central
STAMPEDE
Legends ensemble inspires student musicians, pg. 9
Volume 16 Issue 6
March 25, 2011
Students: prepare for big changes Backpacks banned from classrooms in new CHS BY MARISSA MIARS Vibe Editor
MATTHEW BRANDT/STAMPEDE
TRIPPING HAZARD: Backpacks flood the aisle between students’ desks, creating a cluttered environment for teachers and students alike.
With the introduction of the new school building next fall, many new rules will be introduced into school policy. Rumors have been flying, ranging from topics of offcampus lunch to backpacks. The Stampede is here to separate fact from fiction. Will backpacks be allowed in classrooms next year? No. The School Effectiveness Team (SET) decided against backpacks in the new school at its meeting on March 2. Although backpacks will be allowed in the building, students must keep them in their lockers during the school day. Purses that can fit under the desks will be allowed, but athletic drawstring bags won’t be. In recent years, the numbers of thefts from backpacks have increased drastically, causing Assistant Principals Kim Lummis and Jason Frink to seek out and return the stolen items. By requesting that students keep their backpacks in their lockers, SET hopes to decrease this number. International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator and SET member Chuck Schira encourages students not to worry, as plenty of time will be given for them to go to their lockers during passing time, and the lockers are larger and closer to the academic rooms in the new school. Will food and drink be allowed in the new building? Yes and no. Food and drink will be allowed in the new building, as long as it is kept in the cafeteria or
“commons area.” Any classroomrelated parties will also take place in the commons, rather than in the individual rooms. If students want to bring something from home to snack on in their classrooms, that will be decided on a teacher to teacher basis. This also applies to items purchased from the muffin cart or Vinnie’s Café. However, “outside” food bought from offcampus lunch will not be allowed to be taken into the building. Will there be off-campus lunch next year for both juniors and seniors? Yes. There will be two lunches next year instead of three, eliminating “B lunch” altogether. Because of this, there is simply not enough room to house all students with only two lunch periods. Will posters be able to be hung up in the hallways and classrooms of the new school? Undecided. The SET team has focused recently on ge�ing the backpack and food and drink policy voted on and has yet to seriously consider this issue. Schira expresses that he believes there will be new tag strips in the classrooms, where posters can be hung up without causing any damage to the walls. Will there be air condintioning in the the new building? There will be “conditioned air” installed in the new building next year. The difference between this and regular “air conditioning” is that there is no humidifier included to take out the humidity in the air. So, although the air will be cooled down, it will not be any less humid.
PCC dress drive, pg. 2 • Entertaining bathroom graffiti, pg. 6 • Japan tsunami relief bracelets, pg. 9 • Teen Filmmaker winners, pg. 11
2
news
March 25, 2011
Donated dresses fulfill dreams Sock hop celebrates Alumna acts as fairy godmother for prom history of school BY CHLOE WESTLEY Assistant Editor
fun gowns make up an experience that everyone should get at least once, if not twice.” Unfortunately, the cost of the dress, meal and tickets prevents some students from a�ending. Freshman Layla Marvin was given the opportunity to see just how expensive dresses really are when she went shopping for her
Homecoming dress. “I went shopping for my dress and realized that I was going to For some girls, the hope for have to empty my purse if I wanted a beautiful dress is merely a wish the typical dress,” Marvin said. upon a star. “Instead, I ended up just wearing This is why Portage Community one from home that I already had.” Center (PCC) has stepped in to Senior Laurel Bowersock take the role of Fairy Godmother. was given a direct look at the high Alumna Kiersten Fillar has taken prices. charge of the project with “Modeling at the goal to give every girl Memories helped her Cinderella moment. me realize how This drive calls for expensive a nice prom dress donations prom dress is,” for girls who are unable Bowersock said. to purchase their own “They can range all dresses. the way from $100 “I was in love with to $500.” this event,” Fillar said. Luckily for “[It’s] blessing girls in those in need, the a way no one has really dresses are being thought of before at the given away for high schools in Portage. free to anyone who You can bless people you would like one, no didn’t even know were in questions asked. need.” While nobody Not only is this here has donated a an opportunity to clear dress yet, everyone out more closet space, is invited to do so a donation will provide during the Mustang a fellow student with donation, going on the chance to fulfill an this week. experience of a lifetime. Drop the “I loved prom last dresses off to the year,” senior Kaylee PCC on 325 E. Centre CHLOE WESTLEY/STAMPEDE Quertermus said. “Prom Ave. or contact is a limited opportunity. FAIRYTALE PROM: Prom dress fundraiser collects gently used Student Council to The dancing, karaoke and formal dresses for donation. donate dresses.
Brief
BY RACHEL BATES
Staff Writer
The Portage community has a chance to say goodbye to the old high school in the same way they said hello to it in 1953. On Saturday, April 16, from 6 to 10 p.m., Portage Central will host a Sock Hop dance and dinner for Portage community members, alumni and friends, just like it did in 1953 for the opening of the newly-built gymnasium. Midway through last year, Principal Eric Alburtus and teacher Jim Schafer kicked around the idea of hosting a dance during the last few months spent in the old building. What be�er way to finish up the school year then with a Sock Hop just like they kicked off the first school year at PC in 1953. “We are trying to bring something together from the old school to the new one,” PTO president Susan Fulling said. “All the money raised will be used toward special programs at the new school.” Donations will be taken at the door for the dance. The dance will also include live music from the band Johnny Apollo and the Saturn Seven. “There is an area where people can share stories about the high school and their experiences here at Portage Central,” event coordinator Kent White said. The school will be auctioning off banners from the gym, the original team pictures from the hallway, trophies and the gym flag. The blue plate special costs $10 and the fast food special costs $8. Dinner will be served only by reservations that have been made in advance by April 1. In addition to dinner, there will also be a silent auction. “The food will be like food from the ’50s with burgers, hot dogs and root beer floats,” Fulling said. There will also be self-guided “then and now” tours. This is where event staff will be placed around the high school to show guests how that part of the school was different when it first opened. “We are going to have a sneak peek of the new school during the Sock Hop,” White said. “The guests will either be able to get very close to the school or see a small part of the inside.” This last event in the old building is a chance for the school to share some of its history, unknown to many past and current students. Most of all, it is a chance for alumni, staff and students to remember the good memories and to get ready to make new ones at the new school.
Next week will be a threeday week for students, since teachers have a day of professional development on Thursday. Spring Break begins for students next Thursday, and classes will resume on Monday, April 11.
Superintendent Wells resigns Last week, the Portage Board of Education accepted Superintendent Marsha Wells’ resignation. Her contract will be bought out for $272,000 plus retirement benefits. She will leave the district June 30, a year earlier than when her contract would have expired. Details about a possible interim superintendent or a superintendent search were not available at press time.
Choir singers earn elite awards In one of the busiest weeks of the year for choir members, last week the Chamber Singers earned a Superior rating and the Grand Chorus earned an Excellent rating. At state solo and ensemble festival, the Chamber Singers (both men and women) and a Mixed Ensemble earned First Division ratings, in addition to five solo students earning either First or Second Division ratings.
NEW PCHS
Only three days next week
Choir excels in competition
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Contract bought out
Break starts Thursday
in
This
Month...
Final inspections to make sure everything in the school is as it should be. If so, teachers may be able to begin moving items in May
3
news
March 25, 2011
Teenage suicide gains awareness
Students organize suicide prevention program BY TAYLOR FLECK
Along with spreading the word here, Ma�awan High
Assistant Editor School is ge�ing the word with the help of sophomore
It took the pain and unhappiness of one determined sophomore to ignite the idea behind a new organization that has caught the a�ention of many. “Sharp Knife for a Short Life,” a teen suicide prevention organization, started out of Southridge Reformed Church. Sophomore Emma Slack came up with the idea for the program after being through some tough times herself and struggling to find a positive outlook on her life. “I was going through some tough times and [almost] slipped… I realized no one understood what was going on with me,” Slack said. “I started it to not just give awareness to suicide but to stop suicide in its starting tracks.” After becoming aware of why people were giving her the cold shoulder, she became more understanding and decided people needed to be more educated on suicide and depression, se�ing her main focus on teens. Others were there to help Slack through her tough times and her idea to spread understanding. Joe Soria, youth pastor of a Southridge Reformed youth group called “one eighty,” convinced her to produce a video blog called “True Life: I Am a Christian High School Student.” In this blog, Slack talks about her struggles to become a stronger person as well as her faith. Soria fully supports Slacks efforts to spread awareness.
Kevin Kannally, who a�ends MHS. “I fully support Emma and her decisions,” Kannally said. “I decided to help her out because I wanted to make an impact on other people’s lives as well.” Slack is in full appreciation of Kannally, knowing his help with spreading the word around other schools is key to this program’s success. “[Kevin] has helped me with bands, t-shirts, anything and everything,” Slack said. “He has had an impact on how this group is spreading around the world.” In celebration for the organization finally taking off, a “Sharp Knife for a Short Life” benefit concert will be taking place at Southridge Reformed Church on June 5 from 7-10 p.m. Three bands will be performing, including “Hot Pot of Coffee,” “Scarlet White” and “Please Promise.” Slack understands people’s leniency and avoidance toward suicidal people, saying she knows teens are nervous to reach out to people suffering with depression. “Suicide is such a strong and overwhelming emotion that most can’t handle on their own. They let it take over their life,” Slack said. “But if every single person can make someone’s day by just being nice or willing to sit and talk to them, that can change a life.” * Visit Sharp Knife for a Short Life on Facebook for more information about t-shirts and the benefit concert.
COURTESY OF KEVIN KANNALLY
SPREADING THE WORD: “Sharp Knife of a Short Life,” a student
organization, spreads teenage suicide awareness across schools.
Volunteer
Ryan Knapp
of the Month
A: Mainly I volunteer at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo Restoration Center. I have been volunteering there for two years [over the summer]. I have accumulated just a li�le over 500 hours working at the Air Zoo.
A: We store aircraft and artifacts for the museum. We are also essentially, more or less, a maintenance facility. So whenever a door breaks, whenever a gate breaks, whenever we have to move exhibits or airplanes, or whenever something has to be painted or installed, we do that.
Q: How did you become involved with volun-
Q: Where else do you volunteer?
Q: Where do you volunteer?
teering at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo?
A:
I come from an aviation military background, so I’d always really wanted to work there. They do allow volunteers who are 13 years and older, so I went to the website and it appears that that was the truth. I filled out an application and had an interview. They accepted me within two months.
A: Right now with NHS, I am currently work-
ing on recycling at the administration building. I also run tech at my church and I also once in a while help out with the Gospel Mission downtown.
Q: What is the most rewarding part about volunteering?
whenever a small act gains appreciation from someone else. With volunteering, you feel like you have a purpose. You feel like you have a purpose for more than yourself. It really satisfies my sense of duty and my background.
Q: What advice might you give others who are seeking volunteer opportunities?
A: When volunteering, you have to have a sense of “I will do anything.” You do what needs to be done. Volunteering is not thinking about yourself, it’s thinking of others. So you do not what you enjoy, you do what needs to be done. If you are interested in volunteering at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, visit www.airzoo.org.
Q: What do you do when volunteering at the A: Kalamazoo Air Zoo?
The “thank yous” and the appreciation. It is just as rewarding, if not more rewarding,
-Kyna Garre�
4
view
Policy changes are for the best
our view
With the new school, new changes are necessary. The Central Stampede believes that while these changes are inconvenient, they are for the best and will keep our school cleaner and safer. We have become very used to carrying backpacks throughout the entire school day; however, in the new school, students will not be allowed backpacks for safety purposes, as many of them crowd the aisles between desks and are a potential hazard for teachers and students. Although it seems unfathomable that we will soon have
fiveon five 1 2 3 4 5
How do you feel about the policy changes for the new school? What do you think of the graffiti in the bathrooms?
to carry around our massive math books without the support of padded straps, administrators know what they are doing. Carrying around less weight per hour will decrease the stress put on students’ backs and shoulders. Time will not be an issue, either. The five-minute passing period was tested with many stops and every tester was able to get from one end of the school to the other with ease. The second change is that no food from outside establishments is allowed in the classrooms. Not allowing other food might decrease the mess in each classroom and
Nabeel Bukhari, 9th I feel like it’s going to be a big change that will be slightly difficult to adapt to. Graffiti can be funny at times, but it makes the stalls look dirty.
What’s your favorite Domino’s. local pizza place?
What is a band you would define as “alternative”?
March 25, 2011
I don’t know, Linkin Park?
What is your favorite None. track & field event?
limit spills. During lunch, many people who go out to lunch may not finish their food, so they bring it to class. With the new policy, the seniors and juniors next year will have to throw away whatever they didn’t have enough time to eat, but the school will be cleaner. Administrators are doing the best they can to keep the new school in pristine condition and are thankfully still allowing school businesses like the muffin cart and the coffee stand to sell their products. The new changes next year will be difficult, but they will make our school a be�er place overall.
Nadine Saad, 12th I think they’re ridiculous. There’re three stories of school. You’re going to need a backpack. I’ve never been to the bathrooms at Waylee, but we need to learn to respect our school. Franco’s.
Mr. Barber I am for them. I am always tripping over backpacks. Haven’t seen it, but I am sure it’s inappropriate.
The Wizard of Khalifa. I like the song about bees.
Arcade Fire.
I have no clue; I mostly listen to country.
The running. “Run like you stole something.” That’s what I always say.
Pole vaulting. Is that an event?
Javelin.
Riley Bergman, 10th I think we should be allowed to use backpacks.
Miles Chisholm, 11th The new backpack rule. It’s so dumb. For real.
I didn’t know there was any?
I’ve never been in the bathroom.
I don’t really eat pizza.
Franco’s. It’s so cheap.
I don’t know.
The running ones...?
Papa John’s is my go-to pizza place.
Stampede Staff Morgan Clothier Rachael LeFevre Editors-in-Chief Amy Ruimveld..............................News Editor Ali Fulling......................................View Editor
Assistant Editors/Staff Writers: Evan Adams, Lauren Ammar, Rachel Bates, Taylor Fleck, Kyna Garrett, James Ketelaar, Nicole Leffingwell, Casey Pence, Tucker Webb, Chloe Westley. Artists: James Ketelaar Photo Editor: Matthew Brandt Business Manager: Jarred Bassett Adviser: Cheryl Braford
Omo Ogbomo..............................Focus Editor Marissa Miars................................Vibe Editor Grant Walters..............................Sports Editor
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. Office: (269) 323-5218 Fax: (269) 323-5290 Room 306
The Central Stampede 8135 South Westnedge Ave. Portage, MI 49002
5
view
March 25, 2011
Is free speech really free? Say what you want; it’s protected
Offensive speech should cease
assistant editor
staff writer
JAMES KETELAAR
E VA N A D A M S
Allow me to clear one thing up immediately: I do not, in any way, support the actions of the Westboro Baptist Chruch. Fred Phelps, the Phelps family, and anyone else involved with that psychotic, sociopathic band of hate-mongers has earned my eternal disapproval and disdain. But the case here has nothing to do with this batch of crazies from Kansas, or what they say, do or represent. This case has everything to do with freedom of speech. Do you see what I did all through that last paragraph? Voicing my negative opinion towards an organization without consequence? That is what’s at stake in this case. People hear the Westboro clan shouting about God hating the Army, screaming at grieving family members, shouting slurs, and everyone’s kneejerk reaction is, “They can’t say that! That’s going too far!” But that reaction is at the heart of this problem. This idea that the Westboro Baptist Church takes free speech “too far” is just oxymoronic. We could make ourselves feel temporarily be�er by banning what they say, preventing them from expressing their admi�edly insane opinions, and call it a victory for sensible people everywhere. But as soon as you draw any line in the sand, we will never have freedom of speech again. Far be it from me to resort to slipperyslope metaphors in a logical argument, but if you place one limit on free speech, if you
say that one group has taken it too far, you open the door for everyone else to claim that any speech that offends them should also fall under the same banner. “Well, if the Westboro guys aren’t allowed to protest funerals, I don’t think those atheists in New York should be able to protest my Catholic church! It offends me!” and then another line in the sand gets drawn. And another. And another. The point is simple: We need to remember the connection between the Westboro church and us. The same thing that gives them the right to say “God hates your dead son,” gives us the right to say, “I think God would really hate you, you ignorant, hateful, scum of the earth.” And considering how much I like saying that second thing, I think I’ll keep my freedom of speech as unrestricted as possible.
It’s official: the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a bigoted group of radical religious nuts who not only hate homosexuals, but the veterans who serve the country they live in as well. In its simplest context, it’s not about patriotism, right to protest, freedom of religion or even freedom of speech. What this shamefully daunting series of funeral demonstrations boil down to, in any light or perspective, is the question of these protesters’ intentions and violations of other people’s happiness. The amount of contempt and audacity that a group of people must muster from within themselves to protest United States veterans in the name of advocating prejudice for homosexuals is beyond me. The 8-1 Supreme Court decision made earlier this month, in favor of the Westboro
Baptist Church anti-gay protests at funeral ceremonies, allows protesters freedom of speech to picket during the funerals. I struggle to identify these demonstrations as a form of “speech” when their clear intention is to chastise the grieving families, and in that way, do harm upon others, which as a reminder, is in fact harassment. It is the right of the mourning family to bury their loved one not only in respectful privacy but without contemptuous interruption. Shining through the darkness of these vulgar radical religious protesters comes hope in the form of loud, rambunctious motorcycle growling. Shortly after the unsought arrival of the Westboro Bapist Church, the Patriot Guard Riders brought salvation from these repugnant demonstrators. They utilized the revving of their engines to drown out the felonious chants of disrespect for veterans and animosity for homosexual tolerance in America. These protests run completely contrary to all basic guidelines of civil obedience as well as illustrates perfectly the extent of religious hypocrisy in America. If the Bible preaches to love thy neighbor, why are these mutinous religious parties pubicly advocating homosexual prejudice and harassing grieving families? If we’re at the point where our judicial system is no longer functional enough to cease the harassment and badgering of innocent families, then this country is on its last leg.
Weather-based modesty should be required
The answer is simple: not when there is snow on the ground. While we transition from winter to spring, don’t be so quick to fold away your jeans and dig out that skirt that has been gathering dust in the back of your closet. Mother Nature doesn’t just flip a switch, the change is gradual. Therefore, have some sense to wear appropriate clothing while the air is still chilly. Winters in Michigan are long and brutal, which is why so many dress to extremes when the temperature rises to a measly 40 degrees. Is 40 degrees enough for a trip to the beach? What about 50 degrees? Would you jump in a lake for that gift from Mother Nature? Didn’t think so.
Out and about, I spot so many who obviously wake up without good judgment when browsing their closet. Or maybe they were just too tired to see they were picking out a pair of shorts and forgot to throw on a jacket before going out in the chilly weather. I get chills just from seeing someone without a jacket in the freezing rain. At least carry a sweatshirt with you and have the decency to wear tights or leggings under that skirt while you walk along in the cold. As for all you strapping on the sandals and slipping on those flip-flops, remember your li�le piggies won’t appreciate the bi�er cold. Of course, there are some exceptions to this unwri�en, but obvious rule: if the temperature
chooses to rise gradually throughout the day to a decent 70 degrees, springtime a�ire is acceptable. Let’s not get too hasty though. Mornings can still be chilly, so remember that sweatshirt. The transitioning weather has me asking, where do you all think we live? If you want to dress like every day is summer, move to Miami. Next time you’re deciding between a nice pair of warm jeans and a pair of revealing, cold shorts, check the weather to see if your warm-blooded body can handle it.
assistant editor
KYNA GARRETT
The wavering weather sometimes has us asking, when is it finally acceptable to strut about in our shorts, flip-flops and tank tops?
view
6
March 25, 2011
with Tucker Webb
Cars: Raging death machines of doom Think of the three scariest things you know of. Needles, snakes, spiders and most of all bears armed with laser guns all make me queasy. Now do you remember when you were a child, when you asked your mommy to slay the terrible spider on the wall because it was determined to climb in your mouth and lay eggs in your eyes? Well, I do. And every time I made her kill the spider, she told me something along the lines of, “You are more likely to die in a car crash, honey.” Not that that was overly comforting, but it did do a great job of instilling the fear of cars into my head forever, a fear I am still working through today. In a time when many of my friends and acquaintances are ge�ing their licenses and expanding the borders of their worlds with motorized vehicles, I am embarrassed to admit that I, the Great Speaker of True Facts, Tucker Webb, am petrified of driving. So much, in fact, that I have probably driven about an hour on my permit that I obtained well over a year ago. Just stripping it down to its basics, driving really is a horrifying concept relying purely on trust. You have to trust that everyone with a license is well versed in the rules of the road, and that they know how to make smart and rational decisions behind the wheel. But everyone has their moments of distraction while driving, whether it’s Hall & Oates’s “You Make My Dreams” coming on the radio, or an incoming text message. And in one of these half-ton death traps, even one small lapse in reason due to distraction can make sweet old Mrs. Henson, the head of the church commi�ee, a killer. However, it is not only my distrust of other drivers that makes driving an almost heart-stopping experience. I am well aware of the fact that I am a teenager, therefore am young, stupid and prone to make terribly rash decisions such as striking my friends in the face with pizza boxes, or driving well over the speed limit. Whenever I’m in a car and loud, fast-paced music comes on, it suddenly feels as if the car is going much too slow. Old men walking on the sidewalk appear to move even slower than usual and a feeling of rage fills me when careful soccer moms drive five miles under the speed limit. If my foot was on the gas pedal and this feeling overcame me, I would most likely cause a crash comparable to an explosion in a Michael Bay movie. Simply put, mankind was never meant to go any faster than our legs can carry us. No amount of bags filled with air can sufficiently defend someone from large hunks of metal hurtling down the road at speeds faster than 70 mph. So, as inconvenient as it is to not drive, I think I’m going to stay license-less for a while, at least until I master my desire to make cars go really fast. And I feel that if many teens felt the same way, we teens would have much be�er “Street Cred.”
Tucker Webb is a staff writer for the Central Stampede.
Waylee bathroom graffiti is way out of hand
editor-inchief
RACHAEL LEFEVRE
A visit to the Waylee bathroom can be quite the experience. I’m not talking about the horrendous stench, the lack of toilet paper or the placement of mirrors to suit elementary-schoolsized people. However unpleasant these factors may be, none of them compare to the most “exciting” part of the Waylee bathrooms: the graffiti. It’s an undeniable fact that the graffiti in the Waylee bathrooms has reached epic proportions. Bathroom graffiti is like the high school version of celebrity tabloids. Where else can you find overlydramatic sagas detailing every reason why someone’s life sucks? And where else can you browse over teenage girls’ declarations of love for mysterious men named “Mike” or “Sam”? I encounter the ridiculous amount of graffiti in the Waylee bathrooms every day, and it’s always interesting to read what hopelessly dramatic teenager wrote on the walls in pink Sharpie that day. It’s not just the girls’ bathroom that has this problem. For this story, I ventured into the boys’ bathroom and found the graffiti situation there even worse. The walls are covered in black spray paint from where fed-up janitors (or Mr. Baker?) covered up the mess of scribbles. Really, guys? Are you so bored in the bathroom that you just feel the need to spend your time in there scrawling on the walls?
As entertaining as it may be to read the latest bathroom graffiti, it makes you wonder exactly which types of people write on these walls. Who dares linger in that foul-smelling room longer than they need to? Are a few poorly-spelled phrases and swear words really worth that extra moment in the bathroom? Generally, these bathroom graffiti artists fit into one of several categories. There are the drama queens, who use the stall doors as a public forum for their relationship problems. They’re usually easy to identify by their hot pink, girly scrawl, and their bathroom messages normally consist of “’So-and-So’ is such a terrible person,” of course, with the addition of a string of swear words. Then there are the aspiring poets, who pick the bathroom walls as the perfect place to debut their sappy, juvenile poetry. Their messages are scribbled in tiny black handwriting and a sequence of comments ranging from downright cruel to overly sentimental often follows. Rounding off this bunch of eclectic graffiti contributors are the clever smart alecks. These offenders are perhaps the most entertaining, as their comments often span across entire bathroom walls and criticize every form of graffiti previously wri�en. My favorite message from one these smart RACHAEL LEFEVRE/STAMPEDE of alecks consisted of a gigantic Sharpie memo demanding that people “GET A LIFE AND STOP WRITTING ON THE WALLS!!!” This is a direct quote. These graffitists clearly aren’t known for their grammar skills. And what’s even funnier is the comment a fellow smart aleck contributed below it: “Learn to spell!” All of these graffiti artists have one thing in common: they like to spend that extra moment in the bathroom to enlighten their peers with the latest teenage drama and tongue-in-cheek commentary. And while I don’t condone defacement of public property, their work certainly makes the trip to the bathroom more interesting for the rest of us.
7
focus
March 25, 2011
s ’ o c n a r F
VS
GO A C CHI LE STY
For junior Kaitlynn Taylor and sophomore Mariella Impellizzeri, pizza isn’t a special treat. Both their families own two of the most well-known pizza places in Portage. These two girls and their families’ pizza places go head-to-head to see which will come out on top.
PIZZA
Mariella
Kaitlynn Taylor
Impellizzeri
Pizza Place: Chicago Style Pizza Famous for: Deep dish pizza
Pizza Place: Franco’s Sub-Station and
Job: “I answer phones and take care of
Italian Pizzeria.
customers.”
Famous for: Regular crust pizza, subs
Best part: “Eating pizza and being with my
and pasta.
family.”
Job: “I make food, take orders and serve
The worst: “I eat pizza so often, when my
food.”
friends want to go out for it, I don’t want to.”
Best part: “It’s fun to work there, and
Best item on the menu: “Deep Dish
I won’t have to find a job during high
Deluxe Pizza.”
school.”
The worst:
Compiled by Ali Fulling and Taylor Fleck
“Ican’t think of anything bad
about working there.”
Best item on the menu: “The number
ALI FULLING AND MATTHEW BRANDT/STAMPEDE
28, which is a chicken club sandwich.”
Expert Alterations: • • • • •
Prom and Wedding Dresses Suit Fitting Jeans, Palazzos, Jackets Zippers, Patches, Original Hems Leather Repair & much more
Roxy’s Fine Stitchery 6210B S. Westnedge Portage, MI 49002
(next to Office Max in Southland Mall)
269-323-8811
Friendly seamstresses, locally hired, work on site.
Get 10% off on Dress Alterations with this ad
focus
8
March 25, 2011
Stuck in Portage this spring break? How to fake a Spring Break trip without getting caught
Why waste thousands on plane tickets to sunny destinations when you can fake an amazing trip in the comfort of your own house! Have no fear, for I have a solution for those of you couch surfing in good ole’ Portage. And if you follow these guidelines and someone still pokes holes in your clever rouse; give them a key chain and deny, deny, deny.
4. Use the buddy
system.
If you can get a friend or two to lie right along with you, then you’ll really make it an Oscar-worthy performance. Remember, there’s power in numbers.
3. 1. Get that sun-kissed
glow. Everyone knows that the key
to supporting a lie about meeting a gorgeous lifeguard must be backed up by a heavy tan. Head over to your favorite tanning salon and get to work.
2. Photoshop
hair.
yourself into some exotic places.
With the now mandatory Facebook vacation photo dump, good cu�ing and pasting skills are key. Remember the saying, “Pics or it didn’t happen!”
Compiled by Omo Ogbomo
Change your
Whether it’s frosted tips, highlights or a perm, the more you look like you live in South Beach, the be�er. If need be, buy a wig (there are some good ones out there).
5.
chains and mugs branding the name of a sunny spot and give them out like flyers. You want everyone to know that you are not joking about this epic vacation.
MATTHEW BRANDT AND CASEY PENCE/STAMPEDE
What’s good Mustangs? Thank you all for your participation with the Blood Drive. This year we had more donors than ever before!
TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS WILL BE COMING UP SOON! Keep it crispy, Student Council Volume 16 Issue 3
Seal the deal.
Order some postcards, key
March 25, 2011
Becoming a
9
focus
Brass and percussion ensemble inspires BY RACHAEL LEFEVRE
Editor-in-Chief
A ripple of brass bells cascades down the arc of black-clad musicians. A splash of sound bursts from their instruments. Drum rhythms pound meticulously in sync to the music. This is Legends, the innovative organization founded in 2001 by WMU graduate Ibe Sodawalla to offer the community’s youth opportunities to increase their musical knowledge. Legends Performing Arts Association (LPAA) began as an indoor winter ensemble for brass players at PC and has continued to grow into a larger organization throughout the years. Last year marked the tenth anniversary of the indoor program’s existence. Besides offering the winter group, the organization now includes Legends Percussion, Legends Winter Guard, Legends All-Star Band, and Legends Drum and Bugle Corps, a summer marching experience. Sodawalla, CEO and Executive Director of the organization, founded Legends in order to give students the opportunity to participate in the pageantry arts. “I would hope that students can use music and movement as a way to strive to greater heights, work in a team environment COURTESY OF JANET LEFEVRE towards a UP THE SCALE: Juniors Gabi Ptacek and common goal and understand Nicole Atkinson play marimba at a recent the necessary Legends performance. steps towards achieving those goals,” Sodawalla said. A variety of eighth- through 12th-grade students from area schools participate in the indoor ensemble each year, devoting their time to performance. This year’s repertoire
includes music from “Harry Po�er,” and their work will MAKING culminate with a final concert on May 11. MUSIC: SophoBesides the challenging and crowd-pleasing music more Gabe members play, many students enjoy the feeling of camaraderie Gonzalez plays baritone at a they obtain from their experience with the indoor ensemble. recent Legends performance. COURTESY OF JANET LEFEVRE Sophomore Owen Rodriguez, a third year member of the organization, stresses the importance of team work and friendship in the performing group. “[You are] part of a bigger picture,” Rodriguez said. “You have a small piece, and it fits into everyone else’s pieces and makes a [whole…You have to] make sure you have your part so when you’re with the group you get everyone’s COURTESY OF ALLISON PATRICK part to line up.” LEGENDARY SOUND: Legends performs at their final concert last May. Besides the lesson of cooperation, being involved in Legends teaches other skills as According to Sodawalla, Legends has significant plans for well. Sophomore Gabe Gonzalez, also a third year member of expansion in the future. the ensemble, stresses the importance of musical and physical “I see the LPAA building strong alliances with area endurance. arts organizations, creating partners in education with area “You learn new things, and you get to play cool music,” schools, providing various performance opportunities and Gonzalez said. “You get stronger mentally and physically.” continuing to support the pageantry arts through participation However, involvement in this activity requires a and promotion of events,” he said. large time commitment. The group meets on Mondays and Legends is an organization very dear to Sodawalla’s Wednesdays, rehearsing for two to three hours each night. heart, and the growth of the program has made him proud Members find this commitment to be demanding sometimes, over the years. However, to Sodawalla, the most rewarding but most find that the benefits of being involved in such an aspect of being involved in this organization is watching organization outweigh the challenges. members grow from season to season. Freshman Logan Fisher especially utilizes time “Every individual that becomes a member of Legends management skills on rehearsal days in order to meet the time has their own ambitions and once they have fully understood commitment. what they are seeking, the experience they undergo surfaces a “I take a seminar and try to get as much work done, like personal connect to improve one’s self,” Sodawalla said. “This during lunch, on Mondays and Wednesdays during school,” is ultimately what I enjoy most of the organization.” Fisher said.
Students organize tsunami relief fundraiser BY MORGAN CLOTHIER AND RACHAEL LEFEVRE Editors-in-Chief
As millions struggle without food, water and power in Japan, seniors Katie Afton and Emily Beukema fight to raise money for the American Red Cross disaster relief program. In order to raise money, Afton and Beukema will be selling bracelets purchased from 24hourwristbands.com. Afton initially came up with the idea while watching the news and asked Beukema to assist her. “When I was watching the news, I saw how many people in Japan were without shelter, food and water,” Afton said.
“Obviously we can’t go to Japan to help them, so the most effective way to help is to support them financially.” They will be collecting money through March 30 and will deliver bracelets after returning from spring break. Their goal is to sell about 250 bracelets in order to raise approximately $900 after deductions. “We decided to do it because no one had really started anything to help Japan,” Beukema said. “and… the images on the news were really sad.” If you are interested in helping the effort, Afton and Beukema will be selling the bracelets during all three lunches next Monday through Wednesday. Cost of a bracelet is $4 up front.
front A WORTHY CAUSE: Bracelets can be purchased for $4 next Monday through Wednesday at lunch.
back
10
vibe
March 25, 2011
Quick Hits Movies “Red Riding Hood” Catherine Hardwicke Horror/ Mystery BY MORGAN CLOTHIER As a child, fairy tales were entertaining. Girls had beautiful names and hair so outrageously long you could climb it. People lived in shoes, trolls lived under bridges, there were bean stalks sprouting to the heavens and there was the occasional, big bad wolf. “Li�le Red Riding Hood” scared me as a child, but the new movie adaption made me laugh in discomfort. “Red Riding Hood” was the worst movie I’ve seen in a long while. The acting was slow aside from Amanda Seyfried (“Dear John”) and Shiloh Fernandez’s scenes together. Even then, these romantic scenes consisted mainly of two a�ractive people gazing into each other’s eyes for unnecessarily long periods of time. Big surprise, their love is forbidden. If it weren’t for the wolf, occasional gore and seeing people ge�ing thrown into houses, the movie would have been pointless. For true thrills and chills, I’d reccomend sticking with the picture book.
Music
“Paul” Greg Mo�ola Comedy/ Sci-fi BY TUCKER WEBB
It has been a long time since the lovable E.T. first appeared on the silver screen, and in the time since, aliens have taken a beating from Hollywood. “Paul,” directed by Greg Mo�ola (“Superbad”), is the first movie I have seen in a while that makes the alien lovable again. Wri�en by comedic geniuses Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, “Paul “ tells the story of two British nerds on their way home from a Comic-Con meeting who befriend an alien named Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen. The movie is filled to the brim with references and jokes to other alien movies and featured cameos from Sigourney Weaver and Steven Spielberg. Overall, “Paul is not only a great addition to the alien genre but also a hilarious feel good bromance film.
BY CASEY PENCE
Vibe Editor
With the coming of “Cars 2” on the horizon, the 11 previous Pixar films are challenged with holding up the test of time. The company of Pixar has been making feature films for 16 years, but the movies of the past have had both their ups and downs.
“Toy Story” – the original Pixar film, Toy Story is a classic that set the stage for animation and heartfelt children’s movies. “A Bug’s Life” – A story of the lives of those underneath our feet, A Bug’s Life was a darker spin on some of the more chipper films, and missed out on some of the humor of the Pixar films to come. “Toy Story 2” – With the introduction of new characters and the expanding storyline, Toy Story 2 made Pixar a powerhouse, and will forever be a favorite of kids at heart everywhere. “Monsters, Inc.” – Sully and Mike made a frightening job seem fun. Who knew monsters could be so cute and cuddly? A personal favorite of mine, Boo is too cute to resist, and I still find myself uttering “I’m watching you Wazkowski…always watching” spontaneously. “Finding Nemo” – While Nemo may have been found, it was the journey that ended up being most fun of all. The characters were intensely memorable, and Dory quotes can still be heard to this day, with Ellen Degeneres stealing the show and making “Finding Nemo” one of the best Pixar films to date. “The Incredibles” – The Incredibles were everything their name would suggest, and the family ties along with the action brought the film to the top of my favorites. I’m not normally one for superhero movies, but there’s something about “The Incredibles” that hits home for anyone with close ties to their loved ones. “Cars” – As much as Pixar tried to make Cars endearing, it can be difficult to feel deep emotions given off by heaps of metal. It may
be great for some children, and in fact, Cars has sold the most Pixar merchandise to date, but in a strict movie sense, it was nowhere near the greatness of the others. “Ratatouille” – I have nothing against the French, but Ratatouille wasn’t cooking up much fun from where I was si�ing. It was the first time humans and animals were both main characters in the movie, which seems to be why it fizzled. “Wall.E” – Call me a sucker for robots, but Wall.E gave a life to machines where Cars did not. With a message for respecting the environment topped off with a love story that’s one of the first for Pixar, Wall.E always leaves me with a smile. The fat people rolling around in a spaceship were just an added bonus. “Up” – No one can argue that Up isn’t endearing, and at some points, very touching, but it lacked the belly laughter that previous Pixar films invoked. It’s many peoples’ favorite, but for me, there weren’t enough great characters to make this an unforge�able movie. “Toy Story 3 – Toy Story 3 proved Pixar can still hold on to fans of the original series – and make them cry like li�le girls. That fateful moment when we all thought our favorite plastic friends would be melted into a liquid mush spiked my heart rate so high it was about to bust through my chest. “Cars 2” – The sequel to the kid-favorite Cars is slated for release in June 2011. But will it be as great as other Pixar flicks? I’m not holding my breath – I’ll wait for Monsters, Inc 2, instead.
11
vibe
March 25, 2011
Alternatives to ‘alternative’
Why music is so inaccurately labeled
staff writer
JAMES KETELAAR
On the way to school today, I tuned in to 94.1 THE EDGE! Michigan’s alternative rock station, yeah! In the course of a 30-minute drive, (shut up, I live far away,) I heard Nirvana, No Doubt, Radiohead and The Barenaked Ladies. Now, 94.1 is a specialty radio station. It’s only supposed to play one genre of music. So can someone please tell me what moron decided that those four bands sounded similar enough to be the same genre? The term “alternative rock” first came up in the early 1990s, when Nirvana first hit the Sea�le scene. The term stems from the idea that Nirvana and the bands that followed them, were a distinctly different sound from the mainstream rock music that had been playing on the radio for the last 40 years. This is a true enough statement and Nirvana is often credited with driving the last bits of mainstream rock into obscurity. But this harmless term has evolved into a pox on the house of music. Nowadays, if a rock album was released after 1990, it somehow gets the label “alternative.” Artists from Beck, to Green Day, to Arcade
Fire, to the Bloodhound Gang and even The Cure have been stuck under the label of “alternative” music. The issue is that “alternative” has evolved into a gigantic blanket term for all kinds of music. If someone who knows nothing about music were to listen to “The Bad Touch” by The Bloodhound Gang and Beck’s “Loser,” they wouldn’t think for a second that the two songs had anything in common. Even worse than the term “alternative” is the term “indie.” Really, they mean the same thing and many bands have been placed under both banners, but “indie” is a relatively newer term. “Indie” was originally short for “independent music.” It described, like “alternative” did in the ‘90s, bands that were underground, and not known in the mainstream, the “independent” coming from the fact that they weren’t signed to record labels. But now we see headlines after the Grammies saying that Arcade Fire winning best album was “a huge victory for the indie music scene.” Did you know that Arcade Fire has a record label? It’s true: Merge Records. Did you know they’ve had a record label for quite some time? Like, all three of their albums were released on a record label? So in what way is Arcade Fire an “independent” band? The problem is this obsession society has to classify and label everything. We hear a band, and the first thing we do in our heads is, “what kind of music is this?” For some reason, we can’t get past this and we obsess with defining and labeling every band we listen to, instead of just listening to them because the music is good. Keep in mind, I’m not knocking the bands. It is not their fault that they’ve had to fall under these terms. It’s the listeners. We need to learn to expand our vocabulary when it comes to describing music. Or, be�er yet, we could all just agree that classification is primitive and unnecessary and learn to discern between music based on quality.
Rave Theater awards two senior artists Two of Portage Central’s very own students both brought home titles in the Rave Motion pictures’ Teen Film Festival contest this March. Out of 107 entries from Michigan teens, senior Erin Ford took home the title of Best Short Film for her 1:35 second video “Bat Duck” while senior Erin Atkinson achieved Best Technical Film for her music video parody “Boys Boys Boys”. Each winner received a 50 dollar Best Buy gift card and first place received an Apple Mac Book Pro.
“I entered because I always wanted to be in the [film fest] but never made anything that I thought was good enough until this video,” Atkinson said. The two students’ inspiration for these films came as an assignment in an Education for the Arts (EFA) class called Advanced Multimedia Arts, located in the Epic Center down town. “It’s a totally awesome class,” Atkinson said. “You can make up your own project and just go for it with the equipment they have for you to use.” Films entered in the contest were screened the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 11,
Movies “Ba�le: L.A.” Jonathan Liebesman Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller BY GRANT WALTERS Mock apocalyptic websites, mysterious trailers and over $100 Million were spent to create the doomsday/alien invasion movie “Ba�le: Los Angeles.” Loosely based on the historical events of The Great Los Angeles Air Raid, the film had enough media and publicity to convince us that the world would be taken over by aliens the day it came out. Starring Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent in “The Dark Knight”), R&B artist Ne-Yo and Michelle Rodriguez, there was no devoid of big names in this movie. The movie was a cross between a modern-day Saving Private Ryan, a “Call of Duty” video game and a big budgeted Sci-Fi thriller. Although the Marine bravado was a bit heavy at times, “Ba�le: L.A.” succeeded in constructing real-live scenarios the U.S. Armed Forces would need to undergo… if we were a�acked by water-thriving aliens.
Movies Movies
Music
MusicMusic Music
Mustang filmmakers win big BY TAYLOR FLECK Assistant Editor
Quick Hits
at the Rave Theater, downtown Kalamazoo where three expert judges awarded prizes for Best Film, Best Animation, Best Experimental Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film (under three minutes), Best Technical Merit, Best Music Video and Judges’ Choice.
NICOLE LEFFINGWELL/STAMPEDE
“Beastly” Daniel Barnz Fantasy/Romance BY ALI FULLING
“Beastly” is exactly what is expected, a cheesy, modern-day version of “Beauty and the Beast.” It focuses on the over done concept that it’s what’s inside that counts and uses old Disney channel actors to portray it. The protagonist, Kyle, played by Alex Pe�yfer, is your typical self-absorbed, pre�y boy. Pe�yfer acts so absurdly rude that it makes his character less believable and comes off awkward and fake. The other characters are so stereotypical that it’s almost painful to watch. These awful performances are somewhat balanced by Neil Patrick Harris, who gave a hilarious performance as the socially awkward and blind tutor. Overall, the movie was boring, and the director somehow thought that adding a couple ta�oos on someone’s body would make them so ugly that they’d have to go into hiding. My advice; go watch the original “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s the same concept, just be�er.
12
vibe
March 25, 2011
Horoscopes As predicted by staff psychic James Ketelaar
The Central Stampede has finally put its stock in the field of astrology and has decided to deliver unto the student body its first published horoscopes. Sadly, since we only publish once a month, the horoscopes are rather broad and sweeping things to keep in mind until we can see you again.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’re a seagoat and you smell like salt and moldy rope. Avoid the opposite sex for about a month, until the smell clears up.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19): Your lucky
number this month is an emoticon that looks like Pac-Man eating pellets: (< - - - - - - - - Om Nom Nom.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20): Someone you
know will be hospitalized in the next month for a Play-Doh-related mishap.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): If your name is John Connor, you are the chosen one to lead humanity against the machines’ takeover
in the near future. This has nothing to do with your horoscope. If your name isn’t John Connor, you’ll probably die in Armageddon anyway and may disregard this.
next month. If you don’t go to a Mötley Crüe concert in the next month, I guess you missed your one shot at happiness.
GEMINI (May 21-June
20) You’re pre�y. That is all.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): For the next month, avoid rainbows. Just trust me on this one, pal. If you see a rainbow, turn and run in the other direction.
TAURUS
(April 20-May 20): For the rest of this month, your zodiac symbol shall change from Gemini, The Twins to Fruffles, The Big Fuzzy Sloth. What? Sloths are cute. Deal with it.
LEO (July 23-
Aug. 22): You will find your one true love at a Mötley Crüe concert sometime in the
VIRGO
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be sure to keep one eye open over your shoulder; a pack of ravenous wolves are stalking you and will make their move sometime in the next month.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): BEES! BEES
EVERYWHERE! OH, NO, THEY’RE EATING YOUR EYES! SOOOO MANY BEEEEEEEES!
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22): This month,
your horoscope grants you the powers of The Force. May The Force be with you, and these are not the droids you’re looking for.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21): The
alignment of the planets this month will open a dimensional rift to a world filled with horrible Lovecraftian monsters out for your flesh. This rift will open somewhere in a closet. So avoid opening closets for a li�le while.
the
Weekend Pass
Music
an all-access guide to what’s happening this weekend
What?
A play about two parents in the Bronx try ing to give their daug hter the elaborate wed ding they never had.
Whhat W at??
A jurie d arts a show that a� nd crafts racts a and cr r afters from a tists the U.S ll over .
Whha W at t P ??
hen
.
Farmer’s Alle y Theater 221 Farmers A lley, Kalamazoo
e?
Wings S 3600 V tadium anrick Kalam Dr., azoo
eter retu Boyer’s rn E perf s for an llis Islan orm o d ance ther conc in e Ame rt featur this Whe rican co ing re? mpose rs Mill er A udit 2200 o r A Kala uditori ium um D maz oo r., W
? Frid ay a t8p .m
Where?
Wher
When?
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p. m.
When ?
Saturd a Admis y 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. sion a nd pa free. rking are
with d n a l s I s i l l E K.S.O.
the
Spring Into Wings
A Catered Affair
13
sports
March 25, 2011
Women’s soccer senior stars dream big
L
ast season, the state semi-finalist varsity women’s soccer team graduated five seniors. Now, nine new seniors are stepping up to take their place and hopefully lead the team to another state championship. With high expectations —ESPN recently ranked them No. 2 in the country — the team’s leading seniors share their goals for the future and favorite memories as a Mustang.
Lindsey Arne�
RACHAEL LEFEVRE/STAMPEDE
Danielle Jimenez IN THE HUDDLE: Senior Lindsay Shafer, sopho-
more Sara Sandmeyer and senior Colleen Unsworth listen to their coach’s words of advice in between scrimmages.
Lunden Carpenter
Years Played: 14 Position: Outside midfield or outside defense Future plans: Playing soccer at Saginaw Valley State University. Favorite memory: All the girls on the team, working hard together and winning states.
pcc
Years Played: 11 Position: Midfield Future plans: KVCC and then transfer to Western, and I do not plan to play soccer. Favorite memory: The friends that I have made and being able to play.
Years Played: 10 Position: Outside midfield or outside defense. Future plans: I’m going to the University of Michigan, and I’m not playing soccer. Favorite memory: Our assistant coach Andrew decided one practice that he was going to play some soccer with us. Lindsey ended up kicking the ball really hard and it hit him right in the nuts, he ended practice early that day.
4200 W. Michigan Suite 100 STD testing Kalamazoo, MI 49006 HIV screening 269.345.0725 Pregnancy tests Call or walk-in Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ultra sound Options counseling Healthy lifestyle classes Maternity home
www.pregnantinkalamazoo.com
Charlie Socia
Meghan Sokolowski
Paige Wester
Years Played: 14 Position: Forward Future plans: Playing soccer at Grand Valley University. Favorite memory: Winning State Championships and being ranked number 1 in the nation. That’s pre�y solid.
Years Played: 14 Position: Defense, stopper or outside back. Future plans: I’m going to Grand Valley and playing soccer there. Favorite memory: Winning States. Also I scored a penalty kick in the PC vs. PN game and it made us win the game.
Years Played: 15 Position: Forward for high school, but for travel, outside defense. Future plans: I’m going to Michigan State and playing soccer. Favorite memory: Becoming be�er friends with them, because you are with them 24/7.
Colleen Unsworth
Mara Benne�
Lindsay Shafer
Years Played: 13 Position: Everything Future plans: I don’t know what college I want to go to yet, but I’ve decided that I want to go to a small school so I can play soccer there. But if not I will probably end up going to Grand Valley. If I go to a big school I will end up playing club soccer. Favorite memory: People, and all the hard work, because eventually it pays off.
Years Played: 14 or 15 Position: Goalkeeper Future plans: Lewis University, and I’m planning on playing soccer there. Favorite memory: Just being with the girls. Pre�y much being with everyone for so long, creating that bond is what I will definitely cherish when I leave. The friendships made are what I cherish most about it.
Years Played: 12 Position: Sweeper, stopper, and outside defense Future plans: I’m either going to Michigan or Michigan State, and I’m not playing soccer, so I will probably just play a Club team. Favorite memory: Probably from when we won, because Christy was really pregnant, so her storming the field a�er we won, was so funny. Compiled by Nicole Leffingwell
Centre Street Subway 1256 E. Centre St. — 324-7827 Walmart Location - 8350 Shaver Road
Buy one 6” sub get one free!
14
sports
March 25, 2011
Playing the field beyond the track
Track and field: A sport with more to offer than running more personal motivation,” Rehm said. “When you are running you have more people to compare yourself to because you are not doing it alone.” Other aspects of the field are found to be more challenging when compared to the track section. Even though sophomore Sarah Benedict enjoys running, she similarly likes her field event because of the challenge. “The field sports are much more difficult than the actual running, because we have to spend much more time on technique [do],” Benedict said. “For pole vaulting we lift weights, a lot of cross-fit workouts and then we also meet on the weekends just for pole vaulting practice.” The key difference Benedict made between running and field was the time for technique. “It’s all about technique.” Jeppeson said. “In throwing, you have to take the time to get the technique down or your strength doesn’t ma�er.”
“
The field sports are much more difficult than the actual running because we have to spend much more time on technique. SARAH BENEDICT
Compiled by Chloe Westley, Assistant Editor
“
Teams thrive on the mo�o that every teammate is equally as important as the next, but a division of the track team has gone less recognized. The correct terminology for “track” is track and field- two five le�er, equally prominent words; yet many forget about the field portion of the sport. The game is considered to be one sport, with two dividends of track and field, seven segments and 21 events within those aspects. For those interested in playing the sport without the purely running workout, field may be the perfect aspect. Sophomore Nate Jeppeson found his niche in the sport through shot put and discus. “I definitely prefer field because I’m not as fast as the other people, so I might as well let them run,” Jeppeson said. Senior Courtney Rehm, a high jumper who started competing just last year and already beat the school record, came to enjoy the sport for different reasons. “I prefer the field sports because they are more of a challenge because they require
CHLOE WESTLEY/STAMPEDE
Latora vows to make comeback after disappointment BY GRANT WALTERS Sports Editor What started off as an average state championship for potential winner junior Angelo Latora, ended as one of the most controversial series of events in Michigan wrestling history. Three grapplers were at The Palace of Auburn Hills to compete for their weight class. Travis Vanderveen and Kyle Knapp fell short on the first day of competition, but they stayed to cheer on their teammate, potential State Champ Angelo Latora. While watching, Latora was called for an illegal hold during his match, a common happenstance in wrestling. But Jake Weissend, a junior at Flint Carman-Ainsworth, was ge�ing beat 5-0. He never got up. He left
the match with his left arm in a sling, disqualifying Latora from the competition. According to Kalamazoo Gaze�e sportswriter Sco� DeCamp, and much speculation by fans, the initial judgement by the referee was a poor call, which started the chain of events that followed. Being injured but winning by default, many thought the courteous thing to do would be to let Latora wrestle in Weissend’s place. None of those things occurred, and it has started to cause quite an uproar in the wrestling community according to Coach Eric Verhey. “The event as a whole won’t be soon forgo�en by coaches and fans. That sort of thing wont likely be forgo�en for a long, long time.” “He was supposed to win,” sophomore Travis Vanderveen said. “Everyone expected
him to win, and then it was ripped away from him.” Latora didn’t dwell too much on the “what-ifs” of the match, and came ANGELO LATORA back the next day of competition with new motivation, his teammates said. “He got screwed in his semifinal, but he came back and took 3rd in what some people call ‘the real championship match,’” said Knapp, a junior. Not much can be done to resolve Latora’s situation at this point; the state championship was handed to their opponent,
who had no one to wrestle against because of Weissend’s injury. Latora’s hope is that situations like these can be talked about in years to come, and have future wrestlers not fall to his same fate. “[The call can only be resolved] for future references. What happened happened, but they can fix what might happen in the future.” Latora has found some new motivation for his senior year, and although the situation has disappointed many fans, he has maintained his composure throughout it all. “Angelo has always carried himself with a lot of class, that’s his personality,” Knapp said. “He’s going to come back and work twice as hard next year, to make sure something like that doesn’t happen again.”
sports
March 25, 2011
Ferris strikes again: State champ
15
Junior is Michigan’s best bowler in Division 1 competition What are some of your bowling accolades?
I was undefeated for high school season. Over the summer at nationals, I placed 7th, against girls much older than me. My average is 220. I bowl in the MJMA, Michigan Junior Masters Association. I’m 1st place for overall points this month, and I’ve won five of those tournaments.
How long have you been bowling? Since I was 7.
Where do you usually practice?
What other stuff do you do? I don’t really have time for anything else, I like to shop. I go back and forth between houses, so it’s spending time with my parents, schoolwork, practicing and staying in shape.
What’s your best game?
289. I bowled a 1346 for six games at regionals. It was the highest individual round in Division 1 history, for boys and girls.
Airway Lanes.
Have you been looking into colleges?
There are a couple colleges that want to offer me full rides, but I’m not really allowed to talk about it…
What’s next for you?
We’re losing two seniors this year, so I hope to help the new sophomores get ready for the regional and state tournaments. I also want to help the team work together well and make them the best they can be.
NO GUTTER BALLS HERE!: In the finals, junior -Compiled by Grant Walters
Tori Ferris’ lowest score of eight games was 213.
MUSTANG SPORTS TICKER
• The only nly national college admission tests where you choose the subject • One-hour tests in a variety of subject areas: math, science, literature, history and foreign languages • Required or recommended by many colleges
This spring, take an SAT Subject Test; next fall, make your college application shine.
Upcoming Test Dates: May 7 & June 4 Learn More, Register and Get Free Practice Tools:
www.SATSubjectTests.org
11b-3367
© 2011 The College Board
NEXT GAME:
Saturday vs. Forest Hills Eastern Pictured:
(away)
Women’s Soccer
RACHAEL LEFEVRE/STAMPEDE
On Your College Application with SAT Subject Tests™
CHLOE WESTLEY/STAMPEDE
Men’s Lacrosse
NEXT GAME:
Monday vs. Ann Arbor (home) Pictured: Seniors Charlie Socia and Lindsay Arnett Pictured: Aaron
SENIORS! It’s Senior Ad time for the Central Stampede!
Contact Mrs. Braford @ cbraford@portageps.org AND check your mailbox in mid-April
... n a g r o M
oud re so pr ...we a r many of you ments lish accomp e young th and for an wom . become you’ve
Love, All Our d, a Mom, D & Alex
16
sports
March 25, 2011
Familiar face steps up to the plate Bernie Christopher will head up the PC softball team BY MATTHEW BRANDT Photo Editor
/STAMPEDE
TENURED TEACHER: Coach Christopher talks to the girls at practice, while Assistant Coach Kyle Herm looks on.
This year, the women’s varsity so�ball team starts its season with a new coach and a familiar face. Bernie Christopher was an assistant coach, but this year he’s coming in to play a bigger part in the team as the head coach. While most people would think that the head coach does most of the work, Coach Christopher takes a different approach. “Basically, [as head coach] I direct the players and allow them to fulfill their greatness,” Christopher said. “At PC, we’ve got a great team, so we try to let them flourish.” Coach Christopher is coming into this season ready to go. With four seniors and many other talented and upcoming players, the PC so�ball team is looking very powerful this year. He has total confidence in his team, and he thinks it both helps to inspire him and the team because of that confidence. “What I believe inspires me is confidence,” Christopher said. “I believe our team is a great team and we have a great group of kids. And that kind of confidence
can be contagious. We have a very talented group of seniors. Becca [Shemberger] is one of the best pitchers in the state. Also Jackie [Warr] is going on to be a division I college player and she’s a great part of the team as well. We also have some other really good players: Kelli Veldman and Kala Forester.” The team is very confident in their coach as well. “[Christopher] seems pre�y nice,” freshman Alyssa Cisneros said. “I met him the other day and he seems pre�y sweet.” The team seems both confident in their abilities and their coach, and Christopher himself has no fear in how far they can go. “With all sports, you have to take risks,” he said. “With big risks can come great wins. When you lose, it’s just a short memory. But when you go big or go home, eventually, you’ll go big.”
The softball team had its tryouts March 15-17, and its next game is next Saturday at East Grand Rapids.
Lacrosse team ready to face off New JV coach, returning seniors bring hype to team BY LAUREN AMMAR
conditioning for the season and is scheduled to have games in the near future. Portage Central does not have its own team, but rather is combined with Portage Northern to make one “Portage” With a new women’s lacrosse season beginning, players team. This is partly so that the team are excited to get on the field again. can have a strong basis and focus “I’m looking forward to the new more on doing well (instead of season,” said senior Laurel focusing on the rivalry), and partly Bowersock, a varsity lacrosse player. because both Central and Northern’s “Over the years we’ve developed a women’s lacrosse teams are fairly stronger basis, so I’m excited to see small. what we can do this year.” “I don’t mind the combined A lot of the players on the teams,” Bowersock said. “This way varsity team last year were seniors I’m able to develop closer who have now graduated, so this relationships with girls from another year the team will be more COACH CAM TORRE school.” youth-oriented. The JV girls’ team is also facing “We’ve got way more skill,” some changes this season. said Cam Torre, the varsity women’s Last spring, the former women’s JV lacrosse coach, lacrosse coach. “We have girls who’ve been playing since Lauren McLaughlin, moved to Chicago. Since then, the middle school.” program has been searching for a replacement. They’ve found The women’s lacrosse team has already started
Staff Writer
“
We’ve got way more skill; we have girls who’ve been playing since middle school.
him.
Jake Sandmeyer, a former student and lacrosse player has moved up in the ranks, first coaching at Portage Central Middle. As the women’s lacrosse program grows, it is inevitable that changes will occur, and the players and coaches alike only hope for the best. “We have a lot of young girls, it’s going to be good to watch them get be�er,” Torre said.
ANYTHING BUT RE-LAXIN’: Alex Parise
and Emily Campbell from Northern scrimmage at Soccer Zone. AMY RUIMVELD/STAMPEDE
“