Issue 5

W what’s inside

OCCIDENTALIST

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Young Playwrights work with mentors to have their shows transformed for the stage. Photo: T. Paulson

Photo: C. Hansen

With multiple stores opening and closing in the area, students are in search of new job opportunities.

Choir students double checked the list to see which choir they were placed into for next year.

A new band called, Elevate Youth, is emerging into the spotlight.

Spring sports prepare for their season, and many teams are off to a good start. Photo: A. Jean

The Occidentalist Newspaper, led by editors Jessica Freeman and Katie Rundio took a Spartan award at the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association on April 18. This is the highest award given in Michigan for schools that maintain professional journalistic standards in writing, editing, design, and photography. Spener Elhart, Ashley Diehl, Jillian Avis, Hannah Ashbury, Billy Joe Kyser, and Derrick Schwind also took individual awards in design and writing.

in brief

The Titan Robotics team finished the VEX World Championship in the top one percent across 44 countries.

TCAPS study abroad trips to Mexico and Spain are hosting a Cinco de Mayo dinner and silent auction at the Masonic Lodge on M-22 from 6-9pm on May 5.

The cost is $10 per ticket, kids under 10 are free. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to student travelers participating in the trips and students will earn credit for their studies abroad.

No joking matter

In the last couple of weeks threats have prompted Principal Joe Esper to send out emails to parents warning them of what is going on.

Ashley Diehl ‘17

diehlash@tcapsstudent.net

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ith recent threats going around school, it has been a top priority for Principal Joe Esper and the staff to make sure the safety of students is held to high standards.

In the spring, multiple emails were sent out to parents regarding the seriousness of making comments, threats or references of violence of any kind, especially on social media. More recently, the police were called in to investigate threats made on Snapchat and two other incidences at Central High School across town.

“When any kind of threatening comments come up we take them very seriously because we have a big

student body and everyone doesn’t know everybody,” Esper said. “We want everyone at West to know that they’re safe, can go to class, can focus on their course work, focus on their friends, and not worry about their safety.”

Violence in public spaces are not uncommon throughout the world, and TCAPS takes any kind of comments or threats seriously, especially in a public place where there is a student body of 1,600 people.

“We look at how specific is the threat,

how detailed are the plans, and does the person have access to things to carry out the plans. The last big determinate is how much disruption does the threat cause, if it causes a lot of disruption then it is treated as if it is a real threat,” Esper said.

As threats and situations have been happening around sur-

rounding areas the question comes up, is this the copycat effect?

“They had just dealt with one in Petoskey right before the things happened here and then one happened at East Middle School,” Esper said.

Throughout one specific school week there wasn’t just one scenario that raised questions to the staff, but there were four things that raised alarm.

“One was specific to writing on a back corner of a bathroom stall door in the boys bathroom. It was a very non-specific statement, but the statement included the word “bomb” and it wasn’t specific,” Esper said. “The second major one a student was making kind of flippant comments about guns and weapons and then it went through the telephone game.”

Students who have taken more that three business classes are eligible to join National Business Honors Society. Interested students should see Mrs. Dakaske or Mrs. Prisk.

Students appear as ghosts without saying a word

Derrick Schwind ‘19

schwindder40@tcapsstudent.net

West choir students brought 35 first division ratings and three second-place division ratings at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival in Big Rapids on April 22. Madison Hertel was named one of Michigan’s Top Ten High School Vocalists.

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The Marketing class has created a limited edition Fresh Point T-shrit design to benefit The Pump, an organization developed by students to help build water wells around the world. One dollar from every purchase supports the organization, and shirts can be purchased in various colors during lunches or from a marketing student.

Contact Us

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VOLUME XX, EDITION 5 April 2017

whether they are perceived as a joke or not should be reported to avoid it from becoming a panic situation.

“Any threat is a threat we take seriously,” Security personnel Heather Mathie said. “If a student is uncomfortable, frightened or even not sure by what they have seen or heard, they can always tell a teacher, counselor or report directly to security, or the main or neighborhood office. We also strive to develop positive and trusting relationships with our staff and students so you feel comfortable approaching a staff member with any concerns you may have at any given time.”

With the given scenarios it’s refreshing to know that students are willing to step up and let faculty know when something is wrong and to help insure that the school atmosphere stays positive and safe for everyone.

“As kind of frustrating as it is to deal with some of the threats, it does reaffirm that we have a good system for dealing with them and have students that will report these kind of things when they happen,” Esper said.

A ghostly message appears

Student Senate collected 221 pints of blood which will save 656 lives at their annual spring blood drive.

Traverse City West Senior High

It is important for students to be aware that any type of comments,

Brandon Heath ‘19 sits as a ghost in his Spanish class to draw attention to students about the dangers of texting and driving. On this day he could not speak, move, and acted deceased to show what the world would be like if he weren’t in it. Photo: C. Hansen

magine your reaction if you came to school and a student from one of your classes wasn’t there anymore. To help bring awareness to the dangers of texting and driving, some students came to classes with their faces painted as ghosts and did not say a single word. Their ghostly faces symbolized what it would feel like if they weren’t a part of the school community anymore.

The service announcement for texting and driving was hosted by Student Senate. Along with the students who acted like ghosts, they released a video about students who attended a party where there was drinking. In the PSA video, the student does the right thing by calling for a ride, because she has been drinking at the party, but when her chauffeur picks her up, he decides to answer a text while driving her home, and the consequences are fatal.

There were struggles for those who painted their faces and acted like a ghost all day.

“People are trying to get you to talk, and not many people didn’t know what it was, so it was hard not to explain it,” Brandon Heath ‘19 said.

Senate member Hunter Kehoe ‘17 was instrumental in making the PSA announcement. She relied on past experience when creating this announcement, and worked to make this one more meaningful.

“Last year for prom we did a drinking and driving video to spread awareness for safety, it was for a grant,” Kehoe said.

The Senate members are also planning on having mentors and asking students to sign a pledge to commit to not texting and driving.

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THE OCCIDENTALIST

opinions

The Ugly Truth After spring break trips to Florida and school trips abroad, rumors were flying about underage drinking. The Occi staff is glad to see the school take a hard stance towards personal responsbility.

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pring break: two weeks of freedom before the long haul to summer. Some students took the opportunity to travel the world, others flew to Florida or some other warm place, and others stayed close to home. For those students who do traveled overseas, it was easy to be tempted by the freedoms of different countries. Namely, drinking in a country where students may already be at the legal drinking age.

This spring break, West hosted trips to Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Spain and Belgium legally allow drinking at age 16, and the Netherlands set its age of consumption at 18. Despite the legal drinking age at home being 21, some students were old enough to legally drink while on vacation. The school has taken a strong approach to prevent students from getting intoxicated on their school sponsored trips. Release froms and behavior contracts are insuring that students are being held accountable for taking part in harmful behavior. Students and parents sign contracts with statements like, “Use of possession of drugs or illegal narcotics will reslut in the participant’s immediate return to the United States at the expense of his/her parents” or “If alcohol is consumed it will be considered unacceptable behaviors and result in immediate notifcation of parents”. As a staff, we are glad to see that West is pushing for personal responsibility when students participate in programs outside of the country. A part of high school is learning how to be independent and responsible in order to prepare students for their futures. Traveling is a perfect way to apply these ideas to the real world, and students need to act approprirately on school sponsored trips to ensure the district will keep supporting them.

Ultimately, we know that it is impossible to eradicate all underage drinking, but we are glad to see the school trying to stop it.

Drop the

Cartoonist: Isabella Gross ‘17

MIC

Megan Gronek ‘17

gronekmeg39@tcapsstudent.net

D

onald Trump is nearing his 100-day grading mark. He has shown intent as to what he believes is best for our country, marking many unsuccessful attempts at changing American policies and values. That being said, President Trump has demonstrated some positives, for example, showing slight compassion towards the recently bombed Syrian people--even if we participated in the bombings.

As well, the President has shown his support for Planned Parenthood. We turned away Syrian children and families because we thought they were all “murderers and terrorists.” We left transgendered people scared and feeling hopeless because we decided that they were going to “rape our children” in the bathrooms of their identified gender, we called all Mexican people “rapists, murderers, and thieves,” and exclaimed that we are building a wall--with their money to ensure we can never be “contaminated” by them again. We have completely negated our first amendment, but are willing to drop everything to protect our second. This is not what it means to be an American. The Statue of Liberty does not stand for this, and it is incredibly hypocritical for us to stand here and praise everything our country has done and everyone we’ve helped, while spitting at and degrading all Muslims, African Americans, LGBTQ+ people, women, and immigrants everywhere. Donald Trump’s presidency has earned an F, even if it has only been the first 82 days.

What’s your opinion:

B

- Cecilia Kurkowski `17

B

- Cole Barbee `18

B+

Megan by 74.2%

Who gets to drop the mic when it comes to the grading of the Trump Administration in the first 100 days of office? Tell us what you think at: http://tinyurl.com/m5crtnp We will post the results in our next edition.

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.

Editors:

Social Media Expert:

Staff Writers:

Jessica Freeman Katie Rundio

Kendall Wisniewski

Hannah Ashbury Jillian Avis Autumn Bockhol Abigail Bregy Kaleb Carlson Hannah Creamer Ashley Diehl Spencer Elhart Jessica Freeman Nathan Freeman

Assistant Editor: Annaka Hansen

Business Manager: Elliott Sitkins

Copy Editors:

Graphics:

Avery Kostzewa Elliott Sitkins Catherine Vaught Kendall Wisniewski Isabella Gross

Quentin Ross

Printed by: The Record-Eagle

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s we approach President Trump’s 100th day in office, it’s difficult for many Conservatives, like myself, to grade how our President is doing. With many actions, good and bad, by the President, his first 100 days are tricky to grade. For the sake of efficiency I will break down the actions Trump has taken and will give them each a letter grade, then give my final grade. If we start with immigration, I give the president an A-. In the first few days of his presidency, Trump signed an executive order that would have begun construction on his infamous wall. Throughout the campaign he promised that Mexico would foot the bill, but this will not be the case. Taxpayers will foot the $10 billion cost.

Trump has also signed multiple executive orders to prevent immigration from multiple Middle Eastern countries. Editing the preference to Christian people, Trumps most recent order will most likely stand up against the activists that currently sit on the 9th Circuit Court. Next, on repealing and replacing Obamacare, I give the president a C-. First and foremost, the Republicans in Congress failed more on this than the President. The American Health Care Act was essentially “Obamacare Lite”, by keeping the same framework and adding a few twists, like giving more power to the states to decide things. I must side with Freedom Caucus on turning down this bill, and I hope the president returns to the drawing board and crafts a bill that will actually replaces Obamacare. Finally, in Syria, the president’s actions were out of line and pointless, so I give him a C. Being an anti-globalist right-winger, this action was senseless, considering Assad most likely didn’t commit the chemical attack, citing evidence that proves he didn’t commit the one in 2013. America was not attacked by Syria and henceforth we should not bomb them, period.

Ultimately I give President Trump a B for the work that he has done in office thus far and wish him well on his next 3 years.

Jared Kraft ‘17

Last edition, Jared and Megan argued over ban on immigration and refugees.

According to student polls, Megan gets to drop the mic.

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Michael Carley ’19 carleymic87@tcapsstudent.net

kraftjar94@tcapsstudent.net

What grade would you give President Trump at this point in his presidency?

- Andrew Campbell `18

Polls are rolling in to rate Trump’s first 100 days in office. Megan, Jared, and guest reporter Michael assign their own grade and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Trump’s first four months in office.

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ith President Trump nearing his first one hundred days in office people are starting to look back at his campaign promises to see what he has started, finished, and not even begun. As pollsters begin to assess his one hundred days, as have I; at this point in his administration, I give President Trump a B-.

Out of his 102 campaign promises, 63 have not yet been worked on. He has only kept five promises; slashed federal regulations, a lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying for foreign government, nominated someone to replace Antonin Scalia, stopped Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and saved the carrier plant in Indiana. Out of those five the one that makes the most impact was to stop the TPP, which, in Sean Spicer’s words, “lacks teeth and appeals to the lowest common denominator.” Withdrawing allows the U.S. to search for bilateral trade negotiations to promote American industry, protect American workers, and raise American wages. Also as of now, in my opinion, he does not have enough of his promises in the works. He also has had twelve of his promises stalled, some of the more important ones are enacting term limits on congress, renegotiating the Iran deal, suspending immigration from terrorist prone countries, and using American steel for infrastructure projects. The most noteable promise being getting Obamacare repealed.

With only five promises kept out of 39, and not enough promises yet started, I give President Trump a B-. He can improve his grade by keeping more of his promises, making sure that not too many of his promises get broken or halted.

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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

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

Madison Raymond Alex Rogers Michaela Rogers Quentin Ross Katie Rundio

Derrick Schwind John Urquhart Catherine Vaught Alden Wack Jade Wilson

Kendall Wisniewski

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 Michael Carley

Cartoonist: Isabella Gross

Photo Editor: Alden Wack

Adviser: Catherine Hansen

THE OCCIDENTALIST

school news

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Students Teach the Birds and the Bees

Students work with Planned Parenthood to teach sexual health to younger students Hannah Ashbury ‘19

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ashburyhan41@tcapsstudent.net

s students get older, they must be educated on one of the top conversation stoppers; sexual education.

Planned Parenthood has taken this under their wing. Peer to Peer is a program that trains teenagers to educate teenagers on a topic many people find uncomfortable to talk about.

Eamonn McGonagall `19 and Martha Starkel `18 have been involved in Peer to Peer since Aug. 2016 and have taken on the challenge of educating younger individuals and teenagers on what some consider an overwhelming topic that includes almost everything relating to sexual health education. With the help and guidance of Carrie Ullery-Smith, Community Outreach Educator of Planned Parenthood of Michigan, McGonagall and Starkel developed skills to talk about topics even most adults get nervous talking about.

“I got involved when I met Carrie at the TC Pride Rally,” Starkel ‘18 said. “I asked her about it because I knew a few people that were involved and she said she was starting

Bending Bridges

Artists and protesters set out with different messages to try and change the world.

Jillian Avis ‘20

avisjil39@tcapsstudent.net

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n a cold January night, Bill Wiesner stood outside the State Theater as hundreds walked past him to participate in the MLK celebration, which brought together local artists, student performers, and powerful images to celebrate Martin Luther King’s legacy. The event was hosted by Jeff Haas, a local musician, music educator, and director of Building Bridges with Music, a non-profit that educates students through music to open up their hearts and minds to promote understanding, tolerance, respect and peace toward all people.

As people walked past Wiesner to enter the State Theatre, he handed each one a flier, which stated that movie director Michael Moore promotes a homosexual agenda to the NMC Children’s Choir, which was performing for the event. The MLK celebration, which hosted many performances by TCAPS students, was a sold out show.

“I’m concerned about the promotion of homosexuality by TCAPS and I have been for 16 years,” Wiesner said. His involvement with speaking up against TCAPS’ sexual orientation inclusion began when “city commission was trying to add sexual orientation to a non-bind-

Peer to Peer up here so I really wanted to get involved.”

Starkel and McGonagall have dedicated hours to learn how to appropriately and thoroughly educate young children and teenagers on sexual health.

“We spent 40 hours learning how to teach and talk about sexual health, healthy relationships, contraception, and basically everything relating to sexual education,” McGonagall said. “I got inspired to get involved in Peer to Peer because the only sexual education I got was from my parents and a little through the schools I went to, so I only got some here and there. Everyone is going to cross paths with something involving sexual health eventually, so it’s important that they know what’s out there and know about their bodies.”

Ullery-Smith knows the topic can be awkward at times, but feels it is necessary to educate people of all ages on sexual education, and often, young kids are more comfortable talking to their peers about the topic.

“This program has been going on for years, and it’s had a lot of success because there’s a lot more benefits when student’s peers can educate them on certain skills,” Ullerying resolution,” which TCAPS later added to the student handbook when it passed. Wiesner says he is in support of TCAPS anti-bullying policies, but feels that some aspects of the policy could be harmful. He is also concerned that the Gay-Straight Alliance club promotes what he calls “harmful behavior”.

“We can [teach kids] not to bully but not promote a high risk behavior like homosexuality,” he said. “We should be protecting all individuals. I’m absolutely all for protecting anyone whether they self identify as homosexual or not, [but] we shouldn’t be protecting high risk behavior.”

Haas works with area students to promote tolerance with the Building Bridges with Music program. He planned and hosted the MLK event, and uses the Building Bridges with Music program to send a message of acceptance through the arts.

“When we bring our multi-cultural quintet into public schools around the state, it is the music that grabs the kids’ attention and provides the springboard for an open and interactive discussion about the importance of open-mindedness and respect,” Hass said. “And it gets even more real when each musician shares their story about how hatred and prejudice has affected their lives. Bottom line--you don’t have to be friends or even like everyone but you absolutely need to treat everyone with respect.”

Sampson McCormick, a nationally touring stand up comedian and LGBT activist, met with Wiesner outside of the State Theatre on April 22 where he was passing out his brochures. Like Haas, McCormick uses the arts to teach a message of inclusiveness.

“Sexuality inclusive laws and organizations aren’t promoting anything harmful,” he said.

From paper to stage

Students write their own shows and assigned professional mentors and directors to work with them

Hannah Creamer ‘19

creamerhan50@tcapsstudent.net

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he Young Playwrights is a program running through MSU’s Whartons Center where talented young writers submit their stories to get critical feedback to improve their writing skills. Their scripts are then learned by local actors and actresses to be performed for the public at the City Opera House.

For this year’s event, three West High School students were chosen to be one of five students to get their work published. Hannah Ellery ‘17, Micah Mabey ‘17, and Avery Kostrzewa ‘18 each had their works transformed to stage where they could be shared with an eager audience.

“It’s a really good opportunity to find what I love because before Young Playwrights, I had always considered writing but I had yet to really find a love and passion for it,” Kostrzewa said. “It really helped motivate me to get together and actually commit to creating something and putting 100 percent of my effort in it to make it what I wanted it to be.”

Kostrzewa’s play was called Giving Up and was about three high school boys getting together and conversing about what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. The friends all have very different perspectives on how they perceive the future.

“One of them is not going to college and he’s kind of seen as a burn out,” Kostrzewa said. “The other one is very intellectual; very school standard oriented and the third one who is the main character, Lucas, isn’t sure exactly what he wants to do and where on the

spectrum he wants to fall,” Kostrzewa said.

The five different stories ranged from comedy, to dramatic scenes about growing up and learning who you are, like in Mabey’s play.

“I wrote my first draft in the summer after my sophomore year,” he said. “I then left it alone for all of junior year. Once I finally submitted it, the editing process was about three or four weeks.”

During this three to four week process, Mabey and the other playwrights worked with professional writers to edit and bring their work to life for the stage.

“Working with a professional was amazing.

I learned a huge amount about play writing and just writing in general. Every suggestion I was given during the editing process was brilliant,” Mabey said.

Avery Kostrzewa talks to the audience at The Opera House after presenting her play. She invites her mentor onto stage to discuss the show. Photo: Thom Paulson

Smith said.

The idea of teenagers teaching sexual education can be concerning, but with a proper maturity level and training, teenagers teaching to young children and other teenagers can be a very effective way to talk about a topic that some younger student feel awkward about addressing with parents or teachers.

“When it comes to sexual education it’s great to have individuals within the schools that aren’t teachers that other students can turn to, when they see someone standing up and teaching sexual education they feel comfortable asking a person their own age questions,” Ullery-Smith said. “It’s a great way to let students know sexual health education doesn’t have to be a scary or an embarrassing thing and that it’s a part of life.”

Peer to Peer is involved with schools in the Grand Traverse area, but many schools only allow the teaching of basic puberty and anatomy of the reproductive system.

“It’s based on what the district’s board has approved, so that really sets the tone on what they decide to let be taught, I would love to see an area wide Peer to Peer education program so students from all different high “They create an atmosphere for individuals who are LGBT or otherwise to be honest and feel like they have self worth and value as human beings. I think inclusivity of LGBTespecially the T-is very important. It helps create the necessary public discussions around sexuality to pass laws that are effective in protecting people’s livelihoods and bodies from acts of violence.”

McCormick uses comedy to offer a message of LGBT acceptance. His performance on April 22 benefited Polestar, a local community center that supports the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think humor is one of the most effective ways of getting a message across, offering unrelenting truths with humor as the chaser,” he said. “Being a black gay man in this country has taught me that these folks need compassion. I know what it’s like to not have compassion when I need it. I’ve found that having love and compassion in the face of misunderstanding, adversity, and ignorance, has taken me further in getting across to folks than simply shutting them out has been.”

Although it is a very different message than the one Haas and McCormick hoped to convey, there is no denying that Weisner is just as passionate about sharing his own message. Students recognize him when he protests at football games, Cherry Festival, the TC Film Festival, and other local events. He has presented to the Board of Education at least six times this year. to discuss his opinions about “promoting homosexuality” in schools.

He even holds his protest signs at the back entrance of the school to share his message.

Despite their different viewpoints, Wiesner and McCormick have a civil and friendly relationship. Wiesner comes to protest when-

Charles Rennie, the fearless leader Something amazing happens when you look at previous Mid-American Model United Nations (MAMUN) Best Prepared School winners: the list reads Traverse City West, for 12 consecutive years. In the last 15 years, Advisor Charles Rennie and his students have faced many challenges, but without failure they have found a way to always come out on top.

Rennie attended Model UN delegates for two years at Traverse City Central when he was in high school.

“I couldn’t tell you much of what we actually did in committee but it was by far my favorite class,” Rennie said. He took some time off of Model UN while receiving a Bachelor’s at University of Arizona and a Masters at University of Michigan. But when he came back to TCW to start teaching, he found that his old advisor Al Kniss was more than willing to take on an apprentice and pass down the torch.

“I do this so I can pass down the knowledge and the experiences that I have had to these kids that need it and give them these invaluable opportunities,” Rennie said. Rennie has put in countless hours helping students prepare and find the resources for them to be able to succeed in the way that TCW has shown that it always does.

With hopes of heading into their 13th win next year, Rennie said “Our teams have had to overcome a lot of adversity and next year will be no different.”

schools from the area can come together and be taught and to educate others,” UllerySmith said. “It is the most important piece of information that we all need to have.”

No matter one’s age, knowing about sexual health is essential to physical and emotional health. Ullery-Smith is working to make the topic less taboo, one that more people are comfortable discussing so they can be educated and stay healthy.

“We have one body that we’ve been entrusted with that we need to take care of and whether that means eating healthy or exercising or understanding our anatomy, understanding what a healthy relationship looks like, what is going to keep our bodies healthy, whether it’s choosing abstinence or choosing to be responsible and using birth control and condoms, understanding our sexual health in general is incredibly important,” Ullery-Smith said. “If people, especially teenagers, are not taught about these things it can potentially upset a good portion of your life, so understanding our sexual health is so important to be able to maintain the goals we have set for ourselves and our lives and that’s really important whether you are 14 or 48.” ever McCormick comes to Traverse City, but he always buys a ticket to see McCormick perform. They ask how the other is doing, and discuss whether their views have changed. As for Haas, he continues to send his own message through his music, as he did at the MLK event in January.

“Martin Luther King Jr. believed that everything we think, say, and do is based in either love or fear. That is the cornerstone of Building Bridges with Music and we have taken that message and music into more than 700 public schools in the last 20 years,” he said.

For information on Buildng Bridges with Music go to: http://buildingbridgeswithmusic. org. To learn more about Weisner’s mission go to his website: TCfamily.org.

Bill Wiesner (left) and nationally touring comedian and LGBT advocate Sampson McCormick (right) stand outside of the State Theatre for the Big Comedy Extravaganza presented by Falling Down Stairs Productions to benefit the Polestar LGBT+ Center of TC on Saturday, April 22. The extravaganza featured McCormick, local comedians, and performances from NMC iDance. Photo submitted by: S. McCormick

Lucky #13

Model UN keeps winning Johnny Urquhart ‘17

urquhartjoh67@tcapsstudent.net

M

ost know what dungeons and dragons is.

People gather around a table in a basement and embark on a make believe quest, with all of the parameters and stories being controlled by the dungeon master. Model United Nations works in much the same way. Students get their assigned countries and gather as much research as possible to be able to argue about any given topic based on that country’s policies.

From Donald Trump (USA), to Angela Merkel (Germany), to Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines), world leaders are represented by teenagers from all over the Midwest and all walks of life.

The Model UN team represented Germany, Malaysia, Italy, Argentina, South Africa and Algeria, with a total of 51 students on the team. Students worked together in committees and then again as country delegations in bigger committees.

Students even have the chance to take direct control of their country in the crisis simulations.

“It was really freeing to be able to do what I felt was right for Germany in crisis,” Michael Carley `19 said. “I was the head of state and got to actually take action.”

This was Hannah Ellery’s ‘17 third year on the team and she represented Germany for the economic committee.

“This has been a big part of my high school career,” she said. “It is a place where I feel that my talents truly shine and I can do my best.”

The Model UN team took home more than just the title for Best-Prepared School for the 13th year in a row at the Mid-American Model United Nations conference. On April 22, Grace Loftus, Johnny Urquhart, and Michael Carley all took the highest awards at the Mid-American Historical Security Council which took place at the Park Place on April 22.

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THE OCCIDENTALIST

Saving the Inland Seas

Work wanted

Students set out in a difficult market to find jobs Alden Wack ‘20 wackald72@tcapsstudent.net

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here is an epidemic of store closings across the nation, and Traverse City has seen the local economy rise and fall, leaving many students wondering if there are summer jobs to be found. At the same time local businesses are having a hard time filling open positions so they can meet the high demands of the tourist season.

As students navigate the job market in the fluctuating local economy, many are struggling to find jobs, at least any outside of the fast food industry.

“I have had to put multiple applications into different jobs and I haven’t heard anything from any yet,” Dennis Kniffin ‘20 said.

The economic growth trends don’t seem to have a specific indicator. Iconic sports store MC Sports is closing in all locations due to Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At the same time, Dunham’s will still put a store in the Grand Traverse Mall. More stores are closing, including one of the Potter’s Bakeries, while talk of bigger companies like Gander Mountain, JC Penney, K Mart, Payless Shoe Source, and Macy’s are all on the radar for closing some, if not all, stores in the nation.

President and CEO of Traverse City Tourism, Trevor Tkach, says that there is always a need for good workers in an area like Traverse City during the festival and tourist seasons.

“In the tourism industry we are constantly looking for good workers,” Tkach said. “Hotels need year round support, and also restaurants. The region demands job positions to be filled not only in the summertime but throughout all four seasons.”

The best places for teens to apply seem to be the fast food restaurants. Managers at Taco Bell recently posted fliers around town stating they will hire at $11 per hour, which is the going rate in the fast food industry. Students are finding work at new businesses like Lucky’s and in local restaurants as hostesses and dishwashers.

While the market moves up and down, Kniffin is still hopeful that he will find a place to earn some cash this summer.

“I still have not heard anything back from any businesses to see if I could get a job,” he said.

Community Service Advisory helps out local organization

Autumn Bockhol ‘20

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bockholaut88@tcapsstudent.net

he Community Service Advisory has taken the steps to organize a fundraiser that will benefit the Inland Seas Education Association by helping the organization reach their goal for a set of bikes for the Inland Seas students.

Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people of all ages experience the Great Lakes through hands-on learning activities aboard a traditionally-rigged tall ship schooner.

Students in Tak Ready and Kelly Rintala’s Community Service Advisory researched local organizations and finally decided to help the Inland Seas reach their goal of purchasing 30 bikes that can be used by students from all over the state who participate in field trips to Inland Seas.

“They are planning a carnival and awareness event at Greilickville Park in partnership to buy a set of bikes that educates students from other places about Great Lakes,” Rintala said.

According to Rintala, the purpose of the Community Service Advisory is to “connect students more authentically to school, each other, and the community through a service project that meets some of the needs in our community.”

As the students prepare to benefit the Inland Seas, they are benefitting themselves as well by getting the opportunity to explore the bigger part of the watershed.

Anyone interested in supporting the cause who cannot participate in the carnival can make a donation on GoFundMe at gofundme.com/baysidebash. The Inland Seas Carnival will be hosted on May 13 at the Greilickville Park on M-22.

Oberski

100 Mile RUN Athens Principal Dan Oberski takes up the biggest running challenge to date

Advice for teens looking for a job Annaka Hansen ‘19 hansenann37@tcapsstudent.net

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etting a job is a right of passage for all teens, but searching for a job can be very stressful. Before heading out to look for work, students should try creating a resume which helps put their experiences from volunteering, school, and other work into perspective. This helps boost confidence and can be attached to applications to showcase the strengths applicants have.

When heading out to new businesses, applicants only get one shot at making a good first impression, so one must dress up and act professionally and with confidence. It’s important to start small, and expect jobs like working at fast food restaurants, hostessing, or bagging groceries. Teens should start by researching jobs in the area, and create a list of possible businesses that are willing to train the right person. It is important to be persistent by calling back and sending thank-you notes after talking with a manger.

First impressions matter, so teens should consider their outfits and need to be confident and make eye contact when entering a business to ask for an application. It is helpful to practice a “pitch” statement and to always ask for a manager. Finally, don’t go to just one business, but apply to many and be ready for competition and rejection.

Starting out with small jobs, no matter the skill level or pay check, can show future employers that you are dependable, which can help build your resume and make you more desirable to future employers. Students should expect some rejection as they fill out applications, so they should apply to more than one place and don’t expect a lot of call backs until they start building up experience.

Annaka Hansen ‘19 hansenann37@tcapsstudent.net

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rincipal Dan Oberski has set a new goal. 100 miles to be exact. A marathon longer than any other he has completed before. Weaving through seven cities, from the Petoskey Lighthouse to the Old Mission Lighthouse, Oberski expects the run to last as long as 24 hours.

Oberski first started running as an alternative to going to the gym when his son was born so he could stay healthy without taking too much time away from him.

That was six years ago, and even though he has been at it for a long time, he is a bit nervous about attempting this race, the first he has tried at this extended length since he first laced up his running shoes. He is no stranger to running, though, and he puts in 20, 30 and even 50 miles to prepare for the Lighthouse run each weekend.

“Before this, I have participated in lots of races,” Oberski said. “My very first race was the Cherry Festival 5k. The longest I’ve run would be the Manistee 50 and the Marquette 50.”

He admits that he didn’t train much for those runs, but the 100 mile race has his running shoes pounding the pavement to prepare for the big one.

“I have a pretty regimented running routine,” he said. “I think I’ll have run, in preparation for this, anywhere between 18 to

20 marathons in a period of 17 weeks.”

Despite his experience from running other marathons and tackling half as much distance, Oberski is still anxious about the 100 mile run.

“When you do anything different or new, there’s always some doubt that creeps in,” he said. “I’m worried that people will find out I’m doing this marathon and then I’ll fail or won’t finish.”

As he builds his strength, the pressure builds to perform well, so he won’t let others or himself down.

“Those little insecurities, as you get closer and closer, get bigger and bigger, but you’ve gotta just push them down.”

On an early Saturday morning on June 10, Oberski will leave the Petoskey lighthouse with almost 250 other ultrarunners. They will weave through trails, mostly bike paths, paved trails, and country roads that offer scenic views as the athletes pace themselves to pass by Little Traverse Bay, Torch Lake, and the Grand Traverse Bay. Once they hit Traverse City they will run the last 20 miles up the peninsula to end at the Old Mission Lighthouse.

Any athlete would worry about finishing this incredible feat, but running has always been more than just exercise for Oberski.

“Running is my escape,” he said. “It gives me quiet peace. When I’m running, once I get going, the world drips away.”

student travels

THE OCCIDENTALIST

“I enjoyed seeing the cultural differences.”

-Morgan Schichtel ‘18

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Students traveled all around the world for spring break and many are already planning their summer departures. We asked students what they enjoyed most over spring trips and what they are looking forward to most for their summer adventures “I enjoyed meeting the Dutchis and meeting new friends.”

-Hana Wilcox ‘18

“I liked learning about another culture. I have never been outside the United States.”

-Krystal Salenski ‘18

“I like going to the beach and getting tan.”

-Liberty Edwerdson ‘20

“I’m looking forward to exploring Chicago.”

-Mason May ‘20

From Here to There

“I liked seeing all the animals we don’t have here.”

-Elly Barraclough ‘17

The Last Exchange A seven year streak came to an end with the last trip to the Netherlands, but that did not affect the outcome, friendships and purpose of the trip itself Avery Kostrzewa ‘18 kostrzewave53@tcapsstudent.net

S Hola Barcelona

Music students traveled over spring break for the annual band trip, which took place in Spain. Photo: Submitted by A. Sevimlli

This year’s band trip took almost 100 students around Spain, where they experienced new culture, music, food, and dance Cat Vaught ‘18 vaughtcat61@tcapsstudent.net

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he beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain was explored by a large group of band students over spring break. From rooftop views to walking around the warm country, they experienced the unique musical sounds of the Spanish culture and learned to clap their hands to the flamenco.

Band teacher Rachel Linsmeier had her plate full for the entire school year as she worked with a trip planning company to get almost 100 students overseas. The band program plans a trip every four years so that every student who stays with band for their entire high school career will have the opportunity to experience music in another culture. Before leaving, Linsmeier let her students know that this would be her last trip. She is stepping down from teaching to return to school at MSU. The trip was filled with memory-making experiences, with only a few instances that some may want to forget about.

“A few students got pick pocketed because that’s a big issue in the city,” Ruthy Lynch ‘20 said.

Like all TCAPS learning experiences abroad, band students could earn .25 credit on their transcripts for participating in the trip.

“There was an essay you could write for credit, but I’m not sure if anyone actually did it,” Lynch said.

Regardless if students chose to earn the credit or not, they had opportunities to engage in once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

“My favorite thing we saw was Sitges, which was a beautiful little beach town outside Barcelona where we got to swim in

the Mediterranean sea and explore,” Lynch said.

“It reminded me a little of home and I felt really at peace there.”

Of course, the main goal of the trip was to experience the music of a different culture.

“We experienced an amazing amount of music and history on our eight day tour and we enjoyed an authentic flamenco performance after a flamenco dancer taught us how to do some of the dance steps,” Linsmeier said. “We also got a private guitar and flamenco performance where the musicians broke down some of the elements of the hundreds-year-old music tradition for us from the musician’s standpoint.”

In past years the band trip has been to Hawaii where students would perform at Pearl Harbor, but this year, Linsmeier wanted to do something different.

“This year, we were hoping to go somewhere new, but still make it a spring break trip that got us to a warmer climate with a rich musical history at a price that allowed as many people to participate as possible,” she said.

Students used their social media accounts to portray and show their personal experiences in Spain. Students had opportunity for free time during the trip.

“The trip brought us close together,” Lynch said. “We spent a lot of time together and it was really nice to be with Linsmeier before she leaves.”

The band students couldn’t take their instruments with them on this trip, but its musical purpose was still loud and clear.

“It was a wonderful experience for our music students to step outside of what they are used to, put down their instruments, and absorb a different music tradition in a fully immersive setting,” Linsmeier said.

tudents waited anxiously on a bus driving from Brugge, Belgium, to Doetinchem, in the Netherlands.

Three hours of anticipation to see the friend that left them over 140 days ago or to meet them for the first time. On a sunny day outside of Ulenhof school in Doetinchem, cultures collided in a flood of emotions as 15 American students got to meet their host families and reunite with friends.

Sadly, under the leadership of History teacher Michael Durbin and Government teacher Tak Ready, this year was the last Dutch exchange trip.

“We didn’t know how long it was going to go anyway, it’s a lot of work for us,” Durbin said. “Mrs. Lamers (A Dutch teacher that helps coordinate the exchange) is retiring next year and their school needed to change a little bit because of costs.”

After taking students to the Netherlands for seven years, teachers hope the students will grow from this experience.

“My hope is that they come back understanding the ease of travel and the importance of travel and that hopefully this is a

first step to let people see that they can do this all on their own,” Durbin said.

While the trip only lasted two weeks, many photos were taken to remember the time spent overseas. Junior Hana Wilcox went a step farther to create video updates a few times a day featuring her fellow Dutch and American students and their European experiense.

“My parents told me to write down stuff but for me it’s easier to record it and make videos,” Wilcox said. “I thought about burning the final product on a CD and sending it to the Dutch students, which would be really cool.”

Being the last group from West to make the trip to the Netherlands meant there were high standards to live up in order to make this trip spectacular.

“I hope I left a good impression,” Hayden Graves ’18 said. “We were loud but we are American so it’s kind of expected. I hope it motivates them to come to America and visit our part of the world and meet people like us.”

A legacy of seven years is a short one, but a legacy nonetheless. The Traverse City West Senior High Dutch exchange is something that changed many student’s lives over the years, and through it, many global friendships were made.

Students pose with their Dutch exchange partners over spring break in the Netherlands. This was the last school sponsored exchange with the school there. Photo V. Horsting

6

arts and entertainment

THE OCCIDENTALIST

MUSIC

review Kendall Wisniewski ’18

Wisniewsken47@tcapsstudent.net

Top left: Adam Hunt ’18, Daniella Costello ’20, and Lydia Henion ’19 perform in James and the Giant Peach. Top middle: Brooke Knickerson ’18 narrates the play James and the Giant Peach. Top right: Sean Hillock ’17 performs as the centipede in James and the Giant Peach.

Bottom left: Hannah Creamer ’19 performs as an Oompa-Loompa.

Bottom right: Mary Gibbons ’17 is transformed into a giant blueberry in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Photos: A. Wack

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James and the giant blueberry Two classic children’s novels come to life on stage

oald Dahl is known for his classic children’s novels, many of which have been transformed to the big screen. Works like Matilda, The BFG, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach have all made been major box office hits, but in mid-April, the Theater Arts students took two of his most classic books to the stage.

The Theater Arts students did these two plays in honor of the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s very popular

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Elana Hastie ‘17 and John Urquhart ‘17 directed James and the Giant Peach, and Shelby Mitchell ‘17 and Darion Mathews ‘17 directed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Emotion and pride overflowed over the cast and their audience as these were the final appearances of the directors on West’s stage.

Other seniors like Joey Sobek, Micah Mabey and Madi Halleck shared the limelight as they took their final bows Saturday night. While they might not have another class preformance before graduation, the theatre department will be preforming a staged reading of Arsenic and Old Lace towards the end of the year.

Singing stress Choir students audtion to find their placements for next year

Nathan Freeman ‘19

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freemannat99@tcapsstudent.net

usic is the language of the world, everyone speaks it. No matter what the singer’s skill level and experience are, all students will start off in the Varsity Men or Varsity Women’s Ensemble. But at the end of the school year choir teachers Erich Wangeman and Wendee Wolf-Schlarf, held choir auditions to place students into higher-ranking choirs like Choral-Aires, Bel Canto, Chorale, or Bella Voce.

The music wing is under pressure all year long, but in March, the tension is even higher. Students get about two weeks to learn two songs and then perform them after school in front of teachers, then suffer through waiting for the choir list to be posted online.

“The audition process was already in place,” Wangeman said. “It has been a longstanding tradition at both West and Central. To my knowledge, in the past only the audition portion was used in consideration for placement in the program.

We’ve only recently added the sight singing and personal evaluation portions to the process.”

The new addition of sight singing is where the student sings the notes of a piece of written music without having seen it before. The auditions go for two days, and since the seniors will be graduating, they don’t have to do them, but they are welcome to watch the others’ auditions.

“Seniors listen and evaluate the underclassmen if they choose to do so, and they must use a rubric and be able to justify their opinions,” Wangeman said. “In the end, there is a collective senior vote as one-fourth of the audition process. This means that together, as one voice, seniors have one-fourth of a say in the audition process which is worth one-third of the entire placement process.”

For some people, this is make it or break it. Joe Klein is a ninth grader who sings bass, and this was his first time auditioning.

“I wasn’t that nervous, but I was happy to get it done with, and I’m sure I did good,” Klein ‘20 said.

This year marks Tod Mathis’s fourth year in choir, and last year was his first year auditioning for a higher-ranking choir.

“They are fun, but there are some things you can get nervous about because other kids are kind of there watching you sing, but in the end it is worth it,” Mathis ‘17 said.

The music chosen for the auditions isn’t overly complicated, but it’s not easy either.

“We look for music that will show the range abilities of each singer,” Wangeman said. “We want the music to be challenging, but not so much that students can’t demonstrate musicianship and artistry.”

No matter the group they’re placed in, students benefit from joining choir on multiple levels.

“Choir is a great way to learn about yourself and others. When we share our voices we share a unique piece of ourselves,” Wangeman said. “Choir builds musicianship, artistry, social skills, employability skills, and an understanding of one’s self. Students should join choir because it’s a great place to challenge yourself.”

Spencer’s MediaMadness Beauty and the Beast

Spencer Elhart ‘18 elhartspe12@tcapsstudent.net

The 2017 remake of the 1991 Disney movie The Beauty and the Beast was a surprise for me.

I first went to the theater to see Logan with my girlfriend, but since we were denied entry due to the movie’s R rating we went to see Beauty and the Beast instead.

There couldn’t be two more polar opposite movies out there, so walking away from Logan to see a movie that is popular with

four year old princesses had me a little peaved.

We all know the story, right? The Beast (Dan Stevens) is a vain, cruel prince punished by a curse that has transformed him into a monster, and Belle (Emma Watson) is the book-loving local girl searching for something more than her small village can offer her. Despite knowing the plot, Beauty and the Beast blew my expectations out of the water completely and utterly. This movie

has beat out the original and became my favorite Disney princess movie of all time. I was worried when I heard that Emma Watson played Belle, but her performance was beautiful.

Beauty and the Beast is an amazing tale about how a strong woman helped save her prince. Overall, this was a terrific movie I would see 20 times over and still never get bored of it.

So, if you’re not man enough to see it on your own, ask to take your girlfriend. She’ll thank you for it.

After a year long hiatus, award-winning singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran has returned to the music scene. In December of 2015, Sheeran announced that he’d be spending a year on his own, traveling and writing what he promised was the best album he had written yet. On March 3 of this year, the world was given the perfect reminder of what a fantastic artist Sheeran is with the release of Divide.

Out of the three albums he has released so far, Divide is definitely the most experimental. Evidence of his various travels, the album pulls inspiration from all over the world. From the Spanish verse of Barcelona, to the Ghanaian dialect used in Bibia Be Ye Ye, the album serves almost as a scrapbook of where Sheeran has been as of late.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Ed Sheeran album without the beautiful acoustic ballads he became famous for. Songs such as Supermarket Flowers and Save Myself satisfy this expectations for fans of the poetic lyrics and simple arrangements of Sheeran’s discography. However, songs such as Galway Girl and the ever so popular Shape of You have allowed for him to develop his sound and try out new genres.

As a long-time fan, I was beyond excited to hear that the world was finally going to hear what Sheeran had been working on in his absence. I was, however, a bit apprehensive due to the fact that I wasn’t a huge fan of his last release, Multiply. However, I was absolutely blown away by the sheer complexity of this album.

Do I think it’s Sheeran’s best release yet? Personally, I don’t know if he’ll ever be able to top the simplicity and dreamlike quality of his first album. That being said it certainly isn’t one to skip out on, especially if you typically like Sheeran’s music. For anyone who hasn’t listened to Divide yet, I would recommend Shape of You, What Do I Know?, or Bibia Be Ye Ye as a great place to start.

TV

review

13 Reasons Why

Katie Rundio ‘18 rundiokat33@tcapsstudent.net

Netflix’s new show, Thirteen Reasons Why, is taking the internet by storm. Initially a novel by Jay Asher, Thirteen Reasons Why follows Clay Jensen, a junior in high school, who receives 13 tapes, each detailing a reason why his classmate, Hannah, committed suicide. The catch: if you receive the tapes, you’re one of the reasons.

Thirteen Reasons Why has instantly built a massive, dedicated fan group. Despite this, the show faces controversy as it grows in popularity, as more critics express the fear that the show glorifies suicide. On top of that, the show is graphic and people fear it may be a trigger for viewers.

I was hesitant to start the show at first because I had read the novel and had disliked it, despite the positive response that it had received. Finally, I caved, because I had so many friends binge watching the show and raving about it.

The show is addictive, yet nearly impossible to watch. Before every episode, I had to build up the courage to continue watching, because I knew that I was starting to care for characters that were seriously flawed. On top of that, viewers know the aweful ending as they start each episode. You know that no matter how much you hope it won’t happen, Hannah will commit suicide.

Thirteen Reasons Why is definitely not for everyone. While it is entertainment, the show is a reminder of how important it is to be educated on signs of suicide, and how even little things can add up and lead to something big...and horrible.

features

THE OCCIDENTALIST

Taking the stage

Students in the band Elevate Youth had the chance to tour over spring break Jessica Freeman ‘17 freemanjes66@tcapsstudent.net

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magine having to balance school work and band rehearsal in between playing concerts and writing music. Students that go to West Side Community Church have worked hard to create their first EP by creating bass and synch tracks to create their own unique sound. The band, Elevate Youth, includes members, Carson Six ‘17, Cadence Wrobel ‘20, Alyssa Roland ‘20, John Michael Clark ‘18, eighth grader Lydia Derks, Olivia Izatt and William Jacklin who are home-schooled, and their advisor John Pomeroy.

The band had the opportunity over spring break to go on their first leg of tour which consisted of going to Cedar Springs, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Buckley.

“I thought the tour was amazing, it’s such an amazing opportunity that God provided for us,” Wrobel said. “I feel like I’m most proud of stepping out of my comfort zone and talking to kids I could tell were in need of prayer. I talked to this one girl that has a pretty crappy life and she opened up to me about it and it was so awesome that she could trust me with all of that,

Saying Goodbye Beloved band teacher tells her students she is resigning Kaleb Carlson ‘19 carlsonkal87@tcapsstudent.net

Band teacher Rachel Linsmeier talks with the band students before a marching band performance at Thrilby Field. Photo D. Daenzer

because I know that could be hard opening up to a stranger and then I ended up praying with her.”

Few students can say they have experienced playing on stage in front of a large group of people.

Also, the experience of traveling to different towns to perform hasn’t quite settled in yet. The band members are adjusting to celebrity life.

“It is such an amazing experience,” Six said.

“It’s fun, crazy, and a lot of work, but it’s weird sometimes, because the places we go, the people there look at us like we’re famous or something.

We’re just normal high school students who are in a band. Signing posters and CDs and taking pictures is kind of weird too, but fun. I didn’t think I’d be doing this at 17.”

Elevate Youth won first place in a regional popularity vote for the Big Ticket festival, and were given three shows for this summer’s Big Ticket festival.

“I’m pretty confident in what I’m playing and why I’m doing it,” Clark said. “So it’s not what I thought it was going to be, it’s not bad.”

Making that transition into balancing a career and school can get hectic and the band members are adjusting so they can make it all work.

“In the beginning it’s just getting your bearings and a feel for the crowd and their energy,” Izatt said. “Then after it just feels like I stop thinking about what’s happening and just go to what

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Bella Gross ‘17

grossisa73@tcapsstudent.net

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R T I S T

URED

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made coming to school unbearable. Witte is now a TCAPS Homebound student and meets with a tutor twice a week to work on her Algebra II class.

“Being a full time student when I was healthy was by far easier than homebound or online school. I have barely any instruction and most of my online classes don’t seem like anyone looked over them before they approved them,” she said.

Her absence at West is also difficult for her friends.

Although they understand her situation, they know Hannah keeps her pain and strife hidden from the eyes of her sympathizers.

“Her illness probably makes her feel alone and a little afraid,” said Katelyn Albrecht, ‘17, another close friend of Witte’s said. “For so long it was undiagnosed, and there was so many possibilities [as to what it could be], and because the doctors were always telling her she was making it up, that’s just so defeating. Sure, she has a diagnosis now, but there’s still that trauma, and that personal doubt in her mind...She only wants us to see her when she’s okay, she puts that barrier up, which is something that doesn’t let us get close with her and be there for her when she needs us; she’s doing it for us.”

No cure for EDS exists today; only exercise and physical therapy help to prevent her body from deteriorating further. Witte hopes that as she grows into adulthood, her body will stabilize, but she still struggles with POTS and anxiety. She aspires to graduate from West this year and attend NMC in the future.

and the constant pressure.”

Students were unaware of what was going to happen. Silent when they heard from Linsmeier that she would be resigning. Full of emotions students were thinking many different things on the situation. “I was really confused, I was expecting something big to happen because we never all get called down, but it was really sad because Linsmeier has done a lot for our program and she’s been the only high school band director I’ve had so, it’s definitely not going to be the same without her.”

Atlas Rosenberg ‘19 said.

Moving forward, changes are going to have to be made.

Linsmeier will finish off the school this school year, contributing in her normal yearly activities such as, drum line auditions, concerts, rehearsals, and the rest of her yearly involvements.

Linsmeier will be going back to MSU to get her masters this upcoming fall. However a new band director needs to be appointed.

With around seventy applicants already in line for the newly open spot, but these are large shoes to fill. As one of the top schools in the state and country, many feel that not only the school is great but the band program is one of the top and most outstanding too.

Band students want a band director that can fill the role as Linsmeier. That is not only musically knowledgeable, but someone they can come to for help and direct the band to success and better times ahead.

Linsmeier taught kids to pursue goals, how to prepare for the future, how to create great music and work hard. The band is like one gigantic family, together working hard and creating music. While Linsmeier will be missed, she has been here for students of all ages, apart of the students school careers and personal lives. She may be leaving, but she will always be a part of the band’s legacy, and her mantra “Chop wood, carry water!” will stay with her student forever.

F E AT

Hannah Witte works through the pain of a debilitating disease

right lights illuminate the frenzy of green glimmers that adorn her leotard. Her makeup sculpts a perfect expression, a marblesque visage, allowing her twirling torso and flourishing legs to command the audience’s attention. Her bare feet, poised, lighter than air, swing from beneath the bedsheets and slip into cozy slippers. Seven a.m., having fought with sleep all night, Hannah Witte ‘17 chokes down a handful of pills, tries some physical therapy, clicks through her online classes, has a bite or two of dinner, wrestles with sleep until daybreak, machinelike. A spectral being, a phantom drifting through indistinguishable hours, days, weeks. Her debilitating disease dashed her dancing dreams.

“I am less than a shadow of my former self,” she said. “I can barely eat or drink, let alone do things I actually want to do. My illnesses affects every aspect of my life.”

Following four years of misdiagnosis, Witte was determined to have a degenerative genetic tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or EDS. EDS makes her body very flexible, yet very weak, and causes severe chronic pain that keeps Witte homebound. She also suffers from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a blood disorder and antecedent to her fainting spells, as well as anxiety.

“When people see her walking one day and in her wheelchair the next, they think she’s faking it,” Amy Kase, ‘17, a personal friend of Witte’s since before her diagnosis said.

It’s frustrating to her because she can’t explain to every single person what’s wrong.”

Witte was an enthusiastic actress in her theatre classes and a student government participant in middle school. She was looking forward to getting more involved in high school, but EDS

we’ve practiced. Don’t get me wrong I’m still thinking ahead, but you just go to this place where you have to turn off all the distractions and chaos and just focus.”

Roland is adjusting, too, but the rush of performing keeps her going.

“I felt like I’ve never felt before,” she said. “My adrenaline was always through the roof. My favorite part was seeing how many people were impacted and how many people accepted God into their lives for the first time. It was over all the best thing I’ve ever done. The tour gave us all a new experience, and a great one too.”

In the end, it isn’t about getting the band’s name out there and climbing top charts, it’s about the passion and love that these students have towards God and how they are willing to take that step to help others who are in need of healing.

“Our band doesn’t care about fame or getting our name out, but only in making the name of Jesus famous,” Six said.

Although only half of the tour is done, there are many more stages to be played on.

“Being on tour has been an amazing experience,” Izatt said.

“We have grown closer and just gotten to be a part of something amazing that is ultimately glorifying God and I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. Plus it’s not something many people can say they’ve done at our age and I think that is what makes it so special to us because we know we are showing teens that it is possible and it doesn’t matter your background or how small your start is.”

With many more opportunities waiting around the corner this band is not done spreading the word of God. In fact, they are only just beginning.

achel Linsmeier as a band director, mentor and friend has taught students to work hard, create great music, to stay focused and how to prepare and create great things.

She has been a part of our program for six years and band director for four, Linsmeier has been preparing and part of the band’s concerts, rehearsals, classes, auditions, band camp, our marching, middle school classes, band camp, putting in so much for the school and the band program.

Leading the band and all the classes, doing all the before and after school requirements and work takes a lot of time and responsibility and Linsmeier has decided to resign for her personal reasons.

Linsmeier grew up in a family surrounded with the love of music. Starting off like many, joining band, playing music throughout all of high school and decided to go into a career doing something she loves. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, “ Linsmeier said. So when I got to the end of my high school career I thought, what’s better to do then what I love and what I believe in. I knew what band had done for me and I wanted to do that with future students and that’s when I decided that music education would be what I majored in.”

Linsmeier went to Michigan state University to pursue a career teaching music, becoming the second woman ever to be a drum major of the Michigan State University marching band, exploring and learning more on music, meeting new people in order to get her degree and become a teacher.

Linsmeier’s was facing some issues she felt needed a change and her decisions to resign were strictly personal. “I’ve been thinking about it for many years, it’s a lifestyle choice for me mostly, as I announced to everybody, it has nothing to do with whether if this is a great school or great people, this is the best place in the world and I love working here and I love working with my colleagues and with these students and with the administration. For me it’s the hours of the band director job

Battle from within

7

Audrey Berris

Jessica Freeman `17

freemanjes66@tcapsstudent.net

B

eing a part of art classes gives students the ability to converse with other students who share the same passion. For Audrey Berris ‘18 who has taken intermediate art classes, Art I, and now is in Advanced Placement Studio Art, where she can now bounce her ideas off her friend Alexis Petroelje’ 17, who is also in the class. As they work together, they share and borrow ideas.

“She has shown me a lot of techniques and she is really talented with pencil and charcoal, so I’ve kind of seen stuff she’s done and taken the technique she used and apply it to my own work,” Berris said.

Berris draws her inspiration from the smallest forms. She likes to draw faces and finds inspiration from the lines on one’s face, the way their eyes are set, and the frown lines around the mouth.

“I find it more inspirational to draw faces and people because everyone has a story and I draw my inspiration from my own personal life and the people who have come into it,” Berris said.

Being able to focus on a given area can help push students, especially in AP Studio Art, to use that as their concentration portfolio. She has her subjects sit for a photo so she can study the image as she created it.

“I chose to photograph people I know and then draw who they really are in a silhouette of their picture that I took and place them side by side. I chose this topic because it’s important for people to know there is more than what meets the eye,” Berris said.

It takes more than just inspiration for artists to perfetct their craft. Berris started at a young age and as she grew older, her skills grew and advanced with her.

“Ever since I was young I always had an interest in it, and one day in fifth grade I drew my sister and my parents told me how good it was. Their reactions were really surprised and they said it looked almost exactly like her so I started drawing more and more,” Berris said.

8

sports

Billyjo Kyser `19 kyserbil92@tcapsstudent.net

Tennis Tennis is here and ready to go. Players have been holding practices at the YMCA for two hours on Sundays as they wait for the school courts to warm up.

“We play mini tournaments during the weekends to help us improve our skills,” Lily Vance `19 said. “We challenge each other and push each other to play our hardest and to play our best.”

Some students went above and beyond to prepare for the season.

“I prepare by taking private lessons and staying somewhat in shape,” Vance said. “Our team goals are to get a good record for the school. Also, to beat Central is one of our goals because of the rivalry.

My personal goal is to beat Central both times, and to be on the dream team once again.”

The Tennis team is on their way to make their mark. As of now they are ranked 10th in the state.

THE OCCIDENTALIST

Spring season comes into play Soccer

Track

The girl’s soccer team had three days of tryouts in mid March, and had their first scrimmage on March 18. Although Varsity had lost both games, the J.V squad had won both of their games.

They continue with their practices to help improve their skills, but also to learn to compete as a team.

“We are doing a ton of team bonding and plan to keep doing so,” Elena Arends `19 said. “The bonding will help us connect and communicate better on and off the field. One of our biggest goals as a team is to definitely play well as a team and beat Central. Also, staying one of the hottest teams in the Big North Conference is a big goal of ours.”

Many of the soccer players worked on their speed and endurance by going to conditioning workouts as they set high goals for the season.

“We hope to have a good record and make it far in the BNC to accomplish our goals,” Arends said.

Doug Baumann New Coach of Girls Varsity Basketball

Track is a multi-active sport, but athletes on the team are running through the halls on cold or rainy days, or are out on the track to jump, throw discuss, and pole vault.

“During our practices we work on our speed, quickness, endurance, and pretty much anything to do with running,” Ngandu Lukusa `17 said.

“The hardest days are our endurance days, which is where we do a ton of running. It is very tiring but it is very helpful to us in the long run.”

Lukusa plans to pursue a basketball career when he goes off to college, but knows if he wants to play at that level, he needs to work on his speed and quickness.

“I do track because it keeps me in shape, and I would like to work on my quickness and speed,” he said. “Track is helping me get ready for faster play in the sport that I desire. I plan to play basketball at the college level, so I joined track because I know I’m going to need to be faster and quicker with my moves.”

Men’s Golf

Softball

Baseball

The boys’ golf team works to prepare their golf swing at practices.

“To prepare we are practicing at the Golf Center and trying to improve our swings,” Zach Niedermaier `19 said. “We are getting better everyday by improving our techniques and our swings. I am very excited to see what our team is capable of. I have a lot of confidence for our team and we are ready to see what we can do.”

They are setting their goals, so they know what they need to do when it comes to tournament time.

“Our team goals are to win every tournament we enter, and to win the BNC title,” Niedermaier said.

As the season starts off, the golf team competes in tournaments to keep up on their skills. The tournaments help them improve their individual skills and is a great way of getting out and bonding with the team.

The girls’ softball team tryouts lasted for three days. The first day was just for pitchers and catchers, the second was defensive day, and the last was for offense.

The practices started off when there was still snow on the ground.

“For practice we are inside right now and normally just hit in the cages and set up some bases,” Tacey Looze `19 said. “We work on fielding and specific plays to help us become stronger as a team.”

All of the practice and time on the field is preparing the team for a great run during the season.

“This year we definitely want to become a very strong and consistent hitting team, our defense is coming in very well but we want to work on big hits,” Looze said. “We are striving for team chemistry, which we definitely have this year.”

The team building skills are essential for the girls to have a successful and fun season.

The baseball team had three days of tryouts where top athletes competed to make it onto the roster. Tryouts consisted of defense one day, offense one day, and lastly conditioning.

“We will be working on all aspects of the game in order to be successful in high pressure games,” Brendan Pierce `19 said.

The players will be working together in practices and bonding on oand off the field to make their team stronger.

“Without good skill in each part of the game, the team won’t ever it’s full potential,” Pierce said.

Making progress on and off the field as a team will help them make their chances for a successful season.

As the team progresses throughout the start of the season, they have a very intimidating record of 7-3.

C

Row, row, row your boat

oach’s

ORNER

Boys rowing falls short of making a team

Girls Track won the track meet against Central on April 19, boys Track fall short.

Michaela Rogers`18

rogersmic32@tcapsstudent.net

Doug Baumann accepting his position as Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach in the athletic wing after school.

With the untimely loss of Varisty Coach Mike Wilde on Feb. 21, the girls needed time to mourn before picking his replacement. Doug Baumann stepped up to honor Wilde’s legacy while making his own mark on the girls’ season. Baumann has a long history at TCAPS, having taught at Westwoods Elementary, West Middle School, and is now a state trooper.

Also a West Senior High graduate, Baumann has worked as assistant coach for Wilde and Carmein over the last year, and from 2002-2009, he coached with Tibaldi and took over Boys Junior Varsity as well. Baumann has volunteered his time working in the girls’ program since 2008 and is ready and excited to begin coaching the team again.

R

owing is one of the oldest existing sports. Not only that, it is a sport that has become very popular for schools located near the water, and “crew” teams are starting to make it big in the sports arena.

Bigger colleges, including most Ivy league schools, have row teams, and there is a lot of scholarship money for crew members who are skilled at leading a boat. West has had a girls’ team for several years, but has yet to get enough rowers to make a boys’ team.

Schools around the state seem to get it - rowing is a sport that has big money in scholarships and teams at major universities.

Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor has a rowing team that is bigger than the football team.

Dan Dolinka `17, was one of the only students interested in signing up for the boy’s team. After getting his hopes up, he was told that there were not enough male students interested in joining the sport so a team was not being formed.

“My mom does it and she’s a Board

Basketball makes it to regionals Mens Basketball looses the hard fought Regional game against Mount Pleasant Alexis Hepler `20 heplerale12@tcapsstudent.net

H

istory was made in Mount Pleasant when the Varsity Boys Basketball team made it to the Regional Finals beating out Mount Pleasant, which is one game further than they’ve made it the past four years. This was the first year in the school’s history the boys’ basketball team made it through a first round regional tournament.

The loss was tough, but the team came out strong and continued to keep their heads held high.

“Our team comradery was a huge reason for our success this season and our guys are a close-knit group on and off the court,” Coach Sanders Frye said. “They enjoy working together toward common goals, and have exceptional drive to achieve those goals.”

Even with the loss in the second round of finals, the season was still a success for the team as they made history.

“During the season we all just started to

come together, ” Miigwaanhs Barrientoz ‘19 said. “We really started playing our game and played our hearts outs. It felt great and it was just a great moment for the whole team because that’s never been done in West history.

It just feels great to contribute in that win and know that we are the best team to ever come out of West, because we are the first team to ever do that.”

There were definitely some struggles throughout the season that affected the outcome. The team was young, and players relied on the three senior players who had experience to lead them.

“Some challenges were probably just getting to know everyone, having that most of the team were first year varsity players and only having three seniors,” Barrientoz said.

It was a heartbreaking loss of 75-65 against the Saginaw Trojans, but no one missed the achievements of the team for making it to Regionals.

member so that was part of it, but it seemed like a really different sport,” Dolinka said.

“It would have been interesting and good to have been out on the water and moving so much quicker than basically any other sport allows. Plus the location is really pretty and it’s a nice drive out there.” Rowers meet at Fountain Shore resort located on the shores of Lake Leelanau for practices.

Harvard, Stanford, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Purdue all have rowing teams. While the girls teams are growing steadily and West rowers have taken full-ride scholarships around the country for their altlhetic skills, their male counterparts just don’t seem ready to jump into the boat.

Rowing is an intense sport, and it can help athletes keep in shape while off-season from football or basketball. It is a high end cardio workout, and a race is about 200+ strokes in about seven minutes. Rowing works the entire body. With so much to offer, it’s hard to imagine why a boys’ team did not happen this year, but there is still hope for next year.

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The Spartan award winning

Varsity Softball won both games on April 18 against the Charlevoix Rayders.

Girls Tennis finished third at the Up North Invite on April 17 hosted by Central.

Boys Golf scored a 338 team score, and finished fifth in East Lansing on April 17.

JV Baseball swept Cadillac at home on April 19. Nick Beeman, Kadin LaCross, Chance Ellsworth, Jake Klassen, and Jackson Tisdale all help get the win.

Varsity Baseball got another win for the books on April 15 against White Cloud High School 12-2.

JV Baseball won against the Host Elks in Elk Rapids on April 17.

Girls Varsity Soccer lost 1-4 against the Cadillac Vikings on April 20.

Varsity Baseball won against Flushing High School on April 17. Ryan Hayes, Mike Laracey, Gavin Garmhausen, and Carson Rosa all contribute big time to help come out with the win.

Mens Track finished second at Chippewa Hills on April 22. Jonathan Jurkovich Erik LaBonte, Lukas Sawusch, and Jacob Pawloski placed first in the 4x100 relay.

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Titan Hockey team fell 5-2 against Rockford Rams in the regional finals on Saturday, March 4.

train the right person. Be a part of something great.

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Photo: J. Zaoh