Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 9, 2024TKHS students present dangers of tobacco and nicotine use
Fourth graders scrunched
up their noses and let out an
“ewww” as they felt the
blackened pig lung used to
demonstrate effects of tobac-
co on the lungs. They didn’t
like how it looked or how it
felt and that is just the reac-
tion high school demonstra-
tors were hoping to see.
Using a variety of differ-
ent hands-on activities and
demonstrations, members of
the Thornapple Kellogg High
School Teens Against
Tobacco Use (TATU) tried to
make an impression on the
fourth graders about the dan-
gerous effects tobacco and
nicotine from smoking or
vaping have on a body and to
dissuade students from ever
trying these harmful prod-
ucts.
“I don’t use tobacco or
nicotine because I’m a senior
and I want to keep my brain
in good shape for when I go
to college next year,” said
Charlotte Nelson.Others said they are ath-
letes who want to keep their
bodies healthy so they can
continue to compete, or sing-
ers or band members who
want to have good lungs so
they can keep making music.
Students hear about the
dangers of tobacco and nico-
tine use from advertisements,
parents, and other adults.
Recently, they heard it from
some of their older TK High
School peers hoping their
discussions with fourth grad-ers will help students choose
healthy lifestyles.
Each year TATU members
are trained through the Barry
County Substance Abuse
Prevention Services on les-
son plans and presentation
skills to help younger stu-
dents understand the dangers
of tobacco and nicotine use.
The demonstrations, like
the pig lung, grab attention,
are interactive and leave an
impression. Hearing from
older students also resonates
with younger students.
“These are kids the young-
er kids watch playing basket-
ball or volleyball. They see
these kids at the fair and in
different places. It’s not thesame as an adult talking to
them. These are students
too,” said Liz Lenz,
Coordinator of the Barry
County Substance Abuse
Task Force.
Lenz said the program
started in 2001 with the first
classroom presentation likely
taking place in 2002. “It’s
become a legacy program
now. We do it every year and
it’s worth it if we help even
just one student avoid tobac-
co or nicotine use.”
High school students also
benefit from teaching these
valuable lessons.
“Teaching these high
school kids to give these pre-
sentations empowers them tobe leaders and examples for
others. It’s empowering them
to be positive role models,”
said Lenz.
Students were reminded
that it’s best to never start
smoking or vaping, remind-
ing students that nicotine can
become addictive and hard to
quit once started. They also
showed students how the
body begins to heal itself
once nicotine and tobacco
are eliminated.
They discussed the many
harmful types of chemicals
that can be found in ciga-
rettes, vapes or both, filling a
large cardboard cigarette and
vaping device with the harm-
ful ingredients.IRVING TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF REVIEWThe 2024 Board of Review for Irving Township will meet as follows:• Tuesday, March 5th at 11:00am - Organizational Meeting
• Monday, March 11th from 3:00pm-9:00pm
• Tuesday, March 12th from 9:00am-3:00pmWritten appeals will be accepted by March 12, 2024.The tentative equalization ratios for computation of SEV of real property are as follows:Irving 2024 Ratios and Multipliers
Classification Ratio Multiplier
Of Real Property Real PropertyAgricultural 54.25% 0.
Residential 43.36% 1.
Commercial 47.37% 1.
Industrial 33.85% 1.
Timber-Cutover None in Class
Developmental None in ClassPERSONAL PROPERTY
Commercial 50.00% 1.
Industrial 50.00% 1.
Utility 50.00% 1.This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1076 as amended (Open Meetings
Act) MCLA 41.72A (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).The Irving Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services
to individuals with disabilities upon seven (7) day notice to the Irving Township Board,
such as signer for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials to be
presented at the meeting.Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the clerk,
at (269) 948-0633.
Jamie R. Knight
Supervisor, Irving Township 212410Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner
Water Bourne System 110 Johnson St., Caledonia— STATE OF THE ART SYSTEMS —
State & I-CAR Certified Technicians
TOUCH Computerized Electronic Measuring System
Frame Repair
“We go above and beyond your vehicle repairs!”
OPEN: M thru F
7:30 am - 5:00 pm616.891.
CHS robotics teams
advance to state finals
Three teams from
Caledonia High School
competed in the 2024 VEX
Robotics High School State
Championships at Kettering
University in Flint the week-
end of Feb. 23-24.
The tournament, which
featured 80 teams, is one of
Michigan’s biggest STEM
events each year and a great
experience for students
interested in technical fields.
Caledonia Robotics students
have been working since
August, designing, building,
programming, testing and
competing with their robots
at local and regional compe-
titions.
Caledonia’s “Right-
minded,” a team made up
of lefties Jackson Bernal,
Hailey Laprath, Vincent
Mauriello and Nola
Pearson, as well as the team
“We Wanted a
Flamethrower” comprised
of juniors Kaeler Fox,
Lukas Keson, Josh Maier
and Logan Reimbold, both
advanced to states due totheir outstanding skills
scores. These scores were
obtained by a combination
of autonomous program-
ming and driving sessions
at each event. The teams
finished in 18th and 21st in
their division respectively,
and chose to work as alli-
ance partners in the tourna-
ment rounds.
Also in attendance was
Caledonia’s senior team, the
“Over Under Achievers,”
consisting of Tyler Ambrose,
Cohen Broomfield,
Benjamin Diegel, Chloe
Groves and Bryson Van
Ryn. They, too, were invited
to states due to their impres-
sive skills score. They fin-
ished off their reign with a
4-4 record against some
tough competition, advanc-
ing them to the tournament
rounds as well.
Caledonia Robotics had
six teams in the high school
program this year. “Out of
Ideas” also qualified for the
event, but was unable to
attend.Caledonia robotics teams
compete in VEX IQ state finals
Three teams from
Caledonia’s robotics pro-
gram were among 60 teams,
comprising nearly 250 stu-
dents, who competed in the
2024 VEX IQ Robotics
state championships March
1-2 at Monroe County
Community College.
The VEX IQ Robotics
program is for students in
fourth through sixth grades.
Caledonia is in its third
year as part of the VEX IQ
program.
The all-girls team, “The
Perfect Mix,” were the first
to qualify for the event
having secured both the
second place team award
and the Design Award at
Allendale’s Full Volume
Tournament in November- Team members
Kennedy Collins, Emma
D’amico, Mae Flodin,
Leah Marshall and Laela
Nonhof, were said to have
demonstrated an organized
and professional approach
to the design progress,
while capitalizing on logic,
time management and team
organization.
“The Scot Bots,” com-
prised of Will Angus,
Marijke Dykhouse, Mason
Pittman, Mia Pittman and
Brendan Sharp, also earned
their invite after receiving
the Design Award; this time
at Grandville’s Alpha
League Championship in
February. They were ranked
28th in regular play at the
state event, which qualified
them for the finals, where
they finished 11th.
Jackson Gifford, Harrison
Krebill, Bradley Keson,
Micah Vink and Ehly
Watson of the “Kool Aid
Jammers’’ advanced to the
state competition where
they finished 48th, after
receiving the second place
Skills Award in the
Grandville Zeta League.
This award was based on
skills scores obtained
during a combination of
autonomous coding match-
es and driving skills match-
es, offered at each event.Caledonia EnrichED,
which oversees the robot-
ics program, will host its
annual informational night
and open house on April
24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at
Kraft Meadows
Intermediate School. TheCaledonia Robotics and
Caledonia RAD Drone pro-
grams will also hold infor-
mation sessions and
demonstrations. Follow
Caledonia Robotics on
Facebook for more infor-
mation.Students that represented Caledonia’s robotics
program at the 2024 VEX IQ Robotics state champi-
onships include: (top row; from L to R) Kennedy
Collins, Emma D’amico, Leah Marshall, Mia Pittman,
Marijke Dykhouse, Mason Pittman, Will Angus, (bot-
tom row; from L to R) Laela Nonhof, Ehly Watson,
Jackson Gifford, Brendan Sharp and Micah Vink.
(Photo provided)