Willard Wire: An Alternative Voice Volume 9 Issue 1

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WillarD

An Alternative Voice

Wire

November 2018

david simmons Page 25

by Tala Lamme

Photo Taken by Tala Lamme

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1 Unit 731 by Maire Odermann

Interview With New Staff

by Arlen Gamble

Social Outcast

by Apollo Alexander Moura

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Willard Wire

901 South 6th Street West Missoula, MT 59801 Editor: Maire Odermann Broadcast Team: Grace Brown Arlen Gamble Margaret Neaves Demetri Beck Cale Gooday Designer: Maire Odermann Jeb Sherry Assistant Editors: Grace Brown Cale Gooday Photojournalists: Tala Lamme Shaila Rupp Business Manager: Degn Larson Advertising Manager: Demetri Beck Pure-Blooded Journalists: Dylann Agnew Apollo Alexander Moura Brendan Hawkins Bella Pitzer Advisers: Lisa Waller Blake Sherman

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WILLARD WIRE Volume 9 | Issue 1 Unit 731 .......................................................................................... Maire Odermann Chemical Warfare in Vietnam ...........................................................Grace Brown Obsessed with Science ..................................................................... Dylann Agnew Service Shenanigans ...................................................................... Margaret Neaves Bonds of Dragon Slaying ............................................................. Brendan Hawkins Alternative Views ........................................................................... Margaret Neaves Bro! The Ponies are Here! ........................................................... Brendan Hawkins Spotlight Ave. ................................................................................ Maire Odermann How Self-Aware Are You? ...................................................................... Jeb Sherry What Happens to the Brain During Sleep? .......................................... Jeb Sherry Demented and Disturbed ................................................................ Dylann Agnew You Better Bee-lieve It's Killer Bees ................................................. Grace Brown Why It's Important to Enjoy Your Job ................................................ Degn Larson Student Artwork .................................................................................... Shaila Rupp A Special Place in Hell for Josef Mengele .......................................... Grace Brown That Awkward Moment Between Life and Death ............................. Tala Lamme Staff Infection! .................................................................................... Arlen Gamble David Simmons ..................................................................................... Tala Lamme Tricks for Treats ........................................................................... Brendan Hawkins To Bean or Not to Bean? ........................................................................ Shaila Rupp Spon Con ............................................................................................... Tala Lamme Bass Binger .......................................................................................... Arlen Gamble Riddles .................................................................................................. Degn Larson 5 Reasons to Love Life ........................................................................... Jeb Sherry Living in Harmony with Chaos .......................................................... Cale Gooday Wallace ................................................................................................... Cale Gooday Xxxtentacion ...................................................................................... Arlen Gamble Noise to Stimulate Your Earhairs .................................................... Grace Brown Mad Libs ................................................................................................ Tala Lamme Gaming with an Opinion ................................................................. Demetri Beck Bethesdarama ..................................................................................... Demetri Beck Social Outcasts of Social Outcasts .............................. Apollo Alexander Moura

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A letter to our readers...

THANK YOU Willard Wire is a student-run paper based on freedom of expression and opinion. It is our duty to provide our readers with the truth and to ignite necessary discussion through our writing.

Our paper is sponsored by and delivered to local coffee shops, grocery stores, schools, and businesses all around Missoula. If you are interested in purchasing an advertisement with us, you can contact us at (406) 542-4073 or at willardwire@gmail.com. If you’d like to, you could also come to us directly at 901 South 6th Street West, room 28.

The ethic of the Willard Wire is one of integrity and courage due to our independent journalistic nature. We urge you to ďŹ ght censorship and help support our right to free speech, expression, and full liberty of the press.

- Wire Staff

Our hearts beat for the Missoula community and our lovely 2018-19 sponsors:

The Roxy Farrside Signs Home Resource Missoula Federal Credit Union Morgenroth Orange Street Food Farm Shakespeare & Co Blackjack Pizza Rockin' Rudy's Garden City Harvest

News

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nit 731

by Maire Odermann of the Willard Wire

A Forgotten Horror

The year is 1935, 2 years before the Second Sino war (The SecUnlike Auschwitz, there were no survivors. Only those who ond Sino-Japanese War was war between the Republic of China and committed the experiments will live to their long awaited death knowthe Empire of Japan) and 4 years before World War 2; a camp is set up. ing that the souls of those voices long silenced will never be as easily Disguised as a log mill this place is known to contain horrors beyond forgotten as we try our best to bring these chilling atrocities to light. man, beyond sanity, beyond reason. This place is known as Unit 731.

From 1935 to 1945 this hell on earth resided in Pingfang, China. A region taken over by Japan at the time.

Within this prison lay women, men and children, of Russian, Chinese, and Korean descent, all awaiting the most horrific experiments and torture known to mankind.

Frostbite testing, forced pregnancies, weapon testing, gas chambers and vivisections (Dissecting people alive) are just some examples of the horrors these people had to endure.

Shiro Ishii is known to be the founder behind the camp, a 30 year old Japanese medical officer. He aspired to have his own biological and chemical experimentation facility which resulted in Unit 731. He disguised it as a “Water treatment facility,” or sometimes a, “Lumber mill,” Going as far as calling the prisoners “Logs”.

Experiments in Unit 731 were carried out until the end of the second world war where during the war crime trials, it is speculated that Japan made an agreement with America that in exchange for their documentation on biological warfare and human experimentation, America would give their physicians including Shiro Ishii, immunity from prosecution of their crimes. This would however, not affect their trials in the Soviet Union, where the physicians got 2 to 25 years in a labor camp. However, it is believed their sentences were lessened by releasing the documents regarding the biological and human experimentation to the Soviet Union as well.

To this day, Japan claims ignorance on the subject of Unit 731, Image courtesy of wikipedia.com going as far as to pull references to it from textbooks and claim they have little to no documentation on the procedures, experiments and the like, or even sometimes claiming it didn’t exist at all.

Shiro Ishii a Japanese medical officer, miJapan has not offered an official apology and in fact some of their histocrobiologicst and director of Unit 731 from rians say Japan has apologized enough and should be able to move on.

1935-1945.

News

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hemical Warfare in Vietnam

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by Grace Brown of the Willard Wire

How Agent Orange Effects the Body

From 1955 to 1975 during the Vietnam War, an herbicide contaminated with lethal dioxins was used profusely as a means of chemical warfare. This herbicide was called Agent Orange, code name: Operation Ranch Hand. It was used to wipe out crops and forest cover to expose the enemy. The U.S. knew the herbicides were potentially contaminated with dioxins, but had no idea it would affect US soldiers for years to come.

The U.S. sprayed over 4.5 million acres worth of Agent Orange on Vietnamese land. The U.S. Air Force was directed to drench roads, rivers, canals, rice fields, and farmland with the poison. In all, the US used more than 20 million gallons of this concoction of herbicides on foreign soil. These countries include Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

“Unknown” at the time was that Agent Orange was contaminated with dioxins, specifically, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxin, also known as TCDD. A dioxin is a byproduct that is produced in the making of herbicides and is a highly toxic environmental pollutant. TCDD happens to be the most dangerous dioxin in the world. The U.S. was aware of the potential contamination of dioxins, but since it was to be used on enemy soldiers, they weren’t overly concerned. Little did the U.S. know, the dioxins in these herbicides were to affect their own soldiers in the near and distant future.

Agent Orange and the dioxin, TCDD, is extremely powerful and will stay around for years to come. It has contaminated all of Vietnam environment, as well as the surrounding countries. It effected lake and river sediments, soil, and the food chain. It collects in the fatty tissues of livestock, fish, birds, and humans. Human exposure to TCDD tends to be from eating these infected meats. It can also be obtained through respiration and skin contact, but the main way of being infected today is through ingesting TCDD through other animals. The TCDD then flourishes in the body and causes damage to the immune system and causes extreme diseases and disfigurements.

Agent Orange has both short and long term effects on the body.

Short term effects can include: darkening of the skin, and chloracne (a severe skin disease that resembles acne). Exposure to Agent Orange is also related to type 2 diabetes, liver problems, nerve disorders, psychological damage, multiple different cancers, heart disorders, immune system and muscular dysfunction and degeneration, and hormone disruptions. It can also lead to fetus development problems

such as spina bifida and problems with brain and nervous system development. It also leads to a higher chance of the mother having a miscarriage.

There have been millions of lawsuits against the U.S. government of behalf of the veterans exposed to the extremely dangerous herbicide Agent Orange. Millions of people from both the US and Vietnam side are still seeing effects of Agent Orange on themselves and their children. Upward of 2 million veterans are living with cancer due to exposure to Agent orange, and its said that 400,000+ U.S. soldiers were killed due to the exposure. That's not even including the people of Vietnam.

Agent Orange, or Operation Ranch Hand, was one of the biggest mistakes in U.S. history. The U.S. refuses to admit that this harmful herbicide was a means of chemical warfare, out of fear of more lawsuits being filed against their actions. Agent Orange has affected millions of lives from both Vietnam and the U.S., and continues affecting people's lives to this day.

Image Courtesy of dobbins.afrc.af.mil US plane flying over Vietnam releasing Agent Orange

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News

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bsessed with science

by Dylann Agnew of the Willard Wire

What's the neurology of a person with OCD?

The brain has three main sections: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem. Within those three parts, there are many different components that make your brain function. If you damage the cerebrum there could be an unwanted consequence like, obsessive compulsive disorder. The basal ganglia is a part of the cerebrum or forbrain. It's a part of the brain that controls plenty of important functions such as the control of voluntary movements, habit learning, procedural learning, cognition, also emotions and eye movements. Slight damages to the basal ganglia can lead to severe OCD.

There are two structures that communicate with the basal ganglia.

The structures are the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG). These two structures are more active in the brain of a person with OCD. If the OFC or ACG is damaged, it can result in the loss of error detection abilities. That’s what causes the sudden increase in

repetition of messages causing OCD.

OCD related obsessions occur when the brain activates repetitive powerful thoughts that are very intrusive and tend to produce anxiety.

Compulsions are the physical actions a patient carries out to reduce the feelings associated with the obsessive worrying.

An example of OCD would be if a person feels a room is somewhat dirty, they will clean from top to bottom multiple times until the room finally appears clean.

There are two types of OCD: clinical OCD and subclinical OCD. Clinical OCD is when the symptoms are so severe that it interferes with their daily lives.

Subclinical OCD is where the obsessive thoughts are intrusive, but they do not impair their daily lives.

Patients realize that the obsessions are in fact unwanted and excessive, yet the person cannot stop listening to the thoughts or actions that follow them. Once the excessive thoughts occur, patients often get a sudden

Photo taken by Tala Lamme Neatly folded and organized clothing in Good Willard

feeling of dread until the compulsions are performed correctly.

There are medications one can take to reduce OCD symptoms, but if one stops taking medication, symptoms they are likely to return. OCD can also be treated with psychotherapy.

In psychotherapy, patients discuss their backgrounds, fears, and beliefs to help resolve the compulsive thoughts. Thus, there are some remedies for OCD and ideally as technology progresses, researchers will find more effective cures for OCD.

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Editorials & Opinion

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ervice Shenanigans

by Margaret Neaves of the Willard Wire

The do’s and donts of a server Writers Note Hangry: adjective - angry emotions that result in angry actions as a direct result of hunger For the last three years in the service industry, I’ve been smiling and cooing at hungry people wanting more food, better seating, and faster services. The list is longer than the menu.

These tantruming tots are not your average, they’re slot machines with big payouts, with faces that become so scrunched up it’s as if they are smelling their own dirty diapers. I’ve come to know these creatures as mongrels or the socially acceptable term, “customers.”

Working in the restaurant business has its perks, including discounted food and a wad of cash in your pocket, but there are also downsides. Hangryness causes irritability, at you. I mean you must be the sole reason, possibly the only explanation, that the restaurant’s music is too loud. Right? It’s truly a montrocity, yet I flash my pearly whites and tend to every complaint. I present to you, tips and tricks for surviving and mastering customer service.

When I first entered the realm of the service industry, I instantly realized there was plenty of room for both growth and mistake, but mistakes could easily result in the customer eating YOU for dinner. It became clear that people walked through the doors with many expectations, but most importantly, eating scrumptious food, and creating memories with family and friends. As a server, you are a chest piece for this experience. Giving these people your very best effort however, is an excellent goal.

Image courtesy JestPIC.com Dog growling in first panel than smiling in the second.

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Opinion

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ervice Shenanigans

by Margaret Neaves of the Willard Wire

The do’s and don’ts of a server Don’t stop there. Continue developing goals to improve yourself in the workplace. You’ll enhance your ability to ensure the customer has the best experience possible, leaving them satisfied with the restaurant, and with intentions to come again.

Customers often mistreat service workers, forgetting that they are emotional beings too. Everybody makes mistakes, apron or not.

Keep these comments from weighing you down by tilting the scale with confidence. Do your very best at your job from the moment you clock in. If a customer comments on things you do ‘poorly’, keep in mind that there is a high chance the person’s hangryness has become so infectious it has began to eat their brain cells away. Their opinion of you is then deemed,

well, lets just say it has absolutely no importance whatsoever. Remind them you don’t have ten arms and you are in fact, human and doing your best work. Confidence is developed overtime, and it starts with you. Reminding yourself on a consistent basis that you are enough will keep you as sharp as ever. Establish mutual respect between you and the people in your work environment by demanding respect, and show the utmost mutual appreciation in return.

As I near expertise in my field, I continually add to my survival techniques when handling hangry people. I may look like I’m smiling, when in reality I’m clenching my jaw to avoid a slip up. There will always be times I want to dump my entire tray and let out an ear piercing “SHUT UP”. While keeping my cool

and serving food, I dream of the moment when I can clock out, go home, and release an endless scream into my pillow. When I go back to work the following day, I prepare for customers to come. Hangryness creeps over their minds as an infectious zombie disease would. I, luckily have the antidote on my tray, and with it, motivation to excel and master my job.

Worldwide rule of service, the customer is always right. This means taking many blows that you alone, are not responsible for. This is not excluding or limited to problems such as, the bathroom line is too long, or the screaming baby in the corner is disrupting. The restaurant becomes the vocal point for these problems and as a server, you are the direct complaint box.

In these situations, communication is KEY. Explaining and maintaining with a simple script of “I’m doing the best I can right now” or “We are working to fix the problem.” If the customer continues to run their mouth, simply shove as much food in there to clog the gateway. Okay thats what every server dreams about but let’s face reality here. If a customer won’t stop nagging, simply practice selective hearing. As they say, kill em with kindness, and earn money for it. Tips are one of the most rewarding parts of the job, and although they are not ensured, excellent service is always rewarded. If you’re doing your best, you are succeeding. Mastering the art of communication will ensure avoidance of mistakes. This includes double checking orders with customers, and consulting co-workers with questions and concerns. When addressing a customer’s complaint, they immediately feel cared for. Your kindness will probably be unrecognizable and they’ll still despise you, but you tried. Right?

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Opinion

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onds of Dragon Slaying

by Brendan Hawkins of the Willard Wire

How Dungeons and Dragons helps make strong friendship bonds

I’ve always heard “Dungeons and Dragons is the greatest game ever,” but for a time, those were words I never understood.

I would hear about it from friends who love the game, or from relatives who had played it before. I never knew what it was until five years ago when I joined my first Dungeons and Dragons group.

Now, this game was and still is a huge hit. For those who don't know what D&D is, it's a turn-based roleplaying tabletop game. You create a character from your own imagination and create their story up before the adventure begins. Anyone can play, and with plenty of laughs to be had, the

game can really bring people together. D&D is a game that helps you relax, laugh, and joke around without being criticized, and it provides something to talk about. The game also provides opportunities to recount funny experiences or awesome battles with your friends, whether they’re an old or a new member, and something to have in common.

Plus, as a player, you have a lot of influence in the game decisions that can alter the game in many different ways.

Now there are downsides to Dungeons and Dragons as well. I have known best friends who have fought over little things such as a battle strategy or a way the party

Image courtesy of Redbubble.com Image of 20-sided die with wings around a sword behind it.

should go. Disputes can happen, but these conflicts happen in many games versus, whether it's online or in person.

I personally love D&D, and I haven't played any other Role Playing Game (RPG) that has even come close to the happiness that D&D has given me and my friends. Now there are other good, even some great RPGs out there, but none of them are as great as Dungeons and Dragons. I believe that if you give this game a try, you'll find that bond with others, with the character you've created, with the journey, and that all depends on them!

But, are you willing to immerse yourself into the many realms of Dungeons and Dragons?

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Opinion

A

lternative views

Recently, a debate between Missoula teenagers tool place on the social media platform, twitter.

A controversial tweet was circulating students of Missoula’s high schools. The tweet read, “If you get your diploma from an alternative high school, you aren't really graduating”. This statement was strongly agreed upon by many students and re-tweeted among many.

Kids from traditional schools and alternative also spoke out in disagreement with the controversial statement. I wondered, how did my fellow peers and teachers feel? I

by Margaret Neaves of the Willard Wire

Alternative vs traditional school diplomas conducted interviews with Willard staff and students to get an inside look by exploring their personal opinions and reflections on an alternative diploma.

Addy Miller - Willard Student

I saw the tweet. I thought it was ignorant because my diploma is coming from Willard and Hellgate. I don’t think it’s a logical thing to say, especially from a person who doesn’t go to an alternative school. Their opinion of an alternative diploma doesn’t seem valid when they’ve never been exposed

to the curriculum of an alternative school.

Being an alternative student has helped me find who I am because in a normal high school I couldn't be myself, I couldn’t dress how I wanted and I felt judged walking down the halls. Here, I can be myself and that’s who I am as an alternative student, me. It’s awesome.

The smaller classes help with anxiety, starting school later allows me to work almost a full time job. I am able to manage school, and still have a job. I’ve even been able to achieve honor roll.

A diploma is a diploma. They’re all the same. At most alternative schools, you get your GED so the fact that you can get your diploma at Willard means we learn and put in just as much work as a regular high school.

I’m not a dropout. I just couldn’t finish school at a normal high school.

Tri Pham - Willard Guidance Counselor

I worked as a counselor at Hellgate elementary in the kindergarten to second grade building.

I then worked at Sentinel High School for three years. I then worked at Hellgate for one year.

I worked in the public schools of

Minneapolis. I subbed at Big Sky for half a Semester and now I’m at Willard.

I’m starting my second year at Willard. There are some big differences between an alternative high school and a traditional school. Main one is the actual job is very different than any actual counseling job I’ve had before. Particularly because we are a smaller school, we have a lot more flexibility. I think that the way we interact with students is different. The way we conduct class is different.

The district recognizes the diploma that students earn at Willard, is the exact same as Hellgate, or any other high schools. I think that the education is different in the way that we choose to deliver the curriculum and the standards.

The teachers meet the same standards and learning targets that are expected in high schools. We also have flexibility to target essential learnings. How they go about that is different. The curriculum and learning is the same.

What I’d like to add is that there is all different kinds of ways of learning. We could culturally and societally be more respectful of that and honor that more. It seems that we get fixated on one style of learning and get stuck there. If we were more open to different learning styles we’d do

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Opinion

A

lternative views

by Margaret Neaves of the Willard Wire

Alternative vs traditional school diplomas

windy. Maybe you take the scenic route, or the interstate. Willard helps people get back on track.

We are still graduating. We are learning and achieving, it’s just different than a traditional high school setting. Our curriculum and teachers help kids to advance socially and academically. It hurts to hear that people say that graduating from an alternative school Image courtesy etftrends.com doesn’t count as graduation. I know in my heart I am. I’m still There are choices. Which way will going through the years of doing you go? my work, showing up to school, and doing everything I can to get a better job of support students. to the day of graduation. Willard

One thing I’ve learned isn’t the cookie cutter high school being here is that I am more experience, but we are still getopen-minded about what success ting to the same place. It doesn’t means, how important learning is. matter if you go to a traditional When I was only exposed to pub- school or an alternative school. lic school I only knew that setting. Graduating is graduating.

Being at Willard and learning

I transferred to Willard from students and teachers about last November at the beginning their backgrounds, I am much of my sophomore year. Being an more open to the values of difalternative student has helped me. ferent types of schooling. I’d like In the past, I had problems with students to leave Willard with the attendance. Willard is a second belief that they can learn. You’re family to me. Although I still have always learning in everything you problems with attendance, I’m do. improving. There are so many supportive people that help me Grace Brown - Willard Student when I’m not feeling okay. They

I didn’t hear about the notice when I’m down and they tweet until you showed me. The notice when I haven’t been to tweet is ignorant. Life is a road. school. Alternative school to me, It might be more twisted or

is a second family. I’ve grown more in this last year than I have at any other point in my life. I can be myself.

Everyone at this school has surpassed judgement. Each person is their own, and there is a reason we are here. From what I’ve seen we don’t struggle with bullying because everyone has respect for each other. Willard is a community of learning, and support, and respect.

The stigma behind Willard is that we are lazy. That we are dropouts uninterested in schooling. That’s just not true. Everyone is here for a different reason. The people around me are genuinely happy to be at Willard. There is so much support throughout this school and although we took a different route, we achieve the same academic goals, just in a different environment. I love Willard, I do. I’m gonna graduate!

That’s right!

Features

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ro! The ponies are here!

A brony is closer to you than you may think! One question is though, “What is a “Brony”? Well, that question can be solved with two simple answers. A “Brony” is considered by most as a male, no matter the age, who enjoys, listens, and watches a show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. However, some people don't accept that only males are called bronies, some female bronies are called “Pegasisters.” The fandom has so many labels and misinterpretations about it, such as “the show is for girls only” or “real men don't watch a show for children.”

Some stereotypes about the fandom are that all bronies are gay, but this isn't true. Some people are and that’s okay, they like who they like. But not all bronies are homosexuals.

Everypony in the fandom is super supportive of each other, and bronies even help others out. The Brony Quota I guess you could call it, is to “love and tolerate.” Now the Brony Community, that's something entirely different.

The community is a rather large group of Bronies and Pegasisters who write stories, draw, and even create songs all based off of the original TV show. They even review the show itself, sharing their opinions about what they liked and didn't like about the episodes.

The original animated My Little Pony Series was created by Lauren Faust and produced by Hasbro studios. It's come a long way, with lots of writers such as M.A. Larson and voice actors like Tara Strong and Ashleigh Ball. The franchise even has five movies! Not to mention the ten years the show has continued

by Brendan Hawkins of the Willard Wire

What is the Brony Community? with 188 episodes in eight seasons and in Ludwigsburg Germany, and Bronycon in counting, plus all of the shorts just for random Baltimore Maryland, plus a whole lot more! fun. The latest movie, “My Little Pony: The With a multitude conventions and hordes Movie,” had big stars such as Sia, Liev Schreiber, people at them, you might get overwhelmed Zoe Saldana and Michael Pena, who were all with love and laughs, if you’re willing to take part in the hysterics and randomness that is the excited to voice a character in the movie.

The community is condensed into three Brony Fandom! groups: Writers, Artists, and The Herd. Writers are the storytellers of the community. They write comedy, suggestive, sad, uplifting and creepypasta fanfics or comics. Most of these get put onto the internet for everyone to hear and watch.

Artists are more complicated than the other two groups. Those grouped into the Artists category create music, drawings, paintings, story voice acting, and so many other things for others to enjoy. A few artists in the community even do a voice or sing in the show.

The Herd is quite easy to explain. The Herd are all of the bronies and pegasisters who just enjoy the show! Everyone who joins the fandom starts out in the herd, but as time progresses, they become an artist, writer, or they stay put, enjoying the show. The fandom and community are like family, and if you give the show a try, then you'll see the wonders and laughs of the show, as well as the diversity of the community.

The My Little Pony fandom is quite large, so much so that there's multiple Artwork by Brendan Hawkins conventions for bronies and pegasisters everywhere. These include BABScon and My Little Pony original character, "Nightmare" Pacific Ponycon in San Francisco, Galacon

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Features

S

potlight Ave.

by Maire Odermann of the Willard Wire Serial Experiemnts Lain Fansite

fauux.neocities.org for an invite, we choose our new is a website based on the members with care.” fictional japanese animated In my research, there appears to series, “Serial Experiments be no actual username let alone Lain.” As you enter this password yet to be revealed to website you can take note of the public, some even claim it is the music that plays once in impossible to add a login through awhile depending on how you Neocities and that it’s all a ruse. load the page, along with a However, as you click the Help distorted computerized voice and Guidelines, there appears to be saying the sites title name. some form of code laid out along Clicking on the main image with surreal imagery. I have tried takes you through a labyrinth deciphering it myself and I’ve gotten of other strange images, nowhere. clicking on each image takes Supposedly someone emailed the you to a new image and so developer and he’s claimed there’s on. Sometimes the image is no way to login. However this claim accompanied by distorted isn’t yet proven. music. Most images are quite Nonetheless, browsing through frankly disturbing at points, this site is creepy despite being from a pair of eyes staring Image courtesy of fauxx.neocities.org suspected to be just work of art. at you through a static void I believe this site will become to Lain, the main character, somewhat of an ARG. That stands Lain staring blankly as light passes through her eyes without eyes nodding at for “Alternate Reality Game.” nothing. There’s even a point Typically an ARG is a media where the main character, platform such as a Youtube channel, Lain, is shown to have black Website, Twitter, Tumblr, etc, that eyes with white pupils and portrays an interactive story to the sharp teeth, as if she’s yelling, viewer/player. So in this case we have her mouth hangs wide open a login, perhaps in the future we will and she’s shaking rapidly. be able to login and play with this

Once you click creator’s interactive story or ARG through all the images it takes and solve the puzzles and mystery you to a login you can access behind this elusive site. Until then, on the main site, which has I’ll do my best to keep you updated a note saying, “To login you on the site’s status, if anything major have to have an invite from an happens I’ll be sure to report it existing user. There is no use here. Until next time, see ya space in trying to beg, ask/request cowboys…

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Features

ow self-aware are you?

1. Clicking your pen: Sitting at your desk, a pen in hand, you get lost in thought, and come back to somebody yelling at you because they're tired of hearing, “ clickclick-click!”

2. Biting the inside of your cheek: Not sure if it’s a nervous habit you pick up. Maybe just try gum.

by Jeb Sherry of the Willard Wire 20 Things you do without realizing they’re completely cognizant of the little tippy-tappy sounds, but they like it because they’re showing off their new acrylics.

10. Humming with your headphones in: "All Star” by Smash Mouth is playing in your headphones. You don't even realize it because you’re so tuned into your music. You could be totally

3. Picking at your face: Sometimes you grab at little flakes of your skin or the outer side of your eyebrow.

4. Shaking your leg: Most people never notice they’re doing this until someone has to grab your leg and hold it down and they always say “ your jiggling the crap out of them.”

5. Nail biting: This is commonly known as a bad habit. Maybe just not do this.

6. Saying “OK” at the end of every sentence: We all know someone who does this or a version of it. Teachers and professors are the worst at this (or the best, depending on how you look at it).

7. Smacking your gum: No one likes this!! AT ALL!!! EVER!!! It’s like pure ear blood listening to juicy noise of grocery gum in your mouth.

8. Skin biting/ picking: This is also a risky biz, because you’ll causally be pulling lose pieces of skin off. Before you know it you’re gushing blood out of your skinless fingers.

9. Tapping with your nails: Girls with a fresh set of “claws” are prone to this. Sometimes

Photo taken by Tala Lamme A funny fellow (Jim) rolling his eyes. jamming, but the people around you only hear high-low pitched “mmm” noises, it doesn’t sound too melodic and probably don't resemble any song they’ve ever heard.

yet, your mother catches you doing it! “Do not rock on my chairs!”

14. Talking to yourself outloud: This is either really funny or really embarrassing to catch yourself doing.

15. Zoning out: This is something you definitely don't realize you’re doing until a significant amount of time has passed and you have no idea what happened, it’s so easy to fade away into your own thoughts, but at least 9/10 times, it’s more interesting than what you didn't listen to.

16. Clearing your throat: It's more than coughing up a loogy when you’ve got a cold.

You kind of use it as a buffering device as you think of the next thing to say.

17. Interrupting others mid-sentence: Maybe you just have a lot to say, but it’s a little off-putting to never get the words out of your mouth.

18. Playing the same song over and over again in your head: This is one of the most difficult things to overcome. Once the song plays on the radio or someone sings it out loud because it was stuck in their head. It's just over.

11. Twisting the rings on your fingers: A silent habit, but it may be something you find yourself doing.

19. Laughing without cause: This is comparable to clearing your throat. Nothing is funny 12. Playing with your hair: You may be findbut you’re still laughing to fill some awkward ing yourself running your fingers through it to gap of silence or discomfort. get the imaginary knots out. Curling it around your index and middle finger then pulling it out 20. Rolling your eyes: The perfect “tell all.” You and curling it the same piece again. can visibly see someones irritation or discom13. Rocking in your chair: It’s better to catch fort with a simple flutter of their eye lids. yourself in the act before your teacher, or worse

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hat happens to the brain during sleep?

by Jeb Sherry of the Willard Wire

This is a study of the brain during sleep.

The function of sleep has mystified scientists for thousands of years, but modern research is providing new clues as to what it does for the mind and body.

Sleep serves to reenergize the body’s cells, clear waste from the brain and supports learning and memory. It also plays a vital role in regulating mood, appetite, and libido. Sleeping is an integral part of our life, and as research shows, it is incredibly complex. The brain generates two distinct types of sleep-slow wave sleep (SWS), known as deep sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM), also called dreaming sleep.

Why is it important to get sleep? Such as when a person gets a poor night’s sleep, in the morning they could be feeling foggy with slowed mind and body function. When you lose out on sleep you're not giving your brain the opportunity to clean up and flush out dangerous proteins that it makes during the day. We spend roughly a third of our lives asleep, but sleep is remarkably productive time for our bodies. Sleep helps us form strong memories,

allows muscles, bones, and organs time to repair themselves, and helps strengthen the immune system.

Getting a good night’s sleep won't grant you immunity from diseases. However, studies have found a link between insufficient sleep and some serious health problems, such as heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity. Neurons in the brain and brainstem produce a variety of nerve signalling chemicals called neurotransmitters and different parts of the brain. These neurotransmitters in turn act on different groups of neurons in various parts of the brain, which control whether you are asleep or awake. Another area of the brain that suffers dramatically from sleep deprivation is the hippocampus. This is the region critical for storage of new memories. Sleep deprivation was shown in one study to cause an impairment in the hippocampus.

There are 7 types of dreaming: day dreaming, lucid dreaming, nightmares, recurring dreams, dreams about healing, and life changing dreams.

Photo taken by Arlen Gamble A young woman sleeping on a comfy table

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Features

emented and Disturbed

by Dylann Agnew of the Willard Wire

Five Serial Killers In The U.S

Serial murder: The unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offenders in separate events. This is what the FBI calls people who have committed murder multiple times. They use this definition as a “diagnosis” for serial killers, since serial killer isn't an actual illness or diagnosis.They connect certain behaviors to this definition to help decide if someone is a serial killer. Some of these behaviors would be a lack of empathy, antisocial personality disorder, and often amygdalar abnormalities [abnormal brain functions]. Obviously if you have any of these disorders you are not automatically a serial killer. There is a significant difference in the brain of a serial killer compared to the average brain. They tend to have reduced prefrontal grey matter which would affect the personality of a person. Science shows that a lot of serial killers are psychopaths. But not all are. Four of the five men below may not be psychopaths but they are clearly demented and disturbed.

#1

The Green River Killer , Gary Ridgway

#2

The Killer Clown, John Gacy John Gacy was known for sexually assaulting, torturing, and murdering teenage boys and young men. He would then bury the bodies in his yard or crawl space. Gary was called the Killer Clown because of his services at children's parties dressed up as Pogo The Clown. It's not clear when John started killing people, but in 1968 he was charged with sexual assault.

As a result of the sexual assault charge the police uncovered his murders. He was convicted on March 13, 1980 for 33 murders. He was then sentenced to death row in Stateville Correctional Center. He died of lethal injection in 1994.

#3

Image courtesy of nydailynews.com

John Wayne Gacy in his clown attire.

The Machete Killer, Juan Corona

Gary Ridgway was known Juan Corona was known for picking up women or sex workfor shooting, stabbing and ers and strangling the victims in bludgeoning his victims. Pretty much all his home. He then dumped their of Corona’s victims were hispanic mibodies in the Green River visiting grant workers killed during the 1960s. He the dead bodies for necrophilia. would bury their bodies in fruit orchards Gary killed his first victim in 1980. in California. Corona was convicted of 25 Photo courtesy of wpxi.com murders in 1978 and sent to Corcoran State In 2001, Ridgway was then convicted of four murders in Renton, Prison. Later on in his sentence the appeal Washington. When arrested and The Green River Killer's mugshot. court overturned his conviction for lacking tried for those four murders he representation. He was then granted a new plead guilty and admitted the location of the remaining 44 bodies. He trial and convicted with life in prison. He is somehow was spared the death penalty and spent life in prison without currently about 84 years old spending the parole. Then in 2011 an additional body was found and Ridgway was last years of his life in Corcoran State Photo courtesy of given another life sentence. Gary is currently 69 and is continuing his Prison. www.dailymail.co.uk sentence at a federal prison in Colorado.

The Machete Killer, Juan Corona

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emented and Disturbed

by Dylan Agnew of the Willard Wire

Five Serial Killers In The U.S

#4 The Atlanta Monster, Wayne Williams

Wayne Williams was suspected to have strangled 23-29 child victims according to the Atlanta Police Department. Supposedly he began killing children in 1979 but was only charged with the murder of two adult men in 1982. Wayne WilPhoto courtesy of liams was never charged for the child www.thehook.onlineJohn murders and is still innocent to this day. This case remains unsolved and will forever be a mystery. No one was Wayne Williams, Named the Atlanta Monster, beever charged for the murder of these children. Wayne is the main suspect cause he was a child killer. for these murders, but he is currently serving his sentence in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 60.

#5

Jeffrey Dahmer was responsible for the murder, rape and disembrant of 17 men and boys in 1978-91. During his later murders, he was convicted of necrophilia, cannibalism, and preserving parts of skeletons. At Dahmer's trial he was convicted of 15 to 17 murders.

Even though Dahmer was a diagnosed psychotic, he was tried and found sane, sending him to prison for life instead of a insane asylum.

Jeffrey was beaten to death by a fellow inmate in 1994.

The brain is the most complex and fascinating organ in the body. The brain of a serial killer is even more interesting. They can have reduced sections in the brain like the prefrontal cortex. These reduced sections lead to change in the brain function or personality. Some serial killers who are classified as psychopaths often think that what they are doing is right. Serial killers who aren't classified as psychopaths know that what they did was wrong. Another study shows that some serial killers act out and kill because of past experiences.

Their brain can't function normally, so they take these past experiences such as abuse, deceased family, or others circumstances and cope or release their stresses and worries through killing. A Lot of serial killers have similarities in the brain such as lack of empathy, antisocial disorder, and amygdala abnormalities. Technology will only advance and find more similarities throughout history making it easier to classify serial killers through knowledge about the brain.

Milwaukee Cannibal, Jeffrey Dahmer

Photo courtesy of www.romper.com

Jeffrey Dahmer's s mugshot.

Image courtesy of YouTube Imaging showing the difference betweeen a normal brain and a brain of a psychopath.

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Features

ou Better Bee-lieve it's Killer Bees

by Grace Brown of the Willard Wire

How These “Dangerous” Insects Came to Bee

Over the past 60 years, a new subspecies honey bee, the African- hive, and kill their queen, taking over the hive. They’ve contributed to ized ‘killer’ bee has been taking over the world's bee population. They the lowering population of the world's precious European Honey Bee have been spreading from Brazil, northward, through Central America, by competing for the same resources. The only difference is, the AfriMexico, and the Southwestern United States. The bees were the result canized Honey Bee will fight harder, and they'll win, eventually starving of a failed lab experiment, and the European Honey Bee of the then accidentally released. resources it needs to flourish.

From there, they flourished,

By themselves, the Afriand continue to flourish to this canized Honey Bee is actually day. no more dangerous than the

The bees were engiEuropean Honey Bee. Since neered in the 1950s by inthey've been released, they've famous Brazilian scientist, only “killed 1000 people” (theWarwick Kerr. The bees were conversation.com), or approxthe result of trying to create a imately 16 people per year. more adapted bee to Brazil's Africanized Honey Bees were hot and humid climate. Kerr’s given the name ‘Killer Bees’ by goal was to stimulate Brazil's the Brazilian government as a honey production and econform to discredit the scientist omy. To do this, he bred the that created them, Warwick Africanized Honey Bee by Kerr. Warwick Kerr had publicly cross breeding the European disagreed with the dictatorship Photo courtesy of youtube.com at the time, and the government Honey Bee with the African Honey Bee. He did this betried to portray him as an evil cause the European Bee creates A new subspecies honey bee, the Africanized ‘killer’ bee has been taking scientist as punishment. They over the world's bee population. They have been spreading from Brazil, more honey than the African named the bees “Abelha assassinorthward, through Central America, Mexico, and the Southwestern United Bee, but is less adapted to the nas” which translates to “Killer States. heat, while the African Bee is Bees.” The government stated the opposite, creating less honthat Kerr had created these “killey but is more adapted to the er bees” as a weapon that would heat. It seemed like the perfect attack on command. None of idea. Until it actually happened. Warwick Kerr knew these bees were these accusations were correct, but the name ‘Killer Bee’ had stuck. a failed experiment, and predicted, if released they would disturb the

The ‘Killer Bee’ is spreading throughout the Western part of ecosystem. The bees were never meant to be released, but unfortunately, the world, but not wreaking havoc given their name like many would they were. One day, while Kerr was gone, another visiting scientist acci- assume. They are stimulating honey production throughout Brazil, Cendentally released 26 of the Killer Bee queens. There was no going back tral America, Mexico, and the Southwestern states. They provide assurfrom there. ance that not all honey bees will die out. With Africanized Honey Bees,

In the wild, the Africanized Honey Bee is extremely defensive the world might be a bit safer than thought, despite the fact humanity of their hive. They will also sneak into the docile European Honey Bee’s might be saved by a species called “Killer Bees.”

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hy it's important to enjoy your job

Having a job is a thing most people have to do in their lives, and the effects of not enjoying the things you have to doing your everyday life can be mentally straining and this can affect your life out of work which can lead to more stress and unhappiness at home, the most unhealthy thing for you to do to is keep your job. You can keep it until you find a new one. But keeping it because of the money if you don't absolutely need it is going to stress you out. according to healthline.com here are some of the effects of stress, headaches, increased depression, heartburn, insomnia, tense muscle.

It affects mainly people of the lower and middle class because of rougher work conditions, in middle or lower class jobs. Like the work conditions of a cook a

by Degn Larson of the Willard Wire

How Much a Stressful Job Can Affect You construction worker a janitor or a factory worker.

There are things to be done to help make your job less stressful, like talking to your colleagues, enjoying their company, having a good attitude towards it, listening to music if you’re allowed, try talking to the boss about your concerns and try to find possible solutions, go home and enjoy the rest of your day. The effects of enjoying your job are extremely healthy for you. according to healthline.com. It both increases energy levels during the day, and improves sleep during the night and increases levels of energy so you would want to be energetic it also improves social want and skills in Image courtesy of wallstreetjournal.com general because your feeling liberated after such a wonderful day at work.

The joys of working and paying taxes - welcome to the rat race.

Student Artwork Features

"Big Bon" Artwork by Devon Spaulding

Artwork by Shaila Rupp Artwork by Shaila Rupp

"Baby Bon" Artwork by Devon Spaulding

Artwork by Ashlynn Parr Artwork by Shaila Rupp

Student Artwork Features

Artwork by Shaila Rupp

Artwork by Shaila Rupp

Artwork by Shaila Rupp

Artwork by Shaila Rupp

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Features

Special Place in Hell for Josef Mengele

Most will agree that the Nazis and their scientists were absolutely horrendous and committed horrible acts against the imprisoned people of the time, but Josef Mengele may have committed some of the most disturbing crimes in the 20th century. Crimes such as sewing twins together, injecting deadly poisons to try to understand eye color, and genetic experiments trying to further the population and strength of the german race. He also committed many more atrocities, but those are just a few of his terrible acts.

Josef Mengele was born March 16, 1911 in Günzburg, Germany. In 1935, he obtained a PhD in Physical Anthropology, the study of humans and their behavior. In 1937, he went under the wing of Dr. Otmar von Verschuer, as an assistant. Dr. Verschuer was the leading scientist for his research on twins. This may have been what sparked Mengele's morbid curiosity regarding twins in the near future.

In 1937, Mengele joined the Nazi regime. By 1938, he had become an SS officer. During WWII, he was stationed on the Eastern Front, one of the most wartorn areas during the time.

After he was wounded in war, he was sent back to Germany, and began working at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute. From there, he quickly climbed the ranks, and in April of 1943, he was promoted to the rank of SS Captain. He was then transferred to Auschwitz on May 30th of 1943. This is where all his appalling and gruesome tests started.

Josef Mengele was one of the few physicians that determined people's fate of either perishing in the gas chambers, being sent to work, or being experimented on. Mengele was known as the “Angel of Death” and was much

by Grace Brown of the Willard Wire

Josef Mengele and His Life more thorough in his physicals of the inmates than any other physician. Even off duty he was often found at the “selection ramps” as he searched for twins to perform his experiments on. He then performed agonizing and often deadly experiments on those he found. They tended to be Jewish or Gypsy children.

Mengele's most famous experiments were on twins and their genetics, but he was also fascinated in eye color and a condition called heterochromia, a condition in which an individual's irises differ in color. Mengele collected the eyes of his victims and had them on display, saying they were for research of eye pigmentation. Lesser known, were his experiments on the disease Noma, a gangrenous disease that destroys the mucus membranes of the mouth, eyes, and other tissues. Mengele would inject this disease into his victims, and study how it affected them. Many of his test subjects died as a result of his experiments, or were murdered in order to perform post mortem examinations.

In 1945, as the Soviet Union advanced through Poland, Mengele fled before they could get to him. Immediately after the war, Mengele found himself in the custody of the US. Obvious to the fact that his name was on the list of wanted war criminals, U.S. officials released him from custody. To avoid capture, he then travelled to South America where he settled in Argentina. In 1959, West German officials sent out a warrant for the arrest of Mengele, and in 1960, a request for extradition. In 1960, another nazi war criminal, Adolf Eichmann, was extrodized extremely close to where he was living. Mengele was shocked by this, so he moved to Paraguay. After evading,

it was discovered he spent his last remaining years in Sao Pāolo, Brazil, where he had a stroke while swimming and drowned in 1979.

He evaded capture for 34 years, and his remains were correctly identified in 1992.

Josef Mengele was a terrible person who commited a multitude of gruesome crimes. He committed these crimes with the support of Nazi Germany, and was never caught and punished for his “experiments.” The things he did effected many people, and still do to this day.

Image Courtesy of Pinterest.com Josef Mengele, (SS) Officer and Physician of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

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hat awkward moment between life and death

Awkwardness has an interpretive definition. It doesn’t have a solid definition, but it can be explained. Anxiety, embarrassment, self-consciousness, that one accidental handshake/fist bump, that time the waiter said, ‘Enjoy your meal’ and a person says, ‘You too,’ or how you feel giving a presentation in class. It’s terrifying and, well, awkward. Can it be defined in one sentence?

Anxiety can include worry, fear, or nervousness.

Embarrassment is a feeling of shame. Both of these things are caused by self-consciousness, but self-consciousness is not to blame. Self-consciousness is said to mainly link to three parts of the brain according to Forbes magazine. The insular cortex (ICC) connects with perception, motor control and interpersonal experience as well as self-consciousness.

Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) controls your blood pressure, heart rate, attention allocation, impulse control and ethics/morality. Medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) is a part of your brain that controls your primitive instincts and is the least understood region of the brain.

According to a study done by the University of Iowa, when an individual is feeling self-con-

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by Tala Lamme of the Willard Wire

The science of being awkward scious, the process of thought and awareness activates as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure. In the Medial Prefrontal Cortex, it contains primitive instincts and the basic understanding of how to interact as people did back in the stone age. It is key

being in person. People are able to pick up body language and social cues in person but not over the phone or in text. Then we lose the ability to have basic social interactions. When someone becomes more self-aware, they overthink possible outcomes or situations.

Photo taken by Tala Lamme The very awkward Zoey Patton and Jim Sorenson!

for social communications. Over time, however, when technology and phones came into existence, people stopped talking in person and even more so recently, since texting and facetiming are popular. And, it is not the same as

They start to sweat, increase heart rate and panic. They realize it would be weird to start panicking in front of another person. So, they sweat and make awkward eye-contact, breath heavy, and worry. These are symptoms of

anxiety.

Anxiety is caused by various factors depending on an individual, such as environmental factors, genetics, brain chemistry, other forms of mental illness, or use of illicit substances often resulting in a feeling of impending doom. A person who is anxious will probably feel this throughout the day. Worried about themselves, constantly overthinking about what other people are thinking. They’re uneasy, because they can’t think of what to say to someone else. According to the article, “Negative Interpretation Bias Mediates the Effect of Social Anxiety on State Anxiety” in Current Neurology and Neuroscience, negativity bias is always assuming the worst in a situation or thinking about what other people think about an individual. Typically, what they are thinking is something negative. This can make someone feel insecure and eventually cause anxiety. In a social situation, an individual usually gets a feeling of embarrassment.

There is a way to explain being awkward, when it all comes together. But is there a way to explain what it is, how it feels or a general explanation? Perhaps, but it will involve more overthought and worry.

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taff Infection!

by Arlen Gamble of the Willard Wire

New Faces Around Willard Q1: Why did you choose to work at Willard?

Q2: What is your job here?

Q3: What are you looking forward to in your first year at Willard?

Q: Lastly, what’s your favorite part of Willard’s school day?

Photos taken by Tala Lamme Matt Quinlan A1: “I like the Willard environment and feel more comfortable with small class sizes. Willard is a unique learning environment that allows students the freedom and comfort to be themselves, respect each other, and to graduate.”

A2: “I teach English.”

A3.: “I'm looking forward to settling in to the rhythm of Willard, the new building, and creating some elective classes that will be helpful and fun for students.”

A4.: “My favorite part of the day is the beginning of each class when I get to see all of the awesome students come into my room.”

Karla A1: “I appreciate and respect the alternative learning programs in the Missoula school district.”

A2: “I am the lunch/cafeteria worker.”

A3: “Providing a good/satisfying service for the students and getting to know everybody!”

A4: “Lunchtime! I enjoy watching everybody getting their lunch and enjoy the food choices I provide!”

Chris A1: “I chose Willard because I wanted to go to a place where the students were unique, where fellow teachers genuinely cared about students, and to be in a place where I could comfortably be the teacher I wished I'd always had.”

A2: “I teach Health/P.E., and I’m the Special Education person for the high school.”

A3: “ I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and staff and finding my spot in this big family.”

A4: “My favorite part is the passing periods and lunch. I like getting out and trying to meet and talk to as many students as I can, though I am socially awkward.”

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avid Simmons

Actor and musician David Simmons came to Willard on September 12 to collaborate with students for a three-day songwriting workshop. Simmons set a goal to write a whole song with the students of Willard within the three days. The topic of the workshop was suicide prevention and celebrating life.

Students attended hour-long sessions in the gym to create song lyrics and brainstorm ideas. Working together, by the end of the three days, Willard stu-

by Tala Lamme of the Willard Wire

Placeholder dents and David Simmons had indeed come up with a song called “Celebrate Life.” The song was upbeat, positive and included a rap verse. The song uses dark metaphors such as, “I must escape the shadows” and “wounds run deep” as well as lighter lyrics like, “I believe there is a shining light” and the chorus lyrics, “Just take your time” and “celebrate life.”

After school on Friday the 14th, Simmons invited staff and students to the Public House, where he

Photo taken by Zoey Patton David Simmons and Willard students perform "Celebrate Life" at The Public House on Missoula's Hipstrip.

performed Celebrate Life with volunteering students singing with him. Zoey Patton, Ali Vernon, Montana has the highest suicide rate in the country.

David Simmons works with Project Tomorrow to visit different schools around the country, spreading positivity and preaching suicide prevention. Project Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization striving to change youths’ lives through education, awareness, and suicide prevention.

Photo taken by Zoey Patton David Simmons with Willard students s they create music during Suicide Prevention Week in the Willard Commons.

"Celebrate Life" Internal struggles choke my pleading speech, As if my mind has been encased in chains.

My heart is heavy and my wounds run deep, Walking as if no one sees the pain.

And, oh-oh, life is short I know.

And, oh-oh, it has its highs and lows.

So, close your eyes, and be surprised.

Don't worry ‘bout the fight.

Just take your time, and celebrate life!

I believe there is a shining light, But I don't know where it is that I should go.

It’s bathing me in a wondrous light So bright, it hurts my tired eyes.

I must escape the shadows — let it give me strength to grow.

For we can make it through these twisted vines.

The journey never ends for you and I. Let's say goodbye to these troubled times.

We can make the best of life, but we gotta try.

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ricks for treats

Halloween in Missoula is something quite spectacular. Kids are running about as I walk down the streets of town. They cheer and scream in loud choruses of joy and fun as they travel from house to house and collect as much candy as they can. There are costumes galore, parents having a good laugh as they follow the excited children up and down the neighborhood streets. The all too familiar chant of trick-

by Brendan Hawkins of the Willard Wire Halloween in Missoula or-treaters rings through the air every time a door opens. Spooky houses are everywhere, some have decor to make a scary and mysterious atmosphere, bringing goosebumps upon my arms as I walk through them, while others leave their houses bare. But the spirit of Halloween is to be found everywhere, from the excited children to the calm adults who cluster the autumn lanes.

Sadly as everything has

a beginning, everything also has an end. That comes especially true for this spooky holiday. As midnight strikes, barely a soul is shown in the highway of lights, as everyone has gone home and started sorting their candy. Most families hang out together to end the night with a spooky movie and some popcorn, eating as much candy as they can before heading off to bed, or stashing it away to save it for the following day. Yet as the night continues I walk the streets, looking at the sky, the moon shining brilliantly

in the cool air. Clouds look as black as the abyss and blot out the stars above. As Halloween comes to an end, the spirit stays for the night before moving on tomorrow.

Halloween, a holiday celebrated by almost everyone, no matter the age or size, the spirit has found a way into each and every one of us. Whether it be a scary trick to spring, or a sweet treat to eat, I've loved this holiday for its fun and creativity. So here’s to the spooky scares and sweet treats that come with this holiday.

Image courtesy of Grist.org A candy-filled skull.

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HALLOWEEN 2018

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o bean or not to bean?

by Shaila Rupp of the Willard Wire

Willard's Annual Chili Feed

Willard’s Annual Chili Feed took place on Thursday, September 13th. Willard staff members made many different types of chili such as, vegan, chicken, and pork. The range of spiciness went from mild to hot. There was also a dessert table with fresh brownies, german chocolate cake, homemade cookies, and chocolate chip scones.

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Students, their families, Willard staff, and community members came together over fifteen different chilis. At the gathering, attendees enjoyed delicious chili and had the opportunity to mingle with the greater Willard community. In this informal setting, parents and neighbors get to know the teachers, students and the school.

Photos taken by Tala Lamme

illard Community Class takes the silver

by Tala Lamme of the Willard Wire

Mosaic planters to spread beauty and growth

On a lovely Saturday in Zootown, Steve Mutchler, Stephanie Wing, and Melissa Madsen took dedicated "Community Class" students to Home Resource's annual Spotaneous Construction event. Entering the Spon Con competition is a celebrated Willard pasttime. This year, the Willard team, Addy Miller, Khari Tribitt, and ther teachers, created mosaic planters winning the silver medal.

"Celebrating Reuse, Building Community" was the 8th Annual Banquet & Benefit Auction's theme held at the Wilma November 3, 2018. Willard's mosaic planters were auctioned, and all the proceeds from the annual Banquet & Benefit Auction help Home ReSource further their mission and fund Community Sustainability Programs.

Photos taken by Melissa Madsen

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ass Binger

by Arlan Gamble of the Willard Wire

Socotra Festival 2018

The warm air smelled fresh as I waited for, what seemed like hours, in a surprisingly quiet line. And by “surprisingly quiet,” I mean I was the only one there. I had arrived at my destination approximately 2 hours before the event started. I sat alone in the half dead grass that was right by the gate. The blazing sun beat vigorously on my forehead. A speedy electronic beat began to rise in the distance. “Check, one, two, three!” the stage manager repeated over the sound of the loud music. My body filled with adrenaline as I assumed the show was goin to start soon!

I waited in the burning sunlight for another hour. I was dozing off when I heard the rusty gate slide open. There are a few groups of people behind me in line now. I looked so bland in front of them, only wearing a pair of shorts and an old green and blue tye-dye T-shirt.

Others in the line went to more extravagant measures such as fairy wings, tutus, and sparkly makeup. The security guard, who was a broader woman with a walkie-talkie on her hip, informed us that we would have a pat down search. She waved me over to her and i followed the order. The guard asked me to empty my pockets. I pulled out my ticket, two empty “Extra: Spearmint Gum” wrappers, my blue SkullCandy earbuds, and my wallet that enclosed a crisp ten dollar bill.

The lady put her hands on my shoulders and gently tapped my body down to the knees. “You’re good!” she said, I moved on.

Image courtesy of manchestersfinest.org Steve Aoki spitting wine onto his audience.

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ass Binger

by Arlen Gamble of the Willard Wire

Socotra Festival 2018

The girl behind the security guard grabbed my ticket, scanned it and strapped my wrist with a silky, pink and blue wristband. Walking into the festival was like entering a new world. I was surrounded by aliens, space women, and anticipated ravers. The main pavillion was lined with tents and kiosks selling things like scarves, glass work, and food.

I slowly moved my way to the stage. Being the first person there I was guaranteed a spot at the front. I could feel the beat in my soul as soon as I walked into the building. I was ready to dance! My body let loose and the music took control. The bass pushed me away and the treble pulled me right back in. Sweat flew through the air as I swung my head back and forth. I could physically feel my brain being thrown against the walls of my thick skull. But pain was the least of my worries.

The music grew louder and more intense with each act like the plot of a nail-biting drama. We were about to reach the climax.

The second to last act finished playing and the crowd screamed.

This scream was the loudest scream of the night. A short silhouette

with long hair walked on stage. The crowd went wild. A rising bass line began to play softly.

The bass rose, while Aoki added treble, and insane beats.

The short man jumped with the music, advising us to join him.

We did. Halfway through Aoki’s performance I began to grow tired.

A headache bloomed in my brain like a rose in the springtime. My legs cried for me to take them home. I obliged walking away from the swarm of sweaty dancers.

Steve Aoki continued to play behind me as I left the venue.

“What a crazy concert!” I thought to myself. I couldn’t hear anything, everyone sounded like a talking chipmunk. My legs could barely carry me anymore, and after 6 hours of jumping and dancing, it was finally time to go to bed. I laid my sweaty head on the pillow and closed my eyes. Visions of my exciting night flashed through my brain, safely landing in my memories, leaving a lasting impression mentally and physically.

Entertainment

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iddles

Willard Wire Cryptic Riddles

What has roots that nobody sees, is taller than trees, up and up it goes yet never grows?

Riddle No.

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What makes beautiful songs, is cold to the touch, bends trees, rips apart houses, and carries things for miles, yet is still unseen?

Riddle No.

Riddle No.

5

It is greater than god and more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it you’ll die, what is it?

Riddle No.

6

Say my name and I disappear, what am I?

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It has a crown of green, skin tougher than an elephant yet more brittle than bone, it has seen and will see more than me and you. it stands tall and confident yet has never been seen moving, what is it?

Image courtesy of change.org

Riddle No.

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I build castles, I tear down mountains, I make some men blind, I help others to see, what am I?

8

He who makes it has no need of it, he who buys it has no use for it, he who uses it can neither see nor feel it, what is it?

Riddle No.

9

I never was, yet I’m always to be. No one ever saw me or ever will. Yet I have confidence of all, to live and breath on this terrestrial ball. What am I?

Riddle No.

It swallows land, engulfs the skies in an absolute shroud of gray, snaps trees, blows out windows, it throws oceans into chaos, what is it?

Riddle No.

Riddle No.

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It devours all things birds, beasts, trees, and flowers. It gnaws iron, bites steel, grinds hard stone to meal, slays kings, ruins towns, and beats high mountains down, what is it?

6 [Silence] 7 [Sand] 8 [A coffin] 9 [Tomorrow] 10 [Time]

1

Answers: 1 [A Mountain] 2 [The Wind] 3 [A Hurricane] 4 [A tree] 5 [Nothing]

Riddle No.

by Degn Larson of the Willard Wire

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Entertainment

5

reasons to love life

by Jeb Sherry of the Willard Wire

These are 5 reasons to love life 1. People: The world is full of caring, interesting, and cool people. There are those who are open to try new things. They are always looking for ways to challenge themselves, then there are the ones that leave a star in your heart, and these are the people who make life worth loving.

3. Countless Oppotunities: Everywhere there are chances to learn, meet new people, get a job, make money, and even overcome your worst fears.

Help others, share your story, teach people something new, maybe even teach yourself something new.

2. Mind Blowing: When you visit a different cultures, go hiking somewhere you haven’t been before, or even swim with sea animals, like dolphins, sea rays, or even sharks. You could feel something you haven’t felt before, you open up to new people and new places, for example do something you haven’t done before, go to Yellowstone National Park, visit a new country or state.

4. The Moment: Try to let go of the past, stop worrying about the future, and think about now. When we do, we feel joy, and happiness and peace.

“We can fall in love with this moment, appreciate it, and make the best out of it” quote from Pick The Brain.

5. Will Power: We fall, but we get up. We mess up, but keep going. We lose, but move on. We hate, but we can find a way to love. Our power is so strong that we can survive anything. Seeing people rise up gives us hope and a sense of joy.

Photo courtesy of Tala Lamme Our own Melissa Madsen channeling her inner zen.

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L

iving In Harmony With Chaos

by Cale Gooday of the Willard Wire

Control Only That Which You Can

Author’s note: This piece was written over the course of a particularly bad day, in the midst of a bad week. It was merely a way to organize my thoughts, but the resulting writing has helped greatly to keep me going since that day. I hope that you, dear reader, may relate to my experiences and find similar solace in this disorganized rant.

Years ago, chaos was all I knew. Nothing felt under control. I felt like I was in the midst of a hurricane, being whipped around, not knowing where I would eventually land, and hardly remembering the beautiful sun before the wind and the rain. But of course, everything settled, almost all at once, and I was placed down gently in the exact spot I knew I always wanted to be. I got so used to the eye of the storm, it felt like heaven, like bliss. But the chaos never quite fully left my spirit. I kept telling myself that I would change, if I was in this happy place for long enough. The good would seep into my skin and saturate my bones and my muscles – my very soul. The goodness would fill me up and I’d be set forever to live a happy, simple life.

But the unnatural human chaos once again set in as it always does when the warm nights leave for the year, and the leaves fade from their vibrant green to the fiery yellows and oranges. And chaos built upon more chaos as it always seems to. So many souls, filled with chaos, packed into an unsympathetic, rigid system.

A switch flipped, and the ecstasy and contentedness that had filled my life were replaced with gut-punching anxiety and depression that straps me to my bed and glues my eyes to my phone. All I want to do is to stand up and clean my room and clean myself and eat a good meal and clean the dishes afterward. All I want to do is contend with those few things that are directly in front of me at any given moment.

But something always compels me, and often convinces me, not to. To keep wallowing, the cursed objects of the modern day, the attention grabbing, sloth and lust-condoning, motivation destroying hyperlinks, seize me by my throat and squeeze, hard.

I’m fed a continuous stream of small bursts of dopamine into my mainline, my thumb swiping idly, deeper and deeper into Hell, as I struggle inside my body, trying to get a breath of the fresh cool air that I remember.

IT’S HARD NOT TO FEEL DISCOURAGED WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT IS ALL I ALLOW MYSELF TO FEEL !

But I can’t Cry and I can’t Run and I can’t Die and I CAN’T

HAVE FUN !

SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ? ! ?

Here:

When I get home,

I’ll Do These Things:

-clean my room

-clean my bathroom

-put my bed where I want it

-figure out where to put my stereo

-if I become too anxious to move, BREATHE YOU MORON !

AND PICK YOURSELF UP AND QUIT BEING A USELESS

SAD MORON !

I mustn't yell at myself, this is supposed to be productive.

BUT MY BELLY HURTS ! AND I CAN’T STOP RACING

AROUND WITH MY THOUGHTS INSIDE MY HEAD !

Then slow down. What do I need to do right now?

Straighten my back and take a deep breath. Take a drink of water

and relax my tense muscles. +0+

Artwork courtesy of Cale Gooday Black hole somewhere, sometime.

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Entertainment

allace

by Cale Gooday of the Willard Wire

Photo courtesy of Peas Farm

Wallace, the PEAS Farm campanion and knower of all things essential.

Wallace lives on a small farm.

He's happy as can be, Eating leftovers and Digging through the compost Barking at Intruders Especially the little ones.

Following his best friend Peter Or maybe the scent of a rotting deer Through the aisles between Productive plants as large as him.

He sheds all across the 10 acres Planting a few of his hairs On every surface Especially on the clothes Of the workers.

The hot sun and the cold sprinkler Is a heavenly duo on his thick white fur.

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Entertainment

X

xxtentacion

by Arlen Gamble of the Willard Wire

A Young Tragedy

Angst, anger, and sadness are just a expelled from school. His mother, Cleopatra, named Stokeley Goulbourne, also known by few things that might come to mind when then enrolled him in the “Sheridan House,” his stage name “Ski Mask the Slump God.” some think of Xxxtentacion. His somber and which is a delinquent boys home in SouthWhile together in jail, the two rappers began downbeat lyrics caught the hearts of many ern Florida. While living at Sheridan, the to rap with each other, and they became close angsty, depressed teenagers. Xxxtentacion boy listened to nu-metal, hard rock, and rap. friends. When they were released from jail, may have had only one chart topping single, These genres influenced him to learn guitar they met up and formed a group called “Membut the number of lives he has impacted is the and piano. In high school, Onfroy said that he bers Only.” most impressive achieve The song that put X on the ment of his career. Many charts, was “Look at me,” which he looked to him as a hero, or released in 2016. The song was a a role model. To others, he hit. It landed the rapper #34 on the was much more. Until one billboard. That July, X was arrested devastating event damaged on accounts of false imprisonment, hearts and changed all of witness tampering, and aggravated our lives forever. battery on his girlfriend, delaying

On January 23, his album “Bad Vibes Forever.”

1998, Jahseh Dwayne

In his prime, X released Onfroy was born to par3 albums, “Bad Vibes Forever,” “17,” ents Dwayne Onfroy and and “?.” “?“ Was released March, Cleopatra Bernard. Jahseh 16, 2018. Debuting on the Billboard spent most of his childhood top 200 at #1, Being his first #1 in growing up in Florida, the U.S. “Sad!,” the lead single on mainly raised by his Grandthe album, debuted at #17 on the mother, Collette Jones.

“Billboard Hot 100.”

Jahseh also spent some time

On June, 18, 2018, the in a youth home at the age young rapper was seen leaving a Image Courtesy of riotactmedia.com of six for trying to stab a man motorcycle dealership, where he was who was attacking his mothstopped by two men in a black SUV. Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy A.K.A Xxxtentacion er.

The two men got, walked up to X’s January, 23rd, 1998 - June, 18th, 2018

Jahseh became incar, Stole a small bag, and shot him. terested in music in middle The rapper was rushed to the hospischool when his aunt pushed him to join the was extremely depressed and dropped out his tal. He was pronounced dead at approximately school and church choirs. Onfroy joined the sophomore year.

5:30 P.M. choirs even though he didn’t like to follow

Onfroy’s career began when he

XxxTentacion had a rough life, which notes and beats. During one of his school dropped the song “news/flock” in 2013. Jahseh he portrays in his music. His music has choir sessions, he attacked another student, did spend several months in jail before his touched and healed so many broken hearts. In resulting in him being kicked out of the choir. career grew to new heights. During his senhis short life, he was known as a hero or a role After multiple physical skirmishes, he was tence, he met another fellow young artist model.

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Entertainment

N

oise to Stimulate Your Ear Hairs

by Grace Brown of the Willard Wire

Top Ten Songs of Dark Wave

Photo Courtesy of lunalunamagazine.com Depeche Mode members posing for a photograph.

Dark Wave is a subgenre of New Wave, a genre of rock music popular in the 70’s and 80’s. Dark Wave emerged from the New Wave and Post Punk movement of the late 70’s and took off with great popularity in the alternative scenes. A few bands that brought this subgenre into the limelight are: The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Joy Division.

The sounds of Dark Wave are filled with dark, minor sounding synths, experimental electric guitar, classic piano, drum machines, and many more instruments. New Wave, the genre Dark Wave derived from, took sounds from many different genres. These included mod, synth pop, neofolk, gothic rock, electronic, and even classical. They experimented with the many different sounds and instruments to create the new subgenre that is Dark Wave. New Wave and Dark Wave are seen as a very experimental genre. On top of the unique sounds of Dark Wave, they added depressing and introspective lyrics. An example being from

Depeche Mode's song Shake the Disease, “can't you see its misery and torture for me when I'm misunderstood.”

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

See You by Depeche Mode Shadowplay by Joy Division Shake the Disease by Depeche Mode Temptation by The Cure Night Shift by Siouxsie and the Banshees Blasphemous Rumours by Depeche Mode Lullaby by The Cure Body Electric by The Sisters Of Mercy Metal by Gary Numan Master and Servant by Depeche Mode

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tEntertainment

He _________ at scars that never felt a wound.

(Verb) _________ appears above at a window.

(Name) But, ________! What light through yonder window (Interjection) ______?

(Verb) It is the ______, and Juliet is the ________.

(Noun) (Noun) _______, fair sun, and _________ the envious moon, (Verb) (Verb) Who is already ________ and ________ with grief, (Adjective) (Adjective) That her maid art far more ________ than she.

(Adjective) Be not her ________, since she is _______.

(Noun) (Adjective) Her _______ livery is but sick and ________.

(Adjective) (Adjective) And, none but _______ do wear it; ________ it off.

(Noun) (Adjective) It is my lady, O, it is my_______!

(Emotion)

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Entertainment

aming with an opinion

by Demetri Beck of the Willard Wire Bethesda

With the announcement The other new game i of three new up and coming want to talk about Bethesda Bethesda games at E3 there releasing is The Elder Scrolls: is much to think about in the Blades which will be released their expanding universes for the phone and computer. including Fallout, The Elder It will be a full style comScrolls, Doom, and their new puter level graphics RPG for universe Starfield. One of the phone mainly where you the more recent games to be have much more control over announced by Bethesda is Fallout: 76 which will be the newest installment in the the Fallout games which will also feature a new online multiplayer function. The Fallout series are post apocalyptic nuclear wasteland games and the new game to come out is Fallout: 76 which is the prequel to the rest of the games which was announced July 13 at E3.

Once i reviewed the breakdowns and the trailers and all of the information that the internet has given us so far before the actual games Bethesday Game Studios Logo release i believe that this game will very much differ from the original fallout games. the combat actually choosing I believe that it will completewhich way you swing your ly focus on its multiplayer sword also you can choose to function and less on the single hole the phone vertically or player story taking in the fact horizontally which is a very big it's said to be a survival game. interesting feature you don't Despite the fact of it being very see in most games anymore. I different I can't wait to play the myself am very interested to new Fallout and experience the see how the game plays and new enemies and gameplay. expect to see me atop the lead-

erboards also you will be able to use VR which connects the computer and phone which i believe that it will give the people playing on the PC and the console which i believe that it gives them an unfair advantage over those who are playing on the phone. They will have more

my friends and other people that get the game. There will be arent to fight players in other real time battles and then there is the abyss which is a permadeath game going crawling through dungeons and the one most people will play the most which is the won which features building quest runs and a story.

There were two more games announced at E3 which are Starfield, and The Elder Scrolls: VI now I can't say much about the two but that's because they haven't released that much information on the games so far all we know about Starfield is that it will be an open world space RPG. Now we do know a little more about The Elder Scrolls: VI in the trailer we saw what beImage courtesy of giga.de lieve is Hammerfell or High Rock two of the regions that they have previously played in the Elder Scrolls games but in all honesty we have no idea where these games take place. control over the character that I recommend these they are playing using the pad, mouse, or controller over those games to any of those fans that using that of the phone screen. have played any of the se The Elder Scrolls: Blades rieses before also any of those wanting to get into the series will have three different ways or bethesda itself The Elder you can play the game Abyss, Scrolls: Blades is a good place Arena, and town and I will be to start you just need an up to really looking forward to the date phone and time to play. arena where i can play against

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B

ethesdarama

by Demetri Beck of the Willard Wire

Image courtesy UploadVR

W

illard and Bradley

by Apollo Alexander Moura of the Willard Wire