April 2026

Growing Together

Understanding division, finding common ground, and growing stronger together page 11

FROM THE EDITORS

NL Staff 2025-26

Editors in Chief

Riya Bhatt

Kenna Hulick

Creative Editor

Madeleine Duhn

Copy Editor

Drew Collins

Website Editor

Ana Van Dyke

Social Media Manager

Layla Carpenter

Associate Editor

Sophie Amberg

Staff Writers:

Sukanya Dunbar

Reese Graham

La’bria Hawkins

Trinity Herrera

Morgan Heyn

Madison Ream

Anna Svetkoff

Welcome back, readers! It’s been a while. We hope you’ve recovered from exams and have jumped headfirst into the second semester, because we sure have! This edition’s topic was selected almost unanimously by our staff, as we have seen the world around us and agree that leaning on each other and those in our community is one of the best ways to maintain hope and courage for the future. This message shines through in this edition with designs and articles featuring community gardens, positivity, and other symbols to represent our relationships with others. We hope you’ll take our messages of growth and unity to heart and exemplify these values through our student body.

Happy spring!

NL POLICIES

The Northern Light in print and online is the student-produced newspaper for Portage Northern HS. It is an open, designated, public forum for student expression, and the newspaper provides staff members with independent reporting opportunities and individual evaluation. Writing is based on a wide variety of research for a broad and diverse audience and topics of coverage are decided by the staff and editorial board with consideration to what is timely, relevant, compelling, educational, and important to the student body. In accordance with best practice for student media, the Northern Light is not prior reviewed by administration. Building and district administration do, however, reserve the right to oversee the paper if necessary to ensure that the mission and vision of Portage Public Schools and the safety of students and staff are maintained.

As a MIPA, JEA, and NSPA publication, the Northern Light adheres to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Photos, art, and other visual elements are created by Northern Light staff, formally designated for free use or part of the public domain. In rare circumstances, we may use other media with the owner’s written permission. It is our desire that our readers join the discussion on our published work. We welcome letters to the editors and guest contributors, and the Northern Light will publish online all pieces received provided that they include the author’s full name and are appropriate for publication in a school setting. Letters to the editor are limited to 150 words in length and guest contributions are limited to 350 words in length. Pieces can be delivered to Amanda Thorpe’s room, 3.121, emailed to pnhsnorthernlight@gmail.com, or mailed ATTN: Portage Northern Light to Portage Northern High School, 1000 Idaho Avenue, Portage, MI, 49024.

IN THIS EDITION

This front cover was inspired by the theme of unity that’s echoed throughout the edition. Editor in chief Riya Bhatt had the inspiration for this design, sharing, “I feel like a community garden is agood way to show how people can come together!” Creative Editor Madeleine Duhn illustrated the garden. In Duhn’s most detailed cover, she hopes to convey the idea that even though everyone comes from different roots, we can all come together as one. Photo by Riya Bhatt.

Story by staff; design by Riya Bhatt

in the community Passports or pajamas? The great Spring Break debate

Story by Ana Van Dyke and Madeleine Duhn; design by Sukanya Dunbar

9 The importance of reflection

Story by Layla Carpenter; design by Ana Van Dyke 10 Don’t wait

Story by Kenna Hulick and Ana Van Dyke; design by Ana Van Dyke

together PN band & Tuleeni

Story by Drew Collins; design by Riya Bhatt

IB legislation & talent show

Story by Drew Collins; design by Riya Bhatt

Story by Labria Hawkins; design by Madeleine Duhn

Story by Layla Carpenter; design by Madeleine Duhn

Story by Madeleine Duhn, Riya Bhatt, and Sophie Amberg; design by Madeleine Duhn

Story by Reese Graham; design by Riya Bhatt and Madeleine Duhn

Story by Kenna Hulick; design by Madeleine Duhn

PN soccer starts season with new coach

Story by Sukanya Dunbar and Labria Hawkins; design by Drew Collins

Women’s lacrosse

Story by Sukanya Dunbar and Labria Hawkins; design by Drew Collins 19 Who run the world?

Consciously chic

Story and design by Sophie Amberg

Razzies

Story by staff; design by Sophie Amberg

Story by Ana Van Dyke; design by Ana Van Dyke

Every year, the Northern Light selects a back cover design that is continuous throughout each of our editions. This year, the staff selected a crossword to create an interactive puzzle for the Portage Northern students to enjoy. This piece connects all of the articles together, as each answer is found among them!

Visit us online at portagenorthernlight.com View our instagram @portage.northern.light

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InBRIEF

the

news you need...simplified

Portage Northern band performs at state solo and ensemble

Story by Drew Collins and Riya Bhatt; design by Riya Bhatt

On Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, the Portage Northern band and orchestra participated in state solo and ensemble against schools from across the region. The event, hosted at PN, featured students in both concert and symphonic bands playing their instruments, either individually or in small groups. “It’s really fun and a good way to get the best critiques possible so that I can be the most advanced musician…” junior Ryan Roemer, who plays the saxophone, shared about the event. “I got a 91/100, so I got a first division rating.” Junior Natalia Icaza, who plays the alto saxophone, also added, “I got some really good compliments from the judge, so I’m proud of that.” Ac-

cording to the PN Band website, the event was a success for many students and the school overall. Band director William Mufarreh also added that he believed the event went well for all the bands. Mufarreh reported that the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band earned the Superior rating from the judges and the Symphonic Band received the Excellent rating. “Nothing was surprising, because the students work incredibly hard to prepare for their performances,” shared Mufarreh. “The performance is a celebration of their hard work. Their preparation shows in their performance, and how they show up to every single rehearsal!”

Portage Northern’s 2Gether 4Tuleeni annual tradition

Story by Drew Collins; design by Riya Bhatt

Throughout the week of March 9-13, students of Portage Northern participated in the 17th annual $2-gether for Tuleeni event. In this event, money was collected by representatives in students’ 7th-hour classes, with the Interact Club making $3887.46 in total for Tuleeni, which, according to Greathen Derenne, is over $500 more than last year’s total. It was encouraged to donate two dollars or more, but the Interact Club emphasized that any money helped toward the cause. Giving two dollars for Tuleeni is a tradition at Portage Northern, dating back to 2007 when a student visited a school in Tanzania and realized how PN could help: if each student donated $2. the orphanage could help fund higher education for many students. This year in 2026, Poolman’s class won by raising $340 for Tuleeni. “It’s a good way to give other people more of a fresh start with more resources and opportunities than they would have,” commented senior Jackson Clemence.

A poster from 2Gether 4Tuleeni hangs in a teacher’s classroom. 2Gether 4Tuleeni is run by the Interact Club to raise money for an orphanage in Tanzania to ensure children have access to higher education. Photo by Riya Bhatt.

Students and teachers participate in the fight for IB test score recognition in Michigan

Story by Drew Collins; design by Riya Bhatt

Senior student body president Omar Elghawy joined classmates at the Michigan Capitol to discuss IB legislation with senators. Photo courtesy of Rick Searing.

“Wereallywantfairandequalcreditfor allIBclasses.”

-IBCoordinatorRickSearing

On March 3rd, IB Building Coordinator Rick Searing went with seniors Omar Elghawy and Ella Fargo to talk to the Senate at the Capitol about IB credit. The original intent was to pass a law that required all public Michigan universities to view IB classes equally and grade them consistently and fairly. Searing and other student advocates talked to the senators and representatives from the Michigan Senate and House. A resolution had to be presented instead as the proposed law would be unconstitutional. On the 4th, 300 students gathered at the Capitol to advocate, and the resolution passed unanimously. It encourages universities to count IB classes equally, as many universities only accept higher level scores, or two year courses, for student credit. The resolution proposes that universities accept scores from standard level exams, or one year courses, as well. According to Searing, this helps students who take specifically IB math courses, especially at Portage Northern, as the school only offers standard level math courses. “Our next step, we think, is going to be to tie it to funding,” explained Searing. “We hope that the universities will step up and do the right thing. We know that some are already thinking about it, especially the private schools.”

Huskies bring many acts to the annual talent show

Story by Drew Collins and Riya Bhatt; design by Riya Bhatt

To kick off spring break, students and teachers gathered in the auditorium on Thursday, March 26, for the annual Portage Northern talent show. There were 13 acts, consisting of singing, dancing, playing instruments, and even multiple teacher performances. Students attended with their 7th hour classes or watched a livestream from their classrooms. “It was honestly just an amazing experience,” junior Dallen Ekola-Labra, who played in a band in the talent show, shared about the performance. “I think I want to do this again next year,” he added. Ekola-Labra’s band included seniors Carmen Briggs, Omar Elghawy, and junior Drew Allen. Another performance included history teacher Lucas Rewa, who performed in his band with teachers Joshua Quist, Collin Killmer, and William Lapham, with a special

appearance from English teacher Lindsey Wangler. “[There was] good energy from the crowd, so I was excited about that, especially from my juniors!” Rewa shared.

The talent show featured many acts from different students. Above, junior Dallen EkolaLabra plays the guitar in the talent show with his band. At left, junior Charlize Lopez sings a Spanish song in the talent show. “I was really proud of myself!” she shared. Photos by Riya Bhatt.

CHOICEpeople’s

Story by Labria Hawkins; design by Madeleine Duhn

On March 23rd at 7 p.m., Staff, families, and students gathered in the PN auditorium for the 6th annual People’s Choice Awards. PN staff were invited to nominate one student who improves their day and makes them glad to clock into work. This event is organized by assistant principal Kelly Hinga and world language teacher Christy Rath. They take immense pride in the event, spending countless hours planning every detail so that the evening feels truly special for students, their families, and the staff who nominated them. ¨My favorite part of helping to host this event is getting to celebrate our students with their families and peers,¨ says Rath. ¨ I love being able to recognize some of the many students who brighten our days at work!¨

The students entered on a red carpet as families and friends applauded, smiling proudly, snapping photos, and

cheering them on while they made their way into the auditorium to be honored for their achievements and the positive impact they’ve had on the PN Staff.

The two emcees of the night, English teacher Celia Weeks and History teacher Joey Woods, stepped into the spotlight and immediately won over the crowd with their easy banter and playful jokes. The topic of this banter is Wood’s insistence on using AI to write their script despite Weeks of protests, where he’d quickly type a prompt into his laptop and the voice of English teacher William Lapham would boom over the speakers. Their playful introduction built excitement for the evening as they presented the acts of the night, a tap performance by Carys Zemlick and Reece Meyer, a vocal performance by Vincent Brow, and a musical performance by Danielle Kwon and Dallen Ekola-Labra.

New Amberly Elementary school set for completion in 2028

Story by Layla Carpenter; design by Madeleine Duhn

After more than six decades, Amberly Elementary School is ready to transition to a more modern learning environment. A new building is currently in the early construction phase and is expected to open in the fall of 2028, offering future students a transition into a new school.

The current Amberly Elementary building, which has been in use since 1960, will be replaced as part of a larger district effort to improve school facilities. The project comes from a bond proposal that supports the construction of five new elementary school buildings, including Haverhill, Central, Woodland, Amberly, and Angling.

According to Amberly’s principal, Andy Fuehr, the process has taken time because construction involves multiple schools across the district. To keep students learning without interruption, Amberly students are temporarily attending classes at Haverhill Elementary, which is acting as a “swing school” while the new building is being constructed. Despite the delays, the new building is expected to bring major improvements. “We’re excited for the students and staff to have a learning space that is modern and representative of current learning models,” Fuehr exclaimed. The building will provide more opportunities for collaboration among staff and students, along with a modern environment designed to support learning.

Fourth grade teacher Rachel Bell also shared her perspective on how the new building will improve both teaching and learning. “Our current building just doesn’t allow for a lot of flexibility the way the new building will,” Bell explained. “The new building allows us to spread out throughout all of our 4th grade area and not be interfering with other grades’ learning, we’ll have more space to move around, and staff has more flexibility to work with more kids.”

Community members were given the opportunity to view the plans and designs for the new Amberly Elementary during a gallery walk on April 7th, providing a closer look at the building’s modern classrooms, collaborative spaces, and updated facilities.

When the new Amberly Elementary opens, students will learn with modern classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and updated technology that make learning more engaging and interactive. “While things might not transition smoothly right away we will continue to learn and grow to be even better than what we are now. Give it time, be flexible, but be open to what it can be. It will be different...but different isn’t a bad thing,” Bell highlighted.

Top: The construction company Tower Pinkster presented an aerial view of the new concepts for Amberly Elementary at the gallery walk through on April 7. Photo by the staff.

Bottom: Tower Pinkster also presented the first floor and ground floor plan (pictured) at the walk through, including increased area and space within Amberly. Photo by the staff.

Unity in the community

Teenagers can help those around them grow and become more united through kindness and inclusivity

Story by the staff; design by Riya Bhatt

We’ve all seen the news recently: between the variety of political conflicts, wars, and the rising spread of misinformation due to artificial intelligence, our communities have never felt more divided. The media and politics are two bodies designed to separate us, becoming rampant in recent years, especially among teens. We encounter a wide range of people and perspectives we might not agree with or may have never heard before every single day, but in reality, there is so much more that unites than separates us. As a generation, we need to fulfill our promises to each other by working together for common goals that are part of our basic humanity. Everyone deserves respect and kindness, and we can achieve this by uniting others in our neighborhoods, school communities, and even families.

Our generation is seen as in-

stigators of social and political change, but most people don’t realize that these large-scale changes stem from smaller changes within our everyday environments. Even

We as a generation can reach a more unified society by promoting kindness, diversity, inclusivity, and compassion for others.

simple actions such as being kinder to our neighbors and including all of our friends in conversations or group projects promote unity and growth, which can have those large-scale impacts. Clubs at Portage Northern, like the Interact Club or Unified Club, promote this inclusivity that we should be

striving for. Both encourage unification among the student body, and it’s even in their names!

These seemingly small actions often create chain effects in which other people continue this chain. It develops unity even if those people don’t become close after their simple, kind interaction, such as helping them pick up something they dropped. These actions also restore faith in the community, as it helps others realize kindness and fellowship still exist in our world; there is hope in the little things that make a difference sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly.

The aspects of life that divide us don’t define us. We as youth have the ability to overcome the divisions of previous generations, and we need to take advantage of that to promote a better future for us as adults and for our world as a whole.

VACATION

VS. STAYCATION

Story by Madeleine Duhn and Ana Van Dyke; design and illustrations by Sukanya Dunbar

nce midwinter break concludes, I im - mediately begin counting down the days until spring break. The anticipation of new opportunities and adventures to take is frankly the only thing that pulls me through the infamous quarter-three slump. Spring break should be spent on vacation allowing you to get a welldeserved break from the ordinary while exploring our world.

When I’m home, my brain is filled with my to-do list. Did I do that homework assignment? What should I do to improve forensics speech? I need to hit the golf range and fix my swing. Oh, and I have a work shift from 3-6pm. This seemingly endless list of tasks I must do only leaves my mind when I leave it all behind; on vacation, there is no pressure for chores, school, or extracurriculars. It is the perfect, and sometimes the only time where you are allowed to truly take a break.

I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to explore the world from France to Japan. During these amazing trips, I had the ability to try new foods, meet new people, and experience so much. Our Earth is humongous! There are so many people, places, and cultures to experience— and a vacation is a perfect way to do so. In a 2018 Harris Poll of 1,300 travelers, 87% declared that the trip helped them to be more empathetic to others. Exploring the globe allows people to understand and emphasize with others as it broadens your understanding of people.

Vacation also allows for quality time with your family. Chances are you aren’t the only one who has a long to-do list in your family, and your parents and perhaps your siblings are overwhelmed as well. Vacation allows everyone in a family to take a break and spend time with one another. Life is short and some of the best memories are those made with loved ones while on vacation. - Madeleine

When it’s time for another break from school, as someone who travels a lot with family, I love the opportunity to stay home every once in a while and chill instead of stressing over packing, itineraries, and travel accommodations for a vacation away.

Going s I’ve never seen before is nice, but at some point, y ou’ve just seen too much or traveled too much in a period of time. Not everyone loves the thought of sitting in a car or airplane for multiple hours. It get to a point where traveling gets tiring, and with the ICE raids and political madness right now, traveling can start to get fearful for some. Recently, I went to Canada for a few days, and on the way back, I was legitimately scared at the U.S. border because of the ICE officers. With the ICE police dogs sniffing around and the officer walking past our vehicle several times, all of it freaked me out.

sometimes feels like I’m skipping school, even though school is not happening. Relaxation without fear of having homework is one of the pros. Addition - ally, if my friends are also staying home, I can invite them to go to the mall or to my house, and we can hang out, also without fear of assignments and without fear of being told to be quiet and pay attention.

For a traveller, the ‘staycation’ can feel rewarding after many weeks of never-ending school, tons of homework, and countless after-school activities. Staying at home during school breaks

Staycations can also allow for a time to reset. I tend to clean my room and bathroom, and I’ll clean off my desk and nightstand. Sometimes I’ll help my mom clean up the family spaces of our house. ‘Clean space, clear mind’ is a good mindset to have with that. Resetting can help the mind to be clear for when time for school to start back up again and be in full swing with state testing and end of year celebrations. They can allow for a less stressful and more relaxing break without traveling to a different place.

- Ana

Pause and grow: the power of reflection

Story by Layla Carpenter; design by Ana Van Dyke; illustration by Madeleine Duhn

As days blur together, people move through life quickly. Whether it’s going to school, work, or scrolling through social media, before we know it, minutes or hours have passed in the blink of an eye, and that time turns quickly into weeks and months. Constantly being pushed forward by the world around us, reflection gives us the opportunity to slow down.

Reflection is simple: It’s taking time to think about experiences, what happened, how it felt, and what can be learned.The impact of reflection can be powerful, even if it’s small.

To begin with, in a busy world, reflection helps to slow us down. People are often focused on what’s next rather than what is happening now. By taking a few moments to reflect, we allow ourselves to pause and become more aware of our thoughts and actions. Being

meaningless and demotivating. By thinking about what went wrong and why, we can learn from our experiences and make better decisions in the future. Reflections transform failure from something negative into an opportunity for growth.

Another powerful benefit of reflection is that it allows us to see how much we have grown and learned. “Reflection has helped me by allowing me to grow mentally and spiritually,” Senior Ouli Mbaye emphasized. Reflection is a key for Mbaye’s improvement in bettering herself. “It has allowed me to think more about my past decisions and how I can improve learning from mistakes and being a better version of myself”.

Reflection questions to ask yourself

- What is one thing I did today that I was proud of?

- What was one thing that I would want to do differently tomorrow to be a better person?

“Reflection hashelped mebyallowingme to grow mentally andspiritually,” - Senior OuliMbaye(12)

Reflection doesn’t have to begin tomorrow, you can start today with a simple question such as, “What was one thing I did today that was honorable?” Starting the habit of answering reflective questions can help you grow into a more thoughtful, self-aware person. According to Ruzanna Hernandez from efficiencyandorganization.com, “Self-reflection leads to self-improvement. Choose up to 3 questions to ask yourself each evening to reflect back on your day and improve for tomorrow.”

Reflection has the beauty of turning ordinary moments into learning opportunities. By taking just a couple minutes each day, you can notice patterns in your behavior, learn from setbacks without being overwhelmed by them, and celebrate small successes. Over time, these small moments add up, helping you make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and feel more in control of your life.

- Was there anything that made you get stressed out? How did you deal with it and what you do differently next time?

- What was one of your qualities that shined brightly today?

- How did I feel throughout the day today (morning, afternoon and evening)?

- What is one thing you look forward to happening in the next 7 days?

- What do you want your word of the day to be?

DON’T

WAIT

Taking the chance to chase your dreams will get you far in life

Story by Kenna Hulick and Ana Van Dyke; design by Ana Van Dyke; illustration by Madeleine Duhn

“Someday” can be a dangerous word. It promises tomorrow, the next day, the next week, or so on; when in reality, we don’t always have “someday”. That’s why when we grow up, our dreams from those nostalgic childhood days go to dust. Few adults are living their childhood dreams of being actors, pilots, police officers, and more.This often happens because, as this world has progressed, people have become increasingly hopeless that their dream can work out. As the new generation of future adults, it’s important that teens learn how to take risks that accelerate them to achieve their dreams, because if it’s not now, it’s never. Taking certain risks in life is crucial to obtaining true potential, though it can often be difficult to do. Taking the first step comes with courage and determination, and even though it is difficult, someone can only achieve their dream if they take this leap. “There [is]…stuff we know we don’t know, and you are leaping into that, which should be scary, but you never learn to swim unless you jump in,” says sophomore Yurijah Howard. He emphasizes that someone never learns how to do something if they don’t take the risk, highlighting the importance of not waiting. “Sometimes you can miss your window,” explains history teacher Joseph Wood. “...The best time to act is when you have something in mind, and you’re dumb enough to think you can do it, and usually, you end up

“[Jackson] was certain that God gave Prince the same dream of a song and didn’t want Prince to do it first. So chase your dreams before it’s too late.”

-Yurijah Howard (10)

being right.” Time doesn’t wait for someone to do something, neither do certain events that set them back from those goals. After all, in Howard’s perspective, “...Think of the greats, the stars, your favorite celebrities [who] never hesitated to take that first step, but you are [hesitating]?” Celebrities never waited. Therefore, the way to fulfil a dream’s potential is to take the jump into an opportunity or create steps to get there. There are always ways to seize the chance to live that dream. Michael Jackson is one such legendary example. “He would get these dreams of songs in the middle of the night, and he would wake up, go to the recording studio and record the song,” explains Howard. “Why? Because [Jackson] was certain that God gave Prince the same dream of a song and didn’t want Prince to do it first. So chase your dreams before it’s too late.” Not waiting to chase a dream can mean taking risks as soon as you get the chance. When that opportunity isn’t taken, a person often feels regret. Junior Eliza Madelung provides a new perspective on what life is about. “Life is about doing what you can while we’re here, and you will regret it if you don’t,” she says. Taking risks is the key to completing what “life is about”.This looks like doing something right when the opportunity comes. Whether it’s asking that question or signing up to do that one thing, it’s important to take advantage. It is also as simple as not procrastinating on a task. Procrastination leads to regret, and regret leads to hopelessness. No one, especially this generation, should wait for “someday”. If someone waits for that chance, it will never come.The time is now, because,“Today is a great day to start, what do you gain by waiting? You just lose another day of not being able to [do] what you want to do,” says math teacher Nikki Callen. “Even if you’re not a master yet, at some point you will be, and you’ll be glad you have that extra day to do the thing you love.”

Political division

According to a study performed in 2014 by the Pew Research Center, the United State’s political divide is larger than ever. Pew Research shows the “median” democrat and republican classification have shifted more right and left over time causing a large and extreme gap. 12 years later, Americans watch as the divide increases further due to the hateful rhetoric spread from both sides of the aisle, specifically on social media platforms where politicians brutally battle over tweets. Syracuse University explains that there has been more hostility to the other political party since the Civil War because democrats and republicans see each other as a threat. Syracuse University discovered that even though most Americans still fall closer to the center and instead perceive each other as being extremists.

Social division

As of now, social media dominates teen culture, resulting in a disconnect between the online and reality.According to the American Psychological Association,“37% of teens say they spend 5 or more hours a day, 14% spend 4 to less than 5 hours a day, 26% spend 2 to less than 4 hours a day,and 23% spend less than 2 hours a day on these three apps

[Tiktok,Youtube,Instagram].”The amount of time online only contributes to the overconsumption of media. Opinions, misinformation, and more spread so quickly within that time, only resulting in divide among teens socially, highlighting the necessity for unity and connection among peers. Portage Northern has a wide variety of clubs,sports,and extracurriculars open to students to fill free time,make new friends,and find similar interests among one another.School is not only a place to learn, but a place to open eyes and connect with the people around them. Community is one of the most important aspects to a functioning society,as without others getting along, nothing productive ever occurs. Building a community through branching out and growing together works all in harmony with one another to create strength in numbers.Life is full of twists and turns and having a place to simply feel grounded and present in the moment through others is an experience of life that everyone needs.

Growing together locally

Despite divisions in our home community,local organizations such as the UnitedWay of Southwest Michigan step up in times of crisis.Particularly aftertherecenttornadoinThreeRiversandUnionCity,UnitedWaybrought together a variety of volunteers to help the communities rebuild and recover after these natural disasters. Or- ganizations like United Way aim to bring people together by fostering connections and support – elements of basic humanity that might go unnoticed,but mean a lot to people affected by events like natural disasters. According to the MichiganAssociation of United Ways’ website, their mission is to “develop powerful responses to current and emerging issues in localcommunities,”representing theiremphasisonbringingpeople together to solve problems and grow through difficulties together.Other ways to grow locally could be as simple as showing up for neighbors through simple acts of kindness;offer to help carry in groceries or leave a positive note in a mailbox.

Growing together nationally

In terms of overcoming the political and social polarization nationally, a variety of efforts have been made to reduce the amount of divide governmentally and within local communities.According to BrighamYoung University, one of the most important steps to reducing overly polarized politics is “acknowledg[ing] that sometimes we do not understand each other well and work towards greater understanding,” meaning that understanding people’s differences in policies and accepting that they may never share the same view can lead to progress and increased empathy for others. However, political polarization isn’t the only problem: social media plays a big role in the disconnect from one another. Misinformation runs rampant on many social media platforms,often severely dividing people.In order to combat misinformation, according to the American Psychological Association, being more cautious about sharing information from sources and fact-checking posts on social media with reliable news websites can lead to less misinformation being spread, and in this way, less division created and enabled on platforms.

Growing together globally

The world is a vast and constantly growing place.So many different cultures, religions,and people coexist with one another to create the diversity of the world.Living life with a cultural relativism point of view benefits others along with personal growth and acceptance. From the Oxford Review,“Cultural relativism is the philosophical perspective that posits that a person’s beliefs, values,and practices should be understood based on that person’s own cultureratherthanbejudgedagainstthecriteriaofanotherculture.Thisconcept encourages individuals to approach cultural differences with an open mind and a willingness to understand varying worldviews without imposing their own cultural standards.”While simple in theory despite the global divide occurring,the acceptance of others,no matter where they come from, what they believe in,or how they dress helps the world flourish and bring together a powerful youth.

A storm of misinformation: teens swept up and left uninformed

Story

important. Teenagers need to become educated about current events in order to understand the social climate of our generation and preserve the future of our democ-

According to Pew Research, only around 15% of young adults claim to follow the news “all or most of the time”, presenting a large gap in the news literacy between generations, and showing the detrimental effects on a political environment shaped by the educated opinions of the public, especially with elections. There are many issues stemming from current events that teenagers need to understand. This includes bills in Congress, such as the SAVE America Act, which would limit the right to vote to those with documented citizenship, presenting widescale problems for both women’s and immigrant’s suffrage. This comes in tandem with increased violence across the country in regards to ICE raids and school shootings. Additionally, international issues are not just “over there” problems, as the Iranian conflict currently taking place in the Middle East has had impacts on local communities. There were cyber attacks on Stryker facilities in the Kalamazoo area, disrupting their information databases and global technology. Even ChatGPT is a growing problem, with AI models requiring excessive amounts of water to run effectively, presenting freshwater resource con-

Democracy relies on an educated public, and ignorant or misinformed youth hinders the ability of this mission to be successfully carried out. Focusing on unbiased news and credible sources, including websites such as Fact Check and FAIR, is a vital step in the process of following current events. Being educated is not a choice, it’s a necessity.

Positivitylies within

Story by Kenna Hulick; design by Madeleine Duhn; photos by Kenna Hulick

The world may seem dark and hopeless especially right now, but some of the most optimistic students and teachers at Portage Northern keep staying positive even during the hardest times. They encourage all to stay confident in life by sharing their favorite tips.

“Shift your mindset and incorporate those practices that allow you to bring in more positivity into your inner world -- also let everything you can’t control go [and] focus your attention and energy on only what you can control.”

- Daniall Poulsen

science teacher

“Being positive earns you a life that has much to enjoy. When you are positive every day, you can learn to enjoy even the difficult and otherwise unfun tasks of life.”

- Caleb Ferwon

senior

“I can’t change the past, and the future is not guaranteed. So, all I’ve really got, at any given moment, is right now and what I choose to make it. If I make right now something I’m grateful for, my life goes better.”

- Colin Killmer science teacher

“It’s important to be positive…because you don’t know what people are going through. …You have to be nice to everybody because you don’t know where they come from, their home life, or whatever they might be struggling with.”

- Ethan Merrill junior

“One way a person can maintain positivity…is by looking at what the best outcome could be [than what] the worst [outcome] could be. …This allows people to rethink their train of thought and to really think about if the situation could be as bad as [they] think it could be.”

- Reese Meyer junior

“To stay in a positive mindset… I prioritize the activities that bring me joy and avoid doing too much of something that will cause me stress. This helps me maintain my positivity as I can find cheer in almost any part of my day.”

- Oakley Martinek

sophomore

PN soccer starts season with new coach

Story by Sukanya Dunbar and Labria Hawkins; design by Drew Collins

A new chapter has begun for the PN women’s soccer program. The promotion of former assistant coach Lily Browning to head coach marks a fresh step forward for the team, allowing it to build on recent progress to the next level. Known for her high standards, strong player relationships, and deep understand‑ ing of the game, Browning now has the opportunity to shape the pro‑ gram’s culture, lead its growth, and guide her athletes to new heights on the field.

Browning brings years of expe‑ rience to the role, having previous‑ ly competed for four years on the PN varsity soccer team. Browning also served as the assistant soc cer coach for two years at Portage Northern, and, before that, spent four years providing private train‑ ing. In addition to her on-field ex‑ perience, Browning has completed the MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program and holds a bachelor’s de gree in sports management, further

strengthening her ability to guide the program.

Browning´s coaching philosophy focuses on fostering development

“She has always been a positive figure for us girls in the program especially when it was hard to find positives.” - Maryn Falk (12)

and creating a unified team com‑ mitted to daily improvement. She emphasizes building a hard‑working environment where players push each other but also feel supported on the field. Browning helps them

grow not just as soccer players, but as leaders and teammates. “Players are expected to act with integrity and an elite mentality at all times,” says Browning. By holding her team to these standards, Browning has created a team culture where ac countability, effort, and respect be come the foundation for long‑term success.

Browning’s impact goes beyond tactics and training sessions as her players feel the difference in her energy and leadership every day. “She has always been a positive fig‑ ure for us girls in the program es‑ pecially when it was hard to find positives,” says varsity soccer player Maryn Falk. ”She always motivates and keeps the determination to win alive in all her players.”

With her history in the program, commitment to player develop‑ ment, and unwavering belief in her team, Browning is building more than just a winning streak.

The team played against the East Kentwood Falcons on March 25, eventually coming away with a 5-1 win at their first home game of the season. At left, junior Ella Holdsworth, who plays defense, prepares to throw the ball in during the East Kentwood game. At center, the PN varsity women’s soccer team runs across the field after its 5-1 win. At right, junior Mauriel Seeberger prepares to kick the ball as she runs across the field during the game. Photos by Riya Bhatt.

More than a game:

the sisterhood of Portage Women’s lacrosse

Story by Sukanya Dunbar and Labria Hawkins; design by Drew Collins

The Portage women’s la‑ crosse team is a tight‑knit sol‑ idarity built on trust, tough ness, and shared aspirations.

From after school practices to bus rides filled with laugh ter and game‑day nerves, these athletes lean on each other through every win, loss, and challenge in between.

With the new season in motion, lacrosse coach Kate Twichell has been impressed not just with the team’s talent but with how connected they already are on the field. “We have a great group of athletes who work well to gether,” said Twichell.

Varsity player Elizabeth Bartz has been playing lacrosse for six years. “I would say this is the best team culture we have had in my high school career,” says Bartz. “I am excited to have fun in my last year of high school lacrosse.” As a captain this season, she has especially enjoyed building relationships

with the younger players and helping them adjust to the pace and expectations of high school lacrosse.

Madilyn Slocum, a senior var sity lacrosse player, is proud of the progress the team has made so far. She’s excited that they’ve already met some of the goals the coaches set for them at practice, and she es pecially loves the team‑bond ing activities that bring every one closer together. “I would describe this year’s team as a very unified group,“ said Slo cum.”I think we all work very well together.”

As the season contin ues, the team is focused on more than just the score. With every practice, game, and team‑bonding moment, they’re building a tradition of unity and support that will last beyond their time on the field.

For the women’s lacrosse team, that’s what makes this season truly special.

The team faced off April 7th against Kalamazoo United. Above right, junior Natalie Amsterburg drives to the goal to score. At left, the team huddles to prepare for the next quarter of the game with senior Elizabeth Bartz at center. The final score was Portage 21, Kalamazoo 3. “They usually play our JV team,” senior Elizabeth Bartz explained. “This was their first time playing our varsity team.” Photos courtesy of Tristen Harden.

“Florals for spring, groundbreak ing”

Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada

Even though spring is the season for flowers blooming and the sun shining, spring also acts as a season of rebirth and even the renewal of past styles.Taking inspiration from the recent high end runways lets the essence of Paris, Milan, and Copenhagen drift through our hallways in more ways than one.

Whether it’s the revival of the drop waist or black in spring, fashion maisons around the world set the stage for the upcoming season. Matthieu Blazy had a strong debut show as Chanel’s fourth designer, reinventing historic moments of the past into the fashion of the future. Anthony Vaccarello, creative director at YSL, played with the idea of femininity, showing the sharper, more refined side of women in a world where the push for women to fill traditional roles grows. And a complete runway of darkness emerged with Yohji Yamamoto as the collection let the shapes and textures tell the story, not relying only on the colors.

In Saint Laurent’s collection, the clothes focused less on wearability for spring and summer, starting off the runway in heavy duty leather and ending with huge tulle dresses. Though in Vaccarello’s vision, he focuses less on the clothes and more on what they represent, a method anyone can pull into an everyday look. He dresses the models in bold power suits, blouses with the impeccable tailoring Saint Laurent is known for, pencil skirts in deep leather, and the occasional look paired with a matching leather bomber jacket. The brown and black slowly shift to bolder colors: chartreuse , blood orange , and a pea-

slow shift of dynamic represents powerful women bold in themselves, coming in numerous different styles while keeping a femininity that is often pivoted away from the stereotype. Vaccarello explains, “She goes from radical leather, a kind of hard woman that goes softly, softly, softly into these dresses. But she’s the same woman. She’s not as soft as we think.”

Fashion shows and runways exude luxury and elegance with their pieces. However, the prices, if even put on sale at all and not left for celebrities, create a gap between the average consumer and the target audience. That doesn’t mean leaving the fashion world behind and admiring from afar, as inspiration is all one needs to create a piece they love and enjoy. Clothes aren’t just to be worn, a story and a narrative is brought along with them, these are the details that go into calculating an everyday look, resulting in a personal luxury through the inspiration from the greats.

While these recent collections worked with exclusive materials, stitching that could kill, and the goal to capture the eyes of high profile names, it doesn’t take designers to create what any person can add to an outfit, a story. Inspiration through moodboard, magazines, or even just studying streetwear in a major city all works to find a release for expression within clothing. Whether it’s reinventing something old, embracing something bold, or finding comfort in the tulle, what we wear on the outside should always reflect the inside.

The Northern Light staff participates in our version of the 2025 Razzies.

Story by staff, design by Sophie Amberg

What was the worst song of 2025?

Ordinary - Alex Warren - Through continous repetition ev- erywhere, our staff is simply exhausted with hearing this dull song.

What was the worst picture of 2025?

“Snow White” - A twisted and altered tale from the origi- nal along with seven artifical dwarves is a winner of our Razzies along with the offical Razzies for worst picture and worst remake!

Who was the worst male musical artist of 2025?

Sombr - Now the face of the performative male movement, his music still lacks anything interesting.

Who was the worst female musical artist of 2025?

Addison Rae - Former hype house member makes her singing debut, yet the album is nothing revolutionary.

What was the worst streaming show of 2025?

“Taylor Swift The End of an Era” - A documentary series that displays behind the scenes that simply weren’t need- ed.

Who was the worst actress of 2025?

Sydney Sweeney - With numerous projects releasing with her involved, she only caught our eye for dull performances and awkward publicity stunts.

Who was the worst actor of 2025?

Timothee Chalamet - While his performace in “Marty Su- preme” was Oscar nomination worthy, recent comments caused our staff to nominate him for the Razzies.

What was the worst movie adaptation of 2025?

“A Minecraft Movie” - A hit in the movie theaters with the “chicken jockey” movement, though the real question is, who’s rewatching?

GirlsWho run the world?

March was Women’s History Month and women’s stories, songs and films are powerful ways to challenge traditions, inspire change, and show new possibilties.

Story and desgin by Ana Van Dyke

Books that are written by women about women

The Summer I Turned Pretty written by Jenny Han

This YA novel is an unflinching look at modern teenage

Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen

The Diary of a Young Girl written by Anne Frank

This non-fiction book is a real, unfiltered account of her coming of age in Nazi Germany

This classic fiction, which was just recently adapted into a movie, critiques gender norms in 19th century England.

Lights,camera ACTION!

Barbie

women in other media

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins follows Katniss Everdeen after she is reaped for the 74th Annual Hunger Games. It is set in a dystopian North America called Panem. The book shows how Katniss powers through the toughness of the Hunger Games with the death of comrades and surprises from the Capitol. It also shows her empathy for fellow tributes. The Hunger Games is one of five books, three of them following Katniss.

The Barbie movie is regarded by many fans as one of the most female-empowering movies of the decade. Following Barbie and her exploration of the “real world,” the movie focuses on the fight for feminism and the inequality in the world today, as well as dealing with intense emotions. Barbie must figure out how to stay strong and empowered despite the aspects of society trying to bring her down.

Little Women

The beloved novel, Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, is about four sisters— Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy during their teenagehood to their adulthood during the Civil War. All four sisters have vastly different personalities, but they still get along and learn how to cope with the raging war through many troubles. Little Women has been made into multiple movies, with famous actors such as Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Timothee Chalamet starring in the most recent version. One thing that some may know but not a lot do: Little Women is loosely based on Louisa May Alcott’s sisters and life with said sisters!

Huskies’ Female Empowerment Playlist

Puzzle by Sophie Amberg and Madeleine Duhn; design by Madeleine Duhn

Across

4. According to page 10 we are always running out of ___

5. Who is the women’s soccer team’s new head coach?

7. Focusing on __ news can help our democracy become more educated

8. Page 13 discusses the ___ of misinformation

Down

1. How many acts were in the Huskie talent show?

2. “We as a generation can reach a more unified society by promoting ___”

3. What was determined as the worst song of 2025 by staff?

6. What is the largest way we can grow together?

9. Not today, not tomorrow, but ___?

Need a hint? The answers are found within the edition