BLACK & GOLD QUARTERLY (BGQ) Nov. 2017

BLACK & GOLD QUARTERLY november 2017 // volume ninety-seven

ASSASSINS 4

OLIVIA TERRELL 10

ATHLETICS VERSUS ACADEMICS 16

SHANE VIDEKI 20

editors’ note This year, we want to

right or wrong, and yet it

hope that our first hand

question the norm, push

certainly tugs at the fabric

experience with Assassins

the envelope. Humans like

of what is acceptable in

makes us more credible

feeling comfortable with

our society and commu-

and thereby enhancing

their ideas, routines and

nity, creating a kind of

the discussion, criticism

beliefs. Living somewhere

moral gray area. This gray

and observations here

for a certain period of time

area may invoke feelings

in the pages of the BGQ.

establishes a sense of be-

of uncertainty and uneasi-

We hope you will read our

longing and regimen. We

ness for some individuals.

Assassins article with an

aim to pose questions and

Regardless, it is important

open mind, and perhaps,

create thought provoking

to see all sides of an issue

learn something new or

pieces that help enlighten

rather than coming to a

come away with a new

and educate our audi-

predetermined conclusion

perspective. Some issues

ence. The world around

about what is right and

and situations do contain

us demands that we grow

wrong. In this story, we

moral gray area that de-

in our mindset and begin

aim to inform our readers

mand we think out of our

to feel comfortable with

of the varying perspec-

comfort zone and expand

being uncomfortable.

tives of Assassins. We

our horizons. Read, think

examine the implications

and enjoy this issue and

featured a story cen-

and explanations of Assas-

allow us to help your view-

tered around the game

sins, while highlighting the

point of the world expand.

Assassins. Assassins is

students’ perspectives of

a controversial game in

playing this game.

With this in mind, we

our community, simulta-

Furthermore, many BGQ

neously loved by some

staff members participate

students and condemned

in Assassins. We are not

by some administrators.

seeking to come across as

Assassins is not explicitly

hypocritical; instead, we

2 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

From the Pub,

BGQ

BLACK & GOLD QUARTERLY:NOVEMBER TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Andrea Bavikatty Kirsten Berkey CONTENT EDITORS Abigail Harnish Jack Myers Abigail Vannatter

4

SPORTS EDITOR Hayley Scollard BUISNESS MANAGER Baille Zipser PROMOTIONS EDITOR Hayley Scollard

14 16 4

14

26 22

Looking closer at Assassins and its implications in our community

Identity in Traverse City: getting to know the citizens of our town

Over the mountain: Young Life’s trips to the Grand Tetons

10

16

26

Living with cancer: Olivia Terrell’s ‘18 journey

The conflict between academics and athletics

SEA club’s summer trip & Rep. Bergman’s TC visit

12

20

30

Surviving in the hallways: tips for the class of 2021

Estudando fora do país: Shane Videki’s ‘18 experience studying in Brazil

Introducing the BGQ staff of 2017-18

PHOTOGRAPHY Abigail Vannatter Olivia Wilson GRAPHICS Gwen Snyder Dahila Vincent STAFF WRITERS Sophia Boyce Paige Conners Jacqueline Gutierrez KeAnna Harris Christiana Hendges Alex Kent Ashtyn McGraw Gwen Snyder Dahila Vincent COVER PHOTO Olivia Wilson

MISSION STATEMENT: The Black and Gold Quarterly (BGQ) is Traverse City Central High School’s student-run magazine.

Since its conception in 1886, our publication has evolved with the times, frequently changing in style, format, and even name. However, one factor has remained constant—our staff’s desire to capture the story of our community, to challenge the accepted, and to open our minds to perspectives that we hadn’t previously considered through investigation, research, and inquiry. We are constantly striving to improve our content and artistic elements; after all, the BGQ is a school publication, so educating both ourselves as well as our readers remains one of our primary goals.

Graphics: A. Vannatter & O. Wilson

4 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

Looking closer at

ASSASSINS

A

Photo: courtesy of Chris Berkey

ssassins is a controversial game in our community, and These stories detail different perspectives of Assassins while also investigating the root behind violent behvaior in our society

by KIRSTEN BERKEY

Real world implications Living in Traverse City, I feel safe. I forget to lock my car. I walk through downtown alleys past dark. I leave my house with my front door ajar.

Compared to other cities, Traverse City is a safe haven. Over a ten year period spanning from 2005 to 2015, Traverse City had a 0.02% per capita murder rate while Detroit had a 0.563% per capita murder rate according to City-Data. Meaning, three individuals were murdered in Traverse City, while 3,786 people were murdered in Detroit. The implications of living in a location like Traverse City are that we often feel isolated from the terrible happenings of the world, like the Las Vegas shooting, and have a mindset of “that can’t happen here.”

Instead, we go about our daily lives and play games like Assassins.

Playing Assassins would be insensitive 6 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

in places like Newtown, Connecticut or Las Vegas, California where the Sandy Hook and Harvest Festival shootings occurred. In these cities, playing a game that involves “killing” other people as the main objective would be cruel. Because students who live in safe “small-town” Traverse City are innocent to the truth of the violent world beyond our streets, playing games like Assassins seems okay, acceptable, even borderline quaint. We are choosing to live unaware of the symbolic implications of Assassins.

Games like “army” have been passed down through the generations for children to play.

97% of teens grow up and play video games according to a 2014 study conducted by Sutter Health Organization, a Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Time Magazine indicates that 90% of those games involve mature content that often includes violence. Individuals also engage in

games like hockey and other contact sports in their pastimes. All of these instances share a common thread; people like playing, watching, and engaging in violent situations. This seems to suggest that the games people play result in, or at the very least, influence the violence in our nature and thereby the occurrence of violence in society.

It is hard to believe that when young kids play “army,” they are striving to mock our veterans or the men and women in combat. Likewise, when Central students play Assassins, they are not aiming to belittle shootings or violence in other cities. These individuals are just playing games that have been routinely accepted and engraved in society. Regardless, it is important to recognize the real world insinuations of playing games that glorify killing one another.

A culture has been created that continuously accepts violence and routinely encourages

Graphic: A. Vannatter

it. Video games like Call of Duty, “army,” and Assassins are all examples of violence being perpetuated. Violence begins with adolescents and continues onto the streets in our towns and cities. A repeated theme in contemporary society is the desire to understand why violent crimes are committed and with an ultimate goal of minimize them. Maybe, violence occurs, in part, due to societal acceptance of violence that has been promoted by behavior exhibited in the “games” individuals play.

Explaining Assassins Assassins is a shooting game played by Central students. It is not a school sponsored event, but nonetheless has been a tradition at Central for decades. Prior to playing, Individuals form teams of five and each member has to pay 10 dollars to the judges. Judges are two seniors who understand the game. They are in charge of making rulings on events and “kills” that occur during the Assassins season. A kill is where an Assassin’s member gets shot by a Nerf bullet or hit by a nerf weapon and is therefore “dead” and unable to shoot the opposing team for the remainder of the week Upon joining, each member has agreed they have read the rules thoroughly to themselves and their parents. There is a long document detailing all the do’s and don’ts for all the technicalities and guidelines for safety, safe locations, and rules for legitimity of kills for assassins. The judges then pair up each team for the week. The game starts Monday at 12AM and ends the following Saturday at 12AM. Each team’s objective is to achieve more “kills” than the other team in order to advance to the next week. On Saturday at 12, everybody is safe, meaning that no more shooting is allowed.

Each winning team from the first round advances to the next week. If any teams are tied for their number of kills, the judges organize a shootout at an unknown time and location that weekend. The last team standing (whose members haven’t been killed) advances to the next week where new matchups are listed for the winning teams on Sunday night and shooting begins again Monday at 12AM.

Graphic: D. Vincent

Evolution of the Game Assassins has been a part of Central’s tradition for decades. Numerous teachers and administrators at Central used to play assassins when they attended Central.

Paige Paul, graduated from Central High School in 2000 and now teaches Social Studies at central. Paul enjoyed playing Assassins in high school because it was different from most recreational activities that students could participate in and the game was very competitive. “My funniest story from playing assassins was when the opposing team accidentally attacked my little sister instead of me,” Paul said. “She looked a lot like me. They all converged on my sister and she was yelling the whole time ‘I’m not Paige!’ as she was getting nerfed.”

Ben Berger, CHS wing principal, graduated in 2005. When Berger was a student at Central, he loved staking out early in the morning and modifying his nerf equipment to have the best probability of getting kills.

The rules were not as strict as they are now when Berger played. “The rulings were interesting. No one had cell phones or social media. When I went to school, there were two computer labs, and those were the computers everyone used. On the computers, there was instant messenger. It was a thing on a desktop where we had a buddy list and we could talk to people. Somebody created a website but I would not have any information throughout the day about Assassins and then I would get home that night, log onto instant messenger and see what was happening in Assassins.”

When Paul played, the game was even more informal. All the kills were self reported in person to the “organizer.” The organizer had the same duty as a judge. Although Paul has fun moments playing Assassins, she does not think it’s worth the time commitment and recklessness. “Assassins is not a right of passage for Central students because there is only a select group of kids who get involved in this game,” Paul said. “ In the past few years, it has gone too far. Seeing it from a teacher perspective it is a little out of control. It is all

consuming. It is a tradition that has gotten very out of hand.”

Berger shares a similar mindset. “I look back at my Assassins experience and I am thankful I did not get harmed, injured or otherwise because there were some really, really stupid decisions made during that game,” Berger said. “Mostly, my anxiety just increases when hear kids are still playing it, and I wish it would just go away. It is a tradition, but that doesn’t mean it’s good or that it should continue.”

Jessie Houghton graduated from Central in 1997 and is now lead principal at CHS. When Houghton played herself in high school and loved the strategy of the game and staking out at other individuals houses. Although Houghton believes Assassins has changed since she played. “When I played assassin’s, we didn’t have lockdown drills. Now they are mandated by the state. Fear of intruders or was not as prevalent in our society when I played assassins as it is now. We take every last threat as a serious nature because the last thing I would want would be one of you guys hurt. That piece in our society has changed.”

“it is important to recognize the real world insinuations of playing games that glorify killing one another.”

Heat of the moment After realizing this was a trap, Caldwell attempted Assassins kill story Courtesy of to get out of the neighborhood. Caldwell’s car Guest writer nicole rogers came to a sudden halt. There was a collision with 5am on a Monday morning, adrenaline racing Terry O’Connor’s (‘18) trusty Ford. Our cars were through my entire body, I peered out the window, gridlocked in a driveway. The boys hopped out looking for any perpetrators in my yard desperate of the car, wandering around Caldwell’s vehicle to have my blood on their hands. I watched dim trying to shoot us. As the boys discussed their headlights of a car go out in the distance, shortly game plan, Caldwell and I took advantage of followed by a text that read, “they are after you.” their momentary distraction. We rolled down the My teammate Kirsten Berkey window slightly and threw ‘18, quickly whipped through nerf darts at them. Abby and my cul de sac, trying to pick I took out Pickett and Luke “Upon entering me up in time before the Klug ‘18 with a single shot my neighborhood, other team could get to me. each through the windows the boys caught Before I left the vicinity of my of her car. Sensing that house, I saw a silver Ford rip sight of us and Caldwell and I were trapped by outside. Tire screeches in a driveway, my teammates flew after us, echoed in the silent mornBerkey, Katarina Fenton, bloodlust in ing as a speedy car chase and Julia Bodnar both (‘18) their eyes.” commenced. Both cars sped came on foot and attempted out of my subdivision, taking to shoot O’Connor. O’Connor their chase to the streets. shot some darts in their My other teammate, Abby direction, but they were Caldwell ‘18, was stationed at Central in case an masked by the trees. O’Connor, realizing he was emergency warranted her attention. She picked outnumbered with two of his team members me up from my house. We raced to Gabe Pickett already killed, jumped into his car. Berkey raced to ‘18’s house, but struck out. No such luck in getthe car before O’Connor made his grand escape ting a kill there. and flung open the car door, sending a nerf dart Caldwell and I hauled back into my neighborstraight into his chest. Klug also accidentally hood to see if we could get any kills on the boys unlocked Terry’s car doors, which made him very who were desperately waiting for some action. vulnerable. This train of events put my team in a The boys had given up chasing Berkey around 5-2 lead within the first few hours of week one. and were somewhere hidden on my street. Upon We got doughnuts to celebrate the victorious kills entering my neighborhood, the boys caught sight and the assassins history that had been made. of us, and flew after us, bloodlust in their eyes.

Girls for the win.//

8 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

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A Computed Tomography, CT, scan shows the large Type 2 Glioma mass on Olivia Terrell’s ‘18 brain.

10 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

Life with Cancer

At age 15, Olivia Terrell ‘18 was diagnosed with a Stage 2 Glioma brain tumor

by ABIGAIL HARNISH with ASHTYN MCGRAW

ying in a flat, hard rollaway hospital bed, Olivia Terrell’s ‘18 eyes were transfixed at the ceiling of the hospital room that she had called her home for the last three months. It was at this moment, with her eyes glazing over from staring at the ceiling, that Terrell received the encouraging news that the cancer in her brain had not progressed and was virtually dead. However, she would never go completely into remission. “Hearing that I will never be in remission made the news of the cancer not spreading bittersweet; I had hoped that I would be finished with cancer, but unfortunately I will never be done.”

On August 15, 2015, Terrell’s life was altered forever when a CT scan revealed a Stage Two Glioma tumor in her brain. She spent months in Mayo Clinic, a medical research institute located in Minnesota, taking part in various invasive treatments and medical trials to hopefully cure her cancer. However, it was not until months into her treatment that Terrell heard the term cancer to describe what doctors had been calling a mass. Something as simple as a gift bag was what had broke the news to Terrell that she was being treated for cancer.

“Doctors don’t call it cancer, they say that you just have a mass,” Terrell said. “So I guess I didn’t really get the true cancer idea until I was going through radiation and I had received a gift bag. I remember being confused and they told me ‘every kid with cancer gets a gift bag.’

That’s when it initially set in that I was battling cancer.”

L

The first year was difficult because of ongoing repercussions from her invasive treatments. “I have a problem with my recall, so I can’t memorize or recall anything that I have taken in. That’s the hardest part. Something that is super easy for my peers is a thousand times harder for me.”

Although she struggled through the year, Terrell did not let that stop her from pursuing her newfound passion. Terrell is excelling in her second year at CTC; instead of a more typical classroom setting, she does work experience at Munson Hospital. She spends four hours a week in Cowell Center, the hospital’s cancer center working alongside Munson’s team. “I get to assist with treating people who are going through chemotherapy. I enjoy the hospital and being able to help people that are going through similar situations that I had gone through.”

Today, Terrell can confidently say that her goal is to be a Pediatric Oncologist. Terrell’s nurses impacted her immensely, so she dreams of the day she can reciprocate that for other children who are enduring what she experienced. “To have someone who could laugh and make a joke of my current situation made the ordeal easier to deal with.”

Terrell’s high school experience has been anything but normal; she has endured so much physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, Terrell keeps a positive perspective on the whole situation and credits who she is today to it.

“Battling cancer was a horrific experience while I was at Mayo Clinic, but looking back at it I don’t think I would change any of it. It has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am so excited for where I’m going to go.”//

“I had hoped that I would be finished with cancer, but unfortunately, I will never be done.”

Growing up, Terrell dreamed of being an elementary teacher. She wanted the colorful classroom with cliche posters around the room, and bright-eyed students with open, eager minds. But after her time spent at Mayo Clinic and battling cancer, Terrell’s career path changed dramatically. After going through radiation, Terrell was intrigued by the medical field. Terrell enrolled in Allied Health, a Career Tech program, during her junior year.

Before her first treatment, Olivia Terrell ‘18 smiles for the camera. “I had proton beam radiation which is where they can pinpoint an exact location and take care of it without it affecting the whole body,” Terrell said.

Surviving in the hallways The BGQ staff provides insight on how to thrive in high school for the new class of freshman

By JACK MYERS with DAHLIA VINCENT Run in the Hallways

You will be tardy if you are not at least five minutes early to your next class, so once you hear the bell to get out of class, lean forward, put your arms up, and do your best Naruto run. Fill yourself up with anime power and you will become one with the gods of the weeaboos. With your speed and power, the imbeciles that crowd the halls will be no match for you and will shudder in awe at the sight of you. Let’s be honest, everyone loves to be pushed down in the halls. It’s just the best!

And if the power of anime doesn’t work for you, remember, deep down we are all track stars waiting to shine. Lace up your spikes because you better be ready to set a world record in the 5 meter dash because getting from one class to another in the C-Building atrium is so far.

Beg upperclassmen to take you off campus at lunch

If there’s one thing juniors and seniors are pleased by, it’s when freshmen they don’t know ask them if they can accompany them on their lunch break. Upperclassmen don’t deal with any pressures or struggles like AP classes, SAT prep, or college applications. As a matter of fact, we all have loads of time to spend tending to your freshmen whims and wants. Although it’s against the rules for freshmen to leave campus without permission, who cares? Getting in trouble and potentially having your open-campus privileges revoked for hauling around freshmen is how every upperclassmen wants to spend their day!

Break your computer

You know what is essentially free? The technology provided to you by the school. Don’t worry about the fact that our school is a government funded institution or that it only costs a couple hundred dollars, just accept the fact that new Chromebook you have is yours, forever. Go ahead and snap your Chromebook over your knee if you want to have a good laugh or show your pent up frustrations with school. Pry off the keyboard because you know it’s possible. Hit the screen until it cracks because you enjoy watching the lights behind the shattered glass flicker in every color possible. And when you approach Tech Central with your mangled, deconstructed netbook, the person behind the counter may just start tearing up with joy.

Clog the toilets in every bathroom

If you want to leave behind a legacy at Central, be sure to clog the toilets in every bathroom as often as possible. It doesn’t matter how you do it, but there is nothing better than inconveniencing other students and staff, especially when they are in a rush to use the bathroom as quickly as possible, right? If you really want to step up your game, clog the toilets so well the bathrooms flood. There is nothing your classmates want to do more than swim in sewage waste and toilet water in a high school bathroom during class time. Although summer may be over, the bathroom can become a beach and give a glimpse of summer 2018 if you really try.

12 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

All graphics: D. Vincent

Steal books from the library if you forget your ID

The library at Central has a vast collection of books for every student’s needs and interests. When you are desperate for that textbook that you totally weren’t given at the start of the year, just take it. After all, those books are essentially free (thanks tax-paying parents). If when you’re walking out you start to hear a beeping sound, that’s just the librarians at the desk’s way of giving you a pat on the back. You’re so smart. It may not make sense to most people to not check out your book, but you have things to do and places to be, checking out that book would be too much time.

Hide a scooter in the locker room ceiling

We’ve all been there. We need to go to the skate park after school, but we can’t lug our scooter around all day, ugh. Obviously, there is a solution for those of us that do not have a vehicle or large enough locker to store it in. Before school, make way to your favorite locker room, remove one of the ceiling tiles, and store your scooter. Later in the day, after your gym or weights class, exercise your acrobatic skills in front of your exhausted peers by climbing atop the lockers and revealing your mind blowing ingenuity: your scooter’s ceiling garage. Don’t mind if you drop the tile on a classmate’s head; school is the perfect place to practice Whack-a-Mole. If you don’t take gym, don’t worry. You can do this in any room at school.

Lock yourself in a bathroom stall

If you’re ever in a class you don’t particularly like, what should you do? Well, you can go to the best place in school, the bathroom! Choose any location that has locking stall doors, preferably one that is far away from your class. Also, ladies, listen up because it is your lucky day. In your F-Building bathroom there is a bathroom stall that will lock you inside on it’s own. No tricks or gimmicks of your own, just go in and let yourself be stuck inside. But gentlemen, you are not in luck, so you must rely on your own wits. Wait inside the bathroom until your class is almost over, so you have enough time to get back and grab your bag. If your teacher asks where you’ve been, tell them about your unfortunate adventure in your bathroom prison.

Yell in the hall

Our school’s student body is known for getting rowdy and full of spirit at events like the Patriot Game, so why not practice our cheers here at school? Go ahead; express your Trojan pride by yelling in the halls whenever and wherever you please. Central is a public school, so it’s your full fledged right to bellow anything whenever you please in the name of school spirit, right? Next time you’re in a hall during class hours when the school is dead silent, please feel free to let go of your bottled-up pride, let it all out. And when you interrupt classes with your booming pride, they aren’t at all annoyed. In fact, you’re reminding them of how much they appreciate their school and its well behaved students.

Freshmen, please understand these “tips” are pointing out exactly what you should not do. Please note the sarcasm as you read. We also hope that you laughed. Here are some real tips that all people, including freshmen should know: Identify tone - i.e. sarcasm - In fact, being able to identify a writer’s tone is essential in any English class you are thinking of taking here at TCC. Conquer fear - Don’t let your emotions control you, it is very freeing. Have a fear? Work at chipping away at it, chip by chip, then chunk by chunk, until it no longer exists. You’ll feel happier and more confident about yourself as a result.

Meme, but don’t over meme - Memes are in the blood of a true teenager. However, find a point where you can enjoy an ample amount of memes without negatively impacting your life or grade.

Do what you enjoy regardless what others think - It’s high school, for most of us that means four years here at Central. And if you are like most people, which most of you are, you will likely remain in contact with only a handful of your classmates after you graduate (excluding class reunions). Those that berate you for what you like and who you are do not deserve to dwell in your thoughts, and do not deserve to be feared.//

identityin

In our spin off of Humans of New York, the Black & Gold Quarterly went out into the Grand Traverse community in search of uniquity. Our mission was to find inspiring stories and share them to encourage self-expression. Through a variety of randomly selected people, we were able to find one commonality—passion. Stories like theirs are what make us believe in the power that comes from expression through journalism. People are art. We feel when combining their words with a visual story, a unique and inspiring message is created. Members of our community have conveyed their identities and inspired us through their words and sense of passion.

To us, this is the truest kind of journalism— finding moving sto-

traverse city.

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Photos: A. Vannatter 14 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

N O R A B L A N C H A R D “I always find something to be happy and thankful about. Trying to be a conscious person about my actions and how they affect other people help me make the best of every day. I live my life with those things in mind.”

DIANE S U L L I V A N “I’m conscious. Conscious that I’m a human being, that I have a spirit, that there is a purpose in the world. I think as humans, if we’re conscious of good and evil, we have a choice to make. I try to be positive with whatever it is I’m doing.”

NOAH ROBITSHEK

“When I’m on the water, I feel my confidence grow stronger. Taking risks drives me to learn and continue to try new things. Those aspects of life are important to me because as humans we always have room to expand our knowledge.”

Photo: O. Wilson

Academics

by HAYLEY SCOLLARD

VS Athletics Halee Stallmack ‘18 swims the freestyle at a home meet.

Photo: O. Wilson

Mckenna Sanford ‘19 studies at The Brew in downtown Traverse City.

Photo: A. Vannatter

Students have relayed with the tug-of-war in academics and athletics since integrated into schools.

The societal outlook of the greatness of athletics is examined to uncover the tension between the two Rushing to practice after school, stressing about homework, getting out of practice late, and missing school for a game are just a few examples of the common struggle between athletics and academics. All student athletes face conflict sooner or later. Since the integration of sports into schools, students have experienced pressure to excel in both academics and athletics. Both coaches and teachers see how students can fall under pressure of academics and/or athletics.

According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) executive director Jack Roberts, conflict between athletics and academics occurs when athletics are emphasized over academics. “What the advocates of school sports must realize is that the more they do to enlarge the scope of school sports . . . more games, longer seasons, further travel, escalating hype . . . the more they prove that the opponents of school sports have been correct.” In the average student’s educational experience, high school is the first time that sports are prioritized just as much, if not more, than academics.

There is more to the tug-of-war between athletics and academics than 16 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

time management. Society is proof that athletics are looked upon, especially in youth, with pride and admiration. Athletics is a form of entertainment, which is supreme in society and some students’ mind. This is certainly not the case for academics. Athletics takes priority in society.

Sports are revered in America. According to a survey conducted by MarketWatch.com, Americans spent $56 billion in the last 12 months as of September 2017 on “attending sporting events, including tickets, transportation, food and beverages, according to the survey, which sampled over 1,000 adults.” A famous football player for example is looked upon with strong admiration, whereas a famous scholar usually does not receive as much widespread admiration. In terms of entertainment, this is not necessarily a bad thing for sports. However, for students, sometimes easily influenced, it could be easily assumed that athletics take priority because of the message being portrayed in society. This assumption bumps up against what parents and teachers are telling students, “school is most important, keep your grades up.” When in the back of many student athletes minds, there is the fantasy of becoming

a famous athlete and leaving school on the back-burner. TCC athletic director, Mark Mattson, is aware of the societal pride of athletics. “The question is does the U.S. place too much emphasis on sports and not enough on academics? I don’t know the answer to that question. But I just thought it was interesting that foreign countries feel that we put too much emphasis on sports, especially at the school based level. We think that sports are fantastic as a support to academics. Here in the states we love sports. It’s just a matter of what your perspective is.”

Bowen Brunner ‘18, TCC varsity football wide receiver and defensive end, knows he would pick football over academics if given the choice.

He sees the potential of receiving scholarships as a way to advance his football career, however he still recognizes the importance of his academics and hopes to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Often, like Brunner, students would prefer to choose their sport over academics in terms of effort and time commitment. It can feel impossible to give full effort towards two separate but equally consuming obligations. A large part is due to time constraints, students academics are usually short changed when it comes to balancing academics and athletics.

At Central, students are required to sign a handbook at the beginning of each school year to verify awareness of extracurricular rules such as procedures that need to be followed if practice or game is missed: “The student is responsible for reviewing schedules at the beginning of every season and/or semester and informing the coach, director, advisor, sponsor and/or music teacher of any conflicts as soon as the student becomes aware of the conflict so resolution occurs prior to events.”

In addition to this, each coach can make a separate contract for their team. The contract for the Women’s Swim Team stresses the requirement to participate in all swim meets unless the coach is notified before swim meets start. Student athletes must master time management skills to excel. TCC Women’s Swim Coach Kelly Smith hopes her swimmers will see the connection between excelling in academics as well as athletics, “Athletics is a type of education,” Smith said. “I know not everyone necessarily would agree, but I emphasize commitment, dedication, and hard work. Which applies to athletics, it applies to academics and it applies to when you get your first job outside of school. If you have those traits [commitment, dedication and hard work], you’re going to be successful.” Smith believes that student athletes will feel less tension between athletics and academics if they alter their mindset about being committed to both. “I’m trying to always get better and that in itself is a big accomplishment,” Smith said. ‘I see that connection between if you’re committed to something and you’re willing to do what other people aren’t willing to do.” Mattson agrees that athletics applies to building a student’s education, “It’s all part of the big scheme, sports is a little bit in this big chunk of the academic world.”

Participating in sports is a choice and a privilege. Each student here at Central High School has many options regarding sports. When a student chooses to participate in a sport and signs that contract, they are saying they are making a commitment to honor academics as well.

Tim Odette, assistant coach for the TCC football team, stresses the importance of honoring academics to players. “We’ll do everything in our power to help them and work with them. Even out of the season we actually check on our players grades.”

I know what it feels like to be extremely overwhelmed from the obligations of both sports and academics. This lifestyle involves late nights,

lengthy to-do lists, sacrificing social time, and studying on a noisy bus.

Although difficult, the sports I’m involved in force me to manage my time and makes me more committed to completing all my homework.

Ironically, because I have less time with commitments, I am more driven to be successful.

Jessica Jerome ‘18 agrees it can be difficult to sacrifice socializing for rowing, but always puts school first. “School is always a priority, but I’ve done pretty well with managing my time so that I can do both and not fall behind in either one.” Jerome’s incentive to row in college helps keep her dedicated. “This year, I’m hoping to commit to a school that I’m excited to go to and it’s the right fit for me,” Jerome said. “I’m looking forward to that.” With both her talent in rowing, high GPA, and long list of extracurriculars, Jerome has an excellent chance of attending a good school of her choice.

Simply prioritizing academics will not always dissipate the struggle between athletics and academics. Some students lack the academic drive but possess athletic talent. Other students have the drive for both but because of time constraints, they cannot fully commit to both. And then there are those who join but don’t commit to one or the other in both academics and athletics. Ultimately if they choose, students have an important decision to make about whether they can be successful in both.

This emphasis of academics over athletics as stated in the handbook doesn’t always line up with the prevailing attitude at the college level that sports are more important than academics. If a college coach desperately wants a student athlete on their team, academic abilities are sometimes completely disregarded. For example, in the New York Times article “U.N.C Investigation Reveals Athletes Took Fake Classes,” The University of North Carolina had a “shadow curriculum” designed between 1993 and 2011 to help struggling students, and almost 50 percent of them were athletes. Essentially, classes were created to help athletes be able to continue participating in their sport by keeping their GPA above a 2.0. Athletics prioritized over academic ability, in terms of college sports, contradicts what is encouraged at Central. “We have so many programs here that students have an opportunity to be apart of that and all of that is secondary to academics,” Mattson said. “We want the focus to be on academics and getting across that stage when you’re a senior.” Nevertheless, sometimes athletic scholarships and talent can create an opportunity for students who received poor education.

Students may receive a scholarship for their athletic potential to a great school and take advantage of opportunities to reach academic potential with help along the way. “At the secondary level and the collegiate level, it’s our job to find supports for those kids in order to improve, increase, and maintain the academic progress,” Mattson said. As an athletic director for Central, seeing the importance of both academics and sports, Mattson concludes that, “Sports are great, awesome, but they’re not the end all, be all. It’s what you’re doing now and what you take from here onto your next endeavor.”

That is not to say, there are many benefits to athletics, such as team-building skills, discipline, dedication, increased physical strength and emotional toughness, and ways for students to channel energy.

According to the MHSAA website, “competitive athletics is an asset for schools intent on educating students in body, mind and spirit.” Although there can be tension between athletics and academics, both can complement each other and there can be a strong connection in which student athletes apply their passion to their sport and their school work.

Societal pressures and time constraints cannot always be controlled, yet shining light on the societal fallacies of athletics being the “end all be all” as Mattson said, creates awareness. Ultimately, what matters is what students do now to enrich their education, of which athletics is an essential ingredient, and build their future.//

JACK

VS

by JACK MYERS In many topics of debate, people are quick to jump to two mainstream and opposing sides. One side is white and the other is black, right or wrong. That’s it, you have to be on one side or the other. However, the truth is, you don’t need to be one sided. You can be a part of the middle ground.

Students may feel they need to choose between athletics or academics. But the fact is they can do both. Students are capable of participating in rigorous academic courses and a physically demanding sport, they just need to be willing to work hard and dedicate their time.

On weekdays, I go to school, run, and spend most of my waking time at home completing homework. I am busy. I guess I classify as a nerd. I enjoy school and put time and effort into my education. I take classes that expand my knowledge and test my limits.

But school is more than my six regularly scheduled classes; school is also where I see friends as well as learn and participate. I am more than just a nerd. I am a member of the Quiz Bowl team, (which, admittedly, is quite nerdy) as well as three different sports teams throughout the academic year. I believe in compromise and understanding others’ views. I also avoid leaning one way all of the time, so I tend to fall in the middle ground, which is precisely the case with academics and athletics.

Grades are important. A high grade point average is something many colleges desire in prospective students. For the most part, putting time and effort into one’s classes at school is vital if one aims to achieve an A. As a matter of fact, in order to participate on a school athletic team for Central, a student must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Grades matter to student athletes to an extent, even if it means simply passing to be able to compete athletically.

Furthermore, daily exercise is essential for good health, along with maintaining a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water and getting a sufficient amount of sleep. Being a part of a team makes exercise more fun. According to Marine Military Academy. org, students that participated in sports during high school tended to have a stronger resume for colleges and develop strong leadership and teamwork skills, which turned into better chances for higher paying jobs in the real world. Clearly, athletics are of great importance. However, students need to be aware that their focus cannot be athletics solely.

Lastly, as a Nordic skier and runner, I have learned to overcome pain with endurance and mental strength. I have made more friends then I would have in just a classroom environment.

I have learned to balance my time between academics, athletics, and my personal life. I have learned that I can be a part of rigorous classes and my favorite sports offered at Central.

18 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

JACKIE Two student athletes and BGQ staffers were asked the question: What is more important to you, athletics or academics? Why? Both had different opinions. Here are their responses

by JACQUELINE GUTIERREZ Playing sports in high school is exciting and fun, but it can sometimes become overwhelming. I have been participating in track and field on and off over the course of my middle and high school years. I never had enough time to balance my school work. I often found completing my homework difficult when I did track, having to come home after a hard day of school and a tough day of practice was absolutely exhausting.

Usually, I did not understand certain subjects, often because I didn’t have time to completely engage in my school work. I would just try to rush and frantically finish everything before practice or a meet. Weekends were not much different. I had a job and I could not find time to receive the proper help that I needed.

Poor time management can cause many problems in a student athlete’s life. There is conflict in choosing what a student believes to be more important. One example of this pressure is deciding if a student wants to complete an assignment or blow it off to compete in a game. The word ‘student’ often gets detached from the term student athlete and gets pushed aside in order to excel while competing. Although sports are frequently favored over academics, students should be prioritizing academics. When student athletes neglect their education and spend an excessive amount of time playing sports, they reduce their chances of having more opportunities that could greatly benefit them later on in life. Our dream may be to become a professional athlete, but what will happen if we do not achieve that goal? Regardless of the commitment, students and coaches need to be aware that academics must always come first. Prioritizing athletics can lead to academic scandals. Like the recent allegations concerning the University of North Carolina and academic fraud. Concerning bogus classes that were designed for athletes so they could be academically eligible. At the end of the day, athletics are just extracurricular activities and students cannot simply assume that athletics will guarantee a professional career right after high school.

Graphics: A. Vannatter

Estudando

fora do paĂ­s

Traveling down to the southern hemisphere, Shane Videki ‘18 studied abroad in Brazil his junior year

20 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

Photos: courtesy of S. Videki

Carrying surfboards along the beach of Itacarezinho, Brazil, Shane Videki ‘18 and his friend were finishing up their surf lesson. Surf lessons are just one of the many amazing oppoutunities Videki had while in Brazil. “I went to Rio De Janeiro, some famous cities of Brazil like, Salvador, and Natal. But mostly I traveled a lot to the beaches.”

by ABIGAIL HARNISH evaluation of his application from Rotary, the

club decided Brazil was the best fit for Videki.

S

tepping out of the train, Shane Videki ‘18 pauses for a moment to take in his surroundings. Busy bodies of all ethnic backgrounds walked hastily, weaving in and out of the crowd of thousands. The bright lights of the city blur together, blinding him just for a moment while his eyes adjust to the contrast.

The train takes off behind him, the gust of air interrupting his detailed-attention to his surrounding, and he takes into notice that he is standing alone. In this moment, Videki comes to the insane realization that he had been commuting himself through Brazil’s biggest city. “I’m navigating myself through a city of 18 million as a foreigner and speaking my second language (Portuguese) and I was totally fine with it,” Videki said. “You start to fall in love with the big city atmosphere; it’s amazing.”

When he was a sophomore, a woman advertising Rotary Youth Exchange approached Videki and his friends during their lunch.

Intrigued by the idea of traveling to and living in a foreign country for a year, Videki picked up a brochure and followed up with the meeting at NMC regarding the program. This exchange program allowed Videki to explore another language and culture, and help him pursue his passion to becoming a cosmopolite.

After Videki decided he wanted to do an exchange year, he started the application process to choose his country. After completing an eleven-page application, reviewing a list of forty potential countries, and receiving an

On August 16, 2016, Videki boarded the plane to fly to Sao Paulo, Brazil, the most populous city in the lower hemisphere. Although he bubbled with excitement for this new experience, Videki was in a state of revelation for the first couple weeks of transition. “I was in shock because I didn’t think I could actually live there,” Videki said. “I kept asking myself, is this honestly happening? But I gradually started to get adjusted to the culture and the people and everything; you kind of make it your own.”

During his time in Brazil, Videki stayed with three host families, whom he fondly refers to as “the best host families he could have asked for,” attended school, and immersed himself in a brand new culture. The people of Brazil left their mark on Videki, leaving him in awe of their culture. “Their culture is just filled with love and passion and emotion. They really truly care about you. On the first day of school, I had friends who wanted my number, my Snapchat, and my Instagram. Even before I went to school, half of my school was following me on Instagram.”

Videki frequently addresses the culture shock he experienced. The contrast between Brazil and America’s atmosphere and culture is significant; the friendly, carefree atmosphere and warm culture of Brazil left Videki overwhelmed in the best way possible. “I feel like the people in the US are colder,” Videki said. “People don’t like to hug and kiss as

much compared to people in Brazil. In Brazil, it is normal to greet someone by kissing their cheeks and then hugging them.” Reminiscing on the caring demeanor of the people in Brazil, Videki notes the difference in how the two cultures treat exchange students in their schools. “If there’s a new kid at the school, the students are going to reach out and include them,” Videki said. “In America, we don’t really do that. Most students don’t reach out to the exchange students.”

While immersing himself in their culture, Videki picked up the native language of his Brazilian peers, Portuguese. While learning Portuguese, one phrase struck Videki as beautiful and reflective of the Brazilian culture: Saudade. “Saudade is the feeling of nostalgic longing for something or someone that was fond of and which has been lost. Simply put, it’s the longing and love that remains after someone is gone.”

Living in a foreign country for eleven months impacted Videki in so many ways. He experienced a different culture, had realizations about his future, and embraced a new part of himself. “This experience opened me up to seeing things that I never thought I would see living in the US, such as truly poverty-stricken areas,” Videki said. “This experience has also help realize that I want to travel the world and study abroad. I also learned a new language, which in a way, shaped me into a different person. I have another side of myself.”//

All photos: courtesy of Joelle Price

Over the

mountain

During a backpacking trip in the Grand Tetons, Young Life members learned important lessons

By SOPHIA BOYCE with ANA HENDGES

22 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

Sarah Strom ‘18 lends a hand to help Nicole Rogers ‘18 and other members of Young Life cross a stream while backpacking in the Grand Tetons. “We would have to cross a lot of rivers and streams,” Rogers said.

“There would be times where we would have to be a helping hand to aid the people behind us in line get to the other side.”

I

n Traverse City, there are many extracurricular clubs that students are able to be a part of. One of these clubs is Young Life. “Young Life is a non-profit organization, which is a lot like youth group but more relaxed,” student leader Katarina Fenton ‘18 said. It is about “sharing Jesus, loving kids, and creating an environment where people feel welcomed,” Nicole Rogers ‘18, another student leader, said.

Although students are able to help lead, Young Life is run by adult representatives, one of whom is Erin Iafrate. The students meet every Monday night from 7:45 to 9:00pm; Once a month, the student leaders hold a meeting with Iafrate. During one of these meetings, the leaders planned a backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

“Erin was just talking about how she used to live in Grand Rapids and knows two leaders in Allendale, Michigan, and how they take their kids on backpacking trips,” Rogers said. “So, we ended up going with them instead of going to a wilderness ranch.”

The nine-day trek took place in July, and the group consisted of fourteen people. Four days were dedicated to travelling there and back, and five for the hike up into the mountains. In total, the group backpacked a gruling twenty-eight miles. “You are carrying thirty-five pounds on your back, and you’re going uphill,” Fenton said. “Once I realized what the track was going to be I started to doubt myself.”

Along with the physical challenges, there were mental challenges as well. “I cried like

a baby, but it was fine,” Rogers said. “One day we took time and went and did our own thing for a couple of hours. We just reflected on life. It was mentally exhausting, but it was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip.”

While the trip was full of amazing moments, one of Rogers’ favorite moments was on the third day of the hike. “We got to the highest point that we could and looked out, and it was beautiful.”

Along with the good times, there were challenging moments as well. For both Fenton and Rogers, one of those moments was the night they slept on snow. “The ground around us was snow. That night it rained, and everything had melted, water ended up getting beneath our tent,” Rogers recounted. “All of our things were soaked and a part of the tent had blown up.” Through the good and the bad times, being there with other people really helped keep the group going. “Having someone behind us and someone in front of us kept us moving and talking,” Fenton said.

Rogers believes that without the group she would have, “taken two steps and said ‘this pack is too heavy’ and turned back around.”

Both girls agreed that some of the most memorable moments were the conversations the group had together. For Fenton, stories were a big part of the experience. “Every meal, we shared life stories so there were a lot of tears, but I really enjoyed hearing other people’s stories. It was also nice to share my but they also learned about themselves. Fenton learned that not only is she physically

own because I had never done that before.”

While on the journey, sharing experiences, both past and present, helped create and strengthen their friendships. “Lots of my closest friends went on the trip, but there were definitely kids that I didn’t know before the trip that I got really close to,” On this adventure, not only did participants learn about the other people in the group,

Madelynn Brady ‘18 crosses a river during the Young Life backpacking trip. “Crossing the river was probably one of my favorite parts because it allowed us to cool off while we were hiking,” Brady said. “Although it was challenging to get across, everyone worked together to help each other out and gain our footage.”

stronger than she imagined, but she is also mentally stronger as well. She realized that “trusting isn’t as hard as it seems.” This trip led Rogers to reflect on herself and her life.

“I saw who I was representing rather than what I wanted to represent,” Rogers said. “I focused more on the things that are actually important, and not social media this, social media that. Coming home was nice because these people are people that I can come to and remember where I was at.” This experience changed their views of themselves and their views on the world as a whole. For Rogers it is “not how small the world is, but how big it is and how small we are. When I am walking downtown I feel like everything’s so small, especially growing up in Traverse City. Then going out experiencing the world I feel like a tiny person compared to everything out there.” Fenton feels that it was a once in a

The attendees of the Young Life backpacking trip to the Grand Tetons from left to right. Sebastian Brons-Piche ‘18, Hayley Scollard ‘18, Katarina Fenton ‘18, Nicole Rogers ‘18, Levi Price ‘18, Kirsten Berkey ‘18, Madelynn Brady ‘18, Sarah Strom ‘18, and Jake Melvin ‘17. Back row: Skyler Duell ‘18.

Sarah Strom ‘18 enjoys the breathtaking view of the Grand Tetons. “Backpacking up a mountain can be really challenging, both physically and mentally,” Strom said. “It is so rewarding when you can look back on the ground you have covered when you get up to the top.”

24 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

lifetime opportunity and is glad that she was able share this amazing experience with both her friends. Both girls would jump at the opportunity to do it again, and they also recommend Young Life to everyone. As Rogers puts it, “there’s something feel for everyone at Young Life whether you’re Christian or not . We’re not closing doors on anyone.” //

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Left: Rogers loved backpacking because of the beautiful views and the challenge of the terrain. “It was outside of my comfort zone because I don’t really do physical activity,” Rogers said. “Hiking with a forty pound backpack on your back for unknown lengths of time each day for a week in the middle of nowhere was hard. It was crazy. You have to go out there and see it, it was phenomenal.”

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SEA to

shining sea

This past summer, SEA Club members met with Representative Jack Bergman to secure his commitment to solving climate change

By PAIGE CONNERS

26 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

Photo: O.Wilson

Photo: O.Wilson Participants of the 2017 Capital Pride Parade cheer for love and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Some SEA Club members decided to join in with the festivities. “Going to the pride parade in Washington D.C. was an absolutely fantastic experience. It was amazing to see thousands of people come out to be loving and supportive for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Lena Gerstle ‘18

T

his past summer, fifteen members of the Students for Environmental Advocacy Club and two former students of Central High School took a trip to Washington D.C. While there, they attended the 8th Annual Citizens’ Climate Lobby International Conference, held from June 11-13. It was an incredible experience that provided the students with knowledge on climate change and talking to political powers, as well as leading to a Michigan representative’s change in ideology.

While at the conference, attendees learned about the Citizens’ Climate Lobby proposal of Carbon Fee and Dividend. This plan involves placing a steadily rising fee on the sale of all fossil fuels in the United States, starting at $15 per ton. All of this money, minus administrative costs, which account for 7-8% of the funds, will be given back to households as a monthly dividend. According to Citizens’ Climate Lobby, their plan would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and stimulate the economy by recycling the revenue back into taxpayers’ homes.

While in D.C., the attendees also had the opportunity to speak with Federal Michigan Congressional members Senators Gary Peters (D) and Debbie Stabenow (D), as well as House Representative Jack Bergman (R). “Representative Bergman was our toughest meeting

because he has talked about how he didn’t think climate change was real in the past,” SEA Club co-founder and Citizens’ Climate Lobby member Elliott Smith ‘18 said. “But we felt that Bergman had a lot of potential because he’s someone that really cares about Michigan’s natural resources. He’s not as tied to his party’s ideology as some and he’s more of a free thinker. We went in there with a lot of anticipation for the meeting and it went better than we ever could have expected. We were able to secure his commitment to join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, which is a very big deal.”

Representative Bergman came to Traverse City in August to hear more about Carbon Fee and Dividend from SEA Club members. They held meetings twice a week to prepare their presentation, managing to bring it to near perfection for their meeting. Bergman officially joined the Climate Solutions Caucus on September 25 as its 29th Republican member.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a national nonprofit with a few global chapters as well with the main goal to stop or at least slow the progression of climate change. The trip to D.C. would not have happened without Smith’s presence in CCL. “I don’t know of any other organization that’s as effective as Citizens Climate Lobby,” Smith said. “The classic nonprofit stereotype is disorganized, like a bunch of

Photo: O.Wilson Allyson Brown ‘18 participated with the crowd by writing “love wins” on an old car covered with “loving and inspirational” messages written in chalk at the Capital Pride Parade. “I thought it was really great to see all these people coming together for a positive purpose, especially at a time where everything seems to be revolving around hate and anger,” Brown said.

hippies getting together to try and change stuff.

Citizens Climate Lobby is different. I really like the way it’s organized and I think that’s it really effectively done. It feels like you’re actually making progress.”

Political accomplishments weren’t the only positive things to come out of the trip to Washington D.C., which occurred from June 9-14.

These students were also given the chance to do extraordinary things such as get a peek into the lives of those running our government.

When it comes to the members of SEA Club who hadn’t been to D.C. before, it was even more than that.

The other co-founder of SEA Club, Kaysen Chown ‘18, said “It was very eye-opening, traveling to D.C. and talking to all those people, getting into the political arena and seeing how it works. Also getting to know that politicians are not at a total disconnect from everyone else and that we can break the barriers between the politicians and the people too. We do have a voice, especially with congressional representatives. They listen to us.”

At the conference, there were three education days where guest speakers would come in and speak with the attendees regarding climate change and environmental advocacy in general. Some of those that spoke were author and founder of Climate Leadership Council, another climate change oriented organization, Ted Halstead, along with Bradley Whitford, an actor from the early 2000s television show The West Wing.

Aside from the conference, the SEA Club students traveled around Washington D.C. and

Photo: courtesy of Lisa Del Buono

The SEA Club members met with Representative Jack Bergman to discuss their concerns about climate change. “Walking into Representative Bergman’s office was an incredible experience, and I think I was the most nervous I have ever been in my life. We had rehearsed our meeting many times, and Representative Bergman seemed to listen and care about our concerns,” Martin Chown ‘18 said. The SEA Club members were successful and convinced Representative Bergman to join the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.

participated in many of the typical tourist activities. Although most of the trip was centered around the CCL conference, they also visited some of the museums and monuments in the National Mall. Smith raved about the varieties of food that could be found in the city blocks around the hotel. “There was a nice sushi place we went to a lot and there was a Lebanese

Photo: Courtesy of Becky Chown The attendees of the SEA CLUB visit to DC from left to right. Top Row: Olivia Wilson ‘18, Kaysen Chown ‘18, Delaney Jorgensen ‘18, Elliott Smith ‘18, Martin Chown ‘18, William Chown ‘16. Middle Row: Taylor Hammond ‘17, Amelia Burke ‘18, Chloe Beyer ‘18, Annie Froese ‘18, Henni Everdung, Blake Beyer ‘15. Bottom Row: Aili Simpson ‘18, Allyson Brown ‘18, Nora Blanchard ‘18, Lena Gerstle ‘18.

28 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

place that was really good,” Smith said. “There was a lot of nice food within walking distance of our hotel.” The trip was also around the time of the Capital Pride Parade, which many of the SEA Club members attended.

The trip to Washington D.C. was a major success for both SEA Club and Citizens’ Climate Lobby, as well as groups like them all around the country. A representative who formerly didn’t care about climate change joined an organization focused on ending climate change party because a student-run club pitched the idea to him. This is just one of the many ways political organizations run by young people can make just as much, if not more of a difference, than intimidating larger groups such as CCL. This was already true, but SEA Club’s trip proved it yet again. //

In-town Throwdown Representative Jack Bergman hosted a town hall in Traverse City

By JACK MYERS All Photos: Jack Myers

On October 30, politically active constituents crammed into Central High School’s auditorium to listen to Representative Jack Bergman and voice their concerns. The 2017-2018 Cherry Queen Ashley Schichtel introduced Bergman and moderated for the event, which was challenging considering the boisterous crowd. When asked to line up to voice their concerns, dozens of people got up, some waiting for over an hour, and some not even getting an opportunity to speak.

Among the packed crowd was Aidan Reed ‘19, who stepped up to the microphone to ask Representative Bergman to take a leadership role in combating climate change. “I wanted to ask him to step up and do more to deal with climate change, and I am glad he announced he would do his part as a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus,” Reed said. “I also believe that a Republican leading the way to deal with climate change could convince others to take it more seriously.”

At one point during the town hall, Representative Bergman asked the audience about Enbridge Line 5, a controversial oil pipeline that runs under the Straits of Mackinac. The overwhelming majority of the audience preferred discontinuing the usage of the pipeline, which Bergman seemed to agree with.

Reed was generally disappointed with the behavior during the event. “I personally disagree with Representative Bergman on nearly every issue, but I believe that those trying to speak shouldn’t be shouted at. Many of the people in attendance yelled at Bergman in one way or

another.” Reed also found the representative’s behavior disappointing as well, “I noted quite a few times where he would interrupt people speaking at the microphone, myself included, or where he would make snide and conde-

scending comments about those who waited an hour in line to ask him a question. I also felt he dodged a lot of questions that people asked, which was rather disappointing.” //

Participants of the town hall raised their hands when asked if they would like to see the removal of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. “When Representative Bergman asked the crowd to vote on the pipeline, I felt like most of the people in the room were against it, although I am for the pipeline as long as it is safe because I believe we need to transport oil in a safe and efficient manner,” Caelan Wright ‘19 said. “Although I may not agree with removing the pipeline, I believe Representative Bergman needs to listen to his constituents about the pipeline. I also believe that climate change is a real issue that poses a threat to our planet and needs to be addressed.”

Outside of the town hall, two women, Linda Pepper and Judy Childs, carried signs in protest of Jack Bergman. “I have spoken with Mr. Bergman and I feel he has been arrogant and uninformed,” Pepper said.

“I lived in the U.P. for thirty-five years, and he does not represent us. There is no Yooper who drives by

another Yooper stuck in a ditch on the side of the road. We are a people who takes care of each other.

When you vote against helping the people in Puerto Rico, how is that representing us? To vote like that is so non-Yooper, non-Michigander, and non-decency,” Pepper said.

meet the staff We at the BGQ seek to ensure The Central community is well informed and intrigued by the information released througout the year in our magazine. These are the people behind the stories, images, and graphics.

Here’s to the 2017-2018 BGQ staff!

Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Berkey ‘18

Editor

Graphics: G. Snyder & D. Vincent

Editor

Abby Harnish ‘18

Hayley Scollard ‘18

Graphic Artist

Editor

Dahlia Vincent ‘18

Staffer

KeAnna Harris ‘21

Editor-in-Chief

Abigail Vannatter ‘19

Staffer

Alex Kent ‘21

30 // BGQ // NOVEMBER 2017

Graphic Artist

Gwen Synder ‘18

Editor

Jack Myers ‘19

Staffer

Paige Conners ‘21

Andrea Bavikatty ‘18

Photo Editor

Olivia Wilson ‘18

Staffer

Sophie Boyce ‘20

Staffer

Ashtyn McGraw ‘20

Editor

Baille Zipser ‘18

Staffer

Jacqueline Gutierrez ‘19

Staffer

Ana Hendges ‘19

Cozy

Cardigan

YOUR SUBMISSION WANTED It’s time to get creative Central. Normally in our final issue we feature submissions from Central’s senior class.

This year, we are expanding our horizons at the BGQ. We are now accepting submissions from anyone in Central’s student body, as well as staff members. Any type of writing will be accepted, poetry, narrative, fictional, or nonfictional. Photos and artwork will also be accepted. Help make our final issue our best one yet. To submit your work email the BGQ@tcapsstudent.net, stop by in C102 during first hour to meet your staffers or if you have any comments or questions.

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