Briefs
What’s up at Wash? Average ACT score up Megan Hartman
staff writer
WHS’s average ACT score was the highest in school history, rising from 23.5 to 24.3 , and there are many questions why. “ We were asking ourselves how this happened. They were just a better prepared group of test takers,” said Larry Simons, WHS counselor. Students tended to agree with Simons assessment. “They were tough, but I felt the teachers did a good job of preparing me for the test,” said Andrea Freeman, 07. This year, Washington faculty is hoping the trend will continue, but they are not setting any new goals for this year.
Student Senate plans Megan Hartman
staff writer
Student Senate is planning Homecoming festivities. T h i s y e a r ’s t h e m e i s A r a b i a n N i g h t s . T h e d a n c e w i l l b e h e l d S a t u rd a y, S e p t . 3 0 . “ We ’r e t r y i n g t o i n c o r p o r a t e W H S ’s 50th anniversary into Homecoming. “We’ve invited all of the former Homecoming kings and queens to take part,” said Julie Cain, Student Senate advisor. There will also be an alumni float in the Homecoming parade. Decorations will also be tied in with the 50th anniversary.
WHS AP tests success Megan Hartman
staff writer
WHS is continuing to excel with advanced placement tests as the average score and the amount of test takers rose. The average score rose to 3.14 from 3.05 in 2005. A total of 640 advanced placement tests were taken by 332 students, and 71% of students scored a 3 or higher. There were also 84 AP Scholars. . “This year I hope we can at least have 675 tests taken. That would be up 35 and I think we can do that,” said Principal Ralph Plagman. While faculty is pleased, students have mixed e m o t i o n s r e g a r d i n g A P t e s t s i n g l a s t M a y. “I thought my AP course prepared me very well for the test,” said Erin Johnson, 07.
WHS opens with a makeover Students applaud new computers, windows and Grant Wood gallery Lauren Glantz staff writer This year WHS students are experiencing new improvements that they will be able to enjoy for the next 50 years and beyond. When entering the building from the south lot, students are now able to enjoy using the newly installed doors, and as students walk down the south end of the building during passing time, they are able to view the campus through the newly installed windows. “ The windows are a great addition to Wash,” said Bets Hattery, ‘07, “they allow us to see our beautiful campus even more.” The window and door installation began in late July and was finished in early August. What was previously WHS’s student center ha been renovated into an art gallery, where Grant Woods’s art is being displayed. The newest addition to the gallery was “Autumn Oaks.” It was painted in 1932 and now hangs on the north wall of the gallery. One of the largest changes made at Wa s h i n g ton is the addition of all new flat- screen computers. All Heulitt Packard computers have USB ports; consequently, floppy disks can no longer be used on the computers. They also have
WALKING ADMIST THE NEW WINDOWS, Wash students are now able to enjoy the view of the campus from the south end. the capability to read and write CDs, as well as run faster and and with overall better resolution. “ T h e computers are simply bigger, better and faster,” said Dan Reyner, WHS’s computer overview instructor. Students have access to new versions of
“The windows are a great addition to Wash, Now we can see our beautiful campus.” —Bets Hattery, ‘07
Adastra officers and members hope to affect community with services Jenna Hackendahl co-news editor Adastra, Washington’s chapter of the National Honor Society, is a group embedded in the make-up of WHS, but this year’s officers and members are hoping to make a larger impact than years past. The selection process ran in teh spring trimester (Mar. 15- May 15). The Adastra Faculty Council evaluated candidated on leadership, service, and character. One hundred and forty-nine juniors and seniors with a cululative grade-point average of 3.5000 or higher were evaluated and 104 accepted. On May 15 those students were inducted into Adastra, Washington’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Inductio into the society does not end the evaluation process. The 95 sen i o r Ad a s t r a m e m b e r s are expected to maintain
THE ADASTRA OFFICERS for the 20062007 school year: (L-R) Hannah Rosenthal (secretary), Laura Socwell (treasurer), Kristina McLaughlin (vice-president) and Maddie Hansen (president). scholarship, character, leadership, and ser vice. “Overall, I am enthusiastically impressed with the members of Adastra. They are exemplary role models of scholarship, character, leadership, and service,” said Thomas Schnoeblen, Adastra adviser. Schnoelblen is also impressed with the officers elected last spring. The four officers of Adastra are: Maddie
Hansen, president; Kristina McLaughlin, vice-president; Laura socwell, treasurer; and Hannah Rosenthal, secretary. The officers are excited to fill the shoes of their predecessors. “I’m glad to represent Adastra,” said McLaughlin, “I know that we can accomplish a lot this year if we all work together.” Service is an area that Adastra is focusing on this year. Members already volunteered at the Brucemore plant sale on Sept. 9. “Brucemore seemed like a success...they were definitely not in short suply of volunteers. Everyone came out to help even though it was rainy,” said Hansen. The officers are also using creativity to make service projects enjoyable. Fri. Sept. 29 Adastra will be showing “Ferris Buller’s Day Off ” at WHS as part of Homecoming festivities.
numerous programs. The computers have Office 2003 and a new version of Encarta, which will help students look up information for researh assignments and papers. Not only will the new computers help with research, the computers are also equipped with a graphing calculator. Although the computers are generally being praised, a few students and faculty members have encountered some technological glitches. Some say that the computers are not connecting with network and internet correctly at all times and software, previously used on the old computers, is not compatible with the new ones. “I do not like that they are not ‘floppy friendly,’” said Maria Protsch, ‘07, “I don’t know what I am going to do if my printer breaks!”.