November 2017 by The East Vision

Looking Forward

The Sign Wars: Is it more than a black and white issue? By Nora Verdier ‘19 STAFF WRITER

Decmber 2 SAT Test 4-6 One Act Auditions 9 ACT Test 11-15 Food Drive 22 Holiday Concert Countdown to Holiday Break

22 days

Hockey team looks to donate to local charities By Emily Bergstrom ‘19

STAFF WRITER East Grand Rapids and Catholic Central look to bring the “cure of comfort” to Southside Ice Arena this coming Friday. The upcoming hockey game will be donating stuffed bears to two local charities, Billy Bear Hug Foundation and Bear Hug Foundation. The Youth Advisory Board from Billy Bear Hug will be selling stuffed teddy bears as tickets to those who want to donate to the organization. All of the money from the teddy bears will be split between Billy Bear Hug and Bear Hug Foundation. Once you buy a bear, it will be yours to throw after the first period of the hockey game. All of the bears thrown on the ice will be collected and brought to the Children’s hospitals to be given to children at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Bronson Children’s Hospital and Hospice of Michigan. The “Bear Toss” will be a fun and easy way for the organization to collect money and help those in need. Along with the “Bear Toss”, the Youth Advisory Board is having a 50/50 raffle for two lucky students to go on the ice during the “bear toss” and play in the bubble suits. The winner of the raffle will stay down on the ice and play with the fellow classmate and face-off against two other students from Catholic Central. “I am very excited to spread awareness about Billy Bear Hug at the hockey game because I know that a lot of people know of Billy Bear Hug, but aren’t aware of what we actually do.” Caroline Roth ‘20, a member of the Youth Advisory Board, said, “We have a lot of fun activities planned from a gummy-bear counting contest to halftime activities to help raise money from Billy Bear and I think that a lot of people will participate so that will help it be successful.” Roth, along with many others are excited to see the hockey game and help support two organizations that do so much good in our community. Make sure to be at the game to watch some good hockey and take part in the “Bear Toss” so that you can be apart of the awesome cause.

Signs Appear On the weekend of Nov. 4, multiple white supremacy signs were posted up on telephone poles and plastered over community members’ yard signs, covering messages promoting diversity and inclusion with messages promoting the alt-right. Needless to say, community members did not take it lightly. After various residents found their yard sign to be covered the next morning, East Grand Rapids Mayor Amna Seibold was quick to respond that the white supremacy leaflets found in various East neighborhoods have been reported across the country, adding that “racism has no place in our community.” Sophie Hojinacki’s ‘19 “In This House, We Believe…” yard sign was covered by an alt-right poster with the words “It’s Okay To Be White” written on it with a picture of Donald Trump. “It was disturbing to see that these beliefs supporting white supremacy are still alive today and that people [in our community] found the need to promote them by overriding people’s messages of peace,” Hojnacki said. A Facebook Group Forms Amidst community members’ frustration and confusion over the signs, members of the EGR Parents for Promoting Education on Racism Facebook page, founded by Angie Walters, were discussing ways to combat white supremacy within the community. The Facebook page was created by parents who wanted to have a platform where they could communicate their concerns regarding racism in the community. The page also acts as a medium where parents can discuss ideas to expand their kids’ knowledge on racism and develop further ways

to combat white supremacy EGR. Parents Respond “It is heartbreaking to hear stories about children who have suffered discrimination in our community and schools. It is important that we

“I believe that EGR students can make a big impact when they go out into the world,” Walters said. “We want students to be fully prepared to succeed in a variety of situations and within diverse communities,” While the Facebook page was

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

Jill Lampen, Mike TerHorst, Tina Murua, amd Liz TerHorst (left to right) show support for inclusivity in community. investigate what can be improved,” Walters said. With the hopes of educating East students on racial discrimination, the parents of the Facebook page hope that their kids, with a more cognizant perspective, can counteract white supremacy ideals that continues to threaten American society today.

created before the white supremacy signs were posted up around EGR, the posters validated the importance of the Facebook page within the community. “The appearance of the signs just solidified our belief that we need that education [on racism],” Tina Murua, a member of the Facebook page, said.

As being discussed within the EGR Parents for Promoting Education on Racism page, community members are wondering which steps should be taken next in combating the presence of white supremacy. In response to Seibold stating that rallies are not the best solution as they are simply giving hate a platform, there has been much controversy on whether holding protests and putting up anti- alt-right signs are the most impactful actions, or if there are other more effective solutions. Resolutions are Formed “I do not think fighting hate with hate is the answer. However, staying silent isn’t go ing to solve any issues either, so I think discussion is the only way we are going to better understand our neighbors,” Hojnacki explained. “Putting up posters to attack the other side is not the answer to fighting these supremacy signs.” Walters agrees that staying silent is the exact opposite reaction EGR community members must have in response to the signs. Instead, she believes that speaking out, while refraining from doing so in a hateful way, is the best action to take. “We cannot turn our heads and pretend that everything is okay. First, as a community we can educate ourselves,” Walters explained. “Next, we can reach outside of our community to start conversations, which can lead to action. We all must help change the culture and that starts with speaking up.” Over the past few weeks, community members have shown that EGR will not tolerate alt-right messages within the community. As Seibold stated in her message responding to the posters: “[t]hese people tried to upset our community and we’re stronger than that.”

School district discusses inclusivity in community By Marisa Mooney ‘18 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF After a letter sent was sent to the Superintendent by a concerned community member inquiring about the way racism is taught and learned within the classroom, the board of education set it’s October agenda to discuss diversity efforts within the school district and to open up a larger discussion within the community. This meeting, which was held in the Little Aud due to large audience of parents and community members, “provided an opportunity for community members to understand all that we do as a district.” said Jenny Fee Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. In their presentation the board outlined the current curriculum which includes Cross-Cultural Competencies in Social Studies and English Language Arts and stated their strategic plans for the district stating, “Diversity must be taught through a series of developmentally appropriate, cumulative experiences over an extended period of time, K-12.” while maintaining that, “Diversity experiences and teachings must be authentic, organic, and in context.” Along with presenting the current curriculum requirements, addressing diversity and culture, the board also highlighted many initiatives taking place at the Elementary,

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Entertainment 6

Middle, and High School level such as: community partnerships, service learning projects, and a committee called Champions of diversity. Another issue that was addressed was the lack of diversity within the teaching staff at EGRPS and how the staff is taught to handle issues dealing with racism and bias.

assistant principals attended Restorative Justice Training at the Conflict Resolution Center. The Board also discussed their attempts to hire a more diverse staff by attending teacher career fairs, posting listing on the ISD website, and target outreach to historically black colleges. Despite their efforts the lack of suc-

GRAPHIC BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

As a part of staff development there has been staff learning at GRCC’s Institute for Healing Racism, Implicit Bias Training through Grand Rapids Urban League, and all principals and

cess is not a problem limited solely to our district. Due to the fact that 83% of teachers in the United States are white, they stressed that this is also a national problem. After the board had finished

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Focus 7

their presentation the floor was then opened for members of the community to voice their opinions. Several parents came forward to share their children’s experiences with racism at school and their thoughts about how the district can move forward in promoting acceptance. Fee noted that the overall outcome of the meeting was positive with, “A few community members reach[ing] out to building principals as follow ups to their offer of support. One building principal and I met with four community members, in two separate meetings, about how we could work together to advance our diversity work. We specifically talked about a community diversity committee whose work would parallel the work of the district and would be mutually supporting.” “The teaching and learning of diversity is important and challenging work. It is not something that can be done within just the classroom walls. It takes education at home, in the community, and in the schools. We as a district understand this and look forward to working with parents and the community to advance our work.” said Fee.

Girls swim and dive capture their twenty-first state championship.

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Letter to the Editor

PHOTO BY SOPHIE ACKERMANN

American Hypocrisy

Black Friday contradicts everything we celebrate on Thanksgiving Picture this: it’s five o’clock in the morning, the day after Thanksgiving, and the suburbia is more awake than ever. Soccer moms are ruthlessly fighting over the last 50% off Kitchen Aid mixer. Nora Verdier ‘19 Parents with bloodshot eyes are shoving others STAFF WRITER in line, screaming at each other as they’re holding their LD widescreened TVs in the air above the scavenging masses. It’s a war zone. While Black Friday is known as the memorable experience of binge-shopping lower-

priced goods with parents and siblings as a bonding experience, others regard it as a suicide mission - and this observation may not be too far off. According to blackfridaydeathcount.com, this past Friday, ten people were killed and 110 others were injured around the U.S. during shopping. While the numbers are staggering, deaths occurring on Black Friday are no anomaly. In 2016, a woman in Reno, Nevada was shot dead in the midst of a parking space dispute at a Walmart. In 2011, a man was trampled to death at a Target. In 2008, two shoppers died during a shooting at a Toys ‘R Us. Considering the horrid statistics, the question poses: is Black Friday shopping really the

cordial family-bonding activity that it’s advertised as? While I’d like to think so, the data leaves me second guessing the humanity of this practice. Innocent shoppers have been shot, trampled, and even pepper-sprayed, all in hopes of finding lower prices. What lies behind the doors of malls and stores on Black Friday is a jungle -- peril and derangement, and a degradation of people’s sanity. While I understand that for the most part, going Black Friday shopping is not putting one’s life in jeopardy, I’ll spare myself the anxiety and fear of navigating stores on Black Friday and stay at home. And to those of you who dare to venture out into the wilderness on Black Friday next year... I wish you all the luck.

A guide to “spam” accounts: the DOs and DON’Ts An Instagram account created solely to receive attention for scandalous photos, college acceptance letters, emotional posts, and flaunting the abuse of drugs Erin Rogers and alcohol is ’19 known as a spam account. STAFF WRITER S p a m accounts center around the idea of the unspoken aspects of the life of the high school student. The purpose of spams is to post funny pictures and rant about life. There are many different types of spam users, but all of them use Instagram as a platform for less serious, unedited posts about themselves. The most critical factors in a spam account are the username. A spam username has to be witty and slightly inappropriate to catch a potential follower’s attention. An eye-catching username is something that all spam users strive to have, regardless of how they use their spam. The many different spam types boil down to a few different categories. There are the braggers, the wannabes, the criers, and the snoopers. The braggers use their account as a trophy case for their many accomplishments like state titles, EVERY college acceptance letter they have received and the plethora of assignments and projects they have received an A on. The braggers will stop at nothing to prove they are the most accomplished and most successful people you know, and the fact that you can follow them is an honor that should be recognized. Although the braggers may be annoying, it is comforting to know the try-hards of the school will lead clubs and sports team to success. The most notorious spam user is the wannabe. The wannabe encourages photos of PHOTO BY NATALIE REGAN them using drugs or alcohol at a party to look cool and “exciting.” While the post may seem

funny at the moment, seeing the notifications the following morning filled with questions isn’t so exciting. These spam users will try to have as many of followers as possible, so they have a wide range of fans to entertain.

“These types of spam posts are completely unnecessary and can get people in a lot of trouble just because they are trying to be cool,” Grace Lee ‘19 said.

These risqué posts are often at the expense of someone else who was not invited to the party which leads us to the next infamous spam user, the criers. The criers are the emotional users of Instagram that provide a slideshow of photos of them crying in many different locations. “You shouldn’t make that public for people to see and keep some things private and in the end, they are just drawing attention,” Kate Mackeigan ‘19 said. With all these dramatic posts there has to be a fan base for all this spam madness. The spectators just sit back with their popcorn and watch all the drama unfold. The snoopers only have a spam account to enjoy all the excitement they are not apart of and to screenshot some of these outrageous posts. The snoopers are the sneakiest of followers because they are always lurking on profiles for the latest gossip. They are also some of the stingiest when it comes to followers because they want to make sure their spam is very low key but, not to the point that their account is seen at as “too exclusive.” The science of the spam is very particular, but the snooper is the safest route if you are looking for the spam experience without the drama. Avoid posting things that may offend your fan base along with photos that will keep you out of trouble.

Hello East Vision Staff, I would like to question the thought process behind an article that was recently published in our school’s paper titled “Has the Bubble Been Breached?” I won’t reiterate what was said, but what I assume was an article aiming to tell our school community about the very normal rise in crime that occurs during the summer (according to a study done by the Bureau of Justice Statistics) turns into an article that uses words with very negative connotations. East Grand Rapids has been called “the bubble” for years, and the notion of East being a bubble has forever existed in this predominantly white, affluent community. This article makes it seem like our bubble is something to be proud of when this is simply not the case. I would, as the reader, like to inspire a discourse on the use of the words “our bubble” in future articles, because of the implication that we are proud of not being diverse, proud of being separate, and proud of looking down at the rest of the city. I would love to have a conversation about this in future; these were just my thoughts about this article. — Chris Bruinsma ‘19 Chris, I agree with your points made about the negative connotations surrounding “the bubble”. EGR faces similar problems that other communities face: among them, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce and loss, as well as break-ins and petty crime. I also agree that the term is too often used to imply our lack of diversity and that this is not something to be celebrated. However, my intent with my article was never to preach the positivity behind that name. Rather, the use of “the bubble” in the title of my article was meant to be ironic. My article does not focus on the word “the bubble”, but instead on statistics of crime within EGR. So, the title was meant to bring irony to the name by showing that EGR is not exempt from criminal activity and is similar to many surrounding towns. My article was not written to focus on the name “the bubble” or to preach any sort of positivity behind the word. It was meant to show the reader that the positive use of “the bubble” is dismissive of its true connotations. While I agree with you that “the bubble” does have negative connotations, I must defend my use of it within this article as a writer. I respect and appreciate your decision to reach out to me as the writer of this article and do agree a discussion should be started about it. However, my article frankly does not agree with the term “the bubble” and I truly believe it in no way enhances any positivity behind that name. — Ally Jackoboice ‘18

THE VISION

It’s not okay to be racist

Want to put an end to sexual assault? #metoo

PHOTO COURTESY ISABELLE OSBOURNE ‘19

On Nov. 4, flyers with the words “it’s okay to be white” were plastered around East Grand Rapids, supporting white supremacy. Some of the flyers were simply put on people’s cars or on Simon Lafleur trees, while some ‘20 were put on signs in STAFF WRITER front yards to cover up more inclusive messages. This unfortunate event shed a bad light on East Grand Rapids which is a city already known for being predominantly white and for its lack of racial diversity.

Although EGR isn’t the most diverse place, the majority of the community does not discriminate against a certain race, and it welcomes anyone that wants to be a part of it. Some residents show that they are inclusive by putting signs out in front of their houses. The signs have messages that support groups such as “Black Lives Matter” and the LGBTQ community, among others. When these signs were covered up by an exclusive message, it brought a whole new level to this issue. No matter the community or neighborhood, putting out a message like this in the first place is clearly wrong. It is upsetting that people feel the need to spread a negative message like this, especially in the middle of the night when no one was

awake to challenge or argue against this person or group’s opinion. However, going to someone’s property and covering up a message that they support is out of line. What someone chooses to support is up to them, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If the message someone is relaying is not something you agree with, a better idea is to discuss it with them. This creates room for more insight on both sides of the argument. This event is obviously something that the city and community of East Grand Rapids doesn’t want to happen again, and the residents will continue to be inclusive and welcoming to all.

Gaslight is more than Economics There are few things more synonymous with the culture of East than Gaslight Village. Functioning as a great place to hang out or get a bite to eat with Michael Barnes family and friends, ’18 Gaslight has without question become the STAFF WRITER central hub that East has to offer. The charm of long standing places like Jersey Junction mixed with new businesses like Crazy Charlie’s, Big Bob’s, and Carolina offer a great environment for people of all ages to insert themselves into the community, get to know people, and have a good time. With the foot traffic and wide spreading popularity that Gaslight has to offer, the city commission has identified a place for economic growth to occur, and in turn have been proposing new plans for its design in the past months. Almost all of these changes involve polishing the look, giving it a much more modern look rather than the traditional feel which it currently conveys. While the plans may provide some eco-

PHOTO BY CITY OF EGR

nomic benefit for East in the long term, the extent to which they go to do this is highly questionable. For one, the construction would disrupt life tremendously for at least a summer of those who reside in that area. A summertime that could be spent enjoying Gaslight and the businesses it has to offer would instead be spent surrounded by clutter and construction. Additionally, what these plans are seeming to do it putting possible economic gain over the centerpiece of East Grand Rapids. What we have in East is something special. There is a reason that this community is widely revered as one of the best places to live, Forbes going as far as ranking Grand Rapids as the best place to raise a family. A large part of these accolades are the feeling of community that East provides, and if we

were to look out the window and see a modernstyle, futuristic version of Gaslight Village, it just wouldn’t be the same. These plans eliminate much of the culture of Gaslight, and in process eliminate much of the culture of EGR. When so much of the world is focused on progression, most notably in terms of technology, place rich with tradition and character becoming that much more valuable. The reason that places like Jersey Junction are so renowned on a citywide level is because of the longstanding character they hold. Gaslight village too has this character, but nearly all of its charm would be destroyed with these new proposals. If a community, and a school for that matter, prides themselves on tradition, the single largest aspect of it should remain relatively unchanged.

Unfortunately, sexual assault is not uncommon among women, nor is it an unprecedented issue. However, the recent #metoo movement, Anna VanderLaan which gained popu‘19 larity among women following sexual alleSTAFF WRITER gations filed against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, has provided a new platform for women to discuss harassment in a remarkably effective way. In a country where one in five women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, change can best occur with discussion on the issue. The problem with this is that women who are victims of sexual harassment or assault often feel embarrassed, like what happened is their fault, or that speaking about their experiences is “taboo”. This lack of communication has allowed for the issue of sexual harassment to be written off as less prevalent than it really is. Which is why it was so essential for actress Alyssa Milano to tweet, “if all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote ‘Me too’ as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.” Tens of thousands of people reacted to Milano’s call to action, some describing their personal experiences, while others simply responding with “#metoo”. Women and men alike took the opportunity to support the #metoo movement, including celebrities Anna Paquin and Lady Gaga, who each tweeted out a response to Milano. Additional accusations of sexual misconduct followed the allegations about Weinstein, and as the pool of reported sexual assaulters grows, the #metoo movement does as well, finding support beyond Twitter in social media outlets like Instagram and Facebook. The #metoo movement was a very important step towards women feeling comfortable enough to talk about sexual harassment; victims seek out the support they need on social media and find that they are not alone, resulting in more and more women sharing their stories with the world. The movement also shines light on the fact that sexual assault is a big issue in our country today, and it shouldn’t be ignored. The blame goes to a society that has denied women of a voice for too long, and the credit goes to social media which has given women the tool they need to make progress in the right direction. The best way the issue of sexual harassment and assault can be solved is with more movements like #metoo, which in my opinion, is an incredible addition to our progression. However, if I had one criticism, it would be that #metoo should’ve started sooner.

Easttalks: How should people give back during the holiday’s?

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

“I look for opportunities to help families in need and people less fortunate than I am, trying to help out in small ways that are most beneficial.” -Mr. Stabile

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

“Donating even just a dollar if you have it to any cause you think is worthy can go a long way and help many people in need.” -Colleen Edgerle ‘18

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

“I think people should go to giftwrapping charities like the ones they hold in places such as the mall.” - Drew Gadbois ‘19

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

“I believe people should give back by donating to others in need as well as volunteering when they are able to.” - Reese Hartmann ‘21

One year later: the election and a Trump presidency By Michael Barnes ’18 STAFF WRITER The country is one year removed from the most controversial election in its history. After such a heated election, one would expect that tensions would cool in the months to follow, but that has turned out to be the opposite. Even after a year, President Trump and his administration continue to make news daily regarding his actions in office. Social issues such as the anthem protests, the riots in Charlottesville, and the issue of gun control following the Las Vegas shooting have dominated the political conversation throughout the nation. President Trump has proved beyond doubt that he is not afraid to speak his mind on these issues, taking to Twitter daily to express his unfiltered opinions. Arguably the most relevant of these social issues are the anthem protests taking place in the NFL. When Colin Kaepernick first began kneeling this past August due to feeling like the country was not upholding the ideals that the flag represents, nobody could have predicted the effect it would have nationwide. While these social issues have dominated all political conversation, the structural changes that have occurred during President Trump’s first year in office have been equally important. It did not take long for President Trump to institute a landmark decision in the form of an executive order when he suspended United States entry for Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trump recently appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch to the supreme court, after Justice Scalia passed, the supreme court was a huge issue in the election, as the winner would be able to appoint a justice. With this appointment, the court swung conservative; a distinct advantage for the Republican party. Other notable executive actions include abolishing DACA, which granted minors who entered the country illegally a two year period of deferred action from deportation. Tensions have also been constantly rising with North Korea as the year has progressed. The North Koreans have successfully tested several nuclear weapons, and with the United States within range for a strike, many citizens are worried. As of Nov. 20, President Trump has declared North Korea as an official state sponsor of terrorism. A year in, many questions remain unanswered. Promises, such as building a wall on the border of Mexico, and tax reform, made during President Trump’s campaign are yet to be kept, and the political climate at a domestic and global level is as toxic as ever. Citizens need to remain informed about what’s going on in the White House so everyone can develop their own opinions about our government.

City proposes new Gaslight master plans By Asha Lewis ’18 MANAGING EDITOR “Summertime Sin City” is how many referred to East Grand Rapids back in the 1830s when it was known for its roadhouses and gambling. From its agricultural roots all the way to its famous amusement park, EGR has observed major changes and may be seeing some more in the years to come. “You wouldn’t want to wake up one morning and say, ‘wow, we missed something big,’” East Grand Rapids mayor Amna Seibold said. “The world moves so fast these days that we want to do our best to keep up with it.” To keep up with our ever changing world, the EGR Planning Commission and the City Commission are working together, with the help of MKSK, an award-winning consulting group, on our city’s new Master Plan. “What they’re bringing to us are suggestions to react to. Having a different eye come in, having somebody with just a different vision come in and make suggestions for upcoming trends lets us look for what we think would be helpful in our city, what we might be missing and how we can best place it in our city,” Seibold said. “We’re doing a lot of comparison with other cities of similar sizes, looking for what we could add that we didn’t have before or that we couldn’t have before.” Last month, the Planning Commission released sketches of plans for improving Gaslight Village, and were met with mixed reactions from the community. What some failed to notice, however, was that these plans were not set in stone. “The pictures online are merely suggestions.” Seibold explained. “Almost all the property that they’re talking about is private property. Those pictures were merely a suggestions for the consultants. It doesn’t mean that [Jade Pig Ventures] who own[s] the property wants to do that, [but] we’re trying to keep them engaged and trying to come up with ideas as a

city, what is it that we can do?” Jade PIg Ventures, a real estate investment, development, and property management company, owns not only the Gaslight parking structure, but also the green space just north of it behind D&W Fresh Market. “I get more questions about that than anything else,” Seibold said. “The city doesn’t own it, so now we’re looking at out Master Plan and that piece of undeveloped space right there among Gaslight and seeing [if] there is a way we can help the people that own that property do something with it. If we weren’t doing this Master Plan that property would just continue to sit there.” The Master Plan, which is currently just a draft, will be focusing on parking, residential land use around Gaslight Village, and revamping Gaslight Village’s structure – things to help keep our city strong. “I really love new ideas, so I was thinking ‘that’d be great and that would be great’ but you have to think about what’s realistic and what might be great for a day, but isn’t great for always,” Seibold said. Although the City Commision and Planning Commision have plenty of help from professionals, they also want to hear from the residents of East Grand Rapids too. “We want people to see [the plans]; we have it online. We want people to look at it and think about things so we can get their input. Now, compared to ten years ago, more people are online and more people are comfortable being online.” Seibold said. The Planning Commission, after gaining the approval of the City Commission, will have an open house in February to publicize the Master Plan and then begin the formal review process. Once adopted, the Master Plan will guide us into the future as a stronger, more successful community here in East Grand Rapids.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE CITY OF EGR

Quiz bowl team gears up for first national competition By Nick Van Heckken ’19 STAFF WRITER For the first time in the school’s history, the Quiz Bowl team at East Grand Rapids has qualified to participate in the national tournament. The students involved have been working hard, and their hard work has payed off. For those that don’t know what it is, “Quiz Bowl is basically team Jeopardy against another team,” Jagienka Timek ‘18 explained. “The questions can ask about anything from science, to literature, to TV shows, to classical music, to world religions.” To test their knowledge, the team travels throughout West Michigan to participate in various competitions. Some competitions are at big schools or colleges, where others are at more local schools. “We usually compete in tournaments against other schools, so the rounds and

questions can get really intense,” Timek said. The intensity of the tournaments has not phased them, as their knowledge, preparation, a n d h a r d w o r k h a s qualified them to compete in nationals this up- PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18 coming spring. “We won our bracket at our first tournament this year in White Cloud, Michigan,” Timek said. “It’s

one of two tournaments that can qualify us [for nationals], so we were really happy about it.” Nationals takes place in Atlanta, Georg i a , where t h e s t u dents from East Grand Rapids w i l l comp e t e against schools from all over the United States. The tournament starts on May 25, so the team has a

few months to prepare for this big event. Until then, they have more tournaments to participate in, which will help get them ready for nationals. They are continuing to work hard and study so they make the most of their run to nationals. “Each of us has an area or subject that we specialize in, so we have specific things to study,” Timek said. “We practice every week and study outside of school to prepare.” The team is definitely looking forward to compete in nationals, but they are not forgetting about the competitions until then. Their invitation to nationals is serving as extra motivation for the team to keep working hard and preparing. Keep an eye out for the Quiz Bowl team during their search for the first national title in EGR history.

Senior band regroups for final hurrah By Lauren Vanden Bosch STAFF WRITER Elliott Adams’, Liam McCarthy’s, Daniel Redmon’s, and Ben Knape’s decision to create a band with one another has turned out to be one of the most valuable choices of their high school career. The band was started freshman year in Elliott’s basement and has assembled infrequently to practice and play together since that time. The seniors have found out since then that there are many advantages and amenities that come with making music together. First and foremost their band is a much-needed break from stressful sports and schoolwork and a way to hang out together, bond, and have a good time. “I love being able to be with my squires and play the music that we have all grown up with and know and love,” McCarthy said. Knape agreed. “I really just enjoy learning

new songs on my own and then hearing it all come together with Liam, Elliott, and Daniel,” he said. “It’s always really fun.” Playing their music is occasionally entertaining not just

there allow the boys to envision who they would like to possibly become in the future. “At shows we always get to hear cool new songs and meet cool new people,” McCarthy said,

for themselves but also for other people. “We’ve played some gigs and those are always a blast and easy money,” McCarthy said. Additionally, going to concerts and seeing popular artists

“and that always inspires us to play more and better as a group.” Concerts are also a good way for the boys to bond over their shared love of the same bands and types of music, such as their favorite rock band Phish.

“We all went to Chicago and saw Phish at Wrigley Field two nights in a row,” said Knape. “That was really crazy.” But, according to McCarthy,“picking up chicks” is the best part about having the band and was one of the main reasons for starting it in the first place. Arguably, however, the strongest relationships the boys have now are not with their admiring fangirls but with each other. “We’re all really close friends so even if we aren’t playing music we hang out on the weekends,” said Knape. Over the past three years the three have “done a lot of fun things” and made a ton of memories together. “One practice we got a whole apple clogged in Elliott’s toilet,” McCarthy reminisced. “Long story short the toilet was fine and no one questioned our intentions.”

Tuning in...

Teacher by day, rockstar by night By Julia Miller ‘18 STAFF WRITER

Most people know the name Mr. Nowak. He’s the famous East Graduate turned teacher. When first transitioning back to East, Nowak said that “it was weird to start, [but] I wouldn’t do it or be here if I felt weird or too uncomfortable.” And though it is nostalgic at times it is “comfortable for me because I know the building and the other teachers,” Nowak said. It is common knowledge for most of the school that Mr. Nowak was a substitute teacher and now works in the Link Room, but, there is a lot about Mr. Nowak that we do not know. Most importantly, he is a secret rockstar. Nowak is the cofounder of the band Desmond Jones. The band was formed by Nowak and another East Graduate, Isaac Berkowitz, freshman year of college. Both of them went to Michigan State where they started their professional musical careers together. The two have played music together since middle school. The band “started with four more of [their] friends, but one guy isn’t in it anymore,” said Nowak, still “all the five current members are original members.” Nowak does a lot for the band playing mostly the drums, but also playing guitar and doing vocals. Not only is Nowak an important part in making the music, he also does all of the marketing, pr, and social media for the band. The band’s publicity is growing and they are going on a tour in January. They will be traveling down the mid atlantic and going to states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee. The band has done tours on the east coast and in Colorado, so this will be something new. Nowak said he is excited “escape the winter in Michigan,” and also because it is “always fun to play in new places.”

GRAPHIC BY KATE OLSSON

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PHOTOS BY ASHA LEWIS

November beats, eats, and flicks with Abby T. By Abby Theodorsdottir ‘19 STAFF WRITER

MOVIE: IT I knew it was going to be spine chilling. What I didn’t know is that I wasn’t going to be able to sleep for the next 2 days. The horror movie “IT” surrounds the story of a infamous clown who comes out to prey on children every 27 years. This movie is full of jumpscares and will make you want to cling on to the person next to you. I would recommend this movie to any horror fanatics, but to those coulrophobics, beware.

ALBUM: REPUTATION From the ages of 7-13 I was a total Swifty. But as Taylor moved away from the country music scene and into the genre of pop music, I became less interested. She recently released her new album “Reputation”. Personally, I feel she got caught up in her “beef” with other celebrities while writing her lyrics. What happened to the girl who once wore t shirts while others wore short skirts. The roles have reversed and I think that I can speak for many when I say she has lost touch with her old “Reputation”.

RESTAURANT: CAROLINA

TV: STRANGER THINGS 2

If you live in the area and want to try a tasteful, new restaurant with plenty of options, Carolina is the place. Carolina is best known for it’s variety of seafood choices. Not a fan of seafood? Carolina also has many other non sea food items on their menu. It has a very family friendly vibe that makes you feel like you’re eating a meal at home.

Calling Season 2 of stranger things amazing would be an understatement. What felt like 11 years of waiting finally arrived and was more than ever expected. The mix of relatable characters and the concept of a mysterious underworld results in one of the most addicting and time consuming shows of the century. 10/10 recommend. When’s Season 3?

The Art Club of EGR By Ally Jackoboice ’18

STAFF WRITER Grand Rapids may be the host of Art Prize, but the halls of our very own East Grand Rapids High School hosts a multitude of its very own talented artists. Art club, founded by Sophia Layton ‘18, is a brand new club for students interested in showcasing and sharing their artistic abilities. “We made art club to create an inclusive outlet for people at East to express themselves and get involved with art outside of the classroom and within the community!” Layton said. There are currently 10 members of the club ranging across all grades, however Layton is hoping more students will join in the future as it aims to be a very inclusive club. After much ideation, the art club has decided their first project will be a mural, located somewhere in the school. The mural will be entirely created by the art club. “I felt like a mural would be a good way to have the art club work together as a group and a way to create a legacy for our club and inspire future art clubs to undertake similar

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

ambitions” Layton said. The club has spent the past few meetings talking about possible locations and goals for the upcoming mural. “We haven’t decided where to put it but we are thinking about the wall over the senior benches. We are hoping to incorporate a theme of appreciation for individuality and creativity at east” Layton said. The club is hoping to have the mural completed by February of 2018 however, there is still a lot of work to do. “We still have a while to go on the project so we are always welcoming to anyone who wants to join. Art club isn’t just about the mural though, I hope that we can plan other art related events” Layton said. So keep your eyes open for the art club meeting posters if you are interested in joining the club and immersing yourself in the world of art.

The convenient and cozy coffee shops of Grand Rapids

As the cold weather sets in, coffee shops are the perfect place to study and stay warm By Abby Theodorsdottir ’19 STAFF WRITER

GRAPHIC BY ELLA GOURLEY ’18

One of the best ways to focus especially when you have loads of homework, is surrounding yourself in a relaxing and quiet environment. This environment for you could be at home, at the library, or at a coffee shop. Why not surround yourself in a quiet place while also enjoying a fresh made cup of coffee and a pastry. There is not a shortage of coffee shops here in Grand Rapids and many of them are located right next door in East Town or Downtown. Early Bird is a close and comfy coffee shop located on Lake drive. It is only a four minute drive from the high school. Monday Friday they are open from 7 am - 8pm, on Saturday they open from 7am - 7pm, and on Sunday they are open from 8 am - 7pm. They serve brunch all day, so it is the perfect place to grab some food and fuel up for a study session. “I like going to Early bird especially on Sundays. I usually have a lot of homework and it’s easy to focus there because it’s quiet,”Audrey Whiteside ‘19 said.

A popular coffee shop among students is Lantern. It is located downtown on Commerce Ave. From Monday to Friday they are open from 6 am - 10 pm and on the weekends they are open from 8 am - 10pm. Lantern is not only a quiet place to study, but also offers open mic night where people can sign up to sing or speak. And, if you are meeting up with friends at Lantern and want to make sure you have an area to sit, they take reservations. “My favorite coffee shop is probably Lantern. It’s downtown so I don’t make it out there a lot but they have really good coffee and it’s a good place to do homework,”Annie Karsten ‘18 said. If you are willing to make the trip downtown, this cozy study spot will prove to be a valuable tool in resisting procrastination, and getting work done. “Lantern is my favorite because they have good coffee and it’s usually not super crowded and I’m motivated to study there,” Katherine Donnelly ‘18 agreed.

Another coffee shop that seems to be very popular among high school students is Madcap. The modern and relaxing area offers a variety of warm drinks and pastries. Madcap is located on Monroe Center and is just a two minute walk to Rosa Parks Circle. They are open from 7 am - 7 pm on Monday - Friday, on Saturday they are open from 8am - 7 pm, and on Sunday’s they are open from 10 am - 3 pm. “ I have gone to many different coffee shops in Grand Rapids and my favorite would have to be Mad Cap. They have such a cool environment there and also sell waffles which is a plus,” Teddy Drake ‘19 said. A couple of other local coffee shops include Sparrows located on Wealthy, The Bitter End located on Fulton, and Lighthouse coffee located on Commerce. So if you’re looking for a quiet place to study, or just want a good cup of coffee, Grand Rapids has plenty of local coffee shops with welcoming environments for the enjoyment of busy students.

PHOTOS BY ABBY THEODORSDOTTIR ‘19

Holiday show on the horizon By Natalie Regan ’18 STAFF WRITER For Jacob Mark ‘18 and Anneke Avery ‘18, the last couple of weeks have been full of holiday music and intense rehearsals as the band and orchestra get ready for their upcoming holiday concert. Non-stop practicing the same holiday songs, everyone included in the concert want to perfect their music for everyone to watch in just a few short weeks. “The holiday concert is one of my favorite performances to prepare for. There is always this combination of different songs that represent different religions that are really fun to play.” Mark said. For several years now, the band and orchestra have put on terrific holiday concerts for the school. They typically land on the last day before the holiday break begins. For many students, this is their last holiday concert at the high school. “It’s weird to think that this will be my last holiday concert at the high school. Looking back on it, there is always this jolly and happy feeling whenever we perform our songs, especially sleigh ride. I can’t help but laugh whenever I perform it because it is so much fun to be on stage with your friends.” Mark said. Not only is the holiday concert a great tradition at East, it is an awesome opportunity for the orchestra/band to grow closer together. “Sleigh ride is my favorite tradition. I always do fun dance moves while we’re playing it, which usually makes the cellos around me laugh. This makes class more fun and gives us room to bond as an orchestra.” Avery said. As we slowly creep into December, the holiday concert is quickly getting closer! It is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. Lexie Welch ‘20 can’t wait for this years performance. “I am really excited for the holiday concert. It always gets me in the christmas spirit!” Welch said. GRAPHIC BY ANNA VANDERLAAN ‘19

Are students getting enough By Grayson Powell ‘18 STAFF WRITER

Between homework, extracurriculars, social lives, and electronic distractions, today’s high schoolers are no strangers to inadequate sleep. While most recognize this, there is a frightening trend of dismissing this serious issue as inconsequential when, in fact, research suggests sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues, including headaches, depression, and even obesity. According to a new study published at the start of the month,

lack of sleep slows down crucial communications between neurons in the brain, leading to memory lapses and concentration issue comparable to drunkenness. Itzhak Fried, the lead researched of this study, reached this conclusion through studying twelve patients preparing to undergo epilepsy treatment, meaning their brains had already been fitted with electrode monitors. Fried and his colleagues measured neuron activity in the brain as participants were asked to categorize a series of

images, and realized that the speed and strength at which these neurons fired slowed down dramatically as participants were deprived of sleep. For high schoolers, this could explain why tests often seem more difficult after a late night -- but slowed-down thinking is far from the only impact of staying up too late. “There are so many issues linked with inadequate sleep,” Psychology Teacher Katherine Miller said. “To name a few - diminished productivity, increase in appetite and hunger, increase in the stress hormone cortisol, driver fatigue, a disruption of your immune system making you more prone to getting sick...the list is pretty endless.” The cause for this is simple: as people shorten the number of hours they sleep, they cut into the time they have to engage in the most important stage of the sleep cycle: REM, when the brain is most active and where most dreams occur. Increase in REM sleep has been linked to improvement in learning, mood, memory, and general physical and emotional wellbeing, according to an article titled The Lost Hour, which Miller uses in her AP Psychology class. “In addition to physical and intellectual effects, emotional effects also are at risk when a person does not get enough sleep,” Miller says. “When we process memories,

Only 11.5% of EGRHS students report getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep

sleep ?

72.7% of students have fallen asleep in class positive and neutral memories are processed in our hippocampus and negative stimuli are processed by our amygdala. When we have sleep deprivation, our hippocampus is more affected than our amygdala and so many sleep deprived people fail then to recall pleasant memories and instead remember negative and gloomy ones.” Even recognizing the negative impact of the inadequate amounts of sleep so many high schools are used to, for many it is still difficult to

72.7%

of students Snooze their alarm at least ONce

change. Even if one is able to successfully manage their academic, social, familial, and athletic commitments enough to get in the recommended nine to ten hours a night, they might still find it difficult to sleep for biologic reasons completely outside of their control. “During puberty, your circadian system does a “phase shift” that keeps adolescents up later,” Miller said. “In prepubescent children and grownups, when it gets dark outside, melatonin is released. But adolescent brains don’t release melatonin until 90 minutes later, which is why many

teens who try and go to bed by ten pm still lie awake and stare at the ceiling.” While it may seem like a lost cause at this point, there’s still hope for even the busiest student: the effects of inadequate sleep can be lessened by going to bed as little as ten minutes earlier a night, working strategic-length naps throughout the day (the ideal times are either 20 or 90 minutes, to either ensure a fully cycle or wake up before the cycle begins), and, interestingly enough, staying away from the snooze button. “When you hit snooze and fall back asleep, your brain begins its sleep cycle from the beginning. So when your alarm goes off a second time, you are at a deeper part of your sleep cycle than you were when you first woke up,” Miller says. Though many consider constant exhaustion and sleep deprivation unavoidable side-effects of being a high school student, they may be doing more harm to your physical and mental wellbeing than you’re consciously aware of. Taking note of how tiredness is impacting your everyday life and putting in the effort to put down the cup of coffee, resist the temptation of a late-night Netflix binge, and get to bed on time can help you feel healthier and happier in as little as a week -- and certainly, your body will thank you.

Graphics by Marisa Mooney ‘18 EDITOR IN CHIEF

Give big, give small, give back this holiday season By Maddie VanGessel ‘19

STAFF WRITER The months of November and December mark the season of giving and holiday spirit which leads people to give back in various ways. A few students at the high school have been able to find different opportunities to give back that they hadn’t heard about before. “Through Key Club I’m tutoring a fifth grader once a week at the Eastern Christian reform church,” said Lila Tappan ‘19. “I help her with her homework and work on skills that she is behind in at school.” Tappan says that the opportunity to connect with people that she

wouldn’t be able to meet otherwise is one of the main reasons she is tutoring. Meeting these students and hearing their stories make her appreciate everything she has. She encourages other students to do the same. Andrea Salasky ‘19 and her family felt that they had enjoyed enough of their own Christmases and that another family deserved to feel that same way this year. “This year we are “adopting” a family for Christmas and will get all the information on the kids and their ages and then go out and buy gifts for them,” Salasky said. “We decided we

didn’t need anything because it was all just stuff we wanted, so my mom asked if we wanted to give another family an opportunity for a great Christmas instead of spending our money on stuff we don’t need.” Christmas, along with many other holidays, is known for present giving and receiving. This can be a lot of fun and exciting, but it’s important to remember what it’s all really about. If you are feeling like Salasky and her family this year, you can talk with a local church, Grand Rapids YoungLife, or connect with our Key Club to volunteer with Family Promise.

“We’re partnered with Family Promise to revamp homes, prepare shelters, and gather essentials for families who don’t have a place to stay or because they’re in between jobs,” said Owen Stecco ‘18. “Along with that, we’re going to be continuing our complimentary gift wrapping tradition, but this year we will be stationed in Gaslight Village during the weekends leading up to Christmas.” Stecco is the Key Club’s President at the high school and believes that volunteering is a great opportunity to do good during your free time. He urges you to help someone out who

might be going through something or in a tough spot because, after all, the little things we do go a long way for our community and have the ability to leave a lasting impact on our community. The Key Club is a great way to get connected with volunteer opportunities because they seek out different events and organizations so that students don’t have to. Make sure you take the time out of your holiday season this year to spread some holiday spirit and give back to those in need.

Graphic by Grace Brooks ‘18 FOCUS EDITOR

1) Face masks $13.99 amazon.com 2) Bath bomb $7.95 lush.com 3) Plush robe $49.99 bedbathandbeyond.com PHOTOS BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19

1) A vinyl of their favorite artist $19.98 urbanoutfitters.com 2) Bluetooth shower speaker $14.99 amazon.com 3) T-shirt of their favorite band $29.99 redhotchilipeppers.com

1) Swell water bottle $25.00 swellwaterbottle.com 2) Puff ball hat $24.99 store.nba.com 3) Fitbit $59.95 fitbit.com

Staying sane in stressful seasons The holiday season often brings along a host of unwelcome guests, feelings, and work. Apace with the bliss of winter is a dizzying array of demands both Emmeline inside and outside Roney ‘19 of school. STAFF WRITER We have rounded the corner into the most stressful season of the year, and with that I feel we must address students dire need to practice some basic emotional self-care. Midterms are lurking ominously before us, alongside a multitude of projects and papers, all crammed in before end of the semester. In the midst of this emotionally taxing time, students have a tendency to overwork themselves in an effort to keep up with the pressure of school. This overwork can drive students to a state of constant stress, which is incredibly harmful to both yourself and to your grades. It is imperative to find the necessary time and methods in which to de-stress. Destressing does not require complete eradication of all of the stress in your life, but rather an effort to reaffirm control over the areas in your life that are triggering stress. As a body of well-rounded students, we must balance our commitments to a myriad of clubs, athletics, and academics and some days it seems as though there just isn’t any time left in the day to unwind. As much as you may feel that this is an impossible task, there are several things that can be done to deal with stress. The first is to prioritize; it is common for people to grow stressed due to the sheer magnitude of all that must be done. If this happens, simply compose a list of what absolutely must be accomplished. Checking off you you’ve done will be a good start. Be realistic, do not abandon healthy habits like doing your schoolwork and try to avoid procrastination. The second aspect is self care. When you find yourself stressed, it is important to acknowledge your mental state. It is okay to put yourself first sometimes -- at the core of self-aid is your relationship and connection to yourself.

Focus on freshman: Jack Webb By Paul Janes ‘20 STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19

Jack Webb ‘21 freshman class president makes goals to improve the school Almost a semester into the school year, many of the freshmen have gotten a hold of how things work here at the high school. Just because the freshmen are involved and know what is going on, it does not mean the rest of the students here at EGR know who the freshmen are. One of these fresh faces this year is freshman class president, Jack Webb. Jack seems like your model East Grand Rapids High school student. He is involved with the freshman class student council along, he plays two sports, tennis and golf, and he is one of the Michigan State Spartans biggest fans. Jack is also the president of the freshman class which comes with a lot of added responsibility. Jack got involved with student council in 7th grade. “I got involved with student council because it is an opportunity for me to become a leader for the school and it was also a new experi-

ence that I had always wanted to try.” Webb said, but it wasn’t easy for him to muster up the courage to run. “Mrs Marlow played a huge role in me getting involved. She encouraged me to try for president and I’m glad she did,” he said, but during “my seventh grade speech to become presi-

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such while also help put together events for the school.” He has taken his new responsibilities as president in stride. Last year he successfully ran a fundraiser for Ele’s Place that raised over 500$ in less than two weeks, which is the accomplishment Jack is most proud of as the Student Council President. However, student council at the high school is different. “High school student council is different than middle school [because] in the high school there are bigger, broader groups working together to come up with fundraising ideas, events, and put together dances. While in the middle school we lacked fundraising and were limited

It is an opportunity for me to become a leader for the school

dent, I Jack Webb ‘21 was so nervous I was shaking.” Being the president comes with a lot of added responsibility as opposed to just being a representative, and Jack feels the need to show support to all aspects of the school. “I think my responsibility as president is to attend school events and non-curriculars like sports and

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to what we could do.” Webb said. Jack plans to accomplish many things while at the high school. He wants to leave the school better then when he came here, but he has one specific goal in mind. “My biggest goal is to plan fun events for the school and have good attendance.” Webb said. Webb wants to work to improve the student council and the freshman class’s experience at the high school. He is full of ideas and aspirations. “Student council has improved my high school experience because I get to know a lot of new people [and] get to work with [them] to improve the high school experience.” Jack has been able to get involved in a new community at East and learn more about our high school his first year. “Some advice I have for future freshmen is to get to know new people and don’t be scared to reach out, try new things and find what you’re passionate about.” And for Jack that’s become student council.

By Anna VanderLaan ’19 STAFF WRITER

Miss Lee: 1. I was born in Ethiopia 2. I’m the youngest of 4 girls 3. I was my class valedictorian 4. I speak 4 languages 5. I’ve placed in dance showcases and festivals

Nick Kuske ‘19: 1. I used to be allergic to hot water 2. I am allergic to fragrances 3. I have jumped off a cliff 4. I’ve been to Alaska 5. I brush my teeth twice a day

PHOTOS BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19

Elzie Honicutt ‘20: 1. I burned my left eye with acid when I was little 2. I’m double jointed in all of my fingers 3. I can unhinge my jaw 4. When I was little I used to make guitar noises in the background of songs 5. I have 99.99% pure gallium in my house

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Sarah Whiteside ‘21: 1. My favorite animal is a cow 2. I used to ride horses 3. I have two dogs 4. I’m a twin 5. One time I raised a baby squirrel

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GRAPHIC BY GRAYSON POWELL ‘18

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Mustaches and beards vs. cancer

Students and staff raise awareness for prostate cancer By Emily Bergstrom ‘19 STAFF WRITER November is a time for giving back and helping those in need during this holiday season. Movember does just that. Despite the interesting name, the event helps raise awareness and money towards prostate cancer. Prostate cancer only affects men and the result of the treatment given to the affected patients is hair loss. Along with prostate cancer, the Movember movement also shines light on issues including men’s suicide prevention. The Movember monthly event helps communicate with those who need to let their voice out. The materials provided by the event give people an outlet to talk through possible ways to prevent suicide. Movember circulates around a non-profit organization that was started in 2009 with a simple Facebook group. The Facebook group persuaded people to grow out their facial hair in an effort to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. The Facebook page soon became viral. A partnership with the American Cancer Society soon came about. From then on, pop up Movember celebrations that raise substantial amounts of money began around the country. The movement was vastly popular after the website received several hits. It is so popular that there are competitions held here in our town of Grand Rapids. Participants can sign up to take part in the competition and by doing so, participants have the chance to give money to finding a cure for prostate cancer. In the past years, the donations given to the Movember Foundation have been over 650 million dollars. That money is used towards research for Prostate Cancer and Testicular Cancer. “I usually shave my beard and every year, I grow it out

PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19

for Movember,” Alex Delvecchio ‘19 said. Even if is it for fun, No-Shave November is a fun way to show the community the importance of having facial hair. It shows that you are a healthy person and are able to be thank-

tion that has a mainstream purpose of educating those about prostate cancer. Math teacher Mr. Faber strongly believes that spreading awareness about men’s health is key with the amount of cases of

GRAPHIC BY SIMON LAFLEUR ‘20 ful for the opportunity to not be diagnosed with cancer. Movember touches home with many people because it is stands outside the box from Women’s breast cancer or childhood cancer. This is a organiza-

cancer that are apparent today. “Raising awareness for men’s health is really just more about guys taking the time to be aware of their bodies and some of the major concerns that could affect them. Like long term health and

GRAPHIC BY GRAYSON POWELL ‘18

taking care of themselves because ultimately we’re not here on this planet for ourselves, we have a greater purpose,” Mr. Faber said. “We need to be around for years to come and part of that is taking care of ourselves.” October’s celebrations regarding the awareness of breast cancer and the many ways that communities can help are very popular. November has it’s own celebrations: Growing out scruffy beards to raise money and awareness. During the season of giving, donations will be given to help find a cure for prostate cancer. Charities involving prostate cancer are the American Cancer Society and the Prevent Cancer Foundation. By positive reinforcement, money, and awareness, communities will be able to tackle prostate cancer once and for all.

What Nora knows about... staying present “Stay present.” The clichéd reminder that many say is the the key to clarity. It’s written on inspirational Instagram posts, viewed as an easily achievable state of mind. But through many attempts, I feel that staying present is one of the most arduous Nora Verdier things I could possibly do. ’19 I have been told countless STAFF WRITER times that it is an important aspect of a happy life. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to reach that mental state; disregarding the past or future is extremely difficult for me. I believe it is so challenging for us high school students to stay present because we are constantly reminded of our futures; practicing for standardized tests, applying for college, and eventually, leaving home to begin a new chapter of our lives. Since first grade, we incessantly have been preparing for what’s to come once we throw our graduation caps into the air. Every day builds up to our futures, so how can we refrain from constantly pondering on what lies ahead? I struggle the most with staying present when walking in the halls at school; between classes, I seldom tap into my inner-thoughts or feelings while watching the apathetic faces of students plodding along to their classes, because I stubbornly refuse to concentrate on a place that makes me feel unhappy inside. To combat this strong negative emotion that hangs in the atmosphere of high school, I instead think about the amazing moments that are yet to come. By focusing on the future - filled with mystery and excitement - instead of the dismal moments of high school - filled with stressful studying and angsty dejection- I am desperately attempting to make these nine months a bit more bearable. However, I do not think that blocking out the unwanted reality of high school is a permanent solution. That is why I am continuously attempting to find grounding in the moment because that is what will ultimately make me happier. While walking in the hallways a few days ago, what I found is helpful is to realize that each person is struggling as much as I am. We all are imagining our lives after high school and attempting to block out the realities we wish not to face. And, perhaps, this is staying present - understanding that we are all a whole, inching our way through our classes, trying the absolute best we can - because that is a reality I can understand.

IBL...It’s more than a hobby

Hockey team skating to success

By Michael Barnes ‘18 STAFF WRITER For the dozens of students that flood the gym after school for pickup basketball games, the time has finally come. Saturday mornings for many will once again will be spent in the gym battling it out for immense bragging rights. The talent on the court may not match that of the Varsity team, but the passion surely does. Freshmen, seniors, girls, and boys alike all take the court with mutual love for the sport and a flaming desire to be crowned

By Erin Rogers ‘19 STAFF WRITER The Varsity Hockey Team has skated into a new season stronger than ever with their new coach Jason Christopherson. He has lead the team in their three wins which makes them undefeated thus far in their season. “Our coach has an impressive background, he has been involved with East hockey before, he has a lot of experience with the program and our team is really looking forward to his new style of coaching,” Colin Stecco ‘19 said. The addition of a coach isn’t the only new component the team has to deal with this season, they are also in a new division. Although this may seem as a challenge, the boys are excited for the challenge. “Moving from tier 2 to tier 1 is really exciting because now we will have better competition and face higher competition,” Ben Forstner ‘18 said. So far the team has handled this new division seamlessly, as they are undefeated, and Christopherson is responsible for part of this. The team graduated six seniors but still remain strong with fourteen returning players including three of the top scorers from last year as well as the starting goalie. Although this is a veteran team the way they have been practicing has changed to develop different skills. “Our practices this year focus more on speed and tempo which will make the team faster along with getting us into shape,” Will Bregenzer 19’ said. The practices last year were more focused on individual skills such as stickhandling and shooting.These skills will help them up against their biggest competitors of the season, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Forest Hills Central. The pioneers will be facing one of those rivals, Grand Rapids Catholic Central Dec. 1 at Southside Ice Arena. The game will be hosted by the Billy Bear Hug Foundation to raise money for local children’s hospitals. Aside from the rivalry the proceeds of the game will be donated to Helen Devos Children’s Hospital and Bronson Children’s Hospital. To get a free ticket in the game you can bring a new teddy bear to donate. All of the bears will be directly donated to children in the hospitals so, bring as many fans to come support the East Grand Rapids Varsity Hockey team!

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come soon enough. Rivalries aside, IBL over my four years has been nothing short of incredible. The camraderie of the league, and the players within it means much more than pickup basketball, it brings the school closer together. As crazy as that may sound to someone unfamiliar, it is most definitely true. By providing a safe and fun environment

champions. As a player myself, I can attest firsthand that the roster construction, strategic planning, and most importantly, trash talk regarding IBL has been a non stop presence throughout my four years at East. With senior teams like Jwalkers, NBA Street, Brick Squad, The Elite, and Airballerz entering their last season after four fantastic years in the league, December 2nd can’t

for students to simply play basketball, IBL has become a commonplace for many students and has become the talk of the hallway. Mr. Hopkins and the students who run the league have done a tremendous job in growing this league into something that has such a huge place in the culture of the high school, and students throughout East, myself included, can’t wait for the upcoming season.

PHOTO BY PAUL JANES ‘20 STAFF WRITER

Girls basketball looks forward to great season with new coach and key players By Simon Lafleur ‘20 STAFF WRITER For the 2017 season, the Girl’s basketball team is starting the season off with a valuable new addition to the team, a new head coach. Troy Hammond, an eighth grade teacher from Mona Shores Middle School, has stepped up and has taken the role as the girls varsity coach. “This is my 6th season of coaching and 4th season as a varsity coach.” says Hammond. He played sports throughout his high school career and is eager to share his experiences with his new athletes. “I know the impact that athletics had on me growing up and I want to share that with others.

ROBYN

Teaching and coaching gives me a sense of purpose every day.” said Ham-

Previously, he coached at Forest Hills Eastern.

PHOTO BY ABBY THEODORSDOT-

mond. Hammond has coached at other high schools as well as East.

“At Eastern it was trying to build a successful program in a place where there wasn’t much

of a track record. There are a number of similarities between Eastern and East, but one of the major differences would be the success. Here at East I’ve inherited a program that has had success, and a lot of that can be attributed to the work put in by Coach Melton.” H a m mond has plans to improve the team throughout the season. “A lot of improvement has already taken place with the off-season

the team had. I was really pleased with the level of commitment from kids in the program this summer and fall. Moving forward, we’ll try to make the most of our season by continuing to work hard each day in practice and by emphasizing collective success over individual success. In regards to the transition from Eastern to East, the transition has been great, I’m really appreciative of how welcoming the girls in the program have been since day one. Kids have bought in and are working hard every day, I’m excited to see what the winter has in store for the team.”

Skiing into the new season By Abby Theodorsdottir ‘19 STAFF WRITER

As cold weather approaches, a sport that is not afraid to get a little wind burn comes into the spotlight. That sport this winter season is EGR ski team. With multiple returning athletes, the ski team is looking at another great season. Returning boy skiers include Will Marsh, Rori Anderson, Patric Smith, Max Ralston, and Murphy Wynsma. Last year the boys team had a successful season with a win at the regional meet. The win helped the team advance to the state finals. Although close, the girls team placed 4th at the regional meet just missing the state meet. This year, both girls and boys teams have their eyes on a spot at the state finals. With strong, freshmen skiers Chloe Scholler ‘21 and Annika Lampen ‘21, the future’s looking

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bright. With a great amount of returning upperclassmen, comes great leadership which will also help the girls team achieve their state finals goal. Scholler and Lampen have proven their talent at the Copper Mountain ski camp , have shown that they will be great assets to the team this year. Annika Lampen ‘21 says “I’m most excited to become a better athlete and train harder. Although we haven’t started skiing yet as a team, I really like lifting and getting to know everyone better off the snow.”

GRAPHIC BY CAROLINE PURSLEY

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Recently the team traveled to Copper Mountain where they had the opportunity to train side by side with some of the best skiers and coaches in the nation. The athletes had nothing but good things to say about this experience. Patrick Smith ‘19 says “My favorite part was just being able to come out there and ski with some of the best skiers in the world.” Max Ralston ‘20 agrees “The training in

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Colorado was tough but we all had a lot fun.” After a rough winter with barely any snow, both girls and boys teams are looking at a very successful season and are also hoping for the as much snow as possible. PHOTO COURTESY HANNAH STUURSMA

Mustaches and beards vs. cancer

PHOTO BY HALSEY SMITH ‘19

tion that has a mainstream purpose of educating those about prostate cancer. Math teacher Mr. Faber strongly believes that spreading awareness about men’s health is key with the amount of cases of

GRAPHIC BY GRAYSON POWELL ‘18

STATE By Natalie VanderZyden ‘18 STAFF WRITER

CHAMPS PHOTO COURTESY KRIS WARD

Girls Swim team wins their 21st state championship, their first as a Division 2 team

fter being moved up to being a Division 2 team, the Girls Swim team came out just as strong as they did in a lower division. Months of training and preparation finally paid off when they ended their season with a victory at the state championship meet. Ileah Doctor ‘18 led the team with a first place title in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100-yard freestyle, and the 200-freestyle relay, all setting Division 2 records.

Marie Lehman ‘18 also finished her final season of swimming on a high note by winning the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and the 100 breaststroke “After we won, everyone felt really happy. It felt really good to see all of our hard work pay off in the end,” Lehman said. “The most important thing about swimming is the team. I’ll miss getting to spend every single day with my best friends for 4 months.” Both Doctor and Lehman contributed to

another win for the team, winning the 200medley relay along with Ashley Ward ‘18 and Sophia Layton ‘18. Victoria Kratt ‘18 finished her last season of swimming with a bang and broke a minute for the first time and finaled in the 100 back. “It was an unreal and exciting atmosphere because we haven’t won D2 ever before.” Kratt said. The team showed their support by having swimmers and friends drive in town to see their teammates compete. Kratt said she is gonna miss her

PHOTO COURTESY KRIS WARD

teammates and their encouraging and positive attitudes. It seems that the girls were able to reach their goals and bring home a victory by showing good sportsmanship for each other and working hard as a team. The immense support that they showed for each other proved that they were able to succeed by working as a team. Overall, the girls had an extremely successful weekend and were able to continue East’s tradition of excellence.

PHOTO COURTESY KRIS WARD GRAPHIC BY NICK VANHEKKEN ‘19

Eight student athletes sign letters of intent By Emmeline Roney ‘19 STAFF WRITER Eight East athletes have committed to schools both near and far from home. Chances are, if you have made it all the way to college athletics, you have dedicated count-

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

Doctor ‘18 signs her letter of intent to swim at Indiana University less hours, sweat, blood, and tears into the sport you play. You have sacrificed relationships,

sleep, and time in order to balance your sport, grades, and personal life. Finally, for eight East students, this effort is beginning to pay off. On Nov. 8, eight East student athletes committed to play college-level sports at schools both as near to home as Aquinas, and as far from home as Auburn University. Many of these students signed a National Letter of Intent, thus agreeing to attend their respective college in the fall. James Murray ‘18 has committed to golf at Aquinas College, Katie Persons ‘18 has committed to play volleyball at Auburn University, Mike Malewitz ‘18 has committed to play football at Bowling Green State University, Suzy Deems ‘18 has committed to play field hockey at Kenyon University, Sara Vargo ‘18 has committed to play volleyball at Bucknell, Ileah Doctor ‘18 has committed to swim at the University of Indiana, and Macy Albaitis ‘18 has committed to row at Bucknell University. East’s diverse group of talented athletes share feelings of both excitement and uneasiness as the time draws nearer for them to leave the high school. “I’m really excited about playing volleyball in college but I am a little nervous about adjusting to the higher level,” Sara Vargo ‘18 said. “I know that it will be a lot of work but it will also be so much fun.” Grunewald shared a similar view to that of Vargo. Students have found that there is both

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PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

peace and fears that tag along with starting anew. “I’m really excited to play with new people

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

The seniors’ parents smile proudly behind their outstanding athletes and for a new school.” Grunewald said. “I’m just nervous about how different it will be and all of the adjustments I will have to make.” Deems has managed to overlook the jitters she feels towards this new start and has redirected her attention to the new bonds of friendships and adventures that lie before her. “I am so excited for Kenyon because it is a top tier program, so I am looking forward to to joining their team.” Deems said. “I am nervous to be their starting goalie. Their level of play is different than my past experiences. I am excited to learn a lot, gain new experiences,

Faces in the Crowd “

My goal for this season is to get a lot better at skiing and make new friends with upperclassmen and people in my grade. My favorite thing about the team is we are all friends and love to have fun with each other. Our goal as a team is for both the boys and the girls teams to go to states. I have skied for ten years now and I am super excited for what’s in store for this season!

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This season, I’m really looking forward to both me and my class’s impact on the swim season. I believe that our class has the potential to help out the team generously and I believe we have a chance to win the D3 state meet this year. I think with a strong work ethic we can be better than last season, but only with hard work. My favorite thing about the team is twoa-days and breakfast at Wolfgang’s over holiday break.

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–Natalie Koster ‘21

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I am looking forward to some of the tournaments, [such as] Gaylord and Trenton. I think the seniors this year have to take lead of the team and lead by example. We also lost our coach so we are adjusting to our new coach’s style. My favorite thing about the team is the team chemistry [and] our team goal is to win a state championship.

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

and play among the best.” College athletics hare a privilege that only the hardest workers will ever experience. However, being a student athlete spans far beyond the hours on the field or in the gym. At the end of the day, it means carrying your school’s colors on your back, and representing the school proudly by doing what you love. ‘I am really excited to get down to Bloomington in a few months and start training as a collegiate athlete!” Doctor said. “I know it is going to be a huge adjustment and a lot of work but I am ready for it.” East’s Athletic Director, Timothy Johnson, is sure to remind his students the importance of academic value when choosing a school. “The thing about going on to participate in college athletics is that the school must be a right fit educationally for you.” Johnson said. “If you were to play your last down of whatever sport it is, and then never play again, would you want to stay at that school? That is what is important. In college athletics you are one play away from having a career ending injury, whether that happens the first day of your first practice as a freshman or never happens.” These athletes are sure to look back on their time in college with joy and pride for doing what they love with the new friends they have yet to meet.

–Jake Stewart ‘18

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PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18

–Hunter Converse ‘20

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Our goal for us as a team is to get better as the season goes on.We lost a lot of talent but we should be alright because most of us played last year so we know what to expect. The goal for the season is to get better as a unit and make a run in the playoffs.

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–Jalen Broussard ‘19

PHOTO BY ASHA LEWIS ‘18