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ARE YOU TOO OLD FOR TRICK-OR-TREATING? OCTOBER 2018 | VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 2

HAWKEYE WWW.THEHAWKEYE.ORG

CLASSES CUT DUE TO UNDER-ENROLLMENT

ARE WE SAFE WHEN SEATTLE SHAKES?

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL | 21801 44TH AVE. W MOUNTLAKE TERRACE WA 98043

Bringing people together

2 | OCTOBER 2018

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Hawkeye

OCTOBER 2018 | 3

LIN MIYAMOTO | HAWKEYE

JONATHAN KWONG| HAWKEYE

HAWKEYE ‘18-’19 Co-Editors-in-Chief Annika Prom and Ben Eyman Editorial News Editor Nolan DeGarlais Sports Editors Kennedy Cooper and Sarah Davis Op-Ed Editor Samantha Svikel Lifestyle Editor Jackson Freund Copy Editor Matthew Hipolito Business General Manager Lexie Dellinger Distribution Manager Trinity Alber Outreach Manager Ben Savell JONATHAN KWONG| HAWKEYE

Visual Graphics Editor Sierra Clark Photo Editors Ciara Laney and Jake Paulsene Design Editor Jonathan Kwong Online Data Manager Ian Dortsch Online Manager Tommy Tran Audio/Video Manager Gavin Norley .................................................... Contributing Staff Caroline Erdey, Erin Martino, Hank Belanger, Jonathan Savell, Lin Miyamoto, Lindee Cutler, Memphis Ramerman, Nhung Lam, Nicole Francois, Nina Otebele, Ritika Khanal, Robert Krieger, Salman Ghous, Semira Beraki, Sovanrom Sot, Teresa Bonilla, Theresa Van

CIARA LANEY | HAWKEYE

Contents October

2018

Name in bold indicates the staff member of the month as selected by the Editorial Board.

6 The public plastic problem 9 The return of a chef teacher and the FCCLA club 12 The CTE options you may not know of 14 What happened to Terrace traditions?

....................................................... Advisers Vince DeMiero, Mike McLaughlin and Tyler Hartung Journalist-in-Residence Samantha Pak FANs Coordinators Sandra Merten & Cathy Fiorillo Printing Pacific Publishing Member MTHS ASB, JEA/WJEA, NSPA, Student Press Law Center, Tao of Journalism

Letter from the Editor

Who’s coming home at homecoming?

nother homecoming has come and gone here at Mountlake Terrace. It was a week of spirit, celebration and fun. But as Homecoming started, a question popped into my head: What is the meaning of Homecoming? So, through a few easy Google searches, I found that Homecoming was intended to be an occasion for alumni to return to their alma mater, or in other words, an instance of coming home. But as I sat in the senior section at the homecoming assembly and in the Benjamin Eyman CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF broadcast booth at the homecoming game, I noticed something. Despite a small contingent of returning alumni, we lacked a crucial part of homecoming: the homecomers. Something I have been able to experience, having been part of

the Hawkeye for four years, is a great amount of alumni staffers helping out the current crew. I am constantly in contact with former Hawkeye members, ranging from photographers, writers and data journalists. I find myself very lucky to be surrounded by a group that went through what I go through now. I feel like we are missing the most essential part of the whole week. I feel like we are failing as a student body to fulfill what is expected of us for homecoming. We are failing to bring our community home. This is not an attack on ASB or anyone who put time and effort into this year’s Homecoming celebration. This is a call to arms, as I feel there is a lack of effort on everyone’s part to reach out to alumni and previous staff members to come back to MTHS. I am saddened we do not make that effort. Whatever your definition of homecoming is, I want to hear it. Send me a letter at editor@thehawkeye.org, or hand deliver it to Room 130. H

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c/o Mountlake Terrace High School 21801 44th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

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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 wellwritten, 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

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reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

OP-ED

4 | OCTOBER 2018

HAVE SOME R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find out what it means to me. — Aretha Franklin, “Respect”

ith the passing of the Queen of Soul in August, her most famous hit got a bump in the amount of time on people’s playlists. This has caused me to reflect on how important respect is to everything we do at MTHS and in our society at large. September brought us a handful of incidents Peter Schurke of significant ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL disrespect among students here at school and a few big examples of disrespect in our larger society. What has received far less play is the multitude of examples of respect being given—perhaps because those stories aren’t as sensational. I’ve watched students stop each other in the hall and give genuine compliments. I’ve witnessed students stop another student to zip up their backpack for them. I’ve seen a student step in when insults were beginning

to fly and say “Knock it off, we don’t talk like that here.” And I’ve watched our amazing Connect leaders work with the ninth graders in their PASS classes with nothing but respect and support. These examples outnumber the negative examples I’ve seen more than ten to one, but we never seem to hear about them. Respect is the foundation of the phenomenal culture I quickly came to love about MTHS when I arrived here eight years ago. We know that all of us crave respect. We also know that respect is earned, and in most cases the formula is simple: Respect given yields respect in return. Therefore, I encourage you to look for opportunities each day to demonstrate your respect for those around you. It doesn’t need to be anything big or fancy, just a kind word or gesture. If everyone at MTHS committed to at least one act of respect each day, imagine how much stronger our already fantastic community could grow! H NOTE: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Administration space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

Hawkeye

A month of excitement, and more to come H

ey, what’s up, Hawks! This has been a busy month for everyone and there is a lot of stuff that’s going on in the upcoming weeks. The first couple weeks of school have kept ASB busy, especially starting off Andy Nguyen ASB PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER the first full week of school with a spirit week! Even though it was the first spirit week and freshmen were adjusting to the school, there was good participation in school spirit even for the spirit days that were a little harder for some (such as Jazzercise). The week ended with our back-to-school assembly, which had a special blacklight theme. Some of my favorite stuff from the assembly was the Bruno, releasing his inner rage onto the class of 2021. Truly an amazing memory for my senior year. Right after that was the ASB retreat, which was a time for the class ASBs to settle down and bond with each other, as well as talk about homecoming and other activities. We also had our new Freshman class officers choose their theme for Homecoming.

First, they had picked Alice in Wonderland, but we had to make them choose a new theme, which was Shrek. The following two weeks were all homecoming poster painting days for the class hallways to see who would win the best looking hallway, based on votes from staff. Then, homecoming week rolled around and coronation hit. Congratulations to all of the royalty that won this year. (I love ASB!) The participation for this spirit week was nice. I loved the creativity and fun that people had for Thursday’s spirit day, which were the class movie themes. The assembly was pretty solid. Everybody brought their spirit and it was a lot of good energy; people were respectful and played the games. Good job, Terrace! Also, shoutout and thanks to everyone who helped out during the assembly, especially Angelo Comeaux for recording the assembly. What Big 6 has planned for the next coming month is the lip dub, trunk or treat, and the food drive. We got a lot of good stuff coming up and we can’t wait for you guys to see! And sorry, Samantha, for getting this in late. Go Hawks! H NOTE: The Hawkeye provides the ASB space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

SCHOOL NEEDS MORE AFFORDABLE PARKING M

THS students with a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance have the option to park in the student lot for the school year. However, each student must pay $50 for this privilege. As a sophomore, I can acquire a parking spot this year, but I question the process behind the fee. The parking spots closest to the school are most desirable and fill up first. Assignments are first come first serve by grade. Seniors select first, followed by students in the lower grades. Erin Martino HAWKEYE STAFF Junior Andrew Daly mentioned that parking distribution by grade is just a matter of being patient. “It is fair,” he said. “Everyone will get the opportunity to pick a spot first their senior year. I had no problem and I got my parking spot later than most of my peers did.” Parking costs are determined by schools individually, so the fee varies from school to school. For example, Edmonds-

Woodway charges $60, whereas Everett High School charges only $40. An issue for some people at MTHS is that the price is not prorated. Assuming a student purchases their parking permit at the start of the year, the cost is roughly $5 per month. But if a student only becomes eligible to drive in April, that cost is almost $17 per month. It is $50 regardless of the month a student requests it. While $50 may seem like a reasonable amount, it is due in full up front, and that may be difficult for some students who must also pay for gas and insurance. For students who can’t begin driving until later in the year, this may seem unfair. To make on-campus parking more affordable and allow more students access to parking, students should have the option to pay the parking fee monthly. This way, should students need to relinquish their spot for any reason, they would not be charged for remaining months. Not everyone may choose this option, but having option may open parking to additional students. I believe the MTHS

administration should consider this alternative approach and implement it at the start of school next fall. H

NHUNG LAM | HAWKEYE

Hawkeye

OP-ED

OCTOBER 2018 | 5

Alcohol is no excuse for assault “I

like beer,” said then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation hearing. “Do you like beer, Senator [Whitehouse], or not? What do you like to drink?” I’m sure Senator Whitehouse enjoys beer, but is this necessarily the best defense after being accused of sexually assaulting someone in high school? Maybe you had a blackout and sexually assaulted her. Maybe you don’t remember because Samantha Svikel OP/ED EDITOR that’s something no one wants to look back on. Kavanaugh talked about alcohol to the point where I thought, “Why is this relevant?” I wouldn’t be so concerned about this if he didn’t mention it every few minutes. I was concerned not only about beer, but about how he

friends, buddy. How many other girls did you sexually said, “Yes, we drank beer, my friends and I; boys and girls, assault, then, too? we drank beer. Yes, I drank beer. I like beer, still like beer. The #MeToo movement has given women and girls the Sometimes I had too many beers and others had too many courage to speak out about being sexually beers. I like beer.” OK, Kavanaugh, I think assaulted. If you’re one of those people who we all understand. You like beer. “Do you like beer, believes coming out about being sexual Maybe you should ask yourself if beer is the Senator [Whitehouse], assaulted is easy, it’s not. reason you sexually assaulted her. Maybe you or not? What do you It’s emotionally draining on the person, mentioned beer as a way to side track from like to drink?” and once multiple people find out, that one why you were actually at the Senate hearing Brett Kavanaugh SUPREME COURT JUSTICE person begins to lose friends. I know from and to not recognize what you did. personal experience. While I wish Kavanaugh had not been conDon’t pressure anyone to come out about sexual assault. firmed to the Supreme Court, there was not enough evidence Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was very brave. She knew she was to prove the allegations against him, and the evidence there wasn’t enough to have the Senators vote no. risking humiliation, and the way Kavanaugh handled himself through the whole hearing was disappointing. H Not only mentioning beer, but also saying, “I’ve always had a lot of close female friends” doesn’t make you look any more innocent. Not a good time to mention all your female

Being eco-friendly is not as deadly E

very single day, 500 million plastic such as fish end up eating the microplastics, rest of the community that a plastic straw straws are used and thrown away which eventually accumulates in their stomis only being asked for in need, then the nationally and eventually find their way into achs and kills them. person doesn’t have to explain their our oceans, harming all sorts of sea life. In my many attempts to get various city medical condition or get into unnecesWith these statistics councils to ban plastic straws in their citsary details. Is this too much to ask of in mind, the cities of ies, I frequently run into the argua person? Some would say it is, but if Seattle; Edmonds; ment that we shouldn’t ban straws taking these easy steps can help our Berkeley, Calif. and in restaurants because people environment, I think this is a reaMiami Beach, Fla.; with some medical conditions sonable compromise. just to name a few, need plastic straws. I see this For most of us, plastic straws have begun banning as a futile attempt to get out of are merely a convenience, and plastic straws in their doing what needs to be done. yet, they are one of the biggest Ritika Khanal restaurants and cities. While there are a few select environmental challenges we face HAWKEYE STAFF Now, it’s time for the individuals who need straws for today. What most people don’t rest of the nation to medical conditions, the majority realize is that there are four alterfollow their lead and take action. of us do not need to use plastic nate options available that are Why are plastic straws so bad? Well, after straws. For those few who do environmentally friendly and do the straw has outlived its life of usefulness, need them, there are compostanot harm anything. If you don’t it is recycled and never given ble plastic want to move away from using a second thought. Shouldn’t straws avail- JONATHAN KWONG | HAWKEYE straws, then you always have recycling the straws solve the able that the bamboo, wooden, paper problem? can be ordered on demand and stainless steel straws available. Due The problem is, recycling at restaurants if absolutely to the fact that reusable straws need to be straws doesn’t solve anything. necessary. cleaned, I can understand why it may be difIn fact, recycling them makes Many city council memficult to always use one of those alternatives, everything worse. Plastic bers I interacted with about but this is exactly why all restaurants should straws are so lightweight this topic argued that it ban plastic straws and provide paper ones for they don’t make it through wouldn’t be fair for us to those who want to use a straw. the mechanical recycling put people with certain Attending these city council meetings, sorter used for recycled items. medical conditions in a posi- I got to hear many points of view on this Instead, the straws contamition where they are made to topic. A lot of business owners expressed nate other recyclable items feel like they need to explain concerns that they would have a hard time and end up in the ocean as themselves just to get a implementing this change due to the strain microplastics—plastics so straw. However, if there is it would cause in finance. However, if plastic small they are not visible to a mutual understanding straw companies switch to the production JONATHAN KWONG | HAWKEYE the naked eye. Sea creatures between the worker and the of more environmentally friendly alterna-

tives, it would help the other business owners easily make the switch as well. Some fast food places and restaurants have committed to a plastic straw ban already, and they are not facing any issues. Customers seem to embrace the idea of no plastic straws, and the alternates seem to be working smoothly. This proves that there is a working solution to the reduction of plastic straws, and we can all make this change effectively. With that said, everyone has a part to play. Politicians need to create legislation without dallying, community members need to get in the habit of requesting no plastic straws before they order a drink and companies need to commit to providing straws made from other materials as opposed to plastic. Once these steps begin to go into action, we’re on our way to reducing plastic straws in our oceans, as well as keeping our sea life from being killed by the consumption of microplastics. H

NHUNG LAM | HAWKEYE

6 | OCTOBER 2018

OP-ED

Hawkeye

TRICK-OR-TREATING: IS IT FOR EVERYONE? A

s October begins, one very important topic comes to mind: Halloween. Ah yes, the beloved holiday of spooks and scares and the classic tradition of trick-or-treating. What is trick-or-treating? Trick-ortreating, for the folks who don’t know, is when people, especially younger children, dress up in costume and go door to door in neighborhoods asking for candy from the residents with the classic phrase, “trick or treat!” Theresa Van HAWKEYE STAFF According to The Huffington Post, Halloween comes from a Celtic festival for the dead known as Samhain. It was believed that

LINDEE CUTLER | HAWKEYE

spirits would wander the Earth on this day causing mischief. The tradition began around the first century B.C.E., around the same time the Celts created the jack-o-lantern. Despite its Celtic origins, the holiday was eventually appropriated by Christian missionaries, who stripped it of its Irish culture. Although it is a fun tradition that brings joy to many, the question remains: How old is too old for trick-or-treating? When it comes to this question, there are many factors you need to consider — one being maturity. If you mature at a faster pace than your friends, then perhaps you’d get easily bored trick-or-treating. But if you mature slower than others around you, then you’re more likely to keep trick-or-treating. Another aspect is age. Now, this might not seem like such an important issue, but to the person you’re requesting candy

from, this may seem different. Imagine you’re at home on Halloween night and, suddenly, at your door, instead of a group of little kids, an adult wearing a costume arrives and asks you for candy. Weird, right? Absolutely. Even if you still feel like trick-or-treating at any age you want, others might not be as comfortable. There are the optimistic people who believe you are never too old to go trick-or-treating. And there are those who say the appropriate age of 12-18 or, in high school, is the perfect time to stop. In fact, according to Time magazine, a town in Canada has a law banning people older than 16 from trick-or-treating. Sophomore Malia Dominique is one of the people who believes you are never too old to go trick-or-treating: “My

Hawkeye

OP-ED

opinion is that I think older kids can go trick-or-treating in a group if they are truly doing it to have fun, not to be reckless or something like that. If they go by themselves I feel like that’s also kind of weird. But teens can have some really cool costume ideas.” Although some believe it may be acceptable to go trick-ortreating at any age you please, others would disagree. But why do some parents limit their kids from trick-ortreating past a certain age? Well, one factor in the age limit that some parents set is that parents are concerned about the safety of their children. Another thing to consider are the feelings of the children themselves and whether or not they’re comfortable enough to accept that people way bigger than them are out and about on Halloween night doing the same thing they are. “Most teenagers stop dressing up and trick-or-treating somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16 — but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad manners for them to go door-todoor, as long as they are polite while out on the streets,” says Time columnist Mahita Gajanan. There are some limits, like costume choice and others’ discomfort, to what teenagers can do when it comes to trick-or-treating, but they might seem a bit restricting and take some of the fun away from trick-ortreating. One thing that might have to change as we transition from our young, innocent and adorable selves into the people we are today, is costume choice. Costumes are one of the main ideas of Halloween that give the holiday its fun and spooky element. While some see Halloween as just a fall holiday meant for fun, others can get carried away with the sacred tradition, taking it too far and going all out on the whole idea of scaring others with their costume. A teenager’s costume selection varies, since they can pull off not only children’s costumes, but adults as well. Whether its a penguin costume suited for a young child or something more fitting of the spooky vibe that matches the 31st, teenagers have a wider range as to what they can wear or want to wear. And if a teenager decides to make a scary costume, they could end up spoiling Halloween for others, especially children. How would they feel if they see a big kid or even a fullgrown adult running around their neighborhood in a scary costume on the scariest night of the year? Sometimes kids get scared so badly that it makes them not arrive in the 21st century. enjoy the holiday anymore. It completely robs and ruins a Another reason why the age of 12-15 would be an ideal child’s childhood by taking away their Halloween trick-ortime to stop trick-or-treating is for the sake of others as well. treating experience. Although it may sound a little over the As already mentioned, younger children may get spooked top, it’s may not completely false. by the sight of an older kid or even an adult wearing a scary In the words of sophomore Lena costume trick-or-treating in the same Crummet, “We’re too old to go trickneighborhoods as them. “My opinion is that I think older kids can go trick-oror-treating because we’re in high school. Maybe it’s not even the kids who are treating in a group if they You only see little babies or young kids afraid, but the parents. are truly doing it to have on the street with your families on the Math teacher Dino Aristides, father of fun, not to be reckless.” street trick or treating.” three, doesn’t like the idea of teenagers Malia Dominique That’s why some, myself included, roaming the streets at night alongside SOPHOMORE think that the best age to stop trickhis children as they trick-or-treat. All he or-treating would be around the age of has to say about it is, “oh god, that’s so 12-15, because that’s when children start to become adults. creepy.” Many parents can get very worried this time of year And that transition is important to the minds of kids due to past reports of older kids terrorizing little children on nowadays since we have all these new technologies that can Halloween or making a mess of things and being irrespondistract kids from what is actually a really fun, old tradition. sible. Before, the young kids would love to play outside with their This year’s Halloween is estimated to have 41.1 million kids friends or go to the park or socialize. But currently, all kids trick-or-treating nationwide according to The State Journalwant to do now is play video games or chat online with their Register, and 70 percent of parents, according to Protect buddies. Over the course of time, children’s interests change. America, a company that sells home security systems, don’t Part of that change is from the world and its evolution as we accompany their children while they go out trick-or-treating.

OCTOBER 2018 | 7 MEMPHIS RAMERMAN | HAWKEYE

Now we circle back to the main question: How old is too old to go trick-or-treating? Now that you’ve heard from both sides, it’s time to decide for yourself. Are you on team TrickOr-Treating Has No Limits? Or are you on team Trick-orTreating Is For Kids ONLY? In the end, for kids or not, trick-or-treating is a fun, classic Halloween tradition. Whatever you conclude at the end of reading this, just enjoy Halloween. After all, it is literally just going to people’s houses door to door and asking for their candy in a costume late at night. H MEMPHIS RAMERMAN | HAWKEYE

8 | OCTOBER 2018

LIFESTYLE

Hawkeye

The first month: A look into Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies teacher Erin Grambush and senior Noble Hendrix discuss the different levels of consciousness in relation to music. Cultural discussions take many forms in a student-run environment like the one set up by Grambush and her student teacher Nazia Junejo. JAKE PAULSENE | HAWKEYE By Nina Otebele

quarter, the class focused on three main ideas: who you are, next school year, meaning that all of the high schools in the what you bring to the classroom, and what you have to offer Ethnic Studies is a new class being taught at MTHS this ESD will have an Ethnic Studies class. that most people don’t see as a positive. The class focuses on year. The class teaches students about different cultures Grambush believes that the first month of the new class these topics and how they all tie to racial identity, class idenaround the world, and it is taught by Erin Grambush and her went well. “We spent a lot of time developing norms and tity, gender identity and privilege. student teacher, Nazia Junejo, in periods 4, 5 and 6. Ethnic building this sense of a question community,” Grambush “The class is a conversation, so the students digest the Studies is available to seniors and can count said. information we give them and we see that, yes, they got it as their senior social studies credit. What Grambush means by a question “It´s student-centered, and we should move on, or whether they got it or not, so it’s In previous years in the Edmonds School community is a more open and interacstudent-based and very much an assessment,” Junejo said. tive class. You can ask District (ESD), there was not an Ethnic they’re the ones who made it happen.” “That’s what creates the next lesson questions without being Studies class available at any high school. “We feel like we have good plan.” judged. In fact, the original idea of having an experiences to bring to our Erin Grambush Future plans for the class will revolve The class flowed more Ethnic Studies class came from students at ETHNIC STUDIES TEACHER classroom and [hope to] around racial identity and embracslowly than Grambush Lynnwood High School (LHS), who wanted provide explanation and ing your culture in a place that doesn’t wanted, but she is getting a hang of it an African-American Studies class. definitions for terms that we are introducing.” embrace it. At the time of writing, the and plans to pick up the pace in the next This original idea was modified to accommodate all culclass is learning about cultural wealth, tures instead of just African-American culture. Last year, month. Both Grambush and Junejo feel Nazia Junejo STUDENT TEACHER which is the knowledge of other culLHS became the first school in the ESD to offer an Ethnic that teaching this class is fun. “We feel like we have good experiences tures’ practices and beliefs. Studies class. Now, MTHS, LHS and Edmonds Woodway to bring to our classroom and [hope to] provide explanation Grambush and Junejo say they are very excited for the (EWHS) are one of the few schools in Washington state and definitions for terms that we are introducing,” Junejo future of this class and the development of more diverse with an Ethnic Studies class. said. activities at MTHS. Meadowdale High School (MHS) and Scriber Lake High The main goal of the class is to embrace everyone’s culture “It´s student-centered, student-based and they’re the ones School (SLHS) don’t offer an Ethnic Studies class. MHS and introduce students to the history of other cultures. This who made it happen,” Grambush said. H and SLHS plan to begin offering an Ethnic Studies class by HAWKEYE STAFF

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

OCTOBER 2018 | 9

FCCLA CLUB RETURNS TO MTHS

By Theresa Van

after McFadden left, like Jessie Walten, who left in 2015. After Walten’s departure, The Family, Career, Community Leaders the club disbanded in the face of dwindling of America (FCCLA) is an organization for attendance. young men and women from sixth grade all McFadden returned to MTHS replacing the way up to twelfth grade. And now this Walten in 2015. Now that she’s back from club returns to MTHS for students who are family leave to raise her children, McFadden interested in joining. says she loved restarting FCCLA from The FCCLA is a student-run club that scratch, though she says it’s hard because she focuses on building community and encourdoesn’t have any past students who she can aging student leadership summon to help run the and bettering students’ club as leaders. Instead, “Members are able to futures by teaching leadshe hopes to find new voice their opinions and ership, career, family students who still step up they take formal votes to and other skills. Molly and lead the way. make decisions making McFadden, the chef “In our meetings, we sure everyone has a teacher, is the advisor for have a parliamentary ‘voice’ whether you are the club in room 121 on procedure we follow and in leadership or just on a committee or regular/ Tuesdays starting at 2:00 we learn that as we occasional member/ p.m., which is the same go along,” McFadden attendee.” time as Key Club meetsaid. “Parliamentary (or ings so McFadden knows Robert’s Rule of Order) Molly McFadden FCCLA ADVISOR who’s truly committed is the format followed to and who isn’t. run a professional busiThe FCCLA was started in 1945 in ness meeting. In the club they use this each Chicago as the Future Homemakers of time we meet together, so using it at the local America to help prepare young men and level helps them be familiar and comfortable women for the future and teach them how when we gather at those meetings.” to contribute to modern society. In 1999, Parliamentary procedure, McFadden the name was changed to the FCCLA. Their explained, consists of various items on an mission, according to the FCCLA website, is agenda, starting with a formal opening certo “promote personal growth and leadership emony and roll call (complete with a recital development through Family and Consumer of the FCCLA creed and the pledge of alleSciences education.” Basically, FCCLA’s giance) and ending with a formal adjourngoal is to inform people more about conment. In between, the club members receive sumer science education and its importance reports from the secretary and the treasurer, to us by showing the focuses of Family and follow-up on and discuss old business, and Consumer Sciences education through discuss new business - in that order. The involvement. minutes for the whole meeting are consis“Focusing on the multiple roles of family tently recorded by a secretary. member, wage earner and community leader, By conducting meetings this way, members develop skills for life through McFadden said, “members are able to voice character development, creative and crititheir opinions and they take formal votes to cal thinking, interpersonal communication, make decisions making sure everyone has a practical knowledge and career preparation,” ‘voice’ whether you are in leadership or just the FCCLA mission statement continues. on a committee or regular/occasional memThe FCCLA is the only national in-school ber/attendee.” student organization that has a main focus FCCLA isn’t just about leadership or buildon family education. ing communities. It’s also a way to help stuAlthough FCCLA dents grow and prepare themselves for the FCCLA meets was founded in future. If one wants to get a job but doesn’t every Tuesday 1945, at MTHS, it know how, joining FCCLA lets them learn at 2:00 p.m. in was started in 2002 how to apply for a job by writing a proper room 121. The by McFadden. Then, cover letter and resume in addition to how club returned when she moved to to be prepared for a job interview and other after taking Lynnwood High basic skills needed to find a job. a four year School in 2014 to If someone needs help with choosing a hiatus. The teach over there, the career path, FCCLA takes whatever projects advisor is chef teacher Molly club was handed are done in class and builds upon them to McFadden. over to teachers who help one pursue a goal they’re passionate taught chef classes about. For instance, if a student is passionHAWKEYE STAFF

ate about the career and technical field, then service projects that tend to the need of the Club members get many chances to do a general public, such as food donations and career investigation. This career investigation blood drives. And all this money goes to the helps one determine what they should do school to help run the club since it’s not easy later in life. to start a club from scratch with hardly any Leadership is about leading others to resources or help whatsoever. achieve a common goal, showing a good Then there’s the red level membership. example for other The red level member“They get to make an impact people and stepping ship costs $25 but allows on the community and on up when no one else members to participate their families. It’s really around will. By joining more. While with the inspiring seeing students FCCLA, one can learn local membership one make such a big impact.” many life skills as a can participate in small Molly McFadden person and as a comprojects, with the red level FCCLA ADVISOR munity leader. membership one can par“It’s dynamic, it’s fun. They get a chance ticipate in projects ranging from communityto pursue what they are passionate about,” level to state-wide. McFadden said. She hopes lots of students People seeking to join FCCLA would also will join the club and know that it’s a fantasneed to have enrolled in or completed one tic organization to join especially for their of the family and consumer sciences educafuture. tion (FACSE) classes taught by McFadden “They get to make an impact on the comor Kimberly Nelson. These classes include munity and on their families,” she said. “It’s AP Psychology, personal finance and chef. really inspiring seeing students make such a FCCLA is designed to complement the fambig impact.” ily and consumer sciences education curricuFCCLA also partakes in communitylum by providing students an opportunity to building service projects, such as food drives, apply their learning in the real world. blood drives, or anything that tends to the Club members also get to participate general public. in competitions at the regional, state and When someone first joins FCCLA, they national level. This year, the national compemust first have an ASB card. Then, they tition is in Anaheim, Calif. These competican apply for one of two memberships. One tions aren’t about winning, but more about membership is the local membership, for finding ways to follow what the FCCLA which you have to pay $15. Local members stands for and to make the world a better of FCCLA participate in small community place. H

Freshman Sophie Valenti listens to a lecture on completing an online career quest. FCCLA aims to help students gain valuable career skills. LIN MIYAMOTO | HAWKEYE

10 | OCTOBER 2018

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Hawkeye

PERIODS CUT, TEACHERS TRAVEL Story by Nolan DeGarlais Photos by Jake Paulsene HAWKEYE STAFF

Students and teachers in several classes at MTHS were informed that their schedules would be changed just two weeks into the school year after it became clear that enrollment projections made last spring were off significantly at each of the four comprehensive high schools. Edmonds School District (ESD) officials mandated that MTHS cut six classes from its schedule leaving many MTHS students affected by the change. And it wasn’t just the students in the cut classes who were impacted, as some teachers were forced to take teaching positions at other schools within the ESD and other teachers had to take over several of their classes. This resulted in a cycle of students being shuffled to different teachers and periods to ensure that students were able to keep as many classes as possible in schedules with as few changes as possible. Changes were finalized by the counseling office and administrative team, then took effect on Wednesday, Sep. 19. Classes that were cut included AP Literature taught by Robert Reichle, geometry taught by Daniel Johnston, algebra two taught by Tatyana Malysh and an art course taught by Michael Denoma. The ESD mandated these class closures in response to an over-projection of students who would be coming be to MTHS that was completed by the school district before the start of the school year. However, based on the fourth-day

attendance report completed by all schools within the ESD, it was found that MTHS had far fewer students than were projected. MTHS was over-projected by 123.25 students, the equivalent of five full-time teaching positions. Greg Schellenberg sent a statement out to MTHS students and families who were affected by the schedule changes. “As the result of a significant shortfall of students from the number who were projected to attend MTHS this school year, we have been directed by the District Office to make necessary teacher staffing reductions,” Schellenberg said. “Regrettably, we must close several classes and re-assign students to new classes as a result of these staffing reductions.” Schellenberg said that he recognized that a forced schedule change for a large number of students over a week into the school year would harm students, but emphasized that the mass schedule change was an unavoidable mandate from the district. In addition to the severe over-projection of students at MTHS, three other high schools in the ESD were found to have significantly under-projected student numbers. Edmonds-Woodway High School under-projected by 28.31 students (one full-time teaching position), Lynnwood High School under-projected by 103.40 students (nearly five fulltime teaching positions) and Meadowdale High School under-projected by 45.62 students (two full-time teaching positions). Since estimated student counts drive funding for classes and staff positions, the ESD determined that MTHS had

Assistant Principal Dan Falk informs Robert Reichle’s third period English 9 class of impending schedule changes. Reichle also had his first period AP Literature class affected as one of the six cut in the face of lower-than-expected attendance numbers.

an unfair share of teaching positions and class funding compared to the other high schools in the district which were struggling with accommodating more students than they had anticipated. To correct this, teachers and classes were transferred from MTHS to the schools which had underprojected student counts. The ESD attributed the projection errors to unexpected demographic changes in the areas north of Seattle, with fewer families with adolescent children preparing to enter high school moving into the MTHS service area. The ESD has made it clear that no staff members will be fired due to the projection errors. This is a different approach than the Seattle School District which also over-projected by 1,114 students, which necessitated them laying off staff members in 18 Seattle area schools. However, MTHS staff members will be required to have some classes transferred to the under-projected schools such as Lynnwood, Edmonds-Woodway and Meadowdale. While staff members will not be required to be completely transferred away from MTHS, they will be required to teach for specified periods at other schools. Other MTHS teachers will take on the classes that these teachers were forced to give up to teach at other schools. Andi Nofziger, the president of the Edmonds Education Association (EEA) that represents teachers in the ESD, explained that the transfers were within the teacher contract. “The teacher’s workday still has to conform to the collective bargaining agreement,” Nofziger said. “In order to have time to travel between worksites, typically traveling teachers do not have a PASS period, advisory period or such so that they can use this time as planning time. If they do not get their minimum planning time daily because of traveling and the extra time it takes to pack up and set up in multiple locations, then they get paid extra for their time since the planning has to be done outside the contract day.” In addition, teachers are paid per mile that they have to travel between the two schools at which they work. As for who is chosen to be transferred when a teacher transfer is necessitated, that is specified by the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the EEA. “First, the administrator asks for volunteers,” Nofziger said. “If no one volunteers, then the person with the least in-district experience in the applicable teaching category is transferred.” Due to the specifications of the teacher contract, teachers in the ESD, and in other school districts, do not have the right to refuse a transfer if they are tabbed by the administration to be transferred to teach at another school within the same district. “When [teachers] are hired, [teachers] are hired by the district – there is not a guarantee that [teachers] will teach the subject or at the location of the original job that is posted,” Nofziger said. “The district has the right to redistribute staffing or change teaching assignments to meet the needs of buildings and students.” Teachers are not required to teach classes in subject areas outside of their area of expertise unless there is an emergency where a suitable teaching candidate for that subject area cannot be found. “The teaching categories in which the transfers occurred where based on the needs of the receiving buildings,”

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Hawkeye Nofziger said. “Teachers are not allowed to teach out of their certification areas without approval from the School Board and an emergency certificate from the State of Washington, where the district has to prove there were no qualified applicants with the correct certification.” Teachers are teaching different classes, but these classes are all within their subject area of expertise. “The teachers may not be teaching the exact same classes they were teaching, but it is something they are certified for,” Nofziger said. “For example, a math teacher may have been assigned Geometry at MTHS, and the receiving school needs Algebra I classes, but it’s all math.” Teachers who were transferred to teach some periods at other schools were allowed two days of release time to unpack at their new schools and prepare materials for their new classes. Teachers who took on new students in their classes will receive a stipend if their class sizes go above the “trigger” of 32 students, with that stipend increasing for every two students above that “trigger.” One teacher who has been affected by these changes is math teacher Dino Aristides, who took on a new geometry class that math teacher Daniel Johnston was forced to give up so he could teach classes at another high school within the ESD. Aristides emphasized the challenge of students having to adapt to new teaching styles. “My fourth-period algebra two regular was switched to a fourth-period geometry regular, and so those students [who] were used to me teaching a certain style for a week are now getting a different [teaching] style,” Aristides said. H

WHAT’S HAPPENING? On the fourth day of every school year in the ESD, the District counts how many kids are in attendance at each school. The District checks these numbers against the number of students projected to attend attendance each school. If these projections are found to be off, the District has to redistribute teachers and classes accordingly.

BUT

NO NO

TEACHERS ARE GOING TO BE FIRED STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO MOVE SCHOOLS TEACHERS WITH MORE THAN 32 STUDENTS IN A PERIOD GET A STIPEND TEACHERS WILL REMAIN AT MTHS FOR SOME PERIODS

OCTOBER 2018 | 11

Students in Robert Reichle’s third period English 9 learn that their class is going to be cut. Reichle now teaches English in the morning at Meadowdale High School due to a 45.62-student underestimation in school attendance, equivalent to two full-time teaching positions.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE OVERESTIMATED ATTENDANCE BY

LYNNWOOD MEADOWDALE EDMONDS-WOODWAY UNDERESTIMATED UNDERESTIMATED UNDERESTIMATED ATTENDANCE BY ATTENDANCE BY ATTENDANCE BY

103.40 45.62 123.25 STUDENTS

EQUIVALENT TO

FULL-TIME TEACHING POSITIONS MEANING

CLASS PERIODS REMOVED FROM SCHEDULES

INFOGRAPHIC BY MATTHEW HIPOLITO, BEN EYMAN AND SIERRA CLARK

STUDENTS

EQUIVALENT TO

FULL-TIME TEACHING POSITIONS

STUDENTS

EQUIVALENT TO

FULL-TIME TEACHING POSITIONS

28.31 STUDENTS

EQUIVALENT TO

FULL-TIME TEACHING POSITION

1,186.25 1,345.05 1,364.06 STUDENTS EXPECTED STUDENTS EXPECTED STUDENTS EXPECTED 1,289.65 1,390.67 1,392.37 STUDENTS ATTENDED

STUDENTS ATTENDED

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12 | OCTOBER 2018

Hawkeye

THE HIDDEN PROGRAM PATHWAYS Students have more career-based education options outside of STEM than they think.

Scan this QR code to follow a link that provides more information on the many pathways provided by the Edmonds School District.

SIERRA CLARK | HAWKEYE

By Nina Otebele HAWKEYE STAFF

What makes each high school in the Edmonds School District (ESD) unique? Edmonds Woodway has the International Baccalaureate program, Meadowdale focuses on art and music, Scriber Lake is an alternative schooling option, and Mountlake Terrace has the STEM Program. However, MTHS has a lot more to offer than just STEM. MTHS has many pathways available to its students, but most students don’t know about them. The school has a total of eight Career Technical Education (CTE) programs; and each program has its own set of pathways to participate in. There are a total of fourteen CTE pathways, and participants in any of these programs can get a shortterm certificate, apprenticeship and enroll in 2-year and 4-year degree program. First, we have the Architecture and Construction Program, which is for students who want to design or build structures. The program has two pathways: the Carpentry and Building pathway and the Drafting and Design pathway. The Business and Marketing Program is for students interested in business, marketing, management and finance. There is only

Engineering and Manufacturing Program, one pathway for this program, which is the which is very similar to the Aerospace Business and Marketing Pathway. Pathway in STEM, is for students interested The STEM Program, one of MTHS’ bestin the design and manufacturing of products known programs, is a program revolving and systems. Despite similar coursework around science, technology, engineering and and focus, this program is not the same as mathematics—hence the acronym STEM. The pathways in the program are Aerospace, STEM’s Aerospace pathway. There is only Biotechnology and Computer Programming. one pathway in this program, called the Engineering and Manufacturing pathway. The Health Services Program is for stuLast but not least, the Applied Arts and dents interested in healthcare. There is Communications Program is for students only one pathway, which is the Healthcare interested in develCareers Pathway. oping their own Human Services “I didn’t know exactly what I creativity, technical Program is for wanted to do, so it would have and communication students interested been nice to know about all the programs here, so I could have skills. Students can in helping other more options at the beginning.” apply their learnpeople with various ing in career fields needs. This proCharlotte Janeway SOPHOMORE gram includes three like photography, journalism, video pathways which are production, graphic design and theater. ASL/Sign Language Interpreter Pathway, The pathways in this program are the the Family and Consumer Science Pathway Broadcasting and Journalism Pathway and and the Emergency and Protective Services the Visual Communications Pathway. Pathway. But despite the various topics that these The Information Technology Program is for students interested in computer software, programs covered, they are often overshadowed by Terrace’s flagship STEM program. hardware and programming. There is only Many students, like sophomore Charlotte one pathway, which is the IT/Computer Janeway, come to Terrace completely Science Pathway.

unaware these options exist. “The reason why I came to Mountlake Terrace High School was for the STEM program, and at that time I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, so it would have been nice to know about all the programs here, so I could have more options of at the beginning,” Janeway said. “Now realizing that I only knew about the STEM program and I had no idea about what the others are, I think it would have been nice to be aware about those programs, especially in middle school.” Angelo Comeaux, who is the teacher of the Applied Arts and Communications CTE program and the supervisor for Hawk Broadcasting Network (HBN), has some information on the many pathways. He believes all the CTE programs can be considered part of STEM. Programs like the Applied Arts and Communications and Information Technology, he explained, have technological aspects but are not considered a part of the STEM program. The reason for this goes back to the development of the STEM program and its pathways, and whether STEM should include art and become STEAM. The ESD decided the program would exclude art, becoming

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lar to STEM. For example, Business and Marketing could STEM, not STEAM. host a welcome night with plenty of information about the “That’s how it’s defined at Terrace,” Comeaux said. “Other pathways. Events like these would not only easily spread the places have their own way of defining STEM. The school word about the programs, it also will attract incoming freshwants to focus on the three highest employment areas and men. everyone else was left on the platform.” By Let’s say a STEM student wants to do “everyone else,” Comeaux means the other “The school wants both a CTE course and a STEM course CTE programs. to focus on the three but they feel they can’t do both. This is not While MTHS promotes the big STEM highest employment the case — they can actually participate in pathways (Aerospace, Bioscience and areas and everyone both programs, with the STEM class occuComputer Programming), other programs else was left on the pying one elective slot and the CTE class seem to lack exposure. platform.” occupying the other elective slot. Comeaux Katie Barry, a sophomore whose future Angelo Comeaux describes it as similar to the major-minor plans include a business career, said CTE TEACHER system employed by many colleges. The that if she knew about the Business and major elective would be STEM and the minor elective would Marketing program sooner, she would have participated in be CTE. it. “STEM is very good at promoting its side of things, but Even if it’s too late to sign up for a CTE class, students can business and marketing should be included in that because still participate in a CTE club. There are a total of 19 CTE Business and Marketing can branch out into different soft clubs, including everything from HBN to ASL to Jewelry skills and things such as communications, working well with and Metal. Last year, a total of 791 students participated others and I think that they’re equally as important,” she in CTE clubs. Of them, 190 students won awards for their said. Comeaux believes the best way to promote alternate CTE respective clubs. More information about these can be found on the district’s website. H programs is for each pathway to hold Welcome Nights simi-

OCTOBER 2018 | 13

The eight CTE programs include: • Architecture and Construction • Business and Marketing • STEM • Health Services • Human Services • Information Technology • Engineering and Manufacturing • Applied Arts and Communications

SALMAN GHOUS | HAWKEYE

14 | OCTOBER 2018

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Hawkeye

WILL MTHS BE SHAKEN WHEN IT’S SHAKING? Structural engineers talk earthquake safety of local buildings Story and graphics by Matthew Hipolito

ing to help tie the walls back into the floors at each level.” Older buildings, he said, designed before engineers underThe earth has been shaking beneath us for thousands of stood earthquakes, had issues where the floors were not fixed years. At best, these minor tremors are undetectable or bare- to the walls, but merely sat atop them. As a result, when an ly so, providing nothing more than a quick scare. At worst, earthquake struck, the floors slid along the tops of the walls, mass catastrophes level entire regions, causing hillsides to fall displacing entire stories and resulting in buildings damaged into cities and the ocean to sweep away all traces of human beyond repair. life. In contrast, Sloat said, MTHS would not need such bracThe Chinese believed that the earth shook when the ing. The MTHS building is relatively young, being just 30 animals on which it sat moved. The Greeks believed that years old. Poseidon, god of the sea, caused earthquakes when he struck “It’s unlikely that [the MTHS] building is significantly difthe ground with his trident. The Native Americans believed ferent than something that would be designed today, which, that a great struggle between the legendary Thunderbird and by our best understanding, is relatively safe,” he explained. a malevolent whale made the ground shake with each blow. “By the early 90s, most of the modern changes to the buildAn earthquake that destroyed Lisbon on All Saints’ Day ing code had been made.” If a thorough structural analysis in 1755 upset then-current perceptions of a were to be performed on the school building, merciful god, accelerating Europe’s disillusionhe said, some things may be found that are “When you think about all of the kids ment in Catholicism. not up to modern codes, but that the building that are in those But despite the relative frequency of earthwould largely be built to modern earthquake buildings, being quakes, seismology is a relatively new science. specifications. able to go through Humans spent hundreds of years making But while our school building may be safe, and renovate and detailed, careful observations of other worlds others in the area may not be so fortunate. make it safe for all far beyond our own before finally turning their Brier Elementary (BE), for example, was built the kids is really eyes to the ground beneath their feet. It was 1965, and nearby Brier Terrace Middle School important.” not until the 1960s that our modern under(BTMS) was built in 1969. Rebecca Hix Collins standing of the earth’s movement took shape Still, the fact that buildings like BE and STRUCTURAL PROJECT MANAGER enough for buildings to start being designed to BTMS are several decades old does not compensate. necessarily mean that they are unsafe. “Any That poses a big problem in large cities like Seattle and building that’s, especially [those built pre-1970s], it’s recomLos Angeles, where old buildings with little seismic protecmended to look at,” Rebecca Hix Collins, a structural project tion combined with relative proximity to active fault lines manager at engineering consultant Coughlin Porter Lundeen has the potential to create real danger. In areas like Capitol said. “The city of Edmonds, actually, we went through and Hill, Pioneer Square and Wallingford, where the median age did a program a few years back, and did a bunch of renovaof buildings creeps into the triple digits, the ability of taller tions on the schools, just to make them safe.” buildings to withstand earthquakes is significantly diminCollins doesn’t typically come across buildings declared safe ished. at the time of construction, then later found unsound after Despite the earthquake danger, these buildings still carry a few years and newfound knowledge. “It’s hard to go in and tremendous historical and sentimental value for those that say, ‘This is going to be a building that’s completely unsafe.’ live and work in those areas. Many of these buildings, like There are some where we look at, and we go, ‘Whoa, this is Smith Tower and the adjacent King County Superior Court, one we want to deal with right away,’” Collins acknowledges. are local landmarks and integral parts of Seattle’s identity. She explained that some cities, such as Los Angeles, have In order to mitigate the risk of damage from earthquakes definitive guidelines via ordinance on types of buildings that and still retain the buildings’ historic quality, structural are required to be updated. engineers modify the buildings, installing new structural Sloat referenced the same sentiments as Collins. “With beams and members behind facades and windows and bracolder buildings, it’s so case-to-case. Some engineers used to ing external features like parapets to the new frame. In design a lot more conservatively, or maybe they were ahead recent years, both Smith Tower and the Superior Court have of their time,” Sloat said. “I can say that we’re working on undergone such structural upgrades. an upgrade for Mount Vernon High School right now, and “If you go into the Pioneer Square area in Seattle, where that’s an example of a building where there are things that there’s a lot of older, [un]reinforced masonry (URM) buildneed to be fixed, but I wouldn’t say that the building is very ings, if you look on the outside of some of the buildings, dangerous in its current condition.” you’ll see these little square or diamond-shaped plates with For reference, Mount Vernon’s Old Main building was a rod head sticking out every couple feet along the buildings built in 1922; since then, the school has built many new on each of the floor levels,” explained Dan Sloat, a structural additions, the most recent of which was constructed in 2006. engineer at Degenkolb Engineers. “What they’re doing is For engineers looking to renovate buildings that are unsafe, helping tie, in that case, not just the parapets, but they’re try- the first step involves two documents known as ASCE 31 COPY EDITOR

and ASCE 41. Published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and developed jointly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the two documents together comprise a national standard for evaluating the seismic stability of existing buildings. ASCE 31 details the evaluation itself, while ASCE 41 details the rehabilitation process. If a school is found to be structurally unsafe, Sloat said, fixing it would be a higher priority than, for example, an office building with the same problem. “Schools, hospitals, and emergency facilities are higher-priority items,” he said. For Collins, some of the most important constructions she’s done with Coughlin Porter Lundeen are schools. “When you think about all of the kids that are in those buildings, being able to go through and renovate and make it safe for all the kids is really important.” Funding for school constructions can be difficult despite their necessity. In Wash., several pilot programs for evaluating schools have already been started in efforts to create a priority list for renovations. “This is something that California and Oregon have started on already, where they have programs in place where they have state funding for grants that are supported by federal funding,” Sloat said. That funding, he explained, would be used to finance a seismic evaluation by firms like Degenkolb. Once that evaluation is complete, it would be sent to a state agency who would allocate funding for retrofit accordingly. “For example,” Sloat continued, “Mount Vernon High School, in order to help with their funding for their improvements, has gotten money from FEMA.” In California, school construction is overseen by the Division of the State Architect, or DSA. The DSA was created by the 1933 Field Act, which empowered the Department of General Services, of which the DSA is a part, to oversee and regulate the construction of new school buildings following the 1933 Long Beach earthquake that destroyed or severely damaged several hundred California schools after they had dismissed for the day. Thanks to upgrades to building codes spurred by legislation like the Field Act, buildings both old and new have become safer. Still, the danger is not entirely mitigated. In Seattle, concerns over the stability of the soil and the safety of large buildings have alarmed many. Of particular importance is the matter of soil liquefaction. Soil liquefaction is the term for when soil, when disturbed, behaves like a liquid, sort of like how shaking a sandbox can cause the sand within to level itself out. Although the soils known as glacial till that were deposited and compressed by the massive Cordilleran Ice Sheet as it passed over the Puget Sound area are, due to the immense pressure exerted by the glacier, generally stable and solid, much of Seattle is not. According to Seattle’s Critical Areas map, which maps lands with natural hazards or resources, wide swaths of the city have been identified as susceptible to liquefaction by the USGS. Specifically, the Interbay area and lands surround-

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ing the Duwamish River on which the city’s doesn’t really matter, and the soil will liquefy industrial sector is built are particularly and resolidify after an earthquake, and the vulnerable to liquefaction. These areas were soil may have moved around a bit, but the either once wetlands, with other soils filled building will be more or less okay.” in on top, or are near current waterways, The stadiums are among the largest buildwith water seeping into the ground. ings in the city aside from downtown’s skyBecause these filled soils were dug up from scrapers, and have much in the way of earthother locations and quake protection. transplanted here, “Something interest“It’s unlikely that [the MTHS] they do not benefit ing happens when building is significantly different from the compression you get to really tall than something that would be designed today, which, by our best that the Cordilleran buildings,” Sloat said. understanding, is relatively safe.” Ice Sheet brought “If we think about and are therefore less what we call the overDan Sloat STRUCTURAL ENGINEER stable. turning of a building, “That poses a risk how much it’s tryfor buildings because if the soil liquefies the ing to be tipped [when disturbing force is most common issue is that ehe building sort applied], the overall amount of wrenching on of sinks partway down into the soil,” Sloat the base of the building we’re creating, that explained. “And we’re not talking about an force from earthquakes more or less relates entire building disappearing into a sand pit. to the square of the building height. If we That’s not what’s going to happen. It’s more double the height of a building, the like parts of the building will subside anydemands on the foundation are where from a couple inches to a foot or so, about four times as large, and it would damage the building enough roughly speaking… Now, that it wouldn’t be usable anymore.” for wind, the tipping There are a few ways that engineers can force on a buildmake buildings safe in liquefiable areas, Sloat ing is more closely said. “One thing you can do is compact it a related to the cube of a buildwhole bunch. But you can’t just sit on the ing’s height.” surface and bang on it. You have to cut a Wind isn’t an issue for short bunch of it out and compact it layer by layer.” buildings. But the taller a building But, he cautioned, some soils that are high gets, the more of an issue wind gets, in silt content, usually found on tidal flats or thus making concerns for earthfloodplains, may still be susceptible to liquequakes almost irrelevant, Sloat said. faction even when compacted.” Sloat spoke of a new, 58-story tower Another method to address liquefaction being constructed adjacent to the is compaction grouting. Compaction groutRainier Tower, “the rather worrisomeing, Sloat said, is when a dense fluid similar looking building that has a really to concrete called grout is injected deep narrow base and then flares outwards into the ground at multiple locations, like for about ten stories, and has a normal how custard is injected into a cupcake. The rectangular building after that. grout’s expansion helps to compact the soil It looks like it’s going to fall around it. Compaction grouting can also down at all be used to preemptively stop sinkholes by times, filling cavities into which the topsoil can collapse, and was originally used to reinforce the foundations of structures built on soft soils. While these methods are reasonably effective, some large buildings in Seattle built in liquefiable areas simply go around the problem. The city’s two large sports stadiums, Safeco Field and Centurylink Field, are built on giant steel pipes filled with concrete that are forced up to 90 feet into the ground, according to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. These pipes, known as piles, can support up to 300 tons apiece and extend through the problematic soils into the sturdier glacial till underneath. “More or less, the building is sitting on the ground, but really, it’s sitting on stilts on ground much further down, so if the top layers of soil liquefy, it’s a surface soil problem,” Sloat said. “If the top layers of soil liquefy, it

but it’s really a safe building.” According to Sloat, Degenkolb conducted the industry-standard external review of the new building’s engineering work and found that “not only does the wind dictate the design, but it almost won’t take any [structural] damage during an earthquake.” The strength the building must possess to remain stable in wind conditions means the building is also stable in earthquake conditions, he said. For smaller buildings, however, that may not be the case. “There are things that you would want to do, but even if you don’t do them, smaller houses and wood framing tend to behave better in earthquakes than in a bigger building that’s heavier,” said Collins. “It’s kind of like ‘ f = ma’ from physics class. Force equals your mass times acceleration. So the mass of the building, the weight of it, the more you have, multiply that by your acceleration, and you get a force. The acceleration is your earthquake shaking it. So, smaller houses and the wood framing they’re built of tend to behave better.” The frequency at which large skyscrapers vibrate is very slow in comparison with shorter buildings, much like a tall pine tree sways in the breeze slower than a short oak or spruce. Earthquakes’ effects, Sloat explained, are magnified on buildings whose “natural vibration period is between half a second and a second.” Therefore, he said, “earthquakes really drive the design of mid-rise buildings, whereas the really, really tall skyscrapers,

OCTOBER 2018 | 15 which people are always worried about, are designed to be so strong for wind that we don’t expect the earthquakes to really shake them that hard.” Although the effects of earthquakes are somewhat intensified on shorter buildings, residential homes aren’t a source of worry. “For the most part,” Sloat said, “singlefamily homes are small and not very heavy, and being tall and really heavy is what makes your building more vulnerable to earthquakes.” This relative strength limits the susceptibility of single-family homes to earthquakes, and means that problems that do pop up are often simple to fix. “There are a couple of primary risk factors for single family homes that are well understood and relatively easy to fix, and it’s not uncommon for people to do [the work required to fix them] on their own houses.” Most of Mountlake Terrace is comprised of single-family homes like the ones Sloat describes, dating back to the mid-20th century. From 1960 to 1970, the city’s population almost doubled, leading to an explosion in construction. Fortunately, the majority of these homes and other buildings in the city are safe due to their small size. Although the Seattle area does rest near a major fault (and in fact has its own fault running directly through the city), advancements in seismology and building laws reflecting that mean that the Seattle area—including Mountlake Terrace and MTHS—is much safer than it was a few short decades ago. H

16 | OCTOBER 2018

LIFESTYLE

Hawkeye

THE TREATS AND TRICKS OF TRICK-OR-TREATING

How to stay cautious when taking candy from strangers on Halloween

Story by Jackson Freund Graphics by Jonathan Kwong & Jonathan Savell

HAWKEYE STAFF

Halloween is a night for people of all ages to dress up in costumes and go house to house in search of something to satisfy their sweet tooth. It is a night for fun and partying, but also a night to be cautious of the dangers on the streets. While most would first think of Halloween candy being the biggest danger on Halloween, this should be the least of one’s concerns, as there have been no confirmed police reports of poisoned or tampered candy that has resulted in death in Halloween’s history — with one exception. In 1974 an 8-year-old-boy was poisoned and killed by a cyanide-laced Pixy Stix by a man by the name of Ronald Clark O’Bryan. O’Bryan was the boy’s father. He had added cyanide to the Pixy Stix in hopes of killing his son so he could receive a life insurance check of $40,000. His plan ended up failing, but it helped spread the myth of deadly candy. Even without the risk of poisoned candy, there are many dangers to watch out for on Halloween night, such as reckless drivers. Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for child pedestrians with more than double the average child pedestrian deaths than the average day. The CDC recommends giving children small flashing lights, reflective tape or glow sticks or reducing the amount of dark clothing on costumes to help with visibility. Although these measures reduce the

risk of crashes, they introduce the risk of glow stick poisoning. On average, there are more than 800 glow stick-related calls to poison control centers every Halloween. These calls usually consist of accidental consumption or contact with the glow stick liquid. These calls are usually not necessary, though, because according to the Illinois Poison Center the ingestion of a mouthful of glow stick liquid is considered to be minimally toxic. Children who ingest glow stick fluid will most likely end up with minor irritation of the mouth and throat depending on the color and brand of glow stick, as some different colors contain different chemicals that could require contacting a poison control center. Regardless, it is still advised to contact poison control if a child consumes a glow stick. There is also the danger of kidnappings, sexual assault and rape. While these cases are rare, they do still happen, such as the rape and murder of 9-yearold Lisa French in Fond du Lac, Wis. French’s death caused the city of Fond du Lac to designate certain trick-or-treating hours during the day. Law enforcement agencies recommend that parents and teens find the location of local sex offenders using the sex offender registry and avoid those houses when trick or treating, mindful of the fact that this registry only shows current offenders who have been convicted of sexual offenses. Another potential danger of Halloween is unsafe costumes. Costumes that involve masks that limit vision are not recommended as they hinder the ability to spot potential dangers, such as oncoming cars and dangerous decorations. Costumes can also pose the risk of fire-related injury if they are made from flammable material. In

specific cases, a costume could pose a serious fire hazard if it includes a long, flowing element, such as a dress or cape. Such elements could catch fire if they came into contact with a heated decoration, such as an electric light or a jack-o’-lantern. The National Fire Protection Association advises consumers to buy costumes made of fire-resistant materials and to avoid long trailing fabric.

LIFESTYLE

Hawkeye

OCTOBER 2018 | 17

Revival of HBN brings back video announcements A branch of student journalism returns from a hiatus to produce daily news updates as a class By Semira Beraki HAWKEYE STAFF

The cameras are set up, and the scripts are printed as the members of HBN (Hawk Broadcast Network) work on producing their next set of announcements. The HBN program kicked off the school year by bringing back their daily announcements to the MTHS community earlier this month, airing them via YouTube LIVE every day at around 9 in the morning. Last year, video announcements were cut due to the cancelation of HBN as a class. Previously, HBN had received funding from the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department, allowing them to produce video announcements on a regular basis. However, last year, HBN failed to meet the minimum requirement of 25 students enrolled to be considered a CTE course. HBN as a club, however, continued to broadcast after-school events and provide news to the community. “The major responsibility [of the network] is to be the hub of information for the school,” HBN adviser Angelo Comeaux said. Comeaux has been advising HBN for more than a decade, teaching students how to run a broadcasting network and cross-training them to be familiar with various skills. “I don’t want this system to be dependent on any one person; [it’s important that] everyone is cross-trained,” Comeaux said. For both the club and the class, HBN has set up a system that checks in on the progress of students in learning a skill set. For example, one student who has been handling graphics would switch over to learning how to do camera work, or would work on learning how to handle audio. With this system, if one person with a specific skill set was ever absent, then another individual would take on that role, continuing the broadcasting workflow without any disruptions. HBN’s style of making productions is taking in the news broadcast format. In this style, a combination of various roles are integrated to produce their works. For example, a production crew is constructed to include the director, the teleprompter and the audio

Scan this QR code to check out the HBN YouTube channel, where they livestream daily announcements, sports games and other stories.

HBN adviser Angelo Comeaux works on video production in the control room next to his classroom. Club members often pre-record their messages after school for the following day’s announcements. CAROLINE ERDEY | HAWKEYE operator. In addition, there also includes a studio crew, which consists of a floor director, cameramen and anchors. Once a script has been typed up, then all these people work together to produce their finished product: The daily MTHS news announcements. The HBN class, which is during second period, repeats this process of working together to make their productions, airing them the next period. No retakes or doovers can be made as it all goes into one take, or as Comeaux describes it, going from “live to record.” Constantly, the HBN class works with such a time constraint to finish their works, often using the club aspect of the network to refine their methods for broadcasting and taking time to send in reporters and cameraman to events. In addition to following this format for broadcasting, HBN also emulates the journalistic ethics that embody the clubs’ values. For example, in order to keep the integrity of the network, the club ensures the information they receive is accurate through having

club representatives email them a detailed their original power supply for the system account of their announcement. These not functioning. With these factors, “it was emails are then kept as records for not only time to replace the computer” in order to fit HBN to be held accountable for any inforwith the network’s utilization of HD in their mation they air, but also managing a trail productions. The new computer is an all-incontaining the recipients and time stamp of one set, having multiple features such as a information sent. main switcher, graphics producer, chroma “With the freedom [HBN has as a journal- key, and the ability to record, playback, conism platform] comes responnect to the internet, stream “The major sibility from the editors [of and more. responsibility [of the HBN] to keep things up “Except when it goes down, network] is to be the to journalistic standards,” then the whole [production] hub of information Comeaux said. Furthermore, goes down,” Comeaux said, for the school.” the club’s heavy emphasis referring to the potential Angelo Comeaux on delivering news ties with issue that can arise from HBN ADVISER their goals to connect with using a one-computer systhe MTHS community, covering a wide tem. Regardless, HBN has functioned more range of events for those unable to attend. effectively with this new system, taking the Despite HBN maintaining their traditional first month of the school year to learn how to methods of broadcasting, the network this handle the new equipment. HBN continues year had implemented various new changes to make their productions for the MTHS to their systems. For example, with funding audience, and hopes to gain “more participaprovided from CTE, HBN was able to purtion from the entire Terrace community” in chase a new computer. This was due to their spreading information and creating a more old computer system being out of date and unified network of news delivery. H

18 | OCTOBER 2018

LIFESTYLE

Hawkeye

Terrace senior named National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist

By Nhung Lam HAWKEYE STAFF

Two high school students from the Edmonds School District (ESD), including MTHS senior Cameron Suraci, were named semi-finalists for the National Merit Scholarship (NMSC) Since 1955, the NMSC has been an academic competition for recognition and college scholarships. Last year, 1.6 million juniors across the nation took the Pre-SAT (PSAT). The NMSC recognized 16,000 students across the nation who had the highest scores on the PSAT. About 90 percent of the semi-finalists will become finalists, and half of the finalists will receive awards. “It feels really satisfying to be a semi-finalist. I put the hours in for this, and it’s nice to finally get a payoff,” Suraci said. Suraci earned a score of 1500 on the PSAT, which carried over to a score of 224 on the NMSQT selec-

tion index. An NMSQT score of 222 qualifies students as a rather than a large university. Small private colleges, Suraci semi-finalist in Washington. said, would be more affordable, and he feels that at large Initially, the news of his semi-finalist status was delayed universities, undergraduates rarely get to participate in lab for Suraci, which made “[him] honestly worried by how long work. He wants to study biology and chemistry. Small priit took to get the news because in [Washington] state the vate colleges would be more affordable to him, he said, also standard is set higher than most other states at an NMSQT noting that at large universities, undergraduates rarely get to (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) participate in lab work that he would like to qualifying score of 222, and it was entirely experience. “It feels really satisfying to be a possible for even a high score to have been too Suraci recommends that those who wish to semi-finalist. I put low to earn the [semi-finalist] position.” pursue this scholarship practice standardized the hours in for Suraci learned of his position September testing. Suraci took two practice tests and did this, and it’s nice 20 from the Seattle Times.“Finally hearmany practice problems in preparation for to finally get a ing about [being a semi-finalist] was the PSAT. “Stay confident, but know where payoff,” both incredibly relieving and incredyou make mistakes and know how to prevent Cameron Suraci ibly satisfying,” Suraci said. that from happening,” Suraci said. Senior Although Suraci has been named On the no-calculator math sections of the a semi-finalist, he is not done with test, Suraci recommends showing as much the scholarship process yet. The second requirework as possible, which greatly decreases the chance of ment for the scholarship is to score high enough choosing the wrong answer. For reading questions with two on the SAT to prove that the PSAT assessment articles, Suraci suggests students read one of the articles, score was correct. Suraci was able to accomplish the answer the questions, then read the other article, answer the second requirement. For semi-finalists to qualify questions and then answer questions on both articles. as finalists, they must complete the National Merit “On the English section, [‘no] change’ is a much more comScholarship Application using NMSC’s Online mon answer than most people think states,” Suraci said. Scholarship Application (OSA). Suraci also suggests using a graphing calculator if available Semi-finalists will also need a letter of recommendaon the math portion of the test. tion from their counselors. Suraci wanted to eliminate any stress that could slow him The scholarship also requires semi-finalists to write a col- down or cause him to make mistakes. To reduce stress, lege admissions-style essay. This essay is to prove that Suraci used a study book that had thorough answer explanathe student is well rounded. The scholarship will tions which helped him pinpoint specific problems with his also require Suraci to test-taking techniques. have high enough class In the near future, Suraci would like to attend a smaller prigrades to ensure vate college rather than a large university.. He wants to study that he is also biology and chemistry. Small private colleges would be more on top of his affordable to Suraci and Suraci also feels that at large univerclasses. sities, undergraduates rarely get to participate in lab work a Suraci said which he would like to experience. the potential Being the only one from MTHS to be named a semischolarship finalist, Suraci thinks tests such as the PSAT in the ESD “would are “treated [as] one of the standardized tests that the dishelp [him] trict makes us take, not a potentially important test.” Suraci afford hopes to see multiple semi-finalists from MTHS next year. a more He believes there are plenty of people who are qualified and expensive would like them to be recognized and to potentially earn college scholarships for it. than the “I truly believe we need to take steps like this at [MTHS] University of because I know there are people at our school that could have Washing ton.” been semi-finalists if they had known that taking it seriously In the near was important,” Suraci said. future, Suraci NMSC will notify finalists in mid-February at their home would like to address. NMSC will inform semi-finalists’ high school prinattend a smaller cipals on their status and provide a Certificate of Merit for private college those who qualify as a finalist. H Senior Cameron Suraci has been honored as a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist, one of two students in the Edmonds School District and 16,000 students nationwide, for scoring 1,500 on the PSAT last year. He will learn in February if he has advanced to the finalist stage. TERESA BONILLA | HAWKEYE

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

OCTOBER 2018 | 19

HAS THE SUN SET ON TRADITION?

It seems fewer students participate in spirit events each year. Why? Story by Hank Belanger Graphics by Sierra Clark

sion of disinterest, though, saying, “It’s not year pranks and senior skip day. really my focus when coming to school.” As anybody can see, MTHS is not lacking HAWKEYE STAFF However, for some students, it’s the tradiin traditions. What seems to be lacking is the tions themselves that cause their lack of parOn a wall in one corner of the upstairs spirit behind them. ticipation. hallway, there are several posters with sevThe amount of participation in school traThe accessibility of the traditions has a lot eral teachers’ answers to questions such as, ditions, namely the largest, like spirit weeks to do with the number of participants, as “Who’s your favorite superhero?” and “Who and assemblies, has never been 100 percent, many students related that non-participation inspires you?” Yet there is one question that yet it seems that lately more and more stucame down to not having what was required seems an easy answer, but at the same time, a dents aren’t participating at all. for the activity. difficult one: “What is your favorite MTHS Tolo, for example, was a dance planned last Senior Glaxton Joseph reflected the idea for school tradition?” school year that was canceled due to only some of the traditions, namely spirit days, are Looking over the answers, you’ll find about 20 tickets being sold, when at about just “too hard” for most of the student body examples such as “Supersonic,” “multicultural 100 were needed to make a profit for the to participate in. assembly,” and a few joking “summer vacaASB. “Some of the spirit days just aren’t very tions.” However, the very existence of the The specific reasons for why school spirit much fun or inventive, and jokes brings another question to light: why has been falling through, sometimes they’re just a are school traditions not taken as seriously as though, vary between stu“As a senior, I should little too much, like jazzerdents. In general, it seems they once were? probably do more stuff. cise,” senior Alex Jackson people attribute the decline First, one has to understand what exactly a You think it’s stupid for the in spirit to simple disintersaid. “Some people just tradition is, as plenty of students don’t actufirst three years, and then don’t have the stuff for it, est and students not being ally realize the school has any. you think, what the heck, and for others it’s embarable to participate. As defined by the Merriam-Webster you might as well do it.” rassing.” Disinterest is the lack Dictionary, a tradition is “the transmission of Alex Jackson Senior Alec Baines customs or beliefs from generation to genera- of wanting to engage with Senior summed it up as, “The less tion,” and at MTHS, there are quite a few. spirit activities. Why the They include, but are certainly not limited apathy has grown can of course be blamed on effort, the better.” When it comes to class colors day, math to, spirit days like class colors and dress-up just “teens being teens,” with more distracteacher Daniel Johnston says, “We should be days, multicultural weeks, the Spirit Drum, tions today than ever before taking up the looking for ways to unite us rather than sepamacho volleyball, and many assembly-specific time that could be spent on participation. “Most events would require time and effort rate us,” referring to the separate colors and traditions like Supersonic, ice cream and to participate in, and I just don’t care that age getting in the way of school unity. cake and yelling “fight” during the national Yet with all that said, there is a big excepmuch,” junior Sebastian Turner said. anthem. There are also several senior tradition to the idea that “traditions are dying.” Junior Mitchell Givens has a different vertions, like senior sunrise, unofficial end-ofSpecifically, the level of senior participation in spirit activities far outstrips that of the other classes — just look at the sea of red whenever there’s an assembly on a class color day. Many seniors agree that there seems to be greater involvement due to having more traditions specifically targeted at the class, like senior sunset and unofficial events like an end-of-year prank and senior assassin. This is influenced by the fact that, for many, senior year is the year that the looming finality of high school finally catches up to them, and they come to the belief that they should experience all that they can in school while they have time, including the traditions. “As a senior, I should probably do more stuff,” Jackson expressed. “You think it’s stupid for the first three years, and then you think, what the heck, you might as well do it.” Senior Niko Johnson also supported the idea by saying how, now that he’s older and

Skip Seniaoyr : 25% oafbsent D eniors s

has more money due to a job, he can afford to spend more on traditions like spirit days, and now that he has a car he can drive himself to more activities. The inverse is true for the freshmen. A cursory glance at their homecoming hallways every year almost always tells the same story — a lack of school spirit. Due to being so new, as far as homecoming is concerned, there is a distinct lack or reason to put in the effort to school traditions. Except for, perhaps, this year. “I don’t remember anything from freshman year, but sophomore and junior year I at least knew about [homecoming],” Joseph said. Of course, with everything said and done, it’s obvious that not everyone is uninterested in school traditions. Junior Preston Thrush, being in ASB and thus wanting to spread spirit, tries to participate in as many activities as he can. Juniors Ethan Moore and Josh Beam both agree that participating in activities that are fun and interesting is great for showing school unity and spirit. In the end, can it be said that the reason for the “death” of school traditions is due to lack of interest in the activities, or that traditions are too hard to access? And are MTHS traditions going to go away for good? That’s unlikely, given the amount of spirit that still lives within the students. H

20 | OCTOBER 2018

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A special Spring Book is HERE!

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The Spring Book is FREE if you bought a 2018 yearbook. Extras may be available for purchase.

Join us for a fun night of raising money for all our activities here at MTHS. Wonderful items to bid on, raffles, live auction, dinner/drinks and comedic entertainment! This will be a night to remember for all.

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