Vol. 26, Issue 2 POLL:
Nov. 22, 2019
Spotify or Apple Music?
Spotify 48% Apple Music 52% @CentralStampede
See page 5!
Portage Central H.S. l 8135 S. Westnedge Ave. l Portage, MI 49002
centralstampede.com
Living with diabetes Students and teachers share their stories in honor of National Diabetes Month Diabetes Awareness Day is celebrated annually on Nov. 14. However, diabetes awareness is recognized all month long. Diabetes is a disease where the body either can not produce or can not properly use insulin. This results in abnormal blood sugar
levels which can become dangerous. The Center for Disease Control reports that as of 2015, about 30 million Americans, or 9.4 percent of the population, are living with diabetes. Many people in our school live with diabetes that we may not even notice. One student in that has been affected by Type 1 diabetes is senior Annabelle Semelbauer.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and is a lifelong condition. Semelbauer has to monitor her blood sugar levels through a continuous glucose monitor. She then has to take insulin through a pump to regulate the blood sugar. “The hardest part about having diabetes is having to be aware of everything I am eating,” Semelbauer said. “Most teenagers can eat whatever they want, but people with diabetes have to constantly be
ASHNA MEHRA/STAMPEDE
Teachers Dan Wytko and Katie Eichstaedt, junior Kyla Meyle and senior Annabelle Semelbauer pose together to commemorate their journey with diabetes.
aware of everything we are eating.” Junior Kyla Meyle has also been affected by Type 1 diabetes since 2009, when she was six years old. “It can be hard for me to always keep track of my blood sugar. Having diabetes made me have to become more responsible at a younger age,” Meyle said. Teacher Dan Wytko has been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. This means that Wytko has warning signs of getting Type 2 diabetes in the future. Type 2 diabetes runs in his family, but is preventable with health and exercise adjustments. “I’ve had to lower my carb intake from the type of bread I eat, to having to cut out candy and cereal,” said Wytko. “I am taking precautions to prevent diabetes in the future.” Health teacher Katie Eichstaedt dealt with gestational diabetes while she was pregnant. Gestational diabetes causes pregnant women to have higher blood sugar levels. “For 12 weeks, until I gave birth, I had to very closely monitor my blood sugar and everything I ate,” Eichstaedt said. “I had to eat certain things at certain times. I had to keep my blood sugar in the range to keep my baby and I both healthy”. With the U.S. being one of the leading countries in medical development, one would think insulin for diabetes patients would be easily accessible. However, this is often not the case. Throughout the past couple years, insulin prices have been rising outrageously. According to Good Rx, the price of a 10-milliliter vial has risen from under $40 in 2001 to around $275 today. This is mostly due to the fact that just three major companies have a
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What’s Inside... page
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Diabetes is just something we have to live with but it shouldn’t change the way anyone sees us. Kyla Meyle
“I think it’s unfair that companies are charging so much for something that can be so easily manufactured, especially when we need it to live,’’ Meyle said. “If people want to show support for other’s with diabetes, they should just treat us normally. Diabetes is just something we have to live with but it shouldn’t change the way anyone sees us,” Meyle said.
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Adopted children
Technology and libraries
monopoly over the insulin industry. These three companies have patents over the insulin and are constantly making it more difficult for smaller companies to produce cheaper similar versions of the insulin. These outrageous prices for an essential medicine are really harming some people. Many people, especially those without insurance, struggle to afford the medicine they need to keep them alive. Some patients are skipping or cutting back on insulin doses, putting their lives at risk. Meyle attends a summer camp every year for kids with diabetes, which is one thing that makes having diabetes not as bad for her. She says some of her friends from camp have had very scary experiences due to rationing their insulin to make it last longer.
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BY SARAH FULTON Staff Writer
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Are 80’s movies worth the watch?
news
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2020 budget to affect MI students BY NICK MEYLE Staff Writer
deadline, and instead the state government would have to shut down. The legislature did end up sending a budget to the governor’s desk, but only after discussions between the two had fallen apart. “These budgets are a mess,” said Whitmer in a recent MLive article. “Their transportation budget would only rebuild about 39 miles on the freeway and fix about four bridges in a state with over 1,000 bridges in poor condition.” However, Lee Chatfield, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, believes the budget was responsible and properly funded the roads. Whitmer ended up signing the budget, only after issuing 147 line item vetoes. The education portion of this new set of funding contains many increases in funding for certain areas. According to the Michigan Educa-
tion Association, the Per Pupil Foundation Grant minimum was raised from $7,871 to $8,111, and the funding for special education increased by $60.2 million. Whitmer did, however, end up vetoing $35 million from charter schools within the state. As with all of the other public districts in the state, Portage Public Schools relies on state funding in order to properly function. Things such as equipment, classes, and special ed funding all go through and are funded by the state, meaning the education budget is extremely important to local school districts and communities. “Providing our students with a quality education and setting them up for a bright future requires consistent support from our state and communities,” front office secretary Jill Meyle said.
Just like a car doesn’t run without gas, the government can’t run without money. That is why each year the legislative and executive branch of Michigan’s government pass a budget. Included in this budget are the terms and amounts of money set aside for particular agencies or causes. One major part of the budget, which impacts us directly, is the education portion. The education budget covers funding for public schools, special ed programs and much more. “Education is the catalyst for success that has the ability to expose us to new thoughts, new ideas, and new opportunities,” Garlin Gilchrist, the Lieutenant Governor of Michigan said. “In order to improve every classroom in every community to give every child a chance to succeed, Gov. Whitmer and I called for the largest investment in public school operations in a generation, and ultimately secured an additional $400 million for our schools. It has never been more important than it is right now to continue to create those opportunities for others.” This year’s budget and budget process were particularly contentious, as for the first time in eight years the state’s executive and legislative branches-the two responsible for designing the budget--are of different political parties. Governor Whitmer, a Democrat, and the State Legislature, which has a Republican majority, had different views and priorities. At one point, there was speculation that a deal wouldn’t LAUREN McCOLLEY/STAMPEDE be reached before the Oct. 1 Jill Meyle, Suzanne Schwanzl and Nate Turner celebrate as the school budget is renewed, and coming into effect in short time.
Discrimination in the workplace heads to Supreme Court BY HAILEY PULLO Staff Writer On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Supreme Court heard arguments for three separate cases regarding discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual or gender identity. These cases are arguing that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination “on the basis of sex” protects LGBTQ workers. Two of the cases concern the job terminations of two men who were fired shortly after their supervisors learned they were gay, while the third focuses on a transgender woman. While all of these cases are drawing national attention, more and more coverage has been brought to the case concerning Aimee Stephans,
a transgender women who was fired from her position at a funeral home that she held for nearly six years. She said that for years she struggled severely with her gender identity. After years of presenting as male at work, Stephans wrote her boss a letter informing him that she wanted to present as the gender she felt she truly was, and exchange her work uniform for the uniform other women wore. Two weeks later, Stephans was fired. With more Americans coming out as LGBTQ, it’s clear that a large amount of people would have their jobs, insurance, and housing at risk if the court rules against Title VII. English Teacher Tyler Baas, who identifies as a gay man, said that like many other gay Ameri-
cans, he has faced discrimination in the workplace. Baas was fired from a religious summer camp he worked at for several summers after the camp found out he was gay. Many people are waiting to see how President Trump’s newly appointed Justices, Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh, vote on LGBTQ issues. LGBTQ Americans across the country are paying close attention to these cases, as they have the potential to uproot the jobs, homes, and overall livelihood of millions of Americans. “The question of the rulings is of having the freedom to be yourself,” Baas said. “This is forcing people back into the closet, and I don’t think that is the right step for this country to take.”
Nov. 22 2019
in brief
Experience the spirit of Christmas at the annual tree lighting ceremony! On Friday, Nov. 29, the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in Bronson Park. These activities run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and it is free for everyone. Come with your friends and family to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. There will be live music, crafts, hot chocolate, and sit down sessions with the one and only, Santa Claus. This event is the perfect opportunity to spice up your Instagram feed and take advantage of the beautiful lights for your Snapchat story.
Come join the fun and run in the Turkey Trot at Western Michigan University The WMU Turkey Trot will be taking place this Saturday, Nov. 23 for its 68th year. The Turkey Trot is a 5k race that takes place every year around Thanksgiving at Western Michigan University. The race is open to all members of the community and participants can choose either the run or walk. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. and the weather will be chilly, so dress warm!
Our WMU men’s hockey team needs your support! Come out and support your Western Michigan University’s Men’s Hockey Team for back-to-back home games on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:05 p.m. respectively. They will be playing at the renowned Lawson Arena at 2009 Howard Street where you will find supportive fans and delicious concession! Bring your fighting spirit to chant on the team in defeating the University of North Dakota to continue their great season! Let’s Go Broncos!
Join the festivities of Christmas basket hanging! Join Brite Eyes Brewing Company on Nov. 24 for Christmas basket hanging from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1156 South Burdick St! Create Christmas baskets out of ornaments and an assortment of rustic accessories. Join your family for a festive event to get ready for the holiday season. Brite Eyes Brewing will provide food and drinks for anyone who attends the event. The event costs $45 and seats are filling up, so make sure to get your tickets soon!
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news
Nov. 22, 2019
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City
School Thanksgiving break will take place next week. School will be out from Wednesday Nov. 27 to Monday Dec. 2. After that, we will have three more weeks of school followed by winter break. Winter break will take place from Friday Dec. 20 to Monday Jan. 6. After winter break ends, there will be two weeks leading up to semester exams.
Last Saturday Nov. 16, local artists performed at Trinity Lutheran Church to raise money for Loaves and Fishes. Loaves and Fishes is a non-profit organization that collects food to give to those in need. K’Zoo Folklife runs the event and gives local artists a chance to display their talents. Loaves and Fishes holds many food drives near the holiday season to make it easy to help. Food donations are open any time.
World Views BY ASHNA MEHRA Co-Editor-in-Chief
State
A man was found fatally shot in Flint last Saturday night. The 33-year-old was discovered with a gunshot wound. As of now, there are no suspects or circumstances known about the shooting. Another man in his 60s was found shot dead in the same area on Friday night. He was transported to the medical center, but quickly died of injuries. There is no verification of whether the two cases are related.
LAUREN McCOLLEY/STAMPEDE
World
Country
The eighth Sri Lankan presidential election took place last Saturday. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the country’s ex-defense chief, won by over 10 percent. In his campaign, Rajapaksa vowed to bring stability to the country, still recovering from its Easter Sunday attacks this April. Rajapaksa’s election has split the country in two: some believe that he will help revive the country, while others fear democracy and freedom of speech will be restricted under his rule.
The House opens its impeachment hearings for President Trump. The hearings, however, have been consumed by debate and many agreements have not been met. Democrats questioned the character of Trump, while Republicans placed the accusation on former Vice President Joe Biden. Although it has become increasingly evident that President Trump attempted to use military aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, Republicans still believe that this isn’t enough to remove President Trump from office.
Despite an increase in technology, library usage remains strong BY CAM WEAVER Staff Writer Student use of technology has soared in recent years, and as a result, many may think the school Media Center is irrelevant and unnecessary. Sara Brown, media specialist, is convinced that isn’t the case. “I don’t think that technology has hurt the library much at all,” Brown said. “I think that the library and the library staff have to find ways to meet the needs of users.” “We would like to do whatever the help looks like whether it be print, or technology, or serving a greater need to help,” Brown said.
The library continues to help with technology use while also offering space for students to read, according to Brown. Other libraries across the country are deciding not to battle the rise of technology but rather accept the technology that is helping libraries. They do this through updating computers and adding Nooks and Kindles for people to read on those. Libraries are also teaching younger kids how to search the web responsibly and correctly. “There was not a very big push to move books out of the library,” Brown said. “We have kept a lot of books and we have almost every shelf full.”
Brown said. She continued, “We have had our fiction books get checked out the most while our fact based books have been checked out a lot less frequently because of the knowledge that is accessible to everyone whenever they need it.” Brown appreciated that the school was having a 10 minute reading time for seminars so it inclined more kids to check out books. “This has gotten a variety of books checked out for us, and it has gotten the flow of the library rolling.” Brown said. Brown did not seem concerned with the rise of technology in general
because she thinks that they can use it in there advantage. “We will always have the quiet space for kids to read books but now we have new spaces for kids to use chromebooks, and another spot for kids to use the computer lab.” Brown said Brown wanted to make it clear that the library was not a place where she hushed everyone and there was no dialogue at all. She explained that the library was more to that than her. “We want the library to be a modern library,” she said. “We would like to have people work on projects and be able to work with other people on things that they need done.”
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Librarian, Sara Brown, poses for a photo in front of book shelves.
opinion
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Nov. 22, 2019
New technology forces libraries to adapt
You need information for a history project. Where do you go for information: the library or online? Most choose online over the book, and it makes sense. A few clicks consumes less time than searching for a book and flipping through the pages. Stampede addresses the technology vs. libraries topic and its relation to our library. Most people prefer to read their books in the form of a hard copy, and that won’t change. Nothing feels better than holding a book in your hands: reading a book on a screen lacks the feeling of satisfaction received of reading from a real
book. On the other hand, we can see a decline in the need for information-rich books from the library. Our library continues to acclimate its practices for the advancement of technology. The library has done an amazing job doing this by providing us with an abundance of reputable online sources. Since all students in the library have chromebooks, the need to use computers in the library, and in the whole school, decreases. We continually see our school
staff editorial
Ashna Mehra Bridget Doyle Editors-in-Chief Liz Williams Website Editor-in-Chief
The Central Stampede publishes approximately one publication a month, primarily by the Journalism II class at Portage Central High School, 8135 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002. It also uses work from Journalism I students.
Alexis Cox, 9th
Drew Lawler, 10th
Madeline Grueter,11th
No, because I am very bad at bowling.
No because I play basketball in the winter.
Yes! I’m terrible at bowling so I doubt it would go well, but I would have fun.
Mr. Shafer because he teaches health and sports science and knows a lot about fitness.
Mme. Flachs is very into working out and running marathons.
A pig.
My pug Tuna.
I had a college friend who had a pet tortoise. He said it could live for 100 years, so his grandchildren would have to take care of it after him.
Country music because it’s upbeat and easy to listen to while you do other things.
Rap becasue I can trap with da homies and I relate to the music on a spiritual level.
It depends what mood I’m in, but my go-to genre is classic rock. I also like modern day rock like Green Day and Weezer.
No.
No. I like McChickens.
Absolutely not, I love steak and bacon too much. However, I totally respect those who make that choice.
2. Which teacher would you consider the biggest fitness junkie? (p. 5)
Editorials Staff editorials are unsigned and represent consensus of the staff. The opinion of the staff is represented in the “Our View” column. The opinions of the editors, staff writers and guest writers will have bylines and will carry their own views.
3. What is the craziest pet you have seen? (p. 8)
Letters As an open forum, the Stampede welcomes all members of the Portage community. However, the staff reserves the right to edit letters based on length and content.
4. What is your favorite type of music?
A snake.
I listen to whatever.
Mr. Chambers. He comes to school early every day to hit the weight room.
A pet rat.
Hip-Hop/Rap. Everyone I hangout with has always listened to it, so I‘ve caught on and enjoyed it.
Mr. Tabor because I always see him in the weightroom.
5. Would you consider being a vegetarian? Yes.
Never.
Portage Central High School 8135 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, MI 49002
Mr. Coon
Maybe if they offered me a max contract.
I play basketball in the winter, so I can’t. Even if I didn’t play basketball, probably not because I’m terrible at bowling.
IDK.
The Central Stampede
Ben Kempisty, 12th
1. Would you consider joining the bowling team? (p. 2)
The Central Stampede is a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). The purpose of the Central Stampede is to act as an open forum for students of Portage Central. The staff will achieve a balance between informing and entertaining our readers.
Phone: (269) 323-5218 Fax: (269) 323-5290 Room: 2116
the faces at Vinnie’s, and being greeted by Mrs. Brown and Mrs.Teugh Sometimes Foods/Nutrition students give out smoothies! The library is ingrained in Mustang culture, and it will never lose its significance. At the end of the day, we should be thankful for the technological additions our library has made for the students to have the best resources and tools to be successful. Whether you’re buying a latte, printing off a history essay, or checking out a fictional book, there’s a place for everyone in the library.
five on five
central stampede Lauren McColley ........................................News Editor Ranya Jamal............................................Opinion Editor Caroline Maier..................................Student Life Editor Caitlin Gast...................................Entertainment Editor Ethan Lee..................................................Sports Editor Lauren McColley........................................Photo Editor Staff Writers: Hailey Pullo, Sarah Fulton, Bridgit Doyle, Max Eley, Patrick Li, Ellie Geib, Nick Meyle, Bennett Waltz, Sydney Pieper, Max Eley, Jenna Vliek Business Manager: Ethan Lee Adviser: James Phillips
advance their technology, but it will be interesting to see what other advancements the library makes with the rapid growth of technology. Our neighbor, The Portage District Library, as also adjusted their practices to keep up with new technology. Although libraries and their uses have begun to change slightly, there will always be a need for libraries. Libraries are a basic unit of society and education to an high extent. Students will always look forward to seeing
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opinion
Nov. 22, 2019
5
Which app bops the best beat? Apple Music offers a variety of songs BY SARAH FULTON Staff Writer We’ve all had that one song stuck in our head for hours on end but not been able to listen to it because we don’t know what the title is. We only know one line and have it on repeat in our heads longing to listen to it. Well, thanks to Apple Music, I can type in the lyrics of a song and it’ll pull up the full song and allow me to begin listening. This is just one thing I love about Apple Music. One of my favorite things about Apple Music is that when I click on an album, I can see if any of my friends have already listened to it. It helps me judge if I think I will like an album if my friends have already listened to it. I also like to bond with friends over songs or albums I have seen they already listened too. My family and I can share one Apple Music plan. By joining the family plan, six members
of my family can be on the plan for just $14.99 a month. This makes it easy for my mom to pay one bill per month for the whole family. My family and I can also share downloaded music and see what we are all listening to. Apple music has over 50 million songs in their library, while Spotify only has about 30 million. I never run out of something to listen to. Any song I am interested in listening to is playing through my headphones within seconds, thanks to Apple Music. Through the “For You” tab of the Apple Music, I can view suggestions for new music based on the songs I’ve already liked or listened to frequently. This is a great feature to find new music to broaden my listening horizons. I enjoy the ease of the app. It is easy to make a new playlist, find new music, or share music with friends. You can also download music to listen offline or listened to pre-created playlists.
Spotify offers personalized playlists For a year, I had a family subscription with Apple Music. My mom suggested we switch to Spotify, which I was not a fan of considering I would lose a year’s worth of saved music. However, after I made the change, I had absolutely no regrets.
SYDNEY PIEPER/STAMPEDE
Both Spotify and Apple Music have the same prices for regular users, family and students. They both offer a three-month free trial, downloaded music and they both use the music you listen to to make a playlist for you. Despite the large amount of similarities, there are also striking differences. Spotify creates a large amount of playlists just for you, which can be handy if you are lazy like me and never organize your music. They will take the music you are listening to and create Daily Mix playlists. They also create playlists like Your Summer Rewind, On Repeat and Repeat Rewind. Spotify’s big feature is their Discover Weekly playlist. They have an algorithm that takes types of music similar to your tastes but not the same bands or songs that you listen to. You might wonder what happens if one week I’m rock music and then the next week I’m listening to the hottest hits of the 2000s? The “Discover Weekly” is updated every week coinciding with your weekly vibes. This playlist can open your eyes to a lot of Indie artists as well as fun new songs you wouldn’t hear on the radio. You can also connect with family through
Longer lunches are needed to relieve stress
BY LAUREN MCCOLLEY News Editor
SYDNEY PIEPER/STAMPEDE
BY BRIDGET DOYLE Co-Editor-in-Chief playlists. If you have a family account, you can all share one playlist together while still having separate accounts. This makes family road trips 10x easier when the music people want to listen to is all on one playlist. There is also an option to connect with friends on Spotify. When you create a playlist, it can be public, or private. If it’s private, only you or the people you send it to can see it. If it is public, anyone can follow your playlist. This means you can follow your friends’ playlists whenever you want, allowing the consumer to appreciate others taste in music. If music and playlists are not your type of thing, don’t worry. Spotify offers a variety of other options. They have copious amounts of podcasts to listen to which cover a wide range and variety or topics. If Spotify Premium isn’t fantastic enough, they also offer a free version of their services. While there are many more restrictions on this source of music, it is an option for people who cannot afford to pay the full price. Apple Music does not have this feature at all.
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Many of you have seen, and maybe even experienced, the stampede of students sprinting through the parking lot to get to their cars at lunch time, all rushing to get to Sam’s Club or to get a good deal at Jersey Giant’s. While we are extremely lucky to have the privilege to go off campus for lunch, it raises hazards that could be avoided if lunch was only a little longer. I have B lunch. When I go somewhere for lunch, therefore, there are already a ton of students there along with the regular lunch rush. With this said, I always try to get to the place (typically Jersey Giant) as fast as I can, maybe by even exceeding the speed limit in order to beat traffic. This is clearly not the safest option, which is why I propose a longer lunch period. Lunch is the only time in our day where we can relax and have a break from the classroom for 30 minutes. However, the result is just the opposite when we are rushing to go get food. Of course, we can solve this by simply packing lunches instead of buying lunch, but what about students who want to go home at lunch? We pay five dollars each quarter to be able to go off campus, yet we are rushed to go get food and come straight back to school to sit through another two or three classes. I think I speak for most students when I say that it would be nice to have even a few more minutes for lunch in order to feel less rushed getting to and from where we go eat. If one or two minutes were taken off of each class and added our lunches then we would have an extra seven to 14 minutes for to eat! That is not taking too much time away from class, however, it has a huge impact on our time for lunch. Students would not feel rushed or pressured while driving and they could take their time getting their food and eating it without being rushed. This would make lunch time how it is supposed to be: a stress-free break from school work.
opinion
6
Nov. 22, 2018
What it’s like to be real princess Cyber Monday
BY LIZ WILLIAM S Website Editor News flash! I am a real life princess. Trust me, it’s not a scam. As crazy as it sounds, it’s not as spectacular as it seems. Let’s start off with a little background about my family. My family is royalty in a village named Ogere, which is located in the southwestern part of Nigeria, and we belong to the tribe of the Yorubas who rule that area. To some people, this seems pretty cool, but it’s not exactly representative of what you see in the movies. First of all, I live a pretty normal life. Because my family lives in America, nothing special happens on a daily basis. My life is just like any other American teenage girl’s, but I just have a title in another country. Basically, I’m not involved in some sort of Princess Protection Program: if you know what I mean. I know what you’re thinking, “Why don’t you move to Africa and pursue a career there?!” I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have a say in everything. I’m just a part of the bloodline and everything is pretty much up to my parents and relatives. A lot of it has to deal with the fact that I was born here in the United States, so I don’t have a huge role in the village. I’m just the daughter and granddaughter of the people in control. As of right now, my great uncle rules the village, however, my par-
ents have duties to fulfill when they visit. When we are in the country as a family, it is important that we stay confined for our own safety. But my parents go more often than the rest of us. They spend a great deal of time in Nigeria throughout the year, leaving my brothers and I out of the complexities of the royal life. Regardless, when I’m over there, my lifestyle is completely different. I guess I can say that I get special treatment and have people at my service. However, here I’m not exactly your ideal princess. You may be able to compare me to Princess Mia Thermopolis from “The Princess
Diaries.” My life is pretty ordinary, except when I’m in Africa. Like Mia Thermopolis, my last name is not what it appears to be. Williams is a name that was given to my family to protect our identity, so it is not my actual name, but that’s a secret I’ll never tell. There’s a lot more information, however, there are some things I am not authorized to tell you on paper. So I guess you’ll just have to find out. So next time you approach me in the halls, just know that my body guards are legally allowed to take preventative action. Just kidding, I don’t have any!
LIZ WILLIAMS/STAMPEDE
Elizabeth Williams and her family pose for a picture taken at a royal birthday party at the Raddison Plaza Hotel.
Why everyone should listen to
BY MAX ELEY Staff Writer Undoubtedly, the ‘70s and ‘80s had their ups and downs, memorable moments and trends like the mullet, parachute pants and the horrendous cut-off shorts that the world tries to forget. They were definitely experimental time periods -- thank goodness for fanny packs -- but out of them came some bold innovations that drove the future. Truly, one of the best things to come from that generation is the music. Without a doubt, songs from past decades hit differently and urge you to hop out of your chair with a smooth groove. With all the great
aspects of the classics, it is a shame that too many people nowadays don’t listen to or appreciate them. Undoubtedly, everyone should add oldies to their playlists because, in my opinion, they are better than a lot of today’s hits. Music from back then used real instruments to record. Musicians sat down and strummed a physical guitar, beat solid drums and played actual piano keys beneath their fingertips. A considerable number of today’s music is recorded with electronic instruments and edited together with expensive software. Granted, not all recent music is composed like this, however within all oldies music you are able to hear the musician’s passion in the way they play their instruments. Whenever you listen to an artist, it feels as though you are listening to them live because of the fluidity of their songs. Most notably, The Beatles represented this with a lot of their best records, “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be” to be specific. In part with past music’s genuineness, it re-
music
ally was more creative and boundless. Nowhere am I trying to pull apart recent musicians, but I am trying to illuminate the overlooked classics with a prime example being Billy Joel, and his songs such as “Piano Man,” or “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.” The lyrics that he uses far contrast those of today, and they paint a scene in your head when listening to them. Joel uses the lyrics, “Sergeant O’Leary is walking the beat, at night he becomes a bartender. He works at Mr. Cacciatore’s down on Sullivan Street, across from the medical center.” Artists today don’t write like this anymore, which makes the oldies evermore unique. With all said, I admit that it is enjoyable to turn up some soundcloud beats when hitting the gym, but I do prefer oldies in my playlist tenfold. The ingenuity of past artists overall makes them far more replayable. All in all, next time you get a turn with the aux cord, I recommend that you listen to Michael Jackson and “don’t stop ‘til you get enough”.
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triumphs over Black Friday
BY ELLIE GEIB Staff Writer As Thanksgiving nears, our favorite TV shows are interrupted by commercials advertising Black Friday sales with the biggest savings and the newest products. All through our childhood, we heard our parents scoping out the stores they wanted to shop in order to save the most money while avoiding the crowds. Although Black Friday has dominated the market for decades, the emergence of Cyber Monday in 2005 raised a question in the minds of consumers: which day financially benefits the shoppers more? Black Friday and Cyber Monday both have their perks, but Cyber Monday has risen to replace Black Friday as the biggest shopping event in the US. According to Forbes, 58 million people shopped entirely online in 2018, whereas only 51 million people shopped in stores. A drastic difference presents itself in the amount of money spent between the two days. According to ComScore, Cyber Monday raked in $2.7 billion in online sales compared to $1.97 billion on Black Friday last year. Holiday shoppers prefer online shopping because they do not have the added stress of pushing through crowds and waiting in lines while encountering cranky customers or sales associates only to find the item they want is sold out. Not to mention they don’t have to wake up pre-dawn to get the best deals. On Cyber Monday, customers have more success in finding the items they desire as they have access to a seemingly endless selection of products and can compare pricing with a few keystrokes and clicks. Without a doubt, online shopping is far less time-consuming. Many retailers offer free shipping with no minimum purchase as a way to entice more people to make purchases on Cyber Monday. Despite Cyber Monday’s growing popularity and list of advantages, it isn’t for everyone. For many, Black Friday shopping is a ritual that marks the start of the holiday season and they hold strong to this tradition.
COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK
Nov. 22, 2019
student life
Different blood, same love
7
Students proudly open up about their adoption experiences BY LAUREN MCCOLLEY News Editor When I was four years old, my parents adopted my youngest brother, who is now my best friend with whom I have experienced the best adventures throughout the past 14 years. Adopting Cameron was the best thing that happened to our family, and I am grateful for him every day. He is the inspiration for this story, in which I bring awareness to some of the adopted students in our school. Senior Michelle Wadas says her parents told her at a very young age that she was adopted,
therefore she grew up knowing this fact about herself. She was born in Detroit, however, she has no contact with her biological parents due to the fact that it was a closed adoption and she was a baby when her parents brought her home for the first time. Wadas is very grateful for being adopted. She feels so lucky to live in Portage with great, loving parents and two amazing older brothers. “I have been given great opportunities in life like the ability to go to a great school with outstanding academics and sports and growing up with my friends who I absolutely adore,” Wadas said.
COURTESY OF NOAH GATZ
Junior Noah Gatz visits the palace of the Joseph Dynasty in Seoul, South Korea with his parents last summer.
COURTESY OF MICHELLE WADAS
Junior Noah Gatz visited South Korea (he was specifically from Busan) last summer but was not able to contact either of his biological parents since the only information he has on his dad is what his mom told the hospital. He decided against contacting his biological mother, although a difficult decision, because she is 32 years old, and Noah figures she has another family. He felt it wrong to drop in and disrupt the whole family atmosphere.
Although Gatz’ parents did not tell him directly, Gatz said, “There was no specific point when I figured out that I was adopted. It was just an assumed fact due to me being the only Asian in a totally white family.” Telling people that you are adopted is a sensitive topic that some people choose not to share, but these two peers shared their story to attempt to spread their gratefulness for being adopted and showing that, to them, it is a blessing.
Senior Michelle Wadas smiles for a photo with her parents after a cross country meet this season.
College deadlines are coming quicker than you think BY ASHNA MEHRA Co-Editor in Chief College. A word that has seniors on the edge of their seats, feeling like they’ve lost control. How many universities should I apply to? How do I write an essay that makes me stand out? With all of these questions looming over their heads, seniors often put off the college application process until it is too late. With the deadlines for early action recently passed, students have to start thinking about the next steps for their future. For many, the application process has to start months before the actual application is due. Applying to 10 universities, senior Aria Wilson understands the commitment that has to be put into the process. “I started sometime in July because I knew I was going to apply through Common App, and entering all of that information is a time consuming task,” Wilson said. “It was a tedious pro-
cess that involved a lot of time, dedication and research, but I felt prepared to do the work I needed to do to complete my applications.” In addition to writing multiple essays and building a strong resume, students visit campuses to see what fits the best for them. Senior Lydia Williams explains that you need to feel like you belong at the place where you’re going. “I felt lost when I started the process so I started going on visits with my parents and figured out what I liked and disliked based on what I saw,” Williams said. “I am anxious to return to campus for more visits to get a better feel of their environments.” For student athletes like senior Farah Ghazal, college is more than finding a place where your academics fit— Ghazal needs to find a place in which she can excel in her sport as well. “The hardest part of my college application process was finding the balance between athletics and academics,” Ghazal said. “Some of the schools I was looking at had great swim
programs but did not have strong academics, whereas some had great academics but not a very fast swim team. This made it difficult for me because I prioritize academics over swimming, however, I want to swim on a team where I will improve.” In addition to all of this, there are other factors to take into account when choosing where to spend the next four years of your life. Whether it’s the size of the school, the city or the price, the options for colleges are limitless. “A few of the colleges I like are based off of family— two of my top three are the colleges my family members graduated from,” Wilson said. “I also want to attend an HBCU (Historically Black College or University).” At the end of the day, however, all three of these seniors can agree that the hard work and dedication put into applying to colleges will pay off in the end. As Ghazal says, “climbing the mountain was hard, but I’m almost at the top.” ASHNA MEHRA/STAMPEDE
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Farah Ghazal works on a college application at school.
student life
8
Nov. 22, 2019
Meet our students’ unconventional pets BY CAROLINE MAIER Student Life Editor
Hailee Larabee’s pig
Kyle Toutanji’s hedgehog
Emma Grace’s mice
COURTESY OF EMMA GRACE FURGASON COURTESY OF HAILEE LARABEE
COURTESY OF KYLE TOUTANJI
COURTESY OF KYLE TOUTANJI COURTESY OF EMMA GRACE FURGASON
Hailee Larabee’s pig, Olive, eats her food outside, next to her ball pit.
Kyle Toutanji gleefully beholds his hedgehog, Eddie, and smiles.
Emma Grace Furgason’s mice, Bella, Lucy, and Claire play in their cage.
Senior Hailee Larabee owns a pet pig named Olive. “Pigs are just like dogs,” Larabee said. “They can be walked on a leash, and she is litter-trained.” Olive can be cared for like a dog would, but she does have a few quirks of her own. Larabee shared that she’s really intelligent, and has picked up human tendencies, so she can open the refrigerator and cupboards to get to the cereal boxes. Most people get a pet to have a loving companion to be around, and Larabee said she can still do that with Olive. Larabee said that Olive is the best cuddler ever, and it is even better because she always smells like maple syrup.
Senior Kyle Toutanji said the only thing that he does for his pet hedgehog, Eddie, is feed him cat food, and he is very low maintenance compared to other pets. “I got Eddie because I’ve always really liked hedgehogs,” said Toutanji. “I would rather have a gorilla or a hippo, but I wasn’t allowed to.” One of Eddie’s favorite pastimes is to run around in the backyard. “He looks like he’s running a marathon,” Toutanji said. “It’s so funny watching his little legs run, he looks like a Hispanic dancer.”
Senior Emma Grace Furgason has three mice: Bella, Lucy and Claire. “My dog likes to push them around their racetrack,” said Furgason. “The dog will also push them in their hamster balls.” While the mice love to play with the dogs, they also love their ball pit. They jump into off of the bars of their cage in order to get Furgason’s attention when bored, but, luckily, Furgason taught them to go to the edge of their cage when they want attention. “I love that I can take them out and play with them,” said Furgason. “They’re so funny and they like attention.”
What makes a winter break especially outstanding? BY SYDNEY PIEPER Staff Writer Vacation is a place to get away and have fun; a break from the stress of the real world. Many people travel during the few short days we have off during the school year, and for many people this is a much-needed break. These breaks are the perfect opportunity to release tension and relax before the stress of exams hit. For a destination to be vacation-worthy, it should be warm and far, far away from Portage. However, are these vacations more important because of where you are going, or is it who you are going to see? During Thanksgiving and winter break, many people take advantage of these few days to travel with family to warm places. Most kids travel to tropical, warm places down south like Destin, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; or Gulf Shores, Alabama. But, are their travels family-oriented, or based on how extravagant the place looks? Junior Adele Vanderweg feels that travelling for break is fun, but should also be memorable and meaningful. “My favorite place to travel isn’t necessarily any place warm, but I just love the chance to go see family,” Vanderweg said. “And,
this isn’t because I don’t enjoy leaving the snow and cold, but it’s because I have a chance to spend time with my family [who] I rarely ever get to see.” Moreover, many students, such as seniors, see breaks as time to hang with friends and enjoy each others company. Senior Brendan Pieper feels that break is worth it as long as he’s with the people that mean the most to him. “I don’t really care where I go as long as it’s fun and I’m with my friends,” Pieper said. “If I have my good friends that I can hang out with, then it’s always fun for me.” Some kids however don’t have a preference on where to go. Junior Zane Graham doesn’t prefer to go anywhere specific. This place could be snowier than it is at home, but as long as he’s with friends, it all means the same thing. “My parents try to make these vacations family-oriented and fun, but I normally have the most fun when I have friends with me, too,” Graham said. “It’s way more fun with friends because I feel like you’re always around your family, and after a while you just want to get away from them.” For these students, travelling isn’t about where you go, but rather, who accompanies you along the way, which ultimately makes it more fun and enjoyable.
COURTESY OF BRENDAN PIEPER
Seniors Brendan Pieper and Zoe Mason vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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Nov. 22, 2019
student life
9
Teachers share their healthy lifestyle tips BY BENNET T WALTZ Staff Writer How many miles do you run per week? Math teacher Tammy Rearick runs anywhere from 20 to 25 miles in a week. You may be thinking that’s crazy, but Rearick said it’s something she enjoys and has been doing since high school. She’s a long distance runner, and the furthest distance she has ever gone was a marathon (26.2 miles). Rearick also coaches middle school cross country. She said that running helps her clear her mind as well as keeping her healthy both physically and psychologically. Another active teacher here is, coincidentally, also a member of the math department. Matt Tabor is a math teacher whose physical
ity of choice is weightlifting. Tabor said that he lifts weights anywhere from three to five times per week depending on his motivation and consistency. Tabor said that weightlifting is very rewarding physically, and that, even if his motivation is not necessarily high, it still helps him feel accomplished. Weightlifting has helped him to become a healthier person, as well as helping him to make healthier decisions. Yet another active member of the math department is Noah Krzan. He is a long distance runner who maintains a heavy running schedule. Krzan runs three to five marathons a year, and the farthest distance he’s ever gone is 62 miles (100 kilometers). He originally started out just running but,
in recent years, he’s gotten into swimming and cycling. He’s completed one Ironman triathlon, which includes 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running. Krzan said that he finds running to be nearly meditative, and he enjoys running without music on in order to enjoy the scenery around him. It’s taught him discipline and patience as well as the ability to pace himself, and he said it has some highs as well as lows. According to Krzan, running can be tedious and disappointing at times, but incredibly rewarding and glorious at other times. Biology teacher Chris Lane does circuit training 3 times a week as well as also participating in yoga for about 20 minutes. He said that exercising helps him to feel overall healthier. It benefits him both physically and mentally as well as providing him with a certain sense of accomplishment. Although he does not enjoy exercising, Lane said that he doesn’t feel a sense of regret when he does exercise because, “at least it’s something.”
GRIFFIN COLOSKY/STAMPEDE
Teacher Noah Krzan, an avid runner, poses while flexing for the camera.
Who really is the “stretching guy” BY GRIFFIN COLOSKY Staff Writer A school’s staff and faculty is the foundation for its culture and atmosphere. When students are greeted with friendly faces in the morning, it sets the precedent for the rest of their day. New greeter Isaac Hazen helps keep Portage Central upbeat and vibrant through his cordiality and quirks. While it is his first year working as a hall monitor at Central, he is no stranger to the school. Hazen is a former student at Central who graduated in 2013. He is also the son of history and English and teacher Kate Phipps. “I had her as an English teacher my senior year” said Hazen. “ I t ’s
GRIFFIN COLOSKY/STAMPEDE
Issac Hazen poses for a picture while stretching.
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pretty cool working in the same building as her, I get to see her more than I used to. Hazen is enjoying the job so far. He says he likes it and that it’s good to be back at his alma mater. Hazen’s combination of approachability and inclination to make a positive difference is a great quality for someone in his position. “One upside of the job is that I feel like I’m making a positive impact on our community,” said Hazen. One thing that really stands out about Hazen is that he often stretches in front of the Welcome Center throughout the day. He has become somewhat of a mythical figure, as students often stare and wonder what exactly he stretches for. Hazen says that he simply
stretches to keep his body in shape. “When you’re not 18 anymore you don’t just have that bounce back,” said Hazen. “I try to stay active and it just helps.” Hazen is a truly unique figure in the school, and no, it’s not just because of the stretching. His unorthodox yet charismatic nature and ties to the school make for the ideal hall monitor.
entertainment
10
Nov. 22, 2019
Reviews Stampede Classic ’80s movies from the
Apple outsells itself with iPhone 11
Cliché or dismay? BY BRIDGET DOYLE Co-Editor in Chief
BY PATRICK LI Staff Writer On Sept. 20 of this year, Apple unveiled their newest line up of phones for 2019. This included the additions of the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 11 Pro, which will be joining the iPhone XR and iPhone 8 on the shelves. One important update is the camera. This year the iPhone 11 features one wide angle lens, a good performer in low light situations and an ultra-wide lens capturing four times more of the scene than the regular wide angle. The releases of Night Mode and Deep Fusion allow for better low light performance. The iPhone 11 also features a much longer battery life. Compared to last year’s model, the iPhone 11 outperforms the iPhone X. This almost guarantees any user a full day of battery life. The cherry on top is the price, as the iPhone 11 starts at $699, $50 less than the popular iPhone XR released last year. With all these upgrades and features, the price tag makes it a great, more affordable upgrade for consumers. The iPhone 11 is definitely a great buy and one of the best deals of 2019.
Does Disney+ live up to the hype? BY JENNA VLIEK Staff Writer Disney has recently joined the streaming bandwagon with the release of their platform Disney+. Shows and movies from Pixar, “Star Wars,” Marvel, National Geographic and Disney have all gathered to be part of the streaming service. From classics like “Snow White” and “Cinderella” to childhood favorite such as “Hannah Montana” and “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Disney+ provides hours of entertainment for the whole family. Unlike Netflix, Disney will be releasing episodes of their original shows weekly, instead of seasons at a time. One of the shows released is “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”. The series is well made with brilliant settings, costumes, actors and songs. There are many other Disney+ originals currently on the site, or waiting to be added. It works very similarly to Netflix; it has a watchlist, recommendations and auto plays shows. If you are a fan COURTESY OF READER’S DIGEST of Disney, I highly recommend getting Disney+.
The weather is fantastic; the sky is blue and there’s not a cloud in the sky. How could you stay inside on a perfect day like this? With your red ferrari, your best friend and your significant other, you ride off with your head fixed on adventure ahead. Yeah the chances of borrowing a ferrari as a highschooler is very slim, but Ferris Bueller embodies the ideal high school experience: having fun. Whether it’s due to parents or due to the Netflix recommendations, everyone at one time or another has seen an iconic 80s high-schooler movie. Each of the movies are individual with different aspects that make them special. I mean, comparing “Heathers” to “The Adventures in Babysitting does not have a clear parallel, but both movies are just as just as classically cliche. We are all well aware that these movies are cheesy. I mean come on, what are the odds the person you’ve been crushing on will ask you out on your sister’s wedding day? Practically non-existent. What about your prom date that decided to go with someone else? The chances that they find you at the dance and finally realizes their mistakes are slim to none. No one’s life is that perfect. However, it’s the fact that they are cheesy that makes them addictive. Just like the Disney movies we grew up with, we are conditioned to love a story that ends perfectly. A lot of aspects of life are much darker than just a fairytale. Movies are a chance to escape. There’s just something so satisfying about when the guy gets the girl or when the girl saves the whole school from blowing into smithereens. Each of our lives are not perfect in any way, shape or form. We get into trouble, make mistakes, fail tests and the latter. But if Chris Parker and Ferris Bueller can make it home without getting caught after being stuck in inner city Chicago, then maybe things will work out in the end. If a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal can learn to get along in the span of one Saturday detention, maybe the world can learn to solve its own problems. Now if cliche isn’t your thing, the movies are also super funny. They’re witty and presented on the silver screen by extremely talented child actors. If you cannot appreciate the 80s humor for what it is, then laugh at the storyline at the very least. Part of the humor is the concept that events like these could never happen. High school students do not get to avoid consequences after blowing off school, and they definitely do not become murderers overnight. High school is boring, but watching movies that overexaggerate the conflicts that students face every day makes high school seem more interesting. Most of these movies are rated R due to the fact that they were examined when they came out in the 80’s and some jokes and some comments in the shows that have not aged well. However, the overarching plot makes the movies are great. The amount of cliches in each of the movie is perfect to make you laugh in all the right spots and to idolize their plotlines. I mean you might never agree with me, but in the meantime, I’ll be sitting on the couch with my Captain Crunch and Pixy Stix sandwich.
Mom and pop pizza shop thrives BY HAILEY PULLO Staff Writer
Portage is sorely lacking small family restaurants, but the recent opening of Pizza Katerina has helped resolve this issue. The restaurant is located at 635 N. 9 St. Kalamazoo, and is open Tuesday through Saturday. Their pizza is self titled as “New York style” and a 14 inch pizza is only $9.00. Their original cheese is a perfect balance of thin, crispy crust, savory tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. They also offer a completely vegan alternative to their original cheese pie. It tastes almost exactly like its non-vegan counterpart, and is perfect for those who are vegan or allergic to dairy. The restaurant also sells their pizza by the slice. Their lunch special is perfect for any high school students who are looking for a cheap and delicious lunch. It consists of two slices of pizza and a drink for only $5.00.
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COURTESY OF ESQUIRE/STAMPEDE
COURTESY OF NEWSWEEK
A group of unlikely friends form a bond during a Saturday detention in the cult classic “The Breakfast Club”.
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sports
Nov. 22, 2019
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Mustangs are heating up this winter Alpine Skiing
Basketball
Bowling
Swimming and Diving
BY PATRICK LI Staff Writer
BY RANYA JAMAL Opinion Editor
BY ELLIE GEIB Staff Writer
BY CAITLIN GAST Entertainment Editor
COURTESY OF LINDA KOZACKI
COURTESY OF NICK FORD
COURTESY OF KYRA GRANT
COURTESY OF SYDNEY SONDAY
There are many different sports to cheer on this season; however, one that is often overlooked is alpine skiing. Many students love to ski recreationally, but few realize it requires very technical details to master. “What I like most about the team are the coaches and teammates,” Sophomore Olivia Jensinius said. “We are very close and friendly towards each other.” This seems to be the general precedent. As senior Michael Reverski said, “I enjoy the friendship and the family we created the most out of everything we have achieved together. The team also acquires a lot of foreign exchange students that join the team, which is great as we are opened up to new perspective. It really makes a for very cohesive family.” The team is open to everyone who is interested and encourages anyone to come join. “The best way to support the team is by joining the team!” sophomore Daniel Grile said. “You do not need to be an Olympic skier to join. Ski racing is a sport that you can just have fun in, hang with your friends during practice and enjoy the outdoors. Racing will only further improve your skiing skills.” Races are held every Wednesday starting Jan. 8. Before it snows, the team will also be working out in the weight room.
As we slowly jump into winter sports, we must address basketball and the players’ drives to have the most successful season. Both the girls and boys basketball teams anticipate competition and a hype student section. Senior Itohan Ogbomo, a 4-year high school basketball player, says she is most excited to work hard with her team to win their games. Ogbomo said “We plan to beat everyone in our district and receive the title of conference champions.” Not only is Ogbomo thrilled for the season, but so are many other mens players, including senior Alex Bowman. Bowman is also a 4-year high school basketball player who has always played with some of his best buds. With the addition of last year’s JV team to our current varsity team, athletes are eager to see success and teamwork. Bowman says he is most excited for the memories he will make with his teammates this year. Sophomore Mason Bell looks most forward to playing in the rivalry game against Northern. Students and super fans nearly worship the basketball game. Basketball games serve as a fun thing to do on a winter night. Ogbomo suggests that people should go to the girl’s basketball as liberally too! “We are a great team,” said Ogbomo. “People will enjoy seeing us win.”
Bowling is one of the sports this winter that is unrecognized but very challenging and rewarding for the players. “I enjoy being a part of the bowling team at Portage Central because the coaches are very nice and being part of a winning team is always fun,” senior Ben Kahmark said. Kahmark’s favorite part of bowling is knocking down pins and winning games. “Bowling is a great experience because you can still experience the atmosphere of a team sport without a high risk of injury,” Kahmark said. Kahmark is not the only bowler with a fondness for the team. Junior Kyra Grant loves the team atmosphere. “My favorite part of bowling is definitely the practices,” Grant said. “I love spending time with my teammates and making new friends in the process.” Grant recommends that anyone interested in bowling join the team because it is a fun experience that many people do not know about. “I feel like a lot of people think of bowling as a joke, but it is actually super fun and competitive,” Grant said. The next time you are looking for a winter sport to participate in, consider joining the bowling team. Although it may not be as popular as basketball, it promises to be an experience you will not want to miss this winter.
Remaining undefeated in the SMAC conference is no easy feat, yet the Women’s Swimming and Diving team has succeeded with flying colors. Holding this title, however, is not the most meaningful part of being on the team. “I think our greatest achievement as a team has been the growth that each swimmer has made in their own events to help further the teams success,” junior Molly Longman said. “No matter if someone drops 0.5 seconds in their event or 15 seconds, all growth is success for the team!” Achieving this title has proved to be extremely difficult. “There’s summer conditioning, dry land on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, as well as morning swim on Monday and Friday mornings,” junior Lauren Crump said. “There’s also two and a half hour practices after school every day.” Every player is fully committed and ready to do their best to help the team succeed in anyway that they can. “My favorite part about being on this team is my teammates for sure,” Longman said. “They are very encouraging during practice and meets which makes swimming much more enjoyable.” From the fierceness of each of the players to the extensive amount of practice and work, it’s no wonder the team has become so successful.
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stampede
Nov. 22, 2019