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