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The NOIZ

January 9, 2015 Volume 4, Issue 2

Editor in Chief: Mrs. Grace Edouard Managing Editor: Kendra Jaarsma Assistant Editors: Jon De Jong, Nicole Veldink Journalists: Charlie Baker, Jon De Jong, Kurt Hoelsema, Kendra Jaarsma, Tom Kamps, Tori Martinez, Joshua Pennings, Alli Rouwhorst, Caleb Seeley, Andrew Timmer, Nicole Veldink, and Christina Ybema

NOIZ Staff

Zion offers sports programs for the athletes, choir for the singers, and student council for the leaders. This year, Mrs. Halmi and Mrs. Koning initiated an event for students who excel in math, organizing Zion’s first ever Mathletics. Seniors Tom Ryskamp, Kurt Hoelsema, and Tom Kamps managed the three teams and tallied up points scored. The teams consisted of five volunteers from different grades. Seth Baker announced directions, and Jon De Jong kept the official stopwatch. In the first round, the mathlete teams lined up in rows for a relay. The first student had to solve a problem, then pass his answer to the student behind him, who needed the first student’s answer to solve his own problem. When the last person had finished, he had to run to the team leader to give him the completed sheet. The first team with all the correct answers received a bonus point. Next, the teams worked in groups, pooling their knowledge together to solve several word problems. Finally, everyone worked individually solving equations.

By Kendra Jaarsma

MathleticsMathleticsMathletics

When the event was over, Team One took the lead with 68 points, Team Two followed with 49 points, and Team Three scored 42 points. All participants received doughnuts, and the winners received a medal and a candy bar. Weston Kleyn, eighth grade, remarked that it was a great learning experience. Caleb Roberts, seventh grade, commented that he had fun and enjoyed the doughnuts. Mrs. Halmi and Mrs. Koning modeled the Mathletics after Grand Valley State University’s Math-Team-Matics program, a competition between teams from many schools. A competition on our own campus helps lay the foundation for a bigger experience. Eventually, their goal is to compete at Grand Valley also. Mrs. Koning considers the Mathletics event a constructive experience and encourages more students to join next time.

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Student Life

Ask Nicole

I’m told I’m a drama queen. What should I do?

When several people tell you something is wrong with what you’re doing, especially when they are your friends, they are usually right. If only one person has told you that you are a drama queen, ignore her and hang out with your real friends because that person doesn’t know you at all. Ask yourself: when an event happens in your life, whether it’s big or small, how do you respond? Do you become angry enough to make rash decisions that will impact your life drastically? Do you overreact to drama in your friends’ lives even though it is none of your business? Don’t be that nosy friend who has to know everything about everyone. Part of the reason someone may not be sharing information with you is that she fears you may overreact. Chill out and think through your reaction to the situation. Does it warrant your exaggerated response? Is it any of your business? I feel pressured to date because many of my friends are in relationships. Should I also look for a

boyfriend/girlfriend?

Dating because you feel pressured by your peers is pointless. Also, it may cause catastrophic emotional damage. Not only are you hurting yourself by being in a relationship that doesn’t mean a lot to you, but you’re hurting the other person as well. Don’t let your friends’ timing mess up His timing. Dating isn’t about seeing who can get a boyfriend or girlfriend first; hardly anyone has ever said “I wish I had started

dating sooner.” Consider whether the guy/girl is datable. Would you bring that person home to your mom? Be mindful to include your parents in your decision making because their perception about your relationships is clearer than your own. Their opinion will assist you in making decisions about who is in your life. In addition, evaluate your motives for dating. Ensure that God is at the center of your life, whether you are single or in a relationship.

1. There are 228 zoos in our country. 2. The game of dominos is extremely popular in Cuba. 3. Virginians founded North Carolina. 4. You could circle the world 1.4 times with the amount of Nutella produced in one year. 5. It takes about 1 million plays on Pandora for a songwriter to earn $90 off that song. 6. Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on the same day. 7. ‘Friendstalker’ was one of the early names considered for Twitter. 8. Mexico once had three presidents in a single day. 9. If every star in the Milky Way was a grain of salt, they would fill an Olympic-sized

swimming pool. 10. A fortune cookie company once predicted the correct lottery numbers, resulting in 110

winners and an investigation. 11. You burn more calories walking on hard dirt than on pavement. 12. Night vision goggles are green because the human eye can differentiate more shades of green than any

other color. 13. Astronauts can grow up to 2 inches while in space because of the lack of pressure put on the spine. 14. October is National Pizza Month in the United States. 15. The volcanic rock known as pumice is the only rock that can float in water.

Fun Facts

By Veldink

By Charlie Baker

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Student Life

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on the east side of Michigan in the small town of Milford, which is about 40 miles northwest of Detroit. What was your favorite thing to do as a child?

I enjoyed reading, playing outside with my friends, and camping. What is your favorite childhood memory?

I loved being outside in the summer looking for tadpoles and picking flowers with my friends. Where did you attend school?

I attended Apollo Elementary in Highland, Michigan. For middle school, I attended Muir Middle School in Milford and for high school I went to Milford High School. I went to Grand Valley State University for college where I received my B.A. degree for two majors: Spanish and Sociology. Where did you work before Zion?

I worked at Mercantile Bank in Grand Rapids. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Every Christmas Eve, we were allowed to open one gift, and every year one of our gifts would be pajamas. We would try to find the box that had our pajamas so we could sleep in them that night. Sometimes, my mom still gives us pajamas. What is your favorite Bible story?

The story of Ruth. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

Your favorite hobby is…

I would have to say cooking. If you could go anywhere in the world, where

would you go? I would love to go to Israel one day. Which season do you enjoy most? Why?

I like summer because I love gardening and going to the beach. What is your favorite Mexican/Spanish food?

I love fajitas with guacamole.

What is your favorite restaurant?

I like Marie Catrib’s and Sanchez. What do you like to do during the weekend?

Bake and spend time with my husband.

Bienvenida, Señora Hanenburg

By Christina Ybema

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From creations to cosplayers, the Grand Rapids Comic-Con brought many enthusiasts to the Delta Plex for a three-day event.

Every genre was represented by someone, somehow, from Doctor Who to Princess Elsa to anime. During this event, “nerds” interested in what others

brought to share, gathered around boxes of comic books, tables of replicates, and living action figures.

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About 30,000 fans of Comic-Con congregated inside to trade, buy, or sell comics, replicates, or posters.

Last year, a mere thousand people attended Comic-Con. The significant growth reflects the immense number of fans of comics and TV shows.

Comic-Con is a crazy place where one expresses the deep love of his favorite genre. In three days, one can enjoy the variety of collections of others. If you are a comic fan, go to Comic-Con to bring out your inner nerd.

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Deer Hunting

Sports

By Tom Kamps and Tori Martinez

Deer hunting is not just a hobby, but a tradition passed down in many families. Hunting also serves as a way to appreciate God’s creation and to bond with friends and family members who share the same passion. Some hunters take long weekends and enjoy spending time at a deer camp. Obviously, this involves going deer hunting, but it is more than that. Not only do they go out to hunt, but they also relish the camaraderie and the relaxing breaks from their daily routines.

Hunting Story

It was a frigid November morning. Josh had been in his blind hours before morning had broken. He was feeling lonely with only a scavenging mouse to keep him company. As the wind began to blow and dark clouds formed in the sky, it started to pour. He was waiting for some sort of action when he noticed movement in the brush below him. He pulled up his gun, trying to remain undetected. Peering through the scope to get a better view of the creature that lurked underneath his blind, he started to shake. Antsy and exasperated, he lost his patience. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. To keep himself from becoming agitated, he closed his eyes for a brief second. He took a deep breath to calm down, then slowly released his breath while opening his eyes. To his excitement, a six point buck jumped out from the shadows of the brush. Heart racing, he focused on the buck. Wanting to take the broadside shot, he pulled the trigger. He knew a well-placed bullet entering the heart or lungs would provide a good blood trail and a quick clean kill. When Josh, filled with excitement, started to climb down from his blind, he said to himself What a magnificent day. As he moved through the brush searching for the buck, he spotted the blood trail and began to follow it. After following the trail for a few minutes, he came across the buck. He bent over the deer and began gutting it with his pocketknife. As he cut the deer open, blood rushed out. Determined to finish

the job, he grabbed the deer by its hind leg and dragged it back to his blind. He strung the deer up on the tree ensuring it would not fall. As he climbed back up his stand, he excitedly wondered what else the day would bring.

Rules

Rules and regulations for deer hunting issued by the Michigan DNR: ∗ Early archery season runs from October 1 to

November 15. ∗ On November 15, one must begin wearing

orange when going out in the woods with any weapon in order to avoid injuries. Around this time, approximately 750,000 hunters venture into the woods.

∗ The first week of December marks late archery season. The rules listed for early archery season apply for this season as well.

∗ Typically, the first weekend of December turns into muzzleloader and late doe season.

∗ In order to go deer hunting, one must have at least one valid deer tag, otherwise one could be fined for poaching. The new poaching laws state a minimal amount of a thousand dollars in fines and loss of hunting privileges for at least three years. Also, after shooting a deer, fill out the tag and place it on the deer immediately.

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Entertainment

On December 12, a few members of the Zion choir, along with the Byron Center Public School choir, received the special honor and opportunity to sing backup vocals for the Christian band Selah. The concert took place at the Van Singel Auditorium, and almost every seat was occupied. Zion’s choir members had been practicing and perfecting the songs many weeks in advance, and their excitement kept building. Before the show, Selah got to know us a bit

and ran soundchecks. We had a lot of fun with the group, made up of Amy Perry, Todd Smith, and Allan Hall. Todd took many selfies with us and shook everyone’s hand although he confessed right away he would

On December 1, we set off to find a restaurant with a taste of Mexico. The Dungeon, off Chicago Drive in Grandville, was our destination. Anticipating an extravagant variety of Mexican cuisine, we hoped it would provide us with a genuine cultural flavor. First, we tried the appetizers. We decided to have a half plate of their famous chips and cheese with two bowls of salsa, one hot and one mild. The generous portion could have fed three starving teenagers. Sadly, the chips were on the greasy side. Our main courses for the night consisted of a meaty burrito and a club quesadilla. The meaty burrito took up the majority of the plate and was covered with sauce and melted cheese. The taste was average at best, but it did the job for dinner. We rated the burrito a two out of five. On the other hand, the club quesadilla was a great choice for the night. The quesadilla meal came with Colby cheese, ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and olives. Delightfully,

nothing on the flavorful quesadilla was overpowering. Despite its rich combined taste, it was still rather average. We gave it a solid three out of five stars. After the main course, the waitress asked if we wanted dessert. We ordered a bowl of deep-fried ice cream. This dessert was served with caramel and smooth whipped cream. We easily give it four stars out of five, and we recommend you order it every time. The Dungeon’s service was excellent. Our waitress was patient and kind because she did not rush us through ordering our food. As we were eating our meal, she checked on us multiple times. Overall, we were pleased with the food and service and rate The Dungeon a three out of five stars.

By Caleb Seeley and Andrew Timmer

Selah By Kendra Jaarsma

The Dungeon

not be able to remember all of our names. We watched them perform while we were waiting to go onstage. The amount of passion that Selah puts into their singing is incredible. They go before hundreds of people, but they don’t just sing for their audience, they also proclaim every word to and for the Lord. We had a great time getting to know other people and singing with a well-known group about the birth of our Savior. It was a privilege to be part of this wonderful opportunity.

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