Central Stampede Vol. 24: Issue 2 by Central Stampede

Stampede C E N T R A L

Nov. 17, 2017

Vol. 24, Issue 2

centralstampede.com

Do you prefer to read books first or watch the movie?

5 3% Book Lovers Movie Watchers @CentralStampede

4 7% poll out of 34

Portage Central H.S. l 8135 S. Westnedge Ave. l Portage, MI 49002

Soaring teen anxiety affects school performance BY ISABELLA W ILS O N Editor-in-Chief Ryan Crawford knows all too well the symptoms that come with anxiety, a form of dread that negatively affects his ability to learn. “Anxiety makes it harder to learn,” said Crawford, a 17-year-old senior who suffers from anxiety in a school setting. “I’ll freak out earlier in the day, or the night before, even over little assignments that don’t matter much.” Anxiety ranges from mild fears, like the nervous feeling before giving a speech, to severe symptoms that can keep people from getting out of bed in the morning. The average high school student today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950s, according to Psychology Today, a website devoted to informing the public about psychological disorders, and the methods that are available for treating them. Whether mild or extreme, anxiety has undeniably conquered the adolescent lifestyle. With school, family and extracurriculars, it isn’t hard to see the developing problem in many teenager’s overwhelming schedules. While some cases of student anxiety are evident, others choose to conceal their internal struggle. The fact of the matter is that anxiety has become the leading cause for students to seek counseling, for a number of reasons, according to counselor Carla Kelly. “I don’t think anxiety is so simple that it is just one thing,” Kelly said. “I think it is everything from the way parenting styles have changed-especially since 9/11- to the exposure kids get to frightening things in our world, to the fact that many of our colleges have become much more competitive. It would be a mistake to oversimplify, and many others factors are too numerous to list.” Research shows that today, students are subjected to high expectations, both educationally and curricularly. According to a poll by the Sleep Foundation Organization, out of 1,062 adolescents, 58 percent reported feeling worried about things more than necessary, and 56 percent reported feeling anxious frequently. Additionally, 72 percent reported they slept less than seven hours a night. Lack of sleep in adolescents is an important factor that can drastically affect a student’s performance in both school and extracurriculars, adding on to the stress of time management and high expectations. “Anxiety will throw off my sleep schedule because I’ll stay up

What’s Inside...

until 2 or 3 in the morning worrying about the next day,” Crawford said. While taking advanced classes is optional to students, most choose to challenge themselves and enroll. However, anxiety has created an additional barrier to students, and the ability to succeed in school includes both being intelligent, and being able to stay mentally on top of the workload. “I worry about not getting into college,” Crawford said. “I’ve almost dropped classes or quit events due to anxiety about school.” This growing workload and stress of school has increased the prevalence of anxiety in school. “I hate saying that I have seen more anxiety in recent times, but I do think we are seeing more of it,” Kelly said. “I think kids at this age have always been anxious, but I think we are a lot more aware of it now because we are more aware of mental health, so kids don’t have to internalize it as much as they used to, which is probably better.” While there are opportunities for student to express the anxiety they are having, it is often difficult to do so. For this reason, many students hold high standards for themselves, resulting in more anxiety related to mental well-being. “I’m sure parents, too, are struggling with how to respond,” Kelly said. “We have all kinds of problems in our society. A parent doesn’t want to miss something, but sometimes the more anxious a parent is, then the more anxious the child. It’s a delicate balance.” This “delicate balance” will continue to exist as anxiety rates are projected to increase. Psychologists are trying to reach solutions to decrease anxiety in the world, but as adolescent lifestyle continues to rage, the difficulty in finding a balance between a healthy challenge and mental harm will continDoes anxiety ue to keep you up at exist.

night? see page

Cuffing Season

Trash in the parking lot

page

The man behind the desk: J.C.

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news

2 Continued from page 1

Nov. 17, 2017

by the

Numbers 40% of students get

Sweet Dreams...

Students’ work and extracurriculars are contributing to their lack of sleep BY BRYAN C AS S EM Entertainment Editor

It happens to everyone. The late nights staying up until 2 a.m., working on a really important speech, when students choose to place their overall health and well-being second to their school grades. These are the nights when students must ask themselves how far they are willing to be deprived of their much needed sleep, only to do well on one assignment that is worth a small fraction of their time. Even on nights when teachers haven’t assigned major projects, students find themselves falling asleep past 11 p.m. because they have a sport, rehearsal, practice or combination of events to attend before they have a chance to get a start on their homework. “On a good day I’ll get about four hours of sleep, other days I’m not so lucky,” senior Bill Duo said. “I just have an awful schedule with schoolwork, tennis and traveling, and I really value both my education and tennis, so I don’t want to sacrifice one for the other.” According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), teens need nine to 10 hours of sleep per night, and this is nowhere near the actual amount of sleep that the majority of high school students actually get, as the schoolwide poll revealed that only 5.9 percent of students get over eight hours of sleep every night. Junior Ola Buss typically only sleeps for five hours on school nights. “When I’m sleep deprived, creativity and effort go out the window,” Buss said. “My long

term ability to remember concepts we learn in class is greatly compromised because of my lack of sleep.” Sleep is necessary for our bodies, and it is not a luxury, but rather a vital process that the human body needs to carry out for several reasons. As stated by the Huffington Post, the body flushes waste and toxins out and repairs itself while asleep. In addition, while a person is in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep, vivid dreams occur, and these dreams can help people process the events that they experienced during the day. This helps them store and process information better, and therefore, can help students better understand concepts learned in school. With the buildup of toxins due to sleep deprivation, a severe lack of sleep can greatly affect a person’s mood and behavior as well. “I get mad easily when I don’t sleep much and I have a hard time concentrating in class, and in the afternoon I get really tired, which results in me taking long naps,” junior Nathalie Sampson said. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, lack of sleep can also change a person’s mood by creating increased anxiety, since sleep deprivation can cause high blood pressure which is linked to higher stress levels. Research also suggests that sleep deprivation can cause certain anxiety disorders which make falling asleep an even harder task to accomplish. Sleep is a necessary part of human life, and although some have trouble fitting in a decent amount of sleep, students must realize that when depriving themselves of sleep, their health is severely and negatively impacted.

of sleep per night

5-6 hours

Are you sleep deprived?

29% No

71% Yes

Deep breath. Take a couple minutes out of your day just to take a break. As students, we are constantly bombarded with class work, tests, quizzes, and homework. While school seems to be the top priority, students need to remind themselves to relax because mental health should be a priority as well. Exercise: Working out or going for a run or a walk is an efficient way to de-stress. When exercising, your brain releases endorphins which gives you the sense of happiness. Additionally, exercising keeps you physically fit. Twenty to 30 minutes of exercise is enough to feel good as new. Breathing: Deep-breathing is a method used in yoga but if you’re too busy to go to yoga, practicing deep breathing is a great idea. To do this, breathe through your nose for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and then release from your mouth for eight seconds. Just sitting down and focusing on your breath can make you feel much better. Eat: Many people when they're nervous have issues eating which causes anxiety. When blood-sugar levels drop, they can make you more nervous and irritable. Having something substantial as a snack can help (like nuts, berries or yogurt). Not eating in the morning can make it even worse. Eating an egg is

Upcoming dates for your calender The Thanksgiving holiday weekend begins on Wednesday, with school not resuming until Monday, Nov. 28. Additionally, there are four weeks of classes between Thanksgiving and winter break (which will be from Saturday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 7). Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 8 and finals week will be the week of Jan. 22, with the first semester officially ending on Friday, Jan. 26. There is no school for students that day.

Last month’s blood drive saves 190 lives More than 190 lives were saved, according to Michigan Blood, as a result last month’s blood drive sponsored by National Honor Society. Additionally, 96 students/staff reserved spots to donate, 87 people registered at the drive, 64 successfully donated blood and 23 were first-time donors. As a result, 192 lives were saved, according to the organization. The next blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 7.

The holiday market is coming to town

85% of students believe their homework causes sleep deprivation. *POLL OF 336 STUDENTS

Self-care tips can lead a healthier life BY BR IDGE T DOYLE Staff Writer

in brief

a great idea- they provide both protein and choline. Lack of choline can cause the feelings of anxiety. Relax by heating up: Heat relaxes muscles and gives you a relaxing sensation. Taking a shower, a bath, or simply a drinking cup of hot tea can make you feel a lot better. Be careful when drinking hot drinks, too much caffeine can be bad for you and make you feel less relaxed. Sleep: Getting a good night of sleep can can help you prepare for a test more effectively than late night cramming. After going through stage four of sleep, you enter the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) portion of your sleep where the information you have learnt is now processed and the unimportant memories are filtered out. This takes six to eight hours of sleeping, so getting at least eight hours is a good place to start. Hang out with friends: Staying inside and isolating yourself will make your stress feel worse. Hanging out with friends or family can give you the much needed break you deserve. We all get nervous sometimes and, unfortunately, according to elementsbehavioralhealth.com, 25 percent of teens suffer from anxiety. Learning to cope and relax will help decrease your nervous feelings. Self-care is a big and useful step towards a healthier and a calmer lifestyle that students should adapt.

Need gifts for friends and family this holiday season? Head over to the Portage Holiday Market on Dec. 10. There will be vendors from all over Portage, bringing their handcrafted and high quality goods to the Portage Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring friends and family to this special event. You won't want to miss it!

Millenium Park ice rink opens for season With Christmas finally coming around the corner, one of Portage’s most popular, and exciting point of interest is making a comeback for another winter season. The Portage Millennium Park ice rink is opening on Nov. 24 for the 18th season of winter. It will remain open until March 4 and the timings will be from 8 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. So mark your calendars and get ready to go ice skating with your friends and family to get back into that Christmas spirit that we all know and love!

Annual gingerbread workshop fees due Gather your friends and family and head to Shrier Park on Dec. 9. This is the date of the annual Gingerbread Workshop. However, be sure to register by Nov. 20. On this day, you will be paying a fee of $25 dollars to have the most fun possible. This fee includes all the candy you can think of in order to create the best gingerbread house possible. Begin your holiday season right with a fun gingerbread house creating festival.

Nov. 17, 2017

news

Students accumulate trash in parking lot Students resort to littering the student parking lot after trash cans fill up from lunches BY BEL LA PEDR A ZA Editor-in-chief Inside the walls of the school it is not hard to find students dutifully recycling and disposing of their waste in the correct bin, however just 15 feet from the doors of the building, the student parking lots tells a much different story of the habits of PCHS students. Everyday, mostly after lunch, the parking lots are littered with trash from food waste, wrappers, papers and whatever students find “too difficult” to throw away. “I feel like even when I pick up trash, by the time I get to the third floor, there’s more trash to replace it and I think it’s mostly complacency,” environmental science teacher Chris Lane said. “ I don’t think they’re intentionally trying to pollute, they just figure someone else will take care of it.” The litter problem has developed into a serious issue that negatively displays the behaviors of the students, and, according to Lane, is simply “unattractive”. To solve this, efforts are being made to help alleviate the growing piles of waste. Principal Eric Alburtus has offered an incentive of $100 for classes and student organizations to volunteer to pick up the trash in the lots. Lane’s ecology class has already participated in the trash clean up. “Picking up trash was pretty gross but it was worth it because we got a lot of stuff picked up and we got it looking at least a little bit better in the areas that we went,” senior Alex Frey said. “It definitely helped my class rethink littering because we realized how much trash there actually is and how much it piles up.” The majority of the trash in the parking lot appears after the lunch periods as upperclassmen who leave campus for lunch retu to the school with the remnants of their lunch items. On their way in, many students responsibly throw their waste in the many garbage cans that, according to Mr. Brown, “seem to get filled up quite quickly”. How-

ISABELLA WILSON/STAMPEDE

BRIDGET DOYLE/STAMPEDE

Upperclassmen have one trash can on the way into the school building to throw their trash away, but as it fills up, students result in littering the parking lot with their trash. ever, the overflowing, exterior bins should not be considered an excuse to litter due to the abundance of bins inside the school, and also according to Brown, “when the trash cans are full, we let the custodians know to empty them.” Though many students are aware of the abundance of problems pollution presents to the school

Instead of using a different trash can when the outdoor one is full, students resort to piling trash around it, causing the litter.

and the environment, day after day new piles of waste appear in the parking lots. This unceasing issue leads many to wonder why students continue to pollute. “Some people think throwing trash on the ground is funny, and they’re too lazy to throw it away,” junior Jared Riley said.

Whether it be a matter of apathy or plain ignorance, the most effective way to abolish this harmful issue is at the root: stop littering. “Please stop and think that someone has to pick your trash up,” Lane said. “It’s disrespectful to think that your time is more meaningful than the person that has to go pick that up.”

Elective classes can no longer accept student fees BY R O WA N T H AW L E Y Staff Writer

ROWAN THAWLEY/STAMPEDE

Senior Kate Morrisey helps cook a recipe for the foods class, an elective that can no longer require students to pay a fee to purchase items needed for the class.

Students taking elective classes such as foods, wood shop, and some art classes are used to sometimes paying a fee to help offset the cost of some of these classes. Effective next semester, teachers can no longer require a fee from students to take the class, meaning the teachers of these classes will have an even tougher time budgeting. This is a state law that has been in the books for years, Principal Eric Alburtus said, but has not been enforced in Portage until now. “It cannot be a requirement to pay a fee for an elective class,” Principal Eric Alburtus said. “It is a really tough spot to be in.” Cheryl Tucker, the foods teacher, utilized this fee for her class in the past to pay for everything from eggplants to dark chocolate. Things will be changing now with her class to compensate for the loss of the $35 fee. Tucker also runs the daily muffin cart business, which is another activity that was supported by this fee. “The school gives me a set amount [of money]

for my classes, then the rest is provided by the student fees,” Tucker said. “Without the fees, food labs are going to have to be changed. For example, instead of using meat for our quesadilla lab, I’m going to substitute rice and beans.” Annually, Tucker is given about a $1,500 budget for her foods classes. The rest of the money came through the fee paid by students. Freshman Caitlin Gast, a student in Tucker’s foods class and a muffin cart worker, said she enjoys helping run the cart, and worries about the future of the class. “I have enjoyed the time I’ve run the muffin cart, it’s really fun to do,” Gast said. “But if the fee is (taken away), the cooking class will suffer, and I don’t think we would be able to run the muffin cart anymore.” Though the new rule will go into effect next semester, Tucker and other elective teachers will still accept donations from students and parents willing to support. The Central Stampede was unable to reach Karla Colestock, Director of Finance, for comment. The class fee rule being enforced results in issues for these classes, which may result in changes to their curricula.

opinion

Nov. 17, 2017

Elective classes deserve proper district funding Electives are classes that everyone loves, and they teach students crucial life skills such as cooking, financing, nutrition and carpentry. A recent decision by Portage administrators, however, has made it even harder for these classes to operate. A state law dictates that school officials may not collect fees for elective classes. That restriction is detrimental to these programs, and we fear the damage that may be done to elective classes in the future as a result. While we understand that it cannot be a requirement for students to pay for an elective class, we urge administrators to acknowledge how much the fees have helped the department. By collecting a

small fee from students, teacher Cheryl Tucker was able to keep the class running smoothly and was able to produce foods that the students wanted. With the absence of a fee, the foods class will be forced to make foods that students are not passionate about cooking. They may even be forced to learn about cooking through videos or textbooks, which is no way to learn about cooking. With restrictions put on the foods class, enrollment in the class may decrease as well. This is a shame because electives are one of the only classes in

staf f editorial

Stampede

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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: Hayden Bernadine, Paige Berry, Daaren Bukhari, Ethan Campbell, Sylvie Croteau, Bridget Doyle, Grace Foster, Elliana Hamilton, James Johnson, Charlie Levy, 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 Fax: (269) 323-5290

The Central Stampede

Portage Central High School 8135 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, MI 49002

which students from all academic levels are integrated. With core classes varying in difficulty, it is very hard to find a class in which students can be exposed to a variety of different people. The idea of collecting fees from foods students is the same thing as collecting money from students for “pay to participate.” This gap shows the emphasis put on sports rather than arts and other electives. It creates a message that the arts are not as important as sports. The arts help spark innovation within students and without this, many of us

Max Blake, 9th

Angela Postula,10th

would be unable to express our individuality. Principal Eric Alburtus recently wrote a letter of apology in the parent newsletter, stating that he feels badly about asking parents for money for elective classes. While this letter was heartfelt and kind, it was also unnecessary. The principal should not have to apologize for something that did no harm to people in our community, and actually helped the students the school district is supposed to serve. We urge parents to not let this outdated state law deter them from continuing to support these important classes.

five

Austin Barnes,11th

Josie Muffley,12th

Mrs. Grand

1. Do you think trash in the student parking lots is a problem? (p. 3) I’m not really sure, I dont go out there too often.

Yes, I think it’s totally not OK.

Yeah, I see it everywhere.

Yes. Everytime I leave school there’s always McDonald’s and Taco Bell trash everywhere.

It is. I work on beautifying the school grounds with Mr. Alburtus, and we spend hours picking up trash.

2. Do you prefer pumpkin or apple pie? (p. 5) Pumpkin.

Pumpkin.

Apple.

Pumpkin because I don’t like soggy apples.

Pumpkin.

I love No Shave November! Shaving just takes up so much time.

That’s a tough one. I think it’s great to bring awareness, if that’s what it takes.

3. What are your thoughts on No Shave November? (p. 9) It’s pretty cool.

I think that if you want to participate it’s cool, but if not it’s good to show support.

I think it’s a good thing to do if you can grow a beard.

4. Do you think there’s a negative portrayal of police shown on television? (p. 12) Yeah.

I think sometimes because of events of the past there’s a bad portrayel, but not all policemen are bad.

Yeah, definitely.

Sometimes I think there is negative stuff, but lets be honest most things shown on the news are negative.

Yes, in some situations. In other cases it’s important to show it.

My brother, Jordyn Muffley.

Matthew Stafford.

5. Who is your favorite professional athlete? (p. 13) George St. Pierre.

Simone Biles.

Lionel Messi.

Nov. 17, 2017

opinion

Which pie takes the cake? Apple pie

B Y A S HNA M E H RA Opionion Editor

Gooey, flaky and sweet. These are all words that come to mind when one thinks of pie – specifically, apple pie. Apple pie is a staple for any Thanksgiving dinner that keeps people coming back for more. While apple pie is often overshadowed by other pies such as pumpkin, pecan or lemon, there is no doubt that apple pie is superior to all others. The first thing that you notice about the delectible desert is its refreshing taste. Often times, pies can seem too sweet to eat whole, but this is not the case with apple pie. There’s just something about the fresh apples in apple pie that creates the perfect balance between sweet and savory. The fusion between the sweet filling and the crispy apples gives apple pie a flavor that is incomparably pleasing to the tongue. Apple pie is by far the easiest pie to cook. While pumpkin pie can take up to 90 minutes to prepare, apple pie can be made in a mere 50.

The only ingredients needed to make apple pie are pie crust, sugar, flour and apples. With just a few simple ingredients, a delicious apple pie can be made in minutes. Also, its unique texture makes apple pie unbeatable. The moment you bite into the pie, there is a satisfying crunch that comes from the fully baked crust. After the initial outer layer, the sweet gooeyness of the inside seeps into your mouth. Lastly, the pieces of apple within the pie itself feel tender and soft. This wide array of textures found in apple pie is one that can’t be found in any others. Personally, every year for Thanksgiving, my family goes to a friend’s house and bakes apple pie together. From slicing the apples, to adding the cinnamon on top, there is nothing better than the joy that cooking apple pie together has brought me.

Apple pie is the one that beats all others. So next time you’re preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, ditch the pumpkins and grab some apples. Because at the end of the day, apple pie will always be the best.

With Thanksgiving coming right around the corner, one thing is on everybody’s minds. We all know that with Thanksgiving feasts, we will gain at least five pounds. One course in particular stands out from the rest - dessert. The staple of Thanksgiving dessert is the traditional pumpkin pie. And although some people may say apple pie is better, that statement is completely false. First of all, the flavor of pumpkin pie is superior in every way. The pumpkin has a fresh taste that many people only enjoy during October and November. The pie is sweet, but also has a hint of tartness to it. It has the perfect balance and combination of sweet and nutty from the nutmeg paired with allspice. The combination of the traditional, flaky pie crust paired with the thick, creamy pumpkin pie filling makes a wonderful, single layer of crust, along with a pump-

kin purée that can be store bought or made. Pumpkin pie is easier to make compared to the apple pie. Apple pie requires a double crust, which adds time to prepare a larger amount of dough for the crust. The longer amount of time causes the dough to rise significantly slower. Plus, having fresh apples is a necessity for apple pie, which adds even more time to cut the apples and make sure that there are no seeds within the pie. Therefore, pumpkin pie is easier prepare than apple pie. Lastly, the texture of pumpkin pie is amazing compared to slimy apple pie. Who wants to eat a slimy piece of apple when you can eat a creamy piece of pumpkin pie? The feeling of a cooked apple in my mouth feels like biting into a sweet version of an oyster. I would rather feel a smooth texture than something that is gooey. Pumpkin pie is far healthier compared to apple pie. A

single piece of pumpkin pie delivers 250 percent of a person’s supply of vitamins and minerals, as well as iron. When pumpkin pie is cooked, the pumpkin does not lose much of its nutrients, whereas when you cook apple pie, it loses nutrition. Unlike pumpkin pie, apple pie has a lot of carbohydrates and calories which causes the apple pie to be less not healthy as the pumpkin pie. When making Thanksgiving dinner this year, forget about those mundane apples. Step into a world of wondrous flavor and complexity. Make a pumpkin pie and stick with the traditional dessert of this great holiday.

Pumpkin pie

B Y P A IGE BER RY Staff Writer

opinion

Ready for a little cuffin’? Cuffing season (n)- the months between October and March when people feel the need to get in a relationship

B Y JA M ES JOH N S O N I V Staff Writer As the weather starts to cool off and the rain and snow starts to venture their way into our busy, yet lonely lives, we start to get more soft on the inside. But why do we feel the way we do? The answer to your sad question has a more or less positive answer to it: cuffing season. Ah yes, cuffing season. The time is upon us. The time where people feel the need to scurry into relationships from the cold times and post about said relationships all over Instagram and Twitter. Don’t feel bad though, we all have done it before. Including myself... Cuffing season is when fall starts and most people that are not in relationships feel obligated to find that special person until the spring hits.

I completely understand that everyone has needs and that everyone wants to feel a little bit of love in their lives. But sadly, the expectations are too high for cuffing season. What I mean is that people want a relationship so bad that they are willing to settle for someone who is not right for them. This can get a bit scary because you will get emotionally involved and then heartbroken once the temperature goes back up to 70 degrees. We have to remember that we are only in high school and that there is still someone out there that is perfect for us. Just because you don’t find someone within these four years of misery, doesn’t mean you're gonna die alone with all of your pets. So instead of wanting to spend this season with someone who you just want for warmth, go out and do the fall and winter things everyone else does like go to Gull Meadow Farms, go jump in a pile of leaves, build a snowman and most importantly, don’t get yourself caught up in anything stupid.

BRIDGET DOYLE/STAMPEDE

Nov. 17, 2017

It’s vital to know our local government

B Y B EL L A PEDRAZ A Editor-In-Cheif Alas, the great election season has finally come to a close. No, I am not a year late in saying this, and yes I have been fully aware of the members of our presidential cabinet for quite some time now. Despite the rows of campaign signs staked in your neighbor's yard and bumper stickers placed on occasional cars, what many people fail to recognize is the occurence of our own city elections. Hopefully, we are all aware of the existence of our local government: the mayor, the council, the boards, etc. However, how many young adults know the names of the members that make up these positions or even their platforms? Ten days ago a new mayor and three new city council members were elected to serve our local government. Patricia Randall will serve as our new mayor with Lori Knapp, Claudette Reid and Terry Urban serving as the new members of our city council. I will not ignore or overlook the handful of politically and communally active students and possibly staff who have come to learn who resides in our city hall. In fact, I applaud them greatly for their involvement. It is of the utmost importance that we are as familiar with our local government as much as we are our federal government, if not more. Our responsibility as Americans is to elect officials who represent the majority of the U.S. population into office, and it is our responsibility as citizens of Portage to elect officials who represent the aspirations of our city. I understand that for high school students it is all too easy to distance ourselves from the affairs of the older voting population that seem to care the most about city elections. However, local governments have the most direct influence on our everyday lives. With simple small elections, we are able to build schools, libraries, sports facilities, parks and trails. We come in contact with our local government every day. Our schools, libraries, police officers and firefighters are all a part of our local government. Even I am considered a city employee from working as a lifeguard for a city park. All of the decisions that affect these things are produced from the many executives, councils, and boards of our local government. This means as students and staff of Portage Central, a public school, we are directly affected by the affairs and decisions made by the people we are able to elect into office. Though many students in the school, including myself, are not yet able to vote in our city elections, this should not hold anyone back from learning the platforms and ideals of local candidates or supporting the candidates that align with your views. For many, the age of adult status and voting rights is approaching quickly. There is an abundance of time to familiarize yourself with activities of the city council before the next election where you will be able to have a voice and determine the future of the city of Portage.

student life

Nov. 17, 2017 BY ZACH BUMGAR NER Student Life Editor Slang terms give everyone the ability to express how they are feeling in a fun and easy way. If you were around in the ’80s, you’d be accustomed to words such as “fly,” “dweeb” and “wicked.” These terms have evolved as time has gone on, and it is important to know what is being said nowadays.

Staying ‘woke’ through the times

The Retired Terms g Turnt (adj)- very excitin nt. tur s Ex: That party wa that others wish they Swag (adj)- having a style had He has so much Ex: Have you seen his shirt? swag. a lover Thirsty (adj)- in need of ve never seen her not ha I y. rst Ex: She’s extra thi flirting with someone. gross or extremely aweGnarly (adj)- extremely some gnarly. Ex: His broken arm was so Or s gnarly. That backflip he landed wa t is looked down upon Triflin’ (adj)- a person tha due to their actions r shirt. She is so trifEx: She has food all over he lin’.

The Current Terms Fam (n)- what people use friends Ex: What’s up fam?

to describe a group of

ct, someone or someSus (adj)- short for suspe thing that is questionable last night? That was Ex: Did you see what he did sus. ople that are very Woke (adj)- describes pe time aware of how to have a good Ex: That dude stays woke. Boonk (v)- to steal water bottle. Ex: Somebody boonked my ening that is very Lit (adj)- something happ exciting to be so lit. Ex: This weekend is going

COMPILED BY PAIGE BERRY/STAMPEDE KAORU MURAI/STAMPEDE

Older siblings leave expectations to be met BY ISABE LLA W ILS O N Editor-in-Chief From birth, children follow in their sibling’s footsteps, whether in activities, entertainment or academics. “Even from an early age, I would feel the need to be the same or even better than my brother, so that impacted a lot of the decisions I made in high school,” senior Sophia Maddux said. Whether it is acknowledged or not, having an older sibling can often influence the decisions students make in their high school career. Following in a sibling’s footsteps can create an overwhelming amount of pressure for students, especially in regards to academic achievements. Maddux relates to this idea, as she chose to participate in the IB Diploma to prove her academic abilities following her brother’s continued success in both KAMSC and college. Her brother, Ben Maddux, graduated with a weighted class rank of two, and currently attends the University of Michigan. While this can become an overwhelming task for some students, having an older sibling can affect students in a positive way as well. “It has a positive effect in my lifestyle because I challenge myself, but also, it has pushed me to places that I might not be in if I

didn’t have a brother who was so successful,” Maddux said. While some live up to their siblings through academic standards, others are challenged with the success of their sibling in extracurriculars. Ben participated in the swim team, and Sophia followed his lead by doing so as well. If one sibling actively participates in an activity, the younger student is inclined to do so as well. Counselor Carla Kelly notes the importance of an older sibling’s participation in high school. “If you have an older brother or sister that goes to high school and you go to all their games or performances and see that involvement, sometimes it is more comfortable for you to step in to participate just because it is familiar,” Kelly said. “It can ease the way because it isn’t brand new, and you already know some of the kids involved.” While sibling rivalries have always existed, some cases are more prevalent than others. Despite this, it is important to note that each student is their own person, and some activities may work for one sibling, but not the other. “Although it’s not a competition, sometimes it feels like because he did this, I have to do something just as credible in the eyes of some people,” Maddux said.

COURTESY OF SOPHIA MADDUX

Senior Sophia Maddux and her older brother, Ben Maddux, smile for a first day of school picture. The pair have been competitive since their childhood.

student life

Nov. 17, 2017

Injured students face hardships in school BY DAAREN BUK HA R I Staff Writer

Most of us play sports in school, but unfortunately some of these athletes get injured sometime during their season. Some people overlook the obstacles that these injured students have to overcome during school and during extracurriculars. Being injured isn’t something that can be taken with ease for many of these players. Going to school can be quite the nuisance, and there’s plenty of reasons for it. From having to walk really slow, to having to use the elevator, it can be quite the struggle. The main complaint about being injured that many people have said, is the fact that they have to use the elevator. Our school consists of three floors and students usually have classes on each of these floors, so having to use the elevator during passing hours is quite difficult and can take quite some time. During passing times, students walk around the hallways and it can be difficult for an injured student to maneuver around these people. Many other injured students use the elevator, so it’s constantly moving up and down and the five minutes of passing time just isn’t enough. “I’m late to class all the time because the elevator literally takes forever,” senior Mara Wilder said. Wilder was injured whilst running in cross country. She explaines how the use of the elevator was her worst experience being injured, and the time it takes for the elevator to go up and down takes way too much time. Having to use the elevator also means that injured students have to leave class early in order to avoid the obstacles of passing time. Due to this, they often end up missing important lessons and announcements. “I have to leave class early and it’s kind of a disruption,” Wilder said. She said that she found it hard and occasionally embarrassing to leave class early while the teacher was talking. The office staff is also affected by student’s injuries. It can be a hassle for the office staff to give

HAYDEN BERNARDINE/STAMPEDE

Seniors Emma Kite and Anissa Fontanilla use the elevator everyday because of their leg injuries. out or keep track of elevator passes. According to the office secretary Jodi Shearer, many kids take elevator passes when it’s entirely not needed. “Sometimes what happens is they keep them when they don’t necessarily need them,” Shearer said. “They also bring uninjured students on the elevator with them.” In fact, the elevator passes can come close to running out. Currently, there are about four or five elevator passes left. Pass shortages have occured before, but they have never run out. Many students think that it’s okay to joke

around about the injury of a student. This is another struggle of being injured and going to school. Some students have been made fun of in a joking way about the way they walk or the way they look due to an injury. Although it is often seen as harmless banter, it can damage the injured student emotionally. “Other kids would say that I would waddle around like I had a peg leg,” junior Konnor McLeod said. With all these obstacles injured students encounter, the biggest problem they have to face

is balancing their lives that were already stressful to begin with. While the rest of us have anxiety over studying for a test, an injured student has to worry about doctor’s visits, among other things that come with the road to recovery. Being injured playing the sport you love or stumbling into an accident isn’t the most ideal thing that can happen to a student. It’s important to realize the hardships these students face, as well as how to prevent further injury to student’s emotions and the office staff’s anxiety levels.

Gap year may be an option for graduating seniors BY SAMH ITA SUNK A R A News Editor Students are most notorious for complaints about workload and schoolwork in high school, yet approximately nine out of 10 students at Portage Central continue their academics at either a 2-year or 4-year college or university. A popular option for post-primary education plans has increased nationally for high schoolers— gap years. A gap year entails students taking a year-long break from furthering their education to gain career experience, travel the world or simply take a break from the sleep deprivation and anxiety that comes along with four more years of school. While nationally gap years are becoming more frequent in teens and young adults, Portage Central is an outlier of this trend. Counselor Carla Kelly explains that she rarely sees students plan to take a year off after high school. Kelly sees both benefits and drawbacks of students delaying their education.

“I see what the parental fear is because it would have been my fear too— if they don’t go [to college/university] along with their classmates, then they might not go at all,” Kelly said. “[However] I think it depends on the child, the family and what they feel is best for their students.” Kelly also explains that gap years are taken for a host of reasons, and not only for those who are unsure about their career and future plans. “Sometimes the kids that I see take gap years are perfectly ready for college, but have explored some other options and opportunities and want to take advantage of them,” Kelly said. Although the overwhelming majority of Portage Central graduates enter more education or the workforce immediately, some have plans to pursue their education after taking a gap year. Senior Grace Metheany plans on taking a gap year before college to learn about environmental activism. “I just feel like there’s so much more I can learn before college and so many more things I can do,” Metheany said.

Metheany discovered a program called “The Sunshine Project,” which takes people around the United States to teach them about environmental issues and how to take governmental action to correct them. However, she has other plans for activities to do during the year that she plans to take before enrolling in college. “I would go around and play music at cafes,”

Metheany said. “I’ve considered doing it, just to be free for a while.” Senior Mitchell Harpenau would like to take a gap year as well. “I think it’s important to take time off of school to pursue extracurricular opportunities full-time that aren’t associated with a grade or qualification,” Harpenau said.

student life

Nov. 17, 2017

Molossia: the unknown nation within our nation

No-Shave November

Teacher influences students to stop shaving for the month of November BY ELLIA NA HAM ILTO N Staff Writer As November dawns upon us, it brings colder weather, hungry bellies, and most importantly, hairy chins. No-Shave November is in full swing and is a popular topic among men all over the country. No-Shave November entails men who stop shaving and donate the money they would spend on shaving products to different foundations. No-Shave November has been going on for years but, in 2009, the Chicagoland Hill family decided to use it for cancer awareness after their father died of colon cancer two years prior. This organization aims to get people to appreciate the privilege they have to be able to grow their hair out. One of the teachers who participates and has challenged students to join in No-Shave November is teacher Marc Uhlmann. He chose to do No-Shave November many years ago when he use to duck hunt. “Having a lot of facial hair is good camo!” Uhlmann said. For Uhlmann, the no-shaving doesn't just last the month of November; he keeps his beard for the whole winter. “Usually by March, my wife is threatening to shave me while I sleep,” Uhlmann said. Every year the bearded group of staff and students decides what foundation they want to donate to. They like to keep the donations local. This year the procedes will go to the Dante Latora Memorial Scholarship Fund, in honor of Latora Although people might view the hairy men in November as unsanitary, the beards and mustaches are for a good cause and are a wonderful tradition to participate in.

When did No-Shave November start? 2009

Give money normally spent on shaving products to different organizations.

The goal of No-Shave November is to gain awareness of cancer.

President Kevin Baugh standing by the sign of Molossia, stating some of the rules of the nation. BY J AC K SH I N A B A R G E R Staff Writer Somewhere outside the town of Dayton, Nevada there exists a micronation called the Republic of Molossia. A micronation is a small area or political entity that claims national sovereignty but is not recognized by other sovereign states. Boasting an incredibly small area of 6.5 acres with a residential population of six people, Molossia is one of the most famous micronations in the world. Hundreds of people flock to the tiny territory during the tourist season which lasts from Apr. 15 to Oct. 15. People from 208 countries have visited the country’s website as well. The Republic of Molossia is run by Kevin Baugh, whose official title is “His Excellency President Grand Admiral Colonel Doctor Kevin Baugh, President and Raïs of Molossia, Protector of the Nation and Guardian of the People.” The tiny nation's origins can be traced back to May 26, 1977. Baugh and his best friend James, inspired by the movie “The Mouse That Roared,” created their own country named the “Grand Republic of Vuldstein.” “We enjoyed the creativity, cleverness and originality of the film and wanted our own tiny nation. James was King and I was Prime Minister,” Baugh explained. “It was essentially an extension of the idea of declaring one's bedroom a sovereign nation, something many kids do.” James eventually moved on to other projects, but Baugh stuck with the idea. In 1998, he purchased land in northern Nevada, changed its name to the

Republic of Molossia, and built a nation from there. The republic operates the same as any other nation. Molossia has its own navy, space exploration program, railroad, national bank, postal service and many other agencies commonly found in any other nation. Molossia is also currently in a state of war – they have been conflicting with East Germany for, according to their website, 12,406 days, or roughly 34 years. Molossia formerly had land in Pennsylvania as well, albeit for a short period of time. “That was a unique circumstance where I was helping out a fellow micronationalist during a time when he couldn't maintain his own nation, so we agreed that it would become a protectorate of Molossia,” Baugh said. “When his situation was resolved he went back to being the sovereign of that nation.” The nation previously laid claim to a stretch of land on the planet Venus also, but no longer have any sort of say. Along with Molossia, there are dozens of micronations across the world. But what makes Baugh’s kingdom so special is that Molossia actually possesses land, unlike others that only exist online or were made as a joke, such as Lovely. “Molossia is a nation and exists just as that, a defined home to our citizens,” Baugh said. “Of course we have fun with the idea of having our own nation, and we do like to laugh here in Molossia, but we are also serious about making Molossia (someday) the greatest nation on Earth.”

Republic Of Molossia, Dayton Nev. USA

entertainment

Reviews Stampede from the

Core Life entices with healthy variety

Nov. 17, 2017

Artist of the month: Davina Leone

Core Life Eatery opened its doors to the public on Oct. 20 with an overwhelming amount of people eager to try the new menu. After a lunch at Core Life, I was nothing short of pleased. Core Life Eatery is a healthy and delicious place to eat a full meal, and feel refreshed after doing so. The options range from grain bowls to salad bowls to soups galore. The ambience is trendy and new, providing an enticing atmosphere for all. The meals are made in front of you and you can choose what ingredients are in your bowl. Each ingredient is made fresh in front of you. The employees even cut whole avocados and peppers for your bowl as you choose them. The signature lemonades are the most delicious part of Core Life. The restaurant offers handcrafted beet lemonade, cucumber basil lemonade, cranberry cayenne lemonade, apple cider green tea and tropical green tea. After sampling them all, I recommend the obscure yet delicious beet lemonade. With fresh, new options and quirky picks, Core Life is the new best place to stop and eat in Portage. ISABELLA WILSON/STAMPEDE

REVIEWED BY ISABELLA WILSON

Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ captivates On Nov. 10, Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated brand new album “Reputation.” The album starts with Swift’s song “...Ready For It?” and it kick starts the entire album with high energy. The album continues to keep up that same energy through every song. Throughout this entire album, Swift sheds light on notorious feuds including “Kimye,” and her feuds between the paparazzi and Katy Perry. Yet in each song, Swift does not drop any names as she leaves fans to speculate where the intense shade originates from. From “Look What You Made Me Do” to “Call It What You Want,” Swift’s entire new album is a look into Taylor’s “edgier” side and she shows fans how petty she can really be. For the time being, Swift has made it available to the public via CD, iTunes and Google Play store for purchase. Within the next few weeks, the album will be available on streaming services such as Spotify and iHeartRadio. COURTESY OF BILLBOARD

REVIEWED BY PAIGE BERRY

‘Thor: Ragnorak’ entertains viewers With several complex and diverse storylines and villains, “Thor: Ragnarok” proved to be a very engrossing and enjoyable film. The special effects are high-quality and the background music is superb, which sets up the movie for success. Additionally, there are many hilarious comedic moments throughout the film, to the point where the movie can be considered a comedy as well as an action film. While the comedy throughout the film was entertaining, it was also a bit distracting at the same time. It created a distinctly different tone compared to the main plotline which was serious. The movie included a few other superhero and villain cameos which made it more interesting. Overall, seeing this movie is definitely a must for every superhero fan, but also for every fan of movies in general, too.

REVIEWED BY BRYAN CASSEM

Ratings Key terrible very bad

average very good incredible

COURTESY OF DAVINA LEONE

BY BRYA N C A S S EM Entertainment Editor The up-and-coming artist, 24-year-old Davina Leone, released her debut single, “Good Way” on Oct. 25. This song is the first of many to be released with the rest of her debut EP to be released soon. The single is unlike anything out there, and the calm beat and mellow tone of Leone’s voice is coupled with the amazing background music. This creates such a strong feeling in the listener that they cannot help but move along with the beat. Leone plans to release the rest of her songs on the EP one-by-one, so keep an eye out for more of these exceptionally pleasing singles on Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes.

Nov. 17, 2017

entertainment

Book vs Movie: the age-old controversy The best time to favor classic literature or award-winning cinema BY SYLVIE CR OT EAU Staff Writer

One of the biggest debates in recent media history is whether or not you should read the book or watch the movie first. Should you read “The Hunger Games” before you see it, or should you watch “Fight Club” before reading to get a hold on the characters? There is no definite decision, but depending on the film or book, the right decision can either be to pick up the book first or the DVD case instead. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby” can be seen on high school reading lists all over the country, but to English teacher Theresa Mills, it’s one to watch. “I think one of my favorite [book-to-movie adaptations] is “The Great Gatsby,”” Mills said. “It stays true to the opulence that’s in the novel and they really show that well in the movie.” Another example of this would be, “No Country For Old Men.” Directed by the Coen Brothers, who won four Academy Awards for their adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy book, its atmosphere and aesthetics make it all that more real. But, most importantly of all, Victor Fleming’s “Gone With The Wind” adaptation is by far the most important on this list. Of course, four hours of your time is much better than sitting down and working through the seventeen-hundred page book, but the amazing costumes and dramatic acting make the story 10 times better.

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.

On the other hand, books are great, too. They allow you to decide what the environment is like, the characters are there in their purest form and many of the story elements left out in the movie come from the best source. “The Martian,” by Andy Weir was made into a movie in 2015 and nominated for awards like Best Actor and Best Visual Effects. However, even though Matt Damon was nominated, most of his character’s humor isn’t allowed to come through as well. You also get to see more of the beloved side characters both on the ground and in space working to get their friend back. Chuck Palahniuk’s “Fight Club” is another great book to read before you see the film. Even if the movie was made in 1999 and the book was published three years prior, it’s a timeless classic that everyone should read and then watch. The untrustworthy characters and the insane plot twist make for an awesome adventure into the back-alley fighting rings of New York, and the

COURTESY OF BARNES AND NOBLE

satire shows through amazingly well. The final and most controversial choice on this list is, “The Shining,” Stephen King’s second highest-selling book. The dark depiction of main character Jack Torrance’s mental breakdown creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and creepiness, some of which is lost when you watch the movie. Also, it seems that Stanley Kubrick, who directed the 1980 adaptation, took an hour’s worth of skimming and decided to direct an aestheticsdriven movie where he couldn’t get the most important aspect of the book - room number 217 - correct. There are definitely movies you want to watch before you read the book, and vice-versa, but the best idea is to follow this advice. Book or movie, all of the previously mentioned stories are very entertaining and worth the precious time that the high school curriculum doesn’t give you.

entertainment

The media poorly portrays police

B Y BRYAN CA SSEM Entertainment Editor Everyone loves TV shows that involve the FBI engaged in an action-filled hunt for a notorious criminal. However, while shows such as these are entertaining, they fail to accurately portray the importance and hard work that police forces conduct in criminal investigations. In reality, police forces assist anti-crime agencies, including the FBI, CIA, NSA and others, more than TV shows will have their audiences believe. In this genre, which includes popular shows such as “Criminal Minds” or “Blindspot,” the typical sequence of events includes other types of criminal investigators who belong to the FBI or CIA, for example, delivering the police their profiles of the criminal and expecting the police to locate this criminal, which is no easy task to do. Scenes showing the assistance that police forces provide for other anti-crime agencies are often entirely omitted as well. The next scene then jumps to the FBI agents, for example, apprehending the fugitive in a tense sequence of events that highlight the skills and abilities of these agents. However, with the omission of any scenes showing how police investigators locate the criminal, these shows fail to demonstrate to the audience that police forces work equally as hard in criminal investigations as their FBI counterparts. It takes determination, patience and time to locate such criminally sophisticated fugitives. The work that police conduct while locating a criminal is crucial to the apprehension of the criminal because without locating this person, there is no possible method of bringing them to justice in the first place. Although there are several shows that focus on police work and illustrate the difficult jobs of policemen, other types of shows such as “Criminal Minds” entirely contradict the messages of these shows. This gives viewers an oversimplified perspective on the difficulty of the tasks that police perform and makes viewers believe that their jobs are much easier than they actually are.

Nov. 17, 2017

J.C.

CARTER COLOSKY/STAMPEDE

J.C works at the Welcome Center and enthusiastically helps students with whatever they need. Always wearing a smile, he never fails to greet students as they pass . He also monitors the entrances, making sure students are safe

Meet the friendly face at our front door BY J AM E S J O H N S O N I V Staff Writer As students and staff pile in the front doors of Portage Central, there is a certain feeling of joy and happiness that flows through the air. No matter what is going on in your day, that happiness is always sitting behind the front desk in the Welcome Center and his name is J.C. Boyd. Many people know Boyd for cracking jokes and making people laugh, but some don’t know what he actually does for the school. “I sell lunch passes, parking passes, and I do popcorn Wednesdays as well,” Boyd said. “I also do whatever needs to be done around the school and make sure everything is not off track.” Not only does Boyd do all the technical work that the school requires him to do, but he likes to take his job one step further to ensure that people

The Scoop on J.C.

are having a good day. All of his actions enlighten the mood of any student daily. “I like to call myself the ‘smile police’ because if I see someone who looks like they are having a bad day, I just do some goofy stuff or even just wave at them to brighten their day,” Boyd said. Boyd has been a fixture behind the Welcome Center desk for two years, and before that, Boyd said that he was a substitute teacher at the middle school for awhile. It is safe to say that being the person that all teachers and students see can be a little intimidating and hard, but most of the hard work is the things behind the scenes of the Welcome Center. “The hardest part of my job I would say is all the paperwork because it can get piled up and messy,” Boyd said. Like most staff here, Boyd has something he loves to do outside of school and for him, that

Lived in Hollywood

Has a cat named Whiskers

passion is music and teaching people how to play music gives him a purpose. “Actually here at the high school I teach a guitar lesson to a girl over Skype! Isn’t that sweet!” Boyd said. Every Wednesday, J.C. and a volunteer named Linda Lancaster sell popcorn in the Welcome Center to the students passing by. Lancaster said that J.C. just loves the kids, and she loves the way he does his job. “J.C. gets everything started for me in the morning and has all the kids here help me,” Lancaster said. Lancaster also thinks that J.C. has the charismatic features that make him the perfect person to run the whole Welcome Center itself. “He just has this love for young adults to make them smile and to make them really happy throughout the day,” Lancaster said.

Won’t tell people his real name

Movies to watch out for this holiday season BY G R AC E F O ST E R Staff Writer

‘Sweet Virginia’

‘Wonder’

“Sweet Virginia,” releasing today will have the audience on the edge of their seats as they watch tragedy spread throughout a small town. A motel owner named Sam played by Jon Bernthal, finds himself involved with Elwood, a hitman played by Christopher Abbott, who is responsible for violent outbreaks. The unlikely friendship between these two reveals secrets from Sam’s past which leads to the continuation of violence. Watch as this heart racing thriller sends your nerves through the roof.

Director Stephen Chbosky releases his movie “Wonder” today, which is based on the best selling novel by Raquel J. Palacio. It revolves around a young boy who struggles with facial deformities. Actor Jacob Tremblay, who plays Auggie, faces the challenges attached to starting school; which he first encounters as a new fifth grader at his school. As he takes on bullies and the difficulties of making friends, the audience will see that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

‘Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’ In 2013, “Frozen” won over the hearts of the majority of America. One character specifically wowed the audience. This cute, outgoing and summer loving snowman will be getting his own short film which is scheduled to be released Nov. 22. “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” is built around Olaf’s journey in discovering holiday traditions for Ana and Elsa to take part in. Although the film is short, Olaf is sure to win over the audience for a second time.

sports

FOUR Squared

Nov. 17, 2017

Student athletes discuss a professional athlete they look up to and why Luke Leto, 9th grade

Maizie Brown, 10th grade

Alex Franklin, 11th grade

Baseball

Basketball

Football

Morgan Wright, 12th grade Soccer

1. Who is your favorite proffessional athlete? Carlos Correa.

Allisha Gray.

Ezekiel Ansah.

Carli Lloyd.

2. How has this athlete changed the way you play? He has made me work harder and be a better defensive player.

She has endless energy and always plays to the best of her ability. I admire that because fatigue is on of the hardest things to deal with in basketball.

Sometimes, I will watch his game film and try to apply his skills to my game.

Watching her play made me a better player.

3. What about this athlete makes them special to you? How hard he plays. also how good he is offensively and defensively.

She plays both ends of the court, which not a lot of players do. I have a ton of respect for her.

He was never expected to make it as far as he has. It kind of gives me hope that I could make it.

She is an amazing player and she works with a lot of charities and also fights for women.

I would challenge him in the trenches.

I would take a picture with her and ask what it is like to play for our country.

4. What would you do if you met this athlete? Maybe get a couple tips on how to field and hit better.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d play her one on one.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLICKR.COM

sports Prospect camps can be a useful tool, but must be approached with caution

BY DRE W GORET Z K A Sports Editor College athletic recruiting is a massive industry. It offers young men and women from all walks of life a way to afford college, play the sport they love for years to come and for some, make it their career. There are many ways to be seen in the recruiting world. Many players focus on getting a university’s attention through their actions on the field. Others send highlight tapes to the colleges of their choosing. However, there is one more option: offseason prospect camps. The idea behind prospect camps is simple. You can put yourself directly in front of college coaches and recruiters for a fee. Many times athletes will be “invited” to these camps, prompting parents to fork over their hard earned cash in an attempt to raise their child’s chances of being recruited. The problem is that without top-of-the-line natural talent and a significant amount of luck, your money is likely going to waste. Prospect camps are not a free ticket to getting a Division 1 scholarship. Many student athletes fall into the trap of thinking that they’re guaranteed a scholarship because they were talked to by a coach at a offseason camp. However, statistics would disagree. According to the NCAA, out of the approximately 366,685 high school softball players in 2016, only 19,680 moved on to the college level.

Furthermore, only 5,867 athletes played for a Division 1 program: less than 2 percent of all high school players. These numbers highlight the difficulty of getting into a Division 1 program, and the importance of realistically picking which prospect camps to attend. If a student-athlete’s talent is more appropriate to a Division 2 or 3 level, it would be smarter for the athlete seek out camps that will be attended by these coaches. Attending a camp at the University of Michigan isn’t going to be worth the price if you’re not up to par with other athletes there. However, Division 1 schools are aware of the temptation of putting yourself in front of high-level college coaches. Student athletes at all levels are invited to attend Division 1 level camps across the country, if they are willing to pay often hundreds of dollars to be admitted. This is an obvious ploy by the university, and unless you truly believe you are a Division 1 athlete, they should be steered away from. The only thing college coaches will be taking away from you at these camps is your money. Admittedly, prospect camps are often a great way to obtain the attention you may be lacking. If you attend a small school that doesn’t receive many scouts, or you are injured for a year of your high school career, prospect camps are a great way to put yourself in front of high-level programs. Caution is still key, and make sure to look out for overly-high prices or an exacerbated amount of attendees. If there are 2,000 student athletes at a camp, it will likely be difficult to be seen by the programs of your choosing. Attending prospect camps is all about being smart. They are a great tool to be seen in the college recruiting, but they can also be the suppliers of false hope. Make realistic goals, don’t pay exorbitant amounts of money, and make sure each camp you go to is the right place for you.

Nov. 17, 2017

Meet Coach Rob As the basketball program is rocked by changes, new head coach Ray Robinson prepares to lead young team to victory BY H AYD E N B E R N A D INE Staff Writer

get, your goal as a coach is to help the players be the best that they can possibly be.” With all of the changes that were made with the program, one coaching position hasn’t changed. Greg Chambers will remain head coach of the freshman team. Chambers believes that with all of the changes in coaching, the program itself will stay the same. “I don’t believe coach Robinson will change anything right now,” Chambers said. “The system is working. I see things moving forward, not going backward.” Chambers will be alongside Travis Bogema this year coaching the freshman team. Bogema is currently a basketball coach for Portage Central Middle School, and will start helping with the high school team once the middle school season ends.

The men’s basketball program underwent many changes in the coaching staff this offseason. All three team levels are being influenced by different head and assisant coaches taking over this season. The varsity team finished with a record of 17-3 while being lead by former head coach Daryl Blasingame last season. Blasingame has stepped down from the head coaching position this year to focus on his career as the new principal of 12th Street Elementary School. Ray Robinson, the former junior varsity head coach, has moved up as the varsity head coach. Former freshman assistant coach Casey Higginson will take over the junior varsity team. Coaching the varsity team will not be a challenge for Robinson. He has a history with Portage Central’s system, having coached them for ten years before moving on to coach at Kalamazoo College. He helped out there before returning to Portage Central’s junior varsity team for the past three seasons. Alongside Robinson will be Harold Swift as the assistant coach. On top of having the coaching experience to lead the basketball team, Robinson has the advantage of knowing all of the players who will be on varsity this year. He coached most of them on the junior varsity team last year. “I understand the kids,” Robinson said. “I know their families and the conference.” With the large amount of juniors on the varsity team this year, Robinson makes it a point that comparing this year’s Preparing for the future: team with last year’s is not New head coach Ray Robrealistic. He plans on growinson leads a drill during an ing each of his players skills off-season workout. individually, which in turn will create success. “We don’t go into seasons wanting to match records,” RobDREW GORETZKA/STAMPEDE inson said. “With each individual team you

sports

Nov. 17, 2017

Veteran team hopes to exceed expectations BY J AC K JU DAY Sports Editor George W. Bush, Dwight Eisenhower and Franklin Roosevelt were all cheerleaders at one time in their lives. Although none of the girls on the competitive cheerleading team are presidents, they are striving to achieve success and do big things, just like those presidents did. This years team is looking to soar to new heights, literally and figuratively. Fans have high expectations for the girls, and along with those high expectations comes the need for hard work and dedication, which they are willing to put in if it means having a winning season. Varsity head coach Katie Eichstaedt knows what needs to be done for the team to live up to their expectations. “We need to be working hard in and out of practice,” Eichstaedt said. “It’s not just about what you do on the mat, it’s about what you do off of the mat that makes the real difference.” The number of seniors on the squad is substantially larger than it has been in the past, which means that the leaders of the team will be able to take the freshman under their wing. Taylor Grimm is a fourth year senior on the team. She also knows the benefits of having seniors on the mats. “A senior heavy team is beneficial for us because not all of the girls on the team have been cheering at this level before,” Grimm said. “The senior leaders can help their new teammates find their places and how they can help the team be successful.” The team is scheduled to face some bigger teams in competitions other than districts, which didn’t happen very much last year. The girls are also looking for redemption against Portage Northern this year, thanks to a 1-2 record against them last season. The Mustangs defeated their rival when it mattered, in the district tournament, but a losing record still doesn’t satisfy them. “I’m looking forward to beating Northern and getting our picture on [the wall in Mustang Way] and winning the SMAC championship,” Eichstaedt said. “I’m most excited to spend time with these amazing young ladies that I love and respect so much.”

Varsity competitive cheer team performs their third round at Kalamazoo Central High School in January 2017.

COURTESY OF GEORGINA SMITH

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Nov. 17, 2017

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