Issuu

THE

MESSENGER

OCTOBER VOLUME 100 ISSUE 1

Adam Friesz Amritha Dewan S. Avalon Leonard Ben Fleishman Eden Huschle Ellen Taylor Ellie Wakefield Eva Hightower

STAFF

Evelyn Bartlett Gunvor Langhout Lakelle Bridges Layth Stauffer Lucy Gaines Maile Quenzer Mairead Averill Michelle Tong

Mika Ichikawa Peja Harding Riley Perteet-Cantu Taylor Gale Tess Wahl Zac Meyer

EDITORS

Nhu Tat - Editor in Chief Audrey Abrahams - News, Feature, Opinion Autumn Henson - News, Feature, Opinion Nikita Landfield - Arts & Entertainment Griffin Hintze - Sports Alwin Ma - Assisant Managing Tyrail Minor - Business

Dear Reader, Due to the unexpected testing week schedule changes, we unfortunately had to postpone the publication of our October issue to November. We apologize for the delay, enjoy our (belated) spooky Halloween content! Go Bulldogs! -Nhu Tat, Editor in Chief

TABLE OF

ISSUE 1, VOL 100

NFO

CONTENTS

CUTTING CLASS Adam Friesz

HEART TO HART Lakelle Bridges

AVOIDING THE COLD Zac Meyer

RANT AND RAVE

FRESH FACES Taylor Gale

DEAR DAWGS Messenger Staff

5 6 6

ONE BED SHORT Michelle Tong ON THE RIGHT TRACK Eden Huschle

Cover by Ava Fimmano

A&E

MEET THE MESSENGER ARTISTS Ben Fleishman

BEST OF BOBA Ellen Taylor

10 11

HALLOWEEN HALL OF FAME Adam Friesz, Ellie Wakefield, Lakelle Bridges

DEVICE DISTRIBUTION DISCORD Evelyn Bartlett

AUTUMNAL TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD Tess Wahl

PRE13 HISTORY SERVED IN

OUR WALLS Gunvor Langhout

14 GARFIELD’S MOST MYSTE-

RIOUS PLACES Riley Perteet-Cantu

RISE AND 14 THE FALL OF TEEN DYSTOPIA Peja Harding

WHAT TO WATCH Eva Hightower

SPORTS 16

FRESHLETES Ellie Wakefield

FAME AND FORTUNE Mika Ichikawa

17 17

FALL SPORTS IN FULL SWING S. Avalon Leonard BRING IT ON BULLDOGS Lucy Gaines

WHO LET THE DAWGS OUT? Amritha Dewan

DANCING AROUND SEATTLE Mairead Averill

ENDING THE GENDER DIVIDE? Maile Quenzer

NEWS

CUTTING CLASS

Budget allocation has had drastic impacts on students and staff. By Adam Friesz

his school year, three previously offered classes are no longer available. These are Psychology, Engineering, and year long AP United States Government. This cut coincides with a history of class cuts that have affected the French, Japanese, and Latin programs, and has led to students being placed in unrequested electives. Psychology, which started in the 20202021 school year following a two-year student push utilizing petitions and pleas to administrators, was one of the classes cut this year. “Late spring [of last year], after our budget was finalized, [I learned that the class was cut],” Alfred Snyder, former Psychology teacher, said. This cut was evidently not due to low enrollment. “Eighty-five students requested psychology, so it was one of the highest requested electives. Roughly sixty-six of those students would have had the class,” Snyder said. In theory, teachers, students, and parents have a say in determining class offerings. “Technically, the Building Leadership Team (BLT) is supposed to be a liaison between the administration and the building... so we are supposed to approve decisions before they go to [the administration],” Mary Cohan, one of last year’s two teacher leaders of the BLT, currently

looking for student representatives, said. Their influence has not always been present, however. “Things have been weird since [former principal] Mr. Howard left [at the end of the 2019-2020 school year] since he basically ran the show and it was kind of like we listened,” Cohan said. “Like when Latin got cut, I was kind of oblivious to it and I was on the BLT at the time.” “The budget is something we do and that is kind of deciding what classes will be served. The annoying thing about the budget is that it’s not big enough. It’s kind of an impossible task,” Cohan said. While the overall school budget did not decrease this year, more of the funding is allotted for special education due to an increase of students in the program. “There is a [portion of the budget] for special education; based on the number of kids, you get a set number of staff members. That is not flexible: you can’t cut that, you can’t add that. It is what it is,” Erik Burnett, an academic intervention specialist and part of the school’s data team, said. This year, Garfield’s classroom teachers lost 1.4 full time equivalent employees, and these decreases are not new. “This is my fourth year here, [and] in the three budget cycles I’ve been through previously we had to make cuts… That is where it gets difficult, having done cuts two of the past three years there just isn’t much fat left to cut. At this point, cutting stuff means cutting stuff that is vital,” Burnett said.

“THE ANNOYING THING ABOUT THE BUDGET IS THAT IT’S NOT BIG ENOUGH.” - MARY COHAN

“Three years ago, we really prioritized keeping class sizes low and the result was the cuts came from student support services… Last year we had to make cuts, but we as a staff decided that this time we were going to try to cut from teaching staff, because cutting student support staff two consecutive rounds would have been debilitating,” Burnett said. Budget decreases negatively affect both students and teachers. “Whenever there’s a new class, it’s a huge investment of time on the teacher’s part and it’s a labor of love so it’s not like, ‘woe is me.’ I helped support the students that wanted [Psychology] in the first place and I had open arms taking it on knowing there would be work, but it does add to the frustration,” Synder said. Following cuts, some students have had to go to far lengths to take the classes they want. “I go to Roosevelt to take Latin 307 which is a class with the University of Washington,” Watson Gerhard, a senior who was enrolled in Latin at Garfield before it was cut last year, said. “I don’t take any other classes there, so afterwards I have a free period to get to Garfield.” Career Connections was one of the classes added this year, replacing Engineering in the Career and Technical Education category. The class is taught by Isak Bressler, a longterm substitute teacher. “I was contacted after the school year started… There wasn’t much of a description besides that we would be working on getting to the career that they would choose,” Bressler, who has previously substituted in the Garfield social studies department, said. “Honestly, I had very little time to prepare for this year.” Students too were not given prior notice of being placed in the class. “Speaking to my students,

most of them did not sign up for the class,” Bressler said. Students said they had signed up for classes such as French, year-long government, and engineering. Student grade levels span from 9th to 12th grade which has led to some challenges. “For some they are working on college applications right now, but for other students they are 9th graders and they are still figuring out high school,” Bressler said. “I’m trying to not necessarily change the curriculum, but supplement it with a lot more college prep material: help with essay writing, scholarship information, resumes, things that would be beneficial to a career but also be beneficial to more immediate needs of applying to colleges,” Bressler said. Schoolwide class sizes have increased, with the lowest enrolled core and elective classes having average class sizes of twenty-eight and thirty students, compared to fourteen last year. “This is the most over-enrolled I have seen classes in my twenty-three years of teaching,” Snyder said. How students and teachers will cope with these changes is yet to be seen. Based on the number of enrolled students compared to the beginning of the year estimate, the district has the ability to retroactively add teaching staff, which could result in more classes being added. Adminstrators declined to comment on class cuts.

“WE AS A STAFF DECIDED THAT THIS TIME WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO CUT FROM TEACHING STAFF...” - ERIK BURNETT

“THIS IS THE MOST OVER-ENROLLED I HAVE SEEN CLASSES IN MY TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF TEACHING.” - ALFRED SNYDER

Graphics by Tess Wahl

NEWS

AVOIDING THE COLD

As winter rolls around, the homeless people of Seattle must find a warm place to stay. By Zac Meyer

or many Seattle residents, winter is a time of celebration. The most wonderful time of the year is welcomed by the masses as an occasion for ski trips, holiday celebrations, and tropical vacations. However, for the homeless population in Seattle, it couldn’t be more of the opposite. The homeless community is bundling up for the worst part of the year. Some are lucky enough to find a spot in the overcrowded relief shelters, but the rest of the homeless must either find a temporary place to stay, or deal with the freezing temperatures out on the streets. Seattle has been struggling with a homelessness crisis for a decade, but the past five years have been brutal. According to the Seattle Times, there has been about a ten percent increase in the amount of people who live in parks since 2016, and the public service usage rate has gone up by about thirty percent. Things got even worse during 2020, with the amount of tents in Seattle increasing by almost fifty

percent. Due to these reasons, Seattle’s city council has drawn local and national criticism for its handling of the homelessness rate in Seattle. The council’s solution was a program called JustCare. The goal of JustCare was to build more houses for homeless people, and open up free hotels. This seemed to work at first, but things began to spiral out of control due to miscommunication between the tenants and landlords. A year after the program started, only six out of the original seventy-eight people who participated in the JustCare program have permanent housing. Now, with winter approaching and the number of homeless people on the rise, the city council must quickly fig-

ure out a plan of action. Last winter, Seattle was hit with a large snowfall on Valentine’s Day weekend, the most Seattle had ever seen in the month of February. Seattle’s homeless communities were hit hard by the extreme temperatures, losing six people to hypothermia in one weekend. The snowy weather was predicted the week before, and in re s p ons e , the city opened up temporary shelters during the week. This seemed to be relatively effective, and is most likely going to be the same procedure followed this year. There are also many ways for individuals to help the homeless this winter.

One of the most impactful ways to help is volunteering at one of the many shelters or organizations around Seattle that serve homeless people. Some good places to start are Operation Warm, which provides winter coats to homeless people free of charge, or the Food Bank at Saint Mary’s, which is the primary food bank in the Central District. If someone doesn’t have the time to volunteer, there are still many other ways to help out. Donations of food, money, and clothes are always very helpful. Also, for those that are old enough to vote, make sure to research local candidates to see which ones have policies that will help Seattle’s homeless population.

Photo by Lextrounce

ONE BED SHORT

As COVID-19 cases surge, Washington hospitals are overwhelmed beyond capacity. By Michelle Tong

year and half since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Washington is still reeling from the strike of the virus. Due to a surge in COVID-19 positive patients, Idaho activated their Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) Protocol on September 16th and are now offloading patients onto Washington hospital beds. Washington is unable to refuse these demands as long as its hospitals have space. As a result, local hospitals are shortchanged on room and unable to accommodate Washington citizens in need of care. The state is under immense pressure to avoid activating the CSC Protocol. The CSC is a medical designation detailing a plan to be enacted during major disasters such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This protocol allows its state to pick and choose which individuals get prioritized for medical attention. Individuals with the greatest chance of survival and recovery are most likely to receive the medical care they need. Patients are

chosen via the Exclusion Criteria (EC), Association (MyNorthWest). which allows staff to withhold care from During a press conference with the MSNBC news station, certain demographics. The criteria judges Washington Governor the patient’s life expectancy, recovery Jay Inslee expressed chances, and sometimes even their annoyance at Idaho essential worker status. The aim of the EC is to save both the Governor Brad Little’s handling of the situamost lives and life-years. tion. “[I am] disapSome Washington citpointed the goverizens are angry that nor of Idaho has they are not being spent more time prioritized as trying to reduce Idaho residents protection by recontinue to enducing vaccine croach Washington hospital usage instead of concentrating on space. “It’s really [common sense challenging to be Art by Ava Fimmano measures], and a state that’s doing so much then clogging up my hospito prevent COVID and tals,” Inslee said (MyNorthWest). to be neighboring a state Only forty-two percent of vaccine-eligithat’s not, then having to essentially bear the brunt of it,” says Cassie Sauer, ble Idaho residents are fully vaccinated, CEO of the Washington State Hospital while sixty-seven percent of Washington

residents are fully vaccinated. Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin took it upon herself to issue an order banning mask and vaccine mandates while Little was out of the state in May 2021, citing a threat to the freedom of people. While this action was reversed by Little upon his return, Idaho has yet to impose a mask or vaccine mandate on its residents. With Idaho pushing transfers into Washington, facilities in the state are facing record hospitalizations as they near capacity, putting staff under the immense strain of making sure every patient is treated. On September 20th, Inslee reached out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to requisition 1,200 workers to fill short staffed hospitals. Whether or not federal assistance will be arriving, however, is currently unclear.

NEWS

ON THE RIGHT TRACK Sound transit adds three new stations to their light rail systems. By Eden Huschle

eattle is home to three new light rail stations in the University District, Roosevelt, and Northgate. The Northgate extension has been in the works for over a decade, now bringing riders from Northgate to downtown in thirteen minutes, and from Northgate to Sea-Tac Airport in forty-five minutes. Sound Transit was given 1.9 billion dollars for this project and came in fifty million dollars under budget. The sizable funds for this new extension added a total of 4.3 miles to its original system. Trains will run every eight minutes at peak hours and are said to have much more reliable travel and arrival times than the Metro buses. This expansion of the Sound Transit

stations has countless benefits. The Link Light Rail line will connect many of Seattle’s largest employment centers, residential districts, and key destinations. More people taking the light rail will equate to less cars on the road, reducing pollution and traffic congestion. It will be a way to get around without having to pay for gas and parking. The light rail has a greater capacity but makes fewer stops than the Metro. When taking the light rail, prepare to do some walking to get to an exact location. On the local level, Sound Transit attaches commuter rail and Amtrak trains at King Street Station to Washington Ferries at Colman Dock. On the regional level, the Link Light Rail will connect Seattle

DEVICE DISTRIBUTION DISCORD

riders to flights at Sea-Tac Airport, and to regional and express buses. Unfortunately, youth transit tickets are currently double the cost of public buses at $3 versus Metro tickets which are $1.50. Luckily for Garfield students, these advantages come at virtually no cost with Orca cards, since Seattle Public Schools has made them free and available for any child. Like Metro busses, Orca cards provide free rides anytime on the Sound Transit. Sound Transit plans to triple the light rail network in the next few years, bringing it from twenty-two to sixty-two miles, and service to Tacoma is expected in 2022. Ballard and West Seattle’s light rail expansions are also on the docket for 2039. This next generation of Seattleites

will get to witness the growth of Sound Transit and its ability to make the city of Seattle more accessible and easily navigated.

Graphic by Nia Dozier

The successes and failures of the one-to-one device distribution. By Evelyn Bartlett

t first, there were whispers of laptops for everybody, rumors that every student was getting a computer to take home instead of dealing with laptop carts. In the 2019-2020 school year, quarantine confined students to their homes. The Seattle Public Schools district issued a one-to-one ratio of laptops for every student. Seattle Public Schools isn’t the first district to pass out laptops to students. Private schools and other districts had already started passing out devices to students before the pandemic. But waiting may have proved to be a better move. At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, laptop distribution became a district-wide announcement, and students picked up their laptops. Students who needed hotspots and internet were able to get access, and the start of online schooling took off in a mostly steady path. However, the situation was not perfect. Tyson Manzine, the Garfield Librarian found that students had trouble getting

support for their devices. Many students didn’t know “exactly what channels they’re supposed to use, and even how to get transported to the place where they can get help,” Manzine said. Communication from the district has also been minimal, creating uncertainties about what exactly the computers were meant to be, and what the expectations of the district were. Initially, the idea behind the one-to-one ratio of students to devices was to allow students to have a device that would be their property to care for and to use throughout high school. However, the reality of that was not so straightforward. Additionally, many students did not take proper care of their laptops and as the district has run out of funding for the program, there is now a shortage of laptops. The district’s solution was to charge an insurance fee, where students pay $25 and receive a laptop. This would allow students to gain a laptop and be able to

repair it more easily. “The fee was a good idea, but the way it was implemented was poor because communication was lacking. We’re still calling it a user fee instead of an insurance cost,” Manzine said. While students who qualify for a free or reduced lunch are able to waive the fee, it was still unclear who exactly would be required to pay the fee. The only verification that students had paid was to check a box on the laptop request form that said yes or no. Those who kept computers over the summer weren’t told to pay the fee either, causing confusion over what the requirements for computers were. In the future, the program is supposed to get better. It is showing signs of improvement from last year already. “The roll-out of internet has been easier this year,” Manzine said. Additionally, all it takes to gain access to an internet hotspot is a recommendation from a counselor.

Creating an equitable process that would allow all students to be aware of the rules surrounding district devices while also being able to access resources for those devices is still being refined. As time and trials continue, the program for laptop distribution will improve, but there is still a long way to go.

Graphics by Eva Hightower

F E AT U R E

HART TO HEART

Exploring the mind and motives of Garfield’s new principal, Dr. Tarance Hart. By Lakelle Bridges

ntroducing Garfield’s newest long-term principal, Dr. Tarance Hart, here from Jackson, Mississippi. He goes by Dr. Hart, Mr. Hart, or T-Hart. In high school, T-Hart was a self-proclaimed, “nerd” and “homebody.” He lived up to the educational and social expectations of his family. He was even editor of his high school newspaper, The Hoof Beat. Hart found time to immerse himself in pop culture, especially music. He developed a love for 80’s pop and R&B. To this day he listens to both old school music and explores modern, alternative R&B and jazz. “I’ll get on Spotify and just listen to random artists and see who else is suggested, and that’s how I find new music,” Hart said. Hart loves a good scare. Horror and thriller are his favorite genres of movies, but you can also find him binging true crime documentaries, specifically series that focus on serial killers. If he could be bribed with anything, it would be pancakes. Hart’s vegan lifestyle does not get in the way of his major sweet tooth.

He loves tofu for its versatility but won’t turn down a good vegan hamburger or pizza. A few years ago, he developed a passion for fitness and running. Outside of that, Hart enjoys the simple things: joking with his friends and playing cards. A highly educated man, Hart attended Millsaps College for his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Belhaven University for his master’s, and Jackson State University for his doctorate. He is proud to be an alumni of Jackson State, a Historically Black University (HBCU) with a rich cultural history. After college, Hart worked as a contract analyst for an aerospace company that serviced military aircrafts. “And I was miserable, I hated every single moment of it,” Hart said. Luckily, he soon found his spark for teaching after attending a meeting from an organization called Teach for America. There was a need for equity in classrooms and more teachers that looked like him. Hart saw this and said, “I need to pursue what has been planted in me, which was education.” He got his teaching

certificates and worked in his own classroom for twelve years before working with the Mississippi Board of Education for several years after that. There, he sought to better the education system through teacher and administration training. However, this wasn’t the end: he asked himself what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. His answer was to lead a school, and that is how he found his way to Seattle. Hart found adjusting to Seattle to be a refreshing change and quickly noticed all the cultural and demographic differences. Despite that, he has come to learn one big lesson which is, “People are the same no matter where you are.” Hart appreciates the Garfield community for its strength and diversity. “It’s wonderful to see students from all different walks of life, all different ethnicities, all different life experiences, all coming together to one place,” Hart said. The Garfield community has a legacy of being passionate about social justice and Hart loves to see it because of his passion for equity in schools. “All students regardless of any circumstances, everyone deserves an opportunity to have a high quality education,” Hart said. Amidst the Black

Lives Matter movement and other social justice efforts, Hart believes the timing is right to make necessary changes for the better. Hart has his own ideas to lead, but expressed his respect for the willpower from the Garfield community. “I think that students and staff here don’t seem reluctant to express their opinions and to provide input and feedback, and that’s a good thing,” Hart said. Naturally, he has goals in mind for the improvement of Garfield. He is very excited to work on revising the student and teacher handbooks to make them reflective of the whole community. ”I’m looking at instructional practices and ensuring they are culturally responsive and make students feel included,” Hart said. He is focused on setting expectations to build on for the future. He leaves us with what he wants everyone to know about him and his plans for the future of Garfield. “I am here because I believe that Garfield is a great school, it has a lot to offer and it’s a great example of how diversity can look in a school. I want to collaborate with the whole community to make Garfield the best school it can be.”

“IT’S WONDERFUL TO SEE STUDENTS FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, ALL DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES, ALL DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES, ALL COMING TOGETHER TO ONE PLACE,”

Marine Science is really a hit or miss course depending on who you are, although what I’ve gathered from most of the people in my class is that it’sa miss. The class has proven to be more difficult than a general ed science class should be and how it was described on the course guide. Remember, this class is supposed to be comparable to Astronomy given they are at the same level on the suggested science tract. Without the AP or Honors distinction on your transcript to give your GPA a boost or set you apart from others, it’s proving to be unnecessarily difficult and time consuming with no reward. The class opened with a five page paper as the second assignment for God’s sake, only further frustrating already overwhelmed students. Is it time for Marine Science to get a course evaluation? -TM

Marine Science If you’re up for the unexpected challenge, Marine Science truly is an awesome class. You get to spend time learning about marine life right in our backyard and how it ended up there. Mr. Stever is extremely passionate about the topic and genuinely cares about the course. This is demonstrated in the way he teaches. In addition to this, the course is NCAA Initial Clearinghouse approved, which means as long as you pass, you can gain a college credit unlike an AP course. If you’re a POST84 person, this class pairs really well with the Maui spring break trip. -TM Our next Rant and Rave topic is Black Friday! Send your 100-200 word submissions to garfieldmessenger@gmail.com!

Photo By Lakelle Bridges

Graphic by Molly Chapin

F E AT U R E

FRESH FACES

DEAR DAWGS...

A spotlight on Garfield’s new teachers. By Taylor Gale

arfield’s courses are constantly in flux, and with the yearly change of classes comes a change in teachers. From electives like theater to core classes like math, several new teachers have moved into the Garfield High School community. Each one of these new teachers have something to bring to the table in and out of the building. Ms. Gress, Garfield’s new theater teacher, started teaching at Garfield in the 2020/21 school year. She moved to Garfield after teaching theater at Liberty High School, guest directing at Highline and student teaching here at Garfield. She’s extremely passionate about theater and is always either seeing a show or involved in one. Some of her other hobbies include thrifting, cycling, and spending time with her 17 year old cat, Cloudy. “Theater is definitely where I spent the majority of my time in high school which continued through my life. That’s my go-to hobby, either seeing a show or being involved in one.” Gress said. Gress hopes that students will leave her class having gained confidence, improved collaboration and communication skills, practice with group work, and discovered new talents. “There’s a lot of people who during the course of theater classes discover an untapped talent or something that they could pursue for a career. Either on stage or behind the scene, it’s a world of creation.” Gress said. Gress grew up in Renton and attended Liberty High School, just twelve miles from Garfield. She had multiple friends who went to Garfield and were involved with the theater, so she spent a lot of time in the Quincy Jones building watching their shows. Seeing these shows, hearing about the community from her friends, and student teaching at Garfield had a huge impact in her decision to teach here rather than another school. It was clear to her that Garfield really valued arts education and student expression, which is exactly the kind of school she wanted to be a part of. In her classes, Gress tries to cultivate a healthy, safe

space for all types of people to come together, be themselves, find community and make lifelong friends, just like her experience with theater in high school. Another new addition to Garfield is Mr. Kropp, who works in the Math Department teaching Algebra Two. Before becoming a teacher, Kropp was a professional ballet dancer at Kansas City Dance where he trained all over the world for eleven years. After retiring five years ago, he student-taught at Cleveland High School, volunteered at Skyline High School and then moved to Garfield.

“I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THEY CAN ALL DO IT, AND THAT THEY CAN ALL BE SUCCESFUL. I AM HERE TO SUPPORT MY STUDENTS.”

and Four. Cicolini grew up and did his schooling in Buenos Aires, until moving to the US in 2013 and finishing his masters degree at University of Washington. In his free time Cicolini continues to study languages, dabbling in Portuguese, Italian and French. Cicolini also enjoys spending time outdoors, and appreciating Seattle’s natural beauty. “I sometimes think that people in Seattle aren’t really aware of the beauty that surrounds Seattle. Seattle is a beautiful place where you can see lakes and mountains from different parts of the city. I enjoy hiking, it transports me somewhere else every time that I interact with nature.” Cicolini said. Cicolini has always loved languages and he strives to promote a class where his students feel a reason to study another world language. “Languages open many doors in life, not only for jobs but for relationships, friends, and traveling. By learning another language you are respecting, supporting and learning about their culture as well.” Cicolini said.

Aside from dancing and teaching, Kropp has many hobbies that have gotten him through quarantine. Some of these include hiking, going on walks, baking, specifically blueberry pie, making sourdough starters, knitting, and sewing. Kropp knew he wanted to be a teacher from a very young age, especially because his father taught math for forty-three years. This showed him how having a teacher who shares the love of math with their students helps kids thrive and develop their own love for math. He tries to create that same effect in his classes. In this class, Kropp hopes his students develop a love of Algebra Two, feel confident that they have problem solving and critical thinking skills, and they belong in any class or profession, no matter the difficulty. “I want to make sure they know that they all can do it, and that I believe they can all be successful. I am here to support my students.” Kropp said. Mr. Cicolini, who graduated from the University of Washington with his masters just last year, teaches Spanish Three Photo by Taylor Gale

Dear Dawgs, My boyfriend calls me all the time, but when I’m in school he doesn’t even acknowledge me! He only talks to his friends and always ditches me. He never invites me to hangout with his friends but I always invite him to hangout with my friends. HELP! -MISSING MY BOYFRIEND, 12th Dear MISSING, Trust us, you aren’t alone in this struggle. Relationships are a tricky thing to navigate! Some people like to separate their friendships from their relationship - school settings can be tough on relationships. Communicating our boundaries and needs to our partners can be awkward or uncomfortable, but it’s important to have that conversation with him! On the other hand, he needs to realize that a relationship requires effort and energy from both sides, in and out of school. If he’s refusing to talk to you at school because he’s embarrassed to be vulnerable in front of his friends, he needs to grow up. At the end of the day, if you’ve made it clear that you feel ignored and he’s still brushing you off, cut him loose babe. Hoping his cold shoulder thaws soon, -Dawgs Dear Dawgs, I’m a junior at Garfield but because of COVID I haven’t even been at this school for a full year. I am terrified of the senior class, and feel like I can’t talk or relate to them at all because they are REAL high schoolers. I also feel like they hate us and think we’re annoying. I know that the rest of my class feels the same way, and that the underclassmen are probably even more lost than I am. What are we supposed to do when they leave?!? -STUCK IN MIDDLE SCHOOLl, 11th Dear STUCK, First of all, we promise we don’t hate you, and you’re not annoying (avoid blasting music in the halls, though). We wish we could tell you that all the seniors are friendly, but we know from experience that they can be intimidating! We hope it helps to know that our senior class barely had a “high school experience”, and are pretty lost too. The thing about growing up, ESPECIALLY during high school, is that there isn’t one moment in which you suddenly become a “REAL” adult, or in this case, high schooler. The best piece of advice we can give to you and any underclassmen still finding their footing is to put yourself out there! Participate in spirit days, go to football games, or just talk to the people in your class you don’t know! Even if it seems pointless, taking that small step can make all the difference. Remember, no matter how chaotic and confusing things seem right now, when it’s your turn to be top dawg we promise you’ll be a-ok. With lots of senior love, -Dawgs

A&E

MEET THE MESSENGER ARTISTS Featuring Nike and Ava. By Ben Fleishman

ost of the writers, artists, and photographers who work on The Messenger are enrolled in Mr. Zimmermann’s 5th period Journalism class. While this class is the main space used to write, edit, and format the newspaper, several artists who are not part of the class make graphics for it anyway.. Although they are not always given the recognition they deserve, these freelance artists’ contributions help make The Messenger the publication it is. Nike Adejumobi, a senior at Garfield, has been involved in art for about as long as she can remember, having grown up with a hobby artist mother. As a kid she was surrounded by art supplies, and quickly discovered how much she liked expressing herself through mediums like drawing and painting. As a

friend of one of the editors of The Messenger, she was asked to help out with art for the publication. According to Adejumobi, “This is the first school I’ve been to with a school newspaper, and it’s been really cool to be part of that, and to ... see my art in The Messenger.” Outside of The Messenger, she has been involved in art at Garfield and outside of school, having participated in the AP Studio Art class and even having had her work displayed at the Seattle Art Museum. While she isn’t enrolled in the same class as most of the writers and artists who work on the newspaper, she is still a valued member of the community whose work is appreciated by all the publication staff. Another freelance artist who works with The Messenger is Ava Fimmano,

also a senior. She’s also been artistically inclined for a long time, “basically since [she] could hold a crayon”. Similarly to Adejumobi, her mother was a big influence and supported her art from the beginning. Fimmano, the cover artist for this issue of The Messenger, says, “... I knew I had to take the opportunity [to design the cover] since it’s been something I always wanted to do.” While she feels some pressure to make it “perfect” and is quite busy outside of her art, she’s committed to creating an amazing cover that sums up the issue in her own style. Other than her work for The Messenger, Fimmano is a student in both Garfield’s AP Studio Art class and Ceramics, both taught by Ms. West. While the most visible staff members of this publication are writers, many writers double as visual artists and photogra-

phers when graphics time comes around. These roles are important to The Messenger because they allow every article to be accompanied by some form of artistic representation, but this newspaper would truly not be what it is without the additional contributions of our independent artists, like Adejumobi and Fimmano.

Photos by Ben Fleishman

BEST OF BOBA A review of bubble tea around Garfield. By Ellen Taylor

n Seattle, the bubble tea franchise has teenagers wrapped around its finger. Garfield students recommended three of their favorite boba places near the school and The Messenger tried their best-selling drinks. DRIP TEA Located a little over a mile away from Garfield in Capitol Hill, Drip Tea is a bubble tea and apparel store all in one. After ordering off a menu full of bubble tea, smoothies, and soft serve, you can browse the small clothing collection, complete with $800 t-shirts and sneakers. The “Monogram” drink was comprised of brown sugar syrup, milk and boba. It had the perfect sweetness level and boba texture, but the drink must be mixed up as the sugar syrup is overpowering when not combined with the milk. Also, shoutout to their compostable paper straws that don’t disintegrate into your drink! Overall, the bubble tea was a 9/10, really delicious! OASIS Oasis is the most popular bubble tea place in Seattle, and for good reason. The

shop is located in the International District (ID), about a mile away from Garfield. The ID is full of bubble tea places, so what makes Oasis the most popular? For starters, the shop is open until 1 am, making it one of the only boba places you can visit at any time. Similar to Drip Tea, Oasis is not just a bubble tea place; there’s also a collection of retro arcade games to play while waiting for your order. Their menu includes teas, slushes, and smoothies, as well as popcorn chicken and waffle fries. The Thai milk tea with boba had great boba texture, and no complaints were had about the drink, although it wasn’t anything special. In terms of Oasis, the bubble tea was an 8/10, simple, but still really good! SEATTLE BEST TEA Also located in the International District, Seattle Best Tea is a Taiwanese family run tea room, specializing in teaching the “Way of Tea” (a set of steps to achieve perfect tea). The atmosphere in Seattle Best Tea is much different than other bubble tea places. as the primary focus is on quality steeped tea rather than boba. The

interior has beautiful glass work and art pieces, as well as canisters filled with tea leaves. While the tea room mostly specializes in steeped tea, they also serve bubble tea, smoothies and ice cream. The Oolong milk tea was strongly flavored and had a great balance of sweetness to the bitterness of the tea. The boba could have been sweeter, but the tea itself was perfect. The bubble tea was a 9/10 and the Oolong tea was a 10/10! So, if you’re craving late night boba, Oasis is the perfect place to go. But if you want a trendy drink and apparel, go to Drip Tea. Or, if quality tea is a desire, go to Seattle Best Tea. All three of these places are great, and definitely worth trying out!

Graphic by Erica Arnstein

Children and adults alike have come to love and celebrate Halloween,

but the amount of change it has gone through is frightening. Starting 2000 years ago with the Celts in Ireland, All Saint’s Day was co-opted by the Catholic church and its origin in communicating with spirits faded away to a day of remembrance of the dead. Today, commercialization has warped this formerly religious event and debates over cultural appropriation in costumes have heightened its controversy. With this being said, Halloween remains an opportunity for everyone to show off their creative costumes and step into a persona of ghoulish proportions for one day each year. Following are some of our favorite costumes from Garfield students and a tale of trends from the 1980s to the 2020s.

The 80s was a big decade for horror movies, many of which are still popular today. The biggest titles were Friday The 13th (1980), The Shining (1980), The Thing (1982), Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Prince of Darkness (1987).

Halloween in the 90’s was an experience to behold. Huge movie hits like Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Hocus Pocus (1993), and Scream (1996) left a major impact on the Halloween movie industry. They continue to be fall favorites to this day. Popular 90’s sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), Boy Meets World (1993), and Family Matters (1989) came out with special, Halloween themed episodes, filled with monsters, ghosts, and freaky friday tropes. Popular costumes took inspiration from classic 80’s and 90’s cartoons and media. Children commonly dressed up as characters from Mystery Incorporated, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Powerpuff Girls, and Power Rangers. Teenage Halloween enjoyers loved to be Marty McFly, Ghost Face, the Spice Girls, Urkel, and The Simpsons. Costume creativity was also at an alltime high as the homemade Jelly Belly, dice, domino, and M&M costumes were born. Bridges family from 1999.

In addition to the classic scary Halloween costumes, pop-culture inspired costumes also began to gain popularity. Some of the most common Halloween costumes from the 80s were the character Alf from the 1986 TV series, Cabbage Patch Kids, Freddie Kruger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Pac-Man, and various Star Wars-related costumes.

It was a good time to be a kid. Halloween spirit was everywhere, even in the food. This is the decade McDonald’s unveiled their Happy Meal trickor-treat baskets. These are iconic, of course, but not as iconic as the Haunted theme parks began to emerge in the late 1980s, including orange and magenta plastic the Six Flags Fright Fest which was established in 1986. In 1984, the pumpkins that had a serious hold Six Flags Great Adventure Haunted Castle caught fire and killed eight on kids everywhere. Fun and festive people. As a result, more attention was drawn to the issue of safety in Halloween cereals like Spooky Froot such haunted venues, inadvertently causing many smaller, nonprofit attractions to be shut down due to their inability to keep up with the new Loops, Kreepy Rice Krispies, and Monster Pops also made their debut. regulations. Those reminiscing on Halloween in the 80’s look back on a time where trick-or-treating was a much more laid-back activity, with safety preIn cautions being virtually nonexistent. Another notable difference when the 2000s, comparing the holiday to current times was the lack of costume or pop culture Halloween-themed stores, which didn’t begin to open until later. Bereigned supreme cause of this, kids made costumes with whatever they could in influencing find or resorted to the much smaller party-goers and selection of masks and disguises trick-or-treaters which costume to wear. The Twilight Saga, available in stores. Harry Potter, Spiderman, and Batman films were some of the biggest movies of the time and spurred many to dress up as characters such as Edward Cullen, Spiderman, Batman, and the Joker. Political costumes, including masks of George W. Bush and Richard Nixon, were also popular among older audiences. Senior Autumn Henson and family as the Addams Family in 2017.

The Saw movie series flourished in the 2000s, with 5 films being released and topping the box office each Halloween showing the continued fixation American audiences had for scary movies. In the 2000s, kids’ Halloween baskets were chocked-full of gummy-oriented candy. Nerd ropes, originally created in the 1980s, surged in popularity.

The 2010s were a good decade to be a clown. Numerous reports of people dressed as clowns terrorizing neighborhoods emerged in 2016. The next year, It, based on the novel by Stephen King, was released, sparking a cultural phenomenon of both clown costumes and haphazard red balloons Ms. Purcell’s cat, Opie, tied to string. as Batman in 2016. Lady Gaga was undeniably one of the most popular figures of the decade and her performances inspired many costumes, including her meat dress and tin foil looks. The 2010’s kids brought back simple but classic costumes like cats, cowboys, fairies, and superheroes. Teens and adults followed suit as timeless nurses, vampires, zombies, and witches. Pet costumes flourished with 11.5% of animal friends in 2010, according to the National Geographic, working to counteract the Halloween fright. Discussions over issues of cultural appropriation in Halloween were brought to the forefront in the 2010s. Photos of politicians, notably including the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in racist costumes resurfaced, emphasizing the pervasiveness and former acceptance of cultural appropriation and racism in Halloween. This marks a shift in approaching Halloween, not an end to the celebrations. Halloween spending reached record levels in 2016 and 2017 with $3.4 billion spent on costumes in 2017 according to the National Retail Federation. Though the conversation surrounding culturally appropriating costumes has been at the forefront of the media in recent years, it is in no way a recent issue. Racially insensitive Halloween costumes and the demeaning and insulting effects on those they are meant to portray have been present Senior, historically. Until very reJoshua cently, costume stores could be as Harry found stocked Potter in 2020. with highly offensive and stereotypical costumes of various ethnicities, including specific characters and generalized costumes of Native Americans and other groups. These costumes are extremely disrespectful to the afflicted cultures and peoples as well Ms. Devereux as Alan from the Hangover, originally released as hugely culturally inaccurate, which in 2009. propels disinformation and racial stereotypes.

Pictured are: Abby, Amirah, Bella, Daudriana, D’aujanae, Dyamond, Imogen, Immy, Isaac, Jada, Janae, Mr. Johnson, Kai, Kiana, Olivia, Mia, Naima, Noelle, Nyaisha, Sela, Sophia, Treyah and Vea.

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AUTUMNAL TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

PSLs and Pinterest photoshoots aren’t the only things that take place during this time of season. By Tess Wahl

or Americans, fall is a cozy mix of leaf piles, cable-knit sweaters, and all things pumpkin-spice. But despite their outward differences, autumnal traditions all revolve around central themes of rejuvenation, togetherness and prosperity. So what does it look like for other places around the world?

Scotland - Halloween

Christian lore states that on All Hallows Eve, the day before All Saints Day, deceased souls wander the earth in their last chance for revenge against the living. On the 31st of October in Scotland, people go Guising, dressing up in costumes to ‘disguise their identities’ from evil spirits among them. Other common activities include going trick or treating for sweets and carving Neeps or hollowed out turnips to be used as lanterns.

Mexico - Dios de Los Muertos

For 6 days a year, the spirits of the departed can revisit their loved ones on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In Mexico from the 31st of October to the 3rd of November, families decorate Ofrendas (home altars) with marigold flowers, pictures, and favorite foods. Lively practices also include eating sugar skulls known as Calaveras and decorating homes and streets with Papel Picado (perforated paper).

China - Moon Festival

Korea - Chuseok During Chuseok, a three day long harvest festival beginning on September 22nd of this year, family members gather to enjoy a traditional Korean feast. Staple foods include Songpyeon (sweet and nutty pine-needle steamed rice cakes), and Japchae (vegetables stir-fried with glass noodles in soy sauce). Many also participate in Beolcho which involves tidying the graves of family members.

Chinese Legend has it that the surface of the earth was scorched by ten suns, bringing drought and demolition to all. In a heroic duty, Hou Yi, a skilled archer, saved earth by shooting down 9 of the suns and restoring peace and prosperity. On September 21st, during the Moon Festival in China, people celebrate Hou Yi by feasting on Moon CakesRed bean or lotus seed paste wrapped in a pastry crust, with tea. It’s also common to recite poems and display eye-catching lanterns during this day.

UK - Guy Fawkes Night

On November 5th of 1605 during the state opening of parliament, Robert Casteby and his English Catholic followers plotted t o assassinate King James I. to restore a Catho l i c monarchy. During the state opening of Parliament, 36 barrels of gunpowder were plotted beneath the House of Lords and placed under guard of Guy Fawkes, a radical English Catholic. Evidently, he was arrested and the plan fell through. Citizens of the UK now memorialized the day by setting off fireworks, attending bonfires, and even wearing masks of Guy Fawkes’ face.

Thailand - Loi Krathong

During the full moon on the 12th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar, Thailand celebrates Loi Krathong to show t h e i r gratitude for Ganga, the Goddess of Water. During the festival, Krathongs (baskets made from the spider lily plant, banana tree trunk, bread, or styrofoam) are created. After being filled with small goods such as coins o r Thai food, they are sent off to float

India - Diwali

T h e five day Indian festival known as Diwali begins on the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina and runs until the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. It addresses the triumph of light over darkness and turmoil. On the third day, people welcome the goddess of wealth Lakshmi by opening doors and windows and creating diyas - clay lamps filled with oil. Additionally, floors inside and out are adorned with colored sand, rice, and flower petals in patterns called rangoli and communal feasts are held alongside firework

Cambodia - Bon Om Touk In 1181AD the Khmer Navy defeated the troops of the Champa Kingdom on the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia, liberating their land. In memorial, over 20,000 rowers and their 260 boats gather every year in front of the Royal Palace Phnom Penh to participate in a massive 1.7km Regatta (boat race). This 3 day water festival known as “Bon Om Touk” attracts millions of onlookers and in addition to commemorating the Khmer marine forces also marks the end of the rainy season and the reversal flow of the river.

displays.

on a river to Ganga. Art by Nia Dozier

HISTORY PRESERVED IN OUR HALLS

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The Central District’s history is memorialized by a Garfield mural. By Gunvor Langhout

or the last decade, colorful murals have adorned Garfield’s 1st floor; a chronicle of the events and local heroes that helped shape the Central District. In the decade since, the school and neighborhood have drastically changed as gentrification continues to transform the area. The ‘Garfield High School History Project’ mural continues to be a reminder to students of the rich and diverse history of the Central District and Garfield’s importance to the region.

Gabriel Abott, a class of 2004 Garfield alumni, created the 1st floor mural in collaboration with students in an AP art class and the mural club. It was her first project after coming back from Italy, where she was apprenticing under a muralist. “It was hugely special to be able to come back and do this mural. It was my first large public art commission, and it meant so much to me to offer that to Garfield. It felt like I was giving back to the community that really shaped me,” Abbott said. Abbott was given instructions by the administration to create a mural memorializing the rich history of the Central District. “There was concern about the history and the stories of the community being lost,” Abbott said, because at

the time gentrification was beginning to become visible in the area. She spent six months preparing, doing intense research, finding archival documents and photos, piecing together a time-line, and getting input from Garfield community members. After presenting the blueprint for the mural to the community, and getting it approved, Abbott started the three year project in 2010.

The mural starts in front of the counselors office depicting members of the Duwamish tribe. It includes people such as Chief Seattle, Henry Yesler, Susie Revels Clayton - one of the Central District’s first Black community leaders, Quincy Jones, and Jimi Hendrix, all of whom were influential people to the area. It also includes events specific to Garfield like the school’s first annual Funfest, Martin Luther King’s speech at the school, and the Garfield teacher and student organized boycott of mandatory standardized testing. The last image is a depiction of Obama outside

the attendance office, to commemorate the speech he gave in 2008 at Garfield that focused on the importance of education. Each section on the timeline has facts and information about the events and people displayed in the art, in order to give it cultural relevance. Besides preserving history, murals have other benefits, especially when they are in schools. Research from Fordham Univer-

sity concludes that quality school buildings can improve student achievement, and a component to a quality building is displaying art that is reflective of the community. Researchers from San Diego State University add that artwork can help develop pride in the spaces that we regularly spend time in. Abbott agrees with this sentiment, in regards to the mural she created, “Murals tell the story of a place, it helps students have an identity that they can get excited about, and especially if the mural represents stories that all students can really identify with.

The art can affirm cultural identity and a sense that your stories matter,” Abbott said. She adds that murals can bring positivity, “Colors, shapes, patterns, they’re uplifting for our eyes and to our energy. It’s really important to have things that are beautiful around you, to kind of help you stay positive,” Abbott said.

Garfield and the Central District have grown and changed immensely after nearly a decade since the mural was created. “I did this artwork before the Black Lives Matter movement, before the #MeToo movement, before the awareness around climate change that there is now. If I was doing this mural now I would want to incorporate the conversations about social justice that are happening now,” Abbott said. “It’s my hope that this mural inspires people to think about their history, and honor the history, and also remember that the way that I’ve told the stories is just one way to tell the stories, and that stories are a work in process and they evolve as societies evolve. We have to constantly learn how to tell better stories. The stories don’t end with my mural, and keep making art about who you are and what you believe in, “Abbott said.

Photos by Layth Stauffer.

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THE RISE AND FALL OF TEEN DYSTOPIA

Revisiting the 2010’s dystopian adaptation craze. By Peja Harding

op culture of the mid 2010’s was a prime era for many high schoolers: the hold that the dystopian genre had on Gen Z was intense, for some, it was the turning point for their love of books and movies. While millennials had Twilight, the younger generation had Hunger Games. The theme of a teenage rebellion fighting against a dictating government, was something that many connected to and resonated with. But why was Gen Z so obsessed? What about dystopian fiction was so hypnotizing? Young adult dystopia stands out as the key contributor in bridging the gap between chapter books, middle grade and fiction. The Hunger Games and Maze Runner were books many held close to their hearts. The corrupt and dictating government vs. group of teen rebels trope intrigued readers. It was a reading atmosphere young adults had not yet experienced, and people couldn’t get enough. The obsession had only begun when mov-

ie adaptations were put into play. Similar to the Twilight craze of the 2000’s, seeing beloved characters on the big screen catapulted dedicated fans’ love for the franchises. The Hunger Games was the first to do it, starting off as a smaller budget indie movie. Everything about it was perfect, from the love triangle casting to the level of gore and world building. The post “American” society and teenagers fighting until death (although gruesome) was something viewers couldn’t get enough of. A chain reaction had begun. Things only got better when Catching Fire was released, introducing teens to newly casted and entertaining side characters. And thanks to the new budget, a reimagined and high tech arena setting. Unfortunately, in the middle of the honeymoon phase with d y s t opi a . . . 2 0 1 4

happened. Three new dystopian movies were released within the span of eight months. The first being the least important of the batch, Divergent. A mediocre and generic adaptation of the equally generic book, which too rode on the coattails of The Hunger Games and Maze Runner. The controlled society, enemies to lovers and character tropes: boring brunette/chosen one, the underdog and the macho man, were all present. The Maze Runner was released next, arguably the best out of the 2014 wave. Giving us an entirely new concept, a new group of characters, and a new rebellion. “They would come together when faced with hardships and watching the characters’ different personalities mesh while fighting some fantasy beyond them was what kept me interested,” senior Mika Hagos

said, in reference to Maze Runner. The Mockingjay adaptations were the last two installments of the Hunger Games franchise, lacking the spark and originality of the first two but still providing much needed closure to the fanbase. So what exactly happened? It got tiring. Too much of the same genre happened at once. The same plots, love triangles, and oppressions were being pumped out in the form of sequels, new books and stand alone movies. Every protagonist and antagonist looked and acted the same, preventing the worlds and the plots from evolving. The watching experience wasn’t exciting and fresh anymore. Book after book and movie after movie gave us the same fight. But is there hope for a new wave of dystopia? With the release of Netflix’s Squid Game, a revisit to the iconic 2010’s dystopia era is surely on the horizon. Art by Nike Adejumobi

GARFIELD’S MOST MYSTERIOUS PLACES

A quick look at three of Garfield’s most unknown spaces. By Riley Perteet-Cantu

n the depths of Garfield High School, just beyond the view of the average student, there lie places only known to most through legend. Here are but a few of these places that have remained shrouded in mystery at Garfield, from the band loft containing relics of Garfield’s past to the enigmatic basement. Note, the following places are inaccessible to students without explicit staff permission.

THE BAND LOFT

Through a winding staircase in a storage room adjacent to the band room, there lies a dimly lit loft which stores memorabilia from throughout the band’s history. The room primarily houses several timeworn instruments along with lines of uniforms that have been left unused for decades. On small alcoves along the stairs, there are carefully curated piles of smashed Yerba Mate cans alongside a smattering of multicolored paper cranes, and once reaching the top one is met by a large

face scrawled in sharpie. Alongside the face is the scribbled message “BEWARE CRUNCHY”, with numerous different scrawls, from gospel proclaiming this figure as a deity to a small figure on the stairs labeled “crunch cat”, being found around the room. Next to Crunchy’s unblinking eyes is a warning to all that erasing the image will result in a curse, followed by messages in several languages warning those who come across the visage to be afraid of what they see.

THE CATWALK

Behind a door labeled DO NOT ENTER on Garfield’s main stage in the Quincy Jones, is a spiral staircase illuminated by soft glowing blue lights. Once one has ascended the staircase, they are met with a forking path—forwards is the main pathway, and to the left is a room where all that can be made out is the faint outline of several prop skeletons glaring out from makeshift tombstones. One floor above lies the fly loft, the tallest point in the the-

atre, where all the lights and sounds of the main stage seem to fade into the loft’s remoteness; with only the sensation of height to remind one of their surroundings.

THE BASEMENT

Through a nondescript door on the second floor lie a cascade of stairs that lead down to Garfield’s concrete basement. The central area is well lit, with the left hallway illuminating several heaps of crumbling boxes and the right leading to a concrete corridor that grows darker the further into it one is. A single wooden step ladder leading to an area above is the last thing observable in the right hallway, with the sole route to it accessible only through crawling towards it for several feet. The left hallway is littered with clots of red insulation and empty mouse traps, and finally leads to a large boiler room adorned with flecking mint green

paint. Through the boiler room is a dark descending staircase with howling pipes above, and once descended one ends up at a single door. The door leads out into the left first floor hallway opposite of the computer lab, and the basement’s dark mystique ends just as swiftly as it began. Art by Nike Adejumobi

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WHAT TO WATCH

TV Shows You Might Enjoy. By Eva Hightower

ith the changing of seasons and dreary Seattle weather rolling in, now is the perfect time to cozy up and binge some shows. The range of new television shows spotlighted in the past weeks like Squid Game and the latest season of Sex Education have been creating buzz across the internet. However intriguing these new shows may seem, getting started on what to watch first may be intimidating, so here are some suggestions:

SQUID GAME

One of the top ranking TV shows this fall was Squid Game: a South Korean Netflix series that has become wildly popular, reaching number 1 in ninety countries since its release in September. The nine episode series is about a man named Seong Gi-Hun who is struggling to pay off debt. He discovers he has a chance to win 46 billion won (about $38.4 million USD) if he beats a series of games against other contestants. The catch? The person who wins the prize money in the end will be the only one to survive. Despite the show being written in 2008, Netflix signed creator, Hwang Donghyuk, in 2019 in an attempt to expand their foreign media selection. Now, Squid Game is being compared to Western dystopias like The Hunger Games and Netflix original Black Mirror. So what exactly has made this series so successful? “I definitely think the show is reflective of our society, a lot of people need money, are in debt, have no one else they can turn to,” senior Nadia Caty said. “It’s not a show that makes you think ‘oh this is stupid’ or ‘no no do this!’ It’s a show that you can watch and be like ‘yeah I would do the same too if I was in this position.” While the story of Squid Game is made up, the anticapitalist themes are reflections of economic inequality in South Korea. Overall, Squid Game earns a 2.5 for graphic imagery on the WWP scale.

SEX EDUCATION

Among others, Sex Education on Netflix is set to release a fourth season. The story follows a highschooler named Otis Milburn, whose mother is a sex therapist, which enables him to give advice to his peers at school. The show explores many subjects involving relationships, LGBTQ+ identities, and other topics under the category of sex education. “Besides the non-binary experience of the

show, while not perfect, is the best representation of modern highschool students I think I have ever seen. I see myself and others I’m close with in the characters and that makes me very happy,” Garfield student Eli Bloom said. Last season, the show ended on a plot twist that leaves plenty of room for exploration in the fourth season. Overall, Sex Education does a good job validating and exploring the experiences of young people and those who may think they are alone in their struggles. However, scenes can be graphic at times, so it receives a 5 on the WWP scale.

ON MY BLOCK

On My Block has received its fourth and final season, premiering on October fourth, three and a half years after the release of the first season. The show

follows a group of highschoolers based in L.A.The characters in the show represent both Hispanic and Black identities as well as the conditions they face living in an underprivileged area. “I think it’s been so successful because it’s great comedy, diverse, and relates to a lot of viewers,” Garfield junior Tyra Griffin said, “I think the last season was amazing. It was a good way to end the show and there was a lot of character development which felt good to watch.” Overall, On My Block is a 3 on the WWP scale.

SHAMELESS

Shameless also recently got its eleventh and final season, the conclusion to a decade-long series about a six-sibling family living in Chicago, and their on-and-off alcoholic father, Frank. The “Gallagher’s” all have their own stories and unique paths they pursue over the course of the

show, but most of their conflicts are heavily based around the neighborhood they grew up in and their lack of parental guidance. The show first aired on Showtime in January of 2011, and has since earned four different awards. The adult based humor and occasional nudity give this show a 4.5 on the WWP scale.

YOU

The Netflix series, You’s third season has recently come out, premiering on October 15. The psychological thriller follows a man named Joe Goldberg who becomes obsessed with a new woman in each new season of the show. It becomes apparent that Joe is not ordinary and the lengths he is willing to go to for love is deadly. The characters and locations of the show play on different stereotypes such as Los Angeles influencers and pampered upper

class New Yorkers, which also serve as obstacles for Joe. “The show’s interesting because it makes you sympathize and roof for Joe even after he kills people,” senior Julianna Rosenbaum said. Overall, You is a 3.5 on the WWP scale.

DEMON SLAYER

Demon Slayer, which premiered in April of 2019, is getting its second season in early December. The anime, known for its unique art style and dynamic action scenes, is based on a Japanese manga that ended last year. The series follows protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, in his efforts to change his demon sister back into a human after his family was attacked by one. He is faced with many obstacles and inner conflict in his endeavors in the art of slaying demons. “I really like the animation, especially the action scenes, they’re done beautifully and the story has a lot of sus-

pense in it,” senior Ahana Roy said. “I was pretty excited throughout the entire [first] season because the story could go in a lot of different directions. Plus there’s a lot to be learned about the universe of Demon Slayer.” Season one is currently available on Netflix, but it is unclear when all of season two will be added. On the WWP scale, this show earns a 1.5.

ATTACK ON TITAN

Attack on Titan’s second part of season four will release in January of 2022. The anime has been ongoing since 2013, and is based on a Japanese manga which started in 2009 and came to an end last April. The series is set in a world where humanity is forced to live behind walls protecting them from giant man-eating humanoids known as titans. After the outer wall is destroyed, main characters, Eren, Mikasa and Armin are relocated from their home and join a branch of the military specialized in combating titans. Without spoilers, season four expands on the world of Attack On Titan and touches on themes of morality and the cycle of war. “The story is engaging and I feel like the author is really great at making the plot exciting, even though the story has been going for a long time.” Roy said. “The story is also complex, it’s not just a single narrative...Plus the anime weaves in humor, drama, action- there is something for everyone.” Due to the heavy animated gore and dark themes, this show earns a 2 on the WWP scale.

CHAINSAW MAN

The popular manga Chainsaw Man is also getting an anime adaptation set to come out in late 2021 and will cover a portion of part one of the manga. In the world of Chainsaw Man, there are “devils” which have supernatural abilities relating to their name. The story begins with the protagonist, sixteen-year-old Denji, who hunts devils to pay off a debt left by his father. Everything changes for Denji when he is merged with the chainsaw devil and is forced to work at the Devil Hunter Tokyo Headquarters. The series can be dark at times, but also has some comedic moments. It is hard to say where the show might land on the WWP scale since it is not yet out, but based on the manga, it gets a 3. Graphic by Eva Hightower

SPORTS

FRESHLETES

Class of 2025’s insight to inclusivity in sports. By Ellie Wakefield

ports teams play a huge role at Garfield. They serve as a large part of many students’ extracurricular lives as well as being an integral part of our school as a whole. But behind the trophies, cheering crowds, and matching uniforms, what are the teams really like? In the past, some Garfield teams have had issues with being too cliquey and not inclusive enough. For many teams, perspectives differ greatly depending on grade. It’s interesting to look at what it’s like to be on the team as a ninth -grader—athletes who are new to the school and sometimes the sport. Being the youngest on the team can feel intimidating, but joining a sport can be one of the best ways to find a family at Garfield. Having teammates who are

supportive in and out of practice is a great way for many younger athletes to feel welcomed and valued at the school, as well as having the opportunity to train and play at a higher level. Here are two freshletes’ perspectives on how their sports have impacted their time at Garfield so far. Wren McIntosh (Cross Country) McIntosh first joined cross country this summer when she started coming to captains’ practices in mid-July, a few weeks after they started. At that point she was one of the only ninth-graders at practices, with the majority of runners there being more senior members of the team who were returning for their second or third season. Despite that, she instantly clicked with the team, and continued to regularly attend practices throughout the summer. “The upperclassmen definitely help

you feel welcome,” she said. According to McIntosh, the team feels very united across all the grades, “it’s not like it’s an exclusive group...it’s all one big thing.” McIntosh said especially at the beginning of the summer, the daily icebreakers and running with different groups of teammates made it feel very inclusive right from the start. In addition to cross country, McIntosh does basketball, boxing, and mountain biking. She explained that these sports differ from XC because “the others are very much skill-based... and cross country is not only skillbased, it’s also strategy-based...it’s a team sport and an individual sport at the same time.” McIntosh said there are lots of different levels of competitiveness on the team, and that even among the varsity team, it doesn’t feel completely minded towards competition.

Salem Bill (Swim team) Bill joined the Garfield swim team this fall, but before that he had been swimming on recreational teams since he was seven. He’s enjoyed the team so far, and said “everyone’s really nice and helpful if [he has] any questions.” One team tradition that’s stood out so far is the beginning-of-year get together. According to Bill, Garfield swim has differed from the recreational team he swam with before high school in that “there’s more of a bond because...everyone goes to the same school.” Bill said the lack of competitiveness at this point in the season makes it easier to feel encouraged and bond with his teammates. Overall, he said the team is “not super competitive...but it’s more just supporting each other.” Photos by Ellie Wakefield

FAME AND FORTUNE

The changing world of collegiate athletics and new NCAA policies. By Mika Ichikawa

t the collegiate level, it is not uncommon for student-athletes to feel tied to, or even owned by their school. According to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), “Education is at the forefront of Division 1’s mission.” However, when students are asked to commit to their team for several hours each day, their studies or other activities, such as getting a job, may not be priorities. The time commitment may not always feel worth it. But a new NCAA policy could change this. A new name, image and likeness policy (NIL) has been implemented for NCAA athletes. This policy allows them to profit through endorsement deals. The significance of this seminew policy, which was first put

into effect July of 2021, is that it can give players financial freedom and a sense of individuality. It also allows them to earn money while still being connected to their school. Previously, NCAA rules stated that “You are

not eligible for participation in a sport if you have ever: taken pay, or the promise of pay, for competing in that sport.” However, the NIL rule doesn’t directly involve competing in the sport, it allows athletes to profit off of the attention they have received from their performance. So it is most likely that athletes who are on high-performing teams and have had success in their sport will bring in the most revenue. “The handful of college sports stars who become national figures each year will be capable of earning a six-figure income,” ESPN said. This policy is advantageous for brands working with widely known athletes,

for the athletes themselves, and for their schools. But brand deals are not the only way they can make money—social media can be used too. According to ESPN, “The NCAA rules only prohibit a school or its employees from paying an athlete directly for his or her NIL rights.” This law will only benefit players who choose to capitalize on it. Well known-athletes, especially football and basketball players, have the potential to earn large amounts of money. However, many

players will not truly benefit. To make the most money, it is likely that brands will collaborate with widely-known athletes instead of those who have yet to make it into the spotlight. Since players can also benefit through social media, those with higher followings who draw more attention will be the ones to feel the positive effects of this policy.

There is a stark difference between the previous restrictions of profiting off of collegiate athletics and the future of new NCAA rules. The abilities the new policies provide ar e i n c r edibly rewarding and empowering for these athletes, as they can watch their competitive success translate to financial success. The possibilities are completely in their hands. .

Art by Nike Adejumobi

SPORTS

FALL SPORTS IN FULL SWING

Get the latest on what happened, what’s next, and where to find Fall Sports! By S. Avalon Leonard

he dogs have been let out of the pound and they are tearing up the Metro League. As the fall season comes to a close, let’s look at the stats that came from this first semi-normal season for the Bulldogs, what to look forward to in the future, and where to stay updated on the latest in Bulldog sports. Kicking things off is the girls soccer team! They stand with two wins, five losses, and one tie in a riveting game against Lincoln. The team unfortunatly fell to Ingraham in the Metro League playoffs.

Up next, the volleyball team served up competition! They are going into the metro leagues standing with five wins and five losses. It’s anyone’s game! Girls swim certainly made a splash this season! They stand with five wins, only losing to one team-that being Lakeside! It’s safe to say that even though many are left wondering who it was that threw up in the pool, no one is left wondering about their talent. Fantastic job Bullfrogs! Running along to the cross country teams! Their first meet placed the boys team in fourth place and their girls team in third. In their second meet, the boys team took first place with a respectable margin. The girls took second and lost by only one point! In the third meet, both the boys and girls teams both secured third place. They even took the team all the way to metros, where the boys team took tenth place and the girls team took eleventh.

Golf is in full swing! The boys team’s record was seven wins and three losses. They placed seventh in Metros, and 12th in the district. The girls team had seven wins and two losses, and placed sixth in the Metro League. Last but not least, the football team! Football ended out the regular season with a winning record, standing with a total of five wins and three losses. They will play in the upcoming Metro League playoffs, starting November fifth. For the most up to date and reliable information about Garfield sports, head to www.bulldogsportsjournal.com. Jack Jassy, the publisher and creator of the BDSJ, began

building the website in spring 2020, publishing it in midwinter 2021. Jassy talked about this strange new version of fall sports, as well as his experience providing coverage of some of Garfield’s less popular sports. “You can definitely see the passion the Garfield students have for sports,” Jassy said, “I haven’t seen this sort of crowd [in all the years] I’ve been here.” As we move forward into the winter sports season, Bulldogs all around school are wondering how best to show support to all of our teams going forward despite classes picking up. Jassy encouraged people to look to the Bulldog Sports Journal website or Instagram. “Even if people aren’t at whatever match or game, they’ll see the score and [they could] repost scores.” He pointed to creating awareness as the best way to show support for teams going forward. Art sourced from The Noun Project

BRING IT ON BULLDOGS A look into the past, present, and future of Garfield’s cheer squad. By Lucy Gaines

heer holds a unique place in the sports community at Garfield. For as long as there have been sporting events, there has been an audience, and enthusiasts to cheer them on. Since the first flip in 2006 here in the GHS gym, cheer has been striving for greatness. They are on the rise. The future is bright, and the past is rich. The Cheer team has deep roots in the community, with graduated cheerleaders at many Garfield football or basketball games. A strong history empowers this generation of cheerleaders, but not without conflict. “Most definitely I think we should have a space just like basketball and football. I think that we get put off to the side a bit because we’re not football, we’re not basketball, we’re not soccer, we

don’t get treated like a priority,” junior cheerleader Connie Fields said. Their challenges don’t stop outside the building. “There’s a lot of old school members, just long-time alumni, [who] get upset that we don’t do the old school cheers,” Fields said. Nevertheless, the alumni hold a special place in the cheer squad’s heart. “One woman who used to be on the cheer team comes and watches us a lot and she really likes us,” Fields added. Recently, the cheer squad have been looking for ways to shake things up, so they look to the past for ideas that have proven successful. “It would be cool to bring back some old school cheers because we have a lot of old-school cheerleader people coming to watch us, and they get hyped hearing their old cheers

again,” Fields explained. The squad respects and learns from its past, knowing they are the legacy of an important tradition and are responsible for creating a successful future for the coming generations. “Our new team is loose and we just know how to come together, we are a sisterhood,” Fields said. Good things can be expected from this year’s squad. With the heart that this team has, they will bring the spirit and unity that they feel has been absent from Garfield for so long. Improvement and perfection has always been the team’s goal. They took home the trophy at their annual beginning of the year cheer camp this year. “We cheered against Liberty, Tahoma, [which was] kinda intense, [since] you don’t know what other teams are gonna bring,”

Fields said. The squad knows hundreds of cheers and has to execute them cleanly for competitions. “It’s gotta be clean,” Fields said, “You’re judged on your jumps, your calls, your kicks, and your cheers.” According to Fields, there is visible improvement in the squad’s behavior since she first saw the team in 2019. “Before COVID I watched the seniors cheer, it was so different and you can see all the change. Our cheerleaders bring more umph to our school,” Fields said. Becoming their own squad this year is their top priority, “We do new things. This is new, we are new.”

Art by Lucy Gaines

SPORTS

WHO LET THE DAWGS OUT?

Go behind the scenes of Garfield’s spirit club, the Dawgpound. By Amritha Dewan

y now most Garfield students have seen, heard of, or participated in the school’s spirit club, the Dawgpound. The Dawgpound is a club that was started by the senior class in 2019 with the aim to organize events, spirit days, and activities that would increase school spirit at Garfield High School. The club was a great success in 2019, but unfortunately died off during the pandemic. With school online for an entire year, there were virtually no events for students to attend, and it was difficult to organize fun activities. Now that students have returned to in-person school and sporting events are back in full swing, the 2021-22 seniors have started up the Dawgpound once again. One of the club’s presidents, senior Abby Fleet, said, “I was really worried a lot of people weren’t gonna want to participate this year, but any senior I’ve talked to has been really excited [and willing] to participate.” Fleet explained, “I think everyone, especially the senior class, wants to bring back Garfield’s spirit for all of the underclassmen, so that it can be continued when we leave. This is kind of our last year to make our traditions known before we leave.”

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also had a resounding impact on the school environment, lifting the overall morale and encouraging students to engage. “It definitely kickstarts school spirit, and really makes it so that people want to participate. So far this year we’ve had a really good number of people that have participated, and it’s been really cool to see, especially for the freshman and sophomore classes, who have not really had a taste of school spirit yet, especially in a big high school,” Fleet said. “I think [it sets] the precedent that going to a big public high school is really fun, and the fact that we have school spirit is definitely going to impact the next couple of years, and they’re going to pass down the same positive attitude towards school spirit.” Another representative of the club, senior Kisa Biely, said that school spirit was at a low last year. “Of course, over the COVID pandemic we didn’t have any games, so the school’s spirit just fell off completely. There were no spirit days, because we weren’t in real school. But a few 12th graders have been trying to reinvent the club this year, and have been hosting actual meetings every Wednesday,” Biely said. Additionally, the Dawgpound has been branching out this year, attending more than just the boys’ sports games, which were the games the club mainly attended in past years. Just a few weeks ago, they attended a girls’ varsity soccer game at Memorial Stadium. “I enjoyed going to the girls’ soccer game and seeing the bulldog mascot, and then cheering super hard for the girls’ team. And seeing them be happy,” Biely said. “I feel like girls’ sports [especially] has been super underrepresented in terms of spirit. It’s always been either

men’s soccer or football, those are the two sports that everyone shows up for. So seeing the girls have a positive reaction to the change was really nice to see.” The club was worried that after such a lack of spirit last year, it would be difficult to rally people to attend games and participate in spirit days, but the outcome was quite the opposite. “The first game of the football season this year, we advertised it, but we didn’t really know if anyone was gonna show up to school in purple and white, and we didn’t really know if people were gonna show up to the game,” Fleet said, “and then coming into school that day and seeing how many people were wearing purple and white, and [participating] in what we advertised was really rewarding. Seeing how much support the club got was exciting.” The club has

Photography courtesy of the Dawgpound

DANCING AROUND SEATTLE

SPORTS

A look into the studios of Garfield’s dancers. By Mairead Averill

arfield High is home to many dancers who spend their free time perfecting their technique and artistry. Here are profiles of five studios around Seattle.

Spectrum Dance Theater

Located on the shores of Lake Washington on Madrona Beach, Spectrum Dance Theater has been operating since 1982 as a studio dedicated to making dance accessible to all communities. Under the current artistic director Donald Byrd, the Spectrum company has explored political and social issues with performances like Shot and The Theater of Needless Talents. Senior MiReya Rodriguez is a full-time Running Start student from Garfield, and dedicates the majority of her time to the Academy, a pre-professional program at Spectrum. She said Spectrum’s students and staff have played a big role in her growth as a dancer. “I feel as if you’re not really looking at the time, or wanting to get out of class. It’s always just a really positive space, you just wanna stay in class....[and] learn more.”

Northwest Tap Conection

Northwest Tap Connection is located in Rainier Beach and teaches dancers African, jazz, modern, ballet and swing with

a strong emphasis on tap. The studio is dedicated to social justice and empowering their students to create change. In 2016, NWTC collaborated with local choreographer Shakiah Danielson to perform Hell You Talmbout, a protest piece responding to the murder of Black lives by police officers. Lakelle Bridges is a junior at Garfield and has danced at NWTC for eight years. “I started out - really shy and not too good at dancing. - I feel like I got better because of the teachers. They’re really good dancers, first of all, and they also encourage you to be better and push you to be your very best. The peers around me do the same thing. I [have] learned a lot from them.”

Pacific Northwest Ballet

Pacific Northwest Ballet is perhaps the most recognizable name in Seattle’s dance community. Since 1974, PNB School has trained over a thousand students every year in classical George Balanchine ballet technique. Lucy Carlin is a Garfield senior who has been dancing for ten years

at PNBS. She is there for six days a week while balancing schoolwork and college applications, as well as preparing auditions for dance schools. “The training is definitely really rigorous and the class schedules are pretty intense... PNBS is for people who are dedicated to improving their ballet technique and artistry,” she said. “All my classmates are super supportive and we definitely get really close, so it is not as competitive as I would think a lot of other big ballet schools are.”

Dance Fremont

From its home across Lake Union, Dance Fremont has provided ballet and modern education for 25 years to Seattle’s next generation of dancers. The studio is committed to offering quality training to anyone who needs it, through scholarship programs and community outreach. “They make everything very accessible to everyone. With the pandemic they allow people to just call in through Zoom to participate in class,” junior Kohana Whitney, who joined Dance Fremont in early

September said.“There [is] a family type of feeling. Even though I’ve only been there for a couple weeks, I feel like I’m pretty good friends with everyone there.”

Emerald Ballet Theater

Across the water in Bellevue is Emerald Ballet Theater, founded in 2007 by former Bolshoi Ballet company dancer Viktoria Titova. The curriculum centers around Vaganova ballet technique, the other major ballet style besides Balanchine. Dancers at Emerald Ballet Theater compete in a variety of dance competitions including YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix), the largest ballet competition in the world. “You’ve got to love ballet if you want to go there, and you have got to be prepared to put in a lot of hours and a lot of work,” Garfield senior Helena Salathe said. She has been dancing for 13 years and recently moved to EBT after her studio at Cornish College closed during the pandemic. Salathe expressed excitement about improving this year, “I feel like I’m challenging myself.”

Photo by Angela Sterling

ENDING THE GENDER DIVIDE?

Experincing co-ed sports at Garfield. By Maile Quenzer

he sports world has gone through an array of changes in recent years. Coed teams, or teams that are open to athletes of all gender identities, are a fairly new development. As opposed to single-gendered teams, co-ed sports offer a place for people of different gender identities to practice together, and in some instances even compete together. Garfield offers a variety of co-ed sports, such as cross country, track, tennis, ultimate frisbee, golf, and wrestling. These teams are unique experiences and opportunities that may allow students to be able to participate in sports which they otherwise could not. Historically male sports now have options for female identifying players. Temas can now be open spaces for people who don’t feel comfortable playing a single-gendered sport due to their personal

gender identity. Though in the sports world, there exists a clear gender divide. Biological differences in athletes have historically caused differences in funding, support, coaching techniques, and competition. A major question when it comes to co-ed sports is if these teams amplify this divide or work to minimize it. Lydia Craemer is a senior at Garfield who has participated in both co-ed and single gendered sports throughout her time at Garfield. She’s done cross country for the last three years as well as both girls’ and co-ed ultimate. “I think that the divide has gotten immensely better over time, I think it used to be a lot worse, but as long as there’s that community there, it’s pretty nonexistent.

But I mean, there’s always that kind of subtle [divide],” Craemer said. Another major question in the world of co-ed sports is how and to what extent inclusivity should be highlighted and enforced. Coaches on these co-ed teams have began making efforts towards inclusivity. “It might have been a little bit too much at times though, just becaus there’s certain terms like the word ‘guys’ that are not allowed. I appreciate the efforts to try and to take away those stereotypes. I think the coaches are trying, so that’s great,” Craemer said. She described the need for balance between the need for inclusivity while also ensuring that certain people

don’t feel singled out. Many athletes like Craemer feel more empowered as an athlete within co-ed teams. “I think the community is stronger,” Craemer said. Co-ed teams at Garfield have been able to cultivate special communities and to bring together students with different backgrounds and lived experiences. Sports have long been a uniting factor for people across the world. With advancements in inclusivity such as co-ed sports, those who have historically been sidelined may now be included in these spaces, making the sports world more diverse and complex.

Art by Maile Quenzer

BACKPAGE

Christian Girl Autumn Edition Welcome to the first backpage of the 202122 school year! We at The Messenger have missed providing the Garfield community with a good laugh, so we hope you enjoy this issue. Remember, everything on this page is purely satrical, except that it’s 100% true.

BINGO

Pluto Projector - Rex Orange County All My Loving - The Beatles Landslide - Fleetwood Mac Nico’s Red Truck - Dijon Autumn Leaves - Nat King Cole Sure Thing - Mac Miller Hand Me Downs - Mac Miller Mrs. - Leon Bridges Holocene - Bon Iver August - Taylor Swift And more!

By Evelyn Bartlett