The student news site of Portage Northern High School

The Northern Light

The student news site of Portage Northern High School

The Northern Light

The student news site of Portage Northern High School

The Northern Light

Define: woke

Define: woke

Sheila Mwanda, Staff Writer April 4, 2018

In recent years, the use of the word “woke” has been on the rise. Urban DIctionary defines the word woke as “being aware of the social and political environments regarding all demographics and socio-economic...

My journey to college, from the SAT to a teacher who believed in me

My journey to college, from the SAT to a teacher who believed in me

Meredith Ablao, News Editor April 4, 2018

Working hard for grades, struggling in tears to complete homework, and ripping huge holes in my paper because of anger are all what I, Meredith Ablao, did quite often growing up. Some days it was math,...

Short as a member of the group Proclamation Brass.

Remembering Mr. Short, a WMS band icon

Malcolm Gaynor, Staff Writer April 4, 2018

Bill Short, a beloved staff member with the West Middle School band, died on March 10th at age 85. He died doing what he loved: volunteering and helping set up for the Middle School Band Festival. Short,...

Rawan Alsaedi contemplates going home to a war zone

Rawan Alsaedi contemplates going home to a war zone

Snigda Narisetty, Staff Writer April 2, 2018

As sophomore Rawan Alsaedi stepped off of the plane at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport in July of 2013, she thought she would never feel at home here, but now she couldn’t imagine living...

Junior Marisa Toomsen surfs her way through life

Junior Marisa Toomsen surfs her way through life

Meredith Ablao, News Editor March 29, 2018

Marisa Toomsen is a junior at Portage Northern who is known for her love for the environment, travel and film, but more importantly, she is dedicated to surfing. “You feel so free and connected...

Colorism: discrimination within minority groups

Colorism: discrimination within minority groups

Issra Said, Feature Writer March 21, 2018

Colorism is distinct from racism through its meaning, and therefore more implicit. Activist Alice Walker is known for being the first person to use the term “colorism.” In an essay from her 1983 book,...

Black girl hair: beyond the stereotypes

Black girl hair: beyond the stereotypes

Keegan Tenney, Staff Writer March 20, 2018

For me, walking into a salon and getting my hair done costs as little as $20, yet I still find myself complaining at the gaping hole in my wallet from the loss. The struggle is definitely not real. For...

Surrounded: Split families doesn’t always mean half the love

Surrounded: Split families doesn’t always mean half the love

Allison McKenzie, Business Manager March 20, 2018

Growing up, I was always jealous of my friends who went home to the same house every night and spent an immense amount of time with both their mom and dad. They’d come to school the next day and talk...

Dante Chastine: PNs infamous door holder

Dante Chastine: PN’s infamous door holder

Laura Koscinski, Staff Writer March 19, 2018

Most people probably know junior Dante Chastine as that kid who always holds the door open for everyone. What people other than his friends and family probably don’t know is what truly makes him...

Students typically have two or three classes a day in buildings all over campus, such as the newly-renovated Sangren Hall, pictured here. All photos by Laura Koscinski.

Visiting WMU

Laura Koscinski, Staff Writer March 19, 2018

Western Michigan University will be the college destination of many PNHS students. If you're thinking about becoming a future Bronco, here's a photo walkthrough of some of the main aspects of student life...

Lauren Michelli: a student leader with a eye for fashion

Lauren Michelli: a student leader with a eye for fashion

Mackenzie Brey, Social Media Manager March 16, 2018

Many women and teenage girls alike have experienced both the binding and freeing effects of personal style. We have felt the ways it can make us glow in a crowded room and the way it can make a spotlight...

More than my skin color

More than my skin color

Anai Freeman, Staff Writer March 13, 2018

I can remember as far back as second grade, my very first experience with being called out as the “girl with weird hair.”  I thought that maybe if I was weird with the hair I personally loved so much...

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