Garfield Messenger: Volume 101, Issue 6

THE

MESSENGER

FEBRUARY VOLUME 101 ISSUE 6

CONTENTS

TABLE OF

ISSUE 6, VOL 101

NFO STAFF

Asmaa Bah Amirah Melvin Ali Merz S. Avalon Leonard Chelsea Li Delilah Corbett Eli Silver Finian Guinney Fiona Real Griffin Crabs Havana Hakala Imbie Jones Jeremy Cogswell Jessica Onochie Jada Johnson Kennedy Greenfelder Leo Carlin Lea Shaw Lillian Small Mia Andreeva Michelle Tong Marisa Valenzano

Cover by Abby Nakamoto

A&E

SPORTS

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SAWANT GOES SOLO Michelle Tong

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ROMANCE GETS REAL(LY) FAKE Marisa Valenzano

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VALENTINE’S NAY S. Avalon Leonard

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CHECKMATE, GARFIELD Mia Andreeva, Leo Carlin

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HOW TO CAPTURE SOMEONE’S HEART Jada Johnson

FRESHLETES Havana Hakala, Kennedy Greenfelder

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LOVE 101 Asmaa Bah, Griffin Crabs, Lea Shaw, Lilian Small

PLAY TOGETHER, SLEEP TOGETHER Chelsea Li

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GET PAID TO WATCH SPORTS Jeremy Cogswell

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THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER (MUSHROOM) Eli Silver

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MEET THE MEAT Ali Merz

RULES OF RECRUITMENT Imbie Jones, Mika Ichikawa

EDITORS

Lakelle Bridges · Editor-in-Chief Maile Quenzer · Graphics & Layout Mairead Averill · News, Feature, Opinion Tess Wahl · News, Feature, Opinion Ellen Taylor · Arts & Entertainment Taylor Gale · Arts & Entertainment Mika Ichikawa · Sports Eden Huschle · Social Media Sydney Steinwinder · Business

Your contributions help make the production and publication of The Messenger possible. If you would like to support The Messenger, please contact us at garfieldmessenger@gmail.com, or scan the QR code to subscribe.

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NEWS

SAWANT GOES SOLO

After a successful decade run, city council says goodbye to its only Socialist.

By Michelle Tong

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n January 19, Seattle City Council (SCC) member Kshama Sawant announced that she would not be running for re-election at the end of her term this year. She has served on city council for ten years as a member of the Socialist Alternative, representing District 3 (comprising the Central District, Capitol Hill, Montlake, and Madrona).

Sawant began her political career by running for a spot in the Washington House of Representatives, where she advanced past the primaries, but lost to Frank Chopp. Her first political victory came in 2013 when she was elected to the SCC. The minimum wage, Tax Amazon, and rent-control movements have been the center of Sawant’s attention since she made it on to city council, and all of them have been successful. Her first campaign goal was a $15 minimum wage, which passed in 2014, making Seattle the first city to have a $15 minimum wage. The bill stated that by 2021, the minimum wage would be gradu-

ally raised to $15 an hour.

On July 6, 2020, SCC adopted a tax on Amazon and other big businesses, estimated to bring in $214 million dollars a year. Sawant proposed an amendment to the bill, stating that a portion would go to building affordable housing in the Central District (CD), resulting in about $18 million per year being set aside for that purpose.

She also proposed a stipulation that the houses built in the CD and in other neighborhoods had to be built with union labor and be up to standard of the Green New Deal (a series of projects aimed at fighting climate change).

Rent-control, while not accomplished in the literal sense, made significant headway on September 27, 2021, when SCC passed

an eviction defense package proposed by Sawant. The legislation includes a 180 day notice for eviction, when Seattle’s eviction notice deadline was previously 60 days, and a relocation fee from landlords to ease the transition of their tenants.

Sawant does not intend to let her last year on city council go by idly. Currently, she is proposing an anti-caste discrimination bill, the first in the US. The bill is primarily focused on citizens of South Asian descent in Washington and the Seattle area. Seattle City Council describes caste as “a system of rigid social stratification characterized by hereditary status, endogamy

(completely closed categories), and social barriers based on birth and descent” (South Seattle Emerald). Caste discrimination is present at work, in education, and in housing. The bill is inspired by the 2020 California case against Cisco Systems Inc., where the defendant was accused of discriminating against an Indian employee in a lower caste than his managers.

Sawant’s future plans include the start of an initiative called Workers Strike Back (WSB), which will have its launch rally on March 4, 2023. WSB demands raises for workers, good union jobs for everybody, the overthrow of racism, sexism, and all oppression, quality affordable housing and free healthcare for all, and a new party. Detailed demands can be viewed at their site, workersstrikeback.org/demands.

on not being alone. This obsession with relationships is likely caused by society conflating being alone with being lonely.

Thanks for that, amatonormativity.

But why is this something people should care about?

But it doesn’t have to be all bad. “A lot of the time, [with] good communication, it can end up just being something that gets laughed off.” Fleishman added.Valentine’s Day can be a day of love for some, but mutual respect is arguably the most important part of the holiday. So whether you celebrate it or not, listen and acknowledge the feelings of others with thoughtfulness.

Art by Una Nei

VALENTINE’S NAY

Can you feel the love?

By S. Avalon Leonard t is no secret that a staple of high school culture in general, but particularly around Valentine’s day, is love. Dramas such as “Who is dating who?” and “Who has a crush on who?” are whispered through the hallways. Well, for many it is a time of alienation and isolation from their peers.

Amatonormativity. Try saying that five times fast. The term was originally coined

by Elizabeth Brake, a philosopher at Rice University, to describe the “widespread assumption that everyone is better off in an exclusive, romantic, long-term coupled relationship, and that everyone is seeking such a relationship.” What many fail to consider as the “season of love” approaches is that there are people not seeking anything of the sort at all. In comes the Asexual/Aromantic Spectrum, community A-Spec for short.

Ben Fleishman, a recent Garfield alum, came to an understanding with his identity semi-recently, and shared some of his thoughts on Valentine’s Day. “People sometimes assume [that] you either love it or you hate it. And I’m just like ‘this holiday doesn’t really apply to me other than that I

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like eating candy hearts.’” The sentiment of finding joy mostly in the candy aspect of the holiday, was shared by Nicholas Bertolet, a senior. “I’ve never really taken a lot of joy in celebrating it before. But it’s like, fine? I don’t really care much about it… Except for when people give me candy. Then I’m positive about it,” they said.

So if it’s not the existence of the holiday itself, then what is it that makes this time of year a difficult one? Some would say it is an attitude of expectancy. “I feel like the stereotype of being alone on Valentine’s Day or whatever is thought of as a sad thing and it’s kind of annoying, because what if you just want to be alone on Valentine’s Day?” Bertolet said. It’s true, one of the most common gripes around Valentine’s Day from people outside of the A-Spec community is the prospect of not having a significant other. Of course, people are entitled to their emotions around feeling lonely, but it’s important to acknowledge that there may be a cultural explanation for this. People who aren’t A-Spec can feel the pressure to be coupled up too and this could be argued to be the result of a culture-wide fixation

“WE’RE JUST A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DEMOGRAPHIC, EVEN IF A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE A-SPEC DON’T NECESSARILY KNOW OR USE THE TERMINOLOGY.” Bertolet was concise, stating, “Because A-Spec people exist…”

What many around this time of year fail to understand is that Valentine’s day just doesn’t do it for some people. And that doesn’t mean they hate it and hate everyone who celebrates it. Really all it means is that the attitude of expectation can create an alienating and isolating experience for members of the A-Spec community. “Just try to be careful about doing things that could be potentially alienating and listen to people if they say that that’s how you make them feel.”

Art by S. Avalon Leonard

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NEWS CHECKMATE, GARFIELD

A deep dive into Garfield’s most covert “sports” team.

By Leo Carlin and Mia Andreeva arfield has a long and storied history with chess. On the first floor, in the career hallway, you will find a mural dedicated to Syrian-American grandmaster Yasser Seirawan; four-time US chess champion, and Garfield alumni. Seirawan has also become a well known figure in the online chess community, being a part of chess commentary group Chessbrah on Youtube. The chess community at Garfield runs deep, through our Chess Team, Chess

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Club and Chess Boxing society, in addition to our teachers’ worst enemy; online chess.

Chess origins date back a very long time, with early variants emerging in modern-day India and Pakistan almost two thousand years ago. Over time, the strategy board game spread all over the world, constantly evolving and spawning new variants, many of which have gone on to become recognized games themselves. What we think of as chess is a European variant a sport, Adams settled on a middle ground between a sport and a game. Adams said “it’s not a physical activity, so it’s not a sport in that sense”, but also added that “we train and try to improve as a team like it’s a sport”.

CHESS TEAM

For those looking for a bit of competition while playing chess, Garfield’s Chess Team offers competitive chess matches while still retaining a fun and supportive atmosphere.

The team competes in chess matches and tournaments against other school teams, much like Garfield’s basketball, football, and soccer teams. Under the guidance of Mr Nomura since 1998, the Chess Team has won two state titles, and multiple metro league titles, often beating prestigious private schools. The Chess Team seeks to learn chess strategy and improve their game in preparation for these tournaments. It isn’t all training though, much of the time is spent having fun. Senior Captain Henry Adams describes Chess Team meetings as “a lesson, and then after the learning is done we go play bullet and blitz”. After all, the best part of Chess Team is “goofing around and being silly with friends over a game”. When asked whether or not chess is

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which first appeared in Spain around the 13th century. Chess itself can be played in many different ways, with most variants differing on their time controls. In chess, each player is given an equal amount of time for the game, and when it is a player’s turn to move, their time ticks down until they make their move. Classical chess is played with several hours of time for each player. Rapid chess is when the time control is between 10 and 30 minutes. Blitz has a sports mentality.”McDermott believes that chess can qualify as a sport, stating “The team environment and practices align with normal sports”. Chess is known to be a male-dominated field, with only 15% of licensed players in the world being women, and this statistic holds true within Garfield’s chess team and club. When reflecting on the gender imbalance, McDermott said “it can be a little strange sometimes, because it is all guys, but I wouldn’t say it changes anything that much. I think more girls should join chess, it would be nice to have a more diversified environment.” The club meets every day during both lunches in room 238 and Tuesdays after school in room 320.

CHESS CLUB

For those wanting a more leisurely commitment to chess, look no further than chess club. Rather than participating in chess tournaments, students get together during lunch to play against one another.

The club is known to have a loose atmosphere, with students of all skill levels coming together to both watch and participate in chess. Avid chess club member Athena McDermott said, “I like vibing somewhere during lunch, I wouldn’t say that I’m competitive at all, but I enjoy getting to know people over chess.” The chess club has managed to build a strong community, with many students returning to play chess every day. When asked about how the chess club compares to the chess team, McDermott said “There is a lot of overlap between the two, chess club definitely has a more casual vibe, whereas the chess team

CHESS BOXING CLUB

Chess boxing is a hybrid sport, combining (you guessed it) chess and boxing.

Players alternate between rounds of boxing and chess until one either knocks their opponent out or deals a checkmate. The sport was invented by Lepe Rubinghin 1992, and has become widely popularized in Finland, Russia, India, and the United Kingdom.

This odd sport is no stranger to Garfield High School with its Chess Boxing Club,

chess is anywhere from 10 minutes down to 3 minutes for each player. Bullet chess is played with less than 3 minutes for each player, usually with only 1 minute.

CHESS PUZZLE

White to move. Look for this Chess Puzzle in Mr Nomura’s room (Rm 320). pioneered by Senior Preston Wilcynski.

While the club just started up in January of 2023, it’s managed to make a prominent mark on the Garfield community. When asked what inspired him to start up the club, Wilcynski said “I saw a [chessboxing] event on YouTube, and it was really funny.

It was just these guys getting punched in the face, and then they sit down and they play chess, and then they punch each other more”. This moved Wilcynski to start his own league. While Wilcynski may be a stranger to boxing, chess is an old hobby.

Playing since elementary school, Wilcynski holds a love for chess. “I like the way the knights move cause they move kinda funny, but really I think watching chess is just so cool cause there are so many ways the game can carry out”, Wilcynski said. When asked to comment on whether or not chess boxing is a sport, Wilcynski said “I feel like the definition of a sport is a physical activity, and moving your hand doesn’t qualify as a physical activity.” He later added that the boxing element of chess boxing makes it a sport. For those looking to try out something new, chessboxing may be the place for you! Meetings are every Friday, 1st lunch, in room 205.

Graphics and Photos by Mia Andreeva and Leo Carlin

ROMANCE GETS REAL(LY FAKE) A guide to the wildest romance reality TV to air over the last two decades.

By Marisa Valenzano BOY MEETS BOY (2003)

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oy Meets Boy brought the first gay reality romance show to screen in 2003 on Bravo.

On this show, 15 suitors were brought in to woo gay bachelor James Getzlaff. The horrible twist? Half the contestants were actually straight. If the winning candidate was also gay, Getzlaff would win a trip to New Zealand for two and $25,000 cash. But, if the candidate successfully tricked Getzlaff and was straight, he would win the $25,000 reward instead, leaving Getzlaff with nothing. With such a heinous plot, it is no wonder this show only lasted one season.

BAGGAGE (2010)

Baggage is a dating game show hosted by Jerry Springer on the Game Show Network.

It began in 2010 and lasted four seasons. Each episode started by introducing a central bachelor or bachelorette. Three other contestants are then brought in, each carrying three pieces of baggage in varying sizes: one small, one medium, and one large. Inside each case contains a dark secret of corresponding shock value to the size (small case = smaller secret). As the show progresses, the contestants reveal their secrets and are eliminated if the main character cannot deal with t h e baggage. Once there is only one contestant left, the main person must admit their own baggage. This unhinged show brought equally crazy secrets to the screen. From “I keep my foreskin in a safe” to “I sleep with a life-size c ut out of Britney Spears,” episodes were wild to say the least.

A&E

HOW TO CAPTURE SOMEONE’S HEART Six fool-proof ways to get someone to fall in love with you.

Writing and Art by Jada Johnson

Manifest Them

Stalk Them, And Their Parents

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The best way to attract someone’s attention is through commonalities and shared interest. With this new age’s lack of privacy, any information you want to find about someone can be found, it just takes a little digging. Media apps like Facebook and Spotify are great, sly ways to gain access to uncommon information that’s so niche and specific, your person of interest will be forced to believe you’re fated to be together.

Homie Hop

irst, grab a piece of paper and write your certain someone’s first and last name three times, preferably in a red pen or marker. Next, in each corner of the paper, draw a heart. Then, fold the paper five times toward you. After that, kiss the paper and spray it with your favorite perfume or cologne. Finally, put the paper underneath your pillow and wait 24 hours. If done correctly, your crush is certain to fall in love with you.

Ask A Teacher For Their Class Schedule

DATING NAKED (2014) Dating Naked began in 2014 and lasted for three seasons on VH1. The show boldly placed singles–completely naked–together on a tropical resort where they completed various competition activities and formed romantic connections. Naturally, private parts of contestants were blurred when aired on TV. However, the show and network were not without controversy, which contributed to the program’s demise. In one shot, the show failed to blur the participant’s genitals completely, resulting in a lawsuit. The show also tried to set up a 69-year-old man with a 24-year-old woman. Coupled with low reviews, it is no surprise Dating Naked was canceled.

I WANNA MARRY HARRY (2014) I Wanna Marry Harry takes bachelor competition shows to a whole different level of insanity. The show took twelve American women and flew them to a castle where they were to compete for the love of “Prince Harry.” However, in reality they were dating Matthew Hicks, a Prince Harry look-alike. The manipulated women had no idea until the very end where the plot twist was revealed. It was announced on June 12, 2014, that the show would be pulled from the air in the US after only four episodes. While not broadcast, Fox.com, Fox NOW, cable On Demand, and Hulu provide access to the last four episodes. In a 2015 interview, winner Kimberly Birch said she felt brainwashed by production and that there were even crew members posing as therapists, telling contestants to ignore their doubts about the process.

MILF MANOR (2023)

MILF Manor is the latest and perhaps craziest romance reality television show. Premiering in 2023, the show brings eight MILFs (Mothers I’d like to f@ck), ranging from 40 to 60 years old, into a manor to find love. The plot twist? The romantic interests are not just young men, but the sons of the MILF contestants. The result is an experience as uncomfortable to watch as it sounds. In just the first two episodes, one MILF declared her love interest to be her son’s new daddy and another confessed she has slept with her son’s best friend.

Just another day in MILF manor! This show airs every week on TLC through Discovery+.

Art by Fiona Real

One benefit to having a good teachers-student relationship isn’t having a killer letter of rec, it’s their willingness to aid in your romantic pursuits. Asking your favorite teacher for your prospected target’s class schedule gives you an optimal opportunity for a meet cute. For example, casually bumping into them as they exit class, then you drop the plethora of books you’re holding only to have them stop midway in their tracks to assist you and finally notice how desirable you are.

Threaten Them

Studies prove that fear can provoke bonding between those experiencing it together.

Actively threatening your prospect and/ or prospect’s family will have you always on their mind, day and night, and they will always be on the lookout for you. Eventually, when your target person does see you, their accelerated heart rate out of fear may get mistaken for butterflies in their stomach. Everyone knows that once you get butterflies for a person, they’re the one.

It’s human nature to want the things you can’t have, and the same goes for people in relationships. A good way to equally get close to your crush and improve your desirability to them is to date their best friends. The jealousy they’ll start to develop from the fact that they can’t have you will leave them wrapped around your finger. Only thing left to do from there is to break up with your temporary romance in pursuit of who you really desire, who’s by then practically begging you to date them.

Mark Your Claim On Them

Speak it into existence and mark your claim on your crush. If you tell everyone you’re dating, eventually your crush is going to have to confront you about it, and that’s a great way to spark conversation.

Becoming territorial about your crush also drives away potential “predators,” leaving you to be the top dog and only suitor left in your crush’s selection. There’s no better way to a person’s heart than being their only option left.

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Sometimes in life, love is just one click away, and in the case of Mr. Brown that is true. He met his wife in 2016 on Tinder, it was "her first Tinder date and she was [his] last Tinder date" said Mr. Brown.

He sat down and shared some of his love wisdom to help romantically struggling Dawgs.

Teachers reflect on their romantic adventures and give advice.

By Griffin Crabs, Asmaa Bah, Lea Shaw, Lillian Small

Have you witnessed any awkward or funny student relationships?

"Yeah, two students dated at the beginning of the school year, last year, and they were very much like sitting next to each other all the time. And then at some point, it just stopped. Yeah, they were sitting in opposite sections of the room. [They] didn't talk to each other."

Do you have any advice for students or someone that's struggling with a relationship?

"I think in high school, the biggest mistake that people make, [is] you'll develop a crush on someone or something like that and you kind of lock into that?" "a lot of people think, Oh, the person I liked doesn't like me, that means I'm not desirable. But the fact of the matter is, you just need to broaden your horizons and think about other people. You can't just be focused on finding that one person. You need to just be yourself, and you're gonna meet people that like you as well."

Advice on how to have a successful relationship:

Acceptance Communication Recognizing it's two individuals with interests in lives "Balancing how much attention and time you're giving of the other person and demanding from them."

When talking to someone for the first time "Getting over yourself and just talking to somebody because so much time is lost in being so nervous. Learn to take a punch because if the person doesn't want to chat or doesn't engage, now you know and learn to take a punch."

Do you recommend high school relationships?

"My generation, they're all like waiting till they're 30 now [to get married], and they're much stronger relationships" "I do have one friend, they've been together since like eighth grade and they're older than me but they're one of the coolest couples I know. They are perfect for each other."

"Honestly, like, for me, I would not have been able to have such an awesome relationship with my wife and have like been able to like, make it work with her if I had not had lots of practice and lots of failed relationships along the way to figure out who am I in a relationship, how I communicate"

After teaching in Japan for a year Mr. Lovre met his wife Audrey on the Trans Siberian railroad on his way back home from Beijing to Moscow. Turns out she was also teaching in Japan and riding on the very same train. Sparks flew as they spent the next few days on the train, visiting Mongolia and Siberia. After Audrey moved to Seattle Mr. Lovre later followed, and four years later they were happily married. They have been married for twenty five years and like other couples, have learned to accommodate each other as the years go by.

What is your funniest thing you observe with student relationships?

"Watching people attempt to flirt badly.

If you like the person just say something, I can see it. You like each other, I can see you all try to sit next to each other!

You move around the class, you meet outside my classroom, say something!"

Have you found the key to a healthy relationship?

"It's not about me. I want to be with my partner. I love them. If I can remove myself sometimes when I'm frustrated and be like, why are they mad? It becomes much easier. And when you have two people doing the same thing, why are they mad? That conversation is much clearer."

Mr. Saunders met his wife Maritia Medrano at a Vocal Jazz party in 2010. He had been involved in the group previously, but it was his roommate, a current member, who convinced him to attend the party. There he met his wife and they immediately hit it off. After being a part of each other's lives for 11 years they tied the knot this November. Saunders said his favorite memory of Maritia was seeing them on their wedding day. Saunders sat down to give some words of wisdom for anyone struggling to find the one.

Do you have any advice for any students that are struggling with love?

Advice for someone struggling to find love?

"If you're struggling to find love the first question I'd ask is why you want it so badly. And if your goal is someone who wants to feel love, that kind of relationship love, particularly sexual love, those things, you first need to be okay with who you are. Because you need to be able to authentically come to a balance with any person here to choose to have that truth of a relationship with... To love is to be with each other authentically"

Advice for someone's first relationship?

"Breathe, you're fine. Everyone goes through it.

Remember that it is completely normal to explore.

It is okay."

Advice for someone going through their first breakup?

"It sucks. And like anything else, it's gonna get better over time. The key here is how are you going to grow?... Every relationship is an opportunity to grow, every end of a relationship is even more.

How are you going to be a better partner for someone whether it's that person, someone else in the future, a human you haven't met yet? How are you going to grow from this relationship? Rather than it being a negative in your life, choose to let you become better in the future."

What are your red flags for student relationships?

"Misogyny, subtle or observable. It's really difficult with students in particular and not just male presenting, misogyny can be across the board not just gendered.

But when one gender role is uplifted over the other in norms between relationships I can see it."

"Patience is a virtue. Love will find you someday."

Do you have any advice for anyone that's in their first relationship?

"It's your journey, it's your thing that you're doing, it's your dating, and you don't have to modify yourself to what they want. It's you too."

"You don't have to ever become somebody you're not, you're on a journey. Have fun. And if the person really is a caring, thoughtful person, they'll respect that."

Have you ever seen any funny or awkward student relationships?

"Daily. It keeps me entertained. Why else would I want to teach high school?"

What's your advice for someone who is trying to get over heartbreak?

"Time has a tendency to heal our wounds and so my advice is if you're feeling really down and stuff, even though it does feel like a big deal, it'll pass. Not to minimize a teenage relationship but you shouldn't have been this deep into your relationship in the first place."

Mr. Spang and his wife met when they were in their 20s working in a Marine Corps oceanography lab.The young scientists parted ways for several years until they reconnected later in life.Together again, it was "pure bliss", said Mr. Spang.

Spang gave some words of advice for all of the students out there that are struggling to make connections.

Art By Havana Hakala

ATHE &WORLDE IS YOUR OYSTER

A beginners guide to mushrooms.

By Eli Silver rom their medicinal properties and beautiful shapes to their poison and massive mycelium systems, mushrooms are some of the largest, most unique organisms in the living world. Recent calculations from the Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Republic suggest there are an estimated 6.1 million species of fungi across the globe, making it the second most species diverse group of organisms after insects. From this comes around 12,000 observed mushrooms, the visible fruit of the below ground fungus.

Throughout human history mushrooms have been consumed for their nutritional benefits, as well certain ones for their hallucinogenic effects. In fact some scientists believe that early species of the homo genus consumed psychedelic mushrooms, leading to increased brain development and evolution into homo-sapiens. While they remain one of the most unknown and under researched group of organisms,

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mushrooms have begun receiving more attention, most recently in the western world for their unique culinary uses as well as their powerful medicinal properties.

Here’s a look at several types of healthful mushrooms to incorporate into your diet, as well as delicous ones to be foraged in the Pacific Northwest.

Mushrooms with notable health benefits are known as functional mushrooms.

“There are 5 main types of functional mushrooms that will be best for your health,” Kyle Cobden said, co-president of the Garfield Mycology Club, “Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, Lions Mane, and Turkey Tail.” Chaga, also known as birch mushroom, grows on the side of trees, absorbing the tree’s nutrients. Chaga has been shown to promote immune system strength and lower blood sugar levels, and is commonly drunk in tea or taken as a supplement.

Similarly, Reishi, a mushroom native to humid locations in Asia, is known for itspositive effects on the immune system and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. While it’s mainly

MEET THE MEAT A vegetarian tries meat.

By Ali Merz he debate between carnivores and herbivores has long held people at odds with each other. It’s always a back and forth. What about the environmental impact? What about the vitamin and iron deficiency? What about the horrific working conditions that people in the meatpacking industry face? What impact can one person really have on a giant conglomerate corporation? Each group seems hellbent on persuading the other to join them.

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As a vegetarian since sixth grade, I’m tired of hearing about others salivating over slaughtered animals on a plate. It’s time to put these ideas to the test. Is Ezell’s fried chicken truly worth the thousands of dollars Garfield students spend on it per year? Is a person’s happiness really at steak if they stop eating beef?

I tried a few of the foods that I’ve heard meat eaters rave about for years to see if they really live up to the hype.

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Ezell’s Chicken Tenders 8/10 A Garfield student classic, revered in its delicious simplicity.

I’ve always been a fan of fried

chicken–when I first went vegetarian, it was my weakness. So, it’s safe to say I went in with high egg-spectations, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. It was crispy, seasoned well, and left me wanting more. No vegetarian alternative can compare to the im-peck-able Ezell’s fried chicken.

Pimento BLT from Fat’s Chicken and Waffles

5/10 The first few bites were tasty, and then the meat began to hit me… Everything about the sandwich was delicious. The fresh tomato and lettuce, the sauce, the bread–but when it comes down to the meat, I can’t say this one takes

known for its parasitic take over of ants and other insects, Cordyceps also has a lot of health benefits. “Cordyceps is good for your gut health,” and Cobden notes, “a natural aphrodisiac as well.” Cordyceps can be found in supplements as well as teas and other drinks. Finally, Cobden emphasizes the positive benefits of Trametes versicolor, or Turkey Tail, a colorful, coral looking mushroom. “It’s really good for gut health and there’s actually studies going on at Johns Hopkins that show it can help cure cancer,” Cobden said. Additionally, Turkey Tail contains immense numbers of antioxidants and immune boosting Polysaccharopeptide compounds and has been used in many cultures around the world for centuries.

The Pacific Northwest, with its temperate climate, is a treasure trove for mushroom hunters big and small. Popular mushrooms include Chanterelles, Lion’s Mane, B0letes, Lobsters, and Morels, though there are many more including Puffballs, Cauliflower mushroom, and the aptly named Chicken of the Woods. The best time for foraging is several days after rain in

spring or fall when the ground will be cool and damp. Mushrooms can be found in forests, parks and even backyards, though less traveled areas of nature tend to be most fruitful. Most mushrooms grow around a certain species of tree, for instance boletes around firs and spruces, so it can be helpful for beginners to go with a guide to find the right areas.

“A super unique mushroom that grows in the pacific northwest is the Lobster,” Flynn Connoly said, another co-president of the mycology club, “It gets its flavor from a different fungus growing off of it. It’s a parasite that goes on it and makes it all orange and actually makes it taste delicious, like seafood.” If that’s not to your liking, Morels, which commonly grow after forest fires, have a more earthy flavor and soak up other flavors nicely using their sponge-like structure. Whichever mushroom you go looking for, you won’t be disappointed.

the bacon. It was good, but I wouldn’t empty my piggy bank for it.

Hamburger 2/10 Everyone loves a good burger… except for me. This juicy American favorite just didn’t cut it for me. Maybe it’s just a little hard to meat my standards, or maybe nothing can beat the veggie alternatives that I’ve fallen in love with over these years. If I’m presented with a beef burger or a garden burger, I will always pick the garden burger.

Homemade steak 5/10 Even beef-fore I went vegetarian, I never got the chance to try steak. I can confirm, it hits the spot. This steak was tender, a little crisp around the edges, and a mix of sweet and savory that I had never tasted.

Overall trying steak was a delectable experience, but it’s not something I would crave.

Graphics by Keegan Averill

So, the verdict? Am I making a mis-steak by leaving a whole food group out of my life? Are my taste buds missing out as much as people seem to think?

While I do miss fried chicken already, I can’t say the other animals impressed me that much. They were good, but not better than their vegetarian alternatives. As it turns out, from taste alone, the carnivores won’t be winning me over today.

Graphics by Ali Merz

SPORTS

FRESHLETES

Four varsity freshmen share their experiences.

By Kennedy Greenfelder and Havana Hakala

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his year, Covid restrictions have been lifted and Garfield athletics have come back with full force. Garfield has an impressive roster of state champions and award winning teams, an intimidating legacy for younger bulldawgs to hold up. However, with the freshman class amounting to around 500 students, it’s no surprise that t h e class of 2026 h a s s ome rising stars.

Some of our freshmen have shown tremendous athletic ability and proved that their skills were enough to earn a first-year roster spot in Garfield’s varsity teams.

Many of these exceptional freshmen got their start because of familial encouragement. Star Smiley got her start after her father Coach Smiley, head of the girl’s varsity team, encouraged her to play. Smiley is now a freshman on the Girl’s Varsity Basketball Team. As well as Eric Wakefield of the Cross Country team. He started running with his older sister in middle school and was encouraged to continue in high school. Cameron-Rose Hoffman started playing volleyball with her older sister when she was just nine, and joined a professional team at eleven. She followed in her sister’s footsteps and joined the Girl’s Varsity Volleyball as a freshman.

Being on a varsity team is a big commitment for anyone, but for freshmen who are just starting out, it can be especially time consuming. “If you want to be really good you have to commit a lot of time… it can be tiring, you don’t have much time for anything else,” said Joe Palen, a freshman on Garfield’s Boys Swim and Dive and Varsity Cross Country team. “[It’s] definitely more

PLAY TOGETHER, SLEEP TOGETHER Notable athlete couples.

By Chelsea Li pending time together off and on the field isn’t too uncommon in sports.

Here are three athlete couples that have blossomed from it.

The coordination and synchronicity that exists in pair skating rely on mutual trust and cooperation built over many years. As a result, figure skating duos often form close bonds over the years and sometimes, something more. Madison Chock and Evan Bates have been skating together since 2011, winning three US titles and three world championships. Their most recent Olympics performance included a space themed program where Chock was an alien and Bates was an astronaut.. Bates points out that when skating together, you have to “read each other’s signals’’ and that “after being together for so long on the ice and then off the ice, you kind of pick up on the other person’s nuances.” Last summer, they got engaged while on vacation in Thailand after dating for 6 years. They

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had been skating as a pair for 11 years already, though. Bates gave tribute to the time they’ve spent together by proposing to Chock on the symbolic date–June 11th.

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird are both highly achieved athletes in their respective sports of soccer and basketball. Although Bird is now retired after two decades, the former Seattle Storm player is esteemed as one of the best performers in WNBA history. In 2019, Rapinoe was awarded the title of The Best FIFA Women’s Player. Together, they quite literally make a power couple.

Bird and Rapinoe first met at a backstage photoshoot for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and started dating a year later.

Despite the fame they both carry, Rapinoe notes that their shared experiences help them understand and see each other as normal people. In 2020, the couple got engaged and revealed the news through a post from Bird on Instagram. They’ve been in no rush to get married though, with Rapinoe being

pressure than being on a team with people your own age, because they’re just better…

I felt a lot of pressure to do as well as they did,” said Hoffman. But being on a varsity team is a huge privilege and gives young athletes the chance to compete at a higher level, “I find sports really important, so while sometimes I can’t do other things I’m happy to go to practice.” Palen said.

If there’s one thing these freshmen have in common, it is the overwhelming support they feel from their older teammates.

“All the upperclassmen take care of me,” said Palen. Smiley agreed with this, “They make me better.” she said. Smiley explained that she doesn’t find it hard to build relationships with her teammates, even with the age difference, “We’re all really close,” she said. Wakefield agreed, as “[he] thinks it’s a pretty good environment” and found it easy to make friends. Playing with upperclassmen can prove to be challenging, but the welcoming environment at Garfield shines through.

Competing and watching their teammates has a certain effect on the younger players, “I do feel inspired by other people on the team.” Hoffman said. Though these freshmen have joined varsity early on in

their high school career they believe there are still a lot of areas they can grow in. “I can work to get more playing time and be a better teammate,” Smiley said. She believes she can work to give back to the community that guides her. While working hard at their sports, these freshmen f e e l motivated to work harder in other parts of their life as well and they have the discipline to do so, “I feel like it helps me realize what I can do and makes me want to achieve more every year.” Palen said.

Every person can gain inspiration from Garfield’s exceptional freshmen and there’s no doubt they will uphold Garfield’s winning reputation.

Photos by Wren Mcintoshand Cameron-RoseHoffman

busy on the field year round. Last month, the couple announced the launch of their new production company, A Touch More, meant to uplift underrepresented communities and tell “stories of revolutionaries who move culture forward.”

In November, Jordyn Huitema, OL Reign player for the National Women’s Soccer League revealed that she was in a relationship with Seattle Mariners star, Julio Rodríguez (nicknamed “J-Rod”). Huitema captioned her Instagram post of them saying, “Seattle has been good this year”. In 2022, Rodríguez became the fifth Mariners player in history to win the Jackie Robinson American League Rookie of the Year Award. At the same time, Huitema has earned the title of the top scorer in UEFA Women’s Champion League during her time at PSG. At the young ages of 22 and 21, their talents are bringing them a quick rise to stardom. This, coupled with the fact that Huitema had recently ended a

five-year relationship with fellow Canadian player Alphonso Davies, brought in a wave of intrigue about the new relationship with Rodríguez. Huitema was accused of being unfaithful to Davies, but he publicly tweeted that “She is a good person” and he has “a lot of respect for her”, requesting fans to respect their privacy.

Art By Sydeney Steinwinder

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SGETPPAIDOTORWATCH T S SPORTS An intro to sports betting.

By Jeremy Cogswell ports betting is the activity of predicting sports results and placing a wager on the outcome. It is legal in thirty-one states, including Washington, where it is only legal on tribal lands. Gambling is technically legal at 18 in Washington, but most casinos require you to be 21 due to the fact that they serve alcohol. Nonetheless, sports betting is an exciting industry.

“I love sports betting because I can make money watching sports,” said avid participant Henry Smidt. Smidt has found success in sports betting and has shared some of his tips. We also explain some basic concepts.

One of the most confusing parts about sports betting to beginners is reading odds. Odds can either start with a “+” or a “-” sign. A plus sign before any number means that a bet of $100 will pay out that value. A minus sign means you need to bet that much to win $100. For example, the

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team favored to win a game could be -185 while the underdog is +165. The odds will never add up to zero, since the sportsbooks need to profit. This house edge is what makes it difficult to consistently make money in sports betting, as you need to win 55% of even bets in order to break even.

TYPES OF BETS Moneyline (ML): This bet is simply choosing the winner of the game, and is one of the most popular ways to bet. Odds will vary.

Spread: The spread attempts to equalize the playing field by giving the underdog a certain amount of points. The underdog will have plus points and the favorite will have minus. For example, Seahawks +6.5 means the Seahawks can lose by six or less points or win and you will hit your bet.

RULES OF RECRUITMENT Your guide to getting scouted.

By Imbie Jones and Mika Ichikawa O YOUR RESEARCH Your first step should be finding the type of school that is the best fit for you.

Think about are size, location, cost, major, division and academic requirements. Once you know which schools you want to target, you can start looking into athletic programs. Look at the players on their roster and their experience prior to high school, look at the team’s success in their league, and watch film of their games. If a team has several seniors playing a certain position, then they may be targeting that position for their newest class to round out their roster. Many teams have requirements for players posted on their websites, such as times you would need to qualify for recruitment. Knowing this information will be crucial when you reach out to coaches.

PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS Compiling your personal highlights can look very different based on your sport.

Many sports have specific stats, such as swimming, baseball, track, crew, etc.. Others are the opposite, where there are some numbers that may indicate a player’s skill, but in-person viewing is the best to gauge a player’s performance. This in-

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cludes football, soccer, and basketball. For sports with statistics, players should compile all of their times and competitions, and send the exact information of this to the coach. Remember to check if your times would meet the team’s standards. If your performance cannot be captured through specific times, you should collect film from your games and make a highlight video.

It is important to keep your video concise and make it clear where you are on the pitch. It can be helpful to add a slide with your personal information and number.

Whether it’s stats or a highlight reel, make sure you collect content from all of your best performances over the last couple of years from your competitions.

REACH OUT Now that you have all of your information together, you are ready to reach out to coaches! In your initial email, you should explain your interest in the school, what team you play for, what school you go to, your playing style, and why you are interested in that specific team. Be in-depth, but don’t make the email overly long. Include all of your contact information, and your coaches information at the bottom. If you are competing in any upcoming games, tournaments, or showcases that they may realistically be able to attend, give them the

Seahawks -6.5 means the Seahawks would need to win by 7 or more to hit. Spread lines are generally -110 on each side.

Over/Under (O/U): This is a bet on points/runs scored by both teams in a game. You can bet over or under whatever the line is. Both sides are typically -110.

Parlay: A parlay is a bet that ties two or more sports bets together in order to create a larger payout. Parlays increase your potential winnings, but all of your bets must hit in order for you to be paid out.

HENRY’S BETTING ADVICE He likes live betting (placing bets once

game has started) because you can tell which way the momentum is going in the game Bet on favorite players/teams because you know a lot about them uper Bowl picks: Super Bowl LVII will take place on February 12th in Glendale, Arizona. The game is between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Smidt gave us the bets he likes, although lines are likely to change in the coming weeks.

Under 49.5 total points -110 “These are two of the top offenses in the league, but I’m predicting a low scoring game. Mahomes is going to be under pressure all game and Hurts didn’t look great against the Niners.”

Eagles Moneyline -125 “The Eagles are going to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

In a close game, the Eagle’s lines are going Graphic by Erica Arnstein

time and location! If you meet a coach in person, or talk to them on the phone, you should have lots of questions, answers, and be prepared to keep a good conversation.

ATTEND CAMPS Playing on the right platforms for your game to be noticed is essential for recruitment. Go to ID camps, college camps, exposure camps and club tournaments— pursue chances to get in front of college coaches live and be identified!

PRESENT YOURSELF ONLINE Coaches will see your social media accounts, so be professional and mindful of what you post. Additionally, creating separate sports accounts to market yourself is helpful to make information about your play more accessible. You can do this through Instagram and Twitter. Add highlights, stats, ranks, clubs, and personal information (grade, age, and school) and follow the accounts of teams you are interested in!

GO VISIT Reach out to coaches and ask to visit! Go out to schools and get a first hand feel for them. Tour campus, catch a practice or game, meetings and more. Meeting the staff and team in-person is huge too! Perfect time to ask current players any questions that you have. Going for a visit will give you a better picture of

the school along with showing the school your investment in them by coming out!

VERBAL COMMITMENT VS. OFFICIAL SIGNING Verbal commitment is where you tell the school you are committing to their university and they will hold that spot for you.

During that time you can still decommit because this is only verbal but officially signing is where you sign NIL (National letter of Intent) papers making your commitment official.

Lots of athletes sign on November 9th: National Signing Day! OFFICIAL VS. UNOFFICIAL VISITS An official visit is a completely paid for trip to a school. This includes everything from flights to food. The school is rolling out the red carpet for the prospective athlete, showing them all their school has to offer from campus to facilities, education programs, campus life and more! An unofficial visit is where you take a visit out to a school unpaid for. Typically this is only for a day and way less intense. Similar to an official, athletes can explore campus, watch practices and meet coaches. Both are perfect ways to get a feel for a school!

Graphics by Jessica Onochie and Delilah Corbett

VENDING MACHINE REVIEW

Ranking the contents of the Garfield vending machines.

By Finian Guinney and Fiona Real

Welch’s Fruit Snacks: In first place, Welch’s Fruit Snacks will easily give you the most bang for your buck.

With a variety of flavors, including Mixed Fruit and Berries n’ Cherries, you’ll never get bored of them.

Oreos: The second best vending machine snack. Even though it is more expensive, it is worth it as it’s just what you need to get through the day.

Although Double Stuff is better this will still hit the spot.

Sun Chips: Great price, great flavor, perfect crunch, perfect amount of chips. Between the two flavors, Harvest Cheddar is definitely superior. They just aren’t quite as good as Oreos or Fruit Snacks, putting them in third place.

Famous Amos Chocolate Cookies: Bussin.

Super crunchy. Their only problem is that only around six cookies per bag is not a lot of bang for your buck

Fruit by the Foot: These are always immediately gone after being restocked, preventing them from being a 5/5. Additionally, for $1.75, it feels like you should be getting a little more food.

Pirate’s Booty: With plenty of booty in the bag, White Cheddar Pirate’s Booty is one of the best deals in the machine. However, their main issue is they will get cheese all over your fingers.

Doritos: For reduced fat Doritos, these aren’t bad. However, they definitely took inspiration from Lays, as the bag is always about 50% air.

Nature’s Valley Oats and Honey: So good and great flavor. Amazing value, with two bars inside at only $1.25. However, good luck opening these without spilling crumbs everywhere.

Clif Bars: These don’t have the best taste, but will fill you up if you’re hungry. $2.00 is a bit pricey for their size, but it’s a great protein-filled snack post-workout.

Chex Mix: Overrated and a weird variety of flavors. Despite this, they are a great size for only $1.75. The best part is the pretzels.

Cheez Its: You’re lucky if it comes with more than three chips. Now made with whole grain, these are a huge downgrade from the original.

Whole Grain Pop Tarts: Just go to Ms. Portia’s room to get the non-whole grain version, save your money, and get two in one pack!

Cheetos Baked: Dry and does not come with a lot of chips, however it is spicy and will give you a kick.

It will also leave your clothing stained as well as hands, so watch out.

Popchips: These come with very few chips, and are pretty bland; the BBQ Popchips are best described as lightly seasoned air. They still smack because they give you a nice crunch.

Nutella & Pretzel Sticks: This product has a lot of potential, but is always disappointing. The nutella is frozen solid and pretzels are not it. The two are not a good mixture at all.

Art by Fiona Real

(MAD) LIB LAUGH LOVE

A PERSONALIZED LETTER FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE DEAR ________ (CRUSHES NAME), HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I CAN’T EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW _______ (EMOTION) YOU MAKE ME FEEL. WHEN YOU _______(ACTION) WITH MY _________ (BODY PART), I GET ________ (NOUN PLURAL) IN MY STOMACH. I KNOW WE’VE ONLY BEEN _______ (VERB) FOR _______ (NUMBER) WEEKS BUT I FEEL LIKE I’VE KNOWN YOU ALL MY LIFE. YOU ______ (VERB) ME SO WELL AND I GENUINELY WANT TO _____ (VERB) WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. MY MIND ECHOES YOUR NAME WITH NO ESCAPE AND I SEE YOUR ______ (BODY PART) IN MY DREAMS. WHEN I’M SITTING IN CLASS, I CAN’T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT WHEN WE _______ (ACTION PAST TENSE) AT THE _______ (PLACE IN SEATTLE) WITH MY PARENTS. WHENEVER I HEAR ______ (SONG) I THINK OF YOU AND I FEEL _____ (EMOTION).

I PROMISE TO ALWAYS BUY YOU _____ (FOOD) WHEN YOU’RE _______ (EMOTION) AND GO TO THE ______ (PLACE) WITH YOU. ONE DAY I HOPE TO HAVE _____ (NUMBER) KIDS AND A PET ______ (ANIMAL) WITH YOU. I HOPE WE CAN LIVE IN _____ (CITY) AND HAVE A _______ (ADJECTIVE) HOUSE. I CANT WAIT UNTIL WE BOTH BECOME ______ (PROFESSION PLURAL) TOGETHER LIKE WE ALWAYS SAY WE WILL. YOU ARE THE ____ (ADJECTIVE) VALENTINE ANYONE COULD EVER ASK FOR I LOVE YOU, _________ (YOUR NAME)