By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
Godwin Heights defeated Fruitport 15-12 Friday to improve to 2-1 in the OK Silver, 2-3 overall, Fruitport fell to 1-2, 2-4.
The Wolverines visit Kelloggsville for a big rivalry game next Friday.
Tag Archives: Godwin Heights High School
Check out our WKTV Friday Night Highlights show from Week 3
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
Check out the exciting clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season featuring many of the local high school football teams in Kentwood and Wyoming.
Just like during basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Tuesday! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week covers one matchup per week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
WKTV Truck Game of the Week Sked
Friday, Sept. 20: Wyoming vs. South Christian (at East Kentwood)
Friday, Sept. 27: Hudsonville at East Kentwood
Friday, Oct. 4: Zeeland East vs. South Christian (at Byron Center)
Friday, Oct. 11: Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Friday, Oct. 18: Jenison at East Kentwood
Friday, Oct 25: Catholic Central vs. South Christian (at East Grand Rapids)
Coming soon to this space: Lots of local high school football action!
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
Close your eyes and imagine the sounds of shoulder pads popping, marching bands playing, stadium announcers calling touchdowns, fans loudly cheering.
Can you smell the hotdogs, pizza and popcorn floating through the air?
Imagine the youngsters playing catch behind the goalposts imitating their favorite player.
Sit tight. Local football games under the bright lights are just about here, which means our in-depth coverage of WKTV Truck Games of the Week, WKTV Journal web stories and our exciting Friday Night Highlights show will all be here shortly as well.
The first game of the season is Thursday, Aug. 29, and we’ll be there! Our WKTV Game of the Week is Sacred Heart at Lee at 7 p.m. Thursday. We also will get highlight clips from Hartland at East Kentwood, Mason County Central at Godwin Heights and Wyoming at Sparta on Thursday. On Friday, South Christian hosts Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood.
As always, WKTV plans to bring you another great season of local high school football coverage of your favorite area teams, including East Kentwood, Wyoming, Godwin Heights, Wyoming Lee, Kelloggsville and South Christian. Tri-unity Christian cancelled its season due to a lack of players.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week covers one matchup per week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
WKTV Truck Game of the Week Sked
- Thursday, Aug. 29: Sacred Heart at Lee
- Thursday, Sept. 5: Northview at Wyoming
- Friday, Sept. 13: Belding at Kelloggsville
- Friday, Sept. 20: Wyoming vs. South Christian (at East Kentwood)
- Friday, Sept. 27: Hudsonville at East Kentwood
- Friday, Oct. 4: Zeeland East vs. South Christian (at Byron Center)
- Friday, Oct. 11: Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
- Friday, Oct. 18: Jenison at East Kentwood
- Friday, Oct 25: Catholic Central vs. South Christian (at East Grand Rapids)
WKTV Friday Night Highlights coming soon!
Just like during basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
As a bonus, we’ll occasionally have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and have them join us in studio for a live interview.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Tuesday! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Journal Website
And don’t miss our large footprint of local high school football on the WKTV Journal website.
Continuing from last season, we’ll have a huge presence with local high school football and boys and girls basketball. Beyond our fantastic Game of the Week Truck coverage, every week our sports staff will post football game stories, features, roundups and final scores and stats on most teams in the Kentwood/Wyoming area on our Journal website. You can plan on our local football coverage! Thanks for tuning in.
Click HERE for your school’s season football schedule.
Godwin Heights boys basketball team captures OK Silver crown; tough district ahead
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
For most first-year coaches, getting their program established is usually a major accomplishment. For Godwin Heights boys basketball Coach Bernard Varnesdeel, not only did he get his style implemented, but he also led the Wolverines to an OK Silver Conference title.
With eight straight conference wins to close out the season, Godwin Heights ended up winning the OK Silver by a full two games over second place Sparta. Godwin Heights ended the regular season with a 13-1 conference record to go along with a 16-5 overall record.
“I’m super-proud of the guys,” Varnesdeel said. “As a first-year coach implementing a whole new program, our team stepped up tremendously. I’m super proud of them. We have a really good group of guys and to win most every night is not easy.”
Winning in the Silver is no easy chore as the conference is full of quality teams from top to bottom. Godwin also had to come up with some key wins down the stretch to secure the title.
“All of our games in the conference were pretty tight,” Varnesdeel said. “The game at Sparta was a big win for us. For five days heading into that game, we weren’t even able to get into the gym due to the weather. To be able to go to Sparta without being able to practice for five days and get a win is pretty big.
“Our win at Belding was also a very big win just because of the style of play. We won 32-28 and to adjust to that style of play and get a win is big. We also beat Sparta at home despite being down by 15 points in the third quarter and that was also a pretty big win.”
A total team effort for Godwin Heights
The key to success for the Wolverines this season was a total-team effort. Having a deep bench proved beneficial time and time again for Godwin.
“The key was our depth,” Varnesdeel said. “We go 10, 11 players deep so we always have fresh players on the floor. Overall, we also have very good athleticism. Our depth and athleticism allows us to keep up the pressure on defense and get out in transition on offense.”
The overall depth is evident by the balanced scoring the Wolverines feature. Four players average in double figures in scoring. Jamaan Hastings averages over 12 points per game, Isaiah Guyton and Jacari Jones average around 10.5 points, while Jace Reid-Anderson averages over 10 points. Guyton and Jones also lead the team in rebounds.
“Another strong point is we shoot very well,” Varnesdeel said. “We have a very good two-point shooting percentage. Several kids are shooting around 60% and several more are shooting in the upper 50s and that’s pretty good.”
Godwin also made substantial progress as a team since the beginning of the season.
“I think we made a lot of progress in just realizing our identity as a team,” Varnesdeel said. “We made a lot of progress in knowing we have to play hard and defend well. Our rebounding has also come along. Our improvement in rebounding has enabled us to create opportunities on offense in transition. Once that light clicked on, we made a big jump as a team.”
Tough, tough district ahead
With a conference title secured, Godwin is now on to the state tournament where they play in arguably the toughest Division 2 district in the state with what has to be the toughest draw facing any team in the state. Godwin opens up tournament play at the Unity Christian district by playing South Christian, who was a state finalist last year. If the Wolverines win that game they would play Unity Christian, ranked 12th in the state in the semifinals with the winner likely playing Grand Rapids Christian, the No. 1-ranked team in the state in the district finals.
“We are capable of doing some really special things in the state tournament if we play up to our abilities,” Varnesdeel said. “We do have the potential for a state tournament run. That said, we will be tested early and often.”
No matter the outcome in the state tournament, this year’s young squad accomplished plenty in Varnesdeel’s first season at Godwin.
“I’m super proud of all of our kids,” Varnesdeel said. “Everyone of them filled a key role. I couldn’t have been more happy with what all of our kids did for us.”
Godwin Heights stays in hunt for league title with 76-48 win over Comstock Park
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
The Godwin Heights boys basketball team may be on the young side this season, but future foes need to be aware that this year’s squad of Wolverines is becoming a nasty team to deal with.
Combining a tenacious defense with an explosive offense, the Wolverines have been on the prowl lately. That was evident Tuesday as Godwin Heights turned back Comstock Park 76-48 to stay in the thick of the chase for the OK Blue Conference title.
The Wolverine defense proved tough to crack right from the opening tip while the offense gained momentum as the game progressed en route to its highest point total of the season. With the win, the Wolverines improved to 7-1 in the conference, a half game behind league-leading Sparta who travels to Godwin next Tuesday for a big conference showdown.
“We took a tough loss to Calvin Christian a couple of weeks ago and the one thing I’m super proud of is the way the guys learned from that loss,” said Godwin Heights Coach Bernard Varnesdeel. “Our team learned what our identity is from that loss. First, we realized that we have to hang our hat on our defensive pressure. We apply pressure both full court and in the half court. We put the pressure on with our defense and push the tempo on offense especially after creating turnovers on defense.”
That was the formula the Wolverines used against Comstock Park. The Wolverines used their strong defensive pressure to take a 12-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. Godwin dialed up that pressure in the second quarter as it outscored Comstock Park 26-13 to take a commanding 38-22 halftime lead.
“I feel like we did a lot better job of getting rebounds and I feel we did a good job of passing the ball on offense,” said Godwin Heights junior Jamaan Hastings. “I feel like we are working together better to play as a team and are starting to gel as a team for the March playoffs.”
Teamwork is a major strong point for the Wolverines. Not only do the Wolverines play strong team defense, but they share the ball on offense and have multiple players who can contribute on the offensive end of the floor. Nine different players scored for Godwin during the second-quarter offensive outburst and all 11 Wolverines scored during the game.
“We have 11 really, really good basketball players,” Varnesdeel said. “I tell all the guys that they will get the opportunity to get their run.”
Godwin players continued to get plenty of “run” during the second half as the defense continued to force turnovers while the offense capitalized on the offensive end. Godwin extended the lead to 58-35 at the end of the third quarter as it outscored the Panthers 20-13.
“I think we have a really good team,” said Wolverine senior Ben Dolo. “I think we are a super-underrated team. We can play with the top teams in the area and we can’t wait till March to show what we’ve been working on this season.”
Godwin closed out the game strong outscoring the Panthers 18-13 to end with a 28-point win.
“We’ve made a ton of improvement,” Varnesdeel said. “This is a great group. I’m a new coach here and we had a lot of younger, inexperienced players coming into the season. We only had one guy with a lot of experience and we have four sophomores. Those guys have made a lot of progress this season.
“We are learning each and every day and improving. We still have a lot to work on, but we’ve made a ton of progress.”
Godwin’s depth was evident in the scorebook. Jacari Jones and sophomore Isaiah Guyton were the lone Wolverines in double figures with 12 points apiece. Senior Jace Reid-Anderson added nine points, followed by Marcos Rodriguez and Hastings, eight points apiece; Armani Dedrick, six; sophomores Justin Chan, Ka’Res Harris and Dom Sanders, five each; sophomore Lonnie Sanders, four and Dolo, two.
“Jace is our most experienced player and he is doing a great job of leading our young players,” Varnesdeel said. “Isaiah is a sophomore who is doing a nice job for us. Jacari had a really good game tonight and Ka’Res is our sophomore point guard who is doing a really good job. All 11 of our guys did a nice job and it was a great team win.”
With the win, the Wolverines improved to 10-5 overall. Godwin returns to action Friday at Calvin Christian before returning home for the OK Blue showdown with Sparta next Tuesday.
Godwin Heights dominates in homecoming victory over crosstown rival Kelloggsville
(WKTV/Hayden Passig)
By Ty Marzean
WKTV Contributor
In a battle of winless teams, Godwin Heights used several big plays to cruise past Kelloggsville on homecoming night, 52-0, in the WKTV Game of the Week.
Penalties plagued the Rockets all game long, and it began on the opening kickoff as sophomore Nasyre Walker ran it back for a touchdown, but a holding penalty called it off.
The Wolverines would capitalize a few plays later with an interception by Miguel Ocampo, who also returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown.
Senior Jeff Zelaya pounded one in for a seven-yard TD and later added a 28-yard touchdown on another run.
Godwin Heights used tandem running backs to wear down the Rockets’ defense. Zelaya was joined in the backfield by sophomore Kares Harris, who rumbled for over 100 yards in the game.
“We are real tough to stop when we have both of them in the backfield,” said Godwin Coach Brandon Kimble of his running back duo.
Kelloggsville senior quarterback Jeremie Tsoumou was under duress for most of the game, and had one interception returned 85 yards by Godwin’s Patrick Knight.
“He’s out there trying,” said Kelloggsville Coach Brandon Branch. “That happens when you put the ball in the air; sometimes the other team comes up with it. I can’t fault him for trying to make something happen.
“Our mantra is to be undefeated against adversity. When adversity strikes, we keep getting after it. I think we were undefeated against adversity today.”
Godwin Heights junior quarterback Keion Beasley showed his arm strength and poise with touchdown passes of 53 and 46 yards.
“He’s a first-year starter, and he’s been working hard,” Kimble said. “We have missed a lot of key players, so he’s had to grow up fast.”
Kimble emphasized perseverance on his team.
“If you lose your job and you’re a husband and have kids, are you going to stop fighting? Or are you going to keep fighting?”
To cap off homecoming night, newly crowned king Armani Dedrick got into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run.
Godwin Heights (1-5) travels to OK-Silver leading Belding (5-1) next Friday. Kelloggsville (0-6) hosts Hopkins (1-5).
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Game of the Week truck films one game each week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, a field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. To watch the WKTV Game of the Week online, visit WKTVVideos on Youtube.
Boys Basketball Coach Tyler Whittemore reflects on Godwin Heights’ season
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
After winning its first two tournament games, including a barnburner over a great Lee team, and losing to Hudsonville Unity Christian in a district final, Godwin Heights boys basketball Coach Tyler Whittemore looks back at his team’s successful season.
“I am lucky to have one of the best backcourts in West Michigan with Damarie Thompson and Jakhary Towns,” said Whittemore, whose team finished 14-8 overall and 8-5 in the OK Silver. “Those two guys are our leaders. Damarie has a toughness and intelligence about him that helped him lead the team in assists and steals.
“Jakhary is a special player that has a scoring ability that he has crafted over the years. His ability to score inside and out is dangerous for other teams. He often faced specialized defenses that attempted to take that away, but he continued to find ways to be efficient and effective for our team.”
Towns led the Wolverines with 28 points per game and also registered 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals.
“We came a long way this season when it comes to consistency and providing that effort needed to be successful,” Whittemore said. “The guys truly pushed one another to be great every possession. We improved on that and were in some great games throughout the season.”
Godwin beat Lee to advance to a district final last week
Godwin beat Lee 83-80 in overtime in a district semifinal matchup. Lee finished the season atop the Alliance League at 8-0 and was 19-2 overall.
“That game was important because it was win-or-go-home,” Whittemore explained. “We trusted and followed our leaders for this game. One of our captains, Jamarion Collins, set the tone tremendously by his defensive pressure and intensity. Many of his teammates fed off of his focus and were aggressive this game.
“I believe it was the toughness and intensity of Tre’Vonte Buckley that really helped us that game. Yes, Jakhary scored a lot of points that game (47), but it was Tre’ diving for loose balls and gathering second chance opportunities for his teammates.
“We knew if we just played our game, remained together, and never stopped flying around until the buzzer sounds then anything can happen.”
Whittemore said he was very fortunate to have so many great athletes that are quick and can impact a game at any point.
“A couple of seniors that stick out to me that I knew I could lean on and trust in tough spots, even if things weren’t going their way earlier in the game, are Rashaad Dorsey and Johnny Horrell,” Whittemore said. “Those guys are very mentally tough and bring much quickness to our full-court defensive pressure.”
With many seniors this year, who will step up next season?
“Big leaps are made by all players who commit themselves to the weight room and time in the gym to work on their skills,” Whittemore explained. “A few players that I am excited for next season are Ben Dolo, Jaylen Martin and Jacari Jones. The underclassmen that will impact varsity greatly are Marcos Rodriguez, Jamaan Hastings and Isaiah Guyton.”
Godwin Heights relies on defense in non-league win against Tri-unity Christian
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Timely defense and a balanced offense proved key for Godwin Heights as the Wolverines outlasted visiting Tri-unity Christian 76-62 in a non-league game Tuesday.
Godwin Heights came out playing pressure defense from the opening tip. That defensive pressure not only took its toll on the Tri-unity offense, but it led to layups on the other end of the floor enabling the Wolverines to eventually take control of the game.
Junior guard Jace Reid-Anderson was one of the leaders of the defense as he came up with some key steals to go along with applying solid pressure on the Tri-unity guard.
“I’ve been working on my defense a lot more,” Reid-Anderson said. “What we do on the defensive side of the floor helps us get our offense going.”
Along with his efforts on defense, Reid-Anderson contributed on the offensive side of the floor with 10 points, including a breakaway dunk in the final minutes of the game. The Wolverines, who led 66-58 with 3:27 remaining in the game, ended the game with a flurry as they outscored Tri-unity 10-4 to close it out.
Wolverines playing with ‘high intensity’
“I thought our intensity was very high early in the game,” Godwin Heights Coach Tyler Whittemore said. “Our best offense comes off our defense and I thought at times we did a nice job. I thought we also passed the ball well at times and got some high percentage shots.”
The game was a back and forth contest in the early going with Tri-unity leading 13-12 at the end of the first quarter. The Defenders were up 23-21 midway through the second quarter when Godwin went on a run to take the upper hand. The Wolverines strung together eight straight points to go up 29-23 and never surrendered the lead.
Godwin led 36-31 at halftime and upped the lead to 40-31 early in the second half.
‘Difficult to defend’
“I was disappointed with the way we played defense,” Tri-unity Coach Mark Keeler said. “They are a very nice team. They are very quick. We tried to prepare for their quickness, but they were just difficult to defend. They also played some good defense against us.”
Godwin Heights led 54-46 at the end of the third quarter. The two teams traded buckets for most of the final quarter before the Wolverines went on the final run to put the game away in the final minutes.
Four players hit double figures for Godwin
Godwin, which had four players score in double figures, was led on offense by senior guard Jakhary Towns, who finished with 17 points, all in the first half.
“I thought we played with some good intensity on defense,” Towns said. “I also thought we did a nice job of moving the ball on offense. This was a big win for us, especially with us getting back into conference play on Friday.”
Senior Damarie Thompson also turned in a strong game for the Wolverines. Along with a strong defensive effort, Thompson scored 15 points.
“Every win is a big win,” Thompson said. “They were state champs last year so this was a big win for us. I thought we played ok, but we could’ve played a little better on the defensive end.”
Godwin also received 14 points from Marcos Rodriguez, eight from Jamarion Collins, six from Rashaad Dorsey and three apiece from Tre’Vonte Buckley and Jaylen Martin.
“I thought our guys off the bench did a really good job,” Whittemore said. “They brought a lot of energy into the game. They also did a good job of playing defense.”
With the win, Godwin Heights improved to 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the OK Blue conference, a half game in back of Calvin Christian. The Wolverines return to action Friday at Comstock Park and then host NorthPointe Christian next Tuesday.
Tri-unity fell to 9-4 overall and are 2-1 in the Alliance League. The Defenders host Grand River Prep on Friday and then host Ravenna next Tuesday.
Roy Fogg led Tri-Unity with 18 points, while Jordan VanKlompenberg had 16. Akais Giplaye also reached double figures with 12 points, followed by Keaton Blanker, six.
Fogg led Tri-unity in rebounding with 10 boards, while Giplaye added eight.
Calvin Christian outlasts Godwin Heights for top of OK Silver
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Sole possession of first place in the OK Silver was on the line when Godwin Heights visited Calvin Christian Friday night and the long-time rivals added another thrilling chapter to the rivalry with the host Squires holding off Godwin 71-61.
Led by standout senior guard Jakhary Towns, Godwin Heights started fast. The Wolverines jumped out to an 8-1 lead and were up 14-7 before Calvin began to assert its height advantage and pound the ball inside and flex their muscles on the offensive glass.
Towns was on fire offensively in the opening quarter as he scored 12 of his game-high 32 points then and assisted on both of Godwin’s other two field goals in that quarter.
“Jakhary is one of the best guards in the state and he showed it again tonight,” said Godwin Heights coach Tyler Whittemore. “He just showed that consistency that he’s had over the past four years.”
Calvin was prepared for Towns and the Squires did the best they could throughout the game to keep him from dominating the game.
“We knew coming in that Jakhary is a great player,” said Calvin Christian coach Matt Veltema. “We knew that we had to at least try and contain him because he is just too good a player to stop.”
With three players standing 6-foot-5 and four players 6-foot-4, Calvin had the size advantage and the Squires used that to their advantage. Calvin pounded the glass on the offensive end and came up with numerous second and third chances on offense. Calvin gained control of the game in the second quarter as the Squires outscored Godwin 16-6 to take a 30-22 lead.
“We always make it a priority to battle hard on the boards,” Veltema said. “We knew we had to do a good job of controlling the boards.”
The Squires also featured a talented senior guard of their own in Jack Agema. Agema’s ball-handling skills were key against Godwin’s pressure defense and his playmaking enabled the Squires to get the ball to their big players down low. Agema also led the Calvin offense with 21 points.
Calvin was up 33-26 at the half and opened up a 38-28 lead early in the third quarter. Godwin, however, battled back each time Calvin made a run. The Wolverines cut the Calvin lead to 42-35 midway through the third quarter and then cut the Squire lead to 47-42 on a bucket by Towns late in the third.
“We play the game for the entire 32 minutes,” Whittemore said. “You never know what is going to happen. The guys gave it their best shot and they never quit.”
Godwin makes fourth-quarter run
Trailing by 11 points early in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines made a strong run midway through the final stanza. Godwin reeled off seven consecutive points, cutting the Calvin lead to 55-51 with 4:09 remaining in the game when Towns drained a pair of free throws. That was as close as the Wolverines would get, however, as Calvin stemmed the tide and outscored Godwin 8-3 in the final minute of the game with all the points coming at the free-throw line.
“It was a battle,” Veltema said. “I know Tyler and he always has a very well-coached team. It is always a battle with his team. It was a fun game, up and down the court, and they (Godwin) never gave up.”
With the win, Calvin Christian improved to 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the OK Silver. Along with 21 points from Agema, the Squires received 16 points from Carson DeHaan and 14 from Matt Elderkin.
Godwin Heights fell to 5-2 overall for the season and 3-1 in the conference. Towns led the way with 32 points, while Damarie Thompson added 15 and Jaylen Martin six.
“I think we are growing every day as a team,” Whittemore said. “I give a lot of credit to the boys for how hard they worked in the off-season. They are performing at a high level right now because of that hard work.”
Godwin Heights returns to action at Belding on Tuesday and then hosts Hopkins Friday.
Godwin Heights soccer player reaching dreams
By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributor
To Henry Lopez-Pinedo, soccer is more than just a game, it’s a passion.
“I love soccer because it’s a unique and one-of-a-kind sport,” said Lopez-Pinedo, a junior at Godwin Heights and varsity soccer player. “There can be hard moments and good moments, but this sport is something that will stick with me forevermore, a sport I will love more than anything.”
As a center attacking midfielder for the Wolverines, Lopez-Pinedo led his team to an OK Silver Conference title as the top scorer in the league with 25 goals. He added one more in district play to finish with 26. He also had 16 assists this season for a Godwin Heights team that finished 13-0 in the conference, 15-2 overall.
While being undefeated in conference was a great accomplishment, Lopez-Pinedo said the highlight of the season was a home game against Calvin Christian. Teammate Abou Meshake crossed the ball in the box and Lopez-Pinedo knocked in a header.
“A lot of emotions ran through my mind because we haven’t beat Calvin in several years and this season we beat them twice,” Lopez-Pinedo said.
Not always his passion
“When I first started playing soccer, I didn’t like it at all,” Lopez-Pinedo admitted. “I was just a kid who loved playing with his toys.”
Lopez-Pinedo’s father, Leónides Lopez, an experienced soccer player in both Mexico and the United States, introduced Henry to the game by taking him to practices at the Olé Futsal Club. Lopez-Pinedo admitted to feeling nervous and not wanting to play.
Leónides spent hours on the field with his son, helping him hone his skills until Lopez-Pinedo’s nervousness began to fade.
“He made me work and work and did everything for me to be better than good,” Lopez-Pinedo said.
That work paid off with Godwin Heights’ success, and with four regional and three national wins with soccer club ABK.
He also tried out for the Real Salt Lake Academy and traveled to Spain with the U.S. Fustal National Team.
His journey wasn’t alone
His coach, Federico Villafuerte, has managed the girls and boys high school soccer teams at Godwin Heights for 12 years and founded the first soccer club for the middle school.
During his years at Godwin Heights, Villafuerte has led the boys varsity team to four conference titles in the last 10 years, which is no small feat considering the level of competition.
“To win it, you have to be perfect,” said Villafuerte, who built the program from the ground up.
But Villafuerte views soccer as more than just a sport — it also teaches life skills.
“What you learn from high school sports is sportsmanship; you are dedicated, you have to be responsible, and you learn how to listen.”
Villafuerte said one of the biggest skills he sees from high school sports players is learning how to deal with conflicts among players and how to lead as a team instead of individually.
Not all about soccer
Coach also keeps a close eye on his players’ grades.
“Two Es, you don’t play,” Villafuerte said. “Each week we check the grades, and we make sure they are not failing two classes.”
The belief that education is important extends past high school graduation.
“We try to encourage the students to go to college,” Villafuerte continued. “One like Henry, I see he’s got the possibility there.”
Lopez-Pinedo’s future hopes include college and playing on a college soccer team, and to play at the professional level as well.
Making time for what matters
Lopez-Pinedo’s interests include more than playing soccer. He also loves to run when he isn’t training or playing soccer and enjoys watching his favorite show The Perfect Chaos.
Family time also is a priority. His favorite family activity is taking walks together, looking at nature, and “just taking time with each other.”
Following your dreams is something Lopez-Pinedo encourages everyone to do.
“I just want to say for everyone who wants to achieve their goals, to sacrifice for the best, continue to keep working. Work or sweat ‘til your last breath.”
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
Belding defeats Godwin Heights 34-14 to improve to 7-1 overall
By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
Belding defeated host Godwin Heights 34-14 on Friday to improve to 7-1 overall, while Godwin Heights fell to 3-5.
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WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Godwin Heights overpowers Kelloggsville 35-6 in WKTV Game of the Week
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributor
After losing in heartbreaking fashion in back-to-back weeks, Godwin Heights pulled away in the second half of its 35-6 rivalry win over Kelloggsville.
“We ran the ball really well last week and if not for a fumble at the goal line may have won that game,” Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble said. “We wanted to show our running backs that we trusted them to carry us.
“Wanted to establish that ground game and really light a fire under our offensive line.”
Both defenses dominated the first stanza and the game remained scoreless after 12 minutes of play. The Wolverines broke the scoreless tie with a 6-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Jamarion Collins, a drive set up by the first of two Jeff Zalaya interceptions.
Clinging to an 8-0 lead at the half, Godwin broke the game open on an 8-yard touchdown run by David Gill and later a 10-yard touchdown pass by Collins to Johnny Horrel for a 22-0 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Collins scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter, this time a 10-yard strike to Jace Reid-Anderson after a forced fumble by Gill set up the Wolverines within scoring distance. Gill once again found the end zone, his second rushing score, on a 10-yard run to push the lead to 35-0.
The Rockets staved off the shutout in the final minute of play on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Jeremie Collins to Brendan Tuinstra.
“Their defensive front was stout,” Kelloggsville coach Brandon Branch said. “Our offensive line played tough, but unfortunately just couldn’t get that push up front we needed.
“Been a tough season with a lot of injuries. Had 15 seniors to start the season and we had four play tonight. Had a lot of underclassmen step up tonight which was good to see.”
With the win, Godwin Heights improves to 3-4 (2-2 OK Silver) and is hoping to carry the momentum from this game into the final two weeks of the season.
“They’re all big games this time of the year,” Kimble said. “And when you play another Wyoming school that just makes it that much bigger.”
The Wolverines host Belding (6-1) next week on Senior night and if history serves right should be a tight contest after Godwin’s tight win a year ago.
Kelloggsville (1-6, 1-3 OK Silver) hosts Comstock Park next Friday night.
WKTV Game of the Week
Our Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD.
Godwin wrestling seniors rewarded for hard work, belief in coaches, with trip to state finals
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Two things about a trip to the Michigan high school wrestling individual finals: it is reward enough for many wrestlers to simply get on the floor of Detroit’s Ford Field, and anything can happen when the action starts.
So for two Godwin Heights High School wrestlers, seniors Malcom Gowens and Jamykal Lewis, there is an excitement to finally be headed to Detroit for this weekend’s tournament to cap off their high school wrestling careers. But, you know, neither are going to be satisfied unless they do a little damage in their brackets.
Lewis, in fact, has a little inside advice on how to do that, given to him by his brother, Eli Southern, who wrestled for Godwin Heights in the state tournament in 2016, and took third place in his weight class.
“One good bit of advice he has given me is to always keep pressure on top, never let your guy get up,” Lewis said this week to WKTV. “And score as many points as possible. Get up and get ahead.”
The pair’s coach, third-year Wolverine coach Kyle Liechty, probably would agree — that its a reward for his seniors to make the state finals March 6-7, that having a big brother who wrestled helps, and that thing about “scoring as many points as possible,” that too.
“It is an incredible reward for both of them,” Liechty said to WKTV. “They have shown throughout, not just their senior year but the last two years that they have been wrestling under me, ways to continually get better. … They have put in so much hard work. They have gotten so much better. They trusted us coaches to learn the moves and the technique they need to make it to state.”
Those moves and techniques clearly came into play as both made it through their regional tournament last week.
Gowens, who is 36-10 this season and wrestles at 171 pounds, went 3-0 in the tournament, surviving three hard-fought decisions (6-3, 9-6 and the 6-3 in the finals against Trayshon Rinkines of Lansing Sexton).
Lewis (36-7, including his 100th varsity win in districts) had a slightly tougher road to get through the regionals, wining by a fall in his first match but losing a 6-4 decision in the second before battling back in the back-end of the 140-pound bracket with a 3-1 decision and then winning a 7-5 battle with Jared Thelen of Portland.
Multi-sport athletes who put in the work
Both Gowens and Lewis are multi-sport athletes at Godwin Heights, and both also say wrestling has helped them in their other sports. Both have played varsity football, while Lewis is also a track runner and Gowens likes baseball.
Gowens, too, has a brother who wrestled for Godwin before graduating last year. and gained from the experience.
“My brother, Edwin, he’s taught me a lot,” Gowens said to WKTV. “When he was here, we always tried to push each other to be better. Even though he was way heavier than me, and he’d always win, I’d always go back at him. Trying to learn new moves. He was a big man, but it helped me going against different type of wrestlers.”
Both young men also agreed with their coach about the reward of making it to the finals.
“We put in a lot of work to get to this (the state finals), day after day, night after night,” Gowins said. “Having a hurt wrist or something, but coming back to the weight room, to the wrestling room. You go far beyond what you think you can do. Putting in all that work, it fells so good to make it this far.”
“Wrestling is a hard sport, so making it to the state finals is a dream come true,” Lewis said. “I didn’t think I was going to make it this year. But I put all my hard work in. I believed in all my coaches, and they believed in me. Hard work pays off.”
While those two are the only Godwin wrestlers to make the individual finals, coach Liechty said he was proud of two other Wolverines who made the regionals, senior heavyweight Carlos Arroyo and junior Serafin Barranco at 125.
Arroyo was a “first year wrestler … He had 20 wins and did a really good job. He was a staple in our lineup and he gave us some great leadership,” Liechty said. And “I’m excited not only for what (Barranco) did this year but what he can accomplish. I think he can make it to states” as a senior.
And coach does have a track record of such things.
Godwin Heights boys basketball seeks to continue OK Silver streak in WKTV Featured Game
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
After a tough season-opening stretch of tough non-conference games, the Godwin Heights High School boys basketball team has started its OK-conference Silver schedule with wins over Belding and Wyoming Lee and a tight road loss at Hopkins.
The Wolverines (3-6 overall, 2–1 in conference) will seek to continue its conference roll as the team hosts NorthPointe Christian (3-5, 1-1) Tuesday, Jan. 21, in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
So far this season, Godwin head coach Tyler Whittemore’s team has been led by seniors Cleveland (CJ) Baskin (6.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game) and Milton Brown (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg). But the team’s leading scorers are both freshmen, Jakhary Towns (17 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and Demarie Thompson (8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg).
“Baskin is a versatile player. He will handle the ball for us to initiate the offense, but is also good at slashing to the basket off the ball,” Whittemore said to WKTV. “He … is the only player with stats from last year. The other guys have very little to no varsity experience.”
Of his two freshman starters, Whittemore said Townes is an “explosive scorer from outside … (and) he is a very good shooter from the 3-point line.” While Thompson is “a tough and talented point guard. He has very good court-vision.”
Whittemore praised his other senior starter, Brown, as a “very tough player. He is a smart player that will help everyone around him be more efficient. He can guard multiple positions and will end up on the opposing team’s best player down the stretch.”
And the team other usual starter, junior Martine Bickety (3 ppg, 3rpg) is the “toughest defender we have,” his coach said.
First off the Godwin bench are junior Jamontae Burrell (4 ppg) and sophomore Jordan Norman (4.5 ppg), while junior Ru’Quan Buckley will return from injury in the Tuesday game.
Other players on the team (according to the team’s school webpage) include senior Sa’Viance Morris-Miller and juniors Jacob Horrell, Kyeshaun Hunnicutt and Jadyn Rodriguez.
Last season, the Wolverines were 15-6 overall and won the OK Silver with a 12-0 mark before falling to Grand Rapids South Christian in an opening round playoff game.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.
School News Network: Barbie can bungee
By Bridie Bereza
School News Network
For high school math students, calculation errors are an opportunity to grow and to learn. But if you’re a Barbie or Ken doll in teacher James Rex’s classroom at Godwin Heights High School, such errors could be detrimental to your head.
Recently, students in Rex’s statistics class applied what they had learned to determine the length of a rubber-band “bungee” cord needed to drop a doll off of the gym’s balcony.
A good jump would bring a doll within 70 centimeters of the floor. A jump above the 90 centimeter mark or one that resulted in a head bump for Barbie or Ken would cost students extra points. The stakes were high, as Rex promised a pizza party if the average score stayed below 70 centimeters.
“We spent three weeks doing the math to get to this point,” said 12th grader Teara Morris, who worked with classmates Jessica Wise and Carlos Arroyo to calculate how many rubber bands it would take to get their doll, “Kenny G”, close to the floor without hurting his head. Teara said the math could be confusing but between the three of them, they figured it out.
Jessica said it took a step-wise process involving a response, explanatory variable, scatter plot, finding a correlation on a website, then figuring out if the bungee falls in a quadratic or linear fashion to prepare Kenny G for the jump.
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
South Christian, Godwin Heights boys open hoop season with new faces but (maybe) last season in mind
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Both the South Christian Sailors and the Godwin Heights Wolverines will open their 2019-20 season this week following successful 2018-19 campaigns, but with 0-0 records and a lot of new faces on the court.
And, by a quirk of scheduling, the two coaches may well remember the last time the two met: an opening round state playoff game last season when the Sailors sent the Wolverines home after a fine season and South Christian began a deep playoff ride.
The rematch between two defending OK Conference champions will be Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be recorded and available on cable television and on-demand. The game is also a special Salute to Soldiers game with two veterans honored in pre-game ceremonies.
Godwin Athletic Director told WKTV that the two special guests to be honored will be Ken McKenney, a 72-year-old U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and Pete Zimmer, a 92-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II.
Host Godwin Heights, out of the OK Silver, was 15-6 overall in 2018-19, 12-0 in conference and Silver champion. Coach Tyler Whittemore’s team lost 47-45 in opening round playoff game at South Christian.
South Christian, out of OK Gold, was 22-4 in 2018-19, 11-1 in conference and Gold champion. The Sailors won five playoff games before falling to Hudsonville Unity Christian in the state quarterfinals. Coach Jeff Meengs is 56-37 in four seasons at the school.
But the Sailors lost eight seniors, five who started, and only have two players back from that team: senior guard Tyler Buwalda and junior big man (6-foot-7) Connor Dykema. Both were a part of the team’s 8-man playing rotation last season, and both averaged about 4.5 points per game last year. Juniors Sam Meengs, Elliott Grashuis and Tyler Rynbrandt “will also play a lot,” Meengs told WKTV, while other seniors on roster will “contribute and have significant playing time.”
“While we do not have much experience, we do have good players that have had success at the freshman and JV levels the past few years,” Meengs said. (For a WKTV video interview with Coach Meengs, visit here.)
Godwin coach Whittemore, whose team also lost much through graduation, has averaged 20-plus wins in each of the last five seasons with the usual changing of players. So the Wolverines may just be reloaded again.
Coach Whittemore told WKTV that his expected starters will be seniors Cleveland (CJ) Baskin, Terrance (TJ) Moore and Savi Morris-Miller, as well as junior Jamontae Burrell and sophomore Jordan Norman.
Other players expected to contribute include junior RuQuan Buckley, freshman Jakhary Towns, and seniors Shadon Ewing and Milton Brown.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
Still time to add your input on the vision for the City of Wyoming
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
There is still time for you to add your thoughts and ideas on the vision of the City of Wyoming.
The city leaders and staff will be hosting another Wyoming [Re]Imagined meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Godwin Heights High School, 50 35th St. SW, Wyoming.
“We are really looking for community input on this,” said Mayor Jack Poll during a recent City Council meeting. “This is a big deal that will set agendas, look at properties, look at where we want the city to go in the next number of years.
“We have staff here that does a wonderful job. We try to do our best to give out input but when we have 75,000 people in the City of Wyoming, so there are a lot more opinions then you see in this room and we want those to be a part of the plan in a community where you live and work and do business.”
For the past several months, the City of Wyoming has hosted community workshops, student/youth workshops, focus groups, surveys, and pop-up meetings at various locations.
A key component to the various programs have been an interactive mapping exercise to help identify future desired land uses throughout the community. The exercise is an opportunity for residents to help identify where they would like to see such items as future housing, commercial centers, and employment centers.
According to staff, the mapping exercise will provide residents an opportunity to talk about specific areas within the city such as Site 36, Divison Avenue, and 28 West Place/Downtown area. At Thursday’s meeting there will be a Spanish version of the mapping exercise available with a translator provided.
Those unable to attend the workshop can utilize the mapping exercise at the website wyomingreinagined.com or click here for a direct link to the map.
Also available on the website are ongoing surveys which are offered in both English and Spanish.
School News Network: Godwin Heights student takes top spot in poetry contest
By Charles Honey
School News Network
Aliya Hall loves the work of poets Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou and Chinaka Hodge. Their strong voices have served as inspiration for her as she’s dabbled in writing and spoken-word poetry.
“The first thing that ever inspired me to write poetry was seeing people that are my color doing it,” said Aliya, an incoming junior at Godwin Heights High School. She won first place for her poem “Hawk Island Girl,” in the high school through undergraduate division of the 51st annual Dyer-Ives Poetry Contest.
Hall, along with East Rockford Middle School eighth-grader Alissa Vezikov who won the kindergarten through eighth grade division, read her winning poem at the Grand Rapids Public Library during the 50th annual Festival of the Arts. In 2016, the Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition became a program of the Grand Rapids Public Library, funded by the GRPL Foundation–Dyer-Ives Foundation Poetry Fund.
For her winning piece, Hall won $125 and publication in Voices, issued by the Grand Rapids Public Library.
Tapping into Memories
Hall’s winning poem, “Hawk Island Girl,” was inspired by the poem “to the notebook kid” by Eve Ewing, a Chicago-based writer. She tapped into her own memories of family visits to Hawk Island Park in Lansing, basing the girl in the poem on herself.
“It was my first time ever doing something like this. It was very emotional for me,” Hall said about reading her poem at the library. “Writing is everything to me. I put all that I can into my writing. My readers, I want them to pull whatever they can from it.”
Hall has attended the Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center, which offers after-school creative writing programming. Also, she was also one of two local students to attend the International Congress of Youth Voices, an experience she wrote about for School News Network. She is returning to the event, which connects students with accomplished writers, activists, and elected officials, as an alumna in August.
She hopes to attend Hampton University, in Virginia, and pursue journalism, creative writing and business.
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
School News Network: The Biology Chronicles
By Bridie Bereza
School News Network
Step into Godwin Heights High School biology teacher Cory Klocko’s classroom on any given day, and you’re bound to see few eyes on the teacher. Rather, you’ll see students discussing, hypothesizing and testing their theories to answer questions such as “Why is Addie sick?”
Addie is a character in one of three narratives provided by the Next Generation Science Standards storyline curriculum embraced this year by Klocko and his colleague, biology teacher Derek Stoneman.
Memorizing facts is one thing, but understanding concepts is quite another. Thanks to the three storylines, which cover an entire year of biology curriculum, students are ditching the flashcards and homework and finding that biology is pretty cool when it revolves around telling stories.
As one storyline goes, Addie gets sicker over time and antibiotics aren’t helping. Students have to figure out why, and the solution requires learning about bacterial evolution, growing bacteria on an agar plate and understanding antibiotic resistance, among other things.
Less Memorization, More Assimilation
The new curriculum is unlike anything Madison Hall, a 10th-grader in Klocko’s Biology class, has ever seen.
“The teachers let the students find the answers as a class without telling them the answer directly, and help steer the students in the right direction to understand the material,” Madison explained.
While there’s not much to memorize and homework is rare, “every day is hard,” Klocko said. Attendance is crucial, because the learning takes place inside the discussion.
“The rigor of it is unlike anything I’ve seen or taught with science in the past,” Stoneman said.
Klocko said students were a little confused at first by the shift in thinking: “You’re not going to tell us the answers?” they’d say. But they caught on quickly, he said, and are learning the value in struggling.
They also understand and remember the material after the unit is over because each storyline “lets the students think more about what they are learning and helps the students to understand the answers… instead of just memorizing the answers,” Madison said.
Case in point: after the bell rang following the very first class Stoneman taught using storylines, he said, students were still discussing Addie.
Wendi Vogel, Kent ISD science consultant, said Godwin Heights and Union High School are two Kent County schools using the biology curriculum this year. Michigan adopted NGSS for the state in 2015, and the life science storylines are beginning to take hold here. Vogel said there were two curriculum writers and reviewers in Michigan already, and she tapped them to launch the biology program in Kent County.
Klocko and Stoneman attended a training on this curriculum last year and and decided last summer that they would follow it for the 2018-1019 school year. The NGSS storylines are a fairly radical departure from the way they used to teach — standing in front of the class, delivering lesson plans.
“It’s really refreshing. Instead of me thinking, ‘What am I going to teach these kids?’ it’s ‘what are these kids going to find out on their own?’” Klocko said. “It’s the best resource there is out there to teach science, in my opinion.”
Seeing students understand and embrace the curriculum has been rewarding for the teachers. The success of it, Klocko said, is partly due to having a collaborator in Stoneman. They meet each morning to discuss their successes and failures with the curriculum. There are no textbooks; all the material is online and readings are embedded into the problems.
Storylines and Bloodlines
“Biology this year is much more fun and enjoyable than the previous years of science,” said Skyler Lambright, a freshman in Klocko’s class.
Skyler particularly enjoyed a recent unit, which used a storyline about Duchenne muscular dystrophy to teach about genetics and inherited conditions. Students learned about the x-linked recessive disorder, and asked, “Why does this mostly affect boys?”
Students can explain the “why” fluently by the time the unit is finished, Stoneman said.
“The kids are figuring it out as they go. It’s not ‘All right, today, I’m going to tell you what natural selection is.’ It’s putting the pieces together through reading, writing and discussion and figuring out what’s happening and why. “They’re going to put together a coherent thought instead of regurgitating what I told them.”
Need evidence that students are engaged?
Klocko said he received an email from a student who had been thinking about a problem they were working on in class — at 8:30 p.m. on a Friday.
For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know
By WKTV Staff
Quote of the Day
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.“
~Winnie the Pooh
Pomp and Circumstance
Many members of the Class of 2019 will make that final walk across the stage this week marking the end of their K-12 school years. Kelloggsville High School beat everyone to the punch and hosted its graduation ceremony last week. Godfrey’s Lee High School’s commencement is Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at Resurrection Life Church and Wyoming High School also has graduation tonight at 7 p.m. at Grand Rapids First. Godwin Heights will have its commencement Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at its school auditorium. East Kentwood High School has commencement on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at the school stadium and South Christian’s Class of 2019 graduates on Thursday as well. Next week, Grand River Prep hosts its graduation ceremony at Calvin College’s VanNoord Arena on Thursday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. WKTV would like to say congrats to all the 2019 graduates.
Pack Leaders
Last week, Wyoming High School recognized six more students as Alpha Wolf 11 Champions of Character. There were two each from the sophomore, junior and senior classes. All the students demonstrate the school’s motto of being “kind, compassionate, and gracious.” We wanted to give these students one last around of applause for being so awesome: sophomores Rohim Mohammod and Cameron Simon; juniors Thomas Bushman and Dale Cross III; and seniors Rayne Vieau-Parfait and Avery Robinson III. This year’s Alpha Wolf 11 teacher is math teacher and wrestling coach Steve Zajac.
Grow A Row
Michigan State University Extension is encouraging home gardeners to consider “growing a row” of produce for donation to their local food pantry this season. Many northern Michigan pantries are seeking donations of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. Pantries ask that donated produce is clean, fresh, ripe, whole, uncut, undamaged and in separate packaging for different produce types. If using pesticides, make sure to follow the pesticide instructions. Please don’t donate produce that you wouldn’t buy for your own family.
Fun fact:
6 years for a 4-year degree
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 60 percent of the students who attended a four-year program in 2010 took six years to graduate from the program. It was 59 percent for those who attended public institutions, 66 percent for those who attended private non-profit institutions and 26 percent for those who attended private for-profit institutions.
Some of the biggest stories of 2018 for Wyoming and Kentwood
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Another year is coming to a close. But before the calendar flips to 2019, we thought it would be fun to go down memory lane and take a look at some of the most popular WKTV stories of 2018.
In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV website.
Leading the pack on both was the Widening project on 56th Street set to start around July 9. It certainly had an impact on the community, since it is a direct route to the RiverTown Crossings mall. The project, which included widening 56th Street to three lanes and adding a traffic signal to the intersection of 56th Street and Ivanrest Avenue, was completed on time and opened before the holiday season even started.
The City of Wyoming snagged quite a few of the top stories as the next was On Tap: Wyoming’s new TwoGuys Brewing plans to be community catalyst. If you love beer, then you will be thrilled to know that there are more breweries scheduled to open in the area. In Kentwood, Brewery Vivant is looking to expand its operations to the city and and a brewery co-op is also set to open soon. Also, in Byron Center, they are working quickly on the Railbird Brewery.
Other top Wyoming stories:
Balancing public use, open-space, Wyoming City Council approves new Gezon Park master plan
Wyoming’s spring carnival set to open this Friday
Walkability, healthier lifestyles focus of new development at Metro Health Village
The City of Kentwood also had a few top stories such as City of Kentwood to open brush drop-off site as part of community clean-up and of course, everybody is always looking forward to the city’s Fourth of July activities along with the summer concert series. Speaking of activities, people must love their ugly Christmas sweaters, because a couple of other top Kentwood stories were all about the Ugly Sweater 5K, Kentwood holiday season to start with disc golf tournament, Ugly Sweater 5k, and Kentwood’s holiday season (only) started with its Ugly Sweater 5K.
Other top Kentwood stories for 2018 were:
Kentwood to improve community access, tries new city hall hours starting Nov. 12
Kentwood’s annual Fall Festival’s Trunk or Treat brought the family fun to community
Crane Wives return home for gig at Kentwood Summer Concert Series
Big Dudee Too brings ‘raw energy’ to Kentwood summer concerts series July 12
Other local stories
It is apparent that our readers love shopping local since LocalFirst offers online business directory focused on businesses right in the neighborhood was in the top ten. For Kent County, residents were focused on mental health with Responding to funding shortfall, Kent County’s mental health provider begins cuts, service reviews being one of our top stories.
From our contributors
We enjoy working with many individuals and groups who bring us stories on a variety of topics. Alan Headbloom is one of those contributors who tapes his show “Feel Like You Belong.” The show focuses on the “real stories about the real people we call migrants.” These stories cover a gamut of people who have been seasonal workers picking produce to those who have made the United States their home. One story is from Nkechy Ezeh, an award-winning educator who developed the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, and another is from refugee survivor and mentor Metta Anongdeth.
Filmmaker Daniel Deal has been working with WKTV to produce a documentary about former astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, whose parents lived in the City of Wyoming. The project lead to a statute dedicated to the astronaut earlier this year. Community contributor Dave Thompson wrote the story, Statute of former astronaut Chaffee to be unveiled this Saturday.
A little known secret is that Ferris State University houses one of the largest collection of racist memorabilia in the world at the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia. In 2018, the museum received an artwork donation valued at more than $2 million with Ferris State University sharing the story with us in Jim Crow Museum of Racists memorabilia receives artwork donation valued at $2 million.
We also partnered with the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Michigan to help bring awareness to this rare neurological disease.
That’s Entertainment
Entertainment stories are always popular throughout the year. This year, the Grand Rapids Chorus of the Sweet Adelines made the headlines with its regional win last May with people clamoring to see the group at its holiday concert. We’ll be checking back with the Sweet Adleines throughout 2019 as they prepare to head to the international competition in September. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s annual holiday music festival was a big hit especially since it featured several local high school groups and residents followed the success of a local group in the story GR’s own Super Future ready for big day at local Breakaway EDM festival.
Readers also enjoyed the ghost stories of the Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters, who are planning to be back in 2019 with a few more tales to tell.
Everyone loves a good holiday story and the return of the fully-restored Herpolsheimer’s Santa Rocket Express train to the Grand Rapids Public Museum resonated with many people along with the heartwarming story from another community contributor, Santa visits NICU babies.
News from our schools
Elections were hard fought battles this year across the country. Locally, everyone waited to learn the results of the Wyoming Public Schools election which were finally released at the end of November: Wyoming Public Schools election results are in: Jirous, Lewis named new board members. Also Godfrey-Lee Public Schools continued community work, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools continues its community Executive Council meetings, also made our list.
Ready for some sports?
Out sports coverage kicked off bigger this year with live coverage of games and stories on local teams. Starting it all off was the New Godwin Heights football coach talks football, mentoring. All the area teams worked hard toward playoff goals:
Tri-unity rides arm, legs of senior QB to opening-round playoff win
Wyoming Lee football seniors will try to end high school careers on high note
Kelloggsville in playoff mode as Rockets face critical Friday night game
East Kentwood’s Falcons did make it to the playoffs, falling to Saline in the second round.
Cat Tales
Managing Editor Victoria Mullen received a call inquiring if we would be interested in meeting Jack the Therapy cat (Jack, the therapy cat, puts a spark in the spirt). The story of Jack and his visits to Wyoming’s Vista Springs captured the hearts of many leading Jack and his owner Lynn Hopkins to win a $25,000 grant from Petco for Crash’s Landing (Therapy cat’s adoption story beats odds, hits jackpot).
In fact many of the Crash’s Landings’ cat features are popular with our social media groups. So we wanted to end 2018 on a happy note with the announcement that two of the top cats featured on the WKTV Journal, Smudgee and Otter, found their “fur”-ever homes.
School News Network: Student: Emphasis on values changes school culture
By Bridie Bereza
School News Network
Twice a week, science teacher Katie Hoffman spends third period teaching not biology or physics, but civility. Last week, after some icebreakers to get students talking and a brief video on respect, she asked her students how they could make respect a habit.
When you see someone, offer “a smile and a hello,” said one student.
“Instead of saying, ‘Hey you, hey you,’ say their name,” suggested another.
The character-building curriculum, developed in part by Hoffman and a team of Godwin Heights administrators, teachers, counselors and support staff, is taught around the school during what’s known as advisory period.
The curriculum focuses on what students should do instead of what they shouldn’t: as in, yes to holding the door, picking up trash on the floor and welcoming a new student at the lunch table.
It has the obvious benefit of teaching students important life skills and values like self-control, integrity, responsibility and perseverance.
But since its implementation last year, the program’s effects on student behavior in the school have been nothing short of amazing, said Assistant Principal Mike Porco. And the proof is in the data.
Plummeting Problems
The advisory period has been around for some years at the high school, but a grant to participate in Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative made it possible to develop the current decorum-focused curriculum. Once implemented, the payoff was almost immediate.
“After the first week or two, this was just a different place,” said Porco, who quickly noticed less noise in the halls and less traffic in the office. “There’s a feel to data, and then there’s the real data. We tried to match that feeling with numbers, and were staggered on how big of a change that really was.”
The goal was to reduce by 5 percent discipline referrals in each of five categories: disrespect, disruption to the educational process, fighting, insubordination and verbal confrontation.
After one semester, the school saw drops of 45, 54, 52 and 32 percent, respectively, in the first four categories. Verbal confrontation, which had the lowest number of all categories to begin with, increased from the same semester the previous year, from 12 to 30.
By the end of the year, the school had seen double-digit decreases in disciplinary referrals for three of the five categories.
Less Disruption, More Learning
“It has definitely impacted my job,” Hoffman said of the curriculum. “Although we do still have disciplinary incidents, there are many less than in years’ past.”
Focusing on character education, she says, gives her more time to spend on teaching. It also allows teachers to walk alongside students and encourage them to make positive choices that will impact their future — lessons, she says, that will last a lifetime.
Students see the difference too. “Freshman year, everybody was goofing off and yelling at teachers because they thought it was cool,” recalled senior Laciana Gonzalez.
But the introduction of the curriculum and the school’s emphasis on values known throughout the school by the acronym “PRIDE” (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, Engage), have changed the whole culture, she said. Now, incoming freshmen catch on pretty quickly.
“PRIDE teaches kids to be a little bit more mature, and once one person shows it, everybody else kind of follows,” Laciana said. “You see someone holding a door for you, and you hold it for the next person. You don’t think about it; you just do it. It’s something you’re expected to do.”
So what happened over the summer? Have the lessons of last year stuck?
While Porco hadn’t yet crunched the numbers for each focus category, he was encouraged to see that, at a glance, disciplinary referrals were down again from the first few weeks of last year.
“So far, so good,” he said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
School News Network: From conflict to commencement: African refugee finds success through perseverance
By Erin Albanese
Jeanette Mukampabuka doesn’t like to talk about what led her to flee Africa as a child refugee. But she will talk about what it’s like to arrive in a foreign country and start school when everything is new and different.
“It’s so hard here. It’s so hard,” Jeanette said. “When you come here you don’t even know the culture or how to approach people. You don’t know where to start from or what you have to to say to people. Most of the time I was quiet.”
She said things have gotten easier since she arrived in Michigan in 2015 without her parents, whom she also declined to talk about. She’s made friends, gotten help from teachers. She’s also learned that other people are unsure of how to approach her, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to get to know her.
It took a while to get used to verbal and non-verbal cues in English and feel comfortable enough to interact with other students. “Coming here and learning everything new is so challenging,” she said, noting that she came from an African tribe that is very close-knit.
In the fall, Jeanette will begin studying for an engineering or nursing degree at Western Michigan University and wants to eventually pursue her master’s degree.
To get through high school in three years, she completed 10th and 11th grades at the the same time, taking some courses online. She graduates with a 3.3 GPA.
Tish Stevenson, Godwin Heights guidance counselor, said Jeanette has shown amazing perseverance.
“When I first met her everything was difficult and, through time, by doing the right things working really, really hard, she has opened so many doors for herself,” Stevenson said. “I see a spectacularly future because of her hard work and character. Many people who have been through such difficult things would be crushed, but it’s just made her strong and vibrant.”
Finding Her Way
Jeanette, who lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo until age 9 and then in Kenya for five years, graduated from Godwin Heights High School May 23. It marked a significant milestone for a young woman who came from a troubled homeland.
In the DR Congo, displacement of people has occurred due to widespread militia activities, unrest and violence fueled by ethnic and political conflict affecting many areas. She speaks generally about the conflicts that uprooted families in Africa. “It was a war between tribes,” said Jeanette, who is from a tribe that was being attacked.
She arrived in Michigan three years ago with her sister, older brother and niece. She started ninth grade in Bloomingdale, Michigan, and came to Godwin Heights last year. She was supported by two refugee programs: Refuge Point, formerly Mapendo International, which focuses on saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people; and Heshima Kenya, which specializes in identifying and protecting unaccompanied and separated refugee children and youth, especially girls, young women, and their children living in Nairobi, Kenya.
Jeanette lived in foster care for two years and has lived independently with her sister, Mamy Ganza, 27, for a year.
“I like it here but I still miss my country. I miss it a lot,” said Jeanette, who speaks English, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and several other tribal languages.
While she has excelled academically, Jeanette said she now sees the benefit in becoming involved in other ways. Advice she gives other newcomers: “Join clubs and sports because then you make friends.”
While her strength in math draws her to a career in engineering, Jeanette said she also is interested in nursing so she can help others.
Stevenson said she sees Jeanette in the future giving back to others, “because that’s just the kind of person she is.”
“I see her having a spectacular life full of friends and love.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
More than 1,700 students set to graduate from schools in Wyoming, Kentwood
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
More than 1,700 students will be graduating from high schools in Kentwood and Wyoming during the next couple of weeks. Here is a breakdown of when some of the local graduation ceremonies are taking place.
Tuesday, May 22
Wyoming High School has 275 students graduating. Graduation is at Grand Rapids First, 2100 44th St. SW, at 7 p.m.
Godfrey’s Lee High School has about 150 students graduating. Graduation is at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, at 7 p.m. For the school’s top ten, click here.
Wednesday May 23
Godwin Heights High School has 144 students graduating. Graduation is at the high school auditorium, 50 35th St. SW, at 7 p.m.
South Christian High School has 170 students graduating. Graduation is at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW at 7:30 p.m..
Thursday, May 24
East Kentwood High School has around 600 students graduating. Graduation is at the the school’s stadium, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, at 7 p.m. The rain date is May 25.
Tuesday, May 29
Tri-Unity Christian School has 18 students graduating. Graduation is at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 30
West Michigan Aviation Academy 133 students graduating. Graduation is at Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE. at 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 31
Kelloggsville High School has 137 students graduating. Graduation is at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW, at 7 p.m.
Potter House has 53 students graduating. Graduation is Calvary Baptist Church, 1200 28th St. SE at 7 p.m.
Friday, June 1
West Michigan Lutheran High School has 5 students graduating. Graduation is at West Michigan Lutheran High School, 601 36th St. SW, at 7 p.m.
Monday, June 4
Grand River Prep High School has 134 students graduating. Graduation is at Calvin College’s Van Noord Arena, 3201 Burton St. SE, at 6:30 p.m.
School News Network: Colorful Me Beautiful
By Erin Albanese
Senior Raven Rochelle knows how much self-image affects girls.
“I know, personally, when you are a female, your image is everything,” she said. “The way you present yourself speaks volumes.”
So Raven and other girls on the high school’s Leadership Council joined forces to transform two girls’ bathrooms into vibrant, welcoming spaces. They painted the walls rose and lilac, hung up funky mirrors and decorated the spaces with signs proclaiming messages of encouragement, like “Never Stop Dreaming” and “You are So Loved.”
“The bathroom in a very personal space,” Raven explained. “(Self image) is so important, specifically in high school when you’re the most vulnerable. If you have that little extra something to get through the day, it helps you so much.”
Students in the Leadership Council attended the Jostens Renaissance National Conference in October at Michigan State University, which focuses on creating positive school climate and culture by working together as students and teachers. They left with the ideas to spruce-up the bathrooms, part of a bigger plan to add color and vibrancy schoolwide.
“We wanted to give a feeling of empowerment for girls,” said freshman Shantil Johnson. “We put mirrors in there so they can see how beautiful they are. … It makes you more happy when you walk in.”
Student Leadership adviser Katie Hoffman said the message is about self-worth.
“In our society in general, I feel like girls in particular and women are being bombarded with images all the time of what they should look like,” Hoffman said. “This is a small way we can encourage people that they don’t need to be anyone other than who they are.”
Spreading Positivity Schoolwide
The Leadership Council’s efforts could expand into the boys’ bathrooms and hallways. Students are painting individual murals on ceiling tiles in a hallway to exhibit Godwin pride. They also hope to create a hallway mural, illustrating what it means to be part of the Godwin family, Hoffman said.
Senior Giselle Rodriguez said their efforts are about creating a welcoming environment, “building our community inside our school and growing together with our teachers, staff members and classmates.”
Hoffman said a brighter environment is uplifting for everyone.
“Just adding color adds a sense of excitement, creates better attitudes and a better sense of community. Hopefully that pride in the building will carry over to the classroom and the relationships students are building with their peers.”
Raven said the scope of the project is to bring people together, giving a sense of belonging to everyone. “This is our school,” she said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
School News Network: Profiting from Basic Math
By Erin Albanese
Though some may think it’s crummy, 10th-graders Madalyn Austin and Rebekah Hoyle said The Snacky Sleeper is the perfect lazy-evening, popcorn-munching luxury: a “comfortable, supportive memory foam pillow” with a pouch for snacks.
“The Snacky Sleeper keeps your snacks in great, undamaged condition,” said Madalyn as the duo delivered a slideshow presentation including different views of the product they developed.
“Our pillow is easy to use, it saves time. It’s not only good for kids and teenagers, but it’s also helpful and comfortable, and it’s safe for sleeping,” Rebekah said.
But did their product really have teeth? That would be up to the Sharks to decide. The
Sharks, a panel of Godwin Heights High School educators who took on the persona of business-savvy millionaires, evaluated the pillow, circling in closely on math the students used to estimate potential profit.
They did the same for products like Toasty Toes, a battery operated toe warmer; The Boomer, a Bluetooth-enhanced cell-phone case; PakTele, a backpack-phone combination that works to contact 911 in an emergency; and the Diskinizer, a video-game organizer that uses a robotic arm.
Let’s Talk Numbers
Students used math to develop their pitches to the Sharks, seated in front of them in the style of TV show “Shark Tank.”
Algebra 2 teacher James Rex started the game last year to provide students a lesson in business, while learning the math involved in bringing a product to market. Students developed the products, brainstormed materials, researched all costs and came up with estimates.
“Sometimes they come up with things that are super-creative, and sometimes they come up with things that are super-unrealistic,” Rex said. “You want to encourage that creative element of it and give them the freedom to explore their ideas and think through it, but also to ground them in the math and the feasibility of some of those things.”
During presentations, Rex based his offers on the math. “I feel like I trick them into talking about their numbers,” he said. “That’s where I get the bang for my buck in terms of their learning. They are up there talking about math in a high-pressure situation. I try to keep it light, relaxed and fun for them.”
Snacky Sleeper: Sink or Swim?
Showing their work through algebraic equations and graphs, Madalyn and Rebecca calculated each Snacky Sleeper would cost $15 to produce; monthly rent for manufacturing space would cost $30,000; and monthly wages for employees at $10 per hour for a 40-hour week would cost $16,000. By selling each pillow at $25 they would profit $10 per pillow.
“When we break even it will be at 5,500 pillows sold (per month),” Rebekah said.
Their request for the Sharks: $60,000 in investment for 40 percent of the company.
While Principal Chad Conklin said he has an aversion to food in his bed and would not invest for that reason, Rex took a bite at the offer, though he questioned if the company could sell enough pillows to make a profit.
“I see potential. I see this as being something millennials would use,” he said. “My offer is $80,000 for 50 percent of the company.”
Math coach Molly Mosketti also made an offer: $60,000 for 45 percent of the company. “I’m thinking this might be a covert way for parents to enjoy a snack,” she said.
Students said the project allowed them to learn how to do calculations in a fun way and have a real-life experience in pitching a product.
“I liked debating with the sharks,” said Jalisa Lopez-Longoria, who helped pitch PakTele. “I like how we got to pick our product and find our own numbers to figure out the prices we want to use.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
WKTV high school sports schedule for this week includes girls’ basketball
By Mike Moll
sports@wktv.org
The girls’ basketball season has started but WKTV featured basketball coverage is a couple weeks off as the first featured contest on our crew’s schedule will be a Tuesday, Dec. 12, contest when the Kelloggsville High School girls host Wyoming’s The Potter’s House.
Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Local high school sports events this week, through the end of the month, are as follows:
Tuesday, Nov. 28
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Tri-Unity Christian
Saranac @ Grand River Prep
Wellsprings Prep @ Kelloggsville
Grand Rapids Christian @ East Kentwood
South Christian @ Forest Hills Northern
Grand Rapids Union @ Wyoming
Thursday, Nov. 30
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES)
WKTV’s playoff football coverage & complete local sports schedule
By Mike Moll
The high school football season has moved into playoff mode and so has WKTV’s featured football coverage — this week will be a rematch matchup as Wyoming Godwin Heights (7-2) again travels to Wyoming Kelloggsville (9-0) for an opening-round Division 4 game on Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m..
Other local teams in the football playoffs include Grand Rapids South Christian (7-2) hosting Plainwell (7-2), also Friday at 7 p.m., at Byron Center High School. And Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (6-3) will be traveling north to Suttons Bay (6-3) for an 8-Man Division 1 playoff game Saturday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m.
Currently, WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Comcast Channel 25, usually at 11 p.m., and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Local high school sports events this week are as follows:
Tuesday, Oct. 24
Girls Volleyball
Wyoming @ Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Orchard View
Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep
TBD @ Tri-Unity Christian – Rivertown/Crossroads Tri
Boys Soccer
TBD – MHSAA Regionals
Wednesday, Oct. 25
Girls Volleyball
O-K Red Conference Meet @ East Kentwood
Thursday, Oct. 26
Girls Volleyball
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – Senior Night
WMAES @ Wyoming Lee – Senior Night
Boys Soccer
TBD – MHSAA Regionals
Friday, Oct, 27
Boys Water Polo
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals
Football
Wyoming Godwin Heights at Wyoming Kelloggsville (playoffs)
Plainwell at South Christian (at Byron Center High School) (playoffs)
Saturday, Oct. 28
Boys/girls Cross Country
Wyoming @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals
Wyoming Lee @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals
Godwin Heights @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals
Tri-Unity Christian @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals
TBD – MHSAA Regionals
Boys Water Polo
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals
8-Man Football
Tri-unity Christian at Suttons Bay (playoff)
Monday, Oct. 30
Girls Volleyball
Wyoming vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming Lee vs TBD @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts
Godwin Heights vs Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Halloween
Girls Volleyball
Zion Christian vs Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian – MHSAA Districts
WKTV has your complete local high school sports schedule
By Mike Moll
The unseasonable hot weather in Western Michigan has caused some problems for local high school team’s schedules — including postponing today’s (Monday, Sept. 25) boys soccer game between South Christian and East Kentwood which WKTV was going to send its broadcast crew’s coverage crew to. But we have not changed plans for this week’s football game of the week, Friday, Sept. 29, Kelloggsville at Wyoming Godwin Heights — both 5-0 and leading the OK Silver Conference with 2-0 records.
Currently, WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Comcast Channel 25, usually at 11 p.m., and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Local high school sports events this week are as follows:
Monday, Sept. 25
Boys Tennis
Coopersville @ Kelloggsville
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Grand Rapids Christian @ Wyoming
Boys Soccer
Coopersville@ Kelloggsville
Postponed — South Christian @ East Kentwood (Special WKTV broadcast)
Girls Golf
South Christian @ FH Northern – Ernie Popiel Invite
Boys Water Polo
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Tuesday, Sept. 26
Boys/girls Cross Country
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Boys Soccer
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
West Michigan Heat/Homeschool @ Godwin Heights
Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Wayland
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
EGR @ Wyoming
Girls Volleyball
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – Alliance Double Quad
Grand River Prep @ Belding
Zion Christian @ Belding
Potters House @ Kelloggsville – Quad
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian
West Michigan Lutheran @ West Michigan Aviation
Girls Golf
South Christian @ EGR
Wyoming @ EGR
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Wednesday, Sept. 27
Boys Tennis
Ottawa Hills @ Kelloggsville
FH Eastern @ South Christian
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Boys Water Polo
EGR @ East Kentwood
Girls Volleyball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Flat River Academy
Thursday, Sept. 28
Boys Soccer
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian
Grand River Prep @ Hopkins
Zion Christian @ Algoma Christian
Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Girls Volleyball
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House
Zion Christian @ Algoma Christian
Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Grand Rapids Christian @ Wyoming
Girls Swimming
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Friday, Sept. 29
Boys Soccer
Wellsprings Prep @ Wyoming Lee
Potters House @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Football
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian/Potter’s House
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights (Special WKTV broadcast)
Allendale vs South Christian @ EGR
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – Community Night
Girls Golf
South Christian @ EGR – O-K Gold Tournament
Wyoming @ Grand Rapids Christian
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ EGR
Saturday, Sept. 30
Boys/girls Cross Country
Wyoming Lee @ Allendale – Falcon Invite
West Michigan Aviation @ Allendale – Falcon Invite
Kelloggsville @ Allendale – Falcon Invite
East Kentwood @ Otsego – Bulldog Invite
Girls Volleyball
Godwin Heights @ Saranac
Tri-Unity Christian @ Saranac
South Christian @ Byron Center – Cristi Curtis Invitational
Boys Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Grant
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ Hudsonville
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ EGR
Boys Football
Hale @ Tri-Unity Christian – 8 Man
Godwin Heights honors one of its own, Chris Pulliams, prior to home football game
By WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
“Student. Athlete. Intern. Coach. Athletic Director. Teacher. Mentor.” — Those were the words used to describe long-time Wyoming Godwin Heights teacher, administrator and coach Chris Pulliams prior to the school’s Sept. 1 home football game.
Joining him at center field during a ceremony honoring Pulliams impending induction into the Ferris State University’s Hall of Fame were Principal Chad Conklin, Athletic Director Rob Hisey, and head varsity football coach Carlton Brewster, as the stadium announcer told the crowd: “We say congratulations and thanks by honoring Chris Pulliams for his dedication to his work, whether that be in the classroom or on the field, he continues to give back to the Godwin community in immeasurable ways! Chris Pulliams, we thank you for being what it means ‘To Be a Godwin Heights Wolverine’.”
Pulliams was inducted into the Ferris State Hall of Fame Sept. 15.
Pulliams arrived at Godwin as a student and athlete, according to supplied information. He played varsity football at Godwin Heights before moving on to success as a running back at Ferris State, where he currently ranks sixth on the school’s all-time career rushing chart with 2,743 yards and 35 TD’s in his career. He claimed All-America honors in 1995 and was a two-time All-GLIAC tailback. He received the 1996 GLIAC McAvoy Leadership Award. He ran for a career-high 1,729 yards and 23 scores during the 1995 season, which ranks as the most yards in a single-campaign by a FSU tailback in school history. His performance helped the Bulldogs post a 12-1 overall record in route to the school’s first NCAA Division II National Semifinal appearance.
He was also a First Team MIFC All-Academic choice in 1996 with a 3.29 GPA in Business Education.
Next, after graduating from college, and teaching at Forest Hills Public Schools, he returned to Godwin Heights as athletic director.
“Two years later, he moved back into the classroom as a teacher in order to impact our students academically; this truly is his calling. He continues to dedicate his days, nights, and weekends in honor of our students’ needs,” the announcer told the crowd.
Prep football wrap: 4 local teams bring 3-0 records into Week 4 of season
By Rob Gee
WKTV sports volunteer/news@wktv.org
What a start for Wyoming-Kentwood area high school football as four teams start the season 3-0 and two others start 2-1.
Lots of winning going on in the area right now and when was the last time East Kentwood, Kelloggsville, Godwin and South Christian all started the season 3-0? How about never.
One would need to go all the way back to 1960 when East Kentwood, Godwin and Kelloggsville all started 3-0 to find the last time three of these teams did it, but that would be five years before South Christian would begin fielding a team.
And WKTV’s high school football broadcast coverage crew will be at East Kentwood for the next two Fridays, first for a home game for South Christian and then for a home game for East Kentwood.
East Kentwood, who has started the season 3-0 for the fifteenth time, narrowly defeated Hudsonville, in Week 3. Defense in the first two weeks of the season only allowed 6 points but Hudsonville was able to almost triple that in their scoring 17 points. MLive had East Kentwood at No. 10 in the state prior to the game but after this last weeks performance, East Kentwood dropped to No. 13. East Kentwood is the only area team in MLive top 50.
South Christian did not have an easy time with Benton Harbor in Week 2 Forest Hills Eastern in the first half but the Sailors widened the gap in the second half to cruise to a 36-20 win and open the season 3-0 for the 15th time in school history. That is equal to the number of times East Kentwood has started the season 3-0, despite South Christian starting its football program five years after East Kentwood.
Kelloggsville looks to repeat as OK Conference Silver champs as they start the season 3-0. The Rockets were averaging 41 points a game in their first two games and only increased that average by scoring 51 at home against Buchanan. The Rockets defense was averaging 22 points a game given up and dropped that average to 17 points given up per game by holding Buchanan to just 8 points. Weeks 2 and 3 have seen Kelloggsville outscore their opponents 107-29. This is the eighth season in school history that the Rockets have started 3-0. This is the twelfth season Kelloggsville has started undefeated as they have had three seasons start at 2-0-1 and another season start 1-0-2.
Godwin Heights are no strangers to starting 3-0 as this is the third in the last five years that the Wolverines have begun 3-0 and the 11th overall. Last Friday’s game was a huge win for Godwin and Coach Carlton Brewster as they defeated Calvinm Christian by 49 points. Godwin had been 2-12 against Calvin Christian in their last 14 meetings. When Godwin has beaten the Squires, its not been by a whopping total. You would have to go all the way back to 1996 to find a similar result, Godwin won 53-13 that year. There is reason for pause in getting too excited to this 3-0 start as the opponents combined record is 0-9.
Tri-Unity Christian’s 8-man football tam started the season with an upset loss to Battle Creek St. Philips but have rebounded to win their last two. The Defenders seem to be only getting better as in Week 2 they beat Suttons Bay by 9 and Week 3 saw them easily defeat Atlanta by 26 points, 34-8.
Wyoming continues to struggle adjusting to Coach Irvin Sigler schemes as the Wolves start the season 0-3. Wyoming was outmatched by Grand Rapids Christian 65-8 in Week 3 and led to the worst loss in school history. Like Godwin’s record can’t be given too much credit however, Wyoming’s record can’t be criticized too much as their opponents combined record is 9-0. Make no mistake, when Coach Sigler’s philosophies are grasped by his players this trend will not only stop but reverse.
Lee High school started off red hot at 2-0 but ran into a buzz saw in Northpointe Christian and their workhorse Jalen Shaffer. Surprising most everyone in the universe, its seems, Lee moved to 2-0 in Week 2 defeating White Cloud 48-0 and we would need to go back to 2005 to find that level of domination by the Rebels. Week 3 would not be a good one for the young upstarts as Northpointe was the dominant force in a 42-0 game. Lee’s lifetime record against Northpointe is 0-8 with a combined score of 330-46 and marks the third time Coach Tim Swore’s team has held the Rebels scoreless.
Currently, WKTV’s football games will be broadcast the night of the game on Comcast Channel 25, usually at 11 p.m., and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Godwin Heights, off to fast start, opens conference action with home game, tailgate event
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
The Wyoming Godwin Heights football team has jumped off to a 2-0 start in non-conference action — and has piled up 88 points on offense against Hamilton and Hesperia. But both games were on the road.
This week, the Wolverines will treat their home fans to a little of that offensive prowess, and a special “Community Tailgate” event, in the team’s OK Silver Conference opener as WKTV video crew will be at Godwin for a home game against Calvin Christian, on Friday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m.
So far this year, the Wolverine scoring machine has been keyed by senior quarterback Suriya Davenport, who has scored eight touchdowns in the two games; junior running back De’Amontae Clark, who is averaging nearly 13 yards a carry; and junior tight end Marshawn Kneeland, who leads the team with nine catches for 144 yards.
Kneeland, one of several players who play both ways, is also a standout on the defense, where senior linebacker James Bennett leads with 24 tackles and senior lineman Sixto Cruz is also in double-figures in tackles.
But second-year Godwin Head Coach Carlton Brewster says the reason for the good start goes back further than two weeks.
“It is all about the seniors on this football team, these guys spent so much time in the off-season getting bigger, stronger and faster,” Brewster said to WKTV this week. “These guys carry chip on their shoulder on the feeling of being 5-5 last season.”
Last year, the Wolverines finished 3-3 in conference, 5-4 overall and in the state playoffs, but that “chip on their shoulder” was that the team lost in the first round of the playoffs at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 43-0.
And that “chip” will not go away however well the team has started, Brewster said.
“We must continue to push each other every day of the week, don’t get complacent and continue to hold each other accountable,” he said. “I will not let them get complacent because I am constantly challenging them each and everyday.”
WKTV will broadcast the Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights game Friday at about 11 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25, repeating it on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
‘Community Tailgate’ event planned prior to the game
In what started as a collaboration with police officers of the City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety and Godwin Heights Public Schools, the athletic department will continue to offer its Community Tailgate event prior to the game.
“Twice a year, once during football season and once during basketball season, the district hosts a Community Tailgate that allows free entry to the game and food to families of Godwin Heights students,” Godwin Heights Athletic Director Rob Hisey said to WKTV. “Anyone who lives in the Godwin Heights Public School District, School of Choice students and their families, previous graduates, and anyone employed by Godwin Heights.”
The event runs from 6-7 p.m. (after that the normal $5 entry fee will be charged).
“The goal of holding the Community Tailgate is to provide a friendly and safe environment where our community members can enjoy the companionship of the entire Godwin Heights educational community,” Hisey said. “This community consist of community members, students, parents, Godwin Heights employees, friends and relatives of our students.”
School News Network: College Access Network help makes higher ed a reality for Godwin students
By Erin Albanese
Senior D’Nyszha Brand was accepted into six colleges: Baker College, Ferris State University, Wayne State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College and Western Michigan University.
She’s decided to attend GRCC for her associate degree before transferring to a university, maybe Ferris, to major in business and minor in psychology. “It’s the cheapest way to go and I will save more money,” she said.
D’Nyszha said she probably wouldn’t have applied to so many colleges, or realized how to meet her postsecondary goals, if it weren’t for the Michigan College Access Network representative who helped her. Jeremy Bissett had an office at Godwin Heights for 20 hours a week until mid-spring, helping students apply, submit and complete all the other paperwork to get into college.
“It was very helpful because I would go to my mom and ask her what to do and she would say, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know,'” said D’Nyszha, who will be the first person in her family to go to college.
Bissett reminded her often about deadlines and what was required. “He helped me in so many ways. Not only did he help me with my (college) stuff, he taught me different life skills,” she said. Without him, she added, “I probably would have only applied to GRCC, honestly.”
Accepted, Again and Again
At Godwin Heights, students recently gathered in the hallway wearing #accepted T-shirts to celebrate their “yes” notifications. A total of 111 of the 137 seniors, or 81 percent, were accepted at 27 colleges.
That’s a great start for students at Godwin Heights, where more than 80 percent come from financially disadvantaged families and 59 percent of seniors this year could be first-generation college-goers.
Godwin Heights received an Innovative Program Grant from MCAN to fund a dedicated college adviser, Bissett. It’s just one way the network supports Michigan schools in helping students access college.
“We are super proud of Godwin’s results,” said Sarah Anthony, MCAN deputy director for partnerships and advocacy. “We knew being in that community would be serving low-income, first-generation college students and students of color.”
The goal of Lansing-based MCAN is to increase the percentage of Michigan residents with degrees or postsecondary certificates to 60 percent by the year 2025. According to 2014 Census figures, 39.3 percent of Michigan’s 5.2 million working-age adults (ages 25-64) hold a two- or four-year college degree, an increase from the previous year’s rate of 38.4 percent. This is the sixth year in a row that Michigan’s degree attainment rate has increased.
But there’s work to be done. According to data from MCAN, out of every 100 ninth-graders in Michigan, 73 graduate from high school on time; 45 enroll into postsecondary education within 12 months of graduation; 32 persist from their first to their second year; and 18 graduate with a degree within six years.
According to Mischooldata.org, within six months of graduation, 55.8 percent of 2016 Godwin Heights grads were enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university.
Building a College-Prep Culture
Bissett spent much of his time meeting with students, ensuring they were on track with the application process and walking them through applications for financial aid.
“The biggest benefit I see with the MCAN partnership has been the one-on-one time,” said counselor Tish Stevenson. “An adult sitting down one-on-one is immensely important.”
Bissett said he was just a piece of the puzzle. At Godwin Heights, there’s a multi-pronged effort to prepare students. It includes college visits; work to improve literacy across all content areas; and preparing students for the workforce or college by developing communication and collaboration skills. Staff provides many opportunities to meet college representatives right at school.
“It’s putting that option in their purview,” said counselor Kristi Bonilla. “We get them in tangible contact with people and places.”
“I think they are establishing a culture there that is college prep, and are getting more students wanting to be engaged in that,” Bissett said. “They are doing great work.”
After being added to the state’s Priority Schools list in 2012, Godwin Heights also put many measures in place to boost achievement. In 2016, the high school received a five-year School Improvement Grant, approved by the Michigan Department of Education, that will include allocations of $750,000 a year for the first three years and $500,000 a year for the final two.
The work is paying off. The school was removed this year from the state’s Priority Schools list, and has climbed from a 0 percentile rank in 2012-2013 to a 27th percentile rank in 2015-2016.
Said high school data coach Kristin Haga, “We are moving in the right direction.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
School News Network: Godwin Heights Senior goes through the storm to see the rainbow
By Erin Albanese
April Martinez is the kind of person who asks, “Do you need anything else?” and “What more can I do?”
She’s the student who is ever-present, often helping organize events and taking part in art shows, blood drives, pancake breakfasts, powder-puff games. Others say she’s a natural at uniting people.
“I’m everywhere,” the Student Council president said with a laugh. “I love helping people. We do events that make people happy and bring our school together and that’s wonderful to me.
“Where they need me is where I’ll be.”
April graduates on May 31 from Godwin Heights High School, and is headed to Grand Rapids Community College for her associate degree before transferring to Western Michigan University or Aquinas College to major in political science and minor in art.
April has always had big goals and a go-getter attitude, she said, but on many days during high school, there was a lot more on her mind than schoolwork.
During her freshman year, April and her three siblings, the youngest a baby, were put into foster care after being removed from a situation involving abuse. April and two siblings moved in with an aunt, and the baby was placed with a foster family.
“I remember this day so vividly,” she said, recounting arriving at KidsFirst Emergency Shelter, in Grand Rapids. “I couldn’t stop crying. I tried so hard to keep it together. I was worried about how my younger sister was doing.
“The hardest part was my little sister being gone. When they took her, it was the worst year ever.”
April and her sisters and brother remained in foster care for over a year. The usually smiling, happy April acted out at school by being mouthy and disrespectful. She became unmotivated and depressed, even suicidal at times. She would weep silently in the bathroom at school. “There’s a certain stall where I would cry,” she remembered.
She now lives with her grandmother, and with the help of school counselors, her friends and a youth minister at St. Francis Xavier church, she turned things around. “Prayer’s a powerful thing,” she said.
Putting Others Ahead of Herself
She’s embraced her Student Council work with steadfast commitment. “I’m a very outgoing person, so I like to think of myself as reaching out to people who others don’t always notice and making sure people feel part of school. We’re like a family here. I love it.”
Teachers say April is always thinking about others. “She’s that person who asks, ‘What else do you need me to do?’ ” said Student Council adviser Robin Carlyle. “She goes above and beyond and is kind and considerate. Life isn’t always good for her, but she doesn’t let it get her down.”
Art teacher Deanne Basse said she has “a ton of admiration” for April.
“One of her absolute strengths is to keep her composure and poise and always looking beyond herself. When she is tackling her own aspirations, she is also equally as concerned with everybody else. It makes her a very strong leader.”
April said she wanted to share her story to help other people who face similar challenges and loss. She wants to inspire them to be strong, to turn to others for help and not give up.
“What’s coming is so much better than you ever imagine, if you take the good path,” she said. “You have to go through the storm to see the rainbow.”
Madam President?
Going through the foster care process has inspired April to become more interested in politics, and in the need for social change and to address global issues like human trafficking. She hopes to become a lawyer, and then aim even higher. Yes, that high.
“I’ve always wanted to get into politics and be President of the United States,” she said confidently. “I feel like the world can be changed. I’m a believer that we can fix the world.
“I tend to see the best in the world and people, because I love people. I love the world.”
April said her experiences have shaped her life. “They’ve taught me to be more compassionate and understanding, to be there and help people and not judge them.”
Sound like qualities of a good president?
“Maybe you’ll be interviewing me when I’m in the Oval Office,” she said. “We’ll see what I’m destined to be.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
School News Network: Godwin Heights High School Provides Room to ‘Rest, Recharge, Refocus’
By Erin Albanese
In a room at Godwin Heights High School that formerly served as the site for in-house suspension, students now come for help in the areas of college, career and comfort.
The Empowerment Room is a recently revamped space serving a two-pronged purpose: a needed area for decompression and quiet, and a place to think big about the future.
“It’s a humongous paradigm shift,” said school counselor Kristi Bonilla, referring to it as a place of support rather than punishment. “The hope, goal, dream of this is that kids feel like they have a place to reset, recharge, refocus and be empowered.”
While the room is still in its infancy, Bonilla and fellow counselor Tish Stevenson envision it as a place where students can take momentary refuge. It could be during lunch, when they have time outside of class, or when the demands of teenage life bubble over and they need to reel in their emotions. They can also use it to channel their energy into preparation for what comes after graduation day.
“We wanted it to be a center for yoga, breathing and reset time,” Stevenson said. “We also wanted it to be a place for community members to meet with students.”
Meetings have already taken place between students and representatives from college, the military and the Urban League, who helped students apply for jobs.
Yoga sessions will begin soon.
Funded by a $1,000 grant from Wyoming Community Foundation, the room’s seating area has space for reclining and relaxing, comfy chairs and pillow. Yoga mats fill a corner bin, ready for poses. Students come in for the peacefulness, to talk to the counselors and eat lunch in a quiet place.
“We have a long day,” Stevenson said. “If you are a teenager mixing in with all the other teenagers in the day, you need a break.”
Equipping Students with Lifelong Skills
Bonilla and Stevenson have both completed training in cognitive behavior modification at the University of Michigan. They are using it to help students become more mindful, aware and rational in reacting to situations.
The end goal is to improve learning and develop lifelong skills, plus decrease detentions and suspension using a non-punitive approach. While the school still uses detentions and in-house and out-of-school suspensions, the counselors aim to be proactive in addressing behavior issues.
Common stressors in teens’ lives include test anxiety, social anxiety, family issues and relationships. Those things often manifest themselves as behavior problems.
“Being a teenager is stressful,” Stevenson said.
Juniors Mamadee Diabate and Dominic Donato juggle between classes at Godwin Heights and programs at Kent Career Technical Center, as well as working and volunteering. They both often come to the room to relax and talk with counselors.
“I feel it will be beneficial for our students because there’s a lot of stress going on,” Mamadee said. “I definitely will use it for yoga.”
“It’s kind of a relaxing place to let stuff come out,” Dominic said, “… not talk to anyone, and just be quiet.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
