game: students deal with college deferrals Dealing with college deferrals
PHOTO BY KATIE MICHELL
Students anxiously await acceptance, rejection, or deferral letters from colleges they have applied to this year. By Julia Miller ’18 STAFF WRITER As Ryan Eardley ‘18 nervously opened his computer, he hoped he would know in the next minutes where he would be attending college next year. When the email popped up with “Deferral” in the email, there was a sigh of disappointment. After all the hard work put into college applications including the long essays and supplemental questions, this is not what any student wants to receive. Though it’s better than a denial, it is very discouraging. “It’s not what I was hoping to hear, but it’s still good that I have a chance,” Eardley said. “I’m staying positive and optimistic about it,” As college decisions are coming back it is hard to be happy with any
other answer besides an acceptance. It can also be hard thinking that every other kid has gotten into their dream school besides you, but this is not true. Many kids receive at least one deferral or denial during the application process. Being deferred means you are not denied from a school, but you are not accepted. There is still a chance of acceptance. There are only three options within the college application process. Colleges either accept, deny, or defer applicants. “A deferral is really just asking for more information,” Guidance Counselor Lori Johnston said, “It’s not a no, you’re still in the process. It just means you have to give them
more information.” Students should not give up hope at the presence of a deferral. To increase your chances of getting into the school after a deferral, there are multiple things students can do. Johnston recommended that students continue to work hard in all of their classes and continue the same rigor and performance they have had up to till now. Students should also submit new tests score if they have taken another ACT or SAT. Most seniors tend to slack off after submitting their applications. Johnston does not recommend this considering that colleges may be looking at their grades.
The percent of deferred applicants accepted changes for each school. “It’s individual by the school, it just depends, on the number of applications and the number of spaces in the freshman class, how the people who they admit actually decide to enroll,” said Johnston. Some schools only defer as little as 1-2% of applicants, whereas other schools may defer everyone in the early action pool. There is really no way to tell your personal predicted percent of being admitted after a deferral, but as Johnston said, it is best to keep your hopes up because you’re still in the game.
Madrigals leave caroling season Tuning in... By Asha Lewis ‘18 MANAGING EDITOR For just a simple donation to the choir department, you can host the Christmas party that everyone will be talking about. How? By hiring the Madrigals – the esteemed choir of juniors and seniors that every student at East Grand Rapids has admired since they heard their humorous yet impressive rendition of the classic “Jingle Bells” or giggled to the dance accompaniment of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. These talented individuals are best known throughout the community for spreading Christmas cheer, or “yuletide glee” as Will Marsh ‘19, honorary Madrigal put it, and they are in high demand. “Last week they had seven gigs outside of class,” Choir Director Dr. James Borst said. “A lot of them were at the Kent Country Club this year. They donate to the choir department and the kids sing [for] private companies, like law firms, who know about them and have the kids come and sing.” The Madrigals can even be booked at “private residences” as they call it, but are usually families, young and old, throwing Christmas celebrations that they don’t want their guests to ever forget. “We had a really fun gig at this house on Plymouth. There were a lot of younger couples. It was just super fun and very personal because we were right in front of them in their living room.” Katherine Christians ‘18 said. “I love that people know who we are. It’s fun to go around the community and [have] people be like ‘Oh, you’re a Madrigal.’” “I like the ones where it’s a bunch of old people,” Marsh said. “They laugh at
PHOTOS BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
everything we do. It makes you feel very good about yourself even if you’re not that funny.” While the Madrigals are well known around the community, they are even more celebrated right here at the high school. “The Madrigals have sung for years in front of students, so if they grew up in East they’ve seen the Madrigals [and] it’s a staple of their thinking around this time of year,” Borst said. “They get this kind of hero mentality in the building which I just love.” Not only do the Madrigals spread good spirits to the district, but the tight-knit group of kids also uplift each other. “I really like all of the people. We get along really well,” Emma Kincaid ‘18 said. “Having fun, in carpools, getting to and from gigs, just everything is a little adventure in December. You never know what’s going to happen until it happens,” Marsh said. This bond isn’t reserved for the talented singers, but for their beloved choir director as well. “They’re funny, they’re responsible, they are dedicated. Their commitment to me as a teacher, as a friend, is really powerful,” Borst said. “You know, I get tired, but it’s a fun tired because they’re just fun loving kids who I really do love. I love the kids, they’re my kids. I treat them all like my own kids.” While the holiday season – the singing group’s peak – is over, the Madrigals will continue to use their talents in other places, such as upcoming competitions and festivals. Looking ahead, the Madrigals will be competing in the District Solo and Ensemble at Grand Valley State University on Feb. 3.
Short-lived New Year’s resolutions By Erin Rogers ‘19
STAFF WRITER It seems like a great idea -- a grand and ambitious goal to jumpstart the next year of your life -- however our expectations are often too high and our motivation often falls short. People want to lose weight, be happier, eat healthier, and spend more time with friends and family, but fail to uphold these desires for more than a few weeks. Millions of people across the country have made their New Year’s resolutions, but how many people will actually keep them for the entire year? Lately, the media has published a wide variety of suggestions on how to uphold the New Year’s Resolutions. However, many of these ideas disregard the scientific research that explains why people so often fall short on their New Year’s resolutions, regardless of the approach that they chose to take. These people that have been recently
inspired by the New Year and a fresh start are known as “The Resolutioners.” This group signs themselves up for a number of gyms, exercise groups, nutritional cooking classes, alongside a myriad of other activities in an effort to better themselves in both mental and physical state. Everyone, of course, has good intentions with the goals that they set but the reality is that they are soon forgotten when the motivation of the new year wears off. A swarm of excuses will follow the failed attempt to make up for the lack of determination but, the bottom line is only 8% of resolutioners (Huffington Post) stand by their goal for the year. Why is this? We have a tendency to chose resolutions that are not realistic. Our commitments often pivot around what other people expect us to want to change; we know what we are doing but not why we are doing it. Need-
less to say, our headspace is often warped right from the start of the new year. These facets can often be disregarded for a few weeks, and the start of January tends to unfold seamlessly, however, people are soon overcome by their inadequacy and soon develop a sense of failure. Many New Year’s Resolutions focus on fixing a person’s imperfections, leading to a drop in confidence and self-worth. It is this issue that is essentially the death kheel of our goals. Instead, in an effort to set attainable goals, people must take into account their strengths alongside thier weaknesses. It is important to keep in mind that New Year’s Resolutions are a marathon and not a sprint. Pace yourself.
GRAPHIC BY DYLAN SCHWARTZ ‘18
Barnes’ Best: 2017 media moments to remember
By Michael Barnes ‘18 STAFF WRITER
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARISA MOONEY ‘18
Movies: 1.War for the Planet of the Apes -- The conclusion to this fantastic trilogy did not disappoint. This movie is a jaw dropping rollercoaster that doesn’t have a single dull moment. With extensive use of some of the best motion capture work ever put to the big screen, the movie presents the clash of apes vs humans with incredible realism, Andy Sekis, known for his motion capture roles, gives in my opinion his best performance ever as Caesar which adds so much emotion to the movie and those watching it. War for the Planet of the Apes was an instant classic and one that everyone should watch if they haven’t already. 2. Get Out 3. Dunkirk 4. Spiderman: Homecoming 5. It Honorable Mentions: Thor Ragnarok, Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Memes: 1. You know I had to do it to ‘em -- This meme had yet another year in the spotlight. The best part about this meme is that nobody knows why it’s funny but at the same time everyone finds it funny. The infamous picture of a random kid standing on the sidewalk captioned “You know I had to do it to ‘em” circulated the internet with seemingly endless edits and distortions that became funnier and funnier making it the best meme of the year. 2. Snapchat hot dog 3. Meryl Streep singing 4. Mocking Spongebob 5. Catch me outside girl
TV Shows: 1. Game of Thrones - Season 7 ---- The only thing not to like about Season 7 of Game of Thrones was the grueling, week long wait for the next episode. Every single episode was absolutely incredible as the show begins to reach its climax after 6 years of being on top of the television world. I am yet to talk to one person who doesn’t absolutely love this show, and the masterful writing of both the characters and the plot are the reason behind this. There were a lot of great shows this year, but nothing comes close to this season of Game of Thrones in my mind. Fans will have to wait for the 8th and final season, set to come out in the summer of 2019, and for all Game of Thrones lovers, it can’t come soon enough. 2. Stranger Things - Season 2 3. Vice Principals - Season 2 4. Mindhunter - Season 1 5. Better Call Saul - Season 3
Albums: 1. Damn -- Kendrick Lamar Coming off his third album “To Pimp A Butterfly”, Kendrick fans were left with mixed feelings, as it was one of the most experimental hip hop albums of all time. The jazz/funk sound that the album conveyed left many fans missing the more conventional Kendrick sound on records like “Section 80” and “Good Kid Maad City”. Needless to say, “Damn” was the perfect remedy for these fans, while still providing the reflective, experimental Kendrick in his latest albums. Songs like “Humble”, “Loyalty”, “DNA”, and “Love” took the charts by storm while songs like “Pride”, “Feel”, and “Fear” are some of his Kendrick’s deepest songs to date. This album solidified Kendrick Lamar as the best rapper alive and will be remembered for years to come. 2. Flower Boy -- Tyler, the Creator 3. Ctrl -- SZA 4. Culture -- Migos 5. Melodrama -- Lorde Honorable Mentions: American Teen - Khalid, Divide - Ed Sheeran, Awaken My Love - Childish Gambino, Luv is Rage 2 - Lil Uzi Vert, This Old Dog -- Mac DeMarco, Freudian -- Daniel Caesar
Two aspiring stars take on the world of music and theatre Tyler Roberts and Paige Lang stay busy this month with auditions for musical programs By Nora Verdier ’19 STAFF WRITER January is a big month for two senior girls, Tyler Roberts ‘18 and Paige Lang ‘18, who will be traveling across the country to audition for vocal musical programs and musical theatre programs. Roberts, who plans to attain a Bachelor’s in music with emphasis in Opera, will be auditioning at Michigan State University and Oberlin College, with possible visits to Boston University and Eastman School of Music. While the auditions may seem simple, there is a lot of preparation that leads up to them. “You have to bring certain art songs - a German, French, Italian, and English song,” Roberts explains. “It’s demanding, but fun in a way too.” With a challenging repertoire, Roberts hopes to get accepted into these ambitious programs not only to grow as a singer herself, but to be surrounded by others who share her passion. “I do the auditions to go to good schools and because I want to be around talented kids who are really working hard,” Roberts said. With a similar goal, Lang is auditioning for Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical Theatre programs at Belmont University and Syracuse University this month. “I’m doing these auditions because after college I would like to pursue a career as a professional actress in New York,” Lang said.
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
Tyler Roberts ‘18 and Paige Lang ‘18 will begin to travel the map to audition for several different musical theater programs In order to pursue her dream, Lang has been practicing constantly for her auditions this month - working on vocals, acting, and dancing. “I’ve been working with my audition coach on several monologues from plays, while I also
have been taking voice lessons, piano lessons, and a lot of dance classes all over Grand Rapids. Outside of class, I sing at home and stretch before I go to bed every day,” Lang said. Both Lang and Roberts have shown that this
dedication and passion are required in order to audition for collegiate fine arts programs. “It really is all about believing in yourself and trusting that if you love it, you should do it,” Lang said. However, choosing this career path does involve a great amount of uncertainty. “There’s a lot of risk in this,” Roberts explains. “There’s the chance of never finding what you want in it, so don’t do it unless there’s nothing else in the world you want to do.” Lang describes that while the idea of majoring in musical theatre seemed impractical when she was younger, there was no other career path she could see herself taking. “I couldn’t deny myself of what I was truly passionate about,” Lang said. “When there’s a will, there’s a way.” For both Lang and Roberts, that way is to audition for these fine arts programs as their first steps into the worlds of musical theatre and opera. While there is plenty of risk in the industry, it is fully outweighed by passion and dedication. “If you are going to [choose this path],” Roberts explains, “you better work hard and have a big heart to do it with.”
GRAPHIC BY ANNA VANDERLAAN ‘19
How ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ measures up to expectations Lauren’s critique of Star Wars
Michael’s critique of Star Wars
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER The excitement level for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” were unlike that of any movie since, well, the last Star Wars. Die hard Star Wars fans, like myself, flooded the theaters to see what would become of newly introduced characters like Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren, and catch up with old characters from the original trilogy, like Luke and Leia Skywalker. As one who loved episode 7, I walked into the movie with high expectations and excitement. As
By Lauren Vanden Bosch ’19
If The Force Awakens was designed to bring a new generation of children into Star Wars, The Last Jedi was definitely designed to do the same for teenagers. Why is this the case? The Last Jedi wrestles with many issues normally dealt with during adolescence, such as finding one’s place in the world, rebelling against adult authority, struggling to overcome the effects of childhood abuse, realizing life’s complexity, failing to achieve one’s goals, and discovering one’s sexuality. t’s part of what makes The Last Jedi new, fresh, and interesting. As a teenage watcher myself, I was able to really relate to the characters who wrestled with these challenges. For instance, Rey (Daisy Ridley),spends less time receiving training from defunct Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and more time searching for her identity. She resists Luke’s teachings rather than following them. Meanwhile, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is still haunted by his boyhood mistreatment, but his moral grayness shows Rey that good and bad is not as clear-cut as light and dark (an interesting contrast to the other Star Wars films). This theme of moral ambiguity is also accompanied by that of failure: The Last Jedi’s conclusion is painful due to the unsuccess of most of the characters in their missions (but then, The Empire Strikes Back’s ending was similar). The best and boldest move the movie takes, however, is the inclusion of a couple brilliant scenes which strongly suggest the sexual awakening of two characters (no spoilers). The strength of its females is what sets The Last Jedi apart from other science fiction films. The best performances were from Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern), a Resistance leader, and Paige Tico (Veronica Ngo), a bomber pilot — two women who sacrificed themselves for
the Resistance. Other strong performances included Carrie Fisher’s last portrayal as General Leia and Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose Tico, the Resistance-loyal companion whom Finn (John Boyega) needed. Other smaller female roles abounded, including Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o), Lieutenant Connix (Billie Lourd), and Commander D’acy (Amanda Lawrence). While it successfully includes classic Star Wars elements such as alien creatures, lightsaber fights, and revelations about the Force, occasionally The Last Jedi’s attempts to deviate from the Star Wars formula fall flat. Most of these cringey moments are a result of superficial humor which only sporadically succeeds in adding a few laughs to an otherwise dark movie. Poe’s Marvel-style joke at General Hux’s expense in the movie’s beginning sequence felt out of place, and the adorable penguin-like porgs never contributed to the plotline (in fact, they nearly felt like one of Lucas’s unwanted and unasked for CGI additions). The Last Jedi takes so many risks that it’s hard to agree with every one of writer and director Rian Johnson’s controversial decisions. Since it’s the middle chapter of the sequel trilogy and therefore without a happy resolution, it’s also difficult to walk out of the theater satisfied. However, The Last Jedi is the kind of movie that takes multiple viewings to fully absorb and appreciate. It’s complex in its interwoven storylines, ambiguous in its themes, and surprising in the choices of its many characters. It defies the audience’s expectations, and that will always make it better than a franchise film which sticks to the status-quo.
By Michael Barnes ‘18
The sets and the use of CGI in this movie were incredible and took the movie to another level in terms of looks. The direction that Rian Johnson took these characters was also very intriguing. The connection between Rey and Kylo Ren that was explored throughout the film as the two struggled to find their way with the force was one of the best parts of the movie. The Last Jedi, however was not without its flaws. There were several plot points that were far less interesting than others making the movie seem extremely long, and the humor throughout the film didn’t really fit and felt painfully forced. I still have an overall positive view of the movie, but many people disagree. Sitting at a 50% fan rating on ‘Rotten Tomatoes’, this is the most divisive Star Wars yet, and many fans are upset. “It didn’t really answer any of my questions.” Liam McCarthy ‘18 said, “I didn’t like most of the plot points and it felt really long.” Ultimately what I took GRAPHIC BY ELLA GOURLEY ‘18 from the experience is this: if you go into the I watched the movie I found myself thoroughly movie expecting perfection and looking to nitenjoying it, but at the same time I left with feelpick every flaw, then you will find yourself in the ings of slight disappointment. During the movie demographic that hates this movie, but if you go I found myself enjoying it, and walking out I into it simply trying to enjoy a Star Wars movie, thought I had seen a great movie. For one, this is then you will do just that. the best looking Star Wars thus far in the series.
Graphic By Grayson Powell ‘18 SPORTS EDITOR
New years resolutions you will be able to keep By Hannah Stuursma ‘18 and Simon Lafleur ‘20 FOCUS EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER
High fives with Jimmy: an everlasting legacy By Abby Theodorsdottir ‘19 STAFF WRITER
M
any people believe that East Grand Rapids is home of the pioneers, but anyone who attends this school knows that our true mascot is Jimmy Gerken, also known community-wide as Kabookie. Gerken made such a positive impact on not only the community but the students of East Grand Rapids. “Kabookie” is stitched in yellow on football jerseys, ski racing speed suits, and school spirit t-shirts. In addition to East Grand Rapids’ athletic uniforms, EGR Be Nice Club and the EGR Renaissance Club worked to organize Kabookie week; a week of positive activities to honor Gerken’s legacy. Historically, Kabookie Week was created to remember the positive impact he has left on the community. This year, kabookie week will continue to honor Jimmy’s legacy with the help of Be Nice Club’s ideas and organization. “We have an assembly with games and activities to kick off the week and then everyday is a different activity to celebrate kindness and inclusion in order to carry on his legacy,” Be Nice Club Co-President JudithMay Ernst ‘18 said. So, what influence did Jimmy have on the East Community that contributed to his everlasting remembrance? Many teachers and staff were fortunate enough to have met Jimmy and work alongside him during his years at the high school. “What I remember most about Jimmy Gerken is his love of all sports and his support of the kids, athletes. In the school he would always ask and inquire how you did at a meet, game, or match. It didn’t matter the sport, but he was genuinely interested in how the team was performing. He was a true pioneer,” Nick Hopkins said. Numerous staff members were given the opportunity
to get to know Jimmy outside of school. “He loved a good punchline and he loved talking about his friends and buddies. I was one of his buddies and I felt pretty lucky to know him. He would come over to my house and hang out and eat usually. Those of us who knew him loved him for being a good friend and a great guy.” Katie Michell said. Gerken embroidered a tradition of kindness throughout the East Grand Rapids community that does not go unnoticed. A motto that East has preached to stay true to Jimmy’s value is to ask themselves, “What would Kabookie do?” You can hear this phrase at any assembly, staff meeting, or sporting event. This phrase was created to remind students and staff the positive example Jimmy set for our entire community. “I believe because of Kabookie we always have a role model to look up too, whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, or at home,” Mary Schumar ‘19 said. There’s a reason why the students and staff of East Grand Rapids dedicate one whole week to Jimmy Gerken and it’s because of his continuous message of kindness and inclusivity. Not only will Jimmy Gerken’s legacy be celebrated during Kabookie week, but he will always be remembered each and everyday in East. Jimmy’s legacy is more than just a week long celebration; it is a celebration of kindness and inclusiveness that has been left in the community. It’s not only important to remember his message during our years at East, but also continue his example of compassion for the rest of our lives. Let the spirit of Kabookie that spreads through the halls and flourish through the community for generations ahead.
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
Creating lasting change in 2018
By Emmeline Rooney ’19
Behind the scenes of a snow day Graphic by Maddie VanGessel ’19 STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER I understand why so many people detest New Year’s. Year after year, people pinpoint the sources of their failures -- be it dietary or academic inadequacy, an abuse of smoking or drinking, or otherwise -- easily remedied as “New Year’s Resolutions.” All year we promise ourselves that, come January, these blemishes in our health or figure will dissipate with 2017. The new year is upon us -- the time to turn over a new leaf. However, there is something faulty in our belief that the arrival of 2018 will supply the catalyst, motivation, and persistence needed to keep our New Year’s Resolutions all year. In fact, more often than not, we are setting ourselves up for failure by vowing to make life altering changes that will be extremely difficult to keep. We make charts, set reminders in our phones, and pin inspirational quotes and plans off of pinterest. Some of us wake up and face the biting January cold every morning, finally going for the runs we promise to take everyday for the rest of the upcoming year. However, when people can no longer keep themselves subsequently intact, dazzled by their own dedication, the steady backsliding begins. Most of the resolutions people chose are inherently rewardless and demand merciless devotion. As such, it makes sense that a whopping 80 percent of New Year’s Resolutions fail by February, according to a 2017 study done by “The Guardian.” How then can we make, and keep, a New Year’s Resolution? Most resolutions fail because they are not the right resolutions. People tend to choose their resolutions based off of what society is telling them to change, then make vague promises for reform without any realistic plan for accomplishment. We need to take baby steps towards new habits, and refocus our resolutions to flaws in our mentality rather than figure. A happy demeanor tends to follow suit with healthy habits. In order to look back on 2018 as a year of intense growth rather than the year you made a fervent effort to eat more kale, resolutions must be achievable and specific to you.
Kendall Kegal ‘21 1. I’ve eaten scorpion. 2. My favorite food is ice cream. 3. I’ve broken my ankle. 4. I’ve traveled to 3 different countries. 5. My favorite celebrity is anyone from One Direction or Dylan O’Brien.
Bradey Haulenbeek ‘20 1. My aunt is Señora MercadoBlackport. 2. I’ve broken my arm 2 times. 3. My favorite basketball player is Giannis Antetokounmpo. 4. I don’t like cheese. 5. I’ve eaten alligator. PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
Anton Ludwig ‘19 1. I’ve never had to go to the hospital. 2. I lived in Germany for a summer. 3. My parents are Buddhist. 4. I have never been to McDonalds. 5. I have a dual-citizenship.
Katie Ward ‘18 1. I’ve broken my back 3 times. 2. I’ve had the same best friend since I’ve moved here. 3. My favorite food is chicken nuggets. 4. I was born in Ohio. 5. I don’t have an appendix.
By Sydney Higgins ’19 STAFF WRITER PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
International club brings students together from around the world By Sydney Higgins’19 STAFF WRITER As a school that is not known for being extremely diverse it can be hard for students of different ethnicities to feel like they fit in. International club is working to change this by welcoming students with open arms and open minds. “It really gives the kids that I work with, and that kids at the school a chance to tell something about this interesting part about them and share it with other students,” Mrs. Avery, club’s advisor, said. Within Mrs. Avery’s years of working with ESL students she has noticed a certain pattern with many of her students. “A lot of times kids come in and they want to assimilate; they want to be the same as everyone else and fit in qui-
etly,” Mrs. Avery said. International club is encouraging students to share about their culture and be proud of who they are so they don’t have to try to be like everyone else in order to fit in. “It is really fun to see them have enthusiasm about where they are from and about a place that they have visited,” Mrs. Avery said. One way the club likes to educate peers on different cultures is by bringing in different foods. “A lot of the time I’ve never had the type of food that is there because it is from a different country. So it’s interesting to try and usually really good,” the club’s president Lea Schmitt ‘18 said. Although the focus of the club last PHOTO BY
Graphic by Grace Brooks ‘18 FOCUS EDITOR
year was mainly on bringing students from different countries together, it has evolved into building connections that can allow acceptance throughout the school by focusing on the struggles some students face. At the club’s first meeting, an Islamic movie was played in order to educate and create discussion. Elsa Hossain ‘21 was one student who spoke up after and shared personal stories about the topic at hand. “I spoke about American Muslims and how they are different than other Ameri-
cans, and how they are not terrorists,” Hossain said. “A lot of people asked me questions, and it was good to hear that other people are supportive because at the middle school I didn’t really have a good friend group.” The club has allowed Hossain and other students to feel a part of the school more. “A lot of people didn’t like me because I was Muslim, so it really warmed my heart to see that people actually cared,” Hossain said. This club has affected many individuals and our community can learn a lot from this club’s impact. The more we listen to each other and share experiences, the more understanding and welcoming our community can become.
Students launch Junior Economic Club Grace Lee ‘19 and Sophie Sears ‘19 make strides in the economic world By Anna VanderLaan ‘19 STAFF WRITER For many high schoolers, the future is overwhelming. Students spend a considerable amount of time thinking about their years following graduation and the important decisions they will make regarding their professions. The world of business can be a confusing place for many, and it is easy to feel stressed about the mystery of it all. Luckily, there is a club is dedicated to shining light on this complicated subject for high schoolers, and through this club, information on business and economics is more readily available for young high schools than ever before. The Junior Economic Club is a non-profit organization, which was founded in December of 2016, and is currently run entirely by high school students. Grace Lee ‘19 and Sophie Sears ‘19 are both board members of the club, and the girls have taken a special interest in bringing the subject of Grand Rapids business and economics back to our school. “Any high school student in the Grand Rapids area is welcome to join the Junior Economic Club,” Sears said. “Everyone is included and we really want to make sure kids enjoy the program while maximizing their learning experience.” The Junior Economic Club of Grand Rapids is one of three branches, with one located in Chicago, Illinois, and the other in Toronto, Canada. The Grand Rapids branch, which has approximately 50 members and four board members, hosts forums and business tours that feature some of Grand Rapids’ leading economic figures. The club also looks to further expand internationally, hoping to establish a presence around the globe. “The forums are great,” Lee said “It is a really unique club because it provides so many opportunities outside of school
PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19
PHOTO COURTESY GRACE LEE ‘19 PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19
Left, founders of Junior Economic Club: Grace Lee ‘19 and Sophie Sears ‘19. Right, Lee speaks at the Economic Club of GR to 800 Michigan business leaders. and gets kids interested in business within our community.” The first forum was last spring at the JW Marriott, and keynote speakers included Amway Regional President of the Americas, Candace Matthews, and CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids inc., Kristopher Larson. Many other East students joined Lee, Sears, and their peers to learn more about economics in their community. “Our first event was catered by Six.One.Six,” Lee said. “It was all free for students and everyone had a blast. Our speakers were very impactful and inspired students to pursue a career in business.” Recently, the Junior Economic Club was featured at the Economic Club of Grand Rapids on Nov. 20. Lee, along with fellow board member and Forest
Hills High School student Katie McClure ‘19, spoke in front of 800 top business leaders in West Michigan. “It was amazing to speak in front of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids,” Lee said. “The subject of business is very interesting to me and I am glad to be a part of the economic community.” The Junior Economic Club looks ahead to their next forum in February. The girls encourage any high schooler interested in business and economics to attend. “Our next forum is in February and it’s free as well. [We also have] a business tour this winter” Lee said. “These events are great opportunities to learn about Grand Rapids and its growing economy.” Be sure to check out the Junior Economic Club on Facebook, where you can fill out a form
to become a member. The club is a great way to get involved with the Grand Rapids economy, especially for those thinking about pursuing a career in business. Sears and Lee have already made great strides by being two young women on a board of four students. More young women and men should get involved to learn about real-life economics at an early age. We have the Junior Economic Club to thank for broaching the subject of business to students in Grand Rapids and inspiring kids to take action and learn about the economy of the city we live in. “We would love if you could attend our forum as well as business tour,” Sears agreed. “A big goal we have is to extend the club into the greater Grand Rapids area. Tell your friends about it!”
What Nora knows about... expanding your perspective Over holiday break, I traveled to Iceland, which, I must say, is a very interesting place. The people are genuine and the landscape is breathtaking, but what I perhaps noticed the most is the distinctness of its political culture. Nora Verdier I am constantly sur’19 rounded by the counterproducSTAFF WRITER tive, often regressing whirlwind of American politics, so it was refreshing for me to see the accomplishments Iceland has been making, while other countries have been struggling in their own foreign and domestic messes. Through observing the revolutionary characteristics of Iceland’s politics, I have realized that it is indispensable for me to widen my perspective and realize that while I may be unhappy with the current state of our country, other countries are greatly progressing. But before I go on, let me explain: Iceland is the coolest place ever. It has the lowest wage gap in the world. Nearly all of its homes are heated by geothermal energy. It gave us music artists, Kaleo and Björk. The literacy rate is 99 percent. It is the first country to elect a female president. Like I said, it’s the coolest. Sadly, the United States does not share these characteristics. However, Iceland is an excellent model of a well-functioning society that we Americans can use to strengthen our own country. I believe that there is a fine balance to this cognizance of America’s needed changes. I often struggle with feeling depressed over the United States’s many faults that I forget about what is happening in other countries. We forget to expand our perspectives that lead to despondency. Thus, the solution is to simply glance at what is being accomplished in other countries instead of focusing on the lost hope of our own. A few weeks ago, Iceland created a law that demands businesses to show how much they are paying their male and female employees, and that equal pay for equal work must be put in place. While I may be morose over what cataclysms have occurred in the White House, I have to also realize that overall, we as a group of 7.6 billion human beings are making progress. So, overall, visiting Iceland reminded me that our world is not completely falling to pieces. Even if we’re unhappy with the state of our nation, there are plenty of other countries proving that, the world is still moving forward - not backward.
Why to spend your summer working Current students’ experience of getting a job around East By Ally Jackoboice ‘18 STAFF WRITER Just like past years, at the start of 2018 students participated in the annual traditions of watching the ball drop and celebrating the fresh start of a new year. But the beginning of 2018 also brought new, New Year’s resolutions. For many students those include the hope of finding a job for the fast-approaching summer months. For upperclassmen, this can be especially important with the prospects of college next year. But, if you are looking for a job for this summer it may be a lot easier than it seems. Libby Moskal ‘18 has a job at a local elderly home, PHOTOS BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19 Beacon Hill, working as a server. Moskal has been working at Beacon Hill for a little over a year. “I live near Beacon Hill and I knew they were hiring so I went during the summer and got an application,” Moskal said. Her job as server is year round except three months during tennis season. “I never thought I would want to work with old people but I love it,” Moskal said. Peter Kratt ‘18 also has a job in the service industry at the new Kilwins traditional chocolate shop in Gaslight Village. “I work as a hot production maker at Kilwins,” Kratt said. Like Moskal, Kratt also filled out a couple different applications. “I sent my application out to a couple companies but that was the only one I got back. Demand for fudge is really high [right] now, and we like to make the supply chain high,” Kratt said. Kratt says he enjoys his job and the benefits that go along with it. Another student in the service industry is Owen Stecco ‘18, a sandwich maker at Blimpie. Like Moskal, Stecco works mostly in the summer. “It’s a year round job but I work more in the summer because I’m more [free],” Stecco said. Stecco got his job because of the family connection he already had at Blimpie. “Both my siblings work at Blimpie so it’s kind of a family affair. I got it from them,” Stecco said. Despite the Seniors: Libby Moskal, Peter Kratt, hard work and forced family time, Stecco emphasized and Owen Stecco rep their summer that he does enjoy his job. job uniforms from around East. “I love my job, I love making sandwiches more than anything on earth,” Stecco said. For students worrying about stressful work schedules, it not as bad as it seems. “I would recommend applying anywhere [but to] something that you actually enjoy, and apply there even if you’re nervous about starting a new job. You never know how you’ll grow as a person,” Moskal said.
The EGR Schools Foundation awarded $2,350 for two iPad Pros, helping music students learn on stage and in the classroom. Keeping Tempo!! Thanks for supporting the EGR Schools Foundation!
egrsf.org
Jan. 20-26 Athletics Schedule Boys Basketball Tues. Jan 23 Home vs. Grand Rapids Christian Freshman: 4:00 p.m. JV: 5:30 p.m. Varsity: 7:00 p.m. Thurs. Jan 25 Away at Wyoming Freshman: 5:30 p.m. JV: 7:00 p.m. Fri. Jan 26 Home vs. Wyoming Varsity: 7:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Tues. Jan 23 Away at Grand Rapids Christian Freshman: 4:00 p.m. JV: 5:30 p.m. Varsity: 7:00 p.m.
Students playing hockey at highest level By Emily Bergstrom ‘19 STAFF WRITER Hockey season is in full swing and the EGR hockey team is doing very well. After all, what many of us forget is that there are many other people who go to East that play hockey, but they do not play for the high school team. These are the people who play on club hockey teams. Some of the more well known club teams around the Grand Rapids area is the GRAHA team out of Patterson Ice Center and the Fox Motors team out of Southside Ice Arena. Many argue that playing club hockey will lead to more success than high school hockey would. “We play more games in the season and it’s very f a s t
Thurs. Jan 25 Away at Wyoming Freshman: 5:30 p.m. JV: 7:00 p.m. Fri. Jan 26 Home vs. Wyoming Varsity: 6:00 p.m. Bowling Mon. Jan 22 Away at Unity Christian 3:30 p.m. Thurs. Jan 25 Home vs. South Christian 3:30 p.m. Hockey Sat. Jan. 20 Home vs. Forest Hills Central 6:00 p.m. Fri. Jan 26 Home vs. FHNE 8:00 p.m. Skiing Sat. Jan 20 Home vs. Multiple Opponents 8:00 a.m
PHOTO COURTESY OWEN ALBERT ‘21
paced,” Primo Self ‘20 said. “We also travel a lot more and are gone almost every weekend. The positives to that is there is more exposure to college coaches.” Hockey players who want to continue their hockey careers through college usually take this
route due to the many opportuniCLUB HOCKEY TEAMS IN THE GRAND RAPIDS GRAHA
hockey is much more of a time commitment. “I like playing club hockey because the competition is good,” Owen Albert ‘21 said. “It is definitely worth the long weekends away from home.” Like many other hockey play-
playing travel hockey because traveling to Detroit every Sunday for a game got old,” Robbie Stuursma ‘20 said. “Playing for your school is pretty cool because you’re playing for a state championship to represent your school.” The idea of playing for a state title is something that many people want to do.
FOX MOTORS
SY PRIMO SELF
PHOTO COURTE
‘20
ers,
Owen Albert spends his weekends in popular hockey spots like MEIJER Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Traverse City. At these tournaments, the teams play against other club teams from around either the Midwest or the country. These tournaments are very intense. ties that may come with it. “My favorite part about these Another thing that tournaments is the competitivevaries between club ness between the teams,” Chrishockey and high tian Montgomery ‘19 said. school hockey All in all, both of the club is that club players agree that the time spent away from home will be worth it in the long run. Unlike travel hockey programs, the My favorite part about high school these tournaments is team plays for the goal the competitiveness of winning a between the teams. state championship. Christian Montgomery ’19 “I stopped
“
”
Playing for a high school team is a great opportunity to take pride in your school and represent it well. Either way, high school hockey and club hockey are both great ways to play the sport. When playing for a club hockey team, it can be nerve wracking due to the close watch of the college coaches. But then again, playing in front of the student body is arguably just as intimidating. After reading the opinions of many of our classmates, it is clear that hockey is a great sport to play: the team that you play on does not matter. What matters the most is the success anyone finds through playing.
The stress-free and fun winter sport By Maddie VanGessel ‘19 STAFF WRITER Do you want to be involved in a sport which is also considered a leisurely activity? Bowling is where you can find that. The bowling team at East Grand Rapids is a great opportunity for students to play a sport for the school without the huge time commitment or competitiveness that all of the other sports normally bring. Bowling is a Winter sport at East Grand Rapids. The team heads to different local bowling alleys a few times a week. For the matches during the week the team plays two bankers matches and two regular games. In addition to that, the team has tournaments which are typically on Saturday mornings. The bowling team’s season hasn’t been extremely successful,
but that hasn’t stopped them from trying their best and having fun. They haven’t won a match thus far this season, but are hopeful that a few of their matches will end with a win. “We’ve lost every match and no one’s very good but the season has been a blast anyway,” Katherine Donnelly ‘18 said, “I chose to be on the team because I like to bowl and a lot of my friends were doing it, so I figured it would be fun to try.” Our bowling team at the high school hasn’t been around for very long but over the past few years it has accumulated many new players and cultivated into one of the most fun teams to be on. “I chose to do bowling with a few of my friends because we
thought it would be a fun new to be apart of.” thing to try out this year!” Livi The team is hopeful they VanderHyde ‘18 said. ”Everyone can turn their season around and is super nice and supportive of one end with a few successful wins, so another on the team and our prac- make sure to come watch a match tices are always really laid back. sometime before it’s over. The We have yet to win a match this next bowling match is on January, season, but I am hopeful we will 2018 at 5 p.m. because we’ve all been improving a lot.” Another student at East Grand “I’ve the season Rapids and member of the bowlso far because ing team agrees that he is on the bowling team for the dynamic and it’s been fun to the ability to be on a team with his bowl with all my friends. ”Bowling is a lot of fun,” Tyler boys.” Cornetet ‘19 said, “I have enjoyed the season so far because it’s been fun to bowl with all my boys. I Tyler Cornetet ‘19 chose to be on the bowling team because I heard it was a fun team
Tues. Jan 23 Home vs. Multiple Opponents 4:30 a.m. Fri. Jan 26 Away at Cadillac 10:00 a.m. Boys Swimming Sat. Jan 20 Home vs. Multiple Opponents 12:00 p.m. Tues. Jan 23 Away at Northview 6:00 p.m. Wrestling Sat. Jan. 20 Away at Grand Rapids Christian 9:00 a.m. Weds. Jan 24 Away at Thornapple-Kellogg 6:00 p.m.
PHOTO BY MARISA MOONEY ‘18
Wrestling team finds success with standout athletes
By Paul Janes ‘20
STAFF WRITER Coming off of holiday break the wrestling team was looking forward to a strong return. With a match against Wayland, they were looking forward to a win. However, it didn’t turn out the way they planned. After that loss they now have a record of 6-7. They are hoping to even out their record in their next match. However, their match record doesn’t show off all the talent they have on the team. This
past weekend the team competed in the Dave Dunneback Invitational. The team had 4 of their wrestlers place in the top 3, with John Shelton ‘20 winning his division to cap off the teams success. Brothers Declan Lee ‘20, and Maddox Lee ‘18 both got second place, and Michael Afton ‘18 placed third. “I was pleased with how most of the guys wrestled. I felt as if most of them went out there and
proved themselves,” Maddox Lee said. This success isn’t unusual for the wrestlers, as Shelton is currently ranked #2 in the state, only losing to the #1 wrestler in the state. Maddox Lee also recently recorded his 100th high school win, a huge accomplishment that he is looking to expand on during the rest of the season. “Getting my 100th win is a big accomplishment for me because
not many wrestlers get to that landmark, and just to get there makes me realize how much I have improved thanks to the coaches and practice partners,” Lee said. With a lot of time left in the season the wrestling team is looking to keep improving, and they hope to even their record up in their next match against rivals Grand Rapids Christian on January 17.
Sisters on and off the court By Anna VanderLaan ‘19
STAFF WRITER It isn’t hard to tell that Olivia and Jillian Brown are sisters. The girls share the same house, the same brown curls, the same funloving personality, but the resemblance doesn’t stop there. Both Junior and Freshman are remarkably talented at playing basketball: a sport for which the Brown girls share a passion. Anyone who has seen a Girl’s Varsity Basketball game this year could tell you that the Brown sisters bring an energy to the sport that is hard to ignore. Olivia and Jillian both began their high school basketball career on varsity, and they dribble, pass, and shoot like pros. “I am loving basketball this year,” Olivia said, “I think our team has a ton of potential.” “Everything has been great,” Jillian agreed, who said she is looking forward to “getting closer with the team” in the second half of her freshman season. The ins and outs of high school basketball are completely new for Jillian, however it’s not just the freshmen who have had a fresh start. This season is especially unique because it’s the players’ first year with their new coach, and the girls spent the first part of the season acclimating to the change. “I really like Coach Hammond.,” Olivia said. “He is dedicated to our team and he has a passion for the sport.” The sisters routinely practice together in the off-season, however this year is their first time playing on the same school team. The girls spend time in their backyard court and in opengym helping each other become better players, and this year Jillian has followed in her sister’s footsteps being the only freshman on Varsity. “I would say overall I love playing with Jillian because we have gotten really close,” Olivia said. “She is an amazing player so I feel lucky to be able to play with her.” The Brown sisters have a close relationship both on and off the court. During games,
the girls play with a strong connection that only comes from being blood related. The bond Olivia and Jillian share extends far beyond basketball
other teams.” Playing on a team with a sister definitely has its benefits, however, family ties can sometimes
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
The Brown Girls practicing their tricks before warming up for their game against East Kentwood. as well; the girls can be seen talking, laughing, and hanging with each other in all other nonbasketball aspects of their busy lives. “The Brown sisters work really well together on the court,” teammate and long-time family friend Mary Schumar ‘19 said. “They embrace each other’s strengths and use it to win against
cause a little conflict. Anyone with a sibling could verify that the relationship has ups and downs, and Olivia and Jillian are no exception. “Honestly, [Jullian and I] bicker on the court,” Olivia admitted, “but overall we just want to make each other the best versions of ourselves possible.”
For the Brown girls, it’s 110 percent all the time and the effort they put into basketball definitely shows in competition. Like the good athletes they are, Olivia and Jillian are always looking for a way to improve their game. “I’d like to think I’m a well rounded player overall, but I can work on everything,” Jillian said, who looks up to Olivia as a player and an older sister. As a Junior, Olivia excels not only at the fundamentals of basketball, but in leadership as well. As a captain this year, she dedicates herPHOTO COURTESY KRIS WARD self to supporting her teammates and keeping a positive attitude. Like her sister, Olivia never fails to stay humble, and she is always striving to be a better player. “I can improve in every area of my game and that is my goal,” Olivia said. The girls team has a 8-1 record this year, and they have high hopes for the rest of the season ahead. Doing well in the state tournament is a big goal for the team and our girls have both the skill and the heart to go far. “I expect the rest of the season to go really well,” Olivia said. “I am looking forward to team bonding and trying to make it to states. As long as we work hard and believe in ourselves we will go far.” Stay tuned to the girls basketball team this winter season and you won’t be disappointed. The girls have plenty of exciting games to come, and based on how they have been playing this year, victories are ahead, The dynamic of the team this year is amazing to watch because the girls play together so well, and every time our EGR ballers hit the court, there’s always hard work, effort, and dedication from all of the players. And now, with both Olivia and Jillian Brown on the team, there’s bound to be some sisterly love as well.
Kabookie’s brother continues his legacy By Erin Rogers ‘19
STAFF WRITER The legacy of the Gerken family is something that the East Grand Rapids community holds near and dear to their hearts. Jimmy Gerken was a member of the community that always embodied the pioneer spirit with his positive outlook and lovable personality. He was friends with everyone and is someone that we still celebrate today with spirit days and memorials. Not only did Jimmy have a passion for pioneer athletics, his family is still involved with the program today. Athletics is a huge part of the East Grand Rapids culture and we have been able to develop the program through men like John Gerken. Jimmy’s brother, John Gerken is the man behind the camera here at East Grand Rapids. Gerken takes pride in filming the football, lacrosse, hockey and lacrosse teams games to upload onto the school’s Hudl account. The film is used to review the game for further improvement and exchanged in preparation for the next game’s competition. He has been able to capture the many victories and heartbreaking losses of the teams but enjoys every minute of it. “ I really enjoy being involved in the program because the spirit in this community is
fantastic and it is something that I love being a part of,” Gerken said. Gerken has been involved with the program since the early 2000’s, back when film exchanges were VCR tapes and had to be done in person. He has been able to develop the technology within the film exchange. Gerken was someone that initiated the online film company, Hudl, into East Grand Rapids. “We were the first school in the area to have the program so it took a lot of getting used to, after we figured it out everyone wanted access to it,” Gerken said. Little by little schools were buying Hudl for their sports teams because it was much more convenient and everyone was able to access what they needed. The development of Hudl in local schools is credited to Gerken and is something that he still uses today. Gerken sits through countless games in Michigan weather where the heat or the cold for some can be unbearable, but Gerken loves every moment of it. Mr. Gerken is pulled left and right with games of boys, girls, jv, and varsity sports. He only recently started taking student volunteers to help relieve some of the stress by filming the
home games and uploading it themselves. This may relieve some of the stress but, he usually enjoys attending the games himself so he can make sure that the games are being filmed correctly. “I would have coaches film their own games but, a lot of them just set up the camera, press play, and just walk away from it. That method makes it harder for the coach later to put on Hudl because they have to cut out so much dead time. It also doesn’t allow much focus on the interesting points in the game because it is frozen at the same angle,” Gerken said. Gerken really puts a lot of thought and time into the athletic program. He has really been able to build the teams with his film and the fact he pioneered the discovery of Hudl. Not, only is he a large part of the athletic program, he still carries on the “pioneer way” with his positive attitude and love for the community. He plans to be involved with filming as long as he can and has no plans for retiring anytime soon. The Gerken family has truly been a great contribution to the East Grand Rapids community and always set a great example of positivity and a love for our community.
Faces in the Crowd
“
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
The guys on the team are fun to be around, and the Clique cheese fries are amazing! Our goal this season is to bring the state championship back to EGR. I decided this year to be a part of the bowling team because I had a vision one night that the team had the potential to win a state title. this yeah and that was something I wanted to be a part of. I’m trying to achieve that goal by being competitive with my teammates and beating Parker Hall ‘20 and Mason Brown’ 20 on a daily basis.
”
“
I have played varsity three of my four years of high school. The biggest difference this season is a new coach that has very different coaching styles compared to coach Melton. The new coach is less strict and more relaxed it is very different than what we are used to. It has been an adjustment because the team was so close last year with coach Melton but I am excited to see what our new coach can help us improve to hopefully win a state title this season.
”
-Kole Butterer ‘19
“
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
I decided to be on ski team this year because a lot of my friends joined. The practices are really relaxed and the team is is always having a lot of fun I have never competitively skied before but, I have been skiing since my dad taught me when I was little. So far the best part of the team is meeting new people and learning new things. I hope joining the team will help me learn how to race along with improving my skills overall. Overall, it’s been a really cool experience with a great group of people!.
–Fizzy Tuitel ‘21
”
PHOTO BY ASBBY THEODORSDOTTIR ‘19
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
–Wynter Griffith ‘18
“
I really enjoy the culture of the team and the excitement of the meets. My goal this season is to make state in two events, the 500 and 100 freestyle. We have our sights set on a state title this season and are planning to achieve this with a more rigorous weight room schedule. Our team has really been able to come together to work hard during practice while still having fun. The team’s positive attitude is something that makes us close even outside of the swim season.
”
–Zach Sprague ‘20
PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18
By Erin Rogers ’19 STAFF WRITER
Interviews with IB Students By Natalie Regan ‘18 and Lauren Vanden Bosch ‘19 STAFF WRITERS Q: What is IB? A: “It’s just another program like AP. You take specific classes but you have to build off of that; you have to do service requirements. You do a long research project called the Extended Essay and so it’s just like taking classes similar to AP but doing a little extra work outside of school.” -- Lainey Skaggs ‘18 “IB makes you think about knowledge more than the actual content. It focuses on understanding instead of memorizing. It also focuses on how all of the courses connect to each other and how the knowledge can be used for worldly situations. We also take the Theory of Knowledge class, which gives us an insight to how we know what we know. We have to do charity and volunteer work around the criteria of creativity, service, and activity to make us more well-rounded.” -- Madie Stevens ‘19 Q: Why did you decide to take IB? A: “I was never big on school, so I decided to push myself and try something different. The program focuses on critical thinking and presents many challenges, which I thought was interesting. Also, the program is internationl, which means anyone in the world could be learning the same exact thing I’m learning right now.” -- Anna Pike ‘19 Q: How is taking IB different from other classes you’ve taken? A: “In IB we look at differing opinions which really broadened my understanding of the topics being discussed. When writing essays, looking at different opinions makes for a well-rounded argument.” -- Lily Kate Rogers ‘19
Truths on IB By Lauren Vanden Bosch ‘19 STAFF WRITER Truth #1: Taking IB limits your options. You cannot take more than one class in the same subject area (two electives or two languages), even though according to IB rules you are technically allowed to. “Overall, we need to grow the programme to allow for more choices and flexibility within our programme,” McKinney admitted. You also cannot dual enroll, cannot attend KCTC, cannot take online classes, and are unable to take electives such as Journalism, Yearbook, DDT, Photography, or Interior Design while in the IB DP. Truth #2: In order to be eligible for the IB DP you must plan ahead. Your sophomore year you have to take certain classes so you can participate in IB. You must already be enrolled in a language, take a prerequisite to your chosen IB elective, and not be behind in math. Some students are unable to take IB because they do not fulfill these requirements. Truth #3: The school board and teachers are pushing the program hard. A great deal of advertising is done to freshman and sophomores, and if you have a good academic record you may find yourself being highly encouraged to take the program by your counselor or IB teachers who want to feed and help grow a fledgling program. “I felt heavily pressured to take this program by Mrs. McKinney and a counselor,” said one IB DP student, whose identity will remain private. You cannot let yourself be unduly influenced by others; you have to make the decision that works best for you. IB is a big commitment and will greatly affect the rest of your high school career.
Busting myths about the IB Diploma Programme By Lauren Vanden Bosch ‘19 STAFF WRITER Myth #1: You have to be academically gifted in order to enroll in the IB DP. Mythbuster: The IB DP at East values open enrollment, so no minimum GPA is required in order to enroll. It’s meant to be open and accessible to all students who want to participate. It’s not meant to be an elitist programme; in fact, the whole country of Ecuador has adopted the IB DP. However, the IB DP is meant to be a rigorous academic programme that prepares a student for college and future life. Therefore, a strong work ethic and desire to do well is necessary in order to obtain an IB Diploma. Myth #2: IB is harder than AP. Mythbuster: IB presents different challenges than AP, not necessarily harder ones. It depends on the person. IB emphasizes writing in its assessments. AP exams and IB SL exams are both taken in May but IB HL exams are only taken senior year. IB’s additional Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirement is not difficult because many people have this kind of balance in their lives already. “So far I have not found the DP to be too overwhelming. Our teachers are really flexible and want the best for you so they can also help,” Olivia Brown ‘19 said. However, the Extended Essay is a major commit m e n t that might be an additional challenge for some students. According to McKinney, while researching and writing the EE some students became significantly discouraged and overwhelmed. Myth #3: Juniors and seniors enrolled in the ID DP are only doing it to earn college credit or get into an Ivy League college or university. Mythbuster: Those in the IB DP chose it due to its unique curriculum which emphasizes skill-based learning as opposed to the contentbased learning that the Advanced Placement (AP) emphasizes. “I did it for the Visual Arts program because I really wanted to do that and the teachers recommended it,” said Madeline Fellows ‘19. “When I learned more about the programme I realized it was better for me to have a more international view and wanted to feel more connected with the rest of the world. I wanted to go deeper and not just memorize things.” Myth #4: Colleges prefer IB over AP. Mythbuster: Colleges value both IB and AP courses because both signify academic rigor
and risk-taking. They want to see commitment and dedication to one’s interests and strengths throughout one’s high school career. East has had a good track record of students being accepted to the Ivy League and other good schools before the implementation of IB. Myth #5: The IB DP is just a way to attract students from outside of East into our school district or boost East’s rankings and compete with other academically high-achieving schools. Mythbuster: The main reason for implementing IB at East was because its mission statement aligns so closely with the East Grand Rapids Public schools’ mission statement. It also provides a different and alternate way of learning. According to McKinney, offering both AP and IB courses is similar to offering band, orchestra, and choir. “We have a strong music program overall and we serve more students because we offer these different choices,” she said. “This has been a part of our school community for so long we do not worry, in fact, we take pride in it.” However, it cannot be denied that bringing IB to East has attracted students here who otherwise might have chosen a different school. Many high-achieving schools on the east side of the state have IB programmes and having IB at East does help compete with these schools. Additionally, through IB it is now possible to compare East to other schools internationally. “This is simply a perk of offering the IB Diploma Programme as opposed to a driving factor,” McKinney said. Myth #6: Taking classes in the IB DP with the same group of students for two years is boring and irritating. Mythbuster: “I like taking classes with the same people,” said Olivia Spagnuolo ‘19. “I like how we’re all close-knit and can talk easily with each other because we all know each other so well.” However, she also admitted that there’s a downside to the small number of IB candidates as well. “It’s hard that you don’t get to see everyone else in the school because you’re always taking classes with IB students,” she said. Myth #7: It’s not worth having IB at East because very few students do it and/or are interested in doing it. Mythbuster: IB at East is thriving compared to other schools when they first started their IB programmes. For example, when Portage Central started the IB DP at their school
they had around five candidates. EGRHS, on the other hand, has a total of 51. This includes 25 students in the Class of 2018 and 26 students in the Class of 2019. Myth # 8 : Because all of an IB DP student’s classes are weighted and class rank is determined by each student’s weighted GPA, an IB DP student has an inherent advantage when it comes to making the top ten in his or her grade. Mythbuster: According to McKinney, there are many factors to consider and questions to answer when deciding the top ten students. This includes: How many honors and AP courses did the student take in 9th and 10th grade? Does an IB DP candidate have an IB course for every semester during their junior and senior years? The only reason that East began giving courses weight was to help students win scholarships. East students were put at a disadvantage when they did not have their honors and AP courses weighted as compared to other schools. However, most colleges strip the high schools’ grade weights when considering applications, and instead look to the course’s name (if it has “honors,” “IB,” or “AP” in it) to determine rigor. Myth #9: Because the IB DP is being prioritized other classes and programs are suffering. Mythbuster: The only classes that have been removed from the East curriculum in direct result of IB are English 5/6 and Honors Spanish 5/6. Despite the implementation of IB, We the People, another Junior class, had 23 participants this year and won the State competition. Additionally, the CAS requirement encourages students to take a more active role in their school communities and join extracurriculars they might have not taken part in otherwise. Myth #10: East’s budget is being stretched to the breaking point to accommodate the cost of implementing and running the IB. This money could have been used elsewhere. Mythbuster: The initial costs of researching and attending the IB authorized professional development were paid for with the sale of a cell tower behind the stadium. Now that IB is a part of the school’s day-to-day proceedings, it is being paid for with General fund money which is provided by the State of Michigan. More myths and ‘mythbusters’ about the IB Diploma Programme can be found online at www.theeastvision.info.
Graphics by Grayson Powell ‘18 SPORTS EDITOR
Meet the faces of the IB Diploma Programme By Natalie Regan ‘18 STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATALIE REGAN ‘18
“I would recommend the IB Diploma Programme to underclassmen strongly because you create a really good bond with your cohort, and it is nice to have a good support system throughout the program. The learning style of the classes is something I enjoy and benefit from to help me understand the content. IB is different than other classes because it is usually more discussion-based, and more analytical than just plain facts.” -- Madie Stevens ‘19
PHOTO BY NATALIE REGAN ‘18
“I’m happy I chose to do IB. There are some science classes I think would have been interesting to take that aren’t in IB, but I do like the classes that I’m in and I think they have definitely helped me prepare for college. Some of the experiences I’ve had through doing community service have definitely changed who I am. I would recommend doing IB but you have to know and be prepared for the course work. You have to know that any Higher Level (HL) class is not going to be easy.” -- Lainey Skaggs ‘18
PHOTO BY NATALIE REGAN ‘18
“I chose to sign up for the IB Diploma Programme because I wanted to try something new and have a learning experience that was more than just memorizing facts. I’m really excited to see how what I’ll be learning in one class connects to my other classes next year.” -- Maya Gauri ‘20