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what’s inside
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Math teacher Diana LyonsSchumacker stops predicting the snow days to avoid disruptions to her class. West’s first Daddy Daughter dance raises money for the Titan Food Pantry.
Music festivals have the music wing practicing for top placements for MSBOA.
Zac Lakritz ‘19 takes his expertise in riding a scooter to the next level and opens a business. The entire school mourns the loss of Coach Wilde as the Varsity Basketball team ends their season.
On Feb. 10 the girl’s basketball teams promoted cancer awareness. Both teams wore custom pink shirts depicting a female superhero, Wonder Woman, clad in pink. All proceeds from the shirt sales benefited Munson’s Cancer Center.
in brief
The Bleacher Creatures fought hard for the MHSAA “Battle of the Fans” competition. Following last year’s first place victory, the BCs made it to the top five best student sections in Michigan, and after making videos to showcase their school spirit, lost in the final rounds against Frankfort. National Geographic ranked Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes 18th out of 21 beaches in the world for its pure freshwater for open swimming and vast views over Lake Michigan. The well-known dune area has a view of North and South Manitou Islands and offers prime spots for hiking and camping. The Green and Gold Jazz Bands competed at CMU where the Gold Jazz band’s saxophone line took first place in the Most Outstanding Section category and was first runner up for the Best Overall Band in their class. Jacob Ransom ‘18 finished off his Wrestling season with a top 10 finish in the MHSAA Individual State Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills. He finished 8th in the 189 lbs. weight class beating Mike Rice from Warren Cousino and Steve Moody from Battle Creek Lakeview. Senior Avery Schrotenboer earned her way to the Girls Bowling MHSAA State finals. On March 14 students will participate in Career Day. Students signed up for topics of interests in careers and will attend lectures given by local professionals who will discuss their chosen field of work, and offer educational advice to help students prepare for colleges and career paths.
Contact Us Twitter: wshnewspaper Instagram: tcwoccidentalist Website: wshoccidentalist.wordpress.com
Traverse City West Senior High VOLUME XX, EDITION 4 FEB. and March 2017
The cast of Shrek performs a final scene for eighth graders during the Eight Grade Orientation. To see moer photos go to page six, the Arts and Entertainment page. Photo: A. Wack
Breaking the News
Social media posts, made-up websites, and “alternative facts” from the White House make it hard to determine the truth. Cat Vaught ‘18
vaughtcat61@tcapsstudent.net
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n FBI agent suspected in the Hillary email leaks was found dead. Or at least that’s what The Denver Guardian wants it’s readers to believe. Guess what. Its fake news, but many people bought into the headline--hook, line, and sinker. In fact, it was shared on Facebook a half a million times. The creator of The Denver Guaridan was careful to make a legitimate looking website, which he made How to tell if it is fake news: using Wordpress. 1. It’s fake if it mimics a “The ease with which real news site-but the url is wrong. we can access information is both a blessing and a 2. Check for sources and curse,” Technology Curdon’t accept articles by riculum Coordinator, Enganonymous reporters. lish teahcer, and former 3. Can you find out the advisor to the Occidentalist site’s David Noller said. “On the owners and contact them one hand, we have all the 4. Check the sources resources to discover real
news. On the other hand 5. Paste an exact phrase the backlash against acain a search engine to verify its reliability. demic and scientific thinking has made it easier to 6. Check the images. Do convince those least likely this by right-clicking the to seek out the best sources. image and choose to search google. Often it seems like politics drives a person’s wilingness to believe a story reported by historically reliable publications.” We are living in the new world of fake news, alternative facts, and half-truths. On top of social media propelling wild stories to the masses that are easily forwarded without verifying the facts, President Trump has called out news organizations as reporting fake news, including when polls are negative toards his administration. In a Feb. 6 tweet he stated, “Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election.” CNN was specifically targeted by Trump himself at a public meeting, and his Press Secretary
told reporters that their reporting on a Russian dossier was fake news. Trump has since referred to credible news sources like The New York Times as a “joke” and his administration has disallowed some press agencies into White House briefings. Over the course of the election, Trump supporters accused media outlets of only critiquing Trump. The rise of social media has made it easy for anyone to write anything, regardless of accuracy, and post it to the world. While people, some even young teens, are getting paid to 10 Places for Real News: write fake news stories and post Washington Post them on the internet, fact checking has become an essential part New York Times of reading the news. BBC In the world of misleading headline, some students are Politico not buying into the first things MSNBC they read, but are going to more reputable sites as they question Wall Street Journal the news they take in. CNN “A lot of my sources are online, like CNN, NBC, and the New The Atlantic York Times,” Madison Hertel ‘18 said. “I always try to Google The Economist more sources to double check The New Yorker bias.” She sees that many media sources were, in fact, not reporting truthfully. “There was such polarization, news outlets were willing to lie to the uninformed public to push their agenda and sway their votes.” As fake news seems just as popular as the real news, President Trump continues to take to Twitter to shake the country’s confidence in the media. As he continues to attack legitmate media sources, the media have resisted those attacks. Recent evidence of the conflict between the White House and the media can be seen in Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s March 13 daily briefings where he walked back President Trump’s claim that former President Obama ordered the wiretapping of his campaign.
IS PUBLIC ED DEAD? Johnny Urquhart ‘17
Besty Devos’ voucher system can effect public schools
urquhartjo67@tcapsstudent.net
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mericans called, wrote letters, and emailed senators by the thousands to tell them to vote against Betsy DeVos in her nomination for Secretary of Education. Despite their pleas, she was nominated as the 11th United States Secretary of Education, leaving students and staff wondering about the future of public education. “She had no prior education in education and this is a billion dollar system that she has no business being part of,” Matt Budnick ‘17 said. “She wants to take evolution out of schools and replace it with creationism, not to mention she wants guns in schools to protect students from ‘potential grizzlies.” While Budnick is worried about the harm that Betsy DeVos and her administration could possibly cause in the next four, or potentially eight years, others are unsure of what lies in the future for education reform. “There will either be little to no change or sweeping change,” Head Principal Joe Esper said. “Little change can be made to individual schools’ curriculum because so little funding comes from the federal government when it comes to education. Broad policies created by previous administrations left much of the requirements up to the
state’s interpretation.” There are a few other major points of contention that opponents of Devos are struggling with. These include school zones and whether or not they should be gun free, as well as her inability to explain the difference between growth and proficiency, something that all public school teachers use in their daily lessons. However, the deepest reaction to Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education has been over her committment to a school voucher system to allow free schooling for all students to any education institution of their choice for K-12. According to a recent article published in the Washington Post, there is no evidence that school vouchers — which use public dollars to pay for private school tuition, offer students significant academic advantages. Those who oppose a voucher system worry that voucers will take funding away from public schools and that privatizing the education system will lead to segregation. As public schools educate the vast majority of schoolchildren, they will be financially harmed by vouchers that send money to private schools which may not be held to the same standards as public schools when it comes to reporting student growth or reporting on how funding is being spent.
Esper isn’t convinced that a voucher system will affect the TCAPS system too much, though. “I don’t think it will affect T.C. West very much because we are such an established school,” he said. “We have quite a few students outside of our district that use school of choice to attend West and make a much longer drive to attend here.” Some teachers are concerned that the new Secreatary of Education lacks the experience for the position, too. “She did not attend public schools, her other family members did not attend public schools, and her children did not attend public schools,” French teacher Jennifer Geroux said. “The comments she made during her Senate Hearing back up her lack of understanding about some of the most basic tenets of modern public schooling: growth, proficiency, and special education policy.” As eduational systems expect sweeping changes over the next four to eight years under DeVos’s leadership, education leaders and students hope the bureaucrats in charge can find a happy medium between not changing the system that is clearly broken and making sweeping change that could cripple and polarize the country.
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opinions
THE OCCIDENTALIST
The Ugly Truth Cartoonist: Isabella Gross ‘17
TCAPS cancels International Baccalaureate program and elementary Spanish programs to save money, leaving some to question it’s priorities.
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ith a shrinking budget, Traverse City Area Public Schools, better known in the community as TCAPS, is being forced to tighten its belt and make some difficult decisions. In an effort to save money, the district decided to cut the Spanish program at all elementary schools. This idea, is, to say the least, an awful plan. The language programs offered to students are an important part of learning. The language programs give students a more global view and teaches students to be more accepting of people who are different from them. Also, language credit is a requirement for graduation (at the high school level) and is also prized on college applications. Nearly every other first world country requires students to be at least bilingual. Studies done by Harvard University confirm that learning additional languages increases critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility of the mind in young children, and research recommends students should begin learning a second language at the age of three for maximum benefit.
Drop the
MIC
TCAPS’ own mission statement states that “through actively engaged local and global communities, Traverse City Area Public Schools will inspire students to achieve global competency”. Perhaps they forgot that this is on their website when they cancelled French on the West side of town, and German classes on the east side of town. Chinese may be on the chopping block next, despite the district’s attempts to build an exchange program with Weiming Education Group in China. Learning a language requires a lot of work, and if students are unable to choose a language that matches their interests and goals, there is a risk that they will not find success. By cutting programs to the bare bones, TCAPS is suffocating the creativity and individuality of the next generation. It is removing their chances to become citizens who can compete in a global economy and limits them from gaining a greater perspective of the world. The language programs offered to students should not only be kept, but should also be treated as equal to all other respected programs.
Last edition Jared and Megan argued over The Affordable Care Act. According to student polls, Jared gets to drop the mic.
Jared by 61.5%
Who gets to drop the mic when it comes to the ban on Immigrants and Refugees Jared or Megan? Tell us what you think at:
Who earns the right to drop the mic? See below to cast your vote. Megan Gronek ‘17 gronekmeg39@tcapsstudent.net
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resident Donald Trump recently issued a ban that barred citizens from “certain countries” from entering or returning to the United States. The countries included in the initial ban were countries “linked with the Islamic State,” but the problem lies within the general assumption then made that all peoples living within any of the included states are tagged to be radicals, terrorists, and evil. Because of this, Federal Courts in the Eastern District of New York have halted the deportation of green card holders and already-in-process immigrants as it would cause a great deal of trauma and harm to these people. The Federal Courts of New York are correct. If there are people who have already gone through the vetting process, who already hold green cards or are returning to the United States, the deserve the right to pass through. We cannot make the general assumption that all people from these countries are awful and do not deserve the right to freedom and safety. We do not hold that power. President Trump has stated multiple times that he is very willing to consider a “database for all Muslims within the United States,”. Do people not see how similar this is to the persecu-
What’s your opinion:
http://tinyurl.com/ban-on-immigrants
No, it’s immoral to put a ban on immigration and refugees.
We will post the results in our next edition.
- Jessica Litchfield `19
W OCCIDENTALIST
Contact us: Send us an e-mail with questions, story ideas, concerns, or requests to: wshnewspaper@tcapsstudent.net or drop your letter to the editor in the main office. Letters to the Editor must be 250 words or less. Please contact Mrs. Hansen with requests to purchase ad space in the Occidentalist newspaper at the e-mail listed above.
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Trump’s immigration ban has the country divided. While many agree that the country needs secure borders, his ban of immigrants coming from seven countries was met with criticism as people were left stranded in airports. Megan and Jared debate the issue.
tion of Jews back in 1939? Why is it any different now? What about the Freedom of Religion, a premise our country was founded on? Is it not explicitly stated within our Constitution granting all people the right to worship their own religion without persecution or judgement for it? What President Donald Trump is deciding to do with his presidency is not only illegal, but also immoral. We, as American citizens, need to stop it now before it gets out of control.
Jared Kraft ‘17 kraftjar94@tcapsstudent.net
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ithin the first three weeks of office, President Trump divided the country on an executive order which can only be described as it is, an immigration ban. It is not a Muslim ban, nowhere in the executive order does it mention race or religion. Legally a president has the power to close the nation’s borders if the country being banned is deemed a risk. The seven countries included in the ban were put under travel restrictions by former President Obama to address “the growing threat from foreign terrorist fighters”. The country is at risk of foreign terrorist if the executive order continues to be opposed.
Should the Trump administration be able to put a ban on immigration and refugees?
No, America is known to be the greatest nation, we should help those who need it.
T
- Nataliya Pashchuk `18
he Occidentalist is the official student produced newspaper of news and information published/ produced by WSH newspaper students. The Occidentalist newspaper has been established as a designated public forum for student editors and reporters to inform and educate their readers. As well, it will not be priorreviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisors may and should coach
Madison Raymond Alex Rogers Michaela Rogers Quentin Ross Katie Rundio
Derrick Schwind John Urquhart Catherine Vaught Alden Wack Jade Wilson
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- Levi Kelenski `19
and discuss content during the writing process. Because school officials do not engage in prior-review, and the content of the Occidentalist media is determined and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself, its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.
Section Editors: Isabella Gross Annaka Hansen Alexis Hepler Avery Kostzewa Billy Jo Kyser
Yes, but only the ones that jump the boarder.
Jessica Freeman Katie Rundio Ashley Diehl Billy Jo Kyser Johnny Urquhart Jillian Avis Kaleb Carlson Spencer Elhart Hannah Ashbury Derrick Schwind Jade Wilson
Opinion Writers: Megan Gronek Jared Kraft
Cartoonist: Isabella Gross
Fashion Writer: Camryn Calderwood
Adviser: Catherine Hansen
THE OCCIDENTALIST Listen to Mr. Zenner talk through notes he forgot to post last night.
Get up.
6:52AM 5:45AM
Get to advisory. Everyone else is early.
10:10AM
8:20AM
Arrive at school.
school news Wait for teacher to open room.
1:20PM
11:03AM
Sit down with Bari and practice spring audition music.
Alarm goes off.
3:05PM
6:30AM
2:11PM
Watch in defeat as just sharpened pencil drops and lead comes out.
5:15AM
Get let out early because Thompson is cool.
Name: Gracie Noller Age: 15 Years Graduation Year: 2020 (Freshman) Siblings: One younger sister, two exchange students from China Extracurricular: Robotics (since elementary), Band (since middle school), Rowing (one year), Roller Derby (two years), Snowboarding (three years) Employment: Family cherry farm Closest Friends: Sean, Tyler, Annolysse, Jenna, Emily, Jack, Kayleigh Likes About School: Friends, learning things, robotics, etc. Hates About School: N/A Things Done in Freetime: Playing video games and hanging out with friends Hobbies: Gaming and trying new things
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Band Camp
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Snowboard
Rowing
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Robotics
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inter brings in a cold breeze and Mother Nature in Northern Michigan is never predictable. Ice, rain, snow, and cold temperatures send students to bed at night dreaming of cancelled classes, some even take extra steps to help Mother Nature make up her mind by performing snow day rituals. If there is even the smallest chance of a snow day, math teacher Diane Lyon-Schumacher has plenty of interruptions to her teaching. She is fascinated by the weather and has followed the weather channels and studied different patterns in weather systems, and as the statistics teacher, she makes the perfect person to accurately predict the the chances of a snow day. In almost 20 years, she may have missed the call once or twice. Due to her expertise, students often turn to her before the online weather predictors or turning on the local news to watch the weatherman. With all the interruptions to her class, however, she decided
to retire from predicting snow days this year. “I don’t predict snow days anymore because too many people were coming in and bugging me during class time and I would get emails and phone calls,” Lyon-Schumacher said. Some students are learning to rely on “snowday calculators”, which aren’t always accurate. “I don’t think they are very accurate my reason being they calculate for an area rather than a particular spot,” LyonSchumacher said. Along with the predictions and apps there are rituals students perform when winter comes in with with a force. To convince Mother Nature help in cancelling classes, students wearing their pajamas inside out, flush snow down the toilet, sleep with a spoon under pillow, or try any number of approved rituals. Mother Nature doesn’t always hear the students’ pleas. “The night before I think we are going to have a snow day I purposely stay up late and
Art for art’s sake TCAPS Board member starts clothing line to support underfunded art programs Annaka Hansen ‘19 hansenann37@tcapsstudent.net
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rts programs are often the first to take a hit when it comes to budget cuts in schools. Whether it’s art, music, or theater classes, art programs need extra money to pay for supplies to teach students. There are added costs in paint and clay for ceramics, film for photography, and there is needed bussing to performances around the state. TCAPS Board member Kelly Clark, however, has found a unique way of raising money for the arts through starting his own clothing line called LoveWearWeLive (LWWL).
follow along with the news to keep track of whether we will have a snow day or not.” Raven Flores ‘18 said. Regardless of how many students sleep with their pajamas inside out or backwards, the district has the final say on whether a snow day will be called. Before making a final decision, many people come together to consider how the weather effects student safety. There are four people that go out and drive the roads at three am and they get back together at four am and make a decision based on the road conditions and weather reports. They then give Superintendent Paul Soma their recommendation and he has the final say. Public schools are required by the state to complete 175 days or 1,098 hours each school year, so if too many snow days are called, some may have to be made up in June. By mid-February, TCAPS was at the six day limit of snow days, so any more cancelled school days may require students to have an extra day in the summer.
11:50AM
Watching pen fly across the room while learning how
4:10PM
3:10PM
Reminiscing about Finally get home. football with Bobby Eat an early dinner. Howell.
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Notre Dame College
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3
Adrion College
Olivet College
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5
Heidelberg University
Spring Arbor University
Fighting for peace
predictor retires
Michaela Rogers ‘18
2:30PM
Top five athleticly offered colleges
in the life...
rogersmic32@tcapsstudent.net
Teasing ol’ Tom Brown while at speed training.
Name: Luke Sawusch Age: 18 Years Graduation Year: 2017 (Senior) Siblings: 1 Sister Extracurricular: Track and Field (eight years), Football (seven years), Powerlifting (three years) Employment: Sales Associate (Famous Footwear), Sport Official (fourth and fifth grade boys/girls basketball and volleyball) Closest Friend: Bobby Howell Likes About School: Learning about interesting topics Hates About School: Reading books he doens’t quite care for Things Done in Freetime: Playing video games or talking to college coaches Hobbies: Mountain biking, video gaming, giving back to the community.
A DAY
Too many interruptions to class pushes stats teacher Diana Lyon-Schumacher to resign from her nearly perfect snow day predicting record
Weights class. Legs feel like Jell-o.
10:40AM
8:30AM
Get to school and do track workout.
Hours per week at each extra curriculars Roller Derby
Frantically typing journal entries for 1984.
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New club seeks students who want to make the world a better place Jade Wilson ‘18 wilsonjad19@tcapsstudent.net
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t may seem bleak, but the world needs conflicted areas of the world.” help and Dr. Michael McGill, Director Dr. McGill’s PhD in Intercultural Studies for the Young PeaceBuilders is encouragfocused on developing a descriptive moral ing young people to make a change in the framework for mobilizing effective and ethiworld. Since 2000 he has been training youth cal child participation in peace processes. He researchers, and has been a strategic problemalso holds a Masters degree in Counseling solver. His resume shows he is the man for and a Bachelors degree in Communications. the job. McGill’s work inspired students to get According to the Young Peacebuilders out of their comfort zone and get involved website, McGill has invested time in 50 with making a change in the world. Students countries. He has trained Grace Martin, Jonny Urqu“I am apart of Model groups in Asia, Africa, hart, and Jeremy Gauden Middle East, Europe, and are hearing his pleas for UN and debate and I North America. He also learn a lot about topics more peacebuilders and co-developed a university are starting a Young Peace like post conflict areas, Builders club. graduate methods course but i’m never able to on international research “I am a part of Model with children in difUN and debate and I learn do anything about it. ficult circumstances, and But with Young Peace- a lot about topics like post has practiced as a child conflict areas, but I’m never builders I’m able to do able to do anything about it. psychologist. He invested something about it,” several years founding a But with Young Peacebuildglobal partnership addressers I’m able to do someJeremy Gauden ‘19 ing child sexual exploitathing about it,” Gauden tion and trafficking. His said. experiences in conflicted countries led him Gauden wants to see stability in the world, to see the need for better engagement with and he wants people to live safe lives. He young people as peacebuilders in order to knows that students can help make the prevent and break cycles of violence. For over change in the world he envisions, and they a decade his work and research has focused will grow as they do it, too. on how young people can make peace in “It is a great opportunity for them to today’s communities. be able to build their skills,” McGill said. “I moved to Uganda and East Africa with Students interested in joining Young Peacemy family and we lived there for about two builders can contact Charles Rennie in A210 and half years, “ McGill said. It’s right near where the club meets Wednesdays after the center of one of the youngest and most school in A210.
Originally, the brand started out as a way for Clark to raise money to travel the world with his family for a year. “My wife asked me, ‘If you could do anything, what would you do?’ I said I would pull the kids out of school and spend one year traveling the world, spending two months on each continent,” Clark said. “She laughed and said ‘Great. If you can figure out a way to make it happen, go for it.’ And here we are.” While building the brand, he decided that a portion of the proceeds would go towards TCAPS arts programs. When he first set out to build the business, he reached out to graphic artists on the internet in a logo competition. Of the more than 150 logos submitted from around the world, the main logo chosen was created by a local artist, and the slogan used on his website, “Earth
without the ‘art’ is just eh,” was born. “While I don’t have much artistic ability myself, I appreciate those who are able to create something that connects with other people,” Clark said. For the company’s future, Clark hopes the brand will become well known and continue benefitting TCAPS arts. “My goal is to grow it and create a recognizable brand,” Clark said. “My passion is promoting the people, the businesses, and artists of the area. Through the gear, the website, and LoveWearWeLive, we hope to bring all of those passions together.” Clark plans to expand the business by making the clothing line more customizable and adding the logos to bags and other garments. He is also planning a “LoveWearWeLaugh” logo for some humorous designs as well. “Along the lines of customization, we hope to eventually evolve to a point where graphic designers are able to submit their own works, where they would receive 40% of the profit from their own design, but of course it would have to incorporate the hidden LWWL and go with the vibe of our tribe,” Clark said. The LWWL is hidden in the waves of his first LoveWearWeLive logo, which was designed by Amy Hansen at Revolution Design.
4
news
THE OCCIDENTALIST
For the LOVE of dancing February dance brings fathers, daughters together
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Left: Student Senate members make a splash at the Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics. Photo submitted: L. Wright. Right: Dominick Kennedy ‘17 donates blood for Michigan Blood. Photo: H. Ashbury. Bottom: Student Senate members present a check for the Munson Medical Center Breast Care Assistance Fund. Photo: M. Clone
tudent
enate erves
Senate members take the plunge, bond over burgers, and bleed for a cause
Madison Raymond ‘17
I
raymondmad98@tcapsstudent.net
t’s not easy to take the plunge in subzero temperatures, or to give a vein to a needle during a blood drive. Student Senate members were willing to make the sacrifice for a good cause, though. Student Senate has been busy with raising awareness and funds all year. Members organized the Polar Plunge to benefit The Special Olympics, and also a community dinner with Bagger Daves to support the Breast Care Assistance Fund at Munson Medical Center. They also hosted two school-wide blood drives for Michigan Blood. There were 25 Polar Plunges across the state, and the various events helped to raise funds for over 21,000 athletes who participate in Special Olympics in Michigan. The local plunge took place at the patio of North Peak, a local brewery. Special Olympics Michigan is a year round program offering sports for those with intellectual disabilities and allows them to participate in sporting events in a competitive environment. “It was a community event, so I organized a Senate team so all the Senators who wanted to went to the event and either jumped in or just helped volunteer there and set up,” Student Senate member Lauren Wright ‘19 said. “We raised close to $30,000 dollars but Senate alone raised $1,300 dollars for Special Olympics.” Wright is setting her sights on how to make next year’s event even bigger. “Next year, I think it would be cool if the whole school participated,” she said. Student Senate Governor Danielle Priest ‘17 helped organize two separate blood drives this year, the most recent was the largest drive to date, collecting 74 pints of blood from students. And even with a record amount of blood donated, there was still more to give. “At the end of the day, students still wanted to donate,” Priest said. “This shows how much people actually wanted to donate.” There were added benefits to donating that kept students lined up to show their veins. According to Priest, any student who donates four pints of blood over their high school years will earn a red chord to drape over their shoulders at graduation. Student Senate worked with the Michigan Blood Center which collects blood for 39 hospitals across the Lower Peninsula. In the fall the senate members held a fundraiser at Bagger Dave’s where 15% of the proceeds were donated to Munson Medical Center Breast Care Assistance Fund. The senate members planned the dinner after a Pink basketball game where the Bleacher Creatures came dressed in pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. The total amount raised at Bagger Dave’s was $868.03. A greater sense of community and bringing more students together for a good cause is a goal for Student Senate. “A lot of [student] senators realized that reaching out to the community is a very important aspect of our class and improving our student involvement,” Wright said.
Student Council members dressed as princes and princesses dance with young guests at the Daddy-Daughter Dance benefitting the Titan Food Pantry. Photo: E. Sykes
Billy Jo Kyser ‘19 kyserbil92@tcapsstudent.net
F
ebruary is the month of sweethearts and valentines but on Feb. 11, it was all about the love between a daughter and her father. It was also about princesses and princes. Student Council came dressed in costumes fit for royalty to host the school’s first Father Daughter dance, an event that helped provided for more than just a connection between family members. “We wanted to find a more creative way to provide for the food pantry so we came up with the Daddy Daughter dance,” Rose Soma ‘17 said. “Valentine’s day is near, too, so it will go along with that. The money will go towards the food pantry, and we hope to target a different audience.” The Titan Food pantry is located in the counseling office and can be accessed by any student who needs extra supplies like food or other daily supplies for themselves or family members. “A few of us came up with the idea, around five or six of us, we wanted to let the local families and their kids have fun,” Soma said. “The [ticket] cost was $30 a pair and it was
kind of expensive, but it did the trick and raised us a great amount of money. We are mostly targeting elementary schoolers because those are the typical age of girls who like to hang out with their dads.” Caden Buist’s ‘19 eight year old sister attended the dance with his dad. “It’s a great experience for the kids because it creates a stronger bond between the father and daughter,” Buist said. “My sister was very excited to get a new dress, and was very happy that her dad asked her to go.” Besides the fun his little sister had, Buist appreciated the fact that the dance served a need in the school community. “I think it’s amazing that the Student Council is doing this event because it makes our community come closer as a family, and it’s just a lot of fun and it is very inspiring.” The dance was not only a huge hit with the little princesses, but it also raised $400 to keep the food pantry shelves stocked. The Titan Food Pantry is run by the Senior Class Council and Council Advisor Kimberly Kramer. Donations to the pantry can be delivered to Mrs. Kramer or dropped off in the counseling office.
Predicting the future The classic novel 1984 is back as best seller, some believe it explains today’s political climate Isabella Gross ‘17 grossisa37@tcapsstudent.net
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s of late, dystopian fiction has enthralled the masses. The Hunger Games and the Divergent series have captured the hearts of the younger generation, and spurred authors’ newfound fortunes in book sales and movie franchises. This past January, as America witnessed the rise of an iconoclastic leader, it also watched the incredible resurgence in the sales of George Orwell’s dystopian classic, 1984. According to Signet Classics, current publisher of 1984, sales of this nearly seventy-year-old novel have skyrocketed by an astounding “10,000%.” Orwell’s 1984 has been a component of the ELA curriculum for years; in light of Trump’s presidency, teachers may encounter different interpretations of the novel than in years past. “It can be challenging at times to be a teacher with political views to keep my own opinion out of the classroom,” English teacher Heidi Gregory said. “That is why I leave the drawing of parallels between 1984 and the real world largely up to the students.” Most seniors currently reading the novel are doing just that. Students are understanding that the reason for the spike in sales is largely due to our changing society. “[Increased sales of 1984 is occurring] for two obvious reasons, one is that after the election, we got a popular demagogue as president, and that is what the ‘dear leader’ of 1984
is, he is a man who projects himself as a man of the people, no matter what the people think of him,” Hannah Ellery ‘17 said. “The second reason is because it’s the novel that everyone thinks of when they think of a dystopian novel, it’s the classic one.” She read 1984 in her AP Literature class last year. The Trump administration is certainly not the first political or governmental comparison made by 1984 readers. Orwell implemented the maniacal and dehumanizing tactics of the Nazi party into the principles of his fictional Party, the authoritarian oligarchy that towers over the protagonist’s country of Oceania. Some students are nervous about the silencing of science and the media, as well as the “alternative facts” movement, which presents haunting similarities to 1984’s mechanism of deleting and correcting history, surreptitiously dubbed the Ministry of Truth. “I know that we like to think that our history books are completely accurate but even ours are kind of biased in a way. There’s things like the Japanese internment camps, that’s something that I didn’t learn about until I was in high school and it’s something we don’t like to talk about, so I think we’re gonna see a shift towards rewriting history and fact into fiction,” said Amy Kase ‘17, who is currently reading 1984. Novels and movies function as illustrations of the future by harnessing the events of the past. No matter which party you identify with, literature is an essential part of history and society.
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THE OCCIDENTALIST
Second chances
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TCAPS veterans finally earn the degree that they missed out on while serving
Nathan Freeman ‘19
freemannat99@tcapsstudent.net
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hen the world is at war, it feels like to receive a high school diploma young men leave to support after serving his country. Sutton received his their country to fight on diploma at the age of 69. the front lines. When sol“It felt great!” Sutton said. “I got about 21 diers return home, some have missed oppordifferent ribbons from the military, but my tunities like getting a high school diploma. diploma topped all of them.” He participated The Michigan Act 181, which was created in Central High School’s end-of-the-year 2001, allows a Michigan school district to graduation last spring. award high school diplomas to veterans who Instead of getting his diploma, Sutton, could not finish school because they chose in the year 1964 served in Spokeo Banks, the honorable thing to do by serving. Hawaii, then went to Vietnam where he was Mary Beth a door gunner in a Stein is the head of helicopter. He also TCAPS Student served six months in Services and she is Dessert Storm. leading way to help “I really didn’t those who served think about my earn their diploma diploma,” Sutton if their service insaid. “I did a lot of terferred with their research, and I found ability to graduate out that school was - Door Gunner, Vietnam War, Lyle Sutton from high school. not as important “The district is as fighting for my very honored,” country.” He may Stein said. “This is have missed the opa small token of appreciation for when they portunity to graduate high school, but Sutton served.” had no regrets. To date, 48 diplomas have been handed “I was 17 when I went into the military, and to veterans or their family members since I would do it all over again,” he said. TCAPS started the program. The diplomas Veterans do not have to take any classes to can also be awarded posthumously as well. receive their diploma. Requirements to obtain “If your father or grandfather has died and a diploma require that a World War II Vet not gotten a diploma, a child or a grandchild have left high school between Dec. 16, 1940, can receive the diploma in their honor,” Stein and Dec. 31, 1946; a Korean War Vet to have said. left high school between June 2, 1950, and Diplomas are awarded in different settings, Jan. 31, 1955; and a Vietnam Vet to have been but the ceremony is always moving. drafted or enlisted between Feb. 28, 1961, and “Some people get the diplomas at a board May 7, 1975. A veteran must also have been meeting,” Stein said. “Some people actually honorably discharged. Any veteran or family go on stage at a school and get the diploma. member of a one who served at those times They usually get a standing ovation,” Stein can contact Mary Beth Stein at the Boardman said. Administartion offices for more information Veteran Lyle Sutton knows firsthand what on applying for a diploma.
“I was 17 when I went into the military, and I would do it all over again.”
Lyle Sutton, who served in Vietnam and Desert Storm receives his high school diploma at a Central High School graduation ceremony. Photo submitted by TCAPS
New center plans alternative prom
New organization, Polestar LGBT+ Center of Traverse City serves students and community members in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Kalkaska, and Antrim Counties Katie Rundio ‘18
rubdiokat33@tcapsstudent.net
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ith a politically charged and divided nation, it may be hard for everyone to feel safe and accepted in their own communities. Now is the time for leaders to step forward to unite their communities. John Young saw the need to bring the community together regarding the LGBTQ+ community, and he stood up to make a difference. “The LGBT community in the Traverse City area is very fractured for a long time, “ he said. “Since I moved here about 15 years ago, the common phrase has been, ‘where is everybody?’” West has been committed to helping teens in LGBTQ+ community feel safe. Heidi Gregory, a teacher and advisor of the GayStraight Alliance club, meets every Wednesday with around 15 students to create a safe place for all teens. “The GSA promotes anti-bullying initiatives and general awareness of the LGBTQ+ community,” Gregory said. “I work with students to brainstorm new activities to provide a safe environment, and I work as a liaison between the students and the administration at times, in order to put the ideas into
action.” Gregory is working with Young to create opportunities for all. Young is creating a Community Center that serves the LGBTQ+ community. What started out as an idea that he mulled over for years has turned into a non-profit organization serving hundreds in the community. Though the center has yet to settle in a building, it doesn’t stop Young and his friends from advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. “The center serves as a beacon of hope for members of the community,” Gregory said. “So many closeted people live in isolation, face depression, or don’t know of anywhere to find support. Eventually this can lead to devastating circumstances.” The community center is organizing a Queer Prom for the LGBTQ+ community on April 29 at the Hotel Indigo, and Young hopes that the Center will find a permanent home by the summer. “Polestar offers a beacon of hope and a safe place for all to go. It also provides a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community to gather and to be themselves without the pressures or phobias of a predominantly hetero-sexist society,” Gregory said.
Front street Writing students explore their creative side and possible careers with writers in residence
Avery Kostrzewa ‘18
kostrzewaave@tcapsstudent.net
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edication to their craft is something that all the Front Street Writer students have. Set up through Career Tech Center the program offers a unique opportunity for students to have the majority of their school day be exclusively for writing. The program’s instructor, Teresa Scollon and writer in residence Mardi Link, all work to educate students in a variety of writing styles. Students in the workshop styple class submit their writings for publication and audience critique. Front Street Writers is a for-credit, rigorous creative writing program for high school students where they learn from published writers-in-residence, leading TCAPS teachers, and nationally renowned guest authors. The program treats the young writer as a serious artist and as a working professional. Getting into the select class requires more than just checking a box on a schedule form. To be a part of this program students have to go through an application process to prove they can handle the work load of an intense writing course. “I had to have five pages of my own writing, and an essay that was about 250 words on why I wanted to be in Front Street Writers,” Micah Mabey ’17 said. “I kind of knew poetry, that was my thing going in and now I have learned how to craft a good story, it’s the biggest thing.” Mabey has had a passion for writing, and is a winner of the Young Playwright’s Festival for his play City Limits. Some students decide to take the class to
explore how writing can become part of their career. “I want to go into travel journalism,” Mason Gratton ‘19 said. “I want to travel the world and write stories about things that people might not want to write about. I know that Front street writers is not a basic English class, they focus more on careers.” Gratton plans to apply to the FSW course in his senior year. The idea of applying to get into a class might seem unexpected or daunting to some, but those who have made it into the class think the class, application process, and constant critique of work are worth the hard work that is required of them. “Sometimes writers can be hesitant about sharing their work with others, and I would just encourage anyone who’s interested in writing either for their personal satisfaction or for developing it as a career to really explore this program,” Scollon said. “It’s a way to learn a lot really fast, we have fun, and we have a great community.” The exposure to professional writers may be the biggest reward for new writers. This year’s writer in residence, Mardi Link has published best-selling books, including The Drummond Girls: A Story of Fierce Friendship Beyond Time and Chance, Bootstrapper: From Broke to Bad ass on a Northern Michigan Farm, Wicked Takes the Stand: A Tale of Murder and Twisted Deceit in Northern Michigan, Isadora’s Secret: Sin, Murder, and Confession in a Northern Michigan Town, and When Evil Came to Good heart: An Up North Michigan Cold Case.
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arts and entertainment
Making Music
Band and orchestra students perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Festival
THE OCCIDENTALIST
MUSIC
Kaleb Carlson ’19
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karlsonca87@tcapsstudent.net
little competition is making musicians work harder, and the music wing is tense while band and orchestra students practice hard to prepare for music competitions throughout
February. Band and orchestra students signed up to perform musical pieces with their instruments at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festival. Whether a solo piece, or one performed with their peers, choosing the right piece of music and picking the best partner for an ensemble is what mattered most. “I did a solo because it’s more independent, so I can rely more on myself,” trumpet player Nolan Giddis ‘19 said. He earned the highest ranking for his performance. Some students joined in with several groups, hoping it would help them advance on to States where the competition is more fierce. “This year I was in a percussion ensemble, and it was an eight man ensemble, an octet, and I also did a duet and a solo,” percussionist Sam Bachman ‘17 said. He also recieved all ones, the highest marks, for his performances. Preparation for the solo or ensemble piece is controlled by the students involved. Students get together on their own time and practice independently from their music class. Students could practice for as long as they wanted up until the Solo Ensemble festival.
Orchestra students Kaitlyn Edinger ‘17 and Tyler Knorr ‘19, perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchastra rehearsal at Central Grade School. Photo: C. Hansen “I’ve had this music for about a year and it’s good to have music in your arsenal that you can use for certain events,” Bachman said. After each performance, musicians gave suggestions for improvement. “This is my third and final year doing this and I gained a lot of experience this year throughout all my events,” Bachman said. The musicians that receive a one earned the opportunity to move on to States. Band and orchestra students also showcased their strengths in playing with their entire musical groups. They did a practice round that was critiqued by professionals at Central Grade School in three pieces, then were judged on site reading which required playing a new piece they had never rehearsed before. All three bands took top scores of ones, the philharmonic orchestra earned straight ones, and symphony earned twos.
A problem with lighting doesn’t stop SHREK
To read story about Shrek auditions, see Dec. edition at wshoccidentalist.wordpress.com The lights went out on Shrek for the tech night, but theater and music teachers scurried to rent a new lighting system to ensure the show would go on. Upper left: Nathan Crowe as Pinnochio, Mason Sayer as The Rabbit. Middle top: Raul Rivera as Donkey. Upper right: Liliya Burden as The Sugar Plum Fairy-The Gingerbread Man. Bottom right: Grace Cain-Kellman, Lily Ahlstrom, Camryn Calderwood as The Three Blind Mice. Bottom left: Madison Hertel as Fiona, Steven Prechtl as Shrek. Photos: M. Clone
Spencer’s MediaMadness
Dragonball Xenoverse 2 The first Xenoverse game, which was based on the Dragonball TV show, was great and I got about everything I could out of playing it. Then came the second game, and oh my, Dragonball Xenoverse 2 is a huge improvement. Better music and a much better story line add to the update that will have players glad they switched to the new version. Everyday I get on this game and play it with my friends for at least two hours at night because it is so good. Players can either go on special quests or just battle with original
Spencer Elhart ‘18 elhartspe12@tcapsstudent.net
characters from the Dragonball cast. Players can fight with Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, and even Yamcha, but those four are just a small amount of the characters. There’s also a very detailed character customization for when players make their own Dragonball character, and can choose from five races when choosing their character. There are the Earthling, the Buus, the Frieza race people, the Namekians, and the Saiyan races to choose from. Another cool aspect of the game is that players can choose their own attacks as well as their own attributes. The game lets
players choose if they want to a be personal fighter or someone who attacks from further away, or a mix of both. This might be the second game in the series, but it goes over what happened in the first game almost perfectly. My favorite aspects of the game is how players can play with friends or the clothing customization, which lets them put on clothes from all across the Dragonball extended universe. Overall this game is one of my favorites and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the Dragonball series.
review
Kendall Wisniewski ’18
Wisniewsken47@tcapsstudent.net
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ndrew McMahon is a man of many names. Few will know him as a member of the band Something Corporate, some as the frontman of Jack’s Mannequin, but most will know him as himself, possibly with “in the Wilderness” tacked on the end. McMahon has been present in the music industry for over 15 years, though his latest project began in 2013 with The Pop Underground EP, his first release under the moniker Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The self-titled full-length album came later in 2014, brandishing his most well-known single, Cecilia and the Satellite. Following a tour with alternative staples, Panic! at the Disco and Weezer in the summer of 2016, McMahon released his newest album, Zombies on Broadway in early February. Out of all of the bands and albums I’ve reviewed so far, I strongly feel that this is going to be the album that will most please the masses. While most of the artists I’ve covered have had very specific sounds that just may not be for everyone, the heavily pop-influenced melodies and slightly manufactured sounding instrumentals make this record radio ready. From the more mellow tones of Birthday Song, to the quick rhythm of Walking in My Sleep, you’d think there would be some sort of disconnect between the songs, yet somehow, McMahon has created an incredibly fluid sound that makes each song sound just like it came from this album. I’ve found myself most strongly drawn to Don’t Speak for Me, So Close, and Island Radio simply because I’m a sucker for a good riff and a catchy melody, though I really don’t think you can go wrong. Compared to his previous album, Zombies on Broadway has a much more mature sound and really has shown the growth of McMahon as an artist. I do miss a bit of the dreaminess the first album had, which has been replaced with a more perfected sound, though that’s really the only criticism I have for this release. While it’s difficult to compare this album to anything, I would recommend Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness for fans of the Wombats and Bleachers, or really anyone who is in need of some great pop music.
review: Patriot’s Day
Ashley Diehl ‘17
diehlash20@tcapsstudent.net
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great American movie shows the powerful story of a community’s courage when faced with terror. Patriots Day, staring Mark Wahlberg tells the true story of the Boston Marathon terrorist attack. The film takes viewers on an inside look of the terrorist attacks that left three dead and more than 250 people injured, resulting in a literal lock down of the city of Boston. The movie includes a look into the investigation of finding those in charge of the attacks. Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) is joined by survivors, first responders, and investigators in a race against the clock before another attack strikes. The FBI is called in to help with the search, as they can further harm other areas around the United States. Saunders is called into the storage room to go over coverage of the downtown area, identifying every camera of every building. FBI analysts then review the footage of the bombing and identify the suspects, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan, but Special Agent Richard DesLauriers is hesitant on releasing the evidence to the public to avoid them from fleeing. Fox News resizes the photos of the suspects after they were leaked and makes them public. The Tsarnaev brothers start to realize that their capture is imminent, so they plan to flee the city with plans for attacks in different cities. A horrifying shoot out takes place, and authorities involved in the investigation provide Boston a needed sense of unity after the tragic event. Step by step, Patriot’s Day weaves in the unflinching historical event of the intense manhunt for two notorious terrorists. This film wasn’t just a movie or a story, this was a real event that not only affected the area of Boston, but the communities around the entire country. While so many watched the event unfold on the nightly news, the movie puts together the unknown details and viewers will experience a sense of pain that was felt by those who were there. Moviegoers will need Kleenex as they watch the real-life story unfold in a way that is more human than what could be told in short news snippets on CNN and Fox News.
THE OCCIDENTALIST
features
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Hannah Ashburry `19
ashburryhan41@tcapsstudent.net
Lakritz scooters around and lands a business deal
Zac Lakritz ‘19 practices his scooter skills around Chicago. Photo submitted by: Z. Lakritz
usiness is booming for Zac Lakritz `19, co-owner of Bayfront Scooters, located in downtown Traverse City. It all started when he was a mere three years old, and he wanted to learn how to ride BMX, which grew into a love of scootering six years ago. More recently, he started his own business with his brother, Adam Lakritz, and father, Charlie Lakritz, to repair and sell scooter parts. “My friends got me into scootering, but I’ve loved it ever since I started,” Zac said. “Hanging out with friends and meeting new people is fun, but it’s also a way to take my mind off things for a while.” There are those who think scootering isn’t a very big challenge, that almost anyone can do it, but for Zac, it’s a lot more than just putting one’s foot to the concrete and scooter. Zac is known for stunting and doing tricks wherever they can find concrete to ride on. “My first reaction to scootering was that it was a piece of cake, nothing hard about it, until I went to the skate park more and more often,” said Lakritz. “Watching everyone do insane tricks showed me it took skill to scoot.” Challenges among scootering include persistence and the will to keep trying over and over. “When I first started the hardest part was probably getting back of the scooter and trying again.,” Zac said. “Almost every trick you try you’ll have to try and try again. It’s totally worth is though, it’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.” The real show of scootering competition doesn’t even begin in Traverse City, let alone Michigan. A lot of the biggest action happens in states like New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado. “I’ve traveled a lot for events like street jams in Chicago, where people mob around on scooters and whoever does the
best trick gets a cash prize,” Zac said. “Hundreds of people come from all over.” The love of scootering has inspired the Lakritz to start their own business here in town, however, it definitely hasn’t always been easy. “We opened in July of 2016 in 231 Outfitters and we sell scooter parts, maintenance repairs for scooters and bikes, and electric bikes, but it’s really hard to have customers come in all the time because normally scooter and bike parts generally last a long time” said Lakritz. “I like having my own business though, it’s like I’m my own boss, it’s a lot better then working in a fast food restaurant, especially because I’m doing something I love everyday and seeing people I’m friends with,” Lakritz said. Zac plans on pursuing the business after he has graduated and hopes to further expand the amount of shops. Being one of the only shops in Michigan that has so many services in one place for specifically scooters, it’s very convenient for local riders that need repairs or new parts. “I’m in the shop all the time, it means a lot that there’s a store that can help you get back to doing what you love, especially when it’s someone you know and trust,” Nathan Witkop `20 said. “You can get it done right there and then, you don’t have to deal with the pain of online buying.” Witkop began scootering two years ago with his friend, Kyran Klimaszewski `20. They both agree that having a shop in town is more then beneficial. “It’s especially helpful having a shop close by because the scooter population is becoming very high.” Klimaszewski said. Lakritz and his co-owners are coming out of the slow winter hibernation and are preparing for their busy spring and summer season. They are busying themselves with advertising and ordering new parts and in an effort to serve their incoming customers.
Long awaited move
New robotics, math teacher Mark Skodak moves north to join his wife in the TCAPS district
Alex Rogers `18
rogersale77@tcapsstudent.net
Jared Oosse updates his world language portfolio in his Spanish class. As a Sophmore Oosse will have enough credits to graduate two years early. Photo: A. Hansen
Credit that counts With some hard work students earn credit to graduate one or even two years early
Jillian Avis `17
avisjil39@tcapsstudent.net
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to complete, like 12th grade English and a math class during senior year. “Students need four credits of English and math,” Counselor Tom Ford said. “[They also need] three credits of social studies including Econ and Government, Science, and one full credit of Visual Performing Applied Arts.” Despite not being able to graduate at the end of this year even though he will have the required 23 credits, Oosse still finds the positives in having to stay at school for two more years. “I was kind of upset because I could graduate whenever I want to,” he said. “It’s also incredibly nice because I’m still in high school, so the prices of the classes that I can take now, like BC Calc, are significantly lower [than at college]. I don’t feel like I’m being held back, I feel like I gave myself an opportunity to get ahead, like AP classes and everything at college level. It gives [me] the opportunity to get farther ahead in college and therefore graduate college earlier.” Even with a busy schedule, Oosse still manages to fit in a social life. “[There’s] lots of school but I save time for social events,” he said. “High school is fun, and it’s great to experience it like high school is supposed to be experienced.” While Oosse earned much of his extra credits in the arts, he plans to study aviation after leaving high school.
material to advance their knowledge in science, math and technology. “He’s a good teacher, Liam Coyle ‘18 said. “He knows what he is teaching.” Skodak also requires his students to learn the soft skills needed to find success in real world when they head into STEM fields. “I want to make a difference,” Skodak said. “I teach job related skills.” He hopes to help students get significant internships straight out of high school. “I want to prepare you guys for life after high school,” Skodak said. “I have a passion for the ‘aha’ moments I can see in students, I love to watch kids take their work, and improve upon it.” When in Farmington Hills Skodak and his wife Heidi helped build the STEM program. Now both are working in the TCAPS district, they are committed to doing the same thing. His goal is to broaden a pathway for STEM programs from kindergarten to 12th grade. “I just want to pass my knowledge onto you guys and watch what I did go further,” Skodak said. Much of Skodak’s experience is from his career in the real world. Where some students are hoping to explore careers in engineering, architecture and design, and other areas of the STEM field.
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or sophomore Jared Oosse, a love of the arts turned into a formula for getting ahead of the academic game. Balancing four performing arts courses with core classes caused him to be creative with his time management. “This past semester, I took nine credits by taking a zero hour and two online classes on top of that,” Oosse said. “I was in Theater Three, Chorale, symphony band, and Choral Aires. With [those four credits], I had to also fit in all my core classes and still be on course to graduate. It was a lot of being creative with moving around schedules.” Getting ahead of schedule had a rough start, but he made the transition. “Last year it was rather challenging at the start of the year,” Oosse said. “Then I was able to catch up with how fast it was going.” With the arts still at the forefront, Oosse also wanted to maximize his efficiency and guarantee his transcripts showed his academic strengths, too. “It slowly turned into ‘I have the ability to take eight classes, how can I do this effectively that I can graduate with ten college credits?’,” Oosse said. Just because students are ahead on credits earned to graduate doesn’t guarantee they will be walking the stage at Corson Auditorium on graduation day, however. They still have mandatory classes they need
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etal and math brought Mark Skodak to West, but he was already chasing his dream to move here long before the position to replace math and robotics teacher Phillip Leete opened up midyear. Skodak has had his eye on Northern Michigan for some time. In fact, his wife accepted a position as Assistant Principal at Central High School and the Coordinator for the Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) program almost two years ago. In fact, he had already purchased a house here to renovate when he had time on the weekends to travel from Farmington Hills to spend time with his family in Traverse City. Skodak originally worked as a civil engineer before he started teaching in high in Farmington Hills. As the market was changing, he decided to earn his teaching certificate before earning his masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Wayne State. He holds an architecture degree from Lawrence Tech. “Both me and my wife have family up here, so I have been looking for an opportunity in Traverse City for a few years now,” Skodak said. His mission is to bring his diverse experience of working as an engineer and architect into the classroom. His students get to work with professional software and learn college-related
Cam Walker
Jessica Freeman `17
freemanjes66@tcapsstudent.net
Cam Walker’s homemade speaker that now sits at the Marine’s recruitment office in Traverse City. Photo: C. Walker
Individual sculptures, hand-worked mouldings, and sculptures out of wood have continued to evolve overtime. When creating a piece out of wood, it’s important to not split the wood when adding small details. With more and more advanced tools available, artists like Cam Walker ‘17, have taken on the difficult challenge of turning wood into useful pieces of art. Turning wood into art requires a specific skills set, and Walker is self taught. “Honestly I was bored one night, I taught myself,” Walker said. “I’d like to do intricate designs as an additive to various creations to improve on them.” Since spending the majority of his time at the Traverse Bay Area Career Tech. Center, Walker has been able to pick up more helpful design techniques as he con-
tinues to learn more about the art of wood carving. His tool of choice is an exacto knife. “I’m at the Career Tech Center for skilled trades, we learn everything from drywall to cabinetry. They’ve taught me basic electrical,” Walker said. Along with planning for his future career, Walker has been looking at going into the Armed Forces right out of high school. Although the Marines is first priority, Walker will dabble in wood carving until he is ready to make a living from it. A set of speakers Walker made is now housed at their recruiting office. “I would like to have my own small business someday. It will be hard with me being in the Marine Corps, so it might be something to do after I retire from that,” Walker said.
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sports
THE OCCIDENTALIST
mourn with the community at the loss of The Athletes their beloved Coach Wilde BIGGEST loss wasn’t H on the court Catherine Vaught
vaughtcat61@tcapsstudent.net
Top: Coach Wilde talks to the varsity players before a home game. Below: For their District game, the Varsity Girls Basketball team wears shirts with their coach’s name printed on them to honor his memory. Photos: T. Banfield Walters
eartbreak doesn’t always happen on the court when a team loses a game. In the early hours of Feb.21, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Mike Wilde passed in his sleep, leaving a team of grieving girls to make sense of their loss. The next day, all three teams were called to the athletic wing where they were informed of the news. Many left the school shocked and in tears. Wilde moved up from the JV team to lead the varsity basketball team near midseason. The team struggled after losing their first coach, Rebecca McKee when she resigned in December, and while the team struggled through their season, Wilde brought a glimmer of hope to the girls. “He always inspired us by saying ‘keep believing’ and reminding us that he still had faith in our team,” Varsity player Sara Sievers `17 said. Wilde was not only known on the basketball court, also coaching football, baseball, softball and track. He spent 28 of his 38 year coaching career in the TCAPS school district. The game in Petoskey following his death was cancelled as the players took the time to grieve. “Mike brought a big smile and a caring demeanor to our Athletic Department. His intensity and commitment spanned 38 years of coaching in the Traverse City community across sports like
baseball, track, boys and girls basketball school, especially around the athletic at levels ranging from Middle School, wing. On Feb. 26 more than 500 students, Junior Varsity and ultimately Varsity” athletes, parents, community members and Athletic Director Jason Carmien said. staff gathered in the Commons to share Coach Wilde’s coaching was something stories and celebrate Wilde’s life. that inspired his family, “Coach Wilde had a gift,” too. His younger brother, Lisa Schermerhorn said. Chris “Topher” Wilde “He embraced adolescence remembered his comand somehow was able to petitive spirit from their help his players find the childhood days. good in everything, even “From a younger in the most challenging brother’s point of view, circumstances. He wasn’t he was a true big brother just coaching basketball, he in every sense,” Wilde taught these kids lessons in said. “Growing up on the life. He made every player Peninsula in the late 70s, feel special by his wit, his if my brother wanted to loving spirit, and his coachplay hoops or home run ing expertise.” derby, I had to play as Schermerhorn’s daughter, well, and I did. When Samantha played on his Girls Varsity Basketball I was younger, I could team. Lisa knew Wilde player, Sara Sievers `17 only go to my right and could push his girls on the Mike got bored shutting court, and always met them me down to the right so he coached me with praise when they succeeded. and drilled me so I would have a move “There might have been some yelling, but to the left so the game would be more it was followed with a high five and hug. interesting for him. Later, when I began His players always walked off the court coaching, first soccer then skiing, he was feeling better than when they had arrived. a great reference and would help me build Every practice, every game.” Schermercoaching strategies and philosophies to horn said work for me with my sports even though As the community grieves together, they he was a basketball, football, and baseball remain committed to honoring his memory guy.” by fighting hard to be Titan champions The heartbreak was palpable at the every time they hit the court.
Wrestlers show their skills The wrestling team is making their mark
Alden Wack `20
wackald72@tcapsstudent.net
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ins, take downs, and crushes aren’t going to stop Damien Ballan ‘20, Jacob Ransom ‘18, and Hunter Derry ‘19 from heading to States on March 4 to wrestle at the Palace Stadium in Auburn Hills. In fact, it will only make them fight harder for a win. The competition will run for three days, as wrestlers from around the state compete to throw their opponent to the mat. Ballan knows what he’s up against, but also knows he has earned his place at the state competition. “I worked hard and never gave up” Ballan said. Ballan is the first freshman in over seventeen years to make it to States. His eight years of wrestling at Kingsley and at West Middle School helped him prepare. Ballan got involved in wrestling when coach Nash Meyer encouraged him to get started in elementary school. Since then, his dad has encouraged him to continue the sport. “My dad pushed me to get where I am now,” Ballan said. “I know he’s really proud.” Of course, as Ballan sets out to make school athletic history, his dad, mom, grandparents, and siblings are all planning to be in the stadium that holds over 26,000 fans to cheer him on. In fact, his old wrestling team from elementary and middle school will be there too to cheer him on.
Damien Ballan `20, wrestling against opponent and coming out with a win. Photo: Submitted by D. Ballan
“I want to win my first match so I can move on to the second day and place,” Ballan said. “Hopefully if I place I will have colleges recruiting me.” Ballan finished with 45 wins with only 10 loses. Overall the season was strong for the entire team. “This season we beat many teams that we haven’t beaten in the past couple of years,” Ballan said. “Our team was really into it. They never stopped wrestling. They just had the spirit, always working out, never stopping.” Ballan’s years of competing with My Way Wrestling, a youth wrestling program, helped him qualify in Division 1 at 112 pounds. His coach knows that it wasn’t just his years of experience, though. It was his grit that made him a champion. “Damien is committed to the sport 100%” Coach Russell Nyland said. “He is a full time athlete that makes the best out of each practice. That is the key to making
Hockey team prevails after losing two out of three captains
a champion. He listens to coaches, he is open to try new moves and has fun with it.” This season has been one of the best for the wrestling team in many years. With Ransom qualifying at 189, Derry at 125, and Ballan at 112, there hasn’t been that many to travel to States since 2000. Coach Nyland thinks the boys are super focused this year with their commitment to making things happen in the off season with the Wrestling Amateur Athletic Association, the National United Wrestling Association for Youth, and Michigan Youth Wrestling Association. With workouts over the summer to help keep the team in shape, the boys won Districts for the third straight year in a row and came up short the number five ranked team in the state, Bay City Western. Many wrestlers believe that the team is on a good path to having an even better season next year.
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Girls Varsity Basketball lost to Manistee on Feb.20 40-55. JV picks up a win. Boys Hockey won against the Bay Reps 4-0 on March 2 . They advanced to Big Rapids and played Rockford on March 4.
Girls Bowling finished fifth and missed out on States by 65 pins. Boys Bowling finished tenth. Bowler Avery Schrotenboer `17 finished ninth in Regionals and advanced to States in Sterling Heights on March 4. Titan Girls Alpine Ski team finished third at the MHSAA State finals at Nubs Nob on Feb. 27. Boys Hockey came out with a big win on the road against Alpena on Feb.11.
Wrestling team took the MHSAA District title topping Central and Alpena on Feb.8.
Girls Varsity Basketball played a hard fought battle for the District title against Central on March 2 and lost 57-37.
Team captains Henry Linenger, Zach Reece, and Gavin Garmhausen posing for team senior pictures. Photo: Submitted by Lisa Sitkins
sitkinsell48@tcapsstudent.net
he hockey team starts their playoff run on March 1, but they will have to do it without two-thirds of their captains. Seniors Zach Reece and Henry Linenger both sustained season-ending injuries earlier in the season, leaving senior Gavin Garmhausen as the only captain on the ice for games. On Dec. 29, in the second period of a 3-2 loss to the Bay Area Reps, Reece suffered a torn ACL and a fractured femur. “I was going in to make a hit behind the net and I missed and slammed into the boards,” Reece said. All that was going through his mind at the time was “ouch.” Senior captain Henry Linenger and senior Zak Johnson both suffered season-ending shoulder injuries. Johnson was hurt in the final game of the regular season, causing
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oach’s
Wrestling team members Hunter Derry `19, Jacob Ransom `18, and Damien Ballan `20 were the team’s state qualifiers. Derry took third, Ransom took second, and Ballan took fourth in their respective weight classes.
Hockey team takes a hit Elliott Sitkins `18
“We play for him from now on,”
the team to be without their number three scorer heading into playoffs. Garmhausen is the last injuredcaptain left on the team. “We have to rely on other players to step up and take leadership because I can’t do everything,” Garmhausen said. “I know they [Reece, Johnson, and Linenger] want to be on the ice, but they physically can’t. It’s tough for the younger players to see the leaders go down, but they realize that they have to step up too.” Garmhausen feels the team has a lot of momentum going into playoffs as the team has won six of their last seven games. Coach Jeremy Rintala has been with the team for 10 seasons and has been working to fill the void caused by injuries to his captains.
“It’s never going to be easy to replace two senior captains, they’re obviously going to be important players on the team,” Rintala said. “You just have to hope that younger guys and other players step up.” “We’ve had our ups and downs and we’ve had games we weren’t really happy with how played, but recently we’ve been playing really well and getting used to playing short handed,” Rintala said. “We’ve had guys stepping up, it’s been good so far and we are hoping to keep improving.” Reece is hopeful that the team can advance far into playoffs and win a regional title as long as the team keeps their spirits up and continues to work hard. “We are not the most skilled team out there, but we do what we have to do and get the job done,” Reece said.
Boys Varsity Basketball came out with a huge win against Cadillac on Feb. 28, final score was a close one ending up at 49-48. The Big North Conference title was taken. Boys Junior Varsity and Freshman teams both picked up wins over the Vikings.
Wrestler Jacob Ransom `18 placed eighth at the MHSAA individuals state meet on March 4. Titan Hockey team fell 5-2 against Rockford Rams in the regional finals on Saturday, March 4.
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