Longboat VIKING
2.26.16 Volume 21 Issue 6
Haslett High School Student-Produced Newspaper
Hellified Warriors page 6-7
PHOTOS: RACHEL HAMILTON
News
Opinion
Feature
Sports
page 3
page 5
page 9
page 11
Kids change the world with kindness
Seniors:To prank or not to prank
Student Spotlight: MeKayla Ford
Seniors commit to college sports
Family ties Students’ family connections to MSU athletics create opportunities MIA SALVADOR | Staff Writer Hours before the big game, people set up their tailgating tents and park their cars outside Spartan Stadium. Various appetizers are set out, beer is passed around, kids throw a football, and parents betting on the outcome of the game. But for seniors Brandon and Brooke Allen, Michigan State football is a lot more than just a social gathering. It is their family’s life. Experiences for the Allen’s include big games like the 2014 trip to the Rose Bowl, the 2014 and 2015 Cotton Bowl, NCAA tournament games, Big Ten tournaments and Final Four’s. These opportunities come to Brooke and Brandon thanks to their dad’s job as director of football operations at MSU. “It’s really cool having a dad that is involved with Michigan State football and getting to go to every football game and all the bowl games,” Brooke said. “Being around the players is super cool.” Not only do the Allens have the ability to travel to different stadiums and see the numerous university campuses, they get to meet people
from all over the country. Brooke and Brandon are both athletic in their own way, Brooke is a gymnast and Brandon plays basketball. Before every meet or game, their dad gives them pep talks before they go out and perform. Because Tim Allen gets to interacts with players each day, he knows exactly what to say before players go out on the field. He takes that skill home with his kids for their own sports. “From the athletic standpoint, it just gives you a sense of how hard you need to work to get to a D1 level, and my dad is able to give me advice to help me with basketball,” Brandon said. “My dad is the best motivational speaker,” Brooke said. Senior Jackson Marinez has a personal connection with the MSU men’s basketball team. His uncle is head coach Tom Izzo. When Marinez was a kid he would go to most of the practices and still goes to most games. Every year he goes to the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA tournament games, which are some of the biggest games of the year. Marinez has also had the
opportunity to go to a couple Final Four games. He said those are a lot of fun because the tournament is the biggest stage of the year and the biggest games of the year. “It’s really fun being there and seeing it all in front of you,” Marinez said. Not only have the experiences been fun, they have also helped him become more inspired for sports overall. “It definitely influenced my interest with mostly basketball and other sports,” Marinez said. “I probably wouldn’t be as interested in basketball if it wasn’t for my ties (to the program).” Being able to travel with big MSU stars, getting close to the players, sitting in VIP seats and getting advice on how to be a great athlete from top athletes are experiences not everyone gets to have. Some students at Haslett High are able to have these experiences up close and personal as a result of connections in their family. Senior Luke Sleeper experienced those big moments first hand. His father, Chuck Sleeper, is Michigan State’s executive associate athletic director. He oversees a 20-member development team and created the Spartan Fund, a foundation that receives donations to support student athletes. Chuck’s position at MSU gives his family many experiences such as bowl games and the NCAA tournament games.
Sophomore Jennifer Barnett with her parents Rachel and Tommy Hoke. Tommy is the assistant strength and conditioning coach for MSU football team. COURTESY PHOTO
“The experiences that I’ve had going on bowl trips or Final Fours have been a big part of my life,” Luke Sleeper said. “Seeing the success of the programs has
motivated me to do well, especially in sports. It’s also really special because I get to be able to see how a successful university functions up close.”
AP Fair raises student awareness HUNTER DAWSON | Staff Writer
The Viking Longboat
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The Viking Longboat is the student newspaper of Haslett High School, 5450 Marsh Road, Haslett, MI 48840 and publishes about every four weeks of the school year. It is published by the fifth hour Journalism class. The Longboat is established as a student run public forum circulated within the school, the community and outside the school district. The Longboat is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, Journalism Education Association, National
or talking to the teacher.” While Burns and other AP teachers find The reasoning behind the AP fair is to instructing the upper level classes to be inform students of the AP classes rewarding, there are no extra that are offered. Since Haslett incentives for the teachers. has a student enrollment Teaching an AP class can based schedule, AP classes actually come with some that were not offered in negatives. previous years are able to be “It’s a significantly bigger offered again. One such class work load, and there are no is AP Government, taught by work incentives that go along Burns. with that,” world history “It’s just something I teacher Jeff Smith said. DUNCAN DAVIDSON really enjoy teaching,” she “I think that’s one of the said. “I also really enjoy that handicaps with this district next year is an election year and many districts. For which would help to make the class a little bit instance, the college board recommends anyone more interesting.” that teaches an AP should have two hours of
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I think, ultimatley, taking an AP class will have a positive effect on their lives.
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Spending two lunch periods talking to students about advanced placement classes was a positive experience for junior Duncan Davidson. “I think, ultimately, taking an AP class will have a positive effect on their lives,” Davidson said “I thought it (the lunch presentations) was enjoyable, really encouraged kids to try out AP classes.” AP teachers were also pleased with this first-time venture. “I think the AP fair went pretty well for its first time simply because of students having the ability to talk to former students,” civics teacher Kathleen Burns said. “I think that gives them a much better idea of what the course is really like versus reading it in the course book
Scholastic Press Association and Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. The publication is an 11-time Spartan award winner and CSPA gold medalist. Letters to the editor are accepted at the discretion of the editorial board. Forms of speech not protected by the First Amendment will not be published. Letters must be signed by the author and may be edited for grammar, spelling and style. Direct all questions to the Publications Room, Room 411.
The Staff
Editor in Chief Kelsey Johnson Copy Editor Hailey Pecic Feature Editor Molly Gadola Opinion Editor Molly Brady News Editor Ben Hampton
NEWS
Sports Editor Brodee Gillam Photo Editors Ashley Dyer Rachel Hamilton Advisers Julie Price Cody Harrell
planning. But there are very few districts in the country that provide that or additional pay.” With all of the negatives there are still teachers who choose to teach AP classes. “Civics is not a political class, but AP Government is,” Burns said. “I enjoy having the political discussions with students that are not a part of the civics curriculum.” Principal Bart Wegenke announced at every class meeting that students should take AP classes. “It’s what I talked about in class meetings about all kids reaching higher and having that college level experience with a class,” Wegenke said. “So they are not walking in their first day of their freshman year of college being faced with college rigour and being overwhelmed.”
Staff Writers Kenzie Adler Leona Blosser Derek Choma Hunter Dawson Austin Eveland Connor Frank Conner Heinz Katelyn Lee
Khonnor Longendyke Kyle Looney JJ Miller Caleb Newport Alex Sadler Mia Salvador Cody Thelen
2.26.16
Kindness starts early
Wilkshire students and staff made this sign for Bus Driver Appreciation day Jan. 22 COURTESY PHOTO
New program teaches kids importance of thoughtfulness by helping community KATELYN LEE| Staff Writer “Kindness ch anges the brain by the experience of kindness. Children and adolescents do not learn kindness by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it,” said Patty O’Grady, an expert in neuroscience, emotional learning, positive psychology and an education specialist. When Jewell Muller-Gornick, counselor at Wilkshire Early Childhood Center, read an article about kindness reducing bullying in schools, this quote resonated with her. With the hopes of implementing kindness in Wilkshire, she contacted her colleagues, interventionist Jill Batten and principal Gail Hicks, to get their thoughts on the idea. They sat down and came to the conclusion that a kindness program is exactly what was needed. The Wilkshire co-workers made a plan to create a program that not only teaches kindness but works on implementing it in the daily lives of the students. They thought that implementing kindness into the children and staffs’ schedules would result in them becoming more likely to be kind on a daily basis. The kindness program has been in the making for a few years now. The idea came from a group of teachers who believe that changing the world starts with kids. Instill the idea of kindness into them from the beginning and they will grow up to make the world a better place. The kindness program is made up of teachers who are passionate about making a change and seeing that kindness in kids today such as Muller-Gornick, Hicks and Batten. They have done and will continue to do random acts of kindness. One of their most recent acts of kindness was “bus driver appreciation day” where all of the bus drivers were brought to Wilkshire for the students and staff to thank them for all they have done. The students of the Wilkshire Early Development Program have even gone to the local retirement home, read books and sang songs to the elderly.
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“We have several more events planned this year, including trips to the Meridian Township police and fire departments, local preschools to read to the children, as well as possibly leading tour groups through our amazing courtyard this spring.” Muller-Gornick said. “Our goal is to give our students the opportunity to experience and share kindness by purposely teaching it.” According to Muller-Gornick such acts of kindness give the young minds insight into what it truly means to be kind and to have compassion. Being kind doesn’t just help others, it helps individuals in many ways. There are a number of physical and mental health benefits that can be achieved by being kind. Altruistic actions trigger a release of the hormone oxytocin, which can significantly increase a person’s level of happiness and reduce stress levels. Oxytocin also protects the heart by lowering blood pressure and reducing free radicals and inflammation, which incidentally speed up the aging process. Kindness is a key ingredient that enhances positivity and helps children feel good about themselves as it increases serotonin levels. This important chemical affects learning, memory, mood, sleep, health, and digestion. The kindness program got its funding for extras such as bus transportation, art supplies, snacks, gardening supplies, etc. from a $500 grant from the 100 Women For Haslett, one of the many fundraising groups for the Foundation for Haslett Public Schools to help make the dream of the kindness program a reality. The outpouring of positive comments about the startup of the program have been outstanding. Many believe this is the way to change the future of the world. With all of the hate, destruction, and violence going on all around the world the future doesn’t look so bright. With a program like this one it gives people a glimmer of hope that the future will be different than our present.
Wilkshire students say thank you to community members for their support. The event was part of ongoing kindness lessons at the school. COURTESY PHOTO
NEWS
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A Staff Editorial
Create a culture of consent Perspective on sexual assault needs to change Most sane people with a drop of common sense agree sexual assault is horrible and inhumane. Fortunately, the past few years have shown an increased awareness towards rape culture, especially on college campuses and in the media. Michigan State University’s introduction of the Office of Institutional Equity last year was a step toward progress. The office was opened to handle sexual assault cases and other harassment related issues. But laws, classes and fancy offices won’t do much if we don’t start from the root cause. Ourselves.
It’s not uncommon to hear whispers in the hall insulting someone’s attire for being too slutty, their behavior for being too flirty or they’re character for allegedly having too much sex. Slut, whore, skank are labels thrown around casually. Comments such as “that exam raped me” are part of our everyday speech. Perhaps, the most disturbing norm among this generation is the unintentional victim blaming. It’s not as common to hear victims directly blamed for their assault as it used to be, but people continue to propose judgmental “what if” scenarios.
“I’m not saying it’s their fault. It’s horrible what happened. But if they hadn’t been drinking…” Sound familiar? These sorts of statements only perpetuate rape culture and justify, even if unintentionally, the perpetrator. Even seemingly lighthearted jokes can be devastating triggers to an assault victim. Our job, as members of society, is to be supportive of one another. Period. That means not questioning the clothes, lifestyle, blood alcohol content or beliefs of a victim of any crime, sexually related or not. To mock victims gives power to those
who seek harm. It is the fuel they need to burn the progress that’s been made in eliminating rape culture. More disturbing than our attitudes on assault are the ones we unwittingly express toward consent. Issues of consent don’t just relate to sex. Consent should be required for any type of touch, whether it’s your aunt trying to hug you or your friend grabbing you as you walk down the hall. Many people are uncomfortable with being touched, even if it’s just casual, and we need to learn to respect each other’s boundaries.
We as a community need to be more aware of consent. Because the less we talk about it, the more young people are going to be taken advantage of. When we are more concerned with judging the victim than punishing the perpetrator, when we ignore other people’s wishes, or touch them at all without consent, we are allowing ourselves to be on the same side as the assaulter. Consent is not a special bonus, it is a basic human right.
Mediocre mitten Home state leaves much to be desired CONNOR FRANK | Staff Writer As I wake up at 6 a.m. and prepare for my morning commute to school, I look out my frost-coated window. Death stares back at me. I ponder how the full might of Jack Frost will soon be bent on icing my veins and stopping my heart. From the depths of my snow-weary body comes a wicked loathing of all things winter. My fists clenched, I defiantly put on my wrestling shorts and leather bomber jacket. With thick alpaca wool socks on my feet, I descend the stairway and tell myself, “Just one more winter.” I look at the wall to see my family picture at the beaches of Lake Michigan, smiling and squinting in the sunny weather. My mind remembers that this beach is covered in snow right now, and icebergs are currently floating where the waves crest in the background. The downstairs has an eerie silence that is broken only by my muffled footsteps upon the creaky wooden steps. My coldweather boots sit next to the pale white garage door. I shove my feet into them and open the door to see my car engulfed in fluffy white snow. I fling my head back and shout, as loud as possible, “I HATE MICHIGAN!” Yes. I hate Michigan. My distaste for the state goes well beyond the confines of typical Midwestern January weather, however. Some things can’t be cured with hot cocoa and Netflix. When I was in 7th grade, for example, I was hit with a cold lesson in economics. It was 2010. The height of the recession. Michigan relied entirely on the Big Three automakers to carry the economy. But when the car market failed, the entire state failed. My dad fell victim to the consequences of this recession at Michigan State when he lost his job. The next five years for me were filled with tumultuous anguish and anxiety, because my father had to take up work in Chicago, 250 miles away. Childish as it may be, I found myself having regular nightmares of my parents being ripped away from me by a ferocious, black monster with fangs the size of windshield wipers. I now realize that this monster was Michigan, the very state that had forced my dad and so many others like him to depart from their families and lives to survive and provide elsewhere. So while you may skip stones leisurely across Lake Lansing in the summer months, I sit on the docks at the park, waiting til dusk to whisper a plea to the Wolverine State for those five years with my dad back. It is a debt that I cannot collect. Michigan has taken more than just five years from a kid, however. Just ask any of the parents living in Flint. If the gang violence in the most murderous city in America
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doesn’t steal from them the lives of their sons and daughters, The Upper Peninsula the Michigan is the only state poisoned to decrease in population water will. in the last decade, with The numerous many people leaving dying homicides of 2015, industries in the north included the death of 1-year-old Genesis Tyler, shot in the head by a gang member shortly after his 70-year-old babysitter suffered the same fate. Beyond the killings, there is an underlying feeling of helplessness in Flint that can be experienced by taking one look at the gallon jugs of smelly brown “water” in the hands of residents of the city. Lead water so vile, it corroded the metal in automobiles at the local Ford plant. All of this can be traced back to an emergency manager, appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who was there to fix Flint’s economic mess. Economic woes leading to something much, much worse has apparently become a hallowed tradition in Michigan. Taking a step back from the frothy issue of Flint, let’s talk about the beauty that is Pure Michigan. The picturesque images of rustling leaves in the fall, Tim Allen’s soothing baritone narrating your visual experience, soft piano melodies setting the mood for a perfect day to travel anywhere in the state. The imagery is all quite nice, but just make sure to hold your breath. Air quality in Michigan is among the lowest in the nation, according to CNBC. The American Lung Association gave Ingham County a D in air quality, which means that the amount of days where going outdoors may be hazardous exceeds 12 per year. Clinton County, where I live, was given an F in the scoring charts. Additionally, Michigan is among the cloudiest states in America, at an average of 172 cloudy days per year. Pollutants tend to stay in the air longer with cloud cover, further complicating the matter. Battle Creek While the grass is always greener on the The violent crime rate is other side, the air is always cleaner too. twice the U.S. average, and Life is full of questions. The two people the rapes per year makes it will always ask are “Where do you come a dangerous city for women from?” and “Where are you going?” I come from a desolate, cold wasteland where jobs are rare, killing is common, and the air is far from fresh. Where am I going? Absolutely anywhere but Michigan.
Saginaw The Unemployment rate is 10%. Which is nearly twice the national average
Flint The crime rate here is 7 times the national average
Lansing
Our ozone level is substantially worse than the national average
Detroit 1.6 million pounds of hazardous chemicals are released into the community each year
Inkster 40% of people are below the poverty level
GRAPHIC: MOLLY BRADY
OPINION
2.26.16
Prank problems
Senior pranks just aren’t worth it KENZIE ADLER | Staff Writer The idea of senior pranks has been well known since we were young. Practically everyone knows what it means to have a “senior prank.” Maybe it’s because we’ve seen it played up in movies and TV since we were kids, or maybe it’s because the glory of other schools’ senior pranks are posted online for everyone to see, but senior pranks have always seemed like an awesome tradition that everyone did. A tradition where the senior class, in its final days, would make school just a little more interesting. However, our high school has hardly had any, and not by choice. The senior class has never been allowed to have one. The senior class meeting on Feb. 2 shed light on this school’s lack of the senior prank. Even days later gossip over the threat of police enforcement continued to bubble up in hallways and classrooms. People were so shocked, but when you think about it, we really shouldn’t be. “The speech that I gave on Tuesday, Feb. 2 is the same speech that I’ve given for the past 12 years,” principal Bart Wegenke said. “It’s been an expectation and a conversation for 12 years.” Wegenke has always been serious about senior pranks. “Some of those pranks that disrupted the educational flow of our school resulted in at least two to three people not walking in graduation,” Wegenke said. That infamous prank happened to be a water gun/balloon fight in the halls during passing time, which resulted in the other classes and staff members getting caught in the crossfire. So when does a senior prank go too far? The answer is simple; pranks in general are a bad idea. Think about it, while it’s fun for someone, it’s not fun for someone else. That’s the general point of a prank. Take some of the classics for example. Covering an entire hallway or gym floor with styrofoam cups of water. It’s hilarious, it’s classic, and frankly, it’s rather incredible that someone managed to do it. But then who’s going to clean it up? The pranksters? Probably not. How about filling a hallway with balloons instead? Or heck the office? Also funny, also rather impressive. But again, who’s going to clean it up? Maybe those aren’t so bad, but take some
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more intense examples: water gun/balloon fight during passing time. It’s all fun and games unless you have to walk through that battlefield just trying to get to class. Another school (just last year, actually) trashed the school building – literally. Someone else poured urine and baby oil on the hallway floors. It’s all fun and games unless you didn’t make the prank. Truth be told, it isn’t always fun for the pranksters. Last year, 100 students from the same school did not walk at graduation – they were the pranksters behind the urine and baby oil mentioned earlier. Six years ago, two to three students from our own high school did not walk because of a passing time water balloon fight, and even faced charges. Some people, from other districts, have even been arrested. Imagine putting that on your job or college application? Maybe not all pranks are bad, but it’s when the school day is disrupted, or property is destroyed, or someone gets hurt or has to work double the hours just to clean up your mess, that it’s not funny anymore. Maybe it’s funny to you, but remember, there are hundreds of other students, and staff members here. Before you do anything related to a senior prank, just stop for a second, and think about how it will affect the rest of us. Will we find it funny? Will we think it’s clever? Or will we be disgusted by it? Hurt by it? Are there grounds to suspend you, arrest you? This is our last year before we move on to whatever career we choose to pursue, which means this is the last year to make a good impression. And this year has to be the most important, because it’s the closest a future employer will get to an example of you now. Maybe you’ve been a hard worker all your 12 years, but in the 13th year, your senior year, you blow it by serving time in prison. Would you hire that person? I wouldn’t. Because to me, it would seem like I couldn’t trust you. Maybe I could’ve in your junior year, or any year previous, but not anymore. What you do now affects what you will become later. There are far too many uncertainties when it comes to a prank, which is why I, personally, am grateful for the rule. We’ve all worked hard to be here. It’s not worth five minutes of laughs to risk throwing away the rest of your life. Besides, it’s been a fantastic year so far, and we’re so close to the end. Let’s not ruin it for anyone.
It’s all fun and games unless you didn’t make the prank
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2.26.16
Bumper to bumper
Students responsible for parking lot safety KYLE LOONEY| Staff Writer As soon as the bell rings, I rush to join the race of hundreds of students who want to go home, trying to be the first in line in the very difficult and complex exit system of the student parking lot which features a constant bumper to bumper line all the way until about 2:45 p.m. It is so difficult to get in a lane and out in an organized way, and it’s even more difficult to be timely doing it. In fact, in the past month more than two accidents have occurred due to reckless driving and people not being able to see or just not paying attention. These accidents are a consistent issue within the student parking lot. Nobody waits around once the last bell rings and the cars rushing to escape are dangerous to other student drivers, and to those walking out of school. The driving issues are so bad that they cause some to be frightened to walk in the parking lot before and after school. “I don’t feel safe at all actually, especially with all the accidents,” freshman Malachi Keener said. “I wait till the traffic is mostly gone to walk through.” It’s not just the accidents, the holdup of everyone rushing to the right turn lane always causes congestion at the end of the school day, leading to a jousting battle between who’s next in line. It’s more like a fight to the death than an organized exit from school grounds. Sporting events are exactly the same, but this time it’s parents having to experience the lengthened wait times and cluster of cars in
multiple lanes trying to maneuver. It has been this dangerous for years, but it doesn’t have to be. If everyone just slowed down and stopped acting like they were in a rush all the time, things would go so much more smoothly. Trust me, I understand that being in line forever is annoying and we all just want to go home. But the constant fighting to be the next one to turn is wasting time. Nobody is going to get home that much quicker by battling for their turn in line, and it is just not safe. Drivers need to slow down and watch what they’re doing. To principal Bart Wegenke, students should be the ones knowing what they are doing in that parking lot every day. “The bottom line is every driver and passenger is responsible for their own safety and others around them,” Wegenke said. “The rules are set and there’s no need to enforce extra regulations as long as everyone is doing their part.” Yes, students should be responsible, but we only have so much to work with. If the school simply installed a few more speed bumps or put up a sign to help control traffic, it could help protect us all. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be in the budget this year, which means staying safe is up to us. The way the parking lot functions really does depend on us and what we’re doing. If everyone helps, the process can be a lot faster, with fewer accidents. The recklessness and dangerous driving of students has always been a problem. “Anytime you put 400 plus young drivers into one lot, with only one exit and many distractions,” Wegenke said, “reality is a few accidents are going to happen.” The bottom line is driving is a privilege and it can be taken away because of one bad decision. Don’t make a mistake that could get that privilege taken away.
Write a letter to the editor. Let your voice be heard!
Have something to say? Angry, frustrated or downright upset about what we’ve written? Want to tell us how well we’re doing? Write a letter to us! Drop the finished product off in the Publications Room, room 411, for consideration to run in the next issue of the newspaper. We do NOT accept annonymous letters. Thank you.
Letters to the Editor are here to help! We know that you all have issues with different things around the school and in our community. We want to hear what YOU have to say.
OPINION
5
Some Hellified Warriors
Assent for consent
Survivor sheds light on rape culture and its effects
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They even nominated her for homecoming court with her rapist.
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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: RACHEL HAMILTON
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Her parents became aware of the situation after a close friend asked her father to contact them and tell them about the assault. Her parents were overwhelmed with shock. They quickly arranged for their daughter to go see a therapist and kept her at home for the next couple of weeks to prevent potential bullying and harassment from her classmates. “I was locked up in my room for two and a half weeks.
LIFEBOAT
helped me the most with yoga, realizing that I am not even close to alone.” She explains that one of the most difficult parts of her recovery process has been working through her anger with her rapists and understanding what happened to her. “They are going to grow up and know that they did this to me for the rest of their lives. And, hopefully, if they aren’t psychos, they will realize what they did was wrong,” she said. “I’m going to grow up and be able to tell my kids that I survived this and that it’s possible to survive even the worst of the worst.” Her yoga instructor, Belinda Thurston, was inspired to help
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I’m going to grow up and be able to tell my kids that I survived this and that it’s possible to survive even the worst of the worst. sexual assault survivors through yoga after a friend of hers, Tashmica Torok, created an organization called the Firecracker Foundation. The organization offers therapy for sexual assault survivors. “When she (Tashmica Torok) decided to begin the Firecracker Foundation it really resonated with me,” Thurston said. “I am also a survivor of sex trauma and I started rallying a bunch of yoga studios around the area to hold special yoga classes to make money to help her organization.” While doing so, Thurston began thinking of how she would teach a yoga class specifically targeted to trauma survivors. After practicing yoga herself for several years, she realized the practice had a lot to offer not only physically, but spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. She then combined trainings she had already been through and created a program that is safe, non-triggering and enables people to cope with what had
HAILEY PECIC | Copy Editor
happened to them. “I wanted to be able to offer an environment where we can find something maybe a little bit more kind in how we treat ourselves and how we look at ourselves,” Thurston said. One of the many elements her workshops focus on is encouraging survivors to own their bodies and transform their hate, resentment and guilt into love, confidence and optimism. A way she teaches her students to do this is to know their limits and know what works for them. “There are poses we work with that don’t feel good, like chair or boat, and I want them to ask themselves ‘If I don’t like this pose, if it is causing me pain, then why am I staying in it longer? Why do I want to do that to myself?’ And give themselves permission to stop,” Thurston said. “It doesn’t mean that you’re weak, it means that you like yourself that much that you will not self inflict pain” Another thing the workshop focuses on is coping with triggers. Triggers are an experience that causes someone to recall a previous traumatic memory and are common in sexual trauma survivors. Thurston works with her students to find certain breathing exercises and poses that will make them feel safe when a trigger occurs. “Giving them a tool of certain breathing exercises or giving a tool of certain poses to be able to use when we notice a certain trigger is happening can help to ease them out of that so that you aren’t self conscious of that,” Thurston said. Thurston explains that working with trauma survivors has been a huge learning experience for her and is continuing to change her in countless ways. Being a survivor of child sexual assault and rape at the age of 5, Thurston relates with her students’ pain and suffering. “I’ve probably learned more from my students than they have learned from me,” Thurston said. “For me it’s a continual act of growing. It helps me grow myself as a survi-
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vor, as a person who works with survivors, and just having mad respect for all survivors. Not just sexual trauma, but any sort of violence.” While talking about her students and workshops, Thurston explains how empowering and uplifting the survivors are despite the traumatic experiences they’ve all been through. “They are some of the strongest people I’ve ever known,” Thurston said. “These are some hellified warriors.” After attending Thurston’s yoga workshops and serving on the Teen Yoga Committee, the now 18-year-old whose life changed last spring feels inspired to educate people on the topic of consent and sexual assault. “The biggest thing I want everyone to know who is feeling
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It is a road block, but it’s not the end or even close to the end.
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It was just like any other high school party. Red Solo cups and liquor bottles littered the room, and dozens of teenagers danced to hip hop music blaring from the speakers. An energetic 17-year-old girl with dark long brown hair sat with a group of friends, both new and old, and made small talk while they laughed over their mixed drinks. As the night progressed and more drinks were passed around, she became less aware of her surroundings. Somehow she made it home safely, but has no recollection how. She would later learn through fragmented memories and comments from other party goers, she was raped by at least two boys who attended the party. “Over the course of the night, I was raped by two or three people,” she said. “The third one I don’t remember at all, but I was told later that he had raped me. The other two I began to remember after the fact. That was my first time meeting two of them. I knew the other one from school.” The victim, who is not a Haslett student but attends another Lansing-area high school, has asked to remain anonymous for this story because she is still recovering from the trauma she experienced last spring. She wants to spread awareness on the issues of consent and sexual assault and to inspire those going through similar experiences.
I missed so many things,” she said. “I was so angry with her (the friend). But I know she was worried about me and I can’t be mad at her for caring.” While trying to process what had happened to her, she was getting a variety of stories from the boys who had assaulted her and others who had attended the party. “One of the guys made up a big bullshit story about how we had had this long deep conversation about having sex, but I don’t think that was possible,” she said. “Later that night I was told I had tried to stand up and I fell completely backwards on my head. I couldn’t even stand or even catch myself, so I couldn’t have been having a conversation about having sex.” Now, several months later, she is still coping with the trauma and has not pressed charges. The police left pressing charges up to her and, when she decided not to, they informed her parents who then respected their daughter’s decision. She said it was difficult to make the choice whether or not to take legal action because one of her rapists attended her school. “The really messed up thing about how it works with rape is you are expected to press charges the day after it happens and for me it didn’t feel like anything had happened. But everyone around me was making a big deal about it,” she said. “It wasn’t until months later that I realized the gravity of what happened to me or realized how badly I wanted to press charges.” She also feared what her classmates would say about her if word got out she had been raped. “A different girl at my school got raped and everyone at my school called her Rape Girl and made fun of her,” she said. “They all made jokes about it at school related functions. They even nominated her for homecoming court with her rapist.” She now goes to therapy weekly and attends a yoga workshop that helps teens cope with their sexual traumas. She feels as though yoga therapy has made all the difference in her recovery process. “Being in a room where I can just know that these are all people who have had this happen to them and they are all surviving is amazing,” she said. “It just proves that there is so much more and that’s what has
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KELSEY JOHNSON| Editor-in-Chief
Society must work to educate and communicate
alone is that this is not the end, this is only the beginning,” she said. “Regardless of how horrible things seem, there is so much more to life than this exact moment when you feel like you’re drowning.” Despite the horrors and chaos her trauma has caused her, she isn’t going to let her trauma prevent her from living a fun and happy life. “This is not going to stop me or hold me back from anything,” she said. “It is a road block, but it’s not the end or even close to the end.”
Sexual Assault: Any crime in which the offender subjects the victim to sexual touching that is unwanted and offensive.
For information regarding sexual assault resources, scan this QR code or visit vikinglongboat.org
Planned Parenthood community outreach educator Stephanie DiPonio has dedicated her career to sexual education and battling to prevent assaults like that of the local 18-year-old victim. In her goal of spreading awareness, DiPonio said consent should be one of the main focuses of education. “Talking about consent will prevent sexual assault. It’s primary prevention,” she said. “If we had more of a culture of asking, not just that, but a culture of being OK when people say no, it could help set up boundaries. It can help with communication in general.” DiPonio sees a lack of consent even in non-sexual situations. “In general, our society isn’t very consensual just about touching people or even just being like ‘hey can I use your pen,’” she said. Practicing consent all the time in everyday situations, such as asking before hugging a friend, is one way she thinks could normalize the discussion. “I know it sounds corny, but just practice,” she said. Sexual consent is not a required topic for sexual education, and is rarely covered. “Even when it’s not just abstinence only, sex ed can be just the bare bones. Just birth control and STI information,” DiPonio said. “I feel like with consent, since it’s about communication for young people, that makes people uncomfortable. Like ‘oh God, we’re teaching people to communicate during sex’ instead of the mentality that it could give them the tools and for it to be healthy and positive.” To ease some of the discomfort, DiPonio suggests using media as a segway for parents and teachers to discuss sexual consent with their kids. “Any time it’s talked about on a song or show, say like, hey parent or child, let’s watch this. That could be a jumping off point to talk about it.” Because of the nerve wracking nature of the topic, she also suggests using phone calls or text to discuss consent and sexual health. While much of the recent focus on sexual assault is cen-
LIFEBOAT
tered around college campuses, DiPonio said more energy needs to be placed on high schools and middle schools. “Sexaul assault is happening at all ages,” she said. “It affects young people a lot, but people like to brush it under the rug.” This lack of concern can be detrimental to students’ well being. “When you experience trauma, you can’t be at full capacity. If it happened at school or someone you know at the school did it, feeling safe when you’re trying to learn, that’s huge,” she said. “Or, if it hasn’t happened to you, being scared it can, that’s real.” Speaking up is DiPonio’s biggest piece of advice to those who want to improve the environment for assault survivors. “When people are saying microaggressions about sexual assault or rape culture in general, like saying ‘oh that exam raped me,’ call them out,” she said. “It may seem small, but for a survivor, some off hand comment like that could be extremely triggering.” This, she said, can help bring awareness to the severity of the issue. “It’s sad, devastating, overwhelming how much it’s happening,” DiPionio said. Along with publicly speaking out against consent, DiPonio said directly asking the victim how we can help is essential. “Maybe they don’t wanna talk about it, maybe they wanna sit down and share their story,” she said. “Believe them, 100 percent.” Her advice to survivors is simple: “Just do your best to take care of yourself, whatever that looks like,” she said. “Everyone’s healing process is different.” Attorney and senior investigator at the Michigan State University Office of Institutional Equity Debra Rousseau Martinez has seen firsthand how difficult the healing process can be. After spending 11 years at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s office working with child abuse cases and sex crimes, she was asked to join MSU last fall when the institutional equity office was created. “It’s a fancy way of saying office of fairness,” she said. “The process (of assault claims) is fair and if someone is victimized, they know they have a place they can go for extra participation at our office.”
Rousseau Martinez’s passion for the legal process is what keeps her going, despite the daunting nature of the work. “I used to tell police officers when they’d say this is a ‘he said she said,’ then you haven’t done your job. There is always something out there,” she said. For young people, she said evidence can often be found in messages. “You send text and Facebook messages,” Rousseau Martinez said. “There are things that people send after assaults that are very valuable to us.” For rape cases like the Lansing area student’s, prosecution can be difficult. “A lot of cases don’t get prosecuted because of that high standard of beyond a reasonable doubt,” Rousseau Martinez said. When alcohol is involved, people may have impaired memories or blackouts and, without details, this can make prosecutors hesitant to take on a case. Rousseau Martinez said the difference of blacked out and passed out is confusing. “Some people can be blacked out but walking, talking, functioning,” she said. “It’s not against the law to have sex with a drunk person. It’s against the law to have sex with someone who is passed out from being drunk.” At MSU, there is a stricter standard. Sex with someone who is clearly intoxicated could be a violation of student policy and lead to an investigation, possibly resulting in consequences for the assaulter. “Under the law to be held responsible for sexual assault, it has to be beyond a reasonable doubt. At MSU it’s preponderance of the evidence,” Rousseau Martinez said. “That means more likely than not. There’s a little bit more on one side than the other.” From her experience, Rousseau Martinez said the best step a victim can take is to tell someone after the assault. “Even if you aren’t comfortable going to the police, or going to the university, tell someone. A friend, counselor, someone. When it happens, you may feel like it’s something that can’t be pursued now, but your mindset and feelings might change down the road. If you talk to someone, it’s kind of preserved.” she said. “I think you’ll be in a much better place.”
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Lighting up the stage AUSTIN EVELAND| Staff Writer Experienced performers are preparing once again for the annual Haslett High School Talent Show taking place tonight in the auditorium following the boys basketball game against Waverly. For many years now the talent show has been one of the staples that brings the community together. It’s a time for people of all ages to come together and experience entertainment at a local level. But it hasn’t always been this way. “The talent show was not always a thing. It took them three or four years to get it together,” Pat Hepfer said. Hepfer has been coordinating and running the talent show since its inception. Among the chaos and turmoil of frantic performers and techies there is a hidden dance in it all, a dance where every step is planned and rehearsed.
Uke-ing up a storm Love for ukuleles pushes students to organize club Sophomore Chris Orr stands in front of Jan Shoemaker’s classroom after school. He looks outwards, smiling crisply as his fingers begin to pluck the white nylon strings of his smooth, wooden ukulele. What follows is a beautiful gloss of silken sound waves, resonating throughout the room and echoing in the halls. He strums a C chord, moving quickly to A minor to begin the song, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and blows away those seated before him. This is the scene at the first meeting of the Ukulele club, founded by Orr himself after winning a Facebook drawing for 40 of the tiny instruments. The ukuleles are courtesy of Kala, a famous ukulele brand. The sophomore student is nothing short of a prodigy at playing the ukulele. But he seems to also find joy in teaching others the art of playing. “The goal is to learn technique, chords and hopefully have a ukulele choir some day,” Orr said. A natural musician, Orr has been playing
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PHOTOS: ASHLEY DYER
Talent and tech prepare for tonight’s talent show In the blinding lights and deafening that goes in on my own time, and sounds people look to Hepfer as a then I like to meet whoever I’m beacon of light and order. Although performing with,” Morton said. all eyes are on the performers, the This includes running through true magic is going on behind the songs on his guitar with whoever he is scenes. “We try to make sure the performing with. This year he will be performers look their best and we accompanying senior Katie Ebert, who try to make sure they have proper will be singing an original piece she wrote rehearsal,” Hepfer said. This so called called “Man Up.” “proper rehearsal” happens only Ebert will be one of many students hours before performers are set to go participating in the show. Having been on. That’s right: in the show for they only have three years, Talent Show Information one rehearsal she’s becoming The show is tonight after the boys an expert on to ensure a basketball game spectacular show. stage. “That Friday, Tickets at the door are $5 and $3 at “It’s kind the rehearsal of different both A and B lunches we have on the than it used schedule is super to be,” Ebert important not just for (tech) but for the said. “It used to be like ‘oh my gosh performers to get time on stage so they are I’m so nervous, people are going to comfortable,” Hepfer said. “Some of the judge me.’ But this year my performing performers that are coming on don’t have skills have grown and I have become more a bunch of performance experience. comfortable performing in front of large This gives them an opportunity to groups.” be comfortable before they have an Since the talent show is an informal audience of hundreds.” event, Ebert feels comfortable sharing her Besides the Friday rehearsal all music with the audience. “It’s so laid back,” she performers rehearse on their own said. “It’s right after the basketball game so it’s just time. It is up to them to be prepared and ready like everybody just comes in and they’re all talking to put on a great show. But how exactly do and everybody’s got spirit stuff on. It’s really performers prepare for the show? Sophomore awesome.” Ayden Morton said time is the most important Unlike Got Taste, Got Talent, the talent show thing in preparing. is noncompetitive, and boosts extreme support “There’s a lot of practicing and preparation from the community. “You have some students
that come in that weren’t very confident on stage and were cheered like they were Bon Jovi,” Hepfer said. The show is a great place to start for those with little or no on stage experience. “We generally have students that are all over the board,” Hepfer said. The talent show hosts much more than just singing, it will have dance performances along with instrumental performances. There will also be a performance by the Haslett High School drumline at the end of the show. “Some people come in and dance, you might have a hip hop act followed by ballet,” Hepfer said. “It’s kind of all over the board, It’s a really broad showcase of the students talents. It’s really cool.”
ILLUSTRATION: BEN HAMPTON
CONNOR FRANK| Staff Writer
the uke for about 2.5 years. Though he plays other strings, a small wooden ukulele seems to fit perfectly in his arms. At the first meeting, Orr went over basic functions of the ukulele: how to properly tune it, proper holding position, a little history and a few simple chords. “It goes G, C, E, A. Sometimes it helps if you give the strings a little tug, it sets them better,” Orr said as he directed his club to tune up. A bright, plucky tone emulated from the room and Orr began to teach. But his passion for the uke runs far deeper than just learning it, the instrument has changed his life. Like many high schoolers, Orr suffered from the overwhelming stress of trying to find himself in the sea of emotions that engulfs students. “Fighting social anxiety really left me feeling excluded from those around me, and feeling lonely brought depression into my life as well,” he said. But amidst the chaos, he discovered his own way out. “I found that one of the best ways to relax and become happy was to create goals that mattered
more than everything else, and to understand and play music became one for me,” Orr said. That goal started in the Upper Peninsula, at what could best be described as a witches’ hut for instruments. “We were driving in northern Michigan and we stopped at this run down little shop for guitars. I went inside and they had this single left-handed ukulele for $20,” Orr said. “I spent the entire car ride home just playing around on it and then I decided I really wanted to get good at this.” Orr knew instantly that the ukulele was his tool of choice. And that tool has granted him peace and a deeper sense of understanding in his own life. Musicians often describe the feelings their music evokes as euphoric in nature, something that transcends everyday experiences and emotions. Orr seems to agree with that line
FEATURES
Freshman Chris Orr strums his Lanikai ukulele. PHOTO: RACHEL HAMILTON
of thought. “When I’m able to play something beautiful on ukulele, it puts me above all of my worries and gives me confidence in myself,” he said. He believes the ukulele in particular is a sedative instrument. Orr was inspired by incredibly talented uke players such as 2015 graduate Marlowe Teichman and Jake Shimabukuro. Orr is in contact with Teichman often. “Playing music also puts me in the position to perform for others and put myself out there, which allows me to attack my anxiety while doing something I love,” Orr said. “Nothing is more happy and calming than the ukulele.”
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Passion for fashion
Shoemologies:
Relationships
KHONNOR LONGENDYKE| Staff Writer
Freshman MeKayla Ford sits next to her workspace where she makes her designs a reality. PHOTO: RACHEL HAMILTON
RACHEL HAMILTON| Photo Editor First grade art class. The teacher was reading a book about a little boy who was talking about art. The book showed famous paintings and asked, “Is this art?” The answer was always yes. At the end of the book, the little boy scribbles on the wall, again the question is asked “Is this art?” The answer “yes” caused debate among the students. But young MeKayla Ford knew it was. “I’d just had this epiphany and I knew it was art and I couldn’t explain why,” said Ford, now a freshman. “I realized that the world was full of art and that art didn’t have to imitate something.” The teacher went on to tell the first-grade class about Picasso and Van Gogh. “I’m going to be French and I’m going to be an artist,” Ford thought as she went back to her class. “Obviously, now I’m less concerned with the first thought, but the second one is still true,” Ford said. Her interest in art continued to grow and expanded to more than what she learned in the classroom. Ford learned about fashion and it captured her attention unlike any other art form. Learning about clothing design changed Ford’s life, it gave her goals and a purpose. Ford’s interest in fashion sparked around the age of eight. At the time, her older sister, Markeyna, took a sewing class and practiced at home. Her desire to learn sewing was first inspired by the fact she wasn’t supposed to be in the room where her sister practiced. “When you’re in second or third grade, 16 seems so far away and so mature and so much older and more knowledgeable,” Ford said. “I did look
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up to my sister when I was younger.” Ford was also fascinated by the idea that clothes did not just show up, they had to be made. Watching Markeyna work, changed her understanding of the process. “I realized that it didn’t just happen and that I was watching it happen right in front of me,” Ford said, “I also think that seeing how clothes are made was one of the last pieces of me growing up and seeing how the world fits together, how everything comes from something.” From that early curiosity, Ford’s passion bloomed. Seven years later, she is fluent in fashion lingo, creates and wears her own designs and lives a normal life as a freshman. Fashion isn’t Ford’s only interest. She is involved in many clubs and activities including Girl Scouts, Black Student Union, Gay Straight Alliance, bowling and Student Council. Ford goes to a club meeting almost every afternoon and has bowling practice Monday through Thursday. Evenings are for homework, but sometimes Ford gets distracted by sketching or working on her latest project. While Ford enjoys school, fashion is her passion. “There’s a lot more freedom of what I want to learn and where I want to go when I’m designing,” Ford said, “I’m going to go somewhere and be something and be happy because it’s something that I love doing.” When designing, Ford starts with sketching, the most fun part for her. “From there I plan the pattern, choosing textiles, figuring out the logistics of making it and figuring out
how to translate the proportions from a sketch to actual life,” Ford said. Ford first makes the design with muslin, a cheap cotton-like material, to see how it looks. Once it’s complete, she moves onto the pattern she is going to use. It’s not always smooth sailing from there. “Sometimes, if I’m making something and I realize that I only have one yard (of fabric) and I need one and a half yards, that turns into using panels and adding color blocking,” Ford said. “Usually it turns out pretty fun.” Panels are a way to widen a seam by adding another fabric or pleats and color blocking is adding another color instead of just having one. Ford has only four months to create 12 outfits. In the fashion world, designers have deadlines. Ford is practicing what that atmosphere would be like by completing an entire line for herself to wear on a Girl Scout cruise in April. “I decided that I was going to make everything I was going to wear on the cruise,” Ford said. The deadline gives Ford a realworld feel for what it’s like to work as a fashion designer. Croquis, or sketches, are hung around her workspace, swatches and material samples are attached to the croquis, and one outfit is underway on the mannequin. Eventually, Ford wants to have her own label. To get there, she plans on attending Parsons School of Design in New York. After completing school, she hopes to work for another designer. “I want to be like one of those names up there like Coco Chanel and be a big deal,” Ford said.
FEATURES
MeKayla’s vision for the future
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“I want to have my own building in a big city”
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“My models will represent women, not beauty standards”
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“I want to be surrounded by the people I love and who love me”
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“I just want to be in a place where I can’t escape happiness”
As couples flood the back hallways, hand in hand, gazing at one another and ignoring reality, they are often given one of two reactions. One reaction may be an ‘awe’ from a group of freshmen. Another reaction may be a disgusted scowl. Jan Shoemaker, however, finds nothing wrong with the couples she sees in the halls around school. Watching couples interacting with each other, whether it being holding hands, hugging or kissing, does not make her feel uncomfortable. “It’s natural that people are attracted to each other and I hope they pursue those relationships joyfully, honestly, safely and intelligently,” Shoemaker said. Even though she was not involved in any, she supports high school relationships. She didn’t have a boyfriend until college. “I never met anyone. All the boys I had crushes on didn’t have crushes on me,” Shoemaker said. When dealing with relationships with any sign of a red flag, Shoemaker says it is time to just call it quits. An example of a red flag for a dangerous situation is when someone in the relationship is totally controlling the other, when they are trying to exert total control of that person. “Sometimes one person in the relationship isolates them from their friends and sometimes their family.” Shoemaker claims that in an unsatisfied relationship couples should just break up before it leads to something really serious. She says that those who are doing the breaking up should be honest and direct and as kind as you possibly can. “Hold your ground and don’t just go back because you feel guilty, but you should be nice about it,” Shoemaker said. As for those who get their hearts broken, she suggests distracting yourself from the miserable time. “You just have to push yourself forward and make yourself live your life everyday even if your heart is broken,” Shoemaker said. After the snow melts, the flowers bloom and the birds return from hibernation, she says to stay with each other through spring. “Try not to get your heart broken in the spring. The flowers bloom, the ferns roll out. The entire world is indifferent to your poor broken heart,” Shoemaker said. “It’s awful to get your heart broken in the spring. So try to avoid that if you possibly can.”
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Swimming
Boys basketball
Hockey
Record: 6-3 (4-3)
Record: 8-9 (6-3)
Senior Angus MacFarlane and the rest of the seniors lead the team into leagues this weekend. “Fourth or fifth in the medley (relays). Everyone who goes should be able to make it back to the second day. I’m hoping to be all-state in at least two events.” -Senior Angus MacFarlane
Senior Darek Wroblak is finally healthy from his concussion and the team is more than ready to make a run. “We have a really good chance to make it to the district finals. Our team is a skilled team and all we need is for the ball to roll our way a few times and we need to lock up rebounds and we’re set.” -Senior William Holton
Record: 5-2 The senior-led team has been up and down all season but feels like they can push through the doubt. “We are like kinetic energy. We have the ability to do some work, but the question is, if the kinetic energy is there or not.” -Senior Grant Lemanski
Boys bowling Record: 6-4 Senior Brock Pringle and junior Jake Tebedo lead the team going into regionals. “I think that Jake and Brock have a good chance at moving on. If the team pulls together we can move on.” -Sophomore Tim Hamilton
Making the Student athletes predict postseason success PHOTO: RACHEL HAMILTON, CLAIRE COWAN, ASHLEY DYER TYLER GOLDBERG ILLUSTRATION: BRODEE GILLAM
Girls basketball
Gymnastics
Record: 15-3 (7-2) Senior Megan Mowid and junior Sydnee Dennis lead the team going into the postseason. “We have potential to go far and make a run in the postseason tournament. We just have to be ready and play our best every single game.” -Senior Shannon Twichell
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Record: 5-2
Girls bowling
Wrestling
Record: 3-7
Record: 41-10 (Brittain individual)
Seniors Alex Davis, Rachel Hamilton and Katjana Grant lead the team into regionals this weekend. “We’ve all been really consistent and we’ve all got good averages. We seem to do better in tournaments anyway so we should do great.” -Senior Alex Davis
Junior Nevin Brittain advances to the individual state tournament. “I am not sure honestly. I can just hope for the best.” -Junior Nevin Brittain
SPORTS
Seniors Cara Clarizio and Brooke Allen lead the team into the postseason with Allen leading the area in floor event. “We have a good chance at making it to states this year. It is going to be a tough competition, but I think we have a strong chance of placing in the top three.” -Senior Cara Clarizio
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Committed to a dream Seniors sign for success with respective schools CONNOR HEINZ | Staff Writer Of the approximately 8 million high school student athletes in the United States, only 460,000 of them will compete at the college level. Millions of kids grow up dreaming about competing at the college and pro levels, but of these dreamers only a select few will hold fast to their dream and make it. Of the student athletes graduating from Haslett this year, 11 will be going on to compete in college. Senior Blake Roe described his experience of finding the right college as “crazy.” The defensive tackle officially signed to Northern Michigan University after a three-year search including countless visits to different universities and recruiting camps. “Starting after my freshman year I started going all over the country, trying to figure out which school was best for me,” Roe said. “Fast forward to my junior year, I was still just confused knowing that the time (to decide) was going to come up fast.” It was at a camp held at Michigan State University that Roe first caught the eye of the NMU coaching staff. “The (Northern Michigan) defensive line coach came up to me and told me that he believes he could craft me into an amazing player, and that I could play at the next level, beyond college, if that’s something that I’m willing to work for.”
NMU Defensive line coach John Parrella played in the National Football League for 12 years, playing in three Super Bowls before retiring in 2004 with 405 career tackles. Roe said this was a big factor in his decision to commit to NMU. “If I want to be the best I have to learn from the best,” Roe said. Another senior athlete, Grant Lemanski, officially committed to Albion College lacrosse on Jan. 31, after a long process of communicating with different coaches and playing in various tournaments throughout the country over the summer. “It’s a fun process to select colleges, and feel like colleges want you,” Lemanski said of his experience of being recruited by Above, the front row consists of seniors Charley Campbell (Grand Valley), Kaili Gozalka (Davenport) and Lucy Jones (Pittsburgh). The back row consists of different schools. “You’re seniors Hunter Ruhstorfer (Lansing Community College), Luke Sleeper (Stanford), Jake Tahaney (Hope) and Nick Gaydos (Grand Valley). PHOTO: ASHLEY DYER constantly getting texts from coaches and also constantly Kenyon College. that I already knew.” bunch of games and said ‘Hey we want emailing coaches, letting them know “It’s kind of stressful to narrow down Charley Campbell was only a you on our team.’” which tournaments you’re going to be at your choices, but it’s a fun process,” freshman when colleges started pursuing Campbell was also at the time being and if you can meet up. They’re always Lemanski said. “Really there were the her to play soccer with them at the next recruited by Aquinas, Calvin, Adam asking when you want to get on campus most advantages with Albion. All of the level. State in Colorado and Saginaw Valley for a visit, all that good stuff,” schools have great lacrosse teams, but “I started getting recruited my before officially signing with Grand The senior was strongly considering Albion was closest to home. It has what I freshman year by Alma, and the current Valley. Campbell’s attraction to GVSU several other Division 3 schools in the want as far as schooling and I’ve known coach at Grand Valley was at Alma,” she started at a young age. midwest, including The College of the Albion coach for five or six years said. “When he went to Grand Valley I “I went there when I was 11 for ‘Sibs Wooster, Wittenberg University, and now. It was cool to commit to a coach just went with him. He just came to a and Kids’ day because my cousin went there and I loved it,” Campbell said. She said this was only one of several deciding factors, however. “The location is perfect, it’s kind of close to home but not far enough away, their soccer team is a National Champion team, and I’m going into athletic training and they have a great program for that.” The hard work and dedication has paid off for these seniors, but their journey is far from over. Now their focus is shifted to their future success, both on and off the field, and beyond college. “I’m really excited to take my game to the next level,” Lemanski said. Left, senior Blake Roe committing to Northern Michigan University with his family and his football teammates. Right, Campbell committing to Grand Valley with her family. PHOTOS: TYLER GOLDBERG RACHEL HAMILTON
Sports Ticker Girls basketball plays at home against Waverly tonight at 6 p.m. Wear your 4th of July gear, it’s a USA out!
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The 23-5 MSU Spartans men’s basketball team plays against Penn State on Sunday at noon.
The girls and guys bowling teams has a regional meet starting today at 9 a.m. and on Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
The swimming team has a league meet today at 5 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m.
SPORTS
Boys basketball also plays at home against Waverly tonight at 7:30 p.m. and is looking for revenge after a last second loss in the last meeting.
Girls basketball plays on Monday at East Lansing in the opening of the playoffs. Tip off is at 5 p.m.
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Banking on Art
Advanced art students display their work in contest at MSUFCU headquarters PHOTOS: ASHLEY DYER
The above photo shows junior Selina Dowell’s painting “Untitled” (left) and junior Emily Hiner’s painting “Angel” (middle).
“The title ‘La Chatoiant” is a word for the gleam in a cat’s eye. I really loved drawing the eyes and I thought the name fit it.” –Senior Allie Choi
“My painting is called ‘The Grasp’ because you can interpret it in two ways. It’s either the hand grabbing the balloons or letting them go. It’s like their grasp on reality; they’re either holding on or letting go.” –Junior Kate Horst
Mar 21, May 2
Mar 21, May 14, Apr 25, May 31, July 2016
“I love giving the opportunity to students to have their work in public and evaluated by professionals. I’ve always had feedback that’s quite positive and people want to buy our work, which is always a compliment.” – Teacher Rhonda Sherwin
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BACK OF THE BOAT
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