Black and Gold Quarterly (BGQ) - April 2024

The Black and GoLD QUARTERLY VOL. CIII. No.3

TRAVERSE CITY, MOND volume-number = 103(one-hundred and three) location: traverse city, michigan

WELCOME TO THE FUT URE AI IS TAKING OVER. HOMELESSNESS IS ON THE RISE. FEWER PEOPLE ARE BECOMING TEACHERS. INTEREST IN STUDENT JOURNALISM IS AT AN ALL TIME LOW. IS THIS THE BRIGHT FUTURE WE'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF?

C ONT ENT S

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BATTLE OF THE BOOKS: STILL FIGHTING VIEWING VANDERZEE

10

CILLUFFO: OPERA BUFFA

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THE UNSUNG ARCHITECTS

14

OPED: GAMING ADDITION

16

DOES THE BYTE BITE BACK?

18

SAM'S STILL SPEAKING

20

THE ORIGINS OF VOICE

22

STRUGGLE FOR SAFETY THE CLASSROOM CRISIS

24 26

REVENGE OF THE NERDS

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THE RADICALLY RIDDILING CROSSWORD THE RECIPE

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BLACK & GOLD QUARTERLY april two thousand and twenty four

editor’s note The front cover says it all.

Everything from The Hunger Games that seemed too scary to be true is unfolding right before our eyes. This desolate nature of the world was prominent as ideas were flooding in for this issue's theme. Each idea pointed to the same theme: dystopian.

This might be overdramatic. The timing of issue three is during the dead of winter, where the sun barely shines, the sky is more gray than blue, and seasonal depression is at its peak. Thus, we were focused on the fact that student journalism at Central is waning (pg. 20), education is at a crossroads (pg. 24), AI is everywhere (pg. 16), and the homelessness crisis is at a breaking point (pg. 22).

Things in BGQ seemed to be going as normal. Everyone was working on their stories, incredible writing was flowing, and for once, I was on track to finish on time.

I guess it was too good to be true.

Turns out, I accidentally predicted the future hack with my cover design (whoops). For two days, we were forced to stay at home for what was called a cyber attack. I figured this didn’t have any effect on me, let alone the BGQ. Lo and behold, I entered the Pub later that week and was unable to even access my computer. Lucy was, however, but we were stunned to find that the entire S Drive was missing. Everything that we had ever created was gone.

This disruption had brought the dystopian theme to life. As editor-in-chief, my life was over. Clearly, the hackers were out to get me, to get the BGQ, and to prevent readers from seeing all of our hard work.

My prayers were answered when it was returned two days later, delaying the release yet again. Despite the hackers’ best attempt to restrict the BGQ, our third issue is finally done. Here’s to hoping that senior issue goes off without a hitch.

From the Pub,

Elizabeth Phillips

Send information, advertising, and other inquiries to: Black & Gold Quarterly Central High School 1150 Milliken Drive Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone: (231) 933-6533 Email: roskellesu@tcaps.net 4 // BGQ // April 2024

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BGQ STAFF

ms. roskelley adviser

elizabeth phillips editor-inchief

lucy poppleton content editor

samuel elkins content editor

eliana hermel graphics editor

kristen may content editor

bridget belden photo editor

morgan hill staff writer

kailyn groves staff writer

kate unger staff writer

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS: by eliana hermel graphics editor STILL FIGHTING I have always had a love for reading. When I was little, my parents would read me some of their favorite fantasy books: Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, The City of Ember, and other various stories. This passion for reading inspired me to join Battle of the Books (BOTB), a competition run by the National Writers Series (NWS) and which revolves around reading different genres of books and attempting to recall the information to answer trivia questions. It may sound boring, however, for 4th and 5th graders like me who loved reading, it was an experience that I fondly recall.

When I was a part of BOTB, the competition worked a little like this: in January, our team of four to six kids would be given a list of 10 books to read over the following months. We would get to know these books and then prepare for the competition in April. Come competition day, we would all meet at NMC to compete against other 4th and 5th graders from around Traverse City.

After these three rounds, the judges would tally up our scores and decide who could move on to the semi-finals, which would take place on another day. The remaining two teams perform a final round of trivia at the City Opera House to determine the winner. That same day, the NWS would also bring a guest speaker, an author who wrote one of the books on our list, to talk with us.

They would do a book signing and answer any questions we had. Our team would get together one last time before that year’s BOTB officially adjourned.

Growing out of BOTB was one of the saddest moments of my life. I adored it, so to have that taken away from me was heartbreaking. From the age of 10, I knew that I wanted to come back as a volunteer. Now, being in National Honor Society, I have that opportunity. However, it’s not the same BOTB that I remember.

One of the biggest changes I noticed was the change in venue.

Instead of the competition taking place in a few small classrooms at NMC, it is now being held at West Senior High with more room to spread out. “The very first year [of BOTB], we had 16 teams,” recalls Marcy Lindberg, the program coordinator for BOTB. “Now, we generally are at about 60 teams, so the program has grown.” Doing a little math reveals that the competition now involves over 300 students, which is quite exciting, but it has revealed some challenges as well.

“We really outgrew where we originally held it at NMC,” Lindberg admits. “We loved that venue, but… trying to do three battles per team for 60 teams in a day [didn’t work].” Looking back, I remember the experience of walking through crowded hallways with my team. We would get lost in the sea of kids and coaches while searching for our next room - and that was with only 48 teams! Even with the bigger venue, there are still hundreds of participants. However, it has become much more manageable and spread-out with the extra space.

6 // BGQ // APRIL 2024

the hardcover heroes!

“From the age of 10, I knew that I wanted to come back as a 6 // BGQ // January 2024 volunteer.”

Graphic Courtesy of: E. Hermel

The bigger venue also allowed for various other changes to be implemented. Andy Schuck, the head of Youth Services at the Traverse Area District Library, is a part of the planning committee for BOTB. “[At one point], we started noticing that there was a lot of focus on studying the books, and the trivia part [of the competition],” he reflects. “It felt like it took some of the joy of reading [away], and it just became another chore.” Lindberg echoes a similar sentiment: “One of the things we talked about was trying to leave [the competition] with positive feelings and [make sure they felt] like they accomplished something.” The committee quickly realized that the focus on reading had been slightly lost. Fortunately, after a little brainstorming, the committee came to a conclusion. The solution? Eliminate the elimination rounds, and shorten the book list from 10 to 8. “We changed the format a little bit so we [don’t have] the team battles, then the semi-finals, then the final championship battle [anymore],” explains Lindberg.

COOL!

THE GUMMY BOOKWORMS - AKA MY OWN TEAM SIX YEARS AGO!

“[Now, it] really caters to a lot of different strengths that the kids in our community have, [and] I think it just makes it more fun.”

Instead of a hierarchy created by the different rounds of competition, the event can now be solely revolved around having fun. “We’ve now added some different events, and I think now that brings out people’s different talents,” Lindberg states. “We [now] have an amphitheater event where they can make a skit or a drawing, and we have one where they can make a board game.”

Along with these two events, there have also been other various forms of trivia battles implemented in the competitions. The variety in BOTB allows more students to enjoy the final day’s activities.

“Not everybody’s good at trivia… [or] memorizing facts, but some kids are better artists, or they can plan out a game,” Schuck mentions. “[Now, it] really caters to a lot of different strengths that the kids in our community have, [and] I think it just makes it more fun.”

While it isn’t the same BOTB that I experienced when I was in elementary school, the changes seem to have positively affected today’s youth. The program has only grown since I was little, and it’s easy to assume that it will continue to evolve as our community grows. While many claim that reading books is becoming less common in everyday life, the local librarians and volunteers can bear witness to a different story. “Kids can really enjoy [books],” Schuck claims. “They deserve to be centered around books [or] stories that get them excited about reading, coming to the library, and engaging creatively with books or stories.” //

“They deserve to be centered around books [or] stories that get them excited about reading, coming to the library, and engaging creatively with books or stories.”

VIEWING VANDERZEE

by Lucy Poppleton content editor

Photos: L. Poppleton

8 // BGQ // // April 20242024 8 // BGQ January

Frequently seen speed walking around the halls of Central and terrorizing unsuspecting freshmen, head librarian and book enthusiast Larissa VanderZee is the woman, the wonder, and the legend.

Though she insists “nothing is usual” from day to day, take a look at a typical twenty-four hours in her life.

4:45 A.M.

VanderZee awakes, though she usually doesn’t “get out of bed until like 4:52.” Then, she must make her coffee immediately in order to function.

“That’s a must,” VanderZee emphasizes. “That’s the thing I look forward to most about waking up.” Then, she will often work out in the morning, either on a bike or via yoga. “It's just an electric trainer,...but I don’t have it hooked up to anything, and I just ride my bike and read a book,” VanderZee explains, highlighting her love for reading.

“Then I adjust, like ‘oh, this has been way too easy for like fifteen minutes,’ and then I change the gear. There is no [structure], none. I just do it, and then I think, ‘oh, that was forty-five minutes, and I’m sweaty. [It’s] time to get off.’”

6:00 A.M.

At this point, the time has come for VanderZee to rouse her kids. She has three: Noah, a junior at West; Luka, in eighth grade; and Susanna, a sixth grader. Her husband is also a teacher at West (the rivals!). Next, she will proceed to get herself ready. One quirky thing about VanderZee is that she must “wear mascara every single day,” as she describes. “It doesn’t matter what I am doing.”

She will then take her two younger kids to middle school before heading off to Central.

7:50 A.M.

This is the ideal time for VanderZee to arrive in the library. Sometimes she gets to Central early.

Sometimes she arrives at 8:00. Sometimes she is late. It all depends on the traffic and if she or one of her kids is running behind. Though VanderZee insists that there is never “a typical schedule” with her current job, one of her favorite aspects is checking her calendar and planning out the day ahead. She makes sure to say “hi” to the other librarians, Alice Hilner and Laurie Coulter, before popping her head in the writer’s studio to check in on her beloved mentors. Then, VanderZee will meet with teachers, instruct students in classrooms, plan lessons, build her infamous research projects, and converse with Library Media Center (LMC) students.

10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Noting that she often skips breakfast (not recommended), VanderZee says, “by about 10:00, I’m starving.” As long as she has no other duties, she will eat lunch then. Otherwise, it could be pushed back to the period in between lunches or after fourth hour. “There is no standard day ever!” In addition, she never eats in the teacher’s lounge but rather talks to students or stands at the counter behind the windows in the library.

3:15 P.M.

VanderZee will leave Central not long after school ends in order to pick up her kids from school or sports. Afterwards, she will return home to spend time with her family, often walking her dog, a standard poodle named Kiko. “He’s awesome.

He prances around. He’s very cute,” describes VanderZee.

6:30 P.M.

VanderZee eats dinner before helping her kids with homework, reading a good book (as she is an avid reader), or “watching some ridiculous show on Netflix,...usually something with espionage and fighting.”

10:00 P.M.

On most days, she will go to sleep around ten.

“That’s pretty straightforward,” VanderZee reports, despite the usual variation in her daily schedule.

However, if it is Friday after a long and tiring week, she will doze off around 8:30.

“That’s the big joke around our house; we can’t watch a movie on Friday night because I will fall asleep,” VanderZee recounts, expressing the typical endings to her irregular days. //

CILLUFFO: OPERA BUFFA Central graduate Thomas Cilluffo’s unique career path COMPOSED BY: SAM ELKINS / CONTENT EDITOR

Photos courtesy of: T. Cilluffo

10 // BGQ // April 2024

Thomas Cilluffo ‘11 never imagined he’d be sitting on a stage floor, screaming while eating a bag of Ruffles, as part of his day job. As a professional actor, opera singer, and stage performer, Cilluffo has made quite a name for himself in the world of the arts, and he owes much of his success to his beginnings at Central.

Cilluffo began pursuing his musical career in high school, becoming involved in Choral Aires and musicals, as well as solo and ensemble and opera competitions. He didn’t limit himself to just music-related extracurriculars, however. “I also was a part of the underwater robotics club. [While] I never did things like debate, I took a few musical theater classes [outside of school],” Cilluffo states. “I did most of my theater stuff at the Old Town Playhouse [and] did a ton of shows. My last main stage show that I did [at Old Town Playhouse was when]…I was 16 years old, and I sang Angel in Rent. And I did Dog Sees God, and I played CB (Charlie Brown).”

Cilluffo’s musical career isn’t the only thing he did back in the day. His time in Boy Scouts as a child introduced him to woodworking and metalworking, both of which he used and took interest in later in life. In elementary school, he made wooden Harry Potter-style wands, which he sold at book fairs. As a high school student, metal work and sword making were a big part of Cilluffo’s precollege experience. Working at Blackrock Forge here in Traverse City, he made various swords and other metal creations. These unusual hobbies brought him a lot of joy, and he still uses these skills today, but primarily for fun. “I still greatly enjoy the things that I get to do, but…because I’m doing something else for an actual job, I’m able to take it on my own terms,” Cilluffo remarks.

Though he achieved local stardom for his theater and hobby interests, Cilluffo wasn’t fully satisfied. His hunger for the stage didn’t end after high school; he went on to pursue a performance-focused major. “I really wanted to go to the University of Michigan, because [they are] highly rated for their theater program,” he shares. Unfortunately for Cilluffo, tragedy struck. “I had applied to try and get in for the musical theater department, but they lost my application. While rare, it does happen,” he admits. Despite this bump in the road, he knew not to give up hope yet, so he applied and was accepted to the Vocal Performance program

instead, switching his primary dream entirely.

While he has experienced both singing and theater, Cilluffo struck a balance between the two in opera. “Me and my partner moved to New York City. [From there,] I started doing various opera competitions and auditions in the city. I worked for a ton of churches, and ultimately that led to me getting management from International Management Group, and now I am a represented artist on their roster,” Cilluffo shares. His new homebase is New York City, but he frequently travels across the country from Dallas to Portland, as well as across Europe, to work for different opera company contracts. “I’ve been finding a lot more work in Europe, and that’s beginning to play a bigger and bigger part in my life,” he notes. As his contracts end in the United States, he’s turning his focus to residencies in Denmark and Germany.

The arts, especially, are a pivotal part of life as we know it. Without specialties like art, music, movies, and other media, we would be a lot less culturally diverse and have fewer things in common or communities in which to take part. Cilluffo received a lot of advice about following his passions after high school, some of which did not align with his philosophy. “Any time that I’ve talked to actors or singers, especially back when I was in high school, the response that I often got was ‘if you can picture yourself doing something else [rather] than the arts, do it!’” Cilluffo recalls. “I don’t know how much I necessarily stand by that. I think the reason people want to do the arts is because they want to express themselves, they want to be creative, they want to do all of these various things. I think bringing yourself [to your interests] works a lot better than trying to make yourself something different than what you are.” Because of his resilience in the face of criticism and obstacles, Cilluffo hopes to be a reminder that pursuing your passions is still a worthwhile endeavor. //

THE UNSUNG ARCHITECTS Shining the spotlight onto the tech-tonics of the CHS Musical

BY MORGAN HILL / STAFF WRITER

12 // BGQ // April 2024

Central’s beloved, annual musical is widely viewed and appreciated by the TCAPS community. Actors, choreographers, and people onstage receive praise, appreciation, and attention due to their efforts and long hours put into perfecting their performance. However, behind the scenes, it’s a different story. “[It’s] really [where] all the magic happens. The planning and the intricate work happens backstage,” CHS choral director Tamara Williams remarks.

Students, teachers, alumni, and community members make our musicals possible by devoting their time and talents. For example, Central hired Ross Schlarf, husband of Central and West choir director Wendy Wolf-Schlarf, and Sadie Van Allman, a student teacher at West, to be the stage directors for this year’s musical Anything Goes. Both train the tech teams to ensure everything runs smoothly. In addition to helping the back of house teams, Schlarf also creates intricate sets, including the large ship background featured in the show.

Each section of the musical’s tech team is each given their own set of responsibilities. The stage crew is primarily responsible for setting up the stage whenever the scene ends. “These teams start working around mid February through March, giving the people onstage time to prepare and memorize their scripts and music,” former stage crew member McKenna Sheets ‘26 explains. “The other crews, including the directors, actors, and choreographers, are constantly at work before [the tech crew gets to work].” While the actors and choreographers onstage work to perfect their movements and lines, the stage crew works to make sure everything goes smoothly as each scene transitions. They prepare themselves for what’s to come and wait for the scene to end. The hardest thing about being a stagehand isn’t being a stagehand itself; it’s balancing school and practice. “The only [time] that [it] was really difficult was towards the end. The last week before opening night, we stayed like seven or eight every night on top of all the homework I had to do for school,” remarks Aaron Ulbrich ‘26. “So it [took] a lot of time, but other than that it was a lot of fun.”

Two members of this year’s sound team, Aaron Godin ‘24 and TCAPS alumni Joey Wheeler, can generally be found in a little booth at the back of the auditorium, adjusting sound effects as needed.

One of their most important jobs is turning on

and off microphones for any actors that may be transitioning on and off the stage. Actors leaving the stage are told to be quiet just in case any accidental noise echoes over the still activated microphone. “It’s hard because nerves are going off or whatever. It’s constant training. When you get off, you need to wait at least 20 seconds and be in your quiet bubble. That gives Joey and Aaron down at the sound booth time to mute your mic,” illuminates Williams. “The idea is we don’t want the actors to ever turn their mics off, because that could be a real issue [if] we can’t help them if their mic is off. We want their packs to always be on.”

Along with the main tech crew, the light crew controls the lighting both onstage and within the theater itself in order to make transitions within scenes more seamless. The pit orchestra works to perfect their given music and sync them with the actors’ lines, led by Central band and orchestra directors Thomas Vieira and Dan Jones. The music director role has changed a lot over the years, however. The responsibilities now tend to be split across more people. “Years prior to [now], it was always me. I did the vocals, the music directing, the conducting of the pit orchestra. It’s a lot,” Williams admits.

Many of the backstage crew members start their high school musical involvement by working lights, sound, or stage before advancing to roles in the musical cast itself. As a former backstage member, Ulbrich emphasizes, “since my first experience in high school theater was doing backstage work, I have a lot of appreciation towards [the tech crew].”

The brilliant help of the workers behind the scenes create the magic that is the musical. “For the students and the people who are backstage…it [gives] them more appreciation and understanding of what it takes to put on a massive show,” illuminates Williams. “I always recommend, even to students who like to be on stage performing, that they also experience the backstage aspect of it because then they understand more of the whole process.” The musical cannot function without a backstage crew, just as much as it cannot function without a cast of characters. There’s so much that goes into producing a musical beyond what audience members see onstage, and the role of the stage crew is one that shouldn’t go unnoticed. //

TAKING BACK THE CONTROLLER

Despite what some might believe, video games bring people together and create community

by Sam Elkins / content editor It’s 11:35 pm. I have just gotten home after a lengthy nine hour shift, one that left me exhausted. I grab two lukewarm waters, a bag of popcorn, and text my friends that it is finally time to start gaming.

This is a regular part of my routine. No matter the time of day or my exhaustion level, I make time for gaming. Like many others, it is an important part of my lifestyle. As a kid, I had a lot of spare time on my hands. When I first got a gaming console, it became an integral part of my day. Starting out with games like Minecraft and moving up the ladder of games such as Call of Duty and Rainbow Six Siege improved my social skills and hand eye coordination. It also paved the way for other basic skills like not having to look at my keyboard to type and having working knowledge of computers and technology.

Gaming helps build bonds between friends and coworkers, is a popular hobby, and can be a conversation starter when meeting new people. With the collaborative nature of online gaming, you meet people you might not have ever connected with otherwise. I’ve met many people from outside of Michigan, but I have also become closer with people from Central with whom I never thought I would have become friends.

Besides being a hobby, gaming is now considered a sport. Central recently founded its own Esports team, and it is home to many members and houses several video game communities within the club. The group frequently competes in matches across the state and has even brought a new elective to Central this year for coding and gaming design because of the renewed interest in video games.

Not only does gaming create and strengthen friendships, it can be a source of revenue. The streaming platform Twitch allows for gamers everywhere to livestream themselves playing video games for fun and eventually earn money. After doing a certain amount of streams, hours, and having a certain amount of viewers, you can become a “Twitch Partner,” which is the way to make money. By averaging just 5-10 viewers per stream, you can make anywhere from $50 to $200 per month. Going up a bit in viewership to 100 viewers average per stream, you can be making upwards of $1,000 per month, all the way to $1,500.

Live streaming isn’t the only lucrative way of getting money through video games. With gaming being such a large community, the fight to be the best in people’s favorite games is a widespread competition that hits a large portion of the gaming community. Places like Fiverr can sell your gaming skills to the public so that gamers can coach other gamers, while Esports competitions and cash cups are more game-driven ways to show off your skills and get paid at the same time.

All and all, gaming is a great help to the community. Through gaining money, meeting new people, and connecting with friends, video games have never been better. // 14 // BGQ // April 2024

LETTING THE CONTROLLER CONTROL YOU Gaming addictions are ruining our lives as we know it. It’s time to put the controller down and interact with each other in real life again

by Kailyn Groves / staff writer Saturday morning, I lay in bed, trying to sleep in as much as possible from the exhausting week before. I jolt awake as I hear a bloodcurdling scream come from the living room down the flight of stairs. My brother has just lost a game of Fortnite. I breathe a sigh of annoyance. Welcome to my recurring weekend alarm clock who also happens to be my thirteen year old brother. Video games on the weekend are the first focus for my brothers as they get on the Xbox or VR to escape the normality of life. The only thing stopping them from gaming all day is a timer set by my mother, but this tends to cause outbursts and demands for more gaming when the limit is reached.

Many Central students have shown a strong interest in video games.

This can affect their academic performance in school along with their behavior and general demeanor. “It can distract [people] from the real world…so they can avoid all the problems they have in their life,” describes Jonas Kotarski ‘24. Video games heighten frustration and anger, which in turn affect personal patience. “The people [you’re playing with] are sort of negative,” states Joshua Haydon ‘25. “They talk bad about you for things that you do or say.” When experiencing large amounts of screen time, I have also noticed a change in my own attitude when socializing or just being asked to simply help out around the house.

Video games tend to grab people’s attention based on personal interests, but in turn, they also take away from some of the same interests you might have in real life. These things could be job opportunities, athletics, spending time with friends and family, and other passions. “I only really did it because I really didn’t know what to do [with my time],” Kotarski admits.

“I feel like it’s made it hard for me to talk to people.” After deciding to quit gaming so much, Kotarski found other ways to fill his time. “I read, I draw, I paint,” he lists.

Back in 2014, my little brother and I would always play together. Our mom could put us in a room with some Kleenex and a few pieces of office supplies and make a game out of it. We’d take the Kleenex and play dodgeball, or we’d draw pictures on paper for the other to guess. Creativity was all we knew. There were countless times where we laughed hysterically on the floor because we accidentally hit each other in the face with a scrunched up piece of paper. But all good things come to an end at some point. New games surge from an industry where technology is the ruler of this world.

Now the only way we interact is if we’re forced to. //

1:22

ChatGPT 3.5

Does the Byte Bite Back?

The ongoing debate of using AI in schools has arrived at Central

By Kristen May content editor

Message ChatGPT...

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.

AA

16 // BGQ // April 2024

chat.openai.com

1:22

ChatGPT 3.5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly shaping the future, revolutionizing the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. As we delve deeper into the realms of machine learning, neural networks, and advanced algorithms, the impact of AI on various aspects of society becomes increasingly profound.

This article aims to explore the current landscape of AI, examining its applications, challenges, and the ethical considerations that accompany its unprecedented growth. Join us on a journey through the complexities of artificial intelligence, where innovation meets dilemmas, and the boundaries between the capabilities of machines and the essence of human intelligence continue to blur.

Ok, I have a secret: the paragraph above wasn’t written by me. It was actually composed by a hidden figure, a cloaked one that lurks in the shadows. Just kidding. In reality, it was written by an AI program called ChatGPT. I’m sure the majority of you reading this are familiar with the name. Whatever it’s being used for, AI has spread to all corners of the world, including these very halls of Central High School.

Students in all classes, all grades levels, all clubs, have had some kind of interaction with AI at this point.

It doesn’t have to have been through school. Maybe it was through social media, Siri, or facial recognition on a device. However it has infiltrated our day-to-day life, there’s no doubt that it’s here. The only question is, is it here to stay?

Teachers and students alike have encountered AI in the classroom. Remy Bozung ‘24 employs AI primarily when working on math or coding. “The use I’ve found for it the most is in very technical things, like when I do math and computer science,” Bozung reveals. “It’s very good at being able to explain things… if I’m having a difficult time understanding a math concept, I can have it explain it in different words…or if I’m programming, it can help me debug my code or figure out what didn’t work.” ELA and History teacher Kathryn Polus points out that she sometimes uses AI in her teaching. “The one thing I’ve used it for so far…is coming up with fun, creative, warm-up questions. So I’d say, ‘hey ChatGPT, can you give me ten interesting would you rather questions about World War II,’” Polus describes. In this scenario, AI appears harmless since it’s merely being used to assist a teacher. However, this then poses the question of how far AI can go when acting as an instructor. Polus admits that she is “concerned about [AI intervening with my job],” but still hopes that machines can never truly replace the “human emotion and intellect and the reading and the thinking of poetry and love” that is provided by teachers everywhere. Head librarian Larissa VanderZee agrees, stating that there “still [isn’t] the human component when you have AI. It can do things, but it can only do things that have been programmed into it or where parameters have been set.”

While there’s always the possibility of AI taking over responsibilities previously held by people, it cannot function without someone being behind the scenes acting as the puppeteer.

By some, AI has been predisposed to be negative, a tool that will only lead to students cheating their way through school. Despite this preconception, it does have some uses: “Some of my writing mentors… use it to teach themselves things, with coding and with math, [because] they learn how a problem is supposed to work or why a solution is a better solution than another one,” VanderZee remarks. “I think that is a really interesting use of it…for those students who have used it in that way, they have decreased their level of confusion in certain curricular areas.”

Students have a unique opportunity here: either use AI to hinder their education or to advance and solidify their learning. It may be hard for students to take a step in the right direction, and that’s where teachers come in. By educating their students on how AI can be utilized as, say, a homework assistant, teachers are presenting AI as a positive force that can benefit students while still keeping them honest. “I do really hope that teachers learn how to use it as a good tool to help their students learn quicker,” Bozung encourages. “Teachers aren’t able to give personalized teaching to every student in their class, but being able to equip them with an AI model that knows what it’s talking about can be a very useful step.”

While the student will ultimately be the one who makes the decision on that fateful Sunday night on how they’ll use AI, teachers can help tip the scales in the right direction. //

SAM‘S STILL SPEAKING Technology with “a mind of its own” is no longer farfetched fiction. For this iteration of Sam Speaks, we pitted ChatGPT against our very own BGQ Bookworms to see if Central students could ace this test: which story was written

by ChatGPT or humans?

Graphic: Canva AI

It’s a normal day during fifth hour at Central High School. Classes are working on their assignments, teachers are lecturing, and there’s peace and quiet all throughout all the halls. Well, almost all the halls. Tucked away in the corner resides a classroom labeled “The Pub,” where Central’s magazine, the Black & Gold Quarterly, is being made. The staff of the BGQ is tiny but mighty, and once again, they’re up to no good.

There are several roles that make up the staff of the BGQ: editor in chief, content editor, and staffers. Liz is the mighty editor in chief who reigns with an iron fist. Sam, Kristen, Bridget, Lucy, and Eliana make up the quintet of content editors. Sam is quite the troublemaker and has a tendency to swear like a sailor whenever the opportunity arises. His foul tongue is often met with the quick tisk of Ms. Roskelley, our favorite and funniest advisor. Ms. Roskelley can be found making memes and connections of the BGQ to Harry Potter or The Office (She’s a Ravenclaw, if you’re wondering). Lucy is the resident genius of the BGQ, and her intelligence often mixes with her humor, leading to comments that surprise and amuse the rest of the staff. Though often quiet, one should always listen when Lucy has something to say because her insight is unparalleled and sharp, leaving most with a new perspective of the world and issues around them.

Kristen is the hidden gem of the BGQ. Her constant laughter and aspiration to succeed is admirable, and her consistency is noble. In the first of her three years as a staffer, Kristen was quiet and new, but in her second year, she came out of her shell, laughing and goofing off. As a junior, Kristen took the wild Bridget under her wing and they’ve been sharing a cubicle together ever since. Kailyn, one of the newest additions to the BGQ staff, is the one whose laughter always fills the room and can often be found huddled with Ms. Roskelley coming up with crazy and adventurous ideas.

Bridget is the content editor that reflects a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Jim Carrey. Her quick wit and her countless conspiracy theories leave the entire staff dying of laughter countless times over but also make them question if she was a detective in another life. Kate, the staffer who’s known for the constant switching of her name (without telling anyone), enjoys making sarcastic quips.

Eliana is the heartwarming and creatively brilliant graphics editor who brings the magazine to life with her incredible drawings. She’s often seen with Morgan, a running enthusiast and very talented singer, and they’re known in the BGQ as the duo who’s always getting into trouble but always somehow winds up unscathed and with their hands clean.

Throughout all the obstacles and chaos that swarm the BGQ on a daily basis, the team always works together and somehow composes the magazine, despite all of the hilarious distractions that threaten the timeliness of publication. The staff of the BGQ is a family, brought together by suffering through interviews and scrambling to write their stories before the finalling deadline.

18 // BGQ // April 2024

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Graphic: E. Hermel

Central High School buzzed with excitement as students hurried through the hallways, their chatter blending with the rhythmic clang of lockers. Amidst this bustling atmosphere, the staff of the Black & Gold Quarterly Magazine worked tirelessly to bring their creative vision to life.

At the helm of the operation stood Liz, the fearless Editor-in-Chief and esteemed member of the student senate. With her effortless charm and creative genius, Liz led the team with grace and determination.

Her spreads were works of art, seamlessly blending visuals and text to captivate readers with each issue.

By Liz's side was Sam, her unlikely but mischievous best friend and content editor. With a penchant for swearing like a sailor and making jokes that defied logic, Sam brought a unique energy to the team. Despite Ms. Roskelley’s constant tisks at his colorful language, Sam's productivity was unmatched, his hilarious antics often leaving the team in stitches.

Guiding the team with a gentle hand was Ms. Roskelley, the perfect advisor whose can-do attitude and laissez-faire teaching style allowed the students to take ownership of the magazine. Ms. Roskelley's love for memes, Harry Potter, and The Office brought a sense of fun to the team meetings, her quirky personality fostering a supportive and creative environment.

Among the team was Lucy, the resident genius whose quiet brilliance was often overshadowed by her out-of-pocket jokes that left everyone in shock and tears of laughter. As a content editor, Lucy brought depth and humor to the magazine, her unexpected contributions adding a unique flavor to each issue.

Eliana, the ingenious graphics designer, pulled double duty as a content editor, her fantastic images and creative jokes bringing the much-needed art side to the Black & Gold Quarterly. Attached to Eliana at the hip was Morgan, the multi-talented cross-country/track-choir guy. Under Sam's slightly mischievous wing, Morgan thrived, his insight and laughter enriching the team dynamic.

Meanwhile, Kate, ever the enigma, had already changed her name without telling anyone, making the staff laugh. With priceless sarcasm and sick style, Kate added her own flair to the team, her drama-free attitude keeping everyone on their toes.

Kailyn, constantly joking with Ms. Roskelley, filled the room with her powerful laughter, her infectious energy adding warmth to the group dynamic. And then there was Kristen, the amazing content editor who was best friends with Bridget. Sharing a cubicle together, Kristen's quiet yet loud nature always left everyone in fits of laughter. Always completing her work ahead of time, Kristen's efficiency was matched only by her ability to bring joy to the team.

And last but certainly not least, Bridget, the staffer who brought joy to the Black & Gold Quarterly. Full of conspiracy theories and always in need of more interviews, Bridget's infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication inspired everyone around her. With Kristen by her side, Bridget's laughter echoed through the halls of Central High, reminding the team that amidst the deadlines and late nights, there was always room for joy and camaraderie in the world of the Black & Gold Quarterly.

“We are NOT the yearbook” VOL. CIII. No.3

The Black and Gold Quarterly TRAVERSE CITY, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024

3 DOLLARS 35 CENTS

THE ORIGINS OF VOICE

AS STUDENTS DRIFT AWAY FROM JOURNALISM, ARE THEY ALSO DRIFTING AWAY FROM THEIR RIGHT TO EXRPRESS THEIR OPINIONS AND BELIEFS?

BY BRIDGET BELDEN photo editor FREEDOM OF THE PRESS! Journalism has been a way for society to express their opinions on political, social, and moral issues for years, so much so that it has its own place within the Bill of Rights. However, not only is journalism a necessary societal presence, but it also is a needed presence within schools as part of secondary journalism programs. In a world of constant divide, it is important for high schoolers to find a voice as they progress through life, and journalism courses teach them how to discover that voice on their own.

In a world aimed towards adults, student journalism is an outlet for students to learn and educate their peers about the things they find most important, impactful, and relevant. Whether you hear about football games or cross-town rivalries, studentled journalism is a way for people to get a glimpse of the current events of their community and school. “I wrote a lot BGQ staff gather around the computer and laugh at an AI generated story. (Photos: B. Belden) 20 // BGQ // APRIl 2024

E

of sports stories and then I did some local news coverage, just about places that were opening up or changes that were happening in the community…I specifically enjoy writing about other people and their experiences because I really like to learn about that,” emphasizes Kendall Kaberle ‘24, coeditor in chief of West’s newspaper, The Occidentalist.

The structure of journalism classes tends to be more business-like compared to a regular class. “I love that it’s not run like a lot of my other classes that I’ve taught; it’s more student run,” remarks Occidentalist advisor Karlee Tenbusch. “Besides training students, I’m not necessarily running everything every minute of every class period.

I get to really see students be creative and take ownership and…grow through the process of publishing a newspaper.”

For Kaberle, this emphasis on the finished product helps to create a sense of accomplishment: “It’s…rewarding to be releasing a newspaper…in the form of a physical copy every month and be able to have that to cherish,” acknowledges Kaberle. Not only is having a physical newspaper valuable to the students who created it, but that motivation can be a way for students to remember their high school years in the future.

However, in the past few years, student journalism has reached a sharp decline at both Central and East Middle School. “Leading up to COVID, our numbers were really strong, and then, post-COVID…we’re seeing a reduction in student interest in classes…where you have to talk to others…and put yourself out [there] a little bit,” explains Jody Mackey, EMS’s Digital Media teacher. “I think that kids post-COVID have more [anxiety] about having to talk to people face to face, do things face to face, and even on the other side of that, I have never seen more kids NOT want to be pictured in the yearbook [or] NOT want to be interviewed.” For Mackey and many students, these developments have been disheartening. With a student

body unwilling to be interviewed or photographed, it can be challenging for students to feel encouraged to continue journalism when they’re constantly being denied content.

Central’s Black & Gold Quarterly magazine is facing a similar decline and lack of student interest: “When I first started out, it was a…pretty packed class…[but] every year since…so many people [have] dropped. It’s really been on the decline,” laments the BGQ’s editor in chief, Liz Phillips ‘24. Currently, the staff of the BGQ is meager, with only nine students and one advisor, Ms. Roskelley.

With four out of the nine staffers being seniors, the closing 2023-24 school year looms with uncertainty for the continuation of the class they call home. “This class is like a hidden gem…you just meet so many people that you would have never met otherwise, because we’re such an eclectic group of people,” emphasizes Phillips. “I think this class has a lot of unexpected freedom to it, but it’s also structured…You get something that you’re so proud of, and you have so much fun doing it…this is where I laugh most out of my day. [The BGQ] is just such an unexpected, beautiful little part of Central that no one really talks about.”

Moreso, as students continue in the turmoil and standards of regular high school, student journalism serves as an outlet for their own creativity and opinions that regular classes often staunch.

“We don’t try [to] mold you into what

we want you to be. We let you show us [who] you are as a writer. We compromise…you have to meet these deadlines… but your writing style, or what you want to write, can make its way into the magazine,” says Phillips.

For members of The Occidentalist at West Senior High School, though, this decline has been avoided. “For the past at least four or five years, [our numbers] have been pretty consistent: they’ve been between 30 and 33,” explains Tenbusch.

Nevertheless, The Occidentalist promotes the same values that CHS student journalists are so desperately seeking to maintain at school while their numbers are declining. For Kaberle, student journalism is an integral part of school and provides students with opportunities to grow in ways that regular classes cannot provide. “[Students] get a chance to express themselves through their writing, find their voice a bit, [and] learn a different type of writing…It’s not your typical essay that you might write in your English class; you have to be pretty creative with it,” elaborates Kaberle. “It involves a lot of thinking [about] how to keep readers interested.”

As the current generation of student journalists move on to college, most wish that future journalists will find the same comfort and opportunities in the class they took, “I hope that other people can find the same…pocket of happiness that I found in the [BGQ]” aspires Phillips. //

THE STRUGGLE FOR SAFETY A little over a year ago, I wrote a story on Safe Harbor and the larger homeless response system in our area. This year, I came back to revisit the topic after an apparent influx in people seeking shelter and a new proposal to open Safe Harbor during the summer

BY LUCY POPPLETON // CONTENT EDITOR In the Grand Traverse County area, Safe Harbor plays the role of an emergency shelter: a place where people can stay should they find themselves without a home. “This is the place where you can come to the door and get in[side],” affirms Safe Harbor Facility Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Brad Gerlach. However, the shelter is just one small part of a complex and frequently unseen homeless response system in Northern Michigan. The Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH) is a group of organizations, including Safe Harbor, that works together to make homelessness “rare, brief, and one time,” as detailed by NMCEH Director Ashley Halladay-Schmandt. People can arrive at Safe Harbor but then also find solutions for other issues such as “mental health [and] substance abuse,” according to Gerlach. For more background information about how Safe Harbor and the NMCEH operate, see my article from the January 2023 issue of the BGQ: “Harboring Hope.”

But this year, Safe Harbor has run into a problem. The shelter only has eighty-four beds, requiring them to begin turning away a few people each night. “We’re seeing fifteen to twenty more [people] a night than we usually would at this time of year,” describes Gerlach. In previous years, only on occasion could the shelter not provide temporary assistance for those in need. This year, it has become a possibility almost every night. “[Turning people away is] just about the toughest thing you can do in the job,” laments Gerlach.

Safe Harbor can provide them with a tent and a 22 // BGQ // April 2024

sleeping bag, or they can visit the Goodwill Inn if the temperature or wind chill are low enough, but some people still have nowhere else to go.

However, it remains to be seen whether this increase is part of a larger trend or a slight fluctuation. HalladaySchmandt sees it as the latter: “January of last year, there were 247 people experiencing homelessness, and [in] January of this year, [the number] is 258.” Though it is hard to glean an accurate count, the number usually floats “between 250 people and 270 people on average,” states Halladay-Schmandt.

This year-over-year increase falls within the typical number of people experiencing homelessness in the area.

However, nationwide, homelessness was on the rise in 2023 and was the highest it has ever been since the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development started a count in 2007.

The year-to-year increase of twelve percent from 2022 to 2023 was the largest on record.

“People are experiencing homelessness at greater rates anywhere across the country and especially in communities where rental prices

are skyrocketing,” argues Halladay-Schmandt.

“In Traverse City, people are not able to make enough money to afford the average rent.”

Across the country, rental prices, along with many other costs, are rising at increasing rates.

The most prominent cause of homelessness is that people are simply not able to afford accommodation. The solution? Providing affordable housing. “That’s the type of housing we need for people experiencing homelessness, and we just don’t have enough of it in our community,” asserts Halladay-Schmandt. “People are not able to afford to live and work in Traverse City because the cost of housing is so high compared to the average salary that people make.” A few affordable housing projects are currently under construction, but Halladay-Schmandt believes that “people need to understand that without enough housing and equity within the types of housing that we offer in our community, the homelessness issue will continue to increase.”

The new affordable housing units are a step in the right direction, but there are still many people experiencing the trials of homelessness in the area, as evidenced by how Safe Harbor has begun to turn people away this season. “I wish people knew that it’s very difficult, pretty much next to impossible, for someone who’s experiencing homelessness to maintain sobriety or get mentally well while they’re on the streets,” laments HalladaySchmandt. “We need people to get into housing and get stable so that we can help them get well, but we can’t really do that while folks are on the streets because it’s just too difficult. There’s too much trauma going on while they’re experiencing homelessness.”

The Traverse City City Commission, along with partners in the community such as the NMCEH, has begun to explore other ideas to

move people living in the Pines into stable housing options. Currently, these people live in the homeless encampment near the Commons, many shifting between Safe Harbor in the winter and camping outdoors in the summer. “We’ve received many calls from that area,” says City Manager Elizabeth Vogel. These people could instead find secure shelter at Safe Harbor. One proposed solution was to open Safe Harbor year-round beginning this upcoming summer, as the emergency shelter currently operates on an October-to-April basis.

However, the proposal was unsuccessful this year. The major hurdle facing this plan is the increase in resources, both human and financial, that would be necessary for Safe Harbor to remain open year-round. “We certainly couldn’t ask the churches to do much more than they’re already doing,” contends Gerlach. The shelter is largely volunteer-run, and to double the amount of time it would be open would require the support of many members of the community. Additionally, in order to be permitted to remain open during the summer, Safe Harbor would have needed to file an application for a new Special Land Use Permit (SLUP). Their current one only allows the shelter to operate from October 15 to May 15 each year. Writes Safe Harbor Board Chair Christopher Ellalasingham, “whether Safe Harbor being open year-round is the appropriate response that will help de-escalate the situation in the Pines is a decision that the community at-large and its elected officials need to make.

In order to allow sufficient time for that decision to be made, in a thoughtful and orderly manner, Safe Harbor has decided to postpone submitting a SLUP at this time.” In the meantime, the shelter hopes to do as much as it can to support the homeless community this summer and beyond, though it is not currently feasible to open yearround.

As we look towards the future, homelessness is at a crucial point both in Traverse City and nationwide as more and more people experience it. There is no perfect solution, but with the help of many stakeholders in the community, perhaps steps can be taken in the right direction. //

the classroom crisis

Teaching is often touted as a “noble profession,” but it’s not enough to retain teachers in the long term - by Kate Unger, Staff Writer

24 // BGQ // April 2024

Open social media or the news, and more often than not, you’ll come across countless stories about the lack of teachers across the United States. And despite its challenges, teaching is more important now than ever. Teachers foster the curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills many people will need later in life. They also promote motivation in their students. “The teachers that I had in the school I went to were phenomenal and had an impression on me, especially in high school, in terms of figuring out what I wanted to do and what I wanted to teach,” remembers English teacher Kathryn Shelley-Barnes (KSB). These teachers influenced KSB to want to teach and make an impact on other peoples’ lives as well. While there’s no doubt that teachers have an indelible impact on students, there’s a teacher shortage in many school districts, including TCAPS. To address the shortage of teachers, Central High School has been hosting student teachers over the last several years. Meghan Meyer is a math and education major from Northern Michigan University who is currently a student teacher for John Failor. “I’ve always loved helping kids understand stuff in school,” expresses Meyer.“Just seeing when it clicks was always something that I loved.” As a kid, Meyer would always go out of her way to help her peers, and she wants to continue doing that as a teacher. A part of the reward for the teachers is when students expand their knowledge and appreciate a subject. “I really enjoy when kids latch onto something that they really like, and it makes them feel good, whether that’s reading or writing,” claims KSB. Like KSB, English teacher Joelle Kolody loves sharing her passion for English Language Arts with her students. “When I went to college I loved English, I loved reading, I loved language, and I loved writing. It was something I just wanted to share with others, give to students, and hope they would find enjoyment out of any of those things,” elaborates Kolody.

Along with that, there are some downsides to becoming a teacher: most notably, the pay. “I would say that I am not compensated financially enough for what I do,” KSB points out. “I think we should be paid more for what we do for children.”

Kolody echoes similar sentiments: “I think overall teacher pay is less than similar educational types of jobs. Teaching is typically on the lower end, so people may not want to go into [this career] because of the pay structure.” Despite the economic downsides, many teachers, such as KSB and Mrs.

Kolody, chose to pursue their passion for teaching regardless.

Though many love teaching and want to teach, school staffs have been increasingly declining since 2020. During the pandemic, classes were moved online, and since then, there has been an increase in vacant teaching positions. Teaching online can be difficult, as teachers cannot tell whether or not their students are paying attention and understanding the material. It also prevents any hands-on work. “Teaching online is not the ideal, and if we were still online for the next few years, I probably would have retired as well. I’m not sure I would want to teach online 24/7,” acknowledges KSB. Furthermore, with so many teachers retiring and fewer incoming teachers, there is an unprecedented decline in teaching staff. Many individuals that want to go into teaching are hesitant about how much work they have to put into making plans and lessons. “[Teaching] is a lot of work, and there’s a lot of prep that goes into it. There’s only so much time in the day. I think that the longer you’ve been teaching [the]...more of the material you can use,” explains Meyer. “As a student teacher, I can use Mr. Failor’s material, but I also want to come up with some of my own, so it’s that much more work for every class.”

While there is a lot of physical work put into teaching, there is also a lot of emotional work that goes into it as well. “It’s so much more than teaching a subject. You can’t just come in and say ‘oh let’s read this today.’ There’s so much more that goes into it, like the human connection, social connection, and issues of the students. That can become overwhelming for many teachers,” says Kolody.

Many new teachers don’t expect how many connections and relationships they have to build and maintain with their students, and having to be “on” all the time can be mentally draining.

Although teaching does have its ups and downs, so does any other career, and the rewards of teaching far outweigh the negatives. There are so many lessons that teachers learn, and teaching is a rapidly changing field, with each class being different depending on the students, the subject, and the atmosphere. “I have learned that you never stop learning,” Kolody reflects. “I think [one] of the absolute best things about being a teacher is that nothing is stagnant, everything is growing, and there is always room for improvement. There is always something to learn and always something to get better at.” //

revenge of the nerds The Cherry Capital Comic Con brings an explosive annual gathering for all Traverse City is home to…not a whole lot.

There’s a few main landmarks; Cherry Festival, downtown, and a few other outdoorsy activities like beaches and hiking. Well, that was until C4 arrived. Sharing a name with the explosive, Cherry Capital Comic Con (C4) became the staple for nerds everywhere to finally have an outlet with others like them. The convention, run by the owners of Top Comics, houses everything relating to comic books, movies, TV shows, and so much more. Every year, the convention is packed to the brim with famous comic book creators and actors alongside vendors and merchants that sell custom creations and unique artwork.

To learn more about this yearly event, we interviewed Rob Humphrey, the Executive Director of C4. There was one thing interesting about this interview. Throughout, Humphrey refers to the Comic Con as “The Show”, as if C4 wasn't an event, but a film or production that's put on like a stage play that the ones who attend the con are viewers, and the booths, signers and guests brought to the con are actors.

There is a constant stream of new creators, actors, and writers who make a special appearance at C4, drawing in even more fans. Many of these guests are featured at panels such as Movies and TV, Animation, Video Games, or comic book creation, and they interact with the audience in different ways. One example is what the con refers to as a “draw off,” where comic book artists compete to create a timed draw of a certain character or scene.

Other panels are focused around autograph signings from famous guests. Along with the multitude of guest-centered events offered at C4, many have an opportunity to promote their work at the con.

Creators have the freedom to display their works on tables laid out for attendees to walk through. These goods can consist of figurines, comic books, fan art, pins, personal artwork, paintings, jewelry, books, and more. Some creators are local artists, while others travel a great distance.

Some people may think that a comic book is merely a couple pages slapped together with some drawings. However, it’s so much more than that. There are a multitude of steps that go into the process of creating a comic book. The operation begins with a script, full of twists and turns that leave its readers in awe. Then comes the artistic aspect. The designs are conjured up by artists, who will sign an agreement with Humphrey and then they’ll “thumbnail out what they think the panels look like, send it back between the editor and myself for approval and then they start…drawing out the panels,” Humphrey remarks. The final product is always so amazing that it’s easy to forget the time and effort that goes into it, but the blood, sweat, and tears that is poured into every costume, comic, art piece, and display should be valued and appreciated.

26 // BGQ // January 2024 26 // BGQ // april 2024

by the bgq editors

"the show!"

PHOTO: R. HUMPHREY

C4 draws people from all sorts of backgrounds and hosts a wide variety of events. Aside from the main show, the creators also weave in creative activities that bring entertainment to all who attend. “There's… key elements of the event like the costume contests,...[the] drink and draw, and then [there’s] a charity art auction,” explains Humphrey. For many, C4 is an escape from reality to a world where magic and science fiction can meld into a world of dreams and mysticism. In the past, Comic Con was a hidden gem. However, thanks to the ever-expanding world of technology, more people are uncovering this event.

Humphrey reflects on Comic Con’s newfound fame, stating that “we do a lot of radio and TV advertising, we'll make flyers and go out to other shows, [and] we'll travel to other events and pass out flyers and talk to people about the show.”

"The final product is always so amazing that it’s easy to forget the time and effort that goes into it, but the blood, sweat, and tears that are poured into every costume, comic, art piece, and display should be valued and appreciated."

"For many, C4 is an escape from reality to a world where magic and science fiction can meld into a world of dreams and mysticism."

All in all, the reasonably newfound Cherry Capital Comic Con came in and made waves in Traverse City’s sliver of “Nerd Culture”, while making an event for the community to come together and share their passions.. C4 is a must-do when it comes to Traverse City events in the summertime.

Photos: R. Humphrey

"C4 has made waves in Traverse City’s sliver of “Nerd Culture” while making an event for the community to come together and share their passions."

c4!

c4!

c4!

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THE RADICALLY RIDDLING CROSSWORD by kristen may & bridget belden 2

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Down: 1. The Northwest Michigan _________ to End Homelessness 2. A popular video game that includes things like Victory Royal 3. Towards the end of the preparation for the musical, there is one week called ____ Week 4. The W in NWS 6. VR stands for (two words) 9. Teachers now have to check for students cheating and using _______ 11. Tom Cilluffo went from musical theater to _____ 14. The first year of Battle of the Books, there were _______ 18. Location of the Black & Gold Quarterly 28 // BGQ // April 2024

20 Across: 2. In the _____ Amendment, freedom of the press is established 5. C4 is an abbreviation for the ______ Capital Comic Con 7. The A in AI 8. West's newspaper is called The _____________ 10. The earliest you can join Battle of the Books is in ______ grade 12. To make Kailyn's chocolate pie, it is vital that you use _________ as the topping (two words) 13. This teacher has taught English for the past 40 years 15. There are many types: primary, secondary, etc.

16. A common gaming system 17. Size of Hershey bar needed for Kailyn's chocolate pie (two words) 19. In this month of 2023, Lucy wrote her first story about Safe Harbor 20. ______ Darleen is one of the books in Battle of the Books this year

Freaky FAST Freaky

FRESH

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1217 E FRONT ST 231.929.2999 1294 W SOUTH AIRPORT RD 231.935.9355

REC E IP the

30 // BGQ // March 2024

chocolate pie by kailyn groves

ingredients:

step one:

1 6 oz box of instant chocolate pudding 1 ½ cups milk 8 oz Cool Whip (recommended brand - other brands make the chocolate bitter) 1 premade chocolate pie crust 1 large (King Size) Hershey bar, shaved (optional)

Whisk 1 ½ cups of milk with instant

step two:

step three:

Add the entire container of Cool Whip and mix until evenly combined.

Put mixture in chocolate pie crust and smooth evenly.

step four (optional):

step five:

Add chocolate shavings on top for decoration.

Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

pudding until thickened.

Photos courtesy of: J. Roskelley