G r a n d H a v e n H i g h S c h o o l ’ s s t u d e n t p u b l i c a t i o n o f c o m m u n i t y s i g n i f i c a n c e s i n c e 1 9 2 7

BLADE BU

CS'

Friday, Oct. 14, 2011

See page 17

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12-13

UltimateDestination

Sophomore BrittanyVanDoorne overcomes challenge of being born without hands, excels as artist.

AworkofART

2 Inside THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

THE BUCS’ BLADEGrand Haven High School, 17001 Ferris, Grand Haven, MI 49417

A student newspaper of community significance since 1927

Volume 67, Issue 2 October 14, 2011

PUBLICATION POLICYThe Bucs’ Blade is a newspaper that publishes information relevant to the times as well as

material that is essential to the overall well being of its readers. It is The Bucs’ Blade’s responsibility to cover school, city, state, national and international events and issues that affect the concerns of its readers. During the school day, the Blade staff may be reached at 616.850.6263 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:20 p.m.

The Bucs’ Blade strives for the highest standards of accuracy, completeness and careful re-search in its presentation of material. If an error merits correction, as determined by the Editorial Board or the Adviser, it will be promptly published in the news brief column or on the edito-rial page. Correction notification forms are available in the main office or in Room 0205 and should be returned directly to Room 0205 upon completion. All correction requests are subject to review.

LETTERS AND SUBMISSIONSThe paper will operate on the basis of an open or public forum. Essays and

other nonfiction literary works are welcomed. All letters to the editor must include the writer’s name, signature, and class or position, and must be free of obscene and potentially libelous material. Typed, double-spaced letters are preferred, but legible, handwritten letters are acceptable. Names of individuals will not be edited, except in rare cases to prevent legal liability, to edit material that is in poor taste or to fit space requirements. Letters previously published, addressed to third parties or pho-tocopied will not be published. The Bucs’ Blade can only print as many letters to the editor as space will allow. Letters should be addressed to the editor, and emailed to bucsblade@gmail.com

THE BUCS’ BLADE GHHS ROOM 0205

17001 FerrisGrand Haven, MI 49417

Copies of The Bucs’ Blade are offered on the news stands located in the main office, Room 0205, the media center, the Loutit Library and The Bookman.

StaffMcKenna Brinks, Dustin Chrysler, Me-ridith Frein, Katelyn Hansen, Kaia Hayes, Kayla Hoffman, Loren Johnson, Kennedy Kaufman, Lauren Kruggel, Kyra Lansky, Molly McGinnis, Riley Missel, Brittney Olds, Andrew Prince, Turner Sale, Sam Schurkamp, Olivia Seaver, Erin Staal, John Strainer, Katherine Wampler, Harrison Zost

Editorial BoardJohn Cherette Editor-in-Chief

Mike Ginocchio Editor-in-Chief

Emma Baty Managing Editor

Lucas Wilder News Editor

Mollie LaBeff Feature Editor

Bailey Coval Culture Editor

Chloe Dault Editor-at-large

Lauren Lund Vibe Editor

Scott Staal Sports Editor

Samantha VanHoef Web Editor

Laura Burton Photo Editor

Maggie Ginocchio Graphics Specialist

C.E. Sikkenga Advisor

NEWSWheels spinning over skateboard ordinanceOrdinance defeated by City Counsel, will undergo revisions

6

3 BMI tracking plan a good stepGovernor Snyder’s proposed bill to track BMI in children a bright idea

EDITORIAL/OPINION

FEATURE15 A prize in its own

Art teacher Gail Krug displays her passion for artwork by entering this year’s Art Prize

PHOTOUltimate destinationStudents turn hobby into a club sport

17

SPORTS19 Got milk?

Cross country teams win contest, recieves $2,500 grant to purchase chocolate milk

VIBE

23 Borns to be a starLocal musician Garrett Borns gains popularity with EP being released mid-October

FITS OF GIGGLES: Seniors Alexa Reddick and Hugo Lawton rehearse a scene from “Phantom of the Opera.” The show premiers Nov. 10. photo by Laura Burton

9 Four things you oughta knowFour things you ought to know about writing a college admissions essay

CULTURE

Phantomphenomenon

See pages10-11

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Editorial 3

A clear message resonated within the school walls at the start of the year. There was going to be a change.

It began when we were all herded up in the pep assembly as teachers advocated a bully free environment, and continued when Student Senate called for a change in TP (aka homecoming) week in order to further remove zebra tendencies.

Because TP-ing reaches so much farther than the boundaries of our school habitat, Senate extended their reach by sending letters to students’ homes. While it was done in order to justify why students should be kept from TP-ing, it also had another more subtle point. If parents were concerned, then it was within their power to change. If they had a desire to improve the community, then they could keep their children home

This isn’t to say that pro-TP students were wild animals that needed to be contained and kept from their shenanigans. A majority of them recognized the necessity to adjust their target lists and tactics. Most never even had the intent to go out and maliciously throw four ply around the yard of their mortal enemy. There’s just a thrill that you get, knowing you could get caught

(illegal activities tend to add that sort of danger). You feel like Chuck Norris with toilet paper. It’s easy to forget that for some people, it’s not always fun and games.

With the help of a combined message from both teacher and fellow peers, the fact that TP-ing could be linked to bullying was brought to our attention.

However, it would be unfair to say that change only came because of Senate activities. That would be like saying the students were only blobs of clay, easily molded and changed to the designer’s will. It would have been impossible for Senate’s acts to hold any significance without an understanding and receptive audience.

It feels like there’s a practical approach to the situation. Senate is aware that something like this cannot be forced overnight. If pushed that much, Senate knew they would face a backlash. It’s as delicate as the white “streamers” used to decorate trees. The change will be gradual, but necessary.

For some, unknown reason, TP-ing has become a pivotal tradition in high school life. It’ll take both sides working together to flush it out of our systems.

STAFF EDITORIAL

TP week toned downSenate’s effort valiant, needs to continue in years to come

4 Opinion THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

Oops!...I did it again. I played with my arm, dislocated it. Ooh baby baby. Oh boy, this really sucks, I’ve got such bad luck. I’m not that fond of this.

For some reason, that revised version of Britney Spears’ “Oops!...I did it again” was the only thing going through my head after I dislocated my shoulder for a third time last month.

I get hurt in the dumbest ways. Whether it’s torn ligaments in my ankle during laser tag, having a leg weight hit me in the head (that one was bloody), or playing a game

of jackpot in Florida, I always seem to get hurt at the most random and unexpected times. Obviously, then, I was bound to injure myself while listening to my friend George DJ at the Elks lodge, right? I never realized the simple combination of me jumping and raising my arm at the same time could have such disastrous results.

In one motion, I was able to throw my shoulder completely and painfully out of socket. Now that’s real talent.

I immediately clutched my arm, told my friend Austin what had happened and got off the stage. Oh, did I forget to mention I was on the stage in front of the entire crowd? After telling the person running the show of my misfortune, I was lead outside and sat down.

Then something amazing happened: complete strangers came to my aid. They asked what I needed and, through winces of pain, I was able to explain that I just needed a ride to the Emergency Room.

The ride was silent, other than my groans of pain at every bump, corner and touch of the brake pedal. Through my hazy hurting I wasn’t even sure what was going on around me, save for stop signs and oncoming headlights. The only thing I seemed to comprehend was that three people I’d never met before dropped everything they were doing just to help out a random kid with an injured arm.

The hospital had a stale, sterile smell. I was taken

into an examination room and placed gingerly on a bed, making sure to move my upper body as little as possible. The fluorescent lights fluttered as I waited for the doctor on call. All the while, my rescuers sat quietly in chairs next to the gurney, breaking the silence only to ask how I was feeling.

This went on for 30 minutes. Nurses came in to ask questions and administer tests. The man in the bed next to me explained a knee injury to his doctor. Shoes squeaked on the tile outside and a phone went off every few minutes. All the while my mighty trio of new acquaintances waited patiently for my parents to arrive.

That night was most likely something the people who helped me told their friends about and forgot a week later. To me, however, that night restored my faith in mankind. To me, those three people are heroes. They saw someone who needed help and responded.

My supporters left when my mom and dad showed up. I never got a chance to thank them for what they did, nor did I even find out their names. All I know about them is they are three of the most considerate people I’ve ever met and one of them was wearing a fedora.

I like to think that I’ll be able to thank those three people someday. Until then, I’m going to keep my arm waving to a minimum and hope I don’t get any more terrible Britney Spears songs stuck in my head.

My everyday superheroes

A series of

unfortunate events

John Cherette

“Does this dress make me look fat?” The single most annoying question that most men, like it or not, will probably be asked at some time or another. Of course the answer is always the same, but with the way things are going the truth will be a little harder to cover up beneath a white lie. Crass as it is, the truth is that we as Americans, Michiganders and the youth of Grand Haven are getting much heavier than we were only a few years ago.

In fact, childhood obesity has increased by over seven percent in the

past 25 years. There are always

excuses; the Internet draws kids indoors and away from the sports and outdoors that our parents grew up with and fast food

offers a cheap alternative to traditionally healthier foods. With the skyrocketing cost of health care and the increasing risk of heart disease, the government decided that it’s

time to take action.This September,

Governor Snyder introduced a bill that would require a patient’s body mass index, or BMI, to be submitted to the Michigan

Care Improvement Registry with each pediatrician checkup.

The bill, currently sitting on the doorstep of the State Legislature, would allow the government to track improvements in children’s health while keeping each individual’s identity a secret.

“If it’s going to benefit kids in the long run, I think it’s great,” physical education teacher Derek Warner said.

“Looking at it from a parent’s viewpoint, I want my kids to have better opportunities than [kids today]. So many physical education programs are being cut, if the government is taking steps toward getting healthy I think it’s phenomenal.”

With the risk of childhood obesity and the health problems it leads to at an all-time high, it’s about time the government did something.

As it stands today, 800,000 Michigan youth are classified as overweight- meaning, they are at least 10 percent heavier than what a healthy kid their height should be, while 12 percent of Michigan kids are obese, or weigh 20 percent more than healthy.

The reason that the government wants to keep track of kids’ BMI is that it is the most concrete form of proof that their new “Healthier Michigan” initiative is succeeding. If the overall BMI begins to drop, there is evidence that shows that we’re on the

right track towards a more fit state.

“I chart BMI with every encounter, to make sure my patients are healthy,” pediatrician Kelli Lund said. “If you’re focusing on weight and being [fit], it is the easiest thing to track.”

With the future of this law in the hands of the State Legislature, one can only hope that a healthier Michigan is right around the corner. In the meantime, the word is spreading to switch to healthier lifestyles.

“Making healthy choices and eating healthy portions [is important], but the most important thing is exercise,” Lund said. “It sounds cliché, but it really is the most important thing.”

Opinion

SAM SCHURKAMPReporter

BMI tracking plan a good step- Childhood obesity has increased by 7% over the last 25 years

- Snyder’s proposal would require doc-tors measuring patients’ Body Mass Index (BMI)

- 800,000 Michigan youth are classified as overweight (weigh 10% more than is healthy)

- 12% of Michigan kids are considered obese, meaning they weigh 20% more than is healthy

Fast Facts

Rebecca Hochhuth and six other Spring Lake High School students have formed a group called 100 Teens Who Care. The purpose is to raise money for local charities and encourage teens to make a difference in the community. They meet four times a year at the Spring Lake Middle School Auditorium from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and each person

attending is required to bring $10 to donate.

“Our goal is to make it easy for teens to give an hour four times a year to really help the community,” Hochhuth said. “We want the money to stay local at first and then once it ex-pands we can do bigger projects, but right now we want $10 from every person that shows up.”

At each meeting, three rep-resentatives from local charities explain how their charity makes

a difference. Afterwards, the members take a vote. The orga-nization that collects the most votes will receive the money.

“It’s run by teens,” Hoch-huth said. “We picked out the dates- all the specifics; it’s really us making the deci-sions.”

It started as a breakaway group from 100 Women Who Care, a group of women in Grand

Rapids. From there, the teens took the idea and made it their own.

“All seven of us joined forces and had a meeting with the two women who started 100 Women Who Care,” Hochhuth

said. “They showed us the ropes and we tweaked it to make it easier for us then started working from there.”

100 Teens Who

Care welcomes anyone willing to attend.

“We really want to involve Grand Haven, Fruitport and everybody,” Hochhuth said.

The first event will be held on Oct. 16, 2011. Sarah Lewakowski, an active member of the original organization, believes the right groundwork is in place.

“The only requirement is that you want to give back to the community and help people in need,” Lewakowski said.

It’s lunchtime and students hustle into the cafeteria as usual hoping that they will find some-thing they like. This year, they may be in luck. The cafeteria has made changes such as healthier food, tearing out old equipment and redesigning.

“The biggest change is that we remodeled,” Food Service Director Mary Darnton said. “I mean, it’s not just the paint we had all of our facings and all our cabinets re-laminated. We had units for keeping hot food hot and cold food cold dropped down into the cabinets.”

Of course, installing so much new equipment is bound to have an effect on the food.

“A lot of food changed with it,” Darnton said. “There’s lots more scratch cooking, more focus on fresh, local, hand made entrees and a real focus on healthy side dishes this year.”

When the food changes, the lunchroom staff adapts as well.

“It’s changed the way the staff works,” Darnton said. “Because along with the changes you guys see, in the back of the [kitchen] we got rid of our deep fryers. And so things that we used to put in the fryer we bake in the oven.”

Students such as fresh-man Logan Bartz like the new changes.

“The food is healthier and I think there is more food,” Bartz said. “It just tastes better.”

On the other hand, students such as senior Olin Johnson say the changes were not such a good thing.

“I don’t like change, so I bring my own lunch now,” Johnson said, “They changed it, so I’m like ‘alright I’m done eating your food.’”

Still, the lunch staff is deter-mined to provide student with choices that are healthier and are to their liking, including those with C lunch.

“Every kid dreaded C lunch because they knew that was when we ran out of a lot of

things.” Darnton said. “This year all of us made a commitment that we were going to make sure everyday we did everything we could so that no one ran out of any type of food, including C lunch.”

According to Darnton, so

far the cafeteria’s seeing good results.

“The food changes you’re seeing are translating into more kids eating lunches,” Darnton said.

Making the changes may have taken a lot of hard work, plan-

ning and money but it seems to have all paid off.

“The best part honestly is see-ing all the kids going up to any station and being surprised and pleased about all the excellent food that is up there,” Darnton said.

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE News 5

Lunches now completely bakedCafeteria ditches deep fryers, redesigns layout for updated look

GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT: Students shuffle around the redesigned cafeteria, searching for the perfect lunch. Over the sum-mer, the school got rid of the deep fryers and made the transition to all baked food. Other additons to the cafeteria include new heating units in the centerpiece and a new line where students can get the special in a bowl. photo by Laura Burton

SL girls start 100 Teens Who Care, fundraise for charities

MCKENNA BRINKSReporter

Every teen brings $10, representatives of each charity present, one lucky charity voted to recieve total at end of nightOLIVIA SEAVER

Reporter

Meeting dates:Oct. 16, 2011Dec. 11, 2011Feb. 19, 2012May 27, 2012

An ordiance to change the cur-rent skateboarding laws in Grand

Haven was debated and defeated 4-1 last month, however some councel members aren’t letitng it go without a fight.

“Skateboarding is not a crime,” Coun-cil member Mike Fritz says, gesturing at the wall to a bumper sticker that reads the exact motto. That seems to be a popular belief amongst both local government and citizens. Currently, the city has an ordi-nance prohibiting the use of skateboard-ing on the streets, has been preparing a few revisions.

“In a nutshell, it describes skateboard-ing as a game in the street and prohibits it,” City Manager Pat McGinnis said of the current ordinance.

The current ordinance states that skateboarding in the streets of Grand Ha-ven is disturbing to traffic and the council would like to legalize skateboards and longboards as a means of transportation.

McGinnis is sure that after some altera-tions in the complicated language used in the changes, they will bring it back for another vote.

City Council member Robert Monetza feels the same way.

“We do intend on bringing it back,” Monetza said.

Monetza was one of the four who voted the new modifica- tions down. He would like it to be legal as a means of transport and hopes that the new revisions will be simpler and easier to enforce.

“The original ordinance was too rigid,” Fritz said. “It doesn’t fit the times. That’s the reason why I brought it to the atten-tion of my fellow council members.”

Fritz was the one member who voted yes in a 4-1 vote on Sept. 19, when the original rewrite was presented to council. He thinks that skateboards and long-boards are a mode of transportation that nearly every teen has access to and

strongly believes it should be allowed. Blair Butler, owner of the Smokin’

Mad Love Laboardatory, strongly sup-ports the changes. She says that her and her husband John are there 100 percent

supporting the changes, and will be keeping track of the ordinance and its progress.

“We’re super stoked on the change that’s happening,” Butler

said. “We thought that the change was passed originally, then it came back with a couple provisions and there were to be a couple of changes made.”

McGinnis elaborates on what he thinks will happen in the ordinance’s future. “The council members used what I would describe as ‘friendly no’s’,” McGinnis said. They would like to have a couple things reworded and changed; it will come back.”

Fritz is confident that the changes will come back in a way that is both easily understood and easily enforced. “It didn’t change, but it will change,” Fritz said.

6 News THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

MOLLY MCGINNISReporter

Wheels spinning over skateboarding ordinance

Council defeats plan to allow boards on city streets, may revisit in future

BUC B r i e f s

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETESFellowship of Christian Athletes

is a faith-based organization that meets every Thursday morning in Mr. Nelson’s room (2111) at 7:15 A.M. The meetings are open to any student, whether they participate in athletics or not.

This organization meets to talk about faith, sports and combining the two together. Led by Steve Hewitt, each meeting includes a speaker, group discussions and a time of prayer. Senior Brent Boerema looks forward to this weekly opportunity.

“FCA gives me the opportunity to talk about my faith with other students that also share the love of sports,” Boerema said.

-Erin Staal

PUMPKIN PAINTINGThe Ambassador Club will be paint-

ing pumpkins with senior citizens living at Sanctuary at the Shore retire-ment home on Oct. 23 at 3 P.M. .

“We are ambassadors for the school and the community,” Advisor Kirsten

Montroy said. “Our job is to be of service for new students or foreign exchange students, any orien-

tation where we can help around the school

and reach out to retirement homes for activities with the elderly, things like that.”

Students are asked to bring a small pumpkin or paints if they have them. If interested, contact Montroy in room 8205 before Oct. 23.

-Olivia Seaver

RIDE THE ROAD: Junior James Kloote stakeboards downtown near the skatepark. This is one location that will be greatly impacted by the future possible passing of the ordinance. If the ordinance passes, skateboarders will be able to shred the streets all over downtown Grand Haven. photo by Laura Burton

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE News 7

Grand Haven was still swim-ming in excitement as ArtWalk 2011 came to an end. This

event started Sept. 21 and concluded Oct. 8. Scattered throughout the festivities were Rocket Fish, an ArtWalk inspired way of united advertising for the down-town area.

The project was organized by the Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority (MSDDA). While searching for a cost friendly way to raise money, co-chair of the MSDDA, Randy Smith, stumbled upon the idea for the fish.

“A friend of mine, Red Roberts, saw a painting that I have in my bathroom,” Smith said. “It’s kind of a silhouette of a fish and so I looked at that… I said well how about we make it out of plywood.”

Smith composed an array of six and a half by four-foot wooden fish and smaller two-foot minnows that would be cast out to the community. For every big fish cut, three minnows could be made of the scrap wood.

Businesses and other “big fish” owners had the option to either keep or auction off their pets. The silent auc-tion took place on Wednesday Oct. 5. All funds raised went towards improving the downtown area.

There was also a competition for best fish judged by the community. Winning the minnow contest was Brooke Pitsch with her “junky” fish, made with a jumble of household objects. Ray’s Drive-In took first in the big fish category.

Their fish was designed and painted by artist Tricia Wisniewski, who dedicated a total of four days of non-stop work to the creation. Her goal was to complete it in time to have it in front of Ray’s during Coast Guard week. With a lot of hard work and some rush, the fish was done in time.

“When I finally got the unfinished Rocket Fish, I only had one day before the

start of Coast Guard so I had to hurry,” Wisniewski said.

Many of the fish will continue to stand outside of local businesses far past the conclusion of ArtWalk.

ArtWalk was developed when the MSDDA, the city and the Chamber of Commerce got together to discuss ways they could enhance the West Michi-gan art culture and bring people to Grand Haven to experience local artists.

“Members came up with some ideas

and met with the organizers of ArtPrize to let them know what we were planning and ArtWalk was born,” director of the

MSDDA Dana Kollewehr said. After the first year of success,

many people look forward to the development of ArtWalk.

“I think each year we hold ArtWalk we will fine tune and improve it,” Kollewehr said. “Our hope is to continue to expand upon what we have and find new

exciting ways to engage the community through art and special events.”

BUC B r i e f s

Downtown drowns in artBRITTNEY OLDS

Reporter

ArtWalk expands, continues to enhance local art culture with Rocket Fish

BOOMERANG COMES BACK AROUNDGHHS will be hosting the Boomer-

ang event in the field house on Oct.25. This is an opportunity for juniors to meet with local businesses and per-suade them to graduate, go to college and return to work in their hometown.

“When you finish high school, go off into the world, get yourself and education and learn,” counselor Anne Runschke said. “Then come back to this community to work and prosper.”

-Kennedy Kaufman

ORCHESTA PERFORMS WITH GVSUGHHS’s Symphony Orchestra will

be performing a concert with Grand Valley State University’s orchestra on Oct. 17 at 7:30 P.M., in the PAC. Orchestra instructor Melissa Meyers is excited about the orches-tra’s progress.

“We’re preparing with intense rehears-als and sectional work” Meyers said. “It’s the most music I’ve ever giv-en Symphony Orchestra. We have two concerts in October, it’s a huge responsibility.”

-Molly McGinnis

HISTORICAL GHOST TOURThe Grand Haven Historical Ghost

Tour is happening Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 from 7-11 P.M. This event begins at the Grand Haven Elks Lodge (15 S. Third Street) and is open to all ages.

With a cost of $5 a person, (chil-dren under the age of four get in free), this is way to learn a little history; with the chance of a surprise for all visitors.

“Our goal is to help people find the answer to things that go bump in the night,” said Bill Jones, the contact person for this event.

-Katelyn Hansen

(Clockwise from top) FISH FRY: The Ray’s Rock-et Fish sits on the corner of Washington and First St. This first place winner was relocated from Ray’s. SHARK BAIT: To accompany the large Rocketfish, miniature ‘minnows’ are for sale. There was a separate division in the ArtWalk competition for them. IN A SCHOOL: Rocketfish line Second St. Many downtown buisnesses have continued to display their fish after ArtWalk.

Every Friday night after the home foot-

ball games, Russ Gable, local ministry di-rector of Freewater Experience (a.k.a. The Sno- Cone Table Guy) is teaming up with GHHS teachers to put on huge bonfires for students. Starting immediately after the student section shouts the fight song and going until 11:45 pm, the bonfires are held at physical education teacher Derek Warner’s house, only 2 miles away from school.

“I realize there is a need in Grand Haven to build a positive community,” Gable said. “I wanted to reach out to a large group of kids in the community to have posi-tive events with an outdoor flavor.”

Gable, a local youth min-ister, is starting the bonfires to provide a post-game op-tion for students who want to have a good time without the pressure to party.

“The main draw is the free pizza and rock wall,” junior Kendra Striegle said. “I like what they’re doing and it draws a great group of people I actually want to hang out with.”

Gable’s ministry is 100 percent dona-tion based and the bonfires cost about $500-$600 to fund. Community mem-bers and individuals who contributed really believe in the fun activities he has planned.

“We’re going to have bouncy boxing, climbing walls, mechanical bulls, even our own fear factor event,” Gable said.

The bonfires are an option for good, clean fun for students who don’t want their Friday nights to end right after the game.

“No problems, no issues,” Gable said. “Kids can have a place to be totally ac-

cepted and feel like they can share their lives with adults there.”

Since Gable’s ministry is an outdoor ministry, he often helps with Outdoor Education activities. He approached War-ner with this idea last spring and the plan started to take shape.

“It’s cool there are teachers passionate enough about kids to go beyond teaching and do this stuff,” Gable said.

Warner and English teacher Jared Kram are helping Gable promote and put

on the bonfires.“I really like seeing kids

outside school in any capac-ity,” Kram said. “In Meijer, on the street… the best way to build relationships in the classroom is to see each oth-er outside the classroom.”

Where better outside the classroom than in their own backyard? Mr. Warner volunteered the grassy 8 acres behind his house for the events.

“[Gable] needed a place to try out this idea,” Warner said. “We could fill the need

he had for a location close to the school. With the layout of the property and the parking situation, it’s really a win-win.”

The end of football season won’t mean the end of the fun.

“We want to continue doing large events that appeal to everybody,” Gable said.

Gable has a passion for providing students with opportunities he wishes he could’ve had.

“I always felt called to reach high school kids because in my high school ex-perience I made a lot of bad choices and I think lots of kids can learn [from me],” Gable said.“ There are some huge [issues] and choices kids face and if they can get a little guidance it can make a huge differ-ence.”

8 News THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

Friday firesPostgame bonfires provide students with clean, safe fun

RILEY MISSELReporter

What is it?: Freewater Experi-ence is a combo of Young Life Club and Survivor Man

Where: Derek Warner’s house: 17082 Buchanan Street

When: Friday nights after every home football game until 11:45

4About writing a college admissions essaythings

With college application deadlines coming up, I set out for tips on improving the essay portion of the application. I sat down with teacher Tom Foley for some advice. He teaches AP english classes and knows the imporatnce of the essay portion of the admission application

“Where you go to college, it’s going to determine what your job is,” Foley said.I also got expert advise from Meghan Fore who is the admissions representative for Grand

Haven from Hope College. She stresses content, in both length and depth. So before you click apply, check you essay for the following tips.

1.Know whom you are writing forThink of who your audience is. The adults reading essays are well educated and have read hundreds of similar essays. Foley has two pieces of advise for you on this. “First, can you write well and second, write about what makes you unique,” Foley said. “Colleges want an eclectic student body, so what makes you different?”

2. Choosing your topicWhat are you going to write about? More importantly, what are the people in the admissions office going to read about? Foley suggests selecting a topic you are familiar with. He advises this because it usually prevents getting off subject. “You should pick an event or a belief that you hold, but be specific,” Foley said. “Don’t try to write about everything you have done. Rather, you should write of one single instance or a single thing.” Fore knows that making yourself stand out from other applicants is important and she advises students to be choosey with the topic they write about. “You should write about some-thing meaningful to you so that college admissions counselors can learn more about who you are,” Fore said. In order to stand out, Foley cautions writing about a sports event or community service projects. “The only problem with that is, it’s very steryotypical,” Foley said. “They as a student have to make themselves unique. College admissions officers read hundreds of essays. So make yourself stand out from the rest of the people that are applying to the that one college,” Foley said.

3. Take your timeThis isn’t a weekend homework assignment you start Sunday night. You can’t finish it an hour. It is a big deal. Taking your time is advised and will help you stand out from the crowd, because where you go to college will affect your life for more than the four years spent there. “The student has to keep in mind that where you go to college is going to effect your life,” Foley said. “So when writing this essay, students should really take their time, really slow down and think about what they are writ-ing.”

4. Multiple drafts and editing A single draft may be good but multiple drafts could make it great. When other people read your essay, they could pick up things you never saw before. “Getting feedback from a trusted source is very helpful. Admissions Counselors can tell right away if you've proof-read your essay. Make sure to use your guidance counselor as a resource as well. “They're happy to help you along in the college application process,” Fore said. Also, when you are completed, it never hurts to run through it one more time. “I advise them to read it out loud. That way they can really hear their personal voice in the piece,” Foley said.

Other sources for admission essay assistancehttp://www.college-admission-essay.com http://www.admissionsessays.comMain service: assistance in outlining and Main service: Editing and critiquingessay outline and writing. compleated essaysCost of service: 299$ for a single essay Cost of service: 179$ for a single essay

Scribbled Dogma

The temperature’s starting to drop, but it might not just be from the season change. Could it be from all the spooky paraphernalia overfilling the store shelves? Werewolves and vampires and zombies? Oh my.

As the year draws closer to Halloween, people become acutely aware of the scarier aspects in life. Movie nights are held where heart-pounding marathons of the horror persuasion flicker menacingly on the TV screens. Pale faced ghouls and sassy looking witches decorate the interior of our homes, while skeletons are placed to look like they’re rising from their forgotten beds in the ground.

The adrenaline rush/joy/thrill people get from screaming, mutilated, and possibly possessed creatures doesn’t make any sense to me. Why do they like to be scared? Or if it’s not truly scary to them, why is that fun?

While tons of people go out into the night and participate in things like haunted houses and going to graveyards, I’d rather stay inside and leave all the lights on. Somehow I lucked out on the gene that would have made me “brave” enough to want to face fake spiders dropping onto my head.

I’m easily freaked out. The closest thing to horror I will ever get to is prank pop-up videos and The Scary Maze game (not by my choosing).

So, it’s almost like trying to understand a foreign language when my friends and peers start chattering about the latest thriller or haunt they want to go to. When the autumnal colors come out, two different kinds of people emerge as well. The fearless, and those of us who would rather see people keep blood in their bodies.

I don’t even have to watch the movies to know what to avoid. Don’t go near little girls who are skipping rope and singing. Don’t split up—groups equal survival. Don’t go into the dark forest to chase after my cat. She’ll be fine; a murderer probably is more interested in humans than felines.

While all these situations are ridiculous and unlikely to actually happen, I still can’t stop my brain from acknowledging the bloodcurdling stuff and completely dismissing the significant part, which is that none of it is real. In a hypothetical event, where I actually decided to go to a haunted house, I would wear sturdy and sensible shoes. Something easy to run in. Just in case I was legitimately attacked by demons, because how ironic would it be to be killed at a place that basically parodies death?

To a lot of people, it’s all good fun. It’s something they’ll probably keep doing until their breathing machines and walkers keep them from being able to shuffle through the macabre in a timely fashion. I can only think that it’s like an acquired taste.

Kudos to all you freak geeks out there, who can sit through the scores of music where the violins are screeching almost as loudly as you while you shout for the girl to not (for the love of everything) go outside. I’d rather not risk running into a human-skin-wearing killer. There’s a chill in the air al-ready, I don’t need another one rolling down my spine from some prosthetic dead grandma with her eyeballs gouged out on her knitting needles.

Culture 9 THE

I will take a pass on the horrorKayla Hoffman

You oughta know

BAILEY COVALCulture editor

Drawing by Sarah Snider

ANDREW PRINCEReporter

Center stage is slath-ered in blood, sweat and talent. A woman darts around behind the action to make sure everything is done right. This isn’t just an ordinary musical.

It’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Students will be per-

forming it this year for their annual musical. The tale is of an evil ghost who resides in the opera house and falls in love with a chorus girl while terror-izing the rest of the opera house. It is directed by Rita McLary.

“We would not have selected “The Phantom of the Opera” if we had any doubts on the talent

level at Grand Haven High School this year,” McLary said.

“Once you take on a musical, no matter what it is, you love, eat, breathe, sleep it,” McLary said.

Musicals are usually shortened and simplified for high school students but this one came in full text without any changes.

“It is the exact Broad-

way show, the one that’s touring in London, To-ronto, everywhere in the world,” McLary said.

Redick was chosen for the lead female role. She emotional when she recived the news.

“I cried and jumped and laughed when I found out about getting Chris-tine,” Redick said.

Senior Hugo Lawton

took a different approach when he saw his name as the Phantom. He believes the role will be a challenge for him.

“Other shows I’ve done have been light and fluffy,” Lawton said. “[This musi-cal] pushes the boundaries and is emotionally deep.”

McLary knows that it’s not just the leads who have to step up.

“It is so difficult, not just in one way but in every way,” McLary said. “Every single element in this production has to step up their game.”

The musical depart-ments were unsure of “The Phantom of the Opera” at first, strictly because of budget issues. The copy-rights are quite expensive to acquire at $4,000.

10 Culture THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

After learning opera and new musical, cast hopes to bring in bigger crowd than ever with two weekends of shows

INTENSE GAZE: Seniors Alexa Redick and Hugo Lawton gaze deeply into eachother’s eyes at a recent rehearsal. Redick will play the character Christine and Lawton will play the Phantom photo by Laura Burton

Upcoming shows put Phantom on

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Culture 11

“We are a self-funded program,” McLary said. “Ticket sales pay the bills.”

This year, in order to allow every member of the community to see it as well as cover the expenses of the show, “The Phantom of the Opera” will hold two weekends of shows, which is something no other musical has ever done in Grand Haven. The tickets cost more than the past

because the copyrights to the musical need to be paid for. Students cost $12 and adults are $15.

Lawton believes his fellow classmates should witness it and stresses the deepness of emotion and complexity.

“Students will love to see it,” Lawton said. “There will be scenes that will make you grip the edge of your seat.”

McLary hopes the community is able to ap-preciate the hard work, dedication and commit-ment it has taken to put together “The Phantom of the Opera”

“The best part is to sit there on opening night and realize that it has all come together and it’s magnificent.” McLary said. “There’s no other feeling like that.”

the theater’s mind

(Left) EXPERT READERS: Se-niors Ben Bailey, Colin LaMore and Junior Jake Jager carefully read their scripts at a recent rehearsal. Shows will be spread between two weekends. (Below) ALL SMILES: Senior Cassidy Elzinga grins as she reads the script with Bailey and Jager. The leads of the cast rehearsed all summer because the complexity of the showincluding how to sing opera music. photos by Laura Burton

EMMA BATYManaging Editor

12 Feature THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011 Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Feature 13

AWESOME ARTIST: Brittany holds a blue colored pencil and works on a sketch of a Diet Coke can. Her favorite creations involve people and ani-mals. “Drawing people is really fun because I like to make new people and I like to make these kind of animals that are really weird looking some-times,” Brittany said. Already an accomplished artist, she hopes to continue developing her artistic abilities in the future. photo by Laura Burton

T he girl holds a pencil in her arms and gently pushes it across the sheet of paper taped to the desk in front of her. Her lips are pursed. She shades the circle she just created with a stencil, mimicking the model in front of her. She stops for a moment, ponders her work, furrows her brow and continues.

The bottom of her arms are streaked with charcoal smudges. This is because to be able to actually draw, she has to rest her arms on the paper. As a result, her arms pick up remnants of the me-dium she is using.

An ink picture of a dog with a thick tail and floppy ears, her proudest artis-tic achievement, sits next to her. It’s her favorite ‘because all the other dogs turn out to have a fat head or small arms’ but this one is the most realistic.

For many artists, it would be just another picture. A nice likeness but nothing out of the ordinary. But for sophomore Brittany VanDoorne, it’s a tremendous accomplishment.

Because Brittany was born with no hands. When she was adopted seven years ago, she was unable to

perform daily tasks like use silverware. Through hard work however, she has managed to overcome her condition and is now able to do most things people wouldn’t expect her to.

Even though she was born without hands, Brittany has loved art since she was five years old. Brittany’s mom Kelly

VanDoorne believes that life’s problems have inspired her artwork.

“Her life is a little bit different,” Kelly said. “So probably life’s struggles would promote her to have something to pour into.”

Despite her condition, she has taken art classes since el-ementary school to improve her skills. Now that she’s in high school, Brittany is taking Art and Design 1, where she’s had no trouble fitting in with other students.

“It’s not a whole lot dif-ferent than having any other kid in class,” Art teacher John Tarr said. “I rarely notice that she’s a little bit different than other people. But it’s pretty interesting, the way she man-ages. She does a good job with everything.”

The philosophy of the VanDoorne household is no different. To their family, Brittany is just like anyone

else. “She’s no different than anybody else,” Kelly said. “I don’t

look at her as she doesn’t have hands, I don’t even really think about it anymore.”

Even with her management skills, sometimes class can be a challenge. Brittany has to tape down her papers to keep them from moving while she draws. Listening to lectures and taking notes can also be a struggle. Brittany was having trouble on open-note quizzes because of the speed of lectures. But Tarr has found a way to accommodate her condition.

“I noticed her quizzes… weren’t showing how smart she is,” Tarr said. “And like a dummy it dawns on me, ‘oh, well she probably takes a little longer to take notes than most people’. And so what I’ve been doing is kind of printing the notes off… so she can have more time to copy them. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I think that’s kind of part of the way I look at it, she just seems like every other kid to me.”

Tarr appreciates having Brittany in class. “It’s fun to have her,” Tarr said.

“She’s always smiling and she’s always polite.”

Although sometimes she gets dis-couraged, positive reinforcement from her teacher and others helps Brittany push to achieve her goals.

“[Tarr] says that I’m doing great,” Brittany said. “When he tells me that I keep on going and it turns out to be awesome.”

Kelly sees the positive affects of this encouragement on her daughter.

“I think it really makes her feel good, because Brittany loves praise and for someone to notice that part of her and not her hands,” Kelly said. “She loves someone to notice her in that way. So that does make her feel good because it’s encouragement. It’s a good morale builder and personality builder and friendship builder for her.”

More important than creating a masterpiece, Brittany looks to have fun with her artwork.

“It’s just fun to draw and it’s entertaining,” Brittany said. “It’s just like you have a pencil, draw whatever you want, see how great you are at it.”

Unlike many students, Brittany has a natural understand-ing of the fundamentals and principles of art. This allows her to succeed in her projects.

“She has a pretty good eye about seeing a lot of things,” Tarr said. “About her mark making. A lot of kids just in gen-eral don’t perceive value and tone and space, and she seems to have a pretty good sense of some basic art stuff.”

Kelly attributes Brittany’s natural talent to a good imagi-nation and creativity.

“Her imagination I think is her best avenue because she can really come up with some really great things,” Kelly said.

Dealing with Brittany’s con-dition can be a daily struggle but the VanDoorne family doesn’t look at it that way.

“You know, she’s got no hands but that’s not a handi-cap for Brittany,” Kelly said. “Because she can do all things,

there’s really nothing Brittany can’t do… The only thing Brit-tany can’t do is maybe a push up and a pull up, and she prob-ably wouldn’t do that anyways even if she did have two hands. I don’t consider her having a handicap at all.”

For Brittany, the best part of art is the ability to do things people never thought she’d be able to.

“It just shows that I can do some things actually with no hands,” Brittany said. “And people just wonder how I can hold a pencil or something. And so when I can do it they’re amazed.”

Born without hands, sophomore Brittany VanDoorne has found her passion for creative endeavours. She is turning what some would see as a handicap into...

Aworkof ART (below from left to right) PUPPY LOVE: Brittany’s favorite piece of art is this ink drawing of a dog. According to Brittany, this is one of her most realis-

tic pieces. PENCIL PUMPS: This is a pencil drawing Brittany did in Art and Design 1. To complete a drawing like this, Brittany tapes down her paper and holds the pencil between her elbows. Sometimes she also uses stencils. illustrations by Brittany VanDoorne

“You look at her art and you go… ‘I see kids that have two hands and they can’t put that together.’ I don’t look at that as a handi-cap. When you can do that, you don’t have a handicap... I just think its getting better and better and improving all the time.”

- Kelly VanDoorne

“We have her be accountable, even when she says, ‘I can’t do it, it’s too hard’ we pro-mote her to do it... and about 99 percent of the time she can do it.”

-Kelly VanDoorne

14 Feature THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

Lindsey DuffordIf you see Lindsey Dufford in the hall you might think, “Who is the girl with the shaved head?” Talk to her and you’ll realize she’s an opinion-ated, cultural individual whose freethinking attitude gives her an edge.

LAUREN KRUGGELReporter

Bucs’ Blade: What is Free-thinkers Club?Lindsey Dufford: A group of opinionated kids who meet once a week and discuss topics they usually wouldn't be able to talk about.

BB: What is your involve-ment? LD: President.

BB: What is your favorite part? LD: Everyone in the club having an opinion they

want to share with people, and all their opinions can be heard.

BB: Why did you go to Germa-ny during the summer? LD: I had always really wanted to get out of West Michigan. I not only wanted to experience a new country, I wanted to experience a new culture.

BB: What was your favorite part about going to Germany? LD: Searching for the site of the WWII novel, Slaughter-house-Five

BB: Pet Peeve? LD: When people get easily upset about little things.

BB: How long have you been in Science O? LD: 5 years

BB: What's your favorite event?LD: In middle school my favor-ite event was always meteo-rology. But now my favorite is definitely experimental design. It's very hands on.

BB: Why did you shave half your head? LD: A lot of people ask me that, and the only thing I can think of is I thought it'd be funny.

BB: What were your parents' reactions? LD: They didn't really mind.

BB: How do you feel about be-ing nominated for homecoming queen? LD: I didn't expect it to happen. But now that it is I think it's really exciting.

BB: How do you feel about the outcome? LD: It was just a fun experi-ence, and I didn't really see it as something to be taken very seriously in the first place, so the outcome didn't really change my opinion of it.

My turn

Bailey Coval

Where are you going in life? College? A job? Hiking the Appala-cian trail? Joining the Peace Corps?

There's a ton of choices. This is America for heaven's sake! It's not multiple choice. It's a freaking novel. A novel filled with happiness, joy, heartbreak and this chapters you wanna skip cause they suck. But most importantly, it's filled with people. People that turn your life upside down. Those are the people you don't forget.

I remember sitting on a chairlift at Keystone Mountain my sophomore winter. My dad had taken a break and I was on my own. I rode up with one other person. He was quiet. Just looking around. Smiling. He had Ray-Ban sunglasses on but I could still see the sun shine on his eyes.

When we got to the top of the chairlift he simply said "where ya headed?"

I honestly had not planned that far ahead yet. I pointed west and skied off. What I hadn’t realized was the insanity of the run I was about to start skiing on. Halfway into the run I stopped, leaned over and my lungs screamed for air. I got in way over my head. Literally. The bumps I was in towered over my 5' 7" head. I was in it deep. As I reached down to take my skis off and give up on that Godforsaken run I began, I felt the mini avalanche of another skier stopping. I looked up and noticed it was the guy from the lift.

"Dude. You can rip," he said.That's all it took. I felt a sudden burst of awesomeness. I felt on

top of the entire world With confidence through the roof I began again.

I shredded the gnar. Hard. (That’s ski talk for I skied really hard.)My skis leveled out as I reached flat land. I made it. It probably

wasn't the cleanest run and I nearly fell twice. But I still did it. It's one of those moments in life where you can't help but smile. For me it was literally getting over a mountain. Something I could not have done alone.

I heard someone on skis come up behind me. It was the guy from the chairlift again. He passed and said, "now, Where you headed in life?"

In those three sentences, Mr. Black Northface jacket of the Out-back Express lift became one of the most influential people in my life. He taught me what’s most important is not where you are going. It's how you get there. It's who you become on the way.

I guess I don't know where I'm headed in life. But I know I'll have 28.5 cm of ski boot on and 5.5 feet of board underneath to take me there.

Thank you, Mr. Northface

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Feature 15

A prize in itselfArt teacher Gail Krug has shown her devotion to art by entering this year’s ArtPrize in Grand Rapids.

She entered a set of four photographs called Ben’s Barn. Many artists participate in ArtPrize for the votes or prize money, but she does it purely for the experience. “I entered not thinking I would win,” Krug said. “I didn’t even look at how many votes I got because I didn’t care. I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Bucs’ Blade: What was your inspiration for the piece?Gail Krug: This barn has been kept very natural…it is just so appealing...It’s just got a real per-sonality all its own. I was out there on a day that was really beautiful blue sky, an autumn day with giant puffy clouds.

BB: What do you want people to take away from it? GK: I’m not one of those artists who have you look at it and find this meaning. I like to look at nter-esting things in the environment I live in.

BB: What venue is your piece located in this year?GK: It’s located in Brian’s books. I’m right in the window. The owner put [it] right in the window so that he doesn’t have to be open for people to be able to see them. BB: What do you hope to get

out of this experience? GK: I know some people do it to win the money [or] to make con-nections or some do it thinking they are going to sell their piece. I just want to be a part of it. I want my students to know that I work and I show my work. I like the fact that the art belongs to the people. As a teacher, I have dedicated my life and my career to art. I love the message and I love the atmo-sphere.

BB: Does the venue have an effect or add anything to your piece?GK: The book store I am in, it’s an old building and it feels real eclec-tic. I felt like my photographs really fit, so I liked the feeling when I was in there.

BB: What advice would you give to students?GK: First of all, I would say to just

do it! Have the confidence that your piece is good enough...get into a group of people that you trust will critique your work and give you honest feedback.

ERIN STAALReporter

SURREAL SEQUENCE: Three of four photos in Gail Krug’s Art Prize entry titled Ben’s Barn. The photos were taken of ESL teacher Ben Lawrence’s barn.

Field trip draws student interestSue McElfish’s 3D jewlery design students take field trip to ArtPrize, gives students opportunity to see art without venturing far from home

From above (left to right) IN AWE: Seniors Morgan Wildrom and Hannah Rymal read the life story of the painting’s subject. Each story was written in the wrinkles of the face of each portrait. photo by Laura Burton TAKING NOTES: Seniors Alex Law and Lauren Baars fill out information on the art they observe. The students were asked to find a piece of art that fit into specific catagroies. photo by Mollie LaBeff

16 Feature THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

THEMUSIC

MANNew band director looks to continue tradition of musical excellence

Iain Novoselich is hard to miss. His impressive height easily lets him tower over his fourth hour concert band class, far taller than any student. He’s an imposing presence, that much is certain. As he steps up to the podium, the formerly chaotic concert band warm-ups gradually die down, attentive faces waiting for instruction. He stares blankly at the eager freshmen before he speaks.

“Hi guys!” Novoselich said, immediately following with his own, deeper echo. “Hi guys…”

With that, Iain Novoselich goes to work. He begins by asking three students a good

thing from the previous day. As soon as the student finishes, Novoselich and the class clap together once in unison. He repeats the process three times, before continuing his job as GHHS’s new band director. As the class plays, it’s clear how much he enjoys himself. His facial expressions mirror the sound of instruments; a slight wince when things are out of key, or an exaggerated look of shock to let the students know he isn’t angry or disappointed. But most of the time, he’s smiling. At times, he’ll even leave the podium, continuing to conduct with one hand as he weaves in and out of each instrument section.

Novoselich, who grew up in Muskegon and graduated from Michigan State University in 2008, admits growing up he had different plans for his future.

“From second grade on, I knew I wanted to be a

mechanical engineer like my dad,” Novoselich said. “[But] I’m a social person and the isolationist nature of being an engineer and sitting in front of a computer…I couldn’t do it.”

Instead, upon entering MSU Novoselich found his calling.

“After I spent one semester at Michigan State, I got into the Spartan Marching Band,” Novoselich said. “I started performing and decided ‘I really want to do this.’”

After graduation, Novoselich took a job as band director on the east side of the state in Addison when the opportunity to apply for a job in Grand Haven opened up, he jumped at

the chance.“I had friends in Grand

Haven and I knew it was a good program,” Novoselich said. “[That being said,] I didn’t know anyone [in the district.] I applied for the job thinking ‘yeah, right.’ Yet I went through the first two rounds of interviews and [ended

up with the job.]”

It’s his approach to marching band, a focal point of Grand Haven’s successful music program,

where Novoselich’s passion is most felt. Senior Katherine Bos, a member of marching band since her freshmen year, notes the difference in having a new teacher.

“It’s unique,” Bos said. “[Mr.

Novoselich] is doing some different things: some I like, some confusing. Overall, it’s really nice. He’s really positive and I think we needed that.”

Bos also notes Novoselich’s helpful ability to experiment with new teaching tactics.

“Sometimes he’ll say, ‘You did it that way, we’ll continue to do that,’ or ‘No we’re doing it this way,” Bos said. “He picks and chooses the things he thinks are important.”

When it comes to marching band, Novoselich doesn’t hesitate in expressing his goals for this year and beyond.

“This year’s mantra: Tradition, Innovation, Excellence,” Novoselich said. “I want to resurrect that relationship between the band and the student body. We’re here to support the football team and everything they do. We want to be musical, but also to entertain.”

MIKE GINOCCHIOEditor-In-Chief

THE BAND MAN WITH A PLAN: New band director Iain Novoselich conducts a concert band class of eager freshmen. He’s ready to bring a new outlook to the band program. “I want to resurrect that relation-ship between the band and the student body,” Novoselich said. “We’re here to support the football team and everything they do. We want to be musical, but also to entertain.” photo by Laura Burton

“Overall, it’s really nice. He’s really posi-tive and I think we needed that.”

-Katherine Bos

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Photo 17

With the whipping of the wind, the stomping of the shoes and the yelling of the players, students of GHHS bring the sport of ultimate frisbee to life. These students have worked hard to achieve their goals that now it’s finally being recognized as a club sport.

“I kind of wish people knew we had ultimate frisbee,” senior and member Jeff Rickfelder said. “We really don’t have that many people that go and I feel like if more people knew about it then more people would go.”

Ultimate frisbee was introduced to the high school as a club sport beginning this year. The team practices on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after school for about an hour and a half. Teacher and advisor Ben Lawrence is responsible for making this after school hobby into a club sport.

“This is the first year it’s been on the actual club list,” Lawrence said. “Before, they just played simple pick up games

that weren’t sponsored but because I’ve played ultimate I decided to put my name on it. So I filled out all the paperwork and now it’s been recognized here by the school because you have to have actual files on every club.”

When trying to keep something they care about alive these players strive to be the best of the best. With hope, more students will join and the team will grow to be a success even after they leave.

“We’re trying to get more sophomores and freshmen involved,” senior Christian Van Drie said. “We have a good amount of juniors, it’s just we need more sophomores and freshmen to go to keep it going.”

In order to keep this club from falling apart, the players and Lawrence take action on what they wish would happen with the team. Ultimate frisbee is a Co-Ed sport, meaning women and men can play on the team whether they know how to or not.

“It’s a really unique and fun game.” Van Drie said. “If anybody comes out they will definitely have a good time.”

Ultimate destination

After playing ultimate frisbee just for fun during their free time, this group of students is finally being recognized as an official club sport.

KATELYN HANSENReporter

(clockwise from top) PERFECT FORM: Senior Jeff Rickfelder sets up a throw to one of his teammates. A team member was almost always readily available to make the catch. STICK THE LANDING: Seniors Eric Bruch and Evan Greve compete for the frisbee. Bruch caught it just in time and returned to the ground gracefully. JUMP CATCH: Junior Logan Bollaert catches the disc mid-air. The entire group of players would do almost anything to gain control of the frisbee. photos by Laura Burton

18 Sports THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 4, 2011

Reviews to the edgeReleased extreme sports movies get reviewed by reporter Turner Sale

Slow motion and still frame filming dominate Powder Magazine’s 2009 “Movie of the

Year,” “The Way I See It”. It highlights park skiing from re-sorts around the world. The back country shots show some of the world’s steepest mountains.

The cinematography in this movie is amazing. It showcases the talent of the variety of pro-fessional skiers. From freestyle skiers like Colby West, to big mountain gods such as Sean Pettit; everyone is represented throughout this stunning video. The sound track also plays an in-tegral role in the progression of the film matching the video pre-cisely, creating a truly enjoyable and brilliantly designed film.

Film FactsProduced by: Match-stick ProductionsRelease date: Septeme-ber 16, 2010Run time: 1 hour 10 minutesAthletes: Mark Abma, Eric Hjorleifson, Hen-rik Windstedt, Bobby Brown, Colby West, Townsend, Rory Bush-field, Ingrid Backstrom, Gus Kenworthy, Jacob Wester, Henshaw, and more.

Produced by Teton Grav-ity Research, "Light the Wick' is the quintes-sential ski documentary.

Though the film centers around shots of skiing, it also shows the athletes' stories as well as the sport itself in an interesting and exciting manner. Althetes give comentary not only of the skiing they do but also give their view of what skiing truely means to them. Of the one hour and 10 minutes of footage, the film al-lows you to appreciate the time that went in to the filming and producing of this creative and lively sports motion picture. Teton Gravity Research also kept our Mother Earth in mind when they created the film because it is 100 percent carbon nuetral.

Film FactsProduced by: Teton Gravity ResearchRelease date: January 16, 2009Run time: 1 hour 10 minutesAthletes: Sage Cattabri-ga-Alosa, Seth Morrison, Kye Petersen, Ian McIn-tosh, Dana Flahr, Dylan Hood, Sammy Carlson, Dash Longe, Rachael Burks, Callum Pettit, Wiley Miller, Erik Roner, and more

Film FactsProduced by: Poor Specimen Productions Release date: December 1, 2009Run time: 1 hour 1minuteAthletes: Dane Reyn-olds, Dion Agius, Yadin Nicol, Mitch Coleborn and moreLocation: France, Morocco, Indonesia and rural AustraliaWebsite: http://www.moderncollective.tv/

The surfing community's biggest attempt at a block-buster style film, seems to be "Modern Collective,"

released in late 2009. Although the filming is artful, the subject matter is too bland to create a fantastic movie because of the repetition and emotionless plot. This independent documentary lacks the depth and passion that is expected in sports films. This makes it less of a movie that will get you up off the couch and ready to grab your board and go and more like a good movie to watch when you are board. Thankfully, it does show the creative stunts of surfers and the incredible way that they can draw an audience, on or off the beach.

View from the trenches

Mike Ginocchio

This is why I play this game...It never gets any easier.I’m talking to someone; it could be a friend, family member, or

just someone I know relatively well in the school district when the topic of sports comes up. The conversation usually goes like this:

Kid #1: “So, what sports do you play?”Me: “Well, I play baseball and football and I used to swim.”Kid #1: “Oh, cool! What position do you play in football?”Me: “Left guard.”Kid #1: “…Oh.”I offer some bland explanation that my job is to move those big

guys on defense out of the way and to protect the quarterback but no, I do not touch the ball.

That’s the point where the conversation normally ends.What I usually want to say is more along the lines of…Me: “My job is to physically abuse the guy across from me. I’ve

had people step on my feet with their cleats, leaving my feet assorted shades of black and blue. I’ve been knocked to my knees, and say nothing about scrapes other than ‘Hey JJ! (Our equipment manager) I need some tape!’ I’ve had my ribs crashed by helmets and accept the fact that bruises coat my forearms. I’ve come home from practice, tired, sore and look like I took a shower and forgot to dry off. And you know what else? I love it.”

I can only imagine that kid’s response.Kid #1: “…Oh my god, Why?”I’m not going to mince words, here: football is a brutal, sport. I’ve

heard many coaches say that it isn’t a contact sport, but a collision sport. Boy, did they hit the nail on the head. It’s especially so at my position. While the running back dances up field and away from the outstretched fingers of defenders or the quarterback throws a perfect spiral into his receiver’s fingertips, I’m slamming into the equivalent of moving refrigerators.

Then why do I do it?I do it for the feeling you get after practice ends and coach say

that we “Won the Day.” To know that day’s assortment of bumps and bruises equaled a step in the right direction is a kind of satisfac-tion hard to define. I do it for the opportunity to bond together with a bunch of guys with different lives, personalities and attitudes. We joke with each other, tease each other, fight each other, fight for each other.

I do it for the impact I can make in the community. For the chance to enter an elementary school to read to kids on game day and see the stares from the kids. For the feeling right after the Na-tional Anthem, when I realize just how much this team means to the city. Then, get ready to do it all over again next week.

If that makes me crazy, I can live with that.

SCOTT STAALSports Editor

As the school district deals with state-wide cuts to funding, it’s not only academic pro-grams feeling the heat. Here’s how Grand Haven High School’s athletic teams have been forced to adapt to these trying times

It’s easy to pick out the Grand Haven girls cross coun-try team at a meet. They’re a large team, they’re fast and they’re all dressed in blue and gold but one feature sets them apart from the competition—their milk mustaches.

This past August, assistant coach Scott Przystas wrote an essay for the cross country teams to the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) for the “Refuel with Choc-olate Milk” contest. The program looks to benefit teams across the nation with grants to buy chocolate milk after practices and competitions.

“It was a very easy grant through the “Refuel with Chocolate Milk” [program], there were only two ques-tions,” Przystas said. “One of them was ‘What do you do right now to promote chocolate milk in your schools?’ I talked about how, as a P.E. teacher, I have a bunch of ‘Got Milk’ posters in my gym. The other [question] was ‘How are you going to sustain the program?’”

Przystas hopes to gain support from other community members to help keep the program running.

“It’s something we hope to sustain,” Przystas said. “I’m sure we will do it for the next few years with help

from the PTA and sports boosters.”Winning the competition includes a photo shoot for

the team. A variety of other prizes will also be given away.

“We got $2,500 to spend on chocolate milk through-out the season,” Przystas said. “We get rolling coolers to transport [the chocolate milk], seat back cushions for parents or as give-a-ways, ‘Got Milk’ t-shirts, a photo shoot sponsered by the UDIM and then from that we get 100 2 by 3 foot posters for each of the kids.”

Not only does chocolate milk taste good, it also helps the body recover after a workout. Recent studies show that drinking chocolate milk after workouts benefits an athlete’s body by repairing muscles with proportional protein and carbohydrate combinations. Sophomore runner Claire Borchers realizes this advantage after a workout.

“Chocolate milk is something I crave after running,” Borchers said. “We’re supposed to eat what we crave because it’s what our body needs. Plus, it is great for replenishing what we lose after training and racing.”

Przystas knew before he entered that it was going to be a perfect fit for the team. “We went to cross country camp and I got to know them a little better and after one of the runs we ended up at a corner store,” Przystas said. “We let them get a drink and three quarters of the team came back with chocolate milk in their hands. I knew there was an interest there. I thought this would be an awesome opportunity just to do something unique and a great experience for them.”

Budget cuts affect athletics

Some of these new obstacles include transportation restrictions for away games. Two new cuts put into place include one-way “drop-off” transportation (for all sports except football and track) and no weekend busing. This means that teams now need to find parents to drive team members home after sporting events during the week. On the weekend, teams need to find rides both to and from their destination.

ONE-WAY TICKETS ONLY

SCALING BACK, MISSING OUTInstead of competing in numerous highly competitive

meets during the season, the cross country teams have scaled back to only participating in the Kalamazoo and Michigan State University meets, compared to attending numerous highly competitive meets last year. Boys cross country coach John Tarr laments at the fact that because of this, some of the JV runners that can’t find rides will miss out on valuable experience running with the varsity team.

FINDING WAYS TO MAKE ENDS MEETThe Athletic Department isn’t taking a backseat to the

budget situation at hand. In fact, they organize specific ways for outside resources, like local companies, to get involved with Buccaneer athletics, including sponsorship of the four-sided scoreboard in the fieldhouse and the scoreboard on the football field. In addition, the Bucs Sports Boosters give thousands of dollars away annually in scholarships for students to participate in Buccaneer athletics.

FROM THE FRONT OFFICE“If you can’t generate revenue to offset the cut, you

have to live with the cut. We’re really fortunate that we have so many caring and giving people. Without that kind of effort and selflessness, we would really be hurt-ing. There’s no question we’re having to sacrifice and change some things, but I believe we are very fortunate.”

-Athletic Director Jack Provencal

Cross country program wins Refuel with Chocolate Milk contest, awarded $2500, other United Dairy Industry of Michigan-sponsored products

KENNEDY KAUFMANReporter

SAY CHEESE: Grand Haven High School’s cross country teams pose for their photo shoot. “I knew there was an interest,” Przystas said. “I thought this would be an awesome opportunity just to do something unique and a great experience for them...It’s something we hope to sustain. I’m sure we will do it for the next few years with help from the PTA and sports boosters.” photo by Laura Burton

got milk?

Grand Havencross country does

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Sports 19

20 Sports THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

Football

Boys Cross Country

Girls Cross Country Boys Water Polo Boys Soccer

RECORD: 6-1 (4-1 OK-Red)

KEY PLAYER: Senior running back Devin Howard rushed for 214 yards and a two touchdowns in a 41-13 Homecoming victory over Grandville.

KEY MOMENT: The Buccaneer defense came up big in a 28-6 victory over Hudsonville.

THEY SAID IT: “We’ve done a pretty good job, but we have not reached our potential yet.” -senior Matt Kroll

RECORD: 4-1

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors Ryan Duff and Schalk Van-niekerk took first and second, respectively at the Allen-dale Invitational.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs placed ninth at the Portage Invitational.

THEY SAID IT: “We are doing better this year than we did last year at this point, so it is looking good.” -senior Ryan Duff

RECORD: 4-1

KEY PLAYER: Senior Priscilla VanHeest took second at the Allendale Invitational with a time of 19:23.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs defeated Rockford as sophomores Claire Borchers and Roxy Glasser took sec-ond and third overall, respectively.

THEY SAID IT: “We are really good and have a [great] chance of being top in the state.” - sophomore Roxy Glasser

RECORD: 4-9

KEY PLAYER: Sophomore Tak Kobiashi scored four goals against West Ottawa.

KEY MOMENT: Senior Ben Bailey scored the game-winning goal in the third overtime agianst West Ottawa.

THEY SAID IT: “We started off bad, but we have [improved] as a team through practice and games. Our over-all chemistry has gotten a lot better.” -junior Preston Fritz

FallSports

Updates

RECORD: 11-1-3 (5-1 OK-Red)

KEY PLAYER: Senior goalie Ethan Beswick had 16 saves and a shutout victory against Forest Hills Central.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs had a come-from-behind victory to defeat Forest Hills Central, 2-1.

THEY SAID IT: “We are almost undefeated except for the loss to East Kentwood.” -junior Willie Bennick

For the five girls on the equestrian team, getting the former club changed into a sanctioned varsity sport wasn’t about the money they would get from the school. It wasn’t even about the varsity letter they can now receive. It was about getting the well-deserved acknowl-edgment for all their hard work.

“We have had really successful seasons and we wanted to get recognized by the school,” junior Stepha-nie Szymas said.

Although the journey to get the recognition the team deserved was not a trot in the park, they worked hard to see it through.

“[It’s exciting to me] that some student took some initiative to see this through from beginning to the end so they’d have this opportunity,” Athletic Director Jack Provencal said. “And I feel it’s a program that is going to exist so others will have an opportunity that before they didn’t.”

Szymas took the reins in making the team’s dream a reality for an entire school year.

“Individually, I put together a portfolio and that took me about a trimester or so,” Szymas said. “Then I worked with Mr. Provencal and Mr. Bye on and off throughout the third trimester.”

Szymas continued her efforts as she galloped to the next steps in the process—which lead to Szymas’s goal.

“First we had the closed board meeting, which another one of my friends from the equestrian team, Kaitlyn Brace, went with me,” Szymas said. “The final step was the open board meeting this summer, which is where they voted on it.”

The equestrian team finished the year with a second place finish at regionals. This success can be credited to the dedication that each teammate put into their inaugu-ral season.

“When we were a club, we didn’t get school recogni-tion and they didn’t really pay a lot of attention to us,” senior Megan Yasick said. “Now that it’s a varsity sport, I think a lot more people are aware of it and the school’s more aware of it, which was nice.”

Reflecting on the season, Szymas was glad that all of her hard work finally paid off.

“I think [the season] went really well,” Szymas. “I think we did get recognized a little more and the teach-ers and the students are aware that we actually had an equestrian team. Mrs. Wilson actually sent us cards congratulating us.”

CHLOE DAULTEditor-at-Large

PHOTO FINISH: Junior Stephanie Syzmas perfects a jump at a recent show. Syzmas played a key role in helping the equestrian team become a varsity sport. photo courtesy of Stephanie Syzmas

A whole new showThrough individual, group efforts, equestrian becomes varsity sport

Kroll

Duff

Glasser Fritz Bennick

Seniors Jake Vanderlaan’s and Nate Rose’s summer was full of soccer, building lifelong friendships and receiving the greatest feeling in the world—to be called National Champi-ons.

After winning both the Michi-gan soccer State Cup and the Midwest regional championship, the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors, along with Rose and Vanderlaan, took their talents to Phoenix, Arizona for the U-17 soccer Na-tional Championships.

Waiting there for them was 100-degree temperatures, the top soccer players in the nation and something they had both wanted their entire lives. But before they got to the marquee event, they faced continuous tri-als of hard work and preparation.

The two soccer stars trained all summer, with practices during scorching summer days and late at night. In the end, the hard work paid off as they claimed the national champi-onship in dramatic fashion with a penalty shoot-out.

“It made me feel like what I have worked on, I was finally rewarded”, Vanderlaan said. “I’ve played soccer

my whole life and then winning a championship like that, it was one of the greatest feelings ever.”

As their club season came to a victorious end, the duo did not leave their success behind in Ari-zona. The two have brought an elite, collegiate level experience from one of the top national stages and an incredible cama-raderie with each other on and off the field to Grand Haven’s varsity soccer team.

“We know how each other play and have that connection, knowing how to react to certain things really helps us play better together,” Vanderlaan said.

The dynamic pair have led the Buccaneers, to a 10-1-3 regu-lar season record, with crucial victories over both Rockford and Spring Lake. Both are lead-

ing the high scoring attack of the Buccaneers and apply relentless pressure on opposing defenders. As

seniors, with this being their final crack at making some-thing special happen for the Bucs, the two have their eyes set on the state playoffs.

“We obviously want to win everything,” Rose said. “Our ultimate goal is to win state.”

VolleyballRECORD: 29-14

KEY PLAYER: In addition to 43 kills, junior Abby cole contributed 13 blocks and four aces in her team’s semi-final finish at the West Ottawa Invitational.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs started their conference schedule with a key victory against Jenison.

THEY SAID IT: “We are working very hard and are planning to really kick it into gear by the start of dis-tricts by working on our chemistry and having th mentality to go all out [on] every point.” -sophomore Jami Hogeboom

RECORD: 3-9

KEY PLAYER: Martha Ramsey lead the Bucs with a score of 96 in the OK-Red Conference meet.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs shot a team score of 216 against Rockford.

THEY SAID IT: “We’re a young team so we try to stay positive. We had some tough days but we also had some good days, too.” -senior Kristen Carslon

Boys TennisRECORD: 1-6 OK-Red

KEY PLAYER: Sophomore Korey Searle played strong against Zeeland West winning in straight sets, 6-1,6-1.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs took fourth at the Holland Quad.

THEY SAID IT: “I thought it was a pretty good season. We were sixth in conference...and we received third at regionals.” -sophomore Korey Searle

RECORD: 2-7 (0-3 OK-Red)

KEY PLAYERS: Senior Karissa Winkler swam a time of 5minutes, 55.94 seconds, in a 194-120 loss to a top-ranked West Ottawa squad.

KEY MOMENT: The Bucs defeated the Traverse City Central Trojans 184-130 at home.

THEY SAID IT: “We’ve really been growing as a team this year. We have strong underclassmen swim-mers as well as great upperclass-men leaders. We’re hoping to place well at conference and send a few swimmers to state.” - sophomore Adi Smith

Girls Swimming and Diving

Girls Golf Upcoming Games

Seniors bring championship talent to Grand Haven varsity soccer

Boys and Girls Cross Country: Thursday at Grand-ville (OK-Red Conference meet)

Football: Tonight vs. Muskegon at GHHS

Boys Soccer: Wednesday at GHHS (Districts)

Girls Swimming and Diving: Thursday vs. Grandvlle at GHHS

Volleyball: Thursday vs. Rockford at GHHS

Boys Water Polo: Thursday at Rockford (Districts)

After winning national championship over summer with travel team, seniors Jake Vanderlaan, Nate Rose bring experiences to varsity soccer squad

JOHN STRAINERReporter

THE CHASE: Seniors Nate Rose and Jake Vanderlaan run for a ball at practice. Both will compete in the Dis-trict Tournament Wednesday. photo by Laura Burton

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Sports 21

Smith

Hogeboom

SearleCarlson

22 Vibe THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14, 2011

T he audience crowds the stage like moths to a lamp, dancing and sway-ing. The musician’s breath is visible

as he sings into the fall night air. The bass player quickly rubs his hands together to warm them, and continues on his saucy, sliding rhythm.

The Art Walk’s Third Annual Indie Rock Music Festival was in full swing Friday and Saturday night, Sept 23 and 24. Local bands and rock fans swarmed to the band shell on the corner of Washing-ton and Harbor. Produced by Waterfall Productions, the free outdoor event fea-tured sounds from Rock ‘n’ Roll to New Mexican Space Age.

The performing bands came into town to play local, loud and proud.

“I love music, so playing it live is the best thing in the world,” musician Theo Katzman said.

Performing in stocking feet and sus-

penders, ‘The Soil and the Sun’ frontman Alex McGrath played guitar, drum, bells and sang all in one show. His nine-piece band that had an otherworldly sound also included violins, keys, shakers, an accord-ian, cello, and drums.

“We are performing for something be-sides ourselves,” McGrath said. “We want to encourage people. We want our music to be helpful in whatever way the people who are receiving it need to be helped.”

Their passionate drum beats, charis-matic cello and deep bass floated over the roof of the Kirby and into the night air, drawing curious crowds in to hear the inspiring sound.

“It’s crazy I’ve never heard of these guys,” sophomore Katja Lindfors said. “They’re great and have cool ponchos.”

Fans like Lindfors are the reason these artists perform.

“I don’t want to be rich or anything,” Katzman said. “It’d be cool, but as long as I have enough money for the instru-

ments and the food for my family, that’s [enough].”

Judging by the spark in his eye and the carefree flicks of his cigarette, Benjamin Hunter, lead singer of Grand Rapids band Head agrees with Katzman.

“I play Rock’ n’ Roll for fun,” Hunter said, pausing to blow smoke up to the sky. “It doesn’t pay the bills, but it’s a great hobby.”

Hunter’s band has been together for 12 years. They played in the Warped Tour in their earlier days and recently toured the West Coast last May. Since then, they haven’t lost their audience and certainly haven’t lost their passion.

“If there were three babies [in the audience] I’d play!” Hunter said. “I love Rock ‘n’ Roll!”

For musicians like Hunter, it’s not about making it big, it’s about making it fun.

“If you’re not having a good time, you’re wasting your time.”

Strumming Chords: Soil and the Sun’s Basist focuses on his notes. His band competed against six other local artists on the corner of Washington and Harbor. photo courtesy of Zachary Snellen-berger

Indie bands rock downtownMusic Collaboration: Lead vocalist of Soil and the Sun expresses his musical passions through his preformance. While playing instruments ranging from guitar to bells wrapped around his ankles, he grabbed the attention of the audience. photo courtesy of Zachary Snellenberger

Florence and the Machine

Album: Ceremo-

nials

Origin: London,

England

Started: 2007

Released: Oct. 31

Sounds like: Mellowed version of La Roux

One word description: Mesmerizing

Neon IndianAlbum: Era Ex-

trana

Origin: Denton,

Texas

Started: 2008

Released: Sept. 13

Sounds like:

Mixture of bands MGMT and Washed Out

One word description: Groovy

ColdplayAlbum: Mylo Xyloto

Origin: London,

England

Started: 1997

Released: Oct. 24

Sounds like:

Mixture of bands

Snow Patrol and The

Killers

One word description: Mellow

Reviews & Previews

St. VincentAlbum: Strange

Mercy

Origin: Dallas,

Texas

Started: 2003

Released: Sep. 13

Sounds like: A

darker version of Regina Spektor

One word description: BizarreArtists from across the state connect with audience at inaugural Washington Street event

RILEY MISSELReporter

HARRISON ZOSTReporter

Friday, October 14, 2011 THE BUCS’ BLADE Vibe 23

“Gene Ciampi” by Twin SisterUnlike her other work, lead singer Andrea slips in a sense of twang in an upbeat enjoyable way.

Gentle music fills the air as a little girl adorned in a princess dress leans eagerly over the balcony railing outside her apart-ment in Paris, France. Directly across the narrow street a stranger serenades her with his ukulele, sing-ing a series of improvised Ooh’s and La’s. The child’s forgotten ice cream cone dribbles down her hand as she listens in awe to the sweet, honest sound of the ukulele. The musician’s wild hair as well as his sincere talent have left her stunned.

The mystery man is Garrett Borns. As a rising star in the music industry, he returned home from France last May where he shot his unreleased music video.

“It was like we were living there,” Borns said. “[The locals] were so nice

and welcoming.”The music video is to

a song on Borns’ new, self-titled EP that will be coming out next month. He describes the overall sound of his seven track EP as, “pretty eclectic.”

“Some of them are get up and boogie songs, while others still have the singer-songwriter vibe.” Borns said referring to his upcoming EP.

However, Paris is not the only thing this virtuoso has up his sleeve. This fall Borns played in Grand Haven’s Indie Rock Music Festival as well as ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. He also will be jamming alongside his drummer at Mon-treaux, an upcoming drum festival in Montreal.

Yes, Borns has come a long way since he picked up his first set of strings. However, the ukulele was not his first musical expe-rience.

“Initially, I took piano

lessons,” Borns said. “But I just couldn’t take instruc-tions from old piano ladies for some reason, so I did my own thing and started learning chords to pop songs on the radio.”

After learning to write for the piano, Borns was then exposed to a whole community of musicians and artists.

“A lot of them had their guitars around campfires,” he said. “Since I was al-ways writing songs on the

piano, I could never take it anywhere because it was, well, rather large,” he said with a chuckle.

“So I picked up the ukulele and brought it wherever I went,” Borns said. “I just figured it was a really great song writing tool.”

With his instinctual tal-ent on the ukulele, Borns has proven himself a well-rounded musician. He was taught how to steal the show however, when he

was a child as an amateur magician.

“I performed at kid’s parties and restaurants,” Borns said. “My dad made this logo for me; it was a ‘g’ with bunny ears on it. I eventually wiped off the ears and the ‘g’ just sort of stuck.”

The ‘g’ is now Borns official logo and can be seen on his website (www.garrettborns.com), as well as tattooed on the inside of his bottom lip.

While writing his own music, Borns is inspired by anything from an inside joke to something he feels passionately about.

“Pretty much everybody [inspires me], like that old lady over there, I like her color scheme,” said Borns with a smile, referring to a decorated old lady pur-chasing her coffee.

With a new album com-ing out mid-month, Borns has high hopes that people will “be diggin’ it.”

GETTIN GIGGLY: 2010 graduate Garrett Borns gets some fresh air on the roof of his studio. The photo was passed out at the Indie Rock Show last September along with a promotional song download. An EP followed in mid-October. Photo Courtesy of www.GarrettBorns.com

LOREN JOHNSONReporter

Bornsto be a ST R

Local musician Garrett Borns hopes new EP provides momentum to music career

tunes

Lund’stop

“Blue Beard” by Band of HorsesSounds like majestic harmonies that would roll off the mountain tops creating a western twist.

“Wildfire” by SBTRKT (ft. Little Dragon)Voice of a goddess + syncopated rhythms = flat out addic-tion. Great for cruising via bike, board or car.

“You’ll See It” by Washed OutThe overall faded vibe from the fuzzed out voice and techy beats are best described in the bands name itself. Another cruising song for a crisp fall day.

“Sante Fe” by BeirutLead singer Zac Condon combines his unique voice with an array of trumpets in a manner that is catchy and intriguing.

“Soulgazing” by Gregory & The HawkWith instruments from violin to harmonica, it is wonderful for falling asleep. The soothing soft tone throughout the song is ideal for a nice nap as well.

Vibe editorLauren Lund picks the songs you should download now

NovemberOctober

Crane’s Haunted Cornmaze Oct. 1-30 (Saturday & Sunday only)Open from dark until 10 p.m. Tickets are $ 14 6054 124th Ave. Fennville, MI

(269) 561-8651

The Haunted Hall

Sep. 30 - Oct. 29 (Fridays & Saturdays only)Open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m

Regular admission: $13 VIP: $2017155 Van Wagoner Rd.

Spring Lake, MI(616) 566-6659

Don’t Forget!Trick-or-Treatingdowntown Grand HavenOct. 31, 4p.m. - 6 p.m.

Perfect last minute halloween costume ideas

331.Jersey Shore

For all wannabe Guidos out there: rub some tanning lotion on (replacable with orange paint). Gel up your hair. If you’re a girl, break out the bump-its. If you’re a guy, start flexing. Don’t forget the fist pump.

Grand Haven Ghost ToursOct. 14- Oct. 15 (Fri. & Sat.)7 p.m. - 11 p.m. (tours leave every 15 min-utes and last for 45 minutes) Cost $5Tours begin at the Elks Lodge (15 S. Third St)

Select the bird or pig of your choice. Purchase some fabric, scissors and a glue gun. Assemble to-gether. Finally, perfect that strange bird noise and your costume is complete.

2. Angry BirdsSimplest costume there is. First, grab a baseball hat. Second, tape a leaf to the brim of the hat. Finally, blow on the leaf. Get it? Not only are you a leaf blower but you are also guaranteed to win ‘Corniest Costume’.

3. The Leaf Blower

fall funNow that it’s getting closer to the end of October, it’s time to get ready for someHalloween time horror. Break out the candy and check out these haunted events.

24 Back THE BUCS’ BLADE Friday, October 14 2011

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