The Canine Chronicle MBMS DEC. 2015

[t h e canine ] mount baker middle school, auburn, washington

december 2015

volume VI, issue 2

inside this issue: Lacy Leads ASB

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Stuff & Things News Update

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DIY Gifts on Small Budget

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Unique Holiday Traditions

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DEAR BULLDOGS,

EDITORIAL: Terrorism Media Coverage

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SPOTLIGHT: Emojis Gain Popularity

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Preparing for Star Wars VII

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Hunger Games Theme Park

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Culture Poll

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MBMS Sports Update

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Locker Lottery

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What Grinds My Gears

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Happy holidays, our fellow MBMS students and staff! Technically, it’s not quite upon us yet, but that’s okay, because everyone needs something to motivate themselves to survive these last few weeks in preparation for a luxurious winter break.

The Canine Chronicle is the echo of the student body’s voice. Our staff is on a glorious adventure to tell the story of our school. We report on newsworthy happenings relevant to Mt. Baker and recreate the events in an entertaining and inviting way. Without you, this opportunity could never be a possibility. So, keep being teenagers.

You guys are quite newsworthy.

While expressing the students’ opinions at Mt. Baker, we shall withhold and maintain the orderly conduct of our school, therefore refraining from disrupting the system of our school, using vulgar terms, etc.

Remember, although students might have more unwanted homework than usual, the school staff is trying their best to not only prepare you for second semester, but also for future years. So listen to your elders, kids!

Our newspaper touches on events significant to our school such as emoji popularity, the media coverage of ISIS, and the exciting new Star Wars movie!

With interesting culture polls, horoscopes, and even tips for the holidays, The Canine Chronicle is sure to keep you entertained for the upcoming holiday season!

FRONT COVER PHOTO: The new movie, Star Wars: the Force Awakens, nears, while the newer and sometimes stranger emojis gain prominence. The holidays are also closing in, so why not celebrate all three? PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY C. BAKER

Sincerely,

The Canine Chronicle

EDITORS

BACK COVER PHOTO: MBMS students and staff are getting excited for 2016. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY A. STEPHENS & E. WALTER

P.S. PHOTO BY K. NILES

mission: The MBMS Journalism 8 class produced this limited-voice EDITORS

REPORTERS

REPORTERS

REPORTERS

Cami Baker Jeremy Gregerson Chloe Knox Anna Morisawa Sydney Wate Ariana Stephens

Josh Abbot Olivia Ashby Aaron Baldridge Siarah Brown Logan Conner Camden Heilborn Aislynn Hester Wendy Kalebu

Maliyah Kim Adeline Maurus Kyle Miller Kylie Niles Gio Parascondola Jocelle Pham Tyler Puhlick

Timothy Rambo Sophia Ramos Rachel Vasilevich Ellie Walter Keegan Yorke

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ADVISER

Peter Warring Katie Honick

table of contents

newspaper with intent to ethically report events accurately, without bias. As a public forum for students, all decisions made on content are made under the guidance of the adviser, with intent to uphold students’ First Amendment rights.

The opinions presented in articles are provided to represent the views and perspectives of students and individuals in our diverse student population, not necessarily the whole of the adviser, faculty, and administrators. Any material that would cause a disruption to the educational process like libel, invasion of privacy, or copyright infringement will not be published.

The Canine Chronicle is produced using Microsoft Publisher. Photographs not taken by students have been utilized through a Creative Commons and Microsoft license. School portraits are licensed though Dorian Photography.

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Char gives us one of his famous complimentary smiles from when he was 8 all the way until now. He’s been giving this smile ever since Char was a little boy. Do you like Mr. Char’s complimentary smile? COURTESY OF J. CHAR & MBMS YEARBOOK JOCELLE P HAM & WENDY KALEBU The story of Mr. Char, a kid born in Honolulu who then moved to Auburn, teased readers with his journey in the last edition.

Char is the choir and drama director, but there is so much beyond what students see. He has experienced more than even imagined and has an interesting background.

Living in Honolulu, Char cherished summer nights at his beach house and loved school until his first year of middle school as a sixth-grader, where most called him by his last name.

“Kids were mean and teachers didn’t care,” Char said. “I don’t think anyone called me by my first name.”

As a child he was inspired by Elvis Presley and the Beatles to love music and wanted to become a rock star. Because of these musicians, he is now able to say that he has been in more than 15 bands.

This is the reason music is such an immense part of his life.

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Having the chance to be in so many bands gave Char the pleasure to travel all over the U.S. All places were great, but when Char visited Washington, he was astonished.

“I fell in love with the Puget Sound, I was on tour in a rock band and we

came up on tour here,” Char said. ”I said, ‘If I ever get the chance, I’m going to live up here.’”

To continue going after what he loved, Char became a music teacher after soon realizing he only taught with music.

CHLOE KNOX

Next edition’s staff member was born in Forks, Washington. She has never lived in any other state.

She loves to bake, and her favorite spot to vacation is the beach.

This staff member went to Kent Ridge High School, got her Bachelor’s at Central Washington University, and her Master’s at Gonzaga.

She’s been teaching for 23 years total, at Chinook Elementary and MBMS. Stay tuned for the January edition to find out who this staff member is.

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“I was teaching regular classroom in California, and I realized that all my lessons were taught with my guitar,” Char said.

Char was a music teacher at Cascade and later on transferred to MBMS. He directed many musicals at CMS and when he arrived to MBMS, he continued.

“I’ve gotten better at it. My standards have gotten higher for every play,” Char said. “My goal for the next [play] is to top that.”

As many have heard, the school production this year will be Beauty and the Beast Jr., which will be challenging for him to accomplish.

“It’s going to be tough, because I thought we did a really good job last year as far as costumes and sets,” Char said.

In the end, the most important people in his life are his wife, kids and students.

And although those are the most important, his greatest accomplishment was said to be his children.

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SOPHIA RAMOS

sense of humor. “I might have to start bribing them with coffee and bacon.”

Lacy wants the ASB to be more involved at the school, not just at pep assemblies.

“I would like to see more [involvement] in the hallways or at

This year, there has been something different at the pep assemblies, Ms. Lacy, a new teacher this year at MBMS, has decided to take on the challenge of leading the ASB. Eighth grade science teacher Ms. Lacy has stepped up to the challenge in place of seventh grade social studies teacher Mrs. Lindgren.

“I did ASB in middle school and high school, and it was something I was really passionate about,” Ms. Lacy said. “It wasn’t something I was planning to do this year, but it became available, and I knew that this was an opportunity that I knew I couldn’t pass up.”

Lindgren enjoyed the interactions with students on ASB but stepped down.

“I loved watching the students transform into strong leaders in the school,” Lindgren said. “I also enjoyed seeing the sixth graders live up to their responsibilities.”

Lindgren had been a great ASB leader, but had to step away from this challenge because there wasn’t enough time to teach the ASB what it takes to be a person who people look up to.

“I was really frustrated we only meet on Friday mornings and the ASB officers in the past weren’t taking it seriously,” Lindgren said.

Lacy is excited to take on something new and fun and loves that the kids are involved in school and they get to make decisions that affect the student body.

Ms. Lacy said that the most challenging thing so far about the ASB is morning meeting on Fridays.

“Morning meetings are the only time we can meet with sports and everything after school,” Lacy said with her

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lunches and ways for us to incorporate student involvement that’s not just at pep assemblies, “ Lacy said.

Both Lacy and Lindgren both share the same determination and want kids to become strong, passionate, and independent leaders.

“I think Ms. Lacy has a passion for motivating students and this is a great way to get involved as a new teacher,“ Mrs. Lindgren said. “[Advice I would give Ms. Lacy is to] just relax, make the kids more reliable and selfsufficient so it doesn’t all fall on her.”

Assistant Principal Lewis gets silly-stringed at previous ASB Pep Assembly in November. COURTESY OF G. BROWN

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ANNA MORISAWA, SOPHIA RAMOS, ELLIE WALTER CONFERENCES SUCCESSFUL The all-too familiar conferences occur in the sporadic month of Nov., cleanly chopping off about half a school day for three days a week, allowing for scholars to sleep in. For most students at MBMS, it’s a welcome reprise. Conferences are a time in which one’s parent chooses whether to discuss their student(s) with their teachers. There, they receive quarter grades, past due assignments, and behavior evaluations.

Principal Brown stated that this was one of most successful in year.

GIVING TREE HELPS FAMILIES The Giving Tree is a program available to help families during Christmas; the Christmas tree is

filled with ornaments with a child’s wish, age, and gender.

These families don’t expect much for Christmas, so the giving tree helps parents get something for their children.

“It was a huge a success!” Mr. Vatne said.

“About 35-40 people participated; kids will have what they need for the winter.”

HOLIDAY CONCERTS SPREAD CHEER Here at MBMS, we have three music programs, choir, orchestra, and band.

The choir concert is on Dec.16, with songs from all grade choirs. The choir is directed by Mr. Char.

Mrs. Wharton conducts the orchestra. They had a concert on Dec.1, with performances from the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade orchestras.

The band concert was on Dec.9, with songs played by all the bands. Mr. Paustian is the band director.

DRAMA ANNOUNCES SPRING PLAY As most know due to an exciting announcement on Nov. 25, the annual play to be done at MBMS shall be based off of the famous Disney movie and classic, Beauty and the Beast..

The informational meeting was on Dec. 7, and many students showed up, eager to test out the waters.

Mr. Char, the choir and drama teacher, will be hosting the production.

May this year’s play be just as astounding as the productions put on by MBMS before!

FIRST SIXTH GRADE DANCE Calling all sixth graders. We will be a having a sixth grade dance on Dec. 16. Only sixth graders will be allowed. This is a first for MBMS! The dance theme will be pajama day. So wear your holiday socks! The dance will be held from 2-4.

Photos will be available for two dollars. Fun holiday socks will be sold for three dollars.

Many might ask, why a sixth grade dance?

“Because sixth graders have never had a dance” Mr. Carter said.

YEARBOOK'S GLOW IN THE DARK DANCE Get ready for this year’s school dances. This year MBMS is going to have two dances in one semester. That’s the most we have ever had.

Our first dance will be Dec.11.

The theme will be glow in the dark. The dance will start at two and go until four o’clock.

Snacks, water, and photos will be provided.

MBMS yearbook will be putting on the dance.

This dance is for seventh and eighth graders only.

Mr. Carter is selling fun holiday socks for the sixth grade dance. COURTESY OF J.CARTER (UPPER LEFT) The decorative tree in the library was used in for The Giving Tree. PHOTO S. RAMOS (UPPER RIGHT) The sixth grade band performing on Oct. 17th at the ART. COURTESY OF J. MALIETUFA (BOTTOM)

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SIARAH BROWN

HOT COCOA MIX: $10

PERSONALIZED MUG: $10

D.I.Y. NAIL POLISH: $4

The D.I.Y. hot cocoa mix in a glass jar is a fun and easy gift to make for a family member or a friend for the holidays.

All you will need is hot chocolate mix, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, a glass jar, and anything else you would like to decorate it with.

The first thing you need to do is pour the hot chocolate mix into the glass jar, and lightly pack it down to the bottom.

You can find the hot chocolate mix for $4 at Walmart. You could find the glass jar for about $2 at Michael’s.

Next, put a layer of chocolate chips down on top of the mix. You can find them for $2 at Walmart.

Then, put a layer of mini marshmallows on top of the chocolate chips. You can find them at Walmart for $2. Altogether, the total price comes to about $10.

The last thing you can do is decorate the jar any way you want to make it festive for the holidays.

The DIY personalized mug is a creative gift that you can give to anyone for the holidays.

The materials that you will need are scrapbook stickers that you could find at Michael’s for about $3, oil based sharpies for about $5 at Michael’s, and a white mug that you can find at Michael’s for about $2. All of these supplies together come to about $10.

The first thing you need to do is take the scrapbook sticker and put it anywhere you want on the mug.

Next, take the oil based sharpies and start outlining the sticker with dots. You can scatter and surround the sticker with as many dots as you would like.

If you mess up, put some rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and wipe away. Wait for several minutes for it to dry.

After you’re done, bake your finished mug in the oven on 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

After it’s done, leave the mug in the oven for several hours to cool.

The D.I.Y. nail polish is a cheap and easy way to make your nails look amazing!

In order to make this product, you will need clear nail polish, a paper or plastic funnel, glitter in whatever color you would like, and eyeshadow.

You can find all of these items for a dollar at the Dollar Tree. The total price comes to $4.

The first step is to take your clear nail polish and pour a little bit out of the bottle so that it doesn’t overflow.

Next, you need to chop up the eyeshadow so that there are not any big chunks in your nail polish.

Then, pour a couple scoops of eyeshadow into the clear polish.

After that, put the cap on and shake the bottle for several minutes.

If you want to make a glitter polish, all you need to do is put about half teaspoon of glitter into the clear nail polish and shake.

COURTESY OF LOVETHISPIC.COM

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JOCELLE PHAM & KYLE MILLER

AARON BALDRIDGE & JOSH ABBOTT

From Austro-Bavarian folklore, Krampus is a horned devil-like creature that punishes children who are disrespectful around the holidays.

According to legend, he stuffs bad children into a giant bag to later eat for a midnight snack.

Krampus is usually covered in brown or black fur, with cloven hooves, goat horns, and a long-pointed tongue.

Krampus is also thought to carry chains, and sometimes the chains have different sized bells, like a fiendish reindeer.

So remember, KRAMPUS IS ALWAYS WATCHING!!!

Every December in Japan, little children enjoy a good old feast of wait… chicken!? That’s right, every December these guys get tasty KFC, but sometimes they need to order it two months in advance!!

And sometimes they need to wait for two hours!

And more than 240,000 buckets are sold during the holidays annually.

Since there wasn’t any turkey in Japan, people tried deep fried chicken and when KFC heard, they had to jump on the idea.

So remember kids, this holiday season go to your local KFC and get some tasty, fried, tender, KFC!

COURTESY OF TERRARIA.GAMEPEDIA.COM

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In Ukraine, it is believed to be good luck if you decorate your tree in artificial spider webs.

This originated from a legend involving a poor widow and her children.

The children had their eyes set on an Evergreen tree outside for their Christmas tree; however, they had nothing to decorate it with.

That night the woman cried herself to sleep. The household spiders noticed her cry for help and covered the tree in their webs.

When morning reached and light hit the tree the web turned to silver and gold.

The woman never wanted anything ever again.

COURTESY OF JOYREACTOR.COM

news & features

On Christmas day, many have their own meals we eat traditionally, but it may be nothing like what the people in South Africa eat, on Christmas day.

They feast on deep fried Emperor Moth Caterpillars that supposedly taste close to tea and have a crispy crunch.

In South Africa, children are also told the story of Danny, a boy who angered his grandmother by eating the cookies left for Santa.

In her rage, she was said to have killed him, and he still haunts homes on Christmas.

It is used to keep children from misbehaving.

Take that, elf on the shelf!

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Visit the City of Auburn website for more details at Auburn.wa.gov.

Les Gove Gymnasium Pre-register by Wednesday.

Fri., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Tap Root Christmas Tales Auburn Avenue Theater

Sat., Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Ted Vigil Christmas Show – A John Denver Tribute Auburn Avenue Theater

Sat., Dec. 19 5-9 p.m.

Parents Night Out

Sun., Dec. 20 2 p.m.

Ave Kids Doktor Kaboom: The Science of Santa Auburn Avenue Theater

Fri., Jan. 1 New Year's Day Government offices closed

Fri., Dec. 25, Christmas Day Government offices closed

COURTESY OF CLIPARTBEST.COM

What is your family’s favorite holiday tradition?

ARIANA STEPHENS

“Putting decorations on the tree, and eating Christmas dinner with everybody, and opening presents.”

“Usually at Christmas, we go to church. Also, we open presents.

At Thanksgiving, we usually eat Filipino food.”

“[My favorite is] Thanksgiving.

It’s [my favorite] to eat a lot of turkey, and bake a lot of pies and just be lazy.”

“My family’s favorite holiday tradition is probably going downtown for dinner and a play. It’s usually A Christmas Carol. ”

JEFFERY FIRKINS

LESTER DUMOSMOG

AYNSLEE HOFFMAN

MRS. HUBBELL

eighth grade

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ANNA MORISAWA NOV. 13—The day students look back upon in remembrance of the ISIS attack on Paris.

But what about Beirut, attacked only a day before the City of Light?

Beirut is a region in Lebanon, east of the Mediterranean Sea and west

of Syria, where ISIS had originated.

This attack was barely covered, as Paris appeared to be sucking up the attention with the hashtags: #PrayForParis and #PeaceForParis.

Social media and news articles were flooded with information on Paris, disregarding attacks on

London, Kenya, Madrid, and a myriad of others.

These areas may have, quite unfairly, been simply barely covered in American media due to their popularity in comparison to Paris; granted however, it could be much, much more.

Most locations attacked were in the Middle East on Nov. 13.

“Paris, to most people, is more relevant and more important, and the Middle East is less important to them,” Andrew Chon, an eighth grader, said.

The other places weren’t covered for a number of reasons: popularity, symbolism, culture, and location.

Do you think the media makes Americans AISLYNN HESTER

“I think that Americans deserve to know what’s happening, but I think just as a natural response it makes them probably more fearful. We have a media that has a responsibility to tell us what is going on, but they might overdo it.”’

“Yeah, because [the media] might over exaggerate and make things up and make it seem like a regular thing when it’s not.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“No, because something bad could go around, but if you don’t do social media, it could change your opinion.”

MRS. THORINGTON

KIMBERLY GAVIN

RIVER ANKNEY

LAILAH ROSARIO

eighth grade

eight grade social studies

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A Brief History of

TYLER PUHLICK

The drawing depicted above displays the media coverage, or lack thereof, on several different regions, including Yemen and Syria. ART BY A. MORISAWA

It’s an injustice to them on the Not only are the civilians being lack of attention, as they lost huturned away from other countries man lives as well. as they try to desperately escape Derek Wirachowsky, another the iron fist of ISIS, but they are eighth grader, had a few sagacious also being torn apart by the organwords on the subject. ization, attacks occurring far too “I don’t know why they haven’t often. been covered,” Wirachowsky said.

Death litters the ground ISIS “Something like that should be on walks. Most countries protest that the news.” in allowing refugees into their Was it simply due to the popularilands, they might as well be letting ty of Paris that it was covered in terrorists. more? Or was it because of how A thorough check of the refugees close ISIS filing in, howappears to ever, can cure I think the media should let be to the entire this. people know this, so citizens Middle East?

So why aren’t understand the scope of Some autothese people these attacks.” matically assobeing given the ciate those who same respect MRS. KOENIG take part in ISIS that those of seventh grade teacher with innocent Paris are? others in close Public proximity with them, when in realiawareness must be heightened for ty, all not taking part in ISIS are these areas, as they aren’t getting considered “untrue Muslims”. the respect they deserve.

Mrs. Koenig, seventh grade social The next time you put a hashtag studies teacher, had a few words on Instagram, Facebook, or other to say on the subject. social media pages, perhaps you “ISIS seems to be attacking all should consider the other places, people who disagree with their such as Egypt and Yemen, who philosophy, even Muslims they were also attacked, yet not covbelieve to be ‘hypocrites’,” Koenig ered. said. “I think the media should let It is time to take action to honor people know this, so citizens unand give the proper reverence to derstand the scope of these atthose of whom fell to ISIS. tacks.”

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opinion

ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, started as an al Qaeda splinter group, a small organization, which is a political party that has broken away.

The goal of ISIS is to spread the Islamic state across Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State is a militant Islamic religious group active mostly in Syria and Iraq.

Abul A'la Maududi founded the Islamic State political party. In fact that term had never been used before the 20th century.

There were two central leaders in the startup ISIS; the two may not have even met.

Zarqawi, who was killed in 2006, was a heavy drinker, one-time thief, and his own mother once called him a dumb man.

Baghdadi the other leader, rarely appears in public, so not much is known about him. it is believed that he is a quiet man and possibly a scholar. But one thing that both leaders had in common was their faith in killing.

Although mainly being known as a thief, Zarqawi demonstrated his skill as a terror group leader in 2003; he could see that American troops would invade Iraq. He set up splinter groups to attack the American troops.

After these attacks the United States raised his bounty to $25 million, which was equal to the bounty of Bin Laden. In 2006 Zarqawi was killed

by United States airstrikes. Four months after Zarqawi’s death his successor founded the Islamic State of Iraq.

Baghdadi was named head of ISIS in 2010. His group was very good at exploiting the Sunnis (group of Muslims) fears. Not much else is known about Baghdadi, other than he was probably welleducated.

In the beginning, ISIS’s enemies underestimated them.

But later on they faced deadly attacks from the group.

Most members are incredibly serious, and determined. ISIS completed the building of a state, providing services and Bagdadi, the current leader of ISIS, began his rule in enforcing harsh 2010. COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA VIA CREATIVE COMlaws.

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SYDNEY WATE From cheese emojis to Santa faces, the simple pleasure of bright and colorful icons on smartphones is slowly becoming a part of every teenager’s life.

Emojis are becoming so popular that teens are using them without any thought, such as the winking face or the heart eyes emoji in place of speech.

Even sources like the Oxford Dictionary had decided that an emoji was the “Word of the Year” even

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though there are many other outstanding candidates for that title.

For example, there are intelligent words such as silicosis which was somehow less important than words like selfie and vape.

“I guess that’s what people are deciding now,” sixth grader Benjamin Kye said. “That’s the word of the year.”

In an instance, when anything even moderately funny is said, it is automatic to use the laughingcrying

spotlight

emoji.

It is as if emojis are the only way teens can express their feelings on their phones.

It’s a likely possibility that in the future people are going to communicate with only emojis in real life as well as on their phones. It’s intriguing to think about how far people will take this new trend.

“When I’m sad, I use a sad face,” sixth grader Nicole Birt said.

Emojis are meant to be used to show facial expressions while typing, in order to make it seem more like an everyday conversation, but emojis are becoming everyday conversation.

No longer are people using immaculate vocabulary words others have worked so hard to create and use in the past. Much is emoji-based.

It is common knowledge by now that the emojis on iPhones were recently updated.

Although it is popular to use some of the new emojis, the additions of a few were quite questionable.

For example, for most families, using the middle finger is unthinkable, but a middle finger emoji was added anyways.

Having phones at a younger age is becoming more common these days. Small, innocuous kids who haven’t lost their childhood innocence seeing a middle finger in their emojis must be frightening.

“I’m not sure about some of the emojis,” Kye said.

“I’m not sure why they added them.”

There is absolutely no reason for the middle finger to be included in emojis. At least download one of those emoji apps rather than force it upon every single person with an Apple device.

It seems as if humans as a whole are dependent upon their cellphones to say things that they are too scared to say out loud.

People are starting to use emojis as a form of cyberbullying.

The middle finger emoji only encourages it more.

We as humans are abusing the right of speech.

Rather than using intelligent vocabulary like the colonists used in the Declaration of Independence, teens use acronyms and emojis.

“You don’t even have to even shorten words anymore,” eighth grade history teacher Mrs. Carnahan said. “You can just put a picture instead.”

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CHLOE KNOX

amazed by the choices. Lesson 3: The elderly would be satisfied with just one smiley Emoji, and are impressed by the options.

1. The Oblivious, Blank Stare My grandpa is a wise man, having been alive almost 80 years. Have a question? He has an answer.

Except for what an emoji is. He’ll give you a confused look. Not because he didn’t hear you, but because he doesn’t know. Lesson 1: The elderly have no clue what an Emoji is, or how often they are used.

4. More Isn’t Always Better My grandpa has had a smart phone for a year now.

Touch screens are sensitive, but you think after a while one would get used to it. Not him. He’d touch the screen once, and next thing I know there’s seven new Emojis on the screen. Lesson 4: If an elderly person sends you a text message with an unnecessary amount of emojis, assume it was accidental, and reply with a smiley face.

2. Hunting for Emojis Like Easter Eggs Emoji: a small digital pictorial symbol, showing expression while electronically communicating. For my grandpa, I defined emoji, and told him to find one.

He looked like a lost toddler. After five minutes, and tons of hints from me, he found them, on the keyboard. Lesson 2: even if you tell the elderly what an emoji is, they’ll have NO IDEA how to find them.

options, he chose the American flag. Lesson 6: The elderly are almost as basic as us teens are.

7. A Disaster Waiting to Happen What if my grandpa decides to teach all his friends about emojis and pretty soon, the elderly ally to overthrow the government with emojis? Maybe, leaving emojis to the younger generations is a good idea. Lesson 7: Wondering if you should teach your elders to use emojis?

Don’t.

5. Don’t Make Any Other Plans Time did not fly when my grandpa had to choose an Emoji. It took almost three minutes to choose just one. JUST ONE. Lesson 5: If you’re going to teach an elder to use Emojis, make sure you have infinite time.

3. Learning the Never-ending Possibilities

6. A True American

Some elderly people grew up with very little, and therefore were taught to appreciate what they have.

With my grandpa, that is very much the case. Seeing the section of faces, he was overwhelmed and

We all have a favorite Emoji. After my grandpa had an understanding of Emojis, he picked his favorite. Out of all the

RACHEL VASILEVICH, CHLOE KNOX, OLIVIA ASHBY Test your knowledge of emojis and determine what the holiday song is below.

ALL EMOJIS COURTESY OF IEMOJI.COM

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CAMBRIA BAKER & AISLYNN HESTER

With the nearing “threat” of the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, you could find yourself trapped in a crowd that dwarfs the intensity of Black Friday. Here is a guide for you to make sure you know how to navigate the crowds and chaos.

SUPPLIES Bring a backpack with enough supplies for a zombie apocalypse, even though there won’t be one. Middleaged fans and small children are a good equivalent.

Do not share your supplies with anyone, even your neighbors. They could end up looking at you as nothing more than a resource, ready to be trampled and stolen from at any given moment.

BEFORE THE MOVIE Go to the bathroom before you sit down; you might end up soiling yourself and the seat beneath you.

If this happens, you will become infamous among the hundreds of people around you, along with the poor movie janitors who have to clean up your mess.

If there are cosplayers, do not stop to take pictures with any of them; they will slow you down, not allowing you to get a good seat.

Unless, of course, there’s a Wookie cosplayer; they’re okay to take pictures with.

SEATING While finding your seats, be sure to go in as early as you can, within the day of the showing. Avoid tall people and toddlers. If you can’t, make sure that toddlers are in front and tall people are in back.

Do not put your personal belongings down to save the best seat while you go do your business or buy candy. If you do, you will come back to find a soccer mom in your spot with her seven sweaty eight-yearold children, possibly dressed as Leia and eight little Yodas or Ewoks.

Even with hundreds of opening-weekend show times for The Force Awakens already sold out, analysts predict there will be more than enough seating capacity on opening weekend. For instance, last week critics and fans said that 1,600 or more opening-weekend screenings were sold out, but that 3.5 million tickets remained available, as of Dec. 11.

COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

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DURING THE MOVIE Make a peace treaty with your neighbors; they could provide rations when the times get hard and will be your alliance when fan-fights ensue.

When your little brother or sister start desperately pulling your sleeve and saying, “I got to go potty,” do not go with them at all costs.

Send the neighbor alliance or your parents with them instead.

Don’t look forward to any good Christmas presents after that, though.

AFTER THE MOVIE Watch the floors for lost children, discarded popcorn, candy, soda, or other food and drinks.

This could save your life in the insanity that is this movie premiere.

Don’t be a hero when exiting the theater.

Your elderly grandparents are dead weight at this point. Get out of there as fast as possible.

LEAVING THE PARKING LOT Beware of the socially-awkward adult Darth Vader cosplayers who want the blueprints to the Death Star.

Call their 90 year old mothers to pick them up, who they live with, in their basement. Don’t encourage their antics, shenanigans, or other tom-foolery.

Do not leave immediately; wait for traffic to thin out.

While in your car, play family-friendly games, like I-Spy the Whining Toddler or Hangman: Annoying Theatergoers Edition, or maybe even Quiet Game: Death Mode.

If you’re alone, play Solitaire, or your own rendition of tag.

AT HOME Check your car for escaped droids.

When their owners come searching for them, tell them that these aren’t the droids they are looking for. If you have done it correctly, they will repeat what you have said and walk away.

As much as it tempts you, refrain from the attempt to make Star Wars themed pancakes or cookies.

It will end poorly and with your planet destroyed.

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KYLE MILLER Director J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie is the new start to a new era coming out to theaters on Dec, 18.

This movie shows new thrills with the new villain named Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and new designs and models of every type of Stormtrooper.

The director J.J Abrams has directed many films before this exciting movie including the last two Star Trek movies and Mission: Impossible III. Later movies he will direct that have been announced are Mission: Impossible 6, Star Trek 4, and Star

Trek Beyond.

The most recent trailer for the movie has put everyone into shock showing the crazy new action be-

tween the rebels and the Empire and the new main characters Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega).

The trailers has also made fans freak with the old characters that are coming back like Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

The fans have been excited over this and are likely to continue as new thrillers are showed and until the first day of showing in theaters.

Fans are super excited for the film, expressing their opinions online.

“Great drama. Powerful story line. Special effects are awesome. Best 90 sec-

ond movie so far” said a fan named MercuryMarc from the source StarWars.com. “The character development was limited and the plot predictable, but more than a few unforeseen twists add to the intrigue.”

The trailers have shown many twisting moments of plot that are bound to be in the new movie.

The new character Finn has a very interesting story.

The story behind it that I’ve speculated was that he was a Stormtrooper but switched sides to become a Jedi, breaking the law.

The plot starts after his ship crash lands on the planet Jakku.

“I was raised to do one thing... but I've got nothing to fight for,” Finn said in the trailer.

Another twisting plot that is interesting in the new movie revolves around a main female character Rey. The story that is based around her is that she daughter of Princess Leia and Han Solo.

The plot starts of in the beginning of the film where she is searching around the demolished star destroyer.

Rey believes that the Jedi and the Dark Side are real.

“There are stories about what happened it’s true,” Rey said.

Her supposed father reliplied.

“All of it. The Dark Side, the Jedi.

They're real,” Han Solo said.

COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

SOPHIA RAMOS

“I like all the movies. I like the robots like R2-D2 and C3PO. “

“The seventh movie, anything can happen there’s so much adventure and it’s in the future.”

“The first Star Wars movie.

There’s a lot of action and excitement. and I think the characters are funny.”

“The first one that came out called A New Hope, so that’s actually episode four. Special effects make it really believable. I like the hope of people trying to get free of this evil empire.”

ZOE PERKINS

LOGAN MCFARLAND

ERIKA WEDUM

MR. PAUSTIAN

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On Nov. 4, Lionsgate Entertainment released plans to develop a theme park for the popular Hunger Games series of books and movies near Atlanta. PHOTO COURTESY OF LIONSGATE ENTERTAINMENT

By the end of 2019, a new addition will have been added to Atlanta, Georgia; this addition will be the Hunger Games Theme Park. There are many things wrong with this idea, including much criticism .

Here are five proposed things that could end up going horribly wrong. May

Games.

Come watch as Rue gets impaled by a spear and Peeta almost gets killed in the first 30 seconds of the games. This reenactment will help you understand the topic more and the movie.

Don’t forget to come dressed up as your favorite character. Watch them as they fight to survive for your enjoyment.

the acid fog, have your mind tormented by mocking jays, have your guts ripped out by the monkey mutts, and be chased underground by mutant lizards.

There is no better way to spend your time while you are at the Hunger Games Theme Park.

The maze encourages parents to spend time with their children as they fight for their lives.

Watch as the Hunger Games takes place just a thin piece of glass away. Now you can experience the Capitol’s perspective and see how much fun it can really be.

The games will be held in an exhibit where you will feel like you are in the Hunger

Experience the torture that the tributes have experienced throughout the Hunger Games for yourself.

Wander through the maze to be stung by trackerjackers, have your skin burned by

In the Hunger Games Theme Park there will be rides that you and your family will not want to miss. The genetically modified creatures from past-dead-tributes Mutt Chase is a sure hit.

CAMDEN HEILBORN & ADELINE MAURIUS

the odds be ever in your favor.

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These horrific creatures will chase you around the park as you’re eating the only thing they sell at the food court—DIRTY BREAD. The chase would follow you everywhere, from Plutarch Heavensbee’s Maze of Mysteries to the hole in the woods they call the bathrooms. They’ll be dangerous, and they’ll be frightening.

You might die! But the real reason to go is to have fun.

Make sure to wear your arrow proof vest!

Hope this exciting adventure makes your gluten-friendly Hunger Games Theme Park trip memorable.

Now you too can experience the death of Rue over and over again, until the image is

imprinted into your mind.

Or, if Rue’s death isn’t enough for you, you could always choose to be a different tribute that dies.

There is absolutely no better way to spend time with your family than in this simulation, as it lets you experience the pain of watching your family, who appear to be tributes, die before your eyes.

like Disneyland’s log ride.

All the people in the theme park will know you attempted to get through the day, and once everyone knows you failed, they will be able to see that.

After that, everyone will respect you for having the courage to come to the theme park!

The theme park creators only expect a couple people to make it through all the obstacles in a day. When you walk through the entrance in the front, the canon will sound, and the jumbo screen will honor all people that have “died” that day.

When the pictures come up, you can see your face up there. Everyone’s dream come true, just PHOTO COURTESY OF LIONSGATE ENTERTAINMENT



Jennifer Lawrence went partially deaf in one ear after getting multiple ear infections from filming deep diving scenes during Catching Fire.



The books were estimated to make $155 million but really made more than $300 million.



Most of the Hunger Games was shot in the woods of North Carolina, especially in and around Charlotte and Asheville.



The Hunger Games cost $90 million to make, reduced to $78 million after subsidies.



With the first movie weighing in at 2 hours and 22 minutes and the second at 2 hours and 26 minutes,



Mockingjay Part I is the shortest Hunger Games movie to date with just 2 hours and 3 minutes of running time.

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In Mockingjay Part I, the word ‘mockingjay’ was said about 20 times.



In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jennifer Lawrence said that she, Josh Hutcherson, and Sam Claflin were very clumsy, saying Claflin fell at least once in every scene they filmed in Catching Fire. Claflin agreed and said they could fill an entire gag reel with just him falling over.



In Mockingjay Part II, most of the Capitol scenes were shot in Paris and Berlin.

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Francis Lawrence, director, considered Mockingjay Part II the most violent Hunger Games film out of the four.

FACTS COMPILED BY CAMDEN HEILBORN & ADELINE MAURUS

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CHLOE KNOX, OLIVIA ASHBY, RACHEL VASILEVICH Test your knowledge of emojis and determine what the holiday movie line is below.

KYLIE NILES

“[I use my phone to] go on Instagram and Snapchat, [and to] text my friends during lunch.”

“I use my cellphone…when it is a rainy day outside, and I can’t play soccer.”

“I don’t use [my phone] at school.”

“[I use my phone for] emergency calls from my kids, sometimes texting at lunch, and I take selfies with my PRIDE winners.”

ESPERANZA GONZALES

MICHAEL GOFORTH

JACK BRANDT

MRS. SWANSON

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MALIYAH KIM

Aries (March 21- April 19): Help your family as much as you can. This will make a big difference.

CHLOE KNOX & OLIVIA ASHBY

Taurus (April 20- May 20): You will go outside your bubble and talk to new people. Go out and be adventurous with new people and just socialize with them. This will have you be less shy and more outgoing.

Top Listened to Songs of Year 2015 has been an interesting year music-wise. One Direction fell apart after Zayn Malik left, and Justin Bieber made a huge comeback. Hit songs this year included Sugar (Maroon 5), Stitches (Shawn Mendes), Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran), Love Me Like You Do (Ellie Goulding), Bad Blood (Taylor Swift), and Hotline Bling (Drake). Were any of these popular songs included in one of your playlists this year?

Gemini (May 21- June 20): Try a new activity that you haven’t tried before. Doing so will introduce you to new people that will make a great impact on your life.

Expensive Socks Important to Teens

Cancer (June 21- July 22): Forget about working out and put your gym membership down. Hit the refrigerator instead.

This year, not only for athletes, not only for girls, not only for boys, but for everyone, wearing longer socks with slides was trendy. Nike Elites, Skylines, and even Adidas socks were often seen on both genders. But, Pink, and Juicy Couture started selling these new, and more expensive socks for girls. The average cost for a pair? $15. Are you guilty of buying and wearing these types of socks with slides?

Leo (July 23- Aug. 22): Focus on your academic career and only your education to go further in life.

Apple Cup: Huskies vs. Cougars Recently the University of Washington Huskies played in the annual Apple Cup football game against Washington State University Cougars. Since the year 2000, the UW Huskies have won 11 games, but the WSU Cougars have only won 5 games. Some people side with the team that wins. If you enjoy football and the team you root for plays terribly, would you still want them to win?

Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22): Known as perfectionists, it will be your year to have a perfect Instagram feed. You will persevere until it is perfect.

Libra (Sept. 23- Oct. 22): Learn how to cook without using a microwave. This will help you move forward in life.

Sandals and Fanny Packs in 2015

Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21): Keeping secrets adds to your mysterious allure, but there's a limit. If you're using your power to manipulate others, that's where it needs to end. Resolve to be more transparent with those close to you this year. Let them in on your deepest secrets and enjoy the fruits of greater intimacy.

Earlier this year the fashion of Birkenstocks shoes and fanny packs have become popular. If you do not know what Birkenstocks are, they are just basically sandals with buckles instead of straps. Other people also wear fanny packs to carry all of their personal items, so they have them at a moment's notice. Some people love these trends, some people hate them. Would you wear this new fashion trend to school?

Fashion Trends Returning From Past 2015 has been a year full of fashion comebacks. For girls, fringe, mesh, flared and/or high waist pants came back into style. For guys, baggy jeans, and sweats with low waists were popular. For both genders, flannels were well bought, and often worn. Some people love these new, old, trends, some think of them to be a total fashion failure. Did any of these fashions rebounds make their way into your wardrobe this year?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21): Don’t spend all your money on shopping; instead save up the money for something special.

Movies Worth Owning

Aquarius (Jan. 20- February 18): Drink more water because it will lead to a healthier body.

Capricorn (Dec. 22- January 19): LAY OFF THE FOOD (especially corn!). Geez, you’re so obsessed.

2015 has been a good movie year and also a terrible movie year. For example, Inside Out, The Martian, and Jurassic World received excellent ratings, but other movies such as Project Almanac, Pixels, and Tomorrowland didn't receive the best of ratings. Many people went to

Pisces (Feb. 19- March 20): Caring for something you care about will give you motivation to give that feeling to others.

see them regardless. People may disagree with these ratings, but would you like to purchase your own copy of these movies to watch at home?

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TIMOTHY RAMBO VARSITY BOYS SOCCER The varsity soccer team also started a great season with a solid win over Cascade with top scorer going to Noel Trujillo-Garcia with 3 points. ”The team is smaller at size but they are high in talent,” said Mr. King.

As of Dec. 4, the team went 2-0 with a 5-2 win over Rainier.

Jeremy Gregerson and Arturo Gallegos both made great blocks between the poles.

Both Josh Bair and Noel T. Garcia scored twice with powerful on target shots to the net, “We have had some successful wins,” Garcia said.

There are some teammates that are the same but they have good skills and teamwork. “There is always room to improve we’ll do anything to make the team,” Garcia said.

thing.” Brittany Porter said.

Porter said the team was less experience but the team has really strong leaders.

The team does a lot of conditioning to stay in shape and works very hard. ”We’ve started out and improved after are loss against Rainier,” said Tiana Troncoso. ”There is a lot of new kids, and we’re close.”

VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL The varsity basketball team is off to a great start, as of Dec. 9, at 5-

0.

Their first game was won 54-29 at North Tapps.

Keeping their winning streak going, the players kept up there momentum and won the game against Olympic, scoring 56-36.

With their third win of the season against Rainer with a total score of 47-37, it was tough and gritty win for Baker.

According to Coach Lubash, the team played hard and everyone played a great defense.

“The varsity team has really progressed greatly in such a short

time the team has done great” said Coach Lubash.

Many players has gotten much better.

“There’s a lot of new rules just learning how to play Zone and Zebra (1-3-1),” Tyler Berry said. “At the beginning of the year, some of the team didn’t know what they’re doing, but as the year continued they got better.”

There were a lot of good players that didn’t need to improve as much, but Berry agreed that some of the players need to improve, “but everybody has gotten better”.

GYMNASTICS Let’s not forget about the varsity gymnastics team. They may have only had a jamboree as of Dec. 4. but they’re still doing great.

“Struggling this year they took third place in the jamboree and ever since they have been working very hard,“ Mrs. Swanson said.

There is always room to improve.

“They’ve improved a lot on every-

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Mt Baker plays an awesome offense against North Tapps. COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK.

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KEEGAN YORKE & GIO PARASCONDOLA SEVENTH GRADE BOYS BASKETBALL MBMS has two basketball teams coached by coaches Mr. Vatne and Mr. Jordan.

“Me and coach Jordan split up the teams pretty evenly,” Vatne said.

Vatne’s team has been doing well so far this season with a record of 3-2 as of Dec. 10.

Jordan’s team is led by Trevon Blassingame and Joseph Allen with great rebounding by the post players.

Vatne’s team is led by point guard Kevin Griffin.

Coach Jordan’s team has a record of 4-1 ss of Dec. 10 .

Overall Mt. Baker had a great start of the seventh grade basketball season so far.

FUTURES SOCCER The futures soccer teams have also had a pretty good season.

Mt. Baker has two teams that are led by Coach Vickers and Coach Decker.

Coach Decker thought the team has done really

good so far this season, but thought they can improve.

“We can improve on ball handling skills and more accurate touches” Decker said.

The team has been pretty successful so far with a record of 3-0 as of Dec. 8.

Due to the injury of Tyler Puhlick, Vickers team is down one person on their rosters, but the team has fought through it. Vicker’s teams have a record of 03.

Overall Coach Vickers team has struggled, but they can bounce back, while Decker’s team has done well.

FUTURES GYMNASTICS Futures Gymnastics has had a very good season so far. Gymnastics team is led by Coach Keaton, Coach Swanson, and Mrs. Swanson’s daughters.

“We had a rough start in the jamboree, we took second but we only lost by about 2.5, which means we can easily comeback a improve from that,” Keaton said.

The futures gymnastics have had a great season so far. So far all, the teams had had a very successful season.

MBMS Futures have started the season strong. Multiple seventh graders made key contributions at the first gymnastics meet, even though they all are one varsity team. COURTESY OF M. SHUNK.

What is the biggest difference between varsity and futures sports?

SIARAH BROWN

“I think varsity football is cool and fun. The coaches were good, and I think it was a good year.”

“I think that varsity is more intense, and I think futures is a little bit laid back. It gives the players a little more experience before going to varsity.”

“I think it’s going to be more competitive than [futures].”

“When [seventh graders] move to varsity, play is only based on skill and the top competitors get to compete.”

ALEX POLLIN

BROOKLYN BANKERS

COLE CROSS

MRS. SWANSON

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The Locker Lottery is a survey for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students whose lockers are randomly selected to participate. In this edition, the sixth graders selected were Oscar Perez and Ajok Miyar, the seventh graders were Caitlin Bennett and Ella Miller, and the eighth graders were Drew Bates and Bryan Merino.

JEREMY GREGERSON, LOGAN CONNER, WENDY KALEBU

What is your favorite part about Christmas?

D.B.: I like how it focuses on giving, not receiving.

B.M.: Presents.

O.P.: Presents.

A.M.: Presents.

E.M.: Giving.

C.B.: Spending time with family.

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

D.B.: Deck the Halls.

B.M.: I don’t have one.

A.M.: Jingle Bells.

E.M.: Here Comes Santa Claus.

C.B.: Jingle Bell Rock.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

D.B.: Elf. B.M.: Rudolph.

A.M: How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

E.M.: How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

C.B.: How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Do you decorate your house for Christmas?

D.B.: Yes. B.M.: Inside.

O.P.: Sometimes.

A.M.: Yes, but mostly on the inside.

E.M.: Yes, on the inside and out.

C.B.: Yes, but mostly on the outside.

What do you want the most for Christmas?

D.B.: Tickets to the musical, Book of

Mormon.

B.M..: Superflies.

A.M.: I want a surprise.

E.M.: Money.

C.B.: The book, The Fifth Wave.

What do you think about ISIS? D.B.: Obviously, they’re bad, but I think it’s a complicated issue.

B.M.: They’re bad.

O.P.: They’re bad people.

A.M.: They’re murderers.

E.M.: They’re stupid.

C.B.: ISIS is a radical terrorist group that does the wrong thing.

Do you think America should help fight ISIS? D.B.: Yes, but they have to go about it carefully because it could spark a larger reaction from ISIS. A.M.: Yes, but I’m afraid of getting attacked.

E.M.: No, because we will get attacked.

How big of a threat do you think ISIS is to America?

D.B.: Rather large.

B.M.: BIG! O.P.: Medium.

A.M.: Big threat.

E.M.: Big. C.B.: They are a pretty big threat.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY W. KALEBU VIA PHO.TO

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What

Disagree? The segment ‘What Grinds My Gears’ is presented as opinion and does not express the views of all MBMS students or The Canine Chronicle. If you would like to express your opinion, write us a letter, and you may be published in our next edition.

My

new house?

There is one good thing about them they can double as a nice door stopper. Fruit cake is almost rock solid, sometimes I think cement is an ingredient, but grandma is not that mean.

But you know what would be just terrible if your grandma comes to your house unannounced and sees you are using her beloved fruit cake as a door stopper or under your car to stop it rolling down the hill.

It’s even worse when a guest brings it to your Christmas party, and no one eats it, and they say “oh, you can keep it.”

Then you don’t know what to do with it AGAIN so at this point you throw it in the trash where it belongs.

The fruit cakes are pretty dangerous a bite in the wrong place. You could lose a tooth and that’s a big dentist bill.

Tree Skirts Do you know what grinds my gears?

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOMING THE ONE, THE ONLY, TREE SKIRT!!!!!!

In case you mundanes don't know what tree skirts are, allow me to explain.

You know those rugs that you put around the bottom of your Christmas tree? THAT’S THE MONSTROSITY I’M TALKING ABOUT! Not only were tree skirts quite insipidly titled—I mean really, you couldn’t have thought of a more creative name—but they are also quite ineffective.

Tree skirts just NEVER seem to finish the job of covering up the base of the Christmas tree. Seriously, there is always that one section of the tree holder that’s just ALWAYS blank.

Is it too much to ask for a zipper down the back of it?

It’s as if the creators were SO worried about the styles and patterns to even let it cross their minds as to how well the product actually functioned! All the frilly holiday designs make me sick.

Literally, nobody cares if your rug isn’t a perfect replica of Santa’s workshop. An avalanche of presents usually ends up burying it anyways, so what’s the point?

I could go on about my top ten reasons why the tree skirts should be called Pine Ponchos, but that, my friends, is for another day and another angry rant about tree skirts.

And that’s what grinds my gears.

—GIO PARASCONDOLA ____________________________________

Egg Nog You know what about the holidays grinds my gears? Eggnog.

I can’t fathom how someone knows there’s raw egg in a product, yet they still consume it. It’s not just the ingredients in the drink that bother me; it’s practically everything about it.

For example, eggnog’s appearance. It’s more like glue than milk, and that’s not okay because when you drink something. You don’t want to feel like you’re drinking paste that is used to hold objects together.

Another reason eggnog bothers me is because of its smell; ‘unscented’ paint with cinnamon.

Moving on, the packaging of eggnog.

Why is the carton so gigantic and intimidating?

That makes it seem like there’s way too much eggnog to finish before the date expires, and you’ll

—SYDNEY WATE ____________________________________

Fruit Cakes I’m pretty sure everybody hates fruit cake, because the stuff is just nasty.

When it looks like a brick under the tree it’s usually a fruit cake from grandma.

Then you don’t know what to do with it, Should you eat it or use it to build a

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be left with moldy mush, more disgusting than before.

One more thing that pests me about eggnog is the name. understand that there can be egg in eggnog, but what is nog?

Is that some kind of spice that only eggnog manufacturers know how to use?

Is it what gives the drink its distinct taste?

Because if so, what was going on in the creator’s noggin?

Okay that was a pun joke…but that is what grinds my gears about the holidays.

—WENDY KALEBU ___________________________________

Holiday Humbugs What grinds my gears you say? That one person who is a” bah humbug” around the holidays. Please take your negative thoughts somewhere else.

PLEASE! I am trying to have a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Oh no, you had to come and make me mad by complaining about every little thing; like how my holiday music is too loud in the morning; or how I have too much holiday cheer; and even how my holiday spice candles are too smelly; or how I get to many pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks!

Who doesn’t like holiday spice candles! Please, please just let me enjoy my Hallmark movies in peace. So what if I want to watch ELF or Polar Express for the twentieth time. I do not remember inviting you into humble home to wreck my holiday chi.

I’m really sorry that it’s too cold in the house for you. Really it’s not my fault that you won’t use my homemade blankets. I DON’T CARE that your apple cider or hot cocoa is too hot. PUT AN ICE CUBE IN IT! PLEASE TAKE YOUR LACK OF COMPASSION AROUND THE HOLIDAYS AND MOVE!!

—ELLIE WALTER

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