The Sailors' Log, December 16, 2011

Volume 50, Edition 4 Friday, December 16, 2011

Ce l e br a t i n g

50 Y EARS

Mona Shores High School 1121 Seminole Road Muskegon, Michigan 49441

32 families adopted for holiday season Two years ago, $100 bills appeared in the choir room’s donation box for the KICK sponsored Adopt-a-Family organization.

No one knows how they got there or who donated the money, but to KICK adviser Lori Foley, who started the tradition three years ago, the generous donation is just another symbol of the kindness in Shores students’ hearts.

“It amazes me that even the students who need help themselves donate something to this organization,” Foley said. “It just shows that no matter what, there will always be something to give to another.”

KICK adopted 32 Muskegon county families this year, giving each family to a different teacher’s classroom.

“One year, the choir took a bus to their family’s home,” Foley said. “They dropped off all the presents they had bought and sang the family Christmas carols. And that’s just one of the many ways students have shown how much they care.”

THE

GIFT

OF

Canned food drive raises supplies for the needy

Every year during the month of November, canned goods are collected from Shores’ high school students This year, from Nov. 7 to Nov. 16, Student Leadership members organized the drive, and all items collected were sent to Love, Inc. Along with non-perishable food items, winter coats, personal items, and travel supplies were also collected, and each third hour class had its own points based on the amount of students in that hour.

According to students, this food drive is an easy way to help out the

GIVING

Gifts donated range from food to Christmas trees. But no matter what the gift, each family is guaranteed a special holiday.

“I like being able to see how we can make a difference and help kids who don’t get gifts,” said senior Amber Young, a KICK member.

“These families may not get anything if it wasn’t for the generous donations we get.”

One of the classrooms involved in creating a special holiday for a family is science teacher Marc Miedema’s AP Environmental Science class.

Please see FAMILY, page 10

people of Muskegon.

“Most people in our community have spare food and clothes in their homes anyway, so really, it’s just about taking the time to bring them to the school,” senior Sarah Hunt said.

“A small effort can make a big difference.”

At the end of the time, points were added up, and the winner was decided: math teacher Carrie Helmer’s class with 94 points per person. In a close second was Kristia Whitaker’s class with 92 points per person.

Every year, Shores puts together a canned-food drive and helps fill both the bellies and hearts of those in need.

“I think it’s a really great thing that our school does,” Hunt said. “I love how many classes get into it help out the less fortunate.” – Ashley Veihl, staff writer

To see more Santa’s Workshop pictures, please visit www.thesailorslog.com.

To see more can food drive pictures, please visit www.thesailorslog.com.

To see a personal story regarding Santa’s Workshop, please see page 2.

NHS members inspire holiday spirit

By Michelle Robinson Co-Editor-in-Chief As Santa walked in, every child’s face lit up like a light.

They forgot about the hardships they may be facing at home; they’re full attention lay on the man with a belly like a bowl full of jelly.

But National Honor Society (NHS) members refer to him by a different name, senior Jason Colella, who played the role of Jolly Old St. Nick on Dec. 3 at the annual Santa’s Workshop in the cafeteria.

“Seeing how excited the little kids were when they got their gifts was definitely the best part of playing Santa,” Colella said. “Overall, the event was a fun experience, especially being Mr. Christmas.”

Happy Holidays, Sailors!

Ms. Claus, aka senior Sarah Hunt, enjoyed the event almost as much as Colella.

“I loved being married to Santa,” Hunt said. “It is so nice to be able to interact with kids who need it. Seeing the twinkle in their eyes as they anticipated Santa was a cool experience.”

Colella, Hunt and various NHS members were asked to dress in their best Christmas attire to bring holiday cheer to various elementary children.

Prior to the event, members were presented with a child’s name and age so they could buy him a gift. Approximately 55 children attended the event and received something special from Santa.

“The best part of doing this is definitely seeing the kids’ faces when they see

page 4 Co-editor-in-chief Jonah Stone reviews the video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which came out Nov. 11.

Santa,” NHS adviser Vicki Swanson said. “It’s like they forget everything else around them and just see him.”

First-grader Koda Benson was one of those children.

“Seeing Santa was awesome!” Benson said. “I got exactly what I wanted, Hot Wheels.”

Swanson said she hopes to continue seeing happy children’s faces. Since the program was started more than 15 years ago, child attendance has gone up by about 20. One day, Swanson hopes to see that number grow to 100.

“The best stories from this are the parents coming up to us and thanking us,” Swanson said. “They tell us how their child wouldn’t get much under the tree if it wasn’t for our kids doing what they’re doing.

It’s a truly special thing.”

Tis’ the season for inspiration.

First-grader James Vanderine receives a gift from Santa Claus, aka senior Jason Colella, a National Honor Society member.

NHS gave more than 30 gifts to elementary children.

(Rachel Resterhouse)

Senior Aubrie Vela finds a passion in film making and directing.

Her enthusiasm has inspired her to create countless YouTube videos.

page 5

Shores gymnastics team was cut due to budget problems and lack of participation. Last year, gymnastics had only two girls from Shores on the team.

page 12

Writing Warrior

2

e d Editor reflects on time managment and perfecting her craft i Au th o t Tip ring s o r i a l

I

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

sit here frantically writing to meet a deadline… as usual. Like most of you, I am quite susceptible to the attractions of procrastination, and it is often because of this that I sit, fingers cramping, typos multiplying in my desperate race to scratch out a few pages before the class is over.

Unlike most of you, however, I bring this upon myself. I write for fun. I know, I know – it might be a little difficult for the average human to understand at first, but don’t let my alien tendencies deter you: I am, despite all evidence to the contrary, human. Or am I…?

For your safety and mine, let’s just move on.

This year in particular, I’ve been forced to write at breakFranny Kromminga neck speeds at all turns. I Fine Arts Editor decided to do this thing called National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) where I had to write a novel using only the month of November.

I can’t tell you how much sleep I lost during Tree Week where I was writing for hours in order to reach my word count goal.

In addition to that, I have a blog, The Forsythian, that I update as often as I can. It’s a personal humor blog filled with the odd situations I often find myself in, and my main method of complaining and (quietly) rebelling against the “man.” There’s some hard-hitting stuff in there about slushies and squirrels in there, really.

And you know what the ridiculous thing is?

•I fro f y o do n m w u’r e s u sto ’t p a riter’s fferin • B r m . nic , b blo ck g rai y ou e s u n- , • K r s o u r e to ten eep t r ces . check w r s e t h ra ck i • A t ing at y o of t h ua e t hi fter in . re lo u ng , r e w rit in a d g d Yo to som it ecat u’r e m y o u r o ut s c o h e l re f wa m . ist a lik el So y . urc k es y t e: da t ha o ilyw t riti n gti

ps .co

m

Artwork by Amy Peterson I just created another blog, Write Away Captain, to publish fractions of the stories I write.

The story I’m in the process of posting now? Yep, you guessed it – the second draft of my NaNoWriMo novel.

Not to mention the insanity that was my Creative Writing elective first trimester, or the impromptus of AP Lit or the Data Based Questions (DBQS) of AP Euro.

Am I forgetting anything?

Oh yeah. The endless stream of articles and editorials that is newspaper. This here is the prime example. More examples of the immense amount of material we churn out on a daily basis are available at thesailorslog.com,

too. Just in case you were wondering.

And I’d rather not go through and describe all the half-finished “novels” that are piled on my desk. Just don’t make me talk about them. It’s kind of painful to think about how much work there is left to be done on each of them.

But, just for information’s sake, there are about five of them with a few dozen pages each to their names (which, coincidentally, I haven’t finished yet either).

None of this is inherently wrong unless you include the element of procrastination I mentioned earlier. Now, does it begin to make sense? Now, does my problem become clear? I don’t have time for what I do now, yet I continue to sign up for more.

This isn’t just limited to writing, either, although that is the prime example of the surplus of commitments I take on. This tendency is also visible in my performing arts involvement.

And then both these categories of time-consumers begin to clash with each other, and that just starts to make me mad. No matter how overpopulated my schedule is, the different commitments are definitely not allowed to fight with each other.

It’s downright disrespectful, and I usually erase them from their pretty line in my planner and put them in the box of solitary confinement for misbehaving.

That box also seems to indicate important things to remember, however, so I’m not sure I’m doing a decent job of punishing them at all.

So here I sit, completing the last sentence of my editorial as the bell rings and my classmates flood out the doors… as usual.

Elementary student’s story flips senior’s life right-side up

I

have written, deleted, re-written, and erased this story about six times now.

It’s just I don’t quite know how to put in perspective one of the most heartwrenching events that has ever happened to me.

I mean, I can’t start with “Once upon a time.” This isn’t a fairy tale; Cinderella won’t Michelle Robinson find her prince.

Co-Editor-In Ch ief This is real life.

So, I’m just going to be blunt.

This beginning starts at a National Honor Society meeting regarding an

annual Santa’s Workshop event.

The idea sounded pleasant: find an NHS partner, buy a child in need a gift, and on Dec. 3, Santa will present my gift to the child.

So I grabbed my best friend and hightailed it to the line to select a child.

And after flipping through various children who were nothing but names to me, I came to one who left me paralyzed.

I knew this boy.

He sat in the back of my fifth hour, first-grade mentorship class. He always had sunglasses on, even inside, and rarely spoke. While the rest of the children were looking up at the board, he looked down at his shoes.

But everyday when I’d walk in, he

your voice We want letters from you The Sailors’ Log staff encourages our readers to send letters. However, not all letters can be published, and the editorial board reserves the right to edit letters for clarity.

Guest commentaries and stories may be included if the staff feels they enhance coverage of a unique topic.

No material will be printed which is libelous, advocates illegal activity, or which is deemed to be in poor taste.

Attacking our ideas is fine; personally attacking our writers is not. Remember, everyone has the right to his or her own opinion, including you.

Please sign and submit your letters to room 501, Mona Shores High School, 1121 Seminole Road, Muskegon, MI 49441 or via thesailorslog@gmail.com.

Volume 50, Edition 4 Friday, December 16, 2011 Mona Shores High School 1121 Seminole Road Muskegon, Michigan 49441

was the first child to give me a hug.

I knew there was something unique about him, but it surprised me to see his name on a list of children in need of a present.

Knowing it would be easy to ask him what he wanted for Christmas, I grabbed his name from the pile, not realizing the emotional impact this decision was going to have on me over the next couple weeks.

The next day in my mentorship class, my teacher asked me to take the boy into the hall to practice counting. It would begin the first of many one-on-one help sessions.

After a few tries, he counted all the way to 110. I gave him a high-five and

told him he’d been so good this year, which led into me asking him what he wanted for Christmas.

And that’s when the boy who barely says a word in class began to rattle off toy after toy after toy.

About a week later, the boy’s name came up again.

I don’t know what it was, fate or whatever, but I knew it was something about this child that his name continued to reappear everywhere in my life.

And as fate sometimes does it, he is coincidentally best friends with the boy I babysit. When I told his mom the irony, she paused, and her expression changed from merry to dreary.

Please see SENIOR, page 10

Don’t be a ‘Scrooge’ this holiday season The holiday season is here, and with it comes horribly cheesy music, family, traditions, and delicious foods.

But there is one thing that comes with the holidays that nobody gets excited for: The Grinches.

Those inevitable Scroogeish people who go around with little pouty looks on their faces complaining about the decorations and music and festivity that everybody else loves.

The ones glaring who

our vo i c e wouldn’t touch a tacky sweater with a ten-foot pole.

Yeah. Them.

We at The Sailors’ Log are not in favor of Grinchdom.

Perhaps it’s because we are just too excited to buy gag gifts for our annual Christmas party.

Or maybe it’s because it is one of the rare periods where we actually take time out of

Editors-in-Chief Michelle Robinson Jonah Stone

Sports Editors Taylor Jones Rachel Swartz

Photo EditorS Cole Myhre Rachel Resterhouse

Editorial Editor Erinn Taylor

Fine Arts Editor Franny Kromminga

Profiles Editor Emily Grevel

Center Section Editor Mikayla Day

Feature Editor Kendal Brown

On-Line Editor Jonah Stone

our days to think of someone else, to take joy in making others happy, and to be thankful for what we do have.

Frankly, the holiday spirit is something that should be admired in others, not rejected.

Don’t be a Grinch.

Or a Scrooge.

The holidays make people happy, and if spoiling that happiness is something you want to do, well… go away.

The rest of us have some merrymaking to go do.

Staff Andrew Kromminga Carlin Rollenhagen Sydney Tharp Ashley Veihl Kelley Wheeler Shea Wilcox

Ce lebrati ng

50 Y EARS

Facebook Follies

Virtual “friends” are not one’s true buddies

R

ecently, I came to a conclusion. I know way too much.

Not way too much about statistics or psychology and certainly not too much about cooking.

So what do I know way too much about?

Chances are, you.

How is this possible? One word: Facebook.

That’s right, the social networking website that changed the world; the site that hosts the profiles of everyone from your best friend to your grandmother.

Whenever I log on, I see what my “friends” are thinking. I see who’s online, just in case I want to have a chat.

Erinn Taylor I even see a new scrolling feature that Editoria l Editor shows exactly what everyone is doing right now.

Let’s pause for a moment on the “friends” bit. On Facebook, my current tally is 649. Looking through the list, I see people that I know, people that I kind of know, and people that I would not recognize if my life depended upon it.

Why all of the random friends? Usually, it’s because they add me, and I feel like it would be rude to refuse a friendly invitation.

However, I have to wonder why these people want to be my friend. Are they really hoping that one day I might invite them to my wedding? Do they actually think that my usually lessthan enlightening statuses will change their lives?

Probably not.

This is the thing about Facebook.

You most likely do not know all of your Facebook friends.

I mean, kudos to you if you know all 755 of your friends personally and have regular chats with each and every single one of them.

And even bigger kudos if you have kept your friends list down to the bare minimum: the people you actually care about.

But most of us do not fall into either of these categories.

And this results in most of us knowing random things about random people.

Random things like who’s dating and who just broke up, who got a new puppy, and who spends way too much time taking pictures of themselves.

Sure, the puppy photos are cute, but as for the rest of it, I really did not need to know.

I especially do not need to know if I have never met the person who is blowing up my newsfeed.

Let’s get one thing straight here, though. I do not accept the friend requests of all random people.

If the person who added me does not go to Shores, does not have more than 100 friends in common with me, and does not look familiar, then I decline the friend invite.

These may not seem like strict rules, but they have kept me safe so far.

The Sailors’ Log, which is advised by Warren Kent III, is a public forum for student expression distributed freely to students and faculty of Mona Shores High School.

And that’s because they employ good old fashion common sense.

We all know that accepting a friend request from a 45-yearold alpaca farmer in Kentucky named Billy Bob is not a smart idea.

And yet, some of us may not use this common sense when making new friends. Some of us prefer quantity over quality when it comes to Facebook friends.

Just because you have a lot of friends on Facebook does NOT mean that you actually have a lot of friends.

Just saying.

But because the world is not perfect and I have a lot of Facebook friends that I have never talked to in my entire life, I sometimes run into kind of a funny situation.

One day, a couple of girls were having a conversation on each other’s walls. Their comments were blowing up my news feed.

I had met one of the girls but did not know her well, and the other I would not have known from the Russian ambassador. I only remember the incident because I was annoyed at the fact that they were having such a long conversation in such a public way.

I have always been a Facebook skeptic.

Anyway, I guess I stored this memory deep down somewhere. A month or so after the incident, I met the girl who had been having the conversation. The girl that I was sure I would not have known from any random person on the street was on the track team with me.

When I heard her name, the first thing I actually thought was, “It’s the annoying Facebook girl!”

It was like meeting a celebrity.

It’s always strange when one meets a Facebook friend. This person is technically a stranger, but one knows some random things about them. Like Selena Gomez, who I technically have never met, but have formed an opinion based on what is put out into the world.

Strangely enough, “annoying Facebook girl” has become one of my best friends.

Despite what I had known about my friend from Facebook, it was not the connecting powers of the web site that lead to our friendship.

Rather, it was the good old fashion way of meeting people in person that lead to my gaining another friendship.

While Facebook may seem like a great way to make a lot of “friends,” just remember: everything that you see about these people that you do not care about, they can see about you.

So be careful about what you put out there.

And ask, “Do I really want to be friends?” before adding that random girl who might have been in the same geometry class freshman year.

Because last time I checked, my friends were the people who care about me and I want to spend time with. Not the people who know way too much about me because of my online profile.

The Sailors’ Log can be found at the following on-line sites: • www.thesailorslog.com (contains current stories, photos, etc.)

• www.monashoressports.com (contains current Sailor sports information) • Email: thesailorslog@hotmail.com (provides readers with a way to communicate with the staff)

• Facebook Fan Page: The Sailors’ Log (provides a means for the staff to communicate with its readers and vice versa) • Twitter: @thesailorslog (provides easiest way to get information to readers)

A

s a personal victim of many Internet distractions, I regularly approach the computer planning to begin my homework only to find myself glued to Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, etc.

I eventually reach the conclusion that in order to complete my schoolwork I must separate myself from the Internet.

Many teenagers use social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Youtube, and Stumbleupon to communicate and socialize with Kelley Wheeler friends across Staff Writer the road or with strangers across the world.

The Internet was initially created to enhance communication methods between people, but lately, it has become widely used as a time waster as well. I often find myself thinking I have only been online for 30 minutes or so, but glancing at the clock, I see two hours have passed.

Most high school students will globally announce their day-to-day status through these networks. I recently created a Twitter, and I see how much this one electric communicator inflicts on our everyday life. People involved in Twitter can “tweet,” or share, what they’re doing, see the status of their favorite musician, or find out what celebrities are up to.

Usually, I use the Internet as a stress reliever or source of information. The Internet is commonly part of my day-today routine and lets me know what my friends are up to. Even while writing this article, a web page is pulled up on my screen so I can occasionally scroll and be in tune with the status of my peers.

On Tumblr, I will reblog quotes and photos that express how I am feeling. Even though these Internet sensations are a great entertainment tool for free time, they also cause distractions to priorities and often inflict on tasks being completed.

When eavesdropping, conversations among peers tend to include, “I was up all night” or “Yeah, I didn’t get to finish the assignment; it was too hard.”

Do we ever stop to realize this is usually because half the time we believe we spend on the homework is spent stalking the statuses of our friends? One should really experiment and see if he or she can finish the assignment while not near a computer or iPhone to determine if the Internet is really affecting their quality work time.

I usually struggle to decide between working on homework with the Internet by my side and working solely on homework and to celebrate with computer time in the end. Scrolling down a Facebook news feed, there is bound to be two to three statuses about horrible homework or stressing study time.

Social networks help all ages communicate and transfer information, even if most is recreational. The World Wide Web is used for various reasons, but to me, it puts off my homework. I know it does the same for all of my adolescent readers as well.

One should learn the Internet is a great foundation in keeping up to date but also a main source to procrastination.

Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editorial board of The Sailors’ Log. Your Voice is the opinion of our readers. All letters to the editor must be signed.

The Sailors’ Log is printed by Hi-Lites Graphics, Inc., 1212 Locust Street, Fremont, Michigan 49412.

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e d i t o r i a l

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

Artwork by Amy Peterson

The online world aids procrastination

4

e n t e r t a Skyrim brings i n m e n storyline t

Dragons have lived within the imaginations of the fantastic and mythical for hundreds of years. The dragon is the ultimate symbol of medieval might and magic and brings forth thoughts of courage and tenacity in the face of ultimate danger. What if those thoughts could take form? What if you could be that brave Arthurian figure? Skyrim provides these answers but poses many more.

gamers to an exciting world

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

Skyrim is set in a Lord of the Rings-esque world where the sword, shield, and bow are coupled with a heavy dose of magic, and mastery of these instruments means survival in the harsh world.

This mastery is to be chosen by the player by what method he decides to dispose of his enemies.

Will the player take the sneaky route and hide in the shadows for his prey, follow the path of the master archer who kills with a swift arrow through the head, become the mage who holds the power of nature in his hands, or emulate the berserking warrior satisfied only by furious strikes of his sword, or will the player combine these elements to deal his own style of death?

Players may also invoke the power of the shout: an ancient power held by the dragons as their language and both theirs and the Dovahkiin’s source of power.

The player does this by finding ancient texts written in the language of dragons on walls. These words found can be learned by absorbing the knowledge from dragons by absorbing and harvesting their souls.

Choice is a major factor in Skyrim. The world is the player’s to roam and interact with in a multitude of ways.

The game allows players to perform their feats with a first or third-person view of the action.

This game regularly switches between these during combat to slow down the action and perform a killing blow to enemies ranging from bears to dragons.

This is no Call of Duty, however, and careful consideration must be used in order to vanquish the many foes met on the player’s journey.

Players may take the role of anyone they can imagine in Tamriel, and with the help of 10 playable races, players can be any character they desire in this imersive and rich world.

On the continent Tamriel lies a land dominated by a harsh climate and even harsher people who dwell on it. This land is called Skyrim, and these people are the Nords: a race of fierce warriors who brave their frosty climate with steadfast vigor.

Skyrim has been plagued with the horrors of war, and a nationalistic pride has risen within its people following a ban on worship of their god Talos by the ruling Empire of Tamriel. But this empire is breaking at its already weakly sewn seams.

The empire is in shambles; it is now ruled by a puppet emperor.

This emperor is controlled by the race of high elves. These elves deem the worship of the god Talos blasphemy as Talos was a Nord man who ascended to divine status and not originally a deity to the elves.

The people of Skyrim are not ones to take religious prejudice without a fight, however, and with the leadership of nationalist leader Ulfric Stormcloak, a rebellion is started to drive the Cyrodillic Empire out and restore freedom.

Just as a civil war is brewing, the ancient power of the dragons returns and with it an individual whose destiny is intertwined with that of the dragons or dovah and of the people of Skyrim. He is a Dovahkiin. A Dragonborn.

The Dragonborn returns with the promise of preventing the prophesied apocalypse. This prophesy was written in the ancient elder scrolls. These documents transcend time; they tell of every significant event in Tamriel. The scrolls foretold the return of Alduin, t h e dragon god of destruction whose name means “The World Eater.”

Alduin leads the dragons to Skyrim, and with them he is set to end this world and bring on the next.

The Dragonborn has the potential to be the most influential figure that Skryrim has ever seen, and this figure is the player’s to control and create. It is up to the player to realize the full potential of the Dovahkiin and fulfill his destiny.

gameplay

OTHER CHAPTERS OF THE ELDER SCROLLS Jonah Stone Co-e di t ori n-c h i e f

This Month’s

Fantastic 4

By Jonah Stone, Co-editor-in-chief

book

Album El Camino

The Muppets

Homeland

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini is the fourth installment of the saga that began with the highly acclaimed book Eragon.

It tells the continuance of Eragon’s story as he quests to defeat the evil King Galbatorix through the use of magic, swordsmanship, his dragon, Saphira.

It’s the kind of thrilling novel that makes it easy to replace homework time with reading time, but it’s worth it in this case.

– Franny Kromminga, Fine Arts Editor

After the success of its Grammy-winning album Brothers and No. 1 song “Tighten Up,” The Black Keys signature gritty guitar and vocals return in the song “Lonely Boy” and show up all through the album. This album brought me back to listening to the rock melodies of the ‘70s, the power chords of the ‘80s, and the lyrics and style of ‘90s grunge. El Camino available now at music retailers and is my pick for Album of the Year.

Jason Segal and Amy Adams lead the famous ensemble cast of The Muppet Show in this funny and hilarious quest to save the Muppet Theatre from a greedy oilman. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, and Fozzie Bear all join together to create the greatest telethon the world has seen in order to buy back the Theatre for the Muppets. Go see the Muppets in this heartfelt journey that will win the hearts of viewers young and old.

Claire Danes (Romeo & Juliet) stars as a CIA agent in this thriller about an American POW turned terrorist suspect.

The soldier in question is Nicolas Brody, (Damian Lewis of Band of Brothers) and his spending eight years as a prisoner of terrorists leads Carrie to suspect him as one. Homeland is becoming one of the most engaging shows on television; watch this excellent show every Sunday at 10 p.m. on Showtime.

Inheritance

Movie

TV

Aubrie Vela, senior

Film Fanatic

In each issue, The Sailors’ Log will feature various alumni to see what life is like after Shores.

Staff Writer For many people, a hobby is something like sports, reading, biking, or drawing.

For senior Aubrie Vela, it is film-making, and it all started in sixth grade.

“We had to make a movie project about the book Loser, so I kind of overdid it and bought Pinnacle software and started messing around with it,” Vela said. “Ever since then, making movies has just been fun.”

Vela taught herself how to use the editing program and began using it for her school projects.

“I had the Geek Squad (Best Buy’s team of computer specialists) come out and show me how to use a green screen,” Vela said with a laugh.

With her passion for filmmaking growing over the years,

Vela has had many opportunities to do what she does best.

“People ask me to do videos and edit them for them,” Vela said. “I help my boyfriend, who is an actor, and his friends, who go to film school, make videos too.”

These opportunities have given Vela much knowledge and have affected her in more than just the world of film.

“I get to meet a lot of new people,” Vela said. “I learn something new with every experience.”

Vela said having an audience is the best part; that’s why she puts many of her videos on YouTube.

“Once I get people to watch my videos, then I have more power to share messages with others,” Vela said. “When people comment on and like my videos, it is rewarding.”

Being behind the scenes is where Vela feels at home. This past year, however, she had the opportunity to get outside of that comfort zone and be on the other side of the camera as an actress in one of her boyfriend’s films.

“It was a different experience because I don’t usually act in films,” Vela said. “It helped me see everything from a different perspective because as a director, I need to know the kinds of directions my actors need.”

As she has sharpened her skills and becomes more involved with film-making, Vela said she hopes to start a career in the film business. She said she plans to move to Santa Monica, Calif., and attend the Film Institute of Los Angeles.

“I have saved up $2,000 so far for solely rental purposes when I move. Hopefully, I can make some good connections while

I’m there and then see where I go from there,” Vela said. “I’d really like to be some sort of producer, assistant director, or director. I would just love to work with film.”

Although Vela seems to have a set plan, she said she is not intending to go out west without an open mind. “(Film school) opens up a ton of different careers. I could do photography for magazines and modeling,” Vela said. “I could even be an actress if I wanted to down the road. Who knows?”

The passion and excitement in her voice is unmistakable whenever she comments on her future in film or anything dealing with film for that matter.

“It’s creative,” Vela said.

“Every (movie) is different, and it’s so much fun thinking of things on the spot and getting them to look legit.”

Freshman living life despite loss of lung as a child

By Emily Grevel Profiles Editor It all started with a trip to the doctor.

At age 3, freshman Devin Sweezer had been suffering from pneumonia, causing her to have trouble breathing and to have sporadic coughing attacks. After a closer look, doctors found a much bigger issue developing in Sweezer’s left lung.

“I remember my mom and dad were worried about me, and they stayed the night at the hospital with me every night,” Sweezer said. “I remember being scared for the surgery because I knew it would hurt afterwards.”

Doctors at Devos Children’s Hospital moved quickly to remove a large tumor developing in the lower lobe of Sweezer’s left lung in 1999. She spent a week recovering in the hospital and had to go through a rigorous process of doctor visits and limitations to her everyday life.

“I remember not being able to move because I was very sore from the surgery. It took me awhile to get out of the hospital,” Sweezer said. “At home, I had to have IV’s in a lot. I wasn’t able to go outside for about a month. I remember it hurt really badly when doctors had to take the stitches out.”

Still today, Sweezer must battle with the effects of the surgery. “(Having one lung) has caused me asthma that is pretty severe,” Sweezer said. “I have to carry around a rescue inhaler everywhere.

It has made it harder for me to breathe and do physical activity.”

Despite the strain on her body, Sweezer participates in the Marching Band. Her love for band does not come without costs. On a

Changing circumstances. Freshman Devin Sweezer, who lives with one lung after surgery performed in 1999, must rely on an inhaler to help her breathe. (Rachel Resterhouse) band trip to Cedar Point, an asthma attack left her unconscious at the amusement park.

“I had forgotten my inhaler in my instrument case, and we couldn’t leave the park to go get it,” Sweezer said. “There were fog machines because of the Halloween theme in the park, and it made it hard to breath.”

The people smoking in the park and the Halloween effects proved to be too much for Sweezer’s body.

“I was walking around with many of my friends when I started not to be able to breath well,” Sweezer said. “I wanted to ignore it because I wanted to have fun, but they knew something was wrong because I kept

coughing and gasping for air.”

While waiting for help to arrive, Sweezer’s attacks got worse. With the help of senior Liam Huth and other friends, Sweezer was able to get help.

“My vision started blacking out. I heard Liam yell something and then everything went black,” Sweezer said. “I woke up laying down and saw a bunch of people’s faces.

Some of them I didn’t even know. Liam was yelling at me, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.”

The ambulance arrived and Sweezer was brought to the emergency center where her vitals were taken. After a short recovery time, she was allowed to leave with friends and enjoy the rest of the park.

“They saved my life, I’m sure,” Sweezer said. “All of my friends were waiting for me in the waiting room.”

The limitations Sweezer must deal with are difficult because she is not able to do the things many of her friends do.

“The hardest part for me emotionally is the fact that I can’t do the things other people can do,” Sweezer said. “I wish I could participate in sports and exercise with my friends, but it’s hard on me. I wish I could go places and not have to worry about other people smoking. I wish I didn’t have to have an inhaler all the time.”

Sweezer said she understands the risks involved that she must battle on a daily basis.

“Advice I have for kids in similar situations would be to always have your rescue inhaler on you, and steer clear from smoke.”

She said, “You never know when you’ll need it. If you are in a smoky situation, always be with a group of people that can help you.”

Pam Kepford Class of 1966

Profession

IELTS Examiner for the British Council in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, The People’s Republic of China

Job Responsibilities

“I administer competency tests of oral and written English to Chinese students who want to study abroad and prove that their English is up to the task.”

Favorite part of job

“I love the challenge of my job and living in a developing nation. I love meeting young Chinese people and hearing about their lives and aspirations. I also love the intellectual involvement with language and wish I had studied linguistics when I was free to do so in college.

I deeply enjoy meeting other English speaking professionals from other countries and hearing about how our lives are different but related through language and the shared cultural connection through English.”

Advice to students

“The world has changed, and the view from China is quite chilling for Americans.

America is no longer the “only game in town,” and we need to restore our aging nation and be ready to compete on all fronts with the developing nations as they rise.

My advice would be to have a fully realizable plan before taking your next step.

Don’t go on to work or work by default, go with a goal in mind. Make sure your choices will lead to meaningful and well-paid work, not just a “well rounded” individual. Worry less about social life and more about life.”

Activities involved in at Shores

Latin Club, Debate Team, Drama Club.

Information compiled

by Taylor Jones, Sports Editor

r o f i l e s

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

Senior finds passion for filmmaking

By Sydney Tharp

5 Where are they p

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“(Choir director Shawn) Lawton inspires me because of his passion for what he does and how much he cares.

The amount of time he puts into performances and shows is unbelievable.”

Andrew Rank, senior

“(Freshman) Brianna Vanaelst is aggressive toward life and inspires me to push to be my best.”

Julia Lakos, freshman

“After my parents got divorced, my mom became my inspiration to do better and keep striving through it all.”

Jessica Gauthier, sophomore

s e c t i o n

“(English teacher Chris) Johnson is my inspiration to always try my hardest on the baseball field and in the classroom.

He’s the type of person who is hard to disappoint, so he inspires me to do my best in every way.”

Steven Pelfresne, junior

“All of my family members inspire me, but my mom does it the most.

She’s hard working, puts her family first and is fun loving.

During my lifetime, she has motivated me to always do my best in whatever I may be doing.”

Jeremy Andres, social studies teacher

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

“(Junior) Andrea Robinson is really smart and always reaches for greatness. She inspires me to be like her and always do my best.”

Brandy Cumbee, junior

“(Actress) Megan Fox is my inspiration because she’s gorgeous and a tomboy at the same time and has achieved greatness.”

Lindsey Balta, senior

“(Junior) Lance Van Tine inspires me because he’s a good kid and does well in school, so he inspires me to do the same.”

Riley Williamson, junior

“(Senior) Torin Carlson is a tall goofy kid who’s smart and funny and inspires me to be as awesome as he is.”

Tyler Wait, senior

“In my life, my two older brothers have influenced me the most.

They’re all-around good guys, have they’re lives together, and are well balanced.”

Joshua Reister, math teacher

“My grandpa was always willing to take risks in order to be successful and inspires me to do the same.”

Landon Kresnak, junior

INSPIR

Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can com Having the courage to follow our dreams is not a ro who inspires them to follow their dreams and

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“When I look for inspiration, I see my dad.

He supports me in everything I do and gives me great advice whenever I need it.

He shows great leadership and inspires me to do my best.”

Ossie Gordon, junior

“(Senior) Tyler Wait is a tall funny kid who’s goofy and smart and inspires me to be as awesome as he is.”

Torin Carlson, senior

“(Junior) Ossie Gordon is my inspiration because I want to play football, and that’s what he does.

He’s nice to everyone and is an all-around good person.

When I think of how I want to be, I think of Ossie.”

Mikey Woodin, freshman

“(Comedian) Adam Sandler inspires me because of how funny he is, and he’s such a good actor.

He inspires me to try my hardest.”

Scott Stoevsand, sophomore

“(Freshman) Julia Lakos inspires me because she is an awesome best friend and always inspires me to try my hardest.”

Brianna Vanaelst, freshman

“My wife is the person who inspires me the most.

She is always positive and sees the good in everything.

Whenever I’m having a bad day, she can turn it around and make it better.”

Scott Lautenschlaeger, math teacher

Kyle Peterson, sophomore

“My sister Sonya inspires me because she didn’t do very well in life toward the beginning and turned it around for the better.”

Kayleigh Lockhart, sophomore

“My cousin Drew is autistic and doesn’t let it stop him from doing regular life activities, so he gives me the inspiration to always keep pushing through life.”

Makala Gomez-Bromley, senior

“(Author) Hunter Thompson is my inspiration because he was a great journalist, a rebel to society, and he inspires me to become a writer and achieve my goals.”

Brenna Kelly, sophomore

“My sister inspires me to do my best because she was behind in her schooling and brought herself back, and she inspires me to do the same.”

Lexy Martinez, junior

RATION

Photo Illustration: Rachel Resterhouse

me true if we have the courage to pursue them.” oad most travel by themselves; many have someone d always do their best. These are their stories.

s e c t i o n The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

“Bam Margera (of Jackass fame) is inspirational to me because he’ll do anything for a laugh and goes through life in beast mode.”

c e n t e r

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Harmony at last. The Quarternotes perform at the 2011 fall Coffee House. The group, which consists of senior Maddie Fox, junior Molly Schaub, senior Rachel Miller and senior Shea Wilcox, are thinking of putting together an act for Pop Go The Sailors. (Rachel Resterhouse)

Quartet keeps tradition going Holding down a part. The Chamber Choir performs as the first event in America’s Tallest singing Christmas Tree 2011. The Chamber Choir can be seen caroling this holiday and at the annual Collage Concert Feb. 11. They will also be participating in Solo & Ensemble festival. (Cole Myhre)

Three years ago, four girls started a new musical tradition at Shores.

Current senior Maddie Fox along with Kimberly Sorenson and Jessica Hall, graduates of the class of 2010, and Kendyl White, a 2011 graduate, started a girls’ quartet, which they named The

By Franny Kromminga Quarternotes.

Fine Arts Editor “We were all good friends, and we all loved music and choir, so we decided to make a group where we could sing outside of The student-led group Chamber Choir is the largest of the performance groups school,” Fox said. involving Shores students.

Since then, as members of the quartet graduated, the remaining Containing 20 members, the group is led by a partnership between seniors Clarisse members added new friends to the group to keep the tradition going.

Wilson and Cody Munford and governed by the will of the participants.

The current group includes Fox, senior Rachel Miller, “Each member helps to decide what music the group will sing, senior Shea Wilcox, and junior Molly Schaub. what the short- and long-term goals will be for the current “I was really excited when school year, and the meeting time of the ensemble,” Maddie talked to me about Wilson said. “Everyone also must learn and memojoining the quartet rize his or her own part in the music.”

Shores because I had heard Chamber Choir participates in several is full of classes built them at Tree and school performances, such as the Singing Coffee House and Christmas Tree and Collage concerts, and for the performing arts, and they were always performs in other venues besides. This there are even more opportuniso good,” Miller past Wednesday, they performed at the said. ties when extracurricular options are Norton Shores Public Library, and they The quartet are already preparing for caroling later factored in. But even with all of those has performed this winter and for Solo & Ensemble possibilities, some students want more. at various Festival in February. locations, “The members in this group come Student-run groups have become more from their together to make excellent music and and more common. These groups meet on first Coffee share their passion with the commuHouse pertheir own time and often perform in venues nity,” Wilson said. formance The Chamber Choir can be seen where the entire choir can’t. The three three years next caroling around town and at the student-run choral groups that exist ago to their Collage Concert Feb. 11. most recent right now are the Chamber Choir, endeavor, an the boys’ quartet Four Shore, opening act for this year’s Singing and the girls’ quartet The Christmas Tree.

Quarternotes.

“Singing for Tree is always amazing,” Fox said. “It’s probably the most stressful thing we’ve done, just

By Franny Kromminga because of the massive audience, Fine Arts Editor but it’s completely worth it.”

The quartet is not working Barbershop-style harmonies are being brought on anything right now, but back to life in the boys’ quartet, Four Shore. they hope to start some“Four Shore is a group of four guys who get together thing new after Christmas and learn songs and sing and do gigs and concerts and Break. sometimes competitions,” Four Shore member junior “We’re thinking Jonny Lawton said. “You’ll probably see us in Pops, about doing Coffeehouse, and Solo & Ensemble Festival.” something for Pop The group consists of Lawton, senior Cody Munford Goes the and juniors Josiah Baird, and Devon Sargent and has Sailors, so hopebeen going on for about a year and a half. fully that will “We all got together one day with a big group of go through, and guys and sang,” Lawton said.

“And the four of us stood you’ll see us out together, and it sounded really cool.” there,” Miller Each member of the group is expected to sing his said.

A part of the whole. The Four Shore Quartet, consisting of senior voice part correctly and give every song his complete Cody Munford, senior Josiah Baird, junior Devon Sargent and effort. junior Jonny Lawton, can be seen in future concerts like Cof“Our goal is to improve our singing and entertain,” feehouse and Pop Go The Sailors. They will also be in Solo & Lawton said. “And get the ladies.”

Ensemble festival.

Top choir consists of 20 singers

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The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

By Shea Wilcox Staff Writer

The Quarternotes Quartet

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Four Shore Quartet

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10 Easy Confidence Boosters According to www.pickthebrain.com, there are 10 simple steps to increase your confidence on an everyday basis.

6. Compliment other people 7.Sit in the front row 8. Speak up 9. Work out 10. Focus on contribution

confidence

Senior girl keeps high self-esteem

By Kendal Brown Features Editor The motivation to get out of bed in the morning can be a challenge in itself, especially for teens who do not only face tremendous amounts of stress but also the pressures of fitting in.

Senior Kailey Baker finds the motivation to succeed in her respectable outlook on life and confidence.

“Confidence is important.

It allows you to take chances and not hide in the crowd,” Baker said.

Though Baker said confidence is key, she also said there is a fine line between that and Baker b e i n g conceited.

“A confident person would describe themselves as being above average but not far from their hardworking teammates,” Baker said. “A cocky person is likely to describe themselves as ‘the best/ most important’ on the team. No matter how talented one is, no one can win a game, competition, or meet by themselves.”

It is difficult to believe Baker has the time for just sports and work, but she also succeeds in her schoolwork.

“My motivation in school is to reach my goal of becoming an animal control officer when I get older,” Baker said.

Though Baker is

extremely confident, she had a time where she doubted herself.

“Sophomore year was my first year diving, and since I had a gymnastics background, it really prepared me for the different types of flips we would do in diving. The dive I was about to do at my first meet was a reverse dive, which is basically a back flip off of the diving board into the water,” Baker said. “I dove too close to the diving board and cracked my head open on the board.”

Baker was resistant to get back on the board, and her first week back, she was asked to do another reverse dive.

“I was literally crying, and I just stood on the board for over a minute waiting to dive, and I could not get myself to do it,” Baker said.

She said she ended up doing the dive, not even landing close to the diving board.

“I ended up getting my highest diving score yet,” Baker said. “The confidence I felt after achieving that was amazing.”

Baker, who plays three sports and has two jobs, says confidence is something that will remain constant in her life.

“Even though times can get tough because I have so much on my plate, I always keep my head high and my attitude positive,” Baker said. “Things will always get better, even if they seem like they won’t.”

Self reliance crucial for senior boy

By Carlin Rollenhagen Psychology teacher Heather Hall explains the science of confidence.

“We want to see ourselves as others see us in order to be psychologically healthy. True confidence comes with humility; ‘overconfidence’ comes with a sense of arrogance that is looked upon negatively by others. People get their confidence from reinforcements they have received throughout their lives and the ways that they have been rewarded for their behaviors.

Overconfidence can come from people giving empty praise for behaviors that are not truly praiseworthy. For example, some parents want their children to feel like they are good at things and think that giving praise for everything will give them high self-esteem.

Sometimes, people, even children, need to hear the truth so they can put their energies into things that they really are good at.”

Staff Writer “Confidence is key” is a quote often heard in many cases, but it is not always seen within everyone.

However, senior Derek Versalle emits confidence and positive attitude as much as possible.

At times, confidence can become cockiness because there is a fine line between the two.

“It’s easier to be cocky than to be confident.”

Versalle said. “In my eyes, confidence is the belief or trust in yourself to possibly conquer a goal or answer a question correctly without Versalle the thought of ‘I’m better than you,’ or ‘I know everything.’”

Overconfidence can also cross the line into being cocky, and that is often seen with many people.

“Overconfidence is being cocky because then an individual has the mindset of ‘I know everything,’” Versalle said. “Nobody wants to hear them bragging of how much you get paid or how much smarter you are than this person because everyone is unique in their own ways.”

Being confident is not always easy when being involved in many different types of things. Versalle manages to stay confident

while maintaining a job, being involved in choir activities, and other extra curricular activities.

“I manage to do these things by setting goals and telling myself that I can do this,” Versalle said.

“My mindset for when I show up to an event is to make as many people happy as possible.”

Inspiration is also something that allows Versalle to maintain his positive attitude and confidence.

“I look to my mom the most for confidence and for my motivation to stay positive because she always gives me the future outlook of the good that can happen from always keeping that mindset,” Versalle said.

But even the most confident people have their days where they lose their confidence and fall into a poor attitude.

“There was a time when I wasn’t feeling very confident to tryout for the Shores Allegros,” Versalle said. “I overcame that obstacle by telling myself that even if I don’t get the part I want, I still had the guts to show up.”

By doing this and pushing himself extremely hard allowed Versalle to receive a minor leading role in the Shores production of Hairspray. “(Choir-director Shawn Lawton) called to ask if I wanted to be ‘Fender,’ a Corny Collins Kid,” Versalle said. “(To me), confidence can allow you to overcome anything.”

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f e a pet peeve t There is always u something that gets on everyone’s nerves. r Staff writer Ashley Veihl of The Sailors’ e Log found out what s these things were for students at Shores.

“When people say things that they don’t know what they are talking about.”

Shanilla Balcom, freshman

“I hate when people open a bag of chips upside-down.”

Key’Aysha Rowe, sophomore

“I hate it when people tr y to suck up.”

Kaleb VanderWal, sophomore

“People who cannot stop talking even after they’re told to shut it.

It’s quite annoying.”

Natalia Narvaiz, junior

“Cocky people.

I just don’t like people who think really highly of themselves.

I prefer the humble.”

Trey Fett, junior

“People who are close-minded because if you don’t listen to other ideas and opinions, you don’t learn anything new.

So it’s just frustrating.”

Alex Beall, junior

“When people sneeze or cough in their hands.

Not anything personal, but it’s just nasty.”

Laura Barrientos, junior

“Laziness because I don’t like it when I’m making up for someone else.”

Adam Lindstrom, senior

“When girls act dumb around a boy they think is cute. It’s really annoying because they’re most likely really smart.”

Heather Hoover, senior

“Slow drivers because they’re annoying.”

Jenna DeVoursney, senior

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

1. Dress Sharp 2. Walk Faster 3. Good Posture 4. Personal Commercial 5. Gratitude

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Fare well

By Michelle Robinson Co-Editor-in-Chief

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

Most students walk past room 408 without looking up. To many, it is just another classroom where learning takes place.

And they are right.

But to the select students who are allowed to sit behind 408’s walls, the classroom and its teachers, including Kelly Hager, help make the graduation light at the end of students’ high school careers shine bright.

Hager “I really love high school,” Hager

Student support teacher switches school districts

said. “Getting to teach student support allowed me to help kids of all different learning styles. It challenged me, but getting to motivate the student who is struggling to stay positive is an amazing feeling.”

While Hager has dreamed of teaching since she was young, she also knew she wanted to make a career in administration. So, she left teaching at Shores on Nov. 23 for an administration position in Newaygo County, where she will supervise five special ed programs.

“I’m going to miss the staff here; they are committed,” Hager said. “You don’t realize the levels of leaps and bounds Shores is ahead of other school districts, including our teachers, students, and facilities.

And I’m going to miss being known like that.”

Although Hager will miss the staff, her students, including sophomore David Peters, will miss her too.

“Whenever I needed it, (Ms. Hager) would stay after school with me,” Peters said. “I’m going to miss not being able to get as much help from her. She explained things in a way that made it easy to understand.”

Room 408 may be one member short, but Hager said she hopes to see the students she is leaving behind continue on the right path toward a diploma.

“I hope I’ve left my students with independence so they no longer need me,” Hager said. “I hope I’ve worked myself out of business. But to all my students out there, just know that if you start to get lazy, I’m only a phone call away. Keep on working.”

SENIOR Continued from page 2 It was then she told me the story of the boy’s allergies to the sun, how he must wear sunglasses to see in a brightly lit rooms, how his dad must constantly work to pay his family’s piling bills.

These tear-jerking events seem trivial, though, when compared to the most heartwrenching story of all.

This child’s sick mom died just one year ago.

I managed to hold my composure long enough to walk out her door, but as I began the walk home, I lost it.

Even now as I re-write this, my paper is becoming damp.

How could a boy so sweet and so loving go through something so horrible?

He is 7 years old; I worried about my jump-rope breaking when I was 7.

I called a friend to try and calm myself, but I couldn’t quite get out the words as I shed tear and after.

I cried myself to sleep that night. It was the first time I had ever been so upset about something that hadn’t happened to me.

There would be many more nights filled with tears that were solving absolutely nothing, and it was then that I began to realize my life had been turned right-side-up.

I started noticing things and doing things I never had before.

I chose three children off an Angel tree at a store. Their names were no longer just names to me; they were children who deserved a gift to open on Christmas day.

I called my mentorship boy’s house 11 times before I finally reached his dad to assure he would come to Santa’s Workshop.

I dressed in a crazy elf costume in spirit

FAMILY Continued from page 1 “I’d say the feeling of helping people out and helping people enjoy a holiday that they might not otherwise get to enjoy is the best part of doing this,” Miedema said. “It shows

Student Recog nition Update A total of 21 students were cited for a “Random Act of Kindness.”

Each were personally thanked – no matter how small the act may have been. This month’s winners are senior Emily Manchester and sophomore Kadyn Bader.

Robotics Club Grant Update The Robotics Club did not receive the NASA grant this time around, but they are still getting funds from other corporate sponsors, adviser Andrew Basse said.

Santa’s helpers. Junior Emily Demott helps elementary student Patrick Stapleten decorate a Christmas cookie at Santa’s Workshop on Dec. 3. (Cole Myhre) of the event, trying to bring smiles to kids’ faces.

I noticed the Toys for Tots box at Sam’s Club had been pushed behind other boxes at the exit of the store.

And so maybe this isn’t a fairy tale, but I can’t end with happily ever after because this story isn’t done.

After Santa’s Workshop, the boy who has no idea how much of an impact he made on me gave me a hug, thanked me for a great

day, and wished me a happy Christmas.

But it’s him I wish to thank, for I would not have bought more gifts for other needy children, dressed as Santa’s helper, or gone back to Sam’s Club later that week, dressed in black, with a huge poster saying, “Drop gifts off here!” and brought into view the Toys for Tots box to all shoppers.

So thank you, sweetheart.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas too.

the true meaning of Christmas.”

Foley said she hopes to continue adopt-afamily and eventually extend the program to the elementary schools.

But for now, she said that no matter how tough lives get, she wishes to see the program prosper.

“Buying gifts for other people, I think,

puts our school together as a family, and personally, I enjoy getting the families gifts and getting my daughter involved with helping those less fortunate as well,” Foley said.

“She gets excited about doing something for someone else. And it’s always better to give than receive.” – Michelle Robinson, coeditor-in-chief

Can’t find a story you think The Sailors’ Log staff should have covered? Well, look no further than www.thesailorslog.com. Look under the tab “Daily Coverage” for stories we covered that did not make it into this printed edition. Here is a quick overview of those stories. from Monday, Nov. 7

from Thursday, Nov. 10

from Wednesday, Nov. 16

from Monday, Nov. 28

Hey, we have a web site!

2011 senior becomes first graduate of Voyager Program

Senior wins local VFW speech contest

Wanna get pinned? Try Pinterest

Editor pokes fun at lack of readers who are visiting The Sailors’ Log web site. “You all have made me proud. Let me explain—the last time I wrote for you, I was a little pessimistic. I was convinced that only my imaginary readers would read my sad, lonely little article. While I’m sure my imaginary readers did read my article, I was still impressed by the number of real people who did too.” – by Franny Kromminga, fine arts editor from Tuesday, Nov. 8

Mock interviews help with job potential

Business teacher Judy Hunt helped her students prepare for getting a job by have local business people interview her students. – by Kendal Brown, feature editor from Wednesday, Nov. 9

Three broadcast students compete in Consumers Energy contest

$5,000. That’s a lot of money; think of all the things one could buy with it. A group of students at Shores are hoping to win it by entering a contest called “Green Scene Contest” and put the proceeds toward the broadcast class. – by Carlin Rollenhagen, staff writer

Ken Judge, who was a senior last year, is the first student to complete the Voyager program. – by Morgan Schwing, staff writer from Friday, Nov. 11

Culinary arts teacher wins chili cook-off

The old-American frontier came to Shores on Nov. 11 with the culinary arts chili cook-off. The third-hour class divided into three groups to see who could cook the best chili. – by Jonah Stone, co-editor-in-chief from Monday, Nov. 14

Students anxious about hunting season

Hunters across the state, many of whom attend Shores, anxiously awaited the Nov. 15 opening of gun season in Michigan. – by Mandy Versalle, staff writer from Tuesday, Nov. 15

Guitar class finishes trimester with contest

Shores’ guitar classes finished for the first trimester with a concert on Nov. 15 in the auditorium. - by Erinn Taylor, editorial editor

Senior Brigid Kiley took first place at the local level of the annual VFW speech contest. Senior Erinn Taylor placed second. The topic this year focused on the importance of the military. Both Kiley and Taylor have family members in the service. – by Sydney Tharp, staff writer from Thursday, Nov. 17

Canned food drive helps families in need

As every year during the month of November, canned goods were collected from Shores’ high school students beginning on the 7th and ending on the 16th.

Math teacher Carrie Helmer’s class won the class competition. – by Ashley Veihl, staff writer from Friday, Nov. 18

Shores band holds concert for Veterans

On Saturday, Nov. 18, the high school and middle school bands embraced the sense of pride in their country when they held a tribute concert to honor veterans and current military in the high school auditorium from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – by Rachel Swartz, sports editor

One can redesign their home, get great gift ideas, and even plan a wedding virtually online with the website Pinterest.com. – by Kendal Brown, features ediotr from Tuesday, Nov. 29

Dress appropriately: it’s cold!

While the weather should force students to put on more layers, an editor has begun to learn, at Shores when the weather starts to drop, people start to drop their clothing as well. – by Mikayla Day, center section editor from Thursday, Dec. 1

Four years of Tree comes to an end

Tirst week of Dec. has come to represent much more than just the beginning of the holidays for me. “Tree Week” has come to represent something much greater than that. – by Emily Grevel, profiles editor from Friday, Dec. 2

Debate team captures conference crowns

The debate team clinched both the novice and varsity conference championships on Nov. 2 at East Kentwood High School. – by Taylor Jones, sports editor

Basse said, “Local industry has been very supportive, and we have the funds necessary to enter the competition and are working toward necessary funding for the state competition.”

The season kicks off Jan. 7 in Grand Rapids, where they will find out what task they will be asked to perform as well as get their supplies.

“It was disappointing to not get the grant, but we had never done it before, so we never really expected to get it,” Basse said. “There’s always next year.”

Senior Celebration Information Seniors, your $90 registration payment and forms are due

by Dec. 31.

Please continue passing Moo-Na along so we can raise money for the Grand Night Event.

If you have any questions, please call Kathy Bremer (231)-740-4978.

Athletic Inspiration

Many share which athletes inspire them “(Current Detroit Red Wings and former Shores hockey player Justin Abdelkader) is a stud. He is caring, and he is an inspiration because he shows that dreams really do come true. He is a very good fighter. I want to be just like him. I strive for excellence.”

“(My sports hero is local soccer player) Lexi Youngberg because after overcoming a tragic accident and losing her leg, she continues to not only play soccer but ski, surf, wakeboard and participate in many other everyday activities.”

“(Professional football player) Tim Tebow, he has strong values and does not compromise them even though he is in the limelight and has many opportunities to let his fans down.”

Jenna Devoursney, senior

“I admire (professional women’s golfer) Natalie Gulbis because she inspires me to continue golfing and striving to do my best. I look up to her because I enjoy golfing, and Natalie is a good role model and an example that if you keep playing you can succeed. In addition, Natalie uses her fame to promote awareness and raise funding for various charity organizations.”

Jared Karnitz, junior

Rylee George, freshman

Heather Hall, Psychology teacher

“(Professional soccer player) Hope Solo because she had to overcome physical injuries and emotional problems, but every time, she came back stronger. She’s always working hard to improve herself, and she’s just strong mentally and physically.”

Kim Al-Shatel, senior “Athletes are not heroes.

Athletes are no more likely to behave any better than anyone else and a hero is someone who behaves with integrity, someone that you can respect. Just because a person is good at a sport doesn’t mean that you should automatically respect them.”

Todd Conrad, English teacher

Sports Shorts Boys’ Basketball The Sailors began the season with back-to-back losses to Whitehall and Grand Haven.

Boys’ Bowling Shores placed second in the seasonopening Shores Invitational.

For more up-to-date sports action, go to www.monashoressports.com Girls’ Basketball The Sailors began the season with a loss to Grand Haven, 57-25.

Sophomore Jasmyn Walker led Shores with 8 points.

Boys’ Swimming Shores lost the season opener 11768 to Spring Lake. Junior Kyle Willson placed first place in the 100 breaststroke.

Hockey The Sailors (2-3) have struggled in the early, surrendering 22 goals in five games through Dec. 10. Junior Adam Ulfsax has scored five goals.

By Taylor Jones Sports Editor Battling through the adversity and winning a national championship in any sport is an enormous feat to overcome.

Freshman soccer goalkeeper Lauren Cannon knows what it takes to be a national champion as she and her team, Kalamazoo Cannon Kingdom, played in Umbro’s Super YLeague North American Finals in Tampa, Fla., starting on Dec. 2.

“We were undefeated in the regular season,” said Cannon, who was selected Most Valuable Player of the tournament. “We were all so excited to go (to nationals).”

The Kingdom was not only undefeated in their regular season but undefeated in the national tournament as well with a 4-0-1 record.

Their toughest game was in the semifinals against Fredricksburg Area Soccer Association where they were tied 0-0 at the end of regulation and were still scoreless after double overtime, advancing into a shootout.

“Everyone was so excited, and I was really nervous,” Cannon said. “My friend was screaming and encouraging me from the sidelines, and I put my hands up, and the whole crowd cheered.”

Cannon let in no goals in the shootout, and her team scored to win the game 1-0.

“The game was really hard,” Cannon said. “The whole 90 minutes was back and forth, and everyone played and played well.”

The team went on to win 50 in the finals against Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC. Cannon let in only three goals out of the five games they played.

“It felt pretty good (to win) because we have been working so hard, and it paid off,” Cannon said.

The overall tournament consisted of more than 130 boys’ and girls’ teams from age groups U12 to U17, and there were nearly 2,500 players total throughout Canada and the United States.

Cannon said being goalkeeper is a big task that many people do not understand.

“Goalkeepers work harder than most would think because we go to extra training on top of practice,” Cannon said. “A lot of the time goalkeepers don’t get a ton of credit, so it was nice to be recognized.”

Girls’ Bowling Junior Jill Klein won the individual championship at the Shores Invitational.

Wrestling The Sailors beat Montague 53-16 and lost to Spring Lake 48-27.

o r t s

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16 , 2011

A sports hero is someone whom young athletes look up to. They are models of what those athletes want to be when they grow up and what they want to do with their lives. Most sports heroes are idols to these young athletes.

They have a love for the sport that they play and play it to the best of their ability and set good examples whenever they play.

Freshman leads 11 soccer team s to national title, wins MVP p

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s p o r t s

Bye Bye Balance Beam Gymnastics team cut due to lack of participates and money

By Taylor Jones Sports Editor

The Sailors’ Log • Friday, December 16, 2011

No more vaulting or tumbling will be found in the Shores’ gyms this year as the two-time state championship gymnastics program has been cut.

Because of a lack of participants and budget cuts, the athletic department made the decision to cut gymnastics.

The writing was actually on the wall last year when only two girls (current senior Kailey Baker and current junior Jordan Veldhouse) from Shores were on the coop team with Reeths-Puffer and Oakridge, and team members had to raise much of its own money to keep the team afloat.

“Going into the 2010-11 year, our athletic department was faced with the challenge of reducing the budget by considerable amount of dollars,” athletic director Ryan Portenga said. “Unfortunately, when you have a sport that only had two Mona Shores participants, it had to come to an end. Had we had 10-15 Mona Shores competitors returning for last school year’s season, such a decision would be more difficult.”

Altogether, the gymnastics program

each year cost upward of $14,000. Once the budget cuts were made last year, the girls had to purchase everything themselves which made it difficult for them to compete.

“The major complication is that we are not funded whatsoever by the school and have to pay for everything by fundraising with only a few girls,” said senior Kailey Baker, who has been competing since she was 5 years old. “Our leotards, transportation to competitions, admission fees to compete, and the gym we practiced at was all paid for by ourselves, and our coach didn’t receive a penny.”

The loss of the team upset the girls because they had to stop competing.

“I was pretty upset when I found out that there wasn’t going to be a team this year,” said junior Jordan Veldhouse, who has been competing for 11 years. “When I got into high school, I was looking forward to gymnastics and competing.”

Baker said she will miss the hard work she put in to have that feeling of achievement when she competes.

“My favorite part of gymnastics was competing. It’s an amazing feeling you get when you walk onto the floor to your

starting position and the gym is silent with all eyes on you,” Baker said. “Once the music starts, I completely forget about anything that was previously in my head and it feels so natural. Seeing the hours of hard work pay off in my scores and landing difficult skills is a feeling that I can’t explain.

Baker said that many people think gymnastics is about doing cool flips, but it is much more than that.

“Every smile, pointed toe, extra step, and straight legs count,” Baker said.

“Gymnastics is almost like four sports in one. Being able to have a solid routine on floor, bars, beam, and vault is such a difficult task that gives me such a feeling of achievement when I compete.”

However, the lack of a team at Shores will not stop Baker from doing what she loves most.

“I’m going to continue gymnastics for as long as possible,” Baker said. “School, work, and other sports make it hard to have time to get in the gym, but once I have a free season, I’ll be back at Cassell Gymnastics and Dance Studio as much as I can. I love this sport and the immense amount of work that must be put into it.”

Conference Change-Up OK Black adds schools due to realignment to be able to control our schedules a little more.”

Shores was not the lone opponent to this change, however. Bustard said the majority of the OK Black conference After two years of planning, compromising, and arguing, is unhappy with the re-alignment.

“Four out of the six OK Black schools voted no to the an agreement has finally been reached, and the OK conferproposal,” Bustard said, “but the majority of the OK schools ences will be re-aligning next school year.

Remaining in the newly constructed OK Black confer- voted yes, and we have no choice but to accept due to ence, Shores will say goodbye to Forest Hills Central and majority rule.”

While Shores is being forced into the change, Bustard Holland while welcoming Muskegon and Zeeland East.

Shores administration voted no to this new proposal due said Shores is excited to compete with new schools and that to a crossover mandate, which is when the OK conference the Sailors will prepare and perform to the same level as in forces schools to play teams from another OK conferences the past.

“We will step up, prepare and compete with opposing whether they want to or not. schools,” Bustard said. “I am “We were opposed to the crossconfident our athletes will over mandate that came with the new “We will step up, embrace the change and step proposal,” principal Jennifer Bustard up to new challengers.” said, “because there are plenty of prepare and compete For varsity football coach schools much closer to us that we Matt Koziak, this adjustment could have played, and the crosswith opposing schools. offers the opportunity to play over mandate will limit our freedom Muskegon where he had to schedule games with nearby I am confident our athletes coached until last year. schools.” will embrace the change “(I am) very excited.

For example, Shores could be They are a phenomenal proforced to travel to Greenville, 67 and step up to the gram,” Koziak said. “It will miles away, while the Sailors could be exciting and will prohave scheduled Grand Haven, only new challengers.” vide a great challenge for our 14 miles away. team.”

“It is atrocious that somebody This change will provide else is going to dictate our schedule new challenges, but Koziak outside of our conference schedule,” athletic director Ryan Portenga said. “I am an athletic said he is certain that Shores will continue to work toward director that is proactive and ahead of the game with sched- success.

“I do not think it will change the way we prepare. We uling, and we don’t need to have somebody tell us who we do lose conference games like Forest Hills Central, but that are going to crossover with.”

Scheduling is not as simple as drawing a name out of doesn’t change the way you prepare for opponents,” Koziak a hat. Portenga said there are many factors, such as dis- said.

The change will affect sports like football that only has tance, size of of opposing schools, number of athletic teams, and talent, that he has to take into account when games are a nine-game regular seasons, but for softball coach Jason scheduled. With this mandate, he said his scheduling power Crago, the modified conference will have minimal effects.

“There is not much of an effect on us; we played six out will be limited, and Shores may suffer as a result.

“There are only three schools in Muskegon County that of seven OK Red teams last year,” Crago said. “It won’t belong to the OK conference, but there are a dozen other really play into our preparation. Non-conference play is two schools within a half-hour drive’s distance that would offer thirds of our season, so we will see almost no change.”

With the introduction of Muskegon, Shores will be able excellent competition for Shores versus driving an hour to Greenville on a Tuesday night for a basketball game,” to compete against cross-town opponents and hopefully spark a healthy rivalry in the future.

Portenga said.

“We are looking to provide the best experience for our “In sports like golf, we want to play up (compete against better teams) as much as possible. In hockey, we want to athletes,” Bustard said. “These new challenges will hopeplay up, and there are other sports that we want to play up as fully fuel traditional and healthy rivalries. The bottom line much as possible. However, with some sports, whether they is we needed to stand up for what is best for our district, and are in a low cycle or unsuccessful traditionally, we may want we look forward to the future of our athletes at Shores.”

By Jake Bordeaux Staff Writer

Jennifer Bustard, principal

Trainer not returning due to athletic changes

By Taylor Jones Sports Editor Athletic trainer Heather Harrison, who missed the first trimester due to colon cancer, will not be returning to the training room.

But it is not because of her illness that she will not be returning.

“Ultimately, it was my decision although timing may not have been the best,” athletic director Ryan Portenga said. “Mona Shores athletes will be seeing some changes in the athletic training regiment.”

Portenga said the change was necessitated because he wants more involvement from the trainer with the athletes, which leads to a big change for athletes at Shores. When asked why Harrison could not fulfill Harrison these duties, Portenga refused to comment on the situation.

“An athletic training service considers three areas: event coverage, rehabilitation, and actual training athletes in the weight room, track, etc.

Mona Shores is behind in this area,” Portenga said. “The move, though very tough to make, considers the well-being and competitive push of all Sailor athletes.”

Harrison said she is upset that her time at Shores has to come to an end.

“I was saddened by the decision to move forward with a different athletic trainer,” Harrison said. “I have become very close to the students, parents, and staff at Mona Shores. I am very happy to have spent the last nine years caring for the students. I will truly miss calling Mona Shores my home.”

Harrison said this came to a shock to her so she has no idea what to do with future plans.

“It came as a complete and utter shock,” Harrison said. “I have no preparation for future plans.”

Portenga said it wasn’t an easy decision to make, and the athletes, coaches, and staff at Shores appreciate everything she has done for our school.

“It hurts. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we are going to move forward. I have high expectations for all areas of our athletic program,” Portenga said. “We would like to thank Heather Harrison for her services in our school for the past nine years and our athletic department wishes her the very best moving forward.”