The Canine Chronicle MBMS Nov. 2013

[the the] the]

Canine Chr Chr[[ Mount Baker Middle School, Auburn, Washington

]nicle November 2013

Volume IV, Issue 1

MBMS Celebrates Twenty Years

With Twenty Features of Bulldog History H. Addsion

Table of Contents]

[2 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Letter from the Editors

Teen Role Models

4

Bulldogs,

Teen Depression

5

Service Clubs Make Difference

6

Social Media Etiquette

7

This year is certainly one to be remembered! Not only do we have a large amount of brand new students filing their way into our school, we are also celebrating Mount Baker’s 20 th anniversary. All of the staff of The Canine Chronicle wishes to not only welcome all of the new sixth graders, but also honor the history of Mount Baker itself. In order to do this, we have decided to dedicate a few articles each edition to news that was relevant to 1994-95 school year, as well as shed some light on how the school has changed since that time of its opening.

Locker Issues

8

Homework Management

9

20 for 20: Stories Year One

10

‘Gravity’ Review

13

Locker Lottery

14

What Grinds My Gear

15

MBMS Fast Pitch

16

MBMS Football

17

MBSM Sports

18

Sincerely,

Life

19

Aaron Baker

Fall Photo Essay

BACK

COVER PHOTO: To commemorate the rich twenty-year history of Mt. Baker Middle School, the TCC staff has started a new feature for our fourth volume. Over our seven editions for the 2013-2014 school year, we will color our storied past with twenty unique features about school history and pop culture history from 1994-1995.

The Canine Chronicle has been a tradition here at MBMS for three years now. Our ultimate goal is not to beguile you with tales of fiction or report on the problems of the outside world, but rather we wish to give you a voice. The Canine Chronicle is your work; your history! You are the voice, we are the messenger. We want to hear your voice, which is more important than anything else. We cannot wait for you to see what we can do just as we cannot wait to see what you can do.

We hope that through The Canine Chronicle you can learn more about the school and November be even have some fun along the way. This year’s paper will be extraordinarily exciting as we hope to offer you an example of not only what school is like this year but also what it was like 20 years ago. All of us on the Canine Chronicles staff certainly have our work cut out for us! Last year’s paper was spectacular and it will certainly be hard to meet the standard they set for this year’s staff.

We certainly hope that you enjoy reading the newest issue of The Canine Chronicle!

Jonathan Casey Ben Geisen Alyssa Ferry Jalen Forward Hope Addison

MT. BAKER MIDDLE SCHOOL 620 37TH STREET SE AUBURN, WASHINGTON 98002

Staff Editors

Aaron Baker Jonathan Casey Ben Geisen Alyssa Ferry Jalen Forward Hope Addison

PHOTO BY K. BATES

Reporters

Reporters

Technical Support

Destany Abellera Gigi Alcedo Kyle Bates Jeremiah Brown Bella Coronado Jasmine Dang Maddie Feeney Daniel Filovets Ka’Sean Griffin Kat Hamm Ryan Hess

Kamalvir Jhajj Samantha Leurquin AJ Maas Ysabela Manuel Anna Maracich Harrison Maurus Colby Pretz Daniel Shablevskiy Cameron Shute TJ Williams

Jay Kemp

Adviser Peter Warring

Mission: The MBMS Journalism 8 class produced this limited-voice 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 advisor, 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 advisor, 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.

[News & Features]

[November 2013 * 3]

PE teachers Mr. King, Mrs. Burkhalter, and Mr. Perman express themselves with their elaborate, coordinated costumes every year. COURTESY OF A. BURKHALTER

Do You Still Trick or Treat?

Anna Maracich & Alyssa Ferry

Halloween just passed, and the age for trick-or-treaters was a common subject among the student body; among other traditions and precautions for families.

“Trick-or-Treating” is a common Halloween tradition that has been celebrated by American culture since 1951. It used to be practiced when poor people would visit wealthier houses and receive pastries in exchange for a promise to pray for the home-owners dead relatives. The holiday was later taken up by children in what we know as trick-or -treating. While some view Halloween as an excuse for scares and tricks, others only think of the bag of treats they collect.

Our student body had many different views regarding what age you should stop trick-or-treating.

Sixth grader Camden Hielborn said, “I think you should stop trick-or-treating in tenth grade because ninth grade is your last year of fun then high school gets so serious.”

Yet seventh grader Griffin Cummins thought the age of responsibility was 21 years old.

The members of Builders Club this year still carried on the tradition in a unique way. They trick-or-treated for UNICEF as community service. Instead of knocking for candy, they went door to door asking for donations that could save a mother and her child’s life.

Many parents were concerned for their child’s safety. A couple solutions parents used for their children to trick-or -treat in the dark include using flashlights, reflective tape, and glow sticks. This way your child stayed safe, and had fun.

Both Coach Jason Brown and Camden Heilborn believed you should trick-or-treat in your neighborhood, so you can get to know your neighbors.

Jacob Pepe said, “[The best places to trick-or-treat are] the big houses by Haggen because they give you pop and full size candy bars.”

The Lakeland Hills community sponsored their annual Halloween house decorating contest. The judging took place during the week of October 21 and they determined the top eight spookiest houses. The houses were decked out with witches, ghosts, and ghouls.

Wild Waves’ annual Fright Fest added an additional 3-D clown house, which wasn’t as frightening to most, especially compared to the Chamber of Souls haunted house.

Kannen Kilstrom said, “I don’t think either of the houses were scary, but my favorite part was when I turned around and I didn’t see my friend behind me!“ Whether your tradition was staying inside and hiding when people knock on the door, like Coach Brown, or you loaded up on candy, like Jacob Pepe, Halloween was a frightening and fun fest for all the monsters out there.

Local Orthodontist Offers Cash for Candy Molen Orthodontics recently had their annual candy Kaytlyn Andersen, a patient at Molen, goes every year. trade-in on November 1. All three offices, Sumner, Enum- Kaytlyn said this is a great idea “…Because you don’t claw, and Auburn, participated in the event to prevent need the candy. It’s bad for you. People in the community cavities and raise food to donate. that are less fortunate need it more than us.”

From 2:30-6:30 kids of all ages (with or without At this event, people were all smiles, while snacks were braces) lined up to trade their candy, decked in their served. Milk and cookies stained the fingers of witches, scariest costumes and bright smiles. villains, and superheroes all around the office.

For every one pound of wrapped candy they brought in, If you are a patient at Molen, then just coming in and they earned $2. This continued up to ten pounds. Also, turning in candy earned you ten “Molen Moolah” points. canned food items were collected. This earned them an Helpful to anyone who doesn’t enjoy those sweet treats extra dollar for every two they brought in, same with they’ve collected, but did enjoy the act of going out on wearing your costume.

Halloween.

These prices made This event happens trading a great way every year, so even if to earn fast cash, you missed it this and let people help year, there’s always out in a small way. next year to earn Sixth grader Raj cold, hard, cash Cheema thought this instead of sugar was a great idea; he highs and cavities! only wished it was Even students with braces enjoy treats! PHOTO BY J. FORWARD more money.

[News & Features]

[4 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

Teen Role Models

Behavior Sets Terrible Example Bella Coronado

Do you have a role model? Students all around our Students also think that Cyrus’s “new look” is affecting The positive effect of negative influences is that they are school look up to or admire a celebrity, but many students their past thoughts on her. Sixth-grader Maliyah Kim examples of what not to do. Even though you may not have different opinions on the people who influence us in shared that she thinks, “It’s inappropriate.” follow in their footsteps, they still show a positive example, today’s media.

Hannah Kazlauskas shared a different opinion and said, “I just in a negative way.

Celebrities you may have looked up to in the past may be think it’s unique and different, but it sends the wrong Role models can affect totally different people by now. Some say it’s due to teen’s behavior to the message.” point that they start “growing up” but others are disappointed in their actions.

Celebrities affect the way teens see themselves in fantasizing or doing Celebrities impacting students, as well as the media, positive and negative ways. Almost every celebrity faces a what their role model time in their life when they seem like they’re going downseem to come and go. is doing, whether it’s Sixth-grader Janalyn Lopez stated that Miley Cyrus has hill. It’s important for teens to choose role models that okay or not okay. been appearing around today’s media a lot most recently. set positive examples in their actions and inspire those People still make around them, but not all role models have to be somemistakes, even role “She changed a lot,” Lopez said. one famous. They can simply be just everyday people. models, but the Cyrus started making appearances after her shocking Role models have many qualities that make them mistakes can teach performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards on inspiring and show positive examples. us and inspire us to Aug. 25.

Seventh grader, Angelina Pogosian described a role do better.

“It’s inappropriate, and she’s trying to change her immodel as someone who is trustworthy and someone that age,” eighth-grader, Hannah Kazlauskas shared. she can trust to do the right thing.

According to The Huffington Post, Miley Cyrus, as well as “My role models are my two best friends....because a few other celebrities, were named the worst role mod- they push me in the right direction,” stated Pogosian. els. In a survey out of 2,407 parents, 58 percent said that Today’s society seems like it’s trashing the way teenthey don’t think celebrities should be used as examples of agers see themselves. Role models like Miley positive role models for their children. Sixty-eight percent Cyrus, have negative and positive attribsaid that Miley is the worst example, while 65 percent utes, but role models in our everyday considered Justin Beiber. lives share unique interest and may The former Disney star used to inspire a lot of students. never fail to inspire.

COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES VIA CREATIVE COMMONS “I looked up to her when she was actually making a difference,” Kazlauskas stated.

Teen Role Models

What do you think of celebrity’s new behavior?

Compiled by Alyssa Ferry & Anna Maracich

“Sometimes [celebrities] are crazy, but sometimes they are talented.”

“No one [respects] them anymore, their attitude sucks.”

“[Celebrities] are being too young, wild, and free.”

“[Celebrities] are doing stupid things for money.”

CreativeCommons.org

–Jayden Taylor

Sixth Grader

–Abbie Juth

Seventh Grader

–Markus Maunder

Eighth Grader

–Shari Nelson

Seventh Grade Science

[News & Features]

[November 2013 * 5] According to Teenhelp.com, about five percent of teens suffer from depression at any one time? PHOTO BY R. HESS

Depression Apparent in Teens Harrsion Maurus

Did you know that 20 percent of teens will face depression before they reach adulthood?

Or did you know that 1.6 per 100,000 of kids will commit suicide?

Causes of depression can be too much stress from homework, trouble at home, peer pressure, or even just a natural chemical imbalance.

Mr. Vatne, a Mt. Baker counselor, agreed that teen depression can be a very serious problem.

According to Mayoclinic.com, signs of depression can be eating and sleeping too much or eating and sleeping too little. Other signs of depression can be feeling constantly angry, mad, or irritable.

A sure fire way to tell if someone is depressed is if they start talking about suicide or have thoughts about committing suicide. If you experience these signs talk to an adult. They have most likely been through what you are experiencing.

According to WebMD.com, a way to fight depression is by exercising. When you exercise, your body produces chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals can trigger a positive feeling and can reduce pain.

Regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, ward off anxiety, and help you sleep better. Exercise can be a treatment for mild to moderate depression.

A common point of stress at Mt. Baker is homework.

Sometimes too much school work can cause kids to feel helpless or overwhelmed. Too much pressure from school work or from peers can cause symptoms of depression.

Bullying may also be a cause of depression in teens.

Depression, in general, can cause people to act in ways that they wouldn’t normally.

For example, it has caused school shootings, murders, and even suicides.

Just recently in Florida, a twelve-year-old-girl committed suicide after being bullied by an older girl at school and on Facebook. This just goes to show that what you say or do can seriously affect the rest of others lives.

Depression from bullying has also caused kids to take out their anger at school.

An example of this was in Sparks, Nevada. A twelveyear-old boy brought a gun to his middle school and wounded two peers and killed one teacher, before he shot and killed himself. Police are speculating that the boy did this because he was being bullied by his peers.

Depression can also cause you to make choices like taking part in a gang or participating in drugs. People can become interested in things like these because they are looking for something to feel good about or that will make them “feel good”.

Depression can be harmful, not just to you, but when not treated carefully, to other people also. Depression can be helped if you take the right steps.

According to Mr. Vatne, “The problem is that kids don’t come forward and admit that they are feeling depressed.”

If you are feeling depressed please see someone you trust, and they will most likely be able to help you.

Sixth Grade Elections Leading Now, Later Jonathan Casey & Ben Geisen Friday morning, Oct. 18, 303 talkative sixth graders in one room, finally silent as they attentively listened to eight speeches prepared and presented by our very own sixth grade ASB candidates.

At the end of the day, the announcement spoke to the whole school, introducing our new sixth grade candidates: Taylor Unger, Noah Sergis, Tiana Troncoso and Lily Scheschy.

Well, we recognized they have been elected, but what did they have to accomplish to obtain their position?

“Should I run for ASB?” or, “What do I have to offer the school?” These frequently asked questions fill the halls and students’ minds before the campaign of each candidate begins.

Taylor Unger said, “I’m running because I like to help people with their problems.”

Although some of this year’s candidates are completely selfmotivated, several of our running officials have someone of inspiration they look up to.

Noah Sergis said, “I wanted to get involved in the school [because] my sister [Katy Sergis] was.”

According to StatisticbBain.com, 74 percent of the United State’s population suffers from glossophobia or “the fear of public speaking.”

Getting elected for ASB is more of a challenge than most students believe.

One of the requirements that must be accomplished to run for office is to arrange a two minute speech which is presented to all of the 300 sixth graders.

Once elected, the new ASB officers may begin to participate in several types of assemblies and school oriented activities. One type of assembly is the pep assembly that takes part at the end of each quarter.

The ASB schedules, creates and runs all the activities and procedures that take place during pep assemblies.

Although many kids believe that ASB seems to be “all fun and games,” the ASB also takes part in organizing the school community along with the organizing school fundraisers and making decisions on the school’s budget.

The new sixth grade senators (from left to right): Noah Sergis, Tiana Troncoso, Taylor Unger and Lily Scheschy. PHOTO BY J. FORWARD

[News & Features]

[6 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

Service Clubs Make Lasting Difference Aaron Baker & Kyle Bates

Many students at our school this year have decided to step up and make a difference at not only Mount Baker, but in our community as well by joining and participating in the two service clubs available to our students, the End Zone Academy and the Builders Club.

The End Zone Academy, or ‘EZA’, was started by sixth grade teacher Ms. Winter three years ago. EZA focuses on providing community service and assisting services such as the Terry Home and the local food bank. “[EZA] is fun,” said seventh grader Shae Fairchild, who is enrolled in EZA, “It’s a good experience and it’s good to help people out.”

EZA owes its roots to a humble leadership club in the school. Since then, it has become much more. “[EZA is about] learning to work together to live a life you love,” said Winter, “EZA is a service club, but that is a very simple answer.” “[EZA] is about helping people”, stated sixth graders Sophia Randall and Rayna Ojas, “It’s about helping the community.”

EZA plans on participating in an event to raise 10,000

dollars to help build a school in Latin America.

They also are holding an event at Auburn Mountainview High school on Dec. 14 that will encourage community service and celebrates the accomplishments in the community of all participating students.

For more information on how to help or join, students are prompted to contact Ms. Winter in room 309.

Builder’s Club is alive and well at Mt. Baker. So far this year the club, led by Mrs. Hubbell and Mrs. Carnahan, has built a new playground at Brannan Park and has been conducting a fundraiser called Trick-orTreat for UNICEF”, which benefits an organization that focuses on child education, survival, and equality in all parts of the world. “[Builder’s Club] is a good way for people that have fewer things to do to help the community,” said seventh grader Tommy Nelson.

Some students take a more conservative view of the club and worry about the financial difficulties brought on by them.

“There shouldn’t be that many clubs; they cost money

to the school,” commented seventh grader Isaiah Shin.

However, service clubs raise their own funds, donating to the community.

The club is also meeting with Auburn Riverside’s Key Club the last Wednesday of every month to ‘Make Mt. Baker a greener school.’ The Key Club is a community service club based at Riverside.

Look for Builder’s Club and End Zone Academy to be doing their part in and outside school this year.

W h a t’ s Ha p p en in g w ith

MBMS Clubs AJ Maas

Builders Club 

Trick or Treat for UNICEF in Lakeland Oct. 30



Oct. 19 playground building a playground at Brannan Park



Attempting to make Mt Baker a “green” school



Held Trick-or-Treat with UNICEF fundraiser from Oct. 21-Nov. 1 raised over $1300

End Zone Academy 

Coin Drive to try to raise $10,000



Dec. 14 is the Celebrate Change assembly at Mountainview High School

Art Club EZA is making several strides and upcoming events at Baker (Above) while Builder’s Club (Below) participates and organizes a cleaning and build of Brannan Park on Oct. 19. COURTESY OF C. HUBBELL



Each week Art Club focuses on a new topic



Hoping to have guest artist’s visit soon

[News & Features]

[November 2013 * 17]

Social Media Etiquette: A r e

T h e r e

A n y

R u l e s ?

Destany Abellera

Many students use a social media site daily at our school, On Instagram, you have the option to make your account but are there any rules to acting or posting while on those private so other users have to ask for your permission to popular sites? look at your pictures, but if you choose not to make your Etiquette is the customary code of polite behavior in account private anyone on the site is able to browse your society or among members of a particular profession or pictures freely. group. Teachers expect you to act a certain way when If you use Twitter, you can also protect your posts (or you’re in class, your parents expect you to act a certain tweets) by simply clicking a button. way when in public, but are you expected to act a certain When on social media you are allowed to post anything way when online? you feel like. For example, on Facebook many profiles post Since teens, on average, spend 31 hours on the internet statuses like “Just woke up!”, or “Eating my fav chips!” . each week, it is important that the way they act is approSome people even misspell words on purpose. For exampriate. ple, teens seem to type “yu” instead of “you”, “ur” instead Recently a 12 year old girl in Florida killed herself from of your, and “lk” instead of “like”. the cause of cyber bulling. Over half of adolescents and Also, some users randomly capitalize letters in senteens have been bullied online, and about the same numtences.

They take a birthday wish to “hAPPy BiRtHdaY”.

Facebook and Twitter are some of the top most used social media sites. PHOTO BY D. ABELLERA bers have engaged in cyber bullying and 25 percent of Sixth grader Jocelle Pham said she tried to follow any adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly grammar or spelling rules, but she gets a little help. through their cell phones or the Internet.

She said, “I fix my spelling in school, but there’s autocorrect on my phone when I’m Seventh graders Makenna Price and Karoline Zvonenko thought people at school act posting.” acts differently in school than on social media.

What is socially acceptable on social media?

Zvonenko said, “I know 5-10 people.”

On social media, the most frequent practices that no one does are; not judging right Price said, “I know about 30.” away, be respectful, don’t react right away, and being nice.

On most social media sites there are options for private accounts and for hiding cerSome tips you could use are to know the website you’re on, make sure it is a safe site tain posts from certain people. to be on, treat each user kindly, as you would want to be, and be careful when chatting Recently, Facebook made it so users age 13 to 17 are allowed to post their statuses and with other users, you never know when they could be faking. photos publicly.

Taking in these tips will allow you to have proper etiquette will browsing your news feed.

T e c h n o l o g y

E t i q u e t t e

Do you think people act different when they can hide behind a screen?

Compiled by Alyssa Ferry & Anna Maracich

“Yes, because they seem to not be aware of who’s around them.”

“No one knows who they are, they act like different people.”

“Yes, because they’re scared to be who they really cyber life.” are.”

CreativeCommons.org

-Jaden Taylor

Sixth Grade

-Angelina Pogosian

Seventh Grade

-Dylan Ostler

Eighth Grade

-Ms. Utu

Counselor

“If you are dependent on social network, middle school students tend to forget their real life from their

[News & Features]

[8 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

Lockers: ‘Nobody Goes There Anymore, Too Crowded’ Kamalvir Jhajj & Jasmine Dang

It is a Monday morning and you walk to your locker.

You see kids crowded all around you. Finally getting to your locker, you start getting elbowed in every direction.

Jammed lockers, crowds, dropping books on others, being too short or tall, deliberately closing lockers, packed spaces, learning combinations. The list goes on and on.

Why do lockers cause so many problems?

According to Mrs. Lindell who’s in charge of lockers, and she often has to go help students, “About six to eight times a day. [The most common problems are]

Many students’ lockers are overcrowded with contents often spilling out. PHOTO BY J. FORWARD

straps, or clothes hanging out, they get caught in lockers below. Also books or backpacks pushing on the inside of lockers prevent it from opening.”

A problem sixth grader Karla Nacis had was “looking for the numbers [on the dial because] it’s hard to see.

Nacis continued, “I [solve this problem by] go on my tippy toes or I ask my friend.”

Eighth grader Colby Tong stated,“It is very inconvenient [when the person above you is opening their locker]. It’s hard to reach your locker when the top person is using theirs. Sometimes you get bumped by people in the hallways. I just wait for the person to finish with their business. I just try to make switches between periods faster.”

How can we solve these problems?

Some suggestions are not sharing lockers (yes, so many people still do), making sure your backpack straps are inside before shutting your locker, pushing your backpack all the way to the back, and memorizing your combination.

Following these simple rules cannot only make yours, but everyone else’s life a lot easier.

It can also be quite a commute if your locker is in a different hallway than all your classes. Why does this happen? We don’t know, but a crowded hallway doesn’t help this situation either.

Crowded hallways, groups standing in the middle of the hall doing nothing but talking and being in your way, slow walkers preventing you from getting to your class on time, and pushing or shoving to get in front of you, only to walk slowly again. Also people tripping you for their entertainment, simply causing a train wreck. All of which lead to not using or being able to reach your locker.

Whether you have a top or bottom locker, there is no denying that we all have problems.

Therefore, think about your decisions before you make a mistake.

Locker Tricks Daniel Filovets & Daniel Shablevskiy Do you ever come to your locker, and you can’t open it. Or you open it, and something that is valuable to you is missing?

You are not the only one. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your locker from jamming.

Yuliya Filovets, a seventh grader, has jammed her locker twice this year, and she said, “I go to the a teacher for help or I keep on trying to open my locker.”

Some of her tips for her locker not jamming were to stuff all of her things into the back her locker and make sure no laces or zippers stick out.

Arthur Melnichuk, a sixth grader, had his locker jammed three to five times this year and usually asked a teacher for help.

He said he stops his locker from jamming is to put all his things to the back of his locker.

A way to keep your locker from getting broken into is when you close your locker pull the handle to see if your locker opens, if your locker opens spin the combination wheel and pull the handle and see if it opens.

Do not tell other people your combination and don’t tell people if you have valuable items in your locker because then people may want to steal it and they may know the combination to get into your locker.

These are some ways to prevent locker problems.

The eight grade Lockers at Mt. Baker Middle School which is where some locker problems occur. PHOTO BY H. ADDISON

[November 2013 * 9]

[News & Features]

Heavy Books Lead to Back Problems

because they have a smaller structure, so there for the weight is going to affect them more than in guys.

Dr. David Siambanes, an orthopedics doctor, stated “This study is truly alarming. Research has shown that adults with sever back pain problems often had pain as kids. You can suffer all your life from this kind of injury.”

Kat Hamm Many physicians say they are beginning to see some symptoms of back problems stemming from carrying a Do you think that heavy backpacks are a big issue? heave back pack.

Millions of kids a year walk, bus, or ride home with super A study in the Journal Spine, a magazine, shows that heavy backpacks that cause them pain. carrying backpacks that weight on average twenty pounds The average backpack of a sixth grader is from a range is likely to cause back pain in children.

18.4 to 30 pounds.

Eighth grader Teri Reynolds-Wolvington stated, “[The Adding and carrying a heavy backpack for a long time, heaviest books I have to carry are my] math or social carrying the pack on one shoulder instead of two, and going studies book.” up and down stairs with the heavy pack can increase the When Wolvington was asked if she thought there was a problem. way to lighten the load of your back pack or binder, she Seventh grader, Hailey Harp said, “[I think my stack of said, “Yes, yes I do. By letting [the students] download our books weighs about] 20 pounds.” books onto e-readers”.

Harp carried three books, including her binder.

Some tips to lighten the load of your backpack are to use “Yes, [I think you can lighten the weight of the binders or rolling backpacks. back packs] by like a Kindle to where it has all the books on When choosing back pack don’t just choose a color; pick a there you need,” said Harp. good quality backpack with padded straps, and try the pack American Academy Pediatrics recommends that a kid’s on to make sure it fits well. backpack should weigh no more than ten to twenty percent Wear the pack over both shoulders not just one so the of the weight of the child. A heavy pack is a strong contribu- weight is even and not straining on one shoulder. Pull the tor to low-back-pain in children. shoulder straps snug, so the weight is on the upper back, Girls and shorter kids are more likely to get back issues not hanging down. Load the heaviest books towards the

Millions of kids a year suffer from big heavy backpack induced back pain. ILLUSTRATION BY KAT HAMM

back. Lift the backpack from the ground by bending at the knees, not at the waist.

Keep your backpack clean, only carry the books or items you need.

Sixth grader Faith Nerhen said, “Yes [there are ways to lighten your binger load, for example] in social studies, Mrs. Winter would give us packets she had copied out of the book so they are lighter and fit in our binder.”

Keep an extra set of books that you need for classes at you house so u don’t have to bring the books back and forth.

Homework Management: How Much is Too Much?

Colby Pretz & Cameron Shute You’re sitting at your desk, struggling with your assignment. Yawning, you look up at the Historically, heavy doses of homework became standard procedure in the U.S. after the clock, 10:30! You’ve just realized that you have spent three hours working on homework. Is Russians launched Sputnik in 1957, prompting a panic for making kids in American schools this too much? more competitive.

According to Dr. Jane Bluestein “high school students can have up to 4-6 hours of homework on an average night. With other demands besides school work, this puts a lot of stress on many students and their families.”

In the article “Homework: What Does the Research Say?” by Scott King-Owen, he stated, “The longer it takes the student to complete the work the less benefit.”

He also stated, “Middle school students should not have more than 90 minutes of homework per night.”

Seventh grader Kathryn Carstens stated, “It takes me about 2 hours a night to do my algebra homework.” She was also asked if she thought this was too much homework, “Sometimes, but I am learning from it, so I can’t complain.”

Research has found that the amount of homework students have does not correlate with performance on achievement test, but others argue the benefits of homework helps develop achievement motivation. Researcher Janine bempchat asserts,”… homework provides students with the training they need to develop achievement beliefs and behaviors.”

According to, eighth grade math teacher Mr. Carter, “Homework is practice. You need homework to get better at what you’re doing. Just like in sports, you need to practice to get better. The more repetition you do the better you get.” He also felt homework was getting you ready for high school and beyond.

“Absolutely, knowledge comes from practice, and that is what homework is, practice.” was Mr. Carter’s response when he was asked if homework was necessary.

Some people think homework is horrible but it’s a necessary evil. If you find yourself doing homework for two hours or more just step back take a breath and think of how all ZAP during lunch is used to help students get their homework done. PHOTO BY CAMERON SHUTE this hard work will pay off in the future.

20 for 20 O r i g i n a l

S i x

Compiled by Jonathon Casey, Ben Geisen, Ryan Hess, Colby Pretz, Kyle Bates, Harrison Maurus

Mt. Baker has been teaching students for a whole twenty years now, opening at the opening during the 1994-95 school year.

Taking a cue from ESPN, who celebrated their 30 year anniversary with 30 prominent news features, The Canine Chronicle will be writing 20 articles with news throughout the last 20 years; such as popular trends and historic events.

We are starting with the “Original Six” a feature that tells the story of the six staff members who have worked here since the school opened, and have stayed with us through the years.

We interviewed Mr. Perman, Mrs. King, Ms. Holt, Mrs. Millang, Mr. Jacobs, and Ms. Debolt, asking about their favorite memories from their first year at Mt. Baker, and the biggest changes in the last 20 years.

This will be an ongoing feature in every edition of The Canine Chronicle this year, featuring movie reviews from 20 years ago and styles trending in 1994.

A lot has happened in 20 years, and these teachers have been here with Mt. Baker to witness it all.

Ms. Millang

Mr. Perman

Mrs. Debolt

Ms. Millang, who teaches sixth and seventh grade math, was another member of the Original Six staff members of Baker. In a recent interview, we asked Ms. Millang several questions about her first year at Mt. Baker.

When asked about what she remembered most from her first year, she stated, “How empty the halls and classrooms were. We had no sixth graders that year and the kids seemed very big because I had taught elementary before Baker opened.”

She also talked about her favorite moments from that year.

“Mr. Perman, who taught Honors Reading, would walk into my room every Monday, clap his hands and say, ‘What are we learning today?’ It was always very funny.”

We asked her one more question, which was if she had a special story from her first year.

“When all my kids were searched for my missing set of keys. We were trying to get to a pep assembly, but Mr. Price, who doesn’t teach here anymore, insisted that we find the keys first. We never found them at first but later that day Mr. Price found them in his pocket protector and never told me about them. The next day he dropped them off and blamed the kids. He never apologized even though I found out about him having them from a different teacher.”

The well-known, wacky P.E. teacher Mr. Perman has been working at Mt. Baker from day one. A surprise to a lot of people Mr. Perman wasn’t only teaching P.E. he also taught “Honors Reading”.

“Ms. Millang and I ran the bulletin boards,” he said in an interview about the first year at Baker.

His favorite part about the first few years was “empty halls”.

He continued, “There were only 400 students at Baker and only two grades, seventh and eighth. The halls were virtually empty compared to today.”

Unlike today, we didn’t have a lot of coaches for sports.

We had teachers willing to coach but that doesn’t mean they were experienced.

Perman added, “I was the athletic director back then, I hired coaches that hardly knew anything about the game.

The girls basketball team was actually braiding their hair most of practice every day.”

He told us chuckling, “But a surprise to us all , we took the league title in football the first year of Baker being open.”

We asked Mr. Perman where he taught before Mt. Baker opened.

“I taught at Olympic and at other elementary schools as P.E. teachers.”

When interviewing Mrs. Debolt, our school health technician, we found out that she has been working for the Auburn School District for 23 years.

Debolt actually started as a Math/LAP paraeducator working at Evergreen Heights and Alpac elementary schools.

In 1993, the district started using health technicians in their schools. That was the year Mrs. Debolt started the pilot program here at Mt. Baker.

When asked what was one of the most memorable experiences in the health room, she replied, “When a student had taken such a large bite into an apple it ended up getting stuck in her mouth.”

PHOTO BY J. FORWARD & H. ADDISON

Mr. Jacobs

Mrs. King

Mrs. Holt

Mr. Jacobs was one of the remaining original six staff members. He was hired to teach at MBMS since day one.

He started his teaching career in California before he came to MBMS. He originally wanted to become an architect but his professor recommended teaching kids woodshop.

His favorite moment at Mt. Baker was when the woodshop room was under construction. He could go out to the room but his students couldn’t.

There is one student that Mr. Jacobs remembers the most, and her name is Kasey McAbee. After finishing school, she returned to MBMS to become a student teacher.

Though Mr. Jacobs is the woodshop teacher, he has had other interests. Mr. Jacobs currently teaches Viscom and manages the yearbook staff.

He also remembers the time when there were only 700 students, instead of the 950 kids we have now at Mt. Baker.

Mrs. King: Office attendant, Green River community college graduate, proud maker of the Spirit Stick and one of six staff members who have been at MBMS since its first day open.

Although being an office attendant doesn’t seem to allow too much extra fun, Mrs. King recalls a favorite memory from several years.

She said, “I would like to tell you about the time I put the cardboard mannequins in the staff bathrooms. My neighbors worked for Cinema 17 and [were] transferred to Charleston, South Carolina. She had two mannequins from the movie Wild Hogs. [They were] Tim Allen and John Travolta. One night I brought them to Mt. Baker and put them behind the Main Office bathroom doors. It scared so many people. I could sit at my desk and hear the screams from the bathroom. I never laughed so hard.”

Mrs. Holt, library assistant and para-educator, has been working at Mt. Baker since it opened in 1993.

Mrs. Holt originally applied for a job elsewhere but the school district asked her to come and work at Mt. Baker.

She was originally supposed to do detentions for the school, but the school district forgot to hire a librarian so she received the assistant position. She has always had the position and has never taught anything else. Before she worked for Mt. Baker she worked at Lea Hill Elementary School on recess duty.

One of her least favorite memories of Mt. Baker is when she had to wear a turtle neck, mittens, and coat to stay warm in the library at Mt. Baker. The reason for this is that there was no baffle valve on the heating system, and the cold air flowed directly into the library.

Congratulations to Mrs. Holt for staying with the school.

ALL TEACHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIFE TOUCH

[Arts & Entertainment]

[12 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

20 Facts, Movies from ’94: 20 Years Ago Kamalvir Jhajjj 1. The Scandal: Michael Jackson was accused with inappropriate behavior with younger fans 2. Teachers from back then until now at Mt. Baker: Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Perman, and Mrs. Debolt 3. Famous teacher at Mt. Baker from then: Mrs. Stonack (now a substitute)

‘Forrest Gump’ Runs into Theaters Ryan Hess

4. Famous and Fashion: Claudia Schiffer, Elle Macpherson 5. Sports: Michael Jordan retires for the first time 6. 93’s Fashion: JanSport backpacks; Crimped hair; Jelly Shoes; Bandanas; Bucket Hats; Scrunchies; Butterfly clips; Shell necklaces; Tattoo chokers; Slap bracelets; Overalls; High-waisted jeans; Carhartt jackets; SKORTS 7. Beanie Babies are introduced 8. Popular Songs: “I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston and “Hero” - Mariah Carey 9. Tragedy: World Trade Center Bombed 10. Interesting Fact: Milli Vanilli (was an R&B pop and dance project) was forced to give back their Grammy after they were found to be fakes by using other singers/ lip syncing someone else’s song 11. Popular names; Jessica (girls), and Michael (boys) 12. Miss USA: Kenya Moore [Michigan] 13. Most Popular Christmas Gifts, Toys, and Presents: Power Rangers Action Figures, 1850’s Southern Belle Barbie, Barbie Batgirl Gift Set, and, Magic: The Gathering role-playing card game 14. Best Film Oscar Winner: Schindler’s List

The movie Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Paramount Pictures, follows a friendly, simple-minded man who finds himself in the middle of nearly every major event of the 1960s and 70s.

Forrest Gump was produced in 1994, so not many kids know about this movie. There isn’t really another film that compares to this movie. The storyline of this wonderful movie was very interesting to watch. You could never tell what Forrest, played by Tom Hanks, was going to do or where he would end up in his exciting life.

Forrest starts off as a strange kid in leg braces who had an IQ so low he couldn’t be put into school, but with the help of his persistent mother, he is allowed to join school. When he befriends a schoolmate named Jenny, played by Robin Wright, a lifelong friendship occurs.

The performance of Forrest, throughout the movie, was very humorous. He becomes a college football star, a

15. Car Brands Introduced: Infiniti, Saturn, and Lexus 16. Health: World Health organization estimates fourteen million people worldwide infected with AIDS virus 17. Jan. 15: a 7.5 earthquake strikes northern Japan killing 2 people 18. The Game: Magic; The Gathering Collectable Cards 19. Jan. 20: Bill Clinton becomes the 42nd US President.

20. Most Popular TV Shows: 1. 60 Minutes [CBS] 2. Home Improvement [ABC] 3. Seinfeld [NBC] 4. Roseanne [ABC] 5. Grace Under Fire [ABC] COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES VIA CREATIVE COMMONS

decorated soldier in Vietnam, a Ping-Pong champion and a folkloric jogger-hero, just by following simple instructions. He meets presidents and celebrities, he travels the world over, he honors a promise made to deceased war pal, named Bubba, to run a shrimp boat and he takes care of his former lieutenant, a man painfully embittered by his war experiences.

The story was understandable. Forrest narrates parts of his early life, pointing out major details and other things that the watcher may not see at first.

There were not a lot of special effects, but there was one scene that showed Forrest’s lieutenant who lost his legs in the Vietnam War. Everything that was under the knee cap was unable to be seen.

The music was usually lively and happy, except in some parts where something depressing happened.

This movie is extremely worth seeing. I would rate the movie 9/10 because it combines happy, sad, and funny moments to create an excellent movie that warms your heart and makes you laugh.

[Arts & Entertainment]

[November 2013 * 13]

‘Gravity’

Xbox One vs. PS4

Falls Short

Jeremiah Brown

Aaron Baker

COURTESY OF MICROSOFT LICENSE

It’s pretty sad if you are able to sum up the plot of a movie in one sentence. Unfortunately, this was the case with Gravity…”My bad day in space.”

Gravity features two astronauts, Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) who were disconnected from their spaceship due to a freak accident involving space junk, rockets, and Russians.

We learn that Ryan Stone is completely ignorant to everything concerning space and isn’t very good at being an astronaut. This leads to Matt Kowalski basically allowing her to piggy-back on him until his tragic (and completely predictable) demise.

Ryan Stone spent the rest of the movie floating about with a sad face until she ran into a Chinese Space Station that was conveniently abandoned. She loaded herself into an escape pod, had a hallucination involving Matt Kowalski, and landed on Earth.

Gravity is, to be fair, visually stunning. I have yet to see a movie that grabbed my eye more so than Avatar. The overall cinematography was absolutely spectacular and left me wondering how did they even pull that off? I really have to tip my hat to the cinematographers for creating such a hostile and yet beautiful environment.

Honestly, the whole movie was basically Sandra Bullock floating in space. That’s the whole “plot” of the movie; Sandra Bullock floating in space. Eventually she was floating in a different part

of space. Now she’s floating over there! Now she’s floating in a Chinese Space Station! Now she’s having a hallucination about George Clooney who is also, coincidentally, floating in space.

Now to be fair, there are a few interesting metaphors interwoven throughout the story. We learn that space is an inhospitable environment where one mistake can lead to major consequences. This is later made apparent when Stone speaks of her daughter, who was killed in a freak accident over the tiniest mistake.

SPOILER ALERT: When it comes down to it, even the name of a movie was a metaphor. Stone metaphorically dies in an escape pod and comes back up through the water after landing on Earth.

The very thing that she has been lacking throughout the movie (selfassurance, hence “Gravity”) is then returned to her.

In my opinion, the movie deserves a 7/10.

The two things I would have to mark down are the fact that the whole movie was based on Sandra Bullock floating and the fact that the movie was not what was advertised.

Next Gen Consoles Debut in Nov. The battle between next-gen consoles has been extraneous and agitating. Friends arguing with friends about what console will be better, the Xbox One or the PS4.

The release date for the PS4 is Nov. 15 (US) and will cost 399$The Xbox One’s release date is Nov. 22 (US) and will cost 499$.

The Xbox One has a 500GB hard drive and the PS4 also has a 500GB memory and both have Dual shock controllers too.

When the Xbox One was at E3, Microsoft had a lot of trouble presenting it and explaining its policy’s. At E3, PS4 and Xbox One went head to head and the outcome was surprising. At E3 the PS4 got an “A” grade and the Xbox one got a “C”.

People all over the nation are ecstatic for the new wave of consoles. It has been four years since a new Xbox (Microsoft) or PS (Sony) has been made entirely new.

Eighth grader Dylan Ostler rated both, “[The] Xbox One [a] seven and the PS4 [a] one.”

Seventh grader Jalen Jackson rated both too, “[The] Xbox One [is] a ten and the PS4 [is] a seven.”

Some of the most popular games are GTA 5, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Titanfall. These games are the highest ranked release titles.

Ostler said enthusiastically, “I will definitely get GTA 5 because of the racing [driving] and the action.”

Mr. Cowan stated, “Not sure what game I am most excited about. I will probably leave that up to my kids.”

At the multiplier release for COD: Ghost, over 100 million people watched.

Eighth grader AJ Maas exclaimed, “I will be getting Battlefield 4, because I enjoy it and it is fun.”

Undoubtedly, many people said they are getting them for Christmas because the release dates are close.

Xbox One has a special edition “first day’ design for people who are getting it on release day.

Halo is the #1 franchise of Microsoft, so expect big, big things from the new Xbox on the Halo series. PHOTO BY J.BROWN.

[Mount Baker Barks]

[14* Volume IV, Issue 1]

November

Locker Lottery was created as a way to feature students’ opinions at MBMS. They are selected completely at random, like the lottery.

Several students hit the jackpot, providing their perspectives on multiple issues. Sixth grades Alinah Horne and Joshua Abbott, seventh graders Alondra Lomeli-Salazar and Reis MacNeill, and eight graders Jadynn Strickland and Trent Miller were selected.

Locker Lottery Ysabela Manuel, Maddie Feeney, Samantha Leurquin

What sport should we add to this school?

JS: Rugby, it’s similar to football and is a fun sport to play.

TM: Synchronize swimming for men.

ALS: Swimming, because it’s a good exercise.

RM: Soccer.

AH: Tennis.

JA: Hhockey.

What are you going to be for Halloween?

TM: A hotdog or a girl.

ALS: A cat girl.

RM: A zombie guy.

AH: A witch.

JA: Harry Potter.

When is it too old to trick or treat?

JS: 16

AH: 12, 13, or 14.

JA: Yes, 14 and 15.

Do you think heavy books are big issues?

JS: Yes, sometimes your shoulder will be like messed up and you carry your books everyday.

JA: Yes, the heavy books are really hard to carry around.

What do you think about the new movies this year?

JS: They can’t improve to the story line of the movies.

AH: Horror movies.

If you could get money for Halloween candy would you why or why not?

JS: No, I would take the money back.

RM: Yes. AH: Candy.

What sport do you play?

TM: Soccer because it’s fun.

RM: Soccer.

AH: I don’ play a sport.

JA: Soccer.

What do you like about your grade?

ALS: I have new friends.

RM: Nothing, it’s not the last year.

AH: It’s fun.

Are you excited for going to high school or do you want to stay in middle school?

ALS: High school.

RM: Going to high school.

AH: Go to high school.

JA: Stay a kid mainly.

What is your favorite thing about school?

ALS: I learn everyday.

RM: P.E. and sports.

AH: Lunch.

JA: Math.

If you could change anything about Baker, what it would be?

ALS: The rules.

RM: Cell phones between periods.

AH: The paint.

[Mount Baker Barks]

[November 2013 * 15]

GRINDS My

GEARS Bella Corronado, Ben Geisen, Gigi Alcedo, AJ Maas,

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 November be published in our next edition.

You know what really grinds my gears? When you are texting someone and out of the blue they decide they should just not tell you where they are going and proceed to disappear for a few hours. understand that people have things to do and aren’t glued to their phone 24/7, but you could at least tell me that not leave me wondering of all the terrible things that could have happened.

Were you kidnapped? Were you hit by a car? I immediately think of the worst when someone mysteriously stops texting me. When they come back they always make a lame excuse like “Sorry my phone died”.

THEN WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY THAT BEFORE IT DIED? OR SIMPLY PLUG IT IN?!

I get that sometimes you might not want to talk to someone, but at least tell them that you have to go do something, don’t just leave them waiting for a response for hours and hours.

If people could be more considerate when texting their friends then the world would be a happier place.

Just be honest with them. If you don’t want to talk to them, then don’t text them in the first place or tell them to stop texting you.

Do you want to know what reaaaally grinds my gears... Those bathroom hand sensors!!!

Our whole lives we’re told to always wash our hands but these fountains barely do the job.

They spray all over our cloths so most kids stop washing their hands right then and there. Honestly...

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSE TO WASH OUR HANDS WHEN WE’RE GETTING SOAKED?!

It’s bad enough our hands are not clean, but now our pants are now wet in a very unfortunate location.

Some fountains have way too much water pressure and then in others it’s almost like nothing comes out at all. Also, it seems that no matter what angle I stand in I always seem to get drenched. The water also seems to be either super cold or super hot. It doesn’t happen too often but when it does, what am I suppose to do?

I mean, I think it’s pretty cool how Mt. Baker has hand sensor hand washers, but it’s not so cool how they get us all wet.

Is there some way they could change the angle the water come out of, or make it so it’s not spraying too much water?

Maybe we just need to hang a rain jacket next to each fountain that every kid can put on before washing their hands.

—BG

—GA

All graphics in feature courtesy of MS Clipart

What

What really, really, grinds my gears is when I’m scrolling through my Instagram feed, and all I see are 50 different post, in a row, by one person.

Seriously, I don’t want to see a spam of your selfies on my screen.

There should be a law or rule on Instagram that you can only post up to about two pictures a day.

Overusing the app just gets annoying, and I honestly don’t need a picture of every detail in your day.

It also makes me not want to use Instagram.

I check my Instagram a lot during the day, and I would really enjoy and appreciate if I could see a variety of pictures posted, instead of a spam of photos from one person.

Some people just don’t understand what Instagram was originally made for.

If you want to get a bunch of likes on your photos, then don’t post twenty pictures in a row!

I’m just getting tired of all the Instagram posting.

I’m fine if you spread your pictures out throughout the day or maybe linger them through the week, but please, just save the constant posting of photos for Twitter.

—BC

You want to know what really grinds my gears?

When you forget your passwords. It’s just so annoying when you get so bored you go onto a website you haven’t been on in forever and you forgot your password and the computer says, “WOULD YOU LIKE TO REMEMBER YOUR PASSWORD!?!?!??!?!?!?” …You just sit there and say “….Yes… please… uhhhh, why am I talking to my computer?” Then you click on that little patch of words that ruins your day.

Then all of a sudden it asks you the most insipid question known to man… THE SECURITY QUESTION. This question is created to make you scream.

FLASHBACK 5 YEARS when the Wii was cool. You were sitting at the computer and created your email account that you didn’t actually need.

Then the computer asks you make your security question which is a question that sounds like something along the lines of what’s your favorite pasta sauce.

Then 5 years in the future you try to log on to your e-mail, and the security question just stares back at you like I bet you can’t figure me out I BET YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT PASTA SAUCE YOU LOVED IN 2008.

And that’s what really grinds my gears.

—AM

[Sports]

[16 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

Bonds on the Diamond Anna Maracich “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back,” said famous writer Maya Angelou That’s exactly how Mt. Baker varsity fast pitch team played.

Coach Koenig agreed that they were a strong, competitive, hard-working bunch of girls.

Although they weren’t champions, their bond as a team made them the real winners.

Seventh Fast Pitch Focuses on Improvement Samantha Leurquin & Gigi Alcedo Richard David Bach, best selling American author once wrote, “That's what learning is, after all; not whether we lose the game, but how we lose and how we've changed because of it and what we take away from it that we never had before, to apply to other games. Losing, in a curious way, is winning.”

The seventh grade fast pitch team struggled this year with ten out of thirteen brand new to fast pitch and only winning one out of eight games, with Rainer’s forfeit.

Talia Samuelsson said, “It wasn’t fun losing most of the time but we still enjoyed the game and improved a lot in our friendships and our skills.”

According to the team, Talia Samuelsson, Lexi Allan, Payton Coleman, Trinity Jenkins and Rebecca Spear had multiple hot hits this year.

When asked about some highlights from this season, Coach Duca replied, “Talia Samuelson catching 2 fly balls in one inning and putting out a runner at first to make the third out, Alexandra Kimbriel throwing her first strike as a pitcher, Rebecca Spear stealing home and pitching a 1,2,3 inning, and Talia Samuelson, Trinity Jenkins and Lexi Allen putting on the catchers gear to catch a few games when our catcher was unavailable.”

Many players improved in different situations, like Amaya Kelley with her pitching skills, as she struck out several batters in a game, and Elizabeth Harvey, Katelyn Andersen, Natasha Naimo, Peyton Coleman getting their first hit by believing they could hit the ball also, Julissa Cisneros remembering to cover third base when she needed to.

“All in all, more girls should come out and play fast pitch,” said Coach Duca.

In an interview with the team, most of the seventh grade girls agreed that they can’t wait to play again next year for Coach Koenig.

Ashleigh Wilson said, “We had an awesome team. We weren’t the best; we weren’t winners, but had the most fun and stayed positive.”

The Bulldogs finished with a five-hundred record, both winning and losing four games. The team made a great bond encouraging each other through their hardest games.

Mrs. Koenig said, “My favorite part of the team was their camaraderie.”

The Bulldogs had some tough losses against Rainier and Cascade, but still managed to stay in the game exampling their hardworking and unstoppable spirit. They also had magnificent wins against Olympic and North Tapps, using their talented skills and undeniable teamwork.

Members of the team agreed that one of the greatest plays was the battle for the pop fly between Samantha Leurquin, the pitcher, and Gigi Alcedo, the catcher. The ball soared above the foul line past first base; both girls could taste the ball. As the ball neared the ground, the girls collided: Samantha got the catch while Gigi got a bunch of

dirt in her mouth. The bulldogs got the out and no players were seriously injured!

Fifteen girls showed up at tryouts, all making the team, but only thirteen continued playing. Ashleigh Wilson said, “I was a little nervous for tryouts because there were a lot of girls.” Luckily no one got cut and they had a great team.

Catcher Gigi Alcedo and pitcher Jordyn Judge worked there hardest to keep the team strong throughout the season.

These players couldn’t have done it by themselves, Outfielders Autumn Conners and Nicole Naimo made some star catches, shocking the crowd.

First basemen Calley Hielborn made outstanding plays to lead the Bulldogs on to victories but most of all encouraged them to stay positive.

If the Bulldogs made a mistake on defense, they were sure to make it up on offense. That’s what made them the great team that they were. They showed lots of pride throughout their whole season setting a great example for future teams.

Fast pitch players finished their season with a smile on their face. COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK

[Sports]

[November 2013 * 17]

Varsity Football Finishes Seasons Strong Kyle Bates & Jalen Forward

Led by coaches Bethea, King, Vatne, and Brown, this year’s Varsity Football team has played four well-fought games so far with victories against Cascade (7-6), Olympic (20-0), and Olympic again (35-28). The team was not able to play Rainier this year due to a scheduling conflict with the referees and then no opportunities for a make-up game.

They also suffered a tough 22-18 loss against North Tapps in the annual Bulldog vs. Bulldog game, finishing with a 3-1 record. This year’s team achieved the title of Co -Champions (along with Tapps).

Coach Vatne, commented about this year’s success and players.

He said, “We've improved; we've learned to come together. Despite losing a game, we have stepped it up.”

He cited several factors in their victory, saying, “Both the offensive and defensive line is very good. Our defensive line is really the strength of the team.”

The team started practices and conditioning late in the summer before school had even started up yet. The first

turnout started on Aug. 27, and practices went through the start of school and officially ended Oct. 25.

To make the team, players as always must be passing at least 5 classes, as we were reminded by Coach Vatne in our interview.

The coaches made clear at practices and on the Mt. Baker website that they wanted their players to be responsible with grades and behavior at school. To ensure that the athletes were the best they could on and off the field, coaches cut out practice time if a student was struggling in a class to help with their work and study.

This year, the team was given two great opportunities, to play under-the-lights at two Auburn High Schools. The first of such games included the annual “Battle of the Bulldogs” game, where Mt. Baker plays North Tapps Middle School at Auburn-Riverside.

The bleachers were packed and both schools fans were anxious, but a North Tapps opening kickoff Touchdown return gave Tapps some momentum.

Several photos of this year’s Varsity team, featuring a group meeting during practice and several action shots in a 20-0 victory over Olympic. COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK

Baker fought back to score 18 points in a losing effort.

The game ended 22-18 in favor of North Tapps, resulting in the only loss of the year for Baker.

The second under-the-lights game against Olympic in Auburn Memorial Stadium had a much different outcome, with the game resulting in a 35-28 win for Baker. The game was much closer than expected, but the team pulled through to get a tough win.

Seventh Football

Hits Field TJ Williams

Bam! Bam! Go the pads as Mt. Baker seventh grade football attacks their opponents. Put down your cell phone because the bulldogs are here.

Seventh grade football didn’t have a great season, but they put their entire might into it.

Griffin Cummings said, “There was too much arm tackling.”

Noah Elwell felt comfortable with the way his team is playing because they got better.

With a winless season, the Bulldogs still kept their head held high and never gave up until the final whistle blew.

This team was lead by Spencer Tyson and Maxwell Parsons, according to multiple players.

Noah Elwell said Tyson and Parson were, “the only reason [they] got any points”.

Griffin Cummins described the team’s leaders by saying they “led by example”.

According to our sources, Noah Elwell and Spencer were two of the better players.

The Bulldogs didn’t have enough players on the team to scrimmage at practice but there were 24 talented young men on the team.

Coach Brown and Coach Kemp tried there hardest to give every single one playing time in the games.

According to Noah Elwell, “Spencer Tyson was the hardest hitter” on their team.

Peyton Curry-Watson said, “Cody Rose wasn’t very good at the beginning of the season, but he improved and know he is a starter”. Peyton Curry-Watson’s favorite part of the season was getting “playing time”.

Griffin and Cummins said Connor Pennycook was the fastest on the team.

Like many players on the team, Curry-Watson played football because he liked playing the sport.

[Sports]

[18 * Volume IV, Issue 1]

Sixth Grade Ballers Play as Team Ke’Sean Griffin

They shoot and they scored. Did you just see that 360 layup? That was so amazing!

That’s what it was like in the crowd when you see the sixth graders play.

They have big shoes to fill, since past years have been great.

The boys had a fantastic season. They played with pride and passion.

On the first day they had 37 talented people try out, making three successful teams.

On team one, Giovani Parascondola played point guard and enjoyed it.

Giovani said, “I think Sam Erickson was the best Mr. Brown and Mr. Lewis photo bomb sixth grade basketball players. PHOTO BY J. FORWARD ball handler on the team and he can cross over anybody.”

Meanwhile on team two, Trey Callero played point played.” guard on Mrs. Brown’s team.

Trey Callero thought that Tyler Pisha and Parker Trey Callero said, “I really enjoyed the way my team Cacatian were the best leaders on the team. He also

thought that Mrs. Brown was an awesome coach.

On team three, Javon Forward said, “Out of the six years I have been playing basketball, this year was the best.

He also said ‘’Keegan Yorke is a lights out shooter; he can make it from anywhere”.

Also the girls had a very good season. The girls played aggressive and with integrity.

On Mrs. Burkhalter’s team, Siera Brown said, “Jackie was an awesome player to play with, she is one of the best players on the team”. She liked that they scored a lot of points, and that it’s just not one person scoring all the time.

On Mrs. Swanson team, Emily Converse thought Alexis O’Neal really improved the most on the team.

All coaches agreed, we will have some very good seventh grade basketball teams boys and girls next.

Soccer Debuts at MBMS Hope Addison & Bella Coronado

Seventh and eighth grade boys and girls are welcomed to play soccer for Mt. play this year.

Baker’s first ever soccer team. The coach for seventh grade is Mr. Decker, and Five out of thirteen sixth-graders interviewed said they are disappointed about Mr. King is coaching eighth grade varsity soccer. Varsity boy’s tryouts started on not being able to play soccer.

Monday, Oct. 28.

Gonzalez said that he has been playing soccer for three years, and that it’s Seventh grader, Francisco Gonzalez, about time our district adds the sport. stated that he is excited for soccer to Mr. King added, “A lot of kids here come because he wants to, “get nohave wanted soccer for many years.” ticed.” Many other students are excited Trying out for the varsity team does to have a new sport added to our consist of some cuts. Just because a school. student gets cut, doesn’t mean that Mr. King said he was excited to coach they are a bad athlete. Making the team varsity. requires skill, and good sportsmanship.

“Everything’s new, like the equipment Seventh graders playing soccer this and uniforms, and we get to represent year, will get pointers for what to exMt. Baker,” stated Mr. King. pect when they are in eighth grade, and About 25 seventh grade boys are want to try out for varsity. playing soccer this season, and about “Cutting athletes is always a difficult 28 boys are trying out for the varsity decision and choice. The boys are workteam. ing hard to make the team,” said Mr. Since soccer at our school is only King. available for seventh and eighth gradThe seventh and eighth grade girl’s ers, many students in the sixth grade soccer will start in the third season, as Soccer brings more athletes out to the field and hopefully will raise the grades of our students PHOTO BY are disappointed that they won’t get to B. CORONADO well as girl’s basketball.

[Life]

[November 2013 * 19]

The Canine Chronicle Staff Debates Trends in Pop Culture Jasmine Dang & Destany Abellera

Effects of Government Shutdown

Outlet Collection of Seattle

On Oct. 1, Republicans and Democrats of Congress couldn’t agree on a funding plan for fiscal cliff year 2014. Millions were affected. After sixteen days of debating, Congress finally passed a temporary solution on October 16. Were you affected by the government shutdown?

Formerly known as The Super Mall, the new mall has been opening up new stores since they started redesigning it.

Since the innovations, it started the new stores, Michael Kors, J. Crew Factory Store, Nike Factory, Brooks Brother Factory, LOFT Outlet, H&M and Sketchers. Do you like this new mall better than the old one?

What does the fox say?

Second Season Sports

This viral video was actually a mistake. Norwegian brothers Vegard and Bard Ylvisake, who perform as Ylvis have a talk show about back home. They assisted a well-know music production corporation and asked for a favor in return, so they could tell their spectators they were unsuccessful after having a colossal opportunity. But their prank backfired. Do you like the viral video?

The first sports season has been a great season, now it’s time for second season sports. For seventh and eighth grade, the sports coming up are boys’ basketball, gymnastics, and, our new sport, boys’ soccer . Sixth graders can also participate in gymnastics. Are you going to play a sport this second season?

‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

YouTube Obsession

Catching Fire is the second movie in the Hunger Games Trilogy. This science-fiction adventure film is to be released on Nov. 22. Do you plan on watching the new movie Catching Fire from the Hunger Games Trilogy?

N o v e m b e r

Millions of people use YouTube to view the new viral video, tutorials, or just to watch vlogs. With roughly 30 million users, 60 hours of video are uploaded every minute, or one hour of video is uploaded to YouTube every second. Do you go on YouTube often?

H o r o s c o p e s

Maddie Feeney, Daniel Filovets, Daniel Shablevskiy Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) - You will find your special talent while doing the tango.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) - A cowboy will buy you an ice cream sundae at Baskin Robins.

Aries (Mar. 21-April 19) – Your tongue will get stuck to a pole this winter when your friends dare you to lick it.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) - You will be chased down the street by a husky while eating a corndog.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) - You are going to go to McDonalds and the bathroom is under construction, and you really have to go to the bathroom, so you…[use your imagination].

Cancer (June 21-July 22) - While hanging out with One Direction backstage, they will all trip and break a leg.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) - You will get bitten by a zombie on Halloween night.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)- You will find one million dollars at the mall, offered a full scholarship by your dream college, and get a 2013 white truck for free.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - A monkey at the zoo will throw a banana peel at you that he found in the trash.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) - You will get noticed by the person you like when you trip and fall on your face.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) - All your Halloween candy will get stolen by a witch.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – You will find a $50 bill on the ground, but when you go to pick it up, it will be pulled away by a fishing line.

&

P u z z l e s

COURTESY OF MBMS YEARBOOK, J. FORWARD, H. ADDSION