Stampede
Class of 2018 Kindergarten photos
C E N T R A L
May 31, 2018
Vol. 24, Issue 6
centralstampede.com
@CentralStampede
page 6-7
Portage Central H.S. l 8135 S. Westnedge Ave. l Portage, MI 49002
Class of 2018 says goodbye to
P C H S
BY IS A BEL L A WIL S O N Editor-in-Chief James Phillips will be taking the place of veteran adviser Cheryl Braford next fall, as she steps down after more than 17 years as newspaper adviser. Braford is retiring from her role but will continue teaching English. Phillips will continue teaching English while also advising the newspaper and teaching introductory journalism. “The time just felt right,” said Braford, a former journalist herself. “I will certainly miss the relationships I’ve built with so many former ‘Stampeders,’ but I feel the newspaper will really benefit from someone with some new, fresh ideas. Next fall will be strange, as I’ve never taught high school without also teaching journalism, but I know James will do a fabulous job.” Phillips said he is excited for the challenge. “I think it will be hard in some ways because Mrs. Braford has done such a great job for such a long time, and when you are able to do something for a while, everything gets set in a certain way,” he said. “As a new person, I could do the exact same thing, and it would still not have the same effect because it would be me doing it instead of her, so I anticipate some growing along the way.” While there will be challenges with the change of leadership, Phillips ensures students that the newspaper will not face many changes, and will continue publishing news both online and in print. “I don’t plan on changing much just because I don’t see any reason to change something that has worked so well for so long,” Phillips said. “After a year or maybe even longer of doing things as Mrs. Braford has done successfully, I’ll see if there is anything that might need to be changed, and it might not be anything.” Many emotions come with the change but both Braford and Phillips look forward to next year’s schedule. “I’m looking forward to just coming back. That’s been one of my favorite things about working at Portage Central- even being back in my hometown as an adult,” Phillips said. “You knew what everything looked like above water, but now you can scuba dive and see what it’s like under the waves. I’m really looking forward to being able to engage as a Mustang that much more in the school.” Phillips previously worked with the Stampede during his high school career as a staff writer and News Editor from 2006 to 2009, and is excited to be back in the newsroom as an advisor. “When I thought of having an extracurricular role outside of my main job, I felt most comfortable with one day taking over the Stampede,” Phillips said. “I don’t know how things will turn out ultimately, but I don’t really see myself stepping out or leaving this role. It’s just something that I’ve been so excited to be a part of, and I’ve wanted to do more with earlier, but now I'm actually getting the opportunity.” The Central Stampede staff thanks Braford for all of the work she has provided, and the love she has shared over the past 17 years. They are eager to work with Phillips in continuing to publish news both online and in print. “I am very, very humbled that Mrs. Braford approached me, and it was an honor for her to do that,” Phillips said. “I feel very blessed that I get to be in this position now.”
What’s Inside... What’s your summer sandal: Birks or Chacos?
Long-time Stampede adviser steps down
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Mrs. Scott’s mission to Mozambique
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Teamwork makes the dream work: The allure of escape rooms
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news
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May 31, 2018
in brief
Changes made to nutrition standards
Final exam week begins Monday, June 11
BY BRYAN C ASS EM Entertainment Editor The Trump administration has announced changes in the federal nutrition standards established by former First Lady Michelle Obama that will impact schools across the nation. The previous nutrition regulations have been in effect for the past five years and require that school cafeterias must reduce the amount of sodium, calories and fat in their meal options and incorporate more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nonfat milk. Under the new regulations, the government is no longer forcing schools to comply with many of the nutritional guidelines that were previously stated. According to the New York Times, schools may request to be exempt from the whole grain requirements and delay the sodium mandate as of next school year. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said that the government’s decision to relax the former guidelines is part of an effort to “make school meals great again,” as stated by the Times. He argued that many students do not eat the required nutritional food options, so it ends up going to waste and they are not receiving the nutrition that the program was intended to give. “While the healthier food does taste slightly worse, it’s not so bad,” sophomore Brennan Kettler said. “I don’t mind sacrificing taste if it means being healthier and saving a few calories, but I don’t think it should be mandatory for students to eat healthy because it leads to wasted food.” Susan Livingston, director of dining services at Portage Public Schools, said she believes that Perdue has made some good modifications to the existing guidelines. “I don’t think that all of the regulations should be changed, just maybe modified a little,” Livingston said. “One area I think should be revisited is the requirements for fruits and vegetable. That is the one that I feel gives food service staff more headaches simply because it is a challenge with some students to get them to take the required amount. I also feel it is wasteful as most of the students may not be eating the fruits or vegetables, primarily at the secondary level.” The Times added that several schools dislike the nutrition standards established under the Obama administration, claiming that they are too costly. As a result, Congress has allowed states to apply for waivers if they are unable to meet nutritional standards.
PICTURE
Final exams for underclassmen are scheduled to begin on Monday, June 11. Exam sessions are scheduled from 7:45 to 9:45 a.m., and from 9:55 to 11:55 a.m., Monday through Thursday that week. As is typical, exams begin Monday with 1st and 2nd hour classes, followed by 3rd and 4th on Tuesday, 5th and 6th on Wednesday, and 7th hour with a makeup exam session immediately following that on Thursday. COURTESY OF TIME MAGAZINE
Juuling has become an aspect of teen culture due to its ease of purchase by minors.
Crackdown on ‘Juuling’ BY W I L L S C H E F F E L Staff Writer The FDA is cracking down on e-cigarette companies in an effort to stop teens who aren’t legally able to purchase vapes from obtaining them. 1.7 million students said they had used a vaporizer in the past 30 days, according to the 2016 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Because of the large number of high school students who use a vaporizer, or Juul, this decision has the possibility for massive repercussions. One in every four high school students used a tobacco product in 2015, and that number has now increased, according to the Science News for students website. As of now, the usage of the products that vaporize liquid in order to deliver nicotine may have serious long term effects, but there isn’t enough information to know about the potential effects. A Juul is a type of vaporizer that is small, about the size of a thumb drive. It vaporizes the e-liquid, which contains nicotine, and thus delivers it to the body. The dangerous aspect is that it the devices have the capability to deliver more nicotine in less time than other methods, like cigarettes. “It is more common now, I believe, because kids are getting exposed to it too easily,” an anonymous senior said. “It doesn’t help that it is very easy for minors to get stuff to Juul now, because they have friends who are 18.” These students likely get vaporizers from their friends at school, which is an area the school could
work to crack down in. Despite the lack of information about long term effects, scientists have recently found a dangerous short term effect that hasn’t been addressed up until now. According to a study by John Hopkins University, the heating coils are leaking dangerous chemicals and into the vapor that is inhaled. Lead is one of the dangerous substances being leaked. According to the surgeon general’s website, some of the e-liquids also contain dangerous substances. These can include chemicals linked to serious lung disease and volatile organic substances. “It’s just another way to deliver nicotine,” health teacher Jim Schafer said. “It’s just as addictive as any other nicotine product.” Nicotine has a negative effect on brain development in adolescents and young adults, according to the surgeon general website. Along with the nicotine, there is also a whole variety of chemicals, as previously mentioned, that aren’t good for brain development. “Vaping is just another way to promote bad addiction,” Schafer said. The FDA likely hopes this crackdown will work to minimize these risks for teenagers and high school students. According to an article by the New York Times, many schools are saying they were blindsided by the amount of juuls and other devices in their schools, and the FDA expects that this number may be caused by these companies trying to market to young people, which is what the crackdown is supposed to stop.
New natatorium opens for swimming next year BY MAGGIE FARR ELL Staff Writer The brand new Portage Central Natatorium will be having a grand opening celebration on Aug. 1. The facility will offer an eight-lane competition pool, a diving well, as well as updated locker rooms and stands. Many athletes who use the pool are thrilled for many reasons, including that the new pool will be adjoined to the school. This means nobody will have to walk through the back parking lots to access the pool. “I’m excited for the kids because I think they`ve been waiting for this for a long time,” head
varsity Coach Schafer said. “Just the convenience of it being attached to the high school makes it a lot easier for everyone.” The new pool will be much larger than the previous one at Central Middle School, offering up to 11 lanes for practice. Since the old pool had six lanes, the extra lane space will be utilized tremendously. Junior Julia Semler said that she is excited to have enough lanes to spread out and have a separate lane for sprinters. With the old pool being built in 1974, the locker rooms and the pool deck tended to get extremely cold. Semler said she is looking forward to warmer changing spaces during the winter months. Along with the pool, athletes will have all new training equipment. Freshman Frans Tanade says
he looks forward to being able to use the new resources to help him improve in the water. “I think that the new pool will have better equipment in order to give more chances for us to improve,” Tanade said. “The feeling of ‘new’ will also create an impact to motivate the whole team to represent the team as a high standard just like the pool itself.” The new facility will also offer ample seating in the bleachers. Tanade believes the extra seating space will hopefully bring out more spectators to watch events. “In the past, I think a lot of kids have taken pride in the program,” Schafer said. “Hopefully with the addition of the new facility, they can take pride in the facility and the program.”
Last summer training for library volunteering The last scheduled training session for volunteers at the Portage District library will take place on Tuesday. This training session is required for anyone who wants to volunteer at the library from June through August. All volunteers who attend this required session must be over the age of 14. The session begins at 7 pm and finishes about 8 pm.
Library offers Ext. Essay help for IB students The Portage District Library will be hosting an “IB Boot Camp” throughout the summer. The event takes place on the third Friday of June, July and August; on June 15, July 20 and August 17. The main goal of this event is to assist students with writing their Extended Essays, which are part of the requirements for graduating with the IB Diploma. The librarians and staff will be there to help the students research their topics.
Art fair begins Friday in Bronson Park The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts art fair begins Friday and runs through Saturday. The event takes place in Bronson Park and admission is free for everyone. The fair features almost 190 selected artists from throughout the United States. On Friday, the artists are in the park from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, artists are in the park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday also features children’s activities from noon to 4 p.m. The fair also will feature family activities. The art displayed will include jewelry, photography, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, glass, fiber, leather and wood. There will also be some musicians featured.
Graduation livestream starts at 6:45 p.m. Tonight’s graduation ceremony will be livestreamed from the Portage Public Schools YouTube account. The livestream will begin at around 6:45 p.m. and will record the entire ceremony, and the ceremony will likely appear on the Portage Public Schools YouTube account afterwards. Any family who will miss the ceremony should be sure to tune in to watch it.
news
May 31, 2018
Arrivederci Adios
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Goodbye
Auf Wiedersehen
Salaam
Au revoir
Retiring teachers and counselors reflect on years in education
Mrs. Kelly
Mrs. Wynkoop
Mrs. Scott
Mrs. Hoffman
1. How many years have you been teaching at Portage Central? 25.
20.
28.
21.
I will miss the wonderful and dear friends I have made over the years.
Coworkers, students and their families.
Connections with the kids. I have been around kids for many decades, and I will miss those connections.
I will not miss getting up at 5:30 a.m. and 6:00. I am not a morning person, nor will I miss those awful-sounding bells and drills.
Meetings, schedule changes and meetings again.
Not much. I really love teaching and being in the Portage Central environment.
To love more, to listen more, to judge less, to encourage more and to laugh more, the freedom of forgiveness of oneself and others.
Don’t be quick to judge. Everybody has a story; if you learn about their story, then you learn why things are the way they are.
Listen to the kids. Hear what they are saying; they have great things to say. We just need to listen.
ceptable work environment. Students who would normally sign up for IB Art will still have different options that they can take instead of the standard level class, but they still will not learn the same things as IB. For example, they have the option of taking Design I or II. There will also be an EFA art class offered at the school next year in place of the IB class, and will be around the same level as the IB course. “There is no particular reason,” King said. “It has to do with numbers.” According to King, the cuts are not permanent but instead due to the fact that not enough students signed up for the class next year. Once more
kids sign up to take the classes, they will be offered again, but until then students have to take alternative classes. Even though the IB Art and IB Theatre classes will not be offered next year, King said that the art program itself is actually growing. He says it comes in waves, and last year was a particularly good year for the program. Senior Dominick Wilson said that students who will be taking the class will be disappointed because the kids who take the class had the opportunity to do a lot of new and fun things, and it not being offered is a disappointment. The cuts to the IB Theatre and Art SL classes are not permanent, but will be temporarily cut un-
til more students sign up for the class. While students may be disappointed they cannot take the IB class, they are still able to take Design II which is around the same level as the IB class, according to King. Students will still be able to take other art classes but will not be able to take it at an IB level. Junior Camille Smaling said that she learned how to do so many new things, and the class took her art to a whole new level. Smaling also said that IB Art is her favorite class, and more people should sign up for it because it isn’t as hard as it seems. “It makes me feel like they missed out on an opportunity,” said Smaling.“It’s a really fun class.”
2. What will you miss the most about teaching? I will miss teaching and the students I have come to know.
3. What will you miss the least? Grading papers, and the volume of papers I have to grade.
4. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned while teaching? Students teach me more than I teach them, such as life lessons and solving personal problems.
IB art and theatre to take one-year hiatus BY C AR OLIN E MA IER Staff Writer The IB Art and IB Theatre classes at the standard level will not be offered for students next year; however, students signed up for the second year of the higher level course can continue the program. Teacher Joe King said that the school is still deciding on whether it will offer IB Art HL I next year. According to King, it will be hard to run the first year of HL because the class would most likely be offered as an independent study, not an actual class, but it is difficult to give them an ac-
opinion
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May 31, 2018
Loosening federal nutrition guidelines a smart move For the past few years, federal nutrition guidelines under former President Obama have impacted all public schools throughout the nation, and their effects have been felt by all lunch buyers: reduced levels of fats, sodium and sugars, and the disappearance of oftentimes cherished snacks and desserts. With the election of a new president with less progressive views toward nourishment, the Trump Administration favors
Stampede C E N T R A L
Isabella Wilson Bella Pedraza Editors-in-Chief Samhita Sunkara......................................News Editor Ashna Mehra........................................ Opinion Editor Zach Bumgarner.............................Student Life Editor Bryan Cassem..............................Entertainment Editor Drew Goretzka & Jack Juday..............Sports Editors Carter Colosky..........................................Photo Editor Staff Writers: Paige Berry, Daaren Bukhari, Ethan Campbell, Sylvie Croteau, Maggie Farrell, Grace Foster, Elliana Hamilton, Ranya Jamal, James Johnson, Ethan Lee, Charlie Levy, Caroline Maier, Lauren McColley, Will Scheffel, Jack Shinabarger and Rowan Thawley Business Manager: Alyson Koh Website Manager: Kaoru Murai Adviser: Cheryl Braford 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. 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. 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. 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. Phone: (269) 323-5218
The Central Stampede
Portage Central High School 8135 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, MI 49002
slackening nutriment guidelines that were once the dominant focus of cafeterias. With a pending decision to render Obamaera policies obsolete, the choice is not only fitting but advantageous in numerous ways. The conscious choice to purchase unhealthy meals is one that is obviously up to a student; it is his or her personal decision
to eat nutritious or unhealthy meals. While schools previously forced all students to consume healthy servings, schools should leave that choice up to the customer. Forcing students to take a side of fruit, for example, will encourage pupils to trash the lunchroom counter, rather than giving them an invigorating advantage. Healthful food standards were
staf f editorial
five Zane Graham, 9th
Kiana Martin,10th
on
not only wasteful, but costly to meal providers. In a more personal connection, Portage Central would have the refreshing opportunity to sustain its bake sales, which provide a profitable method for fundraising for many school organizations. While it is true that the removal of nutrition benchmarks may engender factors such as childhood obesity, the reversal of dietary stances is welcoming.
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Ethan Lucas-Belitz, 11th
Madison Cochensparger,12th
Mr. Turner
1. How often do you see people vaping in the bathroom? (p. 2) I see some losers vaping, and it makes me sad to see them ruining their lives.
A lot. Every week I see a What’s a vape? group of girls go into a big stall to vape, especially in the cafeteria bathroom.
Not very often, but it definitely smells like it in the bathrooms.
Have not seen anyone vape since I have been here.
2. Do you think Chromebooks are a good tool in the classroom, or a new distraction? (p. 5) Games help me focus.
I think they are a good tool because it is easier to type notes and do quick research.
They’re more convenient for taking notes, but teachers always say how much better handwritten notes are.
I think it depends on the class. In classes like seminar, they are really helpful, but in my general classes I’ve noticed it’s a distraction.
Depends on the class in my opinion. Distractions can come from anywhere.
3. What did you name your car, or if you had a car, what would you name it? (p. 6) KARR - Knight Automated Roving Robot (pronounced “car”)
My car used to be my brother’s, “Gerty,” short for Gertrude.
I named my G6 “Trusty Rusty Dusty,” TRD for short.
Delilah.
Betsy. 2001 Malibu. She lasted 10 years with me. What a sweetheart!
4. If you could take anyone to an escape room who would you take and why? (p. 10) Tom Holland because he’s Aiden Eichman because you can trust him even at a smart, funny and has spider tech. high speed. That’s why we call him “speedy pie” on the mound.
Donkey from “Shrek.” Thanos, and Mr. King. Don’t ask me why.
My friend Sydney Barrett. She’s always thinking outside the box and helps push me to my full potential in anything.
My girlfriend, Jaqueline. No matter where we go, who we are with, we always feel comfortable together.
5. Would you play sports at college without a scholarship? Why or why not? (p. 11) I would not because I would Yes. I would play soccer pursue other things like because I love the game and becoming a doctor. it would help me stay in shape.
No because I’ll probably be a broke boy in college.
No. With the time commitment that you’re signing up for, it doesn’t seem worth it to me.
I played football at WMU and was a preferred walk - on for two years! So yes, I would. I wanted to push myself to the highest level.
opinion
May 31, 2018
Which shoe steps it up? B Y E LLIE HAMILT ON Staff Writer Everyone thought I was crazy for wearing Birkenstocks and socks my freshman year. Little did people know that I would be the trendsetter for an amazing shoe. Birkenstocks are way better than Chacos. They form to your foot, they are more stylish and they last forever! Thank you to the old men who wore them before us, for shining a light on these amazing shoes. Birkenstocks are made out of cork and leather, which are materials that last forever and shape to your foot. They are my go-to shoe for every season. You can wear them in the warm months barefoot, or in the colder months with some cute socks. The Arizona Birkenstocks, the ones with two straps, are the most common, but there are so many other shoe styles to try out as well. I own the two strap ones, and I wear those mostly in the warmer months. There are a countless number of colors and designs from the Birkenstock company to choose from. There are soft bed and hard bed soles to decide from. The best part about the soles is that after you wear them for a while, they conform to your feet; they take the shape of your arch and become insanely comfortable. The more you wear them, the more comfortable they get. Also, Birkenstocks are made in Germany, while Chacos are made in China (just like everything else in this world). Birkenstock makers also have more experience in crafting shoes. Birkenstocks are the obvious choice over Chacos. They are more stylish, more comfortable and last longer. Chacos have nothing on Birkenstocks.
B Y SAMHIT A SUNKARA News Editor
COURTESY OF BIRKENSTOCK.COM
COURTESY OF CHACOS.COM
Unlike most people, I have no arches in my feet. Having dealt with numerous sprained ankles and other associated problems due to this abnormality, wearing the right shoes is extremely important to me. Both Birkenstock and Chaco target their products for people like me. However, I can declare that, without a shadow of a doubt, Chacos are the superior footwear. The rigidity of Birkenstock sandals make them incredibly unbearable to wear for long periods of time. The material that Birkenstock uses to form the arch support is extremely inflexible, which makes it especially difficult for people with lowarched feet to wear. Chaco’s flexible, rubbery sandal has the arch support required to make it a beneficial shoe, but also has flexibility which provides comfort for those whose feet are not quite adapted to high arches. Chacos also have far more variety than any Birkenstock sandal does. With Birks, you are limited to a few different sandal styles and a few colors to choose from. Chaco provides a multitude of colored straps and designs to suit anyone’s preferences. And for the creative mind, Chaco has a customized sandal where you can mix-and-match your own colors, patterns and styles of sandal. I have had my Chaco sandals and boots for two years, and I have only seen one person with the same exact shoes as me. Overall, Chaco is the better footwear company to suit everyone’s needs. Being part of the target audience for these, I can say without a doubt that the comfort and benefit of Chacos sandal is incomparable to Birkenstock. Also, the variety that Chaco offers presents more appealing and unique options to your personal taste.
Having divorced parents isn’t that bad B Y RANYA J A MA L Staff Writer I get two birthday celebrations every year and twice as many presents from each of my parents, and no, I’m not a spoiled brat, but yes, my parents are divorced. Divorce is something that most people perceive as negative, but I’m here to tell you that having divorced parents is as good as having married parents. So if your parents are going through a divorce or your parents have been divorced, and you seem to struggle a little bit, this is for you. Contrary to what most would think, you will learn many valuable life skills throughout the
course of a divorce. One of those is learning how to pack. It’s a fact: anyone with divorced parents is excellent at packing (source = me). You know your necessities and the clothing items that’ll be the most versatile because you have to rely on them so often. You know how much is enough, and how to not overpack. Whenever I’m going on vacation, I pack about an hour before I leave, and I’ve never over -packed, under-packed, or left anything behind, only because my parents are divorced. Having divorced parents is different in every situation, and the only person that’ll ever understand your situation is your sibling. My brother and I have grown extremely close because we spend more time with each other than all of our friends, parents and other family. Going through hardships with people you love strengthens your relationship, and divorce will always strengthen the relationship between you and your sibling. With divorce, there are many custody arrangements, which in most cases are 50 percent of the kids’ time with one parent, and 50 percent with
the other. While this means you only get to see each parent half of the time, you learn to cherish every moment with them, because you know you’ll be leaving them soon. It also leaves more time for just you and your sibling to show your love for a single parent, instead of both at the same time. Like anything, it’s not always perfect. You may get into an argument with one parent or even a sibling, and instead of going up to your room and watching YouTube videos all night to avoid them, you have a whole other house to escape to! Getting the news that your parents are getting a divorce may seem like the end of the world, but it isn’t. Married parents, and divorced parents each have their own perks and downfalls, but the balance is fine. Life doesn’t always go as planned, so when it doesn’t, and all of a sudden there are two houses, look to the bright side. That bright side is bearable, and trust me, it’s all right in the end.
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Chromebooks aren’t used to their full potential in classes
B Y WI L L SC HEFFEL Staff Writer The school spent a large amount of money to supply students with Chromebooks which are being poorly used. Teachers are incredibly worried about the misuse of Chromebooks and other technology in the classroom. Their worry has led to some teachers being extremely strict about using technology; some threaten to give students 2:50s if they use them in class. The decision to not allow students to use Chromebooks in class eliminates an important learning tool, and needlessly complicates students’ days. As could have been expected, with the increase in computers, there has also been an increase in how often students are using the internet to cheat on homework (at least many teachers apparently think so). As a response to this issue, some teachers have decided to not allow the usage of Chromebooks in the classroom. This doesn’t begin to help the problem. For the most part, students who are using sites to cheat, don’t use these sites at school, as they have a likelihood of being caught in the act; instead, many students use these sites at home, where there is zero risk of being caught. Some teachers haven’t allowed students to try and prove that they can use computers responsibly during class. At the beginning of the year they instructed students to not even open their Chromebooks -- they said that the penalty for doing so would be the same as using your phone in class. Despite the fact many teachers are extremely worried about monitoring students to make sure that they aren’t playing games, the monitoring isn’t particularly necessary. Letting students play games when they should be taking notes or typing shouldn’t be that big of an issue. At a certain point, letting students do this is just a part of teaching students about time management. The assignment is still going to be due on the same date, so they are only wasting their own time. If they aren’t taking notes or they are cheating on homework, they are only hurting themselves by doing poorly on tests. The Chromebooks were a good idea. However, because this is the first year using them, there is still plenty of time to improve. The Chromebooks provide a lot of potential in the form of new ways to teach students; the school just needs to learn how to take advantage of this potential.
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student life
May 31, 2018
More than the sum of its parts Students explain their love for their cars and the stories behind their personalities BY ZACH BU M GA R NER Student Life Editor
Hundreds of cars fill the student parking lot day after day. Some of these cars are their owners prized possessions and these owners have assigned their vehicle a whole personality. The first thing that comes with owning a car is naming it. Most cars receive their name for a certain reason. Senior Breleigh Foerster has a laughable and logical story behind her cars name.
“I named my car Carlito because it is a Ford Fiesta and I wanted to go with something Spanish,” Foerster said. Senior Alex Frey is another student that takes pride in her car. She drives a minivan and wanted a fitting name. “Marilyn is a minivan and that is so classy that naturally I had to name her after Marilyn Monroe,” Frey said. The bond between one and their automobile goes much farther than a simple name though.
Junior Konnor McLeod knows exactly what his car would be like if it was a person. “Since my car is a Subaru muscle car I’m sure it would be a very loud and strong Japanese man,” McLeod said. After owning a car for an extended period of time, you realize what makes your car so amazing. “My favorite thing about my car is the fact that it has 13 total cup holders and 7 seats,” Frey said. “There’s so much room and that is what
makes Marilyn a party on wheels.” A good car is there when you need it most. Luckily for Foerster, Carlito is always there for her. “He’s speedy so I can always trust him with risky turns,” Foerster said. “He also kept me safe when someone hit me.” Giving your car its own personality can be lots of fun, but in these students case it’s about the friendship made with their vehicles.
CARTER COLOSKY/STAMPEDE
Courtesy of ALEX FREY
Name of vehicle: Marilyn Owner of vehicle: Alex Frey Model: Toyota Sienna Best Trait: Its 13 cup holders
Name of vehicle: Malecai Owner of vehicle: Konnor McLeod Model: Subaru WRX STI Best trait: Its big spoiler
Courtesy of BRELEIGH FOERSTER
Name: Carlito Owner of vehicle: Breleigh Foerster Model: Ford Fiesta Best trait: Speedy and able to take risks
The roots behind Vinnie’s, the beloved coffee shop BY DA A R EN BU KHA R I Staff Writer Many of us, as students, have passed by the library and taken a glimpse near the entrance, in which Vinnie’s stands. Not many people who pass by the warm inviting coffee joint though know the exact history that has molded Vinnie’s into what it is today. Vinnie’s as a whole began back around 9-10 years ago by retired art teacher Jill Waskowsky, and it’s made quite the change from what Courtesy of REBECCA FREDERKINS it used to be. “Mrs. Waskowsky started it at the old building,” Sara Brown, Media Center librarian said.“She ran it out of her room, and when we came to the new building, she ran it up here.” The name of Vinnie’s originated from Waskowsky’s old cat,
which was named after Vincent Van Gogh, and the old logo and picture of Vinnie’s does somewhat depict the picture of Vincent himself. With so many years of being open, the establishment was eventually handed down to art teacher Joe King, who over time handed it down to the library staff of Sara Brown and Chris Teugh, along with a staff of volunteers, who now run the shop. Vinnie’s was originally started by the art department to raise funds, but eventually the main goal of the store changed over time, as its “owners” changed. “It had been run completely by the art department, and this is the first year the library took it over,” Brown said. The goal and purpose of Vinnie’s has come a long way from what it used to be. Vinnie’s itself doesn’t earn that much money to the point where it can fund many things that the staff wants, but the smiles and fun environment it energizes in the library is worth its weight. “We’re not really in it for the money, but we love to bring a smile to the staff and students,” Brown said. The staff works hard to create a friendly and joyful environment, allowing students to conversate with the two fellow retired teachers who stay around the store, Bob Walker and Bette Kienbaum. “With our wonderful volunteers Bob Walker and Betty Kienbaum, they enrich our lives and there’s always some shenanigans,” Teugh said. “We call it the Bob and Betty show.”
Everyone has seen the two older folks who go around putting wrist bands on students and passing out candy whenever they receive the chance to do so, and Vinnie’s is the main reason why they’re able to do this. According to the library, without Vinnie’s, these two wonderful folks wouldn’t be able to put the clean smile on students’ faces, and the staff that they do now. With so much interesting background to Vinnie’s, there’s a lot on their plate that they offer to students and the school. They have many selections of drinks and small knick-knacks that students can drop by and purchase. From coffee, to hot chocolate, students all around the school really do love the drinks that they offer, but they could get more publicity to the school than they deserve. And, according to the staff, they serve the best coffee there is! “We’ve bought Dunkin Donuts and Water Street on the board, but we’re open to others,” Teugh said. For the most part, Vinnie’s has met the goals that it had set out with its new staff, but it’s still welcoming new ideas to the table, such as selling T-shirts, which just started recently. “This year has been development year, where we’ve expanded the menu, added a clothing line, and added volunteers,” Teugh said. “We’ve met a lot of our goals already, like staying open consistently, and it took a lot of advanced planning during the summer, but there’s more coming.”
central stampede • senior issue • may 31, 2018
WHERE WE’RE GOING... Riley Alvord Hnin Aung Breeanna Baccale Ryan Beeman Evan Begeman James Benedict Dawson Blevins Rachel Boekeloo Samantha Brooks Mia Collins Camelle Craft Megan Cummins Fernanda Diaz Breleigh Foerster Ferris Ghazal Stephanie Gonser Caitlin Green Katrelle Harvey Kayla Hiemstra Katelynn Hoig Bethanie Holroyd Keygan Horn Lianna Horn Brooklyn Joslyn Madison Keleman Emma Kite Ethan Kloosterman Kamal Kouja Adam Mason Kelsey McGowan Devon McKay Emma McKillop Grace Metheany Hannah Mitchell Morgan Mitchell Emma McHolland Allison Paradine Jonathan Parker Kaj Peck Claire Pence Bailey Pickrell Cole Powers Emily Rider Emma Roebuck Jaquelyn Roth Kayla Sherman Brian Smith Jacobus Spanhak Derek Steffic Quinlyn Stephan Siarha Tangeman Whitney Tolmacs Brianna Totten Jasmine Valdovinos Amanda Valente Linea Wallace Evan Werner Du’Shone Williams Zackery Woolsey
Abdullah Akhtar Kaylan Anderson Jordyn Barnes Sydney Barrett Nicholas Behnke Hayden Bernardine Angel Budden Madison Cochensparger Erek Decker Nathan Ely Rebecca Federkins Charlie Finstrom Anissa Fontanilla Grace Foster Taylor Gittinger Grace Hall Olivia Harning Megan Higley Anthony Huberty Hannah Halleward Zeeshan Kayani Asfandyar Khan Elijah Kilian Jessalyn Kline Shayna Krawczyk Noah Lee Charles Levy Cobey Loc Madison Lovell Abigail Main Anna Mayoras Anelyse Mowery Tana Neeb Mitchell Northcut Tavis Peet Caitlin Pung Parker Rapp Hailey Roenigk Harvin Sandhu Derek Searing Garrett Stace Christopher Styrlund Rowan Thawley Zachary Vladic Michael Wolfe Esmee Zonadag Ryan Zondag
Emmerson Douglas Collin Palmer Allison Sturgeon Luke Westra
Hajra Alam Loren Bly Steven Brooks John Culbertson Alexandra Frey Kathleen Franz Charlie Godsil Maximillion Godsil Drew Goretzka John Hart Joel Kayser Ashwin Kumar Kayla Mathieu Taylor Pennell Alexa Reder Emily Rumick Mackenzie Schaaf Meghan Strader Kendall Taylor Matthew VanLinder William Varney Ethan Youngblood Ahraz Zafar
Gabriel Alvarado Mackenzie Babb Danielle Ellis Alexandra Griffin Cody Lewis Jonathan Little Skyler McDaniel Jessica Zesiger
Zane BreeceMANG Brendan JustusUSAF Keegan LeeUSMC Allen VandenbrinkUSCG James Johnson IVUSMC
Gabrielle Kizer Ashriya Patel Mara Wilder Morgan Wright
Penelope Brewer Mikayla Kindler Alaina Kirschman Rushik Patel Madelyn Wojcik Andrew Walsh
Zoha Aqeel Aiyla Arif Stuart Botfield Sanja Chalasani Christina Cincilla Teanne Davis Taylor Grimm Arif Jamaluddin Alyson Koh Anjana Krishnan Sophia Maddux Andrew McNassor Benjamin Miller Isabella Pedraza Molly Podiak Shray Rastogi Julia Ring Sarah Stroh Samhita Sunkara Alayna West Frank Zlomek
OTHER Sarah Boyle Zebadiah Cornwell Carson Hodge Denver Stegink Jacob Wester Dominick Wilson
Bridget Bateman Nicholas Kuppler Lindsay Felicijan Ellie Hamilton Minh Le Catherine Teugh Isabella Wilson
Foreign Exchange Deigo Solis Castanol Laura Zanini Inga Wolgast Egle Maliakaite
Noah AbrigoU of Michigan- Flint Pavitra AttanayakeMichigan Tech University Camilo BautistaGeorgia State Maggie BlockLIC Jalen BroachFerris State University Olivia BrunnerNorth Park University Sanja ChalasaniUC Berkeley Zara ChaudhryUC Los Angeles Jacob ColeFlorida Southern College Hannah CorwinOhio State University Ryan CrawfordIllinois Tech Chase CronkTrade School Trinity CumoSeton Hill University Sarah DenisonTexas A&M University Macie DeWyseDavenport University Simrandheep DhanoaRoss Medical School Kyle DotsonSaginaw Valley State Bill DuoPrinceton University
Kaylan EarlUndecided Mitchell ElyUndecided Sydney FloydAuburn University Ella FoleyNorthern Michigan Abigail FordUniversity of Toledo Andrew FullerNorthern Michigan Megan GarciaAlma College Patrick GehringerOakland University Anuraag GhantasalaU of Detroit-Mercy Owen GwynUniversity of Toledo Skylar HallUI Chicago Mitchell HarpenauYale University Spencer HarrounWorkforce Liya JinHarvard John KennedyConcordia College Nicholas KolbergNorthwood University Allison KringSMC Megan LawrenceLake Michigan CC Brandon MaxeyUniversity of Utah Terry McDonaldKettering University Zachary MedendorpYoung Adult Program Emily MergenerFerris State University Gannon MillerTrade School Katheryn MorriseyUniversity of Central Florida Josette MuffleyUniversity of Tulsa Margaret NiedzwieckiKCC Bayley OnsottClemson University Kyle PalmerButler University Lauryn ParkerWeber State University Emma PerjesiSMC Margaret PiperAquinas University Madeline PlutaCornerstone University Mitchell PollackUniversity of Dayton
Bradley PostulaAlaska Junior Hockey Brett PostulaJunior Hockey Cristina PostulaNotre Dame University Eva RandUndecided Garrett RobinsonBellmont University Jessica RothOakland University Camille RotyKenewaw State Allison SachwitzOhio State University Katelyn ScanlonUndecided Samuel ScheffelMontana State University Jack ShinabargerBall State University Andee SiepmanUndecided Zachary SiwikGeorgia Institute of Techonology Melissa SmalingIndiana University Rudolph SmalingIndiana University Samantha SondayCalvin College Madison StrayerIllinois Institue of Tech Kylee TaylorKCC Caelynn UhlmannAurora University Juan VelezMcGill University Fletcher WheelerMichigan Tech University Abigail WilliamsButler University Adam WillsErasmus University Inga WolgastForeign Exchange Emily LinGoshen College Mackenzie ZookU of Michigan Dearborn
Congrats and good luck to all seniors, no matter where you’re headed in the fall!
seniors 2 page f 2018 the class two
5 seniors
the classpage f 2018 five
senior issue • may 31, 2018
Students carry on family Legacies BY BELLA P ED R A ZA Editor-in-Chief
How did your family become Ohio State fans?
Allison Sachwitz
My dad grew up in Ohio and went to Ohio State, so as an alumni he is a big fan. Also we lived in Cleveland for 6 years, so naturally OSU was the college team we always rooted for. Have you always known you wanted to go to Ohio State?
senior issue • may 31, 2018
We must remember to thank our teachers for all that they do
I never really thought about where I wanted to go to college when I was younger, but I always knew OSU was an option. I only recently decided that I was sure that was where I wanted to further my education after I visited this past summer. How has your family impacted your college decision? My family has been really supportive of wherever I decided to go to school, but I grew up exposed to a lot of Ohio State. Unlike me, my younger brother has always known he wants to attend OSU which I think definitely illustrates how our family has played a role in our college decisions.
BELLA PEDRAZA/STAMPEDE
COURTESEY OF ALLISON SACHWITZ
Will Varney
COURTESEY OF WILL VARNEY
BELLA PEDRAZA/STAMPEDE
Cristina Postula
COURTESEY OF CRISTINA POSTULA
BELLA PEDRAZA/STAMPEDE
B Y I S AB E L L A WI L S O N Editor-in-Chief
As I finish up my last days of high school, I’m beginning to realize that I will remember absolutely nothing that I’ve What excites you most about attending Ohio State? memorized or crammed in my brain for a test. I won’t remember mathematical I’m really excited to go to basketball and football games at OSU next year beequations, events on a historical timeline cause I have grown up going to them and watching them on TV with my family or English quotations; however, I will reand friends in Ohio, but it will be very different going as a student. member the numerous ways my teachers have impacted me. I firmly believe that Portage Central How did your family become Michigan State fans? is home to the most incredible teaching staff, enabling it to become the successful My parents met in college at Michigan State, and they raised us to be state fans. school that it is. We always went up to campus for basketball or football games or we would For one, our teachers constantly rewatch them at our house. We’ve always been very committed fans. mind us of our worthiness. While at times we struggle to understand a concept, Have you always known you wanted to go to Michigan State? every teacher is willing to help us see our mistakes and correct them. Not right away. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go until I decided on majoring As we complain about the boatloads in business. of homework we have, we sometimes fail to acknowledge that our teachers How has your family impacted your college decision? have to teach up to seven classes a day. Not only that, they have to grade all of My mom has always been supportive of me going to Michigan State. My dad the homework,essay and tests for those not so much because he teaches at Western, but my mom encouraged me to go classes, while also running a family. This where I thought would be the best fit and where I wanted to go. job requires more dedication than many of us imagine, and they continue to do it What excites you most about attending Michigan State? for us each day. They wake up at treacherous hours of I am excited to see my friends who I haven’t seen in a few years and are going the morning to prepare for an entire day there and going to the football and basketball games. And of course, meeting of teaching and stay after school for hours new people. to finish up. Not only do they work more hours than we could ever imagine, but How did your family become Notre Dame fans? they do it because they genuinely love it. No teacher works here because they My mom went there and because of that our whole family cheered on the sports have to, they do it because they want to. teams. It’s also close to my Nana’s house, and we’d go down and visit. They want to teach us about their passions so that one day we can share our passions Have you always known you wanted to go to Notre Dame? with the world, too. The teaching staff has taught us to do Yes. It’s a really good school and the people there are really great. Everyone is the things we love and to appreciate the so kind and everyone worked really hard to get there and everyone wants you to little moments in life. They are filled with succeed. joy when we are smiling, and they care for us when they see we are having a difficult How has your family impacted your college decision? day. Not every school has an impactful staff They’ve been so supportive of what I’ve wanted to do. They didn’t push me in like we do. It is important to recognize one direction or another. that our teachers have helped shape us into the people we are today. They will What excites you most about attending Notre Dame? continue to support us after high school, and I believe that is more than enough to Everything! be thankful for.
page three
the class f 2018
seniors Best memories Chris Styrlund
Sunny Evans
Derick Searing
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senior issue • may 31, 2018
Nick Kuppler
Trinity Cumo
Garrett Robinson
Julia Cooke
Winning districts for soccer over Okemos.
Finding people who actually cared for me.
Traveling to Haiti to meet Having an undefeated seamy adopted 4-year-old sister son and winning districts and taking her home. with the bowling team.
When Joey called me a “perro pequeno” in Spanish class as an insult in the middle of a presentation.
When Frisbie yelled at a kid because he couldn’t figure out how to use a blender.
In general, whenever Mr. Hoopingarner would roast someone in AP Calculus.
Our bowling coach letting us bowl with the dinosaur ramps because we beat Northern.
Learning how to do my finances because that’s something I can actually apply.
How to manage time properly.
I’ve learned how to run a soundboard effectively for a theatrical production.
How to study effectively.
Taking second all-state for soccer.
#bronzefouryears.
Being offered a part-time position as an auditorium assistant for the school.
Being recruited onto Aquinas’ bowling and cheer team.
Shoot your shot.
Enjoy the time you have left because you probably won’t see half of these people in the future.
Don’t take school so seriously because it’s really okay.
Don’t stress about the small stuff. Chances are they won’t matter in the long run.
1. What was your favorite moment of senior year? Getting denied from WMU, Never getting marked tardy in Ms. Phipps’ first then getting accepted a hour. month later.
Sweeping Northern in soccer this year.
2. What was the funniest moment you can recall? When Charlie made that one video all about me.
Whenever Ms. Phipps says anything to our class.
Perry’s “Star Wars” tweet with him imitating a Tusken Raider.
3. What have you learned in high school that can translate into the real world? Don’t worry about it.
Always use a planner and actually write things down in it.
Having a balance between normal life and school.
4. What is your biggest high school accomplishment? Winning “Biggest Bum” in the mock election.
Being able to hold down the same relationship for the past three years.
Definitely the fact that I’m going to graduate.
5. Any quick advice for underclassmen? Always keep a pen behind your ear.
Learn how to procrastinate the perfect amount.
Tell Mr. Larner he looks like Ned Schneebly from “School of Rock.”
Advice to the future senior class from Grace and Ellie BY G R ACE FOSTE R AND ELLIE HAM ILTO N Staff Writers
Is it true that senior year is the easiest year?
Ellie: It depends on the classes you take from the beginning. If you plan on taking IB classes your senior year, it will be harder. Grace: There is always the belief that senior year is the easiest but it is probably the most stressful year of them all. The classes are easier for students who aren't doing the IB Diploma but everything else going on is stressful.
When should we start our Is senioritis a thing? application process and how Ellie: It is a whole nother level. I am so done with school and homework. stressful is it? Grace: Last year I had senioritis but I still did my Ellie: You should do the early enrollment but don’t apply too early because when you get your acceptance letter at the beginning of the the school year, you will be less motivated. It is not super stressful if you know your deadlines and are actively doing them. Grace: Start when you begin hearing announcements about college applications and always stay on top of your deadlines.
homework. This year, I don’t do much.
What is Senior Rideout?
Ellie: It is when you get your cords from Mr. Alburtus depending on your academic success. Grace: It is the senior award ceremony over at McCamley Stadium.
What is Grad Bash?
Grace: It is after the graduation ceremony where the senior class goes on a trip for the entire night. It is diffrent ever year and it is a fun way to hangout with the senoir class for the last time. It is a nostalgic year but there are memories that will last forever. Senior year is full of fun and stressful moments, but it is still a wonderful year to find out what is in store for your future. Peace out! Best of luck!
From, Grace and Ellie
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the class f 2018
seniors
senior issue • may 31, 2018
My life as a traitor: turning maize and blue into green and white
B Y DRE W G OR ET Z K A Sports Editor When I was 9 years old, I painted my room maize and blue. It fit perfectly with my University of Michigan sheets, my Denard Robinson Fathead and my football signed by legendary football coach Brady Hoke, who we all know and love today. My closet was filled to the brim with University of Michigan sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts and even boxers. I sported my maize and blue hat everywhere I went, especially when we headed into East Lansing, Michigan State University territory. Despite all this, at the age of 17 I find myself committing to Michigan State, as well as being beyond excited to be a part of Spartan culture. I cannot wait to step on to campus in the spring, decked out in my brand-new green and white gear that Mrs. Braford has graciously bestowed upon me. How did I end up converting to my lifelong rival within a few months? How am I so easily embracing something I’ve been raised to hate? Where are my pants? The answer is simple: I’m stepping into my
own identity. I’m attending Michigan State because of its academic rigor and its journalism program that is ranked as one of the best in the country. I’m attending Michigan State because I believe it is the way to a future I want to live. It is what I want as well as need to do. I’m not saying I have always secretly wanted to openly root for the Spartans. In fact, up until a few months ago I was physically repulsed by it. It was something I would have never even considered. However, I had to evolve if I wanted to follow my dreams. I had to embrace the enemy if I wanted to accomplish the goals I had set for myself. I’ll miss the memories of rooting for the Wolverines in my living room every Saturday afternoon. I’ll remember fondly my many Michiganthemed birthday cakes throughout the years. I’ll most definitely still smile about the bond my grandfather and I shared when we went to the Big House together. But it’s time to move on, to adapt to my goals and the environment in which I must achieve them. I must embrace Michigan State University for what it is: a top-tier academic institution with a overwhelmingly-welcoming student body and atmosphere.
Hannah~
We are beyond proud of you! Always follow your dreams & believe in yourself. Keep your eyes on the stars & hope in your heart. With all our love, Dad, Mom & Zoe
Camille & Sebastian... Congratulations! I am so proud of both of you! Many blessings for success and joy in your future!
CLAIRE All GOOD THINGS are WILD and FREE ~ Henry David Thoreau It’s been a wild ride and now you are FREE! Soar on and fly after those dreams. We love you no matter where you land and are proud of you. #CPTK Love, Mom, Mike, Casey, Mitchell, Oscar, & Kiki
Love from Mom, Your Family, & Shelby's spirit
page five
the class f 2018
seniors Behind you... All of your memories Before you... All of your dreams Around you... All who love you Within you... All you need
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senior issue • may 31, 2018
Trinity We are so proud of the person you’ve become and will be. Much love, Mom, Dad, & Trenton
Sar (Ya Ya)... It is time to send you into the world. The pleasure is ours to have you as a daughter and sister. Watching your journey through life has been fun so far! Thank you for all the laughs
Isabella,
We could not be
along the way! We are so proud of you. Love you to infinity! Dad, Mom, Allison, Cole, Rachael & Sophie
prouder of you. You
Always Be Prepared
are an amazing young
Michael,
woman. This is just
We are so proud of you and know
the beginning. You are
you are prepared to handle
a star in the making.
whatever challenges await you.
Shine on!
Mom, Dad, Abby and plus ones
Love,
Mom and Dad
Abby
We are so proud of you and look forward to
seeing you shine at Butler! Love,
Mom, Dad, Lydia, & Perrin
GRACE You are beautiful inside and out. We know you are ready to Fly High at WMU. We are so proud. Love you to the moon & back, Mom, Dad, Hannah, & Josie
the class f 2018
seniors
Can you
?
GUESS WHO
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1.Joey Philion 2. Jacquelyn Roth 3. Molly Podiak 4. Jake Loebig 5. Abby Williams 6. Adam Mason 7. Allen Vanderbrink 8. Alexis Ingersoll 9. Abby Ford 10. Alaina Kirschman 11. Allison Kriry 12. Alyssa Sehy 13. Anna Mayoras 14. Arif Jamaludain 15. Ashley Spiecker 16. Ashriya Patel 17. Bayley Onstott 18. Bella Pedraza 19. Bradley Postula 20. Brendan Helms 21. Brett Postula 22. Brooklyn Joslyn 23. Elliana Hamilton 24. Emily Rider 25. Rowan Thawley 26. Leigh Marzette 27. Nathan Ely 28. Samhita Sunkara 29. Sydney Floyd 30. Riley Alvord 31. Ella Foley 32. Emma Perjesi 33. Julia Cooke 34. Lauryn Parker 35. Mackenzie Babb 36. Nathan Klawender 37. Ryan Crawford 38. Olivia Harning 39. Ahraz Zafar 40. Denver Steginh 41. Emmerson Douglas 42. Jonathan Parker 43. Kriana Perry 44. Madeline Pluta 45. Nick Behnke 46. Sarah Boyle 47. Emily Pumick 48. Frank Zlomek 49. Cristina Postula 50. Erin Ruiter 51. John Hart 52. Kristen Schneidenbach 53. Mara Wilder 54. Olivia Brunner 55. Sarah McGraw 56. Whitney Tolmacs 57. Anissa Fontilla 58. Cole Powers 59. Garrett Robinson 60. Jessica Zesiger 61. Kenzie Schaaf 62. Max Godsil 63. Parker Rapp 64. Shayna Krawczyk 65. Trinity Cumo 66. Zane Breece 67. Cobey Loc 68. Grace Foster 69. James Johnson IV 70. Kelsey McGowan 71. Michael Wolfe 72. Megan Cummins 73. Sunny Evans 74. Terry McDonald 75. Caleb Calnin 76. Charlie Godsil 77. Grace Ritchie 78. Jake Wester 79. Keegan Cronin 80. Mikayla Larson 81. Patrick Gehringer 82. Andrew Walsh 83. Morgan Mitchell 84. Gabrielle Perk 85. Catie Teugh 86. Hannah Kalleward 87. Isabella Wilson 88. Kayla Eichaker 89. Mitch Ely 90. Nathanyel Raczkcowski 91. Ally Griffin 92. Cali Uhlmann 93. Claire Pence 94. Andrew McNassor 95. Breanna Baccale 96. Dillon Wheeler 97. Ethan Youngblood 98. Kyle Dotson 99. Michael Evans 100. Katelyn Scanlon 101. Mitchell Harpenau 102. Riley Nicolai 103. Sam Sonday 104. Sarah Stroh 105. Siarha Tangeman 106. Taylor Pennell 107. Teanne Davis 108. Will Varney 109. Kate Morrissey 110. Alexa Reder 111. Loren Bly 112. Kayla Hiemstra 113. Jake Spanhak 114. Caitlin Green 115. Kenzie Zook 116. Sam Brooks 117. Steven Brooks 118. Karsyn Valk 119. Quinlyn Stephan 120. Bill Duo 121. Katrelle Harvey 122. Camilo Bautista 123. Erek Decker 124. Asfandyar Khan 125. Eli Kilian 126. Andrew Fuller 127. Branden Maxey 128. Meghan Strader 129. Kyle Palmer 130. Brian Smith 131. Owen Gwyn 132. Alex Frey 133. Ashton Gabel 134. Leslie Cook 135. Krystian Drenth 136. Dominick Wilson 137. Jessica Roth 138. Caitlin Pung 139. Gabi Kizer 140. Keyanna Wood 141. Vishnu Ghantasala 142. Ben Miller 143. Katie Franz 144. Fernando Costas Vega 145. Taylor Grimm 146. Laura Zanini 147. Jacob Cole 148. Sophia Maddux 149. Cody Lewis 150. Emily Zantjer Lin 151. Stuart Botfield 152. Anthony Huberty 153. Denusha Mathialagan 154. Fernanda Diaz 155. Rebecca Federkins 156. Charles Levy 157. Zachary Medendorp 158. Alyson Koh 159. Charlie Finstrom
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the class f 2018
seniors
senior issue • may 31, 2018
JACK...
Congratulations! Best Wishes~ Love, Mom, Dad, Casey & Leia
Catie, It has been a joy watching you grow and explore these seventeen years. You have accomplished so much and matured into a wonderful young woman. We are so excited to watch you spread your wings as
NATHAN
you continue your journey
confident & always do your best.
yourself and you will fly far.
We are so proud of you! Continue to work hard, be
at Hope College. Trust
Our love and support always! Mom & Dad
Rushik, Love,
Mom & Dad
Fern, We are so proud of you! Today we celebrate you and all that you’ve accomplished Love, Dad, Mom & Gabe
Conratulations on your first big leap towards your success. Our love & blessings are always with you. Go after your dreams and we know you will make us very proud, as you have done so far! Love, Mom, Dad, Varoon & Shivali
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the class f 2018
seniors
senior issue • may 31, 2018
Jacquelyn
Brian Luke Smith
You are an amazing young woman and we have enjoyed watching your spunk, spirit, and determination grow. We pray that you continue to let God be your guide in everything you do...
Congratulations! your future is so bright! Love, Mom, Dad, Jonathan, and Jacqueline
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We are so proud of everything you have accomplished and can’t wait to watch you soar! Love you bunches & bunches! Mom, Dad, Sophia, + Heidi
Meghan... We are so proud of you! On to the next adventure at MSU! Love, Mom, Dad, & Liana
Allison ,
Colin,
you make us smile & laugh every day. We are your biggest fans! Fire up Chips! Love, Mom & Dad
We are so proud of you. Remember, anything is possible ~ all you have to do is believe in yourself. Love you always, Dad , Mom, Katie , Billy, & Irish
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the class f 2018
seniors
senior issue • may 31, 2018
Isabella...
Ever since you were born, we have thought this song was about you.... They say I must be one of the wonders Of God’s own creation And as far as they see They can offer no explanation Ooh I believe Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle Know this child will be able Laughed as my body she lifted Know this child will be gifted With LOVE, with PATIENCE and with FAITH........... She’ll make her way She’ll make her way! ~Natalie Merchant - “Wonder”
Eli, Congratulations! We love you.
May God Bless you always! We love you, Dad, Mom, & Devon
Allen
Love, Dad, Mom, & Luke
look back with a smile, look forward with courage.
Sydney... We can’t wait to see what’s next!
all our love, dad, mom, & Emma
Love, Mom, Dad, & Kacy!
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the class f 2018
seniors
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senior issue • may 31, 2018
Kayla Mathieu We couldn’t be more proud of the young woman you have become! We can’t wait to see how you continue to change the world! Love, Mom, Dad, Jonah, and Eva
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the class f 2018
seniors
senior issue • may 31, 2018
Congratulations, Seniors! Stay To
Connected
Portage Central...
Stay connected and support PC! August 18th Alumni & Friends Roundup! November 4th Arts, Crafts, & Gifts Show!
Join the Mustang Alumni Association! The only official Alumni Association
As soon as you cross the stage at graduation, you become a Portage Central Alum. Stay connected to Portage Central and support students by signing up online at www.portagecentralalumni.org. It’s free and only takes a moment. The association sends out monthly updates and bi-annual newsletters to alumni. Name _______________________________________ Graduation Year _______________________________ Email _______________________________________ Phone _______________________________________ Address ______________________________________ _______________________________________ Mail order form to: Portage Central High School, The Mustang Association 8135 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, MI 49002
www.portagecentralalumni.org
student life
May 31, 2018
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Counselor spends her summers serving others
COURTESY OF MARY SCOTT
Counselor Mary Scott spends her summer volunteering in several African villages caring for families and young children. BY L AUREN M c CO LLE Y Staff Writer Most people go to the beach, hang out with friends or binge watch Netflix on the long days of summer, but some spend their three months of vacation on the other side of the world, spreading kindness and aid. They do this by going on mission trips through missionary organizations or the church they attend. Guidance Counselor Mary Scott is one of these many people. The soon-to-be-retired Scott has spent her last five summers, and soon to be sixth, in Pemba, Mozambique. She travels there through Iris Ministries, and she usually spends about three weeks abroad. ¨I play with and love on the babies in the baby house and the toddlers in the toddler house,¨ Scott said. Scott says that she helps teach the villagers English and helps feed the children. Additionally, she goes to widows’ huts and houses and gives them gifts such as oil, beans and rice that they
can use to prepare meals. ¨The African bush is what we refer to as the savannah. There aren't roads, electricity, running water, etc. It's pretty primitive by our standards,¨ Scott said. Scott said that she and the group she is with typically go to the “bush bush” Thursday through Saturday, and sometimes through Sunday. They travel by trucks that have tarp covers and everyone sits on two wooden benches that are the length of the truck. ¨Going into the bush bush is the most amazing part of what I get to do,” Scott said. They travel anywhere from four to 10 hours to get to the bush bush. At the bush bush, they camp in their tents and meet the kings and chiefs of the villages and their queens. ¨We go from hut to hut, blessing the people and spending time with them,¨ Scott said. They have a children's church for the village children, which is a giant tent, and they bring them items. With the chief/king's permission, a movie is set up using a generator and a massive screen.
There is no electricity in the bush bush, so people come from surrounding villages, from miles away, to see the showing. There is dancing and singing and afterwards, they minister the thousands of people there each night. Baptisms also take place at the bush bush in the Indian Ocean and dirty rivers, where you have to be careful of crocodiles, Scott said. The baptisms take hours since there are hundreds of people being baptized. When Scott is not in the bush bush, she is visiting the women's jails and men´s prisons. There are no women in prison, Scott said, and this is quite different than in the United States. None are behind bars, but the guards are heavily armed. They worship with them, give a message, individually pray with them and give them hugs and encouragement. Scott said that she is allowed to bring a large suitcase full of clothing and school supplies for them. Either people donate the items or she goes to garage sales to get them. ¨My suitcase is filled to the maximum capacity,¨ Scott said. ¨Ah...I love these people. They
have stolen my heart!¨ Scott said that she raised money for a couple to get married last year. It is very expensive to get married there. The government has to be paid first, and then everyone shows up for the wedding, way beyond the wedding list. Scott brought a wedding gown that one of her friends altered, a tiara, veil and blusher, crystal jewelry that a friend donated from her wedding, brand new shoes, two wedding rings and wedding gifts. ¨Being a blessing to the people and being able to go is such an honor,” Scott said. ¨When I am there, I not only get to be with Mozambicans, many of whom I have become very close to, but I also get to meet missionaries from all over the world.¨ Scott said these missionaries come from every country in the world to work with these people and they have become lifelong friends of hers that she cherishes and maintains contact with. ¨This has all been life changing and continues to be. My love for these people has grown, each time that I have gone.¨
Senior Maddie Wojcik receives two sport scholarships BY A S HNA M EHR A Opinion Editor Most athletes dream of going to college to play the sport they love. They work hard, train every day, and persevere to make their ambitions come true. But imagine if you could go to college to not only play one sport that you love, but two. Senior Maddie Wojcik is attending Kalamazoo College this fall to play both volleyball and tennis. Wojcik has played on both varsity teams since her freshman year, and is looking forward to continue playing in her college career. Wojcik started playing both sports very young, and they have
become a big part of her life. Since she has been a dual-athlete for many years, she is used to being kept busy. Wojcik enjoys playing both sports because they are very similar, and both keep her on her feet. But if she had to pick one sport to play for the rest of her life, it would be tennis. “I enjoy tennis more because I have been playing it since I was really young, so I have learned to really love the sport more and more,” Wojcik said. “I also love tennis because we play outside, while volleyball is always indoors.” One of the hardest things to think about when playing sports is how to balance your athletic life with your academic life. But on even the hardest days, Wojcik finds ways to stay on top of her work. “I’m not 100 percent sure how I am going to balance my studies with both sports, but I have learned to really use my time wisely during my classes in high school and after practices,” Wojcik said. “Because that has worked so far, I plan on doing the same in college.” Wojcik has challenged herself academically in high school by taking several AP and IB classes, while continuing to play both
sports. She plans to continue this high level of education and commitment to learning in college. “With college classes being more difficult, I’m going to have to learn to manage my time even better and make sure I focus on school, while still focusing on sports,” Wojcik said. “But I think anything is possible if you prioritize and stay committed.” Wojcik is excited to take her athletic careers to the next level and excel in both sports this fall.
COURTESY OF MADDIE WOJCIK
Maddie Wojcik high fives doubles partner Gabi Kizer at a tennis match.
student life
8
May 31, 2018
Labor of
Love
Junior finds unique ways to express herself BY R O WA N T H AW L E Y Staff Writer Many girls around school wear compelling and beautiful jewelry, but instead of buying it from a department store, these handmade items were actually created by a talented jewelry and art student. Junior Emma Smith has been selling her original handmade jewelry for more than a year. At first, she was making the pieces non profit and selling to Art Hop before she started making her own beads. Now, she makes her own glass beads for the jewelry she creates and sells. “Right now I mostly sell my art through Instagram and Twitter, but at some point I’m planning on extending to an Etsy account so I can sell more than just local,” Smith said. Not only does Smith make jewelry, but she also sells paintings and commissioned murals. She also plans to begin selling t-shirts
again, which she had perviously done. Smith said she has always liked art, but she didn’t find a passion for it until she started high school and discovered different mediums she could use to express her ideas. Smith plans on continuing her love of art in college, combining it with environmental sustainability in a unique way. “I plan on studying in that direction so I can potentially design more environmentally friendly packaging and products,” Smith said. “Mr. King has obviously been a huge help to my art along with a mentor I had named Jenna that taught me how to blow glass.” Senior Sam Brooks wears a necklace that was made by Smith. “I bought a glass-blown necklace from Emma, and I love it,” Brooks said. “It’s a simple necklace that goes with anything and adds style to an outfit.” Senior Siarha Tangeman also purchased a necklace from Smith. “I really like how she makes her own jewelry to sell. It makes it seem a lot more genuine than just buying something from the store,” Tangeman said.
DAAREN BUKHARI/STAMPEDE
Junior Emma Smith works on one of her many art pieces which she creates during 7th hour IB Art.
Artwork by Emma Smith
There’s more to the lunch ladies than you may think BY E TH A N LEE Staff Writer When most school staff provide their everyday services to students, it doesn’t involve pizza or nachos. However, for the cafeteria workers of Portage Central, dispensing nourishment for students is their routine goal, and one that may be overlooked in their isolated kitchen that is empty with the exception of two lively lunch periods. “You’re always busy, and the day doesn’t drag on,” said Marcia VandenOever, the kitchen lead of the cafeteria staff. “It’s fun being able to interact with other people, and do different [as-
signments].” For VandenOever, that day starts at 6 a.m.— before many teachers arrive—and doesn’t end until 2 p.m., although most of the other nine workers of each lunch session arrive around 10 a.m. “I’m in my 28th year [working here], so in September, it will be 29 years,” she said. “Prior to that, my husband and I owned a flower shop, so we did that for a little while. I got this job because I wanted to be home with our kids; a lot of people that work here have the same situation. A lot of us have worked here for a long time, and our kids are all grown now.” As a culinary veteran, VandenOever has a
unique connection with the school that she is employed at. “Three [cafeteria staff members], including me, graduated from here, [along with] Mrs. Lavasseur, in the class of 1979,” VandenOever said. Speaking for the rest of the staff, VandenOever said that there are things that many buyers don’t know. The lunch administration is managed by parent company Chartwells Schools Dining Services, and obtains almost all of its food and supplies from Gordon Food Service. Menus are not prepared by any staff member at both Portage schools, but rather by an administrator from Chartwells who meticulously creates recipes that contain just the scientifically correct amount of calories and nutrition for students to consume. All leftovers are accounted for, and then thrown away. Chartwells doesn’t want anybody getting sick, and it takes no chances on food that has been improperly heated or refrigerated. VandenOever also wants students and staff to know that breakfast is served daily at 7:15 in the morning, and notes that more people may show up to the cafeteria for breakfast if they are aware of this fact. On the food itself, the staff does eat it. And they like it. “We all eat the cookies, of course,” VandenO-
ever said. “I love the pizza; I think the pizza is great. [The others] like the chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, and salads.” And for those that think that the school meals are disgusting and at least borderline unappetizing, know that VandenOever shares at least some of your views. “I guess I’d just like to serve more stuff that’s not whole-grain,” she said. “We used to have little ice cream cones, and frosted sugar cookies. We also used to bake our own muffins and have Rice Krispie treats.” The change occurred after former President Barack Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 with the help of his wife, which introduced new food standards designed to help combat obesity. President Donald Trump has vowed to relax the standards; however, the staff has yet to see any change, and VandenOever herself has said that not much has changed. While students are mostly respectful and wellbehaved, there are things that students do that annoy them. “Throwing apples in the cafeteria, and other foods is annoying.” VandenOever said “Or messing around with the condiment stations and pouring stuff all over it.” “Mostly, it’s a great group of kids here,” she said. “We get along with everybody fine.”
May 31, 2018
‘Callout culture’ needs a callout itself
BY SYLVIE CR OT EA U Staff Writer It’s big. It’s bad. It’s… my opinion? For years now, opinion shaming (or callout culture) has been lighting up my Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr feeds. Callout culture is, as Briarpatch Magazine defines it, “the tendency among progressives, radicals, activists and community organizers to publicly name instances or patterns of oppressive behavior and language use by others.” You can see it anywhere from re-tweets under Kanye’s Trump hat pictures to an innocent post on Tumblr talking about how much they like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” or “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Callout culture seems as though it’s an easy, fast and harmless way to educate someone on what’s right and what’s wrong, but that is definitely not the case. Callout culture has become one of the most emotionally-charged and weaponized ways to talk about something that doesn’t fit into someone’s opinion, hence the name “opinion shaming.” It has become a way for people to criticize one another’s interests. Even though callout culture seems like a useful tool to get your point across quickly, people who actively participate in it sometimes don’t understand the fact that the instantaneousness and permanence of the Internet can create a super-hostile environment for all of us, posters and commenters alike. Callout culture can create a big deal out of a simple situation, and can make something so easy to handle harder than it should be. What we need to remember is that there is no way that everyone will always have the same opinion as you. Our opinions are ours alone, and that’s a wonderful thing.
student life
9 World literature teaches lessons that go abroad BY PA I G E BE R RY Staff Writer Freshman year we began our journey in world literature with Yann Martel in India and Canada, and we traveled to Great Britain during sophomore year with Shakespeare. We continued the adventure in Russia with Leo Tolstoy during junior year and ended high school in Rwanda with Paul Rusesabagina senior year. Foreign literature is a staple within both IB and core curriculums, yet some students pass world literature off as intolerable. “A book can take you places, it is an old adage,” Rachel Kubinski, IB English teacher, disagrees. When reading books from other countries, a reader is taken to a place they have never known before. “We’re learning about a revolution that happened 40 years ago and a genocide that happened 30 years ago,” junior James Fillar said. “But it’s still happening. It’s important to learn about other literature to see what was or is happening across the globe, not just in our own backyard.” World literature also teaches students that some issues addressed in foreign places are universally felt around the world. Whether it is struggles with family, with sexuality, religion or otherwise, most literature addresses the basic concerns that humans face today. “World literature connects back to the United States on a basic level. Most humans have the same type of concerns,” Kubinski added. “We all are basically the same when it comes to human nature.” World literature also sheds light on cultural and societal issues within other countries as well. The second year IB English book “Purple Hibiscus” by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie does this excellently. The book focuses on traditional and modern aspects of Nigerian culture in the ‘90s. Overarching cultural connections made in “Purple Hibiscus” include violence and the inability to speak out within a broken household, a situation that resonates with families across the world. World literature emphasizes certain aspects of culture that many readers from different countries would not be exposed to otherwise. Literature written in other countries adds a global perspective to those who only have known their own society. “People become so caught up in ourselves, and it is good to understand that there are other people out there,” Kubinski said. “World literature can connect our own culture to those within other countries as well.”
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entertainment
10
May 31, 2018
Reviews Stampede from the
‘Deadpool’ sequel surpasses original It is hard to find sequels that surpass their predecessors, but “Deadpool 2” definitely breaks that mold. “Deadpool 2” focuses on the brand new f-word: family. This movie follows our anti-hero, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) as he struggles to deal with the loss of his wife and his realization that he already had his own family, no matter how dysfunctional. “Deadpool 2” is a must-see. Every joke is brilliantly placed and watching Reynolds crack jokes about his love-hate relationship with the X-Men, combined with the extremely comedic post credit scenes, make it worth your while.
PAIGE BERRY/STAMPEDE
Escapology’s Portage location can be found at 5600 Portage Rd. next to Airway Fun Center.
COURTESY OF VULTURE.COM
REVIEWED BY PAIGE BERRY
Vibrant donut shop charms customers Peace, Love, and Little Donuts, located at 6043 S. Westnedge Ave. has flavors for every donut lover. They have the obvious funkadellic flavors, and they have more plain flavors such as their “far out” and “groovy” options. “Far outs” include flavors such as banana, strawberry, raspberry and more. “Groovy” flavors include honey glazed, plain, powdered sugar and more. The place itself is very vibrant and colorful. It only has one table, two chairs and a high table, so they do not expect a lot of people to stick around, which is one of my biggest criticisms of the place. Its hippie theme makes it very fun and it even has a cardboard figure of a man all dressed in tie dye. The size of the donuts are fairly small and a little on the pricey side, but they are very filling. I would recommend to at least visit Peace, Love, and Little Donuts once if you have not.
LAUREN McCOLLEY/STAMPEDE
REVIEWED BY LAUREN McCOLLEY
After this album, James Bay is so bae James Bay released his new album, “Electric Light,” this month, which features the new popular genre of alternative music His album has 14 songs, ranging from slow and smooth beats, to more fast and edgy tempos. His album is a solo, meaning it features no one but himself. I was very pleased to find it on both Apple Music and Spotify. I don’t typically listen to James Bay, but I do like alternative music, so I was interested to hear it. Most people would say many alternative songs are very similar, but I was very pleased with the range of styles in Bay’s album. His album is supposed to reflect his pain of love, and the combination of the beats and the tone of his voice does a great job of accomplishing that. Even though alternative music isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, this album is suitable for everyone.
COURTESY OF INDEPENDENT.CO.UK
REVIEWED BY RANYA JAMAL
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Portage’s new-found Escape Rooms attract brand-new customers BY MAG G I E FA R R E L L Staff Writer You're trapped in a dark room and you have no idea how to get out. You have exactly one hour to unlock the door and be free, or else you must face the consequences. Is this something that sounds like a fun activity to do with your friends? These “escape rooms” have rapidly become one of the hottest new trends. Escape rooms have been around for a while, but it was not until this year when they really started becoming popular. Because of the exciting opportunities comparable to no other, they have quickly become one of the favorite activities for birthday parties or special occasions. “My family and I went in and kind of just looked around,” sophomore Aria Wilson said about her recent experience in an escape room. “There were two rooms we had to go in to complete the challenge and escape so we immediately started looking for clues. We had to look at specific details in the room and find numbers or names that we could use to unlock boxes or other clues.” Escape rooms lock visitors in a room for one hour and watch as they try and escape within the time frame. There are numbers and letters across
the walls and floors to spell out codes leading to the key. Clues are hidden throughout the room, and the people in the room have to figure out which clues are important and which clues are not for their escape. The atmosphere of an escape room really encourages teamwork and compromise amongst peers. Trust is a significant key for success in escape rooms, as you must rely on others constantly throughout the challenge. Because of these characteristics, they are frequently used for team building in work, families and athletics. “It was really fun and a little stressful at times,” Wilson said. “When we were looking for a clue, we had to be really focused and sometimes it got frustrating when we couldn't find certain things.” If you would like to try an escape room, there are several locations in southwest Michigan. In the Kalamazoo-Portage area, Escapology is on 5600 Portage Rd. and The Final Clue is at 505 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo. “Overall, it was a bonding activity for my family and we really enjoyed doing it,” Wilson said. “I would definitely do another escape room, because it was a fun challenge and it could be a good activity for a team.”
sports
May 31, 2018
11
Some athletes choose brains over brawn BY D R E W GO R E TZ K A Sports Editor
The team stands for the national anthem before its game against rival Portage Northern.
COURTESY OF JIM COTTRELL
Soccer team playing strong BY JAC K JU DAY Sports Editor The women’s soccer team is currently ranked 12th in the state, and their domination doesn’t seem to be slowing down. They are 14-2-1 this season, and are seen by many as one of the top contenders for the state title. District play was scheduled to begin Tuesday against Lansing Everett at Portage Central. Results were unavailable at press time. The team is led by a veteran group of players, consisting of girls in all grades. The senior leaders make a huge impact on the field, but they are also helped out by many of the younger girls as well. Some notable young scorers on the team are Jaclynn Sibley and Alana Richmond. Richmond, a junior, and Sibley, a sophomore, are some of the best scorers in the conference. Sibley scored three goals against rival Portage Northern, and knows she would not have been able to do it without her teammates. “It was a great feeling,” Sibley said. “but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my team. They did everything they could to set me up for the goals. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
Sibley appreciates everything the seniors do for the team, and believes that they are the driving force in making some great team chemistry. “The team chemistry is one of the most important parts of our success. We communicate super well on and off the field. The seniors are fantastic leaders and we have a ton of respect for them,” Sibley said. On the other side of the field is where the unsung heroes reside. Defenders do not receive as much glory and fame, simply because they do not score many goals. Junior Sam Hawn has been on varsity since freshman year and doesn’t mind being on the defensive side of game. “Defending a goal is just as important as scoring one,” Hawn said. “Although we don’t get as many cheers from the crowd, our teammates appreciate us for saving them after they make a mistake.” The squad not only hopes to have success the rest of this season, but they also have high hopes for the coming years as well. “We have a very bright future ahead of us. We have a lot of young talent and I am excited for my senior year,” Hawn said. “But we really need to just take it one step at a time. We can’t get too caught up in the future.”
Spring is full of commitments for high school seniors across the country. From relationships to academics, everyone has to make commitment-oriented decisions that decide their future in the early days of March to the late days of May. However, if there’s one commitment that many seniors struggle with tirelessly, it’s that of committing athletic talents to a myriad of universities begging for their recruitment. While a majority of athletes with college offers will accept one of the many handed to them, some choose to take on college without the weight of athletic responsibility upon their shoulders. Senior Andrew McNassor was offered a slew of scholarships for his lacrosse abilities, notably from Albion College, Kalamazoo College and the University of Tampa. However, instead of playing lacrosse in the spring, McNassor will be studying for finals at the University of Michigan. “My parents essentially told me to do what made me happy,” McNassor said. “That happened to be going to Michigan.” Happiness is not the only thing McNassor is chasing at Michigan. As with many athletes, academic rigor is something to be taken into serious consideratio. While Kalamazoo College and University of Tampa do have impressive academic programs, McNassor knew what he wanted was a degree from U of M. Academics also played a big role in senior Morgan Wright’s decision. Offered by Albion College, Kalamazoo College and Saint Mary’s College for her soccer skills, Wright is instead heading to Chicago to attend Loyola University. “Academic opportunities at Loyola overrode the allure of playing soccer at a smaller school,” Wright said. It can be hard to make the decision of not attending one that is essentially offering free education. Stellar athletic and academic programs at smaller schools still draw athletes who dream of attending the school of their choice.
stampede
12
May 31, 2018
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