Category / student life

by jesswolfe22

Sustainable living- save the environment, your money, your health

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by Jess Wolfe, Sophie Kaminski, Morgan Corey, Lindsey Kamppinen, Emily Podsiadlik, Hannah Garrison, Bryce Gable, Josh Lawrence, and Christian Lubbers

“From my home alone I have prevented 118.9 pounds of food waste from going into a landfill,” Carolyn Peterson said.

It positively impacts the environment. There is no need for worms. It saves you money. You can improve your health. It’s easy and convenient.

“I thought it could be very sustainable and more of a long-term project.”

Carolyn Peterson took on home composting as a method for solving an environmental issue after being inspired by an independent research project in her Environmental Science Class. Continue reading →

by ghsvoice

Student practices passion for animals at John Ball Zoo

by Lindsey Kamppinen

When you think of student jobs you most likely think of retail or food industry, the basics. Not everyone at GHS flips patties or folds clothes.

The John Ball Zoo is the place to make great summer childhood memories. Aubrie Scott volunteers at the John Ball Zoo, she’s part of the teen program in the summer months. She volunteers with no payment at all.

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“I absolutely love animals,” Scott said. “They’ve always been something I’m passionate about.”

Being passionate about what your volunteering for makes it easy for the hard work and early mornings. Aubrie gets there at 8:30 a.m. to either Continue reading →

by ghsvoice

Students seek solution to tree removal

by Maddie Osterink, Jake Fontaine, Justin Irish, Shane Armstrong, Simone Krabbe, Becca Larsen, Jake Pommer, Ethan Rycenga, and Emily Sarjeant

In the Spring of 2017, an executive decision was made to remove a total of 12 trees–six from the front entrance and six from the back entrance–from Grandville High School.

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“The main reason [for the removal of the trees] was due to their height and how close they were planted to the school,” revealed John Philo, Grandville High School’s principal. “They were getting too big, some of the branches were even brushing against the school.”

Philo also explained danger of the trees.

“If a windstorm were to come and knock over the trees, they were so close to the school that they could easily hit it,” said Philo. “And they were so large that they could cause serious damage–being hazardous to the school and all those inside.”

Other reasons the trees needed to be removed include: Continue reading →

by patclark15

Do you get enough sleep to perform at your best?

by Pat Clark

Whether it be working out, playing in athletic events, or sitting in a desk for 8 hours at school, one things is for sure: sleep is important. The amount of sleep you get dramatically affects your day performance, or does it?

Why do most experts say sleep is important to perform at your best? Well according to the national sleep foundation during the day when you exercise it depletes energy fluids and break down muscles. What most people do to recover is hydration and eating right. Sleep is way under looked.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, deprivation increases the chances of fatigue, low energy and poor focus at gametime.   The National Sleep Foundation also has recommended amount of sleep based on your age. 

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I asked students and athletes whether they thought it affected them and coaches to see if they could see a difference. Then science has its own opinions but does that apply to everyone. According to Sophomore Blake Davis it does.

“From personal experience when I don’t get enough sleep I can’t function right especially during any athletic event,” Davis said. “I have less energy.”

Another study from sleep.org said that basketball players who get an extra 2 hours of sleep before game day have increased speed of 5% and their accuracy by 9% which can dramatically affect how the play during the game.

But for some, sleep doesn’t seem to affect their game. Just ask senior hockey player Erik Sitar.

“Normally I don’t get a lot of sleep and I think my body has just adapted to it,’ Sitar said. “’cause I feel like I always have plenty of energy during games and practice.”

If you have trouble sleeping the night before a big game try taking a nap before the game. According to a Stanford Medicine article,  “everyone in the league office knows not to call players at 3 p.m…It’s the player nap.” 

Want some more tips from pros? 

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by ghsvoice

Are you SAT ready?

by Emily Sarjeant

The Scholastic Aptitude Test, also known as the SAT, is a nationwide standardized test that all 11th grade students across the U.S. are required to take.

Just about all the students here at GHS have been getting ready to tackle this test that is fast approaching right after spring break, on April 10. From taking practice tests on Khan Academy, to attending the SAT Prep classes that are offered here, many 11th graders are in SAT mode.

Emily Salliotte, who is now a senior, has a few pieces of advice to all the juniors taking the SAT this year.

“It is so so so important to prepare just a little bit each day on Khan Academy” Salliotte said. “Doing a little each day will make a huge difference.”

Senior Cooper Pratt also had a few things to add.

“Get a good night’s rest so you feel motivated in the morning. Eat a good breakfast and stay hydrated,” Pratt suggested.

No matter how nervous or worried you are about taking the test, eating a good breakfast and getting enough sleep the night before in order to feel prepared in the morning can make a huge difference.

“I think every student should know that even if you don’t know the correct answer to a question on the test, you should still make an educated guess because wrong answers do not count against you,” Pratt added.

Although only the juniors take the SAT, there have been some 10th graders who have started to prepare for it as well.

Sophomore Rachel Millett said she has been looking into what she has to do to prepare for this test, despite the fact that she will be taking it over a year from now.

“I have taken the PSAT every year since eighth grade, so I kind of already have a feel for what it’s going to be like. Every year I take my scores into account and use them to refer to when I practice on Khan Academy during seminar,” Millett said. “The PSAT is super helpful and so is Khan Academy. I think I will be very prepared to take it next year.”

by ghsvoice

Tuscan’s path to GHS

by Jake Fontaine

There’s a new face here at GHS.

You know, that bald, middle-aged man with the barrel-chested physique who comfortably struts around the halls with his sweatpants, sweatshirt, sweat-everything attire and a whistle hanging around his neck? Well, that’s him: John (Coach) Tuscan, the new Physical Education teacher at Grandville High School.

When Tuscan’s wife was offered a corporate position at the Walker Meijer, Tuscan and his family moved up here from their previous home in Charlotte, North Carolina. After several job offers, he decided that the position at Grandville was the perfect fit.

“I narrowed it down between Grandville and Jenison. I could’ve been the Dean of Students at Jenison, but I really wanted to teach PE,” says Tuscan. “Here, I get to teach gym and weight lifting classes, as well as coach on the side. It’s a great gig.” image

Tuscan currently helps coach all levels of the football and baseball teams, primarily working with running backs and hitters. While in North Carolina, he served as the head varsity baseball coach for 9 years at South Mecklenburg high school, even winning a state title in 2013.

Despite 2013 being a year of triumph for Tuscan, he was also faced with the biggest obstacle in his life thus far: testicular cancer.

In the spring of that year, Tuscan’s dog, Mick, a hound mix, jumped on his lap while he was watching television. He instantly felt a sharp pain and fell to floor.

“I felt like someone kneed me in the groin,” Tuscan recalls.

The pain continued for the next week. After seeing four different doctors, Tuscan was eventually diagnosed with testicular cancer and would need surgery and aggressive treatment immediately.

“As a 29 year old sitting in a room from 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon with a needle in your arm going through chemo treatment and witnessing people who aren’t going to make, it really puts things into perspective,” says Tuscan.

He is currently cancer free and is in great health, giving gratitude to his dog for this.

“If Mick wouldn’t have jumped on my lap that night, who knows when the tumor would’ve been found. He saved my life.”

Tuscan’s goal as weight-lifting teacher and coach is to provide the best athlete possible through strength training, speed training, and putting athletes in difficult situations that will replicate adversity in a big game.

Spencer Notenbaum, one of the students Tuscan has in class as well as coaches after school, praises Tuscan and his coaching ability.

“He definitely pushes me in the weightroom and on the field,” Notenbaum says. “He’s one of the funniest coaches I’ve ever had, but when it’s time to work we get down to it.”

Eric Stiegel, the head varsity football coach at GHS, has similar praise regarding Tuscan and his coaching mentality.

“I love the jobs he’s doing here,” Stiegel acclaims. “He’s definitely one of–if not the most–important assets to the [football] team’s success next year and for years to come.”

Tuscan has one piece of advice for the students of Grandville:

“Don’t take things for granted, especially at Grandville. You never know when things will change. We have great coaches and a great facility here. Kids all around America would do anything to have the things we do here, so don’t take advantage of it.”