Hawkeye 3-2016 by The Hawkeye

College admissions adapt holistic view March 2016 | Volume 31 | Issue 5

Bazant’s energy puts meaning to history 12

where did all the sports fans go?

Mountlake terrace high school | 21801 44th Ave. W Mountlake Terrace wA 98043

Hawkeye www.thehawkeye.org

Recognizing Sexual assault Sexual assault is complex. We’ve compiled data and local experts’ opinions to shed light on the issue.

2 | March 2016

Hawkeye

March 2016 | 3 hawkeye Leadership ‘15-’16 Editor-in-Chief Paxtyn Merten

Editorial Board

Vivian Nowka-Keane | Hawkeye

Luke Smith | Hawkeye

Visual Graphics Editor Netania Rivera Photo Editor Jack Fiorillo Design Editor Arsha Kiani Jacob Allard | Hawkeye

Netania rivera | Hawkeye

Netania Rivera| Hawkeye

Contents March

2016

4 Abstinence-only education doesn’t work 6 Is college becoming more competitive? 8 What you can do to win Terrace Idol

Jack Fiorillo | Hawkeye

12 Bazant: living and teaching history 16 Winter sports see much improvement 18 The Rowdy Rooters have downsized

Letter from the Editor

We must support victims of sexual assault

was shocked to read that in the United States alone more than 1.8 million children and teenagers have been victim to sexual assault. We saw the impact of this at MTHS just two months ago when a male student was arrested in class Paxtyn Merten Editor-in-chief under suspicion that he sexually assaulted another student on campus. The sheer number of teens who have been sexually assaulted is appalling, but even more so is that an estimated 63 percent of people are sexually assaulted and never report it to the police, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). Why is it that so many people don’t report when they are touched inappropriately against their will? The reasons are innumerable due to the

uniqueness of every assault, but often victims fear they won’t be believed or that they will be blamed, according to the NSVRC. It is sickening to hear that someone can be traumatized in one of the most vulnerable ways possible and yet is afraid that he or she will be blamed rather than the one who caused the harm. I couldn’t believe that these things would be a problem in the case of sexual assault. Why wouldn’t people believe the victims? But sure enough, when word spread that there was an alleged sexual assault at our school, rumors spread dismissing the victim’s experience as a fabrication without true knowledge of the full story. Certainly disbelief and victim-blaming don’t happen in every case, but the fact that many victims are afraid of this happening shows that we are fostering an environment and society that feeds these fears. These thoughts should never even cross a victim’s mind, yet we have created a society that

Paxtyn Merten, Isaac Otis, Netania Rivera, Stephi Smith, Luke Thurber, Max Tracy Editorial News Editor Stephi Smith Sports Editor Irvin Zhang Feature Editor Maxine Taylor Op/Ed Editors Ian Moffet & Skylar Schank Lifestyle Editor Max Tracy Business General Manager Luke Thurber Distribution Manager Joshua Morrison Event Coordinator Hannah Schuster

makes 63 percent of victims think they can’t report that they have been abused. How do we fix this? How do we ensure that those who are abused get the help they need, and that offenders get the punishment they deserve? How do we prevent future victims from ever considering that they won’t be believed, or worse, that they will be blamed for being subject to assault? It starts by talking about the problem. We must acknowledge the fact that we feed this issue either by contributing to the rumor mill or failing to stop those who do. Furthermore, we must publicly promote that it is safe for victims to reveal their stories. We must openly encourage victims to report their assaults with the assurance that they will be taken seriously. While 63 percent is a lot of people, by caring for victims of sexual assault rather than putting them under speculation, we can reduce this statistic and create a safer community for all. H

Online Online Manager Isaac Otis Multimedia Manager Alex Croce ........................................................ 2015-2016 Hawkeye Staff Annika Prom, AsiaLee Donnelly, Ben Eyman, Bobby Stoyanov, Brianna Houtman, Catherine Allemann, Dani Bilyeu, Danielle Barnett, Erica Lampers, Jacob Allard, Joey May, Kira Doan, Lexi Fletcher, Lilly Stelmack, Luke Smith, Marianne Nacanaynay, Matthew Hipolito, Mikayla Smith, Milkias Yonatan, Ryan Dunne, Samantha Svikel, Samuel Johnson, Selena Williams, Sierra Clark, Tessa King, Thaddeus Merten and Vivian Nowka-Keane. Name in bold indicates the staff member of the ........................................................ month as selected by the Editorial Board. Adviser Vince DeMiero FANs Coordinators Sandra Merten & Cathy Fiorillo Printing Pacific Publishing Member MTHS ASB, JEA/WJEA, NSPA, Student Press Law Center, Tao of Journalism

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Mission

Mission Statement The Hawkeye’s mission is to provide the MTHS community with quality, thought-provoking student produced publications. In policy and in practice since 1960, the Hawkeye is a designated open forum publication.

Policies

The Hawkeye has established several open public forums for the exchange of information, opinions and artistic expression dedicated to those in the MTHS community. Since 1960, we have faithfully served our audience and community as an open, public forum where student editors make all decisions. Editorials The editorial section of the Hawkeye serves as a forum for well-written, thoughtful, longer forms of expression. Signed editorials represent the opinions of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Hawkeye Editorial Board. Views printed herein are meant to be opinionated and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Hawkeye staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. The Hawkeye will print submitted guest editorials as space allows and requests that all contributors include their name, signature and position relative to the editorial. The Hawkeye will edit all submissions for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any submission. Letters to the Editor Readers are encouraged to voice their opinions in the Opinion section, a public forum for the expression of varying viewpoints on relevant topics. The Hawkeye will print as many letters as space allows. Letters must include the author’s name, signature and class or position relative to the letter. Typed or legible, hand written letters are acceptable, but should not exceed 200 words. The Hawkeye will edit all letters for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any letter. Editorial Cartoons Submissions represent the view of the artist. Editorial cartoons accompanying editorials and editorial columns represent the view of the author. Cartoons are selected based on appropriateness and clarity of message. Advertising The Hawkeye will not accept any advertising that the Editorial Board deems to be: factually inaccurate; designed to mislead, deceive or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive or unsubstantiated attacks; offering goods and/or services illegal for teens to possess, buy or use; libelous; obscene; creating imminent danger or disruption to school. The Hawkeye reserves the right to refuse any advertising, solicited or unsolicited. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of the Hawkeye staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. Revised 9/2013

reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

4 | March 2016

Hawkeye

Abstinence-only education is not the only education A

cross the nation, teachers are falling back on their abstinence-exclusive sex education and advising students to simply not have sex rather than teaching them how to have sex safely, such as using a condom or other forms of protection. According to a survey of 4,000 7th- to 12th-grade teachers, abstinence-only sex education Stephi Smith News Editor

Tessa King | Hawkeye

currently comprises 23 percent of sex education curricula in It may seem counter-intuitive to teach teenagers how U.S. public schools. The survey was conducted by the Alan to have sex in order to stop them from pregnancy and Guttmacher Insitute, a nonprofit health STIs, but in 2008 the University of research organization on the East Coast. Washington published a study that “At present, there does With almost a quarter of sex education found that teenagers who received not exist any strong evidence that any being solely “don’t have sex,” there lies a comprehensive sex education were 60 abstinence program delays problem. Students are not learning from percent less likely to be in a relationthe initiation of sex.” this practice. Instead, they’re simply havship that resulted in a pregnancy than ing unsafe sex when they could be havthose who received abstinence-only The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned ing safe sex. They could education. Pregnancy be avoiding From this data, it’s obvious that Online Report unwantsomething isn’t working. And that ed teen pregnancy and something is the idea that we live in a world where teenagthe transfer of sexually ers never have sex and if you tell them not to until marriage, transmitted infecthey’ll listen. But we don’t live in that world. tions (STIs), but We live in a world where teen pregnancy and the acquiring they aren’t educated of STIs are skyrocketing because teenagers don’t know what as to how. they’re doing and are much less likely to know how to do it The federal safely. government has What teenagers need is a comprehensive sex education consistently supcourse, complete with condoms, birth control and other ported abstinenceforms of contraceptives. only until marriage In this course, teenagers will be informed of how much programs since 1981, birth control costs, how to put on a condom, the best forms according to the of contraceptives and the advantages and disadvantages of Sexuality Information each. They’ll be given the proper materials and knowledge and Education Council and, from there, they can make their own well-informed of the United States decision. (SIECUS). In most health classes, students have received a course like Furthermore, SIECUS that, but it’s not ridiculous to assume that not every high also reports that the school is as lucky and classes are simply told to “not have federal government spent sex.” $176 million on abstiNot being educated leads to teenagers not knowing how nence only education in to properly have safe sex when it inevitably happens and 2008. increases their risk of contracting sexually transmitted Now, the federal govinfections (STIs) or becoming pregnant. ernment actually spending While teachers and administration may feel uncomfortmoney on education wouldn’t able teaching high schoolers how to have safe sex, it is necesbe a problem if the form of sary. We can’t continue to pretend that teenagers won’t have education it was funding actually sex and will steer clear from the idea because they’re told not worked. to. The government is providing money It’s ridiculous to believe that high school students will to the idea of abstinence being the only adhere to this method of waiting until marriage and it’s time solution to teen pregnancy and STI trans- to start realizing that the only way to reduce teen pregnancy fer and the only form of teaching students and STI contractions is to teach them how to have sex how to not encounter these problems. safely. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Fortunately, President Barack Obama has cut all funding Unplanned Pregnancy released a report in 2007 for abstinence-only education. With the federal government discussing what programs work in preventing no longer supporting this absurd educational practice, we teen pregnancy and STIs. The report found strong see a step in the right direction. evidence to show that abstinence-only sex education We see that the government actually cares about the edudoesn’t have any impact on teen sex. cation and is aware of the consequences of ignoring what “At present, there does not exist any strong evidence that they don’t want. any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens However, few problems are fixed with a single solution. H the return to abstinence, or reduces the number of sexual partners,” the report reads.

Hawkeye

REGISTRATION AND BEYOND Y

es, it is that time of year to start thinking about Also, with regard to post-high school planning, next year. We are registering for classes for next again, make sure you are aware of and meeting deadschool year and there are some of the things that each lines for applications for financial aid and college of you need to be thinking admission. about as you plan for next See your Counselor if you have any questions or school year and beyond. need help. Seniors – You have quite Freshmen-Juniors – Make sure you know what you a bit on your plates as you need to do in each of your classes and make sure that finish up your high school your work is caught up. careers. Financial aid appliCheck Skyward if you have any questions. Go see Greg Schwab cations, letters of recomyour teachers during PASS. Go to Study Club after Principal mendation, college applica- school. tions, SAT’s. We have lots of resources available to help you but Oh, yeah and there is all that homework and passyou need to make sure you are seeking out the help ing your classes this semester, too. you need. Also, we have begun the Your teachers work very hard to registration process for the coming “We make make sure you get to graduation in school year. It is really important decisions about June, but you still need to do your that you make wise choices about what classes to work. In the cases of students who your classes for next year. offer next year did not graduate, many of them We make decisions about what based on what started the process of checking out classes to offer next year based on students tell us way too soon and suddenly it became what students tell us they want to they want to too late to recover from the grading take. take.” hole they dug for themselves. This makes the classes you register As much as you may think it is for very important, so please be sure possible, you cannot pull out a that what you register for is what you semester’s worth of work in your classes in the last want to take! few weeks and months of the school year. If you have any questions or need any help with regMeet deadlines. Do your homework. Nothing is istration or help with your classes, please ask! more stress-producing than to have your graduation We want to help you make the most of your high status be jeopardized in June because you didn’t do school experience. H Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Administration space each issue the work you needed to do along the way. in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public Don’t do this to yourself or your family. Take care forum. of due dates and deadlines. Get help if you need it.

March 2016 | 5

THE TRIUMPH OF THE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE SPORTS BOOSTER CLUB L

ast weekend the parents of the years. MTHS Sports Booster Club Okay, so why should we all be (SBC) held the very first ever SBC grateful to these folks? Auction It’s simple math. at the It takes a lot of money to run 16 Lynnwood sports – and you may be surprised Convention about which ones are the most Center. expensive to fund. Incredibly, By having a booster club raising the auction money for our teams we have more Kim Stewart raised ASB money to give to our clubs, athletic director/activities coordinator more than activities, co-curricular groups, $50,000 music groups and arts programs. for MTHS athletic programs. This means so much to me because For those of you involved in sports now we can continue to provide difas well as those of you who may not ferent activities for all the different be enthralled with sports in general, types of student interests we have at if you are part of any Terrace. other club or activSo, to the MTHS “Okay, so why ity or ASB program Sports Booster Club! should I be here at Terrace you THANK YOU. grateful to these folks? Its simple do owe this group of THANK YOU. math. ” parents and volunTHANK YOU! H teers a word or two NOTE: Hawkeye provides of gratitude. the MTHS Athletics and Activities office space each Maybe more. issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum. With the change in not only vending income but the decline in revenue sources, the MTHS ASB budget has been taxed to the limit the last two

The need for a tight knit community A

s you might read in the story later on in this issue, I is a prime example of that. believe that Terrace has developed a lack of willingness We’ve seen sports become part of our weekly culture in little to show support for each other and to wear the Terrace pride events such as ‘Blue Friday.’ on our Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not callsleeves. ing for you to go to every game because “The power of a tight-knit I vividly that’s really hard to do (unless you hapcommunity is stronger than remember pen to be someone like Derek Rajah, in anyone will realize. It creates the golden which case, you should be commended a heartwarming culture that days of for doing so). brings people together and What we should do is aspire to comthe Rowdy culminates in a communion Irvin Zhang mend and celebrate those willing to Rooters of closeness. .” ASB Public Relations Officer don the jerseys, wear the name tags, when rep the colors and represent on behalf everyone of MTHS. looked forward to being able to show That doesn’t leave it only to just sports. This also includes off their Terrace colors and match that eagerness with their all of the many clubs that we have as well as all the other spirit and enthusiasm. That was back in my freshman year, extracurricular activities and co-curricular departments so I didn’t take advantage of what a wonderful opportunity I that we have at our school – like the drama department, for had back then. example. The power of sports is that they can unite people in a The power of a tight-knit community is stronger than anystrange and indescribable way. The creation of the 12th Man

one will realize. It creates a heartwarming culture that brings people together and culminates in a communion of closeness. I believe that we’ve become disengaged within the last year and have taken a few steps back. Even if we’ve gone backwards, that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to get back on track. All it takes is the first step forward. So next time a kick-off or tip-off comes around, whether it’s this season or, if you’re an underclassmen, next season, go ahead and put on Terrace colors and go scream your heart out for support at the football or basketball game. Go support the wrestlers as they pin their way to the postseason. Go to a play. Go to a concert. Go and … you get the point. Let’s show off why we all should be proud to be apart of MTHS. If you want to know more details concerning the lack of fandom as it comes to our men’s basketball program, make sure to read the story later on in this issue. H Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Associated Student Body space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

6 | March 2016

Hawkeye

Not-so-competitive colleges Widespread application to Ivy League colleges helps contribute to the false notion that all colleges are becoming more competitive

Story by Vivian Nowka-Keane the holistic review process. Now, no admission decisions are Graphics by Netania Rivera Hawkeye Staff

The admission process has changed at many universities to be more holistic, meaning admissions officers look at a wider variety of aspects than they used to when considering applicants. University of Washington (UW) Director of Admissions Paul Seegert said that UW uses a holistic application review that includes different aspects of the academic record, personal information, extracurricular activities and an essay, which includes a personal statement. “It’s a lot of work for students to fill out all those applications. The requirements are a little different for every university, so it’s complicated for students to keep track of all that,” Seegert said. Grades and SAT scores were the primary factors in the admittance process at UW until 2006, when they adopted

UW Applicants vs Enrollment based on residency status

“If a student has overcome a lot of obstacles in their life and made on the sole infrastructure of grades and test scores. they have still had good academic achievement, we’re able “I do not think it is more difficult in terms of what stuto take that into consideration. There are a lot of different dents have to submit. That’s been challenging for students all things students have to overcome,” Seegert said. along; the applications themselves. It’s gotten more competiAccording to Seegert, students whose parents haven’t tive at some universities, but that’s not the case with most,” graduated from college themselves or never went, or are from Seegert said. a low income family, statistically have a much more difficult UW is unique in that it does not ask for a transcript. time with academic achievement. Students fill out their entire academic record online instead, “Their achievements may be extremely impressive considerwhich is extra work but “can save stress on worrying if the ing what they overcame. Not necessarily socioeconomic facschool received the transcript,” according to Seegert. tors,” Seegert said. “We want to know about those things so Some universities require transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, we have context when reviewing an application.” writing sections/essays, a list of activities and/or a number of This is one of the key reasons the holistic application is in letters of recommendation. Some universities don’t require place. certain things but will consider them. “If we were only admitting considering the most rigorous “I think the essay is always a challenge. It might be the tipcourses and highest grades then we’d be missing out on some ping point if they hear your story. A lot of times kids don’t students who maybe do not have the same academic achieveknow where to start,” MTHS Career Specialist Barbara ment but have overcome a lot and maybe are just as impresBrister said. sive,” Seegert said. On the other hand, an essay won’t turn years worth of eduMany colleges follow a holistic approach. So, if there’s a cation around, as Seegert warns. student who challenged themselves, volunteered, participated “Don’t think that a brilliantly written application or in other activities, was a well-rounded student and simply personal statement will overcome your academic record. blew their SATs, “They really want to choose who’s going to Continue to strive to achieve your senior year,” Seegert said. be successful at their school, so you could make a convincing Grades are also more impactful than SAT or ACT scores, case that you might still,” Brister said. “If a student had bad according to Seegert. With holistic review grades freshman year, but improves later, being used by more and more universities, it shows that that student persevered and “I don’t think [SAT/ test scores continue to be considered but are colleges like to see kids who will perseACT scores] were ever not nearly as large of a factor as students vere in the college environment.” as impactful as a lot make them out to be, it’s just one of many. Students can push themselves to sucof students imagine them to be. Grades “I don’t think [SAT/ACT scores] were ceed in their classes, but once it’s time to are usually a better ever as impactful as a lot of students imagfill out the application forms, there’s not predictor of success ine them to be. Grades are usually a beta lot that can be done to improve one’s than test scores,” ter predictor of success than test scores,” chances. Paul Seegert Seegert said. “Once you’ve filled out the application... UW Director of Admissions Some universities even make applications try to be at peace with it, know that test-optional, in which case students can there’s really great opportunities. Try not choose whether or not to submit their test scores. to worry about whether you get into that one particular uniMany universities are much more concerned with what versity. There’s lots of good options out there,” Seegert said. courses a student is taking and how well they’re doing in them. Primarily, most colleges focus on academic “core” courses, such as English, math, foreign language, science and There’s been a significant increase in the number of college social studies, Seegert explained. applications nationwide, according to the National Center Seegert also mentioned that senior year is just as imporfor Education Statistics. tant, if not more so, than other years. In Seegert’s opinion, most colleges have not received any “We look specifically at senior year to see if the student more competition over the years. is continuing to challenge themselves. We look at trend in “There’s a small number of universities that more and more grades; it’s great if they’re on the rise or steady. We worry if students want to get into every year and they just keep getthey are dropping off,” Seegert said. ting more and more competitive. There’s a number of univerThe holistic approach allows admissions officers to take sities, really really great public enterprise universities across into consideration an applicant’s personal background. This the country and I’d say that for the majority of the public background can be included in the writing part of applicaand private universities across the country, it has not actually tion.

College competition

Washington Residents

International

2015 Freshman Applicants 2015 Freshman Enrollment

U.S NonResidents

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March 2016 | 7

gotten any more competitive the past few There hasn’t been an enormous change in years and there’s plenty of enrollment space competitiveness for Washington residents out there for students,” Seegert said. at UW, but it has become much more comWhether students want to go to a two or petitive for non-residents in the years that four year college, there are numerous schools Seegert has been working at UW. It has with plenty of open seats to apply for. “... also become slightly more competitive for students from many different backgrounds Washington residents, according to Seegert. are able to be comBecause UW petitive when they has a “quota” to fill apply,” according with applicants, “Once you’ve filled out the to Seegert. Washington resiapplication...try to be at peace Seegert believes dents, non-residents with it, know that there’s really great opportunities. Try not to that getting into and international worry about whether or not a more competistudents “compete” you get into that one particular tive school isn’t as against only those university. There’s lots of good important as it’s in their residency options out there.” made out to be. groups for accepPaul Seegert “Some of it is tance. UW Director of Admissions human nature UW has enrolland people somement goals for the times want the best and there is a notion three different groups, the most enrollment out there… that a university that is harder spaces available being for Washington resito get into must be a better university and dents. UW’s administration office is given that is not necessarily true. So, in some ways, enrollment goals every year and they make just competitiveness begets competitiveness, offers of admission to try to hit these goals. so the more competitive they get, the more Acceptance rates last year were 66 percent students want to go to them and then they for Washington residents, 53 percent for become even more competitive, so it becomes non-residents and 39 percent for internakind of a vicious cycle for some [universities]. tional students. They’re also very good universities; they tend to be very well endowed, pretty well funded, have world renowned faculties and research and excellent students, but they’re not the only universities that have those qualities,” Much of the application process has moved Seegert said. online, making it easier for applicants. Acceptance rates were affected differently “A lot of times I don’t even see the students for the varying residencies. Non-residents applying because they can just do it on their are those who do not live in the state of the own online and they don’t really need a lot of university and international students. help from me,” Brister said. “It’s been mainly in the non-residents She also added that if students have quesgroup where we’ve seen the rise in applications, many of their answers canw be found tions. The number of enrollment spaces for online. Washington residents at UW has stayed The Common Application, of which fairly steady over the years,” Seegert said.

Changes to the application process

More colleges are becoming harder to get into as they become more competitive

UW doesn’t use, is a shared application of for students applying for college. When it 625 universities, most of which are private comes to filling out applications, admission universities, though there are some public officers can’t help, but high school counselors universities that use it, according to the can. In addition, a number of teachers are Common Applications website.. willing to proofread an essay or write a letter Starting next year, UW will be on the of recommendation. national Coalition Application. When stuEdmonds Community College (EdCC) dents apply to UW, some of that informahas extended their outreach to MTHS and tion can be shared information with other come every Wednesday to answer students’ universities part of the Coalition to make it questions about college and other options easier to apply to various universities. than EdCC. Students can talk to their “We hope that it will make it easier for school counselor about the many opportunisome students to apply to [UW],” Seegert ties available for applying for college or pursaid about the switch to the Coalition. suing education after high school. For a freshman application, the UW appliA four year university isn’t the only option cation deadline is December available to students. 1. Final decisions are sent Brister made it clear that out in the middle of March. high school staff does not “If a student had bad Students who are offered try to promote college as grades freshman year, admission have until May 1 the only viable option for but improves later, it to accept their offer. students, because there shows that that student persevered and colleges Other universities have are other opportunities like to see kids who will different deadlines and such as full-time jobs, persevere in the college some have more than one. the military and other environment.” Some universities have priforms of further educaBarbara Brister ority and action deadlines, tion through training MTHS Career Specialist but they all give admitted programs. Brister sugstudents until May 1 to gests community college accept their invitation. A priority deadline is for students who aren’t sure about their postan early application that increases chances of high school plans. acceptance and scholarships. An early action “Some of the people that work in this deadline guarantees a quicker response time building didn’t think that they were college from the college. Students can check on material, but then realized later that they individual schools’ websites for their deadwanted to [attend college] and it was much lines. harder once they left to go back and do it. If “Students really need to be mindful of the you don’t know what to do, it’s a really good timeline of the deadlines they need for the idea to keep exploring through a community colleges they apply for,” Brister said. college or a technical school,” Brister added. Some colleges accept applications any time Brister said that many students have if they have more seats to fill. trouble knowing what they want to do after high school. She suggested that they learn more about themselves through volunteering and seeing what kind of work environment Counselors at school are another resource they like. H

Resources

8 | March 2016

The Terrace Idol

How to

Hawkeye

many talented singers showcase their skills at terrace idol each year... what does it take for you to be one of them? By Max Tracy lifestyle editor

There’s a certain feeling you get when you’re on a stage. Whether it’s the raised platform, the dozens of faces staring back, or a combination of them both, performing is an art in and of itself. Ever since its inception 10 years ago, Terrace Idol has been a consistently popular event that gives students across the district a chance to go up on stage and perform using song, dance and instruments to the best of their ability. Terrace Idol is an annual event held in February of each school year, put on by the senior class ASB of that respective year. It’s a competition open to students of any high school in the Edmonds School District (ESD), and is modeled in close fashion to popular singing contests such as “American Idol.” Around twenty contestants are selected each year from those who audition. From there, the pack gets thinned down to ten in the semifinals, five finalists and, in the end, one final winner and one “People’s Champion” winner voted on by the audience.

What the judges look for So how does someone win Terrace Idol? The judging is, of course, subjective, but there are many attributes it takes for someone to be a winner.

For one, it’s not simply about having the best voice. “We’re looking for talent, we’re looking for presentation, we’re looking for pitch, we’re looking for energy; we’re looking for a performer,” Terrace Idol judge Susan Dolacky said. Dolacky has been involved with music and dance for many decades, has a Master of Music degree, and taught at Shoreline Community College in the music department for almost 40 years. She has been a judge at Terrace Idol a few times in the past and was one of the three judges of Terrace Idol 2016. The judges are of utmost importance, as they’re the ones who decide who advances in the competition and who doesn’t. Impressing them is the best bet for “You just gotta anyone wanting move onto have fun with it... the next round. Even if you’re Judges score each particinervous, just go pant according to certain all out and that’s aspects based on a judging all you really rubric. gotta do.” These aspects include Kyle Llarenas interpretation (how well Senior do they make the song their own), stage presence (including connection with audience, emotion, and confidence), vocal quality (voice control, tone and intonation), and the overall performance. To hit this wide range of criteria, one must practice. “[Performing] is something you have to practice,” Dolacky said. “There has to be a certain energy and excitement and love to want to be up there rather than

The short list of what it takes to win... • Practice your performance until you have it memorized Junior Maddy Caiola sings lavishing rendition of “Domino” by Jessie J for her final performance. vivian nowka-keane | Hawkeye

• Know what movement you want to make on stage • Build confidence in yourself • Take lessons from professionals if possible

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March 2016 | 9

[in the crowd].” Advice for obtaining these qualities isn’t always clear cut. Singing, dancing, and stage performance all contain high amounts of nuance, but there are certain points that can be practiced and perfected to put forth a higher quality performance. “Common advice is to really know your music well, know your choreography well and with those build the word confidence,” Dolacky said. “When you go out there and perform you just sometimes, all of a sudden, your mind can go blank, but if you’ve been practicing enough it comes automatically.”

Although as Dolacky commented, there can be some barriers when getting into a field like this. “The arts are not cheap. These people out here singing, I would say there’s a big majority of them that take private lessons that cost money, or dance classes that cost money,” Dolacky said. “If you really think you’re interested in this field, start now.”

But in the end, Terrace Idol is an enjoyable event that always carries an upbeat atmosphere with it. Some of the best moments are when contestants are simply having fun on stage. “You just gotta have fun with it,” Llarenas said. “Even if you’re nervous, just go all out and that’s all you really gotta do.” H

The process To participate in Terrace Idol, one must be selected from the auditions. This year, any ESD student could audition by way of live auditions at MTHS or by sending in a short clip of them singing to those running Terrace Idol. “When you audition, make sure you’re very confident, and go in there and look like you know what you’re doing; make sure that you pick a song that really makes you look good,” Terrace Idol finalist and senior Kyle Henderson said. “When you go out there and perform you just sometimes, all of a sudden, your mind can go blank, but if you’ve been practicing enough it comes automatically.” Susan Dolacky Terrace Idol Judge

If one makes it into Terrace Idol, that’s where the hair raising stage performances happen. How well someone performs and how much the judges like that person’s performance are the factors which determine if they will make it to the next round. “If you don’t make it, don’t let that get to you… it’s definitely a great experience and I love it so much. I encourage everyone to do it and just stay positive through it because it’s a fun experience and being on stage is just so fun.” Terrace Idol winner and junior Maddy Caiola said. Caiola speaks from experience, as she participated in Terrace Idol three times before she won the competition. While the judges ultimately choose the winner of Terrace Idol, the People’s Champion award is won by audience pick. It generally takes popular support and good fan base to win this one, which is well characterized by the winner this year, senior Kyle Llarenas. He performed popular songs, included dancing, and had many exciting parts to his performance, such as when he threw money into the air during the debut of his original song, “So Good.” Despite some of the technicalities, the most consistently repeated advice from judges and Terrace Idol participants is that practice is extremely important, and confidence is key. “You need to love it; it’s like playing the piano, if you’re not willing to sit down at the piano, put on a timer and play at least 30 minutes without getting up, [then] you After throwing dollar bills into the air, Senior Kyle Llarenas continues singing as the money rains from the sky. Stage presence is one of don’t want it bad enough,” Dolacky said. “Students who the main categories that the judges score contestants on. vivian nowka-keane | Hawkeye want to do something like this have a love for it.”

10 | March 2016

Sexual Assault

“

Hawkeye

Sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient

By Samantha Svikel

help me.’ It is not about always saying help me or not, it is about respecting everybody’s space,” school psychologist Julie Schwab said. More than one out of four 12- to 14-yearThe National Center also reported that if olds are sexually assaulted – 26 percent – in America. the victim is drugged, drunk, unconscious, Approximately 1.8 million children and or too young or mentally disabled to be teenagers in the United States have been legally able to consciously agree to sexual victims of sexual assault and 35.8 percent contact, this also counts as sexual assault. of sexual assaults happen between the ages Somewhere in America, statistically of 12 and 17. Additionally, teenagers 16- to a woman is raped every two minutes. 19-years-old are more than three and oneHowever, women with disabilities are raped third times more likely to be victims of rape, and abused at a rate at least twice that of attempted rape or sexual assault compared the general population, according to the to adults. Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault These startling statistics, provided by the Programs (WCSAP). U.S Department of Justice (DOJ), show the Nelson commented that students should risks of being victim to be informed on safe “Educating parents and sexual assault that stusex and know the conhaving parents support their dents face as teenagers. sequences behind their kids [is important] because For students and actions. you know we educate from staff at Terrace, those “If a kid has a questhe school angle, but they national statistics have tion about sex in class, also have a role to make become all too real. I will answer it. They sure their kids are safe, In January, a male deserve to know the whether it’s out on dates or MTHS student was answer. I’ve never had a at parties.” arrested under suskid learn about things Julie Schwab picion that he sexulike this and then run MTHS Psychologist ally assaulted a female out and have sex. But student on campus. I have had a lot of While the suspect was emergency expelled, kids go out and have sex when they did not Principal Greg Schwab said that he and understand these things,” Nelson said. MTHS staff are seriously examining whether the assault could have been prevented. Hawkeye Staff

What is sexual assault? Sexual assault is when a person forces another person to perform a sexual act without consent, as defined by the National Center for Victims of Crime, also referred to as the National Center. This includes touching the victim in inappropriate areas, which is often also considered rape. “[I would describe sexual assault as] any unwanted sexual behavior. It could even be words,” psychology teacher Kimberly Nelson said. Even if a person has had sex before or is in the middle of having sex, he or she can change his or her mind at anytime and say no, and if his or her partner refuses to stop that is also considered sexual assault, according to the National Center. “I talk to students who have been sexually assaulted at a party and one of the hardest things they go through is, ‘I was there with my friends. My friends said that I didn’t look like I didn’t want this or that I didn’t say

risk-taking, exposure to sexually explicit media, hostility towards women, hyper-masculinity, suicidal behavior and prior cases of sexual victimization or perpetration, according to the CDC. “These factors increase the likelihood of someone becoming a perpetrator is they do not understanding empathy. Understanding how your behavior affects other people,”

”

Nelson said. There are also different family factors which put someone more at risk to become a perpetrator, such as a family environment including physical violence and conflict or a childhood history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. In addition, the CDC reported that communities with higher levels of poverty, lack of employment, tolerance of sexual violence

Hawkeye

March 2016 | 11

Taking a look into the act, the perpetrators, the toll on the victim and prevention and lack of institutional support from police and the judicial system have a higher risk of sexual assaults. Societal norms that support sexual violence, male superiority and sexual entitlement paired with weak laws and policies related to sexual violence and gender equity also create a greater risk within a community, the CDC reported.

“I don’t think our community is any more impacted than others. A few years back the police got this huge grant to address the domestic violence in Mountlake Terrace. It was about 15-20 years ago. It was to put domestic education activities in the classrooms, and how to deal with domestic violence, how kids can get help,” Nelson said.

Sexual assault by the numbers

Who are perpetrators? Many victims are assaulted by someone they know, such as a date, acquaintance, boyfriend/girlfriend or a friend, according to the National Center. According to the DOJ, approximately one in five female high school students have reported being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. In addition, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) reported that 74 percent of adolescents who have been sexually assaulted were victimized by someone who knew them well, and one out of five were assaulted by a family member. There are many risk factors which make an individual more likely to become a perpetrator, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These factors include alcohol and drug use, delinquency, the inability to be empathetic, aggression and early sexual fantasies. In addition, these individuals often display preference for impersonal sex and sexual

How do victims respond?

victims of sexual assault and 6,252 secondary sexual assault victims. More than 33 percent of women in Washington state have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. An estimated 63 percent of sexual assaults There are a number of ways suggested to are never reported to the police, according to prevent sexual violence in dating relationthe NSVRC. ships. Set boundaries for what a person can Reasons for this include that the victims and cannot do, communicate boundaries are afraid of the possible outcomes: people with your partner clearly and make sure they won’t believe them, the perpetrators understand. may take revenge, they will be blamed, According to the NSVRC, prevention is or that there won’t be enough evidence possible through promoting safe behaviors, to prove the assault, according to the thoughtful policies and healthy relationships NSVRC. In addition, victims may feel throughout the community. As individupressure from others not to tell, disals, it said that people can intervene to stop trust law enforcement, or feel the need problematic or disrespectful behavior and to protect the perpetrators. believe victims’ stories, as well as help them According to the CDC, victims’ find the resources they need. responses to sexual assault can be varCommunities can further these prevention ied. They may feel efforts by creating hopeless about policies to promote ““If a kid has a question about whether anything safety, equality and sex in class, I will answer it. They can be done. This respect, assessing deserve to know the answer. I’ve might translate the risks in their never had a kid learn about things into fear, anxiety, environment, suplike this and then run out and have shame, anger, porting victims and sex. But I have had a lot of kids go sadness, loneliholding perpetrators out and have sex when they did not ness, betrayal accountable. understand these things.” or depression. “I know that there Kimberly Nelson Victims may also is sexual harassment Psychology teacher feel bad about that happens all the themselves or time at school. We their bodies, or try to address it and feel afraid to go anywhere the attacker try to stop it. I do think there is less obvious might be. sexual harassment than there used to be,” In the event that someone you know Nelson said. is sexually assaulted, school psycholoPrimary prevention efforts address root gist Julie Schwab suggested to get the causes of sexual violence. This approach victim the support that he or she needs, shifts the responsibility of prevention to especially to help them tell their parsociety and off of victims. ents or get into contact with another Julie Schwab said she believes preventing trusted adult, whether it is a youth sexual assault comes with education. leader, a counselor or school psycholo“I think there is multi-faceted prevention, gist. I think it is in part education and it is edu“It is not just the immediate assault, cation at the pre-teen and teen level to talk but it is the long term psychological about how to respect others, how to respect damage that I would want to make yourself. But it is also educating how to look sure that [a victim] is getting [help for]. out for your friends and how to support one [That experience] is always going to be another,” Schwab said. a part of you,” Schwab said. In addition, Schwab said educating parents is important. “Educating parents and having parents support their kids [is important] because you know we educate from the school angle, but they also have a role to make sure their kids According to WCSAP, in 2013, are safe, whether it’s out on dates or at parcommunity sexual assault programs ties,” Schwab said. H in Washington served 13,442 primary

How can sexual assault be prevented?

Netania rivera | Hawkeye

12 | March 2016

Hawkeye

Bringing enthusiasm into education:

After several years without utilizing his true passions, Bazant finally made his way into the classroom - and loves it

Adam Bazant

Story by Paxtyn Merten Editor-in-cheif

Imagine you are in Rome, standing nearby as a man reads out of his Rick Steves’ Italy Travel guide and attempts to describe the significance of a monument to his family while pointing at the wrong one. You intervene and point out that he’s actually looking at a different monument, but before he can get flustered you strike up a conversation with the family and begin to discuss ancient Rome. They are fascinated by your wealth of knowledge and before you know it, you have walked the length of the plaza with them and explained each art and architectural piece along the way. This was common practice for history teacher Adam Bazant when he lived in Rome. A couple of days each week, he would accidentally become someone’s free tour guide for the day. “I like people to know and appreciate what’s in front of them,” Bazant said. “It’s definitely cool to look at something and know the context under which this thing was created and just appreciate it for what it is. Us human beings, we created this.” Bazant’s dual passions for history and teaching are what brought him to MTHS, where he has channeled his passion into an enthusiastic classroom demeanor as he walks his students through world history.

Family background While Bazant was born in Tacoma, his family originally lived in Poland and immigrated to the United States nine months before Bazant was born. When the Polish Solidarity movement emerged in the 1980s to fight communism, more than 90 percent of Poland joined this underground, peaceful uprising to overthrow the government. While Bazant’s family still lived in Poland, his father was heavily involved in the movement and served as vice president of the electrical and railroad unions. In 1982, when Solidarity became a threat to communism and Russian influence in Poland, the communists declared martial law and, over the course of a couple of days, imprisoned all of the Solidarity leaders. Bazant’s father was caught on the second night of Martial law and put into prison for about a year. “That man is incredible. Just to imagine what he went

History teacher Adam Bazant instructs his World History 9 class. Bazant has been teaching for three years, though this is his first year teaching full-time at MTHS. Luke Smith | Hawkeye

Hawkeye through in a communist prison. They’ve got stories of the secret police quite literally setting my dad up to kill him,” Bazant said. When martial law was lifted, his father was released, but he was blacklisted, meaning he couldn’t work and was ostracized from the community. He was given a oneway visa out of the country, as were many other ex-prisoners, in a communist attempt to get all solidarity leaders out. So, in March of 1983, Bazant’s father, mother

Exploring Rome

March 2016 | 13 and two brothers made their way to Tacoma. religion, nothing,” Bazant said. Bazant’s father eventually landed a job in His father only had $10 to his name and the Red Lion Hotels neither of his parents concierge department could speak English, “Imagine getting thrown into prison and kicked out of your until it went out of so his family relied on country and moving somewhere business and was sold. welfare to keep them where you have no idea [of] He spent one night afloat for a couple of the culture, the language, the and two days waiting years. religion, nothing.” in line at a job fair for “Picture it: my mom Adam Bazant an interview, and out of was 21 years old when World History Teacher that he was hired at the this happened. . . Scott Paper Company in Everett, which was Imagine getting thrown into prison and the world’s leading manufacturer of paper kicked out of your country and moving somewhere where you tissue products before it was acquired by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. have no idea [of] the culBazant’s father moved his family up to ture, the language, the Snohomish and bought a house in 1989. He retired with Kimberly-Clark in 2012, only two years before they went out of business. Bazant said his father impacted him immensely. “He’s the most selfless man I’ve ever met in my life. Quite literally, he will wear one pair of shoes for 10 years and give us everything he has. It’s incredible to see that work ethic, that level of individualism, just complete sacrifice and selflessness for

History teacher Adam Bazant used to give tours in Rome, starting at the Roman Forum and sometimes progressing through Palatine Hill, which included ancient roman sites such as the Colosseum. Netania Rivera | Hawkeye

those that you love. It’s quite inspiring and that work ethic was instilled in me,” Bazant said. “Appreciating the sacrifices he made for me and my brothers, I don’t want to let him down. I owe everything to that man.” Due to his family’s heritage, Bazant’s first language is Polish and his family still holds onto all of their Polish customs. Bazant’s family couldn’t return to Poland until after 1989, but in 1994 they went back for about a month, “meeting the old world.”

World traveler Bazant lived in and traveled Europe intermittently between 2005 and 2007, adding up to about a year overall. He mainly lived in Rome but also spent time in France, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Bazant was in Europe to study abroad and to travel for the sake of traveling. He studied the French Revolution in Paris and learned to speak Italian in Italy, and otherwise traveled independently. “I’ve always loved history, but to experience it, to see it, to live it, I mean it’s definitely something that’s unforgettable,” Bazant said. While living in Rome, he had an apartment about a block away from Vatican City. He also spent time living in the EUR district outside the walls of Rome. “I wanted to emulate as much as possible being a Roman, living in Italy and just experiencing it. Not being a tourist, but being an Italian,” he said. Bazant said often went to the Roman Forum, a plaza at the center of the city which features the ruins of government buildings from ancient Rome. “I spent a lot of time in the forum on my own just studying the pieces, studying the architecture and just visualizing. I was standing in the capital of the greatest empire in the history of the world up until this point,” Bazant said. “I was standing in the capital. I stood where the caesar would announce to the people and I saw where the caesars would sleep, and just being a part of that, it’s incredible.” Spending so much time in the forum is how he ended up serving as a tour guide. These tours often started by accident, just by talking to other people in the forum. Bazant would walk them through the forum and then, if the tourists wanted, they could pay his way and have him accompany them into the Palatine Hill, one of the most continued on page 14...

14 | March 2016

Hawkeye

Schwab: “He’s a self-described history nerd.” as a financial services advisor, which kind of created an environment that’s he enjoyed because it allowed him to extremely welcoming and are people that educate others on something he loved: I enjoy.” financing. However, Bazant was on a noncon“Financial services, you’re working tinuing contract, which ended at the with people, you’re educating them, end of the school year and he got a job you’re coming up with a plan to enrich at Skyline High School in the Issaquah and better their School lives,” Bazant said. District, on “This is my castle. I get to present the history the way that I understand yet another He entered the the history, the way that I want you market at the noncontinuing guys to see the history. . . My job is wrong time and contract. to be a historian and then to pass was only in this Schwab that knowledge onto my students industry for two stayed in and inspire them.” years before it fell contact with Adam Bazant through and he Bazant during WORLD history TEACher had to rethink his this time. career options. “There was something about him that From there he got into a job selling was like, ‘I need to keep in touch with advertisements. He called 100 busithis guy. I need to keep him around in nesses a day, reciting the same script the event that there’s another opening over and over again. later on, because I think he’s a guy that “It was a nightmare. I felt that my we’re going to want to have,’” Schwab intelligence was waning every single said. Bazant’s life career has not always been day, that I wasn’t bettering myself as a So, when there was an opening in centered on teaching. In fact, he has only human being,” Bazant said. “I wasn’t the MTHS staff this year, Schwab been a teacher for the past three years, exploiting what really made me happy, told Bazant that he would love it if he despite the fact that he graduated college which is, I love history. I genuinely love applied for it. Bazant had to do a formal nearly nine years ago in 2007. history and I genuinely love teaching. interview with a committee consisting After graduating from Snohomish It just kind of took experiencing life of Schwab and a few history department High School in 2002, Bazant without that to really get back to it and teachers. went straight to the University of figure myself out.” “Everybody just loved him and it was Washington. When he earned his bachIn January 2011, Bazant made a decijust really clear that this was the guy elor’s degree in history, Bazant wasn’t sion. He applied to the police academy we needed to hire,” Schwab said. “More sure what he wanted to do and didn’t and he applied to graduate school, ready than anything else, what struck us about even consider teaching as a profession. to take either option. him was just the enthusiasm and the Whatever job he got out of college, he Graduate school won out, and soon passion that he brought to the interview “was going to make a lot of money doing enough, Bazant decided to pursue a and that he’s brought to his teaching it.” Thus Bazant was dissuaded from career as a teacher. here.” pursuing teaching as a career due to After graduate school, Bazant was Bazant was hired back to MTHS full the perceived low salary that educators able to get his first true teaching time this year on another noncontinumake. job. To start, he taught part-time at ing contract, but a midyear resignation “The problem is, when you’re in high Meadowdale Middle School in the 2013- allowed Schwab to put Bazant on a conschool, you don’t 14 school year. tinuing contract. know what a That same year, “I’m just thrilled to have him here. “He wants to help out lot of money is. wherever he can help out there was an openHe’s done such a great job this year and and he’s just energetic and Naturally, you ing at MTHS for a he’s a real positive addition to the staff,” enthusiastic and I think he fits have these preconWorld History 9 class Schwab said. in really well here with the ceived notions in first period, second When the women’s JV soccer coach other teachers that we have on semester, according your head of what had to resign due to family health reaour staff.” you should be to Principal Greg sons near the beginning of the season, Greg Schwab making out of colSchwab. Schwab Schwab said he asked Bazant if he Principal lege. My notions reached out to the would take the coaching job. were, ‘I should be making six figures. other principals in the district to find Bazant replied, “Well, I have a Easily,’” Bazant said. a part-time teacher who could fill the Sounders jersey, does that count?” Still, Knowing he couldn’t make that much opening and the Meadowdale Middle Bazant filled the coaching role and, starting out in a teaching profession, School principal recommended Bazant. according to Schwab, did a really outBazant primarily worked in sales. He So, Schwab hired him to fill the role. standing job. initially started working an inside soft“In my one semester here two years “He wants to help out wherever he ware sales job in downtown Seattle, ago, [MTHS] was just stunning,” can help out and he’s just energetic and which consisted of selling software to Bazant said. “The social studies departenthusiastic and I think he fits in really small and large businesses. He did this ment, [Michole] Mattix, [Chris] well here with the other teachers that we for about six months before he got a job Ellinger, [Erin] Grambush, they just have on our staff,” Schwab said. ...continued from page 11

ancient parts of the city. This included a number of ancient sites, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. He tended to top off the tours with his favorite gelato spot. Sometimes he redirected his impromptu pupils to some of the less touristy areas to set them up with a more authentic Roman dinner, and then would be on his way. While Bazant didn’t pursue teaching as a career immediately after his time spent in Italy, he said giving tours fed his passion for teaching. “I don’t know if [giving tours] propelled me into teaching, but it definitely solidified that I loved doing this,” he said.

Businessman turned teacher

Hawkeye

March 2016 | 15

Energizing the classroom Above all, it is obvious by the manner in which he talks about his work that Bazant is exhilarated by his ability to, as a teacher, simultaneously be an instructor and a historian. “This is my castle. I get to present the history the way that I understand the history, the way that I want you guys to see the history. My job is to be a historian and then to pass that knowledge on to my students and inspire them and hopefully get people to enjoy history and appreciate life and where we’re at today because it’s all a consequence of what we experienced in the past,” Bazant said. Schwab noted that Bazant’s passion for history and teaching translate into a level of enthusiasm in his classroom. “He’s incredibly knowledgeable on his content. I mean, he’s a self-described history nerd. He loves what he teaches. The other thing is that intangible quality, just the energy and enthusiasm that he brings to the position and the passion that he brings to teaching,” Schwab said. “I think the students that have been in his classes have really gotten a great experience because of it.” Beyond his passion for history, Bazant loves being a teacher for the fulfillment it brings him. “I’ve had students from Skyline last year shooting me emails, asking me how I’m doing, telling me how much they enjoyed my class, and that feels good. You can see the difference when those students come back,” he said. In addition, he sees his role as something beyond just teaching history: he is setting up citizens in the process. “We live in a pseudo democracy. We make decisions and we need to make educated decisions. So, that’s part of it too, I want to live in a society where we have a bunch of smart people that can make informed decisions, that know how to think, not just react, but know how to think, know how to ask questions, know how to look answers up beyond just Wikipedia,” Bazant said. He said he attempts to do this by relating historical information back to what is happening in current times. In addition, he employs various teaching styles to try to accommodate all students. His class structure includes lectures, primary source analysis, small group discussions of open ended questions, subsequent larger class discussions, coloring exercises and propaganda exercises, among other things. “You just need to have a tool chest and you need to use all the tools that are available to you to try to reach everybody and then just encourage people,” Bazant said. He especially emphasizes class discussions. “History demands conversation. History demands controversy. Because there’s what happened, which nobody knows what happened exactly, even if you were there, and then you’ve got stories and interpretations of what happened. So it’s like a big mystery and our job is to figure out what happened, like detectives,” he said. The end goal, of course, is to get students engaged in history “There’s a handful of people that I can probably look at and say, ‘I haven’t gotten to those kids yet. They couldn’t care less about history, yet.’ But that’s the challenge. There are kids who are highly engaged and there are kids who aren’t there yet and my job is to get everybody engaged,” Bazant said. H

Bazant enjoed visiting Roman ruins like the Colosseum during his time studying abroad in Rome. Photo courtesy of Adam Bazant

Adam Bazant

• Speaks Polish, English and Italian • Graduated from Snohomish High School in 2002 • Lived in Europe for a year intermittently between 2005 and 2007 • Graduated from the University of Washington in 2007 • Worked in sales and financial services before pursuing a career as a teacher • Taught World History 9 at MTHS for one semester in 2014 • Worked at Skyline High School for a year before getting hired full-time at MTHS this school year

16 | MARCH 2016

Winter Sports WRAP-UP

Hawkeye

Men’s Swim Freshman Colton Harn rises out of the water to breathe as he competes in the 100 meter breaststroke. Stories by Irvin Zhang Sports editor

he men’s swimming team took a huge hit when nowalumnus Sam Armentrout, who had made it to the state tournament for swimming the year before, graduated. With that, the Hawks didn’t have too many high expectations but,w as always, they were going to try to get the most out of the season that they could. “Realistically, we met our expectations but not our goals,”

Jack Fiorillo | Hawkeye

senior swim captain Joey May said. “I feel like we were able to reach the expectations and do as well as I thought we’d be able to do at the district tournament.” For May, he felt like the middle stretch of the regular season seemed to be the toughest because of fatigue as well as not being able to shave any time off of his event. The Hawks finished with a team record of 1-6-0 in conference, 1-9-0 overall. Despite all of that, the Hawks still had a chance to make it to the regional tournament.

“I think the third quarter is what really got us. We only had three [points] while they had 15 [points],” head coach Nalin Sood said. “They’ve got good players and they play as a team. If we could’ve sustained things a little bit longer, we would’ve been in the top-eight but kudos to Bellevue,” Sood said. MTHS has long been known for its men’s basketball team. The Hawks are just a few years removed from being back-to-back state participants down at the Tacoma Dome. Last season, head coach Nalin Sood and the team hit a rough patch and came out with a losing record of 6-14 overall – one of the few sub-.500 seasons in recent history. The Hawks were motivated this year from that feeling of losing and it made them want to bounce back and have a breakout year, which is precisely what they did. “One of our goals was to be better than last year. Last year wasn’t what we expected. We didn’t have a great season and we wanted to be Senior Shimron Masih goes up strong in the face of two Arlington defenders better than last year. We accomplished that. during a regular season matchup. The Hawks went on to win this game, 60-42, Our biggest goal was to make it to state and to the Dome. We’re in the process of that and contributing to their 14-6 regular season record. Jack Fiorillo | Hawkeye we need to keep our eyes on the prize,” senior Shimron Masih said prior to Saturday’s loss. ith the 43-35 loss to the Bellevue Wolverines in the The Hawks flipped their regular season record from their regional round of the state tournament on Saturday, previous season, coming out at 14 wins to just 6 losses. the Hawks season is officially over.

Men’s Basketball

“We had a chance to make it to regionals. We needed fourth place at districts and we ended up placing fifth,” May said. Optimism is still there for the Hawks as May points out. “I feel like the team has grown a lot. A lot of the individuals have come into their own and improved their strokes. They’ve started to come into their own and become much better swimmers than they were in previous years,” May said. H

“We really wanted a big change. We wanted to make it to state and (wanted) to get to the Dome. We just need to stay focused right now,” sophomore standout Khyree Armstead said last week. Armstead in particular has played a huge part in helping the Hawks reach their level of success with his stout defense and high basketball IQ. “I just go out there and do my job and have fun. My role isn’t different than anyone. I go and get buckets and play hard defense,” Armstead said. Head coach Nalin Sood’s mentality of “next man up” has really brought out the most of the Hawks’ potential, elevating the level of play from juniors Daniel Johnson and Carson Dallas, as well as sustaining high level of production from seniors Shimron Masih, Gabe Altenberger and Derek Anyimah. With just four seniors on this team, the future of men’s basketball appears to be in good shape. “I’m excited for their future. They have great talent and a great IQ. All of the young guys stepped up and we got some talented new guys as well. They’re going to do big things,” Masih said. And for those four seniors who have spent the last four years being brought up in this program, coach Sood couldn’t have been prouder of their efforts. “Gabe [Powter], Gabe [Altenberger], Shimron [Masih], and Derek [Anyimah], they are just phenomenal young men. 25 years from now, you’ll see tremendous success from each and every one of them. They’ve been the highlight of my coaching career,” Sood said. H

Hawkeye

women’s Basketball

The lone senior and co-captain Claire Zucker sizes up her defender and attempts to take her off the dribble and het the Hawks’ offense going. Jacob Allard | Hawkeye

March 2016 | 17

he women’s basketball program faced a huge challenge heading into the season. Not only did they have a young, new head coach in Jesica Anissipour, they also had a relatively young team equipped with only the veteran leadership of one senior, Claire Zucker. The Hawks finished with a slightly improved record from the previous year, 0-12 in conference, 2-18 overall, getting one more win than they did before despite all of the extra distractions and bumps that were ahead of them going into the season. “Record-wise, we didn’t get to where we wanted to be,” junior Jorie Lambert said. “One goal for us was to find ourselves leadership wise, and towards the end of the season, we definitely developed more leaders on the court. We built better

chemistry. By playing with one another this season, I can say that everything felt all right.” The record may not look great but it can certainly be said that the program is on the rise. After this season is over, although the team will lose a key player in Zucker, she will be the only player gone after this year. This means that the core group will stay relatively the same and can continue to build on that chemistry. The rest of the team is composed of two juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen. “I think that the girls on this squad have a lot of potential and that we can go really far. Like my coach always says, ‘our time is coming,’ and I think those girls that are sophomores right now will be somewhere in the postseason when their senior season comes around,” Lambert said. H

Wrestling

Senior Chaplyn Mack (160lbs) had a dominating final season, finishing his wrestling career with a berth at state. Mack was one of three MTHS wrestlers at the state tournament. Jacob Allard | Hawkeye

he expectations weren’t high for Terrace wrestling coming into the season. In fact, not a lot of people knew what to expect from the Hawks coming into the year. “Going into the season, we didn’t have too many expectations. In fact, we didn’t really know how well we were going to do. After the first matches, we realized that we could actually have a winning record this year and then we actually ended up accomplishing that,” senior Ilai Wilson said. Wilson and senior Gene An both said that the telling point of the Hawks’ potential to succeed in the season and offseason was during one of their very first matches against the eventual state champion Arlington High School. “Our first duel was against Arlington [High School] which ended up taking state later on in the season,” An said. “Keeping [our hard schedule in the beginning of the year] in mind, throughout the year, we realized as the newcomers got the hang of things

that we could get a winning record as well as make some noise at [the state tournament].” Despite the low number of wrestlers, the Hawks were still able to achieve success as a team. They finished the regular season in third place in the Wesco 3A South Conference with a winning record of 4-2 in conference, 7-5 overall. In addition to that, the Hawks were able to send three senior wrestlers to state: Gene An (113), Chaplyn Mack (160) and Ilai Wilson (220). “It’s unreal. You hear about it all the time and really, high school wrestling is all about getting to [the Tacoma Dome]. That’s the epitome of the regular season,” An said. “Just getting there down there on the floor and to have your hand raised in front of all those people, it’s a one of a kind experience. You feel so small and so big at the same time when you’re down there.” Out of the three wrestlers, it seemed like Wilson had the highest expectations for what he could do at the Dome. Wilson

would finish placing sixth in his weight category of 220. “The overall Dome experience was really great and being able to wrestle with my friends was great. I was disappointed in the outcome. All in all, I was expecting to do better and I just didn’t do what was needed,” Wilson said. Each of the three wrestlers had their own individual struggles. An’s struggle was primarily due to an injury on his right arm, forcing him to basically wrestle with only one arm. “It’s kind of the story of my season because there was never a point in the season where I was 100 percent. Overall, I’d say the biggest umbrella word for how it was, was that it was frustrating. Never being at 100 percent but yet still trying to give 110 percent was frustrating. It became a mindset for me so that even if my body isn’t doing everything I want it to, I’m still going to try my best,” An said. An went 1-2 at the Tacoma Dome thus not

allowing him to place. There were high hopes for Mack and what he’d be able to accomplish at the state tournament. After winning his first match, it all seemed to slip away as his teammates described “a different wrestler” seemed to take place of Mack. “The expectations for Chaplyn [Mack] were really high. After his first match, he had mentioned that he felt a little slow despite his victory. His next few matches, I wouldn’t say he fell apart but I will say he wasn’t the normal Chaplyn,” An said. An said he wrestled less aggressively than usual. “The normal Chaplyn is full aggressive, never stop shooting. In his second and third match, he played conservative and wasn’t the same wrestler. When I talked to him, he said that it could’ve been the atmosphere of the Dome and that it got to his head,” An said. Mack would also finish 1-2 and did not place in his weight class. H

18 | MARCH 2016

The Importance of Home Court Advantage

Hawkeye

Attendance at games has dwindled over the past two years By Irvin Zhang

Association (NBA), through staThe men’s basketball program is tistics released by NBA.com, it was has earned a spot in the post-season shown that from 1998-2008, the in eight of the past nine years – finsuccess rate of home teams was high. ishing as high as 4th in the WIAA During the regular season, the home State Tourney in 2013 and making team won 7,021 games while losing it to the state regional round before 4,569 games, a winning percentage losing to Bellevue last Saturday. of 60.6. But, in the past two years, the During this same time frame, from Terraceum has seen a massive drop 1998-2008, it was reported that in fan attendance and participation. home teams in the postseason won The lack of fan support has caused 513 games while losing 278 games. meant the loss of one of the Hawks’ This showed an increase in the winbiggest edge: the power of passionning percentage by home teams in ate fans. the playoffs to roughly 64.9 percent. Whether it’s the deafening noise This is also present in the realm of of the 12th Man college basketball. It’s at CenturyLink no surprise that the “I think it changes Field or the roar courts deemed to have the game a little of “Dub Nation” some of the rowdiest bit. It’s a different inside Oracle fans are home to some atmosphere around Arena, fans of the most successyou. You have your school backing you have become a ful college basketball up on everything. crucial part of programs in all of the Just four years ago, it was standing room only in the student section at men’s basketball games as the Rowdy It’s like having the dynamic of a nation. Rooters cheered on the Hawks (above). The past two seasons, however, have seen a much more modest number of another player team sport. The Look at the Kansas fans in the stands (below). PHOTOS | HAWKEYE STAFF behind your back term “home court Jayhawks in the that keeps pushing advantage” was Allen Fieldhouse, the you,” coined because of Kentucky Wildcats in Shimron Masih the impact that Rupp Arena, or even senior fans’ actions can a college team in our have on the game. very own Washington Washingtonians should know state: the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their this better than most as the Seattle McCarthey Athletic Center. While Seahawks are just two years talent is a huge factor in college removed from their Super Bowl run basketball, it cannot be denied that where the 12th Man was able to get there isn’t at least some correlation in the heads of each and every oppo- between having an avid fan base and nent at CenturyLink Field as they the success rate of a team. stomped their way to the Lombardi Considering the amazing talent trophy in February, 2014. present in the NBA and NCAA, During this run, not only did if home court advantage is such a the fans’ noise disrupt the mental big factor among these professionstrength of each and every player on als, imagine the impact that home the opposition, but it also disrupted court advantage could have in a high and wreaked havoc on the commuschool setting. nication of the other team, forcing It was during that 2011-2012 men’s false start penalties left and right. basketball run to the Tacoma Dome To truly find the impact of playing that the “Rowdy Rooters” became on your home court in front of your local legends as they led fans to pack fans, we can start from the top: the the stands at each and every game in professionals. order to support the Hawks. In the National Basketball “If you don’t believe that fans have Sports editor

Hawkeye

March 2016 | 19

a huge impact on the game, turn on a Seahawks game on whole school. Most kids think that they’re too cool to have Sunday,” head coach Nalin Sood said. “If you don’t believe it, school pride and that high school is a waste of time. We turn on a 2011-13 MTHS men’s basketball game and look changed that just by showing you can have a lot of fun just at the faces of the other team when they see the size of our hanging out with your classmates at the games,” Pahinui fans.” said. The Rowdy Rooters movement was coordinated through After a rough season in 2014-2015 – one of the rare seathe efforts of alumnus Jalen Pahinui during his senior year. sons in the school’s history where the men’s team didn’t “I was always jealous of the other high schools that had make the playoffs – the resurgent Hawks bounced back and constant support in sports and I wanted to have that at finished 2nd in WesCo 3A South and 2nd in the District Terrace. Basketball to me was perfect for that. Our team was 1 playoffs. Despite their success on the court, the stands rumored to be really good, and Nalin Sood is by far one of remained practically empty – particularly on the student side the best basketball coaches I’ve ever seen and so I just put my of the bleachers. trust in them,” Pahinui said. “We were known for our fan support,” Sood said. “It What was the goal of the Rowdy Rooters? was part of the tradition and the lore of MTHS. Our fans It was simple. brought something special every game. It’s disappointing that “Our main objective was we’re not as good as we used to to be as loud as possible be.” “Having a crowd to cheer them on can and get inside the other Even alumni such as Pahinui really motivate our team. The team team’s head and get them have become cognizant of the lack represents our school and a huge loud off of their game. Sports is of participation. crowd with good sportsmanship does the same. The best part about being in a fan 90 percent mental and 10 “I’ve heard the team this year is section is the spirit and friendly competition percent physical, and we phenomenal and it’s really sad to with another school’s fan section. It’s almost knew that if we could take see them not get the support that like that by itself is its own competition.” away the other team’s menthey deserve. I’ve been told that Angel Garcia tal side of the game that our the student attendance has gone Junior team would [outwork them down tremendously in the past physically],” Pahinui said. few years,” Pahinui said. “I think Pahinui’s motivation to create this movement stemmed that it has something to do with not really having a leader to from the genuine desire of bringing the community together. run the ship. You got to have a kid that’s outgoing, doesn’t He said that he wanted to eliminate the “cliquey-ness” and care about what people think of how loud or proud he is the popularity aspect of high school, and really make it all of being in high school and cares only about other people about the fun of supporting the team. having fun. I don’t think the kids realize that high school is The movement wasn’t an instant success, but through going to be one of the best times of [their] lives.” constant advertising on HBN and the use of posters hung If you don’t believe that simply going to the games and around the school, traction began to pick up. showing support for the team has a direct influence on the “So at the beginning of the year, we had maybe 25-30 kids players and their performance, listen to the players themgoing to games. At the end of the year when we went to the selves. Tacoma Dome, we had close to half of the school going,” “I think it changes the game Pahinui said. a little bit. It’s a different Although Pahinui graduated four years ago come June, he atmosphere around you. You says that he will always remember what the Rowdy Rooters have your school backing did during his senior year. you up on everything. It’s “Probably my best memory of high school was leading the like having another player Rowdy Rooters. It was something special for the behind your back that

“After the games, the players will thank you and acknowledge you for coming. They know everyone that comes to their games. It’s all about being a supporter and being a friend.” Derek Rajah senior

keeps pushing you,” senior post Shimron Masih said. Everyone on the varsity team can agree to that; from the four seniors all the way down to the four sophomores. “Personally when I hear fans, I get riled up. I know that there are people there watching us and it makes me want to show up and play hard for them even if we don’t get the victory,” sophomore standout Khyree Armstead said. Armstead’s older brother, Marquis, was a key player on the teams that enjoyed the support of the Rowdy Rooters, so Khyree experienced that enthusiasm from the stands growing up. Besides the fact that fans can directly impact a game, coach Sood believes that as a school students should support their fellow student athletes regardless of the sport because of the character that the athletes display. “It would help if we have more fans. Speaking on behalf of the basketball team, we’ve had a good year. We’ve been consistent all year,” Sood said. “You should want to support them because when you walk the hallways, they’d be very appreciative of it. The guys on this team are great guys. The same also goes for baseball, football, women’s basketball, wrestling and all of the sports here at MTHS. Why wouldn’t you want to cheer for them?” Fan participation increased some during the postseason this year. Through social media outlets like Twitter, student leaders like junior Adam Lorraine along with junior cheerleaders Angel Garcia and Meeka Diaz made efforts to galvanize students together to finally show support for the men’s basketball team as they went on their playoff run. While the winter sports season is over, there’s still time for students to stand together behind the Hawks and help them on their push towards the playoffs during spring sports. Pahinui certainly believes so. “You can still be a part of something that brings you closer to classmates. Why not look back when you’re older and be proud that you didn’t try to fit into a clique or tried all this extra stuff just to be part of the popular group. High school is all about finding yourself and having fun,” Pahinui said. Above all else, the players say they want all the fans who have been there throughout the season to know that they are appreciated. “I would say to all of our fans: thank you for coming along with us this year. We need your support. You guys are a key factor,” Masih said. H

“I know that from a player’s perspective, if a bunch of students came out, they’d feel very supported as team but also as a community.” Karina Gonzalez junior

20 | MARCH 2016

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