Alex Vega ’13 and Shannon Leal ’14
Staff
Fresh stripes: Ellie Ovokaitys ’16 shows off her grey shirt. She was proud to be a freshman.
Crew neck class day: Elaina Sagorski ’15 shows off her class spirit. Her red sweater was a great choice.
Battle of the classes: The advance drama kid consists of juniors and seniors only. Both classes showed pride on class color day.
Alex Vega ’13 and Shannon Leal ’14
Staff
Looking spiffy: Morgan Bennett ’14 is looking very elegant for classy day. She was stunning all day.
Modest at its best: Stephanie Hay ’16 put has spirit. Her outfit was very classy.
Truly fancy: Lauren Falicki ’14 and Whitney Badge ’14 dress for success. The have shown their school sprit.
To see more photos, check out our Facebook page.
Alex Vega ’13 and Shannon Leal ’14
Staff
Lookin’ Thrifty: Monica West ’14 is a walking masterpiece. She was the idle thrift shopper.
Fifties Swing: Alex Hughes ’14 is bringing back the fifties with his stunning plaid jacket. He wore it loud and proud all day.
Hipsta Chic: Alisha Irwin ’13 rocks her inner hipster on thrift shop day. She showed her class spirit.
Alex Vega ’13 and Shannon Leal ’14
Staff
Cracking down the law: Charlene Saylor ’14 is participating in spirit day. She was eager to be a cop for a day.
Goooal: Aaron Dault ’13 is kicking his way through the halls. Dault dressed up as a soccer player for career day.
Showing Spirit: Katelyn Maka ’13 is dresses as a nurse. She showed class spirit for career day.
If you would like to see more pictures from today check out our Facebook page.
Alex Vega ’13 and Shannon Leal ’14
Staff
The little mermaid: Nicole Benham ’14 dresses as Ariel. She shows class spirit on Disney day.
101 Dalmatians: Michael Cooper ’13, Mikayla Cooper ’15, Kim Bockmuhl’13 have spirit. They have dressed up as damnations from the beloved movie.
Pocahontas: Seira Kovach ’14 dresses as the loved Disney princess Pocahontas. She made he costume from everyday clothing.
If you would like to see more pictures from today check out our Facebook page.
Kenzie Weiler ’15
School Editor
I am going to describe the process of waking up on a typical school morning for the average teenager. It goes something like this…..the alarm sounds and buzzes at a high pitched squeak to your unprepared ears. Groggily, you slam your hand in the direction of your alarm clock, attempting to hit the snooze without wasting the energy it takes to lift up your head or open your eyes. What seems like a brief time later, it blares again at an even higher intensity, and you slam your hand with even greater aggravation. Why are mornings like a World War between you and your alarm clock? It’s simple: you just want to sleep.
Sleep deprivation is an alarming trend that barges through the teenage culture. This lack of sleep can be attributed to the lengthy list of commitments on the plate of a high school student. Among this list are occupations, homework, sports, clubs, household duties, and social time.
“I feel as though I have to get everything done in order to sleep without feeling stressed out,” voices Courtney Alvesteffer ’14.
Balance can be problematic, especially for students who participate in a variety of activities. Many students express that between an AP homework load, a sports practice, and an after school club, sleep is not a priority. It may not appear valuable at the moment, but many students are unaware and uneducated about the benefits of sleep.
“Sleep consolidates memory and turns [your] short term memories into long term ones,” adds Alvesteffer.
Many students are under the false impression that staying up late to cram information for a test will aid your memory, but they are wrong. In fact, that is the worst thing you can do. Sleep is vital in order to retain everything that you have stored. Sleep not only affects the educational aspect of your day, but also your emotional awareness and overall mood.
“[When I am tired,] I am less compassionate and grumpier,” says Julie Schut ’15.
The effects of a solid night’s sleep have far-reaching benefits that improve physical and emotional heath alike.
Some students at CSHS have the luxury of dual enrollment for the first hour of the day. This means that these individuals are not required to be at school until 8:51, for the beginning of 2nd hour classes. Jason Vietti ’13 falls into this catergory.
“It is nice not having a first hour class. [I can sleep in until] about 8:00,” states Vietti.
Vietti knows that this extra sleep aids his school life and work, making him appreciate it more.
Sleep deprivation is a common diagnosis, but it can be prevented. Late nights make the morning battle of getting up an even tougher fight. So next time you are texting your significant other into the late hours, or cramming for that AP Lit test, remember to sleep and gain the benefits it loyally provides. Who knows, maybe you and your alarm clock could become friends after all.
Alyssa Alger ’15
Staff
This year the blood drive at Cedar Springs is Tuesday, February 26 from 8 am to 1:30 pm in the Media Center. They would love to see as many people as possible donate. If you’re considering donating, use this checklist to make sure you’re ready to go.
Graphic by Sabrina Wheeler ’13
List courtesy of Michigan Blood.
Kendra Coons
Staff
Walking through the halls freshman year can be intimidating. Freshmen have to deal with the unfamiliar experiences of new classes, new people, and a new school. It can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. On the night of Tuesday, Feb. 25, all incoming freshman for the 2013-2014 school year were welcomed into the auditorium to talk about their next four years at Cedar Springs High School.
High school means a lot of new opportunities for students. Once students reach high school, they are pushed to plan and pursue their future. It might seem overwhelming and scary, but it is something that all teenagers go through. After 8th graders receive their first freshman orientation they are required to pick their classes. The class of 2017 is required to take 4 credits in English, 3 credits in Social Studies, 4 credits in Mathematics, 3 credits in Science, .5 credits in Communication, .5 credits in Business and Tech, .5 credits in Health, 1 credit in Visual or Performing and Applied Arts, and 2 credits in a World Language in order to graduate.
During the orientation, students learned about the rules of the high school, how to sign up for classes, and how the high school runs overall.
Incoming freshmen: (From left to right) Collin Alvesteffer ’17, Troy Patin ’17, Lindsay Lehman ’17, and Kaitlyn Coons ’17 pose together in front of the hawk outside of the high school. The incoming freshman enjoyed the orientation.
“[I learned] there’s a lot of classes,” commented Lindsay Lehman ‘17.
Students also learned about the many athletic opportunities the high school has to offer.
“[I’m looking forward to] playing sports in high school,” stated Collin Alvesteffer ‘17.
For the class of 2017, classes and courses have changed. Freshman Comp and Lit is now all year, XYZ math is now considered ABC, and the freshman class is now required to take two years of a foreign language. Although the change from middle school to high school may seem drastic, 8th graders are ready to take on the challenge.
“[I’m looking forward to] making new friends,” said Troy Patin ‘17.
Cedar Springs High School has many new opportunities for incoming freshman to enjoy.
“[I’m looking forward to] being able to be in a new facility,” stated Kaitlyn Coons ‘17.
The next freshman orientation will be in the month of August for 2013-2014 school year. The high school welcomes the incoming freshman class and hopes they learned valuable information at orientation.
Alex Vega ’13
Staff
For centuries, it has been the stereotype that the guy always asks the girl for dates, dances, and even tying the knot, but when Swirl raises its head in early February, it’s a chance for a role reversal. Girls come up with fun, cute, and creative ways to ask guys out for the night.
Samantha Taylor ‘16 decided that she wanted to ask Nick Krajewski ‘14 to the dance.
“I got the idea from a friend. I hung a banner in his first hour. I was really nervous, but excited, [and] he said yes,” says Taylor.
Staging the Banner: This banner is an example of how Students ask others students to swirl. Samantha Taylor’ 16 asked Nick Krajewski ’16 to Swirl with a banner similar to this one. Banner made by Sabrina Wheeler ’13. Photo by Alex Vega ’13.
“At first, I really didn’t notice it until someone told me. At first I was embarrassed, but after awhile, I thought it was cool,” says Krajewski, explaining his reaction.
Annemarie David ‘13 decided she wanted to ask Jason Vietti ‘13 to swirl in a creative way.
“I went to the parking lot with Shannon [Leal ’14] before lunch. We found his car, and I wrote Swirl with a question mark on his window [and] I also wrote I love you in English and German. I put a chocolate rose and a heart shaped balloon inside of his car,” says David. “I was really [anxious] because I have never done something like that before. I was scared and nervous of what he would say.”
When Vietti walked out to his car, he wasn’t expecting the surprised he got.
“At first she told me she was with her friend and that we were just going to meet at my car. I was walking to my car outside, and I saw all this stuff in my car. I was really shocked. I wasn’t expecting it at all,” say Vietti.
The stereotype that guys always ask girls is challenged with Swirl just around the corner. It’s a role reversal where guys and girls can both experience something new.
Kaitlyn Caron ’13
Staff
Thirteen years ago, technology took over education when high school courses became available online to students everywhere.
At Cedar Springs High School, any student with permission from their counselor can enroll in an online course that CSHS doesn’t offer at no cost to the student.
“[I like it] because I could get in a class that our school doesn’t offer and get some insight on my future occupation,” shares Briana Pierson ’13.
Pierson is taking Forensic Science Intro through Michigan Virtual High School, one of the websites where our school enrolls their internet-bound students. She plans on studying forensics in college. Not every student takes an online course for college preparation, however.
“British Literature couldn’t fit into my schedule, so I have to take it online,” explains Jacob Gust ’14.
“I needed to fill in an empty credit in my schedule,” admits Samantha Robinson ’13.
The courses have a lot of parallels to a normal class you would take in our high school. Each class has a teacher who students learn from and can communicate with. Also, they are given assignments and tests.
“The work isn’t any easier [than a typical high school class work,]” Pierson says.
Some believe that there are a few advantages that e2020 and Michigan Virtual High School have against your average high school course.
“If you’re struggling with the work, you have your own time to figure it out,” Gust comments.
“You don’t have to depend on other students. Without the classroom setting, you are responsible for yourself,” adds Pierson.
Sometimes, the sense of independence online classes give students is a burden instead of a benefit.
“You don’t have a teacher [available] to ask questions when you need them answered,” tells Gust.
“If you don’t understand something, then you have to email the teacher and wait for their reply,” explains Pierson.
For students who have patience and are very self-reliant, e2020 and Michigan Virtual High School would be a good investment of their time and credits. If you are interested in enrolling in an online course, talk to your guidance counselor about readjusting your schedule.
“It’s a good opportunity because they offer a wide variety of subjects and topics to learn about,” concludes Pierson.
Get Smart: Students take online courses through Michigan Virtual High School and e2020. These classes have been an option at CSHS for years. Images from http://www.education2020.com and http://www.mivhs.org
