January 2025

Finding order in our overcrowded physical and mental spaces page 9

VOL. 55, ED. 2

PORTAGE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL

JAN. 2025

FROM THE EDITORS

Dear readers, Thank you and welcome to our first edition of 2025. As we all come back to our regularly scheduled programming after the holiday season it’s important to keep an open mind and keep moving forward in life. With that in mind the staff of the Northern Light came up with this edition’s theme: Cluttered. Our staff really put in the work for this edition, even working over the holidays toward deadline. We hope you enjoy reading as much as we have enjoyed creating this edition.

Thank you and happy reading!

Abby Hosler

Mitchell Barnard

ABOUT US Editors in Chief:

Mitchell Barnard and Abby Hosler

Associate Editors:

Brayden Schimp, Drew Collins, Kenna Hulick, Trevor Anderson, Oli Matthew, Chase Vanderwalle

Staff Members:

Riya Bhatt, Asher Carpenter, Ryan Mauwa, Sophie Amberg, Gabriel Bautista, Javarion Boyd-Franklin, Layla Carpenter, Abby Dudley, Madeleine Duhn, Sukhi Kaur, Dabira Mewomo, Eva Sturgeon, Ana Vandyke, Chrisopher LaLonde, Emmi Mattox

Visit us online at portagenorthernlight.com and on Insta @portage.northern.light

1- ABOUT US

Policies:

The Northern Light in print and online is the student-produced newspaper for PortageNorthern HS. It is an open, designated, public forum for student expression, and the newspaper provides staff members with independent reporting opportunities and individual evaluation. Writing is based on a wide variety of research for a broad and diverse audience and topics of coverage are decided by the staff and editorial board with consideration to what is timely, relevant, compelling, edu- cational, and important to the student body.

In accordance with best practice for stu- dent media, the Northern Light is not prior reviewed by administration. Building and district administration do, however, reserve the right to oversee the paper if necessary to ensure that the mission and vision of Portage Public Schools and the safety of students and staff are maintained.

As a MIPA, JEA, and NSPA publication, the Northern Light adheres to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Photos, art, and other visual elements are created by Northern Light staff, formally designated for free use or part of public domain. In rare circumstances, we may use other media with the owner’s written permission.

It is our desire that our readers join the dis- cussion on our published work. We welcome letters to the editors and guest contributors, and the Northern Light will publish online all pieces received provided that they include the author’s full name and are appropriate for publication in a school setting. Letters to the editor are limited to 150 words in length and guest contributions are limited to 350 words in length.

Pieces can be delivered to Amanda Thorpe’s room, 3.121, emailed to pnhsnorthernlight@gmail.com, or mailed ATTN: Portage Northern Light to Portage Northern High School, 1000 Idaho Avenue, Portage, MI 49024.

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3 Photo by Eva Sturgeon.

Photo courtesy of Luke Lipford.

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13 Photo courtesy of Kevin White.

Photo by Ana Van Dyke.

IN THIS EDITION: JANUARY 2025 News 3 Collage Concert Econ Fair

4 Winter Formal Blood Drive

Opinion 5 Staff Editorial

- Final Exams 6 Unfiltered with Abby Hosler - The Perfect Body 7 Heard It From a Huskie - New Year’s Resolutions 8 Winter Driving

Entertainment 17 Book Review: The Do Over 18 Review: The Eras Tour 19 Winter Musical Preview 20 Arcane Season 2 Review

ON THE COVER

Feature 9 Cluttered

- An examination of the things that clutter our physical, mental, and digital spaces and what we can do to declutter and find order and mindfulness 11 Student Leaders

12 Winter Fatigue Sports 13 Mens Basketball 14 Detroit Lions 15 Winter Track 16 Skateboarding 101 -Variel flip

The front cover concept, designed by senior Design Editor Brayden Schimp, depicts a student overwhelmned by physical and mental clutter. “I wanted to show how easy it is to drown in our own clutter,” he says. “The only thing that’s not blurry in the image is the person, and I was hoping to show how all of our clutter can become background noise and build up before we realize it.” Photo by Chase Vanderwalle.

CONTENTS - 2

Huskie Headlines news you can use

Collage concert features all ensembles Story by Eva Sturgeon; design by Oluwadabira Mewomo

the main groups were already included in the performance, students wanting more spotlight auditioned to get a solo, a duet, or a small ensemble. Three days prior to the performance, the departments practiced their parts all together. “It went well,” new director of the two orchestras, Jessica BenCollage concert brings together all of oit shares. “Everyone was where the high school musical ensembles, they needed to be, and students which include several different choir, were on time for their perfororchestra, and band groups. Photo by mances.”

Eva Sturgeon.

Collage concert is both a fan and On December, 14th, the music student favorite event. Sophodepartments of Portage North- more Jacob Stasienko is a percusern came together to perform sionist in the concert band. “My their winter collage. Even though favorite piece that I played was

‘Yuletide Festival’,” he said. “Because it brought all of the bands together, just like the festival brings all of the people together.”

Sophomore Parker Gilliland plays the saxophone in the concert and jazz bands. “My favorite piece was when the jazz band played ‘Home for the Holidays’,” he said. “I liked how we played it and it was fun to play a jazzy version of one of my favorite Christmas songs.”

The concert featured over student musicians and nearly 50 pieces of music. Tickets to attend in person were $8 and livestream tickets were $15.

Econ fair showcases student creativity Story by Eva Sturgeon; design by Oluwadabira Mewomo

purchased by students from the government classes using tickets.

Sophomore Emma Ely sold bracelets that she made with her group. “It went well but I wouldn’t do it again just because of how chaotic and stressful it was,” she said.

Teachers and other students were also invited to participate in the event and shop, resulting in the large crowd Ely describes at this popular event. “There were so many cool things there, and a lot of really creative things,” said The lower level commons was full of student vendors and shoppers at the Econ sophomore Jazzlyn Chew. “My Fair. Photo by Eva Sturgeon. favorite thing was the dino-nuggy On Friday, December 13th, stu- level commons. Students prepared pillows and the candles, and there dents in economics classes hosted a variety of real and frivolous were games, too.” the annual Econ Fair in the lower products for sale, which were then

3 - NEWS

New DJ is a highlight at winter formal Story by Mitchell Barnard; design by Oluwadabira Mewomo

On Saturday, December 7th, 2024 Parent Compass hosted the annual Winter Formal Holiday dance. The Winter Formal is typically the least sold dance between the homecoming and prom, so PN staff and Parent Compass took action to make sure this holiday dance wouldn’t be one to miss out on. Taking careful consideration and getting feedback from hundreds of students, Parent Compass themed the dance “Beneath the Aurora” and sold 176 tickets in total.

A highlight from the dance was the DJ. Over the years, students constantly express disappointed feelings with the DJ sets, so to combat this, Parent Compass hired Luxx Entertainment. Luxx Entertainment was originally chosen for the job because “I helped organize two dance events at The Gagie School in May and Luxx

Entertainment was hired for those events. In the six years I've helped with the Gagie events, the two this year with Luxx were by far the most fun and received high praise from all the students and parents who attended,” said Lead committee chair Jenny Doepker. Luxx DJ Cass G didn’t just bring music, they also brought along a digital photo booth that all the attendees had a great time using.

Students who attended the dance had positive feedback to give about the big changes this year. “My favorite thing about the dance was the positive energy there, from the DJ to the way there was more food and drink options than other dances,” said sophomore Luka Lipford. Senior Mischa Le agreed.

“I liked when the DJ was getting us hyped up; it was great when we were all having fun because it was our last year,” she said. Students

Left to right: sophomores Sophia Nicola, Rorey Hoffman, Sakura Lipford, and Roni Clear take a group photo at the PN backdrop. Photo courtesy of Luka Lipford.

also expressed that they believe the DJ’s full potential could be utilized for bigger dances such as upcoming prom. “He was doing great, but due to the smaller crowd size, he had to tell people to come to the dance floor and try to make people stay up in the area,” said senior Hailey Rantz. “It would have been easier with a bigger crowd.”

Blood drive sets a new December record Story by Mitchell Barnard; design by Oluwadabira Mewomo

On Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 Portage Northern High School held one of two of their annual blood drives in the community room for Versiti Blood Center “to help give back to our community, and to show students that they can make a difference in their community,” said Student Senate adviser Joseph Wood. In total, 82 students volunteered and a total of 65 units of blood were collected.

As every unit of blood can save the lives of 3 people, this drive will be able to help up to 195 people in need. “This has been the most successful December blood drive in 8 years and the most successful since returning from Covid,” said Wood.

Students were motivated to give blood for many different reasons.

Senior Mateo Icaza donates blood during the blood drive. Photo by Delainey Cake for the Legend Yearbook.

“It probably saved my life when I was a baby because I had to have a surgery when I was 6 weeks old and received donor blood then,” said senior blood donor Jayden Tucker. Senior Isaac Owens donat-

ed because, “it is a well-run event with free food (pretzels, cookies, chips, cheez-its, and pizza) and it helps save lives.”

NEWS - 4

Fixing Finals

Photo courtesy of Emily Zemlick

Exams aren’t the problem. Students just need a different, better format.

Story by the staff; design by Abby Hosler

The semester grade at Portage Public Schools is a compilation of 40% of student’s grade from quarter onea , 40% of their quarter 2 grade and 20% of the semester final exam. For students who have more than 15 absences or failed either quarter 1 or quarter 2, they have to pass the exam, and students that failed both quarters can only pass their semester grade with a 88.5% or higher on the exam.

However, this system is not without its flaws. For each of their classes--excluding seminars-students are required to sit for a two hour exam of either multiple choice or short answer. Students test for two of their hours a day, meaning that by the end of exam week students have taken 14 hours of testing. The purpose of the final exam, in theory, is to show how much a student has learned over the course of five months, but it’s also unofficially an examination on how well the teachers have taught their students. Yet, in execution, final exams are not an accurate showcase of a student’s

knowledge. Remembering content choice testing, teachers could astaught 5 months prior in extreme sign a larger project as representadetail is unrealistic in the best case tion of what students have learned scenario aside from the reality that over the semester and how they many students are able to absorb can apply it. Teachers could also and apply content but struggle rely more on end of unit assesswith test-taking. ments along the Even for stuway that are actually Final exams as dents who have a they are right now timed with the maset and extensive terial that studnets are only great at are learning rather studying schedule, the anxieties showing what five than months in the and pressure that straight days of no past. A student’s surround taking GPA can determine the final exams sleep and non-stop whether or not they have a negative studying can do go to college and impact on student the kind of college testers. Because of they go to, and the the sheer amout of content that skills a student has determines is covered and the effects of the whether they succeed at college, final exam on a student’s grade, in their career, and in their lives. many Huskies will find themselves With both grades and skills being awake all night cramming, result- so important to student futures, ing in a sleep debt that is not going schools owe it to students to find a to do them any favors on test day. way to assess what students really Standardized testing is deeply know and what they can do with ingrained into the educational that knowledge, and a two hour system, but that doesn’t mean multiple choice test will never acthat schools have to keep playing complish that. along. In replacement of multiple

5 - STAFF EDITORIAL

“If you follow this workout regime in 30 days you can say goodbye to your [Insert part of your body society has told you, you need to be insecure about].” These natural parts of your body include bloating, cellulite, hip dips and more, and I can say with full confidence a 4-minute workout cannot change biology and give you the “best body” because that doesn’t exist.

To understand the body is to understand biology. There are two types of body fat: subcutaneous and visceral. Subcutaneous fat is a type of fat stored just beneath your skin, while visceral fat lies deep within your abdominal walls and surrounds your organs. This fat is really important because it protects your organs. Furthermore, as

fat accumulates, it pushes up against the surface of the skin while the long tough cords of muscle pull down, creating an uneven surface (to my little brother, this is why Abby has “holes” in her legs). The shape of a person’s hips is fully influenced by the shape of their pelvis and the way fat and muscles are distributed around it.

Despite all this biological foundation, there are many factors contributing to and changing this every day. Some of them are what we would call controllable, such as how active you are and what you eat, but the biggest factors are actually uncontrollable, like genetic disposition and hormonal shifts.

Body fat distribution is fully determined by your genetic code, a code that varies across people and also ethnic groups. Your genetics also determine how your skin is structured. To add even more to this, shifts in hormones impact the way your body distributes weight, and how your skin forms its layers, how cellulite forms,and the body’s appetite and metabolism.

Historically women have always been targeted and given less lee-

way with social norms, which is an injustice within itself. In fact, in the early 1900’s, the term “childbearing hips” was coined to describe women with wider-looking hips, and it seems that since then society hasn’t felt the need to mind its own business. Women biologically have extra organs that create an extra bath of hormones that impact body shape and weight fluctuation, yet they are pressured by our skinny and fit culture to “fix” their bodies - especially at the start of a new year - by simply working out more and eating a salad.

Working out can flood your body with more endorphins and improve your mood. Working out can lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Working out can prolong your life expectancy. Working out can not change how your body distributes your fat. Eating more salads can give you higher blood levels. Eating more salads can provide you with a host of antioxidants. What eating a salad can’t do is change how the layers of your skin hold the fat your body needs.

Your perfect body can’t be measured on by your clothing size or by numbers on a scale. Your perfect body, quite simply, is your healthiest one.

OPINION- 6

Story by Kush Kolhe and Makenna Hulick; design by Andrew Collins; photos by Makenna Hulick

Heard It From a Huskie

“My New Year’s resolution is me being successful in school and getting good grades,” said freshman Marques Osborne.

“This year I just want to focus on finding a good college that I would like to go to,” said junior Juanita Daza Reyes.

Only about 9% of Americans actually keep their New Year’s Resolutions, but that’s not stopping Huskie students from dreaming big in the New Year.

“I hope to pass all my exams,” said junior Andrew Le. “I’m a senior and I don’t have my license, so I’d love to get my license, I’d love to go to the gym and work out a lot more, getting a car would be great too, and hang out with friends and enjoy life,” said senior Elijah Parker.

7 - OPINION

Students should be educated about the hidden dangers of winter driving Story by Layla Carpenter; design by Andrew Collins

On many winter mornings, student drivers risk their lives on their way to school. “Driving on icy roads in the winter can be so scary and unpredictable,” said senior Mya Panse. “Sometimes ice and snow can appear invisible to the driver, going unnoticed until it’s too late. As a student, I drive with very little knowledge on how to drive defensively on winter roads.”

As a student, I have witnessed my peers driving unsafely in winter conditions. One day on my way to school, I saw a student driver sliding on the road about to miss a stop sign. It is an uncanny feeling to many students that they will drive on the roads not knowing what will happen next. Without proper knowledge, students will not know how to help themselves in situations of risk.

According to MichiganAutoLaw.com, crashes during the winter increased by 27% from 24,237 during the winter of 2020-2021 to 30,786 during the winter of 2022-2023. Deaths also increased from 50 to 63 from 2021 to 2024.

There are three main things to watch out for when driving in the winter. First, black ice is a serious hazard to all people during the winter. Many people take advantage of this fact when they are not driving under the speed limit on icy roads. Many people struggle to follow this simple driving instruction including new/

inexperienced drivers. Next, collisions can appear on the road from other drivers. Another driver behind a person could have bad breaks on the icy roads, causing a crash. Maintaining distance is another important factor along with these hazards. Lastly, people fail to check their tires and lose traction while on the road. Replacing tires every now and then is important because you are less likely to lose traction if your tires are in good condition. Overall, driving safely in case of black ice, keeping distance between cars at a good space, and checking your tires closely to prevent loss of traction are good things to do during harsh winters.

All student drivers are considered inexperienced, because it takes 5 years of driving to gain experience.

Student drivers are also more likely to crash. If students start researching more about winter roads, they can change the percentage of winter auto accidents.

The school can help encourage students to do this by giving tips to students during the winter, explaining the risks to them by holding them accountable for speeding in the parking lot during the winter and putting winter hazards in the school announcements. Not knowing how to drive on winter roads can be hard for a student to admit, but it is important to recognize the need for practice and safety on these icy roads.

“Sometimes ice and snow can appear invisible to the driver, going unnoticed until it’s too late. As a student, I drive with very little knowledge on how to drive defensively on winter roads.”

- Mya Panse (12)

OPINION - 8

CLUTTERED Students deal with their physical and mental clutter Story by Abby Hosler, Brayden Schimp, Gabriel Bautista, and Sophie Amberg; design by Brayden Schimp

A pile of clean clothes, empty water tal communications. Emails pop bottles left out, tabs of homework up in inboxes from teachers anfor each class, a four hour shift, nouncing messages, assignments, an unmade bed. Thinking about and various information regardtomorrow’s assignments, nega- ing classes, colleges reach out trytive self talk, impending doom. ing to recruit, the school sends Our minds, important anour schednouncements or ules, our spacsurveys, and eves...cluttere d . ery brand we’ve Clutter builds ever bought onup before most line tries to get us of us notice. It to buy something can come from from their newhaving too many est sale. Through things to do and time, they connot enough tinue to pile and time to do pile until the inbox them, or havreads 1000 uning a reason- “Between school and read emails and able amount it seems like too work and of things to do much to do.... volunteering, there and that’s not and poor time management is so mcuh to do it’s even taking into skills.

Poor consideration hard to keep up.” time managethe number of - Merab Iqbal (12) ment can also notifications that be impacted students receive by certain daily and either health condiview or dismiss. tions, like deMany times, pression, anxiety, and ADHD. the clutter is in our minds. There Between classes, sports, extracur- is simply too much to think about riculars, work, and family and and it just feels like too much. social activities, many students “Sometimes people get overdon’t leave time to declutter whelmed by stuff they have going their physical or mental spaces. on in their mind,” explained seSometimes, our clutter is digi- nior Kayla Lyle. “Then they either tal. On a daily basis, teenagers are run away from it and let it build flooded with hundreds of digi- up or think of it as a huge giant

pile of clutter.” As a busy person - she dances competitively, takes IB Sports Science and IB English, and also has a Professional Health Science CTE class - Lyle tries to maintain order in her life. “I don’t know if you have heard the phrase clean space, clean mind but I like to follow that but I also feel like currently my room is pretty cluttered,” she said. Senior Mateo Icaza, who balances being an IB diploma candidate with being in band, doesn’t always find time to declutter. “It’s just the sluggishness that comes through,” he says, “Even though I don’t feel perfectly well, I must continue on because it’s what I think I have to do.”

Of course, students are not the only people dealing with clutter.

Teachers deal with a lot of clutter in their lives, balancing their families with their school obligations including planning, grading, coaching sports, and advising clubs. “It’s like having many tabs open in your brain,” described English teacher Lindsey Wangler. “I have ADHD, which I am really honest with my students about, so oftentimes I have a million things going on in my mind at once.” Wangler also advises the yearbook, the junior class, and prom on top of being a district English co-team leader, curriculum revision committee member, and freelance graphic designer.

To manage her clutter, she shares:

9 - FEATURE

“I make a lot of lists and I set reminders in my phone. I also have those moments where I need my physical space to be uncluttered before my mind can be, so I end up cleaning or feeling like I have to organize everything first.”

The Calm App, which is one tool that can help manage clutter, highlights the research that shows that living a cluttered lifestyle has many negative health effects. Clutter increases stress and anxiety,

decreases focus and productivity, has a negative impact on self-esteem and mood, and can lead to isolation and depression. With life always changing, it’s important to find a way to control our clutter so that we can thrive as the best versions of ourselves. “I think it’s helpful to hear what works for other people to try to declutter and figure your life out, but it’s wholly dependent on what works for you,” Wangler advised.

“Organized chaos to me means if someone from the outside looks in, they’re going to automatically see that it’s a mess but I know where everything is at; I know what needs to be done and when I need to do it.” - Lindsey Wangler

English teacher and football coach Nick Vischinsky has a “lock-in desk” for his students, shown below.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be separated from the group in order to do what you gotta do. A lot of times, you see pretty good results out of it because kids aren’t distracted with the scenarios around them.” - Nick Vischinsky

FEATURE - 10

Leveraging leadership Students serve in leadership positions to make their world a better place Story by Abby Dudley; design by Madeleine Duhn

Portage Northern’s student body president, Grace Birko. Photo by Abby Dudley.

Ellie Alleman, Leaders for Youth Sports Henrick Allman, a member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Board.

Social Media Advisor. Photo by Abby Photo by Abby Dudley.

Dudley.

“I love everything about it, I love planning different events, I love getting to talk with other senators and kind of workshop different ideas, and I love seeing the impact that it makes because I think that the things that the Student Senate does really really do make a positive impact on the people in the school, and the people in the world,” says senior Senate president Grace Birko. “I think that’s the most inspiring and wonderful thing that you can do.” Birko is one of many student leaders within the Huskie Community that are working to improve the world around them.

Birko leads the Senate, an ever changing group of people and ideas that hosts events like Breadlift and assemblies. “I started doing Senate to trying to make a difference in the school, but it’s really made a difference in myself as well, and somehow in the world around me,’ she shares. “Breadlift is a really wonderful event that we do,

it makes a huge difference in the world because of how much money we end up donating to charity.

But basically we make a difference in this school by trying to listen to all the students that we possibly can, and by trying to take feedback just to make things the best that they can be for all the students here, because that’s our goal.”

Junior Ellie Alleman is another student leader who participates in the Leaders for Youth Sports program, which helps make children’s sports more equitable and fair, and allows more kids to participate than they would otherwise. Alleman is the program’s social media adviser and runs all of their socials and makes their advertisements.

The program has been making lots of important changes lately: “We just donated a bunch of sports kits for the holidays to children who don’t normally have access to sports equipment, so that’s just a way for them to be able to par-

ticipate in certain sports,” Alleman says. During the holiday season, they make an especially big difference because some families aren’t able to provide sports equipment for their children, and Leaders for Youth Sports is able to fill that gap and allow children in our community to participate and have fun.

Freshman Henrick Allman is a student leader on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, which consists of PN and PC students who meet once a month with Superintendent Bielang to discuss different issues that arise. “The board is comprised of a bunch of different people with a bunch of different backgrounds, so we make a difference by getting everybody’s voices heard, “ Allman shares. The Superintendent’s Council members collaborate to come up with their best ideas to improve the district, and how to make changes that will benefit all students.

11 - FEATURE

nothing,” freshman Katie Alleman have blood levels that indiO ftentimes, the earliest months says. She isn’t alone in her strug- cate vitamin D deficiency.” of the year feel like the longest ones.

The three-month stretch from January to March can overflow with drowsiness and exhaustion as the snowfall and homework double.

Many factors compose the reasons for winter fatigue, varying from the absence of sunlight to reaching the end of the exciting holiday season. Consequently, the overlooked topic of winter fatigue affects many students as they trudge through the final half of the school year.

Motivation seems to disappear with the sun as the snow turns to mush and the sky transforms into an infinite amount of grey. The lack of Vitamin D and

gles. “In January, closer to exams, I get pretty unmotivated and procrastinate often,” junior Brooke Randall shares. This proves to be a shared experience among many as more students face their loss of encouragement in the winter after break.

Additionally, winter fatigue specifically affects Michigan residents as their Vitamin D levels already prove to be below average. A Henry Ford

Winter Blues

Many students experience Health winter fatigue and a lack of a r t i c l e motivation after Winter break s“ St aatdel sy,, due to a shortage of Vitamin D m o s t eople and the conclusion of the pdon’t get Holiday season sufficient

vitamin D, especially those who live in Michigan.

Because of where Michigan lies latitude-wise, it’s hard to get enough sun, so nearly everyone in the state is vitamin D deficient at baseline.

According to some estimates, nearly 70 percent of Americans

Story and design by Madeleine Duhn

sun exposure leads to increased fatigue. Research by Pfizer states that, “decreased daylight exposure disrupts circadian rhythm cycles, which in turn impacts levels of key body regulating hormones or neurotransmitters in the brain such as melatonin and serotonin.” The irregular amounts of melatonin and serotonin create an exhausted feeling that plagues many students forcing them to lose their inspiration. “I just sit around and like do

Many students also voiced that they feel a sudden crash in their energy after the holiday season concludes. “The Christmas season is just so huge and commercialized and it’s like all coming up to this one point,” Alleman adds. “But then when it’s over it’s like this big cut off and you’re like - ‘gee I don’t know what to do anymore.” The anticipation surrounding the holidays stretches out across several months, when it’s all over it’s natural to feel disappointed and blue.

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s survey 38% of Americans’ mood significantly declines in January due to the absence of anticipation and excitement. As an anonymous freshman said, “I think it’s because there isn’t much to look forward to from January to March.”

All of these factors combined would make any person unmotivated.

When everything exciting on one’s radar has suddenly passed, understandably they would feel weighed down.

Some tips to battle winter fatigue would be to set small goals. By making the bed one can prevent the inclination to climb back in. Craft a homework schedule so it is evenly distributed among smaller loads.

When that burn-out creeps in, take a quick break. All of these little steps can help make a large difference when it comes to managing the winter blues.

FEATURE - 12

Lewis has been playing boys basketShooting for Success ballTheteamvarsity has a winning re- basketball for 10 years,

Juniors Amari Lewis and Quinton Swanson lead a strong varsity basketball team

By Javarion Boyd-Franklin; design by Chase Vanderwalle

At top, Lewis slams a dunk in a home game. At bottom, Swanson attempts a jump shot. Photos courtesy of The Legend yearbook.

cord, and a big part of the team’s success so far this season has been the on and off the court leadership of juniors Ammari Lewis and Quinton Swanson.

One of the biggest contributing factors to their impact is how hard they are willing to work. “They put in a lot of unseen hours before and after school,” said varsity head coach Kevin White, adding that “each of them played close to 75 to 80 games last summer between travel ball and school ball.” Coach White said that he even has to make them leave the gym first in order to get anyone else to go home.

“They were the last to leave most days, but they also galvanized the rest of the group with them,” he said.

“It’s part of a PACKstrong culture.”

Teammate Antwan Spencer describes the trust the team has for Swanson and Lewis. “They are two very good players. It’s very fun.

I know if I pass them the ball, they’re gonna make a play,” he explained, adding that they are also “both very good leaders.”

Spencer appreciates his teammates on a personal level for different reasons, realizing the individual athletes and people that they are. “Quinton stands out for his work ethic.

He works very hard,” he said. “He is always in the gym shooting and usually the first guy there.” As for Lewis, Spencer shares that his favorite thing has been, “Seeing Amari grow as a person. Sophomore year he got moved up to Varsity, so seeing him grow and continue to develop.”

with two of them on the PN varsity team.

Before games, he gets himself ready by “eating a good meal, praying, and listening to music.” Despite his talent he averages 21 points per game - he considers himself to be lighthearted. “Trash talking to my opponents is very funny,” he said. His favorite thing about the team this year is “how connected we are, as if we’re like a family.” Like Spencer, Lewis also credits the trust he has with his teammates for the team’s success, specifically the trust he has for Swanson. “I have a lot more assists because I know that if I pass it to him, I know he’s gonna make it.”

Swanson, who averaged 20 points per game, says that playing basketball is “fun” and that his favorite thing about the team this year is that, “Everybody is really close just like a big family.” Like his teammate, Swanson recognizes that playing with Lewis elevates his gameplay. “We just complement each other and play off each other,” he said. “He is a very good teammate to have.” Before a game, Swanson prepares with eating and music like Lewis, but also adds in “a little 30 minute nap.”

Lewis and Swanson lead a strong Varsity team. “We have a nice group of boys this year that is working really hard on and off the court doing things representing our school,” said Coach White. The varsity boys basketball team is in action next on 1/23 against cross town rival Portage Central.

13 - Sports

By Chase Vanderwalle, Asher Carpenter, and Topher LaLonde; photos by Chase Vanderwalle The Lions continue to show how good they truly are. They are 15-2 and are at the top of league, only tied with the Chiefs’ record. They had some tough battles that they overcame against the Vikings and Packers. Going into the playoffs, the Lions are prepared to fight for what they failed to do last year and make it through the playoffs and to the Super Bowl. The Lions currently boast the #1 seed in the NFC, giving them a bye week.

Dan Campbell is prepared and ready, and he remarked on Jan. 5 that he is anticipating playing the Vikings again on the road to the Super Bowl.

One of the most thrilling matchups of the earlier season was between the Lions and the Bills. This is one of the most hyped up games of the season and it didn’t let anyone’s hopes down. This incredibly high scoring game boasted a total of 90 points, the most in any game this season. The Lions came into the game with the most players on injury reserve in the league, and it showed. The Lions defense could not stop Josh Allen and the Bills as they scored a touchdown on

each of their first 3 drives. The Lions quickly responded with some touchdowns of their own but it was very clear they needed some defensive players back. The first half of the game ended with the Bills up 7 points. The second half started out the same with the Bills stopping the Lions to one touchdown while they scored 2. In the end, the Bills came out on top by one touchdown and improve their record to 11-3. Jared Goff and Josh Allen both boasted incredible stats with Goff throwing 5 touchdowns for 494 yards while Allen threw for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for an extra 2 touchdowns. Many fans would love to see this rematch come Super Bowl Sunday.

With the Lions having nearly 2 dozen players on their injury reserve, it is going to make the rest of their season extremely challenging. Two of their key defenders, Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeil, are out, and this is effecting their defense negatively. On offense, they are missing a key piece to there unstoppable run game, David Montgomery, who is out

with a knee injury. The Lions are the best in the NFC and already have a spot in the playoff, but this is leaving Detroit fans thinking, can they actually pull this off? Hutchinson is on track in his recovery to return for the Super Bowl, which is a threat for any QB facing the Lions. All Detroit fans know about “Grit” and defeating the odds when they are against them. There is a high possibility the Lions will overcome this and win the big game if they can get some players some players back from the IR.

Sports - 14

Pictured left to right are Malachi Mosley, Ty Oaks , Kane Morris, and Ryan Mauwa at the second Michigan Indoor Track Series meet. The team won the 4x4 relay by 10 seconds and was rewarded with custom New Balance shirts for the first place finish. Photo courtesy of Ryan Mauwa.

Keeping On Track: atheletes compete indoors to

prepare for the outdoor season

Story Ryan Mauwa; design by Mitchell Barnard

Above, runners line up to run the 60m dash. Below, unners during their first lap around the track during the 400m dash. Photos courtesy of Dennis Mauwa.

In a cold state like Michigan, track athletes cannot compete outside in the snowy and freezing cold weather. That’s why indoor track is such an amazing opportunity for dedicated track and field athletes to still be able to compete and condition themselves throughout the winter months.

Indoor track and field also gives athletes the ability to try out different events that outdoor does not offer, like the 60-meter dash: since all indoor tracks are less than 300 meters, they don’t have a straight where they can run a 100 meters in, so they compromised by having a 60-meter dash.

Another indoor only track event is the 300-meter dash. What makes the 300 difficult is that you have to go and take it out as if you are running the 200, but you still have to hold that speed for another 100 meters.

The competition is also fierce at indoor track, and athletes can be

challenged more frequently than they would be during their regular season because indoor track generally combines the most elite athletes from the midwest. ‘“Indoor is different from outdoor because the competition is better because more of the competitors compete indoors than outdoors,” says sophomore runner Kane Morris. The competition in indoor track can also prove to me more difficult “because the people want it more than outdoor,” said junior Carter Yates.

There is also a unique incentive on the line: athletes who excel indoors can earn the right to complete at the New Balance Indoor National competition in Boston at “The Track at New Balance,” known as one of the nicest indoor tracks in the world.

15 - Sports

Variel Kickflip Story and design by Mitchell Barnard

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Welcome back, everyone! Hopefully, last edition’s skateboarding tips were helpful because, for our second edition this year, we will be taking what we learned in the previous edition, which was the pop shuvit, and adding a kickflip, which we learned in an earlier addition from last year.

If needed, feel free to read that tutorial before diving into this one. This trick is called the varial kickflip. While this trick looks complex, it is relatively easy to learn and is a great beginner trick to look like a pro.

The foot positioning for a varial kickflip is going to be the same as a regular kickflip, but the key tip to learn this trick the fastest is to put your front foot to about halfway down the board. This will make it easier to flick the board and make the board rotate quickly. To help with the shuvit, you can put your backfoot more over the edge of the board, but not too much, so there isn’t any overrotation.

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Now that we’ve got the proper foot positioning, let’s get into the trick’s execution.

You’re going to prepare as you would for a pop shuvit.

When you scoop the board, you must flick your front foot to get the flip rotation.

Remember to flick out, not down. Not only does it make the trick look more stylish, but it saves you from a bad habit that can affect future trick progression. Keep your feet out of the way while the board completes its rotation, stick the landing, and ride away.

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Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to do a varial kickflip. Some other pointers while learning this trick are to scoop and flick gently.

It can be easy to over or under-rotate this trick, so less is more. It can take some time to find the right amount, but like every other trick in skateboarding, over time it will become more consistent with persistent practice and commitment.

Sports - 16

The Do-Over Story by Emmi Mattox and Sukhi Kaur; design by Emmi Mattox

dynamics was slightly surprising due to the The Do-over by Lynn Painter is one of her top different degree of their personalities.

5 books, and she is well known for it. It’s a cute and quick-read rom-com that was simple, short, and sweet. I got it recommended by a friend, and saw how passionate she was about the book, so I decided to read it. It took me around two days to read but it was fascinating. I thought it would be the typical cheesy rom-coms that some authors normally create, but I was wrong. It was a lot more than that, which is one of the reasons why I enjoyed the book. Lynn Painter goes into detail about not only the romance but also the characters as a whole. Within the first few chapters, I was already caught up in the story and knew that I wasn’t going to put the book down until I finished It starts by introducing the main character, Emilie Hornby, who is a junior at Hazelwood High School.

Emilie lives in a unique household, with her father, her step-mother and two baby step brothers. She has a lot going on in her life, with her situation with her mom and dad making her feel like a burden due to fighting over things like school performances, etc.

Although she had a chaotic home-life, she always walks into school in a good mood. She is very quiet at school, unless she is with her best friends. She tries to be put together, organizing her notes down to what she will do the next day. We start with having a glimpse into her life, talking about how she was excited to confess her love to her already-boyfriend Josh, by saying I love you to him on Valentine’s Day. As the book begins we then meet Nick Stark, the second main character, as she encounters her first moment with him on the way to school. Nick is sort of invisible due to him being quiet, he’s very laid back, more on the calmer side. The moment that they met, it was clear that they were opposites and seeing the

The Do-Over is Painter’s 7th book.

Although they were complete opposites, I enjoyed how the chemistry between Emilie and Nick was captured, finding it pleasant and beautiful.

A few things I liked about the book was how Lynn Painter portrayed their chemistry through the writing. It was easy to follow and wasn’t overly descriptive of the simple and basic things that sometimes other book writers might do. The way that she took an original approach on the plot and input her small twists of taking the time to include the descriptions of the character was enjoyable to read. I found the way the characters slowly changed and developed overtime, I felt like it made the plot and story complete. One thing I didn’t like about the book was how short it was; it was over way too soon.

17 - ENTERTAINMENT

THE ERAS TOUR Story by Ana Van Dyke; design by Oluwadabira Mewomo

The impact on not only the fans, but T aylor Swift, the 35-year-old global the world is phenomenal. One of my fasensation, has been on her worldwide tour, ‘The Eras Tour’ since March 2023.

The Eras Tour performed its closing show in Vancouver, BC on December 8, 2024. Since opening weekend in Glendale, AZ, Swift has visited 51 cities and 5 continents, performing 149 shows.

The tour has affected not only her fans but also the entire world, with economic boosts and long-lasting effects, the tour had something for everyone.

Swift has broken many records herself, but The Eras Tour broke more. At the beginning of every show, Swift would make a statement about how the fans broke the record for tickets sold for the night. In Indianapolis, Swift said, “You guys broke the record you broke last night,” Swift toured Wembley Stadium twice, once in June 2024, then again in August. She performed eight shows in Wembley Stadium, the first time any artist performed there. According to Hello Magazine, Swift beat the “Most Successful Publishing Launch of 2024” record when she released The Official Eras Tour Book. Due to this, the book was predicted to sell out the minute stores opened.

The Eras Tour also gave economic boosts to the cities it traveled to. According to CNN Business, Pittsburgh had the highest occupancy rate postpandemic when the tour was in Pittsburgh. That was because fans traveled to see the tour in different cities. The New Orleans Downtown Development District predicted that 85% of the concertgoers were visitors for their shows in October 2024.

vorite tour traditions was making and trading friendship bracelets. The tradition is taking from Swift’s song from her album Midnights called ‘You’re On Your Own, Kid’. The line goes “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.” So, the fans decided to create a tradition of making friendship bracelets and then trading them at the show. It is a fun way to make friends with people with the same interests as you, and I still make bracelets to this day.

The Eras Tour was a three-and-a-halfhour show with 45 of Swift’s songs.

Many artists like Beyoncé will have a teleprompter in the back for them to see the lyrics to the songs or pre-record the songs so they can lip sync. When Swift announced the tour, no one was expecting her to sing the entire setlist with no pre-recorded songs or teleprompter to look at, Swift memorized all the songs and saved her voice to sing the whole show. Swift set the bar for live music for the next eternity.

The Eras Tour has changed the lives of the fans, the parents of younger fans, and even the world. Swift’s fans will never forget this amazing experience; I never got to see it in person, but I can still see its effect on everyone worldwide. I love hearing about how classmates got to see the tour. The tour has an impact on everyone, not just the fans.

ENTERTAINMENT - 18

PN Drama’s Descendants cast knows all the ways to be wicked Story by Riya Bhatt; design by Oli Matthew

Portage Northern Drama’s winter production Disney’s Descendants: The Musical combines the three hit Disney movies in a 90-minute show, involving fan-favorite songs such as “Ways to be Wicked” and “Did I Mention?” It features multiple dance scenes and includes NMS middle schoolers as well as PNHS high schoolers. While the show doesn’t open until January 24, the cast has been hard at work since the fall production ended, with some members attending reley Martinek, who plays Jane, shares that she’s enjoyed being able to make more friends and she loves that the cast has come together like a family. “It’s been very fun, we get to meet new people and form this kind of community,” she says.

Descendants has a large cast, with over Top to bottom: Descendants Cast, Abby Dudley, Riley 65 students performReinheart, Seth Henry, Kylee Coughlin, Elijah Parker, ing as various characGrace Birko, AJ Brow, Will Pierce. Photos by Ana Van ters, such as AuradonDyke. hearsals every day. “It’s a little bit ians, Isle of the Lost members, more intense than I thought it was and more. “The best part of the going to be,” shares senior Grace rehearsal process so far has been Birko, who plays Evie. “But it’s sharing rehearsals with the middle schoolers,” senior Will Pierce, who definitely worth it.”

Throughout the first few months plays Carlos, shares. “It’s been reof rehearsals, the cast has been de- ally awesome to see young people veloping their characters, meeting in theatre and being able to mennew people, and mentoring the tor those kids.”

Many students and parents know middle schoolers. Freshman Oakof Descendants, but each of the

cast members have brought their own special meanings to the show that they hope to share with the audience. Freshman Cloe Nitz, who plays Cruella DeVil, reveals the message she’s trying to convey. “I just hope that people like seeing characters that already exist in Disney, and then they enjoy the child interpretations.” Other students echo Nitz’s hopes of sharing new versions of characters with the audience, while adding their own personal touches. “People can change, you just need to give them a chance to,” freshman Henrick Allman says, sharing his interpretation with the viewers. Henrick is part of the Isle Ensemble and one of the dance captains.

Descendants opens the week after exams, with shows on January 24, 25, 31 and February 1 at 7:30 PM and shows on January 26 and February 2 at 2 PM. “The one message I hope people take from the show is that your background doesn’t define you,” Pierce says.

“You can have a horrible family history, but it’s really about what’s in your heart and what you believe in.” Tickets are on sale now and they’re available for purchase at https://pndrama.ludus.com/index.php.

20 - ENTERTAINMENT

2 is heartwarming, A R C A N E Season especially for players of Season 2

the source game

Story and design by Oli Matthew

As many tests find their way The new series brought life back to into our schedules, students need the older game. a good show to de-stress and just Arcane is the origin story of the chill out. Though it’s really hard to video game. The three main charfind a show, many students seem acters are Jinx, Vi, and Jayce. to have one on their minds: Arcane The series begins when they are season two. Season 1 first aired tiny children stealing from Jayce’s on November 6, 2021, captur- Penthouse; they are stealing iming many people’s hearts through portant orbs, which causes the the amazing visuals, storyline penthouse to blow up. After that, and artwork. It once again gained they continue as thieves from popularity 3 the Undercity years later as who are trying it released its to have a better second and life because the final season Undercity is not on November “I loved the amount odd treated as well as 9, 2024. The details they put in it and Pentover. There newest installare many shockso many things having ing ment is defimoments meanings” nitely worth throughout seawatching; the son 1, including -Luka Larimer (10) characters’ stoVi being taken ries are very away and Jinx heartwarmblowing up Hexing, especially Tech. for players of Season two picks League of Legup where Season ends.

1 left off. This new season taking Let’s start from the beginning by a whole new turn on some of the explaining why this has gained so side characters, showing that they much popularity in the first place. have a story as well. The amount of On October 27, 2009, the free-to- detail and effort they put into this play MOBA called League of Leg- new season makes viewers captiends was released. It was a hit in vated and intrigued, bringing out the gaming community, however, tons of emotions in their viewers. it started toning down a bit until Although most people are used to 12 years later as the first season of happy endings, this series doesn’t Arcane was released. Many origi- show that because in real life no nal viewers were older members one has a happy ending, making of the gaming community because this story feel at home with viewmost younger people never got the ers who realize that not everything rage or hype that their parents did. is sunshine and rainbows.

ROTTEN TOMATOES RATING 100% avg. TOMATOMETER 92% avg, POPCORNMETER

“There is a beauty in imperfection. They made you who your are.”

-Jayce (Season 2 Episode 9)

STUDENT RATING 10/10

ENTERTAINMENT - 21

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21- ADS

Advertise with the Northern Light and reach 1,300 students monthly in print and exponentially more members of the Kalamazoo community online and through our socials. Follow the QR code below for more information!

ADS - 22

Huskies are made for the winter Story and design by Trevor Anderson

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4. Junior varsity wrestler Anthony Perkins pinning a student from Lake Shore high school on December 18th, 2024. Photo by Trevor Anderson.

5 1. Over winter break, senior Dylan Tibbs went to Niagra Falls with his friend Tristan Chavez. “You could feel the mist when you were up against the fence,” he shared. It was the first waterfall I had ever seen, and I won’t forget it.” Photo courtesy of Dylan Tibbs.

2 3. The varsity cheer team reps their one leg stunts for competitions. Flying this stunt is Ainsley 5. During winter break, Christy Rath traveled to Chiang Mai, ThaiKelm. Photo by land, where she is seen hugging an Abby Hostler. elephant. “We got to go the elephant sanctuary. And so we got to feed the elephants, we got to walk with them and swim with them and that was just amazing.” Photo courtesy of 2. Students came together in the library to prepare for Christy Rath. final exams during the Snack and Study event January 8th, 2025. Photo by Trevor Anderson.