Changes over 50 Years at Port Huron Northern

Feature

By Dylan Maheu

Husky Herald Reporter

  For 50 years, Port Huron Northern High School has been a part of our community. But this year is a mark for something special. It marks the 50th graduating class of Port Huron Northern.

  Port Huron Northern was originally built in order to, as the name implies, serve students in the north half of the school district.

 The site that was chosen for the school to be built on was decided on February 14, 1963. The final construction plans for the high school were finalized and approved on April 17, 1963.

  The first principal of Port Huron Northern, James Overly, was originally the assistant to the principal of Port Huron High School. He was appointed to his new position at Port Huron Northern during May, 1963.

  There have been quite a few changes in the school over the years.

  When Port Huron Northern first opened, students had to ride the city bus to get to the school.

  The media center only had between 4,000-5,000 books in it originally compared to the number that is present now.    

  The media center has also had many changes done to it over the years, mainly with the addition of two separate computer labs onto it.

  The Port Huron Northern radio station WORW aka “The Wave” is a student run station that first started broadcasting in 1972. There have since been recent changes that allow the station to broadcast on a constant basis.

  When Port Huron Northern first opened, it had a special sewing class available for female students.

  There has been some some remodeling going on in the school these past few years. The school board has been trying to update the schools facilities and some work has also been done in the school’s cafeteria and gymnasium.

  The school’s performing arts center was also just built nine years ago in 2005.

  Classes themselves have also changed in recent years. “One of the biggest changes in the last few years has been the courses required by the district,” said Mrs. Brennan, the school’s account clerk.

  “We have expanded our advanced placement program extensively and our online schooling has seen some growth as well,” said Mr. Mossett, the principal of Port Huron Northern.

   There will be events that celebrate the 50th Anniversary accomplishment throughout this school year, including a reunion for all current and former teachers that was held at the Homecoming football game on Sept. 26th.

Senior Dance Wows Homecoming Assembly Audience

Feature

By Sierra Pauley

Husky Herald Reporter

 

 Every year at Port Huron Northern students have a dance represented by each grade. The classes that participate are : Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and the Seniors.

  In order to do the the dance, students must gather a group of peers from their same grade, and create a dance that is school appropriate.

  Every year student council is in charge of homecoming week. The adviser of student council is Mrs. Tinsley. Everything is approved by her.

  There is a deadline for the dance, music, and costume. If you don’t meet the strict deadlines you won't be able to do the dance.

  This year representing the Senior class was Sierra Pauley(‘15), Kimmie Dunkin(‘15), Heaven Powell(‘15), Franni Basha(‘15), Emily Todaro(‘15), Lexus Moutoux(‘15), Rocky Overholt(‘15), and Riley Richards(‘15).

  “The dance this year was a great way for me to grow closer to my classmates” said Moutoux. “You are with the same girls for hours everyday for at least a week and you really get to know each other and bond.”

  “The dance isn't something I would usually do because i'm shy but it turned out really good and having all of my friends around me for support helped out a lot.” said Richards.

  The dance the senior girls did was with a combination of Nicki Minaj songs. But for the entrance they came out and danced to High School Musical.

  “ Doing the High School Musical dance, lightened to mood of the crowd and got them to cheer, and have fun with us while we were having fun doing the dance” said Basha.

  For the dance they did a lot of fun choreography, and the crowd reacted dramatically,

from the Freshman to the Seniors themselves everyone knew this dance was a dance that will always be remembered.

  You can tell everyone had fun with the dance, all of the students were so thrilled, the teachers didn't seem too thrilled but everyone knows if it wasn't for school rules they would've responded positively.

  Getting into activities and being involved is a great way to start  your High School years, and the Senior dance was a great way to start their last year here at Port Huron Northern.

Northern Wins Homecoming Game with Last-Second Score

Sports

By Heaven Powell

Husky Herald Reporter

This year's Port Huron Northern Homecoming Game, where the weather was a lot warmer than it usually is on a September 26th.

  Memorial Stadium was filled with screaming fans from all across town, and a few parents and fans from East Detroit were across the field, sitting in trepidation as their team and worthy opponents warmed up. The players for East Detroit’s team could without a doubt hear the screams and insults from the very large intimidating student section that Northern always has.

  Before the game, the PHN Rowdies were collected outside of the fence at memorial around 3:30 to watch the opposing team warm up and enjoy food and beverages, much like any other home game. Olivia Reinhard (‘15) says, “Our student section was so hype, we even tailgated!”

  As the game began, Northern had the first touchdown and by halftime the score was 14-13, with Port Huron Northern in the lead. During halftime Braeden Houle (‘15) and Megan Burns (‘15) were crowned Homecoming King and Queen and cart races took place, with the juniors taking first.

  As the end of the game approached, the score didn’t look too promising. However, the crowd and players never gave up.

  Down 32-29, Kyle Burch (‘15) completed a pass to Ryan Hunt (‘15) with less than a minute left. Regarding this play, Coach Connell said, “Initially my reaction was, 'That was a great pass, he’s gonna get a first down.'”

  With determination and speed, Hunt went further than a first down, and kept running. 
“Then I began to plan what our next play would be with however many yards were left, but he didn’t stop... So after that I was just thinking, KEEP RUNNING!!!” said Connell.

  The Huskies pulled through, and won the game. It was a wonderful way to kick off the 50th homecoming weekend for Port Huron Northern.

Students Rock Homecoming Week

Opinion

By Kathryn Brooks

Husky Herald Reporter

Homecoming week is always full of great times and memories. We seniors at Port Huron Northern have recently experienced this for the last time.

  Homecoming at Northern involves wall building, kart races, spirit days, an assembly, and last but not least a dance. There are rivalries between the different grades to win “The Barrel.”

  Each day a count is  taken for class participation in each grade. At the end of the homecoming, everything from games, spirit days, and competitions gets tallied up.

  The seniors came in winning almost every category during the week except for the dance which we were disqualified for. BOOO! Thumbs down judges.

We almost won the kart races at the football game, but somehow we came in second. These losses caused us seniors to get extremely upset.

  Even with the disappointment that us seniors felt after losing, our football team kept the excitement up in our stadium.

  Northern’s Varsity Football team played the most intense game of this year so far.  Managing to score a touchdown in the last four seconds of the game…Northern won!

  All of the seniors lead the lower grades to the field and we rushed the field when the clock hit zero. That’s one of the coolest feelings after our boys win the night under the lights.

    With the help of many artistic kids, our eighties wall managed to take the win as well!

  On Saturday, Northern’s cafeteria was filled with over a hundred students. The dance itself was not as fun as it could have been.

  The floor was slippery and slimy from the sweat of students...ewww!

  The music was a total bust! We are in the second decade of the 2000’s not in the 90’s-00’s music. If the DJ would’ve played more up to date songs, everyone would have enjoyed the dance more.

  Even with the disappointment of the dance itself, seniors left happy because we won the week over! We took that barrel and claimed it ours for the second year in a row!

  We seniors are finally coming together as a class,whether it be because its our last year in school or just the excitement that we are finally becoming one.

  To R15E ABOVE ALL, will be our greatest victory.

  I do not think I am alone with how far our class has come with school involvement and participation!

Remember freshman year? Look at us now.

Students Love Spirit Week

Feature

By Lacey Harris

Husky Herald Reporter 

Most students can agree that spirit week is definitely one of the most fun weeks out of the school year. Students get to dress up and just have fun with it, preparing for the homecoming football game on friday and the homecoming dance on Saturday.

  The days were; ‘Merica Monday, Tie Dye Tuesday, Decades Wednesday, Pajama Day Thursday, and Blue and gold or class color day on Friday.

  Sammi Kocis (‘18) and Selena Squires (‘16), both participated in four out of the five days. Decades day was one of the harder days to dress up for Squires said, “decades day was harder to do for me because I am a junior and juniors had the 20’s. Who just has 20’s clothes laying around their house?”

  Pajama day was probably the day most students participated in. Elaina Kocis (‘15) said, “Pajama day was my favorite because it was easy to just throw pajama pants on and I was comfortable all day so that was a plus!”  Kocis said, “pajamas day was my favorite because we could be comfortable all day in school.”

  Squires said, “my favorite day would have to be tie dye Tuesday because it was pretty easy and I love tie dye”

  Squires and Sammi both agreed that Northern should have more than one spirit week during the school year, besides the spirit week for the seniors at the end of the year.

  Some students did not think everyday was that fun, but everyone has their own opinions.

  Nicole Tucker (‘15) said, “If I could have changed one of the days it definitely would have been decades day. I feel like not a lot of people get into it so it is not as fun.”

  Moirya Dejesus (‘15) said, “ I would for sure change tie dye Tuesday to Tacky Tuesday because it is more fun for students and it is the most fun anyone can do, you get to dress like an idiot.”

  Kocis and Tucker both said that spirit week “kind of” got them pumped up for the game and the dance. Squires on the other hand was “really pumped and excited because the whole week was a lot of fun.”

  

Students Talk on Their Favorite Spirit Day

Opinion

By Tanton Elliott and Luke Scahill 

Husky Herald Reporters 

 Each year Port Huron Northern has Spirit Days to celebrate Homecoming Week. There are games and dances, but what everyone loves are the Spirit Days.

  Each student has the chance to dress up for the theme that day. This year monday was Merica’ Monday, Tuesday was Tie-Dye Tuesday, Wednesday was Decades Day, Thursday was Pajama Day, and Friday was Blue and Gold Day.

  We took a tally of 150 kids from all grades to determine which day they like best.  Our question to them was “What was your favorite Spirit Day?” We went to A,B, and C lunch to get the tallies.

  Clay Wilson (‘15) said, “I liked how the seniors were able to come together and make it a great last homecoming.”

 While tallying, we also talked to Brooke Austin (‘17) who said, “It’s the best week of the whole school year.”

 “My favorite day was Friday because I got to wear my football jersey and I love wearing my jersey,” said Jordan Killion (‘15).  After adding up the total, the majority of the PHN students voted for Blue and Gold day.  

Triumphs and Defeats at the Blue Water Classic

Sports

By Kelsey Alexander 

Husky Herald Reporter 

 Anxiety was at an all-time high for the Red Dogs Swim team Thursday evening at St. Clair High School. It was their most important meet of the season, the Blue water Classic hosted by For Sports.

  For those who aren’t familiar with the Red Dogs, they are a combined swim team of Port Huron Northern High School and Port Huron High School. The team is made up of 18 girls, 14 from Port Huron Northern and 4 from Port Huron High.

  “The Blue Water Classic is such a big meet because it is basically regionals for us,” said Sydney Collins (’17), “we face St. Clair, Marysville, and Marine City.”

  The meet began at 5 pm with the 200 medley relay. The A team was hoping to make it to MISCA’s with their best time only .44 from the qualifying times.

  Today just happen to be the cut off day to qualify for MISCA’s.

  The A team is made up of Olivia Reinhard (‘15) for freestyle, Hannah Eastman (’15) for breaststroke, Sami Mills (‘15) for backstroke, and Sydney Hilbrandt (‘17) for butterfly. The first 50 started off strong with Sami Mills holding a 29 second for backstroke.

   Eastman then held a 35 for the second 50 and Hilbrandt swam a 36 for the third 50. Reinhard, despite going one of her best times, brought in their final time as a 2:10:44.

 “It was definitely upsetting, but we all swam our hardest. It just wasn’t our day,” commented one of the team captains, Eastman. The 50 free, however, was quite the opposite of an upset.

 The last heat of the 50, the fastest heat, held all best times of 26 to 28 seconds. Senior Mills took a third place for the event overall with a time of 27.78.

 The Red Dogs’ swim coach, Kyle Doty, proudly proclaimed “I’m so proud of the place and time Mills had in the 50 free. I’m proud of all the times we got at the Classic.” This is Kyle’s third year coaching the Red Dog’s swim team.

   Reinhard, the other captain, received a season best time at the Blue Water Classic. She swam a 1:01:02, coming in 4th place overall at the meet.

 Despite the best times and impressive placing from our seniors, a lot of hard work and dedication has surfaced from the freshman class this year. Every freshman this year competed in a varsity event at the Blue Water Classic.

 “At practices I really regret joining the swim team, but at every meet I remember why I love the sport so much,” says Madison Eastman (’18).

 As a team, the Red Dogs placed 3rd place with 88 points. St. Clair took first with an outstanding 328 points, Marysville in second with 122 points, and in last place Marine City with 45 points.