O L I R A S’ S
Mona Shores High School • 1121 Seminole Road • Norton Shores, MI 49442
Volume 60 Issue 2
T H E
LOG
Before the annual Sailor Salute football game vs. Zeeland West, senior Kemper Millis charges onto the field. The game, which was won by Shores 47-12, honors military personnel as well as first responders. See pages 8-9.
Thursday Oct. 14, 2021
flying
COLORS
mental B LOCK
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e d i t o r i a l
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our voice
Words, actions can leave a lasting impact
Society affects stigma
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
few years ago, I was in a place where I couldn’t talk about my mental health without feeling ashamed for bringing it up. I was afraid to speak up about the things that I was feeling. I distanced myself from friends, family, and the things that I once loved. I felt alone in crowds of people I knew. I felt the world was against me, and the only person who knew about it was me because it didn’t feel normal to talk about. I was in a place mentally that kept getting worse the more I held it inside. I was under constant pressure to be perfect, and it did more harm than good to my mental health. Finally, I started talking about what I was experiencing and developed ways to counteract the negative thoughts and feelings that were going through my mind. People are often told that they should break the stigma on mental health. They are told they should be open and honest about how they feel and who they are. But it’s difficult to break a stigma that has limits on what one can say. I feel we are all trying to break a stigma that’s been more upheld by the parents who grew up at least more than 40 years ago than it has by today’s youth. Parents often pass their ideas and beliefs onto their children, which doesn’t help much when it comes to breaking the mental health stigma. The older generations often apply a negative aspect to the mental health stigma by saying, “Mental health is just an excuse for people who are lazy,” or “They are just being dramatic; it’s all in their heads,” or
Artwork by Haley Sandberg
a column by
H A L EY SAN DBE RG staff writer even “Toughen up, you’ll be fine.” Those with mental illnesses are often looked down on for being different. Mental health is not something to be ashamed of; it should be celebrated and acknowledged, rather than thought of as a flaw. I have experienced the highs and lows of my mental health and have found that once I decided to talk about it, whether that was with friends, family, or professionals, I have never felt more relieved or valued. When I first opened up about what I was thinking and feeling, I was scared. It was terrifying to own my mental health and share it publicly
with friends and family. In the end, I have never felt more relieved to have expressed how I was feeling. By sharing what was going on, I ended up finding support in places that were once plagued by society’s older generational views. The more that mental health is talked about, the more the stigma breaks. It becomes harder for society to judge people based on their mental illnesses. Mental health is serious. It is real, and it can have everlasting effects that can be either positive or negative. Sometimes people aren’t ready to talk about what has been going on with them, and that’s okay too. People shouldn’t be pushed to open up when they aren’t ready. It took me a long time to feel comfortable with my mental health and allow those conversations to be part of my everyday life, but when I was ready to talk about it, I didn’t care about society’s stigma anymore.
Editors-in-Chief Emily Kuznar, Samantha Sewick Staff Eliana Bement, Simar Dhillon, Mia Dickson, Elizabeth Eckerman, Madden Flanders, Estella Larsen, Mike Meekhof, Grace Opsommer, Haley Sandberg, Maddox Schaner-Follett, Ali Sewick, Jersey VanderWall Adviser Warren Kent III
We constantly hear the phrase “kindness is key.” At this point, hearing it goes in one ear and out the other. But as often as we hear it, everyone needs that reminder every once in a while. Oftentimes, especially when life gets busy, we forget the impact of our words and actions. School, sports, and life in general can get incredibly hectic. However, that isn’t an excuse to forget the importance of kindness. As cliche as it sounds, you never know when your words or actions will leave the biggest impact. Everyone is going through different things and are at various points in their lives. We are never truly aware of someone’s entire situation. With that in mind, it is also crucial to remember that your actions have consequences. Let’s just say, karma exists. No matter how minuscule something may seem, the choices you make affect more than just you. The world doesn’t revolve around you. The way you act toward others matters. As childish and elementary as it sounds, the golden rule of treating others how you want to be treated is something that we all need to be reminded of at times. What you say and what you do can impact people positively and negatively. We need to think outside of ourselves and be mindful of our own impact. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to feel like the belong and that they are appreciated. It doesn’t take much more than a kind word or act to turn around someone’s day, week, or even month. We’ll keep it simple to sum things up. As Harry Styles once sang: “Treat People With Kindness.”
The Sailors’ Log is a public forum for student expression distributed freely to students and faculty of Mona Shores High School.
How to communicate with staff: • Email: kentw@monashores.net • Facebook: Mona Shores Publications
Our Voice is the opinion message selected by the editorial staff of The Sailors’ Log. Your Voice is the letters to the editor section. All letters must be signed.
This edition of The Sailors’ Log was printed by the Argus-Press 201 E. Exchange St. Owosso, MI 48867
Changing Our Mindset
Volunteering with a purpose needs to be a priority
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“I love to go to haunted houses. My favorite part is the feeling of adrenaline. I love going with friends, and I always end up leading the group through the haunted house.” – Payton Finklea, senior “Something that I love to do in the fall is participate in my neighborhood’s Halloween party. I enjoy hanging out with family and friends and enjoying the fall weather.” – Iliana Bejarano, junior “I like to watch football games with my family and friends. I enjoy watching football because it’s like an escape from school. I love going to Shores games and watching my favorite team play. Go Green!” – Maggie McCarthy, sophomore “The activity that I look forward to every fall is apple picking. It’s so fun, and I love the smell of fresh apples. It also lets me spend more time with my family, which is great.” – Esther Kim, freshman
Artwork by Grace Opsommer on the employees’ faces when the group I was with came in to serve them. As I learned, people should serve because they want to: not to get service hours, not to be appreciated, not to be recognized. They should serve because they want to do good in their life. The action of serving others and volunteering shouldn’t be used to show superiority over others. If people love to
What is your favorite fall activity?
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In each edition of The Sailors’ Log, eight students will be asked their opinion about a current topic.
serve, they should feel good because they are making a difference. There are so many serving opportunities throughout the school, the community, the state, and even the world. All people need to do is find their gift/ passion and use it to serve others because they want to leave a legacy or make an impact. Change one’s mindset, serve with purpose, and make a difference.
“I love raking leaves with my family. This gives us time to engage with each other and have great conversations. I also enjoy watching scary movies with family and friends.” – Jakari Carson, senior “In the fall, I love going to orchards. I love all the different colors that come with fall. The cool weather is also great and is one of the reasons that fall is my favorite season.” – Samson Robertson, junior “I love to watch both college football and the NFL with my family and friends in the fall. I love participating in fantasy football and watching my favorite teams. Go Blue!” – Josiah Bement, sophomore “In the fall, I love to play soccer with my friends. I also look forward to Thanksgiving because I love all the food and spending quality time with my family.” – Julian Powell, freshman
e d i t o r i a l The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
hen I used to hear the word made for service, share their passion volunteer, it was never through music with Allegros or Fiddlers, something I wanted to do. I or have a specific leadership role in the didn’t want to help out at school events or community in the National Honor Society help plan the next youth group event or or Tri-M Music Honor Society. even watch kids while my parents were in In the community, through serving, a meeting. people can discover more about the Then I learned that if I changed my outside world. In Muskegon alone, more mindset from volunteering to serving with than 30 organizations, centers, churches, a sense of meaning and purpose, it gave etc. want people to come in with a heart me the ability to help others with a giving to serve. heart and appreciate what For example, The I contribute to, whether Hope Project is a great it be school, church, or local opportunity; their a column by work. mission is to end the E LI ANA My parents made me suffering from sex BEM E N T volunteer all the time, trafficking through staff writer and sometimes, I just providing education wanted to be at home or and job opportunities to to hang out with friends. girls and women who have survived. A few years ago, I chose to volunteer Another local example is Kids’ Food at a children’s day camp, not because Basket, a solution to childhood hunger, someone was telling me to, but because and they want help from all who care I genuinely wanted to. It was one of the about children reaching their full best weeks of my life. potential. The opportunity to be able to form People can also help out in smaller friendships with the children and to ways like raking a neighbor’s lawn or impact their lives was special to me. cooking a meal for a family in need. Through contributing to something that There are small ways to serve that are I was passionate about, I was able to accessible to everyone. experience the true joy of volunteering. I have served at Muskegon Rescue If students are struggling with ways Mission by helping clean one of their to serve, many options exist at Shores. thrift stores. It may have been something Students can volunteer through clubs, like that seems little now, looking back on it, Interact or Link Crew, that are specifically but what made it worth it was the smiles
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Look ing for More?
Review by Mia Dickson, staff writer
For most teenagers, a documentary may not be their first choice on Netflix, but with documentaries on almost every imaginable topic, there is one for everyone. A documentary can be defined as a “motion-picture intended to document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record.” Documentaries can provide insight into new experiences, lifestyles, cultures, and events that we would otherwise not see. My favorites are those that are eye-opening and keep me on the edge of my seat. With that said, here are several recommendations for your next Netflix binge party.
Knock Down the Hill
Centered around the 2018 Congressional Primaries, this follows the journeys of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Amy Viela, and Paula jean Swearengin as they seek to run successful grassroots campaigns into the House of Representatives and Senate.
Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror
Chronicled are the events of 9/11 through personal anecdotes of survivors and stories from highranking military officials as well as the lasing affects on global relations.
Expedition Happiness
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
A couple and their dog reject the corporate world and travel across North America in a converted school bus.
What the Health
I have unapologetically been a Taylor Swift fan since 2009, so it is no surprise that this documentary is at the top of my rankings. Miss Americana gives an intimate view into the life of one of the most successful singers in history. Something interesting about this documentary is how raw it is. While many celebrities lead private lives on a pedestal above society, Swift allows viewers to gain insight into her personal life. The documentary brings viewers into Swift’s struggles with breaking out of her “good girl” persona, becoming politically engaged, overcoming an eating disorder, and dealing with critics. This documentary opened my eyes to the fact that even though celebrities may appear to have a perfect life, this is not always the case. The candid narration from Taylor Swift creates close a connection between viewers and her.
This documentary, narrated by former tech executives of companies, such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram, gives eye-opening facts on the impact cell phones have on today’s society. The Social Dilemma reveals just how addicting phones can be and how this was designed with a purpose in order to gain more and more profits. This documentary also highlights the negative implications of social media apps by causing political divide, the spread of misinformation, and social and cultural conflicts, which is something I have never considered. Also mentioned is the rising rates of selfharm and suicide that came after social media was introduced. I felt eye-opened to how my phone usage has truly impacted my life. After watching this documentary, I reconsidered how much time I spend on my phone and how I could be spending so much more time on things that actually matter.
Lenox Hill is a nine-part docu-series following the lives of four doctors (two neurosurgeons, one OBGYN, and one ER physician) as they navigate practicing medicine in the heart of New York City. The series also shows physicians helping patients through life or death scenarios, disparities in the healthcare system, and personal challenges, with a special feature episode that covers the first few months of the pandemic. Similar to a reallife Grey’s Anatomy, this series showcases the highs and lows of being a doctor. All the characters seemed personable with a large amount of passion for what they do without sugarcoating anything. The show is inspiring, heartwarming, and thrilling all at once. One thing I enjoyed about the show would be how the close interactions shown between doctors and patients. Watching the show was inspiring as the doctors are able to bring people back from the brink of death and restore the qualities of many.
This documentary advocates for a plant-based diet by uncovering the health and environmental impacts animal product consumption has on society.
Athlete A
This follows the investigation of the Larry Nassar scandal and its impact on USA gymnastics.
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich
This shocking docu-series examines the horrors Epstein carried out through his wealth and power.
Tiger King
Everyone’s favorite quarantine drama follows Joe Exotic at his Zoo in Oklahoma. This is a crime thriller, mixed with drama series.
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
This intriguing docu-series follows the investigation of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2004 and the continued search efforts for her.
Sophomore uses SoundCloud to reach global audience focused on the rap genre. “I mostly produce Indie, because of how it flows and the story behind the songs,” said Medendorp, who produced his first song in February of 2021, Medendorps passion started back when he was a child. “I grew up around my childhood friend who produced music, and I became close with him, and he taught me a little about it. Hayden Hubers and I have thought about occasionally writing a song together, but it has never happened yet.” Medendorp said there is nothing quite like producing music. “Producing music can be a distraction out of reality and can be a safe space,” Medendorp said. “As of now, I want to get more views. I have 42,000, and by the end of the year, I’ll have 50,000.”
Sophomore Riley Medendorp has been producing music since his childhood. (Courtesy Photo)
Soundtrack Of Our Lives
More and more people are recording and producing music from the confines of their homes. At Shores, at least three students are delving into the music scene. – page designed by Madden Flanders, staff writer
Junior fulfills music dream through indie folk music For junior Hannah Jones, writing and publishing music fulfills her dream of music producing. “I’m a fan of indie folk music because in the independent genre, these artists have made a name for themselves all on their own,” said Jones who mainly produces indie folk music and has four songs on Soundcloud currently. “Specifically on the folk side of things, there’s always a story behind the music that you kind of get to pull out.” Her goals are what makes music producing fun and challenging. “My favorite part is the creative process because it’s always crazy to see the finished product and think ‘Wow, I seriously just made that,’” Jones said. “The fact that a song can go from a simple idea or inspiration to an actual piece you can hold is mind bending to me.” Jones started playing piano eight years ago, guitar five years ago, and producing three years ago. Her talents started at a young age, when
her inspiration came into view, Jones is inspired by artists like Hollie Col and The Lumineers. “The Lumineers have such a deep story behind every song I have heard of theirs,” Jones said. “Their songs seem simple on the surface, but below, they make you truly feel something. As for Hollie Col, she has such a peaceful vibe to her music, and I always find myself drawn back to it.” Jones said she loves getting the inspiration of a song and coming up with every part of it. Jones has originally written all of her songs, where her aspirations construct her music making abilities. “Making music is an art, and it takes practice to become talented like many famous artists,” Jones said. “I like producing music because I like to create a piece of joy for other people. I know what music has done in my life and I hope to one day be the same influence for someone else.”
Junior Hannah Jones said her favorite part about producing music is the creative process. (Madden Flanders)
Bishop said. Bishop, who began taking piano lessons last year after she purchased a $300 piano, said she recently partnered with her friend Mikey who writes music and plays guitar. Now, she is looking for a drummer and lead singer. “Mikey had been wanting to write music for a while but didn’t have a band to actually put it all together,” Bishop said. “I have written more music before The After Hours [the band she formed with Bishop Mikey] was formed, but this is our first full project.” Bishop said she is currently producing her first song named by her partner and friend titled “Satan Was a Lesbian.” “I write alternative rock at the moment,” Bishop said. “I want to eventually branch out into something more symphonic. Mikey and I grew up on bands like Soundgarden, Tool, and Led Zeppelin. It’s a wise consensus to stick to a genre that my band is familiar with.” Enjoying the fun times with her friends is what makes music fun, Bishop said. Her real inspiration for producing her music comes from Muse, a rock band. “My dad took me to see them on tour about a year ago, and it had really impacted the way I look at music,” said Bishop, who said Muse singer Matt Bellamy inspired her. “Muse was my favorite band before the concert, but something about seeing Matt Bellamy play his custom Synth/ Electric piano guitar made me want to try music for myself.”
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
Sophomore Riley Medendorp, who has released 27 songs on Soundcloud with 30 more ready to go, focuses on the mindfulness of his songs, which takes place with producing indie music. “I started producing because it’s a coping mechanism for me,” Medendorp said. Medendorp’s most popular song titled “3am” has more than 500 views on Soundcloud. Medendorp’s song has the majority of views in Ukraine, which is what put Medendorp on the map. “I was very excited to get that many views with little followers,”said Medendorp. “It was weird though that the song blew up solely in Ukraine.” Medendorp said he is currently producing Indie music but previously
Senior creates 5 f alternative e rock music a Being a music producer is in many ways a strange job. t But for senior Nadia Bishop, who started creating music u last year, becoming a music producer only seemed natural. r “I decided to try something new, something I had seen people doing before and really e immersing themselves in it,”
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f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
As for the theme regarding this season, the marching band is picking up where they left off last season and continuing on with the theme from last year. “The main reason was on the strength of each musical selection,” said Boyden regarding the deciding the theme for this school year. “Mr. (Justin) Sarns [the other band director] and I had to pick Seven Nation Army because we have 11 sousaphones, the largest number in the Sailor Band since the 1970s this year, and how could we not show them off with the most epic bass line in rock history?” As for the songs, Boyden said he is excited to perform “Rebel Yell.” Specifically, he is excited to try to differentiate themselves from the others who have performed it. “I am really excited to feature our cheerleaders and our color guard,” said Boyden regarding “Rebel Yell,” which debuted at the Reeths-Puffer game on Oct. 1.“I love the way that each individual has to contribute and have an equal stake in the song.” Like all the students, Boyden said he is feeling motivated to get back into things and connect as a marching band. “It is amazing,” said Boyden, regarding being back on the sidelines this football season.”I have never been happier to be a music educator and a Sailor. I treasure every experience we have together.”
r E B E L L I O N
musical MAYHEM
Band members excited for 2021 theme
By Alison Sewick Staff Writer
For junior Hailey Bringedahl, a year away from marching with the Sailor band was discouraging. However, the return to marching for the 2021 season following the pandemic has re-energized her and her peers. “I personally love the rebellious theme of this year,” said Bringedahl, who plays the flute. “It is such an awesome comeback from not being able to do anything. In my mind, it adds to the theme that we’re coming back from the depths of COVID even better and more out there than ever before.” Bringedahl and the rest of the band members have embraced this year’s theme of Rebellion, which includes the songs, “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol, “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd, “Uprising” by Muse, and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Sophomore Heriberto Butts, who has yet to experience normalcy regarding his high school marching career, the theme for this year is fitting. “Last year was a really hard time for a lot of people, including me,” said Butts, who is in the color guard for this football season. “At first, it felt discouraging to me to keep going, but I’m so glad I did because this has been the best year ever. I’m in love with the songs for this year, and I can’t wait to keep performing at halftime and pre-game shows.” All band members, including freshman
As part of its “Rebellion” theme, the Sailor marching band performs “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes at the Sailor Salute football game on Sept. 17. their final home performance will be Oct. 22 at the Shores-Wyoming football game. (Cherish Mendez) Darion Fearnley, have been waiting for excited to gear up for her senior year of the moment they step on the football field marching, but she is extremely proud of again, even the freshmen. the work the entire band has put in over “I am so ready to get back into the swing the summer. of things,” said Fearnley, who is excited to “I was really hoping for it to be normal,” get back into a schedule. “This theme is so said Cree, who has been in band since exciting to me because I already listened to her freshman year. “Every person in the a majority of the songs we are playing on band has put in so much dedication and a daily basis. Playing them with the entire time these past few months. We spent last band makes them come to life, which I’m year in our houses instead of out on the really excited to see.” sidelines, and we’re ready to put all that Senior Katie Cree said not only is she energy we saved into our show this year.”
MEET THE MAJORS
Wes Bell, sophomore Instrument: saxophone Favorite Memory “(I loved) the lacrosse game last year. It was my first even close taste of what it was like to be in the stands and play.”
Ella DeYoung, senior Instrument: percussion Favorite Memory “My favorite memory was when they announced that I would be the next Drum Major at the end of my freshman year.”
Ally Threadgill, junior Instrument: alto saxophone Favorite Memory “My favorite memory surrounding the band was probably going to Ford Field for the state (football) championships in 2019.”
Car ferry anchor becomes iconic
Page designed and information gathered by Elizabeth Eckerman, staff writer
Magnificent Mon u m e n ts
Victory bell rung after every home win
After every home football win (freshmen, JV or varsity), the players sprint to the northwest corner of the end zone to ring a victory bell, a bell whose history goes back to the 1960s. However, it is not the first victory bell. The first one was started by a student group called the Key Club, which was led by social studies teacher Howard Clark. The club’s purpose was to foster good for the community. Therefore, a victory bell was initiated for all football games, home and away. If the game was home, it would stay on the football field, and if it was away, it would be trailered to the opposing team’s football field. Clark and others would ring the bell after every victorious game. After the Vietnam War, the bell mysteriously disappeared and the school never found it. Finally, another victory bell made its way to Shores in 2013. This bell used to hang over Maple Grove Elementary School and was moved to the football field for the football players to ring after every victorious football game. One side of the stand that holds the bell features a plaque with the
South Haven. The younger Bultema, a 1967 graduate of Shores, was able to coordinate an effort to have the AA5’s anchor brought to Shores. On June 8, 1967, the 8-foot-high, 2,000 pound anchor was placed on its original square cement compass point platform. Putting the anchor on the cement platform cost the class $1,536. They paid $1,000 from a sweatshirt sale, and the school board helped with the rest. “One of my past classmates, Dan Graham, approached another one of my previous classmates, Dick Johnston, and asked if he would design the base for the anchor,” Linda Lavender said. “Dick took six years of drafting, architectural, and basic dye throughout his high school career. He designed the platform as compass points, often used by sailors, and Graham ended up entering it into a contest that Dick wasn’t aware of. The design was selected by the judges and sent to several local contractors for quoting purposes.” Bultema Dock and Dredge, was selected for the quote, and ended up pouring the concrete for the platform. Once the platform was made, the anchor was mounted on top of it, and it was placed at the high school, where it has been for 54 years. John Bultema Sr.’s family donated the anchor and chain to the class of 1967, with the anchor featuring a plaque on either side stating the anchor was donated by John Bultema Sr., Elizabeth (his wife), and the class of 1967. The plaque was added onto the anchor after the passing of the younger John Bultema in 2019. His estate ended up paying for the plaque. “I think the anchor reflects three years of hard work and class unity,” said Tybo Williams, class president of 1967. “It’s not only a class gift, but a landmark.”
Boulder develops into source of inspiration
Team captains Mark Konecny, Jeff Lenartowicz, Kemper Millis, and Elijah Johnson surround the Victory Bell. (Samantha Sewick) “Mona Shores Fight Song” while the other has another plaque with the history of the bell. So on Friday, October 11, 2013, when the Sailors earned their sixth victory of the regular season, a 47-26 win over Zeeland East on Homecoming night, to send them to the playoffs for the first time in school history, this bell rang for the first time. The 2013 squad, “Team 51,” was captained by seniors Asantay Brown, Matthew Rose, Logan Smith, and Jacob Workman. They were the ones who rang the victory bell for the first time, and while doing so, they were greeted by more than 100 former Shores football players.
The rock. the middle No, not the school, we actor whose would have a real name ‘Biggest Rock is Dwayne of the Year Johnson. contest’,” Eric But an actual Wahlberg said. rock. “The Jackson More than family found 20 years ago, the rock, and it another icon The Rock sits in the northeast end was brought to was placed in of the football stadium. (Samantha the high school as a good luck Sailor Stadium Sewick) in hopes of urging the football sign for the football players.” Wahlberg graduated and played program toward winning ways. On a Monday morning, a football for Shores. He also used rebellious parent disobeyed the to coach the football team. He administration and placed the rock arranged for the rock to come on the football field. The parent to the high school football field thought the football team needed prior to the 2001 season under a source of inspiration before their former coach Dan Fellows. games, practices, and training, The rock has been painted and and they thought that would come written on many different times in the 20 years it’s been sitting on the from the rock. “When I taught science at field.
f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
When the car ferry Ann Arbor 5 was launched in 1910, who knew part of it would make it into Sailor lore? The AA5 was, at the time, the largest car ferry on the Great Lakes; eventually, the ferry was converted into an oil ship in 1964 before it was sold to Bulk Food Carriers of San Francisco in 1966. Muskegon’s Bultema Dock and Dredge Company, which was co-owned by John Bultema Sr., then purchased it in 1967 for $21,775. According to michiganshipwrecks.com, it was cut down and used as a temporary break-wall during the construction of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant near South Haven from 1967-1969, eventually breaking up during severe storms over the winter of 1969-1970. The Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates learned that Bultema and his company cut the forward section into manageable pieces and had the debris hauled to Padnos Scrap Yards in Holland. Then, the 150-foot aft section, which still floated, was pulled behind a tugboat toward Muskegon. En route, one of the watertight walls began to leak while Bultema’s 20-year-old son, also named John, then attempted to keep the AA5 afloat. He was picked up by a crane seconds before the ship plummeted to the bottom of Lake Michigan near
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SAILOR SALUTE
Freshman admires family members who have served By Emily Kuznar Editor-in-Chief
“My uncle, Adam Stojak, was in the Army, but he has since transitioned to the National Guard. He joined right out of high school around the mid ‘90s. Since then, he has been stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea. He has also made trips to Pakistan when he was in the Army, and he has also lived in many different states while serving. I’m incredibly proud of him, but it can be really difficult knowing that he is in constant danger. However, knowing that he is doing so much to protect our country makes it all worth it. From his time serving, I have grown to value my time with family members even more than I did before.” – Owen McCarthy, senior
With the first Sailor Salute being held in 2015, the event has continued to grow. Juniors Jaden Eccleston, Molly Wolf, and Kelcy Benedict show their American spirit from this year’s event. (Cherish Mendez)
Shores community honors military, first responders with 6th annual event By Mike Meekhof Staff Writer
Freshman Patricia Gaiser comes from a long line of service men and women. In particular, she looks up to her mother and older sister, Emily (pictured), for the barrier breaking efforts to be the first women in their family to join the military. (Courtesy Photo)
OTHER STUDENT STORIES
“My uncle Zack has been in the military for quite some time now. He joined the Navy, and he currently does a lot of work with the boats. During his time serving, he has been stationed in Japan. I don’t plan on joining the military because that’s not really my thing, but I am very proud of all the work he does.” – Kaydence Alm, junior
“My cousin Omar joined the special forces roughly 6 years ago. At the time, he was homeless, so he decided that joining would put him in a better situation. Since joining, he has served in Iran and Afghanistan. Serving has made him become his best self; however, it is hard to not see him for long periods of time. From his time serving, I have learned the importance of discipline. In the future, I plan on being US Airborne.” – Amari Thomas, senior
“My uncle Joshua joined the Army directly out of high school. It had always been a dream of his. He is currently stationed in Denmark and is helping out with training and surveillance. He has been in the Army for roughly three years now, and I’m very proud of him. I love when he comes back and tells me stories about the places he has gone. It’s really hard to have him gone. However, I’ve grown to learn to talk to him when I can, and I have to be understanding when he can’t. We’ll never know what is going to happen next, so we try and make the most out of each moment we get to talk to him,” – Allison Cherry. junior
With players giving fist bumps to veterans and first responders before the game, the mass choir singing the National Anthem, a military flyover, as well as the U.S.-themed Shores jersey and decals, Sailor Salute is without a doubt one of the best traditions in high school football. Just ask Shores athletic director Todd Conrad. “The biggest thing is to create an atmosphere where our kids can learn to respect people that are deserving of it,” said Conrad about the event, which was held in conjunction with the 47-12 football win over Zeeland West on Sept. 17 this year. “That moment when those kids get the opportunity to fist bump those veterans and first responders as they leave the field from warmups is the highlight of the evening because it focuses on the connection between young people and the people that they’re there to honor. Sailor Salute started as a small event in 2014 when Shores teamed up with Fruitport to raise money for a veterans home in Grand Rapids “I wanted to do a military game,” football coach Matt Koziak said. “When (Greg) Vargas was the head coach at Fruitport, we had the thought of wanting to raise money for the veterans home in Grand Rapids. Fruitport had some jerseys made that were really cool, we had some decals made, but that was kind of just a thing that I wanted to do.” Koziak said it was 2015 when former athletic director Ryan Portenga became involved, and the event took off. “Portenga really took it to another level where he got the military branches involved, firefighters, police officers, first responders,” Koziak said. “I’d say 2015 was really the first Sailor Salute.” People might think it would be difficult to get funding for such a big event, but Koziak said it was easy to make happen due to the amount of people willing to step in and help. “People were so willing to go out of their way to help it because it was such a great cause,” Koziak said. “When we had the flyover, I asked how much it would be, and they said since it was for veterans, they’d do it for free.” This year’s event was perhaps more special than any other. Due to last year’s COVID-19 restrictions, it was Shores’ first full capacity home game in two years. “It was obviously the best atmosphere we’ve had in the stands in two years,” Conrad said. “It was nice to see a little bit of normalcy, people enjoying themselves, and a student section that was filled with kids having a good time just being kids.” Koziak said the energy from the student section was contagious for his team. “I thought our kids really fed off that energy. We’re so thankful that they finally had a packed atmosphere. Long overdue for our kids,” Koziak said.
c e n t e r s e c t i o n The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
Having a family member who is serving in the military brings about many emotions and mixed feelings. Fearing for their safety, questioning their whereabouts, and missing them endlessly are always on one’s mind. For freshman Patricia Gaiser, these feelings are quadrupled. Currently, her brother Anthony, a 2019 Shores graduate, is in the Navy while her sister Emily, a 2018 graduate, is in the Air Force. Additionally, her mom was in the Navy, and her dad was in the Army. “Growing up with family in the military has definitely made me respect the service members more, and I experience a lot of respect and gratitude from others as well because of what my parents and siblings have done,” said Gaiser, who also had a grandfather and a great-grandfather who were servicemen. “However, the fear and reality of what goes on for them is so much more real. You read a lot about the deaths and tragedies, but it really changed my perspective once they joined.” While Gaiser is proud of the sacrifices made by every member of her family, it is the servicewomen of the family that she has been most inspired by. “My mom and sister have always been very empowered people, and I greatly look up to them for that,” Gaiser said. “My mom was the first woman in her family to join the military, and she wanted to prove to herself - and everyone else - that she could make a difference. My sister was inspired to follow in her footsteps. She has always been naturally athletic, and she is very much all for the female empowerment that comes with her serving. I’m glad to have them both as role models in my life.” While they may all be serving, each member of Gaiser’s family has had different experiences during their time serving. “My dad and mom were both in combat in Afghanistan,” Gaiser said. “My brother was not in direct combat, but he did spend a lot of time on submarines where his location couldn’t be disclosed. He is currently stationed in Hawaii. It has been really difficult not to see him as often as I’m used to. As hard as it is, I hope he knows how proud I am of him.” Gaiser said one of the most difficult parts of hav-
ing family members in the military is going extended time without seeing them. “While I went periods of time without seeing each of my family members, it’s been the most difficult to not see my brother,” said Gaiser, who hasn’t seen her brother in two years. “I’ll go eight months at a time without hearing from him, especially when he’s on the submarine. A piece of his communication is taken away, and it can be stressful to not hear from him. He’s definitely changed a lot since being away for so long, especially his personality. His smile and lightheartedness have gone away, and that has been particularly hard to witness.” As stressful and emotional as being a military family can be, Gaiser said it overall has been a great experience for her. “Most people think that my family would be super strict when in fact it’s the opposite,” Gaiser said. “My dad is one of the most relaxed and chill people you could ever meet, and I wasn’t raised in an uptight environment. While I have definitely learned a lot about respect and honor, I’m so grateful for the life they’ve given me.” Despite the family legacy, Gaiser is currently not planning on enlisting. “I really have a passion for film and that is something I have wanted to do for so long,” Gaiser said. “I could see myself enlisting later in life possibly, but right now, I don’t really plan on it. As difficult as breaking that tradition may be, I know my family will support me in anything I do. It’s a lot of pressure trying to live up to my family and worrying that I am not as committed to the military as them. However, I know they support me in whatever I do and are proud of who I have become.”
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Unique sport brings joy, triumph By Samantha Sewick Editor-in-Chief
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
When most high schoolers are asked about their extracurriculars, sailing isn’t the first thing to come to mind. For freshman Lila Torresen, that’s the only thing on her mind. “I just started taking lessons, and I just got hooked,” said Torresen, who’s been sailing since she turned 6. “It’s been one of the biggest parts of my life since then.” Sailing isn’t just one of Torresen’s passions; it’s also her father’s. As a long-time marina owner, Torresen’s father stays actively involved in her sailing career. “Sometimes, my dad and I do races together, which I love, but honestly, it’s a lot more about the time after I race when we’re driving home in the car for me,” Torresen said. “The whole car ride back we’ll just talk about what I can do better next time, and it’s a way that
we stay close and connected.” Not only did Torresen’s father help begin her sailing career at Torresen Marina, he also pushes her to keep going through every obstacle she faces. “He’s been such a big inspiration to me with all of this,” Torresen said. “He’s gotten so good at what he does that he’s built his entire life around it. He built my life around it, too, in a way. I want to be on that level of skill and passion one day when I’m older.” Her sailing family extends far beyond blood, however. “In the summer, I have my race team,” said Torresen, who races with Muskegon Sailing Team during the summer. “We’re super close to each other. They’re all basically my sisters too. It makes racing so much less intimidating knowing you have such a great group of supporters cheering for you.” Everyone knows a support system is key to success and Torresen found the greatest one in her teammates. “Races are stressful, so it’s so nice to have supportive
teammates that we can joke around with and just spend time together and have fun,” Torresen said. “We’re able to bond over this unique thing that we all love. We all just enjoy spending time together and that helps our relationship too.” Win or lose, Torresen said she knows what she’s getting out of sailing is far greater than any competition. “It’s my life,” Torresen said. “I love it. I wouldn’t trade the memories I’m making or the family bonding that I get out of it for anything. It’s the best.”
SMOOTH
SAILING CAPTAIN’S CATALOG
• Beam: Width of the boat • Beat: To sail upwind on a zigzag course • Bow: The front of the boat • Gybe: To change direction by turning the stern of the boat through the wind • Head up: To sail closer to the wind • Heel: The way a boat tips to one side as it sails • Helm: The person who steers the boat • Hull: The body of the boat • Jib: The smaller sail at the front of the boat • Knot: Speed measurement referring to nautical miles per hour • Port: The left side of the boat when facing forward • Regatta: Boat races • Starboard: The right side of the boat when the bofacing forward information compiled from yachtsandyachting.co.uk
Having food options for students with allergies is important for the health and safety at Shores. To figure out what the school’s cafeteria has to offer, Food Service Director Bethany Taylor-Moore provided some insight.
Q: How long have you worked for Shores? A: This is my sixth year working at Mona Shores, and my 12th year overall in school food service. Q: What experience have you had with students with food allergies? A: We have many students with food allergies, including peanut and tree nut, and celiac. (They ask that students contact the food department for directions on how to receive alternate meals.) Q: How does the cafeteria deal with crosscontamination? A: Any of the allergy foods are made first before any other production. We wash, rinse and sanitize any equipment used and have separate cutting boards for the allergy meals. Q: What processes or things have you implemented that help the health and safety of students with these issues? A: We keep the meals separated and labeled, and keep all of the allergen information on file, as well as the product labels for the ingredients listed. We also communicate with the parents to make sure that the allergy menu is correct, and that their students will also be able to enjoy the meals.
ALLERGIES Nut exposure led to emergency Freshman Ashlyn Locke is just a normal student at Shores, a normal student who needs an epi-pen and may end up in the hospital if she eats a tree nut. When Locke was 5, she was eating cashews and her face started to swell. She was rushed to the emergency room. “It was very scary,” Locke said. She said that when she eats a tree nut or is exposed to tree nut dust, her face swells, it gets difficult to breathe, and she must be injected with her epi-pen and brought to the hospital. At restaurants or in the cafeteria, Locke said she usually just asks about the ingredients and remains cautious, but she added that she has many options. “It is pretty easy to eat in the cafeteria because I sit with a group of my friends, and they all know that I can’t have tree nuts so they don’t bring them,” Locke said.
Freshman Ashlyn Locke makes sure to choose foods without tree nuts in the cafeteria. (Estella Larsen)
Tree nut and egg aren’t the only allergies at Shores. Here are a few other interesting allergies that students experience. Sophomore Abigail Silvis, who is allergic to cats, dogs, and horses, said, “I found out when I visited an allergist and got poked.” She added that this affects her because she has two cats and she is “unable to pet them or be around them, and it makes me sad.” Junior Lauren Hylland has Oral Allergy Syndrome, where her immune system confuses proteins in certain fruit with protein in birch pollen. “I found out I had it when I ate raw cherries and had a reaction,” said Hylland, who added that she needs allergy shots and has to avoid raw cherries, peaches, and apples.
Page designed and information compiled by Estella Larsen, staff writer
Eggs bring stomach cramps Junior Emma Lewis is allergic to eggs. When Lewis was 8, she randomly developed an allergy to eggs. “One day I ate eggs and just felt so gross and sick, it was terrible,” Lewis said. She said she experiences bad stomach cramps when she eats either raw or cooked eggs, even when baked into things, including egg wash. She said she finds that it is not difficult to avoid eating eggs, except for when she goes out to eat for breakfast. “It’s really hard to find things to eat when I go out to breakfast because most things contain eggs,” Lewis said. “But most of the time for other meals, it isn’t difficult. I just ask what the food has in it.”
Senior Satori Hillman is allergic to peanuts. “I found out when I was playing with a peanut butter jar when I was very little,” Hillman said. She added that she finds that she has to be careful to always have her epi-pen and wipe down surfaces to avoid peanuts.
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f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
Q&A
all about
60 million people in the world experience allergies, according to Healthline.com. Here are a few of the many allergies that students at Shores experience.
When junior Emma Lewis visits the cafeteria, she must be careful of food with eggs. (Estella Larsen) Unfortunately, Lewis said she has had to forsake some of her favorite foods. “It’s kind of sad because I can’t even enjoy foods like cake anymore because of how bad I feel when I eat it,” Lewis said.
Senior Charlize Thomas is allergic to polyester. “I found out one night while trick or treating, and I was wearing a polyester poncho and ended up with hives,” Thomas said. She added that as long as it isn’t 100 percent polyester, she is generally fine, but she makes sure to avoid clothing and other items that contain it for safety reasons.
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The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
Spaniard wants to experience American dream When junior Laura Rodriguez, an exchange student from Barcelona, would see American high schools on TV, she knew she wanted to experience the football games, the school dances, and even the education. “It’s so different from what I’m used to,” said Rodriguez, regarding the culture here at Shores. “I wanted to know what people were like here. To say the least, I am not disappointed.” Rodriguez, who is staying with the family of sophomore Emma Kenney, said she could speak for days on the expectations she had coming to the United States. “People say positive things without hesitation,” Rodriguez said. “In Spain, positivity was only shown on certain occasions. Americans speak their minds, and they say how they feel.” American people are not the only thing Rodriguez fell in love with. “The food here is so good,” Rodriguez said. “The food here is cheaper, and the portions are larger. Probably one of the best things about this country is, without a doubt, Chick-fil-A.” Excitement and curiosity are what brought Rodriguez to America, but the memories she made are what continue to keep her here. “I came here with high expectations,” Rodriguez said. “After shopping in American malls, attending football games, trying different foods, and making friends here, I can honestly say this country is better than what I expected. I never want to go home.”
Page designed and information compiled by Simar Dhillon, staff writer
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Brazilian follows family’s pathway toward Muskegon
Rodriguez
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Monteiro
Japanese student hopes Dutchman traverses to improve English skills same footsteps as dad With a goal of improving her English skills, sophomore Nachika Oe made the decision to be an exchange student. “I can already read English pretty well, but with speaking I struggle,” said Oe, who is from Kobe, Japan. Oe said she was most excited about an American high school experience. “The school has been very good,” said Oe, who is staying with Cathey and Matt Lintula, a couple in Norton Shores. “People are very nice, and it has been a really welcoming experience. I learned that I really liked how free American culture is.” With the drastic change in learning styles, it took Oe some time to adjust. “In Kobe, the students stay in the same room while the teachers move,” Oe said. “Over here, we get more chances to meet new people. I like that about high school here. Through this experience, Oe said she is looking for personal growth. “I’m not quite sure whether or not I’d want to come back here in the future,” Oe said. “I’m still figuring out America, and I’m still figuring out myself. I don’t know if I would live here, but I am sure I want to come back and visit all the big cities here. I am excited about my future, and I am excited to be here.”
“Like father, like son” is a common saying in the United States. It is also a saying that junior Erik Uyterklinde, coming from The Netherlands, follows. “I wanted to take a gap year,” Uyterklinde said. “When my dad was around my age, he did an exchange program as well. He recommended it to me. I thought it was a good idea, so here I am.” Uyterklinde, who is staying with Joshua Ronge and Jakob Lemire in Norton Shores, said he still has so much to experience. “I feel like I still have so much time to involve myself in things,” said Uyterklinde, who is on the varsity soccer team. “Coming here, I was most excited to have fun at school. The American high school experience was something I heard from my father and wanted to see for myself.” Uyterklinde said American schools are unique. “The number of classes you can choose is way more than in the Netherlands,” Uyterklinde said. “We don’t really have as many electives either. Walking is also our prime mode of transport, but in America, there is public transportation.” He said he has had no trouble adjusting. “People have been very welcoming here,” Uyterklinde said. “I love how close the community is. I love America as a place of visitation. Altogether, I’m glad I got the opportunity to come here.”
For sophomore Lucas Monteiro, being an exchange student is a family tradition. His grandmother and mother were both exchange students at Oakridge, and now, Monteiro, who is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is traveling the same path, but at Shores. “I always knew this was something I was going to do,” said Monteiro, who is staying with the family of freshman Landen Hall. Monteiro said he grew up watching movies that showed high school in America. Life isn’t always a cinematic masterpiece, and he came to find that out firsthand. “I expected some guy to throw someone at a locker and shake the life out of him,” Montiero said. “I thought maybe I would get to see some bullies, but people are super nice here at Shores. I feel like I’m comfortable.” Monteiro said he is surprised by a lot in America, including ordering things online. “You guys have this thing called Amazon,” Monteiro said. “The other day, I ordered this pair of socks, and about two days later, they already came in. We have things close to Amazon in Brazil but definitely not the same speedwise.” Montiero said he is uncertain about his future in America. “Altogether my experience would be an eight out of 10,” Montiero said. “I still have a lot of time to see if my ranking will go up or not. I’m excited to see what America has to offer.”
Social Media Success
Sophomore reaches 26k subscribers on YouTube By Maddox Schaner-Follett Staff Writer
Sophomore Jacob Schnotala has been making videos since he was 5 years old and now has 26.3k subscribers on his YouTube channel, Hero Destrin. (Courtesy Photo) “When I started uploading videos to YouTube, I realized running around with nerf guns and adding sound effects just wasn’t going to cut it,” Schnotala said.
Alumnus returns to his hometown after teaching abroad By Simar Dhillon Staff Writer
Special education teacher Brian Schwer has come home. A 1996 graduate of Shores, Schwer has taught globally for the past 10 years in Indonesia, Germany, South Africa, Oman, and Thailand, but now, he is starting his first year at Shores. “I am excited to be back full time and be around friends and family for more than a few weeks,” Schwer said. “I am also excited for my kids to experience being in Michigan and spend more time with their grandparents.” Schwer said each country brought challenges. “I remember arriving in Jakarta, Indonesia,” Schwer said, “with around 15 million people; it was a culture shock, to say the least. A feeling of unknowing, it was truly eye-opening.”
Everyone deals with change differently, but for Schwer, it was something he would willingly deal with again. “I remember arriving from 14-hour flights and being filled with adrenaline,” Schwer said. “It slowly hits you that you are starting a new job, meeting new people, and navigating a new life. All of that wrapped into one can either be very exciting or, for others, it can be too much. I loved it. You learn to manage frustration, and looking back on my experiences when I finally got the hang of things in different locations, it gave me a sense of accomplishment.” Schwer said he gained so much more than pictures on his phone from teaching internationally. A self-growth journey was embedded through traveling. “With travel alone, it can just broaden your perspective and your thoughts,” Schwer said. “It
gives you a global mindset. You face the daily tests of adjustment and truly figuring out the current state of where you are. The experiences I had there truly helped me grow as a person. I had this travel bug in me. I was doing little trips, and I felt growth with that, but then I took it to another level to call a place completely foreign to me home for a while.” Schwer said he recommends that students looking to travel should always take the chance. “I would say to start off small, travel in the U.S., then slowly work your way up,” Schwer said. “Get out there and try new things while you can. Genuinely take the time to explore. We have the resources to experience new areas to our best abilities, why not use them. Traveling had this impact on my soul, it stretches you in a way. You come back a better version of yourself, with a wider lens on life.”
Brian Schwer (right, with sophomore Seth Abbey) spent the past 10 years teaching around the world, including in Indonesia, Germany and Oman; however, the 1996 graduate of Shores, came home to begin his teaching career as a Sailor. (Simar Dhillon)
f e a t u r e The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
Many of today’s teens likely fantasize about being popular on social media. For sophomore Jacob Schnotala, it is more than a dream. Schnotala has been filming and putting his own creative videos on YouTube for years now, and he shows no sign of stopping. “I guess I was maybe 5 years old… and my cousin had this video editing app on his phone, and I wanted it because it looked cool,” Schnotala said. “The more I used it, the more I liked it.” Schnotala eventually began uploading his edited videos to YouTube onto an old YouTube channel, which would become the precursor to his present-day channel, Hero Destrin. “I deleted my old one, and I was going to delete my new one, but it eventually started to get bigger, so I stuck with it,” Schnotala said. Schnotala said his video-editing talent has improved over the years. He went from a tiny mobile video-editing software to the program the pros use: Adobe After Effects. “I started out with this little app on my phone called VideoShop for splicing and adding little sounds, and my friends and I would run around with Nerf guns and shoot each other, and I’d put sound effects on it,” Schnotala said. Schnotala had bigger plans, however. He and his brother Zach (a senior who makes costumes for the channel) were beginning to outgrow his old YouTube channel and wanted to do something more ambitious.
Schnotala began looking for video editing software for his computer, when he finally discovered After Effects. “I found about one [software] called After Effects, and it was really good, but also expensive,” Schnotala said. “So I started mowing lawns and doing random stuff to start paying for it.” The transition from mobile editing to computer editing took a significant amount of time, however. The new heavy-duty software was packed with a ton of new editing tools and opportunities for Schnotala. “I just started watching crap tons of tutorials everyday so that I could learn more about it,” Schnotala said. When Schnotala’s knowledge of making videos grew, so did his fanbase. “For the longest time, we only had ten subscribers who were my mom’s Facebook friends,” Schnotala said. “But the more our videos started getting cooler, the more people would watch them.” Schnotala now has 26.3 thousand subscribers, a massive following compared to his previous collection of only 10. “It grows faster every day, and that’s really cool to see where it could go,” Schnotala said. “For the longest time, for like, a year and a half we were stuck at 80 subscribers and never got past it, but we passed it just earlier this year. It’s still exciting to see where it could go. Who knows how many viewers it’s going to get in the future.” If there is one thing Schnotala loves, it is filming. He still plans to continue filming videos after high school even if it is not for YouTube. “I’m hoping someday it could be some kind of job for making videos,” Schnotala said. “Probably not on YouTube: that’s very hard to make happen. But I’ve heard stories of people who make short films outside of YouTube as a whole job.”
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Shores students tell about their experiences traveling outside of the United States.
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
“I went on a mission trip to Honduras three years ago with my church to help missionaries build a soccer stadium. My favorite part of the trip was playing soccer with the local kids in street. At one point, some of the local Honduran guys took me into their town for two hours. I had no clue what was going on, but it was so exciting.” – Ford Mulder, freshman “I went to Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Cozumel, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas) in midFebruary of 2018 for vacation. I enjoyed being able to taste the various authentic Mayan foods as well as when we rode dune buggies.” – Shane Tudor, sophomore “I go to British Columbia, Canada, every summer to visit my family. Usually, I just go with my sister, but sometimes, my parents will go too. A couple years back, we went to a natural hot spring, which was really cool. There are caves that you can go in there, and I went into the cold one for five whole minutes without getting frostbite.” – Cambell Robinson, sophomore “I went on a Disney Cruise in 2016 with my family. We went to St. Thomas and St. Croix, where we went snorkeling and saw magnificent marine life. One very large sea turtle swam right up to us, which was definitely something you don’t see every day. When we weren’t visiting the islands, we saw things like big blue whales jumping out of the water, which was the most beautiful water I’ve ever seen.” – Michael Hall, junior
Traveling Tales
African trip brings cultural experiences By Grace Opsommer Staff Writer Whether it was experiencing the vast wildlife at national parks or indulging in the rich culture, freshman Kailyn Parish’s trip to South Africa in 2018, celebrating her grandpa’s retirement, included it all. “Everything was just so amazing there,” Parish said. “My family and I got to see so many animals and how they lived. We even saw them at a water hole and other things like that.” Parish didn’t just sit back and watch the wildlife; she and her family, instead, explored up close and personal on a professionally guided hunting safari. “We had three trucks and three professional hunters with us, and my family was split into three different sections,” said Parish, whose family in total shot 19 animals, including a zebra. “We would all go to a mountain and ride trails looking for animals, particularly injured ones that we could sneak up on.
Skulls of many of the animals that freshman Kailyn Parish’s family shot and killed during their trip to South Africa. (Courtesy Photo) The goal was to shoot as many animals as possible.” Parish said that this hunting was not all to waste, for her family was able to
help out some locals with their bountiful winnings. “We got to give the meat from the animals we hunted to people in Africa that needed it; obviously, we couldn’t bring the meat home with us,” Parish said. “We were, however, able to keep some of the antlers and skulls for ourselves.” The Parish family was able to share some of their food, so Parish said it was only right that they try some African food as well. “We got to go to a bush dinner where we got to try a lot of their foods, buffet style,” said Parish, who said that she wouldn’t necessarily want to try some of the dishes again. “The food there is very different, nothing that I was used to from home.” Parish said that she will always remember this trip because of the countless positive memories she made. “There were so many cool things that happened while I was there, and I’m so glad that I was able to experience it all,” Parish said.
Exploring father’s hometown creates family memories By Grace Opsommer Staff Writer Traveling to Mexico in 2017 was more than just a vacation for junior Iliana Bejarano, whose dad is originally from one of Mexico’s largest cities: Puebla. Bejarano and her family rented a van for the threeweek vacation and went to five cities (Palenque, Chiapas; San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz;
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato; and Guanajuato) within Mexico. “Over the course of the trip, we saw so many crazy things,” Bejarano said. “We climbed pyramids, explored cities, went to museums, and ate authentic foods.” In addition to those tourist attractions, Bejarano said they also explored various waterfalls in Chiapas, including Los Cascadas de Aguazul and Misol-Ha. “We got to swim near the waterfall and go in a
cave behind the waterfall, which was amazing to see,” Bejarano said. “At Los Cascadas, there were multiple little waterfalls that went into bigger lagoons where you could swim and jump off of rocks. It was just so cool to swim in an environment like that.” Junior Iliana Bejarano (back middle) and her sister, sophomore Ariana Bejarano (front right) posed with their family at an exotic waterfall in Chiapas, Mexico. (Courtesy Photo)
“I was born in Accra, Ghana, so my mom and I travel to go back to the orphanage that I was raised in and help all of the kids who don’t have a family. My favorite part of the trip is seeing everyone there because they are my first family. It’s different in Ghana. There are pigs on the beach and lots of people in the streets selling things for money. I miss it a lot.” – Elizabeth Fritz, sophomore
Father, son bond over memory of late grandfather By Jersey VanderWall Staff Writer
by the
Senior Stephen Koziak (right, with his father Matt Koziak, the head coach for Shores) changed his football jersey number to 35 after his grandfather passed away in order to honor him. (Jersey VanderWall) were before.” Matt has been coaching since 2011 and has been coaching Stephen through his whole high school football career. “Me and my dad got closer after because he was just both of our number 1 supporters,” Koziak said. “We took this season on with a chip on our shoulder.”
Senior Tyler Leenhouts is a huge fan when it comes to baseball. “I chose No. 9 because of my favorite baseball player Nick Castellanos,” Leenhouts said. “He played for the Tigers. He was my idol, and I caught one of his baseballs when he played for the Whitecaps.” If he can’t have number 9, he chooses number 14 for his second favorite baseball player, Austin Jackson, who also played for the Tigers. He said he picks his number based on his favorite players in baseball and looks up to both. “Even though I don’t play baseball anymore, both of these players impacted my life and I will always look up to them,” said Leenhouts, who plays soccer. “I looked up to Castellanos as a player because he was a good person on and off the field.”
NUMB3RS
Senior quarterback Mark Konecny started his freshman year with the number 9, but after breaking his collarbone, he decided to change to an even number, No. 10, for a fresh start. Konecny was out for three months, and he didn’t believe it was the number, but he just wanted to change things up after the injury. “I was more upset that my season was over, and it didn’t hurt too much,” Konecny said.
Jersey Day during Homecoming week brought all kinds on numbers. (clockwise from top left) • juniors Brandon Bankard and Elizabeth Shaw • juniors Luke Opfermann, Theo Conrad, Victor Wu, Cienna Billingsley, and Robyn Hunt • sophomores Abigail Silvis and Maggie McCarthy • freshmen Ella Kinney, Reese Smith, and Lainee Carmean • sophomore Maddie MacLachlan • juniors Grace Curtice, Jessica Hemphill, and Lauren Hylland • freshmen Peyton Merrill, Julie Frymire, Braylin Meyers, and Ashlyn Locke
Senior Holli Brus has always had the number 1. “It has always been my number because in middle school, it always went by sizes, and 1 was the smallest,” Brus said. “I was always super, super tiny, so I always had to have one.” Because of her size, she was always the libero too. “Since hitting is reserved for the tall ladies who can reach above the net, passing is usually designated to the shorties,” Brus said. “I loved being a libero because I felt that it was an honor. It gave me an extra set of confidence knowing that my coach and team trusted me.”
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The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
For most athletes, the game is dedicated to winning. But for senior Stephen Koziak, it’s dedicated to the remembrance of his grandfather. “He was my Number 1 supporter,” said Koziak, who is named after his grandfather. “He never missed any of my football games.” His grandfather played at Shores when he was in high school and had the number 35. Koziak had 24 for his senior year, but beginning with game 4 against Zeeland East, he switched to 35 for his grandfather. “I switched because he made me understand that everything I do is for fun, and he always supported me in whatever I did,” said Koziak, whose grandfather passed away the Sunday after their second game against Martin Luther King High School. “I brought more to this season after my grandpa passed away. I now push myself harder because I am playing for him every game.” Koziak said his grandfather played a role in his love for football, and when his father Matt, Shores’ head coach, suggested he change his number to honor his grandfather, Stephen said it was an easy decision to make. “Football has always been an outlet for me and my dad,” Koziak said. “With my grandpa passing away, football has bonded me and my dad even closer than we
Number 4 has been passed down for generations in the Roberson family, and senior Demetri Roberson wants to keep it alive. “I look up to my family members because they push me to be the best I can,” Roberson said. “I look up to my brothers because they both were good kids in the community.” Roberson’s brothers are now both playing at a collegiate and profession levels. “I’m just proud to be continuing on with the same number that they wore,” Roberson said. “I just want to be just like my family and carry out the legacy of the Roberson family.”
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Boys’ Soccer
FALL ING
Kaden Pulaski leads the Sailors (8-6-3), who opened district action yesterday, with 10 goals and five assists. Dan VanderPloeg has the most assists with seven. Diego Godoy had seven goals and three assists while Alex Eckerman has six goals, Ibrahima Ndiaye has five goals and two assists, and Gavin Cheatum had four goals and three assists.
Boys’ Tennis
The Sailors’ Log • October 14, 2021
The Sailors rolled to a City title, winning seven of the eight flights. Sophomore Drew Hackney (No. 1 singles), senior Kayden Hellmann (No. 2), and sophomore Victor Powell (No. 4) won at singles while senior Lydia Sowles/sophomore Collin Khatir (No. 1 doubles), seniors Bobby Wasserman/Luke Uptigrove (No. 2), senior Sam Uptigrove/junior Tommy Stewart (No. 3) and sophomores Liam Gossett/Josiah Bement (No. 4) won at doubles. Additionally, the Sailors captured the OK Green title by placing first at the conference tournament after going 5-0 in the regular season. Shores had six flight champions at the conference meet: Hackney (No. 1 singles), Hellmann (No. 2), and Powell (No. 4) won at singles while Sowles/Khatir (No. 1 doubles), Sam Uptigrove/Stewart (No. 3) and Gossett/Bement (No. 4) won at doubles. Hackney, Hellman and Sowles/Khatir were all All-Conference.
Girls’ Golf Football
Shores travels to Holland tomorrow night with a 5-2 record after losing to Muskegon this past Friday night 49-28 on Homecoming. Highlights include senior quarterback Mark Konecny scoring three rushing touchdowns in the season-opening 56-14 win at Lowell. That game also included an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown junior Jaylen Vinton. Roberson had a 90-yard kickoff return TD in Shores’ 56-26 win over GR Union in a game that also saw junior Dahmir Farnum rush for 132 yards and two TD’s. Konecny also had three rushing touchdowns in the 47-12 win over Zeeland West. Against Zeeland East, Farnum scored three TD’s and rushed for 143 yards. Senior Ryan McNiff had an 85-yard kickoff return touchdown in the 57-15 win over Reeths-Puffer.
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Boys’ Cross Country
Heading into the City meet this weekend, junior Caleb Branch and sophomore Aidan Kreps have been the consistent top two runners. Branch’s best finish was fourth at the seasonopening Trojan/ Eagle Invitational. Kreps best finish was 10th at the Shores Jamboree.
Girls’ Cross Country
Juniors Robyn Hunt and Cecilia Conrad will lead the Sailors’ into Saturday’s City meet. The duo has consistently been the team’s top two runners all year with Hunt’s best time at 20:17.2 at the Cougar/Falcon Invitational, where she placed ninth, and with Conrad gaining her season-best time at the same meet with 20:48.9 and a 19thplace finish.
The Sailors wrapped up their season with a fifthplace finish at regionals. Seniors Dezmin Merwin, Lily Miller and Elise Houle, and sophomore Maddie Etterman and freshman Mayson Southland were the team leaders. Shores, which placed third in the conference, won the Fruitport Invitational and two OK Green Jamborees (GR Union and Zeeland West).
Girls’ Swimming
The co-op team has a 3-3 record. Junior Robyn Hunt has excelled in the 500 Free, winning the event six times. Senior Caroline Carlson has won the 100 Back four times and the 200 Free three times. Both Hunt and Carlson also have been part of the 200 Medley and the 400 Free relays, which have won four times each.
Volleyball
Shores has posted a 11-14-1 overall record, 4-3 in the OK Green, as it heads into the City tournament Saturday. The highlight of the season was the team’s second consecutive championship at the Battle of the Boardwalk on Aug. 27. In the championship match against Fruitport, Shores won the final two games (25-9, 15-9) after losing the first game 2519. Senior Grace Norris had a big day with 38 assists, 4 aces, 17 kills, and 18 digs. and 10 aces.
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