BLACK & GOLD QUARTERLY (BGQ) May 2017

B L A C K & G O L D Q U A R T E R L Y

may 2017 // volume ninety-six

BGQ // May 2017

editors’ note

2

We’ve all finally reached something that we never thought possible, something that would seemingly never come—the end of the school year. At first, the concept of the end of this year seemed unreal; how could we possibly survive to the end of the year with all the homework, extracurriculars, jobs, family issues, and overall stress of it all? But we’ve somehow persevered and miraculously made it through. For many of us, we’ll leave school this year with AP summer homework, a large sleep deficit, schedules to perfect over the summer and AP scores to obsess over. But some of us (the lucky ones) will leave this school at the end of the year, completely done with any assignments and ready to move into a different chapter of our lives.

We, the staff of the BGQ, had a similar experience with regards to developing our new publication. At the very beginning of the year, we had nothing to go off of for our new design except a few disorganized, messy sketches on crumpled sheets

of cheap notebook paper.

The idea that we could ever have a completed magazine seemed impossible and we felt so far away from being able to accomplish it. After months and months of hours spent talking, comparing printing companies, squinting in front of a computer screen to read endless drafts of stories and shifting text and photo boxes around in Adobe InDesign (the program we use to design the magazine), we finally were able to produce four issues of a magazine. Our sense of accomplishment is great; we took the old and outdated Black and Gold newspaper and turned it into something modern and interesting.

However, there are some people that this change would not have been possible without. First of all, we would like to thank Jessie Houghton and the rest of the Central administration for providing support for our publication and always making time to conduct a press conference with us. Your attention is always appreciated. We would also like to

thank Brett Kneitel and the staff of Mitchell Graphics for all of the help you gave us, from teaching us how to use the magazine templates to giving us an amazing rate for printing. You make the printing of our publication possible. Thanks so much for everything you’ve done for us. Additionally, we would also like to thank everyone that advertised with us this year. Since we mainly depend on advertising for our funding, your business and support of our program means everything to us.

Last of all (but certainly not least), we would like to thank our adviser Jim Filkins for pushing us to do the very best work we can and always having a witty comment or two to make about our work ethic (or anything else, really). Our class wouldn’t exist without you.

Until next year,

BGQ

BLACK & GOLD QUARTERLY: MAY TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN

4 Senior submissions

10 The Gallery: a senior showcase 13 Oh, the places you’ll go! Seniors’ future plans 16 Adult at 16 18 Ten questions: Alex King and his five exchange students 20 High school is like...

21 College 101 22 Words of wisdom 24 Words of experience 26 Happy trails! 2017 staff retirements 27 What to do with $20 28 Achieving greatness one STEP at a time 29 What’s poppin’ 30 The very fabric of our country

editors-in-chief julia vannatter andrea bavikatty content editors kirsten berkey abigail harnish kristin mclintock jack myers hayley scollard baille zipser business manager jack myers photography editor olivia wilson photographers michael aldrich abigail vannatter staff writers michael aldrich sophia boyce logan cook beatriz gaya greg haggerty olan lensch tyler moreno olivia rockwood abigail vannatter cameron wuerfel cover photo alex king

Flying into my future JULIA VANNATTER // EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BGQ // May 2017

W

4

hat are your plans for next year?” I was asked this question constantly.

At the beginning of senior year, I had a set plan for after graduation, and I was sure of it. I was planning to go to Michigan State University and study environmental science, focusing on renewable energy resources.

Although I thought I had it figured out, there was something little in my head telling me I didn’t. But I ignored it at first because I figured there was nothing else I’d really want to do.

My family is very confusing. Both of my parents used to be pilots, and then they were business owners, and now one is a pilot again, and the other still owns businesses.

My dad flew privately, and my mom was a flight instructor at NMC. Now, over 10 years after she stopped flying, she is a First Officer Pilot at Endeavor Air. Her boyfriend is also a Captain at Delta Air Lines. Other members of my family (my grandpa and two of my uncles) also have their private pilot license just for fun. So basically, I’ve always been surrounded by pilots.

Sometime during my junior year, probably amidst one of my “what am I doing with my life” meltdowns, my mom asked me if I had ever considered becoming a pilot. Almost immediately after that conversation, I applied to NMC to dual enroll in Private Ground 101.

A few days before classes began in August 2016, I got my textbooks and my mom showed me around Parsons-Stulen, the flight building I used to run through when I was little while she flight instructed there. As I was walking through the aviation offices, I suddenly remembered all of my experiences here from when I was younger. I saw a whiteboard, and I knew it was the one I used to draw airplanes on when I was eight years old coming to work with her. I saw the cubicles where students study and remembered when I would poke my head in and say ‘hi’ to them

years back. I felt a mix of emotions--I was really nervous, but also anxious to start this class.

After I re-visited MTEC and bought my textbooks, plotter, E6B, charts, and everything else I needed, I couldn’t think of a time where I was ever more excited to start something new, especially something school-related. Although even though I secretly couldn’t wait for class to start the next week, I was also nervous because it was a five credit course and I knew aviation would be tough; I didn’t know what to expect as a female high school senior entering a male-dominated field.

On the first day of class, there were roughly 13 people, and only two other females, both much older than myself. When I left class that first day, I was completely captivated by aviation for the rest of the semester. It was what I spent nearly every minute of my free time on. It was all so interesting that I didn’t mind sitting in the aviation cubicles and studying until 11 P.M. When I began talking to people about my future plans and wanting to become a pilot,

“When I left class that first day, I was completely captivated by aviation for the rest of the semester” their first response was often something along the lines of “a career in a male-dominated industry? Really?” And I would say, “yes, really. What’s wrong with that?” It seemed almost as if people who had very broad, speculated knowledge of “male-dominance” in the flight industry were concerned for me, as if I’d have a tough time and find it too hard. Some made it seem like a do-notgo-there territory.

Clearly I disagreed with all of these people and told them how I felt when they doubted me. After being the female who actually spent 20 hours a week studying aviation all semester, I felt they didn’t have much room to talk.

Throughout the first semester of my senior year, I began to receive acceptance letters from the various colleges to which I applied.

Two flight schools I applied to (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the flight program at Western Michigan University) sent me acceptance letters as well as emails and calls from female ambassadors repre-

senting these colleges. I was also awarded scholarships for female students and was contacted by other women-oriented flight organizations that could assist me financially. I knew there was a lack of women in flight programs, so I didn’t think they would pursue and encourage each female applicant this much. It was quite shocking. I was well aware of the lack of females in the field, it was noticeable even here at NMC. However, even though some people doubted me, others were extremely supportive. After talking to people from both sides, completing Private Ground 101, and passing my Federal Aviation Administration written exam, I picked up on a few things throughout the semester. No matter what people tell you, whether it is fact or opinion, do what you want and believe is best for you; you’re in charge. Regardless if your dream career is a male-dominated industry or not, take charge and use things (such as being a female in this industry) to your advantage--don’t let others doubt you. I don’t want this essay to turn into an empowerment speech--but seriously.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, because you’re the sole determiner of your future.

This fall I will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I will be majoring in Aeronautical Science, and the incoming 2021 graduating class in this degree program currently has more women enrolled than ever. Previously at Embry, the Aeronautical Science program men-to-women ratio was 5:1. This fall, it will be 4:1. No matter what you’re doing this fall or whether or not you’re attending college, complete every task you do with confidence and in the end, it will pay off. //

The view above the city y favorite view in Los Angeles is looking out from Griffith Observatory.

I first visited L.A. (my first time traveling past any state west of Wisconsin) the summer of my junior year. I was apprehensive at first, to me L.A. always meant smog and shallow people. However, this stereotype vanished when I realized that the constant bustle wasn’t just noise but people accomplishing things and acting on their ambitions. Once I left L.A. and started my senior year of highschool, I couldn’t stop thinking about how different it was from where I grew up in Traverse City. As senior year began and configuring plans for the future was on everyone’s mind, my own often returned to L.A.’s surprising appeal. I didn’t seem to hold to same ambition and excitement

towards other opportunities in different parts of the country. Over spring break, I visited L.A. for the second time and the familiar intriguing feeling returned. I remembered the long walk up winding sidewalks towards the observatory, the silence above the loud city, the city’s silhouette sitting atop a sprawled landscape. Don’t get me wrong--growing up in Northern Michigan isn’t the worst for views either, but this place was different in every way from the blue waters that characterized my hometown. I thought of every Hollywood movie I watched growing up and everything I aspired to do. It represented my favorite memories and my excitement towards my future. Even looking at the observatory that has housed great movies such as “Rebel Without a Cause” was so much

Concentration

different than I imagined. Contrasting the sprawling and serene landscape in front of me to the congested and cacophonous city I had always envisioned proved to me that seeing something from a different perspective is worth it and will often have a lasting impact.

Although I will not be attending college in California, I understand the hype of it now.

I found a place a can go to and leave feeling inspired. The stillness far above Los Angeles revived my ambition to challenge my preconceptions. Once I saw the city from that view, I knew I wanted to continue to pursue new outlooks and ways of thinking in my future; it allowed me to become aware of the transformation that can take place when you look at regular things in irregular ways. //

FORREST ROTH // GUEST ARTIST

BGQ // May 2017

M

KRISTIN MCLINTOCK // CONTENT EDITOR

5

Go your own way

N

ext year, I’ll be going to college in Los Angeles, California, GREG HAGGERTY which is exactly 2,321 miles from my home in Traverse City. // STAFF WRITER As excited as I am about my impending odyssey to the West, it will

also be one of the most confusing and discombobulating things I’ve ever done. I mean, between finding an apartment, a new job, getting my classes sorted out, and paying for the myriad of random expenses associated with moving across the country, I’ve really got my work cut out for me. But it will all be worth it when I’m living in the city of stars.

Ever since I was a little kid watching movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, I have been absolutely enamored with the allure of that special brand of Hollywood magic. Despite all this, I’ve always known that filmmaking, as passionate as I am, is kind of a pipe dream; how many people ever really make it in the movie making industry? Not many. But this was all before I discovered another kind of magic, one that I’m good at, one that I can pursue without (as much) ridicule.

Broadcast journalism, TV news, gave me opportunities for writing, editing and performing in the same way I had always wanted to, just in a different light. So, after a few years of high school courses and preparation, I applied to several schools in L.A. and signed onto the first one that accepted me.

That school happened to be Los Angeles City College, where I plan to study Broadcasting and Filmmaking. When my parents found out that I wanted to go to school in California, they were surprised, to say the least. My dad figured I would attend school in Michigan and my mom wanted me to move to a college in Florida where she lives, but L.A. has always been where my path lies. I honestly don’t know why they are surprised anyway, considering how much moving is in my blood.

Growing up with divorced parents and a father in the Air Force, my childhood was one of turbulence and instability. Constantly moving between states and countries for the first years of my life instilled in me a spirit of restlessness and adventure that continues to influence me to this day. So even though the road ahead is uncertain, I will push onward. In the words of a wizened traveller before me, “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” //

Striking into Nationals

BGQ // May 2017

I

6

f you know me at all, you would know that bowling is my biggest passion. I have dedicated many Saturday mornings towards the sport, and this year marks my seventh year in a bowling league. If there is anything I have learned from my experience in bowling, it would definitely be the importance of teammates.

Recently, my team traveled down to Waterford, Michigan for the Youth State Championships in April. We were so anxious to do well that we actually brought a Wii console so we could practice for the tournament in our hotel room. After playing in three sections of the tournament (team, doubles, and singles), my team was ranked seventh in the State, and for singles, I was individually ranked tenth in the State.

Thanks to bowling, I have developed relationships with many students from all of the high schools in the region such as Glen Lake and (hate to admit it) Traverse City West.

Many other seniors from these teams feel as passionate as I do about bowling and, like me, are attempting to incorporate it into their future. Some of us future NMC students are actually trying to put together NMC’s first collegiate bowling team.

Bowling is a major part of my life because it gives me something that I know I can be better at doing. The best part about bowling is knowing that there is always room for improvement (such as average and high game). Once you understand where you need to improve, you can start figuring out how to do so. This past year I have had a problem being consistent as well as ‘reading the lane’ (which basically means adapting to oil movement). As a result, I started slowing down my approach and made sure I understood how the ball reacts to the oil on the lane. Since then, I have bowled five-plus games above 290 and I expect to finally bowl the 300 sometime soon.

It has always been my dream to be part of the Professional Bowling Association (PBA) and in order to get there, I need to get a lot more practice. //

TYLER MORENO // STAFF WRITER

Running into Central MICHAEL ALDRICH // STAFF WRITER

T

BGQ // May 2017

owards the end of my freshman year when my father told me I’d have to move to Central High School, it killed me inside. I first switched to Central in tenth grade. The halls were foreign and scary and the people strange and unfamiliar. I felt like a freshwater fish in an ocean, out of place. At first, I had a hard time meeting people and making friends, then I joined the cross country team. Coming from West as a football player and track runner, my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to participate in a sport at Central, and I have to admit, I kind of agreed with them. It wasn’t until ninth grade that my football career at West took off and I was starting in games and playing more than I ever had in middle school.

I’d have to leave behind my team, the brotherhood I’d been a part of since seventh grade. I was angry and reluctant to go to Central and didn’t think joining any other sports team could compare to my experiences on the football team at West. As soon as I joined the cross country team, I found myself wrong.

Joining the cross country team helped me to meet people, make friends, and through them, I met even more people and made even more friends. By the end of sophomore year, I felt acclimated into Central’s environment. Joining the cross country team was one of the best choices I ever made because it allowed me to meet people and immerse myself in the student body, helping me adjust to the new environment.

After running my sophomore year, I got my first job at Slabtown Burgers. Unfortunately, I didn’t run junior or senior year because work had quickly become my new after-school activity and consumed most of my time, making it practically impossible for me to participate in any sport. Although I couldn’t run with the team, I still kept up with my former teammates and a few of their more skilled runners, who had became varsity members by their junior year. Even in my senior year, when I didn’t keep tabs on them as much as I did before, I still knew most of the kids that became varsity members and leaders on the team. Now, as a senior who is about to graduate, I believe wholeheartedly that if I had a choice to go back and run the last two years, I would have ditched my job and joined the team again in a heartbeat. Even after running with the team for just one year, the sense of brotherhood and companionship that comes with being a member of the team is apparent. I actually felt wanted and accepted there, which is something I didn’t really expect. I wasn’t the best runner on the cross country team either, actually, I was pretty average, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought being a lower caliber level runner would mean less respect and more unfair treatment from the more skilled runners, but again I was wrong. My teammates still cheered me on, ran with me, and treated me with respect, something that I wasn’t expecting! The long runs we’d take after school, the long bus drives to meets, the bonding, and companionship I experienced were all exceptional. Even after just one season on the cross country team, I felt like I was definitely a part of something and had made concrete friends which both excited and pleased me.

For me, cross country was like a stepping stone to get across the river to the field of Central on the other side. It was nice to be able to have something like that to ease me into the environment and make me just a little bit less anxious about being the new kid at school. When I look back to my time running with the team and the experiences I had, it was truly awesome! Some days we’d run seven or eight miles in a single practice and do all sorts of wacky, fun stuff while running. There were days when it was eighty-five degrees out and all I wanted to do was turn back or stop, but that is when I’d have a team member pick me up and help me to continue and fight through the struggle. Some day’s it would be pouring and I would be soaked to the bone, but I kept on going because I knew the hard work would pay off at the meet the next day. My experiences in that one season of running both sculpted and helped make me into the man I am today. It taught me discipline, respect, humility, compassion and many other things I may not have learned if I hadn’t joined. In the end that’s what truly made it worth it, and even now thinking back to all the fun times I had, it still makes me smile. //

7

621 friends KATRINA SALON // GUEST WRITER

I

have 621 friends, yet I am alone. I may speak to all of them every day and yet, many of them don’t really know me. We believe that this media is social, and why wouldn’t we? This is the generation of smart phones, dumb people.

On my sister’s last night home from summer break from college, my family went out to dinner.

It was just like any other night, until I looked up. All of my family members were engrossed in their devices, completely consumed in the digital world. On that night, that beautiful night, my big sister and I were not sitting across the table from each other; we were gone, and had been gone, without our noticing. What I realized was that the radical idea of virtual community implies connection, but expresses isolation.

This issue is something of great importance to me. I have seen how it can take over people’s lives, how it took over mine. I started to believe that the number of likes on a picture was worth more than the love in front of me. I have seen first hand what this media-induced, egocentric world can do to relationships. I have grown up in a generation of selfies and subtweets, where we expect more from technology and less from each other.

Sadly, there is no universal solution to this problem. It is not a cut you can stitch, an illness you can medicate, or a person you can punish. All I can do is accept the responsibility to change my own actions. I’ve started with what I can do for myself, and how I could influence those around me to embrace moments--moments that you can’t just press the rewind button on. For me, technology will be my luxury, not my necessity. All too often I witness people walking down the street with their phones in their hands, making it easy for them to submit under the pressures of anticipation. So I have started with something simple: I put my phone in my pocket or in my bag where it’s not readily accessible. Not waiting for the phone’s every tone makes for more meaningful interactions with the real world around me. I have experimented with not taking my phone out when my friends take out theirs. Usually, the situation is awkward and leaves them staring at me like I am the killjoy by not joining them in their virtual world. But as I continue with this change, I have noticed that others around me start to emulate my “peculiar” behavior.

They have begun to put down their phones in response to my resistance. This small progression has made all the difference in my motivation to pursue this alteration. I have made these changes so I don’t miss moments--moments of opportunity, strength, love. I do this so I won’t someday have to ask, “What happened on the day we met?” or say, “I’m sorry I missed your touchdown sweetie, I was posting on Instagram.”

I am worried that one day social media will surpass human interaction, a concept that has already began to thrive on the lives of many. There is no simple remedy to this life of constant generated anticipation. But if I can influence just one, two, or 621 friends to disconnect, perhaps this big world won’t feel so alone after all. //

Connecting with nature SEAN LENNOX // GUEST WRITER

BGQ // May 2017

T

8

ypically, basketry is thought of as an activity most often enjoyed by elderly women, and it absolutely is. Basketry is immensely time consuming to the point that you basically have to be retired in order to put in the amount of time that it demands. Luckily, I had this kind of time by taking the AP 3D Studio Art class that our school offers. Through that class I was able to learn the fundamental skills required to be successful in basketry.

I’m drawn to basketry because of how immersed in nature I can get through weaving.

The most enjoyable aspect of it, for me, is going out into the woods and gathering materials to use. All of the materials used on the baskets I created in the photograph are directly from nature: the large pack-purse style basket is made from willow, the cylindrical basket is made from pine needles, and the smallest basket is woven from birch bark. All of these materials can be gathered locally, save for the long-leaf pine needles, which grow in the Southern United States.

Being able to identify a plethora of wild plants

and know their uses, not only for weaving, but also for edibility and medicinal qualities is one of my favorite things to do. All too often, people rely upon prepared food from grocery stores and are clueless about the food that is readily available all around them for free. Plant identification and basketry give me one more excuse to spend hours upon hours enjoying nature. // Photo: courtesy of S. Lennox

Sonnet II A

new and pressing frontier have I reached, A green chapter of my life has commenced.

Erelong, the world and I will at last meet, These four years ephemeral and condensed.

Tis’ time for me to leave, trial shall I greet, I come in rooted hope to speed alone.

I am toward to sing the melodies of life, From chord to chord to the various tones.

On the field, through trial, judgement, and strife, I shall o’erperch the stone walls of woe.

The beauty of life is to face hardship, And learn to top the plights we undergo.

Bound am I to assume the real world’s kiss, Bitter or sweet, I am ready for this.

Adieu //

CAMERON WUERFEL // STAFF WRITER

Exchange year

BEA GAYA LESMES // STAFF WRITER

BGQ // May 2017

M

y name is Beatriz Gaya Lesmes, I’m from Madrid, Spain, and 17 years old. I waited for this year since I was very young, finally arriving in the United States nine months ago. My principle goal was to improve my English, but I have learned a lot of things since arriving. To be far from my home is difficult, but I have grown up, matured, and become more independent. My parents are not with me on this path, they can’t help me, I am the one that makes decisions.

The most challenging period of an exchange is the beginning. Everything is so different, high school, people, a new home, this city, the whole country; I was a stranger in this place. I needed to give myself a couple of months to get used to it. Sometimes I can be afraid, insecure or homesick, which is very natural and common. Another cool part of being a foreign student is my circle of friends. I have met people from all over the world. I have created relationships that will last the rest of my life.

When I first arrived I tried to live in a movie, and it never happened. My expectations and reality were very different. I thought I was going to meet a lot of people and do different activities; I thought I was going to have the same life I had in Spain. I’m accustomed to living in a big, noisy, active city, which Traverse City is not. I was very disappointed when I arrived in Traverse City. My life changed completely, I was used to my small, private school, where I was with the same people since I was three. I used to hang out with my friends on Fridays and Saturdays. I had a very busy social life. I always had something to do.

This was a year of changes. I was trying to get used to my new home in Spain, I had just moved to a different house two months before I left Spain. Then a few months later I moved here. I’m a senior too, so I had to figure out my college exams and transfer my grades. Here everything was different, I thought the culture was going to be very similar to mine. One of the things that really shook me were the people. There are very independent. Here there are a lot of cliques, so it was harder to make friends. I have met incredible people that I hope to maintain a relationship for my whole life. Unfortunately, I’ve met them at the end of the year. Basically I have spent seven months “alone”. I’m start having more confidence with the people that I met when I have to leave, and I’m sad. I’m very lucky with my host family, they are everything for me here.

They make me feel like another member of the family. It is the best memory that I’m going to take back to Madrid. I love them. They try to do their best making me feel happy and comfortable in Traverse City. The teachers here were also some of the nicest people I have ever met.

I’m going to miss all of them, I will miss their classes and their kindness. It’s been a long time since I have seen anyone from Spain. I’m so excited to return to my home country and see my family, friends and be in my environment.

I’m very happy to have had this experience this year. It’s going to be a year that I’m going to remember my whole life. I’m not going to miss this city however. It’s too quiet and boring for my taste. But I have a good memories because I’ve lived a life in a year here. For me it has been an experience that makes me open my eyes and see more than myself. I was brave and I jumped into this adventure. It has been worth it. //

9

THE

GALLERY

// A SENIOR SHOWCASE

//EMILY

May 2017 BGQ // April 2017

ANDREASSON

10

//FINCH

MOORE

//DESTINY

BGQ // May 2017

GATES

11

//ALEX

BGQ // May 2017

KING ‘17

12

OH, THE

YOU’LL GO! FUTURE PLANS:

// Albion College Severiano Colangelo Madison Partak Jordan Ruckle Isabelle Scalise // Alma College Liam Tank // Aquinas College Robert Morse Liam Simon // Biola University Erynn Adle // Boston Conservatory Robert Shields // CAT ThinkBig Program Thomas Hebden // Central Michigan University Kaitlyn Barr Stevies Herbers Megan Lautner Samantha Mahon Lindsey Mosley Peter Switzer // DePaul University Kristin McLintock // Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Julia Vannatter

// ESIC Business and Marketing School Beatriz Gaya Lesmes // Fashion Institute of Design and Manufacturing Jack Kellogg

// Kalamazoo College Sierra Moore Sage Ringsmuth Shushi Yan

// Ferris State University Austin Coggins

// Lake Superior State University Morley Blackhurst Michael Gills Benjamin Larrabee Katie Wozniak

// Flagler College Hannah Jackson

// Lansing Community College Haley McDonald

// Grand Valley University Celeste Anderson Hanna Asiala Andrew Colombo Katrina Grassel Shaylee McAuliffe Emmalyn Reamer Mary Twietmeyer Cameron Wuerfel Mary Drake

// Lawrence Technological University Austin Ramsey

// Hillsborough Community College of Tampa Abigail Hunt // Hope College Emilie Fleming Carley Laird Lexi Schoonover Terrell Solberg // Illinois Institute of Technology Mae Smith

// Los Angeles City College Gregory Haggerty // Loyola University of Chicago Carly Burns // Marines/Navy Nicholas Ellul Stephanie Huff // Michigan State University Evan BeVier Jack Boyce Theodore Cadotte Bradley Carroll Katie Geiger Emma Kosch Erin Kowal Sean Lennox Evan Norgaard Kierra Pendill Katrina Salon Sam Smith

BGQ // May 2017

// Aarhus Business College Sofie Garset

13

OH, THE

YOU’LL GO! Sean Lennox Evan Norgaard Katrina Salon Sam Smith // Michigan Technological University Yana Beeker Taylor Hammond Abigail Machin Makala O’Donnell Jacob Witucki // Neumont University Andrew Lopez // Northern Michigan University Timothy Barbera Barrett Bishop Joshua Hamilton Alyssa Huiskens Arabel McLachlan Eric Ochoa Hunter Schliess Bailey Versluis Keegan Wallman

BGQ // May 2017

// Northwestern Michigan College Michael Aldrich Brendan Arnold Anna Arnold Colin Baldwin Natalie Bowling Carley Beauchamp Seth Beaudry Logan Bristol Taylor Carry Andrew Cannon Elijah Cobb Karolyn Davis Anthony Diaz

14

Isaiah Echon Amanda Eshleman Cameron Faught Robin Grupp Bayley Haddix Zachary Hankins Margaret Harnish Kurtis Hart Jonathan Hughes Emma Malburg Kenneth Maleitzke Charles McGuire Tyler Moreno Jill Murdock Lily Ober Emilio Paniagua Brian Platt Owen Porter Colin Riker Lucas Rivera Abraham Russel Logan Sandy Jacob Shutler Kaitlyn Swagger Isabell Wejrowski Xavier White Mark Woodcox // Oakland University Leigh Wright // Olivet Nazarene University Honesty Hill // Owens Community College Tyler Storms // Purdue University Benjamin Howard Guowen Huang

Biyang Lyu Leyna Schroeder // School of the Art Institute of Chicago Yin Qi // Spring Arbor Grace Keyser // Taylor University Victoria Koro // St. Olaf College Dana Pflughoeft // University of Kansas Maggie Dupuie // University of Kentucky Emily Andreasson // University of Michigan Meredith Allen Brittney Collins Benjamin DeVries Iain Ferguson Katherine Ferguson Erin Huls Jordan LaMaide Elise Miller Finch Moore John Reicha Alexandra Schweitzer Dante Vozza Natalie Wagner Austin Coggins

// University of Michigan Ross School of Business Sarah Berry Erica Hall Clayton Myers // University of Northwestern Ohio Micah Justin // University of Wisconsin Sarah Gibson // University of Pittsburgh Grace Failor // University of Vermont Joshua Bonifacio Benjamin Michno Madeline Zimmerman Austin Wieland // University of San Francisco Le Yi Chen // Wellesley College Brooke Corso // York St. John University AJ Samba // Undecided William Beattie Elijah Cobb Alexis Fields Zachary Fisher Sam Franz Nicolas Friar Ryan Grombala Zi Min He Caleb Keyser

Shaka Kirksey Megan Matteucci Ryan McKee Nicholas Myers Yue Pan Blake Roselle Zachary Schleicher Michael Stolarczyk Jewel Wonegeshik // Other Bryce Anderson Helena Averdung Lili Beehler Adara Benton Nathaneal Bowers Amanda Burley Vilde Fiskerstrand Destiny Gates Wesley Greenman Olivia Hall Belia Hernandez Damianus Humanic Chase Kelly Madilyn Korb Ben Jachalke Darius Johnson Zach Kingmen Aisha Larsen Gage Miller Stephaine Patterson Trey Pflum Alexandria Piluras Mikayla Sanclemente Bailey Shimmel Lana Sirac Kateri Twocrow Angela Weir Jerome Wiener

have brains in your “You head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go...

“

Dr. Suess, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN DERMATOLOGY, PCPC DERMATOLOGY, Board Certified Dermatologists: Susan Noble, MD Board Certified Dermatologists: Paula Prevost-Blank, MD Maria Carroll, MD Susan Noble, MD Mark Pomaranski, MD

Paula Prevost-Blank, MD

Board Certified Physician Assistant: Maria Carroll, PA-C MD Jesse Kogelman,

Mark Pomaranski, MD Board Certified Physician Assistant: Jesse Kogelman, PA-C

(231) 935-8717 northwesternmichigandermatology.com

BGQ // May 2017

Photo: A. Vannatter

16

Childhood embodies the essence of innocence. Children play from dawn to dusk; feet caked with dirt, hands stained with chalk, they flit through the day. They jump from one activity to the next without concerns that accompany adulthood. This mentality is a fleeting haven. Soon, these children will find themselves plagued with responsibilities: jobs, sports, school, volunteering, and more. Obligations like these are intended to prepare an individual for the challenges associated with adulthood. Jamie Mckenzie ‘17 is one example of a senior at Traverse City Central who has numerous adult-like commitments on her plate. Her story diverged from other individuals after she found out she was pregnant the fall of her junior year.

Mckenzie’s world was turned upside down.

“When I first found out that I was pregnant, people would call me fat, waterborne, and chubby in the halls, and that is forever engraved in my memory,” Mckenzie said.

“It was really hard being called those names when I used to feel skinny and then I suddenly felt fat. It was very emotional for me.

I can’t even put into words how it felt when I found out how much my life was going to change after knowing I was pregnant.”

Being different in high school is difficult.

This is an eternal truth. People receive criticism for being out of the ordinary because of the cynical nature in high school today.

(Sometimes, individuals will band together to demean someone who has a weak spot.)

High school is often the survival of the fittest.

Mckenzie had a target on her back after finding out she was pregnant, and some of her classmates shot arrows of cruel words.

Nobody enjoys being the target of hurtful jokes, but Mckenzie had no other option but to buckle down and take the heat. Mckenzie was about to be thrust into adulthood, and there was little she could do to control what others thought of her. After individuals found out about her pregnancy, she knew she had to prepare for their criticism or support.

Her volleyball teammates were some of the first individuals to find out. Sharing something personal can be dangerous because of other’s possible reactions. Humans in general seek the support of those they confide in, and Mckenzie is not exempt from this mindset. Sport teams represent unity, so Mckenzie sought their acceptance to assist her

KIRSTEN BERKEY

Jamie Mckenzie ‘17 found out she was pregnant the fall of her junior year. Her life dramatically altered as she grasped her changing world through this difficult experience. “When I told the volleyball team, there were hugs and support. When the volleyball team accepted me, I finally felt like I could do this. When they understood, I felt like my friends would support me too. Opening up all started with my volleyball team.”

Sharing her news with family was more difficult than expected because she knew she would no longer be “daddy’s little girl.”

Losing her sense of innocence and having to share that she was pregnant with her family was embarrassing because she wasn’t sure how they would react. She was hopeful that she would receive the same level of support from her family as she did with her volleyball team. “Telling my parents that I was pregnant was really hard. I was a pretty normal, good daughter. When I told my parents in particular, it was really out-of-the-blue. It was hard because no one expected it from me.

Regardless, my parents still supported me so much with Luke, and they steered me in the right direction when I had no idea what I was doing. They walked me through how to do everything. It was a real big help to have that love behind me.”

McKenzie’s due date inched closer and closer. On December 20th, 2015, she went into labor for eight hours. Due to complications, she was given an epidural for an emergency C-section. A C-section is a surgical procedure where incisions are made into a woman’s uterus and abdomen to deliver babies. Undergoing a surgery like this is not something most teenagers experience.

“When I woke up, I vaguely remember glancing over and seeing that Luke was holding my finger. It was one of my most special moments with him.” Mckenzie now had another life to care and provide for.

McKenzie’s life altered dramatically upon Luke entering her world. She understood the importance of keeping up with her school work and only took a brief two weeks to recover from her procedure. The normal recovery time following a C section is four to six weeks, according to Mayo Clinic. Returning to school every day was a struggle for McKenzie as she made her way around Central.

McKenzie had to take constant breaks while walking or moving to catch her breath and found difficulty in completing easy tasks like climbing the stairs.

Mckenzie made numerous sacrifices for her son. School became difficult, her time became limited, and her sleep schedule became nonexistent. Jamie had so much on her plate, but special moments with Luke made the hard moments a little easier. “When I was younger, my mom said I was worth the pain and I didn’t realize how true that statement was until I had Luke. The best part about having Luke in my life is the pure joy I feel when I come home and he smiles at me and says ‘mom.’ It warms my heart.”

Luke has also reinforced McKenzie’s vigor for completing school. Mckenzie understands that she has a responsibility now to care for her son. There is more on the line for Mckenzie than most kids her age. She has to find a career that will allow her to provide for her new family, which affects her attitude towards school. “Becoming an adult earlier because of Luke has allowed me to have a better outlook on school. Since Luke entered the picture, it has opened my mind greatly and made me realize that I absolutely adore kids, teaching, and learning. Luke inspired me to major in elementary education and minor in speech therapy and special education. I plan on attending NMC for one semester and then going to Central Michigan University for the following 3.5 years. Luke will be in daycare while I am in school. He motivated me and it completely changed my perspective on life.”

Luke’s arrival in Mckenzie’s life definitely posed challenges. Mckenzie found her life decisions becoming Luke oriented and her personal time fading. Although her parents assist her with Luke, the majority of the responsibility for his care falls on her shoulders. She is not a carefree teenager anymore.

But although her childhood has come to an end, she is ensuring that her child enjoys every second of his youth. “I overcame a long labor to have Luke and I am actively coming back in my sports and school. Luke is my motivation through school and he has made me a better person. But it’s hard because in high school, I am still considered a kid, but now I am an adult with a lot of responsibilities. It makes me sad that I lost that part of my youth. But I make the best of it because I’ve always been a mature person. I’m not a kid anymore. I became an adult at 16.”

BGQ // May 2017

A

dult at 16

17

QUESTION TEN

Featuring Alex King ‘17 discussing his experience hosting five Chinese exchange students How did your family decide to host five exchange students?

Did you have to change anything about your life to accommodate all of them?

I initially told my mom I wanted to host an exchange student, and she decided that was OK. Then, the exchange student director came to our house and asked if we would take more and we said “let’s go big or go home!” We had to sign some papers, had our house inspected, and like a week later, all five came to live with us.

Luckily, we have enough bedrooms so I didn’t have to move or share mine, and I had a big enough car already to transport all of them. I also drive them basically anywhere they want to go, anytime they want, but they do give me money for gas.

In the beginning, what were some of the challenges you have faced?

Understanding each other and the conversational stuff was pretty hard at first. It was also hard for them to figure out and get used to the rules of the house and our mannerisms, like not using their phones at the table.

What was the hardest thing about having 5 exchange students?

Having to share my mother. I don’t get all the attention anymore--they get some of it now since she considers them to be her children too.

What is the funniest thing that has happened with them so far?

One time, we were eating hamburgers for dinner, and there were chopsticks on the table for some reason. They thought that they were supposed to eat a burger with chopsticks, so that’s what they all started doing.

BGQ // May 2017

Is there ever any drama between the exchange students?

18

Oh my god, there’s always drama. The older ones sometimes get frustrated with the younger ones; because they don’t always understand the rules, or don’t spend their money wisely and end up running out of money before they get more. Yeah, there’s definitely drama all the time.

NS King’s mother and four of their five exchange students.

Pictured (left to right) are Horan Xu, Guowen Huang, Carrie Kidwell, Youlong Wang, and Chenyang Zhang.

What are some of the benefits of having exchange students?

Being exposed to a new culture was really interesting, and we learned a whole new way of how they do things. They’ll sometimes cook traditional meals for us, which is cool because American Chinese food is very different from what they would eat back home.

Have you enjoyed the experience of hosting exchange students?

Definitely. We sure have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, we really do love each other.

Any advice for anyone interested in hosting an exchange student?

Are you planning on ever visiting one of your exchange students in China?

Yes! After high school is over, I’m going to China for a month, and I’m going to stay with Alvin (one of the seniors).

BGQ // May 2017

Make sure your schedule is always open. They are definitely last-minute people, so always be prepared to drive them somewhere. Also, it takes time to understand them and their lifestyle, but you’ll get it after a while.

19

High school is like . . .

“High school is like the gateway to life.

High school is like a hard math problem. A lot of it you really have to know what to do, pay attention. You have to learn by yourself to get the math problem done. You can’t have other people helping you to get through high school. A lot of it takes self dedication and hard work.”

-Colin Bowlin ‘17

“ Catcher in the Rye, that’s high school. It’s basically about keeping your childhood. This guy tries to help kids keep their innocence. He tries to teach them wisdom but his main goal is to be the Catcher and the Rye, to try and help kids keep their innocence and keep them from growing up. In the end he realizes that innocence isn’t something that leaves you, it’s something that is gained and lost throughout life.”

-Sam Franz ‘17

20

“High school is like kindergarten. Runnin’ around, trying to make friends and have fun. It’s figuring out what we want to do and who we want to hang out with and have new experiences with that make us happy.”

-Aj Samba ‘17

“I’d compare high school to running a marathon. Work hard, kinda prep yourself to … DIE. It’s really hard in the beginning and middle, you are just getting used to the pace. But in the end you just feel really good because you’re done and accomplished and excited cause you finished.”

-Hanna Asialia ‘17

Photo: courtesy of J. Budz

“My favorite part of college was definitely all of the indepedence I was given. I had so much more responsibility on my plate than I did in high school. It was also pretty cool to learn a lot of things about international relations in my studies. But I would tell all the current seniors at Central to appreciate the location of Traverse City. You don’t realize how much you miss the water until you are landbound in the middle of a state.”

-Ben Brown ‘16, High Point University (pictured second from right in back row)

Photo: courtesy of A. Little Photo: courtesy of A. Fedor

“I would say being exposed to a bunch of different people that I would have never met if I stayed in Michigan in general. Wellesley is really a diverse community and I never had been exposed to so many different people from all over the world. I really enjoyed learning to appreciate other cultures and things that I hadn’t been surrounded by before.”

-Jessica Budz ‘16, Wellesley (pictured second from left) “I started dual enrollment my junior year of highschool over at NMC. College has been great so far because attending NMC has given me the opportunity to take classes and stay home, work, and help me confirm my plans for the future. Although, it can be pretty difficult sometimes to balance work, family, school, friends and more. But learning to do so will benefit you so much in the future.”

-Alie Little ‘15, NMC “The most challenging part of college for me was being away from my family because I’m really close to my family. But living on campus with people your age with a variety of different backgrounds is really a unique experience. It just ended up that there was so much to do and you meet so many new people that you don’t have too much time to be worried about it.”

-Adela Fedor ‘14, Stanford University (pictured on the right)

BGQ // March 2017

Photo: courtesy of B. Brown

“What surprised me most about the college experience is that the food really isn’t that good. Also, college initially scared me because it appeared very difficult. But it wasn’t too bad once I got adjusted.

But I love the huge amounts of free time we have in college, even though this “free time” is really used to study...a lot. My favorite part of college is how my classes can be spaced to my liking.”

-Josh Armour ‘16, Michigan State (pictured on far left)

Photo: courtesy of J. Armour

“So far my experience has been awesome. There has definitely been ups and downs, but I feel that I have grown so much as an individual in only two years. I would tell this year’s graduating class to enjoy the experience of being a senior and furthering your education if you choose to do so.

I regret being so stressed about it. But enjoy your college years because most people look back on their experience quite fondly.”

-Kitty Mast ‘15, Michigan

Photo: courtesy of K. Mast

“Don’t go into college and act like it is still high school. No one knows you or cares about how cool you think you were in high school. So just go to class, stay ahead, and meet new people because when I first got here I didn’t talk to many people and my first semester was pretty dull. But once I got involved, school got a lot more enjoyable.”

-Jack Stevenson ‘16, Michigan Dearborne

Photo: courtesy of J. Stevenson

“The best advice I can give is to get involved in things that are interesting to you. There are so many people to meet and clubs to get involved in, don’t let the workload overwhelm you to the point where you only do school. I think I was most worried about the difficulty of the academic classes and that I wouldn’t have time to go running or do other things that I like. But I can absolutely say that the environment here is incredibly supportive.”

-Cara Ferguson ‘16, Michigan (pictured in the middle)

Photo: courtesy of C. Ferguson

COLLEGE 101

21

Words of Wisdom “I would actually study for the SAT instead of thinking I was just okay.

Junior year is the hardest year and definitely cracking

down is very important because you are going to struggle no matter what. I would tell myself ‘this is your

homestretch, everything before this point matters, putting in your best is all you have. You didn’t spend your last eight years to mess up your last four.’ I would give new freshman the advice of doing all the things that seem cheesy.

Attending more school events such as going to football games and totally going all out definitely one thing I wish I did. Back then I was like ‘Oh I’m not going to be that person’, but now I wish I was ‘that person.”

-Anna Arnold ‘17

“Do

something that makes you uncomfortable, get out of your comfort zone. If you

like running, join the cross country team. If you want to improve yourself in academics, join Key Club, Model UN or National Honor Society.

When you go to high school actually participate in things. Encourage your siblings to go to these high school extracurriculars. A realistic attitude is important, because things can end up being pretty awful. You can’t lie to yourself, because there are times where you will be bawling your eyes out. But in the end, it will all be great.”

-Stephanie Huff ‘17

“I got an interception and people were calling out my name. all the players on the side lines and even all the coaches. I wanted to cry. It made me proud to be on the football team. If you can find something that you like to do and have pride in, you can make the most of your high school career. Focus on what

you love to do, having pride in what you love is the only way to enjoy school.”

BGQ // May 2017

-Seve Colangelo ‘17

22

“There are a lot of positive qualities a person should have in order to have a good character. I think respect, honesty, and kindness are the most important.

As you grow and experience new things, these characteristics change in meaning and gain a sort of personal importance. For example, honesty may start as simple integrity in school but will develop into being true to oneself in newer situations. My parent’s have exemplified hard-work and kindness throughout my life. They taught me that it is necessary to be the very best version of yourself, each and every day. Whether through things like unconditional kindness or dedicated effort, what

you present to the world needs to reflect the person you want to be and your values like the values you hold.”

-Katie Ferguson ‘17

THE PIZZA DELIVERY EXPERTS

Traverse City 748 Munson Ave. in the East Bay Plaza 231-941-5355

Words of

Years after walking the Black & Gold stage and receiving their diploma, these Trojan Alumni reflect on their journey

Paige Winkler ‘05 Photo: courtesy of P. Winkler

Paige Winkler graduated in 2005 as a carefree eighteen-year old who had no clear career goals at the time--she just knew she wanted to study biology. In her four years spent at Central, she took Anatomy and Physiology and AP Biology. Like most seniors, Winkler was eager to graduate high school and start her next chapter in life. But looking back, she regrets that mindset.

“When I was in high school I just wanted to graduate, to be done and move on,” Winkler said. “I would tell myself to just slow down and enjoy it. I would be in school for the next ten years so there is really no point in rushing.”

Now, twelve years later, Winkler has earned a Ph.D in genetics and is about to begin her new position as a postdoctoral researcher at Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids.

“I will be studying the structure and function

of human proteins which are important drug targets for neurological diseases,” Winkler said. “I start in April and I look forward to being a part of this exciting new research.”

Striving for a Ph.D after her high school graduation was not an obvious path for Winkler.

Graduate school was not something she even considered until her senior year at Michigan State University (MSU). In the summer of 2008, she was hired by the Comparative Ophthalmology Lab in the College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU under Dr. Simon PetersenJones and Dr. Joshua Bartoe. Dr. Bartoe was the first person who asked her if she had considered graduate school, and he recommended the College of Veterinary Medicine. Bartoe’s simple comment turned the gears in Winkler’s head. In the end, she chose to get a Ph.D through the Genetics Program in the College of Natural Science at MSU. The choice still was not a clear decision for Winkler until she looked at the financial aspect.

“I really only wanted to do a Masters degree since I didn’t have dreams of becoming a professor some day, but Ph.D programs come with paid tuition and a reasonable stipend, which means it’s all paid by the lab you choose to work with, while a Master’s program is paid by the student,” Winkler said. The obvious choice for her was to spend more time in school while being paid to do it. “I was fortunate enough to get an awesome project that I loved and was able to finish pretty quickly.

Even though I was exhausted after five years, I am very happy that I chose to get a Ph.D. It

  BGQ // May 2017



24

  

  





During her time at graduate school, Winkler studied inherited diseases in purebred dogs, specifically Papillons. “I identified and characterized a mutation in a gene that causes blindness in Papillons dogs,” Winkler said. “Studying this mutation in the dog has aided in the effort to understand the human equivalent of the disease.”

was the best choice I could’ve made.”

After Winkler graduated, she moved to Kansas City, which had many animal health, pharmaceutical, diagnostic laboratory, and research jobs in the area. She figured that it would provide opportunities for her to try out different jobs until she found where she wanted her career to go. In March of 2016, Winkler got a job at Ceva Biomune in the Scientific Services Investigation Unit, which specialized in poultry and swine vaccines. Her role at Ceva involved identification of clinical and environmental samples using microbiological and molecular techniques. “I tested samples from chicken farms for salmonella (or other bacteria) and the results would help inform the poultry farmers whether their current vaccination methods were working or if they needed to be modified,” Winkler said.

At the beginning of her journey, Winkler never expected to be a P.h.D. But after twelve years of hard work and perseverance, the payoff is extremely gratifying. “I never would have thought that is the direction that I would go while I was in high school, but it is so rewarding to have accomplished something that I never dreamed that I could do,” Winkler said.

“Now that I am at the Van Andel Research Institute, the work I am doing is a much better fit for my background and I definitely feel like the Ph.D. was a good investment of time and effort.”

Photo: courtesy of P. Winkler

E xperience Geoff Dankert ‘85

Geoff Dankert graduated in 1985, a time before there were both Trojans and Titans. He has spent the last 30 years working in broadcast journalism: first in radio as a reporter and anchor, then in television as a producer and manager, and now back in radio. He currently produces afternoon newscasts on WBBM, which is the 24-hour all-news radio station in Chicago.

“I’m privileged to work with some of the best writers, reporters and anchors I’ve ever met.

It’s an exciting environment and keeping our audience informed around the clock is a big responsibility.” Dankert’s job as an afternoon editor carries the responsibility of taking charge of the newscasts that air on our station during “afternoon drive time” between 3:00 and 8:00pm.

“That process starts in the morning, when my bosses and I start exchanging emails about the stories we expect to cover. At the office,

I work with reporters on their stories, assign other stories to be written, prioritize the stories based on importance and urgency, respond to breaking news as it comes in, and oversee the newscasts to make sure they meet our editorial standards.”

His best experiences in high school were connected to his work on the Black and Gold.

The Black and Gold that was produced in the ‘80s was a whole different paper than the one published in recent years; the way it was produced back then showcases that.

“Editors had keys to the newspaper office and frequently worked unsupervised on campus during ‘deadline weekends’ to finish page layouts. I had a key to our adviser’s car so that I could take our issues to the printer. It was an outstanding training ground, and the experience I had was a major factor in my decision to pursue journalism as a career.” He credits any success he has had in the journalism busi-

ness to his time spent working on the Black and Gold during his high school years.

“It’s fair to say that I wouldn’t be as good at my job and wouldn’t have had as much good fortune as I’ve had in my career without the groundwork that the Black & Gold provided for me. It’s impossible to overstate the value of actually being able to “do the work” — even in a scholastic context.” Although his time spent with the Black and Gold was a time he looks back fondly on, Dankert cringes at the point he and his classmates were at in their lives.

“When you’re a teenager, you’re trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in.

Puberty is making your brain go haywire and your body do weird things, and every good or bad thing that happens to you is the biggest thing that happened to anyone ever. Trust me on this: once you get through high school, it gets a lot better.”

years. It seemed like something that other people could do, but not me. My self esteem and work ethic needed a tune up, and thankfully I was well guided by my loved ones and educators.”

Despite having graduated from Central thirteen years ago, the school continues to be a part of his heart. He credits his pursuit in music to the teachers that helped shape his mind and character to what it is today.

“I feel lucky to have had some really engaged and thoughtful teachers at Central.

We should value the needs of teachers and students because that relationship can be the launch pad for some pretty amazing things.”

In junior high and high school, Harting was entranced by the art of rock and roll.

“That was my portal into loving music. At some point I became curious about music history and every genre and realized I had a lot of listening to do to get a more complete picture.” Once he graduated, Harting set off into the world of music and explored all there was to offer.

“The college days took me all over the place. Rock clubs, jazz clubs, blues clubs, the symphony, all around Chicago. I also went to South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas a couple times. Even got to play it once with my Chicago-based rock band.” When Harting was not playing gigs with his band, he

was studying Audio Design and Technology at Columbia College in Chicago. His experience at college influenced him to consider pursuing music professionally.

During his years working in the music composition industry, Harting has accomplished some remarkable projects that will forever be highlighted in his career. He contributed music to an ad that aired during the Super Bowl two years ago.

“Dodge, the automobile company, turned 100 that year, and my studio, Earhole, won the opportunity to compose for the campaign. It doesn’t get much bigger than that in the advertising world.” Because of his appreciation for the teacher-student relationships he had during his years of school, Harting teaches guitar and recording. He is a huge advocate for how important teachers are in the development of students and helping them reach their fullest potential. He wants to share that appreciation and relationship with others.

“Music and recording aren’t for everyone, but if you can connect with a teacher who loves what you love, and can help you explore whatever that may be, it’s really powerful.”

Photo: courtesy of M. Harding

At the time Matt Harting graduated from Central in 2004, he only knew that working in and around music studios was intriguing. Now, Harting makes his living as a composer for Earhole Studios.

“The idea of getting a job in the music industry was beyond my humble imagination when I looked at life during my high school

BGQ // May 2017

Matt Harding ‘04

25

HAPPY TRAILS!

2017 Staff Retirements

Barb Buckingham

Pat Rutt

Barb Buckingham has been a TCAPS teacher since the 1990’s.

In her career, she has taught at both Central and West High Schools; focusing primarily on special education courses. As a teacher, she has helped her students integrate themselves into the community by taking them shopping, banking and exploring on a weekly basis. Her philosophy begins with showing up: “You have to show. You have to show up to win. I can take any student, wherever their skill level is and raise their academic skills, but I also want to see a student who wants to be a better human being.” Buckingham is finishing on a good note. “This past year? fantastic, great group of students and I have windows for the first time in many many years. It’s been great, I like the administration here.

I respect the administration and I like their passion for their vision of what education should be.” She plans on volunteering for other school districts as well as moving closer to the equator to assist young adults that need help navigating their community in her retirement.

After an adventurous 18 plus years at Central High School, Pat Rutt will be retiring at the end of this school year. When Rutt originally brought boundless enthusiasm and optimism to Central, she was a long term substitute teacher for a business class. Her teaching career came from her love of working with people. “I am a people person,” said Rutt. “When I had my own business it was kind of lonely by myself and so I thought: ‘how could I take my business background and working with kids and combine them?’” Over the years she has taught Marketing, Interior Design, How To Start A Business and Web Design as well develop the work experience and internship programs and advise both the DECCA and Z Clubs. Following her retiring, she plans on joining her husband in the photography field.

“He is semi-retired right now. He’s a photographer and I’ll shoot with him and travel. The plan is to travel and take photos.”

Judy Pratt

Anna Kane

Judy Pratt has worked at CHS for 16 years. As the counseling department receptionist, she organizes all the schedules for counselors and students as well as many other events such as college visits and testing.

Mr. Pratt sees her retirement as a positive step in her life, “I’m ready to travel and see my grandkids more often and enjoy life.” She has her fair share of fond CHS memories, “The friends I’ve made, the students I’ve been impressed with. Having my kids come through here while I’ve been here.” Mrs. Pratt feels that in order for a student to be successful they must be willing to put in hard work. They must be able to show up on time and be compassionate enough to follow through and to be grateful for the opportunities they are given. That is no surprise considering she has done the same over the years here at Central.

After working for TCAPS for fourteen years, Anna Kane is deciding to leave Central to spend more time with her family and to travel. When I asked Kane if leaving Central was happy or sad for her, she replied, “It’s sad because I love my job and working here at Central, but at the same time it’s a good thing because I love my family and can spend more time with them.” As school registrar, Kane is often the first person students and family meet when they transfer to Central High School. When asked what her favorite memory from all her years of being Central’s registrar was and she replied, “My first graduation at Central because I got to watch the students I met and registered as Freshman grow up and eventually graduate.”

Mrs. Kane’s message to anyone that may want to get into the education business and maybe even work at Central is “It’s a great place to work, get your foot in the door and keep working towards what you want.”

BGQ // May 2017

Pam Tejkl

26

Mrs.Tejkl, an anatomy and chemistry teacher, at Central High School since it was just Traverse City Senior High, has had a great time in all her years her teaching, but feels “It’s time to go.” Teaching in one of the many hidden and out of the way classes in F building, she claims she has had a fun time but she’s tired of evaluating students. “I just feel like I’m judging them. The students all come into classes here with different backgrounds in math and science, and that can be very challenging as a teacher to try to work without a consistent baseline.” Although Mrs. Tejkl is ready to move on to other things, she says her retirement will also be a sad chapter in her life. “I’m happy and sad, but I’m ready to do something different. I have some experience with health coaching, so I will probably do something with that. Maybe do some tutoring, some dog sitting or cat sitting, maybe do a little bit of travel. I’m going to

work a little bit because I’m certainly not just going to put my feet up and do nothing for the rest of my life.” Mrs. Tejkl has many fond memories of CHS, “It’s tough to narrow it down to one thing, but I enjoy when the light bulb goes on.

Those moments when the kids get it.” Mrs. Tejkl wishes the best for her students, “I’ve enjoyed my time here and I wish everybody well. And to students, I just want them to know that education is important. The more classes you take the more opportunities you have and the more doors will open.”

If you wish to keep up with your New Year’s Resolutions, the YMCA might be a considerable option. With activities including lap swimming, open court, fitness center access, a hot tub and more, the YMCA offers youth memberships (18 and under) for $19.00 a month. The YMCA has three locations in Traverse City with different activities offered at each facility, so make sure you choose the branch best fit for you.

The Butterfly House in Williamsburg offers customers an up close opportunity to walk with butterflies through a beautiful garden. Additionally, one can see insects here. Admission is $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for individuals 12 and under.

The fairly new Cherry Blossom 14 Cinema offers rates of $8.50 for their standard digital movies (excludes 3D and IMAX). Also available at this theatre is a wide range of options for concessions. Moreover, if you attend a movie in the matinee afternoon times, ticket prices are $5.75 each for an adult.

WHAT TO DO WITH $20 TYLER MORENO & KIRSTEN BERKEY Photo: courtesy of banknoteden.com

Both of Traverse City’s bowling centers, Incredible Mo’s and Lucky Jacks, offer bowling, dining, arcade entertainment, laser maze and laser tag, and more. Each game of bowling prices range between $1.50-$5.25 depending on the time and day (also requires bowling shoes: $1.50-$2.75). If you enjoy laser tag, you and your friends can play for $5.00-$6.00 each. Both centers also offer “Unlimited Attraction” nights where you can enjoy all of the attraction during a four hour period for a flat rate.

For a similar experience to the Cherry Blossom, the volunteer-run theatres Bijou By the Bay and the State Theatre offer admission rates of $6.50 for a matinee film (even if the film is not a matinee, student price remains $6.50). Another opportunity in the movie department is the volunteering. Since the two theatres are volunteer-based, anyone who is interested may donate their time for a given shift. Volunteers get reimbursed for parking (if necessary) and receive access to refreshments as well as an opportunity to see the film if desired.

BGQ // May 2017

If you crave one of Traverse City’s latest pastry creations, you may want to check out Peace, Love & Little Donuts. A dozen “Groovy” donuts, such as plain or glazed, are priced at $9.50. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, a dozen “Far Out” donuts are $13.25.

These donuts are topped to your preference with vanilla, chocolate, or one of their many fruit options. At the chance those donuts are too lame for you, trike for the “Funkadellic” tier of donuts. At $15.85, twelve donuts are specially topped to create concoctions such as Snick Jagger, Raspberry Lemonade, and S’mores.

27

Achieving greatness one STEP at a time STEP program at CHS does more than just help with homework; Andrea Ballast provides a safe, welcoming and encouraging environment for students without permanent housing BAILLE ZIPSER Photos: A. Vannatter and O Wilson

BGQ // May 2017

W

28

aking up in a new bed surrounded by new things and new people is a feeling all too familiar for individuals in TCAPS’ Students in Transition Empowerment Program (STEP). Across the district, about 500 students (55 of which are at Central) are all doing just this. The district-wide program, run by Andrea Ballast at CHS, provides assistance to students without a permanent home. STEP aides with anything from finding students transportation, clothing, and school supplies to helping with homework. Whether these students are living with a parent or on their own, Ballast is there for them. “No matter what happens outside of school, school is a priority and I will help students to become successful,” Ballast said. “Doing whatever we can to assist these kids with graduating on time is our number one goal.” Since Ballast began running the program at Central 14 years ago, school and community support has dramatically increased. “I have always been an advocate for marginalized students, so when this position opened up, I knew it was a perfect fit for me because I like to help the kids that don’t have anyone else to help them.” Often times, students facing hardships aren’t sure how to approach Ballast directly. “Very rarely do students come to me knowing I can help them,” Ballast said. “ It is usually a teacher, counselor or friend that comes to me. Then I find them and let them know I can help them with the three basics: food, clothes, and school help.” Despite the fact that the word ‘homeless’ tends to face a negative reaction from the general public, Ballast believes there is no shame in asking for help.

“STEP is under the umbrella of McKinney-Vento, which is a federal program that every school must have to help their students without a permanent address,” Ballast said. This program provides states with federal funding to help school programs like STEP. However, there is not always enough money to provide all of the students in the area with the supplies and support they deserve, so Ballast often turns to the

TCC community for assistance. “The Central community is so supportive,” Ballast said. “When we have a can drive, we almost have too much food. People here tend to donate money generously, and with that money, I can go out and buy specialty items like track or wrestling shoes for disadvantaged students.” Aside from community assistance, Central has recently been awarded a 1.3 million dollar grant--one of 10 given throughout the country, with only four of them given to a rural area like Traverse City. TCAPS STEP Director and District Liaison Abby Jordan along with the Homeless Youth Initiative worked hard to write the grant, knowing the slim chances of being chosen. After they won, they decided that the funding from this grant will go to the development of a housing unit for students and their families. “If a young person does not have a home for any reason, we wanted an option for them to go and to keep their education,” Jordan said. Both Jordan and Ballast want education to stay a priority for these students even though it may take time for the students to trust them. “If I have an idea that something is going on, I will continue to try until the student feels comfortable talking to me. Sometimes it happens right away and and sometimes it takes a long time for them to earn my trust. Although I love my job and working with the students every day, I really wish it wasn’t necessary anymore. I wish for every kid to have a healthy, happy family in a comforting household situation. Wouldn’t that be great?” //

Photos: M. Alridch, A. Vannatter, & O. Wilson

Top Left: Ranger Trucco ‘18 and Noah Kendra ‘18 set up popcorn and soda for students during the free airing of Napoleon Dynamite at the State Theatre. “It was a ton of fun!” Trucco said. “I think we should do it again, but we should do more than once, like every quarter of the school year.” Top Right: Mary Armour ‘18 competes against other runners in the Kenbell Invitational featuring 15 different school track teams meeting up here at Central to compete against one another. “I ran the open 100m, the 4x100 relay, and the 4x200 relay,” Armour said.

“It was a really big meet, so just the fact that I got to participate was really cool.”

Middle Left: Jordan Vincent ‘18 scrubs down a dirty car at the car wash that was organized and operated by the student senate, of which all the proceeds went to the Humane Society. “Honestly, I was expecting a big turn out” Vincent said when I asked him about his expectations for the car wash. “I had high hopes for the residents of T.C. and knew they’d come out to support both us and a great cause!” Middle Right: Abby Puckett ‘18 runs down the soccer field with a Viking close behind at the girls varsity soccer game versus the Cadillac Vikings. “My favorite moment of the game was when we scored our first goal,” Puckett said.

“That’s what gave us the motivation to play the rest of the game and reminded us we could still win.” Bottom Left: Jordan Fisher ‘17 plays at a bubble soccer tournament. “We won 2-1, and scored on everyone at least once.” Fisher said “I had a great time playing with my friends and hyping up the crowd.”

BGQ // May 2017

WHAT’S POPPIN’

29

The very fabric of our country The pledge has become a morning ritual at Central, although some students choose not to stand for various reasons CAMERON WUERFEL Photos: A. Vannatter

BGQ // May 2017

CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION

30

As the first hour bell rings at 8:05, the morning announcements begin with the pledge of allegiance. I rise to my feet and notice that the many students on the left side of the classroom remain seated while many students on the right side are avidly reciting the pledge.

And then it strikes me, I’m standing, but I’m not actually reciting the pledge. It is like two tectonic plates have fractured, and I’m on the fault line. There is a long list of issues that have caused divisiveness in Americans, both serious and significant such as immigration, the affordable healthcare act, gay/lesbian relations, abortion, Russian involvement in the election, you get the picture. Have we finally reached the point where the nation we live in truly polarized? Will we ever stand together as one again? Or is it possible that people in the middle are a sliver of hope, where the two sides will slowly converge until we become a “more perfect Union?”

It is evident that many people are accustomed to stand while reciting the pledge of allegiance. Ryan Grombala ‘17 states, “the pledge is a sign of respect for our great country. We are lucky to have ability to stand up to say a pledge to our nation.”Amanda Eshleman 17’ also notes, “It literally takes up one minute of your day to respect the troops fighting for us.” However in today’s fast paced, youthful society, the pledge and its meaning has changed. Quintin Grabowski ‘16 and Brooke Corso ‘17 are two students at Traverse City Central who elect to remain seated while others around them pledge their allegiance to the United States of America.Both Grabowski and Corso respect students and faculty who sit and stand alike during the pledge.

However, Corso and Grabowski, both unacquainted and interviewed at separate times, expressed the sentiment that the pledge doesn’t accurately reflect our country. Grabowski believes “the goals in the pledge are a good idea,” but adds “in the current state of our country, these goals aren’t really being held.” Grabowski believes that these values that our country endorses should not have to be recited every morning, which makes me wonder if they are an accurate representation of our nation. The initial phrase of the pledge of allegiance states we live in a nation “indivisible with justice for all,” but are we a nation truly “indivisible?” The foundation of American values has developed fractures that might indeed lead to a moral and ethical ambiguity the size of the Grand Canyon. Might the saying or not saying the pledge be an indication of a much deeper stress point in our nation’s fundamental values and belief? Each school day begins with a vision of two opposite ends contesting the liturgical recital of the pledge and those who are caught in the middle. “People aren’t treated equally in real life. So why stand for something that’s not true?” asks Corso. Conversely, Jack Boyce ‘17 states,“The pledge is mostly a sign of respect,

to our country and a moment to realize there are people sacrificing themselves for us.”

The choice to sit or recite the pledge of allegiance is an independent choice by people of different backgrounds, ages and political allegiance.

Maybe these different values are what makes us a unified country? Or is the whole deliberation behind the meaning of the pledge one big paradox? According to U.S History.org, the pledge of allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy, a Christian Socialist pushed out of his post as a Baptist minister for delivering fierce sermons on such topics as “Jesus the Socialist.” Bellamy was devoted to the idea of the United States as a “systemized worker’s paradise” where everyone has equal incomes and men are drafted into the country’s “industrial army” at the age of 21, serving in the jobs assigned to them by the state. The pledge of allegiance, designed by a dedicated socialist, encourages the recital of promoting servility to the state with an undertone that promotes greater regimentation of society. This seems to lean in the direction of anti-conservatism. This is not to say that the Pledge isn’t commonly supported and cherished among conservatives, republicans and independents alike, because they do. In fact, most conservatives champion the foundations of capitalism, yet as history shows us, the pledge of allegiance has socialist undertones. The irony is unmistakable. This irony coupled with a small dose of unintended hypocrisy seems to constitute the current state of American values. There are multiple interpretations

and individual and human rights.” And conservatives believe, “the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals.” To me, it seems like we all want the same things: freedom, prosperity, a healthy life, and a safe country; it’s how to achieve these things that continue to create divisiveness. However, as I mentioned before, the deliberation and conflict between ideals is what leads to “a more perfect union.” I started this journey looking for answers; “What does the pledge mean? Why do people choose to sit or stand? What is truly going on?” The reality is, I may never find the answers. I may never have a clear understanding of the way our country shifts. As for now, I’m still right on the fault line.

of the pledge of allegiance and its meaning, and even though the true meaning and/or intent behind the pledge is ironic considering some of the views, conservative in particular, I feel politically, socially, ethically and morally caught in the middle. The truth is, when I stand while the pledge is being recited, I feel embarrassed to recite the words, mostly because many around me are also standing in silence. On the other hand, I do not wish to sit during the pledge either. I can relate this same scenario with the national anthem, as I stand for it, but I cannot remember the last time I avidly sang the words of the song. In both instances, I feel a similar sense of embarrassment participating in the midst of others who do otherwise, I ask myself: am I disrespectful? Are the people who sit during the pledge disrespectful too? Maybe the individual choice to stand or sit is the exact opposite of disrespectful. You see, in 1789, the country was created when all of our founding fathers said the four words, “I disagree with that.” Unfortunately, that is not so much the case today. I stand for the pledge of allegiance on the basis of respect towards the soldiers sacrificing themselves for us.

Otherwise, I do not know what to make of the pledge; from the research I’ve done, and the different perspectives that surround me, I do not have a firm stance on what it truly means, but I respect the students who stand and recite the words with an upright zeal, and I respect the ones who choose to sit too. Everyone has their own interpretation of the pledge and how they should react to it, and it is the individual choices of those people that constitute our great country.

I evaluated and researched the hypocrisy and irony that underlies the political parties, such as the pledge of allegiance and whence it truly began, but there was something I found most ironic. According to StudentNewsDaily.com, its states that liberals believe, “It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties

BGQ // May 2017

“People aren’t treated equally in real life. So why stand for something that’s not true?”

31