the week ahead Today All-school pep assembly during fifth hour Tomorrow Late start School starts at 9:40 a.m. Saturday Sailor Marching Band March-athon
sports calendar Tomorrow • Varsity tennis @ Grand Rapids Union 4:30 p.m. • Volleyball hosts outdoor quad 6 p.m. Thursday • Varsity soccer @ West Mich. Christian 7 p.m. • Varsity tennis hosts quad 4 p.m. • Girls’ swimming @ Hudsonville 6:30 p.m. • Volleyball hosts triangular 5:30 p.m. Friday • Varsity football vs. Caledonia 7 p.m. at Sailor Stadium • Girls’ golf @ Ludington Invitational 9:30 a.m. Saturday • Varsity soccer @ Fruitport 12:45 p.m. • Varsity tennis @ Holland Invitational 8:30 a.m. • Cross country @ Muskegon Invitational 8:15 a.m. • Volleyball @ Whitehall Invitational 9 a.m.
2011 graduate to appear on The Voice Sylvia Yacoub, a 2011 graduate of Shores, will appear on The Voice, a singing contest TV show, this season, which begins Sept. 10 on NBC. Yacoub previously auditioned for American Idol but was not selected.
next paper Don’t forget to pick up your first 12-page edition Oct. 12, which will contain pre-election coverage.
index
p. 2 – editorial p. 3 – entertainment p. 4-5 – center section p. 6 – feature p. 7 – profiles p. 8 – sports
LOG the
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Volume 51 Edition 1 Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, Michigan 49441
This is Sailor Country
Heights change has little effect on Shores By Jake Bordeaux
Editor-in-Chief
Shores students show their Sailor Pride during the varsity football team’s 42-6 win over Muskegon Cathoic Central in the opening game of the 2012 season. (Rachel Resterhouse)
we do everything with…
P R I D E
ersonal responsibility
Knowing what to do and doing it
School motto provides behavioral matrix By Jake Bordeaux
Editor-in-Chief
Every year, principal Jennifer Bustard constructs a new theme for the high school that she feels represents the values that Shores would like to promote. This year, however, she Treating yourself and others said she realized the perfect properly with empathy theme had been here as long and consideration as the school. “Our goal was to come up with a theme to unite us all, and we decided to use what has already been in place for 50 years,” Bustard said. What had been in place was the phrase, “This is Sailor Acting with honesty toward country; we do everything self and school with pride,” which has been said thousands of times over the years, and Bustard said the Sailor administrative staff realized how powerful the phrase was. Bustard said this reinvented theme was the result of a MiBLSi Using self-control (Michigan’s Integrated to be your best Behavior and Learning Support Initiative) leadership program team that was created due to a five-year federal grant given to address and focus on areas that impact student achievement. Demonstrating a positive interest “We didn’t reinvent the
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wheel. P.R.I.D.E. is there to help us be the best students and be rock stars,” Bustard said. “We want everyone to be part of a collective thought.” In the past, the first day of school was marked by the long and tedious task of teachers reading through all of the student handbook’s rules and regulations, but this year Bustard said she hopes to provide a little relief for students with the P.R.I.D.E. behavioral expectations matrix. “Instead of reading through the handbook in each hour, first hour teachers will explain “P”, second hour teachers will explain “R”, and so on up until our end-of-the-day pep assembly which will have a P.R.I.D.E. theme,” Bustard said. While this matrix will not be handed out to students directly, a copy of it was sent home in the registration packets in early August. Additionally, all teachers will post a copy of the matrix in their room, it will be posted on the walls and windows around school, and any student looking for his own copy may print one from the high school website.
Will Shores become “The New Muskegon Heights”? That was the question on a lot of people’s minds – in both school districts – when Muskegon Heights High School was converted from a public to a charter school. Many people in the area were unsure of the effects the change would have on surrounding school districts. However, despite the cloud of rumors being whispered around the community, the actual situation is far less dramatic – at least for Shores. “I do not foresee any dramatic influx of our school’s population,” principal Jennifer Bustard said. “Students are required to reside in the district to attend Shores, and we are full to capacity each year. We open five spots per grade to school of choice students each year, and, so far, only five students from Muskegon Heights have been enrolled at Shores this year.” Due to financial problems, Muskegon Heights Public School District was forced to terminate its status as a public school district and transfer control to Mosaica Education Incorporated, establishing Heights as a charter school system. Students living in the Muskegon Heights district are eligible to attend the new charter school, but all parents must submit an application to the school and re-enroll their children for the upcoming year. Some students have selected to attend other schools in the area, with Muskegon Public Schools having the most new transfer students. “I suspect that most transfer students will select Muskegon Public School District over Mona Shores,” Bustard said. “The districts are right next to each other, so, for many, it will make the most sense.” Despite all of this, Shores prepared itself to take on a small number of new students this year, and an emergency plan has been put in place in case of a large, last-minute rush of students should emerge. “All new students must apply for enrollment before they can be allowed to attend Shores,” Bustard said. “I then review the enrollment application and make sure that the student can prove residency and is eligible to attend. While I do not expect a large number of new students, we have an emergency plan to allow us to handle an overwhelming number of students if need be.”
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The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
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LOG Editor-in-chief to lead on-line experience the
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Volume 51, Edition 1 Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Mona Shores High School 1121 Seminole Road Muskegon, Michigan 49441
Editor-in-Chief Jake Bordeaux Editorial Editor Andrew Kromminga Entertainment Editor Hailey Hrynewich Profiles Editor Mandy Versalle Center Section Editor Kayleigh Fongers Fine Arts Editor Kelley Wheeler Feature Editor Morgan Schwing Sports Editors Holly Fredericksen Cory Sander
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s the editor-in-chief of The Sailors’ Log, allow me to be one of the first to warmly welcome all students to the 51st school year at Shores. Keeping up with the expectation of excellence, our editors have been hard at work this summer producing the same quality of paper our readers have enjoyed for more than 50 years. For the past 15 years, the school newspaper has won the Spartan Award, which is given to the best newspapers in the state. As editor-in-chief, I hope
to lead the staff toward Jake the 16th Bordeaux straight honor. While we will be bringing you the traditional print paper as always, this year’s staff will be attempting to create a more upto-date online paper to provide news and stories as they happen. In the past the website (thesailorslog.com) has been labeled “unfriendly for users,” so members of this year’s staff has made it clear that they want to change that and provide an
efficient, userfriendly Editor-insuppleChief ment for our print paper. Our goal is that this online paper will include daily coverage of news and events throughout the Shores community as well as a plethora of extra quotes, pictures and videos updated daily. This website is currently under construction, but we hope to have a finished product for the community soon. While the online paper will
have exclusive online elements, some stories in our print paper will have online components to them. These parts will be signified by the Link into the Log logo in the story, and may be anything from extra information from a story to a fun movie or picture dealing with the topic. Coexisting with our online paper, www.monashoressports. com will also be working to provide the latest news about Shores’ athletics to the community. Once again, let me welcome you to The Sailors’ Log as we begin a new year.
Brotherly Love – Not!
Photo Editor Rachel Resterhouse Staff Abby Bryson Annabella Olivares Abby Peterson Alex Rakowski Regan Wilcox Adviser Warren Kent III The Sailors’ Log is a public forum for student expression distributed freely to students and faculty of Mona Shores High School.
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) • 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) • Email: thesailorslog@gmail. com (provides readers with a way to communicate with the staff) Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the 10-person editorial board of The Sailors’ Log. Your Voice, the letters to the editor section, 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.
Junior relishes life as sister moves to college
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sing a whole box of tissues because my sister Franny left for college is not what happened the last time I saw her. It was an emotional time, but it was the kind of emotion the kind of emotion you get when you eat a sour patch kid – first, it’s sour; then, it’s sweet. Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister. She is one of the nicest people I know, but she is also a little on the crazy side. So having a few months away from her is going to be like a box of chocolates. Like Forest Gump said, “You never know what you’re going to get.” Franny left on Aug. 17 to attend Adrian College, where she will be majoring in musical theater and be involved in many of the plays and musicals performed there. The good thing? Now, I won’t have to listen to the broadway channel 24/7. Franny is gone, and I am going to miss her, but what makes me really sad is she will not be home anymore to tell me what to do all of the time. I will especially miss her constant nagging about how she can’t wait
Andrew Kromminga
Editorial Editor
to go to college. But with her leaving also means I have to do more things around the house. I am going to have more chores to do because of her. But even with that downside, there is one benefit that I will relish. With my sister out of the house, it benefits me because since we were young, I have had to share a room with my younger, but much bigger than me, brother Thomas. It is not fun when he would take my stuff, and I could not do anything about it because he is a giant that could step on me for fun. But because my sister isn’t going to be home often to use her room anytime soon, I am going to move into her old room before she comes back home from college. She is
not all too happy with the idea of her not having a nice bed to come home to, and she still doesn’t believe me when I say its going to happen. It is really too bad for her because when I move into her old room, that means she can either share a room with our brother or sleep on the couch when she comes back from college. I love my sister, and I am going to miss her, but I am not going to miss her enough to wish that she was home again to make my life terrible. And I think my mom might have found the solution. For the past month, my mom has been considering adding an addition to the family – a puppy. With my sister leaving for college, a new puppy might be a replacement instead of an addition. If we do get the replacement puppy, I will train it to do as I say and to follow my command, unlike my lovable and smart aleck sister. This puppy might make such a good replacement. We might even name it Franny.
Newspaper encourages readers to submit letters to the editor The Sailor’s 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
VOICE
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
Your
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.
Color ful Sounds
Swift’s new album Red should be another hit
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Peer Perspectives
“I like Ca$h Out because he sings the song ‘Cashin’ Out’.” Riley Duff, sophomore “I really like B.O.B. because I like their new album, and I like Justin Beiber because he’s so cute.” Katie Debruin, senior
Who is a music artist that you like?
7 Tips to Trendy
What’s in this fall, girls? Here are seven things that will help you look your best. Skinny Jeans Wearing skinny jeans does not mean you have to be skinny. These jeans show off your lower half, so they look good on any body type. Girls should consider bunching them up a little at the ankle. Wear them with heels for a more dressed up look, or flats or sneakers for more of a cute, casual look. Prints Some girls don’t like wearing prints because they think they are too out there or wild, but tone it down a little with a simple, faded denim vest over top of it. Plaid Want to go preppy? Plaid is one way to do it. Plaid shirts give off more of a boxy look, so balance it out with a pair of skinny jeans and cute flats, and
Hailey Hrynewich Sight & Sound Editor you have that cute, preppy look. Bangles These are great bracelets to wear basically anywhere. Wear them with a bright cardigan, skinny belt, and jeans. Everyone will notice you by the fun jingle they make every time you move your arms. Beanie Hats Football season is here, and it can get pretty cold out there. Don’t stay away from the games just because it is too cold though. Go out there and cheer the team on with your favorite beanie hat. They are great for covering up a bad hair day, and for the fall season, they
are best worn in deep autumn shades. Pull out a few strands in front to let the hat frame your face and tilt the hat back slightly on the side or back for a comfortable look. Textured Leather Boots Wear these boots with colorful leggings for a fun, bizarre look and to keep warm on chilly days. Loose Braid What to do when your hair just won’t do anything? I call it the imperfect style. Make a soft-sided part and use a brush to smooth down frizz and any flyaways while taking all hair to one side. Start braiding hair at the top of the back of the neck while still keeping it to one side. Stop a couple inches from the bottom and secure the loose braid with a tie. Loosen it by pulling pieces around the face for a soft frame. For an even more casual look, pull a few strands out on the side opposite the braid.
“I like Carrie Underwood because I really like her song ‘Good Girl’.” Kendall McKinley, freshman “I like Marvin Gaye because he is a classic artist, and his songs make me very happy.” Andrew Wieman, junior
COMING ATTRACTIONS Theaters
• The Inbetweeners Sept. 7 Summary: Four nerdy high school boys set out on a wild vacation to Malia.
DVD Releases
• Kate Perry: Part of Me Sept. 18 • The Perks of Being a Wallflower Sept. 21 Summary: A shy and reserved freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Sept. 25
CD Releases
Concert • Pink’s The Truth About Love Sept.18 Genre: Pop rock • Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, and Eli Young Band Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Location: Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids)
• Taylor Swift’s Red Oct. 22 Genre: Pop/Country
• Basenectar Nov. 7/8, 7 p.m. Location: The Fillmore (Detroit)
• Ellie Goulding’s Halcyon Oct. 8 Genre: Pop
e n t e r t a i n m e n t The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Taylor Swift, who has a new single out, will release her next album Red Oct. 22. The new single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was No. 1 on the Billboard chart for the week of Sept. 1.
ensational Taylor Swift won over “All those emotions spanning from countless fans with her album intense love, intense frustration, jealousy, Speak Now, which was released confusion, all of that, in my mind all those Oct. 25, 2010. emotions are red,” Swift said. “There’s It has been a long two years since this last nothing in between. There’s nothing beige album came out, and Swift fans about any of those feelings.” have been wondering when her The album is expected to next album will finally be here. have 16 songs with the title “It was way too hard waiting track included. for Taylor to release another Unlike all of her other album,” said Aya Johnson, a albums, Red will have colsenior at North Muskegon. “I laborations with other music Hailey Hrynewich wish she made songs more freartists, producers, and songSight & Sound Editor quently, but then again, every writers. time a new album comes out, I One of her new songs, “We realize it is definitely worth the wait.” Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” is Well, the frustrating waiting process has currently playing on the radio. been put to an end with Swift’s new album, When I first heard it on the radio while Red being released this Oct. 22. As many driving home one night, I was like, “Wait, is know, Taylor likes to focus her music on this Taylor Swift? Yeah…I think it is.” her personal experiences – most particularly I only questioned myself because this relationships. song seems to be a little out of her norm. “They’re all pretty much about the kind While Swift seems to be calmer about of tumultuous, crazy, insane, intense, semiher feelings in most of her songs, she is toxic relationships that I’ve experienced in extremely clear about how she feels with no the last two years,” Swift announced. question about it in her new song. The title Red was chosen because of all Hopefully, this song will spark a great the crazy, wild emotions she explores in this deal of interest and excitement for Swift’s album. new album coming out this fall.
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The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
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endless hours of blissful relaxation… it’s easy to see why everyone seems to look forward to summer vacation. However, an overdose of seemingly-blissful relaxation can be detrimental and lead to an increased amount of boredom for some people.
Here are a few accounts of Shores students who found unique ways to spend their summer vacation.
Orchestra explores Europe By Kayleigh Fongers
Center Section Editor Not many students from Shores can say that they spent their summer walking along the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, or seeing the Parliament building there lit up for the nighttime. But for a group of approximately 43 Shores Orchestra students and chaperones, this was indeed their reality back in June. “Walking along the Danube River on our first night there was definitely my favorite memory because the Parliament building looked really cool when it was lit up,” junior Karly Carson, who was of the students who went on the trip, said. “I will also never forget the time when we visited an actual concentration camp in Prague because it made the Holocaust seem so real when we were able to see where they had to stay and suffer.” From June 21-30, the group visited Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest; and Vienna, Austria. “I would absolutely love to return back to Prague and Budapest,” junior Hunter Zhao said. “Europe just has this charm that America lacks: cobblestone roads, centuries-old buildings. Everything was so elegant and extravagant.” And as for Vienna? “(I won’t go back) until I’m rich,” Zhao joked. “One nice thing, though, was that there was no sales tax in the countries we visited – it was like heaven on Earth.” Not everything about the trip was
amazing, however. “The food was disappointing,” Zhao said. “Everything was pretty bland, and by the end, we were joking about crashing into a Burger King and pigging out on classic American-style fast food. It was quite a culture shock there.” Carson also found the cuisine a bit disappointing. “On our flight from Chicago to Germany, the airport messed up some tickets, so I was placed in a seat in an entirely different section than the rest of our group,” Zhao said. “By the end of the flight, I was so agitated from not sleeping and having children kicking my seat that I was quite irritable.” Aside from the menu and the airplane experiences, the trip sounded like a fantastic time – especially because of the sights and the exquisite architecture. “The architecture in Europe is amazing and nothing like in America,” Carson said. “Their history definitely has a major impact on it, as well as on the culture.” Zhao said even the people looked amazing. “The homeless were often seen wearing skinny chinos, button-up shirts, and dress shoes, and the rest of the street style was pure couture,” he said. Between the fashionable citizens, beautiful architecture, and amazing historical attractions, the orchestra’s trip to Europe could easily be deemed a success. “I would definitely go back,” both Carson and Zhao said.
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Band visits 50th state By Kayleigh Fongers
Center Section Editor Snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, volleyball, luaus… The Shores’ band trip to Hawaii this past June involved lots of fun in the sun and some incredible experiences that the 25 participants will likely never forget. “The trip to Hawaii was fantastic, and I’m very thankful of (band director Jason) Boyden for putting it all together,” said junior Magann Dykema, one of the students on the trip. Sophomore Sam Curran agrees with Dykema. “I would tell everyone I could to go to Hawaii because it’s just such a beautiful place,” Curran said. “Everyone there was really friendly to us, too.” The group from Shores departed June 16 and returned June 23, having
spent a majority of their trip in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The group also spent a day on the North Shore of the island and enjoyed doing a variety of different activities. “We were able to go kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and lots more,” Dykema said. “We also played volleyball, ping pong, and badminton while we were there. It was a great time because we got to spend most of the day on the beach and enjoy all the water sports.” The group also embarked on some cruises and had the opportunity to ride on catamarans during their stay. “One of my favorite memories was when a bunch of dolphins popped up right next to our catamaran while we were out on the water,” Curran said. “It was really neat to see them so close.” Not all experiences on the trip were as enjoyable, however. “If I had to pick one thing that I didn’t like, I would say the weather on the day we went snorkeling because the ocean was choppy and we didn’t get to see as much as we had hoped to,” Dykema said. Aside from the weather, the trip was an overall success and left most of the students wanting to go back. “I would love to go back because Oahu is such a beautiful island, and the Waikiki Strip especially is so beautiful and full of life during the night,” Dykema said.
Choi Gree
By Kayleig
Center Sect
From ch exploring th Greece in J “It’s nea this in so fe was just so Senior Jo “This tri thank (choi possible,” B into it.” The grou were there f America to “The flig I got to ride Not eve however. “The flig for 12 hou joked. Althoug most people heat that the “The onl intensity of Sylvia Yaco stress of be Howeve what they h “The con to be my fa
Athletes train, travel to prepare for season Staff Writer
FUN SUN
During the cross country team’s trip to Charlevoix, senior Colin Duca and junior Neil Olson take a break from two-a-days to have a paddle board fight. (Rachel Resterhouse)
tion Editor
ghts were super long. It’s like sitting in timeout urs with an hour break in between,” Baird
gh there were mixed opinions about the flights, e on the trip agreed that the amount of sun and e group had to endure was anything but fun. ly thing I didn’t like about this trip was how the f the heat was making people sick,” sophomore oub said. “It was sad to see my peers under the eing sick on this wonderful trip.” er, the severe heat didn’t stop the students from had gone there for. ncerts that we performed in Greece would have avorite memory because I loved that we got to
The choir had the opportunity to visit Greece this summer. Senior Emma Milek, senior Sean Rush, senior Rachel Baxter, senior Molly Schaub, senior Jonny Lawton, accompanist Jessica Brazaski, junior Mandy Versalle, junior Jamie Huizinga, junior Olivia Fox, and Senior Josiah Baird stand in front of the Parthenon building in Athens, Greece. perform in a different country and see other choirs from that area,” Yacoub said. “It was a unique life experience, and I really loved being with the people I was with.” Baird said, “My favorite memory was exploring the island of Santorini because I was with my best friends, seniors Jonny Lawton and Sean Rush. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere on that island and all of the little shops along the streets.” Overall, the students seemed to enjoy their stay abroad, especially the crystal clear water and the foreign culture. “I would go back because Greece has so much to do there,” Yacoub added. “There was never a dull moment, and I felt honored to be a part of something so big.”
Over the summer, freshman Alicia Kurth spent some of her time on a family mission trip to Guatemala. “We were in Guatemala City, Antigua and San Juan la Laguna,” Kurth said. “We spent most of our time serving in San Juan la Laguna.” While on the trip, she coached a basketball camp, helped in English classes, and served at a camp. It was a great time for her to serve and learn about the Guatemalan culture. “I enjoyed just seeing the kids smiling and runKurth ning around like crazy because I felt I was able to communicate with them,” Kurth said. “I also enjoyed it when one of the people on staff prayed for us in Spanish.” – Abby Peterson, staff writer
Sophomore has rare opportunity
Sophomore Addie Marsh had the opportunity of the life time to go to CHIC (Covenant High In Christ), a conference that happens every three years for ninth- through 12th-grade students. The conference was held on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville. During CHIC, participants could take part in many activities – volleyball, tennis, excursion trips, basketball, crafts, and time to just hangout. “In the morning, we went to focus groups, then had a few hours of free time to explore the campus,” Marsh said. “In the evening, we listened to bands and speakers and then had small groups with the girls in our grades. Small groups was my favorite because I Marsh could say what was going on in my life and not feel judged. Also, I knew everyone would help me get through my struggles.” Students went for many different reasons to CHIC, but one of the biggest was to find support. The week included more than 5,000 students growing closer to God and supporting each other at the same time. “I went because I was ready to have God use me and to open me up to the things I need to realize about my life,” Marsh said. – Abby Peterson, staff writer
Junior does mission in Nicaragua From July 20-30, junior Amy Zuidema had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua on a mission trip through Calvin Christian Reformed Church. “(On this trip), we dug trenches to put a water system in a rural community, played with kids, threw a fiesta, and attended some church services,” Zuidema said. Zuidema and the 10 other people who went on the trip stayed at the Nehemiah Center located in Managua, Nicaragua. They also traveled to other cities such as León, San Lucas, and Granada. While on the trip, Zuidema discovered that Zuidema Nicaragua is quite an Americanized place. “I don’t think people realize how much our country has impacted theirs even though we are a lot more materialistic,” Zuidema said. “The people were so happy and content even if they had less than others.” Zuidema also discovered the beauty of the Central American country while doing mission work. “My favorite memory was looking out at the sunset and the view of Managua from the Masaya Volcano,” Zuidema said. “It was just so beautiful.” – Kayleigh Fongers, center section editor
Senior sings in Oregon with quartet The Four Shore Quartet, including seniors Jonny Lawton and Josiah Baird and alumni Cody Munford and Sam Stewart, had the opportunity to travel to Portland, Ore., to sing in front of thousands of people. “In our spare time, we got to walk around the city,” Lawton said. “Portland is beautiful and amazing.” It was at the Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention that the quartet performed with a barbershop chorus from Grand Rapids on the international stage. Lawton The convention was held July 2-9 and hosted thousands of people. Yet it didn’t phase the quartet from doing what they came to do. “Being on stage and singing my heart out with my friends in front of all those people (was my favorite memory),” Lawton said. “It was a really awesome experience and one of the highlights of my summer.” – Kayleigh Fongers, center section editor
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The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
the weekend of July 26-29 doing two-a-days while staying in senior Emma Milek’s cabin. In addition to their workouts, the teams also enjoyed a Venetian Festival with a boat parade and fireworks. Milek said, “We had a lot of fun team bonding while getting a great workout since the terrain is much hillier there than in Muskegon.” On Wednesday mornings, the girls’ golf team played nine holes at the Oakridge Golf Course. All girls were invited but mostly JV went. “A lot of girls going into eighth grade came too,” sophomore Rylee George said. “(It was) just for practice and bonding with each other.” The boys’ soccer team had a conditioning week where for four days they ran and did sprints. On the last day they had a three-hour dune day at Lake Harbor Park. “Summer sports are the best. They keep players active and we’re always out in warm weather,” junior Trevor Parrett said. The varsity team, Aug. 16-18, traveled to Indiana to stay at varsity coach Jeremy Leffring’s house in Rochester. The boys did many water activities like swimming and kayaking. “The trip this year really brought the team close and it seemed like everyone had a great time,” Parrett said.
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up consisted of 98 students and 23 adults. They from June 16-27 and endured long flights from o Europe that lasted about nine hours. ghts were really nice, especially for me because e first class coming home,” Hirvo said. eryone’s flight experience was as enjoyable,
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Family trip fun for freshman
ir takes on ece for vacation
hurch-hopping on the island of Mykonos to he island of Santorini, the Shores choir trip to June never had a dull moment. arly impossible to fit an unforgettable trip like ew words,” junior Alexis Hirvo said. “This trip much fun.” osiah Baird agreed. ip was wonderfully planned and I would like to ir director Shawn) Lawton for making the trip Baird said. “He really put a lot of hard work
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By Abby Bryson This summer, many of Shores’ fall sports athletes were training from sunup to sundown across Muskegon, and even out of state. The sideline cheer team went to Alma College for a beast camp July 13-15. The purpose was to learn new material and to bond with the team. “We like to go because it’s a chance for the team to bond while also learning all the things we need to know,” sophomore Allie McCarty said. “This is where all the girls usually become more like sisters than teammates.” The football team spent July 23-25 in Frankenmuth working on their offense. Junior TJ Daniels said, C “We grew much closer as TI E a team and learned from HL T college level coaches that A have been doing this for in years.” t he During that week, they did seven-on-sevens for skill players and a lineman challenge with 30 other schools. Out of the competing schools, Shores placed second. In addition, the team did lifting and conditioning. July 9-13, volleyball players hosted the annual Mona Shores Volleyball Camp. Grades eight through 12 were invited, and the week concluded with a large water balloon fight. July 23-26, the varsity team and the volleyball teams from Grand Haven and Whitehall participated in Ole Miss Camp. Coaches from across the country came to teach the girls. “We worked on the fundamentals of volleyball as well as got to know each other as a school program in whole,” senior Lindy Torvinen said. “(The new coaches) taught us things that were different from our usual coaches, and there definitely wasn’t very much downtime during this week. All in all, I noticed that every person on the team improved in some way because of the tough coaching styles we had to endure.” In Charlevoix, the cross country teams spent
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The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Kneeling on the walkway at the LST 393 in downtown Muskegon, William Halstedt shows the finished project that earned him his Eagle Scout status. Halstedt and 20 volunteers leveled the uneven walkway. (Rachel Resterhouse)
Junior gains Eagle Scout status after project By Mandy Versalle
Profiles Editor In the blazing hot sun at the LST 393 in downtown Muskegon, junior William Halstledt spent countless hours leveling out the uneven walkway leading up to the landing ship tank from WWII. Halstedt did not choose to do this because he likes playing with bricks, it was his Boy Scout Project to become an Eagle Scout. The Eagle Project is one of the many countless tasks a Boy Scout must complete before receiving Eagle Scout status. Halstedt said the project took about a day with 20 people helping him level the bricks. The Eagle Project, however, is not the only task a Boy Scout must achieve to reach Eagle status. Halstedt had to get
21 merit badges, be in the troop for two years, camp out multiple nights, and complete an Eagle Project. The Eagle Scout Award is the highest rank you can achieve in the Boy Scout program. At any given time, there are anywhere from 10-20 people in Boy Scout troop 1053, however, there are only a select few who are Eagle Scouts, and Halstedt is one of them. Halstedt, who has been involved in the Boy Scout program since first grade, received his Eagle status August 1 during a special ceremony at Hope Reformed Church. “Willam’s ceremony was held in his church which was special to us,” said Debra Golliver, William’s mother. “By having it in our church meant that not only his scouting friends but also most of the church friends and family
came to share this honor. It was a hot night but we survived and enjoyed a 1 1/2 hour ceremony.” His mother said he planned almost the entire ceremony and said that more than 100 people were in attendance. “It was hot, and the candlelighting ceremony didn’t help, but people were saying that it was one of the better ceremonies because of all the love and support I had,” Halstedt said. Much of that love and support came from Halstedt’s mother, who, Halstedt said, “kept kicking him to get the award.” “I have never been more proud of Willie,” Golliver said. “Willie has done many things in his life that I am proud of but this so far has made me the proudest.” Being his Den Mother from first through fifth grade kept Golliver highly involved in
Halstedt’s scout life. “I attend all the court of honors the troop has,” Golliver said. “I get him to his meetings, events and campouts. Anytime the troop needs help, they know I will do whatever I can for them. They do a lot of volunteer projects, and I help with that. I am still involved and plan to be there for them as well.” Another prominent figure in Halstedt’s Boy Scout life is David Closz, Halstedt’s Scout Master. “Our Scout Master is our figurehead,” Halstedt said. “He has been there a lot for me and he was one of the few people I gave a mentor pin to.” Closz covered half of Halstedt’s camp cost this year and has also helped him on his journey to receiving the Eagle Award.
Although Halstedt has gone as far as he can go in his Boy Scout career, he will continue working with the program because he is the president of the Venture Crew (a coed scouting program) and he is in the order of the arrows (a national honors society for Boy Scouts). “Being an Eagle Scout makes me a better person because it took me many years to get to where I am,” Halstedt said. “It was a long and difficult journey, but all of the things I learned during that time are what made me a better person.” Halstedt is unsure if he will be able to continue due to college. “William has shown me that there are young people that, despite the peer pressures of society, still can and will choose a positive path for their life” Golliver said.
Summer institute eye-opening for senior By Regan Wilcox
Staff Writer Senior Olivia DePung experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this summer when she spent three weeks in Chicago attending the High School Summer Institute (HSSI) at Columbia College. In order to attend HSSI, DePung had to fill out an application and select the classes she was interested in. “Anyone who is interested in the arts can go,” DePung said. “HSSI is really a first come first serve program.” Throughout the three weeks, she made lasting friendships and is still in touch with many of the people she met. “With an experience like HSSI, you instantly bond with the people there because you are immersed into a world where you all love the same things,” DePung said. “It’s amazing to see people my age who love the arts as much as I do and who want to pursue the arts as a career. Because of the connection you instantly have, it makes
everyone pretty unforgettable.” At HSSI, DePung took two classes, Digital Photography and Chicago Fashion Industry. In photography, DePung was given assignments everyday and took pictures in the streets, at Grant Park, and even in a professional studio. “I was able to learn about the history of photography, to print, to edit pictures on Photoshop, and to learn the principles of displaying my own work,” DePung said. “The class taught me a lot of things I never knew about photography.” In fashion, she met local designers, had assignments and went to the Chicago Side Walk Sale, which is a famous outside market in Chicago. “I learned about the fashion world and many aspects of it that I never knew existed,” DePung said. “I was able to meet designers and visit exclusive boutiques, which opened my eyes to what career I love to pursue in fashion.” Outside of classes, DePung got to experience some events in Chicago. The HSSI program pro-
vided activities for students living in the dorms. DePung saw Cirque Du Soliel and The Dark Night Rises with other students. She shopped, went to the Cheese Cake Factory and Taste of Chicago, and walked to Navy Pier. “It was great to see what the city of Chicago had to offer outside of Columbia through the extra activities,” DePung said. “Every night was truly different and amazing.” This experience helped DePung in deciding what she wants to do with her future. “Over the course of three weeks, I lived in Columbia’s dorms and was able to experience what college life was like and also see if I would like to go there one day,” DePung said. “Whether I go to Columbia or not, I’ll have to see, but this experience was very eyeopening.” The HSSI program was a unique experience for DePung. “This experience had a positive effect on me,” DePung said. “It opened my eyes to two different worlds that are very interesting and I would love to learn more about.”
As part of the High School Summer Institute (HSSI) through Columbia College in Chicago, senior Olivia DePung had the chance to participate in classes for both photography and fashion. (Rachel Resterhouse)
New policy has a ring to it Cell phones usage allowed in certain areas By Morgan Schwing
Feature Editor
Policy Students may use wireless communication devices before and after school, during their lunch break, as long as they do not create a distraction or otherwise interfere with the educational environment, and during after school activities at schoolrelated functions. Use of cell phones at any other time is prohibited and they must be powered completely off and stored out of sight. – p. 54 of Student Planner under “Wireless Communication Devices”
technology use in the classroom as well. “As teachers continue to infuse technology into their lessons, there may be instances, with teacher permission, when students will use their cell phones in the classroom provided the teacher has determined that those devices support instruc-
tion,” Gawkowski said. Students also see this as a possible way of the school creating more lenient cell phone policies in the future. “Since I use my phone anyway, (dean of students David) Walls won’t have to talk to me about it anymore,” senior Sean
Personnel Changes
Swanson moves from classroom to counselor By Annabella Olivares
Staff Writer
Aaron Schellenberg joins the social studies department, replacing Vickie Sawnson, who has moved to the counseling department. (Rachel Resterhouse)
Schellenberg joins Shores in social studies department By Morgan Schwing
Feature Editor Aaron Schellenberg, who was a student teacher last year, will replace social studies teacher Vickie Swanson. Ever since Schellenberg graduated from Grandville High School, his dream has been to teach. “I first became interested in teaching after taking Global Issues with Mr. Briggs,” Schellenberg said. “It is probably the class I learned the most in, and I had a blast the whole semester. I remember thinking that this is how every class should be.” Unfortunately, Schellenberg had to face some hurdles on the path to becoming a teacher. “The problem was my fear of public speaking,” Schellenberg
said. “It is the hardest thing I had to overcome, and there are no shortcuts to becoming good at it other than repetition.” After high school, Schellenberg attended Muskegon Community College and Grand Valley State University, and he eventually become a student teacher for both Swanson and Ken Rose in the social studies department. Schellenberg said he looks forward to working with high school students. “The most rewarding thing for me is seeing the progress students make from the beginning of the trimester to the end. Getting students to reach their potential is what this job is all about,” Schellenberg said. “From my experience, high school students are much easier to relate the curriculum to.”
Vickie Swanson has switched positions from social studies teacher to counselor replacing Sue Zack, who retired. “I am looking forward to the impact a person can make when given one-on-one contact with students,” Swanson said. “I have a strong passion to help students succeed. It’s that same passion that will fuel my desires in my new role.” Swanson said she hopes to focus on college and career Swanson readiness, and she plans to help her seniors get into college by making sure they are academically prepared with the correct tools and knowledge needed for collegiate success. “I hope to see all seniors apply to college before spring,” Swanson said. “I will show students how easy it is to apply online, encourage students to explore places they might not have thought of.”
Swanson said she hopes when her students come into her office they find a warm, caring and inviting place where they can work together on achieving the best time at Shores. In order to become a counselor, Swanson earned a masters degree in 2010 in Counseling/ Psychology from Western Michigan University. Swanson said when she’s not in school, she likes traveling and camping with her family. Her favorite spot in Michigan is Mackinaw Island. “I love the quaint elegance of Mackinaw Island and biking around the 8 mile bike track around the island,” Swanson said. “It is a family tradition for us in the summer.” Swanson said that in the next 10 years she hopes to see an incline in college and career readiness and hopes Shores has a kind and compassionate student body that works together for the well being of the community. “I hope I can help students find their path to a future they desire and help students believe in themselves, to make what might seem impossible, possible,” Swanson said.
Smith-Walker to lead counseling department By Annabella Olivares
Staff Writer Danielle Smith-Walker has been promoted to Director of Counseling. She said her new position still includes working with her assigned students, but she will add some office administration duties pertaining to grades and credits, balancing classes, meeting with college representatives, ACT administration, policy/procedures, scholarship updates, and compliance with Smiththe state/board policies. Walker Smith-Walker said she does not think her job as the Director of Counseling will have any effect on how students view her. “My hope is that they all know that I, like our entire staff, am here to help and see that they are prepared for college and career readi-
ness,” Smith-Walker said. Smith-Walker has a Counseling/Psychology degree from Western Michigan University; also, Smith-Walker is trained in group and substance abuse therapy. “The biggest motivator for me working and getting to know my high school students is the fact that I did not get to know my high school counselor,” Smith-Walker said. “While are caseloads are many, I think our counselors make a point to have personal relationships with kids.” Smith-Walker said her family enjoys her working in the district. Smith-Walker’s children and husband are used to her being busy, so she does not think her change in position will make a big difference in her family life. “There are no two days the same in the counseling office,” Smith-Walker said. “I am blessed to work with great people and great students here at Mona Shores.”
f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
With a new policy change, Shores is making another leap into the 21st century and successfully adapting to changing times. A new policy now allows students to use their phones in the cafeteria during lunch, in the front lobby and in the Hanichen Gym lobby, all of which will be considered safe zones. “Our hope is that this change will give students an opportunity to connect with one another and with their homes if need be during their lunch time,” assistant principal Walt Gawkowski said. “This will then allow them to be completely engaged and focused when they return to their next class period.” This new policy makes it clear that Shores is willing to take steps to remain relevant. “We need to incorporate technology. It’s the 21st Century, people,” junior Hunter Zhao said. “Everyone knew that the policy was arbitrary, and it was obvious that the administration couldn’t stop kids from using their phones. If you can’t beat them, join them.” Making such changes might also lead to more policy changes in the realm of
Rush said. “I personally think that this will be the gateway to more phone policies being more accepted. Technology is going to eventually make its way in as a tool for schools to use, so it’s a positive.” Many students already see this change as a resource that will be beneficial to update people outside of the school. “Now I won’t have to worry about getting in trouble for sneaking around and using my phone at lunch,” senior Rachel Baxter said. “I’m looking forward to being able to call my mom during lunch about things I might need to tell her before school is out.” The policy makes use of the students’ down time and allows them to use cell phones while maintaining the mission of the high school. “Our mission as a high school has not changed,” Gawkowski said. “We simply are affording students an opportunity to use a cell phone – which has become such an integral part of our lives – during a part of the school day when they are not directly engaged in an academic classroom.” This new change will modernize the high school and allow students to use devices that have become deeply rooted in our lives – as long as they use cell phones in designated areas.
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Athletic offices moved to front of building
Core Fore!
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s p o r t s
By Holly Fredericksen
Sports Editor
The Sailors’ Log • Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The Sailor girls’ golf team has won the past three Lower Peninsula state championships. The team enters the season with four seniors, who will be shooting for their fourth consecutive trophy. Those seniors include (clockwise from left) Kelsey McKinley, Morgan Smith, Hailey Hrynewich and Britni Gielow. (File photos)
Golf shoots for 4th straight state title By Cory Sander
Sports Editor Varsity girls’ golf coach John Brainard and his girls are driving for their fourth straight state championship. “It has never been done in the Lower Peninsula, so we would make history,” Brainard said. “It would be a great honor that it took place during my coaching tenure.” The team, which is led by seniors Hailey Hrynewich, Morgan Smith, Britni Gielow, and Kelsey McKinley, have started strong already in 2012. Hrynewich set a school record for 18 holes with a 71 at the Jenison Invitational, where the team fired a 303, which was also a school record. “‘The Core Four’ (Hrynewich, Smith,
Gielow and McKinley) have been special since day one,” Brainard said. “These four have pushed each other to be better golfers and have worked hard in the off-season to be the golfers they are today.” The core of this team has been together throughout high school, and Gielow said she would not want to have it any other way. “This team means the world to me,” Gielow said. “We have become so close over the past four years. They are my best friends, and I love knowing that I have my teammates always there for me on and off the course.” Smith said the team has been hard at work this past off-season and is ready to take on this upcoming season and go for the championship for the fourth straight
time. “A fourth straight would mean the world to me and my teammates,” Smith said. “It’ll make all the hard work pay off, and a great way to end the season and our senior year.” In addition to Smith, McKinley said she is confident that a title is in reach. “I’m confident that we can do it,” McKinley said. “We have all worked very hard in the off-season to improve our games, and we have all gotten better as players. So, I’m confident that if we all support each other than we can win.” Brainard also said this title is attainable. “The girls are coming off a great summer of successful tournament play,” Brainard said. “Yes, they can (win a fourth straight state title).”
Alumnus becomes head coach for tennis program By Holly Fredericksen
Sports Editor When the boys’ tennis team took the court this fall, one thing was missing – coach Jeff Bush. Bush, who was the head coach for both the boys’ and girls’ teams, stepped down due to his school responsibilities at the middle school. Bush, who spent years developing the teams, was replaced by Shores alumnus Andrew DeBruyn, a 2006 graduate. “I feel very excited to take over for coach Bush,” DeBruyn said. “He did so much in building our tennis program to where it’s at right now; I’m looking forward to continuing on what he started.” During high school, DeBruyn played singles. After graduating, he attended Spring Arbor University, where he also played tennis. DeBruyn has coached at Shores with the girls’ JV for
Before a practice, Andrew DeBruyn, a 2006 alumnus, works with junior Colton Hudson. DeBruyn has taken over both the boys’ and girls’ tennis programs. (Rachel Resterhouse) two years and the boys’ JV for one year. He has also run the summer Intercity Tennis Program for the past four years. “Coach Andrew DeBruyn has a long history of playing
and coaching at Mona Shores,” Athletic Director Ryan Portenga said. “The fact that he has one foot in coach Bush’s camp and another at Norton Pines as an instructor helped in the decision-making
process.” DeBruyn said the goals for the team this year are to win both the City and conference tournaments. “I want my players to be prepared to compete at a high level in matches, as well as in practices,” DeBruyn said. “I want each player to continue to develop skills so that they can play at their highest potential.” Having once played for Shores, DeBruyn said he is grateful that he has worked his way up and been given the chance to coach for Shores. “I feel very thankful for the opportunity coaching at Mona Shores with the varsity tennis team,” DeBruyn said. “I feel very proud to be representing our school; it’s an honor.” Debruyn will be coaching the varsity boys this fall and the varsity girls this spring. “I am excited to be both the varsity boys’ and girls’ head coach,” DeBruyn said. “I am looking forward to a great
Previously located near the gyms and Sailor Center, the athletic offices have relocated to inside the main office. The move took place at the beginning of August and is in effect for the new school year. The school has redesigned both its athletic and counseling offices. Many staff members, including Athletic Director Ryan Portenga, have been given additional responsibilities that made moving to the main office make even more sense. “I am going to be ‘wearing another hat’ in my administrative duties; others are as well,” Portenga said. “The front office seemed logical to do so.” To get to the athletic office, people should go to the counseling department, where they will be greeted by athletic secretary Shelly Marine. Among the benefits of the move include closer proximity to the school’s administration. “Being up front keeps us more connected to the nerve center of the building,” Portenga said. “Plus, with my other duties as an administrator, it makes sense for me to be closer to our Deans (Al Weber and David Walls), (assistant principal Walt) Gawkowski, (principal Jennifer) Bustard and our great support staff.” One of main reasons for the move is for better service to the community. The athletic offices, once located near the back of the building, were not easily found. “(We relocated) to provide the best service and supports for our students, staff, coaches and parents,” Bustard said. “Often parents and students would come to main office to drop off equipment, uniforms, etc. and then get lost trying to find the athletic office.”
Athletic dept. offers exclusive football seating at games By Cory Sander
Sports Editor Athletic Directory Ryan Portenga has a new seating plan for the football season this fall. “The last six seats in Section 4, the entirety of Section 5 (right under the press box) and the first six seats of Section 6 will now be exclusive,” Portenga said. This is to ensure that people have good spots to watch the games with their family or friends. “Folks won’t have to arrive an hour early to get ‘their spot’ and, considering that we’ll have things roped off with an attendee to help with the new seating arrangement, these seats should be unobstructed at all times,” Portenga said. One can buy a ticket to these sections for $6, instead of the usual $5 for a ticket, either beforehand in the athletic office or at the gate on game day. Anyone who wants to buy a ticket to these roped off sections can if they are not sold out. Additionally, one can now purchase permanent seat backs for $35. These seat backs cannot be moved in the stadium. These are for spectators to be more comfortable while watching the performance at hand. If one wants a seat back, contact Portenga. “Simply put, our goal is to bring a new level of comfort, ease, and professionalism to Friday nights” Portenga said.